text:
"The Hobbit," J.R.R. Tolkien's famous story of which the movie version opens Dec. 14, was first published in 1937. The world of Middle Earth was set in an indeterminate time, but looked remarkably like an idealized early 19th-century England, though well-stocked with wizards, dwarfs, elves, dragons, trolls, goblins and of course hobbits. But techwise, it was, and is, the Stone Age of Middle Dearth.
iMOBY: The Hunt for the Great White iPhone
COX CLASSIC: The trials of the Hogwarts IT director
If he was alive today, Tolkien would be creating content on an iPad, crowd-sourcing secondary characters, tweeting arcane but cool references to obscure Anglo-Saxon and Nordic narratives, contributing heavily to Wikipedia, posting photos of his English garden to a Flickr account, and texting Peter Jackson.
And writing "The Hobbit 2.0" ...
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort super-insulated. It had a perfectly round polyethylene foam core fiberglass door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube-shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with paneled walls in sustainably sourced mango hardwood, and floors tiled and carpeted in chemical-free hemp (certified woven without use of child labor), provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats, for the hobbit was fond of visitors.
... This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure ...
... What is a hobbit? I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People Average Sized People, as they call us. They are (or were) a little height-challenged people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded Dwarves Persons of Short Stature (POSS). Hobbits ... are inclined to be fat in the stomach but still very fit; ... wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity mellow laughs (especially after a Dietary Guidelines for Middle Earthers-based dinner, which they have twice just once a day when they can get it, with healthy snacks between meals).
Just before tea-time there came a tremendous ring on the front-door bell, and Bilbo set down his Kindle Fire eReader, on which he was perusing the non-fiction bestseller "A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Five," and went to the door. "It's about time you arrived," he said.
There stood a dwarf POSS, a blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood. He hung his hooded cloak on the nearest peg, and as he turned around, Bilbo held up a smartphone with 10-megapixel camera and LED flash and snapped his picture, leaving the stunned POSS blinking. The facial recognition app quickly identified his visitor. "You're Dwalin, at my service, I'm sure," said Bilbo briskly. "Go into the parlour and help yourself to tea and cakes.
And so one by one, and two by two, the POSSes arrived, each photographed and identified, and each seated for tea and a catered meal of sustainably fished, chemical free sushi. Finally, Thorin, the most important of the POSSes, had had enough. "Where's Gandalf, the Gray Wizard? He summoned us here. And who are you?" he demanded.
Bilbo pulled from inside his shirt a large gray smartphone and laid it on the table in front of him. "What's that?" asked Thorin suspiciously.
"That is the new Samsung Galaxy Wizard smartphone, with a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED sun-readable HD display, LTE support, complete with NFC and mobile wallet, which we'll be needing where we're going," said Bilbo. "This is the only magic we need."
"You mean it doesn't run iOS?" asked Fili, dejectedly.
Thorin's fist crashed onto the table. "Where. Is. Gandalf?" he growled.
"That's my Gmail handle," replied Bilbo.
"But Gandalf summoned us ..." Thorin began, to be interrupted by Bilbo.
"I summoned you. By tweet and text and email. Now let's get down to business. I know about the gold."
A stunned silence met this calm announcement. "You obviously don't read WikiLeaks," Bilbo said.
"You don't look like much of a burglar," Thorin snarled.
"You don't need a burglar," Bilbo said. "You need a hacker. You need someone's who plugged in but unwired, online, mobile, adaptable, not to mention cool." His clever Hobbit fingers brushed over the Wizard's high-def screen. "I've sent you the complete agenda for the meeting, a PowerPoint presentation, a link to our Google Maps route showing real-time updates on known troll locations, and TripAdvisor listings for inns, bed and breakfasts, and if needed campgrounds with hot showers. And of course a draft of our contract, which will require your digital signatures."
Thorin stared, even as the other POSSes pulled out smartphones and tablets and began paging through the documents and websites, nodding.
"Wait," the POSS chief said. "I've got this map ..."
Bilbo's nose wrinkled at the sight of the stained, dusty and in truth rather odorous parchment, with its faded scrawls. He waved it away impatiently. "I've already mapped out the GPS waypoints and Google Earth gives us recent-enough terrain views. It's much more accurate," the Hobbit declared. "Plus it's annotated with translations of those runes."
"What about the Great Goblin under the Misty Mountains?" asked Bombur.
"He'll be too busy to bother with us," Bilbo said, with something like a smirk.
"Busy with what?" demanded Thorin.
"He's being video-linked for a live interview with Ellen DeGeneres. His pre-camera makeup prep will take hours. We'll sneak past with no goblin the wiser," said Bilbo.
"Oh! Do you think I can get her digital signature?" asked a wide-eyed Kili.
"What about this Beor, the shape changer?" asked Thorin. "He can help us get to Mirkwood."
"Think about it: shape changing? Seriously, the guy has body image issues. He's unstable. I've filed an electronic report with Social Services. They'll make sure he gets the treatment he needs," Bilbo said. "And find adopted families for his animals."
"Mirkwood has spiders," gulped Bofur. "Really big ones."
"We'll be carrying a Uniden Portable Wireless Video Surveillance Bundle, with extra cameras, to set up around our campsite each night," said Bilbo. "Plus we'll be in constant contact, via real-time video chat link, with the experts at University of California Riverside's Spiders Site.
"But they're spiders!" said Bofur.
"They devour less desirable bugs, like flies, mosquitoes and a lot more, and they can be quite interesting to watch," said Bilbo, reading from the Wizard's screen. "Learn their names and find out as much as you can about them. Keep an online journal. If you are seriously afraid of spiders, it would be wise to attack the fear through counseling or self help methods."
"Uh," said Bofur.
"I've already contacted the Lake People," Bilbo continued. "They'll be hosting our interactive, real-time travel portal, ThereAndBackAgain.com. All of Middle Earth will be able to follow us. The lake dwellers will be getting the lion's share of the online ad revenues and sponsorships, not to mention the franchise for the new lakeside casino resort complex."
"We should be getting a share of all that," said Gloin indignantly.
"We're getting the gold," Bilbo reminded him.
"Oh, right," said Gloin.
"Speaking of gold, what about the dragon?" Thorin exclaimed, and the other POSSes looked up their handhelds.
Bilbo's fingers flew over the Wizard's screen, and he held it up. The others leaned closer. "This 3D simulation (thank heavens for quad-core processors) shows the precise location of the hidden side entrance through the Lonely Mountain to the dragon's lair," he explained.
"But what about the dragon?" Thorin growled.
"The Elf lord, Elrond of the Last Homely House, will have a MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone loitering over the main entrance to the lair," Bilbo explained. "It's armed with eight AIM-92 Urlugrist [Sindarin Elvish for "firedragon-cleaver"] missiles. We'll have a satellite link to the Elf base, and real-time video from the drone. As soon as Smaug emerges from the cave, he's toast."
"What if the lakemen and elves want the gold, too?" asked Dori.
"I've got my lawyer on speed dial. He's already prepared a motion of a stay of battle to be filed electronically," Bilbo said. "Right. It's getting late and we have an early day tomorrow. To bed."
"I'm looking forward to breakfast," said Thorin.
"There's a great organic vegetarian café on the edge of town. We'll be stopping there," said Bilbo.
LOTR Lord of the Rings Wiki, "One wiki to rule them all"
The Ambar Eldaron Elvish-English Dictionary
John Cox covers wireless networking and mobile computing for Network World. Twitter: @johnwcoxnwwEmail: email@example.com
Read more about anti-malware in Network World's Anti-malware section.


text:
Hi All,
Howz u???
Could u plz lemme know, if sending a mail using PHP requires any server or something like working email system?
I tried simple text mail using php in localhost using below code but, it didn't work:
$to = "<my frnd'z id>";
$subject = "Test mail";
$message = "Hello! This is a simple email message.";
$from = "<my id>";
$headers = "From:" . $from;
echo "Mail Sent.";
If it need a server, is there any link to get a free test server?
Thanx in advance!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Regular price
Dontcha know.... Try and say it without an Upper Midwest accent. I dare you!
Designed by myself in Grand Forks, ND, You Betcha! This design blends my love of mid century design with Midwest living.
Magnet measures 2 inches by 3.5 inches. You will get 1 magnet with this listing. If you would like more, just change the quantity during checkout.
It is printed onto a 3mm thick magnet and finished with a glossy coating on the surface.
Comes in a little cello sleeve to protect it until you are ready to use or give as a gift.
Ships USPS first class parcel with Tracking for United States buyers.
Upgrade is also available to Priority if you need it faster.
►►►►KEEP SHOPPINGhttps://beckamade.myshopify.com/collections
:: Instagram :: https://www.instagram.com/beckamade :: Facebook :: https://www.facebook.com/beckamade :: Twitter :: https://www.twitter.com/beckamade


