text:
RoseStreet Labs has signed an exclusive license agreement with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) for Multi-Band Semiconductors and High Efficiency Solar Cells. This license complements and expands RoseStreet Labs' existing exclusive license for full spectrum solar cells utilizing unique multijunction technology announced April 19, 2005 with Berkeley Lab and Cornell University.
Solar cells that can capture the light from the full spectrum, that don't let any light pass through are the most efficient. The wavelength that a material can absorb is characterized by a property of the semiconductor called the band gap. By making a solar cell in layers of semiconductors, that when combined, can absorb all of the wavelengths, a very high theoretical efficiency can be obtained. In previous practice too many layers were required and finding materials with proper matching of the band gaps was difficult. In 2002 Researchers in the Materials Sciences Division (MSD) of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working with crystal-growing teams at Cornell University and Japan's Ritsumeikan University, learned that the band gap of the semiconductor indium nitride is not 2 electron volts (2 eV) as previously reported, but instead is a much lower 0.7 eV. The serendipitous discovery means that a single system of alloys incorporating indium, gallium, and nitrogen can convert virtually the full spectrum of sunlight - from the near infrared to the far ultraviolet - to electrical current. (click to enlarge image showing solar spectrum of indium gallium nitride) Solar cells made with this alloy, promise to be rugged, relatively inexpensive - and the most efficient ever created. Apparently further research in this area has led to development of solar cell materials that can be made on a practical basis, the technology that RoseStreet Labs has licensed.
RoseStreet Labs believes that these technologies can potentially achieve efficiencies above 48% in a single junction device, and encompasses a breakthrough multi-band material that may significantly reduce the complexity and manufacturing costs associated with high solar efficiencies. Both the Berkeley Lab multi-band technology and the Berkeley Lab/Cornell multijunction technologies are non-silicon based and not subject to the shortages in polycrystalline silicon materials.
These agreements support RoseStreet Labs' commercialization of full spectrum photovoltaics for terrestrial, distributed energy, military and space applications. RoseStreet Labs expects to spinout its solar operations by year end into an entity named RSL Energy. RSL Energy will commercialize the technology at its Phoenix R&D Laboratory and introduce an Intermediate Band Solar Cell product series (IBSC) with the technology. They will leverage RoseStreet Labs' Phoenix-based R&D Laboratory and its high volume semiconductor bumping foundry, FlipChip International, to produce a competitive market entry for full spectrum solar cells into the rapidly growing global renewable energy market.
Bob Forcier, President and CEO of RoseStreet Labs, said, "We are excited about the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory breakthrough in multi-band semiconductor materials and we believe it will lead to leapfrog advances in solar cell applications. By leveraging these disruptive technologies, we believe RSL Energy can provide a unique product solution for a broad range of renewable energy applications -- at a cost close to prevailing conventional silicon based cells, but with significantly higher efficiencies. This material set also has the potential to build devices on a variety of substrates allowing creative products in the architectural, wireless, automotive, rooftop/shingle, and distributed energy applications. We believe Dr. Wladeck Walukiewicz and his team at Berkeley Lab have invented a breakthrough scientific discovery that accelerates the concept of full spectrum solutions in the global photovoltaic markets."
RoseStreet Labs, LLC, is a supplier of products and services for wireless infrastructure in the life sciences, renewable energy and homeland security markets.
The above write-up was made by rewriting and combining material from the two press releases and the research announcements referenced below. More information about RoseStreet Labs, FlipChip International and Berkley Labs can be found at their websites, but they do not offer any more information about the solar technologies. In more depth discussion of band gap, solar spectrum and how they are used in solar cells can be found in the two research announcements.
This is yet another research development that offers tremendous potential to develop photovoltaic materials that can compete with conventional methods of generating electricity. A non-silicon single junction solar cell with an efficiency of 48% would be a major accomplishment. This research appears to be quite advanced and when combined with the manufacturing know-how of RoseStreet could lead to fairly rapid, a few years, introduction of the technology into the market place.
RoseStreet Labs, Phoenix, AZ, USA
FlipChip International, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Lawrence Berkley National Laboratories, Berkley, CA, USA
RoseStreet Labs Announces License Agreement With Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for Multi-Band Semiconductors and High Efficiency Solar Cells, Press Release, December 6, 2005
RoseTree Labs Announces Full Spectrum Commercialization Agreement with Cornell, Press release, April 19, 2005
Full Spectrum Photovoltaic Materials Identified, Wladek Walukiewicz, Berkley Lab
Ultra Efficient Solar Cells on the Way, Science GOGO, November 21, 2002
More blogs about solar, solar power, solar cells, energy, technology


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After wanting to kiss the hand of whom correlated strongly with whom and whose own life on the plane Wednesday, but being politely declined, who [[thn/]] kissed the hand of which of our Imam and touched it to the right of whose own 'third eye' on the forehead.
[Only now does who remember being corrected once before about kissing brother's on the hand because it might be reasonably be confused with kising the ring of the pope. But perhaps that's why who placed the hand to whose forhead the way who places whose own hand to whose own forehead when making a greeting to remind whom of whose prayers and whose sibling.}
Then today, Juma, who else, a well known friend, kissed the third eye of which or our "spare" Imam {Calipha}, without first asking permission. And that might have been reasonably misunderstood, so who {Calipha} [[thn/]] repented that by returning and going through the greeting again without the kiss on the third eye occuring that time.
Then who {Calipha} came to me and faced in the oppsite direction of qibla. {Oh, xref: 'qibla' being translated as 'kiss' by translate.google.com}
That reminded me of what who (a Pakistani brother) had taught me, and who else (Brother Calipha), regarding when who could perhaps be reasonably misunderstood – then to remind them where qibla is.
{Only now at this time of writing does who realize he correlation with whom (brother Abassy) earlier walking like to offer a hug, but perhaps reminding whom of penguins…}
In an effort to guide bother Calipha back toward qibla, who (me) said, "Qibla goes all the way around,"
That's the second time I've made the error of saying the qibla "goes all the way around," This time, a brother was kind enough to correct me with his hand by placing it at a right angle on the mosque floor ahead and to the right of the qibla I was on while I was praying to remind me qiblas merge and become tawaf.
So, who made dawa prayer while making a suna salat and repented by saying "Qiblas come from all around, but qiblas do not go all the way around,"
There is only one spot on earth where every direction you face is qibla.
In Makka, tawaf around the kaba is poof not every direction you can face is qibla in Makkah.
Qibla does not go all the way around. Qibla cannot go through the Kab'bah.
There are qibla lines any where you go on earth, but they do not go all the way around.
Sharing the y/our {whose} [[thn/]] love of God. A learning curve regression followed by self correcting, self educating, collaboratively self governing people. Making sure no one could reasonably misunderstand, or get sick, or get hurt.
PS Likewise who should have offered to trundle the food to where the brothers would be eating it after Maughreb, instead of eating first, who (Brother Abraham)
And when you said to stop putting the matress under the tree to take a nap after Asar prayer, who (Brother Abassy) [thnk/] – perhaps you were asking for a supreme court decision regarding that; xref: @icourt.
The important thing is that whose intention is not to harm, and who tries to probe whose own behavior to make sure it is for the sake of Allah
Those who may be using false short cuts, but not maliciously, should be pardoned when who has knowledge of that is placed in a position of authority which has the power of pardon.
Only Allah can forgive sin in Islam, but when a respected Imam accepts whose repentance, is that not like a pardon?
Filed under: Uncategorized, direction of qibla, forhead, google, islam, religion, third eye

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Item Number: GR-GMS2WP
In Stock - Usually Ships in 1-2 Days
This 2.3 kg weight disc made of cast iron can be mounted on all Gravity microphone stands with a round base, ensuring a particularly high level of stability.
VARI-WEIGHT? ? patented stability system for secure holding and simple transportation by means of an insertable weight disc.
The round base is not included.
Gravity LS TB 01 - Universal T-Bar for 35 mm Stands
Price: Login
Gravity MA TRAY 1 - Microphone Stand Tray 250 mm x 195 mm
Gravity MA TRAY 2 - Microphone Stand Tray, 400 mm x 130 mm
Gravity MS B 22 - 2-Point Adjustment Telescoping Boom Arm


text:
How can Saudi Arabia counter violent extremism? Religious freedom, expert says
Ryiadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct 26, 2017 / 05:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has suggested a turn towards moderate Islam, especially among younger Saudis who want to "destroy" extremist thoughts, but one expert suggests religious freedom is the best path for Saudi Arabia. "As a … Continue reading


text:
You know the type. They somehow know you're in love with them and so they string you along; calling out of the blue after it's been almost long enough for you to start to get over them, saying things like, "I feel like you really get me", taking you out on those weird "maybe it's not a date because he made me buy my own ticket and popcorn, but then maybe it is because he put his arm around me" kind of dates. Generally, they treat you like shit but at the same time make up for it just enough to keep you hanging around; thinking it will get better.
AT&T is the same. They often have shitty service (as evidenced by the fact that I'm lucky to get reception while sitting in my house), but then they have things like the iPhone that draws you back into their clutches. They also have shitty rate plans where I overpay for things I don't use or need.
So now that Verizon is getting the iPhone, I'm considering leaving AT&T when my contract expires this year. Only, I had Verizon once before and they weren't any better as I recall. You could go anywhere in Mississippi and the phone just wouldn't work. And believe me, if there's ANYWHERE you don't want to be without a working phone – it's Mississippi.
So while I've been a "loyal customer" of AT&T since 2004, I just feel like they've definitely gotten more out of this relationship than I have. And that goes a long way towards wanting to tell someone to suck it just because you can.
Anyone have similar plans?


