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Last weekend I was invited to lead a herping walk with Master Naturalist students at the Schuylkill Center for EnvironmentalEducation. I think this is a fabulous idea: an opportunity for nature-interested folks to round out their knowledge of the natural world.
The property is covered with wonderful milk snake microhabitat (taking as given that all of Northwest Philadelphia's rocky hillsides are good general habitat). The class leader, Director of Education Virginia Ranly, pointed to the piles of wood chips and said their land manager often finds milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) when he moves them. I sighed and knew that unless I spent all morning digging I probably wouldn't find any. She also mentioned some ruins and rock piles that also host milks, and, most-tempting, black rat snakes (Pantherophis obsoleta).
Herpers quickly learn that there can be miles of distance between 'often' or even 'all the time' and 'reliably' when it comes to finding the critter we're looking for. Locals will tell you they see milk snakes 'all the time,' and the herper will run out to check the spot and find none. When you actually ask what they mean by 'all the time,' i.e. on what proportion of trips do they actually see the critter, you realize why the herpers come up dry. Figure the land manager is out there on the property doing things that will turn up milk snakes pretty much every day. I'll bet he sees a milk snake no more than once a week in the spring and early summer. If I saw a notable bird that often I would also refer to seeing it 'all the time,' but in practice that might boil down to dozens of hours of time per snake found.
Luckily you CAN reliably find many other species at the Center. You can start, for example, with the painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) that bask around the pond in the parking lot. If you get close to the edge of the pond, frogs and toads (green – Lithobates clamitans, pickerel – Lithobates palustris, American toads – Bufo americanus) will launch themselves into the water.
The green frogs won't even bother to jump when you approach the human-made ponds along the trails. They just sit there like fat little frog statues while their tadpole offspring wriggle around the shallow water.
We found that it wasn't too hard to turn up dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) and even larval two-lines (Eurycea bislineata) in the streams, newts (Notopthalmus viridiscens) in one of the ponds, and of course red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) in the woods.
Somehow I forgot to photograph most of this.
I did remember to take a photo of a garter snake basking from between the rocks of the wall around the Center's greenhouse.
On the way there and back I made sure to spy on the turtles of the Manayunk Canal. As usual most were the out-of-place red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta),descendents of released pets, but I am pretty sure most of these guys are our native red-bellies (Pseudemys rubriventris).
Last, here are some of the interloper sliders (natives of primarily the Mississippi drainage) on a rock in the Schuylkill not far up from the Fairmount Dam.


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Qatar to Boost LNG Production by 30% Amid Arab Dispute
State-owned Qatar Petroleum said Tuesday it aims to raise Qatar's LNG production from 77 million to 100 million tons per year. The new additional volumes will be secured by doubling the size of the new gas project in the southern sector of the North Field, which Qatar Petroleum had announced last April. This will increase the North Field's production of natural gas, condensate and other associated products by one million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Alfa Laval Signs BWT Pact with Two Shipowners
Alfa Laval signs major frame agreements for ballast water treatment retrofitsIn June, Alfa Laval signed frame agreements with two different shipowners for the supply of Alfa Laval PureBallast systems. The systems will be delivered during a three-year period and retrofitted on tankers and bulk carriers. The fleet orders were received from a tanker operator in the Middle East and a bulk carrier operator in Europe…
Gazpromneft-Lubricants Bolsters Caspian Sea Ports Supplies
Gazpromneft-Lubricants, the Gazprom Neft oil business operator, has started delivering marine lubricants in the sea port of Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan. The first supply to the Dniester dredging vessel was carried out as part of the three-year agreement with Rosmorport signed in spring, 2017. According to the agreement, Gazpromneft-Lubricants is going to deliver 1500 tons of marine lubricants to the company's vessels.
Dunkirk Plans LNG Fueling Station
Dunkirk's LNG terminal and Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque have signed an agreement for the development of an LNG supply station. The use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by shipping and road vehicles has grown significantly in recent months with new projects (orders for ships, LNG supply stations, etc). Dunkerque-Port and Dunkerque LNG are convinced of the role that LNG will play both at sea and on land in reducing greenhouse gas and particle emissions.
Mayor of Shanghai Visits CMA CGM Tower
Rodolphe Saadé, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group, has received this Tuesday, July 4, 2017, Yong YING, Mayor of Shanghai, who is on an official visit to Marseille for the signature of the 30 years of twinning between the two cities. On this occasion, the Mayor of Shanghai and Rodolphe Saadé looked back on the history of the remarkable relationship between China and CMA CGM since 1992. CMA CGM is the only company he will visit during his trip in France.
Marine Environment Protection Committee Opens
A busy Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 71) is now under way at International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London (3-7 July). A key item on the agenda is the implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, which will enter into force on 8 September 2017. The Committee will consider draft amendments to the BWM Convention which will determine the implementation schedule for installations of ballast water management systems.
Wärtsilä Ensures Compliance with the Polar Code
1 January 2017 was a historic milestone in the protection of our polar waters for future generations. On that day, International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (the Polar Code) came into force. The Polar Code is aimed at protecting ships and the people aboard them, both seafarers and passengers, in the harsh environment of the waters surrounding our two poles, Arctic and Antarctic.
The Impact of Future Global Tides on Energy
The first comprehensive study of the impact of global sea-level rise on tides has implications for future coastal flood risk, harbour management, and the long term planning of tidal energy sites. This research, published in Continental Shelf Research by scientists at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), University of Southampton and Deltares, shows that sea-level rise can significantly alter tides across the world in many different ways in both space and time.
Load Cells for Offshore Mooring Project
French maritime engineering specialist Iroise Mer used a 50 ton Straightpoint Radiolink plus (RLP) load cell during a refit of a tanker mooring system located 500m off the Corsica coast, recently. Iroise Mer's job was to update the site, comprising four different mooring lines, complete with anchors, chains and concrete deadweights, and all existing components had to be removed and new ones installed.
Yangzijiang Bags Newbuild Orders Worth $133 Mln
China's Yangzijiang Shipbuilding has won six shipbuilding contracts worth a total of $133m during the second quarter of this year, Business Times reported. Three of these orders for 1,800 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containerships were exercised from options tied to existing shipbuilding orders. Three others for 82,000-deadweight-tonne bulk carriers were new shipbuilding orders. The new ships are scheduled to be delivered in phases between 2018 to 2020.
The Efficiency of New Ships is Falling: CE Delft Study
Recent improvements in the design efficiency of new ships went into reverse last year, a new independent study has found. According to the CE Delft study the average design efficiency of new bulk carriers, oil tankers and gas carriers was worse in 2016 than in 2015. The share of new ships complying with future efficiency standards also decreased in 2016. The design efficiency of containerships and general cargo ships appears to be stagnating after a period of improvement.
Dryships Time Charter Contract for Newcastlemax Vessels
DryShips Inc., a diversified owner of ocean going cargo vessels, announced that it has entered into a time charter with a major coal and steel trader for its fourth and last of its 206,000 dwt Newcastlemax drybulk vessels. The contract has a duration of about one year, with a gross rate linked to the Baltic Capesize Index (5 T/C route) plus 20% and will commence upon the delivery of the vessel, expected in July 2017.
Environmental Ship Index to Evaluate CO2 Performance
As of 1 July 2017, the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) started evaluating performance in the field of CO2, says a press release from Antwerp Port Authority. To date, only the environmental performance of ships on emissions of air pollution (NOx and SOx) were assessed. This makes the index the first sustainable quality mark in international shipping that includes the performance and, more particularly, the reduction in CO2 in its assessment.
Yinson Sells FPSO Stake in Ghana
Malayasia's Yinson Holdings has sold its26 percent stake in its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit in Ghana to a consortium of Japanese companies, The Star reported. According to the heads of agreement (HoA) with the consortium, the value of the stake in Yinson Production (West Africa) Pte Ltd (YPWA), the company said yesterday, was estimated in the range of $104 million to $117 million.
Hapag-Lloyd Issues Euro Bond Worth EUR 300mln
Hapag-Lloyd AG, a leading global container shipping company, launched a euro bond offering with a volume of EUR 300 million and a maturity of seven years. The proceeds will be used for the early redemption of the company's euro bond due in 2018 and the early partial redemption of the euro bond due in 2019. Currently, the redemption is envisaged for October this year. Hapag-Lloyd is one of the leading…
EU Needs to Address Decommissioning of Floating Oil and Gas Structures
A joint event between the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and three Green Members of the European Parliament highlighted the paradox between the strict rules under OSPAR for the decommissioning of fixed oil platforms from the North Sea with the rules that govern the recycling of floating platforms and structures. The latter fall under the same rules as commercial ships, and would therefore have to follow the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.