text:
We at Back 2 No Pest welcome every homeowner, business owner or any other individual struggling with the pest issues. The team of our professionals offer the specialised services for pest control Wollongong. With the years of experience, knowledge, and practice, we've earned the capability of making your premise free from pests. So, there is no need to try any DIYs from your end now. You may have to put many efforts for the pest removal from your spaces, whereas our pest controllers can handle such issues with the utmost ease. So, what is the point in doing unnecessary hard work when you can have things done easily and quickly?
The services we offer for our specialised services are cockroach control, spider control, moth control, lizard control, bedbug control, wasp and bee control, wasp nest removal and more. So, what are you waiting for? Avail our high-end pest control Wollongong services today with the guaranteed results.
Why You Need Professional Pest Control Services?
Because they are the pros. And pros know how to do it the right way with a high success rate. The Professionals ought to deliver the guaranteed results. Most of the times, it is hard to remove pests from your premise, and even if you do it, you may not achieve the desired results. Therefore, hiring the Professional Pest Control Services is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Following are few more reasons that tell you the need of professionals pest control Wollongong services:
- Guaranteed removal of pests.
- Reduced health issues
- Healthier environment across the property
- No fear of pest attack
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Same Day Pest Control Wollongong
Pest issues can be annoying and frustrating as hell. A minor delay in such issues can lead to major problems in the home. Thus, for the sake of your family or employees health, it is important to have pest treatment at the earliest. Our team at Back 2 New Pest has zero tolerance against pest issues, thus, we ready to serve on the same day of appointment if booked in the morning. So, do not ignore the presence of those creepy creatures in your homes and get immediate and effective treatment for pest control Wollongong.
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We are an Australia-based local pest control company, who has been serving the locals for more the 20 years. Our team is made up of local professionals who know every nook and cranny of all the suburbs of Wollongong. Being the local pest controllers we can serve you round the clock, as and when needed. Moreover, we can serve on the weekends and public holidays. The best thing about our Pest Control Services is, they accompany complete customer satisfaction.
- Guaranteed pest removal
- Local pest controllers
- 24*7*365 pest control services
- Flexibility in Working hours
Flea Control Wollongong
Fleas are one of the most creepy creatures that are very hard to get rid. If the intensity of flea infestation has reached a high level, it is next to impossible to treat it on your own. It is wise to call @ 1800 441 506 the experts of our team for flea pest control and release your dear pets from the terror of these tiny pests. Our team will reach your places with all the required tools and essential chemicals that ensure complete flea removal. Not only animals, but they can also affect humans too. That's why you need to treat flea infestation in the home as soon as possible.
Cockroach Pest Control Wollongong
Cockroaches are known to infiltrate an infest our homes, offices and public spaces. Cockroaches can spread many life-threatening diseases and also contaminate your food sources. Cockroach infestation is a matter of serious concern as it may cause many problems for you and your family. Cockroach infestation will lead to an unsafe and unhealthy home environment and compromise of home hygiene. Cockroaches are difficult to remove as they are known to inhabit dark, closed and moist places like drains and cupboards. Back 2 No Pest can provide you with the best Cockroach Control Service in Wollongong. Our pest controllers will eradicate any number of roaches in no time. Hire our cockroach pest control service at affordable costs today.
Our Services for Pest Control Wollongong
Back 2 No Pest offers a wide range of pest control Wollongong services. The services we deliver for pest control Wollongong come with full proof protection and security against pest issues.
- Cockroach control
- Spider control, Moth control
- Lizard control, Wasp Control
- Bee control, Wasp nest removal
- Mosquito control, Borer Control
- House fly control, Snake control
- Scorpion Pest control, Bee control
- Bed Bug Control, flea control, tick control
- Silverfish control, dust mites control
- Rodent control, rat control, mice control
- Ant control, possums control
- Carpet beetle control, Earwig control
- Commercial pest control
- Residential pest control
- Restaurant pest control
- Same day pest control
- Emergency pest control
- Pest guard and eradication
- Pre-purchase pest inspection
Above listed are some of the few pest control Wollongong services that we offer for on both residential and commercial places.
Our Specialised Pest Control Treatments
Electronic Killer
We use electronic devices to kill flying insects. Further, it is a crisp and precise method. Also, it does not create any mess and works without any harmful chemicals.
Heat Treatment
We use heat treatment for imported and exported goods. Also, we perform heat treatment for pest control for moss products, water hyacinth, herbs, bark products, grains, grass thatching, and Bali bird seeds. Thus, process demands precision for effective results. So we train our professionals for the same.
How We Do Our Pest Control Treatments?
We follow a four-step procedure to carry out the best pest control treatment services in Wollongong. Also, keep the complete safety of the family members in our mind, while carrying out the procedures.
- Pest Inspection
- Treatment determination
- Pest Control Treatment
- Revists
Pest Inspection-
The beginning of our pest control procedure is followed by a thorough inspection of pest infestation intensity.
Treatment Determination-
Then, our pest control team decides the right pest control treatment that should be used depending upon infestation extent.
Pest Control Treatment-
Afterwards, the team use appropriate pest control treatment. We spray the eco-friendly chemicals onto the pest infested areas, including their hiding places in the crack and crevices.
Once the treatment is done, we arrange revisits to your places to check whether the services offered are effective or not. Also, we equip the homeowners with useful tips to keep the premise free from those nasty small critters.
Experienced and Reliable Pest Control Team
We are not naive who have just stepped in the industry. But, we have been giving a tough fight to the pests for more than 20 years now. It is our hard work and dedication that kept us going and helped us overcome ups and downs throughout our journey. Besides experience, we have also earned the trust of locals as well. The trust and confidence of the locals work as the motivation that encourages us to improve with every pest extermination projects.
Why Choose Back 2 No Pest?
Along with guaranteed Back 2 No Pest control fumigation services, there are multiple reasons to hire us.
- Safe and affordable pest control methods
- 100% customer satisfaction
- Moreover, we use all the latest methods for pest control
- Also, we are there for 24*7
- Plus, we work on weekends and public holidays
- We schedule revisits for effective pest control
- Also, we hire only licensed pest controllers
- Same day and emergency pest control services
[RICH_REVIEWS_SHOW category="Pest Control"]
Location: Wollongong, NSW Australia


text:
NH Electric Co-op workers to vote on contract, company prepares for possible strike
PLYMOUTH, N.H. (AP) � A utility that provides electricity to 83,000 customers in 115 New Hampshire communities is bracing for a possible strike by the union representing lineworkers and other jobs.
The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local have been bargaining since April. Workers' five-year contract ended Sept. 30. Union members are scheduled to vote on a contract offer Friday.
The union represents 85 employees, including district representatives; foremen; operations coordinators; line-design technicians; auto mechanics; system electricians; meter technicians; and warehouse workers.
NHEC said it has a plan to maintain power supply, outage restoration and public safety in the event of a strike.
The company and union have been at odds on wages and pensions.


text:
Where to Stay
The selection of apartments and villas in Malaga is so big that you will easily find accommodation to suit your exact needs. A modern yet historic city with a plentitude of beaches, it is also easy to pick accommodation in a scenic and interesting neighbourhood. Much of Malaga's lively atmosphere is based around the Old Town, where apartments are available amongst historical buildings, shops and a thriving street-cafés. However, nearby Los Montes is perhaps the most popular district due to its spectacular vantage points and plentitude of restaurants. Another area of choice is around central La Malagueta Beach as it is home to a number of nearby eateries, bars and shops.


text:
This Sanyo projector's plenty impressive on its own: native 2k resolution for 2048×1080 images thrown up against your wall, 3000:1 contrast ratio. But like Voltron, it's when you get a few of them together that the real show starts.
The thuddingly named Sanyo PLV-HF10000L contains not only picture-in-picture, but also picture-by-picture, seamlessly blending multiple projections into one cohesive, gigantic image. For regular everyday use? Nah. They're not available until November, and then for some as-yet-undisclosed, likely extreme amount of money. But for those moments when you need to shout it on the broad side of a barn, these'll do the trick. [Pocket Lint]


text:
Airtime is a new startup by Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning (of Napster fame) that recycles an old idea: Chatroulette. Yep, that random video chatting dickfest invented by some Russian teenager has seemingly been redressed in tailored suits and landscaped beards and is totally going to change the world. Joke. It's Chatroulette buttoned-up, which means less fun but ideally more useful.
Airtime is a new Facebook App/one-on-one video chatting service that can hopefully avoid cockshows because the service is directly tied to your Facebook account. By not allowing anonymous accounts, the idea is to not allow anonymous penises. If you want to name the prick, by all means (though Airtime is supposed to have visual recognition software to discourage this too).
Another advantage of tying people's Facebook account to Airtime is that Airtime will link people with some common interests together, talk with people who are like you, meet people who you would love meeting. Don't worry, you can still go the completely random, quickfire Next route but with your Facebook photo, information and common interests displayed as you chat, you'll be accountable for your video chats.
It's not unlike online speed dating, actually. In fact, Airtime has created algorithms to match up different users who fit better together (depending on the length of their typical conversation etc.) so they can make better converstions. But even if Airtime is Chatroulette grown up, polished and made better, can Airtime really recreate the random fun that Chatroullete lost years ago? [Airtime]


text:
By Chris Wright
Guard it with your life lads!
In other "footballer's cars" news, Paul Scholes had his car stolen on Monday morning after leaving it; doors open, keys in the ignition and engine running, to defrost on his driveway.
Scholes nipped back inside his home in Oldham, perhaps to fetch a couple of Hobnobs for the drive into work, while he left the ice melting on the windscreen of his Chevrolet Captiva estate – which the papers are keen to let you know costs around £30,000 new.
When the Ginger Prince emerged back from inside, the car had gone. As is the story of his life, Scholes would've attempted to tackle the thieves but he was just far, far too late.
The theft, which occurred between 7:45-8:00am yesterday, has been reported to police and an investigation is in the works.


text:
diet-ng 1.6.0
Next generation Diet template compiler.
To use this package, run the following command in your project's root directory:
Manual usage
Put the following dependency into your project's dependences section:
Diet is a generic compile-time template system based on an XML-like structure. The syntax is heavily influenced by pug (formerly "Jade") and Haml and outputting dynamic HTML is the primary goal. It supports pluggable transformation modules, as well as output modules, so that many other uses are possible.
See the preliminary Specification for a syntax overview.
This repository contains the designated successor implementation of the
vibe.templ.diet module of vibe.d. The current state is almost stable and feature complete and ready for pre-production testing.
doctype html
- auto title = "Hello, <World>";
title #{title} - example page
h1= title
h2 Index
- foreach (i; 0 .. 3)
li: a(href="##{i}") Point #{i}
- foreach (i; 0 .. 3)
h2(id=i) Point #{i}
These are the #[em contents] of point #{i}. Multiple
lines of text are contained in this paragraph.
Generated HTML output:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<title>Hello, <World> - example page</title>

Hello, <World>

Point 0

Point 1

Point 2

Point 0

These are the contents of point 0. Multiple
lines of text are contained in this paragraph.