text:
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text:
Rapidly Deploy Applications in Cross-Domain Environments
Organizations face difficult challenges when operating computer systems in multiple security domains. Among the most problematic is adding new applications that must communicate across domain boundaries.
Download this white paper to explore:
- How to safely transfer information between security domains;
- How to add value to high-assurance guards;
- Optimizing the flow through the gateway.


text:
Apply Aadhar Card For Student
How will children be captured in the database? This is the big question in our mind because a child will develop and they develop completely at least 5 years.
Every citizen of India can avail an Aadhar card, irrespective of age or sex; you can also avail the aadhaar card for children also. it is not mandatory for kids to avail an Aadhaar, but there's no harm in enrolling them for it. It could just make their life easier in the coming years.
For children below 5 years, no biometrics will be captured. Their UID be processed on the basis of demographic information and facial photograph linked with the UID of their parents. Children biometrics details like fingers and iris and facial photograph will be captured, when they turn 5. Their biometrics will be updated once they turn 15. Intimation to this effect will be mentioned in the original Aadhaar letter.
Make sure when the child turns 15 years ago, his/her final biometric data will be taken once again (for the last time) and linked to the AADHAAR card. For kids, proof of Date of a Birth document is necessary. Either parent, who has applied for AADHAAR card, can introduce their children for AADHAAR card. For that, the introducing parent's Proof of Identity and Proof of Address document will need to be submitted for the kid's AADHAAR card.
Documents Required For Aadhar Card For Child
Here are the few documents that are required in order to apply for aadhaar card for children:-
- Birth Certificate of the applicant (child)
- Aadhaar card details of the child's parents
- Address proof of the child's parents
- Identity proof of the child's parents
Take your documents visit at your nearest aadhaar enrolment center and enroll for new aadhaar card for your child.


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Mining sector welcomes Canada's shift to 'dollar diplomacy'
The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) expressed its support to Canada's plans to use more of its diplomatic resources to pursue commercial aims in key markets such as China and India, as the country tries to grow business abroad.
Trade Minister, Ed Fast, said Wednesday that Canada is ready to implement "economic diplomacy" as the driving force in its foreign-service network. In other words, the main focus of Canada's diplomats will now be trade.
To achieve this goal, Ottawa is redirecting diplomatic budgets and staff from small developing countries in regions such as Africa, to countries with more potential for exports such as China (see map).
The plan represents a "sea change in the way Canada's diplomatic assets are deployed around the world," Fast said in a press release.
MAC's President and CEO Pierre Gratton, said the industry only not welcomes the new trade strategy, but considers it "critical" to compete against other countries for "highly-coveted mining investment." He added the Global Markets Action Plan will help give Canadian miners an edge in accessing capital and mineral resources globally.
Elements that will help strengthen Canadian mining abroad, according to the MAC:
- Reconfirming the Government of Canada's focus on completing trade agreements with priority markets, including Free Trade Agreements and Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements.
- Enhancing the Trade Commissioner Network's reach to further support Canadian business abroad.
- Establishing a new Extractive Sector Strategy that complements Canada's CSR strategy, Building the Canadian Advantage: A CSR Strategy for the Canadian International Extractive Sector.
- Creating an Advisory Board for Natural Resources to provide strategic insight, advice and real-world perspectives on how Canadian business can stay competitive globally.
By 2018, the plan states, the government is looking to grow Canada's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) presence in emerging markets from 29% to 50%, getting 10,000 extra companies active in those markets in the process.
Canada's Conservative government has previously showed prove of its interest in tying foreign policy and trade, as earlier this year it eliminated the Canadian International Development Agency, merging its functions into a new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.
Ottawa has also said it would integrate commercial and foreign policy considerations with international development efforts, which have usually focused more exclusively on poverty reduction.
Cover image by I. Pilon


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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I see all sort of programmers blogs out there where much talk is about outdoors. To me it's a bit of a cliche'.. where the nerds are pretending to be outgoing people.. able to enjoy sunlight, grass, mountains.. and all that crap that we know it's pointless 8)
Growing up living in a city (Rome) was difficult to get much green. Many of my class mates had their grandparents house out there in the countryside. Sometimes I would go, and it was fun indeed.
Childen also believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and religions 8)
Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to be too much of a machine in a human body. Going out is also important to get the brain going.. no matter what, we are analogic. One example is what one has to do to remember random numbers and letters: associate physical objects to numbers and letters and make up a story to put them in a sequence. Very inefficient.. but that's how we are !
External stimulus is also needed to bring creativity.. those random seed to get the brain branching all over for solutions.
Still, I can't stand those "I'm a computer geek but I looove nature". Can't you just be dark and gloomy ? Can't you instead be obsesses with some code, some problem, something ?
Didn't it all start with spending nights in front of a CRT monitor with a back deep enough to stick the head inside ? What's suddenly this "back to nature" bullshit ? What about junk food, lack of sleep ? Where is that driving force that keeps programmers/hackers bolted to a chair ?
Suddenly being a programmer is hip.. something compatible with a normal life.
I must admit that I often go out clubbing.. but that's a quick deal, closer to the vampire-programmer lifestyle.
I'm also very sensitive to female beauty.. but I learned to leverage things in that area: being a good date requires too much time wasted training as a social animal.. however women are ultimately intrested in success or at least in busy-looking, potentially succesful men. So, I sell myself as the hard working computer person that needs to stay home to work/study (important to sell it as "study", no need to explain hacking, etc.), and I avoid as much as possible having to go out for dinners, shopping, weekend-burning trips to some stupid place with some monument that I honestly don't give a crap about (fack those artifacts form the past, really, enough of them !!).
In the end, people are all similar to some degree and I can't really make an argument for being an indoor person or an outdoor one, but more about how much more likely one wishes to be indoor or outdoor.. like quantum mechanics, where things aren't black or white 8)
In that case my tendency is indoor.. if anything because I feel that the world outside, the physical things, are distractions that keep people busy with their senses and away from deeper thinking, introspection, productivity from an analytical point of view.
16 comments:
Gives a blank page ? (^^;)ReplyDelete
Strange... works for meReplyDelete
For once something that works for you but not for me 8)ReplyDelete
The source is visible.. with some JavaScript inside.. but the page appears blank in Chrome, Firefox 3.51 or IE 8.
I see some interesting comment in the source that says "<!-- International - not allowed -->"
Must be because of that, mr International!ReplyDelete
Anyway its an episode from Spongebob Squarepants called 'I had an accident'. If you really want to go to the effort of watching it, then there are some torrents of it available here:
same here, blank pageReplyDelete
I'll check it out.. you have all sort of online tv shows over there.. but "rights" don't apply outside 8( ..another anti-Internet trend !!ReplyDelete
There's no need to go outside anymore... :)ReplyDelete
- Ragin' LionThursday, July 23, 2009
Oh, I can't resist! 8PReplyDelete
I'm also very sensitive to female beauty..
This sounds very unprogrammer-like! How can you find time to be sensitive with all the programming problems and potential solutions out there?! To live is to code ... code is to live! 8P Just kidding about all this of course ...
Maybe I fall into the "odd" programmer category in that I do prefer nature and the outdoors (and would prefer to live in the country-side). It's far easier for me to concentrate and "get lost" in my work in this way. I suppose it's something that's all in the mind.
You insensitive American citizens !
Tech demos are only barely more interactive than movies 8)
Surely beats being sensitive to male beauty 8)
You are not odd.. it's the norm now to be healthy and enjoy nature..
I dont enjoy nature, but I enjoy some outdoor exercise. 'Outdoor' being the city I live in.ReplyDelete
"trips to some stupid place with some monument that I honestly don't give a crap about" ahahahah! amazing.ReplyDelete
you know, if you stay indoor playing the piano for hours, you're a genius. if you're playing a computer keyboard, you're a nerd. however, there are coders who say the *prefer* outdoors to developing: most of them are lamers, and I give thanks and praises to the Lord they don't spend all of their time producing bad code. there are coders who say they *like* outdoors and this is normal indeed. I remember the first time I cracked an Amiga intro and put my nick on top of it: I can't think about a similar good vibration, and it was 20 years ago. then I went out to play soccer.
Exercise is important.. I should start using again the gym I pay for ! Just running is good.. and supposedly increases blow flow to the brain, etc etc 8)
I agree about making a difference between those that can enjoy outdoor and those that would rather be outdoor.
There is no well defined threshold.. depends on a person's mood, etc.. but as a tendency, I think it's important to recognize the value of the time spent indoor in front of a computer monitor.. because it's not just being in front of a monitor, it's being in front of the ultimate tool for creativity !
I know the feeling about going out after a long sought achievement.. that's a need for some balance out there 8)
- Ragin' LionFriday, July 24, 2009
Kaz! Where's our grafix articl3z?!?! It seems that you've been spending too much time outdoors!!! 8PReplyDelete
I was up until 5 am for this update -> http://code.google.com/p/ribtools/source/detail?spec=svn190&r=190 ..compiler starting to produce usable code ! ..will write on it more later 8)ReplyDelete


