text:
A Cappella/Vocal
Theatre / Writing
Club Feature | No Refund Theatre
If producing a different play almost every single weekend of the academic year sounds crazy, just wait until you meet the members of No Refund Theatre.
More commonly known as NRT, this inclusive theatre club is committed to providing performing opportunities to students of all majors. Each semester, the club produces 8-10 entirely student-run performances in a wide variety of genres.
PAC got the inside scoop on the organization from NRT's current president, senior film and video major Julie Whelan.
"No Refund Theatre is a community of friends coming together to make really cool art," said Whelan. "We believe that all students, regardless of major, should have the chance to get involved with theatre on the Penn State campus, so we try our best to provide as many opportunities as possible."
For many NRT members, the club serves as a creative outlet and an opportunity to collaborate with fellow creative-minded individuals to produce a meaningful piece of theatre.
"We are entirely student-run, so there is a lot of artistic freedom that comes along with putting on an NRT show," said Whelan. "It's a really cool moment to see the final product come together and think, 'We did that. Every single part of that was created by us.'"
NRT prides itself on providing opportunities for students to contribute to all areas of a production, including acting, directing, and more.
"Personally, I've participated in aspects such as acting, tech, and directing," said Whelan.
NRT has already completed two shows so far this semester, and next in the lineup is Deathtrap, directed by Sam Phillips. The show will run from September 28-30 at 8 p.m. in 111 Forum, and admission is completely free. To see what else is coming up for NRT this semester, check out their calendar at norefundtheatre.weebly.com/fall-2017-lineup.html.
So, what if you really want to be involved with NRT, but you're already crazy-busy with a million other things? Not to worry.
"NRT is great because you can really participate as much or as little as you want and still be considered a member," said Whelan. "Some people choose to stick with doing one show a semester, and there are some crazies who do a lot more than that, bless their hearts."
If NRT sounds like your cup of tea, here's how you can get involved.
"The easiest way someone can get involved with NRT is to come see our shows!" said Whelan. "They're free and really frickin' good, so I'd suggest it. If you're looking to get involved with the acting side of things, we have two rounds of auditions a semester. The best way to hear about all upcoming auditions and other events is to like us on Facebook at facebook.com/NoRefundTheatre/ or email us at nertmail.psu@gmail.com."
For a lot of members, NRT has provided opportunities that extend beyond the stage.
"Through my three, going on four, years of being a part of NRT, I've learned so much more than just how to direct a great show or deliver a solid monologue," said Whelan. "I've learned how to be a better listener, I've learned how to be a better friend, and I've learned how to be a better leader, just to name a few. Our members can take what they learn from this goofy club and apply it to the real world, which is really frickin' cool to me."
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© 2016 Penn State Performing Arts Council


text:
class TDGamecore
{
    private:
        Player player;
        int level_number;
        TDMap * map;
        GUI * gui;
        Spritesheet zombie;
        Spritesheet projectile;
        std::vector<Path> paths;
        std::vector<Coordinate> tower_cycles;
        std::vector<Coordinate> cycles;
        std::vector<Coordinate> death_cycles;
        Range simple_range;

        void set_up()
        {
            for(int i = 10; i < 30; i++)
                death_cycles.push_back(Coordinate(i, 5));

            tower_cycles = {Coordinate(1, 1), Coordinate(0, 1), Coordinate(2, 0), Coordinate(3, 2), Coordinate(0, 3), Coordinate(1, 3)};
            for(int i = 5; i < 13; i++)
                cycles.push_back(Coordinate(i, 5));
        }

        Tower * tower_generator(Coordinate location)
        {
            Tower * tower = new Tower(simple_range, location, "tower.png", &projectile, tower_cycles);
            return tower;
        }

        Sprite * sprite_generator(int health = 100)
        {
            Sprite * sprite = new Sprite(paths.at(0) , &zombie, cycles, death_cycles, health);
            return sprite;
        }

  	public:

        int get_money()
        {
            return player.money;
        }

        int get_kills()
        {
            return player.kills;
        }

        int get_score()
        {
            return player.score;
        }

  		bool make_tower_request(int x, int y)
  		{
            Tower * tower = tower_generator(Coordinate(x, y));
            if(tower->get_cost() > player.money)
            {
                delete tower;
                return false;
            }
            else
            {
  			   bool retval = map->add_tower(tower);
               if(retval)
                   player.money -= tower->get_cost();
               return retval;
            }
  		}

        TDGamecore(int width = DEFAULT_WIDTH, int height = DEFAULT_HEIGHT) :
                zombie("zombie.png", Coordinate(128, 128), 8), projectile ("projectile.png", Coordinate(64, 64), 2), simple_range(6)
        {
            srand(time(NULL));