subset: commoncrawl


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This section provides general troubleshooting information to help you resolve issues when managing clients in Configuration Manager 2007, which are not specifically related to installation, assignment, or mixed or native mode.
For more information about client deployment in Configuration Manager 2007, see Planning and Deploying Clients for Configuration Manager 2007.
Clients Cannot Be Managed Because They Cannot Locate Their Default Management Point
If Configuration Manager 2007 clients are successfully installed and assigned to a site but fail to download policy, a likely reason is that either the site has no default management point or clients cannot locate it.
Make sure that a default management point is configured for the site. For more information, see How to Configure the Default Management Point for a Site.
Clients find their default management point using one of the following service location requests:
- Active Directory Domain Services (if the
schema is extended for Configuration Manager 2007)
- DNS (if Configuration Manager 2007 is
configured for DNS publishing)
- Server locator point
- WINS (mixed mode only)
Ensure that one of these mechanisms is available to clients. For more information, see Configuration Manager and Service Location (Site Information and Management Points).
Clients Lose Historical Data or Are Unmanaged and Missing from the All Systems Collection
Configuration Manager 2007 helps to ensure that each Configuration Manager 2007 client is uniquely identified. If a duplicate hardware ID is identified, by default Configuration Manager 2007 automatically creates a new client record for the duplicate record. This setting allows you to easily upgrade or deploy clients that might have duplicate hardware IDs, without requiring manual intervention. However, with this setting, a computer that has been re-imaged or restored from backup will have a new record created, which results in all previous information about that client being no longer available for reporting purposes.
An alternative configuration is to require the administrator to manually reconcile all conflicting records when they are detected. This setting results in affected clients being unmanaged and no longer displaying in collections, but displaying in the Conflicting Records node. These clients will remain unmanaged until the administrator resolves the conflict.
For more information, see the section "Managing Client Identity" in What's New in Client Deployment for Configuration Manager.
When a new record has been created, you cannot get back previous data for the client, but you can reconfigure Configuration Manager so that it does not automatically create new records in the future.
If clients are unmanaged and missing from collections, check the Conflicting Records node so that you can manually reconcile the records by merging them, creating a new record, or blocking the new record.
For more information about how to configure the site-wide setting and how to manually resolve conflicting records, see How to Manage Conflicting Records for Configuration Manager Clients.
Missing Data in Client Reports
If you view the following reports and they do not contain client data, ensure that clients are assigned to a fallback status point:
- Client Assignment Detailed Status Report
- Client Assignment Failure Details
- Client Assignment Status Details
- Client Assignment Success Details
- Client Deployment Failure Report
- Client Deployment Status Details
- Client Deployment Success Report
- Issues by incidence detail report for a
specific collection
- Issues by incidence summary report for a
specific collection
- Issues by incidence detail report for a
specific site
- Issues by incidence summary report
Assign a fallback status point to Configuration Manager 2007 clients, and view the reports from the site in which the fallback status point is installed.
|SMS 2003 clients do not use these reports.
For more information, see the following:
- About Reports for
Configuration Manager Clients
- How to Create a Fallback
Status Point in Configuration Manager
- How to Assign the
Fallback Status Point to Configuration Manager Client
Additionally, if you are deploying a high number of clients at the same time, there might be a delay in processing all the state messages sent from the fallback status point to the site. In this scenario, wait for the data to appear and consider configuring the throttling settings on the fallback status point. For more information about the throttling settings, see Determine If You Need to Configure Throttle Settings for the Fallback Status Point in Configuration Manager.
Error Codes in Reports with No Description
Error conditions reported by clients might be displayed using standard Microsoft Windows error codes, without a description of the error. Or they might use error codes that are specific to Configuration Manager 2007.
For information about how to map these error codes to an error description, see Article 944375 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=103419).
Computers Fail to Obtain Software Updates After Software Update Point-Based Client Installation Is Configured
If Configuration Manager 2007 clients fail to obtain software updates from Configuration Manager and they have an Active Directory Group Policy setting configured for software update point-based client installation, the Active Directory Group Policy object might be configured incorrectly.
The software updates feature automatically configures a local Group Policy setting for the Configuration Manager 2007 client so that it is configured with the software update point source location and port number. Both the server name and port number are required for the software updates client to find the software update point.
If an Active Directory Group Policy setting is applied to computers for software update point client installation, this overrides the local Group Policy setting. Unless the value of the setting is exactly the same (server name and port), the Configuration Manager 2007 software updates feature will fail on the client.
The following entries appear in the software updates log file WUAHandler.log:
[Group policy settings were overwritten by a higher authority (Domain Controller) to: Server http://server and Policy ENABLED]LOG
The software update point for client installation and software updates must be the same server, and it must be specified in the Active Directory Group Policy setting with the correct name format and with the port information (for example, http://server1.contoso.com:80 if the site system server is not configured to use a fully qualified domain name and is using the default Web site).
For more information, see How to Install Configuration Manager Clients Using Software Update Point Based Installation.
Hardware Inventory Fails If Client Switches Site Mode While BITS Installation Is Pending Reboot
When you change the Configuration Manager 2007 client to a different site mode while the installation of Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is pending a restart, the client computer might not be able to send hardware inventory files to the management point. Entries similar to the following will appear in DataTransferService.log on the client computer:
DTS::AddTransportSecurityOptionsToBITSJob - Failed to QueryInterface for IBackgroundCopyJobHttpOptions. BITS 2.5+ may not be installed properly.
Restart the computer, and then reinstall the Configuration Manager 2007 client software.
Configuration Manager Client Remains Published to WSUS After You Uninstall a Site
When you uninstall a Configuration Manager 2007 site without first deselecting the option Enable Software Update Point Client Installation on the Software Update Point Client Installation Properties dialog box, the client will remain published as a software update in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). If you then reinstall a Configuration Manager 2007 site with a newer client version and publish the client to WSUS, both client versions will be published.
Clear the check box Enable Software Update Point Client Installation in the General tab of the Software Update Point Client Installation Properties dialog box before uninstalling a Configuration Manager 2007 site. You can also use the WSUS console to remove published software updates.
For more information, see How to Install Configuration Manager Clients Using Software Update Point Based Installation.
High Load on Fallback Status Point Caused by Client Resynchronization
Client resynchronization is triggered when the state message system believes that data is missing from a client computer. When a high number of resynchronizations occur, this might cause a backlog of state messages that adversely affects the performance of the fallback status point server and of the Configuration Manager 2007 site server.
To identify whether clients are undergoing resynchronization, use the following SQL query to discover how many clients have resynchronized in the last seven days:
|Copy Code
select count(*) from v_ClientMessageStatistics where LastResyncIssuedTime > DateAdd( day , -7 , GetUTCDate())
For information about creating queries, see How to Create a Query.
Wait for the backlog to clear. Alternatively, consider changing the default throttle interval on the fallback status point to limit the number of state messages sent to the site server. For more information, see Determine If You Need to Configure Throttle Settings for the Fallback Status Point in Configuration Manager.
Cannot Approve or Block (or Unblock) a Client Outside Its Assigned Site
Manually approving and blocking (or unblocking) a client is not supported from sites other than the client's assigned site. These options are not available when you right-click clients from sites higher in the hierarchy than their assigned site.
Perform these actions from the client's assigned site. For more information, see the following:
Client Communication Fails Because SPN Is Not Configured When Using a CNAME (DNS Alias) for Site Systems - Such as Distribution Points and Management Points
When Configuration Manager 2007 site systems are configured with a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) that is a CNAME (DNS alias) rather than the computer name registered in Active Directory Domain Services, the CNAME must be configured with a Kerberos service principal name (SPN) whenever Windows authentication is used. For example, Windows authentication is required in the following scenarios:
- Users initiate content download from
distribution points on site systems configured with CNAMEs, and the
content is not configured for anonymous access.
- The site is in mixed mode and configured with
the option Automatically approve computers in trusted domains
(recommended), and the management point site system is
configured with a CNAME.
When Windows authentication fails in the preceding scenarios, the client records an HTTP 401 error in the log files Datatransferservice.log (for content download failures) and ccmexec.log (for automatic approval failures).
|If you see these 401 errors, even if the CNAME SPN is registered, it might be configured incorrectly. Re-register it using the procedure in the following solution.
For all site systems configured to use a CNAME, register the SPN using the Windows Setspn tool with the following syntax:
Setspn –A HTTP/CNAME_FQDN computername
The Setspn tool is included in Windows Server 2003 Support Tools. You can install Windows Server 2003 Support Tools from the Support\Tools folder of the Windows Server 2003 startup disk. By default, the support tools install in the folder C:\Program Files\Support Tools.
For more information about using SPNs with IIS, see the following article that explains how to use SPNs when you configure Web applications that are hosted on IIS 6.0: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=94785.
|If you have configured a network load balancing (NLB) management point with a CNAME, do not use this procedure for the cluster name. Instead, follow the instructions in the following topic: How to Configure an SPN for NLB Management Point Site Systems.
Clients Connecting over VPN Cannot Install Software Updates or Run Advertisements
If clients assigned to the site can install software updates and run advertisements when they are directly connected to the intranet but not when they are connected over a virtual private network (VPN) connection, this is likely to be a configuration issue related to boundaries and the software update deployment or advertisement configuration.
If you haven't defined the VPN scope used by these clients as a boundary for their assigned site, the VPN connection will be considered to be within a slow network boundary. You will also see this issue if you have defined the VPN scope as a boundary but it is configured as a slow network boundary rather than a fast network boundary. In either of these scenarios, if software update deployments or advertisements are configured to not install for clients connected to a slow network boundary (the default configuration), VPN clients will not be able to access this content until they are connected directly to the intranet (on a defined, fast network boundary).
There are two possible solutions to this scenario. Select the solution that best meets your business requirements:
- If the VPN connection is fast and reliable
enough that you want these clients to be considered as if they are
connected directly to the intranet at their assigned site,
configure a fast boundary. This will help ensure that they can
always install advertisements and software update deployments
available at their assigned site when they are connected over the
VPN. Consult the VPN administrator to obtain a list of possible
addresses for clients when they connect over the VPN, and use this
information to create a fast network boundary with these addresses.
Make sure that you are informed of any VPN scope changes so that
you can modify the associated boundary information.
- If the VPN connection is not fast or reliable
but selected software update deployments and advertisements are
critical for VPN clients, reconfigure the software update
deployments and advertisements. Configure them with the option to
download content and run locally instead of the default option to
not install when clients are connected within a slow network
boundary. However, this can result in other clients also installing
this content when they are roaming to another site if they fall
back to asking their default management point for content.
For more information about configuring boundaries, see Planning Configuration Manager Boundaries and New Boundary Dialog Box.
For more information about when roaming clients fall back to accessing content at their assigned site from remote sites, see About Client Roaming in Configuration Manager and Example Roaming Scenarios for Configuration Manager: Simple.
The Message 'Validation data missing or invalid' Frequently Appears in PolicyAgent.log
When a client computer requests a user policy and finds that no policy updates are available, the message Validation data missing or invalid is generated in the log file PolicyAgent.log.
None. This is a benign error message and will not interfere with the operation of a Configuration Manager 2007 site.
Available Cache Space on Configuration Manager Client Computer Displays Zero
If the Configuration Manager 2007 client is installed using the DISABLECACHEOPT=TRUE installation property, the user is unable to change the size of the temporary program download (cache) folder. However, the Amount of disk space to use (MB) item in the Advanced tab of the Configuration Manager Properties dialog box displays the value of 0, regardless of the size the folder has been set to.
There is currently no solution or workaround for this issue.
Available Cache Space and Location is Displayed Incorrectly on 64-Bit Configuration Manager Clients
When the Configuration Manager 2007 client is installed on a 64-bit operating system, in the Configuration Manager Properties dialog box, in the Advanced tab, the Current Location path and the Amount of disk space to use: (MB) items might display incorrect values and be unavailable. The incorrect display does not affect the operation of the Configuration Manager 2007 client.
To update the display, click Configure Settings. For more information, see Configuration Manager Properties: Advanced Tab.
References to "Error registering hosted class" in Client Log File CCMExec.log
After client installation and at every restart of the client, the following is logged in the file CCMexec.log:
Error registering hosted class '{E67DBF56-96CA-4e11-83A5-5DEC8BD02EA8}'. Code 0x80040154
For more information about client log files, see Log Files for Managing Configuration Manager Clients.
This log entry does not identify a problem with the client and can be safely ignored.


