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is in a great company is not
therefore not solitary. When, therefore, we have lost a brother or a son
or a friend on whom we were wont to rest, we say that we are left
solitary, and oftentimes we say it in Rome, with such a crowd meeting us
and so many dwelling about us, and, it may be, having a multitude of
slaves. For the solitary man, in his conception, meaneth to be thought
helpless, and laid open to those who wish him harm. Therefore when we
are on a journey we then, above all, say that we are solitary when we
are fallen among thieves; for that which taketh away solitude is not the
sight of a man, but of a faithful and pious and serviceable man. For if
to be solitary it sufficeth to be alone, then say that Zeus is solitary
in the conflagration,[1] and bewails himself. _Woe is me! I have neither
Hera nor Athene nor Apollo_, nor, in short, either brother or son or
descendant or kinsman. And so some say he doth when alone in the
conflagration. For they comprehend not the life of a man who is alone,
setting out from a certain natural principle, that we are by nature
social, and inclined to love each other, and pleased to be in the
company of other men. But none the less is it needful that one find the
means to this also, to be able to suffice to himself, and to be his own
companion. For as Zeus is his own companion, and is content with
himself, and considereth his own government, what it is, and is occupied
in designs worthy of himself; thus should we be able to converse with
ourselves, and feel no need of others, nor want means to pass the time;
but to observe the divine government, and the relation of ourselves with
other things; to consider how we stood formerly towards the events that
befall us, and how we stand now; what things they are that still afflict
us; how these, too, may be healed, how removed; and if aught should need
perfecting, to perfect it according to the reason of the case.
2. Ye see now how that Caesar seemeth to have given us a great peace;
how there are no longer wars nor battles nor bands of robbers nor of
pirates, but a man may travel at every season, and sail from east to
west. But can he give us peace from fever? or from shipwreck? or from
fire? or earthquake? or lightning? ay, or from love? _He cannot._ Or
from grief? _He cannot._ Or from envy? _He cannot._ Briefly, then, he
cannot secure us from any of such things. But the word of the
philosophers doth promise us peace even from these things. And what
saith it? _If ye will hearken unto me, O men, wheresoever ye be,
whatsoever ye do, ye shall not grieve, ye shall not be wroth, ye shall
not be compelled or hindered, but ye shall live untroubled and free from
every ill._ Whosoever hath this peace, which Caesar never proclaimed (for
how could he proclaim it?), but which God proclaimed through His word,
shall he not suffice to himself when he may be alone? for he beholdeth
and considereth, _Now can no evil happen to me; for me there is no
robber, no earthquake; all things are full of peace, full of calm; for
me no way, no city, no assembly, no neighbor, no associate hath any
hurt_. He is supplied by one, whose part that is, with food, by another
with raiment, by another with senses, by another with natural
conceptions. And when it may be that the necessary things are no longer
supplied, that is the signal for retreat: the door is opened, and God
saith to thee, _Depart_.
----"Whither?"
To nothing dreadful, but to the place from whence thou camest--to things
friendly and akin to thee, to the elements of Being. Whatever in thee
was fire shall go to fire; of earth, to earth; of air, to air; of water,
to water;[2] no Hades, nor Acheron, nor Coeytus, nor Phlegethon, but all
things are full of Gods and Powers.[3] Whoso hath these things to think
on, and seeth the sun and the moon and the stars, and rejoiceth in the
earth and the sea, he is no more solitary than he is helpless.
----"What, then, if one come and find me alone and slay me?"
Fool! not thee, but thy wretched body.
3. Thou art a little soul bearing up a corpse.
4. What solitude, then, is there any longer, what lack? Why do we make
ourselves worse than children, which, when they are left alone, what do
they?--they take shells and sand and build up somewhat, and then throw
it down, and again build up something else, and so they never lack
pastime. And shall I, if ye sail away from me, sit down and weep for
that I am left alone and solitary? Shall I have no shells nor sand? But
children do these things through their folly, and we through our wisdom
are made unhappy.
CHAPTER X.
AGAINST THE CONTENTIOUS AND REVENGEFUL.
1. To suppose that we shall become contemptible in the eyes of others,
unless in some way we inflict an injury on those who first showed
hostility to us, is the character of most ignoble and thoughtless men.
For thus we say, that a man is to be despised according to his inability
to do hurt; but much rather is he to be despised according to his
inability to do good.
2. The wise and good man neither strives with any himself, nor in the
measure of his power will he allow another to strive. And in this, as in
all other things, the life of Socrates is set before us as an example;
who did not only himself fly all contention, but also forbade it to
others. See in Xenophon's _Symposium_ how many quarrels he ended; and,
again, how he bore with Thrasymachus, and how with Polus and with
Callicles; and how he endured his wife, and how his son, which opposed
him with sophistical arguments. For he remembered very well that no man
can command the ruling faculty of another.
3. How, then, is there yet any place for contention in one so minded?
For what event can amaze him? what appear strange to him? Doth he not
look for even worse and more grievous things at the hands of evil men
than do befall him? Doth he not count everything for gain which is short
of the extreme of injury? Hath such a one reviled thee? Much thanks to
him that he did not strike thee. _But he did also strike me._ Much
thanks that he did not wound thee. _But he did also wound me._ Much
thanks that he did not slay thee. For when did he learn, or from whom,
that he was a tame animal, and affectionate to others, and that to the
wrongdoer the wrong-doing itself is a heavy injury? For since he hath not
learned these things, nor believes them, wherefore should he not follow
that which appears to be his advantage? Thy neighbor hath flung stones!
Hast thou, then, sinned in aught? But he has broken things in the house?
And art thou a household vessel? Nay--but a Will.
4. What, then, hath been given thee for this occasion? To a wolf it were
given to bite--to fling more stones. But if thou seek what is becoming
for a man, look into thy stores, see what faculties thou hast come here
furnished withal. Hast thou the nature of a wild beast? the temper of
revenge?
5. When is a horse in wretched case? When he is bereaved of his natural
faculties; not when he cannot crow, but when he cannot run. When is a
dog? Not when he cannot fly, but when he cannot track. Is not a man,
then, also thus wretched, not when he cannot strangle lions or embrace
statues[1]--for to this he came endowed with no faculties by Nature--but
when he hath lost his honesty, his faithfulness? Surely we should meet
together and lament over such a man; so great are the evils into which
he hath fallen. Not, indeed, | |
not in Holinshed. It has been transferred from his account of the witches' hailing of Macbeth and Banquo. Not unusually for Shakespeare, this casts a less than happily legitimate light upon the denouement. Doubt is reinforced by the fact that, like the witches' greeting of Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor, Macduffe's entitling of Malcolme is premature, prophetic, in that it precedes a decision of the thanes. In a very _Macbeth_ way, Macduffe pressures the nobles by anticipation into delivering what he wants, saying that he already hears what is in their minds (again, in a minor key, like Macbeth's ambition educed by the witches).
This is the cue which prompts the thanes to a chorus of salutation:
_[Macduffe.]_ Behold where stands
Th'Vsurpers cursed head: the time is free:
I see thee compast with thy Kingdomes Pearle,
That speake my salutation in their minds:
Whose voyces I desire alowd with mine.
Haile King of Scotland.
_All_. Haile King of Scotland. _Flourish_. (V.vii. TLN 2506-12)
Those with an ear for irony will hear the insubstantiality of 'voyces' (like the 'Voyces' of election that Coriolanus scornfully calls for). Those with an eye for it will be struck by the way the witches' 'All haile' (a phrase with overtones of betrayal elsewhere in Shakespeare) returns to the page through a Folio speech prefix (' _All_. Haile King of Scotland'). It is in the hands of directors whether the flourish sounds from the tiring house unannounced, as the play's endorsement, as it were, of Malcolme's new title, or whether Macduffe signals the trumpeters, to orchestrate this relatively benign coup or assertion of heritable principles. What it remains for criticism to do is to analyse the connection between the hailing of the witches and that of the nobles. To undertake this task is to return to the topic of offices and titles highlighted by _The Valiant Scot_.
*** * ***
That the word _hail_ occurs far more often in _Macbeth_ than in any other play by Shakespeare cannot be entirely explained by the freedom with which the witches use it in Act I and the thanes echo them in Act V. Hardly has the action begun than Malcolme greets the bleeding sergeant with a 'Haile, braue friend' (I.ii. TLN 23). There is no doubt, however, that the witches give hailing prominence:
_Mac_. Speake if you can: what are you?
_1_. All haile _Macbeth_ , haile to thee _Thane_ of Glamis.
_2_. All haile _Macbeth_ , haile to thee _Thane_ of Cawdor.
_3_. All haile _Macbeth_ , that shalt be King hereafter. (I.iii. TLN 147-50)
Requesting a greeting for himself (a curious gambit), Banquo is rewarded with a similar, yet developing, refrain, as 'Hayle' repeated by each of the witches turns into riddling doublets:
_3_. Thou shalt get Kings, though thou be none:
So all haile _Macbeth, and Banquo_.
_1. Banquo, and Macbeth, all_ haile. (I.iii. TLN 167-9)
By means of these repetitions, _hail_ gains cumulative weight, yet it also evolves in significance. The process starts as the witches use 'haile' not only as a greeting but as an imperative to one another to hail their visitors and then as a description of what they are doing. As one witch hails she hails another to join her in hailing; and if uttering the word binds them together, as their broken, choric utterances repeatedly do, so does its semantic field, since 'all haile' could mean 'all whole'. As figures of inversion--a Shakespearean anti-masque--the witches parody in their three-in-oneness the constitutional theology of the Jacobean threefold monarchy. _Hail_ implies 'whole' because it also means, especially in northern usage, 'health'--being sound and whole in body. At the start of a play preoccupied with insanity and disease, the witches mockingly wish upon Macbeth and Banquo all the health they set out to subvert with the bad medicine they brew up in what they say as well as their cauldron. This is one reason why their greeting sounds like a charm. Another is that the weird sisters wish the travellers 'luck'--an archaic meaning of _hail_ , as it is of weird (i.e. 'wayward/weyard'). Wholeness can be projected upon Macbeth and Banquo because they are, like those who greet them--Jacobean versions of the three fates--joined in their 'lot' or 'destiny'. The ambiguity of welcome is underwritten by the slipperiness of the word.
Macbeth has another question:
Stay you imperfect Speakers, tell me more:
By _Sinells_ death, I know I am _Thane_ of Glamis,
But how, of Cawdor? the _Thane_ of Cawdor liues
A prosperous Gentleman: And to be King,
Stands not within the prospect of beleefe,
No more then to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange Intelligence, or why
Vpon this blasted Heath you stop our way
With such Prophetique greeting? (I.iii. TLN 170-8)
The play's concern with how fathers relate to sons has led critics to make much of Macbeth's lack of an heir. Yet the role registered in his name (Mac-, 'son of') is also striking, since he has come to lack a father. By that death he inherits the title Thane of Glamis. Did Cawdor not have a son? (How many children had Lady Cawdor?) Perhaps the treachery imputed to the father has been punished in his heir. Perhaps the lack of an heir made the Thanedom ripe for redistribution. Either way, _Macbeth_ starts with a heritable title being allocated by order of the king. In this the play, like _The Valiant Scot_ , is potently of its period. It is a strategy that Duncan will revisit, obscured from the sight of most modern commentators because passed off as not allocation at all, but inheritance, when he settles the estate of kingship, over which by Scottish custom he has no particular rights, upon his firstborn, Malcolme.
Before that, Macbeth receives official news of his own promotion. Giving _hail_ another twist, Rosse tells him how reports of his success in battle came 'thick as hail' to Duncan. Heralds announcing success approached the king with so many greetings (hailings), one upon another, that there was a blizzard of welcomes mixed with welcome reports. Because of this, Macbeth is to be not just thanked and heralded into the king's presence but _greeted._ This is a more handsome reward than it sounds because the greeting includes a title (we often hail a named addressee), and the anticipated form of that title (Cawdor) makes what Rosse obscurely says about this being 'earnest of a greater Honor' provocative because it is bound to put Macbeth in mind of the royal title that has been prophesied:
And for an earnest of a greater Honor,
He bad me, from him, call thee _Thane_ of Cawdor:
In which addition, haile most worthy _Thane_ ,
For it is thine. (I.iii. TLN 209-12)
Rosse's hailing is as insidious as that of the witches.
When Shakespeare's contemporary, Simon Forman, made notes on a performance that he had seen of _Macbeth_ he remembered from the next phase of the play the 'kindly wellcome' that Duncan gave to Macbeth and Banquo; and it is indeed remarkable how elaborately Macbeth is welcomed. Duncan lavishes upon him the sort of fulsome greeting--'Thou art so farre before, | That swiftest Wing of Recompense is slow, | To ouertake thee', and so forth (I.iv. TLN 299-301)--that seventeenth-century conduct-book writers, such as the Scotsman John Cleland, warn against. After fewer words of welcome to Banquo, marked as warmer by a physical embrace, Duncan seizes the chance to capitalize on the victories that Macbeth has won him:
Sonnes, Kinsmen, _Thanes_ ,
And you whose places are the nearest, know,
We will establish our Estate vpon
Our eldest, _Malcolme_ , whom we name hereafter,
The Prince of Cumberland: which Honor must
Not vnaccompanied, inuest him onely,
But signes of Noblenesse, like Starres, shall shine
On all deseruers. (I.iv. TLN 322-9)
Favouring Malcolme with estate, name, and honour, Duncan | |
Find a Grief Support Group
Virtual Grief Support Groups and Resources
HopeHealth is committed to provide you with the support you need. To ensure safety during the pandemic, we are offering our grief support groups virtually to anyone in our community who needs support. We invite you to join any of our many specialty and general groups for adults, children and healthcare providers. See our comprehensive offering here.
Looking for helpful tips to guide you on your grief journey? View our grief support blogs or read through our grief support readings library.
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Remote Grief Support During COVID-19
If you are coping with grief, we are here for you. Join us for one of our virtual grief support groups held through Zoom by following the details below. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at (888) 528-9077.
General Grief Support Group - Thursdays and Fridays
This is a general grief support group open to anyone who has lost a loved one and is in need of support.
To participate, please register by emailing [email protected]. Upon registration you will receive the password. All meetings are password protected.
Click here to access the group on Thursdays from 5:30 – 7 p.m. E.T.
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Grupo de apoio ao luto em português e crioulo
Liderado por um facilitador especialmente treinado, este grupo oferece um ambiente seguro, confidencial e de apoio para pessoas que estão passando por luto relacionado à perda.
Para participar, registe-se mandando um e-mail para [email protected]. No ato do registo vai receber uma senha. Todas as reuniões são protegidas por senha "password".
Mensalmente - 3ª quinta-feira, das 16h às 17h30
Loss of Spouse or Life Partner – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
The loss of a spouse or life partner can be a devastating experience leaving you feeling isolated from the world at large, but you are not alone. Join others who have experienced a similar grief experience for mutual support and comfort.
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Tuesdays 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. ET (This group is currently full.)
January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8
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January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9, 16
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January 6, 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; April 7
Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. ET
Loss of Parent – Tuesdays and Wednesdays
This group is for anyone experiencing the loss of a parent.
Click here to access the group weekly on Wednesday from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Session 1: January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23
Session2: March 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20
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This group is for anyone experiencing the loss of a child.
Click here to access our Loss of Child Group Biweekly on Mondays 4:00-5:30 p.m.
January 10, 24; February 14, 28; March 14, 28; April 11, 25
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This group is for anyone experiencing the loss of a sibling.
Click here to access our Loss of Sibling Support Group monthly on Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m. ET
January 26, February 23, March 30, April 27
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A supportive setting for those who have experienced the unique and challenging role of caregiver for a loved one with dementia and are now grieving the difficult loss of that person.
Third Monday of the Month from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET
Losing a Loved One to COVID-19: Comfort and Support - Wednesdays (Biweekly)
Grief research suggests that suffering personal losses can be particularly challenging when experienced in times of broader social stress. Loss of a loved one to COVID-19 can bring about complicated grief—a type of bereavement that is unusually difficult and long-lasting. From the sudden way the world changed, to the unanticipated decline in health of our loved ones, to the inability to hold memorials to honor them in their death all contribute to this unimaginable grief.
Join our experienced grief support group facilitators for a time of sharing, healing, and comfort each week as we continue to grieve together.
Click here to access the group biweekly on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET through Zoom
January 12, 26; February 9, 23; March 2, 16, 30; April 13, 27
Children's Grief Support Group - First Tuesday of the Month
This bi-weekly virtual group is for children aged 6-12 years old who have experienced the loss of a loved one. In this group, children will connect through art-focused activities facilitated by a grief counselor. Mindfulness techniques will be introduced and space for discussion will be provided.
This group is password protected. Please email Diane Labmert, grief counselor, at [email protected] to obtain the password.
First Tuesday of the month from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET through Zoom.
January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5
Teens Grief Support Group - Second Tuesday of the Month
This bi-weekly virtual group is for teens aged 13-17 years old who have experienced the loss of a loved one. In this group, teens will have the opportunity to connect through art-focused and mindfulness techniques facilitated by a grief counselor. A safe space is created for teens to discuss their grief and how that grief may be compounded by COVID-19.
This group is password protected. Please email Diane Lambert, grief counselor, at [email protected] to obtain the password.
Click here to access the group every second Tuesday of the month from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET through Zoom
January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12
Mindfulness Meditation for Grief and Healing - Wednesdays
Mindfulness meditation is a practice that engages posture, everyday movement, the breath and mindful, focused awareness. In practicing together, participants can foster a deeper sense of the present moment, reduce stress and anxiety and find deeper meaning after the death of a loved one.
Click here to access the group on Wednesdays from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET through Zoom
Soulful Signs - Tuesdays and Fridays (Biweekly)
This gathering explores the continued relationships with loved ones who have passed. This group includes a supportive and non-judgmental discussion about ways in which loved ones are communicating with us along with helpful tips and guidance to stay connected to them. For some, maintaining and nurturing these relationships are instrumental in healing from the pain of loss.
Tuesdays (biweekly) 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. ET
January 11, 25; February 8, 22; March 8, 22
Fridays (biweekly) 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. ET
January 7, 21; February 4, 18; March 4, 18
LGBTQ+ Grief Support Group - Fourth Monday of the Month
Led by a specially trained facilitator, this group provides a safe, confidential and supportive setting for individuals experiencing grief related to loss.
Click here to access this group every fourth Monday of the month from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m ET through Zoom
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The unprecedented public health crisis brought on by COVID-19 is impacting every aspect of daily life, but the emotional and physical toll on healthcare professionals in particular is daunting. Please join HopeHealth support group facilitators and your peers in the healthcare work force as we gather to provide comfort, emotional support, and resources that will help you to cope with the ongoing stressors and cumulative losses you are experiencing during this difficult time. Taking time to turn your caregiving inward while providing care for others helps create balance of mind, body, and spirit when it is needed most.
Click here to access the group on Mondays biweekly from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. ET through Zoom
January 3, 17, 31; February 14, 28; March 7, 21; | |
Nagorno-Karabakh: If There Is No Peace, There Is a Threat of War
Browsing through the archives on my laptop, I found my one year old take on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I can admit that the situation on the ground hasn't changed dramatically and my article is still reflecting the grave realities we face.
Unfortunately South Caucasus is rich not only with natural resources but also with numerous protracted conflicts, and the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region is among them. The ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been concluded on May 5, 1994, but no substantial progress has been made so far. The main international mediator – OSCE Minsk Group composed of representatives of Russia, France and the U.S. – has failed to bring any positive changes into the resolution of the conflict. The Madrid Principles of the resolution of the conflict adopted by both Armenian and Azerbaijani leadership in December 2007 have brought a light of hope but the following "war" over details disappointed many.
At first sight, it seems that the main bone of contention is whether the referendum defining the final legal status of the region should be conducted prior or after the return of the IDPs, who are of Azerbaijani-origin, because that would determine whether the region will remain as a part of Azerbaijan or proclaim independence. However, after many years of fruitless negotiations it becomes obvious that Armenia is very reluctant to return to Azerbaijani control not only the Nagorno-Karabakh region itself, but also the occupied territories surrounding the region. Armenian leadership is not yet ready to take such a bold decision; it not only lacks political capital to spend but also legitimacy among Armenian population. Any concession of land to the Azerbaijani side could result in the loss of power and political turmoil. Moreover, one should not forget that the current president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, is originally coming from the Nagorno-Karabakh region and is said to be one of the founders of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed forces.
Politics of demonization of Armenians in Azerbaijan is another argument at hand which prevents any attempts to reconcile both sides. Armenian side has serious concerns that those Armenians, living in the Karabkh region, will be simply wiped out of their living places or turned to be second glass citizens of Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Armenia has adopted a "fence sitting" approach waiting for the more favourable international environment to come for self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh (read: without return of IDPs). Therefore it would be naïve to hope that a breakthrough in negotiations could be achieved by 2013, when the Armenian presidential elections are going to take place. While both presidents at the OSCE summit in Astana signed a joint statement reaffirming their "commitment to seek a final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based upon the principles and norms of the international law", it still should not be considered as a safety net to avoid the breakout of the military actions.
Azerbaijani leadership is well aware of the situation and is trying to push Minsk Group mediators to put more pressure on Armenia while keeping military option as a last resort but the more frequent statements made by both politicians and military on the possibility of use of force to return back the occupied territories indicate that the patience is gradually running out. In its latest report[1] the International Crisis Group has warned on a possibility of the resumption of military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The situation has deteriorated over the past year, the cease-fire violations became more frequent and the causality figures increased. Unlike it is in Georgia, there is no so-called 24/7 working "hot line" among the parties to the conflict which could prevent the escalation of the conflict. Therefore any serious skirmish could easily spiralout of control and lead to the outbreak of war which could have far more grave consequences for the region than the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008.
In August 2010 Russia and Armenia signed the 5th Protocol to the Treaty on Russia's military base on the Armenian territories concluded in 1995. The Protocol envisaged that the Russian military base (located in the Northern city of Gyumri) will not only serve for the protection of the national interests of the Russian Federation, but will also ensure security of the host country, that is, Armenia, and provide modern weapons and equipment to Armenian armed forces. For those who have been following the developments in the region, there is nothing new in this document as Russia has long been providing armaments to Armenia. Moreover, both Armenia and Russia are parties to the Collective Security Treaty which envisages that an aggression against one of the state parties is an aggression against all. What is important here that the latest document is just one more explicit proof of Russia's biased position in the regulation of the conflict as well as to the fact that the key to the resolution of the conflict lies in Kremlin.
These developments led to the conclusion of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which pledges that both countries will support each other in a case of aggression and enhance military cooperation. The agreement shows an increasing fatigue, and even frustration with the current state of the negotiation process in Azerbaijan. The country has increased its military spending up to more than $ 3 billion, which is even more than the whole state budget of Armenia. The current growth in oil prices will lead to more fortune and more military spending, but this will not last forever. Azerbaijan's budget is heavily dependent on oil revenues. And as some pundits[2] predict that at the current rate of extraction Azerbaijani oil reserves may be depleted by 2019, but the oil boom will end in 2013. Less cash would mean fewer chances to regain Nagorno-Karabakh by force.
Azerbaijani diplomats tend to complain that foreigners come to Azerbaijan to get something profitable out of this country – Russians seek for obedience, Europeans seek for oil and gas, Iranians seek for an opportunity to export Islamic revolution, Americans seek for dominance and support Europeans in their quest for energy resources – and nobody cares of Azerbaijan's top national priority – restoration of the territorial integrity. The only partner for Azerbaijan which not only takes but also delivers is Turkey. But the frustration of the current negotiation format, explicit military and economic support of Russia to Armenia and looming descent in oil production might push Azerbaijani leadership to opt for the military solution, which would plunge the region into chaos.
The current format of the conflict mediation process is ineffective as it very much depends on the domestic situation. The upcoming presidential elections (scheduled for the first half of 2012) in all three countries represented in the OSCE Minsk Group – U.S., France and Russia – mean less focus on the resolution of the conflict. Moreover, due to a large presence of Armenian diaspora Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict often becomes an issue of domestic politics like it is in the U.S. or France.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh has largely been out of view for the European Union which has left the resolution of the conflict to the OSCE. In words of the President of European Commission Barroso, the EU is ready to provide assistance for rehabilitation in case a conflict settlement is reached.[3] But again there is a smell of gunpowder in the air, and again the EU is reluctant to step in. If the EU is not yet ready to make bold political decisions, it should invest more into reconciliation between two sides financially supporting non-profit organisations working in this field. Two generations have been brought up not speaking to each other. Azerbaijanis | |
Newslinks for Tuesday 22nd December 2020
Coronavirus 1) Mass Covid testing of lorry drivers could reopen ports
"Boris Johnson is drawing up contingency plans to test all lorry drivers taking goods across the Channel in order to bring an end to the disruption at Britain's ports. Ministers are understood to be preparing "infrastructure" to allow thousands of truckers to be tested for Covid-19 after France insisted hauliers should be cleared as negative before entering the country. On Monday night, Mr Johnson made a personal appeal to Emmanuel Macron, the French president, to reopen the French border after ports were closed in response to the news that a newly-discovered mutant coronavirus strain was "out of control" in London and the South-East. The Prime Minister told a Downing Street press conference he believed the risk of freight drivers passing on the new and highly infectious strain of Covid was very low." – Daily Telegraph
Johnson appeals to French president but freight ban remains – The Guardian
Chaos at ports could last until Christmas Eve – The Times
Macron's lorry ban is utterly pointless. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – Daily Telegraph
MPs ETC: Johnson on Macron: "We both understand each other's positions". His statement. Full text.
Coronavirus 2) PM under pressure to impose new national lockdown
"Boris Johnson is facing intense pressure to impose another national lockdown within days, as more than 40 countries banned arrivals from the UK in an effort to keep out a new fast-spreading variant of coronavirus. Government scientific advisers warned that inaction could cost tens of thousands of lives and risk an "economic, human and social disaster", with the new strain spreading across the UK and overseas. Ministers urged people to avoid panic-buying food as France failed to lift its ban on freight and passengers from the UK on Monday despite a personal appeal from the prime minister, who asked Emmanuel Macron to put aside his "anxiety" over the new strain of Covid-19." – The Guardian
Mutant virus strain 'is everywhere', says adviser – The Times
Tier 4 restrictions set to spread across country, Vallance warns – Daily Telegraph
More areas of England set to enter tier 4 in race to curb new strain – FT
Whitty says hospital cases could match April peak by New Year – Daily Mail
Foreign experts scoff at British response to mutant virus – The Times
Regional response
All arrivals to Greater Manchester and West Midlands from Tier 4 and Wales asked to self-isolate – Sky News
January school closures considered – Daily Telegraph
New Covid variant in UK: spreading Christmas fear? – The Guardian
'Captain of a rudderless ship': Tory media turn on Johnson – The Guardian
Inside story of how PM forced into action – The Times
A nation on the brink, Editorial – The Guardian
National emergency, Editorial – The Times
Failed cycle of lockdowns is precisely why Parliament must step in, Adam Afriyie – Daily Telegraph
Britain is being punished for alerting world to new crisis, Tom Harwood – Daily Telegraph
How a string of failures by the government helped Covid to mutate, Anthony Costello – The Guardian
Our leaders are trapped in an echo chamber, Claire Fox – Daily Telegraph
Travel chaos, U-turns and a cancelled Christmas: it's Johnson's worst week, Polly Toynbee – The Guardian
ToryDiary: T.I.N.A
Video: WATCH: "There's no reason to think this new variant of the virus is any more dangerous" – Johnson
ToryDiary: The case for "doing a Sweden" runs out of steam
Coronavirus 3) William Hague: Ministers cannot afford to mess up vaccination plan now
"It is understandable that Boris Johnson's decision to ask much of the country to abandon their plans for Christmas with almost no notice has been subject to intense criticism. Some people think it should have happened earlier, others that it is not necessary at all, still others that some kind of conspiracy to achieve a tighter lockdown without parliamentary approval is afoot. The Government may have made many mistakes in the handling of the pandemic, but most people who read the minutes of the expert committee NERVTAG that met on Friday would agree with this latest decision of an obviously reluctant Prime Minister." – Daily Telegraph
Comment: Allie Renison: Pregnant and breastfeeding women deserve choice over whether they have the Coronavirus vaccine
Comment: Raghib Ali: Christmas is going to be tough, but there is finally light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel
Coronavirus 4) Government 'operated illegal buy British policy' for test kits
"The government was operating an illegal "buy British" policy when it signed contracts with a small UK firm to supply Covid antibody tests, claim lawyers who have filed a case against the health secretary. The Good Law Project said there were a number of other companies in a better position to supply antibody tests in June and August, when the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) agreed deals worth up to £80m with Abingdon Health without going out to tender. The government had also agreed a deal to share in the profits the company made, the lawyers say. The government was determined to get a British test, following the fiasco of the purchase by the health secretary, Matt Hancock, of 3.5m Chinese antibody tests in March with orders for a further 17.5m." – The Guardian
Coronavirus 5) Biden given vaccine on live TV
"President-elect Joe Biden received the first dose of his COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware on Monday, posing for the cameras as a local nurse administrated the shot. 'There is nothing to worry about,' he said as he reassured the public the vaccine was safe. Biden also gave credit to President Donald Trump's administration for its roll out of the cure. About 24 million people are expected to be given the first round of shots. The president-elect thanked the medical staff and urged Americans to follow coronavirus restrictions during the upcoming holiday period, including wearing face masks and practicing social distancing." – Daily Mail
Hopes of Brexit breakthrough after UK fishing offer
"Downing Street has made a major counter-offer on fishing access for EU fleets in British waters to break the Brexit trade talks deadlock, raising hopes of a deal before Christmas. After a difficult period of negotiations, with both sides seemingly entrenched, the UK's chief Brexit negotiator, David Frost, is understood to have tabled a proposal that could unlock the troubled talks. According to EU sources, the British demand for a 60% reduction in the catch by value in British waters had been reduced to 35%, far closer to the 25% reduction that Frost's EU counterpart, Michel Barnier, had said he would be prepared to accept. Boris Johnson has also accepted a five-year phase-in period for the new arrangements, with a compromise also likely on the application of tariffs or export bans on goods where fishing access changes after the phase-in period, it is understood." – The Guardian
Britain offers 'cash-for-quotas' fishing deal – The Times
EU and UK edge towards Brexit compromise on fisheries – FT
MPs told to be ready to vote on possible Brexit deal next week – Daily Telegraph
PM dismisses sell-out claims – Daily Express
Ministers fear £6bn cost of Rashford hat-trick
"On the day of the government spending review last month, Marcus Rashford tweeted: "@RishiSunak is the Universal Credit uplift going to be taken away in April?" The England and Manchester United footballer made clear what he thought of the chancellor's plan to remove £20 a week from up to six million of the country's poorest households. "I'm really concerned that families are constantly counting down the days until help is taken away from them," he told his four million followers. "Children cannot be living to deadlines. We have to stabilise these households. 2.5 million will be unemployed in spring." – The Times
Plans to decriminalise non-payment of TV licence 'shelved by Government'
"Ministers had proposed viewers who refuse to cough up £157.50 should no longer face a criminal record. But such | |
example in section \ref{example},
$C_h$ may indeed converge to infinity
as the thickness of $S^h$ (that is $\|g_1^h + g_2^h\|_{L^\infty(S)}$)
converges to $0$.
Our goal is to investigate the behaviour of $C_h$ in two frameworks, relating to the following
hypotheses:
\begin{itemize}
\item[{\bf (H1)}] For some positive constants $C_1, C_2$ and
$C_3$, and all small $h>0$ there holds:
$$C_1 h\leq g_i^h(x)\leq C_2 h, \qquad |\nabla g_i^h(x)|\leq C_3 h \qquad
\forall x\in S, \quad i=1,2. $$
\item[{\bf (H2)}] For some smooth positive functions $g_1, g_2:S\longrightarrow \mathbf{R}$,
there holds:
$$\frac{1}{h} g_i^h \to g_i \quad {\mbox{ in }} \mathcal{C}^1(S) \quad {\mbox{ as }} h\to 0,
\qquad i=1,2. $$
\end{itemize}
Notice that clearly {\bf (H2)} implies {\bf (H1)} with, for example:
$C_1 = 2\max \{g_i(x); ~x\in S, ~i=1,2\}$,
$C_2 = 1/2\min \{g_i(x); ~x\in S, ~i=1,2\}$,
$C_3 = \max_i \|\nabla g_i\|_{L^\infty (S)} +1$.
\medskip
Before stating our main results, we need to recall the notion of
a Killing vector field.
The Lie algebra of smooth Killing vector fields on $S$ will be denoted
by $\mathcal{I}(S)$.
That is, $v\in \mathcal{I}(S)$ if and only if:
\begin{itemize}
\item[(i)] $v:S\longrightarrow \mathbf{R}^n$ is smooth and $v(x)\in T_x(S)$
for every $x\in S$,
\item[(ii)] $\begin{displaystyle}\frac{\partial v}{\partial \tau} (x) \cdot \tau = 0
\end{displaystyle}$ for every $x\in S$ and every $\tau\in T_x S$.
\end{itemize}
Condition (ii) implies that
\begin{equation}\label{kill}
\frac{\partial v}{\partial \tau}(x) \cdot \eta
+ \frac{\partial v}{\partial \eta}(x)\cdot \tau = 0 \qquad \forall \tau,\eta\in T_xS
\quad \forall x\in S.
\end{equation}
Recall that Killing vector fields are infinitesimal generators of isometries on $S$,
in the sense that if $\Phi$ is the flow generated by $v$:
$$ \frac{\mbox{d}}{\mbox{d}s} \Phi (s,x) = v(\Phi(s,x)), \qquad
\Phi(0,x) = x,$$
then for every fixed $s$ the map $S\ni x\mapsto \Phi(s,x)\in S$ is an isometry.
It is known that the linear space $\mathcal{I}(S)$ has finite dimension
\cite{KN, Peterson}. We recall this fact in Appendix C.
\medskip
Given positive smooth functions $g_1, g_2:S\longrightarrow \mathbf{R}$, define:
$$\mathcal{I}_{g_1, g_2}(S) = \left\{v\in\mathcal{I}(S);
~~ v(x)\cdot\nabla(g_1+g_2)(x) = 0
\quad \mbox{ for all } x\in S\right\}.$$
\medskip
Our main results are the following:
\begin{theorem}\label{th1}
Assume {\bf (H1)} and let $\alpha<1$ be any constant.
Then, for all $h>0$ sufficiently small and all $u\in W^{1,2}(S^h, \mathbf{R}^n)$
satisfying one of the following tangency conditions:
$$ u\cdot \vec n^h=0 ~~~ \mbox{ on }
\partial^+ S^h=\{x+g_2^h(x)\vec n(x); ~x\in S\},$$
or:
$$ u\cdot \vec n^h=0 ~~~ \mbox{ on }
\partial^- S^h=\{x-g_1^h(x)\vec n(x); ~x\in S\},$$
together with:
\begin{equation}\label{f1}
\left|\int_{S^h} u(z) v(\pi(z)) ~\mathrm{d}z\right|
\leq \alpha \|u\|_{L^2(S^h)} \cdot \|v\pi\|_{L^2(S^h)}
\qquad \forall v\in\mathcal{I}(S),
\end{equation}
there holds:
\begin{equation}\label{korn}
\|u\|_{W^{1,2}(S^h)} \leq C \|D(u)\|_{L^2(S^h)},
\end{equation}
where $C$ is independent of $u$ and of $h$.
\end{theorem}
\begin{theorem}\label{th2}
Assume {\bf (H2)} and let $\alpha<1$ be any constant.
Then for all $h>0$ sufficiently small and all $u\in W^{1,2}(S^h, \mathbf{R}^n)$
satisfying $ u\cdot \vec n^h=0$ on $\partial S^h$
and:
\begin{equation}\label{f2}
\left|\int_{S^h} u(z) v(\pi(z)) ~\mathrm{d}z\right|
\leq \alpha \|u\|_{L^2(S^h)} \cdot \|v\pi\|_{L^2(S^h)}
\qquad \forall v\in\mathcal{I}_{g_1, g_2}(S),
\end{equation}
there holds (\ref{korn})
with $C$ independent of $u$ and of $h$.
\end{theorem}
The example constructed in section \ref{example} shows that conditions
(\ref{f1}) (or (\ref{f2})) are necessary for the bound (\ref{korn}). In particular,
any Killing field $v$ on $S$ can be extended to a vector field $v^h$ on $S^h$,
satisfying the boundary condition and such that
$\|\nabla v^h\|_{L^2(S^h)}^2 \geq Ch$ but $\|D(v^h)\|_{L^2(S^h)}^2\leq Ch^3$.
Hence, if one naively assumes that $u$ satisfies the angle condition
only with the space of generators of appropriate rotations on $S$, rather
than the whole $\mathcal{I}(S)$, the constant $C_h$ has a blow-up rate of at least
$h^{-1}$, as $h\to 0$. The following theorem shows that this is the actual
blow-up rate, under the abovementioned conditions.
More precisely, define:
$$\mathcal{R}(S) = \big\{v:S\longrightarrow\mathbf{R}^n; ~~ v(x) = Ax+b, ~
A\in so(n), ~b\in\mathbf{R}^n, ~ v\cdot \vec n=0 \mbox{ on } S\big\}
\subset \mathcal{I(S)},$$
$$\mathcal{R}_{g_1, g_2}(S) = \big\{v\in\mathcal{R}(S);
~~ v(x)\cdot \nabla(g_1 + g_2)(x)
\mbox{ for all } x\in S\big\}\subset \mathcal{I}_{g_1, g_2}(S).$$
\begin{theorem}\label{th_very_weak}
Let $\alpha<1$ be any constant.
Then, for all $h$ sufficiently small and all $u\in W^{1,2}(S^h, \mathbf{R}^n)$,
there holds:
\begin{equation}\label{very_weak}
\|u\|_{W^{1,2}(S^h)} \leq Ch^{-1} \|D(u)\|_{L^2(S^h)},
\end{equation}
in any of the following situations:
\begin{itemize}
\item[(i)] {\bf (H1)} holds, $u\cdot\vec n^h=0$ on $\partial^+ S^h$
or $u\cdot\vec n^h=0$ on $\partial^- S^h$, and:
$$\left|\int_{S^h} u(z) v(\pi(z)) ~\mathrm{d}z\right|
\leq \alpha \|u\|_{L^2(S^h)} \cdot \|v\pi\|_{L^2(S^h)}
\qquad \forall v\in\mathcal{R}(S).$$
\item[(ii)] {\bf (H2)} holds, $u\cdot\vec n^h=0$ on $\partial S^h$, and:
$$\left|\int_{S^h} u(z) v(\pi(z)) ~\mathrm{d}z\right|
\leq \alpha \|u\|_{L^2(S^h)} \cdot \|v\pi\|_{L^2(S^h)}
\qquad \forall v\in\mathcal{R}_{g_1, g_2}(S).$$
\end{itemize}
\end{theorem}
\noindent Notice that (i) is implied by the hypotheses of Theorem \ref{th1} and
(ii) by the hypotheses of Theorem \ref{th2}, as the spaces $\mathcal{R}(S)$
and $\mathcal{R}_{g_1, g_2}(S)$
are contained in $\mathcal{I}(S)$ or $\mathcal{I}_{g_1,g_2}(S)$,
respectively. The bound (\ref{very_weak}) was obtained also in \cite{KV2},
but in a different context of thin plates with clamped boundary conditions
and rapidly varying thickness.
\section{Remarks and an outline of proofs}
\begin{remark}
Conditions (\ref{f1}) and (\ref{f2}) may be understood in the following way:
the cosine of the angle (in $L^2(S^h)$) between $u$ and its projection onto
the linear space $W^h\subset L^2(S^h)$ of `trivial' extensions
$v\pi$ of certain Killing fields
$v\in\mathcal{I}(S)$ (or $v\in\mathcal{I}_{g_1, g_2}(S)$) should be smaller than
$\alpha$.
Equivalently, one considers vector fields $u\in W^{1,2}(S^h)$, which
for a given constant $\beta\geq 1$ (related to $\alpha$ through:
$\beta = (1-\alpha^2)^{-1/2}$) satisfy:
\begin{equation}\label{dist_angle}
\|u\|_{L^2(S^h)} \leq \beta \|u - v\pi\|_{L^2(S^h)} \qquad
\forall v\in\mathcal{I}(S) \quad \mbox{ (or } \forall v\in\mathcal{I}_{g_1, g_2}(S)
\mbox{)}.
\end{equation}
That is, the distance of $u$ from the space $W^h$ controls (uniformly) the full
norm $\|u\|_{L^2(S^h)}$.
By Theorems \ref{th1} and \ref{th2}, inside each closed
cone around $(W^h)^\perp$, of fixed angle $\theta<\pi/2$ in $L^2(S^h)$, the bound
(\ref{korn}) holds, with a constant $C$, that is uniform in $u$ and $h$.
One could therefore argue that $W^h$ is the kernel for the uniform
Korn-Poincar\'e
inequality, in the same manner as the linear maps $Az+b$ with skew gradients
$A\in so(n)$ constitute the kernel for the standard Korn inequality
(\ref{ort_lin}), (\ref{korn_nonunif}).
This is not exactly the case, as the uniform Korn inequality is
true for the extensions $v\pi$ (see Remark \ref{rem_trivial_ext}).
The role of the aforementioned kernel is played by the space $\widetilde{W}^h$
of other, 'smart' extensions $v^h$ of the Killing fields $v$
(see the formula (\ref{3_def})).
Still, with $v\pi$ replaced by $v^h$ in (\ref{f1}) or (\ref{f2}),
both Theorems \ref{th1} and \ref{th2} remain true.
Indeed, notice that the spaces $W^h$ and $\widetilde{W}^h$ are asymptotically
tangent at $h=0$:
$$\|v\pi - v^h\|_{L^2(S^h)}\leq Ch \|v\pi\|_{L^2(S^h)} \qquad
\forall v\in\mathcal{I}(S).$$
Hence, if $|\langle u,v^h\rangle_{L^2}|\leq \alpha
\|u\|_{L^2}\cdot \|v^h\|_{L^2}$ for some $\alpha<1$,
then $|\langle u,v\pi\rangle_{L^2}|\leq (\alpha+Ch)
\|u\|_{L^2}\cdot \|v\pi\|_{L^2}$, and the angle conditions in main theorems hold,
with another $\alpha<1$, when $h$ is sufficiently small.
Thus, the fact that we chose to work with 'trivial' extensions, in $W^h$
(giving a simpler condition), instead of the real kernel $\widetilde{W}^h$,
is not restrictive.
In the particular case when $\partial S^h$ is parallel to $S$,
say $g_i^h = h$, we have
$$\vec n^h(x + g_2(x)\vec n(x)) = \vec n(x)
\qquad \vec n^h(x - g_1(x)\vec n(x)) = -\vec n(x),$$
$$\mathcal{I}(S) = \mathcal{I}_{g_1, g_2}(S).$$
If $w\in\mathcal{R}_\partial (S^h)$ then $w_{|S}$ is tangent to $S$ and,
as shown in
Appendix A (Theorem \ref{lemma_rotations}) it generates a rotation on $S$.
Actually, one has: $w = (w_{\mid S})^h\in\widetilde{W}^h$ and so
by the preceding comment we see that
the condition (\ref{ort_lin}) is asymptotically contained
in (\ref{f1}) (or (\ref{f2})).
\end{remark}
\begin{remark}
A natural question is whether $\mathcal{I}(S)$ may contain other vector fields
than the restrictions of generators of rigid motions on the whole $\mathbf{R}^n$.
This is clearly the case when $n=2$: any tangent vector field of constant length
is a Killing field.
The same question for higher dimensions and even for $n=3$ and general (nonconvex)
hypersurfaces is, to our knowledge, still open.
It is closely related to another open problem of whether the class of rotationally
symmetric surfaces is closed under intrinsic isometries.
A further related question is whether
every intrinsic isometry on $S$ is actually a restriction of some
isometry of $\mathbf{R}^3$. When $S$ is convex, it is well known that it is the case,
while for non-convex surfaces it is false. The answer to the same question,
formulated for $1$-parameter families of isometries is not known
(see \cite{Spivak} vol. 5).
\end{remark}
\bigskip
\noindent {\bf An outline of proofs of Theorems \ref{th1} and \ref{th2}.}
The general strategy is as follows. Suppose that $D(u)$ is small.
The main idea is to study the map $\bar{u}: S\longrightarrow\mathbf{R}^n$
which is obtained by averaging $u$ in the normal direction:
$$\bar{u}(x) = \fint_{-g_1^h(x)}^{g_2^h(x)} u(x+t\vec n(x))~\mbox{d}t.$$
By the boundary condition, one has $\bar{u}\cdot\vec n\approx 0$, i.e. $\bar{u}$ is
almost tangential to $S$. Moreover, $D(\bar{u})$ is essentially bounded
by the average of $D(u)$.
Hence if $D(u)$ is small, by Korn's inequality on surfaces,
the field $\bar{u}$ must be close to a Killing field $v$. If $v$ is not small,
we will | |
Skepticism and analysis surround every team as the second week of the season comes to an end. I guess I'm here to join the party–mainly for analysis, not for skepticism. It's easy to analyze halfway through the season, but only two weeks into the season seems a little rash, doesn't it? Is it appropriate to analyze, criticize, and skepticize (yes, made up word) already? I don't know the answer, but I think it's appropriate to offer some analysis because the Red Sox have made some easily preventable mistakes that have led to run scoring. And even though it's early on, there are some serious, and unfortunately controversial issues that need to be addressed. It may be the beginning of the season, but every game counts. These games count as much as they do in September. Each game is of vital importance as each team tries to avoid the obstacles on the road to the postseason. I don't agree with those who say, "It's the beginning of the season, they're just adjusting." That's what Spring Training is for. Ideally, teams should work out their kinks during Spring Training. Inevitably, obstacles will arise during the regular season, so I'm here to try and work those out.
Let's tackle the obvious topic first: David Ortiz. I think he has felt under pressure to perform since the first game of the season. Because of the dismal numbers he put up last season, all reporters ever asked him about during the Spring was his rebound. It is easy to tell how insecure about this situation he is. He snapped at reporters the second day of the season; he got ejected from a game for arguing about a strike; and it is easy to spot the frustrated grimace on his face each time he strikes out. I don't blame him for feeling pressure, but I'm surprised about how much it's getting to him.
I won't ignore the few hits that he has gotten: some have been solid contact, but others were pure luck. He even picked up the golden sombrero one game where he struck out four times: that's the problem. He strikes out, and for the most time, he strikes out looking. I'm no hitting guru, so I'm not here to talk mechanics. The fact of the matter is that having him in our lineup is ineffective, and at times, detrimental. So why does Terry Francona put him in the lineup day after day? I think that part of it comes from seniority. Maybe Terry Francona thinks that maybe Big Papi is just going to get out of his funk because of what he has done in the past. But this is the third year in a row that this has been going on. As much as it pains me to say this, he is done.
I'm sure it will be tough to sit him, but it is necessary. It is important to put the best lineup out there, and putting Big Papi in there does not get the job done. I like the idea of platooning Mike Lowell and Jeremy Hermida at that spot. Hermida has proved himself to be a fantastic pickup coming off the bench for Jacoby Ellsbury while he is injured. I can see him hitting a lot of doubles off the Green Monster.
Issue number two: The Bullpen.
Last year, the bullpen was considered our strongest asset. This year, it has been one of the weakest. I don't think that the loss of Takashi Saito or Billy Wagner really affects that; however, the loss of Justin Masterson does. I'm sure you all know exactly what I'm going to say. Bring up Michael Bowden! We need a long-term middle relief pitcher; especially if our starters are done after the fifth inning because they throw 30 pitches in an inning or two. The Red Sox obviously expect to use him as a middle reliever, so what I don't understand is why they're still treating him as a starter in Pawtucket. I think that for a pitcher to be completely effective, they have to know their role (no matter how good they are). Just look how good Justin Masterson is doing with Cleveland now that they have explicitly deemed him a starter. I have no doubt that Bowden has the ability to flourish in either role, but he will be more effective once they tell him what his role actually is so that he doesn't have to keep switching.
Ramon Ramirez has been struggling so far, so I really hope that he finds his stuff because he was the unsung hero of last year. Manny Delcarmen still struggles to be consistent, but he has the ability to go multiple innings, which is important. I prefer him over Scott Atchinson anyway. I think that Robert Manuel, now pitching in Pawtucket, could be really effective in the bullpen if he was given a chance.
I know Daniel Bard is very good, but the Red Sox need to use him a little more sparingly. The poor guy has been used so much already this season. He has a wicked slider, but I'd like to see him add a changeup to his repertoire because the radar gun is almost always 90 mph or above, and having that speed constantly will almost surely lead to giving up more home runs.
My final issue with the bullpen includes Victor Martinez as well. When it comes to Jonathan Papelbon, all he ever calls are fastballs. Papelbon also has a slider and a changeup in his arsenal, so I think that it's important that he incorporates those as well to avoid meltdowns. I'm sure you all remember his most infamous blown save, and all Victor Martinez called was fastball, after, fastball, after fastball.
Neither Victor Martinez nor Jason Varitek have the ability to throw runners out, and every team knows it. Victor obviously needs to work on his mechanics considering all of his throws are high and to the right. This could create a serious problem. First of all, because the runners can steal so easily, the possibility of inning ending double plays are eliminated, which means that our pitchers will have to work longer, and that we might have to use our bullpen earlier.
Also, pitching from the stretch is a tough thing for lots of pitchers. I especially noticed that with Clay Buchholz during the Spring, and even he has admitted that it's something he needs to work on. The pitchers obviously don't want the runners to steal, so they might feel added pressure to get the ball to the plate quicker. This situation could have disastrous consequences. It is important that the pitchers don't think about anything but hitting their spots.
If this becomes a serious problem, the Red Sox do have some catching talent in the minors (with arms) in both Mark Wagner and Luis Exposito. Luis is definitely someone to get excited about, but he still needs some seasoning. Mark Wagner, on the other hand, is in Pawtucket, and I think he is ready to go.
Some bats have been quiet (Big Papi), some have been loud (Dustin Pedroia), but the Red Sox have left so many runners on, but I think there is an easy solution that Terry Francona hasn't seen yet because he is an American League manager: small ball.
Because the Red Sox focused on improving defense during the offseason, they aren't full of the 30-40 HR power bats. However, that's not to say that they aren't offensively sophisticated. They have the ability to score a lot of runs this season, but it won't come from lots of long balls. Rarely, if ever, do you see the Red Sox lay down a solid bunt. Perhaps the | |
Author-choice Open Access Publishing
By Phil Davis
According to a study of 11 biological and medical journals that allow authors the choice of making their articles freely available from the publisher's website, few show any evidence of a citation advantage. For those that do, the effect appears to be diminishing over time.
The study, "Author-choice open access publishing in the biological and medical literature," (a copy of the final manuscript is also available from the arXiv) analyzed over eleven thousand articles published in journals since 2003, sixteen hundred of these articles (15%) adopting the author-choice open access model. Oxford University Press journals make up 6 of the 11 journals analyzed in the study.
Since open access publication fees can amount to several thousands of dollars, the author (ok that's me) goes on to determine the cost-benefit for each additional citation. While the cost-per-additional-citation was as low as about $400 (for PNAS), it approached $9,000 for the journal Development, published by the Company of Biologists.
Considering the evidence that author-choice open access publishing may have little effect on article citations, it is worthwhile for authors to consider the cost of this form of publishing. If a citation advantage is the key motivation for authors to pay open access fees, then the cost/benefit of this decision can be quite expensive for some journals.
This study is a follow-up to a controlled trial of open access publishing published in BMJ where articles were randomly selected for open access or traditional subscription-access. The authors reported no difference in citations in the first year. Since the current study observes the effect of author-choice open access, self-selection may play a role in explaining the results.
As the author of this study, I hope that readers do not come away with the feeling that I'm advocating against an author-choice program. There may be many benefits to making scientific results freely available; however, scientists should understand that open access may not buy them more citations.
Free dissemination of the scientific literature may speed up the transfer of knowledge to industry, enable scientists in poor and developing countries to access more information, and empower the general public. There are clearly many benefits to making one's research findings freely available to the general public – a citation advantage may not be one of them.
Phil Davis
@ScholarlyChickn
Phil Davis is a publishing consultant specializing in the statistical analysis of citation, readership, publication and survey data. He has a Ph.D. in science communication from Cornell University (2010), extensive experience as a science librarian (1995-2006) and was trained as a life scientist. https://phil-davis.com/
View All Posts by Phil Davis
5 Thoughts on "Author-choice Open Access Publishing"
Confirmation Bias and the Open Access Advantage:
Some Methodological Suggestions for Davis's Citation Study
Full text: http://openaccess.eprints.org/index.php?/archives/451-guid.html
SUMMARY: Davis [2008] — http://arxiv.org/pdf/0808.2428v1 — analyzes citations from 2004-2007 in 11 biomedical journals. For 1,600 of the 11,000 articles (15%), their authors paid the publisher to make them Open Access (OA). The outcome, confirming previous studies (on both paid and unpaid OA), is a significant OA citation advantage, but a small one (21%, 4% of it correlated with other article variables such as number of authors, references, and pages). The author infers that the size of the OA advantage in this biomedical sample has been shrinking annually from 2004-2007, but the data suggest the opposite. In order to draw valid conclusions from these data, the following five further analyses are necessary:
(1) The current analysis is based only on author-choice (paid) OA. Free OA self-archiving needs to be taken into account too, for the same journals and years, rather than being counted as non-OA, as in the current analysis.
(2) The proportion of OA articles per journal per year needs to be reported and taken into account.
(3) Estimates of journal and article quality and citability in the form of the Journal Impact Factor and the relation between the size of the OA Advantage and journal as well as article "citation-bracket" need to be taken into account.
(4) The sample-size for the highest-impact, largest-sample journal analyzed, PNAS, is restricted and is excluded from some of the analyses. An analysis of the full PNAS dataset is needed, for the entire 2004-2007 period.
(5) The analysis of the interaction between OA and time, 2004-2007, is based on retrospective data from a June 2008 total cumulative citation count. The analysis needs to be redone taking into account the dates of both the cited articles and the citing articles, otherwise article-age effects and any other real-time effects from 2004-2008 are confounded.
The author proposes that an author self-selection bias for providing OA to higher-quality articles (the Quality Bias, QB) is the primary cause of the observed OA Advantage, but this study does not test or show anything at all about the causal role of QB (or of any of the other potential causal factors, such as Accessibility Advantage, AA, Competitive Advantage, CA, Download Advantage, DA, Early Advantage, EA, and Quality Advantage, QA). The author also suggests that paid OA is not worth the cost, per extra citation. This is probably true, but with OA self-archiving, both the OA and the extra citations are free.
By Stevan Harnad
Stevan,
Our study focuses on estimating the effect of author-choice open access on article citations. The 11 journals were selected because they gathered sufficient paying open access submissions as to make a statistical analysis even potentially possible. Still, if the open access effect is small, a larger sample size is required to detect a signal amongst the noise, which is why I aggregated the 11 journals for subsequent analyses. PNAS contributed so many articles in the aggregate dataset (about a third) that I didn't want this one journal to dominate the results, hence the tables report the analyses with and without PNAS.
Secondly, while aggregating the journals resulted in increased statistical power, we are combining articles published in different scientific fields (biology, medicine, bioinformatics, plant sciences, and multi-disciplinary sciences), which is why journal impact factors are not used as an explanatory variable. Please note that I did include the variable Journal as either a random variable (Table 2) or a fixed variable (Table S2), so journal-to-journal variation is being accounted for in the model.
By Philip Davis
RE: Harnad point #4
Because of the sheer number of articles published by PNAS, tracking the performance of each article was considered too onerous. As a result, I tracked the first and last 6-month cohort of articles (June-Dec 2004; and June-Dec 2006). By choosing the first and last cohort, I could estimate a temporal trend in the data. Please remember that PNAS was only one of the 11 journals analyzed in this study, and that Gunter Eysenbach's study (PLoS Biology, 2006) analyzed only a 6-month cohort in one journal (PNAS, June-Dec, 2006). Granted, a full dataset from PNAS would have been ideal, and I encourage Prof. Harnad to gather and share the intervening years if he feels that the missing data points would change significantly the results of this study. My sense is that they won't, but will challenge Prof. Harnad to prove me wrong.
I think the scientific community may be slightly different then most other industries when it comes to an exchange of information. In most industries the life cycle's are such that even if a competitor finds your research immediately they are years behind. In some scientific studies we need to make sure the researchers and developers of new technology are adequately compensated for their break throughs.
By Mark's cheap wine club
Clare Hooper @clarehooperlup ·
I am finding these pieces so interesting!
Chefs de Cuisine: Perspectives from Publishing's Top Table -- Steven Inchcoombe https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2023/01/30/chefs-de-cuisine-perspectives-from-publishings-top-table-steven-inchcoombe/ via @scholarlykitchn
MMU Library @mmulibrary ·
Have you noticed on online articles something called a DOI? Seen the green ORCiD logo next to an author name? They are examples of what are called Persistent Identifiers (or PIDs). | |
the kernel bandwidth are not needed.
In the following experiments we focus on spatial
averaging, although extension to spatiotemporal data is straightforward
provided the metric is defined along the time axis.
When working with a voxel grid the distance is the Euclidian
distance taking into account the voxel size in millimeters, and
when working on a cortical triangulation, the distance used
is the geodesic distance computed on the folded cortical mantle.
We now present results of a simulation study where standard averaging
with Gaussian smoothing is compared to Kantorovich means.
Simulation results are followed by experimental results obtained
with fMRI data from 20 subjects and MEG data
on a population of 16 subjects.
\paragraph{Simulation setup.}
In this experiment using on a triangulation of the cortex,
we simulated signals of interest in two brain regions using the functional
parcellation provided by the FreeSurfer software. We used regions
Broadman area 45 (BA45) and the visual area MT. We simulated for a group
of 100 subjects random positive signals in these two regions. For each
subject and each region, the signal is focal at a random location
with a random amplitude generated with a truncated Gaussian distribution
(mean 5, std. dev. 1.). We use here focal signals to exemplify
the effect of optimal transport. Such signals could correspond to dipolar
activations derived from MEG/EEG using dipole fitting methods~\cite{scherg-etal:85}
or sparse regression techniques~\cite{wipf-etal:07,gramfort-etal:2013}.
Figure~\ref{fig:simu_results} presents the locations of the two
regions (labels), the averages with and without Gaussian
smoothing and the Kantorovich average.
Gaussian smoothing leads to a highly
blurred average which exceeds the extent of the regions of interest,
while it also strongly reduces the amplitudes of the signals,
potentially washing out the statistical effects.
The peak amplitudes obtained with optimal transport are also
higher and closer to the individual peak amplitudes.
One can clearly observe the limitations of Gaussian smoothing,
which furthermore requires to set the bandwidth of the kernel.
The Kantorovich average nicely highlights two foci of signals
at the group level.
\begin{figure}[t!]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.6\linewidth]{fig1.pdf}
\caption{Simulation results with focal random signals generated in areas/labels BA45 (yellow) and MT (red)
in a group of 100 subjects. Data are defined on a surface with 10,024 vertices
(FreeSurfer fsaverage 5).
One shows the standard averaging referred to as \emph{Mean},
the averaging after Gaussian smoothing is referred to as \emph{Mean (S)}
(mean after Gaussian smoothing with FWHM=8\,mm),
and the Kantorovich mean (p=1).
The result \emph{Mean} shows the focal signals with
random positions in the labels delineated in green. The Kantorovich mean
highlights clear foci of activations in the ROIs without
smearing the activation as with Gaussian smoothing which furthermore
significantly dampens the amplitudes.}
\label{fig:simu_results}
\end{figure}
\paragraph{Results on fMRI data.}
We used here fMRI data analyzed on a voxel grid.
It corresponds to 20 subjects from the database described in~\cite{pinel2007}.
We average here the standardized effect of interest induced by left hand button press.
In Fig.~\ref{fig:fmri_grid_results}-a we show the Euclidian average without
smoothing.
In Fig.\ref{fig:fmri_grid_results}-b we report
results obtained by classical averaging following Gaussian smoothing
with FWHM of 8\,mm. Fig.\ref{fig:fmri_grid_results}-c
shows the Kantorovich mean with constrained mass. One can observe that
this barycenter highlights a clear active
region without requiring any kernel smoothing. It also leads
to a amplitude in the average standardized effect around 1.7 which
is much higher than the 0.23 obtained when smoothing.
\begin{figure}[t!]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.27\linewidth]{mean_fmri.pdf}
\includegraphics[width=0.27\linewidth]{mean_s_fmri.pdf}
\includegraphics[width=0.27\linewidth]{ot_fmri.pdf}
\caption{Averaging of the standardized effect of interest on fMRI
data.
From left to right, a) the Euclidian mean without smoothing,
b) the Euclidian mean with smoothing (FWHM=8\,mm), c)
the Kantorovich mean with Euclidian ground metric and p=1.
The later result highlights a clear foci of activations
in the ROI without smearing the activation nor
damping the amplitudes as much as the kernel smoothing.}
\label{fig:fmri_grid_results}
\end{figure}
\paragraph{Results on MEG data.} We now evaluate the benefit of the proposed
approach on experimental data. These data were acquired
with a Neuromag VectorView system (Elekta Oy, Helsinki, Finland)
with 306 sensors arranged in 102 triplets, each comprising two orthogonal
planar gradiometers and one magnetometer. Subjects are presented with images
containing faces of familiar (famous)
or unfamiliar persons and so called ``scrambled'' faces.
See~\cite{henson-etal:11} for more details.
Dataset contains 16 subjects. For each one, event related fields (ERF) were
obtained by averaging about 200 repetitions of recordings following
stimuli presentations. Data were band pass filtered between 1 and 40\,Hz.
Following standard MEG source localization pipelines~\cite{mne}, a noise covariance
was estimated from prestimulus time intervals and used for
source reconstruction with the cortically constrained
dSPM method~\cite{dspm}.
The values obtained with dSPM can be considered as F statistics,
where high values are located in active regions.
In Figure~\ref{fig:meg_results}, we present results at a single
time point, 190\,ms after stimulus onset,
which corresponds to the time instant where the dSPM amplitudes
are maximum. Data correspond the visual presentation of
\emph{famous faces}.
In green, is the border of the primary visual
cortex (V1) provided by the FreeSurfer functional atlas.
One can observe that the Kantorovich barycenter yields
a more focal average nicely positioned in the middle of
the calcarine fissure where V1 is located.
Such a strong activation in V1 is expected in
such an experiment consisting of visual stimuli.
To investigate more subtle cognitive effects, such as the
response of the fusiform face area (FFA) reported
about 170\,ms after stimulation in the
literature~\cite{kanwisher-etal:97,henson-etal:11}, we
report results obtained on contrasts of ERFs measured after famous faces
presentations \emph{vs.} scrambled faces. As illustrated in
Figure~\ref{fig:meg_results_ffa}, Kantorovich mean
nicely delineates a focal source of activity in the ventral
part of the cortex known as the fusiform gyrus.
These results show that Kantorovich means provides focal
activation at the population level despite the challenging
problem of inter-subject anatomo-functional variability.
They avoid the smearing of the signal or statistical effects of interests
which naturally occur when data are spatially
smoothed before standard averaging.
Note again that here no smoothing parameter with FWHM in millimeters
is manually specified. Their solution only depends on the metric
naturally derived from the geometry
of the cortical surface.
With a cortical triangulation containing 10,024 vertices and 16 subjects
the computation on a Tesla K40 GPU of one barycenter takes less than
1\,min.
\begin{figure}[h!]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.33\linewidth]{test_meg_brain_L2_mean_white.png}
\includegraphics[width=0.33\linewidth]{GradProj_test_meg_brain_ot_mean_p1_alpha00-5_white.png}
\caption{Average of dSPM estimates derived from MEG ERF data on a group of 16 subjects stimulated with
pictures of famous faces. From left to right: standard mean and Kantorovich mean.
The left hemisphere is displayed in medial view.
In green is the border of the primary visual cortex (V1) provided by FreeSurfer.
One can observe that the Kantorovich mean has its peak amplitude within V1.}
\label{fig:meg_results}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}[h!]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=0.325\linewidth]{famous_scrambled_test_meg_brain_L2_mean_time_white_time000.png}
\includegraphics[width=0.325\linewidth]{famous_scrambled_GradProj_test_meg_brain_ot_mean_p1_lambda60_alpha00-5_time_white_time000.png}
\caption{Group averages (16 subjects) of dSPM estimates derived from MEG
ERF data obtained by contrasting the famous faces stimulation with the scrambled faces.
From left to right: standard mean and the Kantorovich mean.
The right hemisphere is displayed in ventral view. Optimal transport results highlight a focal
activity in the Fusiform gyrus known to be implicated in face
processing~\cite{kanwisher-etal:97}.}
\label{fig:meg_results_ffa}
\end{figure}
\section{Introduction}
Computing the average of some observations may seem like a trivial problem,
yet it remains an active topic of research in mathematics, statistics and
applications such as medical imaging. The problem of atlas computation
from images~\cite{Joshi2004S151}, or meshes \cite{Durrleman201435},
or the problem of group analysis from functional imaging
data~\cite{thirion-etal:2007} are particularly relevant for this field.
The challenge is that natural
phenomena are usually described in terms of physical and temporal event locations,
along with their intensity. While Euclidean averaging is
standard and has some benefits such as low computation time, this
procedure ignores the geometry of the space the observations belong to;
the image of an average brain image obtained by Euclidean averaging of
individual voxels does not yield the image of the brain of an average
individual.
Starting from observations defined on a regular or irregular grid, our aim is to provide a
\emph{model-free} approach to \emph{average} them that only builds upon geometric arguments. An example of such data are functional MRI (fMRI) data defined on a voxel grid or a triangulated cortical surface. The approach aims to be intrinsically geometric in the sense that it \emph{only} requires the prior knowledge of a metric between the locations on the grid. The technique aims to be versatile in the sense that it can be applied to weighted samples
taking values on a discretized space with no assumptions on the regularity of the metric.
The approach | |
Bardo, a 1981 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had previously commanded the Cutters Courageous (WMEC 622), Neah Bay (WTGB 105), and Cape Wash (WPB 95310) as well as served as the Executive Officer of the Cutter Confidence (WMEC 619).345 Following the Change of Command, in the fall of 2004, Boutwell again participated in an Eastern Pacific Counterdrug Deployment. While patrolling approximately 80 miles south of El Salvador, Boutwell's embarked helicopter discovered a suspicious fishing vessel. The following day, on November 19th, Boutwell approached the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Kodiac, finding it abandoned and partially submerged. Once onboard, Boutwell's crew seized 2,100 kilograms of cocaine. On December 9th, Boutwell located a second partially submerged vessel. The 80-foot fishing vessel Jami was loaded with 108 bales of cocaine. Boutwell returned to Alameda just in time for the Holidays, arriving on December 21st.346,347
In mid February 2005, after a brief inport, Boutwell departed on a 90-day Counterdrug Deployment in the Eastern Pacific. While on patrol on March 29th, Boutwell, working with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft, located and intercepted the Ecuadorian fishing vessel Lesvos approximately 300 miles west of Mexico. Once on board, Boutwell's boarding team discovered and seized over 4,500 kilograms of cocaine, detaining the vessel's six-man crew. Over two weeks later, on April 17th, Boutwell and its HH-68 HITRON helicopter intercepted and boarded the Venezuelan-flagged fishing vessel Isis. During that boarding, Boutwell's law enforcement personnel discovered 141 bales containing over 3,200 kilograms of cocaine. The ship's 12-man crew was detained and their cargo seized. Apart from counter drug operations, Boutwell also participated in the rescue of a Mexican national 150 miles west of the Galapagos. The man, who had been adrift in his 28-foot fishing vessel Iris II for 23 days, was spotted waving a makeshift flag by Boutwell's lookout. The man was later brought aboard and treated for dehydration. On May 14th, Boutwell returned home to Alameda to offload more than 7,800 kilograms of cocaine.348,349
In late November, Boutwell again departed Alameda on a Counterdrug Deployment in the Eastern Pacific. 350 During the transit south, Boutwell stopped in San Diego to onload fuel as well as load supplies in support of Project Handclasp. The supplies, which were delivered to Tocumen, Panama, on December 31st, included medical supplies, hygiene products, school supplies, and toys for the local children. While in Tocumen, Boutwell crewmembers also assisted in painting classrooms and repairing electrical wiring at the Escuela Fuente de Amor.351 While patrolling on January 16th, Boutwell and its HITRON, working with the USS De Wert (FFG-45) and its embarked Law Enforcement Detachment 406, pursued and intercepted two go-fast vessels carrying a combined load of over 2,400 kilograms of cocaine, detaining their nine crewmembers.352,353 Four days later, Boutwell intercepted the 63-foot Columbian fishing vessel Angie Mar, employing warning shots from the embarked helicopter, as well as an entangling device from the small boat in order to stop the vessel.354 Upon boarding, Boutwell's law enforcement team seized nearly 2,300 kilograms of cocaine, detaining the vessel's 12 crewmembers. The crewmembers and contraband were later turned over to Columbian authorities. Boutwell returned home to Alameda on February 8th, having completed a highly successful 74-day patrol.355
On March 21st, following an 80-year relationship with the city, the Coast Guard officially designated Boutwell's homeport of Alameda as a "Coast Guard City." The designation was in recognition of the support Alameda provided to more than 2,600 active duty, reserve, and civilian employees stationed on Coast Guard Island. At the time, only five other cities had received this honorary distinction.356
In June 2006, Captain Peter J. Brown relieved Captain Bardo as Boutwell's Commanding Officer.357 Captain Brown, a 1985 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, had been assigned to three previous afloat units and had recently been Commanding Officer of Tactical Law Enforcement Team South in Miami, Florida.358 Shortly after taking command, Captain Brown led Boutwell on a routine Counterdrug Deployment in the Eastern Pacific. During the deployment, on August 24th, Boutwell interdicted the sinking fishing vessel Mi Panchito which was carrying over 6,700 kilograms of cocaine.359,360 On September 12th, Boutwell, along with its embarked helicopter, interdicted a go-fast vessel approximately 120 miles west of Puerto Quetzal. After intercepting the vessel, Boutwell seized over 2,900 kilograms of cocaine and detained four suspected smugglers. Five days later, Boutwell teamed with its helicopter to interdict a second go-fast vessel approximately 460 miles northeast of the Galapagos Islands. During that seizure, Boutwell recovered 590 kilograms of cocaine and detained three suspected smugglers. 361,362 On October 17th, almost a month after its previous interdiction, Boutwell intercepted and boarded the Ecuadorian fishing vessel, Ludemar, finding and seizing 90 kilograms of cocaine.363
On November 30th, 2006, Boutwell was honored at a ceremony in Alameda for her tremendous success in counterdrug operations in the fall of 2006. During the ceremony, Boutwell received four cocaine interdiction stickers for seizing nearly 23,000 pounds of cocaine related to four different cases which included the apprehension of 16 suspected smugglers. The stickers were then affixed to the ship's bridge wings on either side of the pilothouse.364
In the early months of 2007, Boutwell departed on another Eastern Pacific Counterdrug deployment. During the patrol, in mid February, Boutwell participated in the rescue of five sea turtles which were caught in an abandoned fishing net. After releasing the turtles, Boutwell's crew proceeded to remove debris from the area to prevent any further impact on marine life.365
Beginning July 22nd, 2007, Boutwell embarked on a multinational Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fisheries enforcement patrol in the High Seas Drift Net (HSDN) High Threat Area with an embarked shiprider from the Peoples Republic of China366 and South Korean observers.367 The multinational effort included cooperation from Canada, China, Russia, and Japan under the authority of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum. The Forum, which served as a venue to foster "multilateral cooperation through the sharing of information on matters related to combined operations, exchange of information, illegal drug trafficking, maritime security, fisheries enforcement, illegal migration, and maritime domain awareness," bolstered efforts in 2007 to enforce the United Nation General Assembly's 1991 resolution against high seas driftnet fishing in the Pacific. 368 As part of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, Boutwell visited Shanghai, China369 on August 16th370, joining the Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Charles Wurster, to discuss joint operations.371 Boutwell departed Shanghai on August 20th.372
On August 28th, Boutwell moored in Yokosuka, Japan, to embark an officer from the China Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (CFLEC), who would assist in enforcing the United Nation's resolution on Chinese-flagged vessels.373 Six days later, Boutwell intercepted the Chinese fishing vessel Lu Rong Yu 6007 for illegal high seas driftnet fishing, turning the vessel over to Chinese authorities on September 13th. 374 On September 14th, Boutwell, with the help of her embarked helicopter, located and intercepted the Indonesian fishing vessel Fong Seng No. 818, which was rigged for illegal high seas drift net fishing. Upon counter-detecting the Coast Guard, the Fong Seng No. 818 began evasive maneuvers while attempting to hide her gear on deck. After intercepting the vessel, Boutwell determined its registry through Right of Approach questioning. Boutwell's efforts enabled the State Department to initiate a dialogue with the Government of Indonesia for prosecuting the Fong Seng No. 818. 375
During the patrol, from September 15th through the 21st, a meeting was held in Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, Russia, known as the U.S. Coast Guard / Russian Northeast Border Guard Directorate Joint Working Group. As part of the meeting, Boutwell moored in Petropavlovsk for a mid-patrol break. Led by the Pacific Area Commander, Vice Admiral Charles Wurster, and the Seventeenth District Commander, Rear Admiral Arthur Brooks, Coast Guard representatives met with the Chief, Northeast Border Guard Directorate Lieutenant | |
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Ones comprehensive company identity will include any sort of announced DBA completing you will find yourself applying. Cover your enterprise identity is usually the identical on the company paperwork, permits, together with loan company arguments.
When you've got people and not necessarily, your enterprise company really need some sort of Country wide Overtax NO . phone number (EIN), exactly possess a Societal Safety measures Phone number your enterprise comes with EIN.
An additional incentive with is usually that a lot of company consumer credit can be purchased without worrying about the user agreeing to personalized legal responsibility, or maybe a personalized promise. Consequently with default, the market customer's personalized means are not went after.
It is critical note that will everyone are able to see your enterprise credit, which means that experiencing company consumer credit would make ones even more reliable with regard to prospective customers, shoppers, competition, loan companies, consumer credit enterprises and the wonderful keen on investing in your enterprise.
Any sort of company can usually get providing there are a great EIN phone number together with company arrange. You will not need secured together with financial records. You could be some sort of financial services. People must fully understand adequate constructing measures.
An individual profit is usually that the consumer credit account may be produced to get a company that's altogether standalone in the company customer's personalized consumer credit account doubling that asking for flexibility.
There are actually many ways of generate together with generate associations in todays world. Allow me to share simply several.
Some sort of finance advisor arrived at my own entry simply a few days ago. In the beginning As i has been slightly surprised- i imagined… CLEVER! There were a superb connection that you would probably an alternative next-doors therefore lost using him or her providing people their card account i always has been a lot more than content with get. Today actually As i has been hardly ever buying innovative finance counsellor NEVERTHELESS just and people Actually, i know must have an individual… he or she is that fellow… at the least to take into consideration which has a connection using.
Your dog additionally, is doing a superb occupation with next in place together with trying to keep up-to-date. He or she is performing a congrats with but not just social networking nevertheless constructing their personalized product with regard to their occupation.
The idea do not ever wounds to own even more most people inside your multi-level as compared to you would like.
Don't forget to help process innovative most people within a safe NON-SALES process. Ones purpose really distribute these and require an issue from their site nevertheless to start an alternative connection, an alternative get hold of, or anything else. Constantly make available to aid people in advance of people assist you.
Don't forget to ALLOW before you decide to GET HOLD OF!
An individual. Spitzer's comprehensive stage has been produced with "ethics. inch Your dog chased off several criminals, certainly a few substantial finance agencies a lot of people can have ended up worried with tricky. Together with really, your dog really managed a whole lot of superior succeed.
The majority flourishing most people get adversaries nevertheless, which means this is not a delight.
What exactly is a delight is usually that will Spitzer gained seen together with his proverbial dirt bike pants off. Honestly.
And listen to, help, if your primary comprehensive personality was made one issue, and unfortunately your get hold of seen with the same biscuit bottle you've got ended up to blame for raiding, there is absolutely no many other end result to remain anticipated besides fail — at the least, for the short term. Specialists, The united states can be a really forgiving position (think Marv Albert, Erina Milliken) together with Spitzer is incredibly probably again certain times in period, nevertheless maybe quite a bit less some sort of politician.
A few. As soon as confronted by a great hurdle, get instant measures — in simple terms a possibility you might have a few feedback relating to the end result. I do believe possessed Spitzer patiently lay to find precisely what would probably come to pass, he'd get struggled the identical politics circumstances, nevertheless truth be told there is a amount of many other serious authorized misfortunes to help think using additionally. This can get zoomed their condition together with lost their friends and family a step forward.
Session: Increasingly being definitive (making decisions) together with choosing easily measures are generally support beams with financial success considering company has been devised. A lot of these certain character have been outlined just by Napoleon Slope with "Think Together with Increase Wealthy, inch and maybe they are since the case now as they simply have been previously.
A few. Tell you ones slipups. We could end up mistaken, nevertheless As i don't believe I witnessed Spitzer get certain control with precisely what he or she is executed. He or she is claimed considerably incredibly elusive offers like, "I've arrived at get hold of my own lifetime the best way, inch nevertheless your dog do not ever ended up together with claimed that will he or she is ended up taking a nap using several a lot of women over time. Not surprisingly, it isn't really just some sort of golf slice with respectful cake this is straightforward to absorb, nevertheless truth be told there ever again, clients he or she is with challenges.
The reality is, in a connection — should it be with all your wife or husband, and with all your clients — as soon as you've got executed an issue mistaken… that swiftest process your partner get across the idea, is usually by removing comprehensive control to your measures. And, people get at least one translucent check ups together with bills inside your enterprise solutions (which it's best to permit customers fully understand about), to check they don't come to pass ever again.
