text: In the last week we have had a few updates for two of our instruments. For VIRUS we are up to 29 working spectrographs. We actually have several more units but some of the oldest and slightly mis-behaving units have been sent back to Austin for realignment and recommissioning. For HPF we are thrilled to announce that a NIST laser comb has been installed in the calibration room in the HET basement. This allows us to send a picket fence of spectral features through a separate fiber next to the science fibers. During the data reduction and analysis of the HPF spectra they can look at the position of these pickets and determine how the instrument might be subtly moving and correct for it. So far it seems like it is working great.


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Delighted Launches With Google Ventures Backing
For marketers getting more involved in customer experience management, a new tool backed by Google Ventures may come in handy.
Delighted is a one-click customer satisfaction survey tool that asks how likely a person is to recommend the company to a friend -- nothing else -- and allows for an explanation in a comment.
Think of it as the "Yo" of customer satisfaction surveys.
After operating in stealth for about a year, Delighted officially opens to the public today. It could come in handy for marketers, especially as more companies look to enhance the customer experience.
Managing customer experience is becoming an essential component of the marketing function. The chief customer officer -- a role that's emerged to manage customers' experiences at every interaction point with the company -- reports to both the CEO and CMO, according to Gartner.
Delighted co-founder Caleb Elston said in an interview that the company's simple format and usability on all platforms helps it generate above average response rates. "We see response rates over 25%, with some customers achieving 45%," he said. "This compares to traditional surveys in the low single-digit response rates."
Some customers already on board are Bonobos, Silvercar and Hotel Tonight.
One feature that should be especially enticing to marketers: the ability to plug into marketing automation systems. "Customers have connected to Salesforce, Marketo, Pardot and countless others," Mr. Elston said. "Many customers use the API to survey automatically based on key customer events."
Some marketers, for example, place those who rate their company highly into a special segment. Those customers then get special perks, Mr. Elston said, which they value more than discounts since they have strong brand loyalty.
Delighted is based in Palo Alto, Calif., and is run by a team of three people. The company's investors include Google Ventures, Shasta Ventures, SV Angel and more.

subset: commoncrawl


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The EFM series of evaporators with integrated flux monitor are ideal for high-purity evaporation of a wide range of materials in UHV, ranging from refractory metal wires and rods to delicate, reactive substances evaporated from crucibles.
Materials such as Fe, Co, Ni, Pt, Ag, Au, Al, Mo, Ta, W, and also non-conducting materials or semiconductors, e.g. silicon, can be evaporated. Delicate or reactive materials can be precisely and cleanly deposited. Using a stainless steel crucible with a nozzle, a gentle Knudsen evaporation of C60 and many other aromatic compounds is achieved with minimum loss of material. An integrated flux monitor enables reproducible real-time control of the deposition rate and, once calibrated, removes the need for a quartz thickness monitor.
The degassing state of the evaporant and the start of the real flux are also shown more accurately than by temperature measurement. The flux is displayed on the control unit and is also available for computer-controlled evaporation processes. A built-in shutter with manual or optional computer controlled motor activation governs the deposition time. The desired flux can be monitored and adjusted with the shutter closed. The EFM evaporators are designed to effectively focus the heating power onto the evaporant with minimum heat dissipation. To absorb the heat radiation and maintain an ultra high vacuum (to below 10-10 mbar), the evaporant is completely surrounded by a water-cooled shroud. The rear-loading feature of the EFM evaporators enables crucibles to be exchanged without detaching the EFM from the vacuum chamber for deposition of different materials with identical source alignment. Low stray magnetic fields at the sample enable the evaporator to be used during RHEED or LEED analysis.
© Scienta Omicron GmbH - All rights reserved


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With: Jacki Delecki
While some cultures still practice arranged marriages, most contemporary societies believe the foundation for marriage should be love. This is a fairly recent shift in perspective. For many centuries, marriage was a strategic decision made for political alliances, financial gain, expanding land holdings or advancing social status.
"What marriage had in common was that it really was not about the relationship between the man and the woman," said Stephanie Coontz, the author of Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage (Penguin Books, 2006) in the article History of Marriage: 13 Surprising Facts. "It was a way of getting in-laws, of making alliances and expanding the family labor force."
For historical authors who incorporate suspense and intrigue into their plots, the "strategic marriage" concept opens up the potential for all sorts of emotional conflict and plot twists. My series, the Code Breakers, is set in Regency England, and I've had great fun with this angle. During this time period, British and French aristocrats were all were connected by marriages and alliances, and the division of classes also meant they socialized together. This makes a great area for creative license to develop spies who are conflicted over family loyalties vs. country loyalties. And it also makes for excellent double agents which I did in A Code of Love, Book 1 in the Code Breakers Series. In A Christmas Code, the romance is derived from the familiarity within the closed aristocratic society. Gwyneth is in love with her brother's best friend. She has grown up with him and now is in constant contact in the small social circle of the Ton.
What are your thoughts on how historical authors use social norms as part of their story plots?
Ash, recently returned from three years undercover in France in His Majesty's service, wants nothing more than to complete his final mission and retire to his bucolic country estate. However, what seemed a simple assignment to protect the Prince Regent at a Christmas party turns into a maze of intrigue, desire, and treachery.
Adding to the perilous secret operation is one problem Ash never anticipated: The appearance of the reckless, enticing Gwyneth, who has blossomed into a gorgeous woman and self-appointed spy. When a snooping Gwyneth uncovers a shocking secret, she puts herself in mortal danger.
Can Ash protect Gwyneth and the Prince from French assailants and, at the same time, win the passionate lady's heart?
Can Ash and Gwyneth both triumph as winners in the game of spies and love?
Chapter One
Hot and breathless from performing the newly imported French dance steps of the quadrille, Gwyneth paused during the break in the music. She fanned her heated cheeks repeatedly, attempting to cool herself. Lord Henley glanced down at her. His lips were tight, his eyes dark with need. She had seen the same look on the faces of many men, but never on the face of the only man who mattered.
She wanted to see the same burning desire and possessiveness in the eyes of her childhood infatuation as she knew blazed in her eyes when she looked at the impossible but dazzling Viscount Ashworth.
The gentleman, newly arrived, had barely glanced at her despite the new gown made especially to entice the hard-headed rake. Her friend and dress designer, Amelia, obsessed with the simplicity of Greek togas, had crisscrossed sky blue silk across Gwyneth's ample chest with a dramatic décolletage. The back of the gown was draped in the same manner with a revealing V. It was a simple design, but sensual in the way the fabric clung to her body.
She felt alluring and hopeful that tonight Ash would finally throw off all the restraints. She had felt his eyes on her back, knowing he watched her as she gaily danced the intricate pattern she had recently learned from her French dance master.
Lord Henley offered his arm as the quadrille ended. "May I take you to the refreshment table for a glass of punch? This new French dance is very demanding."
"Thank you. I'm not thirsty. Can you please take me to my dear friend, Miss Bonnington?"
Lord Henley's eyes clouded with emotion. Gwyneth couldn't refuse the dance, but she needed to escape the gentleman before he embarrassed himself. She wanted to spare him the pain of rejection. After five marriage proposals this season, she had become somewhat of an expert in recognizing the signs of imminent declaration.
"Thank you, sir, for the dance." Gwyneth did a brief curtsy.
Lord Henley bowed. "It was my pleasure." He hesitated, then sharply nodded his head. She didn't want to be unkind, but there was no reason to pretend interest and encourage hope when there was none.
They watched Lord Henley circle to the other side of the room.
Amelia hid her face behind her fan, her bright eyes dancing in merriment. "Another stricken gentleman."
Author Bio:
Descended from a long line of storytellers, Jacki spins adventures filled with mystery, healing and romance.
Jacki's love affair with the arts began at a young age and inspired her to train as a jazz singer and dancer. She has performed many acting roles with Seattle Opera Company and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her travels to London and Paris ignited a deep-seated passion to write the Regency Code Breaker Series. Jacki is certain she spent at least one lifetime dancing in the Moulin Rouge.
Jacki has set her Grayce Walters Mystery Series in Seattle, her long-time home. The city's unique and colorful locations are a backdrop for her thrilling romantic suspense. Although writing now fills much of her day, she continues to volunteer for Seattle's Ballet and Opera Companies and leads children's tours of Pike Street Market. Her volunteer work with Seattle's homeless shelters influenced one of her main characters in An Inner Fire and Women Under Fire.
Jacki's two Golden Labs, Gus and Talley, were her constant companions. Their years of devotion and intuition inspired her to write dogs as main characters alongside her strong heroines. A geek at heart, Jacki loves superhero movies—a hero's battle against insurmountable odds. But her heroines don't have to wear a unitard to fight injustice and battle for the underdog.
Look for more heart-pounding adventure, intrigue, and romance in Jacki's Code Breakers Series. A Code of Love is the first book in the series. A Christmas Code—A Regency Novella, is now available at all retail sites. A Code of the Heart will be released on Valentine's Day 2015.
To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about contests and giveaways join her newsletter found on her website: www.jackidelecki.com. Follow her on Facebook—Jacki Delecki; Twitter @jackidelecki.


