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Legalize It est un album du musicien reggae Peter Tosh. C'est son premier album solo, enregistré après sa séparation avec le groupe de Bob Marley. L'album aurait été financé par un vaste trafic de cannabis organisé en partie par Lee Jaffe, l'auteur de la célèbre photo de Peter Tosh qui pose au milieu d'un champ de ganja sur la pochette de l'album. Peter Tosh a obtenu le Grammy Award du meilleur album en 1988, à titre posthume. Une réédition paraît en 1999, chez Legacy, avec une piste bonus, version instrumentale du titre Ketchy Shuby du même album.
Legalize It sera certifié disque de platine aux États-Unis 23 ans après sa parution.
Liste des chansons
Toutes les chansons sont écrites par Peter Tosh, sauf mention contraire
Legalize It - 4:41
Burial - 3:55
Whatcha Gonna Do - 2:27
No sympathy - 4:35
Why Must I Cry? (Peter Tosh, Bob Marley) - 3:05
Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised) - 4:37
Ketchy Shuby - 4:57
Till Your Well Runs Dry (Peter Tosh, Neville Livingston) - 6:08
Brand New Second Hand - 4:04
Ketchy Shuby (Instrumental) - 3:16 (Réédition de 1999)
Réédition de 2011 (Legacy Edition, double CD)
CD1
Legalize It
Burial
Whatcha Gonna Do
No Sympathy
Why Must I Cry
Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)
Ketchy Shuby
Till Your Well Runs Dry
Brand New Second Hand
Legalize It (Demo)
No Sympathy (Demo)
Why Must I Cry (Demo)
Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised) (Demo)
Ketchy Shuby (Demo)
Till Your Well Runs Dry (Demo)
Brand New Second Hand (Demo)
CD2 (Original Mix)
Legalize It
Burial
Whatcha Gonna Do
No Love, No Sympathy
Why Must I Cry
Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)
Ketchy Shuby
Till Your Well Runs Dry
Brand New Second Hand
Legalize It (Alternative Version)
Burial (Dub Version)
Whatcha Gonna Do (ShaJahShoka Dub Plate)
(Igziabeher) Let Jah Be Praised (ShaJahShoka Dub Plate)
Second Hand (ShaJahShoka Dub Plate)
Burial (Dub version)
Legalize It (Dub Version)
Musiciens
Peter Tosh : chant, guitare rythmique, claviers, chœurs.
Carlton Barrett : batterie, percussions.
Aston "Family Man" Barrett : basse.
Robbie Shakespeare : basse, harpe.
Tyrone Downey : claviers.
Al Anderson : guitare solo.
Donald Kinsey : guitare solo sur No Sympathy et Brand New second Hand.
Ras Lee : harpe.
Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Bunny Wailer : chœurs.
Certifications
Références
Album de Peter Tosh
Album musical sorti en 1976
Album publié par Virgin Records
Album enregistré en Jamaïque | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaWikipedia"
} |
Mathematical Ramblings
About the author: Dr. A.J. Bruce
Category Archives: Physics
Physics, Post Doc Luxembourg, Research work
A "higher graded" version of supersymmetry and superspace
December 10, 2018 ajb Leave a comment
In a preprint On a ℤ₂ⁿ-Graded Version of Supersymmetry I construct a "higher" graded version of the extended supersymmetry algebras and construct the corresponding generalisation of Minkowski superspace.
Supersymmetry is a powerful non-classical symmetry that relates bosons and fermions. A geometric understanding of this can be found under the umbrella of "superspace" methods, which rely on the theory of supermanifolds. At a basic level, one starts with Minkowski space-time and then appends to this anticommuting spinor coordinates. By anticommuting we mean that
θ1 θ2 = – θ2 θ1
The fact that we append object that anticommute is deeply tied to that fact that quasi-classically, fermionic fields require us to use such weird things. This is really a form of the Pauli exclusion principle.
However, from a mathematical point of view, there is no reason why we cannot append spinors with more exotic relations between them. Indeed, people have considered "non-anticommuting superspaces" inspired by the way string theory should modify space-time on the smallest scales. In the preprint, I consider a very mild version of this non-anticommutativity by appending spinors that commute (i.e., the order does not matter) up to a sign given by a ℤ₂ⁿ-grading.
This leads to spinors that square to zero (as they should), yet commute amongst themselves! This is very different from the standard theory of supermanifolds and supersymmetry. In fact, we are immediately reminded of Green-Volkov parastatistics. I comment on this in the preprint, though parastatistical versions of "superspace" were not my main motivation with this work.
It seems that just about everything can be generalised to this higher graded setting using the theory of ℤ₂ⁿ-geometry, which is itself a new and developing piece of mathematics. In particular, a higher graded version of Minkowski superspace is given and the corresponding supersymmetry transformations are explored in the preprint.
Education, General Mathematics, Physics
Can one disprove special relativity with high school mathematics?
March 19, 2016 ajb Leave a comment
Is it possible using mathematics that is not much beyond high school mathematics to prove that special relativity is wrong? And what does that even mean?
The mathematics of special relativity
It is more-or-less true that Einstein's original works on special relativity do not really use any highbrow mathematics. In a standard undergraduate introduction to the subject no more than linear algebra is really used: vector spaces, matrices and quadratic forms.
So, as linear algebra is well-founded, one is not going to find some internal inconsistencies in special relativity.
Moreover, today we understand special relativity to be based on the geometry of Minkowski space-time. Basically, this is Euclidean with an awkward minus sign in the metric. Thus, special relativity, from a geometric perspective, is as well-founded as any thing in differential geometry.
So one is not going to mathematically prove that special relativity is wrong in any mathematical sense.
On to physics…
However, the theory of special relativity is falsifiable in the sense of Popper. That is, taking into account the domain of validity (ie., just the situations you expect the theory to work), experimental accuracy, statistical errors etc. one can compare the theoretical predictions with what is measured in experiments. If the predictions match the theory well, up to some pre-described level, then the theory is said to be 'good'. Otherwise the theory is 'bad' and not considered to be a viable description of nature.
In this sense, using not much more that linear algebra one could in principle calculate something within special relativity that does not agree well with nature (being careful with the domain of validity etc). Thus, one can in principle show that special relativity is not a 'good' theory by finding some mismatch between the theory and observations. This must be the case if we want to consider special relativity as a scientific theory.
Is special relativity 'good' or 'bad'?
Today we have no evidence, direct or indirect, to suggest that special relativity is not a viable description of nature (as ever taking into account the domain of validity). For example, the standard model of particle physics has at its heart special relativity. So far we have had great agreement with theory and experiment, the electromagnetic sector is extremely well tested. This tells us that special relativity is 'good'.
Even the more strange predictions like time dilation are realised. For example the difference in the life-time of muons as measured at rest and at high speed via cosmic rays agrees very well with the predictions of special relativity.
Including gravity into the mix produces general relativity. However, we know that on small enough scales general relativity reduces to special relativity. Any evidence that general relativity is a 'good' theory also indirectly tells us that special relativity is 'good'. Apart from all the other tests, I offer the discovery of gravitational waves as evidence that general relativity is 'good' and thus special relativity is also 'good'.
The clause
The important thing to remember is that the domain of validity is vital in deciding if a theory is 'good' or 'bad'. We know that physics depends on the scales at which you observe, so we in no way would expect special relativity be a viable description across all scales. For example, when gravity comes into play we have to consider general relativity.
On the very smallest length scales, outside of what we can probe, we expect the nature of space-time to be modified to take into account quantum mechanics. Thus, at these smallest length scales we would not expect the description of space-time using special relativity to be a very accurate one. So, no one is claiming that special relativity, nor general relativity is the final say on the structure of space and time. All we are claiming is that we do have 'good' theories by the widely accepted definition.
Are all claims that relativity is wrong bogus?
Well, one would have to examine all claims carefully to answer that…
However, in my experience most objections to special relativity are based on either philosophical grounds or misinterpreting the calculations. Neither of these are enough to claim that Einstein was completely wrong in regards to relativity.
Astronomy, Physics
The Polish and Welsh contributions to the discovery of gravitational waves
February 14, 2016 ajb Leave a comment
I just want to acknowledge the contributions of two teams to the discovery of gravitational waves. These groups are only part of the wider community and I highlight them for purely personal reasons.
The Polish group
The Virgo-POLGRAW group, lead by Prof. Andrzej Królak at IMPAN.
The Welsh group
The Cardiff Gravitational Physics Group, and within that the Data Innovation Institute lead by Prof Bernard F Schutz.
On the physics of chocolate
August 28, 2015 ajb Leave a comment
Researchers at Technische Universität München, Germany, have reported that molecular dynamics can be used to gain new insights into the chocolate conching [1].
Chocolate conching is the stage of manufacturing where aromatic sensation, texture and mouthfeel are developed.
This work seems to be the first to attempt to properly understand the role of lecithins in chocolate production.
Physics, helping to build a tasty more palatable world.
[1] M Kindlein, M Greiner, E Elts and H Briesen, Interactions between phospholipid head groups and a sucrose crystal surface at the cocoa butter interface, 2015 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 48 384002.
Chocolate physics: how modelling could improve mouthfeel, IOP website.
Physics, Post Doc Poland, Research work
The 2nd Conference of the Polish Society on Relativity
July 14, 2015 ajb Leave a comment
I will be attending the 2nd conference of the Polish Society of Relativity which will celebrate 100 years of general relativity.
The conference is in Warsaw and will be held over the period 23-28 November 2015.
The invited speakers include George Ellis, Roy Kerr, Roger Penrose and Kip Thorne. I am a little excited about this.
Registration is now open and you can follow the link below to find out more.
Polskie Towarzystwo Relatywistyczne
June 6, 2015 ajb Leave a comment
The subject of a quantum theory of gravity is interesting, technical and very difficult. However, there are three basic principles that we expect such a theory to obey.
Creating a full quantum theory of gravity seems to be out of our reach right now. String theory comes close, but the full theory here is not understood. Loop quantum gravity also offers a good picture, but again technicalities spoil achieving the goal.
I am no expert in quantum gravity, but I thought it maybe interesting to outline three basic 'rules'. The full quantum theory of gravity should be:
Renormalisable (maybe not perturbatively) or finite.
Background independent.
Reducible to general relativity (plus small corrections) in a sensible classical limit.
As a warning, I will not be too technical here, but will use some standard language from quantum field theory.
Renormalisable
The standard methods of quantum field theory are to expand the theory about some fixed configuration, usually the vacuum, and consider small fluctuations about this reference configuration. However, in doing so some techniques are needed to remove the appearance of infinite values of things you would like to measure in the lab. These methods are collective known as 'perturbative renormalisation'. For example, we know that the quantum theory of electrodynamics can be handled properly using these methods.
However, general relativity as described by Einstein is not amenable to methods of perturbative renormalisation. Well, this is true if we want a full theory. What one can do is consider quantum general relativity as an effective theory. That is we accept that at some energy scale the theory will breakdown, but as long as we are not at that scale the theory is okay. By adding a 'cut-off' we can understand quantum general relativity using Feynman diagrams to 'one-loop' and calculate graviton scattering amplitudes and so on.
Interestingly, there is some evidence that general relativity or something close to it is nonperturbatively renormalisable; this is known as asymptotic safety. With no details, the idea is that quantum general relativity is not 'sick' and well-defined, just not as a perturbative theory like quantum electrodynamics. This is fascinating as it means that a proper quantum theory of gravity may not be a theory of gravitons after all! Recall that small ripples in the electromagnetic field are quantised and understood to be photons. Maybe it is not really possible to describe quantum gravity in a similar way where small ripples in space-time are quantised.
Alternatively, a full theory of quantum gravity could be finite. That is we can employ perturbative methods, but do not need renormalisation techniques. Amazingly, we know of supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories that are finite. Moreover, superstring theory is also finite (I am unsure as to how rigours the proof are here, but the string community generally accept this as fact). It maybe possible that the full theory of quantum gravity is finite from the start. This suggests that looking at supersymmetric theories of gravity is a good idea, but by no means the only thing one can think about.
In short, any full quantum theory of gravity must allow us to calculate things we can hope to measure.
Background independence
This means that the theory should not depend on any chosen background geometric fields. In particular, this is taken to mean that the theory should not require some chosen background metric.
String theory as it stands fails on this. However, string theory is usually employed using perturbation theory and so some classical background is chosen, often 10-d flat space-time.
Loop quantum gravity seems better in this respect, but it has other problems.
In short, any full quantum theory of gravity should not require us to fix the geometry (and maybe topology) from the start.
Reduce to general relativity
General relativity has been so successful in describing classical gravitational phenomena. It is tested to some huge degree of accuracy and so far no deviations from it's predictions have been found. General relativity is a good theory within the expected domains of validity.
Thus, any quantum theory of gravity must in some classical limit reduce to general relativity, up to small corrections. These quantum corrections must be small enough as not to be seen already in astrophysics and cosmology.
If a quantum theory of gravity cannot be shown to reduce to general relativity in some limits (there maybe several ways of doing this) then we cannot be sure that we really have a quantum theory of gravity.
Today we know that string theory gives us general relativity + small corrections. In essence this is because the spectra of closed string theory contains a spin-2 boson, via rather general arguments we know that this has to be the graviton and the field equations are essentially the Einstein field equations. (Remember this is all in perturbation theory).
Recovering general relativity from loop quantum gravity has yet to be done. This I would say is a sticking point right now.
In short, any full quantum theory of gravity must reproduce the phenomena of general relativity is some classical limit(s).
The original review of general relativity
It has now been 99 years, to the day (20/03/2015) since Einstein published his original summary of general relativity [1].
Before that he had published some incomplete works that have the wrong field equation, but the key ideas were in place by 1914. The core idea is that space-time is dynamical and interacts with the matter and energy.
It is hard to believe that this theory of gravity has stood the test of time so well. We know for various reasons that general relativity cannot be the complete picture, but nature just refuses to give us hints on what could be the more complete theory.
[1] A. Einstein, Die Grundlage der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie, Annalen der Physik 354 (7), 1916, 769-822.
General Mathematics, Physics, Post Doc Poland, Research work
Supersymmetry and mathematics
Prof Beate Heinemann, from the Atlas experiment at CERN had said that they may detect supersymmetric particles as early as this summer. But what if they don't?
What if nature does not realise supersymmetry? Has my interest in supermathematics been a waste of time?
Superysmmetry
We hope that we're just now at this threshold that we're finding another world, like antimatter for instance. We found antimatter in the beginning of the last century. Maybe we'll find now supersymmetric matter
Prof Beate Heinemann [1]
In nature there are two families of particles. The bosons, like the photon and the fermions, like the electron. Bosons are 'friendly' particles and they are quite happy to share the same quantum state. Fermions are the complete opposite, they are more like hermits and just won't share the same quantum state. In the standard model of particle physics the force carriers are bosons and matter particles are fermions. The example here is the photon which is related to the electromagnetic force. On the other side we have the quarks that make up the neutron & proton and the electron, all these are fermions and together they form atoms.
Supersymmetry is an amazing non-classical symmetry that relates bosons and fermions. That is there are situations for which bosons and fermions can be treated equally. Again note the very different 'lifestyle' of these two families. If supersymmetry is realised in nature then every boson will have a fermionic partner and vice versa. In one swoop the known fundamental particles of nature are (at least) doubled! Moreover, the distinction between matter and forces becomes blurred!
A little mathematics
Without details, the theory of bosons requires the so called Canonical Commutation Relation or CCR. Basically it is given by
\([\hat{x},\hat{p}] = \hat{x} \hat{p} – \hat{p} \hat{x} = i \hbar \).
Here x 'hat' is interpreted as the position operator and p 'hat' the momentum. The right hand side of this equation is a physical constant called Planck's constant (multiplied by the complex unit, but this is inessential). The above equation really is the basis of all quantum mechanics.
The classical limit is understood as setting the right hand side to zero. Doing so we 'remove the hat' and get
\(xp- px =0 \).
Thus, the classical theory of bosons does not require anything beyond (maybe complex) numbers. Importantly, the order of the multiplication does not matter here at all, just think of standard multiplication of real numbers.
The situation for fermions is a little more interesting. Here we have the so called Canonical Anticommutation Relations or CAR,
\(\{\hat{\psi}, \hat{\pi} \} = \hat{\psi} \hat{\pi} + \hat{\pi} \hat{\psi} = i \hbar\).
Again these operators have an interpretation as position and momentum, in a more generalised setting. Note the difference in the sign here, this is vital. Again we can take a classical limit resulting in
\(\psi \pi + \pi \psi =0\).
But hang on. This means that we cannot interpret this classical limit in terms of standard numbers. Well, unless we just set everything to zero. Really we have taken a quasi-classical limit and realise that the description of fermions in this limit require us to consider 'numbers' that anticommute; that is ab = -ba. Note this means that aa= -aa =0. Thus we have nilpotent 'numbers', that is non-zero 'numbers' that square to zero. This is odd indeed.
Supermathematics and supergeometry
In short, supermathematics is all about the algebra, calculus and geometry one can do when including these anticommuting 'numbers'. The history of such things can be traced back to Grassmann in 1844, pre-dating the applications in physics. Grassmann's interests were in linear algebra. These odd 'numbers' (really the generators of) are usually referred to as Grassmann variables and the algebra they form a Grassmann algebra.
One of my interests is in doing geometry with such odd variables, this is well established and a respectable area of research, if not very well represented. Loosely, think about simple coordinate geometry in high school, but now we include these odd numbers in our description. I will only reference the original paper here [2], noting that many other works evolved from this including some very readable books.
What if no supersymmetry in nature?
This would not mean the end of research into supermathematics and its applications in both physics & mathematics.
From a physics perspective supersymmetry is a powerful symmetry that can vastly simplify many calculations. There is an industry here that works on using supersymmertic results and applying them to the non-supersymmetric case. This I cannot see simply ending if supersymmetry is not realised in nature, it could be viewed as a powerful mathematical trick. In fact, similar tricks are already mainstream in physics in the context of quantising classical gauge theories, like the Yang-Mills theory that describes the strong force. These methods come under the title of BRST-BV (after the guys who first discovered it). Maybe I can say more about this another time.
From a mathematics point of view supergeometry pushes what we know as geometry. It gives us a workable stepping stone into the world of noncommutative geometry, which is a whole collections of works devoted to understanding general (usually associative) algebras as the algebra of functions on 'generalised spaces'. The motivation here also comes from physics by applying quantum theory to space-time and gravity.
Supergeometry has also shed light on classical constructions. For example, the theory of differential forms can be cast neatly in the framework of supermanifolds. Related to this are Lie algebroids and their generalisations, all of which are neatly described in terms of supergeometry [3].
A very famous result here is Witten's 1982 proof of the Morse inequalities using supersymmetric quantum mechanics [4]. This result started the interest in applying physics to questions in topology, which is now a very popular topic.
Supermathematics has proved to be a useful concept in mathematics with applications in physics beyond just 'supersymmetry'. The geometry here pushes our classical understanding, provides insight and answers to questions that would not be so readily available in the purely classical setting. Supergeometry, although initially motivated by supersymmetry goes much further than just supersymmetric theories and this is independent of CERN showing us supersymmetry in nature or not.
[1] Jonathan Amos, Collider hopes for a 'super' restart, BBC NEWS.
[2] F. A. Berezin and D. A. Leites, Supermanifolds, Soviet Math. Dokl. 6 (1976), 1218-1222.
[3] A Yu Vaintrob, Lie algebroids and homological vector fields, 1997 Russ. Math. Surv. 52 428.
[4] Edward Witten, Supersymmetry and Morse theory, J. Differential Geom. Volume 17, Number 4 (1982), 661-692.
Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics Symposium Videos
December 5, 2014 ajb Leave a comment
The videos from the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics Symposium are now available to watch, follow the link below. The symposium was held on the 10th November at Stanford University and co-hosted by UC-San Francisco and UC-Berkeley.
There was a panel discussion with Adam Riess, Brian Schmidt, Saul Perlmutter and Yuri Milner, and individual 20-minute talks from Nima Arkani-Hamed, Juan Maldacena, Andrei Linde, Stephen Shenker, Alexei Kitaev, Patrick Hayden, John Preskill, Nathan Seiberg, Joe Polchinski and Uros Seljak.
Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics Videos 2015
Why there is no equivalence principle for electromagnetic theory
November 10, 2014 ajb 6 Comments
Quite regularly one will come across a website, blog or some thread on a forum that says the gravity is just electromagnetism. For sure they are not the same. However, I am not sure what would constitute the 'nail in the coffin' for all these clams.
With this in mind, I am not going to try to debunk every such claim. However, I think the reason for this seeming equivalence comes from the static limit. In this limit it is true that there are many formal similarities between Newtonian gravity and electrostatics. In fact there are many formal similarities in the full classical theories, both are very geometrical in nature, but I won't go into details here.
I just wanted to point out one very clear difference between gravity and electromagnetism that can be seen in this static limit. That is the lack of a generalisation of the equivalence principal for electromagnetic theory. This principal in gravity is very important and one that I will comment on in due course.
The static limit
I am guessing that we have all seen Coulombs law for electrostatics and Newton's law for gravity. Let me just write them down
\( F = k \frac{qQ}{r^{2}}\),
where \(k\) is Coulombs constant, it is a measure of the strength of the electrostatic force and \(q\) and \(Q\) are the electric charges of two point particles. The above expression is the electrostatic force between two such charged particles.
Similarly we have Newton's law of gravity
\( F = G \frac{mM}{r^{2}}\),
where \(G\) is Newton's constant which measures the strength of the gravitational force and \(m\) and \(M\) are the masses of two point particles. The above expression measures the gravitational force between these particles.
These expressions for the forces should be seen as the static non-relativistic limit. I just mean that as long as the particles are moving slow enough then the change in the fields can be viewed as instantaneous. This is okay for many applications, but it is not the full picture. However, it is the one you see at high school.
The formal similarities at this level are clear. You just need to swap constants and interchange charge and mass. But this does not mean they are the same, and there is a subtle issue here. Before that we need Newton's law of motion
Newton's second law
Newton's second law tells us that the force exerted on a particle is proportional to the acceleration of that particle. Moreover, the constant of proportionality is the (inertial) mass.
\(F = m a \).
That is all we will need.
The gravitational equivalence principal
Let us think of the particle of mass \(m\) as a test particle. That is we will think of how it is moving in the gravitational field generated by the particle \(M\) and that it does not generate a gravitational field of its own. This approximation is good for small objects moving in the gravitational field of big objects; say planets around a star or satellites in orbit around the Earth.
Now we can examine how the small mass is influenced by the big mass. We should just equate the two expressions due to Newton
\( ma = G \frac{mM}{r^{2}} \),
for which we can solve for the acceleration
\(a = G \frac{M}{r^{2}}\).
We notice a very amazing thing. The small mass cancels from both sides of the equation. (We assume that gravitational mass and inertial mass are the same. This seems to be case in nature.)
This means that the motion of the test particle does not care about any of the intrinsic properties of that particle. The only things it does care about is the initial position and velocity. This is one form of the equivalence principal which has it's roots in the experimental work of Galileo- acceleration of a test particle due to gravity is independent of the mass being accelerated.
Thus, really all the information about the test particles motion is encoded in the gravitational field alone. All test particles whatever their mass will behave the same. This is the clue that gravity can be formulated very intrinsically in terms of space-time geometry alone; this leads to general relativity which is not the subject for today.
The electromagnetic version
Now let us play the same game with electrostatics…
\( ma = k \frac{q Q}{r^{2}} \),
where we think of the test particle \((m, q)\) moving in the electric field generated by the particle \((M,Q)\). Now solving for the acceleration gives us
\(a = k \left(\frac{q}{m}\right) \frac{Q}{r^{2}} \).
Now we see the difference. The motion of the test particle does depend on the intrinsic properties of that particle, namely the charge-mass ratio. There is no similar statement like for gravitational physics; there is no equivalence principle.
Everything above is done in a particular limit of the full classical theories. The same picture is true when we examine the motion of test particles in general relativity and the Lorentz force in electromagnetic theory. I have chosen these limits because I think this is clear and also the source of the instance that gravity is just electromagnetic theory. I have pointed out one clear and explicit difference.
One can do the same with Coulomb's law for the magnetic force. Although magnetism is a bit more complicated we can examine the situation for point-like poles. This is okay for small enough poles that are well separated. You will reach the same conclusion that there is no equivalence principal in this situation. Thus, gravity is not magnetism either.
Random thoughts on mathematics, physics and more…
Welcome to Mathematical Ramblings
The intention with this blog is to post maybe once or twice a month about mathematical physics, theoretical physics, pure mathematics and anything else I find interesting.
This blog will also be used for dissemination of my work and entries related to my research will feature heavily.
Disclaimer: Any views of opinions expressed on this blog are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect that of any other individual or institution the author maybe associated with.
My name is Andrew Bruce and I am a mathematical physicist who works on the boundaries of physics and modern geometry.
Currently I am Research Associate in the Mathematics Research Unit of the University of Luxembourg.
My research interests are in mathematical physics and modern geometry. In particular I have been interested in supermanifolds, graded manifolds, Lie algebroids and various generalisations of Poisson structures.
You can contact me via email: andrewjamesbruce "at" googlemail.com
Preprints on the arXiv
My mathematics genealogy
Riemannian Q-manifolds and their modular class
A double-graded version of the quantum superplane
Connections adapted to graded bundles
Functional analytic questions and products of higher graded supermanifolds
Basics of Superanalysis
Mathematical Art
Post Doc Luxembourg
Post Doc Poland
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"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
} |
We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday and are ready to take a break from the shopping mall to see what you missed this week at Third and State.
We blogged about the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue's Britney Spears moment, the challenges of reading all the way to the end, and why it's good to be king (or at least a well-paid CEO).
On the Marcellus Shale, Michael Wood blogged about a $56 million "oops" by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in estimates it made earlier this year of Marcellus Shale industry tax contributions in 2010.
On jobs and the economy, Mark Price explained why it's a good idea to read to the end before criticizing the work of others. He also highlighted in the Morning Must Reads The Philadelphia Inquirer's series "America: What Went Wrong" and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's series on what happened to the middle class.
In other Morning Must Reads, Mark Price shared news stories on the fallout of fiscal austerity across the Commonwealth and wrote about the big bucks the new CEO of Pittsburgh-based American Eagle Outfitters will be making. As King Louis XVI of France was fond of saying, it's good to be king.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released new estimates of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's impact on employment and output (the quantity of goods and services in the economy). Commenting on the new ARRA estimates, Paul Krugman argues that the U.S. has been practicing austerity since the middle of 2010.
Failing to do more to boost employment growth means tax revenues remain depressed for state and local governments. And this means higher local taxes and more layoffs at a time when the unemployment rate remains higher in most cities and counties in Pennsylvania than it was even at the worst of the last two recessions.
Recent commentaries by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's editorial board and the Allegheny Institute in Pittsburgh offer a good lesson for why you should really try to read all the way to the end.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports this morning that the Pittsburgh-based retailer American Eagle Outfitters has hired a new CEO. So what is it like to be the CEO of the company most responsible for millions of tweens wearing sweat pants in locations other than the gym?
Well, for starters, you get a nice signing bonus and $15,000 for your lawyer to review your contract, a luxury car and a severance package equal to two years of your salary plus your stock options should things not work out.
The new CEO made $2.6 million a year at Levi Strauss, so he just got a 242% raise. As King Louis XVI of France was fond of saying, it's good to be king.
American Eagle Outfitters Inc.'s new CEO Robert L. Hanson could make as much as $26.7 million over his first three years with the company, the South Side clothing retailer disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Averaged over the three-year contract, the $8.9 million a year Hanson could make leading American Eagle would rank him near the top 10 CEOs in Pittsburgh for annual compensation in 2010.
If you are concerned about a lack of good jobs for the 99%, one positive development is that Governor Tom Corbett has formed an advisory council to be housed at the Team PA Foundation to focus on issues important to manufacturing. On average, manufacturing jobs pay better than jobs in the service sector (especially at the low end, see the chart) so it makes sense to do what can be done to expand manufacturing employment.
Morning Must Reads: What Went Wrong and the Confidence Fairy Is Back!
Over the next year, The Philadelphia Inquirer will be updating a series from 1991 titled "America: What Went Wrong," by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele. This morning, Barlett and Steele take on the legacy of Apple Computers.
The death of Steve Jobs was followed by an avalanche of superlatives — brilliant, genius, and visionary among the more common. He was likened to Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Edison.
But in the case of Edison, there was one significant difference that went unmentioned. For more than a century, just one of Edison's inventions alone — the incandescent lightbulb — was manufactured at numerous locations in the United States, providing employment for millions of Americans across family generations.
While Barlett and Steele explore what went wrong, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's series Middle of Nowhere continues today with a survey of major events and policy choices that are thought to be important to creating the middle class in America.
This week, we blogged about the latest developments in enacting a Marcellus Shale drilling fee, more bad employment news for Pennsylvania and a new study ranking nations based on indicators of social well being (the U.S. doesn't do so good).
On the Marcellus Shale, Sharon Ward provided an update on legislative developments in the Pennsylvania House, and Michael Wood shared a new fact check from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center comparing the effective rates of leading drilling tax and fee plans before the General Assembly.
On inequality, Stephen Herzenberg blogged about a new study that ranks the 31 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries on eight indicators of social well-being. The U.S. ranks 27th.
On jobs and unemployment, Mark Price wrote about more bad employment news for Pennsylvania, including a revised outlook from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve signaling that the state's economy will be shrinking through the first quarter of 2012.
In the Morning Must Reads this week, Mark Price summed up local unemployment data, shared an amusing video from The Daily Show suggesting that it is time for the 1% to go on strike, wrote about rising college tuition and budget strains for local governments, highlighted a lack of political will for fixing the broken economy, and noted that some in the U.S. Senate would just prefer that people that have to drive over structurally deficient bridges would just drop dead.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the body that establishes monetary policy at the Federal Reserve, announced on Wednesday that it is expecting the economy to grow more slowly than previously thought over the next several years.
In response to the deteriorating economic situation, the committee decided to do nothing.
At his press conference explaining the FOMC decision, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged Congress to do something about jobs.
'I think it would be helpful if we could get assistance from other parts of the government to help create more jobs,' Mr. Bernanke said.
Meanwhile, with unemployment high, federal assistance running out and the state cutting spending, local government finances are deeply in the red. Lackawanna County appears headed for layoffs and tax increases.
A bipartisan advisory panel recommended Wednesday that Lackawanna County increase real estate taxes to balance its 2012 budget, warning a steep hike will be required as county government contends with a financial crisis that will not be resolved quickly or painlessly.
The Philadelphia School District, also deeply in the red, has a plan to save up to $9 million by closing nine schools.
Turning to college kids, student loan debt rose by 5% in 2010. Public colleges, faced with significant cuts in state support, raised tuition nationally by 7.3% this year.
This week we blogged about momentum building for a natural gas drilling tax and rising unemployment in Pennsylvania. We also featured a guest post on the need for stronger insurance rate protections in Pennsylvania. And Mark Price kept us up to date with the Morning Must Reads.
On jobs and unemployment, Stephen Herzenberg shared his media statement on the rising jobless rate in Pennsylvania.
On the Marcellus Shale, Sharon Ward highlighted a recent New York Times article on the problems that have come with Marcellus Shale growth in Pennsylvania. Kate Atkins urged readers to sign a letter to lawmakers in support of a drilling tax that would generate revenue to improve schools, fix roads, train workers, and protect the environment.
On health care, Athena Ford of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network penned a guest post on the need for better insurance rate protections in Pennsylvania.
Finally, Mark Price had Morning Must Reads on the economic polarization of the 99%, the need for more accountability in charter schools, how we can boost the economy, and what budget cuts and layoffs have in common.
Morning Must Reads: Yes Bridges Need Repair & Little Old Ladies Are Homeless But Ask Yourself Have We Really Done Enough for the Top 1%?
With unemployment in the construction industry at record highs, interest rates low and a deep backlog of thousands of structurally deficient bridges in need of repair, now is a great time to spend money to fix stuff do nothing!
Actually, it is not really that bad; it's worse. The Pennsylvania Legislature is spending time debating changes to the state's prevailing wage statute, even though a large body of empirical research demonstrates that changes to prevailing wage laws do not lower construction costs. Anyway, if you find yourself in Pittsburgh, make sure your car seat also doubles as a floatation device. | {
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} |
class MessagesController < ApplicationController
before_action :set_family
before_action :set_conversation
def create
@message = Message.create(message_params)
@message.conversation_id = params[:conversation_id]
@message.owner = current_person
@message.save
end
def destroy
@message = Message.find(params[:message_id])
destroy_response(@message)
end
private
def message_params
params.require(:message).permit(:content)
end
def set_conversation
@conversation = Conversation.find(params[:conversation_id])
end
end
| {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaGithub"
} |
The Nike Sports Bra has a racerback design that lets you move freely. Thick knit fabric with Dri-FIT Technology helps you stay dry and comfortable.
Racerback straps feel snug and supportive.
Fabric: Body/panels lining: 82% polyester/18% elastane. Elastic: 90% nylon/10% elastane. Front lining: 85% recycled polyester/15% elastane. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
Q: How to implement a subprocess.Popen with both live logging and a timeout option? My goal is to implement a Python 3 method that will support running a system command (using subprocess) following a few requirements:
*
*Running long lasting commands
*Live logging of both stdout and stderr
*Enforcing a timeout to stop the command if it fails to complete on time
In order to support live logging, I have used 2 threads which handles both stdout and stderr outputs.
My challenge is to enforce the timeout on the threads and the subprocess process.
My attempt to implement the timeout using a signal handler, seems to freeze the interpreter as soon as the handler is called.
What's wrong with my implementation ?
Is there any other way to implement my requirements?
Here is my current implementation attempt:
def run_live_output(cmd, timeout=900, **kwargs):
full_output = StringIO()
def log_popen_pipe(p, log_errors=False):
while p.poll() is None:
output = ''
if log_errors:
output = p.stderr.readline()
log.warning(f"{output}")
else:
output = p.stdout.readline()
log.info(f"{output}")
full_output.write(output)
if p.poll():
log.error(f"{cmd}\n{p.stderr.readline()}")
class MyTimeout(Exception):
pass
def handler(signum, frame):
log.info(f"Signal handler called with signal {signum}")
raise MyTimeout
with subprocess.Popen(
cmd,
stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
stdin=subprocess.PIPE,
universal_newlines=True,
**kwargs
) as sp:
with ThreadPoolExecutor(2) as pool:
try:
signal.signal(signal.SIGALRM, handler)
signal.alarm(timeout)
r1 = pool.submit(log_popen_pipe, sp)
r2 = pool.submit(log_popen_pipe, sp, log_errors=True)
r1.result()
r2.result()
except MyTimeout:
log.info(f"Timed out - Killing the threads and process")
pool.shutdown(wait=True)
sp.kill()
except Exception as e:
log.info(f"{e}")
return full_output.getvalue()
A: Q-1) My attempt to implement the timeout using a signal handler, seems to freeze the interpreter as soon as the handler is called, What's wrong with my implementation ?
A-1) No your signal handler not freezing, There is freezing but not in the signal handler, signal handler is fine. Your main thread blocked (frozen) when you call pool.shutdown(wait=True). Because your subprocess is still running and you do while p.poll() is None: in the log_popen_pipe func. That's why your main thread will not continue until log_popen_pipe finished.
To solve this issue, we need to remove pool.shutdown(wait=True) and then call the sp.terminate(). I suggest you to use sp.terminate() instead sp.kill() because sp.kill() will send SIGKILL signal which is not preferred until you really need it. In addition that, end of the with ThreadPoolExecutor(2) as pool: statement, pool.shutdown(wait=True) will be called and this will not block you if log_popen_pipe func ended.
In your case log_popen_pipe func will finished if subprocess finished when we do sp.terminate().
Q-2) Is there any other way to implement my requirements?
A-2) Yes there is, you can use Timer class from threading library. Timer class will create 1 thread and this thread will wait for timeout seconds and end of the timeout seconds, this created thread will call sp.terminate func
Here is the code:
from io import StringIO
import signal,subprocess
from concurrent.futures import ThreadPoolExecutor
import logging as log
from threading import Timer
log.root.setLevel(log.INFO)
def run_live_output(cmd, timeout=900, **kwargs):
full_output = StringIO()
def log_popen_pipe(p, log_errors=False):
while p.poll() is None:
output = ''
if log_errors:
output = p.stderr.readline()
log.warning(f"{output}")
else:
output = p.stdout.readline()
log.info(f"{output}")
full_output.write(output)
if p.poll()!=None:
log.error(f"subprocess finished, {cmd}\n{p.stdout.readline()}")
with subprocess.Popen(
cmd,
stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
stdin=subprocess.PIPE,
universal_newlines=True,
**kwargs
) as sp:
Timer(timeout,sp.terminate).start()
with ThreadPoolExecutor(2) as pool:
try:
r1 = pool.submit(log_popen_pipe, sp)
r2 = pool.submit(log_popen_pipe, sp, log_errors=True)
r1.result()
r2.result()
except Exception as e:
log.info(f"{e}")
return full_output.getvalue()
run_live_output(["python3","...."],timeout=4)
By the way p.poll() will return the returncode of the terminated subprocess. If you want to get output of successfully terminated subprocess, you need to use if p.poll()==0 0 generally means subprocess successfully terminated
| {
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Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas är en kommun i departementet Isère i regionen Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes i sydöstra Frankrike. Kommunen ligger i kantonen Crémieu som tillhör arrondissementet La Tour-du-Pin. År hade Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas invånare.
Befolkningsutveckling
Antalet invånare i kommunen Saint-Romain-de-Jalionas
Referens:INSEE
Se även
Lista över kommuner i departementet Isère
Källor
Externa länkar
Kommuner i Isère | {
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} |
IN bolting the political party he founded three decades ago and striking out on his own, Ariel Sharon exploded a bombshell that promises to drastically redraw Israel's political landscape for years to come.
The immediate impetus for his move was the surprise win by left-wing challenger Amir Peretz, a union leader and economic populist, in the Labor Party primary; Peretz immediately pulled Labor out of the government, forcing new elections.
Sharon then announced he was quitting his own Likud bloc to form a new centrist party, called National Responsibility. But though his move stunned most observers, it was vintage Sharon: a bold, unilateral stroke fraught with risks – but with a huge potential payoff.
Staying in the Likud, he said Monday, "would have been the safest move for me personally." He's right – but then, Ariel Sharon has never favored the safest move.
Indeed, his entire career has been filled with such risk-taking. Sharon believes in audacious unilateral moves that seemingly defy common sense. He was that way as an army commander and a defense minister, and he's been like that as prime minister.
His critics charge that many of his earlier initiatives were fraught with danger. But he has largely been vindicated over the years.
So Sharon has reason to trust his own judgment, even when others are opposed. And he also believes that, particularly when it comes to Israel's security, his 60 years of experience give him insight that others simply lack.
That's largely what's behind his decision to pull back from Gaza – and why he's decided to form a new party that he hopes will allow him to maneuver without the pull of ideological extremists.
Sharon's critics, particularly on the right, sneer that he's gone soft, that he wants to go down in the history books as a peacemaker to counter his warrior image and so is willing to compromise Israel's security by surrendering critical territory to the Palestinians.
