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Home » Business » U.S. economy starts long recovery as retail sales post record jump
U.S. economy starts long recovery as retail sales post record jump
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales increased by the most on record in May after two straight months of sharp declines as businesses reopened, offering more evidence that the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was over or drawing to an end.
The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday followed news early this month that the economy created 2.5 million jobs in May. Layoffs are also ebbing and manufacturing activity is improving, though production remains at very low levels.
The surge in retail sales last month recouped 63% of March and April's decreases. But the journey to recovery could be long and difficult as some parts of the country are experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. In addition, enhanced federal government unemployment checks will run out in July.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday that "until the public is confident that the disease is contained, a full recovery is unlikely."
Retail sales jumped 17.7% last month, the biggest advance since the government started tracking the series in 1992. Sales dropped a record 14.7% in April. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales would rise 8% in May.
Retail sales fell 6.1% on a year-on-year basis in May. Even with May's surge, sales were still about 8% below their February level, leaving consumer spending and the economy on track for their biggest contraction in the second quarter since the Great Depression. The economy slipped into recession in February.
"The economy and retail sales have hit the bottom in May and we have a V-shaped first stage of recovery," said Sung Won Sohn, a business economics professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. "However, it will take quite some time to get back to anywhere near the levels of retail sales and economic activity we enjoyed around the turn of the year."
The reopening last month of nonessential businesses that were shuttered in mid-March to slow the spread of COVID-19 has seen Americans flocking to car dealerships and spending more on gasoline, apparel and at restaurants.
Though nearly 20 million people have lost their jobs to the pandemic, record savings and the government's historic fiscal package of nearly $3 trillion are providing a cushion for consumers through one-time $1,200 checks and generous unemployment benefits. The unprecedented economic upheaval saw personal savings increasing at a record $337 billion in April and the saving rate hitting an all-time high of 33%.
MANUFACTURING STABILIZING
The recovery in retail sales last month was led by a 44.1% acceleration in sales at auto dealerships.
Receipts at service stations increased 12.8%. Sales at electronics and appliance stores soared 50.5%. Receipts at clothing stores rebounded 188% last month. Still, clothing store sales remained about 63% below their February level.
Sales at furniture stores soared 89.7%. Receipts at restaurants and bars advanced 29.1%. Spending at hobby, musical instrument and book stores vaulted 88.2%. All these categories had suffered record declines in sales in March and April.
Online and mail-order retail sales rose 9.0%. Sales at building material stores rose 10.9%.
The surge in demand for motor vehicles helped to lift manufacturing production 3.8% in May, a separate report from the Fed showed on Tuesday, after collapsing by a record 15.5% in April. Manufacturing, which accounts for 11% of the U.S. economy, remains hobbled by supply-chain disruptions.
Cheaper crude oil has made oil and gas wells unprofitable, impacting demand for heavy equipment and machinery.
"We expect a gradual recovery over the next few years, with growth lagging that of the overall economy," said Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC Financial in Pittsburgh. "One potential upside risk is if firms decide to shorten their supply chains because of the pandemic and the associated disruptions to global trade, moving manufacturing capacity back to the U.S."
Stocks on Wall Street rallied on the reports and data showing reduced COVID-19 death rates in a trial of a generic steroid drug. The dollar .DXY rose against a basket of currencies. Prices of U.S. Treasuries fell.
Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales surged 11% in May after tumbling 12.4% in April. These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of the gross domestic product report.
Economists expect consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, could decline at as much as a 37% annualized rate in the second quarter. That could result in GDP falling at around a 36% pace in that period.
Consumer spending contracted at a 6.8% rate in the first quarter, the sharpest drop since the second quarter of 1980. The economy shrank at a 5% pace in the January-March quarter, the deepest contraction since the 2007-2009 Great Recession.
Weak GDP this quarter was underscored by other data on Tuesday showing a tumble in business inventories in April.
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Chip Heath is the Thrive Foundation for Youth Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Dan Heath is a consultant to the Aspen Institute. Together, they are the authors of the national bestseller Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. They write a regular column in Fast Company magazine, and have appeared on Today, NPR's Morning Edition, MSNBC, CNBC, and have been featured in Time, People and US News and World Report. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Am currently reading the pre-release version of the book. As someone who develops strategy with the goal of radically improving behavior, I have found this book extremely valuable. It will help you drive your organization from sustained behavior to transformed behavior.