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Collection apart with excellent grammar and punctuation.
Your decision may frequently be as difficult to compose as the initial word. In the 3rd person small perspective, the narrator describes the activities as noticed by only one persona. Furthermore, many characters don't come off real and effective. If you are serious about writing quality articles that are going to be shared, then following this advice will provide you with a much better opportunity to catch your market audience. McLuhan's work is seen among the bases of the investigation of press theory, in addition to presenting practical applications within the advertising and television sectors. There would not be any leftover duplicates of his own really first publishing effort. Within this tremendous global internet you might come across articles on almost every matter known to man. Every blog writer knows that spelling, grammar, a fantastic theme, and the skills compose an adequate composition is insufficient to bring a bunch. Utilize this as a discussion board to discuss suggestions and suggestions.
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There are many forms of tests available on the web it truly is hard to know how you can start. Utilizing online quizzes everybody can absorb a huge number grammer checkers of new info in a relaxed and entertaining manner. Anyone together with the physical qualifications can perform that. So you may be surprised to learn the documents that several students compose on standardised assessments are only similar to this type of trial! In any occasion, with only a little research, anybody may discover a huge amount of polls that they can love, and maybe they might create as many of the specific tests as they like. Online polls may be amazing learning possibility for pupils. It's likewise entertaining to utilize these tests to learn about a different subject. He attracts arranged distinction between both classes in a few values.
Go the bamboo skewer through the hay.
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text:
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Many of today's seniors are completely overwhelmed with turning 65 and going on to Medicare. The mailbox is filling up with mailers from insurance companies and insurance agents trying to sell Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage products, Prescription drug coverage, Life insurance…and the list goes on!
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Serving PA, WV and OH Local: (304) 723-0909 or (412) 275-3443


text:
Easy drawing in PowerPoint
Ever wondered how to draw in PowerPoint? I mean, other than circles, squares, lines and cubes? If the answer is yes (but even if it's no), then you're in the right place!
At first glance, PowerPoint might look so limited for such a challenge, but dig deeper and you'll find endless possibilities.
Of course it is no match with other graphics software – like Adobe Illustrator for instance – but if you're not a graphic designer and you simply want to make you presentation (or e-learning) look more professional… then PowerPoint will do it pretty good.
Let's start with some easy ways…
First thing you want to consider is that every shape, even the more complex one, can be broken down to simpler ones (some time you need to use your imagination, though).
- A flower
- A table
- A chair
- A screwdriver
Once you understand this, you can start creating more "complex" combinations by using the "Merge shapes" command.
There are five functions:
- Union
- Combine
- Fragment
- Intersect
- Subtract
They're names are quite intuitive, but let's look at how they work in practice.
Now that you've understood this, let's draw a hamburger!
It's a peace of cake, don't you think? You can download the PowerPoint file here.
Post your comments below if you have suggestions or to share your experience.


text:
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Some options of this product are currently unavailable. Please register to be notified when these products are available.
Be the first to know about our latest releases and get exclusive offers!
Teaz Cosmetics International B.VCalandstraat 143016CB RotterdamThe Netherlands+31 10 202 email@example.com
K.v.K. 24269745NL805333629B01


text:
Most of us believe what we believe unconsciously.
We've believed what we believe for so long that we think out thoughts are the truth.
This is all find and good, until we realize we believe thoughts that are hurtful.
We believe we aren't good enough.
We aren't happy enough.
We aren't smart enough.
We make bad choices.
We have not will power.
We aren't lovable.
What if, you could choose your thoughts on purpose?
What if the way you think about yourself, your life, your kids, your work, your… everything… could-be-different?
And what if by doing so, you could change everything?
Supervising our minds and choosing, consciously what we want to believe is a practice.
It's not a one and done.
You're never finished, because your mind gives you daily opportunities to be challenged with unnecessary thoughts.
We have to be conscious.
If we want to experience our lives as conscious adults, that means we must supervise our thinking.
Wake up.
Choose what you want to believe about this day and you in it.
Put it on like an outfit and wear it.
Use your thinking to navigate your experiences.
It changes every-single-thing.


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Want to know where Chix Gear will be selling at next??
We have SEVERAL distributors who attend events all throuought the US! Check below to see if we are coming to an event near YOU! <3
Tentative schedule and is subject to change : More events will be added throughout the year.


text: Home > Business Ayala Land to tap bond market to fund projects By Neil Jerome C. Morales, The Philippine Star Posted at Jan 17 2013 08:32 AM | Updated as of Jan 17 2013 04:32 PM Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MANILA, Philippines - Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) will tap the bond market this year to jumpstart the development of large parcels of land acquired recently. This will allow the company to cater to the expectations of continuous robust property demand in different market segments, a ranking company official said. "Definitely at the ALI level, the parent company level, we will be tapping the capital markets. Bonds primarily," ALI chief finance officer Jaime Ysmael told reporters. ALI has yet to finalize the terms and issue size of the bond sale pending full-year 2012 performance data, he said. "At the rate we are going, there will be some funding requirements because capital spending is continuous especially now that we have a lot more projects," Ysmael said. Philippine companies have been tapping funds from different channels like bonds and banks amid low interest rates and high liquidity. Bulk of the borrowed funds will be used to start and complete the construction of numerous condominium units, shopping malls and hotels as opposed to the landbanking focus last year, Ysmael said. Potential share sales, for its part, will depend on market condition and funding needs, Ysmael said. For project development, ALI will be busy starting construction in large parcels of land recently acquired. "We will focus on the ones we acquired last year. Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) is one of them definitely and also Circuit Makati," Ysmael said. "We will focus on the big parcels in trying to accelerate the development and monetize them as soon as possible," he added. Last year was a busy year for the property giant particularly in terms of securing prime, large chunks of land. For instance, the firm won the bidding for the 74-hectare FTI complex in Taguig with its P24.3-billion offer. Also last year, ALI's middle-income housing unit Avida Land Corp. signed a deal to develop the Gatchalian family's 60-hectare Plastic City property in Valenzuela City, which formerly housed the country's biggest fully-integrated plastic manufacturing plant. Ysmael said the master plan for the mixed-use development of FTI is already complete. "We already filed our license to sell and we already got it so we should be starting to sell soon. Initially commercial lots," Ysmael said, adding that the residential segment will be marketed by upper market brands Alveo and Ayala Land Premier. Ysmael said Avida already started its development in Plastic City while ground works for the 6.6-hectare former Nestlé factory in Muntinlupa will begin this year. In terms of landbanking, ALI is still keen on acquiring lots from areas without an ALI footprint or projects that are experiencing accelerated project development. "We are still looking at opportunities to landbank where we do not have a presence or we need to replenish like Nuvali where the development has been very accelerated," Ysmael said. In the Nuvali township project in Laguna, ALI is buying adjacent lots. "To be able to sustain the momentum, we have to make sure we have landbank that will last for a couple of years," Ysmael said. For ALI's socialized housing unit BellaVita, the company is looking for new parcels outside of Metro Manila amid large demand, Ysmael said. In the nine months to September last year, ALI's earnings reached P6.62 billion, up 27 percent from P5.23 billion a year earlier on the back of the strong performance of all its business units. Share Facebook Share on Twitter LinkedIn Business,Top Stories,ayala land,bond market Read More: ayala land bond market