But truth is just the opposite. And the worst mistake that Sharon's foes have always made is to misread him.
Sharon firmly believes that the time is ripe to draw Israel's permanent borders – and that he is the only Israeli leader on the political scene who can be trusted to do the job in a way that guarantees the nation's security.
For all his image as an uncompromising hawk – and his longtime record as the leading champion of the settlement movement – Sharon has never been part of the "not one inch" crowd.
Yes, he has always firmly believed in the right of Jews to live in any part of the historical Land of Israel. But he viewed the settlements through his tactician's eye – as "facts on the ground," to be used as bargaining chips at the inevitable day of reckoning at the negotiating table.
That will strike some as cynical, though Sharon certainly hopes to maintain control over as many settlements as possible. But his ultimate concern is the security and safety of the nation as a whole.
Which is why he's prepared to take this tremendous political risk.
After all, Israelis have never elected a prime minister from a third party. And Israeli politics seem to swallow up fledgling centrist factions like Sharon's.
But then, no sitting Israeli prime minister has ever launched an independent party. And Sharon acts from a position of strength, not weakness: He won landslides in the 2001 and 2003 elections and polls show strong, consistent support for him from the general public.
The first post-announcement polls showed Sharon winning the most seats in the March 28 elections. Of course, numbers will change, and whether he'll be able to form a strong majority coalition government is another question entirely.
But going the centrist route is the logical followup to what Sharon has accomplished since taking office. From the start, he set out to break down the walls of partisanship in favor of a broad national consensus – and he succeeded.
Now he hopes to make that achievement permanent by establishing it as a political party.
If he triumphs, he will have accomplished something unprecedented. If he fails, he probably takes the Likud down with him, leaving the right wing without a strong political organization.
It's a calculated risk, then – of the sort Sharon has been taking his entire life.
As I wrote when he first took office: Expect the unexpected. | {
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} |
4A boys 1,600: John Munyan, 10:50 a.m.
Five athletes, including one defending champion, will be representing Douglas High School today and Saturday at the NIAA State Track and Field Championships in Henderson.
Here is a breakdown of those events being held at Foothill High School (visit Athletic.net for results).
BOYS POLE VAULT: This shapes up as a duel between a pair of seniors, Logan Kyle of Douglas and Silverado's Adam Brewer, champions in their respective Northern and Sunrise region meets and co-state leaders with their season-best marks of 14-6. Parker Nelson of McQueen and Edward Andrews of Coronado have also gone 14-feet this season. Kyle went 14-6 at the Big George Invitational on April 29 and won his region title at 14-3 last Friday.
GIRLS DISCUS: Douglas junior Kindra Ruckman set an eight-foot p.r. with her 119-2 last weekend at the region meet, and is looking to throw even further today. The gold medal could could be decided between Sunrise Region champion Athiya Iese of Liberty, who threw 147-0 in April, and Damonte Ranch junior Cassidy Osborne-Butler of Damonte Ranch, who threw her personal best 140-10 at the region meet Saturday and placed fifth in the event at last year's state meet. Osborne-Butler is the defending state shot put champion and the Illinois 2A state champion in 2015.
TRIPLE JUMP: A school record is within reach for Douglas senior Sean Wolfkiel, who set a three-foot personal record of 44-2 last Friday for second-place at the region meet. The target is that school record 44-6 set by Johnny Pollack in 2010. The top qualifier is Emmanuel Olalere of Green Valley, who improved his personal best by nearly two-and-half feet with a 46-7¾ to win the Sunrise title.
1,600 METERS: Five qualifiers in the field have run 4:21 or better this season, including defending state champion John Munyan of Douglas. McQueen senior Henry Weisberg (4:21.14) comes in as the Northern champ after edging Munyan (4:21.26) at the wire Saturday. Weisberg ran 4:18.94 at Stanford in April and Lancers' teammate Zach Stallings ran 4:11.84 at the Sacramento Meet of Champions. Palo Verde senior Daniel Ziems is the Sunset Region champion (4:21.40) and Luis Soto of Rancho is the Sunrise champion (4:21.87 and 1:54.39 for 800 meters). Stallings won the Northern Region 800 final in 1:53.18. Remember the distance X factor in this race: Northern runners are coming down from an altitude of 4,700 feet to Las Vegas at 2,000 feet. That difference gives Munyan a shot at the school record 4:18.4 set by Bryan Carroll in 1980 (Carroll ran 3:59.3 for 1,500 meters in 1982).
LONG JUMP: Douglas senior Cade Pankey has gone 21-8 this season and is taking aim at the school record 22-1¾ set by Jon Parry in 1993. The gold medal shapes up as a repeat duel between defending state champion Jamal Britt of Legacy and James Johnson of Centennial, last year's runner-up. Johnson captured the Sunset title last weekend at 22-10½, ahead of Britt's 22-6. Johnson's season best is 23-9¾. | {
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} |
Greenland's ice melting rate reaching 'tipping point'
January 30, 2019 sndden 1 Comment
Scientists say if all of Greenland's vast ice sheet was to melt, global sea levels would rise by seven metres [File: Pauline Askin/Reuters]
Climate change is causing Greenland ice masses to melt faster, losing four times more ice since 2003, a new study says.
According to research published on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the ice loss in 2012 – more than 400 billion tonnes – reached nearly four times the rate in 2003.
The largest sustained ice loss came from southwest Greenland, a region previously not seen as a crucial actor in rising sea levels as it is mostly devoid of large glaciers.
"We knew we had one big problem with increasing rates of ice discharge by some large outlet glaciers," said Michael Bevis, the study's lead author and a professor of geodynamics at Ohio State University.
"Now we recognise a second serious problem: increasingly large amounts of ice mass are going to leave as meltwater, as rivers that flow into the sea," he said.
The melting of surface mass, which the study's authors said was a consequence of global warming, is set to "become a major future contributor to sea level rise."
"The only thing we can do is adapt and mitigate further global warming – it's too late for there to be no effect," Bevis said, adding "we are watching the ice sheet hit a tipping point".
To analyse changes in ice mass, the study used data from NASA's gravity recovery and climate experiment (known as Grace) and GPS stations scattered across Greenland.
In December 2018, another study published by scientific journal Nature found that runoff from Greenland's ice sheet, which in places is more than 1.6 kilometres thick, now occurs at a volume 33 percent greater than the 20th century alone.
If all of Greenland's vast ice sheet was to melt, global sea levels would rise by seven metres.
Antarctica ice loss
It was the second alarming report on the effect of climate change on sea level rise in a week. On January 15, Eric Rignot, chair of Earth System Science at the University of Irvine, published a study warning that Antarctica is melting about six times more a year now than 40 years ago.
The sea level increased more than 1.4cm between 1979 and 2017.
"As the Antarctic ice sheet continues to melt away, we expect multi-metre sea level rise from Antarctica in the coming centuries," Rignot said.
A rise of 1.8 metres by 2100 – as some scientists forecast in worst-case scenarios – would flood many coastal cities home to millions of people.
The total amount of ice in the Antarctic, if it all melted, would be enough to raise sea levels 57 metres.
Warming ocean water will only speed up ice loss in the future, and analysts say sea levels will continue to mount for centuries, no matter what humans do now to rein in climate change.
Recent research has shown oceans are heating up quicker than previously thought, setting new heat records in the last few years.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/greenland-ice-melting-rate-reaching-tipping-point-190122065853185.html
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One thought on "Greenland's ice melting rate reaching 'tipping point'"
Millicent Broderick says:
Thank you fot the articles you produce and the work you do. I'll keep recycling and watch my electricity consumption because those activities have long been a part of me but evidently nowhere near enough of an effort to stave off our watery end. | {
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} |
IRS / LCRS China Trip
Report of the Industrial Railway Society/ Locomotive Club of Great Britain visit to industrial steam sites in China between Oct 26th 2003 and Nov 7th 2003.
Zibo aluminium plant
3 SY present (SY 0755, 1345, 1508). Also 2 DF5D Nos 0010, 0011. There were major problems over photography here and the authorities arrested the local guide.
A disappointment was the Xihe Coal Mine. The metre gauge line that had been working in 2000 had closed. All track removed apart from at level crossing. All locos scraped, loco shed demolished, only remains one firebox and a headlamp on top of a building. Formerly there were 10 OK 0-10-0 here.
I also omitted that on the train from Zibo to Yanzhou they passed the Jinan steelworks where they saw SY in steam.
Liquan Limestone Works, Hongshan
JS 6475 stored in case of resumption of rail traffic
Zouxian Mining Railway
Extensive railway serving a number of deep mines. Route length at least 10 km and probably a lot more. 17 x QJ. No SY remaining here now.
QJ 3538, 3595, 6284, 6782(oou), 6811, 6812, 6814, 6848, 6865, 6866, 6933, 7123(oou), 7126, 7188, 7189, 7190, 7191 The visit was on 28-10-03. In addition to the 17 QJ there were 5 DF4DD (a GM/GE look-a-like heavy shunter) in use (No. 0031, 1020, 1021, 1022,1023) and DF5 1075.
Zouxian Coal Mine Railway is the much discussed Yanzhou system. In February, while on the way to Xuzhou a QJ in steam was seen at Yanzhou CNR depot opposite the station - a loco from the system ?
China Aluminium Co Ltd, Henan Branch, Shangjie
10 SYs present (0203, 0260, 0161, 0838, 1168, 1229, 1406, 1674, 1693, 1694) of which 7 were at work on the 18 km line to the Bauxite quarries.
Xingyang Brickworks (762mm gauge)
3 x C2 (0-8-0), one working. More problems over photography here.
Zhengzhou Coal Mines, Lijiazhou
4 QJs in use (QJ 2315, 2440, 3494, 3495).
China Rail, Zhengzhou Locomotive Works
JS 6489 and JS 8076 on site. For sale to industry? Workshop under demolition as industrial steam repairs have ceased here.
Zhongzhou Aluminium Works, Jiaozuo
4 x QJ present (QJ 2028, 2112(oou), 2154, 2245). Passenger services here too, although it was not clear whether these were steam hauled. 2 diesels already in use here and 2 more expected in 2004 which will see the end of steam.
Zhongyuan Special Steel Plant
2 QJs (1419, 1436) and 2 SYs (0372, 0636). The shed is at Jiyuan and the works is at Zhongyuan. Scenic line in hilly country. There were 2 more QJ tenders at the shed, one had the number 2130.
Jiyuan Local Railway (762mm)
Completely closed but 2 x 0-8-0 locked in shed at Jiyuan.
Luoyang Fire Reistant Materials Factory
SY 1682 sheeted over
Yima Opencast Coal Mine
Coal is brought out of the pit by lorry. Railway used for removal of overburden and dumping in worked out areas. 7 JSs (5937, 6061, 6215, 8087, 8092, 8275, 8276) and 2 SYs (1419, 1435) present. All other locos previously reported from here have gone.
Yima Coal Corporation, Xinan Colliery
18 km of very scenic railway from main line to colliery. Railway leaves the main line from Luoyang to Yima at Miawtou and runs for 18km to the colliery at Xinan. The road follows the railway and the group saw viaducts and tunnels.
4 QJs are in use: QJ 2858, 2878, 3318, 7204.
Guan Lin Steel Works, Luoyang
Vist here was 1-11-03. 4 SYs are available: SY 1316 and 2014 were working, SY 1339 was present and the fourth (not seen) was confirmed as 0866 by two of the drivers.
Luoyang Tractor Factory
4 x SY (0742, 0847, 1292, 1352). Examination of SY 0742 revealed that it was actually most likely to be SY 0067 of 6/1967. This number was found under the painted number on the smokebox and also stamped on the air reservoir. The loco had plates dated 6/1967 LHS and 8/1974 RHS.
Pingdingshan Coal Railway
Saw 13 x JS, 5 x QJ and 4 x SY
Luohe Local Railway
Runs for freight only from Luohe to Wuyang and to Fuyang via Zhoukou. The depot is at Zhoukou. 8 QJs (6548, 6624, 6901, 7000, 7006, 7011, 7091, 7161) but no SY remain here. QJ 7161 is stationary boiler.
Tangyin-Puyang
At Tangin QJ 6591 was seen on a train south of the station whilst the group was travelling from Luohe to Handan. It is believed to belong to the Tang-Pu local railway.
Handan Iron and Steel Works
14 SYs were seen: SY 0119 awaiting scrap, 0293 stationary boiler, 0557, 0702, 0800, 1081, 1139, 1154, 1208, 1393, 1535, 1658, 2007, 2009. All working apart from 1658 under repair at shed. The group also say YJ 311 reduced to scrap whilst they were there.
Xingtai Iron & Steel Corporation
6 SYs (0011, 0736, 1265, 1349, 1641, 3009). Only 1349 was working. 0011 and 3009 reported as 'preserved', rest OOU. SY 1436 is reported scrapped. Steam due to finish December 2003
Wangdu Local Railway (762mm)
36km line closed completely Feb 2003. Charter special managed about 3km from Tangxian before the state of the track caused termination. In steam(ish) on this was 0-8-0 066 (Shijiazhuang 15/1985). 0-8-0 005 (Shijiazhuang 01/1960) and 2816 (Chrzanow 3845/1959) were also present.
Xuanhua Iron & Steel Works
14 x SY (0299, 0323,0552, 0559, 0782, 0921, 1104, 1113, 1177, 1219, 1342, 1462, 1528, 1541) in use and YJ 0269 out of use.
© 2004, IRS / David Kitching | {
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Stephen Randle
Tragic Character Deaths In Cinema That We'll Get Over
The R-rated superhero film Deadpool debuted on Valentine's Day weekend and instantly blew away all expectations. At last count, the movie brought in over $150 million at the weekend domestic box office, breaking several records, including largest President's Day weekend take, as well as biggest opening for an R-rated movie in history, and the second-largest opening for the first installment of a superhero franchise, behind The Avengers. The movie also added over $125 million overseas, has received an average of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 'A' on CinemaScore, and with the budget for the film only $50 million, is clearly a runaway winner for 20th Century Fox.
As a result, rumors are already swirling that Fox may have greenlit a movie based on X Force, a splinter team of the X-Men led by Deadpool in the comics, with the expectation that it (and the already-announced Deadpool sequel) would also aim for a hard R rating. Could Deadpool lead to a rise in more adult-rated superhero films? We'll have to wait and see how other studios react to its truly staggering box office numbers.
Stephen Randle is an avid wrestling and film fan. He's been writing about WWE, movies, and video games for Goliath since 2015.
10 Things We Can Expect From The 'Deadpool' Movie
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*Delivers Weekly | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
} |
We are open weekends and school holidays.
N.B. Inflatable Zone is closed for a private function on Sunday 7th April.
Please book online to guarantee your preferred bounce time.
it's an extra £1 for walk ins so save some money and book online!
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Book an awesome Birthday Party at the ONLY Inflatable Theme Park in the West Midlands! | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
Q: Error 415 while sending an XML to REST WS I am trying to mock a WS. I have created following method in WS
@POST
@Consumes (MediaType.APPLICATION_XML)
public void dataIn (InputStream inXml){
System.out.println ("data received");
BufferedReader br = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(inXml));
String xml = null;
try {
while ((xml = br.readLine())!=null){
System.out.println(xml);
}
} catch (IOException e) {
System.out.println ("ouch");
}
}
and i am sending an XML using my Java client by this code
String xml = "<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?><rootElem name=\"xml_type\"><info>this_is_test</info></rootElem>";
service.accept(MediaType.APPLICATION_XML).post(xml);
But i am getting this exception
Exception in thread "main" com.sun.jersey.api.client.UniformInterfaceException: POST http://localhost:8080/project/ws/services/1.0/savedata returned a response status of 415
I am pretty sure that I am not sending my XML properly. After doing couple of Googling, I couldn't figure out what is wrong i am doing. Since most of the tutorials/help i am finding online is using OBJ > JAXB > XML > JAXB > OBJ translation from client to server. I want to send raw xml and to read raw xml. Can someone suggest me what is wrong i am doing here?
I am not sure if answering own questions would result in -ve reputation or not. but after stumbling upon and figuring out things, I used Apache httpclient to send the request and it worked fine. I would request to close the question.
DefaultHttpClient dhc = new DefaultHttpClient();
HttpPost postRequest = new HttpPost("http://localhost:8080/project/ws/services/1.0/savedata");
StringEntity se = new StringEntity("<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?><rootElem name=\"xml_type\"><info>this_is_test</info></rootElem>");
se.setContentType("application/xml");
postRequest.setEntity(se);
HttpResponse response = dhc.execute(postRequest);
System.out.println (response.getStatusLine().getStatusCode());
| {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaStackExchange"
} |
module Plottable {
export module Drawers {
/**
* A step for the drawer to draw.
*
* Specifies how AttributeToProjector needs to be animated.
*/
export type DrawStep = {
attrToProjector: AttributeToProjector;
animator: Animator;
};
/**
* A DrawStep that carries an AttributeToAppliedProjector map.
*/
export type AppliedDrawStep = {
attrToAppliedProjector: AttributeToAppliedProjector;
animator: Animator;
};
}
export class Drawer {
private _renderArea: d3.Selection<void>;
protected _svgElementName: string;
protected _className: string;
private _dataset: Dataset;
private _cachedSelectionValid = false;
private _cachedSelection: d3.Selection<any>;
/**
* A Drawer draws svg elements based on the input Dataset.
*
* @constructor
* @param {Dataset} dataset The dataset associated with this Drawer
*/
constructor(dataset: Dataset) {
this._dataset = dataset;
}
/**
* Retrieves the renderArea selection for the Drawer.
*/
public renderArea(): d3.Selection<void>;
/**
* Sets the renderArea selection for the Drawer.
*
* @param {d3.Selection} Selection containing the <g> to render to.
* @returns {Drawer} The calling Drawer.
*/
public renderArea(area: d3.Selection<void>): Drawer;
public renderArea(area?: d3.Selection<void>): any {
if (area == null) {
return this._renderArea;
}
this._renderArea = area;
this._cachedSelectionValid = false;
return this;
}
/**
* Removes the Drawer and its renderArea
*/
public remove() {
if (this.renderArea() != null) {
this.renderArea().remove();
}
}
/**
* Binds data to selection
*
* @param{any[]} data The data to be drawn
*/
private _bindSelectionData(data: any[]) {
let dataElements = this.selection().data(data);
dataElements.enter().append(this._svgElementName);
dataElements.exit().remove();
this._applyDefaultAttributes(dataElements);
}
protected _applyDefaultAttributes(selection: d3.Selection<any>) {
if (this._className != null) {
selection.classed(this._className, true);
}
}
/**
* Draws data using one step
*
* @param{AppliedDrawStep} step The step, how data should be drawn.
*/
private _drawStep(step: Drawers.AppliedDrawStep) {
let selection = this.selection();
let colorAttributes = ["fill", "stroke"];
colorAttributes.forEach((colorAttribute) => {
if (step.attrToAppliedProjector[colorAttribute] != null) {
selection.attr(colorAttribute, step.attrToAppliedProjector[colorAttribute]);
}
});
step.animator.animate(selection, step.attrToAppliedProjector);
if (this._className != null) {
this.selection().classed(this._className, true);
}
}
private _appliedProjectors(attrToProjector: AttributeToProjector): AttributeToAppliedProjector {
let modifiedAttrToProjector: AttributeToAppliedProjector = {};
Object.keys(attrToProjector).forEach((attr: string) => {
modifiedAttrToProjector[attr] =
(datum: any, index: number) => attrToProjector[attr](datum, index, this._dataset);
});
return modifiedAttrToProjector;
}
/**
* Calculates the total time it takes to use the input drawSteps to draw the input data
*
* @param {any[]} data The data that would have been drawn
* @param {Drawers.DrawStep[]} drawSteps The DrawSteps to use
* @returns {number} The total time it takes to draw
*/
public totalDrawTime(data: any[], drawSteps: Drawers.DrawStep[]) {
let delay = 0;
drawSteps.forEach((drawStep, i) => {
delay += drawStep.animator.totalTime(data.length);
});
return delay;
}
/**
* Draws the data into the renderArea using the spefic steps and metadata
*
* @param{any[]} data The data to be drawn
* @param{DrawStep[]} drawSteps The list of steps, which needs to be drawn
*/
public draw(data: any[], drawSteps: Drawers.DrawStep[]) {
let appliedDrawSteps: Drawers.AppliedDrawStep[] = drawSteps.map((dr: Drawers.DrawStep) => {
let attrToAppliedProjector = this._appliedProjectors(dr.attrToProjector);
return {
attrToAppliedProjector: attrToAppliedProjector,
animator: dr.animator
};
});
this._bindSelectionData(data);
this._cachedSelectionValid = false;
let delay = 0;
appliedDrawSteps.forEach((drawStep, i) => {
Utils.Window.setTimeout(() => this._drawStep(drawStep), delay);
delay += drawStep.animator.totalTime(data.length);
});
return this;
}
public selection() {
if (!this._cachedSelectionValid) {
this._cachedSelection = this.renderArea().selectAll(this.selector());
this._cachedSelectionValid = true;
}
return this._cachedSelection;
}
/**
* Returns the CSS selector for this Drawer's visual elements.
*/
public selector(): string {
return this._svgElementName;
}
/**
* Returns the D3 selection corresponding to the datum with the specified index.
*/
public selectionForIndex(index: number): d3.Selection<any> {
return d3.select(this.selection()[0][index]);
}
}
}
| {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaGithub"
} |
The Humbrol Acrylic Satin Dark Camouflage Grey is one of the colours from the Humbrol acrylic paints range. Acrylic paints are non-toxic and waterbased so can be thinned with water, removing the need for chemical thinners.
A wide range of surfaces including most plastics, wood, glass, ceramics, metal, cardboard, sealed plaster, sealed hardboard and more. Always check on a small test area to check suitability. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
Well at least we only overlap once, on Monday morning. I shall be in the front row of the Sherlock and asexuality one, if I don't see you before then. although Wiscon won't be Wiscon if I don't bump into you in the hallway when I get there!
Uh, Wendy, when you arrive CALL ME IMMEDIATELY I do not want to waste any time before seeing you and we shall spend all the time together. I haven't seen you in *years*, you think I will settle for running into you in a hallway? Never.
You had me at "a party wherein we watch and heavily criticize Jem". | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
Starting July 15th at 9:00 AM Brisbane time, you can catch a live stream of the Kernel Conference Australia. Of particular interest to storage geeks is the keynote by Jeff Bonwick and BillMoore on ZFS Deduplication! at 9:15 AM.
Auch wenn das offizielle Announcement noch fehlt: LDom Manager 1.2 ist seit heute zum Download verfuegbar. Die wichtigsten neuen Features:CPU PowermanagementJumbo Frames in virtual SwitchesP2V ToolAutorecovery von KonfigurationenUnd noch einiges mehr. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
In-service teacher education in England : a descriptive case-study of the Oxfordshire Advisory.
Roberts, Peter R., "In-service teacher education in England : a descriptive case-study of the Oxfordshire Advisory." (1973). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 2718. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
School of Law hosts online Summer Research Series
The webinars are part of a free, online series available to the public to hear about Birkbeck's research and topical subjects relating to the Law and Criminology.
The School of Law has scheduled seven live online webinars to showcase the wide range of research undertaken by the Departments of Law and Criminology, as well as the Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR).
The 'Summer Research Series' will feature a number of researchers, over the next few weeks, sharing their latest research with the public through the live events.
Dr Sappho Xenakis, Assistant Dean for Research, said, "This series presents a snapshot of the research currently being undertaken at the School, and reflects a number of key thematic areas around which work in the School pivot, and, more generally, a critical and interdisciplinary approach to legal, socio-legal and criminological scholarship that is the School's hallmark."
Recordings for sessions available in links below:
Thursday 20th August 'Decision-making in the Court of Protection 'needs a human element': Provisional empirical findings from the Judging Values Project' (Rebecca Stickler)
Monday 24th August 'Financial stability vs private law?' (Dr Guido Comparato)
Thursday 27th August 'The 'Facing all the Facts Project' - understanding and improving the hate crime reporting and recording 'system' in Europe: findings from a six country, EU-funded research project' (Joanna Perry)
Monday 31st August 'The paradoxes of the right of peoples to self-determination: from Marx, Engels and Lenin to the Chagos Islanders Case in 2019' (Professor Bill Bowring)
Monday 7th September 'Royal Divorce: Taking Melodramas Seriously' (Professor Daniel Monk)
Thursday 10th September 'A Passion for Ignorance' (Professor Renata Salecl)
Thursday 24th September Policy and Resistance (Dr Rachael Dobson)
Research at the Department of Law
Research at the Department of Criminology
More news about:
Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR)
LAW: Criminology
LAW: Department of Law
LAW: School of Law | {
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} |
Havez (Adenostyles) je rod rostlin z čeledi hvězdnicovité. Jsou to vytrvalé byliny se srdčitými listy a bílými nebo purpurovými úbory v latovitých květenstvích. Rostliny obsahují alkaloidy a jsou jedovaté. Rod zahrnuje 3 druhy a je rozšířen ve větších evropských pohořích. Centrum druhové diverzity je v Alpách. V některých českých pohraničních horách se vyskytuje havez česnáčková.
Popis
Haveze jsou vytrvalé byliny s přímou větvenou lodyhou a tlustým válcovitým oddenkem. Listy jsou jednoduché, střídavé, lodyžní i přízemní, dlouze až krátce řapíkaté, s trojúhelníkovitě až okrouhle srdčitou, na okraji zubatou čepelí. Květy jsou drobné, trubkovité, oboupohlavné, uspořádané po 3 až 4 v úzkých úborech skládajících bohaté laty. Koruna je čtyřčetná, bílá nebo purpurová. Plodem je vejcovitá, podélně žebernatá nažka opatřená chmýrem s mnoha paprsky.
Rozšíření
Rod havez zahrnuje 3 druhy a je rozšířen v horských oblastech Evropy.
Největší areál má havez česnáčková (Adenostyles alliariae), rozšířená ve větších pohořích kontinentální Evropy od Pyrenejského poloostrova po ukrajinské Karpaty a Balkánská pohoří. Někdy je udávána i z asijské části Turecka, výskyt je však považován za nepůvodní.
Havez alpská (Adenostyles alpina, syn. A. glabra) roste v Alpách, Apeninách, Juře, Pyrenejích, Kantaberském pohoří, Sicílii a Korsice.
Havez bělolistá (Adenostyles leucophylla) je svým výskytem vázána pouze na západní Alpy.
V České republice roste pouze havez česnáčková. Vyskytuje se ve větších pohraničních horách, konkrétně v Krkonoších, Králickém Sněžníku, Hrubém Jeseníku a Beskydech, v nadmořských výškách nad 900 metrů. Krkonoše představují nejsevernější výskyt haveze v rámci celého areálu rodu.
Ekologické interakce
Květy havezí jsou opylovány hmyzem. Nažky jsou opatřeny chmýrem a šíří se větrem. Listy využívá jako potravu jen málokterý hmyz.
Živí se na nich larvy i dospělci mandelinky havezové (Oreina cacaliae) a příbuzných druhů Oreina elongata a O. globosa. Jedovaté alkaloidy, které jsou v rostlině obsaženy, shromažďují tito brouci ve vlastních tělech a následně využívají k obraně vůči predátorům.
Obsahové látky a jedovatost
Haveze obsahují pyrrolizidinové alkaloidy (senecifyllin, senecionin, spartioidin aj.) s hepatotoxickým a karcinogenním účinkem, přesto jsou zřídka uváděny v seznamech jedovatých rostlin. Obsah alkaloidů v rostlině se pohybuje okolo 2 %, největší koncentrace je v květenství.
U člověka byly zaznamenány otravy, projevující se poškozením jater, při záměně listů haveze za listy podběle nebo devětsilu lékařského při bylinném léčení.
Taxonomie
Rod Adenostyles je v rámci čeledi Asteraceae řazen do podčeledi Asteroideae, tribu Senecioneae a subtribu Senecioninae.
Řada lokálních populací zejména z jižních částí areálu Adenostyles alpina byla popsána jako samostatné druhy, mezi jinými A. briquetii (syn. A. alpina subsp. briquetii) z Korsiky, A. australis ze severozápadní Itálie, A. pyrenaica (syn. A. alpina subsp. pyrenaica) z Pyrenejí a Kantaberského pohoří, A. macrocephala (syn. A. alpina subsp. macrocephala) z Kalábrie, A. nebrodensis (syn. A. alpina subsp. nebrodensis) ze Sicílie.
Zástupci
havez alpská (Adenostyles alpina)
havez bělolistá (Adenostyles leucophylla)
havez česnáčková (Adenostyles alliariae)
Význam
Haveze nemají větší praktický význam a téměř se nepěstují ani jako okrasné rostliny.
Odkazy
Reference
Externí odkazy
Hvězdnicovité
Flóra Česka
Flóra střední Evropy
Flóra jihozápadní Evropy
Flóra jihovýchodní Evropy
Flóra východní Evropy | {
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} |
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"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
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Adele Hall nee: Grant
Adele (Grant) Hall passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2010 in Sidney, British Columbia, at the age of 92 years. Del, as she was known to those who knew and loved her, was born on August 10, 1917 in Manchester, England to James and Elizabeth Grant, while James was serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. After the war, she moved with her parents and brother, James, to Canada where they farmed near Sanford, Manitoba.
Del served in the RCAF Women's Division during the Second World War and although she suffered hearing damage during bombings while in London, the war was a time when she forged lifelong friendships, of which she preserved through her membership in the Canadian Legion.
She returned to Canada in 1946 and married Albert "Bud" Hall in Sanford, Manitoba where she and Bud would spend their child raising years. In 1966 Del became the postmaster in Sanford and remained there until her retirement in 1982. Shortly after Bud's death in 1991, Del moved to Sidney, B.C. to escape the cold Manitoba winters and to be close to her brother James.
Del was a talented, fun-loving wife, mother and friend. She enjoyed playing softball in her youth, and curling and golfing in her middle years. Del enjoyed needlepoint, wheat weaving and macramé, creating many beautiful works of art. Del also enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family.
Del was predeceased by her parents, brother and husband. She is survived by her three sons, Michael (Bev) of Lethbridge, Alberta and their two children Taylor and Stacey, Grant (Lori) of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Lindsay (Winifred) of Victoria, British Columbia and their two children Max and April. Also like family, she is survived by Lynn and Shirley Elves, and Al and Jean Storey.
Del was an active member of the United Church of Canada in Sanford and Sidney. According to Del's wishes, there will be no funeral. Internment will take place in Sanford, Manitoba at a later date. In lieu of flowers, kindly make contributions to your favorite charity in Del's memory. A tea to celebrate Del's life will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Amica Beechwood in Sidney between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
} |
\section{Introduction}
\label{sec:intro}
Deep learning has gained great success in computer vision and natural language processing, but conventional deep learning paradigms mostly follow a centralised learning manner where data from different sources are collected to create a central database for model learning.
With an increasing awareness of data privacy, decentralised deep learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,wu2021decentralised} is more desirable.
To this end, federated learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,li2020fedbn} has been recently introduced to optimise local models (clients) with non-shared local data while learning a global generalised central model (server) by transferring knowledge across the clients and the server.
This enables to protect data privacy and reduce transmission cost as local data are only used for training local models and only model parameters are transmitted across the clients and server.
There have been a variety of federated learning paradigms for computer vision applications, such as image classification~\cite{chen2021bridging}, person reidentification~\cite{sun2021decentralised} and object detection~\cite{liu2020fedvision}.
However, existing federated learning paradigms~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,li2020fedbn,wu2021decentralised,chen2021bridging} mostly focus on encoding holistic high-level knowledge into models for communication across the clients and the server.
Since high-level knowledge is closely related to objects of interest, this may pose a threat to data privacy.
In contrast, mid-level semantic knowledge (such as attribute) is usually generic containing semantically meaningful properties for visual recognition~\cite{lampert2013attribute}
, so it is not sensitive to objects of interests.
Besides, since the number of attributes are finite in compositional learning~\cite{yuille2011towards} but the number of classes can be infinite, mid-level knowledge is also supposed to be more scalable.
Therefore, learning mid-level semantic knowledge transfer for federated learning is important and is desirable for protecting privacy and improving model scalability.
On the other hand, zero-shot learning (ZSL) is a well-established paradigm for learning mid-level knowledge.
It aims to learn mid-level semantic mapping between image features and text labels (typically attributes) using seen object categories and then transfer knowledge for recognising unseen object categories with the help of the composition of shared attributes between seen and unseen categories.
However, existing ZSL methods~\cite{pourpanah2020review,chen2021knowledge,chen2021free} mostly consider centralised learning scenarios which require to share training data from different label spaces to a central data collection.
\begin{figure*}[t]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.85\textwidth]{./image/fzsl.pdf}
\caption{An overview of federated zero-shot learning with mid-level semantic knowledge transfer.
%
%
(1) Local model training process.
(2) Local clients upload model parameters to the server and server constructs a global model by aggregating local model parameters.
(3) Local models are reinitialised with central server model.
%
The Semantic Knowledge Augmentation (SKA) employs external knowledge to further improve the model's discriminative ability.}
\label{fig:local_client}
\end{figure*}
In this work, we formulate a new Federated Zero-Shot Learning (FZSL) paradigm, which aims to learn mid-level semantic knowledge in federated learning for zero-shot learning in a decentralised learning manner.
An overview of FZSL is depicted in Fig.~\ref{fig:overview}.
Specifically, we consider there are multiple local clients where each client has an independent non-overlapping class label space whilst all clients share a common mid-level attribute space.
Then, we optimise local models (clients) with non-shared local data and learn a central generalised model (server) by transferring knowledges (model parameters) between the clients and the server.
With this paradigm, FZSL unifies federated learning and zero-shot learning for learning mid-level semantic knowledge in a decentralised learning manner with data privacy protection.
It cumulatively optimises a generic mid-level attribute space from non-sharable distributed local data of different object categories.
Instead of aggregating holistic models like traditional federated learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} or separating domain-specific classifiers like recent decentralized learning~\cite{wu2021collaborative,wu2021decentralised}, we only aggregate generators across the clients and the server while discriminators are retained locally.
This facilitates to learn more generalised knowledge and reduce the number of model parameters for communicating.
Furthermore, to improve model discriminative ability, we employ a vision-language foundation model (e.g., CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning}) to explore semantic knowledge augmentation to enrich the mid-level semantic space in FZSL.
With the help of a pre-trained richer knowledge space, this semantic knowledge augmentation allows to learn a more generic knowledge to encode sample diversity as well as improve model scalability.
Our \textbf{contributions} are:
We introduce a new Federated Zero-Shot Learning paradigm to transfer mid-level knowledge from independent non-overlapping class label spaces for federated learning.
With the formulated baseline model, we propose to explore semantic knowledge augmentation from external knowledge to learn a richer mid-level semantic space in FZSL.
We conduct extensive experiments on five zero-shot learning benchmark datasets and demonstrate that our approach is capable of learning a generalised federated learning model with mid-level semantic knowledge transfer.
\section{Related Work}
\paragraph{Federated Learning.}
Federated learning~\cite{mcmahan2017communication,li2020fedbn,li2020federated} is a recently introduced model learning paradigm aiming to learn a central model (server) with the collaboration of multiple local models (clients) under data privacy protection.
It has been explored in many computer vision tasks, such as medical image segmentation~\cite{liu2021feddg}, person reidentification~\cite{wu2021decentralised}, object detection~\cite{liu2020fedvision}, etc.
Conventional federated learning approaches, e.g., FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}, learn a sharable central model by aggregating holistic model parameters among different local models.
To disentangle generic and specific knowledge, recent approaches~\cite{wu2021collaborative,zhang2021fedzkt,wu2021fedcg,sun2021decentralised} propose to optimise generic feature extractors or generators by decoupling discriminators or domain-specific classifiers, but are still learning holistic class-level knowledge.
Different from existing works, we propose to learn mid-level semantic knowledge (i.e., attributes) for federated zero-shot learning.
Although there have been several seemingly similar federated zero-shot learning studies~\cite{gudur2021zero,hao2021towards,zhang2021fedzkt}, none of these methods are aimed at bridging the gap between seen and unseen classes by learning mid-level semantic knowledge.
ZSDG~\cite{hao2021towards} generates existing categories by gathering statistics through the server.
FedZKT~\cite{zhang2021fedzkt} and ~\cite{gudur2021zero} are based on zero-shot knowledge distillation~\cite{nayak2019zero} with the purpose of transferring knowledge between clients and server with no extracted prior information.
Unlike them, our FZSL is learning from multiple independent \emph{non-overlapping} class label spaces, while ZSDG~\cite{hao2021towards} and~\cite{gudur2021zero} are studying sharing knowledge with a sharing class space.
Furthermore, our FZSL is generalisable and shows stable generalisability on \emph{unseen} classes, while FedZKT and ZSDG are only tested on existing classes.
More importantly, all of these methods are based on class-level knowledge while our FZSL learns to transfer mid-level semantic knowledge.
Besides, we propose semantic knowledge augmentation from external knowledge to improve model discriminative ability for FZSL.
\paragraph{Zero Shot Learning.}
Zero shot learning (ZSL) aims to recognise unseen object categories leveraging seen categories for learning consistent semantic information to bridge seen and unseen categories.
Current ZSL methods can broadly be divided into embedding based methods~\cite{fu2015transductive} and generative based methods~\cite{xian2018feature}.
Embedding based methods transfer from a visual space to a semantic space and classify unseen categories based on semantic similarity without any training data.
In contrast, generative based methods learn a projection from a semantic space to a visual space, which enables to turn the zero shot learning task to a pseudo feature supervised learning task, alleviating overfitting~\cite{xian2018feature}.
Existing ZSL methods are following a centralised learning manner, while our work proposes a new federated zero-shot learning paradigm to transfer mid-level knowledge across different non-overlapping class label spaces with data privacy protection.
\paragraph{Foundation Models.}
Foundation models refer to models trained with a vast quantity of data and can be further used for various downstream tasks, such as BERT~\cite{devlin2018bert}, RoBERTa~\cite{liu2019roberta}, CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning}, etc.
These models are usually learned by self-learning using unlabelled data and are able to predict underlying properties such as attributes, so they are scalable and potentially more useful than models trained on a limited label space~\cite{bommasani2021opportunities}.
In this work, we employ a vision-language foundation model (e.g., CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning}) to explore semantic knowledge augmentation enriching the mid-level semantic space in FZSL.
\section{Methodology}
\subsection{Problem Definition}
In this work, we study Federated Zero-Shot Learning (FZSL), where each client contains an independent non-overlapping class label space with non-shared local data while a central model is aggregated for deployment.
Suppose there are $N$ local clients, where the $i$-th client contains a training set $\mathcal{S}_{i} = \left\{\bm{x}, y\right\}$, here $y \in \mathcal{Y}_{i}$ includes $N_{i}$ classes.
Since each client contains non-overlapping class space, i.e., $\{\mathcal{Y}_{i}\cap \mathcal{Y}_{j}{=}\emptyset, \forall i,j\}$, $\mathcal{Y}_{1} \cup\mathcal{Y}_{2} \cup \ldots \cup \mathcal{Y}_{N}=\mathcal{Y}_{s}$.
Meanwhile, each class can be described by an attribute vector $\bm{a}=\left\{a_1,a_2\ldots a_m\right\}$ and these $m$ attributes are consistent among classes in all clients, i.e. the mid-level attribute space is shared across clients.