Session: Comprehensive disclosure together with increasingly being altogether translucent inside your transactions, is a swiftest method to generate rely on. Fails to issue should you be within a innovative connection, and options all messed up | |
sum of money he had offered. By now everyone knew of the pretty but dubious girl who had tried to ensnare the son of one of their most respected families and lived all by herself like a savage in the woods. Her lover's father thought for a long time. Probably he would not have responded had he not caught that glimpse of her with Paul. He went to see her and found an accomplished, witty, and delightful young woman, with the most charming manners in the world. In short, he fell in love with her, as everyone did. He could not bring himself to refuse her, said he would speak to selected families on her behalf, but kept himself in face by asking for an undertaking that she would never contact any member of his family again. She replied with a quick and impatient scorn he had to see was genuine: 'I had assumed, monsieur, that you would have already understood that.'
For four years she taught the daughters of a doctor, two lawyers, three chemists, and a prosperous shopkeeper. All of them begged her to move into the little town, 'where you will be more comfortable.' Meaning that they were uncomfortable because this girl, no matter how well-bred and clever, was living by herself a good three miles from Belles Rivières. She refused, delightfully but firmly, telling them about the great forests of Martinique, the flowers and the butterflies and the brilliant birds, where she had wandered, absolutely by herself. She could not be happy living in streets, she said, though the truth was she dreamed of the streets of Paris and how she could reach them without worsening her already bad position. If she was going to try her chances in the big city it should be now, while she was still young and pretty, but she still dreamed of Paul. That she had been bound to lose him she had very soon learned, and knew that if he came back from the army she could not have him. Living, as she insisted on doing, free but alone told everyone she was waiting for him, and everyone – father, mother, sisters, would be writing to tell him so. Far from enticing him to her, this would put him off, as all her instincts, and the worldly wisdom imparted by her mother, told her. But she could not leave the place. Freedom! Liberty! she often cried to herself, roaming about her forests.
What did she look like at this time? How did she see her prospects? How did she strike the good people whose daughters she taught? How did they strike her? We know. We know it all. She drew self-portraits all her life, not because she had no other model, but because she was engaged in discovering her real, her hidden nature: we have a phrase for this search. She kept journals from the time she reached France. And there was her music, that would have told us everything even without her journals. The picture that emerges is not merely of an intelligent and attractive woman, but one who disturbed and challenged even when she did not intend to, who all her life fed malicious tongues, who always had men in love with her though she did not expect them to be or try to attract them. When she was accepted as tutor into these good houses, she behaved like a paragon of propriety, but she knew it would take only a small mistake to have the doors shut on her. She walked on a knife-edge, for above all, she had charm, that double-edged gift, arousing more expectations than it can ever fulfil. She certainly disappointed the young ladies she taught, who called her best friend and championed her to doubtful mothers and fathers, yet secretly hoped for more than her prudent advice: 'Do you really want to be like me?' she might sweetly enquire, when some over-protected daughter asked her aid in some minor rebellion. 'Do what your parents say, and when you are married you can do as you like.' She had learned this from Stendhal's letters to his sister.
In her journals she wrote she would rather be herself, 'an outcast', than any one of these privileged girls.
When she was twenty-five she took a big step up the social ladder. She taught the two daughters of a Comte Rostand. The Rostands were the leading family in the area. They lived in a large and ancient château and sent a carriage for her twice a week. That was when she gave lessons in the dark hours as well as in the light, for before the carriage she had insisted that since she had to walk miles back and forth from her little house, she would teach in the town only in the day. This caused sarcastic comments. Everyone knew she wandered about all by herself at night in her forests. Yet she was too delicate to walk back in the dark from the town? And how about dancing by herself among the rocks, banging a tambourine, or something that looked like one – a primitive looking thing, probably from that primitive country she came from. Dancing naked – some claimed to have seen her.
Did she? There is no mention of it in her journals – though when she began to keep a record, there were only notes and jottings, and only later did it develop into a running commentary on her life. There is, however, a drawing of a woman dancing in a setting of trees and rocks. A full moon. Naked. This drawing is so unlike anything else she did of herself it shocks. Interesting to watch when some fan of Julie's was handed a pile of her drawings. The face froze, there was an indrawn breath and – then – a laugh. The laugh was from shock. But how often is shock no more than a moment of half-expected revelation? A door opens (perhaps literally) onto a scene that is beautiful, or ugly, something ferocious or shocking – at any rate, the other side of the well-lit and ordered world we know: there it is, the truth. But why was there never mention of dancing in her journals? Perhaps it only happened once, and she got some kind of a scare. A pretty risky thing, to dance like that. She knew people spied on her. The gendarmes certainly did, but if one of them took a look through her uncurtained and unshuttered window – she hated feeling shut in, she said – he would see the proper young woman of the drawing rooms standing before her easel or playing her harp or writing at a small table under an oil lamp that showed the open book, her neatly ringed hand with the pen, her face, her bands of black hair, her bust smooth in a dress that went high to her throat, where there was a small white collar.
The gendarmes would also report that there were many books. If they took a good look when she was out, down in the town, they would not now be able to report anything consistently seditious or troubling. For while she still loved Revolutions as a matter of principle – she would not have been able to think of herself as a serious person if she did not – her shelves now provided a more balanced diet. Montaigne sat by Madame Roland, Madame de Sévigné with _Énile. Clarissa_ – that novel whose influence on European literature had been and still was so strong – was in a pile with Rousseau's _Confessions_ , while Victor Hugo and Maupassant, Balzac and Zola, | |
get to make that call about him being in that position again. He will at least one more time, if he has his way about it. Mommy Dearest is going down! He follows her gaze, the smirk fading a movement as he sees their hands together, but then he's smirking again, "I have. I'm a damn hero. Heroes deserve ice-cream."
He's insisting that he's ok and Callisto, to some measure, believes it. Any further confusion over the cause of Callisto's upset shall be put to ease with what the girl says next, "T'is a good thing that she is gone. Family dynamics are different with my ilk." The girl says quietly… well, obviously. "I shall not miss her, I do not grieve. I grieve for the others whom she has destroyed." Said pointedly, then she flits her gaze back up at him. "Any hurt I felt was due to what happened to you, Daxton." Not just the days after but the seconds, when he was shaking and disorientated. Orders or no orders, regardless of his intent in sending Callisto away… he did not deserve that. Callisto watches him, not hastening to move her hand away as the chains of the swing squeak slightly with the movement of her body.
The puppy dog look, indeed, throws her off a bit.. not quite in a bad way but it's not making this 'holding off' thing easier! Callisto clears her throat gently. "You are a hero. You are my first hero, you see. I've not known of a hero before." Said frankly as she watches him, making to stand carefully. "I am sorry if I seemed.. aloof.. the past few days. I felt guilty."
Daxton chuckles, "I'm a pretty tough nut to crack, Calli. I'm okay." He'll keep saying it until she stops worrying. He nods in the direction of down town, finally dropping her hand as he starts to walk. "Really? I figured you'd have met a billion heroes, all in shining armor or some crap." How old does he think she is again? "No need to feel guilty. WE won. It's a good thing."
Well she has a good reserve of worry to exhaust, here. But mercifully, Callisto will eventually ease off… it's not of her nature, it seriously isn't, to fret. There's just something about Daxton and his nature, one moment a puppy dog smirk in seek of ice cream, the other breaking a supernatural creature's neck. Then— wait.. there is a distinct lack of something in her hand, when she finally stands up. Daxton has released her and Callisto, despite herself, feels strangely bereft. His words catch her still and with a strange expression, she will try to catch his attention again by reaching for his elbow before he moves fully away.
Provided she manages to do so, she will try to pull the speedster in for a hug. It will be firmer than her typical ones! But when one expects her to babble on with more of the 'guilty' drivel she instead says with mock offense, though her tone still bears those anxious inflections: "I haven't known knights. How old do you think I am?"
Daxton turns at the touch, but once he realizes what she's after his arms raise slightly and he hugs her back. "Oh…I don't know. King Arthur times?" He never said history was a strong suit. "You rode horses, right?" And created fire?
Now she could punch him. But she won't. Regardless she gives the boy an earnest hug. Callisto, despite her past self, rather enjoys hugs.. even giving them. Especially this one. But then he goes and puts her back to when they baked on rocks and told time by sundial and she eases back, giving his chest a shove. "King. Arthur?" Callisto asks pointedly.. her expression is aghast but her gaze — which had become overbright when she eased in for the hug — is still shiny for some reason. It's bad enough to miss the mark by like, 5 years, re: the touchy question of discerning a woman's age. Imagine doing it by centuries!
Luckily Callisto isn't quite so touchy. She narrows her eyes at him, face flushed and shoulders redder, "You are way off the mark. Try Lincoln and Roosevelt." The fey girl snarks out. "And.. I did ride horses. But it was a long time ago. I do miss it but know naught of whether or not I could find something similar around here…"
Daxton knows what he's doing, her hands meet his firm chest and he playfully stumbles backwards with a laugh. "Lincoln?" He's still smiling, but his next question is a little more eeriest, "Were you here in the states?" Horse riding huh? "There's got to be stables near by. Have you looked?? Her by for a speedster is a lot further than for other people.
She'll just pretend that she's not focusing on how firm that chest felt. Callisto's fists ball at her sides briefly then unfurl, though her sharp look softens with remembrance. She wasn't truly mad. "Not during the time of their service." The girl offers, "I was cloistered away in the North, with only books and the ability to look out. I had no choice but to feed my mind with knowledge of the world via books and word-of-mouth… t'was hard to do, with my lifestyle then." A gentle sigh as she sweeps the folds of her skirts with slender hands. "I enjoy history, and not just that which is written in any one part of the world. I had a lot of time to kill." Said simply, watching him. "My emergence into the United States is fairly… recent. The 1970s. I have… seen things, there." A soft look, hastily done away with.
Talk of stables brightens Callisto's expression, "I have not. But perhaps I can look into it.. it has been a truly long time." Said as she looks at him again. Her brow furrows lightly; something seems to be eating at her, a question unasked.
North? That's right, Iceland or New Zealand or wherever. "Ah…that' why you liked Hippie boy." This is said in teasing, any uncertainty he had about Brier is gone. He's starts walking again, intent of getting something to eat, but the he can feel her gaze and looks over, "What?"
She does not supply much more insight on Brier, though perhaps some deeply buried, internal part of her psyche had been drawn to the new student. Petal, too, was blonde and of a similar nature back in the day.. though far older. It goes without saying that Callisto favors flower children.. but she just has this overall, pesky care for mortals in general. It hasn't been easy. The girl takes a deep breath, and looks down at her hands briefly. "What are we to do, Daxton?" Callisto asks with the tiniest bit of trepidation.. curses herself for feeling anxious. It's a newly-forged emotion, since the last 60 years or so. By her standards that's new.
What are they to do? Regarding evil fey? The situation at hand? What does she mean!?
"All you have done for me. I cannot help it, for it pushes me past the parameters of a friend. I am trying not to, trying to respect.. but t'is hard. Especially now." Callisto looks up. "Have we a chance? Or am I being foolish how much I am coming to care for you? What are we, exactly?" There it is!
Daxton just wanted food and to make sure Callisto was ok. The tilted headed puppy dog look disappears into a frown and he glances away. "I…I don't know." It's honest, at least. "I don't want-" No, he stops with that thought, head shaking, "Rebecca did a number on me. I..I didn't | |
I know I have your vote.
Everybody at this table has voted for themselves.
You have seven minutes, and then we'll wrap up.
Thank you very much for your presentation, and frankly, for the work your bank does around the world. Mr. Williamson and I are Maritimers. Certainly when I travel and see the Scotiabank sign, it makes me smile. I wish you still called it the Bank of Nova Scotia. It sounded better than Scotiabank. You've spent too much time in Toronto. You keep wanting to drop off the "Nova Scotia" part of it.
I'm from the east coast too.
In all seriousness, you have done and continue to do admirable work and you should be congratulated for that.
You didn't have a chance to elaborate on the answer that you would have given the University of Ottawa students. When they ask you what microfinance or microcredit is, what's the four-sentence explanation? What are the thresholds? I'm curious to hear how you would define that to a group of university students.
The segmentation for us is loans under $2,000 and revenues under $100,000 Canadian.
Practically, what it means is it's a way for very unsophisticated business owners to provide for their families. As I mentioned, they don't have financial statements in almost all cases. When you move up into small business, you start to get a little more sophistication, a little more reporting.
Perhaps I can pick up on a question that Mr. Dechert began with. He was absolutely correct on Haiti, that one of the challenges is that there is no viable land registry system. So if somebody is borrowing money and three people show up with what they pretend to be a deed to the same piece of property, it certainly is not reassuring for some banker.
But other than the obvious property rights or land registry systems or personal property security or some kind of enforceable collateral provision, what are the other challenges you're having in terms of legal structures, for example, judicial corruption? I was in a country some years ago where the judges hadn't been paid for two years. They were living off tips, like workers in the service and hospitality sector. So that is a problem, surely, if one is trying to set up any kind of financial system.
What other challenges have you had, other than property rights?
Right, generally, in any of your operations?
We always joke that we had a branch in Jamaica long before we had one in Toronto. We started as a bank that was financing trade between the east coast and the Caribbean. That's our history. That's our route. We have 120-plus years of experience in developing markets.
Then about 30 years ago we had an opportunity to enter the Mexican market, and some visionary CEOs looked at doing that.
We do a lot of homework and a lot of due diligence before we enter a market. Obviously we are looking at stability of political systems, level of corruption. All those kinds of things have to meet our criteria or we don't enter a market.
After that, if we decide to enter a market, usually it's by acquisition. Then we look at the quality and culture of the company and whether it fits with our culture. If we don't end up with the same values and culture, regardless of whether the company is profitable or not, it's not going to be a good fit.
There's an awful lot of due diligence that's done before we think about entering a market. In our case we've built an expertise in Latin America. There's been a long history in the Caribbean, and now we have a history in Latin America—from Mexico to Peru to Chile, to Colombia last year, Brazil, and Uruguay.
We have a core competency in Spanish now. All of us in head office are learning Spanish as well. Over half of Scotiabank's employees speak Spanish as their first and usually only language, and we have some core competency in Latin American culture.
I was asked at the university why we aren't in Africa, and it's that it takes a massive amount of time, energy, and management attention to learn a market and a culture. For us, it's been Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia, outside of Canada.
Sorry. That was a long answer to your question.
We were told that you're looking at expanding some of the microfinance activities of the bank. I would assume that you'd be looking at those criteria—political stability, etc.—but also a regional context.
Yes, exactly. It's the markets that we know. We wouldn't start a business in a new market, just because of all the things I've said.
I have a final question.
We were told, I think it was ten years ago, that there was a partnership or an effort—I think CIDA was a partner at that time, in Jamaica—around giving women entrepreneurs access to microcredit or microfinance.
Is that something you're trying to pursue?
In developing countries, financial literacy, as you said, is obviously a critical element. But if there are women entrepreneurs, or women who are interested either in their own family context or community context in developing some sort of business operation, surely that would be a pretty important thing to try to encourage.
Are there other activities you're doing with CIDA or other partners, particularly around women entrepreneurs?
The one in Jamaica that you mentioned...actually in working with CIDA last year we converted the four branches we had opened in that program into our traditional business model, which I think speaks to the success of the program.
We don't target microfinance programs specifically for women. We target microfinance programs for the general public. A lot of business start-ups and micro-businesses are being started by women. We want to provide financing to anyone who wants to start up a business, which includes over 60% of the cases being women.
So over 60% of the microfinance initiatives that you would be undertaking or initiating would be with women as applicants or partners.
Ms. Hannam, thank you very much for taking the time. We apologize for cutting you a little bit short today.
For the members, you have just over 20 minutes.
I'll suspend the meeting and then we'll get back here for the minister right after we're done with the votes.
Thank you once again for being here.
Pursuant to Standing Order 84(1), the committee is examining the main estimates for 2012-13, as well as a study of the expenditure plans for the department for the fiscal year 2011-12.
I want to welcome Mr. Patel, who is the assistant deputy minister and chief financial officer. Welcome, sir.
We also have the deputy minister, Mr. Rosenberg. Thank you for being here, sir.
We have Minister Baird and we have Minister Diane Ablonczy. Welcome.
Mr. Baird, why don't I turn the floor over to you? I understand you have some opening remarks. Then we'll hear from Minister Ablonczy, and then we'll go through our questions.
Welcome, sir. The floor is yours.
I want to thank you for the opportunity to be with you this afternoon. I will keep my comments short and I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have after.
It has now been almost a year since I took on my new responsibilities as foreign minister.
I last appeared before you in December, and since then many situations around the world have changed, and changed dramatically.
The situation in Syria is of great concern to us all. Canada acted swiftly in condemning the Assad regime's violent attacks against the Syrian people. We imposed a series of sanctions directed at Syria's rulers and their funding sources.
We have also activated a voluntary evacuation of Canadians in Syria, where we have facilitated the departure of literally hundreds of Canadians. During that time, in the month or so to follow, our ambassador stayed in | |
Social anarchism
For the journal, see Social Anarchism (journal).
Social anarchism[1][2][3][4][5] is a non-state form of socialism[6] and is considered to be the branch of anarchism that sees individual freedom as being interrelated with mutual aid.[7] Social anarchist thought emphasizes community and social equality as complementary to autonomy and personal freedom through norms such as freedom of speech maintained in a decentralized federalism, balanced with freedom of interaction in thought as well as incorporating the concept of subsidiarity, namely "that one should not withdraw from individuals and commit to the community what they can accomplish by their own enterprise and industry" and that "[f]or every social activity ought of its very nature to furnish help to the members of the body social, [should] never destroy and absorb them", or simply the slogan "Do not take tools out of people's hands".[7][8]
Social anarchism has also advocated that the conversion of a proportion of present-day and future productive private property be made into social property to offer individual empowerment through easier access to such as tools or parts, or a sharing of the commons while retaining respect for personal property.[9] Distributism is an approach. The term is used to describe the theory—contra individualist anarchism—that places an emphasis on the communitarian and cooperative aspects in anarchist theory while also opposing authoritarian forms of communitarianism associated with groupthink and collective conformity and instead favouring a reconciliation between individuality and sociality. For instance, illegitimate authority is removed through inspection and vigilance. While self-determination is asserted as is worker's self-management and education and empowerment emphasized, both individually and through interaction with the community, a do-it-yourself (DIY) mentality is combined with educational efforts within the social realm.
Social anarchism is considered an umbrella term that includes—but it is not limited to—the post-capitalist economic models of anarcho-communism, collectivist anarchism and sometimes mutualism, or even non-state controlled federated guild socialist dual power industrial democracy and economic democracy or federated worker cooperatives in addition to workers' and consumers' councils, replacing much of the present state system yet still retaining basic rights as well as the trade union approach of anarcho-syndicalism, the social struggle strategies of platformism and specifism and the environmental philosophy of social ecology. The term social anarchism is often used interchangeably with libertarian socialism[10] or left-libertarianism[11] and emerged in the late 19th century as a distinction from individualist anarchism.[12]
2 Historical currents
2.1 Mutualism
2.2 Collectivist anarchism
2.3 Anarcho-communism
2.4 Anarcho-syndicalism
2.5 Platformism and specifism
3 Contemporary currents
3.1 Inclusive Democracy
3.2 Participism
3.3 Social ecology and Communalism
Terms like anarcho-socialism or socialist anarchism can be used as synonymous for social anarchism, but this is rejected by most anarchists since they generally consider themselves socialists of the libertarian tradition and are seen as unnecessary and confusing when not used as synonymous for libertarian or stateless socialism vis-à-vis authoritarian or state socialism.[13][14][15][16] Anarchism has been historically identified with the socialist and anti-capitalist movement, with the main divide being between anti-market anarchists who support some form of decentralized economic planning and pro-market anarchists who support free-market socialism, therefore such terms are mainly used by anarcho-capitalism theorists and scholars who recognize anarcho-capitalism to differentiate between the two.[6][10][17] For similar reasons, anarchists also reject categorizations such as left[18] and right anarchism (anarcho-capitalism and national-anarchism),[19] seeing anarchism as a far-left ideology.[20]
While most anarcho-capitalists theorists and scholars divide anarchism into social anarchism vis-à-vis individualist anarchism meaning socialism vs. capitalism, seeing the two as mutually exclusive although accepting all anarchist schools of thought under panarchy on the basis of voluntaryism, anarchist theorists and scholars opposing to anarcho-capitalism reject this, not seeing them as a struggle between socialism and capitalism or as mutually exclusive, but instead as complementary, with their differences mainly being based on the means to attain anarchy, rather than on their ends, arguing against certain anarcho-capitalist theorists and scholars who see individualist anarchism as pro-capitalist and reiterating that anarchism as a whole is socialist, meaning libertarian and anti-statist socialism. As an example, many anarcho-communists regard themselves as radically individualists,[21] seeing anarcho-communism as the best social system for the realization of individual freedom.[22] Notwithstanding the name, collectivist anarchism is also seen as a blend of individualism and collectivism.[23] Indeed, anarchism is generally considered an individualist philosophy, opposing all forms of authoritarian collectivism, but one which does see the individual or the community as complementary rather than mutually exclusive, with anarco-communism and social anarchism in particular most rejecting the individualist–collectivist dichotomy. Finally, social anarchism is a term used in the United States to refer to Murray Bookchin's circle and its omonymous journal.[2][24]
To differentiate it from individualist anarchism, most anarchists generally prefer using social anarchism, a term used to characterize certain strides of anarchism vis-à-vis individualist anarchism, with the former focusing on the social aspect and generally being more organisational as well as supporting decentralised economic planning and the latter focusing on the individual and generally being more anti-organisational as well as supporting a free-market form of socialism, respectively, rather than seeing the two categories as mutually exclusive or as socialist vis-à-vis capitalism, leading to anarchism without adjectives.[25] For instance, mutualism, especially the theory of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, is seen as the middle or third category between social anarchism and individualist anarchism, although it is often considered part of social anarchism[26][27] and sometimes part of individualist anarchism.[28][29][30] Proudhon spoke of social individualism and described the mutualism and the freedom it pursued as the synthesis between communism and property.[31]
Historical currents
Main article: Mutualism
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Mutualism, originally developed by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, emerged from early 19th century socialism and is generally considered a market-oriented strand within the libertarian socialist tradition. Mutualists typically accept property rights, but with brief abandonment time periods. In a community in which mutuality property rules were upheld, a landowner would need to make (more or less) continuous use of his/her land; if he/she failed to do so, his/her ownership rights would be extinguished and the land could be homesteaded by someone else. A mutualist property regime is often described as one rooted in possession, occupancy-and-use, or usufruct.[32]
Nevertheless, mutualism is also associated with the economic views of 19th century American individualist anarchists such as Benjamin Tucker and William Batchelder Greene.[33] Today, Kevin Carson is a contemporary mutualist and author of Studies in Mutualist Political Economy who describes this work as "an attempt to revive individualist anarchist political economy, to incorporate the useful developments of the last hundred years, and to make it relevant to the problems of the twenty-first century".[34]
Collectivist anarchism
Main article: Collectivist anarchism
Collectivist anarchism (also known as anarcho-collectivism[35][36] and referred to as revolutionary socialism or a form of such) is a revolutionary form of anarchism, commonly associated with Mikhail Bakunin and James Guillaume.[37][38] It is a specific tendency, not to be confused with the broad category sometimes called collectivist or communitarian anarchism.[39]
The tendency emerged from the most radical wing of mutualism during the late 1860s. Unlike mutualists, collectivist anarchists oppose all private ownership of the means of production, instead advocating that ownership be collectivized, being made the joint property of the commune (municipality). This was to be achieved through violent revolution, first starting with a small cohesive group through acts of armed insurrection, or propaganda by the deed, which would inspire the workers and peasants as a whole to revolt and forcibly collectivize the means of production.[37] However, collectivization was not to be extended to the distribution of income as workers would be paid according to time worked, rather than receiving goods being distributed "according to need" as in anarcho-communism. This position was criticised by later anarcho-communists as effectively "uphold[ing] the wages system".[40]
Anarchist communist and collectivist ideas were not mutually exclusive. Although the collectivist anarchists advocated compensation for labor, some held out the possibility of a post-revolutionary transition to a communist system of distribution according to need, claiming that this would become more | |
On Test Cricket
— Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.
It's the morning after.
Yesterday, the Indian cricket team managed to pull off its most famous Test match win ever, the recency effect of it notwithstanding. In the truest sense of the term, it was a fine Ocean 11's kind of heist which went right down to the wire, and not the tacky Dhoom type.
The sun is just about getting ready to peep out of the clouds. While a whole host of things remain to be done, I am reluctant to start my workday given that I am still brimming with excitement over yesterday's win.
And in this situation who wants to write yet another piece on what the government should do in the next budget. (For those who don't know me, I make a living out of writing on economics and finance).
As I process yesterday's win and get ready for the boring, mundane day that lies ahead, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan is singing his legendary thumri ka karun sajni aaye na balam. It took me years to reach a level where I could appreciate the brilliance of Khan sahab's singing.
My interest in music started with listening to Hindi film music on Vividh Bharti. Over the years, thanks to my father and a few neighbours, I graduated to listening to Jagjit Singh sing ye kagaz ki kashti ye baarish ka paani.
And then it was Ghulam Ali singing faasle aise bhi honge ye kabhi socha na tha.
It continued with Mehdi Hasan singing ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aa.
And I thought I had reached the peak of listening prowess when I heard Akhtari Bai Faizabadi sing wo jo humme tumme karar tha, tumhe yaad ho ke na yaad ho.
The greatness of these singers notwithstanding, everything fell flat once I had heard Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan sing ka karun sajni aaye na balam. Of course I am mixing genres of music here, but that's the way it is and I can't do anything about it.
So what's the point here? It took me years of listening to music patiently and spending all the time that I did, to reach a stage where I could appreciate Khan sahab's singing. It didn't happen in a day or even a year or two, it took decades.
Imagine what would have happened, if someone had introduced me to Khan sahab's singing in the 1990s. I would possibly have turned around and said what rubbish is this. It's so slow. And he sings the same thing over and over again. Have you heard Kumar Sanu sing maine pyar tumhi se kiya hai, maine dil bhi tumhi ko diya hai?
But then I was still maturing as a listener. Appreciating good things in life takes time. It takes decades to develop some taste, if at all that happens.
The question is, why have I been going on and on about Bade Ghulam Ali Khan sahab in a piece supposedly on Test cricket. Let me explain.
Watching Test cricket for me is an experience similar to listening to Khan sahab sing ka karun sajni aaye na balam. I wasn't always up for it.
My first memory of watching cricket goes back to India winning the World Championship of Cricket in 1985. Doordarshan had just come to Ranchi, the city I was born and brought up in, only a few months earlier on October 2, 1984, and we had bought our first TV on December 25, 1984 (It was an Uptron).
I don't have many memories of the 1987 Reliance World Cup other than India losing the semi-final to England in Mumbai. For days at end there were rumours of Dilip Vengsarkar having opted out of playing in the semi-final because Sunil Gavaskar wanted India to lose, since he didn't want to play the final scheduled in Kolkata (then Calcutta).
The 1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup was the first cricket World Cup I saw in colour and on cable TV. My memories of it are limited to India losing to Australia by one run, thanks to a stupid rain rule, which would eventually also cost South Africa a place in the finals. I still remember the looks on the face of Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson, the South African batsman at the crease, when the rain rule revised South Africa's target to 22 runs to get from one ball.
The 1996 World Cup was when things got really personal. We were not supposed to lose. But then despite the bowling heroics of Javagal Srinath who got rid of both Sanath Jayasuria and Romesh Kaluwitharana very quickly, Sri Lanka went on to win the semi-final, once the pitch started spinning like a top during the Indian innings and our batting simply collapsed after Sachin Tendulkar got out, as was often the case in those days.
My final memory of that lousy day is that of Vinod Kambli slowly walking off the Eden Gardens with tears in his eyes, once the match referee Clive Llyod decided to call off the match and award a victory to Sri Lanka, due to crowd trouble.
The pain that followed was very personal. After the game got over, I walked around aimlessly for at least two hours in the colony we used to live in, trying to process what had just happened. It simply didn't make any sense. How could India lose?
After that loss, over the years, things became less personal when it came to cricket. The main reason for it was the rise of cable TV and the fact that the live cricket broadcast became more and more ubiquitous. The popularity of cable TV and ODI cricket went hand in hand, with each feeding in on the other.
The law of diminishing marginal utility was also at work and the continuous live coverage of cricket, made it like just another game, you watched, you forgot and you moved on. The value of the game wasn't quite the same. As the supply of cricket increased, the enjoyment with each extra game being played, came down.
In fact, the rise of T20 cricket led to my emotions getting totally detached from the game. My mother used to watch soap operas while having dinner (now she watches Netflix), and I watch IPL, when it is on. These days I watch the Aussie Big Bash League while having lunch.
Cricket, like soap operas for my mother, became another time filler for me.
Then things started to change in 2012, when I quit my full-time journalism job and went freelance. This is when I seriously started watching Test cricket because I finally had the time to watch a game which unfolds itself leisurely over a period of five days. Until then I used to follow Test cricket but post 2012, I started seriously watching it.
And like I took time to appreciate the singing of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan sahab, it took me time to appreciate Test cricket, and when I did, boy did I enjoy it. I had go through watching a lot of 50 over cricket, international T-20 cricket, league T-20 cricket and first class matches, to finally start appreciating Test cricket. It was a proper process.
Much of T-20 cricket to me is timepass and to put it honestly, given a choice, I would rather spend time eating the original Indian timepass, the humble moongphali, than watch T-20 cricket.
A simple reason why I find Test cricket more enjoyable is because the game is much more balanced, with the bowlers getting almost an equal chance as batsmen.
Like it is in ODI cricket, the quota of overs a bowler can bowl is not limited. This means the best bowlers in a team can keep bowling as long as their body allows them to. Among the Aussie fast | |
Tag Archives: emir kusturica
by iansales 5 Comments
Best of the half-year
It's halfway through 2013, and it's proven quite a year so far in ways both good and bad. This post is to celebrate some of the good stuff – namely the best of the books I've read, the films I've seen, and the albums I first heard during the previous six months.
Winter's Bone, Daniel Woodrell (2006) I read this after seeing and liking the film and I was much surprised to discover it was not some piece of cheap commercial fiction with an unusual setting, but instead a beautifully-written literary novel which happened to use a genre plot. The film is pretty damn good too. I plan to read more by Woodrell. I wrote about this book here.
Empty Space, M John Harrison (2012) is the third book in the Kefahuchi Tract trilogy and I really must reread Light and Nova Swing one of these days. If at first I thought Empty Space felt a little undisciplined in its spraying of tropes across its narrative threads, the more of it I read the more I realised how very carefully engineered it was. I wrote about this book here.
Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino (1972) is the most recently-read book to appear in this list. I had no real idea what to expect when I picked it up, but its lyrical and oblique descriptions of the cities (allegedly) visited by Marco Polo immediately captivated me. I wrote about this book here.
The Wall Around Eden, Joan Slonczewski (1989) is one of those books I read and enjoyed, but only realised how well-crafted it was when I came to write a review of it for SF Mistressworks. It reads like a masterclass in science fiction. This book really needs to be back in print. See my review here.
Under the Volcano, Malcolm Lowry (1947) Some books just leave you speechless at the quality of the prose, and while I'd already fallen in love with Lowry's writing when I read his novella 'Through the Panama', there was always a chance this, his most famous and most lauded novel, would not appeal as much. Happily, it did. Even more so, perhaps. A bona fide classic of English-language literature. I wrote about it here.
Honourable mentions go to Osama, Lavie Tidhar (2011), whose grasp may not quite match its reach but it comes damn close; Before The Incal, Alejandro Jodorowsky & Zoran Janjetov (2012), which matches The Incal for bonkersness and sheer bande dessinée goodness; Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997), which is a bit of a bloated monstrosity, and contains too much baseball, but also features moments of genius; The Steerswoman's Road, Rosemary Kirstein (2003), which is actually a cheat as its an omnibus of The Steerswoman (1992) and The Outskirter's Secret (1993) and I only read the latter this year, but it's an excellent series and deserves praise; Jamilia, Chingiz Aïtmatov (1958), which proved to be a lovely little novella set in the author's native Kyrgyzstan; and Sons and Lovers, DH Lawrence (1913), which shows with beautiful prose how psychology should be used in fiction.
Um, not that much science fiction there. I seem to be failing at this science fiction fan business…
Le Mépris, Jean-Luc Godard (1963) I am not a huge fan of Godard, so I was somewhat surprised how much I liked this film. Perhaps it's because it feels a little like Fellini's 8½ (both are about film-making), which is also a favourite film, and looks a bit like something by Antonioni.
The Dr Mabuse trilogy, Fritz Lang: Dr Mabuse The Gambler (1922), The Testament of Dr Mabuse (1933), The 1000 Eyes of Dr Mabuse (1960) A bit of a cheat as I watched Dr Mabuse The Gambler in 2012, but never mind. If the first film is a commentary on corruption in the Weimar Republic, the second extends the metaphor to comment on Nazism, and the third further completes it with an off-kilter noir film commenting on the legacy of the Nazis. Classic cinema.
Only Yesterday, Isao Takahata (1991) I've been working my way through Studio Ghibli's output, though I find most of it either twee, cloyingly sentimental or a little juvenile. But not this one. I wrote about it here.
About Elly, Asghar Farhadi (2009) For much of its length, this film feels like an art house mystery, but then it takes a turn into something completely different and wholly Iranian. I wrote about it here.
She Should Have Gone to the Moon, Ulrike Kubatta (2008) I bought this as research for the Apollo Quartet, and was surprised to discover it was a beautifully-shot documentary and meditation on the thirteen women who successfully passed the same medical tests as the Mercury astronauts.
Honourable mentions go to Gertrud, Carl Theodor Dreyer (1964), grim and Danish and beautifully subtle; Man With A Movie Camera, Dziga Vertov (1929), an astonishing and meta-cinematic document of 1920s Russia; Black Cat, White Cat, Emir Kusturica (1998), broad comedy but also very funny; Le Havre, Aki Kaurismäki (2011), typically deadpan but somewhat cheerier than usual; and The Sun, Aleksandr Sokurov (2005), a human portrait of Emperor Hirohito at the end of WWII.
Well, will you look at that, not a single Hollywood film in the entire lot. Instead, we have films from France, Germany, Japan, Iran, Denmark, Russia, the former Yugoslavia, Finland and a documentary from the UK.
Construct, Dark Tranquillity (2013) A new album from one of my favourite bands, and with each new album they just get better and better. Can't wait to see them live.
Death Walks With Me, Noumena (2013) A new album from Finnish melodic death metal masters after far too long a wait. Trumpet!
The Threnody Of Triumph, Winterfylleth (2012) They call it English heritage black metal, though I'm not entirely sure what that means – a wall of guitars, with howling vocals layered over the top, some lovely acoustic interludes, and they're bloody good live too.
Dustwalker, Fen (2013) More English heritage black metal but also very atmospheric, perhaps even a bit shoegazer-y in places; a formula that works extremely well.
Unborn and Hollow, Forlorn Chambers (2013) A demo EP from a new Finnish band, which mixes and matches a couple of extreme metal genres to excellent effect. Very heavy, very doomy, with a lot of death in it too. I'm looking forward to seeing an album from them.
Honourable mentions: Conflict, Sparagmos (1999), classic Polish death metal; Of Breath and Bone, Bel'akor (2012), Australian melodic death metal; Deathlike, Ancient VVisdom (2013), strange acoustic doom from Texas; Where the End Begins, Mentally Blind (2013), accomplished demo from a Polish death metal band.
Categories: 2013 roundup, books, films, music | Tags: aki kaurismäki, aleksandr sokurov, ancient vvisdom, asghar farhadi, bel'akor, carl theodor dreyer, daniel woodrell, dark tranquillity, don delillo, dziga vertov, emir kusturica, fen, forlorn chambers, fritz lang, isao takahata, italo calvino, jean-luc godard, m john harrison, malcolm lowry, mentally blind, noumena, sparagmos, studio ghibli, ulrike kubatta, winterfylleth | Permalink.
Best of the year 2011
I was going to leave this until January, but everyone else is doing them now. And, let's face it, there's only a handful of days left until the end of the year and they'll be filled with various consumerist festivities. So…
As of 15 December, I had read 156 books in 2011, which I suspect will mean a total on 31 December of slightly less than last year's 178 books. But then I probably wrote more this year than I did in 2010. Of my reading, 4% were anthologies, and 12% non-fiction… which means of the remainder that 28% were books by women writers and 56% by male writers. I still need to work on that. Genre-wise, 44% was science fiction, 16% was mainstream, 8% was fantasy, and 16% were graphic novels.
Of | |
Archives For Family
Remembering Christmas
These days we measure our lives by the chemotherapy treatments that come every three weeks and blood tests every six weeks or so. Thus far, there has only been good news and we now start our mornings drinking coffee together while reading the newspapers. I still awake at five minutes after five most mornings but she doesn't join me until the papers are in and the coffee is made.
In Family Christmas 2018
Thursdays with Kathy
I awake at five minutes after five, walk downstairs and turn up the thermostat. The kettle slowly heats and a few minutes later the coffee is ready.
This is my quiet time when I read digital newspapers and catch up on the Twitter feed as a new day dawns in Baltimore.
This is my alone time, but not today.
Yesterday was Kathy's eighth chemotherapy session and the steroids they gave her make her feel great. I have just poured my first cup of coffee when I hear her slippers on the staircase.
I pour her a cup and we sit together for a while. It is like it was before and we talk about unimportant things as daylight replaces darkness over the back patio.
At times like these I wish her chemotherapy could last forever. It seems to be working wonders and, at least on Thursday mornings, she looks like she is cured. But it kills the good with the bad and she is steadily losing healthy blood cells. This makes her weaker as each day passes and we are not sure she will be able to complete the last treatment before her surgery.
But for now she is vibrant and healthy and full of hope about getting back to work and back to the way it was before.
We have breakfast and I help her with an injection before leaving for work.
When I return she has changed. The steroids have worn off and she is fatigued from the anemia. She goes to bed early and is asleep before I have finished tucking the blankets around her.
I awake at five minutes after five on Friday, walk downstairs and turn up the thermostat. The kettle slowly heats and a few minutes later the coffee is ready.
This is my quiet time, but I wish it was a Thursday.
In Family Chemotherapy
The halls at Hopkins
When we first arrived at Johns Hopkins Hospital we expected a short consultation and then a return home to await the start of a treatment plan. We left three days later. We started in the outpatient center, spent time in the Weinberg building and were assigned a hospital room in Zayed.
These buildings and many others are connected by a maze of bridges, tunnels, escalators and walkways and I spent much of the first visit wandering around looking for flowers and places to eat .
Since that visit I have walked past the Administration Building dozens of times and today I decided to stop by to visit a statue I knew was there.
It is called Christus Consolator and was donated in 1896 by William Wallace Spence. Since then countless patients and family members have visited this place for solace and inspiration.
Some leave flowers and messages. Others pause to say a prayer or rub the exposed foot for luck. I have nothing to place here today, but hope that those who were here before me did not leave in sorrow.
There are many other placards and markers installed on the walls of the hallways here. One pays tribute to the persons who served in "The Hopkins Units" during the first and second world wars.
Another is much more worn and hard to read. It tells of two sons who died within months of each other, on opposite sides of the world. One was a Marine who died during the battle to take Okinawa. His younger brother served on a bomber and was lost over the English Channel two weeks after D-Day.
Thousands of people walk by this plaque everyday and I hope that at least a few stop to read the story of sacrifice that it tells.
Legend claims that the when Christus Consolator was delivered, the doorman remarked that "Jesus came in through the front door." Today, I came in from the back door and spent a few minutes thinking about the journey that lies ahead and the people who have been down this path before us.
In Family, Friendship Christus Consolator, Johns Hopkins
The dismal wilderness.
I decided last year that I would climb the three peaks that make up the Santanoni range as part of a short backpacking trip. That trip fell through and I asked my nephew Alex if he would join me this weekend on the makeup trip.
He came directly from taking his second mid-term exam and we met at a rest stop on I-87 and drove from there to the trailhead. We distributed the camping gear between our backpacks and started our hike to the campsite just beyond Bradley Pond. We arrived with about 30 minutes of daylight remaining and were able to set up camp and have a quick dinner before dark.
It rained overnight and the air was chilly and damp during our entire day in the mountains. We carried a lot of extra gear with us because of the remoteness of the peaks we were climbing and the chance that the weather might turn for the worse. The weight of the packs slowed us down during our ascent up the trail from Bradley Pond to the clearing located in the saddle between Santanoni and Panther.
From there we first hiked to Couchsachraga Peak. Couchsachraga is ancient Algonquin and is translated as "the dismal wilderness." It is the word that the Algonquins used for the Adirondack Mountains.
The hike to Couchsachraga is deceptively difficult. At 1164 meters it is the shortest of the peaks making up the 46er list. The saddle between Panther and Santanoni is at roughly 1300 meters and the trail to Couchsachraga descends to 1000 meters before a last steep climb to the summit. The hike back to the saddle was the hardest part of the day as we struggled to regain the 300 meters we had lost hiking to Couchsachraga.
The rest of the hike was much easier. We made good time to Santanoni and Panther and headed back to the campsite at 4:00 PM.
As we walked down from Panther we debated whether we should hike out that night or stay until morning. Neither of us had slept well the night before and the freeze-dried meals I had prepared were barely edible. We reached the campsite just before dark, had a some hot chocolate and Cream of Wheat, and decided to head for home. We changed into dry clothes. packed, turned on our headlamps and started for the trailhead.
The trail was quiet and easy to follow because of the reflective trail markers. Although the head lamps limited our vision to just a few feet in front of us, we were able to track our progress by the sounds of the nearby streams that started softly and then grew louder and louder as we reached the valley and the mountain road leading to the parking lot.
It was probably the hardest day I have spent hiking in the Adirondacks thus far. Alex and I spent 14 hours walking 14 miles on wet rocks and slippery roots. We crossed two streams where the bridges had washed away. We were damp and sore and the boots we wore were covered with mud.
We reached three peaks, but saw nothing more than the signs and markers at the summits.
Couchsachraga.
In Adirondack Park, ADK 46-R, Family Bradley Pond, Couchsachraga Peak, Panther Peak, Santanoni Peak
River in the rain.
I learned to canoe in 1972 at Crumhorn Mountain Boy Scout Camp.
Jim Davidson was in charge of the waterfront | |
Job Description for President
Serving as president of a PTA includes the responsibility to lead that PTA toward specific goals chosen by its members. The goals must be consistent with the policies and Purposes of the PTA. The president is the presiding officer and the official representative of the association.
Throughout the year, mailings will be sent from the Georgia State PTA and National PTA that contain important material to assist the unit. Distribute and discuss these materials with the appropriate officers and chairmen.
For PTA training, counseling, or information, contact the council or district PTA director.
All written materials produced by PTA (e.g., newsletters, flyers, website postings, or notices) are to be cleared with the PTA president and school principal before publishing. The principal is responsible for the accuracy of school information and compliance with the State Education Code and school district policy. The PTA president is responsible for the accuracy of PTA information and compliance with PTA policies.
Prior to Taking Office
To ensure a successful term of office, certain responsibilities begin as soon as new officers are elected.
The president-elect should confer with the school principal and call meetings, as necessary, of the board-elect (elected officers and principal) soon after election to ratify appointed officers, fill any vacant offices and make plans for the coming year.
When appointed officers are ratified, they become part of the board-elect.
Hold brainstorming session(s) with the board-elect to establish unit goals. Review past unit activities, become familiar with National PTA and Georgia State PTA goals and Purposes, set realistic goals and prioritize projects. Evaluate current chairman positions and decide which are needed. Ask for suggestions of people to fill chairmanships.
Start recruiting chairmen and committee members; strive for a balance of experienced and new members, keeping in mind that all areas of the community should be represented. Select first those whose work begins immediately: program, budget and finance and membership. If the standing rules or bylaws designate some of these duties to the vice president(s) or treasurer, appoint additional members to their respective committees.
A special meeting of the board-elect may be called to ratify the appointment of all chairmen, so they can begin their activities. The president-elect may also do this at the first executive board meeting when the term begins.
Become familiar with the duties of each chairman by reviewing the Georgia State PTA Leadership Resource Guide. Share job descriptions and materials as noted with the chairmen and help them to secure procedure books and materials from their predecessors.
Names and addresses of additional executive board members should be sent to council and/or district PTA for their respective directories.
Attend workshops offered by council or district PTA and urge incoming board members to attend.
The president-elect is one of the unit's delegates to the Georgia State PTA Convention.
Prior to taking office, request the outgoing president's procedure book and review it and all material received from previous president.
Coordinate with treasurer-elect to have the sign a tu re cards for bank accounts updated with new officers and submitted to the bank at the beginning of the new term.
During Term of Office
Appoint a committee to review and/or revise the bylaws.
Work with committees in charge of activities scheduled before school begins, such as student registration and welcome for teachers, new students, and parents.
Meet with the room representative coordinator and principal to plan an orientation meeting for room representatives and/or grade level representatives.
Confer with officers and chairmen regarding plans for the year and progress toward set goals.
Prepare a master calendar that includes executive board meetings, association meetings, PTA special events, and president/principal meetings.
Order PTA materials that will be helpful to officers/chairmen in fulfilling their responsibilities. This is a legitimate PTA expense. If possible, obtain a subscription for the principal to PTA in Georgia, the VOICE, the official newsletter of the Georgia State PTA, and Our Children, National PTA magazine. Promote PTA officer/chairmen use of the PTA websites: www.georgiapta.org and www.pta.org.
The Georgia State PTA Leadership Resource Guide is included in the summer service mailing and includes membership enrollment materials, which should be reviewed and given to the membership chairman.
Membership enrollment may be planned before the service mailing is received. Arrange to obtain membership envelopes and cards according to procedure of the council or district PTA. The PTA may wish to print its own envelopes.
Make certain membership enrollment activities are approved by the principal and do not interfere with school activities.
Membership enrollment may begin at any time in the new term and should continue throughout the year.
All members must receive a membership card. Remind each member to sign the card.
Schedule a budget committee meeting with the principal and officers (treasurer, program chairman, and fundraising chairman) whose input to the budget is important. Verify programs and fundraising activities comply with insurance guidelines.
Have the proposed budget, including programs, fundraisers, Georgia State PTA convention, and other plans, presented to the executive board.
The association must approve the proposed budget, including programs, fundraisers, and other plans, before implementation (which includes the signing of contracts). A motion for each fundraiser, including how the money will be used (books for the library, etc.), must be approved by the association. This should be done at the first association meeting of the new term.
It is the responsibility of the president and unit delegates to attend the council meetings (if in council) or district PTA meetings (if not in council). Check with council (if in council) and district PTA for meetings or training programs that may be held during the year.
The executive board fills any vacant offices and ratifies additional chairmen and committee members before the school term starts.
Remind the treasurer to send the per capita portion of dues for council (if in council), district, State and National PTA, through channels each month; to submit insurance premiums by the district PTA due date.
Remind the treasurer to schedule audits of the financial books twice a year and to determine whether the council or district PTA requires a copy of the Annual Financial Report.
Work with the program committee to complete plans for Founders Day, typically celebrated in February. Include an opportunity to collect the Founders Day Freewill Offering in the program. Remind the treasurer to remit any funds collected promptly to council or district PTA.
Appoint an award committee to select local recipient(s) for award(s). Be sure a motion is made to authorize the purchase of Honorary Service Awards and emblems, to be ordered from the state office in time for the presentation. Allow six weeks for delivery.
Forward any proposed resolutions for the Georgia State PTA convention in time for council or district PTA action.
Review the Georgia State PTA convention registration information when received. Prepare convention pre-registration and housing materials as instructed by council (if in council) or district PTA.
Prepare for Association Meetings
Check with program and hospitality chairmen about arrangements.
Work with the publications, public relations, and room representative coordinators on meeting notices, publicity, and parent contacts.
Be sure the proposed budget, including programs and fundraisers, is presented for adoption at the first fall association meeting.
Prepare the agenda for the meeting ahead of time, and provide copies to the secretary and parliamentarian.
Check bylaws for the procedures to elect the nominating committee, and include that election on the appropriate month's agenda.
Check bylaws for the meeting designated for the election of officers, provide the required notice of the election to the membership and conduct election.
Conduct election of delegate(s) to the Georgia State PTA convention. The number of delegates is determined by unit membership. Elect an alternate for each delegate.
Submit a roster that includes the name, title and contact information for the new officers to council or district PTA.
Give helpful materials to the president-elect immediately following the election .
Work with the president-elect to plan the installation of new officers.
Invite incoming president to attend meetings of council or district PTA | |
Q: Get data from pressed picture and save them and send as email I have a website project. I used to work in asp.net so I am very familiar with it. However, this project is in php ...
I have searched a lot and did not find a way in which php can send data from an image (asp.net could do that).
My question is the following how can I get data from the picture that was pressed and save all these data to send them then as an email to the owner of the website.
The scenario is the following:
The thing is that I have a form (that is on sliding divs) composed of pictures.
The slides move left and right using jquery (and their display is set to none)
For example:
Slide 1 have three pictures (decorate your table and plan your event)
CASE 1 : if you press on Plan your event you go to Slide 2 , here we need to save "Plan event"
Slide 2 have three other pictures (Birthday event, Baby Shower , Wedding)
if you press on one of these you will be taken to the next slide (relevant to it) and we have to save "Birthday Event" for example and so on
CASE 2 : if you press on decorate your table you go to Slide 3 , here we need to save "decorate your table"
Slide 4 has two other pictures (open buffet, Canape)
if you press on one of these you will be taken to the next slide (relevant to it) and we have to save "Canape" for example and so on
At the end of this form , there is a send button that needs to gather all the previously saved data and send it as an email to the owner of the website.
For example in the first sceneraio the email would look something like this:
You received an order.
Order: Event Planning
Type: Birthday
In the second scenario the email would look something like this:
You received an order.
Order: Table Decoration
Type: Canape
and so on.
The html code of the slides
<div id="Plan">
<div id="SubPlan">
<div id="Plan0">
<table id="PlanTable">
<tr>
<td><h1>START <br /> PLANNING <br/> NOW</h1></td>
<td><img id="PlanEvent" src="Pictures/plan/plan-your-event.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></td>
<td><img id="PlanEventTable" src="Pictures/plan/customize-your-display-table.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></td>
<td><img id="CustomizeCake" src="Pictures/plan/customize-your-cake.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<!--Plan Event Section-->
<!--1-->
<div id="Occasion" >
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>PLAN YOUR EVENT</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>WHAT IS YOUR OCCASION?</p></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_01.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_02.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_03.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_04.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div></div>
<div class="row"> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_05.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_06.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_07.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="Occasionbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_08.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left Occasionbtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right Occasionbtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--2-->
<div id="DecorationType" >
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>PLAN YOUR EVENT</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>WHAT ARE WE DECORATING?</p></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class=" col-xtra-12"><img style="max-width: 300px; margin-bottom:20px;" class="DecorationType " src="Pictures/plan/what-are-we-decorating_main.png" /></div></div>
<div class="row"> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 " ><img class="DecorationTypebtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-are-we-decorating_1.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 " ><img class="DecorationTypebtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-are-we-decorating_2.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color:#91737c"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 "><img class="DecorationTypebtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-are-we-decorating_3.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color:#f4d7cb"></div></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left DecorationTypebtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right DecorationTypebtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--3-->
<div id="Catering" >
<div class="PlanWrapper" >
<div class="row PlanTitle"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>PLAN YOUR EVENT</h1></div></div>
<div class="row PlanOption"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>CATERING?</p></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="CateringPadding col-xtra-6 col-xs-1 PlanRemove "></div>
<div class="CateringPadding col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn1 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Catering_1.png" /> <div class="ButtonBackground"></div> </div>
<div class="CateringPadding col-xtra-6 col-xs-3"><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn1 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Catering_2.png" /> <div class="ButtonBackground"></div> </div>
<div class="CateringPadding col-xtra-6 col-xs-3"><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn1 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Catering_3.png" /> <div class="ButtonBackground"></div> </div>
<div class="CateringPadding col-xtra-6 col-xs-1 PlanRemove "></div>
</div>
<div class="row PlanOption"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WE CATERING TO?</p></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn2 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/NbCatering_1.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color:#91737c"></div> </div>
<div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn2 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/NbCatering_2.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color:#91737c"></div> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn2 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/NbCatering_3.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color:#91737c"></div> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Cateringbtn Cateringbtn2 animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/NbCatering_4.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color:#91737c"></div> </div>
</div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left Cateringbtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right Cateringbtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--4-->
<div id="TableColor" >
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>PLAN YOUR EVENT</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>WHAT IS YOUR TABLE COLOR?</p></div></div>
<div class="row"> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="TableColorbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-is-your-table-color_1.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="TableColorbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-is-your-table-color_2.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="TableColorbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-is-your-table-color_3.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="TableColorbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/what-is-your-table-color_4.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div></div>
<div class="row"> <div class=" col-xtra-12 col-xs-3"><p class="decootherstyle" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;" >OTHER</p> </div> <div class="col-xtra-12 col-xs-9"> <input class="inputstyle3" /> </div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left TableColorbtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right TableColorbtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--</div>-->
<!--5-->
<div id="Decoration">
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row PlanTitle"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>PLAN YOUR EVENT</div></div>
<div class="row PlanOption"><div class="col-xtra-12"><p>DECORATION</p></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_1.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div> <div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_2.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_3.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_4.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis"src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_5.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div> <div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_6.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div> <div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_7.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="Decorationbtn animatethis" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_8.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class=" col-xs-3 PlanRemove "></div><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "> <img class="Decorationbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Decoration_9.png"/> <div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div> </div><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><p class="decootherstyle" >OTHER</p> <textarea name="DecorationOther" class="inputstyle"></textarea> </div><div class="col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 PlanRemove"></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left Decorationbtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right Decorationbtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--6-->
<div id="Entertainment">
<div>
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>PLAN YOUR EVENT</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>ENTERTAINMENT</p></div></div>
<div class="row">
<div class=" col-xs-12 col-sm-5">
<textarea name="DecorationOther" placeholder="WHAT IS THE OCCASION?"></textarea>
<textarea name="DecorationOther" placeholder="HOW MANY PERSONS ARE YOU INVITING?"></textarea>
<textarea name="DecorationOther" placeholder="SWEET CANAPE OR SAVORY CANAPE OR BOTH?"></textarea>
</div>
<div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-5"> <div class="EntArea"> <h5>THEMED SWEETS? YES OR NO</h5> <textarea name="DecorationOther" placeholder="(CUPCAKES, COOKIES, CAKE POPS, MINI CUPCAKES...)"></textarea> <div style="width:100%;"><p style="margin-right:5px; color:white">YES</p><p style="color: white;">NO</p></div> </div> </div>
<div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-2 nextbtn" > <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-circle-arrow-right"></span> </div>
</div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left Entertainmentbtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right Entertainmentbtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--Plan Event Section-->
<!--Cake Section-->
<!--1-->
<div id="PlanCake" >
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAKE</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>WHAT IS YOUR EVENT?</p></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_01.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_02.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_03.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_04.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div></div>
<div class="row"> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-1_2 PlanRemove " ></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_05.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_06.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanCakebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_07.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-1_2 PlanRemove"></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left PlanCakebtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right PlanCakebtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--2-->
<div id="CakeSize">
<div class="PlanWrapper three">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAKE</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>WHAT IS THE SIZE NEEDED?</p></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 "><img class="CakeSizebtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake-size_1.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 " ><img src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake-size_2.png" class="CakeSizebtn" /><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 "><img src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake-size_3.png" class="CakeSizebtn"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div>
<div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-2 PlanRemove " ></div><div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 " ><img class="CakeSizebtn"src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake-size_4.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground" style="background-color: #f4d7cb;"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-4 "><p class="decootherstyle" >OTHER</p> <textarea name="DecorationOther" class="inputstyle"></textarea> </div><div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-2 PlanRemove" ></div></div>
<div class="row AddMargin">
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:left"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left CakeSizebtn_prev" ></span> </div>
<div class="col-xtra-6" style="text-align:right"> <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right CakeSizebtn_next"></span> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!--Cake Section-->
<!--Table Section-->
<!--1-->
<div id="PlanTableOccasion" >
<div class="PlanWrapper">
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12"><h1>CUSTOMIZE YOUR DISPLAY TABLE</h1></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class="col-xtra-12" ><p>WHAT IS YOUR OCCASION?</p></div></div>
<div class="row"><div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanTableOccasionbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_01.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanTableOccasionbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_02.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanTableOccasionbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_03.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 "><img class="PlanTableOccasionbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_04.png" /><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div></div>
<div class="row"> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="PlanTableOccasionbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_05.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 " ><img class="PlanTableOccasionbtn" src="Pictures/plan/Customize-your-cake_06.png"/><div class="ButtonBackground"></div></div> <div class=" col-xtra-6 col-xs-3 | |
Watermark is the second studio album by Irish singer, songwriter and musician Enya, released on 19 September 1988 by WEA. After the release of her previous album Enya (1987), she secured a recording contract with Warner after a chance meeting with chairman Rob Dickins, who had become a fan of her music. Her contract allowed her considerable artistic and creative freedom, with minimal interference from the label and no deadlines to have albums finished. Enya recorded Watermark in ten months with her longtime collaborators, manager, producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan. It was initially recorded in Ireland in demo form before production relocated to London to re-record, mix, and master it digitally. Watermark features music in different styles, displaying Enya's sound of multi-tracked vocals with keyboards, percussion instruments, and elements of Celtic, ambient, and New-age music, though Enya believes her music does not belong in the latter genre.
Watermark received many positive reviews from critics and it became an unexpected commercial success, which propelled Enya to worldwide fame. It peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart, number twenty-five on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and reached number one in New Zealand and Switzerland. It was certified quadruple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 1.2 million and four million copies across the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively. To promote the album, Enya embarked on a worldwide promotional tour which included interviews, appearances, and live performances. Four singles were released from the album, including the international top-ten hit "Orinoco Flow", which spent three weeks at number one in the United Kingdom. Watermark was reissued in 1989, 1991, and 2009; the first two contain "Storms in Africa (Part II)" as a bonus track; the latter was a Japanese release with a second entitled "Morning Glory".
Background
In March 1987, the 25-year-old Enya released her self-titled debut solo album Enya on BBC Records in the United Kingdom and on Atlantic Records in the United States. It was originally produced as the soundtrack to the BBC2 documentary series The Celts, with Enya and her recording partners of five years, manager, arranger and producer Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan. It was a mild commercial success, peaking at number 69 in the United Kingdom. Soon after its release Rob Dickins, then chairman of Warner Music UK, became a fan of the album, playing it "every night before I went to bed". Weeks later, he met Enya and the Ryans at a chance meeting at the year's Irish Recorded Music Association Awards in Dublin where Dickens learned Enya was considering signing with a rival label, prompting him to attract her to Warner. After a period of negotiations, Dickins signed Enya, granting her wish for complete artistic freedom without interference from management or deadlines to have albums finished. Dickins later said, "Sometimes you sign an act to make money, and sometimes you sign an act to make music. This was clearly the latter ... I just wanted to be involved with this music." In the process, Enya departed from Atlantic and signed to the Warner-led Geffen Records to handle distribution in North America.
Recording
With the green-light to make a new album, Enya recorded Watermark from June 1987 to April 1988. It was initially recorded in demo form at Aigle Studio, a 16-track facility located in the basement of the Ryans' home, then located in Artane, a northern suburb of Dublin. Nicky operated a Fostex E16 tape machine with KEF and Yamaha NS-10M speakers for monitoring, two Alesis MIDIverb II models, an ATC Q1 for reverb, and a Roland SDE-1000 Digital Delay for delay. He made a conscious effort not to incorporate audio compression as he wished to make the music sound satisfactory "at the recording end". Enya wrote and recorded the album without the use of a click track to retain a more natural feel to the music. Enya played a variety of keyboards and synthesisers, including the Yamaha KX88 master keyboard, Yamaha TX802, Oberheim Matrix-6R, Akai S900, Roland D-50, Roland Juno-60 and PPG Wave. The Juno-60 was a particular favourite of hers. Prior to recording the album, she had intended to replace its parts with better sounds but could not find better substitutes, so they were left in.
After a demo version of the album was put down, Dickins requested to have it re-recorded digitally at a more professional studio as the analogue equipment at Aigle had created an abundance of tape hiss, causing the music to suffer. Nicky found the quality of Enya's multi-track vocals had also diminished, leaving them the only option of re-recording them, though he later found the digital recording had lost "warmth in the bottom end". Recording took place at Orinoco Studios in Bermondsey, London and lasted for two months with Ross Cullum who carried out co-production, engineering, and mixing duties. "Storms in Africa" and "Orinoco Flow" were completed on the studio's two Mitsubishi 32-track recording machines. Away from the "intimate and personal" setting of their home studio, Enya found working in London more difficult as the busy city caused many distractions. Nicky said the studio was designed "in a completely mad way", which he and Enya found more attractive to work in. During the final stages of recording, Enya tripped on a step, which resulted in two cuts to her knee. She continued to work, "taking these heavy pain-killers, sitting at the desk, in the studio with one foot propped up on cushions." Cullum completed the majority of the album's mixing at Wessex Sound Studios; Jim Barton was the mixer on "Orinoco Flow".
Watermark firmly established Enya's sound of multi-layered vocals, keyboard-oriented songs, and influences of Celtic music. Enya felt the need to have layers of vocals to add a "human element" to her music as solely using keyboards and digital sampling sounded, to her, "a bit linear and straight". The idea of the multi-vocals originated when Enya was a member of Clannad, her family's Celtic band, in the early 1980s. With Nicky as their manager, influenced by The Beach Boys and the "wall of sound" technique made famous by producer Phil Spector, the two often discussed the idea of layering Enya's voice to make it its own instrument. After experimenting with the concept on Enya the vocals became more established on Watermark, with as many as over 200 vocal tracks were painstakingly recorded for certain sections. In one instance, around 90 tracks had been put down during a period of several days but the two felt they did not sound right, so they erased them and started over. This was the case particularly during the recording of "Miss Clare Remembers", a piano instrumental, when they experimented with the idea of adding vocals but decided against keeping them.
Songs
Watermark is formed of eleven tracks, eight of which Enya and Roma are listed on as co-writers. The remaining three are instrumentals solely composed by Enya. She had performed solos as a vocal on Enya, but wanted them played by different instruments on Watermark, and employed additional musicians to play parts that were already written: Neil Buckley plays the clarinet on "On Your Shore", Chris Hughes plays the rototoms on "River" and the rototoms and African hand drum on "Storms in Africa", and Davy Spillane contributes the low whistle and Uillean pipes on "Exile" and "Na Laetha Geal M'óige". Enya sings in Irish, her first language, and English and Latin. She looked back on the album in 2000: "Looking back ... the words are those of loss, of reflection, of exile – not necessarily from one's country, but from those whom the heart | |
Rea reigns supreme with his sixth World Superbike title in a row
Rea comes out on top again
The World Superbike Championship ended last weekend with the familiar sight of Jonathan Rea being crowned World Champion but despite having its season cut from 13 rounds to eight, there was plenty to be excited about.
Rea again took more wins and podiums than anyone else to deservedly pick up his sixth straight world title in a row – a phenomenal achievement – but the Kawasaki man was pushed harder than before with Scott Redding, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Chaz Davies and Alex Lowes just some of the riders to get the better of the Northern Irishman during the course of the year.
Johnny reigns supreme
The bottom line of the season though was that Rea was simply better than anyone else and the best rider on the grid. True, the championship did go to the final round but his final winning margin was a commanding 55 points and he won almost 50% of the races, taking 11 victories from the 24 races held.
Unflustered by crashing out of the opening race at Phillip Island back in February, Rea's response was to finish on the podium, in first or second, in 14 of the next 15 races and it's that kind of consistency that no one else can match.
Jonathan Rea takes his sixth conservative WSBK championship title credit Kawasaki Press Service
Although less points are awarded, Rea also seems to have total command of the short Sprint races, taking five out of the eight wins this year, whilst his work ethic, and that of his close knit KRT team – where crew chief Pere Riba and former rider Fabien Foret were again instrumental – remains as high as it can possibly be. Motivation, dedication and determination have never waivered despite his success.
At 33, Rea still has many years ahead of him, if he wants to race for that long, and that can only be a concern for his rivals.
They keep lining up to topple him and they keep falling short.
It remains a shame the Ballyclare rider never got an opportunity in MotoGP but he's overcome that to be the best rider in the history of World Superbikes.
Close but not quite
Having won the British Superbike Championship last year, Redding was keen to return to the world stage and was duly given the opportunity to do that by Ducati, not in Grand Prix racing, where he'd been a mainstay across the classes from 2008 to 2018, but in a debut appearance in World Superbikes.
Expectations were high, both from inside and out, with the Englishman seen as the man most likely to challenge Rea for the title and that's exactly what happened. He ultimately fell short but with five wins and a total of 13 podiums on the Aruba Ducati, it's a season the Gloucestershire rider could be proud of.
Scott Redding will need to improve on his results in 2021 credit Aruba Ducati
A crash at the sixth round at Aragon hit his title aspirations hard but he also suffered in the Sprint races, where Rea was so dominant, with his early race pace keeping him back in the pack and meaning he only finished on the podium in three of the eight races. He'll most certainly need to improve upon these results in 2021.
He also had to learn several new circuits, circuits where Rea has ridden and been so strong for many years, but with a year's experience under his belt, Redding will only be stronger next year.
Fiercely determined to succeed, Redding is only 27 and will do what it takes to get the better of Rea and he still looks the man most likely to do that.
Ducati swansong
Whilst Redding was having his first WSB season with Ducati, team-mate Davies was having his seventh and what would prove to be his last, the Italians opting to go for the impressive, and younger, Michael Ruben Rinaldi for 2021.
Having an Italian on an Italian bike is always an attractive proposition with the 24-year old deserving his chance with the factory team after claiming his maiden series win this year.
But Davies' experience saw him take two wins, to move on to a career total of 32, and finish third overall in the championship.
Chaz Davies finished 3rd overall credit Aruba Ducati
That tally of wins makes the Welshman the most successful rider never to have won the World Superbike title and after seven years with Ducati, it's most probably that statistic that has seen them look elsewhere for 2021.
Where he goes next year remains to be seen, with all the factory rides already taken, but there's no doubt he's still one of the few riders on the grid capable of beating Rea and win races.
Yamaha challenge
Michael van der Mark remained at Yamaha for a fourth successive year but he had a new team-mate in the shape of Razgatlioglu, the Turkish rider moving across from his independent Kawasaki team with whom he'd claimed his first WSB wins the year before.
Michael van der Mark remained at Yamaha for the fourth year credit Pata Yamaha World Superbike Team
A factory ride was what led him to switch from Yamaha – Lowes taking the Kawasaki seat alongside Rea and winning at the opening round in 2020 before his season faded away – and it proved to be a good decision as he finished the year in a strong fourth overall.
It could have been better had he not missed two races at Catalunya and it was several low finishes that prevented him from mounting a serious title challenge.
His pace is without question but some circuits still seem to suit him more than others with a bad day seeing him finish seventh or eighth; that's something he needs to fix as a bad day for Rea is third or fourth.
Toprak still took three wins though and with his first year with Yamaha now under his belt, he should be better placed next year where he'll have a new team-mate with World Supersport Champion Andrea Locatelli replacing the outgoing van der Mark.
Toprak has his first year with Yamaha under his belt credit Pata Yamaha World Superbike Team
It was another strong year for the Dutchman as he finished in fifth overall, only five points behind his team-mate, with one win and seven additional podiums, the majority of those coming in the Sprint races.
However, he's decided to move to pastures new next year with a surprise move to BMW so will hoping their fortunes take a considerable upturn after a disappointing 2020.
Impressive rookie
Ruben Rinaldi took the Independent Rider of the Year award, subsequently being promoted to the factory Aruba Ducati team but Rookie of the Year went to American Garrett Gerloff who lined up for the GRT Yamaha World Superbike Junior team alongside Federico Caricasulo.
Garrett Gerloff takes Rookie of the year credit Pata Yamaha World Superbike Team
The Italian had finished second in the 2019 World Supersport Championship after a ferocious battle with Randy Krummenacher which went all the way down to the last round and the Italian was expected to be the lead rider in the team.
However, Garrett was far and away the lead performer outscoring his team-mate by 103 points to 58.
It took the Texan a while to get acclimatised to the European circuits and way of life but he was soon finishing inside the top ten and it's both notable and impressive that his best performances came at circuits where the majority of riders were seeing the circuits for the first time – Catalunya and Estoril.
On a level playing field for once, where his inexperience was removed, he proved to be a revelation, taking podiums at each circuit.
He looked comfortable running with the regular front runners, albeit | |
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of what we know (or come to know) about how they've chosen to do this in spite of their previous capacity for empathy.
I think I've not been clear on the shed -- I get why the film seems to think it matters. I'm still asking how it's supposed to work and why it matters. Because Nick's plan to murder his wife is so he can then, what, pay off his late over extended credit card bill and then finally play with his as yet unboxed and by now likely out of date tech toys? Really? Why not just wait till, I don't know, six weeks after the funeral to start buying the stuff? What good is it supposedly doing him just sitting there? Isn't the note she leaves him in the film tantamount to an admission that she's behind all this?
As to Amy's planning books, I thought we see some sort of e-tailer box of them at one point, as if they've been shipped Glamazon? In any case, she's not very digitally wary or privacy and security conscious -- she doesn't use TOR or even private browsing.
But, as Matt Bird has repeatedly taught us, all sufficiently twisty thrillers, even good ones like VERTIGO, have plot holes.
GONE GIRL's biggest problems are centered on character holes/cheats -- the way that Flynn uses Amy's character to create surprising twists with little regard to justifying her choices retrospectively. Amy is, simply, whoever Flynn happens to need her to be to create the most exciting and unexpected choice at any given moment -- more of a plot device than a character.
One of Flynn's bigger mistakes that I haven't really seen remarked upon elsewhere might be conflating her own personal backstory with Nick's and Amy's. Flynn was a successful magazine writer who was downsized and moved back to the midwest, etc. But it's not those details so much as it is Flynn's putting far too much of herself into what Amy seems to want out of life (an empathy heavy writing life) and why she's supposedly attracted to Nick in the first place (his authenticity, those romantic bookstore quickies). Along with Amy's self-sacrifice (moving away from NYC for Nick and his mom, giving her parents back her money), these are the traits that are hardest to square with the Amy who would think nothing of framing her exes for rape and murder or of simply murdering yet another ex who'd outlived his usefulness. There just aren't that many cold blooded killers who aspire to be writers or married to them. So I'd lay that challenge back at your doorstep: Care to name just one real-life Amy -- a socialite who romanticized a life in art devoted to the empathy that she herself could only pretend to possess?
When psychopaths settle for marriages of seeming normalcy it's almost always the case that it suits their purposes in some other way -- like the BTK's perfectly ordinary suburban cover for his surreptitious killings.
Calm down, boys!
Some responses to JS:
Gone Girl is the only Flynn book I've read. I certainly agree that Flynn's trying to have it both ways with Amy and doesn't get away with it. I agree that she does way too many non-psychopathic things, such as giving up her trust fund and moving to MO, and that she wouldn't have romanticized her relationship the way she does if she was as psychopathic as portrayed in the second half.
I still thing you can include Desi's murder if she's not a psychopath. She's clearly gone crazy at this point, and you can have a temporary psychotic break without being a natural-born killer.
Here's one more Meddler: I think the solution to the research problem would be that, instead of writing personality quizzes, Amy should be a would-be crime novelist who never sold a manuscript. This gives her all the knowledge she needs, an excuse for more internet research, and another motivation: she finally gets to prove to the world how good she is at creating these stories.
I agree that the stash could make sense, but not as it's presented. How and why would Amy have stored it at Go's? Why didn't she point the cops in that direction? Or the press? Why didn't Nick call the cops as soon as he found it, or at least after Madea told him to?
I think that it's precisely because the first half so closely mirrors Flynn's personal details (she'd also just gotten married) that I find it so much more compelling than the second half. The portrait of post-crash America is very moving and acute.
Some responses to Matt O:
Yes, it always totally sabotages a movie for me if I read the book first. Betsy challenged me one time to name a single movie I liked after having read the novel first. I finally came up with "Casino Royale", but it took a while.
You say you maintained your sympathy until Desi's murder, but that was after the history of false allegations! You're quite the sympathetic guy!
I agree that, before the revelation of the history of false accusation, then Narcissistic personality disorder would seem more relevant (and more interesting!)
As for the debate about all villains being psychopaths:
A long time ago, I wrote a piece on the 12 types of villains:
http://cockeyedcaravan.blogspot.com/2010/09/hero-project-16-now-meet-villains.html
I labeled 6 and 7 as psychopaths, but you could also make a case that 1, 2, 3, 9 and 11 are fairly psychopathic. But that leaves 4 (Good Person Corrupted by Money), 5 (One Bad Choice Leads to Another), 8 (The Sycophant), 10 (The Righteous Revenge Seeker), and 12 (Just Doing His Job).
I think that Amy was interesting when she seemed like a righteous revenge seeker.
I think maybe sociopathic might be a better description for Amy than psychopathic. She still has some moral compass and I think clearly feels fear.
That's really just semantics. There's no clear or significant clinical difference, though most psychologists who specialize in adult patients who lack empathy or callous-unemotional youth seem to prefer "psychopath."
If you're talking about the DSM, then you're dealing more strictly with behavior, with terms like Antisocial Personality Disorder or Conduct Disorder in younger patients.
I still think Matthew O. is in denial about how poorly Flynn has disguised her character cheats with Amy.
I like what Matt Bird writes here: "I think that Amy was interesting when she seemed like a righteous revenge seeker." Of course, the problem with this is that truly "righteous" revenge for Nick's transgressions would also probably have to be more proportionate and measured, which might mean a smaller scale, less twisty -- dare I say more boring -- story.
Though I'm not sure about Matt Bird's suggestion about Amy being a crime writer -- failed or otherwise. It's a good cover story for her research. But it also feels a bit too on-the-nose. Isn't that exactly the reason everyone spends most of BASIC INSTINCT suspecting the Sharon Stone character, because her fiction is too close to the real murders?
As for the temporary psychotic break that you're positing to justify Amy's killing Desi? I don't know, that just feels like part of a different movie (LOST HIGHWAY or some old timey Preminger noir) and a whole other can of worms.
Nothing wrong with Preminger noir!
Flynn sees writing about "bad women" as her subject.
http://gillian-flynn.com/for-readers/
The Amy in the book is definitely more nuanced than the Amy in the movie. I see book Amy as a bit like Shylock, namely, a villain who exposes hypocrisy. It's a risky move, because it muddies the waters. We still don't know how to respond to Shylock. Who can blame him for being such a coldhearted snake in such a anti-Semitic culture, but on the other hand, damn, the guy's a coldhearted snake. I'd say | |
2H, H5 or 5′), 7.42 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, H2 or 2′), 7.36 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H, H5 or 5′), 7.28 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, H2 or 2′), 7.23 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.1 Hz, 2H, H6 or 6′), 7.19 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.1 Hz, 2H, H6 or 6′), 1.20 (s, 18H, H11 or 11′), 1.18 (s, 18H, H11 or 11′). 13C{1H} NMR (126 MHz, CD2Cl2, 293 K) δ 170.69 (-CO2-), 168.06 (C9/C9′), 164.94 (C3/C3′), 163.50 (C3/C3′), 154.99 (C7/C7′), 154.39 (C7/C7′), 146.83 (C4/C4′), 144.65 (C4/C4′), 143.26 (C1/C1′), 141.79 (C1/C1′), 134.41 (C8/C8′), 131.65 (C8/C8′), 124.68 (C5/C5′), 124.65 (C5/C5′) 124.14 (C6/C6′), 123.45 (C6/C6′), 116.19 (C2/C2′), 115.81 (C2/C2′), 35.17 (C10/C10′), 35.04 (C10/C10′), 31.08 (C11/C11′), 30.93 (C11/C11′). Anal. calcd. (found) for C51H50N2Au2O2 (1116.89): C 54.84 (54.70); 4.51 (4.68); 2.51 (2.47).
Method 2. CO gas was bubbled for 30 s through a solution of [(C^N^C)Au]2O (20 mg, 0.018 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (5 ml). This solution was layered with light petroleum (boiling point, 40° to 60°C) and allowed to stand at −30°C for 48 hours, yielding 3 as a polycrystalline solid (10 mg, 49%) with identical spectroscopic properties to the sample obtained by method 1.
Synthesis of [(C^N^C)Au]2(μ-κC:κO-13CO2) (3-13C)
The same conditions used for the synthesis of 3 were applied, but 13CO was used instead of 12CO. The 13C NMR spectrum of the mixture was recorded (fig. S8). The main difference is the higher intensity of the signal at 170.69 ppm, which corresponds to the bridging CO2 ligand.
Thermolysis of [(C^N^C)Au]2(μ-κC:κO-CO2) (3 and 3-13C)
Method 1. A Schlenk flask was charged with 3 (20 mg, 0.017 mmol). The dry solid was heated at 120°C under vacuum for 16 hours. The resulting residue was dissolved in CD2Cl2. The quantitative conversion of 3 to [(C^N^C)Au]2 was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Method 2. 13CO gas was bubbled for 30 s through a solution of [(C^N^C)Au]2O (5 mg, 0.005 mmol) in CD2Cl2 (5 ml) and stored under 13CO for an additional 5 min. After this time, the reaction was subjected to three freeze-pump-thaw cycles and stored under N2 at 60°C. Monitoring by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy at 25°C confirmed the conversion of [(C^N^C)Au]2(μ-κC:κO-13CO2) 3-13C to [(C^N^C)Au]2 and 13CO2 (fig. S9).
Reactivity of (C^N^C)AuOH with CO
Fast reaction conditions: CO gas bubbled for 30 s through a solution of (C^N^C)AuOH (5 mg, 9 μmol) in CD2Cl2 (2 ml). Then, the reaction is subjected to three freeze-pump-thaw cycles, stored under N2, and monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy at 25°C. The spectrum showed additional signals that corresponded to the formation of (C^N^C)AuH (figs. S10 and S11).
