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Nanotech 2005 Vol. 1
Technical Proceedings of the 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Chapter 3: Drug Delivery
Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems Based on Hydrotropic Polymers, Dendrimers, and Polymer Complexes
|J.H. Park, K.M. Huh, S.C. Lee, W-K Lee, T. Ooya and K. Park
|Purdue University, US
|124 - 127
|nanoparticle, hydrotropic polymer, dendrimer, polymer complex
|Novel nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have received increasing attention for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs and proteins. We have developed a new type of polymer micelles bearing the hydrotropic core segment, e.g., poly(2-(4-vinylbenzyloxy)-N,N-diethylnicotinamide), that enables the hydrophobic drug, such as paclitaxel, to be solubilized and stabilized. These hydrotropic polymer micelles have a size in the range of 30-50 nm which increased to 100-120 nm after paclitaxel loading. The resulting micelles released paclitaxel in a controlled manner and showed high physical stability in aqueous media for several months. As an alternative method to hydrotropic polymeric micelles, we have prepared hydrotropic dendrimers (2-5 nm in diameter), composed of the ethylene glycol unit which has a hydrotropic property. The water solubility of paclitaxel was increased by 10,000-fold in the presence of such dendrimers, and the solubilized paclitaxel was released from the dendrimer system into the surrounding aqueous solution, in which the release rate was a function of the dendrimer generation. Nanoparticles specifically designed for protein delivery have also been developed based on physical interactions between two polymers in an aqueous solution. The nanosized particles were formed by simple mixing of two polymer solutions through which physical crosslinking occurs. Lysozyme, a model protein, was effectively encapsulated by a simple mixing process.
|View PDF of paper
|Mail/Fax Form


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Wal-Mart is expanding, yet again....
Wal-Mart announced that, sometime in 2008, it will begin offering customers a new discount item... Wal-Mart's own brand of wine. The world's largest retail chain is rumored to be teaming up with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery of California to produce the spirits at an affordable price -- in the $2 to $5 range.
Wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to put a bottle of the Wal-Mart brand into their shopping carts, but "There is a market for inexpensive wine." said Kathy Micken, professor of marketing at University of Arkansas, Bentonville. "However, branding will be very important."
Customer surveys were conducted to determine the most attractive name for the Wal-Mart wine brand. The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:
10. Chateau Traileur Parc
9. White Trashfindel
8. Big Red Gulp
7. World Championship Riesling
6. NASCARbernet
5. Chef Boyardeaux
4. Peanut Noir
3. I Can't Believe it's not Vinegar
2. Grape Expectations
1. Nasti Spumante
The beauty of Wal-Mart wine is that it can be served with either white meat (Possum)
or red meat (Squirrel).
P.S. Don't bother writing back that this is a fake deal. I know possum is not a white meat.....
In a while, Chet.
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The franchise sequel had the April 10 date all to itself, but Universal said today that it's moving the film's release ahead a week to Easter weekend. Fast & Furious 7 now is set for April 3, which gives it an extra weekend of play before the April 17 debut of Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. F&F7's new opening-weekend competition will be Fox romancer The Longest Ride. James Wan is directing this installment of the blockbuster series, which again stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker — in his last film — Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and others, including franchise rookies Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou and Kurt Russell.
'Fast & Furious 7' Sped Up By A Week
6 Comments
Easter Sunday works for me, I will be resurrecting Paul Walker on that day along with myself we are both returning to the land of the living to watch this movie.
Are they scared of Paul Blart 2?
Paul Blart has a more extensive script pamphlet.
Hell No. they are not scared of that movie
Way, way cool. Can't wait…, Hey Deadline, I like your new look. When is the switch over? Out with the old & in with the new. – Wahoo!


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Students participating in the UCDC Law Program are responsible for arranging their own housing.
Housing is available in the UC Washington Center on a very limited basis. Priority is given to students participating in the undergraduate UCDC program. The UCDC Law Program does not have housing reserved in the Center, however extra space is sometimes available. Visit the UCDC Program's Guest Housing page or email Mac Hamlett for more information. Housing decisions are typically made one to two months prior to the beginning of the term, so it is best to make requests as soon as possible.
A survey of past program participants suggests that students have had success finding housing by utilizing resources such as craigslist and padmapper.com. Students recommend looking for housing along whichever metro line is most accessible to your externship site and strongly suggest visiting apartments before entering rental agreements. For this reason, it can be most useful to conduct the search in person. Students also recommend exploring options in your social networks, such as those provided by your campus alumni networks, Facebook, and Linkedin. Students who are on a budget may want to consider housing options in metro-accessible suburbs outside the District, but should be aware that commuting times can be long.
Most importantly, it is recommended that apartment hunters be patient and remain positive; while housing is in high demand, the vast majority of past participants report being very satisfied with their final housing arrangements. Please feel free to reach out to us should you have any questions or need assistance.
Helpful Links


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Your Cat, Your Life
The Scoop
Cat News, Politics
Meow-Out-Loud Humor
Cat Chic
Gear and Glam
Your cat loves a clean toilet -- don't we all? Catster's singing Cat Lady, Sarah Donner, explains why.
Cat Breeds
Foods & Treats
Health & Care
Behavior & Training
Cats & Cleaning
Cat of the Day
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Photo Comments
Well, my friends Catster is Leaving us. We are sad to see it go. We have not been on as much as we used to but we did check in every day or so just to see what our friends had been up to. And to change our pages with the season.
We would like to thank every single cat who has befriended us, written a comment, sent gifties, pawmails etc. over the years. Catster has seen our family grow through new additions and helped us greatly when we lost furmily members. everyone new the joy or the pain we felt. So instead of the loving family we had all become, we will be replaced with shiny headlines and soulless fluff. Maybe that was meant to be, but we are sad for it.
Anyone who would like to keep in touch with our Meowmy can do so @ allthingsplants.com Meowmy is known as: kimkats ,there and can be found on the daylily forum , since she is as crazy about daylilies as she is about us kitties.
For those in bad health we send you healing thoughts, for coping with the loss of a beloved furbaby we send you hugs and know we feel your pain and it does ease over time.
Well wishes to all and big hugs to all catsters across the world.
Sincerly, Zeeke, angel Romeo, Cleopatra, Trooper, Kahless, Harley, Davidson, Tomiko, Miyoko, Francis, Kibbles, PJ, Fozzy Bear, Angel Morty, Angel Tigger, Zelda, Mishka, Angel Onyx, DC, TOes, Angel Yoda
And momcat KIM
Hi Meowy,
Sorry I can't be there today, but I want to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY.
I love you and always will,
Your little Angle Tigger
Sadly today Tigger succumbed to what we believe to be FIP.
Our little girl was unable to walk this morning and was coughing up liquid. We knew it was time to end our fight and help her move on to Rainbow Bridge. It was hard but it was the best we could do for our little girl.
Up until this morning she was able to enjoy life and was happy with no pain. Just last night she ate some shrimps cut into Tiggy sized pieces. She got to go for one last ride in her stroller which seemed to perk her up just a bit, so I believe she went to the bridge a happy , loved little girl.
Her siblings and Aunties and Uncles miss her already, as do her human family, Momcat, Grammy and Pappy.
Tigger was a very loved little kitty.
We are very sad in this household tonight.
Thank you to all who have e-mailed, paw-mailed and sent rosettes with kind words and thoughts. We all very much aprreciate the thoughts and sentiments from each one. Only when you love this much does it hurt so deeply. Your words help to ease the pain.
Copyright © I-5 Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas
Select your stay dates to check availability
Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas
About the hotel
Property Location
With a stay at Aston Waikoloa Colony Villas in Waikoloa (Kohala Coast - Waikoloa), you'll be minutes from Waikoloa Beach Golf Course and Waikoloa Kings' Course. This golf condo is within close proximity of Genesis Gallery and Kings Shops.
Make yourself at home in one of the 168 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and stovetops. Rooms have private patios. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include desks and microwaves, and you can also request cribs/infant beds (complimentary).
Practice your swing on the golf course or dip into one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools. Additional features at this condo include a hair salon, a picnic area, and barbecue grills.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, multilingual staff, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Multilingual staff
- Total number of rooms - 168
- Laundry facilities
- Golf course on site
- Spa tub
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Tennis on site
- Free self parking
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Hair salon
- Number of floors - 2
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Number of outdoor pools - 2
- Picnic area
- Fitness facilities
Room Facilities
- Coffee/tea maker
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Separate living room
- Hair dryer
- Dishwasher
- DVD player
- Air conditioning
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Shower only
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
- Sofa bed
- Desk
- Free toiletries
- Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
- Cable TV service
- Iron/ironing board
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Television
- Separate dining area
- Partially open bathroom
- Washer/dryer
- Access via exterior corridors
- Microwave
- Patio
- Stovetop
- Kitchen
Hotel Policy
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: USD included in resort fee (rates may vary)
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 30 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Mandatory Fees and Taxes
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
- Cleaning fee: USD 195 per accommodation, per stay (varies per unit size)
- Resort fee: USD 10.42 per accommodation, per night
- Internet access
- Newspaper
- Phone calls
- In-room safe
- In-room coffee
- Lending library access
- Additional inclusions
We have included all charges provided to us by the property. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.This hotel does not offer daily housekeeping service. A one-time cleaning fee applies and is collected at the property. Fee varies per accommodation. Daily housekeeping may be arranged for an additional fee. For more details, please contact the office using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking. Show all hotel policy Show less hotel policy


