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SINGAPORE - A bribery scandal in Brazil involving Keppel Corporation's offshore and marine unit may be discussed in Parliament on Jan 8, with three Workers' Party (WP) MPs having filed questions on the case. WP assistant secretary-general Pritam Singh said in a Facebook post on Friday (Dec 29) that he, along with fellow Aljunied GRC MP and WP chairman Sylvia Lim and Hougang MP Png Eng Huat, have filed four questions asking for more information. Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) is set to pay US$422 million (S$563 million) in fines under a global resolution with criminal authorities in the United States, Brazil and Singapore, in relation to corrupt payments made by a former Keppel agent in Brazil. The unprecedented resolution was announced in a statement last Saturday by the Singapore-listed conglomerate. Mr Singh, who made public the questions in his Facebook post, said: "We will have to wait and see if these questions are prioritised among the first 15 or so for oral answer, failing which they will have to be deferred for the next sitting or set down for a written answer." Describing the case as "what must be one of the largest corruption scandals in the history of Singapore's government-linked companies", he added that he was surprised to see there was no "substantive information" on the case on the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) or Corrupt Practices Investigtion Bureau (CPIB) websites, save for a "brief press statement". From 2001 to 2014, Keppel O&M had paid US$55 million in bribes to officials at Brazilian state-owned oil giant Petrobras and the Workers Party of Brazil, the then governing political party, to win 13 contracts with Petrobras and Brazilian oil rig builder Sete Brasil Participacoes. Keppel O&M, which earned US$351.8 million through the bribery scheme, was issued a conditional warning by the CPIB, in lieu of prosecution for corruption offences. Mr Singh said this was "made even more curious in view of Keppel's denial over a year ago that its top executives were even involved in giving out bribes for contracts". Keppel had announced in October last year (2016) that it "recognised" certain transactions associated with its former agent in Brazil, Zwi Skornicki, "may be suspicious". For the January Parliament sitting, Ms Lim has asked about the considerations in reaching the global resolution, which she said had implications on local law enforcement and prosecutorial decisions. Mr Singh, meanwhile, has asked Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat whether the agreements on the corruption probe settlement include any condition that prevents the public disclosure of the identities of the Singaporeans involved in the case. He also asked how many Singapore government-linked companies or their subsidiaries have been investigated, or are being investigated, by local or overseas authorities for corrupt practices over the last 30 years. At least six former employees of Keppel O&M have been implicated in the Brazil case, including some from the firm's US and Brazil operations, United States court documents showed. Keppel said that it has taken disciplinary action against the employees involved in the case, but declined to disclose the financial penalties, or the identities of the individual employees involved, citing legal reasons. Another question, filed by Mr Png, has to do with the CPIB's investigations into the case. He asked Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong when the CPIB, which is under the Prime Minister's Office, will complete its investigations in relation to the Singaporeans involved in the case. The AGC and CPIB were involved in investigative proceedings, and said in a joint statement last week that "investigations in respect of the individuals involved are ongoing". The Singapore authorities said in issuing the conditional warning in lieu of prosecution, due consideration was given to the "substantial cooperation" rendered by Keppel O&M to the investigations and the extensive remedial measures taken. Keppel had reported to AGC and CPIB the corrupt payments made by it. Keppel will pay to Singapore US$52.7 million within 90 days from the date of the conditional warning, and a further US$52.7 million within three years from the date of the warning, less any penalties paid to the Brazilian authorities during this period. | Mid | [
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Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The diagnosis and treatment of acute exacerbations (AEs) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial. In this section, we review (1) the epidemiology of this condition; (2) the etiology--many patients with AECOPD are thought to have a combination of viral and bacterial infections, which contribute to their exacerbation. Bacterial organisms are isolated more commonly after viral infections in patients with COPD. The role that bacterial infections play in AECOPD remains a very controversial topic; (3) the use of diagnostic procedures; (4) efficacy of antibiotics; (5) clinical parameters to stratify patients' severity; (6) different groups of antibiotics that can be used; and (7) other therapies, including bronchodilators. We summarize the current literature, with special emphasis on the assessment of the long-term impact of this condition. | Mid | [
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Modular Office Furniture Roosevelt, UT Contents Wholesale Office Furniture has been absolutely amazing to work with. With their brand new office and showrooms I was able to see exactly the office furniture look I wanted before I purchased. I recommend to anyone looking to redesign and give your office a fresh new look. Vintage Oak Furniture. Welcome to Vintage Oak furniture. We are a locally-owned, furniture store located in the heart of Sandy, Utah (south of Salt Lake City). Our goal is to provide high-quality furnture for the best price. Come in and visit our 35,000 sq. ft. showroom to find the piece that’s right for you. It might be work, but it doesn’t have to feel like it. All it takes is a comfy chair, home office furniture that keeps things organized, and the right lighting for the job. And by making it easier to tackle those to-do’s, you’ll have more time to spend on your wanna-do’s. Housed in the uniquely shaped, grapefruit-size Xi3 ® Modular Computer chassis. it has received an investment from Valve Corporation. Xi3’s new development stage computer game system is also being. The Jeep® Gladiator will reign supreme at this year’s Easter Jeep Safari as the Jeep and Mopar brands have once again joined forces to create six new, custom-built concept vehicles for the annual. Martin Furniture is the leading manufacturer of office furniture, entertainment centers, and occasional tables. located in san diego ca, they manufacture and wholesale to furniture retailers all over the United States. Martin Furniture is known best for their kathy ireland Home by Martin furniture collections. Browse through our large selection of quality office furniture and accessories. We also set up and design office spaces. Visit our Chicago showroom! Modular Office Furniture Port Chester NY Then he bought an old farmhouse on five acres of land in Pomona, New York. On Mondays, Wednesdays. was invented by the Metal Office Furniture Company (now Steelcase), in 1915. It has all the warmth.Modular Office Furniture Lafayette, CA HON became the most recognized name in office furniture by honoring our core beliefs. Here’s how we work. HON commercial office furniture products help you work smart, work well and work your way. See how we do it. featured products. ignition 2.0. ignition 2.0. ignition 2.0. solve. endorse. Want sleek and stylish furniture suitable to modern office requirements? Then select from our line of Modular Office Furniture. Shop online at Office Pro’s! Modular Office Furniture New Smyrna Beach, FL Current sales at Hudson’s Furniture in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Latest discounts and special sale events at the closest Hudson’s Furniture store near you. Find coupons, financing, and deals on living room, dining room, bedroom, and/or outdoor furniture and decor at the New Smyrna Beach Hudson’s Furniture location. | Mid | [
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Two-thirds of Calderdale adults are overweight Figures released today by Public Health England show two-thirds of adults in Calderdale are overweight or obese. Calderdale’s 66.3 per cent is above the national average of 63.8 per cent, but Doncaster has the highest figure in Yorkshire of 74.4 per cent. The rate of increase in overweight and obese adults has slowed in recent years and, in children, levels are stabilising. But health problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS more than £5 billion each year. Dr Stephen Morton, PHE Centre Director, said: “We are committed to helping tackle the levels of people who are overweight and obese in Yorkshire by supporting our local authorities to develop a broad programme of action to reduce levels of excess weight.” | Mid | [
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import React, { Component } from 'react' import { Accordion, Icon, Segment } from 'semantic-ui-react' export default class AccordionExampleInverted extends Component { state = { activeIndex: 0 } handleClick = (e, titleProps) => { const { index } = titleProps const { activeIndex } = this.state const newIndex = activeIndex === index ? -1 : index this.setState({ activeIndex: newIndex }) } render() { const { activeIndex } = this.state return ( <Segment inverted> <Accordion inverted> <Accordion.Title active={activeIndex === 0} index={0} onClick={this.handleClick} > <Icon name='dropdown' /> What is a dog? </Accordion.Title> <Accordion.Content active={activeIndex === 0}> <p> A dog is a type of domesticated animal. Known for its loyalty and faithfulness, it can be found as a welcome guest in many households across the world. </p> </Accordion.Content> <Accordion.Title active={activeIndex === 1} index={1} onClick={this.handleClick} > <Icon name='dropdown' /> What kinds of dogs are there? </Accordion.Title> <Accordion.Content active={activeIndex === 1}> <p> There are many breeds of dogs. Each breed varies in size and temperament. Owners often select a breed of dog that they find to be compatible with their own lifestyle and desires from a companion. </p> </Accordion.Content> <Accordion.Title active={activeIndex === 2} index={2} onClick={this.handleClick} > <Icon name='dropdown' /> How do you acquire a dog? </Accordion.Title> <Accordion.Content active={activeIndex === 2}> <p> Three common ways for a prospective owner to acquire a dog is from pet shops, private owners, or shelters. </p> <p> A pet shop may be the most convenient way to buy a dog. Buying a dog from a private owner allows you to assess the pedigree and upbringing of your dog before choosing to take it home. Lastly, finding your dog from a shelter, helps give a good home to a dog who may not find one so readily. </p> </Accordion.Content> </Accordion> </Segment> ) } } | Mid | [
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11th Parliament of Great Britain The Eleventh Parliament of Great Britain was the parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain that sat from 31 May 1754 to 20 March 1761. It was assembled following the general elections held in April–May 1754. History As with its predecessor, the Eleventh Parliament was an overwhelmingly Whig parliament. Traditional Whig–Tory party alignments had little meaning in the course of this parliament. Instead, political competition ran primarily between different Whig factions, such as the "Old Corps", Bedfordites, and Patriots. There were several changes of ministries in the course of the Eleventh Parliament. Newcastle's "Old Corps" Whigs assembled the first ministry, but had to accommodate the rise of the Bedfordite faction in late 1755 with several cabinet posts. Newcastle's ministry fell in late 1756, during the parliamentary recess, and the third session began with a new Bedfordite–Patriot Whig coalition in control. However, King George II could not brook them and fired them before the end of that session, placing the government in the hands of an interim caretaker ministry. More satisfactory to the king, Newcastle returned to power in coalition with William Pitt before the beginning of the fourth session in late 1757. The Seven Years' War was fought for the duration of the Eleventh Parliament, and much of its legislation addressed the financing and conduct of the war. Officers Surrey MP Arthur Onslow was Speaker of the House of Commons for the three prior parliaments, and had been re-elected to serve as speaker for the entire Eleventh Parliament. In the Cabinet, the Secretary of the South served as the Leader of the House of Commons. The "Old Corps" Whig Thomas Robinson held that office until late 1755, when the Bedfordite Henry Fox replaced him. In 1756, William Pitt took and held that position until the end of the parliament. The Prime Minister of Great Britain was Leader of the House of Lords during this parliament, namely Newcastle from 1756 to 1757, Devonshire briefly from 1756 to 1757, and Newcastle again from 1756 to 1761. Sessions The Eleventh Parliament went through eight sessions. Its first session opened on 31 May 1754 for only a few days for formalities, and passed no public act. Thereafter, parliamentary sessions usually opened in November and ran for around six months. They were in recess for the subsequent half of the year. Parliament was not immediately dissolved with the death of King George II (25 October 1760) but rather met for an additional eighth and final session that November, opened by the new King George III. The Eleventh Parliament was finally dissolved on 25 April 1761, and new elections called. By tradition, a parliament passes only one public "act" per session, albeit an act with multiple chapters. Legal statutes are cited by parliamentary session labelled by the regnal year in which that session sat. The regnal year of George II began on 11 June, and thus most parliamentary sessions do not overlap regnal years (and thereby do not need a double citation). As this parliament was the first new parliament assembled after the calendar reform went into effect in 1752, there is no citation conflict between legal dates and common dates. The session dates in the table below follow Cobbett's Parliamentary History . The legal titles of the sessions are as given in common compilations, such as the Statutes at Large . For the specific acts of parliament passed in each session, see the lists of Acts of Parliament for 1740–59 and 1760–79. See also List of Parliaments of Great Britain List of Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, 1740–59 List of Acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, 1760–79 References Category:Parliament of Great Britain Category:1754 establishments in Great Britain Category:1761 disestablishments in Great Britain | Mid | [
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Leprosy and peripheral neuropathy. Leprosy, although rare in the United States, continues to be a leading cause of peripheral neuropathy and blindness worldwide. We describe the pathogenic agent Mycobacterium leprae and discuss the epidemiology of this disease. The different classification schemes are compared and the clinical and laboratory features are presented. Finally, the immunology, pathology, and the treatment are discussed. | High | [
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A Professor at the Technical Educational Institution (TEI) in Serres was arrested on charges of bribery, as he allegedly received various kickbacks from students in order to pass his lessons. Two private school owners were also arrested as his direct accomplices. Female students testified that the professor would request sexual favours in exchange for passing them. The case came to light after an investigation by the Hellenic Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, following specific complaints. According to the police investigation, the three accused had taken up specific roles in their criminal endeavours and would offer the promise of passing the professor’s course to students in exchange for a variety of “favours” depending on each individual student. The police are in possession of audio material from dialogues showing his exchange with female students. Some bribes took the form of students offering free work for various employers, as well as secret bribes disguised as fees for tutoring at the two private schools Police initially arrested one of the two private school owners after a coordinated sting operation. The police then proceeded to arrest the other two suspects. During the search on the premises and the houses of the arrested, police found and confiscated: -The amount of (178,045) euro, (15) deposit books and bank transfers with a total amount of transfer of € 140,000 to a foreign bank -15 mobile phones -electronics, disks and portable data storage units The accused were charged with felonies and were referred to the relevant Prosecutor’s Office. | Low | [
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Mopping Up Emotional Messes After Mistakes What’s Worse? Making a Mistake or Poorly Processing the Mistake? Susan hasn’t been the same since she made a mistake in a meeting with an important potential client. She used to be the most confident member of the sales team. Now she’s hesitant to go after new accounts. While Susan’s manager Glenn is frustrated with her mistake, what he really wants is his confident and high-producing salesperson back. Replaying Mistakes in Your Mind Ever since her mess-up, Susan has replayed the events in her head. The soundtrack for that mental film: “How could I have been such an idiot? I should have known that strategy wouldn’t work with this guy. Why didn’t I read his cues that I was off-track sooner? I’ve lost it. I’ve just been fooling myself to think I am good at this job.” No wonder Susan feels hesitant. With that constant stream of negative self-talk, she’s continually reinforcing her feelings of shame and fear. Susan is triggering brain activity that keeps her in the brain’s “low road” emotion centers instead of the “high road” part that allows for clear thought and creativity. “When we are under stress the HPA axis roars into action, preparing the body for crisis. Among other biological maneuvers, the amygdala commandeers the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s executive center…. As our brain hands decision-making over to the low road, we lose our ability to think at our best. The more intense the pressure, the more our performance and thinking will suffer. The ascendant amygdala handicaps our abilities for learning, for holding information in working memory, for reacting flexibly and creatively, for focusing attention at will, and for planning and organizing effectively…. The neural highway for dysphoria runs from the amygdala to the right side of the prefrontal cortex. As this circuitry activates, our thoughts fixate on what has triggered the distress. And as we become preoccupied by, say, worry or resentment, our mental agility sputters. Likewise, when we are sad activity levels in the prefrontal cortex drop and we generate fewer thoughts. Extremes of anxiety and anger on the one hand, and sadness on the other, push brain activity beyond its zones of effectiveness.” Recovering from Mistakes Cleaning up after a mistake requires a range of practical and mental steps. For Susan, the key is to shift away from replaying the scene continuously in her mind. Being able to change her focus from that past incident will help ease the brain chemicals triggering her distress. Goleman wrote about such recovery in “Can You Pass this Stress Test?”: “There’s a simple way to increase our recovery time from stress, as research at the lab run by Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin shows: rehearse letting go of our thoughts and returning our attention to a chosen topic. That mental move is the essence of mindfulness, or any other meditation. In my own research at Harvard on this, I found that people who meditated recovered more quickly from a stressful challenge later. I start my own day with such an inner workout.” How Managers Respond to Mistakes Glenn has a choice. He can come down hard on Susan and reprimand or punish her. Or he can help her learn from the mistake and move on. That second, kinder path doesn’t mean he accepts what she did. He can talk with her about how it impacts business and look at how she could have done things differently. Such a response shows he understands what’s best for Susan and his whole team in the long run. “If you respond without losing it yourself, it boosts an employee’s loyalty to you enormously ”” and he or she just might learn something about doing better next time around. It’s even better if you can deliver your reaction with a supportive tone, not a judgmental one. Call it managing with compassion. And despite its soft ring, research finds that compassion has better results than a tough-guy stance. For starters, people like and trust bosses who show kindness – and that in turn boosts their performance.” Stepping Away from Frustration Knowing your best choice is to manage with compassion doesn’t make it easy. How can Glenn step away from his frustration? Here are three possibilities: Pause before you react. Taking a mindful moment – or a longer pause to cool down – when you notice you’re getting angry can give you the window you need to calm down before you respond. And a calmer state makes you more clear, so you can be more reasonable. Better self-awareness gives you more emotional self-control. Take the bigger view, beyond this particular moment. Remember everyone has the potential to improve. If you simply dismiss a person as faulty because they screwed up, you destroy a chance for them to learn and grow. Empathize. Try to see the situation from your employee’s perspective. You might see reasons he or she acted as they did – things you would not notice if you just had your knee-jerk reaction. This allows you to nod to their viewpoint, even as you offer your own alternative. Make the Most of Mistakes Susan isn’t the only one who can grow from her mistake. A skillful response from Glenn can help his whole team learn lessons to make them more effective in their work. And, he can reap a bonus as well. Employees who see him react to Susan with understanding rather than anger will become more loyal. Feeling positively toward your boss is a bigger factor in loyalty than a big paycheck. | Mid | [
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A half-built Target store in Hollywood is the latest example of how planning and land use in Los Angeles can go terribly wrong. This week, the Department of Building and Safety ordered the retailer to halt construction of a three-story complex on Sunset Boulevard at Western Avenue after a judge ruled that the City Council had erroneously OKd a 74-foot-tall structure, which is twice as tall as the rules allow for commercial development there. Now the community is left with a construction-zone eyesore while Target appeals the court decision. The community groups that filed the lawsuits want Target to tear down the existing structure, which already has a foundation, walls and roof, and rebuild a store that meets the area’s 35-foot height limit. Target wants the city to rewrite the area’s zoning plan to allow a taller building. Neither option is satisfying. The City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti — who was the councilman representing Hollywood when the project was approved in 2012 — could have avoided this mess if they’d followed the area’s planning rules. Instead, Garcetti urged Target to scrap plans for a standard big-box store and build a larger complex with restaurants, more shops and a plaza fronting the sidewalk. Garcetti was right to push for a project that would help revitalize a dull corner of Sunset Boulevard and encourage pedestrian activity in a neighborhood less than half a mile from a subway station. But why did he and Target have to ignore the area’s planning rules to do it? Development guidelines are laid out in the Vermont/Western Station Neighborhood Area Plan, which despite being 13 years old is considered one of the city’s more pedestrian-oriented and design-savvy local plans. But if Garcetti believed the rules made it impossible to build something better than a big-box store on a prominent street, he should have worked with the community to update the plan, not simply pushed through exceptions for one project. Sadly, that’s not unusual. Planning in L.A. has too often been done project by project, with council members dictating what’s appropriate on a particular site based on the whims of developers or neighborhood groups. That encourages abuse: Influence fills the vacuum left by the absence of clear rules. To remedy this, the city needs to embark on a comprehensive overhaul of its 35 neighborhood plans, which establish appropriate local development standards and which in some cases are decades old. The timing is right for such a review: The Planning Department has more money and staff this year to help rewrite several plans, and the city has a grant to draft transit-oriented development standards around the new Expo Line and Crenshaw line stations. Good plans developed with community consensus are supposed to provide certainty and help avoid the kinds of disputes that result in a half-constructed Target. Developers know what they can build, and neighbors know what to expect. Once a plan is place, developers, resident groups and council members should respect the rules. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion | Mid | [
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Stop the Fishy Aftertaste of Fish Oil Supplements Get the good from omega-3 supplements without the fishy taste. | By Ellen Fix Advertisement Advertisement # Don’t let your inflammation-fighting fish oil supplements linger on a kitchen shelf because it causes fishy burps. There are ways to minimize this unpleasant problem and still get your helping of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Keep the bottle in the freezer. When a fish oil capsule is frozen, the fish oil is broken down in the stomach more slowly, which can reduce the aftertaste. Choose capsules with an enteric coating. Brands, such as Kirkland Signature and Nature’s Way, offer capsules with enteric coating, which prevents them from being digested until they reach the small intestine. Eat and supplement. Take your fish oil capsules with a meal, and try dividing your daily dose in two so your stomach has less to process at once. Stick to quality brands. “Cheap fish oil is just as likely to be rancid as cheap fish,” says Jonny Bowden, PhD, author of The Healthiest Meals on Earth (Fair Winds Press, 2008). Break open a capsule; if it smells like rotting fish, it’s rancid. Look for lipase. Products containing lipase, an enzyme that helps digest fats, may help prevent the annoying fishy reflux. | Low | [
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According to the North Korea tech blog, North Korea do suffer from the major internet outage, but they have point that out to be as mundane as network maintenance or a failing router. But on the other hand, Madory also told the New York Times that the outage "is consistent with a DDoS attack on their routers." As the whole month is going with the talk of Sony Hack, and this was very devastating breach. Sony have face tonnes of data lose and also pull back the release of its movie "The Interview". The hack investigator FBI have official announced, North Korea is behind the Sony Pictures hack.Yesterday, North Korea was reported to be offline and total state was back to the Stone age. Report says that there was a cyber attack over North Korea which makes it completely offline.According to Dyn Research, which assesses Internet performance issues, North Korea's national Internet has been completely offline for more than two hours after 24 hours "of increasing instability."As US president Barack Obama have commented that they will give a payback to the North Korea, so it is been says that the reasons behind the North Korea offline is US. But A White House official told Bloomberg that it had "no new information about North Korea".The Sony hack was reportedly in response to one of the studio's films, The Interview, which depicts a plot to kill Kim Jong-un. Hackers also threatened 9/11-style violence on any theater that showed the movie, prompting theaters to cancel showings and Sony to stop the movie's release altogether. Obama criticized that move, arguing that "we cannot have a society in which some dictator some place can start imposing censorship here in the U.S." | Mid | [
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Now the gauntlet has been thrown down! It has long been a suspicion of mine (based on convincing evidence, see below), that the HPV vaccine agenda was so aggressive, even to the extent of pushing it onto boys, so vaguely supported by necessity and effectiveness, that the warning bells were ringing. Now we are seeing some evidence that support this apprehension and suspicion. This ‘VacTruth’ article by Christina England provides very interesting information and provocative claims. Here is the beginning of the article and the link to the complete article: I have been investigating whether there is a proven link between vaccines and infertility. What I have uncovered will shock many readers because I have discovered that innocent women and girls in developing countries have been deliberately experimented on, with the use of infertility vaccines, for many years. They are not the only victims. Recently several vaccines used worldwide have also been found to cause infertility, including the HPV vaccines and many of the swine flu vaccines. I have been investigating whether there is a proven link between vaccines and infertility. What I have uncovered will shock many readers because I have discovered that innocent women and girls in developing countries have been deliberately experimented on, with the use of infertility vaccines, for many years. They are not the only victims. Recently several vaccines used worldwide have also been found to cause infertility, including the HPV vaccines and many of the swine flu vaccines. I have been investigating whether there is a proven link between vaccines and infertility. What I have uncovered will shock many readers because I have discovered that innocent women and girls in developing countries have been deliberately experimented on, with the use of infertility vaccines, for many years. They are not the only victims. Recently several vaccines used worldwide have also been found to cause infertility, including the HPV vaccines and many of the swine flu vaccines. My interest in the subject began after it was reported that the Japanese government had decided to withdraw its support for the HPV vaccine schedule. This decision came after the government received approximately 2000 reports from women and girls suffering adverse reactions, including long-term pain, numbness, paralysis and infertility. [1] This does not mean that Japan has banned or suspended the program, as the vaccines will still be available to anyone wishing to receive them. However, the medical provider will automatically inform anyone wishing to receive the HPV vaccines Gardasil or Cervarix that the Japanese government no longer supports the HPV vaccine program. This Shot Changed One Girl’s Life Forever Over the years, a range of adverse reactions have been reported worldwide after the HPV vaccinations. However, the discovery that the HPV vaccine has been found to cause infertility in some women has only been publicized more recently. In 2012, the British Medical Journal published a paper by Dr. Deidrie Little titled Premature Ovarian Failure 3 Years After Menarche in a 16 Year-Old Girl Following Human Papillomavirus Vaccination, in which Dr. Little detailed the case of a sixteen year-old girl suffering from premature menopause after receiving the HPV vaccine Gardasil. The summary of the paper states: “Premature ovarian failure in a well adolescent is a rare event. Its occurrence raises important questions about causation, which may signal other systemic concerns. This patient presented with amenorrhoea after identifying a change from her regular cycle to irregular and scant periods following vaccinations against human papillomavirus. She declined the oral contraceptives initially prescribed for amenorrhoea. The diagnostic tasks were to determine the reason for her secondary amenorrhoea and then to investigate for possible causes of the premature ovarian failure identified. Although the cause is unknown in 90% of cases, the remaining chief identifiable causes of this condition were excluded. Premature ovarian failure was then notified as a possible adverse event following this vaccination. The young woman was counselled regarding preservation of bone density, reproductive implications and relevant follow-up. This event could hold potential implications for population health and prompts further inquiry.” [2] As the BMJ charges a fee to read their articles, interested readers can find a report about the case on the Weekly Briefing of the Population Research Institute’s website. The report states that Dr. Little said that before the sixteen year-old received the vaccine Gardasil during the fall of 2008, her menstrual cycle was perfectly normal. However, by January 2009, her cycle had become irregular, and over the course of the next two years, her menses (bleeds) had become increasingly irregular. By 2011, she had ceased menstruating altogether. I have been investigating whether there is a proven link between vaccines and infertility. What I have uncovered will shock many readers because I have discovered that innocent women and girls in developing countries have been deliberately experimented on, with the use of infertility vaccines, for many years. They are not the only victims. Recently several vaccines used worldwide have also been found to cause infertility, including the HPV vaccines and many of the swine flu vaccines. My interest in the subject began after it was reported that the Japanese government had decided to withdraw its support for the HPV vaccine schedule. This decision came after the government received approximately 2000 reports from women and girls suffering adverse reactions, including long-term pain, numbness, paralysis and infertility. [1] This does not mean that Japan has banned or suspended the program, as the vaccines will still be available to anyone wishing to receive them. However, the medical provider will automatically inform anyone wishing to receive the HPV vaccines Gardasil or Cervarix that the Japanese government no longer supports the HPV vaccine program. This Shot Changed One Girl’s Life Forever Over the years, a range of adverse reactions have been reported worldwide after the HPV vaccinations. However, the discovery that the HPV vaccine has been found to cause infertility in some women has only been publicized more recently. In 2012, the British Medical Journal published a paper by Dr. Deidrie Little titled Premature Ovarian Failure 3 Years After Menarche in a 16 Year-Old Girl Following Human Papillomavirus Vaccination, in which Dr. Little detailed the case of a sixteen year-old girl suffering from premature menopause after receiving the HPV vaccine Gardasil. The summary of the paper states: “Premature ovarian failure in a well adolescent is a rare event. Its occurrence raises important questions about causation, which may signal other systemic concerns. This patient presented with amenorrhoea after identifying a change from her regular cycle to irregular and scant periods following vaccinations against human papillomavirus. She declined the oral contraceptives initially prescribed for amenorrhoea. The diagnostic tasks were to determine the reason for her secondary amenorrhoea and then to investigate for possible causes of the premature ovarian failure identified. Although the cause is unknown in 90% of cases, the remaining chief identifiable causes of this condition were excluded. Premature ovarian failure was then notified as a possible adverse event following this vaccination. The young woman was counselled regarding preservation of bone density, reproductive implications and relevant follow-up. This event could hold potential implications for population health and prompts further inquiry.” [2] As the BMJ charges a fee to read their articles, interested readers can find a report about the case on the Weekly Briefing of the Population Research Institute’s website. The report states that Dr. Little said that before the sixteen year-old received the vaccine Gardasil during the fall of 2008, her menstrual cycle was perfectly normal. However, by January 2009, her cycle had become irregular, and over the course of the next two years, her menses (bleeds) had become increasingly irregular. By 2011, she had ceased menstruating altogether. Share this: Like this: LikeLoading... Related About Ken McMurtrie Retired Electronics Engineer, most recently installing and maintaining medical X-Ray equipment. A mature age "student" of Life and Nature, an advocate of Truth, Justice and Humanity, promoting awareness of the injustices in the world. Technical HINTS: TIPS: To believe the mainstream media is to risk ever knowing the truth about the real world. To believe government, (any government), issued information without considering their agenda(s), is to risk being brainwashed. WISDOM "Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent about things that matter".--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me". - Isaac Newton “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” – Albert Einstein, who also said: "The minority, the ruling class at present, has the schools and the press, usually the church as well. under its thumb. This enables it to organize and sway the emotions of the masses, and makes its tool of them!" And, "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe. — Gustave Flaubert Blog Stats 127,824 hits WUWT UAH Temperature Global UAH trend Copyright Issues: The use of outside content is with the intent to acknowledge the author(s) and publishing source. Any infringement of their copyrights is certainly unintentional. In such a case, immediate deletion of the material will occur together with an apology. Any material of unsure status is assumed to be 'fair use'. Original content on this site is copyright to 'The Golden Rule'. Reproduction is encouraged providing the author and source are acknowledged and the content is linked back to this site. Thank You! | Mid | [
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Some experts suggest that Beijing had a hand in Ms. Lam’s concession, and that withdrawing the bill is a tactical gamble to “calm down the movement’s moderates” and isolate its radicals, particularly in the approach to next month’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic. Context: Ms. Lam had already suspended the extradition bill, but the government could have brought it back with just 12 days’ notice. Formally withdrawing it is far more consequential, as the bill’s sponsors would have to start all over again to reintroduce it. Related: Cathay Pacific’s chairman, John Slosar, said he would resign, becoming the second high-level executive at the flagship carrier to step down, amid Beijing’s growing pressure against Hong Kong companie s. The company characterized his departure as retirement. First protest-linked death confirmed in Kashmir A 16-year-old boy died on Tuesday, weeks after witnesses said security officers aiming at protesters hit him in the face with buckshot. It was the first such death to be officially confirmed in the restive region since the Indian government abruptly revoked its limited autonomy a month ago. The teenager, Asrar Ahmed Khan, had just finished playing cricket on the evening of Aug. 6 when security forces opened fire on a crowd. Security forces have now barricaded his neighborhood, bracing for another outbreak of protests. On the ground: The region remains locked down. Most phones still do not work. Shops are shuttered, soldiers wearing metal face masks stand on nearly every corner and along every lane, and few children attend school. Thousands of people have been detained without charges, including teachers, rights activists and political and business leaders. | Mid | [
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Estimated reading time: 59 minutes 19.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter South Africans have a lot to be proud of. We are rated third in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water, and despite Eskom’s bad reputation, we enjoy some of the cheapest electricity in the world. More than these basic human necessities, our colourful nation draws visitors from near and far for its natural beauty, world cities, people and unique wildlife. The diversity South Africa offers is unparalleled to many other countries – after a redeye flight from London, you can be reclining on a beach in Cape Town in the morning and by the afternoon you could be jostling from side to side on a game viewing vehicle in the Kruger National Park. In April, Stats SA noted a record number of visitors to our shores with nearly one million tourists visiting South Africa in December 2013 alone. Cape Town continues to capture the imagination of the global community with the city continuing to receive many accolades throughout 2014. Each of the destinations you see below is numbered; however, don’t take this as a ranking or rating. There’s no bias here; this is simply 101 of the best destinations in South Africa. 101. Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg Located in the eastern part of Johannesburg’s former CBD, this brand new artsy area is one of several being created to uplift the industrialized city centre. The Maboneng Precinct is full of modern loft apartments, stunning shops, restaurants and entertainment areas, as well as offices, a hotel and a museum. Maboneng means “Place of Light” in Sotho, and it has become just that, a creative hub for artists and designers that includes a cultural entertainment centre called Arts on Main, where residents and visitors come to eat, play and shop. Its home to numerous art galleries, advertising agencies, shops and private studios, including one belonging to world-famous local artist William Kentridge. The newer development, Main Street Life, is houses the 12 Decades Johannesburg Art Hotel, featuring individually designed rooms, as well as an independent cinema, shops, apartments and a rooftop events venue. Visit the Maboneng Precinct on facebook Find your Mango flights to Johannesburg with popular flight routes from Cape Town to Johannesburg or Durban to Johannesburg. 100. Whale Watching, Hermanus The Cape as a whole offers unparalleled opportunities for whale watching, but Hermanus is largely recognised as the official home of this recreation. It hosts the annual whale festival, and is coasted by the Whale Coast on either side. See also some of the wonderful accommodation in Hermanus, to stay over for a few nights! Visit Southern Right Charters on facebook 99. Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn Image by Michael McCrae As popular as the ostriches are in nearby Oudtshoorn, the Cango Caves is a 20-million year-old system of caves that cut deep into the limestone. Located just 30km from Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo, the caves are considered one of the world’s great Natural Wonders. These vast hidden chambers make up Africa’s largest cave system and were inhabited all the way back in the Stone Age. They have been a popular South African tourist attraction since they were discovered in the 1800s as they boast some of the largest stalagmite formations in the world. Not all of the caverns are open to the public but those that are offer an amazing subterranean adventure through chambers and tunnels. One of the highlights of a visit to the Cango Caves is Cleopatra’s Needle, a 9m-high formation that is believed to be more than 150 000 years old! Visit the Cango Caves on facebook 98. Golden Gate Highlands National Park Image by Jonathan Gill from: flickr.com Named for the glittering golden shades of its sandstone cliffs, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is located about 120km from Bloemfontein in the Northern Free State. Nestled in the Maluti Mountains, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including zebra, wildebeest and species of buck, and some extremely rare birds such as the bald ibis and the bearded vulture. Activities abound, and visitors enjoy nature trails, game viewing, horse riding, swimming, and environmental education courses here. 97. Oyster Box Hotel A favourite among visiting Royals, the high-brow surroundings of Umhlanga’s long-standing Oyster Box Hotel has been the envy of us mere mortals for decades. Despite the hotel’s plush surroundings and impeccable old school service, many guests agree that the one feature that keeps them coming back is the hotel cat Skabenga. Visit the Oyster Box Hotel on facebook 96. Ronnie’s Sex Shop Image by Tours and Tales from: flickr.com South Africa’s famous Klein Karoo sex shop is anything but; Ronnie’s Sex Shop is actually a popular pub and a regular stopover for locals, as well as bikers and visitors to the area. Located on Route 62, the shop which is named after its owner, began as a farm stall selling fresh produce to passersby. However, Ronnie complained of business being slow, so, in a booze fuelled prank, Ronnie’s friends amended the painted “Ronnie’s Shop” sign to Ronnie’s Sex Shop. Suddenly business was booming, and the rest, as they say, is history. The pub is one of the most popular in the Karoo and tourists from near and far stop to photograph themselves next to the sign after enjoying a pint or two. Visit Ronnie’s Sex Shop on facebook 95. KZN Midlands Meander KZN’s most recognizable meander offers various routes of discovery throughout the scenic Natal Midlands. Located just an hour’s drive from Durban, the Midlands Meander is an 80km stretch of thriving arts and crafts communities, and more than 160 places to eat, sleep, shop and be entertained. You’ll come into contact with all sorts of craftsmen, from those growing herbs or producing cheese and craft beer to weavers, potters, artists, leather workers, wood carvers and much more. Nearby Midmar Dam is a haven for water sports enthusiasts where sailing, boating, canoeing and windsurfing are particularly popular. Visit the Midlands Meander on facebook 94. Cape Agulhas Situated at the southernmost tip of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, Cape Agulhas, with its signature red and white lighthouse, is a place of mystery and adventure. The legendary “Cape of Storms” with its treacherous coastline was the catalyst for many ships’ undoing. At the Agulhas National Park you can see archeological wonders, including the well-reserved shell middens, as well as fish-traps used by the Khoi people. You might even be lucky enough to spot the Southern Right Whale on this remote stretch of South Africa’s coast. 93. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Image by Michael McCrae This is the first formal trans-border conservation area in Africa, launched in 2000 on the border between South Africa and Botswana. Located around 250km from Upington in the Northern Cape and 904km from Johannesburg, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the result of joining the Kalahari Gemsbok Park in South Africa with the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. Today, the park has a combined protected area of 38 000 square kilometres. Of that area, 28 400km are situated in Botswana and 9600km in South Africa. It covers the southern Kalahari Desert, an arid, desolate environment uninhabited by humans, and offers superb rare and endangered species game viewing opportunities from a number of game lodges. Join the SANParks – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park group on facebook 92. Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay Image by Rian Saunders from: flickr.com Located 65km from Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay is one of the five top surfing destinations on earth, and the primary reason for this is what is largely considered one of the most predictable and perfect right hand point breaks in the world in Supertubes. This high speed wave reaches anything from 1.2 to 3 metres in height and varies in length from 150m to 300m. The best waves occur in winter between May and mid-September. 91. Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban Image by Andrew Ashton from: flickr.com This modern stadium is well-known for hosting international sports and music concerts, but these days it’s become a popular tourist attraction in South Africa for other reasons. Now visitors can take a trip on the SkyCar to the top of the stadium’s arch, or enjoy a 500-step adventure walk to the arch for an unbeatable panoramic view of the city and the sea. The more adventurous can even take the Big Rush Big Swing, the only stadium swing in the world, which plunges off the 106m arch, and those who enjoy less active pursuits can explore the stadium on a tour, go shopping or enjoy a meal or a snack at one of the restaurants on the property. Visit Moses Mabhida Stadium on facebook Find your Mango flight to Durban with routes from Johannesburg to Durban. 90. Sutherland Image by Michael Morris from: trekkingtripod.com It’s South Africa’s coldest town, however, many gloss over the fact that it’s also one of the clearest and darkest towns in the world thanks to its remote location and altitude. Obviously this makes it a sought after spot for stargazing, and it helps that the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere is located nearby. 89. Union Buildings, Pretoria Located in Tshwane, the Union Buildings are the official seat of South Africa’s national government. This semi-circular structure was designed by the famous architect Sir Herbert Baker and comprises three separate sections, an amphitheater with official offices on either side. Surrounded by lush gardens, the structure is considered an architectural masterpiece. Aside from its architectural significance, the Union Buildings are also considered a symbol of South Africa’s transition to democracy. This is where Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first President of a free South Africa, and long before that, it was the site of a women’s protest against the country’s strict Apartheid pass laws on what is now a public holiday called Women’s Day. 88. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Cape Town Image by Michael McCrae A must-do activity on a trip to Cape Town is a journey to the top of the Mother City’s most iconic natural landmark – Table Mountain. Seeing the city and sea spread below you from 1085m above is a gasp-worthy sight like no other. Reaching the flat-topped summit is easy with the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway; the modern cableway accommodates 65 passengers in each of its 2 cars, and the interior floor rotates 360 degrees on its 5-10 minute ascent and descent. Travelling upwards and downwards at around 10m per second, cable car riders enjoy an unmatched view of the beautiful Mother City, and from the top, the panorama is legendary. Table Mountain is also a nature reserve, home to a variety of indigenous animals and plants, with various paths to explore. Visit the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway on facebook 87. Sun City Just an hour and a half outside Johannesburg one finds the famous entertainment complex, Sun City, home to various hotels, a world class golf course and a seemingly never-ending variety of world class entertainment options. Locals and tourists flock here to enjoy the famous waterpark, the Valley of the Waves with its simulated beach and manmade waves, gamble at the Casino, enjoy Vegas style entertainment at the Sun City Superbowl and go game viewing to see elephants, rhino, lions and antelope in the nearby Pilanesberg National Park. The lavish Palace of the Lost City is a major draw card; this five star hotel offers every facility for a romantic African holiday, and there are various other accommodation offerings including the 4-star Sun City Hotel and the 3-star Cabanas. Alternatively, there are game lodges and camping establishments nearby, or one can visit Sun City for the day. Visit Sun City on facebook 86. Riebeek Kasteel Image by Werner Bayer from: flickr.com Nestled in the beautiful Riebeek Valley, this is one of South Africa’s oldest towns teeming with restaurants, coffee shops, creativity, and wine and olive culture. Stumble on bric-a-brac shops; spend time sorting through reams of treasures, then grab fresh coffee and a croissant at one of the homey bakeries in town. It’s only 80km from Cape Town (about 1 hours’ drive) so it’s easily accessible … you’ll only wish you’d discovered it earlier! Leave Cape Town on the N1, peel on to the N7 near Canal Walk, turn off at Malmesbury and take the R46; Riebeek Kasteel is about 20 minutes further down the road. 85. Hole in the Wall Image by alcuin lai from: flickr.com The Hole in the Wall is a rocky archway on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast that was created millions of years ago by the relentless action of the waves crashing against the sandstone. The little holiday village of the same name overlooks this surreal rocky phenomenon that is located at the mouth of the Mpako River in Coffee Bay. Of course, Hole in the Wall has many legends attached to it, including a charming Xhosa tale about a young woman who fell in love with a mythical “sea person”; the hole formed in the rock face so the sea person could reach the woman. Visit the Hole in the Wall Hotel & Holiday Village on facebook 84. God’s Window You know it’s going to be a holy sight if it’s called “God’s Window”, and the views from various points here are quite extraordinary. On a clear day, you can literally see all the way to the Kruger Park and South Africa’s border with Mozambique. Close by, the sheerness of the cliffs as they plunge 700m downwards into the gorge below, the lush ravine, canyons and waterfalls are nothing short of spectacular. This dramatic setting forms part of the Lowveld’s 250km-long Panorama Route, which includes Lydenberg, White River, Sabie, Graskop, Hazyview and Hoedspruit. It’s also where you will find some of the country’s best game lodges, all offering a variety of activities, including superb game viewing, walking trails, horse riding and more. 83. Clarens, Free State Nestling at the foot of the Maluti Mountains is the tranquil Free State village of Clarens, an artistic community rich with galleries and the creativity that has become synonymous with small town South Africa. Its close proximity to Johannesburg, Durban and Bloemfontein (300km from each of these cities) makes Clarens a favourite weekend destination for urbanites. The area is scenically beautiful, and is a popular stopover for those en route to view wildlife in nearby Golden Gate National Park. There are also a number of prehistoric rock paintings in the area, as well as a Basotho Cultural Village, and excellent opportunities for fly fishing, hiking and abseiling. 82. Huey Helicopter Combat Missions, Cape Town Image by Christopher Griner from: flickr.com Where men become boys again. Reenact airborne Vietnam missions as you hug the Cape coast on a real Huey helicopter in combat mode. If the deep ‘whopping’ hum of the blades overhead isn’t enough to get your heart racing then the aerial perspectives of Cape Town certainly will be. At R2700 per person for a 30 minute Combat Mission these aerial jaunts don’t come cheap, but if you’re looking to live out your army aspirations in real life then it doesn’t get much better than this! Visit Huey Helicopter Combat Missions on facebook 81. Victoria Street Market, Durban Image by jit bag from: flickr.com This flea market is completely unique, a heady mix of Oriental spices and African magic. First opened in the 1980s to replace the original turn-of-the century market that was destroyed in a fire, the Vic, as the market is called locally, offers more than 170 stalls selling an eclectic combination of products indigenous to both India and South Africa. Visitors and locals flock here to purchase all sorts of treasures, from saris and spices to incense, African herbs, fresh produce and seafood, crafts and jewellery. 80. Tiffindell Tiffindell Ski Resort is South Africa’s only ski and snowboarding resort. Located in the Eastern Cape, the resort is 2720m above sea level, and offers winter skiing each year by way of natural and man-made snow! And those who don’t want to make awkward, pizza shaped movements on skis can come and enjoy a unique African snow experience, making snowmen, throwing snow balls or tobogganing. Visit Tiffindell Ski Resort on facebook 79. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Only 2 hours from Cape Town and 30 minutes from Hermanus en route to the Garden Route, Grootbos showcases the remarkable flora and marine life found near the southern most parts of Africa. The 5-Star luxury accommodation here complements the spectacular forest views and whale watching to be had in Walker Bay. Visit Grootbos Private Nature Reserve on facebook 78. Wave House, Durban When the waves behind Durban’s piers are six foot plus and grinding, or when they’re one foot and sloppy, you can guarantee the Wave House at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga will be offering up ride after ride of pseudo surf perfection. The D-Rex (pictured) is the main event, and at 10-feet high it’s the largest manmade wave in the world and the ideal cross-trainer for surfers, snowboarders, skaters and wake boarders. The Wave House also features a 4000-square-metre skate park, as well as frequent concerts and events. There’s also a climbing rock, which, at 22.5 metres, is the highest in the world. Get your Mango flight to Durban with routes from Cape Town to Durban and Lanseria to Durban. 77. Bill Harrop’s ‘Original’ Balloon Safaris An hour-long hot air balloon ride in the magnificent Magalies River Valley is one of the most unforgettable experiences, something that Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has been offering visitors for the past 33 years. From your unique vantage point above the treetops, glide above the magnificent Cradle of Humankind and Magaliesberg Mountain range. On landing, you will enjoy an excellent breakfast in the clubhouse. There is an excellent range of accommodation nearby, although Bill Harrop’s headquarters, at Skeerpoort Country Base, is just 45 minutes’ drive from Johannesburg. Visit Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris on facebook 76. Kalk Bay The picturesque fishing enclave on the ‘other side’ of the Peninsula is a longtime favourite for its coffee shops, antique shops, steep cobbled streets and the laidback vibe that floods the place to its core. For fine dining in Kalk Bay check out Polana; for something more fitting of the chilled ambience swig a few at the Brass Bell where you’re practically in the surf, or suss out Kalky’s for fish fresh off the boats which rock just a few feet away from the tables. Visit the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay on facebook 75. Safari Ostrich Show Farm, Oudtshoorn Image by Michael McCrae Oudtshoorn is ostrich country, and a stop at the Safari Ostrich Show Farm 6km from town is highly recommended. The farm, which has been operating since 1956, offers insights into how these large birds are bred. Watch a unique ostrich race with colourfully dressed jockeys racing the birds up to 70km per hour. Here you can also ride an ostrich, take photographs of nests and eggs and feed the tame birds as well as cuddle their baby chicks. The store stocks numerous ostrich products, including leather handbags, eggs and feather boas. Visit the Safari Ostrich Show Farm on facebook 74. The Big Hole, Kimberley It’s not the biggest hole in the city, but the 500m-wide Big Hole in Kimberley is its main attraction. This is where diamonds were first found on top of a flat-topped hill in 1871. Of course, the gaping hole that measures 215m deep was created through mining, which became a big industry for the city, with more than 13.6 million carats of diamonds being found by De Beers Diamond Mines in 1914. To see the famous Big Hole you need to visit Kimberley Mine Museum, which offers an excellent insight into the city’s sparkling history. View the Big Hole from a platform suspended above it, which was formed as diggers used their picks and shovels to find treasure during the diamond rush. The Underground Mine Experience offers a view of what a mine shaft looked like in the 19th Century, while the short film overviews the history of Kimberley’s diamonds. See various items on display and explore meticulously preserved old buildings, including a Church and a tavern. Visit The Big Hole on facebook 73. Vredefort Dome The largest meteorite impact site on earth is located in the Free State at Vredefort. It’s estimated to have been around 300km wide and is also the oldest impact crater in the world, so it comes as no surprise that this is another of South Africa’s World Heritage Sites. The crater was formed when a meteorite fell to Earth more than 4 billion years ago hitting our planet near Vredefort. This small, idyllic farming town located only 120km from Johannesburg is home to just 3000 residents. The area is a popular destination for horse riding, mountain biking, river rafting, archery and walking. Visit Vredefort Dome on facebook 72. Robben Island The infamous island prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years is a World Heritage Site. Located just 5.5km off the shores of Cape Town, the trip to Robben Island starts at the V&A Waterfront at the Nelson Mandela Gateway. The Robben Island Ferries depart on the hour, and each tour takes approximately three and a half hours. Previous political prisoners lead you around the island and offer a personal account into the 400-year history of Robben Island and its daily life. Visitors stop off at Mandela’s former cell, and explore the lime quarry where he and his fellow inmates were tasked with grueling hard labour. 