            Path path(NUM_ROWS, NUM_COLS);
            paths.push_back(path);
            map = new TDMap(NUM_ROWS, NUM_COLS, paths);
            set_up();
            Sprite * sprite = sprite_generator();
            map->add_sprite(sprite);
            gui = new GUI(NUM_ROWS, NUM_COLS, paths, map);
        }

        void update_sprites()
        {
                BOOST_FOREACH(Sprite * sprite, map->get_sprites())
                {
                    if(!sprite->is_dead())
                    {
                        sprite->move_to_next_position();
                        if(sprite->is_out_of_map())
                        {
                            map->remove_sprite(sprite);
                            player.score-=1;
                        }
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        player.money+=50;
                        player.score+=1;
                        player.kills++;
                        level_number = player.kills/10;
                    }
                }

                int range = (rand() % 2) ;
                while(--range >= 0)
                    map->add_sprite(sprite_generator(100 + level_number * 50));
        }

        void game_loop(int number_of_times = 1)
        {

            while(--number_of_times >= 0)
            {
                BOOST_FOREACH(Sprite * sprite, map->get_sprites())
                {
                    if(sprite->is_dead())
                    {
                        map->remove_sprite(sprite);
                        continue;
                    }

                    bool sprite_attacked_flag = false;
                    BOOST_FOREACH(Tower * tower, map->get_towers())
                    {
                        if(tower->can_attack(sprite->get_coordinate()))
                        {
                            tower->set_attacking(sprite);
                            sprite_attacked_flag = true;
                        }
                    }
                    if(!sprite_attacked_flag)
                        sprite->set_not_attacked();
                }
                gui->Update();
                map->update_towers();
                update_sprites();
            }
        }
};

using namespace boost::python;

BOOST_PYTHON_MEMBER_FUNCTION_OVERLOADS(loop_overloads, game_loop, 0, 1);

BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(libtd)
{
    class_<TDGamecore>("Core", init<>())
    .def("loop", &TDGamecore::game_loop, loop_overloads(args("number_of_times")))
    .def("tower", &TDGamecore::make_tower_request)
    .def_readonly("money", &TDGamecore::get_money)
    .def_readonly("kills", &TDGamecore::get_kills)
    .def_readonly("score", &TDGamecore::get_score);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Published On: Thu, Oct 11th, 2018
Hometown News / US News | By The Dispatch
California border patrol raids El Centro house, arrests 2 smugglers, 8 illegal aliens, finds meth and a cache of weapons
U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector served a search warrant on a house in El Centro that led to the arrests of two smugglers, eight illegal aliens, 3.75 grams of methamphetamine, and a cache of weapons.
An investigation into alien smuggling led Border Patrol agents to a house on the 500 block of Vine Street in El Centro this morning to serve a search warrant. The warrant was served without incident and 10 individuals were taken into custody. Eight of those taken into custody were illegal aliens.
The other two, a 50-year-old man and a 28-year-old man, both United States citizens, were arrested on suspected human smuggling charges. The 28-year-old man is also known to be a local gang member with "La Garra Sur" in Calexico.
A search of the house uncovered a cache of weapons, five rifles and four handguns. Agents also seized 3.75 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, body armor, and $5,325 in U.S. currency.
"This is a sobering reality that illustrates the danger and high stakes that criminal organizations involved in human smuggling pose to law enforcement officers, those they smuggle, and our communities," said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. "The dedicated agents of El Centro Sector and our partners will root out criminal organizations operating in the Imperial Valley wherever they may be, ensuring that they have no safe haven."
The two smuggling suspects are in federal custody pending prosecution for violations of federal law. The eight illegal aliens are being held as material witnesses.
#2AAK-47 assault style rifleassault weapons banban assault weaponsBorder Patrolborder securityCaliforniaCalifornia gun lawsCalifornia newsdrug dealdrug smugglergun controlgun lawsillegal aliensillegal immigrantsillegal immigrationillegals on juryimmigrationimmigration crisisman arrestedmeth labmethamphetaminepro-assault-weaponU.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS News