The goal of federated zero shot learning task is to construct a classifier $F:\mathcal{X}\rightarrow \mathcal{Y}$ for $\mathcal{Y}_{u} \subset \mathcal{Y}$, where $\mathcal{Y}_{u}$ is the unseen set and $\{\mathcal{Y}_{i}\cap\mathcal{Y}_{u}=\emptyset, \forall i,j\}$.
\subsection{FZSL by Mid-Level Semantic Knowledge Transfer}
\label{cha:fzsl_baseline}
\subsubsection{A Baseline Model.}
To learn mid-level semantic knowledge transfer for federated learning, we formulate a baseline model which unifies federated learning and zero-shot learning in a decentralised learning paradigm.
Since generative based zero-shot learning is capable of generating pseudo image features according to a consistent and generic mid-level attribute space, in this work, we employ a representative f-CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} as the backbone (in practice, our approach is compatible to various ZSL backbones, such as VAEGAN~\cite{xian2019f} and FREE~\cite{chen2021free}).
As for federated learning, we use the commonly used FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}.
As shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:local_client}, the learning process of the baseline model consists of three iterative steps, namely local model learning, central model aggregation and local model reinitialisation with central model.
In each local client, with the non-shared local data $\mathcal{S}_{i}{=}\left\{\bm{x}, y\right\}$, the model learning process follows f-CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature}.
A generator $G(\bm{z}, \bm{a}_g)$ learns to generate a CNN feature \bm{$\hat{x}$} in the input feature space $\mathcal{X}$ from random noise $\bm{z}$ and a ground truth condition $\bm{a}_g$, where each value in $\bm{a}_g$ corresponds with one specific attribute, e.g. stripes.
While a discriminator $D(\bm{x}, \bm{a}_g)$ takes a pair of input features $\bm{x}$ and a ground truth condition $\bm{a}_g$ as input and a real value as output.
Thus, the training objective of each local client model is defined as:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:baseline_local_model}
\min _{G} \max _{D} \mathcal{L}_{W G A N}+\beta \mathcal{L}_{C L S},
\end{equation}
where $\beta$ is a hyper-parameter weight on the classifier.
After optimising each local client model for $E$ local epochs, the local model parameters \bm{$w_{i}$} are transmitted to a central server to aggregate a global model.
Following FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}, the aggregating process is formulated as:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:baseline_agg}
\bm{w}_{t}=\frac{1}{N \cdot S} \sum_{i \in N_{S}} \bm{w}_{i,t},
\end{equation}
where $N$ denotes the number of local clients and $t$ denotes the $t$-th global model iterative update round. $S$ denotes the randomly selected clients fraction for each round ($S\in[0.0,1.0]$) and $N_S$ is the set of selected clients.
Note that the central server only aggregates local model parameters without accessing local data so as to protect local data privacy.
Then, each local model is reinitialised with the central model as follows:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:baseline_reinit}
\bm{w}_{i,t+1} = \bm{w}_{t}.
\end{equation}
This is an iterative learning process (Eqs.(\ref{eq:baseline_local_model})-(\ref{eq:baseline_reinit})) until $T$ global model update round.
Since the attribute space is consistent among local clients, the learned global generator encodes mid-level semantic knowledge.
Finally, based on the attributes from unseen classes, the learned generator from the global server is used to generate $M$ pseudo image features for each unseen classes $\mathcal{Y}_{un}$.
A softmax classifier is then trained under the supervision from pseudo features and tested for image classification on unseen classes.
\subsubsection{Improved Baseline With Selective Module Aggregation.}
Although aggregating holistic model parameters following FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} is simple, it is inefficient for FZSL because the generic mid-level semantic knowledge is mainly encoded in the generator while the discriminator may contain knowledge specific to classes in each client.
Inspired by recent approaches~\cite{wu2021collaborative,zhang2021fedzkt} in federated learning, we improve the baseline by decoupling the discriminator from the central model aggregation process, i.e., only aggregating the generator in the central server.
This not only reduces the cost for transmitting model parameters but also facilitates to learn more generalisable mid-level knowledge.
Thus, the central aggregation in Eq.~(\ref{eq:baseline_agg}) and the local client reinitialisation in Eq.~(\ref{eq:baseline_reinit}) are reformulated as:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:opt_agg}
\bm{w}_{G,t}=\frac{1}{N \cdot S} \sum_{i \in N_{S}} \bm{w}_{G_{i},t},
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:opt_reinit}
\bm{w}_{G_{i},t+1} = \bm{w}_{G,t},~~~ \bm{w}_{D_{i},t+1} = \bm{w}_{D_{i},t},
\end{equation}
where $ \bm{w}_{G,t}$ and $ \bm{w}_{D,t}$ denote model parameters for a generator and a discriminator, respectively.
\subsection{Semantic Knowledge Augmentation for FZSL}
Although the formulated baseline with selective module aggregation is able to transfer mid-level generic knowledge in a decentralized learning manner, it still suffers from sparse attribute and ambiguous attribute separability for limited data diversity in each client.
To resolve this problem, we propose to explore a vision-language foundation model (CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning} in this work) to explore semantic knowledge augmentation (SKA) to enrich the mid-level semantic space in FZSL.
Since a foundation model like CLIP contains word embedding knowledge that can supply information regarding hierarchical relationships among classes, it can help FZSL to learn richer external knowledge with the sharable common attribute space.
In this work, we introduce class-level semantic knowledge augmentation, which greatly facilitates the generated feature diversification in both training and testing stages.
Empirically, we observe that directly concatenating a noise-enhanced CLIP text embedding and an attribute vector is an effective way, which do not require extra learnable parameters and can alleviate overfitting on seen classes.
In our semantic knowledge augmentation, as shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:local_client}, we simply combine a default prompt `a photo of a' with class names and use this sentence as the input to a CLIP text encoder~\cite{radford2021learning}.
We then further add the gaussian noise $ \bm{z}_c\sim N(0,\gamma)$ to the output text embedding $ \bm{a}_c$ so as to enrich the semantic space and to better align with the instance-wise diversified visual space, where each class-level semantic can always correspond to different samples with various poses and appearances in visual space.
The semantic augmented attribute is the concatenation between noise-enhanced text embedding and ground truth manual annotation attribute labels $ \bm{a}_g$. This semantic augmentation process can be formulated as follows:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:SKA}
\bm{a}_{SKA} = [\bm{a}_c \oplus \bm{z}_c,\bm{a}_g ],
\end{equation}
where $\oplus$ is the element-wise summation.
During FZSL model training, the CLIP text embedding of seen class name is utilised as external knowledge to construct semantic knowledge augmented attribute $\bm{a}_{SKA}$ and further generate image features in each local client.
The discriminator condition keeps \bm{$a_g$} to distinguish between the real distribution and the pseudo distribution.
Most importantly, in the testing stage, instead of generating pseudo image features based on the same attribute $\bm{a}_g$ for each class as in conventional ZSL~\cite{xian2018feature,xian2019f,chen2021free}, the SKA module supplies diversified attribute $\bm{a}_{SKA}$ for each class.
The gaussian noise $\bm{z}_c$ in $\bm{a}_{SKA}$ can help explore the rich information in CLIP text encoder so to enrich the attribute space.
Overall, our semantic knowledge augmentation can increase inter-class separability as well as supply diversified attribute space by only using the text information of the class name.
\begin{table*}[t]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{l | l | c c c c c }
\hline
& Method & \textbf{AWA2} & \textbf{AWA1} & \textbf{aPY} & \textbf{CUB} & \textbf{SUN} \\
\hline
\multirow{3}{*}{$Centralised$}
&CLSWGAN~~\cite{xian2018feature} & $ 67.4$ & $66.6 $ &$37.7 $ & $56.8$ & $60.3 $ \\
&VAEGAN~~\cite{xian2019f} & $ 60.0 $ & $53.8 $ &$ 17.8 $ & $ 46.4$ & $ 58.2 $ \\
&FREE~~\cite{chen2021free} & $ 67.7 $ & $68.9 $ &$ 42.2 $ & $60.9 $ & $61.3 $ \\
\hline
\multirow{11}{*}{$Decentralised$}
&CLSWGAN+FedProx~~\cite{li2020federated} & $ 61.3 $ & $ 58.4 $ & $ 34.0$ & $ 53.1 $ & $59.3 $ \\
&CLSWGAN+MOON~~\cite{li2021model} & $ 61.0$ & $ 58.6$ & $ 33.2 $ & $55.1 $ & $59.5 $ \\
\cdashline{2-7}
&FL-VAEGAN & $48.9 $ & $44.0 $ & $16.4 $ & $43.6 $ & $56.2 $ \\
&FL-VAEGAN+SMA & \underline{$50.4$} & \underline{$44.6 $} & $\textbf{25.9} $ & \underline{$46.0 $} & \underline{$59.4 $} \\
&FL-VAEGAN+SMA+SKA & $\textbf{60.1} $ & $\textbf{58.2} $ & \underline{$ 19.6$} & $\textbf{52.6} $ & $\textbf{61.2} $ \\
\cdashline{2-7}
&FL-FREE & $60.9$ & $59.8 $& $ 25.9$ & $ 54.5$ & $56.4 $\\
&FL-FREE+SMA & \underline{$61.4$} & \underline{$61.1$} & \underline{$27.4$} & \underline{$55.4$} & \underline{$57.0$} \\
&FL-FREE+SMA+SKA & $\textbf{ 68.4} $ & $\textbf{68.4} $ & $\textbf{32.0} $ & $\textbf{60.7} $ & $\textbf{60.5} $ \\
\cdashline{2-7}
&FL-CLSWGAN & $61.6$ & $58.5$ & $ 33.8$ & $53.8$& $ 59.5$ \\
&FL-CLSWGAN+SMA & \underline{$62.8$} & \underline{$61.7$} & \underline{$ 38.4$ } & \underline{$55.5$} & \underline{$ 59.4$}\\
&FL-CLSWGAN+SMA+SKA & $\textbf{69.0}$& $ \textbf{70.6}$ & $\textbf{47.1}$ & $\textbf{59.4} $ & $ \textbf{66.5}$\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Comparing our approach with other methods on AWA2, AWA1, aPY, CUB and SUN for federated zero-shot learning. Top-1 accuracy is reported on all experiments.
SMA denotes selective module selection while SKA denotes semantic knowledge augmentation. \textbf{Bold} and \underline{underline} represent the best and the second best performance in each baseline.
}
\label{table:FZSL}
\end{table*}
\section{Experiments}
\paragraph{Datasets.}
To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we conduct extensive experiments on five zero-shot benchmark datasets,
including three coarse-grained datasets: (Animals with Attributes (AWA1)~\cite{lampert2013attribute}, Animals with Attributes 2 (AWA2)~\cite{xian2018zero} and Attribute Pascal and Yahoo (aPY)~\cite{farhadi2009describing});
and two fine-grained datasets (Caltech-UCSD-Birds 200-2011 (CUB)~\cite{wah2011caltech} and SUN Attribute(SUN)~\cite{patterson2012sun}).
AWA1 is a coarse-grained dataset with 30475 images, 50 classes and 85 attributes, while AWA2 shares the same number of classes and attributes as AWA1 but with 37322 images in total.
The aPY dataset is a relatively small coarse-grained dataset with 15339 images, 32 classes and 64 attributes.
CUB contains 11788 images from 200 different types of birds annotated with 312 attributes, while SUN contains 14340 images from 717 scenes annotated with 102 attributes.
We use the zero-shot splits proposed by~\cite{xian2018zero} for AWA1, AWA2, aPY, CUB and SUN ensuring that none of training classes are present in ImageNet~\cite{russakovsky2015imagenet}.
All these five datasets are composed of seen classes set and unseen classes set.
In decentralised learning experiments, we evenly split the seen classes set randomly to four clients.
Note, both seen classes and unseen classes share the same attribute space in each dataset.
\paragraph{Evaluation Metrics.}
In FZSL, the goal is to learn a generalisable server model which can assign unseen class label $\mathcal{Y}_{u}$ to test images.
Following commonly used zero-shot learning evaluation protocol~\cite{xian2018zero}, the accuracy of each unseen class is calculated independently before divided by the total unseen class number, i.e., calculating the average per-class top-1 accuracy of the unseen classes.
\paragraph{Implementation Details.}
In our approach, we employed a frozen ResNet-101~\cite{he2016deep} pretrained on ImageNet~\cite{russakovsky2015imagenet} as the feature extractor and constructed our baseline model with a generator and
a discriminator for each client respectively following the representative generative zero-shot learning work~\cite{xian2018feature}.
Further, we employed a frozen pretrained CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning} text encoder, a ViT-Base/16 transformer, to supply class-name-based text embedding for each client.
All clients share the same model structure while the server aggregates local model parameters to construct a global model.
For the improved baseline with selective module aggregation (SMA), only the generator from local client are aggregated.
As for further improved with semantic knowledge augmentation (SKA), both the generator and text-enhanced module are aggregated to the server.
Each client contains local non-overlapping classes from the seen classes set and the aggregated server model is tested on the unseen classes set.
By default, we set the number of local clients $N$=4 and randomly client select fraction $S$=1.
Generated feature number $M$ and classifier weight $\beta$ follows the original ZSL work~\cite{xian2018feature}.
We empirically set batch size to 64, maximum global iterations rounds $T$=100, maximum local epochs $E$=1.
For each local client, we used Adam optimizer with a learning rate of $1e{-}3$ for CUB, $2e{-}4$ for SUN and $1e{-}5$ for the others.
Noise augmentation $\gamma$ is set to 0.1 empirically.
Our models were implemented with Python(3.6) and PyTorch(1.7), and trained on NVIDIA A100 GPUs.
\subsection{Federated Zero-Shot Learning Analysis}
There are no existing works discussing mid-level semantic knowledge transfer in federated learning, so besides our baseline model (CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}) donated as FL-CLSWGAN, we also implemented a traditional ZSL method VAEGAN~\cite{xian2019f} and a recent ZSL method FREE~\cite{chen2021free} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} denoted as FL-VAEGAN and FL-FREE respectively for comparison.
Further, the proposed SMA and SKA are implemented on three baselines respectively, where the generality and compatibility of SMA and SKA can be demonstrated.
Note, when implementing SMA to FREE, feature refinement module will also be aggregated to the server which will be used during testing.
All compared methods are inductive where only attribute information of unseen classes are used for training the classifier and unseen images are not used during training.
From Table~\ref{table:FZSL}, we can see that:
(1) Compared with the centralised baselines, the formulated decentralised baselines (FL-CLSWGAN, FL-VAEGAN, FL-FREE) yield compelling performance, which shows the effectiveness of the proposed paradigm for learning globally generalised model whilst protecting local data privacy;
(2) With selective module selection (SMA), overall the performance of the baselines are improved (3.4\% in FL-VAEGAN, 1\% in FL-FREE and 2.1 \% in FL-CLSWGAN on average), which verifies that learning a generic generator and decoupling the discriminator from central aggregation can facilitate mid-level semantic knowledge transfer in FZSL;
(3) With semantic knowledge augmentation (SKA), our approach significantly improves the baselines by 8.5\% in FL-VAEGAN, 6.5\% in FL-FREE and 9.1\% in FL-CLSWGAN on average, which validates the effectiveness and generality of SKA in FZSL;
(4) Comparing with other federated learning approaches, such as FedProx~\cite{li2020federated} and MOON~\cite{li2021model}, our approaches achieve significantly better performance, showing the importance of learning mid-level semantic knowledge for FZSL.
In the following context, the decentralised baseline donates CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication} since it achieves overall the best performance on our experiments.
\begin{table*}[t]
\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c}
\hline
\multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{1}{*}{Settings}} & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{1}{*}{Methods}}
& AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY & CUB & SUN \\
\hline\hline
\multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{5}{*}{\tabincell{c}{Local Training}}}
&Client 1 & 49.0 & 47.8 & 23.2 & 42.4 & 50.6 \\
&Client 2 & 37.1 & 38.7 & 22.8 & 40.5 & 52.1 \\
&Client 3 & 40.2 & 41.1 & 34.3 & 40.2 & 49.8\\
&Client 4 & 53.0 & 51.9 & 26.3 & 40.2 & 50.4\\
\cline{2-7}
& Average & 44.8 & 44.9 & 26.7 & 35.5 & 50.7\\
\hline
\multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{2}{*}{\tabincell{c}{Decentralised}}} & Baseline & {61.6 }& {58.5 }&{33.8} & {53.8 }& {59.5 }\\
& Baseline+SMA+SKA & 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.4 & 66.5 \\
\hline
Centralised & Baseline (Joint) & 67.4 & 66.6 & 37.7 & 56.8 & 60.3\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\caption{Comparing local training (individual clients) and decentralised learning (baseline and baseline+SMA+SKA).
Top-1 accuracy in percentage on unseen classes.
Baseline donates CLSWGAN~\cite{xian2018feature} with FedAvg~\cite{mcmahan2017communication}
}
\label{table:local_decentralised}
\end{table*}
\subsection{Local Training vs. Decentralised Learning}
To verify the effectiveness of the formulated federated zero-shot learning paradigm, we separately train four individual
local models~\cite{xian2018feature} with local client data and compare with decentralised learning models.
Note that the performance are tested on the same unseen classes for all compared methods.
As shown in Table \ref{table:local_decentralised}, the decentralised baseline model significantly outperforms all individual client models and their average.
This shows that the federated collaboration between the localised clients and the central server model facilitates to optimise a generalisable model in FZSL.
Furthermore, baseline+SMA+SKA even surpasses the performance of the centralised joint-training baseline, which further verifies the effectiveness of our improved baseline for FZSL.
\begin{table}[t]
\begin{center}
\small
\begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c}
\hline
GT & CLIP & AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY &CUB & SUN \\
\hline\hline
\hline
\ding{51} &\ding{55} & 62.8 & 61.7 & 38.4 & 55.5 &59.4\\
\ding{55}&\ding{51}& 70.1 & 72.4 & 48.2 & 42.2 & 54.4 \\
\ding{51}&\ding{51}& 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.4 & 66.5 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\caption{Baseline+SMA with different attribute variations.
GT means dataset supplied annotated attributes.
SKA means our proposed semantic augmentation with a CLIP text encoder.}
\label{table:ska}
%
\end{table}
\begin{table}[t]
\begin{center}
\small
\begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c}
\hline
(CL)SKA & ALSKA & AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY &CUB & SUN \\
\hline
\hline
\ding{55} &\ding{55} & 62.8 & 61.7 & 38.4 & 55.5 & 59.4\\
\ding{51} &\ding{55} & 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.4 & 66.5 \\
\ding{55}&\ding{51}& 62.8 & 64.4 & 44.8 & 54.4 & 61.6 \\
\ding{51}&\ding{51}& 69.3 & 70.7 & 46.2 & 59.0 & 65.6 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\caption{Baseline+SMA with different semantic augmentation variations.
CLSKA means class-level semantic augmentation.
ALSKA means attribute-level semantic augmentation.}
\label{table:alsa}
%
\end{table}
\begin{figure}[t]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{./image/tsne.pdf}
\caption{tSNE of unseen classes on AWA2 for baseline+SMA (left) and baseline+SMA+SKA (right).
The same colour implies the same class.
Circle and cross means the generated distribution and real unseen distribution, respectively.
The number in the caption means increase or decrease percentage for each class after implementing SKA.
The classifier trained on generated pseudo distribution is tested on the unseen real distribution.
}
\label{fig:tsne}
\end{figure}
\subsection{Effect of Semantic Knowledge Augmentation}
As shown in Table~\ref{table:FZSL}, the performance of the baseline model can be significantly improved with semantic knowledge augmentation.
To show the impact of semantic knowledge augmentation on FZSL, we further analyse the results both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Quantitatively,
we report experimental results in Table~\ref{table:ska}
for the baseline+SMA with and without SKA.
It can be observed from Table~\ref{table:ska} that CLIP text embedding alone can supply discriminative information in three coarse
datasets (AWA1, AWA2 and aPY) but lack discriminative ability in the other two fine-grained datasets.
The combination of the ground truth annotation and CLIP text embedding, which is our SKA setting, works the best on average.
Qualitatively, the tSNE visualisations of AWA2 unseen classes for baseline+SMA before and after implementing the semantic knowledge augmentation are shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:tsne}.
It can be seen that with SKA, the generated distribution has a larger inter-class distance as shown in the red box.
This larger inter-class distance significantly improves coarse-grained classification accuracy, which is consistent with the conclusion of FREE~\cite{chen2021free}.
\begin{table}[t]
\begin{center}
\small
\begin{tabular}{c|c|c|c|c|c|c }
\hline
\multicolumn{2}{c|}{Text Encoder}
& AWA2 & AWA1 & aPY & CUB & SUN \\
\hline\hline
\multicolumn{2}{c|}{\ding{55}} &62.8 & 61.7& 38.4& 55.5 & 59.4\\
\hline
\multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{2}{*}{\tabincell{c}{LM}}}
&BERT & 63.4 & 63.8 & 41.1 & 54.6 & 60.9 \\
&RoBERTa & 65.4 & 64.6 & 41.6 & 54.7 & 61.0 \\
\hline
\multicolumn{1}{c|}{\multirow{2}{*}{\tabincell{c}{VLP}}}
&DeFILIP & 74.1 & 75.5 & 49.4 & 58.2 & 64.2 \\
&CLIP & 69.0 & 70.6 & 47.1 & 59.0 & 65.6 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\caption{In comparison with Baseline+SMA, evaluation with the text embedding of two Language Models (LM) and two Vision-Language Pretrained models (VLP) are reported.}
\label{table:exp_textEmb}
%
\end{table}
\begin{figure*}[t]
\centering
\subfigure[Client number]{
\includegraphics[width=0.19\linewidth]{./image/Number.pdf}
\label{fig:client_num}
}
\subfigure[Client fraction]{
\includegraphics[width=0.19\linewidth]{./image/fraction.pdf}
\label{fig:client_frac}
}
\subfigure[Client local step]{
\includegraphics[width=0.19\linewidth]{./image/Local.pdf}
\label{fig:local_step}
}
\caption{Ablation study on (a) client number, (b) client fraction,
(c) local steps}
\end{figure*}
\subsection{Variation of Semantic Knowledge Augmentation }
We do variations on the SKA in two directions: (1) In a more concrete attribute level and (2) text embedding from other text encoders.
\paragraph{Attribute-Level Semantic Knowledge Augmentation.}
To further show whether an attribute text will bring more discriminative information to FZSL, we employ the attribute-level semantic augmentation (ALSKA) and compare with the proposed class-level semantic augmentation ((CL)SKA).
we reconstruct the input sentence of a CLIP text encoder with a superclass name and a random selected activated attribute from a target class.
For example, for class `beach', the input sentence can be constructed as `a photo of a swimming scene.', where `scene' is a superclass name and `swimming' is a random selected positive attribute for class `beach'.
Further, we combine ALSKA and (CL)SKA by constructing the input sentence of CLIP text encoder as `a photo of a \{attribute\} \{class name\}.'where \{attribute\} is one of the activated attributes in \{class name\}.
As shown in Table~\ref{table:alsa}, we can see that:
(1) Both class-level semantic augmentation (SKA) and the attribute-level semantic augmentation can supply discriminative information, which proves the effectiveness of our structure learning from text based external knowledge;
(2) Comparing with (CL)SKA, the ALSKA is still limited in the CLIP text encoder. How to explore the fine-grained information
from foundation model needs to be further explored and we leave this for the future work.
\paragraph{Semantic Knowledge Augmentation with Other Text Encoder.}
FZSL can gain benefit from a large scale pretrained text encoder.
We naturally interested in whether other language models or visual language pretrained models can bring similar benefits.
We therefore compare two large scale language models BERT~\cite{devlin2018bert} and RoBERTa~\cite{liu2019roberta}; and the text encoder of a vision-language pretrained model DeFILIP~\cite{cui2022democratizing}.
BERT and RoBERTa are bidirectional encoder trained on 16GB and 161GB text corpora respectively.
DeFILIP is a variation of CLIP~\cite{radford2021learning} which aims to explore fine-grained information in a more data efficient method.
All of three methods will calculate the embedding of the whole input sentence, where we fed in the same sentence as our SKA.
As shown in Table \ref{table:exp_textEmb}, we can see that:
(1) Both LM and VLP text encoder can bring benefits (except LM model on CUB) comparing with baseline, which can demonstrate the effectiveness and generality of the proposed SKA structure.
(2) FZSL with VLP achieves better results compare to LM. The reason is mainly that these models are pretrained on image set and are prone to
achieve the alignment between visual and semantic distribution.
(3) DeFILIP, a fine-grained variation of CLIP, achieves the best result among different text encoders.
Interestingly, we find that DeFILIP with attribute-level SKA can achieve 59.8\% and 65.6\% on CUB and SUN respectively (cf. 58.2\% and 64.2\% on CUB and SUN with class-level SKA), which implies that the fine-grained information from DeFILIP can be further explored with an appropriate
mining method.
\subsection{Further Analysis and Discussion}
\paragraph{Client Number $K$.}
Fig.~\ref{fig:client_num} compares central server aggregation with different numbers of local clients, where
$K$= 1,2 and 4 represent seen classes of the dataset is randomly split to 1,2 and 4
clients on average respectively.
We can see that the FZSL performance decreases when implementing to increase number of clients, which
implies greater difficulty with larger number of clients with less data variety.
\paragraph{Client Fraction $S$.}
Fig.~\ref{fig:client_frac} compares FZSL with different client fraction.
We can see that a smaller number of fraction is inferior to collaboration with larger
fraction of clients, which demonstrates that collaboration among multi-clients can
further contribute to the generalisation ability of the server model.
\paragraph{Client Local Step $E$.}
Fig.~\ref{fig:local_step} compares FZSL with different client local steps $E$ which influences the communication
efficiency.
Overall, the performance on different datasets shows relatively stable trends whilst on SUN, the performance decreases when $E$ increases due to the accumulation of
biases in local client.
\section{Conclusion}
In this work, we introduced a new Federated Zero-Shot Learning paradigm to explore mid-level semantic knowledge transfer for federated learning.
We formulate a baseline model based on conventional zero-shot learning and federated learning, and then further improve the baseline model with selective module aggregation and semantic knowledge augmentation.
Extensive experiments on five zero-shot learning benchmark datasets examine the effectiveness of our approach.
| {
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SEO-i aims to make it easier for your online business to get noticed in the search engines or simply to increase the amount of visitors you get to your website.
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ARTICLES BRAND KNOW-HOW Brand Tools & Tips
Roll Up, Roll Up
27th January 2009 22nd February 2019 admin The Blend
For the successful brand-owner, there is truly no business like show business, and brands that draw the greatest crowds know how to play to the galleries.
There's No Business…
For those of us who are inclined to look at the world as matter-of-fact, the runaway success of certain branded products and services can come as something of a shock to the system. Under forensic examination, these same products and services seem to enjoy rewards out of all proportion to their modest achievements. They shrink beneath our cold and unsympathetic gaze. When seen alongside their more diligent and hardworking neighbours, they suffer by comparison. And yet, they delight in the favour of the marketplace. Their largely undeserved good fortune offends us, goes against the grain. It's all that we can do to suppress a heartfelt cry of 'It's just not fair!'
But who ever said that the world is fair? And the world of the marketplace, in particular?
Viewed in such a harsh light, it's true that the marketplace and the fortunes of the brands that thrive there can seem hopelessly lopsided. But let's not forget that brands do not operate best in the unforgiving glare of the examination table. And people only rarely buy in such conditions.
Instead, the customer is drawn to the limelight, to that part of the arena where the brand comes alive and invites us to 'Roll up, roll up, for the greatest show on earth'. For the successful brand-owner, there is truly no business like show business, and brands that draw the greatest crowds know how to play to the galleries.
Of course, there are brands too that shun centre stage and successfully tread the boards in more modest productions. But even these shrinking violets understand the value of setting the stage and the importance of make-believe in winning over the customer.
…Like Show Business
Now, the more literal amongst us may have grown troubled at this point. Talk of make-believe veers perilously close to lies, to falsehoods, to that which is untrue. Surely it's the treachery of spin, the faking of credentials and the masking of intentions that brings trouble to the business world, and to the wider world that relies upon it? Oh, what a tangled web we weave, and all that.
But who said anything about practicing to deceive? The purpose of make-believe is not to conceal the truth but to reveal it in a dramatic way. For brands, make-believe works to show something of the core exchange between the producer and the consumer. You may not be my lord nor I your courtier; but you get my meaning when I talk of readying a place for you that's 'fit for a king'. And when you in turn tell me of 'nectar from the gods', I don't reject your offer of a drink simply because I question its divine origins.
When I choose your brand, it's because I want to join in the game. When two or more of us agree to play a game together, we quickly adapt to its boundaries and rules, even though these may be as arbitrary as chalk-marks on the ground or the conceit that makes me invisible each time I don a certain cloak. In an instant, our game is as far from matter-of-fact as you can imagine.
Of course, the world of make-believe that we conjure up must trace its origins back to something true in the life of the customer. Otherwise, it's simply storytelling as entertainment (or worse, deception) and the customer is likely to grow disillusioned once the diversion has run its course.
In this way, brand-building is a feat of the imagination and the role of the brand-owner is that of showman calling out to the passers-by to step right inside for the show that's about to begin.
The Cowboys, The Wrestlers…
If branding is about putting on a show, then who or what is the star performer? It may be the brand that steps centre stage, but the great players extend a hand to the customer to invite them to participate in the performance. In choosing the particular product or service, the buyer becomes a part of the drama that's unfolding and plays a role that places them right at the heart of the action.
We see this most obviously at work for brands that can tell their story through the visual media but the same holds true for all brands in their exchanges with the customer. Consciously or not, the buyer picks up on the story that's being told and takes their cue from the brand as to the part that they will play in it.
With a word or a gesture, or through pictures and sounds, the modern showmen invite us the orchard or to the wilderness or to the urban jungle and we immediately understand something of the drama that's about to unfold. The brand sets the scene and our natural inclination to identify with one or more of the players in the production (usually the hero) does the rest.
…The Tumblers, The Clowns
If branding is about putting on a performance, then each aspiring brand-owner is faced with a number of key choices when they ready their brand to take to the stage. These choices centre around which story is to be told and how it will play for the audience.
1. Narrative Theme
The great brands enable their customers to explore one of the timeless themes of the human story. These can range from such sweeping concerns as love of family, freedom of expression or the search for lost innocence to the need for intimacy, patriotism or the kindness of strangers.
Whilst it can seem improbable that an everyday brand could help its customer grapple with such concerns, we need only watch or listen to a small number of typical advertisements to appreciate how effortlessly the brand can make one of the great themes its own.
2. Storyline
The brand-owner must then decide how the theme will be explored and which storyline best fits the customer's understanding of the world. For example, this might be done by setting up a love triangle or sending out the hero to search for a holy grail. It could just as easily be a tale of paradise lost or brotherly envy that enables the brand to take the customer on an epic journey.
Again, this can seem far-fetched until we look about us and see how a producer can turn the choice of a simple packaged dessert or soft drink into a story of tyranny overthrown or paradise regained.
3. Leading Roles
Once the storyline is chosen, the brand-owner must describe the roles to be played in telling the story. Some of these will be obvious. Naturally, the most important role is the one that allows the customer to play the hero. Leading roles can include the parts of the ardent lover or the intrepid explorer or the guardian angel.
Once the leading role is cast, the next in terms of importance is that of villain. In fact, you could argue that in order for the story to have any real heft or significance, it must have a great villain, and therefore should be cast first. It's not surprising that actors often describe the role of the blackguard as the most satisfying to play and say that the devil gets the best lines.
Other supporting roles enable the interplay between good and evil, darkness and light, and, for the purposes of putting on a show, are often only lightly drawn.
4. Stage Setting
When the storyline is chosen and the leading roles assigned, the brand-owner must then set the stage for the action that follows. Perhaps the epic tussle between cruel master and courageous slave is most memorably played out in the world of ancient Rome? Or maybe it has greater resonance when put in a classroom setting? Each of these landscapes carries its own echoes that might be used to dramatic effect when conjuring up a tale that's older then time.
Costumes too can play their part in evoking another place and time, or signalling to the audience the part that the character will play in the drama.
5. Props
Of course, the actors in any great drama rely on a certain number of props in order to play their part more effectively. In such a context, the fountain pen may not only prove mightier than the sword, it might take its place completely. The paper contract becomes the embodiment of the bargain with the devil and when it's torn up into little pieces, the audience cheers instinctively.
A simple prop can almost single-handedly set up the action that is to follow or resolve the staged conflict. Industrial designers in particular know the importance of the prop and often carve out the casing or packaging of a product or the vessel in which it's carried in a way that suggests the part that it plays in the drama.
So Let's Go On With The Show
But when the brand-owner has agreed the theme and storyline, cast the characters, set the scene and provided costumes and props, they must not forget that it is always up to the brand to give a great performance.
The product or service that underpins that performance must itself play its part so that the customer truly becomes the hero of the piece rather than an unwilling dupe in an elaborate but ultimately self-serving piece of theatre.
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Swissport provide Special Assistance at Kos Airport.
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The People's Pension has over 4 million members and is one of the largest master trust workplace pensions in the UK. We provide pensions to people from all walks of life.
The People's Pension is run by not-for-profit organisation, B&CE.
With over 30 years' experience, B&CE has provided workplace pensions to employers, large and small. We're used to making pensions simple.
And in November 2011 B&CE launched The People's Pension as an additional product to help employers comply with their automatic enrolment duties.
If you're with The People's Pension, we'll be here to help you along the way, from start to finish – from setting up a workplace pension scheme as an employer, to planning your retirement as an employee.
A master trust is a multi-employer scheme, run by trustees.
The People's Pension is a multi-employer scheme with independent trustees and is operated on a not-for-profit basis. It's a hassle-free, flexible and portable workplace pension designed for people, not profit. And it's suitable for any organisation, large or small, in any sector.
The People's Pension was the first master trust to report on its governance and administration arrangements in accordance with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales' (ICAEW) new assurance framework for master trusts.
The People's Pension is run on a not-for-profit basis – we're for people, not profit.
What does 'not for profit' mean?
It means we have no shareholders to answer to and so we use any profit we make to improve our products and services for our members.
The People's Pension has a Defaqto 5 Star Rating. Defaqto is an independent financial research company focused on supporting better financial decision making.
Our call centre was awarded Top 10 for Customer Service at the Top 50 Companies for Customer Service.
Run by independent trustees and administered by B&CE, a company with a proven track record, The People's Pension is suitable for employers of any size in any sector.
Each employer has its own section of the scheme. This allows you to customise your own contribution rates and payment dates for different groups of employees, if you'd like to. You can set up your contributions as simply or as varied as you need.
Using our secure portal, files can be submitted from your payroll software to us, where we will allocate contributions to employees' pension pots.
Employee contributions, along with contributions from you as their employer and tax relief from the government, are invested in a member account in the employee's name.
Members can choose to remain in our default investment option throughout the life of their account and their pension savings will automatically move to more secure investments as they approach retirement.
Alternatively, members can choose from a concise range of investment profiles or choose an investment fund (or funds) themselves. Members can choose their investment options, and make any other changes, through their own dedicated member portal.
Our 0.5% annual management charge applies to each member's pension pot.
This simple and transparent charge is 50 pence a year (0.5%) for every £100 of the value of each member's account.
The People's Pension is an occupational pension scheme defined contribution master trust and therefore does not have a financial strength rating.
Its trust-based structure is intended to deliver a level of member security since the scheme's assets are kept quite separate from creditors in the event of failure of any party.
The People's Pension is a trust-based defined contribution scheme, registered with HMRC and The Pensions Regulator.
The People's Pension Trustee Limited is the Trustee of the Scheme. The Trustee is responsible for the investment of members' pension accounts held within the Scheme in accordance with any instructions from members.
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Lyndall Thomas has used her way with words to create a unique business with enormous potential. Thanks partly to the Small Business Mentoring Service, she is well on her way to taking it to the next level.
An experienced journalist and communications specialist, Lyndall started the Information Access Group in 2009. It helps clients create accessible materials, including documents that are easy to read and websites that are easy to use.
The Group already has an impressive number of clients and publications ranging from Down Syndrome Today for Down Syndrome Victoria to the National Disability Strategy - Easy English Version for the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Other clients include not-for-profit organisations, disability service providers, businesses and New South Wales and Victorian government departments. The service is unique, and one of Australia's few communications businesses specialising in accessibility.
Lyndall had an innovative product and the skills required to meet the diverse literacy needs of these audiences. She has worked on books, magazines, website content and corporate newsletters, but felt she would benefit from the advice of a business mentor.
"I wanted to draw on the experience of someone who had knowledge in business management and, in particular, working with government," she said.
Lyndall also needed to establish a work/life balance after having daughters Finn and Imogen, who are now five and eight. "Finn was only two-and-a-half when I started the Information Access Group," she says.
After finding the SBMS on the Small Business Victoria website, Lyndall elected to work with Elizabeth Raut. Elizabeth spent 10 years as the Victorian manager of the Australian Institute of Architects, where she worked on all aspects of running an organisation including finances. Before this she worked in the health sector in a range of business-related roles.
The SBMS is a non-government,non-profit organisation of volunteer expert mentors who give their time and experience to help small business. It is supported by Small Business Victoria, which refers clients to it. Elizabeth said while Lyndall was aware of the challenges in finding time to grow the business, market it, drive the creative aspect, be innovative and manage the staff and financial aspects, she initially felt she was being "responsive rather than strategic".
They discussed the importance of delegating tasks to free Lyndall's time to develop and make presentations, write tenders, engage with government and clients and focus on growing the business. They also addressed financial management, including a budget for the following financial year, project management and allocating staff resources.
Elizabeth and Lyndall then updated the business's SWOT analysis, marketing plan and financial plan. They identified a need for more marketing material, which led to a program of meetings and presentations to clients and potential clients in Canberra and Sydney.
Since the mentoring began, profitability has improved, sales are set to nearly double over the previous year and customer numbers are up by 40 per cent. The business is making a small profit but still working to ensure its viability. As it has grown, it has been able to offer more hours to casual staff and contractors, and hopes to have a full-time staff member soon.
Elizabeth says Lyndall has gained considerable confidence in her ability to be clear on how to grow the business and about what the business might look like in the future.
Lyndall says the biggest challenge was moving from a hands-on, independent freelance role to managing a business with a small team while also raising a family. She says Elizabeth's help has been invaluable, and while she still has some late nights, running the business is flexible enough to cope with the demands of parenthood - just. "I feel a lot more confident about what I am doing and the decisions I make," she says. "Elizabeth is very patient with me as I work through issues and she encourages and reassures me.
"This has been the best part of mentoring for me – that someone else is there to listen, especially someone who completely 'gets' me and understands exactly what I am trying to achieve." The sessions have also been therapeutic. "I often joke about the mentoring sessions being 'business therapy'," Lyndall says. | {
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Under the patronage of Khalifa bin Zayed, the 29th President of the UAE Cup series will celebrate Arabian horses from 15 May until 8 December 2022
The Higher Organizing Committee of His Highness the President of the UAE Cup series for the Purebred Arabians announced the 2022 calendar, which consists of 15 races across Europe, Middle East and North Africa and the United States of America.