text:
Matthew Hawks, MD
Matthew K Hawks, MD, Major, Air Force
Name: Matthew K Hawks, MD, Major, Air Force
USU Department of Primary Appointment:
Faculty Adviser, Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
Faculty Rank:
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
matthew.hawks@usuhs.edu
Department Website:
USU Family Medicine Department
Faculty Development Fellowship
University California San Francisco, 2018
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, 2015
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, 2012
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 2008
Dr. Hawks received his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University (BYU) and graduated in 2008. He was commissioned in June 2008 and graduated from Commissioned Officer Training as a distinguished graduate prior to attending medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, MD. After graduating medical school in May 2012, he attending Nellis AFB Family Medicine Residency where he graduated with a board certification in Family Medicine in 2015.
Following residency Dr. Hawks worked as a Core Faculty member in Nellis Family Medicine Residency program. He deployed to Al Jaber, Kuwait in 2016 were he served as the Chief of Staff for the the 332nd Air Force Medical Group. In addition to fulfilling his core faculty responsibilities he completed a fellowship in Faculty Development through the University of California San Francisco in 2018. In 2019 he was selected to fill a billeted faculty position in the USU Family Medicine Department where he is the Faculty Advisor for the USU Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) and assists with multiple pre-clerkship courses as a small group facilitator.
Dr. Hawks professional serves as the 2020 annual meeting Co-Chair for the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians. He also serves on the Education and the Resident/Student Committees. He is a member of the American Academy of Physicians and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the Family Physicians Inquires Network (FPIN). He serves as a Deputy Editor for the FPIN medical journal Evidence Based Medicine.
Biosketch Link:
Hawks M, Maloy, W. Do the most effective treatments for Achilles' tendinosis differ if the tendinosis is mid-substance or insertional? Evidence-Based Practice. 2019 May; online
Hawks M, Maloy, W. What are the most effective treatments for jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy)? Evidence-Based Practice. 2019 May; online ahead of print.
Hawks M, Collenborne, C. What is the most effective intervention for smoking cessation? Evidence-Based Practice. 2019 July; online ahead of print.
Hawks MK, Rupert J, Svarverud J. Terbinafine for Onychomycosis. American Family Physician. 2018 Aug; 98(3):online.
Hawks MK, Collenborne C. Asymptomatic hyperpigmented iris lesion. American Family Physician. 2018 Jul; 98(1):47-48.
Hawks M, Mounsey A. Treating migraines: It's different for kids. Journal of Family Practice. 2018 Apr; 67(4):238-241.
Hawks MK, Bryce C. Rivaroxaban vs Warfarin and other Vitamin K (VKA) for anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation. American Family Physician. 2016 Oct 1; 94(7): online.
Hawks M, Dixon MA. Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after myocardial infarction reduces major adverse cardiac events. American Family Physician. 2017 Oct 1; 96(7):online.
Hawks MK. Successful Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy with Electroacupuncture; Two Cases. Medical Acupuncture. 2017 Jun; 29(3):163-165.
Covey CJ, Hawks MK. Nontraumatic knee pain: A diagnostic & treatment guide. Journal of Family Practice. 2014 Dec; 63(12):720-728.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