Point 1

These are the contents of point 1. Multiple
lines of text are contained in this paragraph.

Point 2

These are the contents of point 2. Multiple
lines of text are contained in this paragraph.

Implementation goals
- Be as fast as possible. This means moving as many operations from run time to compile time as possible.
- Avoid any dynamic memory allocations (unless it happens in user code)
- Let the generated code be fully
@safe(unless embedded user code isn't)
- Be customizable (filters, translation, DOM transformations, output generators), without resorting to global library state
- Operate on ranges. HTML output is written to an output range, input ranges are supported within string interpolations and filters/translation support is supposed to be implementable using ranges (the latter part is not yet implemented).
Experimental HTML template caching
Since compiling complex Diet templates can slow down the overall compilation
process, the library provides an option to cache and re-use results. It is
enabled by defining the version constant
DietUseCache (
"versions": ["DietUseCache"] in dub.json or
versions "DietUseCache" in
dub.sdl). It is not recommended to use this feature outside of the usual
edit-compile-run development cycle, especially not for release builds.
Once enabled, the template compiler will look for
_cached_*.d files in the
"views/" folder, where the
* consists of the file name of the Diet template
and a unique hash value that identifies the contents of the template, as well
as included/extended ones. If found, it will simply use the contents of that
file instead of going through the whole compilation process.
At runtime, during initialization, the program will then output the contents of
all newly compiled templates to the "views/" folder. For that reason it is
currently important that the program is run with the current working directory
set to the package directory! A drawback of this method is that outdated
cached templates will not be deleted automatically. It is necessary to clear all
_cached_* files by hand from time to time.
Note that hopefully this feature will be obsoleted soon by the [work of Stefan Koch on DMD's CTFE engine](https://github.com/UplinkCoder/dmd/commits/newCTFE).
- Registered by Sönke Ludwig
- 1.6.0 released a year ago
- rejectedsoftware/diet-ng
- Copyright © 2015-2016 rejectedsoftware e.K.
- Authors:
- Dependencies:
- none
- Versions:
1.7.4 2020-Sep-03 1.7.3 2020-Sep-02 1.7.2 2020-Mar-25 1.7.1 2020-Mar-24 1.7.0 2020-Mar-24
- Download Stats:
443 downloads today
6318 downloads this week
20953 downloads this month
768763 downloads total
- Score:
- 4.1
- Short URL:
- diet-ng.dub.pm


text:
Saturday, 28 July 2012 04:29 PM
The USS Somerset — the last of three Navy ships named for 9/11 attack sites — was christened Saturday in honor of the passengers and crew of the plane that crashed short of terrorists' intended target after passengers stormed the cockpit.
Instead of hitting a target in Washington on Sept. 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Somerset County, Pa., killing all 40 passengers and crew members.
"The men and women of Flight 93 ... thought they were going to San Francisco to work, to play, to learn; to live their lives in peace while others guarded them," said Navy Rear Adm. David Lewis at the ceremony in the New Orleans suburb of Avondale, La. "Instead they found themselves in a war, on the front lines, in the opening battle. It was a new kind of war, one with new rules, maybe no rules at all. They had no preparation, no training, no guidance.
"And they performed superbly."
Flight 93 was hijacked after taking off from New Jersey. It crashed after passengers and crew, some alerted by cell phone calls from loved ones about the other 9/11 attacks in New York, decided to fight the hijackers. Investigators later determined the hijackers intended to crash it into the White House or Capitol in Washington, D.C., where the House and Senate were in session that morning.
About two dozen relatives of the passengers heard Lewis and other military and shipbuilding officials praise their slain family members at Saturday's christening at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Avondale.
A ribbon-encased bottle of sparkling wine was smashed against a sharp-edged breaker bar on the hull by Mary Jo Myers, wife of retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, the 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The $1.2 billion Somerset is an amphibious transport dock ship, also called a landing platform/dock or LPD, designed to launch helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft and assault watercraft to bring up to 800 troops to shore.
The Somerset is the last Navy ship that will be built at Avondale, which is scheduled to close when the Somerset is delivered next year. Officials are trying to find a way to keep it open for civilian shipbuilding or other industrial work.
"We encourage those who can keep the story of this shipyard alive to heroically give their all to achieving that goal," said Patrick White, president of the Families of Flight 93.
© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Newsmax Comment Policy
Keep discussions on topic, avoid personal attacks and threats of any kind. Links will not be permitted.
Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.


text:
- Right upper quadrant pain in my abdomen
- Pain in the middle of my lower abs
- Pain to the right of my belly button
- Pain above my belly button
- Pain when he pushed on those areas of my torso
- Waking up at night screaming because of the pain in my torso
- Examining my prior surgery photographs and seeing they line up with my present complaints of pain (diaphragm, liver).
- Extreme bloating after exertion
- Flare-ups after exertion
- A change in the quality of my life, once more.
- What if it's all in my head?
- It's not in your head. We've already confirmed you suffer from Endometriosis. Pain is not normal. And Endo can come back. You know this.
- What if you get in there and there's no Endo?
- Then we'll clean up your scar tissue. It's the best case scenario, Lisa. It'd be good.
- I feel so stupid. Like a hypochondriac. Like a wussy.
- You're not stupid. You've already been dealing with the pain for at least six months. You've suffered long enough already. It's time to clean you up.


text: sbgardner 0 Posted October 21, 2013 I'm having issues with volume from different sources back to the headphones out on my hd500x. I would like to simultaneously output to headphones attached to the hd500x: Guitar (guitar in on hd500x) Mic (mic xlr in on hd500x) Mac Mini (via USB to hd500x) including iTunes, drum machine software, recording software Occasionally, iPad drum machine (via CD/MP3 In) The problem is all volume levels coming from my Mac are unbearably loud. I've tried dropping my Mac volume controls as low as possible but it takes away all balancing control. My volume and master volume and guitar volumes are all set at near max volume. I have looked for input volume options on both the hd500x and my mac to no avail. Any help is appreciated. My only thought at this point is to get a second mixer to run the Mac and HD500x through and then plug the headphones or monitors into that. Thanks, Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text: Mycobacterium smegmatis (Trevisan) Lehmann and Neumann (ATCC® 19420™) Strain Designations: NCTC 8159 [Cornell 3] / Type Strain: yes / Biosafety Level: 1 General Information Characteristics Culture Method History Documentation Print Email Share Share this product Facebook Twitter Google+ Permits and Restrictions View Permits Strain Designations NCTC 8159 [Cornell 3] Application Quality control strain Biosafety Level 1 Biosafety classification is based on U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that their facilities comply with biosafety regulations for their own country. Product Format freeze-dried Storage Conditions Frozen: -80°C or colderFreeze-Dried: 2°C to 8°CLive Culture: See Propagation Section Preceptrol® no Type Strain yes Medium ATCC® Medium 1395: Middlebrook 7H9 broth with ADC enrichment ATCC® Medium 173: Middlebrook 7H10 agar with Middlebrook OADC enrichment Growth Conditions Temperature: 37°CAtmosphere: Aerobic Name of Depositor NCTC Chain of Custody ATCC <-- NCTC <-- RE Gordon <-- Hagan <-- Alvarez and Tavel References Holmes B. Proposal to conserve the specific epithet liquefaciens over the specific epithet proteamaculans in the name of the organism currently known as Serratia liquefaciens (Grimes and Hennerty 1931) Bascomb et al. 1971. Request for an opinion. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 30: 220-222, 1980. Hoppe HC, et al. Identification of phosphatidylinositol mannoside as a mycobacterial adhesin mediating both direct and opsonic binding to nonphagocytic mammalian cells. Infect. Immun. 65: 3896-3905, 1997. PubMed: 9284169 Skerman VB, et al. Approved lists of bacterial names. Int J Syst Bacteriol 30: 225-420, 1980. Sensititre™ Mycobacterium Susceptibility. Thermo Scientific™ Sensititre™ Systems, Trek Diagnostic Systems. Cross References Nucleotide (GenBank) : AJ131761 Mycobacterium smegmatis 16S rRNA gene, strain ATCC 19420. Permits These permits may be required for shipping this product: Customers located in the state of Hawaii will need to contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to determine if an Import Permit is required. A copy of the permit or documentation that a permit is not required must be sent to ATCC in advance of shipment. Basic Documentation Product Sheet Certificate of Analysis SDS


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With all its power cords, batteries, and massive manufacturing lines, the tech industry is rarely viewed as an icon for sustainability. But, even in the business of making gadgets, not all tech companies operate at the cost of Mother Nature. In fact, many take pride in their efforts to go "green" and are shaping their products to reflect that.
In honor of Earth Day 2012, here are 10 tech products that get the job done -- while still showing some love for planet Earth.