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Extradition Lawyers and Law Firms in North Carolina (NC)
Extradition Law Firms in North Carolina by City
Extradition Firms in North Carolina by City
North Carolina Extradition Attorneys
Fayad Law, P.C.Raleigh, NC 27612
North Carolina Immigration Lawyer(919) 294-8032
Are you being faced with deportation? An experienced Immigration Attorney from Fayad Law, P.C. can offer the legal support and experience you need!
Gardner Law, PLLCRaleigh, NC 27601
Raleigh Immigration Attorney(919) 355-5134
Looking for an immigration lawyer in Raleigh? My firm offers services for naturalization, citizenship, immigration criminal defense, drug possession, employer compliance, and more.
Law Offices of Neelam BhardwajGreensboro, NC 27410
Immigration, Visas and Nationality Law Attorney in Greensboro, North Carolina(336) 834-3244
The Law Offices of Neelam Bhardwaj specializes in immigration and nationality law and visas. Although based in North Carolina, our offices have represented people from all over the world.
Moran-Bates LawFuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Fuquay-Varina Litigation Firm(919) 219-2758
The Farrell Law GroupRaleigh, NC 27609
Raleigh, NC Lawyers(919) 872-0300
The Farrell Law Group has been assisting a wide range of businesses and individuals with business law, franchising law, immigration law, estate planning and asset protection for over 30 years.
The Law Firm of Yolette M. SaintinyBolivia, NC 28422
Immigration Law Firm(910) 805-1304
Full service Law Firm providing competent, comprehensive and zealous legal representation in a client friendly atmosphere.; Haitian Creole, French and Spanish speaking attorneys/staff ready to assist you. We get results by filing the proper and correct paper work initially to ensure the desired...
The Manne Law FirmRaleigh, NC 27603
North Carolina Immigration Law Firm(919) 576-9170
The Manne Law Firm is a full service immigration firm based out of Raleigh, NC, that serves clients worldwide and locally from cities including Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Garner, Chapel Hill and Durham. Our success has been driven by an understanding that what our clients seek is superior expertise,...
The Quinn Law FirmGreensboro, NC 27401
Greensboro Employment and Immigration Lawyer(336) 790-4178
Whether your matter involves sexual or racial harassment, immigration, Social Security, or workers' compensation, the lawyer you choose can make a difference. Let The Quinn Law Firm put its knowledge and experience to work for you.
Vasquez Law Firm, PLLCSmithfield, NC 27577
Immigration Criminal Family Law Practice(919) 989-3000
Oficina de abogado de Inmigracion, defensa criminal y derechos de familia en North Carolina. El abogado que habla su idioma! We are a firm that specializes in immigration, criminal defense and family law in Smithfield and Raleigh North Carolina.


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11/3/2017 » 11/6/20172017 NAPABA Convention
11/8/2018 » 11/11/20182018 NAPABA Convention
11/7/2019 » 11/10/20192019 NAPABA Convention
11/5/2020 » 11/8/20202020 NAPABA Convention
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 50,000 attorneys and 81 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes Asian Pacific American political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about Asian Pacific Americans in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
NAPABA and SABA Condemn the President's Second Attempt
to Exclude Refugees and Implement a Muslim Ban
March 6, 2017
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) condemn President Trump's new executive order that includes many of the discriminatory provisions of his earlier order, which also sought to stop refugees from entering the United States and halt immigration from several Muslim-majority countries. These orders, which are based on the misguided idea that certain religious and ethnic populations are more prone to violence, are incompatible with American values, and will not make our communities safer or our nation stronger. Notably, the order, continues to 1) suspend refugee admission for 120 days, 2) reduce and limit the number of refugee admissions, and 3) targets individuals from six Muslim-majority countries, suspending entry of individuals for 90 days, with some exceptions.
"The executive order is a continuation of the same policy that discriminates against and devalues refugees and members of the Muslim community," said NAPABA President Cyndie Chang. "We must refuse to act out of fear and intolerance. We must not return to the dark chapters of our history where we judged people by the color of their skin, how they prayed, or where their family came from. We must stand up for our values of equity, justice, and opportunity."
"The President's Executive Action does nothing more than advance an anti-Muslim agenda espoused during the campaign under the guise of National Security," said SABA President Vichal Kumar. "A refugee, by definition, is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. The supposed justification for this Executive Action punishes this person for the very same war and persecution that is causing them to leave in the first place."
The new executive order clarifies it is not applicable to certain individuals, such as valid visa holders whose documents were issued on or before Jan. 27, 2017, lawful permanent residents, and dual-national passport holders. The order will take effect on March 16, 2017.
The executive order continues to require regular reports be published on suspected criminal activity committed by foreign nationals and refugees. When combined with reporting requirements under other immigration related executive orders, these reports will generate greater mistrust and fear of immigrant communities.
Both NAPABA and SABA joined litigation against the executive order enacted on Jan. 27, 2017. Our members have been at the airports assisting families, in the field educating communities about their rights, and in the courts supporting local and national pro bono efforts. Read our original statement here.
NAPABA and SABA join our fellow attorneys, the Asian Pacific American community, and Americans of all backgrounds in reiterating our commitment to diversity and justice. We remain committed to ensuring that all are free from discrimination and racial and religious profiling.
Updated March 16, 2017
The following NAPABA affiliates and national associates have signed-on to this statement:
NAPABA and SABA Condemn the President's Exclusion
of Refugees and his "Muslim Ban"
Jan. 27, 2017
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) condemn President Trump's executive order stopping refugees from entering the United States and halting immigration from Muslim-majority countries. These orders, which are based on the misguided idea that certain ethnic populations are more prone to violence, are incompatible with American values, and will not make our communities safer or our nation stronger. Notably, the order, (1) halts refugee admissions from all countries for at least 120 days, (2) indefinitely halts the admission of Syrian refugees, (3) lowers the number of refugee admissions to the United States, (4) grants states and localities the ability to stop refugees from settling in their jurisdiction, and (5) suspends all entry of individuals from certain Muslim-majority countries.
"We must recognize the humanitarian needs of refugee populations and we must refuse to act based on fear and intolerance," said NAPABA President Cyndie Chang. "Policies that discriminate against members of the Muslim community go against our values as Americans. President Trump's anti-immigrant executive orders open the door to a de facto 'Muslim ban,' and roll back efforts to create safe and supportive communities. As Asian Pacific Americans who are first, second, or third generation immigrants — which includes refugees, undocumented, and Muslims — we know all too well the harm these types of restrictive policies may cause."
"Criminalizing and stigmatizing a group of people simply for their religious beliefs, what they look like and where they come from, violates the American spirit of equality, fairness and innocence until proven guilty," said SABA President Vichal Kumar. "The carve out in the Executive Actions for religious minorities challenges any assertion that these orders do not directly target Muslims. An outright ban of an entire group is an overbroad and unjustified response to a threat that is based solely on conjecture and unsupported by facts. These actions will leave a legacy of creating deeper mistrust of our communities."
As organizations that serve and represent the interests of Asian Pacific American attorneys, we know firsthand the harmful legacy of national security programs and exclusionary immigration laws that have unfairly targeted our communities. Our communities have experienced exclusion by law from the 1800s through the 1960s — with bans on country admission like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924. We remember the discrimination and hate crimes that our communities experienced in the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Our communities, especially our Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian communities were viewed with suspicion and hate, and subjected to violence in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. We recognize the hope the United States represents to those in humanitarian crises, including to refugees from Asia and the Middle East who have accounted for over half of the refugees admitted to the United States since 1975. Although national security and public safety are critical for all Americans, policies and practices that discriminate against refugees or immigrants on the basis of national origin, race, ethnicity, or religion will not achieve these goals.
Refugees, like other immigrants, enrich our communities and contribute significantly to American society and we oppose efforts to reduce the number of refugees entering the United States. Refugees encounter a high level of scrutiny and security screening before arriving in the United States, often taking almost two years. Those refugees who are admitted for resettlement are usually the most helpless and have fled violence or persecution, such as Asian Pacific American immigrants who came and who still come to the United States due to volatile conditions, war, or strife in their countries of origin.
When our laws are fueled by stereotypes, fear, and mistrust, families are torn apart. NAPABA and SABA stand strongly against government policies and practices that enable racial profiling and discrimination. These policies only provoke and intensify xenophobia and hate or bias motivated acts against communities such as ours.
NAPABA and SABA Condemn Anti-Immigrant Executive Orders
Jan. 26, 2017
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) condemn the anti-immigrant and xenophobic Executive Orders issued yesterday by President Trump. Notably, the orders (1) revive the "Secure Communities" immigration enforcement program, which was previously criticized for promoting racial profiling by local law enforcement officials who were required to enforce federal immigration laws, (2) implement policies that may result in the deportation of tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants who pose no threat to the American people, and (3) strip federal funding from "sanctuary cities," that protect countless immigrants and their families by refusing to prosecute residents for violations of federal immigration laws.
The policies announced yesterday encourage racial and religious profiling and almost exclusively target communities of color. There are 1.3 million undocumented Asian Pacific Americans, including those brought to the United States as children, whose families will be directly affected by these orders. In recent months, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian Americans have been the targets of more hate incidents and violence than at any time since the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11 — with a noticeable increase in anti-immigrant bias. These Executive Orders that breed distrust of immigrants will only serve to make our communities less safe.
"Actions like the President's executive orders have been shown in the past to discourage victims from reporting crimes to law enforcement officials because of fear of prosecution based on immigration status and threatens the years of progress we have made towards creating safer communities," said NAPABA President Cyndie Chang. "As attorneys, we are committed to ensuring that all persons in the United States have equal access to justice and the ability to seek assistance from law enforcement without fear of reprisal or harm."
"The President's actions demonize and stigmatize groups of people and further the divisions in our country, while reinforcing the fear and distrust permeating our communities," stated Vichal Kumar, president of SABA. "With the stroke of a pen, these divisive actions have caused grave uncertainty, shock and grief amongst our must vulnerable. We must continue to provide safety and security for our communities and not allow these divisive actions to further tear us part."
These orders, along with the reportedly forthcoming executive actions to restrict immigration based on nationality and religion and to close our borders to refugees, represent a rejection of our core values as a country, which has always welcomed those who have been forced to flee their homes to escape conflict or persecution. These actions also represent a step backwards in decades-long efforts to create trust between law enforcement agencies, immigrant communities, and the broader American public — which is a critical component of public safety for all Americans.
Sanctuary policies promote positive relationships between law enforcement and immigrant communities and studies indicate they have not lead to increases in crime. Local jurisdictions have enacted these policies to encourage victims and witnesses of crimes to step forward as a matter of public safety. Threating funding for such jurisdictions may jeopardize the effective operation of our legal system and public safety for all Americans.
The orders further criminalize immigrant communities and will lead to an increase in detention and deportation. The orders expand enforcement priorities to include anyone convicted of any crime, without respect to the seriousness of the crime, and those who are not charged with a crime. Further, Secure Communities led to an increase in racial and national origin profiling by law enforcement resulting in thousands of U.S. citizens being detained.
Immigrant communities and their families contribute to our nation, regardless of origin or status. As attorneys whose families come from a wide range of immigrant and religious backgrounds, we understand that these policies will not make us safer or unite us as a country and NAPABA and SABA will continue to stand up for the rights of immigrants and religious minorities. We encourage our members and all members of the legal community to join us to stand up for the rights of our communities.
Remember Me
5/25/2017NAPABA Applauds Fourth Circuit Decision Upholding Block on Revised Muslim Ban
5/25/2017NAPABA Celebrates Confirmation of Judge Amul Thapar to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
4/21/2017NAPABA Leads Amicus Brief Against Muslim Ban in 9th Circuit with 43 Bar Associations
4/21/2017NAPABA and CA APA Bar Assns Share Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye's Concerns on Access to Justice
© 1995-2014 National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
The NAPABA and the NAPABA logo are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.


