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Identification of patterns in sound data, also known as pattern matching, may be utilized to support a wide variety of different usage scenarios. This may include audio source separation, which may involve identification of sound data that corresponds to different sound sources. For example, audio source separation may be performed to remove noise from a recording, separate different speakers in a dialog, and so on. In another example, pattern matching may be used to support word spotting and audio retrieval, such as a part of voice recognition (e.g., a virtual phone menu) by identifying particular keywords in the sound data, to locate sound data having desired keywords or other sounds, and so on. Conventional techniques that were utilized to identify patterns in sound data, however, typically relied on a matrix representation of the sound data. This representation could be resource intensive to analyze, even when confronted with sparse sound data in which most of the frequency energies are close to zero. Consequently, such representations may be ill suited to real time scenarios and result in needless consumption of computational resources. | Mid | [
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Twitdom Twitdom is a Twitter applications directory service that lists and promotes Twitter applications. Twitdom was launched to promote apps written using the Twitter API and also to make it easier for Twitter users to find apps that they might like. Background Twitdom was founded in January 2009 by Anuj Seth. Anuj was previously involved in development of the open-source application YPOPs!. Twitdom provides reviews of Twitter apps that are categorized and tagged, as well as covers books and news related to Twitter. Accomplishments In 2009, TechCrunch named Twitdom as one of the Top 20 Twitter Apps. References Mashable: The Twitter Apps Database TechCrunch: 5 Good Ways to Discover Twitter Apps eWeek: Enterprise Applications: 20 Twitter Apps You Need to Know About Seth Godin: What tools should Twitter add? TwiTip (Darren Rowse): To Follow or Not to Follow, that is the Question External links Twitter Applications at Twitdom Category:Twitter services and applications | Mid | [
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Backscratcher What you need to get that itch you just can't reach, our backscratcher measures 16" long by 3/4" wide by 3/16" thick, crafted from locally sourced, sustainably harvested maple. It has a hole in the handle for hanging from a hook or for attaching a loop. | Low | [
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“I am the king of Kong, the simian number one.” Diddy Kong Kong for a Day Kongs are sapient primates that make up much of the cast of the Donkey Kong franchise, with the eponymous character himself being one. They are capable of things such as speech and building houses, and typically wear clothing, though the amount varies drastically with the individual, with Donkey Kong himself only wearing a tie, while many others wear full outfits. They seem to be native to Donkey Kong Island, and share an animosity with much of the crocodilian Kremling race. While most of them share the surname "Kong," they are not all directly related to one another. Kongs can resemble any number of real-life primates, with Donkey Kong, Funky Kong, and several others being gorillas, Diddy Kong being a monkey, Dixie Kong and Tiny Kong being chimpanzees, and Lanky Kong being an orangutan. In the Donkey Kong Country cartoon and the Saturday Supercade, they are never referred to as "Kongs" outside of their individual names. Instead, generic names of various real-life types of primates, such as "monkeys," "chimps," "gorillas", and "apes" are used fairly interchangeably to describe them. However, the term "baboon" seems to be reserved as an insult, potentially due to it sounding similar to the word "buffoon," and is even used against non-Kongs, such as Cranky Kong using it for Krusha in From Zero to Hero. The word "Kong" is a Japanese slang word for "gorilla".[1] Kong Family [ edit ] Donkey Kong's emblem The Kong Family[2][3] (also known as the Kong Klan[4] and the DK Crew[5][6]) is the main group of Kongs, being Donkey Kong's family and close friends. The patriarch of the family is Cranky Kong, the original Donkey Kong. In the Donkey Kong franchise series of video games, members of the Kong Family are either playable characters or supporting characters that aid the main heroes on their journey, although they also receive help from allies outside of the family, including the Animal Friends and the Kremling K. Lumsy. The family often uses the initials "DK" as a symbol, which most often represents Donkey Kong. It is seen on Donkey Kong's tie, DK Barrels, DK Coins, the Level Flags, DK Spaces, and various objects around Donkey Kong Island. The symbol is also used in the Super Smash Bros. series, although in this context, it is used as the logo for the Donkey Kong franchise in general instead of just the Kong Family members (since King K. Rool and Klaptraps also use it). Names in other langauges [ edit ] Language Name Meaning Chinese (Simplified) 刚家族 Gāng Jiāzú Kong Family List of Kongs [ edit ] Donkey Kong's family [ edit ] Dixie Kong's family [ edit ] Dixie Kong — Diddy Kong's girlfriend, Tiny Kong's older sister, Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin. Tiny Kong — Dixie Kong's younger sister, Kiddy and Chunky Kong's cousin. Chunky Kong — Kiddy Kong's older brother, Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin. Kiddy Kong — Chunky Kong's younger brother, Dixie and Tiny Kong's cousin. Close friends [ edit ] Candy Kong — Donkey Kong's rumored girlfriend. Diddy Kong — Donkey Kong's sidekick and Dixie Kong's boyfriend. Funky Kong — Donkey Kong's friend. Other members [ edit ] Evil Kongs [ edit ] Robotic Kongs [ edit ] Kong species [ edit ] Unused Kongs [ edit ] Gallery [ edit ] | Mid | [
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"You equate your understanding of your particular sectarian form of Catholic Christianity and its institutional expression with God's own truth primarily to justify your petty armchair popery…." Yep, that's what it's all about. Menu Manners and the Mass In the traditional Latin Mass, there are innumerable acts and marks of formality and reverence. When you enter the church, you cross yourself with holy water. Before sitting down, you genuflect towards our Lord in the tabernacle. Then you kneel and pray. When the altar boys and priest process into the church, following the crucifix, people kneel when the crucifix passes, and many bow their heads towards the priest. At one point in the Mass, an altar boy bows to the congregation and they bow back, upon which he proceeds to incense the congregation. Virtually every movement of the priest is choreographed by the rubrics, sometimes down to the position of the fingers on each of his hands. These things put me in mind of courtesy and manners. Because what are manners but rubrics which apply to everyday life? Opening doors for women, taking off your hat when you go indoors (back when most everyone wore hats), shaking hands and saying “Pleased to meet you” when being introduced to someone, keeping your elbows off the table, saying “please” and “thank you”, and so forth. Manners are ways of showing respect, which is why people feel disrespected when you act rude, “rude” being pretty much defined as acting with bad manners. I suppose this explains the many formal gestures at Mass. They comprise an elaborate system of courtesy. Of course the most elaborate and deferential acts of courtesy are reserved for Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, before whom nobody passes without bowing or genuflecting. And you could say that the whole thing is an elaborate act of courtesy towards God the Father, to whom it is offered as an act of worship. Perhaps this is one facet of Christ’s role in salvation: Without Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, we would not have the Mass. And without the Mass our worship would be pathetic, in the same way that an elaborate act of courtesy towards a monarch might be ridiculous when performed by a pauper in rags. But Christ’s sacrifice of himself to the Father, and our incorporation into Christ’s Body by virtue of our baptism, cause us to be clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27). Christ is King and Priest, and we are members of the Kingdom and priests (Rev. 1:6). Thus by being incorporated with Christ, we can make the elaborate gestures of courtesy to our Father and God, in a fitting manner, without looking ridiculous in dirty rags. The modern tendency is to erode manners. Everything we do is less formal. We can wear hats indoors; kids call adults by their first names rather than Mr. or Miss; doors often are held open for women (and they generally appreciate it), but you’re no longer considered rude if you don’t. I see this trend reflected in modern liturgies. An informal atmosphere often prevails. People feel no need to dress up for Mass. They talk at full voice in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and and often don’t genuflect. Priests begin Mass with a hearty “Good morning!”, and leave the sanctuary to give their homilies and shake hands during the Sign of Peace. Music may be the most obvious area where the casual atmosphere prevails in modern liturgies. Perhaps this reaches its extreme in so-called “teen Masses”, in which kids dress in clothes that they would wear to the beach or the park, and the music is basically a rock concert, which the congregation accompanies not only with singing but also clapping and dancing. My theory is that the general eroding of formality and manners in the present day is a result of the leveling out of class distinctions in general. Manners imply that people deserve respect and deference, some more than others. Whereas lack of manners says, “Hey, we’re all the same; man or woman, rich or poor, high or low rank in the corporate hierarchy, doesn’t matter. I don’t call anybody ‘sir’.” If that is the case in everyday life, then what does the erosion of formality say about attitudes towards the liturgy? If priests are now Fr. Bob instead of Fr. Smith, laymen may dispense Holy Communion and roam about the sanctuary at will, Communion is received standing and in the hand rather than kneeling and on the tongue — does this not reflect a desire and tendency to blur the distinction between clerical and lay? If the Mass is an act of courtesy towards God the Father, then what is the meaning of the erosion of manners at Mass, and what is likely to be its effect? Does it imply that in our view, even God himself deserves no more respect and courtesy than we ourselves? [Edit:] Right after posting I came across this post, part of which concerns Lutheran worship, including this paragraph: “We strive to make every message and every service relevant and applicable to real life, as well as excellent in quality. At the same time, you can come to church in your jeans, or your shorts (or even in your jean shorts) and feel perfectly comfortable in one of our services. Grab a cup of coffee and a bagel on your way in and settle in for a high-octane hour of power-learning about God.” The message seems to be, “We’ll do whatever you want. Make yourself comfortable. We strive to make worship relevant to you.” Is this the direction the Mass is heading? I would say clearly it is, and has been for a long time. The only question (in my view) is how far we will take it. Post navigation 7 thoughts on “Manners and the Mass” is it the direction we are going? My guess is no- is it the direction that most “Catholics” wish it to go? My guess is YES!!!! We wonder how islam conquered most of the world in so short an amount of time… now we know. I think there is also an important tension in the mass between the feelings of reverence and intimate friendship, and it should perhaps be the goal to exacerbate our experience of this tension, which I think is our being humbled by God’s own humility. Most clearly in the Eucharist itself, where God is before us under the signs of mere food and drink. I think it’s crucial to remember that we can never be sufficiently reverent. But as G.K. Chesterton said in his biography of St. Francis, “It is the highest and holiest of the paradoxes that the man who really knows he cannot pay his debt will be for ever paying it. He will be for ever giving back what he cannot give back, and cannot be expected to give back. He will be always throwing things away into a bottomless pit of unfathomable thanks.” I suppose my point, if I have one, is that while I don’t understand the liturgy enough to know what’s better for it, the important thing is that I always remember I’m doing it poorly, but doing it for God, and I’m poorly dressed, but dressed for God. I agree that there are and should be feelings of both reverence and intimate friendship. I think in a way, they go hand-in-hand. Reverence, submission, humility, obedience, repentance, are all appropriate attitudes that we should have towards God. We have no right to stand before him as his equal. But by his mercy and through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and our appropriation of that sacrifice in our lives through baptism and the Mass, he makes us his friends, indeed his children. And this gives us all the more reason and desire for revering him. I agree that we cannot be sufficiently reverent in the subjective sense. To me this is one of the great things about the Mass: It gives us a prescribed way in which to offer adequate worship, which is not dependent on our individual ability to achieve subjective feelings of reverence. [Edit:] This is my concern about much of the modern tendency to “emotionalize” the Mass: It seems to be an effort to make our worship adequate through generating subjective emotions, for example by highly emotive music, clapping, hearty greetings, the priest leaving the sanctuary to gladhand the congregation, and so forth. This, frankly, is the Protestant mode of worship; “worship” being practically synonymous, in many Protestant churches, with emotion: Tears, shouting, clapping, dancing, sweating, etc. Notice that all those things are directed inwards, towards creating a response within each individual “worshipper”, rather than outwards, towards God. I’m glad. I completely agree, but just to push my point a little further, I believe it’s not just in the subjective sense that we can’t be sufficiently reverent, but in every way (except perhaps with divine intervention). As we say, “Lord, I am not worthy…” I share your concern. That attitude is truly fatal to worship. | Mid | [
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The American Psychological Association recently released a new set of guidelines which have caused quite an uproar for those of us freed from the currently fashionable delusions on gender differences. The direction it has headed, however, is quite unsurprising for anyone who has been paying attention. Cthulhu continues marching left at an ever accelerating rate. The blaze offered a decent article on the topic which has some choice excerpts. “The main thrust of the subsequent research is that traditional masculinity — marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression — is, on the whole, harmful,” — “the more men conformed to masculine norms, the more likely they were to consider as normal risky health behaviors such as heavy drinking, using tobacco and avoiding vegetables, and to engage in these risky behaviors themselves.” — Boys are traditionally socialized to suppress their emotions, which “causes damage that echoes both inwardly and outwardly,” according to the release. Ryon McDermott, a psychologist at the University of South Alabama who helped draft the men’s guidelines, said clinicians can use the guidelines to encourage men “to discard the harmful ideologies of traditional masculinity (violence, sexism) and find flexibility in the potentially positive aspects (courage, leadership).” In short, traditional masculinity (elsewhere referred to by the same people as “toxic” masculinity) is the new bad thing. Even though its completely normal and an undoubtedly evolved trait which increases evolutionary fitness for men. Its here and ubiquitous because it works. It is hated by feminists and the current batch of corrupt elites because true masculinity is hard to control. Real men think for themselves and don’t worry about the crowd and are thus much harder to cow into accepting obvious lies. Not good if your goal is a passive population which can be shit on as much as you want for your personal profit. Pathologizing healthy, normal behavior falsely adds an air of legitimacy that would be otherwise lacking. These are “doctors” doing “science” and this is a real “medical” problem. The way this is presented is all very strategic to cover up the fact that these beliefs are nothing more than ideological clap trap with the “coincidental” side-effect of increased population control should they prove successful. Rob Dreher also had some good commentary on the topic, which I agree with. “To be fair, it’s not all PC codswallop, but given the social justice warrior jargon throughout, I suspect this is mostly about psychologizing the gelding of American males. I do not trust Ryon McDermott, PhD, to decide what is and is not healthy masculinity,” Dreher wrote. “The more I think about it, the more Soviet this seems,” he added. “Dissent from gender ideology (not just the transgender stuff, but the establishment’s view of what men and women are)? Well, then you must be insane. Expert opinion says so!” I don’t know where Jack Donnovan got his numbers, but he claims the APA membership is 58% women, 75% of graduates students are women. I really wish people would always take the time to point to where they get specific claims like this, but otherwise the article is in agreement with my own thought. The mysterious origin of these numbers notwithstanding, they roughly match my own research which found that 62% graduate level psych grads were female a number of years ago. It could have increased since then. In addition, psychology as a field is mostly far-left liberal. Social psychology “is essentially an ideological and political echo-chamber that is considerably more left-wing politically than the general population. 80% of social psychologists identify as liberal, while only 3 out of 1000 identify as conservative. Contrast this with the general population which is 40% conservative and only 20% liberal.” I single out social psychology here, but the same basic pattern is true for any social “Science.” Also, this demographic has been changing dramatically in recent times. It was much more balanced in the past and progressively became more infiltrated and through selection more ideologically narrowed. Essentially, when radical leftists get into hiring and acceptance positions, they go above and beyond to make only other radical leftists get new positions. Considering both the political taint and the great potential for femsplainations, and it is no surprise it has gotten so bad. I have a whole chapter on the leftist bent of academia in my book on sex differences in intelligence “Smart and Sexy.“ The field itself is mostly female, and mostly far left. Two things which immediately call into question the validity of any claims they make. The problem with being far-left is obvious. With females, it has a lot to do with both research available in my book on intelligence and psychological differences. Most women aren’t geniuses and most geniuses aren’t women. Women are also emotional. They react badly to things the don’t like to hear, and commonly throw temper-tantrums like children until everyone around them gets so sick of the drama they stop talking and walk away. The woman has then “won” because no one with any sense will waste time trying to explain to her why she is completely delusional. Of course, “winnning” at this point probably still wouldn’t be enough so many women move on to vindictive passive aggression and social manipulation in order to get the offender ostracized and if really successful unemployed. Anyone who has had a long-term girlfriend or wife has had to deal with something like this at one point or another. Some women are worse than others, but it is a rare woman indeed who absolutely never did something like this. Clearly, the commonality of this behavior and mentality among women assures that the more women you get in any field, the less reliable it will ultimately become as emotions come to trump any consideration of truth. These people aren’t scientists, and their studies aren’t science. They are ideological and partisan hacks who use fake and misleading data to masquerade their delusional opinions and desires as “science.” They did this because they wanted to steal the credibility of real sciences like physics and chemistry which actually benefit the world to push their tainted points of view. For some reason, most people bought the ruse and attribute to them some authority on these subjects. And now we have to deal with shit like this. Feels bad man. | Low | [
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The business behind the show Pssst, want to buy a prime-time commercial? Here's the menu. October 26, 2009 | 1:21 pm Healthcare costs may be on the rise, but it's getting cheaper to advertise on medical dramas. Every fall, Advertising Age tries to figure out how much a 30-second spot (what civilians call commercials) costs on every broadcast television prime-time show. It makes for fun reading, although even Advertising Age warns that the numbers should not be taken "as gospel." But the figures do provide a good barometer of the ad market and what shows are worth the most. For example, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" is still the most expensive drama to buy a commercial on, but the cost fell to $240,462 this season from $326,685 last season. Fox's "House" is averaging about $184,000 this season, a big drop from last season's $260,179. Of course, with the rare exception of the Super Bowl, the finale of "American Idol" and various award shows, most commercials are bought in bulk and not on an individual show-by-show basis. So how does Ad Age determine the price of a commercial for a particular show? The publication's TV editor, Brian Steinberg, explained that major media buyers are surveyed about how they allocated their clients' commercial buys across a network's schedule, and from there a value for a particular spot can be determined. Now, this survey is done based on spending before the season starts and before anyone knows what's going to be a hit or not. A spot on "Glee" costs less than several other new shows that are not as strong in key demographics. That will change in the scatter market, which is what the industry calls the week-to-week sale of advertising time. The most expensive program to buy a spot on this fall is NBC's Sunday night football game, at a cost of almost $340,000. Even that is off almost $100,000 from last season. And that will change once we hit January and Fox's "American Idol" comes back. Commercials for that hit are averaging between $360,000 and $490,000, depending on the episode. The closer to the finale you want, the more you have to spend. | Low | [
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HomeAway.co.uk, the home of Holiday-Rentals®, is part of the HomeAway family. As the world leader in holiday rentals, we offer the largest selection of properties for any travel occasion and every budget. We’re committed to helping families and friends find the perfect holiday rental to create unforgettable travel experiences together. Floor terrace facing the wall Apartment with terrace at the foot of the Wall of Lugo. It will take more down in the lift to reach the walled enclosure and little more if you want to climb to walk on it. Penthouse with a bright and spacious terrace. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen with access to the terrace and lounge. One of the bedrooms has a double bed and the other with a double bed and a single bed, we also have a travel cot if you request it beforehand. A lift to the first floor. You can enjoy the entire floor and, if desired, with an optional garage (not included in the price) in the adjoining building. The kitchen is fully furnished and has a variety of appliances to make your stay more comfortable (microwave, capsule coffee maker, hotplate, ceramic hob, electric oven, fridge with freezer, etc.) The apartment has individual heating. You have both linens and towels, we changed once a week. Anyway you have extra linens and towels in case you need them. If you are very sensitive to cold you have blankets at your disposal. We speak Spanish, Galician, English and a little French and Portuguese (Arabic only know say hello and good afternoon) The apartment is located in the new area of Lugo but bordering the historic center, so you can enjoy all the festive activities in the area of wine and tapas but with the tranquility of the residential area. Lugo is perfect for intramural around on foot, so we recommend you leave the car in the garage and discover walking through its streets or walk from the top of the wall (just 2. 5km). Less than 200m you have several pharmacies, gas station, supermarkets and all kinds of trade and services. Access by car to the floor is very simple, regardless if you come from one or another point. Nearby you can find public parking if you do not want to choose the garage that counts the floor. We remind you that the parking surface in much of Lugo is regulated. Owner Owner Member Since 2016 Response rate: 90% Response time: within a few hours Speaks english, spanish Calendar last updated: 19 Nov 2018 Facilities TV Heater Bedrooms 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4 1 double 1 double, 1 twin/ single Bathrooms 1 Bathroom General Heating Linens Provided Washing Machine Towels Provided Hair Dryer Elevator Kitchen Coffee Maker Dishes & Utensils Entertainment Television House Rules Check-in: 16:00 Check-out: 11:00 Cancellation Policy 100% refund for cancellations more than 14 days before check-in date. 50% refund for cancellations more than 7 days before check-in date. | Mid | [
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There’s a cool new way to carry around Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits. To celebrate National Biscuit Day, the seafood chain is introducing the Cheddar Bay Biscuit Fanny Pack. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a fanny pack designed to carry around Red Lobster’s popular biscuits. Fortunately, it’s insulated, so they’ll stay warm. POPEYES SERVING HEART-SHAPED 'LOVE THAT' BISCUITS FOR ONE DAY ONLY In a statement sent to Fox News, a spokesperson for the company said, “Red Lobster is heating up National Biscuit Day by revealing the hottest and tastiest new accessory around – The Cheddar Bay Biscuit Fanny Pack. This insulated fanny pack is where fashion meets flavor… keeping warm Cheddar Bay Biscuits at arm’s length or close to the heart, making it easy to enjoy on-the-go whenever the craving hits. Only a limited number are available through the #CBBSweepstakes, so the one-of-a-kind accessory won’t be around for long!” Anyone interested in showing off their love of cheesy biscuits needs to tweet to Red Lobster and explain what they love the most about the biscuits. If they include the hashtag “#CBBSweepstakes, they’ll be entered for a chance to win this limited edition fanny pack. The contest starts today and runs until June 4. For none fanny-pack-fans, Red Lobster has another option. Between May 14 and May 16, Red Lobster is offering free delivery through Grub Hub. Each order will come with an additional six biscuits for free. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP It’s a great time to be a person that eats biscuits. | Low | [
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People v Diaz (2017 NY Slip Op 03013)
People v Diaz 2017 NY Slip Op 03013 Decided on April 19, 2017 Appellate Division, Second Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.
Decided on April 19, 2017
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department
L. PRISCILLA HALL, J.P.
SHERI S. ROMAN
JEFFREY A. COHEN
FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, JJ.
2014-03060
(Ind. No. 6408/12)
[*1]The People of the State of New York, respondent,
vEmmanuel Diaz, appellant.
Lynn W. L. Fahey, New York, NY (Dina Zloczower of counsel), for appellant. Eric Gonzalez, Acting District Attorney, Brooklyn, NY (Leonard Joblove and Howard B. Goodman of counsel), for respondent. DECISION & ORDER Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Balter, J.), rendered February 24, 2014, convicting him of robbery in the first degree and burglary in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed. The defendant contends that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel as a result of his trial counsel's failure to request that the jury be charged on the affirmative defense to robbery in the first degree and burglary in the first degree that the object displayed was not a loaded weapon from which a shot, capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, could be discharged (see Penal Law §§ 140.30[4]; 160.15[4]; People v Miaram, 97 AD3d 606, 607). However, contrary to the defendant's contention, his trial counsel's decision not to request an instruction on that affirmative defense reflected a legitimate trial strategy of a reasonably competent attorney (see People v Casseus, 120 AD3d 828, 829). Defense counsel pursued a misidentification defense at trial, which would have been undermined had defense counsel put on inconsistent evidence that, while the defendant was present during the incident, the weapon he displayed was not loaded and operable (see People v Howard, 22 NY3d 388, 401; see also People v Gordon, 92 AD3d 580, 581). Further, the Supreme Court was not required to give the charge, sua sponte, since such an instruction would have interfered with the defendant's theory of the case (see People v Acevedo, 84 AD3d 1390, 1391). The defendant's contention that he was deprived of his right to counsel under the Federal and State Constitutions by the admission into evidence of recorded telephone calls he made during his detention at Rikers Island Correctional Facility (hereinafter Rikers) is without merit (see People v Johnson, 27 NY3d 199, 205-206; People v Roberts, 139 AD3d 985, 986). Furthermore, there is no merit to the defendant's contention that the recordings of his telephone calls from Rikers were improperly admitted into evidence at trial because he did not consent to the dissemination of the recordings by the New York City Department of Correction (hereinafter the DOC) to the prosecution. The defendant does not identify any statutory or constitutional violation with respect to the admission of the recordings. Instead, the defendant argues [*2]that the notice he received that his telephone calls would be monitored and recorded provided no basis to infer that he consented to the distribution of those recordings to the prosecution, and that any consent to the monitoring and recording of his calls was for the limited purpose of ensuring prison security. "A party's consent to the taping of his [or her] telephone calls can be inferred from his [or her] knowledge that such conversations would be monitored" (People v Jackson, 125 AD3d 1002, 1004; see People v Koonce, 111 AD3d 1277, 1279; Curley v Board of Trustees, 213 AD2d 583, 583; United States v Amen, 831 F2d 373, 378-379 [2d Cir]). Here, the defendant impliedly consented to the monitoring and recording of his telephone conversations by using the prison telephones despite being notified that such calls were being monitored (see People v Jackson, 125 AD3d at 1004; United States v Workman, 80 F3d 688, 693-694 [2d Cir]; United States v Amen, 831 F2d at 379). The record reflects that the defendant was on notice from several sources of the prison's policy of monitoring and recording inmate telephone conversations, including the inmate handbook, signs posted next to the telephones, and a recorded message which plays prior to each telephone call. In light of these notifications, "it was no longer reasonable for [the defendant] to presume an expectation of privacy as to the content of those telephone conversations" (United States v Busch, 2013 US Dist LEXIS 188419, *165 [WD NY, No. 09CR331A]; see United States v Shavers, 693 F3d 363, 389-390 [3d Cir], vacated and remanded on other grounds _____ US _____, 133 S Ct 2877). Notably, the defendant indicated during certain of the recorded calls that he was hesitant about discussing the details of the crime over the telephone. Although the inmate handbook provides that "all calls may be recorded for security purposes with the exception of privileged calls," the signs posted next to the telephones broadly state that "[i]nmate telephone conversations are subject to electronic monitoring and/or recording in accordance with department policy," and that "[a]n inmate's use of [institutional] telephones constitutes consent to this monitoring and/or recording." Additionally, an employee of the DOC testified that prior to each call, an inmate will hear a recorded message which states that the call may be recorded and monitored. Thus, contrary to the defendant's contention, the notifications, as a whole, did not limit the scope of the defendant's consent to the monitoring and recording of his telephone calls solely for security purposes (see United States v Faulkner, 439 F3d 1221, 1223-1224 [10th Cir]; United States v Peoples, 71 F Supp 2d 967, 972, 979 [WD Mo]). We note that "convicted prisoners do not forfeit all constitutional protections by reason of their conviction and confinement in prison," and certainly "pretrial detainees, who have not been convicted of any crimes, retain at least those constitutional rights that . . . are enjoyed by convicted prisoners" (Bell v Wolfish, 441 US 520, 545). Since any concern that the notice provided to inmates by the DOC is inadequate can be readily ameliorated by an express notification that the recorded calls may be turned over to the District Attorney, the better practice going forward may be for the DOC to include such a warning (cf. People v Johnson, 27 NY3d at 207-208). Nevertheless, the absence of such a warning does not render the calls inadmissible (see People v Koonce, 111 AD3d at 1279; United States v Green, 2016 WL 3610331, *11, 13-14, 2016 US Dist LEXIS 87388, *37, 42-43 [WD NY, No. 12-CR-83S]; United States v Busch, 2013 US Dist LEXIS 188419, *164; United States v Green, 842 F Supp 68, 71-72 [WD NY], affd sub nom. United States v Workman, 80 F3d 688 [2d Cir]). Rather, the trial court must weigh the probative value of the recordings against the potential for prejudice to the defendant (see generally People v Harris, 26 NY3d 1, 5). "[D]ue to the possibility of prejudice inherent in the prosecutor's use of inmate recordings, the trial judge's role as gatekeeper remains unchanged and necessary to ensure compliance with constitutional mandates and the usual rules of evidence and criminal procedure" (People v Johnson, 27 NY3d at 208). The sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v Suitte, 90 AD2d 80). ROMAN, COHEN and CONNOLLY, JJ., concur. HALL, J.P., dissents, and votes to reverse the judgment, on the law, and order a new trial, with the following memorandum: Pursuant to the Rules of the City of New York and an Operations Order implemented by the New York City Department of Correction (hereinafter the DOC), the respective New York City District Attorneys' Offices have essentially unfettered access to the recordings of nonpriviledged telephone calls made by pretrial detainees at pretrial detention facilities, such as Rikers Island Correctional Facility (hereinafter Rikers) (see People v Johnson, 27 NY3d 199, 203-204). This arrangement between the DOC and the District Attorneys' Offices presents a fundamentally unfair situation to pretrial detainees. In short, while pretrial detainees are notified that telephone calls made from institutional telephone lines may be recorded and monitored, they are not informed that the recordings of such calls may be distributed to the prosecutors handling their cases, and that information in the calls can be used against them at their criminal trials. I share Judge Pigott's concern, expressed in his concurrence in Johnson, that this arrangement "creates a serious potential for abuse and may undermine the constitutional rights of defendants who are financially unable to make bail. Something needs to change" (id. at 208 [Pigott, J., concurring]). The current arrangement between the DOC and the District Attorneys' Offices simply adds to the well-documented disparities between defendants who can afford to make bail and are at liberty while awaiting trial, and those who cannot afford to make bail and are in pretrial detention facilities. "A defendant free on bail or on his [or her] own recognizance can . . . make good use of that liberty by consulting and participating fully with counsel in time-consuming preparations for trial, including tracking down witnesses and evidentiary leads" (id. at 210). The detained suspect, however, cannot engage in such pretrial preparations. "Moreover, any telephone conversations with family members or potential witnesses are now turned over to the prosecution for it to review. Not only do prosecutors obtain critical information about key defense witnesses and possible defenses well before those materials would have been disclosed, but they can also use innocuous details to their advantage in negotiating plea deals, for example, by combing through a detainee's recorded conversations for information about his [or her] financial limitations or family obligations" (id.). I am seriously troubled by the fact that pretrial detainees cannot speak to family members without members of the District Attorneys' Offices listening in. This is especially egregious where pretrial detainees are never informed that the recordings of such telephone calls may be turned over to the prosecution. Assistant District Attorneys regularly seek to introduce at trial recordings of telephone calls made by pretrial detainees as affirmative evidence of their guilt, principally on the basis of consent. According to the Assistant District Attorneys, since the pretrial detainees consented to the monitoring and recording of such telephone calls, the recordings of the calls may properly be admitted into evidence. However, consent to the monitoring and recording of a telephone call does not equate to an implied consent to have the recording of the call handed over to the prosecution. In this case, I agree with the majority that the defendant impliedly consented to the monitoring and recording of his telephone conversations by using the telephones at Rikers. As the majority notes, the defendant was informed that his telephone calls from institutional telephones at Rikers would be recorded and monitored, and that his use of those telephones constituted consent to such recording and monitoring. However, the defendant was never informed that the recordings of his telephone calls would be provided to the prosecutor handling his case. Consequently, the defendant never expressly or impliedly consented to the recordings of those calls being disseminated to the prosecutor for potential use at his criminal trial on this matter. While the defendant admittedly "had no reason to expect privacy in his calls, that does not equate to any consent that the agents and prosecutors working on this case would gain access" to the calls (United States v Mitan, 2009 WL 3081727, *4, 2009 US Dist LEXIS 88886, *11 [ED Pa, Crim Action Nos. 08-760-1; 08-760-2], 499 Fed Appx 187 [3d Cir]). Indeed, there is "a major distinction between prison authorities having access to prisoners' phone calls for purposes of prison security and discipline, and the prosecutors of that pretrial prisoner having the same access for purposes of gaining advance knowledge of the pretrial prisoner's trial strategy and potential witnesses" (2009 WL 3081727, *4, 2009 US Dist LEXIS 88886, *11; see People v Johnson, 27 NY3d at 209 [Pigott, J., concurring]). In my view, the defendant's consent was limited to the monitoring and recording of his telephone calls. This limited consent did not extend to the dissemination of the recordings of those calls to the prosecutor handling his case. In this context, the defendant's consent can be no broader than the notice provided to him (cf. Watkins v L.M. Berry & Co., 704 F2d 577, 581 [11th Cir]). Since the defendant did not impliedly consent to the dissemination of the recordings of his telephone calls to the prosecution, the recordings of the calls were improperly admitted into evidence. This error was not harmless, as there is a significant probability that the error might have contributed to the defendant's convictions (see People v Johnson, 57 NY2d 969, 970; People v Crimmins, 36 NY2d 230, 241-242). Pretrial detainees are presumed innocent, as they have not yet been convicted of any crime. Moreover, while the DOC has a legitimate interest in maintaining the safety and security of its detention facilities, it has no legitimate interest in harvesting evidence for the prosecution (see People v Johnson, 27 NY3d at 208-209). Under these circumstances, it is not simply a better practice for the DOC to provide express notification to pretrial detainees that recorded telephone calls may be turned over to the prosecution; such notice is required for the proper admission of these recordings into evidence at a criminal trial. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent, and vote to reverse the judgment and order a new trial.