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11 Issue 25Published - 14:00 UTC
08:00 EST 27-Jan-2009
Next Update - 14:00 UC 08:00 EST
Editor: Susan K. Boyer, RN
All rights reserved.
Gene therapy demonstrates benefit in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
(27 January 2009: VIDYYA MEDICAL NEWS SERVICE) -- Researchers have reported the first clinical evidence that gene therapy reduces symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an important milestone for this promising treatment which has endured a sometimes turbulent past. Described in the February issue of the journal Human Gene Therapy the findings stem from a study of two patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis conducted in Germany and led by an investigator at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).
Originally conceived as a means of treating genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia, gene therapy involves implanting a normal gene to compensate for a defective gene in the patient. The first clinical trial to test gene therapy was launched in 1990 for the treatment of a rare, genetic immunodeficiency disease.
"This study helps extend gene therapy research to nongenetic, nonlethal diseases," explains principal investigator Christopher Evans, PhD, Director of the Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies at BIDMC. "Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is an extremely painful condition affecting multiple joints throughout the body. Arthritis is a good target for this treatment because the joint is a closed space into which we can inject genes," adds Evans, who is also the Maurice Muller Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
A classic autoimmune disease, RA develops when, for unknown reasons, the body's immune system turns against itself, causing joints to become swollen and inflamed. If the disease is inadequately controlled, the tissues of the joint are eventually destroyed. Although anti-inflammatory agents and biologics can help to mitigate symptoms, there is no cure for the condition, estimated to affect more than 2 million individuals in the U.S. alone.
Evans has spent many years studying the molecules responsible for the breakdown of cartilage in patients with arthritis, identifying interleukin-1 as a good target. But, he adds, once he had this answer, another question was not far behind: How could he effectively reach the joints to block the actions of this protein?
Gene therapy provided the answer.
By implanting a gene in the affected joint, he was able to stimulate production of a human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein, which serves to block actions of the interleukin-1 protein.
"The idea is that by remaining in place, the new gene can continuously block the action of the interleukin-1 within the joints," says Evans. "In essence, the gene becomes its own little factory, continuously working to alleviate pain and swelling."
In 2005, in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Evans and colleagues demonstrated that the IL-1Ra gene could be safely transferred to human joints in patients with RA. In this new paper, the authors aimed to prove that the therapy was not only safe, but that it was of therapeutic benefit.
Two study subjects were recruited. (The number reduced from six study subjects following severe adverse events in an unrelated gene therapy trial taking place elsewhere, according to Evans.) Both subjects were postmenopausal females under the age of 75 with a diagnosis of advanced rheumatoid arthritis. After tissue was removed from the subjects' knuckle joints, a harmless retrovirus was inserted into the tissue cells, in order to serve as a "vector" to transport the gene into the patients' joints. After being placed in culture to grow and replicate, the cells were injected back into the afflicted joints.
After four weeks, patients reported reduced pain and swelling, according to Evans. "In one of the two subjects, these effects were dramatic, and the gene-treated joints remained pain-free even though other joints experience flares." Subsequent laboratory tests showed that tissues removed from the subject's joint tissue synthesized lower amounts of disease-related proteins, confirming that the reduction in pain and swelling resulted from the actions of the implanted gene.
"Existing treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are costly and need to be administered regularly," says Evans, adding that in addition to risk of side effects, not all patients respond well. "This paper provides us with the first real evidence that painful symptoms can indeed be lessened through gene therapy."
Ongoing work will focus on the use of gene therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
Return to Vidyya Medical News Service for 27 January 2009
© Vidyya. All rights reserved.
Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.
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ELC finishes third at home duals
Seniors Oscar Ramirez (132) and Blake Gjerde (152/160) both went 5-0 on Saturday's ELC Tournament as they helped the Midgets to a third-place finish.
Senior Billy Snyder (170) and junior Chase Bonner (220) both went 4-1 on the day.
"I was pleased with how tough our guys wrestled," said ELC coach Dan Hewitt. "Five matches are a lot for a high school kid. I'm pleased at how touch we were wrestling at the end of the day."
ELC defeated Spirit Lake Park 51-18, lost to Blue Earth Area (Minn.) 60-14, defeated Forest City 45-30, lost to Linn-Mar 45-27 and defeated Bishop Heelan 53-30.
"Again I was pleased with how tough we were wrestling at the end of the day. 3-2 was about what I expected-but I was hoping for more. The Linn-Mar match was closer than anticipated."
Ramirez, ranked first in Class 2A, often receives forfeits in dual meets. On this day, he wrestled five matches with three pins, a technical fall and an 8-5 decision over Linn-Mar's Johnny Clymer.
"Oscar had some sketchy moments, but it was good to see him get five matches," said Hewitt.
Gjerde wrestled at 160 against Spirit Lake Park and came up with a 6-2 decision over David Trucksess. He also had a touch 4-3 decision over BEA's Luke Schavey and a 7-0 decision against Linn-Mar's Matt Schlegel along with a technical fall and one pin.
Snyder's lone loss came against BEA's David Franta, by fall in 3:29. Snyder edged Spirit Lake's Javier Tapia 8-4 and had three pins on the day.
Bonner's lone loss came against Bishop Heelan's Christian Brobst. Brobst, ranked third at 195 pounds won bay fall in 1:29 over Bonner.
"That was a better match than the stats would indicate. There was a takedown and a reversal and some back points," said Hewitt. "But once a kid like that has you, there's not much you can do."
Juan Castro (113) and Jake Bortvit (182/195) both went 3-2 on the day. Zack Snyder (1060), Easton Gifford (120), Clay Budach (126), Thomas Bortvit (138), Cole Budach (145) and Austin Egeland (182/195) all went 2-3 on the day while Kelly Clbaugh (152/160) was 1-4.
Blue Earth Area (BEA) 60.0 Estherville Lincoln Central High Sh (ELCH) 14.0
152 Blake Gjerde, ELCH, dec. Luke Schavey, BEA, 4-3 160 Gus Phillips, BEA, pinned Kelly Clabaugh, ELCH, 0:35 170 David Franta, BEA, pinned Billy Snyder, ELCH, 3:29 182 Colt Gorg (BEA) tb-1 Jake Bortvit (ELCH) 4-2 195 Jacob Johnson, BEA, pinned Austin Egeland, ELCH, 2:17 220 Chase Bonner, ELCH, pinned Jared Armon, BEA, 0:55 285 Martin Granados, BEA, forf. 106 Adam Legred, BEA, pinned Zackary Snyder, ELCH, 1:22 113 Zach Buseman, BEA, dec. Juan Castro, ELCH, 5-2 120 Matt Goodrich, BEA, pinned Easton Gifford, ELCH, 2:00 126 Camden Bowers, BEA, pinned Clay Budach, ELCH, 1:12 132 Oscar Ramirez, ELCH, tech. fall Alec Huber, BEA, 6:00 20-4 138 Mike Ankeny, BEA, pinned Thomas Bortvit, ELCH, 3:08 145 Tanner Wolf, BEA, pinned Cole Budach, ELCH, 3:45
Estherville Lincoln Central High Sh (ELCH) 45.0 Forest City (FOCI) 30.0
160 Beau Sorenson, FOCI, pinned Kelly Clabaugh, ELCH, 3:22 170 Billy Snyder, ELCH, pinned Tyler Brock, FOCI, 1:35 182 Jake Bortvit (ELCH) sv-1 Jake Staudt (FOCI) 3-1 195 Tyler Prescott, FOCI, pinned Austin Egeland, ELCH, 0:17 220 Chase Bonner, ELCH, dec. Alex Paulson, FOCI, 7-5 285 Tyler Putney, FOCI, forf. 106 Andrew Mettry, FOCI, pinned Zackary Snyder, ELCH, 1:05 113 Juan Castro, ELCH, pinned Samuel Swanson, FOCI, 0:27 120 Easton Gifford, ELCH, forf. 126 Clay Budach, ELCH, forf. 132 Oscar Ramirez, ELCH, pinned Derrick Wubben, FOCI, 0:26 138 Tristan Boehm, FOCI, pinned Thomas Bortvit, ELCH, 1:56 145 Cole Budach, ELCH, dec. Austin Lewis, FOCI, 7-6 152 Blake Gjerde, ELCH, pinned Landon Josten, FOCI, 0:50
Estherville Lincoln Central High Sh (ELCH) 53.0 Bishop Heelan Catholic (BHC) 30.0
182 Jake Bortvit, ELCH, pinned Brett Hegarty, BHC, 1:08 195 Austin Egeland, ELCH, forf. 220 Christian Brobst, BHC, pinned Chase Bonner, ELCH, 1:29 285 Jack Niggeling, BHC, pinned Amed Castro, ELCH, 0:22 106 Alex Anson, BHC, pinned Zackary Snyder, ELCH, 2:46 113 Juan Castro, ELCH, pinned Joe Vondrak, BHC, 0:23 120 Easton Gifford, ELCH, forf. 126 Andy Stubblefield, BHC, pinned Clay Budach, ELCH, 1:55 132 Oscar Ramirez, ELCH, pinned Mason Heaton, BHC, 0:34 138 Thomas Bortvit, ELCH, pinned Jared Ludwig, BHC, 2:50 145 Cole Budach, ELCH, pinned Alex Watkins, BHC, 0:45 152 Blake Gjerde, ELCH, tech. fall Bo Rus, BHC, 4:06 15-0 160 Christian Engel, BHC, pinned Kelly Clabaugh, ELCH, 3:37 170 Billy Snyder, ELCH, pinned Tony Tobin, BHC, 1:33
Estherville Lincoln Central High Sh (ELCH) 51.0 Spirit Lake (SPLA) 18.0
145 Zach Skopec, SPLA, pinned Cole Budach, ELCH, 1:11 152 Kelly Clabaugh, ELCH, pinned Ethan Bergendahl, SPLA, 1:25 160 Blake Gjerde, ELCH, dec. David Trucksess, SPLA, 6-2 170 Billy Snyder, ELCH, dec. Javier Tapia, SPLA, 8-4 182 Austin Egeland, ELCH, pinned Trevor Bueltel, SPLA, 1:39 195 Jacob Jenness, SPLA, dec. Jake Bortvit, ELCH, 7-2 220 Chase Bonner, ELCH, forf. 285 Hunter Akers, SPLA, forf. 106 Zackary Snyder, ELCH, pinned Nick Cornwall, SPLA, 0:36 113 Juan Castro, ELCH, forf. 120 Gavin Kramer, SPLA, dec. Easton Gifford, ELCH, 8-1 126 Clay Budach, ELCH, dec. Alec Harrington, SPLA, 4-2 132 Oscar Ramirez, ELCH, pinned Daniel Trucksess, SPLA, 0:58 138 Thomas Bortvit, ELCH, pinned Jac Radcliffe, SPLA, 3:52
Linn-Mar (LIMA) 45.0 Estherville Lincoln Central High Sh (ELCH) 27.0
170 Billy Snyder, ELCH, pinned Brayden Schultz, LIMA, 1:43 182 Jake Bortvit, ELCH, pinned Logan Hagmeier, LIMA, 1:40 195 Andrew Holladay, LIMA, pinned Austin Egeland, ELCH, 0:52 220 Chase Bonner, ELCH, pinned Tylor Newhouse, LIMA, 1:46 285 Dallas McFarland, LIMA, forf. 106 Zackary Snyder, ELCH, dec. Charlie Petersen, LIMA, 6-2 113 Noah Ajram, LIMA, pinned Juan Castro, ELCH, 3:37 120 Alijah Jeffery, LIMA, pinned Easton Gifford, ELCH, 0:21 126 Alex Streicher, LIMA, pinned Clay Budach, ELCH, 1:31 132 Oscar Ramirez, ELCH, dec. John Clymer, LIMA, 8-5 138 Damon Griffin, LIMA, pinned Thomas Bortvit, ELCH, 3:34 145 Alexander Geers, LIMA, pinned Cole Budach, ELCH, 3:33 152 Blake Gjerde, ELCH, dec. Matt Schlegel, LIMA, 7-0 160 Andrew Verhile, LIMA, dec. Kelly Clabaugh, ELCH, 10-6