71. The Three Rondavels Image by Chris Eason from: flickr.com These three giant mountain peaks that resemble traditional African huts are a sight to behold, and also the viewpoint for a dramatic panorama of the Blyde River Canyon below. Located at the start of the Canyon, the rondavels, which used to be called the Three Sisters, are just one of the exquisite highlights of a visit to Mpumalanga’s renowned Panorama Route. Towering 700m above the impressive valley, these three rocks offer a view over the Canyon all the way to the distant Drakensberg Mountains. 70. Howick Falls Image by Greg Horne from: pixmag.ning.com Located 24km from Pietermaritzburg en route to Durban within the lush, rolling KwaZulu-Natal Midlands you’ll find Howick Falls. The name means “The Place of the Tall One” in Zulu because of the great height (95m) from which the water travels to reach the Umgeni River below. Legend has it that the Falls are home to a mythical snake-like creature, but that’s not the only reason people come here. The scenic beauty from the top of the Falls is mesmerising, and there are numerous walking trails to enjoy. A walk from the top to the bottom of the Falls takes about an hour. 69. Hartbeespoort Dam Nestled within the magnificent Magaliesberg Mountains just 45 minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria is Hartbeespoort Dam – a welcome respite from busy city life for locals and visitors alike. The dam, which covers 1620 hectares, is a popular resort destination and offers a variety of outdoor and watersport activities. Aside from sailing, jet skiing, para-sailing and waterskiing, there are also scenic walks to enjoy, more challenging hikes, an aerial cableway and excellent bird watching, as well as sunset cruises. There’s also a wide selection of restaurants and accommodation on offer making it ideal for day trips and weekend breakaways. Visit the Harties Cableway on facebook 68. Big Pineapple, Bathurst Image by Randy OHC from: flickr.com Pineapple country around Bathurst has its very own landmark, the largest pineapple on earth. Located just outside the town on Summerhill Farm in the Eastern Cape, this 16.7m tall structure celebrates one of the region’s biggest natural exports – the pineapple, the only fruit to grow in the area, first planted here in 1865. The giant pineapple is actually a building, home to a souvenir store, a 60-seat auditorium, some fascinating displays and an observation deck. Visit Bathurst on facebook 67. Rovos Rail Largely considered the most luxurious passenger train in the world, the old world Rovos Rail carries passengers from Pretoria to Cape Town through the arid Karoo in sumptuous 1920s-style locomotive accommodation. There are also longer journeys available from Cape Town all the way to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The observation car at the back of the train offers unsurpassed views as the train clacks along. Carrying a maximum of 72 passengers in their 36 luxury wood-paneled suites, the trains are hauled by steam, electricity or diesel at various stages along the route. Established in 1989, this famous train company offers a superior level of service including fine dining, much like the famous Orient Express that travels through Europe. With room service available 24 hours a day and every luxury on tap, passengers enjoy an unforgettable adventure on board. Visit Rovos Rail on facebook 66. Bay Harbour Market, Hout Bay Beautiful Hout Bay, located just outside Cape Town, is home to a colourful weekend market, called Bay Harbour Market. Formed as an initiative and social upliftment project for the local community, the market is located in an old fish factory on the harbour front. It houses more than 100 stalls offering a variety of wares, from art, souvenirs and gifts to food and fashion. Live music enriches the Bay Harbour Market experience. Visit Bay Harbour Market on facebook 65. Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve Image by James Black Matroosberg offers a variety of fun activities for the whole family, and is a popular weekend/day getaway during the winter and summer months. Offroaders will love the scenic 4×4 route that leads 2240 metres up Matroosberg Peak and offers magnificent views and rock formations, or another that travels along the river bed. Less nerve-wracking pursuits include farm tours (the reserve is located on the farm Erfdeel), bird watching, quad biking, snow boarding, fishing, abseiling, hiking and horse riding. In winter, you can even ski here on the private ski slope. Visit Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve on facebook 64. Valley of Desolation, Graaff-Reinet Image by David Siu from: flickr.com The eerily named Valley of Desolation offers a variety of viewpoints and trails where the highlight is a sheer cliff face. Located amongst barren Karoo landscape in the Camdeboo National Park just 14km from the town of Graaff-Reinet, the Valley of Desolation is a series of vertical dolerite cliffs and columns that hang 12 metres above the valley below. This unusual sight took more than 100 million years to form and stands majestic and proud amongst scenic vegetation where more than 220 species of birds and 43 animal species roam free. There’s a circular hiking trail offering spectacular views of Graaff-Reinet and the Valley itself. 63. uShaka Marine World, Durban Located on Addington Beach at the southern end of Durban’s Golden Mile, this marine themed entertainment complex is the largest aquatic theme park in Africa. It offers all sorts of amusement, including a vast aquarium with indoor and outdoor displays, a range of restaurants and shops, and a variety of activities for families. A highlight here is Wet ‘n Wild, a fresh water wonderland with river rides, swimming pools, and super tubes aplenty. Visit uShaka Marine World on facebook Find your Mango flight to Durban with popular routes from Bloemfontein to Durban. 62. Constitution Hill, Johannesburg Image by Jorge in Brazil from: flickr.com Today, Constitution Hill is the seat of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, a symbol of freedom, but in days past, it housed the famous Old Fort Prison, which was built in the late 19th Century and symbolized exactly the opposite. Located in Braamfontein, close to the city’s university, the Old Fort was once a high security prison for Anglo Boer war prisoners. Later, Number Four, a prison for non-whites, and a women’s prison were added and The Old Fort became a politically-based prison where striking mineworkers and political dissidents were jailed. Both former President Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi served time there. Today Constitutional Hill is a symbol of freedom, and the court’s aim is to uphold human dignity and human rights. Visit Constitution Hill on facebook 61. Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town Image by Michael McCrae More than a century old and still one of the most popular locations to visit in Cape Town, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a scenic natural paradise which is famous the world over for its natural beauty. As part of the garden’s centenary, a magnificent 130m-long treetop canopy boardwalk was installed in May 2014, weaving between the branches of the Garden’s famous Arboretum. Nicknamed the “Boomslang”, the walkway offers a unique vantage point up to 12m above the ground from which visitors savour the spectacular scenery in this magnificent 36-hectare Botanical Gardens. In the summer months, garden guests can enjoy outdoor musical concerts at sunset in what must be one of the most spectacular settings on earth. 60. Addo Elephant Park Image by Michael McCrae Stretching over 180 000 hectares in the Eastern Cape, Addo Elephant Park is the third largest game park in South Africa. Originally a park with just 11 elephants, the park has transformed into a major wildlife sanctuary and is now home to more than 600 elephants as well as a variety of other animals, including lion, buffalo, black rhino, leopard, zebra and more. It’s famous for the Big Seven, the Big Five wild animals plus the Great White Shark and the Southern Right Whale, as well as a huge population of penguins. Join the SANParks – Addo Elephant National Park group on facebook 59. Freedom Park, Pretoria Located on 52 hectares on Salvokop Hill in Pretoria, Freedom Park is a permanent reminder to locals and visitors of South Africa’s turbulent past, and a symbol of the country’s heart and soul. It’s a place where people come to contemplate what happened before, and how far the country has come. This monument to liberty, humanity and South African heritage features a number of fascinating sights, including the Wall of Names that lists those who died during eight different conflicts in our history, an Eternal Flame and Isivavane, a symbolic burial place for those who died heroically. The Pan African Archives is home to research material about the country’s history and there’s a Gallery of Leaders that features displays of local and international leaders who have contributed to freedom and humanity. Visit Freedom Park on facebook 58. Knysna Heads Located on the magnificent Garden Route in the Western Cape, Knysna is a popular resort town, home to some of the area’s most breathtaking scenery, including the famous Knysna Heads. Knysna is built on a natural lagoon, and these two dramatic cliffs guard its entrance in the sea. The Western Head is home to a privately owned nature reserve called Featherbed which visitors can explore, while the Eastern Head offers an observation point with stunning views. One of the more popular trips to Knysna Heads is on a champagne and oyster cruise at sunset. Join Visit Knysna on facebook 57. Augrabies Falls Image by Michael McCrae Known by the Khoisan people as “The Place of Noise”, Augrabies Falls is a deafening 56m waterfall located 120km from Upington in the Northern Cape. This scenic area is full of indigenous animals including various buck, while the iconic Quiver tree, from which the Khoi hunters used to make their quivers, is a treat to see. In May and June the wildflowers transform the landscape into a yellow splashed wonderland. The best vantage point to see the Falls and the entire park in the Orange River Gorge is from the top of Moon Rock but there’s an easier 2.5km route along which you can see the Gorge, as well as Arrow Point and the Twin Falls. Join the SANParks – Augrabies Falls National Park group on facebook 56. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Nature Reserve Image by Michael McCrae Combined, the Umfolozi Game Reserve and its neighbour, the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, form the oldest and largest Big Five game reserve in South Africa. The reserve is home to a diversity of wildlife, including the famous Big Five and the rare White Rhino, which is currently under conservation here. The reserve offers a wide selection of lodges and camps from where you can enjoy game drives, walking trails and boat safaris on the Hluhluwe Dam. Established in 1895, this famous reserve is located in the heart of Zululand, where Zulu kings hunted and then set up conservation laws. The reserve is also renowned for its Game Capture unit, where animals are captured and secured for sustainable purposes. 55. Tsitsikamma Zipline Tours For a unique adventure, why not go ziplining across the Kruis River? This exciting experience is available within the Tsitsikamma region, 8km from the Storms River Bridge. There are eight slides in all, the longest of which is 211m, and those brave enough can zip across the river gorge, up to 50m above the water. What’s more, you can control the speed of your trip across the gorge, so that you can stop en route to take in the spectacular scenery. Guides offer commentary about the area. If you prefer another type of adventure, there are also quad biking tours, wall climbing and abseiling. Visit Canopy Tours South Africa on facebook 54. Clifton Beaches, Cape Town Cape Town’s famous four secluded beaches at Clifton are also the location for some of the most expensive residential properties in Africa. These beautiful white sand beaches are separated by boulders and rocks, and only accessible via steep stairways from the road above. Although the water is cold, people enjoy its calmness, but that’s not the reason people flock here. This is the “it” place to visit, the most beautiful beaches in the Mother City, and securing a spot in the sand in December and January alongside the jet set can be a challenging task. Vendors stroll around offering drinks and refreshments so that you don’t have to move. Each of the four beaches (named First, Second, Third and Fourth) has its own special personality, so it’s best to sample each to find your favourite. Visit Clifton Beach on facebook 53. Kruger Park South Africa’s largest and most legendary game reserve, the Kruger National Park straddles the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the northeastern section of the country. The park, which on its own is larger than the State of Israel, recently became part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that includes Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park and the Limpopo National Park. Fences are being removed between the parks so that wildlife can roam free. The Kruger Park is most famous for its Big Five encounters, as well as numerous other species of wildlife, an incredible selection of birdlife and some of the most exquisite trees in Africa, including baobabs, Marula, mopane and fever trees. Join the SANParks – Kruger National Park group on facebook 52. Genadendal Mission Museum, Greyton Image by Leon Oosthuizen from: flickr.com Located outside the town of Greyton, Genadendal has to be one of South Africa’s most fascinating museums. The Genadendal Mission Museum boasts displays of some of the first books, tools and everyday items brought to South Africa in the 18th and 19th Centuries by Moravian Missionaries. It’s hard to believe that this almost deserted spot was once the second-largest settlement in the Cape, next to Cape Town. Here, Afrikaans as a language was developed, and some of the first Afrikaans literature was printed. All the buildings on the town’s Church Square were declared national monuments in 1980 and are open to explore. Visit the Genadendal Mission Museum on facebook 51. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park Image by Michael McCrae Located just two hours from Durban and four hours from Gauteng, South Africa’s highest mountain range, the Drakensberg, was designated a World Heritage Site in 2000. Stretching for some 150km, its home to various spectacular locations, including Cathedral Peak and Giant’s Castle, as well as a 5km wall of rock called the Amphitheatre. From its summit, at famous Mont-aux-Sources, the Tugela Falls plummets 1000m. Hiking, rock climbing and fly fishing are the most popular pastimes here, and the area is also home to a number of game parks. Some 30 000 San rock paintings found in more than 600 caves and overhangs tell the story of the indigenous San people, with scenes showing dancing, fighting, food gathering, rituals and hunting. 50. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Simonstown One of the most beautiful beaches on the Cape Peninsula, Boulders, is located just outside of Cape Town in the naval town of Simonstown. Not only is the beach itself very scenic, but it’s also home to a breeding colony of more than 2000 endangered African penguins. In fact, Boulders and neighbouring Foxy Beach are part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, and one has to pay a fee to enter and share the sandy beaches and their various little coves with these tame birds. Take the wooden walkway to see the penguins’ nesting and breeding sites, and then enjoy the warmth of the sun, sea and sand on an unforgettable stretch of coast. [Tweet “The penguin colony at Boulders thrives thanks to the cold Atlantic currents #MeetSouthAfrica”] 49. St Lucia Wetland Park Image by Michael McCrae Extending northwards from Cape St Lucia to Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, this magnificent 332 000-hectare park was designated South Africa’s first World Heritage Site. Its name, iSimangaliso, means “miracle and wonder” and this is a perfect description, as St Lucia is made up of three main lake systems, eight different interlinking ecosystems, most of the country’s swamp forests and the largest estuarine system in Africa. This paradise setting is also home to 526 different species of birds, and coastal dunes that have withstood the elements for more than 25 000 years. A visit here will see you exploring endless beaches, hiking scenic trails and routes through mountains, coastal forests and the rolling grasslands around Lake St Lucia. Magnificent scuba diving and snorkeling in spectacular coral reefs will keep the water babies occupied, while horse riding, camping, kayak trips and game viewing to see the largest population of hippo in the country are great options too. 48. Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail Here’s an opportunity to step back in time to the very beginning of our planets recorded history. The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, part of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, are on the list to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient geotrail stops off at various geological sites of interest along a designated route, each well-illustrated and with information that explains the significance of this Belt, which is more than three billion years old and is believed to be one of the most complete pictures of what the earth looked like billions of years ago. Travel the route and explore the world from the beginning of time, a 350-million year sequence of Archaean rocks, and ancient volcanic and sedimentary rocks that are still being researched today to discover the origins of life, how continents emerged and the earliest oceans came into being. Visit the Barberton Geotrail on facebook 47. South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg Located next door to Johannesburg Zoo, the National Museum of Military History showcases various weapons used in some of South Africa’s most notorious historical conflicts. These include the Anglo Boer War, the Anglo-Zulu War, the First and Second World Wars and battles between South Africa and Namibia; then called South West Africa. Amongst the 44 000 items on display are weaponry, rare military aircraft, medals, journals, books and uniforms. 46. Two Oceans Aquarium Image by flowcomm from: flickr.com With sea life from both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium has a lot to offer. Located at the popular V&A Waterfront, the aquarium is renowned for being one of the world’s finest. It is home to more than 30 000 sea creatures, including a variety of fish, sharks, seals, penguins and turtles. Aside from its superb displays, many of which are interactive, visitors with diving certificates can even scuba dive with predators. The aquarium is divided into different sections, including the Atlantic and Ocean Galleries, a Children’s Centre and a Predator Exhibit. Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium on facebook 45. Hazyview Elephant Sanctuary Image by Fiona Henderson from: flickr.com This exquisite sanctuary is a halfway house for young elephants, after which they are released into the wild. Located just 5km from Hazyview in Mpumalanga Province, the sanctuary offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with elephants, interacting with these gentle giants, feeding them, walking trunk-in-hand with them and getting to know them. There are elevated wooden walkways, viewing decks overlooking the water and of course the opportunity to learn all about the large mammals, their history and future in the African wilds. 44. Tswaing Crater Image by Paul Jacobson from: flickr.com 40km outside of Pretoria one finds the Tswaing Crater; an impact crater left by a meteorite that hit the earth more than 200 000 years ago. The name of the crater, which measures 100 metres high, 200 metres deep and 1km in diameter, translates to “Salt Pan”, in both Afrikaans and the local dialect, Setswana. The crater is filled with water which used to be mined for its high concentration of salt and soda ash. The remains of the factory, which closed in 1956, are located nearby. Also next to the crater is a museum and you can stroll around the perimeter and down to the lake. The area, which is full of indigenous plants and trees, is regarded as a birding paradise. 43. Chapman’s Peak Drive One of the most thrilling routes on the Cape Peninsula is along Chapman’s Peak Drive between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, hugging the coastline with the azure sea on one side and sheer cliff face on the other. Climbing steadily from Hout Bay’s harbour upwards, the toll road follows the rugged coastline, curving 114 times and offering some of the most breathtaking views in the world. This 9km stretch is one of Cape Town’s most famous, and well travelled, and is also known as one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever undertaken. There are various vantage points along the route where drivers can stop and soak up the scenery. Sometimes whales and dolphins are to be seen, and troops of baboons are often viewed watching passersby. Visit Chapman’s Peak on facebook 42. Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market With more than 90 stalls to browse through, the Shongweni Farmer’s and Craft Market in the KwaZulu-Natal foothills is a joy to explore. Most of the stall holders offer either organic fresh produce or handmade souvenirs, and the variety of fresh foods and home-made dishes is endless. If you’re in the area at breakfast time, you can enjoy one of the hearty meals that the market is famous for, and then explore for hours, savouring tidbits and exquisite arts and crafts created by local craftsmen and women. Beer lovers can also enjoy handcrafted beers including some exotic fruit varieties. Visit the Shongweni Farmer’s and Craft Market on facebook 41. Blyde River Canyon Mpumalanga’s scenic Panorama Route is home to the famous Blyde River Canyon – the largest green canyon in the world, with a number of famous viewpoints along the route such as God’s Window, Wonder View and The Pinnacle offering some of the most breathtaking panoramic scenery in South Africa. The canyon, which stretches for 60km from Graskop all the way up the Abel Erasmus Pass, is the third largest canyon in the world. Now called the Motlatse River Canyon, it boasts a variation of plant and animal life including a number of rare species, many of which can be viewed on game drives in the Nature Reserve. 40. Babylonstoren, Paarl Image by flowcomm from: flickr.com Modelled on the Mother City’s Company’s Garden, Babylonstoren is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the inner city greenbelt. Set on acres of land just outside Paarl, the massive working garden is like something out of a fairytale. Stay in one of the 13 cottages with their complimentary bottles of Shiraz and Chenin Blanc produced on the farm, or just pop in for the day to enjoy the immaculate grounds and the Glaskas – a conservatory where organic food and herbal teas straight from the garden are the order of the day. Visit Babylonstoren on facebook 39. The Golden Mile, Durban Beachfront Durban Beachfront, also known as the Golden Mile, stretches all the way from uShaka Marine World at South Beach to Suncoast Casino in the North. The high-rise hotel and palm tree fringed promenade will remind you of Miami; however, a distinct African twist is evident in the sand sculptures that spring from the sand; the work of many talented sculptors who make their livelihood here. The traditional Rickshaw ride has been a common activity since the early days, but what most people come to Durban for is to cycle, swim, surf, or just soak up the sun on its hot beaches. And with weather that is warm year-round, this is a very regular activity. 38. Spier, Stellenbosch Image by Andy Jou from: flickr.com One of the oldest wine farms in the country, Spier, which was built in the 17th Century, is now a superb four star hotel and winery where some of South Africa’s most superb vintages are sipped in an idyllic setting. Situated on the bank of the Eerste River the tasting room offers innovative wine pairings, while superb food can be enjoyed at Spier’s farm-to-table Eight. There’s also a deli where one can purchase fresh produce; all you need for a picnic on the estate grounds. Visit Spier Wine Farm on facebook 37. Vilakazi Street, Soweto Soweto’s most famous street was once the home of two Nobel Prize laureates in Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Archbishop still owns his house in Vilakazi Street, while Madiba’s house, at number 8115, has been converted into the Mandela Family Museum. The street is historically significant having been the site of a massive students uprising in 1976 where protestor Hector Pieterson was killed. There are also some famous restaurants here where visitors can sample traditional local dishes as well as the community TV station, Soweto TV, broadcast from a classroom at the local primary school. 36. Bourke’s Luck Potholes Image by Juan Alberto Garcia Rivera from: flickr.com Carved by nature into the bedrock, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes are a spectacular geological phenomenon in Mpumalanga Province. Over centuries, sand and rock carried by the rivers have eroded into these fascinating cylindrical pothole-like sculptures located at the start of the Blyde River Canyon where the Blyde and Treur Rivers join. Tom Bourke, after whom the potholes are named, was a luckless gold prospector who never found any gold, but he did find fame after all. There’s a 700m trail to the potholes as well as a choice of two 5km trails to the canyon itself – the Bushman Nature Trail and the Interpretive Trail. 35. Fancourt, George Tee off at Fancourt , one of Africa’s premier golfing destinations with a Links course that was ranked number one in the world by Golf Digest USA. As if its enviable Garden Route location wasn’t enough, the resort is superbly landscaped on 613 hectares of lush countryside set against the moody Outeniqua Mountains. Visit Fancourt on facebook 34. Orange River Image by SA Places from: flickr.com The lush area on the banks of the Orange River offers a unique stretch of natural beauty that is worth exploring, especially after a winter of heavy rains. The landscape transforms into a paradise of colourful flowers, and the opportunities for enjoying nature are endless. There are half-day river rafting trips on offer, from Upington to Oukamps. Many tourists come here to relish in the Orange River Wine Route, known as the Green Kalahari because of its lushness in the midst of the arid surrounds. Starting at Groblershoop on the N14, the vineyards stretch out for about 300km along the river, past Upington, Keimoes, Kakamas and Grootdrink. The area is famous for its white wines, a combination of dessert, semi-sweet wines and blends, which you can sample at the various wineries en route. 33. Sani Pass Image by Vaiz Ha from: flickr.com One of South Africa’s most magnificent mountain passes, Sani Pass is known as the “Roof of Africa”, because the views of the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains as it climbs upwards are quite something. Also located right at the top of the Pass is the highest pub in the world, 2874m above sea level. The Pass is located in KwaZulu-Natal, close to the Lesotho border, so passports are required when travelling through. The trip to the top takes two hours from the berg town of Underberg. Sani Pass is popular with hikers, climbers, mountain bikers and 4×4 enthusiasts. Visit the Sani Pass Hotel on facebook 32. Milnerton Market Located near the sea on Marine Drive, this open-air weekend market outside Milnerton offers a magnificent view of Table Mountain and the harbour 8km away. Bargain hunters come here to pick up a variety of wares, from furniture and caravans to clothing and tents, but there are often valuable vintage finds for those with a keen eye. But it’s not just the goods on offer that make Milnerton Market such fun; there are a variety of tasty refreshments and foods on offer, including hot pancakes and fresh ginger beer. And it’s the fun of discovering a hidden treasure that makes a visit here so worthwhile. Open Friday, Saturday and public holidays. 31. Dullstroom Just two hours from Johannesburg on the way to the famous Kruger National Park, one finds the charming settlement of Dullstroom. This region of Mpumalanga is well-loved for its sparkling rivers, lakes and streams and spectacular scenery, and Dullstroom is largely considered a trout fishing destination for two specific species of trout – Rainbow and Brown. The area is also home to three endangered species of cranes, numerous beautiful wild flowers and some rare animals, too. Aside from spending hours relaxing whilst fishing, there are numerous other countryside activities on offer, including horseback riding and bird watching. 30. Madikwe Game Reserve Image by Nina Hale from: flickr.com Despite being the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa, the 60 000-hectare Madikwe Reserve is one of the country’s lesser known reserves. It’s a hidden gem, a malaria-free zone that offers sightings of the Big Five as well as a choice of some of the most luxurious game lodges in the country. Once farmland, Madikwe was taken over by the government in 1994 and filled with game to uplift the region. Today it boasts more than 66 large species of animals and about 300 different bird species. Located about 90km from Zeerust, alongside the border with Botswana, the reserve is easily accessible, about three and a half hours’ drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Visit Madikwe Game Reserve on facebook 29. Bloukrans Bridge Bungy Image by seanbjack from: flickr.com For many adrenaline junkies, a highlight of visiting the spectacular Tsitsikamma Forest on the Garden Route is to bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge. The bridge, which is located 40km from Plettenberg Bay, is the highest single span arch bridge in the world and offers the highest commercially operated bungee jump on earth. Those brave enough walk along a gangway that is tucked under the bridge, before plunging 216m towards the valley below. Of course, the bungy technology ensures their safety, but if you prefer, walking tours of the bridge are also offered. Visit Face Adrenalin (Bloukrans Bungy) on facebook 28. Nelson Mandela Museum Opened in 2000, on the 10th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, this museum is also located at the statesman’s birthplace, Qunu, in the Eastern Cape. Madiba insisted that the museum serve to uplift and develop the surrounding community, instead of being just a tribute to him. The museum covers three separate locations – Bhunga, a building in Umtata which tells the story of Madiba’s life in the leader’s own words from his book, “The Long Walk to Freedom”, the open-air museum called Mvezo, where he was born, and the Nelson Mandela Heritage and Youth Centre in the village of Qunu, where he spent his childhood. Visitors enjoy guided tours and a heritage trail that follows in Mandela’s footsteps and also get to see some of the gifts given to him when he was President. Visit the Nelson Mandela Museum on facebook 27. Long Street, Cape Town Image by warrenski from: flickr.com The centre of Cape Town’s nightlife action, Long Street is packed with pavement cafes, restaurants, vintage boutiques, bars and nightclubs. During the day it’s a hive of shopping and eating activity, and after dark the people party on the streets and the rooftops till the wee hours. In Long Street there’s always something new to explore and to savour, and if you’re looking to stay out all night, this is the place to go. The food stalls are excellent and you can sample a variety of cuisines, from Indian, Chinese and Kurdish delights to ostrich steak, best-ever burgers and Mozambican prawns. And the pubs are legendary, too. The Dubliner offers cigars and live jazz, or enjoy comedy and poetry at Zula Sound Bar. If you’d like to stay in the midst of the action, book a room at the Grand Daddy Hotel, a Long Street institution. 26. Nottingham Road Image by Midlands Meander from: facebook.com Located in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Nottingham Road is a little village nestling in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. The surroundings are lush and picturesque and the area forms part of the Midlands Meander, an arts and crafts route full of various galleries, restaurants, country taverns, holiday accommodation, cattle ranches and sheep farms. The town started out as a tented military camp in 1856 and today it’s home to the rustic Nottingham Road Brewing Company, a brewery that produces a variety of artisanal beers. These days, polo and mock fox hunts are big attractions, while trout fishing, horse riding and other country pursuits are very popular. 25. Pilgrim’s Rest Image by Kieran Lamb from: flickr.com Step back in time as you explore the 19th Century gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest in Mpumalanga. This perfectly preserved little town tells the story of the Gold Rush and how miners and residents lived and played way back then. Hear of a time when a round of drinks was paid for with a gold nugget and where the surrounding hills were full of the sounds of digging as treasure hunters panned for gold. You can explore many of the buildings in the town, all meticulously restored to their former glory, such as the Edwardian-style Alanglade Museum, once home to the mine manager. Stores sell antiques, crafts and collectables and you can enjoy refreshments and baked goods prepared as they were more than a century ago. [Tweet “The world’s largest diamond was the Cullinan Diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut #MeetSouthAfrica”] 24. Theewaterskloof Dam Image by SA-Venues.com from: flickr.com Along the road linking Franschhoek and Villiersdorp, about an hour and a half outside Cape Town, lies the Theewaterskloof Dam. This inland catchment, which is approximately 48 square kilometers in size, is part of a river project to provide water to the Cape by capturing surplus winter run-off. The dam is a popular spot for bass fishing, and there are seven campsites located on its eastern shore. Its Sports Club has grown in popularity, and offers a variety of watersports including power boating, jet skiing and dinghy sailing. The setting is idyllic, with rolling farmlands, beautiful mountains and a variety of flora and fauna. 23. Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Image by Graeme Churchard from: flickr.com Big, sugary pink, iconic; standing front and centre in the Mother City with Table Mountain watching over it, the ‘Nellie’ has long been THE place to stay in Cape Town for statesmen, royalty and A-Listers. With a magnificent setting at the foot of Table Mountain, the hotel, which is surrounded by 9 acres of lush greenery, has been the accommodation of choice for the rich and famous for more than a century. Of course, it offers every luxury, including two swimming pools, two excellent restaurants, the stylish Planet Bar and plush accommodation. It’s also renowned for its lavish Afternoon Tea and a very sumptuous spa. Visit The Mount Nelson on facebook 22. Cradle of Humankind One of eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa, the Cradle of Humankind is the richest hominid site in the world, as 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils have been found here. The area, which covers 53 000 hectares, is also home to a number of birds, plants and animals, many of them rare and endangered species. The Cradle itself is a strip of 12 dolomitic limestone caves that are home to the fossilised remains of ancient animals, plants and more than 850 hominid fossils. Located mainly where Gauteng meets the North-West, sites like Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves offers a window into early life on the planet dating back five or six million years. Visit Maropeng on facebook 21. Gold Reef City Located 8km from Johannesburg, Gold Reef City has long been a popular entertainment destination on the Gauteng itinerary. The complex includes an amusement park themed on the Gold Rush which gave way to the Joburg we know today, a variety of chain restaurants and unique eateries, theatres, a casino and more than 30 thrilling rides. Guests can also visit an authentic gold mine and learn about Johannesburg’s beginnings as a mining town. Gold Reef City also has two hotels, one of which is Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel, designed to look like a gold mining town, with rooms and public areas resembling buildings of that period. Visit Gold Reef City on facebook 20. Aliwal Shoal Image by Santhan Naidoo from: flickr.com Just half an hour south of Durban lies one of the top 10 dive spots on earth in Aliwal Shoal. Located 5km off the coast near the little seaside town of Umkomaas on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, its home to some spectacular marine life. Shoals of the reasonably docile ragged tooth shark are found here between July and December (no divers have ever been attacked by this species), as well as an array of fish, turtles, dolphins and whales. The coral reef, which is a marine protected area, boasts a spectacular hole called The Cathedral, as well as various scenic spots along the 5km stretch and the wrecks of two ships. Visit Aliwal Shoal Adventures on facebook 19. Otter Trail, Garden Route Image by SA-Venues.com from: flickr.com Embark on a coastal trail of discovery along the famous Otter Trail, from Storms River Mouth through the spectacular Tsitsikamma Forest to Nature’s Valley in the breathtaking Garden Route National Park. This exciting 5-day adventure encompasses 42km of trails on cliff tops along the shoreline, and offers an exceptional diversity of scenery and experiences. Hikers cross rivers and explore fascinating sights en route, stopping off to camp overnight. The Otter Trail is an experience of a lifetime along one of the most beautiful trails in the world. 18. Steenberg Farm, Cape Town Located in the Cape’s oldest wine region, Steenberg is a gracious five star hotel renowned for its excellent winery and 18-hole championship golf course. Set in the pretty suburb of Constantia just 20 minutes from Cape Town’s CBD, the hotel, which was originally built in 1682, offers an unsurpassed experience that includes superb cuisine, a countryside atmosphere, personalised service and every modern facility. Aside from wine tasting and relaxing in the magnificent surrounds, guests also enjoy treatments at the spa, or a relaxing game of golf. Visit Steenberg Estate on facebook 17. Matjiesfontein Image by Gary Bembridge from: flickr.com Untouched by time, Matjiesfontein is a tiny Victorian town in the Little Karoo that has been designated a national monument. White-washed little houses line its main street, as well as a traditional Victorian hotel, the Lord Milner, which is believed to be haunted. The railway line is an integral part of the town, which was a popular luxury health resort in the late 19th Century. Restored to its former glory in 1970, Matjiesfontein is a well-kept secret worth discovering. Visitors can explore the little town on a red double decker bus and learn about its history, which is very much a part of the Cape’s fascinating past, and then enjoy refreshments in the wooden Laird’s Arms Bar. Visit The Lord Milner Matjiesfontein on facebook 16. Sunlands Baobab Bar, Limpopo This ancient giant baobab tree is believed to be around 6000 years old. Located in Limpopo Province near Tzaneen on a mango farm called Sunlands, home to many such trees, this baobab stands out from the crowd. After a baobab has reached the age of a thousand years, it becomes hollow inside. The Sunlands Baobab is not only immense, but its hollows have been filled with a world-renowned little bar, one of the most unusual places in the world to stop for a drink. The bar, which has been serving drinks since 1933, is an excellent base from which to explore the surroundings, including Magoebaskloof. Visit the Sunlands Baobab on facebook 15. Neighbourgoods Market, Braamfontein Based on the popular Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town, the Neighbourgoods Market is a market set up every Saturday in Juta Street in Braamfontein. This Johannesburg suburb on the edge of the city is in the process of being regenerated, and the market has proved itself to be a successful part of the project. Located in a two-storey heritage building, the Neighbourgoods Market boasts around 100 fabulous food stalls offering fresh specialty, organic and local fare, everything from burgers to paella, with artisan products thrown in too. The beer garden on the top floor spills out onto a verandah where people relax for hours. Various events are regularly held at the market, which has fast become an institution. Visit the Neighbourgoods Market Johannesburg on facebook 14. Cheetah Experience, Bloemfontein The perfect opportunity to get up close to cheetah, the Cheetah Experience is a sanctuary for big cats set up for conservation purposes. Owner Riana van Vieuwenhuizen founded this non-profit 10-hectare sanctuary for cheetah, lion, leopards, tigers, jaguars and other animals in Bloemfontein in 2006 to ensure the animals’ long-term survival. People come from all over the world to visit, and many stay for between 3 weeks and 3 months as volunteers. Visitors enjoy game viewing in the sanctuary and learn all about cheetah and other endangered species. Visit the Cheetah Experience on facebook Find your Mango flight to Bloemfontein with Travelstart! 13. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens & Emmarentia Dam Image by Derek Keats from: flickr.com Nestling in one of Johannesburg’s oldest suburbs 6km from the city centre one finds the 7.5 hectare Emmarentia Dam and the neighbouring Botanical Gardens. Both create an oasis amidst the hubbub of this vast city, and are visited by residents and tourists alike, especially on weekends. The Dam is a great spot for picnics, sailing and long walks, and the Gardens are quite spectacular and worth exploring. Divided into seven different sections, they include a Herb Garden, Hedge Garden, Chapel Garden, The Shakespeare Garden, a spectacular Rose Garden, the Succulent Garden and the Arboretum, which is full of beautiful trees. 12. Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal Image by Rob from: flickr.com If you are interested in learning about some of the bloodiest battles fought on South African soil between the British, the Dutch-born Boers and the Zulu nation, then head for the famous Battlefields Route in KwaZulu-Natal. Home to more than 82 battlefields, as well as museums, forts and memorials, this route takes visitors through a selection of wars in different periods. The best way to explore is by choosing a specific war or period and then following the relevant route to see the historic sights. The more famous battles include Isandlwana and Rourke’s Drift, and these routes, as well as the others, are best explored with an experienced guide. Visit the KZN Battlefields Route on facebook 11. Baxter Theatre, Cape Town A Cape Town cultural landmark, the Baxter Theatre opened in 1977 on the University of Cape Town’s campus. The main theatre seats 666, and there’s also a concert hall with 683 seats and a small 162-seat theatre. The theatre provides a forum for theatre, dance and music in Cape Town and is renowned for its superb and varied performances, including classical music, opera, dance, dramatic theatre and comedy. Visit the Baxter Theatre on facebook 10. Baviaanskloof Image by Ralph Pina from: flickr.com Baviaanskloof means “Valley of Baboons” in Dutch, and this magnificent narrow valley is a World Heritage Site not only because of its scenic beauty, but also because it’s one of the few places on earth with evidence of human history going back a million years! The valley is a little less than 200km in length and nestles between two mountain ranges, the Baviaanskloof Mountains on one side, and the Kouga Mountains on the other. Here, a variety of wild animals and birds have made their home in a wilderness that is not only scenic but extremely tranquil and remote. 9. Shamwari Game Reserve The award winning Shamwari Private Game Reserve is situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape, only an hour away from Port Elizabeth Airport. The reserve has been running for almost 20 years and offers a wide variety of animal life, including Big 5 encounters. Shamwari’s biggest concern is conserving a vanishing way of life, as such their primary objective is to protect the wild flora and fauna of Southern Africa and share her immense but fragile beauty with the rest of the world. Visit Shamwari Game Reserve on facebook 8. West Coast National Park Located slightly inland from Saldanha Bay and surrounding Langebaan Lagoon, the West Coast National Park is home to thousands of seabirds, magnificent stretches of golden beaches and spectacular salt marshes. Just one and a half hours by car from Cape Town, the Park is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to thousands of waders that gather in the salt marshes and the lagoon. The Park is also famous for its antelope that reside in the idyllic Postberg Reserve, which is only open to the public in the summer when the multi-coloured wildflowers are blooming. Animals and spectacular flora have made this paradise their home, and in the Atlantic Ocean, passing whales and dolphins appear in the waves. Visit the West Coast National Park on facebook 7. Valley of 1000 Hills One of scenic KwaZulu-Natal’s hidden gems, the Valley of 1000 Hills is a spectacular region that stretches from Botha’s Hill and follows the Umgeni River through Drummond, Assagay and Shongweni to the Indian Ocean with various hills and valleys to explore en route. Visitors to this region can gain an insight into age-old Zulu traditions and culture through various attractions and activities. The climate is tropical and warm, the scenery dramatic, and the diversity of landscape, from rolling hills to beautiful windswept beaches, is unmatched. Visit 1000 Hills Tourism on facebook 6. Apartheid Museum Image by thomas_sly from: flickr.com This fascinating museum educates people about the horrors of South Africa’s Apartheid regime through photographs, research, films and artifacts. It reenacts the life of people who lived in the townships at that time, constantly being watched by security police, how they rebelled, and were suppressed. Located south of Johannesburg’s CBD, it’s an important place to visit, to understand the suffering of the oppressed and how they triumphed over adversity. Visit the Apartheid Museum on facebook 5. Route 62 Image by Russell Jarvis Stretching between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, and further up the East coast to Port Elizabeth, Route 62, also known as the Mountain Route, is a renowned tourist route through various spectacular mountain passes. It’s far more scenic than taking the national motorway to reach these destinations, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. Along the route one finds exquisite lush green scenery, sparkling rivers, magnificent mountains and sheer cliffs. The route also covers the Western Cape’s longest wine route, offering the chance to stop off and sample superb wines as you travel along. Visit Route 62 on facebook [Tweet “Most of the world’s proto-mammalian fossils are found in the Karoo region #MeetSouthAfrica”] 4. The Big Tree, Tsitsikamma National Park Image by FrauDeee from: flickr.com The magnificent fairytale Tsitsikamma Forest on the Garden Route is renowned for its exquisite yellowwood trees, which are protected under the country’s National Forests Act. The most famous tree of all is dubbed The Big Tree; at 37m it towers over all the rest, and has been standing here for around 800 years. Located in the forest near Plettenberg Bay and boasting a trunk circumference of 9m, the tree is the largest and oldest remaining yellowwood in the region. Join the SANParks – Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna & Wilderness) National Park group on facebook 3. KwaMuhle Museum, Durban Durban’s KwaMuhle is a museum dedicated to telling the story of Apartheid and how the oppressed overcame harsh conditions. Housed in what used to be the punitive Native Affairs Building, the museum is one of Durban’s four major historical museums. Today it tells a thought-provoking story of those unjust years and how the new democratic South Africa has overcome its past. Emphasis is, of course, focused on Durban and the Zulu nation, but the strong South African message of freedom prevails. 2. Sedgefield Image by Discover Sedgefield from: facebook.com No longer a sleepy seaside town or a hidden gem, Sedgefield is one of the most famous places to visit in the Garden Route, and for good reason. Located within the Garden Route National Park just 490km from Cape Town and between George and Knysna, this scenic little town has just been awarded “Slow Town” status, which means slowing down to nature’s pace. Visitors come here to enjoy spectacular scenery, exquisite beaches and a lazy summer holiday strolling through the village, enjoying the famous Wild Oats Farmer’s Market, and interacting with some of the friendliest people in the province in one of the most idyllic settings on earth. Visit the Sedgefield Wild Oats Farmer’s Market on facebook 1. Cape Point Image by Bas Leenders from: flickr.com Even though rumours are rife that this is where two oceans meet (that in fact happens at Cape Agulhas), the peninsula that comes to a head at Cape Point is an impressive sight on a tour of South Africa. It’s a wild stretch of coastline and must’ve been a nightmare for navigator’s in the early days; even so, Cape Point is a must see – the dramatic views will make you feel as if you’re standing at the definitive end of the world! Visit Cape Point on facebook When we set out to create a list of the best destinations in South Africa we never thought we’d reach 101. But as the research went on, we uncovered even more impressive South African sights that we simply couldn’t leave out. What are your best destinations in South Africa? No doubt we’ve missed something close to your heart so let us know in the comments below or join us on the Travelstart South Africa Facebook page to discuss. | Mid | [
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News I’ve worn SmartCap products for thousands of hours over the years; in mining trucks, road trains, planes, cars, for many long days in the office, and even in my kayak. But as time has passed and as I’ve moved further away from product development, I seem to now mostly use our product when I drive. Last month that all changed, when our new VP of Product Development, Brett Carswell, asked us to test the new Life by SmartCap app release. Since then, I’ve worn it every day and I’ve quickly learned that my changing role (and maybe a little aging) has brought about some different patterns in my alertness throughout the day. I’ve always considered myself a night owl. Whether I was writing algorithms or business plans, afternoons and late nights was when I did my best work. Not so anymore. The numbers don’t lie, and the verdict is in – I’ve become Mr. Average. Of course, I’d like to think I’m special in some ways, but when it comes to my peak times of performance, I’m like most; 9 am to midday is my time to shine! The likely explanation is that I’ve adopted a healthier rhythm of getting to bed at a sensible hour, coupled with the fact that I’m well into my thirties (yes, that’s how I choose to say it). My afternoons show a window from 3 pm to 4 pm when I’m still quite sharp, but by 6 pm it’s time to call it a day. So now what? Do I run to the marketing department and tell them that I have some cool insights that show how awesome our product is? Well yes, but it’s also time to make some changes. Despite what I hope my boss thinks, some of my tasks are more on the mundane end of the spectrum – so it’s time to move them to early afternoon or late afternoon; the more demanding tasks I’ll hit mid-late morning. “…I only found out that my own assumptions about my alertness didn’t align with reality because I measured it.” It’s not a ray of light from the clouds by any measure. However, I only found out that my own assumptions about my alertness didn’t align with reality because I measured it. So while I get a little more productive, maybe you can buy a LifeBand or two and do the same! SmartCap’s ground-breaking product, Life, is the world’s most effective fatigue monitoring solution that provides real-time feedback, helping drivers manage their own alertness, anywhere, anytime. The technology also allows supervisors access to data that enables them to make fact-based decisions that keep their workforce safe. Today the company announced it had secured funding from Jolimont Global, a private equity group that invests in high growth mining equipment, technology, and services companies, SmartCap CEO, Dush Wimal, said the investment would principally be used to expand the company’s reach internationally. “We are obviously thrilled with the investment from such a highly-regarded firm, which is a terrific vote of confidence in SmartCap.” Mr. Wimal said. “This partnership will help us expand more aggressively into the global mining and other markets, and offer the benefit of the Life product to many more customers.” Jolimont Global Chief Investment Officer, Charles Gillies, said that this investment would help drive innovation and productivity improvements in the mining and other industries. “We are very impressed with the SmartCap team and its ability to execute in complex and dynamic markets.” Mr. Gillies said. “Life is a world leading product in predictive fatigue management and will drive a step change in safety and productivity.” <ENDS> About SmartCap Technologies Founded in 2009, SmartCap Technologies is an innovative wearables company located in Brisbane, Australia. The technology behind Life by SmartCap was initially developed to overcome the limitations of fatigue monitoring technologies. Today, SmartCap is used by some of the world’s largest companies and has expanded beyond mining. For more, visit www.smartcaptech.com and follow us @smartcaponline and on LinkedIn. Jolimont Global has a highly experienced senior executive team with extensive commercial experience in mining, technology, private equity and finance. Jolimont Global is a joint venture between Jolimont Capital, a technology investor founded in 2003 and Resource Capital Funds. | Mid | [
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Take control of your health today! About Us I am Dr. Joerg Schuller and I would like to invite you to my new aesthetic laser clinic for a free consultation. Unwanted hairs, unsightly blood vessels, and bothersome blemishes can be a thing of the past using exciting new laser technology which combines two different and very powerful laser wavelengths. Our Business Many of my patients have expressed dissatisfaction with currently available methods of hair removal. My laser system will permanently remove unwanted hair from any part of the body! With this new technology I am now able to target and permanently remove unwanted hair in just a few, short, painless treatments. Unlike electrolysis, which involves injecting a needle into each and every hair follicle, the new Elite aesthetic laser emits a powerful beam of light that passes through the skin and targets many follicles at once. This means instead of spending months or even years getting electrolysis treatments, you can now permanently solve your unwanted hair problems in significantly less time. This exciting new laser treatment is faster, safer and more effective. Would you like to do something about those bothersome wrinkles or sun damaged skin, without enduring a series of painful injections? I have great news for you, now you can simultaneously stimulate and remodel your skins own natural collagen production—so your skin will look younger, feel smoother and be tighter than before. I can now offer you a complete skin rejuvenation solution and you’ll see the results you want much faster than with anything else available. If you suffer from bothersome and unattractive leg or facial veins, port wine stains, unsightly scars or even rosacea, I have some terrific news for you. I can treat these vascular conditions with more dramatic results than ever before! Whether you have blue, red or purple veins that are the results of too much exposure to the sun, genetics genetics or aging, I can now virtually eliminate them. | Low | [
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Where to buy: iZods UK [Here] (one of the few places I have seen stock this ink – particularly in the UK) Price: £14.50 Bottle size: 50ml Shading: Some Sheening: Yes Recommend?: If you’re into teal inks that lean a little bit closer to green, then this is for you. I’m on my third cup of coffee. I feel I’m coming down with a cold or something and I’m very very tired. One thing I am not tired of, however, are these Robert Oster inks. Now, a disclaimer – for me, Blue Sea wins between these two inks. I’m very enthusiastic to get a few more of the Oster inks, particularly the blue ones, just to compare them. But this review is of Deep Sea. Yep. It has sea in the name, but I don’t have the brain power right now to think of puns so you’re spared. Prior to getting these inks from iZods to review, I actually had a small sample of this ink from a pen meet-up I go to each month in London. It was about the time that I first had a sample of Pelikan’s Aquamarine and this is what started my love for teal inks. Deep Sea pushed me ‘deeper’. In comparison to Pelikan’s ink, Deep Sea is a darker teal – much darker. I did get one comment regarding my previous post from someone saying that I should include more comparisons between inks, so I took four swatches of inks I thought were rather similar, though the fourth one is a little far stretched to be ‘similar’. Being a dark ink, I thought it would be useful to highlight it’s more true-teal than lending itself towards green. In my opinion, the ink sits very nicely between Blue Suede and Aquamarine (well, it sits above and left of respectively, but you get the idea). I included Ebony Green (which I have also reviewed) because it’s a very dark green, and this is a dark teal. When writing with it I was questioning whether it was more green, but this highlights it quite nicely and demonstrates that this is not the case. Something to point out – of all the inks, when doing the swatches it was Deep Sea which was the wettest. No surprises, Aquamarine was the driest. Noticeably wetter than Private Reserve, but not excessively. I think noticeably is the best word to describe it. In terms of behaviour, I was very impressed. The ink flows well (it lubricates very nicely) and is easy to clean out of pens. I think we still see Oster inks as the ‘new kid on the block’ (and not for a bad reason, but because the inks have made such a sudden impact on our community) and I would ordinarily be a little cautious of putting them in, say, my Pelikan M800 which is one of my favourite pens if it’s a new brand (the best example would probably be KWZ). From my experience everything has been fine. Like inside the pen, the ink is also well behaved on paper. On Rhodia it appears a little darker than normal, depending on how you catch it in the light (mainly with ‘ink’, I can definitely remember why I wold consider this as a green-black/teal) As I said, it looks similar to Blue Suede but a darker shade On cheaper paper the ink actually appears lighter, which I find interesting. Can see showthrough, but bleedthrough is only really where I’ve pushed down when trying to get line variation. Pros: Teal Wet and flows well Cons: Nothing that really makes it wow me Perhaps a bit too dark for what I’d expect from a teal | Low | [
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DVDActive uses cookies to remember your actions, such as your answer in the poll. Cookies are also used by third-parties for statistics, social media and advertising. By using this website, it is assumed that you agree to this. We've updated our news item with the full details on the DVD and Blu-ray Further Details: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced DVD ($30.99) and Blu-ray/DVD Combo ($35.99) releases of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, and Stellan Skarsgard. Each will be available to own from March 20th. The only extra feature on the DVD release will be a commentary by Director David Fincher. The extra material for the Blu-ray is listed below, along with the official package artwork for each of the releases:Quote: ■ Commentary by Director David Fincher ■ Vangar Archives: □ Men Who Hate Women □ Characters - Salander, Lisbeth - Casting Salander, Different in Every Way, The Look of Salander, Mara/Fincher, Irene Nesser, Salander Test Footage - Blomkvist, Mikael - Casting Blomkvist, Daniel Craig on Film Acting, Dressing Blomkvist, Investigation (stills) photogallery, - Vanger, Martin - Stellan Skarsgård on Film Acting, Psychopathy, Bondage, Torture, Wrapped In Plastic, Set Design(stills) Quote: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first of Columbia Pictures’ three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s literary blockbuster The Millennium Trilogy, which altogether has sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and has become a worldwide phenomenon. The first film begins with disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Craig), having lost a libel suit and resigning as co-owner of his magazine, Millennium. In the interim, he takes on the investigation of a 40 year-old disappearance case on behalf of the wealthy Henrik Vanger (Plummer) of Vanger Industries. With the help of the pierced, tattooed and capable computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Mara), they uncover corruption that no one could have ever imagined. | Mid | [