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Date of Stay: September, 2010
Our family, along with 5 other families recently camped here. Owner host and his family were absolutely wonderful. He was constantly around making sure everyhing was fine. He went out of his way to make sure every camper was having a good time. The sites are well maintained, grassy, spacious and very, very clean. My children, 14 and 9 were constantly busy. This campground had something for everyone. The all-day activities were well planned and any activity that involved a fee was minimal. We plan to return here again next year. It was the most relaxing trip we had this camping season. As a side note, to the couple that wrote about the visiting Bear and Skunk, we too experienced the skunk, but when you are camping in the woods, you should expect to see nature. If you want a family fun weekend, with great camp owners, and a lot of things for the kids/adults, then Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park of Tunkhannock is the place to camp!
Date of Stay: August, 2010
We stayed at the Mystic KOA to celebrate my Birthday. What a clean and well maintained campground. The sites were close, but not so close your were uncomfortable. The playground was my childrens' favorite spot, unfortunately, it was too cold to swim, but the pool was clean and inviting. The whole park overall was very clean and well maintained. I liked how each person is escorted to their site, huge plus. The camp store was stocked with whatever you needed. However, I found the staff not as friendly or helpful as I anticipated them to be, and the gated entrance made me not feel as welcome as other ungated campgrounds. This campground is still one that we would revisit when in Mystic again. Their location to the Aquarium, Seaport, Town and Walmart was a short drive.


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Judith is an innovative, experienced teacher in the contemporary spiritual and psychotherapy fields. She developed the Realization Process, a method of realizing fundamental (non-dual) consciousness,and applying it to psychological, relational and physical healing, and has taught it for over thirty years throughout the United States and Europe, and at Esalen Institute in California since 1987.
She has her Masters in Transpersonal Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and her Ph.D. in Psychology, Eastern Religion and Embodiment from Union Institute & University. She trained at the Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy in New York City. She has thirty years of clinical experience as a psychotherapist and is licensed in New York (Mental Health Counselor 000388).
She has been a meditation practitioner and student of contemplative traditions for over thirty-five years. She has studied with many teachers in the Hindu (Advaita Vedanta, Bhakti and Kashmir Shaivism), Zen Buddhist and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. She has received numerous teachings, over the past three decades, in the Mahamudra and Dzog-chen traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Her main teacher has been nature--the subtle emanations from all living forms,the challenges presented by a severe back injury, the natural unwinding, in meditation, of the body, heart and mind toward openness, and the spontaneous appearance of unified, luminous transparency. The Realization Process emerged outside of any lineage, in response to her own needs for healing and realization, and the needs of the people in her classes and private practice.
She is author of Belonging Here: A Guide for the Spiritually Sensitive Person; The Enlightenment Process; The Intimate Life; The Subtle Self and The Empathic Ground: Intersubjectivity and Nonduality in the Psychotherapeutic Process. Her essay, Nonduality and Intersubjectivity in the Psychotherapeutic Relationship was published in the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology and in the anthology Listening from the Heart of Silence. She has also been published in the International Journal of Self Psychology, USA Body Psychotherapy Journal and Inner Directions Journal. She has presented the Realization Process and papers on the interface of psychotherapy and Realization Process at Self Psychology conferences, the Towards a Science of Consciousness conference in Tucson, Arizona, the Consciousness and Experiential Psychology Conference at Oxford University, UK, the USA Body Psychotherapy conference, the Science and Nonduality Conference, and the Conference on Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy in San Francisco. A six-CD series of Judith explaining and teaching the Realization Process is available from Sounds True. With her husband, Zoran Josipovic, Judith founded the Nonduality Institute, dedicated to the practice and scientific study of nonduality. For more information, visit www.nondualityinstitute.org.


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Popular property highlights
Days Inn Houston - Galleria TX places you within 2 miles (3 km) of The Galleria and Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. This 40-room motel welcomes guests with conveniences like free breakfast, free in-room WiFi, and free self parking. Also near this Houston motel are Williams Tower and Houston Country Club.
Free hot/cold buffet breakfast is served each morning from 6 AM to 9:30 AM.
All 40 recently renovated accommodations feature sitting areas. Guests can expect free WiFi and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms offer deep soaking tubs, hair dryers, and free toiletries. Microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee makers are other standard amenities.
Property features
Renovated in 2015, Days Inn Houston - Galleria TX offers a fitness center, free WiFi in public areas, and a 24-hour business center. If you plan to drive, free parking is available. The 24-hour front desk has multilingual staff ready to assist with sightseeing, directions, and local dining recommendations. Additional amenities include coffee/tea in a common area, a computer station, and free newspapers.
- Free hot/cold buffet breakfast
- Free WiFi in rooms and public areas
- Free parking
- Fitness center
Days Inn Houston - Galleria TX
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
A computer station is located on site and wireless Internet access is complimentary. A 24-hour business center is on site. A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning. This Houston motel also offers a fitness center, multilingual staff, and coffee/tea in a common area. Limited complimentary onsite parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Days Inn Houston - Galleria TX has designated areas for smoking.
- Free WiFi
- Total number of rooms - 40
- Number of floors - 2
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- 24-hour front desk
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Free breakfast
- Fitness facilities
- Designated smoking areas (fines apply)
- Designated smoking areas
- Computer station
- Laundry facilities
- Multilingual staff
- Parking (limited spaces)
- Free self parking
- 24-hour business center
- Television in common areas
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking, Parking (limited spaces)
Room Amenities
Days Inn Houston - Galleria TX offers 40 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. These individually furnished accommodations have separate sitting areas. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium satellite channels. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations with deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries.
This Houston motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and ceiling fans. Housekeeping is provided daily. Renovation of all guestrooms was completed in February 2015.
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free WiFi
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Premium TV channels
- Separate sitting area
- Air conditioning
- Ceiling fan
- Access via exterior corridors
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Microwave
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Deep soaking bathtub
- Shower/tub combination
- Iron/ironing board
- Television
- Desk
- Satellite TV service
- Flat-panel TV
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Individually furnished
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6 AM and 9:30 AM.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the motel include a fitness center.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Minimum check-in age is 21
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.00 per day.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 500 per pet, per night (maximum USD 500 per stay), plus a one-time cleaning fee of USD 500 and a deposit of USD 500 per stay
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
Debit cards not accepted
Only service animals are allowed
No elevators
- Deposit: USD 150.00 per stay
Optional extras
- Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: USD 0.01 per stay (rates may vary)
- Pet deposit: USD 500 per stay
- Pet fee: USD 500 per pet, per night (maximum USD 500 per stay) plus USD 500 one-time cleaning fee
- Early check-in fee: USD 80.00
- Late check-out fee: USD 80.00
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.00 per day
Hotel Name
- Days Inn Galleria
- Days Inn Galleria Houston TX
- Days Inn Galleria Motel
- Days Inn Galleria Motel Houston TX
- Days Inn Houston Galleria TX
- Days Inn Houston TX
- Days Inn Houston - Galleria Mall Hotel Houston
- Days Inn Houston Galleria TX Motel
- Houston Days Inn
We should mention
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties. Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation. Alcohol is not served at this property.