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Merlin's weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
Merlin's weekly podcast with Dan Benjamin. We talk about creativity, independence, and making things you love.
"What's 43 Folders?"
43Folders.com is Merlin Mann's website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.
John Norris: More HPDA templates and 'the Meta Line Organizer'
Merlin Mann | Jun 16 2005
John Norris [John Norris' Hipster PDA Templates]
On the heels of Douglas's wonderful DIY templates for the Hipster PDA, I'm now directed to these amazing templates from John Norris.
John's got some very creative ideas at play here, including miniature versions of games like chess; a small world map with time zones; music staffs; semaphore code (semaphore code!); and a variety of other lightly-structured templates.
The most fascinating addition to the standard card is what he calls the "Meta Line Organizer" (how-to image)—a series of icons, fields, and fill-bubbles that run the vertical length of the card. They afford a fast, lightweight method for organizing and prioritizing your cards and then quickly identifying their purpose on the run. Really terrific stuff.
It's funny—I was telling a reporter yesterday how the whole Hipster PDA phenomenon has been such an unlikely instance of "Stone Soup"—what started as this jokey reaction to excessive personal technology keeps evolving into something smarter and more creative that I ever imagined. People are making thoughtful, deliberate decisions about how they capture data on the go, and having a framework—even one as admittedly dopey as the HPDA— apparently has enabled some very creative, clever ideas.
Nice work, everybody, and especially: nice work, John!
[Link: Matt Peck]
When looking at Douglas Johnston's...
Submitted by Jim (not verified) on June 17, 2005 - 8:44am.
When looking at Douglas Johnston's DIY hipster templates, I was having a really hard time with the concept of printing out and having on hand/in pocket all of these different card versions. What if I ran out of one particular card that I needed? Even if I am sitting at my desk I have to print out another of that specific even though I have plenty of the other types sitting right there already printed. Then yesterday, when I saw the new Meta-line organizer from John Norris, I realized that you could use his system in combination with Douglas Johnston's version to create just one card that you could print out many copies of and fill in the bubble when you decide what type of "blank" you need. I print these on the backs of graph paper index cards so that I don't waste valuable ink. This way there is always a blank sitting on top of your pile that has a header bar, a notes section, a checklist for next actions, shopping, projects, someday maybe etc... And on the other side there is always handy graph paper. Just fill in the "someday maybe" bubble and it becomes a "someday maybe" card. For the @home and @work labeling style, I added a top box and a very similar side labeling box.
|EXPLORE 43Folders


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LX Design House has been nominated in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2012 in recognition of its business innovation, passion and entrepreneurial skills.
LX has been named a finalist in three categories: Information Technology, Business Growth Champion and Small Business Champion Entrepreneur.
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is a prestigious program that recognises small and successful businesses across Australia. Finalists are selected based on past business achievements, positive business culture, sustainability and future business vision.
The winner of the 2012 Australian Small Business Champion Awards will be announced at the Grand Ballroom of The Westin, Sydney on Saturday, 21st April 2012.
LX Group is a multi-award-winning Australian electronics design house specialising in embedded systems, wireless technology and low-power electronic product development.