The races series held under the patronage of His Highness The UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, to promote and preserve the identity of the Arabian horses around the world.
The races for the Purebred Arabians around the world is a legacy of the late President and Founding Father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to promote the bloodlines and heritage of the Arabian horse globally.
The 29th edition of the HH The President of the UAE Cup gets underway at the French Guineas weekend at the ParisLongchamp Racecourse on May 15.
Next in the calendar is the American Triple Crown meeting at the Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore in the USA on May 21.
It follows the race meetings in Tunisia on June 26, San Siro Racecourse in Milan, Italy, June 30, Poland on July 3, 2022, Sweden on July 17, Belgium on August 1, Russia on August 14, Germany on September 4, the UK Arabian Derby at the St Leger meeting at Doncaster Racecourse on September 10, the new race meeting in Libya Libya on September 17, the Netherlands on 25 September, Egypt on October 8, Morocco on November 20, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on December 8.
This year will see a race series organised within HH The President of the UAE Cup in South America, comprising of races in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, extending and encouraging owners and breeders of the Arabian horses in the region.
His Excellency Faisal Al Rahmani, General Manager of HH The President of the UAE Cup paid tribute to HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed for the unstinted and continuous support in promoting the Arabian horse globally.
"The Purebred Arabian horses have made a big impact as racehorses around the world with the quality of races staged in some of the iconic race tracks in the international circuit," he said.
"We are proud on the ever increasing number of races and venues this year, with Libya joining the fray as the latest track to stage HH The President of the UAE Cup.
"HH The President of the UAE Cup is a testimony for the global renaissance of the Arabian horse, an initiative of the UAE's late President and Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul.
"His legacy to preserve the Arabian horse globally continues with the prestigious cup series staged in 15 venues across Europe, Middle East and North African, the USA and all over the Gulf nations."
Community Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Sport
In his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Mohamed bin Zayed issues resolution to appoint members of Abu Dhabi Executive Council
Nahyan bin Mubarak inaugurates Contributions of Sandooq Al Watan Open Day
Mansour bin Zayed issues directives to increase number of rounds of Al Dhafra Festival closing camel mazayna
AD Ports Group partners with KazMunayGas and Kazakhstan Ministry of Industry & Infrastructural Development | {
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ATLANTA – Phillies manager Gabe Kapler issued a challenge Wednesday to Vince Velasquez, a few hours before the righthander would pitch the first six innings of a 7-3 loss to the Braves. He wanted Velasquez to pitch with intensity and fervor. He wanted him to challenge hitters with confidence.
"I'm going to attack with my fastball. I'm going to attack with my secondary pitches. And when I'm in the zone with them, I'm going to still be on the gas pedal," Kapler said of the approach Velasquez needed. "It's this thing that you want to throw a strike, so you're a little bit finer, a little bit softer, with your delivery.
If there is one thing that Velasquez does not lack, it is intensity. But sometimes the pitcher fails to properly channel that mindset on the mound, seeming to show too much caution to opponents and falling into deep counts, racking up high pitch totals.
Wednesday night's outing offered some promise. He attacked with his fastball — which touched 96 mph in his final inning — and used it for 60 percent of his pitches and five of his seven strikeouts. He utilized a sharp slider and countered with a troubled curveball.
But Atlanta third baseman Ryan Flaherty, who failed to make the Phillies in spring training, jacked a three-run homer in the fifth, as he sat on Velasquez' first-pitch fastball.
It was a blip on a night that showed some promise and displayed why the Phillies are willing to see whether Velasquez can develop the mindset his manager challenges him to have. Velasquez has a 2.41 ERA in his last three starts, with 20 strikeouts and three walks over 18 2/3 innings. He attacked.
"I think it's just the mindset that you have to have," Velasquez said. "I changed my approach and am just attacking hitters. That was one of the biggest things, going after guys and attacking the zone and utilizing all of my pitches.
The Phillies dropped two of three at SunTrust Park but still secured their first winning road trip (4-2) since 2016. The Phillies return home Thursday winners of nine of their last 12.
A series-winning victory seemed within reach when the Phillies trailed by two runs in the eighth, but Kapler elected to keep lefthander Hoby Milner in against righthanded hitters after facing two lefties. It was a curious move, because Kapler had used Milner almost exclusively against lefthanded hitters. Milner gave up three runs, and the game was out of reach.
"That was the right time to save our bullpen and put them in a good position to succeed going forward," Kapler said.
The Phillies were on the verge of a rally in the seventh, when Maikel Franco walked and Andrew Knapp reached on an error, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Carlos Santana, out of the lineup for the first time this season, pinch hit and grounded into a double play, and J.P. Crawford struck out.
Franco scored on the double play but the inning fell short of its potential.
Rhys Hoskins walked to start the ninth and scored on a double by Aaron Altherr, but that's as close as the Phillies got.
Edubray Ramos, in relief of Velasquez, gave up a homer to Dansby Swanson, the leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh. It was the righthander's first earned run of the season.
The Phillies' first run came in the fifth, when Velasquez ripped Brandon McCarthy's curveball up the middle to drive in Knapp. McCarthy threw his opposing pitcher five pitches; three were breaking balls. McCarthy failed to attack, and Velasquez made him pay.
Velasquez moved to second on the throw home and looked into the Phillies dugout. His teammates were cheering, and Velasquez gestured back. Even at bat, Velasquez had attacked. There was some promise.
"All night long, he was attacking hitters," Kapler said. "That was why we had the confidence to send him out for the sixth. He was pretty aggressive with all of his pitches, which is exactly what we asked him to do. He had that fastball working up to 97 [mph] at times. | {
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Do you have diabetes? Are you living in the surrounding cities of Tarzana? Here is why you need to visit your foot doctor Tarzana regularly.
Diabetes has become an incredibly common disease in modern-day society. One of the major consequences associated with diabetes is complications of the foot. Such complications can take place due to damaged nerves in the feet as well as in the toes.
As a result of malfunctioning or damaged nerves, you will feel no pain in the feet. So, even if you have a wound or cut in your feet, you will barely notice it. Because of that, the injury can get worse and develop into severe conditions. This is precisely when an expert foot doctor (a podiatrist) can help you out.
What can a foot doctor do for you if you have diabetes?
Professional podiatrists have the expert knowledge in assessing the potential nerve damages on the feet. They have the specialized expertise of identifying the health risks on your feet and offer required treatments. They also help you prevent future conditions. In fact, those who have diabetes are vulnerable to various foot problems mentioned below.
Neuropathy is also known as nerve damage on feet. As a result, you may experience numbness and pain. However, as the condition develops, you will hardly feel your feet and toes. The cuts and wounds on your feet at this stage will go unnoticed and develop into worse.
Foot Ulcers is a type of a wound that might appear on toes or foot. An open wound will appear on your foot as the tissue breaks down. These ulcers are vulnerable to serious infections. These ulcers generally require lengthy treatment process.
As a result of the nerve damage, the bones in the feet can become weakened. Then, the bones may fracture and even develop into noticeable deformities.
Amputation is the process of removing the limb due to uncurable wound or infection. This can happen for diabetes patients who have worsened foot ulcers.
In addition to those, there can be various other foot problems linked to diabetes. However, with the assistance of your professional foot doctor Tarzana, you can identify the conditions at your earliest and get the treatments.
At the first appointment with your podiatrist, you should be prepared to explain all the potential information. For instance, telling the medical history will make the treatment process faster and convenient. Also, you may ask the possible questions that might help.
If you suspect that you experience some neuropathy, you should request for a monofilament test. Or, you may ask for a testing process to check the nerve damage. These processes will identify the condition precisely and get the required treatments.
In addition to that, you can ask how to do foot exams at home and perform temperature monitoring. These processes might significantly help the treatment you undergo. Moreover, you can get the directions from your foot doctor Tarzana about how to keep your feet healthy. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
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Deciding on your future career/business is a very important decision.I do not believe it should be left in someone else's -anyone else's hands but yours. Yes, I know it is a monumental task deciding on how you are going to spend a good portion of your life. It can be confusing, frustrating and exasperating. And despite that, there is no one that knows you as well as you do.
That doesn't mean you don't need help. Most people – myself included – have a hard time seeing ourselves as we truly are. You must know people who think they work well with others but the rest of the team is often irritated with this individual. Or perhaps you are familiar with that person who believes he is a leader because he gives orders to others but others can see that he lacks many leadership skills. A coach is there not to tell you what to do but to bring the best out of you.
Psychometrics is a branch of psychology that measures and classifies different human traits and performances. It helps with understanding personality, motivation and how people think and learn best. There are achievement tests, skill aptitude tests, personality tests and career aptitude tests. Achievement tests like the MCAT and LSAT, are used to screen potential candidates for certain graduate programs.
Skill aptitude tests (eg, Kolbe A® Index; Simmons Personal Survey) measure things such as numeracy, literacy, problem-solving skills and people's responses in different scenarios to determine their ability to work in a specific environment. They test attributes including reaction to conflict, interpersonal skills and ability to follow instructions. HR professionals often use these tests in the hiring process. They are also popular with entrepreneurs to evaluate what business they should start or focus on.
Personality tests (eg, DISC; The Big Five factors) can be used to determine how well a potential candidate will fit into the culture of an organization as well as evaluating potential leadership traits. However they shouldn't determine your direction of in life.
Career Interest Tests (eg, Holland's Codes; Strong Interest Inventory) are supposed to help individuals by using questions that tap into their experiences, talents and interests to create a composite profile, which is then matched to a type of job, work environment or field of study. However interests are not passions. None of these get to the person's deepest feelings, passions and life purpose, which I focus on in my program. In comparison , these tests scrape the surface of someone's true purpose in life.
There are also several other problems with relying too heavily on psychometric tests to determine your career direction. One is that they are often not individualistic enough. Many of the answers on the test are compared to the database of norms in which the test was developed and tested. So your answers are directly affected by the people who were used to develop the test in the first place. The more your culture, background and/or behaviours differ significantly from the population that was used to create the test, the more the results will not be specifically related to you and the less useful the test will be.
Another potential problem with these tests is that some individuals may give answers they think are what is expected or "the better ones" rather than being honest about their own abilities, interests and preferences. This is often subconsciously driven and the person taking the test may be totally unaware of this bias. When looking for your Dream business it needs to be emphasized that the best choice is the one that best matched your TRUE SELF. I have worked with people from the whole spectrum of industries and I have found the happiest and most fulfilled ones are the ones who understood their passions best. In effect, you should be comparing yourself with yourself (your past passions, interests, natural talents) and not with anyone else.
A lot of these tests help people find out how they work best. That can apply to people who are very good and talented at many things. But it still does not answer the key question of what you are going to use your talents to do. For example, let's say you take a few tests and discover that you work best in small groups, you like to bounce ideas off of others before making a decision and you are show your enthusiasm with ease. In what area will you use those traits? Empowering women's groups in spiritual retreats? In starting a new clothing line that brings out people's personalities? Being a brand for a new nutritional magazine? That all depends on where your passions lie.
I am not saying there is no point in psychometric tests. These tests are useful in measuring things like leadership traits, how well you work with others, job-related emotional stability, behavioral tendencies eg, openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, dominance, influence and steadiness, to name a few.
It can also be of benefit to a business when hiring. By comparing individual results to a baseline, candidates can be evaluated for job, team, and culture fit.
Mike – disorganized, right-brained, likes to work in small groups, quirky and funny, enjoyed studying behaviours of people.
Barbara – methodical, anxious, cautious, likes to work alone, moved deeply by social injustices, took a job for security while dabbling in making films in her off-time.
Kurt – perfectionistic, calculating, left brained, likes to work in small groups and alone, confused, musical, has many interests, loves to explore and travel, interested in cultural history.
that each had a passion for making films.
Three people – all with very different personalities. A disservice would have been done if these differing personality traits and emotional and behavioural styles were used to guide them in different directions. They all wanted to make films but they wanted to make totally different kinds of films.
Psychometric tests would have probably revealed that each has strong individual thinking tendencies and relatively more introverted than extroverted, but that would have created a long list of potential careers.
Using my approach, each of these people were able to discover where their true passions lay – Mike loved humourous scripts, Barbara had a keen interest in exploring social injustices and Kurt had a driving passion to narrate historical events in a unique way. Their unique passion was the key to guiding their future. Film was the medium through which they chose to explore those passions.
Like this? Then leave a comment below. | {
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Pension strikes cripple Paris, more travel woes ahead
Railway workers are pictured in the reflection of a train window as they gather for a union general assembly meeting at the Gare St-Charles station in Marseille, southern France, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. Paris commuters inched to work Monday through exceptional traffic jams, as strikes to preserve retirement rights halted trains and subways for a fifth straight day. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
NADINE ACHOUI-LESAGE and ANGELA CHARLTON
PARIS (AP) — Paris commuters inched to work Monday through massive traffic jams as strikes against retirement plan changes halted trains and subways for a fifth straight day — with the prospect of a tougher day ahead.
French President Emmanuel Macron girded for one of the toughest weeks of his presidency as his government prepares to present a redesign of the convoluted French pension system. Macron sees melding 42 different retirement plans into one as delivering a more equitable, financially sustainable system. Unions view the move as an attack on the French way of life even though Macron's government is not expected to change the current retirement age of 62.
Citing safety risks, the SNCF national rail network warned travelers to stay home or use "alternative means of locomotion" Monday instead of thronging train platforms in hopes of getting one of the few available trains running.
The national road authority reported more than 600 kilometers (360 miles) of traffic problems at morning rush hour around the Paris region — up from 150 kilometers (90 miles) on an average day.
Paris police girded for a huge pension protest march on Tuesday, similar to the one last Thursday when more than 800,000 people across France took part. Fearing possible violence on its fringes, police warned they would mobilize significant resources immediately to stop violence. All restaurants and shops along the march route were ordered closed, police said.
Air France, the national carrier, said more than 25% of its domestic traffic would be grounded Tuesday by the strike, along with more than 10% of its medium-haul flights. Long-haul trips were not to be affected. It said the French civil aviation authority had asked all airlines to cut back flights 20% on Tuesday at six airports, including Paris, Bordeaux and Marseille.
Only about a sixth of French trains were running Monday and international train lines also saw disruptions. Activists also blocked bus depots around Paris.
Gabriella Micuci from the Paris suburb of Le Bourget walked several kilometers (miles) in a cold rain Monday and then squeezed into a packed subway on one of the two automated Metro lines that don't need drivers. Other commuters used shared bikes or electric scooters.
"I left home earlier than usual, I thought I was going to be able to catch an early train but not at all," Micuci told The Associated Press. "It's a real catastrophe, people are becoming even more violent, they are pushing you."
Fortified by the biggest nationwide demonstrations in years when the strike launched last Thursday, unions plan new protests on Tuesday and hope to keep up the pressure on Macron's government to back down
Macron summoned Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and other top officials Sunday night to strategize for a crucial week for his planned retirement reform.
The prime minister will outline the government's plan on Wednesday, which is expected to encourage people to work longer. Currently some French workers can retire in their 50s.
The pension changes are central to Macron's vision of transforming the French economy. Government ministers say the current system is unfair and financially unsustainable, while unions say the reform undercuts worker rights and will force people to work longer for less.
Seeking to head off public anger, Macron asked veteran politician Jean-Paul Delevoyeto hold months of meetings with workers, employers and others to come up with pension recommendations. Delevoye said Monday the sessions would continue until early next year.
Biden taps former deputy CIA director Cohen for spy agency again
President-elect Joe Biden on Friday named former Deputy CIA Director David Cohen to reprise his role at the U.S. intelligence agency as he continued to fill out top roles for his administration. Cohen previously served as the deputy director for the Central Intelligence Agency from 2015 to 2017 under Democratic then-President Barack Obama, when Biden served as vice president. Cohen would serve under longtime U.S. diplomat William Burns, Biden's nominee for CIA director. | {
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Recent developments with group III nitrides suggest AlxGa1-xN based LEDs can be new alternative commer-cially viable deep ultra-violet light sources. Due to a sig-nificant difference in the lattice parameters of GaN and AlN, AlxGa1-xN substrates would be preferable to either GaN or AlN for ultraviolet device applications. We have studied the growth of free-standing wurtzite AlxGa1-xN bulk crystals by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE) using a novel RF plasma source. Thick wurtz-ite AlxGa1-xN films were grown by PA-MBE on 2-inch GaAs (111)B substrates and were removed from the GaAs substrate after growth to provide free standing AlxGa1-xN samples. Growth rates of AlxGa1-xN up to 3 μm/h have been demonstrated. Our novel high efficiency RF plasma source allowed us to achieve free-standing bulk AlxGa1-xN layers in a single day's growth, which makes our MBE bulk growth technique commercially vi-able. | {
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"SEVENTEEN SHADES OF LOVE": After her divorce Julia was able to take everything under control and to move on. She became successful and happy. There is no place for romance in her life. But is it possible to live without love?
"A HAPPY ENDING IN A BIG CITY": She travels from one city to another, meeting the same kind of men who always abandon her. She doesn't know that the true love is waiting for her far, far away.
And more stories... They are nostalgic and dreamy but by no means they are fantasy or fairy tales. These romance stories center around ordinary people who are swept away by love and passion. It is all truth.
Adventurous and glamorous things might happen to everyone. They happen to all of us although sometimes we just don't realize.
Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback editions. Also on Audiobook (Russian edition only).
Modern art is often scoffed at. There are many just don't get it - the unrestrained translation of mind in our visible space. The others have no way to prove they do. They are just smitten by the work, not necessarily because they agree with the objective but because they appreciate the artist's acknowledgement of a free flowing mind. I am the appreciator. Olga Toprover is the artist.
Seventeen shades of love begins with a most oh-so-typical fantasy sequence from a woman who falls for a stranger at a gas station. It turns out to be a dream. What follows is a first drift of this artwork, as the girl who had been craving for some hormonal re-ignition in life gets upset when she finally finds it. For her, it signifies the loss of rare freedom she'd been enjoying from the traps of illogical love. The author's magic really only comes forth towards the end of that first chapter, with a trivial foam sticking out of a certain driver's seat making all the difference. The end result is amusement. And that effect is sustained throughout the rest of the book.
Ms. Toprover spends the first two chapters acclimatising us to her work. She only starts to unfold it thereafter. So, what kind of art is it? It is vacuous swish of blue paint which changes shades as it runs in such a way that viewers are compelled to anticipate its transition to a new colour. But blue remains blue. All that changes is a realization that the elusive second colour was present throughout as the colour white in the background. As is described for one of the characters in the story - a little girl - the author paints not just the world as it is, but the emotions behind everything.
Seventeen shades of love that we see through each little story in this book are all distinct in their settings. Yet, it is interesting how much they share in common. They are all narrations of protagonists - mostly women - battling a difficult memory, coming to terms with novel situations and beginnings, an unending fusion of what-ifs and why-nots, failed attempts at justifications, denial of an unflinching hope, and a silent, eternally insurmountable build-up of a mountain of emotions that evaporate in one moment of surprise. Love, as the author shows us, is just an approach we take to life. It is illogical, on the face of our social demeanour, and a reflection of who we actually are - which is perhaps why we can never transform it into words or thoughts with utter clarity. Personally, I find it sad. The author's acknowledgement of this condition as it is, without pretence or explanations, is precisely what is best about this book.
The writing, translated into English, is without complications. That says a lot, for most of the story is a 1st person narrative of conflicting thoughts. This inevitably brings in a lot of abstracts - an essential ingredient. For instance, "Who said the sky over Canada is bluer? If that were the case she might have formed some slightly more intelligent thoughts." Olga Toprover reminds me of Woody Allen. Her Pièce De Résistance comes right in the end with short scripts of life in Calfiornia - poppable candies of momentary hullabaloo in the author's experiences of day-to-day life. Loved the one with a phone call to customer care.
The thing with an artistic expression is that its interpretation is left to the observers. Consequently, I can only guess as to the author's primary incentive. To think of it, that itself may be one! So read this book to deduce your psyche in matters of love and people. | {
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Shepard softball player Bridge McDermott, second from right, took part in the polar plunge at Leisure Lake in Joliet on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
Bridget McDermott has never been colder in her life.
"It felt like pins and needles were going through my body," said McDermott, a senior softball player at Shepard.
Sherman Dixon had icicles form on the tips of his hair.
"It was freezing cold," said Dixon, a senior wrestler for the Astros.
McDermott and Dixon, however, would subject themselves again to the frigid waters and bitter temperatures if given the chance.
The two student-athletes were part of 36 mentors from 14 varsity sports teams in Shepard's Power PE program who participated in a polar plunge on March 9 at Leisure Lake in Joliet.
The goal was to raise $15,000 for Special Olympics Illinois. The 36 mentors and 15 Shepard staff members exceeded that goal by hundreds of dollars.
It was McDermott's second time taking the plunge as part of the Power PE program.
This year, however, was a different experience, thanks to Mother Nature.
Except McDermott and the rest of the participants could literally see their breath.
This wasn't fun in the sun.
Shepard wrestler Sherman Dixon, far left, chose to go shirtless while participating in the polar plunge at Leisure Lake in Joliet on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
So would Dixon, who finished in fourth place in the state this season in Class 3A at 170 pounds. He actually removed his shirt and dove head first into the chilly water.
Raising money is only one of the benefits of the Power (Physical Opportunities With Exceptional Rewards) PE program, which gives general students like McDermott and Dixon the opportunity to serve as mentors for school's special education students in a physical education setting.
The mentors are responsible for modifying activities based on the physical and behavioral needs of their buddies and making sure all students are included and active.
Mentors also help organize events such as movie night and respect week and assist practices and games for Shepard's three Special Olympics teams — unified soccer, basketball and track and field.
Special education teacher Ashley Lythberg and physical education teacher Scott Richardson teach the Power PE class.
Being a mentor has had such a profound impact on McDermott that she plans on becoming a special education teacher. She will attend St. Francis and play softball.
"When I was a freshman, I was watching one of the (Special Olympic) basketball games at the school," she said. "I knew right then I wanted to be a part of the (Power PE) program. | {
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Aircraft maintenance company MESA has started construction of its new hangar project at Beja Airport, Portugal. The work, which has already begun, is expected to last around 18-months, with the start of hangar activity scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Mesa, which is part of the Hi Fly Group, expects to invest €30million in the project, which will create about 150 jobs in its first three years of activity.
The project, spread over an area of 9,500 square meters, includes the construction of the hangar and workshops. A technical centre with capacity for large aircraft will also be built on the site. Paulo Mirpuri, Hi Fly and MESA's President, said: "Things have been going well in Beja and the work is progressing on the new Mesa hangar. It's a big project for the Group and we're looking forward to welcoming our fleet to this fantastic facility when it is complete."
The new hangar will be used by Hi Fly for line/base maintenance of its Airbus fleet. Mesa will also provide maintenance service contracts to other airlines operating the same Airbus models as Hi Fly, as the Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, and A380s. | {
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House Ear Institute's mission includes the advancement of global hearing health. In the less populated parts of California, as well as worldwide, there are few providers of services for pediatric audiology, speech pathology, and establishing timely follow-up services for newborn hearing screening can be difficult.
EarKids (SM) is House Ear Institute's Global Health program for advancing the care of children with hearing loss worldwide. House Ear Institute partners with public health professionals, audiologists, speech pathologists, and researchers at several institutions in Southern California and abroad to identify and intervene for children who lack of appropriate resources for their hearing loss.
Projects include determining the scope of the problem, Identifying gaps in recent and resource provision, and training parents of children with hearing loss in the appropriate use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other auditory devices used to treat hearing loss. By studying patient groups in California and in countries such as Paraguay, we hope to be able to determine the best way to provide adequate resources for intervention for children in rural areas. Teleservices and appropriate tablet and computer-based training applications will allow for expanded services and leverage technology to reach more children.
EarKids is a Service Mark (SM) of House Ear Institute. | {
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We acknowledge and respect an individual's choice to opt- out of VISIPLAS™'s direct marketing communications activities. Should you decide you do not wish to receive marketing or promotional materials from VISIPLAS™ please contact us in writing (via email, fax or letter), being sure to include your name, address and contact details(s), or as directed in any particular promotional material you may receive.
VISIPLAS™ may make changes to this Privacy Statement from time to time for any reason. We will publish those changes on our web site. This Privacy Statement was last amended on 1st February 2017. | {
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Born in Athens, worked in Athens, USA & Brussels.
English Literature at American University in Athens.
Graduate Courses: Communication, History of Art & Marketing, Public Speaking, Sociology at Indiana University, USA.
Public Relation Consultant for the Maria Callas Foundation in Athens.
President since 2000, for Greece and Cyprus for "Generation Europe Foundation" based in Brussels, operating in 27 countries, since 1995, under the Auspices of the European Commission.
Aims at providing European awareness to Youth. Its main activities are: Publication of the "Book of the Youth of Europe", with additional subjects as Health, Environment, Human Rights, Employment etc.
Pan -European Debates & Conferences at the European Parliament in Brussels.
In 1987 founded "Advance Communication" Public Relation company, until 2012.
In 2004 founded "Art & Culture a.k.a. Ltd" until today.
• President of the NGO "the Friends of Care", for the NGO "CARE", supporting the refugee for abused mothers & children.
• Manager of events, international relations, press & communication for "Care".
• Member of "Elpida" Foundation, supporting children with cancer and children's hospitals.
• Member of "Kaleipatira" Association, which promotes the values of Athletics & Fair Play, supporting also NGO's in need.
• Member of "Crea-aid" Foundation which aims at supporting NGO's through creations and creative events. | {
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It star Bill Skarsgard heads to Castle Rock
July 10, 2017 by Gary Collinson Leave a Comment
Bill Skarsgard is set to follow his upcoming turn as Pennywise in It with another Stephen King project, with the actor signing on to appear as a series regular in Castle Rock.
The anthology series from Hulu and Bad Robot is described as "a psychological-horror drama set in the Stephen King multiverse that combines the mythological scale and intimate character storytelling of King's best-loved works, weaving an epic saga of darkness and light, played out on a few square miles of Maine woodland."
Variety reports that Skarsgard is set to play "a young man with an unusual legal problem". He joins a cast that so far includes Melanie Lynskey (Togetherness), Andre Holland (Moonlight), Jane Levy (Don't Breathe) and Sissy Spacek (Carrie).
Castle Rock is set to begin production in August and is slated to hit Hulu in 2018. Skarsgard meanwhile will be seen as Pennywise the Clown in It, which opens on September 8th.
Filed Under: Gary Collinson, Movies, News Tagged With: Bill Skarsgård, Castle Rock | {
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Ahoy maties! It's that time of year again to clip on an eye patch and get your parrot and cutlass out of storage – Pirates Week has arrived.
The next 10 days will be filled with pirates, pyrotechnics and parades.
Organizers have a full 10 days of events, kicking off Thursday, Nov. 10, with the annual Pan in de City steel pan competition at the George Town waterfront and the official kick-off party at The Wharf.
The next 10 days will be filled with pirates, pyrotechnics and parades. The annual Heritage Day celebrations will be held across the districts through next week.
Police said there will be a number of road closures, mainly on and around the waterfront, this week and through the weekend. Drivers are advised to avoid the waterfront.
On Friday, the big event will be the Miss Festival Queen Competition along Harbour Drive, starting at 7:15, followed by fireworks starting around 8:30. A street dance along the waterfront is scheduled to go until 2 a.m.
Mona Lisa Meade, with the organizing committee, said the Festival Queen contest is open to young women ages 16 and up. "Each district elects a young lady as its representative and everyone works to together to design a costume," she said in an email.
"This year's Pirates Week Festival theme is 'Age of Romance' and costumes will be judged on their design as it relates to that theme. Other areas of adjudication include authenticity, stage presentation, use of Caymanian products and design detail," she said.
The winner will lead Friday's parade and win $500.
The battle, and its forgone conclusion, starts on Saturday with the invasion of the pirates and the inevitable capture of the governor. The waterfront party on Saturday is expected to kick off at 2 p.m. and keep going until midnight.
The 36th annual Pirates Week 5K open water swim is set for 7 a.m. Monday at Governors Beach.
Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association president Michael Lockwood said the long-distance swim is a challenging event, but will have some notable swimmers.
"We are delighted that Emily Brunemann and Sean Ryan, open water swimmers who have been on the U.S. National Open Water Team since 2008, will be here for the 5K," he said.
For the full schedule of events, see www.piratesweekfestival.com. | {
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Q: AutoLayOut - set UITableView height according to BannerView height I am using adBanner in my application which is at bottom of the screen and I am using tableview in my application.
I have established "Horizontal spacing" relation between adBannerView and tableview. Now my problem is before loading the advertisement in adBannerView I can see white space at the bottom of the screen but I want that my tableview cover that space before loading adBannerView and when adBannerView is loaded then my tableview should move up 50 pixels. How can I achieve this?
Any idea?
A: I think, you have adBanner of height 50 pixels. Set tableview's bottom space to adBanner 0 and don't set its height. Then set height for adBanner and create its constraint's property which should be initially 0 so your tableview will use that space initially. When adBannerView is loaded then set adBannerView height property 50, so tableview will automatically shift up. It may help
A: Set Tablview's bottom space to supreview 0 with top space, leading space and trailing space constraint.
And modifiy ad banner delegate like this it will give required output.
IN viewDidLoad Adbanner view alpha = 0.0
-(void)bannerViewDidLoadAd:(ADBannerView *)banner{
NSLog(@"Ad Banner did load ad.");
CGFloat height = [UIScreen mainScreen].bounds.size.height;
CGRect frame = self.viewForSource.frame;
frame.size.height = height-50;
self.viewForSource.frame = frame;
// Show the ad banner.
[UIView animateWithDuration:0.5 animations:^{
self.adBanner.alpha = 1.0;
}];
}
-(void)bannerView:(ADBannerView *)banner didFailToReceiveAdWithError:(NSError *)error{
NSLog(@"Unable to show ads. Error: %@", [error localizedDescription]);
CGFloat height = [UIScreen mainScreen].bounds.size.height;
CGRect frame = self.viewForSource.frame;
frame.size.height = height;
self.viewForSource.frame = frame;
// Hide the ad banner.
[UIView animateWithDuration:0.5 animations:^{
self.adBanner.alpha = 0.0;
}];
}
| {
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Another cool Kickstarter campaign for a short film, Iceberg. I like the premise of this little short. A rock band is invited to play in a foreign country, people falling in love for the first time, tension in relationships with friends and family, and lots and lots of music. Only five days to go and it's at the moment at the 80% mark. I hope it makes it. I want to see this regardless. Looks really cool. | {
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Posts Tagged 'Iceland'
Medieval Iceland by Jesse L. Byock book review
Posted in economics, etymology, history, literature, politics, tagged history, Iceland, norse, Norway, property tax, sagas on September 25, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Medieval Iceland: Society, Sagas, and Power by Jesse L. Byock
Written in a reader-friendly research paper style, this nonfiction book invited me into the few hundred years of the colonization, formation, and decline of Iceland as a free state. Several chapters into the book I realized that this little island's short-lived government had warranted a mention in my world history textbook in high school. You too may recognize the word Althing, the Icelandic parliament.
By far my favorite part of this book was the way in which the author introduced and incorporated native words (closely related to Old Norse). To my surprise and delight, I found I could recognize many of these words as sharing roots with some strong English words. Take Althing. Thing originally meant gathering, and was heavily employed in Iceland to refer to their deliberative gatherings, that which was discussed at the gatherings, etc. The prefix is exactly what you would expect from the sound of it: All. The Althing was different from a general thing because it was the one gathering annually in which citizens from the entire country gathered to hold high court, to address pressing national issues, and to have a marvelous feast and market.
Second favorite was the references to the sagas, and the summaries/explanations of their plots. Once I picked up a book thicker than the Bible at our local library because it had an interesting title, The Sagas of the Icelanders, and a Viking ship on the front. After reading an enjoyable first half of the book I took it back, just overwhelmed by the amount of literature contained. As Jesse L. Byock took me through the history of Iceland, referencing the sagas, I began to vaguely recollect the stories. I've heard that name before. Yes, I remember something like that happening in the sagas. I didn't know that's what was going on in that saga!
Finally I was fascinated to get a feel for the culture of early Iceland. Though the author seems to believe that they were a stable, upright society, I beg to differ. Though they balanced their government: freedom and power, friendship and dependency; their legal system was built on feuding, which often included the death of men in the territory of the offensive leader, or family members of a person. False charges could be made and prosecuted, essentially stealing a person's property just by suing him. If one of the primary feuders was killed in the disagreement, his close kin often took up the feud in his honor, or in vengeance. Sometimes this was the only way to defend their inheritance. The society was certainly a might makes right struggle for limited resources and carefully guarded (and uncentralized) power.
There was also a reference to exposing infants, which is murder of the most helpless. When the country converted to Christianity, one of the compromises which made that a peaceful transfer was that citizens were allowed to continue to eat horse and also to commit infanticide.
I did notice similarities between Iceland's culture and northern Scotland's before the 19th century. Though not necessarily bound by blood, or even bound for life and generations as in Scotland, clans had similar responsibilities to and expectations of their chieftains. The Scottish people are famous for their tartan weaves, and woven cloth was actually used as a form of currency in Iceland (a country filled with farmsteads and cottage industry). Perhaps the climate and ancestral/invader influences were the same in Scotland and Iceland.
In Medieval Iceland the scholarly author intends to put forward his theories about the transfer and acquisition of wealth in Iceland. He focuses heavily on politics, a hugely interesting perspective in that field. For example the Icelander's realized (coming out of a feudal Europe) that if a government/king/chieftain could tax your property, you no longer owned the property. They had a strong libertarian democracy, but with a bend to settle things. The government in Iceland was entirely legislative and judicial, leaving enforcement to the individuals and the strong local governments.
Why did this system of government fail? Why is it not in use today? What can we learn from Iceland for our own situation in America today? Iceland is the first country whose origins were observed in history-writing times. Initially the country offered land free for the taking (sometimes taking was in the sense of theft), and the small population was content to be the rugged pioneers of a relatively hostile land. As the population grew and resources were expended, the competition became more and more fierce. Eventually the Althing voted to quench the trampling aspirations of the developing aristocracy by returning themselves to the jurisdiction of Norway (whose government had at this point several centuries after the initial immigration, mellowed). The world was on the verge of transformation: protestant reformation, the printing press, the democratic revolutions (including the founding of America) would all appear in the next several centuries.
Books Read in 2008 – Updated
Posted in Bible, ecclesiology, family, history, Jane Austen, life, literature, philosophy, politics, tagged A Walk with Jane Austen, America, anarchists, anarchy, Ann Coulter, beginning, Bible, Billy Graham, biography, Brave New Family, Calvinists, church, Cold War, Collin Hansen, Dan Betzer, Dead Heat, Democratic Party, democrats, denominations, ekklesia, Elizabeth George Speare, England, fairy tales, faith, family, feelings, Frederica Vernon, Genesis, GK Chesterton, Godcast, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, house church, Iceland, Jane Austen, Jesus, Joanna Weaver, Joel Rosenberg, Lady Susan, liberals, Lori Smith, Mark, McCarthyism, Medieval Iceland, Michael Crichton, Napoleon of Notting Hill, New England, New Testament, New Testament Restoration Felloship, North Korea, pain, Persuasion, Puritan, rebellion, Regina Doman, Reginald de Courcy, relationships, sovereignty, Sphere, Steve Atkerson, The Man Who Was Thursday, The Midnight Dancers, The Preacher and the Presidents, The Shack, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, theology, tragedy, Treason, Trinity, Vietnam, War on Terrorism, William Young, Young Restless and Reformed on September 17, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Persuasion by Jane Austen (ok, so I re-read it, but loved it more the third time. The tale of a good, intelligent woman on the verge of being forever an "old maid," whose family ignores her but whom she helps all the same. There is a handsome man she loved before he was rich, and so turned down at the influence of her family and friends, and very much regrets. He comes back into her life and suddenly everyone realizes Anne Elliot is the girl they want to marry. I underlined every word that illustrated persuasion, steadfastness, or persuad-ability. There are a lot.)
The Preacher and the Presidents by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy (a modern history book looking at leadership, politics, and big decisions as associated with Billy Graham.)
A Walk With Jane Austen by Lori Smith (Single Christian girl in early thirties goes to England to trace Jane Austen's life. She dreams of love, finds something special, and goes on to share her very human, very female thoughts about life, love, and God – often borrowing words from Jane Austen herself.)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare: I'd say the book is about making choices, and the freedom that comes from doing the right thing even when you don't understand what's going on. And it has to do with contentment and waiting and hard work. I see my friend, who recommended the book, in the pages. It's the kind of thing she would like and live – and the kind of thing I would like and try to live. Kit grew up in the free, warm Atlantic equatorial islands. When her grandfather, who raised her, died, she decided to move in with her penpal aunt in New England. The Puritan atmosphere doesn't quite suit Kit, who looks for friends who share her sense of freedom. Life doesn't turn out quite how she imagines (through failure of imagination of consequences), but she means well. Her influence gently softens the community, but eventually she is still tried as a witch.
I recently read GK Chesterton's first novel, Napoleon of Notting Hill. It was a quick read, interesting and fast-paced. It follows the life and career of the most unique humorist of England, one Auberon Quin, who was elected by lottery the king of England according to the consummate democracy of his fictional future government. Auberon enjoys making people confounded and annoyed, by being himself completely ridiculous. I have a feeling that this would be an even less popular course in England than in America.
Young, Restless, and Reformed by Collin Hansen took a tour of the country to find out about this multi-rooted movement of 'young Calvinists.' He did a great job of filling pages with information about theology, denominations, organizations, authors, and what's so exciting to us about God's sovereignty. Grace, a consistent description of the world, a God worth worshiping – we have lots of answers, lots of paths that are bringing us to become part of the revival of Calvinism in the West. Why is God doing this? We wait to see.
Brave New Family by GK Chesterton is a compilation of many essays written about the Home and Family, about relationships between men and women and children. It is excellent, but I read it so long ago that I can't remember all that much about it.
The Man who was Thursday by GK Chesterton is a sort of allegorical tale about sovereignty and the war of the anarchists. It is filled with character sketches. The full impact of this book did not hit me until after I had read it and proceeded with life, when I began to encounter ideas and people frighteningly similar to those in this book. I think Chesterton based some of them off real people whom he had met as well. Hang in there for the end of the book. It will blow your mind.
Ekklesia, edited and compiled by Steve Atkerson of the New Testament Reformation Fellowship, is an exposition of the New Testament's descriptions of and instructions for the Church. Apart from the business model, consumer structure of traditional church meetings, the authors argue from the Bible for a more personal and interactive gathering in homes. There was very little in this book with which I could disagree. Not only was it informational, reading Ekklesia was also challenging and encouraging. The theology and exposition is spot on, well supported with biblical references. In an age when God is working in many hearts to produce a desire to engage in community and God-powered ministry, this is a good book for direction. An added bonus is that NTRF has not copyrighted Ekklesia, encouraging you to distribute portions to your friends or quote it in publications.