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Based on data accumulated by the U.S. Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) surveys from the Fall of 2014, the WCET Distance Education Enrollment Report 2016 highlights differences by sector, graduate vs. undergraduate study, student location, and by the number of institutions educating students at a distance. Our aim is to enlighten readers about the current state of the industry through graphs, data tables, observations, and commentary based on our insights.
Previous WCET work on IPEDS Distance Education Data
WCET has analyzed the Distance Education data reported to IPEDS since it first became available. Previous findings have been reported through the WCET Frontiers Blog.
Fall 2012 Data Blogs:
"U.S. Distance Education Adoption by the Numbers: an IPEDS Reality Check"
"Where in the World Are Our Distance Education Students?: IPEDS Reality Check"
"Colleges Crossing Borders—Counts and State Authorization: IPEDS Reality Check"
Fall 2013 Data Blogs:
"IPEDS Fall 2013: Higher Ed Sectors Vary Greatly in Distance Ed Enrollments"
"IPEDS Fall 2013: Distance Education Data Reveals More Than Overall Flat Growth"
"IPEDS Fall 2013: Less than Half of Fully Distant Students Come from Other States"
"Busting the Myth: Distance Education Enrollment Infographic"
2014 Data Blog:
"Highlights of Distance Education Enrollment Trends from IPEDS Fall 2014"
Russ Poulin and Terri Straut (WCET) partnered with Phil Hill (e-Literate blog) to investigate the nature of data reporting anomalies. WCET also conducted a non-scientific canvassing of a sample of colleges and universities whose IPEDS Distance Education reporting seemed incongruous with their size or Distance Education operations. This research resulted in the identification of a number of ways that institutions IPEDS reporting regarding Distance Education was inaccurate: "Investigation of IPEDS Distance Education Data: Systems Not Ready for Modern Trends " and was reported by Inside Higher Ed .
Our Partner on this Report: Babson Survey Research Group
WCET was pleased to partner with the Babson Survey Research Group for this report. We pooled resources to create a data set of institutional responses that improved on our separate work from previous years. Highlights of this report are included in Babson's Online Report Card: Tracking Online Education in the United States.


text:
An Autobiography HTML version
her life. She survived her husband and all her children, and had just lost the youngest, the
posthumous boy. For them and for the family of a brother she had carried on the
strenuous literary work--fiction, biography, criticism, and history--and when she died at
the age of 69 she had not completed the history of a great publishing house--that of
Blackwood. Her life tallies with mine on many points, but it is not till I have completed
my 84 years that her sad narrative impels me to set down what appears noteworthy in a
life which was begun in similar circumstances, but which was spent mainly in Australia.
The loss of memory which I see in many who are younger than myself makes me feel
that while I can recollect I should fix the events and the ideals of my life by pen and ink.
Like Mrs. Oliphant, I was born (three years earlier) in the south of Scotland. Like her I
had an adrnirable mother but she lost hers at the age of 60, while I kept mine till she was
nearly 97. Like Mrs. Oliphant, I was captivated by the stand made by the Free Church as
a protest against patronage, and like her I shook off the shackles of the narrow Calvinism
of Presbyterianism, and emerged into more light and liberty. But unlike Mrs. Oliphant, I
have from my earliest youth taken an interest in politics, and although I have not written
the tenth part of what she has done, I have within the last 20 years addressed many
audiences in Australia and America, and have preached over 100 sermons. My personal
influence has been exercised through the voice more strongly than by the pen, and in the
growth and development of South Australia, to which I came with my parents and
brothers and sisters when I was just 14, and the province not three years old, there have
been opportunities for usefulness which might not have offered if I had remained in
Melrose, in Sir Walter Scott's country.


text:
Notice: On March 31, it was announced that Statalist is moving from an email list to a forum. The old list will shut down on April 23, and its replacement, statalist.org is already up and running.
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: st: logistic regression predictors
Steve Samuels <email@example.com>
Re: st: logistic regression predictors
Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:24:21 -0400
With such a strong independently predictive group, logistic regression
will give poor predictions, because it assumes that all variables are
needed to predict for each individual. The solution is a tree-based
approach. The original reference is Breiman, L., J. H. Friedman, R. A.
Olshen, and C. J. Stone. 1984. Classification and Regression Trees. New
York: Chapman & Hall/CRC. Apparent Stata solutions are -boost-
("findit boost") and -cart- (from SSC). I say "apparent", because I've
not closely read the documentation for either. Non-commercial
solutions can be found in R and at
Steven Samuels
18 Cantine's Island
Saugerties NY 12477
Voice: 845-246-0774
Fax: 206-202-4783
On Sun, Jul 18, 2010 at 1:57 AM, lilian tesmann <email@example.com> wrote:
> Dear All,
> I am trying to predict mortality rates in a specific population of clients.
> I encountered two problems and would be really grateful for any insights or suggestions.
> (1) We have one predictor – a health condition, which is present in only 5% of population but over70% of people with that condition die. Not surprisingly OR is very large (from 25 to 50). The purpose of the analysis is to obtain individual predictions, but they are hugely influenced by this health condition. Could anyone suggest how to deal with this problem?
> (2) Another problem is that in this very specific clinical population another two health conditions, which are usually very significant predictors of death, have OR=0.3-0.5. The result it has on prediction is that according to my model, sicker people have a lower risk of dying. It looks to me as a collinearity issue between predictors and our inclusion/exclusion criteria which created this population. What do I do in this situation? We cannot change inclusion criteria and we have only a small number of predictors, three of them with 'behavior problems'.
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/help.cgi?search
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/


text:
The 14th edition of the European Championships kicks off on Saturday morning as Poland and Ukraine play hosts to the best soccer nations in UEFA.
nzherald.co.nz's Cameron McMillan takes a look at the four groups and how the first stage could play out. Today: Group B.
Netherlands (FIFA ranking 4, UEFA ranking 2)
Denmark (10, 10)
Germany (2, 3)
Portugal (5, 11)
Many groups in the past have been dubbed the 'Pool of death' but Group B really does earn the title. All four teams are ranked in the top 10 in the world with Germany, Netherlands and Portugal all in the top five and like Group A, three of the nations are previous champions with Portugal the odd-one out. Though there is a tinge of 'bridesmaids' to Group B with Portugal (second in Euro 2004), Germany (second in Euro 2008), Netherlands (second in 2010 World Cup) having all gone so close to securing major titles in recent times before just falling short.
Germany - Going for a fourth European Championship with their last coming in 1996, the Germans won all 10 games in qualifying with an impressive goal difference of plus 27. Always reliable to go far in a tournament having gone semifinal, final, semifinal in their last three major tournaments but is that a sign they can't go all the way? Once again they field a very experienced team with 33-year-old striker Miroslav Klose leading the way at the front - having scored nine goals in six appearances during qualifying. Netherlands have Van Persie, Portugal have Ronaldo but Germany's more rounded team should see them top the group.
Dark horse:
Denmark - The only 'underdog' option really but a hugely underrated team when you look at their world ranking of number 10. Beat Portugal 2-1 in Copenhagen last year and drew 2-2 with Germany in 2010. Won the title in 1992 but have won only two games at the Euros since. Still this is a group where anyone can beat anyone which could work in Denmark's favour if they steal an upset. Finished off preparations with a 2-0 win over Australia in the weekend. Not to be taken lightly.
Fixture of the group:
Netherlands v Germany, June 14: Pick any of the six matches and you'll be guaranteed a decent encounter but a Dutch-Germany clash always promises plenty. Arjen Robben taking on many of his Bayern Munich teammates will add an extra something.
TAB odds - to win group/win tournament:
Germany $2.00/$3.85
Holland $2.65/$7
Portugal $5.50/$18
Denmark $16.00/$100


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Special Offers
Ideally located in the centre of the commercial district, the Anwar al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel brings you special hotel deals and offers, letting you enjoy our five star modern hotel for less.
It's your Summer - save up to 30%
Book your Summer break now - it's yours to enjoy!
Not only do you get up to 30% off your stay in Madinah - you also receive an exclusive $20 voucher when you book direct on our website.from 488.00 SR per room, per night
Stay & Save
Enjoy up to 30% off your holiday in Madinah, indulge in a scrumptious breakfast and get an exclusive $20 voucher when you book on our website.
Planning a weekend getaway? Benefit from an additional free late check-out, valid for stays until 8th May 2017!
Family Happinest Offer
Book your family stay in Madinah and save 25% off your Family room for two adults and two children. Kids up to 6 years eat free and youngsters from 7-12 years get 50% off while enjoying meals in our restaurants and room service.
Say yes to happiness with our Family offer!from 1,100.00 SR per room, per night, breakfast included
Go Weekend
Select Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel for your next weekend break and enjoy a 30% discount on accommodation. With our Go Weekend package, you can look forward to a superb breakfast buffet and late checkout at 4.00 pm.from 700.00 SR per room, per night, breakfast included


text:
Contact us 24/7: +1 877 678 9627
View product details
Zoom In
- - Weighs approximately 2.6lbs/ 1.2kg
- Depth 5cm
- Height 16.5cm
- Width 16cm
Alexander McQueen showcases its flair for dramatic and statement-making design with this karung clutch adorned with a gold-tone brass serpent and skull knuckle clasp. Style this Swarovski crystal-embellished design with minimal jewelry and an LBD for maximum impact.
Shown here with: Alexander McQueen dress, Isharya ring, Charlotte Olympia shoes.
- - Yellow and dark-brown printed karung
- - Horn embellishment, gold-tone brass frame
- - Fully lined in leather
- - Gold-tone brass and Swarovski crystal serpent and skull knuckle clasp
- - Karung: Indonesia
Product Code: 183731
Shop more:
For alternative suggestions, contact our Fashion Consultants
Help & Advice
Product Code: 183731


text:
Reviewed By Devery R (Millbrook, AL) Reviewed for a 2010 Ford F-150 —12/15/2016 5:10 AM
Installation was easy, sounds good, already can tell a difference in gas mileage!
Reviewed By Vince M (HAPPY VALLEY, OR) Reviewed for a 2010 Ford F-150 —10/11/2016 8:42 AM
I knew I needed to try something to increase my gas mileage. I am getting about 10.7 mpg in my 2010 F150 King Ranch. The 6" lift on 35's definitely does not help. I was skeptical at first but I am happy I made the purchase. I am getting around 12.3 mpg now. I calculated it out and I should have paid this thing off within the first year just from the gas savings. I was a little surprised with the "drone" sound at first but it has been growing on me ever since.