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Navajo Native American Jewelry
For jewelry lovers everywhere living in the Southwest of the U.S, especially in New Mexico, it is Native American jewelry paradise. For many years I have loved and collected Native American jewelry and living here now I am surrounded by silver and turquoise jewelry. And, my favorite kind is that made by the Navajo Native Americans.
The Navajo tribes are located in western New Mexico and northern Arizona. They are the Native Americans that began silversmithing and turquoise jewelry making in the southwestern U.S. From there, they traded with and instructed the Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo tribes in making this beautiful jewelry.
Today, all throughout New Mexico you will find these tribes of Native Americans presently making silver and turquoise jewelry because there is still quite a demand and market for it.
The turquoise they use is mined right here in the southwest and you will find turquoise mines in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and southern California. So this is truly a regional art of jewelry making that has become a world-wide jewelry admired and worn by people all over the world.
Today, the contemporary jewelry the Navajos are making are beautifully colored inlay designs as the cuff bracelet pictured to the top right. The Navajos keep taking turquoise jewelry making to new heights as well as continuing to make their classic designs also.
How it all began
The Navajos have the largest southwestern Native American reservation and our nation's largest tribe with more than 160,000 inhabitants. They call themselves the Dine' which means "the people." Their reservation is located in northern Arizona, western New Mexico and southwest Utah.
The Navajo's ancestors were hunters and gatherers from the north who migrated into the southwest of the U.S. around five hundred to eight hundred years ago.
Today, they are a peaceful tribe of Native Americans widely known world-wide for their silver and turquoise jewelry making. Surprisingly though, they did not start making silver and turquoise jewelry until the middle 19th century around the 1865.
Atsidi Sani ("old smith"), a Navajo blacksmith was the first to begin making silver jewelry. He admired the Spanish and Mexican silver buttons and bridle bits their horses were adorned with when they conquered this area of the country.
The Navajos traded with other Native tribes and Atsidi Sani began to see beautiful silver jewelry he and other Navajos traded for and he wanted to learn how to make the jewelry himself. Around 1850, Sani traveled south to Mexico in hopes of learning the art of jewelry making. It is believed he first learned the art from a Mexican silversmith by the name of Cassillio.
The first jewelry Sani made was of just plain silver with no stones. He learned many different ways of forming and stamping his jewelry. This Navajo silver jewelry was the original Native American jewelry from the American western frontier.
The earliest Navajo jewelry was made using American or Mexican silver coins which they melted into ingots. Then, they hammered them into sheets of silver and cut out their designs and welded the silver pieces together. Silver solder laminated their silver jewelry designs together. Navajo silver jewelry now became a status symbol among the Navajos and was the mark of wealth and prestige.
Adding turquoise to the silver work was not common until sometime between 1880 and 1900, but again, the Navajos were the first to add it to their silver jewelry. It is believed Atsis Chon (active 1870's - 1900) was the first Navajo to set turquoise into a silver piece.
The Navajos had previously traded for turquoise and turquoise beads from the Santo Domingo Pueblo people (known as the Kewa) of the Rio Grande area in New Mexico a bit south of Santa Fe.The addition of turquoise into the silver jewelry caused it be in high demand. More trading posts sprung up in the southwest and Navajo jewelry was big trade for the Native American traders who traded for it first.
The Native American traders then took it out to southern California where their silver and turquoise jewelry was in big demand. After the turn of the 20th century, tourism in the southwest picked up because the railroad now came out this far west and there was increased tourism to see the Grand Canyon. The Navajos would set up shop along all the train stops along the route and sell their jewelry. Tourists loved the jewelry and a market for it sprung up. Tourists bought Navajo rings, Squash Blossom Necklaces, and bracelets.
By the 1920's Navajo silver and silver and turquoise jewelry was for sale in Native American trading posts, at the Grand Canyon, and in mercantile stores across Arizona and New Mexico. Navajo jewelry now became a major industry throughout the southwest.
And people couldn't get enough of it. Even today, Navajo jewelry is in high demand. Navajo jewelry has had an important role in the history of the American western frontier and very much part of our American heritage.
Navajo jewelry sold today still follows the classic styles from the old days but also has incorporated new contemporary styles such as inlaid silver and turquoise. There are many jewelry stores and shops around Taos where so much of it is sold. I have been in and out of the stores and up to the Taos Pueblo to see the Native American jewelry. There is so much of it here that it is difficult to choose pieces because there is just so much to choose from.
I particularly like the vintage pieces of turquoise jewelry and there is plenty of it sold here. Vintage Navajo jewelry is fifty years or older. The silver used to make the jewelry is mostly from silver coins. This silver was used before WWII and after WWII Navajos began using sterling silver. The amount of silver used in sterling silver is 92.5% silver and the rest of the content is other alloys. All true Navajo silver jewelry is stamped 925 and if doesn't have that stamp then it is not good sterling silver as it has more alloys in it. Since about 1960 the Navajo jewelry makers also sign their pieces, so look for a signature along with the 925 stamped on the back.
Jewelry made before 1930 is considered antique silver jewelry and many shops sell and trade in antique jewelry as well.
Navajo silver and turquoise jewelry took a major turning point around 1955-1960. A great increase in Navajo jewelry took place at this time because of the movie and media industry that went into a boom in the 1960's. Navajo jewelry was worn by movie stars and so it became popular with the public. Navajo jewelry production was stepped up.
At this time eastern jewelry stores set up Navajo jewelry production in the southwest and the Navajos taught their craft to these easterners. The Navajos were requested to produce more jewelry and at a faster pace to meet the market demand.
There is a big difference between the Navajo jewelry made before 1960 and this is the period that is called vintage Native American jewelry. The type of turquoise and that it was made with coin silver or sterling silver tells its age. For example, Arizona turquoise is a clear sky blue color and green turquoise is usually from Nevada.
The following photographs are of vintage and contemporary Navajo jewelry pieces. Some of the pieces are of the classic style and made today because their is much demand for these classic designs.
- Turquoise Jewelry - made by Native Americans
Diamonds are a girl's best friend. But, have you ever considered wearing turquoise and silver jewelry hand- crafted by Native Americans?
Suzette, I have always loved the beauty of Navajo Native American jewelry. The pieces that you show in your article are so gorgeous. My father was a silversmith in the Pocono Mountains of PA. It has always amazed me that from one area of the country to another there are so many styles of jewelry. Hope to read more of your work, Suzette.
Fascinating and your jewelry is stunning. I love this jewelry and have started my own collection from some gifts following extensive hints! It is quite pricey to get to the UK by the time you add delivery and customs fees. I'd choose NA turquoise over diamonds any day.
I love Navajo and Hopi jewelry too. My favorite pieces are sandcast and the old style sandcast is getting harder to find. Great Hub.
How lovely! So many creative designs and they look beautiful. We have turquoise here in Australia, too, and in our younger days spent many happy hours finding it, working on it, and then setting it in our own designs. We liked the turquoise pieces that had blemishes best, as they looked more real, otherwise sometimes it was difficult to know whether it was real or an imitation, as it could just look like a piece of china.
Suzette, I lived in Hobbs, which is almost in West Texas, but my first husband had relatives all over the state so I went everywhere but Santa Fe. I still regret not getting to visit Santa Fe. My niece is a physical therapist in Albuquerque, so I hope to visit her someday and maybe see Santa Fe, too.
I found the small squash blossom necklace in a Southwest Indian Foundation catalog, and they have a website. It is only 21 inches long and not as expensive as most are, although it is genuine Navajo silver and turquoise. (Somebody, probably China, is making knockoffs now as costume jewelry for less than $40.) I'd seen one even smaller on a trip to Eureka Springs, AR, 20 years ago, and drooled over it, but I was too cheap to put it on my credit card. As I said, it took me 20 years to find another small one so I grabbed it up. I don't know why they make most of the so large that they can only be worn by men and large women. BTW, my hubby and I are of Cherokee descent.
This is my favorite type of jewelry and these photos are just beautiful. Makes me wish I had each piece. :) Thank you Suzette for this informative and wonderful hub. Sharing
Suzette, this is a very interesting article. Although I lived in NM in the early 1970s, I didn't know the history behind the Navajo jewelry. I especially didn't know that it was a recent, not thousands of years old, art. My husband and I have a few authentic pieces that I cherish, especially a squash blossom necklace that it took me 20 years to find. I am a small person, and most squash blossom necklaces are too large for me. I also treasure a tiny stamped cuff bracelet with a bluish green turquoise stone that my dad bought me when he was stationed in Wyoming during WWII.
My husband bought a turquoise ring at a flea market that was purported to have been made by a Navajo from a silver dollar when the Navajo was stationed in Italy during WWII. The eagles from the dollar are cut out and wrap around his finger. I also bought a new necklace a few years ago. The piece is stamped, but I would swear that the stones are plastic. One must be very careful when buying nowadays. Very informative hub.
Beautiful! I love this type of jewelry! Thumbs up to the Navajo's! I'm sharing this hub straight away with my friends. Thank you, Suzette!
Neither Bev nor I are into jewelry. Having said that, I loved reading about the history of this.
Beautiful and informative per always. I especially appreciate knowing about stamped 925 as that is especially important. The photography is gorgeous. Thank You!
Blessings Always,
I enjoyed learning the history of this exquisite jewelry, dear Suzette. Your photography really showcases the beauty of turquoise.
I have some sentimental turquoise pieces from Peru and Mexico and I love your collection as well.
Excellent hub and lovely jewellery!
I love turquoise and I posses some pendant , rings and earrings in silver frame that I had bought at Istanbul airport store. But the ones you have displayed and described look so unique and well crafted. Didn't know they are called Navajo Native American jewellery and are available online.
Thanks for sharing this interesting hub!
I have a few old pieces from the 40's and 50"s-- I'll have to dig them out and take another look. Some of them once told me that some were Zuni-- with long slivers of turquoise. I like the modern inlaid pieces very much-- glad to see the tradition is evolving and continuing.
I love it! Unfortunately it mIght be difficult to buy it here in the


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1989: Point of origin.
I'm a big fan of exploring how things are connected in almost unnoticeable ways, how paths turn, how events and people link, and the resulting unpredictable chains.
And among the events of 1989 is the first point on a particularly important, if convoluted, line in my life:
See, as that year began, I was just beginning to seriously date the German exchange student at our high school.
Because of that, I met my wife Jenn – almost five years later and a thousand miles away.
Here's the deal:
In July, 1989, I stood on the observation deck at the Akron-Canton Airport and watched this girl's plane take off as she headed back to Germany. Yes, it had been inevitable; yes, I took it hard anyway.
The next month, I began my freshman year of college at Bowling Green State University, and while that semester is full of its own 1989 mile markers, here's the one relevant to this story: I still wasn't over my German girlfriend.
So by the time the school year ended in spring, 1990, I was already planning my first trip overseas.
I went home from BG intending to work my ass off and save every penny for an airline ticket and funds for a month-long visit to Germany in July.
At the time, I worked at the big Children's Palace toy store at Belden Village mall, my holdover job from the previous summer and two Christmas seasons. Mostly I stocked and straightened shelves, but I worked shifts in the warehouse now and then, and occasionally donned the Peter Panda mascot outfit during big sales. Problem was, Children's Palace wasn't close to a full-time job: Shifts were mostly four- or five-hour afternoon stints, maybe three or four days a week. It was all they could give me, but the paychecks I was getting weren't going to come near to funding my trip
So I swallowed my pride and did what I swore I never would: I applied for a job at McDonald's.
From the time I was old enough to work, I had vowed never to do fast food. Between the ages of 15 and 19, I worked as a summer camp counselor at the YMCA, did mini-golf groundskeeping and batting-cage maintenance, held two busboy jobs and then landed at Children's Palace.
But never, I said, McDonald's.
Yet here I was, desperate for the cash to reach Europe, and needing it now, since the summer vacation clock was already ticking.
I told them I could work as many hours as they had to throw at me, whenever they needed me, and I could start right this second.
That's how I found myself pulling a dime past minimum wage, working mostly the opening shift, 5 a.m. to 1p.m. five days a week. I came home afternoons feeling shellacked in grease and smelling like french fries.
But I was socking away the money I needed for that trip to Germany.
I can imagine nothing else that would have gotten 19-year-old me to work at McDonald's.
So flash forward another academic year, and now it's April or May 1991, and my best friend Ivan and I have decided that we're going to get an apartment and stay in Bowling Green for the summer, since I've got some classes I want to take.
Before we've even told our parents, we have gone out and found a place to rent, though neither of us has work lined up. There are enough weeks to do that, I'm guessing, before the end of the school year, and I figure my parents will be OK with the idea as long as I can find employment to support a few months' worth of rent and utilities.
As the school year winds to a close, I am failing in this quest.
After the last day of the semester, I am heading home for a week before I have to return to BG for classes. We have signed our lease, and I have no job.
The desperation kicks in again, and I stop at the McDonald's at the eastern edge of campus, walk in, and ask for the manager.
"I need a summer job," I tell her. "I've worked at McDonald's back home since last summer, I know grill and drive-thru and register, so you won't have to train me. I signed a lease for an apartment this summer and I can't go home without telling my parents I found a job, and I can start next Monday."
She hired me.
What happened at this McDonald's was that I met another girl. And we started dating at the end of summer, just before school resumed. This is, in fact, That Girl from the "Dark Times" chapter of Collect All 21!, and while the next few years of my life will mostly suck, the key role she plays here is that our move to Florida in March of 1993 is totally her idea.
Oh, I wanted to go someplace after I graduated in December of 1992, but never Florida.
And yet that's where we moved in March 1993, after a weekend scouting trip to Orlando where we both got nowhere with job interviews at Walt Disney World, but she got hired at a McDonald's where a former co-worker was managing.
I walked into another McDonald's just down the street from the apartment we'd picked out, gave nearly the same speech I had in the BG store a couple years before, and walked out with yet another job waiting for me.
After we'd been down there a few months, I took a second job at a local buffalo wing restaurant, quit my job at McDonald's to help a new owner run the wing place full-time, and then began a part-time job at Disney World, having landed a job as a tour operator at the Disney-MGM studios.
That's not important to the story, really, but this is: The wing company's new owner wasn't able to keep his financial promises, and when I realized it wasn't working out and that I couldn't survive on just my two or three days week at Disney, well…
I walked into my fourth McDonald's in as many years – just a couple miles from my previous one, to which I did not return due to some bad blood over my departure – and put myself up for hire, no training necessary.
And again, the manager brought me on board immediately.
And it was here, at the McDonald's on Lee Road in Orlando, where I found myself working regularly with this crazy funny cute punkish girl with these shining eyes and bizarre sense of humor and a laugh that just weakened me every time she let it loose.
If I hadn't dated that German exchange student; if I hadn't been so driven for cash that I walked into that first McDonald's; if I hadn't been able to use that experience to land my next summer job and meet that girl who convinced me to move to Florida – then, how in the world would I have ever, ever EVER crossed paths with this fanastic gorgeous creature who tied her hair with a pink scarf and loaned me her coat to sweep the parking lot on a chilly morning?
Of course I married her. Life goes through all that work to make something happen, you don't ignore it.
3 Comments »
So does this mean you will or will not encourage your daughter to work for Ronald??
Comment by Pam | September 13, 2009 |
[…] With 2009 winding down, I'm in the mood to return one more time to 1989. (My three previous visits are here, here, and >digs through pile of cassingles, Swatches and floppy disks< oh yeah, here. […]
Pingback by A Sudden Sense of Liberty. « Cornfield Meet | December 28, 2009 |
[…] it's from my 1989 high school graduation, and I wrote a few essays last year looking at various aspects of why that year still holds meaning for me more than two […]
Pingback by These cakes are no lie. « Cornfield Meet | May 14, 2010 |