text:
Garelli GP
The bike was in practice Minarelli 125 bicampione World category in 1979 and
1981 with Angel Nieto (only changes the color of a mechanical anti-dive on both
wheels and disc brakes of smaller diameter) following the death
Vittorio Minarelli, founder of the Bolognese, it was decided to give in to
Garelli (with which Minarelli had struck up an agreement for the supply of
engines for an eighth of a liter road) around the racing department, transferred
from Bologna to Sesto San Giovanni.
The Garelli GP debuted at the Grand Prix of Argentina in 1982,
the first race of the season, winning by Nieto.
At the end of the season the Spaniard was again World Champion, while his
teammate Eugenio Lazzarini was second.
The bike remained unchanged even during 1983 and 1984, allowing Nieto to win two
more world titles.
On the occasion of the Austrian GP 1983 made their debut a series of aerodynamic
upgrades studied in the wind tunnel center experience Orbassano FIAT.
For the '85 season, the bike was modified: the monocoque chassis was made of
aluminum instead of steel, changed the angle of the steering head (from 27.5 °
to 26 ° for improved handling), was fitted with a damper
steering and changed the supplier of suspension (until 1984 Marzocchi Fork Italy
after the front and White Power for the two rear shock absorbers).
Another fundamental change was, again in 1985, the change in the management
team, now in the hands of the IMF (Team Italy who had Lazzarini as sports
director and Fausto Gresini and Ezio Gianola as pilots): The motion is now
recognized for the new livery
white stripe tricolor of green-white-red (instead of red and black as in 1982).
Under the new management continued the winning streak Garelli,
with three titles until 1987 (two titles for Gresini and one for Luca Cadalora).


text:
Denver Soprano Ukulele - Orange
Departments > Guitars > Ukuleles > Soprano Ukuleles > Denver > Soprano Ukulele - Orange
Model: #
Your Price: $46.99 CDN
11 models to choose from:
Limited stock available in select stores only
Denver ukuleles are designed for maximum playability. Together with their compact size, quality wood tops, sides, backs, and Australian Blackwood fingerboards, the Denver ukuleles deliver true tone and proper intonation. Custom gigbag included too!
CCBot/2.0 (https://commoncrawl.org/faq/)
great starter uke, great value3 of 3 customers found this review helpful
Product ExperienceI own it
Closest StorePort Coquitlam, British Columbia
I'm a beginner - just started playing two months ago and I love this uke. It's low cost ($50 after taxes for me) and after some growing pains (natural for starting any new endeavour) I really love playing it. Features:The bag that comes with it is very handy for travelling or just putting it away. My friend who plays guitars told me the tuning pegs are good quality, better than he'd expected for a low end beginner uke. And when I compared it with his beginner uke, this one had additional supports on the inside plus it seemed to hold the tonality up and down the strings much better. Overall very satisfied customer here.
Posted by J'Uke Box on Jul 3, 2017


text: Home Restaurant (2100 Market at Church) is known for two things: extreme comfort food and hearty cocktails -- essentials for surviving any family gathering. This year, don't feel you have to click your shoes and chant, Dorothy-style, to keep the chill holiday vibe going. Kids can eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal for $20, and non-kids for $40 ($55 with wine pairings). Dig in to classics like honey-glazed ham, turkey, and all the fixin's. A veggie menu is also available.


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Diablo III Eternal Collection, what Blizzard calls its "definitive" version of the role-playing game, is coming to the Nintendo Switch on November 2, 2018. Hello, my friend.
Today, Diablo 3 added a Necromancer class to its morbid ranks. It's a blast—and literally. "Corpse Explosion," a callback to Diablo 2, does exactly what it says. When a Necromancer explodes some corpses to kill a monster, and then explodes that monster's corpse to kill worms it hosts, you know you're playing Diablo.
The Necromancer class comes to Diablo III on June 27. The Rise of the Necromancer DLC pack will be available for $14.99 on PC and consoles. A Diablo III: Eternal Collection will also be available on Xbox One and PS4, bundling the original game and the Necro update for $39.99.
Former Diablo III game director Jay Wilson has left Blizzard to pursue a career in writing, the developer announced on Twitter. You may remember him as the person who privately talked smack about the creator of Diablo.


text:
Don't Have an Account? Sign Up to Save Favorite Listings, Save Searches & More...
UPDATED and beautifully kept family home with 2870 sq ft of living space and a FANTASTIC LOCATION only minutes to highly-ranked Battalion Park School and Westhills / Signal Hills Shopping. Bright and welcoming, you'll be impressed with the newly refinished HARDWOOD floors and NEW PAINT throughout. UPDATED and spacious kitchen features rich full-height cabinets, GRANITE counters, SS appliances and large island with eating bar. Sunny dining nook with patio doors lead out to the HUGE COMPOSITE DECK where you can enjoy summer BBQing. Relax in the family room with gas fireplace. Large dining area means there is room for everyone! Main fl FLEX ROOM can be used as an office, hobby room etc. Convenient main fl laundry and 2 pc powder room. Upstairs spend time in the large BONUS ROOM with lots of NATURAL LIGHT. Enjoy your MASTER RETREAT with walk-in closet & 4 pc ensuite. 2 additional bedrooms & 4 pc bathroom. Developed lower level features a HUGE REC ROOM and 2 pc bathroom. New roof (2012). Link to VIDEO TOUR!
CREB® Data Ownership and Disclaimer Statement Data supplied by CREB®'s MLS® System. CREB® is the owner of the copyright in its MLS® System. The listing data displayed is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by CREB®.
The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.
Listing information last updated on July 7th, 2020 at 2:15am MDT.


text:
Three people, two women and a man, from the Island of Lesbos told a court this week that gay women insult their home's identity by calling themselves lesbians. In a lawsuit, they are seeking to ban a Greek gay rights group from using the word "lesbian" in its name. Ironically, the island of Lesbos, also known as Mytilini, was the home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love among women, and thus a major travel destination for gay women.
The lawusit proports that the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece "causes confusion by using a geographic term in connection with (the group's) special character and social action," said Dimitris Papadelis, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs from the island.
Plaintiff Dimitris Lambrou insisted the lawsuit "is not an aggressive act against gay women."
The court is expected to issue its decision in the next six months.


text:
Unlike the others
those huddled in the boat
afraid, frozen by the winds
the waves, crashing on the sides
fearing for their lives.
Peter went when the Master called him
walking on the water toward his brother
but fear grabbed him
when the winds would wail,
crying for the Master's hand.
Trying to be faithful, certain,
to heed the Shepherd's voice calling,
A prelude for his work, his mission,
once the Spirit descended on Pentecost
once the Spirit fell upon him in grace.
Leaving the nets by the shore
following the Savior's leading;
Leaving the boat for the water's skin
his faith enough to stand
upon the living water.
We are called to follow in Peter footsteps
the Rock upon the waves;
We are called to go, to stand
to serve our fellow man
in the ways revealed by God.
Each of us has a part
in the Master's plan
a gift to do the work;
We are to follow our Savior's way
to pick up our cross and walk.
edited October 24, 2015
Walking on Water – v4
(editing version 2)
edited January 31, 2015
Walking on Water – v3
edited July 24, 2014
Walking on Water – v2
October 25, 2009
Walking on Water
Matthew 16:13-19
& Matthew 14:22-33
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Ephesians 3:14-20
Worship Theme: "This is not a spectator sport!"
& sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.


text:
Mr. T has no pity for Nazis
Mr. T and Will Wright beat Nazis down with gold chains in Zootfly's latest project.
Mr. T and Will Wright beat Nazis down with gold chains in Zootfly's latest project.
Riddick returns with plenty of knuckled fury in Assault on Dark Athena
G.I. Joe Resolute takes a harder edge with the cartoon series in ten webisodes. Forget parachutes and miraculous misses here. That's kid stuff.
Red Faction: Guerilla comes out with a demo that most definitely does NOT suck
Fallout 3's newest DLC, Broken Steel, is coming out May 5th but here are a few new pics to irradiate your imagination with.
Fallout: New Vegas is coming…in 2010.
tri-Ace (Valkyrie Profile, Star Ocean series) are working on a new game that looks part steampunk, part future dystopia. Excited? You betcha!
Star Ocean 4 – The Last Hope for the Xbox 360 is the latest chapter in the ongoing Star Ocean franchise. It's also has the most disappointing story out of the entire series.
Assassin's Creed 2 teases another Game Informer exclusive. Even if you don't like the magazine, the fact that it's going to have info on the sequel should be exciting enough for fans.
Valkyria Chronicles' anime series has started!