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Lydía Zervanos is Glauce in Cherubini's Medea
at the 11th International Festival of the Aegean
12-24 July 2015
Ermoupoli, Syros
Pan-European Philharmonia from Warsaw
Peter Tiboris, Music Director and Conductor
May 31, 2015
Greek National Opera
SNFCC Visitors Center - 20.30
Free admission
Theofrastos Sakellaridis's "The Possessed" (1919)
Lydía Zervanos as The Possessed Loula
March 16, 2015
Athens Conservatory "Aris Garoufalis" Hall - 20.30PM
General Admission 10€
The Athens Conservatory Music & Drama Association and The Greek Opera Singers' Association present:
"With Exquisite Voices..." - 8 Concert-Series
The Poetry of Emily Dickinson & William Blake:
Twelve Poems by E. Dickinson - Aaron Copland
Songs & Proverbs of W. Blake - Benjamin Britten
Lydía Zervanos, soprano
Kostis Rasidakis, baritone
Dimitris Yakas, piano
March 1, 2015
Greek National Opera Foyer
Theofrastos Sakellaridis's "The Possessed" (1919)
18PM - General Admission 5€
Lydía Zervanos as The Possessed Loula
One year after the enormous success the Godson, Sakellaridis composes yet another successful operetta based on his own libretto. The Possessed narrates the adventures of a fortune-hunter seducer and how enterprising is Loula, his forlorn, "possessed" girlfriend, in her effort to avert the marriage of convenience he concocts. Finally, the conventional marriage is triumphant…
"Morgen, Mittag, Abend in Wien"
New Greece - The Making Of


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RyanW, if you are reading this then please know that we are out there looking for you! Just a couple of weeks ago on October 21 you told Symantec on their Backup Exec forum that you were having problems with your current
"Anyone? If this is the way the Agent for VMware is, I need to find a way to get a refund and remove my license. I'll pick up VEEAM V5 which does all of this without an agent on the servers and has granular restore capabilities without buying additional agents (such as the SQL and Active Directory agent). That's just ridiculous!"
So where are you RyanW?
We are looking for you!
We want to find you and give you a chance to switch to Veeam v5! In fact, we want to give you "Veeam Backup & Replication v5 with vPower" as a gift – yes, for FREE - just because of who you are, the very RyanW who told Symantec how it is and what Veeam v5 with vPower is all about. Thank you for thinking of us! And thank you for spreading the good word that v5 is a great product!
RyanW, if you see this, please email us at email@example.com and we would be excited to meet you! We hope to find you soon!
Source: Symantec Connect Forums, Post "


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Day 5: Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (at the end, find the detailed profile of your personality account - click "click to view" under "You" and "self awareness and personal growth." You can even Google your type and find more info on it!)
Shocking no one, I'm an INTJ. For those of you who have never taken such a personality test and have no idea what I'm talking about, INTJ stands for Introverted-iNtuitive-Thinking-Judging. The first time I took this type of personality test was in 2008 when I started med school. As part of the super fun (insert eye roll here) orientation activities they planned, we all had to take this personality test. Something about how knowing ourselves would help us to be better students or whatever. Frankly, I think they needed something else for us to do for an hour or so, so they picked this. ANYWAY, I was classified as an INTJ and that has stuck thus far.
From 16 Personalities:
"The INTJ personality type is one of the rarest and most interesting types – comprising only about 2% of the U.S. population (INTJ females are especially rare – just 0.8%), INTJs are often seen as highly intelligent and perplexingly mysterious. INTJ personalities radiate self-confidence, relying on their huge archive of knowledge spanning many different topics and areas. INTJs usually begin to develop that knowledge in early childhood (the "bookworm" nickname is quite common among INTJs) and keep on doing that later on in life."
I didn't know that it was the rarest type, but that's pretty cool! I was definitely a bookworm as a kid, and I wish I could read as much as I wanted to now, but I'm just too busy (or tired).
"INTJ personalities are perfectionists and they enjoy improving ideas and systems they come in contact with. As INTJs are naturally curious, this tends to happen quite frequently. However, they always try to remain in the rational territory no matter how attractive the end goal is – every idea that is generated by the INTJ's mind or reaches it from the outside needs to pass the cold-blooded filter called "Is this going to work?". This is the INTJ's coping mechanism and they are notorious for applying it all the time, questioning everything and everyone."
I've been a perfectionist all of my life, and to a certain extent, I've been able to train myself to be less of one. I am also notoriously bad at just "going with the flow" and have to constantly question what's going on, how things are happening, and whether things will work.
INTJ StrengthsHigh self-confidence. INTJ personalities rarely doubt themselves or care much about their perceived social roles, expectations etc. Consequently, they are not afraid to voice their own opinions. This exudes confidence and reinforces the INTJ's self-esteem even further.
This is one area I don't necessarily agree with. I doubt myself CONSTANTLY. That being said, when I know that I know something, I am not afraid to share it. Also, I've been told that I'm a very confident person, which means my disguise is working! ::evil laughter::
Quick and versatile mind. INTJs are very good at improving their knowledge of (often diverse) topics and fields that interest them. People with this personality type take pleasure in tackling intellectual challenges and their natural curiosity pushes them forward as well.
I am definitely in love with learning. I didn't think I'd like going back to class as much as I do, even when I don't feel like being out until 9:30 at night after a full day of work. I guess it's a good thing that I enjoy "improving my knowledge" because there will certainly be a lot of that in med school!
Jacks of all trades. The most important strength of any INTJ is their mind. Other personality types pride themselves in being artistic, intuitive, convincing, athletic etc. In contrast, INTJs excel at being able to analyze anything that life throws at them, uncovering the underlying methodology and then applying it in practice. Consequently, INTJ personalities are usually able to become what they want to become – be it an IT architect or a high-flying politician.
I don't know if I would label myself as a "jack of all trades". I certainly couldn't do ANYTHING, although I will say that I am probably able to tackle most things. Things I would avoid like the plague include teaching math and/or physics, finance, economics, politics, and engineering. That being said, a lot of that is because I have no interest in the field, so I don't think I'd excel at it. If I'm interested, I usually do very well at whatever it is I'm doing.
Independent and decisive. People with the INTJ personality type are ruthless when it comes to analyzing the usefulness of methods or ideas. They could not care less if that idea is popular or supported by an authority figure – if the INTJ believes that it does not make sense, only overwhelming rational arguments will convince them otherwise. This strength makes them efficient and impartial decision-makers, often at a very young age. INTJs also tend to be quite resistant to conflicts, usually remaining rational and calm in an emotionally charged situation.
If it doesn't make sense, I don't do it. Or, if I have to do it, I will not silently participate; you will know that I'm not happy. Of course, this somehow also turns into how I hate making decisions, even (and perhaps especially) when it is about where to eat dinner.
Hard-working and determined. INTJ personalities can be very patient and dedicated if something excites or intrigues them. They will work hard to achieve their goals, often ignoring everything else. That being said, INTJs may also appear lazy in situations that do not require them to flex their mental muscles – for instance, they may take risks and not study that hard at school, knowing that in all likelihood, they will be able to tackle the tests anyway.
Ha, I kind of mentioned this above. If I'm interested, I can usually succeed at whatever it is I'm trying to do. The converse of this, however, is that if I'm not interested in it, I really don't like doing it. I do think that being hard-working and determined is one of my strongest attributes, though.
Imaginative and strategic. INTJs are very good strategic thinkers, often using this strength to devise multiple contingency plans in both professional and personal situations. They like to plan ahead and be prepared, imagining all the potential scenarios and consequences.
THIS. I am the queen of contingency plans. In fact, I have contingency plans for my contingency plans. If there isn't a plan, I'm a disaster.
Honest and direct. People with this personality type hate playing social games and putting comfort or social expectations above honesty and facts. INTJs tend to see these activities as pointless and irrational, preferring inconvenient truth over a comforting lie.
And this is how I've lost friendships or chose to end friendships. I refuse to play mind games andI don't really see the point in not being honest. Of course, you should never be MEAN, but you should always be honest. If being honest has the potential to hurt someone's feelings, then you should be as careful as you can to minimize the fall out. Sometimes, as I have learned firsthand, it is unavoidable. I wouldn't trade this trait for the world, though.
Open-minded. INTJ personalities do not mind being proven wrong and enjoy being exposed to something they were not familiar with. They will embrace a competing theory if it makes more sense, regardless of the existing traditions or expectations. Not surprisingly, INTJs also tend to be fairly liberal in a social sense, believing that many social norms are outdated and unnecessarily restrictive.
Definitely me. I don't really like being wrong, (who does?) but I admit that it's always a possibility, haha.
INTJ WeaknessesArrogant. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Some less mature INTJs may overestimate the importance of their knowledge or analytical skills, seeing most other people as irrational or intellectually inferior – and often making their opinion known.
I know that I definitely come across as arrogant at times, so I try to temper that as much as possible. I like to teach and inform people, but I never want to make someone feel inferior. If this happens, please tell me, because I didn't mean it!
Perfectionists. INTJ personalities loathe inefficiency and imperfection, trying very hard to iron out all the flaws and analyze all possibilities – if left unchecked, this trait can easily become a weakness, slowing down their work quite significantly and frustrating people around the INTJ.
Apparently, this is a strength and a weakness. As I said before, I have trained myself to be less of a perfectionist, but I think I'll always retain some part of that trait. To me, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Only when it impedes my work does it turn into a negative.
Likely to over-analyze everything. INTJs tend to believe that everything can be analyzed, even things that are not necessarily rational – e.g. human relationships. They may seek logical explanations and solutions in every situation, refusing to rely on improvisation or their own emotions.
Ding ding! I over-analyze everything to death. It's gotten me into trouble more times than I can count, usually because I end up practically giving myself an ulcer worrying about something that wasn't even supposed to be an issue in the first place.
Judgmental. INTJs reach their conclusions very quickly and stick to them. Even though people with this personality type tend to be open-minded, they have little patience for things they consider illogical – e.g. decisions based on feelings, irrational stubbornness, emotional outbursts etc. An INTJ is likely to believe that someone who behaves in this way is either very immature or irrational – consequently, they will have little respect for them.
Somehow, INTJ's are both open-minded and judgmental. Figure that one out, huh? That being said one of my least favorite things about myself is my "little patience for things I consider illogical". I'm especially bad at dealing with people who ask for advice, but really don't want advice, and then proceed to tell you all the reasons your advice won't work. Then they usually make what I perceive to be a terrible decision, and then they complain about it, and in the end, no one is happy and I want to punch someone in the face. See what I mean? Not a great trait. Sorry, world. I'm working on it.
May be insensitive. INTJ personalities often pride themselves in being brutally honest and logical. However, while their statements may be rational and completely correct, they may not take into account another person's emotional state, background, individual circumstances etc. Consequently, the INTJ's directness and honesty may easily hurt other people, thus becoming a major weakness in social situations.
I would say that I am definitely NOT an insensitive person. I will tell it how it is, and I understand that sometimes, people just need to vent (and then I will restrain myself from giving advice). I could see how this could be a problem, though.
Often clueless when it comes to romantic relationships. Many INTJs are likely to have difficulties dealing with anything that does not require logical reasoning and this weakness is especially visible in interpersonal relationships. They may overanalyze everything and get frustrated trying to understand how the other person thinks, try to use a nearly scientific approach to dating, or just give up altogether.
Eh, I wasn't too terrible at dating. I didn't like it, but I managed to do it. I think I drive Ken crazy though by asking, "What are you thinking?" especially when his answer is, "Nothing...? Don't you ever STOP thinking?" (Answer: Only if I'm unconscious.) Relationships are definitely not the most logical things in the world, but I think I'm pretty good at them... maybe.
Loathe highly structured environments. INTJ personalities do not respect rules or regulations just because they are there, they need to be confident that those restrictions make sense. Consequently, INTJs strongly dislike environments that are built on blind obedience, traditions or respect for authority – they are likely to challenge the status quo and clash with people who prefer stability and safety.
Eh, I'm okay with rules. It bothers me when people blatantly break the rules, in fact. I would say this definitely is not me.
So there you go. Me, in a neat, little package with a few exceptions. What is your type? Post it in the comments, and check out the link-up here!