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Asbestos Testing Creative Way in Cobourg ON Asbestos Testing: We give you superior mold and asbestos eradicationservices. Returning of mold and asbestos is a really uncomfortable problem and we provide the ideal option for complete eradication of this situation. Why Mold and Asbestos Extraction for Remediation? It is extremely hard to neglect a mold and asbestos problem at your home. Timely treatment of this issue is a must in order to prevent it from intensifying and out of hand. The mold and asbestos spores can scatter throughout your home. Due to which there are additional respiratory difficulties in asthmatic patients. In addition , youngsters and people with lower immunity can suffer additional symptoms. Though the health concerns get affected , however even the property worth and its over-all beauty gets decreased due to this condition. A mold and asbestos removal for remediation provider will identify the intensity of a mold and asbestos situation at your property. Our program provides a totally free inspection which will help determine a difficulty instantly. After the cost-free inspection of the problem , a rough estimation of the services is provided to the client. We begin with mold and asbestos extraction services , ( remediation program ) without a second thought. The mold and asbestos removal program that we present ensure that not just present problems are solved , but that it does not come back again. Advantages of Mold and Asbestos Extraction for Remediation Program Here are a few reasons to select our mold and asbestos removal for remediation service: Help identify the kind of mold and asbestos affecting the home. Once the type is examined , removal of mold and asbestos becomes quicker and easier. Find the origin or root cause of the swiftly expanding mold and asbestos. On elimination of the source and the reason behind the problem , the spread of mold and asbestos can be regulated considerably. Strategy generation for effectively and properly eradicating the mold and asbestos trouble. A well planned technique makes certain that mold and asbestos issue can never actually come back. Frequent follow-up so that mold and asbestos problem does not crop up again. Your home is free from mold and asbestos problem that gives you full happiness and relaxation for decades. We give confirmed service. We care about your spent cash ; therefore , we present the right value . Post remediation testing to observe the efficiency of the treatment method and for finest air quality. Certified professional that have many years of practical knowledge to eliminate mold and asbestos condition thoroughly and without any worries. Having more than 21 years of experience in this market , we provide unparalleled services in your location. We Are Now The Experts To Call Asbestos Testing: We have been established in this field for several years and our specialist staff can professionally handle mold and asbestos problem. With the appropriate talent and technical know-how , our team will efficiently solve mold and asbestos trouble . We have aided your surrounding area with our expert services. Our firm can effectively eradicate mold and asbestos problem as we have decades of working experience in this field. Should you be fighting with a mold and asbestos trouble at home , we have the right staff and devices available to eliminate it. Our professional is waiting to answer your inquiries , contact us right away. Asbestos Testing Creative Way in Cobourg ON call (647) 492-2955 | Mid | [
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The following blog post, unless otherwise noted, was written by a member of Gamasutras community. The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the writer and not Gamasutra or its parent company. This blog post is adapted from a talk delivered during Playcrafting's Avalanche Month in July 2017. The original talk was disorganized and rambly; I hope this more polished version is useful to you! At Avalanche Studio's NYC office. Photo credit Victoria Setian. Thanks to Dan Butchko and Playcrafting for the opportunity to chat with the NYC Gamedev community! Open World Storytelling Anyone who’s taken a stab at it knows that storytelling in an Open World game can get complicated. We create crazy, systems-heavy sandboxes with the intent that anything can happen, then invite players to break sequence or step out of line or just ignore us completely. The vastness of the player’s possibility space is daunting, so we find ways to make our stories modular or beat based or systemic. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; if we do our jobs well, all games are different. But to properly narrate any Open World story, there are four basic things we need to really, really well. 1.) Story should be Digestible In open-world games, we encourage players to run off and play without much care for advancing a sequence of missions. This makes following a traditional 3 or 4 or 5-act plot structure challenging. We give the player control of pacing, and so events transpire on the player’s clock, relying on what Pat Hollerman aptly calls “metonymic time” (these many missions ago, that many settlements later, this many collectibles until, etc...). Plots advance to the beat of statistics. The stories we share with our players need to embrace these constraints. But how? First off, the Big Plot - that mandated content that players chew through to hit the end credits - should be straightforward: crawl out of the crime world, drag down the dictator, scatter a mother’s ashes, or survive in a world gone mad. There’s a single, simple goal. When a spectator asks, “So like, what’s the point of this game?” the player’s answer is ideally a concise statement of the Big Plot. “I’m trying to save the princess from a spikey dragonturtle” or “I have to use these little plant dudes to rebuild my ship before I run out of air.” To help us streamline the Big Plot, additional complexity should be reserved for smaller story elements: Individual missions, quests, or encounters. Also, conversations, collectibles, documents, or environments. We’ll call these Microstories. Microstories often have convenient beginnings and endings, or at least boundaries we can define. We can often control the player’s experience of pacing and progression during such Microstories. And because they can be enjoyed irrespective of the Big Plot, they’re a perfect fit for the Open World -- they feel like sandbox storytelling, rewarding the player for observation and engagement. It’s also possible that a game doesn’t even need a Big Plot. Consider a game like Animal Crossing, which is comprised entirely of procedural Microstories. By separating the simplicity of the Big Plot from the detailing of Microstories, story content becomes more digestible. Players can start, play, complete, and file away the experience without struggling to remember its finer points after every loading screen. 2. Make Everything Sticky Yup. People, places, and plot devices should be memorable, and not easily confused. In a typical Open World game, we want to avoid Sauron/Saruman situations wherever possible. We want our stuff to stick in our player’s brains, so we make it sticky. Mad Max leverages the Wasteland’s weirdsmobile narrative landscape to great effect. Our hero, Max, travels across the Great White with his sidekick Chumbucket. He builds an incredible combat car called the Magnum Opus so that he can bring down Scabrous Scrotus. Simple, memorable, weird words that catch in the crags of the brain. Sleeping Dogs excellently invokes gang nicknames and the setting’s unique combination of English and Chinese verbiage. Undercover cop Wei Shen is hankering for a fight with Dog Eyes. He dates a woman from North Point, who is named Not Ping. He spends a lot of time working for Winston Chu, who serves as a Red Pole to Uncle Po. Memorable. Just as important as making things memorable is repeating them, drilling them into the player’s mind. Three is always the Good Number, but more never hurts, especially in games with tremendous scope. Characters, locations, concepts, and objects are the touchstones of a sprawling storyworld, so players should have opportunities to “touch” them often. Check out how often we said Dimah’s name in her first two scenes in Just Cause 3: Repetition, repetition, repetition! 3. Character Over Plot As we said above, complex Big Plots can be difficult to remember and keep track of. But people are remarkably good at remembering people. Even if the main plot is convoluted or tricky or so open that it’s easily forgotten, players remember the characters they spend time with. Consider Pagan Min, John Marston, Revolver Ocelot. Players may not remember their full arcs, but they will remember the person, and that person contributes to their overall experience of the narrative. They stick in the brain, players know what they’re about. They pursue desires and overcome challenges. * Stories are about people, so if we get nothing else right, we must get people right. *GIF credit to KefkaticFanatic; original art, Square-Enix. 4.) Embrace the Game’s Verbs It’s a good goal for any Open World narrative designer to incorporate as much of the player’s activities as possible into the narrative framework. This is (in part) why our stories often feature war-torn environments or dangerous wildernesses, and our characters are often criminals, miscreants, or rebels. These settings and occupations give them license to behave outside of the real world’s mores and codes of conduct. Red Dead Redemption casts the player as John Marston, fairly ambiguous kinda-hero within a world of outlaws. The Wild West is untamed and dangerous, so the conventional social taboo against killing is compromised. Kill or be killed, all John cares about is getting his family back. Mad Max features a fairly selfish hero undertaking barter-based work for other people, trying to survive long enough to build the Magnum Opus. In fact, the whole plot of the game focuses on Mad Max’s two key gameplay components: survival and vehicle combat. Awesome. Just Cause 2 frames Rico as a violent criminal who uses his crime sprees to generate interest in local rebellious factions, then capitalizes on that to destabilize the local power structure of Panau. In Just Cause 3, Rico takes on a more heroic bent, but his solution to the many problems he’s presented is generally, “So we blow it up!” The modus operandi of Rico’s rebellion is expressed early on: “Whatever you destroy, we’ll rebuild.” Because Di Ravello’s Medici sucks anyway, it’s a-okay with the island’s inhabitants that Rico blows up whatever needs blowing up in order to bring an end to his reign of terror. Five? This is the secret 5th rule - something all game developers must remember, something we often forget, especially when developing games that are all about mechanics and openness. Gameplay is Story. The player’s choices are the character’s choices. How do those choices affect the world? How do those choices reflect the characters? Game stories are at their best when we observe what players do, and we tell them we’re listening. Recently, Open World games have really embraced this concept. Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are the most visible and recent examples. The Nemesis System embraces the player’s story, makes an effort to remember it, and sprinkles it with narrative flavor. The gameplay and these proceduralized Microstories are totally aligned. The world feels alive because the designers provide the player with even minor narrative and gameplay consequences for the actions they take. This rule also thrives in the really small things. In Mad Max, Max and Chum talk to one another when Max runs away from the car. Totally unnecessary, but valuable for portraying the relationship between those two characters. We should take advantage of every opportunity to show our players we’re listening to their actions and choices. In Summary: Story should be digestible so players can remember the essentials of the Big Plot and not get caught up in the tricky details. Save those for Microstories like audio logs, missions, or NPC chatter. Story should be sticky so that the things and people and places that players need to remember will stay with them across sessions and even franchises. Focus on memorable, engaging characters over plot. People contribute way more to the narrative experience than events. Embrace the game’s verbs. Turn in to the things that make the game what it is, and tell the story it’s meant to tell. Because, after all, the hidden lesson: Gameplay is story! | Mid | [
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Liz, What about suggesting Friday, September 7 for the Santa Fe, Prediction Co, trip? Greg would like to combine the trip with a weekend in Santa Fe. We could go to Stanford on Thursday, the day before. Also, they want to speak about the agenda and the NDA. Can you ask Greg if he wants to participate in the conference call? I want to propose Friday, 2:00 p.m. our time, for a conference call. Given that they want to discuss the NDA, we could include the lawyer, Mark Taylor, as well. Vince -----Original Message----- From: [email protected]@ENRON [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jim Nusbaum <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 5:54 PM To: Kaminski, Vince J Subject: phone call Vince, When would be a good time for us to call you? We would like to talk about the agenda for your visit and the NDA you sent us. -- Jim Nusbaum [email protected] Chief Technology Officer Prediction Company phone: 505-984-3123 fax: 505-983-0571 | Mid | [
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Q: elasticsearch nested range query Suppose i want this structure for a document: { "hours": { "open": [ { "start": 10, "end": 19 }, { "start": 21, "end": 29 } ... ], "closed": [ { "start": 100, "end": 199 }, { "start": 201, "end": 299 } ... ] } } whose index has this mapping: { "mappings": { "_doc": { "properties": { "hours": { "properties": { "open": { "type": "nested", "properties": { "start": { "type": "integer" }, "end": { "type": "integer" } } }, "closed": { "type": "nested", "properties": { "start": { "type": "integer" }, "end": { "type": "integer" } } } } } } } } } In the Elasticsearch Query DSL, how do i find all documents where 20 lies inside an open segment and not inside a closed segment. The query I tried was incorrect. failed query { "query": { "bool": { "must": [ { "bool": { "must": [ { "nested": { "path": "hours.open", "query": { "range": { "hours.open.start": { "lte": 20 } } } } }, { "nested": { "path": "hours.open", "query": { "range": { "hours.open.end": { "gte": 20 } } } } } ] } }, { "bool": { "must_not": [ { "bool": { "must": [ { "nested": { "path": "hours.closed", "query": { "range": { "hours.closed.start": { "lte": 20 } } } } }, { "nested": { "path": "hours.closed", "query": { "range": { "hours.closed.end": { "gte": 20 } } } } } ] } } ] } } ] } } } whats wrong with my query? it is returning this document which is not what i intended. 20 does not lie inside an open segment. A: I finally got it working. The following is the correct query: { "query": { "bool": { "must": [ { "nested": { "path": "hours.open", "query": { "bool": { "must": [ { "range": { "hours.open.start": { "lte": 20 } } }, { "range": { "hours.open.end": { "gte": 20 } } } ] } } } } ], "must_not": [ { "nested": { "path": "hours.closed", "query": { "bool": { "must": [ { "range": { "hours.closed.start": { "lte": 20 } } }, { "range": { "hours.closed.end": { "gte": 20 } } } ] } } } } ] } } } With that said, it looks like my original attempt was wrong because there were two different hours.open nested path queries and likewise two different hours.closed nested path queries. The parser must only take one of them for a single path. | Mid | [
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Distribution map In Memory of Boyan Petrov Photo: Zlatozar Boev Boyan Petrov (Sunny) was declared missing on 5th May 2018 while climbing Shishapangma Peak in the Himalayas, Tibet, China. The subsequent search for him was not successful and discontinued on 16th May 2018. Boyan is a zoologist, ecologist, speleologist and a mountain climber. He graduated from the Biological Faculty of the Sofia University with a MSc degree in Zoology and Ecology in 1997. Since 1998, he has worked at the National Museum of Natural History – Sofia (NMNHS) with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). He has a broad area of research interests: faunistics, biology, ecology and conservation of bats; distribution and biology of amphibians and reptiles; caves and cave fauna of Bulgaria, the Balkan Peninsula and China; fauna of the high-mountains of the world; taxonomy and zoogeography of Pseudoscorpiones; nature conservation, and others. From 1990 to 2018 Boyan has participated and organised numerous research and sport alpine expeditions. He has visited and studied over 500 caves and climbed mountains in Bulgaria, the Balkan countries, Kazakhstan, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Argentina, USA, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and China. He climbed 10 out of the 14 eight-thousanders, all without supplementary oxygen. This achievement makes him the Bulgarian altitude climber with the highest number of successful ascents of peaks over 8000 m. Boyan is the first Bulgarian to summit four of those mountains: Gasherbrum I (2009), Kangchenjunga (2014), K2 (2014), and Manaslu (2015). Photo provided by the NMNHS-BAS K2 (8611m), 31.07.2014 Photo provided by the NMNHS-BAS Base camp to Broad Peak (8047 m), 2014 Photo from the Internet Monitoring of bats, Anduka Cave. Photo from the Internet During his expeditions, Boyan has collected unique scientific materials and rich collections of plant and animal species from the caves and the high-mountains. He has found dozens of invertebrate species new for the science. Until now, 11 of the newly recorded animal species are named after him. The results of his studies and expeditions have been published in 6 books, 10 book chapters and conference proceedings, over 40 research articles, over 35 popular science papers, and many expert reports, management plans of protected areas, reports on monitoring of threatened species, methodologies, etc. In 2017, Boyan presented his book ‘The first seven’ – A guide to climb high peaks. The first presentation was made on 6th February 2017 at the big hall of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, which appeared too small for the hundreds of people willing to attend and many of them stayed outside the hall and even the building. Presentation of the book ‘The first seven’ by Boyan Petrov, 6th February 2017, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia Boyan has trained many students (undergraduate, MSc, PhD). Together with his colleagues he has established and coordinated the Bat Research and Conservation Centre (BRCC) affiliated to the NMNHS-BAS. He is also an active and passionate advocate for nature protection. He has been involved in numerous causes and campaigns to support the protection and conservation of national and nature parks and reserves, threatened species and habitats, and biological diversity in Bulgaria. With his life and his research, education, sport and social activities Boyan has become an example and inspiration to all of us, and especially to his students who continue his work, and to many young people in Bulgaria. They follow the paths he made, as well as the message he left that no one should be afraid to follow his dreams and ascend his peaks. On 20th May 2018, 17 days after Boyan was last seen before his disappearing and four days after the end of the unsuccessful search, a long procession of people climbed his training trail from Knyazhevo to Kopitoto in Vitosha Mountains, in a sign of respect for his personality. Vitosha Mountains, 20th May 2018. Photos provided by Pavel Stoev and from the Internet On 14th July 2018, hundreds paid tribute to Boyan, climbing Malyovitsa Peak (2729 m) in Rila Mountains, the last peak ascended by him before his departure for Shishapangma. On 21st June 2018, a ceremony in memory of Boyan was organised by the National Museum of Natural History – Sofia and held at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Boyan’s work was presented by Dr. Petar Beron, Dr. Pavel Stoev and the PhD student Violeta Zhelyazkova. Talks were given also by Prof. Dr. Nikolai Spassov, the Director of the NMNHS-BAS, H. E. Mr. A. S. Babar Hashmi, the Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Jerry Gore, a mountaineer and friend of Boyan, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yavor Shopov, the President of the Bulgarian Federation of Speleology. A special exhibition showed some of the scientific collections and notes of Boyan from his expeditions, as well as some of his publications and awards. His collections will be further studied and after processing all the materials collected by Boyan will be exhibited as a part of the permanent exhibition of the NMNHS-BAS. A ceremony in memory of Boyan Petrov at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 21st June 2018. Photos by P. Stoev, T. Trichkova, and from the Internet Due to his charisma and achievements, we can talk about Boyan only in present tense though he is not near us. | High | [
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Featured Headwear Functional layering systems are as much about the little details as they are about the bigger picture. Our headwear range offers warmth and protection for a variety of conditions, and can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining comfort in the hills. Technical fabrics compliment tailored fits, whether you need a stand alone wind stopper or an under helmet beanie, our range covers all eventualities. Other Social Cookies on the Rab® website. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device, the Rab® website uses cookies so that we and our partners can remember you and understand how our website is used. If you agree to our use of cookies please click the ‘continue’ button or refer to our Cookie Policy to find out more | Mid | [
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package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem; our @ISA = qw(Monitoring::GLPlugin::SNMP::Item); use strict; sub init { my ($self) = @_; $self->get_snmp_tables('ENTITY-MIB', [ ['entities', 'entPhysicalTable', 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity', undef, ['entPhysicalClass', 'entPhysicalDescr', 'entPhysicalName'] ], ]); $self->get_snmp_tables('ENTITY-SENSOR-MIB', [ ['sensorvalues', 'entPhySensorTable', 'Monitoring::GLPlugin::SNMP::TableItem'], ]); $self->get_snmp_tables('ENTITY-STATE-MIB', [ ['sensorstates', 'entStateTable', 'Monitoring::GLPlugin::SNMP::TableItem'], ]); $self->get_snmp_tables('ARISTA-ENTITY-SENSOR-MIB', [ ['sensorthresholds', 'aristaEntSensorThresholdTable', 'Monitoring::GLPlugin::SNMP::TableItem'], ]); $self->merge_tables("entities", "sensorvalues", "sensorstates", "sensorthresholds"); foreach (@{$self->{entities}}) { $_->rebless(); $_->finish() if $_->can('finish'); } @{$self->{entities}} = grep { ! exists $_->{valid} || $_->{valid}; } @{$self->{entities}}; } package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity; our @ISA = qw(Monitoring::GLPlugin::SNMP::TableItem); use strict; sub rebless { my ($self) = @_; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Chassis' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'chassis'; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Container' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'container'; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Fan' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'fan'; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Module' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'module'; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Port' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'port'; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Powersupply' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'powerSupply'; bless $self, 'Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Sensor' if $self->{entPhysicalClass} eq 'sensor'; } sub check_state { my ($self) = @_; $self->add_info(sprintf "%s is %s (admin %s, oper %s)", $self->{entPhysicalDescr}, $self->{entStateUsage}, $self->{entStateAdmin}, $self->{entStateOper}); if ($self->{entStateAdmin} eq "unlocked") { if ($self->{entStateOper} eq "enabled") { if ($self->{entStateUsage} eq "idle") { $self->add_ok(); } elsif ($self->{entStateUsage} eq "active") { $self->add_ok(); } elsif ($self->{entStateUsage} eq "busy") { $self->add_warning(); } else { $self->add_unknown(); } } elsif ($self->{entStateOper} eq "disabled") { $self->add_critical(); } else { $self->add_unknown(); } } else { $self->add_ok(); # admin disabled, ignore } } package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Chassis; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Container; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Fan; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; sub check { my ($self) = @_; $self->check_state(); } package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Module; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Port; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Powersupply; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; sub check { my ($self) = @_; $self->check_state(); } package Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Sensor; our @ISA = qw(Classes::Arista::Component::EnvironmentalSubsystem::Entity); use strict; sub finish { my ($self) = @_; $self->{valid} = ($self->{entPhySensorValue} == -1000000000 || $self->{entPhySensorValue} == 1000000000) ? 0 : 1; foreach (qw(entPhySensorValue aristaEntSensorThresholdLowWarning aristaEntSensorThresholdHighWarning aristaEntSensorThresholdLowCritical aristaEntSensorThresholdHighCritical)) { delete $self->{$_} if defined $self->{$_} && $_ ne 'entPhySensorValue' && ($self->{$_} == -1000000000 || $self->{$_} == 1000000000); if ($self->{entPhySensorPrecision} && $self->{$_}) { $self->{$_} /= 10 ** $self->{entPhySensorPrecision}; } } } sub check { my ($self) = @_; $self->check_state(); my ($warn, $crit) = (undef, undef); if ($self->{aristaEntSensorStatusDescr} =~ /no thresholds/i) { } else { $warn = ($self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdLowWarning} ? $self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdLowWarning} : '').':'. ($self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdHighWarning} ? $self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdHighWarning} : ''); $crit = ($self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdLowCritical} ? $self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdLowCritical} : '').':'. ($self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdHighCritical} ? $self->{aristaEntSensorThresholdHighCritical} : ''); $warn = undef if $warn eq ':'; $crit = undef if $crit eq ':'; } $self->add_thresholds(metric => $self->{entPhysicalDescr}.'_'.$self->{entPhySensorUnitsDisplay}, warning => $warn, critical => $crit); $self->add_perfdata( label => $self->{entPhysicalDescr}.'_'.$self->{entPhySensorUnitsDisplay}, value => $self->{entPhySensorValue}, warning => $warn, critical => $crit, ); } | Low | [
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Futures essentially are bets on how the market will open the next day, but Icahn figured prices would rise, not fall. So he gobbled up $1 billion in stocks that night. Sure enough, the Dow Jones industrial average surged nearly 257 points the next day. "I feel I didn't buy enough," Icahn said later. "It's almost a no-brainer. Everybody was saying if Trump wins everything is going to fall apart, which is nonsense." Now Icahn will help advise Trump on shaping economic policies they hope will benefit U.S. firms, which could further enrich the 80-year-old activist investor who has a net worth of $16.7 billion, according to Forbes. Advertisement > Trump on Wednesday named Icahn a special advisor for overhauling federal regulations that both contend are inhibiting business investment and economic growth. It's a notable new chapter in Icahn's long career, in which he first made a fortune as a "corporate raider" who rattled corporate boardrooms in the 1980s and '90s and now has the president's ear on major policy and personnel changes. But because Icahn will serve "in his individual capacity" and not as a federal employee, as Trump's team put it, Icahn probably would not have to give up any of his business holdings. That led to complaints of Icahn having conflicts of interest in advising Trump. Nell Minow, vice chair of ValueEdge Advisors, which promotes strong corporate governance, said she has "mixed feelings" about Icahn's appointment. She noted that Icahn "at least believes in the regulation of the financial industry" by not wanting to completely repeal the Dodd-Frank Act, the regulatory law covering banking and other financial-services firms that grew out of the 2008-09 financial crisis. "On the other hand, [Icahn] has holdings in a lot of companies and he's buying and selling stock all the time, and there are many government regulations that apply to those companies and transactions," Minow said. "So the potential for a conflict of interest is enormous." Icahn was unavailable to comment. But in a lengthy interview Thursday on CNBC, Icahn said he was mystified by the conflict concerns and he would be "more or less doing what I'm doing now, which is talking to Donald from time to time." "I'm not making any policy, I give my opinion," Icahn said. "It doesn't mean Donald is going to take my advice." That Trump would tap Icahn was not surprising. They've had a long friendship and, during the presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly mentioned Icahn by name as one of the business leaders he respected. Icahn also was one of Trump's earliest supporters for the presidency. Icahn reportedly also is helping Trump make decisions for his Cabinet, including nominating Steven Mnuchin and Wilbur Ross to head the Treasury and Commerce departments, respectively, and a new chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reports also said Icahn had helped Trump pick Oklahoma Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Icahn has been a frequent critic of the EPA's regulations while simultaneously controlling such energy companies as oil refiner CVR Energy Inc. "If you have billions of dollars in oil refineries, you are going to think from the angle of the oil refineries" in advising Trump, said Douglas Chia, executive director for governance at the Conference Board, a business trade group. "Now, that conflict [of interest] might not actually play out but it creates that perception," Chia said. "You would hope [Icahn] doesn't take advantage of that, but you don't know." Icahn, and others on Trump's team, including Mnuchin, are against a wholesale repeal of the Dodd-Frank financial-regulatory law but want changes that would spur more bank lending. "I'm not saying don't regulate," Icahn said Thursday. But he said too many regulations on banks and other industries are onerous and "corporations see themselves at war with the government." Ross, an investment banker known for investing in faltering industries such as steel and coal mines, once called Icahn "a brilliant guy" and "the most competitive person I know, bar none." Indeed, Icahn is known for being tenacious and ruthless once he fixes on a target company in hopes of unearthing more value from the firm — not because he needs the money but because he enjoys the process as sport. "It's an intellectual challenge to get it done right," he once said. Icahn sees it as improving a firm's poor management and efficiency to create more jobs and stockholder wealth for all of the firm's investors. Critics see it as wreaking unnecessary havoc for those caught in Icahn's pursuit of profit. Icahn was raised in a middle-class neighborhood in the New York borough of Queens. He received a degree in philosophy from Princeton University in 1957, then tried medical school at New York University but dropped out after three years. He moved to Wall Street in the early 1960s, founding Icahn Co. in 1968. At first he mainly speculated on takeover situations, or what's called risk arbitrage. But as the years went by, Icahn increasingly took an active role in pressuring companies to change in order to lift their stock prices. Then in the 1980s, a corporate merger mania was unleashed and activist investors such as Icahn became formidable foes for entrenched managements. Icahn has been involved in dozens of major companies ever since. Icahn guards his privacy, donates millions of dollars to charity with little fanfare and often prefers quiet dinners at home rather than joining the cocktail-party circuit. "I'm a workaholic, so I really don't spend the money too much," he said Thursday. The question now is how much of Icahn's advice to Trump will remain private, or whether there will be enough transparency to satisfy critics who say Icahn and the new administration are opening themselves to potential conflicts of interest. Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller told reporters Thursday that the administration would ensure "proper oversights" and "plenty of transparency" were in place around Icahn's role. Miller did not specify what those would be. Times staff writer Evan Halper in Washington contributed to this report. | Low | [
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Part two of two. The Doctor's friendship with Rose is put to the ultimate test as Earth is plunged into all-out war against the Daleks, forcing him to take desperate measures to save humanity from annihilation. Starring Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper and John Barrowman, and featuring David Tennant's first appearance as the Doctor's 10th incarnation Synopsis Source: EBRU listing on LocateTV Broadcast Source: EBRU Home Region: The weekly guide to Doctor Who broadcasts worldwide since 1998. Founded by Benjamin F. Elliott | Mid | [
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See related letter by Ersson and Chew, <http://ccforum.com/content/12/1/404> Introduction ============ Practical management aspects of intensive care medicine do not receive much attention in the critical care literature. There is little evidence-based literature to guide us through management principles. Much of what we know comes from personal experience, courses and literature published by experts in industry or the trades. As intensive care units (ICUs) are facilities where substantial parts of hospital budgets are consumed and where large quantities of human resources are allocated, good management is vital for a successful, adequate and appropriate use of money and people. So, management aspects cannot be overlooked. In this article for postgraduate physicians, we focus on two aspects of management: leadership and conflict handling from the leader\'s perspective. Furthermore, as nursing management is crucial for a well functioning ICU, the relationship between physicians and nursing staff is also considered. Where \"he\" is used in the text, the referred person can of course also be female. The ICU manager =============== The ICU is a place where a multi-professional team works together to care for critically ill patients. Critical care professionals, physicians, nurses and others entirely involved in intensive care form an integrated team who, together with experts from various other specialties, apply their knowledge to provide coordinated patient care. To coordinate so many health care providers and to ensure rapid and effective treatment of critically ill patients is a complex managerial assignment. A long list of key tasks demonstrates the diversity of the commission of an ICU manager (Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}). However, they can principally be simplified to some general leadership qualities \[[@B1]\], which will be described below. ###### Key tasks in intensive care unit management ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Directing (leadership, internal/external) Quality management: quality assessment, continuous quality improvement, error handling, Morbidity and Mortality conferences, risk management, benchmarking, epidemiology and infection control, technology assessment Knowledge management: training and education (physicians and nurses), life-long-learning, participation at professional meetings and courses Effective communication: availability of communication technology, communication training, practise of open discussion, communication with non-ICU partners Research: research financing and resource provision, scientific discussion, scientific experiments and clinical studies, report of planning and results Medical ethics: patients\' and families\' advocate, teaching and discussion with ICU staff, promotion of ethical awareness and behaviour, ethics committee, co-operation with social services \'Liason officer\': patient and families, physician and nursing staff, hospital administration, department directors and medical partners, regional and professional authorities, and so on \'Policy maker\': ICU services, intra-hospital co-operation, healthcare policy, medical professional policy Staffing Personnel resources, staff education and promotion, staff psychology and motivation, \'corporate identity\', conflict management, staff advocate Planning Change and innovation management, intra-hospital cooperation and concepts, architectural structure and ICU design, technology acquisition Organizing Process assessment and improvement, negotiation with partners, improvement of intra-hospital processes Budgeting Budget planning, resource allocation and utilisation, cost containment, cost/effectiveness assessment Controlling Control of processes, time and resource use, of ICU staff atmosphere, of co-operation with non-ICU partners Visions Improvement of structural conditions and human and physical resources, intra- and extra-hospital partners and relationships (\'network\') ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leadership ---------- According to Hersey and Blanchard \[[@B2]\], there are two types of situational leadership, task behaviour and relationship behaviour. Task behaviour means that the leader is oriented towards the necessary tasks. He organises and defines the roles of the group and explains what activities are to be undertaken. For this, well-defined procedures (standard operating procedures) must be developed. Relationship behaviour means that the leader focuses on a good relationship with his team. He maintains the personal relationship between him and the group by communicating and listening, by providing emotional support, and by offering facilitating and supporting behaviour. Apparently there is no one best form of leadership. Leaders have to match their style to their own requirements and the context of the situation, called \'situational leadership\' \[[@B3]\]. This even means that leaders may have to use different styles with different coworkers. ### Delegating leadership As the team becomes competent and \'mature\', the leader can switch over to a delegating leadership. Delegation always motivates the team, creates self-confidence and stimulates the individual team members. People who are competent at performing tasks because of their knowledge and skills are generally highly committed to achieving these tasks and are willing to take on responsibilities. To control the delegated activities, a monitoring system must be established so that the leader is constantly aware of what is happening. Delegation does not reduce or weaken the official, final responsibility of the ICU director. Sudden events can often force the leader to rapidly switch from delegation to task responsibility. Such situations (for example, emergencies) should be defined so that the team knows the rules and respects the leader\'s intention to be truly responsible. At the least, in any dramatic, emergency situation, it is obligatory that the leader is present (\'the captain is on the bridge\'). This considerably strengthens team building and respect for the leader. Personal qualities ------------------ The leader has two faces, one for outside and one for inside. In other words, there are qualities of external leadership and of internal leadership. ### External leadership Intensive care medicine is a specialty that is highly interactive and interdisciplinary. The position of the director of the ICU should ideally be based on the respect and confidence of the other specialties and their consultants. He should be well accepted by the other directors as well as the hospital administration. It certainly also helps if he has a good reputation within his national society. With regards to intra-hospital policy and power-play, it is important that the ICU director always tries to go for a \'win/win situation\'; otherwise he should say \"NO\" \[[@B4]\]. On one hand, this builds up a real cooperation from which both partners benefit, which minimises the disadvantages on both sides; on the other hand, it makes clear that there will be no submission to unacceptable conditions. An ICU director\'s professional partners will come to respect his wish for partnership, but also his clear-cut decisiveness. An ICU is situated within a complex hospital service network. This necessitates effective and sensitive cooperation with the various services. It is the responsibility of the ICU manager to instill in the ICU staff a special sensitivity for these multi-disciplinary interactions. ### Internal leadership As the head of the ICU (\'the boss\'), the ICU manager is responsible for the atmosphere in the team and its \'mental state\' \[[@B5],[@B6]\]. Human skills (\'emotional intelligence\') are the ability to work well with others, which is so important for management work \[[@B7]\]. It is remarkable how much the leader\'s character determines the \'psychology\' of the team. Steven R Covey in his wonderful book *The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People*\[[@B4]\] recommends: \"Seek first to understand, then to be understood.\" We can only understand if we are listening. If we do not listen, we are obviously not interested in understanding. We can learn much more by listening than by talking. An \'open ear and mind\' is needed to understand individual team members, but the leader must remain neutral and objective, since he is the leader of the whole staff and also responsible to the cooperating specialists and the hospital altogether. ### Social competence Intensive care is teamwork (team = \'family\'), but a \'family\' needs a head of the family. The basis for this is confidence, not power. The leader does not need to know everything, but he should have an \"emotional bank account\", as Covey calls it \[[@B4]\]. This promotes an emotional understanding between the coworkers and himself. They then will trust him and he will be well understood, even if the actual situation is going to become a bit difficult. Individuals\' motivation at work is essentially determined by their needs. The less a need is satisfied, the more important it becomes for them \[[@B3]\]. So we must seek to understand what needs they have. Individual needs can be working conditions, job security, compatible working groups, self-esteem, challenging job, and so on. It certainly helps that medical care by itself is extremely motivating, meaningful, charitable and responsible. However, what about the working conditions, the job security? So, social competence also means: not only talk about tasks, also ask about their needs. One of the most challenging issues for managers is to accept the diversity and the individual differences of their coworkers \[[@B3]\]. Individual differences and contradictions can be annoying and uncomfortable, they can even give rise to conflicts. However, individual diversity can also stimulate creativity, create better decision-making, and cause greater commitment. So, good leaders will be inclined to use such potential, to accept the individual diversity of their coworkers and try to utilise it positively in relation to the team, in disputes and discussions, in planning and organisation, in performance of tasks \[[@B8]\]. Coworkers who feel that their individual personalities are respected by the management will be better motivated. Thus, the leader must foster a climate for tolerating and accepting individual diversity within the team. This exactly characterizes a well-balanced team and it is the best protection against mobbing. A well motivated team has a corporate identity; its members say \'we\' because they are proud to belong to the group. The leader is wise to stimulate and intensify such feelings. Nevertheless, the leader must maintain balance and keep the ICU service in a mediating position; \'we are part of the entire hospital\'s patient care service\'. These are many responsibilities that have nothing to do with medicine. It is obvious that a director must offer many more qualities than \'only\' being a good physician. This must be taken into account when looking for an ICU director. Communication ============= Poor communication is the most frequent and critical problem, both within the group as well as between the leader and the group. Poor communication often leads to errors and creates conflicts. Conflicts can only be resolved by communication. Therefore, the skill of interpersonal communication is one of the most important individual qualities of a leader \[[@B1]\]. Communication can indeed be very challenging in the ICU environment, with people working under high stress and work load. This may require specialized tools to ensure clear and concise communication \[[@B9],[@B10]\]: active listening, positive voice tone, reiteration to confirm understanding (who? what? how?) and written summaries reflecting the content of a discussion (for example, daily goal sheets). Especially close communication between staff nurses and physician leaders create an environment for good collaborative communication associated with positive patient, nurse, and physician outcomes \[[@B10],[@B11]\], but also enhanced professional relationships, enhanced learning, increased nurse satisfaction, and decreased nurse job stress \[[@B12]\]. Daily rounds ------------ Daily rounds are the basis to lay down the individual patient\'s diagnostic and therapeutic needs. Especially in the ICU, the problem of communication is essential as more or less the complete team (physicians as well as nurses) is generally changed three times a day. Moreover, there are several occurrences of information exchange when consultants from the treating specialties and other specialists visit their patients. This necessitates a strict and effective structure for rounds, ensuring the transfer of all necessary information, exchange of different positions and arguments, within a limited time schedule. Every instance of time wasted will frustrate all participants. On the other hand, it is mandatory that team members on duty get the necessary information to carry out their actual patient care. At the end, it must be sure who has to do what \[[@B13]\]. It is the leader\'s final responsibility to keep that delicate balance. An explicit approach that clearly appoints reporting and responsibilities during bedside rounds has been shown to improve considerably communication and the satisfaction of the staff \[[@B14]\]. Team briefings -------------- Team briefings are a very valuable tool for communication of non-patient related problems. They provide direct information and reaction (upward communication), prevent misunderstandings, help people to accept changes and increase their commitment, and, last but not least, provide control and strengthen the leader\'s position. Rules for team briefings are listed in Table [2](#T2){ref-type="table"}. Team briefings must take place on a regular basis and should not last too long; otherwise they become boring and create resistance. A high degree of discipline is mandatory to get the best out of such briefings. Again, it is the task of the leader to ensure the necessary balance between an open but focused discussion and a successful decision. The final message should be repeated in order to avoid misunderstandings \[[@B8],[@B9]\]. Briefings can have a particular team-building quality. ###### Rules for team briefings ----------------------- ------------------------- Know the goals \...be well prepared Understand what \...listen Understand why \...ask Understand who \...ask Let the group discuss \...but focused Conclude \...but briefly \...who has to do what? ----------------------- ------------------------- How to introduce beginners -------------------------- A specific area of communication is how to introduce beginners. The quite simple rule is \'the better you introduce beginners, the earlier they will be fit for their job\'. Indeed quite simple, but so often neglected. A good introduction motivates people. Poorly motivated individuals generate most of the problems at the work place. Well organized, it starts with a period of introduction involving teaching and the providing of information, which is best controlled by individually nominated tutors. Thereafter, a period of accommodation begins, where individual communication and team briefing continue to build the connection. A regular evaluation (perceptible or not) makes clear what the individual\'s skills and experiences actually are and how he can be integrated into the daily work. This is a highly profitable procedure: the more the coworker feels he fits, the more he likes his job and the more he becomes an effective coworker \[[@B15]\]. It is the leader\'s responsibility to let the staff members stay at the ICU for a sufficient period of time; a frequent rate of staff exchange is counterproductive to any quality of care. Burnout ------- The ICU is a very stressful environment, also for the personnel; therefore, a high incidence of burnout syndrome (BOS) is obvious: about one-quarter of physicians in German ICUs were at risk for BOS \[[@B16]\]. A high degree of emotional exhaustion in internal ICU physicians derives from administration hassles, such as conflict resolution, bed-finding, and lack of support services \[[@B17]\]. One-third of French ICU nursing staff had severe BOS \[[@B18]\]. Problems significantly associated with BOS were (besides personal characteristcs) organizational factors (ability to choose days off), quality of working relations (conflicts with patients, relationship with head nurse/physicians), and end-of-life care. Interestingly, perceived burnout complaints among colleagues seemed to be an important factor in inducing BOS in other individuals of the staff \[[@B19]\]. ICU nurses\' job satisfaction was strongly influenced by nurse-physician collaboration and nursing leadership behaviours \[[@B20]\]. This underlines the importance of creating and maintaining a good social atmosphere within the ICU team \[[@B13],[@B21],[@B22]\]. Conflict management =================== Conflicts are defined as struggles between opposing forces. Although the word conflict generally has a negative connotation, this is not correct. Conflicts can be very useful for generating new ideas, stimulating creativity and bringing people closer together. An organization without conflicts is characterized by no changes and little motivation of the workers. An optimal amount of conflicts will generate creativity, a problem solving atmosphere, a strong team spirit, motivation and, as a result, changes. When conflicts become abundant, the organization will show a loss of energy, decreasing productivity, increasing stress and, finally, disintegration. Thus, we have to realize that conflicts can be useful, that they are inevitable when people work together but can also destroy an organization. An excess of conflicts is an indicator for failing leadership. Therefore, we need to understand the dynamics of conflicts and know how we can handle them in a way that they become fruitful \[[@B23],[@B24]\]. Diagnostic path in conflicts ---------------------------- Conflicts can be categorized into just four areas of emergence: task/organization, social/emotional, identity/vision and interests/goals/achievements. To understand a conflict, we have to know in which area the conflict has its roots, because the solution is linked to that area. ### Task/organization Such conflicts are caused by shortcomings in materials, methods, manpower, management and structure, thereby making it difficult for people to perform their tasks as they would like to or as they think they should do. Examples may be: malfunctioning computer system, pharmacy does not deliver in time, director is rigid or absent, not enough beds for planned production, restrictions of budget prohibiting optimal care. Possible interventions include development of procedures and guidelines, training of personnel, (re)structuring the organization, negotiating the budget and production targets. ### Social/emotional These are problems of the interactions between individuals (\'sympathy\' and \'antipathy\'). In working together you will find phrases like: \"he is impossible to work with.\" Also, prejudice towards groups is located in this area: for example, \"residents cannot be trusted with patients.\" Conflicts that find their roots in this area tend to carry a self-fulfilling prophecy: if you do not trust your residents, you will not give them responsibility. That means that you have to do everything on your own, reinforcing the feeling that residents are useless. Conflicts in this area are dangerous to your ward: they can poison the atmosphere and hamper productivity if not taken care of. Possible interventions include confrontation of people that hold these views and group training; if inevitable, discharge people. ### Identity/vision Here the question is: what is worthwhile to achieve as an ICU? Typically, a choice has to be made between two options that are mutually exclusive. Think of an open or closed format ICU; should it remain small (and beautiful) or grow its aspirations, choosing between quality or production? In these choices, which are fundamental for the existence of the unit, a compromise is impossible: it is either one or the other. The danger here is that someone \'loses\' if an opposite direction is chosen. If this happens, there is a good chance that the conflict will transfer itself into the emotional area. Possible solutions include development of strategic goals, providing information, and intervening in culture. ### Interests/goals/achievements People have their individual goals, like having an adequate income, receiving training, doing research, taking career steps, teaching, and so on. Conflicts arise in this area when the goals or interests of individuals cannot be achieved. Because people can find it difficult to explicitly state their own interests, conflicts can erupt in one of the aforementioned areas. Be aware of this phenomenon and always ask yourself whether the source of a conflict might actually be found here. A possible solution involves negotiating. ### Conflicts with families or patients Conflicts with families or patients are a challenge that a well functioning ICU team must confidently be able to deal with \[[@B25]\]. In a group of ICU patients, exceeding the 85th percentile for length of stay, in almost a third of cases conflicts erupted \[[@B26]\]: of 248 conflicts identified in 209 patients from a cohort of 656 patients, the majority (142) were classified as family-team conflicts, usually about end of life decisions (44%) or resulting from poor communication (44%). Taking end of life decisions as an example, and trying to place them in one of the four abovementioned conflict areas, it would seem that they would fit the identity/vision area. The choice between stopping treatment or continuation of treatment does not allow a compromise: it is either one or the other. Also here, listening is the key to finding a solution. Taking time to understand the position of the family can reveal that the source of the conflict may lie in feelings of guilt, being unable to decide upon such an important matter (area: interests/goals/achievements), no trust in the medical system or the attending doctor (area: social/emotional), or having the impression that scarcity of resources or improper procedures (area: task/organisation) strongly influence the choices that the doctors want to make. If any of this is the case, the proper intervention that can bring a solution has to be found in the specific conflict area. In ICU teams that suffer from unresolved conflicts, a family-team conflict can easily transform itself into an intra-team conflict. As professionals feel safe in medical matters, they are tempted to use a family-team conflict to bring in a conflict from another conflict area. Usually it concerns a conflict from the interests/goals/achievements area. The leader should be aware of this mechanism, recognise it, and approach it from an adequate angle to deal with it. ### Conflict phases Conflicts have their own dynamics. Typically, the problem starts as a \'latent conflict\': opposing forces or ideas exist, but parties are still unaware of them. The next phase is characterized by becoming aware (\'conflict emergence\'): it becomes clear to both parties that opposing forces are present. Later, standpoints are firmly taken, and expressed (\'conflict escalation\'). At this stage, others also become aware that a conflict exists and are usually invited by the conflicting parties to take part in the conflict. If not solved in this phase, the conflict enters the \'hurting or stalemate phase\': both parties do not move, make their standpoint as firm as possible and carry the burden of being involved in a conflict. Typically in this phase, parties damage each other and refuse to talk to each other. The fifth phase is called \'de-escalation\': parties have reached the insight that the hurting phase costs them too much and they become open to a possible settlement of the conflict. The tool for de-escalation is negotiation. Through that a \'dispute settlement\' can be reached. Parties will agree upon a final solution to settle the argument. Last but not least (and often forgotten) is the \'post-conflict peace building phase\': both parties invest in normalization of their relationship. If peace building is not successfully accepted by both parties, the consequence will be a new conflict: remnants of an earlier conflict will be part of the new conflict with a quick escalation and a more profound hurting state. ### Conflict styles In dealing with a conflict, two variables are at stake: result and relationship. In an ideal situation, an excellent result can be achieved whilst at the same time the relationship with the other party improves. This is called integration, or a \'win-win\' situation. An avoidant attitude towards conflicts will not lead to any result and also the relationship will not benefit. In this case, we speak of avoiding or \'lose-lose\'. Somewhere midway between these extremes we find a compromise: you settle for some result, and you improve somewhat the relationship. The other conflict style has either a result or the relationship as the ultimate goal: the result-driven ones go for the result and do not care if they lose the relationship. This style is adequate when you urgently need to admit a patient to your ward: you do not lengthily discuss the indication for admittance, thereby ignoring the feelings of your nurses. This style is known as the forcing style, or \'win-lose\'. At the other extreme is the wish to keep the relationship at whatever cost. Here the style is giving in, or \'lose-win\'; in this instance, a compromise may also be found midway between the two positions. The different styles are shown graphically in Figure [1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}. {#F1} From the above, it is clear that different conflicts require different conflict styles. Therefore, when dealing with a conflict one should decide on the value of the result and the value of the relationship. Only then an appropriate conflict style can be chosen. However, most people use the same conflict style for all conflicts. Adequate leadership requires the appropriate use of different conflict styles to obtain optimal results. Negotiations ------------ Conflicts are solved by negotiations. The negotiation phase has three main characteristics: the parties are dependent on each other (otherwise they do no have to negotiate); the parties have common as well as contradictory interests (the first is often forgotten, but is usually the key to a successful solution); and the parties aim at agreement. Negotiating is primarily listening: try to understand what the real motives and goals of the other party are through asking questions. In this phase it is important to stress the common interests and then elucidate the area of conflict. Secondly, negotiating is making concessions. As it becomes clear what parties want, one should decide what the minimum is that is acceptable in a negotiated agreement. This minimum is referred to as \'BATNA\', for \'best alternative to a negotiated agreement\'. If the price for an agreement is too high, then an alternative to this agreement must be found. Before starting to make concessions the BATNA should be defined, otherwise the result might become too costly \[[@B24]\]. During the process of negotiation, the personal relationship should be taken care of. Negotiating is not fighting. Negotiators are not each other\'s enemies. Both parties aim at a good result and, if this cannot be reached, parties can get back to their alternatives for a negotiated agreement. ### Concessions At a certain point parties will have to make concessions to get through the negotiating process. For making concessions there are a few basic rules: #### Make concessions late, make them smaller as time goes by Concessions are precious in the process of negotiation, so do not throw them away. A common mistake is to give a concession early. In that case, the other party will accept it and thereafter start the real negotiation. Taking more time, and making concessions smaller as time goes by, is a clear signal to the other party that the point where nothing is to be given anymore has been reached. #### Make concessions that do not cost you What is valuable for one party might not be so important for the other party. In preparing for a negotiation try to understand what the other party wants. Identifying beforehand items that can easily be given away and offering them as concessions will keep the negotiation process going and force the other party to give something as well. Although these concessions do not cost much, in the course of negotiation they must be presented as precious concessions. #### Always pair concessions It is easy to give something away and the other party will be happy to take it. In order not to lose something without getting anything back, concessions should be paired. The usual form is: If I\..., would you\...? #### Be explicit in saying what you want With regard to this, a good preparation is again mandatory. If you are not explicit in saying what you want, the other party is given space for small concessions. In negotiating your budget, the question \'couldn\'t you do something more\' will probably not result in a substantial rise. It is better to state the exact amount that you think is reasonable. Conclusion ========== Management has become a profession itself. In the medical world, doctors are not trained to be managers. Still, many of us have managerial tasks. Literature on the management of the complex organisation that is the ICU is scarce. Management includes knowledge of leadership and of understanding and handling conflicts. In this article we have tried to provide some theoretical aspects, mostly derived from literature in non-medical fields, that we have recognised as useful for the medical profession. We hope that the information provided will bring better understanding and a possible starting point for improving skills, and further the development of organisation and communication. Abbreviations ============= BOS = burnout syndrome; ICU = intensive care unit. Competing interests =================== The authors declare that they have no competing interests. | Mid | [