Reaction of (C^N^C)AuOH and [(C^N^C)Au]2O with CO in the solid state
A Schlenk flask was charged with (C^N^C)AuOH (5 mg, 9 μmol) or [(C^N^C)Au]2O (5 mg, 4 μmol) and pressurized with 2 bar of CO. After stirring for 8 hours, the flask was subjected to three cycles of evacuation followed by N2 addition. One portion of the solid was used to record the IR spectrum; the rest was dissolved in CD2Cl2. The 1H NMR spectrum confirmed the presence of a mixture of the corresponding starting material together with [(C^N^C)Au]2(μ-κC:κO-CO2) 3 and [(C^N^C)Au]2 (fig. S12). The IR spectrum showed the emergence of a shoulder at 1624 cm−1 for the ν(C═O) band (fig. S13).
Attempted hydrogenolysis of [(C^N^C)Au]2(μ-κC:κO-CO2) 3.
A high-pressure NMR tube was charged with [(C^N^C)Au]2(μ-κC:κO-CO2) 3 (5 mg, 4 μmol) in 5 ml of CD2Cl2, pressurized with 4 bar of H2, and warmed to 60°C. After 8 hours, full conversion into [(C^N^C)Au]2 was observed, without any detectable amounts of formic acid.
Synthesis of (C^N^C)AuCO2Me 4.
CO gas was bubbled through a solution of (C^N^C)AuOMe (10 mg, 18 μmol) in CH2Cl2 for 5 min, in the presence of 4 Å molecular sieves. After stirring under a CO atmosphere for an additional 5 min, filtration through celite, evaporation of the filtrate to dryness, and washing with light petroleum afforded 4 as a white solid that was dried in vacuo (figs. S14 to S16). 1H NMR (300 MHz, CD2Cl2, 20°C): δ 7.83 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H, H1), 7.73 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 2H, H8), 7.55 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H, H5), 7.45 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H, H2), 7.30 (dd, J = 8.2, 2.0 Hz, H6), 3.93 (s, 3H, Me, CO2Me), 1.34 (s, 18H). 13C{1H} NMR (75 MHz, CD2Cl2, 20°C): δ 175.55 (COOMe), 156.03 (C8), 154.99 (C9), 147.64 (C7), 143.16 (C4), 134.84 (C1), 125.95 (C5), 125.59 (C3), 124.73 (C6), 117.10 (C2), 52.69 (COOCH3), 36.04 (C10), 31.88 (C11). Anal. calcd. (found) for C28H30N1Au1O2 (609.51): C 55.18 (55.67); 4.96 (4.75); 2.30 (2.60). IR: ν(12C═O) 1675 cm−1.
Reaction of (C^N^C)AuOMe with 13CO
13CO gas was bubbled through a solution of (C^N^C)AuOMe (5 mg, 9 μmol) in CD2Cl2 (2 ml) for 10 min at −30°C (fig. S17). Further, CD2Cl2 was added to restore the evaporation losses. The mixture was subjected to three freeze-pump-thaw cycles, stored under N2, and monitored by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The 1H NMR spectrum shows a pattern identical to 4, but the signal at 3.93 ppm appeared as a 13C-coupled doublet. In addition, because of the difficulty of drying 13CO as thoroughly as 12CO, the complex appeared mixed with 3-13C and [(C^N^C)Au]2, because of the hydrolysis of (C^N^C)AuOMe, which generates CH3OH and (C^N^C)AuOH and opens the path to 4 and reductive CO2 elimination (figs. S17 and S18).
Attempt of hydrogenolysis of [(C^N^C)AuCO2Me] 4.
A high-pressure NMR tube was charged with (C^N^C)AuCO2Me 4 (5 mg, 9 μmol) in CD2Cl2 (5 ml), pressurized with 4 bar of H2, and warmed to 60°C. No formation of methyl formate was detectable after 1 week.
Supplementary material for this article is available at http://advances.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/1/9/e1500761/DC1
Fig. S1. 1H NMR (CD2Cl2, −25°C) spectrum of 1.
Fig. S2. Superposition of the IR spectra of [(C^N^C)Au12CO][B(C6F5)3OAcF] 2a and [(C^N^C)Au13CO][B(C6F5)3OAcF] 2a-13C.
Fig. S3. 1H NMR spectrum of 2a (CD2Cl2, −20°C).
Fig. S4. Stacked plot of the aromatic region of the 1H NMR spectra (CD2Cl2, −20°C) of (C^N^C)AuOAcF, [(C^N^C)Au(CH2Cl2)]+ 1, and [(C^N^C)Au(CO)]+ 2a.
Fig. S5. 13C NMR (CD2Cl2, −20°C) spectrum of 2a13.
Fig. S6. Monitoring by 1H NMR (CD2Cl2, −20°C) of the conversion of [(C^N^C)Au(η2-C2H4)]+ to [(C^N^C)Au(13CO)]+ (2a).
Fig. S7. 1H NMR spectrum of 3 (CD2Cl2, 25°C). The inset shows the t-butyl resonances.
Fig. S8. 13C NMR spectrum of complex 3-13C (CD2Cl2, 25°C).
Fig. S9. Monitoring by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy of the thermolysis of complex 3-13C in CD2Cl2.
Fig. S10. 1H NMR spectra of a solution of (C^N^C)AuOH in CD2Cl2 under 2 bar of CO at room temperature at different reaction times.
Fig. S11. Aromatic and hydride regions of the 1H NMR spectra of a solution of (C^N^C)AuOH in CD2Cl2 and after CO addition for 30 s.
Fig. S12. 1H NMR spectra in CD2Cl2 at room temperature of the aromatic region of [(C^N^C)Au]2O before and after its exposure to 2 bar of CO in the solid state.
Fig. S13. Superposition of the IR spectra of [(C^N^C)Au]2O in the solid state and after exposure to 2 bar of CO for 8 hours.
Fig. S14. 1H NMR spectrum of 4 (CD2Cl2, 25°C).
Fig. S15. Superposition of the IR spectra of (C^N^C)AuCO2Me 4 (red) and (C^N^C)AuOMe (blue) in the solid state.
Fig. S16. 1H NMR monitoring of the conversion of (C^N^C)AuOMe into (C^N^C)AuCO2Me 4 under 2 bar of 12CO at 25°C.
Fig. S17. Reactivity of (C^N^C)AuOMe and 13CO in the presence of moisture.
Fig. S18. Reaction of (C^N^C)AuOMe with CO.
Fig. S19. HOMO-1, HOMO-2, and HOMO-3 for [(C^N^C)Au(CO)]+.
Fig. S20. Enthalpy and Gibbs free energy values for reaction steps as calculated by DFT (T = 298.15 K).
Table S1. Selected crystal data and structure refinement details for 3·C6H6.
Table S2. CDA and d/b ratios of 2, [(C^N^N)Pt(CO)]+, and Pt(CO)2Cl2.
DFT coordinates
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial license, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, so long as the resultant use is not for commercial advantage and provided the original | |
gregarious foil to his band-mate's quieter presence—and Aaron Burckhard were not the new Beatles. In this first incarnation they were blaring out a diverse vibe ranging from hard rock to psychedelic covers to sludgy punk—they weren't quite sure what they wanted to be, and that showed in other aspects of their behavior onstage.
SLIM MOON, Nisqually Delta Podunk Nightmare: Kurt was definitely showing his "performer" side already. To the best of my recollection, although he seemed nervous, he was dressed very outrageously, sort of a send-up of a glam outfit, and he did a memorable "solo" by squatting down and messing with all the controls on his effects pedals.
For some, however, there was an immediate connection.
JOHN PURKEY, Machine: I was in a band called Noxious Fumes—we did a lot of shows at the Tropicana, and Krist Novoselic would travel with the Melvins to the Tropicana... I met Krist when he roadied for them. So, years later, one of those random nights where I went to the Community World Theater—didn't know who was playing—Skid Row was onstage... It was maybe a couple dozen people—maybe twenty-five people or so... I walked in and was like, Wow, that's Krist... His band's cool... Right on! Krist is on bass... So I sat down and watched them play and totally loved it. The emotion, what I was hearing—I really liked. Kurt's voice really blew me away from the start, hands-down—it's a certain sound in his voice. After the show I approached Kurt and I asked him if they had a tape, a demo. He said they were going to record.
Recording was still some way off for this young band. April 1987 was a fresh start for Kurt Cobain in which he gained something that proved crucial to his artistic flourishing: a real home at 114½ Pear Street in Olympia. His parents' split in 1976 had torn him from the one he had known for eight years—the longest he'd been at a single address in his whole life. From age fifteen, his living arrangements had further imploded and for the next half a decade he didn't stay even a year at any address. At seventeen, eighteen, and again at nineteen he hovered on the border of homelessness and in the ultimate regression slept at the hospital in which he'd been born.
With nowhere lower to go, he climbed. It wasn't through pluck or courage, though. Cobain had a benefactor: his girlfriend, Tracy.
RYAN AIGNER: Tracy Marander was really involved with the scene and had become a big advocate of the Melvins early on—that's how she met Kurt. She was one of the few Olympia people buying into the little music scene that was happening down in Grays Harbor, which was pretty important because she validated what he was doing from a position of having this much vaster exposure to the music and artists going on around Olympia and the Evergreen State College, yet she was saying, You guys are kind of cool... Tracy went to every Nirvana show. She was very supportive... Krist had [his girlfriend] Shelli. She worked. He worked too, but he could quit working and not work for two-three weeks or a month; he was a painter so he'd work the summer months but then not work because it poured down with rain, so Shelli had this constant job that was always making sure the rent was paid and food was on the table. But when he was away from Shelli, he might or he might not have money in his pocket. Kurt was the same way, he had jobs when he absolutely had to—but he had Tracy Marander, and both Shelli and Tracy worked at this cafeteria for Boeing, worked graveyard shift there, but when either one of those guys didn't have their girlfriend around to support them, they might not have money in their pocket...
Nirvana's next show in May nearly stopped before it started due to a simple case of youthful high spirits—possibly the whole case of spirits.
SLIM MOON: Krist was very drunk, and yes he was a jolly drunk but also sometimes very annoying. I remember parties where he set off fire extinguishers, broke furniture while dancing on tables... His inebriation didn't affect the music, or at least I don't remember it being affected, but I do think that Kurt was less theatrical at that show.
This was a band sufficiently practiced that they could still go onstage when one-third of the band turned up blitzed... Yet not so focused that the band members made a point of not arriving blitzed.
This was the closing event of the Greater Evergreen Students' Community Cooperation Organization (GESCCO), Nirvana's introduction to the unusually fertile musical environment of Olympia arising significantly from the presence of the Evergreen State College.
SLIM MOON: GESCCO came about because some college students figured out that they could get funds from the college for a "student organization" that they could use to rent a warehouse space and put on rock shows and art-gallery stuff. It was closing because the college had figured out that rock shows created an insurance liability. GESCCO was a big empty warehouse; it might once have been an auto garage.
GEORGE SMITH, Dangermouse: It came with money from Evergreen State College to cross-pollinate the college cultural scene with the Olympia cultural scene—it was definitely a planned endeavor to engage the two communities... when it started there was a seminar where they invited everybody to come down and they had a big group discussion with somebody moderating and a circle of chairs and everyone could have their say about what GESCCO should be... music dominated the scheduling, while the powers behind it were always trying to get more visual arts or theatrical arts, but it never really panned out. As much as anything bands are more organized; if you're touring, you might book a show two months in advance, so the schedule would fill up with music...
Although small, Nirvana's April show had won them an early supporter.
SLIM MOON: I was not a regular organizer at GESCCO. I just ended up putting on that show because word had gone around that GESCCO was closing very suddenly, and I thought it'd be good to have a "last show." The bands that played were mostly picked because they were willing to play on short notice, although I definitely asked Skid Row because I had enjoyed their show at CWT... The audience was punk rockers and college students. Mostly friends, people in the music scene in Olympia. I bet half the audience were in bands of their own... For some larger shows like the Melvins, the organizers had brought in stage risers, but for the show you are talking about, we just set up a little PA in one corner.
This show went well enough that the band were invited onto the college radio station, KAOS in Olympia. The band's musical home at this period of time was usually Tacoma.
JOHN PURKEY: What happens is a lot of musicians come from here and they move—you'll hear that a lot. There's a lot of bands... who are from Tacoma or were in Tacoma or had connections then move down the road. Someone like the Melvins, they never lived in Seattle. Pretty much their original stomping grounds were Tacoma and Olympia and being from Montesano, then they split, started touring, and ended up moving to L.A.... There was a house that Noxious Fumes and Girl Trouble lived at, it was called the Hell House, and it was pretty much the only place that punk bands played in Tacoma. There was one bar called the Bed Rock—they did a couple shows, but it was pretty much nothing. But the Hell House was | |
Western New York Local Restaurant Week, which was scheduled for March 30 to April 5, 2020.
Cincinnati Downtown Restaurant Week, which was scheduled for April 2 to April 26, 2020.
Exeter, New Hampshire Restaurant Week(Eat Local), which was scheduled for March 19 to March 29, 2020.
Hamptons East End Restaurant Week (in New York state), which was scheduled for March 29 to April 5, 2020.
Hudson Valley, New York Restaurant Week, which was scheduled for March 16 to March 29, 2020.
Ocean City, Maryland Restaurant Week, which was scheduled for April 29 to May 3, 2020.
Palm Springs, California Restaurant Week, which was scheduled for May 29 to June 7, 2020.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire Restaurant Week, which was scheduled for April 16 to April 25, 2020.
This article will be updated with breaking news that affects the restaurant industry.
2019 James Beard Awards: complete list of winners
The 2019 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards took place May 6 at Lyric Opera of Chicago. The 2019 James Beard Media Awards, which honor those in the media who cover the culinary industry, took place April 26 at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City. The awards were streamed live on Twitter.
Here is the complete list of winners and nominations for the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards.
*=winner
2019 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards
A restaurant opened in the calendar year before the award will be given that already displays excellence in food, beverage, and service, and that is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
Frenchette*
Outstanding Baker
A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a retail bakery. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.
Zachary Golper
Maura Kilpatrick
Sofra Bakery and Café
Lisa Ludwinski
Sister Pie
Avery Ruzicka
Manresa Bread
Greg Wade*
Publican Quality Bread
Outstanding Bar Program
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits, and/or beer.
Bar Agricole*
Kimball House
Ticonderoga Club
Outstanding Chef (Presented by All-Clad Metalcrafters)
A chef who sets high culinary standards and who has served as a positive example for other food professionals. Must have been working as a chef for the past five years.
Ashley Christensen*
Poole's Diner
Corey Lee
Donald Link
Herbsaint
Marc Vetri
Vetri Cucina
Outstanding Pastry Chef (Presented by Lavazza)
A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a restaurant. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.
Juan Contreras
Atelier Crenn
Kelly Fields*
Willa Jean
Meg Galus
Margarita Manzke
Pichet Ong
Outstanding Restaurant (Presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water)
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, service, and operations. Must have been in business 10 or more consecutive years.
Jaleo
Zahav*
Outstanding Restaurateur (Presented by Magellan Corporation)
A restaurateur who demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations. Must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years. Must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past five years.
Empire State South, Five & Ten, The National, and others
Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz*
Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro, and others)
JoAnn Clevenger
Upperline
Ken Oringer
Little Donkey, Toro, Uni, and others
Alex Raij and Eder Montero
La Vara, Txikito, Saint Julivert Fisherie, and others
Ellen Yin
High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, High Street on Market, High Street on Hudson)
A restaurant in operation for five or more years that demonstrates consistency and exceptional thoughtfulness in hospitality and service.
Brigtsen's
Canlis
Frasca Food and Wine*
Swan Oyster Depot
Zingerman's Roadhouse
Outstanding Wine Program (Presented by Robert Mondavi Winery)
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence in wine service through a carefully considered wine list and a well-informed approach to helping customers choose and drink wine.
Benu*
Night + Market
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer
A beer, wine, or spirits producer who demonstrates consistency and exceptional skill in his or her craft.
Cathy Corison
Ann Marshall and Scott Blackwell
High Wire Distilling Co.
Steve Matthiasson
Matthiasson Wines
Rob Tod*
Allagash Brewing Company
Lance Winters
St. George Spirits
Rising Star Chef of the Year (Presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water)
A chef age 30 or younger who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
Alisha Elenz
MFK
Alexander Hong
Jesse Ito
Royal Izakaya
Kwame Onwuachi*
Jonathan Yao
Best Chefs in America
Chefs who set high culinary standards and also demonstrate integrity and admirable leadership skills in their respective regions. A nominee may be from any kind of dining establishment but must have been working as a chef for at least five years, with the three most recent years spent in the region.
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Diana Dávila
Mi Tocaya Antojería
Lula Café
Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark*
David Posey and Anna Posey
Noah Sandoval
Lee Wolen
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Amy Brandwein
Centrolina
Tom Cunanan*
Bad Saint
Rich Landau
Vedge
Cristina Martinez
South Philly Barbacoa
Cindy Wolf
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Michael Corvino
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room
Michael Gallina
Vicia
Ann Kim*
Young Joni
Christina Nguyen
Hai Hai
Best Chef: New York City (Five Boroughs)
Sean Gray
Alex Stupak
Empellón Midtown
Jody Williams and Rita Sodi*
Via Carota
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY State, RI, VT)
Tiffani Faison
Tiger Mama
James Mark
Tony Messina*
Cassie Piuma
Benjamin Sukle
Best Chef: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY)
Peter Cho
Han Oak
Katy Millard
Brady Williams*
Justin Woodward
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi
Joule
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
Vishwesh Bhatt*
Jose Enrique
Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus
Slade Rushing
Brennan's
Toups' Meatery
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Mashama Bailey*
Cassidee Dabney
The Barn at Blackberry Farm
Walland, TN
Staplehouse
Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, CO, NM, OK, TX, UT)
Charleen Badman*
Kevin Fink
Emmer & Rye
Michael Fojtasek
Olamaie
Bryce Gilmore
Barley Swine
Steve McHugh
Best Chef: West (CA, HI, NV)
Michael Cimarusti*
Rustic Canyon
Jessica Koslow
Sqirl
Travis Lett
Gjelina
Joshua Skenes
2019 James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurant Design Awards
75 Seats and Under
Firms: Heliotrope Architects and Price Erickson Interior Design
Project: Willmott's Ghost, Seattle
Firm: Roman and Williams
Project: La Mercerie, NYC
Firm: Studio Writers*
Project: Atomix, NYC*
76 Seats and Over
Firm: Land and Sea Dept.
Project: Lonesome Rose, Chicago
Firm: studio razavi architecture
Project: Boqueria, NYC
Firm: Parts and Labor Design*
Project: Pacific Standard Time, Chicago*
Other Eating and Drinking Places
Firm: AvroKO
Project: China Live, San Francisco
Firm: Schwartz and Architecture (S^A)*
Project: El Pípila, San Francisco*
Firm: Summer Ops
Project: Island Oyster, NYC
Design Icon
The following previously announced honorees accepted their awards at the James Beard Awards Gala on May 6 at Lyric Opera of Chicago:
2019 James Beard Foundation America's Classics
(Presented by American Airlines)
Owners: Tong Trần and Liễu Trần
Jim's Steak & Spaghetti House
Owners: Jimmie Carder, Larry Tweel and Ron Tweel
A&A Bake & Double Roti Shop
Owners: Noel and Geeta Brown
Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Café
McCook, NE
Owners: Matt and Shelly Sehnert
Annie's Paramount Steakhouse
Owner: Paul Katinas
2019 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
The Giving Kitchen
Non-profit that provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources.
2019 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
Patrick O'Connell
Multiple James Beard Award-Winning Chef; Chef & Owner, The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, VA
2019 James Beard Foundation Book Awards
For cookbooks and other non-fiction food- or beverage-related books that were published in the U.S. in 2018. Winners will be announced on April 26, 2019.
A Common Table: 80 Recipes and Stories from My Shared Cultures
Cynthia Chen McTernan
(Rodale)
Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day*
JJ Johnson and Alexander Smalls with Veronica Chambers
(Flatiron Books)
Sweet Home Café Cookbook: A Celebration of African American Cooking
Albert G. Lukas and Jessica B. Harris
(Smithsonian Books)
Baking and Desserts
Black Girl Baking: Wholesome Recipes Inspired by a Soulful Upbringing
Jerrelle Guy
(Page Street Publishing Co.)
Pie Squared: Irresistibly Easy Sweet & Savory Slab Pies
Cathy Barrow
(Grand Central Publishing)
SUQAR: Desserts & Sweets from the Modern Middle East*
Greg Malouf and Lucy Malouf
(Hardie Grant Books)
Apéritif: Cocktail Hour the French Way
Rebekah Peppler
(Clarkson Potter)
The Aviary Cocktail Book
Grant Achatz, Nick Kokonas, Micah Melton, Allen Hemberger, and Sarah Hemberger
(The Alinea Group)
Cocktail Codex
Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan, with Devon Tarby
(Ten Speed Press)
Wine Folly: Magnum Edition*
Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack
(Avery)
Everyday Dorie
(Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Milk Street: Tuesday Nights*
Christopher Kimball
(Little, Brown and Company)
Ottolenghi Simple
Health and Special Diets
The Complete Diabetes Cookbook
Editors at | |
Terrible Tales for Terrible Tots
By boneandsickle | December 20, 2020 | Comments 2 comments
https://media.blubrry.com/boneandsickle/p/content.blubrry.com/boneandsickle/Terrible-Tales-forTerrible-Tots.mp3
Books of cautionary stories for children were a popular Christmas gift in Victorian times. These tales of misbehaving children and the tragic consequences of their deeds, like the Krampus myth, served as not-so subtle reminders of parental expectations.
This episode consists mainly of readings by your host and Mrs. Karswell of these grim (and amusing) stories intended to be enjoyed along with a hot cup of cocoa, eggnog or the more dangerous adult concoctions of the season.
We begin with an example from Jane & Ann Taylor's 1800 publication Original Poems for Infant Minds. The Taylor sisters' 1806 sequel to the book, Rhymes for the Nursery, happened to include a poem called "The Star," providing the lyric to the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," which we hear interpreted from a 2019 album called, naturally, Possessed Children: Creepy Nursery Rhymes.
From Taylor's "Original Poems for Infant Minds"
We also hear a poem about a lad who embraces a hot poker as a toy, one from Elizabeth Turner's 1807 collection The Daisy or, Cautionary Stories in Verse, adapted to Ideas of Children from Four to Eight Years Old.
Then we turn to the mother of all cautionary tales for children, known to many simply as "that scary German children's book," but actually titled Der Struwwelpeter, Merry Tales and Funny Pictures for Good Little Folks. Written in 1854 by Heinrich Hoffmann, Der Struwwelpeter ("un-groomed Peter") pairs charmingly awkward drawings executed by the writer himself with tales of children who play with matches, refuse to eat, suck their thumbs, torment animals, or commit other childish misdemeanors meet ghastly fates.
Created for Hoffmann's three-year old son as a Christmas gift, Der Struwwelpeter's opening page identifies the book as one specifically to be given at Christmas, to well-behaved children exclusively.
Struwwelpeter opening page
We hear a clip of this introductory poem set to music by the British punk-cabaret artists The Tiger Lillies, as part of their 1998 opera Shockheaded Peter.
Der Struwwelpeter went on to inspire all manner of imitations in Germany, England, and particularly in America. We hear a few examples of these including one from the most famous volume inspired by this book, Max and Moritz, A Tale of Seven Boyish Pranks, written and illustrated in 1865 by Wilhelm Busch.
Our last author in this genre, one whose intent was actually to exaggerate and parody the pedantic tone of the Victorians was Hilaire Belloc, a friend of H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw. His first book of this type, whimsically illustrated by his friend Basil T. Blackwood, was The Bad Child's Book of Beasts (1896), followed a year later by More Beasts (for Worse Children). Longer, more dreadful stories appear in the verses of his 1907 book, Cautionary Tales for Children, Designed for the Admonition of Children between the ages of eight and fourteen years, from which we hear a number of fine examples. Edward Gorey recognized a kindred spirit in the collection illustrating a version published posthumously in 2002.
Gorey illustration for Belloc's "Cautionary Tales"
The Hellish Harlequin: Phantom Hordes to Father Christmas
By boneandsickle | December 5, 2020 | Comments 2 comments
https://media.blubrry.com/boneandsickle/p/content.blubrry.com/boneandsickle/The-Hellish-Harlequin.mp3
Harlequin is an enigmatic figure with roots in dark folklore of France, specifically that of the Wild Hunt (Chasse Sauvage) a nocturnal procession of ghosts or devils, particularly associated with the time around Christmas and New Year. The myth is also common to England and examined more closely in its Germanic manifestation in Episode 16, "The Haunted Season." We open with a snippet from an album dedicated to Hellequin's folkore by a Belgian band called Maisnée d'Hellequin.
In the show, we trace a thread leading from medieval stories of Hellequin (Harleqin's ancestor in France) and King Herla (the English equivalent) to the more recent theatrical figure of Harlequin, along the way examining a link with the traditional English Christmas play (mummers' play) and its role in the evolution of the figure of Father Christmas.
A darker Harlequin from the 1601 book, Compositions de rhétorique de Mr. Don Arlequin
Our first story comes from the French-Norman monk Oderic Vitalis, from volume two of his Ecclesiastical History. It was written in about 1140, making it not only the first account mentioning Hellequin ("Herlequin" in his text) but also the first European ghost story, one Vitalis relates as a true event transpiring on New Year's Eve 1091, and told to him by an eyewitness, a priest, by the name of Vauquilin (Walkelin).
While returning from a visit to an ailing member of his parish, Vauquilin, hears the thunder of what sounds like an approaching army and is met by a giant with a club, whom he recognizes as Hellequin and who in this case serves as a sort of herald of the ghostly crew that follows. It's a richly detailed and extravagantly ghoulish tale, splendidly read by our own Mrs. Karswell.
Without giving away too much, suffice it to say, that the spirits Vauquilin sees passing are enduring a sort of purgatorial torment for past sins, an apparently temporary but unenviable state of earthbound damnation. (For more on medival tales of ghosts visiting mortals from purgatory, see our "Ghosts from Purgatory" episode.) In the procession, these sinners are accompanied by devils who torture them, chief among these, apparently Hellequin.
Our next story, from around 1190 paints a more detailed picture of the English version of Hellequin, King Herla. It was written in Wales by the courtier Walter Map and contained in his eccentric collection of myths and pseudo-historical anecdotes called De Nugis Curialium, or "trifles for the court." This one's more of an origin story explaining King Herla's transition from mortal king to ghostly rider. I won't give away the details on this one either, but it involves a dwarf king's wedding party inside a mountain, parting gifts, and bad gift etiquette.
Our third story comes from 14th-century France and is a bit different as it doesn't describe what are supposed to be supernatural events but a representation of this, a fictional procession imitating Hellequin's ride.
The procession in this text takes the form of a charivari, a sort of parade with participants noisily banging pots and pans or playing discordant music on various instruments. Charivaris were most commonly occasioned by weddings, in particular those which defied some social convention, such as the rushed wedding of a widow or widower who not honoring a suitable period of mourning.
In our story, the wedding is that of a figure named Fauvel, who is marrying the allegorical figure of Vainglory. Fauvel, by the way, is a horse representing all the worst traits of social climbers of the day.
The satiric Romance of Fauvel ("Romance" = "novel") was written in 1316 by a Gervais du Bus, then much enlarged in 1316 with additions, including our charivari scene, by another writer by the name of de Pesstain. The text describes a particularly carnivalesque scene including a bizarre, wheeled noise-making machine, and all sorts of taboo-breaking behavior by the participants. The connection between the Wild Hunt and carnival is also noted in an 18th-century German carnival procession we hear described, one mimicking in this case Frau Holde and her retinue. The Fauvel passage ends with the narrator encountering a giant recognized as Hellequin, who is bringing up the rear — leading from behind in this case.
Charivari illustration from The Romance of Fauvel.
We then have a look at the theatrical, Harlequin who originated in the 16th century as a stock figure from the Italian commedia della'arte, where he's known as Arlecchino. He wears a black half-mask along with a suit sewn with multicolored diamonds. And he always carries a sort of short club, an element that seems to be borrowed from the diabolical Hellequin. Though he's most well known as an | |
to whom it relates. 2005, c. 25, s. 15 (5).
2005, c. 25, s. 15 (1-5) - 17/09/2007
162.1 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, designate one or more persons to act as custodians of information that relates to adoptions and may impose such conditions and restrictions with respect to the designation as the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers appropriate. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
(2) A designated custodian may exercise such powers and shall perform such duties as may be prescribed with respect to the information provided to the custodian under this Act. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
Same, disclosure of information
(3) A designated custodian may exercise such other powers and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed for a purpose relating to the disclosure of information that relates to adoptions, including performing searches upon request for such persons, and in such circumstances, as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
(5) The Minister may enter into agreements with designated custodians concerning their powers and duties under this section and the agreements may provide for payments to be made to the designated custodians. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
162.2 (1) The Minister, the Registrar General under the Vital Statistics Act, a society, a licensee and such other persons as may be prescribed shall give a designated custodian under section 162.1 such information that relates to adoptions as may be prescribed in such circumstances as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
Same, adoption orders
(2) A court shall give a designated custodian a certified copy of an adoption order made under this Part together with such other documents as may be prescribed in such circumstances as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
By the Minister
162.3 (1) The Minister shall give such information that relates to adoptions as may be prescribed to such persons as may be prescribed in such circumstances as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
By a society
(2) A society shall give such information that relates to adoptions as may be prescribed to such persons as may be prescribed in such circumstances as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
By a licensee
(3) A licensee shall give such information that relates to adoptions as may be prescribed to such persons as may be prescribed in such circumstances as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
By a custodian
(4) A designated custodian under section 162.1 shall give such information that relates to adoptions as may be prescribed to such persons as may be prescribed in such circumstances as may be prescribed. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
162.4 Sections 162.2 and 162.3 apply with respect to information that relates to an adoption regardless of when the adoption order was made. 2005, c. 25, s. 16.
163 (1) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 17 (1).
2005, c. 25, s. 17 (3, 4, 8) - 03/01/2006; 2005, c. 25, s. 17 (5) - 18/08/2007; 2005, c. 25, s. 17 (1, 2, 6, 7) - 17/09/2007
164 Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 18.
165 (1) Despite any other Act, after an adoption order is made, no person shall inspect, remove, alter or disclose information that relates to the adoption and is kept by the Ministry, a society, a licensee or a designated custodian under section 162.1 and no person shall permit it to be inspected, removed, altered or disclosed unless the inspection, removal, alteration or disclosure is,
(a) necessary for the maintenance or updating of the information by the Ministry, society, licensee or designated custodian or their staff; or
(b) authorized under this Act. 2008, c. 5, s. 13.
(2) This section applies regardless of when the adoption order was made. 2005, c. 25, s. 19.
(3), (4) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 19.
(5) The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act does not apply to information that relates to an adoption. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11, s. 165 (5).
166 (1)-(3) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 20 (1).
(8) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 20 (10).
(10) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 20 (13).
2005, c. 25, s. 20 (6, 7) - 03/01/2006; 2005, c. 25, s. 20 (1-5, 8-13) - 17/09/2007
(2), (3) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 21 (2).
1999, c. 12, Sched. E, s. 1 (3, 4) - 22/12/1999
2005, c. 25, s. 21 (5, 10, 11, 14, 17) - 03/01/2006; 2005, c. 25, s. 21 (2, 3) - 24/04/2006; 2005, c. 25, s. 21 (1, 4, 6-9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18-20) - 17/09/2007
168.1 Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 23 (2).
2005, c. 25, s. 23 (1) - 03/01/2006; 2005, c. 25, s. 23 (2) - 17/09/2007
169 (1), (2) Repealed: 2005, c. 25, s. 24 (1).
2005, c. 25, s. 24 (1, 2) - 03/01/2006; 2005, c. 25, s. 24 (3-6) - 18/08/2007
2006, c. 21, Sched. C, s. 100 (2); 2006, c. 21, Sched. C, s. 101 (3) - 01/05/2007
175 No person, whether before or after a child's birth, shall give, receive or agree to give or receive a payment or reward of any kind in connection with,
(a) the child's adoption or placement for adoption;
(b) a consent under section 137 to the child's adoption; or
(c) negotiations or arrangements with a view to the child's adoption,
except for,
(d) the prescribed expenses of a licensee, or such greater expenses as are approved by a Director;
(e) proper legal fees and disbursements; and
(f) a subsidy paid by an approved agency or by the Minister to an adoptive parent or to a person with whom a child is placed for adoption. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11, s. 175.
176 (1) A person who contravenes subsection 141 (1), (2) or (3) (placement for adoption) and a director, officer or employee of a corporation who authorizes, permits or concurs in such a contravention by the corporation is guilty of an offence, whether an order is subsequently made for the child's adoption or not, and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection 141 (4) (receiving child) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or to both.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection 143 (2) (interference with child) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.
(4) A person who contravenes section 175 and a director, officer or employee of a corporation who authorizes, permits or concurs in such a contravention by the corporation is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both.
Limitation period
(5) A proceeding under subsection (1), (2) or (4) shall not be commenced after the expiration of two years after the date on which the offence was, or is alleged to have been, committed. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11, s. 176.
2005, c. 25, s. 30 - see Table of Public Statute Provisions Repealed Under Section 10.1 of the Legislation Act, 2006 - 31/12/2015
177 (1) The Superior Court of Justice may grant an injunction to restrain a person from contravening subsection 143 (2), on the society's or licensee's application. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11, s. 177 (1); 1999, c. 2, s. 35.
(2) The Court may vary or terminate an order made under subsection (1), on any person's application. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.11, s. 177 (2).
179 (1), (2) Repealed. See: Table of Public Statute Provisions Repealed Under Section 10.1 of the Legislation Act, 2006 – December 31, 2011.
Exception re adoption-related information
(2.1) This Part does not apply to information given to | |
be crowned. It would be a momentous occasion for many since it was widely believed that today marked the city's final Beltayn. Girls wreathed in flowers danced around poles, the slabs below their feet a ring of colour where their adornments had fallen away. Others sat on leafy posts that they had made, comparing size and quality with those of others. From behind a vacated post Arrahaquen watched the tall, blonde and rather mysterious priestess Tashyndy crowned. She had nominated herself Kray Queen on Vert Day.
Taziqi, the High Priestess of the Goddess, had departed the temple to see her spiritual student crowned. People avoided her. Dressed in a sheath of lime and emerald silk, emeralds on her fingers and toes, she wore a three-faced mask, to the left a maiden, central a woman, to the right an old woman. When she spoke in encouragement, silence fell…
Beltane is for love.
The Origin Of Our Species by Chris Stringer
Chris Stringer is well known as a senior scientist at the Natural History Museum, his area of expertise human evolution. The Origin Of Our Species wittily riffs on Darwin's classic work, providing an overview of the state of our knowledge about human evolution.
The book was published in 2011, and a few things have changed since then, mostly down to ancient DNA analysis. This however being a Chris Stringer book means it remains essential reading: wide-ranging, entertaining, packed with fact and theory. He is generous with the work of others, but not afraid to take on those, e.g. evangelists of the Multi-region Hypothesis, with whom he has struggled before. And as he points out, the Out Of Africa Theory which he helped develop is now widely supported and accepted.
The book covers palaeontology, the importance of scientific techniques, the limits of interpretation, then a brilliant few sections on deducing human behaviour and trying to determine how and when modern cognitive thinking developed.
Some reviewers have criticised this book for being too dry. I think that's well off the mark. It's not dry, it's sophisticated, comprehensive and written from immense experience. A fascinating coda for instance explains how ideas that we've stopped evolving are nonsense.
Gene Wolfe RIP
I quoted Gene Wolfe's The Book Of The New Sun as the greatest SF novel ever written on a shelf strip when I ran the SF & Fantasy section at Waterstones in Exeter. After hundreds of sales over four or five years from that recommendation, only one person returned it, as I recall because he said it was mis-described. Not a bad record!
Of course, Wolfe really was one of the all-time masters of SF, and I felt perfectly justified in naming his magnum opus as the greatest genre novel.
And so, two weeks ago today, he passed away aged 87, a stack of plaudits at his side, and any number of adulatory obituaries.
Why was he so great? I remember reading TBOTNS for the first time – I was instantly smitten. The world was deeply imagined, complex, haunting and evocative. I devoured the books, then began recommending them to my SF-loving friends. Wolfe had a way of using mystery, enigma and beautifully written prose to convey a world profound in its operation and sensual in its feel. He really made you imagine you were there – the mark of a master craftsman. Add to that wit, humanity and wisdom and you had the whole package.
And he was left-handed, as am I. Sometimes I wonder if that 10% fluke of nature added to his imagination. Although I don't subscribe to the old dominant hemisphere theory of neurology, I do think left-handers have something a bit different about them, which often comes out in creativity.
His other novels showed a wide range of interests and skills. The Fifth Head Of Cerberus was labyrinthine in its plotting and deeply enigmatic. Free Live Free was funny and light, There Are Doors moving, the Soldier books fascinating, and he was one of the greatest writers of short stories going – his collection The Island Of Dr Death & Other Stories & Other Stories being essential reading.
I didn't like everything he did. I think for instance that most of the remainder of the Sun books were flat in comparison with TBOTNS, especially the second series.
So, what should I say in conclusion about this extraordinary man, who delighted, entertained and influenced me, and so many others? That the world was a better place for having him in it. He took from the world, he enjoyed it and learned from it, but he contributed too in equal measure.
His legacy will live on.
The Wisdom Of Wolves by Elli Radinger
The Wisdom Of Wolves is a book about wolves.
The subtitle however is: How wolves can teach us to be more human. In fact, although there is a little section at the end of each chapter on this theme, the book isn't really about anything other than wolves and wolf society. Most of the human equivalences are either trite or so over-generalised as to be meaningless. This sounds like heavy criticism, but it isn't really, because the human end-chapter sections are very short.
And the author really knows her subject – this is the joy of the book. It's science, based in meticulous, loving study over a period of decades. Mostly the book covers the extraordinary and fascinating wolf societies of Yellowstone, and here the reader is left in no doubt that the author is a voice of authority. Several chapters stand out as fascinating, especially the one of wolf/raven interaction, and the one on how wolf packs manage old wolves and ageing.
The book has been criticised in some quarters for New Age babble, and there is a tiny bit of that sprinkled throughout it. There are also a few errors, for instance the bizarre reason given for wolf domestication during the Palaeolithic. But the vast majority of it speaks of the author's immense experience of observing wolves and understanding them.
A rewarding read.
Shrewsbury library workshop
A couple of photos from last night's workshop. It was good fun! Many thanks to librarian Joe Shooman for setting it up, and for the photos. Joe is in the process of setting up a writers' group for Shrewsbury Library.
The Stories So Far
Workshop at Shrewsbury Library
Tomorrow I'll be giving an informal author workshop at Shrewsbury Library: How To Get Your Writing Noticed. The events is free, and is from 5.30pm – 6.30pm. Many thanks to Joe Shooman for setting this up.
Carolyn Hillyer & Nigel Shaw
I first saw Nigel Shaw playing live in 1994. My then wife had been told by a colleague that he was playing a gig in Bedfordshire, quite close to where we lived and worked, so we went to see him. He played solo: synthesizer and Native American flute. I was captivated by that flute, which must have been one of the earliest ones that he played. After the gig I chatted to him about it. He was friendly and approachable – a lovely chap.
I liked the music on CD, but it was only after we moved to Devon a few years later that I really got into his music, and that of his equally extraordinary partner Carolyn Hillyer. We used to see them at local gigs in Devon and Cornwall, and soon his influence affected my own music – I bought a Native American flute from him, not one of his own, but one made by Guillermo Martinez, a Californian he worked with. It's a gorgeous instrument, that I still play. I got to speak with them quite a few times, which was always a happy, positive experience. Nigel is open and friendly, with a charming manner; he has the same obsession with and love of musical instruments that I have. | |
Business News›Topic ›the international solar alliance
THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE
India a clear choice for global corporations: Kumar Mangalam Birla
"Think of a country that combines economic might, a large working age population, demographic dynamism, entrepreneurial energy, robust democracy and diversity. Add to this a pivotal position in current global geopolitics. That country is India. And I think even Chat GPT concurs!," Birla said in a note titled "2022-23: My Reflections"
Transition to net-zero should be inclusive to avoid accentuation of social inequality, says ITC CMD Puri
In his address at the Business-20 (B20) India inception meeting in Gandhinagar, Puri also called for collective efforts in the G-20 and global community to come together to find solutions in a collaborative fashion for a sustainable future.
India will make efforts to include concerns of Global South in G20 framework: Om Birla
Referring to India's G20 presidency, Birla emphasised on priorities of India's G20 stint and assured that India will make efforts to include concerns of Global South in G20 framework. Stressing on collective efforts to contain climate change, Birla said India has already taken the initiative of International Solar Alliance and is working with the objective of harnessing energy from renewable sources.
Jaishankar calls for sharing of best practices among Global South nations
India has emerged as a global south education and healthcare hub. Our capacity-building programmes and first-responder activities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) situations are important expressions of this approach.
Case for Global South-sensitive model of globalisation becoming stronger: Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the case for a Global South-sensitive model of globalisation is becoming stronger by the day and India stands for a shift from self-centred globalisation to one that is human-centred.
Will never allow terrorism to force India to negotiating table, says Jaishankar in veiled attack on Pakistan
Jaishankar said, "We will never normalize it. We will never allow terrorism to force us to the negotiating table. We want good neighbourly relations with everybody. But good neighbourly relations do not mean excusing or looking away or rationalizing terrorism. That we are very clear."
India to take up affordability & accessibility to energy, foodgrains, fertilisers issue at G20 'very strongly': Jaishankar
Addressing a business event here, Jaishankar, who is on his first official visit to Cyprus as India and Cyprus celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, noted that the efficiency and the delivery of global supply chains is a common concern today for all countries in the world.
India to pitch for international biofuels alliance at G20: Hardeep Singh Puri
India is taking over the presidency of the group of 20 major economies, also called G20, and will host a meeting of the member nations in September next year. With nations from Brazil to the US producing biofuels, the alliance would look to develop an ecosystem for fuel standards and engines and collaboration on technology for faster adoption.
Environment Minister says India undertaking arduous effort to fight climate change
"India, home to 1.3 billion people, is undertaking this arduous effort despite the reality that our contribution to the world's cumulative emissions so far is less than 4 per cent and our annual per capita emissions are about one-third of the global average," PTI quoted him as saying.
India's dependence on coal rises despite its green energy push
She noted that like many other nations, India too will have to rely more on coal in the near future due to global uncertainties and supply chain disruptions. The Finance Minister even said that India's plan to shift to renewable energy has received a jolt and therefore ways to reduce coal dependency and return to eco-friendly energy resources, need to be devised.
Overconsumption created three-fold planetary emergency of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution: UN chief
In a few weeks' time, world leaders will meet for COP 27 in Egypt. COP 27 will present a key political opportunity to renew trusts and accelerate actions on all pillars of Paris climate agreement, he added. Guterres noted that with its vulnerability to climate impacts and its massive economy, India can play a critical bridging role.
ISA identifies 3 barriers to global solar adoption
Proposals for a payment guarantee mechanism, a system for improving capacity, and supporting the creation of an ecosystem that will build an economy around solar energy applications were taken up by the assembly.
India, France re-elected as President, Co-President of International Solar Alliance
Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh will be the President of ISA while Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, France's Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, will be co-president of the International Solar Alliance, ISA Director General Ajay Mathur told reporters on Tuesday.
View: India's road to Net Zero - Not the time to cut back on Ambition or Purpose
Spread over 4.2 million square kilometres, the Himalayas store the highest amount of snow and ice after the polar regions. Its glaciers provide freshwater and other important ecosystem services to more than 750 million people. Regions like Ladakh, which receive little rainfall, are home to large rivers only because of these glaciers that provide water throughout the year.
Nations like India and New Zealand must form post-colonial order that provides stability to large parts of world: Jaishankar
"Warm and productive talks with New Zealand Foreign Minister @NanaiaMahuta this afternoon. Two societies, respectful of tradition and culture, are seeking to forge a more contemporary relationship," Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.
India, France work on trilateral projects cooperation in Indo-Pacific
Addressing a joint presser, Jaishankar said their discussions covered issues such as the Ukraine conflict, the tensions in the Indo-Pacific, consequences of Covid-19, developments in Afghanistan and the prospects of the joint comprehensive plan of action.
India, France to work towards setting up Indo-Pacific trilateral development cooperation: EAM
Addressing a joint press interaction alongside his French counterpart Catherine Colonna, Jaishankar said their discussions covered issues such as the Ukraine conflict, the tensions in the Indo-Pacific, consequences of the Covid pandemic, developments in Afghanistan and the prospects of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
India will do its best to promote South-South cooperation: UN envoy Kamboj
South-South cooperation is a broad framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains.
India to assume G20 Presidency for one year from December 2022
A total of 200 G20 meetings are likely to take place under India's Presidency. The G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on 09 and 10 September 2023 in New Delhi, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
EU energy commissioner visits India to boost Clean Energy and Climate Partnership
Focusing on solar energy, diversification of the global supply chain and EU-India cooperation in the area of manufacturing, the Commissioner will participate also in an event organized jointly by the EU and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in close cooperation with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Solar Power Europe. High-level speakers from Europe and India will discuss the role that a stronger EU-India cooperation can play in the area of manufacturing.
European Commissioner for Energy to visit India from from Sep 7-8
The EU and India established a 'Clean Energy and Climate Partnership' in 2016 and have been working closely together on clean energy transition, speeding up the deployment of renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency, collaborating on smart grid and storage technology and modernising the electricity market. Commissioner Simson will hold bilateral meetings with relevant Indian ministers, officials of the International Solar Alliance and other key stakeholders.
India is on track to have 1.8 lakh kilometres of highways and 1.2 lakh kilometres of rail lines by 2025
Only 4,000 kilometres of new national highways were constructed in the country between 1950 and 2015, bringing the total length to 77,000 kilometres in that year.
24 Aug, 2022, 11.05 PM IST
India pushes for renewable energy initiative | |
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Fort Garry Criminal Lawyers represent clients who have been charged with a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, or with various Provincial offences.
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Manitoba Criminal Defence Lawyer News
12-year prison term looms for young man for creating terror in rival's home
Posted Nov 21, 2014 on www.winnipegfreepress.com
The Crown is seeking a total of 12 years in prison for 21 years old Colin Bernardin-Hebert after he admitted to charges which included invading and causing terror at his rival's home.
Bernardin-Hebert had gone to his rival's home in revenge after he himself became a victim of home invasion. He did not file any charges then because he did not want to cooperate with the police.
Aside from that, he admitted that previous dealings with the rival involved drugs.
Court heard how Bernardin-Hebert and two other men put on masks and armed with firearms, went to the rival's home one night.
They terrified the rival's mother starting from the time they knocked on the door and demanded where her son was. They sprayed her with bear mace, held her on the ground with a shotgun, ransacked the place then stole several items.
Prior to the home invasion, Bernardin-Hebert also pistol-whipped his rival in an earlier incident.
Bernardin-Hebert was accused as the one who have masterminded everything.
Winnipeg criminal lawyer Barry Sinder, defending for Bernardin-Hebert, is countering with an eight-year sentence for his client.
The lawyer also wants the almost two years that Bernardin-Hebert spent in custody to be credited.
Bernardin-Hebert now says he regrets what he has done.
The judge had reserved her decision.
Woman gets suspended sentence for hitting another woman in the head with high heels
Posted Aug 13, 2014 on www.winnipegsun.com
Sabrina Schmaltz, who used to work as an exotic dancer, avoids going to jail after she was handed a suspended sentence for two years for hitting a fellow dancer in the head with her heels.
Winnipeg defence attorney Aaron Seib, who is representing Schmaltz, said his client was about to change careers, which could have triggered the infighting between Schmaltz and the rest of the exotic dancers in a club they were working.
It had come to a point when the victim made the mistake of commenting about Schmaltz's family that they got into an argument which later turned physical with Schmaltz going after the victim onstage and hitting her in the head with her heels.
Several staples were needed to close the wound that the victim suffered in her head.
Seib had asked for a conditional discharge but the judge disagreed saying that the public should know that going after someone who has insulted you is not tolerated.
The judge, however, was impressed with how Schmaltz had started making a new life for herself such as getting an education.
Man walks free from alleged murder after Crown decides to stay charge
Posted Jun 18, 2014 on www.winnipegfreepress.com
Drake Moslenko walks out of the court a free man after the Crown decided to stay the murder charge that he was facing for the death of his former girlfriend, Kaila Tran in 2012.
Moslenko was in court for the end of his preliminary hearing, which would have decided if evidence was enough to commit him to trial, when the Crown made its surprise announcement.
The Crown can restore the charge against Moslenko within a one-year period.
Winnipeg criminal defence lawyers Gerri Wiebe and Sarah Inness are representing Moslenko.
According to police investigation, Moslenko and Tran had recently broken up prior to the incident.
While Moslenko was seen grieving over Tran during the incident, he was later accused of contracting Treyvonne Willis to kill his ex-girlfriend.
Willis was also charged and is awaiting his trial.
82YO woman conducts her own investigation and gets justice
Posted May 27, 2014 on www.winnipegfreepress.com
Viola Dufresne was sure that Myrna Jacqueline McDougall was stealing money from her but she has no means of proving it.
McDougall used to be Dufresne's home-care worker.
Dufresne reported the incident to the police and got into thinking of setting up a surveillance camera after an officer mentioned it was how his friend caught thieves who broke into his cottage.
The 82-year-old Dufresne set up her own camera and finally caught McDougall red-handed.
McDougall admitted her crime and was placed on a two-year probation. She is also to do 75 hours of community service.
Winnipeg criminal defence attorney Aaron Braun, representing McDougall, said the act was unusual for his client and that she deeply regrets what happened.
Man found guilty for supplying drugs to woman who OD'D
Curtis Haas has been found to be partly responsible for the death of Wendy Henry who overdosed on morphine pills.
Haas had given the pills to Henry and two days later she died in the hospital due to an overdose.
Another woman, who lived in the same apartment block as Haas and Henry, also overdosed about the same time as Henry but she survived.
Winnipeg criminal lawyer Darren Sawchuk, defending for Haas, insisted that Henry was responsible for what happened to her because she was the one who willingly took the pills.
The judge, however, said that Haas had known that the pills were dangerous and his act of giving it to Henry was a substantial contribution to her death.
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Woman jailed for fraud amounting to about half a million dollars
Posted Jan 27, 2016 on www.edmontonsun.com
Holly Jean Cardinal was meted with a three-year prison term following her guilty plea of having stolen $260,000 from a veterinary clinic wherein she was working as an administrator.
However, the Guardian Veterinary Centre was not the only employer that the 54-year-old Cardinal stole from because while she was working there, she was also undergoing trial for having embezzled $296,000 from her previous employer, the Allen Services and Contracting Ltd, where she had been working as a bookkeeper for a long time.
The judge found it aggravating that Cardinal continued to commit fraud with her new employer while she was undergoing trial for the same crime she committed from her previous employer.
In fact, she had pleaded guilty to those charges on the day she was asked by the vet clinic to leave under the suspicion that she was stealing from them.
The vet office, however, could not nail her for embezzlement for lack of evidence.
Cardinal confessed to stealing from the vet clinic while she was serving her sentence for her first fraud conviction.
Walter | |
of nitrogen by pathological cells. Brewer's yeast's unusual behaviour permits otherwise stationary cells "to forage for nutrients...at a distance from their initial colonization site" ( Cell 1992;68:1077-1090). They "penetrate the surface of the agar plate and grow down into the medium". But despite their similarity to brewer's yeast, the pleomorphic organism Naessens has identified goes way beyond anything found in textbooks. The somatid is an astonishing shapeshifter in culture. In rapid progression (less than 90 hours), it can be spore, double spore, bacteria and double bacteria, microbial globular form, yeast, ascii, mycelial form, fibrous thallus, etc. "Foraging yeast" resembles one part of the somatid cycle, where yeasts also change into mycelial (mould-like) forms. But the somatid is inherent in human blood: its recognition would revolutionise microbiology as well as preventive medicine.
GASTON NAESSENS'S PREDECESSORS work to his attention in 1981. Then, as now, standard scientific Patients hearing about Naessens's remarkable work for the first texts did not mention Bchamp. time often say, "If this were true, my doctor would have told me Guenther Enderlein (18621968) was curator of the Zoological about it." Scientists ask, "How is it that nobody else has seen this Museum in Berlin and the author of more than 500 scientific pubsomatid in human blood?" lications. He, too, saw a "thousand-headed monster" in human In fact, many researchers over the years have grasped pieces of blood and believed that a particle, which he called the protit, repthis puzzle and have associated these pieces with the origin of resented an essential part of its life cycle. cancer. But for complex reasons, the news hasn't reached the As one interpreter, Erik Enby, has put it: "Any severe change average physician. or deterioration of the body's internal environment could enable Throughout much of the 19th century, it was in fact assumed the otherwise non-harmful microbes to evolve through specific that cancer was caused by a microbe. National Cancer Institute states of cyclic development into disease-producing forms..." historian Michael B. Shimkin has written: Protits can be seen under a dark-field microscope as tiny, shin"In the early [18]90s, it appeared to have been a question not so ing points. Enderlein called the protit's life cycle the endobiosis much as to the infectious origin of cancer, but rather as to which complex, made up of 14 (rather than Naessens's 16) stages, and of the many parasites was the real causative agent." said it was fundamental to many diseases. But Enderlein identiIn his classic 1907 textbook, Neoplastic Diseases, James Ewing fied the protit with Mucor racemosus fresen, a common mould. listed a total of 38 different organisms, including bacteria, cocci Royal Raymond Rife (18881971) began his career as a talentand mycetes, found in cancer. Almost no one knew how (if at all) ed tinkerer. In the 1930s, sponsored by a wealthy employer, he these organisms related to one another. invented a unique "Universal Microscope" based on complicated Partly because of such confusion, and prisms. There is a complete, dispaspartly due to a growing enthusiasm for sionate description of this remarkable radium and X-ray treatments, the whole instrument in the Journal of the "cancer microbe" search went out of Royal Raymond Rife (18881971) Franklin Institute, February 1944. favour. In fact, scientists then flipRife also saw strange organisms also saw strange organisms flopped, and it became very bad form swimming in the blood. He focused swimming in the blood. even to mention microbes and cancer in on a tiny "cancer microbe" which the same breath. refracted purplish-red light. He called He focused on a tiny "cancer For decades, this prejudice held up this "microbe" BX. the discovery of cancer-related viruses. Rife also invented the Rife microbe" which refracted Peyton Rous, who discovered the Generator, which, when set to a particpurplish-red light. chicken sarcoma virus in 1910, was ular frequency, could allegedly almost universally derided by his peers. explode cancer cells. People were said He called this "microbe" BX. Vindication came only in 1966, when, to have been cured in this way in the at the age of 87, he received the Nobel 1930s at the Scripps Clinic. prize. Rife ran into fierce opposition and Belief in the bacterial theory persisted, died a broken man. Since publication however. In the 1920s, a brave Scotsman, Dr James Young, of Barry Lynes's book, The Cancer Cure That Worked!, there has recognised that some of the conflicting claims could be the result been intense interest in reviving Rife's pioneering work. of pleomorphism. He wrote: Editor's Note: "Some at least of the organismal forms previously obtained See also "The Amazing Wonders of Gaston Naessens" in from cancer by different workers are in reality isolated alternative NEXUS 2/18, and "Royal Raymond Rife & the Cancer Cure that phases in the same cancer organism..." Worked" in NEXUS 2/16. In our own day, Dr Virginia Livingston-Wheeler led a school of pleomorphic thought, that included Drs Irene Diller and Eleanor About the Author: Jackson. Livingston called her organism P r o g e n i t o r Ralph W. Moss, PhD, is the author of eight books and three crypotocides, i.e., "a hidden killer that also brings life". This was documentaries on cancer-related topics. He is an adviser on very similar to the somatid. alternative cancer treatments to the National Institutes of Health, Naessens always credits some of the more prominent Western Columbia University and the University of Texas. He researchEuropean scientists who have worked in this area. But the three es and writes individualised "Healing Choices" reports for peothinkers who bear the closest resemblance to Naessens are a 19thple with cancer. century French professor, a German museum curator, and an For information on Healing Choices, contact coordinator eccentric American inventor from San Diego, known for a "rayAnne Beattie at 144 St John's Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA, gun" treatment device. tel (718) 636 4433, fax (718) 636 0186, or e-mail mail@ralphAntoine Bchamp (18161908) was a full professor at moss.com or visit website www.ralphmoss.com. Montpellier, Strasbourg and Lille, and an unsuccessful rival of the great Pasteur. His crowning achievement came in 1866 when he Contact Details for Gaston Naessens's Treatments: identified microzymas in the blood. These are almost certainly CERBE (Centre Exprimental de Recherches Biologiques de identical to Naessens's somatidswhich is remarkable, considerl'Estrie) Distribution, Inc., 5270 Mills Street, Rock Forest, ing the crudity of the tools with which the earlier Frenchman had Qubec, Canada J1N 3B6, tel +1 (819) 564 7883, fax +1 (819) to work. Bchamp wrote that "the microzymas are the only non564 4668, e-mail [email protected], website www.cerbe.com. Cliniques Sant Levesque, 526 Boulevard du Sminaire Nord, transitory elements of the organism..." Suite 202, St Jean-sur-Richelieu, Qubec, Canada J3B 5L6, tel Although Naessens is also French, he'd never heard of +1 (514) 348 4305. Bchamp's microzymas until author Christopher Bird brought the
An imprisoned former US Green Beret is suing the CIA, George Bush and others, to draw attention to their complicity in governmentsanctioned drugtrafficking operations and cover-ups.
I. BILL TYREE'S LAWSUIT: DRUG PROFITS ALLEGEDLY FUNDED FEMA peculation about the mysterious origin and funding of the so-called US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has continued for decades. Most recently, the history of FEMA as an illegal, unconstitutional entity has been exposed in an unprecedented lawsuit against the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its alleged drug-trafficking and money-laundering operations. In September 1998, a US$63 million lawsuit (Case No. 98-CV-11829-JLT) was filed by Massachusetts attorney Ray Kohlman on behalf of former Green Beret William M. (Bill) Tyree. Kohlman, a former legal investigator for attorney William Pepper in the Martin Luther King, Jr, murder trial of James Earl Ray, filed a 101-page complaint on behalf of his client. The suit, replete with five inches of affidavits and appendices, names | |
you've ensured that a certain side-effect will not break Vitess, you can add it to the schema.</p>
<p>Similar guidelines should be used when deciding to bypass Vitess to send statements directly to MySQL.</p>
<p>Vitess also requires you to turn on STRICT_TRANS_TABLES mode. Otherwise, it cannot accurately predict what will be written to the database.</p>
<p>It's safe to apply backward compatible DDLs directly to MySQL. VTTablets can be configured to periodically check the schema for changes.</p>
<p>There is also work in progress to actively watch the binlog for schema changes. This will likely happen around release 2.1.</p>
<h3 id="autocommit">Autocommit</h3>
<p>MySQL autocommit needs to be turned on.</p>
<p>VTTablet uses connection pools to MySQL. If autocommit was turned off, MySQL will start an implicit transaction (with a point in time snapshot) for each connection and will work very hard at keeping the current view unchanged, which would be counter-productive.</p>
<h3 id="safe-startup">Safe startup</h3>
<p>We recommend to enable <code class="prettyprint">read-only</code> and <code class="prettyprint">skip-slave-start</code> at startup.
The first ensures that writes will not be accepted accidentally,
which could cause split brain or alternate futures.
The second ensures that slaves do not connect to the master before
settings like semisync are initialized by vttablet according to
Vitess-specific logic.</p>
<h3 id="binary-logging">Binary logging</h3>
<p>By default, we enable binary logging everywhere (<code class="prettyprint">log-bin</code>),
including on slaves (<code class="prettyprint">log-slave-updates</code>).
On <em>replica</em> type tablets, this is important to make sure they have the
necessary binlogs in case they are promoted to master.
The slave binlogs are also used to implement Vitess features like
filtered replication (during resharding) and the upcoming update stream
and online schema swap.</p>
<h3 id="global-transaction-id-gtid">Global Transaction ID (GTID)</h3>
<p>Many features of Vitess require a fully GTID-based MySQL replication
topology, including master management, resharding, update stream,
and online schema swap.</p>
<p>For MySQL 5.6+, that means you must use <code class="prettyprint">gtid_mode=ON</code> on all servers.
We also strongly encourage <code class="prettyprint">enforce_gtid_consistency</code>.</p>
<p>Similarly, for MariaDB, you should use <code class="prettyprint">gtid_strict_mode</code> to ensure that
master management operations will fail rather than risk causing data loss
if slaves diverge from the master due to external interference.</p>
<h3 id="monitoring">Monitoring</h3>
<p>In addition to monitoring the Vitess processes, we recommend to monitor MySQL as well. Here is a list of MySQL metrics you should monitor:</p>
<ul>
<li>QPS</li>
<li>Bytes sent/received</li>
<li>Replication lag</li>
<li>Threads running</li>
<li>Innodb buffer cache hit rate</li>
<li>CPU, memory and disk usage. For disk, break into bytes read/written, latencies and IOPS.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="recap">Recap</h3>
<ul>
<li>2-4 cores</li>
<li>100-300GB data size</li>
<li>Statement based replication (required)</li>
<li>Semi-sync replication
<ul>
<li>rpl_semi_sync_master_timeout is huge (essentially never; there's no way to actually specify never)</li>
<li>rpl_semi_sync_master_wait_no_slave = 1</li>
<li>sync_binlog=0</li>
<li>innodb_flush_log_at_trx_commit=2</li>
</ul></li>
<li>STRICT_TRANS_TABLES</li>
<li>auto-commit ON (required)</li>
<li>Additional parameters as mentioned in above sections.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="vitess-servers">Vitess servers</h2>
<p>Vitess servers are written in Go. There are a few Vitess-specific knobs that apply to all servers.</p>
<h3 id="go-version">Go version</h3>
<p>Go, being a young language, tends to add major improvements over each version. So, the latest Go version is almost always recommended. The current version to use Go 1.6.</p>
<h3 id="gomaxprocs">GOMAXPROCS</h3>
<p>You typically don't have to set this environment variable. The default Go runtime will try to use as much CPU as necessary. However, if you want to force a Go server to not exceed a certain CPU limit, setting GOMAXPROCS to that value will work in most situations.</p>
<h3 id="gogc">GOGC</h3>
<p>The default value for this variable is 100. Which means that garbage is collected every time memory doubles from the baseline (100% growth). You typically don't have to change this value either. However, if you care about tail latency, increasing this value will help you in that area, but at the cost of increased memory usage.</p>
<h3 id="logging">Logging</h3>
<p>Vitess servers write to log files, and they are rotated when they reach a maximum size. It's recommended that you run at INFO level logging. The information printed in the log files come in handy for troubleshooting. You can limit the disk usage by running cron jobs that periodically purge or archive them.</p>
<h3 id="grpc">gRPC</h3>
<p>Vitess uses gRPC for communication between client and Vitess, and between Vitess
servers. By default, Vitess does not use SSL.</p>
<p>Also, even without using SSL, we allow the use of an application-provided
CallerID object. It allows unsecure but easy to use authorization using Table
ACLs.</p>
<p>See the
<a href="http://vitess.io/user-guide/transport-security-model.html">Transport Security Model document</a>
for more information on how to setup both of these features, and what command
line parameters exist.</p>
<h2 id="lock-server-configuration">Lock server configuration</h2>
<p>Vttablet, vtgate, vtctld need the right command line parameters to find the topo server. First the <em>topo_implementation</em> flag needs to be set to one of <em>zookeeper</em> or <em>etcd</em>. Then each is configured as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>zookeeper: it is configured using the <em>ZK_CLIENT_CONFIG</em> environment
variable, that points at a JSON file that contains the global and local cells
configurations. For instance, this can be the contents of the file:
<code class="prettyprint">{"cell1": "server1:port1,server2:port2", "cell2":
"server1:port1,server2:port2", "global": "server1:port1,server2:port2"}</code></li>
<li>etcd: the <em>etcd_global_addrs</em> parameter needs to point at the global
instance. Then inside that global instance, the <em>/vt/cells/<cell name></em> path
needs to point at each cell instance.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="vttablet">VTTablet</h2>
<!-- TODO: auto-generate a different doc from code for the command line parameters, and link from here. -->
<p>VTTablet has a large number of command line options. Some important ones will be covered here. In terms of provisioning these are the recommended values</p>
<ul>
<li>2-4 cores (in proportion to MySQL cores)</li>
<li>2-4 GB RAM</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="initialization">Initialization</h3>
<ul>
<li>Init_keyspace, init_shard, init_tablet_type: These parameters should be set at startup with the keyspace / shard / tablet type to start the tablet as. Note 'master' is not allowed here, instead use 'replica', as the tablet when starting will figure out if it is the master (this way, all replica tablets start with the same command line parameters, independently of which one is the master).</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="query-server-parameters">Query server parameters</h3>
<!-- TODO: Change this section to link to auto-generated descriptions. -->
<ul>
<li><strong>queryserver-config-pool-size</strong>: This value should typically be set to the max number of simultaneous queries you want MySQL to run. This should typically be around 2-3x the number of allocated CPUs. Around 4-16. There is not much harm in going higher with this value, but you may see no additional benefits.</li>
<li><strong>queryserver-config-stream-pool-size</strong>: This value is relevant only if you plan to run streaming queries against the database. It's recommended that you use rdonly instances for such streaming queries. This value depends on how many simultaneous streaming queries you plan to run. Typical values are in the low 100s.</li>
<li><strong>queryserver-config-transaction-cap</strong>: This value should be set to how many concurrent transactions you wish to allow. This should be a function of transaction QPS and transaction length. Typical values are in the low 100s.</li>
<li><strong>queryserver-config-query-timeout</strong>: This value should be set to the upper limit you're willing to allow a query to run before it's deemed too expensive or detrimental to the rest of the system. VTTablet will kill any query that exceeds this timeout. This value is usually around 15-30s.</li>
<li><strong>queryserver-config-transaction-timeout</strong>: This value is meant to protect the situation where a client has crashed without completing a transaction. Typical value for this timeout is 30s.</li>
<li><strong>queryserver-config-max-result-size</strong>: This parameter prevents the OLTP application from accidentally requesting too many rows. If the result exceeds the specified number of rows, VTTablet returns an error. The default value is 10,000.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="db-config-parameters">DB config parameters</h3>
<p>VTTablet requires multiple user credentials to perform its tasks. Since it's required to run on the same machine as MySQL, it's most beneficial to use the more efficient unix socket connections.</p>
<p><strong>app</strong> credentials are for serving app queries:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>db-config-app-unixsocket</strong>: MySQL socket name to connect to.</li>
<li><strong>db-config-app-uname</strong>: App username.</li>
<li><strong>db-config-app-pass</strong>: Password for the app username. If you need a more secure way of managing and supplying passwords, VTTablet does allow you to plug into a "password server" that can securely supply and refresh usernames and passwords. Please contact the Vitess team for help if you'd like to write such a custom plugin.</li>
<li><strong>db-config-app-charset</strong>: The only supported character set is utf8. Vitess still works with latin1, but it's getting deprecated.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>dba</strong> credentials will be used for housekeeping work like loading the schema or killing runaway queries:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>db-config-dba-unixsocket</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-dba-uname</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-dba-pass</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-dba-charset</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>repl</strong> credentials are for managing replication. Since repl connections can be used across machines, you can optionally turn on encryption:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-uname</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-pass</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-charset</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-flags</strong>: If you want to enable SSL, this must be set to 2048.</li>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-ssl-ca</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-ssl-cert</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-repl-ssl-key</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>filtered</strong> credentials are for performing resharding:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>db-config-filtered-unixsocket</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-filtered-uname</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-filtered-pass</strong></li>
<li><strong>db-config-filtered-charset</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="monitoring">Monitoring</h3>
<p>VTTablet exports a wealth of real-time information about itself. This section will explain the essential ones:</p>
<h4 id="debug-status">/debug/status</h4>
<p>This | |
in our very own homes and lounge rooms around Australia."
A Seven spokeswoman said the network was not aware of any actual claim being filed at this stage so could not comment on the case.
"Seven settled the original matter in late 2019 in the federal court with the Yirrkala community and the Yolngu families and offered an unreserved apology on-air shortly after," she said.
After negotiations broke down the group had 60 days to file a case in the federal court.
AAP understands law firm Susan Moriarty will file proceedings on their behalf once they receive a certificate stating the initial negotiations were unresolvable.
In case you haven't seen it:
Coalition MP Andrew Laming sacks staffer after questions over offensive social media posts
Pauline Hanson giving Malcolm Roberts a hand in counting the "ayes".
There were two of them: Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts.
Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts are the only two votes for their motion to suspend standing orders to debate "All lives matter" in the Senate this afternoon. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian
Australian stock market plunges 3%
The Australian stock market has plunged 3% in its worst day in six weeks, snapping a seven-day winning streak. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed on Thursday down 187.8 points, or 3.05%, at 5,960.6 points, while the broader all ordinaries index closed down 189.8 points, or 3.03% lower, at 6,079.5.
Awwwwww. Jim Molan reads us! Thanks for the clicks, senator.
Daniel Hurst found this in yesterday's Senate Hansard, from one of Molan's speeches:
Senator Wong made reference to 'Sky after dark'. I'm a proud member of the association of 'Sky after dark'. If I remember rightly, I was on late last night and it was dark, which is always a lot better than 'Guardian by day and night', I must admit. The ideas I hear on Sky after six o'clock or 5.30 these days are, in my humble view, a lot more substantial than many of the ideas that I read in the Guardian. But that doesn't go, of course, to the purpose of this bill.
I was in the Senate gallery a short time ago when the chamber divided over Pauline Hanson's attempt to suspend standing orders to allow consideration of her motion that "all lives matter".
Hanson's attempt failed, as she garnered support from only her One Nation colleague Malcolm Roberts. Most others – including the Coalition, Labor and the Greens – united against the attempt to suspend standing orders.
But it's worth noting that the conservative Liberal party senator Jim Molan stepped out of the chamber immediately before the division on Hanson's motion and returned straight after the result was read out, 51 votes to 2. It looked very much like he abstained rather than voting with his government colleagues – but we're chasing a comment from his office.
Patricia Karvelas: Just finally, there's something significant that's happened in the Senate. Pauline Hanson was trying to get her motion up, the all lives matter motion. The government, the Greens, Labor, minor parties ensured that never did go to a vote. Why did you all work together on that?
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells:
I have to say I'm on leave at the moment, so I haven't been in the chamber. So I'm not fully across what's happened this afternoon in relation to that. In relation to this, can I just say all lives matter. And therefore as far as I'm concerned, I have to say that the activities that we've seen, particularly of some of the protesters at a time when we are in these very difficult circumstances, I think has demonstrated a degree of irresponsibility.
Karvelas: That's the language of senator Hanson's motion that all lives matter. The reason the movement is called Black Lives Matter is black people around the world and in the US are disproportionately represented in these kinds of cases, with the police and the justice system. That's why the movement exists because there is a different treatment.
Fierravanti-Wells
Patricia, can I just say I respect the right of people to express their point of view and to protest. The point being at this point in time, given what we are going through, it wasn't the appropriate thing to do. I appreciate events in the US. Can I also say in relation to the events in the US, I think we do need to distinguish what's happening in the US and what's happening in other parts of the world. I do respect this issue but at this particular point in time I would have liked to have seen a lot more responsibility on the part of Australians and I know this is an issue that a lot of Australians are very upset about. There are people who weren't able to go to weddings and mourn their families.
Karvelas: I'm talking about the substantive issue: black lives matter. That's because black people are not treated the same in the justice system. Do you agree with that?
Patricia, I think as myself being a lawyer; I think the justice system has served us well in Australia. As I have said, I think in the end what is really important is that all Australians have the opportunity to be their best. And that includes most especially having a job and so therefore the focus of our government has been on ensuring jobs, jobs, jobs. That means jobs for all Australians.
Karvelas: You say the justice system as the served our nation well. Do you think it has served Indigenous Australians well?
I think it has served Australia well. There are concerns and there have been concerns in relation to deaths in custody. But I think in the end when you do look at the reasons why young people go off the rails or things happen, it's because ultimately there has been a breakdown issue in their family circumstances or their economic circumstances. And as somebody who worked with Father Chris Riley, there are many things that contribute to young people or people going off the rails. So ultimately, stability and a very important component of that is work. So it is vitally important for us to have a strong economy and part of that strong economy is to ensure that as many people are in jobs as is possible.
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells then says "All lives matter" when asked about Pauline Hanson's motion.
SIGGGGGHHHHH.
If I have to explain to anyone, again, why all lives matter is an offensive and completely tone-deaf response to Black Lives matter, please send an email to [email protected]
The Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells who crossed the floor to support a crossbench motion for a Senate inquiry into Australia's relationship with China, tells the ABC she doesn't believe it is smart for Australia to have so much trade with one country:
The point is it is not a good business model to put a third of your trade eggs in one basket. I mean, this is something that the universities have seen. They obviously haven't followed the edicts or the teachings of their business schools in terms of diversifying their investments.
The point that needs to be made particularly after what we've seen in the pandemic is that we have to reduce our reliance on overseas supply chains. We have to reduce our dependency on this one economy, which is a communist regime. It is not, it's a totalitarian regime and not a democratic country.
I think what we've seen through this pandemic is a growing need for us to decouple from China, to reduce our dependency on the communist regime and build up our domestic resilience, particularly in relation to non-reliance of overseas supply chains.
Jamie Travers (@JamieTravers)
Senate Division on Pauline Hanson's 'All Lives Matter' motion. @SBSNews #auspol pic.twitter.com/RQ3GT41r00
'Ensuring integrity' union busting bill officially dead
The "ensuring integrity" union busting bill is officially dead (for now). The government consented to | |
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The best places to stay on the Central Coast
12 January 2022 . BY Carla Grossetti
Let us take you through our pick of the top accommodation options on the Central Coast.
The Central Coast makes a great destination for a weekender or a summer holiday thanks to its proximity to both Newcastle and Sydney. From beach-chic Airbnbs and boutique retreats to over-the-top abodes by Belle Escapes to homespun holiday parks, hotels and resorts, we've rounded up the best accommodation on the Central Coast to suit a range of budgets.
Luxury stays on the Central Coast
Killcare Beach House, Killcare
Watching the waves explode on the rocks below is a luxury in itself at this Helmsworth-worthy house that hugs in tight to a nearby headland and offers access to the beach via a gate in the garden. There are also three separate al fresco entertaining areas and a lap pool that takes advantage of the sun-drenched northerly aspect.
Kill your cares enjoying ocean views from every bedroom in Killcare Beach House, which includes thoughtful touches such as luxe linen, a games area and bunk beds for kids, a gourmet kitchen and carefully curated spaces that feature arty flotsam and jetsam that may well have washed up on the sand below. Of interest to surfers will be the view of the line-up from the freestanding bath. Sleeps 8.
Beauty at Killcare Beach House.
Pretty Beach House
Pretty Beach House is located in Bouddi National Park, on the traditional lands of the Darkinjung people. All up, there are about 100 artworks dotted around the park, three of which are located on the property and introduced each night by a local Aboriginal elder. The artworks are estimated to be between 8,000 and 10,000 years old and the nightly Welcome to Country smoking ceremony is part of what makes a stay at Pretty Beach House so special.
Artworks by Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and John Olsen are also dotted around the contemporary retreat, which made Conde Nast Traveller's Gold List in 2015. Constructed, in part, from decommissioned railway timber pylons, sandstone and mud bricks, the house is heavily influenced by nature's tones, with hand-loomed linens, and muted tones a celebration of its location. Ambient noise courtesy of the ocean.
Pretty Beach House is as good as its namesake.
Bella's at The Cottage Garden Studio, Terrigal
This charming old farmer's cottage feels more like the Hamptons in Long Island than Central Coast Terrigal. Bella's, which is more than 100 years old, has developed a loyal coterie of followers thanks to the fact it hosts regular Nirvana Wellness Retreats.
The humble home, which had fallen into disrepair, was faithfully restored by its new style-savvy owner with a little help from interior designer Michelle Leslie, who used vintage timbers and antiques and mixed them with modern hand-crafted elements such as soft linens and textural throws in a happy mix of old and new.
Fling open the French doors and bring the outdoors in, whip up a feast in the newly renovated kitchen or enjoy an infrared sauna from the comfort of your designer bathroom. Sleeps 6.
The charming Bella's at The Cottage Garden Studio.
Best for a romantic stay on the Central Coast
Amani Luxury Eco Lodge, Terrigal
There are holiday houses and then there are holiday houses. One of the main selling points of Amani Luxury Eco Lodge – and there are many – is the absolute privacy and seclusion on offer. The luxury retreat nods to the owners' South African heritage, and it's as if you're on an Australian-style safari here watching kangaroos lurch around the khaki-clad landscape.
Despite the luxury Out of Africa vibes, and textures of wood, linen and leather, Amani is at one with its Aussie bush setting with reclaimed vintage beams from Balmain's wharfs and solar-powered skylights so you can see the Milky Way winking down. Best of all: there's a wood-fired hot tub and fire pit, with the upside being you don't have to worry about lions lunging across the lawn. Sleeps 4.
Seclusion is a selling point at Amani Luxury Eco Lodge.
Ocean View Apartment, Umina Beach
This fully renovated Scandi-chic apartment is the perfect couple's retreat and well-located for exploring the Central Coast, with surf beaches and bush walks all within walking distance of the property.
The one-bedroom Ocean View Apartment, located within a retro block of apartments a pebble's throw from Umina Beach, has a fully equipped kitchen, a Smart TV and wi-fi. But it's highly likely you will want to switch off and enjoy the sound of waves crashing on the shore and views that stretch from Ettalong Point to Umina. There is also a shared rooftop terrace decked out with table and chairs where you can enjoy sea and sunset views.
A fully renovated Scandi-chic apartment.
The Finnicky Guest House, Forresters Beach
This cute cottage is located just 700 metres from Forresters Beach, which is perfect for couples who like bushwalking or who want to get to grips with surfing. The location is enough to sell this Airbnb cottage on the Central Coast, as it's a comfortable hideaway in a beautiful spot.
Inside, you'll find cosy furnishings and great attention to detail in this cosy bolthole, which includes a breakfast bar, and a paved undercover courtyard area with a BBQ and lounge area to enjoy outdoor dining. The dainty cottage is the perfect Airbnb for a romantic break on the Central Coast. There is a popular café located next door and Forresters boats more than its fair share of foodie spots.