ENTER:
Aprilanne Agostino Clerk of the Court | Low | [
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Prior art is known to include procedures and devices for machining objects using laser radiation that, for example, are used for shaping the cornea of the eye to correct poor vision. The required energy is brought into the tissue through pulsed laser radiation that is guided by scanning the sector of the lens from which tissue is to be removed. More recent developments in connection with such ophthalmological surgical procedures for improving poor vision are using ultra-short pulse lasers to impart the energy and are known as fs-LASIK. The state of technology is described in R. Kurtz et al. “Femtosecond Laser Corneal Refractive Surgery”, Proc. SPIE 3591, 209 (1999). Here the laser radiation is focused on a focal point of a magnitude of just a few micrometers in the cornea. At the focal point a plasma is generated, which quickly vaporizes immediately adjacent tissue, causing a separation of the tissue at this location. This interaction between the laser radiation and the tissue is called photo-disruption. Since the photo-disruption is limited to a microscopically small area, it is possible to create precise surgical cuts within the eye to achieve a locally restricted separation of the corneal tissue. Targeted rows of such separation zones allow macroscopic cuts and a predetermined partial corneal volume can be isolated. The removal of this partial volume achieves a desired change in the refraction of the cornea and thus a correction of the poor vision. In the following, the method based upon photo-disruption is referred to as fs-LASIK. The procedure is designed so that prior to the fs-LASIK procedure, an observation device, for example a microscope, is used to inspect the object of the procedure and to determine the parameters of the treatment, such as the intensity of the laser radiation, pulse sequences, length and location of the cuts, etc. Following this, the procedure is carried out using the laser scan device. Usually, the results of the procedure are evaluated again with the help of the observation device. Following this, post-surgical steps are carried out, such as the removal of the excised volume and the wound care. | Mid | [
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Calliope Tatti Calliope Tatti () was born in Thessaloniki, Ottoman Empire in 1894. Great-granddaughter of Constantine Tattis who was member of the secret Greek society Filiki Eteria which in early 19th century organized the successful Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. Spouse of the Cretan gendarmerie officer Evangelos Sarris. After his premature death in 1917 she got married in 1922 to the chairman of the BAR association of Thessaloniki George Seremetis who was one of the most prominent attorneys in the city. He later served as mayor of the same city. Calliope Tatti studied at the English school of Thessaloniki during the years of the Ottoman administration. She spoke fluently English, French, Turkish and Greek. Thessaloniki was captured by the Hellenic Army under Crown Prince Constantine during the first year of the First Balkan War (1912). Tatti immediately after the capture of Thessaloniki she volunteered to serve as a nurse in the hospital organized by the "Central City School" that was taking care of the wounded soldiers during both Balkan Wars. From her two marriages she had three sons, the first Constantine Sarris from the first husband and the two others from the second (Dimitrios Seremetis and Michael Seremetis). The first 2 sons became lawyers and practiced law in Thessaloniki and the third one became a physician (thoracic surgeon) who was trained and practiced in the United States. She participated to a great number of charitable associations with considerable social service in Thessaloniki. She served as vice-president and later chairman of the “-Phoenix” charitable association (1933-1941) and the "Philoptochos Fraternity of Thessaloniki ladies" (1940-1950). She offered a great deal of her own financial resources for the relief of her fellow-citizens during the starvation period of the German occupation (1941–1944). She died in September 1978. Category:1894 births Category:1978 deaths Category:People from Thessaloniki Category:Female wartime nurses Category:Ottoman Thessalonica | High | [
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The metabolic syndrome is not correlated with the short-term risk of decompensation in patients with cirrhosis. Obesity proved to favor clinical decompensation in patients with cirrhosis. Our aim was to investigate if metabolic syndrome (MS) in cirrhotic patients represents a risk factor for decompensation. 704 cirrhotics, included in a MS prevalence study were considered for evaluation; 121 patients were excluded because they did not complete the follow-up and 303 because they were decompensated at the start of the study. The remaining 280 were followed-up for a median period of 28.1+/-18 months. Patients were censored at the end of follow-up or at occurrence of a liver related event (LRE). Liver related events were considered the following: decompensation (ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, jaundice, encephalopathy), hepatocellular carcinoma, portal vein thrombosis and infections. All MS criteria except the abdominal circumference were significantly different between decompensated and compensated patients. HDL-cholesterol levels were lower in decompensated patients. Among the 280 patients who completed the follow-up, 85 (30%) presented LREs. Ascites was the most frequent event. In the univariate analysis of the MS criteria we found a trend to significance of an inverse correlation between MS and LREs. There was no significant difference between patients with or without MS regarding survival free of LREs, 76.7% and 66.5%, respectively. None of the MS criteria reached the level of significance in discriminating patients with and without LREs. In short term, presence of MS was not a risk factor for LREs. In short term, liver function and lower nutritional status influenced the prognosis. In decompensated patients, the MS defining criteria are not applicable. | Mid | [
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The doctor who discovered that the children of Flint, Michigan, were at risk of irreparable brain damage from lead poisoning in the city’s water supply has warned that the problem of “toxic soup” coming out of their household taps may have affected many more than originally thought. All children under the age of six – between 8,000 and 9,000 of them – have been put in jeopardy by Flint’s contaminated water. As many as 15% of those tested in certain city hotspots have shown dangerous levels of lead in their blood, according to Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician at the local hospital who raised the alarm in the summer about metal in the water. “This is an emergency. People think of disasters as being hurricanes, or tornadoes, or ice storms, but this is a disaster right here in Flint that is alarming and absolutely gut-wrenching,” Hanna-Attisha said on Wednesday. The newly elected mayor of Flint, Karen Weaver, declared a state of emergency on Monday night,calling for federal assistance to deal with what she labeled a “manmade disaster”. Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the polluted local river in April 2014, immediately triggering widespread complaints of illness and protests. City and state officials repeatedly declared the water was safe and refused to switch back to the safer lake supply until October 2015, shortly after Hanna-Attisha revealed that new tests showed alarming levels of lead in the blood of the city’s youngest children, at an age that makes them particularly vulnerable to such poisoning. “We are assuming that the entire population of the city of Flint has been exposed, if you drank the water or cooked with the water. In fact, cooking with the water concentrates the lead levels,” Hanna-Attisha said. In August 2015, Hanna-Attisha, who runs the pediatric residency program at the children’s hospital in the city’s large Hurley Medical Center, spoke with a friend who was a water quality expert and former worker at the Environmental Protection Agency. The friend urged the doctor to test kids for lead. Mayor Karen Weaver fields reporters’ questions after declaring a state of emergency on Tuesday. Photograph: Jay May/AP She did and found that the proportion of children across a city sample who had blood lead levels in the danger zone had doubled from 2.1% before the switch to river water to 4% after. In certain vulnerable city zip codes, the number had jumped from 2.5% to 6.3% with blood lead levels above five micrograms per deciliter – the amount officially described as “elevated” and of public health concern. After Dr Hanna-Attisha told officials of the results of her testing, she was denigrated, but she persisted and, after much cross-checking, officials finally accepted her results and not long after, switched the water supply back again. “Parents are traumatized. What was created here was a toxic soup,” said Hanna-Attisha. But it took the election of a new mayor in November for an official crisis to be declared by the city authorities. Hanna-Attisha said on Wednesday, however, that the news is even worse than first revealed. She plans to publish the full results of her research in a medical journal before Christmas, but she revealed that certain “hotspots” in Flint have produced results that show that 15% of the children tested had elevated blood lead levels above five micrograms per deciliter. Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha. Photograph: Doug Pike/Hurley Medical Center Lead is only detectable in the blood for 30 days after exposure. So she said that many children may not have had elevated lead levels at the time of testing, but if they had been exposed previously, the damage could already have been done but remained undetected. Children were tested at ages one and two, but one of the most dangerous periods for lead exposure is when a baby is in the womb and up to six months of age, she said. “Our research underestimates the risk,” she said. Hanna-Attisha said that parents in Flint should not panic, but the authorities need to provide extra resources for the city. Any physical damage done by the lead cannot be undone, but its effects can be mitigated with good nutrition, extra educational stimulation for young children and, in future, extra support at school, Hanna-Attisha said. But, she added, “Flint is a food desert. There are no decent grocery stores. Poverty levels, crime and unemployment are extremely high.” She is furious at the authorities, especially state environmental officials. “There was just a sense of deny, deny, deny,” she said. Residents of Flint are now suing the authorities in a lawsuit that local lawyers believe could end up as a $1bn class action. | High | [
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// author: Jannik Strötgen // email: [email protected] // resources automatically created; see our EMNLP 2015 paper for details: // https://aclweb.org/anthology/D/D15/D15-1063.pdf // // english: "day","day" "[Hh]ari","day" // english: "weekend","week-WE" "[Aa]khir pekan","week-WE" // english: "week","week" "[Mm]inggu","week" "[Pp]ekan","week" // english: "month","month" "[Bb]ulan","month" // english: "quarter","quarter" "[Kk]uartal","quarter" "[Tt]riwulan","quarter" // english: "year","year" "[Tt]ahun","year" // english: "decade","decade" "[Dd]asawarsa","decade" // english: "century","century" "[Aa]bad","century" | Mid | [
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Mobile app self-care versus in-office care for stress reduction: a cost minimization analysis. We calculated the cost of providing stress reduction care with a mobile phone app (Breathe2Relax) in comparison with normal in-person care, the standard method for managing stress in military and civilian populations. We conducted a cost-minimization analysis. The total cost to the military healthcare system of treating 1000 patients with the app was $106,397. Treating 1000 patients with in-office care cost $68,820. Treatment using the app became less expensive than in-office treatment at approximately 1600 users. From the perspective of the civilian healthcare system, treatment using the app became less expensive than in-office treatment at approximately 1500 users. An online tool was used to obtain data about the number of app downloads and usage sessions. A total of 47,000 users had accessed the app for 10-30 min sessions in the 2.5 years since the release of the app. Assuming that all 47,000 users were military beneficiaries, the savings to the military healthcare system would be $2.7 million; if the 47,000 users were civilian, the savings to the civilian healthcare system would be $2.9 million. Because of the large number of potential users, the total societal savings resulting from self-care using the app may be considerable. | Mid | [
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Eumerica There’s been a lot of discussion of a recent Pew Research Center study of US voters, mainly focusing on this graph, which certainly suggests a strong reaction against the Bush Administration and the Republican Party But the underlying picture is much worse for Republicans than this, as Gary Kamiya observes. On the one hand, the Pew Survey shows that Democrats and Independents are becoming pretty similar in the views to people elsewhere in the developed world (such as Europeans) – liberal on social issues, moderately social-democratic in social policy, preferring peace to war and so on. Not surprisingly, this translates to a strongly negative view of the Republican party, just as it does everywhere else in the world. On the other hand, Republican support is contracting to a base of about 25 per cent of the population whose views are getting more extreme, not merely because moderate conservatives are peeling off to become Independents, but also because of the party’s success in constructing a parallel universe of news sources, thinktanks, blogs, pseudo-scientists and so on, which has led to the core becoming more tightly committed to an extremist ideology. There’s plenty to support this account outside the Pew survey. This Gallup poll shows that a majority of Democrats and a large plurality of Independents think that the US is spending too much on the military – hardly any Republicans take this view. The proportion thinking spending is too high is the highest since 1990 and one of the highest on record. Looking at the Republican side of the aisle, Jonathan Chait points out (via Matthew Yglesias), that even as scientific evidence on global warming has become overwhelming and most of the oil industry has ceased to promote delusional thinking on this issue, the same thinking has hardened within the Congressional Republican party, to the point where Republican members of Congress who are qualified scientists (amazingly, there are some) are barred from sitting on committees where they might disrupt the anti-science orthodoxy. The position of rightwing blogs is even worse, with a recent survey 59-0 score in favour of the delusional position. Looking at the evidence, Gary Kamiya asks whether this is just a swing of the pendulum, and in some respects it is, but some effects are likely to be longer-term. The general liberalisation of thinking on social issues is unlikely to be reversed. Moreover, while American faith in military power bounced back after Vietnam, I doubt that the same will be true after Iraq. If you wanted a textbook lesson in why resort to violence is rarely a sensible choice, Bush’s presentation of that lesson could hardly be bettered. I’ll end with one stat that ought to worry any Republicans who think sticking with the Rove strategy is a good idea. According to the Pew study, members of Gen Y (18-30) are about as likely to be atheists/agnostics (19 per cent) as Republicans (no age group breakdown, but it must be less than the 25 per cent for all voters given low party identification in this age group). | High | [
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Q: Mapping 1 to 0-1 In Entity Framework Doing Entity Framework (5) code first, although we are not generating our data model from the code--we just keep them in sync manually (less of a pain than it sounds). Trying to create a 1 to 0-1 relationship. Here is the setup using a made-up example of a customer that could have 0 or 1 address: Edit: original example was not right. Customer can have 0-1 Addresses, Address has exactly 1 customer. Table design and code both updated. Address -------------- AddressId (identity) AddressText CustomerId (Edit: this employs a unique constraint) Customer -------------- CustomerId (identity) CustomerName Relevant part of Address mapping: this.HasKey(t => t.AddressId); //SEE NOTE ON THIS BELOW //this.Property(t =>t.AddressId). HasDatabaseGeneratedOption(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Identity); this.HasRequired(t => t.Customer) .WithOptional(); Relevant part of Customer mapping: this.HasKey(t => t.CustomerId); this.HasOptional(b => b.Address) .WithRequired(); Note the line commented out in Customer. If I include this, I get the following error: A dependent property in a ReferentialConstraint is mapped to a store-generated column. Column: 'CustomerId'. If I don't include it, I get: Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table 'Customer' when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF. I have searched high and low, and the code above seems to be the recommended approach. I have also seen some vague mention that 1:1 relationships can't be modeled unless the two tables share a key of the same name? Can this sort of relationship be modeled in code, and if so, what is the correct syntax? A: Your mapping looks invalid. You are saying that an Address has an optional Customer, and a Customer has a required address, but your Address foriegn key on your Customer entity is nullable, so the relationship should be the other way around. Also, yes, if you want to model a 1 to 1 relationship, then you should have a Customer table with a primary key, and then an Address table with a primary key column which is also a foreign key to your Customer table. Otherwise, you are really modelling a one-to-many relationship in the database. | Low | [
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A disposable dynamic site builder for fast front-end iterations that promotes code re-use to build the front-end of your site / web app. Using a dozen or so functions we you can create numerous pages of a site with very little efford. Initially setup to fulfill my needs of fast prototyping with as much code re-use as possible with as minimal setup, ideally with very little knowledge of development environments to be as friendly as possible to designers as well as developers. [x] Create previewr as a disposable tool to development [ ] Add better handling when the current folder has nothing in it to serve, e.g. a wizard to ask if they would like to create a .previewr-flow.json file? etc. [ ] Use previewr as middleware in your own server [ ] Decide whether to include live reload within previewr automatically or leave to grunt as per previewr-template | Mid | [
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A thumb-size electrochemical system for portable sensors. To enable electrochemistry-based sensors to be applied under size and cost sensitive conditions, we developed a thumb-size electrochemistry instrument system (MiniEC) with integrated components including an electrochemical sensing interface, signal transduction, amplification, filtering, processing and transmission with a cost of around only $15. We showed its potential application for electrochemical studies and on-site environmental monitoring in a wide range of environments such as laboratory, household, countryside, industry or wild settings. By using the MiniEC with screen printed electrodes, the LOD (limit of detection) for Cd2+ and Pb2+ is as low as 1 μg L-1 and 0.5 μg L-1, respectively. | High | [
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366 N.W.2d 621 (1985) Brian J. LYONS, Appellant, v. STATE of Minnesota, by Hubert H. HUMPHREY III, Attorney General, by Orville B. PUNG, Commissioner Department of Corrections, and Robert Erickson, Warden Minnesota Correctional Facility, Stillwater, Minnesota, Respondents. No. CO-84-1447. Court of Appeals of Minnesota. April 23, 1985. Review Denied June 27, 1985. *622 William M. Dickel, Minneapolis, for appellant. Hubert H. Humphrey, III, Atty. Gen., Cheryl A. Thomas, Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., St. Paul, for respondents. Heard, considered and decided by SEDGWICK, P.J., and FOLEY and CRIPPEN, JJ. OPINION SEDGWICK, Judge. Inmate Brian J. Lyons appeals summary judgment dismissing his claims against the state for negligent supervision and negligent provision of a potential weapon to an inmate. FACTS On March 12, 1983, plaintiff/appellant Brian J. Lyons fought with another inmate, Thomas Lamb, in the recreation area at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Stillwater. Lamb stabbed appellant seven times with a laundry pin fastener. According to an affidavit from the warden at Stillwater, it is prison policy to issue laundry pins to the majority of inmates. The pins are not allowed in the protective custody unit or the segregation unit. If found there, the pins are considered weapons and inmates are charged accordingly. Lamb and appellant were not in either of these protective units at the time of the stabbing. According to the warden's affidavit, prison officials carefully reviewed different ways to operate the laundry facility and decided that laundry pins should be used to fasten the inmates' net laundry bags. The affidavit also stated that reasonable precautions are taken to prevent injuries to the staff and inmates, including pat searches when inmates return to the cell from their industry assignments; frequent routine security checks; random cell shakedowns; daily observation of inmates; and continuous monitoring of inmates in programs like the recreation program. Another affidavit by the prison security director states that personnel regularly patrol the recreation area and that correctional counselors were present on March 12, 1983, conducting periodic checks pursuant to security procedures. The recreation area is divided into several areas and is difficult to guard. Several years ago, walls were replaced with windows for better *623 viewing of inmates and an additional counselor was placed in the gym area. ISSUES 1. On the question of laundry pin distribution, did the trial court err by granting summary judgment in favor of the state based on discretionary immunity? 2. On the issue of negligent supervision, did the trial court err by granting summary judgment in favor of the state? ANALYSIS 1. Summary judgment is proper under the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure when: the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that either party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Minn.R.Civ.P. 56.03. See Holiday Acres No. 3 v. Midwest Federal Savings & Loan Association, 308 N.W.2d 471, 480 (Minn. 1981). The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the state, but did not indicate on what grounds. Appellant makes two claims. Appellant first argues that the state decision to allow the use of laundry pin fasteners at the prison was negligent. Whether or not the state is liable depends on whether this decision was discretionary or ministerial. Controversial since its creation, the doctrine of sovereign immunity was abolished judicially in 1975. See Nieting v. Blondell, 306 Minn. 122, 235 N.W.2d 597 (1975). The Minnesota Supreme Court reasoned that it is unjust to refuse relief to those injured by the state's wrongful conduct. Nieting at 129, 235 N.W.2d at 601 (citations omitted). However, the court did not intend to completely abolish such immunity. In fact, the Nieting decision was applied prospectively to allow the legislature time to enact a tort claims act. In 1976, the Minnesota legislature enacted Minn.Stat. § 3.736. It provides that, in general, the state will pay compensation for claims if a private person would be liable for the same type of claim. Subdivision 3 describes a non-exclusive list of exclusions to liability. In particular, Minn.Stat. § 3.736, subd. 3(b), provides that the state is not liable for "any loss caused by the performance or failure to perform a discretionary duty, whether or not the discretion is abused." This exemption from tort liability recognizes that the courts, through the vehicle of a negligence action, are not an appropriate forum to review and second-guess the acts of government which involve the exercise of judgment or discretion. Cairl v. State, 323 N.W.2d 20 (Minn. 1982). Minnesota courts have outlined guidelines to determine if a given act is discretionary or ministerial. See Ostendorf v. Kenyon, 347 N.W.2d 834, 836 (Minn.Ct.App.1984). A discretionary act is one which requires a balancing of complex and competing factors at the planning, rather than the operational, stage of development. Larson v. Independent School Dist. No. 314, 289 N.W.2d 112 (Minn.1979). The critical focus is on the nature of the act undertaken. Id. at 120. A ministerial act has been defined as "absolute, certain and imperative, involving merely the execution of a specific duty arising from fixed designated facts." Ostendorf, 347 N.W.2d at 837, (citing Cook v. Trovatten, 200 Minn. 221, 224, 274 N.W. 165, 167 (1937)). The warden's affidavit outlines the decision making process behind the laundry pin decision and compels the decision that it was a discretionary act: 8. Prison officials have reviewed extensively different ways to operate the laundry facility. The use of laundry pins to fasten the net laundry bags has proved the most efficient * * *. The procedure involves issuing each inmate a net laundry bag and pin with which to fasten the *624 bag. The inmate's clothing is then washed in the bag. The procedure prevents the confusion involved in labeling each inmates clothing and avoids theft. 9. The prison has experimented with different ways of fastening the laundry bags but each method provides its own dangers and risks. For example, prison officials experimented with wire as a fastener for the bags. Inmates discovered that the wire could be used to jam door locks. This presented a serious risk to the security of the entire prison. Since the decision regarding the laundry pins was discretionary, summary judgment on this issue was proper. Appellant's argument that equal protection prohibits governmental immunity for unreasonable acts or omissions was considered and rejected in Bjorkquist v. City of Robbinsdale, 352 N.W.2d 817 (Minn.Ct. App.1984). 2. Appellant also argues that the prison officials were negligent in supervising the recreation area. Appellant alleges in his affidavit that no prison personnel were present in the lower recreation area at the time of the fight. If this were true, it could establish negligent supervision. The state says that the appellant's affidavit fails to establish a genuine issue of material fact that the downstairs gym area was not supervised according to plans. It would be quite difficult for the appellant to find witnesses to verify that there were no guards in the downstairs gym. He and the assailant were the only two downstairs during the fight. There is no document from any prison official indicating which guard was assigned downstairs and where he was at the time of the fight. Given the impossibility of obtaining other witnesses, appellant's signed affidavit is more than a "conclusory" statement; it establishes a genuine issue of material fact. Therefore, it was error to grant summary judgment on that issue. DECISION We affirm summary judgment regarding the decision to use the laundry pins. We reverse summary judgment on the issue of negligent supervision, and remand that issue for trial. | Low | [
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Free, open source mail server solution for your favorite Linux/BSD. - ZhangHuangbin http://www.iredmail.org/ ====== sixtofour This looks pretty "complete." If all I want to do is send password reset links to addresses from my database, what's a better minimal/simple solution? Maybe use the smtp server of some account that you have at gmail or fastmail or similar? | Low | [
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Atupele tears into past leaders in Malawi: Includes his father in the attack United Democratic Front (UDF) May 20 presidential hopeful Atupele Muluzi has taken his campaign to another level when he torn into the post multiparty governments accusing them of failing to steer the country into a right direction for the past 20 years. Atupele, a son to the first multi-party president Bakili Muluzi, did not spare his father in the on slaughter and called on Malawians to only emulate the good things especially from the senior Muluzi and another post-multiparty president late Bingu wa Mutharika. He said that all the three leaders that the country has had since 1994, including the incumbent President Joyce Banda, have not been able to initiate programmes that could bring economic freedom to Malawians. Atupele made the attack during whistle-stop tours he conducted in five constituencies in Chiradzulu on Sunday meant to explain the significance of voting the youths and fresh blood in power. Atupele Muluzi: We need change that can bring real development His remarks come against the background of Malawi’s intent to celebrate 50 years of independence this year and the holding of the first-ever tripartite polls on May 20. “What happens is that since 1994 funds in government coffers benefit the same people who have been in politics. There is little that trickles down to the rural masses,” he said. Atupele said this is why Malawians fail to enjoy other freedoms coupled with what he called cases of secrecy at Capital Hill. According to Atupele, there is need to remove the secrecy on expenditure by the authorities, saying taxpayers need to be updated on how their money is used. “Secrecy leads to corruption as is the case with the looting of public funds at Capital Hill which has now led to shortage of drugs and continued delayed salaries of civil servants,” said Atupele. He further said UDF would ensure that people have money in their pockets by revamping economy, labour and agriculture for increased production and job creation. “Not only that; our policy will be to reduce the price of fertiliser for any person willing to venture into agriculture affords fertiliser,” he said. Atupele said that Malawians need to emulate only good things from previous leaders such as Bakili Muluzi and Bingu wa Mutharika while leave out the bad that was associated with these leaders. He also raised concerns over political prostitution which is a major characteristic of Malawi’s politics. “We don’t want people that jump ship anyhow because they ruin the economy of the country. They have been there since 1994 and they are the ones who confuse the President. We want this to stop,” he said. | Mid | [
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Mahealani Dudoit Darlaine Mahealani Dudoit (1954 – August 28, 2002) was a Hawaiian poet, essayist and editor. Her work appeared in the literary journals Manoa, the Hawaii Review, and The Southwest Review, as well as the anthologies Sister Stew, Growing Up Local, and Against Extinction. Dudoit founded the literary journal 'Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal''' in 1999 and served as its first editor. According to her successor, Ku'ualoha Ho'omanawanui, "Mahealani knew how difficult it was for Hawaiian writers to get published in other venues for various reasons. Oiwi was created as a place where Hawaiian literary voices could be heard, nurtured, appreciated." She received the Ernest Hemingway Memorial Award for Poetry in 1989, the Elliot Cades Award for Literature in 1999, and a John Dominis Holt Fellowship in 2002. Dudoit was found dead in a Kaneohe hotel on August 28, 2002, along with her husband Sanford Kapana. The Honolulu police department ruled her death a suicide. This conclusion was disputed by the medical examiner's office, citing inconclusive autopsy results, a lack of motive, and a restraining order that she had filed against her husband. BibliographyRecurrent Dreams (1992)Voyages of Return: Essays of Hawaiian Cultural Rediscovery'' (1996) See also Eric Chock Ian MacMillan References Category:American women poets Category:Writers from Hawaii Category:1954 births Category:2002 deaths Category:Suicides in Hawaii Category:Poets from Hawaii Category:American women essayists Category:Female suicides Category:20th-century American poets Category:20th-century American women writers Category:20th-century American essayists | High | [
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Fly the combat aircraft over an ancient Maya city and catch all the gems that are in sight. If necessary launch a few missiles to destroy buildings. Fly one of the best Unity games right in your Mac OS X Dashboard. | Low | [
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Monday, April 10, 2017 HOW GOOD A CONNIVER IS REINCE PRIEBUS? After all the chaos in Trump World these past few weeks, please note which apple-polishing brown-noser is still standing: White House chief of staff Reince Priebus arranged a recent meeting to soothe tensions between White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon and senior adviser Jared Kushner, according to a new report. The meeting took place at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., last week amid reports of tension between administration officials, CBS News said Saturday. ... “Reince had the two sit down with him to clear the air and agree on the agenda and ending the back and forth,” a White House official told CBS News. We learned this as Axios was reporting that Priebus's job is not at risk, unlike Steve Bannon's: ... Bannon got crosswise with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.... In their view, Bannon is too inclined to want to burn things down and blow things up.... A senior official said Chief of Staff Reince Priebus is "with the program" of a more inclusive style, and will stay. Insiders have been feverishly discussing possible replacements and Trump considered a change, but the official said: "Reince is staying." I realize that a lot of you think Reince Priebus is a hapless incompetent. He may be bad at his job, but I think he has low cunning and good survival skills. During the transition, I began to think that he was quietly taking over the joint -- I wrote a number of posts pointing out that he was placing more of his allies in administration jobs than Steve Bannon was. For that reason, I said that Steve Bannon could be gone by summer -- a prediction I was embarrassed to have made once it began to seem as if Bannon was the de facto president. I'm not so embarrassed now. Priebus quietly looks out for himself -- when Bannon was on the ascent, Priebus took great pains to convey the impression that he and Bannon were BFFs. Now, with Bannon and Kushner, he's the teacher's pet trying to bring peace to the West Wing. Whatever he needs to do to survive I guess he'll do. In early September [2015], when Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus began asking presidential candidates to sign a loyalty pledge, groans could be heard throughout Jeb Bush’s headquarters. His senior staff in Miami saw it as a gimmicky, ultimately hollow ploy by Priebus to prevent the 17th candidate in the field, Donald Trump, from mounting an independent run. Less than a week later, Trump appeared on national television in the lobby of his Manhattan office tower and signed the pledge with a Sharpie. Priebus had already come and gone, having entered Trump Tower through the back door and scurried out the same way; but news of his trip to see Trump left Bush’s high command incensed. Here was the chairman who commissioned the post-2012 GOP autopsy, the man who concluded the party must improve its standing with Hispanic voters, rewarding the candidate who indicted Mexicans as “rapists” as he launched his campaign and—just one day before Priebus came calling at Trump Tower—ridiculed Bush for speaking Spanish. “We were absolutely furious,” one former Bush staffer recalled. “[Trump] is openly chiding us for communicating a conservative message in Spanish and they get on a train and go up to New York to give him a press conference and a pat on the back for joining the party. It was a total affront to us—because [the RNC] was no longer calling balls and strikes, they were actually helping him.” ... Throughout the primary, Priebus defined his role as that of an umpire. But over time, he came to give the bulk of his attention to the most divisive candidate in the field, and the other campaigns noticed. “Every time Trump would do something dumb, Reince would be up in New York shining his shoes,” said a campaign staffer who worked for John Kasich, the Ohio governor who never interacted with Priebus “beyond a couple polite handshakes” before the debates. Priebus is still shining Trump's shoes -- and if he really does stay while Bannon goes, that tells me he's good at determine which boots to polish and when. | Low | [
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March 2018 Archives March 12, 2018 It is with tremendous sadness that I share the news that Jan Chlebowski, Ph.D., passed away over the weekend. Jan was a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the School of Medicine’s Associate Dean for Graduate Education. It is hard to imagine a more student-focused and committed faculty member than Jan. He simply loved our institution and he delighted in his vital role of overseeing the training of our graduate students. Jan was passionate about ensuring that our students received all the attention and support that they needed. He was a champion of numerous programs that provided students with a culture for growth and scientific enrichment. Recognizing the need for increased diversity of students and faculty in the sciences, he was instrumental in securing funding of a large NIH initiative on which he served as program director to enhance graduate education opportunities for minority students at Virginia State University and Hampton University to bridge masters to doctoral training between our institutions. He also was the faculty sponsor of the graduate student organization Women in Science as well as a leader in the Broadening Experiences for Scientific Training that raises graduate students’ awareness of potential careers and opportunities to learn about various career paths. Jan was a wonderful advocate for our trainees across all the schools at VCU and even beyond. He had directed the school’s international educational partnership with the University of the West of England since the program began in 1987. In the past 30 years he oversaw more than 100 UWE student internships at VCU, doing everything from recruiting faculty advisors to picking up students from the airport when they arrived in the U.S. His enthusiasm for the program was stoked in part by his own experience studying abroad. In 2002, the UWE awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Science degree. He was the first to celebrate student achievement and coordinated a range of awards and activities that commemorated the pioneering efforts of individuals who populated our institution’s history of advanced degree education in the biomedical sciences. His commitment to quality science and to the integrity of higher education was unwavering. He was a superb protein biochemist whose research was focused on biophysical mechanisms that modulate protein structure and enzyme activity, and he published seminal papers on alkaline phosphatase from E. coli. He played an important role in establishing the Institute for Structural Biology and for many years led the Massey Cancer Center Structural Biology core. Jan earned his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1969 and completed post-doctoral training as a research associate at University College London in 1971 and as a research fellow at Yale University in 1976. He was a research associate in Yale’s Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry until 1979 when he joined VCU in what was then the School of Basic Health Sciences. Jan Chlebowski, Ph.D. For decades, Jan selflessly served our institution – and most particularly its students. He was on the graduate committees of more than 100 students as well as participating on or chairing an astonishing 150 university committees and task forces. He served in key and demanding roles including being a founding member of the SOM Professionalism Committee. He organized and taught a graduate course in his area of specialty for over 30 years, while still teaching significant blocks in other biochemistry graduate courses. Jan was promoted to the rank of professor in 1991 and was named associate dean for graduate education in the School of Medicine in 1995. He served three times as interim chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and later was a valued advisor to three biochemistry chairs. While it was evident that he had health problems for years, he showed great grace and dignity in his resilience and was never focused on himself. We have much to learn from Jan and his life. He was a person of great humility, utmost integrity and remarkable commitment. He leaves behind a great legacy. | High | [
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Police have disrupted the supply of MDMA after dismantling a rural clandestine laboratory in Central Western NSW Police have disrupted the supply of MDMA after dismantling a rural clandestine laboratory in Central Western NSW THOUSANDS of ecstasy pills have been seized and 13 people, including three young women, charged at a Sydney music festival — but a controversial new entrance rule has caused outrage. A total of 187 people were searched and more than 3500 MDMA capsules were seized in a large police operation, including sniffer dogs, at the Midnight Mafia Music Festival at the Sydney Showground on Saturday. Remarkably, one of the young women had a total of 1600 caps on her and stunned police say they have never seen anything like it. NSW Police added that the sheer brazenness the festivalgoers who were carrying drugs was “incredible”. Tragically, a 25-year-old woman has been left fighting for her life, while three others were rushed to hospital for drug-related health issues and hundreds reported to paramedics. However, numerous festivalgoers took to social media over the weekend to say they were denied entry to the event after they were searched by police on their way in — even though they were found to have nothing incriminating on them. David Shoebridge, a Greens MP in the NSW Parliament, said the “aggressive and unwarranted” actions of the police represented a “21st century witchcraft trial”. “It’s like when they used to throw people in the water and say if you’re a witch if you float and if you sink, you’re not — you can’t win either way,” he said. He said his office has been contacted by about half a dozen people who had been turned away despite having no drug in their possession — but he believes that’s just a drop in the ocean. “It’s alarming because you are basically guilty even though you have been proven innocent,” he said. “I believe that being strip searched without a warrant — so you’re singled out and humiliated in public — is an infringement on your civil liberties as it is. But, what happened at the weekend is a step beyond this — when you’re further stripping people of their liberties and denying them entry even though they have done nothing wrong.” One of those denied entry on Saturday took to social media to share her story. “I was one of the innocent people who got pulled aside to be stripped searched and when cleared was still not allowed back in,” wrote the festivalgoer on Facebook. “Was even threatened to be taken to the hospital because they believed I was carrying drugs in internally. (I) had my ticket deactivated and told I would be refunded. “I don’t blame the event organiser. He was even p**sed off with had happened. The festivalgoer claims she was told both the police and venue are involved in the controversial policy. “But when I asked police three times who’s put this new rule in they gave me three separate answers, So not even a straight forward answer. — (it’s) absolutely ridiculous.” “I’ve had people get searched at the same venue and get let back in but last night it was absolute no entry back inside even if found nothing on you because ‘they’re not willing to take that risk’.” “Also the dog didn’t even sit at the time it had seen me. I was literally about to hand my ID over to security. “Most times the dogs don’t even sit or are commanded to sit which is absolutely bulls**t. People being falsely detected shouldn’t have to be punished.” Others replied to the festivalgoer's story on social media — saying it was an example of the “police state getting worse” and that those denied entry had been “stripped of their liberties”. Another commenter said “people had their tickets ripped up in front of them even after being completely cleared”. Another said: “I was strip searched, found nothing and then denied entry anyway. Absolutely stupid”. A spokeswoman for anti-drug dog campaigners, Sniff Off said they had received numerous complaints from festivalgoers who had also not been allowed entry after they were searched — despite being found to have no drugs on them. While police told news.com.au it was up the individual venue to determine who could enter their premises, a source said festival organisers were unhappy about the new rule being foisted upon them by police. Sniff Off said only 45 out of 187 people were found with drugs at the festival, meaning that in 76 per cent of searches, no drugs were found. Sydney Olympic Park: 3,000 capsules of drugs seized and a young woman has been left fighting for life after the Midnight Mafia Music Festival last night. #MidnightMafia #7News pic.twitter.com/myTTe0KvEj — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 6, 2018 Event organisers Hard Styles United (HSU) said those who were denied entry after being searched will be offered a full refund. “We do reserve the right to exclude persons attending any event as we are a licensed premises, this could be a for various reasons, however, we are unable to outline the tactics and policies relating to police operations,” a HSU spokesman told news.com.au. When asked about the controversial decision to not allow people into the event even after a negative result on the strip search, NSW Police spokeswoman told news.com.au that anyone can be refused entry to a licensed premises if they are “suspected of drugs or alcohol”. “Our top priority for police is the safety of all event staff, performers and music fans throughout the festival,” she added. “We want everyone to have a great time but we won’t tolerate behaviour that risks the safety of others.” The annual “hardstyle” festival attracted more than 14,000 ravers who watched on as 13 “international gangstas” took the stage. Thirteen people were subsequently charged with drug supply while 32 people were issued with court notices for drug possession. Among those arrested were a 21-year-old woman allegedly found in possession of almost 1600 MDMA capsules and an amount of cocaine; another 21-year-old woman allegedly carrying nearly 550 pills; and a 19-year-old woman allegedly caught with 200 capsules. During the event, 256 people sought medical treatment and three were taken to hospital for drug-related health issues. Detective Chief Inspector Gus Viera said he was greatly concerned by the large number of pills seized. “We saw more drugs seized today than recent events, one of the largest we’ve seen, which clearly shows our messaging is not getting through,” Detective Chief Inspector Viera said in a statement. “I am extremely disappointed with these results; however, we will continue to conduct these operations at upcoming festivals throughout the year. “Those intent on bringing illicit drugs into these events will be caught, charged and put before the courts.” He later told Seven News officers had been left speechless by what they found. “I’ve never seen anything like it, the sheer brazenness of it is incredible,” he said. | Low | [
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This resource is no longer available Enterprise Data Recording (EDR) - A New Paradigm in Data Recovery Recovery technologies commonly used in the aviation industry have recently become highly relevant to the IT industry as well. For several decades, the "Flight Data Recorder" (FDR), better known as the Black Box, has been the basic tool for the protection of in-flight data used in post-crash investigation. The FDR is designed to protect recorded data from all types of extreme conditions: water, static, crash, shocks, fire, and high temperatures. In the event of an aircraft disaster, data stored in the FDR can be fully recovered for the use by investigators. | Low | [
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2009 Credicard Citi MasterCard Tennis Cup – Doubles Brian Dabul and Marcel Felder were the defending champions, but only Felder tried to defend his title. He partnered with Juan-Pablo Amado, but they lost to Joshua Goodall and Samuel Groth in the semis. Goodall and Groth won this tournament, by defeating Rogério Dutra da Silva and Júlio Silva 7–6(4), 6–3 in the final. Seeds Draw Draw References Doubles Draw Credicard Citi MasterCard Tennis Cup - Doubles Category:MasterCard Tennis Cup | Mid | [
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The Fed Wants to Test How Banks Would Handle Negative Rates - irln http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-02/rates-less-than-zero-is-bank-stress-fed-wants-to-test-in-2016 ====== IgorPartola My jaded view would be that the banks would just borrow free money, but not pass anything onto the consumers, instead using it for more high risk trading. Seems to me that the government has a much better way to stimulate the economy: lower rates on existing student loans. If the Fed can afford to give negative rates to the banks, shouldn't it follow that the DoE can afford to give negative rates to students? ~~~ maxxxxx I think you are onto something but lowering student loan rates would probably just cause even higher tuition. How about incentives for companies to pay their employees better? I know it's sacrilegious to even think such a thing... ~~~ nickff The only incentive that will effectively cause companies to pay their employees better is more demand for labor, which is most likely to be caused by increased economic growth. Most other programs end up being more complicated and costly than earned income tax credits and other methods of redistribution. ~~~ maxxxxx I am not an economist but I am pretty sure you could design tax policies that make it more attractive to pay higher salaries for the average worker or maybe give them shares in the company. Can you imagine how much demand there would be if average wage growth would have kept up with productivity? People who make 30000/year would spend much more if they had 40000/year. I don't think a CEO's behavior will change much if he has 30 million or 40 million. Obviously this won't happen but it's a thought that should be brought up from time to time. ~~~ nickff > _" Can you imagine how much demand there would be if average wage growth > would have kept up with productivity? People who make 30000/year would spend > much more if they had 40000/year. I don't think a CEO's behavior will change > much if he has 30 million or 40 million."_ There might be more demand for the consumer goods popular for low-middle income citizens, but then again, this could reduce capital investments and reduce productivity in the long term, thus reducing wage growth in the future. I suppose my answer is that I can't imagine how much 'demand' there would be if average wage growth kept up with productivity, largely because the economy is a complicated beast, and 'demand' is not a simple thing. ~~~ maxxxxx How would more demand reduce capital investment? If anything it should make it more attractive to invest. Supply and demand? ~~~ nickff I am assuming that we hold M2 velocity of money constant for the purpose of this analysis; which is to say that I assume richer people and poorer people hold on to money for the same amount of time before re-allocating it (to stocks, bonds, consumables, durable goods, etc.). If this assumption is true, both will create the same total 'demand', but for different goods. Richer people tend to spend much less (as a proportion of their income) on consumables and personal items than poorer people; the rich also tend to invest the vast majority of their money, and that money often goes to capital investments. Supply and demand works the same for industrial buildings, robots, software, and trains as it does for homes, couches, and cars. The primary (economic) difference between these goods is their impact on long-term productivity. ~~~ TheOtherHobbes >I am assuming that we hold M2 velocity of money constant for the purpose of this analysis Poor people have to spend money on essentials as soon as it comes in. Rich people don't. That's pretty much the simplest possible definition of being poor. So that is not a valid assumption. >If this assumption is true, both will create the same total 'demand', but for different goods. This can't possibly be true either. Rich people spend money on essentials _and_ on luxury goods _and_ on investments _and_ keep some spare cash on hand, because why not? Poor people spend money on essentials, and perhaps a little distraction and entertainment. Why would the total demand from both somehow be the same? > The primary (economic) difference between these goods is their impact on > long-term productivity. Which is the crux of the problem - speculative casino "investment", which is based on gaming markets, isn't economically productive. Neither is an economy that leans heavily on usury. Productive investment in R&D, small business development, and wage growth stimulates economic capacity and increases confidence. Speculative investment - including speculative gambling, systems of forced debt like student loans and payday lending, and asset inflation which drives up rents and property prices - destroys demand and economic capacity. The fact that we're even discussing negative interest rates while in the middle of severe commodity deflation proves the core problem hasn't been addressed. ~~~ nickff > _" Poor people have to spend money on essentials as soon as it comes in. > Rich people don't. That's pretty much the simplest possible definition of > being poor. So that is not a valid assumption."_ Rich people invest money in capital goods as soon as it comes in, either through a direct purchase, or because the investment bank where they hold the money gives it to someone who spends it. > _" This can't possibly be true either. Rich people spend money on essentials > and on luxury goods and on investments and keep some spare cash on hand, > because why not?"_ I said 'as a proportion of income'; rich people spend far less on living expenses than the poor do as a proportion of income. They might have a car that is 10x as expensive, but with 100x the income to pay for it. > _" Poor people spend money on essentials, and perhaps a little distraction > and entertainment."_ This agrees with my previous statement. >> _" If this assumption is true, both will create the same total 'demand', but for different goods."_ ------ clarkmoody For a good read on why this Keynesian push toward consumption is misguided, check out this 2005 article[1]. The counterargument against consumption as the driver of the economy states that saving and investment actually leads to growth. The thesis of the linked article is that a huge amount of business investment is hidden from GDP numbers since it falls under "net investment," with two very large sums (business income & business investment) netting out to a small number. When we ignore the huge amount of business investment and focus only on the net, we miss its importance. Negative interest rates are simply the latest contortion of the Keynesians that will fail to produce the desired results yet again. [1] [https://mises.org/library/standing-keynesian-gdp-its-head- sa...](https://mises.org/library/standing-keynesian-gdp-its-head-saving-not- consumption-main-source-spending) ~~~ jerf I know I'm just a lowly programmer and engineer who shouldn't opine about economics very much, but I observe simply this: The "stimulus" didn't work. I find arguments about how it wasn't big enough to be null, because it isn't clear that we could have afforded much more and if the only way this stimulus works is to spend more than is possible, that is just a way of saying "it doesn't work" that saves some face but doesn't change anything about the practicality. It's been 8 years now we've been on this policy. Nobody 8 years ago would have predicted what happened. From a scientific perspective, what you do with theories that fail to correctly predict future occurrences is simple. But our elites _really like_ what quasi-Keynesianism tells them, so the rest of us can continue to live impoverished lives for their benefit. ~~~ nabla9 Stimulus worked. What Debate? Economists Agree the Stimulus Lifted the Economy [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/upshot/what-debate- economi...](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/upshot/what-debate-economists- agree-the-stimulus-lifted-the-economy.html?_r=0) Once again: Yes, the stimulus worked. [http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-stimulus- wo...](http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-stimulus- worked-20140228-story.html) "Internet economics" and the discussion is full of fringe theories that refer to mises.org. For them every mainstream economist is Keynesian. Even if they belong to Chicago school. ~~~ dismal2 A couple trillion dollars was used to buy up securities that are realistically worth $0 in pretty much every timeframe for 100 cents on the dollar, cleaning up bank balance sheets. This allowed them to continue to speculate on all sorts of things, like housing, commodities, etc, looking for returns (some of it probably saw its way to silicon valley too). It was passed on as easy money to corporations, who mostly used it to do stock buy backs that pretty much do nothing for "the economy" while lifting the stock market. As for employment, if you actually look at the numbers, its people over 55 who can't afford to retire doing service jobs. The participation rate is trash and young people are fucked. #recovery ~~~ morgante > A couple trillion dollars was used to buy up securities that are > realistically worth $0 in pretty much every timeframe for 100 cents on the > dollar, cleaning up bank balance sheets. I have no idea what you're referring to, but if it's TARP then that's totally false. The government made a profit on the bailout. The vast majority of the securities which the government bought up had intrinsic values higher than what the fear-driven market was pricing them at. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/bailout- high...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/bailout-highly- profitable-for-taxpayers-when-you-look-at-the-right- numbers/2015/01/01/dc2a05a6-8fa5-11e4-a412-4b735edc7175_story.html) ~~~ dismal2 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_easing#US_QE1.2C_...](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_easing#US_QE1.2C_QE2.2C_and_QE3) ~~~ morgante I don't think anyone thinks the assets bought in QE were worth $0. The Fed's impact was entirely at the margin (increasing the supply of investable dollars). If the assets bought under QE were sold for 50 cents on the dollar (for example), even the most bearish investors would be lining up to buy in droves. Of course, that applies to investors with actual money behind their beliefs rather than random internet commentators who can pull valuations out of nowhere. ------ pc86 Let's assume rates reach a point such that personal savings accounts have an interest rate of 0% or negative. How is this any more an incentive to spend than it is an incentive to have a box with thousands of dollars in cash under your bed? ~~~ gtrubetskoy It's an incentive for the bank to have as little money as possible. The banks will do everything to get rid of cash, which, in theory, should devalue the currency. Bottom line: negative rates are all about devaluing the currency against other currencies in the world so that the exports become cheaper. ~~~ lasermike026 I wonder what it would do to commodity prices? ~~~ ihsw Commodity prices have already crashed through the floor, seeing them crash further may actually start freaking people out. Frankly I think we need to stimulate the demand side of things -- give people free money, and don't let the banks screw it up like the subprime mortgage crisis. ~~~ dragonwriter > Frankly I think we need to stimulate the demand side of things That's a fiscal policy choice that would take action by Congress, and doesn't seem likely with the Congress we have. OTOH, if people get to care enough about it, well, it _is_ an election year, so in principal that could change. ------ nostromo I wish the Fed would research sending checks to tax payers as a stimulus strategy. Because it appears the low interest rate (and QE) strategy isn't as effective as it once was - in part due to uncooperative banks. If/when the time comes to put the breaks on the economy, the money could be removed from circulation with a slight uptick in taxes of some sort (income, gas, tariffs, whatever) -- but unlike a normal tax, we would apply it against the Fed's balance sheet and not place it in government coffers. Milton Friedman and Ben Bernanke have called this idea helicopter money. [http://www.economist.com/blogs/buttonwood/2014/11/reviving-e...](http://www.economist.com/blogs/buttonwood/2014/11/reviving- economy) ~~~ chiph Bush did this in 2008, sending rebate checks of $600 to individuals, and $1200 to joint filers. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/13/bush.stimulus/](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/13/bush.stimulus/) Results were mixed - The dollars amounts weren't really a windfall to most people, so _some_ additional spending went on. But most people realized they would need to repay that money at tax time, and held onto it. ~~~ nostromo The difference is the source of the funds. I'm suggesting the Federal Reserve do this -- not the federal government. The federal government can't create money, so the stimulus effect is lessened. ------ s_q_b This is a classic failure of aggregate demand, and it cannot be fixed with monetary policy alone. I'm struck by the continued relevance of the lessons of the Great Depression. For example, see these lines from FDR's First Inaugural Address: _Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply. Primarily this is because the rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men. True they have tried, but their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn tradition. >>Faced by failure of credit they have proposed only the lending of more money. Stripped of the lure of profit by which to induce our people to follow their false leadership, they have resorted to exhortations, pleading tearfully for restored confidence. They know only the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish._ ------ roymurdock > New York Fed President William Dudley said last month that policy makers > were "not thinking at all seriously of moving to negative interest rates. > "But I suppose if the economy were to unexpectedly weaken dramatically, and > we decided that we needed to use a full array of monetary policy tools to > provide stimulus, it’s something that we would contemplate as a potential > action," he said on Jan. 15. The Fed continues to fritter away whatever credibility it has left by waffling back and forth on interest rates. It raised interest rates and committed to 2.0% core inflation by 2018 just two months ago. By including this long-term negative interest rate scenario in its 2016 stress tests, it is basically admitting that there is some non-negligible probability that it will be unable to follow through on this commitment, and that banks should be prepared to weather the storm if and when it completely loses control of its grip over the direction of the short term interest rate. The article does not actually speculate on what might happen if the Fed were to reverse its rate hike and instead lower the FFR into negative territory. I'd imagine that basically nothing would change, and that the banks would simply take a 0.25% haircut on their holdings of 3-month treasury bonds as they have been doing in Europe for the past 1.5 years. They will not pass this negative interest rate onto regular customers as this would either (a) drive them to another bank which would benefit from the new deposits or (b) force consumers to withdraw deposits and hold cash instead. Banks need these deposits to loan against, and a 0.25% "holding tax" on a relatively small portion of their holdings would not justify the loss in deposits. Banks will just eat the hit to their profit margins and life will go on as normal in the supply side of money world. ------ iphoneseventeen What I read from the article: Relax, it is just a stress test. We aren't going to actually do this. We would only do this in the case of an emergency. We would totally do this, but only if we have to. We have to do this. ------ SilasX I want to know how bankers would handle negative salaries. Edit: Sorry if that sounded snarky, it was my attempt at a witty way of saying, "it doesn't make sense for there to be a negative price for provision of a scarce good, imagine if we did that to labor, like yours". ~~~ dragontamer Sour Crude in some areas of the US hit negative values a few weeks ago. It means that supply has grossly outstripped demand, and that storage of the good has become the primary cost. In the case of banking, it means that liquid cash has become so worthless (ie: too many people are saving money) such that the Banks are now charging you for the privilege of keeping the money safe. ~~~ SilasX Even so, something is fundamentally wrong if markets are signaling, "no, we'd rather you not lend us money to work with", even if the fix lies somewhere else. We should never be at a state where "forgoing the use of money so that others can invest it" is a non-scarce good. (A charge _merely_ for having physical banknotes on demand can make sense, of course.) In contrast, there are sane worldstates that correspond to "sour crude provides economic value less than its upkeep cost". ~~~ dragontamer Yes. Which is why this is a stress test. Will the banks survive a financial crisis if the entire world switched over to negative rates? Well, the Fed wants to know, which is why they're running this doomsday test scenario. The Fed currently expects to raise rates about 2 or 3 more times this year btw... so the scenario probably won't happen, but that doesn't change the fact that lead bankers are preparing for the worst. In other words, the article is simply stating the following fact: big banks in America are thinking about various financial doomsday scenarios. I don't think that's a bad thing at all. ~~~ SilasX Fair enough, I assumed the angle was less "hey let's kick the tires" and more "the Fed wants to make interest rates negative", since a lot of economists have been recommending the latter. ------ 6stringmerc Skimmed the article, did a Ctrl+F, didn't see mention of essentially channeling free money into depressed bond interest rates leading to even more aggressive corporate stock buybacks which predominately benefit the top 1% investor class in the United States, without any discrenable benefit to wage- level workers or the drastic income inequality, was not surprised. ------ Shivetya So bad fiscal policy and regulatory policies have us finally at the end of the road? Going negative? Since people won't spend and are so intent on saving they will force their hand or punish them so they become good little Keynesians ? Well the only upside is that it won't encourage people to want a digital currency based system. Those little bank notes under the bed cannot be hacked, cannot be forbidden to be spent on specific goods or people, and cannot be confiscated out of bank. So I guess this just really comes down to a case that over the top government borrowing is pulling so much money out of the markets that they need to force private investors to put money in ~~~ mrchucklepants An attack on cash will surely follow. ------ arca_vorago Congress should have never given up it's constitutional power to control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve (which is neither) should be audited and the backlash from the revelations should be used to push a revocation of the Federal Reserve Act which was passed under dubious circumstances by shady men connected to the European banking oligarchy, along with various other bad legislation pushed through by the same groups (that also pushed us into the world wars.) I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Bankers are more the enemy of the people than terrorists, and just because Dimon and Blankfein need an extra 300mil bonus doesn't mean we should allow them to gut our economy. Unlike some of the placating bullshit I've seen people posting in this thread, the 07-08 crash was because of abuse, fraud, and lack of oversight, and we need to start sending the top people to jail. If not, then we are just going to have another recession, and another, and maybe a depression. Adjusted for inflation rates are basically negative already anyway! Negative rates punish the middle class, the workers, the pensioners, and retirees, while funneling even more money to the already grotesquely wealthy uber-elite. ------ AndrewBissell Central banks exist to cram more credit into an economy than it would otherwise support. If the people refuse to borrow & spend, they'll just take the money right out of their bank accounts. Even hinting at this level of meddlesome social engineering by the managers of our currency ought to elicit reactions of disgust and outrage. ------ static_noise The way I understand it, the banks do not simply get money from the Fed. Combined with negative interest rates that would be "money for free". It is similar to how you a credit from a bank when you buy a house. Yes, the bank gives you money but you give (the rights to) the house to the bank until you fully paid your credit back. The banks then goes to the Fed and says: "Here, thake this house as security and print me some real money." The Fed says: "Great house you have there; here is the money and here is some more." In the end this leads to the creation of things that are accepted by the Fed as securities, for example houses. With negative interest rates, the Fed basically pays for the creation of such securities. ~~~ gherkin0 > The way I understand it, the banks do not simply get money from the Fed. > Combined with negative interest rates that would be "money for free". I don't understand this. Under a negative interest rate scenario, wouldn't the banks be paying the Fed for the privileged of keeping their money there? Where is the "free money" coming from? ~~~ static_noise OK, we have a misunderstanding here. I was talking about the scenario where the Fed gives out a credit in exchange for securities. This usually is accompanied with postive interest rates such that the banks have to pay back more. Are you talking about the scenario where the banks deposit money to the Fed? ~~~ gherkin0 > Are you talking about the scenario where the banks deposit money to the Fed? Yes, I thought that was what negative interest rates refer to. > I was talking about the scenario where the Fed gives out a credit in > exchange for securities. Are you describing quantitative easing? Because my understanding that was just the Fed buying securities (usually government ones) on the open market at market prices like any other buyer. I think the big difference in the negative interest rate scenario is the selling bank would have less incentive to then take the cash and park it in the Fed afterward. If it's a straight bailout, my guess is the Fed would be in a strong position to set the terms so it wouldn't have to pay the bank to take the money. ~~~ static_noise I don't think that's quantitative easing. To my understanding banks go to the Fed when they need money as in dollar notes instead of money as in credit balance. The Fed does not buy the house, it just takes it as security. Meaning it takes the right to physically get the house if the terms of the credit are not fulfilled but it won't actually do anything physical as long as the terms are ok. This makes an interesting situation for the banks. When you have a house (or the rights to one) to use as security, you can give it to the Fed and get free money for it. Now you have more money and can do stuff. If you don't have the house, you might actually want to get one in order to get the free money. This makes the money not so free because with a great house come great responsibilites. If the Fed bought those houses outright it would have many houses but the Fed does not need many houses, so that wouldn't make much sense. It would work financially to some extend and increase the money supply and give incentive to build houses but it wouldn't actually directly create anything beneficial to anyone. ------ lr I think we already have that... It's called "bank fees", i.e., depositors pay the bank to keep their money instead of the bank paying interest. ~~~ pc86 To what fees specifically are you referring? If you mean things like low balance fees or overdraft fees I think they're both appropriate when they're not implemented or marketed in a predatory manner. I'm not aware of any fees that are instituted "instead of the bank paying interest" unless you're talking about something like a low balance fee on a non-interest bearing checking account. ~~~ IgorPartola Most big banks in the US have monthly fees for keeping your money in an interest-free checking account. This ends up costing you something like $5-25/month unless you (a) also set up direct deposit with them or (b) maintain a minimum balance that is typically relatively large. This is why I keep my money with a credit union instead: better customer service, better rates, no stupid fees. Edit: for example, [https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/checking/personal- che...](https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/checking/personal-checking- account.go) ~~~ ultramancool You can find free chequing accounts though and if you're careful enough to not get caught by overdraft fees, they're the way to go. I'm Canadian and I know 2 banks here that do it, but I'd imagine similar exists in the US? ------ jgalt212 WTF!. Why doesn't the Fed just send money to consumers? You can't budge CPI by making Ray Dalio and Jamie Dimon richer (which is the main effect of ZIRP). There's only so much eggs and butter they can consume. ~~~ dragonwriter > Why doesn't the Fed just send money to consumers? Because the Fed isn't the government, just a quasi-independent agency within the government with limited scope of operations, and "just send money to consumers" isn't within that scope. If you think _the government_ ought to do this, then that should probably inform your votes for Congress and the President, this being an election year and those being the actors that would need to be involved in that. ~~~ jgalt212 I guess so, but 2008 the Fed has done a number of things it doesn't clearly have the legal mandate to do so. ~~~ dragonwriter There is at least one word (most likely "since" before "2008"), as well as examples and argument on the lack of legal mandate, missing from your argument. ------ staffanj Rates will never be negative when banks lend FROM the fed. Interest rates could become negative when the banks lend TO the fed (IE parking the money overnight). ------ Johnie First of all, there's a misconception on this discussion here. The Fed is _PAYING_ banks the Fed Fund Rate (currently sitting at 0.5%) for parking their excess reserves with the Federal Reserve overnight. So a negative interest rate means that the banks have to pay the Fed money to hold their money. You can think of this as if your bank charges you to hold your money for you. Why would the Fed want to do this? Banks make money by lending out deposits and charging a higher interest rate than what they pay out. To support their lending operations, banks need to hold a percentage of the asset as reserves. In recent years, banks have been holding $2.3T [1][2] more than the minimum reserve that is required. This means that the banks are sitting on the deposit and not lending it out. The excess reserve are then deposit with the Federal Reserve earning 0.5% interest. What the Fed wants to do is encourage banks to lend out the money rather than sit on it so that it stimulates the economy. (More lending->increase asset prices->people feel richers->people buy more stuff->companies hire more people->stimulates economy) Why aren't banks lending? There are a number of reasons why banks are not lending as much as they used to. After 2008, banks have become much more risk adverse. In addition, regulations have forced tighter lending standards on the banks reducing the amount of loans issued[3]. In addition, Dodd-Frank credit risk retention regulation now forces banks to have "skin in the game" when they issue and securitize loans and mortgages [4]. Because of this and the collapse of 2008 is still fresh in the bank's minds, they have increased lending standards and reduced their risk profile. So, the result is that they sit a huge pile of excess reserves that they can't lend out. In normal environments, the market resolves this problem itself. Banks that are lending will offer higher rates to attract deposits from the banks that are not lending and offering lower rates. However, in recent decades, there's been a major consolidation of banks. Between 1990-present, 37 regional banks have combined into or acquired by the 4 large banks (Citi, JPMorgan Chase, BoA, Wells Fargo)[5]. These top 4 banks alone hold 6.46T of the $10.6T in consumer deposits. These four banks have pay an interest rate of 0.01%. The national average interest rate is 0.06%. On the other hand, commercial lending banks, like CIT, Sallie Mae, and Synchrony, are trying to attract deposits paying over 15x the national average interest rate. These traditionally lending banks have had to set up high yield online banking operations to attract deposits to support their lending operations. The issue is that most consumers don't shop around for high yield accounts. Many don't realize that there is such a drastic difference between the high yield accounts and their local banks. This leads to a significant amount of assets being locked up at the large banks that aren't lending. Lenders, like Sallie Mae, end up paying higher rates on deposits and need to charge higher rates for their student loans. What happens to consumer deposits when Fed Fund Rate goes negative? For the past couple of years, these large banks have been trying to shed excess deposits. They have lowered their interest rate to practically 0%. The large banks have even charged large institutional depositors to hold their money [7]. If the Fed Fun Rates go negative, banks will try to charge greater fees for banking services and/or encourage consumers to move their funds to other banks. The difficulty here is that the banks want to maintain the relationship with the consumer to generate future revenue while not holding the deposits. This misallocation and inefficiency in the deposit marketplace is what we are trying to solve with smart technology. [1] [http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h3/current/](http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h3/current/) [2] [https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/EXCSRESNS](https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/EXCSRESNS) [3] [http://www.urban.org/research/publication/impact-tight- credi...](http://www.urban.org/research/publication/impact-tight-credit- standards-2009-13-lending) [4] [https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2014/11/16/a-closer-look- at-...](https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2014/11/16/a-closer-look-at-us-credit- risk-retention-rules/) [5][http://www.upworthy.com/how-37-banks-became-4-in-just-a- few-...](http://www.upworthy.com/how-37-banks-became-4-in-just-a-few-decades- all-in-one-astonishing-chart) [6] [http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/lbr/current/](http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/lbr/current/) [7] [http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-banks-to-americas- companies-...](http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-banks-to-americas-companies-we- dont-want-your-cash-1445161083) ------ bubbleRefuge This is hugely disappointing. Its been 8 years since the economic crash and the Fed has been trying to inflate this economy using monetary policy and we have yet to eclipse 3% real GDP growth for a whole year. They FED has been trying to create inflation and they have failed. Where is the critical thinking at the policy making/ decision making level ? At some point we have to reach the obvious conclusion that current economic policy models are broken, don't work, and we need new leadership and a fresh approach. Obama is largely to blame for this. He chose to listen to establishment/wall street economic advisers rather than more progressive ( say Keynesian) thinkers. This is why you are seeing Bernie/Elizabeth Warren gaining in popularity. Quite sadly, the Gap between the middle class and extremely wealthy in this country have never increased more so than under Obama, a Democrat. ~~~ dnautics [http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/the-case-for- hig...](http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/the-case-for-higher- inflation/) "When you have very low inflation, getting relative wages right would require that a significant number of workers take wage cuts. So having a somewhat higher inflation rate would lead to lower unemployment, not just temporarily, but on a sustained basis." Shorter Krugman: Cheat poor people out of their wages to make the government look like it's doing something about unemployment. ~~~ bubbleRefuge How about increase demand for labor via increasing overall aggregate demand via stronger fiscal policy ( lower taxes or high spending depending on your polics) Keynesians criticizing Krugmeister. [http://stephaniekelton.libsyn.com/randy- wray-on-krugman-and-...](http://stephaniekelton.libsyn.com/randy-wray-on- krugman-and-the-frustration-of-the- heterodox?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StephanieKeltonPodcasts+%28Stephanie+Kelton+%C2%BB+Podcasts%29) | Low | [
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Inhibition of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication by Warscewiczia coccinea (Vahl) Kl. (Rubiaceae) ethanol extract. The primary objective of this study was to search for natural products capable of inhibiting hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. The research design, methods and procedures included testing hydro-alcoholic extracts (n = 66) of 31 species from the Venezuelan Amazonian rain forest on the cell line HepG2 2.2.15, which constitutively produces HBV. The main outcomes and results were as follows: the species Euterpe precatoria, Jacaranda copaia, Jacaranda obtusifolia, Senna silvestris, Warscewiczia coccinea and Vochysia glaberrima exerted some degree of inhibition on HBV replication. The leaves of W. coccinea showed a significant antiviral activity: 80% inhibition with 100 µg mL⁻¹ of extract. This extract also exerted inhibition on covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA) production and on HIV-1 replication in MT4 cells (more than 90% inhibition with 50 µg mL⁻¹ of extract). Initial fractionation using organic solvents of increasing polarity and water showed that the ethanol fraction was responsible for most of the antiviral inhibitory activities of both the viruses. It was concluded that Warscewiczia coccinea extract showed inhibition of HBV and HIV-1 replication. Bioassay-guided purification of this fraction may allow the isolation of an antiviral compound with inhibitory activity against both viruses. | High | [
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Q: I have deployed my Django website in 000webhosthost for free but its not working I have deployed my Django 1.7 website in 000webhosthost for free but its not working. It is deployed with no error but it is not working properly. This is link of My website on 000webhost and its snapshot is- Here i can find the problem is static files are not including and include function is not working. My index.html program is- {% load staticfiles %}
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="{% static 'webpage/style.css' %}" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.2.0/css/bootstrap.min.css">
<div>
{% include "webpage/header.html" %}
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-8">
<div col-md-12 .col-md-offset-3>
<h3>Key Achievements</h3>
<ul>
<li>Ph.D. in Computer Science</li>
<li> Incharge Principal S.P. College</li>
<li>Guest Lectures for Research and finishing schools </li>
<li>Researcher in image processing domain of computer science </li>
<li>Head of MCA Department at P.R.Patil Group of Educational Institutes, Amrvavati</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-4" style="">
<img src="{% static 'webpage/images/chitraMam.jpg' %}" alt="My image" width="60%" height="10% "/>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-4">
<h5 align="center"><strong>Teaching</strong></h6>
<ul><small>
<li>Having more than 2-decades of academic experience including :teaching (PG,PG) ,research and administration.</li>
<li>Served as a Professor in computer department of symbiosis International University, Pune-2009-2010 </li>
<li>Sr Lecturer at in MCA department from 2008-2009 HVMPM, Amravati., </li>
<li>Lecturer from 2003 at HVMPM, Amravati.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
<h5 align="center"><strong>Research</strong></h6>
<ul>
<li>Registered supervisor for Ph.D in Computer Science at Amravati university, Nagpur University, Symbiosis International University.</li>
<li>6 phd students working and 03 awarded phd degree.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="col-md-4">
<h5 align="center"><strong>Invited Talks</strong></h6>
<ul>
<li>Ph.D. in Computer Science</li>
<li> Incharge Principal S.P. College</li>
<li>Guest Lectures for Research and finishing schools </li>
<li>Researcher in image processing domain of computer science </li>
<li>Head of MCA Department at P.R.Patil Group of Educational Institutes, Amrvavati</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div> <!--Main div -->
</div> Anybody please help. A: According to plan comparison on http://www.000webhost.com/, their free plan does not include python support. The screenshot you provided confirms this hypothesis, since django templates are served as ordinary html files. If you are looking for a free hosting for django sites, take a look at https://www.heroku.com/. Their free plan is fairly limited, but allows you to host a simple django page. | Low | [
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This handles model notifications by calling ItemProviderAdapter.updateChildren(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification) to update any cached children and by creating a viewer notification, which it passes to ItemProviderAdapter.fireNotifyChanged(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification). This handles model notifications by calling ItemProviderAdapter.updateChildren(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification) to update any cached children and by creating a viewer notification, which it passes to ItemProviderAdapter.fireNotifyChanged(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification). This handles model notifications by calling ItemProviderAdapter.updateChildren(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification) to update any cached children and by creating a viewer notification, which it passes to ItemProviderAdapter.fireNotifyChanged(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification). This handles model notifications by calling ItemProviderAdapter.updateChildren(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification) to update any cached children and by creating a viewer notification, which it passes to ItemProviderAdapter.fireNotifyChanged(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification). This handles model notifications by calling ItemProviderAdapter.updateChildren(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification) to update any cached children and by creating a viewer notification, which it passes to ItemProviderAdapter.fireNotifyChanged(org.eclipse.emf.common.notify.Notification). | Mid | [
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Monday, April 16, 2012 Stray kitties Do you see her? This beautiful calico kitty is one of the stray cats that live near our building. She's already been neutered - there was a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) program in our area the other year and this kitty was lucky to be a part of it. She's really sweet and is quite healthy since she hangs out near the canteens. I just hope that someday someone will adopt her. In the meantime, we try to feed and check on her as often as possible. We made sure to feed her during the Holy Week since all canteens were closed. Happily nomming :D The basement parking cat is a little different. He's a bit of a recluse but I think he's becoming more sociable lately. I think he knows that it's feeding time when I make meow sounds :) | Low | [
0.5167286245353161,
34.75,
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Previous Topic Next Topic How is Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia treated? This information represents the views of the doctors and nurses serving on the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Database Editorial Board. These views are based on their interpretation of studies published in medical journals, as well as their own professional experience. The treatment information in this document is not official policy of the Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don’t hesitate to ask him or her questions about your treatment options. General information about treatment Once Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) has been diagnosed, your cancer care team will discuss your treatment options with you. Your options may be affected by factors such as your age and general health and the type of symptoms you are having. The 2 main ways to treat WM are chemotherapy and different types of biological therapy (immunotherapy). Based on the situation, one or both of these types of treatments might be used. In recent years, much progress has been made in treating people with WM. A number of newer drugs have been found to work against WM, but few studies have compared them to see which ones are best. Because of this, there is no single standard treatment for all patients. In choosing a treatment plan, consider your health, your symptoms, and what you hope to get from treatment. Be sure that you understand all the risks and side effects of your treatment options before making a decision. Based on your treatment options, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team: A hematologist: a doctor who treats disorders of the blood, including lymphomas such as WM A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with chemotherapy and other medicines A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy Many other specialists might be part of your treatment team as well, including physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, nutrition specialists, social workers, and other health professionals. See Health Professionals Associated With Cancer Care for more on this. If time permits, it’s often a good idea to get a second opinion. This can give you more information and help you feel confident about the treatment plan you choose. Your doctor should be willing to help you find another cancer doctor who can give you a second opinion. The next few sections describe the types of treatments used for WM. This is followed by a discussion of the typical treatment options for someone with WM. | High | [
0.677647058823529,
36,
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Archive for September, 2009 Yes, I did make it to LA (if you were worried, you should probably be following my Twitter account — I posted way too much about the trip over there). I did take some video, and hopefully I’ll have some time to post it soon, but in the meantime, here’s a Modern World. I was born in St. Louis. In high school, I played football, and because I’d watched it on television ever since I was a little kid, I picked it up immediately. I went All State my junior and senior years in high school, played third string for Notre Dame, and tried out three years in a row with the Colts, never once making it on to the team. I did stay in Indianapolis, though — I decided that I wanted to be a teacher instead, and now spend my days teaching science to high schoolers and coaching the varsity team in the evenings. ***** I was born in St. Louis, and in high school, though I played football for a while, I wasn’t good enough at it to continue past my junior year. Instead, I joined the theater department, and lit up the stage with my acting. Out of high school, I felt a need to get away, to get up and into the biggest place I could go, so I went straight to New York City and starting studying acting and theater as an undergrad at NYU. I’m still acting — I’ve had a few minor parts in movies, but what I’m really proud of is the theatre company that I put together with a few of my former classmates. We’ve grown immensely in the seven years since we started up, with great reviews and critical acclaim not just from the New York scene, but around the world. A friend of mine and I are thinking of starting a theater school in our space, a place where we can teach up and coming actors what we’ve figured out over the years. And in the meantime, I love New York — the autumn breezes, the taxi rides uptown and downtown, the rooftop parties on summer evenings. I haven’t been back to St. Louis since. ***** I was born in St. Louis, and in high school, I made a fool of myself in football for a few years, and then went and worked in the theater department, putting together the sets and lights with my friends (while we smoked pot during breaks). I had an amazing time, but the teachers never really liked me, my grades were average, and what mattered most to me was having fun. After graduation, I briefly thought about going away, but the majority of my classmates went to Mizzou, so that’s where I went as well. Officially, I studied finance, but mostly, I studied how much I could party before a big test, and how much BS I could make up while still getting laid. My teachers still didn’t like me, but they respected me, in a way — respected the fact that while they had worked for a long time and only made it as far as teaching in a midstate college, I was doing whatever I wanted and passing right on by. I married my last college girlfriend, and got a job at a bank in St. Peters where my friend’s dad worked. We bought a house and had two kids — I make enough money for her to stay home with them, but sometimes I have to work late (and my boss is an ass). I’d like to think that someday I’ll manage the branch. ***** I was born in St. Louis. In high school, I did theater tech — lighting, sound, stage design. As soon as I graduated, I wanted out of the Midwest — I headed to a small college in the Northeast and studied broadcasting and media for four years. After that my leads weren’t what I’d expected, so I headed home for a few years and started working at a Gamestop. I dreamed of moving to Chicago — I still longed to be out of St. Louis and in the big city. But a few months before I could make that a reality, my manager at Gamestop told me about a corporate opening, a district manager position, overseeing all of the retail stores in the city (he said he would have wanted it, but his family was making him move out west). It was a lame job — doing miserable work, overseeing miserable people — but it paid well, better than I would have ever expected to make in the broadcasting jobs I was looking at. After a lot of deliberation, I took it, bought a house in the suburbs, and spent my days driving from retail store to retail store, checking inventory and prices. ****** I was born in St. Louis. I worked in the technical side of my high school theater’s tech department — designing lights and sound, creating sets. After high school, I found an interest in broadcasting, specifically in radio, and headed to a small college in the Northeast to study that. I graduated easily, and then moved back to St. Louis to plan what to do next: I wanted to be on the air somewhere, maybe Chicago. I headed up to the Windy City a few times to look at apartments, but also thought about staying closer to home, closer to my family and the friends I still had. I applied at a few smaller radio stations in the area — Southern Illinois, Cape Girardeau, St. Charles. At an interview in Rolla, a man with a big cowboy hat and a southern drawl, the owner of the station, asked me why I’d ever want to be in an industry like radio. I said I’d grown up with it, that I loved listening and that it was a media that could evoke feelings the way television and print never bothered to do any more. He must have liked my answer — he and the program manager hired me on the spot to work the afternoon shift. 1,000 watts, a potential audience of just under a million. Within a few years I worked my way up to the morning shift, and then became a local celebrity — as much of a celebrity as you can be in Rolla, MO. I attended car dealership openings, I gave away Barry Manilow tickets, I ran “hands on a hot rod” contests, I interviewed country stars playing the annual fair nearby. I’ve moved stations twice (once away from the station I started at, and once back), but I’ve been doing it so long now that callers call me just to say hi, and local businesses seek me out for on-air promos. I dream of the big city sometimes, but I can go over to Earl’s Rib House and eat free — why would I want to leave that? ***** I was born in St. Louis. In high school, I tech directed a few shows, and even designed some lighting schemes and sound cues myself. In college, I studied broadcasting, radio specifically. I liked St. Louis (and that’s why I moved back there right after I graduated from college), but I’ve always liked the big city better, and so as soon as I found an apartment to stay in, I moved up to Chicago’s west side. In Chicago, I felt myself move away from radio — some people were doing the right thing, but too much of it was cliche and boring. Instead, I fell in with the great writing tradition of the city — I started writing on my own, and then for free, and then for pay. I worked off hours as a freelancer, and then on hours. I wrote a book, got it published, and sales were spectacularly low. I wrote another book, got it published too (though it was surprisingly much harder to do the second time), and it did pretty well — I went on a regional book tour, I appeared on a few TV and radio stations. I was asked to ghostwrite a book, and did, and was then asked to ghostwrite some more, and did again. I do like Chicago — the lake, the winters, the El. It’s a good town to live in as a writer, with a good community of people crafting words right alongside you. I’ve got a reputation here, I’ve got a history here, and I’m happy, spending my days looking out at the skyline and putting one word after another, cobbling out a voice and a place for myself. ***** I was born in St. Louis. In high school, I played football for a few years, and then decided I was more of a theater person. I worked hard, and was fascinated with the tech of it — how you could shine lights on the stage in a certain color and play sounds at the same time, and evoke any number of unexplainable feelings. After school, I left St. Louis, went to upstate New York, and studied broadcasting — I partied, I practiced, I thought, and I learned. And eventually, I graduated. Back at home, I looked for radio jobs in the Midwest, but none of them ever materialized. The big city called, I chanced on a good roommate and a great apartment, and made my way to Chicago. Once there, I poked around, and landed on writing as something I both could and wanted to do. I did it for myself, for someone else, and then eventually for everyone. I liked Chicago — the pizza’s great, the people are nice, and even when the wind blows cold down through the canyons of steel and glass, you can feel the hum of strong, interesting people working all around you. But there’s something else, something out west, that I need to find. After six years here, I’ve finally wrapped up my leases, closed my accounts, packed my belongings. And tomorrow, I’ll rent a truck, I’ll fill it with everything I have, and I’ll go west. I have no idea if it’s the right decision, or if it’s the thing to do to get what I want — truthfully, though it’s pretty shameful to admit, I still haven’t quite figured out what that is anyway. But it’s the decision I’m making, one of many in a long line. And all of the decisions I’ve made so far have brought me here, past all of the possible lives I could have lived and all of the corners I could have turned to go elsewhere. Almost ever since I first moved to Chicago, I have wanted to go and visit this restaurant called Moto here in town. It’s run by a chef named Homaru Cantu, and his ideas on food and how you make it are so groundbreaking that people come from all over the world to check this place out. He specializes in cooking food in the strangest ways — he uses lasers and liquid nitrogen to cook, he developed a “special box,” patent pending, that will cook fish right at your table, and he loves printing flavors on edible paper. The whole restaurant is a weird mix of science, food, and art that has fascinated me, as I said, almost since I first moved here. The problem, though, is that it’s not cheap — no once-in-a-lifetime experience ever is. You go and order a ten course meal (you don’t order food, they just bring you whatever they’re cooking up that day), and then at the end of the meal it’s over a hundred dollars a person. So when my friend Jason suggested a few weeks ago that I finally go with him before I leave town this week to move to LA, I balked. But he made me, and after he and our friend Joanna went to have a 10 course dinner, it turned out to be more than worth it: it’s one of the tastiest, most thoughtful, and best meals I’ve ever had. And I took notes, just so I could share the experience with you, dear reader. These pictures are courtesy of Joanna — she’s a professional photographer, so that is why they’re so awesome. The first thing they brought us was actually the menu: Our menu (the list of the ten courses they were going to serve us that evening) was actually printed on a very thin slice of garlic bread — in the bottom of the dish was a small piece of garlic cooked in a butter vinagrette and an asparagus puree. The garlic was incredibly soft and warm — Jason remarked that they had to cook the garlic for a long time to get it that way. I was fascinated, too, by the asparagus puree — it was so smooth and liquidy, yet it was very much asparagus. The combined feel of the menu itself was the perfect appetizer: an interesting mix of tastes that only got you ready for what was coming. SCRAMBLED & muffin The first actual course was this strange faked breakfast. One of the things they do at Moto, we quickly discovered, was play with expectations of what you thought things would taste like by making one kind of food look entirely like another. From the left, this appeared to be an english muffin, a group of scrambled eggs, and a tater tot. But it wasn’t at all: the eggs were actually a solidified lemon vinagrette with tomatoes and onions, no chicken involved. The “tater tot” was a piece of shrimp (perfectly cooked — I’m not even a huge fan of shrimp but it was incredibly tasty, and cooked exactly right all the way through), and the “english muffin” was the most interesting thing — a piece of puffed garlic with cooked corn puree serving as the butter. The garlic was intriguing — it was definitely garlic, but when you tried to eat it, it just disappeared in your mouth, mostly air. We asked the guy exactly how they did it, and he said it was basically a foam, ground up garlic that had been puffed up into that shape. Very weird. I also noticed, later on, that their courses followed the path of a day’s meals — we started off with breakfast, moved on to some lunch-style meals, and then went to more dinner-based meals, and then dessert. At the time, that wasn’t completely apparent (they brought out a new course whenever you finished the last one, so the whole meal took a total of about four hours), but looking back, there was a definite plan to the way the courses were laid out. INSTANT risotto This was one of the courses we liked the best — it was a risotto using jasmine rice in a parmesan cream sauce with bay scallops from Mexico and microarugula and basil (both of which were amazing — they grow microherbs and veggies right there on the property at Moto, we were told). The scallops, again, were terrific, and I don’t even usually like that kind of thing. But the rice was the best part — it was actually puffed, sort of like just-cooked rice crispies. So the idea was that you stirred it all together, and you could hear the rice popping and crackling with the cream, as they did the same thing in your mouth. It would have been a great dish with just the jasmine rice, but with all of the grains puffed up with texture, it was amazing. Joanna is a vegetarian, and this was the first dish where they gave her something different. While we got those scallops, she got these tiny mushrooms, which were unbelievably good. They’re called hon-shimeji mushrooms, and they’re the best mushrooms I’ve ever tasted — when you bit down on them, they exploded in a burst of mushroomy flavor. You can barely tell from the picture above (most of these pictures were taken very quickly, as our mouths were watering on all of these courses as soon as the plates hit the table), but they were a beautiful brown which blended perfectly with the parmesan cream and rice when it all mixed together. Just beautiful. GRUYERE & onions This is Moto’s take on french onion soup — they actually served us a platter with a puffed onion ring and a smear of melted gruyere cheese along with some precisely cooked onions, and then they poured the hot soup into the bowl. As the soup hit the onion ring (they called it a baguette), it too melted in with the cheese and the onions, and it was all great. This was another one of my favorites. Jason found it really interesting — he never really liked french onion soup, but he liked this one, and when I asked him what was different, he said that it lacked the greasiness that most soups like this have (with the cheese and the onions, you can probably imagine why). But this one was different, and we talked for a little while about how trying the absolute best of a type of food can make you like almost all versions of it — having some really amazing sushi, for example, can make you like some lesser sushi as well. Having the best of something makes you look at even lesser versions of it in a different light, lets you process it in a different way. “It gives you a vocabulary for it,” Jason said. “A way of expressing an idea that you didn’t have before.” Something tame and casual like this, french onion soup, served in such an enticing way, would bring us back to this meal every time we had it again. HOUSE-made pequin capon This, if you can believe it, is their version of buffalo wings. The meat on top there is capon, which is apparently a castrated chicken (didn’t know that while I was eating it, and while it was good and well-cooked, it definitely didn’t surprise me as much as the scallops and shrimp earlier in the meal did). Underneath it was what they called a celery confit and some pureed celery roots. The most interesting part of the meal was the edible paper included with it — it had buffalo sauce flavoring on it, so you’d eat some of the paper, and then add some meat and celery, and the overall impression was of a pretty tame buffalo wing. The paper was strange stuff — you’d put it in your mouth and it wouldn’t melt, but it would sort of fall apart. It wasn’t actually paper, either — it sort of flaked apart. But it did taste like buffalo sauce, and the overall impression was of a pretty good recreation. Not my favorite, but an interesting idea. Joanna got some veggies instead. CUBAN cigar This was probably the most fun course we got — I had seen a Cuban pork sandwich mentioned on the menu earlier, and was extremely excited to try it (I had my first Cuban sandwich a few weeks ago and it was great). But when the sandwich actually showed up, it was in an ashtray, and they’d taken away our utensils, so we had to literally eat these edible cigars. The wrapping was collard greens, the label was edible paper, the tobacco inside was actually a tasty bit of pork shoulder, with a little red pepper puree on the end to make it seem just lit. The ash was probably the most interesting stuff — it was black and white sesame seeds, so we ended up dipping the “cigar” in the “ash,” and of course we were surprised just how good it tasted. We had to have fun with this one, of course. REUBEN lasagna We were now clearly working our way up to dinner — this was probably the most substantial of all the dishes we’d had so far (even though it looks pretty simple above). This is a traditional ruben sandwich — beef brisket, a pickle concoction, and caroway seed dough — made up to look like a little cut of lasagna, with all of the ingredients layered out. The brisket was incredibly good, and the dough was even better. That is a potato chip standing upright, just enough to give that flavor with the sandwich, and that’s “russian sauce” (whatever that is — it was awesome) covering the whole thing. Jason was pretty astute with this one — he said he smelled dill in that powder on the side, but didn’t recognize it as the herb. When we asked the waiter what it actually was, he said they’d sprinkled dill pollen on the plate. Sneaky, and good call for Jason. Joanna’s dish was completely different — she got this little potted plant to eat. The “dirt” was actually what they called “balsamic dirt,” which doesn’t actually tell us what it was, although it did have an earthy flavor and a grit that did make it seem very dirtlike. There were more mushrooms in there, as well as more microarugula and some edible newspaper. All the way on the bottom (you can see one sneaking through the top there) were edible packing peanuts — white truffles puffed up. Joanna loved those. MEXICAN cannoli I thought our dessert had arrived, but I was wrong, of course — this cannoli was actually a duck taquito. The pastry shell was a corn tortilla, with a filling of duck confit, and sour cream serving as the cream imposter. That’s jalapeno powder on the cannoli itself, and what looks like chocolate sauce is actually mole. Our waiter said they liked to call it the mole cannoli — cute. My mind had a really tough time getting around this one for some reason — the dish itself was very excellent, as all of the flavors went very well together and everything was cooked exactly right. But even as they explained the meal to us and even as I tasted the food itself, I couldn’t get around the idea that I was supposed to be eating pastry. For some reason I dived right in on the cigar, but on this one, my mind got stuck in between the two tastes. Joanna had something called a SHABUccino: It looked like coffee, sugar, and cream, but by now (we were old hands at this point) we knew it wasn’t that. It was actually a Japanese hot dish called shabu-shabu, with peas, asparagus and potatoes in a hot broth, along with more of those mushrooms (I personally think they heard us raving about how good the mushrooms were, so they kept showing up in the meals again). The sugar cubes were actually pressed oil powder — they were weird to taste, but I think the idea was to drop them in the soup and let them roam around in there for a bit. We got an extra course in here (the restaurant was kind of empty that evening, so they pulled out a few courses for us from the 20 course menu): ARNOLD palmer An Arnold Palmer is a drink (named after the golfer) that consists of half iced tea and half lemonade, and this one was pretty simple — instead of serving them mixed, they served us two ice pops and it was up to us to eat them together. No alcohol, and this one was so simple it was more of a palate cleanser in between dinner and dessert anyway. HAPPY face Joanna and Jason were most excited about this title, and I don’t think they were disappointed when it showed up: it was indeed a happy face. The face itself was a passion fruit sorbet, and you can’t see it in the picture, but it sat on a little bit of coconut cream which was, as you might imagine, terrific. I was amazed at how right they got the temperature — it was still frozen, but just melted enough that you could put your fork straight through it. The rest of the spread on the plate is a strawberry and blueberry puree with more coconut powder to mix in with it. CORN cake This was probably my favorite dessert of the evening and I’m not a huge fan of corn. It was a corn cake (as the name implies), but again I was amazed as just how perfectly cooked it was — the outside was warm and crusty, and the inside was warm and moist. That’s a sweet tea foam on top (Joanna was pretty delighted to see that — she had actually read a book on molecular gastronomy, and foam is a big deal in there apparently), and then there was candied corn and (I believe) peaches on the side. I wasn’t too thrilled about the candied corn (though we realized that after nine courses, we’d suddenly become food critics — when the food first showed up we were just aghast at how good it was, and now, nine courses in, we felt experienced enough to debate and second guess what they were doing), but the cake was amazing. MILK CHOCOLATE forms, BURGER with ketchup, and ACME s’mores We got a three-fer at the very end of the meal — the milk chocolate forms was the only thing on our original menu, but they shared the other two courses from the 20 course menu with us anyway. The milk chocolate forms was — well, I’m not sure quite what it was. At this point, I was just too full and too overwhelmed to take worthwhile notes. But it was tasty — the impression they said they wanted to give was of a malted milk ball, and we got it. The bomb on the other end was a “smore bomb” — they came around with a small torch and lit the “fuse” on all of our bombs. The fuse itself was actually puffed marshmellow, and then we were instructed to eat the whole thing in one bite, at which point it blew up into a caramel-y liquid taste that was meant to serve as graham cracker, along with the chocolate coating and the burnt marshmellow flavor. I can’t judge whether or not it tasted exactly like a smore (again, at this point I was pretty overwhelmed with flavors), but it was good. And finally, the little burger was one of the weirdest experiments we saw all night. It was a burger designed to taste like a banana split, with banana puree serving as the burger, some ice cream in there, some cherries for ketchup, and a tiny piece of iceberg lettuce just for effect. I didn’t really get a banana taste from it, though — it was more strange just to see the tiny little burger, no matter what it was made of. Jason largely enjoyed it. Get it? Largely? And with that, we were done. It was an incredible meal, obviously. It was just amazing how much thought and time went into all aspects of the presentation, not just in the way things were cooked and the taste, but into the little plays on the different flavors and how the food looked and felt and smelled. You’d think that they’d have to compromise in some way while balancing taste and looks (no way, would I have thought, would you make a dish that looks that much like a cannoli but tastes that much like a taquito), but there were no compromises at all — they really reached far on both taste and presentation and with few exceptions they hit it out of the park every time. It was strange how this meal affected the rest of my eating habits, too — the few days before and after I really found myself considering what I was putting in my mouth: how it was made, where it came from, and even what my own perceptions of it were like. And since I’ve been to Moto I’ve done more research on restaurants and food, and I’ve already found a few more places (in Paris and London, though I’m sure I’ll find something good in LA, too) that I can’t wait to check out. Incredible meal, and what a strange and interesting way of looking at food and all of the various social and traditional (and technological) implications we place on it. I am so sorry that I haven’t gotten a new Modern World up lately — I meant to do one last weekend, but got hit with a cold, and my voice kind of exploded. First it got all gravelly, which was cool, but would have hurt me to do a whole show, and then it got all nasal, which was just annoying — you wouldn’t have wanted to listen to a whole podcast of it. But it’s getting back to normal now, so next weekend I will hopefully be able to make a podcast. I’ve got some fun things to talk about. Meanwhile, I thought the last Twitter Q&A was fun, so here’s another one. Plus, I have a lot more followers since I went to BlizzCon a little while ago (welcome to my world, suckers!), so there are some new questioners in the mix, along with some old Twitter friends. @Sylus had a bunch of quick questions: “boxers or briefs? Football or baseball? The instance or how I wow? @randydeluxe or @extralife ?????” 2) I have been following baseball this year, and really enjoying it (though my choice of following the Cubs has panned out to more depression than exaltation — I should have seen that coming). But football is my favorite sport: Fall is my favorite season, I played football in high school (left tackle, and I was horrible at it), and I love going to football games in November and December — wrapping up in the cold and watching gigantic guys in even bigger pads duke it out over 100 yards. I’ve always been a big guy, and football is the sport for me. 3) Truth be told, I’ve probably listened to more of How I WoW than The Instance, and only one of them has had me on, not to mention that Shawn Coons and I rode rollercoasters at Disneyland last week, and talked religion while waiting for Space Mountain, so I have to go with How I WoW. Though I picked the wrong horse — apparently since Patrick is now working for Blizzard, he can’t do the show any more, and I got the impression from Shawn that he was going to call it for a while. So I guess I’ll start listening to The Instance more now. 4) Randy Deluxe seems like an awesome guy who does a lot of great things very well, but he and I have had only the briefest of contact, so I only know the guy through his tweets and the clips I’ve heard of him on the show. Scott Johnson is definitely an awesome guy who definitely does a lot (a lot) of things very well, so I’m going with him. Plus, as my grandfather once told me, never piss off a cartoonist. Wise words. @Savanth asks “do you play any non wow games? shooters, rts’s, etc? if so what are they?” I think this question was asked last time. Lately, I’m playing Henry Hatsworth on the DSi, and really enjoying it — probably liking the puzzle side of it a bit more than the platformer side. I recently bought both ‘Splosion Man and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 on Xbox Live, and I’ve determined that I’m going to finish those both before I pick up Shadow Complex, which I heard is great. And though I haven’t yet finished Dead Space, I picked up Batman: Arkham Asylum a few days after it came out, and just demolished it — I blew through normal mode in about two days, and am almost done with all of the Riddler goals, at which point I’ll probably try to get Perfect Knight on all of the challenge modes, and then start over again on Hard mode. I am such a huge Batman fan and I’ve been waiting so long for someone to make a game that features him and is awesome that I’m just eating Batman:AA up. @cardfrek (who was also with us at Disneyland — we were so much fun we got the guy sick!) asks “are you excited about your impending move to Los Angeles?” Yes, very. And scared. And weirded out — I am planning to move to LA in a few weeks, and it just occurred to me the other day that I don’t really have any plans after the move. Besides for work and the usual getting up and existing every day, my life is one big blank after I go out to California. Hopefully I’ll find enough cool things out there to fill it with. Nothing’s stopped me yet, and I’ve never actually encountered kryptonite, so I’m assuming it’s kryptonite. If I really did have a substance that stopped me in my tracks, I would probably keep that information a very closely guarded secret, no? Probably a bad PuG. Every once in a while you have a group that you know is wrong from the beginning, where you know that you’re wasting your time, but you really want to run this dungeon, so you go on in anyway. And then the warrior turns out to not know how to hold aggro, the rogue is still in blues and isn’t nearly turning out the DPS you’ll need to finish the last boss, and the priest is going /afk every five minutes. It’s at that point that, if you’re a jerk, you just pull the plug on your computer, and then log back in about 1/2 hour later going “Sorry guys, my Internet went down, did you finish the instance?” Or, if you’re a sucker like me, you stick around for the few hours of wipes and eventually call it on the second boss without actually having gotten any loot. @maryvarn, who makes the terrific NPC comic that as of this writing supposedly features art drawn by kittens, wants to know: “is there fog in London? Mad Men says no, Professor Layton says yes. I don’t know who to believe.” I have never unfortunately been to London, but most of my knowledge of the place comes from my very old and very deep love of the old Sherlock Holmes stories. I distinctly remember — I believe it was in the Adventure of the Speckled Band, one of my favorites — them talking about a dark fog rolling in at night. So I will say yes, there is fog in London. Plus, Professor Layton is a smart guy, and Mad Men, as compelling as they are, are usually wrong about lots of things — they all smoke like chimneys, and many of them are racists and/or misogynists. I’ll tell you something that’s never wrong, though: Christina Hendricks dressed up the way she is on the show. I have never wanted to be a pen so much. Her accordion playing is divine, and I hope something bad happens to that jerk of a fiance. Also, for the Mad Men fans, I am happy to tell you that Mad Men Illustrated is back for season 3. Spoilers if you haven’t seen the show, but if you have, enjoy. Finally, @dougabbott asks: “PB&J or PB&Banana. You can only pick one!” I went over to the Lincoln Park Zoo the other day, just a 10-minute walk from my apartment here in Chicago, for two reasons: one, I wanted to get some fresh air after spending the last few days working in the apartment, and two, I figured I should start running around and doing a final visit of the local attractions before I leave. While there, I decided to stop into this little cafe they’ve installed above the main gift shop, and I was surprised to see that, among the way too expensive organic paninis they were selling, there was in fact a peanut butter and banana panini. It was $8, and definitely not worth it, so I just ended up getting a little ice cream to eat, but I was very surprised to see that there, of all places. I’ve never had a peanut butter and banana sandwich, but I think if I ever did try one, an organic panini from the cafe at the Lincoln Park Zoo would not be a bad way to do it. That said, if I have to choose only one to eat ever again, I have to go with peanut butter and jelly. I don’t always pick the safe choice (in fact, more often than not, I do the opposite, to the detriment of my health, reputation, or public image), but in this case, I’m going with what I know. Thanks for all the questions everybody, and thanks for following me on Twitter, both new and old followers. Look for a new Modern World episode this weekend. | Mid | [