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Kim Kardashian Is Not Getting a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Because Life Is Unfair
National treasure Kim Kardashian gives so much and asks so little — all she wanted was one measly star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce won't budge: honorees have to have actually acted.
Part of the criteria in being honored is receiving awards such as Emmy's, SAG Awards, Oscars etc. in the category of Television, Live Stage Performance or Motion Pictures. They have to have a career in the business of acting for five years or more.
Honestly, though, isn't it time we broaden the definition of acting a little? I mean, sure, reality TV is supposed to be unscripted, but we know better than that. Are you telling me Kim Kardashian didn't give it her all in this scene? A sham marriage is true method acting.
I'm just saying you can't have it both ways: if Kim Kardashian is fake, she's an accomplished actor. Star-worthy? Why not.


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4 injured in Baltimore police-involved crash
Car spun around, hit pedestrians, witnesses say
A police cruiser collided with another vehicle in Baltimore late Wednesday afternoon, injuring two people and two pedestrians.
Authorities said the officer was responding to a call of another officer needing assistance shortly after 5 p.m. when the collision occurred on East North Avenue at North Charles Street.
Ronald Jeffries was one of several people walking in the Station North neighborhood when he said he saw a police car with its sirens on travel through the Charles and North intersection and slam into a grey car. Witnesses claim that the police officer ran a red light.
"She never slowed up whatsoever and she hit the grey car, the grey car coming across the street," Jeffries said. "The grey car (spun) around, hit the lady on the sidewalk, and now her leg was broken -- her bone was sticking out and everything."
According to witnesses, the grey car hit the woman standing on the sidewalk and a man crossing the street. They were taken to area hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The officer and the driver of the grey car suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, police said.
Crash detectives continued to investigate the incident.
Send breaking news pictures to u local:


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IBM has announced its fourth annual Master the Mainframe competition.
The competition is comprised of three challenges which become increasingly more difficult as the contestant moves on to the next level. Students are asked to become familiar with and operate the mainframe user interface, perform systems programming and application developing tasks and complete real-life situations encountered by experienced systems programmers.
The competition will run from October 1, 2008 through December 29, 2008. Winners will be announced on or about February 2, 2009. Students can log on to Master the Mainframe to register for the competition and receive full instructions.
The contest is part of IBM's Academic Initiative for System z program, a global project by IBM to align with colleges, universities and businesses across the globe to develop mainframe and large enterprise skills for future employment and Fortune 500 companies across the globe. The Academic Initiative for System z program has now worked with more than 400 colleges and universities across the globe to help train and educate more than 50,000 students.
Last year, more than 1,750 students from 325 high schools and colleges from across the United States and Canada entered the competition


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DUBLIN, Ireland - Ireland got its report card on the country's energy policies on Monday.

A mixed review, the report, the first in seven years, was nonetheless welcomed by the government.

Ireland has successfully advanced the transformation of its energy sector, led primarily by the power sector. In 2017, about a quarter of the country's total power generation came from wind power, the third highest share among all 30 IEA member countries, according to the latest review of Ireland's energy policies by the International Energy Agency.

The Irish electricity system can already accommodate up to 65% of variable wind and solar generation, without risking security of supply. This is one of the highest shares globally, and a testimony to the country's innovation and research capacity.

Ireland's overall energy system remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and with energy consumption projected to rise with population growth, Ireland will need to meet its future energy needs through low-carbon and energy efficient solutions in order to keep carbon emissions in check. Ireland is not on course to meet its emissions reduction and renewable energy targets for 2020, which means that reaching its 2030 targets is also in question.

"Ireland has become a world leader in system integration of renewables thanks in large part to strong policies and commitment to innovation" said Paul Simons, IEA Deputy Executive Director, who presented the report in Dublin, Ireland on Monday. "Building on this success, we advise the government to urgently implement additional measures and monitor their progress to get the country back on track to meet its long-term climate targets."

Efforts to manage emissions could include building on the success of its broad set of existing energy efficiency policies and the many new policies that have come into force since 2017, supported by a substantial increase in funding. Ireland's commitment to efficiency is highlighted by its decision to host the IEA's 4th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Dublin in June this year.

Decarbonising heating in buildings is a particular challenge for Ireland because of a highly dispersed population living in single-family dwellings, which, compared to other IEA countries, still feature a high share of individual oil-heating systems. As Ireland has already achieved significant reductions in energy intensity, attention should now shift to switching from fossil fuels towards more renewable energy sources in heat production.

Since January 2019, all new buildings must install renewable energy systems to ensure that the expansion of the building stock does not lock-in carbon fuel consumption. Decarbonising heat in the existing building stock is more challenging; especially in the rental sector. In its report, the IEA recommends a two pronged strategy: complementing attractive financial incentives for landlords along with the introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards where needed.

Moving towards a low-carbon energy system will also ease concerns over Ireland's security of supply, given its limited domestic hydrocarbon resources and geography that makes a full integration into larger European energy markets challenging.

Ireland is one of the few countries that taxes all carbon fuels, an effective instrument for reducing demand and enhancing energy efficiency. But the carbon tax rate has not changed since 2014 and, with rising living standards, its impact on customer behaviour is weakening. The IEA encourages the Irish government to introduce an automatic upward adjustment of the tax when pre-set emission targets are not met.

"The International Energy Agency's review confirms that while recovery has seen some improvement in take up of renewables and in energy efficiency, Ireland has not broken the link between economic growth and prosperity and greenhouse gases. It highlights the major changes Ireland needs to make in how we heat our buildings, on how we move around and how we power our grid," Ireland's Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton said Monday.

"The all of government plan will provide the clear targets and the policy roadmap which we need. However, the first challenge is to secure widespread buy-in across our entire community on the vital importance of the journey which we need to go on. This can only be achieved by all sections of our community working together."

Ireland became a founding member of the IEA, when it was established in 1974. The IAE is an agency of the OECD.

Every few years, the policies of the 30 individual member countries are reviewed in-depth by a team of peers led by the IEA. The process of review by peers not only supports member countries' energy policy development and mutual learning, but it also encourages exchange of international best practice and experience.