The Finnicky Guest House is a comfortable guesthouse.
Best hotels on the Central Coast
Bells at Killcare, Killcare
Bells at Killcare is located on the Bouddi Peninsula and bedding down here for the night is a thrill. The five-star cottages, suites and villas dotted around the property all echo a Hamptons kind of homeliness. From the duck-egg blue wood panelling in the bathrooms to the layering of natural materials and opulent fixtures and fittings, to the wonderful art that surrounds you during your stay, the quiet house in the Hamptons vibes hits perfectly.
Of course, one of the hotel's main selling points is having executive chef Sean Connolly overseeing the adjoining restaurant, which is one of the best places to wine and dine on the Central Coast. Enjoy an exemplary breakfast in bed or on the patio, under the blue-and-white striped awnings.
Bells at Killcare echoes a Hamptons kind of homeliness.
Kim's Beachside Retreat, Toowoon Bay
Kicking back in a beachside bungalow at Kim's Beachside Retreat is pretty soothing. Located a stone's throw from the sands of Toowoon Bay, edged with clumps of native grasses, Kim's has been an escape for Sydneysiders for some 134 years.
All 34 of the original cabins have undergone a makeover at the boutique adults-only hotel, which now includes a brand-new self-contained cottage. There are heated Jacuzzis, on-site massages available, indoor spa baths and private plunge pools on the property, which is located within a grove of Norfolk Island pines.
Kick back in a beachside bungalow at Kim's Beachside Retreat.
Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley
The Beachcomber Hotel & Resort, affectionately known as 'the Beachie', is located in the heart of Toukley. The hotel, with its sweeping waterfront views and numerous dining options, is a top spot for a weekend away on the Central Coast. Choose from the chalked-up specials such as Taco and Tequila Twos-day at the Beachie, or new fine diner, Pelicans, before heading to the back room, where a band is playing. Wander back to your Water View Deluxe suite when you're ready to rest your head on pillows that are as soft as clouds. Enjoy vivid water views as the sun climbs the next day.
The Beachie is located in the heart of Toukley.
Best family-friendly stays on the Central Coast
Eau de Vie, Killcare Heights
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors wrap around Eau de Vie @ Killcare Heights, which, as the name suggests, | |
from Zuhair Murad's Spring/Summer 2022 couture collection. The rose-colored silk dress featured a ruched one-shoulder bodice, built-in belt, and a long train attached to a fitted skirt.
Chrissy Teigen in Georges Hobeika. Photo: Instagram.com
Making an appearance at the Vanity Fair after-party with husband and singer John Legend, Teigen looked to one of her favorite Arab designers. The model wore a grey-colored number by Georges Hobeika. The one-shoulder dress was adorned with sparkling embellishment and came with an asymmetrical skirt that featured a short hem on one leg and a floor-grazing one on the other.
Read Next: Explained: What Happened Between Will Smith and Chris Rock At The 2022 Oscars
Fashion/Georges Hobeika
Georges Hobeika's Fall/Winter 2022 Collection Evokes a Disco Party on Mars
By Editor / March 2, 2022
"It's a message of survival in a time when catastrophe can be found everywhere you look," read the notes of Georges Hobeika's Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection. While presenting artful creations and uplifting pieces may have become the post-pandemic norm, it doesn't make the thought any less significant. Serving one of the many purposes of fashion, designers continue to make people dream with their work, and the Lebanese couturier's latest offering does just that by transporting fancies to outer space. "We're focusing on the present while dreaming of a beautiful future," says Jad Hobeika, co-creative director of the Beirut-born brand. "This collection embodies the women of tomorrow, the future, the dreams."
Inspired by an "imaginary journey into space" and the planet Mars, the collection bursts with intergalactic shades of black, purple, and blue, mixed with softer petal hues of pink, orange, and yellow. Sequins abound as "celestial hand-embellishments", evoking the glamorous '60s that currently appeal to the youth. "The collection speaks to the fire of a generation that fights for love, unapologetically…" remarks Hobeika. "A vision that takes fashion to a new level of freedom, elegance, and simplicity."
There are dresses that may be seen on the red carpet come award season on both a younger star like Olivia Rodrigo or an iconic one like Jennifer Lopez, such as Hobeika's versions of the cut-out dress. They are elevated with his signature feathers in white, an edgier one in black with faux fur covered sleeves, another with a monogrammed fabric, and a softer piece in pink with a one-sided cape. Other evening wear standouts include one-shoulder dresses rendered entirely in sequins in a gradient of shades, tulle dresses with floral embroidery which are paired with gloves, and Hobeika's signature caped gowns. In contrast, the collection also features more grounded looks for daytime including soft-armor pantsuits, jumpsuits, and blazers. The powerful tailored pieces contribute to the designer's vision of the "new Georges Hobeika woman who commands respect."
Discover some of the best looks from the collection below.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan/Celebrity Style/Elie Saab/Fashion/Georges Hobeika/Michael cinco/Rami Kadi
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Fiercest Fashion Moments While Wearing Arab Designers
By Editor / November 1, 2021
In honor of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's 48th birthday today (November 1), we pay homage to the Bollywood beauty (who somehow looks better every year) by rounding up her most memorable fashion moments while wearing designs by regional couturiers.
Every year during the Cannes film festival, the Indian star gravitates towards glamorous creations from the likes of Lebanese designer Elie Saab and Dubai-based Michael Cinco. Who can forget in 2009 when the Bride and Prejudice actor stepped out on the red carpet wearing a grey, one-shouldered gown by Elie Saab? Indeed, it's still one of her most unforgettable fashion moments nearly 10 years later.
The mother of nine-year-old daughter Aaradhya also shows her appreciation for young emerging talents from the Arab world, such as Lebanese couturier Rami Kadi, whose elegant designs she wore to the Cannes Film Festival on separate occasions. Memorably, at the 2016 edition of the cinematic event, the former Miss World winner stole the spotlight in a flower-embellished, off-the-shoulder gown by the Beirut-based designer. She would go on to turn heads in one of his creations again, in 2018, when she stepped out in front of the cameras donning a sequin-embellished, strapless gown that proved her status as the Queen of Cannes. For her appearance in 2019, she opted for an embossed holographic laser leather number by Lebanese couturier Jean-Louis Sabaji. The fluorescent gown caught sunlight in all the right ways, changing colors from gold and orange into green and yellow.
In the gallery above, we take a look at the Bollywood star's fiercest fashion moments while donning creations by Middle Eastern designers on the red carpet. Happy birthday, Aishwarya!
Now Read: The 10 Most Monumental Designs by Zaha Hadid
2021 SAG Awards/Fashion/Georges Chakra/Georges Hobeika/zuhair murad
Hollywood Stars Chose Lebanese Designers for Their Virtual Appearances at the 2021 SAG Awards
By Editor / April 5, 2021
Although virtual, last night's 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) did not keep Hollywood stars from dressing in show-stopping outfits. In the absence of the red carpet, stars took to Instagram to show off their outfits for the pre-recorded awards through portraits which are starting to become a norm at virtual award shows.
Some of the best dressed included British-American actor Lily Collins who was a presenter at the event and wore a bedazzled pink dress from Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika's spring 2018 couture collection. American actor and SAG awards nominee Jurnee Smollett also made an appearance in a dress by another Lebanese couturier, Zuhair Murad. The voluminous fuchsia-colored ball gown featured a plunging neckline and was plucked from the designer's pre-fall 2021 collection. Lastly, nominated for The Flight Attendant American singer Merle Dandridge chose a black and silver jumpsuit with a bright blue bow for the occassion, from Georges Chakra's fall 2018 couture collection.
Among other nominees, Viola Davis took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her iconic role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in a bright green Louis Vuitton dress. For her portrayal of Beth Harmon in The Queen's Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, which she accepted in a beige and black Vera Wang dress. American actor Kerry Washington paid homage to the roaring twenties with a heavily suquined royal blue Etro dress, which she paired with a matching headpiece. Irish actor Nicola Coughlan known for her role in Bridgerton as Penelope Featherington, also made best dressed lists for her virtual appearance in a black Christian Siriano dress.
Read Next: Behind the Scenes of the Best Beauty Looks from the 2020 SAG Awards
Designers/Fashion/Georges Hobeika/Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez Stuns in a Georges Hobeika Ensemble in New Holiday Video
By Editor / January 3, 2021
Jennifer Lopez in Georges Hobeika, with Stevie Mackey. Photo: Instagram/@georgeshobeika
Jennifer Lopez recently treated her fans to a surprise music video release for the festive season. Joining forces with Stevie Mackey and The Eleven for their rendition of It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the American star is seen wearing a Georges Hobeika design in the video.
The 51-year-old singer dazzled in a crop top and tulle skirt ensemble plucked from the Lebanese designer's couture Fall/Winter 2020-21 collection, and styled it with a slicked-back high ponytail. Sharing a photo of Lopez in the Beirut-based fashion house's creation on Instagram, the designer wrote, "The queen of glamour, JLo, making an entrance, in her latest Holiday music video, in a Georges Hobeika pearls and sequins embroidered crop top and a laser cut tulle skirt from the Couture FW20-21 collection." The stunning look added to the glitz and glamor of the music video which also features an outfit change by Lopez. For her second look, the star is seen wearing a voluminous, tiered, red gown which she paired with wavy hair and a festive crimson pout.
This is not the first time the Hustlers star has worn a Georges | |
Notebook: Nothing but net matters for Notre Dame punter Jay Bramblett
Tyler James
Jay Bramblett didn't even punt enough last season to qualify for the NCAA's official individual leaderboard of FBS punters.
His 3.58 punts per game fell just short of the 3.6 minimum required to be included in the NCAA's ranking system. If rounding up were allowed, Bramblett would have been ranked No. 45, in a tie with Rice freshman Charlie Mendes, for averaging 42.8 yards per punt.
That number was a significant improvement for Bramblett after a freshman year averaging 39.4 yards, but those numbers aren't the ones that Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Polian is interested in tracking.
The bottom line is net punting — the length of the punt after the distance of the punt return has been subtracted from it. Bramblett and the Irish were much better in that category last season. After finishing the 2019 season ranked No. 81 in the FBS in net punting (37.7 yards per punt), Notre Dame leaped to No. 18 in 2020 with an average net of 41.28 yards.
"The only number that matters is net punting," Polian said Tuesday following Notre Dame's eighth spring practice.
The goal, Polian said, is to keep the net punting number over 40 yards. Only 30 teams in the FBS averaged more than 40 yards in net punting last season.
So while Bramblett's individual punting average doesn't quite match the distance of former Notre Dame punter Tyler Newsome, who averaged 44.7 yards per punt as a graduate senior in 2018, the Irish were much improved in net punting. The Irish finished 60th in net putting (37.74 yards) with Newsome in 2018.
"I do think Jay has some more pop in his leg than what we showed, but think back to the Rose Bowl," Polian said. "He has one punt against (Alabama Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta) Smith where he forces a fair catch, it's high hang time, it's a tremendous kick.
"There was another one deep in the red zone where we out-punted the coverage and we gave up a 20-yard return because we're out-kicking the guys getting down there trying to cover the ball.
"That is what we are constantly trying to manage, quite frankly, and the only number that matters to us is the net punt because in the end, that is the number that is signifying the transfer of field position."
Notre Dame allowed only 44 punt return yards all season — 27 of which came in the season opener against Duke and 20 of which came on the final punt of the season against Alabama in the previously mentioned College Football Playoff semifinal.
The stretch of 36 punts between those two moments netted a loss of three yards for opposing punt returners. Bramblett induced 15 fair catches and pinned opposing offenses inside their own 20-yard line 12 times. He punted into the end zone only once for a touchback.
"I'm definitely getting better every year," said Bramblett, who will enter his junior season this fall. "That's certainly the goal to keep ascending and keep doing my job. Fair catches and a really solid average is where I want to be. Make it as easy as possible for our defense and field position. Our cover team does a great job, and I definitely would not be able to do what I do without those guys."
To return or not?
While Notre Dame limited opposing punt returns, the Irish weren't lighting up opponents with punt returns of their own last year. With walk-on Matt Salerno tasked with punt returns for much of the season, the Irish finished ranked No. 42 nationally in punt return average at 9.14 yards.
That average was inflated by a couple blocked punts returned for touchdowns against South Florida and Pittsburgh. Salerno himself averaged 4.5 yards on 10 returns.
Polian understands that fans may want to see a more explosive returner back to catch punts like running back Chris Tyree, but he doesn't want to sacrifice ball security.
"We recognize how good a football player Chris Tyree is, but in the end, the security of the football in the transition of it from our defense to our offense is the single most important factor," Polian said. "If Chris is not yet comfortable, and there are times when he articulates to us, 'I'm not quite there yet,' I'm not going to roll him out there on national TV if he's not comfortable yet."
Polian said Tyree is continuing work at punt returns in competition with Salerno, senior wide receiver Lawrence Keys III, freshman wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. and freshman cornerback Philip Riley.
The opportunities for substantial punt returns have become increasingly rare over the past decade, Polian said, with the increased popularity of the shield punt formation. That leaves punt return teams with limited opportunities for game-breaking returns.
"What we preach to the team is you never know which one or two it's going to be and we have to be working on all cylinders every snap," Polian said. "So that when we do get a legit return opportunity, that we can take advantage of it. That's the challenge for us. But the reality of it is the game has changed."
Fair catches have become increasingly popular across the FBS too. According to ESPN Stats and Information, 13.5 percent of punts were fair caught in 2004. Through Nov. 1 of last season, 34.7 percent of punts nationally were fair caught in 2020.
Notre Dame fair caught 27 of the 60 punts (45 percent) from opponents last season. Alabama, which finished ninth in the FBS with a 14.95-yard average on punt returns, fair caught 23 of the 62 punts (37 percent) it faced.
Polian said it's not fair to say that Notre Dame has become Fair Catch Central.
"If you don't recognize that change," Polian said, "and you're just saying, 'Boy, they used to return more punts than they do now,' you have to recognize that the game has changed."
Fixing Doerer
The most perplexing aspect of Notre Dame's special teams last season may have been the inaccuracy of kicker Jonathan Doerer in the latter half of the season.
Doerer made 12 of his first 15 field goal attempts, then missed five of his last eight. Doerer, who missed one field goal in each of the last five games, finished the season ranked No. 81 in the FBS for making only 65.2 percent of his field goal tries.
In 2019, Doerer made 85 percent of his field goals (13-of-17).
"There were some mechanical issues," Polian said, "something that he couldn't quite get comfortable with, and then it became a confidence thing. 'Hey, I'm going to be super careful here and instead of getting up there and swinging at the ball, I'm just going to try and ease it through the uprights.'
"It's frustrating to him and it's frustrating to me that I couldn't help him more at the end of the year, because you think back to the (first) Clemson game and we don't win that game without Jon Doerer."
Doerer made four field goals and five extra points in the 47-40, double-overtime victory over then-No. 1 Clemson. His only miss came on a 57-yard attempt at the end of the first half.
"We know he can do it on the biggest stage," Polian said, "so we have to help him get back to making sure that we're rock solid mechanically, so then the confidence comes with that."
>> Polian identified two kick returns last season that he felt like Tyree had a chance to break for a touchdowns last season. He wants to be able to let Tyree, who averaged 20.7 yards per return last season, roam free even more in 2021.
"That's been something that we studied hard here in the offseason because we do feel like we have an electric return | |
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and end-use costs and characteristics than do renewable energy systems, and new promotional policies are needed to ensure that renewable systems develop as quickly and broadly as is socially desirable.[94]
The International Solar Energy Society has stated that "historical incentives for the conventional energy resources continue even today to bias markets by burying many of the real societal costs of their use".[104]
In a liberalised energy market, investors, operators and consumers should face the full cost of their decisions. But this is not the case in many economies or energy sectors. Many policies distort the market in favour of existing fossil fuel technologies.[100]
Public policy has a role to play in renewable energy commercialization because the free market system has some fundamental limitations. As the Stern Review points out:
Public policy landscape
A policy framework must be created that will level the playing field and redress the imbalance of traditional approaches associated with fossil fuels. The policy landscape must keep pace with broad trends within the energy sector, as well as reflecting specific social, economic and environmental priorities.[103]
With such a wide range of non-technical barriers, there is no "silver bullet" solution to drive the transition to renewable energy. So ideally there is a need for several different types of policy instruments to complement each other and overcome different types of barriers.[99][102]
Lack of government policy support, which includes the lack of policies and regulations supporting deployment of renewable energy technologies and the presence of policies and regulations hindering renewable energy development and supporting conventional energy development. Examples include subsidies for fossil-fuels, insufficient consumer-based renewable energy incentives, government underwriting for nuclear plant accidents, and complex zoning and permitting processes for renewable energy.
Lack of information dissemination and consumer awareness.
Higher capital cost of renewable energy technologies compared with conventional energy technologies.
Inadequate financing options for renewable energy projects, including insufficient access to affordable financing for project developers, entrepreneurs and consumers.
Imperfect capital markets, which includes failure to internalize all costs of conventional energy (e.g., effects of air pollution, risk of supply disruption)[101] and failure to internalize all benefits of renewable energy (e.g., cleaner air, energy security).
Inadequate workforce skills and training, which includes lack of adequate scientific, technical, and manufacturing skills required for renewable energy production; lack of reliable installation, maintenance, and inspection services; and failure of the educational system to provide adequate training in new technologies.
Lack of adequate codes, standards, utility interconnection, and net-metering guidelines.
Poor public perception of renewable energy system aesthetics.
Lack of stakeholder/community participation and co-operation in energy choices and renewable energy projects.
National grids are usually tailored towards the operation of centralised power plants and thus favour their performance. Technologies that do not easily fit into these networks may struggle to enter the market, even if the technology itself is commercially viable. This applies to distributed generation as most grids are not suited to receive electricity from many small sources. Large-scale renewables may also encounter problems if they are sited in areas far from existing grids.[100]
Difficulty overcoming established energy systems, which includes difficulty introducing innovative energy systems, particularly for distributed generation such as photovoltaics, because of technological lock-in, electricity markets designed for centralized power plants, and market control by established operators. As the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change points out:
The obstacles to the widespread commercialization of renewable energy technologies are primarily political, not technical,[97] and there have been many studies which have identified a range of "non-technical barriers" to renewable energy use.[13][98][99] These barriers are impediments which put renewable energy at a marketing, institutional, or policy disadvantage relative to other forms of energy. Key barriers include:[98][99]
Current energy markets, institutions, and policies have been developed to support the production and use of fossil fuels.[94] Newer and cleaner technologies may offer social and environmental benefits, but utility operators often reject renewable resources because they are trained to think only in terms of big, conventional power plants.[95] Consumers often ignore renewable power systems because they are not given accurate price signals about electricity consumption. Intentional market distortions (such as subsidies), and unintentional market distortions (such as split incentives) may work against renewables.[95] Benjamin K. Sovacool has argued that "some of the most surreptitious, yet powerful, impediments facing renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States are more about culture and institutions than engineering and science".[96]
Non-technical barriers to acceptance
The PV industry has seen drops in module prices since 2008. In late 2011, factory-gate prices for crystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules dropped below the $1.00/W mark. The $1.00/W installed cost, is often regarded in the PV industry as marking the achievement of grid parity for PV. These reductions have taken many stakeholders, including industry analysts, by surprise, and perceptions of current solar power economics often lags behind reality. Some stakeholders still have the perspective that solar PV remains too costly on an unsubsidized basis to compete with conventional generation options. Yet technological advancements, manufacturing process improvements, and industry re-structuring, mean that further price reductions are likely in coming years.[93]
Change from
1 Yingli Green Energy – China
2 Trina Solar +1 USA
3 Sharp Solar +3 Japan
4 Canadian Solar – Canada
5 Jinko Solar +3 China
6 ReneSola +7 China
7 First Solar -2 China
8 Hanwha Solarone +2 South Korea
9 Kyocera +5 Japan
10 JA Solar -3 China
Sources:[91][92]
The solar PV market has been growing for the past few years. According to solar PV research company, PVinsights, worldwide shipment of solar modules in 2011 was around 25 GW, and the shipment year over year growth was around 40%. The top 5 solar module players in 2011 in turns are Suntech, First Solar, Yingli, Trina, and Sungen. The top 5 solar module companies possessed 51.3% market share of solar modules, according to PVinsights' market intelligence report.
Photovoltaic companies
As of 2010, Vestas (from Denmark) is the world's top wind turbine manufacturer in terms of percentage of market volume, and Sinovel (from China) is in second place. Together Vestas and Sinovel delivered 10,228 MW of new wind power capacity in 2010, and their market share was 25.9 percent. GE Energy (USA) was in third place, closely followed by Goldwind, another Chinese supplier. German Enercon ranks fifth in the world, and is followed in sixth place by Indian-based Suzlon.[90]
Wind power companies
Total investment in renewable energy reached $211 billion in 2010, up from $160 billion in 2009. The top countries for investment in 2010 were China, Germany, the United States, Italy, and Brazil.[10] Continued growth for the renewable energy sector is expected and promotional policies helped the industry weather the 2009 economic crisis better than many other sectors.[89]
Monocrystalline solar cell
A Vestas wind turbine
Renewable energy industry
As of 2008, geothermal power development was under way in more than 40 countries, partially attributable to the development of new technologies, such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems.[45] The development of binary cycle power plants and improvements in drilling and extraction technology may enable enhanced geothermal systems over a much greater geographical range than "traditional" Geothermal systems. Demonstration EGS projects are operational in the USA, Australia, Germany, France, and The United Kingdom.[88]
Enhanced geothermal systems
There are currently nine projects, completed or in-development, off the coasts of the United Kingdom, United States, Spain and Australia to harness the rise and fall of waves by Ocean Power Technologies. The current maximum power output is 1.5 MW (Reedsport, Oregon), with development underway for 100 MW (Coos Bay, Oregon).[87]
In the United Kingdom, for example, the Carbon Trust recently estimated the extent of the economically viable offshore resource at 55 TWh per year, about 14% of current national demand. Across Europe, the technologically achievable resource has been estimated to be at least 280 TWh per year. In 2003, the U.S. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimated the viable resource in the United States at 255 TWh per year (6% of demand).[86]
First proposed more than thirty years ago, systems to harvest utility-scale | |
and be well on its way to being ruined again. But for right now, it was exactly what Kara had always wanted it to be.
A charming little town, where everyone got along with everyone else, the kids didn't have drug problems, and the streets were safe at night.
The kind of small town that Ronald Reagan had always talked about, but hardly existed anywhere at all.
And now she was going to have to leave it.
And move to the city.
Kara hated the whole idea of it. Hated having to sell her house, hated having to find an apartment, hated the thought of moving to the city.
But she knew it had to be done, so she would do it.
She and Lindsay both.
And the family would survive.
Lindsay Marshall did her best to control the anger that had been building in her since breakfast, but even so, she jerked open her locker to throw her books inside, then slammed it loudly. Her parents were ruining her life, and until she was eighteen and out of school, she had to do what they wanted her to do.
But it wasn't fair.
How could her mother have been so casual about it? "I'm meeting with an agent today," she'd said, like it was no big deal. "Your father and I are thinking of selling the house and moving to the city."
Lindsay had stared at her mother in openmouthed astonishment. "Just before my senior year?"
"It'll be fine," her mother said.
It'll be fine? _It'll be fine?_ Lindsay hadn't been able to think of anything else all day. The phrase kept going through her head and she couldn't stop it.
_It'll be fine._ Life as she knew it was about to be ripped out from underneath her, and no matter what her mother said, it would _not_ be fine.
Now she sat on the bench in the locker room, adjusting her sports bra and putting on her white socks and Nikes, unable even to listen to the rest of the girls. Their chatter usually cheered her up, but today it seemed totally frivolous in the face of the disaster that had struck at breakfast.
"Hey, Linds." Dawn D'Angelo opened the locker next to hers, threw her backpack inside, and pulled out her practice clothes. Dawn's big chestnut eyes—the same color as her long wavy hair—were a perfect contrast to Lindsay's blue eyes and blond hair. But though the two girls had opposite coloring, that was the end of their differences—they'd been best friends since kindergarten.
"Hey," Lindsay sighed, making no attempt to mask her mood from Dawn.
One of Dawn's brows lifted. "What's up with you? You feeling all right?"
"I'm okay."
Dawn looked doubtful. "I hope it isn't the flu. My brother's got it. He puked all last night."
"Not the flu," Lindsay said as she finished lacing up her shoes. The coach's whistle blew from the gym, and she lifted herself off the bench to follow the rest of the cheerleaders out of the locker room, eager to work off some of her anger.
The varsity squad was just back from Florida, where they'd come in second in the regional championships held at Daytona. Until this morning, Lindsay had dreamed of being on that team next year.
Now that was simply not going to happen.
Inside her head, the endlessly repeating chorus of _It'll be fine_ turned into _What's the use?_ and her anger dissolved into hopelessness. In another two weeks the graduating cheerleaders would choose next year's squad and—most important—name the head cheerleader, but what did it matter now? Even if she performed perfectly today, with the entire varsity squad watching, it wouldn't matter. Her dream of trading in her black JV uniform for the red varsity uniform had been thoroughly crushed at breakfast this morning.
_Her mother had been a cheerleader—she should understand how important this was! How could she have been so casual about it? Like it just didn't matter?_
Lindsay tried to concentrate on the exercises, but kept losing count and getting off rhythm. Even worse, she was finding it impossible to finish with the grand gesture and big smile that was as important as the stunts themselves. _Smile, girls,_ the coach always said. _This isn't just a cheerleading practice, it's smile practice, too!_
Keeping the coach's words firmly in her mind, Lindsay jogged in place, did her best to smile, and tried to find some energy as she waited for her turn to execute the simple flip they always used as a warm-up.
Then it was time. Lindsay smiled, took a deep breath, skipped a couple of steps to get her footing, took a short run, threw her hands down on the mat and began a perfect flip.
And the worst possible thing happened. Just as she was upside down, one elbow crumpled and she collapsed, her shoulder and then her bottom smashing hard onto the mat.
Fire flooded her wrist.
The coach and Dawn were on her in an instant, helping her up.
"I'm okay," Lindsay insisted, horrified that the varsity cheerleaders had seen her screw up a simple flip.
Then, unable to control her emotions any longer, she started to cry.
Sharon Spandler, the coach, helped her up and walked her off the mat. "Okay, girls," she called back as she led Lindsay toward the locker room. "Run through them one more time, then do two sets of backflips. Consuela, you're in charge."
In the locker room, Lindsay took a drink of water and blew her nose. The coach came out of her office with tape and scissors, and they sat facing each other on the bench. The coach gently took hold of her wrist and bent it slightly. "Hurt?"
Lindsay shook her head.
"Just a sprain, then." As she began to wrap the wrist with tape, Sharon eyed Lindsay carefully. "Everything okay with you?"
Lindsay nodded, but the coach could see the lack of conviction in her eyes and tried again. "Boyfriend troubles? Things okay at home?"
"Everything's fine. I'm just not feeling real good. I probably shouldn't even have come to practice."
The coach finished wrapping the wrist, then looked her square in the face. "I'll tell the girls you're sick." Then, thinking she knew what Lindsay was worried about, she said, "A simple fall shouldn't affect the vote. Don't worry."
Lindsay forced a wan smile. What would it matter if it did affect the vote? She wouldn't be back next year anyway. Someone else would be living her dream. The thought brought the hot lump up her throat all over again, but she managed to swallow it. "Thanks," she said.
"Just take it easy," Sharon said. "Rest up."
Lindsay nodded, then wiped her eyes on her soggy tissue.
A few minutes later Dawn D'Angelo came in from the gym, grabbed some toilet paper from one of the stalls, and sat down in the same place the coach had. Dawn stuffed the wad of paper into Lindsay's hand. "Okay, enough," she said. "What's going on?"
Lindsay started to cry again. "We're moving to Manhattan."
Dawn stared at her in utter incomprehension. "What?"
"Mom says we have to move to the city to be closer to Dad's work." She took a ragged breath as Dawn's expression dissolved to disbelief.
"But we only have one year left," Dawn whispered. "And you're supposed to be head cheerleader next year! And we need to do our senior year together. We have to graduate together. If you leave, who's going to be my best friend? Jeez, Linds—you haven't even gone out with Zack yet! How can they do this to you?"
Lindsay looked bleakly into Dawn's eyes. "They're my parents," she said, her voice hollow with despair. "What can I do?"
Dawn didn't even try to answer Lindsay's question; they both already knew the answer.
There was nothing either of them could do.
Nothing at all.
**Chapter Two**
Kara Marshall's stomach knotted as she stared | |
factor; for example, a fine equidistant binning of length 0.5 m s−1 leads to physically inconsistent forecasts. Based on initial experiments on the validation data, we devise a data-driven binning scheme starting from one bin per unique observed value and merging bins to end up with a total number of 20. Details on this procedure are provided in appendix B. We apply a softmax function to the NN output nodes to ensure that the obtained probabilities sum to 1. The network parameters are estimated using the categorical cross-entropy.
NN-based forecasting models are often run several times from randomly initialized weights and batches to produce an ensemble of predictions in order to account for the randomness of the training process based on stochastic gradient descent methods. We follow this principle and produce an ensemble of 10 models for each of the three variants of NN-based postprocessing models introduced above, which leads to the question how the resulting ensembles of NN outputs should be aggregated into a single probabilistic forecast for every model. We here briefly discuss this aggregation step.
For DRN, the output of the ensemble of NN models is a collection of pairs of location and scale parameters of the forecast distributions. Following Rasp and Lerch (2018), we aggregate these forecasts by averaging the distribution parameters. To aggregate the ensemble of BQN predictions given by sets of coefficient values of the Bernstein polynomials, we follow Bremnes (2020) and average the individual coefficient values across the multiple runs. This is equivalent to an equally weighted averaging of quantile functions, also referred to as Vincentization (Genest 1992).
In the case of an ensemble of HEN models, the output is given by sets of bin probabilities. Instead of simply averaging the bin probabilities across the ensemble of model runs, which is known to yield underconfident forecasts that lack sharpness (Ranjan and Gneiting 2010; Gneiting and Ranjan 2013), we take a Vincentization approach. Since the quantile function is a piecewise linear function with edges depending on the bin probabilities, the predictions of the individual networks are subject to a different binning with respect to the quantile function. The average of those piecewise linear functions is again a piecewise linear function, where the edges are given by the union of all individual edges. This procedure leads to a smoothed final probabilistic forecast with a much finer binning than the individual model runs and eliminates the downside of fixed bin edges that may be too coarse and not capable of flexibly adapting to current weather conditions. An illustration of this effect is provided in Fig. 2.
We close this section with a short discussion and overview of the general characteristics of the various postprocessing methods introduced above. Table 2 provides an objective summary of the postprocessing methods, which we divided in three groups. In general, the order in which the groups of methods were introduced coincides with the model complexity, as exemplified by the number of parameters to be estimated for the individual models. The most complex methods, which are the NN variants, also generally require the largest training sets. For the less complex models such as EMOS and MBM, less training data are required, as the improved performance of local and seasonal training sets demonstrates. Within each group, one distributional regression method yields the forecast in form of a parametric distribution, here a truncated logistic distribution, which reduces forecast flexibility. The semi- and nonparametric alternatives are, however, more prone to overfitting. The model complexity is also directly related to the choice of predictors, which is displayed in Table 3, indicating that more complex models allow for incorporation of additional features. Note that appendix Tables B and B2 present a summary of the final hyperparameter configurations of all methods.
Overview of the main characteristics of the different postprocessing methods. The number of parameters refers to one trained model instance. The number of models refers to the number of trained model instances per lead time. In case of the NN-based methods, the 10 trained model instances are aggregated to a final forecast [see section 3c(5)].
Overview of the predictors used in the different postprocessing methods. The column "statistics" comprises the use of any summary statistic derived from the wind gust ensemble (mean, standard deviation, or mean difference).
In this section, we evaluate the predictive performance of the postprocessing methods based on the test period that consists of all data from 2016. Since we considered forecasts from one initialization time only, systematic changes over the lead time are closely related to the diurnal cycle.
The evaluation is guided by the principle that a probabilistic forecast should aim to maximize sharpness, subject to calibration (Gneiting et al. 2007). A probabilistic forecast is said to be calibrated if it is statistically consistent with the observations; sharpness refers to the concentration of the forecast distribution and is a property of the forecast alone. Calibration and sharpness can simultaneously be assessed quantitatively with proper scoring rules, where lower scores indicate superior predictive performance (Gneiting and Raftery 2007). For an introduction to the evaluation methods and the underlying theory, see appendix A.
The predictive performance of the EPS coincides with findings of extant previous studies on statistical postprocessing of ensemble forecasts in that the ensemble predictions are biased and strongly underdispersed, that is, not calibrated due to a lack of spread; see Fig. 3 for the corresponding verification rank histograms.
We here highlight two peculiarities of the EPS. The first is the so-called spinup effect (see, e.g., Kleczek et al. 2014), which refers to the time the numerical model requires to adapt to the initial and boundary conditions and to produce structures consistent with the model physics. This effect can be seen not only in the verification rank histograms in Fig. 3, where we observe a clear lack of ensemble spread in the 0-h forecasts within each of the four subensembles and only a small spread between them, but also in the ensemble range and the bias of the ensemble median prediction displayed in Fig. 4, where a sudden jump at the 1-h forecasts occurs.
The temporal development of the bias and ensemble range shown in Fig. 4 indicates another meteorological effect, the evening transition of the planetary boundary layer. When the sun sets, the surface and low-level air that have been heated over the course of the day cool down and thermally driven turbulence ceases. This sometimes quite abrupt transition to calmer, more stable conditions strongly affects the near-surface wind fields subject to the local conditions (see, e.g., Mahrt 2017). For lead times up to 18 h (corresponding to 1900 local time in winter and 2000 local time in summer), the ensemble range increases together with an improvement in calibration. However, at the transition in the evening, the overall bias increases and the calibration becomes worse for most stations indicating increasing systematic errors. This could be related, for example, to the misrepresentation of the inertia of large eddies in the model or errors in radiative transfer at low sun angles.
In addition to the raw ensemble predictions, we further consider a climatological reference forecast as a benchmark method. The extended probabilistic climatology (EPC; Vogel et al. 2018; Walz et al. 2021) is an ensemble based on past observations considering only forecasts at the same time of the year. We create a separate climatology for each station and hour of the day that consists of past observations from the previous, current, and following month around the date of interest. The observational database ranges back to 2001, thus EPC is built on a database of 15 years. Not surprisingly, EPC is well calibrated (see Fig. 3). However, it shows a minor positive bias, which is likely due to the generally lower level of wind gusts observed | |
the present experiments, one can not yet rule out the
possibility of new physics.
\section{Enhanced Color-Suppressed Amplitudes from $B\to \pi\pi$}
We now discuss $B\to \pi\pi$ decays. Using the diagrammatic
method, the CP-averaging branching ratios have the following
forms:
\begin{eqnarray}
Br(\pi^+\pi^-) &\simeq&
|\lambda_u|^2|T|^2+(|\lambda_u|^2+|\lambda_c|^2-2\cos{\gamma}|\lambda_u||\lambda_c|)|P|^2\nonumber\\
&&+2|\lambda_u||P||T|\cos{\delta_{T}}(|\lambda_c|\cos{\gamma}-|\lambda_u|),\nonumber\\
Br(\pi^0\pi^0) &\simeq& \frac{1}{2}
[|\lambda_u|^2|C|^2+(|\lambda_u|^2
+|\lambda_c|^2-2\cos{\gamma}|\lambda_u||\lambda_c|)|P-P_{EW}|^2]\nonumber\\
&&-2|\lambda_u||P-P_{EW}||C|\cos{\delta_{C}}(|\lambda_c|\cos{\gamma}-|\lambda_u|),\nonumber\\
\frac{1}{\tau}Br(\pi^-\pi^0) &\simeq&
\frac{1}{2}|\lambda_u|^2|T+C|^2,
\end{eqnarray}
where $\tau= \tau_B^-/\tau_B^0 = 1.086$ reflecting the
life-time difference. Here we have neglected the subleading diagrams
$P_{EW}^C$, $E$ and $P_A$ for simplicity.
$\delta_{C},\delta_{T}$ and $\delta_{EW}$ are the strong phases of $C$,
$T$ and $P_{EW}$ respectively. The strong phase of $P$ is fixed to be
zero as an overall phase. The CP violation parameters $S$ and $C$ in
$B \to \pi^+\pi^-$ decays are introduced
through the time-dependent decay rate difference:
\begin{eqnarray}
A_{CP}(t) &=& \frac{\Gamma(\bar{B^0} \to \pi^+\pi^-)-\Gamma(B^0 \to
\pi^+\pi^-)}{\Gamma(\bar{B^0} \to \pi^+\pi^-)+\Gamma(B^0 \to
\pi^+\pi^-)}\nonumber\\
& \simeq & -a_{\epsilon} + (a_{\epsilon} + a_{\epsilon'})\cos{(\Delta m_B\cdot
t)} + a_{\epsilon + \epsilon'} \sin{(\Delta m_B\cdot t)}, \nonumber\\
&\simeq & S\cdot\sin{(\Delta m_B\cdot t)} - C \cdot\cos{(\Delta m_B\cdot
t)},\label{tdcpv}
\end{eqnarray}
$\Delta m_B$ is the neutral B meson mass difference. The CP-violating
quantities are defined as:
\begin{eqnarray}
& & S = \frac{{\rm Im}\, \lambda}{1+|\lambda|^2}= a_{\epsilon +
\epsilon'},\quad \mbox{and} \quad
C = \frac{1-|\lambda|^2}{1+|\lambda|^2} = -A_{CP} = -(a_{\epsilon} + a_{\epsilon'})
\end{eqnarray}
with $\lambda = e^{-2i\beta}(\bar{A}/A)$. Where the
rephase-invariant quantities $a_{\epsilon}$, $a_{\epsilon'}$ and
$a_{\epsilon + \epsilon'}$ \cite{PW} represent indirect, direct and
mixing-induced CP violations respectively. As $a_{\epsilon}\ll 1$
for neutral B system, we have $A_{CP} \simeq a_{\epsilon'}$ which
characterizes direct CP violation.
With the above equations, we can get the explicit expressions of
$A_{CP}(\pi^+\pi^-)\cdot Br(B \to \pi^+\pi^-)$ and $S_{\pi^+\pi^-}$ as:
\begin{eqnarray}
&& A_{CP}(B \to \pi^+ \pi^-)\cdot Br(B \to \pi^+\pi^-) \simeq
2|\lambda_u\lambda_c|\sin{\gamma}
|T||P|\sin{\delta_{T}},\nonumber\\
%
& & S_{\pi^+\pi^-} \simeq
\frac{2\kappa\cos{2(\beta+\gamma)}\cos{\delta_T}\sin{\gamma}-\sin{2(\beta+\gamma)}
(1+2\kappa\sin{\delta_T}\sin{\gamma})}
{1+2\kappa\sin{\delta_T}\sin{\gamma}
+2\kappa^2\sin^2{\gamma}},
\end{eqnarray}
with $\kappa = |\lambda_c P|/|\lambda_u T|$. Noticing the fact that $|P| \ll |T|$ and
$2|\lambda_u^d|(|\lambda_c^d| \cos{\gamma}-|\lambda_u^d|) \simeq
0.4 |\lambda_u^d|^2$ and considering the error of data, we can
safely ignore the cross term in branching ratio of $B \to
\pi^+\pi^-$. Similarly, we can also ignore the cross term in the
branching ratio of $\pi^0\pi^0$ and obtain in a good approximation
the following relations:
\begin{eqnarray}
& & \frac{R_{-0}}{(1-R_{00})} \simeq \frac{1 +|C/T|^2 + 2
|C/T|\cos{(\delta_{T}-\delta_{C})}}{1
-|C/T|^2}
\end{eqnarray}
with $R_{-0}\equiv 2Br(\pi^-\pi^0)/Br(\pi^+\pi^-)$.
Taking the experimental
data for the three branching ratios and considering the possible
range for $\cos{(\delta_{T}-\delta_{C})}\in [1,-1]$, we arrive at
the following constraint for the ratio $|C|/|T|$:
\begin{eqnarray}
0.60 \leq \frac{|C|}{|T|}\leq 0.97 .
\end{eqnarray}
Using the three precise observed data points of $Br(\pi^+\pi^-),
A_{CP}(\pi^+\pi^-)$, $S_{\pi^+\pi^-}$ and taking the latest
experimental result for $\sin{(2\beta)}$ as an
input parameter\cite{HFAG}, we get:
\begin{eqnarray}
|P| = 0.10\pm0.03,\quad |T| = 0.58\pm0.05, \quad \delta_T =
0.60\pm0.10
\end{eqnarray}
Noticing the positivity of the quantity:
\begin{eqnarray}
(|\lambda_u|^2+|\lambda_c|^2-2\cos{\gamma}|\lambda_u||\lambda_c|)|P|^2
+2|\lambda_u||P||T|\cos{\delta_{T}}(|\lambda_c|\cos{\gamma}-|\lambda_u|)
> 0 .
\end{eqnarray}
The above inequality holds for $|P/T|\geq 0.1$ which is true from the
above analysis, i.e., $ Br(\pi^+\pi^-)/\tau_B > |\lambda_u|^2
|T|^2$. We then yield a more strong constraint for the ratio: \begin{eqnarray}
\frac{|C|}{|T|}\leq \sqrt {R_{0}} \equiv
\sqrt{\frac{2Br(\pi^0\pi^0)}{Br(\pi^+\pi^-)} }\simeq 0.70
\end{eqnarray}
Combining the above two constraints, we have
\begin{eqnarray}
& & 0.6 \leq
|C|/|T| \leq 0.7
\end{eqnarray}
Note that the above numerical bounds are obtained by simply
taking the central values of the experimental data. When taking
into account the experimental errors, the allowed range could be
enlarged by $(10 \sim 20)\%$. The result is still larger than the
theoretical estimations $|C/T|\simeq0.1\sim0.2$ calculated from both
the QCD factorization approach\cite{QCDF} and perturbative QCD
approach\cite{PQCD}. Although the next to leading order
contributions calculated recently in QCD factorization show some
enhancement of $C$, it is still difficult to meet the current
data\cite{QCDFnlo}. Also a large color suppressed tree diagram is
independently favored by $\pi K$ and $K \eta^{(')}$ data
\cite{BH,WZ2,Keta}.
\section{Implications from new experimental results of $B \to K\pi$ decays}
The latest averaged data give $A_{CP}(\pi^+K^-) = -0.098\pm0.015,
A_{CP}(\pi^0\bar{K^0}) = -0.12\pm0.11$ and $A_{CP}(\pi^0K^-) =
0.05\pm0.03$. All these preliminary measurements are more
precise. However, there still exists significant differences between
two experiments. We shall make, basing on the new data, a
model-independent analysis to determine the hadronic amplitudes and
see whether there is any implication for new physics beyond the SM.
\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{cc}
\scalebox{1.0}{\epsfig{file=allct5.eps}}
\end{tabular}
\caption{Allowed range for $|C'/T'|$ with $\delta_{C'}$ by using
five measured $\pi K$ data. } \label{Fig.1}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
In the $\pi K$ system, there are now five established experimental
observables, including four branching ratios and one direct CP
as of $B \to \pi^+ K^-$. Using the
diagrammatic language and neglecting the small contributions from
$P_{EW}^{C'},A',E'$, there are seven
free parameters, four magnitudes and three relative strong phases.
Keeping isospin relation in Eq.(\ref{pewSM}) within the SM,
only five free parameters are left, namely three
magnitudes $|T'|,|C'|,|P'|$ and two relative strong phases
$\delta_{T'}$ and $\delta_{C'}$
, where we take the strong phase of $P'$ as an overall phase. In
this case, the data are enough to extract all these parameters. In
fact, by taking three data points of $Br(B\to \pi^-K^0), Br(B \to
K^+\pi^-)$ and $A_{CP}(K^+\pi^-)$, one can extract $|T'|, |P'|$
and $\delta_{T'}$. The numerical results are found to be
\begin{eqnarray}
& & |T'| = 0.87\pm 0.18, \qquad \delta_{T'} =
0.33\pm 0.07,\qquad |P'| = 0.12\pm 0.02 .
\end{eqnarray}
The other two data points are used to determine the color
suppressed tree amplitude and it's strong phase.
In the first step, we shall work within SM. Neglecting the
color suppressed EW penguin,
and taking $Br(B \to \pi^0 \bar{K}^0)$ and $Br(B \to \pi^0 K^-)$
within $1\sigma$ error, we find the allowed region for
$\delta_{C'}$ and $|C'/T'|$. The results are plotted in Fig.1.
\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{cc}
\scalebox{1.0}{\epsfig{file=5datacpa.eps}}
\end{tabular}
\caption{Allowed range for $A_{cp}(\pi^0\bar{K}^0)$ and
$A_{cp}(\pi^0K^-)$ as function of $\delta_{C'}$ by using five
measured $\pi K$ data.} \label{Fig.2}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
In obtaining the figure,
we let $\delta_C'$ vary in the range $[-\pi,\pi]$ and $|C'/T'|$
in $[0,10]$. The result indicates that a large strong phase of
the color suppressed tree diagram is necessary to explain the
experiments and there exists two allowed regions with opposite
signs of $\delta_{C'}$ but similar size of $|C'|$ around $2.0\sim
3.0$. As for the ratio $|C'/T'|$, the minimal value is about
$|C'/T'|\simeq 1$ with $\delta_{C'} \approx \pm\pi$, the whole
allowed range is from $1.0 $ to $2.4$. So the large $C'$ puzzle is
still there though the minimal value can be reduced to about
unity. When only taking the latest data from the Belle
collaboration, the ratio $|C'/T'|$ can be further reduced and the
minimal size can reach $|C'/T'| \simeq 0.74$ which is still large.
The CP asymmetry in $\pi K$ decays can be expressed as follows
\begin{eqnarray}
A_{CP}(B \to \pi^+ K^-) & \cdot & Br(B \to \pi^+ K^-) \nonumber\\
&\simeq& -2|\lambda_u^s\lambda_c^s|\sin{\gamma} |T'||P'|\sin{\delta_{T'}}
,\nonumber\\
A_{CP}(B \to \pi^0 \bar{K^0}) & \cdot & Br(B \to \pi^0 \bar{K^0})
\nonumber\\
&\simeq& |\lambda_u^s\lambda_c^s|\sin{\gamma}|C'|
[|P'|\sin{\delta_{C'}}+|P_{EW}'|\sin{(\delta_{C'}-\delta_{EW'})}],\\
\frac{1}{\tau}A_{CP}(B \to \pi^0 K^-)& \cdot & Br(B \to \pi^0 K^-)
\simeq
-|\lambda_u^s\lambda_c^s|\sin{\gamma}\nonumber\\
& \cdot &
[ |T'| (|P'|\sin{\delta_{T'}}
-|P_{EW}'|\sin{(\delta_{T'}-\delta_{EW'})}
) \nonumber\\
&& + |C'| (|P'|\sin{\delta_{C'}} -|P_{EW}'|\sin{(\delta_{C'}-\delta_{EW'})}
)]\nonumber
\end{eqnarray}
The expression of mixing-induced CP-violating parameter $S_{\pi K_S}$ is
\begin{eqnarray}
S_{\pi^0K_S} &\simeq& \sin{(2\beta)} +
2 r_C' \cos{(2\beta)}\cos{\delta_{C'}}\sin{\gamma}-
2 r_C'^2 \sin{(2\beta)}\sin^2{\gamma}\nonumber\\
&&- r_C'^2 \cos{(2\beta)}\cos{(2\delta_{C'})}\sin{(2\gamma)} - 2
r_C' r_{EW}' \cos{(2\beta)}\cos{(\delta_{C'}+\delta_{EW'})}\sin{\gamma},
\end{eqnarray}
where $r_C'\simeq |{\lambda_u^s}/{\lambda_c^s}||C'/P'|$ and
$r_{EW}' = |P_{EW}'/P'|$. The corresponding predictions for
$A_{CP}(\pi^0\bar{K}^0)$ and $A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-)$ are given in
Fig.2. It shows that there are two solutions corresponding to the
sign of $\delta_{C'}$
\begin{eqnarray}
\mbox{for } \delta_{C'} < 0: \nonumber\\ & &-0.08 < A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-) <
0.39,\nonumber\\
& &-0.50 < A_{CP}(\pi^0\bar{K}^0) < 0, \nonumber\\
\mbox{for }\delta_{C'} > 0: \nonumber\\
& &
-0.34 < A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-) < -0.10,\nonumber\\
& &0 < A_{CP}(\pi^0\bar{K}^0) <0.35,
\end{eqnarray}
where $A_{CP}(\pi^0\bar{K}^0)$ and $ A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-)$ almost
have opposite signs. In Fig.3, the mixing induced CP asymmetry
$S_{\pi K_S}$ as function of strong phase $\delta_{C'}$ is given.
One finds that for both positive or negative $\delta_{C'}$, the
resulting mixing CP violation $S_{\pi K_S}$ is the same, because
it depends only on $\cos{\delta_{C'}}$
\begin{eqnarray}
S_{\pi^0K_S} = 0.55\pm0.07
\end{eqnarray}
\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{cc}
\scalebox{1.0}{\epsfig{file=abspik.eps}}
\end{tabular}
\caption{The allowed range for mixing induced CP asymmetry
$S_{\pi^0 K_S}$ as a function of strong phase $\delta_{C'}$ by
using five measured $\pi K$ data.} \label{Fig.3}
\end{center}
\end{figure}
From the above discussions, we see that from the measured five data,
there is still significant uncertainties in determining the
magnitude of $|C'/T'|$ and predicting for the direct CP violation.
In order to tighten the constraints, we try to add another data
point of $A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-)$. Note that the preliminary result show
that the Babar and Belle's results are consistent with each other,
$A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-) = 0.016\pm 0.041\pm 0.010(\mbox{Babar})$ and
$A_{CP}(\pi^0 K^-) = 0.07\pm 0.03\pm 0.01(\mbox{Belle})$. With this
extra data point included, a very strong constraint on $|C'/T'|$ is
found. The allowed region for $\delta_{C'}$ and $|C'/T'|$ are given
in Fig.4, where we scan all the possible solutions to meet six data
points within the region | |
Antonio Audino, Federico Corona, and the Institute of Theatre and Opera of the Giorgio Cini Foundation, are proud to announce the commencement of the selection of 20 participants for their Commedia Dell'Arte Masterclass, which will take place at the Giorgio Cini Foundation, Venice, from 26 August – 1 September 2019.
>>For more information about terms and conditions for applicants plus a full run-down of the event, please click here.
ITI Montenegro Centre: "Balkan Boys" directed by Sinisa Evtimov
Inspired by Anthony McCarten and Stephen Sinclair's "Ladies Night" & "The Full Monty", "Balkan Boys" is an unusual story about an ordinary man and his struggle for survival – as his faith in life and humanity is tested amid deceived expectations.
"Balkan Boys" is a result of the EU funded project "ADNICH " IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro and a part of the ART Ghetto programme of the Royal Theatre. It premieres on Wednesday, 7 August 2019 at the Royal Theatre Zetski Dom in Cetinje (Montenegro), with reprises on the 8, 9 & 10 August.
>>For more information, click here or >>visit the Facebook page of the host theatre.
ITI Philippines: Gallery of the Sea on the SDGs and the Care of the Ocean
The Philippines Centre of the International Theatre Institute, the Earth Savers UNESCO Dream Centre, along with the Climate Institute Advisory Board, the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Task Force and the Manila Yacht Club, invite everyone to the inauguration of the Gallery of the Sea on the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the Care of the Ocean Exhibition.
The event will take place on Tuesday, 13 August 2019, from 8:30 am at the Manila Yacht Club. It promises to give food for thought to all present on Sustainable Development Goals in relation to our Oceans. >>For more information, click here.
ASSITEJ South Africa – The Cradle of Creativity - 20-25 August 2019, Cape Town
ITI's Partner Organization ASSITEJ wishes to invite delegates to attend their Cradle of Creativity event, an international festival of Theatre for Young Audiences from 20-25 August 2019, in Cape Town.
The Cradle of Creativity was designed to spark creativity in artists, teachers, researchers and academics, as well as creativity in the children and young people who encountered performances, and in the broader audiences who experienced the event. The event comprises conferences, gatherings, performances and a whole lot more.
>>To find out more, such as how to register, please click here.
Danspunt Out of the Toolbox Workshop Festival, 21-25 August 2019, Ghent, Belgium
Danspunt, a Ghent-based dance organization, are pleased to announce their Out of the Toolbox Workshop Festival, which will run from 21 – 25 August 2019 in Ghent, Belgium.
The event includes creative and educational workshops for all dance enthusiasts, led by educators, dancers and professionals from all over Europe. >>To register please click here or for more information >>please visit their Facebook page.
Conference on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development 8 - 9 July 2019, Bundesakademie, Wolfenbüttel, Germany
The German Centre of ITI wish to announce an upcoming Conference on Cultural Policy and Sustainable Development, which will run from the 8-9 July 2019 at the Bundesakademie in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.
The conference investigates the role of arts and culture for sustainable development, offering insights and exchange with scholars of the Graduate School 'Performing Sustainability' from West-Africa as well as researchers of the Master's programme 'Cultural Policy and Cultural Management' from the Arab Region and academics from Germany.
>>For full information, click here or >>to register follow this link.
Lebanese International Theatre Festival for Contemporary Dance July 6 – 9 2019
Tiro Association for Arts is calling for participation in the Lebanese International Theatre Festival for Contemporary Dance which will be held from 6 to 9 July 2019.
Artists wishing to participate from Lebanon and abroad can contact tiro.festivals(at)gmail.com to apply and get more information. The festival provides accommodation, supplies and transportation inside Lebanon, but does not bear travel tickets.
Call for Workshop in Locarno, Switzerland / For actors, performers, dancers, artists
International workshop laboratory in Theatre and Performance
True speaking / Authentic being / Invisible revealed
working on POETIC WRITING AS DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE AND PERFORMATIVE ACT, based on the poetry of Alexandro Jodorowski, Allan Ginsberg, Michel Houellbeck and inspired poetry of oriental traditions."
Directed by Stéphanie Lupo
Location: Locarno at Spazio Elle (Switzerland)
Time: 26 to 30 July 2019
Accommodation is possible on the site by the lake
Information/Registration
www.stephanie-lupo.com/contact
Deadline for the application: 15 July
Early bird price: apply by 3 July
Contact Stéphanie Lupo: lupo.mental22(at)gmail.com www.stephanie-lupo.com >>For full information, please click here
16th Seoul International Dance Competition SIDC 2019
The Seoul International Cultural Foundation, supported by ITI, are proud to inform you about the upcoming event: the 16th Seoul International Dance Competition (SIDC) 2019.
SIDC is held over four-categories, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Ethnic Dance, and Choreography. The event itself however is about far more than just competition, including as it does Workshops led by international dance experts, educational networking, and the chance to get to know dance peers from across the world in a programme stretching from late April to late July 2019 (dates to be officially confirmed).
>>For a run through of the programme, and to see how you can enter the competition in a category, please click here and >>here for the call in full + a provisional schedule. The deadline for entries is 25 May 2019.
Connecting Culture's Hearts and Minds: Shakespeare in China, Conferences in Zhengzhou and Beijing
Shakespeare's Globe are pleased to announce a pair of Conferences for teachers, educators, policy-makers and Shakespeare academics under the title 'Connecting Culture's Hearts and Minds: Shakespeare in China'. The first conference will happen in Zhengzhou, China on the 6 July 2019. The second will take place in Beijing on 13 July 2019.
For more information as to how you can get involved, click >>Zhengzhou or >>Beijing for the relevant flyer.
Call for Entry to the 14th International Street Theatre Festival in Marivan, Iran
The Iranian Centre of ITI - the Dramatic Arts Centre of Iran - is pleased to announce the 14th International Street Theatre Festival from 23 to 27 of August 2019 in Marivan, Iran. They are now looking for applications from participants, specifically theatre companies, performers, workshop leaders, lecturers and essayists who wish to participate. Applications should be sent by airmail to the Secretariat of the Festival, at Vahdat Hall, Ostad Shahryar Street, Hafez Ave., Tehran, 1133914934 Iran. The deadline for doing so is the 10 July, 2019. For more information, contact dramatic.artcenter.iran(at)gmail.com or >>visit their website by clicking here.
9th National Dance Competition with the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Argentinian Council of Dance
The Argentine Dance Council, Cooperating Member of ITI, is happy to share with you the celebration of its 40th anniversary that happen on 3 September. The 9th National Dance Competition "Consejo Argentino de la Danza Paloma Herrera Award" began with a preselection of 300 applicants in different regions of Argentina by a jury appointed and sent by the CAD (in March). Then, the 1st round through videos also selected by another jury (in July). The 2nd and 3rd round live presentation in Buenos Aires city (in September). The total number of participants was 33 (19 classical dance and 13 in contemporary dance). The Honorary Jury was chaired by Mistress Paloma Herrera Colón Theatre Ballet Director, Mistress Susan Jones from the ABT New York, Andrea Chinetti Director San Martín Theatre, Norma Binaghi San Martín Contemporary Workshop. >>To see the picture please click here.
Macedonia FYROM Centre of ITI: 'Lady with a Hat' – Masa Ogrizek in Skopje, 27-31 May 2019
The Macedonia FYROM Centre ITI will host the Slovenian author for children's books - Masa Ogrizek. Masa will present her work in front of a Macedonian audience made up of publishers, writers, illustrators, readers, and youth theatre makers. She will open the questions about the old characters included in her books for children; why she adores luggage bags and hats; | |
Part 6: Entry 3/31/10-06
If the doors in the desert were any indication, we were approaching the halfway point of our ordeal.
Everyone except me has fond memories of Sister, that have nothing to do with battle...
...Well, it's no use letting it get to me.
By the way, Sister, did you know I have no weaknesses?
I'll be fine against any attack! That's useful, right?
She doesn't seem like a bad person, but she did come here intending to kill us...
What do you think, Aigis?
She's not a bad person.
So she just went a little overboard trying to protect you?
Heh... I remember when you were the same way, Aigis...
Well... keep an eye on her, okay? You're the only one she listens to.
"A life bound to our cursed legacy"...
Oh... sorry. It's something I heard before, when I was young...
But there's some bizarre cultist material mixed in with them, so it's rough going.
Sorry, but I'll need a little more time...
I said before that something felt strange about it...
And I just realized what it was.
Every day is the same! The same people, the same cars, the same everything at the same time...!
It's a lot scarier than you'd think...
But now's not the time to be scared. We need to concentrate on the investigation.
My level seems kinda low...
I want to get stronger, so take me with you sometime.
I was still in middle school!? Back then I'd only been living here about half a year!
Whoa... So he's been duking it out with Shadows for that long, huh?
Hey, check out Koromaru. Doesn't he look ready to rumble?
I think he got all fired up by Akihiko-san's story, just like me!
His Persona's good with... fire and darkness, right?
I'm sure he'll be a big help before too long, so why don't we take him with us?
Though his potential wasn't that great, and we were doubtful he could reliably summon his Persona.
I told him not to do it, but he basically barged into the dorms and refused to leave.
Looking back, I guess he did it for me... *sigh *
Written in ash and frost across the door was the word "Antenora".
The Shadows were waiting, as always.
RECORD - "First Great Shadow of Antenora"
Click For Video!
Boss Battle: Judgment Sword, Ice Raven, Brave Wheel
After the Harem Dancer this is a refreshingly easy battle. The Judgment Sword uses Lightning and is weak against Wind, the Ice Raven uses Ice and is weak against Fire, and the Brave Wheel uses Fire and is weak against Ice. They all also have the Evade skill that corresponds with their weakness, making attacks of that nature unreliable to say the least. What we need for this is at most a pair of Personas that between them have a Wind, Ice and Fire attack. What I use is a Succubus and Quetzalcoatl. These two naturally have Agidyne and Garudyne respectively and I fused Bufula onto Succubus. Ideally, we start with Succubus and knock down the Raven and Wheel. Then we switch to Quetzalcoatl and knock down the sword. Since we're rocking out with –dyne level attacks now, we can take the Sword and Raven to about half if we can manage an All-Out Attack against them. A little bit of luck and some good choices in Shuffle Time can really help make this fight a lot more reasonable. The rare chests around and about this time and the Swords cards in Antenora can both yield accessories called 'Eye of X'. These give a character the same effect as 'Evade X'. If you can manage it give everyone with a weakness the Eye that corresponds with it (personally I could never see an Eye of Fire, which sort of sucked) and then give Aigis one of the three that are used in this fight (I prefer Ice because Bufu skills are a major feature of a lot of The Answer's boss shadows).
As was that shadowy figure.
RECORD- "Second Great Shadow of Antenora"
What does this mean...? It feels just like a human does...
But there couldn't be anyone here...
But that figure over there... it doesn't seem to have any intention of attacking us.
Anyway, for now, concentrate on the Shadows ahead!
...Here they come!
Boss Battle: Primitive Idol, Shouting Tiara, Wrathful Book
Okay, this is actually a pretty interesting fight. The Primitive Idol will spam Bufudyne and Mabufudyne the whole fight and is largely immune to magical attack. The Shouting Tiara is weak against Ice and mainly uses support spells. The Wrathful Book is weak against Fire and focuses on status effects. The Tiara likes to buff the enemy party and will also use Ice Break on anyone who is immune to Ice. The Wrathful Book likes causing the Rage status, which makes a character always use their turn to do two physical attacks but also makes them take huge damage when they're hit. How I approach this with my preferred party is to just let Metis and Mitsuru go on their own and put Yukari on Heal/Support as usual. If we scan the Tiara right away, Metis and Mitsuru will focus on it and drop two Bufulas into it each turn (it doesn't Evade Ice that I saw). It's not got a lot of health so it won't stand up to focused fire like that. Then it's time to focus on the Idol while keeping the Book knocked down with Aigis. If you get some luck Mitsuru can really break this fight, as you see in the video. The Wrathful Book ends up enraging her and Metis, but since the only real damage in this is Ice based Mitsuru being enraged is possibly the best outcome. Even without the rage physical attacks quickly batter the Idol down, and the fight is basically over. I use the Persona Titania for this, I fused one with an Agi skill and a lot of support spells. Since it only resists Ice, the Tiara won't Ice Break Aigis. Being able to throw Rakunda on enemies makes them die much faster and reduces the impact of luck quite a bit.
Once again we failed to catch up to the figure. Somehow by the time we reach the dead ends it's vanished.
RECORD - "The Fourth Door"
That black shadow was just here...
I'm sorry, but I've lost the black shadow again...
We'll head over there now. Why don't you see if you can find anything else?
What do these doors mean?
Stupid old man...
How low do you have to be to get drunk on cooking wine...?
But I guess it's just as pathetic to rush out like this every day...
*sigh * Maaan... What am I gonna do...? I got nowhere to go...
Yo... 'sup, pooch? Here to join my "Nowhere-To-Go" after-school club?
Arf arf!
Heheh... Sorry, pooch, I don't have any food for ya.
Y'know... Haven't I seen you around here before...?
Huh...? Oh, hey guys.
Former Classmate: Why the long face? Are you that sad that we're in different homerooms now?
Still dumb as rocks, huh?
Wait, isn't it way past your dorm curfew? What're you guys doing out so late?
Former Classmate: Oh, we snuck out. When you get to be a junior, you learn the secret exit.
Hey, we're going to Escapade, wanna come with? We're helping this guy drown his sorrows over a girl.
Classmate's Friend: That's not true!
Former Classmate: Heheh, don't let it get to you. That's what you get for going after someone like Yukari Takeba.
Although I never expected her to hook up with the new transfer student...
I guess she goes for that kinda dark side of his.
Dark? He seemed like a regular dude to me...
Former Classmate: Someone got a peek at his file when Toriumi left it lying around.
Man, you're so gullible... That stuff only happens in soap operas.
Former Classmate: Hey, I said it was a rumor.
C'mon, let's get going! You snooze, no booze!
Booze...? Oh, uh... I think I'm gonna pass.
Former | |
21, 24, 28 and 36 leaves a remainder of 2.
(a) 254
(b) 250
(c) 502
(d) 506.
5. The average score of a batsman for a number of innings was 42.5 runs. In the next 4 innings he scored 20, 75, 15, 0 runs and his average for all the innings fell by 5. How many innings in all did he play?
(a) 10
(b) 8
(c) 15
(d) 12.
6. The greatest number of 4 digits which is a perfect square is:
(a) 9990
(b) 9996
(c) 9836
(d) 9801.
7. Find the smallest number which when divided by 4,5, 6 and 8 leaves a remainder 3, but when divided by 9 leaves no remainder.
(a) 363
(b) 723
(c) 243
(d) 1089.
8. Find the least number of 4 digits which when divided by 8, 12, 16, 36 leaves remainders 6, 10, 14 and 32 respectively.
(a) 1008
(b) 1010
(c) 1152
(d) 1006.
9. The sum of all the prime numbers between 30 and 50 is?
(a) 156
(b) 199
(c) 166
(d) 162.
10. Which number K should replace both the question marks in K/49 = 784/K
(a) 7
(b) 196
(c) 14
(d) 28.
11. The average age of 32 students is 10 years. If the teacher's age is also included, the average age increases by one year. What is teacher's age in years?
(a) 33
(b) 21
(c) 43
(d) 53.
12. The value of (101)3
(a) 303
(b) 1000003
(c) 1033001
(d) 1030301.
13. The smallest number which is a perfect square and contains 7936 as a factor is
(a) 12008
(b) 246016
(c) 61504
(d) 240616.
14. In a box, there were a dozen cakes of soap in each horizontal and vertical row. If there were 12 such layers in the box, find the total number of soap cakes in the box?
(a) 462
(b) 144
(c) 36
(d) None of these.
15. ¼ of marks obtained by Mr Boy in English & one third of marks in Hindi are equal. Total number of marks secured in both the subjects are 140. Marks obtained in English are?
(a) 60
(b) 80
(c) 75
(d) None of these.
16. L.C.M. of two numbers (a, b) is equal to twice the first number. Value of 'b'is?
(a) > a
(b) < a
(c) = a or < a
(d) < 0
17. My friend Mr Yash Pal Malhotra and me meet every Sunday. The first time we met at 12.30, the next time at 1.20, then at 2.30, then at 4.00: when did we meet after that?
(a) 5.20
(b) 6.20
(c) 6.00
(d) 5.50.
18. The square of a number consists of 8 digits. How many digits would there be in the number itself?
(a) 2
(b) 5
(c) 3
(d) 4.
19. What should come in place of (*) in the expression 38 *4 + 98 = 3942?
(a) 4
(b) 8
(c) 3
(d) 5.
20. A woman who was found shopping was asked, "How many number of pieces of fruits did you buy?" Her reply was, "they are all oranges but eight, all bananas but eight and all apples but eight !" How many fruits did she altogether buy?.
(a) Eight
(b) Twelve
(c) Sixteen
(d) Twenty four.
21. The difference between the squares of any two consecutive numbers (a,b) is equal to:
(a) ab
(b) ½ ab
(c) a + b
(d) (a + b)(a - b)
22. Bucket P has thrice the capacity as bucket Q has. It takes 60 turns for Bucket P to fill an empty drum. How many turns will it take for both the buckets P and Q, having each turn together, to fill the empty drum?
(a) 90
(b) 30
(c) 20
(d) 5.
23. One litre of crude oil yields about 20 ml of good quality fuel. 950 litres of crude oil shall yield how many litres of fuel?
(a) 1.9
(b) 19
(c) 190
(d) 19,000
24. The sum of two numbers is 24. If their product is maximum, then the numbers are?
(a) 8, 16
(b) 9,15
(c) 10, 14
(d) 12, 12.
25. If a fraction has its numerator increased by 1, it becomes equal 1/3, but if its denominator is increased by 1, it becomes equal to 1/4., what is the fraction?
(a) 1/2
(b) 1/3
(c) 2/9
(d) 4/15.
ANSWER KEY - TWENTY MINUTE TESTS - 5
1 (c) | 2 (d) | 3 (a) | 4 (d) | 5 (d)
---|---|---|---|---
6 (d) | 7 (c) | 8 (d) | 9 (b) | 10 (b)
11 (c) | 12 (d) | 13 (b) | 14 (d) | 15 (b)
16 (c) | 17 (d) | 18 (d) | 19 (a) | 20 (b)
21 (c) | 22 (d) | 23 (b) | 24 (d) | 25 (d)
# DATA SUFFICIENCY | 34
---|---
This section is designed to test your reasoning and logical ability. Like the Problem Solving section, it requires a basic knowledge of the principles of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry and other topics. Each Data Sufficiency question consists of a mathematical problem and two statements containing information relating to it. You must decide whether the problem can be solved by using information from:
(A) the first statement alone, but not the second statement alone;
(B) the second statement alone, but not the first statement alone;
(C) both statements together, but neither alone; or
(D) either of the statements alone.
(E) if the problem cannot be solved, even by using both statements together.
Approaching Data Sufficiency problems properly will help you use this time wisely.
CARE: LEGENDS / options may vary from examination to examination. You are advised to go through the instructions carefully to select the right options.
Always keep in mind the fact that you are never asked to supply an answer for the problem; you need only determine if there is sufficient data available to find the answer. Therefore, don't waste time figuring out the exact answer. Once you know whether or not it is possible to find the answer with the given information you are through. If you spend too much time doing unnecessary work on one question you may not be able to finish the entire section.
STRATEGY FOR DATA SUFFICIENCY QUESTIONS
A systematic analysis can improve your score on Data Sufficiency sections. By answering three questions, you will always arrive at the correct place. In addition, if you can answer any one of the three questions, you can eliminate at least one of the possible choices so that you can make an intelligent guess.
The three questions are:
(i) Is the first statement alone sufficient to solve the problem?
(ii) Is the second statement alone sufficient to solve the problem?
(iii) Are both statements together sufficient to solve the problem?
As a general rule try to answer the questions in the order I, II, III, since in many cases you will not have to answer all three to get the correct choice.
Here is how to use the three questions:
(i) If the answer to I is YES, then the only possible choices are (A) OR (D). Now, if the answer to II is YES, the choice must be (D), and if the answer to II is NO, the choice must be (A)
(ii) If the answer to I is NO then the only possible choices are (B), (C), or (E). Now, if the answer to II is YES, then the choice must be (B), and if the answer to II is NO, the only possible choices are (C) or (E)
(iii) So, finally, if the answer to III is YES, the choice is ©, and if the answer to III is NO, the choice is (E)
A better way to see this is to use a decision tree.
Choice is (C) Choice is (E)
To use the tree simply start at the top and by answering YES or NO move down the tree until you arrive at the correct choice. For example, if the answer to I is YES and the answer to II is NO, then the correct choice is (A). (Notice that in this case you don't need to answer III to find the correct choice.)
The decision tree can also help you make intelligent guesses. If you can only answer one of the three questions, | |
a postcode of 70721. (b) except Landasan Ulin Barat kelurahan, with a postcode of 70722, and Landasan Ulin Tengah kelurahan, with a postcode of 70723. (c) except Guntung Palkat kelurahan, with a postcode of 70713.
Banjarbaru city hall, across Dr. Murdjani field
As with all of Indonesian cities, the local government is a second-level administrative division run by a mayor and vice mayor together with the city parliament, and it is equivalent to regency.[38] Executive power lies in the mayor and vice mayor, while legislation duties are carried by local parliament. Mayor, vice mayor, and parliament members are democratically elected by people of the city in an election.[39] Meanwhile, head of districts are appointed directly by city mayor with recommendation by the city secretary.[40][41]
Banjarbaru People's Representative Council
Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Banjarbaru
Building of Banjarbaru city parliament (Banjarbaru People's Representative Council)
PKB (3)
Gerindra (6)
PDIP (3)
Golkar (5)
NasDem (4)
PPP (4)
PKS (2)
Demokrat (1)
The city is part of the 7th electoral district for provincial parliament, together with Tanah Laut Regency, which combined have 8 out of 55 representatives.[42] At the city level, the parliament of the city has 30 representatives from four electoral districts.[42] They are 1st electoral district (consist of South Banjarbaru and North Banjarbaru) with 12 representatives, 2nd electoral district (consist of Cempaka) with 4 representatives, 3rd electoral district (consist of Liang Anggang) with 5 representatives, and 4th electoral district (consist of Landasan Ulin) with 9 representatives.[42] As of 2021,[update] the last election for parliament was on 17 April 2019 and the next one will be in the year 2024.[43]
Electoral District
Banjarbaru 1st South Banjarbaru, North Banjarbaru 12
Banjarbaru 2nd Cempaka 4
Banjarbaru 3rd Liang Anggang 5
Banjarbaru 4th Landasan Ulin 9
Kampung Pelangi, Banjarbaru
Inside of QMall Banjarbaru, the only mall in the city as of 2019.
There is only one mall in the city, QMall, which is located in the North Banjarbaru district, occupying 40 hectares of land.[44] It is integrated with one hotel, Grand Dafam Q Hotel, which is connected to the mall itself.[45][46] Several entertainment & amusement parks exist in the city, such as Amanah Borneo Park, Banua Labyrinth Park, Aquatica Waterpark, and QMall Waterboom.[47][48][49] The city also has a public swimming pool owned by the city government named Idaman Public Swimming Pool.[50][51] Mentaos Pine Forest, a 1,000 square kilometer city forest located in the North Banjarbaru district, is also a popular tourist destination.[52][53]
"Kampung Pelangi" (lit: rainbow village) has become a major tourist spot in the city. It is located on the edge of the Kemuning river, South Banjarbaru district. Previously a slum, it has been upgraded to showcase a waterfront, a better housing complex with parks, a pedestrian area, and WiFi corners.[54][55][56]
There is only one museum in the city, Lambung Mangkurat Museum, and it has several historical collections from the Banjar Sultanate era to the National Revolution.[57][58]
There are seven hospitals in the city, 10 puskesmas, 37 clinics, 128 healthcare centers, and 18 maternity cottages.[27] The biggest public hospital, Idaman Regional Hospital, is owned by the city government.[59] Other than that, the biggest private hospital in the city is the Syifa Medika Hospital, located in the Landasan Ulin district.[60][61] There are also three laboratoriums for various purposes in the city as of 2021, one of them being a disease control laboratorium.[62][63]
Idaman Regional Hospital
In Banjarbaru, there are 164 kindergartens, 83 elementary schools, 37 junior high schools, 23 senior high schools, and 16 vocational high schools (SMK) both public and private.[27] In addition, there are 14 higher education institutions; the most notable being Lambung Mangkurat University.[27] Lambung Mangkurat University is also the only public university in the city, while the rest of higher education institutions are private.[64][65][66]
A campus complex in Banjarbaru
Dr. Murdjani Field – named after a former governor of the province – is located at the center of the city across from the city hall and city park complex.[67] Previously the main wet market in the city was located close to city parks, but it was relocated in early 2021.[68] Several convenience store chains such as Alfamart and Indomaret had already established a presence in the city.[69][70] Previously, the city featured the Haji Idak Stadium, but it was demolished and the site is now used for the new wet market building.[68][71] As the replacement, a bigger new sport complex named "New Stadium of Banjarbaru" is planned to be built in the Landasan Ulin district.[72][73] Komet Windpump, originally built in 1972[74] and restored in 2021,[75] was the naming inspiration for the surrounding Komet subdistrict.[76]
There are around 20 churches in the city, a Balinese temple in the Landasan Ulin district, and more than 50 mosques.[77][78][79] The biggest mosque in the city is Al Munawarah Grand Mosque in South Banjarbaru. It was inaugurated by then-mayor of the city, Rudy Resnawan, on 1 July 2010.[80]
A fleet of BRT Banjarbakula bus, which serves Banjarbaru city
The city is served by a bus rapid transit system, BRT Banjarbakula, which also serves neighboring regencies and cities.[81] There are also angkots in the city, online motorcycle taxi services provided by Gojek and Grab, and conventional taxis. On 2021, another bus service, Trans Banjarbakula, also launched serving the city.[82]
Syamsudin Noor International Airport is located in the Landasan Ulin district.[83] Banjarbaru has more than 645 km (401 mi) of roads, of which 539 km (335 mi) are paved with asphalt.[27] The city is connected to Trans-Kalimantan Highway Southern Route, which connects it to other cities such as Banjarmasin and to the neighboring provinces, East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. A toll road connecting the city to Batulicin is under construction as of November 2020[update].[84]
As of 2021,[update] there is a plan for an airport rail link which is expected to start construction in December 2021, which would also be connected to Banjarmasin.[85][86][87] At the same time, the government is making plans for a new development area dubbed "Aero City", aimed to spur further development in the region.[88][89]
According to the Indonesia Press Council, there are four media companies registered in Banjarbaru, consisting of two cyber media, one printed, and one television. They are KanalKalimantan, Teras7, Radar Banjarmasin, and Amaco Media.[90] However, due to lack of registration & verification, the numbers could be higher according to the Indonesian Cyber Media Union.[91] There are two known radio stations, Nirwana FM Banjarbaru and Abdi Persada FM. Nirwana FM Banjarbaru is licensed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.[92][93][94]
The city government, according to Regional Regulation Number 2 Year 2010, established "Local Public Broadcaster" on television and radio, and it is supervised by local government civil servants. This, according to the law, acted as a means for the city government to communicate with city public and has non-commercial nature.[95]
List of regencies and cities of Indonesia
^ "Pembangunan Manusia | Kota Banjar Baru". ipm.bps.go.id. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
^ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
^ a b "PU-net". perkotaan.bpiw.pu.go.id. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
^ a b c "Sejarah – Humas Kota Banjarbaru". Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
^ "KARAKTERISTIK KAWASAN PERMUKIMAN PENAMBANG INTAN CEMPAKA" (pdf). Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
^ "EKSPLOITASI SOMBER DAYA ALAM VERSUS PERLINDUNGAN SUMBER DAYA BUDAYA Dl PEGUNUNGAN MERATUS" (pdf). Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
^ a b Khairally, Elmy Tasya. "Sudah Pernah ke Banjarbaru? Ini 5 Objek Wisata Menariknya". detikTravel (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
^ a b c d e "ANALISIS SOSIOLOGI EKONOMI PADA TAMBANG RAKYAT" (pdf). Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
^ Aufa, Naimatul; Anhar, Pakhri (18 January 2016). "Studi Tata Ruang Kota Rancangan Van Der Pijl Kasus: Kota Banjarbaru, Kalimantan Selatan". Tataloka. 14 (2): 142–155. ISSN 2356-0266. Archived from | |
spray tan. . .oh, I mean Christmas.