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*o**3 - 2*o**2 - 2 Let v(r) = -4*r - 1. Let d(t) = 9*t + 2. Give -6*d(m) - 13*v(m). -2*m + 1 Let j(d) = 12*d - 4. Let v(u) = 35*u - 12. Calculate 17*j(f) - 6*v(f). -6*f + 4 Let i(r) = -54*r**3 + 8*r**2 - 8*r - 8. Let n(l) = -18*l**3 + 3*l**2 - 3*l - 3. Calculate -3*i(b) + 8*n(b). 18*b**3 Let w be -5*(4 - 72/20). Let l(k) = 4*k**3 + 6*k**2 + 5*k - 5. Let z(v) = v - v**3 - v**2 + 2*v**2 - 1 + 2*v**3. Determine w*l(c) + 10*z(c). 2*c**3 - 2*c**2 Let j(x) = x**3 + x + 6. Let s(w) = 12 - w**3 - 5 - 4*w**3 + 6*w**3 + w. Suppose 7*f = 3*f - 16. Calculate f*s(k) + 5*j(k). k**3 + k + 2 Let n(x) = -4*x**2 - 7*x + 7. Let c = -61 - -65. Let t(l) = -2*l**2 - 4*l + 4. Let a = 3 - 0. Let p be (7/4)/(a/(-12)). Determine c*n(j) + p*t(j). -2*j**2 Let z(r) = -r - 1. Suppose -4*o + 0 = -3*t + 6, t = 5*o - 9. Let s = t - 4. Let l(i) = 3*i**2 + 0*i**s + 4*i + 7 - 4*i**2. Determine -l(v) - 5*z(v). v**2 + v - 2 Let o(l) = -25*l + 3*l**2 - 20*l + 36*l. Let c(f) = -2*f**2 + 5*f. Give -5*c(x) - 3*o(x). x**2 + 2*x Let w(s) = -2*s**3 - 5*s**2 + 13*s. Let a be 13 - (-4 + (-16)/(-2)). Let l(k) = -k**3 - 2*k**2 + 6*k. Determine a*l(v) - 4*w(v). -v**3 + 2*v**2 + 2*v Let t(f) = -f**3 + f - 1. Let b(s) = -6*s**3 + 4*s**2 + 8*s - 1. Let d(n) = b(n) - 3*t(n). Let v(m) = 4*m**3 - 5*m**2 - 6*m - 3. Determine 5*d(g) + 4*v(g). g**3 + g - 2 Let i(h) = 12*h - 2. Let m(a) = 18*a - 3. Determine 7*i(x) - 5*m(x). -6*x + 1 Let a(n) = -105*n**2 - 33*n - 33. Let j(v) = 13*v**2 + 4*v + 4. Calculate -4*a(m) - 33*j(m). -9*m**2 Let x(s) = 5*s**2 + 1. Let u(t) = 7*t**2 + 3*t + 1. Let m(l) = 6*l**2 + 2*l + 1. Let c(z) = 3*m(z) - 2*u(z). What is 7*c(a) - 6*x(a)? -2*a**2 + 1 Let g(v) = -4*v**2 + 2*v + 2. Suppose 2*m + 2*m - 3*r = 9, m - r - 3 = 0. Suppose -10 = 5*j - m. Let i(d) = -5*d**2 + 3*d + 3. Determine j*i(h) + 3*g(h). -2*h**2 Let v(j) = 4*j**2 - 2*j + 1. Let g(p) = -16*p**2 + 9*p - 4. Calculate -2*g(a) - 9*v(a). -4*a**2 - 1 Let f(y) = -5*y**3 + 11. Let t be (-64)/(-12) + (-2)/(-3). Let b(r) = 3*r**3 - 6. Give t*f(l) + 11*b(l). 3*l**3 Let u(a) = -a**2 + a. Let j be -2 + -2 + (0 - -6). Let w(s) = -2*s**2 + s + 1. What is j*u(f) - 2*w(f)? 2*f**2 - 2 Let f(i) = 3*i - 9. Let r(w) = -5*w + 14. Let o(t) = 10*t - 28. Let h(q) = 2*o(q) + 5*r(q). What is -8*f(n) - 5*h(n)? n + 2 Let g be 9/3 - 0/2. Suppose g*y = -0*y. Let p(s) = -1 + 2 + y*s**2 - s**2. Let h(w) = w**3 - 9*w**2 + w + 9. What is -2*h(o) + 18*p(o)? -2*o**3 - 2*o Let a be 4*-4*20/(-16). Let s be 2/10 + (-124)/a. Let q(p) = 2*p**2 - 6. Let t(o) = -1. Let u = 12 - 11. Determine s*t(m) + u*q(m). 2*m**2 Let w(f) = f + 2. Suppose 0 = -a - 10 + 1. Let v be w(a). Let j(q) = -q + 1. Let i(t) = 3*t - 3. Calculate v*j(m) - 2*i(m). m - 1 Let n(f) = f**2 + 6*f + 6. Let g(j) = 2*j**2 + 11*j + 11. Suppose -7*q = -2*q + 30. Determine q*g(m) + 11*n(m). -m**2 Let r(t) = -35*t**3 - 13*t**2 - 13*t + 13. Let v(j) = -18*j**3 - 6*j**2 - 6*j + 6. What is -6*r(y) + 13*v(y)? -24*y**3 Let i(k) = -6*k**2 - 13. Suppose -2*o - 8 = 2*r + 14, -5*r - 45 = 3*o. Let b(m) = m**2 + 2. Give r*i(g) - 39*b(g). -3*g**2 Let k(g) be the third derivative of g**4/12 + g**3/3 - 2*g**2. Let a = 16 + -15. Let v(r) = 1. What is a*k(c) - 2*v(c)? 2*c Let o(i) = 4*i**3 - 7*i**2 - 2. Let g(d) = -3*d**3 + 6*d**2 + 2. Determine -6*g(r) - 5*o(r). -2*r**3 - r**2 - 2 Let a(t) = -t + 1. Let b(m) = -9*m + 3. Calculate -6*a(w) + b(w). -3*w - 3 Let h(x) = x + 1. Let s(g) be the second derivative of -g**6/240 - g**5/40 + g**4/6 - 2*g. Let t(v) be the third derivative of s(v). Give -5*h(c) - 2*t(c). c + 1 Let p = -17 + 28. Let l(b) = -8*b**2 + 7*b**2 + b**3 - 5*b**2 + 6 + 0. Let c(k) = -2*k**3 + 11*k**2 - 11. Determine p*l(z) + 6*c(z). -z**3 Let k(r) = -2*r**3 + 5*r**2 - 4*r + 6. Let j(l) = 2*l**3 - 4*l**2 + 3*l - 5. Calculate -4*j(i) - 3*k(i). -2*i**3 + i**2 + 2 Let l(a) = -a - 1. Let s(r) = 2*r + 3. What is -11*l(f) - 4*s(f)? 3*f - 1 Suppose -3*w + 10 = 5*f, -7*w + 6 = 3*f - 3*w. Let p(q) = q**2 - 4*q**2 + 3*q**2 - 2*q**f - 3*q. Let r(z) = -3*z**2 - 5*z. Give -5*p(t) + 3*r(t). t**2 Let o(s) = -5*s**2 + 8*s + 2. Let d(j) = -j**2 + j. What is -6*d(p) + o(p)? p**2 + 2*p + 2 Let t(r) = -9*r**2 - 8*r. Suppose -2*n - 30 = -7*n. Suppose 0 = 2*c + n. Let h(x) = x**2 + x. Give c*t(b) - 24*h(b). 3*b**2 Let v(a) = 8*a**3 - 9*a + 4. Let c be (16/(-10))/((-44)/(-110)). Let x(n) = -4*n**3 + 4*n - 2. Calculate c*v(p) - 9*x(p). 4*p**3 + 2 Let p(c) = -c. Let i(d) = d. Suppose m + 15 = -4*m. Give m*p(y) - 6*i(y). -3*y Let o(b) = -b**2 - b - 7. Let s = 33 - 27. Let g(p) = -p**2 + 3*p - 3. Let u be g(2). Let z(x) = 2 + 1 - 4. Determine s*z(q) + u*o(q). q**2 + q + 1 Let n(f) = -11*f + 11. Let v(s) = 4*s - 4. Let i = -2 + -6. What is i*v(z) - 3*n(z)? z - 1 Let m(d) = 4*d + 2. Let z(r) = 9*r + 4. What is -14*m(c) + 6*z(c)? -2*c - 4 Let z(l) = 6*l**3 + 4*l. Let a(j) = j. Let g be (24/18)/((-20)/(-15)). Give g*z(b) - 4*a(b). 6*b**3 Let j(m) = -35*m + 2. Let y(o) = -17*o + 1. Give -3*j(u) + 5*y(u). 20*u - 1 Let f(b) = -b**2 - b. Let j(q) = 31*q**2 + 7*q. Determine 6*f(p) + j(p). 25*p**2 + p Let z(u) = -u**2 + 9*u - 16. Let s(q) = 5*q - 8. Calculate -5*s(v) + 3*z(v). -3*v**2 + 2*v - 8 Let s(m) = -2*m + 4. Let f be (-33)/(-3) - 2*2. Let v(a) = -f - 12 + 11*a - 2*a + 2. Let w(g) = g**2 + g. Let q be w(-3). Determine q*v(k) + 26*s(k). 2*k + 2 Let k(m) = -29*m + 2. Let l(z) = -4030*z + 279. Determine 279*k(q) - 2*l(q). -31*q Suppose 2*s + 1 = 3. Let d(z) be the first derivative of -z**3/3 + z**2/2 - z - 2. Let w(v) = 2*v**3 + 4*v**2 - 5*v + 5. Determine s*w(k) + 5*d(k). 2*k**3 - k**2 Let c(x) = 11*x**2 - x + 6. Let z(u) = 12*u**2 - u + 5. Calculate -5*c(j) + 6*z(j). 17*j**2 - j Let a(t) = 4*t - 1. Let w(x) = 5*x + 3. Let s(m) = -3*m - 1. Let b(d) = -5*s(d) - 2*w(d). Give 7*a(y) - 6*b(y). -2*y - 1 Let a(h) = 2*h - 7. Let z be a(3). Let w(q) = 1. Let x(r) = 2*r**2 + 4. Give z*x(u) + 3*w(u). -2*u**2 - 1 Let c(w) = 17*w**2 + 17*w + 19. Let t(l) = -8*l**2 - 8*l - 9. What is 6*c(q) + 13*t(q)? -2*q**2 - 2*q - 3 Let u = 0 - 1. Let d(w) = -7*w - 2. Let i(y) = -y - 1. Calculate u*d(n) + 5*i(n). 2*n - 3 Let j(v) = 12*v - 8 + 11*v - 19*v. Let o(k) = -9*k + 17. Determine -13*j(s) - 6*o(s). 2*s + 2 Let k(x) = 13*x**3 + 78*x**2 - 78. Let h(v) = v**2 - 1. Determine -78*h(c) + k(c). 13*c**3 Let a(w) = -8*w**2 + 6*w. Let u = 6 - -2. Suppose u*m - 7*m + 17 = 0. Let d(o) = -23*o**2 + 17*o. Determine m*a(x) + 6*d(x). -2*x**2 Let s(u) be the second derivative of 1/4*u**5 - 3*u + 2/3*u**3 - 3/2*u**2 + 0*u**4 + 0. Let y(i) = -i**3 - i + 1. Let r = 17 + -14. Determine r*y(d) + s(d). 2*d**3 + d Let t(j) be the second derivative of -j**2/2 + j. Let o(y) = -y - 4. Let h = 2 + -3. Calculate h*o(g) + 4*t(g). g Let b = -52 + 55. Let n(d) = -5*d**3 - 3*d**2 + 3*d - 3. Let y(g) = 10*g**3 + 5*g**2 - 5*g + 5. Calculate b*y(j) + 5*n(j). 5*j**3 Let w(s) = 0*s + 5*s - 4*s. Let g(c) = c. Suppose 7*h + 9 = -12. Calculate h*w(x) + 2*g(x). -x Let x(c) = -2*c**3 + 8*c**2 - 8*c - 8. Let b = 16 + -17. Let d(u) = u**2 - u - 1. Give b*x(y) + 8*d(y). 2*y**3 Let x(d) = 2*d**2 + 7*d + 8. Let o(h) = -h**2 - 4*h - 4. What is -7*o(f) - 4*x(f)? -f**2 - 4 Suppose 3*c + 4 = 13. Let o(q) = -6*q**3 + 4*q**2 + 4*q - 2. Let f(j) = 5*j**2 + 5*j**3 + 2 - 3*j - 2*j**2 - j**2 - 5*j**2. Determine c*o(i) + 4*f(i). 2*i**3 + 2 Let v(t) = 17*t + 26. Let a(b) = 8*b + 13. Give -7*a(f) + 3*v(f). -5*f - 13 Let a(v) = -7*v - 8. Let n(x) = -x - 1. Calculate -a(c) + 5*n(c). 2*c + 3 Let i(u) = u**2 - 7*u - 3. Let j(n) = -3*n - 1. Give 2*i(d) - 5*j(d). 2*d**2 + d - 1 Let q(g) = g - 9. Let k(x) = -x + 5. What is -7*k(o) - 4*q(o)? 3*o + 1 Let t(v) = -4. Suppose 4*l - 10*l - 30 = 0. Let r(q) = q + 9. Give l*t(x) - 2*r(x). -2*x + 2 Suppose 0 = 3*u - 6*u + 72. Suppose 0 = -3*s + 12 + u. Let d(n) = -22*n. Let o(b) = -3. Let z(k) = k + 2. Let h(t) = 6*o(t) + 9*z(t). Calculate s*h(p) + 5*d(p). -2*p Let v(o) = -7*o**2 + 2*o + 11. Let w(b) = 4*b**2 - b - 6. Let l(m) = -3*v(m) - 5*w(m). Let h(g) = 1. Give -3*h(t) - l(t). -t**2 + t Let s be ((-12)/9)/((-2)/(-6)). Let t(u) = 5*u**2 + 11. Let d(x) be the first derivative of -2/3*x**3 - 2 - 4*x + 0*x**2. What is s*t(v) - 11*d(v)? 2*v**2 Let p(f) = f. Let u(o) = -2*o + 7. Determine 5*p(y) + u(y). 3*y + 7 Let x(f) = 1. Let o(i) = 2*i - 9. Give -o(y) - 3*x(y). -2*y + 6 L | Low | [
0.5251256281407031,
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Major publishers have accepted that programmatic advertising is here to stay, and most now sell significant portions of their ad space that way. Now a handful are taking their ad tech experiments a step further, using it to buy inventory from third-party sites and exchanges, repackage it and sell to their advertiser clients at a premium. Condé Nast, the Washington Post and the Guardian have all launched publisher trading desks in the past year. The idea is for those units to take information gleaned from owned and operated properties, and to use it to target users elsewhere on the Web on behalf of clients. An advertiser may wish to reach a specific publisher’s audience, for example, but care little if it actually does so on that publisher’s sites. That’s the opportunity publishers are hoping to exploit. “We use our first-party data to target ads both across our own sites, and across the outside market. It’s working very well,” said Alanna Gombert, general manager of Condé Nast’s CatalystDesk programmatic division. “We use our own buying platforms and do our own buying,” she added. U.K.-based Guardian News and Media is taking a similar approach with the Response+ trading desk it quietly opened in October. The desk takes its data and buy ads served to “virtually the entire U.K. Internet population” through its exchange integrations, the company claims, though it’s also selling the solution in the U.S. The Washington Post’s WP+ program promises similar. In many ways, these trading desks are an evolution of the audience extension networks some major publishers already operate, or at least used to. Condé Nast, for example, has been buying media on third-party sites on behalf of clients for years, although agency clients haven’t always been happy with the sites it partners with. Forbes used to aggregate inventory from affiliate sites into its Forbes Audience Network, and various other major media brands cobbled together similar networks in 2008 and 2009. But the publisher trading desk model is more about data than inventory. It’s primarily an attempt by publishers to better control and monetize their audience information, and to wrestle back control from the ad middlemen and audience brokers than many publishers feel are eating into their ad revenues. Steve Stup, ad sales head at the Washington Post, said the WP+’s key proposition is access to its “premium data,” for example. Meanwhile the Guardian’s Response+ sales material emphasizes its “unique datasets” and argues “other platforms are heavily reliant on limited third-party datasets from the same suppliers meaning they are bidding on the same users, pushing up price and ultimately undermining ROI.” It’s too early to tell if the approach will prove lucrative, or if agencies and advertisers will feel comfortable trusting a publisher with their media dollars versus an established ad network or a DSP. It’s clear, however, that publishers are now embracing ad tech more than ever and looking for ways to turn what many have perceived as a threat to their business models into something that can help unlock new revenue streams instead. | Mid | [
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Q: How to query an api in Android? is it possible to query a website's api from an android app? If so, how to do you handle the return if it's in xml? Thanks A: This post showing you how to create a Twitter client using Android should be helpful. As far as processing the XML, there are lots of ways. See the Android docs for XML support, as well as this tutorial. | High | [
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34.75,
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{ "cells": [ { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "## 梯度下降法" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "### 批梯度下降法" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "每次使用全量的训练集样本来更新模型参数，即： $\\theta = \\theta- \\eta \\cdot \\bigtriangledown \\theta_{J}(\\theta)$" ] }, { "cell_type": "code", "execution_count": null, "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "outputs": [], "source": [ "for i in range(nb_epochs):\n", " params_grad = evaluate_gradient(loss_function, data, params)\n", " params = params - learning_rate * params_grad" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "- 优点: \n", " - 由于每一步都利用了训练集中的所有数据,因此当损失函数达到最小值以后,能够保证此时计算出的梯度为0,换句话说,就是能够收敛.因此,使用BGD时不需要逐渐减小学习率\n", "- 缺点: \n", " - 由于每一步都要使用所有数据,因此随着数据集的增大,运行速度会越来越慢." ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "### 随机梯度下降法" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "随机梯度下降算法每次从训练集中随机选择一个样本来进行学习，即： $\\theta = \\theta- \\eta \\cdot \\bigtriangledown \\theta_{J}(\\theta;x_{i};y_{i})$\n", "\n", "- 对比：\n", " - 批量梯度下降算法：每次使用全部训练样本，速度慢；\n", " - 随机梯度下降算法：每次只随机选择一个样本来更新模型参数，速度快，可在线更新" ] }, { "cell_type": "code", "execution_count": null, "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "outputs": [], "source": [ "for i in range(nb_epochs):\n", " np.random.shuffle(data)\n", " for example in data:\n", " params_grad = evaluate_gradient(loss_function,example,params)\n", " params = params - learning_rate * params_grad" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "- 优点: \n", " - 训练速度快,对于很大的数据集,也能够以较快的速度收敛.\n", "\n", "- 缺点: \n", " - 由于是抽取,因此不可避免的,得到的梯度肯定有误差.因此学习速率需要逐渐减小.否则模型无法收敛。因为误差,所以每一次迭代的梯度受抽样的影响比较大,也就是说梯度含有比较大的噪声,不能很好的反映真实梯度." ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": {}, "source": [ "### 小批量梯度下降" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "source": [ "- Mini-batch 梯度下降综合了 batch 梯度下降与 stochastic 梯度下降，在每次更新速度与更新次数中间取得一个平衡，其每次更新从训练集中随机选择 m,m<n 个样本进行学习，即：$\\theta = \\theta- \\eta \\cdot \\bigtriangledown \\theta_{J}(\\theta;x_{i}:i+m;y_{i}:i+m)$\n" ] }, { "cell_type": "code", "execution_count": null, "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "outputs": [], "source": [ "for i in range(nb_epochs):\n", " np.random.shuffle(data)\n", " for batch in get_batches(data, batch_size = 50):\n", " params_grad = evaluate_gradient(loss_function,batch,params)\n", " params = params - learning_rate * params_grad" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "source": [ "### 梯度下降的目前存在的问题" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "source": [ "- 选择一个合理的学习率很难。如果学习速率过小，则会导致收敛速度很慢。如果学习速率过大，那么其会阻碍收敛，即在极值点附近会振荡。\n", "\n", "- 更新每次的学习速率方式很难。学习速率调整可以在每次更新过程中改变学习速率，如退火方法。一般在每次迭代中衰减一个较小的阈值或者其他调整方式。无论哪种调整方法，都需要事先进行固定设置，这边便无法自适应每次学习的数据集特点\n", "\n", "- 模型所有的参数每次更新都是使用相同的学习速率。如果数据特征是稀疏的或者每个特征有着不同的数据分布的特征和空间，那么便不能在每次更新中每个参数使用相同的学习速率。\n", "\n", "- 对于非凸目标函数，容易陷入那些次优的局部极值点中。\n" ] }, { "cell_type": "markdown", "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "source": [ "## 梯度下降优化算法" ] }, { "cell_type": "code", "execution_count": null, "metadata": { "collapsed": true }, "outputs": [], "source": [] } ], "metadata": { "anaconda-cloud": {}, "kernelspec": { "display_name": "Python 2", "language": "python", "name": "python2" }, "language_info": { "codemirror_mode": { "name": "ipython", "version": 2 }, "file_extension": ".py", "mimetype": "text/x-python", "name": "python", "nbconvert_exporter": "python", "pygments_lexer": "ipython2", "version": "2.7.13" } }, "nbformat": 4, "nbformat_minor": 1 } | High | [
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pD2-, pA2- and pD2'-values of a series of compounds in a histaminic and a cholinergic system. (1) Affinity and intrinsic activity values of 75 compounds for a histaminergic and a cholinergic system are presented. The quantitative correlations between the affinity values of 35 compounds and some physicochemical constants (Van der Waals volume, lipophilicity, number of hydrogen atoms on the protonated amine) are discussed. (2) Absence of systematic differences between pD2 and pA2 of partial agonists supports the assumption that these values are equivalent expressions of the same affinity. (3) The "mimetic moiety" in a number of the antihistaminic test compounds hardly contributes to their affinity. The affinity mainly depends on an interaction tendency with additional receptor areas. (4) The correlation between pA2 and pD2' of the whole series of compounds in the histaminergic system is artificial. The method only allows determination of both values if their ratio lies between certain limits. (5) The correlation between pA2 and pD2' for 16 closely related compounds in the guinea pig ileum and for nearly all compounds in the rat intestine has to be explained by an influence of the structural differences on drug transference and/or the less specific binding forces. (6) The metactoid receptors in the two systems are different structures. (7) Possible molecular modifications to maximize the separation of antihistaminic form cholinergic affinity are suggested. | Mid | [
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Recommendation For Ramadan Chances are you’ll be asked to offer your insurance coverage card, photograph ID, accomplished types they could have despatched you earlier than the appointment, and your copay, if you have one. There are some things which might be absolute dangerous in your child that you must avoid or limit throughout pregnancy: No quantity of alcohol is understood to be protected for the growing fetus. If you haven’t fairly but, now could be the time. Caffeine should be restricted to no more than two cups of tea, espresso or cola drinks a day. Rooibos tea is caffeine free, so you’ll be able to drink that as much as you want. Drugs, including any herbal or conventional cures, needs to be mentioned with your healthcare supply. Even one thing as simple as a headache pill will be dangerous at sure times during pregnancy. Your baby’s health starts accurate here, with each bite you put in your mouth. Select the healthiest choices to offer your child the very best begin in life. How the Canadian, British and French methods work, and how even Individuals handle to benefit from their programs. One young girl in France says she feels responsible for the high diploma of care she enjoys there whereas her dad and mom have worked their complete lives within the US for a vastly inferior system. Moore, commonly derided as anti-American by rightists, makes a point of presenting Canadians and French who’re pro-American and even conservative, but that also think of common healthcare as unquestionable. When the ex of the CNPD seems in courtroom, they ceaselessly present tearfully, fearfully, exhausted, overwhelmed, hopeless and helpless. They have endured years of emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of the CNPD particular person. Judges want to remember, however, that people with Narcissistic Personality Dysfunction can typically current themselves this similar manner in court docket, as a method of manipulation. People with personality dysfunction are very expert at mimicking emotions that can garner sympathy and help, all of the while not feeling an ounce of the expressed emotion. The purpose of statement for a choose is the consistency of this emotional presentation: the sufferer of the CNPD will likely be constant over time with the presentation, and the CNPD particular person, if below real pressure, will reveal dramatic labile emotional expression, together with nasty, dismissive contempt for most people apart from themselves. Aloe vera gel can be utilized to treat eczema, a common pores and skin situation that causes dryness, itchiness and flakiness. It soothes the skin and promotes therapeutic. Medical doctors have been giving up their practices for quite a while now, Harvey, due to the issues of the prevailing health care system. Social Care is the supply given to the people who unable to meet their daily wants attributable to sickness, previous age, poverty, orphan children and so forth. with an intention to improve their residing and to guard them. Technological growth has made man to take pleasure in corrupt practices. There are web scammers all around the world who claim to be what they are not. They often claim to be the owner of 1 oil properly just to dupe individuals and run away with their money on the finish. However, web customers have been scammed by corrupt cyber criminals as they obtain emails which appeared to be original with out realizing they were faked. Actually, many men have gone poor overnight due to what cyber criminals have executed to them. | Mid | [
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Tag Archives: Emidio Soltysik There is a myth that comes around every four years that needs to be put to rest after more than a decade. It usually references Green Party candidate Ralph Nader as the cause of Al Gore’s loss to George … Continue reading → | Low | [
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require './bootstrap.rb' feature 'Channel Fields' do before(:each) do cp_session @page = ChannelFields.new @page.load no_php_js_errors end it 'has seven fields' do @page.all_there?.should == true @page.fields.should have(7).items @page.fields_edit.should have(7).items @page.fields_checkboxes.should have(7).items end context 'when creating or editing fields' do def save_field form = ChannelFieldForm.new form.create_field( type: 'Text Input', label: 'Shipping Method' ) form.all_there?.should == true @page.should have_alert @page.should have_alert_success end it 'creates a field' do save_field end it 'saves a field' do @page.fields_edit[1].click @page.submit @page.should have_alert @page.should have_alert_success end it 'invalidates reserved words used in field_name' do form = ChannelFieldForm.new form.create_field( type: 'Date', label: 'Date' ) form.all_there?.should == true @page.alert.has_content?('Cannot Create Field').should == true end end it 'deletes a field' do @page.fields_checkboxes[1].click @page.wait_for_bulk_action @page.has_bulk_action?.should == true @page.has_action_submit_button?.should == true @page.bulk_action.select 'Remove' @page.action_submit_button.click @page.wait_for_modal_submit_button @page.modal_submit_button.click @page.should have_alert @page.should have_alert_success @page.fields.should have(6).items end end | Mid | [
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No way to sugarcoat decision at Hostess Twinkie-maker CEO ready to liquidate if workers reject latest cuts September 09, 2012|Phil Rosenthal Hostess brand Twinkies move through a packaging line at a plant in Schiller Park. The parent company says it will be forced to liquidate if union members don’t approve the latest batch of concessions, which are up for a vote this week. (Tim Boyle, Getty Images) Hostess Brands is nothing like a Twinkie. The parent company's fate rests with a constituency that has grown hardened and sour. Union members, taxed by the givebacks already granted to an employer that's operated in bankruptcy for all but three of the past eight years, are to vote this week on the latest batch of negotiated concessions. Approval means another round of cuts. Wage compensation would immediately drop 8 percent for everyone, even management, but with the promise of a 3 percent bump the next year of the five-year deal. There would be sharp reductions in pension plan payments. "I plan to liquidate it if they vote no. That plan has been on the shelf for months," Hostess chief executive Gregory Rayburn said the other day after meeting with bakery workers in Schiller Park, birthplace of the Twinkie 82 years ago, as part of a national "town hall" tour of the Texas-based company's far-flung operations. The company filed for Chapter 11 protection in January. "This is their second time through and that's what drives a lot of the frustration and the anger, because they've been through concessions before and we're back in bankruptcy," Rayburn explained in an empty office before catching a flight to Portland, Maine. "Some people will vote no because they're angry and they're just done. … But I don't think I should be painting some rosy pictures because they've been through this drill." Hostess is at a crossroads because of problems not confined to your local grocer's shelves. Detroit was clobbered by them too: high labor and pension costs, plus ownership that failed to innovate. Where's my Hostess Ho Ho ice cream? If the deal goes through, Ripplewood Holdings, the New York private equity firm that gained control of Hostess as it emerged from the first bankruptcy in 2009, would be out its $70 million investment. "The last time, there were expectations of higher sales coming out of the box that were going to drive profitability and provide funding for investment in the business," Rayburn said. "Those didn't materialize. … This time around, we're taking a conservative view of what future performance is going to be. We're leaving the upside out of it." A restructuring specialist for nearly 30 years, Rayburn was thrust into the CEO's job in March after the abrupt resignation of Brian Driscoll, just 16 days after Rayburn came aboard as chief restructuring officer. Driscoll has since taken the CEO post at Diamond Foods. Unsecured Hostess creditors and unions in February had protested a Hostess effort in New York bankruptcy court to secure a lucrative pay and bonus package for Driscoll, who joined Hostess in 2010 and had been pushing the cost-cutting measures. Rather than take a Let Them Eat Suzy Q's stance, the company moved to reduce executive pay in April. Rayburn has said the company's lawyers, bankers and other bankruptcy advisers will forgo $60 million in fees, a discount of about 18 percent. And the proposal before the various collective bargaining units — the Teamsters and the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union represent more than 90 percent of Hostess' employees — is designed to share benefits and burdens of salvaging the company, which lost $341 million last fiscal year and carries about $1 billion in debt. It would hardly be a collective. But if approved, the union members would get a 25 percent equity stake in the company and would be in line for $100 million of the recovered debt. Unions would get two of the company's eight board slots and one seat on the board's executive compensation committee. "Coming out of the gate, they will have upside on the equity and their interests will be aligned with our lenders who are financing this," Rayburn said. Ken Hall, the Teamsters' general secretary-treasurer, said in an update to affected members that the union could not endorse the package: "But given that the likely consequence of rejecting it outright means the loss of your jobs, it is our duty to inform you … what the offer means to you and your livelihoods and to let you vote on your future and the future of Hostess." Besides cost savings from concessions, Hostess is looking to sell some or all of its Merita bakery operations in the Southeast to fund its post-bankruptcy operations. But Rayburn, who has held top positions at struggling companies like WorldCom and Muzak, said this is probably the most complex restructuring situation he has ever been involved with. "Part of that is the second-time-around nature of it," he said. "It's also a lot of different unions. It's a lot of contracts. We've had commodity prices spiking at Dust Bowl levels for corn. But at the end of the day, the sales have held. So the good news is there is a strong platform of demand for these iconic brands." If the unions nix the concessions, however, Rayburn said he would immediately put those brands on the block. He would prefer not to have to sell anything at all, including this proposal. "I really don't think you can sell (the proposal)," Rayburn said. "Do I hope that they vote 'yes'? I absolutely do because I think this company could be around another 70 years. I think there's a path for success and, based on my experience, this is how this company will get there. …These are the facts. They are hard facts. The choice is a hard choice." | Mid | [
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Wigs We help ... you decide. With over 500 wigs to choose from at Roches, in every imaginable style and colour you’re sure to find a look that suits. If we don’t have your perfect style we will find it or our expert hairdressers can create it. The choice can be confusing with all types of wigs from human hair, fibre hair, monofilament and hand tied so we offer guidance on the benefits of each type. We use our knowledge to recommend which is the most appropriate for your condition and lifestyle, show you samples of each and finally help you choose the cut and colour you love the most. Thank you so much for the call regarding my wigs. It was a relief to hear I was still entitled to another wig. Thank you again, I appreciate it more than you could ever know. Betty Darlington Custom made, bespoke wigs If you have a small head, a big head, very thick or very fine hair or you simply want a wig made to your exact specifications then we can do it. You can really let your imagination run wild with this one. You will need to allow a waiting period though of between 4 and 14 weeks depending on the piece. Cutting and styling of wigs Our staff are qualified hairdressers who are trained and experienced in cutting both fibre and human hair wigs and pieces. We find that cutting certain wigs can really personalise them and make them look more like the persons own hair. This is all done as part of our service to you. Looking after your wig Roches stocks a range of haircare products especially designed to keep your wig in tip-top condition. We designed our range of hair care shampoos and conditioners to clean your wig whilst improving its texture. For best results, we recommend drying your wig on a stand and finishing with fibre oil spray for a sleek and shiny finish. Finally, a light mist of hair spray will keep your wig looking good for longer. Shampoo Conditioner Fibre Oil Spray Hair Spray Care of your own hair during and after hair loss We are happy to advise you on care of your own hair and answer your questions about colouring and perming re-growth hair. When your hair starts to fall out, we can cut it short and when it starts to re-grow, we can even out the ends. This is part of our end to end service and takes place in the privacy of our private fitting rooms. Over 500 wigs in stock We have a selected range of wigs available on our online shop. Have a good look through at your own convenience and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01 492 6829. | High | [
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Keith Van Horn is a husband, father, entrepreneur, coach, writer and former University of Utah All-American and NBA Basketball Player. Read more about Keith's life, basketball career, philanthropy and current projects here. | Mid | [
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Q: If gypsum has been added into clinker during the production of cement,is curing process still needed to be carried out? Gypsum is used to prevent immediate stiffen and reduce heat loss of cement. If gypsum has already been added into cement,do we still need to undergo curing process after that? A: When gypsum is added to the concrete mix it changes some of its characteristics.Curing is the process in which the concrete is protected from loss of moisture and kept within a reasonable temperature range. Even if you were using gypsum alone, you would still need to add water: much less than concrete, but still... for the curing process, it depends on several factors(temperature, humidity, materials) But to answer your question, yes you should still carry out curing process. This is something that you just can't escape. | High | [
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Q: How can I solve the equation with integers as a solution? I want to solve the equation $$(x-1)^2 + (y-1)^2 + (z-1)^2 = 49$$ where $x$, $y$, $z$ are integer and $x \neq 1$, $y \neq 1$, $x \neq 1$. How do I tell Mathematica to do that? A: A geometrical view of the solutions: s = Solve[(x - 1)^2 + (y - 1)^2 + (z - 1)^2 == 49, {x, y, z}, Integers]; pts = {x, y, z} /. s; subs = Subsets[pts, {2}]; minds = Union[dists = N[EuclideanDistance @@@ subs]][[1 ;; 3]]; Show[Graphics3D[Sphere[{1, 1, 1}, 13/2]], Graphics3D[Line /@ Extract[subs, Position[dists, Alternatives @@ minds]]], ListPointPlot3D[pts, PlotStyle -> Directive[PointSize[Medium], Red]], Boxed -> False] Edit Another useful visualization: s = Solve[(x - 1)^2 + (y - 1)^2 + (z - 1)^2 == 49 && x != 1 && y != 1 && z != 1, {x, y, z}, Integers]; pts = {x, y, z} /. s; w = Sqrt@13; f[i_, k_] := RotateLeft[{w Cos@u, w Sin@u, k} + {1, 1, 0}, i]; Show[Graphics3D[Sphere[{1, 1, 1}, 13/2]], ParametricPlot3D[Flatten[{f[1, #], f[2, #], f[3, #]} & /@ {-5, 7}, 1], {u, 0, 2 Pi}], ListPointPlot3D[pts, PlotStyle -> Directive[PointSize[Large], Red]], Boxed -> False] Edit Note that the problem turns religious if you use 81 instead of 49: A: Try : Solve[(x - 1)^2 + (y - 1)^2 + (z - 1)^2 == 49, {x, y, z}, Integers] or Reduce[(x - 1)^2 + (y - 1)^2 + (z - 1)^2 == 49, {x, y, z}, Integers] You can add inequalities as well as : Solve[{(x - 1)^2 + (y - 1)^2 + (z - 1)^2 == 49, x != 1, y != 1, z != 1}, {x, y, z}, Integers] | Mid | [
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#2021: Code enhancements: changed the SymbolicExpressionTreeLinearCompiler to use and return an array directly and not a list.ToArray(). Replaced GetPrefixSequence lambda with a standalone method and eliminated SetSkip lambda from the PrepareInstructions method. Updated description of SymbolicDataAnalysisExpressionTreeLinearInterpreter. | Mid | [
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Two years ago, Time magazine declared NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to be The Enforcer. Now, he may be getting a different title. Goodell is among finalists for Time’s 2014 Person of the Year award. Editor Nancy Gibbs announced the eight-person slate on Monday’s TODAY show, with Goodell joined by Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, singer Taylor Swift, Ebola caregivers, and protestors in Ferguson, Missouri. The “winner” will be announced Wednesday. And Goodell surely hopes the “honor” begins and ends at just being nominated. Candidates are chosen based on perceived influence on the news over the past year. While the title implies that it’s a positive award, for Goodell it would become an opportunity for Time to dredge up and to summarize the various missteps that generated a series of negative headlines and, at one point in September, an ESPN-fueled feeding frenzy for his job. With the Robert Mueller investigation and report regarding the Ray Rice debacle still pending, a one-stop collection of the things that went wrong for the league office this year could become a fresh bucket of rotten chum. | Low | [
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the highest common factor of 253 and 143? 11 What is the highest common divisor of 36 and 90? 18 Calculate the greatest common factor of 44 and 1760. 44 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 128 and 512. 128 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 330 and 2550. 30 What is the greatest common divisor of 71 and 497? 71 What is the greatest common divisor of 416 and 260? 52 Calculate the greatest common factor of 1672 and 88. 88 What is the highest common factor of 3 and 25? 1 What is the greatest common divisor of 10 and 90? 10 Calculate the highest common divisor of 1199 and 11. 11 Calculate the highest common divisor of 88 and 8. 8 Calculate the greatest common factor of 2920 and 40. 40 Calculate the greatest common factor of 48 and 304. 16 Calculate the highest common divisor of 600 and 75. 75 What is the greatest common factor of 12631 and 17? 17 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 763 and 119. 7 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 11 and 6468. 11 What is the greatest common factor of 44 and 3630? 22 What is the greatest common divisor of 640 and 560? 80 What is the greatest common factor of 309 and 515? 103 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 23 and 851. 23 Calculate the greatest common factor of 40 and 32. 8 Calculate the highest common factor of 8 and 86. 2 What is the greatest common factor of 79 and 2133? 79 What is the greatest common factor of 486 and 297? 27 Calculate the greatest common factor of 328 and 82. 82 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 5205 and 15. 15 What is the highest common divisor of 2363 and 17? 17 What is the highest common factor of 2323 and 46? 23 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 1836 and 340. 68 Calculate the highest common divisor of 2132 and 468. 52 What is the highest common factor of 20 and 620? 20 Calculate the highest common factor of 28 and 161. 7 Calculate the greatest common factor of 475 and 19. 19 Calculate the greatest common factor of 451 and 3649. 41 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 49 and 196. 49 What is the greatest common factor of 1245 and 210? 15 What is the highest common factor of 34 and 2142? 34 Calculate the highest common factor of 517 and 141. 47 Calculate the highest common factor of 65 and 104. 13 What is the greatest common divisor of 15 and 2355? 15 Calculate the greatest common factor of 368 and 1127. 23 What is the greatest common divisor of 343 and 49? 49 What is the highest common factor of 48 and 36? 12 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 17 and 12223. 17 What is the greatest common divisor of 26 and 247? 13 What is the highest common divisor of 380 and 19? 19 Calculate the greatest common factor of 48 and 444. 12 Calculate the highest common divisor of 1832 and 21526. 458 What is the greatest common divisor of 114 and 18202? 38 Calculate the greatest common factor of 2074 and 244. 122 Calculate the highest common factor of 48 and 16476. 12 What is the greatest common factor of 69 and 322? 23 Calculate the highest common divisor of 45 and 333. 9 What is the highest common divisor of 23353 and 386? 193 What is the greatest common divisor of 146 and 1387? 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38 What is the highest common factor of 576 and 3528? 72 Calculate the highest common divisor of 62 and 341. 31 What is the greatest common factor of 645 and 1065? 15 What is the highest common factor of 6680 and 15? 5 What is the greatest common factor of 67 and 1139? 67 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 2457 and 39. 39 Calculate the highest common divisor of 6026 and 115. 23 What is the highest common factor of 221 and 13? 13 Calculate the highest common divisor of 306 and 1581. 51 Calculate the greatest common factor of 1505 and 860. 215 What is the highest common divisor of 90 and 10? 10 What is the greatest common factor of 15 and 15? 15 What is the highest common factor of 7710 and 5? 5 What is the greatest common factor of 1028 and 108? 4 What is the greatest common divisor of 2323 and 1111? 101 Calculate the highest common factor of 768 and 72. 24 Calculate the greatest common factor of 38 and 3629. 19 What is the highest common factor of 1375 and 880? 55 Calculate the highest common divisor of 76 and 2755. 19 Calculate the greatest common factor of 252 and 108. 36 What is the greatest common factor of 418 and 38? 38 What is the greatest common factor of 486 and 18? 18 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 588 and 12. 12 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 25956 and 36. 36 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 117 and 923. 13 What is the highest common factor of 27 and 585? 9 What is the highest common divisor of 10262 and 14? 14 What is the highest common factor of 18 and 63? 9 Calculate the highest common divisor of 1175 and 125. 25 Calculate the greatest common factor of 294 and 154. 14 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 19 and 5. 1 What is the greatest common factor of 243 and 3? 3 What is the highest common factor of 3667 and 2123? 193 What is the highest common factor of 2028 and 24? 12 What is the highest common factor of 100 and 116? 4 Calculate the highest common divisor of 2812 and 95. 19 What is the highest common divisor of 4 and 8? 4 What is the highest common factor of 74 and 1998? 74 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 37 and 629. 37 Calculate the highest common factor of 2 and 82. 2 What is the highest common factor of 8645 and 285? 95 What is the highest common divisor of 6 and 804? 6 What is the greatest common divisor of 1566 and 54? 54 Calculate the highest common factor of 650 and 52. 26 What is the highest common factor of 10971 and 207? 207 What is the highest common divisor of 451 and 3280? 41 Calculate the greatest common factor of 16 and 24. 8 Calculate the greatest common factor of 57 and 57. 57 Calculate the greatest common factor of 52 and 1300. 52 What is the greatest common divisor of 288 and 9? 9 What is the highest common divisor of 90 and 120? 30 Calculate the greatest common factor of 201 and 3. 3 Calculate the highest common factor of 762 and 6. 6 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 61 and 488. 61 Calculate the highest common divisor of 88 and 1100. 44 What is the greatest common factor of 1456 and 884? 52 Calculate the highest common factor of 116 and 8. 4 What is the greatest common divisor of 322 and 14? 14 What is the greatest common factor of 64 and 400? 16 What is the highest common divisor of 108 and 4842? 18 Calculate the greatest common divisor of 483 and 567. 21 What is the greatest common factor of 667 and 29? 29 What is the highest common divisor of 1108 and 4? 4 Calculate the highest common divisor of 114 and 513. 57 Calculate the highest common divisor of 1580 and 110. 10 Calculate the highest common factor of 1369 and 222. 37 What is the highest common factor of 216 and 20358? 54 What is the greatest common factor of 3406 and 26? 26 Calculate the greatest common factor of 44 and 1782. 22 Calculate the highest common divisor of 162 and 144. 18 What is the highest common factor of 1010 and 30? 10 What is the highest common divisor of 8 and 2456? 8 What is the greatest common divisor of 15 and 35? 5 Calculate the greatest common d | Low | [
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/* DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE * Automatically generated by toolchain/trunk/proc-defs/sh/create-arch-headers.sh * DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE */ #ifndef __MACH_CDEF_BLACKFIN__ #define __MACH_CDEF_BLACKFIN__ #ifdef __ADSPBF522__ # include "mach-bf527/BF522_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF523__ # include "mach-bf527/BF523_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF524__ # include "mach-bf527/BF524_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF525__ # include "mach-bf527/BF525_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF526__ # include "mach-bf527/BF526_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF527__ # include "mach-bf527/BF527_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF531__ # include "mach-bf533/BF531_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF532__ # include "mach-bf533/BF532_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF533__ # include "mach-bf533/BF533_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF534__ # include "mach-bf537/BF534_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF536__ # include "mach-bf537/BF536_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF537__ # include "mach-bf537/BF537_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF541__ # include "mach-bf548/BF541_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF542__ # include "mach-bf548/BF542_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF544__ # include "mach-bf548/BF544_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF547__ # include "mach-bf548/BF547_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF548__ # include "mach-bf548/BF548_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF549__ # include "mach-bf548/BF549_cdef.h" #endif #ifdef __ADSPBF561__ # include "mach-bf561/BF561_cdef.h" #endif #endif /* __MACH_CDEF_BLACKFIN__ */ | Low | [
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May 15, 2017 Alchemy of Fabric- Guest Blogger Jen Kingwell For the past few days, Jen Kingwell has been here at the Stitchin' Post teaching. We asked her to write a guest blog about her thoughts on neutral fabrics. These are her thoughts: On Using Neutrals I'm a lover of scrap quilts and I know that is no surprise to anyone! When it comes to using neutrals I use very much the same approach. A mixture of many many shades and prints adds visual interest for me. The definition of neutral "not supporting or helping either side in a conflict" I'm not sure about this when it comes to fabric choices! I think neutrals are incredibly supportive and can actually alter the whole mood of your project. Try a little experiment. Take some of your favourite fabrics from your stash and lay them out on a clear white background. Then on a cream background. Any difference in the relationship between those fabrics? Now try grey! The real change will happen as soon as you do this. Any background that has a grey base eg taupe, will pull back the intensity of colour in those fabrics. It's almost like you have just added a drop of black to your paint palate. I love vintage quilts and as the fabric in these are aged they have quite often altered and "discoloured" I love to mix my neutrals to give a similar effect, mostly grey based but with a hint of creams and whites to give that slightly "off" look. Neutrals as backgrounds are great but consider a whole quilt in them. They don't always have to play the supporting role. I am currently working on a new "neutral quilt" with a hint of colour. It's so much fun. It's my new fabric range showing at St Louis Quiltmarket. It's a line of wovens which will add texture to you neutral palate. Look around you on your next outing, take in the subtle colours of nature and how they relate. Remember to explore possibilities, quilt outside the lines and above all have fun. Make all things with joy and keep in mind not everyone likes the same thing. I once heard the amazing Freddy Moran say "red is a neutral" On that note I will leave you to think about your "neutral" Jen xxx Our intention for creating the "Alchemy of Fabric" club is to provide the spark... the catalyst... the inspiration... for a project that your color palette is built upon. We have a monthly tutorial of insights on each fabric chosen. We have also included 10 other recommended fabrics to expand from the core fabrics and further guide your choices. We are excited to share this educational opportunity as a study in color and fabric as well as build your artist palette of fabrics. As you practice designing your project from many different designers and collections our hope is to facilitate greater confidence and empowerment in your creative pursuits.. At the Stitchin' Post were are committed to creativity and inspiration and we are now embarking on a journey opening to new options together as the "Alchemy of Fabric" unfolds each month. Please share with us what the spark has ignited in you using the hashtag "#AlchemyofFabric" on your preferred social media platform, so others can be inspired by your work! You can also search #AlchemyofFabric to see what others have done, and to gain your own inspiration. | High | [
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Snowsports Douche bags at ski hills aren't a new phenomenon. Whether it's the aggressive adrenalin junkies yelling at you from the lifts in hopes you'll fall in glorious YouTube-ranking fashion or the rich folks in $5,000 fur-lined one-piece ski suits, they're everywhere. Now there's a new kind of a Douchebag that is designed to actually make your ski day more fun. Douchebags in this case is simply a clever (it got your attention, didn't it?) name for a newly launched ski accessories company whose first product is a feature-filled ski bag that should make getting to and from the slopes - whether it be flying and shuttling to an exotic resort or just driving to your local hill - easier and more efficient. Read More Danish based Big Architects has revealed plans to develop the Levi Resort in Lapland. Named the Koutalaki Ski Village, the futuristic development will sit on the mountain ridge of the Levi Ski center overlooking Sirkka village in the municipality of Kittila. The design seeks to create a new hybrid resort which integrates the village with roof top skiing from a man-made "peak." Read More Shooting video while you're riding a motorcycle, steering a jet ski, or skiing down the slopes of your favorite mountain isn't exactly easy, especially if you're trying to shoot that video with your smartphone. Optrix is aiming to make that process a little simpler by creating the Optrix HD, a rugged water-proof case for the iPhone and iPod touch that can be mounted on your helmet, bike, or anything else to shoot video while you're literally on the move. Read More Sweden's CF Møller Architects has just signed off on the new and spectacular Skipark 360°- set to be the largest indoor ski resort in the world. The winter park will house the only indoor ski slope to meet the requirements for hosting the World Cup, measuring 700 meters (2,297 feet) long and with a drop of 160 meters (525 feet). With an impressive height close to 135 meters (443 feet), the sporting facility will create a striking landmark, positioned in a forest located in Balsta, 45 minutes outside Stockholm. Read More Dainese has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Ski Federation (FIS) to bring its D-Air wearable airbag technology to Alpine slopes. The project is currently in early stages of testing where the dynamics of ski racing are being investigated in order to tailor the existing motorcycle-specific technology to the needs of ski racers. Read More One of the toughest jobs in cross-country skiing – apart from dragging yourself away from the log fire in the bar at the chalet – is adjusting ski bindings mid-journey. Riskprotect has designed bindings that automatically adjust to an incline or decline and remove the risk of skiers injuring themselves by attempting awkward maneuvers while off-piste. Read More Google has ripped the camera rig off one of its Street View cars and slung it on a snowmobile to bring slope view to Google Maps. Now web skiers will be able to experience some of the runs the world’s best skiers will be racing down when the Winter Olympics kicks off this week. The slope-level imagery complements new aerial imagery of the Vancouver-Whistler area to give sports fans a different perspective of competition venues and courses. Read More The result of a design collaboration between Bentley’s Styling Studio and the high-end Swiss ski manufacturer zai, only 250 numbered sets of these limited edition handmade black skis will be made. Zaiìra®, the novel composite material used in the skis, was originally created for use in the latest generation of aircraft. It contains carbon fibres that are used on the skis’ top layer, in combination with natural rubber in the central part, as well as a carbon fabric in composition with chrome steel in the torsion part and long carbon fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites (LFRTP). This combination of technology and performance give maximum performance with minimum weight as well as the ability to lie firmly and reliably in the snow, whatever its condition. Read More Avalanche airbags, designed to prevent burial in an avalanche by providing extra buoyancy, aren’t new but until now skiers have had to activate the bag themselves. If they don’t realise in time they have set of an avalanche it may be too late for the airbag to be of use, resulting in burial and often, death. ABS has introduced a world-first - a remote, networked electronic system which allows airbag inflation to be triggered by other members of a skiing party, allowing them to help each other in an emergency. The new wireless system can be retrofitted to old-style backpacks with double airbags. Read More | Low | [