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The Crystal Method has been written off as inferior carbon copies of Big Beat, and also that they did a 'dumb, American version of it'. Snobbish people had to convince themselves that the Prodigy made profound music involving social commentary and existential questions when in reality they did nothing but really, really catchy noise. At first this label of the Crystal Method is a bit deserved. Their debut is a collection of cool Breaks with some funky Sci-Fi sounds. It had a cool sound, but few songs. Here, though, they truly come together and cement themselves as canonical in the electronic genre. Tweekend is one of the reasons why Big Beat remains EDM's best genre.
Since by now every artist in the genre cemented their sound – Prodigy with their loud rocking, Fatboy Slim with his smoothness, Chemical Brothers with their genre-bending, Crystal Method had to find some kind of shtick that makes them unique. The whole 'simple breaks and cool sounds' was rendered irrelevant in ChemBros' debut, where they converted it into some of music's best 30 seconds. So they try to find a new, defining sound here – and they mostly succeed.
They still sound like newcomers, but not in the bad way. It's obvious their sources of inspiration include the aforementioned artists, not just the genres influencing Big Beat. You get here a more clearer picture of what Big Beat is, and why every soda pop commercial wanted this kind of music. Whereas the Prodigy made Breakbeat fueled by guitar noise, Crystal Method seeked the specific kinetic energy that the genres happened to create. The originators were inspired by other genres. Here, Crystal Method are directly inspired by the originators.
That's the main distinction between this album and their debut. Now they don't just want to bang, but to make music that works like a martial arts scene or a car race. It's music that was made for video games of that era, when violence was cartoonish, cars were fast (and possibly shot rockets) and everything was larger than life. It's the end of the retro-future. Our image of the future and technological development wasn't of peace but of combat and lasers, but boy do we like it. The album cover fits the atmosphere of it, watching a world becoming more technological and being okay with it.
At this point you can compare it to Electro-Industrial, and Big Beat always shared similar sounds and influence – and an ability to fit ideally most video games and movies. Oh, and yes, composers were stupid enough not to ask the dudes from Front Line Assembly to score The Matrix. Whereas the Industrial movement was scared of that future, this music jumps into it. It's inevitable, so we might as well party.
That's why it manages to have a fairly aggressive, macho sound without copying the Prodigy's rebel punk antics. A funky bounce is underneath most of the songs, even the noise blast that is "Name of the Game". There they let Ryu rap about how awesome he is over Morello's riffing. Aside from being a fantastic idea for a song, the bass is deep and womping underneath all that noise. On some tracks the funk is more prominent – if you can sit still to "Roll It Up", you may want to check things with your doctor.
It's funny that they were branded as a dumber American dumbing down, since they actually play more with atmosphere than most Big Beat artists. In fact, they lead back to Progressive House than any other in the genre. "Roll It Up" and "Blowout" have a continous structure and a looping beat that threatens to last forver. There are few actual riffs here, sometimes appearing on songs like "Murder" and "PHD" but serving the beat rather than taking the center stage. Many of the sounds here surrounded and engulf the listener rather than pound into it.
What was seen as 'dumb American' is just the band getting the essence of Big Beat, if not exactly making the best album in the genre. Then again their competition includes ChemBros, so it's by nature difficult. This album distills Big Beat from the outside influence, keeping what's important – Hip-Hop breaks, a Funk bounce, Techno structures and the aggression of Rock. That still gives them a lot of room to move even if they never threaten to break away, but what great songs – "PHD" with its slower funk, "Roll It Up" in how spacey it sounds, "Murder" gives a badass melodic hook and "Over the Line" shows they can also be beautiful and more introspective. Being raised on albums like these made me wonder why EDM isn't supposed to be an 'album genre'. Even the weakest tracks like "The Winner" still bang. Perhaps you can cut a minute here and a minute there, but this is one of those "If you don't like it, you're no fun" albums.
3.5 murders out of 5


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St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Mirage is a series of digital photographs that investigates ideas of real and imagined landscapes. Through the use of symbolism and by evoking the senses this exploration discloses landscapes as both place and experience. The process of shooting through a diffuser of convex glass creates a ghostly presence that takes you into an ethereal world. This practice allows for the collision of photography and painting as expressive forms; they are as much photographs as they are paintings. The series references Chinese Zen landscape paintings of the Southern Sung School. The artist Gerhard Richter influenced my approach to photography, blurring boundaries between painting and photography.
Influencing artists: Gerhard Richter, Hiroshi Sugimoto
Allen suggests that his work considers landscape as both place and experience. Do you agree? Describe his approach to landscape and the effect he has created in this body of work.
Gerhard Richter is a strong influence on Allen's art practice. Research Richter's body of work and identify the elements that are evident in Mirage. How has blurring the characteristics of painting and photography added another layer of meaning to the work?


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DUBAI, UAE: The 6th Dubai Lynx Awards, one of the premier awards celebrating creative excellence in MENA's advertising and communications industry, has received a total of 2037 entries from 17 countries.
5 Mar 2012
CANNES, FRANCE: A total of 28 828 entries from 90 countries (725 from SA) have been submitted to the Cannes Lions 58th International Festival of Creativity, the international annual awards for creative advertising and communications. This is the most entries in the history of the festival.
1 Jun 2011
SINGAPORE: Despite mobile device functionality becoming ever more sophisticated, research, released this week by mobile media company BuzzCity, shows that mobiles are actually sustaining, not replacing, consumer demand for PCs.
Dr KF Lai 16 Feb 2011
DUBAI, UAE: Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Chamber's Printing and Publishing Group (PPG), has announced the award winners of the fifth 'Dubai International Print Award 2011' during a gala dinner held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai.
8 Feb 2011
DUBAI, UAE: The Dubai International Advertising Festival in 2011 will take place over two and a half days, 27- 29 March and the Dubai Lynx Awards, honouring North Africa and the Middle East's best work in advertising and creative communications, will be held on 30 March. Both events will take place for the first time at the Arabian coast resort, the Madinat Jumeirah, in Dubai.
12 Nov 2010


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Transparency of gas and electricity prices
The transparency of energy prices ensures that competition is not distorted and thus contributes to the smooth functioning of the internal market. In this regard, this Directive lays down procedures relating to the circulation of information and the prices of gas and electricity.
Directive 2008/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2008 concerning a Community procedure to improve the transparency of electricity and gas prices charged to industrial end-users (recast) (Text with EEA relevance).
This Directive aims at establishing a European procedure to ensure transparency of gas and electricity prices charged to end-users.
The procedure is necessary, insofar as this information enables consumers to choose between different energy providers and also between energy sources.
Information provided
The Member States shall ensure that the undertakings that provide industrial end-users with gas and electricity communicate the following information to Eurostat:
Procedures framing gas and electricity prices
Prices reported must be the prices paid by industrial end-users buying natural gas distributed through mains, and buying electricity, for their own use. They are to be expressed in national currency per gigajoule (for gas) and per kilowatt-hour (kWh) (for electricity).
These prices must include all charges payable, such as network charges and energy used, rebates or premiums. Initial connection charges are not to be included.
Three levels of price are to be provided:
These prices are collected twice per year (January and July) whereas the method of calculation and a description of the taxes levied on sales of gas and electricity to end-users are to be transmitted once per year (in January).
Information on the procedures framing gas and electricity prices is to be communicated by an independent statistical body.
This Directive repeals Directive 90/377/EEC.
Entry into force
Deadline for transposition in the Member States
Official Journal
Directive 2008/92/EC
OJ L 298 of 7.11.2008
Last updated: 02.03.2011


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san diego comedy shows
MANY San Diego New Year's Weekend Events: NYE Parties, Int'l Auto Show, Brunches, Cruises, Polar Plunge, Comedy, Concerts, Beer, Wine, & More! | December 31-January 3, 2016
The New Year is upon us, San Diego, & it's going to be a fantastic weekend! We've got tons of area events including NYE Parties with countdowns & champagne toasts so you can ring in the new year in style including Cruises, NYE Beach Party, & NYE Yacht Party, the International Auto Show for car buffs all weekend, your party recovery on New Year's Day at Brunches and Polar Plunge, Comedy Shows, Concerts, your last chance to catch the Cannon Battles & Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo, plus so much more! Below is a list of several fun events, and most of them are FREE!
FREE San Diego: Subscribe to our email newsletter of San Diego events, festivals, specials, & GIVEAWAYS!
Featured: San Diego New Years Parties, Events, Champagne Toasts, & More


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8 November 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the non-governmental organization Transparency International on its 20th anniversary , praising its work to advance anti-corruption efforts around the world.
"Corruption should no longer be seen as the regrettable price of doing business; it is a crime that must be rejected, from street corners to corporate boardrooms," Mr. Ban said in a message to the organization.
"Working in solidarity with other organizations, including the United Nations, you [Transparency International] have helped to advance global anti-corruption efforts, in developed and developing countries alike."
Mr. Ban said he looked forward to continue working with Transparency International on shared efforts to rid the world of corruption.
He also noted that countries have strengthened their efforts to help victims and create a climate of trust, transparency and accountability through treaties like the UN Convention against Corruption, which now has 168 parties, and UN-World Bank Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, which strives to close sanctuaries used by unscrupulous leaders and other individuals.
"The business community has a clear role to play in delivering the message that
anti-corruption efforts are not an onerous duty but rather an opportunity for renewal of lost credibility and damaged reputations," Mr. Ban said.
The UN itself faces corruption risks as it operates in some of the world's most dangerous environments, he added, noting that the Organization remains vigilant and works hard to address set an example of integrity.
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


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| 4.7°C Belfast
Channing Tatum has confessed that he has piled on the pounds - but is totally happy with his fuller figure.
The actor - who has shown off his toned physique in films such as Magic Mike, Step Up and Side Effects and was once named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive - revealed on Ellen DeGeneres' chat show that he needed a break so has let himself plump up a bit.
When teased about how he's always being asked to take his clothes off, Channing admitted: "You definitely don't want that right now."
The actor - who became a dad last year when he and wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum welcomed daughter Everly - added: "Right now - what me and my wife like to call it, I am very 'fappy'.
"I'm very fat and happy right now ... I've been working for two straight years, and now it's some really needed downtime."
Channing has previously said he loves pigging out between movies.
The actor told US Cosmopolitan last year: "I'm a fat kid on the inside. I love food so much, and I fluctuate about 25-30 pounds between movies."