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/* * Copyright (c) 2002-2020 "Neo4j," * Neo4j Sweden AB [http://neo4j.com] * * This file is part of Neo4j. * * Neo4j is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or * (at your option) any later version. * * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the * GNU General Public License for more details. * * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License * along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>. */ package org.neo4j.kernel.impl.transaction.log.pruning; import java.util.stream.LongStream; /** * The LogPruneStrategy examines the current population of transaction logs, and decides which ones can be deleted, * up to some version. * <p> * Implementations of this class must be thread-safe, since they might experience multiple concurrent calls to * {@link #findLogVersionsToDelete(long)} from different threads. * <p> * Also note that any product implementations of this interface, should have descriptive {@link #toString()} outputs, * since they will be printed to the debug log. */ @FunctionalInterface public interface LogPruneStrategy { /** * Produce a stream of log versions which can be deleted, up to and <em>excluding</em> the given * {@code upToLogVersion}. * <p> * <strong>Note:</strong> It is important to delete the log files in the order specified by the stream, * which must be from the oldest version towards the newest. This way, no gaps are left behind if there is a crash * in the middle of log pruning. * * @param upToLogVersion Never suggest deleting log files at or greater than this version. * @return The, possibly empty, stream of log versions whose files can be deleted, according to this log pruning * strategy. */ LongStream findLogVersionsToDelete( long upToLogVersion ); } | Mid | [
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Find What You’re Looking For pity the man of the house at twice my age plus sixteen he dabbles in stock investments in the expanse of his early retirement but mostly i see him news scrolling. when middle-aged and struggling he said life’s a rigged gamehe gave up then, settled on the couch with his excuse to raise me my mother the sole breadwinner the newly appointed matriarch rightfully so, she dealt with patients came home cooked and cleaned and criticized him with her newfound voice that he loathed – he raised me to be financially independent but decreed i not move out until i marry. an antiquated being he kept me close i burned him too even his spit could not subdue my fire. insular he rigged his own fate alone and waiting the man of the house. | Mid | [
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Only two weeks left to Double your gift Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump will speak at the Williston Basin Petroleum conference in Bismarck, N.D., on Thursday, where he’ll emit puffs of carbon dioxide allegedly on the topic of energy policy. In preparation for the speech, Trump has been chatting with energy adviser Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and he’s presumably studying up on OPEC and energy regulations, too. We’ve collected some of the real estate developer’s past comments on climate and energy to give you some idea of what to expect to hear on Thursday: On the basic science of climate change: “I am not a great believer in man-made climate change,” Trump told the Washington Post editorial board in March. “If you look, they had global cooling in the 1920s and now they have global warming, although now they don’t know if they have global warming.” Help Grist raise $20,000 by 9/30. Just click the image above ☝️ [tweet http://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/265895292191248385%5D [tweet http://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/418542137899491328%5D A panel of scientists ranked all of the then-presidential candidates’ public remarks on climate for the Associated Press last November. Trump got 15 points — out of 100. On climate vs. weather: When it was “really cold outside” last October, Trump tweeted that we “could use a big fat dose of global warming!” On the kind of climate change he is worried about: “I think our biggest form of climate change we should worry about is nuclear weapons.” Interpretation: unclear. On negotiating with OPEC: “We need one thing: brainpower,” Trump said in an interview with CNN in 2011. Oil prices “will go down if you say it properly,” he added. He also wouldn’t have minded strolling into Libya that year: “I would take the oil,” he said. On coal: “I want clean coal, and we’re going to have clean coal and we’re going to have plenty of it,” Trump said earlier this month. “We’re going to have great, clean coal. We’re going to have an amazing mining business.” “The miners of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, which was so great to me last week, Ohio and all over are going to start to work again, believe me,” he said. (Trump endorser and coal executive Bob Murray disagrees). [tweet https://twitter.com/passantino/status/728372108477108224%5D On gas prices: “I will cap gas prices at $1 per gallon,” Trump told reporters in South Carolina in February. “Plus, I will take all of ISIS’s oil. I bet gas prices will be 50 cents in much of the country under my presidency.” On liquefied natural gas: “What’s LNG?” On the Environmental Protection Agency: “We’re going to get rid of so many different things,” Trump said in a February debate. “Environmental protection — we waste all of this money. We’re going to bring that back to the states.” But only if he can figure out what the EPA is. Trump said he would eliminate some agency called “Department of Environmental. I mean, the DEP is killing us environmentally, it’s just killing our businesses.” On clean energy: [tweet http://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/194493341302394880%5D [tweet http://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/238699533620637696%5D On clean energy when campaigning in clean energy-heavy states: Trump told an Iowa voter that he’s OK with wind subsidies. “It’s an amazing thing when you think — you know, where they can, out of nowhere, out of the wind, they make energy.” On the Paris climate accord signed by 175 countries: “One of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard in politics — in the history of politics as I know it.” On his hair: “You have showers where I can’t wash my hair properly, it’s a disaster!” Thanks to the EPA, Trump told a crowd in December, showerheads “have restrictors put in. The problem is you stay under the shower for five times as long.” On his hair and the ozone layer: “Wait a minute — so if I take hairspray and if I spray it in my apartment, which is all sealed, you’re telling me that affects the ozone layer?’” Trump asked a Charleston audience in May. “I say, no way, folks. No way!” This post was originally published May 3, 2016. It has been edited and updated. | Low | [
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Gagra church The Gagra Church, also known as Abaata, is an Early Medieval Christian church at Gagra in Abkhazia, Georgia. One of the oldest churches in Abkhazia, it is a simple three-nave basilica built in the 6th century and reconstructed in 1902. The Gagra church stands in the territory of the contemporaneous fortress known as Abaata, now completely in ruins. It is built of blocks of rough ashlar stone. The main entrance is from the westerly located narthex. All three naves are connected with each other via doors. The main nave is lit through three windows in the southern wall and with one window, each on the western wall and in the altar. The church have many common architectural features with similar basilicas in eastern Georgia. The church was completely reconstructed in 1902 at the behest of Princess Eugenia Maximilianovna of Leuchtenberg, wife of Duke Alexander Petrovich of Oldenburg, a member of the Russian imperial family, who turned Gagra into a spa. On 9 January 1903 it was consecrated as the Church of Saint Hypatius. At the same time, the old fortress of Abaata was demolished to pave way to the construction of a hotel. In the Soviet era, the church building was used as a museum of old weaponry. The church underwent some renovation in 2007 and it was restored to Christian use in 2012. The Gagra church is inscribed on Georgia's list of Monuments of National Significance. Notes References Category:Churches in Georgia (country) Category:Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia Category:Churches in Abkhazia | High | [
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require 'spec_helper' require 'gitsh/tab_completion/dsl/fallback_transition_factory' describe Gitsh::TabCompletion::DSL::FallbackTransitionFactory do describe '#build' do it 'adds a fallback transition to the start state and returns the end state' do start_state = double(:start_state, add_fallback_transition: nil) matcher = double(:matcher) factory = described_class.new(matcher) end_state = factory.build(start_state) expect(end_state).to be_a(Gitsh::TabCompletion::Automaton::State) expect(start_state). to have_received(:add_fallback_transition).with(matcher, end_state) end context 'given an end state' do it 'adds a fallback transition between the start and end states' do start_state = double(:start_state, add_fallback_transition: nil) end_state = double(:end_state) matcher = double(:matcher) factory = described_class.new(matcher) result = factory.build(start_state, end_state: end_state) expect(result).to eq(end_state) expect(start_state). to have_received(:add_fallback_transition).with(matcher, end_state) end end end end | Mid | [
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(CNN) -- U.S. and NATO airstrikes in Afghanistan nearly tripled between 2006 and 2007, fueling a public backlash, according to a report from a humanitarian watchdog. An Afghan man prepares a grave after a U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan's Herat province last month. The report, issued by Human Rights Watch Monday, also cites the Taliban's use of human shields and its deployment of fighters "in populated villages, at times with the specific intent to shield their forces from counterattack." The report comes as the U.S. military probes an August 22 airstrike that Afghan government officials say killed 90 civilians. The U.S. military says the strike killed five to seven civilians. Airstrikes killed 116 civilians in 2006 and 321 in 2007. This year, 119 have been killed so far: the figures do not include the August 22 incident, where the number of those killed is under dispute, the report said. The report added that "twice as many tons of bombs were dropped in 2007 than in 2006" and that in June and July of 2008, the U.S. "dropped approximately as much as it did in all of 2006." "While airstrikes typically drop in number during the winter due to decreased fighting, this was not the case during the winter of 2007-2008. December 2007 saw twice the number of airstrikes as July 2007. "There has been a massive and unprecedented surge in the use of airpower in Afghanistan in 2008. In response to increased insurgent activity, twice as many tons of bombs were dropped in 2007 than in 2006," the report said. Don't Miss The group said almost all airstrike civilian deaths have occurred during "rapid-response strikes, often carried out in support of ground troops after they came under insurgent attacks." "Rapid response airstrikes have meant higher civilian casualties, while every bomb dropped in populated areas amplifies the chance of a mistake," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Mistakes by the U.S. and NATO have dramatically decreased public support for the Afghan government and the presence of international forces providing security to Afghans." Human Rights Watch also cites what it calls "the poor response" by U.S. officials when such deaths occur. It says U.S. officials "often immediately deny responsibility for civilian deaths or place all blame on the Taliban." "U.S. investigations conducted have been unilateral, ponderous, and lacking in transparency, undercutting rather than improving relations with local populations and the Afghan government." The report also said a condolence payment system has not offered "timely and adequate compensation to assist civilians harmed by U.S. actions." The report said the United States and NATO announced changes in tactics that led to a drop in the casualties at the end of 2007. One of those was "delaying attacks where civilians might be harmed." "However, alarmingly, civilian deaths are once again climbing," the report said. The report said the problem will continue "without improvements in planning, intelligence, targeting, and identifying civilian populations." "The U.S. needs to end the mistakes that are killing so many civilians," said Adams. "The U.S. must also take responsibility, including by providing timely compensation, when its airstrikes kill Afghan civilians. "While Taliban shielding is a factor in some civilian deaths, the U.S. shouldn't use this as an excuse when it could have taken better precautions. It is, after all, its bombs that are doing the killing." Brig. Gen. Richard Blanchette, spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Forces, said he thinks the report was "quite balanced" from an ISAF perspective since it accurately describes what the NATO and Operation Enduring Freedom commands have been doing. Blanchette underscored one of the points the report made -- that Taliban militants are using the tactic of melting into the population when they are being chased, a move that exacerbates the civilian casualty problem. The spokesman said ISAF regrets any civilian casualty and is always attempting to improve its tactics and procedures, such as providing effective communication between troops as air power is called in. | Low | [
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Use as a blocking reagent to evaluate the specificity of antibody reactivity in immunohistochemistry and Western blot protocols. For immunohistochemistry, add twice the volume of peptide as volume of antibody used in 100 µl total volume. Incubate for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to adding the entire volume to the slide. Recommended antibody dilutions can be found on the relevant product data sheet. For Western immunoblotting, add 10 µl of antibody and 10 µl of blocking peptide to 10 ml of antibody dilution buffer, and incubate at room temperature for 30 minutes before allowing to react with the blot. Storage: Caspase-3 (CPP-32, Apoptain, Yama, SCA-1) is a critical executioner of apoptosis, as it is either partially or totally responsible for the proteolytic cleavage of many key proteins, such as the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (1). Activation of caspase-3 requires proteolytic processing of its inactive zymogen into activated p17 and p12 fragments. Cleavage of caspase-3 requires the aspartic acid residue at the P1 position (2). | Mid | [
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Q: Handling model state and validation in a complex view using multiple partials in ASP.NET MVC I'm having a little trouble in getting my head around how to break up my views and actions into manageable chunks in ASP.NET MVC, and I've tried searching but I'm still none the wiser. In order to try and just get my head around this particular aspect I've created a little test project where I try to understand the situation using the example of a login form and register form on the same page. My view model for this looks as below: public class LoginOrRegisterModel { public LoginModel Login { get; set; } public RegisterModel Register { get; set; } public LoginOrRegisterModel() { this.Login = new LoginModel(); this.Register = new RegisterModel(); } } public class LoginModel { [Required] public string UserName { get; set; } [Required] public string Password { get; set; } } public class RegisterModel { [Required] public string UserName { get; set; } [Required] public string Password { get; set; } } I then started with thinking about the main action. public ActionResult Index() { return View(new LoginOrRegisterModel()); } ...and view... @model MvcSandbox.Models.LoginOrRegisterModel @{ ViewBag.Title = "Index"; } <h2>Login Or Register</h2> @Html.Partial("Login", model: Model.Login) @Html.Partial("Register", model: Model.Register) ...with partial views... @model MvcSandbox.Models.LoginModel @{ ViewBag.Title = "Login"; } <h2>Login</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm()) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Login</button> } @model MvcSandbox.Models.RegisterModel @{ ViewBag.Title = "Register"; } <h2>Register</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm()) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Register</button> } I found that I had to make sure the properties of the LoginOrRegisterModel weren't null otherwise I got the error: The model item passed into the dictionary is of type 'MvcSandbox.Models.LoginOrRegisterModel', but this dictionary requires a model item of type 'MvcSandbox.Models.LoginModel'. That's fine so far, although not very useful at the moment as both forms have the same field names and ids and both post back to an index page that does nothing. HTML source: <h2>Login Or Register</h2> <h2>Login</h2> <form action="/Membership" method="post"><div class="editor-label"><label for="UserName">UserName</label></div> <div class="editor-field"><input class="text-box single-line" data-val="true" data-val-required="The UserName field is required." id="UserName" name="UserName" type="text" value="" /> <span class="field-validation-valid" data-valmsg-for="UserName" data-valmsg-replace="true"></span></div> <div class="editor-label"><label for="Password">Password</label></div> <div class="editor-field"><input class="text-box single-line" data-val="true" data-val-required="The Password field is required." id="Password" name="Password" type="text" value="" /> <span class="field-validation-valid" data-valmsg-for="Password" data-valmsg-replace="true"></span></div> <button>Login</button> </form> <h2>Register</h2> <form action="/Membership" method="post"><div class="editor-label"><label for="UserName">UserName</label></div> <div class="editor-field"><input class="text-box single-line" data-val="true" data-val-required="The UserName field is required." id="UserName" name="UserName" type="text" value="" /> <span class="field-validation-valid" data-valmsg-for="UserName" data-valmsg-replace="true"></span></div> <div class="editor-label"><label for="Password">Password</label></div> <div class="editor-field"><input class="text-box single-line" data-val="true" data-val-required="The Password field is required." id="Password" name="Password" type="text" value="" /> <span class="field-validation-valid" data-valmsg-for="Password" data-valmsg-replace="true"></span></div> <button>Register</button> </form> Anyway what I then looked to do, as I kind of wanted to keep the logic separate for each post, was make each form post to a different action. And this is where I think I'm going horribly wrong. Essentially if validation fails I figured I needed to do something to try and actually build back up the model state when loading the page but I kind of got to what I have below and I'm kind of lost as to what approach I should be taking instead. public class MembershipController : Controller { // // GET: /Membership/ public ActionResult Index() { if (TempData["ModelState"] != null) ModelState.Merge((ModelStateDictionary)TempData["ModelState"]); return View(new LoginOrRegisterModel()); } [HttpPost] public ActionResult Login(LoginModel model) { if (ModelState.IsValid) { // do something } TempData["ModelState"] = ModelState; return RedirectToAction("Index"); } [HttpPost] public ActionResult Register(RegisterModel model) { if (ModelState.IsValid) { // do something } TempData["ModelState"] = ModelState; return RedirectToAction("Index"); } } ...with the views... @model MvcSandbox.Models.LoginModel @{ ViewBag.Title = "Login"; } <h2>Login</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm("Login", "Membership")) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Login</button> } @model MvcSandbox.Models.RegisterModel @{ ViewBag.Title = "Register"; } <h2>Register</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm("Register", "Membership")) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Register</button> } The problem is because each model has fields of the same name validation is shown on both forms regardless of which is submitted, and when I've tried using an HtmlFieldPrefix I seem to get no validation at all. Any advice on how I can break up my actions and views into manageable and maintainable chunks without giving myself this headache over model state and validation would be greatly appreciated. UPDATE: I've changed approach slightly to use partial actions which seems to improve things, code below: public ActionResult Index() { return View(); } public ActionResult Login() { if (TempData["LoginModelState"] != null) ModelState.Merge((ModelStateDictionary)TempData["LoginModelState"]); return View(new LoginModel()); } [HttpPost] public ActionResult Login(LoginModel model) { if (ModelState.IsValid) { // do something } TempData["LoginModelState"] = ModelState; return RedirectToAction("Index"); } public ActionResult Register() { if (TempData["RegisterModelState"] != null) ModelState.Merge((ModelStateDictionary)TempData["RegisterModelState"]); return View(new RegisterModel()); } [HttpPost] public ActionResult Register(RegisterModel model) { if (ModelState.IsValid) { // do something } TempData["RegisterModelState"] = ModelState; return RedirectToAction("Index"); } My index view is now: @{ ViewBag.Title = "Index"; } <h2>Login Or Register</h2> @Html.Action("Login") @Html.Action("Register") And login and register: @model MvcSandbox.Models.LoginModel <h2>Login</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm("Login", "Membership")) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Login</button> } @model MvcSandbox.Models.RegisterModel <h2>Register</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm("Register", "Membership")) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Register</button> } Now to me this has the advantage over the previous approach that it actually seems to work a little more and gets rid of need for the quite frankly horribly messy idea of the LoginOrRegisterModel which may be fine for such a simple example but would get messy very quickly as things got more complex and UIs got refactored with potentially lots of refactoring of models and potentially code as well as just views. I really get the impression some replacing of the default model binder to have some sort of model binding based on a descriminator and having the controller action working as some sort of command processor such that it would fire off the correct handler based which partial was posted would be better, and resolve the refresh issue that comes from redirection as mentioned by Mystere Man below. A: Don't use a redirect, as you lose model state. I know you are trying to fix that by passing model state in TempData, but the problem is that TempData is only valid for one access afterwards. If the users presses F5 or hits the refresh button, the model state is gone and things are even more messed up. In general, only use TempData for things like showing an alert or message once to a user. Using partial views like this is always a pain, particularly when trying to post a child model to a different form, as you have found out. The way I would do it is to use EditorTemplates instead of Partials, and then post your composite view model to both methods. public ActionResult Login(LoginOrRegisterModel model) { if (ModelState.IsValid) { // access only the Login properties, do same for Register } return View("LoginOrRegister", model) } In your view ... @Html.EditorFor(m => m.LoginModel) @Html.EditorFor(m => m.RegisterModel) in ~/Views/Membership/EditorTemplates/LoginModel.cshtml (and RegisterModel.cshtml) @model MvcSandbox.Models.LoginModel // Not sure why you were setting the title in a partial view, // particularly when you had two of them on a single page <h2>Login</h2> @using (Html.BeginForm("Login", "Membership")) { @Html.ValidationSummary(true) @Html.EditorFor(model => model) <button>Login</button> } The advantage of this is that it will correctly bind the parent model to the correct child model, and you can access whatever you want from that point forward. | Mid | [
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Q: JSDom not loading relative scripts So I'm trying to set up a mocha test with jsdom and after many attempts at debugging I narrowed down the problem to jsdom executing absolute URL scripts (e.g. http://code.jquery.com/jquery-2.1.3.min.js) but not relative URL scripts (e.g. js/script.js). My test.js is below: var assert = require("assert"); var fs = require('fs'); var jsdom = require("jsdom"); describe('Foo Test', function(){ it('Foo Check', function(done){ this.timeout(5000); jsdom.env({ html: fs.readFileSync('index.htm') ,features: { FetchExternalResources: ["script"] ,ProcessExternalResources: ["script"] } ,done: function(errors, window){ if(errors != null) console.log('Errors', errors); var $ = window.$; // $ is defined var foo = window.foo; //foo is undefined assert(foo); done(); } }); }); }); And the error: Uncaught AssertionError: undefined == true The htm: <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <title>Foo</title> <script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.11.2.min.js"></script> <script src="js/script.js"></script> </head> <body> </body> </html> script.js: var foo = true; A: In your call to jsdom.env, remove html and use file. I've tested this modification of your code with jsdom 3.1.2, and it works: jsdom.env({ file: path.join(__dirname, "index.htm") ,features: { [... etc ...] (You also need to add var path = require("path") with your other require calls.) The problem with using html is that then jsdom has no idea what the base URL of the HTML is. If you use file, it will load the code from the path you give and use the path as the base URL. | Mid | [
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Egypt Bans Hamas On March 4 an Egyptian court banned the activities of Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas. The ruling cut all official ties between Egypt and Hamas and closed the organization’s offices and infrastructure within Egypt. Hamas operatives currently in Egypt have “now lost any legal cover,” and “should be arrested,” according to the filing lawyer Samir Sabry, reported the Times of Israel. The Cairo court’s potent ruling came two months after Egypt’s military-backed interim government branded the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. The Brotherhood is Hamas’s parent organization. Incarcerated Brotherhood members face charges that could lead to the death penalty. Now that Hamas is outlawed in Egyptian territory, its members face the same threat. Since the Egyptian military forced Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi from power last July, Egypt has worked hard to stifle Hamas’s influence in the country by undermining all trade from Egypt into Gaza. Not only did it close its main legal, above-ground crossing with Gaza, but it has also destroyed most of the 1,200 underground smuggling tunnels into the strip. This effectively cuts Gaza off from any trade except the little it can do with Israel. This ruling will likely push Hamas further into the arms of Turkey and its moderate Arab friends in Qatar. Psalm 83 discusses a mysterious alliance whereby the Gazan region—former territory of the ancient Philistines and now occupied by Hamas—allies itself not with Iran and Egypt, but rather with Turkey and the Arabs located in the Gulf states. It is no surprise that at the same time Hamas’s relationship with Egypt is severed, relations between Qatar and Turkey are warming. In fact, the only reason the Gaza Strip has not collapsed already is because of new sources of help Hamas has received from Turkey and Qatar. Expect Hamas to continue to grow closer to the Turks and its Arab friends—at the expense of its traditional allies, Egypt and Iran. Sanctions Against Iran Collapsing The P5+1 nations (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China) continue their negotiations with Iran over its disputed nuclear program. But the corrosive effects of their first deal are only now becoming visible as they eat away at international sanctions. The White House has tried hard to pretend as though the sanctions in place are still effective. “I am confident that the sanctions pressure on Iran will continue to mount,” wrote David Cohen, under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. “Iran will be even deeper in the hole six months from now, when the deal expires, than it is today.” An White House press secretary official downplayed the sanctions relief provided by the Geneva agreement as being “insignificant economically”—worth a maximum of around $6 to $7 billion. “Iran’s oil exports will remain steady at their current level of around 1 million barrels per day,” he insisted. In truth, Iran’s crude oil exports have already swollen to 1.32 million barrels per day. Since the sanctions eased, oil-hungry nations such as China, India and Japan have been drinking up the black gold, bringing the value of sanctions relief up to well over $20 billion. With the structure of international sanctions collapsing, Iran’s immediate future seems secure, with a resurgent economy, a thriving oil market, an intact nuclear program, and an uninterrupted quest to build a bomb. Britain: Yoo hoo! We Love You, Germany! Britain welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her whirlwind trip to London on February 27. As the nation rolled out what the press dubbed the “reddest of red carpets,” Merkel became the second-ever German chancellor to address both houses of Parliament; she spoke in the Royal Gallery in the Palace of Westminster, which is literally covered in gold and has to be one of the most impressive venues in the world; she met with Prime Minister David Cameron; she had tea with the Queen in Buckingham Palace. All this for a visit that lasted only six hours. Cameron desperately wants the German leader’s help. He hopes to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the European Union, and the best person to help with that is the de facto leader of the EU: Angela Merkel. In her speech to Parliament, Merkel gave Cameron a little hope. “We need a strong United Kingdom with a strong voice inside the European Union,” she said. “If we have that, we will be able to make the necessary changes for the benefit of all.” The British press is still debating whether Merkel’s support for limited reform is a victory or defeat for Cameron. But the real story here is the way Britain has gone after Germany’s help. The Bible warns in several passages that the modern nations of Israel (primarily Britain, the United States and Israel) will look to foreign allies to solve their problems instead of looking to God. It compares those nations to a woman seeking lovers—in particular the Assyrians, or Germans (e.g. Hosea 2; Ezekiel 23; Lamentations 1). That metaphor is reflected in Britain’s emotional and showy pursuit of Merkel’s affection. Cameron almost acted like someone trying to impress a girlfriend, laying out the flashiest program possible for the German chancellor. The Bible prophesies that Britain will continue to look to foreign allies to solve its problems, until it finally learns to put its trust in God and not man. Merkel Adores Israel—Do Germans Agree? German Chancellor Angela Merkel led the largest-ever delegation of German cabinet members to Israel on February 25 to conduct bilateral meetings with their Israeli counterparts for two days. The Merkel government signed a number of new agreements with Israel, one of which will allow Germany to provide consular services to Israeli citizens in countries where Israel has no diplomatic presence, mainly in hostile Arab nations. Merkel called the agreement a “sign of trust” between the two nations. “Israel has closer defense relations with Germany than virtually any other country in Europe,” World Tribune reported German officials as saying. To cap off the visit, Merkel received the presidential Medal of Distinction, Israel’s highest civilian award, from Israeli President Shimon Peres. This is the first time a European politician has ever received the award. Merkel’s motivation appears to be an honest desire to make up for what Germany did to the Jews in the past. However, her constituents back home hardly share her moral duty toward Israel. A recent bbc poll showed that only 14 percent of Germans have a positive view of Israel. This dichotomy between the German chancellor and her people falls in line with a prophecy in Hosea 5. This end-time prophecy indicates that the relationship between Germany and Israel will warm to the point that Israel will go to Germany for help in dealing with the problem of Palestinian terrorism. However, the Bible also indicates that this will lead to a gigantic German double cross. Perhaps this will come at a time when a new German leader will be in power—one who thinks not like Merkel, but like the German public. China Ready to Swallow Taiwan China and Taiwan held a landmark meeting on February 11 to establish representative offices (equivalent to embassies or consulates) for closer cooperation between the two nations, which have long been at odds. The agreement, the first of its kind in Taiwan’s history, marks the latest of many significant measures that show the two nations are about to reconcile. In 1949, Chinese Communists rose up against the ruling party and pushed Kuomintang off the mainland onto the island of Taiwan. The civil war divided China into two nations, China and Taiwan, but Communist mainland China has consistently claimed the right to rule Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwan, which is officially called the Republic of China, technically claims sovereignty over the mainland. Yet in 2008, the Taiwanese voted in China-friendly Ma Ying-Jeou as president, and since then he has made conciliatory overtures toward Beijing. “The two sides of the Taiwan Strait should not quarrel,” Ma said in 2011. “We should instead focus on encouraging and helping each other grow ….” On March 17, despite strong opposition from opposition groups, Ma’s Kuomintang party passed a historic pact that will sharply enhance trade between China and Taiwan. The warming relationship between China and Taiwan is bad news for the United States and other nations concerned about China’s ascendancy. For decades, Taiwan remained an outpost of democracy and maintained warm relations with the West. It also served as the best location from which to monitor China, thanks to its proximity and its advanced information technology. Shared language, ethnicity and culture also allows Taiwanese spies to blend into Chinese society during their reconnaissance missions. But now, Taiwan appears to be questioning its role as the eyes and ears for other nations. Reports say Ma has halted the activities of some Taiwanese spy agents operating in China and plans to stop sharing intelligence with the U.S. and its allies. The Trumpet has long predicted the China-Taiwan reconciliation, which is now gaining great momentum. In 1998, editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote, “How could anyone fail to see that Taiwan is destined to become a part of mainland China?” Establishing representative offices may be a key step toward fulfilling that bold geopolitical prediction. When Taipei refuses China’s increasingly bold advances, Beijing often responds with war games and other threats of force. But under Ma’s Beijing-friendly rule, and despite some Taiwanese protests, such refusals are becoming less and less common. When China completes this reconciliation process, its ability to dominate the Pacific will grow—as will its capacity to persuade other Asian states to rally behind Beijing. Why Is China Concerned About Japan? China expressed “serious concern” over Japan’s possession of weapons-grade nuclear material in a February 18 report in the China Daily. Beijing is pushing for Tokyo to return the plutonium to the United States as quickly as possible. “We believe that Japan … should strictly observe its international obligations of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. China possesses nuclear weapons; Japan currently does not. Since 2010, the Obama administration has also been urging Tokyo to return the plutonium, which the U.S. gave to Japan during the Cold War for research purposes. But Japan has strongly resisted. It has been promising to return the material, even as recently as February, but has so far failed to follow through. The 331 kilograms of plutonium currently stored at Japan’s Atomic Energy Agency is enough to produce 40 to 50 nuclear weapons. In light of the nationalistic shifts underway in Japan, and the growing number of Japanese who view their nation’s World War ii history without remorse, this news takes on great significance. As the U.S. snubs history, turns inward and ignores geopolitical shifts, the barriers established to prevent another world war are being systematically dismantled. Third Asian Giant Wants a Bigger Role India reiterated on February 24 that it wishes to play a broader and deeper role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and that it hopes to become a full member soon. The sco is a Eurasian political, economic and military bloc dominated by Russia and China. It also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The admission of India would greatly extend the sco’s geographic reach and boost the population it represents to just under 3 billion. The expansion could transform the sco’s mission and bolster its geopolitical significance. China and Russia are the regional behemoths driving the cooperation of the East, and the sco appears to be one vehicle they are using to attain that cooperation. Drug Lord Jailed—What Happens Next? Mexican authorities arrested Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the Mexican drug baron who headed the Sinaloa Federation, on February 22. Guzmán was the most elusive criminal in Mexico, the most wanted felon of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Forbes magazine’s 67th most powerful person in the world and 701st-ranked billionaire tycoon, and Chicago’s Public Enemy No. 1. Guzmán was arrested in 1993 for drug trafficking crimes, but he shamed Mexico by running his narcotics business from a maximum-security prison until his eventual escape in 2001. “El Chapo” consolidated the Sinaloa Federation cartel’s narcotics business into an international enterprise whose tentacles reached throughout the United States and even into drug markets in Europe, Asia and Australia. In Mexico, the Sinaloa Federation controlled the greatest geography of any cartel. Yet, in spite of his recent arrest, not everyone broke out the tequila in victory celebrations. “It’s like time stood still,” wrote journalist and author Javier Valdez. “There is a feeling of uncertainty, a worry of what could come next.” Guzmán’s arrest will not solve Mexico’s drug nightmare. The history of the Sinaloa Federation shows that a power vacuum can lead to violent intra-cartel battles for succession, or inter-cartel turf wars. While Guzmán was a significant part of the drug problem, the real problem is human nature and the insatiable drug market north of Mexico. EU and Brazil want to have secret conversations The European Union and Brazil announced on February 24 that they will lay an $185 million undersea cable connecting their two continents in order to keep the United States from spying on their communications. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff framed the project in terms of “respect[ing] privacy, human rights and the sovereignty of nations,” and frankly stated: “We don’t want businesses to be spied upon.” Last year, Rousseff canceled a trip to Washington after learning that the U.S. had been tapping her cell phone and e-mail. The planned cable would stretch some 3,500 miles from Lisbon, Portugal, to Fortaleza, Brazil, and would allow the EU and Brazil to stop relying on America’s undersea cables for their communications. On the same day, Rousseff and her European counterparts expressed hope for a breakthrough in trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur, the Latin American economic bloc to which Brazil belongs. The two sides have been working toward a mammoth free trade deal since 2000, but the talks so far have produced few results. Their mutual anger over U.S. spying may prove to be the catalyst they need to jolt the trade deal to life. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said the agreement aims to expand far beyond just Brazil. “It will allow for the completion of an economic area in the long run between Europe and South America.” The United States is still South America’s largest trade partner, but its position has been sliding, and Europe has been working to take its place—just as the Trumpet’s predecessor, the Plain Truth, predicted in the 1960s. The Government Wants Your Retirement Money Many Americans have virtually nothing saved for their retirement. President Barack Obama emphasized this point in his State of the Union speech in January and proposed a dramatic solution: He wants you to trust your retirement money to the government. The president announced “a new savings bond that encourages folks to build a nest egg,” called the myRA plan. He described it as a risk-free investment that comes with a decent return. No risk—decent return? Here is how the plan works. Anybody who makes less than $191,000 household income can contribute to the myRA. Contributions would be with after-tax money. Once in retirement, withdrawals are tax-free. If that sounds a lot like a Roth ira, that’s because it is a lot like a Roth ira. The big difference, though, is that in a Roth ira, you can invest in virtually anything you want. With the myRA, you only get one choice. What is it? The only thing you can invest in is government bonds. The bonds in the myRA will be modeled on the government’s Thrift Savings Plan Government Securities Fund. This fund returned 1.47 percent in 2012. The cumulative return over the past three years is 5.92 percent. This investment doesn’t even keep up with the rate of inflation. And if interest rates start rising from their historic lows, investors will get massacred. This plan is so bad that if it were a private company offering this plan to investors, it would be illegal. The myRA violates multiple fiduciary standards required by the government’s own legislation. For example, investment administrators are not allowed to use investors’ money to make loans to themselves or to businesses they are associated with—which is exactly what the myRA does. Additionally, a private company would have to identify potential conflicts of interest and both communicate and address them. President Obama did neither. So why would the president of the United States promote such a terrible investment that would be illegal if anybody else offered it? It gets down to this: America has largely fleeced the Chinese and Japanese for all it can, so now the government is turning to the last big pool of money left to keep it operating: retirement funds. With the Federal Reserve saying it has to cut back its money printing, the U.S. government will soon need to come up with an additional $45 billion per month to pay its bills. For the past several years, the Federal Reserve covered the entire U.S. deficit with money printing. It allowed tough budget decisions to be postponed, but now, unless some other source of cheap money is found, a day of reckoning may be imminent. Hence the new plan to finance the deficit—without politically uncomfortable raising of taxes or spending cuts. Sadly, in the end it will hurt most the very people the president purports to be helping. The only people likely to invest in such a plan are the poor and middle class. That’s because many of the poor are uneducated, and the middle class is trusting. Radical Islam explodes in Nigeria Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram massacred more than 1,300 people in northern Nigeria in January and February alone, marking a bloody surge in its ongoing campaign of violence. “We are in a state of war,” Nigeria’s Bono state Governor Kashim Shettima said on February 17. He conceded that “Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated than our own troops.” He said defeating the group “is impossible for us.” Last May, the government declared a state of emergency in the three main affected states and formed a joint task force to stop the terrorists. Though they deployed over 20,000 soldiers, the attacks continued, displacing nearly 300,000 residents from the region. Boko Haram has links to groups like al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (aqim). It is working with one of aqim’s offshoots, the “Signers in Blood,” which took over Northern Mali and carried out attacks in Algeria. Boko Haram’s fighters are well armed, and some believe their weapons are from Muammar Qadhafi’s regime in Libya and/or from the volatile Central African Republic, where Islamists looted millions of weapons from the government before being forced out. As radical Islam becomes more deeply entrenched across North Africa, the region is breaking out into pockets of unrest and violence. Although America can no longer be relied on to control such outbreaks, one major power is watching this situation closely and is beginning to take action to secure its interests: Europe. | Mid | [
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Trends in evaluation for sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected people, King County, Washington. To assess clinician sexual risk assessment and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening rates in a large cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in King County, Washington. We abstracted data from medical records of HIV-infected patients seen in diverse clinical settings during 2000-2003 and used [chi]2 and logistic regression to identify factors associated with higher rates of sexual risk assessment and STI testing. We defined patients as having had a sexual risk or STI assessment if the medical record included any information about the patient's recent sexual behavior or included laboratory test results for gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, or trichomoniasis. The proportion of patients with any recorded risk assessment or STI testing increased from 16% in 2000 to 46% in 2001, and thereafter remained stable. On multivariate analysis, having a sexual risk or STI evaluation was significantly associated with later time period of evaluation, receiving care in a HIV specialty clinic, higher number of outpatient visits, being men who have sex with men, Seattle residence (vs. residence outside Seattle), female gender, higher CD4 count, white race, and having never received antiretroviral therapy. Although sexual risk and STI evaluation rates increased from 2000 to 2001, they now appear to be stable and many patients, particularly those seen outside of HIV specialty clinics, are not routinely evaluated for ongoing risks or STI. Clinicians and public health authorities need to develop better mechanisms to assure recommended risk assessments and STI testing among persons with HIV. | Mid | [
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Join About Hi! In October 2010, I moved from San Francisco to Manhattan with my husband, daughter, and twin boys. Since then I've been busy teaching myself and my kids how to hail a cab, fly a kite in Central Park, and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with style. And a few other things. I write about those other things here. Thanks for stopping by! Email questions to [email protected]. BlogLovin' 5/23/12 10 Favorite Folk Children's Albums: Must-Have Children's Albums Are you guilty of a few slightly ridiculous motherhood philosophies? Like only buying classic books with beautiful hardcovers? Or only dressing your kids in clothing without cartoon characters? Or only buying organic, even if it's a packaging nightmare? And do you follow these philosophies because you believe somehow your children's life will be more rich/beautiful/healthy? I'm guilty. Here's another one of mine:I used to think it was my motherly duty to teach my kids all the classic children's folk songs. I took it sooo seriously. As if their childhood would be lost if they didn't learn all the words to Oh My Darling Clementine. Simply put, I thought it was sweet to hear them sing classic folk songs. But in a larger sense, I thought those songs were giving my kids a solid start to music. This, of course, was without doing a single shred of research. Just my gut feelings. These music lessons started in my minivan years ago in San Francisco. It was my favorite part about owning a car. Since moving to the city and getting rid of my car, my music lessons have stopped and my kids brains have slowly began to rot. That is, until we saw the Imagination Movers last week thanks to The Moms. While Imagination Movers songs aren't exactly folksy, they did a good job at getting the kids to dance, sing, and enjoy live music. The event made me want to bring back some of my old favorite albums and reintroduce them to my family. I'm sure my kid's eyes are rolling even as I type this. I've written my top 10 favorite children's albums before, but I'm including it again today. This time in a simple list format. After the jump. Also, some more pictures of the concert. 1. The Johnny Cash Children's AlbumAn unlikely favorite for the kids. I knew I was going to like it, because I love anything Johnny Cash sings. I was surprised that my kids favorite song off the album was Grandfather's Clock. I don't know why they love it so much. It might be because it's a repetitive song and easy to learn the words. The usually response from my kids after this song is over is, "Play it again! Again!" I like it enough that I usually say yes. 2. Ella Jenkins: You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song My daughter sang the title song from this album for her pre-k graduation two years ago. I thought it was a perfect choice and bought the album for sentimental reasons. The other songs are just as sweet and noteworthy. 4. Timmy Abell: Little Red Wagon This album was a surprise favorite. I wasn't familiar with Timmy Abell before I checked this album out from the library, but he was an instant hit with me and the kids. They especially like Track 2: Going to Grandmas. All the transportation sound effects won them over. 5. Frances England: Fascinating Creatures This album is great from start to finish. It doesn't have a boring song. The songs are really easy to learn the words and has topics my kids can relate to like blueberry pancakes and tricycles. It makes me feel peaceful and happy. 6. Various Artists: Bright Spaces 2 I'm surprised to see that this album is so hard to find. I love it. I used the song When You're Smilin' in the background for one of my iMovies. I also used the song Soy del Pueblo for the back ground music for a different iMovie about our trip to Mexico. All the songs on this album would be the perfect background music for you home movies. 7. Lisa Loeb: Camp Lisa I love this album for teaching my daughter all the words to Home Home on the Range! It such an ironic song for a city child to love. After awhile, I found myself belting out the last three songs on the album (alone!). I'm always sad when it it's over. 8. Pete Seeger: Children's Concert At Town Hall This is by far my favorite album on the list. It has the best songs. Nothing is more fun than belting out "Oh Shenandoah" with Pete Seeger backing my vocals. I shut my eyes and let it all out. I'm a horrible singer but during this song, I've got all the talent in the world. 9. Dan Zanes: Catch That Train This album is only 10 years old, and it's already a classic in my book. Every time I'm in Brooklyn I keep my eye out for him. 15 comments: I am guilty of all of the ridiculousness you cite. Which must be more of a reflection on me than on my kids. What can I say, I am afraid of blending in as just another soccer mom and losing my identity, haha. You make a great point, Stefania! Those silly rules we have our kids do are more of a reflection of us than our kids. Sharon, if they had their choice, you know they would be reading books with wild covers, wearing Angry Birds shirts and having McDonalds for dinner! lol I think you're a great mom and your quest to make things nice for your kids is sweet. NO video games period! Unless they are over at a friends and they can’t be very violent, and no television, (movies yes). Giving them only a few toys and the toys they do have promote imagination (building blocks, shovels, toy boats etc)What is most crazy about all these is I don’t even have kids yet. One time at a party I was telling some friends about these odd philosophies and they told me that I would an awful mom! Then later I read a few articles that stated that all of my, “boring/odd mom” philosophies were actually better parenting practices. I still feel rather vindicated ha ha. I think that all of yours are great too. Currently obsessed with "The Muppets" soundtrack from the recent movie. The songs get stuck in my head, but I don't mind. "Life's a happy song when there's someone by your side to sing along" brilliant. I didn't know there were any verses to "Home on the Range" I will have to check that out. I can't believe I didn't know a bout the Cash album either, and I thought I was so cool. Good recommendations, lots of children's music is so terrible, and the stuff my husband plays sometimes scares our little Estrella. i can't believe you don't list Tom Chapin (Harry's brother) all albums are just awesome and include one song that is an adaptation of a classical piece. when my kids were young, i found myself leaving the cd on in the car when they weren't with me, the music is that good. please spread the word. Love Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger, Elizabeth Mitchell and The Beatles for kids. I like Jose Luis Orozco for Spanish. I'll have to check out the rest of your list. I like that having kids gives you an excuse to sing anytime you want (walking down the street, driving in the car, changing a diaper, shopping) w/o anyone thinking you're dreaming of being on American Idol. I'm so with you on clothing with no character except Marvel and DC classics. And I tried sticking to organic food but sometimes it can be expensive. I try to buy locally grown produce every once in a while. Brooklyn movers You might additionally desire in order to ask the business themselves for references, and home elevators when their cheapest and also several expensive instances are generally to be able to go. Brooklyn movers You might additionally desire in order to ask the business themselves for references, and home elevators when their cheapest and also several expensive instances are generally to be able to go. | Low | [
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1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of molecular biology and nucleic acid chemistry. More specifically, it relates to methods and reagents for detecting and distinguishing herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, Treponema pallidum, and Haemophilus ducreyi. 2. Description of Related Art HSV, T. pallidum, which is the causative agent of syphilis, and H. ducreyi, which is the causative agent of chancroid, are the three primary causative agents of genital ulcerative diseases in the United States. Currently, the diagnosis of genital ulcerative disease is based predominantly on the clinical presentation of the ulcer itself. However, the diagnosis of genital herpes, syphilis, or chancroid is made difficult by the overlapping patterns of clinical presentation and the occurrence of multiple or mixed infections (see Sturm et al., 1987, Microbiol. Rev. 63:98-101). Because specific and distinct therapies are required for the treatment of infections with each of these agents, diagnostic tests are needed which accurately identify and distinguish the causative agents of genital ulcers. HSV normally is detected by viral culture. However, the sensitivity of detection depends on the stage and duration of the lesion. Although the sensitivity of detection by viral culture from vesicular lesions approaches 100%, the sensitivity of detection from crusted or healing lesions drops to 30%. T. pallidum normally is detected by one of two methods. The standard immediate test is by darkfield microscopic examination of lesion material. Alternatively, T. pallidum infection is identified by the presence of specific antibodies. Darkfield examination has several disadvantages. Darkfield examination requires specialized equipment and an experienced technician, and only provides a detection sensitivity of less than 75%. Similarly, serological detection is of limited usefulness. Detectable antibodies may not appear for a week after the appearance of a lesion and can persist from a previous infection. Furthermore, the assay may require multiple patient visits. H. ducreyi normally is detected by culture. The assay, which is not widely available, only provides a sensitivity of less than 70%. The invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method for amplifying specific sequences of nucleic acids, makes possible the rapid detection of specific nucleic acid sequences present in a sample in what was previously an undetectably low quantity (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195; 4,683,202; and 4,965,188, each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Direct detection of an amplified nucleic acid sequence by hybridization with a sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe makes possible the detection of etiologic agents contained in a sample, thereby enabling rapid and sensitive diagnostic assays. Current PCR-based assays for HSV, T. pallidum, and H. ducreyi are designed to detect only a single target. A rapid and sensitive diagnostic test assay capable of detecting and identifying HSV types 1 and 2, T. pallidum, and H. ducreyi in possibly multiply-infected samples has not be described. | High | [
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Ultrastructural characterization of exine development of the transient defective exine 1 mutant suggests the existence of a factor involved in constructing reticulate exine architecture from sporopollenin aggregates. A male-sterile mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, in which filament elongation was defective although pollen fertility was normal, was isolated by means of T-DNA tagging. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that primexine synthesis and probacula formation, which are thought to be the initial steps of exine formation, were defective, and that globular sporopollenin aggregation was randomly deposited onto the microspore at the early uninucleate microspore stage. Sporopollenin aggregation, which failed to anchor to the microspore plasma membrane, was deposited on the locule wall and in the locule at the uninucleate microspore stage. However, visually normal exine with a basic reticulate structure was observed at the middle uninucleate microspore stage, indicating that the exine formation was restored in the mutant. Thus, the mutant was designated transient defective exine 1 (tde1). These results indicated that tde1 mutation affects the initial process of the exine formation, but does not impair any critical processes. Our results also suggest the existence of a certain factor responsible for exine patterning in A. thaliana. The TDE1 gene was found to be identical to the DE-ETIOLATED 2 gene known to be involved in brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis, and the tde1 probacula-defective phenotypes were recovered in the presence of BR application. These results suggest that BRs control the rate or efficiency of initial process of exine pattern formation. | High | [