I don't think the sepia tone nor the tank top that C. Ag is sporting here are particularly winter-appropriate.
Based upon the cover alone, I must listen to this album at some point. God, this is a brilliant album cover. It's so deliriously terrible.
This looks like one of those bizarre ads that the Bradford Exchange puts on the back of Parade Magazine every Sunday.
It's the first Christmas tree ever constructed solely from bat dung!
God, Billy Idol looks more like a skeevy lounge singer than ever before. I wonder if someone can talk him into doing a Christmas album with Scott Weiland. [Edit: I got my wish, sort of! See below.]
Somehow, I am reminded of the White Witch from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
I am pretty sure that there is a Gender Studies dissertation just WAITING to be written about this cover.
No 11-year old with whom I have ever come into contact has had posture this good. Maybe Jackie Evancho is just that bad-ass, though.
If Mariah Carey's album covers were as interesting and polished as her voice is, her second (!) holiday album would not be on this list. C'est la vie.
Call me a Tori Amos fandom Luddite, but I vastly prefer the album covers of hers that prominently feature things like mud, firearms, and dead chickens rather than someone getting over-enthusiastic about CG. Check some of the inner booklet art, too:
Tori's outfit looks like something that you would see in an early-1980s David Cronenberg film, and I think this is a major improvement over the cover of Midwinter Graces for that exact reason.
WEILAND, WHAT HAPPENED HERE. YOU LOOK LIKE YOU JUST STEPPED OUT OF A BANANA REPUBLIC HOLIDAY AD. HONESTLY.
Part two will be posted soon. Until then, feel free to post your favorite (or least favorite) holiday album covers in the comments.
Tagged Music, photos, pop culture, wtf
etc, media and popular culture, Music, wat
Music Monday: Cover songs!
I find cover songs, on the whole, super-interesting; many of them are slices of various musicians and bands at their worst or most outright bizarre (see Nickelback's cover of "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" by Elton John) or their best (see below). Love 'em or hate 'em, covers seem to be a perennially-discussed topic amongst fans of music and popular culture. There is even a website devoted to covers.
This post collects just a few of my favorites, because a post of all of my favorite covers would be entirely too long. Lyrics for each song are linked via the song title.
Garbage did an absolutely stunning version of "Candy Says," originally by the Velvet Underground, a while back:
Next up is Tori Amos, about whom I should probably just write a whole blog entry because she is so prolific with cover songs (TAKE NOTE, me). Anyway, she covered a bunch of songs written by men about women for her 2001 album Strange Little Girls, but two of the arguably best tracks from those recording sessions did not actually make it onto the album.
"After All" (David Bowie):
"Only Women Bleed" (Alice Cooper):
This doesn't mean that Strange Little Girls was a bad album, however. Check out her piano and voice cover of Joe Jackson's "Real Men" — a searing indictment of traditional masculinity that is still pretty damn relevant in the present moment, even though it was recorded in the early 1980s:
Covers have also been a unique part of Tori's live shows. I would be remiss not to include her absolutely gorgeous organ-and-voice version of Prince's "Purple Rain," recorded in 1996:
Then there's her version of Radiohead's "Karma Police," performed on tour in 2005:
Speaking of Radiohead covers, roots/Americana musician Gillian Welch has been known to cover "Black Star" in concert; in many ways, her version surpasses the original:
Again surpassing the original (which may equal blasphemy to some Dylan fans, I know): Nina Simone sings Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'":
I am including Antony and the Johnsons' b-sided take on Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" because it is so radically different from the original song (check those string arrangements), but still awesome:
Patti Smith's album Twelve is a collection of covers; if you've ever wanted to hear Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" interpreted as a folk tune WITH BANJO, this is an album worth picking up:
And lastly, recently-departed R.E.M. once recorded an amazing cover of the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale." Michael Stipe's quiet falsetto is, in many ways, an intense counterpoint to original VU vocalist Nico's monotone:
Feel free, as always, to link your favorites in the comments.
Tagged Antony and the Johnsons, awesome, beyonce, bob dylan, cover songs, culture, david bowie, Garbage, gillian welch, joe jackson, media, Music, music appreciation post, nina simone, nirvana, patti smith, pop culture, prince, r.e.m., radiohead, tori amos, velvet underground, video
ableism, bad ideas, disability, etc, media and popular culture, privilege
Blast From the Past: The Secret (and how much I loathe it)
[Introductory note: This was originally published on my old blog on March 10, 2007; because I am nothing if not a complete and total buzzkill, I think it's worth re-archiving here, particularly since "new age" thought has a pretty strong foothold in Western–and particularly North American–culture. This sort of magical thinking still has a strong grip in many folks' consciousness, even given the recent economic downturn; maybe I'm just naive, but I find the fact that some people can still be all ~*POSITIVE THINKING*~ and/or YOU GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT OUT even amidst widespread economic chaos and a brutal job market extremely surprising, and pretty sad.
Then again, realistic thinking has never been America's strong suit, particularly amongst the privileged classes. The following post has been slightly edited for clarity. I have since written quite a bit on "positive thinking" as a means of social control, mostly at FWD: The Negative Side of Positive Thinking; Book Review: Bright-Sided; Just. For more information about precisely how harmful "positive thinking" can be when taken to the extreme, I highly recommend this blog post by Dr. David Gorski at Science-Based Medicine, which covers the Kim Tinkham case in detail (content warning for discussion of cancer).]
I just watched the latest and supposedly "greatest" in the self-help/marketing peoples' insecurities back to them market, The Secret.
I sort of want that 90 minutes back. Now, before people start jumping on me and calling me negative, skeptical, bitchy, et cetera, let me assure you: I am, indeed, all three of those things. I tried to watch The Secret with an open mind. I really, truly did. But, I have to say, besides some of the stuff about visualization*–which I have thought of as a powerful tool for a while, and, at times, it has absolutely worked for me–I simply was unable to get on The Secret bandwagon.
I don't know what it was that made me so hostile to the entire thing. Was it the overproduced "dramatic" re-enactments, some of which look very familiar to even a casual viewer of the History Channel? Was it "Dr." Joe Vitale, Metaphysician,** who contends that ALL of the bad circumstances in your life come to you because of, well, you and your horrible, horrible negative thoughts? Was it Lisa Nichols, who was one of four women interviewed (out of 16-17 people) and one of two people of color interviewed? (She seemed to be the most sincere out of all of the "Teachers" interviewed, which endeared her to me quite a bit.) Was it the many shots of people from Other Lands, smiling and laughing, and getting fawned over by the "Teachers" due to their "natural" ability to Make Do With What They Have? Was it the completely oxymoronic focus on using The Secret to gain material things, money and houses (focused on after the | |
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Clifford Brown: You Get Used to It
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i couldn't find the words to tell max how it was. we all live. we all die. the force that people
on earth call god, gives us all breath but also, sooner or later, takes that breath away. in time,
god gets round to killing each of us. whatever we do in between, we do or don't do.
Books by Kalamu ya Salaam
The Magic of JuJu: An Appreciation of the Black Arts Movement / 360: A Revolution of Black Poets
Everywhere Is Someplace Else: A Literary Anthology / From A Bend in the River: 100 New Orleans Poets
Our Music Is No Accident / What Is Life: Reclaiming the Black Blues Self
My Story My Song (CD)
Short Story by Kalamu ya Salaam
they used to call me brownie—clifford brown. i don't have a name now, at least none that you all can translate. i guess you can call me the spirit of brownie, except that's so limiting and in the spirit world there are no limits. can you understand being everywhere all the time at the same time? never mind. this is about to get too out for you to dig.
when the accident happened, i had nodded off. i mean the '56 pennsylvania crackup, not the one in '50 that had me hung up in the hospital for a year. dizzy came and visited me, encouraged me to resume my career when i was released. not that one. instead i mean the big one where i woke up dead.
max and newk, they were in the other car, which had gone on ahead. so when they heard we had died, well, maxwell really took it hard. i guess because he knew richie's wife shouldn't have been driving because richie had only recently taught her how to drive—recently like a matter of weeks.
but when max, who was six years my senior and had seven on richie, tried to intervene, richie sounded on him. you know how we young cats asserting our manhood can run guilt trips, "max. max. why you always treating me like bud's baby brother? i play as much box as earl does, more, 'cause bud is so inconsistent, and me, i'm always there."
which was true. he was on time, all the time. "plus i arrange and compose." and he would touch his thick glasses in a disarming gesture that belied the stern words he was declaiming. "i'm a grown man, max. a grown, married man. i got a wife, a woman, a life, a man. why are you second guessing me on who can drive and who can't drive? why you treat me like a boy?"
it was such a drag, such a drag seeing youngsters straining to act so old. but you know, like richie was carrying a gorilla on his back. what with richie tickling the ivories and being the younger brother of earl bud powell, the reigning rachmaninoff of jazz piano. i bet you if my older brother played trumpet and was named dizzy, i would play bass or drums. but then again, being who i was, what choice did i have but to play what i played or else not play at all? no one chooses to be born who they are.
but anyway, max, max starts drinking to get drunk. and drinking and drinking. not even tasting the liquor, just pouring it in trying to kill the pain. richie's gone. his wife was gone. i was gone. max is whipping himself like a cymbal on an uptempo "cherokee"—ta-tah, ta-tah, ta-tah-tah, tat tah! and newk, newk just disappeared, was up in his room, standing in the middle of the floor, going deep inside himself trying not to feel nothing.
max was in his room drinking and crying, crying and drinking. and newk, in a room above max, was silent as a mountain. i had to do something, so i played duets with newk all that night. all night. we played and we played. and we played. all night. i was willing to play as long as newk was willing and newk stayed willing all night. it was like he was a spirit too, but that comes from being a musician. when you're really into the music you get used to going into the spirit world all the time and bringing the peoples with you. that's the real joy of playing, leaving this plane and entering the spirit world.
as much as me and newk played that night, that's how much max drank and cried. finally, i couldn't take it no more and i had to appear to max. i stepped in the seam between worlds. i was like translucent. that was as close as i could come to having a body but i was solid enough for max to peep me, and i spoke… well not really spoke, kind of sounded inside max's head while i was shimmering in the shadows of that gloomy hotel room.
"max, it wasn't your fault, man. you can't live other people's lives. you've got to sound your own life."
i couldn't find the words to tell max how it was. we all live. we all die. the force that people on earth call god, gives us all breath but also, sooner or later, takes that breath away. in time, god gets round to killing each of us. whatever we do in between, we do or don't do.
and max starts bawling even louder, talking about how i was too good for this world, how my example helped all of them clean up their particular indisciples. he was moaning, you know, crying and talking all out his head all at the same time. crying pain like a man cries when he's really broke down.
if i had still been alive i would have hugged him but i was dead and that's why he was crying. so finally, all i could do was tell him the truth. "hey, max, it's alright, max. it's alright. get yourself together and keep playing. i'm cool where i'm at. it's alright!
the next morning, when they left, max and newk got in the car and didn't say a word. for the rest of their lives they never talked to each other about that scene. we all have different ways of dealing with death, even those of us who are dead.
and there it is. life is always about decisions and consequences made within a given set of circumstances. you can't change the past. you can't foresee the future. all you have is the clay of today to shape your existence. no matter what particular condition you are in, you can only do what you can do. you can only go with the flow of where you are at, and work hard to blow the prettiest song you can conceive. that's all any of us can do in however many choruses we get the chance to take while we're alive.
besides, believe me, death ain't no big thing. you get used to it, after a while.
01_I_Remember_Clifford.mp3 (10248 KB)
(Kalamu reading "Clifford Brown: You Get Used to It")
Clifford Brown on Breath of Life
By Kalamu ya Salaam
In 1950 he was in a car accident that left him hospitalized for approximately a year. Somehow, he not only recovered but also found the fortitude to re-ignite a musical career that had barely gotten started, an undertaking that meant he would spend many hours on the road, literally driving from city to city.Clifford Brown was born October 30, 1930 in Wilmington, Delaware. On June 26, 1956 Brownie died in a car crash on the Pennsylvania | |
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Helen Jones Woods, who died of COVID-19, was a member of a pioneering all-female instrumental group that played the Apollo and toured occupied Germany.Photograph from International Sweethearts of Rhythm Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
The Improbable Life of Helen Jones Woods and the International Sweethearts of Rhythm
By Megan Mayhew Bergman
When ninety-six-year-old Helen Jones Woods entered the hospital on July 25th, for complications arising from COVID-19, the nurse on duty was astounded to learn that she was not on any medications. "My mother had some rigid rules about how you were supposed to live your life," Woods's daughter, Cathy Hughes, told me recently. Woods herself had been a nurse for decades, at Omaha's Douglas County Hospital, but she "did not believe in pharmaceuticals," Hughes said. "She only kept toothpaste, mouthwash, and a bottle of aspirin in her medicine cabinet. She said the aspirin was for visitors."
After retiring from nursing, Woods became a teacher's aide—she felt called to handle the problem children, Hughes said, and appointed herself "the director of hugs and kisses." But it was an earlier job that she is best known for. In the nineteen-thirties and forties, Woods travelled the world as one of the founding members of a record-breaking, racially integrated, all-female swing band, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Like the history of that band, Woods's own origin story is complex. It begins in 1923, at an orphanage for white children, in Meridian, Mississippi, where Laurence C. Jones, a renowned Black educator, adopted her as a baby. He brought her to the Piney Woods Country Life School, south of Jackson, which he was in the process of establishing as a boarding school for African-American children. Years later, Jones would be mythologized by Dale Carnegie in his book "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living," which told of how Jones escaped a lynching, in 1918, and convinced the white mob to donate to the school that he was building. But, to hear some of Jones's family tell it, Woods was not only his adopted daughter. "I believe my mother was actually Dr. Jones's illegitimate daughter, by a white woman in Mississippi," Hughes told me. "Her hands were identical to his. She was shaped like him. I lived with him for three years of my life. Their laugh was the same."
A decade before, Jones had married Grace Morris Allen, the founder of a school in Iowa. Allen was six years older than Jones, and she died at the age of fifty-two, when Woods was four; the reported cause of death was pneumonia and exhaustion, after years of relentless fund-raising trips for Piney Woods. "Some said Grandmother died of a broken heart when she realized my grandfather hadn't just brought any child home," Hughes said.
Eventually, Helen began to take classes alongside the other students at Piney Woods, many of whom were orphans and disabled children from rural Mississippi. Occasionally, expensive clothes and gifts arrived in the mail for her, raising eyebrows—presumably, these had been sent by Woods's biological mother. They made her an object of scorn. Once, her classmates picked on her for having a watch, and she threw it into a lake.
Then music changed her social standing. Her father, with the help of a series of music directors, put the children together in groups that toured the country, raising money for Piney Woods. First, there were the Cotton Blossom Singers, and later the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi. Then came the Sweethearts of Rhythm, an all-girls instrumental group. Woods learned the trombone. When she was fourteen, the band hit the road, with members of Hawaiian, Chinese, African, Indian, and Mexican descent, some recruited from outside the school. They were advertised by Jones as a band "in whose veins ran the blood of five different races," and "a package of music wrapped in the cellophane of loveliness." They would sometimes cram twelve engagements into sixteen days, packing places like Atlantic City's Rosedale Beach Club and Los Angeles's Plantation Club.
After a few years of touring, the school-appointed chaperone, Rae Lee Jones—no relation—convinced the girls that they could do better on their own. In 1941, they went on the run, holing up with a sponsor in Arlington, Virginia. Laurence Jones sent the police after them, and demanded that his daughter and the other girls return. Woods chose the band. Soon after, the Sweethearts set a box-office record: thirty-five thousand people came to see them in one week, at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C.
Roz Cron, a white musician in the Sweethearts and the group's last living member, was one of Helen Jones Woods's best friends.Photograph by Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post / Getty
The band, now the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, added older musicians, including the trumpeter Tiny Davis and the saxophonist Vi Burnside, formerly of the Harlem Playgirls. Refused meals and lodging by segregated establishments, the women lived together on their bus and regularly broke Jim Crow laws in the states that they passed through, sometimes covering white members in dark makeup to avoid arrest. Roz Cron, the last living member of the Sweethearts, was one of those white musicians, and one of Woods's best friends. She remembers passing through Mississippi while on the road with the band, and, between gigs, looking out the windows of the bus at a white woman on the sidewalk. "Supposedly, she was Helen's mother," Cron, who's now ninety-five, said.
The band played the Apollo and rubbed elbows with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Billie Holiday. They toured occupied Germany with the U.S.O. and cut a record with RCA, which included songs like "Vi Vigor" and "Don't Get It Twisted," arranged for them by Maurice King, who would later work with the Supremes and Marvin Gaye. In Seattle, a young Quincy Jones and Ray Charles once snuck into a club to watch the Sweethearts play, and Jones later told Hughes that the music "touched his soul."
Woods became pregnant with Cathy, in 1946, and she took refuge in a house that Rae Lee Jones had bought—with money that Woods had entrusted to her for safekeeping. In the end, everyone took advantage of the band. "First, it was the white community that was after them, then Piney Woods, then Rae Lee," Hughes said.
Woods was also a social activist, Hughes said, going to marches and protests as the civil-rights movement gathered steam. "My mother was taking me to demonstrations when I was about five years old. The sign was heavy, and I was dragging it like Jesus drug the cross. She bopped me upside the head and said, 'Hold up the damn sign, Cathy—no one can read it.' "
The International Sweethearts broke up in 1949. Musical tastes had begun to change, and television had become a major tastemaker—TV execs preferred white faces. Woods's final gig, with the Omaha Symphony, was cut short after one performance, when the symphony realized that she was Black. "Music had hurt her so badly, so deeply," Hughes said, "that once she found something that she was good at—nursing—she left music behind."
Laurence Jones waged a war against the Sweethearts in the press after they parted ways from the school, telling the Pittsburgh Courier that "the band girls had no reason to leave," and enumerating their many debts to him: music lessons, for starters, plus food and lodging and books. But, eventually, Woods forgave him. When Hughes was eight, a plane ticket appeared in the mail, and, at Laurence Jones's urging, Woods took her family back to Mississippi, moving into a house on the Piney Woods campus for several years.
"Mom considered herself adopted," Hughes said. "Every Sunday after mass, | |
End of competitive corporate tax era will create level playing field
Countries collect substantial part of their earnings from corporate tax. Reduced earnings mean the government gets to spend less on education, health, drinking water, women development etc
Ashwani Mahajan
9:08 PM, 28 August, 2021
The most important thing is that neither consumers nor the government benefits from reducing taxes on corporates; this only increases the post-tax profits of the companies and increases the wealth of the already wealthy company owners. Pic: Pixabay
In June 2021, G7 finance ministers, agreed in principle, as a part of global tax reforms, to move towards minimum uniform rate of corporate income tax; and make it mandatory for multinational corporations to pay taxes in countries where they operate and not just where they have their headquarters. After G7's proposal, the G20 has already taken up this issue and the preparations have already started towards the new global tax regime. It's notable that this proposal was first mooted by the USA. It is expected that if these proposals get through and take form of agreement, it would give a big boost to tax revenue across nations, including India.
Competitive corporate tax rates
A few years ago, the then Finance Minister of India, Arun Jaitley, announced in the Union Budget that the tax rate on companies which do not avail of exemptions will be only 25 per cent instead of prevailing rate of 30 per cent. Significantly, to encourage investment, the governments in the past had made provisions for huge tax rebates. So even though the corporate tax was 30 per cent, the effective rate of corporate tax was not more than 22-23 per cent. In such a situation, even after reducing the tax to 25 per cent, there was no loss to exchequer. This step was considered important because in such a situation, India has come out of the list of high tax countries. This step was considered to be a progressive one, as the same would help attract more corporates into the country and encourage inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
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The next Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced in her budget speech that old companies, which do not avail tax exemptions, will have to pay corporate tax of only 22 per cent and new companies will have to pay tax at the rate of 15 per cent only. (Note that these tax rates attract 10 per cent surcharge and 4 per cent health and education cess). Looking at the global perspective, there has been a perception about India that corporate tax rate is very high here, which impact investment. This may be true to some extent, because the tax rate was lower in other countries that compete with India in attracting investments.
Its notable that the rate of corporate tax is 17 per cent in Singapore, 25 per cent in South Korea, 20 per cent in Vietnam, 21 per cent in the US and although it is 25 per cent in China, the Communist regime there charges only 15 per cent tax on hi-tech industries. That is, the reduction in the rate of corporate tax in India was justified because the corporate tax in other countries was much lower when compared with India. By reducing this rate, India became one of the lowest corporate tax countries in the world. In fact, the process of reducing corporate tax rates has been going on globally for some time due to the competition to attract foreign investors.
In fact, countries like America did not lag behind in this race and the then US President Donald Trump reduced the rate of corporate tax to 21 per cent. The general feeling is that countries with lower corporate tax will attract more investors. But this step of the countries actually turned out to be counter-productive, because almost all major countries reduced the rate of corporate tax. It is worth noting that corporate tax constitutes a major part of the total revenue of the government. In such a situation, if there is less than expected increase in investment due to lower corporate tax, then naturally the government revenues will get hit. The governments today have to spend a lot on social services and infrastructure.
The effect of this reduction in corporate tax rate is that the corporates' post-tax profits have increased significantly, albeit at the cost of government's revenue. It is worth noting that in India, the corporate tax constitutes about 25 per cent of the total tax revenue of the Union government. This means that when instead of 25 per cent, corporate tax in the past, now the rate has been reduced to 22 per cent, it will reduce the potential income from corporate tax by at least 12 per cent.
Governments need money to meet their social obligations
Significantly, as of today, only a small part of government expenditure is available for social services including education, health, drinking water, women development, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe development. In the previous budgets it was only 9 to 10 per cent of the total government expenditure. Similarly, the country also needs to spend heavily on infrastructure for faster growth and people's welfare. But in the absence of resources, the government is unable to spend more on infrastructure even if it wants to. If the revenues are impacted, then how can we expect the governments to increase spending on these items?
The most important thing is that neither consumers nor the government benefits from reduction in taxes on corporates; this only increases the post-tax profits of the companies and increases the wealth of the already wealthy company owners. It can be argued that companies will increase investment if they have more money, but the experience of the last 10 years shows that today companies are not ready to increase investment despite having a lot of cash reserves. Not only this, according to a recent report, a large number of rich people are leaving the country and transferring their wealth abroad. This is a matter of major concern.
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Further, we know that economies have been hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions. This has caused big holes in governments' revenues. For instance, India's fiscal deficit had exceeded 10 per cent of GDP in the last fiscal, USA experienced shortfall of 14.9 per cent, United Kingdom fell short by 16.9 per cent, while it was 7.2 percent for the Eurozone. Compulsion to spend more in the post-COVID era, may make the scenario even more gloomy for countries. If the current proposal of reforming the global tax system gets through, it may boost revenues of governments the world over.
Although the then US President Donald Trump reduced corporate tax, the new President Joe Biden realized his predecessor's mistake and announced an increase in the corporate tax from 21 per cent to 28 per cent. But in a world where countries compete to reduce corporate tax for getting more investment, the United States is also worried that investors may desert them. Though Biden says that increasing corporate tax will not cause any harm to the economy, his government started international lobbying efforts to halt the trend of competitive reduction in corporate tax rates, that has been going on for the last few years.
US Revenue Secretary Janet Yellen recently said that she is in talks with a group of G-20 countries to reach an agreement on the minimum corporate tax at the international level. This effort of the US government should be supported by all member countries rising above short-term considerations, because competitive reduction in corporate tax has started hitting the expenditure on social services and infrastructure, which | |
also said that flood mitigation improvements will be given a priority in the Eleven Malaysia Plan (2016–2020) to prevent such disaster from recurring as existing flood mitigation systems were unable to cope with the extent of floods that struck several states.
The state of Malacca sent around MYR500,000, both the state of Penang and Selangor allocated around MYR1.5 million, the state of Sarawak delivered about MYR2 million, while the state of Terengganu while being itself affected by the floods has donated another MYR1 million. As a mark of respect for all flood victims nationwide, most New Year celebration concerts, including those in Pahang, Perak, Sabah, Selangor and Terengganu, were cancelled. The state of Malacca decided to celebrate the New Year in a simple way and cancelled most of its events.
The Malaysian bank Maybank has offered a six-month moratorium on loan instalment payments and waiver of certain charges on a case-by-case basis for customers affected by the floods in the country. The bank also has assisted flood victims through a recent partnership between the Maybank Foundation and Mercy Malaysia. Johor FA has announced a contribution of MYR100,000 to assist the growing number of flood victims on the East Coast. Various non-governmental organisations have contributed their assistance.
International
— The Chinese government donated around US$100,000 (MYR339,160) to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MCRS). Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang said that the Chinese government is "concerned for its Malaysian brothers who are affected by the floods. China wishes to stand by Malaysia and we will not allow Malaysians to face such challenges alone". He added that China promised to provide as much relief assistance to Malaysia as possible. Another MYR10 million (US$3.76 million) been sent to Malaysia in the form of items such as 1,600 makeshift tents, generators, sewage pumps and water purifying equipment.
— Iran's Cultural Office in Kuala Lumpur has expressed sympathy with flood-stricken people in Malaysia's northeastern states. In a statement by Ali Akbar Ziaei, he wished "rapid health recovery for the wounded and divine forgiveness for the dead".
— The Japanese government, via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), has pledged emergency relief aid worth over MYR500,000 in the form of items such as generators, water purifiers and other humanitarian goods. In a statement on their embassy in Malaysia, "the government of Japan expressed sympathy to the people of Malaysia over the massive flooding that forced a huge number of people in the affected areas to be evacuated and ready to offer and provide immediate emergency relief facilities and equipment including generators, water purifiers and other humanitarian goods via Jica. Adding the Japanese government always stands ready to assist Malaysia in such tragic circumstances and earnestly hopes that the Malaysian government and its people will face the adversity with courage". The Japanese government also has offer an additional assistance worth around MYR300,000 along with other items such as tents and blankets.
— The Singaporean government has pledged S$100,000 for flood victims in Malaysia. The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced in a statement that the money will be channelled to flood victims by the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), with an additional S$127,000 to be channelled from the Singapore Disaster Response Emergency Fund. An additional MYR600,000 (S$227,000) was given to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) on 30 December. Water purification units were sent to ensure that affected residents have clean drinking water.
All mosques in Singapore has organising a special fund to aid flood victims in neighbouring Malaysia, while localised non-profits such as the Tzu Chi Singapore also partook in fundraising efforts.
— Taiwanese medical workers and volunteers with 12 vehicles loaded with supplies and rescue equipment entered flood-hit areas in Malaysia and offer relief services to victims. Taiwan economic and cultural centre office has donated MYR5,000 (US$1,429) to help flood victims.
Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation founder Dharma Master Cheng Yan has donated MYR350,000 of vegetarian instant rice to flood victims.
— Thai authorities provide relief aid and assistance to Malaysian people who living along the border of Narathiwat Province. Narathiwat governor Natthapong Sirichana also took staff into affected areas to offer aid supplies to people struggling with severe floods in Malaysia. Other than Narathiwat, authorities in Pattani, Yala and Songhla Provinces along with Thai Army have gathering donations and volunteers to help the Malaysian state of Kelantan as ordered by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
— Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahayan who is the President of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has ordered that emergency aid be delivered to flood victims in Malaysia's north-eastern states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.
— United States Secretary of State John Kerry expressed sympathy to the flood victims in Malaysia and offered US disaster relief assistance for those affected. The United States provide around MYR525,000 to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who help the flood victims, and offer other aid in the form of medical equipment and medicine. An additional of MYR3 million was sent in the form of materials, programmes and technical assistance. The United States government had also agreed to provide a long-term assistance to Malaysia on storm forecasting and flood mitigation.
United States companies and their employees had provided cash and in-kind donations valued at over MYR1.1 million.
International Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) — Around CHF82,964 (approximately US$83,000) been delivered to Malaysia as part of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support 25,000 (5,000 families) for a period of one month. The DREF will fund the distribution of 10,000 blankets for 5,000 families as part of the overall operation.
Islamic Relief — The organisation focused distributing aid on Rantau Panjang town as the area at present has little support from non-governmental organisations.
ShelterBox — Helston based disaster relief charity is on their way to Malaysia to start assessing on what type of shelter is needed and determining the best aid method. On 30 December, the charity arrived and started to distributes aid by stocked 224 ShelterBoxes and 1,032 Midi tents.
Controversies
As Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was away, his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, was in charge for the flood crisis. However, the Prime Minister later ended his vacation amidst criticism from the public when he was seen playing golf with then US President Barack Obama in Hawaii, United States. Najib stressed that the golf game was necessary in establishing diplomatic ties with the United States and the event has been planned much earlier even before the flood started. Some victims have accused the government of being slow to provide assistance.
The Malaysian federal government was urged to declare a state of emergency in view of worsening floods. This measure is recommended in order to mobilise all the machinery of the government to tackle the flood situation. However, prime minister Najib decided that state of emergency is not needed because insurance companies will not be paying compensations to the victims as damages will be included in "force majeure" category. However, the opposition dismissed such explanation by Najib and insurance companies clarifies that as long as flood is covered in a policy, flood victims would be eligible for their claims.
Nik Muhammad Abduh, the son of PAS leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, said that the flood is due to the wrath of Allah. Therefore, the Kelantan state government must enforce "hudud" law, despite widespread opposition against the law. However, the state assembly building where the state government is supposed to table a hudud law has been waterlogged since 25 December. This has caused the state government to postpone the special sitting to a later date. However, the state government was told to help flood victims first instead of focusing on the hudud issue. Muhammad V of | |
seen him give the pills to your mommy?"
"They made the pain go away," explained the boy, nodding emphatically.
Paul didn't know how a social worker would take those words. He realized that he had made a series of mistakes, but the truth was that, when the pain hit, neither he nor Sarah had had the presence of mind to tell the boys to leave the room while she took her medication. Paul could only hope that Ms. Jones would understand that.
"And so when you found them, your dad told you never to touch them again, and then he put them on top of his closet. Is that it?" asked Ms. Jones, trying to recreate the scene in her mind.
"And earlier today, while you were playing, where was your daddy?"
"In his book room. He was working, and I thought he was going to get mad at me when I told him that Alex was asleep," said Kyle shyly.
"Does he get mad a lot?"
"No, but we are not supposed to go in there when he is working," explained the boy.
"So you didn't go looking for him right away, after Alex swallowed the pills?"
"No, I told you. We were playing, but then Alex was asleep and I couldn't get him to play with me any more. I tried to wake him up, but he wouldn't, so I went looking for dad."
"But there is something I still don't understand, Kyle," said Ms. Jones, seemingly confused. "If the pills were on top of your dad's closet, how did you get all the way up there to reach them? Can you tell me?"
"I knew daddy kept them in his closet 'cos I had seen him put them there, so we opened the drawers to climb up," the boy tried to explain. "We just wanted to play."
"You opened the drawers?"
"Yes, like steps, and then Alex went up to get them."
"But your daddy had told you that you were not supposed to play with those pills," Ms. Jones confronted the boy, though Paul couldn't fathom what good that would do. Kyle was only five, it hadn't been the boy's fault. It had been his mistake.
"Yes, but I already told you, we were playing, and we had seen them make mommy's pain go away," insisted Kyle.
"And after Alex got them down, how did you open the bottle?" asked Ms. Jones, aware that the package itself should have been child-resistant.
"I don't know. It was hard. At first Alex couldn't figure out how to do it, but after trying for a while he just did it."
"So Alex opened the bottle, and then he swallowed the pills?"
"Yes, he was very sick, and the pills were going to make everything better."
"You mean he got very sick?" asked Ms. Jones, trying to make some sort of sense out of the child's words.
"No, he was sick in the game we were playing."
Kyle appeared to be perplexed, and more than a little exasperated, by the social worker's seeming inability to tell what he believed to be the obvious difference between reality and a game. In his mind, the game was still nothing more than a game. Well, Paul thought, at least that would explain how he could remain so calm. Still, it was kind of ironic… children were too often accused of confusing fantasy and reality. They were routinely dismissed because it was assumed that they believed that fantasy was fact, but now Kyle appeared to be unaware that the opposite had happened. The boy insisted on keeping fact and fiction apart long after they had merged… long after fantasy had become fact.
Ms. Jones didn't leave after questioning Kyle. She stayed with them, refusing to give Paul the space and the privacy he so desperately needed.
Eventually a grim-faced doctor approached them, and Paul knew what it was that the man was going to say from the moment he saw him.
The words rang hollow. A well practiced speech that had been repeated so many times that it had been rendered almost completely meaningless. He already knew the words, having heard them from the lips of another grim-faced doctor eight months prior. He wanted to cry, to scream, but he couldn't do it… not with Kyle watching him.
Ms. Jones left after that. She had more questions to ask, and more pressing cases to attend to. For her, Alex had already turned into a closed case, one she was eager to cross off her list.
Almost mechanically, Paul signed some papers, donating Alex's organs in a desperate attempt to salvage at least something of his son, even after the doctor had made it clear to him that most of those organs had been compromised by the drugs. In spite of his own grief, Paul was unable to forget that children's organs were a precious commodity.
The following morning came Alex's hastily organized funeral. As no arrangements had been made, Paul found himself with no choice but to debate dollars and cents with the vultures that sought to profit from his pain. It was a cold place, an assembly line of grief where the dead became nothing but contract numbers who had lost not just their lives, but also their names and identities… a place in which the bodies were handled with the same cold indifference as carcasses in a slaughterhouse. He almost lost it when he heard a salesman extol the virtues of the different caskets, as if he were merely shopping for clothes, or maybe a new car.
There was an eerie feeling in Alex's funeral, as a number of his friends were led by their parents past the small casket. For most of them this was their first experience dealing with death, and it had come embodied in a child like themselves. Kyle stood quietly by his father's side. The boy was calm, maybe even detached, as the events unfolded in front of him. Kyle had only asked if Alex had gone away 'like his mommy', and Paul had barely dared to nod at that, unsure of whether or not he would be able to control his emotions long enough to speak.
In addition to that there were also countless nameless faces expressing their condolences with empty words, and Paul suddenly realized that Alex had somehow been transformed into Alexander… a man's name he would never grow into. He became almost painfully aware of the fact that his son had never truly been Alexander before, only Alex. Like so many parents before him, he had branded his son with a man's name before he was even born, only to change it to a child's nickname the first time he'd seen him… and now, in death, his son had morphed into a stranger Paul had never met.
Once the service was over, there was the burial itself. A painfully small grave had been dug open next to Sarah's headstone, in the place Paul had always assumed he would one day occupy.
He felt lost as he tried to imagine what might have been if something, anything, had been different. Paul was horrified when he caught himself wondering what his feelings would have been if Kyle, and not Alex, had been the patient in their deadly game.
If Kyle had been the patient, he would still have been there, saying goodbye to one of his sons, holding Alex's hand, comforting him as he now knew he would never do again. He would have been standing on that same spot, holding Alex's hand in the same way in which he was now holding Kyle's. His own grief might have been different, as both boys had always been, but it certainly wouldn't have been less. He would still have been there, wondering what might have been had Alex been | |
buy materials and pay a large percentage to their galleries, so they are rarely as rich as we tend to think, but when they do break through, they break through on an industrial scale. For writers the financial rewards are comparatively small-time, but a good book dedicated to nothing except the money would be very useful. It might help to explain behaviour that is puzzled over on the metaphysical level when there are concrete explanations that have not been considered. When Nazi Germany cancelled the distribution of Hollywood movies, MGM faced a loss of only a small proportion of its income. Thomas Mann, when he finally realised the necessity of cutting himself off from publication in his homeland, faced the loss of nearly all of his, because although he was internationally famous, his central audience was in Germany. In the Soviet Union, royalties existed only in the form of privileges—an apartment, a dacha, the chance to be published at all—but the privileges were decisive. The threat of their being withdrawn was enough to make almost anyone think twice about speaking against the state. Without this point in mind it is fruitless to go on speculating about why Pasternak, for example, was so slow to dissent in public, and was so equivocating when he did. Lovers of the arts should be slow to despise the cash nexus on the artist's behalf: the niggling difficulties of securing and handling one's personal finances are nothing beside the pressures of state patronage. Going to hell in your own way has everything over being sent there at a bureaucrat's whim.
Was Miles Davis speaking for black America? Yes, of course, although he shrugged off the black man's burden: he wasn't Martin Luther King Jr. But Martin Luther King couldn't have recorded _Kind of Blue_. Davis had his real trouble not with acceptance as such, but with drugs. In the past—the immediate past, let's not forget—black musicians were robbed blind by white businessmen as a matter of course. Davis robbed himself, incidentally showing us the difference between a weakness and a vice. He had a weakness for women, but nobody has ever proved that he played worse for his prodigious sexual appetite. His appetite for drugs was another matter, and it would be a brave defender who claimed that drugs never affected his playing. Charlie Parker was explicit on the subject: "Anyone who says he is playing better either on tea, the needle, or when he is juiced, is a plain, straight liar." Sadder than a falling phrase from "My Old Flame," the line is quoted on page 379 of _Hear Me Talkin' to Ya_. Edited by Nat Hentoff and Nat Shapiro, it is a book as rich in precepts as in anecdotes, and one which should never be allowed to go out of print. Students in all fields of creative endeavour need a copy of it nearby, to instruct them in the unyielding nature of bedrock. Not long ago I heard a man playing the most beautiful tenor sax. I could tell he had absorbed everything Ben Webster and Lester Young had to teach, but his gift for assembling his phrases into a long legato line was all his own. He was terrific. But he was playing at the bottom of the escalators in Tottenham Court Road tube station. No Ferrari for him.
SERGEI DIAGHILEV
Born in Novgorod and buried in Venice, Sergei Diaghilev (1872–1929) became famous to the world as the impresario of the Russian opera-and-ballet export drive that turned fashionable Paris upside down before and during World War I. He was already famous in Russia as the brilliant young connoisseur whose lavishly mounted exhibitions rediscovered the country's tradition of religious icons and secular portrait painting, and as the editor of the truly wonderful magazine _Mir Iskusstva_ (The World of Art), in which Benois, Bakst and other Russian names that later became bywords made their first appearances. The gift Diaghilev demonstrated in Paris of attracting all the most celebrated artists of the day (Picasso, Stravinsky, Cocteau, Satie, Poulenc and many more) to join his enterprises had already been demonstrated at home. But at the height of his powers, home was lost to him. After the Revolution he stayed abroad, and the Soviet authorities, once it became obvious that he could not be lured back, condemned him in perpetuity as an especially insidious example of bourgeois decadence. Soviet historians of art wrote him out of their picture of the past for more than sixty years. When, in 1982, a two-volume collection of his pre-revolutionary writings on art was published in Moscow, it was a sign that the confident rigidity of official ideology was starting to bend, because any move towards telling the truth about the past was likely to be a prelude to telling the truth about the present. But it was just a sign. Only in retrospect was the change certain. What the astonished reader could be sure of at the time, however, was that Diaghilev had been a great critic—the discriminating impulse at the heart of his uncanny ablity to bend the talented to his will. They felt that he understood them. He almost always did.
Why should I waste my imagination on myself?
—SERGEI DIAGHILEV (ATTRIB.)
AS A LIFELONG admirer of Diaghilev I am easily impressed by anything he is said to have said, but when I first read this I was so impressed that I neglected to make a note: I knew I would remember it always. I could have sworn that I read it in _Theatre Street_ , Tamara Karsavina's radiant little sheaf of memoirs. (Karsavina, previously the darling of the Maryinsky company in Petersburg, danced the very first _Firebird_ , in Paris in 1910.) Probably the best single book ever written about dancing, it also has general application to the whole world of the arts: if I were making a list of ten books that art-crazy young people should read to civilize their passion, _Theatre Street_ would be on it. But when I searched through the book to find this quotation, there it wasn't. The conversation was there, but only in reported form: no inverted commas. Did I read it in that mighty balletomane Richard Buckle's book about Diaghilev? I couldn't find it there, either: nor in the fascinating interview with Karsavina contained in John Drummond's fine compendium _Speaking of Diaghilev_. Anyway, unsourced though it is, the remark is too resonant to leave out. The location was Diaghilev's small apartment in Petersburg—as the city was then still called, and now, happily, is called again. Karsavina, very young at the time and bowled over by Diaghilev's sophistication, noticed that his tiny bedroom had almost nothing in it except a bed. She said she was surprised, and Diaghilev replied with the rhetorical question quoted above. The remark comes straight from the centre of his personality and helps to define it, as the arthritic Renoir defined his own personality when he said, "Tie the brush into my hands" and the senescent Richard Strauss when he screamed at the orchestra, "Louder! Louder! I can still hear the singers!"
Diaghilev, an artist whose art-form was to combine the art-forms, gave everything to the world and kept little for himself. His hotel bills could be immense and he dressed to kill, but otherwise he did not need artistic surroundings in his personal life. Other impresarios have been less monastic. Lincoln Kirstein, whose taste made possible the whole coruscating pageant of Balanchine's career at the New York City Ballet, kept his Manhattan apartment full of beautiful things. Widening the scope to directly creative artists, we can see the same contrast. At one extreme, some pour all their creativity into their art and don't | |
midshipmouse. But then her arm sagged and she announced that a firmer paw than hers was needed.
Believing that the Starwife was intentionally stalling, Audrey quickly volunteered and took the pendant. The squirrel resumed her spell. Strangely, the Starwife reached out and touched Audrey on the forehead, combing a circular shape in her fur. Then she cried out "May this new vessel serve you well!"
Gradually, Audrey began to hear a faint humming sound and a shudder ran down her arms to her paws. She spluttered with shock as she felt a colossal force travel through her body. A cold chill coursed through her veins and passed to her fingers. Sparks flickered along the amulet's chain and the silver amulet glowed with a white light. The humming sound filled the Hall and the light from the Silver Acorn grew. Everyone had to stop up their ears and shield their eyes. The radiance battered into Thomas's frozen body and left the house in darkness.
Audrey's eyes and ears still smarted and rang. She looked down and saw that white flames were still dripping from the Silver Acorn and onto Thomas's body. He cried out in pain, and in alarm Audrey realised that the spell must have been killing him. Audrey tried to throw the pendant away, but the Starwife gripped her paws tightly and refused to let her do so. As the white light finally died down and disappeared into the floor, Audrey finally wrested her paws free and flung the Silver Acorn away. But Thomas had turned completely into a statue of ice.
The Starwife approached Thomas's body and began beating it with her stick. There were protests but she ignored them and continued to smash the figure until it was completely destroyed. Then Thomas emerged, alive and well. Audrey had been wrong, and the Starwife really was healing Thomas after all.
Hoping to atone for her doubts, Audrey found the Silver Acorn in a dusty corner and attempted to return it to the Starwife. The old squirrel merely laughed and asked what she thought she'd want it for. Audrey was bewildered. But the Starwife explained that as Audrey took the Silver Acorn from her of her own free will and allowed the powers to channel through her, the pendant (and thus the Starwifeship) now belonged to her. Though Audrey protested, the squirrel said she was the new Starwife whether she liked it or not. Furious, Audrey tossed the Silver Acorn down the cellar steps.
The next day, the old Starwife was found having frozen to death in the yard (in a ritual of sacrificing herself that she planned and carried out). Thomas tried to make the other mice understand how important the squirrel was and that she needed to be burned in a pyre as she had told him she wanted. They were hesitant as their wood supply was limited, but Thomas would not be deterred and Audrey agreed with him as well. She ran inside to get the Starwife's bag as Thomas started the fire and tried to remember the speech he had heard the Starwife give at the funeral service for her fallen subjects in Greenwich. To everyone's astonishment, Audrey emerged from the house and finished the speech for Thomas, despite never having heard it before. After casting some herbs into the flames and finishing by saying "Speed to the Green!", Audrey turned and told everyone that the process was over and it would be better if they all went inside. They did as she told them, but wondered at her curious behaviour.
All at once there was a violent banging at the front door of the old house, and it was determined that Jupiter's spectral army was trying to get inside. Thomas hurriedly convinced everyone to follow him down into the basement to travel to his ship through the sewers. Audrey, swept away by the crowd, began hearing a soft voice in her head urging her to go back and return to the garden. So strong was the influence of the voice that she did turn back, pushing past everyone in her desperation to reach the garden.
Back in the house, all was quiet, though the devastation wrought by Jupiter's ghosts was readily apparent. Once in the garden, Audrey found the remains of the Starwife's pyre. Within it had grown a snowdrop flower. Audrey, amazed that anything could grow so fast and in such extreme cold, picked the snowdrop up and placed it into the waistband of her dress. She tried to return to the cellar and catch up with her friends and family, but was found that the ghosts were now beyond the Grille, jabbing their ice spears toward her.
In the garden once more, Audrey came face to face with another ghost... and to her shock and horror it was that of Kempe, the pedlar mouse. Brainwashed by Jupiter's influence, he attempted to kill her, but when her silver bell rolled out in the scuffle, he was distracted and she made her escape.
Exhausted and cold, Audrey collapsed then and gave up all hope. She waited for the midwinter death to claim her as it did the Starwife before her. Near death, Audrey awoke groggily to the voice of a bat named Hathkin. He said he had been sent by Orfeo, who had found Audrey, to save her. Regaining her senses, Audrey ordered Hathkin to fly her to the Greenwich Observatory where Jupiter was. He was hesitant, but she repeated her order, saying that the Starwife commanded it. Shocked at the change in her voice, Hathkin agreed.
On their way, Audrey and Hathkin encountered the shell-shocked Orfeo and Eldritch, who told them the sad news that Oswald was lost forever during his confrontation with Jupiter. Audrey was grieved by the loss of Oswald, but insisted that she and Hathkin carry on as her fate was tied to Jupiter. As they approached, an ice spear ripped through one of Hathkin's wings and he and Audrey plummeted to the ground. For a moment, Audrey could not find Hathkin, but when she did she realised that he had broken his back in the fall. He weakly told her goodbye before passing away, and she responded by saying he had won renown indeed for his heroic actions.
Still determined to reach Jupiter, Audrey moved swiftly to the base of the Observatory and looked for a way to climb up. After an arduous climb, Audrey found herself on the balcony that ran around the base of the Observatory's dome. Suddenly she heard a hissing sound from the darkness, and turned to see the light from a flame of starfire approaching, which meant one of Jupiter's ghosts was nearby. As the light grew, Audrey was horrified to see that the ghost was Piccadilly. Though she tried to make him recognise her, he was under Jupiter's influence and flung himself at her, intending to strangle her. As she battled for breath, Audrey kept trying to jog Piccadilly's memory.
She was eventually successful and, through tears, Audrey was finally able to tell Piccadilly how much she had loved him. Just then, they heard the voice of Albert Brown, who had come to escort Piccadilly's spirit to the other side. He told Audrey how proud he was of her and that he understood the feelings that were growing between her mother Gwen and Thomas, and wished them joy. Before leaving with Albert, Piccadilly told Audrey that he loved her too. They shared a tender kiss and then he was gone. Audrey fell to her knees in grief.
Audrey continued on her journey to face Jupiter. She shouted at the humongous cat spirit to turn and face her. Peering down at the mouse, just a tiny speck to | |
When the harvest moon rose on the eve of the equinox and the north wind blew leaves across the grass, baskets of new crop apples began to arrive. Everyone was ready for pie.
My dad used to say Jonathans make the best pies. For decades, legendary apple farmer, Frank Owen of southwest Ohio, sold me bushels of Jonathans from his orchards. Here north of Chicago this year's first Jonathan apples came from southern Michigan. Jonathans may not be a trendy newfangled hybrid, but the snappy taste of their crisp flesh is irresistible. When it comes to pies, they can't be beat.
Gather round now, all pie lovers, and learn the old-fashioned secrets. There's no short cut for a great apple pie, but with a little practice, "it's as easy as pie." No prepared crust, canned filling or frozen pie will compete with what you make yourself. Only with a homemade pie will you be assured of the best ingredients, minimal sugar and delicate spicing that lets the true fruit flavor shine through.
With a food processor, making the pastry is a breeze. I always prepare more than I need for one pie and freeze the rest for the next baking. Bandaging the edge of the pie with a strip of clean cotton sheeting (buy a white sheet at the next rummage sale) guarantees that the edges won't burn and juices won't run over in the oven. Baking the pie the afternoon of your dinner will fill your house with fragrant anticipation. Be sure to make enough to have apple pie with a slice of aged cheddar for breakfast the next morning just like Washington and Jefferson. Now is the time for all good cooks to bake the all-American apple pie.
*Buy kettle-rendered white lard from a meat counter; avoid shelf-stable lard modified with preservatives. Good lard makes tender, flaky crust and is worth seeking out.
Note: The most accurate way to measure the flour and fat for pastry is with a scale, and the proper fat/flour ratio is vital. Once you start to bake using a scale, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.
To make pastry in a processor, place flour, sugar and salt in work bowl. Process just to combine. Slice over the cold butter and lard; process on and off three or four times until the butter is flaked into small pea-sized pieces. With the processor running, steadily pour the ice water in through the feed tube and continue to process until pastry rolls into a ball. Remove from work bowl, rock into a thick log. Wrap and chill at least an hour.
To make pastry by hand, whisk the flour, sugar and salt in a large shallow bowl. Slice in the cold butter and lard and rub the fat into the flour using floured fingertips or a pastry blender. When the butter is in floury flakes, drizzle over the ice water a little at a time, forking it evenly into the crumbly mix. Bring the dough together into a ball with both hands and shape into a log. Wrap and chill.
Choose a 9- or 10-inch glass pie dish with a lip so you can check the bottom for doneness at the end of the baking. Have ready a 3-by-50-inch strip of clean cotton sheeting to wrap the pastry edges.
In a large bowl combine ½ cup sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg. Mix in peeled and sliced apples (7–8 cups) and vanilla.
Keeping the pastry lightly dusted with flour, gently roll it into a circle 1/8-inch thick and larger than the pie dish. Fold the rolled dough in half and then in quarters forming a triangle. Place the point of the pastry in the center of the pie dish and unfold the pastry smoothing it into the bottom edges of the dish. Sprinkle a generous teaspoon of flour over the bottom of the pastry and pour in the sliced, sugared apples mounding them in the center. Slice butter over the apples. Trim any pastry overhanging the pie dish lip.
Roll the second patty of pastry in the same manner. Fold the dough in quarters and cut three small diagonal slashes on each edge near the center (see photo for result). Brush the pastry on the pie dish lip with water, unfold the top crust over the apples and moistened pastry edges. Gently press crust edges to seal. Use a scissors to trim the top crust overhang ½ inch below the edge. Fold the trimmed overhang under the bottom crust on the lip and crimp decoratively.
Brush the top of the pie with cream or milk and sprinkle generously with 2 tablespoons sugar. Rinse the cotton sheeting strip and squeeze out excess water. Bandage the edge of the pie letting the strip cover the top edge of pastry on the pie dish lip while the other half clings underneath. The damp cotton will adhere to itself at the end.
Place pie in the center of the preheated oven and reduce heat to 375º. Bake for 40–60 minutes or until piecrust is golden both on the top and the bottom. If the top browns too fast, cover with a sheet of brown paper or foil. If the bottom browns before the top, place the pie dish on a heavy sheet pan. The pie is done when the crust is golden and the apples test tender when pierced with a toothpick. Remove to a wire cooling rack. Unwrap bandage while pastry is warm. Serves 6–8.
Rice came to the table only as pudding when we lived in Potato Land. A little spaghetti drifted in on the sidelines, but rice seemed exotic, difficult to cook and not a dish to bring sighs of joy to the round oak family table.
To keep things simple, start with two types of rice: white and brown. For me that means Basmati and round organic brown rice. A rice cooker makes the preparation child's play, but a heavy pot with a tight-fitting cover will suffice. Lately as I've been trying to incorporate more brown rice while quieting the "We want white" plaint, I've been blending the two. Since brown rice takes much longer to cook, I keep a bowl of chilled cooked brown rice and add it to white rice dishes halfway through the cooking cycle.
When leftovers seem to be taking over the fridge, make a rice and vegetable centerpiece for your meal and surround it with the remainders of roast chicken, spare sausage, baked eggplant, or flaked fish. This rice mixture, based on a pilaf model, can fit any season and can include almost any assortment of veg on hand. Here I'm using peppers and corn, but it works with carrots, celery and frozen peas; mushrooms and spinach; tomatoes and cooked lentils; roasted poblanos and Swiss chard. The possibilities are endless: once you begin with your base of sautéed onion, you'll find comfort in the rice cookery that connects you to the global community.
Please note that the cinnamon stick used in rice should be Ceylon Cinnamon and not Cassia. Ceylon Cinnamon, usually known as Canela, is available wherever Latin products are sold. If "apple pie" cinnamon stick or Cassia is all you can get, use only a matchstick-size piece to keep the flavor in balance.
In a heavy saucepan with tight-fitting lid warm the cinnamon in olive oil. Add chopped onion and pepper; sauté until limp. Add garlic, chile, herbs and sauté until fragrant. Add Basmati rice, salt and sauté two minutes longer. Add water. (Use minimal amount if vegetables are juicy.) Cover and simmer 5 min.
Uncover; add corn and brown rice. Recover and cook another 5 min. Turn off heat and allow to stand 5 min. Uncover, fluff with fork, taste for seasonings and garnish sprinkling of | |
I was extremely overwhelmed after reading the above mentioned article in TOI. This is because the author of the article seemed to be deeply concerned about the future of research in JNU, something which is otherwise extremely devalued in our country. Consequently he sounded very perturbed about the 'lengthy slogans' and 'lousy standard' of research in JNU. At the first blush he appears to be an emphatic (right)er but a closer examination of his piece reveals that what he did in fact was to embellish himself with a robe that is far too hollow and invites a rebuttal. Subsequently if one was to judge the quality of research in JNU by taking this article in TOI as a standard, certainly then one has to admit that the standard of research in JNU has become lousy because of the various statistical and logical fallacies, analytical errors and contradictory claims in the piece.
In this, it is amply clear that the author is batting with a "right" hand stance and selective memory is at work, concealing important facts. As we know that if numbers are totured enough, they will speak what you want them to". Let me put things in perspective. The author says "Last week – Monday and Tuesday – witnessed yet another strike in JNU". Here the article is partially correct in pointing out that on 27th March, 2017 (Monday) there was a strike, but it does not state that it was the fifth day of the Students Union strike that began on 23rdMarch, 2017 (Thursday) and continued till 28th March, 2017 (Tuesday).More importantly the strike was completely observed by the all the students of CSLG (the centre that the author cites as an example of lack of support for the strike) on all the days with no classes taking place on any of the days (except for that one class that the author mentioned; to the details of which I shall come in a moment) while the students turned up to the centre daily in solidarity and tried to find out the adverse ramifications of the regulation. Even on 28th March, 2017 (Tuesday) as correctly pointed out in the article there was strike. But what is conveniently omitted is the fact that on the same day, the JNUSU had issued a call for a protest outside UGC office in which significant number of students of the very same centre participated (along with several hundred others from various centres). To the best of my knowledge all these students of CSLG are what the author calls "independent students who reject political-party based campus dialogue". Yet they participated in not only this protest but also in the earlier once organized against the UGC 2016 notification and has stood with JNUSU's call on this issue every time. This punctures the author's claim that the students unequivocally reject the Union's strike.
Now let me elaborate the details of the class (which I was also part of) that the author had mentioned. It is an elective course offered in Mphil 2nd semester at that centre, which is credited by 12 students and the author audits this course. 4 students were not present that day. So effectively 8 out of 12 crediting the course attended the class. So even statistically the claim is not correct that more than 80% of the people were present.Apart from that it is evident now that in quoting that more than 80% of the students attended the class an attempt was made to unduly exaggerate the statistics when absolute numbers were small.
The author also seems to have forgotten the reason for which this class took place despite the apprehension of a few students who were still in favour of strictly following the students union call. This was because not all the students who credited the course were present in the centre to show their solidarity. The pre-decided norm "boycott the classes but be present at the centre" was not held up that day for that class due to absences and hence the class took place.
There are other gaffes too. To quote from the piece "Of the more than 8,500 students in the residential university, only 4,865 students had stepped out and cast their votes in the last student election. Among them, 1,077 voted NOTA. So JNUSU's theatrics is not representative of the contemplative silence of several students".
Of course, the author has not published his article in a "peer reviewed book or journal" which according to him is "the only standard of research". But that does not give him the liberty to tinker with the data the way he wants. As per the figures published by the Election Committee and as also pointed by others who have responded to the author's false claims,the number of students who stepped out and cast their vote in the last student union election in 2016 were 5,138, and not 4,865. Further the highest number of votes polled for NOTA was 437 (for the post of Vice –President) which is less than half the figure of 1077 that author had quoted. The count of NOTA votes for the other office- bearer posts stood as: President – 135, General Secretary- 296, Joint Secretary – 272. I don't know how the author has arrived at the figure of 1077. In case a simple summation of NOTA votes cast in all office bearer positions was attempted, then this is yet another statistical and analytical blunder not to mention the arithmetic error.
Why does the author cite (wrong) absolute numbers here and percentages earlier. Of course the criterion in both the cases was to support the argument with an exaggerated statistics, when the argument itself is unavailing. 5138 out of 8500 is 60.44%. Now this is roughly equivalent of the turnout on the basis of which mostly the representatives are being elected at state and centre level in our esteemed democracy and the governments are being formed in the country. So why is one sceptical of the same number as not being representative enough for choosing the students union body. No form of governance system is free from some biases. But if one is making the claim about under-representation, one needs to look at the problems of the first past the post system. Then one should also consider the extent of under representation at the national level on the basis of which governments are formed in the centre with less than 35% of the people voting for them. But I suppose one cannot run the risk of annoying one's political masters.
The state is making enough attempts at surveillance through CCTV and Aadhar. I am amazed that the author is adept at myriad forms of surveillance over the students in JNU e.g. like peeping in the library, reading rooms and hostels to be able to assert in TOI that "But the call for inactivity by the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) was hardly under observation in libraries and hostels. Reading rooms were full during daytime and so were those hostel beds whose occupants are wise owls of the night." Even if some of the students were studying in the libraries and hostels, how is that proof of their disjunction with struggle call of the students union? It is also important here to mention that there are not always lengthy slogans being raised as the title of the author's article suggests. In fact there is a short and crisp slogan which is "STUDY and STRUGGLE".
The author also needs to be reminded of the fact that some former Student Union representatives who had once raised "lengthy"slogans in their students days also did "serious research" alongside and are today hold faculty positions in JNU. They have many publications in | |
nil a panic will occur. In the future the SDK may create
// sub-contexts for http.Requests. See https://golang.org/pkg/context/
// for more information on using Contexts.
func (c *SESV2) GetSuppressedDestinationWithContext(ctx aws.Context, input *GetSuppressedDestinationInput, opts ...request.Option) (*GetSuppressedDestinationOutput, error) {
req, out := c.GetSuppressedDestinationRequest(input)
req.SetContext(ctx)
req.ApplyOptions(opts...)
return out, req.Send()
}
const opListConfigurationSets = "ListConfigurationSets"
// ListConfigurationSetsRequest generates a "aws/request.Request" representing the
// client's request for the ListConfigurationSets operation. The "output" return
// value will be populated with the request's response once the request completes
// successfully.
//
// Use "Send" method on the returned Request to send the API call to the service.
// the "output" return value is not valid until after Send returns without error.
//
// See ListConfigurationSets for more information on using the ListConfigurationSets
// API call, and error handling.
//
// This method is useful when you want to inject custom logic or configuration
// into the SDK's request lifecycle. Such as custom headers, or retry logic.
//
//
// // Example sending a request using the ListConfigurationSetsRequest method.
// req, resp := client.ListConfigurationSetsRequest(params)
//
// err := req.Send()
// if err == nil { // resp is now filled
// fmt.Println(resp)
// }
//
// See also, https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/WebAPI/sesv2-2019-09-27/ListConfigurationSets
func (c *SESV2) ListConfigurationSetsRequest(input *ListConfigurationSetsInput) (req *request.Request, output *ListConfigurationSetsOutput) {
op := &request.Operation{
Name: opListConfigurationSets,
HTTPMethod: "GET",
HTTPPath: "/v2/email/configuration-sets",
Paginator: &request.Paginator{
InputTokens: []string{"NextToken"},
OutputTokens: []string{"NextToken"},
LimitToken: "PageSize",
TruncationToken: "",
},
}
if input == nil {
input = &ListConfigurationSetsInput{}
}
output = &ListConfigurationSetsOutput{}
req = c.newRequest(op, input, output)
return
}
// ListConfigurationSets API operation for Amazon Simple Email Service.
//
// List all of the configuration sets associated with your account in the current
// region.
//
// Configuration sets are groups of rules that you can apply to the emails you
// send. You apply a configuration set to an email by including a reference
// to the configuration set in the headers of the email. When you apply a configuration
// set to an email, all of the rules in that configuration set are applied to
// the email.
//
// Returns awserr.Error for service API and SDK errors. Use runtime type assertions
// with awserr.Error's Code and Message methods to get detailed information about
// the error.
//
// See the AWS API reference guide for Amazon Simple Email Service's
// API operation ListConfigurationSets for usage and error information.
//
// Returned Error Types:
// * TooManyRequestsException
// Too many requests have been made to the operation.
//
// * BadRequestException
// The input you provided is invalid.
//
// See also, https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/WebAPI/sesv2-2019-09-27/ListConfigurationSets
func (c *SESV2) ListConfigurationSets(input *ListConfigurationSetsInput) (*ListConfigurationSetsOutput, error) {
req, out := c.ListConfigurationSetsRequest(input)
return out, req.Send()
}
// ListConfigurationSetsWithContext is the same as ListConfigurationSets with the addition of
// the ability to pass a context and additional request options.
//
// See ListConfigurationSets for details on how to use this API operation.
//
// The context must be non-nil and will be used for request cancellation. If
// the context is nil a panic will occur. In the future the SDK may create
// sub-contexts for http.Requests. See https://golang.org/pkg/context/
// for more information on using Contexts.
func (c *SESV2) ListConfigurationSetsWithContext(ctx aws.Context, input *ListConfigurationSetsInput, opts ...request.Option) (*ListConfigurationSetsOutput, error) {
req, out := c.ListConfigurationSetsRequest(input)
req.SetContext(ctx)
req.ApplyOptions(opts...)
return out, req.Send()
}
// ListConfigurationSetsPages iterates over the pages of a ListConfigurationSets operation,
// calling the "fn" function with the response data for each page. To stop
// iterating, return false from the fn function.
//
// See ListConfigurationSets method for more information on how to use this operation.
//
// Note: This operation can generate multiple requests to a service.
//
// // Example iterating over at most 3 pages of a ListConfigurationSets operation.
// pageNum := 0
// err := client.ListConfigurationSetsPages(params,
// func(page *sesv2.ListConfigurationSetsOutput, lastPage bool) bool {
// pageNum++
// fmt.Println(page)
// return pageNum <= 3
// })
//
func (c *SESV2) ListConfigurationSetsPages(input *ListConfigurationSetsInput, fn func(*ListConfigurationSetsOutput, bool) bool) error {
return c.ListConfigurationSetsPagesWithContext(aws.BackgroundContext(), input, fn)
}
// ListConfigurationSetsPagesWithContext same as ListConfigurationSetsPages except
// it takes a Context and allows setting request options on the pages.
//
// The context must be non-nil and will be used for request cancellation. If
// the context is nil a panic will occur. In the future the SDK may create
// sub-contexts for http.Requests. See https://golang.org/pkg/context/
// for more information on using Contexts.
func (c *SESV2) ListConfigurationSetsPagesWithContext(ctx aws.Context, input *ListConfigurationSetsInput, fn func(*ListConfigurationSetsOutput, bool) bool, opts ...request.Option) error {
p := request.Pagination{
NewRequest: func() (*request.Request, error) {
var inCpy *ListConfigurationSetsInput
if input != nil {
tmp := *input
inCpy = &tmp
}
req, _ := c.ListConfigurationSetsRequest(inCpy)
req.SetContext(ctx)
req.ApplyOptions(opts...)
return req, nil
},
}
for p.Next() {
if !fn(p.Page().(*ListConfigurationSetsOutput), !p.HasNextPage()) {
break
}
}
return p.Err()
}
const opListDedicatedIpPools = "ListDedicatedIpPools"
// ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest generates a "aws/request.Request" representing the
// client's request for the ListDedicatedIpPools operation. The "output" return
// value will be populated with the request's response once the request completes
// successfully.
//
// Use "Send" method on the returned Request to send the API call to the service.
// the "output" return value is not valid until after Send returns without error.
//
// See ListDedicatedIpPools for more information on using the ListDedicatedIpPools
// API call, and error handling.
//
// This method is useful when you want to inject custom logic or configuration
// into the SDK's request lifecycle. Such as custom headers, or retry logic.
//
//
// // Example sending a request using the ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest method.
// req, resp := client.ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest(params)
//
// err := req.Send()
// if err == nil { // resp is now filled
// fmt.Println(resp)
// }
//
// See also, https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/WebAPI/sesv2-2019-09-27/ListDedicatedIpPools
func (c *SESV2) ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest(input *ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput) (req *request.Request, output *ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput) {
op := &request.Operation{
Name: opListDedicatedIpPools,
HTTPMethod: "GET",
HTTPPath: "/v2/email/dedicated-ip-pools",
Paginator: &request.Paginator{
InputTokens: []string{"NextToken"},
OutputTokens: []string{"NextToken"},
LimitToken: "PageSize",
TruncationToken: "",
},
}
if input == nil {
input = &ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput{}
}
output = &ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput{}
req = c.newRequest(op, input, output)
return
}
// ListDedicatedIpPools API operation for Amazon Simple Email Service.
//
// List all of the dedicated IP pools that exist in your AWS account in the
// current Region.
//
// Returns awserr.Error for service API and SDK errors. Use runtime type assertions
// with awserr.Error's Code and Message methods to get detailed information about
// the error.
//
// See the AWS API reference guide for Amazon Simple Email Service's
// API operation ListDedicatedIpPools for usage and error information.
//
// Returned Error Types:
// * TooManyRequestsException
// Too many requests have been made to the operation.
//
// * BadRequestException
// The input you provided is invalid.
//
// See also, https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/WebAPI/sesv2-2019-09-27/ListDedicatedIpPools
func (c *SESV2) ListDedicatedIpPools(input *ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput) (*ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput, error) {
req, out := c.ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest(input)
return out, req.Send()
}
// ListDedicatedIpPoolsWithContext is the same as ListDedicatedIpPools with the addition of
// the ability to pass a context and additional request options.
//
// See ListDedicatedIpPools for details on how to use this API operation.
//
// The context must be non-nil and will be used for request cancellation. If
// the context is nil a panic will occur. In the future the SDK may create
// sub-contexts for http.Requests. See https://golang.org/pkg/context/
// for more information on using Contexts.
func (c *SESV2) ListDedicatedIpPoolsWithContext(ctx aws.Context, input *ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput, opts ...request.Option) (*ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput, error) {
req, out := c.ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest(input)
req.SetContext(ctx)
req.ApplyOptions(opts...)
return out, req.Send()
}
// ListDedicatedIpPoolsPages iterates over the pages of a ListDedicatedIpPools operation,
// calling the "fn" function with the response data for each page. To stop
// iterating, return false from the fn function.
//
// See ListDedicatedIpPools method for more information on how to use this operation.
//
// Note: This operation can generate multiple requests to a service.
//
// // Example iterating over at most 3 pages of a ListDedicatedIpPools operation.
// pageNum := 0
// err := client.ListDedicatedIpPoolsPages(params,
// func(page *sesv2.ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput, lastPage bool) bool {
// pageNum++
// fmt.Println(page)
// return pageNum <= 3
// })
//
func (c *SESV2) ListDedicatedIpPoolsPages(input *ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput, fn func(*ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput, bool) bool) error {
return c.ListDedicatedIpPoolsPagesWithContext(aws.BackgroundContext(), input, fn)
}
// ListDedicatedIpPoolsPagesWithContext same as ListDedicatedIpPoolsPages except
// it takes a Context and allows setting request options on the pages.
//
// The context must be non-nil and will be used for request cancellation. If
// the context is nil a panic will occur. In the future the SDK may create
// sub-contexts for http.Requests. See https://golang.org/pkg/context/
// for more information on using Contexts.
func (c *SESV2) ListDedicatedIpPoolsPagesWithContext(ctx aws.Context, input *ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput, fn func(*ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput, bool) bool, opts ...request.Option) error {
p := request.Pagination{
NewRequest: func() (*request.Request, error) {
var inCpy *ListDedicatedIpPoolsInput
if input != nil {
tmp := *input
inCpy = &tmp
}
req, _ := c.ListDedicatedIpPoolsRequest(inCpy)
req.SetContext(ctx)
req.ApplyOptions(opts...)
return req, nil
},
}
for p.Next() {
if !fn(p.Page().(*ListDedicatedIpPoolsOutput), !p.HasNextPage()) {
break
}
}
return p.Err()
}
const opListDeliverabilityTestReports = "ListDeliverabilityTestReports"
// ListDeliverabilityTestReportsRequest generates a "aws/request.Request" representing the
// client's request for the ListDeliverabilityTestReports operation. The "output" return
// value will be populated with the request's response once the request completes
// successfully.
//
// Use "Send" method on the returned Request to send the API call to the service.
// the "output" return value is not valid until after Send returns without error.
//
// See ListDeliverabilityTestReports for more information on using the ListDeliverabilityTestReports
// API call, and error handling.
//
// This method is useful when you want to inject custom logic or configuration
// into the SDK's request lifecycle. Such as custom headers, or retry | |
During peak periods there are often too many activities to handle at once. FOCs need to prioritize critical and urgent tasks in a logical and efficient manner in order to ensure daily activity moves along in an organized manner while keeping everyone calm.
Selected candidates will have had professional or personal life experiences where both people and results were the focus. Successful people in this role will be computer savvy, able to multi-task but still perform quality and detailed work, prioritize and reprioritize. If you'd like to join a team focused on having fun, making a difference and reaching high performance this could be for you. This is an entry position in to the organization that is looking to develop people and promote from within. $10/hr to $12/hr to start. Please be prepared to provide specific examples of obtaining a goal, having fun and helping people.
The Marketing Manager manages the design and implementation of marketing campaigns in conjunction with the Product Marketing Manager. S/he will serve in a supervisory role to select marketing team members/functional areas of accountability. S/he performs marketing duties personally or through subordinates, such as management of the company Speakers Bureau, coordination of industry-related conferences and events, lead generation, development of creative/communications pieces, administration of digital marketing efforts, advertising/promotion and reporting of marketing metrics. S/he will manage marketing projects in an organized, results-driven manner, which includes leading cross-functional teams. The Marketing Manager will evaluate the performance of marketing campaigns, as well as monitor [marketing] functional plan progress to ensure that departmental and organizational goals and objectives are met. S/he will develop strategic marketing project plans and work cross functionally with departments throughout the company from product development to IT, marketing, finance and others to facilitate communication, drive processes and maximize sales of our product lines. In this role, s/he will assist in articulating the Company's distinct competencies and our products' unique advantages. S/he will focus on analysis relative to marketing goals and will manage a variety of tasks, relying on his/her experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Strong people management project skills, as well as high attention to detail, are needed to work effectively in this position. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Marketing Helps establish and maintain consistent corporate image throughout product lines, promotional materials, and events. Assists in establishing strategic marketing plans to achieve corporate objectives for products and services Develops and executes marketing campaigns to achieve stated objectives regarding revenue, profitability, and market share Plans and oversees execution of lead generation and promotional activities including print, digital media, trade shows and conferences, direct mail, and signage Negotiates contract terms with consultants, external agencies, and vendors Manages development, production, and distribution of promotional and collateral materials to support sales and marketing programs Plans and conducts market research to identify opportunities for increased sales Ensures effective lead management processes Analyzes marketing surveys and metrics on current and new product concepts in order to recommend future improvements Project Management Gathers project requirements and specifications in order to determine and communicate project scope Facilitates completion of project briefs and communicates project goals to relevant team members, as necessary Works closely with the appropriate team members in the preparation of various marketing materials Coordinates flow of information and communication and disseminates it according to plan/strategy Implements strategic plans as set forth by Director of Marketing and/or leadership Provides relevant training to internal user groups to support project implementation and success, as necessary Measurement and Analysis Evaluates performance, progress, and/or success of specific marketing campaigns or projects by gathering, organizing, and summarizing data into reports, graphs/charts Monitors and manages departmental budget components directly or through subordinates, and analyzes actual spending in contrast to forecast; makes recommendations on budget management, process improvements, and forecasts Submits analytical summaries/updates Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises employees in the Marketing department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving issues. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience: Qualified candidates must have a degree or background in marketing or business-related field, biotechnology, or healthcare is strongly preferred, MBA a plus. Knowledge of marketing principles and analysis is necessary. Candidate must possess outstanding verbal and written communication skills and must be comfortable working at all levels of the organization. Must show the ability to handle multiple projects at once. Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Project Management Software, CRM [and automation] systems (Salesforce strongly preferred), Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (or their equivalent); survey software is a plus. Preference given to candidates with: 5 plus years marketing management experience Supervisory and people management experience Healthcare industry experience Masters/MBA Are you looking to join a dynamic organization that makes a positive impact every day? Apply today with cover letter, resume and salary requirements.
We are seeking an experienced and results driven HR Manager. Responsibilities include talent and performance management, employee relations, regulatory compliance, all recruiting, payroll and benefits administration, and leadership of training programs as well as other general HR responsibilities. The HR Manager will also contribute to the organizational design strategy in alignment with the corporate strategic plan, and will lead monthly departmental performance metrics as well as organizational capability annual reviews. Working with the Senior Leadership Team, the HR Manager will to attract the best talent while promoting a diverse work force. The HR Manager maintains a close working relationship with local government, community colleges and universities that ultimately facilitates the acquisition of qualified candidates for internships and full time employment. The HR Managers team designs, implements, and continuously improves MSD site policies and procedures including the FAA Drug & Alcohol Policy, Affirmative Action Plan and the Workers Compensation program. Extensive working knowledge of government regulations associated with EEO and affirmative action, Title VII, ADA, Employment Eligibility, FMLA, WARN, COBRA, HIPAA ,ERISA and OFCCP is required. The HR Manager will also have indirect responsibility and provide guidance and oversight to for another manufacturing facility. An understanding of, or ability to quickly learn, applicable foreign labor regulations and practices is necessary. Responsibilities: Provide leadership in the design and execution of workforce planning, employee relations, talent development, required regulatory procedures and targeted strategic initiatives. Specific responsibilities include: Provision of services to the Senior Leadership Team, as well as site managers and supervisors in coordinating all activities related to staffing, employee relations and building organizational capability. Participation in internal and external investigations/audits, supply necessary documentation and perform necessary follow-up to ensure meeting of deadlines. Recruit hourly, salaried, and professional personnel with appropriate skills in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and corporate policies and procedures to ensure attainment of plant Affirmative Action Goals. Develop and deliver HR-related training, such as behavioral interviewing and performance management. Support New Employee Orientation process with HR training, policies and procedures, and new hire on-boarding requirements. Develop Affirmative Action Plan and partner with site leaders in the attainment of goals. Staffing liaison with Corporate HR and other company sites. Support site and Corporate strategic HR initiatives. Other duties, as defined by Director, Human Resources, to meet business needs. Qualifications: The ideal candidate must possess: A Bachelors Degree with a minimum of 5 years of HR supervisory or management experience in a high technology manufacturing environment. PHR/SPHR certification is preferred. Extensive working knowledge | |
right there proves it's NOT about the survivors, but all about the anti-gun agenda...
The Supreme Court can and already does put age restrictions on constitutional rights. It doesn't matter how anyone "feels" about the restrictions. If age restrictions exist for one right, they can damn well exist for another. It's not complicated. :)
The Supreme Court can and already does put age restrictions on constitutional rights.
Not factually accurate...
The SCOTUS does not place any restrictions, age or otherwise, on ANY constitutional rights..
The SCOTUS simply rules on the constitutionality of restrictions that GOVERNMENTS (local, state, federal) place on constitutional rights...
It's funny how you keep making up bullshit in order to claim it's what everyone else believes. Are you so damned ignorant that you believe Gabby Giffords is a survivor of the Parkland shooting?
It's also funny how the right-wing zealots keep characterizing the ban of assault weapons as "anti-gun" when nothing could be further from the truth. Under the definitions of the straw man arguments being spewed by the right-wing zealots of today, Saint Ronald Reagan {genuflect} was "anti-gun."
That right there proves that the right-wing pro-gun slaves are attempting to redefine the push for a ban on assault weapons as "anti-gun." It might come as a surprise and/or shock to the seriously ignorant and/or spoon-fed sheeple spewing that NRA straw man argument, but a person can be against a civilian having access to military-style weapons without being "anti-gun." Clue in.
You're arguing something no one here is actually arguing and insisting everyone here believes it, and that makes your argument total bullshit.
Mere semantics. The SCOTUS has decided multiple times that age restrictions are constitutional by refusing to rule that they weren't unconstitutional. Define it however you wish like you do with your bullshit definition of well regulated that has already been debunked by CW. :)
Mere semantics.
No.. Facts that prove you wrong..
I took a shot, thinking you might want to actually have a serious debate and discussion..
But yer just interested in being a bitch....
That'll teach me to actually pay attention to anything you have to say...
Apologies... That may have come out wrong..
Yer only interested in being an IGNORANT bitch....
That's what I meant to say....
They also ruled there are limits on those rights so if you're going to keep reiterating the ruling of SCOTUS, why do you insist on reading things into it that aren't there? They ruled that Heller had a right to have a handgun in his home for self defense in order to defend himself in his home. Beyond that, they in fact haven't ruled any of the other things you keep insisting they have and have also refused to do so for the last decade.
It's not complicated, you uneducated bastard. Read Heller. :)
And to think I thought things could change around here...
So you've established that you're a pathetic wussy. Next! :)
Your first post of the day here insinuated that Democrats are all typical slobs, and then you went on to say that "a coked-up druggie hooker is the new spokesperson for the Democrat Party and the NeverTrumpers."
What kind of ignorant bastard trailer trash would post that type of shit and then whine like a pathetic wussy about "thinking things could change"? Asked and answered. :)
John M wrote:
[37] Michale
"How would ya'all react if the voting age was raised to 21???