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Hiking is one of my favourite things to do on the weekend, it helps me get out in the fresh air and exercise whilst being in a beautiful environment. Of course I love going to the gym but sometimes a change of scenery and different types of exercise can be good for the mind, body and soul.
Be prepared...
The first thing you need to think about when you're going hiking is safety. There is nothing more important than being prepared, therefore you must make sure you bring as many thing as you need to be prepared for the worst. Whether you're just going for a day hike or camping out, you need to be fully equipped. Some things to consider bringing are:
. Water
. Food (as much as you need for the time you are out)
. Lots of layers
. Spare clothes
. Hiking poles
. Hiking boots
. Map
. Phone & Charger
If you're new to hiking, I would never suggest you go alone, no matter how easy the terrain is. If you get lost things can get pretty scary if you're on your own. It would be even better if you can go with someone that has experience of hiking and knows what they're doing, that way they can plan the route and guide you properly.
Push yourself to your limits...
The great thing about hiking is that there are so many ways to adapt it to your fitness level. If you're a beginner or getting into fitness, you can always start with an easier hike, not too steep and not too long, but you'll still feel the benefits. If you want to challenge yourself, choosing steeper and more intense climbs can challenge your cardiovascular health and your leg strength. The length of your hike can also determine the difficulty, if you've done it a few times then an overnight hike might be fun and push you that little bit further. Other ideas include mountain biking and integrating rock climbing into the hike so that get to use other muscles.
The benefits...
Hiking like all sports comes with a variety of health benefits, one of them being your cardiovascular health. Any exercise that you over a long period is good for your cardiovascular health and the great thing about hiking is that it is for all ages. If you're an older adult it may be more difficult to take part in more intense exercise, but hiking can be a great way to still help your heart stay healthy without putting too much pressure on your joints and bones. In terms of fitness, hiking is also extremely beneficial for building strength in your legs and again, good for any age.
But it's not just all about your physical health, hiking can also help you mentally feel better. Being out in the fresh air clears your head and gives you time to think, a lot of people spend a lot of time indoors these days and working in stressful environments can leave you feeling down. Spending time in a beautiful environment and doing some exercise can be one of the best ways to relieve stress and get rid of symptoms of depression and anxiety.


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Thanksgiving is past, we are moving on to Christmas!! Did you get any early holiday baking in? I was planning on getting a lot accomplished, but that just didn't happen. Instead, I'll live vicariously though all the amazing bloggers who created these 12 Christmas Treats! These were linked up last week and I'm inspired to get into the kitchen and get to work after the holiday!
I hope that everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving celebration with their friends and families. We decided to go out for dinner this year so there was no cooking, cleaning, or leftovers for me. I have mixed emotions about that, but it was a wonderful evening and I got to get some shopping in. How many of you hit up the shops on Thursday night? I admit that I was one of the many at Target at 6pm for "the deals". My kid wants a Hatchimal (like all the rest of the 8 billion kids) and she wanted to spend her own money on the toy and I figured this would be the best bet. But alas, no Hatchimals to be had 🙁 Oh well…
- Spiked Eggnog Dip from Take Two Tapas
- Molasses Cheesecake Bars from Cookie Dough Oven Mitt
- No Bake Eggnog Cheesecake from Cincy Shopper
- Grinch Popcorn from Cooking with Curls
- Christmas Haute Chocolate Bar from Frog Prince Paperie
- Santa Rice Krispie Bars from Oh My-Creative
- Rice Krispie Reindeer Treats from She Saved
- Chocolate Hazelnut Healthy Ginger Snaps from Food Faith Fitness
- Candy Cane Cookie Recipe from Home Cooking Memories
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookies from Wife in Progress
- Pomegranate Citrus Champagne Cocktail from Delightful E Made
- Christmas Cracker Candy from I Should be Mopping the Floor
Were those 12 Christmas Treats not enough for ya? Here's a few BONUS Christmas Treats!!
Candy Cane Cake – A Dark Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Frosting and Candy Cane Shards! Amazing!! The best part was the Candy Cane tray it sat on!
Red Velvet Christmas Cupcakes with homemade marshmallow fondant and sugared cranberries. These were perfect for a Holiday party!
White Chocolate Christmas Cake – A white chocolate cake filled with cranberry puree and decorated with sugared citrus peels.
I hope that you find something AWESOME for your holiday dessert table. Bring a special treat to a friend and share a moment with your family.
Now, on to the PARTY!! It's time to link up all your recent posts to the Two Cup Tuesday Party! Each week I will share some of my favorite recipes and crafts from the blogs who link up!
Grab a button! You deserve it!
a href="https://pintsizedbaker.com" title="Pint Sized Baker"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vz4l7hynRKQ/UO76hLIOOXI/AAAAAAAACV8/mK-b2RXfMhM/s1600/PSB_IveBeenFeatured.jpg" alt="Pint Sized Baker" style="border:none;" /
You bloggers are the best! I'm looking forward to seeing all the wonderful link-ups this week!
You ROCK!!
It would be awesome of you followed me on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest
I'm also A Pinning Fool! I've pined TONS of great recipes and tutorials from Two-Cup Tuesday! Check out my Two-Cup Tuesday Pin-board!
Follow Pint Sized Baker's board Two-Cup Tuesday on Pinterest.
I'd love to get to know you, so please leave a comment introducing yourself!
Thanks so much for linking up!
As a courtesy to all party guests, please only link posts that have not been shared here previously. We want to see NEW and EXCITING content.