The Shack, by William Young, is a novel of a man dealing with the tragic death of his daughter and his feelings about God. He ends up spending a weekend with God, dealing with classic issues of the problem of pain and our acceptance of God's goodness despite what we feel. God is incarnate in three persons, with whom he has many vivid interactions and conversations. At the end of the story, he is left with more peace about God and the life he has experienced, but still does not have answers about what God expects of him. The story is written in a way that tempts you to believe it is based on a true history. At the end when I read the "making of" that told me it was only fiction, I was much relieved. There is enough truth in the philosophy and theology that I could not believe the book represented demonic activity (producing the supernatural things described). But there were also enough problematic elements (God as a girl wearing blue jeans) that I could not believe the events were truly from God. Realizing that the author used fiction to introduce his own thoughts on theology must allow for him to be mistaken yet in some areas. Most concerning are the indications that God would not send any of His creations to hell, because He loves 'all His children' – with an unbiblical definition of God's children. The semi-gnostic tendencies and references, including a conference with Sophia, the goddess of wisdom, provide insight into the background of Mr. Young. The book is not keen on the Bible or church, either. For a best seller, this book is a quick read and an interesting visit to theology. But God gave us the Bible as His personal revelation; don't substitute anything for it.
The Midnight Dancers is Regina Doman's fourth fairy tale novel. I don't know whether she was a rebel herself or consulted heavily with people who had been there, but all of her observations on motive and inner conflict resonated well with my observations, and actually explained things. Her main character is very human, torn between desires to be responsible and to be appreciated as an adult, between her love of freedom and her love of people. Midnight Dancers also shows the slippery slope of sacrificing even a little bit of discernment while justifying your freedom and pleasure. Like all of Mrs. Doman's books, I was entranced. However this edition, similar to Waking Rose, got pretty graphic and even too intense for my spirit to remain healthy. I skipped a few pages near the end. Fairy tales are fairly predictable in their endings, and this is no surprise. They all lived happily ever after.
Mark is a book that transports me immediately back in history. Full of action with little explanation, it is a biography of acts more than teachings, of impact rather than influences. Beginning with a scene straight from a screenplay, of a voice crying in the wilderness, climaxing with the compassionate passion of a good Man suffering in the place of others, and closing with a simple instruction to pass the story on, Mark is a book for the ages. Even though Jesus is the main character, the other characters are just as active and many are vivid personalities. Mark himself may even make a cameo in a humble role at Gethsemane. First to last this gospel is glorious.
It never ceases to amaze me how many facts are tucked into Genesis. Details of the lives and failings of men who lived so long ago surprise me with their human reality. Places and people, kings and battles, ancestries and inventions cover the pages. Of course Genesis begins with creation, establishing the understanding of matter, time, energy, life, marriage, science, music, farming, boats, rain, rainbows, government, justice, worship, sacrifice, truth, possession, family, and judgment. The generations are also sprinkled with hints of redemption and unwarranted preservation and forgiveness, of the second man supplanting the first. Read in light of the New Testament's references to this first book, Genesis is remarkably alive with parables and theology. My favorite part in this reading was the theme of changed lives.
Treason by Ann Coulter is a history book with a strong political bent. She documents how the Democratic Party is always cheering for and or supporting America's enemies. In the very least they have a record of opposing any efforts Americans make to defend themselves against enemies. She describes the myth of McCarthyism, pointing out that all those people whose lives McCarthy's trials (and just his influence) supposedly ruined were either open Communists or eventually found out to be Communists. And most of them enjoyed long, pleasant lives (not getting everything their way, but who does?). McCarthy, on the other hand, died young, at age 48. But Ann Coulter doesn't stop with the post World War II McCarthy. She goes on to discuss Vietnam, the Cold War, North Korea, and the War on Terrorism. History is dirty, and she both addresses some mature issues and references them to make jibes. But I appreciate the excessive documentation of the habit of Democrats to stand up on the side most opposed to America's interests. They used to call such blatant and effective acts "treason."
Medieval Iceland: Society, Sagas and Power by Jesse L. Byock (see full review)
Sphere by Michael Crichton (see full review)
Alien Intrusion by Gary Bates (see full review)
Godcast: Transforming Encounters with God; Bylines by Media Journalist and Pastor Dan Betzer (see full review)
Lady Susan by Jane Austen (To balance the post-election doldrums this week, I read Lady Susan, a complete short novel written by Jane Austen, the last on my list of her works to read. Consisting entirely of letters except for the last two or three pages (which summarizes both why the story could not be continued in letters and the fates of all the main characters). For my part I wish that the story had been developed more. I want to know the young Miss Frederica, and the smart Mr. Reginald de Courcy. Perhaps the value is in the art by which Miss Austen communicates so much leaving almost the whole unsaid. One feels that there is a whole story and world of events that Jane Austen knew but wouldn't share because she didn't have to. The worldview of the widow Lady Susan is summed up in her words from Letter 16, "Consideration and esteem as surely follow command of language, as admiration waits on beauty." She is a scandalous flirt and insufferable liar, scheming throughout the novel to acquire pleasure, money, and importance at the expense of all her relations, friends, and even her daughter. Jane Austen tends to end with her villains unpunished. They don't go to prison, or suffer a life-long illness or poverty or death. The world may scorn them, but generally they never cared what the world thought. We the good readers may pity the partners with whom they finish the tales, but the villains themselves will not wallow, we think, in self-pity for long, rather getting something for which they have always aimed. Lady Susan is a novel where, with the concise style, these patterns are readily exposed. Read Lady Susan. It's a light, funny story with a background romance. Characters are typically Jane Austen even if we see little of them. And the style makes a good template for understanding the rest of Jane Austen's beloved books.)
Dead Heat by Joel Rosenberg (see full review)
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver (There wasn't a lot of new Christian stuff in this book, but it was a good read and some challenging reminders. This book covers topics ranging from worry to service to worship to personal devotions. I love how the book draws everything together into the One Thing conclusion. Joanna invites you to join her journey of seeking a Mary Heart in a Martha World.) | {
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Wave of Innovation Occurs in the Fight Against COVID-19
From left: Vannessa Davis and Samuel Bates support the MGB Center for COVID Innovation's Diagnostic Accelerator.
With expertise that spans basic, translational and clinical research, Brigham clinicians and investigators have been working tirelessly to address the most urgent needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Brigham shut down most of its physical research labs from March through the beginning of June. But even during the shutdown, many labs continued their work remotely and new efforts began to better understand the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), and the nature of the pandemic itself, in order to develop treatment strategies against them.
"In mid-March, hundreds of Brigham investigators and laboratory staff quickly pivoted to contribute to COVID-19 research and addressing COVID-related problems," said Jacqueline Slavik, PhD, MSc, executive director of the Brigham Research Institute (BRI). "Within days, Brigham investigators were launching clinical trials, developing safer testing procedures and solving problems around personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages."
Throughout the pandemic, Brigham investigators continued to pursue and receive funding for COVID-19 research — including clinical studies for a variety of potential therapies — through government and industry grants.
"Thanks to incredible ingenuity, a strong foundation and a breadth of core resources, our research community remains remarkably successful at putting forward award-winning research proposals and conducting first-class research," said Paul Anderson, MD, PhD, chief academic officer and senior vice president of Research and Education. "As our research enterprise ramps up, these awards will become more important than ever, not only for individual research labs but also for the larger world as we continue to combat this pandemic."
A Wave of New Solutions for COVID-19
Anesthesiologist Greg Crosby wears a 3D-printed face shield. Photo credit: Jim Rathmell, MD
Clinicians and researchers from the Brigham have come together with colleagues from around the world to produce a wave of innovative solutions faster than ever before.
Some of the Brigham's advances in the fight against COVID-19 include:
Developing an innovative testing strategy to conserve PPE: A Brigham team developed the Brigham Protective Equipment for Clinical Test Environment and Diagnostics (B-PROTECTED) booth to preserve PPE and protect clinicians from COVID-19.
Creating in-house COVID-19 testing with results available within 24 hours: Brigham investigators implemented a rapid in-house test for COVID-19 patients who've been admitted to the Brigham but don't yet have a definitive diagnosis.
Designing new face shields to protect health care workers from infection: A team of clinicians at the Brigham worked with academic and industry partners to design and develop a new 3D-printed face shield that offers a number of advantages over traditional shields.
Developing new protective materials: The lab of Jeff Karp, PhD,is working on an extended-duration sanitizer and a nasal spray to form a shield that protects against inhaled pathogens and viruses.
Investigating a safer way to split ventilators: Pulmonary physicians and biomedical engineers have been working together to develop a system that can be built from off-the-shelf components to allow for patient-specific volume and pressure control when using a single ventilator for more than one patient.
Using sewage to map an outbreak: Physician-investigators Peter Chai, MD, and Tim Erickson, MD, both of the Division of Medical Toxicology, are working with collaborators to develop technology and a plan for sampling sewage in North Carolina and Boston. These samples may provide important clues about the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 over time.
Investigating connections during social distancing: The lab of Amar Dhand, MD, DPhil, of the Department of Neurology, is researching the connections between individuals and their social networks. The team is learning firsthand how to stay connected during the time of social distancing.
Developing a universal coronavirus vaccine: The lab of Thomas Kupper, MD, chair of the Department of Dermatology, is investigating a vaccine that may protect against COVID-19 along with past, current and future strains of coronavirus.
Shriya Srinivasan and colleagues are working on a safer way to split ventilators
"It's inspiring to see how highly collaborative the Brigham research community has been during this crisis," said Slavik. "Our research efforts have involved countless individuals from many academic institutions, the technology sector, industry and private companies — all of whom are working towards the common goal of mitigating COVID-19."
Clinical Studies to Understand, Treat and Prevent COVID-19
To better understand COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, investigators are working on a range of studies and trials. These include:
Remdesivir clinical trials: The Brigham is a clinical trial site for evaluating the antiviral medication remdesivir in patients with COVID-19.
Learning from patients who've recovered from COVID-19: The lab of Duane Wesemann, MD, PhD, of the Division of Immunology and Allergy, is testing blood samples from people who've recovered from infection. These samples will help the team learn more about rates of exposure, the types of antibodies an infection elicits and the degree of immunity recovered patients have against re-infection.
"The Brigham has also created a COVID-19 biorepository to collect an array of biospecimens from patients who are or have been COVID-positive," said Allison Moriarty, MPH, vice president of Research Administration and Compliance. "We believe this biorepository will be a key tool in helping us learn how to detect, treat and prevent COVID-19 in the future."
A New Center for COVID Innovation
To rapidly develop new innovations and protect frontline staff across the Mass General Brigham (MGB) community and beyond, colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Brigham research community launched the Mass General Brigham Center for COVID Innovation (MGBCCI) in March.
"The mission of the MGB Center for COVID Innovation is to organize and consolidate the rapid investigation and clinical deployment of devices, diagnostics, data, analytics and the therapeutics that MGH and the Brigham is generating to combat the COVID-19 crisis," center co-director said David Walt, PhD, a medical diagnostics researcher at the Brigham and Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering.
Investigators at the MGBCCI directly responded to, and continue to address, the most pressing needs that face health care workers — prototyping and testing new PPE, patient isolation hoods, alternative versions of respirators, face masks, face shields and nasal swabs.
Working groups within the MGBCCI have already identified and developed several new devices. They're exploring other potential solutions for problems related to the pandemic. These efforts include:
Improving surgical mask design: The surgical masks group identified design inputs and criteria that are being applied to the design of an "ideal" surgical mask to improve upon the current design.
Reusing ventilators: The ventilators team is investigating the potential disinfection and reuse of HME/HEPA ventilator filters. They're also working with software engineers to build a remote monitoring and alarm system for ventilators.
Replacing N95 respirators with novel devices: The N95 respirators team is exploring novel ideas for devices that could replace N95 respirators that aren't dependent on the filtration media supply chain. They also developed a way to repair 50,000 defective N95 respirators with New Balance.
"We're also working to identify a direct-to-consumer diagnostic test that could be used at home. When implemented, people can quarantine themselves if they are positive for COVID-19," said Walt. "These tests could help stem flare-ups of COVID-19 cases that will invariably happen when people return to work and reintegrate into society." | {
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Once again I am extremely grateful to previous guests for their kind reviews and am very happy to receive my Booking.com 2017 reviews award. It is gratifying to see that it has gone higher than the previous year to 9.6 and it gives me pleasure to see that visitors have really enjoyed their stay in Chez Mimi.
Wandering around the garden yesterday after a period of high winds and rain I was delighted to see the lovely signs of spring beginning to appear. Within a few days spots of colour are starting to show. There is a little group of purple crocuses or should I say croci appearing in my flowerbed that I redesigned last year. I was a little concerned that I may have lost some during the changes however, they are proving to be strong little plants. Other leaves are starting to shoot and I look forward to seeing what appears. I am happy to see that my honesty plants seem to have survived since they were planted from seed last season. At least I hope that is what they are! They were included in a lovely gift that involved my getting to see the Chelsea Flower Show (see a previous blog) last year.
As I write this I can see a myriad of different birds visiting the bird feeders. They are very greedy and the dough balls especially seem to last less than two days. It is not easy to find shelled peanuts here in France and as it is quite a task to sit and open them they become a rarer treat. The hens are scratching around in the new bark chippings that were purchased a few days ago and seem to have found favour with them.
Bookings are starting to come in for this season with some reservations for July and August already. The early birds have already bagged the period for the Tour de France, which is passing so close to us this year starting at the beautiful island of Noirmoutier and then travelling even nearer to Chez Mimi. All in all looks like the beginning of another busy year. Looking at information received from the tourist information offices in both Vendee and Loire Atlantique there are plenty of exciting things to do and see. I am determined to get back to the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes and have just been reading about a Japanese inspired park - Ile de Versailles - so that is on my itinerary too! There is always somewhere new to visit and favourite places to revisit. | {
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British grocery chain Waitrose has been forced to apologise after customers complained it was selling "racist" Easter eggs.
The confectionary in question came in the form of three chocolate ducks, including a milk chocolate one called "Crispy", a white chocolate one called "Fluffy", and a dark chocolate version called "Ugly".
However, customers have taken to social media to express their dismay of dark being associated with ugliness.
However, not everyone was quick to jump on the racism bandwagon, arguing the duck's name comes from Hans Christian Anderson's famous children's fable The Ugly Ducking.
While others simply thought the whole thing was a pointless beat-up.
For its part, Waitrose recalled the product and had it repackaged before returning it to shelves.
A spokesperson added: "We are very sorry for any upset caused by the name of this product, it was absolutely not our intention to cause any offence. | {
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Wisconsin Lutheran College's Center for Christian Leadership provides teaching, experiences, events, and mentors that help develop Christian servant leaders within our campus family and the community.
Learn more about the programs and events offered by the Center for Christian Leadership at Wisconsin Lutheran College. If you have questions, please contact Jeremy Bock, Executive Director of the Center for Christian Leadership, at 414.443.8935 or by email. | {
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Ranveer Singh to Live With Kapil Dev at His Delhi House For 10 Days Before Kabir Khan's '83 Goes on Floors
Ranveer Singh has decided to adopt the mannerisms and lifestyle of Kapil Dev for his role in Kabir Khan's '83. Therefore, he is going to live with the cricketer at his Delhi house.
Ranveer Singh and Kapil Dev (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/ @ranveersingh)
Actor Ranveer Singh is known to extend his efforts while preparing for his role in films. Before he begins shooting his next film – Kabir Khan's '83, the actor has decided to go deeper into the skin of his character. Ranveer will be living with legendary cricketer Kapil Dev at his house in Delhi for 10 days before he hops on to the sets in Mumbai and kick-starts shooting of the film.
The actor plays the role of former Indian skipper in the film and he is keen to completely adopt the mannerisms and lifestyle of the cricketer for his on-screen portrayal. Therefore, he and his team have designed a strategy so that he can take the most of this opportunity and reflects a mirror image of Kapil Dev in his film.
A report in DNA revealed the news and also quoted Ranveer mentioning he is very excited to spend some days with the cricketer at his place. He lived with Kapil in Dharamshala for two days while the latter taught him some lessons of cricket including how to perfect the technique of Natraj shot. Ranveer was quoted by the daily saying, "I'm looking forward to spending more time with Kapil sir. He is kind, generous, warm and funny. I had a memorable two days with him in Dharamshala. I'm going to spend more time with him in Delhi to learn more about him." The actor added that it's the first kind of experience for him considering he never went on to the extent of living with someone as part of his homework for a role. He said, "It's a first-of-its-kind exercise in my acting process where I'll be studying the man himself in the flesh for my onscreen portrayal of him. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to learn about life from a true legend."
While preparing for his character in Padmaavat, Ranveer reportedly locked himself in a room for three months. As revealed by his team to the media, the actor completely shut himself from the outside world for three months and was only available for his parents on phone in the weekend. He also started living in the dark and watching crimes of tyrants.
While living with someone he is playing on-screen might be new for Ranveer, it's quite a trend these days. Actors today leave no stone unturned in preparing for their characters and that's the reason even Ranbir Kapoor put in a lot of hardwork while stepping into the shoes of actor Sanjay Dutt during Sanju. Ranbir lived with Baba for a few days to polish his stance as he played the reel-life Sanjay Dutt in the Rajkumar Hirani film.
'83Kapil DevRanveer Singh | {
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(a) Reference time refers to reporting points in a 2-hour wide time zone band around the local time where a crew member is acclimatised.
(b) Example: A crew member is acclimatised to the local time in Helsinki and reports for duty in London. The reference time is the local time in London.
If i'm acclimatised to Cologne/Bonn time, i fly to Bucharest. Full rest, then report for flight back to Cologne/Bonn.
If I use Cologne Time which is within 2 time zones, departing at 1820 Cologne LT, 1920 Bucarest time, what is my max extended FDP for 2 sectors?
11h20 or no extension allowed in table?
Why would you talk about 2 time zones if i have to use local time at reporting point anyway? Something must be wrong in the wording of the definition!
Since the crew member has remained in a timezone band +/- 2 hours, the crew member is in an acclimated state.
Whenever a crewmember is is an acclimated state, the reference time is the time of report.
The basic FDP limits from table 2 are applied using reference time (1920 Bucarest time).
For two sectors, the basic limit is 11:00 (just a note the same value would come if you used 1820 Cologne LT).
The basic limit may be extended under ORO.FTL.205 (d) scheduled extensions without inflight rest.
Under this provision the scheduled FDP may have a scheduled extension of 1:00, in your case to 12:00.
You must meet the conditions under sub sections (1)(i) or (1)(ii), as well as sub sections (2) (3) (4) and (5).
Further the Commander may extend the FDP beyond the basic limitations by up to 2:00 un-augmented as provided in ORO.FTL.205.(f). In your case the basic FDP may be extended to 13:00.
In short before takeoff, unless the FDP has been extended under 205(f) or 205(d), the fdp should end no later than 04:50 Cologne time.
Under 205(d) the FDP should no later than 05:50 Cologne time, and finally under 205(f) the FDP should end no later than 07:50 Cologne time.
The two hour with time zone band is for determination as to whether a crew needs to undergo acclimatisation.
When a crew member exits the two hour wide band, the acclimatization state is determined using table 1, ORO.FTL.105(1).
I hope this helps you in understanding the regulations.
As I have stated many times, I am not with the EASA or any regulatory agency, nor am I with any airline, so my opinions may differ and/or may be incomplete. | {
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AuroraDonatien . JoannaHart. Manoellaa. ElinaDaffodil.
WildMonikaHoTAnDSexiiMaNTsAmorFakarhatDiamondRoseX .MarianaCoxDiamondRoseXAlibirDIGITALCYN .vaughn001DIGITALCYNJhonyBigTongueAnieStar .ImportantDickGuySalomeYJhonFellMeallSexyFulgencio .OrabellaDIGITALCYNthebigbadboy90SensualAss7 .KayLeeMiamorRoughDrillerNinaSilverWebSexting .KirtonSensualAss7MILFvsGuyyLadyandtheGent .DiamondRoseXCliveHunterPAMPITAAOrabella .MarianaCox2TIOSMORBOshygirl12COCKTAILwdRENATA .Ariel11KirtonBIANCAbigTITSFellMeall .KayLeeMiamorXDirtyBlondJualsexJualsex .
sexysilvanaaaBIANCAbigTITSshygirl12Adamdelicious .KayLeeMiamorblondsexy28selfupradeLovelyDaniel .SalomeYJhonBIANCAbigTITSItsLikeaTwinkieshygirl12 .AmyOneStephSquirt69PAMPITAAPAMPITAA .sexysilvanaaaCOCKTAILwdRENATAStephSquirt69Orabella .LovelyDanielKayLeeMiamorJaniceZoeyLoisLovely .l0velyLINDAKayLeeMiamorKetrinnBeckyYu .thebigbadboy90StephSquirt69blondsexy28AlexSTWEARD .witNwildSHEMALEManoellaaCOCKTAILwdRENATAtwolgirlonetrans .FellMeallSexyFulgencioElinaDaffodilSensualAss7 .AlexSTWEARDStephSquirt69BellaRozeDianaFateX . | {
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The specific flaw exists within BeginPreRead processing. When handling malformed 0x7f77 type fields, it is possible for an attacker to force a stack-based buffer overflow. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the process. | {
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Home › Ultimate Support JamStands JS-MS70 Adjustable Monitor Stands (Pair)
Ultimate Support JamStands JS-MS70 Adjustable Monitor Stands (Pair)
ULTI-JSMS70
Available for immediate shipment and pick-up from our Jamaica, New York location. In-store pick-up is available Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
If you're just starting out and have smaller studio monitors that you'd like to set on stands, the JS-MS70 is the perfect solution for you! The stable low-profile base can easily be positioned into tight spaces and includes both leveling floor spikes for carpeted areas and rubber feet for hard wo... Read More
Retail Price: $99.99 Our Price: $79.99
If you're just starting out and have smaller studio monitors that you'd like to set on stands, the JS-MS70 is the perfect solution for you! The stable low-profile base can easily be positioned into tight spaces and includes both leveling floor spikes for carpeted areas and rubber feet for hard wood and tile surfaces. The JS-MS70 has four heights from 32.5" to 44.25" and can be securely locked into place with the included locking pin
Height-adjustable stand for studio monitors
Locking pin ensures stable and accurate height positions
Leveling floor spikes and rubber feet included
Low-profile base can be easily positioned into tight spaces
Product Name JS-MS70
Locking Heights 32.25", 36.25, 40.25", 44.25" (819mm, 1022mm, 1124mm)
Platform Dimensions 9" x 9" (229mm x 229mm)
Base Dimensions 17.25" x 17.25" x 17.25" (438mm x 438mm x 438mm)
Weight 8.4 lbs. (3.8 kg) | {
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Em segurança de computadores , "execução arbitrária de código" é usado para descrever a capacidade de um invasor execute qualquer comando de escolha do atacante em uma máquina de destino ou num processo de destino. É comumente usado em vulnerabilidade de execução de código arbitrário para descrever um bug de software que dá a um invasor uma maneira de executar código arbitrário. Um programa que é projetado para explorar uma vulnerabilidade tal é chamado de exploit de execução de código arbitrário . A maioria dessas vulnerabilidades permite a execução de código de máquina e a maioria dos exploits injeta e executa shellcode para dar a um invasor uma maneira fácil de executar comandos arbitrários manualmente.
Embora a execução de código arbitrário seja mais frequentemente usada para injetar código em um sistema em funcionamento, o processo também foi demonstrado por entusiastas de codificação para permitir que o usuário escreva código próprio em linguagens como montagem , usando o próprio sistema para criar e ativar o código. Produzidos. Em particular, um usuário conseguiu codificar e criar uma versão primitiva do jogo Pong em uma cópia do Super Mario World usando a execução de código arbitrário.
É o efeito mais poderoso que um bug pode ter, porque permite que um invasor assuma completamente o processo vulnerável. A partir daí, o atacante pode assumir o controle total sobre a máquina em que o processo está sendo executado. As vulnerabilidades de execução de código arbitrário são comumente exploradas por malware para serem executadas em um computador sem o consentimento do proprietário ou por um proprietário para executar o software homebrew em um dispositivo sem o consentimento do fabricante.
Execução de código arbitrário é comumente obtida através de controle sobre o ponteiro de instrução (como um salto ou um ramo ) de um processo em execução . O ponteiro de instrução aponta para a próxima instrução no processo que será executado. O controle sobre o valor do ponteiro de instrução, portanto, dá controle sobre qual instrução é executada em seguida. Para executar código arbitrário, muitas explorações injetam código no processo (por exemplo, enviando entrada para ele que é armazenado em um buffer de entrada na RAM ) e usam uma vulnerabilidade para alterar o ponteiro de instrução para que ele aponte para o código injetado. O código injetado será executado automaticamente. Esse tipo de ataque explora o fato de que a maioria dos computadores não faz uma distinção geral entre código e dados, de modo que o código mal-intencionado pode ser camuflado como dados de entrada inofensivos. Muitos CPUs mais recentes têm mecanismos para tornar isso mais difícil, como um bit não-executar .
Uma vez que o invasor pode executar código arbitrário diretamente no sistema operacional, muitas vezes há uma tentativa de um exploit de escalonamento de privilégios para obter controle adicional. Isso pode envolver o próprio kernel ou uma conta como Administrador, SISTEMA ou raiz. Com ou sem esse controle aprimorado, os exploits têm o potencial de causar sérios danos ou transformar o computador em um zumbi - mas o escalonamento de privilégios ajuda a ocultar o ataque do administrador legítimo do sistema. Uma execução arbitrária de código remoto com vulnerabilidade de escalonamento de privilégios em software amplamente implantado é, portanto, o sub-tipo de vulnerabilidade mais poderoso de todos eles. Se os bugs deste tipo tornam-se conhecidos, correções são geralmente disponibilizadas dentro de algumas horas.
Muitos wordpress ou outros sites do CMS são vulneráveis a ataques de injeção de código remotos. A vulnerabilidade geralmente é introduzida por plugins de terceiros.
Segurança da informação
Falhas em segurança de computadores | {
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Across The Leagues
Ben Martin, Wednesday, July 6th, 2011. Comments offContact the author
Swan veteran racks up 250 games
Luke Riches, centre, played his 250th game with Alvie at the weekend. He is pictured with his daughter Lulu and son Alfie.
ALVIE midfielders Liam McGuane and Danny Allan were just out of prams when team-mate Luke Riches made his senior debut.
Riches, 34, stands out these days in Alvie's predominantly young list, and reaching the 250-game milestone at the weekend is something few of his team-mates have done.
After playing his first senior game for Camperdown in 1995, where he played in junior and reserve premierships, Riches moved to Warrion to work on his uncle Tim McCarthy's dairy farm.
"My uncle Tim McCarthy was a born-and-bred Alvie man, I'd moved to Shepparton to study ag science and he got me over the holidays to come down and milk the cows," Riches said.
"I've been doing that ever since and got involved with Alvie footy club around then – that was in 1997," he said.
Riches played in Alvie's breakthrough premiership three years later after two consecutive failed attempts, defeating Lorne 13.6 (84) to 10.17 (77) under John Henry.
Riches has played a consistent role in the Swans' midfield ever since, taking out club best and fairest awards in 2002 and '04 as well as captaining the side for four years.
"The grand final – that was great, that and my two club best and fairests were pretty big highlights for me," he said.
Riches has played alongside some of the best players in Colac district football including Paul Cass, Luke McLennan, Michael "Spike" Parker and Michael "Dallas" O'Brien, but rated former Swan and 2010 Jack Mahoney medallist Andrew Kelly as the best onballer he'd seen in Colac district football.
These days it's rare for a footballer to play 250 games at one club, and it's a milestone the veteran holds in high regard.
"I'd hoped I'd make it that far, I guess I've been pretty lucky with injury up until four or five years ago when I had to have a knee reconstruction," Riches said.
"Alvie's a good family club, I went there because of my uncle and I've got a young family of my own now with kids Lulu and Alfie. The club's pretty supportive," he said.
Key Bomber to miss rest of the season
Bomber Brad Gore will miss the rest of Irrewarra-Beeac's campaign after breaking his leg.
by Aidan Fawkes
A BROKEN leg and a premature end to season 2011 weren't what Brad Gore had in mind for a 21st birthday present.
The hard-nosed Irrewarra-Beeac midfielder will miss the rest of the Bombers' campaign after breaking his left leg against Western Eagles.
The horrific incident came hours before he celebrated his 21st birthday at Colac pool room Straight Shooters.
But Gore still managed to make his own party, despite it being a lower-key affair than he initially hoped.
"It was a good night. I was able to hop around a bit and have a dance," he said.
"I had to lay off the beers, I had a few painkillers. I had a pretty good night."
Gore had received a handball out of a pack in the second quarter at Irrewarra Recreation Reserve when his stellar season came to a crashing halt.
"As I was going to kick on my right foot, the Western Eagles player tried to smother me and rolled through my left leg," Gore said.
"The pain wasn't too bad. I thought I'd just done ligaments. When he came through I heard a fair few loud cracks," he said.
"My first thought was it was my 21st that night and I was a bit worried I wasn't going to attend that."
Gore said X-rays at Colac Area Health about an hour after the incident revealed he had broken the leg.
His first major football injury will have him sidelined for at least six weeks, but more likely eight to 10 weeks with physiotherapy.
"I don't think I'll be playing football again this year, which is a bit shattering," Gore said.
The injury is a major blow to Irrewarra-Beeac's premiership aspirations.
The 20-year-old – he turns 21 on Friday – has been one of the Bombers' best taking on more responsibility with Dan Casey, David Dunne and Luke Vickers out of last year's premiership team.
Gore said the departures had paved the way for the likes of Luke Hillman and Josh Armstrong to play senior football.
He said a premiership in 2011 would be the most special of a possible Bombers' four-peat.
"If we were to make the grand final, it'd be a sweet one to win because we're more of the underdogs this year," he said.
"I wouldn't write us off yet, so to speak. We've got as good a chance as anyone else."
Is Ash McLachlan the unluckiest teenage footballer?
Western Eagle Ash McLachlan was in good spirits this week despite suffering his second major knee injury.
WESTERN Eagles ruckman Ash McLachlan could be one of the unluckiest teenagers in Colac district football.
At just 17 years old, the young Eagle has suffered his second major knee injury in his side's loss to Irrewarra-Beeac at Irrewarra Recreation Reserve.
McLachlan received a knock to his left knee in the first quarter and was unable to return to the field.
"It was in a marking contest, I must have copped a knock to the outside of the knee as I came down," he said.
"I was in a fair bit of pain, I hobbled off to the bench where I had it strapped with a bit of deep heat.
"I was doing some sprints hoping to come back on but as I was doing some bounds it made a cracking noise and collapsed under me."
Saturday's injury came more than two years since McLachlan ruptured ligaments in his right knee requiring a full knee reconstruction which kept him sidelined for the entire season 2009.
He recovered to return for the first round of 2010, and built up enough strength to play his first game of senior football as well as a host of games alongside his father and Eagles veteran Tony McLachlan.
But Ash said his latest injury was not as severe as his first.
"This time it has recovered a lot quicker and I'm walking on it a bit sooner, which is promising," he said.
He will visit a physio on Friday with the best-case scenario a contusion to the knee which would keep him sidelined for just two weeks.
The worst-case scenario would involve an arthroscopy to clean out damaged meniscus cartilage, requiring a recovery period of up to six weeks.
McLachlan, a Trinity College Year 12 student, said the injury was "definitely" disappointing at a time when the Eagles were enjoying a boost of confidence sparked from their win against Apollo Bay two weeks ago.
The win was also the final senior clash for McLachlan's father Tony.
"It was an awesome feeling to get the win," Ash said.
"We're all improving and we're starting to bond together, so it's a pity I'm going to miss a few weeks," he said.
Buchanan brothers battle in Queensland
YOUNGER brother Micah has taken the honours against AFL player Amon in a "Battle of the Buchanans" played out almost 2000 kilometres from home.
The Colac football exports are plying their trades in the North East Australian Football League – Micah for Aspley and Amon for Brisbane Lions' reserves.
They came face to face on the field for the first time this season on Saturday, with Aspley taking the honours 21.11 (137) to 13.11 (89) at its Graham Road headquarters.
Micah booted three goals, all in the first half as Aspley raced to a 40-point lead, while Amon was among the better players for the losers and kicked a goal.
The two played on each other for the first quarter, with Amon attempting to shut down his dangerous brother.
The Buchanans' father Tom and mother Ann ventured north for the match and Mr Buchanan said the match was a good spectacle.
"It was pretty exciting. I've watched a lot of footy over the years but I enjoyed the game," he said.
"It was a special occasion for Aspley, it was their gala dinner. They hadn't won four games in a row since they started the league.
"They knew it'd be a long haul because it's a pretty strong comp."
Mr Buchanan said Micah would be close to leading the best and fairest award for the NEAFL's northern conference – for Queensland and Northern Territory teams.
He said Amon, a former Sydney premiership player, was "a bit frustrated" not playing in the Lions' seniors in the AFL, with blooding young footballers a priority.
"He's working hard in the twos. The week before he had 47 touches and 26 clearances and still didn't get a berth," he said.
"He's got to keep his head down and bum up and work hard."
Micah and another Colac export, James Linton, are studying naturopathy in Brisbane and playing football for Aspley.
The youngest Buchanan brother, Callum, is working as a barista and was solid in Aspley's reserves' massive win against Labrador.
Another former Colac Tiger, Marcus Crook plays in the NEAFL's eastern conference, for Canberra-based club Ainslie.
Bay shooter receives all clear
by Lachlan Cowlishaw
DOCTORS have given Apollo Bay goaler Jodie Bertrand the all clear after she sustained a sickening head injury against Simpson.
Bertrand travelled to Geelong yesterday to receive news that scans had cleared her of head fractures.
The Hawks star was contesting a lobbed pass early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's clash when she tripped and fell backwards, putting her in hospital.
"I was just going back for the ball and landed on my bottom and flicked the head back – I hit the ground pretty hard," Bertrand said.
"It was pretty painful and I felt the back of my head and felt a dint there," she said.
"The ambulance took me to the Apollo Bay hospital and the doctor there had a bit of a feel of my head and said it was quite soft and there was some bruising and swelling.
"He thought it was a good idea to go to Geelong and get the scans done and make sure there were no fractures."
Bertrand has netted 242 goals for the Hawks this season and sits second in competition goal scoring.
She said she would take time off work to rest and recover and expected to miss Saturday's clash against Forrest.
Shoulder injury denies Bomber a Victorian berth
A SHOULDER injury will keep Irrewarra-Beeac coach Khan Beckett from representing the Victorian Country Football League on Saturday.
Beckett was one of three Colac district footballers, along with South Colac assistant coach Clay Brewer and spearhead Ben Cox, who attended the final training session at Albert Park to select a VCFL Two squad to take on the Victorian Amateur Football League.
Selectors picked ruckman Brewer, who has played in the team the past two years, as an emergency.
But coach John Cossar said selectors did not want to risk Beckett's shoulder for the one-off match.
"Khan was ruled out because of the injury which was extremely unfortunate, he would have made the team but we didn't want him to further injure himself in the match," he said.
"Clay will be our emergency, which was just a team balance thing."
Beckett and Brewer both represented the team at the 2010 Australian Country Football Championships, which are every second year.
But Cossar said that just "three or four" players from last year's list had made the squad this season.
"The side is comparable to previous years, we just wanted to have a look at a few more players," he said.
"It's important we have a win this weekend, but we're keeping our eye on the bigger picture and having a look at a few more players before the championships come around again next year."
The good news for South Colac is that Brewer and Cox will be available for selection in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Birregurra.
Roos coach Stephen Hammond, who is an assistant coach with the VCFL One squad, will miss the clash.
Former Alvie gun dominating for Maldon
FORMER Alvie superboot Christian Kelly is continuing to do what he does best – kick goals.
The Maldon full forward, playing in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League, booted 16 of them in the Bombers' 211-point demolition of Royal Park at the weekend.
The tally was the equal-highest across country Victoria.
Maldon won 35.22 (232) to 3.3 (21) at Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve, its home ground.
Kelly leads the league goal kicking with 70 goals at an average of seven a game.
But the Maldon coaching staff are harsh markers – he has only been in the Bombers' best three times from 10 matches.
Maldon is the defending MCDFL premier and shares top spot with Lexton, with both sides having nine wins and a loss. Navarre is a game further back.
Falcons back on winners' list
GEELONG Falcons are rejoicing after a convincing win against the Northern Knights.
The Falcons defeated the Knights 19.12 (126) to 12.10 (82) in the under-18 TAC Cup at Preston City Oval in Melbourne's north.
The win came after a disappointing loss last weekend and suggests the Falcons' season is back on track.
Colac's Ryan Monaghan, Camperdown's Fraser Lucas and Colac's Meyrick Buchanan all displayed impressive performances.
Monaghan racked up 23 disposals, Buchanan collected 36 and kicked two goals while Lucas had 26 touches.
The Falcons were up by five points at quarter time, kicking four goals to three in a closely contested first quarter.
They then clicked into gear, kicking seven goals to one in the second term.
This was a defining period in the match, given the teams were evenly matched in the second half.
This win advances the Falcons into fourth spot and provides an injection of confidence going into this weekend's game against in-form Calder Cannons at Skilled Stadium.
Colac boundary umpire Kris Marshall will make his TAC Cup umpiring debut at the clash.
Victoria Country set for rivalry clash
Vic Country is preparing for a highly-anticipated clash with interstate rival Vic Metro today, and two Colac district footballers will be on the team.
The teams meet at Etihad Stadium for the first time in NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with Metro yet to suffer defeat.
Vic Country, featuring Camperdown's Sam Gordon and Cobden's Jackson Merrett, is coming off a confidence-boosting win against Western Australia on Friday.
Vic Country dominated WA in the second, third and fourth quarters clocking a final score of 12.13 (85) to 5.6 (36).
Gordon and Merrett played their part in the victory with a total of 17 disposals and five marks between them.
Vic Country could claim top spot on the ladder in Division One with a win today.
Tags: Football, Netball | {
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Shinder Purewal is Professor of Political Science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Liberals or NDP or does Weaver play it one issue at a time?
In 1952 a Single Transferable Vote experiment by the provincial Liberals and Conservatives resulted in a minority government. They were trying to block the social democratic Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) political party, but ended up losing to W.A.C. Bennett's new Social Credit Party. They ruled for the next four decades, except for a brief period, 1972 to 1975, when Dave Barrett's NDP formed government. To get a sense of what happened on May 9th, we spoke with Professor Shinder Purewal, a Political Science teacher at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey.
Purewal said the second issue that a referendum might resolve is to block the role of big money in politics, both big business and trade unions.
Professor Purewal characterizes Green leader, Dr. Andrew Weaver, as an intelligent person who must know the art of compromise, something politics is all about.
Purewal felt that the election result was also attributable to a lack of confidence in Christy Clark.
The revelation that Clark was taking $50,000 from those donations on top of her $191,000 salary didn't sit well with the electorate.
Purewal said that if the party wants to replace Clark, they're in the dilemma of a minority situation: you never know when the election will come. Remember in 1979 when Joe Clark won the minority government, Trudeau resigned and there was a Liberal leadership convention underway. Then the Joe Clark government fell, and caught the Liberals without a leader. They had to beg Trudeau to come back, he agreed for one more term, but when he got a majority government he carried on and it was during that period that he repatriated the constitution and brought in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Having to face an election without a leader is a scenario that nobody wants to see. | {
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Review: A Look at the Diamondback Sidekick 22
Diamondback's new rimfire Sidekick, a nine-shot, single and double-action rimfire revolver with a swing-out, interchangeable cylinder, certainly is interesting.