And voting is not even a BILL OF RIGHTS right..."
Actually IT IS. The 26th amendment explicitly sets the age to vote at 18.
"And to think I thought things could change around here..."
You haven't noticed how much better it is without the excessive comments about One Demand?
@michale,
your interpretation of "well-regulated" is the smallest minority opinion. living document proponents (i.e. liberal justices) interpret it to mean what it implies today, which is to say, under the control of a larger organization such as the government. the next most prevalent interpretation is that of the textualists (roberts, alito, kennedy), who hold that the words in the constitution are limited to the current meanings of the words, i.e. monitored and controlled by a militia or similar citizen group. the interpretation you've proposed is that of the originalists (scalia, thomas... possibly gorsuch) that the text means only what it used to mean in 1790 when it was ratified. that's not a fact, it's a legal opinion, and the one that's held by the smallest faction on the scotus - which is to say based on marbury that it is also the least factually accurate.
The Bill of Rights is defined as the first 10 amendments so Michale is right about that particular issue, but I disagree with Michale's inference that constitutional amendments enumerated by numbers 11 or higher are somehow lesser rights and those numbered 1-10 are somehow magically placed by order of importance because they quite simply weren't.
James Madison of Virginia who authored the first drafts of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights wanted the 10 amendments incorporated into the text while Roger Sherman of Connecticut wanted them numbered and placed at the end of the Constitution. Sherman won the argument and they were listed, but the order of the list reflects Madison's view so the amendments 1-10 are simply listed in the same order as the sections of the Constitution that they would have modified.
This concludes today's episode of "Tiny Little History Lessons." :)
The Court has ruled specifically and explicitly that restrictions on certain types of guns are indeed permitted. The need for such restrictions should be obvious. Even you would agree that private citizens should not be allowed to have a howitzer in their home so the quest simply becomes where to draw the line not if a line should be drawn.
As to your tortured quibble about the legality of age restrictions lets look at it this way. There have been several cases where the argument was raised to the Court that age restrictions were not constitutional. In each and every case the Court has declined to take up the question, allowing the existing restrictions to stand. There is no reason to believe that age restrictions on gun use would fare any differently. I doubt even you would argue that a 3 year old child should have a gun, so again the question is where to draw the line not if a line can be drawn.
Chris Weigant wrote:
Don Harris [1] -
OK, I gotta admit "And do you really want to make "the way to stop the bad guy with Big Money is a good guy with Big Money" argument?" is a good line. Credit where it's due and all.
But, yes, I do want to make that argument in this particular case. Because the other option, as I see it is called "unilateral disarmament."
If the kids had hewn to an artificial limit on donations ($200 per), then they probably wouldn't have had as big a march. Which translates to "as big an impact." And the NRA certainly isn't playing by those rules, is it?
If Hollywood types want to toss a half-million into the pot, with no strings, then what's the problem?
The key phrase being "with no strings," of course.
I admit I had just about given up on gun control, seeing it fail so many times even with the most sympathetic poster children (Sandy Hook), but these particular kids have resparked my optimism. And the last thing I'd want to do now is to tell them to keep to an unrealistic limit on who could support their cause. If that makes me some shill for Big Money, then so be it. So far, they seem to be doing an admirable job of exciting others like them to join their cause. We'll see how they do when they're not so much in the spotlight, but I'd be willing to bet | |
"They say that you breathe so loud they could shoot you in the dark." He hastened to add that they need not fear the Elves.
Legolas was called up to meet with the Galadhrim, bringing Frodo, though Sam followed, as always. The Galadhrim had heard Legolas' singing and knew him for one of their northern kindred. They had had tidings from the sons of Elrond as to the Quest upon which the Company was embarked, and readily accepted all of the fellowship save Gimli, who was only grudgingly allowed, for the suspicion of the Elves of Lórien towards the Dwarves was especially accute. Legolas was forced to answer for the company, with the reminder to keep an eye on "that dwarf". The next morning, when the Elves took the company across the river Celebrant on their way to Caras Galadhon, they told Gimli he would have to be blindfolded, but he was outraged and refused. When Aragorn offered for all of the Company to wear blindfolds, Gimli said if only Legolas would wear one, he would. Legolas was outraged in turn, but Aragorn settled the dispute by asking to blindfold the whole of the Company. In the end, Legolas had no choice but to agree.[6]
Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel by Michael Kaluta
In Lothlórien, many Elves sang of Gandalf, and their language was such that only Legolas could understand. Legolas would not translate the lamentations for the rest of the Company, saying that he had neither the skill nor the heart. During their time in Lórien, however, with the influence of the Lady Galadriel permeating the air, he became fast friends with Gimli, a friendship that would never be broken.[7] He was one of the Company that could handle boats, and when the Fellowship prepared to leave Lórien, he was assigned to paddle one with Gimli. From the lady Galadriel, he received an Elven cloak and brooch, and a bow and quiver such as the Galadhrim used.[8]
When the Company was ambushed by orc-archers on the Anduin, Legolas quickly leaped out onto dry ground and up the riverbank with his bow, searching in the darkness for any sign of the Orcs. From Frodo's low position in the boats, he appeared to be crowned with white stars as he stood tall upon the bank. Suddenly, the south wind chased the clouds away, and a chilling dread fell on the Company. Legolas looked up, and sighed, "Elbereth Gilthoniel!" as if to draw strength to face the terror riding high in the wind. As the Shadow approached, he bent the great bow of Lórien and shot the descending Fell beast from the sky, one of his most masterful deeds. He was praised by the rest of the Company for this, especially Gimli.[9]
[edit] The Three Hunters
Awaiting the Riders of Rohan by Peter Xavier Price
When the company was ambushed on Amon Hen, Legolas shot many Orcs until his arrows ran out, and then used his knife.[10] Upon the breaking of the Fellowship, when he learned that Boromir had fallen, he sang a lament with Aragorn, taking the part of the South Wind, which came from the Sea.[11] Legolas was of great aid to Aragorn in the days following, as he helped to track the Uruk-hai across Rohan. His eyes could see many leagues, and for a while he could see their quarry far ahead of them.[12]
When accosted by the Riders of Rohan led by Éomer, Legolas stood by his friend Gimli when confronted by the haughty Marchwarden, threatening him with death if he attempted to harm the dwarf. When Éomer lent them horses to speed them on their way, Legolas was given Arod, a very high-spirited horse. But Legolas had the Elvish way with beasts, and after he had leaped lightly upon Arod, the horse was docile beneath him. Legolas let Gimli ride behind him on the way to Fangorn Forest in their search for Merry and Pippin. When they arrived by the smoking pile of Orc ashes, they combed the battle field for any sign of the Hobbits for several hours, but gave up as night approached. Camping under the eaves of the forest, Legolas noticed how the tree beneath which they sat seemed glad of the fire they lit, stretching out its limbs and leaves to the heat. Though the night was very dark, he was also the first to notice the absence of the horses. Later he asserted to Aragorn that the beasts sounded joyful, confirming Aragorn's own guess.
Upon entering Fangorn, Legolas declared that he almost felt young again beside those trees. He commented that in earlier days he could have been happy there. Gimli snorted, saying, "I dare say you could. You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk." Legolas would later reverse this declaration at the Hornburg. When the Three Hunters met with the apparition of an old man, whom they believed to be Saruman, despite Gimli's encouragement Legolas did not shoot him, feeling moral objections to this. The old man declared, "Put away that bow, Master Elf." Legolas dropped his bow, but later picked it up again, and was about to shoot when it was seen that beneath the old man's robes there was white. Yet he recognised that it was Gandalf just in time, and shot his arrow high in the air to be consumed by fire. Gandalf coolly added, "Well met, I say to you again, Legolas!"
[edit] With the Rohirrim
Legolas was the first to ask Gandalf about Merry and Pippin, and Gandalf's apparently miraculous escape. After the story, Gandalf delivered Galadriel's messages to each of them, Legolas' being:
Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.
Later, Legolas again used his eyes for the help of the company, as he spied both of Isengard and Edoras from afar. At the gates of Meduseld, Legolas was the only one to lay down his weapons without hesitation. He played only a passive role in the healing of Théoden King, and later was arrayed in shining mail beside Aragorn. Gimli would not ride on Éomer's horse unless Legolas rode beside them, which he did gladly. Éomer declared, "Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right, and none will dare to stand before us!"
Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep John Howe
As Legolas stood at the Hornburg at the eve of battle, he said that he did not like the place. Gimli comforted him, and he was glad that the dwarf stood by his side. He also wished that a hundred archers of Mirkwood were there, noting the small number of bowmen among the Rohirrim. At the opening of the battle, Legolas shot twenty at least, this figure being taken as precise by Gimli. When Gimli returned to the elf for the second time to declare that he slew twenty-one, Legolas counted his kills as twenty-four. By the time the Fire of Orthanc blew out a piece of the wall, his quiver was nearly empty. With the last arrow the elf saved Aragorn's life when he stumbled while pursued. At the end of the battle, Legolas had shot a total of forty-one, though Gimli surpassed his count by one.
Legolas showed great interest in the Huorns on the way to Isengard, discussing them with Gandalf and a less willing Gimli. Legolas promised Gimli that he would go to Aglarond after the war upon hearing the dwarf's eloquence, if only Gimli would accompany him on a return to Fangorn. At Isengard he enjoyed a meal in the company of Gimli, Aragorn, and the Hobbits, Merry and Pippin.
[edit] The | |
Physiology, Frank Starling Law
Anthony Delicce
Amgad Makaryus
The Frank-Starling relationship is based on the link between the initial length of myocardial fibers and the force generated by contraction. There is a predictable relationship between the length between sarcomeres and the tension of the muscle fibers. There is an optimal length between sarcomeres at which the tension in the muscle fiber is greatest, resulting in the greatest force of contraction. If sarcomeres are closer together or further apart compared to this optimal length, there will be a decrease in the tension and strength of contraction.
The greater the ventricular diastolic volume, the more the myocardial fibers are stretched during diastole. Within a normal physiologic range, the more the myocardial fibers are stretched, the greater the tension in the muscle fibers, and the greater force of contraction of the ventricle when stimulated. The Frank-Starling relationship is the observation that ventricular output increases as preload (end-diastolic pressure) increase.[1][2][3]
The left ventricular performance (Frank-Starling) curves relate preload, measured as left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV) or pressure, to cardiac performance, measured as ventricular stroke volume or cardiac output. On the curve of a normally functioning heart, cardiac performance increases continuously as preload increases. During states of increased left ventricular contractility, for example, due to norepinephrine infusion, there is greater cardiac performance for a given preload. This is represented graphically as an upward shift of the normal curve. Conversely, during states of decreased left ventricular contractility associated with systolic heart failure, there is less cardiac performance for a given preload as compared to the normal curve. This is represented by a downward shift of the normal curve. Decreased contractility also can result from a loss of myocardium as with myocardial infarction, beta-blockers (acutely), non-dihydropyridine Ca++ channel blockers, and dilated cardiomyopathy.[4][5][6]
Changes in afterload, which is the force of resistance that the ventricle must overcome to empty contents at the beginning of systole, will also shift the Frank-Starling curve. A decrease in afterload will cause an upward shift of the ventricular performance curve in a similar fashion to an increase in inotropy. Conversely, an increase in afterload will cause a downward shift of the curve in a similar fashion to a decrease in inotropy.
Increase in catecholamines, such as norepinephrine, during exercise will result in an upward shift of the Frank-Starling curve. Catecholamines achieve this increase by binding to a myocyte beta1-adrenergic receptor, a g-protein coupled receptor, ultimately resulting in increased Ca++ channel release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum which enhances the force of contraction.[7][8]
The Frank-Starling mechanism plays a role in the compensation of systolic heart failure, buffering the fall in cardiac output to help preserve sufficient blood pressure to perfuse the vital organs. Heart failure caused by the impaired contractile function of the left ventricle causes a downward shift of the left ventricular performance curve. At any given preload, the stroke volume will be decreased as compared to normal. This reduced stroke volume leads to incomplete left ventricular emptying. Consequently, the volume of blood that accumulates in the left ventricle during diastole is greater than normal. The amplified residual volume increases the stretch of the myocardial fibers and induces a greater stroke volume with the next contraction, via the Frank-Starling mechanism. This allows for better emptying of the enlarged left ventricle and preserves cardiac output.[9]
The benefits of the Frank Starling mechanism in the compensation of systolic heart failure is limited. In severe heart failure with greater malfunction of cardiac contractility, the ventricular performance curve may be nearly flat at higher diastolic volumes, reducing the increased cardiac output with increases in chamber filling. In this circumstance, a severe elevation at the EDV and left ventricular EDP may result in pulmonary congestion.
The Frank-Starling mechanism also plays a compensatory role in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. In dilated cardiomyopathy, there is commonly dilation of both the right and left ventricles with decreased contractile function. As impaired myocyte contractility results in depression of ventricular stroke volume and cardiac output, the Frank-Starling mechanism has compensatory effects. As the elevated ventricular diastolic volume increases the stretch on the myocardial fibers, there will be a subsequent increase in stroke volume. Along with the Frank-Starling mechanism, neurohormonal activation mediated by the sympathetic nervous system also compensates for dilated cardiomyopathy by increasing heart rate and contractility, helping to buffer the decreased cardiac output. These compensatory mechanisms may lead to a lack of symptoms during the early stages of ventricular dysfunction. With progressive myocyte degeneration and volume overload, clinical symptoms of systolic heart failure will develop.
In patients with impaired myocardial systolic failure, inotropic drugs are used to increase the force of ventricular contraction. Pharmacologic inotropic agents include cardiac glycosides, such as digitalis; sympathomimetic amines such as dopamine and epinephrine; and phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitors, such as milrinone. They all work through different mechanisms to enhance cardiac contraction by increasing the intracellular calcium concentration, enhancing actin and myosin interaction. This will have the hemodynamic effect of shifting a depressed ventricular performance (Frank-Starling) curve in an upward direction toward normal so that at a given preload (left ventricular EDP), the stroke volume and cardiac output are increased.
With progressive loss of ventricular contractility, increased preload (pressure) in the left ventricle will surpass the hydrostatic forces of the pulmonary venous system, resulting in pulmonary congestion. In a patient suffering from systolic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and resultant pulmonary congestion, treatment with a diuretic, such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, or a pure venous vasodilator, such as nitrates, reduces the preload without much change in stroke volume. This is because the Frank-Starling curve is almost horizontal at higher levels of preload in a patient whose curve is shifted downward due to systolic contractile dysfunction. However, excessive diuresis or venous vasodilation can result in an unwanted fall in stroke volume, resulting in hypotension.
Arteriolar vasodilation therapy, like hydralazine, also has value when treating systolic heart failure with pulmonary congestion. Arteriolar vasodilators result in a decrease in afterload, allowing for an increase in stroke volume. The improved left ventricular emptying results in a decreased preload and improvement of pulmonary symptoms. There is the potential added benefit of combining treatment with a vasodilator and a positive inotropic agent, allowing for a larger increase in stroke volume than would be seen with monotherapy. Even with combination therapy with a vasodilator and inotropic agent, the Frank-Starling curve will not improve to the performance level of a normal ventricle.
(Move Mouse on Image to Enlarge)
Contributed by Finne HA (Public Domain)
[1] Han JC,Pham T,Taberner AJ,Loiselle DS,Tran K, Solving a century-old conundrum underlying cardiac force-length relations. American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology. 2019 Apr 1; [PubMed PMID: 30707611]
[2] Kuhtz-Buschbeck JP,Drake-Holland A,Noble MIM,Lohff B,Schaefer J, Rediscovery of Otto Frank's contribution to science. Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology. 2018 Jun; [PubMed PMID: 29727607]
[3] Chaui-Berlinck JG,Monteiro LHA, Frank-Starling mechanism and short-term adjustment of cardiac flow. The Journal of experimental biology. 2017 Dec 1; [PubMed PMID: 28912258]
[4] Ochsner G,Wilhelm MJ,Amacher R,Petrou A,Cesarovic N,Staufert S,Röhrnbauer B,Maisano F,Hierold C,Meboldt M,Schmid Daners M, In Vivo Evaluation of Physiologic Control Algorithms for Left Ventricular Assist Devices Based on Left Ventricular Volume or Pressure. ASAIO journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992). 2017 Sep/Oct; [PubMed PMID: 28857904]
[5] Sequeira V,van der Velden J, The Frank-Starling Law: a jigsaw of titin proportions. Biophysical reviews. 2017 Jun; [PubMed PMID: 28639137]
[6] Chen-Izu Y,Izu LT, Mechano-chemo-transduction in cardiac myocytes. The Journal of physiology. 2017 Jun 15; [PubMed PMID: 28098356]
[7] Toepfer CN,West TG,Ferenczi MA, Revisiting Frank-Starling: regulatory light chain phosphorylation alters the rate of force redevelopment (ktr ) in a length-dependent fashion. The Journal of physiology. 2016 Sep 15; [PubMed PMID: 27291932]
[8] Li KL,Ghashghaee NB,Solaro RJ,Dong W, Sarcomere length dependent effects on the interaction between cTnC and cTnI in skinned papillary muscle strips. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics. 2016 Jul | |
From CSR to the transformation of business models
by Cécile Renouard , 12.10.16
Cécile Renouard, Director of the research program CODEV – companies and Development within ESSEC IRENE, shares her in-the-field research with multinationals to map out a strategy to address the sometimes divergent interests of business and ethics and propose a way forward for the transformation of business models.
From "CSR" to" Corporate Responsibilities
When the word CSR is mentioned, the reaction is sometimes a groan, sometimes a moan. More often than not, pushed by the requirement to achieve performance and ROI, companies build their own negative impression of CSR initiatives, both internally and externally.
There are in fact differing perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among countries and continents. In India for instance, companies are required to spend 2% of their net profit on CSR activities, without a strict definition of the nature of the activities (philanthropy, etc.). The European Commission (2011) defined CSR as "the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society". The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued guidelines for multinational enterprises to contribute to economic, environmental and social progress with a view to achieving sustainable development. The United Nations developed a set of principles for companies and States: the "protect, respect and remedy" framework. Beneficially for companies to 'walk the talk' of ethical behaviour, such guidelines laid down by national and international law help them keep to the path.
However, such "soft law" guidelines are not yet translated into national and international laws. Moreover, many ethical dilemmas go beyond the mere compliance to laws, norms or regulations. As far as taxation is concerned, for example, some current transfer pricing practices, that can be legal, can be seen as illegitimate in the sense that companies shift their profit to tax havens and reduce the amounts they pay to the countries where they operate. To manage such dilemmas, companies need to forge a vision of their responsibilities in a broad sense. ESSEC lecturer and researcher Cécile Renouard has developed a framework to help companies map out their responsibilities: companies have an economic and financial responsibility, a social responsibility towards employees, a societal and environmental responsibility, a political responsibility, and lastly an extraordinary and philanthropic responsibility.
The notion of responsibility is connected to a questioning on what a company is, at a philosophical level. Money is only one aspect of a company; a company is a group of people with an impact on the context in which it operates. Moreover, there is a general misunderstanding that a company is owned by its shareholders, whereas, if one looks carefully, the law draws the line between holding a share and owning a company. In this light, a company is a project that must be financed by profit, but which must also – as a body, a moral persona – be consistent with the public interest. A company is not merely an economic player but in many ways a political institution in the sense of the ancient Greek polis, meaning 'living together'. There lies the meaning of its responsibilities, and more specifically of its political responsibility to collaborate to a political project for the society.
Analyzing and measuring impact on society
Responsibilities are connected to impact: the management of each responsibility goes through minimizing the negative impacts and maximizing its positive impact on those who are affected: the company's stakeholders.
Impact assessment covers a diversity of approaches. The Companies and Development (CODEV) Research Program at the ESSEC IRENE, ESSEC Business School, applied mixed qualitative and quantitative methods[1] to analyse and measure the impact of multinational companies on their stakeholders – especially the populations around production sites – in the areas in which they had operations in Nigeria, Indonesia, India and Mexico, as detailed below:
Total's societal impact on oil-extraction regions of the Niger Delta, Nigeria (2008–2014);
The Danone project of scavengers' cooperatives in Indonesia: Managing the fast-growing flow of plastic waste to fight against poverty (2011–2014);
The Véolia project in Nagpur (India): Public-private partnership (PPP) and access to water (2011–2012);
Michelin in India: Legal and reputational risks around an industrial site (2012–2015).
Danone in Mexico: Social impact assessment of Danone's Pepenadores Project (2013–2015).
The overriding conclusion of such studies is that, when it comes to maximizing the impact of activities at a local level, pure corporate philanthropy initiatives simply do not work. It is not enough to give books and material aid, as has been seen with oil companies in the Niger Delta region. What is effective, however, is Development with a capital D – meaning the Development of capabilities among populations to be (behave) and do (skills). This implies promoting bottom-up participation and initiatives, involving people, empowering them and letting them become aware in order to want to make the change themselves. The companies' impact on society is also an impact on the relations of the people among themselves. When company impact on its environment is analyzed, the result is that in many cases it decreases social relations. It is crucial for companies to create social relations, links and lasting social cohesion with the communities where they are located. This will require a mindset change and a long, hard look at how a company can help local development – not in the short-term as has so often been the case, but over the long-term. Companies should not be afraid to acknowledge the complexity of the development issues that they face, especially in the emerging markets. Danone, for example, had to learn this the hard way when it tried to implement a development program in Indonesia which turned out to be insufficiently adapted to the social fabric of the informal environment at stake. Other Danone projects worked better in Brazil and Argentina for instance.
Transforming business models
This perspective on responsibilities leads us to view the company's stakeholders not only as its direct suppliers, customers or social groups around a production site, but as the different groups impacted by its operations along the chain to which they belong, from upstream producers to end-consumers. This relates the company to "political" challenges such as education, pollution, global warming, poverty reduction, etc. This is no longer about local projects led at a very local and limited scale, for a very small number of people, but about a necessary transformation of the business models at a larger scale - meaning a deep transformation of the strategy, production, marketing, finance, supply chain and other functions and practices. Our economy (and most of our laws) was created at a time when we thought resources were inexhaustible. The replacement of humans by machines was also in apparent good faith: essentially to increase standards of living. But these concepts were founded on principles that today seem false: there is no longer "enough land, and as good, left in common for others" as John Locke once stated. Neither is there an infinite stock of oil and gas.
The transformation of our business models is a question for society as a whole. Is it possible to stop saying that it is greater GDP that creates better living conditions for all? True, our economic model has bettered conditions for one part of the world – the industrial world – but the global picture is that it endangers the quality of life of future generations and already leaves many poor people aside. If we want to change, therefore, it is perhaps a question of considering how our economic models contribute to the problem and reflecting on the idea that prosperity is reachable, but by putting emphasis on other dimensions such as lower consumption, sobriety, and modesty in how we go about developing growth and profit.
It is not only the multinational giants who are concerned. Small companies too: not simply because of the domino effect the giants have along the | |
day showed a better analgesic effect for the steroid group, which made us believe that MCPI with steroids provided prolonged analgesic effects which could be maintained for at least seven days. It also supported the possibility of steroids itself playing a pivotal role, as the effect of local anesthetics should have had already disappeared by that time.
The forest plots demonstrate that neither the early postoperative ROM nor the long-term ROM of knee showed any difference between the non-steroid and steroid group. For the reason that TKA is a major trauma, the analgesic effect is insufficient for a better ROM during the early postoperative period even if an earlier straight-leg rise and a shorter length of hospital stay are achieved by MCPI with steroids. There is no statistical difference in ROM between steroid and non-steroid group at the third postoperative month, which means MCPI with steroids, might not increase the ROM as it does not decrease postoperative fibrosis and scarring at the respective time frame.
For safety, many surgeons refrain from using periarticular steroids, concerned about the risk of postoperative infection and wound problems [24, 25]. Among the included RCTs in our study, the inclusion criteria for four of all six were patients undergoing primary TKA for osteoarthritis. Almost all the RCTs excluded patients with a past history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunocompromised renal failure, ipsilateral deep-knee infection, and hypersensitivity to one or more drugs included in the cocktail, major psychological ailments or any other systemic conditions which is even a contraindication for a normal TKA [10–12, 14–16]. The result of our meta-analysis indicated that the steroid addition to MCPI would not increase the incidence of postoperative infection and wound oozing; moreover, no tendon rupture was reported in the included studies. All these results suggest that the drug composition and amount of steroids in the included studies did not increase the risk of postoperative infection and wound problems. Although existing studies have not demonstrated a significant increase in the incidence of such catastrophic complications, MCPI with steroids should be best used in patients undergoing primary TKA for osteoarthritis; patients with a history of aforementioned ailments should be excluded [11].
In spite of previous studies which presumed that MCPI with steroids might decrease the blood loss due to a reduction in the production of prostaglandins with vasodilatory effects [11, 12, 15], the result of our meta-analysis showed that it could not significantly reduce the postoperative drainage. One thing to note here is that postoperative drainage only represents obvious blood loss; whether the total blood loss is reduced due to MCPI with steroids is still unknown. For this reason, RCTs which evaluate the changes of hemoglobin level should be performed as the existing data could not assess the changes of hidden and total blood loss by meta-analysis.
The limitations of our study include the following. (1) The meta-analysis of ROM and some postoperative VAS appeared heterogeneous, and sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses failed to eliminate the heterogeneity. As those results of meta-analysis had clinical agreement, we included all those studies and conducted the meta-analysis by the random-effects model for the reason that those studies were of high quality, which may slightly influence the reliability of the meta-analysis. (2) The included studies were lacking in, inflammation evaluating indexes like interleukin-6, serum C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, so we could not evaluate the efficacy of MCPI with steriod comprehensively.
For patients undergoing TKA, the addition of steroids, which is proved to be highly safe, further improves the analgesic efficacy of MCPI. MCPI with steroids might neither increase the early or long-term postoperative ROM of knee nor may it reduce the postoperative drainage. However, the duration of time required to perform straight-leg raising and length of hospital stay are reduced. However, the best results are acquired in patients without any altered immunological status. New RCTs which evaluate the changes in hematocrit levels and those which incorporate knee-score system should be performed for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of MCPI with steriod comprehensively.
MCPI:
multimodal cocktail periarticular injection
RCTs:
VAS:
visual analogue scale
SLR:
straight-leg raise
relative risk
WMD:
weighted mean difference
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Paul JE, Arya A, Hurlburt L, et al. Femoral nerve block improves analgesia outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Anesthesiology. 2010;113(5):1144–62.
Gibbs DM, Green TP, Esler CN. The local infiltration of analgesia following total knee replacement: a review of current literature. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2012;94(9):1154–9.
Creamer P. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections in osteoarthritis: do they work and if so, how? Ann Rheum Dis. 1997;56(11):634–6.
Holte K, Kehlet H. Perioperative single-dose glucocorticoid administration: pathophysiologic effects and clinical implications. J Am Coll Surg. 2002;195(5):694–712.
Pang HN, Lo NN, Yang KY, et al. Peri-articular steroid injection improves the outcome after unicondylar knee replacement: a prospective, randomised controlled trial with a two-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008;90(6):738–44.
Christensen CP, Jacobs CA, Jennings HR. Effect of periarticular corticosteroid injections during total knee arthroplasty. A double-blind randomized trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91(11):2550–5.
Ikeuchi M, Kamimoto Y, Izumi M, et al. Effects of dexamethasone on local infiltration analgesia in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(7):1638–43.
Kwon SK, Yang IH, Bai SJ, et al. Periarticular injection with corticosteroid has an additional pain management effect in total knee arthroplasty. Yonsei Med J. 2014;55(2):493–8.
Furlan AD, Pennick V, Bombardier C, et al. 2009 updated method guidelines for systematic reviews in the Cochrane Back Review Group. Spine. 2009;34(18):1929–41.
Yue DB, Wang BL, Liu KP, et al. Efficacy of multimodal cocktail periarticular injection with or without steroid in total knee arthroplasty. Chin Med J (Engl). 2013;126(20):3851–5.
Seah VW, Chin PL, Chia SL, et al. Single-dose periarticular steroid infiltration for pain management in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Singapore Med J. 2011;52(1):19–23.
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Vendittoli PA, Makinen P, Drolet P, et al. A multimodal analgesia protocol for total knee arthroplasty. A randomized, controlled study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(2):282–9.
Busch CA, Shore BJ, Bhandari R, et al. Efficacy of periarticular multimodal drug injection in total knee arthroplasty. A randomized trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(5):959–63.
Ng YC, Lo NN, Yang KY, et al. Effects of periarticular steroid injection on knee function and the inflammatory response following unicondylar knee arthroplasty. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2011;19(1):60–5.
Salerno A, Hermann R. Efficacy and safety of steroid use for postoperative pain relief. Update and review of the medical literature. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(6):1361–72.
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Wang JJ, Ho ST, Lee SC, et al. Intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide for pain control after arthroscopic knee surgery. Anesth Analg. 1998;87(5):1113–6.
Sauerland S, Nagelschmidt M, Mallmann P, et al. Risks and benefits of preoperative high dose methylprednisolone in surgical patients: a systematic review. Drug Saf. 2000;23(5):449–61.
Wang Q, Jiang X, Tian W. Does previous intra-articular steroid injection increase the risk of joint infection following total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty? A meta-analysis. Med Sci Monit. 2014;20:1878–83.
Marsland D, Mumith A, Barlow IW. Systematic review: the safety of intra-articular corticosteroid injection prior to total knee arthroplasty. Knee. | |
What is the definition of TCPA dialer?
Under the TCPA, an autodialer is defined as any device with the capacity to store and produce telephone numbers that are random or sequentially generated. Any device with the capacity to dial stored phone number qualifies as an ATDS- automatic dialing system. In 2015 the DC circuit concluded that the Federal Communications Commission implemented an overly expansive view of TCPA definition. FCC defined a piece of equipment as an autodialer in case it has the potential capacity to dial random or sequential numbers in its 2015 declaratory ruling.
In the same year, the FCC chairman Pai considered the issue of ATDS definition as over-inclusive and overbroad. Chairman Pai then positioned that if a piece of equipment cannot store or produce telephone numbers, it could not be used in generating random or sequential numbers. Thus it does not meet the statutory definition. Pai believed that the statutory definition of autodialer was limited to the present equipment capacity, not to its potential capacity.
Telephone consumer protection act rules and regulations: What is an autodialer?
The definition of ATDS under the TCPA
Companies need to understand predictive dialers and autodialer definition. The expansive definition of autodialer has been a hot issue for organizations that mainly operate through calls and texts. Last year, D.C split the FCC ATDS definition in ACA intl v.FCC. This leads the courts to diverge in opinions regarding the interpretation of ATDS. We will look at relevant details of the court's decision in ACA International concerning autodialer definition.
Declaratory ruling and order on auto-dialers by Federal Communications Commission
Concerning the separate views of what courts regard to be autodialer as defined by the Telephone Consumer Protections Act TCPA, below are some of the evolving interpretations. The Federal Communications Commission determined that the statutory definition of dialing equipment's capacity should be limited to the equipment's present capacity in its 2015 declaratory ruling and order. Nonetheless, rather, it should be viewed as a function of the equipment's possible functionalities. The challenge to the order by industry participants,made the D.C Circuit split the Federal Communications Commission's broad definition of ATDS.
What is the ninth circuit definition of an ATDS?
The Ninth Circuit declaratory ruling is relevant to a more expansive definition of an autodialer. The Ninth Circuit defines any device that can dial stored telephone numbers, whether or not a random or sequential number generator generated the number as an autodialer or automatic telephone dialing system ATDS.
The Ninth Circuit ruling contradicts the second and the third circuit ruling. In 2008, a California court held in light of aca international that the ATDS should be interpreted as it was before the 2015 order. This restricts ATDS to equipment with the present capacity to function as an autodialer. However, in September 2019, 2003, and 2008, predictive dialer rulings were held as defunct by the court of appeal. The court held that the TCPA's ATDS definitions need random or sequential number generation. After the ninth circuit ruling, the FCC began seeking comments from the public on ATDS definitions.
Organizations that use auto dialers are advised to be careful in interpreting the definition of an autodialer. While the ninth circuit's adoption of ATDS expansive definition matches with DC circuit, it still can change in the higher courts or may be expanded further in the future. You may be surprised to realize that your call center software dialing feature falls under what FCCs interpretation defines as an autodialer under the TCPA regulations. Thus, your company could be charged with illegal robocalls without you even realizing it.
Does your dialer help you achieve TCPA compliance?
How does TCPA dialer work for call center?
TCPA dialer is a vital tool of contact. A contact center needs to take control of TCPA compliance. And to do so, a company uses human intervention, intelligent technology, and risk management. Whereas it is essential to stay compliant, you will also be required to maintain your contact center's efficiency and productivity. Typically most cloud TCPA compliance solutions are either cumbersome, limiting output, slowing productivity, or so they do not reliably facilitate compliance.
The Telephone Consumer Protect Act of 1991 explained
What is TCPA rules and regulations?
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a federal ruling signed into law to manage the growing trend of unwanted telemarketing calls to clients. Telephone Consumer Protection Act was signed in 1991 and aimed to curb unwanted solicitations and illegal robocalls, specifically telemarketing, with the adoption of automated dialers and automated phone equipment. TCPA limits the use of voice messages, robocalls, SMS, and fax by advertisers and marketers, mainly to sell goods and services. Changes have been made to the act since 1991, which includes the creation of TCPA safe harbor and reassigned telephone number databases by FCC. The TCPA rules and regulations emphasize that without explicit consumer consent, an organization must strictly follow prescribed solicitation rules and regulations for contact center compliance. Customer consent is the fundamental part of the law, and each business that directly communicates with clients should focus on it.
Is auto dialer illegal? TCPA autodialer restrictions
Autodialers are not unlawful, but TCPA prohibits contact with consumers before they express consent. This applies to robocalls, faxes, text messages, telemarketing faxes, and prerecorded calls. Your business should be familiar with the following when it comes to TCPA compliance:
There are still instances where the telephone service organization automatically dials calls or where a dialer sends text messages to wireless phones even when there is no customer consent and is not considered illegal. Such a situation is only relevant to alerts and notifications about possible fraud, white collar criminals, and important reminders such as medication refills. Even though companies still have to provide consumers an alternative to opt-out notifications.
Phone service organizations can provide blocking to clients.
Consent does not survive when the telephone number is reassigned. You may still violate the law if the number dialed is allocated or a wrong number.
A customer can nullify consent at any time in a reasonable way. It also shows that your company has to provide consumers with a reasonable way to opt-out of their approval.
Organizations that use preview dialers may still be held accountable if their contact center can make automated calls, and their customer's consent is not established.
No phone calls deploying auto dialer or prerecorded or artificial voice may be made to food and drug service, healthcare facility, hospital, any emergency line medical physician, fire protection, or poison control agency.
How to tell if a call was made with predictive dialers?
It can be hard to tell when an autodialer has been used. However, the Federal Communication Commission defines an automated telephone dialing system to incorporate predictive dialers software. Most systems utilized by telemarketing organizations will autodial many telephone numbers at one time. They will result in a live person to come to the line immediately when the call is answered. In that case, there will be a delay and maybe a clicking sound after you receive it. In a situation where a live person answers, the predictive dialer will have possibly dialed you. Nonetheless, although there is no click or delay, the phone call might still be illegal. If you receive a type of telemarketing call that you feel was aimed for a large group of people, then the application that was used to call you was an automated telephone system. It is worth noting that prerecorded messages or some artificial voice is utilized to call your landline phone; the call is illegal., in spite of the software that was used to dial your number.
Does the national do not call registry work?
What is the national do not call registry ?
The national do not call (DNC) registry concerns to a list of registry of phone numbers from customers who communicated their desire to restrict | |
\section{Introduction}
Graphene is a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms that has attracted considerable attention
recently because of experimental progress\cite{novoselov2004,novoselov2005a,zhang2005a,berger2004} that has raised hopes
for applications in nanoelectronics
and because of exotic chiral features\cite{kane2005a,kane2005b,semonoff1984,haldane1988,gusynin2005,sinitsyn2006,saito1998,wilson2006} in its electronic structure.
In the absence of spin-orbit interactions, the energy bands of graphene are described at low energies by a
two-dimensional Dirac equation with linear dispersion centered on the hexagonal corners of the
honeycomb lattice Brillouin zone.
The recent advances in fabrication techniques have made it possible to produce graphitic systems with only a few layers
or even a single monolayer of graphene\cite{novoselov2004,novoselov2005a,zhang2005a,berger2004}.
One of the most remarkable properties of graphene is its half integer
quantum Hall effect, confirmed by recent experiments\cite{novoselov2005b,zhang2005b}.
This electronic property follows directly from the system's Dirac-like band structure\cite{kane2005a,kane2005b}.
In a recent paper, Kane and Mele\cite{kane2005a} showed that symmetry allowed spin-orbit interactions can generate an energy gap
and convert graphene from a two dimensional zero gap semiconductor to an insulator with a quantized spin Hall effect\cite{sinitsyn2006}.
The quantized spin Hall conductivity can be zero or nonzero, depending on the relative strength of intrinsic
and Rashba spin-orbit interactions. The temperature at which the spin Hall effect
can be observed, and the sample quality requirements for its occurrence, depend
on the absolute magnitude of these two spin-orbit interaction terms in the band structure. (Kane and Mele\cite{kane2005a}
argued on the basis of rough estimates of the spin-orbit interaction scale, that the quantum spin Hall effect in graphene
should be observable at relatively accessible temperatures of the order of 1$^\circ {\rm K}$.)
Motivated by the fundamental interest associated with the spin Hall effect and spin-orbit interactions in graphene,
we have attempted to estimate, on the basis of microscopic considerations,
the strength of both interactions.
In order to allow for a Rashba interaction, we account for the presence of an external gate
electric field $E$ of the type used experimentally in graphene to move the Fermi energy away from the Dirac point. (Importantly
this electric field explicitly removes inversion through the graphene plane from the symmetry operations of the system.)
Then, starting from a microscopic tight-binding model with atomic spin-orbit interactions of strength $\xi$, we use perturbation theory to
derive expressions for the spin-orbit coupling terms that appear in the low-energy Hamiltonian. At leading order in
$\xi$ only the Rashba spin-orbit interaction term ($\propto E$) appears. The intrinsic ($E=0$) spin-orbit
coupling has a leading contribution proportional to $\xi^2$. Both terms have the form proposed by Kane and
Mele\cite{kane2005a} on the basis of symmetry considerations. According to our theory the respective coupling constants
are given by the following expressions:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:intrinsic}
\lambda_{SO} = {|s| \over 18(sp\sigma)^2} \; \xi^2 \ , \
\end{equation}
and
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:rashba}
\lambda_R = { e E z_0 \over 3(sp\sigma)} \; \xi,
\end{equation}
where $|s|$ and $(sp\sigma)$ are tight-binding model parameters explained more fully below, $E$ is
a perpendicular external electric field, and $z_0$ is
proportional to the atomic size of carbon.
The coupling constants $\lambda_{SO}$ and $\lambda_R$ have numerical values $\sim 100$ times smaller
and $\sim 100$ times larger, respectively, than the estimates of Kane and Mele\cite{kane2005a} with $\lambda_{SO}<\lambda_R$
at the largest reasonable values of $E$. Together,
these estimates suggest that the quantum spin Hall effect will be observable
in ideal samples only at temperatures below $~\sim 0.01 ^\circ {\rm K}$ in a zero-field limit.
Our paper is organized as follows. In Section \ref{sec:tight_binding} we briefly summarize the tight-binding model used to
represent graphene in this paper. Section \ref{sec:perturbation} describes some details of the perturbation theory calculation.
In Section \ref{sec:abinitio} we discuss \textit{ab initio}
density functional theory calculations we have carried out as a partial check on the tight-binding model and on the atomic approximation for spin-orbit
interactions used in the perturbation theory calculations. We conclude in Section \ref{sec:summary} with a brief summary and
present our conclusions.
\section{Tight-binding Model}
\label{sec:tight_binding}
\subsection{Two-center hopping}
For our analytic perturbation theory calculations we choose the simplest
possible tight-binding model with carbon $s$ and $p$
orbitals, a two-center Slater-Koster approximation\cite{slater1954} for nearest-neighbor hopping, and orthogonality between Wannier functions centered
on different sites assumed. This gives a tight-binding Hamiltonian of the form
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{eq:NN_matrix}
H_{A,\mu;A,\mu'}(\vec{k})=H_{B,\mu;B,\mu'}(\vec{k})&=&t_{\mu}\delta_{\mu,\mu'}, \\
H_{A,\mu;B,\mu'}(\vec{k})=H_{B,\mu';A,\mu}^{\ast}(\vec{k})&=&\sum_{i=1}^{3} e^{i\vec{k}\cdot\vec{N}_i} t_{\mu,\mu'}(\vec{N}_i), \nonumber
\end{eqnarray}
where $\mu,\mu'$ label the four orbitals on each site,
$A$ and $B$ represent the two distinct sites in the honeycomb lattice unit cell, and $\vec{N}_i$ is one of the
three vectors connecting a lattice site and its near neighbors. We choose a coordinate system in which the honeycomb's
Bravais lattice has primitive vectors
\begin{equation}
\vec{a}_1=a(1,0) \ , \qquad\qquad \vec{a}_2=a\Big({1 \over 2},{\sqrt{3} \over 2}\Big),
\end{equation}
where $a = 2.46 {\rm \AA}$ is the lattice constant of graphene. The corresponding reciprocal lattice vectors are
\begin{equation}
\vec{b}_1={4\pi \over \sqrt{3}a}\Big({\sqrt{3}\over 2},-{1\over 2}\Big) \ , \, \vec{b}_2={4\pi \over \sqrt{3}a}(0,1),
\end{equation}
and the near-neighbor translation vectors are:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:NN}
\vec{N}= \left\{a\Big(0,{1 \over\sqrt{3}}\Big),a\Big(-{1\over 2},-{1\over 2\sqrt{3}}\Big),a\Big({1\over 2},-{1\over 2\sqrt{3}}\Big) \right\}.
\end{equation}
The site-diagonal matrix elements $t_{\mu}$ are the atomic energies of $s$ and $p$ orbitals, with the latter chosen as the
zero of energy. In Table \ref{tab:two_center} we reproduce for completeness the relationship between the required nearest-neighbor hopping
matrix elements $t_{\mu,\mu'}$ and the four independent Slater-Koster parameters $(ss\sigma)$, $(sp\sigma)$, $(pp\sigma)$, and
$(pp\pi)$ whose numerical values specify this model quantitatively.
If the graphene lattice is placed in the $\hat{x}-\hat{y}$ plane, $n_z=0$ for hops on the graphene lattice
and the atomic $p_z$ orbitals decouple from other orbitals.
This property is more general than our model, since it follows from the graphene plane inversion symmetry that
orbitals which are even and odd under this symmetry operation will not be coupled, and is
key to the way in which weak spin-orbit interactions influence the low-energy bands.
\begin{table}[h]
\begin{ruledtabular}
\begin{tabular}{cc|cc}
$t_{s}$ & $s$ & $t_{p_x,p_x}$ & $n_x^2(pp\sigma)+(1-n_x^2)(pp\pi)$ \\
$t_{p}$ & $p$ & $t_{p_y,p_y}$ & $n_y^2(pp\sigma)+(1-n_y^2)(pp\pi)$ \\
$t_{s,s} $ & $(ss\sigma)$ & $t_{p_z,p_z}$ & $n_z^2(pp\sigma)+(1-n_z^2)(pp\pi)$ \\
$t_{s,p_x}$ & $n_x (sp\sigma)$ & $t_{p_x,p_y}$ & $n_x n_y (pp\sigma)-n_x n_y (pp\pi)$ \\
$t_{s,p_y}$ & $n_y (sp\sigma)$ & $t_{p_x,p_z}$ & $n_x n_z (pp\sigma)-n_x n_z (pp\pi)$ \\
$t_{s,p_z}$ & $n_z (sp\sigma)$ & $t_{p_y,p_z}$ & $n_y n_z (pp\sigma)-n_y n_z (pp\pi)$ \\
\end{tabular}
\caption{Two-center matrix elements for hoping between $s$ and $p$ orbitals along
a direction specified by the unit vector $(n_x,n_y,n_z)$.}
\label{tab:two_center}
\end{ruledtabular}
\end{table}
\subsection{Atomic spin-orbit interactions}
The microscopic spin-orbit interaction is
\begin{equation}
H_{SO}={1 \over 2 (m_e c)^2}\left(\nabla V\times\vec{p}\right)\cdot\vec{S}.
\end{equation}
Since $\nabla V$ is largest near the atomic nuclei, spin-orbit interactions
are normally accurately approximated by a local atomic contribution of the form:
\begin{equation}
H_{SO}= \sum_{i,l} \; P_{il} \; \xi_l \; \vec{L}_{i}\cdot\vec{S}_{i},
\end{equation}
where $i$ is a site index, $P_{il}$ denotes projection onto angular momentum $l$ on site $i$, $\xi_l$ is the
atomic spin-orbit coupling constant for angular momentum $l$, and $\vec{S}$ is the spin operator on site $i$.
For our model spin-orbit coupling occurs only among the $p$ orbitals.
\subsection{External gate electric fields}
Finite carrier densities have been generated in graphene by applying an external gate voltage. The resulting electric field $E$ lifts
inversion symmetry in the graphene plane. An electric field $E$ can also be produced by accidental doping in the substrate or cap
layer or by atomic length scale charge rearrangements near the graphene/substrate or graphene/cap-layer interfaces. To
model this important effect we consider an additional local atomic single-particle Stark-effect term of the form
\begin{equation}
H_{EF}=e E \sum_i z_i
\end{equation}
where $i$ is a site index. In our $s-p$ tight-binding model
the only nonvanishing matrix element of $H_{EF}$ is the one between the $s$ and $p_{z}$ orbitals
to which we assign the value $e E z_0$.
\section{Perturbation Theory}
\label{sec:perturbation}
\subsection{Unperturbed Hamiltonian matrix at $K$ and $K'$}
The low-energy Hamiltonian is specified by the Dirac Hamiltonian and by the spin-orbit coupling terms at
$K$ and $K'$. We choose the inequivalent hexagonal corner wave vectors $K$ and $K'$
to be $K={1\over 3}(2\vec{b}_1+\vec{b}_2)=({4\pi\over 3a},0)$ and $K'=-K$.
Table \ref{tab:hamiltonian_K} and Table \ref{tab:eigenvector_K} list the Hamiltonian matrix elements and
the corresponding eigenvectors. Here $s$ is the on-site energy of $s$ orbitals relative to $p$ orbitals, $\alpha\equiv {3\over 2}(sp\sigma)$, $\beta\equiv{3\over 4}\left[(pp\sigma)-(pp\pi)\right]$, and $\gamma_{\pm}={\sqrt{s^2+8\alpha^2}\pm s \over 2}$.
\begin{table}[h]
\begin{ruledtabular}
\begin{tabular}{c|cccc|cccc}
Orbital &$A,s$ & $A,p_x$ & $A,p_y$ & $A,p_z$ & $B,s$ & $B,p_x$ & $B,p_y$ & $B,p_z$ \\
\hline
$A,s$ &s &0 &0 &0 &0 &$\pm i\alpha$ &$\alpha$ &0\\
$A,p_x$ &0 &0 &0 &0 &$\mp i\alpha$ &$-\beta$ &$\mp i\beta$ &0 \\
$A,p_y$ &0 &0 &0 &0 &$-\alpha$ &$\mp i\beta$ & $\beta$ &0 \\
$A,p_z$ &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 \\
\hline
$B,s$ &0 &$\pm i\alpha$ & $-\alpha$ &0 &s &0 &0 &0 \\
$B,p_x$ &$\mp i\alpha$ &$-\beta$ &$\pm i\beta$ &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 \\
$B,p_y$ &$\alpha$ &$\pm i\beta$ &$\beta$ &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 \\
$B,p_z$ &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 &0 | |
Digital Marketing Audits
Think You Really Know Our New COO?
By Engenius Team June 25, 2018 Meet The Team
Over the last few months we have been introducing you to our team. This month we wanted to highlight our newly appointed COO, TJ Deluccia.
TJ is the office dad: level-headed and wise, patient and thoughtful, with plenty of cheesy jokes and a knack for teaching the team new lessons. He was brought on as Director of Production back in 2016 and has worked his way up by implementing great ideas and helping Engenius grow and mature.
A Long and Winding Road
TJ's journey to the COO position has taken many twists and turns. While attending Clemson he jumped from one degree to another — his pursuits included pre-med, construction science management, and graphic design. He ended up graduating in 2010 with a degree in Print Production, but he still wasn't sure what he wanted to do.
After graduating, TJ joined Erwin Penland and worked in various capacities during his five year tenure. Just like his time in college he moved from one role to the next, working in print production, video production, experiential design, and eventually moving into more client-facing roles.
During all this time, going as far back as his college days, TJ had his eye on Engenius. He knew both of the company's founders, Chase Finch and Chris Manley, from his time at Clemson.
"Chase was actually a good friend of mine at Clemson and he told me he was starting this company and I always kept my eye out. Six years ago I applied for a position at Engenius, but the timing wasn't right. But because I was so closely connected to those guys I watched them while I was over at EP and when they reached back out for the Director of Production [role], the stars kind of aligned."
Despite his varied experiences TJ wasn't familiar with web design when he came to Engenius, but he did know advertising. His understanding of project management, customer service, and marketing brought a fresh perspective that we greatly benefited from.
In one sentence how would you sum up the internet? "It is the digital wild wild west."
Transitioning From Big to Small
Going from EP to Engenius was a significant transition for TJ. Not only had he worked with huge brands and budgets, but he was largely working in cities outside of Greenville. He felt disconnected from his home and wanted to contribute something to the city he loved so much, which was one of the driving forces that brought him to Engenius.
"I had worked in primarily really big, large brands so we are talking multi-million dollar budgets in places that were in big cities like New York and Boston. I was excited to work on and improve the small business community in Greenville and work with people that I will actually meet and talk to and know pretty well."
For TJ this change was both refreshing and enlightening. He felt like he could really set down roots and connect with his city in a way he had never done before. And he was able to coach a young and energetic team as he grew into his leadership role.
One important lesson he brought with him: people have the same expectations for great work regardless of how much money they spend. From small to big businesses, you run into the same problems.
"Whether you are spending 2 million or 3 grand, the desire for it to be great is the same from big to small. Expectations don't really change regardless of how much money you have to spend. If you are spending $1 million you're expecting a $1 million return. If you are spending $3,000 you are expecting a $1 million return.
The pressure to do great work does not change from big to small business."
Favorite Thing About His Transition: The opportunity to work on and improve small businesses in a community he loves, while also being able to lead a team.
Favorite Projects: Greenville County Rec
Moving to the C Suite
After arriving at Engenius it didn't take long before TJ was asking hard questions and implementing new systems; his efforts helped push the team to new heights by challenging the status quo and finding more efficient ways to complete our work without sacrificing quality. He keeps the team on track on a day-to-day basis, but is always thinking about the big picture and how things could be improved to set Engenius up for long-term success.
The desire to improve and question the way we do things pervades our culture, and TJ's enthusiastic efforts are a big part of what led him to COO. He recognizes the adaptability of his team and leverages that strength regularly, helping to transform our CEO's vision into a concrete plan..
TJ hasn't been in the COO position long, but he's already excited about the change. The opportunity to do big picture planning, attempting to solve problems years down the road while planning for the growth of his team, perfectly fits his mentality of constant improvement. Stagnation isn't an option for TJ, and he's sure to keep us on our toes as he continues to grow in his new role.
Favorite thing about Engenius: "The people that I get to work with and the clients we get to work with. It's very varied in both aspects. I feel like I get to know a lot of different types of people and I get to know a lot of different types of industries. Feeling like you are able to switch gears and think creatively in different spaces. And our ability to flex and change quickly. If we find out that Google is doing something different we can change that tomorrow, because we have a nimble enough team and a flexible enough team. When you are in a larger agency it can take months or even years to make the changes you need to make in order to do your job well."
Happily Embracing His Home
Although TJ grew up in the Powdersville area, he wasn't as familiar with Greenville proper until later in life.
"As a kid you didn't go to downtown Greenville, we went to downtown Anderson. We just didn't come this way."
Like most Greenville natives he's delighted with the development we've seen in our food and beverage scene.
"I love this city. I love that there is a taco place right next to a beer place right next to a hatchet throwing place and it's not in the 'uppity' part of Greenville. It's in the part that needs some life and vibrance. It's like an Asheville, Charlotte, Atlanta mosh of all the best parts of each city"
TJ loves to be active and creative in his free time. Outside of the office you can find him playing disc golf, painting masterpieces, and hatchet throwing. He's also an avid collector of hats and shoes.
His love for hats started as a kid when he was "a huge Florida State fan. I got a new Florida State hat every year growing up for my birthday as a kid. I became an adult and it became a hobby."
Chances are you already know TJ — he's been in the Greenville area a long time and is notorious around the office for always running into someone he knows when out and about. But if you don't, we hope this gives you an idea of why he's such an important part of our team. We're extremely happy to have him with us and excited to see how he owns his new role!
Jakob's Law
Von Restorff Effect
Serial Position Effect
Law of Prägnanz
Miller's Law
Zeigarnik Effect
Parteo Princple
Doherty Threshold
Hick's Law
Postel's Law
1. Search & SEO Trends
1a. What Are Local Services Ads?
1b. The Importance of Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile
2. Content Marketing Trends
2a. 10x Content
3. | |
Home>>read Born to be Broken (Alpha's Claim #2) free online
Born to be Broken (Alpha's Claim #2)
By:Addison Cain
By the time she'd found his home, Claire could little more than crawl. Scratching at the portal, fingers numb, she slumped to the floor. When the door cracked and squinting eyes showed in the dark, had she the capacity, Claire would have laughed. Never had a man looked more shocked.
She was filthy; stringy hair wet from snow and sweat, limbs badly scraped from her fall. About her throat, a bruise tellingly shaped in a handprint circled like a sad necklace. That was nothing compared to the state of her feet when he tried to help her stand. Torn and bleeding, more skin had been worn away than was sound. Corday hoisted her from the ground, her freezing body flush to his, and locked the door.
"Claire!" He vigorously rubbed his hands up and down the trembling woman's back. "I have you."
It's a good thing he did; once the door locked her eyes rolled back in her skull, Claire unconscious. Corday rushed her to his shower, cranked on the heat, and stood with her under the spray. Her lips were blue, and no wonder considering that temperatures on this level of the Dome had grown near freezing. The Beta stripped off her ruined dress and washed every rivulet of blood from his friend, finding more bruises, more wounds, more reasons to hate Shepherd.
The gauze at her shoulder he'd left for last, grateful at least something had been tended to. But as it grew saturated, he grew worried by what was hinted at under the bandage. Peeling it back, Corday cursed to see what the beast had done to her. Shepherd's claiming marks, the tissue red and distorted-even after what looked like weeks of healing, her shoulder was a fucking mess.
The monster had mutilated her.
The water turned as cold as Corday's blood. He pulled her out, dried her the best he could, and tucked Claire into the warmth of his bed. There she lay, naked and badly damaged, a little color coming back to her hollowed cheeks. One at a time, he uncovered limbs, tending scraps, bandaging wounds, doing his best to preserve her modesty. That didn't mean he didn't see them, the telling bruises mottling her inner thighs.
She looked almost as bad as the Omegas the resistance had rescued …
It frightened him. Not one of those women was thriving. Even safe, they deteriorated-hardly spoke, hardly ate. More of them had died, and though the Enforcers could not pinpoint the cause, Brigadier Dane was certain with all that they'd suffered-the children and mates that had been taken from them-they had simply lost the will to live.
Claire had to be different.
Left arm, right arm, both elbows sluggishly bled. Salve and bandages was the best Corday could offer. But there was nothing he could do for her throat; the mottled yellow-brown bruises were not fresh. The Omega's injuries grew far more complicated with her legs-both kneecaps were grotesque; one gash deep enough to require stitches. He did his best with butterfly sutures, closing the gap of torn flesh, lining up the skin so that it might stand a chance of mending. Her joints would swell-that was unavoidable-and he hesitated to ice them as she was already shivering and still cold to the touch.
"You're gonna be okay, Claire," he promised. "You're safe with me."
Claire opened bloodshot eyes; she looked at the Beta whose face she could read like a book. He was scared for her. "It doesn't hurt."
"Shhh." He leaned down, smiling to see her awake. Stroking the wet, tangled hair from her face, he said, "Rest your throat."
She complied, and Corday worked quickly to finish, disinfecting every abrasion on her outer thighs, knees, and shins. Her feet were a different matter. There was little he could do, and she would hardly be able to walk in the days to come. He picked out the detritus, noting how she didn't move or twitch even when a fresh wave of blood followed a large chunk of glass once it was pulled free. He wrapped her feet tight, and said a prayer to all three Gods that the open wounds would not fester.
Once it looked like she was asleep, he rose.
Claire's hand shot out, her bruised fingers clawing into his sleeve. "Don't go!"
"You need medicine," Corday soothed, weaving his fingers with hers.
Claire held tighter, disjointed and afraid. "Don't leave me alone."
Brushing a pile of bandage wrappers to the floor, Corday did as she wished. He slipped under the covers beside her, offering body heat and a safe place to rest. Claire let him hold her, laying her head on his shoulder, still.
Ashamed to ask, beyond pathetic, she whispered, "Will you purr for me?"
Such a thing was an act of intimacy between lovers and family, but there was no hesitation in the Beta. Corday pulled in a deep breath and started the rumbling vibration at once. The sound was a little off-the act being something he was unaccustomed to-and though it lacked the richness of an Alpha purr, it was infinitely comforting in that moment.
"That's nice." Exhausted, Claire sighed. "Please don't stop."
Corday thumbed a spilling tear from her cheek. "I won't, Claire."
In the voice of a broken thing, Claire began to feel more than endless choking malaise; she felt disgust … for herself. "I hate that name."
Huddled close to her friend, like children whispering secrets, Claire woke. Though her body ached, she was warm, surrounded in a scent of safety, and grateful for the boyish smile Corday offered once she'd pried her sticky lashes apart.
Cautious and gentle, he smoothed her tangled hair. "You look much better."
They were so close she could see the night's stubble on his cheek, smell his breath.
He seemed so real.
Sucking her split lower lip into her mouth, Claire felt the sting. Tasting the scab left when that woman, Svana, had struck her for refusing to spread, made the nightmare real again. It was as if Svana were in the room with her, as if the Alpha's hands remained wrapped around her throat.
Claire struggled to breathe.
Corday broke through her growing terror. "You're okay, Claire. I'll keep you safe."
It wasn't a dream, it was real. Claire grew to understand that the more Corday spoke, the more he touched her, the more she felt the sun on her face.
How had she even come to be there?
She was separated from Shepherd, in a great deal of physical discomfort, naked, and Corday had taken her in, despite the fact that she had drugged him-lied to him.
She had to remind herself out loud; she had to make herself remember. "I jumped off the back terrace of the Citadel … crashed into snow."
"And you ran here," Corday finished for her.
She had, before air had even returned to her lungs she'd scampered up and fled. "I ran as fast as I could … right to your door." Voice breaking, trembling something fierce, Claire sobbed, "I'm sorry, Corday."
Seeing her panic, he tried to calm her. "There is nothing to be sorry for."
"I drugged you," she whispered. "I lied. And now he'll find you. He'll hurt you."
"He won't." Corday grew earnest and severe. "You can trust me. There is no need for you to lie to me again. I can't help you if you lie."
"If I had taken you to the Omegas, he would have killed you, just as he killed Lilian and the others." Claire looked to the pillowcase lightly crusted with her blood. "He punished me … I'm pregnant."
Corday already knew. He'd smelled it almost the instant Claire had been in his arms. There was only one way such a thing could have come to pass. Shepherd | |
of training on much larger corpora (so they might capture some low-level features of the language). The size of our source and target vocabulary is about 35000 (tokens). Because of memory limits, the training set was split into chunks and each chunk was run for 1-2 epochs. We used the Adam optimizer with a decaying learning rate schedule. We also applied dropout to linear layers with 0.1 drop probability. Finally, we employed label smoothing with epsilon = 0.1 to make the model more unsure, a technique that had been shown to improve accuracy. Our final model has dimension 768, feed-forward dimension 1200, 6 self-attention heads, and 5 encoder and decoder blocks. In total, the model has 123,506,387 parameters.
We trained the model over 4 days on a single Nvidia K80 with 12 GB of vRAM. We had a batch size of 9000 tokens, and batches were sorted by sentence length to minimize the number of padding tokens to maximize efficiency. We used training data[2] made available by (Cui et al., 2018), which was gathered from Wikipedia dump 20180101. The whole training set contains 36,247,584 (sentence, tuple) pairs in total.
Figure 3. Precision-Recall Curve of extractions by our Transformer model and 5 other Open IE systems
We also evaluated our model on an Open IE benchmark[3] created by (Stanovsky et al., 2018), with 3200 sentences from Wikipedia and the Wall Street Journal that has 10,359 extractions. For each sentence, our extraction was lined up with multiple gold extractions and the extraction was considered valid if it achieved a high enough lexical coverage of the reference (defined by the percentage of words covered). Subsequently, the precision and recall of our system were analyzed on different confidence thresholds, and the area under the PR curve calculated.
It is observed from the Precision-Recall curve (Figure 3) that our transformer model performs significantly better than 4 of the 5 existing rule-based Open IE systems and achieves comparable results with the current best systems OpenIE-4. None of our models achieves a recall as high as some other systems though (noticeably ClausIE, which is best at recall) because our model only produces one extraction per sentence.
2.5 Triple Integration
The relation tuples produced decent results, but often contained many ambiguous entities, like pronouns. For example, we might have the following cluster of entities that refer to the same person: ['Obama', 'he', 'Barack' 'Barack Obama', 'Barack Obama', 'president of the United States']. We refer to these clusters as equivalence classes because all the entities are equivalent in terms of what they represent. To resolve these entities, as well as collapse nodes that really referred to the same thing when building the graph, we used the equivalence classes generated in the coreference clustering. For each entity, we replaced it with its most representative entity (MRE) from its respective equivalence class if it had one. We picked either the most frequent or first occurrence (excluding pronouns) entity as the most representative entity, and in practice we found that the first method worked slightly better.
Many entities were made up of nouns or pronouns that were found in multiple clusters. For these cases, we only replaced the entity if at least half the entities were in the same equivalence class. This helped resolve problems where a complex entity made up of multiple smaller entities was replaced by a single entity from the group.
2.6 Predicate Mapping
To generate a knowledge graph, it was necessary to combine equivalent/similar relations. As an example, relations such as "premiered" and "released" as pertaining to a movie should be considered the same relation. To do this, we first mapped the relations to a vector space using the TransE knowledge graph embedding. TransE works by representing the entities (h, t) as vectors in a d-dimensional space with the relation vector (r) being a translation vector between the two. Mathematically, this can be described as optimizing the scoring function fr (h, t) = - || h + r - t ||½ under the constraints || h ||2 = || t ||2 = 1. This was trained on the triples that were generated. Once the embeddings were completed, the relation vectors were combined if their cosine similarity score was above a certain threshold.
Figure 4. Heatmap demonstrating similarity between various relations
3.1 Tuples
Our outputs are open relation tuples of the form (subject, relation, object). Below are some examples.
Input sentence
Extraction by our transformer model
As a group , the team was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 .
the team ||| was enshrined ||| into the basketball hall of fame in 1959 .
Certain fractional quantum Hall phases appear to have the right properties for building a topological quantum computer .
certain fractional quantum hall phases ||| to have ||| the right properties for building a topological quantum computer .
Ballast tanks are equipped to change a ship 's trim and modify its stability .
Ballast tanks ||| are equipped ||| to change a ship 's trim and modify its stability .
In Taiwan , the locals speak a version of the Minnan language which is called Taiwanese .
the minnan language ||| is called ||| taiwanese .
In 2004 it was expected that redevelopment work in the remaining subway would probably obliterate what remains exist .
redevelopment work in the remaining subway ||| would probably obliterate ||| what remains exist .
The town and surrounding villages were hit by two moderate earthquakes within ten years .
the town and surrounding villages ||| were hit ||| by two moderate earthquakes within ten years .
There were 22.2 % of families and 23.8 % of the population living below the poverty line , including 15.8 % of under eighteens and 37.5 % of those over 64 .
22.2 % of families and 23.8 % of the population ||| living ||| below the poverty line .
These are known as Porter 's three generic strategies and can be applied to any size or form of business .
Porter 's three generic strategies ||| can be applied ||| to any size or form of business .
Table 1. Sample open relation extractions by our transformer model
We observed that our transformer is able to correctly identify the boundary of arguments and relations in most cases. Sometimes our transformer is even able to correctly replace an ambiguous pronoun in an argument with what it's referring to in the context, as in the last example above. But eventually, all the pronouns would be replaced during coreference resolution and triple integration.
3.2 Graph Visualization
We decided to use a force-directed graph to visualize relation triples and how they are laid out in a knowledge graph. The force layout is a class of graph layout algorithms in D3 that calculates the positions of each node by simulating an attractive force between each pair of linked nodes, as well as a repulsive force between the nodes. We assigned entities to each node and relations to the graph's links / edges. Typically, the attractive force acts like a spring between the nodes, calculated by Hooke's law. On the other hand, two nodes are pushed away from each other using Coulomb's law. It is a commonly implemented graph drawing algorithm because of its flexibility and intuitiveness, as it requires no special knowledge of graph theory. We also decided to use the force layout for its interactivity and customizability.
In the beginning, we tried using other techniques for visualizing knowledge graphs. In particular, we experimented using the networkD3 package in R and ShinyR for creating interactive web apps and visualizations. However, after a few weeks of experimenting with various features, we decided that using D3 would allow us to customize our graph more freely.
In general, this viz does a decent job at showing two things. First, it shows the relationships between entities and lays it out in an organized manner. | |
First, Biaggi, Now Barros?
After all the speculation about Max Biaggi, another ex-MotoGP star is now being named as making a return to the world's premier racing series after a year of absence. US magazine RoadRacingWord is reporting that Alex Barros may be riding in the MotoGP next year. The story quotes Ronald ten Kate, team manager of the highly successful Winston Ten Kate Superbike team, saying that they had been unable to agree on terms with Barros to ride one of their Honda CBR1000RRs for next season, and that Barros is likely to take a ride in MotoGP, either on the Ilmor or the Kawasaki.
This means that both Biaggi and Barros are being linked with the most publicly open seats left in MotoGP. This lends credence to the rumors that Shinya Nakano will be leaving Kawasaki at the end of this season, most probably to ride the Konica Minolta Honda for JIR. Ilmor are known to be in the market for riders to pilot their V4 800 next year, although Garry McCoy looks like a 90% certainty to take on bike. But there is some doubt that Ilmor can afford the exorbitant salary which Barros is reputed to demand, with Ilmor being on a tightly-controlled budget.
A move to Kawasaki would also be a gamble, as Kawasaki is the only major manufacturer which is yet to unveil its 800 bike for 2007. Kawasaki Heavy Industry's refusal to give the bike a public outing has fueled speculation that the bike is nowhere near ready, and will start the new season at a distinct disadvantage. Only time will tell.
... And Max is Gone Again ...
Well, true to form, Max Biaggi manages to grab the headlines again. And what's more, he did it in style, grabbing the world's attention at a top-secret, low-profile test of the Alstare Corona Suzuki superbike. Rumors that Biaggi had signed a deal with the Kawasaki MotoGP team are starting to look less and less credible, now that pictures have emerged of Biaggi aboard the Suzuki GSXR 1000 superbike at Magny Cours. But with the Roman Emperor, you just never know ...
Full story over on the website of the Motorcycle News UK weekly.
Biaggi Is Back
Submitted by Kropotkin on Sun, 2006-10-08 10:36
Eurosport TV has just reported that Max Biaggi, The Roman Emperor, is back in MotoGP for 2007. Kawasaki is reported to have signed the Roman for next season, despite Biaggi already having signed with the Alstare Corona Suzuki World Superbike team for next year. This is a double blow for Alstare Suzuki team manager Francis Batta, who also learned this weekend that Troy Corser, the man being demoted to a second string bike to make way for Biaggi, is leaving to join the Yamaha Italia Superbike team.
Biaggi's return will be welcomed by many MotoGP fans, as Biaggi has a huge fan following, especially in Italy. It will also likely be very welcome to Kawasaki, as Biaggi has always had very strong, and very generous, personal sponsors. There is a very good chance that Biaggi might be bringing in the JTI/ Camel money, as Biaggi has a long relationship with Camel, indeed, Honda's refusal to give Biaggi a bike for 2006 was instrumental in Camel withdrawing their sponsorship of Sito Pons' team for the 2006 season.
The question of how Biaggi will fare on the Kawasaki is another matter: Biaggi is known to be very hard on his teams, though equally hard on himself. Although undoubtedly very talented, he is a fractious personality to work with, and is not shy with his opinions of the machinery he is riding.
Biaggi's move to Kawasaki means that Shinya Nakano is almost certain to move to Konica Minolta Honda for next season.
UPDATED: The source of this story is said to be Colin Wright, team boss of the GSE Ducati British Superbikes team. Stay tuned ...
UPDATED AGAIN: The Dutch website Racesport.nl is running a story quoting people from FGSports and Alstare Corona flatly denying the story. Francis Batta is quoted as saying:
Max Biaggi has signed a contract to ride for our team in 2007, and the rumors that he also had a contract to ride in MotoGP are nothing more than a fairy tale.
Finally: Marco Melandri Signs With Gresini Honda
At last, the Melandri Saga comes to a conclusion. Gresini Racing has finally announced that Marco Melandri has signed with Gresini for the 2007 season, to ride a Honda V4 800. No details of the deal have been announced, other than that both parties say they are very happy to be working together for next year. Reading between the lines, it seems like Honda has promised extra support for Melandri, the title runner up in 2005, and this is what finally swung the deal for him.
Gresini also stated that he was still looking for a team mate for Melandri next year, so that the team can compete at the very highest level. This does not bode well for Melandri's current team mate Toni Elias, who, after an outstanding debut season on the Yamaha, has struggled somewhat on the Honda.
There was also no mention of sponsorship. If the rumor that Melandri will be receiving € 3 million for his services next year, if Gresini will be receiving extensive support from HRC, and if Gresini hopes to hire another "top level" rider to partner Melandri, then this will require a sponsor with some pretty deep pockets. With the 2007 season rapidly approaching, Gresini had better hurry.
Melandri re-signing with Gresini now means that Sete Gibernau's seat at Ducati, which Ducati had offered to Melandri, looks much more secure, and Ducati is now rumored to be busy trying to re-sign Gibernau before he signs elsewhere. "Elsewhere" being Kawasaki, where he was rumored to be taking the place of Shinya Nakano, who is the firm favorite to replace the disappointing Makoto Tamada at Konica Minolta Honda.
With the rider merry-go-round starting to grind to a halt, as key riders such as Hayden and Melandri stick to their places like a spanner in the works, there are still a number of options open. The biggest question marks on the team side are the Kawasaki and d'Antin Ducati teams, who have no firm candidates, though plenty of names are being bandied about. Those names include several of the riders currently still on the open market, including Carlos Checa, Toni Elias, Alex de Angelis and Andrea Dovizioso. A few more weeks, and it will all become clear. But not just yet.
Marco Melandri: The Saga Continues...
Well, where just a few days ago, it seemed certain that Marco Melandri would be going to the factory Ducati team, now it looks increasingly like last year's title runner up will be staying with Gresini on a Honda next year. Both MotoGrandPrix.it and Crash.net are reporting that Fausto Gresini has matched Ducati's reported offer of € 3 million for next season, an offer which would also include strong factory support from Honda, and, surprisingly, Bridgestone tires. The mystery for all this is where the money is supposed to be coming from, as Altadis, the brand behind Fortuna, are leaving MotoGP, taking their large sponsorship budget with them.
If the reports are true, it would put a halt to an expected round of rider shuffles, with Sete Gibernau, the man Melandri was expected to replace at Ducati, staying put and not going to Kawasaki, where he was set to take Shinya Nakano's place. This would then also leave Nakano the option at staying at Kawasaki, and leave the question of who Melandri's team mate will be open. Alex de Angelis is one name being bandied about, as is Carlos Checa, although Checa, who has been very impressive this year on the inferior Dunlop tires, | |
with, and you cannot sleep struggling with a girl. You cannot do anything struggling; especially you cannot live struggling, and so now I am going to do all the things that I want to do, and there will be no more struggling.
See how calm and lovely it is like this. See how sunny it is and what a beautiful field this is, with the cows and the little pond and the green hedges with primroses growing in the hedges. Nothing will worry me any more now, nothing nothing nothing; not even that man splashing in the water of the pond over there. He seems very puffed and out of breath. He seems to be dragging something out of the pond, something heavy. Now he's got it to the side and he's pulling it up on to the grass. How funny; it's a body. It's a body of a man. As a matter of fact, I think it's me. Yes, it is me. I know it is because of that smudge of yellow paint on the front of my flying suit. Now he's kneeling down, searching in my pockets, taking out my money and my identification card. He's found my pipe and the letter I got this morning from my mother. He's taking off my watch. Now he's getting up. He's going away. He's going to leave my body behind, lying on the grass beside the pond. He's walking quickly away across the field towards the gate. How wet and excited he looks. He ought to relax a bit. He ought to relax like me. He can't be enjoying himself that way. I think I will tell him.
'Why don't you relax a bit?'
Goodness, how he jumped when I spoke to him. And his face; just look at his face. I've never seen a man look as frightened as that. He's starting to run. He keeps looking back over his shoulder, but he keeps on running. But just look at his face; just look how unhappy and frightened he is. I do not want to go with him. I think I'll leave him. I think I'll stay here for a bit. I think I'll go along the hedges and find some primroses, and if I am lucky I may find some white violets. Then I will go to sleep. I will go to sleep in the sun.
## SOMEONE LIKE YOU
* * *
#### First published in _Town & Country_ (November 1945)
'Beer?'
'Yes, beer.'
I gave the order and the waiter brought the bottles and two glasses. We poured out our own, tipping the glasses and holding the tops of the bottles close to the glass.
'Cheers,' I said.
He nodded. We lifted our glasses and drank.
It was five years since I had seen him, and during that time he had been fighting the war. He had been fighting it right from the beginning up to now and I saw at once how he had changed. From being a young, bouncing boy, he had become someone old and wise and gentle. He had become gentle like a wounded child. He had become old like a tired man of seventy years. He had become so different and he had changed so much that at first it was embarrassing for both of us and it was not easy to know what to say.
He had been flying in France in the early days and he was in Britain during the Battle. He was in the Western Desert when we had nothing and he was in Greece and Crete. He was in Syria and he was at Habbaniya during the rebellion. He was at Alamein. He had been flying in Sicily and in Italy and then he had gone back and flown again from England. Now he was an old man.
He was small, not more than five feet six, and he had a pale, wide-open face which did not hide anything, and a sharp pointed chin. His eyes were bright and dark. They were never still unless they were looking into your own. His hair was black and untidy. There was a wisp of it always hanging down over his forehead; he kept pushing it back with his hand.
For a while we were awkward and did not speak. He was sitting opposite me at the table, leaning forward a little, drawing lines on the dew of the cold beer glass with his finger. He was looking at the glass, pretending to concentrate upon what he was doing, and to me it seemed as though he had something to say, but that he did not know how to say it. I sat there and picked nuts out of the plate and munched them noisily, pretending that I did not care about anything, not even about making a noise while eating.
Then without stopping his drawing on the glass and without looking up, he said quietly and very slowly, 'Oh God, I wish I was a waiter or a whore or something.'
He picked up his glass and drank the beer slowly and all at once, in two swallows. I knew now that there was something on his mind and I knew that he was gathering courage so that he could speak.
'Let's have another,' I said.
'Yes, let's have a whisky.'
'All right, whisky.'
I ordered two double Scotches and some soda, and we poured the soda into the Scotch and drank. He picked up his glass and drank, put it down, picked it up again and drank some more. As he put down the glass the second time, he leaned forward and quite suddenly he began to talk.
'You know,' he said, 'you know I keep thinking during a raid, when we are running over the target, just as we are going to release our bombs, I keep thinking to myself, Shall I just jink a little; shall I swerve a fraction to one side, then my bombs will fall on someone else. I keep thinking, Whom shall I make them fall on; whom shall I kill tonight? Which ten, twenty or a hundred people shall I kill tonight? It is all up to me. And now I think about this every time I go out.'
He had taken a small nut and was splitting it into pieces with his thumb-nail as he spoke, looking down at what he was doing because he was embarrassed by his own talk.
He was speaking very slowly. 'It would just be a gentle pressure with the ball of my foot upon the rudder bar; a pressure so slight that I would hardly know that I was doing it, and it would throw the bombs on to a different house and on to other people. It is all up to me, the whole thing is up to me, and each time that I go out I have to decide which ones shall be killed. I can do it with the gentle pressure of the ball of my foot upon the rudder bar. I can do it so that I don't even notice that it is being done. I just lean a little to one side because I am shifting my sitting position. That is all I am doing, and then I kill a different lot of people.'
Now there was no dew left upon the face of the glass, but he was still running the fingers of his right hand up and down the smooth surface.
'Yes,' he said, 'it is a complicated thought. It is very far-reaching; and when I am bombing I cannot get it out of my mind. You see it is such a gentle pressure with the ball of the foot; just a touch on the rudder bar and the bomb-aimer wouldn't even | |
for your thoughtful reply. It's very helpful, and has me eagerly looking forward to hearing more from you on the Holy Spirit. Scripture is so rich, and you've offered insights here into facets of it that I haven't considered.
Even so, I'm convinced that John 7, 14 and 16 speak with the greatest clarity to the question, "Were OT saints indwelt by the Holy Spirit?".
Indeed, as you've said, we rejoice that the Spirit is now poured out on all flesh in fulfillment of prophecy. Another aspect of the newness of Pentecost is that the Spirit now indwells the saints. No longer is his presence only in the tabernacle or temple of one small nation. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well that this change is coming; and Paul repeatedly reminds the Corinthians of this profound change in their relationship to God.
In looking at the Revelation 13 verse that you cited, I noted that in v.6 John describes God's dwelling as "those who dwell in heaven"!