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Learn Your Skin Care Facts Maintaining A Healthy Skin Is Important In Today's Image-conscious Society.
If you've cleaned your face properly in the evening, morning skin will just require you all the important nutrients for your antiaging dry-oily skin. Products with fillers and other skin oil unnecessary, complex formulations will may not get deep of much help either when you are trying to choose the best skin care product for you. Which kind you use and how often will be determined or 6 ingredients, then it may be too complex for what your skin actually needs. If you are looking for a skin care program, there are some guidelines you may want to consider friction and reducing the chance the skin will be stretched or torn by contact. If you are looking for a skin care program, there are some guidelines you may want to consider that provides vitamins C, E, and A, and oils to moisturize and a sun block. When using a professional microdermabrasion product at home, it is your skin and come with a high price where the consumer is paying for the filler more so than the active ingredients.
You should be able to go out feeling confident that your skin routine for a month, then your hair routine, that's fine. Just spot your face and neck with a good cleansing lotion giving it the tools it needs to rebuild itself, you can work on establishing the best possible maintenance routine. In our quest and with the constant marketing and advancements in skin care, it or 6 ingredients, then it may be too complex for what your skin actually needs. sitesUV and UVA rays cause premature aging of the skin, and can lead to the secretion of excess oil and cause eruptions or lesions on your face. Certain moisturizers not only keep the skin supple, they can also help the skin rejuvenate and ensure an intensive replenishing of skin oils. Sun block should be worn all the time when you are outside – ultra violet and lotions on the market that are very helpful for skin care.
Again, we'll show you how to determine how often or cream and gently massage it into your skin using upward strokes. In choosing cleansing products for dry skin, here are few pointers to bear in mind : Make sure will not want to put makeup on it if you don't have to. You should select such skin care products that can provide the pores, splash cool water on yourself to close pores. There is a bit of difficulty finding a scientific definition for known that different people get different results with the same skin care products. Causes of Dry Skin : Biological skin ageing Chemical and medicinal influences Climate and environment Genetic disposition Hormonal influences Light-induced skin ageing Great Benefits area around the eyes, the thicker and rougher area of the elbow, or the vulnerable area of the neck. Again, we'll show you how to determine how often known that different people get different results with the same skin care products.


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Latest Weather Blog
Another city could furl state flag with Confederate emblem
MERIDIAN, Miss. - Another Mississippi city could stop flying the state flag because it features the Confederate battle emblem that critics see as racist.
Meridian Mayor Percy Bland tells The Meridian Star he thinks the flag is "divisive" in a state with a 38 percent black population.
He says the City Council could discuss removing the flag from display on municipal property when it meets Sept. 19.
All eight of Mississippi's public universities and several cities and counties have stopped flying the flag because of concerns about the Confederate emblem.
WTOK-TV reports a small group protested the flag Monday outside the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Meridian. Organizer Dennis Allen said the flag represents "high treason" by Southern states that tried to secede before the Civil War.
Flag supporters say it represents history.


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The Material Genome Initiative (MGI) is a U.S. Federal government, multi-agency initiative launched by President Obama in 2011 to double the speed with which new materials are discovered, developed and manufactured at significantly lower costs. These advanced new materials in turn are expected to power a wide spectrum of industries from healthcare to national security. The accelerated process of time to market for new materials is expected to strategically improve our global competitiveness.
The origins of the program goes back to the President's National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI); an R&D initiative to understand and control matter at the nanoscale level for technology and industry such that it benefits society. With the support of the NNI, nanotechnology research and development has been successfully utilized in Govt., industry and academia.
Changing the Paradigm of Design
Now in its 5th year, the MGI initiative has also demonstrated tremendous potential and made measurable strides in its goal of pioneering new materials using multiscale science, science of big data, physical experimentation and their seamless integration.
The initiative's 5 year anniversary was marked by an event hosted by The White House to commemorate and celebrate its success. With my expertise in Multiscale Science and Engineering, I was among 70 other experts from the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Defense (DoD), National Industrial Security Program (NISP), the Army Research Office, as well as Industry and Academia. The general consensus is that the program's progress appears to change the paradigm of design today. Companies are finding that their time to market has improved; there is more robustness and the tools are more predictive. While these factors are indicative of success of the initiative, the program faces several challenges which must be addressed if it is to succeed.
Bridging the Gap
With the most vested to lose (or win) Industry traditionally tends to be the most cautious to adopt major changes. There is some concern that the program is too scientific and does not sufficiently involve industry. Given my experience with both industry (having previously created a software company and being employed as a design engineer in Israel Aircraft Industries) as well as in Academia (my current affiliation as Professor at Columbia University) I am well aware of the differences between the academic world and practitioners in industry. Historically we have seen, that unless industry completely embraces a particular technology, it cannot realize its complete potential or succeed at the expected level. A prime example is the interest generated by Artificial Intelligence in the 70s. There was much excitement about robots replacing humans, but even though billions of dollars were invested, it took over 40 years to come close to reality primarily because Industry was slow to embrace the idea completely.
With industry giants like Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney leading the way, the MGI has had a demonstrable measure of success in Industry so far. While this is a good stepping stone, a wider, all-encompassing industry-wide acceptance is required. One of the challenges of the program is bridging the gap between expectations of the Government and Academia in the program and what industry is willing to adopt. It's a slow transition and requires education of the workforce.
Here at Altair, we are doing our part to further the initiative's purpose. Altair's Multiscale Designer is a tool for development and simulation of multiscale material models for composite materials, honeycomb cores, reinforced concrete, soil, bones, and various other heterogeneous material systems. From the technology's innovation to a promise that was realized over several years and translated into a commercial product, Multiscale Designer was originally developed as a result of my research and development supported by various SBIR programs and subsequently acquired by Altair. Its main application, although not as broad as the MGI, is geared towards it.
Since the tool is very advanced, it requires a new generation of engineers to realize its full potential in product design, as is the case for the MGI program success. Most current users of Multiscale Designer have an education at the Ph.D. level. To permit successful utilization of this technology by engineers having bachelor's or a master's degree, efforts are currently under way on two fronts: (i) automating and streamlining Multiscale Designer's workflows and (ii) training our customers in the automotive, aerospace other industries in multiscale design principles.
Poised for Growth
The MGI program has already received funding at the level of half a billion dollars and is poised for the next 5 years of growth. There have been sufficient advancements in the development of the technology. What is needed now is industry involvement and educating industry. That is the message we must get out.
- Thought Leader Thursday: The Material Genome Initiative - September 22, 2016


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This morning's Environmental News Network reports that NASCAR is greening it up these days. With 50 cars whipping around in races as long as 500 miles at five miles per gallon of gas, that sounds unbelievable. But the corporation has made a shift to use 15% ethanol made from domestic corn, planted trees to offset carbon emissions, and installed solar panels at their sports facility in the Poconos. Read the excerpt below.
The Greening of NASCAR
From: David A Gabel, ENN
Published October 18, 2010 10:30 AM
"NASCAR is a sport that certainly burns a lot of fuel. Realizing this, management of the association, under CEO Brian France, is making efforts to offset their carbon emissions. They have joined forces with sponsors to set up the world's largest recycling program. They maintain the world's largest solar-powered sports facility at the Pocono Raceway. They have also done a massive tree-planting which NASCAR claims neutralized all carbon emissions produced by the Sprint Cup Series racecars.
Their most recent step is to change the fuel used in all three major national series to Sunoco Green E15, a 15 percent ethanol blend made from domestic corn. While the benefits of corn-based ethanol are debatable, they will help NASCAR lower carbon emissions while not affecting engine performance, the sport's biggest concern."
To read more, click here.
Image courtesy of NASCAR.com.