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Heaven Doesn't Fit Popular Stereotypes By Jerry Pierce | March 17, 2008 GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP)—The popular notion of the “sweet by and by” is often one of clouds, pain-free bliss and not much else—except for the occasional angel floating by with a harp. If one’s idea of eternity is a happy pill, such an image might be appealing. Author Randy Alcorn, in his bestselling book Heaven, illustrates contemporary Christianity’s failure in teaching on eternal life by quoting a pastor who admitted: “I can’t stand the thought of that endless tedium. To float around in the clouds with nothing to do but strum a harp ... it’s all so terribly boring. Heaven doesn’t sound much better than hell. I’d rather be annihilated than spend eternity in a place like that.” More than one music leader has suggested, based on Bible passages that speak of music, that a believer’s eternity will be a never-ending sing-along around a celestial piano. Most people enjoy good music and everyone wants bliss, but are these accurate depictions of what heaven will be like? What is heaven? Revelation 21:1-8 describes a renewed creation at the end of time this way: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer. I also saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: ‘Look! God’s dwelling is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.’ “Then the One seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new.’ He also said, ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.’“ (HCSB) Wayne Grudem, a professor of Bible and theology at Phoenix Seminary, writes in his popular Systematic Theology textbook: “When referring to this place, Christians often talk about living with God ‘in heaven’ forever. But in fact the biblical teaching is richer than that: it tells us that there will be new heavens and a new earth—an entirely renewed creation—and we will live with God there.” Grudem emphasizes that heaven is a physical place, not just a state of being, contrary to some other commentators, who Grudem alleges are hesitant to emphasize the physicality of the believer’s eternal destination. Grudem notes that heaven refers to two distinct places: the abode of believers who die in the present world and immediately join God in a place that Scripture calls heaven, and the New Earth, which will include all the redeemed of all the ages after God completes his saving work. “In fact, heaven may be defined as follows: Heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless,” Grudem writes. David P. Nelson, professor of theology and academic vice president at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, said: “Unlike the notion of some that we will float around in the age to come as disembodied beings, the Scriptures are clear about the sheer ‘bodilyness’ of eternal life. Paul goes to great lengths in 1 Corinthians 15 to explain this point. And this has significant implications for the manner in which we use our bodies in this life—we were bought with a price, so we must glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20), we must present out bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord.” (Romans 12:1) “We’re handicapped when it comes to heaven,” said John Meador, pastor of First Baptist Church of Euless, Texas, who was preparing to preach on the topic as this story was being written. “We don’t know what it is like! Islam has a ‘heaven’ with each martyr being nurtured by 72 virgins. The Hindu heaven is ‘Nirvana’ or endless peace and rest. Mormons say heaven is a place of marriage and family activity. “But for Christians, well, we get the angel-on-a-cloud-with-a-harp thing. Or even worse for some—24 hours a day, seven days a week in a glorified church service,” Meador added. “No wonder we hold off as long as we can! God, however, reveals tangible and vivid details of what we will experience, explore and enjoy in heaven. It defies comparison with anything you’ve ever known, and it is revealed in living detail in the Word.” So what will the perfected bodies on the New Earth be like? Wayne Martindale, in his 2005 book Beyond the Shadowlands: C.S. Lewis on Heaven & Hell, wrote: “We find the best clue available in Jesus’ resurrected body. On the one hand, Jesus appears suddenly in a room with locked doors and ultimately floats into heaven. On the other, Jesus takes pains to calm this fear for His followers: He eats fish, breaks bread, and converses in audible language that uses ‘normal’ bodily functions. He was recognized by his disciples as the Jesus who had been with them over miles of dusty road. He was so substantial that He had to admonish Mary Magdalene to let go. Thomas was invited to touch His wounds. “The resurrection body of Jesus, like the new body He promises to bestow on us, has amazing capabilities,” Martindale added. “It is not an issue of giving up the things about our present bodies we know and love and that God in Christ created good. It is more like getting a new model with expanded capabilities that we will assuredly like.” But before God creates the New Earth, the souls of believers who die “go immediately into the presence of God with rejoicing” and will be reunited with their resurrected bodies when Christ returns, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Some theologians have called the place of believers prior to the redemption of creation the “intermediate heaven” or the “intermediate state,” though Alcorn emphasizes that heaven in its intermediate state will change. “The present heaven is a temporary lodging, a waiting place until the return of Christ and our bodily resurrection,” Alcorn writes. “The eternal heaven, the New Earth, is our true home, the place where we will live forever with our Lord and each other. The great redemptive promises of God will find their fulfillment on the New Earth, not in the intermediate heaven.” A regenerated creation Sermons that explicitly describe heaven are rare. Books are rare too, with Alcorn’s book and a handful of others the exceptions. “Heaven” borrows from other Christian authors and theologians and years of Alcorn’s own research to formulate a picture of heaven where believers retain their unique personalities and, unblemished by sin with regenerated bodies in their purest form, they engage their talents in his service. Alcorn quotes several Christian thinkers who believe the redeemed are destined to have 20- or 30-something bodies and minds—whatever the optimum age is. Alcorn joins many other Christian writers who have proposed that believers will enjoy a re-created earth that recovers what was lost in Eden and then some, with the New Earth continuing in advancements made in the present earth through the labor of believers. That includes eating real food, resting, working at jobs—perhaps continuing on in pursuits we love or learning new ones—and fellowship with old friends and new ones in a physical world with real trees, flowers, and structures. In short, the best world one could imagine. Alcorn also surmises that earth’s social dynamics will continue on the New Earth, “except when they are a product of our fallenness or when God reveals otherwise.” Noting the evil done from scientific advancement (the atom bomb), medical advancement (abortion and euthanasia), and technological advancement (Internet porn), Alcorn writes: “Imagine those advances used purely for righteous purposes, without sin to taint them. What you are imagining is the New Earth.” In imaginative form, Alcorn writes: “What kind of work will we do in heaven? Maybe you’ll build a cabinet with Joseph of Nazareth. Or with Jesus. Maybe you’ll tend sheep with David, discuss medicine with Luke, sew with Dorcas, make clothes with Lydia, design a new tent with Paul or Priscilla, write a song with Isaac Watts, ride horses with John Wesley, or sing with Keith Green. Maybe you’ll write a theology of the Trinity, bouncing your thoughts off Paul, John, Polycarp, Cyprian, Augustine, Calvin, Wesley ... and even Jesus.” Biblical foundations Stanley D. Toussaint, writing in Behold the King, said the Jews in Jesus’ day believed “the Messiah, after His advent, would create a new heaven and new earth. The Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah (65:17, 66:22) was the solid foundation for this doctrine.” Deron Biles, associate professor of Old Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, said: “The Old Testament is a book about beginnings, so it is not surprising that in the Old Testament we find the beginnings of a clear biblical picture on eternity. From the Old Testament we learn of creation, life, sin, covenant, and eternity, and also, in it we learn that ‘he has set eternity in our hearts.’“ (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Biles said Isaiah 26:19 clearly teaches a bodily existence with God in eternity for the faithful, that Isaiah 57:15-18 teaches a place of healing and comfort, and that Isaiah 6:1-3 teaches of a place filled with praises for God. Additionally, Biles said, Psalm 23 speaks the comforting words of dwelling in the Lord’s house forever. Further, in Job 19:25-27, Job says: “But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at [Him], and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.” Malcolm Yarnell, associate professor of systematic theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, commented: “My favorite passage about heaven is found in Revelation 21-22. There are seven things there that cause me to praise God about Heaven: 1) In heaven, we shall be in God’s immediate presence. (Revelation 22:4, 22) 2) In heaven, there will be no sorrow or pain or death. (22:4) 3) In heaven, there shall be no more sin. (22:8, 27) 4) In heaven, God’s glory will be overwhelmingly beautiful. (22:11) 5) In heaven, we shall know and commune with all who believe in him. (22:24) 6) In heaven, all of our needs will be met. (23:1-2) 7) In heaven, we shall see God and his Son in the light. (23:4-5) “Finally, the great thing about heaven is that the one who will hear the Spirit and the church say, ‘Come,’ whosoever that is, he or she may ‘take the water of life freely,’” Yarnell said. “What a great God we have to offer us such a great heaven simply out of grace!” Southeastern Seminary’s Nelson said of contemporary views of Heaven: “Too often we understand life in the age to come simply in the context of ‘heaven,’ which we take to be something up in the atmosphere apart from the ground on which we live. But the Bible describes eternal life as our existence as whole beings, soul and body, who occupy new heavens and a New Earth, all illuminated by the glory of the triune God. “Imagine that: the most beautiful site on this present Earth that we have ever seen will pale in comparison to the beauty of the re-created world in which we will one day dwell. And the greatest beauty of all will be our God himself.” If you’ve found our resources to be helpful, we invite you to consider making a one-time or recurring donation. It’s the generous support of our ministry partners that enables us to continue our eternity-shaping work. However, we’re here to serve everyone without cost, so please don’t feel obligated to give to us. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). It’s our privilege and joy to share freely what God has so graciously given us. | Mid | [
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Attractions London is one of the most famous cities in the world. It is the capital of both England and of the United Kingdom and gets visited by millions of tourists each year. Why? Because this city boasts with numerous tourists attractions, some of which are among the best in Europe 15 million tourists visit London every year, as it is one of the most famous cities of the world. At some point in the history, this city was the biggest and probably the most important one, being the capital of the gigantic British Empire. By having such a rich history, Since the tourists who are eager to visit London, one of the biggest and most interesting cities of Europe, already have to spend some money on their transport and their accommodation, they are in a constant search for the best prices and places with free admission. Luckily, London has a London, the capital city of both England and the United Kingdom, certainly has a very rich history – it goes back as far as 2,000 years. The city was founded by Romans, after their successful invasion of England, led by the famous Caesar. They named the town Londinium, hence the Entertainment The echoing clang of the immense bells is one of London’s most iconic sounds. For half a century, the people of the capital have set their watches by the hourly ringing of the world’s most famous clock tower and it remains a classic location. There was once a time, over The Truscott Arms is a pub in the truest sense of the word. Dark wood and a fairly dingy decor might not the kind of thing that you expect to see in a recommendation but trust us: it works here. The age of whitewashed pubs that look like they want As the home of Shakespeare and the centre of Elizabethan performances in London, the Globe Theatre is perhaps the capital’s premier location for compelling drama. Enough has been written about the bard without our gushing here, but his plays remain as witty, charming and accessible now as they did when Nature is meant to be wild, free and a little bit edgy. That’s what we think anyway, and although we can appreciate finery outdoors, it’s hardly the be all and end all. Just like how the most complex of foods can sometimes be eclipsed by the perfection of simplicity, so Night London The tourists who come to visit the capital city of England have the intention of seeing as many of the tourists attractions of this city as possible – and, in order to do that, they need to save the money and not spend it on the luxurious hotels (that money Being in an exclusive members only club has many perks. It’s a more intimate setting usually, business opportunities are never far away when surrounded by other wealthy and capable people. That’s why we’ll be taking a look at London’s top members only clubs. Some of these clubs are really exclusive Soho has been considered a part of London where anything goes and everyone is welcome, no matter what your sexual preferences might be, no matter what kind of lifestyle you’re into there’s something in Soho waiting for you. In the 1980s this district of London began changing rapidly and as It’s in human nature to be intrigued by things that are out of our reach, or even if it just seems like it. It’s similar with the best hidden bars in London. They aren’t really secret, but just the visuals of these venues and the procedures needed to get inside Shopping Shopping is a good way of passing the time and some buyers really take it seriously. Big spenders always have an idea on where to spend their money, so the people who are constantly working on the design of their shops focus on how to make their customers more comfortable. Different people all over the world love grocery shopping. A city as big as London naturally needs more places where you can go shopping for various ingredients to make your favorite home cooked meals. The top London markets don’t only have food for sale. They consist of a huge specter The most iconic shopping street in the nation, Oxford Street is a destination that’s almost unrivalled in the world of retail. Nowhere else draws in as many tourists and visitors, all desperate to see the mecca of mid end shopping. Of course, Oxford Street is a little overhyped. Go like The older brother of Oxford Street, Bond Street is renowned as the home of luxury in the capital. Everything from the best furniture to exquisitely crafted suits can be found on this one stretch of road, though the prices are understandably high. It’s a gathering point for commercial tourists, the Latest The tourists who come to visit the capital city of England have the intention of seeing as many of the tourists attractions of this city as possible – and, in order to do that, they need to save the money and not spend it on the luxurious hotels (that money Being in an exclusive members only club has many perks. It’s a more intimate setting usually, business opportunities are never far away when surrounded by other wealthy and capable people. That’s why we’ll be taking a look at London’s top members only clubs. Some of these clubs are really exclusive Soho has been considered a part of London where anything goes and everyone is welcome, no matter what your sexual preferences might be, no matter what kind of lifestyle you’re into there’s something in Soho waiting for you. In the 1980s this district of London began changing rapidly and as It’s in human nature to be intrigued by things that are out of our reach, or even if it just seems like it. It’s similar with the best hidden bars in London. They aren’t really secret, but just the visuals of these venues and the procedures needed to get inside V London Travel Guide What better gateway to Europe than London, a metropolis where locals speak English, and it’s fairly easy to get around? Like many European cities, modern mixes with the historic on almost every street. That is, provided you can cross the streets to explore them…. The Best of London Having trouble figuring out what to do in London? Our writers have experienced the very best this city has to offer. So, to ensure you don’t miss any of the good stuff, they’ve compiled a “best of” list to help expedite your search for British excitement. Inside V London Our writers have investigated every inch of London in search of ways to travel this city as efficiently as possible. Naturally, many secrets that exist among some of London’s most prestigious attractions have surfaced, and we’re going to share them with you! Our inside tips will give you the special insight you need to get the most out of your trip to London. Best of V London Want to see the best London has to offer without leaving the comforts of home? Then check out our virtual tours page and witness an amazing view of some of London’s greatest attractions, such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and many more. We’ve used the latest technology to help you become uncommonly familiar with this city before you even book a hotel room! What was the aim We founded V London? To provide a guide to London that was free from editorial and commercial pressures. We’re not saying that the existing ones were in bed with the establishment, but there’s definitely an element of collusion going on. We don’t talk to PRs, don’t take freebies and give honest opinions. We feel like our readers appreciate that ethical stance, because it means that they can trust us. What’s next for V London? We’re going to keep growing VLondon and keep getting better. We already have some pretty snippy articles but we’d also like to look at things in longer form and really dive into what makes these places so great. We have a very knowledgeable team with diverse experience, so it would be nice to put that expertise to work. Why should consumers choose to read you over the alternatives? Because we’re real VLondon. We don’t take backhands, we don’t take free meals or bow to pressure from big groups. If you read about something being great on our site, it’s because it truly is, not because we’ve been encouraged to say that. Likewise, when we pan something it really does deserve it. Well, we’re not quite there just yet! Soon, hopefully but the market is always very tricky to read. Sometimes it looks like you’re going to be the king but then support drops off and you don’t even have a minor claim to the throne. Even once you’re on it, there’s every chance that you’ll be deposed. This is starting to sound a bit like a certain HBO drama, but you get the point! Even so, we’ve enjoyed success so far because we saw a gap in the market and filled it. Finding that niche is a huge part of starting up a new business in a saturated city, and once we had a foothold we were able to challenge in some of the more established areas. London – A city with its own specialty Knowing about London: London being the capital of England is one of the popular tourist destinations of the world. It’s a beautiful city which is built along River Thames. The city was founded by Romans in second century period. London was the largest city in world till 1925. The first urban rail network was established in London. The first festival of Britain was celebrated in year 1951. Since 1940, London is attracting large number of migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Jamaica. This made London a diverse city in Europe. London has total geographical area of 1,583 square kilometers. If you are planning to take a trip to London this season then it is important at your end to take a tour to the history of this place and London various features Today, London is a global city with strengths in art, education, entertainment, healthcare, fashion, finance and professional services. The climate of London is temperate oceanic climate. The major developments and attractions of London which are important to know about London: London has very diverse architecture. The public buildings of London are constructed from Portland stone. The buildings in city have wide variety of styles. The notable modern buildings are – City Hall in Southwark, British Library in Somers Town, British Museum and Millennium Dome situated next to Thames. London has twelve skyscrapers and Sharp London Bridge is the tallest building which is 310 meters high. London has very beautifully designed parks and gardens. The royal Parks of London includes Hyde Park, Kensington gardens and regent’s park. Regent’s park has the oldest scientific London zoo. London has numerous other smaller parks also which make the city green and beautiful. London’s transport structure is very strong. It has very organized, railway, air and road transport management. Public transport in London comprises of underground rail network, buses and trams. It has largest airspace in the world and Heathrow Airport is known as international hub of air transport. Cycling is very popular in London as it is cheaper and quicker way to move around the towns in London. London is a big tourist destination. It has beautiful tourist locations like London eye, British Museum, Tate Modern, National History Museum, Science Museum, Tower of London, Madame Tussaudas and National Maritime Museum. Tourism is one of the prime industry is London. Every year, the city attracts fourteen million international tourists. Education system of London is known for its best professional courses. Students from around the world choose London universities for higher education. It has famous universities like Oxford University, Imperial College of London, King’s College London and London School of Economics. The primary and secondary schools in London are controlled by London Boroughs. London’s leisure and entertainment has very strong structure. It is also a cause of attracting tourists in the city. Piccadilly Circus is a famous place due to its giant electronic advertisements. The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera, English National Opera, London Coliseum are the popular areas for entertainment. London is a hub for tourism, education and heritage. The city is beautifully designed and maintained. People of London are also very warm and their hospitality is world famous. | Mid | [
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Heat wave conditions continued to prevail in most parts of Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday. Patiala in Punjab was the hottest place in the two states recording a high of 43 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal, the MeT Department said. The residents of Ludhiana too experienced a hot day with the maximum being 42.4 degrees Celsius, up three degrees against the normal. Amritsar’s maximum temperature settled at 41.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal. Chandigarh recorded a maximum of 41.5 degrees Celsius, three degrees more than the normal. In Haryana, Hisar registered a high of 42.6 degrees Celsius while Ambala recorded a high of 41.8 degrees Celsius. Karnal and Narnaul recorded an identical maximum temperature of 42 degrees Celsius each. According to the MeT forecast, rain or thunder showers are likely at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab over the next two days. | Low | [
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Q: Uploaded image width After uploading an image, it is re-sized to a width of 904 pixels; I need to keep the original file (1080 pixels). A: Imagecache (drupal 6) and Image Style (drupal 7) modules copy your image from your base files directory (default is "sites/default/files") and place the resized image an a folder based off of the name of your style (thumbnail would be "sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail"). Both modules don't remove the original image from the base files folder. They just create a copy. So your original file that is 1600 pixels should be a available in your base files folder. "example_image.jpg" uploaded to example.com using Drupal 6, would be found in: http://example.com/sites/default/files/example_image.jpg (original) http://example.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail/example_image.jpg (created by imageache using "thumbnail" preset). | High | [
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--- abstract: 'The color evaporation model simply states that charmonium production is described by the same dynamics as $D \bar D$ production, [ *i.e.*]{}, by the formation of a colored $c \bar c$ pair. Its color happens to be bleached by soft final-state interactions. We show that the model gives a complete picture of charmonium production including low-energy production by proton, photon and antiproton beams, and high-energy production at the Tevatron and HERA. Our analysis includes the first next-to-leading-order calculation in the color evaporation model.' address: 'Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706' author: - 'J. F. Amundson[^1], O. J. P. Éboli[^2], E. M. Gregores[^3], F. Halzen[^4]' title: | Quantitative Tests of Color Evaporation:\ Charmonium Production --- Introduction ============ In a recent paper [@amundson] we pointed out that an unorthodox prescription for the production of rapidity gaps in deep inelastic scattering, proposed by Buchmüller and Hebecker [@bh], suggests a description of the production of heavy quark bound states which is in agreement with the data. The prescription represents a reincarnation of the “duality” or “color evaporation” model. It is very important to study the validity of this approach as it questions the conventional treatment of the color quantum number in perturbative QCD. The conventional treatment of color, [*i.e.*]{}, the color singlet model, has run into serious problems describing the data on the production of charmonium [@review]. While attempts to rectify the situation exist [@bbl], the color singlet model has remained the standard by which other approaches are measured. Here we show that the color evaporation approach, which actually predates the color singlet approach, describes the available data well. After a discussion of the model itself, we show how the ratio of production by antiprotons to production by protons forms a quantitative test of the model. The model passes the test extraordinarily well. We then show how further quantitative tests can be performed using the the data on photoproduction and hadroproduction total cross sections. We finally show that the model successfully describes $p_T$ distributions at the Tevatron. The Model ========= Color evaporation represents a fundamental departure from the way color singlet states are treated in perturbation theory. In fact, color is “ignored”. Rather than explicitly imposing that the system is in a color singlet state in the short-distance perturbative diagrams, the appearance of color singlet asymptotic states depends solely on the outcome of large-distance fluctuations of quarks and gluons. These large-distance fluctuations are probably complex enough for the occupation of different color states to respect statistical counting. In other words, color is a nonperturbative phenomenon. In Fig. \[fig:csm\] we show typical diagrams for the production of $\psi$-particles using the competing treatments of the color quantum number. In the diagram of Fig. \[fig:csm\]a, the color singlet approach, the $\psi$ is produced in gluon-gluon interactions in association with a final state gluon which is required by color conservation. This diagram is related by crossing to the hadronic decay $\psi \rightarrow 3$ gluons. In the color evaporation approach, the color singlet property of the $\psi$ is initially ignored. For instance, the $\psi$ can be produced to leading order by $q\bar q$-annihilation into $c\bar c$, which is the color-equivalent of the Drell-Yan process. This diagram is calculated perturbatively; its dynamics are dictated by short-distance interactions of range $\Delta x \simeq m_{\psi}^{-1}$. It does not seem logical to enforce the color singlet property of the $\psi$ at short distances, given that there is an infinite time for soft gluons to readjust the color of the $c \bar c$ pair before it appears as an asymptotic $\psi$ or, alternatively, $D \bar D$ state. It is indeed hard to imagine that a color singlet state formed at a range $m_{\psi}^{-1}$, automatically survives to form a $\psi$. This formalism was, in fact, proposed almost twenty years ago [@cem; @fh:1a; @fh:1b; @gor] and subsequently abandoned for no good reason. ------ --- ------- =0.3 =0.45 (a) (b) ------ --- ------- \[fig:cem\] The color evaporation approach to color leads to a similar description of bound and open charm production. In the color evaporation model $$\sigma_{\rm onium} = \frac{1}{9} \int_{2 m_c}^{2 m_D} dm~ \frac{d \sigma_{c \bar{c}}}{dm} \; , \label{sig:on}$$ and $$\begin{aligned} \sigma_{\rm open} &=& \frac{8}{9} \int_{2 m_c}^{2 m_D} dm~ \frac{d \sigma_{c \bar{c}}}{dm} + \int_{2 m_D} dm~\frac{d \sigma_{c \bar{c}}}{dm} \label{sig:op}\end{aligned}$$ where the cross section for producing heavy quarks, $\sigma_{c \bar c}$, is computed perturbatively. Diagrams are included order-by-order irrespective of the color of the $c \bar c$ pair. The coefficients $\frac{1}{9}$ and $\frac{8}{9}$ represent the statistical probabilities that the $3\times\bar3$ charm pair is asymptotically in a singlet or octet state. The model also predicts that the sum of the cross sections of all onium states is given by Eq. (\[sig:on\]). This relation is, unfortunately, difficult to test experimentally, since it requires measuring cross sections for [*all*]{} of the bound states at a given energy. Other approaches similar in spirit can be found in Refs. [@bbl] and [@hoyer]. The color evaporation approach differs from Ref. [@bbl], the formalism of Bodwin, Braaten and Lepage (BBL), in the way that the $c \bar c$ pair exchanges color with the underlying event. In the BBL formalism, multiple gluon interactions with the $c\bar c$ pair are suppressed by powers of $v$, the relative velocity of the heavy quarks within the $\psi$. The color evaporation model assumes that these low-energy interactions can take place through multiple soft-gluon interactions; this implies a statistical treatment of color. The color evaporation model assumes a factorization of the production of the $c\bar{c}$ pair, which is perturbative and process dependent, and the materialization of this pair into a charmonium state by a mechanism that is nonperturbative and process independent. This assumption is reasonable since the characteristic time scales of the two processes are very different: the time scale for the production of the pair is the inverse of the heavy quark mass, while the formation of the bound state is associated to the time scale $1/\Lambda_{\rm QCD}$. Therefore, comparison with the $\psi$ data requires knowledge of the fraction $\rho_\psi$ of produced onium states that materialize as $\psi$’s, [*i.e.,*]{} $$\sigma_\psi = \rho_\psi \sigma_{\rm onium} \; , \label{frac}$$ where $\rho_\psi$ is assumed to be a constant. This assumption is in agreement with the low energy data [@gksssv; @schuler]. We demonstrated in Ref. [@amundson] that simple statistical counting estimates of $\rho_{\psi}$, $\rho_{\chi}$, etc., accommodate all charmonia data to better than a factor of 2. The Tests ========= We discussed several qualitative tests of the color evaporation picture in Ref. [@amundson]. One such test that we did not mention is the polarization of produced charmonium. In the framework of the color evaporation model the multiple soft gluon exchange destroys the initial polarization of the heavy quark pair [@mirkes]. This fact is in agreement with the measurements of the $\psi$ polarization made in fixed-target $\pi^-N$ [@pin] and $\bar{p}N$ [@pbarn] reactions. The color singlet model fails to describe this feature of charmonium production [@tang] since it predicts that $\psi$’s are produced transversely polarized. The predictions in the literature for polarization in the BBL formalism have been somewhat controversial[@braatenchen]. One of the most striking features of color evaporation is that the production of charmonium at low energies is dominated by the conversion of a colored gluon into a $\psi$, as in Fig. \[fig:cem\]b. In the conventional treatment, where color singlet states are formed at the perturbative level, 3 gluons (or 2 gluons and a photon) are required to produce a $\psi$. The result is that in the color evaporation model $\psi$’s are hadroproduced not only by gluon-gluon initial states, but also via quark-antiquark fusion. In the color singlet approach such diagrams only appear at higher orders of perturbation theory and their contribution is small. We can distinguish between the two pictures experimentally by comparing the production of charmonium by proton beams with that from antiproton beams. The color evaporation model predicts an enhanced $\psi$ cross section for antiproton beams, while the color singlet model predicts the same cross section for the production of $\psi$’s, whether we use proton or antiproton beams. The prediction of an enhanced $\bar p$ yield compared to $p$ yield at low energies is obviously correct: the ratio of antiproton and proton production of $\psi$’s exceeds a factor 5 close to threshold. (See Fig. \[fig:part-anti\].) In fact, it has been known for some time that $\psi$’s are predominantly produced by $q\bar q$ states [@fh:1a; @fh:1b; @gor]. Nonetheless, we should note that for sufficiently high energies, gluon initial states will eventually dominate because they represent the bulk of soft partons. This can be seen in Fig. \[fig:part-anti\] where the ratio gets close to unity for center-of-mass energies as low as 25 GeV. The merits of the color evaporation approach can be first appreciated by studying the data in calculation-independent ways. The factorization of the production of the $c\bar{c}$ pairs and the formation of onium states implies that the energy dependence and kinematic distributions of the measured cross section for the different bound states should be equivalent. Moreover, in the approximation $m_{c}\approx m_{D}$ this equivalence extends to the production of open $D \bar D$ pairs. In Fig. \[fig:justdata\] we display charm photoproduction data for both open charm and bound state production with common normalization in order to show their identical energy behavior. In Fig. \[fig:hadro-data\] we display charm hadroproduction data in a similar fashion. Further quantitative tests of color evaporation are made possible by the fact that the factor $\rho_\psi$ is the same in hadro- and photoproduction. Once $\rho_\psi$ has been empirically determined for one initial state, the cross section is predicted without free parameters for the other. We show next that color evaporation passes this test, quantitatively accommodating all measurements, including the high energy Tevatron and HERA data, which have represented a considerable challenge for the color singlet model. In Fig. \[fig:photopro\] we compare the photoproduction data with theory, using the NLO perturbative QCD calculation of charm pair production from Ref. [@nlo]. The solid line is the NLO prediction for open charm production using the GRV HO distribution function and the scale $\mu = m_c = 1.45$ GeV. The dashed line is the prediction using the MRS A distribution function with the scale $\mu = 2 m_c = 2.86$ GeV. We obtained these charm quark masses from the best fit to the data for each structure function. For the $J/\psi$ production data we employed the parameters used for describing open charm, and determined the fragmentation factor $\rho_\psi$ to be 0.50 using GRV HO, or 0.43 using MRS A. Note that the factor $\rho_\psi$ possesses a substantial theoretical uncertainty due to the choice of scales and parton distribution functions. We conclude the photoproduction of $J/\psi$ and $D\bar{D}$ is well described by the color evaporation model. This reaction determines the only free parameter, $\rho_\psi\approx 0.5$. At this point the predictions of the color evaporation model for hadroproduction of $\psi$ are completely determined, up to higher order QCD corrections. These can be determined by fitting the hadroproduction cross section of $D \bar{D}$ pairs with a global $K$ factor. This factor is subsequently used to correct the $\psi$ prediction. In Fig. \[fig:hadro-fit\] we compare the color evaporation model predictions with the data. In order to fit the $D\bar{D}$ cross section with the NLO result for the production of $c\bar{c}$ pairs we introduced a factor $K=1.27$ (1.71) for the GRV HO (MRS A) distribution function with the same scale $\mu$ and charm quark mass determined by photoproduction. Inserting this $K$ factor and the constant $\rho_\psi$ obtained from photoproduction into Eq. (\[sig:on\]), we predict $\psi$ hadroproduction without any free parameters. We conclude from Fig. \[fig:hadro-fit\] that the color evaporation model describes the hadroproduction of $\psi$ very accurately. As a final test, we turn to $p_{T}$ distributions at the Tevatron. The CDF collaboration has accumulated large samples of data on the production of prompt $\psi$, $\chi_{c{\tiny J}}$, and $\psi^\prime$ [@exp:pt]. This data set allows a detailed study of the $p_T$ distribution of the produced charmonium states. Since all the charmonium states share the same production dynamics in the color evaporation model, their $p_T$ distributions should be the same, up to a multiplicative constant. This prediction is confirmed by the CDF data, as we can see in Fig. \[fig:cdf-pt\]. In order to obtain the theoretical prediction, we computed the processes $g + g \to [c\bar{c}] + g$, $q + \bar{q} \to [c\bar{c}] + g$, and $g + q \to [c\bar{c}] + q$ at tree level using the package MADGRAPH [@tim]. This calculation should give a reliable estimate of the $p_T$ distribution at large values of $p_T$. We require that the $c\bar{c}$ pair satisfy the invariant mass constraint on Eq. (\[sig:on\]). Our results are shown in Fig. \[fig:cdf-pt\], which required a $K$ factor of $2.2$ in order to fit the total $\psi$ production. As we can see from this figure, the color evaporation model describes the general features of the $p_T$ distribution of the different charmonium states. Furthermore, we should keep in mind that the factor $K$ is, in general, $p_T$ dependent and that it is usually larger at low $p_T$ [@vogt]. Higher order corrections such as soft-gluon resummation are expected to tilt our lowest order prediction, bringing it to a closer agreement with the data [@sean]. Conclusions =========== The color evaporation model died an untimely death. In its current reincarnation its qualitative validity can be proven directly from the available experimental data by taking ratios of production by different beams and production of different particles. Moreover, we have shown that its validity extends to the quantitative regime once we use next-to-leading-order QCD calculations for the photo- and hadroproduction of $\psi$ and $D\bar{D}$ pairs. The color evaporation model explains all available data on $p_T$ distribution and energy-dependence of the cross section for the production of $\psi$ in all the available energy range. Moreover, it sheds some light in the relation between the production of charmonium states and $D\bar{D}$ pairs. We would like to thank P. Nason and R. K. Ellis for providing us the code containing the next-to-leading-order QCD cross sections. We would also like to thank S. Fleming for his insight. This research was supported in part by the University of Wisconsin Research Committee with funds granted by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, by the U.S. Department of Energy under grant DE-FG02-95ER40896, and by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). [99]{} J. Amundson, O. Éboli, E. Gregores, and F. Halzen, Phys.Lett. [**B372**]{}, 127 (1996). W. Buchmüller, Phys.Lett. [**B353**]{}, 335 (1995); W. Buchmüller and A. Hebecker Phys.Lett. [**B355**]{}, 573 (1995). See, e.g., E. Braaten, S. Fleming, and T.C. Yuan, preprint OHSTPY-HEP-T-96-001 (hep-ph/9602374), to appear in Ann.Rev.Nucl.Part.Sci., and references therein. G.T. Bodwin, E. Braaten, and G. 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Fleming, private communication. [^1]: Email: [email protected] [^2]: Permanent address: Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, C.P. 66318, CEP 05389-970 São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected] [^3]: Email: [email protected] [^4]: Email: [email protected] | Mid | [
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Q: Random variables independent We said that two random variables $X,Y$ are independent iff we have that for $Z = X+Y$: $$P_Z(B)=\int_{\mathbb{R}}P_X(B-s)dP_Y(s) = \int_{\mathbb{R}}P_Y(B-s)dP_X(s).$$ But I still don't get this notation. What does B-s mean? Somehow this seems as if we are subtracting a number from a set, which does not make that much sense. Can anybody here make this more rigorous? A: I would say the definition given by Lipschitz is more general. $P_Z$ denotes the law of $Z$, or in other words, the probability measure. I assume $X,Y:\Omega \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$: then when $X$ and $Y$ are absolutely continuous with respect to the usual Lebesgue measure, i.e. we can write: $P_X(B) = \int_B f_X(x)dx, \ B\subset \mathbb{R} $ and similarly for $Y$, then $X$ and $Y$ are independent if and only if the density of the sum is the convolution of densities, i.e. $$f_Z(z)=\int_{\mathbb{R}} f_X(z-x) f_Y(z)dz.$$ When we have two general r.v. $X,Y$ with respective laws $P_X$, $P_Y$ and $Z:=X+Y$ then $X,Y$ are independent if and only if the law of the sum is the convolution of the two measures, which is exactly what you wrote: take a set $B\subset \mathbb{R}^2$ and then the measure of this set, i.e. $P_Z(B):=P(\omega\in \Omega: \ Z(\omega)\in B)$ is given by $$P_Z(B) = \int_{\mathbb{R}} P_X(B-x)P_Y(dx).$$ Here, the notation "set minus point" means: $B-s := \{x-s: \ x\in B\}$ which is a set, and $P_X(B-s)$ denotes just the measure of this set, think of it as the set $B$ translated by $s$ units. For example: $B=[a,b]\subset \mathbb{R}$, then $B-s=[a-s,b-s]$ and $P_X(B)=P(X\in [a-s,b-s])$. | High | [
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Campbellton Campbellton may refer to: Canada Cities, towns, etc. Campbellton, New Brunswick Campbellton, Newfoundland and Labrador Election districts Campbellton-Dalhousie, a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Campbellton-Restigouche Centre, a former provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick United States Cities, towns, etc. Campbellton, Florida Campbellton, Georgia Campbellton, Missouri Campbellton, Texas Buildings Campbellton (Gerrardstown, West Virginia), on the National Register of Historic Places See also Campbelltown (disambiguation) | Mid | [
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Jakrapan Thanathiratham Jakrapan Thanathiratham (; born 22 February 1982) is a former Thai badminton player from Chiang Mai Province. Thanathiratham was the boys' singles bronze medalist at the 2000 Asian Junior Championships in Kyoto, Japan. He trained at the RBAC badminton club. Achievements Asian Junior Championships Boys' singles IBF International Men's singles Men's doubles References External links Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:People from Chiang Mai Province Category:Thai male badminton players Category:Badminton players at the 2002 Asian Games Category:Asian Games competitors for Thailand Category:Competitors at the 2001 Southeast Asian Games Category:Competitors at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games Category:Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists for Thailand Category:Southeast Asian Games medalists in badminton | Mid | [
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Pascack Valley Line The Pascack Valley Line is a commuter rail line operated by the Hoboken Division of New Jersey Transit, in the United States. The line runs north from Hoboken Terminal, through Hudson County and Bergen County in New Jersey, and into Rockland County in New York, terminating at Spring Valley. Service within New York State is operated under contract with Metro-North Railroad. The line is named for the Pascack Valley region that it passes through in northern Bergen County. The line parallels the Pascack Brook for some distance. The line is colored purple on system maps, and its symbol is a pine tree. Description The Pascack Valley Line runs between Spring Valley, New York, and Hoboken Terminal. The line is long, of which the northernmost are in New York State. The entire line is owned by NJ Transit, but the Pearl River, Nanuet and Spring Valley stations are leased to Metro-North Railroad. The line is single tracked, but sidings at points along the line, including the Meadowlands, Hackensack and Nanuet, permit bi-directional off-peak service. A siding in Oradell was also planned for increased service and reliability, but the project was halted due to local opposition. Service on this line operates seven days a week. History The line was originally chartered as the Hackensack and New York Railroad in 1856. It later became the New Jersey and New York Railroad, which was bought by the Erie Railroad in 1896. The New Jersey and New York Railroad continued to exist as an Erie subsidiary until October 17, 1960 merger that created the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. On April 1, 1976 the Erie Lackawanna was merged with several other railroads to create Conrail. In 1983, after several years under operation by Conrail, operations of the Pascack Valley Line were transferred to NJ Transit Rail Operations. The line used to continue north of Spring Valley to Haverstraw, New York. This portion of the line has been abandoned and most of the right-of-way has been sold off. Part of the line (between Spring Valley and Nanuet) was once part of the main Erie Railroad line from Piermont, New York to Buffalo, New York. Into the 1930s there had been Erie passenger service from Spring Valley at the end of the Pascack line to Suffern station on the newer Erie Main Line. September 2016 crash On September 29, 2016, Pascack Valley Line Train 1614 crashed into Hoboken Terminal injuring 108 and killing one. Rolling stock All service on this line is diesel, using either GP40PH-2, PL42AC, or ALP-45DP locomotives. Most trains on the line use Comet series passenger cars, although Bombardier MultiLevel coaches are sometimes used on this line. Some train sets use equipment owned by Metro-North, which are so marked. Stations References The Pascack Valley Line: A History of the New Jersey and New York Railroad, Wilson E. Jones; External links Pascack Valley Line History Some additional history Category:Erie Railroad lines Category:Metro-North Railroad Category:NJ Transit Rail Operations Category:Pascack Valley Category:Rail infrastructure in New Jersey Category:Rail infrastructure in New York (state) Category:Transportation in Bergen County, New Jersey Category:Transportation in Rockland County, New York | Mid | [
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Q: Use lodash to find a matching value if it exists I have the following: myArray = [{ "urlTag": "Google", "urlTitle": "Users", "status": 6, "nested": { "id": 2, "title": "http:\/\/www.google.com", } }, { "urlTag": "Bing", "tabTitle": "BingUsers" }] I have myUrlTagToSearch = "Yahoo", I want to loop through myArray, check if any urlTag is equal to "Yahoo", if yes: return "Yahoo", if not: just return a empty string (""). In this example, it should return "" because there are only "Google" and "Bing". Can I do this with lodash? A: You can use lodash's find() method mixed with a regular conditional (if) statement to do this. For starters, to search the array, you can use: var result = _.find(myArray, { "urlTag": "Yahoo" }); You can replace "Yahoo" with your myUrlTagToSearch variable here. If no matches are found it'll return undefined, otherwise it'll return the matching Object. As Objects are truthy values and undefined is a fasley value, we can simply use result as the condition within an if statement: if (result) return "Yahoo"; else return ""; We don't even need to define result here, as we can simply use: if ( _.find(myArray, { "urlTag": "Yahoo" }) ) return "Yahoo"; else return ""; Or even: return _.find(myArray, { "urlTag": "Yahoo" }) ? "Yahoo" : ""; A: You probably can do this with lodash (I don't know much about lodash), but in case no-one else answers there is a simple vanilla JS solution: function exists(site) { return myArray.some(function (el) { return el.urlTag === site; }) === false ? '': site; } exists('Yahoo'); DEMO | Mid | [
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54 Wn. App. 143 (1989) 772 P.2d 1042 THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, Respondent, v. CHARLES HUSTON KNIGHT, Appellant. No. 9025-6-III. The Court of Appeals of Washington, Division Three. May 16, 1989. Terence Ryan, for appellant. Donald C. Brockett, Prosecuting Attorney, and Gervais McAuliffe, Deputy, for respondent. THOMPSON, C.J. Charles Huston Knight appeals his convictions for attempted first degree trafficking in stolen property, RCW 9A.28.020(1); RCW 9A.82.050(2), and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, RCW 69.50.401(a). We affirm the drug convictions, but reverse the attempted trafficking conviction. On June 2, 1987, an informant met with officers of the Spokane Police Department. The officers arranged to have the informant introduce an undercover officer to Mr. Knight, and planned a "sting" operation in which they would trade stereo equipment for cocaine. *145 The officers applied for and received judicial authorization to record the anticipated transactions by attaching a "body wire" to the undercover officer. The officers purchased various stereo equipment and video equipment to use in trade during these transactions. In the company of the informant, the undercover officer engaged in two deals at Mr. Knight's home, one on June 5 and another on June 9, 1987. The undercover officer received cocaine in both transactions on both occasions. While the dealings were taking place, an officer made a videotape from an unmarked vehicle parked near the site, while simultaneously recording the audio communications transmitted by the "body wire". The recorded transactions were replayed in the jury's presence. After the second transaction, officers obtained search warrants for the homes of Mr. Knight and a friend. In searching Mr. Knight's home, officers discovered property traded to him in the "sting" operation, as well as a large quantity of other electronic equipment, cameras, guns, currency and jewelry. A large amount of this property, seized by the officers, was admitted into evidence at trial. The defense presented evidence that Mr. Knight was a disc jockey who used and kept a large amount of stereo and video equipment in his home. Various witnesses identified some items seized by police as having been purchased by or given or loaned to Mr. Knight. Two witnesses testified they heard the informant, in May 1987, offer to sell Mr. Knight a stereo, but Mr. Knight refused. On his conviction, Mr. Knight was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The first issue is whether Mr. Knight was entitled to compel the testimony of the confidential informant. He argues, on the authority of State v. Thetford, 109 Wn.2d 392, 745 P.2d 496 (1987), that the confidential informant's involvement with police was so great that he was a de facto police officer, and that his identity should be disclosed. Mr. Knight also apparently argues the court should have conducted an in camera hearing to determine the relevance of *146 the informant's potential testimony, and he was entitled to compel the informant's testimony in his defense. As the trial judge observed, however, the identity of the informant was not a secret in this case. [1] The real question is whether Mr. Knight was entitled to compel the informant's testimony[1] under U.S. Const. amend. 6. See Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 19, 18 L.Ed.2d 1019, 87 S.Ct. 1920 (1967). The right to compulsory process is limited to witnesses whose testimony is relevant and material to the defense. Washington, 388 U.S. at 23; State v. Smith, 101 Wn.2d 36, 41, 677 P.2d 100 (1984). The defendant bears the burden of showing materiality. Smith, at 41. Mr. Knight contends the informant's testimony was relevant to the issue of entrapment. Mr. Knight did not testify at the suppression hearing, but defense counsel argued the evidence established essentially four facts that he claims are relevant to the entrapment defense: (1) the informant had approached Mr. Knight previously about purchasing stereo equipment; (2) the informant had a prior relationship with the police; (3) the informant was present at both transactions; and (4) another man who was present at the transactions refused to testify, making the informant's testimony necessary to corroborate Mr. Knight's defense. To establish entrapment, the defendant is required to prove: (1) that he was induced into committing the crime by law enforcement agents; and (2) that he otherwise would not have committed the crime. Smith, at 43; see RCW 9A.16.070. The evidence to which Mr. Knight refers fails to demonstrate either element. As in Smith, Mr. Knight's allegations were insufficient as a matter of law to establish the entrapment defense. The testimony of the witness thus was not material, and the court committed no error in refusing to conduct an in camera hearing. Smith, at 44-45; *147 see State v. Enriquez, 45 Wn. App. 580, 584, 725 P.2d 1384 (1986), review denied, 107 Wn.2d 1020 (1987). Mr. Knight next argues the recording of his conversations with the undercover officer violated the provisions of RCW 9.73. RCW 9.73.030(1) provides that, except in identified circumstances, it is unlawful to intercept or record any: (a) Private communication transmitted by telephone, telegraph, radio, or other device between two or more individuals between points within or without the state by any device electronic or otherwise designed to record and/or transmit said communication regardless how such device is powered or actuated, without first obtaining the consent of all the participants in the communication; (b) Private conversation, by any device electronic or otherwise designed to record or transmit such conversation regardless how the device is powered or actuated without first obtaining the consent of all the persons engaged in the conversation. An exception is the 1-party consent statute. State v. O'Neill, 103 Wn.2d 853, 863, 700 P.2d 711 (1985). RCW 9.73.090(2) provides in pertinent part: It shall not be unlawful for a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's official duties to intercept, record, or disclose an oral communication or conversation where the officer is a party to the communication or conversation or one of the parties to the communication or conversation has given prior consent to the interception, recording, or disclosure: Provided, That prior to the interception, transmission, or recording the officer shall obtain written or telephonic authorization from a judge or magistrate, who shall approve the interception, recording, or disclosure of communications or conversations with a nonconsenting party for a reasonable and specified period of time, if there is probable cause to believe that the nonconsenting party has committed, is engaged in, or is about to commit a felony: ... Any recording or interception of a communication or conversation incident to a lawfully recorded or intercepted communication or conversation pursuant to this subsection shall be lawful and may be divulged. *148 An application for authorization to record communications pursuant to the 1-party consent statute must meet specific standards.