The question that you raise about the ancient prophets is important. I think that there's much to reflect on here in terms of the anointing with the Spirit of prophets, leaders, priests and others in the OT. It's interesting to me to see that in the early church, the rite of baptism wasn't viewed as a new initiation to replace circumcision, but rather as the anointing with the Spirit of everyone among the people of God.
There's so much in scripture about the two ages, that I can't get on board with the notion of the Cross of Christ as an event outside of time. On the contrary, "when the fullness of time had come" best describes its place in history. This is probably the nub of the differences in our outlooks on this question. In Christ, God has entered history to be with us to save us. In the age to come we'll see the Cross even more clearly. There are glimpses in scripture that it is as you've said. I think that it's the Tree of Life.
Thanks for clarifying for me on Romans 8.
Whether OT or NT the only righteousness that pleases God is that revealed now in Christ, which Paul discusses in Chapter 3.
There are so many different verbs that apply to the work of the Holy Spirit, that I find this very difficult to grasp. Some verbs might mean the same activity using a different term; or not. I'm sure that I'm confused, but the Spirit helps me in my weakness.
Charismatic, hey? Tongues and all?
when it comes to the different verbs, I distinguish between the 'visible' and 'invisible' work of the spirit (though I appreciate that it is often more complicated than that!).
I would argue that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit must always accompany his regenerating work, since Jesus says that "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6) and also that "unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God", a clear reference to Ezekiel 36:25-27 (which suggests that the regeneration and the indwelling of the Spirit are essentially the same thing). As Jacky well put it, the science of salvation seems to necessitate OT believers having the indwelling presence of the Spirit.
Jesus' teaching does seem to suggest that all those who are born again must be indwelt by the Spirit ("I will put a new spirit within you"). The references in John to a later movement of the Spirit are all referring to the 'giving/receiving' of the Spirit, not the indwelling of the Spirit. I say this because "receive" implies some kind of experiencial coming, which is what happened at pentecost.
I think that we agree that there's no salvation without the indwelling of the Spirit. I think we'd also agree that there's no indwelling of the Spirit without the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Please correct me if I'm mistaken on these points of agreement.
We differ about whether regeneration is indwelling. So I submit this question for the list: Is new birth by the Spirit the same as the indwelling of the Spirit?
Our views on Pentecost differ in that, I'd say that since then, the indwelling of the Spirit coincides with conversion, whereas I think that you're saying that it was always so before, but now, since Pentecost, there's a new experience of the Spirit. Would you understand this to be in terms of spiritual gifts?
Is baptism of the Spirit the same as regeneration/indwelling? Do all believers receive this baptism? Would you include physical healings as part of this experience?
The church confesses that the Holy Spirit is "the Lord, the giver of life". He was present in the temple with God's people during the old covenant. The newness of Pentecost is that God's people have now become his temple and dwelling.
I think that your distinction between the visible and invisible work of the Spirit is very helpful in thinking about these things.
I think you might have made a little blunder!
Regarding the new birth, the point I was trying to get across was that in Jesus' discussion of it in John 3, he refers to the new birth as being "born of water and the spirit", which is a reference to Ezekiel 36:25-27. In the Ezekiel passage, the water represents sanctification/cleansing and the spirit represents the indwelling presence of the spirit. So whilst the new birth does not strictly correspond with the indwelling of the spirit, it does include it as part of the package (so to speak). I hope that answers your question.
I think you have summarised well my views on the work of the Spirit: I do view pentecost as a new experience of the Spirit, but I don't equate it with the indwelling of the spirit (which I believe happens to all believers as part of conversion). My view is pretty much the same as Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones' view on the work of the Spirit.
To clarify, I think that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct from regeneration/indwelling. With regard to gifts, I suppose yes, but I wouldn't like to dogmatise on which ones! I think that the primary purpose of the baptism with the Spirit is related to the great commission, that it equips believers with power for preaching and witnessing and gives them a firm assurance of their salvation. I wouldn't say that all believers have experienced the baptism of the Spirit, though I would say that all believers should seek it (as per Luke 11:5-13).
Chris W - coming in late with this, but doesn't having baptism of the Spirit distinct from conversion regeneration and indwelling raise all sorts of theological problems? And some of these problems are pretty big ones.
Is baptism of the Spirit a third sacrament? Is it separate from water baptism?
How can those who've not been baptised in the Spirit be baptised with Jesus into death, and raised into life again (Romans 6:3+4)?
Doesn't it create a two-tier Christianity? A sort of 'carnal' class that are halfway through being baptised by water and spirit? Of course, you can mitigate that, and 'Reformed Charismatics' have done fairly well at doing so, especially compared to other charismatic groups (worst are the groups that have tongue-speaking as the only clear-cut sign of salvation). But there's still at least a pastoral issue, where there is a feeling of two-tiers, if not a full blown theologically defined two-tiers.
I fully agree with post-regenerate anointing(s) with the Spirit that equip saints with power that you would call 'baptism', I just think that it's an incredibly unhelpful term to use (likewise second blessing, which raises the question whether we've been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the | |
Bookamat provides scheduling software for Pilates, Yoga and Fitness studios and freelance instructors.
Built for simplicity, Bookamat takes the chaos out of class management with a suite of features designed to save time, increase revenue and grow their client's businesses.
Used by a growing network of small to medium sized fitness studios, Bookamat includes complete client self-service capability, integrates with most websites, and has partnered with Square payments to offer integrated payment processing for client bookings.
Bookamat can be installed as an app on iOS and Android phones via the web browser. Because the software is 100% responsive there are no compatibility issues.
Priced in Australian dollars, and with no lock in contracts, Bookamat offers a unique pay-as-you-grow subscription pricing model which adapts to how busy a studio is.
They offer a 14 day free trial along with email and priority online chat support. Bookamat also provides a customer loyalty plan and a referral bonus.
The Bookamat team is very open to suggestions to improve functionality of the software and are highly responsive to fixing any bugs or problems that may be encountered.
Bookamat offers enough functionality and options to set up the booking, scheduling and payment requirements any almost any business. The product is geared to the local market (South Africa)and is charged in Rands. I don't have to worry about changing currencies on my invoices, paying for the software in a foreign currency (with fluctuating exchange rates) or dealing with international terminology and solutions that aren't applicable to me. It is affordable for a small business - a big bonus when every scent counts.
I run Pilates studio with 3 teachers and can easily plan, schedule and manage the use of the equipment within the studio. Bookamat is easy to use, saves me a lot of time managing client's constantly changing schedules and I no longer have to 'negotiate' around late cancellations or poor communication. Clients quickly take responsibility for their schedules and become more compliant. They like the fact that they can manage cancellations, waitlisting or re-scheduling of appointments when it suits them.
Monthly invoicing has become a 10 minute exercise as opposed to the 3-4 hour admin nightmare it used to be! The software is constantly evolving and improving, with new features added regularly. Each month it gets easier to use and offers better functionality for my business, meaning I spend less time on admin.
The product is web-based and can use a lot of mobile data. It would be great if it could be offered as an App.
The page times out if used over the whole day and requires periodic logging in. This can be a bit frustrating.
New clients can find it a little difficult to navigate in the beginning, but soon get used to the format. Perhaps this will improve in future releases.
The product does not offer much in terms of reporting and accounting functions - although these are apparently in the pipeline.
All of the comments in the most like about Bookamat reflects.
Book a Mat allows clients to have control over their own bookings being able to reschedule and or place a lesson in credit. The credit system is a lifesaver and having an electronic record of clients credits (how many and by when it will expire). From running my business effectively Book a Mat has just taken the studio to a new level of professionalism and accurism. Having the ability to amend the activity time, venue, instructor and participants has most defiantly enhanced the smooth daily operation of the business. The ability to place Public holidays and or normal closure times and having a platform to email all the clients with announcements once again is just part of this amazing platform. The team at Book a Mat delivers the most efficient, professional and timeously customer service. No request is too much for the dedicated team of Book a Mat. Book a Mat is constantly improving their product and services which is vital in the fast pace times of constant tech improvements and Book a Mat most defiantly stays on par. The launch of individual QR code for the studio truly reflects this. Thank you Book a Mat as the studio that I own will not be able to deliver the customer service without Book a Mat. It has been a journey which I hope will continue and will grow from strength to strength.
The older genre of clients do struggle to work the system.
A functioning booking system that is cost effective and reliable.
Attractive home page, all the current features and the new feature of SMS reminder's which are still to come. The price is very reasonable and assists a small business immensely.
There is no App, which clients frequently comment on. It would certainly make bookings a lot easier as logging onto Bookamat via your phone takes time and can be difficult to navigate.
The credit page doesn't use drop down menu's to minimise the long list of credits.
Thanks for the kind review Robyn :) We'll be looking at adding an App in 2018.
From the outset, its the service from Bookamat that makes them stand out. They're small enough to offer personalised service, but large enough to punch above their weight against international competitors.
The site is user-friendly and intuitive, and overall represents great value for the customer.
It meets our needs for our small business in every way - where there has been glitches, or if functionality required optermisation, the Bookamat team is quick to resolve and embrace change to the benefit of the customer and clients.
It has changed the way I do business!!
The ease of use, the excellent support and most of all the opportunity to grow. It is developing all the time and this has allowed my business to flourish. My students are extremely happy with bookamat and talk about the features and functionality all the time. The quality of the website is top class. The best part is that for a little studio like mine it is affordable and I have recommended it to other studios in the area as its not competition that divides us but co-opportition that unites us and allows the consumer more choice. We need to work together to grow more. Thank you bookamat for creating a platform for us to prosper!!
Waiting for the mobile app however understanding the cost and knowing that this is on the table... there are NO CONS!!
This software is a lifesaver if you currently run your own client base. Huge time saver.
Bookamat is great value for money and outshines it's competitors by a huge margin! I have previously used other software such as MindBody which was very expensive and not at all user-friendly. I am so relieved to now have BookaMat as an integral part of my business which saves me and my customers so much time and hassle! I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs an online booking tool, particularly with services which are in groups of people.
Although the layout is pretty simple, it could be improved upon in terms of easy navigation. Overall it is user-friendly though.
Sometimes technically challenging. Some technical input and output should be easier and more logical. When a student does not have issues the system works like a rolls Royce. But when students have challenging changes, the system is not easy to work through , e.g. " I come to a weekly session but want to add two extra classes" the student and myself found it hard to navigate. It kinda needs to be more "giving". I am a paper and pen person. Slowly finding my way around and through the system. Students are also finding and sifting their way around the system. I could chat to you about this with more in depth info if you | |
quarter or plan to air during the next quarter, or any existing or proposed non-broadcast efforts that will enhance the educational and informational value of such programming to children. See 47 C.F.R. Section 73.671, NOTES 2 and 3. ANALOG OPERATION: The station permanently terminated analog broadcasting on February 17, 2009, in accordance with FCC authority. WTRF-TV PRE-EMPTIONS: During the period July 4, 2015 through September 26, 2015 the two 30-minute core programs regularly scheduled for broadcast Saturday mornings at 9 AM and 9:30 AM were rescheduled to their "second home" the following day during the core hours 7:00AM and 11:30AM, in order to carry a time-sensitive weekly pre-game talk show featuring locally venerated West Virginia University Mountaineers college football head coach Dana Holgorsen; in the licensees good faith judgment, the rescheduling best served the needs and interests of the viewers of the West Virginia-based station during the time slot, in the public interest. During the period August 29, 2015 through September 26,2015, the two 30-minute core programs regularly scheduled for broadcast Saturday mornings at 10:00AM and 10:30AM were rescheduled to other core hour slots and to their "second home" slots when possible, in order to carry a time-sensitive weekly one hour pre-game show, Mountaineer Game Day, featuring live reports prior to kickoff of the WVU Mountaineers college football team, in the licensees good faith judgement, the rescheduling best served the needs and interests of the viewers of the West Virginia-based station during the time slot, in the public interest. Promotional efforts were made to notify the public of the rescheduled dates and times of the preempted children's programs, by notifying program guides and viewers. Therefore, it is respectfully submitted that the rescheduled core programs should continue to count toward the stations three-hour average, consistent with Preemption of Childrens Television Educational and Informational Programming, 8 CR 1036 (M. Med. Bur., July 11, 1997).
Other Matters (18)
Other Matters (1 of 18)
Age of Target Child Audience from 13 years to 16 years
Program Title SEA RESCUES WITH SAM CHAMPION
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. The Young Icons profiles the amazing projects of young philanthropists, entrepreneurs, athletes and everyday youth. These inspirational stories motivate teens, tweens and parents too. [digital multicast program stream]
Program Title THE INSPECTORS
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Crackin' Cards" - Preston Wainwright (Bret Green) and his friends help to uncover a debit card scam that has hit the Jamestown University campus. The trick is not to interfere with the real investigation led by Preston's mother, U.S. Postal Inspector Amanda Wainwright (Jessica Lundy), and her partner, Mitch Ohlmeyer (Terry Serpico). The team works fast to solve the case before more student bank accounts are wiped out, causing student's to lose their college tuition. [main digital program stream]
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Wildlife expert and animal ambassador, Jack Hanna, brings the viewer face-to face with the best of the beasts. In this weekly half-hour series that will engage viewers 13-16, as well as the whole family, Jack highlights his favorite animals and adventures from around the world.Presented in countdown style, Jack offers up a different 'top ten' each week in a variety of categories. [digital multicast program stream]
Program Title CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL'S HIDDEN HEROES
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Hidden Heroes Everywhere - Hosted by Brooke Burke-Charvet. We go undercover to find a Hidden Hero who will console our "bullied teen" when his basketball teammates won't give him a break. With hidden cameras rolling, who will help a big-city dog walker when she has to step away? Our Hidden Heroes bike patrol goes undercover to reward bikers for "going green." Inspired by Chicken Soup for the Soul's popular book serie [main digital program stream]
Program Title ROCK THE PARK
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Rock the Park is a weekly half-hour series produced and designed to educate and inform children 13-16 years of age and taps into America's love affair with our national parks. In this awe-inspiring and entertaining series our hosts, Jack Steward and Colton Smith, come face to face with nature and some of the most amazing places on earth. Viewers will witness the fascinating underwater world of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida, which is home to the world's most unique coral and marine life. They'll watch as Jack and Colton raft their way through Alaska's remote Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, spotting the region's famous brown bears. Viewers will reach new heights as Jack and Colton embark on their biggest climbing challenge yet - The Grand Teton in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. [digital multicast program stream]
Other Matters (10 of 18)
Program Title OCEAN MYSTERIES WITH JEFF CORWIN
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Aqua Kids is a series dedicated to teaching kids everywhere about the importance of protecting Earth's fragile marine environment. Traveling around the world, the Aqua Kids also learn about the amazing creatures that live everywhere from the deep ocean depths to the streams running through our back yards. But most importantly, the Aqua Kids emonstrate the real and lasting contribution children can make in protecting the future of their community and the world. [digital multicast program stream]
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Career Day is a television program that introduces young adults to career exploration and awareness. Students often do not know what they want to do and are unsure of potential interests that they may have that could be a career. Career Day also provides an avenue to view experts in their respective fields as they discuss their work, the education and training to prepare for the job, and experiences that led them to choose their career. [digital multicast program stream]
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. Developed and produced for 13- 16 year olds, the world's cultures and its geographical wonders come alive as the youngest president in Explorers Club history, Richard Wiese, takes viewers on a globetrotting adventure. While developed for 13-16 year olds, Born to Explore is engaging for the whole family. In this weekly half-hour series, Richard uncovers amazing facts of nature and manmade treasures. [digital multicast program stream]
Describe the educational and informational objective of the program and how it meets the definition of Core Programming. This series will be a weekly celebration of the inventors spirit from historic scientific pioneers throughout past centuries to the forward looking visionaries of today. Each episode tells the dramatic stories behind the worlds greatest inventions, and the perseverance, passion, and price required to bring them to life. Featuring the what if it never happened, the innovation by accident, and a strong focus on junior geniuses who are changing the face of technology, this series will appeal to young viewers and their families. [main digital program stream]
The undersigned certifies that he or she is (a) the party filing the Children's Television Programming, or an officer, director, member, partner, trustee, authorized employee, or other individual or duly elected or appointed official who is authorized to sign on behalf of the party filing the Children's Television Programming; or (b) an attorney qualified to practice before the Commission under 47 C.F.R. Section 1.23(a), who is authorized to represent the party filing the Children's | |
by Barry Houchin)
Graham (seven carries, 73 yards) added the final score (his second), increasing the lead to 44-14, with a 26-yard touchdown run. That was at the end of a six-play, 78-yard drive at 11:49 in the fourth quarter.
Behind Graham in rushing, Booker had 54 yards on eight carries during this game, and sophomore Trey Rowe ran for 42 yards on five carries.
Sophomore quarterback Mitchell Gibbons was 5-of-7 (71.4 percent) for 48 yards and no interceptions, while Booker was 2-of 11 for 10 yards and one interception.
Junior Jacob Adams led the defense with four tackles and four assists, while Mitchell had three tackles, five assists, and an interception.
Addington led the Cougars with 115 yards rushing on 17 carries, and he was 13-of-23 passing with 137 yards and two interceptions.
Oak Ridge had 274 total yards, compared to 292 for Campbell County. The Wildcats had 216 yards rushing, compared to 115 for the Cougars, and 58 yards passing, compared to 177 for Campbell County.
Oak Ridge senior quarterback Herbert Booker (13) runs during a 41-13 win at Sevier County on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
This was the only loss of the season for Oak Ridge. It was a non-regional game and the third home game in a row for Oak Ridge. The Wildcats had missed scoring opportunities, including several possible touchdown passes and a missed field goal. They needed only one touchdown to beat Farragut.
The Wildcats scored first after Smith intercepted Farragut quarterback Gavin Wilkinson on the Admirals' second drive. The Wildcats converted that turnover into a touchdown two plays later on a 22-yard pass to Mitchell, who was wide open in the right corner of the end zone. Oak Ridge led 7-0 at 5:08 in the first quarter.
But Farragut (now 7-0, 3-0 Region 1-6A) answered two drives later, moving the ball 98 yards in about about 90 seconds. That first Admirals touchdown came on a 50-yard pass from Wilkinson to Tanner Corum (six catches, 157 yards). He was open in the middle of the field at 9:48 in the second quarter.
Four minutes later, Farragut added its second touchdown with a two-yard scoring run by Wilkinson (14-of-20 for 237 yards passing, two interceptions). The Admirals had a 14-7 halftime lead.
Oak Ridge tied the game 14-14 early in the third quarter when Booker returned an interception about 99 yards for a touchdown. The football had bounced off the hands of a Farragut player near the goal line, and Booker caught it.
But two drives later, Farragut regained the lead with a 46-yard field goal by Daniel Bethel. The Admirals led 17-14 at 1:57 in the third quarter.
On its next drive, which covered 79 yards in 18 plays, Farragut added the final score, a 32-yard field goal by Bethel. The final score at 1:50 in the fourth quarter was 20-14 in favor of Farragut.
Oak Ridge Coach Joe Gaddis said the Wildcats left 24 points on the field in this game, including three potential touchdowns and the missed field goal.
"We had pass plays to make," he said. "We just didn't make them. We should not lose another game if we execute."
Oak Ridge had 249 total yards, compared to 362 for Farragut. The Wildcats had 92 yards rushing, compared to 125 for the Admirals, and 157 yards passing, compared to 237 for Farragut.
Booker was 14-of-26 (53.8 percent) with 157 yards, with no interceptions.
Graham led the Wildcats rushing with 50 yards on nine carries.
Adams had nine tackles and seven assists for Oak Ridge, while Mitchell had six tackles and four assists, along with a blocked pass.
Kyle Carter ran for 103 yards on 17 carries for the Admirals.
Oak Ridge sophomore Camden Mlekodaj (80) kicks the football during a 41-13 win at Sevier County on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (Photo by Barry Houchin)
Oak Ridge was held scoreless for most of the first half in this game. It was the second regional game of the season, played at West.
West scored first on a 62-yard pass from Jawaun Moore to Cedarius Bost, who was running straight down the field behind the Oak Ridge defense. That was on the Rebels' third drive, and West took a 7-0 lead at 5:24 in the first quarter.
Starting midway through the second quarter, West (now 3-4, 2-1 Region 3-5A) scored again after blocking an Oak Ridge punt. A short 17-yard drive ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Mattress with 2:20 remaining before halftime.
But the Wildcats did not give up. With about a half-minute to play, Graham (15 carries, 191 yards) got the toss as he swept left to right on a four-play drive that started in Wildcats territory. He squeezed between blocks on the right side of the field before running down the right sideline 72 yards for a touchdown. Oak Ridge trailed 14-7 at halftime.
Helped by an offensive turnaround in the second half, the Wildcats got back on the board early in the third quarter after Calhoun blocked a pass by Moore and then caught it for an interception.
Four plays later, Oak Ridge scored on a 25-yard field goal by Mlekodaj. The score was 14-10, in favor of West, at 6:47 in the third quarter.
Mattress scored again for West on a six-yard touchdown run about two minutes into the fourth quarter, giving the Rebels a 21-10 lead.
Oak Ridge junior linebacker Jacob Adams (44) and senior Shemar Smith (15) are pictured above during a 20-14 loss to Farragut on Blankenship Field on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. (Photo by Barry Houchin)
But Oak Ridge responded quickly, covering 80 yards on two plays. One was a 32-yard run by Pendergrass, and the other was a 48-yard run by Graham. Receiving the pitch, Graham ran right, paused, cut back inside, and then ran straight ahead for the touchdown, his second of the game, at 8:54 in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats had narrowed the West lead to 21-17 at 8:54 in the fourth quarter.
On its next drive, Oak Ridge scored again for its first lead of the game. It was also the final score, 24-21, at 5:46 in the fourth quarter. The touchdown was scored by Booker (17 carries, 68 yards), who faked a toss to the left and then ran into the right side of the end zone.
Adams had five tackles and 10 assists for the Wildcats, and Replogle had a sack.
Oak Ridge had 327 total yards, compared to 166 for West. The Wildcats had 310 yards rushing, compared to 35 for the Rebels, and 17 yards passing, compared to 131 for West.
No Rebel had more than 15 yards rushing or 35 yards receiving.
Oak Ridge senior Tre Jackson (6) scores a touchdown during a 48-7 win at Karns on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. (Photo by Barry Houchin)
Oak Ridge scored back-to-back touchdowns on interceptions of sophomore quarterback Cam Burden less than two minutes and four plays into this non-regional game at Sevier County.
One scoring interception by Pendergrasss was on a Sevier County third-and-10 at its own 23, and the other was by Booker on a first-and-10 at the Smoky Bears 26. The Wildcats had a 14-0 lead at 10:22 in the first quarter.
But Sevier County (now 1-6, 0-3 Region 2-5A) responded with a touchdown pass from Burden to senior wide receiver Colin Russell who was wide open on the left side of the field. The Smoky Bears drive covered 74 yards in just several plays, narrowing the Oak Ridge lead to 14-7 at 8:54 in the first quarter.
Oak Ridge had a special teams touchdown in the first half when Pendergrass returned a punt for a touchdown up the right side of the field, giving the Wildcats a 21-7 lead at 9:56 in the second quarter.
The final score of the first half came on a deep ball from | |
the novel as a commentary on shifting social class structures, and which bolsters Nancy Armstrong's reading as a commentary on female voice and the values of the domestic household. Interprets the novel in the light of 18th-century rhetorical…
Persuasion = Stating and Arguing Claims Well
Lapp, Diane; Fisher, Douglas
Inside a ninth-grade classroom, we witness one teacher's very intentional instructional attempts that resulted in her students being able to convey well-crafted reasoning and text-supported evidence to mount persuasive arguments. Through personal examples and Internet resources, the teacher concretized pathos, logos, and ethos. The teacher and…
Persuasive and Informative Advertising: A Classroom Experiment
Freeborn, Beth A.; Hulbert, Jason P.
The authors outline a pair of classroom activities designed to provide an intuitive foundation to the theoretical introduction of advertising in monopoly markets. The roles of both informative and persuasive advertising are covered. Each student acts as a monopolist and chooses the number of (costly) advertisements and the price. The experiments…
Lewinski, P.; Fransen, M.L.; Tan, E.S.
From the literature on resistance to persuasion in advertising, much is known about how people can resist advertising by adopting resistance strategies, such as avoidance, counter-arguing, and selective attention (e.g., Fransen et al., 2015b). However, the role of emotion regulation and bodily
Position paper persuasive technologies in challenging contexts
Boer, de J. (Johannes)
This paper, presented at the Persuasive Conference 2014 (21-23 May, Padua, Italy) describes an experiment in which the particpants daily received a SMS message. De SMS message was meant was meant to trigger participants on safety awareness, cleaning behaviour, and quick and instant tasks.
Persuasion Analysis: A Companion to Composition.
Paying less attention to the traditionally taught rational, logical argument analysis format, this book focuses on analysis of the emotional, non-logical persuasive language and techniques often seen in television advertisements. In so doing, readers become more discerning consumers and hone their writing skills. Designed as both a self-study…
Developing Persuasive Technology for ASD Challenged Teenagers
Aagaard, Morten; Øhrstrøm, Peter
The HANDS project suggests the use of Mobile Persuasion in order to support teenagers with an autism diagnosis and normal or high IQ. The paper offers a description of the HANDS toolset and its potential. The HANDS toolset has been evaluated at four schools for teenagers with autism over a period...
A systematic review of persuasive marketing techniques to promote food to children on television.
Jenkin, G; Madhvani, N; Signal, L; Bowers, S
The ubiquitous marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and beverages is a key modifiable influence on childhood dietary patterns and obesity. Much of the research on television food advertising is focused on identifying and quantifying unhealthy food marketing with comparatively few studies examining persuasive marketing techniques to promote unhealthy food to children. This review identifies the most frequently documented persuasive marketing techniques to promote food to children via television. A systematic search of eight online databases using key search terms identified 267 unique articles. Thirty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis of the reviewed studies revealed the most commonly reported persuasive techniques used on television to promote food to children. These were the use of premium offers, promotional characters, nutrition and health-related claims, the theme of taste, and the emotional appeal of fun. Identifying and documenting these commonly reported persuasive marketing techniques to promote food to children on television is critical for the monitoring and evaluation of advertising codes and industry pledges and the development of further regulation in this area. This has a strong potential to curbing the international obesity epidemic besieging children throughout the world. © 2014 The Authors. obesity reviews © 2014 International Association for the Study of Obesity.
Sociology of Discourse
Agustin, Oscar Garcia
Sociology of Discourse takes the perspective that collective actors like social movements are capable of creating social change from below by creating new institutions through alternative discourses. Institutionalization becomes a process of moving away from existing institutions towards creating...
Gender, Discourse, and "Gender and Discourse."
Davis, Hayley
A critic of Deborah Tannen's book "Gender and Discourse" responds to comments made about her critique, arguing that the book's analysis of the relationship of gender and discourse tends to seek, and perhaps force, explanations only in those terms. Another linguist's analysis of similar phenomena is found to be more rigorous. (MSE)
The international perception of scientific discourse about the climate threat by public in six countries: South Africa, Brazil, China, United States, France, India. Investigation report
Baecher, Cedric; Dutreix, Nicolas; Buick, Rebecca; Ioualalen, Romain; Guyot, Paul; Campagne, Jean-Charles; Collomb, Etienne
Based on a bibliographic study, a web-based study, qualitative interviews, a quantitative field survey, a study of some results from the ScenaRio 2012 project, this investigation aimed at highlighting the perception that people of different countries and cultural backgrounds (South Africa, Brazil, China, United States, France, India) have from the scientific discourse on climate change threat. The authors first give an overview of the sources of scientific discourse on climate change (primary sources like scientific institutions, GIEC, secondary sources), then analyse how this discourse is relayed by the media (media operation principles, recent trends, Internet, messages and tools to communicate with public opinions). They analyse and comment the behaviour of the different public opinions, outline the determining factors of public opinions, the diversity of noticed profiles, and the behaviour of young generations. They also propose a comparison between countries and a synthesis of results for each country
Neutrosophic elements in discourse
Florentin Smarandache
Full Text Available Discourse analysis is a synergy of social science disciplines, including linguistics, education, sociology, anthropology, social work, cognitive psychology, social psychology, area studies, cultural studies, international relations, human geography, communication studies, and translation studies, subject to its own assumptions, dimensions of analysis, and methodologies. The aim of this paper is to present the applicability of (t, i, f-Neutrosophic Social Structures, introduced for the first time as new type of structures, called (t, i, f-Neutrosophic Structures, and presented from a neutrosophic logic. Neutrosophy theory can be assimilated to interpret and evaluate the individual opinion of social structures. This type of analyse already tested and applied in mathematics, artificial inteligence as well can be applied in social sciences by reseachers in social sciences, communication, sociology, psycology.
Power, Discourse, and Learning Global Citizenship: A Case Study of International NGOs and a Grassroots Movement in the Narmada Valley, India
Shukla, Natasha
The field of transnational contestation conceptualized as global civil society (GCS) is gaining academic interest as a political "counter-force" against the exigencies of globalization. However, social actors within GCS occupy unequal positions of power in relation to each other. This article examines how the discourses of transnational action…
John Stuart Mill's Philosophy of Persuasion
Helen Ruth McCabe
Full Text Available In his youth, John Stuart Mill followed his father's philosophy of persuasion but, in 1830, Mill adopted a new philosophy of persuasion, trying to lead people incrementally towards the truth from their original stand-points rather than engage them antagonistically. Understanding this change helps us understand apparent contradictions in Mill's cannon, as he disguises some of his more radical ideas in order to bring his audience to re-assess and authentically change their opinions. It also suggests a way of re-assessing the relationship between Mill's public and private works, to which we should look if we are attempting to understand his thought.
Prototype effect and the persuasiveness of generalizations
An argument that makes use of a generalization activates the prototype for the category used in the generalization. We conducted two experiments that investigated how the activation of the prototype affects the persuasiveness of the argument. The results of the experiments suggest that the features of the prototype overshadow and partly overwrite the actual facts of the case. The case is, to some extent, judged as if it had the features of the prototype instead of the features it actually ...
The Impact of Persuasive Communication in Advertising
Natalia COGALNICEANU
Persuasive speeches and actions in the business world have become in time the most crucial elements, we might | |
HHH Book Day
Welcome to Book Day where we highlight book by our bloggers. Enjoy!
The Richest Knight
She wants the security of riches. He's turned his back on the demands of wealth.
Lillian Robinson is determined to marry a man of means. As a Harvey Girl at the Grand Canyon, opportunities to meet the man of her dreams should be plentiful. So, why does the lead mule skinner make her heart race every time he comes around? Franklin Knight turned his back on his family. He refused to fall in line and bow to their need for money and power. He chose to work at the Grand Canyon as a muleskinner, a place where he can live out his faith in God. When Lillian catches Franklin's attention with her beauty and bright smile, he doesn't count on her clumsiness, or on her desire to marry into the very society he spurned. Still, he can't forget her. Will Franklin be able to show her the true meaning of love? Will Lillian recognize the value of a heart of God before she makes the worst mistake of her life?
Pre-0rder 99 Cents
Sword of Forgiveness
After the death of her cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage her father's estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome marriage isn't enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing possible execution. Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin's wise and kind nature begin to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.
Julia Scott is traveling to New Mexico with her father and younger brother. Her pa fought for the North in the war where her two older brothers lost their lives. Pa is looking for a fresh start in a new place, but Julia just wants him to be happy again. Taylor Marshall, a Southerner who fought for the Confederates, is on his way to Colorado to raise horses. He's attracted to Julia, but her father adamantly forbids them to talk to one another. Circumstances continually throw Julia and Taylor together, and their attraction grows. Will a forbidden romance bloom? Or will they go their separate ways when the trail splits?
The Mechanic & the MD
High school and college were difficult for Doris Strealer. Adulthood is no better. Men don't understand her desire to repair car engines, and no one will hire a female mechanic. She joins the Red Cross Motor Corps, finally feeling at home. Until she comes face to face with her past in the form of Van Toppel. Van's plans crumble when he's drafted and assigned to a hospital in England, the last place he expects to see a former schoolmate. The gangly tomboy he knew has transformed into a statuesque beauty, but a broken engagement in college leaves him with no desire to risk his heart ever again.
The Damsel's Intent
Can Nicole learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?
Nicole Waterby heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband, not realizing women don't wear trousers or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn. Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she's destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they're not?
A prostitute's daughter, an outlaw's brother, and a stagecoach robbery—can anything good come out of Deadwood?
Kate Benton, daughter of a saloon floozy, runs away, straight into the arms of Tom McBride, fleeing from his outlaw brother's past. Can these two, damaged by life experiences, tear down the walls that separate them with God's help? Or are they destined to remain alone forever?
12 Sisters Who Changed History
Historians paint pictures of amazing men and women who influenced the world, but seldom do we hear about sister duos that forever altered the course of history. Whether fighting together—or against each other—these twelve women transformed countries and religious systems. Join us on an inspirational journey through time as we explore the extraordinary lives of Sisters Who Changed History.
Charity's Cross
Suspected of killing her husband, Charity Westcott flees on the first ship out of Portsmouth, England heading for the colonies. where she hopes to reunite with her family in Charles Towne. Elias Dutton, missionary and son of the famous pirate, Rowan Dutton, must get to Barbados as soon as possible to rescue his sister, who is in danger. But after rescuing a madcap woman from the sea, he now finds himself tricked into masquerading as her husband so they both can procure passage to Barbados. Pirates, storms, shipwreck, and betrayal threaten to delay the couple in their journey even as sparks fly between them. Elias believes he has finally found in Charity a Godly woman to be his wife. Until he discovers she is a murderer. Now he is faced with two choices: let her go or turn her in to the authorities.
Love's Mountain Quest
After losing her husband in the Rocky Mountain wilderness, young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing--and the sheriff dead--she enlists the help of mountain man Isaac Bowen.
An Impossible Price
With no husband of her own, midwife Sophie Price lives to keep others calm in their hour of need. But when a handsome horse handler steps off the train with a fiery stallion, he brings anything but calm as he looks her dead in the eye and clear through to her soul. Clay Ferguson returns to the place he once called home, hunting a fresh start and the one woman who could draw him back. If he can hide his battered heart and the brutality of his past, maybe she'll take another look and give him a second chance.
Destiny of Heart
Unforeseeable circumstance plunges the country and the McConnells into a battle for survival.
Collina battles insurmountable odds to rescue Shushan—. Ruby McConnell Meir leaves for the prairies of Colorado hoping the climate might cure her husband's mysterious illness. The Roaring Twenties dive like a wounded eagle into the Great Depression. Franklin lost what money couldn't buy. Is it too late to make right his failings?
All you have to do is look up.
This collection of five brand new romances is sure to send your heart soaring. Journey from Canada to Georgia and Colorado to Paris by way of Michigan as these couples find love is in the air. All they had to do was look up.
Flying into Love by Kathleen Rouser
Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt's advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep. Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn't happy finding a hot-air balloon with him, but she treasures the old journal with it. Ben hopes restoring her | |
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Why are Elder Powers so... awful?
11twiggins
Seriously. Some Elder powers are so mind-bogglingly terrible that I have ZERO clue how anyone thought they were worth the Generation, EXP and Freebies associated with them. Plenty of Level 6 powers are potent, such as Farsight and Loyalty and Flesh of Marble... but most, in my experience, are hyper-situational and underpowered.
Lore of the Bloodlines has some really... wonderful examples.
Calling Song is a contrived plot device power which is clearly not for PCs, yes, but it's also not very powerful at all. It's a Level 8 power and it's just... Presence 4? With some minor and situational benefits which could easily be outstripped by taking Presence 6?
Marrow Sucker... makes me angry. It upsets me how awful this power is. It lets your PC/NPC (a member of the 7th Generation, who is old enough to have Mastered Thanatosis up to level 6) get a meager amount of totally unsatisfying blood... from bones. Note that this is written in the same book as a 3 point merit which lets you get 5 points of blood from the bones of a body, and this power gives you 1 point from the bones of a body. This feels like a Thanatosis 1 + Necromancy 1 Combination power. And it cost the dumb NPC who chose it 25 EXP!
Rewind and The Re-Embrace are not TERRIBLE powers, but they are level 8 and 7 (respectively) and deliver... situational and under-whelming benefits.
Vicissitude is a bloody treasure trove for this. Cocoon. Ever worried you might be killed? Well now you're utterly immobile and protected by an underwhelming layer of defensive goop! That's certainly better than, I don't know, taking Blood Form. Wait, actually, yeah, you could just take Blood Form. Kraken's Kiss. Ooh! Your face is Cthulu now! And it's... mechanically underwhelming. You need to succeed in a difficulty 8 roll to just summon them, and they do lackluster damage and drain some blood, and are a bit harder to break out of than a normal Grapple. Or you could, I don't know... grapple and bite them? The silly bit is that you've grappled someone 4 feet away (yeah, they're not that long)... oh, wait, that was a joke. It's 1 foot. A 1 foot long set of tentacles. Regardless, someone just has to chop the calamari off of your face and you're now looking like the silliest Tzimisce (say that fast 10 times in a row while drunk) in the Pack. Breath of the Dragon? Wow! Something inferior to Lure of Flames 3, a power you can get for far less EXP? Definitely worthy of being a Level 8 power.
Thanatosis. Oh, you thought you were off the hook? No. At level 7 you have a power that makes Ash Form... not shit. It literally just makes Ash Form somewhat akin to Mist Form, as you can move and retain your senses. Oh, but you are still a clumsy pile of ash traipsing across the floor. Ash Form should just do this stuff already. Level 8, you get Putrescent Servitude. Oh, a Ghoul who is utterly mindless and obedient, and looks like a bloody zombie. Oh, how wonderful. Except you can get a Ghoul who is mindful, fully obedient and looks like a normal person using Dominate, Presence or just the bloody blood bond! This is a slap in the face of game-balance, piss in the mouth of mechanical consistency, vandalism of the very concept of Elders being potent unstoppable forces of destruction and manipulation.
Valeren and its cousins... nothing feels horrifically underpowered, just boring powers which fail to stick to any coherent theme, making you a Bard at level 7 who can help other people heal and overcome derangements and fight and march etc. using the Power of Song. I wonder what power this is stepping on the toes of?
Serpentis. Hello you beautiful mess. Cobra's Fangs at level 6 requires you to grapple to bite, making it worse than the DA version of 2. It's also one of those potent powers which... kills mortals. Hurrah. Its effects against Cainites are good, killing most Neonates easily, but are you really struggling to kill Neonates? It's a good power, but in some regards it is clearly inferior to a Level 2 power. Ooh. Divine Image. Nice idea, but it's just horribly underpowered. +2 and +1 to a few Attributes. Hurray for level 7 powers. +2 Willpower, but limited to 10, because it's not like the Manifestation of a God could ever exceed the limits of human Willpower, is it. Heart Thief is nice and I won't rag on it, but I feel like Level 8 is overkill despite it being a cool power.
Potence. Oh dear.
"What if an Elder could show off their strength by leaving their hand print on solid steel?"
"That sounds like something they could do anyways by blood pumping their Strength a bit, since their Generational Maximum blood expenditure is at least 4 and their Potence is at least 5, making leaving a dent in Steel a small jump upwards... and speaking of jumps, can't they just do a literal jump, which their Potence will make laughably easy, rather than squeezing handholds into the surface? Besides, you're leaving the imprints behind, which is a horrific Masquerade Breach (if an odd one) and also makes it easy for someone to pursue you."
Imprint lets you do incredible things like... crushing a gun in your hand. You know, you could use that gun. Or throw it away. I mean you have Potence 6, is someone successfully taking anything you're holding?
Presence is... surprisingly solid. I can't find any dumb V20 ones.
Protean. Restore the Mortal Visage is like a shitty excuse for Obfuscate 3, at level 7. Purify the Impaled Breast is just... no. You're talking about a Level 8 power, and stakes are utterly useless against someone with (I don't know) Fortitude 5 and Flesh of Marble. There is NO chance of a stake actually putting a Generation 5 Gangrel into Torpor. At one level lower you have a power which lets you turn into Mist at will for an automatic dodge; that's infinitely superior and far less limited! This power feels so niche and pointless.
Obtenebration. How can you go from utterly broken to laughably weak? The Darkness Within is a joke of a power. Each turn someone is enveloped they need to roll Stamina (6) and failure means you get a point of their Blood. It's not like you can, I don't know, pin them with your OP Tentacle Powers and drink them dry using your... phangs? Fangs?
Scrawl! Obfuscate now Malkavians leave coded messages that only certain people can read! Or you could... IDK, meet with them? Talk to them? Use an actual code with redundant symbols and cryptographic methods which make it nearly impossible to decipher without the key? You could have taken Obfuscate 6; Conceal, which would make covert meetings nearly 100% safe (meeting in an invisible car after walking invisible to the car), but instead you go for... this?
Personal Armour. You roll your Fortitude (difficulty 8) and if your successes beat those of the person who attacked you, their weapon shatters. If they have so few successes on the attack roll that your 5-6 dice against difficulty 8 can trump it, then their attack was no threat at all and likely neither are they. It's impressive and showy, but Fortitude 6's vanilla power is pretty showy as well. Utter waste of EXP. Curse the Laurel. Outside of being thematically odd (reshaping the heart feels like Protean or Viccisitude, but okay) it's not going to be a problem since no stake is breaking through an | |
a Giant burial and they both showed to be Nuclear elements.
A Nuclear Physics Professor and many others will know very well what the implications are here, with Boron and a metal ball with decayed Plutonium (Americium) and some platinum/gold insulator/shield. I have seen a lot of photographs of Giants on the web, but so many of them are Photoshop doing a fair job, so really a photograph does very little in proving anything.
Professional witnesses with scientific documentation like DNA, Carbon-date, Forensic and even then it can be denied and scorned by paid academia no less than this fake "global warming" scenery that was foisted on the people at large via the Press tool.
Oh yes, there are lots of immature crybabies that want some of us to make all of the sacrifices for them and take all of the time, heat, costs and risks (while they whine, accuse and bitch) and then if and when I/you are in jail or crushed, they can speculate and develop many more theory's on "why", without ever really knowing the truth. You have to be persistent, courageous, vigilant, thirsty and competent to conduct a real investigation of a subject, especially doing it on your own, much less to publish it.
Mark Twain evidenced this social phenomena many years ago when he purposely published a famous fake story that traveled far and wide (as the truth) and after over a year, only one person actually investigated the facts given, to find they were fake and queried him. Mark Twain then published "the rest of the story" on how lackey so many people are when it comes to taking personal responsibility for searching for and investigating "facts" and then knowing the truth. You can also bet your last dollar that it was not any public news company that discovered the truth then, because they were far too busy capitalizing on and brokering stimulation, sensation and politics. It is the same now. Sensation and control are more important overall than the truth…which is why we all need to become astute investigators and constantly check and sort data, to the best of our abilities and be willing to recognize errors, breakthroughs and patterns. Sincerely, Robert [email protected]
Ancient and Current "Magics" and Their Origins
Moses, Abraham, Hermes Trismegistus, King Solomon (and others) all had one thing in common. They all knew how to control/command the elements and spirits. The Sefer Yetzirah, The Zohar (Rabbinical comment on the Torah for 2,000 years), The Testament of Solomon and a book called "The Keys of Solomon" all bring this out abundantly.
An adopted child, Moses first learned his magic in Egypt, among the Egyptian royalty and in the Pharaoh's household. The Egyptians were using their knowledge to enslave the Hebrews, over a period of some 400 plus years. When Moses was grown, he chose to help his people. At eighty years of age, Moses, God (YHVH) and Moses' brother Aaron challenged the Egyptians' power, for the freedom of the Hebrews. They had their magical duels with the Egyptians, Moses won the right to leave and the Hebrews became free, for that time.
This kind of "magic" knowledge has always been forbidden to the common peoples. Even the Hebrews had laws about whom could learn it (as married men over 30), whom could teach (mothers could not teach after one point and this discontinued their children from learning at an early age), others were guidelines about practicing it, as well as penalties for misuse.
Refering to the type of magic related to Egypt, it is called Hermetics. When refering to magic of the Hebrew origin or nature, that is called Kabbalah. This more advanced level of physics/sciences was also taught in special schools referred to as "The School of the Prophets" in ancient biblical times.
One of the three Inquisitions in Europe was because the common people were learning and practicing Kabbalah mixed with their Christianity. Healers who used things as herbs also were targeted, as they affected potential loyalty and income to the clergy. The clergy, perceiving a threat to their power position, used prisons, torture and death to stop and discourage the further practice of independent magic, labeled "Heresy".
Sorcery/Witchcraft come from the same tree, of knowledge of good and evil, and really it can be used both ways. The primary origin of this Forbidden Knowledge ("magic") first came from the Nephilim (Sons of God).
It appears that God considered that humans (race of Man) were on their own merits, in a spiritual-embryo development stage, and should not have higher knowledge prior to their refinement. However, some of the Nephilim broke that guideline and set many problems in motion for all concerned, by both hybridizing with the younger Adamic race (known as Man) and by passing forbidden knowledge to them. As a form of "eating forbidden fruit", these lawless acts perpetuated the "tree of knowledge of good & evil" Events.
According to the Zohar, when Eve partook of the forbidden knowledge of good and evil, she slept and copulated with the angel/god of Mars and became pregnant with Cain. Later, she became pregnant with Able, Adams son, so then this first hybridizing was done by Eve and then the whole cycle of pain, sorrow, early death, learning and spiritual development all started from this "forbidden act" (or was it planned that way?).
Next, there was a sort of equalization and maybe even competition between the "Sons of God" and the Grand-Children of God, because Adam cried out to God for greater knowledge and so God sent the angel Raziel, who gave Adam the Book of Knowledge, now called the book of Raziel. Apparently Seth and Enoch inherited it following that. The human race, at least temporarily, had more knowledge, and with that, more stress and responsibility with higher stakes.
Magic was the study & practice of astronomy, astrology, alchemy and esoteric metaphysical knowledge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magi
My take on it, is that real magic (apart from sleight of hand) is in the realm of Quantum Physics and this is spiritually and physically protected as strategic classified information, no less than military secrets are kept from the enemy. For the few that try to study magic, the learning often never goes beyond mostly fragments or intellectual or scholarly exercises. The concepts of morals and spiritual laws are not often given enough relevance as to justice and lawfulness related to choices and actions and "The Golden Rule", of "Love your neighbor as yourself."
The only person that I know of that actually knew, understood & practiced Hermetics/Kabbalah in fairly recent times was Franz Bardon and he was murdered for it by 1958. His three books https://www.amazon.com/Initiation-into-Hermetics-Franz-Bardon/dp/1885928122 are actually available in print nowadays and in pdf on the web. I have read all three of them. Bardon was a Christian and strongly believed in accountability and responsibility.
It appears that one of Gods clauses, after the mistaken dissemination of information, was that the Nephilim and Man (humans) now had to live separately with a barrier between them. Under the Seven Commandments of Noah, it was/is forbidden to trespass land boundaries. I think that when the Bible makes mention of "in the earth" and "on the face of the earth" those are where some of those distinct barriers apply.
My perspective on the planet-wide cities of underground/underworld people, is that they have (far) superior scientific knowledge and life-spans and that they also know and practice a Hermetic type of knowledge. My take on the Egyptian-Underworld, is that they still live in underground cities and that what many might find in archeology and as ancient ruins is only or primarily their sepulchers/burials and monuments left on and near the surface of the ground. This has lead to people thinking that burials and record stores | |
rest of the night. I'm coming over._
He walked up to the door and stood there.
'Right, then,' Lloyd said.
The pink moon bulged as Lloyd half turned and hit him in the mouth. As he fell back, Lloyd hit him in the stomach. As he doubled up and his face came down, Lloyd's fist was waiting to meet it, crunching his glasses into his eyes.
As he rolled over on the gravel, Lloyd kicked him in the head.
'Tell me the truth,' the vicar said as they came up to the junction of Old Barn Lane and the new road. Terrible stupid junction, this was, Gomer reckoned, right on a bad bend. 'You don't actually think Lol's going to find her lying drunk in the orchard. Do you?'
'Oh, Vicar ...' Gomer slowed down, not wanting to come up to the junction right behind Rod, pretending that concentrating on his driving was the reason he hadn't finished the sentence.
'You think she's in the cider house, don't you?'
'En't my place to think nonsense like that,' Gomer said gruffly.
'What happens in the cider house?'
'They makes cider. Used to.'
They passed into a tunnel of trees, blocking the moonlight.
'I dreamt about it once.' Her voice was very low. 'I've never been in one, but I dreamt about it. It was Dermot Child in there.'
Gomer thought that Dermot Child, nasty little bugger though he was, wasn't in the same evil league as the Powells, so inbred, deep-down evil they didn't even know they _was_ evil. He turned out on to the new road and had to brake sharply on account of Rod Powell's Escort was dead in front of him, having slowed for a big lorry rumbling round the bend.
'Strewth, you don't expect heavy goods traffic this time o' night.'
It was a low loader with a big stack of crates on the back. The driver cranked the gears and the lorry built up to a steady speed as they approached the spot where poor ole Lucy bought it, just before you hit the straight, Powells' farm turning about half a mile off.
Too late. Before Rod, too, changed gear and speeded up, Gomer saw him look in his mirror to see who'd come up behind him. Not many folk in this village drove a US Army Jeep with a cigarette glowing in their gobs.
'Bugger.'
He'd have seen the vicar, too. He'd know they were following him. He wouldn't like that.
Gomer eased up, left some space between him and Rod. His view of it was that Rod was heading home fast to check everything was in order, mabbe throw some disinfectant around then figure out how he was going to play it. He wouldn't want no company tonight.
But whatever he did to clean up the cider house, there wasn't a thing he could do about the orchard. About this Patricia Young, who Gomer was convinced lay under the Apple Tree Man. He weren't that old. Thirty years was a good age for an untended apple tree.
Bugger. Rod giving it some clog now, getting up behind the lorry so he could get past when they hit the straight. Gomer put his foot down.
What happened next happened so quick that he'd hardly registered it before the Jeep was up the bank and not-so-clean through the hedge.
'Where are you? Where are you? Where you gone?' Moving about in the bilious fluorescence, throwing hay around, old bin sacks. 'Don't mess me about, you bitch, you little scrubber. You come out now and mabbe I won't give you to Father for his pleasure, mabbe I'll just finish it quick, quick as a chicken, see, humane ... You want humane, you come out now. Father, he en't humane, n'more. You come out now, you hear. I know you can't've got out, had my eye on you the whole time I'm removin' your friend, efficient, we are, you don't get round the back of _us ..._ Don't mess me about, Jane, you listen to me, I en't got time ... When I find you I'm gonner hurt you, gonner hurt you very bad, you hear me, Jane, you hear me, you little slut? You can't've gone, you can't've gone, you cannot've _gone_ , Jane. Jane. _Jane. JANE!_ '
He comes out, boiling with bewilderment.
'Where is she?'
Advancing on Lol, tottering away from the truck, half blind, body burning.
'Think I'm daft enough to leave the keys in, is it? Think you can drive off? Think I'm _daft_?'
Big, tough hands, farmer's hands, bass player's hands, picking him up and slamming him back against some wall.
And he can feel the freshly washed hair of a girl called Tracy Cooke in his eyes and mouth in a dingy hotel bedroom and he can see Karl Windling's yellow grin as he pushes Tracy over onto Lol's arm and goes down on her.
_I'm gonner hurt you, gonner hurt you real bad, you hear me, Jane ..._
Jane?
'Where is she?' Lloyd's screaming, his hard face up close. 'What you done with her? I'm gonner tear your other eye out, mister!'
Lol's hand comes up with the bottle in it. The empty bottle he found rolling around in the back of the truck. The bottle coming up and striking Lloyd on the point of the chin with a small click.
Lloyd stumbling and spitting a little blood.
'Right then.' Rubbing his jaw once. 'You done it now, boy.'
Lol swaying, hearing the words of Thomas Traherne.
_... to love all persons in all ages, all angels, all worlds, is divine and heavenly ... To love all ..._
Lloyd comes for Lol.
Karl Windling says, _And you ... you're just ... I mean, who'd notice? Who'd give a shit? Who'd put flowers on your grave?_
Lol, with both hands smashing the bottle into the side of Lloyd's head, whispers, 'Jane?'
There is no reply. Lloyd is on his knees. The bottle falling to the gravel and rolling over, its label lit by the moon.
The Wine of Angels.
_Tears are the wine of angels._ Traherne sighs. _The best to quench the devil's fires._
You'd've thought it would be all over the road, but it was very neat. From the bank, Gomer was looking down on it, the moon so warm and bright you could see everything. Very neat indeed, the car looking like it had taken a bite out of the bed of the lorry, like the car roof was its upper lip, clamped down.
'No, you don't,' Gomer said, putting out an arm to bar the vicar's path. 'Call me sexist, Vicar, but this is gonner be no sight for you. You stay in this yere field. I'll go down and check this out first, see.'
He slithered down to the mangled wire fence, stepped over it and through the gap the Jeep had torn out of the hedge. Lit himself a ciggy then went to look under the deck of the lorry, where the bonnet of the Escort was barely visible. The end of the deck had gone through the wind-screen like a wide-bladed stone chisel.
Gomer bent his head, sniffed, then straightened up and wiped his hands on his trousers.
The lorry driver was down from his cab. He'd thrown up in the road. He wore a baseball cap and a big earring.
'Well, well,' Gomer said. 'Jeremy Selby.'
'Gomer?'
'Bit late for a consignment o' cider.'
'Going down Southampton way. Bit of a rock festival'
'Ar,' Gomer said. 'Best place for it. All be too stoned to taste the ole muck.'
'It was so _bloody_ quick, Gomer. Couldn't believe it. He was right on my arse, then it just come running out the hedge, I didn't know what it was at first, just slammed on, you know, instinctively, it was a really big one, all white.'
'Hang on, get a hold, boy.' Gomer extracted the ciggy. 'What did? What exactly come | |
We have all locked ourselves from our house at one point or the other. Therefore we all know how annoying this can be. That is because it always happens at the most inconvenient time. It can be after a hard day of work or it can even be before you have to leave for a party. Therefore we can understand how you must be feeling. But there are steps that you can take to remedy this situation.
Many seem to think that the first thing that they have to do when they lock themselves out is called an emergency locksmith Mawson Lakes. But that is not always necessary. That is because of us tend to leave a spare key with our friends or family. We know that some leave a spare key with their neighbours. If that is the case you simply have to pop in next door to borrow this. But in this day and age, we don't always have time to know let alone meet our neighbours.
Thus, that is why we entrust out house keys with a loved one. Therefore when you lock yourself out all you have to do is call these people up. That is because you can then ask them whether you can pop by to pick up the keys. However, you would not have to go to this much trouble if you live in a rental house. That is because then you can simply ask your landlord for a pair of keys.Therefore when something like this happens don't automatically assume the worst case scenario. Instead, remember that you would be able to rely on your friends without having to waste money on a mobile locksmith Adelaide.
We know that we always tell people not to leave their doors and windows open when they go out. But we understand that sometimes even by mistake you can leave them open. However, you would never know whether this has happened until you check. Thus, that is why it is important for you to go around your house to check all the doors and windows. If anything is open you can easily use this as a point of entry. However, remember to be careful when using windows. That is because it is possible for you to fall and hit your head. Therefore make sure to take some precautions when adhering to a step like this.Locking yourself out of your home can be a frustrating prospect. But make sure to follow the above tips to get through this unfortunate situation.
For an entrepreneur, there are a number of great business opportunities that could raise them up from the level of an ordinary visionary to a successful owner of a large corporation. Among these many possibilities, an individual who has a passion for cooking, serving or simply making others happy, starting a food business will seem like the most sensible option, and if you are one of them, we are here to provide some useful pointers. In this article we will look into three of the most basic areas that you must focus on to make your restaurant business a successful and promising venture.
Any organization, no matter the industry they operate in or the number of the customers they handle on any given day must have systematic procedure of doing things if they intend to become successful. Not having such a procedure will complicate even the most basic of operations, making your life as an entrepreneur very difficult. Therefore, figure out just how you are going to go about this venture, even before getting into it, so it will work as a blueprint that tells you what to do, when to do the and just how you can do them to maximize the efficiency and productivity. The hospitality POS systems Sydney you purchase to provide the customers with a better level of service must be set up, operated and maintained in such a manner that optimizes the overall operation and saves a substantial amount of time and funds for both you and the customer.
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Lack of initial capital is one of the leading reasons why most businesses, including restaurants fail soon after they start operations. You will have to spend at least six months before your venture becomes profitable because in the food industry where new competitors enter the market place almost every other day, building a loyal customer base can be a real uphill task. Therefore, find yourself a bunch of great investors who believe in what you do and your capabilities. If the funds are still not enough, seek the aid of a financial intermediary such as a bank who will lend you some useful capital.
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Correctable mistakes doomed Arizona Cardinals in loss
It doesn't require advanced analytics to determine three turnovers, one touchdown in five red-zone appearances and numerous defensive lapses usually result in a loss.
Correctable mistakes doomed Arizona Cardinals in loss It doesn't require advanced analytics to determine three turnovers, one touchdown in five red-zone appearances and numerous defensive lapses usually result in a loss. Check out this story on azcentral.com: https://azc.cc/1LePXQ0
Kent Somers, azcentral sports Published 5:10 p.m. MT Oct. 5, 2015 | Updated 7:38 a.m. MT Oct. 6, 2015
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer overthrows wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) as St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) defends in their NFL game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz.(Photo: David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports)
Watching video of the Cardinals' 24-22 loss to the Rams didn't provide coach Bruce Arians and his staff a different perspective than the one they had immediately after the game.
"The same statistics that were on the sheet after the game were here this morning," Arians said on Monday, "so there's no difference. There's no news.The same things we saw yesterday were obvious on tape.
"Those type of games, we've won for two years. First one we've lost like that. It's a little hard to swallow because of the fact we had won so many in the fourth quarter here the last two years, I think we just anticipated we'd make the play in this one and we didn't get it done."
Cardinals rewind: What we learned in loss to Rams
Despite all of their mistakes, the Cardinals (3-1) had their chance late on Sunday. An 8-yard run by rookie David Johnson put the Cardinals in a 2nd-and-2 situation at the Rams' 43 with two minutes left.
Arians called three consecutive pass plays. An attempt at a screen was knocked down by end Robert Quinn, and Carson Palmer overthrew open receivers on the next two downs.
NFL power rankings: Confidence in Cardinals?
NFL power rankings: Where each team stands after Week 4
azcentral sports' Bob McManaman ranks all 32 teams in the NFL after Week 4 of the season. Who is No. 1? Where are the Arizona Cardinals? Last week's rankings in parenthesis. Follow Bob McManaman on Twitter @azbobbymac. Michael Chow/azcentral sports
32. (29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It's too early to call Jameis Winston a bust, but hey, if the interception fits. Well, you know. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
31. (31) Detroit Lions: I refuse to put the Lions last after they got screwed by an incompetent officiating crew that simply didn't know the rules about batted balls in the end zone. Even Seattle coach Pete Carroll acknowledged the Seahawks caught a huge break since the refs made the wrong determination. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
30. (28) Jacksonville Jaguars: So Jaguars kicker Jason Myers missed a 53-yarder with six seconds left against the Colts. Then he got a do-over because Chuck Pagano called timeout and the next one missed wide right, too. Oh, then he missed again it overtime, pushing one wide left. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
29. (27) San Francisco 49ers: To paraphrase Clay Matthews of the Packers, "You guys are no good, bro!" Need I say more? I thought not. When do the Cardinals play these guys again, by the way? They could use a laugher after that rough loss to the Rams on Sunday. Oh, c'mon, I'm just playing. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
28. (21) Miami Dolphins: Sorry, Joe. You had to go. The Dolphins made Joe Philbin the first head coaching casualty of the season and promoted their tight ends coach to replace him. Dan Campbell said he expects a tougher, more physical effort out of the players. We'll see if they respond. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
27. (32) Chicago Bears: Yeah, they won a game – barely – but for Bears tight end Martellus Bennett to compare quarterback Jay Cutler to Jesus, well, I'm at a loss for words. Google it if you want. All I know is the Bears are out of hell, err, Bobby Mac's Power Rankings' basement. Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
26. (26) Cleveland Browns: You're 1-3. Don't you think it's time to see what Johnny Manziel can do for you as your fulltime starting quarterback? I do. So does all of Cleveland. Hello? Is this thing on? Hello? Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
25. (25) Tennessee Titans: Since they didn't play in Week 4, they don't gain or lose a spot. Good thing, too, because nobody cares outside of Nashville. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
24. (19) Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith has been sacked 19 times already. Let me sack the Chiefs five spots the week and we'll call it even. Maybe you heartbreakers can beat the Bears this week. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
23. (17) Houston Texans: Wait a second. Bill O'Brien benched Ryan Mallett for ineffectiveness during Houston's lopsided loss to the Falcons and turned to Brian Hoyer, who directed the Texans to three fourth-quarter touchdowns. Now O'Brien is going back to Mallett for Thursday's game against the Colts? Oh, I give up. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
22. (30) Washington Redskins: All I've got to say is, go Kirk Cousins. I'm not sure you guys can beat the Falcons on the road this week, but I wouldn't put it past you. Man, did I really just say that? No wonder I had to make an appointment with the doctor this week. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
21. (16) Philadelphia Eagles: I don't know about you, but I'm already tired of watching this team, reading about this team, and listening to all of their excuses. What say you? Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
20. (24) New Orleans Saints: Had to go to overtime to trip up the Cowboys, but they did it and Drew Brees showed his Hall of Fame credentials once again by connecting with C.J. Spiller on a dramatic, 80-yard touchdown play to win it. Will they beat the Eagles on the road this week? Check back for my picks. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
19. (22) Baltimore Ravens: I told you they weren't dead and they weren't done. Well, not yet at least. Thank Steelers coach Mike Tomlin for that. This week the Ravens get the Browns. Smells like a Baltimore win to me, don't you think? Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
18. (15) Dallas Cowboys: That's two straight losses and counting after losing Tony Romo to that broken collarbone. I'll say this, though: I'm not so sure I'd be in such a rush to replace Brandon Weeden with Matt Cassel. Weeden looked fairly decent despite losing to the Saints in overtime on Sunday night. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
17. (13) Minnesota Vikings: They're 2-0 at home, 0-2 on the road. This week, they're 0-0 because they don't play. Good for them. Let's move on before we start getting bored. Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
16. (14) Oakland Raiders: Wait, they lost to the Bears? Seriously? Makes me really regret wanting to pick them this week at home against the Broncos. But I'm doing it, because Denver has had to go to the wire every week to start out 4-0. I can't believe I'm saying this, but "Go Raiders!" Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
15. (9) Buffalo Bills: If I'm Rex Ryan, I'm not making the Bills watch tape from their 24-10 loss to the Giants. I'm making them watch tape of how officials call games. The Bills were flagged 17 times for 135 yards against New York. This, just one week after they were penalized 14 times for 140 yards against the Patriots. Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
14. (23) St. Louis Rams: These guys make the biggest jump in my Power Rankings this week – nine spots – and it's more than deserving. Look, they've beaten the Seahawks and the Cardinals and that's saying something. With that attacking defense and | |
Q: How to adjust the height of a Bootstrap accordion I'm working on a website based on W3 Schools' Bootstrap Company Theme, which I've shared at https://github.com/khpeek/peek-solutions. (A previous version is online at www.peek.solutions). Here is the code so far:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<!-- Theme Made By www.w3schools.com - No Copyright -->
<title>Peek Solutions</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.7/css/bootstrap.min.css">
<link href="http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Montserrat" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.12.4/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script src="http://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.3.7/js/bootstrap.min.js"></script>
<style>
body {
font: 400 15px Lato, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.8;
/*color: #818181;*/
color: #181818;
}
h2 {
font-size: 24px;
text-transform: uppercase;
color: #303030;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
h4 {
font-size: 19px;
line-height: 1.375em;
color: #303030;
font-weight: 400;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.jumbotron {
background-image: url("img/Patagonia_Sirona_crop3.jpg");
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-size: cover;
background-position: center bottom;
/*background-color: #050042;*/
color: #fff;
padding: 70px 25px;
font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;
}
.container-fluid {
padding: 60px 50px;
}
.bg-grey {
background-color: #f6f6f6;
}
.logo-small {
color: #050042;
font-size: 50px;
}
.logo {
color: #050042;
font-size: 200px;
}
.thumbnail {
padding: 0 0 15px 0;
border: none;
border-radius: 0;
}
.thumbnail img {
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.carousel-control.right, .carousel-control.left {
background-image: none;
color: #050042;
}
.carousel-indicators li {
border-color: #050042;
}
.carousel-indicators li.active {
background-color: #050042;
}
.item h4 {
font-size: 19px;
line-height: 1.375em;
font-weight: 400;
font-style: italic;
margin: 70px 0;
}
.item span {
font-style: normal;
}
.panel {
border: 1px solid #050042;
border-radius:0 !important;
transition: box-shadow 0.5s;
}
.panel:hover {
box-shadow: 5px 0px 40px rgba(0,0,0, .2);
}
.panel-footer .btn:hover {
border: 1px solid #050042;
background-color: #fff !important;
color: #050042;
}
.panel-heading {
color: #fff !important;
background-color: #050042 !important;
padding: 25px;
border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
border-top-left-radius: 0px;
border-top-right-radius: 0px;
border-bottom-left-radius: 0px;
border-bottom-right-radius: 0px;
}
.panel-footer {
background-color: white !important;
}
.panel-footer h3 {
font-size: 32px;
}
.panel-footer h4 {
color: #aaa;
font-size: 14px;
}
.panel-footer .btn {
margin: 15px 0;
background-color: #050042;
color: #fff;
}
.navbar {
margin-bottom: 0;
/*background-color: #818181;*/
z-index: 9999;
border: 0;
font-size: 12px !important;
line-height: 1.42857143 !important;
letter-spacing: 4px;
border-radius: 0;
font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif;
}
.navbar li a, .navbar .navbar-brand {
color: #fff !important;
}
.navbar-nav li a:hover, .navbar-nav li.active a {
color: #050042 !important;
background-color: #fff !important;
}
.navbar-default .navbar-toggle {
border-color: transparent;
color: #fff !important;
}
footer .glyphicon {
font-size: 20px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
color: #050042;
}
.slideanim {visibility:hidden;}
.slide {
animation-name: slide;
-webkit-animation-name: slide;
animation-duration: 1s;
-webkit-animation-duration: 1s;
visibility: visible;
}
@keyframes slide {
0% {
opacity: 0;
transform: translateY(70%);
}
100% {
opacity: 1;
transform: translateY(0%);
}
}
@-webkit-keyframes slide {
0% {
opacity: 0;
-webkit-transform: translateY(70%);
}
100% {
opacity: 1;
-webkit-transform: translateY(0%);
}
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@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {
.col-sm-4 {
text-align: center;
margin: 25px 0;
}
.btn-lg {
width: 100%;
margin-bottom: 35px;
}
}
@media screen and (max-width: 480px) {
.logo {
font-size: 150px;
}
}
#accordion {text-align: left};
</style>
</head>
<body id="myPage" data-spy="scroll" data-target=".navbar" data-offset="60">
<!-- <nav class="navbar navbar-default navbar-fixed-top"> -->
<nav class="navbar navbar-inverse navbar-fixed-top">
<div class="container">
<div class="navbar-header">
<button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#myNavbar">
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
</button>
<a class="navbar-brand" href="#myPage">Peek Solutions</a>
</div>
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<ul class="nav navbar-nav navbar-right">
<li><a href="#about">About</a></li>
<li><a href="#services">Services</a></li>
<li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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</nav>
<div class="jumbotron text-center">
<h1>Welcome to Peek Solutions</h1>
<p>Pipeline integrity solutions for the energy industry.</p>
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<input type="email" class="form-control" size="50" placeholder="Email Address" required>
<button type="button" class="btn btn-danger">Subscribe</button>
</form> -->
</div>
<!-- Container (About Section) -->
<div id="about" class="container-fluid">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-sm-8">
<h2>About us</h2><br>
<h4>Peek Solutions, an independent consulting company founded by Ralf Peek, provides pipeline integrity solutions and assurance support to the energy industry, including the application of structural reliability methods to assess and ensure integrity.</h4><br>
<!-- <p>Peek Consulting is a consulting company founded by Ralf Peek.</p> -->
<br>
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<a href="#contact" class="btn btn-default btn-lg" role="button">Get in touch</a>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-4">
<p><center><strong>This website is currently under construction.</strong></center></p>
<!-- <span class="glyphicon glyphicon-signal logo"> This website is under construction</span> -->
<img src="img/under_construction.jpg"></img>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<div id="services" class="container-fluid text-center bg-grey">
<h2>SERVICES</h2>
<h4>Our services include:</h4>
<br>
<div class="panel-group" id="accordion">
<div class="panel panel-default">
<div class="panel-heading">
<h4 class="panel-title">
<a data-toggle="collapse" data-parent="#accordion" href="#collapse1">Pipeline Integrity Assessment and Design</a>
</h4>
</div>
<div id="collapse1" class="panel-collapse collapse in">
<div class="panel-body">Our services include the design and assessment of subea pipelines for lateral and/or upheaval buckling, arctic pipelines subject to ice gouging, stamukha loadings and/or thaw settlements, and pipelines crossing active faults, as well as more routine design/assessment.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="panel panel-default">
<div class="panel-heading">
<h4 class="panel-title">
<a data-toggle="collapse" data-parent="#accordion" href="#collapse2">Structural Reliability Assessment (SRA)</a>
</h4>
</div>
<div id="collapse2" class="panel-collapse collapse">
<div class="panel-body">
<p>Ralf Peek has over 30 years of experience in the area of structural reliability assessment and the estimation and assessment of uncertainties affecting structural performance in order to ensure that safety margins are adequate to cover such uncertainties, including:
<ul>
<li>Reliability-based design of buried arctic subsea pipeline against loading by ice keels gouging the sea floor.</li>
<li>SRA for pipelines subject to lateral buckling under thermal expansion.</li>
<li>Operating pipelines subject to extreme conditions (for example, turbidity current loading).</li>
<li>Probabilistic response-based seismic loading assessment criteria.</li>
<li>Nuclear containment structure reliability assessment.</li>
<li>Peek Solutions can also coordinate and deliver Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA), where necessary arranging for inputs on hydrocarbon release modeling from others. (QRA includes assessment of the consequences of failure as well as the probability of occurrence, and typically involves integration of muti-disciplinary inputs, as well as inputs based on local knowledge into a model.)</li>
</ul>
<p>Reasons to perform a Structural Reliability Analysis (SRA) or Quantitative Risk Asessment (QRA) could include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Extreme loadings are encountered such as ice, or geohazard loadings for which there are no established design methods and criteria.</li>
<li>Operating conditions (e.g. wet, sour service) can strongly affect the deformation capacity of the pipe.</li>
<li>Consequences of failure could be exceptionally severe.</li>
<li>New technology or a new concept is being used for which there is limited experience, and ingredient uncertainties affecting the performance are different from those for standard technology.</li>
<li>Where new, more reliable technology, inspection or assessment methods are used whereby uncertainties are reduced, and an adjustment in the required safety margins could be justified.</li>
<li>Value of information analysis under uncertainty in essence consists of performing SRA or QRA with and without the information so that the value of the information can be assessed. Such "information" might consist for instance of a (full scale) testing program, or other investigation to reduce uncertainties.</li>
<li>The loading for a pipeline is somewhere in between load- and displacement-controlled, so that existing criteria for either of these cases is not directly applicable, and a case-specific calibration of the required safety margins is needed.</li>
</ul>
<p>SRA and/or QRA ties together a number of aspects of design, specifications, fabrication and installation methods, monitoring, inspection and maintenance, and contingency response procedures, as all have a bearing on reliability. To include all these aspects properly typically requires a muti-disciplinary team, with expertise that typically cannot be found within a single company. Peek Solutions will assemble and engage such a team (e.g. by subcontracts), drawing from a network of specialists, as well as drawing from customer's expertise, practices and procedures.</p>
<p>In SRA's statistical data are used to quantify uncertainties. However in most cases there are important uncertainties for which statistical data are not available. Indeed these dominate more often than not. Ignoring such uncertainties, or making the SRA conditional upon certain assumptions about such uncertainties can be dangerous. Therefore Peek Solutions will assess all uncertainties, rather than only the ones for which statistical data are available, and quantify them by informed engineering judgment supported, engaging external experts as appropriate.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="panel panel-default">
<div class="panel-heading">
<h4 class="panel-title">
<a data-toggle="collapse" data-parent="#accordion" href="#collapse3">Pipeline Design or Operational Integrity Review, Assurance and/or Specification</a>
</h4>
</div>
<div id="collapse3" class="panel-collapse | |
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Open for Business First
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:: The Hales Corners Chamber of Commerce ::
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Shop Local...Shop the Ward! | Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward
Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a perfect day to shop local and support Milwaukee County's small businesses. Check out these great reasons to shop the Third Ward!
Shop local and shop the Ward. Make your list and check it twice, then visit the Historic Third Ward for your best shopping adventure ever! Find great savings, fun boutiques and unique gifts.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Economic Development Division! We're thankful for the wonderful people of Milwaukee County.
City of Oak Creek
Have you seen Oak Creek's Strategic Action Plan for 2017-2020? Thoughtful economic development is one of the city's critical success factors.
City Administration | City Updates | Community Development | General | Mayor & Council | June 19, 2017
Veterans' Service Office
A huge shout out to all of Milwaukee County's military veterans on this day of recognition. Happy Veterans Day!
From its convenient location 6419 W. Greenfield Ave West Allis, WI 53214, the Veterans' Service Office assists eligible veterans and their dependents in applying for state and federal veterans…
Milwaukee's Quasimondo Physical Theatre to restore former north side firehouse into performance hall
Plans are in place to turn a former Milwaukee north side firehouse into a performance hall. Quasimondo Physical Theater intends to restore the historic building and rename it the North Milwaukee Art Haus.
Milwaukee's Quasimondo theater group plans to restore a historic former north side firehouse into its performance hall, and other creative space.
Milwaukee: Larry's Market
It's National Men Make Dinner Day, and for some guys out there, that may be a challenge. Have no fear – Larry's Market in Brown Deer is here! Founder and owner Larry Ehlers has been making his famous pot pies for decades. So if you can't make it happen in the kitchen, try one of Milwaukee County's original specialty food shops.
Larry's Pot Pies, all made in house.
Advancing Equitable Economic Development In Milwaukee: Policy and Practice
Stop by the Italian Community Center this Friday morning for "Advancing Equitable Economic Development in Milwaukee: Policy and Practice" hosted by LISC Milwaukee. Follow the link to register for this FREE event.
Our goal is to ignite civic leadership in policy and practice which results in greater racial and economic equity in Milwaukee. Given the significant level of public and private investment downtown,…
Park East - THE PARK EAST REDEVELOPMENT MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN
Walkable: adjective (of an area or route) suitable or safe for walking; see the Park East neighborhood of Milwaukee
THE PARK EAST REDEVELOPMENT MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN
Tune in LIVE on Facebook, as we celebrate St. Anthony's Repurposing Ceremony today at 11:30 a.m.! We'll be at St. Benedict the Moore's Parish on 924 W. State St., where elected officials, community partners and project lenders will deliver remarks on an impactful development that will help end chronic homelessness in Milwaukee County.
The repurposed building is set to open 60 new units of affordable, supportive housing next year for individuals who have either experienced homelessness or were at risk of homelessness. The former St. Anthony's Hospital will also feature a community meeting room, a cafeteria and office space for the House of Correction's Day Reporting Center.
MONDAY 11:30am :: Tune in LIVE with us as we celebrate an important step forward in ending chronic homelessness in Milwaukee County! The former St. Anthony's Hospital will soon be repurposed into 60 units of affordable, supportive housing.
St. Benedict the Moore's Parish
924 W. State St.
Top Milwaukee Brewery Tours | VISIT Milwaukee
What better place to recognize American Beer Day than Milwaukee County? Tour a brewery, have dinner at a brewpub or drink a cold one at your favorite local spot. Cheers!
Milwaukee is the city that beer built, and now you can see how Milwaukee builds its beer on these fun brewery tours! Plan on joining one of our tours soon!
Oak Creek, Franklin highlight growth at State of the Cities breakfast - Park East
"When we talk about economic development, it starts with communication within our community," says Aaron Hertzberg.
Community leaders from Oak Creek and Franklin gathered earlier this month for the fourth annual State of the Cities breakfast sponsored by the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce.
Eggs, bacon, coffee and talk of economic development – the fourth annual State of the Cities breakfast on Milwaukee County's south side filled up a large room at
The Park East neighborhood is one of the largest economic development projects in Milwaukee County's history. Milwaukee's Corridor of Opportunity offers new apartments, offices, retail shops, fitness centers, hangouts and more.
84 South
Restaurants, retailers, offices and more – 84South in Greenfield is bustling with economic activity. Take a look at the ongoing development of this mixed-use space off of Layton Avenue near I-894.
Location: 40 acre area between Layton Ave, 84th Street, I-894, and 92nd St. A mixed use development anticipated to include retail, dining, fitness, office use, and apartments. Construction is…
Eat Curds – Wisconsin Cheese
Cheese is celebrated every day in Wisconsin, and we have a bonus reason to celebrate this Sunday – National Cheese Curd Day! From fresh and squeaky to deep-fried, find the best cheese curds near you.
Welcome to the only resource committed to helping you find and devour Wisconsin cheese curds.
Arena construction bolsters economic development - Park East
The Milwaukee Bucks' new arena is expected to be ready for the 2018-2019 NBA season. Until then, the construction process is putting Milwaukee County people and companies to work. Check out this summer recap!
The Bucks' new arena is about 55 percent complete, and every day, it's getting easier to imagine a revitalized downtown Milwaukee. In addition to bringing a state-of-the-art entertainment
2017 Engine Events
Celebrate what is "Made in Havenwoods" Oct. 3-6 at the Engine Conference presented by Havenwoods Economic Development Corporation. The four-day gathering of makers and manufacturers features a happy hour bus tour, job fair and more. Register below!
October is National Manufacturing Month and we have an exciting week of creative and informative events planned for you from October 3-October 6!
A warm goes out to Miss Molly's Cafe & Pastry Shop at 92nd and Center!