text:
The Dell Froot - merely a concept for now - dispenses entirely with such outdated peripherals as 'keyboards' or 'monitors.'
Originally Posted by Fruitloaf
Rubbish for the developing world but great for mobile presentations? Small atom PC built on semi decent pico projector with touchpad surface on top and laser keyboard. No wires at all for those mobile presentations except for power. Maybe not this prototype but its not far off.
Originally Posted by bodkin
Why XP?
Originally Posted by l3v1ck
So you have to be sat in front of a blank wall to use it. Useless.
can it play Crysis?Originally Posted by mi1ez
Can it play video at a decent resolution?
...well I'm really interested how they are going to replace silicon with something biodegradable...a biodegradable, sustainable computer concept
Originally Posted by pizanQuote:can it play Crysis?Originally Posted by mi1ez
Can it play video at a decent resolution?
Originally Posted by bodkin
Why XP?
Originally Posted by Bursar
Chances are Dell haven't done very much on this at all. They probably just hired a 'creative agency', gave them some buzzwords and basic ideas and the result is the above render.
Originally Posted by LordPyrinc
"Couple this with the fact that the unit will also require a replacement lamp - usually every 2,000 hours or so with standard projectors "
2000 hrs? I'd have to buy a new bulb once a year. Some of those bulbs for projectors can cost into the 100s of $. Don't sound like a bargain to me.
As for the laser keyboard, I think thats a bit overkill. Should stick with a good ole tride and true keyboard. I still use a keyboard that's over 10 years old because the keys have just the right amount of resistance. Have to use an adapter for it because the plug is still the big round circle before the smaller PS2 plugs came about.
Tesoro Tuned In-Ear Pro Review
26th May 2017
AMD Radeon RX 580 CrossFire in Prey at 3,440 x 1,440
25th May 2017
Fractal Design Focus G Mini Review
24th May 2017


text:
Yum Yums
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
What a lovely place, been taken over and the food is very reasonable and staff are always helpful. Had a large group go last month and this month and could not fault the service and food. It is well worth a visit and right on Bromley North Station so easy to get to from London change at Grove Park.
Comment on this reader review
Marian Tarr
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, October 07, 2014
You may also like these restaurants:


text:
January 2, 2013
January 2, 2013
Hilary! To this day, I LOVE your comic strip. Thanks so much for doing what you do. Hope you are well.
Big hugs.
Thanks Bo!!
Hillary, I start each morning clicking the link to your site. Brings me joy, a giggle, and more often than not, a big laugh. Thank you, every day.
This is your best ever! I leave my lip balm in my pockets all the time! I'm happy to catch them before the dryer. I've considered dryer sheets instead of tissues to duel purpose them! Live your strip!


text:
Feeling a little blue now we've kissed daylight savings goodbye and it's dark before you get home? Well, spice up your evening meals with delicious Moroccan Chutney. Created by Maria's Kitchens in Karori, it's made with natural ingredients and is gluten free. Try it with lamb, in a burger, with cheese or try the recipe on the back of the packet where you mix it up with yoghurt and coat it on chicken. Now that sounds yum. $13.50 from Farro Fresh, 80 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington, ph (09) 570 7071 or farrofresh.co.nz.
Top ideas
What to get the person who has everything? A bracelet made from champagne tops. Created by Auckland designer Alison Boyce, they're made from silver, retsin and, of course, the tops of champagne bottles. Must be fun sourcing those! $495. Ph (021) 868 707 for supplier information or go to figleafdesign.co.nz.
Shore thing
Dida's says that "any day now" its deli-cafe on Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna will be allowed to serve plated food to customers. Council regulations have been the hold-up, since the opening last month of the store formerly occupied by Rocket Kitchen and sited next to Glengarry's. The wine company owns Dida's and they also sit side-by-side on Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. The much-needed Takapuna food store plans to serve brunch and offers its cabinet selection to go or eat in, with customers snacking off takeout plates for the moment. There's also a good range of cheese, meats and other deli delights.
Taste of charity
More primary school children will be learning about growing vegetables and healthy eating thanks to a hook-up between Kiehls and the Garden to Table Trust. Trust chairperson Catherine Bell said the trust could now expand from the pilot programme it has been running at three Auckland schools. The trust has adapted its programme from the successful Kitchen Garden outreach begun in Australia by foodie Stephanie Alexander in recognition that some children know little or nothing about where their food comes from.
Long-established American company Kiehls has a company mission statement to contribute to the communities it serves, so the link with the trust appealed because it teaches children about sustainability and personal and social responsibility, as well as the basics of gardening and cooking. To find out more see gardentotable.org.nz and kiehls.com.
Sweet idea
Here at Viva we can never get enough cupcakes, so that's why we were delighted when this cute book arrived in our office: Cupcakes (Hamlyn: $29.99) comes not only with more than 40 cute cupcake ideas but also with 12 funky-coloured silicon cupcake moulds. It's all just too sweet for words.
Across the ditch
It's always interesting to follow food trends from abroad. Spain, France, Thailand, India... they all get our tastebuds tingling. But what about Australia? Becasse, published by Hardie Grant Books, is by the award-winning New Zealand-born chef Justin North and named after his Sydney restaurant. It is full of recipes "inspired by Australia's great food producers" and takes the reader on a tour of Australia from a fishing village in Tasmania to a squab pigeon farm in Victoria. North was named Chef of the Year 2009 by the Sydney Morning Herald so expect to be tantalised by his recipes.


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Study Offers More 'Bright Ideas' to Raise Profits and Slash Costs
Read the bonus material from SSI's annual Operations & Opportunities Report (OOR).
By Scott Goldfine · August 4, 2013
August's Bright Ideas Issue of SSI includes the annual Operations & Opportunities Report (OOR). This original research identifies the most promising security technologies, service offerings and vertical markets, as well as the best ways to reduce costs and boost profits, among other data. Many of the questions asked included an "other" option in which respondents could write in the answer. Since not all of that could be included in print, here now are some bonus "Bright Ideas" to fathom:
If you had to identify a primary way to reduce costs in your business, what would it be?
- Cut health-care premium support Reduce health-care expenses and insurance costs
- Paperless offices
- Provide new electronic security equipment to allow staff to multitask
- Drive more higher-margin sales
- Improve sales training and internal policies procedures to reduce paperwork
- Reduce middle management
If you had to identify a primary way to increase profits in your business, what would it be?
- Great customer service will be returned a hundredfold
- Cold calling and following up on the building permits
- Improving process control across the board
- Streamline internally for smoother operations
- Deliver higher value-add services and solutions
If you had to identify one type of technology to generate more nonrecurring revenues, what would it be?
- IP video analytics
- e-learning products
- Special hazard systems
- Electrical systems
- Cellphone monitoring and blocking
- PSIM [physical security information management]
- Standalone access control
- Distributed antenna systems
What is the single greatest drain on your company's bottom line?
- Conflict resolution terms and conditions
- Equipment costs
- Creation cost for a new customer
- Poor use of internal resources
What is the single greatest boost to your company's bottom line?
- High-profile incidents such as school shootings
In what ways are security contractors leaving "money on the table?"
- Low-bidding projects
- Not providing great customer service
- Misunderstanding the selling situation and not getting higher prices when the opportunity presents itself
- Cost to replace faulty equipment
Article TopicsVertical Markets · General Industry · Installation and Service · Management · Physical-IT Security Convergence · Blogs · Business · Installation · Management · operations · Research · Sales & Marketing · All Topics
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.