On this the Day of Thanksgiving, I found myself cooking a greater percentage of the dinner than I probably ever had before, in addition to trying out a couple new recipes. First thing, then, to be thankful for: the new pie crust and stuffing recipes. Butter really does make everything better.
Pictured are just three turkeys from my collection. The largest I got in Third Grade, as a prize that I chose with our class tokens (which we would get for completing assignments, good behavior, that sort of thing). Initially, I wanted to paint this turkey, but as soon as I "bought" it, I knew it was perfect just the way it is. Then a couple years ago, someone found the smaller version in a secondhand store: now the big turkey has a baby turkey. The colorful, glittery pilgrim turkey is from World Market this year; it adds a little color to the more natural ones.
As I reflect on the close of this day, I just way to say that peace feels so much better than stress or anger or strife. When the world is quiet, our hearts smile. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
You know, Thanksgiving is sort of like New Year's: they both, informally, cover two days. New Year's parties are on New Year's Eve, but the official day is New Year's Day. For Thanksgiving, Thursday is the day for gathering, but Friday is the day for tradition. Black Friday, that is. For some, it's a day for shopping. For me, it's always been about the decorating. And I've usually had Thursday and Friday off, so the two have gone together has a short holiday. Friday is sort of the after dinner course that follows Thanksgiving Thursday.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that Thanksgiving initiates the holiday season. Not only does Christmas decorating directly follow the Day of the Turkeys, but so do gifts. And, no, not gift-shopping: I mean bringing out the wrapped gifts. I've sort of done possibly all of my Christmas shopping already; maybe I will get a little bit more later if I see anything good, but on the whole, I'm done. Everything's wrapped, too. It's almost ridiculous. And, yes, that is the Downton Abbey wrapping paper on the present on the right side.
Maybe it's that not only is it nice to beat the holiday crowds (it's easier to find what you're looking for when there are less people), but it's also nice to have the commercial side over when you settle into the holiday season. If you're done thinking about how much money you're spending and such like, then you can think about the people you bought those presents for and the joys of home, candy cane tea, crisply cold weather, and lights around the tree. If you take care of the details first, then you're free to enjoy and to live.
Speaking of preparing details, tomorrow is pumpkin pie baking day.
There has been a pretty steady downpour of rain all day. While the clouds are pretty, so much darkness is almost-depressing to those used to sunshine. So I come seeking solitude in chocolate. And not just any chocolate is this, but a special block I have been saving. It just so happens to be Barry Callebaut chocolate from New Frontiers in Sedona.
Now, I have heard of Callebaut chocolate; I have heard that it is wonderful and that some of the talented chocolate makers use it as base for their chocolates and truffles. But I have never had any myself, so naturally I was delighted to find this block. And it is always such a delight to taste a respected chocolate brand for the first time. New Frontiers packages this chocolate up in clear wrap and sells them for about $10. Given that little Amano bars can be about that price, this really isn't that expensive: the block is thick and sturdy. It would be nice to use in a recipe where you need quality. But it is also nice broken up by a knife and served on a plate in small shavings. Perhaps at a Christmas party or Thanksgiving dinner?
Sorry, sorry, I just had to display my new turkey plate from World Market; I love turkeys and I love chocolate, so I had to love them together. But picture, instead of a painted turkey, a small dessert or a piece of fruit in the center of the chocolate rim. How elegant that would be. Don't let yourself be limited by the bulk size of this chocolate block or others like it: they can still be pretty.
Setting my turkeys aside, I must also address the chocolate. It's milk chocolate, with no cocoa content listed. But it can't be any higher than 42%, and I don't think it's even that high. Perhaps around 38% cocoa? The first piece I slipped in my mouth struck me with the smoothness of its melting. As soon as it touches your tongue, it begins to melt; there is absolutely no hint of graininess in this absolute luxury. It melts so well that eating it is almost like sipping hot chocolate. The richness of the flavor is what provides the warmth; there are vanilla and caramel notes mixed in with complete softness. It's possible that the aftertaste is marshmallows. Is it worth the wait? Oh, yes. In fact, I might even consider serving some up with Thanksgiving dessert on Thursday, perhaps on this very turkey plate. Don't you worry, pumpkin pie: I won't replace you, just accent you.
They say that, technically, Star Wars is a Western because of the way the plot and characters are arranged. But genre-wise, the series is usually put into sci-fi, right? Because it takes place partially in space and includes space travel and people from different planets. But I usually think of the Star Wars universe as fantasy.
Rewatching the entire series (starting with the original trilogy, then the prequel trilogy, of course), I started thinking about little things that I liked when I was younger. I liked Tatooine, with its beautiful sky and desert architecture and white linen clothing. I liked all the green on Endor. I liked all the braids in the hairstyles.
This type of thing, it reminds me of some of the things I loved while watching The Lord of the Rings for the first time. The trees and blue lights of Lothlorien, Galadriel's long hair and skirts, the cloaks of the Fellowship, the rolling hills of Rohan. Beautiful and/or fascinating things to look at. That's what fantasy often offers since it portrays a different world, only partially designed after our own. And Star Wars takes place in a galaxy far, far enough away that it might as well be a whole new universe. It has its own rules, system, settings, and people. To me, Tatooine is as fascinating as Lothlorien, if in a completely different way.
Instead of dwarves or fairies or unicorns, there are jawas, wookies, and droids. And instead of magic, there is the Force. Think about something like Harry Potter, where the characters have to learn to use magic, choosing either good or ill as you do with anything in life. That type of journey is not so unlike Luke's and Anakin's journeys toward understanding their power. They can levitate things with their minds, after all; that's more fantasy than science.
Maybe it's also because the space element is engrained in the Star Wars world that it feels more like fantasy than sci-fi. We're not dealing with a future version of our world where Earth has gained space travel; we're dealing with a different territory where space travel is just one of the facts of existence. Isn't fantasy wonderful?
Wasn't last night's episode of Once Upon a Time fantastic? It was like we had been waiting two and a half seasons to see all that unfold--and I guessed correctly about the identity of a certain Peter Pan, I might add. But I'd like to take this opportunity to go over another fantasy-related concept I've been pondering: the "Alice" figure.
The story of Alice in Wonderland has always made for a bit of a conundrum for anyone adapting it to film: there is very little of a real (traditional, I mean) plot line and the main character does not change or progress or anything like that from beginning to end (symbolically, she does--but not within the physical framework of the story). So Alice often looks very flat on film, because she is in fact, purposefully, written fairly flat. Some filmmakers know how to work with this; others just bypass it and turn Alice into an active character. Tim Burton kept Alice fairly restrained while still trying to show outward signs of her growth, as though the Jabberwocky and the proposal. In Alice, Nick Willing made Alice into a dynamic character while keeping her as the straight man to the more comedic or dramatic characters.
While I still don't much like the book Alice in Wonderland, it's interesting how interpretations of it work. The book is hugely symbolic: you can interpret it based on psychology and social behavior and whatever else. In adaptations, people often make the symbolic level active and alive. Instead of leaving symbolic interpretations possible for the audience, they design their story according to one interpretation. Nick Willing focused on Alice's loss of her father and her need to grow past that childhood event. The TV show also explains that Alice has a troubled relationship with her father, but she doesn't seem overly troubled by it in the present day; her focus is more on getting Cyrus back. So that makes her much more of a traditional character, driven by a simple desire and goal.