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U.K. Seeks to Extend Exemption From Tax for Artists’ Heirs Citing the global economic crisis, the British government announced it intends to extend its current exemption from a tax on the resale of works by deceased artists for an additional two years, until 2012. The resale tax currently in effect in the U.K. applies only to sales of works by living artists. NEW YORK—Citing the global economic crisis, the British government announced it intends to extend its current exemption from a tax on the resale of works by deceased artists for an additional two years, until 2012. The resale tax currently in effect in the U.K. applies only to sales of works by living artists. In a Dec. 18 letter to Charlie McCreevy, the European commissioner for internal market and services, John Denham, secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, explained the government’s rationale: “The current economic climate could only but affect the U.K. market’s ability to cope with the application of artist’s resale right to the works of deceased artists.” Denham said application of the tax to sales of works by deceased artists would “mean a four-fold increase in the number of transactions subject to resale right. … It is doubtful whether the U.K. art market could deal with these changes during such a difficult economic climate.” In 2006, despite considerable resistance from art dealers and auction houses, the U.K. fell into line with most of the other countries in the European Union (EU) and began charging the tax known as droit de suite, or artists’ resale royalty fees, on the resale of works by living artists. The droit de suite entitles artists and other authors of original works of art to a royalty each time one of their works is resold in a transaction involving an art market professional. The EU directive was passed by a majority of the European Parliament on Oct. 13, 2001, as part of the harmonization of tax laws among EU member states. Currently the maximum amount of resale royalties payable is €12,500, or $17,620, and the tax applies to sales valued at €1,000 or more. Countries that did not already have the artists’ resale right in effect when the directive was passed in 2001 were allowed the option of waiting until Jan. 1, 2010, with the option to extend the deadline until Jan. 1, 2012, to allow those countries “to adapt gradually to the resale right system while maintaining their economic viability.” In his letter to McCreevy, Denham said applying the additional tax could mean that art sales would be diverted “outside the EU to countries without the resale right. … If the U.K. market shrinks then the U.K. art trade will buy and sell fewer works of art from artists, which will make the financial situation of living artists even more difficult.” Earlier this year French president Nicolas Sarkozy attempted to give his country’s art market a lift by seeking to partially eliminate the droit de suite that French art owners must pay when they choose to resell an artwork. Sarkozy reportedly wrote to European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, calling for the ARR to be limited to works by living artists indefinitely throughout the European Union (ANL, 11/11/08). The London-based Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), which represents 36,000 fine artists, photographers, illustrators and animators and their heirs, and manages the artist’s resale right on behalf of artists, is strongly opposed to the extension. In a report submitted to the government last September, the DACS states that “there is no justification, economic or moral,” for extending the exemption, adding that critics of the droit de suite “have produced no compelling evidence … as to how the U.K. art market has been damaged” by implementation of the tax. The DACS report argues that the amount of the tax is so small compared with the prices of sales that “Artist’s Resale Right, whether confined to living artists or extended to the beneficiaries of deceased artists, could not possibly influence the size or operation of the U.K. market, up or down.” | Low | [
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Facilitating colorectal cancer cell metastasis by targeted binding of long non-coding RNA ENSG00000231881 with miR-133b via VEGFC signaling pathway. Colorectal cancer mainly metastasizes through the lymphatic pathways and is associated with a high mortality rate. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. In this study, the effects of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ENSG00000231881 on the metastasis of colorectal cancer cells were evaluated. The expression level of ENSG00000231881 in colorectal cancer tissues was detected with bioinformatics analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Functional colorectal cancer cell models for the overexpression and interference expression of ENSG00000231881 were established. MTT, transwell, tube formation, qPCR, and western blot assays were performed to detect changes in various cellular functions and expression levels of key factors (miR-133b and vascular endothelial growth factor C [VEGFC]) in ENSG00000231881 functional models. Dual luciferase assay was performed to verify the binding relationship between ENSG00000231881 and miR-133b. ENSG00000231881 expression level was substantially higher in colorectal cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues and correlated with malignancy and prognosis. In colorectal cancer cells, ENSG00000231881 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation, metastasis, and tube formation in lymphatic epithelium, decreased miR-133b expression, and increased VEGFC expression. On the contrary, ENSG00000231881 interference expression showed exactly opposite results. ENSG00000231881 could bind to miR-133b and consequently affect the cell functions through the regulation of VEGFC expression via miR-133b. ENSG00000231881 binds to miR-133b via competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism and regulates the VEGFC signaling pathway, consequently leading to the metastasis of colorectal cancer cells. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the use of ENSG00000231881 as a therapeutic target for gene-targeted therapy in colorectal cancer. | High | [
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103 F.Supp. 210 (1951) HERBER et al. v. JONES. Civ. No. 4990. United States District Court W. D. Oklahoma. August 31, 1951. *211 Reynolds & Ridings, Oklahoma City, Okl. for plaintiff. Robert E. Shelton, U. S. Atty., Oklahoma City, Okl. for defendant. RICE, Chief Judge. The above matter came on for a pre-trial hearing on the 4th day of May, 1951. Findings of Fact I. Prior to the pre-trial, parties entered into a written stipulation of facts as follows: "It is hereby stipulated (without limiting either party in the presentation of any other items of proof, either related or unrelated to the matters herein referred to) as follows: "First Cause of Action "1. The plaintiffs filed a joint income tax return as Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Herber for the calendar year 1945 on March 15, 1946, showing a net income of $458.82 on which no tax was paid as the personal exemptions exceeded the net income shown on the return. "2. The net income disclosed by the original return for 1945 was composed of the following items: (a) Finley & Herber, Partnership $8,423.25 (b) Loss From Farming (7,314.29) _________ Adjusted Gross Income $1,108.96 Less: Oklahoma Income Tax 650.14 _________ Net Income $ 458.82 "3. In his report advising of a deficiency in tax, dated May 31, 1948, the Revenue Agent, Travis E. Rattan, made the following adjustments to net income: (a) Partnership income increased $ 9,002.33 (b) Farm loss decreased 4,170.91 __________ Increase in net income $13,173.24 "4. The following adjustment was made in the report advising of an increase in net income of the Finley and Herber Partnership, for 1945: (a) Net income as disclosed by return $ 16,846.49 As corrected 34,851.16 ___________ $ 18,004.67 (b) Car purchases decreased $ 11,247.59 Explanation of Adjustment: Purchases per actual disbursement $254,143.33 Add: Trade-Ins 40,416.50 ___________ Total $294,559.83 Less: Over-ceiling amounts paid for cars 14,746.34 ___________ $279,813.49 Purchases claimed on return $291,061.08 Purchases corrected 279,813.49 ___________ Adjustment $ 11,247.59 "Defendant does not stipulate that the item `over-ceiling amounts paid for cars *212 $14,746.34' is true, but expects plaintiffs to prove that the amount of $14,746.34 does in fact represent over-ceiling amounts paid for cars. None of the other adjustments made are at issue. "5. The notice advising of a deficiency disclosed additional tax due in the amount of $3,850.75 and a 5% negligence penalty of $192.54 which was paid on November 17, 1948, to H. C. Jones, Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Oklahoma. "6. The plaintiffs filed a claim for refund on February 10, 1949, within the statutory period in the amount of $2,772.75, which consisted of $2,640.71 income tax and $132.04 negligence penalty. This claim was denied by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on November 4, 1949. "Second Cause of Action "1. The plaintiffs filed a joint income tax return for 1946 as H. S. and Maurine Herber on March 15, 1947, showing a net income of $2,178.31 on which income tax was paid in the amount of $128.88. "2. The net income disclosed by the original return for 1946 was composed of the following items: (a) Income from used car business $5,271.40 (b) Loss from farming (6,747.34) (c) Finley & Herber, Partnership 3,929.57 _________ Adjusted Gross Income $2,453.63 Less: Ad valorem and sales tax 98.00 Medical expense 177.32 275.32 _________ Net income per return $2,178.31 "3. In his report advising of a deficiency in tax, dated May 31, 1948, Travis E. Rattan made the following adjustments to net income: (a) Business income increased $ 4,597.26 (b) Farm loss decreased 4,175.73 (c) Medical expense disallowed 177.32 (d) Partnership income increased 1,723.49 __________ $10,673.80 "4. The following adjustment to business income was made in the report dated May 31, 1948, advising of an increase in business income for 1946: Purchases per return $91,314.01 Less: over-ceiling payments for cars 3,993.59 __________ Purchases corrected $87,320.42 "Defendant does not stipulate that the item `over-ceiling payments for cars $3,993.59' is true, but expects plaintiffs to prove that the amount of $3,993.59 does in fact represent over-ceiling amounts paid for cars. Other adjustments made to business income are not at issue. "5. The following adjustment was made in his report dated May 31, 1948 advising of an increase in net income of the Finley & Herber partnership: Purchases per actual disbursements $47,791.31 Add: Trade-ins 9,248.75 __________ Total $57,040.06 Less: Over-ceiling payments for cars 3,584.20 __________ Purchases corrected $53,455.86 Purchases per return $55,446.35 Purchases corrected 53,455.86 __________ Adjustment $ 1,990.49 "Defendant does not stipulate that the item `over-ceiling payments for cars $3,584.20' is true, but expects plaintiffs to prove that the amount of $3,584.20 does in fact represent over-ceiling amounts paid for cars. No other adjustments to partnership income are at issue. "6. The adjustment disallowing the medical expense deduction is not at issue. "7. The notice advising of a deficiency disclosed additional tax due of $2,867.23 and a 5% negligence penalty of $143.36, which was paid to H. C. Jones, Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Oklahoma on November 17, 1948. *213 "8. The plaintiffs filed a claim for refund on February 10, 1949, within the statutory period in the amount of $1,901.77 which consisted of $1,811.21 income tax and $90.56 negligence penalty. This claim was denied by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on November 6, 1949." II. At the pre-trial hearing the defendant filed an amended answer and attached to the amended answer a copy of a waiver which the plaintiffs had filed, said waiver being as follows: "Form 870 Treasury Department Internal Revenue Service (Revised June 1941) "Waiver of Restrictions on Assessment and Collection of Deficiency in Tax "Pursuant to the provisions of section 272(d) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 272(d)], and/or the corresponding provisions of prior internal revenue laws, the restrictions provided in section 272(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and/or the corresponding provisions of prior internal revenue laws, are hereby waived and consent is given to the assessment and collection of the following deficiency or deficiencies in tax: taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1943 income tax in the sum of $ 3,711.12 taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1944 income tax in the sum of $11,136.40 taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1945 income tax in the sum of $ 3,850.75 taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1946 income tax in the sum of $ 2,867.23 amounting to the total sum of $21,565.50 __________ together with interest thereon as provided by law. 50% 5% Penalties as follows: Penalty Penalty ___________ ___________ Taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1943 $1,855.56 Taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1944 5,568.20 Taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1945 192.54 Taxable year ended Dec. 31, 1946 143.36 __________ ______ $7,423.76 $335.90 $7,759.66 __________ Total Income Tax and Penalties ............................. $29,325.16 "The taxpayer agrees: (1) To make payment of the deficiency, together with interest as provided by law; (2) not to file or prosecute any claim for refund for income taxes for the years 1943-1944-1945-and 1946; and (3) upon request of the Commissioner, to execute at any time a final closing agreement as to the tax liability on the foregoing basis for the said years under the provisions of Section 3760 of the Internal Revenue Code. "_________ Taxpayer _________ Taxpayer _________ Taxpayer 3009 N. W. 19th, Okla. City, Oklahoma. "Date _____ By ______." *214 III. Thereafter, at the pre-trial hearing it was admitted by the parties that there remained no issues of fact, and that the sole issues remaining in the case were two legal questions: (1) whether or not the plaintiffs by signing the waiver set forth in Finding No. II were precluded from bringing this action; (2) whether or not the plaintiffs, in the conduct of their automobile business, were entitled to include as a part of the cost of their automobiles amounts paid in excess of ceiling prices. It was agreed by the parties that the disallowance of sums paid for automobiles in excess of ceiling prices resulted in an increase in the plaintiffs' taxes in the exact amount sued for. It was further agreed that such sums were disallowed as part of the cost of the automobiles because of the ruling of the Internal Revenue Department, I.T. 3724, XXXX-X-XX-XXX, to the effect that amounts paid in excess of the ceiling prices established by the Office of Price Administration may not be allowed either as a part of the cost of the goods sold or as a business deduction in computing income taxes. It was further agreed that if such sums should be considered as a part of the costs of the automobiles, plaintiffs were entitled to recover unless precluded by reason of the execution of the waiver above mentioned. IV. The parties thereupon submitted the cause for decision upon the written stipulation and subsequent oral statements made at the pre-trial hearing and thereupon briefed the legal questions involved. Conclusions of Law I. This court has jurisdiction of the parties and subject matter of the action. II. Plaintiffs are not barred or precluded from maintaining this action by reason of signing the waiver set forth in Findings of Fact No. II. III. Plaintiffs, by their admission, violated the provisions of the Emergency Price Control Act, 56 U.S.Stat. 23. Upon conviction in an appropriate action, under Section 205 of said Act, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 925, both fine and imprisonment might have been imposed. To sustain the contention of the Government would in effect be imposing a penalty in this action for violating the Emergency Price Control Act. IV. Congress, by the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution, was empowered "to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived * * *." Gross income, for the purpose of this action, includes gains and profits derived from the sales of the automobiles in question, 26 U.S.C. § 22. Money actually paid, although in excess of the prevailing ceiling price, for the purchase price of an article cannot be classified as a gain, profit or income. V. The action of the Internal Revenue agent in deducting sums paid in excess of the ceiling price from the purchase price of the automobiles in question was and is without authority of law. The Court of Tax Appeals has so held in at least two cases; Sullenger v. C. I. R., 11 T.C. 1076, and McCullough v. C. I. R., Tax Court Memo dated July 14, 1949. VI. Plaintiffs under the stipulation and admitted facts are entitled to a judgment on each cause of action in the amount sued for. Attorney for the plaintiffs will prepare an appropriate Decree in conformity with the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and submit to the court for signing and entering in the United States District Courtroom, Federal Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at two p. m., September 10, 1951. | Low | [
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The structure of affective symptoms in a sample of young adults. Symptoms of bipolar disorders include depression and mania. The term "bipolar" implies states that are opposite to each other. Construing scales that define mania and depression as opposite ends of one dimension cannot account for the existence of mixed symptoms. One self-report instrument, the Internal State Scale (ISS), combines both dimensions in one measure. However, the ISS only assesses internal subjective states and does not tap other typical and more objective symptoms of (hypo-) mania. To explore the factorial structure of affective symptoms in a general population sample, we extended the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), adding items to assess manic symptoms as described in DSM-IV. The scale was completed by 2,059 young adults. The results for the original CES-D are comparable to prior studies. Factor-analysis for the extended CES-D revealed two factors in women and men: most manic symptoms loaded high on a factor "euphoria-activation," whereas the other factor included all typical dysphoric-depressive symptoms, but also included the "manic symptoms" of distractibility and irritability. Our results support a two-factor model of bipolar symptoms in the general population with irritability being more closely associated with dysphoria than euphoria. The implications and limitations of the present results are discussed. | High | [
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Next step, get them out. I'd rather they keep the burqas on. As far as I am concerned, they just want assimilation. Thats where I am on the issue. In general I hate the burka and the site of it makes me feel sick seeing it in a western country, but at the same time I don't want them assimilated as the more Westenised they appear the harder it will be to convince the general public that they are a threat. Thats where I am on the issue. In general I hate the burka and the site of it makes me feel sick seeing it in a western country, but at the same time I don't want them assimilated as the more Westenised they appear the harder it will be to convince the general public that they are a threat. Its like when European 'leaders' spoke out against the failure of multiculturalism. The intent was to integrate not to stop mass immigration. But at least its drawing attention to the fact that muslims are not liked and hopefully more people feel comfortable speaking out against mass 3rd world immigration in general. Certainly not a victory by any means( because there are still over 500,000 muslims currently in Belgium), although certainly a step in the right direction! __________________ People who think that they know everything are really annoying to those of us who actually do.- some drunk guy at Barney's Billiards Anti-Racists have this new elite fighting style where they slam their face against your fist to bruise your knuckles.- Whitey McWhite(Valhalla) Quote: Originally Posted by Holy Roman Emperor During the Renaissance learned astronomers who said that the earth orbited the sun were intimidated into silence - we too live in such an age where belief is more important than scientific inquiry. Hopefully, in years to come, people like Dr. James Watson and perhaps even leaders of the WN movement will be seen as the Galileos of our time. Unfortunately, until that time comes, if it ever does, we'll have to endure the ridicule of ignorant indoctrinated people who think that they're smart because they parrot what they are taught. "It is quite logical that, in most societies, the preparation and conclusion of marriages should be the business of the whole group, and not of the agents directly concerned. Through the introduction of new members into a family, a clan, or a club, the whole definition of the group, i.e., its fines, its boundaries, and its identity, is put at stake, exposed to redefinition, alteration, adulteration." - Pierre Bourdieu, sociologist | Mid | [
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// // DelegateProxy.h // SwipeTransition // // Created by Tatsuya Tanaka on 20171222. // Copyright © 2017年 tattn. All rights reserved. // #import <Foundation/Foundation.h> @interface STDelegateProxy : NSObject - (nonnull instancetype)initWithDelegates:(NSArray<id> * __nonnull)delegates NS_REFINED_FOR_SWIFT; @end | Low | [
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Transitions Lenses Transitions lenses continuously adapt to changing light, bringing out the best in everything you see. So life looks more vivid, more vibrant, more true. Transitions lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB light and are available for most any frame or prescription. Eighty-eight percent of people who try Transitions lenses love them. Ask your eyecare professional which Transitions lenses may be right for you! Transitions® Signature™ lenses have Chromea7™ technology, which makes them more responsive to direct and indirect sunlight. They are as clear as an ordinary lens indoors and darken to just the right amount of tint outdoors. Great for: Those interested in outdoor comfort provided by adaptive lenses but only if they are fully clear indoors Those who spend a typical amount of time indoors vs. outdoors Those who currently wear clear lenses and are new to Transitions lenses. Transitions® XTRActive® lenses provide more activation for extra protection. They are the only Transitions lenses that activate behind the car’s windshield by reacting to visible light. Transitions XTRActive lenses have a comfortable hint of tint indoors to shield the eyes from harsh indoor light. Great for: Those interested in protecting their eyes from all kinds of light, indoors and out Those who are frequently both indoors and outdoors Those who want a lens that darkens in the car Transitions® Vantage™ lenses give you crisper, sharper vision outdoors, even in the brightest glare. These lenses not only adapt to changing light outdoors, but also polarize as they darken. They are the only lenses with variable polarization which adjusts to match the level of outdoor glare. Great for: Those who appreciate more vibrant and vivid visual experiences Those who spend more time outdoors, and are looking for lenses for their outdoor activities | High | [
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Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and previous neural tube defects. A case-control study involving 63 pregnancies showed that women who had previously had an infant with anencephaly or spina bifida did not have raised serum alpha-fetroprotein (AFP) levels in subsequent unaffected pregnancies. The value of a serum AFP determination in such women is discussed. If the serum AFP level is normal and if ultrasonography excludes anencephaly the risk of spina bifida might be low enough (about 1 per cent) to make diagnostic amniocentesis difficult to justify. Conversely, a high serum AFP value in such women should not be acted on without confirmation of an abnormality by ultrasonography and, if that is negative, by diagnostic amniocentesis. | Mid | [
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Singh is charged by the feds with tens of millions of dollars in bribery, fraud and tax evasion charges. Among his alleged crimes was scamming $950,000 from FEMA by inflating claims of Hurricane Sandy damage. Mangano has been under a shadow since 2013, when Nassau County awarded a $12 million public works contract to AbTech, an Arizona-based environmental company. AbTech got the plum county contract soon after hiring Adam Skelos, son of now-jailed Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.* The looming charges center on Mangano’s tiesto federally-indicted Long Island restaurant magnate Harendra Singh, and will allege that Mangano helped Singh with business deals and in return was treated to free vacations and other perks, sources said Wednesday.* Ed Mangano to be charged with federal corruption(NYP) In Exchange for Contracts Singh Paid for Mangano Trips Hired His Wife What Did He Do for de Blasio? Ed Mangano will not resign, calls ‘pay-for-play’ charges nonsense(NYP)Nassau County’s top elected official enjoyed free Caribbean vacations and a Brookstone massage chair — while his wife raked in $450,000 for a no-show job as a “food taster” — in a pay-for-play scheme, the feds said Thursday. County Executive Ed Mangano was arrested Thursday morning with his wife, Linda, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto. The two pols allegedly raked in graft in exchange for doling out lucrative contracts and underwriting $20 million in loans to local restaurateur Harendra Singh. “This is not just, ‘I am your friend, let me do this for you.’ This is, ‘In my capacity as county executive, as an executive of the town of Oyster Bay, I am doing this in exchange for something better,’ ” said US Attorney Robert Capers. Singh would ply Mangano and his family with lavish trips and pricey gadgets while making sure Venditto was squired around town in a limo and given a free party room at his eateries, the feds and sources said. Singh also gave Linda Mangano the no-show job at a restaurant in Queens, keeping her on the payroll between April 2010 and August 2014, prosecutors said.In exchange, Singh was given food contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and got the town of Oyster Bay to guarantee four loans he received from a bank and a private financing company, the 13-count, 19-page indictment says. On Thursday, the feds raided Mangano’s home, recovering a few of the items Singh allegedly gave the family in exchange — including an ergonomic massage chair and a more than $7,000 watch. The charges against Mangano and Venditto include conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and honest-services fraud. If convicted, they face up to 20 years behind bars for each honest-services fraud charge. The three were also charged with obstructing justice for allegedly concocting false stories with Singh in to hide their dealings. Mangano faces up to 20 years for an extortion charge. Venditto and Linda Mangano face up to five years for making false statements.* Once Again, a No-Show Job Plays a Role in a New YorkGraft Case(NYT) Corrupt to the core: The sordid case of NassauCounty Executive Ed Mangano and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto(NYDN Ed) The documented bribery started just three months into Mangano’s term, on April 9, 2010, when Linda Mangano got her first paycheck for a nonexistent job from restaurateur Harendra Singh (who is cooperating with the feds).She would wind up pocketing more than $450,000 for work as a “food taster.” Besides the paychecks, Singh paid for Mangano vacations from Niagara Falls to the Caribbean, a $7,304 wristwatch, a $3,000 massage chair, a $2,000 desk chair and even hardwood flooring in the Manganos’ bedroom. In return, prosecutors allege, Mangano and Venditto greased Singh with government-backed loan guarantees from Town of Oyster Bay and food services contracts with the county — including supplying bread and rolls to the county jail. As they await trial and possible prison time, Mangano and Venditto, loyal cogs in Boss Joe Mondello’s Nassau GOP machine, must resign — and give government on Long Island a fighting chance to clean itself up. Meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Mangano should be sure to enjoy their hardwood floors. The floors where they could well be heading are made of cold concrete. *Newsweek writesthat Mangano and Venditto should resign because they can’t fulfill their duties as they contend with federal charges of corruption, which Newsweek calls stunning “only in the pettiness of the gifts allegedly taken.” NYT See Mangano Arrest As A Way to Win A Democrat Majority in the Senate LI Pol At the Center of A Federal Investigation Caught in Sexting Blames Hackers Long Island politicianclaims hackers responsible for sexting exchanges (NYDN) Is he the suburban Carlos Danger? Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was caught swapping X-rated text messages with several women, WCBS-TV reported Saturday night. The lurid sexting scandal featured one exchange where a woman wrote Mangano, “I want you to f--k my brains out even if it’s in my car again,” according to the WCBS exclusive.* CBS2 Exclusive: Ed Mangano Scandal * The woman implicated in a “sexting” scandal with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano is in the midst of divorcing her husband, who told the NY Post he suspects she may have been involved with a different man. My wife was having an affair — but not with Nassau exec (NYP) The woman implicated in a “sexting” scandal with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano is in the midst of divorcing her husband, who told The Post he suspects she may have been involved with a different man. But Alexander Caro said Sunday that his soon-to-be ex, who runs a public-relations firm called BluChip Marketing, did score no-bid contracts from NassauCounty with Mangano’s help. Karin Caro met Mangano through connections at the famed OhekaCastle, whose owner, Gary Melius, was shot in the face during a still-unsolved ambush there two years ago, Alexander told The Post. “These were people I didn’t really want to do business with. And she went and got a contract without a public bid, which was a bad idea because they didn’t go through the normal bidding process,” he said. “How she was able to get it, I really don’t know, but it wasn’t right.”Meanwhile, both Mangano and Karin Caro on Sunday denied sending steamy text messages to each other. CBS2 first reported the allegations and said the messages involved a user identified as both “Ed M” and “Ed Mangano.” In one message, a woman told “Ed Mangano”: “I want you to (blank) my brains out even if it’s in my car again,” according to CBS2. * A marketing company executive linked to Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano through disputed racy messages received two no-bid county contracts of the kind critics have said are designed to avoid public scrutiny, Newsday reports * Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas should subpoena the records of the wireless providers of Mangano and a marketing executive linked to the alleged exchange of explicit texts, and the truth must be straightforward, Newsday writes: * Newsday calls for Nassau County DA Madeline Singas to be brought into the Mangano sext message scandal investigation. * * Despite public statements to the contrary, Nassau County police did not receive a formal criminal complaint into whether someone hacked County Executive Ed Mangano’s cellphone to make it appear that he exchanged sexually charged text messages with a public relations executive, Newsday reports: * Sources tell Newsday there will be no formal criminal complaint filed in the texting case involving Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.* The Nassau County Police Department did not receive a formal criminal complaint into whether someone hacked Nassau County Edward Mangano’s cellphone to make it appear that he exchanged sexually charged text messages with a PR executive — contrary to public statements made by both Mangano and the department.* Sources: Mangano Never Signed Criminal Complaint ForHacking Claims * A Suffolk marketing executive, linked to Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano in a reported exchange of sexually suggestive texts, helped promote a 2013 county fundraiser that was touted as helping veterans, but the checks went to a private group whose records have been subpoenaed by federal investigators.* The Nassau County cops say the EdMangano sexting story was a "hoax." * Nassau police have found no evidence that CountyExecutive Edward Mangano exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a marketing executive — nor that either of their phones was hacked — police announced today. * In the hopes of finding new leads on the case, SuffolkCounty police today released a portion of surveillance video that shows OhekaCastle owner and political power broker Gary Melius being shot. Shocked, shocked!Nassau GOP Joe Mondello sees corruption (NYDN) The boss of the Nassau County Republican machine, a man whose law firm has scored contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from county government, declared hilariously the other day that he’s foot-stamping mad about the party’s rampant corruption. His brigade of pirates includes Dean Skelos, convicted former state Senate majority leader; a planning commissioner charged with failing to report $2 million in income from a town contractor, and County Executive Edward Mangano, who has accepted trips from an indicted businessman. “There’s a lot going on and it has me really upset,” Joe Mondello declared. Among the things going on is the employment of outgoing Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Mondello’s wholly unqualified candidate for Nassau district attorney., Mondello’s wholly unqualified candidate for Nassau district attorney. Soon to be unemployed after that bid fell short, Murray needed a job. And, wouldn’t you know it, a spot was found for her at NassauCountyCommunity College, as acting general counsel for government relations. Although the post was about to be abolished, the school’s trustees discovered a sudden interest in hiring Murray. StateUniversity of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher properly raised an objection that the school is searching for a permanent president, who should have the prerogative to select whomever he or she wants — or no one. Fat chance, because NassauCommunity College is but one more of the patronage mills run by Mondello, who’s so furious about corruption. * The Daily News writes that it is "hilarious" that Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano declared he was upset by the corruption taking place in his county considering he is part of the problem, arranging a patronage job for outgoing Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray: After the Skelos Trial Watch the Interlocking-Directories on Long Island, Mangano, Skelos and D'Amato Evidence released during former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ trial showed Skelos confronted the NassauCounty executive in an effort to help his son as they went together to a funeral for a slain police officer, The Wall Street Journal reports: * Cuomo, whose administration already appears to be in the crosshairs of US Attorney Preet Bharara’s office, needs to deliver tougher ethics laws if he wants to avoid having his legacy tarnished by Albany’s ethics morass, reform advocates said. D'Amato Largest Lobbyists On Long Island Ten lobbying firms and nine companies with in-house lobbyists have registered with NassauCounty during the first six months of its new disclosure requirements – with most focusing their efforts on County Executive Edward Mangano’s office.* Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon has big moneyin drug firms(NYDN) Alfonse D'Amato's Park Strategies is the largest local lobbyist, with 20 clients, followed by the nine clients claimed by Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, where former Democratic countyLegis. Michael Zapson is one of several politically connected partners. While many of the lobbyists have operated in Nassau for years -- and have disclosed activity with New YorkState -- they never before had to register locally. The change was prompted by the May arrests of state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Cen *Tapes Reveal How Indicted@SenatorSkelos Used Nassau County Exec @EdMangano to Manipulate @NYGovCuomo D'Amato Testimony At Skelos and Son's Trial: "Appeatance of Impropriety" D'Amato said — including recommending Adam register as a lobbyist because it sounded like that's what he was doing already. D'Amato said his company, Park Strategies, had no interest in hiring him because it would give an "appearance of impropriety" since his firm lobbies the state. Asked afterwards about why he testified for the prosecution, D'Amato said, "I didn't testify against my friend. I just answered questions." * D’Amato says he warned Skelos about son’s no-show job (NYP) He recalled telling Dean that his business partner Greg Serio was “very upset” about Adam’s gig as a $78,000-a-year program director at PRI. But Dean – who had pressured friend and PRI CEO Anthony Bonomo to give Adam the job in the first place — didn’t seem all that concerned. US Attorney Preet Bharara, who has been a frequent fixture at the ongoing father-son trial, also showed up Friday for D’Amato’s testimony. D’Amato also recalled how Dean asked him to meet with Adam, 33, to give him “some advice” – so he did. “I asked if he was a registered lobbyist,” D’Amato said, noting that some of Adam’s political “activities” seemed like ones he’d be “required to register.” But Adam took the one-on-one as an opportunity to ask D’Amato for a job at Park Strategies, a request that was promptly shut down to avoid an “appearance of impropriety,” the pol testified. D’Amato, a former resident of Highland Park, a Long Island town that is represented by Dean, took a moment to plug his pal’s senatorial career. “His service was fabulous,” he said. “He was always attentive to the needs of constituents throughout the district.” Outside the courthouse, D’Amato denied that he took the stand against Dean. “I didn’t testify against my friend. I just answered the questions,” he told reporters. Prosecutors expect to wrap up their case Monday. Defense attorneys said Friday Adam won’t testify and will decide by Saturday night if Dean will take the stand. * Former Sen. Alphonse D’Amato took to the witness stand at former state Sen. Dean Skelos’ corruption trial, saying he met personally with Skelos to warn him about his son Adam’s behavior at his job, The New York Timesreports Bonomo D'Amato and the PRI Job for Adam Skelos How Albany Pay to Play Works Testimony at Trial Details No-Show Job of Dean Skelos’s Son (NYT) Anthony Bonomo testified that he was afraid to fire Adam Skelos, 33, from his $78,000-a-year job because it might upset his father, who at the time was the State Senate majority leader. Mr. Skelos was hired by P.R.I. earlier that year, and evidence offered Thursday at the political corruption trial of State Senator Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican, and his son, Adam, showed he rarely appeared for work. Adam Skelos’s former supervisor has previously testified that the senator’s son threatened to “smash” in his head after he questioned his work habits. ut Anthony Bonomo, the company’s chief executive and owner, testified on Thursday that he was afraid to fire Adam Skelos, 33, from his $78,000-a-year job because it might upset the senator, whose influence as the Senate majority leader could sway legislation that could directly affect P.R.I., a medical malpractice insurer on Long Island that is licensed by the state. “I just felt that it was best to do nothing and to avoid the chance in Albany that, you know, that we would run into a problem with any legislation,” Mr. Bonomo explained. Mr. Bonomo, 57, acknowledged that he and Senator Skelos, 67, have known each other for years. The two met in 1980 when Mr. Bonomo was a law clerk at a firm that the older Mr. Skelos worked for. Over the years, they stayed in touch, meeting at political fund-raisers and charity events. Mr. Bonomo would go on to run P.R.I., which has significant business before the state. For a time he was chairman of the New York Racing Association. In 2010, at a party hosted by Park Strategies, a lobbying and corporate strategy firm founded by former United States Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato, a New York Republican, a conversation between the two men turned to what Mr. Bonomo could do for Adam Skelos. In cross-examination, G. Robert Gage Jr., a lawyer for the senator, asked Mr. Bonomo if the senator had ever linked the executive’s treatment of Adam Skelos to the senator’s positions on legislation that could affect P.R.I. “No, he did not,” Mr. Bonomo replied.* Skelos indictment points to medical malpractice firm (Capital) * , Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Anthony Bonomo, a former a board member, chairman of the New York Racing Association. * New racing boss has ties to Skelos corruption scheme (NYP)* Insurance executive Anthony Bonomo testified that he was afraid to fire Adam Skelos because it might upset his father, Dean Skelos, whose influence as the Senate majority leader could sway legislation, The New York Times reports: "Physicians Reciprocal, like other large companies in New York, contracts witha number of heavy-hitting lobby firms, including two that are tied to the environmental firm in the Skelos probe. State lobby records show Bonomo's company hired The Capitol Group and Brian Meara, companies that also represented an affiliate of AbTech, the Arizona-based environmental firm linked to the Skelos investigation. Physicians Reciprocal also hired Park Strategies, a firm led by former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato."* Skelos is also accused of extorting a $100,000 no-show job for his son from Anthony Bonomo, whose two medical malpractice firms have combined to pay D'Amato's lobbying firm, Park Strategies, $795,000 since 2007. Bonomo has co-hosted political fundraisers with D'Amato, and his goldmine of campaign contributions, including $75,000 to Mangano and $400,000 to Gov. Cuomo, meticulously track D'Amato alliances.* * According to evidence introduced in his criminal trial, Adam Skelos had a direct line into his father's top staffer, Robert Mujica, and emailed him about setting up a meeting between AbTech and the Department of Health while the state studied a ban on fracking, Politico New York reports: Bonomo just stepped down as the Cuomo-appointed chair of the New York Racing Association, and is singing to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who now leads a veritable chorus of cooperating crooners.*That firm, PRI, has greatly stepped up its lobbying game in recent years, nearly doubling the money they’ve spent lobbying Albany. They’ve even hired four big-time lobbying firms to make their case with the governor and the legislature. One of the lobbyists hired by PRI is one Brian Meara. Meara isup to his eyeballs in the federal corruption case against disgraced former Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver. Anthony Bonomo is firmly enmeshed in the state’s campaign finance firmament. P.R.I. and members of the Bonomo family have donated more than $877,000 to state-level candidates and party committees in the 2014 election cycle, placing them among the top 25 largest contributors in the entire state, according to the state Board of Elections. The largest beneficiary was Cuomo. The governor along with the state Democratic Committee received nearly $400,000 over the past four years from the Bonomo family, according to Board of Elections records. Along the way, Bharara flipped the bagman for the state’s largest political donor, a man responsible for spreading millions in campaign cash all over the state to politicians in both parties, and let it be known that he now had god-only-knows how many new wiretap targets thanks to Sheldon Silver. That sent shockwaves through Albany and has lawmakers all over town freaking right the hell out.Bharara is so far in their heads that they are too scared to even do typical end of session horse trading for fear that Bharara will nail them for it. The recent FBI raids on the homes of WNY’s premier ratfcker Steve Pigeon and his cronies may be unrelated to all of this. Or maybe they aren’t. During the afternoon session, Richard Walker, who is NassauCounty’s chief deputy executive, testified that he tried to prioritize requests and meetings related to AbTech and Adam Skelos because of Senator Skelos’s position. “He is the majority leader,” Mr. Walker said. “If he’s not happy with the actions of the county, with the way the county’s moving forward, that could be a problem.” Senator Skelos, not just his son, seemed to take an active interest in AbTech. At one point, during the funeral for one of the two New York police officers shot to death last December, Mr. Walker said, he overheard the senator mention to Mr. Walker’s boss that AbTech was still waiting for its latest payment from the county. Mr. Walker said he immediately made a phone call to check on the funds. Mr. Walker is being investigated by the United States attorney in the Eastern District of New York over the awarding of contracts to campaign contributors, among other allegations. He said he was testifying under a grant of immunity, but said he was receiving no benefits in the other investigation for his testimony in the Skelos case.* A federal investigation into Nassau’s chief deputy county executive, Rob Walker, centers on a $12-million county storm cleanup contract won by a company that gave money to Walker’s political committee just as the agreement was finalized, according to a source with knowledge of the probe.* The federal Securities and Exchange Commission has requested documents from the Town of Oyster Bay regarding disputed $20 million loan guarantees obtained by indicted contractor Harendra Singh. Edward Mangano notgiven immunity in Dean Skelos case (Newsday) Mangano lawyer Kevin Keating of Garden City declined on Saturday to answer questions but said in a prepared statement: “Mr. Mangano is merely a fact witness in the Skelos matter and if called to testify he will provide truthful testimony, even though Mr. Mangano has engaged in no wrongdoing. If he is asked questions about unrelated matters, I have counseled him to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege,” a position Keating said is “fully appropriate” under the law. Dean Skelos attorney Robert Gage made the disclosure about Mangano at a sidebar on Friday in court, during testimony by Mangano’s chief deputy, Rob Walker, who did receive immunity. Neither the judge nor the prosecution disputed Gage’s statement. Mangano and Walker have both been identified in Newsday stories as being under scrutiny in an unrelated corruption probe by federal prosecutors on Long Island stemming from charges against restaurateur Harendra Singh, who was a major campaign contributor to Mangano and others on the Island. Both Mangano and Walker were viewed as potential witnesses in the Skelos case, brought by different federal prosecutors in Manhattan, because court filings indicate that both had contacts with alleged efforts by Skelos and his son, Adam Skelos, to push a $12 million storm water-pollution contract with Nassau County for AbTech Industries, a firm that hired the son. Walker, who testified Friday, said he would assert his Fifth Amendment right and testified under an immunity order signed by U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood, which assured him that his testimony in the Skelos trial would not be used to prosecute him for anything unless he committed perjury, but gave him no assurance that he won’t be prosecuted in the Long Island investigation based on other evidence. After the Skelos Trial Watch the Interlocking-Directories on Long Island, Mangano, Skelos and D'Amato Evidence released during former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ trial showed Skelos confronted the NassauCounty executive in an effort to help his son as they went together to a funeral for a slain police officer, The Wall Street Journal reports: * Cuomo, whose administration already appears to be in the crosshairs of US Attorney Preet Bharara’s office, needs to deliver tougher ethics laws if he wants to avoid having his legacy tarnished by Albany’s ethics morass, reform advocates said. D'Amato Largest Lobbyists On Long Island Ten lobbying firms and nine companies with in-house lobbyists have registered with NassauCounty during the first six months of its new disclosure requirements – with most focusing their efforts on County Executive Edward Mangano’s office.* Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon has big moneyin drug firms(NYDN) Alfonse D'Amato's Park Strategies is the largest local lobbyist, with 20 clients, followed by the nine clients claimed by Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, where former Democratic countyLegis. Michael Zapson is one of several politically connected partners. While many of the lobbyists have operated in Nassau for years -- and have disclosed activity with New YorkState -- they never before had to register locally. The change was prompted by the May arrests of state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Cen *Tapes Reveal How Indicted@SenatorSkelos Used Nassau County Exec @EdMangano to Manipulate @NYGovCuomo A federal magistrate orderedLong Island restaurateur Harendra Singh jailed until trial on bribery charges, agreeing with federal prosecutors that he had violated the conditions of his release on a $5 million bond by fraudulently attempting to get a $148,000 loan. Company Just Formed Under Federal Investigation For Winning Storm Cleanup Contract Nassau’s first bid solicitation for a $12 million storm cleanup contract — a pact under federal investigation for its ties to political donations — came just two days after the company that ultimately received the work was formed, newly obtained records show. Federal Indictments and the New Nassau DA Will Have A Major Impact On the Control of the State Senate Even the Chairman of the Nassau GOP Is Planning On Major Indictments Nassau Republican Chairman Joseph Mondello leveled extraordinary criticism at GOP officials who are embroiled in public corruption scandals, saying he was “angry as hell,” and would do everything he can to “get them out of the party” if they are convicted. * Long Island restaurateur Harendra Singhwas re-arrested by FBI agents on a charge of violating the conditions of his release on $5 million bond by submitting a fraudulent loan application.* At least seven candidates are in the mix to run in a special election for the State Senate seat vacated last week when Dean Skelos was convicted of bribery, extortion and conspiracy charges.* At least seven candidates, including Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky, may run in a special election for the state Senate seat vacated by Dean Skelos, who was convicted on corruption charges, Newsday reports: * Gianaris: Senate Dems In Good Position To Win Skelos Seat (Updated) As True News Has Been Reporting the Next Federal Corruption Case Centers On Nassau County Ex Managano New York’s next big corruption scandal (George Marlin, NYP) There was a stunning revelation in the corruption trial that convicted Dean Skelos: Gov. Cuomo’s favorite Republican, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, planned to “assert Fifth Amendment privilege” if called to testify about the AbTech contract, the prosecutor told the judge in a sidebar — and the feds were “not prepared to immunize” him. AbTech is the Arizona-based environmental company that saw its financial struggles start to turn around in 2013 with a surprising $12 million public-works contract from NassauCounty — after hiring Skelos’ son, Adam. Mangano, by saying he’d take the Fifth, was asserting his fear that he’d incriminate himself if he answered prosecutors’ questions about the awarding of that contract. This should’ve been front-page news on Long Island — particularly in the wake of allegations that federally indicted restaurateur Harendra Singh arranged and paid for some of Mangano’s vacation trips and comped him thousands of dollars of meals. Plus, the guy Mangano has publicly called his “best friend,” Walker received federal immunity for taking the stand on that case, he has no protection from other ongoing federal investigations involving NassauCounty contracts for campaign donors and business pushed to a personal friend. Finally, taped conversations between Skelos and Mangano, played at the trial, place the county executive in the mix of the AbTech scandal. All this, when Mangano’s administration is crumbling and the county’s finances are cratering. A June 2014 report from the state comptroller suggested Nassau’s Industrial Development Authority skirts the law and grants sweetheart deals to the politically connected. The next month, an investigation by acting DA Madeline Singas concluded Nassau’s contracting process is a “recipe for corruption” because it’s not insulated “from improper influence, manipulation, collusion and fraud.” A proposal like the AbTech deal, the DA observed, “illustrates a systemic failure of NassauCounty’s procurement and contract management process to ward off corruption.”Coincidentally, after the dumbing-down of the financial control board, Republican Mangano endorsed Democrat Cuomo in his bid for a second gubernatorial term.* The U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Capers’ appointment as the new U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, making him the chief federal law enforcement official for Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens and StatenIsland, Newsday reports D'Amato Testimony At Skelos and Son's Trial: "Appeatance of Impropriety" D'Amato said — including recommending Adam register as a lobbyist because it sounded like that's what he was doing already. D'Amato said his company, Park Strategies, had no interest in hiring him because it would give an "appearance of impropriety" since his firm lobbies the state. Asked afterwards about why he testified for the prosecution, D'Amato said, "I didn't testify against my friend. I just answered questions." * D’Amato says he warned Skelos about son’s no-show job (NYP) He recalled telling Dean that his business partner Greg Serio was “very upset” about Adam’s gig as a $78,000-a-year program director at PRI. But Dean – who had pressured friend and PRI CEO Anthony Bonomo to give Adam the job in the first place — didn’t seem all that concerned. US Attorney Preet Bharara, who has been a frequent fixture at the ongoing father-son trial, also showed up Friday for D’Amato’s testimony. D’Amato also recalled how Dean asked him to meet with Adam, 33, to give him “some advice” – so he did. “I asked if he was a registered lobbyist,” D’Amato said, noting that some of Adam’s political “activities” seemed like ones he’d be “required to register.” But Adam took the one-on-one as an opportunity to ask D’Amato for a job at Park Strategies, a request that was promptly shut down to avoid an “appearance of impropriety,” the pol testified. D’Amato, a former resident of Highland Park, a Long Island town that is represented by Dean, took a moment to plug his pal’s senatorial career. “His service was fabulous,” he said. “He was always attentive to the needs of constituents throughout the district.” Outside the courthouse, D’Amato denied that he took the stand against Dean. “I didn’t testify against my friend. I just answered the questions,” he told reporters. Prosecutors expect to wrap up their case Monday. Defense attorneys said Friday Adam won’t testify and will decide by Saturday night if Dean will take the stand. * Former Sen. Alphonse D’Amato took to the witness stand at former state Sen. Dean Skelos’ corruption trial, saying he met personally with Skelos to warn him about his son Adam’s behavior at his job, The New York Timesreports Bonomo D'Amato and the PRI Job for Adam Skelos How Albany Pay to Play Works Testimony at Trial Details No-Show Job of Dean Skelos’s Son (NYT) Anthony Bonomo testified that he was afraid to fire Adam Skelos, 33, from his $78,000-a-year job because it might upset his father, who at the time was the State Senate majority leader. Mr. Skelos was hired by P.R.I. earlier that year, and evidence offered Thursday at the political corruption trial of State Senator Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican, and his son, Adam, showed he rarely appeared for work. Adam Skelos’s former supervisor has previously testified that the senator’s son threatened to “smash” in his head after he questioned his work habits. ut Anthony Bonomo, the company’s chief executive and owner, testified on Thursday that he was afraid to fire Adam Skelos, 33, from his $78,000-a-year job because it might upset the senator, whose influence as the Senate majority leader could sway legislation that could directly affect P.R.I., a medical malpractice insurer on Long Island that is licensed by the state. “I just felt that it was best to do nothing and to avoid the chance in Albany that, you know, that we would run into a problem with any legislation,” Mr. Bonomo explained. Mr. Bonomo, 57, acknowledged that he and Senator Skelos, 67, have known each other for years. The two met in 1980 when Mr. Bonomo was a law clerk at a firm that the older Mr. Skelos worked for. Over the years, they stayed in touch, meeting at political fund-raisers and charity events. Mr. Bonomo would go on to run P.R.I., which has significant business before the state. For a time he was chairman of the New York Racing Association. In 2010, at a party hosted by Park Strategies, a lobbying and corporate strategy firm founded by former United States Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato, a New York Republican, a conversation between the two men turned to what Mr. Bonomo could do for Adam Skelos. In cross-examination, G. Robert Gage Jr., a lawyer for the senator, asked Mr. Bonomo if the senator had ever linked the executive’s treatment of Adam Skelos to the senator’s positions on legislation that could affect P.R.I. “No, he did not,” Mr. Bonomo replied.