text:
EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes wrote on December 22: "We must invest in the growth sectors of the future now, to fight the crises. The Internet Sector in Europe grows with 12%/year and has the ...
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From viz
luiy's insight:
Beginning with the origins, Oycib means in Mayan language "the place of honey". In this projet, Oycib is an e-Research infrastructure for the Collective Intelligence Analysis.
With Oycib infrastructure we propose an analysis model, based in the digital practices and collaboration profiles for the development of Social Learning and the Context Awareness in the Collective Intelligence process.
The infrastructure design and the profiles proposed here, are based on historical studies about social organization glyphs in Mayan culture made by Montgomery (2002) and Calvin (2012).
Initially we worked with four collaboration profiles: the "Itzaat", the "Pitziil", the "Ayuxul" and the "Sajal" (profiles), but we can find others depending of the organization context. Thus, it's important to mention that each profile is found based on the e-Xploración model and they are the qualitative and quantitative interpretation of the collaborative practices. In this way, we propose methods based on Social Network Analysis for the learning and knowledge management.
Thus, the network in Oycib is called "Kaan" (sky or network in Mayan Lenguage). In the "Kaan" we present the visualization of the subjects and objects, such as persons, forums, blogs, files, groups and all the interactions among them. Additionally, each profile and their interactions is presented.
... you can interact with "Kaan" here.
#Visualizing the network of Donald #Trump - @Linkurious - Understand the connections in your data I #publicpolicy #SNA
From linkurio
On January 15, BuzzFeed released a large dataset of Donald Trump's connections, including people, organizations and the nature of their relationships.
This research measures and maps the production of nineteenth-century space using the tools of the digital age. Computational analysis allowed me to quantify how late nineteenth-century newspapers crafted a view of the world for their readers. Specifically, I examine the Houston Daily Post from 1894 to 1901 to study how late nineteenth-century America appeared from a specific vantage point in time and space. What places loomed large in the paper's imagined geography? How did large-scale processes of incorporation, standardization, and nationalization shape the paper's production of space and place? What was the relationship between region and nation? To answer these questions I combine traditional historical research with digital analysis of the paper.
PredPol, "Predictive Policing Software", is an policing technology that helps law enforcement predict and prevent crime.
Le questionnement scientifique qui anime le projet ALGOPOL voudrait comprendre la structure des liens sociaux existant au sein de réseaux égocentrés à partir du contenu des échanges et des liens partagés sur Facebook. Les interactions sur cette plateforme se déploient-elles différemment, avec une énonciation différente, autour de contenus partagés différents, selon les segments du réseau social mobilisés ? A-t-on des conversations différentes avec les liens « forts » et les liens « faibles » ? Les objets informationnels mis en partage sont-ils les mêmes selon la forme et la structure de la sociabilité numérique des individus ? Chercher à répondre à ces questions requiert des données fines et précises que les méthodes d'enquête traditionnelle ont beaucoup de difficulté à fournir [11].
Which apocalyptic threats are most likely to wipe out Earth's population and when? Our infographic reveals all.
A new set of search tools called Memex, developed by DARPA, peers into the "deep Web" to reveal illegal activity
luiy's insight:
DARPA has said very little about Memex and its use by law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate suspected criminals.
Social scientists have never understood why some countries are more corrupt than others. But the first study that links corruption with wealth could help change that.
One question that social scientists and economists have long puzzled over is how corruption arises in different cultures and why it is more prevalent in some countries than others. But it has always been difficult to find correlations between corruption and other measures of economic or social activity.
Michal Paulus and Ladislav Kristoufek at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, have for the first time found a correlation between the perception of corruption in different countries and their economic development.
The data they use comes from Transparency International, a nonprofit campaigning organisation based in Berlin, Germany, and which defines corruption as the misuse of public power for private benefit. Each year, this organization publishes a global list of countries ranked according to their perceived levels of corruption. The list is compiled using at least three sources of information but does not directly measure corruption, because of the difficulties in gathering such data.
Instead, it gathers information from a wide range of sources such as the African Development Bank and the Economist Intelligence Unit. But it also places significant weight on the opinions of experts who are asked to assess corruption levels.
The result is the Corruption Perceptions Index ranking countries between 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). In 2014, Denmark occupied of the top spot as the world's least corrupt nation while Somalia and North Korea prop up the table in an unenviable tie for the most corrupt countries on the planet.
luiy's insight:
- Scrape everything, everywhere: invoke artoo in the JavaScript context of any web page.
- Loaded with helpers: Scrape data quick & easy with powerful methods such as artoo.scrape.
- Data download: Make your browser download the scraped data withartoo.save methods.
- Spiders: Crawl pages through ajax and retrieve accumulated data with artoo's spiders.
- Content expansion: Expand pages' content programmatically thanks to artoo.autoExpand utilities.
- Store: stash persistent data in the localStorage with artoo's handyabstraction.
- Sniffers: hook on XHR requests to retrieve circulating data with a variety oftools.
- Instructions: record the instructions typed into the console and save them for later use.
- jQuery: jQuery is injected alongside artoo in the pages you visit so you can handle the DOM easily.
- Custom bookmarklets: you can use artoo as a framework and easily create custom bookmarklets to execute your code.
- User Interfaces: build parasitic user interfaces easily with a creative usageof Shadow DOM.
- Chrome extension: trying to scrape a nasty page abiding by some sneaky HTML5 rules? Here, have a chrome extension.
luiy's insight:
- Deep learning is a set of algorithms in machine learning that attempt to model high-level abstractions in data by using model architectures composed of multiple non-linear transformations.
- Online machine learning is a model of induction that learns one instance at a time thus reducing the amount of memory required.
- Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) - a leading tool for building Python programs to work with human language data. It provides easy-to-use interfaces to over 50 corpora and lexical resources such as WordNet, along with a suite of text processing libraries for classification, tokenization, stemming, tagging, parsing, and semantic reasoning.
-Computer Vision. OpenCV – popular computer vision library designed to by computational efficiency with a strong focus on real-time applications.
Overview of common python visualization tools
luiy's insight:
In the python world, there are multiple options for visualizing your data. Because of this variety, it can be really challenging to figure out which one to use when. This article contains a sample of some of the more popular ones and illustrates how to use them to create a simple bar chart. I will create examples of plotting data with:
- Pandas
- Seaborn
- ggplot
- Bokeh
- pygal
- Plotly
Les performances des réseaux internes d'une vingtaine d'entreprise ont été comparées par le cabinet de conseil Lecko pour déterminer ce qui les mène au succès... ou pas.
Via Eric Laurent
luiy's insight:
Beaucoup de sociétés ont des réseaux sociaux d'entreprise (RSE), mais toutes ne rencontrent pas le même succès avec ces projets. Pour tenter de déterminer les facteurs de réussite de ces espaces collaboratifs, le cabinet de conseil Lecko a réalisé un benchmark pour la deuxième année consécutive. Une vingtaine de grandes entreprises ont été comparées via l'outil Lecko RSE Analytics qui renvoie des métriques sur l'activité sociale enregistrée sur les plateformes (création d'un profil, ajout d'un commentaire ou « like »). Pour compléter le tout, plus de 90 community manager ont été interrogés pour comparer leurs pratiques. L'importance des community manager ne se dément pas. 71 % des espaces performants sont nés de l'initiative d'un community manager (voir le tome 7 de l'étude sur l'Etat de l'art des réseaux sociaux d'entreprise de Lecko)
From vimeo
SÉMINAIRE 2012 DE L'ERG : ENTRETIEN INFINI - ART ET SCIENCES (QUELS DIALOGUES ?) les 5, 6 et 7 mars 2012 / de 10h à 23h Halles de Schaerbeek,…
In the past two years, ProtonMail has grown enormously, especially after the recent US election, and today we are the world's largest encrypted email service with over 2 million users. We have come a long way since our user community initially crowdfunded the project.
ProtonMail today is much larger in scope than what was originally envisioned when our founding team met at CERN in 2013. As ProtonMail has evolved, the world has also been changing around us.
Civil liberties have been increasingly restricted in all corners of the globe. Even Western democracies such as the US have not been immune to this trend, which is most starkly illustrated by the forced enlistment of US tech companies into the US surveillance apparatus.
In fact, we have reached the point where it simply not possible to run a privacy and security focused service in the US or in the UK. At the same time, the stakes are also higher than ever before. As ProtonMail has grown, we have become increasingly aware of our role as a tool for freedom of speech, and in particular for investigative journalism.
Last fall, we were invited to the 2nd Asian Investigative Journalism Conference and were able to get a firsthand look at the importance of tools like ProtonMail in the field.
dans le cadre de ce numéro 04, la rubrique Visualisation accueille trois réalisations. La première, proposée par Sonia Pelloux, s'intitule « Cartographie des données : donner à voir l'open data SNCF ». Elle rend compte, notamment, des possibilités et avantages multiples d'une navigation par graphe au sein de la structure des données (de l'exploration visuelle de concepts et bases de données diverses). La deuxième réalisation titrée « Cloud Map » est de Ianis Lallemand. Partant de l'analyse de 2998 coordonnées GPS de centres de données, celle-ci situe la distribution géographique mondiale des infrastructures matérielles allouées au « Cloud Computing ». Il en résulte une représentation cartographique « en volume » offrant de voir autant que de sentir le poids, l'imposante présence d'une implantation dès lors massive de ce type d'installation. Enfin, la troisième réalisation fut composée en 2014 par Yann Le Guennec † – celle-ci vient en complément ou « résonance » avec le texte publié à titre posthume dans la rubrique Supplément. Intitulée « Les Paysages des erreurs », il s'agit d'une création artistique avec les données (Data Art) lesquelles deviennent ici le matériau brut d'une « activation » picturale/plastique programmée modifiant, altérant l'image « support » et sa signification. Ces trois projets sont à retrouver également sur le mini-site Visualisation de la revue à l'adresse : visu.sciences-du-design.org – à noter la publication d'une vidéo de présentation de l'application logicielle ici introduite par Sonia Pelloux.
A visualization of the most famous Sorting Algorithms.
luiy's insight:
Sorting a sequence of items is one of the pillar of Computer Science.
Just because you have a "hammer", doesn't mean that every problem you come across will be a "nail".
luiy's insight:
- why pyton?
- Librerias -- > NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matlotlib, Ipython, scikit-learn
How the teams behind some likely and announced 2016 candidates are connected to previous campaigns, administrations and organizations.
Via Dominique Cardon
How to Transition from Excel to R - An Intro to R for Microsoft Excel Users
luiy's insight:
In today's increasingly data-driven world, business people are constantly talking about how they want more powerful and flexible analytical tools, but are usually intimidated by the programming knowledge these tools require and the learning curve they must overcome just to be able to reproduce what they already know how to do in the programs they've become accustomed to using. For most business people, the go-to tool for doing anything analytical is Microsoft Excel.
We were looking for a different type of visualization for a project at work this past week and my thoughts immediately gravitated towards streamgraphs. The TLDR on streamgraphs is they they are generalized versions of stacked area graphs with free baselines across the x axis. They are somewhat controversial but have a "draw you in" […]
luiy's insight:
Streamgraphs require a continuous variable for the x axis, and thestreamgraph widget/package works with years or dates (support for xtsobjects and POSIXct types coming soon). Since they display categorical values in the area regions, the data in R needs to be in long format which is easy to do with dplyr & tidyr.
The package recognizes when years are being used and does all the necessary conversions for you. It also uses a technique similar to expand.grid to ensure all categories are represented at every observation (not doing so makesd3.stack unhappy).
MIT Supply Chain Management Director Bruce Arntzen discusses risk visualization and Sourcemap [Video]
How does a company keep tabs on thousands of suppliers? That's the question Bruce Arntzen tried to answer when he started the Hi-Viz Research Project. As Executive Director of MIT's Supply Chain Management Program, Arntzen works with corporations to find innovative solutions to supply chain problems. The idea for the Hi-Viz project came during a 2011 meeting of the Supply Chain Risk Leadership Council. A survey of attendees listed Supply Chain Visibility as the top concern. Why? With thousands of suppliers and sub-suppliers, it can be very time-consuming to find the weakest link in a supply chain. Arntzen's solution: an automatic visualization of the end-to-end supply chain where the weakest links could be seen in real time. Watch his interview to learn how MIT and Sourcemap developed the first automated risk visualization [more details below the fold].
In 2015, the Hi-Viz project is partnering with actuarial data providers to provide predictive risk analytics. Sourcemap is making available inventory risk mapping as part of its enterprise software-as-a-service. Want to get involved? Learn more about the Hi-Viz project, or contact Sourcemap for a demo.
The Shogun Machine learning toolbox provides a wide range of unified and efficientMachine Learning (ML) methods. The toolbox seamlessly allows to easily combine multiple data representations, algorithm classes, and general purpose tools. This enables both rapid prototyping of data pipelines and extensibility in terms of new algorithms. We combine modern software architecture in C++ with both efficient low-level computing backends and cutting edge algorithm implementations to solve large-scale Machine Learning problems (yet) on single machines.
One of Shogun's most exciting features is that you can use the toolbox through aunified interface from C++, Python, Octave, R, Java, Lua, C#, etc. This not just means that we are independent of trends in computing languages, but it also lets you use Shogun as a vehicle to expose your algorithm to multiple communities. We use SWIGto enable bidirectional communication between C++ and target languages. Shogun runs under Linux/Unix, MacOS, Windows.
Reporters love Twitter and geeks love coding. Today, I'm merging the best of both worlds! On the menu: Python scripts to use Twitter to its full potential!
luiy's insight:
When my friend @TerraCiolfe showed me @WeAreTheDeads project, I said to myself that I really need to learn how to control Twitter through Python. @WeAreTheDeads is a Twitter account publishing the name of a fallen soldiers at the 11th minute of each hour.
Of course, nobody is working behind the screen. A program chooses the soldier in a database and publishes his name, hour after hour. With 119,000 names to publish, the script will run until 2023, according to the author of this great idea, the reporter @GlenMcGregor from the Ottawa Citizen.
With a little bit of research (my sources are at the end of the article), I learnt how to work with Twitter from a Python script. Actually, we can do way more than automatically publish tweets! It's also possible to extract a lot of data about users and their tweets. For example, you can research specific tweets in a specific location. I created a nice animated map at the end. You'll see!
Tulip is a software system dedicated to the visualization of huge graphs. It enables, 3D visualizations, 3D modifications, plugin support, support for clusters and navigation, and automatic graph drawing.
luiy's insight:
Tulip is an information visualization framework dedicated to the analysis and visualization of relational data. Tulip aims to provide the developer with a complete library, supporting the design of interactive information visualization applications for relational data that can be tailored to the problems he or she is addressing.
Written in C++ the framework enables the development of algorithms, visual encodings, interaction techniques, data models, and domain-specific visualizations. One of the goal of Tulip is to facilitates the reuse of components and allows the developers to focus on programming their application. This development pipeline makes the framework efficient for research prototyping as well as the development of end-user applications.
Via ukituki
luiy's insight:
Every year, the World Economic Forum brings together the most recognisable figures of business and politics. With all eyes on Davos, we decided to turn the optics upside down and see who the twitterati gathered in Switzerland follow on social media.
The inner ring of circles represent the 20 most-followed accounts by Davos attendees, while the outer circles are individual attendees.
|Follow us
|How it Works