[2] In challenging the officers' compliance with these provisions, Mr. Knight raises the following contentions: A. The application failed to state the qualifications of the undercover officer who actually wore the "body wire". *149 However, the undercover officer's involvement here was minimal. He attached the device to his body and turned it on. Officer Sheldon Reeve, whose qualifications are detailed in the application, clearly was responsible for the interception and recording. This contention fails. B. The application failed to identify the locations of some of the anticipated transactions, and the order failed to name any location for the recordings. The application specifically identified two locations, one of which was the address where the recorded communications actually occurred. The statute does not require the authorization order to identify a location. This contention fails. C. The order authorizing the recording was effective for 7 days, as is permitted under RCW 9.73.090(4), but the application gave no basis for believing this period was appropriate, as required by RCW 9.73.130(3)(e). However, the investigation envisioned three transactions, which necessarily would extend over a period of time. In these circumstances, the statutory maximum surveillance period was appropriate. See O'Neill, at 873. There was no error. D. The application failed to state, as required by RCW 9.73.130(3)(f), that other investigative procedures had been tried and failed, or appeared unlikely to succeed, or were too dangerous. The trial court, relying on State v. Kichinko, 26 Wn. App. 304, 613 P.2d 792, review denied, 94 Wn.2d 1011 (1980), held no such statement was required. However, the Kichinko decision, at pages 308-09, merely held that the more rigorous statement of necessity pursuant to RCW 9.73.040(1)(c) is required only in those limited circumstances where electronic surveillance is allowed without either party's consent, pursuant to RCW 9.73.040 (national security or human life endangered, imminent arson or riot). In fact, Kichinko, at 311, applied the requirement of RCW 9.73.130(3)(f), holding it does not require a showing of absolute necessity. The application in Kichinko satisfied the less rigorous requirement of RCW 9.73.130(3)(f) by *150 pointing out that successful prosecution of the crime of attempted possession of stolen property requires proof of knowledge the property was stolen, and that proof of exact content of conversations is important. Kichinko, at 311-12. Similarly, in State v. Platz, 33 Wn. App. 345, 350, 655 P.2d 710 (1982), review denied, 99 Wn.2d 1012 (1983), the application indicated other investigative procedures had been used, and explained the need for an exact recording of the communication. [2] Here, the application indicates a cocaine purchase was attempted using a police agent several days earlier, but the statement does not directly demonstrate the need for a recording. Federal courts interpreting a similar provision in the federal wiretap statute[3] have held that police officials need not exhaust all alternatives, but must seriously consider other techniques, and the authorizing court must be informed of the reasons the alternatives have been or likely will be inadequate. United States v. Lambert, 771 F.2d 83, 91 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1034, 88 L.Ed.2d 577, 106 S.Ct. 598 (1985). The issuing judge has "considerable discretion" to determine whether the statutory safeguards have been satisfied, Platz, at 350 (quoting United States v. Martin, 599 F.2d 880, 886-87 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 441 U.S. 962, 60 L.Ed.2d 1067, 99 S.Ct. 2408 (1979)); see State v. Irwin, 43 Wn. App. 553, 556-57, 718 P.2d 826, review denied, 106 Wn.2d 1009 (1986). The reviewing court's role is not to review the application's sufficiency de novo, but "to decide if the facts set forth in the application were minimally adequate to support the determination that *151 was made". United States v. Scibelli, 549 F.2d 222, 226 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 431 U.S. 960, 53 L.Ed.2d 278, 97 S.Ct. 2687 (1977). In making this determination, the issuing judge may take note of the crime alleged and the nature of the investigation. For example, in United States v. Vento, 533 F.2d 838, 850 (3d Cir.1976), the court recognized the inherent danger in placing an undercover agent in the midst of a criminal enterprise. See United States v. Hyde, 574 F.2d 856, 868 (5th Cir.1978) ("The Government has never been required to subject its agents and informants to undue personal danger in order to satisfy the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 2518(3)(c)."). And in United States v. Santarpio, 560 F.2d 448, 452 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 984, 54 L.Ed.2d 478, 98 S.Ct. 609 (1977), the court observed the issuing judge was entitled to take into account proof difficulties inherent in the crime alleged (gambling operation "essentially a telephone crime"). In this case, the need for the electronic surveillance was apparent. The undercover officer's safety required that other officers listen and be prepared to move in if necessary. Also, successful prosecution of the crime of trafficking in stolen property requires proof that the defendant knew the property was stolen. RCW 9A.82.050(2). The need for an exact recording of Mr. Knight's conversations with the undercover officer was obvious. In these situations, a more definite and precise statement of these considerations is preferable, but we hold the judge did not abuse his discretion in granting authorization. The recordings did not violate RCW 9.73, and the trial court was correct in refusing to suppress them. Mr. Knight raises three other issues related to the recording. They are: A. RCW 9.73.090(2) permits officers to "intercept, record, or disclose" communications, but the officers transmitted Mr. Knight's conversations with the undercover officer before recording them. The proviso to RCW 9.73.090(2) *152 expressly envisions "transmission" of communications. This contention fails. B. There is an inconsistency in the language of the application and the order. The former stated there was probable cause to believe Mr. Knight "is engaged in" the crimes, but the latter found there was probable cause to believe Mr. Knight "is about to commit" the crimes. The appropriate question is not whether the application correctly declared the presence of probable cause (which is not required by RCW 9.73.130), but whether the issuing judge or magistrate correctly found probable cause based on facts supplied in the application. Whatever the reason for the inconsistency, it is insignificant. This contention fails. C. Probable cause was lacking, because the application contained facts from an informant whose credibility was insufficiently verified, and because there was no indication Mr. Knight had agreed to purchase stolen property. Thus, he argues, there was no probable cause to believe he was about to commit the crime of trafficking in stolen property. However, RCW 9.73.090(2) requires only that the issuing judge or magistrate find probable cause to believe the suspect has committed, is committing or is about to commit a felony. Here, the application stated police officers heard the informant make a deal over the telephone to trade stereo equipment for two "eight balls" of cocaine. Dealing in cocaine is delivery of a controlled substance, a felony. RCW 69.50.401(a); RCW 9A.04.040(2). The question, then, is whether the application establishes probable cause to believe Mr. Knight was the person to whom the informant was speaking, the only fact not personally witnessed by the affiant officer. [3] When an informant's tip forms the basis for establishing probable cause, the officers must establish both the basis of the information and the credibility of the informant. State v. Jackson, 102 Wn.2d 432, 433, 688 P.2d 136 (1984). The basis of information prong is satisfied because *153 the informant purportedly was passing on firsthand information. Jackson, at 437. The credibility prong may be satisfied by establishing a reliable "track record" of providing information. State v. Wolken, 103 Wn.2d 823, 827, 700 P.2d 319 (1985). Here, the application stated the informant had provided information leading to the discovery of trace evidence of narcotics in a Spokane residence, and had been used by the police in Everett several years earlier. An Everett police detective said he had used the informant in the past and would not hesitate to use him again. This information satisfies the credibility requirement. See State v. Fisher, 96 Wn.2d 962, 965-66, 639 P.2d 743, cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1137, 73 L.Ed.2d 1355, 102 S.Ct. 2967 (1982). Probable cause was established. Next, Mr. Knight contends the court erred in permitting an officer to testify the informant and his family were threatened shortly after Mr. Knight's arrest. On cross examination of Detective Jack Neumiller, counsel for Mr. Knight asked if the informant was paid $600 on June 11, 1987, to move out of Spokane. Detective Neumiller answered in the affirmative. Later, the prosecutor elicited from Detective Reeve testimony that the informant received telephone threats against himself and his family shortly after Mr. Knight was arrested, and as a result the police department gave him the money to move out of town. Mr. Knight contends this evidence was highly prejudicial, and should have been excluded under ER 403. [4] As the State points out, defense counsel objected at trial that the evidence was hearsay. As a general rule, an appellate court will not reverse on a basis not argued at trial. State v. Ferguson, 100 Wn.2d 131, 138, 667 P.2d 68 (1983); 5 K. Tegland, Wash. Prac., Evidence § 10, at 37 (3d ed. 1989); RAP 2.5(a). [5] Even if we were to apply ER 403, however, we note that the trial court has "wide discretion in balancing the probative value of evidence against its potential prejudicial impact". State v. Coe, 101 Wn.2d 772, 782, 684 P.2d 668 *154 (1984). Counsel for Mr. Knight "opened the door" by questioning Detective Neumiller about police involvement in the informant's move from Spokane. This necessitated or at least warranted allowing the State to clarify what occurred. See generally 5 K. Tegland § 11, at 41-50. The prejudicial effects of the testimony were minimized by the witness' avoidance of an allegation that Mr. Knight himself made the threats. Detective Reeve referred to the callers as "unnamed" and "unidentified", and admitted on cross examination he did not know who made the threats. The trial judge did not abuse his discretion by allowing this testimony. The next issue is whether the court erred in permitting an officer to testify that drug dealers customarily have currency in large denominations on their persons or in their homes. Mr. Knight contends the evidence is prejudicial stereotyping that suggests all persons who have large amounts of cash are drug dealers. Again, this is a matter within the trial court's discretion. State v. Coe, supra. The evidence was not prejudicial, as it did not imply all people with large amounts of cash are drug dealers. Rather it was an assertion that drug dealers tend to have large amounts of cash. The testimony helped to explain the presence of $2,001 in cash in a bathrobe in Mr. Knight's home. The trial judge did not abuse his discretion in allowing it. [6] Finally, Mr. Knight contends the court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the crimes of first and second degree possession of stolen property. A defendant is entitled to have the jury instructed on a lesser included offense if (1) each of the elements of the lesser offense is a necessary element of the offense charged; and (2) the evidence in the case supports an inference the lesser crime was committed. State v. Workman, 90 Wn.2d 443, 447-48, 584 P.2d 382 (1978); see RCW 10.61.003-.006. The parties appear to agree that under these facts possession is a lesser included offense. The State argues, *155 however, that there was no factual basis for the possession instructions. It points out the trial court required it to amend its information to charge attempted trafficking, because the property traded to Mr. Knight was in fact not stolen. See State v. Davidson, 20 Wn. App. 893, 584 P.2d 401 (1978) ("attempt" is possible even if completed act is factually impossible), review denied, 91 Wn.2d 1011 (1979). In amending the information, the State retained the original document's reference to various other property that had not been a part of the police undercover operation, specifically a Technics turntable, a Sharp VCR, a Minolta camera and lens, and a Speaker Tab stereo speaker. At trial, owners identified several items seized at Mr. Knight's home as having been stolen, including a Technics turntable, a Sharp VCR, and a Minolta camera and lens. The record contains evidence that supports the inference Mr. Knight possessed stolen property. Regardless of the plausibility of this circumstance, the defendant had an absolute right to have the jury consider the lesser included offense on which there is evidence to support an inference it was committed. State v. Jones, 95 Wn.2d 616, 628 P.2d 472 (1981); State v. Dowell, 26 Wn. App. 629, 613 P.2d 197, review denied, 94 Wn.2d 1018 (1980). State v. Parker, 102 Wn.2d 161, 166, 683 P.2d 189 (1984). The court erred in failing to instruct the jury on possession of stolen property. The attempted trafficking conviction thus must be reversed. However, this will not affect the convictions for delivery of a controlled substance. The error is harmless as to those convictions. State v. Southerland, 109 Wn.2d 389, 391, 745 P.2d 33 (1987). Our resolution of this issue makes it unnecessary to address other issues raised by Mr. Knight. We affirm the convictions for delivery of a controlled substance, and reverse the conviction for attempted first degree trafficking *156 in stolen property. The case is remanded to the Superior Court for further action consistent with this opinion. GREEN and MUNSON, JJ., concur. Review denied at 113 Wn.2d 1014 (1989). NOTES [1] The defense apparently was unable to locate the informant. Several police officers testified he had moved to the coast, but they did not know where. [2] RCW 9.73.130 requires that the application state: "(1) The authority of the applicant to make such application; "(2) The identity and qualifications of the investigative or law enforcement officers or agency for whom the authority to record a communication or conversation is sought and the identity of whoever authorized the application; "(3) A particular statement of the facts relied upon by the applicant to justify his belief that an authorization should be issued, including: "(a) The identity of the particular person, if known, committing the offense and whose communications or conversations are to be recorded; "(b) The details as to the particular offense that has been, is being, or is about to be committed; "(c) The particular type of communication or conversation to be recorded and a showing that there is probable cause to believe such communication will be communicated on the wire communication facility involved or at the particular place where the oral communication is to be recorded; "(d) The character and location of the particular wire communication facilities involved or the particular place where the oral communication is to be recorded; "(e) A statement of the period of time for which the recording is required to be maintained, if the character of the investigation is such that the authorization for recording should not automatically terminate when the described type of communication or conversation has been first obtained, a particular statement of facts establishing probable cause to believe that additional communications of the same type will occur thereafter; "(f) A particular statement of facts showing that other normal investigative procedures with respect to the offense have been tried and have failed or reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous to employ; "(4) Where the application is for the renewal or extension of an authorization, a particular statement of facts showing the results thus far obtained from the recording, or a reasonable explanation of the failure to obtain such results; "(5) A complete statement of the facts concerning all previous applications, known to the individual authorizing and to the individual making the application, made to any court for authorization to record a wire or oral communication involving any of the same facilities or places specified in the application or involving any person whose communication is to be intercepted, and the action taken by the court on each application; and "(6) Such additional testimony or documentary evidence in support of the application as the judge may require." [3] 18 U.S.C.A. § 2518 (1982 & Supp. 1989) provides in relevant part: "(1) Each application for an order authorizing or approving the interception of a wire, oral, or electronic communication under this chapter shall be made in writing upon oath or affirmation to a judge of competent jurisdiction and shall state the applicant's authority to make such application. Each application shall include the following information: "... "(c) a full and complete statement as to whether or not other investigative procedures have been tried and failed or why they reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous;" | Low | [
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1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water-proof photographic support. 2. Description of the Prior Art Photographic printing paper is prepared by coating a photographic emulsion on the surface of a support such as a baryta paper, a polyolefin-coated paper or the like. When pictures printed on printing paper are observed, light is not only reflected at the surface of the photographic emulsion layer, but also the light which has passed through the photographic emulsion layer reaches the support and is reflected at the surface thereof and passes back through the photographic emulsion layer again to reach the observer's eye. Since light is partly or completely absorbed in the photographic emulsion layer in this case, light and shade and color can be seen, and thus images observed. For example, the portions that appear white on a printing paper are not due to the photographic emulsion having a white color, but merely due to the transparency of the photographic emulsion; the light reflected upon the surface of the support is seen and thus the white color of the surface of the support is seen. Conversely, the portions that appear black on a printing paper are a result of the absorption of all of the light in the photographic emulsion layer; therefore, no light reaches the observer's eye so that the appearance is black. The portions that appear red or blue are due to the fact that, while light passes through the photographic emulsion layer and is reflected at the surface of the support and again passes through the photographic emulsion layer, the red or blue light components remain but the other components are absorbed by the photographic emulsion layer so that red or blue only is seen. Accordingly, the purpose of a photographic printing paper support is not only for simply supporting the photographic emulsion, but also has an important role in reflecting light which has passed through the photographic emulsion layer. Recently, polyolefin-coated papers have been often used as a support for a photographic printing paper. When a polyolefin-coated paper is used as a support for a photographic printing paper, the reflection characteristics are important for the reasons mentioned above. Upon preparation of a polyolefin coated paper, white inorganic pigments such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulfide or the like are added to the polyolefin layer on the side onto which a photographic emulsion is to be coated in order to enhance the reflectance of the surface of the support. In general, the reflectance of the surface is improved by increasing the amount of white pigments added to the polyolefin layer. However, when the amount of the white pigment in the polyolefin layer is increased, preferred results are not necessarily obtained as a support for a photographic printing paper, although the reflectance of the support is enhanced. In many cases, the reflectance is improved as the amount of white pigments is increased. However, the color of the support becomes yellowish so that the visual impression of whiteness is conversely reduced. If such a polyolefin-coated paper is used as a support for a printing paper, the yellowish color is further emphasized after coating a photographic emulsion thereon. Thus, images, particularly the highlight portions, become yellowish and image sharpness is lost so that the value as a printing paper is decreased. In addition, if the amount of white pigments in the polyolefin is increased, extrusion coating of the polyolefin can be conducted only with difficulty and the production cost is also increased. Therefore, a method for improving whiteness appearance without increasing the amount of white pigments is required. One method for improving the whiteness of the support is a method which comprises adding a fluorescent whitening agent to the polyolefin layer (e.g., as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 6531/76 (corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 592,699, filed July 2, 1975 and to German Patent Application (OLS) No. 2,529,989)). The method comprises improving the whiteness by converting ultraviolet light striking the support into visible light and reflecting the visible light. However, ultraviolet absorbing agents are often used in a color photographic emulsion for the purpose of protecting the images therein. Therefore, ultraviolet light does not reach the surface of the support so that a whitening effect cannot be obtained. Investigations on the surface reflection characteristics of a polyolefin-coated paper used as a photographic support have now been conducted in great detail and it has been found that in order to improve the whiteness appearance as a printing paper, it is insufficient to merely enhance the reflectance but necessary to maintain the color hue of the surface of the support within a definite range. A method for measuring and expressing the color tone of paper, polyolefin-coated paper, or the like is set out in JIS Z8722 and JIS Z8730. In accordance with this method, the color tone is expressed by the three numerical values comprising L, a and b. The symbol L represents lightness and the larger the numerical value of L, the higher the lightness. The symbol a represents a reddish color and the larger the numerical value, the stronger is the reddish color; if the numerical value is negative, it means that a reddish color is insufficient, in other words, greenish color is predominant. The symbol b is an indication of a yellowish color and the larger the numerical value, the stronger is the yellowish color; if the numerical value is negative, it means that a yellowish color is insufficient and the color becomes bluish. Where a and b are both zero, the support is colorless. In general, the color tone is expressed by describing the values of a and b with the positions thereof on a graph in which a and b are taken on the ordinate and the abscissa, respectively. The numerical values of L, a and b used in the present invention are those measured using an automatic colorimetric color difference meter, AU-CH-1 Model manufactured by Toyo Rika Kogyo Co., Ltd. In colorimetry a standard board having the numerical values of L=92.2, a=-1.2 and b=+0.5 is used to adjust the colorimeter. In general, the color tone of the polyolefin-coated paper to which white pigments are added becomes a positive numerical value for a and a positive numerical value for b. For example, where 10% by weight of titanium dioxide is added to polyethylene and such is extrusion-coated on a good quality paper having the values of L=97.2, a=1.6 and b=0.5 in a thickness of 0.040 mm, the color tone becomes L=96.7, a=0.6 and b=2.7, which has a quite strong yellowish color. In order to mask the yellowish color, a method comprising adding a blue coloring agent (bluing) is conventionally used. For instance, if 0.08% by weight of ultramarine blue which is a blue inorganic colorant is added to the above-described polyethylene containing 10% by weight of titanium dioxide and the polyethylene is extrusion-coated in a thickness of 0.040 mm, the color tone becomes L=93.7, a=-0.3 and b=-1.0 and the yellowish color is considerably reduced. If the amount of ultramarine blue added is further increased to 0.15% by weight, the color tone becomes L=92.5, a=-0.6 and b=-4.0 and the support has a bluish color which can hardly be said to be white any longer. Variations in the amount and the kind of blue coloring agents to various extents have now been studied but sufficiently satisfactory results could not be obtained. In addition, it was found that even if a combination in which both a and b values are zero is obtained, the visually observed color is somewhat yellowish. In addition, it was further found that if a photographic emulsion is coated onto such a support and development processing is performed, the gelatin in the emulsion becomes slightly yellowish, because of contamination due to chemicals. Furthermore, it was found that this yellowish color cannot be eliminated by merely using a bluing and if the bluish color of the support is strong, the printing paper appears to be greenish in color. As a result of these investigations on the color tone of a photographic support, a support which visually appears extremely white has been developed where the values of a and b are in a specific range, but not zero. | Low | [
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Escalating tensions with Iran have laid bare President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE’s split with the United States’ traditional European allies. Several times this past week, the United States appeared out-of-step with European countries on whether Iran is presenting enough of a new threat to justify a military buildup and the partial evacuation of U.S. diplomats from neighboring Iraq. Trump and European leaders have had a number of spats since the early days of his presidency on everything from trade to defense spending to climate change. ADVERTISEMENT But with the Iran tensions threatening to boil over into military action, critics warn that Trump’s go-it-alone approach could have serious consequences.“We’ve isolated ourselves,” said Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member(D-R.I.). “There’s just a danger in terms of if something happens, we won’t have the ability to call upon them to come to our assistance and cooperate with us.”U.S. tensions with Iran have skyrocketed in recent weeks following national security advisor’s announcement that the Trump administration was deploying a carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Middle East over unspecified “troubling and escalatory indications and warnings” from Iran.U.S. lawmakers saw their own alarm spike after the State Department announced the ordered departure of non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, with several noting that such a move was not even made when ISIS was bearing down on Baghdad in 2014.Trump sought to lower temperatures on Thursday, telling reporters who asked whether the U.S. was nearing a war with Iran, “I hope not.” Reports on Thursday also said Trump explicitly told aides, including acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Patrick Michael ShanahanHouse Armed Services chairman expresses confidence in Esper amid aircraft carrier coronavirus crisis Boeing pleads for bailout under weight of coronavirus, 737 fallout Esper's chief of staff to depart at end of January MORE, that he does not want war with Iran. But along the way, rifts with Europe over Iran were exposed. “They’re quite concerned that we’re taking steps that are accelerating tensions rather than decelerating tensions,” Reed said of the Europeans. Asked whether Europeans are with the United States on Iran, Sen. Angus King Angus KingGovernment watchdog recommends creation of White House cyber director position Democrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' MORE (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, said simply, “Not that I know of.” Europe has long been at odds with Trump, who withdrew from the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal over European objections, over his policies on Tehran. Europe has scrambled to save the nuclear deal, including attempting to set up a mechanism for European companies to evade U.S. sanctions and continue doing business with Iran. The U.S-European divide over Iran spilled out into the Pentagon briefing room this past week. A British general who is a deputy commander in the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS told Pentagon reporters that there has been “no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria,” in contradiction with the recent U.S. claims. That led to an unusual statement from U.S. Central Command saying the allied general’s comments “run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian backed forces in the region.” The same day, Spain announced it was pulling its frigate from the U.S. carrier strike group that was redirected to the Persian Gulf because that was not the mission it agreed to. Still, Spain stressed it respected the U.S. decision to focus on Iran and would rejoin the group as soon as it returns to its original mission. The dustup at the Pentagon followed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoTreasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities Navalny released from hospital after suspected poisoning Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers MORE’s cold reception in Brussels on Monday. Pompeo canceled a planned stop in Moscow to talk about Iran with his European counterparts. As Pompeo was heading to Brussels, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters she would talk with him only “if we manage to arrange a meeting.” After she found the time to meet with him, Mogherini said the EU message to Pompeo was to exercise “maximum restraint,” evoking a contrast with the Trump administration’s so-called maximum pressure campaign. The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezKasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report VOA visa decision could hobble Venezuela coverage MORE (D-N.J.), warned that without Europe on the U.S. side, attempts to resolve the Iran tensions diplomatically could falter. “We have a rocky relationship with our allies, and we need them to join with us to reconstitute the effort to bring Iran back to the negotiating table and get a good deal on their nuclear program,” he said. Trump administration officials have repeatedly denied disagreements of substance with their European allies over Iran, with special representative Brian Hook repeating after Pompeo’s Brussels trip that “we agree on much more than we disagree.” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch James (Jim) Elroy RischWhy the US should rely more on strategy, not sanctions Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump Senators blast Turkey's move to convert Hagia Sophia back into a mosque MORE (R-Idaho), a Trump ally, acknowledged a difference between the United States and Europe over Iran, but suggested Europe will come around to the U.S. view soon enough. “The Europeans are usually behind us a bit on these things, so they get more nervous than they should from time to time,” Risch said. “I feel quite certain they will catch up to us in short order.” By the end of the week, England at least said it shares the U.S. intelligence assessment. The statement did not mention the Pentagon briefing, but appeared designed to do damage control. “@SecPompeo and I discussed #Iran last week in London and again in Brussels on Monday,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted Thursday. “We share the same assessment of the heightened threat posed by Iran. As always we work closely with the US.” Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-S.C.), a Trump ally who has been expressing concern about the dearth of information coming to Congress on the situation with Iran, brushed off concerns about a divide with Europe, pointing to Hunt’s statement. “Before I worry about European concerns, I’d like my concerns to be addressed,” Graham added. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenSenate Democrats introduce bill to sanction Russians over Taliban bounties Trump-backed candidate wins NH GOP Senate primary to take on Shaheen Democratic senator urges Trump to respond to Russian aggression MORE (D-N.H.), who co-chairs a NATO group in the Senate, said that while she hadn’t spoken to the Europeans recently she could infer their position on war: “They are not supportive of going to war in Iran.” | Low | [
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Our Dentists Dr. Sang Pil Yu, DDS Dr. Sang Pil Yu, DDS Doctor Sang Pil Yu graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science in 2004. He proceeded to continue his education in New York at New York University College of Dentistry and completed his DDS degree in 2010.He completed a 2 year course on Implantology seminar with World renowned Oral Surgeon Dr. Arun Garg. Doctor Pil is more than qualified in all phases of dentistry such as Restorative Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Implantology, and Oral Surgery. However, his strength and preference are in Endodontics. He lived in New York for a short while before moving to Houston in 2011. Some of the many things that Doctor Yu enjoys outside of work are music, poker, and snowboarding. Bachelors in General Science, University of Oregon DDS in General Dentistry, New York University College of Dentistry Doctor Sang Pil Yu is proud to be an active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the International Dental Implant Association. Other Dentists Our three dentists left the impersonal world of corporate dentistry to provide a higher level of community-oriented care at Vita Dental. With a combined 20 years of experience between them, Dr. Pil Yu, Dr. Son, and Dr, Shin are fully prepared to provide only the best dental care, no matter how complex your needs. Doctor Shin is diverse in Restorative, Prosthetics, Endodontic treatment, and Oral Surgery, but her passion is working with kids. About Vita Dental Vita Dental is a family-oriented, independent dentist in Katy. We here at Vita Dental consider it our mission to provide the highest-quality care to patients and their families. Courtesy, professionalism, and friendliness are our watchwords. We treat our patients like family, because to us, they are family. | High | [
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Q: How to clear history and run all migrations from the beginning? How I can clear history using alembic? I couldn't find this option in alembic history. I want to run from the first migration rather than the last applied. A: If you want to start with a fresh database, just drop the database, create a new one, then run the migrations. For example, with PostgreSQL: $ dropdb my_db $ createdb my_db $ alembic upgrade Now you have a blank database with all the migrations applied. | Mid | [
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Q: Retrieving sets of covarying variables I have a data frame with a large number of variables represented as columns that vary with time as an index for them. I would like to retrieve sets of highly covarying variables. data <- data.frame(time_series=c(1,2,3), score1=c(0.5, 0.4, 0.6), score2=c(0.3, 0.2, 0.1), score3=c(0.1, 0.4, 0.5), score4=c(0.5, 0.2, 0.4), score5=c(0.1, 0.1, 0.2)) Two functions that should give identical results are, library(stats) #autocorrelation function with lag 0 over a data frame acf_results <- acf(data[2:length(names(data))], plot = FALSE, lag.max = 0) #simple Pearson correlation function. cor_results <- cor(data[2:length(names(data))], method = "pearson") It would be possible to filter the results with a simple (X_results > 0.6), but this seems to lose the names of the variables. I am trying to extract the sets of variables that covary to a threshold from a large dataframe. I would expect that I am missing some simple built-in functions. Any advice on how this could be done? Edit: I realized Spearman would be an absolutely wrong function for this, as it would rank the values too, not just the time frame. A: You can do something like: cor_results <- cor(data[2:length(names(data))], method = "spearman") x <- which(cor_results > 0.6, arr.ind=TRUE) x # row col # score1 1 1 # score5 5 1 # score2 2 2 # score3 3 3 # score5 5 3 # score4 4 4 # score1 1 5 # score3 3 5 # score5 5 5 to get a matrix of indices of the cells meeting your requirements. To make this a bit more readable you might want to do x[] <- colnames(cor_results)[x] rownames(x) <- NULL x row col # [1,] "score1" "score1" # [2,] "score5" "score1" # [3,] "score2" "score2" # [4,] "score3" "score3" # [5,] "score5" "score3" # [6,] "score4" "score4" # [7,] "score1" "score5" # [8,] "score3" "score5" # [9,] "score5" "score5" | Mid | [
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News article Everything open before return matches Everything is more or less open before the second leg of the quarter-finals in the Women’s Challenge Cup this weekend. In three of the four ties, the home teams are chasing deficits – but none are big enough to be unassailable. The fourth and last tie is a double header. Granollers with great chances Of the three home teams chasing deficits, KH-7 BM. Granollers are in the best position. Trailing 25:26 before hosting Dutch side JuRo Unirek VZV, the Spanish team have a great chance to celebrate their first season ever in European cup handball with a semi-final berth. The Dutch visitors have already made it further than ever before in Europe, as round 3 of the Challenge Cup signified the end for them in their only international season so far, in 2017/18. The two teams meet for their second-leg clash in Palau d´Esports de Granollers on Sunday at noon. Excitement in Spanish derby Two of the quarter-final ties are national derbies, and there is still plenty of excitement in the Spanish tie between Mecalia Atletico Guardes and European debutants Aula Alimentos de Valladolid. Before visiting the A Sangrina in Pontevedra for the return match on Sunday night, Valladolid are leading by four goals, 26:22 – but the distance is such that Guardes should be able to overcome it, if they can make use of their home advantage and put on a particularly good performance. Lokomotiva closest to semi-final Out of the six teams involved in second-leg matches this weekend, HC Lokomotiva Zagreb are the closest to the semi-finals. Lokomotiva, who claimed the Challenge Cup title in 2017, won the first leg of the Croatian derby against ZRK Bjelovar as clearly as 30:23, after even bigger leads during the match. It looks as though it will take an extraordinary effort from Bjelovar to turn the tables and book their first European semi-final ticket in Dvorana Europskih Pvraka on Saturday evening. The last quarter-final tie is to be decided in a double header in Funchal on Madeira. ZRK Naida Nis from Serbia are visiting the Portuguese island for two matches against CS Madeira on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. | Mid | [
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WASHINGTON -- North Korea's recent temper tantrum over U.S.-South Korean military exercises and its threat to pull out of its upcoming summit with President Trump are signs that Trump's North Korea strategy is working. Over the past several months, Trump has boxed in Kim Jong Un. First, he ramped up economic pressure on Pyongyang while making clear that, unlike his predecessors, he was willing to take military action. Yet when Kim offered to meet face-to-face, Trump shocked everyone (probably including Kim) by reportedly accepting on the spot. Instead of rejecting the offer, or using it as a bargaining chip to elicit concessions, Trump said "yes" and put the two nations on a faster track to nuclear negotiations than anyone had anticipated. Then, the president began shaping the parameters of an agreement -- starting with making clear what kind of deal he would not cut. The North Koreans want a nuclear deal like the one President Barack Obama gave to Iran: sanctions relief up front, billions of dollars in cash, a weak inspection regime and sunset clauses on the back end. By withdrawing from the Iran deal last week, Trump sent Pyongyang a crystal-clear message: I don't cut deals like that. He then used his senior officials to lay out the parameters of the kind of accord he would cut. Kim wants to get paid for the promise of denuclearization. Appearing on "Face the Nation," national security adviser John Bolton played the bad cop and explained that that is not happening. Trump will only pay for actual denuclearization. The president, Bolton said, is looking for "a manifestation of the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons [that] doesn't have to be the same as Libya but it's got to be something concrete and tangible it may be that Kim Jong Un has some ideas and we should hear him out." While Bolton set expectations for denuclearization, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo played the good cop and held out the twin carrots of security and prosperity if Kim agrees. "If North Korea takes bold action to quickly denuclearize," Pompeo said, "the United States is prepared to work with North Korea to achieve prosperity on par with our South Korean friends." That stunning offer is deeply destabilizing for Kim. If he goes to a summit with Trump and refuses to accept a deal that provides his country with prosperity on par with South Korea, then he can no longer blame the West for the misery of the North Korean people. In other words, Trump and his national security team have put Kim in a corner, offering him peace, security and prosperity, but only if he first denuclearizes completely, verifiably and irreversibly. Little wonder that North Korea is lashing out. Kim might be looking for a pretext to get out of his meeting with Trump, and the military exercises provide a perfect excuse. He may also be testing Trump to see how badly he wants the summit. Or he may be trying to drive a wedge between the United States and South Korea in advance of the talks. He knows South Korean President Moon Jae-in is deeply invested in his "Sunshine Policy" with Pyongyang. If the North threatens a little rain, perhaps the South -- which desperately wants the summit -- will pressure Trump to cancel the military exercises or be more flexible at the bargaining table. Trump needs to show Kim that he won't respond to threats by refusing to call off the exercises. Through back channels, he needs to reaffirm his willingness to provide North Korea with security and prosperity in exchange for immediate denuclearization but also make clear that if North Korea refuses, the alternative is not the status quo. Sanctions will be ramped up, and military action is possible. Above all, Trump should take North Korea's recent outburst as a signal that Pyongyang is feeling the heat. A cornered animal roars, precisely because it is cornered. Stand firm, Mr. President, and don't let up the pressure. | Mid | [
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The Most-Awaited Hollywood Movies Coming Out in 2018 Been waiting for a very long time for your favourite upcoming movies? This list shows the most anticipated Hollywood movies coming out in 2018. Look into our list to know more about the movies, the release dates, trailers, and other information. 1. The Avengers: Infinity War (2018) With Black Panther, 2018 has already started with a bang for all Marvel fans. Now, the next addition to the Marvel movies coming out in 2018 has all of us waiting to book our tickets for the first day. From the trailer, we can see that The Evil Thanos is after all the six Infinity stones and will bring together The Avengers who have to do everything in their power to stop Thanos and save Earth from its dreadful fate. 2. Deadpool 2 (2018) Movie Releases On: 18 May 2018 Movie Length: Not known Director: David Leitch Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Josh Brolin Gross Budget: $69 million The movie revolves around a villain called Cable (Josh Brolin) who is after a young mutant and Deadpool’s (Ryan Reynolds) mission is to protect the kid and defeat Cable. The first Deadpool had all of us dying on our seats. Now let’s see if Deadpool 2 is going to stand upto its mark. Of all the movies coming out in 2018, this is my personal most-awaited action movie. 3. Oceans 8 (2018) Movie Releases On: 8 June 2018 Movie Length: Not known Director: Gary Ross Actors: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway Gross Budget: Not known Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), the younger sister of Danny Ocean is planning a robbery at the star event called Met Gala. She has assembled her group and has everything set according to plan. The movie sees many A-list celebrities playing significant roles and cameos. We sure loved the Ocean’s 11, 12, and 13. I can’t wait to see what the story will be for this part. 4. Aquaman (2018) Movie Releases On: 21 December 2018 Movie Length: Not known Director: James Wan Actors: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman Gross Budget: $160 million (No Official trailer released yet) When we got out of the theatres after watching Justice League in 2017, there was one question on everybody’s mind after looking at Jason Momoa – “Are there any Aquaman movies coming out in 2018?” Well, here it is! A treat for DC fans too I guess? The story is expected as – Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) AKA Aquaman is caught between his people underwater and the humans on the surface with his people ready to fight and invade the surface. 5. Rampage (2018) Well, a film by the highest-paid actor (Dwayne Johnson) had to be on the list of the movies coming out in 2018, right? Davis (Dwayne Johnson) is a primatologist who has taken care of a white gorilla named George since his birth. An experiment goes wrong and changes this friendly gorilla and some other animals into monsters. Davis and an engineer make an antidote but will Davis be able to go through the crazy battlefield to save his friend? 6. Incredibles 2 (2018) I saw The Incredibles when I was a kid. No doubt that I loved it. Now that there’s the trailer for the second part, I can’t wait to watch the movie. Of all the movies coming out in 2018, this has already become my most-anticipated film. While the Elastic girl is off fighting the bad people, Mr Incredible is a stay home dad who discovers that his youngest baby boy Jack-Jack has magic powers. 7. Hotel Transylvania 3 (2018) Another animated movie in the upcoming movies list. And it’s from the Hotel Transylvania Series! Its time Dracula takes a vacation after providing everyone else with vacation stays. Mavis plans a vacation for her daddy on a cruise where he falls in love with the captain of the ship Erika, but what he and the others don’t know is that she is a descendant of Van Helsing and hates monsters. 8. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is trying his best to be a good father and balance his superhero life but is suddenly faced with another mission to work alongside The Wasp to discover untold secrets. Well, looks like the movies coming out in 2018 are going to be a treat for all you Marvel fans! 9. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Movie Releases On: 8 June 2018 Movie Length: Not known Director: J A Bayona Actors: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jeff Goldblum, Toby Jones Gross Budget: $260 million Okay, so there are Jurassic Movies coming out in 2018 too? This year is going to be LITAF! The Jurassic theme park has been shut down for nearly four years now, and Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) has returned to save dinosaurs when it comes to their knowledge that a volcano is active there and might erupt causing the extinction of the species. | Low | [
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Seahorse Cases Rugged. Lightweight. Made to Outlast. Seahorse means tough, heavy duty protection. Since 1997, we’ve been manufacturing hard, waterproof cases for multiple uses and applications. From micro cases to large rolling cases, we offer various sizes, configurations and accessories to protect and secure your valuables from impact and damage. | Mid | [
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Paris mayor may sue Fox News over no-go-zones report Roger Yu | USA TODAY Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told CNN Tuesday that she may sue Fox News because the network "insulted" the city with its coverage of "no-go zones" that are supposedly only for Muslim residents. Such zones don't exist and Fox News has repeatedly apologized for the errors. "When we're insulted, and when we've had an image, then I think we'll have to sue, I think we'll have to go to court, in order to have these words removed," CNN quoted Hidalgo as saying to the network's Christiane Amanpour. "The image of Paris has been prejudiced, and the honor of Paris has been prejudiced." Michael Clemente, executive vice president for news at Fox News said in a statement: "We empathize with the citizens of France as they go through a healing process and return to everyday life. However, we find the Mayor's comments regarding a lawsuit misplaced." "We have made some regrettable errors regarding the Muslim population in Europe, particularly in regard to England and France," a Fox News anchor said Monday on air. "We deeply regret the errors and apologize to any and all who may have taken offense, including the people of France." In a series of reports that have been widely criticized and mocked, Fox News reported that some neighborhoods in Paris are so heavily Muslim that some young men openly wore Osama bin Laden T-shirts. Displaying a map that supposedly outlines these "no-go zones," Fox News also reported that terrorists groups recruit members in the areas. A French TV show later explained that the map actually shows the zones in the city that are targeted for development based on residents' income levels and employment rates. Another Fox segment, with host Jeanine Pirro interviewing guest Steven Emerson, reported that Birmingham, England, is totally Muslim and other cities in Europe have zones that are dominated by Muslims, operate Sharia courts and police fear to enter. "When I heard this, frankly, I choked on my porridge and I thought it must be April Fool's Day," British Prime Minister David Cameron told ITV News. "This guy is clearly a complete idiot." Still, Paris would have a "difficult" case against Fox News in the U.S. since the city would be treated as a public figure, says Karl Kronenberger, partner attorney at Kronenberger Rosenfeld LLP. Paris "would need to prove that the information published by Fox News was false and that the information was published with actual malice," he said. | Low | [
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No More Mr. Nice Guy (House) "No More Mr. Nice Guy" is the 13th episode of the fourth season of House, and the 83rd episode overall. It was the first House episode filmed after the resolution of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. It was first broadcast on Fox in the United States on April 28, 2008. The episode revolves around Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) noticing a man named Jeff (Paul Rae) in the emergency room, whom he thinks is "too nice". House thinks that Jeff's inability to get mad is a symptom of an underlying condition and decides to find out what is wrong with him. Meanwhile, Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), thinks the other diagnostic team members don't respect him, while Amber Volakis (Anne Dudek) and House try to create a deal in which they can both spend time with Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard). "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was watched by approximately 14 million viewers, making it the night's second most watched program, behind Dancing with the Stars. The episode gained mixed reviews from critics. Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times stated that the episode was "the worst House episode ever", while Gina Dinunno of TV Guide commented that she thought the episode was "pretty good". Plot The local nurses' union for the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital is on strike. Jeff, the husband of one of the nurses, collapses while walking the picket line. At the emergency room, House suspects Jeff's extreme niceness and inability to get angry is a major symptom of an underlying condition. After various tests, the team suspects his niceness is a personality change resulting from syphilis. At the same time, House is annoyed because he is not able to spend enough time with his friend, James Wilson. He attempts to negotiate with Amber, Wilson's girlfriend, about conditions under which they can both have Wilson's company. They are at a standstill, thus House seeks Lisa Cuddy's (Lisa Edelstein) resolution. However, she will only lay out the conditions if House does his team's performance reviews. House relents and Cuddy sets the rules, although House has Foreman do the team reviews instead. House manipulates the team, Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Chase (Jesse Spencer), by swapping his own blood sample, leading them to believe he too has syphilis, perhaps the cause for his misanthropic personality and unfriendliness. Meanwhile, Foreman believes he isn't getting the respect he deserves from Kutner, Taub (Peter Jacobson) and Thirteen (Olivia Wilde), when he tries to do their performance reviews, which he believes is due to House frequently humiliating him. After House violates one of the conditions set by Cuddy, Amber informs the team of House's ruse of faking syphilis. This discovery leads Kutner to suspect that Jeff's positive syphilis result might really be the result of Chagas' disease, which he contracted while working in the jungles of Costa Rica years ago. The parasite embedded itself in Jeff's brain during his stay in the country, thus causing the shift in his personality and giving him the inability to be angry. With the case solved, House hands in the reviews to Cuddy, who discovers they are all the same. As punishment for not doing his team's reviews properly, and for breaking the rules she set between him and Amber, Cuddy has the two of them cleaning up bedridden patients together while outside in the corridor, Wilson smiles to himself, amused at the scene. Production "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was the fourth House episode written by David Hoselton and the first he wrote along with David Shore. It was the second House episode directed by Deran Sarafian. When "Don't Ever Change" aired on February 5, 2008, it was the final episode to air before mid-season break due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. On March 25, 2008, Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune reported that House would be returning April 29, 2008. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, House creator David Shore commented that, although the characters of Cameron and Chase are not on screen as much as they used to be, they take on a different, and greater, weight with the "stuff" they are doing. "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was the first House episode to air after the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. The nurses' strike in the episode was a reference to the WGA strike. In the episode Jason Lewis made a small uncredited appearance as Dr. Brock Sterling, a fictional doctor in House's favorite soap opera Prescription Passion. Lewis appeared as Evan Greer, the fictional actor who portrays Dr. Sterling, in the next episode. Reception With 14.51 million viewers watching the show, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" was the second-most watched program of the night, ranking behind Dancing with the Stars. The episode gained a 13 share in the ratings. Out of all programs broadcast by Fox Broadcasting Company between April 28 and May 4, House was the third most watched, behind American Idol (Tuesday and Wednesday). Jay Black of TV Squad noted that the first image in the episode after the two-and-a-half month writer's strike-induced break was a picket line. Barbara Barnett of Blog Critics Magazine stated that the episode was "a lot of fun, but slightly disappointing". James Chamberlin of IGN stated that the scenes in which Amber and House were working out terms for sharing Wilson were "hysterical", and graded the episode with an 8.5 (out of 10). Gina Dinunno of TV Guide thought the episode was pretty good, and the only thing she was not very fond of was that she felt that the characters of Robert Chase and Allison Cameron seemed "forced into the script". Jessica Paff, from Zap2it, reported that she was pleased that the love triangle between House, Amber and Wilson went on, despite House's blessing in the previous episode. Sara Morrison of Television Without Pity said she liked the jokes referring to "Thirteen" being bisexual. She graded the episode with an A+. Kal Penn submitted the episode on his behalf for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Drama Series, but the episode was not ultimately nominated. References External links "No More Mr. Nice Guy" at Fox Category:House (season 4) episodes Category:2008 American television episodes fr:Trop gentil pour être vrai | Mid | [
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# Copyright Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0. ########### UNWINDSET += CBMCFLAGS += HARNESS_ENTRY = aws_ring_buffer_release_harness HARNESS_FILE = $(HARNESS_ENTRY).c PROOF_SOURCES += $(HARNESS_FILE) PROOF_SOURCES += $(PROOF_SOURCE)/make_common_data_structures.c PROOF_SOURCES += $(PROOF_SOURCE)/proof_allocators.c PROOF_SOURCES += $(PROOF_SOURCE)/utils.c PROOF_SOURCES += $(PROOF_STUB)/error.c PROJECT_SOURCES += $(SRCDIR)/source/byte_buf.c PROJECT_SOURCES += $(SRCDIR)/source/ring_buffer.c PROJECT_SOURCES += $(SRCDIR)/source/common.c ########### include ../Makefile.common | Mid | [
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Posts tagged: nursing programs Mental Health Nursing Jobs and Patient Quality of Life Mental health nursing jobs are usually found in either psychiatric facilities or the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Though they can work in many places, it is here in these specialized institutions that they are mainly employed. Because mental health nursing is a demanding field employers will usually have specific requirements before considering a new hire. Varieties of RN Programs and How they Help Jumpstart a Career RN Programs are the most sought after programs in nursing education studies. There are many types of nurses but the RN or registered nurse is the most common. These are the nurses most commonly thought of by patients, as they are the most employed and visible. The Overall Make-Up of Forensic Nursing Jobs Forensic nursing jobs are scarce but they are necessary. Forensic nursing is needed in the legal field and the nurses serve as an interpreter for the events of a crime. Generally when a victim is questioned by police or other officials a statement is taken, and the victim transferred to a medical facility soon after. Advantages and Special Associates Degree in Nursing Students can pursue various degrees in nursing such as an Associates Degree in Nursing. There many types of nurses in the medical field, each of which require a different level of education. Nursing degrees stretch from simple certificate programs, all the way up to Ph.D.s. The higher up in the latter the degree is, the more difficult their courses become. Enrollment Information for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing There are many types of nurses, but all of them either start with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or some other form of certificate or associate degree level of nursing program. There are various types of programs available for individuals looking to be part of the medical field. Universities Offering Accelerated Nursing Programs in NY Enrolling in accelerated nursing programs in NY is an excellent way, for individuals looking to be a part of the medical field, to achieve their goal in less time. Accelerated nursing programs are rigorous education courses in nursing which can be completed in a shorter period of time. Information on How to Become a Nurse Practitioner There are various ways to learn how to become a nurse practitioner. The Internet provides basic information, for an individual to commence the search for knowledge, on how to further their career. A nurse practitioner is one of the many types of nurses that exist in the medical field. The Role of a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner A psychiatric nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse. These nurses are required to complete rigorous and high levels of education, in order to be licensed. A psychiatric nurse is responsible for the treatment and diagnosis of a mentally ill patient. The history of Public Health Nursing and its Purpose Public health nursing is one of the many versions of registered nursing. The main goal of public nursing is to improve the general health of the populace, instead of solely providing health care to a family or particular individual. As there are many different types of nurses, each requires a different level of education. Dental Nurse Training Preparation Dental nurse training is one of the many nurse training programs available, to individuals seeking a career in the medical field. The most common nurse patients think of is the general Registered Nurse however; there are many different types of nurses in the medical field. | Mid | [
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Q: symfony 1.4 - save dynamic values (choice form) How can I get the values of a dynamic choice field and save them ? This is my function : public function configure() { $query = FillableTable::getInstance()->createQuery('fal')->addWhere('0 = 1 '); $piecesChoices= RepaoTable::getInstance()->createQuery('rpo')->select('rpo.code_text')->execute(); $choices = array(); foreach ($piecesChoices as $choice) { $value = $choice->getCodeText(); $choices[$value] = $value; } $this->widgetSchema['simple1'] = new sfWidgetFormDoctrineChoice(array('model'=> 'Simple1')); $this->widgetSchema['simple2'] = new sfWidgetFormDoctrineChoice(array('model'=> 'Simple2', 'query' => $query)); $this->widgetSchema['code_text']= new sfWidgetFormChoice(array( 'expanded' => true, 'multiple' => true, 'choices'=> $choices )); //validation $this->validatorSchema.... // A: I presume you are referring to saving the user-selected values from the code_text widget? In your action, after the user POST/GETs your form you would have an array instead of a single value. You can var_dump($request->getPostParameter('code_text')) to see what happens. You can do whatever you want with those values then. | Mid | [
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// Copyright 2017, The Go Authors. All rights reserved. // Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style // license that can be found in the LICENSE.md file. package value import ( "math" "reflect" ) // IsZero reports whether v is the zero value. // This does not rely on Interface and so can be used on unexported fields. func IsZero(v reflect.Value) bool { switch v.Kind() { case reflect.Bool: return v.Bool() == false case reflect.Int, reflect.Int8, reflect.Int16, reflect.Int32, reflect.Int64: return v.Int() == 0 case reflect.Uint, reflect.Uint8, reflect.Uint16, reflect.Uint32, reflect.Uint64, reflect.Uintptr: return v.Uint() == 0 case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64: return math.Float64bits(v.Float()) == 0 case reflect.Complex64, reflect.Complex128: return math.Float64bits(real(v.Complex())) == 0 && math.Float64bits(imag(v.Complex())) == 0 case reflect.String: return v.String() == "" case reflect.UnsafePointer: return v.Pointer() == 0 case reflect.Chan, reflect.Func, reflect.Interface, reflect.Ptr, reflect.Map, reflect.Slice: return v.IsNil() case reflect.Array: for i := 0; i < v.Len(); i++ { if !IsZero(v.Index(i)) { return false } } return true case reflect.Struct: for i := 0; i < v.NumField(); i++ { if !IsZero(v.Field(i)) { return false } } return true } return false } | Low | [
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This invention relates in general to faceplates for wall outlet boxes and the like and deals more particularly with an improved faceplate assembly for outlet termination of one or more optical fibers. A conventional fiber optic faceplate assembly usually has one or more bulkhead connectors for terminating optical fibers within an associated wall outlet box or the like to facilitate external connection to transmitting or receiving apparatus. Customarily, each optical fiber is terminated by a connector attached to its terminal end for coupling engagement with the inner end of an associated bulkhead connector mounted on the faceplate. The elongated fiber allows the faceplate to be removed from an associated outlet box and moved to and held in a position a substantial distance from the wall outlet box to enable the connector associated with the fiber to be coupled to or uncoupled from the bulkhead connectors without exposing the optical fiber to excessive bending stress. However, when the faceplate assembly is mounted on the outlet box the optical fiber must be coiled or otherwise arranged for storage within the outlet box. Care must be exercised in coiling or otherwise positioning the optical fiber within the wall outlet box to avoid exposing the fiber to excessive bending stress. The present invention is concerned with the aforedescribed general problem. Specifically, it is a general aim of the present invention to provide an improved fiber optic faceplate assembly which includes means for storing one or more optical fibers in coiled condition and which enables the fiber or fibers to be rapidly moved into and removed from storage position within an associated wall outlet box without subjecting the individual optical fibers to excessive stress. A further aim of the invention is to provide an improved faceplate assembly for terminating a hybrid cable containing one or more optical fibers and one or more electrical conductors. | Mid | [
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<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:th="http://www.thymeleaf.org"> <head> </head> <body> <div th:fragment="footer" data-libs="feedback"> <!--<form id="suggestionForm" method="post" action="/api/suggestion">--> <!--<div class="modal fade" id="suggestion-form" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="myModalLabel"--> <!--aria-hidden="true">--> <!--<div class="modal-dialog">--> <!--<div class="modal-content">--> <!--<div class="modal-header">--> <!--<button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal"><span aria-hidden="true">×</span><span--> <!--class="sr-only">Close</span></button>--> <!--<h2 class="modal-title">建议与反馈</h2>--> <!--</div>--> <!--<div class="modal-body">--> <!--<div class="form-group">--> <!--<textarea name="content" class="form-control" rows="5" placeholder="请填写您的反馈内容..."></textarea>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <!--<div class="modal-footer">--> <!--<button class="btn btn-primary" id="suggestion-submit-button" type="button">提交</button>--> <!--<button type="button" class="btn btn-default" data-dismiss="modal">取消</button>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</form>--> <!--<div class="modal fade" id="suggestion-notification" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="myModalLabel"--> <!--aria-hidden="true">--> <!--<div class="modal-dialog">--> <!--<div class="modal-content">--> <!--<div class="modal-body">--> <!--<h4 class="modal-title">感谢您的宝贵建议！我们会尽快处理</h4>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <!--</div>--> <script> (function (i, s, o, g, r, a, m) { i['GoogleAnalyticsObject'] = r; i[r] = i[r] || function () { (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments) }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date(); a = s.createElement(o), m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0]; a.async = 1; a.src = g; m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m) })(window, document, 'script', '//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js', 'ga'); ga('create', 'UA-45012466-1', 'onboard.cn'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <!--<script type="text/javascript">--> <!--require(['init/push-state-with-cache'], function(initlrc){initlrc();});--> <!--require(['init/websocket']);--> <!--</script>--> </div> </body> </html> | Low | [