text:
Privacy Notice
Please read the following information carefully. This privacy notice contains information about the information collected, stored and otherwise processed about you and the reasons for the processing. It also tells you who Foundry Chambers shares this information with, the security mechanisms Foundry Chambers has put in place to protect your information and how to contact Foundry Chambers in the event you need further information.
Who Am I?
Foundry Chambers Advocacy Services Ltd – ("Foundry Chambers") collects, uses and is responsible for personal information about you. When Foundry Chambers does this it is the 'controller' of this information for the purposes of the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you need to contact Foundry Chambers about your information or the processing carried out you can use the contact details at the end of this document.
What does Foundry Chambers do with your information?
Information collected:
Foundry Chambers collects some or all of the following personal information that you provide:
- personal details
- family details
- lifestyle and social circumstances
- goods and services
- financial details
- education, training and employment details
- physical or mental health details
- racial or ethnic origin
- political opinions
- religious, philosophical or other beliefs
- trade union membership
- sex preferences
- criminal proceedings, outcomes and sentences, or related security measures
- other personal information relevant to instructions to provide legal services, including information specific to the instructions in question.
Information collected from other sources:
The same categories of information may also be obtained from third parties, such as members of Foundry Chambers, experts, members of the public, your family and friends, witnesses, courts and other tribunals, suppliers of goods and services, investigators, government departments, regulators, public records and registers and instructing organisations including solicitor firms.
How Foundry Chambers uses your personal information i.e. Purposes:
Foundry Chambers may use your personal information for the following purposes:
- to promote and market the services of the Barristers
- to train barristers
- to recruit staff and pupils
- to assess applications for tenancy, pupillage, mini-pupillage and work-shadowing opportunities
- to fulfil equality and diversity and other regulatory requirements,
- to procure goods and services
- to manage matters relating to employment, including payroll and pensions
- to respond to requests for references
- to provide advocacy and related services according to received instructions
- to publish legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals
- to respond to potential complaints or make complaints
- to carry out anti-money laundering and terrorist financing checks
- as otherwise required or permitted by law.
Marketing and promotion
In relation to personal information collected for marketing purposes, the personal information consists of:
- names, job titles, contact details, and name of organisation
- the nature of your interest in Foundry Chambers' marketing
- your attendance at Foundry Chambers events
This will be processed so that you can be provided with information about Foundry Chambers and to invite you to events.
You may contact Foundry Chambers using the contact details at the end of this document if you no longer wish to receive such invitations or information.
Whether information has to be provided by you, and why:
If you apply to Foundry Chambers for a position or are seeking a reference or are a member of staff your personal information has to be provided to Foundry Chambers, so that your application/reference can be properly assessed, your employment records, pay and pensions can be administered and to enable Foundry Chambers to comply with its regulatory obligations, and to keep accounting records.
If you are offering or providing Foundry Chambers with goods or services your information may be processed in relation to such offers or contracts.
The legal basis for processing your personal information:
Foundry Chambers relies on the following as the lawful bases to collect and use your personal information:
- If you have consented to the processing of your personal information, then Foundry Chambers may process your information for the Purposes set out above to the extent to which you have consented to Foundry Chambers doing so.
- In relation to information in categories (g) to (n) above (these being categories which are considered to include particularly sensitive information and which include information about criminal convictions or proceedings), Foundry Chambers is entitled by law to process the information where the processing is necessary for legal proceedings, legal advice, or otherwise for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal rights.
- In relation to information which is not in categories (g) to (n) above, Foundry Chambers relies on its legitimate interests and/or the legitimate interests of a third party in carrying out the processing for the Purposes set out above.
- In relation to information which is in categories (g) to (n) above (these being categories which include particularly sensitive information and which include information about criminal convictions or proceedings), Foundry Chambers relies on your consent for any processing for the purposes set out in purposes (i), (ii), (vi) and (viii) above. However, if you do not consent to processing for the purpose of providing a reference Foundry Chambers will be unable to take or provide a reference. This is because Foundry Chambers needs to be able to retain all information about you to provide an informed and complete reference.
- The processing is necessary for the purposes of performing or exercising obligations or rights which are imposed or conferred by law on Foundry Chambers or you in connection with employment, social security or social protection.
- The processing is necessary for the assessment of your working capacity or health or social care purposes.
- The processing of information in categories (g), (h), (j) and (l), is necessary for the purposes of identifying or keeping under review the existence or absence of equality of opportunity or treatment between members of staff, tenants, pupils and mini-pupils with a view to enabling such equality to be promoted or maintained.
- The processing is necessary to prevent or detect unlawful acts where it is in the substantial public interest and it must be carried out without consent so as not to prejudice those purposes.
- In certain circumstances processing may be necessary in order that Foundry Chambers can comply with a legal obligation to which it is subject (including carrying out anti-money laundering or terrorist financing checks).
Who will Foundry Chambers share your personal information with?
It may be necessary to share your information with the following:
- information processors, such as IT support staff, email providers, information storage providers
- in the event of complaints, the Head of Foundry Chambers and members of Foundry Chambers who deal with complaints, the Bar Standards Board and the Legal Ombudsman
- other regulatory authorities
- current, past or prospective employers or employees
- in the case of recruitment of barristers to or from other Foundry Chambers, your current, past and prospective Foundry Chambers
- education and examining bodies
- legal professionals
- experts and other witnesses
- prosecution authorities
- courts and tribunals
- Foundry Chambers' staff
- trainee barristers
- lay and professional clients of Members of Foundry Chambers
- family and associates of the person whose personal information Foundry Chambers is processing
- current, past or prospective employers
- education and examining bodies
- business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies, e.g. the Bar Council
- the intended recipient, where you have asked Foundry Chambers to provide a reference
- the general public in relation to the publication of legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals
Foundry Chambers may be required to provide your information to regulators, such as the Bar Standards Board, the Financial Conduct Authority or the Information Commissioner's Office. In the case of the Information Commissioner's Office, there is a risk that your information may lawfully be disclosed by them for the purpose of any other civil or criminal proceedings, without Foundry Chambers' consent or your consent, which includes privileged information.
Foundry Chambers may also be required to disclose your information to the police or intelligence services, where required or permitted by law.
Sources of information:
The personal information Foundry Chambers obtains may include information obtained from:
- legal professionals
- experts and other witnesses
- prosecution authorities
- courts and tribunals
- barristers and pupils
- lay and professional clients of members of Foundry Chambers
- family and associates of the person whose personal information Foundry Chambers is processing
- in the event of complaints, the Head of Foundry Chambers, other members of Foundry Chambers who deal with complaints, the Bar Standards Board, and the Legal Ombudsman
- other regulatory authorities
- current, past or prospective employers
- education and examining bodies
- business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies, e.g. the Bar Council
- the intended recipient, where you have asked Foundry Chambers to provide a reference.
- the general public in relation to the publication of legal judgments and decisions of courts and tribunals
- data processors, such as IT support staff, email providers, data storage providers
- public sources, such as the press, public registers and law reports.
Transfer of your information outside the European Economic Area (EEA):
This privacy notice is of general application and as such it is not possible to state whether it will be necessary to transfer your information out of the EEA in any particular case or for a reference. However, if you reside outside the EEA or your case or the role for which you require a reference involves persons or organisations or courts and tribunals outside the EEA then it may be necessary to transfer some of your information to that country outside of the EEA for that purpose. If you are in a country outside the EEA or if the instructions you provide come from outside the EEA then it is inevitable that information will be transferred to those countries. If this applies to you and you wish additional precautions to be taken in respect of your information please indicate this when providing initial instructions.
Some countries and organisations outside the EEA have been assessed by the European Commission and their information protection laws and procedures found to show adequate protection. The list can be found here. Most do not. If your information has to be transferred outside the EEA, then it may not have the same protections and you may not have the same rights as you would within the EEA.
Foundry Chambers may transfer your personal information to the following which are located outside the European Economic Area (EEA):
- Cloud information storage services based in the USA who have agreed to comply with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, in order to enable me to store your information and/or backup copies of your information so that Foundry Chambers may access your information when they need to. The USA does not have the same information protection laws as the EU but the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield has been recognised by the European Commission as providing adequate protection. To obtain further details of that protection see
- Cloud information storage services based in Switzerland, in order to enable us to store your information and/or backup copies of your information so that Foundry Chambers may access your information when it needs to. Switzerland does not have the same information protection laws as the EU but has been recognised by the European Commission as providing adequate protection; see
If Foundry Chambers decides to publish a judgment or other decision of a Court or Tribunal containing your information then may be published to the world.
Foundry Chambers will not otherwise transfer personal information outside the EEA except as necessary for the conduct of any legal proceedings.
If you would like any further information please use the contact details at the end of this document.
How long will Foundry Chambers store your personal information?
Foundry Chambers will normally store all your information:
- until at least 1 year after the expiry of any relevant limitation period, from for example the date on which your employment terminates, the date of the last provision of service or goods, the date of the last payment made or received or the date on which all outstanding payments are written off, whichever is the latest. This is because it may be needed for potential legal proceedings. At this point any further retention will be reviewed and the information will be marked for deletion or marked for retention for a further period. The latter retention period is likely to occur only where the information is needed for legal proceedings, regulatory matters or active complaints. Deletion will be carried out as soon as reasonably practicable after the information is marked for deletion.
- Equality and diversity data may be retained for 72 months in pseudonymised form for the purpose of research and statistics and complying with regulatory obligations in relation to the reporting of equality and diversity data.
- Names and contact details held for marketing purposes will be stored for 6 years or until Foundry Chambers becomes aware or is informed that the individual has ceased to be a potential client.
- Personal information held for recruitment purposes or in relation to pupillage or mini-pupillage will be stored for 6 years to allow processing of those opportunities.
As explained above, Foundry Chambers is relying on your explicit consent to process your information in categories (g) to (n) above. You provided this consent when you applied to become a member of staff, tenant, pupil or mini-pupil or you asked Foundry Chambers to provide a reference.
You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time, but this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing activity carried out prior to you withdrawing your consent. However, where Foundry Chambers also relies on other bases for processing your information, you may not be able to prevent processing of your information.
If there is an issue with the processing of your information, please contact Foundry Chambers using the contact details below.
Your Rights:
Under the GDPR, you have a number of rights that you can exercise in certain circumstances. These are free of charge. In summary, you may have the right to:
- Ask for access to your personal information and other supplementary information;
- Ask for correction of mistakes in your information or to complete missing information Foundry Chambers holds on you;
- Ask for your personal information to be erased, in certain circumstances;
- Receive a copy of the personal information you have provided to us or have this information sent to a third party. This will be provided to you or the third party in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format, e.g. a Word file;
- Object at any time to processing of your personal information for direct marketing;
- Object in certain other situations to the continued processing of your personal information;
- Restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances;
- Request not to be the subject to automated decision-making which produces legal effects that concern you or affects you in a significant way.
If you want more information about your rights under the GDPR please see the Guidance from the Information Commissioners Office on Individual's rights under the GDPR.
If you want to exercise any of these rights, please:
- Use the contact details at the end of this document;
- Foundry Chambers may need to ask you to provide other information so that you can be identified;
- Please provide a contact address so that you can be contacted to request further information to verify your identity;
- Provide proof of your identity and address;
- State the right or rights that you wish to exercise.
Foundry Chambers will respond to you within one month from when it receives your request.
Marketing Emails:
Please note if you wish to unsubscribe from any marketing emails that you have signed up for, you can do so by following the instructions here //www.foundrychambers.com/stay-in-touch/. It may take 21 days for this to become effective.
How to make a complaint?
The GDPR also gives you the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioners' Office if you are in the UK, or with the supervisory authority of the Member State where you work, normally live or where the alleged infringement of information protection laws occurred.
The Information Commissioner's Office can be contacted at http://ico.org.uk/concerns/.
Automated Decision-Making
You have the right to object to the use of your personal information for automated decision making, please see 'your rights'.
Future Processing:
Foundry Chambers does not intend to process your personal information except for the reasons stated within this privacy notice. If this changes, this privacy notice will be amended and placed on the Foundry Chambers' website at
Changes to this privacy notice:
This privacy notice was published August 2018 and last updated on August 2018.
Foundry Chambers continually reviews its privacy practices and may change this policy from time to time. When it does an amended privacy notice will be placed on the Foundry Chambers' website.
Contact Details:
If you have any questions about this privacy notice or the information Foundry Chambers holds about you, please contact Foundry Chambers using the contact details below.
The best way to contact Foundry Chambers is to write to James Durston, Finance and Administration Manager or by email at