* Skelos indictment points to medical malpractice firm (Capital) * , Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Anthony Bonomo, a former a board member, chairman of the New York Racing Association. * New racing boss has ties to Skelos corruption scheme (NYP)* Insurance executive Anthony Bonomo testified that he was afraid to fire Adam Skelos because it might upset his father, Dean Skelos, whose influence as the Senate majority leader could sway legislation, The New York Times reports: "Physicians Reciprocal, like other large companies in New York, contracts witha number of heavy-hitting lobby firms, including two that are tied to the environmental firm in the Skelos probe. State lobby records show Bonomo's company hired The Capitol Group and Brian Meara, companies that also represented an affiliate of AbTech, the Arizona-based environmental firm linked to the Skelos investigation. Physicians Reciprocal also hired Park Strategies, a firm led by former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato."* Skelos is also accused of extorting a $100,000 no-show job for his son from Anthony Bonomo, whose two medical malpractice firms have combined to pay D'Amato's lobbying firm, Park Strategies, $795,000 since 2007. Bonomo has co-hosted political fundraisers with D'Amato, and his goldmine of campaign contributions, including $75,000 to Mangano and $400,000 to Gov. Cuomo, meticulously track D'Amato alliances.* * According to evidence introduced in his criminal trial, Adam Skelos had a direct line into his father's top staffer, Robert Mujica, and emailed him about setting up a meeting between AbTech and the Department of Health while the state studied a ban on fracking, Politico New York reports: Bonomo just stepped down as the Cuomo-appointed chair of the New York Racing Association, and is singing to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who now leads a veritable chorus of cooperating crooners.*That firm, PRI, has greatly stepped up its lobbying game in recent years, nearly doubling the money they’ve spent lobbying Albany. They’ve even hired four big-time lobbying firms to make their case with the governor and the legislature. One of the lobbyists hired by PRI is one Brian Meara. Meara isup to his eyeballs in the federal corruption case against disgraced former Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver. Anthony Bonomo is firmly enmeshed in the state’s campaign finance firmament. P.R.I. and members of the Bonomo family have donated more than $877,000 to state-level candidates and party committees in the 2014 election cycle, placing them among the top 25 largest contributors in the entire state, according to the state Board of Elections. The largest beneficiary was Cuomo. The governor along with the state Democratic Committee received nearly $400,000 over the past four years from the Bonomo family, according to Board of Elections records. Along the way, Bharara flipped the bagman for the state’s largest political donor, a man responsible for spreading millions in campaign cash all over the state to politicians in both parties, and let it be known that he now had god-only-knows how many new wiretap targets thanks to Sheldon Silver. That sent shockwaves through Albany and has lawmakers all over town freaking right the hell out.Bharara is so far in their heads that they are too scared to even do typical end of session horse trading for fear that Bharara will nail them for it. The recent FBI raids on the homes of WNY’s premier ratfcker Steve Pigeon and his cronies may be unrelated to all of this. Or maybe they aren’t. Ten lobbying firms and nine companies with in-house lobbyists have registered with NassauCounty during the first six months of its new disclosure requirements – with most focusing their efforts on County Executive Edward Mangano’s office.* Among the 19 businesses, 67 individual lobbyists have registered since June on behalf of 54 clients, including labor unions, large builders and county contractors, online records show. Those clients include Forest City Ratner, the Brooklyn company leading the $260 million Nassau Coliseum renovations. Former Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato's Park Strategies is the largest local lobbyist, with 20 clients, followed by the nine clients claimed by Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, where former Democratic countyLegis. Michael Zapson is one of several politically connected partners. While many of the lobbyists have operated in Nassau for years -- and have disclosed activity with New YorkState -- they never before had to register locally. The change was prompted by the May arrests of state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and his son, Adam, on federal corruption charges partially related to a $12 million county contract. All but one of the 19 entities that have registered so far listed Mangano's office as one of its expected lobbying targets. Fifteen registrants also listed the Nassau County Legislature. In addition to registering, firms also must report their compensation from listed clients. For the first period of June 1 to Aug. 31, the lobbyists reported being paid a total of $336,000, led by $123,000 billed by Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, which is based in Garden City. Manhattan-based Park Strategies, which is also one of the larger state lobbyists, filed in Nassau to represent 20 clients, including Forest City Ratner (which also registered its own employees as lobbyists); Gannett Fleming Engineers, which has won more than $6 million in county contracts since 2011, mostly to design and oversee wastewater treatment plant improvements; and Allvision, a company that was poised to erect large electronic billboards across Nassau before the project stalled earlier this year. its first quarterly statement, Park reported $79,000 in billings, including $15,000 from Nassau Events Center, which Forest City Ratner set up for the purposes of the Coliseum redevelopment project. Nassau Events Center this spring received county approval to partially finance the $260 million plan with foreign investments. Dana Sanneman, a Park spokeswoman, said in a statement that the firm was pleased Nassau had started a system that "assists government in becoming more transparent." Newsday Only Paper Covering that Mangano Will Not Talk to the Feds About Sekos and de Blasio Contributor Harendra Singh was big de Blasio donor... * Former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican, is not on the ballot this year, but his looming corruption trial has shadowedKate Murray, the Republican candidate running for district attorney in his home base of NassauCounty, on Long Island. * The NYT endorsed Madeline Singas, the Democratic Nassau County DA candidate, has been serving in an acting capacity in the job since the former occupant, Kathleen Rice, resigned in January to become a member of Congress. *Newsday: “Singas doesn’t have Murray’s high name recognition. Instead, she brings 24 years of respected experience in law enforcement. The evidence points to only one verdict: Singas is by far the better choice.” * On the advice of their respective attorneys, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his chief deputy, Rob Walker, both plan to refuse to answer questions from federal prosecutors about their relationships with indicted Long Island restaurateur Harendra Singh, according to several sources. * Democrats have sought to tie Republican Nassau County district attorney candidate Kate Murray to embattled state Sen. Dean Skelos, and strategists are watching to see what corruption may mean as an electoral concern, the Times reports: On Eve of Silver Trial Only Newsday Is Only Paper Took Bharara Advice to Investigate CorruptionNewsday Report Thrown Out of Public Building Asking for Public Records About Long Island restaurateur Harendra Singh At the Center of the Skelos Corruption Trial Newsday reporter seeking Oyster Bay public records escorted out by cop (Newsday) Oyster BayTown Hall in 2014. Newsday reporter Ted Phillips was escorted out of Oyster BayTown offices on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, while seeking public records concerning town zoning board meetings. (Credit: Danielle Finkelstein) A NassauCounty police officer escorted a Newsday reporter out of Oyster BayTown offices Monday after the reporter requested records from the town's zoning board of appeals. The police officer told reporter Ted Phillips that he was responding to a call about a "disturbance" and led Phillips out of the building. No charges were filed against Phillips. The records the reporter requested are meeting minutes, available to the public, concerning appeals to the town's zoning board for variances from town code. Oyster Bay spokesman Brian Devine emailed a statement that said police were called "because the reporter conducted himself in a disorderly and disruptive manner. This was not the first time that he has engaged in such inappropriate and unprofessional behavior." Oyster BayTown has been at the center of a controversy regarding the town's relationship with Long Island restaurateur Harendra Singh. Last month, federal authorities indicted Singh on charges that included bribing a then-Oyster Bay employee in exchange for the town's guarantee of $20 million in loans for two businesses that provide food concessions. Singh has pleaded not guilty. "I was in the ZBA office for about three minutes," Phillips said. "I was firm about the law, but the conversation was cordial." As the town employee led Phillips to the offices of Commissioner of Planning and Development Frederick Ippolito and his deputy, Diana Aquiar, two town public safety officers asked the ZBA supervisor whom they had been called about. She said she didn't know, and she and Phillips entered the waiting room for Ippolito's office, Phillips said. Aquiar then came out and told Phillips that public safety officers would be "showing you out," according to Phillips' audio recording of the conversation. When Phillips responded that he had a legal right to look at the minutes, Aquiar said, "Well, they're not going to waste their time right now putting that together for you." The Dems On LI Are Using the Fed Investigation of the GOP in Nassau County to Campaign for DA The Cook At the Center of the Long Island Fed Investigation Also Gave to de Blasio A Restaurateur facing bribery charges was major de Blasio donor (NYP) Long Island restaurant magnate facing bribery and tax-evasion charges was a major donor to Mayor de Blasio’s 2013 campaign and landed appointments to three city panels, The Post has learned. Harendra Singh, 56, was named to the advisory board of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York, the mayor’s committee to push pre-K and the host committee trying to lure the 2016 Democratic National convention after he hauled in more than $27,000 for de Blasio. Singh, 56, owns a half-dozen restaurants on Long Island as well as The Water’s Edge eatery in Long IslandCity — where the de Blasio campaign spent $2,613.01 on events. Singh ArrestedLong Island Restaurateur Harendra Singh Arrested On Multiple Criminal Charges The indictment charges that Singh paid bribes and kickbacks to a city employee in exchange for his assistance in obtaining guarantee of two loans totaling about US $20 million * Indicted LI restaurateur boasted of access to Mangano,other officials, and gave them free meals, employees say (Newsday) * Federal prosecutors are turning over tens of thousands of pages of records, including those from 300 bank accounts, to attorneys for Harendra Singh, the prominent Long Island restaurateur, in preparation for his trial on bribery and other felony charges. de Blasio Connection Only Newsday Has Been Reporting On the Long Island Fed Investigation That Can Down the GOP Senate and A Governor D'Amato and Mangano D'Amato made several indirect appearances in the indictment of Dean Skelos, the third Senate majority leader he helped install. The charging documents describe a compliant Ed Mangano, the NassauCounty executive — who let D'Amato speak at his inaugural, awarded the county's bus line to a D'Amato client and hired D'Amato's daughter — as a champion for the county environmental contract that Skelos is charged with fixing. Skelos is also accused of extorting a $100,000 no-show job for his son from Anthony Bonomo, whose two medical malpractice firms have combined to pay D'Amato's lobbying firm, Park Strategies, $795,000 since 2007. Indicted LI restaurateur boasted of access to Mangano,other officials, and gave them free meals, employees sayD'Amato made several indirect appearances in the indictment of Dean Skelos, the third Senate majority leader he helped install. The charging documents describe a compliant Ed Mangano, the NassauCounty executive — who let D'Amato speak at his inaugural, awarded the county's bus line to a D'Amato client and hired D'Amato's daughter — as a champion for the county environmental contract that Skelos is charged with fixing. Skelos is also accused of extorting a $100,000 no-show job for his son from Anthony Bonomo, whose two medical malpractice firms have combined to pay D'Amato's lobbying firm, Park Strategies, $795,000 since 2007. Bonomo has co-hosted political fundraisers with D'Amato, and his goldmine of campaign contributions, including $75,000 to Mangano and $400,000 to Gov. Cuomo, meticulously track D'Amato alliances. Bonomo just stepped down as the Cuomo-appointed chair of the New York Racing Association, and is singing to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who now leads a veritable chorus of cooperating crooners. Tuesday CYA Investigation Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano agreed to accept the recommendations of a panel he named to review the county contracting process, including an anti-“pay to play” law that would cap vendors’ political contributions.* David Doyle, vice president of governmental communicationsat SUNY Poly, writes in a letter to the Times Union that it follows the state’s procurement procedures to the letter and politics has been a non-factor in its work:* Alain Kaloyeros, Powerful Centerpiece of Buffalo Billion,Could Become Household Name Is D'Amato A Fed Target? Does Al Have the Goods to Turn On the Gov? Only Feds KnowIn the Middle of the Federal Investigations Lobbyists D'Amato Won Two of the Five Marijuana Contracts Awarded Lovett: SUNY Polytechnic Institute head may be on radar of federal prosecutors (NYDN) A number of current and former top-level state officials say they are not surprised Alain Kaloyeros, the politically connected head of a StateUniversity high-tech research center, may now be on the radar of federal prosecutors. “Given all the public and private money going through there, it’s got the potential for some real stuff,” said one former Kaloyeros colleague. “Whether it’s something necessarily bad, I don’t know, but it’s not surprising the feds might be looking at it.” The Daily News first reported Friday that Kaloyeros’ SUNY Polytechnic Institute had been issued subpoenas as part of US Attorney Preet Bharara’s probe into Gov. Cuomo’s “Buffalo Billion” economic development initiative. With a total compensation package of $811,000, Kaloyeros is one of the state’s highest-paid employees. * A number of current and former top-level state officials say they are not surprised Alain Kaloyeros, the politically connected head of a StateUniversity high-tech research center, may now be on the radar of federal prosecutors, the Daily News writes:* Cuomo said he played no role in a campaign contributor winning a multi-million-dollar construction bid in Buffalo that is now reportedly the subject of a probe by U.S. attorney Preet Bharara, Politico New York writes: * SUNY Poly insists contracting was transparent. But news orgshave had to sue to get Buffalo Billion records released Update Wednesday SUNY Poly chief Alain Kaloyeros would not take questions in Syracuse on the reported investigation into the Buffalo billion. Cuomo Throws Professor Under the Bus Cuomosaid he played no role in a campaign contributor winning a mutli-million-dollar construction bid in Buffalo that is now reportedly the subject of a probe by Southern District U.S. attorney Preet Bharara. “SUNY has administered the grant process, so literally all I know is what I read in the newspaper, but I’m very proud of what we’re doing in Buffalo,” the governor told reporters.* Jim Heaney of Investigative Post believes the federal probe of the Buffalo Billion will almost certainly focus on Alain Kaloyeros, the Albany nanotech guru who is quarterbacking the project. JCOPE A JOKE A panel reviewing the operations of the state’s ethics and lobbying watchdog, JCOPE,faces a Nov. 1 deadline to issue a report on its findings. But it’s not clear how deeply the panel can or will delve into the operations of an entity often criticized for its secrecy and charged with a lack of independence. Silver and Skelos Target U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is on the warpath (CrainsNY) Using techniques perfected in fighting terrorists and organized crime, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has won nine out of 10 cases against a parade of disgraced Albany lawmakers. Now he's trying to reel in his biggest fish: former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, whose trials are scheduled to begin in November. * Preet vs. Albany(CrainsNY) The U.S. attorney is on the warpath. How two political bigwigs hope to beat him. * N.Y. is starting a new audit of PRI, the insurer caught inthe Skelos scandal, and hasn't released the last one Senator Pot Hole Has Become Head of the Lobbyists Organize Crime Commission Also harmonizing for Bharara in the Skelos case and the one against former Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver are top associates of developer Leonard Litwin and his Glenwood Management, both of which were once D'Amato clients and, like Bonomo, synchronized many of their political contributions with D'Amato. Litwin's real estate company paid Skelos' son directly and through the environmental firm, where it was a major investor. Both Bonomo and Litwin are among the few large donors to Renew New York, a PAC controlled by D'Amato that gave $25,000 to Mangano and bankrolls other D'Amato allies. D'Amato's connections to indicted senators don't end there. Tom Libous, the Senate deputy majority leader whose son has already been convicted in a parallel case with the one against the senator that is scheduled to go to trial in July, is accused of lying about a law firm job he allegedly got for his son. When Libous wanted a bigger paycheck for his boy, a $50,000 bonus was allegedly funneled to the law firm through Fred Hiffa, an Albany lobbyist. Hiffa wound up leaving his own lobbying firm and is now a managing director of D'Amato's. * Mangano names D'Amato daughter to $105G post | Newsday (2011) * D’Amato made several indirect appearances in the indictment of Dean Skelos, the third Senate majority leader he helped install. The charging documents describe a compliant Ed Mangano, the NassauCounty executive — who let D'Amato speak at his inaugural, awarded the county's bus line to a D'Amato client and hired D'Amato's daughter — as a champion for the county environmental contract that Skelos is charged with fixing. LI scandal figure was big de Blasio donor but faces ouster from city property (Newsday) Harendra Singh, the Long Island restaurateur indicted on federal charges of bribing an Oyster Bay official, donated thousands of dollars to Mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign and won appointments to join business leaders and celebrities on three mayoral committees as well as the advisory board of a city-led philanthropy. But Singh and his wife, Ruby, are battling city lawyers who are trying to evict the couple's Queens waterfront restaurant from city property, alleging it owes $1.4 million in rent underpayments and late fees. Singh's family and associates also gave tens of thousands of dollars to de Blasio for his 2013 election campaign. De Blasio representatives declined several times to answer questions about the mayor's relationship with the concessionaire. A Newsday analysis of campaign finance data found at least $54,651 in donations to de Blasio's mayoral campaign and transition committee made by Singh; his wife; his father, Rajesh; his mother, Rajeshwari; and people Singh bundled contributions from as a fundraising intermediary. The Singh-linked donors also include two sons of close friend Kamlesh Mehta, the Mangano-appointed Nassau director of business and economic development, and two Mehta family members. According to city records, the 39 contributions were made between December 2010 and December 2013. A Nov. 6, 2013, photo album, posted on the Water's Edge Facebook page and since deleted, congratulated de Blasio on his election and said the restaurant was "privileged to host one of his fundraising events." Singh was named to prestigious posts by de Blasio's team: the committee to finance and plan his January 2014 inauguration, the committee backing the city's ultimately failed bid to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention and the UPKNYC campaign committee, supporting universal prekindergarten. Singh also was recruited to serve on the advisory board to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, a public-private partnership that is chaired by first lady Chirlane McCray. Asked whether Singh's donations to de Blasio will be returned, a spokesman for the campaign, Dan Levitan, said the 2013 account is already closed. The campaign is raising funds for de Blasio's 2017 re-election bid. Levitan declined to comment on the mayor's relationship to Singh. Mayoral spokeswoman Ishanee Parikh had referred questions about the relationship to the campaign. Singh and his network of donors also gave $1,750 to the 2013 and 2017 campaigns of Public Advocate Letitia James, and $2,200 to the 2009 and 2013 campaigns of City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. De Blasio says prosecution of Harendra Singh is 'as it should be' (Newday) Deputy Town Attorney Frederick Mei, in exchange for the town's guarantee of $20 million in loans for two businesses that provide food concessions. He also is accused of fraudulently collecting nearly $1 million in federal disaster aid by falsely reporting superstorm Sandy damage to Water's Edge. Singh pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Newsday stories have chronicled how Singh cultivated relationships with Long Island public officials, including paying for trips to the Caribbean and Asia and allegedly providing free meals for NassauCounty Executive Edward Mangano and others. A Mangano aide and lawyer dispute that he got free meals or travel. Mangano has not been charged with wrongdoing. Wayne Barrett wrote in June of a recent D'Amato scandal connections don't all revolve around Albany. The FBI and state investigators hit the headlines in Buffalo recently when they raided the homes of three major political operatives, including Steve Pigeon and Steve Casey, both of whom work for one of D'Amato's biggest upstate clients, the Congel family, father-and-son mall developers. Their companies paid D'Amato $2.7 million in federal and state lobbying fees. Not only did D'Amato represent the Congel company on a troubled Rochester project, he represented the MonroeCounty government that backed it. Barrett also wrote "With a senate leader beholden to him, a governor allied with him, a Nassau county executive in his pocket, and extraordinary lifelong ties to the father of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Al D'Amato, dubbed Senator Shakedown decades ago, rules now without the accountability of a public office, a shadow cast across an already darkened capital." If Singh Sings Its Katy Bar the Door Long Island Restaurateur Harendra Singh Arrested On Multiple Criminal Charges The indictment charges that Singh paid bribes and kickbacks to a city employee in exchange for his assistance in obtaining guarantee of two loans totaling about US $20 million . Sequence suggests Ratner donation to D'Amato PAC was routed to Nassau County executive key to Coliseum deal (AYR) The transactional relationship between Brooklyn developer Bruce Ratner, a self-described liberal Democrat, and political operative Al D'Amato, the former Republican Senator, is more extensive than previously reported. Beyond the article below about a curious campaign contribution, also see description of D'Amato's city/state lobbying and federal lobbying on behalf of Ratner's Atlantic Yards project. Forest City Ratner has paid D'Amato's Park Strategies more than $3 million for lobbying and consultation related to Atlantic Yards and the Nassau Coliseum. Barclays Center developer Bruce Ratner, who last August won the nod to revamp the Nassau Coliseum, did not--according to state campaign finance records--contribute directly to the successful re-election campaign of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, who favored Ratner's bid over that of rival Madison Square Garden. However, it looks as if Ratner and his wife, Pam Lipkin, indirectly gave Mangano's campaign $25,000. * The property surrounding Nassau Coliseum, now largely blacktop, would become home to a multiacre biotech park built atop an underground parking garage and linked to nearby communities by bus rapid transit and new pedestrian bridges, according to a plan by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano. Their $12,500 contributions to lobbyist Alfonse D'Amato's PAC, Renew New York were soon followed by a $25,000 contribution from the PAC to Mangano, whose office remains involved in the Coliseum project. D'Amato posted an op-ed last October 24 supporting Mangano, citing, among other things, the Coliseum revamp. He didn't mention that he was lobbying the CountyExecutive on behalf of Ratner, that Mangano had hired his daughter, or that, just after he'd gotten a contribution from Ratner (and Lipkin), he'd direct the exact same sum to Mangano. Former Village Voice investigative reporter Wayne Barrett called D'Amato "the most ethically compromised politician" he ever covered (with "no fucking competition for this".* US Attorney Preet Bharara’s probe of the Buffalo Billion has brought Fake Shelly Silver out of retirement. Lobbyist Al D'Amato Bag $795,000 From PRI and All New Yokers Will Get is Higher Medical Costs N.Y. Audit of Insurer Tied to Graft Probe MaySpur Higher Rates (Bloomberg Politics) New York doctors, some of whom already pay 10 times more for malpractice insurance than physicians in San Francisco, may see their rates soar thanks to a state audit beginning this month. Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers, whose shaky finances are central to an Albany corruption probe, has said in annual reports since 2009 that the state could liquidate it absent a law that blocks that action. Medical groups say the new audit might drive away doctors, sending PRI into insolvency, raising costs for remaining companies and leaving patients with fewer options for care. The company, is at the center of allegations against former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who federal prosecutors say used his influence with the firm to secure a job for his son. New York hasn’t completed or released its most recent review of PRI, which was conducted in 2009, according to the company. If corruption or lack of funds takes down PRI expect cost to go up, said Ellen Melchionni, president of the New York Insurance Association, a trade group. “A failure would mean the guaranty fund would be triggered,” Melchionni said. “Every single company writing property and casualty insurance would have to kick in, leading to higher insurance costs for all New York residents and businesses.”PRI Paid D'Amato and Contributed to Cuomo and Skelo to Hide Damaging Information and Blocking Liquidation of the Company Unable to Meet Costs Martin Schwartzman, who retired from the Department of Financial Services in April as a senior adviser to the insurance superintendent, says Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration is trying to hide damaging information. The new audit could cause PRI “to burst into flames,” if doctors leave for other insurers, said Michael Goldstein, a Manhattan ophthalmologist and president of the New York County Medical Society. New York has supported the industry for 30 years by extending a law that blocks regulators from liquidating companies unable to meet long-term costs, such as PRI. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed three extensions passed by lawmakers. PRI Owner Bonomo Was Removed As Head of the NYSRA After the Investigation For Giving Skelos Son A Job Become Public The insurer, management firm and the manager’s chief executive officer, Anthony Bonomo -- along with his family members and company executives -- combine to rank among Cuomo’s biggest donors. The giving includes $10,500 from Gerald Dolman, president of Administrators for the Professions, to cover Cuomo’s October private-plane flight to Buffalo for a televised debate, according to campaign disclosures and the governor’s schedules. The group is also among the biggest donors to Skelos, a Long Island Republican whostepped down from his leadership post after his May arrest. Skelos had helped Cuomo pass the first five consecutive on-time budgets in more than 30 years, two of which included extensions to the law that helped PRI. Its filings to the insurance commissioners group say that the state could liquidate PRI if it weren’t for the law blocking it. The 1985 measure was pushed through the legislature by Cuomo’s father, three-term governor Mario Cuomo, in an effort to stabilize the industry. “I personally am trying to lose weight,” said de Blasio.“I have to watch my waistline,” echoed the governor.While the mayor emphasized his ability to work with anyone, he also made clear that his defiance of Albany would continue.* A review Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas undertook after state Sen. Dean Skelos’ arrest found Nassau’s process for awarding contracts is “a recipe for corruption,” Newsday reports: * De Blasio says he'll speak the truth in Cuomo feud (NYDN) * Both NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo declined an offer by former Sen. Al D’Amato to sit down at Rao’s in East Harlem to work out their publicly documented differences over pasta. (Both said they’re trying to watch their weight, and this might be the one thing they agree on). “I don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out other people’s interpretations; I think it had to be said,” the mayor said of his very public criticism of the governor. De Blasio also saidhe’s comfortable with the “right” use of compromise in Albany, but not “business as usual” at the Capitol. * Nassau’s process for awarding contracts is “a recipe for corruption,” with no requirements that vendors disclose criminal convictions and no easy way to check for conflicts of interest, acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said. Her review was sparked by former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ corruption scandal. Arm-twisting from Cuomo, Stephanie Miner said, “takes the form of anonymous threats and also third parties coming to you and threatening.” * Cuomo Is Put on Defensive by Fellow Democrats Over His Style (NYT) Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo faces a choice: Appease offended party members by adjusting his style, or continue the hard-edged methods his supporters call essential to governing. * De Blasio Stands by His Criticism of Cuomo (NYT) Mayor Bill de Blasio, in his first appearance since returning from vacation, made clear that time apart from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had not led to a change of heart. * Mayor Continues to Talk Tough About Defending City's Interests (NY1) Lobbyists behind N.Y. lawmaker’s $22K Taiwan trip Lee said he understood that King, as alobbyist, was not allowed to organize trips for members. But Lee said, “[King] just passed a message to this office, and we just took it over.” Asked about the email messages and contact logs showing extensive discussions between Park Strategies and Owens’s office about the trip, Lee referred questions to Park Strategies. “While Park Strategies did ask Congressman Owens to visit Taiwan, and also offered input regarding his travel agenda, the trip was sponsored by Taiwan’s Chinese [Culture] University,” Park Strategies Managing Director Christopher D’Amato said in a statement. In 2003, former U.S. Sen. Al D'Amato, now a leading lobbyist, vaulted into the headlines for earning $500,000 to place a single phone call on behalf of a client to the chairman of the MTA to save a deal that was said to be going sour. Four hundred thousand of that was a "success" bonus for putting the deal back on track. Shortly after, Republican John Flanagan, then a freshman senator with just five months on the job — and a new salaried employee of a law firm founded by D'Amato's brother -sponsored a bill designed to protect D'Amato. The Senate was about to vote on a Republican-backed bill that would extend lobbying disclosure requirements to state authorities like the MTA, whose chair sprung into action after D'Amato's entreaty. At the last minute, Flanagan introduced an alternative filled with poison pills. Not only did it exempt "vendor disputes," precisely what prompted D'Amato's half-million-dollar call, it required the lobbying commission to establish "intentionality" to penalize lobbyists who violated the statutes. Flanagan's sham bill, so rushed he had to handwrite the memo supporting it on the floor, conflicted with the Assembly bill that had already passed and finished off any effort at reform that year. No wonder that on NY1 shortly after Flanagan's recent elevation to Senate majority leader, D'Amato said: "I'm glad to see that John has taken the reins." DE BLASIO BENEFITED FROM D’AMATO MONEY:While Bill de Blasio was elected mayor as a progressive Democrat, he quietly took contributions from people closely tied to former U.S. Senator Alfonse D’Amato, who is now a lobbyist and perhaps the state’s most powerful Republican. Al D'Amatoa lobbyist and fixer who began his career by requiring Town ofHempstead employees to illegally kick back 1 percent of theirsalaries to his campaign coffers. He once took a $500,000 fee formaking one phone call to fix a MTA contract and his brother oncefamously forged a letter on US Senate stationary for a lobby client.D'Amato is no position to lecture anyone about fitness for office NY1 Pension Connection Global Strategy Group is frequent on air consultant for NY1 along with Carl McCall who was paid 50,000 by a pension investor for brokering a deal with Comptroller Hevesi. NY1 operates a clock on their website on the number of days AG Cuomo has not appeared on their cable channel. Al D'amato is another NY1 lobbyist Lobbyists rule Albany & D'Amato is Example #1 of everything that is wrong. Reform is required to restore democracy Elsewhere, he expressed "tremendous relief."In many ways, New York state politics is Al D'Amato's world; we just live in it. And Flanagan, the state's single most powerful Republican, is no exception to that rule.Yet, try as we might — and New Yorkers threw D'Amato out of the Senate 17 years ago — we just can't get rid of Fixer Fonz, whose booming lobbying firm now attracts $8 million a year in seduction fees, the second most of the licensed wirepullers in the state. He made several indirect appearances in the indictment of Dean Skelos, the third Senate majority leader he helped install. The charging documents describe a compliant Ed Mangano, the Nassau County executive — who let D'Amato speak at his inaugural, awarded the county's bus line to a D'Amato client and hired D'Amato's daughter — as a champion for the county environmental contract that Skelos is charged with fixing. In 2003, former U.S. Sen. Al D'Amato, now a leading lobbyist, vaulted into the headlines for earning $500,000 to place a single phone call on behalf of a client to the chairman of the MTA to save a deal that was said to be going sour. Four hundred thousand of that was a "success" bonus for putting the deal back on track. Shortly after, Republican John Flanagan, then a freshman senator with just five months on the job — and a new salaried employee of a law firm founded by D'Amato's brother -sponsored a bill designed to protect D'Amato. The Senate was about to vote on a Republican-backed bill that would extend lobbying disclosure requirements to state authorities like the MTA, whose chair sprung into action after D'Amato's entreaty. At the last minute, Flanagan introduced an alternative filled with poison pills. Not only did it exempt "vendor disputes," precisely what prompted D'Amato's half-million-dollar call, it required the lobbying commission to establish "intentionality" to penalize lobbyists who violated the statutes. Flanagan's sham bill, so rushed he had to handwrite the memo supporting it on the floor, conflicted with the Assembly bill that had already passed and finished off any effort at reform that year. No wonder that on NY1 shortly after Flanagan's recent elevation to Senate majority leader, D'Amato said: "I'm glad to see that John has taken the reins." Lobbyists Miller Works for D'Amato and Lobbyist McCaughey BF Is A Leader of the Manhattan Institute Whose Lobbyist is D'Amato Journalist Wayne Barrett Exposes the Media Cover-Up of Lobbyists D'Amato Corruption and Control of State Senate Skelos is also accused of extorting a $100,000 no-show job for his son from Anthony Bonomo, whose two medical malpractice firms have combined to pay D'Amato's lobbying firm, Park Strategies, $795,000 since 2007. Bonomo has co-hosted political fundraisers with D'Amato, and his goldmine of campaign contributions, including $75,000 to Mangano and $400,000 to Gov. Cuomo, meticulously track D'Amato alliances. Bonomo just stepped down as the Cuomo-appointed chair of the New York Racing Association, and is singing to U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who now leads a veritable chorus of cooperating crooners. Also harmonizing for Bharara in the Skelos case and the one against former Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver are top associates of developer Leonard Litwin and his Glenwood Management, both of which were once D'Amato clients and, like Bonomo, synchronized many of their political contributions with D'Amato. Litwin's real estate company paid Skelos' son directly and through the environmental firm, where it was a major investor. Both Bonomo and Litwin are among the few large donors to Renew New York, a PAC controlled by D'Amato that gave $25,000 to Mangano and bankrolls other D'Amato allies. D'Amato's connections to indicted senators don't end there. Tom Libous, the Senate deputy majority leader whose son has already been convicted in a parallel case with the one against the senator that is scheduled to go to trial in July, is accused of lying about a law firm job he allegedly got for his son. When Libous wanted a bigger paycheck for his boy, a $50,000 bonus was allegedly funneled to the law firm through Fred Hiffa, an Albany lobbyist. Hiffa wound up leaving his own lobbying firm and is now a managing director of D'Amato's. But the recent D'Amato scandal connections don't all revolve around Albany. The FBI and state investigators hit the headlines in Buffalo recently when they raided the homes of three major political operatives, including Steve Pigeon and Steve Casey, both of whom work for one of D'Amato's biggest upstate clients, the Congel family, father-and-son mall developers.Their companies paid D'Amato $2.7 million in federal and state lobbying fees. Not only did D'Amato represent the Congel company on a troubled Rochester project, he represented the MonroeCounty government that backed it. In a separate 2013 investigation, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and the feds also raided the headquarters of the Shinnecock Nation, a Long Island-based tribe whose casino rights are controlled by Gateway Casino Resorts, another D'Amato client. * Sen. Kenneth LaValle, a Long Island Republican, has left his job at a law firm, though he said it had nothing to do with the swirl of controversies centering on lawmakers’ sources of outside income. Barrett's Investigation of D'Amato's 'World That We Live In' Is A Reminder How Today's Journalism Has Failed New Yorkers When picked in May by a narrow majority of the 32 Republicans in the Senate, Flanagan announced he was leaving the law firm that was paying him up to $150,000 a year. In the furor over Silver and Skelos' outside earnings, Flanagan's move was a welcome, if belated, acknowledgement of the potential conflicts.Flanagan's firm, Forchelli Curto, was founded in 1976 by Armand D'Amato, just as his brother was taking over as presiding supervisor of Hempstead, one of the most powerful positions in NassauCounty politics. When Al D'Amato beat Javits four years later, Armand's small firm, then named D'Amato Forchelli, quickly created a Washington office. Armand left the firm when he was convicted on federal fraud charges in 1993, but returned to it in 2002, seven years after his conviction was overturned. Armand, whose use of his brother's Senate stationary to write letters on Unisys' behalf was blasted by the Senate Ethics Committee, joined his brother's lobbying powerhousePark Strategies in 2004 (and Unisys became a Park client). Flanagan joined the Forchelli firm in 2003, a week after he took office in the state Senate. The Nassau-centric firm even opened an office in Suffolk for Flanagan, Armand and a couple of other attorneys. The firm's web archives detail hundreds of actions on behalf of specific clients, but, like Silver and Skelos at their firms, Flanagan isn't identified with any of them. More cachet than casework, he was, apparently, just another letterhead lawyer. The head of D'Amato's Long Island office, Robert McBride, organized fundraisers for Flanagan in 2006 and 2008, and Park officers and clients, including Litwin and Bonomo, gave tens of thousands.But Flanagan wasn't a shoo-in to replace Skelos after his ouster in May. John DeFrancisco was a strong contender. The Syracuse senator, who came within two votes, has said that Gov. Cuomo made calls to senators on Flanagan's behalf, but DeFrancisco, Cuomo, and D'Amato spokespeople declined to answer repeated questions about D'Amato's involvement. A source close to Flanagan says he was "not aware of any calls" D'Amato may have made and "wasn't in contact" with the lobbyist during the selection process. Other sources who closely tracked the selection say Cuomo did not want to look like he was picking a legislative leader, so ally D'Amato took over. It would hardly be a surprise — D'Amato has been a star player in the naming of the last three Republican majority leaders, Ralph Marino, Joe Bruno and Skelos. Flanagan backed medical marijuana, a departure from his history of introducing bills that banned other, less controversial, drugs, and DeFrancisco voted against it. D'Amato was paid enough in 2014 ($180,000) by one marijuana company, Ideal 420 Technologies, to pen an Op-Ed reversing his position on it, and now a long-term client, North Shore LI Jewish Health Systems, which has paid him up to $180,000 a year, says it will apply to become one of the state's five selected dispensaries for grass.DeFrancisco voted against authorizing three or four new casinos across the state and Flanagan backed it. * The political and business dealings of former Deputy Mayor of Buffalo Steve Casey and Rep. Chris Collins’ chief of staff Chris Grant as well as ties to political operative Steve Pigeon, drew the attention of investigators, The Buffalo News writes: Gambling in NYS is A Sure Bet for Lobbyists D'Amato Clients D'Amato has six clients that directly benefitted from the bill, with the Suffolk and Nassau Off-Track Betting Corporations written directly into the law, getting 1,000 video slots apiece even if the casino referendum failed. A third client, Yonkers Raceway, was terrified that its half-billion-dollar-a-year Westchester slot business would disintegrate if the Cuomo administration put a full casino in nearby OrangeCounty. (D'Amato saw no conflict between representing Yonkers and Greentrack, a company that applied to build an OrangeCounty casino.) D'Amato also represents Madison and Oneida counties, which were written into the casino law as well, the beneficiaries of a compact that Cuomo signed with the Oneida tribe granting them exclusive gaming rights in 10 counties. The tribe will pay Madison and Oneida $36 million up front, settling past tax claims against their existing casinos, and millions more in flat and percentage charges for decades to come. He ran up $3.5 million in total casino-related revenue from eight clients and $1.9 million from the Poker Players Alliance, the online gambling organization D'Amato now chairs, combining to make him the king of Albany's gaming insiders, a playground like no other in recent years. The casino issue, in fact, hovered over the Senate selection process. Three upstate senators who voted for Flanagan when they could have relocated the geographic power within the senate GOP to their own region — John Bonacic, Hugh Farley and Mike Nozzolio — got Cuomo-approved casinos in their district. A fourth of the six upstate pro-Flanagan senators, Cathy Young, is so close to Nozzolio that the two are seen in Albany as a team. While the Cuomo siting board picked these three winners before the Flanagan vote, his Gaming Commission has yet to ratify the selections, adding to the leverage the governor brought to the table.With a senate leader beholden to him, a governor allied with him, a Nassau county executive in his pocket, and extraordinary lifelong ties to the father of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Al D'Amato, dubbed Senator Shakedown decades ago, rules now without the accountability of a public office, a shadow cast across an already darkened capital. | Mid | [
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Unlike conventional alkali halide salts, ionic liquids (ILs) are liquid at moderate temperatures. Properties including negligible vapor pressure, ability to dissolve both polar and nonpolar species, and excellent electrochemical stability have generated immense interest in these novel liquids for a variety of commercial applications[@b1][@b2]. Although the very low volatility of ILs implies that fugitive gas phase emissions are negligible, ILs typically exhibit significant solubility in water, suggesting that the most likely pathway for release of ILs into the environment is via aqueous waste streams[@b3]. Once discharged into the environment, they are likely to persist in water and soil due to their high solubility and variable biodegradability[@b4][@b5][@b6]. Moreover, ILs can induce cytotoxicity among a wide range of organisms[@b7]. Thus, the design of environmentally friendly ILs must include a complete life-cycle assessment including toxicity, biodegradability, and eventual fate and transport of these novel solvents. Although a number of studies have reported the species-specific toxic effects of ILs[@b8][@b9][@b10], a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which ILs are rendered toxic is still lacking. In addition to designing inherently safe ILs, such knowledge is vital in many biological applications where ILs are being investigated as antimicrobial, antifungal, and therapeutic agents[@b11][@b12]. New information on IL-cell interactions will also play a critical role in designing novel bioprocesses based on ILs[@b13]. Here we integrate toxicology and biophysical experiments with atomistic and coarse grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which the toxicity of ILs of the popular class 1-*n*- alkyl-3-methylimidazolium (\[C~*n*~mim\]^+^, *n* = 4 to 12) in combination with Cl^−^ increases with alkyl chain length. Results ======= Cytotoxicity studies -------------------- Cytotoxicity studies were performed on two strains of a freshwater green alga (*Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*) - a wild-type strain possessing a cell wall and a mutant strain lacking a cell wall - to observe any modifications in the IL toxicity for organisms with or without a cell wall. The half maximal effective concentrations (EC~50~) were estimated ([Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}) and are compared with previous results for mammalian IPC-cell lines from Ranke *et al*.[@b14]. Surprisingly, we find that the EC~**50**~ data overlaps with the onset IL concentration for morphological changes of a lipid bilayer (see below). The presence of a cell wall increased the EC~50~, perhaps by reducing the dispersive effect of ionic liquid moieties on lipid bilayers. In all cases it was observed that the EC~50~ decreased (i.e. toxicity increased) as the alkyl chain length *n* on the cation increased, consistent with the known observation that longer alkyl chains lead to greater toxicity[@b15][@b16]. Biophysical microscopy studies ------------------------------ Biophysical experiments with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to study the interaction of aqueous ILs with a lipid bilayer, a commonly used model for a cell membrane. While this model system obviously lacks many of the typical transmembrane entities found in actual cells, it can probe morphological effects to the lipid bilayer which are also likely to significantly alter the functionality of such entities. As shown in [Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}, a bare supported L-α-phosphatidylcholine (α-PC) bilayer consisting of 1 mol% fluorescent lipids appears homogeneous and featureless, consistent with previous work[@b17]. Shortly after adding aqueous solutions of ILs, many aggregates appeared in the form of disks, multilayers, fibers, and vesicles. Critical IL concentrations at which this morphological reorganization commences decreased significantly with increasing alkyl chain length of the cation, and also nearly overlap with the EC~50~ concentrations measured for wild-type and mutant strains of *C. reinhardtii* as well as those for mammalian IPC-cell lines[@b14]. These results collectively suggest that morphological restructuring of lipid bilayers induced by the IL is linked to the cytotoxicity of aqueous solutions of ILs. To test whether ILs insert into the lipid bilayer, fluorescence intensity measurements of a membrane fusion probe (R18) mixed with the *α*-PC bilayer were carried out (see [Supplementary Information, Fig. S1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Due to a self-quenching effect, the fluorescence intensity of the probe increases upon dilution. The fluorescence intensity of R18 increased with time once ILs were introduced in the system, suggesting that the ILs insert into the bilayer and that incorporation of cations into the lipid bilayer is energetically favored for the reassembly of lipids into the observed morphologies. Considering the surfactant-like nature of ILs and that they are the sole additives in the system, their tendency to insert into the bilayer is not unexpected, as common surfactants are known to exhibit similar behavior[@b18]. The upper concentrations at which the bilayer shows complete disintegration ([Fig. 1](#f1){ref-type="fig"}) closely overlap with the reported critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the ILs[@b19]. Taken together, these observations suggest that the molecular mechanism of IL cytotoxicity may be linked to the IL-induced morphological reorganization of cell membranes initially caused by the insertion of ILs into the membrane. We caution, however, that additional work with more realistic systems is needed to definitively prove this mechanism. Molecular simulation studies ---------------------------- To explore the molecular-level details of IL insertion into the lipid bilayer in greater detail, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out for a 1-palmiltoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipid bilayer (T~*m*~ = −2 °C) system in contact with aqueous imidazolium-based ionic liquid solutions. Note that POPC is the most abundant lipid in *α*-PC. The concentrations examined in the simulations are comparable to those used in the fluorescence microscopy and cytotoxicity experiments and are below the experimental solubility limits for these ILs[@b20][@b21]. Simulation details are provided in the [Supplementary Information](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. We previously used atomistic MD simulations[@b22] to investigate the interactions between imidazolium-based ILs with cations having varying alkyl chain lengths and a POPC bilayer. This work was motivated by studies[@b14][@b23] showing that IL ecotoxicity is intimately linked to the enhanced lypophilic nature of ILs. The simulations suggest that \[C~*n*~mim\]^+^ cations tend to insert spontaneously into the lipid bilayer ([Fig. 2a--c](#f2){ref-type="fig"}), with the alkyl tails clearly embedding into the bilayer. Further, the longer the alkyl chain, the deeper the penetration into the bilayer. Atomistic simulations of this type are limited in the time and length scales that can be accessed, and thus are unable to model the swelling observed in the microscopy experiments. To extend the time and length scales of the simulations, a coarse grained model was parameterized against the results of the atomistic simulations. Free energy profiles (or potentials of mean force, PMFs) for insertion of a coarse-grained model of \[C~4~mim\] were computed and compared against PMFs calculated using the fully atomistic representation of the IL. The coarse grained model parameters were adjusted to match the atomistic PMF and the parameters were then extended to \[C~10~mim\]. [Figure 2(d,e)](#f2){ref-type="fig"} show the mapping procedure and that the coarse grained model PMF matches that of the atomistic system. Details of the parameterization procedure and the coarse grained force field parameters are given in [Supporting Information](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. Using the coarse grained models, simulations of \[C~*n*~mim\]Cl, with *n* set to 4 and 10, were performed for large system sizes near the continuum limit. To model a scenario more typical of the microscopy experiments, the majority of the ILs at concentrations of \~200 mM were initially placed on one side of the bilayer along with Na^+^ and Cl^−^ ions consistent with a 160 mM NaCl buffer. Although the simulated concentration was above the CMC for \[C~10~mim\]Cl, the same concentration was used to maintain a high ratio of ILs to lipids. As expected, both short (*n* = 4) and long (*n* = 10) alkyl side chain cations spontaneously inserted into the lipid bilayer with the same orientation as that in the atomistic simulations ([Fig. 3](#f3){ref-type="fig"}). During the course of the \[C~4~mim\]Cl simulations, the number of inserted cations into the upper bilayer leaflet reached a saturation limit of approximately 0.6 inserted cations per lipid in a single bilayer leaflet. Within a few ns of simulation time after saturation, the bilayer began to undergo long-wavelength bending in response to the asymmetric distribution of inserted cations, as indicated by the bright red regions in the spectral intensity of the bilayer undulation surface ([Fig. 3](#f3){ref-type="fig"}). Consistent with this, the bending modulus dropped from 22.6 ± 1.7 × 10^−20^ J for a system without any ILs to 9.3 ± 0.9 × 10^−20^ J with ILs. Similar bending modes were not observed after inserted cations finally saturated both the upper and lower leaflets of the bilayer. This suggests that the observed large bending fluctuations can be a direct consequence of asymmetric insertion of ILs and the inability for inserted ILs to transfer across the hydrophobic center of the bilayer to the opposing leaflet. Interestingly, for the long chain (*n* = 10) cation system, although some cations spontaneously inserted into the lipid bilayer, the majority of the cations spontaneously self-assembled into micelles, eventually adsorbing onto the upper bilayer leaflet surface to form an IL monolayer. Likewise for this system, inserted or micelle-adsorbed ILs did not transfer across bilayer leaflets. The adsorbed ILs also induced bending of the bilayer, although the bending was much more localized and highly correlated with the location of the IL monolayer. In addition, the bending modulus dropped to 8.9 ± 0.8 × 10^−20^ J. Within the simulated timescale, no fusion of IL monolayer into the lipid bilayer or desorption of the IL monolayer from the upper bilayer leaflet interface was observed. For both atomistic and coarse grained simulations, no evidence was found of deep insertion of Cl^−^ anions into the lipid bilayer hydrophobic center, implying that the hydrophobic interaction between the lipid and the alkyl chain was the primary driving force for partitioning of the IL cation into the lipid bilayer. Discussion ========== Results of toxicity studies, confocal microscopy experiments, and molecular simulations suggest a mechanism for ionic liquid toxicity that involves cation insertion into the cell membrane. Our results are consistent with a number of previous reports indirectly pointing to such a mechanistic pathway[@b24][@b25][@b25][@b26][@b27][@b28][@b29][@b30]. Our work elaborates on this pathway to show that as the number of inserted cations reaches a saturation limit, the bilayer buckles to maximize the surface area for bilayer and IL hydrophobic interactions. Such large scale buckling modes of the bilayer seems to be a direct consequence of the asymmetric insertion of ILs into a bilayer leaflet and the inability for ILs to transfer across the bilayer after being inserted, although we plan to address such effects more closely in our future work. For longer chain cations, the cytotoxicity is further enhanced due to stronger IL-lipid bilayer interactions. We propose that the IL-induced bending instabilities can subsequently cause morphological reorganization of the cell membrane. Such significant morphological effects will likely alter cell functionality, some of which may be vital to cells (e.g. conformational changes to transmembrane protein, small molecule membrane permeability, lipid lateral mobility and reconstruction capability), ultimately leading to cell death. Methods ======= Ecotoxicity Assay Details ------------------------- Two strains of a freshwater green alga (*Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*), namely a wild-type strain possessing a cell wall (CPCC *\#*243) and a mutant strain lacking a cell wall (CPCC *\#*12), were obtained from the Canadian Phycological Culture Centre (CPCC). Stocks were maintained in a modified high salts medium (HSM)[@b31] at room temperature on a 12-h cycle of artificial light. Imidazolium-based ionic liquids (IOLITEC Inc.; Tuscaloosa, AL) consisted of three different cations paired with a Cl^−^ anion. The cations differed in their alkyl chain lengths (4, 8, and 12), and were in the form of 1-butyl-, 1-octyl-, and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium. For all growth experiments, four replicate samples of 4 to 10 concentrations of ILs and an IL-free control were used. *C. reinhardtii* was grown in 500-mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 125 mL of HSM. Each replicate was inoculated with 1 mL of stock culture and incubated at room temperature on an orbital shaker table under artificial growth lights (12-h light-dark cycle). To determine growth, chlorophyll a from each replicate culture was measured daily using *in vivo* fluorescence on a Turner Trilogy fluorometer[@b32]. Growth rates were calculated for each experimental culture using the spline method of the grofit package[@b33] implemented in the R Statistics Package[@b34]. Using growth rate and IL concentration data, the half maximal effective concentrations (EC~50~) and their standard errors were estimated from the better of two model fits (general logistic model and an extended logistic model, which allows for increased growth at low toxin levels or hormesis) using maximum likelihood methodologies[@b35][@b36]. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals for the EC~50~ concentrations were estimated using the Hessian of the maximum likelihood fits provided by the optim function in the R Statics Environment[@b34]. The effect of a cell wall on IL toxicity was inferred from differences in EC~50~ between the two *C. reinhardtii* strains, and statistical significance was inferred from a lack of overlap of 95% confidence intervals of EC~50~ estimates for the two strains. The relationship between EC~50~50 and the alkyl chain length of the ionic liquid was determined using linear regression. Biophysical Study Details ------------------------- The compounds *α*-PC and fluorescent 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl) ammonium (LR-PE), both purchased from Avanti Polar Lipids, were used to produce liposome and supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) on polished quartz coverslips (ESCO Products). Quartz coverslips were cleaned by sonication in ethanol for 10 min and then were soaked in a heated piranha solution (30% H~2~O~2~ and 70% H~2~SO~4~) at 110 °C for 1 h. Subsequently, quartz coverslips were thoroughly rinsed with deionized water (Barnstead Nanopure II) and dried with nitrogen gas (purity \>99.9%) before use. The membrane fusion probe, octadecyl rhodamine B Chloride (R18) was purchased from Life Technologies and used directly. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was purchased from VWR and used directly. Imidazolium-based ionic liquids (IOLITEC Inc.; Tuscaloosa, AL) used in this study possess a Cl^−^ anion, while cations differ in their alkyl chain lengths (4, 6, 8, 12) in the form of 1-butyl-, 1-hexyl-, 1-octyl-, and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) were prepared by the commonly used extrusion method[@b17]. Briefly, a mixture of *α*-PC with fluorescence dye in chloroform was dried by nitrogen gas to form a dry mixed lipid film and then re-suspended in PBS to form lipid vesicles with a final concentration of 1.0 g/L via sonication for 10 min before and after storage at T = −25 °C overnight. Subsequently, the suspension of hydrated lipid vesicles was extruded repeatedly through a mini-extruder (Avanti Polar Lipids) with two layers of polycarbonate membrane filters of 100 nm pore diameter (Whatman; Maidstone, UK) to yield SUVs of diameter (*d*) \~120 nm as determined by dynamic light scattering (Brookhaven Instruments). For all fluorescence microscopy experiments, the molar ratio of *α*-PC to fluorescence dye in the mixed SLBs was kept constant at 100:1. The SLB was prepared by SUV fusion and disruption method, where 1 mL of 1.0 mg/mL SUV suspension in PBS was added to a cleaned quartz coverslip and kept incubated in a custom-built liquid cell for 30 min to obtain a SLB. Excess SUVs were removed by repeatedly and gently rinsing the SLB with deionized water, and then incubated in PBS buffer for 30 min before use. The SLB prepared by this method was homogenous and featureless, as verified in our previous work[@b17][@b37][@b38]. The morphology of SLBs with/without added ILs was characterized in real time by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM, Zeiss LSM 5 Pascal) with a 100X objective lens (NA = 1.4, oil immersion) and analyzed by ImageJ[@b39]. Simulation Details ------------------ Coarse grained simulations and potential of mean force (PMF) calculations were carried out using Gromacs 4.5.5[@b40][@b41][@b42]. The SDK models[@b43][@b44][@b45] were used to simulate the POPC lipid bilayer in sodium chloride buffer solution, while the IL model was taken from Bhargava and Klein[@b46] and Bhargava *et al*.[@b47]. For all of the models used in this work, the interaction potential was described by a 9--6 Mie potential for pairs excluding water or by a 12--4 Mie potential pairs including water. All simulations were performed in the semi-isotropic NPT ensemble for 250 ns and with a dielectric constant set to 16. The procedure for developing new coarse grained interaction parameters is described in [Supplementary Information](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}. Additional Information ====================== **How to cite this article**: Yoo, B. *et al*. Molecular mechanisms of ionic liquid cytotoxicity probed by an integrated experimental and computational approach. *Sci. Rep.* **6**, 19889; doi: 10.1038/srep19889 (2016). Supplementary Material {#S1} ====================== ###### Supplementary Information Support for this work was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DE-FG36-08G088020), the National Science Foundation (CBET-1134238), and Oklahoma State University start-up funds. Computational resources were provided through the University of Notre Dame's Center for Research Computing. **Author Contributions** E.J.M., J.K.S., Y.Z. and G.A.L. conceived and designed the project. B.Y. carried out all the molecular simulations, with assistance from J.K.S. and B.J. designed and performed all the confocal microscopy measurements and proposed the molecular mechanism for the computer simulation study. S.E.J. performed the cytotoxicity experiments. B.Y., Y. Z., G. L. and E.J.M. wrote the manuscript with considerable input from all the other co-authors. ![Phase diagram of ionic liquid induced cytotoxicity.\ \[C~*n*~mim\]Cl induces morphological changes to a supported *α*-PC bilayer. The dashed magenta line in the phase diagram corresponds to the response of EC~50~ to ionic liquid alkyl chain length for IPC-cell lines from Ranke *et al*.[@b14]. Similarly, the solid blue and grey lines depict predicted EC~50~ as a function of ionic liquid alkyl chain length for wild-type (with cell wall) and mutant (without cell wall) strains of *Chlamydomoas reinhardtii*, respectively. See Ecotoxicity Assay Details for further information about how these relationships were generated. The dashed green line corresponds to the IL critical micelle concentration (CMC) reported by Blesic *et al*.[@b19] at similar ionic strengths to the confocal microscopy experiments (CMC for \[C~4~mim\]Cl has been extrapolated). Colored symbols in the figure correspond to the specific lipid morphology as shown in the right image: black square - featureless supported lipid bilayer; red circle - multilayer; blue triangle - multilayer and fiber/tube; pink diamond - multilayer, fiber/tube and vesicle; green hexagon - vesicle; and navy star - disrupted bilayer captured at much higher detector gain to improve the image quality. The size of all the micrographs is 30 *μ*m by 30 *μ*m and represents a top-down view of a fluorescently labeled lipid bilayer adsorbed onto a solid support. The solid black and red lines correspond to the onset of supported lipid bilayer disruption and the total disruption of the supported lipid bilayer, respectively.](srep19889-f1){#f1} ![Simulating insertion of ionic liquid into a lipid bilayer.\ (**a--c**) Atomistic simulations of a POPC bilayer system with \[C~4~mim\]Cl, \[C~8~mim\]Cl, and \[C~12~mim\]Cl demonstrating spontaneous insertion of imidazolium cations into the lipid bilayer. IL concentrations ranged from \~5--50 mM. (**d**) Schematic diagram of the PMF mapping operator between the atomistic and coarse grained models. The PMF mapping method was used to obtain refined IL and lipid cross interaction parameters for the coarse grained models. **(e),** PMF or transfer free energy of a single IL cation insertion into a lipid bilayer for both atomistic and coarse grained simulations. The cross interaction parameters have been transferred to longer alkyl side chain cations (e.g. \[C~10~mim\]^+^).](srep19889-f2){#f2} ![Ionic liquids induce bending of the lipid bilayer.\ (**a**--**c**) Snapshots of coarse grained simulations of a POPC bilayer system (**a**) without ILs, (**b**) with \[C~4~mim\]Cl and (**c**) with \[C~10~mim\]Cl (top row). IL and NaCl (sodium-yellow; chloride-green) buffer concentrations are \~200 mM and \~160 mM respectively. In (**c**), a nearly fully covered monolayer of adsorbed \[C~10~mim\]Cl is formed at the lipid bilayer aqueous interface. Coarse grained water molecules are not displayed. Interactions between IL cations with the POPC bilayer induce bending of the bilayer. The bilayer center of mass plane is shown in red to guide the eye. 3-D contour surface plots of the upper leaflet height based on the phosphate group of the lipid are plotted (bottom row). The lower leaflet surface is shown in gray. IL cations are only shown for clarity (imidazolium ring - blue; alkyl side chain - cyan). Z-coordinates have been recentered to the bilayer center plane. Spectral intensity based on the Fourier transform of the bilayer surface along the X and Y plane (bottom row inset). Intensity peaks corresponding to the bright red regions are associated with high amplitude bending modes of the bilayer surface.](srep19889-f3){#f3} [^1]: These authors contributed equally to this work. | Mid | [
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Christophe Ponsson's arrival in MotoGP at Misano, as a replacement for injured rider Tito Rabat, was a move that left other riders in doubt. The French rider, short in experience in the reigning class, came in for criticism. Two days ago, team Avintia confirmed that it would field Jordi Torres at the Aragon race, a decision that Ponsson himself, having signed a contract to compete in 4 races, was not aware of. Here we publish the full release issued by Christophe, the rider blaming Dorna and certain riders (Crutchlow and Miller) for his exclusion. "I have a 17-page contract that provides, without an exit clause, that I ride in MotoGP in Misano, Aragon, Thailand and Japan. I would like to point out that at the moment of the transmission of this press release, I have still not officially been informed by the team that it is putting an end to this contract, except that yesterday afternoon at 16.00, during my training with Rubén Xaus, the boss of team Real Avintia calls Rubén and tells him that I will not ride in Aragon because the Dorna imposed him a Spanish pilot! Rubén Xaus reminds him that this is not possible because I had a contract of 4 races. The Boss of the team told him that it was in large part because of Cal Crutchlow and Jack Miller who insisted and mounted the other pilots to exclude me. He explains in fact that MotoGP drivers have imposed on Dorna this week a commission with immediate effect that would be called GPC (Grand Prix commission) that would involve MotoGP riders in the choice of substitute riders. I recall that the creation of this commission was made after my integration into MotoGP and my contract, I seek to assert my rights and the boss of the team told Rubén that he insisted on the Dorna by saying " but how I do with Ponsson since we are in contract for 4 races ", he continued by telling him that Dorna replied to him that he did nothing and that was his problem! A mixture of disappointment and disgust invades me to the point of wondering if I won't definitely stop this sport! Rubén goes by telling me he's going to try to understand what's going on so much that it seems unrealistic and he'll call me back later! Around 18 am I find an announcement from Jordi Torres at Avintia which it is announced that it is team Avintia who would have contacted Torres! This is how they all took it to stop me from doing my 3 other Grand Prix yet contractual! At the time of this release, I have no more explanation than that to give you. I will now ask for official explanations because I need to understand those low blows! In Misano, all those MotoGP riders who stopped bragging that MotoGP was the highest motorcycle competition in the world and that couldn't let young pilots like me, according to them inexperienced, and well I'm not sure this institution MotoGP has carefully healed its image by quickly making the gas a commission at the request of a few pilots to get me out! It's a little cavalier and MotoGP didn't grow up! In fact, I thought this kind of little arrangement was practiced only in small private races. In the evening of this Friday, Rubén Xaus confirms that there is nothing left to do. It's been 2 months since Jordi Torres didn't ride, he was available for Misano! Why didn't team Avintia take it for Misano? I would like to clarify that I would never have agreed to sign a MotoGP contract only for a race without testing in advance! If I agreed to meet this challenge and sacrifice my Spanish Championship, it was precisely because the contract provided for 4 races without exit clause and the team Avintia told me that according to Tito Rabat's health state, I may even do a 5th, 6TH OR EVEN THE LAST 7 races of the season! I took the Misano round for my first MotoGP test because I knew that behind I still had 3 Grand Prix to progress and demonstrate that I had my place in the top class." | Mid | [
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Trajectories of Evidence Based Treatment for School Children with Autism: What's the Right Level for the Implementation? Evidence-based practices (EBP) for children with autism are under-used in special-education schools. No research compared child-level versus teacher-level influences on EBP use, which could guide implementation strategies. We derived longitudinal profiles of EBP receipt by children (N = 234) in 69 autism-support classrooms, over an academic year. We compared overall impacts of child-level and teacher-level factors on profile membership. Most children received little EBP throughout the year; however substantial subgroups received increasing, and decreasing, doses of EBP. Child-level and teacher-level factors contributed about equally to profile membership. Children's autism symptoms and verbal ability, teachers' EBP skills, training/experience, classroom support, class size, and implementation leadership climate predicted profile membership. Early identification of treatment profiles could facilitate targeted implementation strategies increasing EBP use. | High | [
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Romans 7:14-25 Romans 7:14-25New International Version (NIV) 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[b] a slave to the law of sin. Purchases from our store are processed by our partner, Christianbook.com. After purchase, you will receive an email from them with a redemption code, which will unlock your purchased content at Bible Gateway. You must be logged in to view your newly purchased content. Please log in below or if you don't have an account, creating one is easy and only takes a few moments. After you log in your content will be available in your library. | High | [
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"You can't have ham" Temple ov thee Lemur provides two kinds of Ham Licence. Without a licence you may be using ham illegally! Licences only apply to territories controlled by Temple ov thee Lemur. Licences may be refused for any reason. All Licences require valid references. This probably does not licence you for ham radio or theatre. BASIC TotL Ham Licence "Bacon at Home" Permits you to use and store small quantities of Ham and Bacon in your home. Two references will be required. Apply for BASIC Ham Licence FULL TotL Ham Licence "AnyHam Anywhere!" All the benefits of the basic licence. Licence holder may transport any quantities of ham. Licence holder may also use and store Luncheon meats and Gammon Steaks. Five references will be required. Apply for FULL Ham Licence The TotL Ham Authorities official Catchphrase "You can't have ham" is a line from the classic 1964 movie Devil Doll Another fine service from Temple ov thee Lemur | Mid | [
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JS Sloane Lightweight Pomade Description The Lightweight Pomade holds like traditional classic pomade. It is suitable for all hair types, and is perfect for that Rockabilly look, and other retro hairstyles. It has a firm, but flexible feel and hold and it washes out easy with H2O. | Mid | [
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Joint enrollment A high school student 16 years of age or older who wishes to be admitted for joint enrollment on a part-time basis during the junior or senior year must apply using the application process for first-time freshmen and must be recommended for joint enrollment by a counselor and a teacher. In addition, joint enrollment applicants should meet or exceed normal undergraduate admission requirements. Joint enrollment is on a space-available basis. Courses are not intended to fulfill high school graduation requirements; they do carry college-level credit and may be used in fulfillment of a certificate or degree program if the student applies and is accepted as a degree-seeking student. Joint enrolled students may be considered for scholarships, but are not eligible for federal or state financial aid and may not reside in university housing while joint enrolled. Joint enrolled students who have taken courses on a nondegree-seeking basis and wish to become degree-seeking must reapply to SCAD and fulfill the application requirements in effect for degree-seeking students. | Mid | [
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The invention relates to a pneumatic mail station for the delivery, reception and transit of pneumatic dispatch cases with two pneumatic tube sections placed at mutually opposite limiting walls of the pneumatic mail station for coupling with an incoming forwarding tube path and an outgoing forwarding tube path as well as with an insertion or inward transfer opening for the introduction of pneumatic dispatch cases which are to be sent and an unloading or outward transfer opening for the discharge of received pneumatic dispatch cases in the same limiting surfaces and with a reception tube chamber shiftable into alignment with the pneumatic tube section associated with the incoming forwarding tube path for the reception of pneumatic dispatch cases, there being allocated to said reception tube chamber a closure device functioning at one end of the chamber in the manner of creating an air pillow decelerating the pneumatic dispatch case and an air conduit which, in the reception position of the reception tube chamber, pneumatically connects the incoming pneumatic tube section with the outgoing forwarding pneumatic tube section. Given such a pneumatic mail station--known from the Austrian Pat. No. 353,172, FIG. 1 as well as page 4, line 33 through page 5, line 12--the closure device is designed as an electromagnetically or, respectively, motor-driven slide. The slide comprises a movable plate which is guided in a slide housing. For this purpose, the slide housing is rigidly connected to the tube chamber and is displaced in common with said tube chamber. The actual drive of the tube chamber ensues via a cog wheel mechanism which engages in the central area of the tube chamber. Given vertical disposition of the tube chamber--the usual standard position of pneumatic mail stations--the slide is situated in the lower portion of the station. The pneumatic tube sections for the incoming and the outgoing forwarding tube paths have holes near the upper and lower boundaries of the station housing which discharge into the air conduit. A clack valve is situated in the central portion of the air conduit, said clack valve being opened for the air streaming from the top toward the bottom but being closed for the opposite air flow direction. Upon arrival of a pneumatic dispatch case from the upper transmission tube path, the slide is run into the clear cross-section of the tube chamber so that the stream of conveying air is interrupted at the tube chamber. The stream of conveying air proceeds through the holes in the pneumatic tube sections and the air conduit, so that an effective pneumatic drive is available for the incoming traveling tube until the pneumatic dispatch case enters the area of the air holes of the incoming pneumatic tube section. The deceleration path in which the pneumatic dispatch case creates an air pillow in front of it which decelerates it extends from this area to the level of the slide. Pneumatic dispatch cases arriving from below first traverse the area of the open slide, actuate a contact after the traversal and thus redirect the direction of the conveying air stream on the one hand and, on the other hand, actuate the slide drive so that the tube chamber is closed off at the lower portion thereof. Subsequently, the same operational sequence occurs as in the arrival of a pneumatic dispatch case entering the pneumatic mail station from the top. In the known pneumatic mail station, thus, the same reception operation is provided given the arrival of pneumatic dispatch cases arriving in the pneumatic mail station both from the top and from below, the pneumatic dispatch case moving from top toward bottom in the final phase of said reception operation. This is to be viewed as being disadvantageous insofar as there is an increasing desire in the planning of contemporary pneumatic mail systems to have the pneumatic dispatch cases enter the pneumatic mail station from below, because this makes it easier to conceal or, respectively, cover the pneumatic mail tubes by means of covers, office furniture or counters. A further disadvantage is to be seen in that the pneumatic deceleration is imperfect insofar as lightweight pneumatic dispatch cases are better and more effectively decelerated than heavy pneumatic dispatch cases; given the same air velocity in tube lines proceeding down from the top, heavy pneumatic dispatch cases exhibit higher conveying speeds than lightweight pneumatic dispatch cases. In order to also be able to effectively decelerate heavy and, thus, faster pneumatic dispatch cases, an air conduit is provided for the known pneumatic mail station given high conveying speeds of heavy pneumatic dispatch cases, said air conduit emerging from the pneumatic mail station and, in an area lying correspondingly far above the pneumatic mail station, discharging into the forwarding tube entering the pneumatic mail station from the top. | Mid | [
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Monday, March 29, 2010 The embryologist report is in. Out of 24 eggs retrieved, 19 were mature, and 13 were fertilized! We'll hear from the embryologist again tomorrow morning to hear how our "cupcakes" are doing. We'll also find out if they plan on 3 day or 5 day transfer. Sunday, March 28, 2010 I'm home from my egg retrieval. They collected 24 eggs of which 20 were mature. Unfortunately Hubby's "sample" had a low concentration so the embryologist suggested that we opt for ICSI to improve our chances of fertilization. So now we wait for tomorrow's fertilization report. The procedure itself went okay. Getting my IV was unfortunately not a painless procedure! The retrieval from the right ovary was no sweat. I felt a bit of pressure and that's it. The retrieval from the left was very uncomfortable. They gave me some more drugs to get through it. Post retrieval I felt great (except for some cramping). I don't know if the recovery room nurse believed me though. The lady in the next bed was feeling nauseous and faint. I felt bad for her since she went in for her procedure before me, but I got to leave first. Since I couldn't eat anything after midnight last night I was ravenous! The nurse had given me a few crackers to eat but it wasn't enough. Hubby and I went out for lunch (you know I was hungry since I went out in public with no makeup!). I'm relaxing on the couch now. I still have some moderate cramping and I finally took some Tylenol. BTW - If you're wondering what the photo is - that's me waiting for one of my dates with Wandy! In a half hour we will be leaving to go to the Fertility Clinic for my egg retrieval. Hopefully this will be my last date with Wandy. On Friday night at midnight (or is it Saturday morning?) I gave myself the HCG trigger shot. Last night I had the best sleep that I've had since this all began thanks to the Valium that they gave me to take. I'm not allowed any food except for clear liquids (I hope that green tea counts as a clear liquid 'cause that's what I'm drinking), I'm not allowed to wear make up (I cheated and put on mascara), and I'm not allowed to drive for 24 hours (but I'm planning to drive myself to work tomorrow morning). I hope that we get at least 10 eggs to work with. The embryologist will call us tomorrow with the fertilization report. Thursday, March 25, 2010 This morning was my 4th date with Wandy this week. Aren't you supposed to get a fancy dinner before your date gets any action? Wandy didn't even offer me a coffee! These early morning trysts have got to stop! However I was happy that the RE on duty is the gentle one. The one who did my ultrasound yesterday (my own RE) was quite rough. It felt like she was shoving Wandy right up to my poor, aching ovaries. Today's test was much easier. Gentle RE has the magic touch. Here are today's results: Left ovary: Ready to go! Follicles look great and are an average size of 2.1cm Right ovary: 10 follicles (up from 7), but lagging behind the left. Average size is only 1.6cm The RE is waiting on today's blood test results before making any decisions. Yesterday my Estrogen level was 10,000! I don't know if I want it to shrink, stay the same, or go higher. I just want to trigger! I should hear from the clinic around 11:30 (MST). Keep your fingers crossed that this is it. Once again my day began with a date with Wandy. It will be so nice to be able to start a post with a different phrase. Yesterday while I was hoping to trigger, the RE said to come back one more time. Today's results were very similar to yesterday. My left ovary has 10 really good follicles and 4 really small ones. My right ovary has 7 follicles of a decent size. The problem is that my left ovary is way ahead of my right ovary and they want the right to catch up. When they checked my blood today (I'm starting to run out of "good" veins) my estrogen was over 10,000. They reduced my Gonal-F injection to only 75iU from 225iU - and I get to see Wandy again tomorrow! Hubby is starting to get jealous of all of the "action" that Wandy is getting from me. So once again I ask you to please pray, cross your fingers, make a sacrifice, or whatever it is that you do - so that tomorrow they tell me that I can finally pull the trigger! If I do get to trigger tomorrow that would mean that I would go in on Sunday for the egg retrieval with possible embryo transfer on Wednesday or Friday of next week. Wednesday, March 24, 2010 After my birthday date with Wandy, they asked me to come back again today for another date. The magic has worn off though - I didn't shave my legs this time. On Monday they told me that my follicles were measuring ahead of schedule. They gave me my prescription for the HCG "trigger" shot and everything. I was elated and was hopeful that today they would tell me to go ahead and pull the trigger! No such luck. Apparently my estrogen levels were a little high on Monday so they wanted me to come in today to check them again. No trigger for me. I did get to see Wandy though. I have 10 follicles on one ovary and 8 on the other. They are averaging 15mm in size. Grow follies grow! They want me to come back again tomorrow for another ultrasound and more bloodwork. Hopefully they'll want me to trigger tomorrow. I'm starting to get really uncomfortable. My ovaries are approximately the size of apples right now (they're normally the size of an almond) and they are pushing on my bladder. Do you have any idea how many times that I have peed today?? I just injected myself with the last of my Gonal F. If they don't tell me to trigger tomorrow I'll have to get a new one at the lovely cost of $450. Monday, March 22, 2010 My birthday started out with a date with Wandy. I know that you're all jealous and wish that you could have a date with Wandy on your birthday too. Maybe if you ask your RE nicely they will accommodate you. So far, so good. The Dr. said that I am progressing ahead of schedule. I have 7 follicles on my right ovary and 6 on my left. They were so big that even I could see them with my untrained eyes. The biggest ones were 14mm. They gave me my prescription for the HCG trigger which they will administer 30 hours before the egg retrieval. I take this as a great sign that we will be retrieving soon! My next appointment is on Wednesday where they will take more blood and do another ultrasound. I'm really hoping that they have me do the trigger shot that night so we can do the retrieval on Friday. Keep your fingers crossed for me that my ovaries cooperate! Sunday, March 21, 2010 Welcome all visitors from IComLeavWe! This is my first time participating and I'm really excited. This week catches me at a bit of a bad time however. You see I'm playing host to my friend's 15 year old daughter this weekend. As you are reading this there is a 90% chance that I am in a mall right now visiting stores that I never even knew existed. Today I am on Day 6 of my IVF injections so I'm a tad bit hormonal and stressed out at the same time. There is also the possibility that this week I could go in for my egg retrieval! If that is the case, I will apologize in advance for falling behind in my own comments. Saturday, March 20, 2010 This weekend has been a whirlwind of shopping malls and stores for women who don't have hips - i.e. I'm hanging out with 15 year old. There hasn't been a lot of time for me to be online, let alone update my blog. Mostly because my laptop has been taken over by said 15 year old! The clinic nurse called me on Friday. She said that my blood work results were great. They're keeping me on the same dosages of the Gonal-F and Luveris. Monday morning I get to have my birthday date with Wandy to check on the progress of my follicles. I'm happy to report that the near-constant hot flashes have subsided. I'm starting to feel a lot of twinges and pulling in my ovaries as well. I hope that this means that the follicles are getting bigger and bigger. It's hard to imagine that my ovaries will go from being the size of an almond to the size of a lemon (or orange!). I highly doubt that you want to hear about my sore feet from all of the mall wanderings that I've been doing, so I will wait until Monday when I have some progress to report. By then Hubby and I will be back to being D.I.N.K.s and I will be done with the mall for a very long time! Friday, March 19, 2010 I came across this great diagram that shows how an IVF cycle works. As you can see on Day 1 - we have our first date with Wandy and start our drugs. Days 7, 9, 11 are more dates with Wandy with egg retrieval at about day 13. I went in to the RE's this morning for more bloodwork. The nurse said that they will most likely change my dosage of medication and to stay by the phone today. I'm scheduled to go back on Monday for another date with Wandy (which also happens to be my birthday). But she also said that depending on my hormone levels I may need to go in over the weekend. This is no ordinary weekend for me though. I get to play "mom" this weekend to my friend's 15 year old daughter. They live in the North (for those of you in the USA - Canada has several levels of "north") and she wanted to come to the big city for her spring break. Between shopping and going to teen movies I will make the time for my injections and potentially a date with Wandy. Her visit also means that I won't be online as often. But I promise to update you all on any new developments! So far my injections have gone really well. Yesterday I opted to inject myself in my thighs (they said any fatty area will do) and it went fairly well. I didn't even feel one of them! Maybe I'll try the other thigh tonight. Hubby and I are also on antibiotics as a precaution. Unfortunately they aren't agreeing with him and are upsetting his stomach. I feel for him but since that is probably the only discomfort that he will feel during this process, I don't feel too badly for him. After 3 days of injections I think that I'm starting to feel a little action in the ovary area. I feel the occasional twinge and I'm hopeful that it means that my follicles are growing big and strong. I'm not bloated - and I really hope that it stays that way. I'm also starting to recognize some of the women in the RE's office. I wonder if any of us will be on the same timeline and end up doing our retrieval and transfers on the same day? Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Sure we've flirted before, but today was our first true "date". I know it was a date because I shaved my legs for the occasion. Of course I'm talking about Wandy. "Wandy" is the affectionate term that has been created for us Infertiles to refer to the probe on the ultrasound machine. Today was the start of my relationship with Wandy. We're sure to see a lot of each other in the next month. This morning I was back at the RE's for baseline bloodwork and ultrasound. Hubby came with me as we also had to have an injection lesson from the pharmacist. My uterus lining looks "perfect" at 3mm. I have 7 small follicles on my right ovary and 5 on my left (or the other way around I can't remember anymore). I didn't know if they would see any follies since I've been taking suppression drugs for nearly 2 weeks now. By 11am I got the call from the nurse. Everything looks great and I can start the injections today. They want me to do the injections between 1pm and 5pm each day. Hubby doesn't get home from work until closer to 6pm so I'm on my own. Dear readers I have to tell you that I totally rocked my first injections! I had decided from the start that I had to be a big girl about this. Whenever I would get nervous I would think of the diabetic kids that I have known that do this every day. If they can do it for the rest of their lives, I can manage for 2 weeks. I go back on Friday for another follow up and again on Monday for a "probing" (as Hubby calls it). Monday's probing - or as I prefer to call it - date with Wandy - will be special as it's also my b'day. So if you're the praying type, please pray that this goes well for us. If you're not the praying type, can you cross your fingers or something for me? I know several business owners who would love to post this in their offices! Each time a client complains to me about a pending maternity leave I joke and say: "maybe it's the chair. (Pause for effect) Can I have it?" Thanks again to the great submitters at Engrish Funny for supplying me with a blog post! Monday, March 15, 2010 While I'm not yet 100% ready to come out of the closet, this is pretty much what I look like - Old Navy style! Hubby doesn't think that it looks like me - my hair is a lot curlier than this. He does like the outfit though. I think that I may pick up the cardigan on the weekend. Saturday, March 13, 2010 Tonight before you go to bed, remember to set your clocks forward an hour for Daylight Saving's Time. That's right folks, you will lose an hour this weekend! This is the only time of the year when you can truthfully say "sorry, I ran out of time". I grew up in Saskatchewan. One of the only places in the world (that I know of) that doesn't do Daylight Saving's Time. The time there, is the same year round. You see, DST was started during one of the wars (I don't know which one) to help preserve fuel (oil for lamps, electricity, etc.). When the war was over Saskatchewan said: "well, that was a pain in the ass. We're glad that's over" (or something like that). And we never touched the clocks again! That is one thing that I actually miss from my home province. I think it's time that we all protest this loss of time and stop messing with our clocks. Do you know how many clocks I have? Do you? And just when I think I've found them all I find another one. Then in a couple of days I'll freak out because I'll be late for an appointment because the clock in my car will be wrong! Once the time changes my family will be living in 4 separate time zones: EST, CST, MST, and PST. The only thing that would make it more confusing is if I had family in Newfoundland! Friday, March 12, 2010 Today is CD 29. I'm approximately 16 DPO. There's no indication that AF is coming so why not test? So I did. Of course, it was a Big Fat Negative! Before you say anything - I'm not upset. I fully expected to see a BFN when I tested. We were definitely living up to the "not trying" part of Not Trying, Not Preventing this cycle. I think it's evident that we needed a break from TTC as we literally only had sex once this cycle (that may be more information than you needed or that Hubby wants me to share). Besides, I've been taking ovulation suppression drugs for 8 days now. My body thinks that it's going into menopause! I'm not surprised that my period is MIA. Or maybe I miscalculated when I ovulated - after all I wasn't taking my temperature this cycle. I will need all your positive thoughts and prayers for the next few weeks as we begin our IVF cycle. I'm hopeful that this will be my last BFN ever! Thursday, March 11, 2010 The other day I wrote about 5 Things that I Hate. In that I included a reference about the Dutch. It surprised me that no one got the reference that I was quoting though. I don't want anyone to think that I actually hate the Dutch. I really, really don't! Honest! In reality I guess I only hate 4 things. I was quoting Nigel Powers from the movie Goldmember. You must remember Goldmember! Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Tuesday, March 9, 2010 People who throw garbage and/or cigarettes out their car window. I mean really. Are you so important that you can't wait a few minutes to place it in a proper receptacle? Some days I really wish that I had the power to give out tickets. When people make up their minds about something without really knowing what it is. For example a friend of mine "hates sushi". I asked her if she's ever had it - she said "no". I asked "how do you know if you hate it then?" She replied "well, I don't like raw fish". I said "not all 'sushi' is raw fish". And she said "well, I still don't like it". Grocery shopping. It's crowded, it's expensive, I don't always remember to bring my own bags, then I have to bring it home and put it away. No thanks! Gosh I need a butler to do my chores. Speaking of grocery shopping, I also hate it when the grocery store moves their product around. You know what I mean. For years they have the Shake N Bake in a certain location and then the next week it's missing! ~ AND ~ The Dutch. - Ok not really. Everyone that I've ever met from the Netherlands has always been very nice. (If you got the reference 5 points to you!) Saturday, March 6, 2010 Have I ever told you that I'm a partial nerd? I don't quite meet the criteria to be a complete nerd as I've never played Dungeons and Dragons, read comic books, and I don't know how to play chess. I am quite willing to accept the fact that I do have some nerd-esque qualities though. Such as - I loved the British t.v. show Red Dwarf. Most of my readers are probably way too young to even know what in the science fiction I'm talking about. Red Dwarf was on t.v. in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It took place 1 million years in the future in outer space. The main character (Dave) had been put into stasis (i.e. was cryogenically frozen) as a punishment until his ship returned from their mission. In the meantime there was a radiation leak on the ship that killed all of his fellow crewmen. The ship's computer kept them flying around in space and once it was safe, thawed him out - that took a million years. So basically he is literally the last human being (as we know it) left. Each episode was a new adventure as they travelled through space trying to get back to Earth. Other characters include the ship's computer (Holly), a hologram of Dave's former bunk mate (Rimmer), and what evolved from his pet cat (Cat). Confused? Remember, this was late 1980s, British, Science Fiction, Comedy. I promise you - I do have a point and I'm getting there. Patience. One episode they came upon an abandoned research ship. When they looked around they realized that the scientists had discovered, and isolated, that luck was actually a virus. Ever wonder why some people have all the luck? It's simple - they are infected with the luck virus! Wow, I can't believe it took me 4 paragraphs to get to my point. I've been thinking, I need to find a way to get myself infected with the luck virus. I'm not sure how it's transmitted though. Is it airborne? Who do you know that is super lucky? I want to spend some quality time with them and hope that I can catch it. At this point I may be willing to plant a big wet one on his/her lips! I'm not greedy though - I'm not asking for so much luck that I win the lottery, I just need enough to make sure that our IVF works on our first try. My Chart Copyright - The Pregnant Yuppy About Me I first started this blog to record my thoughts during my first pregnancy in 2008. That's when I first became the "Pregnant Yuppy". Then after suffering a miscarriage and subsequent infertility this blog became my outlet to vent my frustrations while TTC as well as a place to connect with others who were having difficulty conceiving or who have also experienced a loss. In March of 2010 we underwent IVF (in-vitro fertilization) that resulted in a successful pregnancy. In December 2010 our gorgeous son Nathan was born. And thus I became the "Yuppy Mom". This journey has been long and I've learned a lot along the way. Many of you have reached out to me via e-mail. Please note that I rarely check my inbox (like seriously, maybe every 6 months). It's best to add a comment. | Mid | [
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PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win the Badminton World Championships on Sunday. There's no mystery about why PV Sindhu is a world champion in badminton, industrialist Anand Mahindra has figured after watching a video of her training. After the ace shuttler become first Indian shuttler to win the World Championship on Sunday, Mr Mahindra tweeted that he is "exhausted" after watching a video of her training. "Brutal. I'm exhausted just watching this. But now there's no mystery about why she's the World Champ. A whole generation of budding Indian sportspersons will follow her lead & not shrink from the commitment required to get to the top...," Anand Mahindra tweeted along with a video of PV Sindhu's training at the Suchitra Badminton Academy in Hyderabad where she trained while preparing for the World Championship. PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win the Badminton World Championships on Sunday, beating Japan's Nozomi Okuhara. Brutal. I'm exhausted just watching this. But now there's no mystery about why she's the World Champ. A whole generation of budding Indian sportspersons will follow her lead & not shrink from the commitment required to get to the top... pic.twitter.com/EYPp677AjU — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 27, 2019 After returning home, the 24-year-old said that she had been preparing for long and thanked her parents, coaches, and trainer for the victory. "Had been preparing for it for so long. Finally, the wait ended. It wouldn't have been possible without the support of my parents, my coaches and my trainer (Srikanth Verma). And most importantly, I would like to thank my sponsors and all my fans who have supported me all along. Finally world champion 2019," she said. PV Sindhu defeated Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 to win a gold medal in the World Championships 2019. She completely took control of the match from the opening game where she went on to score eight consecutive points. In the second game, she continued on the momentum and won the match with ease. PV Sindhu, who got a grand welcome when she landed in Delhi on Monday night, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday. Calling her "India's pride", PM Modi wished her luck for her future endeavours. | High | [
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Q: casting operator - const vs non-const I have this code sample: class Number { int i; public: Number(int i1): i(i1) {} operator int() const {return i;} }; What are the implications of removing the const modifier from the casting operator? Does it affect auto casting, and why? A: If the conversion operator is not const, you can't convert const objects: const Number n(5); int x = n; // error: cannot call non-const conversion operator A: The const version can be called regardless of whether the class Number instance is const or not. If the operator is declared non-const it can only be called on non-const entities - when you try to implicitly use it where it can't be called you'll get a compile error. A: If you have a function like this: void f(const Number& n) { int n1 = n; } It will start giving compilation error if you remove const in the casting operator. | High | [
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LOS ANGELES —As usual, some of the best came last on the red carpet of the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. And it appeared to be a lighter shade of pale — from icy white on Naomi Watts and Kate Hudson to powder pink on Jessica Biel, Penélope Cruz, Camila Alves McConaughey and Lady Gaga, and silvery shades on Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner and Julie Delpy. Even the de rigueur gold dresses were more akin to Champagne this year. Sally Hawkins rolled up in one such gown as last call was being announced, still in a state of shock. “I’m in Valentino, so how can I not feel like a goddess?” she gushed. “I’m incredibly lucky to be on the red carpet at the Oscars, wearing Valentino, nominated for a Woody Allen film. I mean, does it get any better than that?” Hawkins was unaware that her “Blue Jasmine” screen sister Cate Blanchett was standing just behind her, mouthing the word “beautiful” before feigning a demented expression and pretending to grind her heel into Hawkins’ train. “Go away, you’re making me look bad,” she scolded Hawkins.Click Here for a Slideshow of Red Carpet Fashion >>RELATED STORY: The Action Before the Action — Hollywood Hits the Party Circuit >> “Mr. Armani designed this for me,” Blanchett said of her paillette-strewn pale gold gown. As for her Chopard jewels, “Opals are a must-have in Australia, so it’s a little touch of home.” Lupita Nyong’o also had home on her mind. While her soft blue gown was custom-made by Prada, and inspired by Champagne bubbles, she noted, “This reminds me of my hometown in Nairobi. The walls of my school were the same color, and back then, I couldn’t wait to get out, but now, it’s a nice reminder of home.” While all three of the aforementioned stars had massages on Oscar morning to relax, Kevin Spacey, a producer of Best Picture nominee “Captain Phillips,” admitted to drinking whiskey to calm his nerves. Even Julia Roberts, another Oscar veteran, seemed to have a case of the jitters. “This morning it was fine, right now is another story,” she laughed. Glenn Close described her first Oscars as a downright terrifying experience. “I heard this roar from the crowd when I got out of the car and I felt like I was going to be fed to the lions. It was like going into the Colosseum.” | Low | [
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Risk factors for Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-positive subjects in Uganda. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is associated epidemiologically with HIV infection and with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8 or KSHV). Both KS and HIV infection are common in Uganda. We conducted a case-control study of 458 HIV-seropositive. Ugandan adults with KS and 568 HIV-seropositive subjects without KS to examine risk factors for HIV-associated KS. We recruited newly diagnosed adult KS cases from five hospitals in Kampala, Uganda and controls from a large referral clinic for HIV infection at Mulago Hospital. All cases and controls were counselled and tested for HIV and answered an interviewer-administered questionnaire about their home, socio-economic conditions, lifestyle and sexual behaviour before they became ill. Only HIV-seropositive subjects were included in the analysis. There were 295 males and 163 females with KS and 227 male and 341 female controls. Age distribution was similar but there was a higher proportion of cases (45%) than controls (29%) residing in rural regions of Uganda. KS cases were more likely than controls to have a higher level of education (X2 for trend, 4.8; P = 0.03), to have occupations associated with affluence [chi 2 for heterogeneity, 17.3 on 5 degrees of freedom (df); P = 0.004] and to come from larger settlements [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for settlements of > 1000 versus 10-99 houses, 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-3.0]. Cases were more likely than controls to have high household income (chi 2 for trend, 32.6; P < 0.001) and other markers of urban or rural wealth such as owning several cows (chi 2 for trend, 9.5; P = 0.002). Cases were more likely to travel away from home (adjusted OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3) and more likely to have spent increasing time in contact with water (chi 2 for trend, 12.3; P < 0.001). Few indices of sexual behaviour were related to risk of KS, including reported number of sexual partners. Cases were more likely than controls to be married to one rather than several spouses (adjusted OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2) and to have reported a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) (adjusted OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3). Among HIV-infected subjects, KS cases are characterized by better education and greater affluence, compared with controls. Urban address, travel away from home, exposure to water, monogamous marriage and self-reported STD were also more frequent among KS cases than controls. The higher socio-economic status of persons with HIV and KS may be a marker for enhanced exposure to a possibly sexually transmitted agent, or for a delayed exposure to a childhood infection. The risk posed by exposure to water among KS cases requires further study. | High | [