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The following is an explanation of the age ratings and parental controls available for the games and comics on the PlayStation®Store and for videos available on the PlayStation®Store or on Sony Entertainment Network.
All of the games available on the PlayStation®Store are labelled with symbols indicating the age for which they are suitable. Age ratings are not a guide to gaming difficulty. Parents should always check ratings before buying or allowing their children to buy or download games from the PlayStation®Store.
By checking age ratings, and using the parental controls (see below), parents and carers can help to ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate content and behaviour online. Parents and carers should also monitor their child's online activity.
An explanation of the specific age rating symbols used on the PlayStation®Store for games is set out here:


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States Seek to Calm Districts' Common-Core Jitters
State education leaders are moving to calm political tempests over the Common Core State Standards by adopting or reaffirming policies aimed at asserting local control over data, curriculum, and materials. But the classroom-level impact of those moves could be negligible as states forge ahead on common-core implementation.
On the one hand, officials' actions in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Michigan highlight anxieties over the privacy of information about individual students and what some see as state and federal intrusion into classrooms. At the same time, the specific steps, all in states run by Republicans, largely emphasize existing policy or practice.
"That might turn down the heat on a lot of these criticisms, ... but I don't think this stuff addresses the real issues with the implementation and actually making the common core work," said Michael Q. McShane, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who tracks the standards. "It doesn't really solve anything, because it doesn't really do anything."
Florida, which in September curtailed its relationship with a consortium developing common-core-aligned assessments, backed away from a controversial supplement to the standards when the state school board voted 5-1 on Oct. 15 not to adopt any of the standards' appendices, including a list of text "exemplars" or suggested reading.
Political Tremors
The exemplars have angered conservative anti-common-core activists in other states like Alabama and Georgia for including books deemed controversial because of their treatment of sexuality (in Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye) or radical politics (in Julia Alvarez's In the Time of Butterflies).
However, a spokeswoman for the Florida education department, Cheryl Etters, said the choice remains with local districts whether to use none, some, or all of the suggested reading when developing common-core-aligned curricula.
The day after the Florida board's vote, the Louisiana state school board announced that it had barred the state and the federal government from "forcing school systems to use a specific curriculum or course content." Six days before the Louisiana vote, the state's St. Tammany Parish school board had passed a resolution opposing the common core.
The state said it would also require the Louisiana education department to use student ID numbers that couldn't be traced back to individual students, and would require schools to notify parents about high school English reading lists and give parents an "opt out" option.
Several state school boards last month took steps intended to ease anxieties about how the Common Core State Standards would impact local education decisions and the privacy of student data.
Louisiana: Clarified that school districts maintain control over classroom content, and cannot have course materials forced on them. State that ID numbers used to track students couldn't be traced back to individual students.
Alabama: Adopted a policy that no data that can be traced to individual students is to be shared with the federal government. State Superintendent Tommy Bice has also offered a resolution rescinding a 2009 agreement between the state and two state-based organizations regarding the Common Core State Standards' development.
Florida: Refused to adopt appendices accompanying the common core that include suggested specific fiction and non-fiction selections. Some of the suggested literature has come under fire from conservative activists for how they portray radical politics and sexuality.
The president of the state board, Chas Roemer, said in a statement that all those moves allowed officials to "reaffirm that common core is not a federally mandated curriculum."
The policy about local control over curriculum had been implicit in the state, but not official, before the board's vote, Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White noted in an interview, while the parental-notification policy is new.
Mr. White argued that the policies in Louisiana deal with serious concerns, at the same time that they buttress the state board's common-core support.
"Parents, I think, are probably more concerned about knowing what their students are learning and the privacy of their children's information than they are about the intricacies of testing policies," Mr. White said.
None of the moves by the state board, he said, is solely related to the common core.
The Alabama state board recently tried to put to rest concerns about both privacy and the state's links to the two national groups that spearheaded development of the common standards in English/language arts and mathematics, which the vast majority of states have adopted. In addition to adopting a student-data-protection policy Oct. 10, state schools Superintendent Tommy Bice, a common-core supporter, offered a resolution Oct. 24 that would rescind a 2009 memorandum of agreement the state had with those groups, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Revoking an Agreement
Mr. Bice said in a statement that while the 2009 agreement only acknowledged that "internationally benchmarked" standards that could be shared across states were in development, ditching the memorandum allowed Alabama officials to show that the standards did in fact spring from "a state-initiated and a state-led effort."
Clearing up misconceptions over issues like data privacy is important as individual states deal with the common core in their own ways, said Carissa Miller, a deputy executive director of the CCSSO.
"I see state boards and legislators doing that as a way to say: 'These are state-owned standards,' " she said.
Ms. Miller added that the common core doesn't change how states have to handle student data.
But Mr. Bice's proposed Alabama resolution, in particular, should be viewed as a purely political move, said Shane Vander Hart, a consultant for the American Principles Project, a conservative free-market Washington advocacy group opposed to the common core.
In Mr. Bice's statement about revoking the agreement, the phrase "common core" is not used.
"It's an empty gesture," Mr. Vander Hart said. "It does nothing."
A resolution approved by Michigan lawmakers last month that allowed state spending on the common core to resume—after a state budget-mandated spending freeze on common-core activities that began at the start of October—also emphasized local school boards' control over curriculum and classroom materials, and districts' right not to provide lessons that compromise their communities' values.
John C. Austin, the president of the Michigan board of education, who consulted with lawmakers about the resolution's language, said it "reaffirmed" the power of districts, while shielding the board from political meddling in academic-content standards. The board adopted the common standards in 2010, the year of their release.
"We do not want the state legislature revising our standards every two years," Mr. Austin said. "It would whipsaw our standards and our educators without mercy."
The Michigan resolution deals with one other politically sensitive area for the standards: the aligned assessments. It requires the state to re-examine its options for those tests. Michigan is a member of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, one of two multistate groups developing common-core tests.
For those who oppose the common standards, the recent state board actions, overall, are encouraging but small steps, Mr. Vander Hart said.
"I don't think anybody should be doing victory laps right now," he said.
Vol. 33, Issue 11, Pages 1, 23Published in Print: November 6, 2013, as Common-Core Hurdle: Calming Jittery Districts
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After Wisconsin's WKBT News 8 This Morning anchor Jennifer Livingston's impassioned on-air response to a concern-trolly d-bag who emailed her to voice his disappointment that her "physical condition hasn't improved for many years" — aka that she doesn't look how he thinks she should look — went viral yesterday, thousands of people expressed their support and shared their own stories of being bullied for being themselves.
Unfortunately, Kenneth Krause, the "occasional viewer" and full-time asshole who wrote the email (which was titled "Community Responsibility," because he's made out of slime), hasn't been swayed by the wave of support Livingston's received from across the nation. Instead, he released this statement:
Given this country's present epidemic of obesity and the many truly horrible diseases related thereto, and considering Jennifer Livingston's fortuitous position in the community, I hope she will finally take advantage of a rare and golden opportunity to influence the health and psychological well-being of Coulee Region children by transforming herself for all of her viewers to see over the next year, and, to that end, I would be absolutely pleased to offer Jennifer any advice or support she would be willing to accept.
You know what would've actually been inspiring for the "health and psychological well-being" of local children? If Krause had realized the error of his ways. But that seems like wishful thinking at this point.


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Rather than selecting a normal or hard mode toggle before pulling an encounter, Ulduar raid groups were tasked with completing different objectives during the encounter or defeating the boss mechanics in a different order to activate hard mode. Famously, players would press a large red button behind Mimiron labelled "DO NOT PUSH THIS BUTTON," activating the encounter and a rather angry Titanic watcher. Other fights during Wrath of the Lich King such as Freya and Sartharion featured a "choose your own difficulty" mechanic wherein the player's choices before the encounter increased or decreased the boss' overall difficulty. Harder combinations of abilities would yield more impressive items.
Will Mists of Pandaria bring back our beloved "choose your difficulty" encounters and in-fight hard mode triggers? I know I'd like to get another Sartharion-style encounter, especially with mount rewards like the original provided.
Read the full blue post behind the break below.


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Last time I watched him for us was the derby before Christmas and he was having a very good game.....until he got injured
Obviously no world beater but imo better than Morgan when fit...does the dirty work much better.
Start him tomorrow
Weirdly I think he is exactly the type of player we need in our current situation. If play him tomorrow
Get to fuck all of you.
We aren't surely turning on Scheiderlin are we? Last season when he started I have never felt so safe, no idea if it's the tactics or just Koeman but to say McCarthy -Who I genuinely still like as a player- is better, then ya'll lost your minds.
Said it before, he can't be much worse than what we have been getting so far from koemans idea of a team.
Think Sheiderlin is a decent player and is just another victim of the Koeman Fog
Yeah, Schneiderlin's a decent player. He didn't settle well at Man Utd but at Southampton he was very good, hence the move he got. For one reason or another it didn't work out but he was good when he came here, especially for a player that hadn't played that much in recent months. He'll be a very good player for us but like pretty much everyone else in the team he's struggling for form and confidence given the run we're on and the apparent lack of direction from Koeman but it's far easier for people just to label everything and everyone as shite. The way things are on here people would have a spine to the team of Shane Duffy, James McCarthy and Glenn fucking Murray.
A lot of people on here want their primary defensive players to be able to put a ball on a 50p from 40 yards away (hyperbole?).
To be fair, Schneiderlin did that a couple of times on Thursday night but no one mentions it.
Who is Glenn Murray?
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Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity
Modelling continuum dynamics on
discrete space time
We will discuss perfect discretizations which aim at mirroring exactly continuum physics on a given lattice. Such discretizations avoid typical artifacts like Lorentz violation, energy dissipation, particle doubling and in particular breaking of diffeomorphism symmetry. Thus the question arises how to distinguish such lattice dynamics from continuum physics.
Naturalness problems that could be signaling the necessity a completion of an effective field theory with the introduction of an otherwise overlooked ingredient. The cosmological constant problem can be seen as a signal that the EFT for gravity, general relativity, is not correctly including the gravitational properties of the vacuum.
Analogue models of gravity have been a test field for many phenomena in quantum field theory on curved spacetimes. It was recently recognized that in some situations they can also provide toy models of emergent gravity. We shall review here such a model and address within it the nature and scale of the cosmological constrant trying to draw general lessons for emergent gravity scenarios.
I discuss the status of Quantum Gravity Phenomenology, focusing separately on the 3 key areas: ability to discover, ability to constrain, and ability to falsify. And I stress the importance of adopting carefully taylored test theories as a remedy to difficulties encountered when comparing experimental evidence to theory evidence.
I discuss how physics beyond the Planck scale and before inflation might leave an imprint on the primordial spectrum. There are interesting limitations connected with the information paradox that suggests unexpected new ways to test ideas on quantum gravity.
We use the example of inflationary physics to discuss the possibility that short distance physics might be imprinted on long-distance observables. In particular, we focus on issues involving decoupling in field theory.
If string theory is the correct theory which unifies gravity with the other forces of nature at a quantum level, it should determine the evolution of the earliest stages of the universe. I will discuss how stringy signatures of this early phase may be visible in current cosmological observations.
I will survey some of the physics of TeV-scale black hole production, as well as outstanding issues. I will also discuss some of the conceptual issues surrounding high-energy black hole production.