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You are here
Optimam mammography image database and viewing software
- An extensive mammography image database of over 80,000 unprocessed and processed digital images extracted from the National Breast Screening System (NBSS)
- Expert-determined ground truths and associated data linked to the images
- Ability to access the database remotely via a web portal
- MedXViewer software enables paperless remote observer studies using medical images
The Optimam Mammography Image Database (OMI-DB) has been created to support research involving medical imaging with the aim of optimising the use of existing and adoption of new X-ray imaging technologies, including digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), for detecting breast cancers and improving early detection in the NHS Screening Programme. Research into digital medical imaging requires large-scale collection and anonymisation of images and data. This demand has led to the formation of a centralised flexible image repository which prospectively collects images and associated data from multiple sites throughout the UK, securely. Collection, annotation and storage of the images is almost fully automated and is very adaptable allowing for quick and easy expansion to disparate imaging sites.
Images from the extensive database and associated software are available for licensing. Cancer Research UK is also seeking collaborative partners interested in using and helping to develop the available tools.
This very valuable database of mammograms contains both processed and unprocessed medical images, typically for women who have had a screen detected breast cancer and contain two views of each breast (medio-lateral oblique and cranio-caudal). The images are annotated with the location and appearance of the cancers, and where applicable, expert determined ground truths describing features of interest are added. Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of the images and their classifications currently present in the database. The size of the database will continue to grow according to predictions in Figure 2 (overleaf), with images being collected from three main sites.
Tools have been developed to:
- identify patient cases of interest from the National Breast Screening System (NBSS)
- anonymise collected images
- automatically retrieve corresponding images from the site's PACS together with any associated radiological, clinical and pathological data from local databases that may be of interest
- allow remote expert radiologists to annotate the images with interesting clinical features and provide descriptors of these features.
MedXViewer (Medical Extensible Viewer) is a separate bespoke application designed to allow workstation independent, PACS-less viewing and interaction with mammography images. Regions of interest can be identified by a user and any associated information about a mark, an image or a study can be added. The flexible software design allows the application to be easily extended to support other imaging modalities.
The inclusion of unprocessed images enables a multitude of potential research applications and is essential for studies on for example, different systems, radiation doses, beam qualities, image processing and computer aided detection on clinical performance.
The database can be accessed by a web portal and to date has mainly been used to run remote observer studies in which observers at remote sites inspect selected images, and locate and rate regions they suspect to be cancer with likelihood of malignancy. Such studies can be used to measure the performance of radiologists, provide a training infrastructure for radiologists, as well as optimise design, choice and use of new technology in cancer screening.
The availability of associated data and expertly determined ground truths facilitates other research applications such as radiomics where large amounts of quantitative features from non-invasive medical images can provide information about tumour phenotype. This has the potential to help guide and monitor response to therapy.
More information is available here.


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Stonefields School - Te Kura o Ngā Pāraepōhatu
Welcome Back!!
Stonefields School Learner Information for 2020
Click here
Please have your child's 2020 Hub number and year level ready for any stationery orders as this will be a required field. For learners entering Year 1 and 2, book bags are also required and we do sell these at the office for $5 cash.
Click here
School hats are compulsory in Term 1 and Term 4.
Devices (Chromebook - Year 5-8 only)
Click here
iPad (Year 3-4)
The School will continue to fund 1:1 iPads and ask that parents contribute $50 towards their child's iPad use for 2020. This will be added to student accounts at the start of the 2020 school year.
Embracing and Realising Future Learning Opportunities
The School is forward thinking in its philosophy of learning, purposeful in selecting the right staff and creatively utilises open modern learning environments to ensure learning is social, open, engaging and real.
Learning is our Core Business
We have a supportive and active community who fully involve themselves in School life. The staff are open, fun and willing to do what ever it takes to ensure that each learner is stretched and experiences fulfillment in learning.
If you would like to view the School or talk to a member of the team please contact our wonderful office team.
We look forward to working with you as Stonefields School continues to evolve as a dynamic learning establishment.
Through the eyes of another
Kristin Anderson, Senior Director of Professional Learning, Corwin, USA
"You have set a new standard for innovative, dedicated, collaborative School design and leadership"
Michael Deaker, Radio Presenter, Consultant for Ministry of Education
09 527 7721
firstname.lastname@example.com - General enquiries and parent visits
firstname.lastname@example.com - Education Tours and group visits linked to The Collaborative (See below)
81 Tihi Street
Auckland 1072
New Zealand
Term Dates
Term Dates 2020
Term 1: 4 February - 9 April
Term 2: 15 April - 3 July
Term 3: 20 July - 25 September
Term 4: 12 October - 15 December
Public Holidays 2020:
New Year's Day: 1 January
Day after New Year's Day: 2 January
Auckland Anniversary: 27 January (during school holidays)
Waitangi Day: 6 February
Good Friday: 10 April (during school holidays)
Easter Monday: 13 April (during school holidays)
ANZAC Day: 27 April
Queen's Birthday: 1 June
Labour Day: 26 October


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The following Pops In Seoul Episode 3177 Eng Sub has been released. Kshow123 will always be the first to have the episode so please Bookmark us for update.
Watch other episodes of Pops In Seoul Series at Kshow123.
Watch other episodes of Pops In Seoul Series at Kshow123.
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50. Announcer
GAME: Mortal Kombat series
"OUTSTANDING!" "FINSH HIM!" "FATALITY!" SHUT UP! We took great pleasure in uppercutting fools and slicing cats in half in the Kombat arena, and the only thing that ruined that experience for us was the background announcer who commented on everything you did. That deep-ass voice haunted our dreams, whether clowning us for picking the easiest tower to climb in Arcade mode or just giving us orders every chance he got. We'll finish off our opponent when we feel like it, thank you very much. We do love that "TOSATY" guy, though.
Also Watch