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Video Game Mobile for 2 Hours
Video Game Mobile for 2 Hours
Rates will vary depending on distance, holidays, and type of event. A half down deposit will be required to secure your date and time of your event.
- Videogamemobile $125 an hour
- Weekday special rate is $75 an hour
- Putt Putt Golf 75 an hour
- Both Videogamemobile and Putt Putt Golf $150 an hour


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Last updated on October 6th, 2020 at 01:32 pm
… DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY -What do you need to know to perform drug and alcohol testing in the maritime industry?
By Robert C. Schoening, Former Drug and Alcohol Program Manager for the US Coast Guard (December 2001-March 2013)
Drug & Alcohol Testing Under 49 CFR Part 40 and US Coast Guard (USCG) Regulations
Read Part 2 of this Article Series
What do you need to know to perform drug and alcohol testing in the maritime industry?
This will be the first of several articles explaining how to perform maritime drug and alcohol testing that will conform to the Federal applicable regulations.
What are the Federal regulations that are applicable to the US flagged vessels in the maritime industry?
The regulations are as follows and apply to all US flagged commercial vessels world-wide. It is estimated that at any given point in time, there are over 125 US flagged commercial service vessels in a variety of locations world-wide engaged in carrying cargo or doing business with the petroleum industry. Vessels that are owned and operated by the US Navy or the Military Sealift Command (MSC) are not in commercial service. One regulation (46 CFR Part 4) also applies to foreign flagged commercial vessels when they are in US or US Territorial waters.
The applicable regulations* with effective dates are:
Regulatory Identifier
Regulatory Title
Original Published Date
49 CFR part 40
Procedures For Transportation Workplace Drug And Alcohol Testing Programs
December 1, 1989
46 CFR part 16
Chemical Testing
November 21, 1988
46 CFR part 4
Marine Casualties and Investigations
September 17, 1974
46 CFR part 5
Marine Investigations Regulations – Personnel Actions
August 9, 1985
33 CFR part 95
Operating a Vessel While Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Dangerous Drug
December 14, 1987
* There are other regulations that a service agent should be aware of if providing service to marine employers. Briefly, they are 46 CFR Parts, 10, 12 and 15. These regulations cover the license/credential requirements to work in a vessel documented position and manning requirements for commercial service vessels.
There are several questions to be answered and facts that a C/TPA should be aware of if providing service to marine employers.
The first question: What is considered commercial service? It is those vessels that charge to carry cargo and or passengers. This can range from the large passenger vessels to tankers or freighters. This does include US fishing vessels** who catch fish and return to shore to sell those fish or crabs as that is considered a commercial transaction. Many of the "tall ships" are in commercial service and those captains have a sailing endorsement on their licenses. Most of these vessels are required to have a US Licensed Captain or Master in charge of the vessel.
Vessels that carry passengers to go sport fishing on a trip lasting from a half-day to multiple days are required to meet the regulatory requirements. There are several different type of vessels and licensees required for sport fishing vessels. In general these sport fishing boats carry 7 or more passengers.
A large number of vessels in commercial service are what are called 6-PAX operators. These are uninspected vessels where the vessel owner/operator has a Captains' License allowing that person to operate a vessel and can carry up to 6 paying passengers. There are a great number so these on the Great Lakes, the Eastern Seaboard, along the Gulf Coast, and with a large number in Alaska. There are a myriad of other vessel types and for an equally myriad number of purposes or uses.
The other question: What waters are considered US waters and what are the boundary lines for US waters? It used to be 3 miles from the coast. That was determined in another long ago age when that was the range of effective cannon fire and how far they could fire. That 3 mile limit still applies to states with ocean coast lines and how far into ocean waters their state jurisdiction applies. Per international agreement, the range for US government jurisdiction is 12 miles from the coast line. There is also a well-known and defined Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 200 miles out from the coast line.
The other criteria to determine US waters subject to Federal and Coast Guard jurisdiction is all navigable waters. This does include waters/rivers that form a boundary line between states. All waters that are entirely within a state and do not flow into a river are not considered Federal navigable waters. Some examples where the waters are not considered Federal or fall under Coast Guard regulations are the lakes at Disney World with the ferry boats that carry passengers. Another example is Lake George in New York State which is entirely landlocked. There is a 1200 passenger vessel in New Hampshire that operates on state owned waters and does not fall under Coast Guard regulations. Other examples of waters and vessels that are within USCG jurisdiction are a ferry boat that operates on the Potomac River north of Washington D.C. that operates between two states. Lake Champlain is another example of commercial service vessels that operate between New York State and Vermont. Lake Texoma which is the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma and is part of the Red River is another example of being a Federal navigable waterway.
To add complexity to this are vessels in commercial service that operate entirely within National Park Service lands. Some examples of this are charter sightseeing boats that operate within the Grand Tetons or the Crater Lake. National Park Service has jurisdiction and requires that these vessels comply with US Coast Guard regulations.
There are casino vessels that go on voyages to nowhere. What that means is that they will leave a port, go on a voyage going more than 3 miles but staying within the 12 mile limit. Between the 3 and 12 mile limit, they can have gambling for paying passengers as there is no Federal law against gambling.
Let us add one other fact into this mix particularly, with the advent of states allowing the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. The use of marijuana for medical or recreation purposes is not allowable on all Federal navigable waterways. Within the State of Washington, this was met with some dismay by the private boaters who utilize Puget Sound waters for boating.
** Commercial fishing vessels under 200 gross regulatory tons are not required to be operated by a credentialed captain.
The next article will delve into the different test types or reasons for US Coast Guard mandated testing.
Read Part 2 of this Article Series
Robert C. Schoening
Robert Schoening is well renowned for his knowledge and influence in the drug-testing arena. As the Drug and Alcohol Program Manager for the US Coast Guard (December 2001-March 2013) he developed and managed a successful drug testing program for the marine industry nationwide and internationally. During this time he developed and implemented a new compliance audit checklist as well as the writing and publishing a new Marine Employers Guidebook for Drug Testing. He is also the author of the federal regulation commonly known as the two-hour alcohol testing for maritime incidents.
Robert's drug testing career began in the Navy Medical Department, where he received the Navy Achievement Medal for his work on development of the Navy drug-testing program which was the first major workplace drug-testing program in the country. He retired in 1985 after serving 24 years.
Upon his retirement, Robert established his own drug testing consulting company assisting other companies to establish drug-free workplaces and drug testing programs, concentrating primarily on the marine industry. His knowledge of regulations and policy helped build his company to be one of the premier providers of drug testing services for the marine industry. During this time he was instrumental in establishing many of the current federal policies that are in place.
Robert has served on the Board of Directors of the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA) as well as chairing the Governmental and Legislative Affairs committee. He was one of the first individuals to be recognized as an expert in the Drug and Alcohol testing industry and to receive designation as a Certified Substance Abuse Program Administrator (1996).
Robert is active participant in community service. He recently served on the Policy Board for the Alcohol Safety Action Program in Fairfax, VA (January 1989-December 2012). Since moving to Whidbey Island in Washington, he has been named to serve on the Substance Abuse Committee and recently been named to serve on the Ferry Advisory Committee both of these committees are located in Island County, WA.
Robert is currently a consultant for Workplace Drug Testing and Drug Abuse Prevention Programs.