text:
Masand's Verdict: U, Me Aur Hum | Krazzy 4
U, Me Aur Hum is a let down because of a sloppy, slapdash screenplay.
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Divya Dutta
Director: Ajay Devgan
Ajay Devgan could do with a crash course in scriptwriting. And while he's at it, might be a good idea to fire his co-writers immediately. U, Me Aur Hum, Devgan's directorial debut which releases this week, is let down by a sloppy, slapdash screenplay, which -- believe it or not -- it took four writers to come up with.
First, they rob the basic premise of Nick Cassavetes' mushy-but-inspiring romance The Notebook, and then Devgan and team go about reconstructing the saga, throwing in unnecessary melodrama and generous dollops of over-sentimentality.
Locking eyes with a pretty barmaid, it's love at first sight for Devgan, who plays Ajay Mehra, a cool dude enjoying a luxury holiday with his bickering buddies on a cruise liner.
Piya, the object of his affection -- played by Kajol -- soon finds herself reciprocating his feelings, and before you know it the couple is married. A little over a year later, Piya is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She blanks out periodically, can't remember birthdays and anniversaries, and even ends up putting her baby's life in danger.
As it becomes clear her condition's only getting worse, it's up to Ajay now to make some important decisions. Narrated in flashback some twenty-five years later, U Me Aur Hum is a cheesy tale of enduring love in the face of impossible obstacles.
From the moment in, it becomes clear you have few complaints against Devgan's directing skills -- it's his script sense that is in question here. Why rip off The Notebook in the first place? It's not a great film by any standards, above-average at best. And hey, if you must steal, why not stick to this story that you obviously admire?
Why unleash a bunch of hacks on it who strip it off the very spirit that makes it work? If you've seen The Notebook, you'll agree with me when I say it's a typical Bollywood film at heart -- it's got lovers who belong to different social classes, it's got parental opposition, it's got an epic sweep, and ultimately it has what I like to call a lump-in-the-throat ending. All entirely fitting ingredients for a masala Hindi movie. Yet, the so-called writers of U Me Aur Hum dump this perfectly workable road-map and create a rather lame one of their own.
Where The Notebook was a film that demonstrated enduring love, U Me Aur Hum is a film that simply talks about it -- and talks about it a lot. In fact, the one thing you'll remember about this film when you leave the cinema is all the yakking that goes on.
There's so much psychobabble about marriages and relationships, and all these stereotypes associated with love and companionship that you're going to feel like you're attending one of those marriage counseling sessions.
In the name of comedy, the dialogue of U Me Aur Hum is filled with painful puns and redundant rhymes. You're expected to laugh at such silly lines like -- Yeh phool deke fool karne ka idea achcha tha, or "I'm a poet and I didn't even know it". Funny? I didn't think so.
How about this one -- "Leaving this cruise is like aborting a child in the seventh month." Still not funny, right? What's also rather offensive is the repeated use of Hindi swear words throughout the early half of the film. Or the tasteless references to masturbation, premature ejaculation and homosexuality.
In fact, dialogue writer Ashwani Dhir comes up with a bouquet of some of the most inappropriate lines you've ever heard on screen. Try this -- "Men are like mice. Always looking for a hole."
When it's not the dialogue that jars, it's the acting. The abundantly talented Divya Dutta, cast in this film as an unhappily married wife, hams like an excited junior artiste who's got her first speaking part. She plays the nagging spouse with such over-enthusiasm that your heart genuinely goes out to the poor guy playing her husband even though you know they're just play-acting.
Then there's the evidently untalented Karan Khanna, who gives the word 'non-actor' a whole new meaning. Playing one of Ajay's close friends in the film, it doesn't help that he's cast as the kind of idiot that thinks a new born baby should be named F-dash-dash-K-E-R because it's a name that could be quite cool by the time the baby grows up. And if all that's not bad enough, they throw in a fat kid who turns up every now and then to give killer looks.
Even if U Me Aur Hum has its heart in the right place, even if it's trying to make a noble point, it's done so amateurishly -- not to mention melodramatically -- that it fails to touch a chord in you.
Is it really too much to ask for just a little common sense in a Bollywood film? How can you place a mischievous seductive song right after that supposedly emotional scene where the husband's just been told his wife must be sent to a special-care facility?
Well, to some extent, it's the leads whose credible performances outshine the shoddy script. Ajay Devgan oozes sincerity as the conflicted husband, but it's Kajol who is really the emotional anchor of the film, dazzling you with her spontaneity, pumping life and blood into her character, making Piya a portrait of internalized pain, something even the script fails to do. Look out also for a refreshingly candid performance by Sumeet Raghavan as Ajay's doctor buddy going through his own turbulent marriage graph.
Even if it doesn't quite cut it as a quality entertainer, U Me Aur Hum does give evidence of Devgan's sharp directing skills. If you're prepared to overlook the unnecessarily excessive special effects shots and the ridiculous over-use of tight close-ups, you will notice the sheer inventiveness with which he handles the three best scenes in the film.
First, that one in which one after another a handful of friends break into a impromptu rendition of an evergreen Bollywood song at a house party. Then that excellent dramatic scene in which Piya inadvertently puts her child in harm's way, fortunately rescued in time by her husband. And finally, the film's last scene, that hopeful exchange between Ajay and Piya, laced with a tinge of humor. All pretty basic scenes on paper, they stand out because they've been directed so instinctively by Devgan.
So I'm going with two out of five for U Me Aur Hum, watch it if you must for the performances of its two leads, both Ajay and Kajol do not disappoint. The film, well that's another story!
Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)
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text:
Everyone, I suppose, has received an impertinent little "lifestyle survey" from New Zealand Post - everyone, that is, whose mail box is open to unsolicited invitations.
It is sad that so many are not.
NZ Post wants to know about my house, car, finances, shopping habits, leisure interests, travel plans and much else. Its form looks a little like the Census we were due to have this year until the Christchurch earthquake intervened.
This one stresses it is voluntary and says it wants to help me "receive more relevant mail". I don't need the Privacy Commissioner to warn me the information will be sold to direct-marketing firms.
Still, I'm tempted to do it, not by the prizes it offers but by the plight of post.
Now and again I walk the streets for the tennis club or a residents' association with a flyer about something possibly interesting or enjoyable, or, at any rate, harmless.
It is a chore I don't mind. You see details of the neighbourhood you never see from a car and everyone's mail box says a little bit about them.
Early on in the journey, you have to decide what to do about those mail boxes that say, "no junk mail", "no advertising material", "no circulars" or "no unaddressed mail".
My favourite is one that says, "no advertising material except Mitre 10".
The injunctions are inscribed on a tile that the home-owner has taken the trouble to screw on to the box. I suppose I should respect them but it's hard. You have walked all that way; you have a bundle to get rid of.
"No junk mail" makes the decision easy. It's insulting to suggest I'd be out here delivering junk. Plainly, I don't consider it is. They get one.
No advertising material? Well, it is not really. Circulars? That could mean something more frequent than what I'm distributing.
No unaddressed mail? OK, there is no part of "unaddressed mail" I don't understand. But I find it sad.
Do these people block all messages from the world outside? Do they live a hermetic existence in there? Or is it just paper they hate?
We get a wastepaper collection every fortnight. How hard can it be to receive mail?
It's not like internet ads that pop up in front of something you're reading or interminable television commercials that waste your time. Paper waits for you.
It is a miracle we still receive daily mail. I don't know how NZ Post manages it. Nobody writes letters any more. Most of us do banking and pay bills online.
Internet shopping must generate a certain amount of mail-delivery business but anything really precious is sent by courier. If the regular post relied on addressed mail these days, it might cost us a fortune in subsidies.
Or, more sensibly, it would reduce deliveries to once or twice a week, which may be all we need now.
I doubt the state would ever allow home deliveries to cease entirely; it will always feel the need to have some way to reach everyone for things like voter registration.
Knowing this, NZ Post does remarkably well to behave like a business that needs to remain profitable.
It has been an unsung success of state-owned enterprise from the moment a commercial culture was introduced to public services in the 1980s.
One of my most cringing memories from reporting politics at that time is of stories I wrote when the newly corporatised NZ Post decided it would no longer fly the national flag on post offices.
I was appalled. The Post Office was the central feature of main streets in every small town in the land. They had to fly the flag.
I remember the minister in charge, Jonathan Hunt, gently trying to convince me the post was "a proud corporate organisation now" and needed to fly its own flag. A little later, I realised what he meant.
I had cause to interview a NZ Post executive in Auckland for a reason I forget, but I remember being struck by the culture change he had made.
He told me about it, proudly, and you could see it. There was still something of the public-service cardigan and comfortable slippers about him, but he talked of efficiency and profitability goals and bringing down the cost of postage with visible excitement.
The flag was forgotten when they started closing post offices and opening agencies. Ten years later, email arrived and the somehow the post has survived.
Its days may yet be numbered - along with newspapers, books and all words on paper - but I know one thing: if this survey had reached me by email it would have been deleted in an instant. It is still sitting here; I'm thinking about it. I might do it.