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Posts Tagged 'Madisonville'
the morning cram [get out!! edition]
Occupy LA is no more after police attacked in the night and arrested around 200.
NPR reports around 1400 LA Police officers raided the Occupy LA camp last night, arresting 200 in an overwhelming show of force.
Kentucky~ Ballard County names interim superintendent. Former KCTC Prez gets a settlement. We're reaching out to farmers in Benton. KSP wants your food in their car.
Illinois~ A pension bill is on Gov Quinn's desk.
Datebook: September 6 – McKinley Fatally Shot 110 Years Ago
The assassination of President William McKinley occurred on September 6, 1901, during a meet and greet at the Temple of Music on the grounds of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He was shot twice by anarchist Leon Czolgosz. Initially, he appeared to be recovering from his wounds, but died on September 14, 1901, and was succeeded by Vice President Theodore Roosevelt. After McKinley's murder, Congress passed legislation to officially charge the Secret Service with the responsibility of providing physical protection for U.S. presidents.
It's Tuesday, September 6
Glema Mahr Center for the Arts commemorates the 10th anniversary of the events which occurred on September 11, 2001 with a combined community choir and orchestra program at 6 p.m. Sunday. Special guests are composer and soloist Dr. Mike Harland and soloist Teresa Harland. The Glema Mahr Center is on the campus of Madisonville Community College.
The Paris Henry County Arts Council presents the Bethel University Renaissance Theatre production of "Steel Magnolias". The play starts at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Krider Performing Arts Center 650 Volunteer Drive, Paris. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students 18 and under.
Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp hosts a Community Conversation next Monday from 5:15 to 7 p.m. at Hopkinsville Middle School. The program includes details of the new city building and other projects. The Hopkinsville High School Choir performs and there will be light refreshments as well as a door prize handcrafted by a local artist.
See details at wkms.org. Thanks for listening.
the morning cram [bear-proof edition]
As the bear population rises in Yellowstone, face to snout encounters are becoming more common.
NPR reports that some bears are helping humans to test bear resistant products.
Kentucky~ Gubernatorial wives are front and center this election cycle. Madisonville PD are on the hunt for drugs. UK receives a grant for a Pharmacogenetics program. Four states team up to stop prescription drug abuse. This year's spring storms are bringing big money to the region.
Illinois~ A gun advocate group wants gun owners' names to remain a secret.
Tennessee~ Holly Petraeus visits Fort Campbell in order to address predatory lenders who target soldiers.
the morning cram [nuclear wasteland edition]
In Sweden, nuclear waste disposal sites have become tourist attractions.
NPR reports that the Swedish nuclear industry has taken its toxic waste sites from protested hidden facilities to scientific field trip locations.
Kentucky~ A Paducah kid won another karate contest (I wouldn't mess with him). Lanes are closed on US 45 in Paducah. Daviess County is becoming more disabled friendly. More Post Office closings are predicted (say it ain't so Ms. Cleo). Guardsman Miller gets life for murder. Jack Conway is suing Daymar for screwing college kids.
Tennessee~ A man is crossing the nation on horseback (WHOA NELLY!). Blue Cross Blue Shield says stolen info hasn't been used.
Datebook: July 11 – 'The Two-Headed Nightingale' turns 160
Millie McCoy and Christine McCoy were born July 11, 1851 (and died October 8, 1912). They were American conjoined twins who went by the stage names "The Two-Headed Nightingale," "The Eighth Wonder of the World" and "The Carolina Twins." Their parents were slaves on the plantation of Mr. Alexander McCoy near the town of Whiteville, North Carolina. They were sold to a showman named Joseph Pearson Smith at birth. He and his wife provided the twins with an education and taught them to speak five languages, dance, play music, and sing. For the rest of the century, the twins enjoyed a successful career as "The Two-Headed Nightingale", and appeared with the Barnum circus.
It's Monday, July 11
Tonight at 6:30 Project Aids Orphan hosts a showing of the half hour film Binta and the Great Idea at Maiden Alley Cinema near the riverfront in Paducah. The 2007 Oscar nominee features Binta, a little girl from Senegal talking about her life, the importance of education for girls, and her father's great idea. Tickets are $5.
Murray State's MFA Summer Reading series continues tonight at 7:30 in Clara Eagle Gallery, 6th Floor Price-Doyle Fine Arts near 15th and Olive. Novelist, poet and instrumentalist Philip Stephens of Kansas City, Missouri reads. His new book Miss Me When I'm Gone involves a failed folksinger and a murderess. The readings are open to all through Wednesday.
Learn about the impact Interstate 69 will have on Hopkins County at a Chamber Hot Topic/After Hours tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hopkins County Fairgrounds-Ballard Convention Center in Madisonville. Hear from the Transportation Cabinet, Hoosier Voices for I-69, the Evansville Chamber, and the C-Link Board of Directors.
Learn more at wkms.org. Thanks.
Datebook: April 22 – Earth Day
Hug a tree and kiss the grass, it's Earth Day! Click here to learn more about how the day came to be.
It's Friday, April 22.
In Madisonville Blue Grass Pharmacy offers free document shredding and out of date medicine disposal tomorrow from 10 to noon at its 1128 North Main location. Unwanted medical equipment is welcome for refurbishment and redistribution to those in need.
Angels Attic Thrift Shop at 972 Chestnut in Murray invites spring cleaning cast offs. The store which supports the Angels Community Clinic, receives donations at the rear of the building off Arcadia Drive. Books, CDs, DVDs, household items, toys, appliances, furniture and clothing are welcome. Donation hours are 8 to 5 Monday through Saturday. Shopping hours are 11 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday.
Next week the 27th Annual AQS Quilt Show and Contest brings thousands to the Paducah Expo Center, Julian Carol Convention Center and the Pavilion, all at 415 Park Avenue in Paducah. Hours are 9 to 6 Wednesday through Friday, 9 to 5 Saturday. Admission for non AQS members is $11 daily – $30 multi-Day.
Use wkms.org for further information about community events. Here's to a peaceful Easter Weekend!
morning cram [publicrelations edition]
In the wake of last year's Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, BP executives declared it was not their accident, blamed their contractors and made the company look arrogant and callous.
NPR reports BP's response has now become a textbook example of how not to do crisis management.
KENTUCKY~ McCracken officials want to disappear pay disparity between local law enforcement departments. Madisonville will vote Monday on whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales. Meteorologists predict 'normal' summer rains. Kids get in free @ State Parks until Halloween. MSU's Softball team wiped the field with Alabama State. GOP Gov-hopeful fundraising breakdown: Williams ($1.2m), Moffett ($100k), Holsclaw ($23k). Gov Beshear eBays extra airplanes.
TENNESSEE~ Clarksville's former Mayor says he'll soon step down from his new controversial post. TDOT: no roadwork this Easter weekend.
ILLINOIS~ A 2nd day of purported progress in contract talks between Honeywell and USW.
morning cram [cash for jobs] edition
"Hiring managers say when they extend an offer to someone who's been referred, they often feel more confident that they know what they are getting."
NPR reports some businesses are paying for good referrals.
KENTUCKY ~ The CEO of Big Rivers Electric tells Congress why proposed EPA regulations would be bad for business, and Ed Whitfield says greenhouse gas regulation would hurt coal. LBL and farm services among the list of government agencies that would shut down. Farmers are planting less tobacco. Madisonville city council members consider Sunday alcohol sales, while Marshall County enacts a burn ban. Teach for America comes to Kentucky (eastern) for the first time. Prosecutors won't seek the death penalty in Evrard kidnapping/murder case. FLW College Fishing Tourney holds first weigh-in.
TENNESSEE ~ Proposal in the House would make insurance companies pay for hearing aids for kids.
ILLINOIS ~ Supreme Court rules people with gun permits in other states don't have to get a new permit in Illinois.


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Tied up with red rope binding her wrists to her ankles this leggy stockings loving amateur bondage babe has been restrained a home and gagged with duct tape. Naked except for a tiny thong she has no choice but to let her master take pictures of her and post them online.
See what happened next to this tied young slut only at Amateur Tied.


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Damaged by flooding in 1981, the former Austin Athletic Club in Austin, Texas, stood abandoned for 26 years. It was built in the 1920s, a time that conjures images of pommel horses supporting men with handlebar mustaches named Phineas (a popular name for handlebar mustaches).
It was the capital city's first rec center, serving the city for more than 5 decades, stretching back to a time when rec centers were used for exercise rather than D&D tournaments.
Deeming the building beyond repair, the city finally allocated the funds to tear it down in September 2007. Fortunately, a friend of mine dragged me there for an impromptu photo shoot the April just prior.
The ravages of time and water on the 81-year-old building's wooden structure did not disappoint in either aesthetics or perilous excitement, and I came away with a fair set of photos, which I've finally gotten around to posting here at the Roadside Resort.