Set to start shipping later this month, we have been looking at the Sidekick up close for the past couple of weeks. First off, the specs and stats.
The Sidekick is initially offered with a 4.5-inch barrel having a 1:16 RH twist and six-groove rifling. The alloy-framed revolver weighs in at 32.5 ounces and has an overall length of 9.875 inches. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The Sidekick gets its name from its swing-out cylinder, which belays the impression it gives as just another rimfire clone of the old Single Action Army. Despite the styling, it is a DA/SA revolver with a star-extractor in the cylinder.
It comes chambered in .22 rimfire and includes both .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders, each capable of holding nine rounds.
Note the cutout in the cylinder to accommodate the rimfire firing pin, making the gun safe to dry fire.
The cylinders swap out easily by depressing the release plunger, inside the port on the front of the frame, with a small screwdriver or punch then lifting the empty cylinder assembly out and inserting the other.
Note the hammer block that prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin when at rest.
The faux ejector rod assembly is spring-loaded, but only in the respect that it can be used to release the cylinder. You can also pull out the knurled knob at the end of the cylinder to release it, akin to an old-school Colt Detective. The cylinder itself has an integral star extractor that works very well in our tests.
Sights are rudimentary, with a notch groove to the rear and a fixed front blade. This is a plinker, not an Olympic competition gun.
The Sidekick is black-on-black, with a thick Cerakote finish.
The gun wears branded checkered glass-filled nylon grips, and it is not clear if you can replace them with, say, those used on the Ruger Wrangler or Single-Six, although the pattern looks similar.
The trigger is seriously heavy and exceedingly long in double action, running around 14-15 pounds (our trigger pull scale didn't go high enough to read it accurately). About the closest thing I can compare it to is the DAO trigger on a British Enfield No. 2 Mk. 1* "Tanker" or a Russian M1895 Nagant revolver. In single action, it breaks cleanly at around 3.5 pounds.
Double Action:
Single Action:
So far, we have run a 333-round box of Winchester's 36-grain copper-plated hollow-point bulk pack through the little Sidekick in .22 LR and it has proved both accurate and dependable, with two rounds failing to fire likely due to issues with the ammo rather than the gun as they had nice hard strikes on the rim.
The MSRP on the Sidekick is $320, which will likely put it under the $299 mark or less. Release is currently set for Nov. 22, just in time for Christmas. At that price, it will likely prove popular as both a plinker and for use in pest control around the ponderosa.
The new Diamondback reminds me a bit of the old H&R (NEF) 929 Sidekick, a neat little 9-shot DA/SA .22LR with a 4-inch barrel that ended production over 20 years ago. As that gun had an MSRP in 1999 of $175, which works out to about $290 in today's dollars, that is about right. Plus the 929 didn't have a .22 Mag cylinder included.
Stay tuned for a more extensive review as we continue to hit the range with this interesting revolver. | {
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Кабинет Таиланда, или Совет Министров Таиланда (), — высший исполнительный и распорядительный орган государственного управления Таиланда. Кабинет состоит из тридцати пяти высокопоставленных членов правительства Королевства Таиланд. Кабинет министров является основным органом исполнительной власти правительство Таиланда. Члены кабинета назначаются Премьер-министром, официально их назначает Король Таиланда. Кабинет министров работает под председательством Премьер-министра Таиланда.
История
С 1782 года и до Сиамской революции 1932 года страной правила королевская династия Чакри. 15 апреля 1874 года Король Чулалонгкорн создал королевский Тайный Совет () (существует до сих пор), который состоял из 49 принцев и чиновников. Короли Сиама осуществляли свои полномочия через Тайный Совет.
14 июля 1925 года Король Праджадхипока сформировал Высший Государственный Совет Сиама (), состоящий из 5 старших принцев (все его братья), который был призван оказывать Королю помощь в управлении страной. Однако после революции в 1932 году этот Совет был распущен. По новой Конституции в стране был создан прямой предшественник нынешнего кабинета, получивший название: Народный Комитет Сиама (). Народный комитет возглавлял его президент. Тайный совет с тех пор стал королевским консультативным советом.
С принятием Конституции название комитета было изменено на "Совет Министров". Его председатель стал Премьер-министром. Первый Кабинет министров Таиланда возглавил Манопхакон Нититхада. Все правительственные ведомства и учреждения были переданы в его управление. Нынешний кабинет министров с 24 августа 2014 года возглавляет премьер-министр Прают Чан-Оча.
Государственные министры
Квалификация
В соответствии с Конституцией Таиланда 2007 года Кабмин может состоять из менее 35 членов. Члены кабинета, в отличие от премьер-министра, не могут быть членами Палаты представителей. Для того чтобы быть министром человек должен соответствовать следующим квалификациям:
Быть тайцем по национальности.
Иметь возраст более 35 лет.
Иметь высшее образование не ниже степени бакалавра.
Не быть членом Сената.
Человек должен не быть наркозависимым, банкротом, не может быть монахом или членом духовенства, не должен иметь психические отклонения, не может быть под следствием или иметь судимость, не должен быть членом судебных органов и др.
Государственные министры теоретически назначаются на должность Королем, однако на самом деле они назначаются королем по рекомендации премьер-министра страны. Перед вступлением в должность министр должен дать Королю торжественную клятву: "Я, ... торжественно заявляю, что буду предан его величеству Королю, буду выполнять мои обязанности в интересах страны и народа. Я обязуюсь сохранять и соблюдать Конституцию Королевства Таиланд."
Обязанности
По Конституции Таиланда 2007 года Кабинет министров получил название "Совет Министров". Согласно Конституции, Кабинет министров должен быть в течение пятнадцати дней после избрания приведен к присяге в Национальная ассамблея Таиланда.
Каждый министр несет ответственность за свои действия и действия своего ведомства и, следовательно, подотчётен национальному собранию. Таким образом, Ассамблея может заставить министра объяснять свои действия. Палата представителей и Сенат могут снять любого министра с должности путем вынесения ему вотума недоверия. Министр также может быть снят с должности королем по предложению премьер-министра страны.
Функции Кабинета
Будучи органом исполнительной власти, Кабинет министров несет полную ответственность за управление правительственными учреждениями и ведомствами. Он является основным учреждением по разработке политики во всех областях политики и управления. Кабмин может созвать заседание Национального собрания для рассмотрения важных законопроектов, может провести национальный референдум.
Члены Кабмин несут коллективную ответственность за принимаемые решения. Кабинет уходит в отставку только в полном составе. Лидер оппозиции может создать собственный Кабинет или теневой Кабинет министров Таиланда.
Согласно ст.218 Конституции, в правовой системе Таиланда существует институт срочного законодательства. В целях национальной общественной или экономической безопасности Король, по представлению Совета министров может принять чрезвычайный декрет, который будет иметь силу закона.
Кабинет министров
Состав кабинета министров состоянием на 23 ноября 2017
См. также
Король Таиланда
Примечания
Ссылки
Официальный сайт
Thai Government - Cabinet Announcement
Additional Members of the Cabinet
BBC - Thai post-coup cabinet sworn in
Государственное устройство Таиланда
Государственное устройство Таиланда
Правительства по странам
Политика Таиланда | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaWikipedia"
} |
Partner, B.Eng. Chem., M.Sc. Industrial & Systems Eng.
Partner, LLB, Spclst. Dipl. Mol. Biotech.
Partner, B.A. Chem., M.Sc. Biotech.
Senior Associate, B.Sc. Mech. Eng.
Senior Associate, Dipl.-Ing. (Elektrotechnik), Dipl.-Math.
Senior Associate, B.Sc. Chem. Eng.
Senior Associate, M.Eng. MSE, M.Sc. Adv. Mat.
Associate, B.Sc. Eng. & Comp. Sci.
Technikexperte, B.Sc. Biol. / Chem., M.Sc. Biol.
Technikexperte, B.Sc. Elec. & Radio Eng. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
Adam Driver talks Star Wars: Episode VII and the humanity of the saga.
There was never a time where someone sat me down and was like, "People are going to do this or say this or ask this." They never had that conversation with me. Instead, they kind of trusted that I wouldn't say anything. I'm one of those crazy people, if I'm watching the trailer for a movie and I'm really excited by it, I'll turn it off because I don't want to know anything. I want to be surprised because I love that more than knowing anything. I don't think they felt the need to tell me [to stay quiet].
I haven't seen him. I don't know.
How great is that to get to work on something that has so much humanity in the midst of it? I feel like that's everyone's goal, to balance those two. Again, surreal seems to be the word of this interview. It's exciting to get that to be part of your life. Now you have to contribute something to it—and that's not something you, personally, or anyone on set takes lightly. I feel like everybody wants to make it good.
Head over to EW and read the full interview. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
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"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
My wife's sister and niece came up to Seattle for a visit.. we were so sad when she left that we had to console ourselves with Mexican food.
...and what goes with Mexican food kids???
Negra Modelo (with a shot of Patron).
Is she holding a glass of melted butter? | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
PM Narendra Modi to attend 16th ASEAN-India summit in Singapore today
India, China hold 9th Annual Defence & Security Dialogue after one-year gap
At the talks both sides agreed on enhancing defence exchanges and interactions at different levels between the two militaries, a press release by the Indian Embassy here said on Thursday
Press Trust of India | Beijing Last Updated at November 15, 2018 12:11 IST
https://mybs.in/2VrWU32
Solution lies in dialogue, not disputes: Sitharaman on Indo-China relations
India and China: A new phase?
Despite 'Wuhan spirit', India still guarding border with China: Sitharaman
A China-India-Pakistan trilateral: Both a red herring and wake-up call
Top officials of India and China held the ninth Annual Defence and Security Dialogue here after a one-year gap due to the Doklam standoff, as both countries agreed to enhance military exchanges and interactions.
The dialogue on November 13 was held between the two defence delegations headed by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and China's Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.
At the talks both sides agreed on enhancing defence exchanges and interactions at different levels between the two militaries, a press release by the Indian Embassy here said on Thursday.
After the talks, Mitra called on Chinese State Councillor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe on Wednesday, the release said.
Mitra was accompanied by senior officials of the ministry of defence and Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
The annual dialogue did not take place last year following the 73-day tense standoff between the two militaries at Doklam, which was triggered by the Chinese PLA's plan to build a road close to the narrow Chicken's Neck corridor connecting India's northeastern states in an area also claimed by Bhutan besides China.
ALSO READ: India, China sent highest number of students to American institutions:report
The standoff ended when Chinese troops stopped the road construction after which both countries stepped up efforts to normalise relations leading to the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan in April this year.
The defence dialogue was also held ahead of the 21st round of border talks between the Special Representatives of the two countries in the Chinese city of Dujiangyan on November 23-24.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi are the designated Special Representatives for the border talks.
Besides efforts to work out a solution to resolve the boundary dispute spanning 3,488 km, the border talks also focussed on discussions on other aspects of India-China relations.
Also, the two militaries are due to hold the annual 'Hand-in-Hand' drills next month in China after a gap of one year.
During the dialogue, both sides also agreed on specific defence exchanges for 2019.
ALSO READ: Iran oil waivers: How India, China are lining up after US exemptions
"Both sides agreed to enhance exchanges and interactions through reciprocal high-level visits between the two ministries of defence as well as between military commands, joint training exercises, mutual visits by defence personnel including mid-level and cadet officers were also agreed upon," the Indian Embassy's press release said.
Both sides reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas, implementing the consensus reached between Modi and Xi and specific additional confidence-building measures at the operational level, it said.
The two sides also had an exchange of views on regional and global issues.
"Both sides underlined the importance of this dialogue as an important mechanism between the two countries for consultations on defence and security matters. They emphasised the need to further strengthen military-to-military ties in order to strengthen political and strategic mutual trust between the two countries," it said.
Both sides agreed to hold the next round of the dialogue at a mutually convenient time in India in 2019.
India-china
India-china Relations | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
} |
Located in the slightly Northern Bandung, 30 min from airport, a vibrant area of Ir. H. Juanda St., walking distance from Hospital, Banks, Money changer, Factory Outlets, Cafes, Pubs and Restaurants. Good neighborhood with 24 hr public transportation.
On the first floor we have private bedroom with relatively small yet comfortable room with 2 separate beds and private bathroom with hot shower and we also have loft bed with queen size bed. There is an air conditioner, TV Cable.
On the second floor we have 4 private bedrooms relatively small yet comfortable room with 2 separate beds and 2 shared bathrooms with hot shower. There is no air conditioner, TV Cable in the entertainment area outside the bedrooms.
On the third floor we have 10 pods with shared bathroom with hot shower and air conditioner.
Facilities that we have on the first floor (ground floor) are we have common area for traveler meet other traveler and the host, spacious kitchen that you can use if you want to cook your special dinner from your country and sometimes we make indonesian traditional dinner (price excluded), breakfast bar, computer that you can use for 24 hours and free, hammock, few board games. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
The Comic Critic's Movie Review "The Stranger" (1946)
The crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis during WWII were so heinous that some Americans didn't believe the reports. That is why it was so important that the Allied War Crimes Commission collected and presented as much audio and visual documentation as possible. The reels of footage showing the horror of the Final Solution at concentration camps were instrumental in pulling back the veil of disbelief. The Stranger was the first commercial movie to show it. The Stranger was a success at the box office, pulling in over double its production costs. Film historians in the know decry the heavy editing at the beginning of the film. Gone is most of the footage establishing the ruthlessness of a lead Nazi as he escapes the continent and embeds himself in the heart of America. Some say that after such hacking, The Stranger was reduced to a small town murder movie and that it was less of a movie as a result. I like to see the editing as having left a clearer message for the audience of the time: That your preconceived notions of how things were—were wrong. That any person with an understanding of what is right and just would have to admit —by the horrific evidence before them—that truly evil people exist in the world. And that, as difficult as it must be to admit, you need to acknowledge such evil and stand against it. Yes, I would have loved to have seen the additional footage. It would have made The Stranger a truly grand Nazi-hunting movie. But its role in opening the eyes of 1940s America should not be disregarded.
Labels: #moviereview, MarkMonlux, Orsen Wells, The Stranger, War Crimes
The Comic Critic's Movie Review "The Stranger" (19... | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
} |
require 'spec_helper'
module LAME
module Decoding
describe StreamDecoder do
subject(:decoder) { StreamDecoder.new(decode_flags, mp3_data, stream) }
let(:decode_flags) { double("decode flags") }
let(:mp3_data) { double("mp3 data") }
let(:stream) { StringIO.new(stream_string) }
let(:stream_string) { "a" * 1024 + "b" * 1024}
it "creates a single frame decoder" do
expect(SingleFrameDecoder).to receive(:new).with(decode_flags, mp3_data)
decoder
end
it "it passes chunks of stream into the single frame decoder" do
single_frame_decoder = double("single_frame_decoder")
allow(SingleFrameDecoder).to receive(:new).and_return(single_frame_decoder)
expect(single_frame_decoder).to receive(:decode).exactly(:twice)
decoder.each_decoded_frame
end
it "yields the decoded frame" do
single_frame_decoder = double("single frame decoder")
allow(SingleFrameDecoder).to receive(:new).and_return(single_frame_decoder)
allow(single_frame_decoder).to receive(:decode).with("a"*1024).and_yield(:one)
allow(single_frame_decoder).to receive(:decode).with("b"*1024).and_yield(:two).and_yield(:three)
expect { |block|
decoder.each_decoded_frame(&block)
}.to yield_successive_args(:one, :two, :three)
end
end
end
end
| {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaGithub"
} |
McDonald Gets Butterflies in First Spring Outing
Kristy Robinson
DUNEDIN, Fla. — Butterflies. Nerves. Anticipation. That's how right-hander James McDonald felt when he took the mound for his first Spring Training game on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays. After going through two weeks of Spring Training workouts, conditioning, and bullpens, McDonald was anxious for his first start this morning.
"It's good to feel those nerves again, just to feel that anticipation. The nerves when you get to the mound," McDonald said. "Just that feeling [when] I woke up this morning knowing I was going to pitch. Butterflies. To me, I like the feeling…It was exciting to feel all that."
After throwing a 1-2-3 first inning, striking out All-Star slugger Jose Bautista, McDonald gave up two runs in his second inning of work.
"The first inning was very clean and efficient," Manager Clint Hurdle said. "I thought he still threw some good off-speed pitches in the second inning. The one thing with Mac, he's got to trust his front side. When the front gets in a hurry and pulls, he misses high and wide…That's all part of that –getting the adrenaline out, getting out on the field…His arm looked healthy. His velocity looked sound. He spun some good pitches."
McDonald started the second frame by issuing a leadoff four-pitch walk to Adam Lind. Edwin Encarnacion followed with a broken bat single to left field. With two outs, Brett Lawrie hit a two-run double into left center field, before being able to end the inning.
In his first start, McDonald allowed two runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout over two innings. McDonald threw 33 pitches, 19 for strikes.
"It was good," McDonald said of his first outing. "I wanted to throw strikes, throw strikes with all my pitches. So it was pretty good. It wasn't more or less me trying to go out there and, I got to get this guy out with this. This is how I get this guy out. I think the first couple starts for me, throw what I need to work on."
The bats were quiet for the Bucs, only being able to answer with one run off the Blue Jays arms in the 7-1 loss in Dunedin. After going four hitless innings, the Pirates put a run on the board in the 5th. With two outs, Gorkys Hernandez hit a single to right field, then swipped second base and scored on a RBI single by Michael McKenry.
Relief outings by Chris Leroux, Tony Watson and Daniel McCutchen combined for five runs over their three innings of work. But Hurdle said you've got to use your eyes more during Spring Training, more so then the stats sometimes.
"Leroux's inning, a fastball just up over the plate. The guy drills it, then he cuts up thee hitters," Hurdle said.
In Watson's outing, after giving up a single to Bautista and hitting Encarnacion by a pitch, Brett Lawrie hit a two-out double into center field when Starling Marte misreading the ball in the strong winds at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
"Watson's, I think [was] a clean break by Marte away from getting out of that inning," Hurdle said.
"There's a lot of different ways to look at this," Hurdle said. "When you play in an environment such as this one, as in Arizona, I think you've got to use a filter. The ground always hard. The wind usually blows. You look at hard hit balls that get smoked for outs, then get balls that are dumped in for hits. You just got to use your eyes. You got to use your eyes as much as you got to use the numbers."
Right hander Brad Lincoln followed McDonald in relief allowing two deep fly balls to right, and struck out Bautista; Chris Resop: IP, BB; Tony Watson: IP, 4H, 3R, K, HBP; Daniel McCutchen: IP, 2H, R, K; Ryota Igarashi: IP, 2K
Chris Leroux gave up a leadoff home run to left fielder Eric Thames, then struck out the side in his inning of work. Final line: IP, H, R, 3K.
Despite losing 7-1 in Dunedin, the Pirates still played the bottom of the 9th inning to get reliever Juan Cruz some work. Although his outing wasn't recorded, Cruz allowed one hit over his one frame.
In the 6th inning, Josh Harrison was hit by pitch on his left elbow, but remained in the game. In the clubhouse, Harrison said that the elbow felt sore and was swollen, but is okay. Hurdle also confirmed after the game that everything was fine with Harrison.
For the second straight game, the Pirates saw speed on the base paths. Today both Gorkys Hernandez and Josh Harrison stole a bag.
Sunday Game Info:
Lefty Erik Bedard will start for the Pirates in the Spring opener at McKechnie Field against Toronto. He will face fellow south paw Aaron Laffey. Following Bedard in relief are: Shairon Martis (2 innings), Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli, Doug Slaten, Evan Meek and Daniel Moskos.
James McDonald, Pittsburgh Pirates News
Ian Rothermund
March 3, 2012 11:18 pm
And this start of McDonald's matters what? Absolutely nothing, that's what. If you have any negative feelings towards the two innings he pitched today, it's probably because you have no idea what Spring Training is about or what its purpose is. James McDonald still has the best stuff on the staff, I don't care if he gave up 3 grand slams today, that's still what's up……period.
John Lease
It's competition against another team. If it didn't matter, they wouldn't schedule any games, would they? I suggest de-caf coffee.
It's glorified practice. They've been in Florida for 2 weeks. Realistically, they're only looking for a couple back-up guys for the infield and seeing who's making the cut to start the season in the bullpen.
If it was during the season, what happens if McDonald goes on to pitch 5 or 6 innings and doesn't give up anymore runs. It's about players like this getting their work in and getting in shape. It's about Walker, McCutchen, and Alvarez getting swings in and working out their approach, not hitting .350 with 10 HRs in a month.
I can tell you right now that even if Cutch were to hit .150 with 2 HR in Spring Training, he'd still be starting in CF and hitting 3rd opening day.
Yes, I'd like to see the guys hit the ground running, but ultimately Spring Training is meaningless because it has no bearing on anything but who's going to end up on the "Reserves" list.
and last night was a result of Rum, not caffeine….FYI, lol.
Well, the Blue Jays pitchers pitched in the same conditions. Not too good of a start.
That's true….as commentary on that game, I'm more concerned by the lack of offense in the first game than McDonald's pitching. | {
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} |
© RIA Novosti. Vera Kostamo
Northern Sea Route's annual cargo for 2020 could exceed 30 million tons
Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev reported to President of Russia Vladimir Putin that last year the volume of cargo on the Northern Sea Route was 5.5 million tons and this year it could exceed 30 million tons.
Likhachev also said that Rosatom was actively moving toward year-round use of the Northern Sea Route. "In the eastern direction, this year we worked together with NOVATEK and Sovcomflot to convoy two LNG tankers, Vladimir Voronin and Christophe de Margerie, very early in the season, in May, when the ice is still very thick, and we did this at a commercial speed of nearly 12 knots an hour," Likhachev said and thanked his colleagues for organising this effort.
He also added the performance tests of the first universal nuclear icebreaker Arktika would begin in the last ten days of June, so that the icebreaker would be handed over to Atomflot in September or October, at the latest.
Rosatom also plans to convert four chemical weapons elimination plants into powerful ecology and technology parks by 2023 and to launch three new plants in Russia. "At the same time, we are establishing an integrated system for recycling waste in the first and second industrial-safety categories. This waste includes the most harmful substances that can irreparably damage nature. We have the technology to recycle them to the greatest possible extent without burying them. But we need a system for monitoring and recording their circulation. We have reached complete consensus with the Government, and we are working on schedule," Alexei Likhachev noted.
Vladimir Putin orders Northern Sea Route traffic assessment study
State Commission for Arctic Development: regional development strategy until 2035, expanding the Northern Sea Route and renovating Norilsk | {
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} |
Илия Йованович, известен като Чеслав Пчински (), е сръбски революционер, деец на сръбската въоръжена пропаганда в Македония от началото на XX век.
Биография
Илия Йованович е на 2 август 1878 година роден във вранското село Преображение, Сърбия. Завършва основно образование във Враня, гимназия в Парачин, учителска школа в Белград и подофицерска артилерийска школа в Крагуевац. В 1904 година се присъединява към сръбската пропаганда в Македония, тогава е с чин поручик. В началото на 1905 година е назначени за шеф на горския щаб за Източното Повардарие на сръбския комитет в планината Козяк. Успява да реорганизира и стегне сърбоманските села в околността след големите поражения на сръбски чети в Петралица, Беляковци и други. Под негово ръководство действат четите на Вангел Скопянчето, Кръсте Търговищки, Христо Старачки, Спас Гарда, Темелко Байрактаров, Йован Довезенски, Коста Пекянец и Георги Скопянчето. Поболява се в планината и през 1906 година е принуден да се върне в Сърбия на лечение, като е заместен на поста си от Михайло Ристич - Джервинац.
Обратно във Враня Илия Йованович продължава да се занимава с организацията на сръбския комитет. Болестта се усложнява и умира в началото на 1913 година в Белград.
Бележки
Дейци на сръбската пропаганда в Македония
Сръбски офицери | {
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} |
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The dress was delivered on time and there was constant communication. However, the dress was not as in the picture. it was too white, the top part had shinny studs only and there were no overlapping panels on the bottom part. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
} |
import React from 'react';
import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
import ReactDOM from 'react-dom';
class Portal extends React.Component {
componentDidMount() {
this.renderPortal();
}
componentDidUpdate() {
this.renderPortal();
}
componentWillUnmount() {
if (this.defaultNode) {
document.body.removeChild(this.defaultNode);
}
this.defaultNode = null;
this.portal = null;
}
renderPortal() {
if (!this.defaultNode) {
this.defaultNode = document.createElement('div');
this.defaultNode.className = 'onap-sdc-portal';
document.body.appendChild(this.defaultNode);
}
let children = this.props.children;
if (typeof this.props.children.type === 'function') {
children = React.cloneElement(this.props.children);
}
/**
* Change this to ReactDOM.CreatePortal after upgrading to React 16
*/
this.portal = ReactDOM.unstable_renderSubtreeIntoContainer(
this,
children,
this.defaultNode
);
}
render() {
return null;
}
}
Portal.propTypes = {
children: PropTypes.node.isRequired
};
export default Portal;
| {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaGithub"
} |
Nothing truly transforms a plain package, wreath, plant, or flower into a gift more than a bow.
Our gift packaging industry experience gives us great flexibility in designing and producing a wide variety of custom gift bows.
From florist bows for bud vases to adding a beautiful finishing touch to flower arrangements, Bow Genie can do it all!
Wreath makers, Christmas tree growers and garden centers count on our high quality, low cost and on-time holiday bow deliveries. | {
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It goes without saying that those who use the OnePlus One on a daily basis will be more than overjoyed to hear that some of the phone's biggest bugs have finally been squashed. OnePlus tried to fix the touch screen issues in particular not too long ago, but that build of the phone's software had even more problems (notably battery drain). While the verdict isn't out yet on this build of Cyanogen OS for the OnePlus One, numbered YNG1TAS2I3, it's definitely worth giving a shot if you've had the below outlined issues. It's a full ROM file coming in at 566 MB.
For the record, this build is still based on Android 5.0, not the latest 5.1.1. But while it may not be based on the latest AOSP build, it should — in theory — be an improvement over the current. Let us know what you think. | {
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Five Best Wednesday Columns
Charlie Stile on how Chris Christie won over Democrats, Jonathan Chait on Christie's flaws, Nate Cohn on what Virginia means for Democrats, Elizabeth Kolbert on the real threat of climate change, and David Dayen on Wall Street's new scheme.
By Allie Jones
Charlie Stile at The Record on how Chris Christie won over Democrats. "Christie discreetly and methodically courted Democrats with every lever of power at his disposal. By the end, many of those Democrats would supply the manpower, money or simply the photo ops for his campaign," Stile explains. Christie's leadership during Superstorm Sandy helped him keep the governorship, but it was his Democratic support that really propelled him to victory. For example, "Christie won the unofficial support — and admiration — of George Norcross, the South Jersey insurance executive and the state's most powerful Democrat, by carrying out an overhaul of the state's higher education system that poured more money into that region." At base, "Christie revived the transactional, political dynamic that vanished during the rocky tenure of [Democrat Jon] Corzine, his predecessor." By working out deals with certain Democratic mayors, Christie won the support of some of the more liberal towns in New Jersey. Ryan Lizza, The New Yorker's Washington correspondent, tweets, "@PoliticalStile has the best piece I've read on how Christie won."
Jonathan Chait at Daily Intelligencer on why Christie won't go to the White House. Republicans "now see the enticing chance, in the form of Christie's all-but-declared presidential candidacy, to right their course without veering left," Chait explains. But don't "measure the drapes" in the White House just yet. For one, Christie will fall to the left of other Republican primary candidates: He's "openly endorsed gun control, called for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, and conceded the legitimacy of climate science" as well as participated in Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. And he's already been vetted once: "Mitt Romney wanted to make Christie his vice-presidential nominee, but took a close look at what the vetters came up with and ... promptly changed his mind." Huffington Post political reporter Sabrina Siddiqui tweets, "[Christie] faces uphill battle, especially in primary. Chait has good points here."
Nate Cohn at The New Republic on what Terry McAuliffe's win means for Democrats in 2014. A narrow victory in Virginia's gubernatorial race "doesn't bode well for Democrats in 2014," Cohn argues. "[Ken] Cuccinelli was relatively competitive in race where everything went wrong. He was decidedly outspent. His party never unified around his candidacy and a libertarian candidate was there to take advantage. The government shutdown probably didn't help. And, of course, Cuccinneli was a pretty flawed candidate in his own right." Most importantly, "McAuliffe did as bad as President Obama in coal country and western Virginia, the exact sort of places where Democrats need to rebound to retake the House." Matt O'Brien, an economics writer at The Atlantic, is skeptical: "I'm not sure the inability of a horribly flawed candidate to win big augurs poorly for Democrats in '14."
Elizabeth Kolbert at The New Yorker on the real threat of climate change. A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change "reads like a laundry list of the apocalypse — flood, drought, disease, starvation," Kolbert explains. "Climate change, the group noted, will reduce yields of major crops by up to two per cent each decade for the remainder of this century." Things look worse for animals: "Under the most likely scenarios, many species 'will not be able to move fast enough during the 21st century to track suitable climates,' and there is a chance that some ecosystems, including the Arctic tundra and the Amazon rainforest, will undergo 'abrupt and irreversible change.'" So what's to be done? "Any genuine 'preparedness' strategy must include averting those eventualities for which preparation is impossible," Kolbert argues. "This is not something that the President can do by executive order, but it's something he ought to be pursuing with every other tool." MSNBC reporter Ned Resnikoff darkly jokes, "Regardless of what happens [in the elections], we're still on track for global, civilization-wide catastrophe."
David Dayen at Salon says Wall Street slumlords are back. Investors are "flocking to the latest product peddled by large banking interests, even though they look almost exactly like the mortgage-backed securities that were a primary driver of the financial crisis. These new securities, backed by rental payments, also have real-world implications for millions of renters, who could end up turning in their monthly checks to Wall Street-based absentee slumlords," Dayen argues. While these securities have secured a AAA rating from ratings agencies, "you'll remember that mortgage-backed securities were bestowed triple-A ratings during the housing bubble, and that this spurred massive purchases, fueling demand for more and more home loans to create more securities." Dayen concludes, "if Americans weren't seduced by the mythical dream of homeownership and turned to renting, that could certainly be positive. But it's hard to trust that the same financial titans who blew up the economy won't distort and pervert the rental market ..." David Gaffen, who covers U.S. markets for Reuters, tweets, "How [Wall Street] could wreck the economy again." | {
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I don't really know what possessed me to get baby goats. I just knew I wanted to get in on the dairy goat business. How cool is it that you can wake up in the morning and go get your eggs and milk? Heck, if I could somehow make my own bread I'd never have to go to the grocery store before a snowstorm ever again!
Anyways, back to the goats. Finding baby dairy goats for a reasonable price, especially a doe, is difficult. I finally found a reasonably priced trio and man, I was so excited! I had no idea what I was in for though. How could I?
Well, baby goats are something else entirely. They're rambunctious toddlers with Pica. They. Eat. Everything. Except the food you want them to eat. Newspaper and dust filters? Yum! Water and grain? Gross! Never!
But I mean, just look at those cute faces? Could you stay mad?
I sure can't. Even when they're chewing on my fingers or knocking the milk bottle out of my hand, they're still cute as buttons.
When you think of chickens, what do you think of? Most people think of the commercial white hen, known as a Leghorn, with a floppy red comb and yellow beak. In reality, however, there are thirty-nine varieties of chickens that are recognized. These breeds range from the fluffy Silkie, to the ginormous Brahma. They come in hundreds of colors and each bird seems to have its own personality.
This can be a little overwhelming for anyone looking to get into chickens, so lets dive in to some simpler classification. Choosing the right chicken breed for you depends on why you want chickens in the first place.
EGG LAYERS: all chicken breeds lay eggs. The hen takes approximately 24 hours to lay one egg. However, some breeds lay more eggs than the others. Usually bantams and oriental breeds lay less than commercial laying hens. Commercial hens include Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, and Plymouth Rocks. These breeds produce up to 300 eggs a year and are found at most hatcheries (such as Meyer and Cackle, they both have websites to order from) at a very reasonable price. If you're looking to wake up in the morning and make your breakfast from delicious fresh eggs then look no further than these breeds!
MEAT CHICKENS: Some people like to take it a step further and raise their chickens for eatin'! Any chicken is a good meat chicken if they're old enough, but a few breeds stand out as meat birds. The most prevalent meat bird is the Cornish Cross. These chickens are ready to process at 7 weeks old and grow at a significantly faster rate than other breeds. They make an excellent table bird and are super healthy compared to store-bought meat.
COMPANIONS: Have you ever wanted to cuddle a chicken? Is your son or daughter young and you want to teach them all about farming? I recommend buying a sweet-tempered chicken like the following breeds. These breeds are usually the most tame and don't get very big. They're also adorable, so that is a huge plus! Silkies, in particular, stand out in my mind. They're beautiful, with large, floofy hair that feels like satin. They're usually sweet as pie and make awesome mothers. Another breed is the Cochin, a very stocky breed. They're extremely docile and also make awesome moms. These birds are usually a little bit more on the expensive side, but they make amazing pets.
Bella is a sixteen year old high school student who has always loved animals. Growing up in the beautiful hills of Eastern Kentucky sparked that love for nature and now she owns chickens, goats, and loves every minute of it. Here, she writes a little bit about her backyard farm, life, and the occasional devotional. | {
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Gainor: CNN 'Didn't Need' Chris Cuomo After His Brother's Fall
Dan Gainor of the Media Research Center told Breitbart News on Sunday that CNN's firing of blowhard anchor Chris Cuomo was due to the collapsed political future of his brother, lethally incompetent and corrupt former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"It was long overdue," Gainor said of Chris Cuomo's termination. "They should have done this a long time ago, but CNN not just allowed, they encouraged Chris Cuomo to promote Andrew Cuomo. The whole network got behind this false … propaganda narrative that Andrew Cuomo was somehow competent while he was killing New Yorkers by sending COVID patients into retirement homes…
"[CNN was] trying to build up Andrew Cuomo as a fallback in case Joe Biden couldn't make it across the finish line," Gainor continued, "and that's what most American media were doing, but particularly CNN, and they figured, 'Oh, we're going to have the brother of a potential presidential candidate,' and so that's what they did, that meant all the media ignored all the talk about COVID, and how [Andrew Cuomo] was failing, and they built him up like he was actually competent."
He added, "[CNN] buried the sexual harassment allegations — all of it — until, of course, they didn't need [Andrew Cuomo] anymore. Then the sexual harassment allegations came out, and then, of course, from that we see now Chris Cuomo crashing and burning, too."
Gainor concluded, "What's interesting is Andrew Cuomo didn't lose his job because he killed thousands of New Yorkers. He lost his job for being a scumbag, sex harasser, allegedly, and Chris Cuomo is sort of collateral damage because they don't need him anymore [at CNN]." | {
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Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center
San Martin 1225/1275
Buenos Aires, 1104 (Argentina)
www.sheraton.com/buenosaires
Located in the heart of the city, the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center is a landmark for international travelers. A half-hour from Ezeiza Airport, the hotel offers spectacular views of Buenos Aires and the Río de la Plata.
The Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center offers the largest event facilities in the city with fifteen meeting rooms totaling 6,500 square meters that can accommodate up to 9,000 guests. The areas are ideal for conferences, exhibitions, and small events. Shortly a dedicated hotel reservation system will be available for your booking at Sheraton, for any question and logistics information please contact:
Organising Secretariat
Viale G. Matteotti, 7
Phone: +39 055 50351
SAVE UP TO 20% ON TRAVEL WITH THE STAR ALLIANCE NETWORK
The Star Alliance member airlines are pleased to be appointed as the Official Airline Network for Global Spine Congress 2015.
To obtain the Star Alliance Conventions Plus discounts please visit Conventions Plus online booking tool:
http://conventionsplusbookings.staralliance.com/trips/StarHome.aspx?meetingcode=UA08S15
Registered Event participants plus one accompanying person travelling to the Event qualify for a discount of up to 20%,
depending on fare and class of travel booked.
The participating airlines for this Event are:ANA, Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines,
Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EVA Airways, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines,
Lufthansa, SWISS, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAP Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United.
Discounts are offered on most published business and economy class fares, excluding website/internet fares, senior and youth fares, group fares and Star Alliance
Round the World fares.
To obtain these discounts for travel to/from Japan please contact the respective Star Alliance member airlines' booking office.
Contact details can be found on www.staralliance.com/conventionsplus/delegates/ under "Conventions Plus Booking Contacts".
Please quote the following Event code UA08S15 for ticket reservation.
All accommodation information or reservation requests should be addressed to:
Housing bureau:
OIC Way srl
[email protected]
Hotel accommodation can be reserved at reduced rates at Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center through the official congress housing bureau OIC Way srl. The indicated room/night rates and availabilities are only applicable for reservations made through the Organizing Secretariat OIC and received by April 20, 2015.
Double room for single use
price per room and per night
Sheraton Buenos Aires
(Congress Venue)- classic room
(700m from Congress Venue, 8 min walk distance)
The indicated rates are in USD, per room per night. Breakfast, taxes and service are included.
After April 20, 2015 the accommodation cannot be guaranteed although we will make all efforts to meet the participants' requests upon availability.
In order to benefit from the reservation rates for the Hotels mentioned above participants may proceed with the on-line reservation system by CLICKING HERE.
Agencies or companies wishing to make group reservations for more than 5 rooms are kindly requested to contact OIC Way by e-mailing [email protected], a special contract policy will be applied.
Payments can be processed as follows:
Credit card: VISA, American Express, MasterCard
Account Name: OIC WAY srl
Bank: Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, Agenzia nr 1
IBAN: IT23O0616002801000012862C00
SWIFT: CRFiiT3F
Bank payments are not permitted through the on-line reservation platform. The participant and sender names must be clearly indicated on the transfer order as well as the payment details. A photocopy of the transfer order must be attached to the reservation form.
Any change or cancellation in connection with hotel accommodation must be sent in writing to OIC srl, Fax +39 055 5035230, E-mail: [email protected].
For individual hotel accommodation the payment will be refunded as follows:
before January 20, 2015: only USD 25,00 will be withheld for administrative charge
before February 20, 2015: the paid deposit will be withheld as penalty charge
before April 20, 2015: The paid amount will be refunded with a deduction of 70% as penalty charge.
from April 21, 2015: no refund will be made for cancellations or last minute changes.
No-shows: 100% of the total amount will be withheld as penalty charge.
The above cancellation policy applies to individual bookings only. For group reservations of more than 5 rooms a different policy will be applied and will be stated in the room reservation contract.
About Argentina & Buenos Aires
Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers, 2.8 on the continent - approximately 54% are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23%, plateaus, and the other 23%, mountains - and the remainder in the Antarctic. It is 3,800 Km. long and is located between latitude 22º and 55º. Its border with Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter of 9,376 Km, while the territory bordered by the Atlantic Ocean is 4,725 Km long. Argentina is a land of contrasts with several tourist attractions; kilometers of beaches, the Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glaciar, Iguazu falls, the wine, the meat, and other attractions.