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


LAWCAST was a novel audio legal news service that allowed lawyers to stay on top of substantive developments in their practice (and earn Continuing Legal Education credits) while commuting or exercising. Paid podcasts before there were podcasts. Each LAWCAST service (Intellectual Property LAWCAST, Computer & Internet LAWCAST, Employment & Labor LAWCAST, etc.) generally published a 60-minute program, twice-monthly. We published from four to eight services simultaneously.
LAWCAST was a deadline-driven news and information product, a continuing education provider in a complex, professional field, and a bootstrapped, entrepreneurial organization that relied on recurring revenue. As an owner and founder, my contributions were broad, ranging from reporting on substantive developments in the law to presentations to potential investors.
But my primary responsibility was directing sales, marketing, and corporate communications, including subscriber retention and service.
Directing a marketing and communications plan to establish a new national brand in a market of large, well-known competitors.
We used small budgets, creativity, and all methods available—including direct mail, email, broadcast, online, trade shows, events, speaking opportunities, print, and subscriber service tools—to build loyal communities of listeners. We had little money. We started from scratch. We were a novel product. We had to be scrappy and relentlessly innovate. We used email marketing before it was "a thing," were early users of keyword marketing, and we built "social communications" into our product's DNA. We invented ways to distinguish our high-quality product and reach our affluent, professional audience.
Identifying, initiating and executing a strategy for LAWCAST—a totally new kind of legal education product— to be accepted as an accredited Continuing Legal Education provider.
Eventually, lawyers in 29 states were able to earn CLE credit by listening to LAWCAST, an enormous enhancement of product value. We also extended our Subscriber Service operation to meet the significant demands related to CLE. In our original business plan, we never anticipated being able to offer CLE credit so this was an important development for us.
Developing a robust retention and cross-selling program that maximized the value of a recurring revenue business.
LAWCAST consistently attained renewal rates of over 90 percent, thanks in part to our great content and product, but also due to our retention and cross-selling programs. We moved aggressively to use cutting-edge subscription and marketing technology, pricing, and targeted marketing to ensure we were acquiring subscribers with long-term value.
Leading the company to consistently embrace new technology.
We built a fast and flexible organization able to report, produce, market and distribute 8-12 audio and print editions per month with a lean staff of 8-20. Notably, we developed an internal content management system and an all-digital recording studio before they were common. We were also among the first to implement comprehensive in-house subscriber service software, and we continually innovated its application; this gave us powerful agility in marketing and customer service.
Staff retention and team building.
In a challenging, entrepreneurial environment, we were able to build and retain a core staff that powered our company through more than a decade of growth.


text:
Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity
Jun Zou, Christopher J. Secombes
Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS)
Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre
Research output: Contribution to journal › Literature review › peer-review
Interferons (IFNs) are the hallmark of the vertebrate antiviral system. Two of the three IFN families identified in higher vertebrates are now known to be important for antiviral defence in teleost fish. Based on the cysteine patterns, the fish type I IFN family can be divided into two subfamilies, which possibly interact with distinct receptors for signalling. The fish type II IFN family consists of two members. IFN-gamma with similar functions to mammalian IFN-gamma and a teleost specific IFN-gamma related (IFN-gamma rel) molecule whose functions are not fully elucidated. These two type II IFNs also appear to bind to distinct receptors to exert their functions. It has become clear that fish IFN responses are mediated by the host pattern recognition receptors and an array of transcription factors including the IFN regulatory factors, the Jak/Stat proteins and the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) molecules. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
interferon receptor
teleost fish
antiviral defence
trout oncorhynchus-mykiss
salmon salmo-salar
zebrafish danio-rerio
carassius-auratus L.
carp cyprinus-carpio
toll-like receptor-3
regulatory factor-I
double-stranded-RNA
NF-kappa-B
rainbow-trout
10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
Zou, J., & Secombes, C. J. (2011). Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 35(12), 1376-1387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity. / Zou, Jun; Secombes, Christopher J.
In: Developmental and Comparative Immunology, Vol. 35, No. 12, 12.2011, p. 1376-1387.
Zou, J & Secombes, CJ 2011, 'Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity', Developmental and Comparative Immunology, vol. 35, no. 12, pp. 1376-1387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
Zou J, Secombes CJ. Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 2011 Dec;35(12):1376-1387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
Zou, Jun ; Secombes, Christopher J. / Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity. In: Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 2011 ; Vol. 35, No. 12. pp. 1376-1387.
@article{7d51a69fe23f413bac7710b59f208775,
title = "Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity",
abstract = "Interferons (IFNs) are the hallmark of the vertebrate antiviral system. Two of the three IFN families identified in higher vertebrates are now known to be important for antiviral defence in teleost fish. Based on the cysteine patterns, the fish type I IFN family can be divided into two subfamilies, which possibly interact with distinct receptors for signalling. The fish type II IFN family consists of two members. IFN-gamma with similar functions to mammalian IFN-gamma and a teleost specific IFN-gamma related (IFN-gamma rel) molecule whose functions are not fully elucidated. These two type II IFNs also appear to bind to distinct receptors to exert their functions. It has become clear that fish IFN responses are mediated by the host pattern recognition receptors and an array of transcription factors including the IFN regulatory factors, the Jak/Stat proteins and the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) molecules. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.",
keywords = "interferon, interferon receptor, teleost fish, antiviral defence, evolution, trout oncorhynchus-mykiss, salmon salmo-salar, zebrafish danio-rerio, carassius-auratus L., carp cyprinus-carpio, toll-like receptor-3, regulatory factor-I, double-stranded-RNA, NF-kappa-B, rainbow-trout",
author = "Jun Zou and Secombes, {Christopher J.}",
doi = "10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001",
journal = "Developmental and Comparative Immunology",
T1 - Teleost fish interferons and their role in immunity
AU - Zou, Jun
AU - Secombes, Christopher J.
N2 - Interferons (IFNs) are the hallmark of the vertebrate antiviral system. Two of the three IFN families identified in higher vertebrates are now known to be important for antiviral defence in teleost fish. Based on the cysteine patterns, the fish type I IFN family can be divided into two subfamilies, which possibly interact with distinct receptors for signalling. The fish type II IFN family consists of two members. IFN-gamma with similar functions to mammalian IFN-gamma and a teleost specific IFN-gamma related (IFN-gamma rel) molecule whose functions are not fully elucidated. These two type II IFNs also appear to bind to distinct receptors to exert their functions. It has become clear that fish IFN responses are mediated by the host pattern recognition receptors and an array of transcription factors including the IFN regulatory factors, the Jak/Stat proteins and the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) molecules. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
AB - Interferons (IFNs) are the hallmark of the vertebrate antiviral system. Two of the three IFN families identified in higher vertebrates are now known to be important for antiviral defence in teleost fish. Based on the cysteine patterns, the fish type I IFN family can be divided into two subfamilies, which possibly interact with distinct receptors for signalling. The fish type II IFN family consists of two members. IFN-gamma with similar functions to mammalian IFN-gamma and a teleost specific IFN-gamma related (IFN-gamma rel) molecule whose functions are not fully elucidated. These two type II IFNs also appear to bind to distinct receptors to exert their functions. It has become clear that fish IFN responses are mediated by the host pattern recognition receptors and an array of transcription factors including the IFN regulatory factors, the Jak/Stat proteins and the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) molecules. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
KW - interferon
KW - interferon receptor
KW - teleost fish
KW - antiviral defence
KW - evolution
KW - trout oncorhynchus-mykiss
KW - salmon salmo-salar
KW - zebrafish danio-rerio
KW - carassius-auratus L.
KW - carp cyprinus-carpio
KW - toll-like receptor-3
KW - regulatory factor-I
KW - double-stranded-RNA
KW - NF-kappa-B
KW - rainbow-trout
U2 - 10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
DO - 10.1016/j.dci.2011.07.001
M3 - Literature review
JO - Developmental and Comparative Immunology
JF - Developmental and Comparative Immunology