It's strange to me that this spin-off show almost entirely takes out the flat "Alice" character when Once Upon a Time itself created its own Alice through Emma. By now, Emma has experienced character development and we've learned about who she is and who she wants to be and all that. But she began much like Alice in Wonderland: she was the fairly flat, emotionally stoic character thrown into the midst of other colorful characters and situations she didn't fully understand. For me, Emma can be one of the weak points of the show because of the way her character is designed. When the Alice character is already so difficult to give to a modern audience, I sometimes wonder why this show (and other stories) decide to create an Alice character. Maybe a story just needs a straight man to contrast with more layered characters?
"I wish there were somewhere to get a salad or something. I'm not hungry yet, but there are just dirty fast food places up ahead."
Words, more or less, spoken by me two months ago on the drive back from California. It's easy to bring lunch on the way over, but harder for the way back. So our attempt to not end up with gross (even for fast food) fast food led us to a little grocery/deli place, where we picked up food to go and a couple of extra items. Chocolate, it goes without saying, was one of those extra items.
I'm always on the lookout for new chocolate companies, and I had never seen or heard of Copper Monkey Chocolate Factory before. The company is Australian, so whether or not they are still working on a U.S. presence or are just entirely new, I'm not sure. Their snazzy-looking website gives little information. Nor does their card box, which just lists an explanation of Rainforest Alliance certification and the company's use of fine ingredients--without exactly saying much about those ingredients, I might add. But I move ahead of myself.
Let's return to that card box. While I'm not a fan of advertising products solely on ethical claims (although a company should certainly be able to make those claims), somehow the way that Copper Monkey uses those claims works okay. All of that text on the lower half of the box is explaining what the Rainforest Alliance does (I actually didn't know that it strives to help the people, too; I thought it was just about the environment, although people are certainly part of the environment). But it's in a light brown print that blends into the dark brown background. So you can read it if you want, but it doesn't burst out into your face. The focus is more on the "100% Australian Made." And that's interesting: there aren't a huge amount of Australian chocolate companies, especially ones that make it overseas. The Copper Monkey logo, against an image like a sign, is industrial and raw, while the blue monkey is silly and fun. Those two sides pair well. It's a funny and serious tone at the same time.
Given that it took me so long to get to this bar and that the Best By date is already next month, I wasn't expecting it to be in top condition when I peeled away the foil wrapper. But the wrapper is a sealed one, like Lindt uses. So besides a couple of little bumps, the bar was still in good condition. No bloom, no melted sections, nothing. A couple of little bubbles in the mold give it a handmade look, and you know I like the small square size. The forty little squares are just the right size for a chocolate bite. They may look small, but the bar is thick enough that it works well.
Especially for a 32% cocoa content milk chocolate, the texture is a little hard. But this may be because it isn't the newest. Even after chewing somewhat, it still melts on the slow side for a milk chocolate; not that I mind. The mouthfeel might be ever so slightly gritty, though not to a bad point. Maybe it's the monkey on the card box, but I keep thinking of bananas when I eat this chocolate. While milk chocolate frequently tastes like vanilla and caramel, I'm getting a more sprightly edge to the caramel here that gives this bar quite a unique flavor. It must be due to the cacao origin (which Copper Monkey has simply ignored supplying); I have had chocolate with banana notes before. Whether or not I'm making up the banana thing, this chocolate does have a nice flavor. For only 32%, it isn't overly sweet and the flavor is fairly layered.
Along with Theo's Creamy Milk Chocolate (which is 45% cacao), I would feed this to the uninitiated-into-quality-chocolate milk chocolate lover. Now hand me a spoon so that I can eat the rest of this hefty, 200 gram chocolate bar.
Now, I didn't even know there was a controversy going on; I just went to watch a movie. So that's all I'm addressing here. You know, I find myself feeling similar to how I did after watching The Host earlier this year (click for Parts 1 and 2 of my thoughts on that movie). It's gladness for enjoying the adaptation as a whole, but also contentment with my reaction to what is in the story.
Ender's Game, to me, is heartbreaking. It's the story of someone who so desperately wants peace but so easily can commit violence. I suppose, on different symbolic levels, we can all be that way: we want to do right, but there is just so much going on in the world to react to. War and conflict, representing the exterior and the interior, will always exist.
As soon as I read the book, I knew Asa Butterfield as the perfect casting choice for Ender. He has that ability to transmit both innocence and power through his face--even just through his eyes. One of the things that makes this book so good is the way that it shows Ender's thoughts; with a movie, you can't show thoughts in the same way. But with a tad of voiceover and close-ups of Ender's very expressive-yet-also-unwavering eyes, we could still follow along and understand what he was feeling at different points. Granted, I know that not everyone read the book; I went to see the movie with someone who hadn't. I think there must be more gaps or less emotional weight if the movie is your first introduction to the story. But I kind of like the idea of the book and movie coming as a pair: sometimes it was hard to visualize things in the book, so the movie helped with that. And if it's hard to understand the emotional or symbolic weight of everything in the movie, the book helps with that.
A word on those visuals. They looked great, and it wouldn't really have been worth it to make this movie if the studio hadn't invested enough to make everything look right. If I had no familiarity with the story, maybe I would have thought it was just about effects. But I'm not sure. The effects, whether in the battle simulations or the mind game, are all about what is going on with this one character.
One of the odd points is one that we all knew was coming. The book presents us with Ender at six years old, allowing him to grow up across the pages. That's hard to do in a movie without getting bogged down by all those years or having an unconvincing combination of actors playing one character. So while I definitely missed seeing Ender so young in the beginning and even wished we could have seen him a little older at the end, I think they did the best they could with making the smaller timeframe work. And, as I said, Asa Butterfield was perfect in the role. If I'm repeating myself, it's because Ender is the most important thing about this story: if he's right, then everything else sort of follows along. Oh, Ender, you still make me want to cry--and get up and live my life with awareness and intention.
Pirates are always in season. While The Hillywood Show, lately, has been keeping to parodies of more recent movies, this month they have gone back to their roots with a Pirates of the Caribbean Parody. It was several years ago now, before the viral Twilight and Harry Potter and Lady Gaga videos, that Hillywood was still doing Jack Sparrow-centered episodes. For someone who has been a fan for a few years, it's exciting to see the return of Hilly as Jack.
As you can see, this video is in the music video style they are now known for. But that's not the only thing that is different from the old episodes: the sets, the makeup, Hilly's imitation of Johnny Depp's facial expressions, and the production value as a whole has all grown. In these five years, Hilly and Hannah may have set Jack aside, but they've still been busy making new content and improving their methods. It shows; this video is sleek. I think they have also been learning how to give a video good rewatchability. That was one of the things I said was good about their Breaking Dawn Parody (for Part 1), and that video how has over 21 million views. At first, I admit, I did think that this Pirates video could use a little more plot; plot, however, is one of the things that can drag a YouTube video down and make it less rewatchable. And a simple plot is fitting to POTC and to Jack Sparrow himself. The "Jack is Back" thing is, really, enough.
Oh, yes, and you must watch the Behind the Scenes, as well. That's thirty-eight minutes of Hillywood goodness. See the ship they filmed on, the mansion they used for some of the indoor scenes, and just how they got that amazing Kraken. It's like we've finally connected the dots between the original episodes and the later music video style parodies. The Hillywood Show is great.