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--- abstract: 'This paper presents an analytical formula that closely approximates the fully nonlinear power spectrum of matter fluctuations for redshift $z\approx 5$ to 0 over a wide range of cosmologically interesting flat models with varying matter density $\Omega_m$ and neutrino fraction ${\Omega_\nu}$. The functional form is motivated by analytical solutions in asymptotic regimes, but in order to obtain accurate approximations, the coefficients are calculated from fits to the nonlinear power spectrum computed from numerical simulations of four cosmological models. The transformation from the linear to nonlinear power spectrum depends on ${\Omega_{\rm m}}$, ${\Omega_\nu}$, and time. A simple scaling rule is introduced, which greatly simplifies the construction of the functional form and allows the formula to depend directly on the rms linear mass fluctuation $\sigma_8$ instead of on an effective spectral index as in earlier work.' author: - 'Chung–Pei Ma' title: Analytical Approximation to the Nonlinear Power Spectrum of Gravitational Clustering --- [\_]{}[\_]{} Introduction ============ The power spectrum of matter fluctuations $P(k)$ provides the most fundamental statistical measure of gravitational clustering. When the amplitude of the density fluctuations is small, the power spectrum can be calculated easily from the linear perturbation theory of gravitational collapse. In the nonlinear regime, however, determination of the fully evolved power spectrum for a given cosmological model requires numerical simulations. Since nearly all observable astronomical systems have experienced some nonlinear collapse, it would provide much physical insight and practical convenience to devise a general analytical approximation (based on simulation results) for the nonlinear power spectrum for a wide range of cosmologically interesting models. By fitting to $N$-body results, Hamilton et al. (1991) studied scale-free models with a power-law spectrum and presented a simple analytical formula that relates the spatially averaged nonlinear and linear two-point correlation function, ${\bar\xi_{\rm nl}}(r)$ and ${\bar\xi_{\rm l}}(r_0)$, where $r$ is related to its pre-collapsed linear scale $r_0$ by $r_0=r\,(1+{\bar\xi_{\rm nl}})^{1/3}$. This transformation then appeared to be magically independent of the spectral index $n$ assumed in the model. Further tests against numerical simulations, however, found significant errors when the Hamilton et al. function was applied to models with $n<-1$ (Jain, Mo, & White 1995; Padmanabhan 1996). Jain et al. (1995) instead proposed $n$-dependent formulas to relate $\bar\xi$ and $P(k)$ in the linear and nonlinear regimes in both scale-free models and the standard CDM model. For the more realistic CDM model, for which the spectral index changes from the primordial value $n\approx 1$ on large scales to nearly $-3$ on small scales, they used an effective index given by $n_{\rm eff}=d\ln\,P(k)/d\ln\,k|_{k_c}$, where $k_c$ is the scale at which the rms mass fluctuation $\sigma$ is unity. The index $n_{\rm eff}$ therefore reflects the slope of the power spectrum at the length scale where nonlinearity becomes important. Peacock and Dodds (1996) extended this work to allow for a low ${\Omega_{\rm m}}$ and a non-zero cosmological constant. No previous work has investigated in detail the subject of linear to nonlinear mapping in cold+hot dark matter (C+HDM) models that assume massive neutrinos are a component of the dark matter. This is perhaps because the physics in C+HDM models is generally more complicated than in CDM or LCDM (CDM with a cosmological constant) models due to the additional length scale associated with the free streaming of the neutrinos (Ma 1996). Nevertheless, massive neutrinos remain a prime dark matter candidate, and the recent evidence for neutrino masses from the Super-Kamiokande experiment has made this possibility particularly intriguing (Fukuda et al. 1998). Although neither Jain et al. or [Peacock & Dodds ]{}has tested these models, one may surmise that their formulas can be naturally extended to C+HDM models as long as the spectral index in the formula is calculated from the C+HDM power spectrum. This unfortunately does not work. Both fitting functions underestimate the nonlinear density variance,[^1] ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}=4\pi k^3\,P_{\rm nl}(k)$, at $k\go 2\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ in C+HDM models, and the errors in [Peacock & Dodds ]{}, for example, reach $\sim 50$% at $k\sim 10\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$. The linear to nonlinear transformation is therefore regulated by more than simply $n_{\rm eff}$. (Smith et al. (1998) recently reported agreement between the Peacock-Dodds formula and results from two C+HDM simulations. Their simulation resolution of $\sim 0.3\,h^{-1}$ Mpc, however, limited their test to only the mildly nonlinear regime, and could not probe the nonlinear regime where the large discrepancies reside.) This [*Letter*]{} differs from previous work in two ways. First, the simple analytical formula presented here closely approximates the fully nonlinear power spectrum of mass fluctuations at $z\lo 5$ in the previously unexplored C+HDM models as well as LCDM models with varying ${\Omega_{\rm m}}$. Numerical simulations of four COBE-normalized flat C+HDM and flat LCDM models are performed to calibrate the coefficients in the analytical formula. Second, the formula introduced here depends directly on $\sigma_8$ (the rms linear mass fluctuation on $8\,h^{-1}$ Mpc scale) instead of a spectral index as in previous work. This is achieved by recognizing a scaling rule (see § 3), which also greatly simplifies the construction of the analytical formula. This work also extends into the nonlinear regime a previous investigation of the effects of neutrino free-streaming on the linear C+HDM power spectrum (Ma 1996). Input Linear Power Spectrum =========================== For a wide range of CDM and LCDM models that assume neutrinos are massless, a good approximation to the linear power spectrum is given by $$P(k,a,{\Omega_\nu}=0) = { A\,k^n\,[D(a)/D_0]^2\,\left[{\ln(1+\alpha_1 q)/ \alpha_1 q}\right]^2 \over [1+\alpha_2 q+(\alpha_3 q)^2+(\alpha_4 q)^3 +(\alpha_5\,q)^4]^{1/2}} \,, \label{bbks}$$ where $k$ is the wavenumber in units of Mpc$^{-1}$, $q=k/\Gamma\,h$, $\Gamma$ is a shape parameter, and $\alpha_1=2.34, \alpha_2=3.89, \alpha_3=16.1, \alpha_4=5.46$, and $\alpha_5=6.71$ (Bardeen et al. 1986). The shape parameter $\Gamma$ characterizes the dependence on cosmological parameters and is well approximated by $\Gamma={\Omega_{\rm m}}h/\exp[{\Omega_{\rm b}}(1+1/{\Omega_{\rm m}})]$ (Efstathiou et al. 1992; Sugiyama 1995; see also Bunn & White 1997). The function $D(a)$ is the linear growth factor, whose present value is $D_0=D(a=1)$, and it can be expressed as $D(a)=a\,g$, where the relative growth factor $g$ is well approximated by $g({\Omega_{\rm m}}(a),{\Omega_\Lambda}(a)) =2.5\,{\Omega_{\rm m}}(a) [ {\Omega_{\rm m}}(a)^{4/7}-{\Omega_\Lambda}(a)+\left(1+ {\Omega_{\rm m}}(a)/2\right) \left(1+ {\Omega_\Lambda}(a)/70 \right) ]^{-1}$ (Lahav et al. 1991; Carroll et al. 1992). In LCDM models, $g\approx 1$ until the universe becomes $\Lambda$-dominated at $1+z\approx {\Omega_{\rm m}}^{-1/3}$; the value of $g$ then decreases with increasing $a$. The normalization factor $A$ can be chosen by fixing the value of $\sigma_8$; if instead the COBE normalization is desired, it is $A=\delta_H^2 (c/H_0)^{n+3}/(4\pi)$, where (for flat models) $\delta_H=$ $1.94\times 10^{-5}\,{\Omega_{\rm m}}^{-0.785-0.05\,\ln\,{\Omega_{\rm m}}} \,\exp(-0.95 \tilde{n}-0.169 \tilde{n}^2)$ with $\tilde{n}=n-1$ (Bunn & White 1997). The linear power spectra for the C+HDM models require additional treatment since the effect of massive neutrinos on the shape of the power spectrum is both time and scale dependent. It is found that by introducing a second shape parameter, $\Gamma_\nu=a^{1/2}{\Omega_\nu}h^2$, to characterize the neutrino free-streaming distance, one can obtain a good approximation to the linear power spectra (density averaged over the cold and hot components) in flat C+HDM models at $z\lo 5$ when neutrinos are adequately nonrelativistic (Ma 1996): $$P(k,a,{\Omega_\nu})=P(k,a,{\Omega_\nu}=0) \left( { 1+d_1\,x^{d_4/2}+d_2\,x^{d_4} \over 1+d_3\,x_0^{d_4} } \right)^{{\Omega_\nu}^{1.05}} \,, \label{pave}$$ where $x=k/\Gamma_\nu\,$, $x_0=x(a=1)\,$, $P(k,a,{\Omega_\nu}=0)$ for the pure CDM model is given by eq. (\[bbks\]), and $d_1=0.004321, d_2=2.217\times 10^{-6}, d_3=11.63$, and $d_4=3.317$ for $k$ in Mpc$^{-1}$. (The scale factor in $\Gamma_\nu$ assumes COBE normalization at $a=1$. If other normalization is used, replace $a$ by $a\,\sigma_8/\sigma_8^{\rm cobe}$.) Nonlinear Power Spectrum ======================== Numerical simulations of structure formation in two flat C+HDM models with neutrino fraction ${\Omega_\nu}=0.1$ and 0.2 and two flat LCDM models with matter density ${\Omega_{\rm m}}=0.3$ and 0.5 are performed in order to obtain the nonlinear power spectra of matter fluctuations. All four simulations are performed in a (100 Mpc)$^3$ comoving box. The gravitational forces are computed with a particle-particle particle-mesh (P$^3$M) algorithm (Bertschinger & Gelb 1991; Ma et al. 1997) with a comoving Plummer force softening length of 50 kpc. An identical set of random phases is used in the initial conditions for all four runs. The primordial power spectrum has an index of $n=1$, with density fluctuations drawn from a random Gaussian field. A total of $128^3$ simulation particles are used to represent the cold dark matter. For the C+HDM models, $128^3$ and $10\times 128^3$ particles are used to represent the hot component in the ${\Omega_\nu}=0.1$ and 0.2 models, respectively. Although the large particle number is needed to finely sample the velocity phase space (Ma & Bertschinger 1994), tests performed for the ${\Omega_\nu}=0.2$ model show that the power spectrum itself is little affected when $128^3$ hot particles are used. Since structure forms too late in flat C+HDM models with ${\Omega_\nu}> 0.2$ (Ma et al. 1997 and references therein), only the ${\Omega_\nu}=0.1$ and 0.2 models are studied here. Both models assume ${\Omega_{\rm b}}=0.05$ and $h=0.5$, while $\Omega_{\rm cdm}=0.85$ and 0.75 for the two models, respectively. The two LCDM models chosen for the simulations have $({\Omega_{\rm m}},{\Omega_\Lambda},h)=(0.3,0.7,0.75)$ and $(0.5,0.5,0.7)$, and ${\Omega_{\rm b}}=0$. All four models are normalized to the 4-year COBE results (Bennett et al. 1996; Gorski et al. 1996). Figure 1 contrasts the linear (dotted) and nonlinear (solid) power spectra at various redshifts for the four simulated models. The hierarchical nature of gravitational collapse in these models is evident: the high-$k$ modes have become strongly nonlinear, whereas the low-$k$ modes still follow the linear power spectrum. The dashed curves are from the analytical approximation described below. Figure 2 illustrates the dependence of the linear to nonlinear transformation on both time and cosmological parameters by plotting at various redshifts the ratio of the nonlinear and linear density variance, ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}(k)/{\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$, against the linear ${\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$ (where $\Delta=4\pi k^3 P$). Note that ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}$ and ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$ are evaluated at different wavenumbers, where $k_0=k\,(1+{\Delta_{\rm nl}})^{-1/3}$ corresponds to the pre-collapsed scale of $k$, as introduced in Hamilton et al. (1991). The dependence of ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}(k)/{\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$ on ${\Omega_{\rm m}}$, ${\Omega_\nu}$, and time, however, demonstrates that the universality seen by Hamilton et al. is limited to the power-law models with $n>-1$ studied there. The linear to nonlinear mapping is clearly more complicated in more realistic cosmological models (such as LCDM and C+HDM) whose spectral index changes continuously with length scale. Despite the apparent complication from the time dependence in Figure 2, I find the scaling rule given below very helpful in simplifying the construction of an analytical approximation. As Figure 3 shows, the time dependence is largely removed when ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}/{\Delta_{\rm l}}$ is plotted against the scaled quantity $\tilde{{\Delta_{\rm l}}}$, $$\tilde{{\Delta_{\rm l}}}={{\Delta_{\rm l}}\over \sigma_8^\beta} \,, \quad \beta=0.7 + 10\,{\Omega_\nu}^2 \label{beta}$$ instead of ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$. For example, $\beta=0.7$ for the CDM and LCDM models, while $\beta=0.8$ and 1.1 for the ${\Omega_\nu}=0.1$ and 0.2 C+HDM models. The deviations in the two LCDM models at late times ($a\go 0.7$) result from the retardation in the relative growth factor $g$ in ${\Omega_{\rm m}}<1$ models. As shown in eq. (\[master\]) below, they can be easily accounted for by including a factor of $g^3$ in the highly nonlinear regime in the fitting formula. The scaling behavior in eq. (\[beta\]) can be understood in terms of the time dependence of the local slope of the linear power spectrum near the scale where nonlinear effects become important. An example is the effective spectral index $n_{\rm eff}+3=d\ln\,{\Delta_{\rm l}}/d\ln\,k|_{k_c}$ considered by Jain et al. (1995), where $k_c$ is the scale at which the rms linear mass fluctuation $\sigma$ equals unity. Figure 4 illustrates the dependence of $n_{\rm eff}$ on time and cosmological parameters. The value of $n_{\rm eff}$ generally increases with time because as $\sigma$ grows, the wavenumber $k_c$ at which $\sigma=1$ decreases, and the spectral index at $k_c$ (i.e. $n_{\rm eff}$) becomes larger since the slope of the power spectrum for the models studied here always increases with decreasing $k$. In Figure 4, $n_{\rm eff}$ exhibits the fastest growth in the ${\Omega_\nu}=0.2$ C+HDM model at $\sigma_8\go 0.3$ because the neutrino free streaming effect is more prominent in higher ${\Omega_\nu}$ models, which acts to suppress structure growth below the free streaming scale, causing ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$ to bend more at $0.1 < k < 1\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ (see the dotted curves in Fig. 1). At $\sigma_8\lo 0.3$ in the ${\Omega_\nu}=0.2$ model, on the other hand, $n_{\rm eff}$ stays nearly constant because it is probing the nearly flat, $k>5\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ part of ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$. Despite this interesting behavior, Figure 4 shows that for all models, the dependence of $n_{\rm eff}+3$ on $\sigma_8$ is well approximated by a power law at $\sigma_8\go 0.3$: $d\ln\,(n_{\rm eff}+3)/d\ln\,\sigma_8 \propto \beta$, where $\beta=0.7+10\,{\Omega_\nu}^2$ as given in eq. (3). This therefore explains why replacing the factor $n_{\rm eff}+3$ in the earlier work with $\sigma_8^\beta$ works well here. The simple scaling behavior introduced by eq. (\[beta\]) allows one to approximate the evolution of the nonlinear power spectrum directly in terms of $\sigma_8$ instead of $n_{\rm eff}$. Combining these factors, I find that a close approximation for the nonlinear power spectrum is given by $${{\Delta_{\rm nl}}(k)\over {\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)} = G\left({{\Delta_{\rm l}}\over g_0^{1.5}\,\sigma_8^\beta} \right) \,,\quad G(x)=[1+\ln(1+0.5\,x)]\,{1+0.02\,x^4 + c_1\,x^8/g^3 \over 1+c_2\,x^{7.5}}\,, \label{master}$$ where $\beta$ is given by eq. (3), $k_0=k\,(1+{\Delta_{\rm nl}})^{-1/3}$, and $g_0=g({\Omega_{\rm m}},{\Omega_\Lambda})$ and $g=g({\Omega_{\rm m}}(a),{\Omega_\Lambda}(a))$ are, respectively, the relative growth factor[^2] at present day and at $a$ discussed in § 2. The time dependence is in factors $\sigma_8^\beta$ and $g$. For CDM and LCDM, a good fit is given by $c_1=1.08\times 10^{-4}$ and $c_2=2.10\times 10^{-5}$. For C+HDM, a good fit is given by $c_1=3.16\times 10^{-3}$ and $c_2=3.49\times 10^{-4}$ for ${\Omega_\nu}=0.1$, and $c_1=6.96\times 10^{-3}$ and $c_2=4.39\times 10^{-4}$ for ${\Omega_\nu}=0.2$. The dependence of $c_1$ and $c_2$ on ${\Omega_\nu}$ can in principle be cast in a functional form (see Ma 1998), but since the allowed range of ${\Omega_\nu}$ is narrow, separate coefficients are given here in order to obtain the highest possible fitting accuracy. The accuracy of eq. (\[master\]) is illustrated in Figure 1 (dashed curves), where the rms error for each model ranges from 3% to 10% for $k\lo 10\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ at all times except $z\go 4$, when the errors are about 15%. The functional form of $G(x)$ in eq. (4) is chosen to give the appropriate asymptotic behavior ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}\rightarrow {\Delta_{\rm l}}$ in the linear regime ($x\ll 1$) and ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}\propto {\Delta_{\rm l}}^{3/2}$ in the stable clustering regime ($x\gg 1$). In the mildly nonlinear regime, $0.1< {\Delta_{\rm l}}< 1$, the pre-factor $[1+\ln(1+0.5\,x)]$ is introduced to approximate the non-negligible positive slope of ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}/{\Delta_{\rm l}}$. This factor is needed because ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}$ and ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$ are evaluated at different wavenumbers $k$ and $k_0$, where the pre-collapsed $k_0$ is always smaller than $k$. Due to the steep positive slope of ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$ in this region, ${\Delta_{\rm l}}$ at $k_0$ is noticeably smaller than at $k$, and ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}(k)/{\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$ is thus significantly above unity. Without the logarithmic pre-factor in eq. (\[master\]) to account for this elevation, the approximation to ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}$ can be underestimated by up to 30% at $0.1 <{\Delta_{\rm l}}< 1$. Summary and Discussion ====================== This paper presents a single formula, eq. (\[master\]), that accurately approximates the fully nonlinear power spectrum of matter fluctuations for redshift $z\lo 5$ for flat CDM, LCDM, and C+HDM models with varying matter density ${\Omega_{\rm m}}$ and neutrino fraction ${\Omega_\nu}$. Eqs. (1), (2) and (\[master\]) together offer a complete description of the shape and time evolution of the matter power spectrum in both linear and nonlinear regime for a wide range of cosmologically interesting models. Figure 1 summarizes the analytical and simulation results for four representative models. Depending on the models and epochs, the rms errors are between 3% and 10% for $k\lo 10\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ at $z\lo 4$ in eq. (\[master\]). In comparison, the [Peacock & Dodds ]{}formula has a rms error between 6% and 17% for the two LCDM simulations studied here, and the error reaches 50% at $k\sim 10\,h$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for the two C+HDM models. In contrast to the scale-free models studied in Hamilton et al. (1991), the relation between the linear and nonlinear power spectrum is far from universal. The different panels of Figure 2 illustrate the dependence on cosmological parameters ${\Omega_{\rm m}}$ and ${\Omega_\nu}$. Moreover, within a given model, the fact that the curves for different times in Figure 2 do not overlap is important because it implies that the ratio ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}(k)/{\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$ depends not only on ${\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$ but also on time, or equivalently, the overall amplitude of ${\Delta_{\rm l}}(k_0)$. This amplitude (or time) dependence is present, albeit in a somewhat subtle form, in earlier work. The effective spectral index used by Jain et al. (1995) is clearly time-varying as shown in Figure 4 of this paper. The local spectral index $n=d\ln P/d\ln k|_{k_0}$ used by Peacock and Dodds (1996) depends on time implicitly through the factor ${\Delta_{\rm nl}}$ in the relation $k_0=k\,(1+{\Delta_{\rm nl}})^{-1/3}$. In comparison, in this paper I have adopted the commonly used parameter $\sigma_8$ instead of a spectral index to characterize this time dependence, and have shown that the scaling behavior in eq. (\[beta\]) and Figure 3 absorbs this dependence in C+HDM as well as LCDM models and results in the simple formula, eq. (4). I thank the referee, Andrew Hamilton, for insightful comments that have helped to improve the manuscript, and Robert Caldwell for stimulating discussions. Supercomputing time for the numerical simulations is provided by the National Scalable Cluster Project at the University of Pennsylvania and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. A Penn Research Foundation Award is acknowledged. Bardeen, J. M., Bond, J. R., Kaiser, N., & Szalay, A. S. 1986, , 304, 15 Bennett, C. L. et al. 1996, , 464, L1 Bertschinger, E., & Gelb, J. M. 1991, Comput. Phys., 5, 164 Bunn, E. F., & White, M. 1997, , 480, 6 Carroll, S., Press W., & Turner, E. L. 1992. ARAA 30, 499 Efstathiou, G., Bond, J. R., & White, S. D. M. 1992, MNRAS, 258, 1p Fukuda, Y. et al. 1998, Phys. Rev. Lett., 81, 1562 Gorski, K. M. et al. 1996, , 464, L11 Hamilton, A. J. S., Kumar, P., Lu, E., & Matthews, A. 1991, , 374, L1 Jain, B., Mo, H. J., & White, S. D. M. 1995, MNRAS, 276, L25 Lahav, O., Lilje, P., Primack, J. R., & Rees, M. 1991, MNRAS, 251, 128 Ma, C.–P. 1996, , 471, 13 Ma, C.–P. 1998, Ann. of New York Acad. of Sci., 848, 75 Ma, C.–P., & Bertschinger, E. 1994, , 429, 22 Ma, C.–P., Bertschinger, E., Hernquist, L., Weinberg, D., & Katz, N. 1997, , 484, L1 Padmanabhan, T. 1996, MNRAS, 278, L29 Peacock, J. A., & Dodds, S. J. 1996, MNRAS, 280, L19 Smith , C., Klypin, A., Gross, M., Primack, J. R., & Holtzman, J. 1998, MNRAS, 297, 910 Sugiyama, N. 1995, ApJS 100, 281 =6.5truein =6.5truein =6.5truein =6.5truein [^1]: The notations $\Delta$ and $P(k)$ here are the same as in Jain et al., and are equivalent to $\Delta^2$ and $P(k)/(2\pi)^3$ in [Peacock & Dodds ]{}. [^2]: Even for C+HDM models, $g$ in eq. (4) is taken to be the familiar $g({\Omega_{\rm m}}(a),{\Omega_\Lambda}(a))$ for ${\Omega_\nu}=0$ models. The true relative growth factor for C+HDM models is in fact given by eq. (2), but due to its complicated scale dependence, attempts thus far to incorporate this factor directly in eq. (4) have not led to approximations with high accuracies (see Ma 1998). | Mid | [
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1 Rifles British Army soldiers from A Company, the 1st Battalion, The Rifles (1 Rifles) and Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers travel in a Chinook helicopter while on Operation Omid Haft, Helmand Province, May 2011. 1 Rifles became part of 3 Commando Brigade in 2008 and have since deployed to Afghanistan with the brigade on several tours. The soldiers in 1 Rifles are all commando trained. | High | [
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The birther movement gained speed as 'questions of fact became questions of power,' he says. Gore: Climate skeptics like birthers Former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday night compared climate skeptics with birthers, saying money has allowed the line between fact and fiction to blur. "There is now a tendency in our country to struggle over what is a fact and what is not," Gore said at the opening of a conference on Jewish social justice in Washington. Gore said a fundamental shift from a marketplace-like exchange of ideas to a system wherein money buys access to airwaves has disenfranchised everyday Americans from having their ideas heard. “It hurts our country to have such a sharp partisan divide over the basic facts,” he said. Gore compared doubters of climate change science with the so-called birthers, whose movement he said gained momentum when “questions of fact became questions of power.” “We just had the object lesson with the birthplace of our president,” he said to laughter. “The chuckles here are hard won because it is still an example of a question of fact being turned into a question of power.” Tailoring his stump environmental speech to the audience, Gore said that climate change is at a fundamental level a moral issue, aligning it with other generally progressive causes. He also identified a litany of recent natural disasters — including floods in Pakistan and Australia and widespread wildfires in Russia — as biblical curses forewarned in Deuteronomy. “The choices that we make now have consequences, and among those consequences there will be blessings and curses,” he said. “The scientific community has for many decades now, with increasing certainty and increasing fervor, presented to us the most accurate calculation of what these consequences would be were we not to make the right moral choices with respect to global warming. And when these scientists spell out what can be expected from a failure to act in this generation, those consequences sometimes sound like curses.” During his speech, Gore walked a fine line when it came to faith, quoting scientific data and public opinion polls but also citing Scripture and sharing nuggets about his Baptist upbringing. The case in point came as he lightly criticized Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who last month suggested state residents pray for rain to combat wildfires and persistent drought. “The governor called for prayer. And I prayed. But as was said already, prayer should involve commitment. There is an old African proverb: 'When you pray, move your feet.' We are called upon to make choices, today.” Gore also appeared to take a small swipe at President Barack Obama, who has called for reducing foreign oil imports by one-third. “But honestly, how long has it been since presidents — of both political parties — have made these declarations, ‘We’re going to be independent of foreign oil, and we’re going to do this and do that,’ and their remedies don’t match the pledges, because the only way to really deal with it, as I said, is with solar and wind and geothermal and efficiency and a remaking of our energy system along renewable lines.” This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 9:36 a.m. on May 2, 2011. This article tagged under: Birthers Al Gore Climate | Mid | [
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One Girl with Courage is a Revolution Liam Cunningham in Jordan – World Vision Project Description The Campaign Liam Cunningham travelled with World Vision to Jordan to meet Syrian Refugees in the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. Combined Media was tasked by World Vision Ireland to develop a Social Media, SEM and Remarketing campaign in Ireland to raise awareness about the plight of Syrian refugees and get users to share their voice by signing a petition to ask world leaders to prioritise vulnerable children, especially refugee children who have arrived in Europe alone. Lead Generation The petition was promoted on Facebook using Lead Generation ads, a type of ad allowing users to seamlessly fill in a form on Facebook with their details and allowing a business to follow up with them. The campaign was also promoted through Twitter Website click ads and Google Search ads. World Vision followed up by calling the leads on the phone (provided consent was given) and re-engaging them with information about the Syrian crisis and World Vision’s work with refugees. They also asked them if they wanted to make a donation or sponsor a child to support World Vision’s work with refugees. The new leads were also re-engaged through Facebook and Google re-marketing ads, asking them to take a step further and donate for children in emergencies. | Mid | [
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Q: Any guidelines for using CSS and HTML for developing webapps? Is there any official guide for developing Android apps using HTML and CSS like the ones iPhone has which specifies the guidelines for height/width etc? Thanx in advance. A: The Android mobile browser isn't conceptually different from any other mobile browser. So follow the general W3C guidelines for developing mobile web apps: http://www.w3.org/TR/mobile-bp/ | High | [
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Python For Absolute Beginners Who Never Programmed | 100% free skillshare courses for a limited time Yessss! you read that title right! I wonder if there is any easier computer language than Python in the field of computer programming. It is so easy that you can even start your programming career with Python. That is the reason why the Python is found everywhere - Data Science, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep learning and what not, to say a few of the trending hot areas. Python For Absolute Beginners Who Never Programmed | 100% free skillshare courses for a limited time When I though of this course, the first purpose to come in my mind was to make an absolute beginner, a layman, and every such person who just knows basic operations of computer like browsing mails or type in a document and handle the mouse, should become a competent programmer. And that too he should become one in shortest period time. And I began planning lessons in that direction. This course does not envisage any knowledge from the learner. Python is the best language to take the phobia from minds of many of the beginners, that programming is extremely difficult skill to acquire, let alone master. The best way; so I chose, is learn by doing. Do it yourself (DIY) approach of this course not only will lay a sound foundation of you in Python but in the field of programming in general. I am confident and so you should also be that you will definitely become master in Python by the end of this course. Happy learning. | High | [
0.677647058823529,
36,
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Gunman among 7 dead after Fla. apartment shootout Saturday Jul 27, 2013 at 12:01 AMJul 27, 2013 at 4:28 PM A gunman holding hostages inside a South Florida apartment complex killed six people before being shot to death by a SWAT team that stormed the building early Saturday following an hours-long standoff, police said. CHRISTINE ARMARIO A gunman holding hostages inside a South Florida apartment complex killed six people before being shot to death by a SWAT team that stormed the building early Saturday following an hours-long standoff, police said. Sgt. Eddie Rodriguez told The Associated Press that police got a call around 6:30 p.m. Friday that shots had been fired in a building with dozens of apartments in Hialeah, just a few miles north of Miami. Rodriguez said that when police arrived, they discovered an active shooter situation: "He's inside the building, moving from floor to floor. Eventually he barricades himself in an apartment." A crisis team was able to briefly establish communication with the man. Rodriguez said negotiators and a SWAT team tried talking with him from the other side of the door of an apartment unit where he was holding two hostages. But Rodriguez said the talks eventually "just fell apart." Officers stormed the building, fatally shooting the gunman in an exchange of gunfire. "They made the decision to go in there and save and rescue the hostages," Rodriguez said. Both hostages survived. Rodriguez said he didn't have any information on how long negotiations lasted. He said police discovered two people, a male and female, shot to death in the hallway in front of one unit. Three more, a male and two females, were found shot and killed in another apartment on a different floor. Another man who was walking his children into an apartment across the street also was killed. Rodriguez said it wasn't immediately clear whether the gunman took aim at him from an upper-level balcony or if he was hit by a stray bullet. "From up there, he was able to shoot at people across the street, catching this one man who was just walking into his apartment," Rodriguez said. In the large Miami suburb of Hialeah, the entrance to the quiet neighborhood lined with apartment buildings was blocked off early Saturday. The standoff occurred in an aging beige five-story building with an open terrace in the middle. Miriam Valdes, 70, said she lives on the top floor — one floor above where the shooting began. She said she heard gunfire and later saw smoke entering her apartment. She described running in fear to the unit across the hall, where she stayed holed up as officers negotiated with the gunman. From the apartment, Valdes said she could hear about eight officers talking with the gunman. She said she heard the officers tell him to "let these people out." "We're going to help you," she said they told him. She said the gunman first asked for his girlfriend and then his mother but refused to cooperate. Ester Lazcano said she lives two doors down from where the shooting began and was in the shower when she heard the first shots. Then there were many more. "I felt the shots," she said. Neighbors said the gunman lived in the building, but police wouldn't confirm that information. Rodriguez said police were still investigating the motive and identifying the gunman and victims. "Investigators are talking with families of the victims, neighbors, people that were present when all this began," he said. "That way we can start to piece together this huge puzzle that we're working with." | Low | [
0.48665297741273106,
29.625,
31.25
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The Duterte administration’s net satisfaction rating dropped 12 points to +58 in the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS). ADVERTISEMENT Although the March 2018 rating was considered “very good,” the decrease was notable since the Duterte administration’s net satisfaction rating was at +70 or “excellent” in December 2017 – the highest-recorded mark since the SWS conducted net satisfaction rating surveys. Still, however, the Duterte administration’s net satisfaction rating remains high compared with his predecessors’ in a similar time frame. On the first quarter of their second year in office, the administration of former President S. Benigno Aquino III obtained a +46 net satisfaction rating while former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration got -3, former President Joseph Estrada’s administration had +6, and former President Fidel Ramos’ administration got +15. According to the SWS, the 12-point decrease can be attributed to the significant drops in ratings within Balance Luzon (17 points), Metro Manila (13 points), and Mindanao (15 points). The Duterte administration’s rating in Visayas stayed at +57. The survey, which was conducted from March 23 to 27, translates to 69 percent of Filipinos being satisfied with the administration’s performance, while 11 percent were dissatisfied, and 18 percent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. SWS interviewed 1,200 respondents for the survey, with 300 individuals for each of Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It had sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% for each locality. Rating the government According to SWS, the Duterte administration is rated “excellent” in helping victims of disasters (+75), and “very good” on helping the poor (+68), reconstructing Marawi (+63), Public works (+62), OFW welfare (+59), counterterrorism (+58), and human rights (+54). The current administration likewise received good ratings on eradicating graft and corruption (+46), public transportation (+41), transparency (+41), reconciling with Muslim rebels (+41), fulfilling commitments in international treaties (+40), crime prevention (+40), good relations with UN and international organizations (+37), reconciling with communist rebels (+37), foreign relations (+36), defending the country’s territorial rights (+36), West PH sea (+34). It was moderate on hunger prevention (+22) and neutral in fighting inflation (+6), the survey noted. ADVERTISEMENT Still ‘very good’ for social classes More men than women also favor the administration, with a +60 rating among men and a +55 rating among women. Even if the net satisfaction ratings of the administration among social classes went down, it is still at “very good” +56 within Classes A, B, and C, at +58 with Class D, and at +54 with Class E. College graduates are also content with the administration’s policies and plans, with a +72 rating. However, the Duterte administration’s grade drops by 12 points among elementary graduates, from +68 in December 2017 to +56 in March 2017. /kga Read Next EDITORS' PICK MOST READ | Mid | [
0.565121412803532,
32,
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[18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in restaging of colorectal cancer]. AIM, METHOD: Recommendations for the use of FDG-PET in relapsed colorectal cancer and the decision of reimbursement should base on published studies and on their level of evidence. Therefore, the PET-studies published between 1997 and 2002 were graded by the bias-criteria, by two rating-systems and by two classification-systems for the level of evidence according to AHCPR (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research) and VHA (Veterans Health Administration). The recommendation for the use of PET in relapsed colorectal cancer reached the level IIa according to the AHCPR, corresponding to level B according to the VHA. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET were 94% (95% CI: 91-96%) and 78% (95% CI: 69-86%), respectively. Staging was changed correctly in 27% of patients (95% CI: 24-30%). Staging by FDG-PET was incorrect in 4% of the patients (95% CI: 2-5%) compared with the conventional methods. The additional use of PET changed the prospectively defined management plan for 34% of patients (95% CI: 31-38%). Either potentially curative operations were initiated in case of resectable tumour or futile operations were cancelled in case of multiple metastases. The 3-year-survival-rate following surgery would have exceeded 70% if the selection of patients had included an additional PET-examination. The correct selection of patients is requested in the daily routine as well as in the clinical implementation of neoadjuvant therapies to prevent a selection-bias from a suboptimal restaging without PET. | High | [
0.6970128022759601,
30.625,
13.3125
] |
// Copyright (c) Facebook, Inc. and its affiliates. // // Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); // you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. // You may obtain a copy of the License at // // http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 // // Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software // distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, // WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. // See the License for the specific language governing permissions and // limitations under the License. #include <folly/init/Init.h> #include <glog/logging.h> #include <gtest/gtest.h> #include "yarpl/Refcounted.h" int main(int argc, char** argv) { int ret; { FLAGS_logtostderr = true; ::testing::InitGoogleTest(&argc, argv); folly::init(&argc, &argv); ret = RUN_ALL_TESTS(); } return ret; } | Mid | [
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Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption 'I kept my chemotherapy a secret' A number of UK women from South Asian backgrounds who have cancer hide it because of a perceived stigma about the disease, the BBC has learned. One woman chose to "suffer on [her] own" through chemotherapy for fear of her family's reaction, and questioned whether God was punishing her. Experts said others were seeking help too late, causing preventable deaths. In one case a woman sought treatment only when her breast was rotten. She later died as the cancer had spread. 'Very dark days' Pravina Patel, who told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme about her own experience, stumbled upon a lump in her breast when she was 36. She grew up in a strict Indian community where even talking about the disease was considered shameful. When she was diagnosed, she decided to hide it. "I just thought if people hear the fact that I've got cancer, they're going to think it's a death sentence," she said. She remembered worrying that people would say she had lived a "bad life" and God was punishing her for it. Ms Patel continued to keep the disease a secret when seeking treatment, saying she felt "extremely lonely" during chemotherapy. "I was going through chemo sessions on my own... I had some very dark days," she explained. Image caption Researcher Pooja Saini says some women are afraid having cancer "might affect their children because no one would want to marry them" Pooja Saini, the lead researcher at CLAHRC North-West Coast, a research arm of the NHS that looks into health inequalities, said her own review into the issue "really surprised" her. "Some women went to the extent of not even having treatment because, if they went, people would know as they'd lose their hair," she explained. She added others "feared it might affect their children because no-one would want to marry them". It is difficult to say how widespread the problem was, because little information has been collected on ethnicity and mortality. But in 2014, research from Bridgewater NHS found Asian women between 15 and 64 years old had a significantly reduced survival rate for breast cancer of three years. Ms Saini said her research suggests the influence of men in the family and elders in the wider community may be contributing to the issue. "If they didn't think women should go for screening, then they didn't go," she said. Cultural expectations The stigma surrounding cancer in South Asian communities spans different forms of the disease. Ms Patel said there was a reluctance for women to go for a smear test because they did not want to be "defiled" or be considered "no longer pure". She has now completed her chemotherapy and is in remission. Ms Patel and her husband got divorced during her treatment - something she says was partly because of cultural expectations about how a wife should be. Image caption Madhu Agarwal says many South Asian women are seeking help too late Some experts are concerned that women are suffering unnecessarily. South Asian women are more likely to be from poor, deprived backgrounds, meaning their levels of awareness of cancer are likely to be lower. National screening statistics show people from ethnic minority communities do not go for screening as much as their white counterparts. Madhu Agarwal, a cancer support manager who has worked in the field of cancer for more than 30 years, fears this is leading to South Asian women dying unnecessarily. "Because of the ignorance of not presenting early, not examining the breasts... the disease has already spread [when they do seek help] and it's very difficult to manage it with treatment. "Then the mortality is high, so there is a stigma attached - that when you get cancer you're going to die." She said one of her patients had come for treatment so late that her breast was "fungating" and "rotten". She recalled: "It was smelling so much that you couldn't even sit next to it." The woman - who had young children - died because the cancer had by then spread to other parts of her body, Ms Agarwal explained. Image caption Samina Hussain says one of her family told her to wear the hijab to hide her cancer The Victoria Derbyshire programme has heard several other accounts of the effects the stigma surrounding cancer can have. Samina Hussain said one of her family told her to wear hijab to hide her cancer, saying "you can cover this up now". Iyna Butt said her aunt refused chemotherapy as she felt "God had given [cancer] to her". 'Help save women' Ms Saini is now calling for more data on screening uptake by ethnicity to be recorded, so findings can be used to provide more tailored support to communities. Public Health England's screening director Anne Mackie said when Ms Saini's research is published it will look to implement its suggestions. "We've got every reason to believe that will help save women from [South] Asian backgrounds' lives as well as others from deprived backgrounds," she said. Watch the Victoria Derbyshire programme on weekdays between 09:00 and 11:00 on BBC Two and the BBC News Channel. | Low | [
0.49425287356321806,
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Q: Как вызвать функцию через её имя в виде строки? Пользователь вводит строку, из которой достается ключевое слово, для которой заранее подготовлена функция с похожим именем. Её как-то можно вызвать без eval() ? bubu("http://One.com/bubu.png");
function bubu(str) {
let key = (str.match(/(One|Two|Three)/ig) || ["Other"])[0];
window["handle" + "Test"](); // Работает для глобальной функции
bubu["handle" + key](); // Error. Где же сохраняется функция?
// *Должен сработать handleOne()
function handleOne() { console.log( 'one' ); }
function handleTwo() { console.log( 'two' ); }
function handleThree() { console.log('three'); }
function handleOther() { console.log('other'); }
}
function handleTest() { console.log( 'Window-test' ); } P.s. ну и код функций чуть сложнее и разнообразнее, что делает невозможным создать одну с параметрами) A: на классах, ES6 class Bubu {
constructor() {
this.actions = {
'handleOne': 'handleOne',
'handleTwo': 'handleTwo',
'handleThree': 'handleThree',
'handleOther': 'handleOther'
};
this._init();
}
_init() {
const key = 'Three';
this[this.actions['handle' + key]]();
}
handleOne() {
console.log('1');
}
handleTwo() {
console.log('2');
}
handleThree() {
console.log('3');
}
handleOther() {
console.log('other');
}
}
new Bubu(); | High | [
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Brett Ratner, best known for his Television series Prison Break and the director of Hugh Jackman starrer 2006 superhero film X Men – The Last Stand has expressed his desire to work with the Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Ratner took to Twitter to convey his desire to SRK. He tweeted, “@iamsrk I would love to work with you one day!! Big fan!!!” Shah Rukh was humbled by this gracious effort. He replied saying, “@BrettRatner would be my honour. I am an avid follower of ur work & a huge fan of ur films. Would love to come & see u work on sets one day.” Ratner replied saying, “@iamsrk it would be an honor to have you on one of my sets. I am shooting Hercules now in Budapest for another month. Please be my guest.” It will be quite a delight to catch a glimpse of one of India’s most sought after and admired stars in a magnanimous Hollywood films directed by Ratner. SRK has found a distinguished addition amongst his zillions of fans and hopefully this association will be symbiotically beneficial for both. Now, enjoy reading koimoi.com on your Android Smartphone. Download the FREE App right here. | Mid | [
0.655391120507399,
38.75,
20.375
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This website uses cookies to ensure proper functionality of the shopping cart and checkout progress. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Click here to learn about cookie settings. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. (Your order will be dispatched from out warehouse - not available for immediate collection) Product Information At a glance The Mothercare Movix is a stylish pram and pushchair travel system, with a choice of versatile colour options, allowing you to express your personal style. To complete the purchase of your Movix pushchair you simply need to select, and add to the basket, your choice of base pack, necessity pack and comfort pack and your Movix is ready to go, all for just £570. Features and benefits for Mothercare Movix Base Pack - Dark Clay Chassis comes complete with an easy access basket with a large external pocket Pram liner provides added comfort, and is removable and washable Carry cot base is suitable from birth Practical airflow pushchair seat, is suitable from 6 months & can be used either parent facing or forward facing. It takes baby through to toddler years, with a removable hinged bumper bar for extra convenience The Mothercare Movix is all about comfort, style & versatility all in one package to make life easier. It even takes Maxi-Cosi infant car seats to form a travel system without any extra adapters – so nothing to misplace! Want To Know More? Your Movix base pack includes the chassis, a carrycot, plus an airflow pushchair seat and is available in a choice of two colour options, dark clay or vanilla. Your baby can use their Movix pram and pushchair system from birth, starting with the carrycot. Once they reach 6 months they are ready to move to the pushchair seat where they can start to see the world around them. The airflow pushchair seat is suitable from 6 months and will takes baby through to their toddler years (maximum child weight 15kg). The practical seat material can be easily wiped clean and the removable hinged bumper bar makes getting baby in and out much easier The easy fold, four-wheel chassis features lockable front swivel wheels, quick release large rear air tyres for a smoother ride, and push on/off brakes - so no scuffed shoes! The adjustable four-position handle has a comfy grip and will always be the perfect height. The chassis also comes complete with a large easy access shopping basket and a tyre pump should it be needed The Movix pushchair chassis easily converts to a travel system with a Maxi Cosi Cabriofix or Maxi Cosi Pebble infant car seats (sold separately) with no need for extra adaptors The spacious, portable Movix carry cot allows newborns to travel in the lie flat position, facing Mum or Dad. It's easily removed from the Movix chassis, so there's no need to disturb your baby when they are resting, and can be used for occasional overnight sleeping. Included with your carrycot is a waterproof mattress with removable fabric cover, and for extra comfort a deluxe quilted liner which can also be easily removed for washing Now you have added your choice of base pack to your basket, please select a Movix Necessity pack and Comfort pack, if you haven't done so already, to complete your Movix pushchair. Once you have chosen all three packs your customised Movix is ready to go! Don't Forget... To turn the Mothercare Movix pushchair and pram system into a travel system, you can purchase a Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix or Pebble infant car seat separately. Care instructions: Wipe clean only What's in the box 1 x Chassis with basket 1 x Carry cot base 1 x Pram liner 1 x Waterproof mattress with removable fabric cover 1 x Airflow pushchair seat Customer Reviews Customer Reviews for Mothercare Movix Base Pack - Dark Clay There are currently no reviews for this product. To be the first to review this product login or register. Write Your Own Review You're reviewing: Mothercare Movix Base Pack - Dark Clay *How do you rate this product? 1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars Durability Quality Value for Money Please choose rating *Nickname *Review title *Write your review * Required Fields Delivery & Returns Delivery Standard Delivery is FREE on all orders over €50. Delivery is €5.00 on orders below €50. Your order will be delivered within 2-4 working days. Returns We are happy to refund or exchange any unused merchandise returned within 28 days of purchase upon production of your receipt, as long as they are returned in an unused condition and in their original packaging. Please see returns and exchanges for details. Chassis comes complete with an easy access basket with a large external pocket Pram liner provides added comfort, and is removable and washable Carry cot base is suitable from birth Practical airflow pushchair seat, is suitable from 6 months & can be used either parent facing or forward facing. It takes baby through to toddler years, with a removable hinged bumper bar for extra convenience The Mothercare Movix is all about comfort, style & versatility all in one package to make life easier. It even takes Maxi-Cosi infant car seats to form a travel system without any extra adapters – so nothing to misplace! Want To Know More? Your Movix base pack includes the chassis, a carrycot, plus an airflow pushchair seat and is available in a choice of two colour options, dark clay or vanilla. Your baby can use their Movix pram and pushchair system from birth, starting with the carrycot. Once they reach 6 months they are ready to move to the pushchair seat where they can start to see the world around them. The airflow pushchair seat is suitable from 6 months and will takes baby through to their toddler years (maximum child weight 15kg). The practical seat material can be easily wiped clean and the removable hinged bumper bar makes getting baby in and out much easier The easy fold, four-wheel chassis features lockable front swivel wheels, quick release large rear air tyres for a smoother ride, and push on/off brakes - so no scuffed shoes! The adjustable four-position handle has a comfy grip and will always be the perfect height. The chassis also comes complete with a large easy access shopping basket and a tyre pump should it be needed The Movix pushchair chassis easily converts to a travel system with a Maxi Cosi Cabriofix or Maxi Cosi Pebble infant car seats (sold separately) with no need for extra adaptors The spacious, portable Movix carry cot allows newborns to travel in the lie flat position, facing Mum or Dad. It's easily removed from the Movix chassis, so there's no need to disturb your baby when they are resting, and can be used for occasional overnight sleeping. Included with your carrycot is a waterproof mattress with removable fabric cover, and for extra comfort a deluxe quilted liner which can also be easily removed for washing Now you have added your choice of base pack to your basket, please select a Movix Necessity pack and Comfort pack, if you haven't done so already, to complete your Movix pushchair. Once you have chosen all three packs your customised Movix is ready to go! Don't Forget... To turn the Mothercare Movix pushchair and pram system into a travel system, you can purchase a Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix or Pebble infant car seat separately. Care instructions: Wipe clean only What's in the box 1 x Chassis with basket 1 x Carry cot base 1 x Pram liner 1 x Waterproof mattress with removable fabric cover 1 x Airflow pushchair seat Customer Reviews for Mothercare Movix Base Pack - Dark Clay There are currently no reviews for this product. To be the first to review this product login or register. Write Your Own Review You're reviewing: Mothercare Movix Base Pack - Dark Clay *How do you rate this product? 1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars Durability Quality Value for Money Please choose rating *Nickname *Review title *Write your review * Required Fields Delivery Standard Delivery is FREE on all orders over €50. Delivery is €5.00 on orders below €50. Your order will be delivered within 2-4 working days. Returns We are happy to refund or exchange any unused merchandise returned within 28 days of purchase upon production of your receipt, as long as they are returned in an unused condition and in their original packaging. Please see returns and exchanges for details. You can place an order for an item online and have it delivered to the store of your choice. This service is free of charge for all orders. You can select the day that you wish to collect your order and we will ensure that it is there the day before. Once it has been scanned in at the store you will receive a text or email to let you know it is available for collection. If you have not received a communication to tell you that it has arrived, please call the store to investigate before you make a special journey. Collect In Store is available in the majority of our stores, to find out if your local store offers this service please use our Store Finder and look for the Collect In Store logo. Our home assembly service is ideal for those with busy lifestyles or don't want the hassle spending time putting the product together. We take great pride in ensuring customer satisfaction with out home assembly service and our product asssemblers will guarantee top quality work, so that we: Help you ensure the product is properly assembled Help you avoid hassle and frustration putting the product together Assemble the product as it was designed, built for you to enjoy *Please note Home Assembly can only be offered with Home Delivery orders | Mid | [
0.554824561403508,
31.625,
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Q: Date in XLS sheet not parsing correctly I am trying to read a XLS file using 'XLSX' node-module with a column having dates. After parsing the file what I found is that the dates are of few dates back from that of the dates in the sheet. This is what I a doing. var workbook = XLSX.readFile(filePath);
var grossPayoutSheet = workbook.Sheets[worksheets[1]];
for (var i in grossPayoutSheet) {
if (i[0] === "!") continue;
var col = (!isNaN(parseInt(i.substring(1)))) ? i.substring(0,1) : i.substring(0,2);
var row = (!isNaN(parseInt(i.substring(1)))) ? parseInt(i.substring(1)) : parseInt(i.substring(2));
var value = grossPayoutSheet[i].v;
if (row === 2) {
var value = grossPayoutSheet[i].v;
headers[col] = value.trim();
continue;
}
if (row !== 1 && !data[row]) {
data[row] = {};
} else if (row !== 1){
data[row][headers[col]] = value;
}
} the value in the cell B3 is 05/07/2017 but after parsing the value is B3: { t: 'n', v: 42921, w: '42921' } I want the date in string format that is I want to change the cell format from 'n' to 's' Can anyone please me out with this? A: var workbook = XLSX.read(data, { type: 'binary', cellDates: true, cellNF: false, cellText: false }); A: So I got it working yesterday: import * as XLSX from 'xlsx' import * as df from 'dateformat'; // Typescript but easy to convert const workbook: any = XLSX.read(source, { 'type': type, cellDates: true }); // passing the option 'cellDates': true is important // ... // ... until you start reading cells const cellAddress: any = { c: 5, r: 5 }; // column 5 / row 5 which is a date and formatted like that in xlsx const cell_ref: string = XLSX.utils.encode_cell(cellAddress); const cell: any = worksheet[cell_ref]; if (cell) { let value: any = cell.v; const parsedDate: Date = new Date(value); parsedDate.setHours(parsedDate.getHours() + timezoneOffset); // utc-dates value = df(parsedDate, "dd/mm/yyyy"); } This is just a snippet but the essentials are in there :-) Hope this might help you! Btw I am using a xlsx-file. The trick is to pass the option 'cellDates: true' and then to just instantiate a date from the numbers value and it should work out. Your date will probably be a few hours off because of the utc-dates in JS, which you can even out by adding the offset to the date. | Mid | [
0.5914489311163891,
31.125,
21.5
] |
Customer Reviews Where reviews refer to foods or cosmetic products, results may vary from person to person. Customer reviews are independent and do not represent the views of The Hut Group. Summary 4.714285714285714 4.714285714285714 (7 Reviews) Created On Perfect for me 5 I had tried this, when I received a sample along with my purchase and really loved it. So, when I was running low on another Juice Beauty moisturizer (Green Apple Age-Defying) which I am not crazy about, I ordered this one. Very good NEW LOVE 5 I started using juice beauty products 6 months ago and i have to tell you that i fell in love. I love this oil free moisturizer. my nose is usually very oily about 10 mins after putting on my makeup but when i put on this moisturizer and then my make up no oily nose. Fantastic 5 I purchased this Oil Free Moisturizer as a less expensive (albeit not by much) alternative to the Nutrient Moisturizer I used to use. It stopped all break outs from an Avon lotion I had used for about a week (oops) within just a few days, so I was very happy with that. Smells great, as all Juice Beauty products do! For the "almost liquid" texture, you'd think it would be greasy, but it is not. It absorbs very quickly and I have never felt even a bit greasy with this product.I have dabbled quite a bit in the skincare world, and I don't think I have ever felt my skin THIS SOFT! It is lightweight, smells great, doesn't upset my eyes, and really makes my skin incredibly soft. I could not be happier. It does not quite make my skin as matte as the Nutrient Moisturizer did - but I layer everything daily with Philosophy's "The Present" regardless, which keeps all the shine always at bay.It does about as much moisturizing as the Nutrient Moisturizer - which requires a little extra in the winter, but for the summer (and working outside as I do) it is quite possibly my absolute favorite moisturizer I have ever used. Perfect! 5 I have combination skin with a t-zone that can get easily oily. This is the only product that works to moisturize and mattify my skin. It absorbs very quickly and leaves my skin feeling light and hydrated, not sticky. As I've aged, it has worked on my cheeks that are slightly drier. I also have sensitive skin that can break out easily and since using Juice Beauty I've had no problems. My pores are very happy. I've been using this for years! Worked until... 4 As an acne sufferer it worked fabulously til the acne got worse. I found the product to be thick combined with Florida's humidity (not a good combo). If the product was a liquid base/sheer I have no doubt that I would be giving it 5 smiles. I recommend using if you have dry skin. For acne use at night in the winter. How long will it take to arrive? Please remember to add postal time (2-3 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door. How will I know it has been sent You will receive an email to confirm when your item has been sent. You can also check the status of your order and individual items by accessing your account details and following the prompts. Please allow 10 working days from the shipping date of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries. It may be advisable to check with your neighbors to see if your delivery has been left with them, check any places it could be left such as: garage, porch, or behind garbage cans if it was too big to fit through your mailbox. Contact your local post office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection. | Low | [
0.528708133971291,
27.625,
24.625
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> <!DOCTYPE ldml SYSTEM "../../common/dtd/ldml.dtd"> <!-- Copyright © 1991-2013 Unicode, Inc. CLDR data files are interpreted according to the LDML specification (http://unicode.org/reports/tr35/) For terms of use, see http://www.unicode.org/copyright.html --> <ldml> <identity> <version number="$Revision: 9061 $"/> <generation date="$Date: 2013-07-20 12:27:45 -0500 (Sat, 20 Jul 2013) $"/> <language type="zh"/> <script type="Hans"/> <territory type="CN"/> </identity> </ldml> | Low | [
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Radioactivity and radiation safety: basic concepts for laboratory animal technologists and technicians. Laboratory animals treated with radioactive compounds are a radiation-safety concern. It is important for technologists and technicians who work with these animals to understand ionizing radiation and radiation-safety practices. The author discusses licensing, contamination control, and how to deal with radioactive waste. | High | [
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33.5,
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College students who survived the taking pictures rampage at Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty are urging kids and oldsters to hitch them in an enormous new protest. They'll march on Washington, DC, to name for extra gun ... Laborious-left social media customers have spent the day viciously attacking the daddy of one of many victims of the horrific Florida college mass capturing over the truth that he wore a Trump 2020 t-shirt throughout an interview with a neighborhood information outlet. Thats proper, within the new America it's apparently ... New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" organization was revealed last fall to include a long list of mayors who, because of their beliefs, that they had the right to possess weapons themselves. Now another embarrassment arose from the organization. According to a report by the Second Amendment ... | Low | [
0.5161290322580641,
36,
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Penelope one piece - Delicate Mint Timeless and romantic, our adorable PENELOPE one piece swimsuit in delicate mint and ivory is every little girls' dream. The delicate front and back pleats create a beautiful and intricate movement, flaunting the attention to the detail, the quality of the fabrics and the manufacturing, that characterise all of our swimsuits. Made with super soft recycled fabric is designed to be gentle to children’s skin and to protect it by blocking 99.8% of sun’s harmful UVs. | Mid | [
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32.25,
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By Steve Wittich Good morning from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where 21 drivers are about to get their first taste of the UAK18 on the famed 2.5-mile Speedway, Ind. oval. The drivers and teams taking part in today’s open test are: Marco Andretti (Andretti Autosport), Sebastien Bourdais (Dale Coyne Racing), Ed Carpenter (Ed Carpenter Racing),… This content is for 12-Month TSO Subscription members only.Log InRegister | High | [
0.6666666666666661,
36.5,
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Kansas AG in Sex Scandal Resigns The attorney general of Kansas, who has been embroiled in a sex scandal that also raises significant legal ethics issues, announced today that he will resign from office effective at the end of January. At that point, he will have been in office barely one year. “Many people feel betrayed by my personal actions, and they have every right to feel that way,” said Paul Morrison during a press conference. While he has made personal mistakes, however, Morrison said he has upheld the law while in office, reports the Lawrence Journal-World & News. As detailed in an earlier ABAJournal.com post, Morrison admittedly had an extramarital affair with a former subordinate who recently filed a sexual harassment claim against him. However, she also contends that he used her to interfere in investigations being conducted by the Johnson County District Attorney, which Morrison denies. In addition to a state supreme court disciplinary investigation, which Morrison himself requested, it appears that he is also the target of an investigation for which the Johnson County district attorney was given permission Thursday to hire a special prosecutor, according to the Lawrence newspaper. | Low | [
0.482758620689655,
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