Anyone who says that Second Life is separate from real life is sadly mistaken. Whether you wander around as a nymph, Gorean warrior or super model, you are in some way reflecting the real you in a virtual world. Everything you touch, everything you create, everything you imagine is a little bit of who you are – or who you want to be.
Furillen is a sim within the virtual world, Second Life. It depicts an island off the north-east coast of Sweden containing abandoned industrial builds that were once part of a former limestone factory. Remote, bleak and beautiful, this is a Second Life photographers haven. The sim now attracts around 300 visitors per day.
The sim was designed to retain some of the most distinct and recognisable features of the real Furillen: the airstream, the tree line and pier, for example, together with the large slag heaps that still exist as a reminder of the old quarry. In addition, there are several buildings, the main being a hotel that – on the virtual Furillen – doubles up as an art space with a series of rooms featuring minimalist installations.
This is going to be a long, photo-heavy post, so if you care to join on my journey, please continue beyond the cut.
The airstream is a major focal point of the sim. A part of the real Furillen, it stands starkly against the slag heap in the distance, protected by a windswept tree. It is inviting at the same time it gives a sense of foreboding, warning those who are called to it to take heed of the ravages of this stark landscape. I opted to stay out of the caravan, instead admiring it from a distance. I could just imagine a gypsy fortune teller lurking inside, her crystal ball aglow in the darkness. I have no idea if such an entity can be found in Sweden; however, I wasn't taking any chances and simply let my imagination win that round.
My favourite part of this sim is the lone tree atop the slag heap behind the airstream. The perfect placement of the fur-covered chair is to me, the embodiment of solitude; a place to contemplate the mysteries of the universe under the protection of this majestic giant. It is as striking as it is inviting, as beautiful as it is harshly poignant.
Being a Windlight snob (I'm always cycling through the settings to find the "perfect" light), I surprised myself by using the suggested setting when I landed on the sim (Bryn Oh's Immersiva Grey Dust). All but the last photo were taken using this Windlight setting. However, while I was visiting, Serene opened a group chat with the people on the sim to ask us to switch to Region Default lighting to give him feedback on a new lighting model he had created. You can see it in the final photo (although I did take a few liberties in post-production). It is a cool blue with pink-tinged light that plays across the water – a lovely enhancement for the current winter setting. Serene is a gracious host, easily engaged in conversation, obviously the best advertisement for his labour of love. I believe this is the first time I have visited a destination in Second Life where the builder was not only on site, but freely available for a chat. It made a wonderful experience even more special to hear from the fingertips of the creator his vision and plans.
My fascination with this sim began with the details. While it is notable for its open spaces and minimalist design, I couldn't go past the loving care the Janitor of Furillen has shown in his selection of items to populate the space. You can tell this is a build of thoughtfulness. While Serene has taken pains to represent the original, his choices of liberties go far to enhance the virtual experience. From every angle – distant and close – there is a photo opportunity and a story being quietly told.
Next Article Secrets, Dreams, Memories, Hope.
I can tell you enjoyed your visit. Its good to get out and just have fun and not work all the time. Its like todays blog is just an after-thought and not the purpose.
You nailed it, Cheri. I just wanted to get off my land for a while and punched up the Destination Guide. I really hadn't planned on shooting photos; but once I arrived, I was compelled by the landscape. Serene is truly a gracious host who has created a little haven of beauty. It deserves to be seen.
fantastic write up – thanks a lot! it was a pleasure meeting you. not all visitors are as gracious as you, it must be said !! but many are very nice – meeting them is a real part of the enjoyment i get from this place. come back soon !