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I am in charge of the Vision Based Measurement Group at Graz University of Technology. The research group is focused on two main areas: Object Category Recognition & Detection; and Structure & Motion Analysis. We have excellent research results in vision-based categorization and localization of objects in still images, and we have tried to extend this to «active object categorization». Taking controlled, additional views of an object may help to disambiguate between various categories, for instance: «Is this a cow or a horse?», «Maybe it helps to take a closer look of its head…», etc. Besides developing novel representations and inference mechanisms for active categorization, we explore them under the "active, qualitative, purposive vision" paradigm, on the humanoid robot NAO.
The benefit of active, multiple-view-based techniques has been demonstrated for the recognition of specific objects from an object database a decade ago. But this research is the first work about:
a. Active object categorization.
In a first step, salient features of a particular class of objects are learnt (in this case toy horses, cows, card, and soccer players). Next, a previously unseen object is handed to Nao, and the task is to classify the according object category. If one view of the object is not sufficient, the robot autonomously plans and takes more views to disambiguate between competing categories.
b. Active categorization on a humanoid robot.
Hand-held object manipulation by a humanoid robot is particularly challenging, because we cannot expect precise, reproducible hand trajectories, or perfect pose for a grasped object. For the challenging task of object category recognition by a humanoid, it is evident that we need algorithms that can tolerate imprecise manipulations as well as significant ambiguity due to intra-class variability and inter-class. We present a novel solution on the NAO robot, extending known concepts of active recognition and view planning of specific objects to the much harder task of active object category recognition. The entire algorithm is implemented on the slim computational platform of the NAO robot, and it can tolerate the robot's limited arm motion and grasping capabilities. An active approach for foreground feature separation makes the system robust to background clutter. Finally, we extend this scheme towards active categorization in the case of unknown pose of the grasped object.
Background elimination: NAO inspects the object (original image) and calculates SIFT descriptors (magenta arrows).
Next, NAO moves the object out of view (background image) and again calculates SIFT descriptors.
Finally (result), those SIFTs that are similar in both images are removed.
NAO is ideally suited for the research performed in our group. Work with humanoids is attractive to students, and we offer an excellent working environment in our image-based measurement lab. The NAO hardware platform is sufficiently stable, and it can be rather easily accessed and programmed. At the same time, compared to industrial robots, NAO is inherently imprecise.
This calls for qualitative, goal-oriented solutions. Furthermore, such a robotic system will force the student to use sensorial input (in our case mostly visual input), and to find ways to communicate processing results. While in Computer Vision and Image Understanding research, the output is often in the form of processed/augmented images, NAO is well suited to demonstrate success of computer vision algorithms by actions, motion, or by voice output.
While in Computer Vision and Image Understanding research, the output is often in the form of processed/augmented images, NAO is well suited to demonstrate success of computer vision algorithms by actions, motion, or by voice output.
I am working on NAO with groups of my students (up to 6 students per semester). Inside our vision-based measurement lab, we have set up a "living room" for NAO. This "room" is about 2×2 meters, with white walls of 60cm height, so that NAO's visual input will be constrained to the interior of its room, while it is easy to watch from outside. We have equipped the room with various color-coded furniture that can be used as chairs and tables of variable height, and also (turned upside-down) as color-coded baskets.
Current projects include the autonomous vision-based collection of small, colored foam cubes from one of the tables, and from the floor. We have also built a flexible maze that can be put into the room in various configurations and we wish to make NAO find his way through the maze.
Nao is mainly programmed using C++ and OpenCV. Behaviours are naturally and easily implemented in Choregraphe.
The novelty of our approach is twofold: First, we demonstrate the viability of active recognition of categories by generalizing previous concepts on active recognition of specific, individual objects. Second, we use the particular abilities of NAO's humanoid arm to efficiently eliminate background features. Compared to categorization from a single view, our experimental results clearly demonstrate a significant gain in correctly categorized test objects by this "active" approach.
Furthermore, view planning can reduce the number of active steps needed to produce the final categorization result. Finally, the overall computational complexity of object categorization is significantly reduced by the integration of various views so that we can hope to see various applications on rather slim computing platforms like NAO in the near future. There certainly is an extremely high potential for this kind of hand-held, active inspection of objects by a humanoid robot, including human-robot interaction, home and service robotics, edutainment, active inspection, and active surveillance.
Improvements in autonomous grasping capabilities will be the key to further progress in this area.
PDF Download – Professor Axel Pinz – Graz University of Technology
For further information about Axel Pinz' research group and his research activities, please visit
Published papers:
V. Ramanathan and A. Pinz.
Active object categorization on a humanoid robot.
In Proc. VISAPP'2011.


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Vintage Chairs & Sofas April 09 2014
The vintage cognac leather sofa. swoon. April 05 2013
I've got a thing for a worn in vintage brown leather sofa. These are some of my favorites.
Image from: www.doyoufancythis.com
Image from: www.bloodandchampagne.com
Image from: www.the-brick-house.com
This vintage Borge Mogensen style Danish three seater leather sofa is available at our shop. If there were more room in my house for one more couch, this one would be all mine. I'm not going to lie, the day this one is sold, I might cry.
Børge Mogensen style Sofas in stock now at Diamonds and Rust February 03 2013
Hello everyone in Blog land! We were recently able to get our hands on some vintage Danish 2 and 3 seater leather Børge Mogensen style sofas from Stouby and other high quality Danish manufacturers. This great seating will not last long in the store, so be sure to come on by or browse what we have available online now:
Stouby Brown 2 Seater: http://diamondsandrustshop.com/collections/seating/products/danish-stouby-brown-leather-sofa
Black 2 Seater: http://diamondsandrustshop.com/collections/seating/products/danish-black-leather-two-seater-sofa
Rust 3 Seater: http://diamondsandrustshop.com/collections/seating/products/danish-three-seater-leather-sofa


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This year at NAB 2012, PipelineFX will be demoing their brand new Qube! plugin, ArtistView GUI and the latest version of their render farm management program.
Press Release from Pipeline FX:
Los Angeles, CA -- This year at NAB 2012, PipelineFX will be demoing their brand new Qube! plugin, ArtistView GUI and the latest version of their render farm management program Qube! 6.3 in booth #SL-13717.
ArtistView GUI is designed to be a more artist-centric view of Qube! that delivers fast feedback on your rendering pipeline. It utilizes a Python plugin architecture, which gives power users the ability to add or change functionality quickly and easily. This takes pipeline integration to the next level and ensures that ArtistView will be a pain-free addition to any current or custom pipelines.
NAB 2012 will also play host to one of PipelineFX's popular QCA Training Classes. This two-day Qube! certification course will be held on April 14th and 15th in S103. Graduates will leave with the ability to install, configure, manage and troubleshoot a render farm used for digital production. To reserve a spot, please contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
To schedule a meeting with PipelineFX or to view a demonstration of ArtistView GUI or Qube! during NAB, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com
About Qube!™ and Smart Farming™
Qube! is an intelligent, mature and highly scalable render management solution that can be quickly integrated into any production workflow, and is backed by world-class technical support. Smart Farming delivers intelligence to production pipelines by providing business-critical insight into render pipelines, maximizing investment in rendering infrastructure and automating manual processes. Qube! works out of the box with all leading content creation applications and is truly cross-platform with all software components available on Windows®, Linux®, and Mac OS®X operating systems.
About PipelineFX:
As the leading provider of intelligent render farm management solutions for digital content creation, PipelineFX provides software, support, consulting and training services worldwide. Over 500 customers across film and visual effects, post production, broadcast, design, games and education include Arc Productions, BaseFX, BBC, Cinesite, Deluxe, Digital Domain, Electronic Arts, General Motors, L.M.U., Laika Studios, Lockheed Martin, Method Studios, NBC, NHK, Original Force, Pratt University, Procter & Gamble, ReelFX, RIM, Smoke & Mirrors, South Park Studios, Technicolor, and Telemundo. PipelineFX is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, and has offices in London, Honolulu, Portland, Las Vegas, and Vancouver.


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Chris Pamboukian
Senior Director of Brokerage
Phone: (571) 382-1217
Mobile: (571) 437-4524
Space available in a high traffic neighborhood shopping center with national co-tenancy. In close proximity to Novant hospital with 67 beds and over 1,000 employees. BEnefits from the traffic of the surrounding residential and school district. Three schools within one mile with approximately 2,000 students total. The site is also surrounded by major service industries including IT, health care, education and government.