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INSOL International: The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology in Global Bankruptcy and Restructuring Practices
Authors: Jane Colston, Christian Toms
1. Introduction and background
The topic of technology / artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential use has actively been on people's lips for a number of years now and it shows little sign of diminishing in either relevance or importance.
The developments in computing and technology-aided processes are set to continue to grow exponentially. Little if any aspect of legal, commercial and business life is therefore likely to pass unscathed, with restructuring and insolvency practices impacted right alongside them. As the so-called 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' gains pace there are already exciting things afoot, with more just on the horizon and beyond. The question is just how far the insolvency world has already embraced such matters and is it currently best positioned to surf each new wave of advancement as they break?
Based on the responses to a hot topic survey INSOL International carried out, AI came in right at number one, demonstrating that Insolvency Practitioners (IPs) were already keenly aware of its potential importance and relevance to their profession. Accordingly, a follow-up piece of research was undertaken by INSOL to explore the extent and depth of members' awareness and views on the role of AI - current and prospective - in global bankruptcy and restructuring practices. This was done by way of an online survey circulated to all INSOL members, canvassing views on certain matters under the following broad heads:
- The developing impact of technology on a business
- Use of technology in insolvency practice
- Contentious matters and court process
- Legislation / regulation
This paper considers the results of this survey and in so doing will seek to identify common themes, as well as providing a wider context to the developing use of AI and its potential impact on IP's and global bankruptcy and restructurings.
2. So what is AI – really?
AI is not a new concept, or even a product of the 21st Century; the terminology and underlying scientific discipline is now over sixty years old. In reality the term "AI" is often misused, being deployed as a catch-all term when seeking to discuss advancing computer intelligence and the systems that continue to be developed to exploit such advances.
At its core, AI is what makes it possible for computers and other advanced systems to use experience to learn and to apply such learning to familiar as well as new scenarios they are presented with - ultimately in the long run enabling them to undertake humanlike tasks often to a higher standard of accuracy than a human typically would be able to manage; at least on a consistent and timely basis. Without AI it would be impractical for data sets of 10m, 20m, and 50 million plus documents to be reviewed and analysed to find the documents relevant to the matter in hand. The Serious Fraud Office of England and Wales was recently reported to say that this size of data set was usual in all cases they now manage and they have already been very open as to how AI tools (specifically the RAVN-created document review system were instrumental in their high-profile investigation of Rolls Royce.
AI may use some or all of Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Machine Learning focuses on the ability of computers
to access data and to learn from it, in turn enabling AI systems to move beyond reliance on specifically preprogrammed instructions and / or parameters. Deep Learning is then a more developed and complex form of Machine Learning that seeks to imitate the approach taken by our brains when reviewing, processing, collating and linking data for later use. Finally, NLP concerns the development of systems able to comprehend human language as humans do; including being able to deal with inferences and the true meaning that a sentence may be seeking to convey, versus the literal meaning of the words being used. Utilising all of these concepts, the real selling point of AI systems is that they are constantly learning by doing.
3. The developing impact of technology on a business
In 1874 the first commercial typewriters revolutionised professional correspondence. A similar revolution then came around a century or so later with the first commercially available personal computer. Then only a couple of decades after that, we saw the birth of the Internet, websites and our old friend e-mail. The pace of technological change continues to increase, with new technologies emerging (and some being rendered obsolete) in increasingly shorter timescales.
The Internet has been a key game-changer, creating the ability to communicate and to share thoughts and work products across vast distances in no time at all. The advent of cloud computing has in turn enabled businesses to quickly and easily access essential infrastructure required for them to develop and to grow to their full potential much sooner. Similarly, e-commerce has helped grow multi-billion dollar concerns like eBay and Amazon and new forms of decentralised finance have emerged in the form of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin (and others) that have the potential to revolutionise payments and create a new web economy. Unsurprisingly, many such developments appear increasingly set to become key features of today's business and therefore likely to feature in any subsequent insolvencies and restructurings. These are accordingly issues which IPs are going to have to get to grips with. Below we discuss some of these current issues.
3.1 Cloud computing
The use of cloud storage services appears to be relatively widespread and growing, as over half the IPs who responded to the INSOL survey indicated that they either "often" or "almost always" encountered some element of cloud storage, with around another 30% confirming they at least "sometimes" encountered such matters. On the other hand, only about a quarter of responders indicated that they regularly encountered cloud-based processing (whether as part of a business's client-facing product or internal backoffice function). Indeed, almost two-fifths collectively confirmed they hardly ever, or never, came across such usage of the cloud. Where IPs did encounter such cloud usage, around 43% of those who responded to the INSOL survey said this brought additional issues for them. Key concerns included:
- data integrity and security;
- the risk of deletions and corruption of files, particularly where the proper software to read the files was unavailable;
- the difficulties inherent in seeking to secure and access a virtual server, including having to handle demands for payments of service arrears to ensure ongoing access;
- who might lawfully have access and passwords to the cloud service, whether the insolvent entity or in reality another party; and
- thorny jurisdictional issues that might arise depending on where the internet connected servers hosting the cloud might be physically located.
Nevertheless, over 80% of the IPs surveyed agreed that in their view cloud usage and related issues were set increasingly to become a feature of insolvencies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this appears to be driven by the fact that the use of the cloud is becoming more common among businesses as they have an increased need for storage space and processing power and they recognise that expensive servers, on-site software and bulky hardware requiring maintenance and regular replacement, are part of the old model. The reduction in up-front costs in turn offers greater flexibility and frees up resources to be invested in an improved customer experience. While the use of cloud-based services might risk causing headaches for some IPs, it was also recognised as potentially presenting some advantages, particularly from a practice point of view. As insolvency cases often require a large accumulation of information, the fact that large and complex data sets being more easily available and accessible for analysis in the cloud was identified as likely to be of assistance. A key consideration, though, is always to be sufficiently knowledgeable and familiar with the options to know where data can be stored (for example, Alexa recordings in the cloud and / or information and records on the Blockchain) and to collect in that data quickly. Once this material is available, AI tools can then be used to cluster and review in order to get to key information more quickly, allowing decisions to be taken (for example, as to the direction of travel or who to sue). When asked if anything might need to change / develop in order to assist IPs and the broader industry to tackle Cloud-based matters / issues, around 77% of responders were collectively of the view that either "some" or "a great deal" of change was required. Specific comments identified the following key themes: -
- greater training and understanding on the broader technology, including the ability and best practice to secure digital assets;
- greater collaboration between the professional sectors to better understand the changes
occurring in professional services, financial services and business due to digital disruption;
- legislation to prevent the ability to ransom information for non-payment and / or to specifically require co-operation with external administrators to recover data;
- more efficient and immediate access allowed to IPs for online customer accounts in order to reduce red tape and facilitate access to key records;
- modification of orders and cross-border recognition where cloud data is in a different jurisdiction; and
- more tech savvy judges to assist IPs seeking to gain urgent disclosure of / access to material stored in weird and wonderful places.
3.2 Blockchain / smart contracts
Blockchain is in essence a distributed database or ledger that is used to maintain a continuously growing list of records / entries of specific transactions or similar (blocks). It has grown out of the creation of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, but given its versatility and relatively secure encryption (making it difficult to hack) "blockchain" technology has been recognised to have potentially far wider application.
A straightforward way of visualising the concept is first to imagine a list of transactions that is copied and then stored on multiple separate and unrelated computers (or nodes), all connected to the Internet. This ensures that numerous copies of the correct version of the records exist. Second, imagine now that this network of computers is utilised regularly to check / validate previous entries in the list of transactions and then to update the record with any new entries. This is in essence how the blockchain works. Each new transaction entry or "block" created contains a timestamp and is linked to a previous block. This protects against tampering because to cheat the blockchain it would require every single block and network participant to take part.
Accordingly, it is said a blockchain can serve as an open, distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way. The ledger itself can also be programmed to trigger transactions automatically – hence the concept of self-executing, smart contracts which would be self-executing upon certain conditions being met, with the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller being directly written into lines of computer code. Currently, finance and property transfers / transactions would appear to represent the most obvious spheres for the practical application for blockchain technology, a key attraction being potentially to cut out the middleman's fees in certain types of transactions. For example, in 2016 Goldman Sachs expressed the view that blockchain technology may hold the key to streamlining the clearing and settlement of cash securities, saving capital markets USD 2 billion in the US and USD 6 billion globally on an annual basis.
In practice, however, it appears that such concepts still remain in their relative infancy as far as their widespread adoption by businesses is concerned. Therefore, the frequency with which IPs are being faced with such matters remains relatively low. Of the IPs surveyed, only 10% admitted to having come across smart contracts and / or blockchain in the preceding year or so and, even then, only "sometimes". Conversely, around 64% stated they had "never" come across them and around a quarter said they "hardly ever" did. Of those who did have experience, it was found to have been mostly related to retail and the automotive industries. As to IPs awareness and understanding of blockchain / smart contracts, this was similarly weighted as per the responses on practical experience of such matters in the field, that is, only an aggregate of 6% responded to the effect that they had either a comprehensive or practical / working understanding of such matters. On the other hand, 34% responded that they had no awareness or understanding at all, and around 27% only had a basic understanding. On the upside, a good proportion of responders (around 33%) cited a "developing" understanding, no doubt a product of IPs seeking to get to grips with the complexities and practical implications for this technology.
Perhaps unsurprisingly then, when asked whether such technology threw up any particular issues in insolvency matters, of those responders able to express a view around 60% believed that it did and that a lot of issues might arise in the future. Similarly, when asked if it was anticipated that such technology would become an increasing feature of insolvencies, only around 2% said no versus 48% who responded positively. The balance of opinion was then split between the 26% who were not sure, and the 24% who believed such matters were still a long way off. While it appears that a good proportion of IPs are at least broadly cognisant of the developments in this area and a number may be proactively seeking to educate themselves, what remains abundantly clear is the extent of the information and understanding gap that presently exists around blockchain and related concepts. Of course, while the uptake of blockchain amongst businesses is still growing, this is unlikely to present any real issues for IPs but as and when a business determines more fully to embrace such technology, IP's will need to ensure they stay at least on the curve if they cannot get ahead of it.