text:
Health Science Schools
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa
In Cedar Rapids, there is only one health science school where health science faculty can find employment. The graphs, statistics and analysis below outline the current state and the future direction of academia in health science in the city of Cedar Rapids, which encompasses health science training at the health science bachelors degree level.
Cedar Rapids Vs. Iowa Health Science Employment
Cedar Rapids 4,710
Iowa 80,790
Exactly 4,710 of Iowa's 64,730 health science professionals work in Cedar Rapids. The number of health science professionals in Cedar Rapids has shrunk by 12% from 2006 to 2010. Overall employment in Cedar Rapids has also decreased.
Cedar Rapids Vs. Iowa Health Science employment growth
Grey: Iowa
Dark Yellow: Cedar Rapids
Health Science VS. All professions salaries in Cedar Rapids
Light Blue: Health Science in Cedar Rapids
Dark Yellow: All Professions in Cedar Rapids
Salaries for health science professionals in Cedar Rapids have increased. In 2010 health science professionals in Cedar Rapids reportedly earned an average salary of $66,327 per year. Four years earlier in 2006, health science professionals in Cedar Rapids made an average salary of $50,503 per year. This growth is faster than the salary trend for all careers in Cedar Rapids.
Salary percentiles for Health science professionals in Cedar Rapids
Health science professionals make a median salary of $49,551 per year in Cedar Rapids. The difference in pay between the health science professionals in the lowest pay bracket and those in the highest pay bracket is approximately 62%. Those in the lowest 10% of the pay bracket earn less than $41,332 per year, while those in the highest 10% of the pay bracket earn more than $67,060 per year.
Average Salaries for Health science professionals and related professions in Cedar Rapids
Health Information $31,780
Health Information Management $53,035
Sonography $58,990
Health Science $66,327
On average health science professionals in Cedar Rapids earn salaries that are higher than the salaries earned by other professionals in Cedar Rapids.
Health Science schools in Cedar Rapids
There is only one accredited health science school in the city. Many of Cedar Rapids' health science professionals are graduates of this school.
Health Science Programs Offered In Cedar Rapids
No data at this time.
Cedar Rapids' health science school offers one health science degree and certificate program.
Student Completed Health Science Degrees In Cedar Rapids
Health Science Faculty Salaries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
We are in the process of collecting data for the number of health science faculty, growth in the field of health science academia and health science faculty salaries in Cedar Rapids. Your anonymous submission of information regarding your career and salary will help us create a valuable career planning database for the benefit of health science faculty at the bachelors degree in health science level in Cedar Rapids. A summary of the data collected thus far will be available to you once you have submitted your information.
Iowa Health Science Schools
Biology Schools in Cedar Rapids
Health Information Schools in Cedar Rapids
X Ray Technician Schools in Cedar Rapids
Health Science Schools in Iowa City, IA