This repository contains the set of files that are used to build a custom MOTD message for the SCITAS clusters.
The fragments file is fetched first and then each line in that file is used as a basename for fetching the individual fragments.
The content of each fragment is fetched in the same order and concatenated into a single file: /etc/scitas.motd.


From the small alpine town of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, our dedicated team is on a mission to provide a simple, private and meaningful way for families all over the world to connect - from great-grandparents, right down to the youngest members of the family. We're proud to be working closely with various positive and dynamic community groups to ensure that kin2kin provides the best possible solution for all loved ones.
We are fortunate to have a host of passionate investors and advisors on board who share in our vision.
We're passionate about making a positive dent in the universe by strengthening these family relationships across generations, borders and time zones – safely and easily.
kin2kin was created by Hamish McGregor, father of two teenagers. Hamish needed a quick and easy way to send updates and assist meaningful relationships between his kids (too young for social media) and his extended family (Dad wasn't tech savvy and his siblings and their families lived in different towns).


text:
__author__ = 'Thomas Rueckstiess, ruecksti@in.tum.de'

from matplotlib.mlab import rk4
from math import sin, cos
import time
from scipy import eye, matrix, random, asarray

from pybrain.rl.environments.graphical import GraphicalEnvironment

class CartPoleEnvironment(GraphicalEnvironment):
    """ This environment implements the cart pole balancing benchmark, as stated in:
        Riedmiller, Peters, Schaal: "Evaluation of Policy Gradient Methods and
        Variants on the Cart-Pole Benchmark". ADPRL 2007.
        It implements a set of differential equations, solved with a 4th order
        Runge-Kutta method.
    """

    indim = 1
    outdim = 4

    # some physical constants
    g = 9.81
    l = 0.5
    mp = 0.1
    mc = 1.0
    dt = 0.02

    randomInitialization = True

    def __init__(self, polelength=None):
        GraphicalEnvironment.__init__(self)
        if polelength != None:
            self.l = polelength

        # initialize the environment (randomly)
        self.reset()
        self.action = 0.0
        self.delay = False

    def getSensors(self):
        """ returns the state one step (dt) ahead in the future. stores the state in
            self.sensors because it is needed for the next calculation. The sensor return
            vector has 4 elements: theta, theta', s, s' (s being the distance from the
            origin).
        """
        return asarray(self.sensors)

    def performAction(self, action):
        """ stores the desired action for the next runge-kutta step.
        """
        self.action = action
        self.step()

    def step(self):
        self.sensors = rk4(self._derivs, self.sensors, [0, self.dt])
        self.sensors = self.sensors[-1]
        if self.hasRenderer():
            self.getRenderer().updateData(self.sensors)
            if self.delay:
                time.sleep(0.05)

    def reset(self):
        """ re-initializes the environment, setting the cart back in a random position.
        """
        if self.randomInitialization:
            angle = random.uniform(-0.2, 0.2)
            pos = random.uniform(-0.5, 0.5)
        else:
            angle = -0.2
            pos = 0.2
        self.sensors = (angle, 0.0, pos, 0.0)

    def _derivs(self, x, t):
        """ This function is needed for the Runge-Kutta integration approximation method. It calculates the
            derivatives of the state variables given in x. for each variable in x, it returns the first order
            derivative at time t.
        """
        F = self.action
        (theta, theta_, _s, s_) = x
        u = theta_
        sin_theta = sin(theta)
        cos_theta = cos(theta)
        mp = self.mp
        mc = self.mc
        l = self.l
        u_ = (self.g * sin_theta * (mc + mp) - (F + mp * l * theta ** 2 * sin_theta) * cos_theta) / (4 / 3 * l * (mc + mp) - mp * l * cos_theta ** 2)
        v = s_
        v_ = (F - mp * l * (u_ * cos_theta - (s_ ** 2 * sin_theta))) / (mc + mp)
        return (u, u_, v, v_)

    def getPoleAngles(self):
        """ auxiliary access to just the pole angle(s), to be used by BalanceTask """
        return [self.sensors[0]]

    def getCartPosition(self):
        """ auxiliary access to just the cart position, to be used by BalanceTask """
        return self.sensors[2]

class CartPoleLinEnvironment(CartPoleEnvironment):
    """ This is a linearized implementation of the cart-pole system, as described in
    Peters J, Vijayakumar S, Schaal S (2003) Reinforcement learning for humanoid robotics.
    Polelength is fixed, the order of sensors has been changed to the above."""

    tau = 1. / 60.   # sec

    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
        CartPoleEnvironment.__init__(self, **kwargs)
        nu = 13.2 #  sec^-2
        tau = self.tau