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Full name
Maria Perez
By blending the elements of design, illustration and photography, I have been able to create a versatile and award-winning style. My goal is to create compelling imagery that conveys the ultimate visual story and is tailor-made to my client's tastes and individual design needs. My ability to learn quickly has enabled me to wear many hats in the design industry, and has given me the opportunity to work with high-profile clients on a variety of complex projects. Although an excellent self-starter, I prefer working on a team that fosters high regard for the creative process, welcomes innovative ideas and can appreciate the dynamic, yet engaging nature of design. I live in Southern California where you could find me strumming my Martin acoustic guitar while composing a comical ditty.
TBWA Chiat Day
Harmon Kardon
Uncle Bens
HEILBrice Advertising
Sephora Grand Prize Winning Package Design 2007
L.A. Choppers
Isabella Fiore
HEILBrice Advertising
Profound Logic
RQN Attorneys at Law
Pure Pediatric Therapy
Liberty Packaging
Orange Coast College
Books on Tape
The Girl Scouts of Orange County
The Boys and Girls Club
Delilah Bee Finds
Zoe Organics
2016 - Current
Title: Senior Graphic Designer, Corporate and Cinema
• Art direction and design for QSC's Cinema and Corporate Branding
• Concept to completion for all sales literature, advertising, website, presentations, newsletters, trade show graphics, and marketing collateral
• Assist and direct marketing photo shoots and freelancers
• Manage branding of overall corporate look and feel for the company
Core Health & Fitness – (Star Trac, Spinning, StairMaster, Schwinn Fitness, and Nautilius) 2013 – 2015
Title: Graphic Designer
Responsibilities include:
• Designing marketing collateral
• Capture and edit Photo and video for
commercial use
• Facilitating workflow with the design team
• Marketing support for external/internal clients
• Provide collateral for product launches, corporate
communications, trade shows, technical
publications, client services, and advertising
• Production support
Ingram Micro – 2012 – 2013
Title: Designer II
Client List : HP, Apple, Citrix, Cisco, Xerox, Juniper Networks, Blackberry and Microsoft
• Conceptual design
• Cohesive ad campaigns from concept to
• Print collateral
• Web graphics and digital signage
• Photography
LG-Ericsson – 2011 – 2012
Title: Senor Graphic Designer
• Marketing collateral
• Advertising
• Web graphics
• Trade show support
• Monthly newsletter
• Social media support
D-Link – 2004 – 2011
Title: Graphic Designer
• Product marketing support
• Marketing collateral
• Creative ad campaigns
• Flash banners and presentations
• Web graphics
• Trade show support
• User interface design
• Logo development
• Retail packaging design
• Social media content writing and support


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By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com It is a new day as New Music Reviews has evolved into Jake's Take's Music Reviews! To commemorate this special occasion, Jake's Take has gathered some of the best new music from our favorite artists and two friends of the blog. So without further ado…let's get this party started! Lemonade by […]
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Jake's Take's Music Reviews: Week of April 29, 2016
April 29, 2016 By Jacob Elyachar 2 Comments
Filed Under: Music Tagged With: Alice Through the Looking Glass single, April 2016 new music, Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar Freedom, Beyonce and The Weeknd 6 Inch, Beyonce Lemonade, Beyonce Lemonade album review, Beyonce on Jay-Z's affair, Clark Beckham and Madison Ryan Tennessee Whiskey, Clark Beckham new single, Haley Reinhart Better, Haley Reinhart Better album review, Haley Reinhart Jake's Take interview, Jake's Take music reviews, Jake's Take's Music Reviews-Week of April 29 2016, Martina McBride Reckless, Martina McBride Reckless album review, Max Martin and P!nk collaborations, new music released in April 2016, Nick de la Hoyde Never Gonna Beg for it, Nick de la Hoyde Never Gonna Beg for It song review, P!nk Just Like Fire, P!nk Just Like Fire song review, Pink 2016 song review, Saosin Control and the Urge to Pray, Saosin Control and the Urge to Pray Billboard, Saosin song review, Zedd & Kesha Coachella, Zedd & Kesha collaboration, Zedd & Kesha True Colors, Zedd and Kesha song review


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Now Hiring for Santa Photo Operations!
Posted October 5, 2020 | Temporary/Seasonal Retailer
While the elves up north are making toys, Santa needs help with the girls and boys!
Cherry Hill Programs is now hiring full- and part-time Sales Associates for Santa Photo Operations.
Employment mid-Nov to end-Dec.
Hourly Rates.
Hiring now for:
- Assistant Managers
- Sales Associates
- Naturally Bearded Santas
- Synthetic Beard Santas
Cherry Hill Programs: Delivering a safe and magical Santa holiday experience to children and families at more than 700 locations and growing!
Contact Information
Get Your Spot - Apply Now! Visit CherryHillPrograms.com for information and an application. Must be energetic, friendly and have heart for the part!


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1. Daypack
2. Lunch
3. Two full bottles of water
4. Your 10 essentials
5. Rain gear (if it will be necessary)
This hike will count as a 10 miler for any of you Scouts completing the Hiking merit badge.
Parents, we also need drivers! If you can help out with transportation and/or would like to join us on the hike, put your information on the spreadsheet as well.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email Nicholas Blonstein or our adult lead Mr. Clark (both of the emails are on the spreadsheet).
Home > Events & Trips >