We're not talking about inflating your tires in this article. There is also another kind of pumping. It is a technique that will make you a better rider and in this article we want to teach you how to pump a mountain bike for more speed.
Pumping as a technique is the act of driving your bike into the ground to gain traction and speed. Learning how to pump will allow you to stop passively rolling over trail features and instead use them to gain speed. By forcing the tires into the ground, you will have greater traction in corners. Obstacles that previously slowed you down will become opportunities to speed up. Soon you will be pumping off all sorts of trail features and blasting through the woods.
Pumping is a technique to increase or maintain speed as well as increase traction by driving the bike into the ground. It is a bit like free speed as it allows you to speed up without pedaling.
Imagine throwing a basketball at a plank of wood angled at 45 degrees. The ball will bounce up and forwards. The harder you throw the ball, the faster it will bounce off the wood.
Now imagine the plank of wood is a small rise on a trail and the basketball is your bike. By pushing your bike into the face of the rise, the rebound energy from your tires and suspension will push you up and forwards, helping you to maintain speed rather than the rise slowing you down. Pushing your bike into the down-slope on the other side of the rise will speed you up. This is called pumping.
If you come across a dip on the trail, you can pump into it to speed up. Pumping through flat corners will push the tires into the ground, increasing their footprint and the depth that the profile digs in, both of which will give you more grip. On a bermed or raised corner you can lean over and do not need as much traction, but a berm is just a dip on it's side, and can be pumped through in the same way.
There is more to the technique than just pushing down. See the instructions below to get you pump on. Get confident on each step before progressing to the next one. Soon you will be flying down the trail, leaving your mates wondering how you got so fast.
To get started, find an empty parking lot or patch of grass. Don't forget to bring your helmet along. Roll along at a steady pace with your pedals level with each other (one forward and one back). Squat down by bending your arms and legs, before using your hips and arms to drive your weight into the pedals and handlebars. As you do this, keep your heels down so your feet point slightly upwards, and rotate your wrists down. This ensures that the energy you are pushing into the bike propels it forwards and not just down.
You should hear your tires buzz as you accelerate.
Once you have got used to how this feels, find a local pumptrack (see below) or section of trail with some small rises and dips. Roll into the section at the same speed as you practiced earlier and think about the basketball. Pump into the face and down-slope of each rise and pump down into dips. Your goal here is to maintain a constant speed without slowing down.
Timing is crucial. Experiment with starting the pump earlier or later to see what effect this has on your speed.
As you perfect the technique and timing, you will find that you can actually speed up through the section without pedalling. Free speed!
Find a wide turn, or ideally a long winding section of singletrack without roots or rocks. Use the same pump technique as you roll through each turn to drive the tires into the ground. The downward force will give you more traction, allowing you to corner faster and the harder you push with your legs, the more you will accelerate out of the turn.
Find a wide and flat berm and turn your head to the side (to the left for a left-hand corner and vice versa). Notice how the berm now just looks like a dip in the trail? You have already mastered how to pump down into a dip, so do exactly the same as you roll through the berm.
Pumping can also be used to help you get through rock gardens or piles of tree roots. Once you are comfortable with the technique, look out for features on the trail that you can pump off. If there is a suitable rock at the start of a rock garden, pump off it and unweight your bike to make the wheels track over the rocks without throwing you around. You can do the same with a series of roots.
When you are feeling confident pumping over bumps on the trail, try pulling up on the handlebars as the front wheel reaches the top of the bump. As the back wheel reaches the top, push hard with your legs. With the correct timing you will send the bike into the air.
Pumping combined with the bunny hop technique is the basis for learning how to jump a mountain bike.
A pumptrack is series of rollers (or bumps/rises) and bermed corners that goes round in a loop. As the name suggests, a pumptrack is the perfect place to learn how to pump. You can often find a pumptrack at your local dirt jumps or trail center. Try searching online to find one or ask your local bike shop.
Spending time at a pumptrack is highly beneficial for a number or reasons. Not only is it a great place to practice pumping, you can also get a full body work out from pumping through as many circuits as possible. Pumptracks can be very sociable places where mountain bikers and BMX riders hang out. You can make new riding friends and watch them on the track as well as ask their advice on how to refine your technique. Finally, the features on most pumptracks can be rolled over by riders of all levels, so don't be afraid of giving it a go. You can even take your kids with you!
Have a look singletracks.com to learn more about pump tracks and how to ride them.
If there is no pump track in your area then why not build one?