        # linearized movement equations
        self.A = matrix(eye(4))
        self.A[0, 1] = tau
        self.A[2, 3] = tau
        self.A[1, 0] = nu * tau
        self.b = matrix([0.0, nu * tau / 9.80665, 0.0, tau])

    def step(self):
        self.sensors = random.normal(loc=self.sensors * self.A + self.action * self.b, scale=0.001).flatten()
        if self.hasRenderer():
            self.getRenderer().updateData(self.sensors)
            if self.delay:
                time.sleep(self.tau)

    def reset(self):
        """ re-initializes the environment, setting the cart back in a random position.
        """
        self.sensors = random.normal(scale=0.1, size=4)

    def getSensors(self):
        return self.sensors.flatten()

    def getPoleAngles(self):
        """ auxiliary access to just the pole angle(s), to be used by BalanceTask """
        return [self.sensors[0]]

    def getCartPosition(self):
        """ auxiliary access to just the cart position, to be used by BalanceTask """
        return self.sensors[2]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
/* LibTomCrypt, modular cryptographic library -- Tom St Denis
 *
 * LibTomCrypt is a library that provides various cryptographic
 * algorithms in a highly modular and flexible manner.
 *
 * The library is free for all purposes without any express
 * guarantee it works.
 *
 * Tom St Denis, tomstdenis@gmail.com, http://libtomcrypt.com
 */
#include "tomcrypt.h"

/**
   @file ctr_start.c
   CTR implementation, start chain, Tom St Denis
*/

#ifdef CTR

/**
   Initialize a CTR context
   @param cipher      The index of the cipher desired
   @param IV          The initial vector
   @param key         The secret key
   @param keylen      The length of the secret key (octets)
   @param num_rounds  Number of rounds in the cipher desired (0 for default)
   @param ctr_mode    The counter mode (CTR_COUNTER_LITTLE_ENDIAN or CTR_COUNTER_BIG_ENDIAN)
   @param ctr         The CTR state to initialize
   @return CRYPT_OK if successful
*/
int ctr_start(               int   cipher,
              const unsigned char *IV,
              const unsigned char *key,       int keylen,
                             int  num_rounds, int ctr_mode,
                   symmetric_CTR *ctr)
{
   int x, err;

   LTC_ARGCHK(IV  != NULL);
   LTC_ARGCHK(key != NULL);
   LTC_ARGCHK(ctr != NULL);

   /* bad param? */
   if ((err = cipher_is_valid(cipher)) != CRYPT_OK) {
      return err;
   }

   /* setup cipher */
   if ((err = cipher_descriptor[cipher].setup(key, keylen, num_rounds, &ctr->key)) != CRYPT_OK) {
      return err;
   }

   /* copy ctr */
   ctr->blocklen = cipher_descriptor[cipher].block_length;
   ctr->cipher   = cipher;
   ctr->padlen   = 0;
   ctr->mode     = ctr_mode;
   for (x = 0; x < ctr->blocklen; x++) {
       ctr->ctr[x] = IV[x];
   }
   return cipher_descriptor[ctr->cipher].ecb_encrypt(ctr->ctr, ctr->pad, &ctr->key);
}

#endif

/* $Source: /cvs/libtom/libtomcrypt/src/modes/ctr/ctr_start.c,v $ */
/* $Revision: 1.8 $ */
/* $Date: 2006/03/31 14:15:35 $ */


Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner is pleased to announce that we have been joined by our new partner, Vicky Ann Trimmer. Vicky brings her extensive knowledge and experience as both a lawyer and certified public account to DZMM. She practices the areas of estate planning and administration, elder law, business law, administrative law, taxation and agricultural law.
In addition to her extensive legal experience, Vicky shares an interest in public service with the other attorneys at DZMM. She is President of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Pennsylvania, an organization that seeks to enhance lives through volunteer service.
To learn more about Vicky, read her full biography. Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner is a full-service law firm in Central Pennsylvania. For more information about the firm see, visit us.