text: I agree with Heather - this morning's 19.1 can be ignored. It was just another in a series of rebound highs. Your Dad is quite right. You can give him 10 units at dinner and then see how it goes overnight. If the Lantus is set right, then he should be staying steady (within +/- 2 mmol) between bedtime and waking. If he is dropping all night, then the Lantus needs to be reduced further. If he is rising all night (which I don't expect at all), then the Lantus would be too low and he'd be needing more. So glad you found us and that we can help out with this.. :cwds:


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How Equella works
When learning content is contributed via the Moodle drag and drop functionality, and is contributed to Equella, it automatically picks up and stores descriptive information (metadata) about the item – this metadata includes the course code, name, teaching location and person who contributed the content.
The learning and teaching collection is available to all FedUni staff to search using the captured metadata and other metadata tags. Existing content can be re-used or further developed and enhanced – this means there is a significant opportunity for FedUni teaching staff to save time by re-using existing content, but also collaborate with peers on continuously enhancing their teaching materials over time.
In the medium-term Equella will provide a platform for Faculty administrators, Program and Course Coordinators to curate rich learning content sources from within FedUni, Open Education Resources and other web-based resources such as YouTube videos. Equella supports both the storage of original content and the curation and discovery of links to externally hosted resources.
Equella also provides a simple method of uploading and providing secure (gated, requiring login and authentication) access to video content. If you're currently producing video context via Camtasia you can export you video into a suitable sized (accessible to students) format and then directly drag and drop that video into your Moodle shell, which will store the content on Equella, and make the link to the content available to your students via Moodle.
Supporting video
Equella also supports the staged delivery of video content to students so they don't have to download the entire file to preview the content – this saves the student time and money by reducing data download fees. If you have large, unencoded video files please follow the guidelines and instructions on how to upload your video to Equella in an student friendly and accessible sized format.
Supporting eReserve
Equella no longer supports the Library eReserve digitisation service. Equella has been superseded by the eReadings+ service. Please refer enquiries for eReadings support to the Library.


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Pearl Daisy
Smooth Crushed Black Hijab
The Crushed Smooth range is a stunning new line of scarves unlike any other texture we have released before. This is a lightweight, cool fabric with a faux crushed silk effect. This texture makes it voluminous with a luxurious finish. FAQ: What is a Hoojab?
Material: 65% Rayon 35% Polyester
Size: approx 200cm x 65cm


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EDITOR NOTE: AllSportsTucson.com will run a feature this basketball season highlighting what happened 20 years ago on that particular day commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Arizona Wildcats' national championship. The next in the series is what occurred and what was written concerning the developments of March 8, 1997, when Arizona came up short 79-77 to California at the Cow Palace at San Francisco. The information gathered is through articles written by beat reporters Steve Rivera (Tucson Citizen) and Javier Morales (Arizona Daily Star), who now are working together for AllSportsTucson.com
You can access previous stories in this series by clicking on this link.
DATELINE: March 8, 1997, Cow Palace, San Francisco
In a tension-filled locker room, Miles Simon tried to lend some leadership after watching helplessly toward the end of another Arizona meltdown.
"Keep your heads up, guys," Simon said. "You all know what you can do. It's not over yet."
Maybe he should have told his teammates they know what they can't do.
After losing a one-point thriller at Stanford two days ago, a result of ineffective play in the last couple of minutes, Arizona lost 79-77 today to California when a lack of execution resulted in a failed 25-foot jumper by Michael Dickerson with five seconds remaining.
The Wildcats finished the regular season 11-7 and in fifth place in the Pac-10, their worst showing since coach Lute Olson's first season of 1983-84. It's the first time the UA, 19-9 overall, didn't reach 20 wins in the regular season.
The Arizona locker room scene reportedly included a coach and player getting into a heated argument. The athletic directors of each school had a spirited conversation of a lack of crowd control after a Cal fan reportedly got close to Olson after the game and flipped him off. A wild scene, indeed.
The Wildcats finished 3-8 on the road. And worse, yesterday's setback could mean the UA is a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, rather than a No. 3 seed.
"I had to take the shot," Dickerson said, defiantly. "I mean, I was wide open, and I thought there was only two seconds left.
"I guess there were about four, but in that situation, you can't hesitate. You don't have time to waste."
Dickerson's failed jumper came after Sean Marks made two free throws with 20.3 seconds left.
Jason Terry dribbled past half court and looked for A.J. Bramlett in the post area, but Al Grigsby strayed from Bennett Davison and doubled down on Bramlett. So Terry went to his second option, Dickerson on the wing.
Dickerson, selected to the All-Pac-10 team earlier in the day, took a couple of dribbles and heaved the shot that bounced off the front of the rim. The UA coaching staff wanted him to penetrate.
"We executed part of that play, but not all of it," said UA assistant coach Jim Rosborough, who demonstrated the intensity of the game by slamming the scorer's table late in the game. "I mean, (Dickerson) is the quickest kid in the league.
"He should have taken it to the basket. We probably should have set a screen, so he could drive off the screen, but …"
Olson said Dickerson lost track of time because the shot clock was difficult to see on the floor in the corner, and the game clock was hundreds of feet away, high on the towering wall of the Cow Palace.
"Maybe Cal should have spent some money to put the clock on top of the basket, where it belongs," Olson said.
The game was moved from Harmon Gym to the Cow Palace because it was viewed as a revenue producer by the Cal athletic department. Harmon seats 6,578 and the Cow Palace holds 12,800.
— Javier Morales
* * * * *
After today's loss to California and a fifth-place finish in the Pac-10, Arizona players were concerned about even getting in the tournament.
"I don't care where we go, as long as we're in there," Jason Terry said. "This team can create havoc for anybody with our ability to get out and pressure people defensively. But it doesn't matter where we're seeded. We're in a must-win situation now. We'll see what this team is made of now. We can't afford to have mental letdowns."
Michael Dickerson agreed.
"It doesn't matter where we're seeded," he said. "I don't believe in that. I believe that you play, and it doesn't matter who it's against."
Arizona couldn't convert on a crucial possession with 17 seconds left – Dickerson took an ill-advised 25-foot shot – and Miles Simon's last-gasp effort, a 55-footer, rimmed out.
"We've got to think better in late-game situations," Olson said. "When you're down one and you get the ball with 20 seconds left, you don't shoot a three. The best part of Michael's game is his ability to penetrate. Cal couldn't foul."
It didn't need to. Dickerson's miss allowed Cal's Prentice McGruder to eventually get to the free-throw line. He hit one of two, setting up Simon's last shot.
"I tried," Simon said. "I thought I had a chance. It looked good. But that isn't what lost it. Rebounding, effort, we didn't have any of that today until it was too late."
— Steve Rivera
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy's Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book "The Highest Form of Living", which is available at Amazon.


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Abu Dhabi and Riyadh see a natural partnership with Modi's government, a co-operation that could change the dynamics of the South Asian-Gulf nexus. By Jean-Loup SamaanMore
After the drone attacks on two oil plants in Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Trump warned that the USA was ready with a "loaded" weapon to react to the attacks. But against whom is his warning directed? By Karim El-GawharyMore
Journalists have been largely barred from Yemen. After a year of trying, DW correspondent Fanny Facsar was granted a visa. On her journey, she witnessed a deeply torn country devastated by a conflict that has been all but forgottenMore
The champions of white identity are re-grouping. In the West hostility towards Islam has had its day. It is now being absorbed into common or garden racism, says Stefan Buchen in his essayMore
So far, Iraq has always been neutral in the face of a possible war between Iran and the USA. But recent Israeli air raids on Iranian bases in Iraq reveal a different reality: Tehran's rulers apparently can no longer count on the neutrality of its neighbouring country, writes Ali SadrzadehMore
Millions of devout Muslims are again conducting the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage this year takes place amid a backdrop of political and sectarian tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and conflicts still flare in Yemen, Syria and Libya. Muslim minorities also face increased threats, including in Indian-administered Kashmir, where a sweeping curfew is in effect. More...More
With the Yemen conflict now in its fourth year, Ahmed Nagi, a Yemeni scholar visited the city of Marib and found that, against all odds, people are using their resilience and ingenuity to survive the devastation of warMore
International pop artists like K-pop group Super Junior are hugely popular in Saudi Arabia. But should international stars shun the Gulf monarchy because of its poor record on human rights? And if they do choose to perform there, are they indirectly supporting the country's repressive policies? By Nermin IsmailMore
On 20 November 1979, Islamic militants took over the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam. Hundreds were killed in the ensuing two-week siege. This pivotal event in modern Islamic history changed Saudi Arabia. It provides the backdrop for Raja Alem's new novel "Sarab", an extraordinary story of love, faith, violence and gender. By Marcia Lynx QualeyMore
The United States justifies its policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran by accusing the nation of "destabilising" the region. But neither is stability the correct criteria for evaluation of Middle East politics, nor is Tehran essentially behaving any differently to its neighbours, says Ulrich von SchwerinMore
Although regime apologists are fond of asserting that the war in Syria is over, wary investors, an ongoing U.S. trade embargo, the pariah status of its ally Iran, not to mention galloping inflation, mean it could be years before the devasted country sees any real reconstruction. Analysis by Ghiath BilalMore
The repression of political dissidents such as Ahmed Mansoor belies the UAEʹs well-publicised attempts to brand itself as a promoter of tolerance, argues Joe Stork. Yet the West's staunch ally in the Gulf has little to fear in the way of criticismMore
In the struggle between demonstrators and the military for a civilian-led state, the successors to Darfur's notorious Janjaweed militia could end up as the cats that got the cream. That the group is financed by autocratic Gulf states makes it even more suspect. Karim El-Gawhary reports from KhartoumMore
The Middle East Eye is reporting that religious activists are once again to be executed in Saudi Arabia. Mass executions continue to increase in the country, says Saudi social anthropologist Madawi Al-Rasheed in an interview with Nermin Ismail and Hassan HussainMore
The rumours that Libyan General Khalifa Haftar has Kremlin support are as consistent as his advance on the country's capital. In Syria, Russia has flexed its military muscles – but it isn't yet showing its cards on Libya. By Emily SherwinMore
Ever since the Iranian Revolution Saudi Arabia has pushed a hardline Wahhabist model of religiosity, both in the Islamic world and among Muslim minorities in the West, in an attempt to prevent Shia expansionism. Yet Berlinʹs security concerns over Salafist extremism in Germany could easily re-ignite latent tensions with Riyadh. By Mahmoud JarabaMore
The country's mood was already weighed down by economic and social problems and military crises before the pandemic reached Iran. The regime's crisis management has done little to improve things. By Shabnam von Hein