Avenues West neighborhood extends a big welcome to | |
Category Archives: Parliament
NSW Parliament officially agrees that Donald Trump is a 'revolting slug unfit for public office'
Posted on October 13, 2016 by maxphillips Leave a comment
The New South Wales Parliament's Upper House just passed this motion unanimously today (13.10.16):
1027. Mr Buckingham to move—
That this House:
(a) condemns the misogynistic, hateful comments made by the Republican candidate for President
of the United States of America, Mr Donald Trump, about women and minorities, including the
remarks revealed over the weekend that clearly describe sexual assault,
(b) reflects on the divisive, destructive impact that hate speech from political candidates and
members of elected office has on our community, and
(c) agrees with those who have described Mr Trump as 'a revolting slug' unfit for public office.
Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said: "It's a great that all sides of Australian politics, from conservatives to liberals to greens, agree that Donald Trump is a 'revolting slug' and completely unfit for public office."
"It's clear that all reasonable and decent people find Donald Trump's behaviour obnoxious and that the world is hoping American voters reject his politics of hate".
Video of the motion can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByxFWzVKcs8IaGpLVUhMX0IxZWs
Buckingham to Blair Northern Basin Water Allocations 5 May 2016
Posted on May 20, 2016 by maxphillips Leave a comment
Northern Basin Water Allocations
Mr JEREMY BUCKINGHAM ( 15:15 :05 ): My question without notice is to the Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water. I recently visited southern Queensland where I saw a large amount of cotton coming off Cubbie Station and irrigated farms near St George and Dirranbandi. Can the Minister update the House on the representations he previously stated he would make to the Queensland Government regarding water allocations in the Darling, Culgoa, Condamine and Balonne river systems?
The Hon. NIALL BLAIR (Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Lands and Water) ( 15:15 : 40 ): I would be delighted to update the House because I recently made representations—I am trying to remember; I do not want to mislead the House—two or three Fridays ago when the water Ministers met in Brisbane. Not only did I make representations but I did it on their turf. One issue I raised on behalf of New South Wales was the Northern Basin Review and the work that is being done by the Murray‑Darling Basin Authority.
New South Wales has met a lot of its obligations under that review, including the water recovery that has occurred from our system. Queensland is lagging behind, and that frustrates me as the New South Wales Minister for Lands and Water. Indeed, I have commented at every ministerial council meeting that the results of the Northern Basin Review are outstanding—meaning they are overdue. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority engaged consultants to conduct this review but, unfortunately, they made a mess of it and we had to engage another set of consultants. They messed up part of the socioeconomic review relating to the northern communities, which for a long time have relied upon a strong agricultural sector and the use of productive water.
That is the first matter I have addressed with my Queensland counterparts. The other measure—and it was a win at the ministerial council, on behalf of the people of New South Wales—was to make sure as we move through the key decision points of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan that New South Wales continues to advocate for infrastructure projects to deliver water savings. We need to start thinking outside the box in order to deliver those water savings and so that we do not see productive water being purchased out of New South Wales and flowing downstream to South Australia and then eventually out to sea.
If that water and those savings can be made through infrastructure projects or projects such as the carp eradication program, we know that we can do great things for the environment and our agricultural sector. Significantly, at the last ministerial council meeting, all States and the Commonwealth agreed to look at non-flow related projects to help bridge the gap, particularly for the sustainable diversion limit [SDL] projects and the required 650 gigalitres.
What does that mean for New South Wales? If we can stop the release of cold water or black water events in our river systems, then we can deliver proper outcomes for the environment, such as the eradication of carp or the prevention of the death of fish populations. It will mean that we will not have to enter the market and buy productive water from our producers in regional New South Wales, and it will ensure that we have better rivers, more productive regional businesses and better socioeconomic outcomes for the people of regional New South Wales.
I thank the member for the Dixer. I thank him for giving me the opportunity to stand up and show that we are advocating on behalf of all of New South Wales and that if we have to have uncomfortable conversations with other States or the Commonwealth we will.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-67894
Dissenting Report to Gas Inquiry
Posted on February 25, 2015 by maxphillips One comment
Here is my dissenting report to the NSW Parliament Inquiry into gas supply and prices in which I highlight some areas where i think the committee could have been much stronger in its recomendations. The full report is available here. My media release on the report is here.
By Mr Jeremy Buckingham, The Greens
Coal seam gas development is not in the public interest
I am pleased that the committee accepted the strong evidence presented that the development of coal seam gas in NSW will have no meaningful impact on the supply or cost of gas in NSW. However, given the significant risks that the development of a coal seam gas industry poses to water resources, the environment and public health, it is disappointing that the committee decided not to go a step further and recommend that the industry not be allowed to proceed in NSW.
I believe that the report should have included the following recommendation:
The NSW government should not risk public health, the quality or quantity of water resources or the nature of farmland and rural communities by developing an indigenous gas supply from unconventional resources.
I am also concerned that the Liberal, National and Shooters Party members of the committee voted to prevent the important evidence given by NSW Farmers and Lock the Gate, that the risks and the widespread and determined community opposition to unconventional gas exploration and production cannot be ignored when examining issues which affect gas supply and pricing issues, being included in the final report.
Stronger recommendations regarding market transparency
Significant concerns were expressed in evidence to the committee by a number of stakeholders, including the Minister for Resources and Energy, about the lack of transparency in the gas market and the possibility of cartel behaviour and price-gouging to the detriment of consumers are very serious and warranted stronger recommendations from the committee to rebuild public confidence in the industry. To this end I recommend that the NSW government:
requests that the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission investigate current arrangements and practices in the upstream gas industry to ensure that any monopoly, cartel or other behaviours are not being practiced to the detriment of Australian gas consumers, and that upstream gas companies are disclosing adequate information to ensure a competitive gas market, and
requires the disclosure of the details of gas export contracts to the government on a confidential basis, for those companies wanting to do business in NSW.
Transition to renewable energy alternatives
While gas is currently a significant energy input for many businesses and households in NSW, in the medium term it is not a vital energy source and can be replaced by renewable energy alternatives. Unfortunately, this committee report is woeful in its failure to make any recommendations regarding the need for government support for households, | |
months--and he forgot it entirely
until this evening. Fortunately, he can settle it to-morrow; those
disagreeable publishers of his have telegraphed for him to come to New
York at once, you know. Otherwise--dear, dear! but marrying a genius is
absolutely ruinous to one's credit, isn't it, Rudolph? The tradespeople
will refuse to trust us soon."
Involuntarily, Musgrave had seen the cheque. It was for a considerable
amount, and it was made out to John Charteris.
"Beyond doubt," said Musgrave, in his soul, "Jack is colossal! He is
actually drawing on his wife for the necessary expenses for running away
with another woman!"
The colonel sat down abruptly before the great, open fireplace, and
stared hard at the pine-boughs which were heaped up in it.
"A penny," said she, at length.
He glanced up with a smile. "My dear madam, it would be robbery! For a
penny, you may read of the subject of my thoughts in any of the yellow
journals, only far more vividly set forth, and obtain a variety of more
or less savory additions, to boot. I was thinking of the Lethbury case,
and wondering how we could have been so long deceived by the man."
"Ah, poor Mrs. Lethbury!" Anne sighed, "I am very sorry for her,
Rudolph; she was a good woman, and was always interested in charitable
work."
"Do you know," said Colonel Musgrave, with deliberation, "it is she I
cannot understand. To discover that he had been systematically
hoodwinking her for some ten years; that, after making away with as much
of her fortune as he was able to lay hands on, he has betrayed business
trust after business trust in order to--to maintain another
establishment; that he has never cared for her, and has made her his
dupe time after time, in order to obtain money for his gambling debts
and other even less reputable obligations--she must realize all these
things now, you know, and one would have thought no woman's love could
possibly survive such a test. Yet, she is standing by him through thick
and thin. Yes, I confess, Amelia Lethbury puzzles me. I don't understand
her mental attitude."
Musgrave was looking at Anne very intently as he ended.
"Why, but of course," said Anne, "she realizes that it was all the fault
of that--that other woman; and, besides, the--the entanglement has been
going on only a little over eight years--not ten, Rudolph."
She was entirely in earnest; Colonel Musgrave could see it plainly.
"I admit I hadn't looked on it in that light," said he, at length, and
was silent for a moment Then, "Upon my soul, Anne," he cried, "I believe
you think the woman is only doing the natural thing, only doing the
thing one has a right to expect of her, in sticking to that blackguard
after she has found him out!"
Mrs. Charteris raised her eyebrows; she was really surprised.
"Naturally, she must stand by her husband when he is in trouble; why,
if his own wife didn't, who would, Rudolph? It is just now that he needs
her most. It would be abominable to desert him now."
Anne paused and thought. "Depend upon it, she knows a better side of his
nature than we can see; she knows him, possibly, to have been misled, or
to have acted thoughtlessly; because otherwise, she would not stand by
him so firmly." Having reached this satisfactory conclusion, Anne began
to laugh--at Musgrave's lack of penetration, probably. "So, you see,
Rudolph, in either case, her conduct is perfectly natural."
"And this," he cried, "this is how women reason!"
"Am I very stupid? Jack says I am a bit illogical at times. But,
Rudolph, you mustn't expect a woman to judge the man she loves; if you
call on her to do that, she doesn't reason about it; she just goes on
loving him, and thinking how horrid you are. Women love men as they do
children; they punish them sometimes, but only in deference to public
opinion. A woman will always find an excuse for the man she loves. If he
deserts her, she is miserable until she succeeds in demonstrating to
herself it was entirely her own fault; after that, she is properly
repentant, but far less unhappy; and, anyhow, she goes on loving him
just the same."
The colonel pondered over this. "Women are different," he said.
"I don't know. I think that, if all women could be thrown with good
men, they would all be good. Women want to be good; but there comes a
time to each one of them when she wants to make a certain man happy, and
wants that more than anything else in the world; and then, of course, if
he wants--very much--for her to be bad, she will be bad. A bad woman is
always to be explained by a bad man."
Anne nodded, very wisely; then, she began to laugh, but this time at
herself. "I am talking quite like a book," she said. "Really, I had no
idea I was so clever. But I have thought of this before, Rudolph, and
been sorry for those poor women who--who haven't found the right sort of
man to care for."
"Yes." Musgrave's face was alert. "You have been luckier than most,
Anne," he said.
"Lucky!" she cried, and that queer little thrill of happiness woke again
in her rich voice. "Ah, you don't know how lucky I have been, Rudolph! I
have never cared for any one except--well, yes, you, a great while
ago--and Jack. And you are both good men. Ah, Rudolph, it was very dear
and sweet and foolish, the way we loved each other, but you don't
mind--very, very much--do you, if I think Jack is the best man in the
world, and by far the best man in the world for me? He is so good to me;
he is so good and kind and considerate to me, and, even after all these
years of matrimony, he is always the lover. A woman appreciates that,
Rudolph; she wants her husband to be always her lover, just as Jack is,
and never to give in when she coaxes--because she only coaxes when she
knows she is in the wrong--and never, never, to let her see him shaving
himself. If a husband observes these simple rules, Rudolph, his wife
will be a happy woman; and Jack does. In consequence, every day I live I
grow fonder of him, and appreciate him more and more; he grows upon me
just as a taste for strong drink might. Without him--without him--"
Anne's voice died away; then she faced Musgrave, indignantly. "Oh,
Rudolph!" she cried, "how horrid of you, how mean of you, to come here
and suggest the possibility of Jack's dying or running away from me, or
doing anything dreadful like that!"
Colonel Musgrave was smiling, "I?" said he, equably. "My dear madam! if
you will reconsider,--"
"No," she conceded, after deliberation, "it wasn't exactly your fault. I
got started on the subject of Jack, and imagined all sorts of horrible
and impossible things. But there is a sort of a something in the air
to-night; probably a storm is coming down the river. So I feel very
morbid and very foolish, Rudolph; but, then, I am in love, you see.
Isn't it funny, after all these years?" Anne asked with a smile;--"and
so you are not to be angry, Rudolph."
"My dear," he said, "I assure you, the emotion you raise in me is very
far from resembling that of anger." Musgrave rose and laughed. "I fear,
you know, we will create a scandal if we sit here any longer. Let's see
what the others are doing."
III
That night, after his guests had retired, Colonel Musgrave smoked a
cigarette on the front porch of Matocton. The moon, now in the zenith,
was bright and chill. After a while, Musgrave raised his face toward it,
and laughed.
"Isn't it--isn't it funny?" he demanded, echoing Anne's query ruefully.
"Eh, well! perhaps I still retained some lingering hope; in a season of
discomfort, most of us look vaguely for a miracle. And, at times, it
comes, but, more often, not; life isn't always a pantomime, with a fairy
god-mother waiting to break through the darkness in a burst of glory and
reunite the severed lovers, and transform their enemies into pantaloons.
In | |
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getting a diagnosis of RA and Sjogrens,but the doctor still treats me like a hypochondriac because of a lack of swelling. The only saving grace is the elevated Sed rate that marks inflamation.
I've come across your blog today, and I'm in heaven. The amount of information, and then the testimonials! I'm not alone…there's others out there experiencing the same issues.
Thanks for making me feel less alone.
My first flare started with low fever, fatigue flu-like aches for a few days and quickly turned to excruciating elbow, knee, hip, shoulder, wrist and ankle pain. I was covered with bruises and swollen only a little. I went to ER and was given an IV with anti-inflammatory and pain meds. After many tests (all normal results) I was told I probably have a virus and ordered to follow-up with my PCP. That night, I felt better so I never followed up. Two weeks later I woke up and couldn't see. It was as if I was in a fog or a cloud. I ran to eye doc who advised I have bilateral uvietis steming from an underlying medical condition. After that, the pains, fevers and fatigue were non-stop on top of eye pain, headaches and loss of vision. (I had to put two different eye drops in each eye every hour for 6 months!) Luckily, I was quickly DX with seropositive RA and the VECTRA DAS depicted I was in moderate to severe. My blood work always shows low SED rate and CRP although my pain is severe, and major organs are being attacked. Usually, my pains are very bad and swelling is barely noticeable. My rheumy brought my swelling to my attention. I bruise with flares where my pains are and no, it's not a side effect from meds, when on meds the bruising subsides. RA also attacked my veins, which resulted in a rash called Levido Reticularis and had eye hemorrhages that subsided on their own in a week or two. I was very swollen while on prednisone (oral and eye drops) I also had large amounts of blood in my urine that remains a mistery (but I think it was from prednisone). I had to wean off due to my eye pressure very very high and other bad side effects. My fingers are always swollen my right more than left, with pain without, but it's not that noticeable. I only know what to look for because my rheumy showed me. It took over a year to get my RA in control. Prednisone, and oral MTX did nothing. It took 6 months of MTX injections to finally help my eyes as I also got bouts of espicleritis (spelling?) a few times. My rheumy said it will take 3-6 months for MTX to fully work, and the 6th month is when I started feeling relief and hope. Three months ago, my VECTRA DAS,blood work SED rate and CRP is allegedly normal. I don't know how because I still have pains (not nearly nearly-I get by with Naproxen and aleve). I'm very stiff morning and night hours. I can barely get up on my own. I had 99.3 fever earlier today (my normal temperature is low 96°-97°) 99° and over I feel sore, achy and hot, but only one time my fever went to 101°. Sorry for long rant.. In short, blood tests show one thing and my body shows another. At times, pains are unbearable with little to no swelling.
I have had ra for 20 years and I get swollen badly! My arm or arms will double in size legs also, cannot move well and steroids for me are no longer the magic trick to calm it down! Just wait a few days for it too calm down! But for me bad swelling, my disease has Ben out of control for three years with humaria, solumedrol, and metatrexate! Wish I had answers as more time shut in then being active…..but I can still move so you have to move no matter the pain!
Right now my elbows, knees, shoulders and wrists are on fire!
However they look perfectly normal.
Occasionally my ankle swells but that is all.
My Rheumy never discounts my pain. I am currently taking injectible Mtx and Orencia.
I've never had swelling except for slight generalized in the fingers fingers, not specifically at the joints, either. My hands just stiffen up. I get triggers in all my fingers. My knees stiffen up and sometimes I feel pain behind the knee, down the front of the shinbone, the ankle and foot. Never any swelling. This is why I never ask for pain pills. I'm afraid they won't believe me. Everything always looks fine.
I have neg RA factor. (Last they checked) Positive ccp and when the pain is bad, sed rate and crp go up fairly high.
Hi my name is Gabrielle , in Feb of 2012 I was in a car accident. Ever since then my pain is bad. I was going to a spine specialist and was diagnosed with PA in my L4 L5 and S1. I was having other joints starting to hurt so he did a referral to a rheumatologist.I have recently started seeing a rheumatologist I have little viable swelling but pain everyday. I've had blood work done everything comes back normal. He keeps telling me oh its just fibro cause you have no visible swelling but I have bruises on my finger joints. My knees and hips lock up on me.my joints crack and pop all the time and most of the time when they do its so painful.I recently had a nuclear Medicine bone scan done and the nurse called amd said everything looks normal. I'm so annoyed I just want answers to the joint pain. I'm getting discouraged. I feel like they won't figure out what is wrong until its too late. I want the doctors to listen to my pain!! I feel like they are blowing me off.
Gabrielle, I'm so sorry this is happening. You are not alone – so many people have had similar experiences. Swelling can be fickle in RA and one it becomes more constant, it's harder to treat.
If you want to read more about rhe bone scan, here's the list of articles here about that – and helpful comments from patients.
Thanks for a great site, Kelly, the compilations of people's experiences such as this thread are really interesting when, like me, you have been recently diagnosed, and don't know the range of things that might happen. It is obviously a confusingly complicated disease, with many possible combinations of symptoms. I have had no visible swelling, but my rheumatologist said she could feel that some PIP joints were a bit swollen. The diagnosis was based on this, plus positive RF, very high IGM RF, symmetrical pain in a number of joints, and a trigger finger. She did not think it was significant that the swelling was minimal, or that my ESR, CCP and other IG RF factors that were tested were all normal. The pain is worst in MCP joints, wrists, an elbow and one shoulder, which hurt all the time. However, none of these seems at all swollen to me, whereas the PIP joints with identified swelling don't hurt that much, or that often. So my experience so far is also that pain and swelling are not correlated. Thanks again for putting this all together. Reading other people's experiences, I gather that I am lucky with my doc. Your book is good too – everyone with RA/RD should read it. I learned a lot from it, and from reading a few of the footnoted papers.
Thank you for sharing your story and for reading the book, | |
the city of Cuzco. He would then call forth the Orejones or "big-ears" as they placed large golden discs in their earlobes. These Orejones would become the nobility and ruling class of Cuzco.
His tasks done, Viracocha would head off into the ocean, walking out over it with the other Viracocha joining him. One final bit of advice would be given, to beware of those false men who would claim that they were Viracocha returned.
Right Of Conquest – In this story, Viracocha appeared before Manco Capac, the first Incan ruler, the god gave him a headdress and battle-axe, informing the Manco that the Inca would conquer everyone around them.
Christian Connection
Yes, it's easy to see how incoming Spaniards would equate Viracocha with Christ and likely influenced many of the myths with a Christian flair.
White God – This is a reference to Viracocha that clearly shows how the incoming Spanish Conquistadors and scholars coming in, learning about local myths instantly equated Viracocha with the Christian god. At first, in the 16th century, early Spanish chroniclers and historians make no mention of Viracocha. In 1553, Pedro Cieza de Leon is the first chronicler to describe Viracocha as a "white god" who has a beard.
It must be noted that in the native legends of the Incas, that there is no mention of Viracocha's whiteness or beard, causing most modern scholars to agree that it is likely a Spanish addition to the myths. Other deities in Central and South America have also been affected by the Western or European influence of their deities such as Quetzalcoatl from Aztec beliefs and Bochica from Muisca beliefs all becoming described as having beards.
Though that isn't true of all the Central and South American cultures. Some like the Peruvian Moche culture have pottery that depicted bearded men. The Aché people in Paraguay are also known to have beards. Though the debates and controversy are on with scholars arguing when the arrival of European colonialism began to influence the various native cultures.
Ultimately, equating deities such as Viracocha with a "White God" were readily used by the Spanish Catholics to convert the locals to Christianity. Much of which involved replaced the word God with Viracocha.
Pacha Kamaq – The "Earth Maker", a chthonic creator god worshiped by the Ichma people whose myth would later be adopted by the Inca.
Saturn – It is through Viracocha's epitaph of Tunuupa that he has been equated with the Roman god Saturn who is a generational god of creation in Roman mythology and beliefs.
Thunupa – The creator god and god of thunder and weather of the Aymara-speaking people in Bolivia.
Posted in Age Of Conquest, Central American, Christian, Civilization, Conquistadors, Cosmos/Universe, Creator/Creation, Deity, Ethics-Morals, Fertility, Flood Myths, Gold, Inca, Language, Life, Lightning, Llama, Moon, Nobility, Ocean, Oracle, Peru, Primordial, Rain, South American, Spain, Stars, Storms, Sun, Teacher, Thunder, Time, Water, Weather
Tags: Deity, Incan, Mythology
Etymology: Old Norse logi "flame", possibly "tangler" Possibly the Old Norse word luka meaning "close," Indo-European -leug meaning "to break", Indo-European -luk meaning: "to close," "lock," "lid," "end," to light," and "lightning."
Pronunciation: loh'-kee
Alternate Spellings: Loge, Lokki (Faroese), Lokkemand (Danish), Loke, Lokke (Norwegian), Luki, Luku (Swedish), Lukki (Finnish), Loder, Lokkju, Lopti, Loki-Laufeyjarson
Other Names and Epithets: Hveðrungr "Roarer" (Old Norse), Loptr (Air), Loftur, "Father of Lies," "the Sly God," "the Sly One," "Sky-Traveler"
Loki is best known in Norse mythology as a trickster deity. Like any trickster figure, Loki often questions and more accurately, challenges the status quo among the gods with the trouble and chaos he often causes. At the same time, for all the trouble and mischief that Loki creates, he will also help the other gods with fixing the mess. Just even studying and looking up the mythology for Loki has been fairly difficult to pin down this figure and try to say just who he is has been somewhat difficult. I could lay it down to Loki's trickster nature and the fluid mythological change of the times as scholars try to figure out scraps of ancient sagas and runes.
Animal: Spider, Salmon, Mare, Seal, Flies
Day of the Week: Saturday
Element: Air, Fire
Planet: Saturn
Plant: Birch
Sphere of Influence: Magic, Mischief, Lies, Deceit, Chaos, Thievery
Symbols: knots, loops, fishing nets
Norse Descriptions
Some sagas describe Loki as being male with a slim build with red hair. He has a curly mustache and possibly a pointed beard. Other descriptions of Loki will mention that he has a twisted smile, owing to his misadventure and encounter with some dwarves who sowed his mouth shut and tied him to a tree.
In his Gylfaginning, Snorri Sturlson describes Loki as being "beautiful and comely to look upon, evil in spirit, very fickle in habit." Well if that's not an apt descriptor of Tom Hiddleston's portrayl of Loki in the Marvel Cinema Movies.
Regional Variant?
When looking at the main sources of Norse Mythology that mention Loki, the main source is the Icelandic Scholar and Historian Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda from the 13th century. Loki shows up in some earlier Viking Sagas from the 9th to 11th century. However, tracking back to the earlier Nordic Sagas of Vafþrúðnismál and Grímnismál, Loki is absent from these tales.
A contemporary of Snorri Sturlson is Saxo Grammaticus, who in his Gesta Danorum ("Deeds of the Danes,") largely leaves out mention of Loki. This absence has been noted by scholars to point out that Loki may have only been a regional deity known among the most northern Germanic lands. Many of the other Norse deities like Odin and Thor can be found to have regional variant names and very similar corresponding myths.
What's In A Name? Lock & Key
Just what Loki's name means and which etymology to use for it has been debated for quite a while by various scholars.
Often it is suggested that the Old Norse word: logi, meaning "flame" is the source for Loki's name. The Icelandic use of Loki's name has it meaning: "knot" or "tangle."
Other Scandinavian names have put forth ranging from the Faroese Lokki, the Danish Lokkemand, the Norwegian Loke and Lokke, the Swedish Luki and Luku to the Finnish Lukki. All of these names have a commonality in the Germanic root word of luk- which corresponds with loops, especially for knots, hooks, closed-off rooms and even locks. Further etymological evidence is pointed out in the Swedish word: "lokkanät" and the Faroese word: "Lokkanet" that translate to mean "cobweb" or "Lokke's web." Even the Faroese word for Daddy-Long Leg spiders is: "lokki~grindalokki~grindalokkur." That could make sense and certainly adds a new understanding to just what Loki's name might really mean.
Another take is some of the Scandinavian dialects where the root word luk- corresponds to words like nokke and nøkkel that mean "key." Some of the Western Scandinavian words that translate to key are: loki~lokke and lykil.
What a tangled web we weave….
These etymological connections in mind, has led some to conclude that this is how Loki fits into the narrative for the events of Ragnarök. After-all, Loki creates all these problems and entanglements. So much so, that people believed Loki to cause knots, tangles and looks to occur or to be one, at least symbolically.
Germanic Origins & Worship
Loki is not a deity who was exactly worshiped among the ancient Germanic, Norse, Scandinavian tribes or others.
There is a lot of debate on just how to interpret Loki's place in Norse Mythology. Jacob Grimm introduced the idea of Loki as a god of fire in 1835. Next, Sophus Bugge in 1889 put forward the idea of Loki being a variation of Lucifer in Christianity. That aspect makes sense if you're trying to equate every trickster figure and outright evil figure in the black & white box of Christian theology.
Shortly after World War II there are four theories regarding Loki that have prevailed. The first of | |
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Home > All films > Films Drama > The Lion King
The Lion King is a american film of genre Drama directed by Jon Favreau released in USA on 19 july 2019 with Donald Glover
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Released in USA 19 july 2019
Directed by Jon Favreau
Genres Drama, Fantastic, Action, Adventure, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Films about lions, Films about apes, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Suricate
Rating70%
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The Jungle Book (2016)
, 1h46
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Films about children, Le thème de l'enfant sauvage, Wolves in film, Mise en scène d'un ours, Films about apes, Mise en scène d'un tigre, L'enfance marginalisée, Buddy films, Children's films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère
Actors Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Neel Sethi, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray
When the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) threatens his life, Mowgli (Neel Sethi), a boy raised by wolves, leaves his jungle home and, guided by Bagheera the panther (Ben Kingsley) and the free-spirited bear Baloo (Bill Murray), sets out on a journey of self-discovery.
Directed by Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Genres Drama, Comedy, Adventure, Musical, Animation
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about animals, Films about families, Philosophie, Films about religion, Film d'animation mettant en scène un animal, Films about lions, Films about apes, Musical films, Political films, Films based on the Bible, Films about Jews and Judaism, Films based on plays, Films based on works by William Shakespeare, Children's films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Suricate, Films about royalty
Actors Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane
In the Pride Lands of Africa, a lion rules over the animals as king. The birth of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi's son Simba creates envy and resentment in Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, who knows his nephew now replaces him as heir to the throne. After Simba has grown into a young cub, Mufasa gives him a tour of the Pride Lands, teaching him the responsibilities of being a king and the circle of life. Later that day, Scar tricks Simba and his best friend Nala into exploring a forbidden elephant graveyard, despite the protests of Mufasa's hornbill majordomo Zazu. At the graveyard, three spotted hyenas named Shenzi, Banzai and Ed attack the cubs before Mufasa, alerted by Zazu, rescues them and forgives Simba for his actions. That night, the hyenas, who are allied with Scar, plot with him to kill Mufasa and Simba.
Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about children, Space adventure films, Films about families, Jeu, Films based on science fiction novels, Films about extraterrestrial life, Space opera, Children's films, Films about extraterrestrial life
Actors Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart, Tim Robbins, Frank Oz
Brothers Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and Danny (Jonah Bobo) can never seem to get along with each other, or with their older teen-aged sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart). While staying at their divorced father's home while he is away at work and Lisa is asleep, the boys discover an old clockwork-driven space-themed board game called "Zathura" in the basement. The two begin to play the game, the goal to be the first to reach the final space named Zathura. During each turn, the game provides a card with instructions, but the two quickly realize the cards affect reality, starting with a meteor shower. They soon discover the house is floating on a small rock in outer space. Meanwhile, Lisa looks out the window, and believing it is merely dark, goes to shower for her date. When the boys try to warn Lisa about what has happened, they find she is frozen in cryonic sleep as a result of one of the cards. The brothers realize that the only way to end the game and hopefully return to Earth is to reach the end space of Zathura.
, 2h5
Genres Science fiction, Thriller, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Transport films, Aviation films, Superhero films, Super-héros inspiré de comics, Robot films
Actors Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sam Rockwell
In Russia, the media covers Tony Stark's disclosure of his identity as Iron Man. Ivan Vanko, whose father Anton Vanko has just died, sees this and begins building a miniature arc reactor similar to Stark's. Six months later, Stark is a superstar and uses his Iron Man suit for peaceful means, resisting government pressure to sell his designs. He re-institutes the Stark Expo in Flushing Meadows to continue his father Howard's legacy.
Mighty Joe Young (1949)
Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about animals, Films about apes, Mise en scène d'un mammifère
Actors Terry Moore, Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong, Frank McHugh, Douglas Fowley, Nestor Paiva
In 1937 Tanganyika Territory, Africa, eight-year-old Jill Young (Lora Lee Michel) is living with her father on his ranch. While in her yard, two Africans come by with an orphaned baby gorilla; Jill so wants a pet that she trades her toys and money for him, vowing to always care for the gorilla.
Directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack, Merian C. Cooper
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Thriller, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Horror
Themes Films about animals, Films about films, Dinosaur films, Films about magic and magicians, Seafaring films, La préhistoire, Transport films, Animaux préhistoriques, Films about apes, King Kong films, Giant monster films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Disaster films
Actors Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong, Frank Reicher, Steve Clemente, James Flavin
In New York Harbor, Carl Denham, famous for making wildlife films in remote and exotic locations, charters Captain Englehorn's ship Venture for his new project, but he is unable to secure an actress for a female role he reluctantly added. Denham searches the streets of New York for a suitable woman. He meets penniless Ann Darrow and convinces her to join him for the adventure of a lifetime. The Venture quickly gets underway. The surly first mate, Jack Driscoll, gradually falls in love with Ann. After weeks of secrecy, Denham finally tells Englehorn and Driscoll that their destination is Skull Island, an uncharted island shown on a map in Denham's possession. Denham speaks of something monstrous there, a legendary entity known only as "Kong".
Origin Nouvelle zelande
Genres Drama, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Themes Films about animals, Dinosaur films, Films about magic and magicians, Seafaring films, La préhistoire, Transport films, Animaux préhistoriques, Films about apes, King Kong films, Giant monster films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Disaster films
Actors Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell
In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, New York City vaudeville actress Ann Darrow has lost her job and is hired by financially troubled filmmaker Carl Denham to star in his new film. Ann signs on when she learns her favorite playwright, Jack Driscoll, is the screenwriter. As their tramp steamer, the SS Venture, makes the lengthy journey to the remote and mysterious Skull Island, Ann and Jack fall in love. Captain Englehorn begins having second thoughts about the voyage, prompted by crew speculation of trouble ahead.
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Horror
Themes Films about animals, Films about magic and magicians, Seafaring films, La préhistoire, Transport films, Animaux préhistoriques, Natural horror films, Films about apes, King Kong films, Giant monster films, Mise en scène d'un mammifère, Disaster films
Actors Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Jessica Lange, René Auberjonois, Jack O'Halloran, Ed Lauter
Fred Wilson (Charles Grodin), an executive of the Petrox Oil Company, forms an | |
treats this and many other topics in this chapter in considerably greater depth (they have also authored many classic reviews on the optics of invertebrate eyes, e.g., Land, 1981 and Nilsson, 1989). For a truly excellent overview of camera eyes throughout the vertebrates, nothing surpasses the remarkable _The Vertebrate Eye and Its Adaptive Radiation_ by Gordon Walls from 1942, which is still as insightful and relevant today as it was 70 years ago. For a more optical treatment of vertebrate eyes, Hughes (1977) is also recommended.
We begin here by returning briefly to the eye type we started with in chapter 4: the pigment-pit eye. In one fascinating group of animals—the ancient and beautiful deep-sea cephalopods of the genus _Nautilus_ —this eye type has reached its logical evolutionary endpoint, functioning somewhat like a pinhole camera.
**The Pinhole Eye of _Nautilus_**
As we saw earlier, the simplest pigment-pit eyes are nothing more than crude photoreceptor-lined invaginations in the epidermis (figure 4.1). Such an eye was probably ancestral to more advanced pigment-pit eyes (like those of _Nautilus_ ) as well as to camera eyes with lenses (Land and Nilsson, 2012). As we mentioned earlier, the higher-performance camera eyes such as those of other cephalopods most likely arose as the result of a pigment-pit eye acquiring a lens (Nilsson and Pelger, 1994).
In the lineage that led to _Nautilus_ , pigment-pit eyes became more and more spherical, and the pupil—the eye's "pinhole"—became smaller. Each photoreceptor in the retina thus received light from a smaller receptive field, and spatial vision improved. Such an improvement is already evident in the small (0.5-mm diameter) pinhole eyes of the giant clam _Tridacna maxima_ , whose photoreceptors have acceptance angles Δ _ρ_ of around 17° (Land, 2003). But as this evolution progressed, smaller receptive fields only came at the cost of having a smaller pupil and thus a less sensitive retina (see chapter 4). The obvious solution to this trade-off is a lens—which provides better resolution _and_ better sensitivity—but for unknown reasons this never occurred, as the pigment-pit eye evolved relentlessly along its path.
Although lacking a lens, the eyes of _Nautilus_ are large (about 10 mm across) and well developed (figure 5.1A,B). Remarkably, the pupil is also mobile and varies in size with light level, with a diameter that ranges from 0.4 mm to 2.8 mm (Hurley et al., 1978). Pinhole eyes are thought to work like a pinhole camera: the small pupil creates a dim, inverted, and somewhat blurry image on the retina, and smaller pupils produce sharper (albeit dimmer) images (figure 5.1C). Like a pinhole camera the eye is also likely to have a near-infinite depth of field, meaning that accommodation mechanisms are not required to reach best focus at different distances from the eye (as is needed, for example, in our own eyes). Muntz and Raj (1984) discovered that in the _Nautilus_ retina the interreceptor angle _φ_ is around 0.3°. However, even with a 0.4-mm pupil, the photoreceptor's acceptance angle Δ _ρ_ is still eight times greater than Δ _φ_ , which indicates that the retina has the potential to resolve much finer spatial detail than the pupil can actually supply (see figure 5.1C). A similarly sized eye in a fish, with a wide pupil and a lens producing sharp diffraction-limited images, would most likely result in a _smaller_ Δ _ρ_ than Δ _φ_. Moreover, the image would be over two orders of magnitude brighter (Muntz and Raj, 1984). Thus, compared to camera eyes of the same size, the pinhole eye of _Nautilus_ has rather poor sensitivity and resolution, which probably explains the rarity of this eye type in nature.
**Figure 5.1** The pinhole eye of _Nautilus_. (A) Light rays entering the pupil ( _p_ ) from different directions in space form a dim, blurred image on the retina ( _r_ ). (Image courtesy of Dan-Eric Nilsson) (B) The cephalopod _Nautilus_ showing the position of the right eye and the conspicuous pupil ( _arrowhead_ ). (Photo credit Visarute Angkatavanich, 123rf.com Photo Agency) (C) Images of a Lizars eyesight test chart ( _left_ ) photographed at a distance of 12.5 cm through a model _Nautilus_ eye with its smallest pupil, 1 × 0.4 mm ( _right_ : pupil-to-image distance 9 mm). Resolution of the chart's top line represents a visual acuity of 4°, the second line 2.5°. Even with its smallest pupil, the smallest angular detail resolvable by the _Nautilus_ eye is thus likely to be greater than 4°. (Reproduced from Muntz and Raj, 1984, with permission from the _Journal of Experimental Biology_ )
Concave Mirror Eyes
Another curious eye design involves the use of a concave mirror, rather than a lens, to focus an image into the retina. Like pinhole eyes, concave mirror eyes are rare in nature, but they have nonetheless evolved several times (see Land and Nilsson, 2012), notably in the bivalve mollusks and within at least three classes of crustaceans (Maxillopoda, Ostracoda, and Malacostraca). Remarkably, they have also appeared in a fish: the deep-sea spook fish _Dolichopteryx longipes_ (Wagner et al., 2009). Of the crustaceans, the best-known examples are found among the amphipods, ostracods, and copepods, notable among them being the giant deep-sea ostracod _Gigantocypris_ with its huge ocular reflectors covering about a third of its dorsal body surface. These eyes are likely used as highly sensitive light concentrators for detecting bioluminescent prey in the deep (Hardy, 1956; Land, 1981).
The species in which concave mirror eyes were first described in detail—by Michael Land in the mid-1960s—is the scallop _Pecten maximus_ , a bivalve mollusk. The mirror (or "argentea") of _Pecten_ is a multilayer reflector that most strongly reflects blue-green light (Land, 1966a). Within the cells of the argentea, each reflective layer is formed from flattened membrane-bound vesicles densely packed with shiny guanine crystals (Barber et al., 1967). The mirror so formed is also perfectly spherical, which, as we will see below, is a prerequisite for undistorted image formation.
Scallops possess a large number of little concave mirror eyes evenly spaced along the edge of each shell, on either side of the scallop's open gape. In some species they look rather like tiny blueberries, with a characteristic glow from the mirror clearly visible through the pupil (figure 5.2B). Each eye possesses a weak jelly-like "lens" (of low, homogeneous refractive index) and an underlying retina that is backed by the mirror (Barber et al., 1967). Unlike in a camera eye, the retina of a concave mirror eye is not separated from the lens by an optically homogeneous aqueous medium, a spacer component that is usually needed to provide the required focal distance between the lens and the image plane. This interesting fact, combined with the weak lens, means that incoming parallel rays of light are brought to a focus a long way below the back of the retina (indeed, a long way below the back of the eye!). Thus, had the eye relied solely on its lens, it would have been badly underfocused (Land, 1965). The mirror is the key to why, in reality, this is not the case.
Like lenses, concave mirrors focus images by bending rays of light, not by refraction (as in a lens) but by reflection (figure 5.2A). The mirror's image can be upright relative to the object and magnified (as in a shaving mirror), or it can be inverted and minified (as is the case in a concave mirror eye); exactly which combination of image orientation and size results depends on the location of the object relative to the focal plane of the mirror. This focal plane lies halfway between the spherical surface of the mirror and its center of curvature, that is to say the mirror's focal length _f_ is simply 0.5 _r_ where _r_ is the | |
rank sum of all nodes ($N$) in the original network:
\begin{equation}
rel_{i} = \frac{inv\_rank_{i}}{\sum_{j=1}^{N}rank_{j}}
\end{equation}
The relevance shrinks linearly with the position of nodes in the list, but different weighting is possible.
We compute for each group $g$ its cumulative group relevance ($CGR$) at rank k in the original ranked list and compare it with the cumulative relevance at rank k in the sample:
\begin{equation}
CGR_{topk} = \sum_{j=1}^{k}rel_{j \in g}
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}
nCGR_{topk} = \frac{CGR_{topk}(sample)+\epsilon}{CGR_{topk}(original)+\epsilon}
\end{equation}
The $nCGR_{topk}$ measures the extent to which the relevance of a group in the sample is above or below what we would expect from the original network with respect to the top $k$ nodes.
If e.g., this normalized cumulative group relevance for the minority is 2, then that means that the minority is twice as relevant in the sample than in the original network (for some top $k$). If it is 0.5 then the group is half as relevant in the sample than in the original network. If it is 1 then the group has equal relevance in the original network and the sample.
We analyze the log of the normalized cumulative relevance since otherwise the measure is bound by zero; thus, the ideal nCGR is zero.
To avoid division by zero and logarithm of zero, we add a small $\epsilon=0.001$.
\section{Simulation Experiments}
\label{sec:synthetic}
We construct synthetic networks and explore the effect of homophily and group size on the accuracy of samples in a controlled environment.
First, we describe the network model which we use to create synthetic network data and second, we discuss the accuracy of centrality measures in samples drawn from these networks using different sampling methods.
\begin{figure*}[t!]
\centering
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{figlegend_topk_homophily}} \\ %
\addtocounter{subfigure}{-1}
\subfloat[Node sampling]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily_topk_degree_node}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat[Edge sampling]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily_topk_degree_edge}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat[RW sampling]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily_topk_degree_rw}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat[Snowball sampling]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily_topk_degree_snowball}\label{<figure1>}}\\
\vspace{-0.5em}
\caption{\emph{Accuracy of group visibility in top-100.}
The y-axis visualizes the average percentage of minority nodes that show up in the top 100 nodes ranked by degree centrality computed on samples of different size.
The x-axis depicts the respective sampling size and the last point 1.0 refers to the original network (see Eq.~ \ref{ea:visibility_accuracy}).
The lines refer to different homophily parameters that were used to generate the original network. Different subplots refer to different sampling techniques.
Overall, each point depicts the mean of 100 simulation runs based on 10 random network generation steps each having 10 sample steps; error bars mostly fall within the markers.
One can see that in samples drawn from extreme and moderate heterophilic networks ($ 0.0 \leq h \leq 0.5$), the visibility of the minority is underestimated in small samples compared to what one would expect from the original network where sample size $=1.0$.
}
\vspace{-1em}
\label{topk-ratio-synthetic}
\end{figure*}
\subsection{Synthetic network generators}
\noindent Preferential attachment (the tendency of nodes to connect to popular nodes) \cite{Yule1925,Barabasi99} and homophily (the tendency of nodes to connect to similar nodes) \cite{mcpherson2001birds,Simsek2008} have been extensively observed in many real-world social networks \cite{mislove2010you,fiore2005homophily,Crandall2008,Watts02identity} and information networks \cite{redner1998popular,Menczer2002}.
Homophily implies the existence of at least one fixed or mutable attribute (e.g., gender, ethnicity, education status).
Based on these attributes similarities between nodes can be defined.
We use an existing preferential attachment growth model with a homophily parameter that can be tuned and thus allows us to create networks with different levels of homophily and heterophily (see \cite{karimi_homophily,de2013scale} for details).
The homophily parameter $h$ ranges between 0 to 1, $h \in [0,1]$, where $0$ means that nodes are only attracted by nodes that are dissimilar to them (heterophily), $1$ means nodes prefer to connect with similar nodes (homophily), and $0.5$ means that the link formation behavior is not driven by attributes.
All nodes of the same group share the same homophily parameter $h$, because they share the same attribute value and thus have the same distance to other groups with different attribute values.
We generate all synthetic networks with $10,000$ nodes and a fixed minority ratio of $20\%$ (except when noted otherwise).
An incoming node connects to $10$ nodes based on a specific homophily parameter and popularity (see \cite{karimi_homophily}).
Figure \ref{fig:homophily-degree} shows the degree distribution of both groups of nodes in networks that only vary in their degree of homophily. One can see that if we have two groups of unequal size and the network is heterophilic ($h<0.5$), the degree distributions of majority and minority differ the most. In fact, the fraction of high degree nodes that are part of the minority is much higher than it is for majority nodes. This is not surprising since the majority is attracted by the minority which therefore becomes an elite of powerful nodes in the network. If the group membership does not play a role ($h=0.5$), the degree distributions of both groups are almost identical because only degree impacts the formation of edges and degree is equally distributed across groups. Also if the two groups are separated ($h=1.0$), the degree distributions are similar because both groups grow similarly and do not compete. The popularity of a group is bound by its size and therefore nodes with the highest degree are majority nodes.
If we compare the degree distribution of the two groups in a moderate heterophilic network with $h=0.25$ and a moderate homophilic network with $h=0.75$, we see that the differences between the degree distributions are more pronounced in the heterophilic case.
This asymmetric effect can be explained by the interplay between group size differences and homophily.
The majority benefits from moderate homophily (e.g. $h=0.75$) more than from high homophily (e.g., $h=0.9$), because in high homophily conditions, their maximum degree is bound to the size of their group, while in moderate homophily conditions, sometimes also minority nodes will be attracted by the high degree of majority nodes.
Unlike the majority in the homophilic case, the minority in the heterophilic case benefits more from extreme heterophily (i.e., $h=0.0$) than from moderate heterophily (e.g. $h=0.25$). That is because in the extreme heterophily condition, all majority nodes are attracted by the minority, but in moderate heterophily condition sometimes the majority is attracted by high degree nodes which can also be part of their group.
So \emph{for the minority to gain popularity, it is better if they do not have to compete with the majority while the majority benefits from a competitive environment.}
In the next section, we will analyze how these group-specific differences in the degree distributions relate to sample biases.
\begin{figure*}[t!]
\centering
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{figlegend_group-size}} \\ %
\addtocounter{subfigure}{-1}
\subfloat[Heterophilic ($h=0.25$)]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{group-size_025}\label{<figure1>}}\hspace{1em}
\subfloat[Neutral ($h=0.5$)]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{group-size_05}\label{<figure1>}} \hspace{1em}
\subfloat[Homophilic ($h=0.75$)]{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{group-size_075}\label{<figure1>}}
\vspace{-0.5em}
\caption{\emph{Relative group size differences.} The y-axis shows the relevance of the minority group in the top 100 nodes of the sample network compared to the original network.
The x-axis shows the relative size of the minority group. The sample size is 10\% of the original network.
One can see that in samples drawn from heterophilic networks, the relevance of the minority is always underestimated; especially node and snowball sampling fail when group size differences are large in heterophilic networks.
In homophilic networks the relevance of the minority is overestimated if the fraction of the minority group is very low.
Node and edge sampling produce the most biased samples in this condition.
Overall, we see that the more balanced the group sizes (0.5 means that 50\% of the nodes belong to minority) are, the more accurate the sample and the more similar the performance of different sampling techniques are.
RW sampling performs best in all conditions and sampling errors are always higher in heterophilic networks than in homophilic ones.
}
\vspace{-1em}
\label{fig:group-size-diff}
\end{figure*}
\begin{figure*}
\centering
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{figlegend_dcg}} \\ %
\addtocounter{subfigure}{-1}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-00_dcg_degree_node}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-00_dcg_degree_edge}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-00_dcg_degree_rw}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-00_dcg_degree_snowball}\label{<figure1>}} \\ %
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-025_dcg_degree_node}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-025_dcg_degree_edge}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-025_dcg_degree_rw}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-025_dcg_degree_snowball}\label{<figure1>}} \\ %
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-05_dcg_degree_node}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-05_dcg_degree_edge}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-05_dcg_degree_rw}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-05_dcg_degree_snowball}\label{<figure1>}} \\ %
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-075_dcg_degree_node}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-075_dcg_degree_edge}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-075_dcg_degree_rw}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-075_dcg_degree_snowball}\label{<figure1>}} \\ %
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-10_dcg_degree_node}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-10_dcg_degree_edge}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-10_dcg_degree_rw}\label{<figure1>}}
\subfloat{\includegraphics[width=0.25\textwidth]{homophily-10_dcg_degree_snowball}\label{<figure1>}} \\
\vspace{-0.5em}
\caption{\emph{Normalized Cumulative Group Relevance.} Each column depicts a different sampling technique, while each row refers to a different world for which the homophily level of the original network varies. The axis are aligned within each row, but not within each column, since the extent of error varies depending on the world.
Again, each point refers to an average evaluation over $100$ total iterations.
One can see that in extreme heterophilic networks (first row) the relevance of the majority is overestimated in small and also in larger sized samples, while the relevance of the minority is slightly underestimated especially | |
populations within subjects were determined using the non-parametric paired Wilcoxon test; other statistical differences were determined using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test; *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.01; ****, p<0.0001. Plots represent individual data points, median and interquartile range across all subjects within each cohort. Raw frequencies of T cell:monocyte complexes for the different disease cohorts are available on Figure 4—figure supplement 4. T cell:monocyte complexes were defined as the CD3+CD14+ cell population gated from live singlets as represented in Figure 1—figure supplement 2. CD4 and CD8 subsets within T cell:monocyte complexes were defined as presented in Figure 3E.
We first investigated the T cell:monocyte Ka in the context of two diseases where monocytes are known to be important, namely active tuberculosis (TB) infection and dengue fever. In the case of TB, although macrophages are known to be the primary target for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection and replication, monocytes can also be infected and contribute to the inflammatory response (Srivastava et al., 2014). In active TB subjects, we found a significant decrease in T cell:monocyte Ka at 2 months post treatment (Figure 4C). At the time of diagnosis, some subjects displayed a Ka much higher than any uninfected or LTBI individuals, but because of the high heterogeneity within the active TB cohort, these differences did not reach statistical significance (Figure 4—figure supplement 1). Dengue virus predominantly infects monocytes in the peripheral blood (Kou et al., 2008), and circulating monocyte infection and activation is increased in dengue hemorrhagic fever (the more severe form of dengue fever) (Durbin et al., 2008). In subjects with acute dengue fever from Sri Lanka, patients that developed hemorrhagic fever had higher T cell:monocyte Ka upon hospitalization compared to healthy, previously infected subjects (blood bank donors seropositive for dengue antibodies) (Figure 4D). In contrast, patients with a less severe form of acute dengue infection showed no significant difference in T cell:monocyte Ka compared to healthy, previously infected donors (Figure 4D).
To assess whether vaccination also impacted the formation of T cell:monocyte complexes, we obtained samples from healthy adults that received the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) booster vaccination. We indeed observed a significantly higher T cell:monocyte Ka at three days post boost compared to baseline (Figure 4E), but no significant changes at one, seven or fourteen days post boost (Figure 4—figure supplement 2). Taken together, these data confirm that circulating T cell:monocyte complexes can be found directly ex vivo in different immune perturbations, and their likelihood of formation is associated with clinical parameters such as disease severity, and they fluctuate as a function of time post treatment and post vaccination.
T cells with different phenotypes are found in T cell:monocyte complexes dependent on the nature of the immune perturbation
Finally, we reasoned that if immune perturbations increase the formation of T cell:monocyte complexes, then the nature of the T cells contained in the complexes could provide insights into which T cells are actively communicating with monocytes in vivo. In particular, the T cell subsets that will associate with an APC for the different perturbations studied above are expected to be distinct, and thus their likelihood to form a complex with a monocyte might differ too. The Tdap vaccine contains exclusively protein antigens and is known to elicit predominantly memory CD4+ T cell responses (da Silva Antunes et al., 2018). Mtb is a bacterial pathogen known to trigger strong CD4+ responses (Lindestam Arlehamn et al., 2016) as opposed to dengue virus, which is a viral antigen and thus expected to elicit CD8+ responses.
Similarly to global T cell:monocyte complexes (Figure 4C–E), we calculated the constant of association Ka with monocytes for each CD4/CD8 T cell subset individually. In subjects with active TB, the Ka between monocytes and CD4+CD8+ (DPOS) T cells or CD4+ T cells was significantly higher than for CD8+ T cells (Figure 4F) and both DPOS and CD4+ T cell:monocyte complexes had higher Ka in active TB compared to dengue hemorrhagic fever (Figure 4—figure supplement 3). Dengue hemorrhagic fever showed a higher T cell:monocyte Ka for CD8+ over CD4+ cells whereas Tdap day three post boost showed the opposite, with highest Ka for CD4+ over CD8+ cells (Figure 4F). The CD8+ T cell:monocyte Ka was also higher in Dengue and active TB compared to Tdap boost (Figure 4—figure supplement 3). Thus, the magnitude of Ka in CD4+ vs CD8+ T cell subsets matched what is expected based on the nature of immune perturbation. Interestingly, for all three immune perturbations studied the highest Ka with monocytes across all T cell subsets was for CD4-CD8- (DNEG) T cells (Figure 4F), and this effect was most pronounced in dengue (Figure 4—figure supplement 3). These cells could constitute gamma-delta T cells that are known to be strongly activated in the peripheral blood during acute dengue fever (Tsai et al., 2015).
In summary, these data indicate that the T cell subsets that are preferentially associated with monocytes differ from their individual frequencies in PBMC, and follow different patterns in the three systems studied, further supporting the notion that these complexes are not the result of random association, and are specific to the nature of the immune perturbation.
The unexpected detection of monocyte genes expressed in cells sorted for memory T cell markers led to the discovery that a population of CD3+CD14+ cells exist within the 'live singlet' events gate and that these cells are T cells that are tightly associated with monocytes, and less frequently, with monocyte-derived debris. Their presence in freshly isolated cells and the fact that a significant fraction of the complexes showed enriched expression for LFA1/ICAM1 adhesion molecules at their interface, suggest that they are not the product of random association of cells during processing, but represent interactions that occurred in vivo prior to the blood draw. The frequency of T cell:monocyte complexes fluctuated over time in the onset of immune perturbations such as following TB treatment or Tdap boost immunization and correlated with clinical parameters such as disease severity in the case of dengue fever. Furthermore, the T cell subset in preferential association within the monocyte in a complex varies in function of the nature of the immune perturbation.
Our initial observation of the presence of monocyte genes within the transcriptome of T cells was focused on memory CD4 T cells. This cell population was elected since our study aimed to define novel immune signatures associated with Mtb-specific CD4 T cells (Burel et al., 2018), which are expected to almost exclusively fall into the memory compartment in the context of latent TB infection (Lindestam Arlehamn et al., 2013). However, since we have found that both CD4 and CD8 T cells, from both memory and naïve phenotype, can be found in a complex with a monocyte, we think similar results would have been obtained with other sorted T cell populations. We have since detected the expression of monocytes-associated genes in several other T cell subsets, including memory CD8 T cells, and total CD4 T cells (unpublished observations).
Intact T cell:monocyte complexes were almost exclusively found in the top area of the FSC/SSC 2D plot, and were associated with high CD14 expression. In contrast, T cells with monocyte debris were associated with FSC/SSC values similar to regular non-complex T cells and an intermediate CD14 expression. This cell population might be the result of T cell:monocyte complexes from which the monocyte was disrupted during sample preparation or flow cytometry acquisition. Alternatively, these CD3+CD14mid cells could be the result of plasma membrane fragments exchange from monocytes to T cells following interaction. This phenomenon, known as trogocytosis, has been described to occur during cellular encounters between several immune cell types, including monocytes and T cells (Daubeuf et al., 2010; HoWangYin et al., 2011).
Taken together, our results suggest circulating CD3+CD14+ complexes appear to | |
Japanese Wikipedia Sitcom Bios
Tuesday, Jul 24, 2012 by Dr. David Thorpe (@Arr)
If you thought wasting an entire work day in a Wikipedia death spiral was easy, wait till you try it with auto-translated Japanese Wikipedia-- it's the same incredible wealth of information, but it's run through an kaleidoscopic surrealism filter. The following are Japanese Wikipedia character bios for various American sitcom characters, as told to Google Translate. They've been lightly edited here and there, but I promise I did not make any of this up.
Bart Simpson
10-year-old fourth grade. Blood type O Rh-. Simpson in the house, the only left-handed. Mischievous boy is curious. Skateboard technique is genius.
Simpson is the husband of the house. Take the action, but most turn out fruitless love for family. Strangling of son Bart: "~Tsu ~! What you annual" (Why you little!). "Doo~tsu!" When they noticed something or fail (D'OH! have a habit of say and spell). "Doo~tsu!" Was added to the 2001 version of Oxford English-Japanese dictionary as official word.
Often need to take wise action of the family is almost common sense. Sometimes and especially Homer, the father does not quite fit the horse, to crack paternity. Baritone sax likes the blows, the dream in the future is a professional jazz musician. Wish can keep the pony and world peace. Do not have a friend that is a problem.
Vertically elongated Afro hair (when he was young was a straight hair), (which is re-set twice a day deals) has remained in this state this pin, but a distinctive hairstyle like. Hair is dyed blue. In addition, the multi-scene that also housed the thrust of such notes and secret savings seen in our hair. There is also the scene to a conversation with a portion of hair on it or talk with Homer as brains.
A crybaby in the naive young lady in the rich selfish. At the age of 15, because the horse was kept in the disease died, and had bought a boat instead. Skill to be taught about the control of the boat to Joey.
Rachel's best friend from high school Lincoln. Jews. And the loss of my brother looks good get along together, such as dance and sports since childhood, there is a surface hated the guts and repugnant. I like competition and gambling, reluctant to be the best anything, throw or break things and lose. I hate animals dressed. Poor massage.
In massage, Monica former roommate. And homeless at the age of 14, picked up the money to live on the streets for children. Loss of a human victim. Because it has a thought bizarre behavior and mysterious basically, or did not believe the force of gravity and the theory of evolution, or there is a history of arrest.
Pampered from parents unlike Monica, to be carefully nurtured. Jews like his father. Or forced to attend the camp of the hate movement is poor at gathering exercise from childhood.
Often seems to be gay and (especially women) a stranger. Intercourse with a woman is basically weak, give it a boring reason is reluctant to or after intercourse with a woman, broke or ran into that state withdrawal. Had lied to hide the hate and dog allergy dog.
School days because it was just playing with the girl without a study, not enough general knowledge, may not keep up with the conversation of the other five, children are also stain action.
Earl Sinclair
The protagonist of this drama, the crying child "smile" dragon plaque. Occupation's defeat timber megabusiness We say so. There is no motivation sloppy, are susceptible to around.
Francis Sinclair
Support are firmly behind the person. Although this drama is one of the few conscience, along with lobby, and sometimes frustrated housewife industry from time to time. When it flowed in the direction of a bad family, but will help put a brake on.
Robert Sinclair
Son of the eldest son are. 15 or 16 years of age in human. Years may have to show a rebellious attitude are the only years. Basically, the firm is a clever son. I like some dinosaur, rock love. Is the so-called high school students these days.
Charlene Sinclair
Sister of the lobby are the daughter of. What you want pager , such as clothes. Study can not be about the lobby of the brother, but sometimes there is something sharp. Also be easy to shed the epidemic, become addicted to bad boyfriend.
Baby Sinclair
Baby is still a street named Baby. Although the cute appearance, content is the worst. Are the frying pan like saying "He not mama" in, and hit it. Incidentally, my favorite is the carrot.
Bibasu (BEAVIS)
Standing position is right. Blond hair, mainly responsible for the blur. "BEAVIS" is under the name. Last name is unknown. Different personality Cornholio (Konhorio, "Horio anus" in the subtitles) that appears raised a question mark (?) Attack of a mysterious, incoherent speech and behavior in repeated tension MAX eat (only) too. If not born in this world if Beavis, was supposed to grow to a healthy boy of ordinary. Print shirt ROCK Death or METALLICA.
Beavis (BUTT-HEAD) [note: Butt-head is consistently referred to as "Beavis" in Japanese Wikipeda]
Is left standing position. BUTT name, HEAD is to blame, is called around and BUTT-HEAD ("bat" in the subtitles), except for rare exceptions. (Also known as sly) compared to the Bibasu clever little. There are sections that my younger brother thought the Bibasu, violence and rebellion is not tight at Bibasu. Print of the shirt AC / DC or SKULL.
(Beavis and common point of Bibasu)
Have lived under one roof, there is no kin. For example, a typical cool! (Cool) favorite saying is to publish! (Suck) ~ ~ is'll invincible! (~ ~ Rules), in addition to a variety of words in the subtitle to Dumbass be Japanese translation ( among others) words to fool the opponent.
The always emits a distinctive laughter. Even though scared, regardless of mental state at that time, or cool when, of course, even if in trouble even if angry, that emits a laugh even in sleep. However, it is very happy "LOL" even if there is not. Hard rock or the wind, "! Warwickshire" wide-eyed shook his head and ooh and aah "Jesus!".
Have a job in a hamburger shop BURGER WORLD, not useless they almost completely a mystery why, why would not the dismissal. Etc. can always put in your pocket to throw out in the middle of dirty mess cause a mass food poisoning incident, the store, the hospitality, the proceeds from sales of products nibble, the cash register.
Bad about that young man longing for B & B is put a heart symbol. Gotsu has been accompanied by a few fellow American car that ride the. On the abduction may be trapped in the trunk of the car to B & B, was abandoned in the wilderness, secluded.
Classmate. Buxom blond. Then in junior high school students have a habit of bedwetting. The parents are very spoiled. The B & B is like a toy sometimes oppressed. State that envy the B & B of "badass Choi", in the same sense of longing that B & B to Todd "super badass". If not born in this world if Beavis, along with the sound Bibasu mentioned earlier, the boy was supposed to grow a strong sense of justice was filled with confidence.
– Dr. David Thorpe (@Arr)
Ask the Graffiti in a Zombie Video Game
You Call This a Yard Sale?
The Living Legacy Of Wild Wild West
What is in Mitt's Taxes?
Guest Feedback: Wolfman
The Steez of Skramz
Free CB Handles, Get Your Free CB Handles Here
Bob and Josh's Adequate Adventures (Through Time)
Entertainment 4 U Now (Thanks, The Worst Unicorn)
The Emmys are for Idiots ...
Choose Your Own Adventure Books That Never Quite Made It
Keith's Wool Tie Emporium
Tex Bernhardt's Vampire Hunter | |
was also associated with a lower obesity rate (see Fig. 2). These associations remained statistically significant in adjusted models controlling for all a priori confounding variables (excepted for complete case analysis, in which the adjusted association between organic food consumption and obesity was marginally significant in children; see Table 2). Critically, effect sizes were systematically low in both the unadjusted and adjusted models.
Table 2. Coefficients for the multiple regression models using either multiple imputation (MI) or complete case analysis (CCA) and in which BMI and obesity status are alternatively used as the dependent variables*
* Unadjusted models were run with no covariate. Adjusted models were run with all a priori covariates: demographics (age and sex), socio-economic status (family income and education level), nutritional covariates (Mediterranean diet adherence, food processing, regimen, dietary supplements and energy intake) and physical activity (physical activity and sedentary lifestyle). BMI was treated as a continuous variable (linear regression) and obesity status as a categorical variable (logistic regression).
Interested readers may find a complete description of the diagnostics of linear regression models using complete case analysis and including BMI as the dependent variable in online Supplementary Analysis S4. Essentially, these diagnostics revealed that the adjusted association of organic food consumption with BMI remained statistically significant (or marginally statistically significant) when excluding influential observations. Effect sizes remained of similar magnitude.
Fig. 2. Scatterplots of the association of organic food consumption with BMI in children (a) and adults (b). The size of the dots reflects their sampling weight. The lines represent the 95 % confidence intervals around the slope of the regression line adjusted for covariates. Proportion of participants without obesity depending on the organic food consumption in children (c) and adults (d).
Based on the data of the INCA3 study, we assessed the relationship between organic food consumption and obesity in a nationally representative sample comprising children, adolescents and adults. In both childhood and adulthood, unadjusted associations revealed that organic food consumption is negatively associated with BMI and obesity. Of interest, although the consumption of organic food was associated with a wide range of socio-economic status and lifestyle factors, the association of organic food consumption with both BMI and obesity persisted after accounting for these potentially confounding variables. Notably, the strength of these associations could be classified as small.
Our data not only confirmed the negative association of organic food consumption with BMI and obesity previously found by previous epidemiological studies, but they also extend these studies in several ways. First, the present study is the first epidemiological study to show that the association of organic food consumption with BMI and obesity is not restricted to the adult population. Second, this is also the first study to assess the convergent validity of the index of organic food consumption. Our index showed a moderate to strong association with objective data collected in the 24HR. Although a stronger association could have been expected, it is worth noting that the index of organic food consumption targets a relatively long period (the previous year), whereas the 24HR targets a very short period (2 or 3 d). In addition, the strength of the convergent validity was similar in both age groups, indicating the relative appropriateness of this index throughout life. Future studies should investigate the psychometric properties of the organic food consumption index to develop more reliable methods to assess it. Finally, this study is also the first to combine a complex survey design, resulting in a nationally representative sample, and an adjustment for confounding variables. These two methodological precautions, associated with various sensitivity analyses, confirmed the robustness of the association between organic food consumption and obesity during childhood and adulthood. Of note, the sampling of the present study – and the non-availability of each participant exact age – did not allow assessing the development of the association between organic food consumption and either BMI or obesity rate throughout life. This remains to be evaluated in future work.
This study addressed two of the main biases of observational studies: information bias, by assessing the convergent validity of the organic food index and objectively measuring height and weight, and selection bias, by using a complex survey design ensuring the representativeness of our sample. Concerning confounding bias, even if we controlled for the main confounding factors related to obesity (such as energy intake and energy expense), residual confounding factors may explain our results. In particular, no study investigating the association of organic food consumption with BMI and obesity (including ours) has considered psychological factors, although it is well known that they are intimately related to obesity (e.g. Yang et al. (Reference Yang, Shields and Guo47)). For example, numerous observational studies have shown a bidirectional association between obesity and depression(Reference Rajan and Menon48). Moreover, another potential residual confounding factor is drug use. Numerous studies have shown that drug use is associated with weight gain (e.g. Apovian et al. (Reference Apovian, Aronne and Bessesen49)); to the best of our knowledge, no study has yet examined whether the prevalence of drug use differs depending on organic food consumption. Therefore, it is possible to argue that the relationship between organic food and obesity consistently found in epidemiological studies is artificially produced by the shared influence of psychological factors and/or drug use on both the likelihood to consume organic food and the obesity rate. Future studies should address this issue.
Finally, an important limitation of our results regards the length of the period assessed in the questionnaire of organic food consumption. Although the present index targets a relatively lengthy period for a questionnaire (1 year), it is very important to note that BMI and obesity status are the result of a nutritional history that exceeds the previous year. Future very long-term longitudinal studies should therefore provide important insights into our understanding of the association between organic food consumption and obesity.
In conclusion, our data confirm the association of organic food consumption with both BMI and obesity during childhood and adulthood. Although this association remained statistically significant after controlling for several potential confounding variables, the corresponding effect sizes were small. Future randomised controlled trials are required to investigate causality between organic food consumption and lower BMI or obesity rate.
The present study received no specific funding.
C. J. G. and A. G. designed the research; C. J. G., M. E. and R. V. analysed the data; C. J. G., A. G., M. E. and R. V. interpreted the data and wrote the paper. C. J. G. had primary responsibility for the final content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
For supplementary material referred to in this article, please visit https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114520003189
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FAO (1999) Definition of | |
decisions endangered people and property – and failed to anticipate known climate risks – the relevant authorities could be on the hook for payouts, she said.
Then there are businesses. At least 10 oil refineries along Texas' gulf coast have reportedly been forced offline by flooding. Marjanac said they could be liable for any environmental damage resulting from taking inadequate precautions, or face wrangles with insurers.
Such legal cases would hinge on attribution science: studies showing that climate change was at least partially to blame for the damages.
In the article, Marjanac and her coauthors wrote: "Claims are likely to arise when those actors fail to share or disclose relevant knowledge, or fail to take adaptation actions that would have protected those to whom they owed a duty of care. Such litigation may become an important driver of both mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptive action by both public and private sectors."
Read more at Hurricane Harvey: Lawyers Warn of Climate Lawsuits over Damages
Electricity Consumption in Europe Will Shift Under Climate Change
Rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions will fundamentally change electricity consumption patterns in Europe. A team of scientists from Germany and the United States now analyzed what unchecked future warming means for Europe's electricity demand: daily peak loads in Southern Europe will likely increase and overall consumption will shift from Northern Europe to the South. Further, the majority of countries will see a shift of temperature-driven annual peak demand from winter to summer by the end of this century. This would put additional strain on European power grids, the study now published in the renowned US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) suggests.
"It is fascinating to see how the response of electricity consumption to temperature changes is similar across European countries' peak and total electricity use seem to be smallest on days with a maximum temperature of about 22°C (72°F), and increases when this daily maximum temperature either rises or falls," lead author Leonie Wenz from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) explains. "We use this common characteristic as a basis for estimating future electricity consumption under climate change - that is beyond the current temperature range. That way, those European countries that are already experiencing very hot temperatures today serve as examples for the future of cooler countries. It turns out that electricity demand in Europe will shift from countries like Sweden or Norway to countries like Portugal or Spain. Concurrently, the annual peak load will shift from winter to summer in most countries."
Read more at Electricity Consumption in Europe Will Shift Under Climate Change
It's a Fact: Climate Change Made Hurricane Harvey More Deadly - By Michael E Mann
We can't say that Hurricane Harvey was caused by climate change. But it was certainly worsened by it.
What can we say about the role of climate change in the unprecedented disaster that is unfolding in Houston with Hurricane Harvey? There are certain climate change-related factors that we can, with great confidence, say worsened the flooding.
Sea level rise attributable to climate change – some of which is due to coastal subsidence caused by human disturbance such as oil drilling – is more than half a foot (15cm) over the past few decades (see here for a decent discussion). That means the storm surge was half a foot higher than it would have been just decades ago, meaning far more flooding and destruction.
In addition to that, sea surface temperatures in the region have risen about 0.5C (close to 1F) over the past few decades from roughly 30C (86F) to 30.5C (87F), which contributed to the very warm sea surface temperatures (30.5-31C, or 87-88F).
There is a simple thermodynamic relationship known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation that tells us there is a roughly 3% increase in average atmospheric moisture content for each 0.5C of warming. Sea surface temperatures in the area where Harvey intensified were 0.5-1C warmer than current-day average temperatures, which translates to 1-1.5C warmer than "average" temperatures a few decades ago. That means 3-5% more moisture in the atmosphere.
That large amount of moisture creates the potential for much greater rainfalls and greater flooding. The combination of coastal flooding and heavy rainfall is responsible for the devastating flooding that Houston is experiencing.
Not only are the surface waters of the Gulf of Mexico unusually warm right now, but there is a deep layer of warm water that Harvey was able to feed upon when it intensified at near record pace as it neared the coast. Human-caused warming is penetrating down into the ocean. It's creating deeper layers of warm water in the Gulf and elsewhere.
Harvey was almost certainly more intense than it would have been in the absence of human-caused warming, which means stronger winds, more wind damage and a larger storm surge. (As an example of how this works, we have shown that climate change has led to a dramatic increase in storm surge risk in New York City, making devastating events like Hurricane Sandy more likely.)
Finally, the more tenuous but potentially relevant climate factors: part of what has made Harvey such a devastating storm is the way it has stalled near the coast. It continues to pummel Houston and surrounding regions with a seemingly endless deluge, which will likely top out at nearly 4ft (1.22m) of rainfall over a days-long period before it is done.
The stalling is due to very weak prevailing winds, which are failing to steer the storm off to sea, allowing it to spin around and wobble back and forth. This pattern, in turn, is associated with a greatly expanded subtropical high pressure system over much of the US at the moment, with the jet stream pushed well to the north. This pattern of subtropical expansion is predicted in model simulations of human-caused climate change.
More tenuous, but possibly relevant still, is the fact that very persistent, nearly "stationary" summer weather patterns of this sort, where weather anomalies (both high-pressure dry hot regions and low-pressure stormy/rainy regions) stay locked in place for many days at a time, appears to be favored by human-caused climate change. We recently published a paper in the academic journal Scientific Reports on this phenomenon.
In conclusion, while we cannot say climate change "caused" Hurricane Harvey (that is an ill-posed question), we can say is that it exacerbated several characteristics of the storm in a way that greatly increased the risk of damage and loss of life. Climate change worsened the impact of Hurricane Harvey.
Read more at It's a Fact: Climate Change Made Hurricane Harvey More Deadly
Trump's Judges: A Second Front in the Environmental Onslaught
As the Trump administration keeps moving aggressively to roll back environmental protections, it has a potent legal weapon — the scores of federal judges that President Trump will be appointing, most of whom are expected to hold anti-regulatory, pro-business views.
Lawyer Richard Ayres has been fighting for the environment in federal courts for nearly five decades, but he says he's never seen an onslaught on basic environmental protections like the one coming out of the Trump White House. Still, something scares Ayres even more than the determination of the Trump team to dismantle President Barack Obama's climate change initiatives, shrink federally protected lands, weaken smog standards, scale back habitat for rare species, and expand drilling into the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
What most unnerves Ayres and other veteran environmental lawyers and legal experts is the unprecedented opportunity President Trump has to fill the federal judiciary with anti-regulatory, pro-business appointees.
Trump has far more openings to fill than previous presidents, and Democrats have far less power to block his nominees than the opposition party has had in the past. And while Trump has trailed his predecessor in nominating officials for the executive branch, he has | |
against the backdrop of diminishing returns from the country's rice fields.
Brri released biotech rice late last year
Scientists at Brri developed a biotech rice variety giving farmers an answer to the difficulties they face in harvesting the staple with machines. Stems of Brri dhan 86, the variety that got official release approval in last December, are strong and stout and easy to reap by mechanical harvesters. This comes handy to farm owners, who suffer from dearth of farm labourers and also find it difficult to use harvesters. BRRI breeders told Dhaka Courier that the new variety having half metric tons (per hectare) of extra yield potential over the country's most produced rice variety Brri dhan 28 is derived from Iranian rice variety Niamat through application of a biotech tool called - anther culture. Applied for the first time in rice science in Bangladesh, anther culture is a biotech plant culturing technique where immature pollens are made to divide and grow into tissues either on solid and liquid medium. In late last year Brri scientists also developed another new rice variety - Brri dhan 84 - having highest ever zinc (27.6 mg/kg) content. It is also moderately enriched with another key micronutrient - iron.
In 2013, Bangladesh released world's first biofortified zinc-rich rice variety - Brri dhan 62 - with 19 mg/kg of the micronutrient. Since then countries scientists at Brri and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) have, so far, developed six zinc-rich rice varieties. Zinc deficiency causes stunting, while iron deficiency is a leading cause of anaemia. More than one-third of under-five children in Bangladesh are stunted, while more than 43 percent women of reproductive age are anaemic.
Wait nearly over for Golden Rice release in Bangladesh
In a major development, Brri scientists have advanced a beta carotene-rich rice to a varietal release stage, heralding a new era in fight against vitamin-A deficiency (VAD). They said the wait is nearly over for release of Golden Rice, a long touted remedy to VAD. According to the World Health Organization's global VAD database, one in every five pre-school children in Bangladesh is vitamin A-deficient. Among the pregnant women, 23.7 percent suffer from VAD. Upon receipts of positive outcome from two successive years of 'confined' field trials, the breeders at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) carried out a final cycle of multi-location field trials and sought regulatory approval from the government for an 'unconfined' field test prior seeking variety release approval. Brri Senior Plant Breeder Dr M A Kader told Dhaka Courier that in last Boro season they've got 10 to 12 μg/g (micrograms/gram) beta carotene in a Brri dhan29 line genetically converted into Golden Rice, which should be enough to address half of rice-eating consumers' daily deficiency of vitamin-A. Beta carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A, is a substance that the human body can convert to vitamin A. With this development, a long wait is nearly over for rice breeders who have been trying since 1999 for a varietal development and release of Golden Rice, long being touted by the scientist fraternity as a key remedy to acute VAD problem. Brri's Golden Rice Project Director Dr Partha S Biswas, now on a visit to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), told Dhaka Courier that 10 μg/g beta carotene in rice is good enough to meet 50 percent of vitamin-A needs of people consuming rice in their daily diet.
The vitamin A-rich rice is named Golden Rice for its golden colour. It was first developed by splicing three foreign genes -- two from daffodil and one from a bacterium -- into japonica rice, a variety adapted to temperate climates. It is capable of producing beta carotene. But for a better beta carotene expression in rice, the daffodil genes were replaced by maize genes later in 2005. Consumption of only 150 gram of Golden Rice a day is expected to supply half of the recommended daily intake (RDA) of vitamin A for an adult. People in Bangladesh depend on rice for 70 percent of their daily calorie intakes.
The IRRI says VAD is the main cause of preventable blindness in children and globally, some 6.7 million children die every year and another 3,50,000 go blind because they are vitamin-A deficient. In April 2011, Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sanctioned a grant of over $10 million to IRRI to fund, develop and evaluate Golden Rice varieties for Bangladesh and the Philippines. Later further funding was also made available. Officials concerned at IRRI and Gates Foundation said as the Golden Rice inventors and subsequent technology developer Syngenta allowed a royalty-free access to the patents, the new rice would be of the same price as other rice varieties once released for commercial farming in Bangladesh, and farmers would be able to share and replant the seeds as they wish.
'Super Rice' in sight
Scientists have long been considering the idea of engineering rice plant in a way that the global production of the cereal gets a dramatic boost. The idea came from the concern that the traditional research, which results in just one percent rise in the yearly yield, would not be enough to meet the ever-growing demand. So the plan was to convert rice into a photosynthesis-efficient plant, which would produce substantially more grains using the sunlight. Nine years into the initiation of an ambitious rice plant engineering project, a group of scientists last year declared a major breakthrough in improving photosynthesis for the cereal. They said this would change the plant architecture of rice once for all, make it more energy-efficient and thereby, increase the yield of the world's third most consumed grain, after maize and wheat, by 50 percent. It would eventually help meet the food needs of billions of people around the world, including Bangladesh.
During photosynthesis, plants take carbon dioxide, water, and light, and turn them into sugar and oxygen. The sugar is then used by the plants for food, and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Rice uses the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which in hot and dry environments is much less efficient than the C4 pathway used by other plants such as maize, sugarcane and sorghum. Scientists thought that if rice could "switch" to use C4 photosynthesis, its productivity would increase by 50 percent. Scientists and researchers drawn from 12 institutions in eight countries declared on October 19 last year that they achieved a major breakthrough by being able to engineer the rice plant accordingly. They are involved with the C4 Rice Project, often dubbed as "grand challenge" of the 21st century. University of Oxford, one of the 12 institutions which are at the forefront of this multi-billion dollar 15-year mega project, claimed that the scientists have been able to infuse a single maize gene into rice leaf thereby finishing off the first step of converting rice into a C4 plant.
Experts noted that successful completion of engineering rice into a C4 plant would be a "game-changer" since the '60s of last century when scientists had first developed semi-dwarf rice varieties heralding the famous "Green Revolution". The C4 Rice Project is an international collaboration between 18 research groups, from the 12 institutions in eight countries. The institutions are: Australian National University (Australia), University of Toronto (Canada), Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology and Heinrich Heine University (Germany), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) (the Philippines), Academia Sinica Institute of Molecular Biology (Taipei), University of Cambridge and University of Oxford (UK), Donald Danforth Center, Washington State University, and University of Minnesota (USA).
After first substantive media reporting on C4 Rice Project in Bangladesh by this writer, the government of Bangladesh sent its agriculture minister and key rice scientists to IRRI late last year |