OpenArc winning an award for SkySave, its web based savings product at National Best Quality ICT Awards (NBQSA) ceremony held on 17th October 2014 at hotel Galadari in Colombo.
The Founder/Chairman of OpenArc Group of Companies, Daya Hettiarachchi was recognized by The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) at the Engineering Excellence Awards 2014 with the award of "Engineering Entrepreneur" (Merit). This article expresses his views on Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Contributions made by OpenArc Group of Companies to the nation over 23 years of company history.
Any country needs innovative Engineers to drive development programmes and achieve prosperity in the long run. Entrepreneurial Engineers are gifted products of anyNation's success. Countriessuch as Japan produced enough of them through their education system and other innovative methods. Results are very much evident from what they have achieved today. Entrepreneurial Engineering Leaders is the need of the hour for Sri Lanka as well.
True entrepreneurs and noble leaders who want to do the best for others and they are not just opportunists who exploit situations to just make financial success, Daya Hettiarachchi expressed his views.
Among many other interpretations, we may see true meanings of the letter 'E' in the term 'LEADERSHIP' as standing for two aspects of noble leadership; being 'Ethical' and setting 'Examples' which followers may look upon to build their futures. It is a question in today's context of leadership and entrepreneurship;is it more of only the exploitation of opportunitiesto produce highest profits at all times and spheres? We need a professional dialogue on this.
Truly a professional entrepreneur is a humble leader who exploits opportunities for the benefits of many others than himself and has more concern for mankind; there is a great deal of materials to be argued upon.
Daya Hettiarachchi, Founder/Chairman of OpenArc Group, a son of the southern soil of Sri Lanka with humble beginnings in 1990's, has risen today to be a leader, mentor, a genuine and ethical business example in the community, who has paved the way for many successful accomplishments out of OpenArc, an institution that created IT professionals and a successful software business that produced many software solutions for the country that is deem to be the market leader in Sri Lanka providing software solutions to the banking &finance industry over last 23 years.
A Chartered Engineer (BSc. Eng., C Eng., MIESL) who subsequently pursued higher education in Computer Science (MSc) andalso became a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) after achieving full management accountancy professional qualifications from CIMA, UK way back in 1984. This is a rare combination of professional qualifications for anyone to possess along with entrepreneurial qualities.
In 1990 as a head of IT in a Bank,he identified the need of solid software solutions to be implemented in the Banks and Finance companies and other enterprises in Sri Lanka. He took over the challenge of heading IT divisions of banks but the country didn't have many IT Engineers to support in his endeavors in early 1990s. All the IT solutions given to banks have been foreign software. In spite of slim local resources,in that erahe took initiative to introduce many new technologies and technology platforms for the first time in the history such as UNIX based Informix Dynamic server to local enterprises with training support from international organizations. At a time when there were no computer systems installed in those Bankshe took initiative and conducted IT training programs for the entire staff of NDB in 1987 and Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka in 1990 to educate them in IT. This initiative which laid the foundation for computerization of those institutions is still remembered by the past employees of those organizations.
With experiences earned through this process, vitality of the professional support from a good local software house to be established along with human resource development for the IT sector was identified by him.That was the beginning of raising seed capital for the formation of new enterprise OpenArc in 1991 and the long journey of last 23 years of OpenArc.At present, OpenArc is the only entity in Sri Lanka having a leading software company and an IT Campus under one roof. In recognition of the quality delivery, this year University of Moratuwa selected OpenArc School as an exclusive partner to deliver BIT external degree of the Moratuwa University.
With the systems knowledge gathered through his Engineering, Banking and IT careers he was able to conceptualize many industry leading software products with local and global presence. In this process the company has provided import substitution of foreign software that very often flowing in to the country due to lack of local entrepreneurship in the software products development arena in Sri Lanka.
In 2012 he successfully launched a private placement of company shares and attracted Japanese direct foreign investment of Rs. 358 million to the company through which process he diluted 19% stake to Japanese investors.
The OpenArc School that was formed in 1995 with the intention of generating its own OpenArc cultured Software Engineers has added more than 2000 IT professionals to the nation through professional education programmes conducted by them during last two decades.
OpenArc 'Navodaya' free education programme introduced by OpenArc in 2007 offers 25 BIT degree scholarships every year. It is a four year 100% free education and employment programme that has produced many world class software engineers in the past. The school children who don't get university entrance at the Advance Level but win these scholarships have at the end won First class degrees in IT from the University of Colombo. They earn solid 3 years of software development experience at the time of graduation which is again a unique system of producing most practical and productive software engineers to the industry.
Today he is leading OpenArc Group as the Founder/Chairman, which combines OpenArc Systems, a leading computer software development firm, OpenArc School, a leading IT School and OpenArc Engineering Solutions, a new Green Technology Solution company in Sri Lanka.
OpenArc Systems with 150 professional software developers is engaged in state-of-the-art systems development work helping the entire group to build on strong IT backbone. Today the company, OpenArc Systems Management is a CMMI Level 3 quality certified company having a clear leadership in Banking & Finance software market in Sri Lanka.
With his long-term vision in producing a truly Sri Lankan, next generation core banking software solutionon an open technology platform combined with mobile payments and internet banking he invites the banking community to support his national endeavors. This country has so much of Banking & Finance expertise. The country has produced so much of world class software engineers, computer scientists who serve other countries around the world. Why can't we combine these talents and efforts to produce a total common solution for all Sri Lankan banks and finance companies that spend billions of rupees every year for foreign software? It has been a usual question asked by Daya Hettiarachchi who needs support from the authorities such as Central Bankand Lanka Clear as well to accomplish his long-term goals.


text:
Gli Harddiskaunt sono un gruppo ska italiano formatosi nel gennaio del 1996 nella provincia di Varese.

Storia
In Italia si sono esibiti in centinaia di concerti spaziando da Bolzano a Taranto, da Trento ad Avellino, accompagnando spesso band straniere come gli Skatalites, gli Ska-P e artisti italiani come Daniele Sepe, Il Parto delle Nuvole Pesanti o Daniele Silvestri. Vantano numerosi tour in Germania, Austria, Svizzera, Croazia e un contratto con la label tedesca Grover Records, principale etichetta ska in Europa. Gli Harddiskaunt, fin dal primo demo del 97, hanno contaminato lo ska più genuino con altri generi come lo swing, il surf, il reggae e latin. Se nell'ultimo album "La buena y la mala onda" le contaminazioni con i ritmi sudamericani si era fatta molto forte, nel nuovo lavoro, Skankin' Around, la band ha scelto di tornare alle origini dello ska. L'EP comprende sei classici giamaicani di autori come Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Maytals e John Holt.