text:
Last week we learned that Christina Aguilera is planning to leave The Voice as a judge so that she can focus on her own music career and today we learn who will replace her on the show next season. It is being reported that Shakira is going to take Xtina's seat when she leaves the show at the end of this season. Additionally, Xtina's fellow Voice judge Cee Lo Green is also leaving the show at the end of this season and we are hearing that Usher will take his place on the show. Click below for all the reported deets about this casting news for The Voice.
Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green will not participate in Season 4 of the show, which is expected to air in Spring 2013, in order to resume their music careers. Aguilera was quoted in the release as saying, "Since this year NBC and The Voice have decided to tape back-to-back seasons, requiring a full-year commitment, it is important for me to take season four off, allowing me to support my music that my fans have been waiting for" … Replacing Aguilera and Green on the coaching panel will be Grammy Award winning artists Shakira and Usher. Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will continue on as coaches for Season 4. However, it's important to note that both Aguilera and Green also indicated their intentions to return for the show's fifth season, which would air in Fall 2013. Said Green in the same press release, "I will be back for season five."
Interesting casting. I can see how the new judges are similar enough to the judges they are replacing … which has to be intentional. I like Shakira and I like Usher more than Cee Lo so I approve of both. I find it very interesting that Shakira and Usher are being told that they are filling in on the show for one season and that they will have to go when Xtina and Cee Lo want to return. I guess it's fitting that the chairs on The Voice are revolving chairs. What do y'all think of this casting news? Do you approve? Are you excited to see Shakira and Usher join the show next year?


text:
Primary schools are being forced to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for leaky building repairs instead of putting money into much-needed learning equipment.
Parents and staff at Long Bay Primary on Auckland's North Shore have to raise $170,000 to repair their school hall which started leaking two years after it was built 12 years ago.
A survey showed that 580 blocks at 245 schools were leaky or likely to leak. A further 907 schools were still to be assessed.
The Government has spent more than $15 million repairing the damage in 24 schools and a further $1.1 billion is estimated to be needed.
In the case of Long Bay, the school and community were liable because the hall was only half owned by the ministry. Schools are not automatically entitled to a hall so 12 years ago Long Bay Primary fundraised to build one. Because they raised half the cash to build the hall they owned half of it - and half the huge repair bill.
The money to repair the hall cannot come from the school's ministry property allowance as that budget was for new work, not renovation. The money would need to come from fundraising or out of the school's annual operational funding. The school borrowed money so the work could start immediately and the PTA set up a Buy a Brick campaign.
There were a range of sponsor prices, including $20 for a brick, $50 for a cornerstone, $100 for a foundation block and so on up to $10,000. About $4000 has been raised so far.
Principal Linda Barton said community support had been high but it seemed they had only just donated heavily for the hall to be built and now were being asked to donate again - this time to fix it.
Barton said the school faced financial challenges over the next few years and needed to balance repayment for the renovation with meeting the educational and operational costs of the school.
A parent, who asked not to be named, said $170,000 was a huge amount of money to have to coax out of the small local community.
"The Government seems to think we have bottomless pockets. We don't.
"We're just normal, hard-working, taxpaying Kiwi mums and dads. There's only so much we can give.
"But the hall is an important part of life at the school and we really have no choice."


text:
Pär Kurlberg
I am a professor at the department of mathematics at KTH. My main research interest is Number Theory related to Quantum Chaos. Abridged CV.
- Göran Gustafsson Prize, 2010.
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Research Fellowship, 2004-2009.
- Edlund Prize, 2008.
- "Feather in the hat" teaching award, Spring 2007.
- Göran Gustafsson junior research award, 2005.
- Wallenberg Prize, 2002.
SF1672 (ht16) SF1604 (ht15) Old courses. Articles on teaching.
Why study math?
- According to the Economist, TAKING more maths in school can make you richer. In swedish: Matematikstudier ger 30 procent högre lön.
- Fighting nazis (another way, in swedish.)
- To stay upwind. Paul Graham also has some interesting essays on startups.
- Get rich: First way. Second way.
- No pain, no gain: "The fact is, if you are thinking about a PhD program in economics, you are advised to take math courses until it hurts."
- Gian-Carlo Rota's Lesson 10: Alumni who return to visit [MIT] invariably complain of not having taken enough math courses while they were undergraduates
- Since it is unreasonably effective.
- Apparently it's the best job there is!
- KTH analysis seminar
- Number theory session at the 17th Nordic Congress (Stockholm, March 17-19, 2016)
- Number theory miniworkshop (Sep 21, 2010).
- Dynamical systems, Number theory, Analysis (DNA)
- DNA-L ("L" is for "light" or "learning".)
- KTH/SU Mathematics Colloquium
- Finnish-Swedish Number Theory Conference (May 26-28, 2010).
- CIAM/DNA mini-workshop on Computational Number Theory (May 15, 2008)
- Exponential sum working group (Spring 2007)
- DNA Workshop (April 14, 2005)
Contact information
Email: My last name at math.kth.se. (Spam problems.) Phone: +46 (0)8 790 6582 Fax: +46 (0)8 723 1788 Mailing address: Par Kurlberg Department of Mathematics KTH SE-10044, Stockholm Sweden
Misc computer notes
Hint and tips for KTH room booking via exchange.
Some KTH computer notes.
Some links
(Mostly to help google do the right.)