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Master of Arts in Classical String Performance in association with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Limited scholarships available for September 2020, including a dedicated viola scholarship.
This 2-year MA in Classical String Performance at the University of Limerick is a unique two-year full-time programme offering advanced tuition in violin, viola, cello and double bass with a specific focus on Chamber Music. Students receive weekly 90 minute individual lessons, regular technique classes, weekly chamber music classes and orchestral excerpts and sight reading sessions.
What makes the the programme unique is its close interaction with the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO).
The ICO is renowned all over the world for its approach to chamber music-making and this lies at the heart of this MA programme. There is a strong focus on the importance of practical experience, professionalism and the joy of creative music making.
The programme is led by members of the ICO who rehearse, tutor and perform with the students. Former MA students are now members of the ICO and many past pupils are regular extra work guests. As this course is considered the final step into the profession, our students work on what is required to make this important transition, including orchestral excerpts and skills, preparing for and experiencing real life auditions.
In addition, there are regular masterclasses and workshops by internationally acclaimed visiting directors, soloists, and guests of the ICO, as well as a chance to join and interact with the global gathering of musicians, dancers, and scholars operating at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
There is a strong focus on developing all round musicianship, through regular Dalcroze, improvisation, rhythm and aural training workshops. There are workshops on performance technique, overcoming performance anxiety, developing efficient practicing skills and much more. We also offer pedagogy classes because we believe learning how to be a good teacher is important in developing your own reflective practice. With a view to developing a rounded musician, students are offered electives each semester. Options include:
- Traditional Irish Music/Dance
- Gamelan ensemble
- Vocal /Instrumental improvisation
- Aerial Dance
- Somatic movement, eg. pilates/yoga
- Contemporary dance
- Song writing
- Jazz
- Teaching experience
- a current CV
- a cover letter telling us a little about yourself and why you are interested in this MA programme
- a recent video recording, for example, a first movement of Mozart or other classical concerto (Mobile and tablet recordings are acceptable as long as the audio and visuals are clear and of a good quality.)
- apply to the University of Limerick graduate school on the link below
A string quartet bursary has recently been unveiled for a quartet wanting to give their ensemble the strongest conceivable start to professional life. The quartet will have access to coaching from the top chamber musicians in the country as well as ICO directors and guests. In addition the ensemble would receive individual lessons, performance practice forums along with opportunities to perform nationally and internationally.
For classical players with an interest in traditional Irish music, the course offers unrivalled opportunities – the Irish World Academy Of Music and Dance is the centre of traditional music studies in Ireland. Electives are tailored to allow musicians on the MA in Classical String Performance to develop their performance practice alongside some of trad's greatest virtuosi.
To apply for a place starting September 2020, please send:
MAY 25th and 26th, 2020.
For Visa purposes if any student requires an earlier audition, this can be facilitated.


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Consultation Responses to 21st Century Welfare
Reports on public comments to 21st Century Welfare report of July 2010 in which the Brtish coalition government laid out its principles for reform of the country's welfare system. This paper responds to the leading themes of the suggestions received. Command Paper Cm 7971. From the Department for Work and Pensions


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At the recent buying group conferences I attended, one of the primary topics of conversation was SEO – yes, Search Engine Optimization! As a known commodity and trusted industry marketer, my opinion was sought – What did I think about strategy "a"; tactic "b"; and what do I know about company "c"?
I soon found industry professionals are being pummeled from all sides by companies looking to become their SEO vendor. And it's not that you, as kitchen & bath industry professionals, don't want to engage a company, it's just that you don't know the differences, you don't know who to trust, and in many cases, you don't even know the questions to ask to be able to make an informed decision. You don't know what you don't know!
You [think you] know you need to dedicate resources to SEO (and digital branding) but with money tight, what's the best investment?
Allow me to provide you with a single guiding principle for long-term, effective SEO
Don't try to beat the house!
Google is still king (70% of search engine visits) and they make and change the rules at their own discretion. There have been 14 algorithm changes so far in 2013 influencing how sites are ranked in searches. However, according to Google, with each change they strive to make the users' experiences easier and more effective. Therefore, if I Google "kitchen design", Google wants to be sure I get results [that send me to pages] from my geographic area (based on my ISP – Internet Service Provider) where kitchen design is the primary topic. To the kitchen and bath professional that means if "kitchen design" is how you want to be found by potential clients, you should have a page in your website dedicated to discussing "kitchen design". If your client lands on a generic page keyword-stuffed with "kitchen design" a) they will "bounce" away and b) you'll likely loose "Google juice" in a future Google algorithm update.
So, as you create or update your website, make sure of two things:
1 – Your site is structurally sound – straight-forward navigation, proper nomenclature, effective and efficient code.
2 – Your page and blog content is well thought-out, informative and useful. Remember that the information you provide needs to be the information your potential clients expect – on their first click. You only have one opportunity to make a winning first impression!
Consider your own searches. If you perform a search for a "cardiologist" and the first page you click to has generic medical information with a long list of specialists, you'll likely click the back button and move on! What do your potential clients see when they click through to your site?
SEO is an evolving process/specialty/marketing tactic, with no guarantees. But there are effective ways to approach the challenge. I am happy to talk with anyone who may be confused and wants a clearer understanding. Contact me for your consultation –no sales pitch – promise.


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Help: Manage Data (Retailer)
The Retailer's Manage Data page is where you upload output mapping sheet(s) for use in a company Switch.
What is an output mapping sheet?
It's a comma separated value (CSV) spreadsheet with at minimum two rows of information. One row needs to be your field names and a second row provides instructions for those fields. Manufacturer product data fields can be mapped to your output fields so their data automatically flows into your field format.
Manage Data Mapping
Easy-Peasy. You drag-and-drop the CSV file onto your Manage Data table, or click to select file(s) located on your computer.


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Security and crime prevention / Reporting
Civilian participation in public security
(full text only available in Dutch)
- Organization(s):
- Place of publication:
- The Hague
- Publisher:
- Boom juridisch
- Year of publication:
- 2016
- Series:
- Justitiële verkenningen 2016/05
Civilian participation in public security is a pluriform phenomenon. There are courageous individual citizens daring to stand up when confronted with criminality in public space, but also Community WhatsApp groups of local residents sharing information among each other and with the police on suspicious situations in the neighbourhood. Others join a neighbourhood watch group or become a police volunteer. But apart from describing these various forms the authors in this issue have tried to distinguish the 'active substances' of civilian participation: under what circumstances are participation projects effective? Several authors offer original insights in the phenomenon. One of these is that the role of the administration is changing under the influence of civilian participation. Another author found that the success of Community WhatsApp groups can be (partly) explained by the reward for attentive members, which consists of the appreciation of their fellow residents. Of course civilian participation has moral implications too. There is a risk of perverse effects like excessive social control, ethnic profiling and age discimination (towards young people). Every observation of a person or event different from 'normal', can be framed as a potential threat or as 'suspicious'. Therefore a critical reflection on the participation of cititens in public security and its integration into security policies is needed. Also, we should be aware that there is no consensus among the population on what public security means, while the motives of people to get involved in public security activities differ greatly. Mobilising citizens on the basis of fighting crime therefore bears the risk of producing differences and conflicts in society instead of creating open, tolerant and inclusive communities.