Buenos Aires - Host city
Buenos Aires is a city with 11 million habitants that gathers the best of classical Europe and the most modern advantages of the end of the century. The city's museums, art galleries and theaters bear witness to its reputation as one of the most important cities in the Americas for its cultural and artistic activities. Although it is a modern city with imposing turn-of-the-century European style buildings, it also has some well-preserved districts of typical colonial architecture. Buenos Aires has everything to turn your visit into an unforgettable experience. The well-known warmth of its people, its groovy tangos and the exciting Sunday football afternoons are marvellous.
Buenos Aires is also a safe city. Lastly, its cosmopolitan atmosphere, unique in South America, will probably surprise you.
Access by air and getting into the city
All airlines flying to Argentina arrive mainly at Ezeiza International Airport ("Ministro Pistarini"), which is 37 Km away from the City of Buenos Aires. You can reach the city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway (Information: Tel. 4480-9538). Please note that when leaving the country, a US$ 18 tax must be paid. Company Manuel Tienda León (Av. Madero and San Martín, Tel. 4315-5115) and Transfer Express (Florida 1045, Tel. 4312-8883) offer a bus service from their offices in Buenos Aires to Ezeiza airport from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. These services cost $ 14 and $ 11 (Argentine Pesos) respectively, and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. There are also taxis and chauffeur-driven rented cars at a price between $ 35 and $ 38.
Documents and formalities
Valid passport with or without visa depending on your nationality. Inquire at the closest Embassy or Consulate. Visitors coming from countries not bordering Argentina are exempt from all taxes on traveling articles and new articles up to US$ 300 and an additional US$ 300, if purchased at duty free shops within the national territory. No vaccination certificate is required to enter the country.
Information about visas in the website www.mrecic.gov.ar/consulares.htm
Transportation within the city
The Buenos Aires public transportation system allows on easy traveling within the city. All official taxis in the city are black and yellow, and can be called by phone.
Currency - Banks - Exchange
The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. Currency exchange is provided by banks and exchange agencies with restrictions. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 16.00 h. Travelers cheques are almost exclusively exchanged at hotels and banks.
ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)
ATMs are located all around the city. You can withdraw only pesos. They can also be used for cash advances on major credit cards such as MasterCard or VISA.
Major credit cards are accepted. Check it prior to your trip.
Electrical Current
The electrical current in Argentina is 220 volts, 50 Cycles.
The country's territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, Sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas. The average temperature in June in Buenos Aires is about 18º C (64.4º F), although the range may be wide.
Pay phones work with cards that may be purchased in kiosks, telephone companies' offices, or with legal tender coins. There are also stores with pay phones (open 24 hours a day) where you can pay in cash and you can also use internet. Calling to Argentina from abroad, dial the country code (54) and then the area code of the place you want to call. For domestic calls, dial 0 before the area code. For international calls, dial 00, the country code and city code.
Buenos Aires time zone is -3 hours ahead
The official language of the country is Spanish, but English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants and shops.
Buenos Aires is famous for its chic boutiques. Alvear, Florida and Santa Fe, and shopping centers as Galerías Pacífico and Patio Bullrich that are near the hotel, gives the visitor a wealth of experiences.
The best buys in Argentina are leather goods, silver crafts, local semi-precious stones and souvenirs related to the Gaucho and the Pampas.
There is an excellent outdoor market in historic San Telmo Square open on weekends.
VAT return
At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made within the country for an amount over $70 (per invoice) and in shops operating with the "Global Refund" system.
Payment methods Although US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere, foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted. There may be difficulties in changing traveler's check outside Buenos Aires.
Banks and Exchange Bureaus: Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Business Offices: from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Stores: from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. Saturdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias: open most of the time except between 2.00 and 6.00 a.m.
Restaurants: lunch is served as from 12.30 p.m. and dinner as from 8.30 hours.
Fast-food menus are served in many restaurants at all times.
10% of the amount of the check is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen, porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally tipped
About Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is a singular, open and integrating destination that allows the visitor not only to view the city but also to live an exceptional urban adventure. Buenos Aires also retains relics of its colonial past and beautiful "Belle Époque" buildings amidst the rhythm of refinement. American amenities and native charm amazes all first time visitors. The never closed sidewalk "cafés", the vivid vegetation, broad avenues, theaters and restaurants give this fascinating town its unique atmosphere.
Buenos Aires has always been an open-door city. Its inhabitants are called porteños, which makes reference to the fact that the city is a port. Porteños usually invite tourists for lunch or dinner at their homes and prepare typical food such as the famous Argentinean meat.
Buenos Aires was founded twice:
The first foundation was in 1536. Don Pedro de Mendoza, a Spanish colonizer, established the first settlement. He named it Ciudad Del Espíritu Santo y Puerto Santa María Del Buen Ayre. The second, and final, foundation was in 1580. Juan de Garay called the site Ciudad de Trinidad, finally was called Buenos Aires. In the 19th Century, the port was the arrival point for the great migratory wave promoted by the Argentine State to receive citizen all over the world. Spanish, Italian, Syrian-Lebanese, Polish, Chinese, Russian and other immigrants provided Buenos Aires with the cultural eclecticism that is so characteristic of the city. During the 20th century, successive immigrations - from the provinces, other Latin American countries and Eastern countries - completed the picture of Buenos Aires as a cosmopolitan city in which people with different cultures and religions live together.
In Buenos Aires you can enjoy food from different regions. The city has specific areas where you can choose from a wide range of restaurants. Costanera Norte and Puerto Madero (barbecues) and Avenida de Mayo is the place to taste Spanish food. The most traditional pizzas can be found in Corrientes Street. Plaza Cortázar, Palermo Hollywood, Recoleta and Las Cañitas neighborhoods offer gourmet specialties.
The city has a temperate climate with average temperatures of 18º Celsius, making it perfect for sightseeing all year round. July is the coldest month, and although freezing temperatures are not common, it is advisable to wear a woolen coat, a jacket and a scarf. Temperatures in winter are quite moderate during the day, dropping considerably at night. Summertime brings wet heat. There is very hot weather during the day, with temperatures dropping slightly at night so light clothes are recommendable. The rainiest seasons are fall and spring (from March to June and from September to December). As it generally drizzles, only a raincoat and an umbrella are required. Mornings are generally fresh during the sunny autumn days and springtime, with temperatures rising gently towards midday and dropping at night.
Sanitary conditions
There is no need to get vaccinated before travelling to Buenos Aires as this is a hygienic city with running water. Public hospitals are open to tourists free of charge all day round. Health care professionals are renowned and of an excellent level. The emergency ambulance system (SAME) is also free of charge.
There is a transport system with a wide array of alternatives in the city: five subway lines (subtes), more than a hundred bus lines (colectivos) and trains (trenes). Taxis and "remises" are a very common means of transport as they are quite safe and rather more convenient than in other cities. There are also many alternatives to get to Buenos Aires: airlines and ship lines from abroad and bus lines and trains from the interior part of the country.
10 Things to See & Do
1. Become a Boca Juniors fan
Buenos Aires loves football, and no fans are more fanatical than those of Boca Juniors. The Bombonera stadium on match day is a cauldron of excitement with the singing and energy on the terraces matching the entertainment on the pitch. If you can't make the game, the next best thing is a stadium tour where you can visit the trophy room, stand on a terrace and discover the thrilling history of this famous club. You might even be tempted to buy a fluffy blue and yellow hat.
2. Take a day trip to the Tigre River Delta
Less than an hour from the bustle of downtown Buenos Aires is an almost unspoilt subtropical delta of densely forested islands and shining waterways. This is the place to get away from it all and enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hiking, horse riding and fishing. There is a naval museum to visit and restaurants for lunch, or you might prefer to take a picnic and just lie back and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
3. Spend some time with the rich and famous
Cementerio de la Recoleta is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful and interesting cemeteries in the world. Stepping into this necropolis of Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Baroque tombs and mausoleums is like traveling back in time. Located in one of the most exclusive areas of Buenos Aires, it is the permanent resting place for some of Argentina's most famous people including Eva Perón, presidents of Argentina, Nobel Prize winners, the founder of the Argentine Navy and a granddaughter of Napoleon. The cemetery is free to enter and once inside you can wander down tree-lined walkways and soak up the atmosphere of bygone times and people.
4. Experience the sensuality of a tango show
You can't visit Buenos Aires without seeing the tango and there are many venues to visit around the city. Esquina Carlos Gardel Tango Show is a revival of tango's sophistication, luxury, and style of the Golden Decade of Buenos Aires. It is located on the site of a restaurant that was once the gathering place for the colorful characters of the popular market of Buenos Aires. You can enjoy the culinary delights of the VIP menu while listening to and watching the sensual artistry of some of Argentina's finest tango dancers. It is the height of decadence and we think you will enjoy every minute of it.
5. A night at the opera?
The Teatro Colón is regarded as one of the best theaters in the world and is a must-see place in Buenos Aires. Built in 1908 it is famed for its exceptional acoustics and architectural elegance and is the natural home for classical music, opera and ballet in the capital. If you are able to catch a show you will undoubtedly experience a night to remember. Alternatively there are tours of the theater running throughout the day so that you can savor the atmosphere and learn about the history of this iconic building.
6. Discover Latin American modern art at the MALBA
Opened in 2001, the gallery is home to permanent and temporary exhibitions of contemporary Latin American art. Works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Tarsila do Amaral share the walls with lesser-known Argentine modern masters. The gallery design showcases the paintings and sculptures wonderfully with an abundance of natural light. It is also a great place to have lunch with a café and terrace restaurant. If you looking for an unusual gift to take home, then you may find just what you're looking for in the high quality gallery gift shop.
7. Dine in style
There are so many good restaurants in Buenos Aires, it is difficult to know where to start. If you prefer brunch to lunch, then the Scandinavian Olsen restaurant is regarded by many as best place in town. For high tea you could try the Alvear Palace Hotel which offers a glimpse into the past wealth and grandeur of the city. Café Tortoni is the most famous café in Argentina and perfect place for morning coffee. You might even recognize the interior as it has featured in many movies and it has been patronized by celebrities since 1858. In the evening you could visit the Philippe Starck-designed El Bistro within the Faena Hotel + Universe. The menu is inspired by molecular gastronomy and has been known to feature such delights as 'spherifications' of olives and 'foams' of lettuce.
8. La Boca - Experience the color of Argentina
Look for images of Buenos Aires and you'll soon find pictures of the brightly colored houses from Caminito, a pedestrian walk in La Boca. The area was originally a working class enclave for Italian dock workers who received donations of paint for their houses. Each donation was different hence the wide range of colors maintained. Today the neighborhood is a center for art with lots of restaurants and colorful metal houses. The art museum of Bellas Artes features the work of world famous Benito Quinquela Martín who painted stunning scenes of everyday dock life. A must see collection.
9. Learn to dance the tango in San Telmo
If you have the time and inclination, San Telmo's tango bars are the place to learn and dance the tango. If you would rather watch, then pop along to the San Telmo flea market on Sunday where couples perform in the open air. You might even be tempted to have an impromptu lesson. The district's old world character is derived from its colonial past with narrow streets, low buildings, restaurants, market stalls and antique shops. The place has a real buzz about it.
10. Visit the boutique shops of local designers in Palermo Viejo
If you are into fashion but are looking for something a little different from the major brands, then you'll find the district of Palermo Viejo a real treasure. Once a run-down area of warehouses, factories and tiny stucco houses, it is now home to many of Argentina's chicest designers with lots of independent boutique shops. As you would expect there are also many restaurants for lunch and there is a great deal of pleasure to be had from just wandering around the tree-lined cobblestone streets and taking in the charm of the district.
Davos Courses 2014
The Preliminary Program for Davos Courses 2014 is now available. For more information on the courses, please visit AOSpine Davos Courses 2014 website. | {
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← Media Mix, Dec. 6, 2015
January 2016 albums →
January 2016 movies
Posted on December 29, 2015 by philipbrasor
Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the January issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo on Christmas Day.
Gaby Dellal's bittersweet comedy assumes so many edgy POVs that it feels drained of meaning, with the resulting vacuum filled by a rush of barbed jokes and conventional domestic drama. The titular adolescent (Elle Fanning) is hoping to transition from a girl to a boy but needs both parents' permission. Her put-upon single mom (Naomi Watts) is hard pressed to locate, much less contact, Ray's father (Tate Donavan), who is cosily ensconced in the suburbs with a new family, so the kid's impatience turns into the usual caustic teenage truculence, exacerbated by her and her mother's material situation. They live with Ray's grandmoter (Susan Sarandon) and the grandmother's female lover (Linda Emond) in a stylish Manhattan town house. This purposely challenging clash of social dynamics becomes almost too much, and while the dialogue is often rich and Watts transcends her thankless role as enabler-in-charge with a portrait of desperation that's much more effective than Fanning's, the viewer never really empathizes with anyone's situation because there's nothing much to identify with. I mean, where do they get their money? (photo: Big Beach LLC)
The first ten minutes of Steven Spielberg's new Cold War thriller contain almost no dialogue, but for some reason you don't note it until someone actually opens their mouth to talk. It's the late 50s, at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, and the seemingly unemployed gentleman under scrutiny, whose name we later learn is Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), does little more than paint, and pictures of himself, for that matter. After he receives a phone call he goes out and runs an errand that has something to do with a hollowed-out nickel and involves lots of walking and catching glances. It's a measure of Spielberg's mastery of cinematic space that you know what Abel is doing even if you can't quite work out the logistics. But obviously, someone else has, because as soon as he returns to his apartment it's raided by half a dozen men in identical suits and hats—the FBI. Silence will essentially be the leitmotif of the rest of the film, even though it is filled with a lot of talk; that's because spies aren't supposed to talk. They're supposed to keep quiet, watch, and report only when called upon to do so. Nevertheless, the U.S. government has to put Abel on trial, even if they get nothing out of him, and hire ace insurance lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks) to defend him, mostly out of courtesy to the Constitution. The public would prefer Abel hang, and part of Donovan's remuneration presumably covers the cost of being seen to be a near traitor by a good portion of the American people. Justice is, of course, served, and Abel doesn't hang because he may prove valuable later down the line, though the people don't know that. This legal drama is only half the film, and while it's the better half it isn't the exciting half, because several years later the U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) is shot down over the USSR and doesn't have the courtesy to off himself as he was ordered to do under such circumstances. The game now is to get Powers out of Russia before he cracks and says something the U.S. will regret, and they use Abel as a bargaining chip. Donovan, who has come to know and, to a certain extent, respect the Communist spy (a German), acts as liaison, without his family or too many other people knowing about it. The intrigue happens in Berlin, of course, the postwar physical embodiment of an ethical gray area, and as in the opening sequence Spielberg charts the complicated and delicate machinations that Donovan has to carry out, sometimes improvisationally, and which leads to an outcome that can satisfy everyone…or, almost everyone. While realists might gripe the movie is too neat, sometimes neatness is really, really impressive. (photo: Dreamworks II Distribution Co. LLC and Twentieth Century Fox Corp.)
Closer to God
It's difficult to get a handle on director Billy Senese's views about the applications of genetic manipulation. His low-budget speculative feature doesn't know if it wants to be a cautionary tale or a horror movie, and his protagonist, biologist Victor Reed (Jeremy Childs), is so boring that you struggle to understand his reasoning. Reed has successfully cloned a baby girl, and the news leaks to the media and then the public, which camps out in front of his spooky, strangely baronial home accusing him of playing God and throwing burning doll parts over his fence. Inside, Reed's wife (Shannon Hoppe) feels as if she and her two biological daughters are under siege, but what she doesn't know is that the baby girl is Reed's second attempt, and that his first, a little boy named Ethan, is still alive and locked away in another house on the property. When Ethan escapes and starts knocking off the help, the cautionary stuff comes to the fore, as if to say cloning is arrogant and dangerous, but only if you do it wrong. (photo: Closer To God LLC)
Rocky was the heavyweight spoiler of American 1970s cinema, a crowd-pleasing, old-fashioned melodrama that slew the storied competition at the 1976 Oscars, and one of the great things about the seventh installment in the series is how it reminds us what a unique accomplishment the original was. Creed shows how Philadelphia in 2015 hasn't changed that much in forty years, except now it's the black working class that has to fight out of the circumstances that keep it down. The title refers to the paternity of Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), namely, Apollo Creed, the man Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) fought in that first movie, and who became Rocky's best friend before he died in the ring. Donnie is the product of a sexual liaison and never knew his father. He grows up in foster care and juvenile centers, spoiling for a fight with anyone who looks sideways at him, and then Creed's widow, Mary Anne (Phylicia Rashad), adopts the boy and installs him in her Los Angeles mansion, even gets him a job with a finance company. But the scrapper remains. Donny spends his weekends in Tijuana boxing locals for the hell of it. Attempting something more substantial, the gym where his father trained refuses to work with him because Mary Anne disapproves, understanding what a boxing career does to the body and mind. So he packs up and moves to Philadelphia to confront the legendary Italian Stallion, who still runs that restaurant and lives in a world of ghosts. From here, writer-director Ryan Coogler does as he's told, and overlays Donnie's story with that of Rocky. After Rocky reluctantly agrees to train him, much to the chagrin of old boxing hands who don't trust this restless black man, Donny repeats the grueling regimen that Rocky carried out in the first movie. He also falls in love with his own version of Adrian, but instead of Talia Shire's painful insecurity, Tessa Thompson's singer Bianca has to overcome a hearing defect and unease with Donnie's over-sensitive nature before she can return his love. What makes the movie so affecting is the way Coogler honors the original's purpose by improving on its themes and the way they're delivered. As a young, disaffected black man, Donny is more highstrung than the chickens he chases, and the emotional payoffs are that much more satisfying. Just as Rocky's date with destiny was secured by a weird twist of fate, Donny's is confirmed by his pedigree, which attracts the notice of the world's light heavyweight champion, an English pug named Conlan (Tony Bellew), who needs a payday badly. The boxing scenes are cut and staged with less visceral power than those in Raging Bull, but they're more athletic and dramatic than any others I can remember, and the actors know exactly how to get the audience revved up, but it's Stallone who carries the picture with the most intense, self-effacing performance of his life. He's an old man, and acts like one. (photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)
Regardless of narrative missteps, Guillermo del Toro's movies always start from a rigorous attention to production design, which makes sense for someone whose vision of cinema is indistinguishable from fantasy. This ghost story from an original script by the director and Matthew Robbins is so visually engaging that it's often difficult to see the thematic forest for the art directed trees. After an intriguing setup in late 19th century Buffalo where young Edith (Mia Wasikowska) is plagued by a feverish imagination and wooed by the mysterious British entrepreneur, Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), the action moves to England and a haunted house in horrendous disrepair. The setting is so rich with humorous and terrible detail that the ghost-derived shocks don't always have the intended effect, but in any case the real horror is Sharpe's sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain), who has evil designs on her new sister-in-law. Even when these designs are explained and the blood flows freely, the gothic cast of the diabolical scheming dampens their impact. Del Toro luxuriates in decrepitude, and the effect is numbing. (photo: Universal Studios)
Unlike his Joy Division movie, Anton Corbijn's take on the mystique of James Dean derives its power by focusing on a circumscribed period in the artist's development. This is Dean even before he had released a film. Waiting for East of Eden to premiere and fishing for the lead in Rebel, the young actor (Dane Dehaan) attracts the attention of photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson), who senses greatness and wants to do a magazine feature, though his agent back in New York would rather he just cover red carpet events. Dean's artistic iconoclasm poisons his view of publicity, which he wants nothing to do with, and at first he rejects Stock's entreaties; that is, until a long night of debauchery in New York and a subsequent visit to Dean's hometown in Iowa. Corbijn, perhaps inadvertently, demonstrates how these episodes sealed Dean's image as moody genius and Stock's career as an artist, but as history the movie is lazy. Sideshows like Eartha Kitt, Piers Angeli, and Jack Warner come across as 2-dimensional cliches, and Stock's unhappy domestic situation is a non-starter. (photo: Caitlin Cronenberg/See-Saw Films)
Kim Ki-duk has never been averse to criticizing social systems and attitudes, though he usually does it from a skewed angle that exploits his aesthetic reputation as a visual and not just cultural provocateur. One on One starts out as a polemic, and proceeds to reduce its "message" about current Korean politics to white noise. Centered on an outlaw organization that kidnaps corporate men for crimes against humanity, the script is so bogged down in metaphors (the victims are accused of being responsible for the death of a girl name "Min-ju"—Korean for "democracy") that it rarely breaks through as drama, despite the endless scenes of torture and righteous indignation. Kim gets more mileage out of the set design—the dungeon would be the envy of Eli Roth—than he does the ham-fisted dialogue. Even more perplexing is the story development, as the victims shift from feelings of revenge to those of guilt and redemption, none of which are convincing. Though Kim has made bad films before, here he does something worse. One on One is boring. (photo: KIM Ki-duk Film)
This CG-heavy adaptation of the Michael Bond books about a Peruvian bear living in London with a middle class family refuses to resort to the devices that modern-day kids' movie utilize to get a rise out of presumably jaded adolescents. The premise is suitably ridiculous and much is made of Paddington's (Ben Whishaw) heritage as the offspring of bears who were "civilized" in the wild by a jaunty British explorer. When his only guardian is forced to enter an assisted living facility for bears, young Paddington stows away on a freighter and makes his way to the UK, where he is adopted by the Browns, whose patriarch (Hugh Bonneville) would rather call the RSPCA while his wife (Sally Hawkins) thinks talking bears are cool and his kids have more important things to think about. The comedic qualities don't resort to snarky references about pop culture, but rather a subplot involving a sexy taxidermist (Nicole Kidman) who wants to stuff Paddington for twisted reasons. Despite some questionable grossout humor, the movie is visually compelling and highly entertaining. (photo: Studio Canal S.A. TFI Films Prod. S.A.S)
For reasons that aren't fully clear this engrossing drama about the epic and politically charged 1972 chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky took more than a year to achieve a theatrical release after its favorable festival reception in 2014. Though Cold War thrillers seem all the rage right now (see Bridge of Spies above), Fischer, the hero of his particular skirmish, is not the kind of person the authorities would like to boost as a savior of all that's American. Later, he would become a virulent anti-Semite (despite being himself a Jew) and, more significantly, anti-American, and was sought for years by the FBI for breaking U.S. trade laws. He died before he could get caught. Director Edward Zwick makes a compelling case that Fischer's consuming, caustic paranoia was a product of his peculiar upbringing during a very specific period in American history. Interestingly, he was the son of a Polish emigre (Regina Fischer) who, Zwick implies, may have been a Communist sympathizer. Little Bobby is tasked with keeping an eye out for men in dark coats while mom is shtupping whichever boyfriend she favors at the moment. Without a balancing father figure, Bobby retreats into mind games, the most potent of which is chess, and cultivates a hatred for everything his mother stands for, whether it be free love or socialist theory. As the years go by and Bobby's skills as a chess player catch the attention of the world, he can't help but notice that the greatest chess players are Russians, and whether or not this knowledge pushes him further into the game he formulates a life plan that sees him eventually defeating their best players, but it will be a victory for himself, not his country. Nevertheless, his country sees the PR advantages and soon one of those guys in dark coats, a lawyer named Marshall (Michael Stuhlbarg), prods him into carrying out his life's work. He's joined by Father Bill Lombardy (Peter Sarsgaard), the only American chess master to ever beat Bobby, as coach and calming influence, because once Bobby gets into the fight he's practically Jake Lamotta. The Russians understand this, and successfully block him out of international competitions causing him to quit the game in frustration, and promising to return only when he is given the chance to play the world's number 1, Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber), who Zwick presents as a kind of cultured Superman next to Bobby's skinny, poe-faced bag of neuroses. Though Zwick's metier has always been the prevalence of the underdog, here he does something more during the epic match in Reykjavik: he makes a cerebral competition visceral. Pawn Sacrifice doesn't strive for verisimilitude as much as Bridge of Spies does, but it may be even more exciting. (photo: Tony Rivetti Jr.)
Pink and Gray
Though it's adapted from a bestselling novel, Isao Yukisada's feature makes the most of cinema's linearity to provide a pleasing jolt when this morality tale about fame and responsibility changes gears midway. Two high school friends (Yuto Nakajima, Masaki Suda) make do with casual modeling gigs and then get into acting, though only one of them makes a success of the latter, becoming a huge star while the other languishes in bit parts and a life of frustration. They share the affections of a woman who can't seem to decide between them, and then one of them commits suicide. Though not entirely unexpected, the death isn't what it seems, at least in terms of narrative, which, up to that point, was facile and hackneyed. As it turns out, those qualities were intended, because Yukisado is playing with the viewers' prejudices about celebrity. But the gimmick is only intriguing for a little while, and soon the film falls back on cliche and trite melodrama, which may be the fault of the cast, who take it all way too seriously. In Japanese. (photo: Pink and Gray Seisaku Iinkai)
Two brothers, both sheep farmers, live next to each other on a sprawling treeless plateau in rural Iceland. They haven't spoken to each other in forty years, and while the reason is never satisfactorily explained (something to do with an inheritance), it's easy to comprehend why they've remained estranged for so long. Gummi (Sigurdur Sigurjonsson) is sober and responsible, a man who loves his livestock as if they were his children, while Kiddi (Theodor Juliusson), is a drunk misanthrope whose laziness, it's implied, has led to an infection in his flock that threatens to destroy his brother's, as well, not to mention anyone else's in the vicinity. The most pertinent point in Grimus Hakonarson's surprisingly suspenseful snow-bound pastoral is that it is Gummi who discovers the disease on Kiddi's property. Acting out of conscientiousness rather than spite, he reveals his suspicions to the local veterinary association after an annual ceremony at which Kiddi wins the award for the best ram of the year. Hakonarson plays this local celebration for all the rustic humor it's worth, so Gummi's determination to be the bearer of bad news and destroy his brother's brief moment in the sun is particularly dramatic in contrast, and, of course, Kiddi's enmity against his brother only grows larger, making matters worse between them. For a short while, the internecine feud takes on a cartoonish quality, with shots being fired clumsily through windows and people chasing each other naked through unheated structures. But then Gummi discovers his own flock is infected and he does the proper thing. After that the movie can never recover its oddly flippant tone, though it maintains its humanist theme. Hakonarson has such deep sympathy for this milieu and the people who inhabit it that his juxtaposition of wry humor and crushing remorse never feels like an emotional ploy. It's his attention to the details of a solitary life—the way Gummi passes the time with his jigsaw puzzles and his careful preparation of meals—that provokes empathy. The movie has everything—pathos, violence, tension, and laughs that are at nobody's expense—not to mention some very impressive wide-angle landscapes. And while Gummi is the hero of this tale, Kiddi's transgressions are forgiven in one of the most heartbreaking climaxes you'll see in a movie all year. In Icelandic. (photo: Netop Films, Hark Kvikmyndagerd, Profile Pictures)
After her husband dies and she suffers a fall in her Paris apartment, Madeliene's (Annie Cordy) three middle-aged bald sons talk her into moving into a nursing home, which she does reluctantly. Her only support is her beloved grandson, Romain (Mathieu Spinosi), an innocent young man who wants to be a novelist except he doesn't have much in the way of experience. For that matter, neither does his newly retired father (Michel Blanc) or his bored housewife mother (Chantal Lauby). In fact, the theme of Jean-Paul Rouve's adaptation of David Foenkinos's novel is not so much staying vital right up to the end, but rather that the world must be engaged to be enjoyed. Though the movie's humor is quaint and its situations staid, the simplicity of Romain's quest for enlightenment and Madeliene's last attempt to reconnect with a past she thought she'd forgotten is conveyed with subtle assurance, so even when Romain's father sees the light near the end, it doesn't feel as hokey as it might have. It only takes a little shove. In French. (photo: Nolita cinema-TF1 Droits Audiovisuels-UGC Images-Les films du Monsieur-Exodus-Nolita)
Syndromes and a Century
Apichatpong Weerasethakul's 2006 feature has taken a while to rate a theatrical release in Japan, despite the fact that it his most accessible film, if "accessible" can be applied to any of them. Ostensibly a veiled memoir about the director's parents, who were both physicians, the movie is divided in half, with several decades and a marked change in material circumstances differentiating the two parts. The first takes place in a rural Thailand hospital and charts the romantic situation of a young female doctor, though there are so many side trips, both quotidian and surreal, that the viewer requires a loose understanding of "reality" to get the director's point. The second takes place in the nominal present, at a modern Bangkok hospital, with the same dramatic personae though updated to a certain extent. Weerasethakul's tangential approach doesn't feel gratuitous, and whether or not you gain significance from one image to the next, the feeling of nostalgia, of the beat of time marking the evolution of a happy outlook, is never far from the surface. In Thai. (photo: Kick the Machine Films)
Music plays a central role in all of Abderrahmane Sissako's films, but in his latest it serves as a measure of how far eastern Africa has changed, though this may be a blinkered Western reading of the film's themes. As an IS-inspired militia takes over the titular area, known in the region as a mostly Muslim and, more significantly, cosmopolitan city, it bans music in all forms, a proscription the residents can hardly follow since music is so integral to their everyday lives. Painfully relevant at the moment, the movie shows how the forces that endeavor to speak for God persecute those who have little choice but to treat these so-called messengers as gods, except they are painfully, almost comically human, unable to stifle desires and lifetimes of conditioning that make them part of the world they try to control. Sissako's most obvious manifestation of this dynamic is a scene showing the jihadists casually discussing European soccer stars, followed by a game on a dusty pitch by local boys who, forbidden from playing, pantomime without a ball and somehow make a real game of it. Though Timbuktu moves randomly and cautiously among different stories it spends a good deal of time with a family of cattle herders who are judged by the invaders, in particular one worldly Arab (Abel Jafri) who has no comprehension of local customs and languages and channels his frustration into clandestine cigarettes and hitting on the wife (Toulou Kiki) of the herdsman. Unsuccessful in his seductions he passive-aggressively berates her for not covering her head sufficiently. Her husband, Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed), is also not much of a Muslim in the eyes of the interlopers, but his secular failings are illustrated with an action that, at first, destroys our sympathy for his situation, thus making the viewer more resolute in his or her understanding of what constitutes justice. The horrors of authority that carry death in its grasp are given an everyday, almost nondescript relevance, and even the persecuted are forced to do things they wouldn't countenance normally. Still, Sissako never loses sight of his own humanity, which demands he plumb the depths of the depicted oppressors who would stone a couple for the suggestion of adultery, and force a young woman to marry a stranger simply because they say the stranger is "right" in their interpretation of Allah's will, though he is only right in that he has the might. The point is that regardless of our spiritual dedications, we are at the mercy of our feelings, and if we have the upper hand we can act on those feelings. If you concentrate too much on the callousness, if you allow your anger to sway your judgment, you'll miss Sissako's point. Faith is in the eye of the beholder, and no one can claim his is greater than yours. In French, Arabic, Bambara & English. (photo: Les Films du Worso, Dune Vision)
One wonders about Robert Zemeckis's reaction when James Marsh's excellent documentary, Man on Wire, was released in 2008. It's likely at the time that Zemeckis was already thinking of making a feature film about the subject of Marsh's movie—Philippe Petit's astounding walk across a high wire suspended between the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center in 1974—and the doc covered everything that could possibly interest a general audience about the feat. Moreover, it included ongoing voiceover by Petit himself, thus making it the authorized chronicle of the event. Zemeckis's movie isn't nearly as fascinating as Marsh's, but it does have one thing going for it that the doc didn't: a real-time recreation of the walk itself, and therein lies all the difference in the world. At first, Zemeckis, reverting to the showman mode that created Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, takes a cartoony approach to the material, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the young Petit, sporting a Loony Tunes French accent and standing on the torch of the Statue of Liberty, talking directly to the audience as if this were a documentary, though one built purely for entertainment purposes. Apropos his calling as a man-of-all-circus-trades, Petit's narration is manic and often irritating. He elaborates on his development as a street performer, meeting cute with busker Annie (Charlotte Le Bon) as they compete for public real estate in Paris, dodging gendarme with comic aplomb, and eventually happening upon a magazine article about the proposed Twin Towers in a doctor's waiting room. With the help of his mentor, a Czech circus performer played by Ben Kingsley, he polishes his skills as a high wire performer, all the while plotting his "coup" to sneak into the still-under-construction WTC and set up his performance gear on the sly. That goal, he understands, will require the assistance of others, and he cajoles a math expert (Cesar Domboy), a photographer (Clement Sibony), and, in New York, some shady characters who just want to stick it to the man. Marsh's movie focused on this part of the story, whose comic-caper suspense elements were geared up to thrilling levels thanks to Petit's exacting descriptions. Zemeckis downplays the difficulty of actually getting all that gear through security and up to the roof, implying that Americans were more innocent in 1974 and thus easier to fool. But once the film reaches the roof it changes into something else. Of course, it's all computer graphics and filmic hocus-pocus, but that's always been Zemeckis's forte, and the challenges of Petit's walk obviously inspired the director to, pardon the expression, new heights. And for once, the knowledge of the outcome of a climax doesn't spoil the experience. Just because we know Petit survived his walk doesn't detract from the thrill of watching it. It is at once terrifying and achingly beautiful and when it's over you will feel just as the people did down below.
This entry was posted in Movies and tagged Abderrahmane Sissako, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Guillermo Del Toro, James Dean, Kim Ki-duk, Michael B. Jordan, Naomi Watts, Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, Sylvester Stallone, Tobey Maguire, Tom Hanks. Bookmark the permalink. | {
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McCaskill spars with GOP rivals over birth control vote, seeks civil Clay/Carnahan contest
St. Louis Public Radio | By Jo Mannies
Published July 1, 2019 at 1:34 PM CDT
This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 4, 2012 - As U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill sees it, she was siding with workers – not employers — with her vote last week against U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt's proposal to allow employers to bar insurance coverage for certain medical procedures or services that the employer objects to, on ethical or religious grounds.
"I don't think the boss should be able to decide what health care you get,'' McCaskill said in an interview Saturday with the Beacon.
She contended that Blunt's proposal "affected everyone and everything." McCaskill said some employers might, for example, object to HIV testing or children's vaccinations.
"And what about an employer who's a Christian Scientist,'' she said, "who believes in no medical care?"
Her three chief Republican rivals, however, see McCaskill's vote as a blow against religious freedom. Two – U.S. Rep. Todd Akin and former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman – issued critical statements soon after the Senate vote.
The Beacon received no statement from St. Louis businessman John Brunner. But at a weekend GOP event in Springfield, a press account reported that Brunner said, "This is a despicable vote by Claire McCaskill."
Akin, R-Wildwood, is sponsoring a similar proposal in the U.S. House. "Sen. McCaskill's continued support for Obamacare and her willingness to be an accomplice in this outrageous bureaucratic mandate betrays the public trust," he said. "This is finally a display of the audacity federal bureaucracies will impose on us under the train-wreck of Obamacare."
Steelman issued an equally strong statement blasting McCaskill's vote.
"Once again, Sen. McCaskill has let down the people of Missouri and supported President Obama over the values of Missouri," Steelman said. "Sen. McCaskill's vote against Sen. Blunt's amendment shows how disconnected she is from Missouri values and from our nation's founding principles. Sen. McCaskill's inability to see the implications that ObamaCare has on our most basic rights is frightening."
McCaskill, however, is ready to continue the debate. She said Saturday that Missouri voters deserve to know how Akin, Brunner and Steelman stand on the so-called "personhood" proposal declaring that life begins at fertilization (when an egg is fertilized by sperm) or conception (when a fertilized egg adheres to the wall of a woman's uterus).
McCaskill opposes the proposal and noted that it was been rejected by voters in Colorado and Mississippi.
McCaskill talks to Carnahan and Clay
McCaskill also confirmed Saturday that she is concerned that U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, has filed against U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, in the 1st District now represented by Clay.
A new congressional redistricting map approved by the General Assembly last spring did away with Carnahan's district because Missouri has lost a congressional district.
Carnahan's residence was put in Clay's district. Carnahan is hoping that the Missouri Supreme Court will toss out the map and order a new one. But in the meantime, he's challenging Clay.
Clay already has snagged the endorsements of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley.
McCaskill declined to take sides Saturday but added that she talked last week with Clay and Carnahan.
"It would be great if we could have a primary that doesn't give everyone a stomach ache," she said.
McCaskill has a lot at stake. To win re-election this fall, she will have to have a strong turnout among African-American voters – and the largest bloc in the state resides in the St. Louis area, largely in the 1st District.
If Carnahan ousts Clay in the August primary, African-American voters angry over Clay's loss might stay away from the polls in November – thus hurting McCaskill's re-election chances.
A low black turnout could happen if President Barack Obama doesn't campaign much in the St. Louis area because many Democrats believe he has little chance of carrying Missouri in November.
Even before the Clay/Carnahan matchup emerged last week, Democratic interest in igniting excitement among African-American voters is considered one reason first lady Michelle Obama is making campaign stops Monday in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Government, Politics & Issues St. Louis Beacon archivesClaire McCaskillElection 2012Birth ControlLacy ClayRuss Carnahan
Jo Mannies
Jo Mannies has been covering Missouri politics and government for almost four decades, much of that time as a reporter and columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She was the first woman to cover St. Louis City Hall, was the newspaper's second woman sportswriter in its history, and spent four years in the Post-Dispatch Washington Bureau. She joined the St. Louis Beacon in 2009. She has won several local, regional and national awards, and has covered every president since Jimmy Carter. She scared fellow first-graders in the late 1950s when she showed them how close Alaska was to Russia and met Richard M. Nixon when she was in high school. She graduated from Valparaiso University in northwest Indiana, and was the daughter of a high school basketball coach. She is married and has two grown children, both lawyers. She's a history and movie buff, cultivates a massive flower garden, and bakes banana bread regularly for her colleagues.
See stories by Jo Mannies | {
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Tripp comes from a long line of accomplished stockdogs, both on the ranch and at the national competition level. He is conformationally correct, with a nice flowing sidegait. Tripp is an upright, wide-running, and moderate-eyed Australian Shepherd who will use "eye" when necessary to control his sheep and ducks. He is a confident, intent worker, who also possesses a lot of power. Tripp can think for himself and work independently hundreds of yards away from me without ever losing control of his stock. He loves working any livestock but Tripp is, most definitely, a hard-core cow dog! His athleticism allows him to gather cattle all day, drive them into the corral, then load them into a trailer without missing a step. He can move cattle through dense brush, over creeks, and along steep hillsides with ease. At the same time, he is calm in the pens and has no trouble pushing cattle through chutes and gates.
Tripp can definitely be pushy at times but he will never back down from a mama cow or a bull when needed. His grip is efficient and he hits heads, heals, and front feet instinctively. Tripp will hold cattle, sheep, or other livestock anywhere he is asked, for as long as is needed. No-one is allowed near me while I am feeding, and often you will see the cattle standing thirty feet away from the feeder while Tripp watches them intently. One step over "his" imaginary line and the cattle will immediately be turned around and moved back from where they came. Tripp is a natural ranch dog whose instinct can sometimes be in conflict with what is being asked of him in the trial arena. But, as he is extremely biddable, he will always take the correction and move on, even if he doesn't really want to… He has a great temperament with other dogs and LOVES people… Tripp is extremely intelligent and loves to work. Whether he is moving livestock, or guarding the family and the ranch, he always gives a hundred and fifty percent… At night, after a hard days work, you will find Tripp curled upside-down on the couch beside me or sleeping at my feet.