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Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., vowed Tuesday to bring gun control legislation to the Senate floor so long as such a measure has received President Donald Trump's blessing. In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, McConnell said the White House "is in the process of studying what they're prepared to support, if anything," in the wake of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. Advertisement: "I expect to get an answer to that next week," McConnell said of gun control measures Trump would be willing to support. "If the president is in favor of a number of things that he has discussed openly and publicly, and I know that if we pass it, it will become law — I'll put it on the floor." McConnell's remarks come amid renewed public pressure to tighten the nation's gun control laws. In August, two back-to-back mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, left 31 people dead and more than 50 others injured. Over the weekend, a gunman in Odessa, Texas, killed seven people and left at least 25 others wounded in a shooting rampage. Those mass casualty incidents have increased pressure on Congress to pass gun control legislation when it returns next week from its summer recess. Among the ideas under discussion are so-called red flag laws, which would allow a family member or a law enforcement official to petition a court for an order to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others. The orders also bar the person they cover from purchasing a firearm. Advertisement: Democrats have argued that red flag laws are not enough to prevent more bloodshed and have urged McConnell to allow a vote on the House's universal background legislation, which passed earlier this year. So far, that bill has not received support from a single Republican in the Senate, who are unlikely to throw their weight behind any gun control measure unless its supported by Trump. The Republican Party is defending 22 states in the 2020 election cycle and nearly all are in deeply red states. Asked on Tuesday why he won't take up the House-backed universal background check bill to the Senate floor, McConnell claimed that lawmakers and the White House were currently in a "discussion" about how to tackle "the gun issue." Advertisement: "I said several weeks ago that if the president took a position on a bill, so that we knew we would actually be making a law and not just having serial votes, I'd be happy to put it on the floor," McConnell said. McConnell appeared to be referring to a radio interview he did in early August, where he closed the door on reconvening the Senate early from its summer recess in order to take up gun control legislation. At the time, McConnell predicted that red flag laws and expanding background checks would be "front and center" in the debate about what, if any, gun control legislation to pass. Advertisement: Another measure under consideration is a bill from Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa.,that would expand background checks to all gun sales, including those they place at gun shows. That measure has failed twice in the Senate, and it is unclear whether it could attract enough support from Republicans go pass. Additionally, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have said they are working on a red flag, which would offer federal grants and other incentives for states to adopt such laws. The measure would allow family members and law enforcement officials to request that a court temporarily restrict the access to firearms from individuals whom they believe could pose a threat to themselves or others. A similar bill was proposed last year by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and former Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. Trump has floated various ideas to curb gun violence since the Dayton and El Paso shootings, but he has not yet thrown his support behind a specific measure. Advertisement: The president has, at times, appeared open to expanding background checks. In the days following the shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Trump tweeted that "serious discussions are taking place between House and Senate leadership on meaningful background checks." But he later reportedly told Wayne LaPierre, the chief executive of the National Rifle Association, that background checks were off the table. After the shooting this past weekend, Trump called for changes to the nation's mental health system as a solution to prevent mass shootings. "It would be wonderful to say — to say 'eliminate,' but we want to substantially reduce the violent crime — and actually, in any form. Any of its evil forms. This includes strong measures to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous and deranged individuals, and substantial reforms to our nation's broken mental health system," Trump said on Sunday. Advertisement: He also appeared to dismiss the effectiveness of background checks in preventing or stopping mass shootings, claiming that "as strong as you make your background checks, they would not have stopped any of it." | Mid | [
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Allium sairamense Allium sairamense is a plant species native to Xinjiang and Kazakhstan. It grows in Abies forests at elevations of 2400–3400 m. Allium sairamense produces one round bulb up to 15 mm in diameter. Scape is up to 40 cm tall, round in cross-section. Leaves are tubular, shorter than the scape. Umbel has many purple flowers crowded together. References sairamense Category:Onions Category:Flora of China Category:Flora of Kazakhstan Category:Flora of Xinjiang Category:Plants described in 1880 | High | [
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Articles in the Focus Category The Indian education system is in a terrible shape and unless we do something about it immediately we won’t be able to rescue our children’s future. This is by now common knowledge. But despite several attempts why aren’t we able to do anything? Here’s analyzing Lant Prichett’s, American educationist, book, Rebirth of Education, which not only identifies the problems with education systems in developing countries but also proposes possible solutions. In a world that is fast becoming selfish, indifferent, and hateful of others, it is important that we bring up emotionally healthy children who understand and experience their emotions undeterred, for only then can they begin to understand the other. Childhood obesity is on the rise in India. We are all aware of the adverse effects of this on our young population so let us, parents and teachers, join hands to fight childood obesity. Here are a few tips. Lamia Bagasrawala Students in high school are faced with life changing decisions. Many students are at the crossroads during this crucial time while trying to decide on their future course of action. Parents too, have limited awareness and are unable to guide their wards properly. How can schools facilitate the career- guidance process? If this is integrated with the school curriculum, it makes the task that much easier. The author highlights some activities and processes that can be initiated when students begin high school. Pooja Birwatkar A few years back There was a time when parents would wait for their children to return from school. All that happened in school, the highlights, the challenges of the day, activities that happened, home work that was given, everything was discussed. School bags were checked and school calendars were read regularly. The […] Ruchira Ghosh Preparing students for exams takes time and dedication on a teacher’s part. Helping your students to feel confident will give them the best chance of success. Below are a few tips to ensure that your students are up to the challenge of writing an exam. Plan forward Check the most up-to-date syllabus for […] Moral value classes, life skills lessons or humanistic education. What is the value of this in learning? How important is it to implement humanistic education and can it be implemented in mainstream schools? Seven years after its implementation, how is CCE faring? Have CCE and the no detention policy managed to achieve what they were meant to? Have we failed in implementing an education policy? Where and how have we failed? Drawing is something that comes naturally to every child. Whether good or bad, it is the way the child learns to observe and express himself. Instead of allowing children the freedom and encouraging them to continue to explore the world through their drawings, we push children to learn to write even before they are ready for it thereby undoing all the progress that the child has made in the process of growing up. | Mid | [
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# Header, don't edit ;Español - España (Alfabetización Tradicional) NLF v6 # Language ID 1034 # Font and size - dash (-) means default - - # Codepage - dash (-) means ASCII code page 1252 # RTL - anything else than RTL means LTR - # Translation by MoNKi & Joel # Review and minor corrections Darwin Rodrigo Toledo Cáceres ([email protected]) www.winamp-es.com # ^Branding Nullsoft Install System %s # ^SetupCaption Instalación de $(^Name) # ^UninstallCaption Desinstalación de $(^Name) # ^LicenseSubCaption : Acuerdo de Licencia # ^ComponentsSubCaption : Opciones de Instalación # ^DirSubCaption : Directorio de Instalación # ^InstallingSubCaption : Instalando # ^CompletedSubCaption : Completado # ^UnComponentsSubCaption : Opciones de Desinstalación # ^UnDirSubCaption : Directorio de Desinstalación # ^ConfirmSubCaption : Confirmación # ^UninstallingSubCaption : Desinstalando # ^UnCompletedSubCaption : Completado # ^BackBtn < &Atrás # ^NextBtn &Siguiente > # ^AgreeBtn A&cepto # ^AcceptBtn A&cepto los términos de la licencia # ^DontAcceptBtn &No acepto los términos de la licencia # ^InstallBtn &Instalar # ^UninstallBtn &Desinstalar # ^CancelBtn Cancelar # ^CloseBtn &Cerrar # ^BrowseBtn &Examinar... # ^ShowDetailsBtn Ver &detalles # ^ClickNext Presione Siguiente para continuar. # ^ClickInstall Presione Instalar para comenzar la instalación. # ^ClickUninstall Presione Desinstalar para comenzar la desinstalación. # ^Name Nombre # ^Completed Completado # ^LicenseText Por favor, revise el acuerdo de licencia antes de instalar $(^NameDA). Si acepta todos los términos del acuerdo, presione Acepto. # ^LicenseTextCB Por favor, revise el acuerdo de licencia antes de instalar $(^NameDA). Si acepta todos los términos del acuerdo, marque abajo la casilla. $_CLICK # ^LicenseTextRB Por favor, revise el acuerdo de licencia antes de instalar $(^NameDA). Si acepta todos los términos del acuerdo, seleccione abajo la primera opción. $_CLICK # ^UnLicenseText Por favor, revise el acuerdo de licencia antes de desinstalar $(^NameDA). Si acepta todos los términos del acuerdo, presione Acepto. # ^UnLicenseTextCB Por favor, revise el acuerdo de licencia antes de desinstalar $(^NameDA). Si acepta todos los términos del acuerdo, marque abajo la casilla. $_CLICK. # ^UnLicenseTextRB Por favor, revise el acuerdo de licencia antes de desinstalar $(^NameDA). 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Para instalar en un directorio diferente, presione Examinar y seleccione otro directorio. $_CLICK # ^DirSubText Directorio de Destino # ^DirBrowseText Seleccione el directorio en el que instalará $(^NameDA): # ^UnDirText El programa de instalación desinstalará $(^NameDA) del siguiente directorio. Para desinstalar de un directorio diferente, presione Examinar y seleccione otro directorio. $_CLICK # ^UnDirSubText "" # ^UnDirBrowseText Seleccione el directorio desde el cual desinstalará $(^NameDA): # ^SpaceAvailable Espacio disponible: # ^SpaceRequired Espacio requerido: # ^UninstallingText $(^NameDA) será desinstalado del siguiente directorio. $_CLICK # ^UninstallingSubText Desinstalando desde: # ^FileError Error abriendo archivo para escritura: \r\n\t"$0"\r\nPresione abortar para anular la instalación,\r\nreintentar para volver a intentar escribir el archivo, u\r\nomitir para ignorar este archivo # ^FileError_NoIgnore Error abriendo archivo para escritura: \r\n\t"$0"\r\nPresione reintentar para volver a intentar escribir el archivo, o\r\ncancelar para anular la instalación # ^CantWrite "No pudo escribirse: " # ^CopyFailed Falló la copia # ^CopyTo "Copiar a " # ^Registering "Registrando: " # ^Unregistering "Eliminando registro: " # ^SymbolNotFound "No pudo encontrarse símbolo: " # ^CouldNotLoad "No pudo cargarse: " # ^CreateFolder "Creando directorio: " # ^CreateShortcut "Creando acceso directo: " # ^CreatedUninstaller "Creando desinstalador: " # ^Delete "Borrar archivo: " # ^DeleteOnReboot "Borrar al reinicio: " # ^ErrorCreatingShortcut "Error creando acceso directo: " # ^ErrorCreating "Error creando: " # ^ErrorDecompressing ¡Error descomprimiendo datos! ¿Instalador corrupto? # ^ErrorRegistering Error registrando DLL # ^ExecShell "Extrayendo comando: " # ^Exec "Extrayendo : " # ^Extract "Extraer: " # ^ErrorWriting "Extraer: error escribiendo al archivo " # ^InvalidOpcode Instalador corrupto: código de operación no válido # ^NoOLE "Sin OLE para: " # ^OutputFolder "Directorio de salida: " # ^RemoveFolder "Eliminar directorio: " # ^RenameOnReboot "Renombrar al reinicio: " # ^Rename "Renombrar: " # ^Skipped "Omitido: " # ^CopyDetails Copiar Detalles al Portapapeles # ^LogInstall Registrar proceso de instalación # ^Byte B # ^Kilo K # ^Mega M # ^Giga G | Mid | [
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.\" .\" Copyright (c) 1988-1997 Sam Leffler .\" Copyright (c) 1991-1997 Silicon Graphics, Inc. .\" .\" Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software and .\" its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided .\" that (i) the above copyright notices and this permission notice appear in .\" all copies of the software and related documentation, and (ii) the names of .\" Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics may not be used in any advertising or .\" publicity relating to the software without the specific, prior written .\" permission of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics. .\" .\" THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS-IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, .\" EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY .\" WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. .\" .\" IN NO EVENT SHALL SAM LEFFLER OR SILICON GRAPHICS BE LIABLE FOR .\" ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, .\" OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, .\" WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF .\" LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE .\" OF THIS SOFTWARE. .\" .if n .po 0 .TH TIFFReadEncodedStrip 3TIFF "October 15, 1995" "libtiff" .SH NAME TIFFReadEncodedStrip \- read and decode a strip of data from an open .SM TIFF file .SH SYNOPSIS .B "#include <tiffio.h>" .sp .BI "tsize_t TIFFReadEncodedStrip(TIFF *" tif ", tstrip_t " strip ", tdata_t " buf ", tsize_t " size ")" .SH DESCRIPTION Read the specified strip of data and place up to .I size bytes of decompressed information in the (user supplied) data buffer. .SH NOTES The value of .I strip is a ``raw strip number.'' That is, the caller must take into account whether or not the data are organized in separate planes (\c .IR PlanarConfiguration =2). To read a full strip of data the data buffer should typically be at least as large as the number returned by .BR TIFFStripSize (3TIFF). If the -1 passed in .I size parameter, the whole strip will be read. You should be sure you have enough space allocated for the buffer. .PP The library attempts to hide bit- and byte-ordering differences between the image and the native machine by converting data to the native machine order. Bit reversal is done if the .I FillOrder tag is opposite to the native machine bit order. 16- and 32-bit samples are automatically byte-swapped if the file was written with a byte order opposite to the native machine byte order, .SH "RETURN VALUES" The actual number of bytes of data that were placed in .I buf is returned; .IR TIFFReadEncodedStrip returns \-1 if an error was encountered. .SH DIAGNOSTICS All error messages are directed to the .BR TIFFError (3TIFF) routine. .SH "SEE ALSO" .BR TIFFOpen (3TIFF), .BR TIFFReadRawStrip (3TIFF), .BR TIFFReadScanline (3TIFF), .BR libtiff (3TIFF) .PP Libtiff library home page: .BR http://www.remotesensing.org/libtiff/ | Mid | [
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NOTE: all electronics pricing assumes the guitar to be routed and previously prepared for said electronics and wiring! Adding pickups or electronics to a guitar which will require routing cavities or drilling/chiseling/augering/jackhammering/vivisectionizing, etc., will be price-negotiable and generally proportioned to the value of the instrument. That is to say: If you have something cheap or cosmetically inconsequential you want me to hack up, fine. I'll do it for a reasonable fee. But if you have something unique, vintage, or very expensive I'll either send you down south to someone reputable or it's really gonna cost you. Custom Shop / Artistic Endeavors pro-level relic work and hardware aging/distressing, inlay removal/replacement, various other customizations possible - I'll consult you! I can clean & detail your dirty old hardware to make it look new, or distress your new hardware to make it look old - It's your call! I've recently addedFab Gear Drums & Music to my pool of musician services in Dayton, Ohio. He doesn't do repairs, but supplies lots of drum replacement parts through his ebay store. Lastly, I'm proud to includeTWISTER AMPS (Handmade / Boutique Tube Amps / Tube Amp Repair - Dayton) to my list of references. These tube amps are built right here in Dayton, Ohio and are true boutique quality for a fraction of the cost. Did I mention they spank the $#!+ out of just about everything?! And I can't forget my good friends at Centerville Music, one of the largest PRS dealers in the universe. C.Wright has been wrangling guitars for over 20 year, in bands such as Scorched Earth, Nostromo, the Igniters and most recently LUXURY PUSHERS . Currently working on a new project called 'c.wright's Parlour Tricks' - check out some of the demo tracks on the Wrightfield MYSPACE page. | High | [
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Stop guilting yourself Below is a quote from Meditations written by Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD, followed by my interpretation and two cents on the matter. The quote is a dialogue presumably between his higher and lower self, or perhaps a hypothetical pleasure-seeking muggle: “At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?’ -But it’s nicer here…. So you were born to feel ‘nice’? Instead of doing things and experience them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands? -But we have to sleep sometime…. Agreed. But nature has set a limit on that — as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. You’ve had more than enough of that. But not of working. There you’re still below your quota. You don’t love yourself enough. Or you’d love your nature too, and what it demands of you. People who love what they do wear themselves down doing it, they even forget to wash or eat. Do you have less respect for your own nature than the engraver does for engraving, the dancer for the dance, the miser for the money, or the social climber for status? When they’re really possessed by what they do, they’d rather stop eating and sleeping than give up practicing their arts.” - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations. There is a mountain of wisdom in that quote that I can’t completely pick apart here, but the main point that I get from this and want to elaborate on is that working is something that is embedded in your nature as a human being, in the same way as sleeping, eating, drinking, and sexual desire. The most likely reason for not wanting to get out of bed I think is because you hate your job, or how you spend your day to day. You need to force yourself to do it, and somebody needs to pay you, because otherwise you wouldn’t do it. It’s conflicting with your nature as a human being. The idea in the quote above I think is that human nature is inherently good and right, and that you would do best to be true to it. You will be a naturally hard working, inspiring, productive, and creative human being if you just stopped telling yourself what you should and shouldn’t be doing. Letting the chips fall like that and letting the ship steer itself I think will iron out every last one of your problems. The reason why is because you will begin to see the reasons for things in your own eyes, rather than just doing them because mummy or daddy or society has told you so. You’ll want to work because it fills your life with meaning and purpose, rather than because you HAVE to work in order to make money and live. Likewise you will quickly learn not to overeat or oversleep, because those things, while tempting in the short term, bear consequences. You become directly aware of what is and isn’t good for you in a very tangible way, and then all of a sudden you don’t need to guilt yourself about what you should or shouldn’t do. You just fucking do it, because it’s in your nature, and then you can finally enjoy your life that thing that all the new agers call the ‘present’ (they need to give better advice). | Mid | [
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The London Zoo has three of the cutest little residents you'll ever see. Three Sumatran Tiger cubs, the world's rarest tigers, were born on February 3rd this year to momma cat Melati. Now the tigress is inside a "cubbing den" with her babies, lounging around, nursing and kissing her babies. One of the zookeepers said: "We couldn't be more delighted with our new arrivals, and with how Melati is responding to her three cubs. We've been observing them 24/7, and one of us is always on duty to keep an eye on the little ones throughout the night. We've even been able to observe key milestones like their eyes opening and their tentative first steps." | Mid | [
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Wherein Peele and Poon blog about games and stuff. Tag Archives: Tyler Durden There are just some absolutely classic spoilers in the world of entertainment. Even those born fresh, bearing mind availed of watching Star Wars, know that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. They know what Rosebud really is and they know you probably shouldn’t eat Soylent Green. Hell, there’s even a shirt for it. BioShock Infinite, however, is a rarity; it can’t be spoiled. I mean, sure, you can sum up what happens at the end, put into words the rational absurdity that happens, but it doesn’t take anything away from it. Having stumbled across bits and pieces of the immense conclusion to the game, my jaw was still on the floor by the time the credits rolled. Knowing that Bruce Willis was dead the whole time and that Tyler Durden isn’t real robs you of half of the entire experience of watching both of those movies. Instead of witnessing the events unfold with virgin eyes, you skip right to the second stage of watching for the little touches that show you the truth: the flickering appearances, the people that talk to him, etc. You miss the “OH WHOA” moment because you already know. But the ending of BioShock Infinite has to be seen, has to be played. The culmination of your physical efforts land you square in a heated battle on the side of a giant mechanical monstrosity you thought you were going to have to fight. And then you almost do. And then something breaks. And I don’t mean the little harmonica. I mean the world. I mean your brain. Even if someone told you that you ended up back in Rapture, the snap to the pane of a watery window is incredible. It’s a shock to the system, and as you step away, you realize you’ve been here. This room, in particular, was ingrained in your mind the moment you set foot in it in BioShock. The lighthouses, though. Here’s the spoiler for that: “you see an infinite sea of infinite lighthouses under a sky of infinite stars.” Not quite the same, right? You need to see and walk through the piers of your own volition. You need to be able to gawk dumbfounded at your own pace. You need to make those choices because you need to slowly realize that they represent the fact that you aren’t making any choices at all. When you see more Bookers and Elizabeths walking around, doing the exact same thing, you understand that your actions, even under the epiphany of endless possibilities and universes, are always accounted for. The concepts of fate and free will are casually words in your head, but BioShock Infinite visualizes it for you in such a way that it makes the crushing sense of helplessness wholly inescapable. That’s what makes BioShock Infinite so incredible. It envelops the past six years of ruminations on Rapture and stolen paradise. It folds in the stunning art direction and sound design. It stands upon the shoulders of unmatched voice acting and characterization. It is BioShock Infinite, my number five game of the year. | Mid | [
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(ns env.android.main (:require [sulo-native.android.core :as core])) (core/init) | Low | [
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Monthly Archives: September 2012 I’ve been thinking about the idea of patriarchy a lot lately. In fact I’ve been wanting to write a post about it for a while but a series of events have prevented me from doing so. The first time I felt moved to do it was several months ago when Ashley Judd wrote a response to the media about their continued coverage over her “puffy” appearance. I felt that her definition of patriarchy was so well explained that it needed to be shared as much as possible. Judd explains, “Patriarchy is not men. Patriarchy is a system in which both women and men participate. It privileges, inter alia, the interests of boys and men over the bodily integrity, autonomy, and dignity of girls and women. It is subtle, insidious, and never more dangerous than when women passionately deny that they themselves are engaging in it.” Several things that she said stuck out to me. The idea of patriarchy being a system that people participate in and it being subtle and insidious, first and foremost. I find this to be refreshingly simple and yet utterly profound. It might not be an understanding that people are unfamiliar with but explaining it as she did began to frame the way I looked at issues around me. This brings me to the second time I wanted to write this post. When I read a blogpost from a young woman who was visiting Egypt in which she recounted the sexual assault she had faced in that country. The blogpost went viral which inevitably means the young woman was inundated with comments from people questioning the truth of her story, her character and why she would’ve been in Tahrir Square in the first place. The honesty of the post, the bravery with which this young woman shared her frightening experience, was being publicly questioned and ridiculed. The young woman followed up that post with another, addressing some of the concerns of the internet trolls. She took a minute to address the comments of those who questioned why she would’ve be there, saying that they were right, she probably shouldn’t have been there knowing it was an unsafe space. This woman, who was walking down the street with a friend when she was suddenly pulled down and assaulted by a group of men, beaten, stripped naked, pulled and touched, was now being forced to accept that she was in the wrong. Arguments that the girl should have never been there in the first place are a way of blaming the victim without exactly saying, you deserved what you got. Although, fear not, those comments were there also. But it wasn’t those comments that I found so crushing, sadly that has become almost par for the course, it was rather that the young woman felt forced to entertain their ideas and inevitably agree with their arguments. That’s patriarchy. When this girl has to begin to look at her actions and think maybe there was something that she did that contributed to her own sexual assault. That belief, that victims of rape and sexual assault have somehow done something to bring about or deserve these acts of violence, is proof that patriarchy is alive and well. And for it to go unchecked is prove of it thriving. Inevitably, instances of me wanting to connect things to the patriarchy began to continue to creep up. An older gentleman sitting next to at Disney World, feeling that after having a two minute conversation with me he could invite me back to his hotel room, not once but twice within 30 seconds (because apparently no doesn’t really mean no) — Patriarchy. A magazine article interviewing a well known actor, accompanied by a photograph of him fully clothed with a topless, nameless woman draped on top of him — Patriarchy. Conversations at the government level regarding reproductive health that include zero women, followed up a segment on the news discussing how terrible it was that there were no women involved while interviewing an all male panel — Patriarchy (and hilarious farce). Articles on a website promoting “women’s issues” while regularly criticizing women’s physical appearance — Patriarchy. Patriarchy, patriarchy, patriarchy. Privileging men over women, boys over girls, insidious, subtle (although sometimes not even) and no more dangerous when women deny that they are participating. Yet somehow there is something comforting to me about the way Judd defined patriarchy. It is a system that we all participate in, so it exists outside of our actions as individuals. And yet just as we have given it life, we can bring it down to its knees. I don’t fear broken systems. I fear understandings of reality wherein people believe patterns of behavior or systems put in place are inevitable and completely unchangeable. Or rather I don’t fear them, I fear the people who believe that they exist. So for Judd to define the patriarchy as a system, something that thrives and requires our participation for its existence, was empowering for me. Patriarchy is like a parasite, it cannot survive on its own. That means that we, conscious of its existence, should be able to put a stop to it. While it exists outside of us an individuals, it requires our actions, thoughts and conversations to thrive. Therefore a thoughtfulness, and true desire to want to move beyond this oppressive system, can shift momentum away. That might sound truly naive but honestly, I think believing issues that live on the basis of human thought and action exist outside of human behavior and choice is naive. Change requires a maturity, a patience, a move beyond simple solutions and actions but its not impossible. I think it all likelihood it might require things to get worse before they get better, since we might be ignorant to the fact that things can even get worse, but once people’s consciousness to the reality of the world around them is raised, when people begin to see themselves as protagonists who are acting in situations rather than individuals who are being acted upon, then systems of belief and practice that have long been seen as inevitable facets of human behavior can begin to be questioned, addressed and resolved. May I put a vote in for patriarchy to be the first to go? Advertisements Advertisements Get Updated! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Welcome At the core of this blog is the document “Advancing towards the Equality between Women and Men” prepared by the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity. However, engendering equality is not just a catchy name, it’s also a process we are all engaged in. In order to give us inspiration to be working towards engendering equality this blog tries to create a space in which actions and reflections are shared by individuals on the promotion of the equality of women and men within their social space. | High | [
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With less than a month to go now before the 2018 NFL Draft takes place, we’re sure to start hearing the annual negative reports about some of this year’s top prospects. Some of these reports might include drug testing results at the combine while a few others might be related to a handful of players potentially having medical red flags. With that disclaimer now out of the way, Tony Pauline of draftanalyst.com had an interesting report Thursday morning about one player that has been mocked quite a bit this offseason to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round. That player is none other than former Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans. According to Pauline, Evans did not run the 40-yard-dash at the second pro day Alabama conducted on Wednesday and him not doing so reportedly “left a very bad taste in the mouths of teams who purposely made the trip to watch his workout.” In Evans’ defense, he reportedly played last season with two groin injuries and that was the reason he decided to not run his 40-yard-dash at this year’s scouting combine in Indianapolis. While Evans did do position drills at Alabama’s first pro day several weeks ago, that’s apparently all he did as he chose to not run the 40-yard-dash again. According to Pauline’s Thursday morning report, there were several NFL teams that questioned Evans’ speed ahead of this year’s pre-draft process and that, combined with the fact he’s not yet run the forty, and coupled with him posting a vertical jump of just 30 inches and a 9-feet-8-inch broad jump at the combine, will likely raise further red flags about his true athleticism. The current general consensus surrounding Evans is that he’s likely to still be on the board come time for the Steelers first-round selection in this year’s draft. The Steelers are obviously expected to draft an inside linebacker at some point this year even though they recently signed veteran free agent linebacker Jon Bostic to a two-year contract a few weeks ago. With that said, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert did say at this year’s scouting combine that this year’s draft class doesn’t include many impactful players in it. “There’s a few impactful guys, but then there’s a lot of numbers,” Colbert said in February when talking about this year’s off-the-ball linebacker draft class. “And inside guys usually have one ability that maybe they can cover, they can play the run or maybe they’re special teams guys.” Is it possible that Colbert and the rest of the Steelers scouts believe that Evans is more of a second-round talent than a first? I suppose, but we won’t find out for sure what they and the other 31 NFL teams really think about him until draft day. It will certainly be interesting to see if Evans is ultimately one of a few players sent back to Indianapolis for a medical recheck in a few weeks from now and usually the names of those players start surfacing around the first part of April. Evans, who measured in at the combine at 6017, 232-pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms and 10-inch hands, recorded 74 total tackles for Alabama this past season and that includes 13 for losses and 6 sacks. He also had 3 defensed passes and a forced fumble this past season. He missed two games early last season with a groin injury, however, and exited Alabama as just a one-year starter on defense. | Mid | [
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Differentiating solitary pulmonary metastases in patients with renal cell carcinomas by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography--a preliminary report. This preliminary study was to evaluate the characteristics of indeterminate solitary pulmonary lesions in patients with renal cell carcinomas (RCC) using (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Fifteen patients with RCC were found to have solitary pulmonary lesions with indeterminate chest X-ray and CT findings. Pulmonary metastases were suspected in all cases so whole body surveys with FDG-PET were performed. FDG-PET correctly identified 9 true-positive and 4 true-negative cases. However, FDG-PET failed to interpret 1 false-positive and 1 false-negative case. Standard uptake values (SUV) were used as parameters to differentiate the solitary pulmonary lesions. Using SUV >2.5 as the cutoff to diagnose malignancy, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG-PET were 90, 80, and 87%, respectively. We conclude that FDG-PET is an accurate modality to differentiate solitary pulmonary lesions in patients with RCC. | High | [
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Rate & Review Product A 3d model of an icing bucket suitable for restaurant renderings.The model is available in 3 formats (max9, 3ds, and obj). The max version contains the material settings for vray.(This is part of a more extensive collection that includes a wedding table, a wedding chair, a vase with roses, and more. For more details, see product id 430300) | Low | [
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The long-term goal of this proposal is to elucidate the molecular basis of embryonic endoderm development in vertebrates. The endoderm layer of the embryo gives rise to the epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, pancreas, thyroid and thymus, but our understanding of endoderm formation lags behind that of mesoderm and neural development. The framework of a conserved molecular pathway that initiates endoderm development has recently been deduced. The endoderm specific transcription factor Sox17 is one of the most downstream components of this pathway and while the evidence suggests that it has a critical function, its precise role has not been determined. Furthermore, the molecular cascade downstream of Sox17 that directs endoderm differentiation is unknown. This proposal focuses on the role of Sox17 using Xenopus as a model system. In our published work and preliminary experiments we have discovered that Sox17 functionally interacts with the Wnt and TGF signaling pathways. We have identified direct target genes of Sox17 and our data suggests that beta-catenin and Smad2 are important transcription partners of Sox17. This proposal seeks to extend our understanding of Sox17 function and endoderm development with the following specific aims: 1. To better characterize the role of Sox17 in endoderm formation. 2. To determine the function of several Sox17 target genes. 3. Examine how Sox17 interacts with the Wnt and TGF pathways to regulate endodermal genes. 4. Determine the molecular basis of Sox17's interaction with beta-catenin and Smad2. This research will further our understanding of endoderm development and how Sox, Wnt and TGF pathways are regulated. This information will be useful for directing the differentiation of stem cells along endodermal lineages. It may also provide insight into congenital diseases or cancers associated with defects in endoderm development, as well as mutation in Sox proteins, Wnt and TGF signaling components. | High | [
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Only transient increase of vascular growth factors and microvascular density after percutaneous myocardial laser. We tested the hypothesis that percutaneous myocardial laser may stimulate microvascular growth in areas surrounding the laser channels. We conducted a study of 24 domestic pigs, which underwent percutaneous myocardial laser to left ventricular myocardium using holmium:YAG laser. The pigs were sacrificed in groups of four after one day, 3-4 days, one week, three weeks and six weeks. Frozen sections from both normal and treated myocardium were prepared for immunofluorescence microscopy and stained with antibodies against von Willebrand factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Extra Domain-A cellular fibronectin (ED-AcFN). Microvascular density (MVD) and vascular area (VA) were determined in sections stained with antibodies against von Willebrand factor VIII using a digitised image analysis system. When determined in laser treated areas, channel core remnants were excluded from analysis. Within the laser channel remnants and in the tissue closely surrounding these, expression of VEGF and ED-AcFN increased significantly after treatment at one, 3-4, and seven days and decreased to normal at three and six weeks. Expression of ED-AcFN was detected adjacent to endothelial cells of microvessels. The original laser channels were rapidly invaded by granulation tissue. There was no sign of recanalization at any stage during the six weeks. Morphometric analysis showed no increase in MVD and VA in the myocardium surrounding the laser channels. An increase of VEGF and ED-AcFN after myocardial laser is transient and is not associated with increase of MVD or VA in myocardium not involving laser channel remnants. | Mid | [
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Great work, Dan. The lengths you went on this article really make it stand out. I've seen many posts on message boards with the same topic in mind, but this takes the cake in terms of being comprehensive and factual still all the while keeping the sequence of events in order. "Dammit you piss me off. I f#ckin hate you and I hope you f#cking get killed by a rabid polar bear you douche bag." Frankly, I had no freaking idea what I was getting into here. I've had people from Alabama emailing to send me additional information...and one north Alabama sports talk station emailed today to set up an interview with me on Wednesday. That is now set for 1:15 p.m. Wednesday. They tell me you can listen live at 939thescore.com I spoke with a guy this morning on the phone who was personally acquainted with a longtime Alabama State Senator, who wanted to give some insights into Alabama politics, and just how Lowder was able to keep the state from replacing him on the Auburn BoT. All this means that there will have to be a follow up article, natch. Searching Twitter on the keyword "Lowder" is enough to give you an idea of how the thing is spreading, especially in SEC country. It's posted at several SEC message boards and my emailing it to several national sportswriters couldn't have hurt either. But it's amazing what has happened with it. "I believe it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting." H.L. Mencken Dan, really is a fantastic article. Been telling my friends down here about it. Being in the middle of things, Auburn fans just don't care. Bama fans are pissed, and Mississippi State fans are as well (as they'd be there if Cam had come to Starkville). Great to see you're getting props for it. LSU site that I visit daily, tigerdroppings.com, has a ton of traffic and a great SEC Rant board. They have a 120+ page thread going on about this very topic, and Dan's article off the main page is linked on page 119. Tons of traffic on that site, great for Dan. Bayou Tribe wrote:LSU site that I visit daily, tigerdroppings.com, has a ton of traffic and a great SEC Rant board. They have a 120+ page thread going on about this very topic, and Dan's article off the main page is linked on page 119. Tons of traffic on that site, great for Dan. As a former newspaperman, I gotta tell you that this is one of the most comprehensive, well-researched sports articles I've ever seen on an independent Website -- certainly worthy of SI. I can also tell you that it takes tremendous balls to write something like this about a well-known figure for public consumption. Before doing so, you've got to cover all the bases, and it appears that Dan has. Dan has been on fire all season. My two favorite Wiz joints of the year were the Minnesota piece and this one. Two very different types of articles. It ain't all that easy to do one style well. Versatility is strength ILO. JCoz wrote:Are you legally able to do a montage of the most ridiculous Auburn fan emails? The Bammers and Tiger fans are probably sending in some funny stuff as well... Not sure how many emails Swerb is just looking at and declining to send my way, but I assume he is sending me most of what he's getting, and I have responded politely to almost every one, in some cases leading to a back and forth dialogue. Almost all of it has been very civil and constructive. Frankly I'm a little surprised at the relative lack of nastiness in them, especially from the Auburn people. But then again, I express some sympathy with the Auburn fans...and even the ones that disagree with some of my suppositions have begun with some variation of "We all hate Bobby Lowder and what he's done to Auburn, but...." Some want to write off the whole exercise to my being a bitter OSU/Big Ten fan laying the groundwork for another loss to an SEC school...blah, blah. Or "why don't you write an article about Maurice Clarett...blah, blah"..., since I openly self-identify as a Buckeye fan. (I remind these people that Maurice Clarett's college career was terminated after one season because of the shit he did...and that OSU suffered some sanctions for it all) As far as the interview Wednesday on Alabama radio (939thescore.com) it's set to go at 1:15 pm, but as far as I know the "Listen Live" button on the station's website isn't working. I tried it yesterday and it downdloads a .m3u file, but can't connect to a live host. I notified the station that the web listening function isn't working, but a day later, it still isn't. I have the ability to record the call myself, so I may do that. "I believe it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting." H.L. Mencken Are there any suspicious looking vans parked across the street and a few houses down? The WSJ writer I talked to is Allen Barra. Great guy, and we had a nice conversation. He has a piece appearing in Wednesday's paper (website?) and I think that some or all of this quote from my article is what he intends to use: The presumption of innocence is one thing, but the suspension of disbelief is something else entirely. Cam Newton surely is entitled to the former. But given Auburn's sleazy history, plus what we now know about the elder Newton, to believe in his innocence is to make an irrational leap of faith. It is borderline delusional. Barra is from Alabama, and said he will try to get the article some more exposure down there by possibly hooking me up with some newspapers in the area. Barra is also appearing on the nationally syndicated Paul Finebaum sports talk show...also tomorrow afternoon, and he says he is going to plug the article and TCF. No unmarked vans on the street...yet. "I believe it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting." H.L. Mencken As far as the interview Wednesday on Alabama radio (939thescore.com) it's set to go at 1:15 pm, but as far as I know the "Listen Live" button on the station's website isn't working. I tried it yesterday and it downdloads a .m3u file, but can't connect to a live host. I notified the station that the web listening function isn't working, but a day later, it still isn't. Windows Media Player started playing the feed, then blew up. I tried VLC and it looks like their server is dead or getting too much traffic. They need a real host Just to clarify. I'm not going to be on the syndicated Finebaum show (though Allen Barra is...talking about generally the same topic) I am on a local show on one of the many stations that also carries the syndicated Finebaum show...from 6-10 pm. Harold Bugg and Brett Baeird (sp?) are the hosts. "I believe it is the nature of the human species to reject what is true but unpleasant and to embrace what is obviously false but comforting." H.L. Mencken swerb wrote:Wall Street Journal emailed me to get Dan's contact info ... Dan spoke with the reporter for 20 min and is going to be quoted in a Wednesday piece in the Journal. Dan gets to speak to the WSJ? he's gotta be in heaven. Only thing better is when he gets on Hannity. ;-) WTG Danny! 90,685 fucking hits on that article. That is unGodly, unbelievable and just slightly impressive. All y'all better start cranking out SEC pieces. And make sure they're that well written and researched. Christ, if I can get 1,000 people to click the Wrap I feel like a burglar and like Faulkner. Up til now TCF 'viral' has been an Amico column during the playoffs that knocked down 10,000 reads. The bar is now a bit higher. I told Dan in private emails and in here that he makes me proud to be associated with him in however small a manner I am. Technically he's tremendous, his effort and passion is off the charts and his work product speaks for itself. He deserves every effing click he gets and I hope something goofy comes from the whole thing. A lot of us fancy ourselves as wasted on our real jobs and psuedo Updikes and Lardners. I'll say it aloud: Dan is a professional and he's excellent at what he does. I'm happy for the man. Sincerely ecstatic for someone who puts so much into everything he does. | Mid | [
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The present invention relates to keyswitches for use in computer terminals, typewriters, and the like and more particularly to an actuator assembly for use in a linear feel keyswitch with hysteresis which includes three separate spring elements. Keyswitches of conventional design generally include a plunger which is slideably mounted within a housing. The plunger is designed to slide downwardly when the keytop of the keyswitch is pressed. Downward pressure on the keytop actuates an electrical switch coupled to the plunger. For certain applications, it is desirable to have a keyswitch which provides a linear feel to the keyswitch operator. It is also desirable to provide a keyswitch with hysteresis and overtravel. In a keyswitch with linear feel, the amount of force required to press the switch from its non-actuated to its fully depressed condition increases linearly as the plunger travels downwardly. In a keyboard, such as a typewriter keyboard manufactured from a plurality of keyswitches, the provision of linear feel reduces fatigue on the fingers of the keyboard operator. The use of linear feel keyswitches also increases accuracy by providing a certain degree of feedback to the keyboard operator and facilitates the efficiency of keyboard operation. The provision of hysteresis in a keyswitch results in a lag in the electrical response of the switch. For example, if the point at which a keyswitch "makes" an electrical connection on the downward stroke of the plunger is further down than the point at which the electrical connection "breaks" on the upward stroke, the switch is said to have a positive hysteresis. If the make and break points in the switch are at the exact same physical location on the downward and upward strokes (i.e., no hysteresis), it will be possible for a keyswitch operator to unintentionally produce multiple actuations if any hesitation is made at the exact moment the switch turns on. This phenomenon is known as "teasing" the switch, because what is intended by the operator as one switch actuation may be interpreted by the circuitry actuated by the switch as a plurality of actuations. Where the switch is designed such that it must pass through the make point on its return stroke before the break point is reached, such teasing, with the resultant possibility of error, will be prevented. Hysteresis can be provided by either electrical means, mechanical means, or both. For example, hysteresis can be provided electrically in a capacitive-type keyboard by using an electronic circuit with different thresholds for "make" and "break" to detect the keyboard output. If the electronic circuit senses an incremental change in capacitance of 8 picofarads ("pf") from a threshold value as a make condition and an incremental capacitance change of 5 pf from the same threshold value as a break condition, then the plungers of the keyswitches on the keyboard will have to pass through the make point on their return stroke before reaching the break point. Thus, positive hysteresis will be achieved. Mechanical hysteresis can be provided by mechanically establishing a different plunger displacement for the make point and the break point. It has now been found that the use of a plunger using three spring elements, where one spring element is a resilient foam switch actuator, provides a significantly improved positive mechanical hysteresis. This result occurs even though the resilient foam itself has a force versus displacement profile indicative of a negative hysteresis. Spring elements other than resilient foam, which exhibit negative hysteresis, can alternatively be used. For example, a plunger having two spring elements, in conjunction with the spring force provided by a momentary contact membrane-type keyswitch well known in the art, can provide an improved positive mechanical hysteresis in accordance with the present invention. In such an arrangement, the plunger with two spring elements would be used to actuate the membrane-type switch. In a keyswitch with overtravel, electrical contact is made (i.e., the switch turns "on") before the keytop is fully depressed. Overtravel provides for more reliable switch operation, because keyboard operators often inadvertently fail to press the keyswitch down the whole way, particularly when typing at a high rate of speed. When overtravel is provided, the keyswitch will turn on as long as the plunger is depressed at least to the point where electrical contact is made. It would be advantageous to provide a keyswitch combining the favorable characteristics of linear force, hysteresis, and overtravel. The present invention relates to such a keyswitch. | Mid | [
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/* * Windows resource file for libswscale * * Copyright (C) 2012 James Almer * Copyright (C) 2013 Tiancheng "Timothy" Gu * * This file is part of FFmpeg. * * FFmpeg is free software; you can redistribute it and/or * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. * * FFmpeg is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU * Lesser General Public License for more details. * * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public * License along with FFmpeg; if not, write to the Free Software * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA */ #include <windows.h> #include "libswscale/version.h" #include "libavutil/ffversion.h" #include "config.h" 1 VERSIONINFO FILEVERSION LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MAJOR, LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MINOR, LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MICRO, 0 PRODUCTVERSION LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MAJOR, LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MINOR, LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MICRO, 0 FILEFLAGSMASK VS_FFI_FILEFLAGSMASK FILEOS VOS_NT_WINDOWS32 FILETYPE VFT_DLL { BLOCK "StringFileInfo" { BLOCK "040904B0" { VALUE "CompanyName", "FFmpeg Project" VALUE "FileDescription", "FFmpeg image rescaling library" VALUE "FileVersion", AV_STRINGIFY(LIBSWSCALE_VERSION) VALUE "InternalName", "libswscale" VALUE "LegalCopyright", "Copyright (C) 2000-" AV_STRINGIFY(CONFIG_THIS_YEAR) " FFmpeg Project" VALUE "OriginalFilename", "swscale" BUILDSUF "-" AV_STRINGIFY(LIBSWSCALE_VERSION_MAJOR) SLIBSUF VALUE "ProductName", "FFmpeg" VALUE "ProductVersion", FFMPEG_VERSION } } BLOCK "VarFileInfo" { VALUE "Translation", 0x0409, 0x04B0 } } | Mid | [
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Canada tightens restrictions on Bitcoin trading Both the Royal Bank of Canada and TDBank have frozen Bitcoin accounts, without explaining their reasoning In the United States, the difficult-to-trace digital currency Bitcoin is largely unregulated. Recently, the Treasury Department has issued some guidelines, though they remain rather broad. The regulatory environment in Canada, however, is rather more strict, as several Bitcoin entrepreneurs have found out. Advertisement: Bitcoin drew international attention through Cyprus’s banking emergency, its inclusion in the American financial regulatory framework, and increasing press coverage. The currency recently spiked to as high as $266 before crashing to a low of about $50, then rebounding to a post-crash high of $162. Canadians James Grant of Canadian Bitcoins and Melvin Ng of CADBitcoin both run Bitcoin exchanges, where users can convert Canadian dollars to bitcoins and vice versa. Both were contacted by banking authorities and told that their business accounts had been frozen. The Royal Bank of Canada and TDBank, which froze the accounts, have not explained their reasoning. Advertisement: To Grant, it is simple. “They don’t like bitcoins,” he said to Business Insider. Joseph David, proprietor of Canada’s largest Bitcoin exchange, VirtEx, which was shut down temporarily in 2011, told the publication he thought perhaps the businessmen had not “obtained the proper money service licensing.” Ng, however, said he had done so. The shutdown was enough to convince Ng to leave the exchange business. He is now setting up a chain of Bitcoin-only stores in Canada. | Mid | [