3.3 Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are a form of alternative, digital currency. They utilise decentralised control and ledgers distributed and secured via blockchain technology, as opposed to a centralised digital currency and / or reliance on traditional central banking systems. Bitcoin is widely recognised to be the first decentralised cryptocurrency, having been launched in 2009. Since then, over 4,000 alternative variants of cryptocurrency have been created, including Litecoin, Ripple and Ethereum. Part of this growth is being funded by businesses in the crypto sector that are engaging in initial coin offerings (ICO). These area a means of raising funds for a new cryptocurrency venture by selling a percentage of the new cryptocurrency (usually in the form of "tokens") to early backers of the project. However, as with blockchain technology, it would appear that there is still a way to go before we see cryptocurrencies playing a key role in the operations of businesses and therefore appearing as a substantial asset in insolvencies and restructurings. In fact, of those IPs surveyed only around 7% had had to deal with cryptocurrencies or related issues in the preceding year or so. Again, just as with blockchain, the level of awareness and understanding of the use of cryptocurrencies remains relatively low, with
only an aggregate of around 5% responding to the effect that they had either a comprehensive or practical / working understanding of such matters. Around 32% responded that they had no awareness or understanding at all and around 35% only had a basic understanding. 28% of responders did admit to a "developing" understanding. When asked whether crypto technology threw up any particular issues in insolvency matters, of those responders able to express a view around 75% believed that they did.
Key concerns included:
- a need for a much greater understanding of the technology on the part of the judiciary;
- the lack of transparency in accounting as to the book balance and value of the
cryptoassets of a business;
- issues surrounding the practical seizure and control of cryptoassets;
- the volatility of cryptoassets and the impact of any decision to sell or hold;
- issues of applicable governing law and jurisdiction of assets; and
- issues arising from the insolvency of an issuer of cryptocurrencies and / or related
When asked if it was anticipated that such matters would become an increasing feature of insolvencies, a majority of around 72% responded in the affirmative, with another 12.5% not necessarily disagreeing but instead taking the view that the role of such matters was still a long way off. Additionally, an aggregate in excess of 80% agreed that at least some change was required, if not a great deal was needed to be done in order to assist IPs to become more adept at tackling issues arising in respect of crypto and other digital assets. While it was highlighted that cryptocurrencies were still some way off being a familiar part of the business environment IPs had to operate in, nevertheless the responses also identified the need:
- for greater education and training around the issues;
- for a real effort to demystify and to deconstruct any complicated techno language; and
- to address issues around jurisdiction which might arise, depending on where assets were
deemed to be located.
3.4 Cybercrime
Cybercrime, hacking, and ransomware are just three terms that regularly appear in media reports about online disasters befalling businesses. By way of example, 2017 saw the high profile Petya attack on DLA Piper, while the WannaCry ransomware attack infected more than 300,000 computers across around 150 countries, bringing the British National Health Service to a grinding halt and significantly impacting the international shipper, FedEx. However, it is not only large and global enterprises being targeted, international criminal gangs are just as interested in using online opportunities to target small and medium-sized businesses; unfortunately, cybercrime can pay very well. According to a 2018 report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the antivirus software company McAfee, "cybercrime may now cost the world almost USD 600 billion, or 0.8% of global GDP." When surveyed as to whether they had come across businesses impacted by cybercrime in the past year or so, only around a third of responders to the INSOL survey indicated that they had never had such experiences.
As to whether they or their clients had been specific targets of cyber-attacks / hacking efforts, unfortunately almost 40% of responders said that they had, including:
- trojan software / spyware;
- daily phishing attempts (email and phone);
- potential foreign state hacks; and
- daily suspicious / spam emails.
As to IPs' own preparedness to defend against cybercrime issues, of those who responded to the inquiry of whether they personally had a cybercrime / risk policy in place, it is perhaps of some concern that over a third said that they did not. Even of those that did, a proportion only had client - or issue-specific policies rather than
a general policy in place. That said, in terms of efforts focused on improving their preparedness:
- around 46% of responders specifically identified reliance on robust IT services;
- 13% cited training as a key focus, often coupled with robust IT;
- a small percentage identified email updates;
- none specifically identified newsletters or "secret shopper" type tests; and
- around 34% cited they utilised most or all of the above strategies.
As to how often such areas of cyber risk were internally brought to IPs and their staff's attention, only around 4% said never, with another 7% saying it rarely was. At the other end of the spectrum, however, around 70% of responders said such matters were either brought to their attention daily, regularly or often. Unfortunately, though, the bottom line is that no matter how sophisticated your security precautions may be, you can never assume your systems are completely safe from outside attack or interference. There is also always the human element to be managed. It is therefore crucial always to ensure systems and software are as up to date as may be feasible, your IT team keep their eyes firmly on the ball and that all staff are trained in the risks of, and regularly made aware of their vulnerability to, their use of e-mail and the Internet.
4. Technology and insolvency / restructuring practice
Only around 14% of responders to the INSOL survey disagreed that the use of technology was either already a key part, or was likely soon to become, an integral part of their serviceoffering in the future. It therefore does not appear to be the case that IPs are in any way lacking in awareness of the issues presented by the increasing adoption of businessorientated technology and the growing role and likely importance of such in their own practices. That said, where does technology actually fit in?
4.1 Data analysis and analytics
With so much progress being made in the use and uses of information technology in businesses, IPs now find themselves in an era of so-called "big data". This means an increasing amount of electronic data is being produced and stored every day; the current statistic is that around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data come into existence per day, but this is at the current pace which of course continues to increase. This data comprises both structured data (for example, accounting, payroll and other organised transaction data); unstructured data (including things such as e-mail, voice mail, and e-documents); and what has been termed by some as non-traditional data, covering things such as online feeds from social media and news services, including services such as Bloomberg. As a consequence, AI and big data analysis tools are increasingly being argued as essential in order to make any sense of the large amounts of available information. For example:
- when investigating complex and large insolvencies;
- when there exists limited time and resources to establish the workings of a business in order to determine the most appropriate next steps;
- in a turnaround scenario where analysis and data analytics can be applied to raw, system-generated information to speed up the identification of issues and assist in identifying key drivers of performance to inform the most effective strategies to impact
business performance;
- when tracing assets; and
- when considering potential litigation and scans are conducted of key data sets in order to identify trends, anomalies and potential individuals and time periods of specific interest.
In such scenarios, the utilisation of some form of technology-aided review (TAR) is employed in order to enhance the conduct of any review of the company's books and records. The technology is able from the outset to cluster documents by concepts so that humans can more quickly and easily begin reviewing key subject areas and concepts, hopefully finding what they need before time or money runs out. As a secondary stage, some TAR systems can be made actively to learn from the human reviewers as to what is relevant and what is not. This learning can then intermittently be applied by the system to the remainder of the data still to be considered, through a process of "predictive coding", to serve up more relevant material for review at an earlier stage than a more linear human review process otherwise might have enabled. However, it would appear that the use of such technology is far from widespread amongst IPs. Only around 35% of responders to the INSOL survey confirmed they had made use of any such tools in the past year or so and of that sub-group only around 28% of them had made use of the more sophisticated predictive coding capabilities of their TAR system.
This slower uptake of TAR and related tools is perhaps partially explicable in light of the present overall assessment of IPs of the utility and necessity of such tools; only around 15% of responders presently regarded such technology as essential, with a similar number merely of the view it had proven to be useful. Interestingly, cost may be a factor in IPs' determinations, as only 4% of those surveyed deemed such tools to be value for money. Of other discouraging factors identified, the following were the most cited:
- unfamiliarity over capabilities of TAR;
- cases not being large enough to warrant the use and / or cost of deploying TAR; and
- TAR not commonly being utilised in the IPs' respective jurisdictions.
While IPs are far from being alone in such views, in reality the usage and uptake of TAR is fast developing across various sectors and already can be fairly cost-effectively deployed to deal with both relatively "low" amounts of data as well as for very large data sets. In either scenario the argument, accepted already by a number of courts to date, is that significant time and cost savings can be made versus a traditional "human only" review model.
Further, while parties' own usage of TAR systems is in and of itself spreading and becoming more commonplace, a growing number of courts in certain jurisdictions have also expressly approved the use of such technology. Judges too appear to recognise its potential benefits, particularly in terms of time and money, given the explosion in available data that may need to be reviewed for any number of purposes (for example, fraud / regulatory investigations, search orders, litigation etc.).
5. The future / conclusions
Looking to the immediate term, only around 32% of survey responders took the view either that they still saw no reason why they would utilise review technology, or that they expected their usage of such technology to decline over the next couple of years. The overwhelming expectation of responders was that usage of technology was only likely to grow. Indeed, a recent survey amongst the City of London law firms stated that nearly 70% of them were already using AI systems for client work, or were piloting it to use and such trends are likely to be reflected across other professional sectors. This is far from surprising given the exploding growth of AI and TAR systems and the various cases to which such technology is being found to apply. For example, the ability / possibility of:
- more quickly and easily identifying key information, evidence and themes;
- more accurately build a picture of and to scrutinise directors' behaviour in the preinsolvency stage;
- creating evidence-based key performance measures that might assist to provide advance warning signs on external administrations;
- systems that can advise IPs what forms might be required to be lodged when they are due to be filed and confirm compliance obligations have been met during any external administration; and
- an analysis of firms' and liquidators' performance in terms of the number and nature of matters they have handled, the average length of time, the costs incurred and the level of realisations / returns.
It has been said that humans are terrible at predicting the future, but the obvious attraction of using large scale data processing solutions means that there seems little doubt they will be increasingly applied to IPs' investigations across a huge spectrum of matters, in particular the forensic collection of data and documents and their review for key information. Moreover, as technology breaks into new space and fraudsters and other wrongdoers invariably seek to exploit these new technologies, being able to unpick the threads will be a necessity.
Overall, however, it would appear that while progress may be gathering apace, change will be more of an augmentation proposition and not necessarily a widespread adoption of automation of assessment. In other words, the technology is still quite some distance from being able to replace humans, for example by producing judicial decisions and precedent by algorithm, or to be able to deliver a more granular review of documents which goes beyond merely identifying what documents appear similar, but rather looking for responsive constructs across other documents and data sets which in themselves may look entirely different.
The growing use and impact of technology in and around our practices therefore seems inevitable and this will present an obvious issue for any professionals who may remain reluctant to learn new tricks, likely putting them at a disadvantage with clients, their opponents and the courts. Of course, for those who want to stay on the cutting edge and who understand the need for close partnerships with other tech-savvy professionals such as lawyers and accountants, they will ensure their whole team stays abreast of the latest industry developments, and understand how and what technology (including AI) can be effectively deployed in order to continue to deliver cutting edge, value for money services to their clients and end users. Fortunately, it appears that many IPs already recognise the difference between each camp and are actively working to educate themselves in order to integrate such matters into their practices.
Please download the PDF to view all Artificial Intelligence survey results.