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Ramtekdi industrial units blame PMC garbage processing plant for losses
Companies plan to file petition in HC against civic body, say their foreign counterparts refuse to set up branch in industrial area because of stench, associated health hazards
Companies plan to file petition in HC against civic body, say their foreign counterparts refuse to set up branch in industrial area because of stench, associated health hazards
The industrial units in Ramtekdi that have been facing a tough time because of the PMC garbage processing plant in the vicinity have decided to file a petition in the Bombay High Court next week against the civic body.
A number of engineering, mechanical and food industries that are spread over more than 150 acres in the Ramtekdi industrial area claim that their foreign partners have been refusing to set up branches in the area due to the strong stench of the garbage and increasing number of flies that cause serious health hazards.
Losses piling up: About 60 companies in Ramtekdi industrial area say
they have been facing losses as most projects have either been stalled
or shifted because of the garbage processing unit. Pic/Ishan Ghosh
In the process, about 60 companies have been facing huge losses as most of the projects have either been stalled or shifted outside the city. Eagle Burgmann India Pvt Ltd, a company at the unit whose Japanese counterparts were supposed to set up a plant to manufacture mechanical seal for automobile industries, had to stall its multi-crore project because of the garbage unit that processes 80 tonnes to 100 tonnes of garbage every day.
The companies in thepetition will mention how the civic body has flouted guidelines set up by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) while about 2,000 workers in the area are affected because of the smell and flies. The companies have been making requests to shut down the Ramtekdi garbage unit and operate it in other non-industrial and non-residential area.
Speaking to MiD DAY, Jimmy Pantaki, MD of Eagle Burgmann, who filed an RTI last month on the garbage unit stated that the RTI revealed that the MPCB had given strict instruction to the civic body that the unit will be allowed to operate only if no stench emanates from the processing unit. "This shows how rules are being flouted. All major foreign companies who check the soil, water and other facilities of the land before setting up projects have been evading Ramtekdi. We give a revenue of around Rs 70-80 crore to the government every month and this is what we are getting in return," he added.
Vikas Jagtap, Vice Chairman of Ramtekdi Industries Association said, "Foreign companies are considering setting up their projects in another city or state as it cannot be set up here. The civic body does not understand that companies here offer lot of employment while the state and central government get tax benefits."
Garbage processing unit instead of garden
G Corp Properties Pvt Ltd, a construction company at Ramtekdi, holds a 16-acre plot in the industrial area, out of which some 25 per cent of the land was handed over to the PMC for amenities. It was expected that the land would be utilised for a garden, but the corporation instead set up a garbage processing unit in 2006.
The other side
Suresh Jagtap, solid waste management chief, PMC, said, "The MPCB had given us an approval to set up a plant after checking the place. Though waste segregation is being done there we have been spraying chemicals daily to prevent stench. But I cannot comment about the petition at present."
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Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS)
What is the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS)?
The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) was originally known as the Bariatric Surgery Clinical Research Consortium. LABS is a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded consortium of six clinical centers and a data coordinating center working in cooperation with NIH scientific staff to plan, develop, and conduct coordinated clinical, epidemiological, and behavioral research in bariatric surgery.
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery restricts stomach size and/or leads to decreased absorption of nutrients. These procedures can have significant health benefits, such as reversal of type 2 diabetes or improvements in sleep apnea, but the procedures also carry substantial risks, including death.
How many people have had bariatric surgery?
According to the former American Society for Bariatric Surgery (now the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, or ASMBS), the number of procedures increased from about 16,000 in the early 1990s to more than 103,000 in 2003. The ASMBS estimates that 220,000 people in the United States had bariatric surgery in 2008.
Why did the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) establish LABS?
- A majority of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, with more than 30 percent of adults considered obese (body mass index, or BMI, greater than 30). An increasing number of adults are considered extremely obese (BMI greater than or equal to 40).
- Numerous studies have shown that behavioral therapy to improve diet and physical activity can lead to weight loss of approximately 5 to 10 percent over 4 to 6 months.
- When a person loses weight, obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes improve, but if a person regains weight, many of these benefits are lost.
- Because weight loss is so difficult to sustain over the long term, especially in those who are extremely obese, doctors need effective methods for weight loss and weight maintenance in this population.
- Currently, the most effective way for people with extreme obesity to lose substantial amounts of weight and improve their weight-related health conditions is through bariatric surgery.
- Although an increasing number of persons with extreme obesity are undergoing bariatric surgical procedures, there has been little systematic research to help determine its risks and benefits or to provide guidance on appropriate patient selection. To facilitate research in this area, NIDDK established LABS.
What is the goal of LABS?
LABS has brought together experts in bariatric surgery, obesity research, internal medicine, endocrinology, behavioral science, outcomes research, epidemiology, and other relevant fields to plan and conduct studies that will analyze the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery and its impact on the health and well-being of patients with extreme obesity, and identify the kinds of patients who are most likely to benefit.
How will LABS accomplish its goal?
The consortium has developed a database for collecting standardized information on patients undergoing bariatric surgery at the participating clinical centers. Rigorously collected information on patient characteristics, types of surgery, medical and psychosocial outcomes, and economic factors will ultimately provide science-based information on the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery. This information should lead to rational recommendations for clinical care.
LABS is also supporting two clinical studies that were proposed, designed, and approved by the Steering Committee (see below). These studies address:
- The impact of surgical procedures on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- The impact of bariatric surgery on psychiatric illness and quality of life.
LABS Centers also collect data and specimens for future research. These data will provide a valuable resource for the future study of obesity and its complications.
How is LABS organized?
- Through a competitive, peer-reviewed process, principal investigators at six clinical centers and a data coordinating center were funded in September 2003. These investigators are listed below.
- The principal investigators at the clinical centers and data coordinating center and the NIH project scientist comprise the Steering Committee, which is the governing body for the consortium.
- The Steering Committee has met on a frequent basis to develop the database and plan the clinical protocols.
- When LABS started, the Steering Committee members organized working groups to develop the protocols. The working groups have completed most of their work, and LABS has established other subcommittees to address ancillary studies, adjudication, and publications and presentations.
- Investigators, scientists, and clinicians from the participating centers with relevant expertise participate in the committees and working groups.
What is the study timeline for LABS?
- LABS was funded in September 2003.
- During the first 18 months, investigators worked together to develop the database, plan the clinical protocols, and obtain appropriate human subjects approval. The LABS database started enrolling patients in March 2005.
What has LABS accomplished since it started?
LABS is divided into three parts:
- LABS 1, which evaluated the short-term safety of bariatric surgery for a period of 30 days.
- LABS 2, which evaluates longer-term safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery (ongoing).
- LABS 3, which includes detailed mechanistic studies in the LABS subjects.
LABS 1 began patient enrollment in March 2005. The study was completed in December 2007 and published in the July 30, 2009 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. To review study results, visit http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0901836. The consortium followed 4,776 adults who underwent bariatric surgery for the first time. Researchers evaluated complications and death rates within the first 30 days after surgery. Listed here are some of the key findings:
- Within 30 days of surgery, 4.1 percent of the patients had at least one major adverse outcome. Adverse outcomes were defined as death, development of blood clots, repeat surgeries, or failure to be discharged from the hospital within 30 days of surgery.
- Mortality rates at 30 days were low: 2.1 percent among the small percentage of participants who underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and 0.2 percent among patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. No deaths occurred among patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.
- Complications varied by procedure, but researchers noted that patients who underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass tended to be heavier and sicker than others in the study. After adjusting data for patient and medical center characteristics, no significant differences in complication risk could be attributed to the type of Roux-en-Y procedure.
- Patient factors can increase risk for complications. For example, patients with a BMI of 75 had a 61-percent higher risk of complications than patients with a BMI of 53. Other factors identified to increase complication risk were a history of deep vein blood clots and a diagnosis of sleep apnea.
LABS 2 has recruited more than 2,400 patients since beginning in February 2006. Enrollment into LABS was completed in April 2009. The patients enrolled in LABS 2 will be followed up at 6 months, 1 year, and then yearly after surgery. Researchers will assess multiple areas before and after surgery to help determine longer-term medical, psychosocial, and economic risks and benefits.
The LABS 3 diabetes study began recruiting patients in December 2007, and it will examine the physiological mechanisms that contribute to improvements of glucose homeostasis in a subset of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus following gastric bypass surgery.
The LABS 3 psychosocial study began recruiting patients in April 2007 and includes an in-depth assessment of current and prior psychological functioning and eating problems in a subset of LABS 2 subjects who have had bariatric surgery.
What funds are available for LABS?
At the start, LABS was funded at $3 million per year for 5 years, for a total of $15 million. There were also opportunities for investigators to apply for additional funding for ancillary studies first through a request for applications (RFA) and currently through a Program Announcement or other appropriate FOAs. Information on Program Announcement PA-19-056 is at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/pa-19-056.html.
In 2007, NIDDK extended LABS for an additional 5 years to allow researchers to continue to collect data yearly in LABS participants.
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) provided funds to be used for LABS research related to women's health issues. Information on the ORWH can be found at https://orwh.od.nih.gov/.
Is recruitment for LABS still ongoing?
No, enrollment in LABS is now complete, although current participants continue to be followed yearly.
How can I get more information about LABS?
For more information about enrollment in LABS, see http://www.edc.gsph.pitt.edu/labs/.
In what other ways might LABS help to advance future obesity research?
- LABS may provide the preliminary data needed for future investigator-initiated research on bariatric surgery and obesity. For example, if LABS investigators are able to identify metabolic and endocrine changes that take place after bariatric surgery, this information would allow researchers to submit independent applications for full-scale clinical studies.
- LABS may encourage researchers to study the causes and treatments of obesity and its related health problems by providing access to laboratory specimens and tissues.
- The presence of coordinated obesity research efforts at participating institutions may provide opportunities for research and clinical training to students in the health professions, as well as to young investigators.
- Information on the types of data being collected in the LABS database (not individual patient information) will be available on the LABS website, so that other interested clinicians and researchers can collect similar data on their patients, facilitating additional research on bariatric surgery. See http://www.edc.gsph.pitt.edu/labs/.
LABS Principal Investigators at the Six Clinical Centers
Paul D. Berk, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Columbia University
Medical Center
630 West 168th Street
P.O. Box 83 BB912
New York, NY 10029–6574
Anita P. Courcoulas, M.D.
Director, Minimally Invasive Bariatric and General Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery
5200 Centre Avenue, Suite 715
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
David R. Flum, M.D., M.P.H., FACS
University of Washington
1950 NE Pacific Street
P.O. Box 356410
Seattle, WA 98195–6410
James E. Mitchell, M.D.
University of North Dakota
Neuropsychiatric Research Institute
120 8th Street South, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 1415
Fargo, ND 58107
Walter J. Pories, M.D., FACS
Professor of Surgery and Biochemistry
Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University
600 Moye Boulevard
Greenville, NC 27858
Bruce M. Wolfe, M.D.
Oregon Health and Science University
Division of General Surgery—BTE223
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97239–3098
Data Coordinating Center
Steven H. Belle, Ph.D., MScHyg
Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Data Coordinating Center
University of Pittsburgh
504 Parran Hall
130 Desoto Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
NIDDK Project Scientist
Mary E. Evans, Ph.D.
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
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text: Kim Rapatti aka Mono Junk Kimmo Rapatti was born in 1969 in a small town called Imatra in the south east of Finland, a few kilometers from the Russian border. Kimmo Rapatti is now based in Turku. He is the man behind some of the earliest electro and..Kim Rapatti aka Mono Junk Kimmo Rapatti was born in 1969 in a small town called Imatra in the south east of Finland, a few kilometers from the Russian border. Kimmo Rapatti is now based in Turku. He is the man behind some of the earliest electro and techno productions ever made in Finland, a true underground veteran. It wasn't just Daniel Bell, Basic Channel & Robert Hood who paved the way for the current minimalistic raw techno that emerged during the 90ties. Dum Records played a very important role in this. In 1992 he started the label Dum Records where he had a platform to allow his own input. Together with Sahko, Dum Records were the first techno labels from Finland. His music can be defined as 'raw analogous minimal icy dark techno woven together in an experimental and hypnotic stone cold form', keeping in mind the seemingly endless winters in Finland. Kim reckons it's got something to do with the weather. In summer he doesn't touch the machines, when winter comes it's so cold you can't go outside for days. Once he Said: "You are at home all the time, so you do music. What else is there to do when it's minus 30 outside with only a few hours of daylight. It goes on like that for months." Besides that Kimmo describes himself as a very sad person. You never know what you get on a Rapatti record. Sometimes you can dance to his stuff, when the blips and pulses are arranged into rhythms. Sometimes he lets his machines moan and groan like suicidal robots. His main inspirations were Derrick May and Juan Atkins, the innovators who first inspired him to make music. Because of that some of his tracks have captured the twitchy funk of the Detroit Sound and the Acid house of Chicago. Kimmo always has been obsessed with electronic music, especially innovative music, music bringing a new sound. 'Kraftwerk' with 'Computer world', Italo-disco, the electro produced by 'Mantronix & Dynarec', latino/hip hop/freestyle (TKA, The Cover Girls, Noel). Freestyle done by Chep Nunez, Omar Santana, Latin Rascal, Techno by Arne Weinberg. His all-time favorite record is Information Society – Running. All these styles continue to inspire him today. He went clubbing in small acid clubs where electro and italo disco were played in the end of the 80's. There he first became familiar with 'Juan Atkins' and 'the Egyptian Lover'. Kim has been known to be called "Analogue junkie" because of his love for analogue keybords. From this his most famous guise Mono Junk was born. He once said that he would take the Roland Jupiter-8 Sequential Circuit and the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 into the grave. His most famous track "Melody Boy 2000 - Monotonous Fantastique" was created only with a Roland TR-606 and the Roland JX-3P,His first synthesizer. That particular track hasn't aged a bit and it sounds even more relevant today; striking in its simplicity, beguiling in its effect. Majestic music that one can believe in the word: Timeless. Kimmo never used any software programs for his productions and he will never do. He likes to turn all the knobs and buttons when he is recording. He likes to improvise at the spot and make tracks sound live but Most importantly, he much prefers the sound of the analogue machines to the digital ones because they sound warmer. He thinks it's a good development that now everybody have the opportunity to create (new)music with the new modern programs like Ableton, Reason, Modern Verk and the Korg Kaos Pad. These days Kimmo produces very low profile. When he released Dum 30 he put out a press release saying: 'All modern techno is complete shit.'. For several years he has not really followed the developments in techno music. He thinks most of the releases are variations on the same classic electro and techno, which already existed 20 years ago. He does not understand why people keep on imitating. We hope he will produce some more groundbreaking music.