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|The Heritage Foundation Since its founding in 1973, The Heritage Foundation has served as a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense
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Side Effects: Under Obamacare, 29.4 Million Americans Will Change Health Plans Each Y
On 06.21.12 10:58 AM posted by Alyene Senger
Obamacares massive Medicaid expansioncombined with its new system of subsidies for government-defined coverage for additional millions of Americanswill force 29.4 million Americans to move from one form of health coverage to another each year, a recent study shows.
The effect, called churning, is the involuntary movement of individuals from one type of coverage to another. While some churning existed before Obamacare, the health law makes the problem much worse, making continuous coverage less likely for many Americans.
New research by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute concludes that 29.4 million Americans under the age of 65 will be forced to change their coverage from year to year under Obamacare. That represents 31 percent of the estimated 95.9 million people that will either be in Medicaid or receive subsidies in the exchanges in any given year.
According to the study, churning will include 6.9 million people who move from Medicaid to subsidized coverage in the exchange or vice versa; 19.5 million people who move between Medicaid and ineligibility for all insurance subsidy programs and 3.0 million people who move between subsidized coverage in the exchange and ineligibility for all programs.
This churning will occur because eligibility for both Medicaid and the new subsidy system are based on family income and family size. Thus, people will be forced to move in and out of different government-run health programs when their incomes or family size change. That churning will make the programs more complex and expensive to administer.
Moreover, consumers will have to learn about a new type of coverage every time they transition. Finally, the authors point out that churning can lessen health plans incentive to invest in long-term wellness if insurers know that todays enrollee may soon be served by a competitor.
The authors refer to churning and its negative consequences as inevitable, but that is simply not true. The additional churning that will result from Obamacare is a side effect of the legislations poor design.
In contrast, The Heritage Foundations vision for health care reform would enable both current Medicaid-eligible individuals and working Americans to choose the health plans they like and then stick with them even as their circumstances and the types of assistance they qualify for change.
The plan transforms Medicaid and restores its original purpose as a safety net for the most vulnerable, disabled Americans. The Heritage plan would provide low-income families who are otherwise healthy with federal subsidies to purchase private coverage, as their fellow Americans do. Families up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) would receive the full subsidy, which would be gradually phased out for those between 133 percent and 200 percent of FPL.
This approach avoids churning by getting rid of the sharp eligibility cutoff in Medicaid today. If a familys income rose past the subsidy eligibility level, they would be able to keep the same plan and receive a tax credit to offset its cost, since the Heritage plan also provides tax credits for the purchase of health insurance for all but the wealthiest of Americans.
These reforms would put the decisions and dollars back in the hands of the consumer, decreasing dependence on government and allowing individualsnot the government, their employers, or anyone elseto decide what kind of health insurance they have.
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Davida news, events and features — racing design
Davida Helmet Best In Retro And Vintage Inspired Designs
Posted by Davida on
Author Lisa Hayek identifies the Davida helmet as one of the best in retro and vintage inspired designs. Published in July 2014 by Braun, Retro and Vintage Design is a definitive reference book of design history and a source of inspiration for trend-setters at the same time. Whether regarding food, technology, fashion or transportation, it is a celebration of nostalgia that makes […] » Read more
The post Davida Helmet Best In Retro And Vintage Inspired Designs appeared first on davida news events and features.
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"Having the chance to work with a client, see their needs and opportunities, and then experience the success of an effectively created solution on the web is something I will never tire from doing." – Jon Pederson, Founder
Pondry engages on a deeper level. We take a different approach. Everything we do starts with this truth:
Our clients are our partners;
Their success is our obsession.
Pondry aligns alongside the companies we work with, ingraining ourselves deep into their businesses, producing an ever–evolving digital strategy that delivers impressive results.
Industries We Love
- Manufacturing
- Entertainment
- Public Utilities
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Your challenges, objectives, goals, opportunities and customers become as intimate to us as they are you. Bringing over a decade of digital solutions experience to the table, we are able to form a holistic, open relationship with your organization to execute an ongoing strategy that focuses on long-term success, utilizing innovative, experiential initiatives.
There is no unified approach that we take to our clients. We have no product; No predefined course of action. Pondry is an agile, creative, results–oriented team of technology-savvy problem solvers. We strive to elevate the way our client's staff, customers and prospects interact with them.
Pondry is in the business of delivering meaningful returns that are continuously analyzed, tested, refined and improved, rapidly evolving with technology, your industry and the needs and expectations of your customers. Ideas executed into results: this is what we do.


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By the numbers: Infiniti's deluxe SUV stands 6 foot 3 and is wider even than that. It is also 17 feet 4 inches long—more than a Chevy Tahoe, less than a Suburban—and, with all-wheel drive, just a few bricks shy of three tons. It's got 22-inch wheels.
Climbing aboard takes a step up of nearly two feet, hence the running boards. Leg-, foot-, hip-, shoulder- and headroom are size XXL in the first two rows of seats, and I can wear my Resistol Stagecoach hat even in the third-row seats.
More numbers to come, but the most remarkable thing about the QX80 is its ballet-dancer agility. (A retired, slightly overweight ballet dancer, but still.) Today there are crossover SUVs that can outgun sports cars and still clamber over rocks, but among the few remaining heavy-duty, body-on-frame behemoths, the QX80 is not only the most luxurious, it also feels much the lightest and quickest.
Much of the big QX's startling ability to neutralize gravity comes from its available electronic suspension. Along with twin-tube gas shocks and stabilizer bars, there are sensors that rush hydraulic fluid from one side to the other when the vehicle begins to lean into a corner, and pump it upright. And then there's the 400-horsepower gas V-8 and the adaptive 7-speed automatic transmission and transfer case, which offer snow and tow (up to 8,500 pounds) modes and can be clicked from automatic AWD to 4 High or 4 Low 4×4 ranges.
Everything is so smooth and so power-assisted—the tailgate and even the shoulder belts have electric motors—and so responsive that just one finger on the wheel and a toe on the accelerator can make the QX80 dance. But do use both hands.
The QX80's accommodations include power-folding rear seats, three heating/cooling zones and three sets of overhead lights. One option package has a DVD theater with two screens and wireless headsets, and a Bose stereo with 15 speakers. No fireplace or spa.
The plush cabin was designed and decorated by people with good taste and a big budget, but the QX80?s most unusual features are things we can't see. These include (but are not limited to) cameras, lasers and radars that chime or beep to warn us about backing over the dog or running into the car ahead or the one alongside, or just drifting out of our lane. And then, if we ignore the warnings, they step in to help. Lane Departure Prevention and Blind Spot Warning apply the brakes on one side to tug us back into line. Intelligent Brake Assist reduces speed and can even stop the truck before a front-end collision. BCI, Backup Collision Intervention, will do the same if the driver reverses without paying attention.
If you're a cellphone-addled driver, these things could save your life (or, even better, mine). Myself, I am a fan of Infiniti's adaptive cruise control, which eases off the throttle when there's traffic ahead and smoothly speeds up again when the bottleneck clears.
Naturally, all this luxury, heft, power and baby-sitting comes at a price—several prices. The QX80 AWD starts at nearly $66,000; RWD-only costs about $3,000 less. The Technology Package, which includes the safety nannies mentioned above, adds $3,250. The Deluxe Touring Package is $4,650. All in, the sticker can top $80,000. Then there's the carbon cost, not to mention the price paid at the pump for just 14 to 20 MPG.
Despite its name, the QX80 isn't a new vehicle; this is the QX56, which has been Infiniti's top-dollar hauler since 2004. For 2014, Infiniti re-badged its entire lineup, replacing the various M, G, F, J and E designations with the letter Q. (In honor of Nissan's very first Infiniti, the 1990 Q45.) Thus the smaller EX, JX and FX sport-utes are now the QX50, QX60 and QX70, and so this one had to become the QX80—although it still has the 5.6-liter engine from which came the original QX56 name.
Got all that? If not, the main thing to remember is that the QX80 does about everything very well, especially for its size.


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An online civil engineering graduate program is a great way to move forward in your career as a civil engineer. If you need a flexible class schedule then an online civil engineering graduate school may be best for you. It's a constantly changing profession with a broad range of responsibilities. New technologies are always being developed for public works like buildings, highways, airports, dams and bridges. An online civil engineering graduate program can help improve your scientific knowledge and understanding of construction materials.
An online civil engineering graduate program means that you can make your own schedule and do your coursework when it's best for you. You can get an MS or PhD in Civil Engineering online. Or you can get an online Graduate Certificate to help you specialize in Infrastructure or Structural Engineering.
An online graduate degrees give you the chance to set your own schedule. With GradSchools.com you can filter your search by Online Master's Programs in Civil Engineering, Online PhD Programs in Civil Engineering or search for a Graduate Certificate. You can even filter by location to find a nearby college offering an online graduate degree in civil engineering.
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HMRC is warning taxpayers of a widely reported phone call scam, which threatens legal action against the recipient if they don't make a payment.
Ahead of the self-assessment tax return deadline on 31 January 2019, some taxpayers are receiving calls claiming the tax authority is taking legal action against them.
HMRC has confirmed this is a scam, and advised people receiving it to "end the call immediately".
Other common scams include the caller offering a tax refund and requesting bank or credit card information to process it.
Anyone receiving this type of call can report it by contacting firstname.lastname@example.com with details including the date it happened, the phone number used, and the content of the call.
Those who have been a victim of a scam and suffered financial loss should report it to Action Fraud.