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--- abstract: 'Deep cross-modal learning has successfully demonstrated excellent performances in cross-modal multimedia retrieval, with the aim of learning joint representations between different data modalities. Unfortunately, little research focuses on cross-modal correlation learning where temporal structures of different data modalities such as audio and lyrics are taken into account. Stemming from the characteristic of temporal structures of music in nature, we are motivated to learn the deep sequential correlation between audio and lyrics. In this work, we propose a deep cross-modal correlation learning architecture involving two-branch deep neural networks for audio modality and text modality (lyrics). Different modality data are converted to the same canonical space where inter modal canonical correlation analysis is utilized as an objective function to calculate the similarity of temporal structures. This is the first study on understanding the correlation between language and music audio through deep architectures for learning the paired temporal correlation of audio and lyrics. Pre-trained Doc2vec model followed by fully-connected layers (fully-connected deep neural network) is used to represent lyrics. Two significant contributions are made in the audio branch, as follows: i) pre-trained CNN followed by fully-connected layers is investigated for representing music audio. ii) We further suggest an end-to-end architecture that simultaneously trains convolutional layers and fully-connected layers to better learn temporal structures of music audio. Particularly, our end-to-end deep architecture contains two properties: simultaneously implementing feature learning and cross-modal correlation learning, and learning joint representation by considering temporal structures. Experimental results, using audio to retrieve lyrics or using lyrics to retrieve audio, verify the effectiveness of the proposed deep correlation learning architectures in cross-modal music retrieval.' author: - '\' bibliography: - 'IEEEabrv.bib' - 'mybibfile.bib' title: 'Deep Cross-Modal Correlation Learning for Audio and Lyrics in Music Retrieval' --- Convolutional neural networks, deep cross-modal models, correlation learning between audio and lyrics, cross-modal music retrieval, music knowledge discovery Introduction ============ Music audio and lyrics provide complementary information in understanding the richness of human beings’ cultures and activities [@Nettl00]. Music[^1] is an art expression whose medium is sound organized in time. Lyrics[^2] as natural language represent music theme and story, which are a very important element for creating a meaningful impression of the music. Starting from the late 2014, Google provides music search results containing song lyrics as shown in Fig. \[fig:lyrics.pdf\] when given a specific song title. However, searching lyrics in this way is insufficient because sometimes people might lack exact song title but know a segment of music audio instead, or want to search an audio track with part of the lyrics. Then, a natural question arises: how to retrieve the lyrics by a segment of music audio, and vice versa? Searching lyrics by audio was almost impossible years ago due to the limited availability of large volumes of music audio and lyrics. The profusion of online music audio and lyrics from music sharing websites such as YouTube, MetroLyrics, Azlyrics, and Genius shows the opportunity to understand musical knowledge from content-based audio and lyrics by leveraging large volumes of cross-modal music data aggregated in Internet. ![\[fig:lyrics.pdf\] Google lyrics for song title “another brick in the wall (part II)”.](lyrics){width="4cm"} Motivated by the fact that audio content and lyrics are very fundamental aspects for understanding what kind of cultures and activities a song wants to convey to us, this research pays attentions to deep correlation learning between audio and lyrics for cross-modal music retrieval and considers two real-world tasks: using audio to retrieve lyrics or using lyrics to retrieve audio. Several contributions are made in this paper, as follows: i\) To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first research where a deep correlation learning architecture with two-branch neural networks and correlation learning model is studied for cross-modal music retrieval by using either audio or lyrics as a query modality. ii\) Different music modality data are projected to the shared space where inter modal canonical correlation analysis is exploited as an objective function to calculate the similarity of temporal structures. Fully-connected deep neural networks (DNNs) and an end-to-end DNN are proposed to learn audio representation, where the pre-trained Doc2vec model followed by fully-connected layers is employed to extract lyrics feature. iii\) Extensive experiments confirm the effectiveness of our deep correlation learning architecture for audio-lyrics music retrieval, which are meaningful results and studies for attracting more efforts on mining music knowledge structure and correlation between different modality data. The rest of this paper is structured as follows. Research motivation and background are introduced in Sec.\[sec:Related\]. Sec.\[sec:preliminaries\] gives the preliminaries of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Deep Canonical Correlation Analysis (DCCA). Then, Sec.\[sec:Algorithm\] presents why and how we exploit CNNs and DCCA to build a deep correlation learning architecture for audio-lyrics music retrieval. The task of cross-modal music retrieval in our work is described in Sec.\[sec:Tasks\]. Experimental evaluation results are shown in Sec.\[sec:Experiments\]. Finally, conclusions are pointed out in Sec.\[sec:Conclusion\]. Motivation and Background {#sec:Related} ========================= Music has permeated our daily life, which contains different modalities in real-world scenarios such as temporal audio signal, lyrics with meaningful sentences, high-level semantic tags, and temporal visual content. However, correlation learning between lyrics and audio for cross-modal music retrieval has not been sufficiently studied. Previous works [@Yu2010; @Yu2013; @Yu2009] mainly focused on content-based music retrieval with single modality. With the widespread availability of large-scale multimodal music data, it brings us research opportunity to tackle cross-modal music retrieval. Lyrics and Audio in Music ------------------------- Recent research has shown that lyrics, audio, or the combination of audio and lyrics are mainly applied to semantic classification such as emotion or genre in music. For example, authors in [@McVicar2011] proposed an unsupervised learning method for mood recognition where Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) was applied to identify correlations between lyrics and audio, and the evaluation of mood classification was done based on the valence-arousal space. An interesting corpus with each song in the MIDI format and emotion annotation is introduced in [@Mihalcea2012]. Coarse-grained classification for six emotions is learned by support vector machines (SVM), and this work showed that either textual feature or audio feature can be used for emotion classification, and their joint use leads to a significant improvement. Emotion lyrics datasets in English [@Malheiro2016] are annotated with continuous arousal and valence values. Specific text emotion attributes are considered to complement music emotion recognition. Experiments on the regression and classification of music lyrics by quadrant, arousal, and valence categories are performed. Application of hierarchical attention network is proposed in [@Alexandros2017] to handle genre classification of intact lyrics. This network is able to pay attention to words, lines, and segments of the song lyrics, where the importance of words, lines, and segments in layer structure is learned. Distinct from intensive research on music classification by using lyrics and audio, our work focuses on audio-lyrics cross-modal music retrieval: using audio to retrieve lyrics or vice versa. This is a very natural way for us to retrieve lyrics or audio on the Internet. However, no much research has investigated this task. Cross-modal Music Retrieval --------------------------- Some existing researches on cross-modal music retrieval intensively focus on investigating music and visual modalities [@Yu2012; @Acar2014; @Mayer11; @Brochu2003; @Shah2014; @Gillet2007; @Nanni2016; @Wu2016]. Similarity between audio features extracted from music and image features extracted from the album covers are trained by a Java SOMToolbox framework in [@Mayer11]. Then, according to this similarity, people can organize a music collection and make use of album cover as visual content to retrieve a song over multimodal music data. Based on multi-modal mixture models, a statistical method to jointly modeling music, images, and text [@Brochu2003] is used to support retrieval over a multimodal dataset. To generate a soundtrack for the outdoor video, an effective heuristic ranking method is suggested based on heterogeneous late fusion by jointly considering venue categories, visual scene, and user listening history [@Shah2014]. Confidence scores, produced by SVM-hmm models constructed from geographic, visual, and audio features, are combined to obtain different types of video characteristics. To learn the semantic correlation between music and video, a novel approach to selecting features and statistical novelty based on kernel methods [@Gillet2007] is proposed for music segmentation. Co-occurring changes in audio and video content of music videos can be detected, where the correlations can be used in cross-modal audio-visual music retrieval. Lyrics-based music attributes are utilized for image representation in [@Wu2016]. Cross-modal ranking analysis is suggested to learn semantic similarity between music and image, with the aim of obtaining the optimal embedding spaces for music and image. Distinct from intensive research on considering the use of metadata for different music modalities in cross-modal music retrieval, our work focuses on deep architecture based on correlation learning between audio and lyrics for content-based cross-modal music retrieval. Deep Cross-modal Learning ------------------------- We have witnessed several efforts devoted to investigating cross-modal learning between different modalities, such as [@JiangL16; @CaoL0L17; @Yu2017; @Zhong2017; @HuangWW16; @YuKCK16], to facilitate cross-modal matching and retrieval. Most importantly, latest studies extensively pay attention to deep cross-modal learning between image and textual descriptions such as [@JiangL16; @Yu2017; @YuKCK16; @YanM15]. Most existing deep models with two-branch sub-networks explore pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) [@Simonyan14] as image branch [@Yu2017] and utilize pre-trained document-level embedding model [@Lau16] or hand-crafted feature extraction such as bag of words [@JiangL16] as text branch. Image and text modalities are converted to the joint embedding space calculating a single ranking loss function by feed-forward way. Image-text benchmarks such as [@LinMBHPRDZ14; @Rasiwasia10] are applied to evaluate the performances of cross-modal matching and retrieval. There are two features for existing deep cross-modal retrieval: i) cross-modal correlation between image and text is learned without considering temporal sequences. ii) Pre-trained models are directly applied to represent image or text. Distinct from existing deep cross-modal retrieval architectures, this work takes into account temporal sequences to learn the correlation between audio and lyrics for facilitating audio-lyrics cross-modal music retrieval, where sequential audio and lyrics are converted to the canonical space. A neural network with two-branch sequential structures for audio and lyrics is trained. Preliminaries {#sec:preliminaries} ============= We focus on developing a two-branch deep architecture for learning the correlation between audio and lyrics in the cross-modal music retrieval, where several variants of deep learning models are investigated for processing audio sequence while pre-trained Doc2vec [@Lau16] is used for processing lyrics. A brief review of CNNs and DCCA exploited in this work is addressed in the following. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) ------------------------------------ CNNs have been exploited to handle not only various tasks in the field of computer vision and multimedia [@SimonyanZ2014; @Krizhevsky2017], but also the tasks of music information retrieval such as genre classification [@Costa2017], acoustic event detection [@Hershey2017], automatic music tagging [@Choi2016]. Generally speaking, when lacking computational power and large annotated datasets, it is preferred to directly use pre-trained CNNs such as VGG16 [@SimonyanZ2014] to extract features [@Zhong2017][@Hershey2017], or fully-connected layers to extract semantic features [@Yu2017][@YanM15][@Hershey2017]. Different from plain spatial convolutional operation, CNN tries to use different kernels (filters) to capture different local patterns, and this will generate multiple intermediate feature maps (called channels). Specifically, the convolutional operation in one convolutional layer is defined as $$\boldsymbol{x}^{j}=f(\sum_{k=0}^{K-1}\boldsymbol{H}^{jk}\otimes\boldsymbol{s}^{k}+a^{j}),\label{eq:conv}$$ where the superscripts $j$, $k$ are channel indices, $\boldsymbol{s}^{k}$ is the $k$-th channel input, $\boldsymbol{x}^{j}$ is the $j$-th channel output, $\otimes$ is the convolutional operation, $\boldsymbol{H}^{jk}$ is the convolutional kernel (or the filter) that associates the $k$-th input channel with the $j$-th output channel, $a^{j}$ is the bias for $j$-th channel, and $f(\cdot)$ is a non-linear activation function. All weights that define a convolutional layer are represented as a 4-dimensional array with a shape of $(h,l,K,J)$, where $h$ and $l$ determine the kernel size, and $K$ and $J$ are the number of input and output channels, respectively. When mel-spectrogram is used as the input of the first convolutional layer, it only has one channel. A 2D convolutional kernel $\boldsymbol{H}^{jk}$, as a common filter, is applied to the whole input channel. This kernel is shifted along both (frequency and time) axes and a local correlation is computed between the kernel and input. The kernels are trained to find local salient patterns that maximize the overall objective. As a kernel sweeps the input, it generates a new output in order, which preserves the spatiality of the input, i.e., the frequency and time constraint of the spectrogram. Convolutional layers are often followed by pooling layers, which reduce the size of feature map by down sampling them. The max function is a typical pooling operation. This selects the maximal value from a pooling region, instead of keeping all information in the region. This pooling operation also enables distortion and translation invariances by discarding the original location of the selected value, and the capability of such invariance within each pooling layer is determined by the pooling size. With a small pooing size, the network does not have enough distortion invariance, while a too large pooling size may completely loose the location of a salient feature. Instead of using a large pooling size in one layer, using multiple small pooling sizes at different pooling layers will enable the system to gradually abstract the features to be more compact and more semantic. Deep Canonical Correlation Analysis (DCCA) {#sec:dcca-basic} ------------------------------------------ CCA has been a very popular method for embedding multimodal data in a shared space. Before presenting our deep multimodal correlation learning between audio and lyrics, we first give an overview of CCA and DCCA. Let $\boldsymbol{x}\in R^{m}$ (e.g., audio feature) and $\boldsymbol{y}\in R^{n}$ (e.g., textual feature) be zero mean random (column) vectors with covariances $\boldsymbol{C}_{xx}$, $\boldsymbol{C}_{yy}$ and cross-covariance $\boldsymbol{C}_{xy}$. When a linear projection is performed, CCA [@Hotelling36] tries to find two canonical weights $\boldsymbol{w}_{x}$ and $\boldsymbol{w}_{y}$, so that the correlation between the linear projections $u=\boldsymbol{w}_{x}^{T}\boldsymbol{x}$ and $v=\boldsymbol{w}_{y}^{T}\boldsymbol{y}$ is maximized. $$\begin{aligned} (\boldsymbol{w}_{x},\boldsymbol{w}_{y}) & = & \underset{(\boldsymbol{w}_{x},\boldsymbol{w}_{y})}{argmax}\:corr(\boldsymbol{w}_{x}^{T}\boldsymbol{x},\boldsymbol{w}_{y}^{T}\boldsymbol{y})\nonumber \\ & = & \underset{(\boldsymbol{w}_{x},\boldsymbol{w}_{y})}{argmax}\frac{{\boldsymbol{w}_{x}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{xy}\boldsymbol{w}_{y}}}{\sqrt{\boldsymbol{w}_{x}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{xx}\boldsymbol{w}_{x}\cdot\boldsymbol{w}_{y}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{yy}\boldsymbol{w}_{y}}}.\label{eq:CCA-vec}\end{aligned}$$ One of the known shortcoming of CCA is that its linear projection may not well model the nonlinear relation between different modalities. DCCA [@Andrew13] tries to calculate non-linear correlations between different modalities by a combination of DNNs (deep neural networks) and CCA. Different from KCCA which relies on kernel functions (corresponding to a logical high dimensional (sparse) space), DNN has the extra capability of compressing features to a low dimensional (dense) space, and then CCA is implemented in the objective function. The DNNs, which realize the non-linear mapping ($\varphi_{x}(\cdot)$ and $\varphi_{y}(\cdot)$), and the canonical weights ($\boldsymbol{w}_{x}$ and $\boldsymbol{w}_{y}$ that model the CCA between $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$ and $\varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})$), are trained simultaneously to maximize the correlation after the non-linear mapping, as follows. $$(\boldsymbol{w}_{x},\boldsymbol{w}_{y},\varphi_{x},\varphi_{y})=\underset{(\boldsymbol{w}_{x},\boldsymbol{w}_{y},\varphi_{x},\varphi_{y})}{argmax}\:corr(\boldsymbol{w}_{x}^{T}\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x}),\boldsymbol{w}_{y}^{T}\varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})).$$ Deep Audio-lyrics Correlation Learning {#sec:Algorithm} ====================================== We develop a deep cross-modal correlation learning architecture that predicts latent alignment between audio and lyrics, which enables audio-to-lyrics or lyrics-to-audio music retrieval. In this section, we explain how our deep architecture is learned. Specifically, we investigate different deep network models for correlation analysis and different deep learning methods for audio feature extraction. Learning Strategy ----------------- On one hand, lyrics as natural language express semantic music theme and story; on the other hand, music audio contains some properties such as tonality and temporal over time and frequency. They are correlated in the semantic sense. However, audio and lyrics belong to different modality and cannot be compared directly. Therefore, we extract their features separately, and then map them to the same semantic space for a similarity comparison. Because linear mapping in CCA does not work well, we design deep networks to realize non-linear mapping before CCA. Consequently, deep correlation models for learning temporal structures are considered for representing lyrics branch and audio branch. We investigate two deep network architectures. i) Separate feature extraction, completely independent of the following DCCA analysis. Text branch follows this architecture, where the pre-trained Doc2vec [@Lau16] model is used to compute a compact textual feature vector. As for audio, directly using the pre-trained CNN model [@Choi2016] belongs to this architecture as well. ii) Joint training of audio feature extraction and DCCA analysis between audio and lyrics. In this way, feature extraction is also correlated with the subsequent DCCA. Here, for the audio branch, a CNN model is trained from the ground together with the following fully-connected layers, based on an end-to-end learning procedure. It is expected that this CNN is adapted to the DNN so as to extract more meaningful audio features. Network Architecture -------------------- Figure \[fig:framework\] shows an end-to-end deep convolutional DCCA network, which aims at simultaneously learning the feature extraction and the deep correlation between audio and lyrics. This model is degenerated to a simple DCCA network, when the CNN model marked in pink dashed line is replaced by a pre-trained model. From the sequence of words in the lyrics, textual feature is computed, more specifically, by a pre-trained Doc2vec model. Music audio signal is represented as a 2D spectrogram, which preserves both its spectral and temporal properties. However, it is difficult to directly use this for the DCCA analysis, due to its high dimension. Therefore, we investigate two variants for the dimension reduction. (i) Audio feature is extracted by a pre-trained convolutional model, and we study the pure effect of DCCA in analyzing the correlation. i.e., sub DNNs with fully connected layers are trained to maximize the correlation between audio and textual features. (ii) An end-to-end deep network for audio branch that integrates convolutional layers for feature extraction and non-linear mapping for correlation learning together, is trained. In the future work, we will also consider the integration of Doc2Vec with its subsequent DNN. ![\[fig:framework\] Deep correlation learning between audio and lyrics.](framework){width="8cm"} ### Audio feature extraction {#sec:4.2.1} The audio signal is represented as a spectrogram. We mainly focus on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs), because MFCCs are very efficient features for semantic genre classification [@Sigtia2014] and music audio similarity comparison [@Hamel2013]. We will also compare MFCC with Mel-spectrum, which contains more detailed information. To compute a single feature vector for correlation analysis, we successively apply convolutional layers with different kernels to capture local salient features, and use pooling layers to reduce the dimension. By inserting the pooling layer between adjacent convolutional layers, a kernel in the late layer corresponds to a larger kernel in the previous layer, and has more capacity in representing semantic information. Then, using small kernels in different convolutional layers can achieve the function of a large kernel in one convolutional layer, but is more robust to scale variance. In this sense, a combination of successive convolutional layers and pooling layers can capture features at different scales, and the kernels can learn to represent complex patterns. For each audio signal, a slice of 30s is resampled to 22,050Hz with a single channel. With frame length 2048 and step 1024, there are 646 frames. For the end-to-end learning, a sequence of MFCCs (20x646) are computed. By initial experiments we found that our approach is not very sensitive to the time resolution. Therefore, we decimate the spectrogram into 4 sub sequences, each with 161 frames and associated with the same lyrics. For implementing an end-to-end deep learning, the configuration of CNN used for audio branch in this work is shown in Table \[tab:cnn-mfcc\]. It consists of 3 convolutional layers and 3 max pooling layers, and outputs a feature vector with a size of 1536. We tried to add more convolutional layer but see no significant difference. Rectified linear unit (ReLU) is used as an activation function in each convolutional layer except the last one. Batch normalization is used before activation. Convolutional kernels (3x3) are used in every convolutional layer. These kernels help to learn local spectral-tempo structures. In this way, CNN converts an audio feature sequence (a 2D matrix) to a high dimensional vector, and retains some astonishing properties such as tempo invariances, which can be very helpful for learning musical features in semantic correlation learning between lyrics and audio. With the input spectrogram $\boldsymbol{s}$, the feature output by the convolutional layers is $\boldsymbol{x}=f_{3}(\boldsymbol{H}_{3}\otimes f_{2}(\boldsymbol{H}_{2}\otimes f_{1}(\boldsymbol{H}_{1}\otimes\boldsymbol{s}+a_{1})+a_{2})+a_{3})$, where $\boldsymbol{H}_{i}$, $a_{i}$ and $f_{i}$ are the convolutional kernel, bias, and activation function in the $i$th layer. ------------------------------------ MFCC: 20x646/4 Convolution, 3x3x48 Max-pooling (2,2), output 10x80x48 Convolution: 3x3x96 Max-pooling (3,3), output 3x26x96 Convolution: 3x3x192 Max-pooling (3,3), output 1536 ------------------------------------ : Configuration of CNNs for audio branch[]{data-label="tab:cnn-mfcc"} As for the pre-trained model, we apply the pre-trained CNN model in [@Choi2016], which has 5 convolutional layers, each with either average pooling or standard deviation pooling, generating a 30-dimension vector per layer. Concatenating all of them together generates a feature vector of 320 dimension. ### Textual feature extraction Lyrics text of each song is tokenized by using coreNLP [@ManningSBFBM14], and passed to the infer\_vector module of the Doc2Vec model [@Lau16], generating a 300-dimensional feature for each song. We use the pretrained apnews\_dbow weights[^3] in the experiment. ### Non-linear mapping of features {#sec:C-DCCA} Audio features and textual features are further converted into low dimensional features in a shared $D$-dimensional semantic space by using different sub DNNs composed of fully connected layers. The details of sub DNNs are shown in Table \[tab:sub-dnn\]. These two sub DNNs (each with 3 fully connected layers) implement the non-linear mapping of DCCA. The audio feature generated by the feature extraction part is denoted as $\boldsymbol{x}\in R^{m}$ ($m$ varies with each method) and deep textual feature is denoted as $\boldsymbol{y}\in R^{300}$. The overall functions of sub-DNNs are denoted as $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})=g_{3}(\boldsymbol{\Psi}_{3}\cdot g_{2}(\boldsymbol{\Psi}_{2}\cdot g_{1}(\boldsymbol{\Psi}_{1}\boldsymbol{x}+\boldsymbol{b}_{1})+\boldsymbol{b}_{2})+\boldsymbol{b}_{3})$, where $\boldsymbol{\Psi}_{i}$ and $\boldsymbol{b}_{i}$ are the weight matrix and bias for the $i$th layer and $g_{i}(\cdot)$ is the activation function. And $\varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})$ is computed in a similar way. Then, $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$ is the overall result of the convolutional layer and its subsequent DNN, given the input spectrogram $\boldsymbol{s}$. -------------------- ------------------ ----------------- Sub-DNN1 (Audio) Sub-DNN2 (Text) 1st layer 1024, sigmoid 1024, sigmoid 2nd layer 1024, sigmoid 1024, sigmoid 3rd layer (output) $D$, linear $D$, linear -------------------- ------------------ ----------------- : Structure of sub-DNNs[]{data-label="tab:sub-dnn"} ### Objective function of CCA Assume the batch size in the training is $N$, $\boldsymbol{X}\in R^{D\times N}$ and $\boldsymbol{Y}\in R^{D\times N}$ are the outputs of sub DNN of the two batches, corresponding to audio ($\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$) and lyrics ($\varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})$ ), respectively. Let covariance of $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$ and $\varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})$ be $\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}$, $\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}$ and their cross-covariance be $\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}$. With the linear projection matrices $\boldsymbol{W}_{X}$ and $\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}$, the correlation between the canonical components ($\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{X}$ and $\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}^{T}\boldsymbol{Y}$) can be computed. This correlation indicates the association between the two modalities and is used as an overall objective function, which is maximized to find all parameters (convolutional kernels $\boldsymbol{H}(\cdot)$, non-linear projections $\varphi_{x}(\cdot)$ and $\varphi_{y}(\cdot)$, linear projection matrices $\boldsymbol{W}_{X}$ and $\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}$). $$\begin{aligned} (\boldsymbol{H},\boldsymbol{W}_{X},\negthinspace\boldsymbol{W}_{Y},\negthinspace\varphi_{x},\negthinspace\varphi_{y}) & \negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace=\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace & \underset{(\boldsymbol{H},\boldsymbol{W}_{X},\boldsymbol{W}_{Y},\varphi_{x},\varphi_{y})}{argmax}\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace corr(\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{X},\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}^{T}\boldsymbol{Y}).\end{aligned}$$ At first, with $\boldsymbol{H},\varphi_{x},\varphi_{y}$ being fixed, $\boldsymbol{W}_{X}$ and $\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}$ are computed by $$\begin{aligned} (\boldsymbol{W}_{X},\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}) & \negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace=\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace & \underset{(\boldsymbol{W}_{X},\boldsymbol{W}_{Y})}{argmax}\frac{{\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}}}{\sqrt{\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}\boldsymbol{W}_{X}\cdot\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}}}.\end{aligned}$$ This can be rewritten in the trace-form $$\begin{aligned} (\boldsymbol{W}_{X},\negthinspace\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}) & \negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace=\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace & \underset{(\boldsymbol{W}_{X},\boldsymbol{W}_{Y})}{argmax}tr(\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}),\label{eq:corr-trace}\\ \text{{subject\,to}}: & \negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace & \negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\negthinspace\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}\boldsymbol{W}_{X}\negthinspace=\negthinspace\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}\negthinspace=\negthinspace\boldsymbol{I}.\nonumber\end{aligned}$$ Here, covariance $\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}$, $\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}$ and cross-covariance $\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}$ are computed as follows $$\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}=\frac{{1}}{N-1}\hat{\boldsymbol{X}}\hat{\boldsymbol{X}}^{T}+r\boldsymbol{I},$$ $$\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}=\frac{{1}}{N-1}\hat{\boldsymbol{Y}}\hat{\boldsymbol{Y}}^{T}+r\boldsymbol{I},$$ $$\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}=\frac{{1}}{N-1}\hat{\boldsymbol{X}}\hat{\boldsymbol{Y}}^{T},$$ $$\hat{\boldsymbol{X}}=\boldsymbol{X}-\boldsymbol{\overline{X}},\hat{\boldsymbol{Y}}=\boldsymbol{Y}-\boldsymbol{\overline{Y}}$$ where $\boldsymbol{\overline{X}}$ and $\boldsymbol{\overline{Y}}$ are average of $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$ and $\varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})$ within the batch, and $r$ is a small positive constant used to ensure the positive definiteness of $\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}$ and $\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}$. By defining $\boldsymbol{T}\triangleq\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}^{-1/2}\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}^{-1/2}$ and performing singular value decomposition on $\boldsymbol{T}$ as $\boldsymbol{\boldsymbol{T}=U}\boldsymbol{D}\boldsymbol{V}^{T}$, $\boldsymbol{W}_{X}$ and $\boldsymbol{W_{Y}}$ can be computed by [@Andrew13] $$\boldsymbol{W}_{X}=\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}^{-1/2}\boldsymbol{U},\boldsymbol{W}_{Y}=\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}^{-1/2}\boldsymbol{V}.\label{eq:CCA-sol-1}$$ Then, Eq.(\[eq:corr-trace\]) can be rewritten as $$tr((\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}\boldsymbol{W}_{Y})^{T}\cdot\boldsymbol{W}_{X}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XY}\boldsymbol{W}_{Y})=tr(\boldsymbol{T}^{T}\boldsymbol{T}).$$ Accordingly, the gradient of the correlation with respect to $\boldsymbol{X}$ is given by $$\frac{1}{N-1}(2\nabla_{XX}\hat{\boldsymbol{X}}+\nabla_{XY}\hat{\boldsymbol{Y}}),$$ $$\nabla_{XX}=-\frac{1}{2}\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}^{-1/2}\boldsymbol{U}\boldsymbol{D}\boldsymbol{U}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}^{-1/2},$$ $$\nabla_{XY}=\boldsymbol{C}_{XX}^{-1/2}\boldsymbol{U}\boldsymbol{V}^{T}\boldsymbol{C}_{YY}^{-1/2}.$$ And the gradient of the correlation with respect to $\boldsymbol{Y}$ can be computed in a similar way. Then, the gradients are back propagated, first in the sub DNN, where $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$ and $\varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{y})$ are updated. As for the audio branch, the gradients are further back propagated to the convolutional layers, and the kernel filters $\boldsymbol{H}$ are updated. The whole procedure is shown in Algorithm \[alg:JointTrain\]. Initialize convolutional net, sub-networks for mapping Compute MFCC spectrogram from audio $\boldsymbol{A}, \rightarrow \boldsymbol{\Omega}_A$ Compute textual feature from lyrics $\boldsymbol{L}, \rightarrow \boldsymbol{\Omega}_L$ Randomly divide $\boldsymbol{\Omega}_A, \boldsymbol{\Omega}_L$ to batches $\boldsymbol{s} \rightarrow \boldsymbol{x}$ by convolutions $\boldsymbol{l} \rightarrow \boldsymbol{y}$ by pretrained Doc2Vec model $\boldsymbol{x} \rightarrow \varphi_{x}(\boldsymbol{x})$ by non-linear mapping $\boldsymbol{y} \rightarrow \varphi_{y}(\boldsymbol{y})$ by non-linear mapping Get converted batch ($\boldsymbol{X}, \boldsymbol{Y})$ Apply CCA on ($\boldsymbol{X}, \boldsymbol{Y}$) to compute $\boldsymbol{W}_X, \boldsymbol{W}_Y$ Compute the gradient with respect to $\boldsymbol{X}, \boldsymbol{Y}$ Back propagate to the sub network Back propagate to the convolutional network Music cross-modal retrieval tasks {#sec:Tasks} ================================= Two kinds of retrieval tasks are defined to evaluate the effectiveness of our algorithms: instance-level and category-level. Instance-level cross-modal music retrieval is to retrieve lyrics when given music audio as input or vice versa. Category-level cross-modal music retrieval is to retrieve lyrics or audio, searching most similar audio or lyrics with the same mood category. With a given input (either audio slice or lyrics), its canonical component is computed, and its similarity with the canonical components of the other modality in the database is computed using the cosine similarity metric, and the results are ranked in the decreasing order of the similarity score. Experiments {#sec:Experiments} =========== The performances of the proposed DCCA variants are evaluated and compared with some baselines such as variants of CCA and deep multi-view embedding approach [@HeWL16]. Experiment Setting ------------------ *Proposed methods*. As discussed in Sec. \[sec:Algorithm\], two variants of DCCA in combination with CNN are investigated: 1) PretrainCNN-DCCA (the application of DCCA on the pretrained CNN model [@Choi2016]), 2) JointTrain-DCCA (the joint training of CNN and DCCA). *Baseline methods* include some shallow correlation learning methods (without fully connected layers between feature extraction and CCA), such as 3) Spotify-CCA (which applies CCA on the 65-dimensional audio features provided by Spotify[^4]), 4) PretrainCNN-CCA (which applies CCA on the features extracted by the pretrained CNN model), and multi-view methods such as 5) Spotify-MVE (Spotify feature with deep multi-view embedding method similar to [@HeWL16] where arbitrary mappings of two different views are embedded in the joint space based on considering matched pairs with minimal distance and mismatched pairs with maximal distance), 6) PretrainCNN-MVE. We also evaluated 7) Spotify-DCCA. In all these methods, the lyrics branch uses the features extracted by the pretrained Doc2vec model. Besides MFCC, we also evaluate the feature of Mel-spectrum. The dimension for Mel-spectrum is 96 per frame, and there are four convolutional layers, where each of the first three is followed by a max pooling layer, and the final output is 3072 dimension. As for the MVE methods, both branches share the same parameters (activation function, number of neurons and so on) and both have 3 fully connected layers (with 512, 256, and 128 neurons respectively). Batch normalization is used before each layer and tanh activation function is applied after each layer. *Audio-lyrics dataset*. Currently, there is no large audio/lyrics dataset publically available for cross-modal music retrieval. Therefore, we build a new audio-lyrics dataset. Spotify is a music streaming on-demand service, which provides access to over 30 million songs, where songs can be searched by various parameters such as artist, playlist, and genre. Users can create, edit, and share playlists on Spotify. Initially, we take 20 most frequent mood categories (aggressive, angry, bittersweet, calm, depressing, dreamy, fun, gay, happy, heavy, intense, melancholy, playful, quiet, quirky, sad, sentimental, sleepy, soothing, sweet) [@Yu2012] as playlist seeds to invoke Spotify API. For each mood category, we find the top 500 popular English songs according to the popularity provided by Spotify, and further crawl 30s audio slices of these songs from YouTube, while lyrics are collected from Musixmatch. Altogether there are 10,000 pairs of audio and lyrics. *Evaluation metric*. In the retrieval evaluation, we use mean reciprocal rank 1 (MRR1) and recall@N as the metrics. Because there is only one relevant audio or lyrics, MRR1 is able to show the rank of the result. MRR1 is defined by $$MRR1=\frac{1}{N_{q}}\sum_{i=1}^{N_{q}}\frac{1}{rank_{i}(1)},$$ where $N_{q}$ is the number of the queries and $rank_{i}(1)$ corresponds to the rank of the relevant item in the $i$th query. We also evaluate recall@N to see how often the relevant item is included in the top of the ranked list. Assume $S_{q}$ is the set of its relevant items ($|S_{q}|=1$) in the database for a given query and the system outputs a ranked list $K_{q}$ ($|K_{q}|=N$). Then, recall is computed by $$recall=\frac{|S_{q}\text{\ensuremath{\bigcap}}K_{q}|}{|S_{q}|}$$ and is averaged over all queries. We use 8,000 pairs of audio and lyrics as the training dataset, and the rest 2,000 pairs for the retrieval testing. Because we generate 4 sub-sequences from each original MFCC sequence, there are 32,000 pairs of audio/lyric pairs in JoinTrain. In each run, the split of audio-lyrics pairs into training/testing is random, and a new model is trained. All results are averaged over 5 runs (cross-validations). In the batch-based training, the batch size is unified to 1000 samples in all methods, and the training takes 200 epochs for JointTrain and 400 epochs for other DCCA methods. Furthermore, training MVE requires the presence of non-paired instances. To this end, we randomly selected 1 non-paired instance for each song in the dataset. The margin hyper-parameter was set to 0.3, according to our preliminary experiments. Then, we trained MVE for 1280 epochs. *Experiment environment*. The evaluations are performed on a Centos7.2 server, which is configured with two E5-2620v4 CPU (2.1GHz), three GTX 1080 GPU (11GB), and DDR4-2400 Memory (128G). Moreover, it contains CUDA8.0, Conda3-4.3 (python 3.5), Tensorflow 1.3.0, and Keras 2.0.5. Performance under Different Numbers of Epochs --------------------------------------------- Fig. \[fig:mrr1a\_iter\] shows the MRR1 results of Spotify-DCCA, PretrainCNN-DCCA, JointTrain-DCCA with MFCC and JointTrain-DCCA with Mel-spectrum, under different numbers of epochs. In all methods, MRR1 increases with the number of epochs, but with different trend. It is clear that MFCC has similar performance as Mel-spectrum, converging much fast than the other two methods and achieving higher MRR1. Hereafter, we only use MFCC as the raw feature for JointTrain. ![\[fig:mrr1a\_iter\] MRR1 with respect to the numbers of epochs (Using audio as query to search lyrics, \#CCA-component=30)](result_iter){width="8cm"} \#CCA/MVE Spotify-CCA PretrainCNN-CCA Spotify-MVE PretrainCNN-MVE Spotify-DCCA PretrainCNN-DCCA JointTrain-DCCA ----------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- 10 0.023 0.022 0.121 0.166 0.125 0.189 0.247 20 0.029 0.040 0.134 0.187 0.168 0.225 0.254 30 0.034 0.054 0.095 0.158 0.183 0.236 0.256 40 0.039 0.069 0.084 0.115 0.183 0.239 0.256 50 0.039 0.078 0.067 0.107 0.178 0.237 0.256 60 0.040 0.085 0.065 0.094 0.177 0.240 70 N/A 0.090 0.061 0.085 0.174 0.239 0.256 80 N/A 0.094 0.056 0.080 0.171 0.237 0.257 90 N/A 0.098 0.054 0.063 0.164 0.238 0.257 100 N/A 0.099 0.043 0.072 0.154 0.237 0.257 Impact of the Numbers of CCA Components --------------------------------------- Here, we evaluate the impact of the number of CCA/MVE components, which affects the performance of both the baseline methods and the proposed methods. The number of CCA/MVE components is adjusted from 10 to 100. The results of MRR1 and recall of Spotify-CCA are marked as N/A when the number of CCA components is greater than 65, the dimension of Spotify feature. The MRR1 results, with audio feature as query to search lyrics, are shown in Table \[tab:mrr1a\_dim\]. Clearly, with the linear CCA, Spotify-CCA and PretrainCNN-CCA have poor performance, although the performance increases with the number of CCA components. In comparison, with DCCA, the MRR1 results are much improved in Spotify-DCCA and PretrainCNN-DCCA. The MRR1 performance increases with the number of CCA components, and approaches a constant value in PretrainCNN-DCCA. MRR1 decreases a little in Spotify-DCCA when the number of CCA components gets greater than 65, the dimension of Spotify feature. Using MVE, the peak performance of Spotify-MVE and PretrainCNN-MVE lies between that of CCA and DCCA. With the end-to-end training, the MRR1 performance is further improved in JointTrain-DCCA, and is almost insensitive to the number of CCA components. But a further increase in the number of CCA components will lead to the SVD failure in CCA. Table \[tab:mrr1t\_dim\] shows the MRR1 results achieved using lyrics as query to search audio in the database, which has a similar trend as in Table \[tab:mrr1a\_dim\]. Generally, when audio and lyrics are converted to the same semantic space, they share the same statistics, and can be retrieved mutually. \#CCA/MVE Spotify-CCA PretrainCNN-CCA Spotify-MVE PretrainCNN-MVE Spotify-DCCA PretrainCNN-DCCA JointTrain-DCCA ----------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- 10 0.022 0.022 0.114 0.157 0.124 0.190 0.248 20 0.029 0.038 0.119 0.179 0.168 0.225 0.254 30 0.034 0.053 0.083 0.147 0.184 0.236 0.256 40 0.038 0.065 0.067 0.100 0.183 0.240 0.254 50 0.041 0.076 0.056 0.097 0.180 0.236 0.256 60 0.041 0.083 0.053 0.082 0.176 70 N/A 0.089 0.049 0.074 0.174 0.240 0.256 80 N/A 0.094 0.048 0.068 0.170 0.237 0.257 90 N/A 0.099 0.044 0.053 0.163 0.239 0.256 100 N/A 0.102 0.035 0.062 0.152 0.237 0.256 Table \[tab:recalla\_dim\] and Table \[tab:recallt\_dim\] show the results of recall@1 and result@5. Recall@N in these tables is only a little greater than MRR1 in Table \[tab:mrr1a\_dim\] and Table \[tab:mrr1t\_dim\], which indicates that for most queries, its relevant item either appears at the first place, or not in the top-n list at all. This infers that for some songs, lyrics and audio, even after being mapped to the same semantic space, are not similar enough. JointTrain@5 ----- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- CCA DCCA CCA DCCA DCCA CCA DCCA CCA DCCA DCCA 10 0.006 0.094 0.007 0.160 0.233 0.025 0.150 0.025 0.217 0.257 20 0.010 0.138 0.020 0.204 0.243 0.034 0.193 0.047 0.243 0.262 30 0.014 0.155 0.031 0.217 0.245 0.043 0.205 0.068 0.252 0.263 40 0.019 0.155 0.045 50 0.020 0.150 0.053 60 0.020 0.151 0.060 70 N/A 0.147 0.065 N/A 80 N/A 0.144 0.068 N/A 90 N/A 0.137 0.071 N/A 100 N/A 0.129 0.073 0.220 0.246 N/A 0.175 0.121 0.251 0.263 JointTrain@5 ----- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- CCA DCCA CCA DCCA DCCA CCA DCCA CCA DCCA DCCA 10 0.005 0.090 0.007 0.160 0.235 0.024 0.151 0.022 0.219 0.257 20 0.009 0.138 0.019 0.204 0.242 0.034 0.193 0.048 0.242 0.261 30 0.014 0.157 0.031 0.219 0.245 0.042 0.205 0.064 0.250 0.263 40 0.018 0.155 0.040 0.223 0.244 0.048 0.205 0.081 0.252 0.261 50 0.021 0.154 0.050 0.218 0.246 0.051 0.199 0.092 0.250 0.262 60 0.021 0.150 0.057 70 N/A 0.147 0.064 N/A 80 N/A 0.144 0.069 N/A 90 N/A 0.137 0.072 0.222 0.246 N/A 0.186 0.119 0.253 0.263 100 N/A 0.126 0.077 0.221 0.247 N/A 0.172 0.121 0.249 0.262 Table \[tab:mrr1aclass\_dim\] and Table \[tab:mrr1tclass\_dim\] show the MRR1 results per category, where the first item with the same mood category as the query is regarded as relevant. Compared with the instance-level retrieval, the MRR1 result per category is about 12% larger in all methods, but cannot be improved more by increasing the number of CCA/MVE components. Because there are 20 mood categories, and some mood categories have similar meaning, this increases the difficulty of distinguishing songs in the category level. \#CCA/MVE Spotify-CCA PretrainCNN-CCA Spotify-MVE PretrainCNN-MVE Spotify-DCCA Pretrain-DCCA JointTrain-DCCA ----------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------- 10 0.177 0.172 0.249 0.286 0.260 0.313 0.364 20 0.180 0.187 0.265 0.313 0.296 0.344 0.367 30 0.182 0.199 0.230 0.284 0.307 0.349 0.372 40 0.187 0.212 0.222 0.246 0.307 50 0.189 0.218 0.211 0.237 0.304 60 0.188 0.225 0.206 0.230 0.302 70 N/A 0.230 0.203 0.221 0.298 80 N/A 0.234 0.196 0.215 0.294 90 N/A 0.235 0.192 0.203 0.294 100 N/A 0.233 0.188 0.208 0.282 \#CCA/MVE Spotify-CCA PretrainCNN-CCA Spotify-MVE PretrainCNN-MVE Spotify-DCCA Pretrain-DCCA JointTrain-DCCA ----------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------- 10 0.178 0.170 0.246 0.277 0.256 0.314 0.366 20 0.176 0.188 0.249 0.304 0.294 0.344 0.368 30 0.179 0.198 0.222 0.273 0.305 0.351 0.372 40 0.185 0.208 0.204 0.235 0.307 0.358 0.365 50 0.191 0.220 0.199 0.228 0.306 0.355 0.373 60 0.190 0.223 0.195 0.221 0.302 0.356 0.374 70 N/A 0.231 0.190 0.208 0.298 80 N/A 0.236 0.191 0.205 0.290 90 N/A 0.237 0.186 0.194 0.288 100 N/A 0.238 0.180 0.203 0.280 Impact of the number of training samples ---------------------------------------- Here we investigate the impact of the number of training samples, by adjusting the percentage of samples for training from 20% to 80%. The percentage of samples for the retrieval test remains 20%, and the number of training samples is chosen in such a way that there are the same number of songs per mood category. Fig. \[fig:mrr1a\_ratio\] and Fig. \[fig:mrr1t\_ratio\] show the MRR1 results in the instance-level retrieval. Spotify-CCA and PretrainCNN-CCA do not benefit from the increase of the training samples. Spotify-MVE and PretrainCNN-MVE benefits a little. In comparison, when DCCA is used, the increase of training samples enables the system to learn more diverse aspect of audio/lyric features, and the MRR1 performance almost linearly increases. In the future, we will try to crawl more data for training a better model to improve the retrieval performance. ![\[fig:mrr1a\_ratio\] Instance-level MRR1 under different percentages of training samples (Using audio as query to search text lyrics, \#CCA-component=30, 20% for testing)](mrr1a_ratio){width="8cm"} The MRR1 result, with lyrics as query to search audio, as shown in Fig. \[fig:mrr1t\_ratio\], has a similar trend as that in Fig. \[fig:mrr1a\_ratio\]. ![\[fig:mrr1t\_ratio\] Instance-level MRR1 under different percentages of training samples (Using text lyrics as query to search audio signal, \#CCA-component=30, 20% for testing)](mrr1t_ratio){width="8cm"} Fig. \[fig:mrr1aclass\_ratio\] and Fig. \[fig:mrr1tclass\_ratio\] show the MRR1 results when the retrieval is performed in the category level. This has a similar trend as the result of instance-level retrieval. ![\[fig:mrr1aclass\_ratio\] Category-level MRR1 under different percentages of training samples (Using audio signal as query to search text lyrics, \#CCA-component=30, 20% for testing) ](mrr1aclass_ratio){width="8cm"} ![\[fig:mrr1tclass\_ratio\] Category-level MRR1 under different percentages of training samples (Using text lyrics as query to search audio signal, \#CCA-component=30, 20% for testing)](mrr1tclass_ratio){width="8cm"} Conclusion {#sec:Conclusion} ========== Understanding the correlation between different music modalities is very useful for content-based cross-modal music retrieval and recommendation. Audio and lyrics are most interesting aspects for storytelling music theme and events. In this paper, a deep correlation learning between audio and lyrics is proposed to understand music audio and lyrics. This is the first research for deep cross-modal correlation learning between audio and lyrics. Some efforts are made to give a deep study on i) deep models for processing audio branch are investigated such as pre-trained CNN with or without being followed by fully-connected layers. ii) An end-to-end convolutional DCCA is further proposed to learn correlation between audio and lyrics where feature extraction and correlation learning are simultaneously performed and joint representation is learned by considering temporal structures. iii) Extensive evaluations show the effectiveness of the proposed deep correlation learning architecture where convolutional DCCA performs best when considering retrieval accuracy and converging time. More importantly, we apply our architecture to the bidirectional retrieval between audio and lyrics, e.g., searching lyrics with audio and vice versa. Cross-modal retrieval performance is reported at instance level and mood category level. This work mainly pays attention to studying deep models for processing music audio while keeping pre-trained Doc2vec for processing lyrics in correlation learning. We are collecting more audio-lyrics pairs to further improve the retrieval performance, and will integrate different music modality data to implement personalized music recommendation. In the future work, we will investigate some deep models for processing lyrics branch. Lyrics contain a hierarchical composition such as verse, chorus, bridge. We will extend our deep architecture to complement musical composition (given music audio) where Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) will be applied for learning lyrics dependencies. [^1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music [^2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyrics [^3]: https://ibm.ent.box.com/s/9ebs3c759qqo1d8i7ed323i6shv2js7e [^4]: https://developer.spotify.com/web-api/get-audio-features/ | High | [
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Deals YJ4705.1, YJ4707.1, and YJ7870.1 have all been rebooked to BP Capital Energy Equity International Holdings 1, L.P. Deal YJ7870.2 is already booked correctly; the deal was done with BP Capital Equity Energy Fund, not the Internationl Holdings, L.P. entity. Derek -----Original Message----- From: Anderson, Diane Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2001 10:41 AM To: Bailey, Derek Cc: Mulvany, Patrick; Cisneros, Celeste Subject: FW: YJ4705.1, YJ4707.1, YJ7870.1, YJ7870.2 D - Can you follow up with this? They are still booked incorrectly. Thanks. Petrificus Totalus. -----Original Message----- From: Williams, Jason R (Credit) Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 10:57 AM To: Bailey, Susan; Boyd, Samantha; Heard, Marie; Panus, Stephanie; Anderson, Diane; Bell, Jean; Mulvany, Patrick; Ornelas, Bianca Cc: Bailey, Derek; Gilbert, George N. Subject: YJ4705.1, YJ4707.1, YJ7870.1, YJ7870.2 Legal - Attached below is an Omnibus Confirm worksheet for BP Capital Energy Equity International Holdings 1, L.P. Please prepare the appropriate annexes and forward to the financial confirmations group as soon as possible. << File: BP Capital Energy Equity International Holdings 1 Omnibus Confirmation.xls >> Financial Confirms - Upon receipt of the credit annexes from Legal, please send out confirms for the following trades: YJ4705.1 YJ7870.1 YJ4707.1 YJ7870.2 Please note that these trades are currently booked to BP Capital Energy Equity Fund, L.P. This is, obviously, not the correct counterparty name. Please correct and send confirmations at your earliest convenience. Derek and George - I have Global Counterparty setting up this new entity in our systems. Please ensure that these trades get moved from BP Capital Energy Equity Fund, L.P. to BP Capital Energy Equity International Holdings 1, L.P. THIS IS CRITICAL. Margin calculations are dependent on these trades being booked correctly. While Mike Larsen has been very accomodating, our margin team can not afford to spend time reconciling trades at the present. Thanks to all for your help. JRW | Mid | [
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Maternal isobutyl-paraben exposure alters anxiety and passive avoidance test performance in adult male rats. Isobutyl-paraben (IBP), one of the most widely used preservatives, exhibits estrogenic activity. In this study, we analyzed the effects of maternal IBP treatment on the emotional behavior and learning performance in mature offspring. Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with IBP via a subcutaneous Silastic capsule. Consequently, the offspring were exposed to IBP during gestation through the placentae, and before weaning through the milk. Male and female offspring were tested for emotional behavior in an open field and in an elevated plus maze at five and six weeks old, respectively. IBP-exposed male (but not female) rats spent less time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze. At 11 weeks old, all females were gonadectomized and treated chronically with 17beta-estradiol or cholesterol by Silastic capsules; all males were kept intact. They were tested for learning performance in a passive avoidance test and a Morris water maze. IBP exposure impaired the performance of males in the passive avoidance test. These findings suggest that male rats are more affected by early exposure to IBP than female rats. IBP affects their adult behavior including anxiety and learning abilities. | Mid | [
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Q: How to change default post type / post to media or attachments Im using wordpress 3.1.1, in frontpage i need to display only the media uploads, now im using this acction: add_action( 'parse_query', 'custom_query' ); function custom_query( &$query ) { $query->set( 'post_type', array('attachment') ); } add_filter( 'pre_get_posts', 'my_get_posts' ); function my_get_posts( &$query ) { if ( is_home() || is_frontpage() ) { $query->set( 'post_status', 'inherit' ); $query->set( 'post_type', 'attachment' ); } return $query; } But doesnt work. Any help is working. A: You almost have it right, it should be attachment instead of media since all media uploads are "called" attachments" in WordPress, so: $query->set( 'post_type', 'attachment' ); | High | [
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Simulating changes in cropping practises in conventional and glyphosate-tolerant maize. I. Effects on weeds. Herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops such as those tolerant to glyphosate simplify weed management and make it more efficient, at least at short-term. Overreliance on the same herbicide though leads to the spread of resistant weeds. Here, the objective was to evaluate, with simulations, the impact on the advent of glyphosate resistance in weeds of modifications in agricultural practises resulting from introducing HT maize into cropping systems. First, we included a single-gene herbicide resistance submodel in the existing multispecific FLORSYS model. Then, we (1) simulated current conventional and probable HT cropping systems in two European regions, Aquitaine and Catalonia, (2) compared these systems in terms of glyphosate resistance, (3) identified pertinent cultural practises influencing glyphosate resistance, and (4) investigated correlations between cultural practises and species traits, using RLQ analyses. The simulation study showed that, during the analysed 28 years, (1) glyphosate spraying only results in glyphosate resistance in weeds when combined with other cultural factors favouring weed infestation, particularly no till; (2) pre-sowing glyphosate applications select more for herbicide resistance than post-sowing applications on HT crops; and (3) glyphosate spraying selects more for species traits avoiding exposure to the herbicide (e.g. delayed early growth, small leaf area) or compensating for fitness costs (e.g. high harvest index) than for actual resistance to glyphosate, (4) actual resistance is most frequent in species that do not avoid glyphosate, either via plant size or timing, and/or in less competitive species, (5) in case of efficient weed control measures, actual resistance proliferates best in outcrossing species. An advice table was built, with the quantitative, synthetic ranking of the crop management effects in terms of glyphosate-resistance management, identifying the optimal choices for each management technique. | High | [
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Q: Could the extra power not used through a regulator or buck converter be used in another load without taking away power from the regulator? I’m making a design for a crank generator which will charge my phone and a battery at the same time. The generator will be connected to a bridge rectifier, then a buck (step down) converter, which will be connected to a usb. Is there any way the I’ll be able to use the power not drawn by the buck converter to charge a battery? And would I have to worry about to much current in the usb with or without drawing the extra power unused by the buck converter? (The generator power is alternating and will fluctuate in max volts because it will be power by my bike while riding). It would help if you could give me a layout for how it would work and how to regulate the current. A: This will not be too difficult. If you charge a capacitance with the output of the bridge rectifier, the voltage on the capacitor will decrease as loads are increased and increase as loads are decreased. The buck converter will attempt to maintain a steady output voltage of 5V, and the more the phone draws, the more the voltage will tend to deviate from this. If it's rated at 5V, 2A, it should be able to hold a relatively steady 5V at a 2A load, although this does not mean it will work with adaptive fast charge or similar. Whatever load you put on the buck converter, it will just attempt to pull as much electricity as it needs to to maintain it's output voltage. If it draws more power than the generator can provide, the generator's output voltage will decrease until it is no longer able to run the buck converter, and depending on it's design, the buck converter will hopefully shut off, rather than operating in brownout. You can control the voltage at which this occurs. If you increase the voltage to the buck converter, on the other hand, the output will stay the same, just the buck converter will be operating at a different duty cycle, so extra power from the generator will not "come through" the buck converter in the way you are imagining, so if you want your loads to react to the generator output, you need to sense it on the input side of your voltage converter. Your battery bank does not have to be an over-the counter 5v input 5v output battery bank, and in fact using one is an extra, unnecessary voltage conversion, so it may be best to avoid wasting power this way, however, if you do want to, you can simply have a second buck converter/USB charger for the battery bank that turns on as described here. The highest voltage that can be reached will be determined by the peak no load voltage coming out of the rectifier. Be aware that you can use MPPT(Maximum Power Point Tracking) to optimize the output voltage and current. If the minimum voltage for your buck converter to turn on is, say 6V, you can simply use a higher trigger point for the battery charger. So if you're at a stop, the phone charger charges from the battery bank when the capacitor is at less than 6v. You start pedaling again, and when voltage hits 6v, the phone stops charging from the battery bank and is connected to charge off the buck converter. As voltage increases with your velocity and your phone charges(decreasing draw from 2A to ?), you will hopefully reach a point where you are producing more power than the 10W plus losses the phone charger can use, and when voltage goes above, say 7V, the battery charger comes online and charges the battery bank until the voltage on the output cap goes back below 7V. If you use a multilevel setup like this, and your phone becomes completely charged, there will be no load to keep the voltage below 7v and it will automatically charge your battery bank with extra power. This may appear to be complicated, but it will allow you relatively optimal efficiency at a low skill level. You just need to learn enough to get over the hump. Keep reading and I'll see if I can provide you a block diagram a bit later. You should start learning the most basic electrical math, Ohm's Law, Watt's Law, Kirchoff's current law. To do what I'm describing you'll have to use some voltage converters and op amps. If you can get your hands on a multimeter that will help you figure out your generator's max and minimum operating voltages. You need to figure out how you'll be attaching things as well and a bit of soldering might be necessary as well. If your budget is going to be limited or you need to salvage parts, start looking for things to use as a generator and spinning them up to see how much power you can get from them. Start watching for cheap or secondhand automotive USB chargers. You can repurpose these if you want instead of buying a buck converter. Many of the ones I've tested work all the way from about 5.5 input volts to 18 or 20, and they can be had as cheaply as free. Decide what you want to use as a battery bank. Is it just a second USB device so you can carry it away or is it part of the bike/charger? If it's part of the bike/charger, you'll have to find a charger board for it that works over the voltage range of your generator. Once you get this figured out I can help you some more. Keep at it. If you learn this stuff at your age it can be a massive advantage for pursuing similar material later in life. | Mid | [
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To make the lab equipment on the right, Michigan Tech's Joshua Pearce first shredded milk jugs and then turned them into plastic filament. A 3D printer transformed the filament into a DremelFuge, a centrifuge for rotary tools. Credit: Sarah Bird/Michigan Technological University Suppose you could replace "Made in China" with "Made in my garage." Suppose also that every time you polished off a jug of two percent, you would be stocking up on raw material to make anything from a cell phone case and golf tees to a toy castle and a garlic press. And, you could give yourself a gold medal for being a bona fide, recycling, polar-bear-saving rock star. Michigan Technological University's Joshua Pearce is working on it. His main tool is open-source 3D printing, which he uses to save thousands of dollars by making everything from his lab equipment to his safety razor. Using free software downloaded from sites like Thingiverse, which now holds over 54,000 open-source designs, 3D printers make all manner of objects by laying down thin layers of plastic in a specific pattern. While high-end printers can cost many thousands of dollars, simpler open-source units run between $250 and $500—and can be used to make parts for other 3D printers, driving the cost down ever further. "One impediment to even more widespread use has been the cost of filament," says Pearce, an associate professor of materials science and engineering and electrical and computer engineering. Though vastly less expensive than most manufactured products, the plastic filament that 3D printers transform into useful objects isn't free. Milk jugs, on the other hand, are a costly nuisance, either to recycle or to bury in a landfill. But if you could turn them into plastic filament, Pearce reasoned, you could solve the disposal problem and drive down the cost of 3D printing even more. So Pearce and his research group decided to make their own recycling unit, or RecycleBot. They cut the labels off milk jugs, washed the plastic, and shredded it. Then they ran it through a homemade device that melts and extrudes it into a long, spaghetti-like string of plastic. Their process is open-source and free for everyone to make and use at Thingiverse.com. The process isn't perfect. Milk jugs are made of high-density polyethylene, or HDPE, which is not ideal for 3D printing. "HDPE is a little more challenging to print with," Pearce says. But the disadvantages are not overwhelming. His group made its own climate-controlled chamber using a dorm-room refrigerator and an off-the-shelf teddy-bear humidifier and had good results. With more experimentation, the results would be even better, he says. "3D printing is where computers were in the 1970s." The group determined that making their own filament in an insulated RecycleBot used about 1/10th the energy needed to acquire commercial 3D filament. They also calculated that they used less energy than it would take to recycle milk jugs conventionally. RecycleBots and 3D printers have all kinds of applications, but they would be especially useful in areas where shopping malls are few and far between, Pearce believes. "Three billion people live in rural areas that have lots of plastic junk," he says. "They could use it to make useful consumer goods for themselves. Or imagine people living by a landfill in Brazil, recycling plastic and making useful products or even just 'fair trade filament' to sell. Twenty milk jugs gets you about 1 kilogram of plastic filament, which currently costs $30 to $50 online." More information: Pearce's research is described in depth in two articles: "Distributed Recycling of Waste Polymer into RepRap Feedstock,"coauthored with Christian Baechler and Matthew DeVuono of Queen's University and published in the March issue of Rapid Prototyping; and "Distributed Recycling of Post-Consumer Plastic Waste in Rural Areas," coauthored by Jerry Anzalone, Megan Kreiger, Meredith Mulder and Alexandra Glover of Michigan Tech, which will appear in the Proceedings of the Materials Research Society. | High | [
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