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In light of the radical changes in the Middle East and North Africa following the Arab Spring, civil unrest has become an issue of utmost concern for policymakers, analysts and academics. Nowhere can the implications of ignored or improperly addressed public discontent be seen more clearly than in Syria's brutal and potentially regionally destabilizing civil war. Widespread protests are also disrupting — and even overturning — the status quo in Brazil, Turkey and Egypt. In the second of a seven-part Baker Institute Viewpoints series, we evaluate the impact that this new wave of civil unrest will have on international politics. In the coming days, institute experts will address the effects on U.S. foreign policy, unexpectedly stable regimes, analytical tools for understanding civil unrest and political philosophical conceptions of "just" societies.
Read other posts in this series:
- Turkey, Brazil and Egypt: The stakes for the United States by Joe Barnes, Bonner Means Baker Fellow
- Chaos in the streets? Blame cyberspace! by Chris Bronk, fellow in information technology policy
- What civil unrest in Brazil portends for the international system by Nathan Jones, postdoctoral fellow in drug policy
- Civil unrest: Is Mexico next? by Tony Payan, fellow in Mexico studies
- A new wave of democracy in Turkey by Dina Shahrokhi, research associate for the Middle East
- Egypt after the coup: Only the beginning of the beginning by Albert B. Wolf, doctoral candidate at the University of California, Irvine
The abrupt removal of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood from government brings the Arab Spring full circle. Just as the downfall of Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11, 2011, galvanized protest movements across the Arab world, the sight of the military intervention to bring down Egypt's first democratically elected government signals a return to the status quo. Egypt again finds itself under temporary military rule albeit in a very different regional context from 2011. Contagious revolutionary fervor has faded as successor regimes across North Africa have failed to deliver quick or lasting improvements in governance. The civil war in Syria, radicalization of militia groups in Libya and discrediting of the Muslim Brotherhood as a governing alternative in Egypt has strengthened the forces of status quo across the region. Meanwhile, the conservative Gulf States have succeeded in containing the political upheaval in part by using financial and military power to influence the pace and direction of change in the "new" Middle East.
The continuing political turmoil in Egypt also brings into sharp relief the relative stability in the Persian Gulf states as they prepare to play a key role in extending financial assistance to Egypt's new rulers. The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have survived the regional upheaval more or less intact and face a far less pessimistic situation, at least in the short term. The political unrest that rocked Bahrain in 2011 has been contained, although a comprehensive political settlement remains elusive. As the protests have lost momentum, the opposition has become splintered and — in part, at least — radicalized, making it impossible to recapture the pro-democracy overtones of 2011. In Kuwait, too, the mass demonstrations of autumn 2012 have dwindled in the face of opposition fragmentation, while protests in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province failed to spill over into more mainstream regions of the kingdom. The United Arab Emirates has broken up cells linked to the Muslim Brotherhood that were ostensibly targeting national security, while the Sultan of Oman remains firmly in power.
There are numerous reasons for the Gulf States' greater resilience. On a socio-political level, the historical longevity and greater domestic rootedness of the Gulf monarchies differs significantly from the "republican dynasties" that North Africa's ousted strongmen (and the Assad family in Syria) attempted to construct. Yet, the concept of legitimacy is vague and nebulous at best, and an artificial and misused construct at worst. Other, more material, factors underline the comparative stability in the Gulf States, such as the generous provision of public goods and services to the national population. In particular, sustained high oil prices since 2003 (with a blip in 2008-9) have allowed the major oil-producing GCC states not only to reinforce domestic stability through the redistribution of wealth to key segments of society, but also to direct resources to less-well-endowed states.
Policy responses in the Gulf States certainly targeted important constituencies in a manner that was simply not available to North African governments. Measures ranged from direct handouts of cash to the creation of thousands of new jobs in the public sector and significant increases in wages and benefits. The package unveiled by Saudi Arabia in March 2011 amounted to some $130 billion — a figure larger than every national budget up until 2007 — while similar (albeit smaller) packages were announced elsewhere. Even Qatar, with little prospect of any domestic discontent, increased public-sector pay and pensions by 60 percent in 2011, with that figure rising to 120 percent for military officers. The accrual of oil revenues from years of record budget surpluses enabled rulers to intensify the mechanisms binding state and society in the redistributive "ruling bargain."
Externally, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar played a leading role in reshaping the contours of a region in flux, and tried to use their leverage to influence the pace and direction of change in the "new" Middle East. First in Libya and later in Syria, the Gulf States were quick to back certain opposition groups with a combination of material, men and money, as well as a swiftness of action and a lack of domestic constraints that are simply unavailable to Western powers. And although significant differences opened up among individual GCC states over policies toward the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and North Africa, the recent change of leadership in Qatar will likely repair GCC divisions as the new emir resets Qatari foreign policy and scales back its ideological and expansive dimensions.
This is not to suggest that the Gulf States are trouble-free. On the contrary, there are mounting signs that fiscal policies are unsustainable in the long term, and that Gulf governments lack the political will to tackle sensitive domestic challenges posed by local energy consumption and rapidly rising, break-even oil prices. Preparing for the transition to the post-oil era that will inevitably take place requires difficult political and economic choices rather than the post-2011 response of throwing money at problems. Yet, for now at least, the Gulf States have remained on top of the tumultuous upheaval that has swept the Arab world, avoided the messy and uncertain processes of political transition in North Africa, and increased their regional and international leverage in Egypt, Syria and elsewhere.
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ph.D., is the Baker Institute fellow for Kuwait. His research examines the changing position of Persian Gulf states in the global order, as well as the emergence of longer-term, nonmilitary challenges to regional security. He is also a visiting fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre and an associate fellow at Chatham House in the United Kingdom. Follow him on Twitter at @Dr_Ulrichsen.