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Thu 14-11-2019 17:56 PM
Non-oil trade between UAE, Egypt over past five years amounts to AED89.5 billion: Sultan Al Mansouri
ABU DHABI, 14th November, 2019 (WAM) -- Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, said that the non-oil trade between the UAE and Egypt over the five past years amounted to AED89.5 billion.
Their non-oil trade exchange last year also amounted to AED20.1 billion, a 14.6 percent growth compared to 2017, when it reached AED17.6 billion, reflecting the strong overall strategic partnership between the two countries, he added.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency, WAM, on the occasion of the official visit of President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, to the UAE, Al Mansouri stressed that the UAE is ranked first globally in terms of investments in Egypt, with the total value of its foreign direct investments, FDI, amounting to AED24.3 billion, reflecting the activity of 990 Emirati companies that invested in Egypt at the end of 2018.
He added that Emirati investments in Egypt are in many vital sectors, including banking, telecommunications and information technology, real estate, oil, tourism, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, insurance, ports and aviation.
Egypt is ranked 28th globally in terms of investing in the UAE and is ranked seventh among Arab countries, with its total FDIs valued at AED3.3 billion at the end of 2018, he further added while pointing out that in 2017, Egyptian FDIs valued at AED2.5 billion accounted for 34 percent of the UAE's economic growth.
Egyptian investments in the UAE are present in all economic sectors, most notably real estate, finance, insurance, construction, wholesale and retail commerce and the industrial sector, he noted.
Al Mansouri explained that bilateral non-oil trade between the two countries showed positive growth over the past five years, and their total non-oil trade exchange increased by 12.2 percent in 2018 compared to 2014, and 14.6 percent compared to 2017, stressing that Egypt is the UAE's sixth-leading trading partner in the Arab Region and 21st in the world while the UAE is Egypt's second-leading trading partner in the Arab region and tenth in the world.
Regarding future investment opportunities between the UAE and Egypt, in light of their convergence, the Ministry of Economy stated that there are many promising opportunities on the table, which will help reinforce their existing partnership.
Al Mansouri pointed out that the number of registered Egyptian trademarks in the UAE in November 2019 is 601 trademarks and 44 commercial agencies while the number of Egyptian companies with branches in the country is 111, and around 23,651 Egyptian partners own local licenses.
The UAE occupies the first place in the Arab region in terms of Egyptian exports, accounting for around AED7.3 billion or 21 percent of total Egyptian exports to Arab countries, he further said, noting that the number of flights by Emirati national carriers to Egypt is close to 80 per week, and the number of Egyptian visitors in the UAE in 2018 amounted to 612,600, or 2.4 percent of the total number in the country.
Al Mansouri then stressed that the bilateral cooperation agreements signed by the two countries have advanced to the level of an overall strategic partnership, noting that many Emirati and Egyptian institutions have signed over 18 agreements and memorandums of understanding, MoU, by November 2019 in various areas of political, economic and scientific cooperation, most notably the signing of the "Agreement on Liberalisation of Trade in Services among the Arab Countries" at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo.
The Emirates National Oil Company, ENOC, signed an agreement with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation to provide aircraft fuel supplies to all key airports in Egypt, which will also create FDI opportunities in the Egyptian market, he explained.
On 20th December, 2018, the UAE and Egypt signed a letter of intent to reinforce their cooperation in exchanging and sharing security information in civil aviation, as well as to enable Egypt to meet its obligations to protect the civil aviation system.
WAM/Esraa Ismail/Hassan Bashir


Free Printable Monthly Calendar Printable Calendars By Monthml Uploaded by qusuc on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 in category Printable Calendars. Here we have another image Free Printable Monthly Calendar Free Printable Calendar Printable Monthly Calendars featured under Free Printable Monthly Calendar Printable Calendars By Monthml. We hope you enjoyed it and if you want to download the pictures in high quality, simply right click the image and choose "Save As". Thanks for reading Free Printable Monthly Calendar Printable Calendars By Monthml.


The portal novosti.rs belongs to Kompanija Novosti and is part of the Vecernje Novosti daily newspaper. Because of that, their ownership is unclear just like it is in Novosti newspaper. Their content is based on the newspaper but also features stories happening during the day. Unlike other popular websites, clickbait headlines are not a characteristic of novosti.rs. Novosti.rs was ranked as 5th most visited Serbian website in a period from March 2016 until March 2017, showed Gemius data.
Novosti.rs is owned by Kompanija Novosti, a joint stock company, whose major owners are the Republic of Serbia and non-transparent and offshore structures with links to Milan Beko.
Kompanija Novosti was founded in 2002 and part of it was privatized in 2006. Milan Beko, a Serbian businessman and former government minister in Slobodan Milosevic's era, bought a controlling stake in Novosti through a network of companies. This privatization is one of 24 murky cases in which the Anticorruption Council, an independent government body, found irregularities and which the European Union has demanded that Serbia should investigate properly. Over the years, it has emerged that a number of hidden groups and individuals, including German media group WAZ and controversial Serbian businessman Stanko Subotic Cane, were involved in the privatization of Novosti. Subotic claimed that WAZ gave money in order to acquire Novosti but shares were never ultimately transferred to them. Furthermore, Miroslav Bogicevic, who bought the newspaper Politika because, in his own words, individuals from the Democratic Party asked him to do so, also wanted to buy Novosti for the same reason. In interview to weekly Nedeljnik, Beko said that he doesn't know to whom he should give money for Novosti buyout, to WAZ or Bogicevic. The Securities Commission of Serbia imposed a ban on the voting rights for the privatized shares of Novosti because of the disputed situation.
Novosti.rs are part of Kompanija Novosti, hence its ownership structure is similarly unclear.