Tripp's sire Spur was the main ranch hand at the W Lazy J ranch in Montana. He was Betty Williams' partner on the ranch and in the trial arena. There are as many great stories about him as there are hairs on a dog, but suffice to say he was one good dog. He could handle just about any kind of cattle in any kind of terrain, and if someone ever needed a hand, suddenly Spur came out of nowhere and helped you get the job done. He was also a great trialing dog, winning many buckles and awards at the local and national level.
Rook earned asca's first Stockdog Champion title, and has competed all over the USA as well as Sweden and Germany.
Rook's sire Duke was also a very talented dog, who quickly learned to intuit what his handler needed from him in the trial arena. His owner says of him: Duke was my first working Aussie and covered my back every single day… He acquired 25 Silver Belt Buckles and over 160 HIT awards during his 6 years of competition.
Cerise is from our very first litter here at Superfly Aussies, the "Redbug" Litter (WTCH CH Cocoa x HOF WTCH Quinn). It was clearly from a very early age that she was going to be a precocious puppy. She was always waiting for me to come play. At 3.5 weeks she would take a Q-tip from me and hold it like a tiny dumbbell, at 4.5 weeks she would fetch a toy and bring it to me. By 8 weeks she had made it clear that she would not be going anywhere else, and so she didn't. Cerise proved her worth this year competing at her first National Specialty, where she beat out 70 dogs to win The Most Versatile Aussie competition, as well as winning the high combined Non-WTCH award in both the National Specialty, and stockdog pretrial, at the young age of 3!
Cerise is a very driven dog, and rarely requires external motivation to get to work. She loves to work stock, and balances her speed with bidability. She has a nice circle and sense of group on stock. She progressed a lot this year working cattle, from a started dog at the beginning of the year to my main hand moving 75 head of cow/calf pairs many miles on unfenced roads and trails to new grazing pastures. She has a great wearing style when working cows, and she never stops until the job is done. She doesn't often grip, but doesn't often need to. She can keep large groups of cattle grouped and moving, as well as locate and gather in large fields, brush, and marshland. She often moves cattle as a team with her brother Rubin, and together we have helped the local rancher make his drives quick and easy, preventing cattle from ending up all over the valley.
In agility she has great obstacle commitment, and is naturally able to work at a distance from me. Weaves and contacts came easy to her (lucky for me, a novice agility trainer). In obedience she has a natural heads-up heeling style that required little training on my part, and she is very attentive to verbal and physical cues. Treats, toys, and praise/play are all acceptable rewards in her books, as long as we get to do stuff! Cerise's siblings are training and competing in herding, agility, obedience, rally, flyball and dock diving. To learn more about Cerise, visit her page. | {
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Q: Video tag from div- link is valid, video won't play I've got a video I'm trying to play in a responsive HTML email. I know the path is correct because I've been able to actually download the video through control-clicking the file image. The poster file displays fine. The controls display fine. But the play button won't actually cause the video to start.
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| {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaStackExchange"
} |
You're probably not going to believe this, but I really have a hard time talking about myself. Oh, I can tell you what I'm doing, or what I like to read, or what my family is up to, but that's actually a different thing. I can talk about my life; but talking about me is a different matter. I mean 'who am I' is a question I struggle with on a regular basis. Even in my fifties I'm constantly learning new things about myself. But let's take a stab at it.
I'm a Believer. I'd like to tell you I'm a Christian but frankly, I've never been really comfortable with the designation. The word Christian means 'like the Christ' and I recognize that try as I might, I don't qualify for that label most of the time. But I do believe that Jesus is the Son of God and will keep trying to live up to His example and no doubt I'll write about that struggle from time to time.
I'm a cyclist. It's my favourite mode of transportation. It's also my favorite form of exercise, relaxation, time-killer, and sport. I love it not just because it's economical and environmentally friendly; not just because I think it's a big part of the solution to air pollution, global warming, obesity, health care, and crumbling infrastructure; I love it because it's just plain fun! When I ride I feel 15 instead of 50!
I'm a storyteller. Mostly I love to tell the stories of the Bible, by heart, just as they appear in scripture. I feel the scriptures were meant to be heard, not read. When they are heard they come alive in a way that reading will never accomplish. That why I join with others to tell these stories as they were meant to be heard. I also enjoy helping others tell their stories. It's the only way we will ever break down the walls that separate us.
I'm a geek. Foremost an audio-geek, though I obsess to some degree on all kinds of technology. Computers are cool, but I'm a high end user, not a programmer. I find my talents being used in a variety of places from churches, to concerts, and one of my favorites – community theatre. Most of the time I see myself as a poor man's Montgomery Scott, struggling to jury rig something that will get the job done with less than optimal resources.
I'm a writer. Not a pro by any stretch. But I love to write; poetry, drama, humour, and of course I journal. I write because I have to. I write because there's a part of me missing when I don't. I guess that's why I'm here. Now admittedly, there are time when I just don't feel I have anything to say. When that happens, I won't write. But that's not likely to happen very often.
I'm a cancer survivor. Well, so far anyway. I was diagnosed with cancer in my right tonsil in November of 2010. After surgery and seven weeks of radiation therapy I was declared cancer free in March of 2011. All in all I have been most fortunate and blessed. I had a great medical team at the Juravinski Cancer Centre looking after me, wonderful help from the Canadian Cancer society, and the incredible community of Kortright Church supporting me every step of the way. Before I was diagnosed I was a the captain of Team Kortright a fundraising team in the yearly Ride To Conquer Cancer in support of the Princess Margaret Hospital's cancer research. Now I continue in this effort only now it is far more personal. Please click here and support this more than worthy cause.
Basic Biographical Information. I was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1954. Still living in the same place, not too terribly far from the neighbourhood in which I grew up. Married the lovely Roberta in 1982 and still wonder why it is she agreed to the ordeal of spending her life with me. We have no children, but one cat named Samantha. I have two brothers, Steven and Alexander, both with wonderful families of their own; all of whom I never see nearly enough. When not at work or out cycling around the area you'll likely find me at my second home – Kortright Presbyterian Church – where I have the privilege of serving as Technical Director.
Thank you for subscribing to my blog. My blog has moved to my new web page. Visit the new site of my blog, read my post today, then subscribe to my blog and receive all my posts as they are published. My new site is http://claudemariottini.com. The old site, with the ending .org will not be functional after January 1, 2012. | {
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Hunting and boating are popular hobbies for many individuals in the Southern Illinois area. When you are facing legal issues over your hobby, Amanda Levanti can help ensure your rights are protected. Whether you have a hunting citation from the Conservation Police or have been charged with Operating a Watercraft Under the Influence or any received any other citations while enjoying the beautiful Southern Illinois lakes, Levanti Law will navigate you through your legal issues. | {
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IRS simplifies CARES Act net operating loss refund claims
IRS makes it easier to claim net operating loss refunds
The IRS yesterday asked taxpayers to wait for additional guidance on filing refund claims arising out of the CARES Act. For taxpayers with 2018 net operating losses, it was a brief wait.
The CARES Act allows all taxpayers with 2018, 2019, and 2020 net operating losses to carry them back five years. Prior to that change, such losses, except for farmers, could only be carried forward. The change naturally made many taxpayers with losses in 2018 eager to file refund claims.
Notice 2020-26 allows taxpayers to claim such refunds using the simplified "Application for Tentative Refund" under Forms 1139 (Corporations) or 1045 (other taxpayers). Taxpayers with 2018 losses now can use the simplified forms if they file by June 30, 2020.
The IRS also issued Rev. Proc. 2020-24, dealing with some procedural issues. Items covered:
How to elect to waive the carryback, which normally must be done when you file the tax return for the carryback year:
A taxpayer within the scope of this revenue procedure may elect under § 172(b)(3) to waive the carryback period for an NOL arising in a taxable year beginning in 2018 or 2019. Such an election must be made no later than the due date, including extensions, for filing the taxpayer's Federal income tax return for the first taxable year ending after March 27, 2020.
Rev. Proc. 2020-24 also provides procedures for excluding "Section 965 years" from a carryback. Sec. 965 required U.S. shareholders of controlled foreign corporations
Finally, Rev. Proc. 2020-24 also allows taxpayers who had NOLs arising in fiscal years straddling January 1, 2018, to carry losses back on Forms 1045 or 1139.
Related: The CARES Act Has Been Passed—What You Should Know. | {
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My name is Brandon, I am a Windows Server SME with a jack of all trades approach to many different areas of Infrastructure. I've done scalable web-hosting with many clusters to supporting over ten-thousand users accessing systems that I architected and implemented. Proficient with not just Microsoft technologies, but also other areas such as Disaster Recovery, ROI hardware and software investments and security qualifications such as PCI, HIPAA and SOC II Type's 1 and 2.
With that said, I thought it would be a nice thing to have a blog going to help share things that interest me and things that I've learned since IT is ever changing. "The Cloud" is no longer a new model however for some businesses it is certainly considered new technology. I am proficient with Microsoft Azure and Amazon's AWS Services, so if you're here to learn about the cloud or see something that might be cool, you're in the right place. | {
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A Fast drying flexible fixative with exceptional hold. Humidity resistant and easy to brush through leaving no sticky residue or build up after respraying. Perfect for "short and spiky" to long and glamorous hair!
You can use M-Style Design Spray in quick short bursts for a light hold or continue layering this fast-drying styling mist until you have achieved the desired level of hold.
Available in long-lasting 10 ounce size or convenient 2.25 ounce size that makes the perfect traveling companion. | {
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
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Book Club Picks 2016
The Princess and the Pony. By Kate Beaton. Winner, CBC Children's Choice Book Award, Illustrator of the Year, 2016; Short-listed, Joan Betty Stuchner Oy Vey!
"Some people didn't even have a funeral," Cartier said about the Pulse victims, "because their biological family members.
Soon after real estate mogul Aby Rosen opened the Blond in March, it became a magnet for beauties and barons: Carine Roitfeld, editor of CR Fashion Book, hosted a. on Jun 10, 2016 at 5:43am PDT "A.
The first time I ever saw a Baby-Sitters Club book, I was 7 years. I kept reading the books, but I had learned to be self-conscious about it. On my monthly pilgrimages to the bookstore to pick up.
Shoreline's Women's book club provides a great opportunity to discuss interesting books with other likeminded Shoreline women. 2016 Book Club Selections
@ejcrowe42 Not sure about Greenlight, but it was a Book Passage First Edition Club selection, which is how I got my copy. Which compels me to point out that the Pulitzer winner for each of the past four years has been a selection by at least one of the three FECs I subscribe to (Odyssey, Book.
Obscure Holiday Book Roundup: National Love a Tree Day. May 16 is National Love a Tree Day! And we're celebrating with a list of children's books that feature individual trees worthy of your love.
In January of 2016, they found renewed purpose in their sadness over the death of. grasping for straws about Bowie's favorite books has reigned supreme since 2016. We're not going to link to our original picks – we love you too much.
Urdu Poetry For Father Birthday Sada-e-Watan Sydney Community News. Zafar Hussain Javed Shah Dr. Akram Hassan Dr. Shabbir Haider Editor-in-Chief Editor Advisor Advisor "And a
Jun 5, 2018. Oprah has announced her latest book club pick, former death row inmate Anthony Ray Hinton's memoir, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life.
No matter how many apps you have on your phone or how many books you. some time. In 2016, Insider Picks noted that the.
Our staff love to read and to share new books and old favourites with customers. Find book reviews, news and more on our new blog.
When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. "Earning the Rockies" was written before the 2016 election. The name "Trump" appears only a few.
Without further ado, here are 19 predictions for the 2016 season: I've been particularly hard on DJ. It's doubtful the USGA, R&A or even the PGA Tour begins to regulate balls and clubs within the.
. club is set up;. photo. See more. A year's worth of book club picks » Peanut Blossom Book Club Reads, Book Club. The 25 Best Books of 2016 (So Far).
REESE SAYS… "This book gives me all the feels! My May pick for Reese's Book Club is "From Scratch" by Tembi Locke. This beautiful memoir takes us on.
With Day 2 of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft complete, here's every pick made in the first 10 rounds The first two days of baseball's annual three-day amateur draft are now in the books.
Remember the book clubs that turned into wine club? Or wedding. April 14, 2016. By definition, book clubs provides a forum to discuss literature with friends or acquaintances. But it can. Beyond Beach Reads: 4 End-of-Summer Book Picks.
Get Londonist in your inbox. The best things to do in London. The must-read London articles. The coolest London events from our partners. I would also like to receive the Best Of Londonist (weekly.
Tranexamic acid (TXA) can be used in a wide variety of settings in the Emergency Department for its hemostatic effects. Topical applications of TXA are commonly utilized to control minor bleeding from epistaxis, lacerations, or dental extractions. 1–3 More in-depth reviews of topical TXA can be found on R.E.B.E.L EM 4 and The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine. 5
Watson, better known as Hermione Granger of Harry Potter fame, launched a feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, in January through the Goodreads website. The 26-year-old's first pick was My Life on.
The CBC's home for readers and writers, CBC Books includes Canada Reads, Writers & Company with Eleanor Wachtel, The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers, Canada Writes,
Dollar Shave Club is an American company based in Venice, California, that delivers razors and other personal grooming products to customers by mail. It delivers razor blades on a monthly basis and offers additional grooming products for home delivery.
Five years ago, 48-year-old Raz Spector decided to take this model and apply it to a kind of book-club framework. He also.
When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Viet Thanh Nguyen's debut novel, "The Sympathizer," won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He.
May 11, 2018. A list of books recommended by actor and activist Emma Watson, Emma Watson started a feminist book club in 2016 called Our Shared Shelf. Read on for Emma Watson's book club picks (as of May 2018), and find an.
Cool Mom Picks is the popular lifestyle network for parents from Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner, featuring the coolest gifts, gear, fashion, DIY, recipes, party ideas, tech, tips.and lots of humor.
The CEO of the Oprah Winfrey Network, known for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and the power of her endorsements (particularly when it comes to books), has spoken out about a number of her favourites over.
Strand Book Store, New York City booklovers treasure trove – home to 18 miles of books. New books, used books, rare books, out of print books, art books, and children's books since 1927.
Below, Insider Picks has gathered 10 books written by the highly successful, where they divulge their tips and tricks toward the path of success. Doctors Stanley and Danko spent 20 years interviewing.
Search millions of books at BAM. Browse bestsellers, new releases and the most talked about books. Pre-order titles at great prices from your favorite authors.
Please scroll down to the current month and year to see what the club is reading now. Published: Mariner Books – November 2016. Staff Pick Badge.
Book Club is a joint effort of Redbery Books and the Forest Lodge Library. The group meets. at the top of the list. Staff Pick Badge. December 2015. –Get A Clue Book Club selection, November 2016, Redbery Books, Cable Wisconsin.
Oct 9, 2018. Good Me Bad Me Target Club Pick Oct 2018 by Ali Land (Paperback). Target Club Pick Oct 2016: House of Thieves (Paperback) by Charles Belfoure. THENEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S EDITORS' CHOICEHOW.
But then, in 2016, as Kaval took the helm. trades, contracts, draft picks and the like. Kaval handles everything else.
Soho House & Co, the umbrella group for the brand's outposts around North America and Europe, offers hotel rooms in several cities. If you book a bed. The club has five rooms available for booking.
Poem Resisting Arrest Kyle Dargan At his trial, Hubbard said the cops had incited the violence by using racial slurs. On Dec. 5 he was
Stern also writes about his unsuccessful quest to book Hillary Clinton, his pick in the 2016 election. has been on.
WICKED SAINTS by Emily A. Duncan 9781250195661 Ages 13 to 18. Let them fear her. In this stunning Joan of Arc inspired debut, Nadya—a peasant girl who can speak to the gods—must find a way to work with a deadly adversary to turn the tide of the war and assassinate the mad king.
Welcome to Equibase.com, your official source for horse racing results, mobile racing data, statistics as well as all other horse racing and thoroughbred racing information. Find everything you need to know about horse racing at Equibase.com.
Book Club Favorites. In general, books. the group will pick a stinker that nobody likes; just let it go and look forward to the next month! Plan Ahead or Play it.
May 22, 2017. It's time for the annual Goodreads Choice Awards, where thousands of readers choose their favorite books of the year. Here are my top picks of.
Almost 310,000 e-books and audiobooks were borrowed in 2017, compared to some 140,000 in 2015. Some 218,000 e-books and audiobooks were loaned to members of Libraries NI in 2016. Traditional. The.
If I had to pick one player, it would be Brooks Koepka. putts with poise and plays a cool hand under pressure. At William.
The Tempest Bbc Shakespeare Collection In Act V Scene I of Shakespeare's The Tempest, the character Miranda declares 'O wonder! How many Godly creatures are
Those players are generally a former No. 1 pick. Connecticut had a former. when I was still overseas about a book. She was.
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff. the Jimmy Fallon/Drew Barrymore rom com the book inspired, "Fever Pitch" in its original form was Nick Hornby's autobiographical ode to true football and.
The former U.S. first lady's memoir was released on Nov. 13, 2018, and was named an Oprah Book Club pick that same month. The second bestselling print title in Canada last year was the 2016.
Poptropica Mythology Island 2
Poptropica Mythology Island talking to scary. Poptropica Mythology Island talking to scary. Poptropica Mythology Island talking to scary. Done. Comment.…
Famous Poem Writers In English
Poems from different poets all around the world. Thousands of poems, quotes and poets. Search for poems and poets using… | {
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Adapter to install underneath the bolt release on your 1301 Tactical or 1301 Competition to prevent the bolt release from moving backwards and unintentionally releasing a shell onto the lifter.
Kit is intended for 1301s and other Beretta semi-automatic shotguns with extended bolt release for prevention of dumping shells unintentionally onto lifter during hard use. Blocks the unloading function of the extended release by preventing it from pivoting rearwards. Does not affect standard bolt release function.
This product is produced under license and was originally designed and developed by Tom Jones of Tau Development Group.
This bolt shroud is easy to install and helps prevent accidental pressing of the bolt release when firing. The bolt release can still be used to manually remove shells from the magazine, but you have to really press on the button in between the bolt shroud. This functions very well, and is a cheap (in price) alternative to other 1301 bolt shrouds.
The updated 1301 series comes with an improved bolt release that prevents shell dump on the carrier. This inexpensive add on now fixes that same problem for the original 1301 series of shotgun. I have installed it on my 1301 tactical and it works perfectly. | {
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In this step, you can see Gunze´s Metal primer. I always apply this primer with a brush over the metal surfaces…. Gun barrel, PE parts …. All metal parts are covered with a thick, really thick coat of this product. This protects the metal parts from aggressive painting thinners and avoid the paint to peel off.
One of the most desperate moments for the modeller is when he discover than the paint over the kit is granulated. People use to hate this, and therefore, the airbrush. There are several variables that helps the enemy to granulate your kit surfaces, lack of moisture in the air, too much dust in the environment, bad paint, bad airbrush… but even in the worst situation, you have a great ally: a fine sand paper. Use it when necessary over granulated surfaces (be careful with PE parts!), and, very important, the surface must be soft and clean as the skin of a baby!. Of course, if you´re making a big tank with rough surfaces … no matter, but a smooth surface prior painting is start playing with advantage!
Now, we have to start preparing our Tiger´s skin. Here starts the challenge. Why this technique?. In my case, because I have no a clear idea about colour theory! Most of times, when I want to lighten or darken a colour (dark yellow, for example), the results are anything but harmonics. So, I´ll make the zenithal or modulation effects with a black-grey-white series with no chance of mistake as I just will use black and white colour. Of course, actually you can find a lot of colour sets that makes you life easier (Ammo Mig, Lifecolor…) and I strongly recommend them. But as I use to customize a lot my base colours and I´m a little bit poor (… :^(…), I´ve invented (¿¿??) this technique to achieve similar effects just with black and white paint (and the base color). Hope you like it!!
General preshading. For me is an important step as I help to to start visualizing the final result. I can discover light effects, have a preliminary idea about the weathering and the most attractive parts of the kit (for painting). With this B&W technique not too much of this step will be seen later (just a little bit, enough to keep the future general looking). I used a 90% black 10% mix applied with my airbrush (I need a new one,,,any suggestions?), using Tamiya acrylic paint thinned with Lacquer Thinner. I´ll repeat this hundred times… use your airbrush not like a brush. To pass over a surface do not implies the surface is painted. It´ll be painted may be the 6-7…10 time you pass over it.
Using first a 80% white and 20% black, I started to paint the general colour of my B&W base, As usually, the paint is heavily thinned as I also want that the preshading work can be seen under this general base colour. Adding each time more white to the mix, I start to play with the modulation and zenithal lights over the vehicle. The last step is made using pure white paint. Yes, I know, some skills with airbrush are required, but this preliminary base is a great choice to start taking confidence with one of your best weapons!. Always remember, an airbrush is not a brush. Always thinned paint, move quickly but with precision (the same precision you use to make incredible PE detailing work!). Always try on a piece of paper before painting your model. A nice base coat, even without any kind of modulation or highlights, always takes 2 or 3 sessions. In the first session, the paint should be barely visible. Do it always little by little. Due to high temperatures here in Madrid and the dry environment, I´ve problems painting. Even with care, some times the paint arrives dry to the surfaces… but remember, your friend the sandpaper is always there, supporting you!
Using pure white acrylic paint from Vallejo, with a brush, I just painted some details here and there (clasp, rivets, edges…). I played with the number of coats of paint (one is never enough, like with airbrush) so, not all the details have the same white intensity. I always look for very rich bases, with several colour shades. The result by now looks strange, even the pictures seems rare (the white background does not help!), but now we have the perfect base for chipping and weathering! Stay tunned!
Now, time for chipping. For many modellers, a real nightmare. Actually, it´s a really difficult step, not only making them in the right shape, but also locating them in the correct an reasonable places. And it´s also a tedious work and frustrating at times And many, many many times, a good painted kit is spoiled by a bad chipping work. And there´s no second chance with chippings, unfortunately.
And another important factor: How many kits we make in a year? As the average modeller makes 2-3 kits per year, our hands are not always trained to make chipping and scratches. So, when we´re making our chipping work, it was more than 4-5 months the last time we made them. So, we have no habit, no pulse … and the first chips are … awful?. Just when we have been for a pair of hours making chips they start to look nice, just in the moment the work is finished!!. And most times, there are too much chips, or are wrongly situated, or are poorly done. Time to cry. But with this technique, you have two chances, In the first, now, let your hand get warm, do the chips without fear, with confidence, dare to risk with some of them, and, most of all, once you finish this step, stop. Stop. Stop. Look at your kit, investigate it, localize the nice chips, think about the finished tank. And think about keeping the right ones, the places where some are missing, or the places where none is necessary and you´ve already paint several chips. All these are not real problems, as when we paint the base color we can hide or enhance them at our will.
I used Vallejo paints for this step, using pure white for some chips and a light grey for the chips located at the darker parts of the Tiger.
General washes all over the tank. I used for this task Panel Line Accent Color from Tamiya, a great product that can be mixed with any of Tamiya´s enamel range and can be thinned with Tamiya´s thinner (blue cap). Previously, I added an generous and thick coat of Tamiya´s clear with my airbrush, a completely necessary base for washes and weathering with this tecnique.
Also an important step. Here, all the details will become to live, and, something else, a completely no removed wash over a plane surface is a kind of weathering after all!, By now, you ´ll probably locate very attractive parts of your kit, which now is far from looking a toy. In 1/48 scale, this step is especially relevant due to the lack of detail of these kits comparing them with their 1/35 counterparts.
Time for weathering. Not a real weathering but a kind of weathering that will help you to create a surface full of contrasts and nice looking for the future base color. Like on chipping task, you have now the perfect choice to risk and dare with the effects in this step. Start thinking about the finished tank and start looking for attractive weathering and colour effects here and there. And do not do it under pressure, just enjoy playing with your brush. Improve your skills… no matter if you fails!
For this task I used Vallejo Glossy Black, which suits perfectly to this task. The procedure is simply. Make a spot, a mark, a dirty surface with the paint slightlhy thinned with water. Do not worry, do it in a rude or exquisite way, but do it and experiment your self with the shape of the spots and rain marks or any kind of effect you want.
And, again, think about the actual result and the way you want to finish the tank. You have time to change, modify and improve anything you want. And, once again (apologizes if I´m repeating too much), work without pressure during these steps, preparing your hands for the following more demanding steps… do you feel your hand warm and ready? Great!!
Did you think that you´d wait days to see the base coat? No no no my friends. We have been making all this work just to spend no more than 10 minutes painting the Panzer Grey base color. I just used Tamiya´s XF-63 with a little bit of pure white and I applied this extremely thinned paint mix (90% thinner) in several coats. I insisted with the mix more or less depending the place but, as can be clearly seen in the pictures, all the underneath effects can be clearly seen and look integrated with the base colour. Just at the end, I airbrushed pure white in a few parts to get the maximum light.
Very important to airbrush slowly the base coat, no hurries. Just see how it covers little by little the weathered base to your taste. You can hide the awful dirt spots or the illogical and ugly chips.
And most important. From this moment, you have a base color that will be really helpful in the following steps as you have a map, a guide to highlight, chip and weather your kit. From now ahead, you have your second chance.
Now time to the first base coat for the accessories. Probably, once the vehicle is close to be finish, I´ll change some of the colours according to the general aspect of the vehicle. But I like to paint this base coat to the tools, accessories, so on as it really help to evaluate the general contrast and finish of the tank. I used different brown colours for the wooden parts and pure black for the metallic parts.
In this step, I´ll add some light points to the tank. Using a light mix of black, white and medium blue (acrylics) and using a brush, I start to highlight rivets, edges, hinges … so on. May be the result in this step is a little bit unrealistic, but it´s the perfect base for future weathering works. This parts will suffer different treatment that will darken them to my taste, but always maintaining a subtle colour and light difference with the neighbouring tank parts.
Is this colour modulation? May be, I do not know, but really works for me!
Chipping, like adding mud, are the most frightening steps for modellers. Many great kits with excellent base coats, filters….are spoiled in this step. Reasons are various. The first one is that may be, the last time we made them, was 4 months ago when we made our last tank. Our hand is cold and it´s not easy to get the pulse and the perfect mix of the paint once we´re beginning our work. Thanks God, in this case, may be a pair of weeks ago, or maybe just some days ago, we´ve already made plenty of them in our B&W base color. So, our hand is ready! And now, under the base coat, we see some of the chips and scratches we have already done, so it´s not so terrifying for as, because our terrible enemy, a flat, clean surfaces, is already dirt, showing some chipping effect that we have just to decide if we increase them or not!
And as we have seen the B&W weathered step, we already know which chips are right or wrong, So, as I use to say, we do not work under pressure, we know have a ready hand and a clear idea about where to put our chips and scratches.
For this step, I made three different grey colours for the superficial chippings. And with a mix of black and red, the deeper ones.
Washes ,,,, they always help to increase the perception of the details of the kit. 1/48 kits are not as accurate as 1/35 counterparts. And if there were the same quantity of aftermarkets available for the quarter scale, they´d be more difficult to place that in the bigger scale. 1/35 PE sets are a nightmare by them self … so, in 1/48, for not very skilled modellers like me, are just a Chimera. So, in my case, I have to hide this with the paint, showing as much as possible the details available in the kit and bring them to life.
For this task, as in the previous steps, I used Tamiya Panel Line Accent color mixed with XF 52 Flat Earth, using Tamiya´s thinner (blue cap) to keep the mix fluid and easy to handle.
Oils …. Modellers´s best friend without a doubt!. Easy to handle, slow dry, excellent blur … just perfect! Using different oil colours, Naples Yellow, Van Dyke Brown, natural umber, blue, white, red …. And using the well-know technique of "dots" I faded the grey color trying to reduce the contrast of the different shades of the grey and hiding a little bit the chipping aggressive effect of previous steps.
After this step, I´m ready for the real heavy weathering with dust and dirt.
Why not to try a new product? In this case, I used AK Interactive´s enamel Africa´s dust (AK22) instead Tamiya´s enamel because I felt that the yellowish dust of this product will suit perfectly to the Kitty. If you have not this product, you can also use Tamiya´s enamel paint to do it using buff, white and a little bit of desert yellow.
This technique is used by many modellers and the results are really awesome for me. But you must be strong and have faith on your hands, as the intermediate steps of this technique are …. how to say this …. difficult to assimilate if you have not clear the final look of the tank finished.
I directly airbrushed the product from the bottle without problems.
Now, using AK´s thinner, I started to remove the applied dust to my taste. I just waited 15 minutes and then, using a brush, I cleaned the kit in the desired areas. Even next day I was able to do this because the enamel´s nature of the AK´s product. I must say that I´m happy this the product, easy to apply and easy to remove with a tasty colour for me. What else?
Once the base dust colour shapes are OK for me, I applied a nice coat of matt varnish (Marabu) to seal the dust and to avoid any damage from further steps.
Once dry, a pair of days, be patience, I add some dirt details here and there using acrylic paints. I always use the same colours for this: black, dark mud and buff. Mixing them I got a nice dirt colour series. I added water … a lot of water to the mix to ensure that the desired effects are subtle … and if I want a more intense effect, I have just to pass with the brush more times, that ´s all!
So, using these colours, I made different contrast in the dust for a more attractive look. Important in this step. The dust on a kit makes it looks … how to say … diffuse, smashed potatoes …. undefined …. Excuse me for my lack of English!. The dust makes all the details to disappear. So, we have to help the kit with some washes here and there. For me, a kit without depth in the details is a fool! I made the washes using the darkest mixes of the acrylic paint.
Another daring step where faith is necessary! There´re a lot of ways for simulating mud: with plaster, with acrylic resin and pigments, with specific products so on. All methods are good ways to achieve an attractive result with the mud, depending on modellers taste or affinity with the materials involved. My favorite: Tamiya´s texture paint. Why? A big bottle, can mix it with sand, pigments or acrylic paint and, most of all, fix strongly with any kind of surface.
Adding some dark brown pigment and paint to the Tamiya´s paint, I achieve approximately a nice color to start adding the mud. Anyway, the color is NOT important. Just the texture IS important. Must be in scale and as heterogeneous as possible.
Using a bush, I applied the mix to my taste to the wheels and the lower part of the tank. As can be seen in the pictures, the result is anything but nice!. But keep the faith! This is just the beginning!
Once the texture paint is dry (a day or more, do not be impatient), using a colour mix of paints similar to the AK´s dust, I randomly applied a fine coat of dust over the wheels. Be sure that this paint do not hide all the elements or you´ll achieve a dull and unattractive surface. As usually, do it as heterogeneous as possible.
Remember that this paint can´t be removed, so be carefully when applying the paint with your airbrush.
And, why not, let´s start with the tracks. Use ALWAYS the same colours for dust in all the parts of the vehicle. Of course you can play a little bit with the mix proportions, but do not use different colours to simulate the same effect: dust and dirt.
Using oils: Naples's Yellow, Natural Umber and Black, I made 3 mixes of this colours (like I did with acrylics) and using them as a wash, I applied them randomly on the different wheels with different intensities.
Just in the tracks (where the two previous steps were also applied), I added punctually some pigments (a mix of three colours from Iraqi Sand and Russian earth ) to achieve some textures here and there. Remember that if you use a lot of pigments, you´ll spoil all the previous work as the surfaces where the pigments are used, if you´re not careful, will get dull, bored and will hide all the previous work!
And it´s time to finish the work!
It´s very confusing to really finish a tank, because just at the end we start to make little changes in the kit here and there using all the techniques explained before. Punctual washes, final highlighting, some pigments here and there, splashes on the wheel made with AK´s products (damp earth, mud) and an old brush, polish metal bare metal parts with a pencil (graphite), so on.
I strongly recommend to work slowly and, as always, have a clear idea about the final look of your kit. It´s the only way to properly use all the techniques explained in this and many other articles. Remember, you must always have a reply once you´re thinking on any technique to two questions: why and what for? | {
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Q: VBA Ribbon validate imageMso I'm creating a custom ribbon in Excel, and I'm using ImageMso's for icons. I downloaded the full list of Icons from Microsoft, and tried to create a menu that displays them all for me to choose, but some of them are not displaying.
Is there any way to validate if an imageMso code does not work with the current version of windows, and display a placeholder in it's place instead of a blank icon?
Thanks,
Daniel
A: In my experience the short answer is no, but I also haven't investigated or attempted to resolve it with any great tenacity. If it doesn't show up I will retry with a different icon.
Note that I am not an expert by any means, but have been playing around with customUI for a while.
There is a great free Add-In I found that helps with speeding up the whole process of identifying suitable icons. It's worth checking it out.
https://www.spreadsheet1.com/how-to-use-imagemso-icons-in-excel.html
Josh
PS. I hear this is particularly an issue going into the Office 2019.
| {
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Congratulations to ACUBE's 2016 Teaching Excellence Award Winner!
ACUBE's Excellence in Teaching Award is offered annually to honor faculty who both practice and promote effective, innovative teaching in the biology classroom. Nominees must (1) have taught for two years or more at a college or university that awards a post-secondary degree in biological sciences, (2) have been an active member of ACUBE for two or more years, and (3) demonstrate a commitment to teaching in biological sciences.
Award recipients are expected to attend and present at the upcoming meeting (as the award will be presented at a ceremony during the annual meeting). A $500 award and certificate will be presented to the winner. See the ACUBE Excellence in Teaching Award for more details. | {
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The marbled frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus) is a bird in the family Podargidae. The species was first described by Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard in 1830. It is found in the Aru Islands, New Guinea and Queensland. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.
Taxonomy
There are five subspecies recognised; the nominate ocellatus is found in New Guinea and surrounding islands. Two subspecies are found on islands of Papua New Guinea; intermedius is found on Trobriand Islands and D'Entrecasteaux Islands, meeki is endemic to Tagula Island. Australia has two subspecies; marmoratus is found on Cape York Peninsula, plumiferus (known locally as the plumed frogmouth) is found in south-east Queensland.
Rigidipenna inexpectatus, endemic to four islands in the Solomon Islands, was formerly considered a subspecies. It was split into its own genus, Rigidipenna, in 2007.
Distribution and habitat
The Conondale ranges in Queensland's Sunshine Coast is considered a stronghold for the plumed frogmouth; notable populations are within the Conondale National Park. The species is rare and is listed as vulnerable in Queensland and occurs in subtropical rainforest and vineforest at altitudes from 50–800 m. The species roosts in the canopy of and is considered cryptic and extremely hard to find or study. Current populations are threatened by land clearing, inappropriate fire regimes and timber harvesting with future impacts of climate change posing additional risks. There have been estimates of the current pairs in the Conondale ranges being around 800 pairs with the current range of the species is just under 2000 ha with some potential future habitat increase in population being created by regenerating rainforest previously logged. Its specialised habitat requirements being un-logged pristine forests, the species is considered extremely vulnerable due to significant habitat reduction. Future harvesting of native timber in the Conondale region also poses risk.
Behavior
P. ocellatus is a nocturnal ground feeder. During the day, it sleeps on a tree branch with its beak pointing upward, taking on the appearance of a tree branch. To cope with the heat and humidity of its tropical home, P. ocellatus has heart and respiration rates lower than is typical for birds of its size. During periods of hyperthermia, it will enact panting as a cooling mechanism, with more efficient cooling effect than is seen in other bird species performing the same action.
References
marbled frogmouth
Birds of New Guinea
Birds of Cape York Peninsula
Birds of Queensland
marbled frogmouth
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Taxa named by Jean René Constant Quoy
Taxa named by Joseph Paul Gaimard | {
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Djokovic to open v Verdasco; Federer, Murray in same quarter
John Pye CP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic drew a difficult first-round opponent in Fernando Verdasco, and Roger Federer's fall in the rankings complicated his chances at Melbourne Park after he ended up in same quarter as top-ranked Andy Murray, No. 5 Kei Nishikori and No. 10 Tomas Berdych.
The official draw for the season's first major was held Friday and delivered an awkward opponent for second-seeded Djokovic. Verdasco had an upset win over fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the first round here last year, and had five match points before losing to Djokovic in the semifinals at Doha last week.
Thornhill, Ont., product Milos Raonic, seeded third, will play No. 70 Dustin Brown of Germany in the first round. Westmount, Que., native Eugenie Bouchard goes up against No. 65 Louisa Chirico of the United States. The 22-year-old Bouchard is No. 49 on the WTA rankings.
Six-time women's champion Serena Williams, aiming for an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title, drew a challenging first-round opponent in Belinda Bencic and also had No. 9 Johanna Konta, No. 17 Caroline Wozniacki and No. 6 Dominika Cibulkova in her quarter.
Top-ranked Angelique Kerber, who beat Williams in the final here last year to win her first Grand Slam title and also won the U.S. Open to finish the year at No. 1, will open against Lesia Tsurenko.
Federer had surgery on his left knee last February after reaching the Australian Open semifinals and, after ending his record run of 65 consecutive majors by skipping the French Open, spent the second half of 2016 on the sidelines recovering after a semifinal exit at Wimbledon.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner slipped to No. 16 in the year-end rankings, and dropped a further spot this week to be seeded 17th after Grigor Dimitrov beat Nishikori in the Brisbane International final last Sunday and moved up to No. 15.
Federer was drawn to play qualifiers in the first two rounds, then potentially former Wimbledon finalist Berdych in the third round, 2014 U.S. Open finalist Nishikori in the fourth and five-time Australian Open runnerup Murray in the quarters.
Paul Annacone, Federer's former coach, was at the draw in a commentary role and said the 35-year-old Swiss star had enough experience at Melbourne Park — where he has won four titles and reached the semifinals or better in 12 of the last 13 years — to make another charge at the title.
"Very strange seeing 17 next to Roger's name," he said. "For Roger, because he's been here so often, knows how to prepare, I don't see it being a huge issue."
Nishikori, speaking on the eve of the draw, said having Federer sitting lower in the list of seeds than usual was daunting for his rivals but was a promotional bonanza for the tournament.
"It's not the best news for us, for sure. It's a bit tough," he said. "It's not the best if you play, but it's great for the fans."
After leaving Australia quickly after a fifth final loss, Murray won nine titles in 2016 — including Wimbledon, the Olympics and the season-ending ATP Finals to replace Djokovic in the year-end No. 1 ranking.
He will play Illya Marchenko in the first round and has a potential third round against No. 31 Sam Querrey, who upset Djokovic at the same stage last year at Wimbledon.
U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka is on the bottom of the same half of the draw.
No. 2-ranked Djokovic is in the other half and has No. 4 Dominic Thiem, No. 11 David Goffin and Dimitrov in his quarter.
Nadal, the 14-time major winner who is returning from two months off with a left wrist injury, and Raonic are in the top quarter on that side of the draw.
Djokovic and Kerber attended the draw as defending champions, carrying their trophies into the revamped entry to Melbourne Park. Djokovic equaled Roy Emerson's record of six Australian titles last year — he has won five of the last six — and Kerber won her first.
"Everyone else is here, not to defend, but to chase a title, try to win it," Djokovic said. "And I put myself in that position."
Kerber saved a match point in her opener against Misaki Doi of Japan last year, when she was seeded seventh, and knows better than to take the first round lightly when the Australian Open starts Monday.
"It was just one point that changed everything," Kerber said. "It was an amazing two weeks, starting with the first round where I was match point down, then playing the best player in the world in Serena in the final.
"To be here now, top seed, it's very special." | {
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Subsets and Splits