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Download sample OCR source code in C # as API
C # c #
Today, in this post, for you, dear users of the MagicFile website, we have prepared a sample OCR source code in C # as an API for download.
Today, in this post, for you, dear users of the MagicFile website, we have prepared an example of an OCR source code in C # as an API that you can download as an image file or PDF e-book into a TXT text file.
Optical character reader [1], known as OCR است, is the automatic recognition of texts in document images and their conversion into computer-searchable and editable texts. The document image is often produced by a scanner or digital camera. These images contain a number of pixels with different colors, each color is created by combining the three main colors green, blue and red. From a human point of view, a document may have a lot of information value, but from a computer point of view, the image of a document is not different from the image of a landscape, because they are both a set of pixels. In order to be able to use the written information of the image of the document, we must somehow recognize the writings in the document. This is done by optical character reader software.
Optical character reader was initially used only for recognizing numbers and printed letters. The typewriter system, like a typist, reads the text of a document and converts it to a format suitable for storage on a computer. Scanners usually provide the images needed to recognize a character. The character reader system recognizes the objects in the document image, which are numbers, letters, symbols, and words, and stores the corresponding string in the appropriate format. An image file is large and text is not searchable. However, the output file of the character reader system is very small and searchable.
Character reader systems, like many other intelligent systems, are very complex. Image processing and pattern recognition are the two main topics in these systems. The complexity of these systems varies for different languages. For example, writing Latin light letters is easier because Latin letters are spelled differently than languages like Persian and Arabic, where the letters of a word stick together. This issue, in addition to the small population of Persian language users, has caused Persian language reader systems to have many weaknesses. Of course, in recent years, commendable efforts have been made by some companies active in the field of image processing, some of which have led to acceptable products.
Software images at runtime
The features of this software are as follows
1. Programmed as APC OCR
2. Ability to convert images and PDF file to TXT text file
3. Select several languages including Persian to convert
4. Convert converted text
5. Has two cores to convert
6. Dual output in text and Jason
7. و ....
Click on the link below to download the sample OCR source code in C # API
ocr in C # , Convert photos to text in C # , Convert PDF to C # text , OCR programming , OCR C# , C # character reader ,
Source and sample file code to receive Instagram bio information
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Download the source code of the heavenly treasure (Quran) in Basic Four Android
Download the source code of the cookbook program with Basic Four Android b4a


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Home > Customer Service > News Updates > 2012 Articles > The Diesel Colorado
The Diesel Colorado
The 2012 Holden Colorado will be powered by diesel options when it launches in Australia and New Zealand around the middle of this year.
The engine options are set at a 2.5 L with 110kW of power and a 2.8 diesel at 132kW power. These are brand-new four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines that will power the Holden Ute. The decision to offer only diesel means there will be no petrol or LPG in the new range. The current outgoing model is still available with an Australian-made 3.6-litre V6 dual-fuel engine.
The Holden engineers are currently evaluating a number of new Colorado's as the local brand aims to develop the best possible engine, transmission, drive quality and suspension combinations for the Australian and New Zealand roads and conditions. An evaluation process will continue in the lead-up to the launch, which should include all three-body styles: Single Cab, Space Cab and Crew Cab.
Safety and technology will be a key focus of the new Holden Colorado. Standard features will include electronic stability control, front and side curtain airbags, ABS and electronic brake force distribution, as well as Bluetooth, AUX and USB ports and iPod, iPhone connectivity.
Every market has its own way to use a truck; you even have people who just want looks alone. Holden says this is certainly applicable to Australia and New Zealand, where it says the market is continuing to head towards a higher-spec Ute model. The LTZ dual-cab 4WD variant will sit at the top of the Holden Colorado range. A tough look is crucial, but not too blocky; according to customer research, we want some kind of shape, a bit of sculpting, but not too much. The Colorado is a tough truck with strong personality but it also has some elegance.
Of the many different markets in which the Colorado will be sold, Thailand and Australia are the two countries where customers are asking for Utes that deliver a more car-like design and driving experience.
General Motors is certainly aware of the Thailand market; it's the worlds biggest for mid-size Utes or trucks, as the American carmaker prefers to call them.
The many and different demands of Ute markets around the world was a challenge to for the Holden designers to meet. Prospective buyers can get a first look at the all-new Holden Colorado from April 2012 when it begins its pre-launch road show.
Car manufacturers may be continuing to evolve their Utes into more car-like vehicles, but the Holden Colorado's cabin materials are still leaning towards durability rather than quality. Holden see durability as part of the interior strategy. They say that the vehicle should be very easy to clean, it's a vehicle that gets dirty and that's why the materials have been selected. I know on the materials side if you want to sell as more premium you would have to have some of a higher grade, but this is not the case here; our customer feedback is that this Colorado interior is what they want.