Formazione
 Biagio alias the Tbone King (trombone e voce)
 Davide alias Mr. Borkia (basso e voce)
 Tommaso Soru alias Tommy Rimshot (batteria e percussioni)
 Emiliano alias the Sax Symbol (sax e voce)
 Luka alias Luka Rudeboy (chitarra e voce)
 Tommy alias Siddh (tastiere)

Discografia

Album
 1997 - Greatest Hits n°7
 2000 - Skaterpillar
 2003 - Ed è subito party!
 2006 - La buena y la mala onda

EP
 2011 - Skankin' Around

Note

Bibliografia
 Yari Selvetella, La Scena Ska Italiana. Il Levare (Che Porta Via la Testa), Arcana musica, 2003

Collegamenti esterni
Harddiskaunt su Rockit

Gruppi e musicisti della Lombardia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


UNIQLO today announces the worldwide launch of a special 2015 Spring, Summer collection created with Ines de La Fressange. UNIQLO Design Director Naoki Takizawa worked with Ines to merge her passion for the UNIQLO LifeWear concept with her style-inspired by refined feminine beauty and authentic quality. This is the third collaborative collection with Ines, comprising a total of 95 items in a wider range of fabrics (availability may vary by store).


2010 Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld. Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen.
This version of the story of Mattie, the young girl who goes in search of the man who killed her father to bring him to justice, is more true to the book, more authentic in its depiction of the era in which it is set, and more gritty than the original.
This movie was AWESOME! I had severe doubts about remaking a John Wayne classic, but the Coen brothers actually improved on it. It would not surprise me if Jeff Bridges got a best actor Oscar nom for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn, but the standout performance really was the young girl playing Mattie (Hailee Steinfeld). This one is my favorite so far this year in the "best adapted screenplay" category. The Coen brothers were smart enough to stick to not only the story but also the language from the book.
With a superior script, the next big challenge must have been to find the right actor to play Rooster Cogburn. Who would dare to think he could possibly do justice to the role that earned John Wayne his one and only Oscar? Filling the shoes of the larger-than-life, icon among icons in the role of the drunken lawman past his prime who is prone to shooting first and then neglecting to ask questions afterward is Jeff Bridges. Is Mr. Bridges up to the task? Absolutely! He is nothing short of phenomenal in this role. Any Oscar buzz he receives is well deserved.
Bridges' Cogburn is nicely balanced by Damon's La Boeuf, the Texas Ranger who is searching for the same man as Mattie. In the supporting role, Damon delivers a solid performance that meshes perfectly with both Bridges and Steinfeld. Just like Mattie, Hailee Steinfeld not only holds her own with the two big stars, but requires that they also deliver their best so as not to be upstaged by a little girl.
Actually, it isn't really fair to compare this one to the 1969 John Wayne version. Movies and how they deliver their stories have evolved since then, and this one proves that, with the right care and attention, they can be infinitely better.
This entry was posted in Movies and tagged Coen brothers, full bucket, Hailee Steinfeld, Jeff Bridges, John Wayne, remake, Rooster Cogburn, western by S.D. McPhail. Bookmark the permalink.


^ C. Hayashi (1961). "Stellar evolution in early phases of gravitational contraction". Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan 13: 450-452. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1961PASJ...13..450H.
^ L. G. Henyey, R. Lelevier, R. D. Levée (1955). "The Early Phases of Stellar Evolution". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 67 (396): 154. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1955PASP...67..154H.


text:
Articles tagged: MLB Playoffs 2020
Kevin Cash stands by decision that cost Rays World Series in Game 6
Kevin Cash is standing by his decision to pull Blake Snell from Game 6 of the World Series last month. Cash pulled Snell with two outs in the sixth inning…
MLB to investigate Justin Turner for refusing to isolate after positive coronavirus test
Major League Baseball is blaming Justin Turner for the fact that he celebrated on the field after the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series. Turner was removed from Game…
Kevin Cash tries to explain why he removed Blake Snell
Kevin Cash made one of the most baffling decisions in World Series history when he pulled Blake Snell in the sixth inning of Game 6, and the Tampa Bay Rays…
Dodgers were thrilled when Blake Snell was pulled from game
The Los Angeles Dodgers' reactions to Blake Snell being removed from Game 6 of the World Series tell you all you need to know about Kevin Cash's mistake. The Tampa…
Justin Turner joins Dodgers for team photo after winning World Series despite positive test
Justin Turner was able to celebrate with his teammates after the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series on Tuesday night despite his positive COVID-19 test. Turner was removed from…
Dodgers given rapid COVID-19 tests after championship celebration
The Los Angeles Dodgers were not able to fully enjoy their championship on Tuesday night because of a scare involving Justin Turner. Turner was removed before the eighth inning of…
This is how Justin Turner played in Game 6 despite positive COVID-19 test
Justin Turner was pulled from Game 6 of the World Series after seven innings on Tuesday night, and the world found out the shocking reason why: Turner tested positive for…
Austin Barnes pockets ball after Dodgers win World Series
One of the big questions after a team wins the World Series is: what happened to the ball from the final out? Well, in 2020 we know where it went.…
MLB pitchers react to Kevin Cash's terrible decision to pull Blake Snell
Kevin Cash's horrendous decision to pull Blake Snell from Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night is going to be talked about for years to come. Those watching…
Christian Yelich had great reaction to Kevin Cash's terrible move
Christian Yelich had a great reaction to Kevin Cash's terrible managerial move in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night. Cash pulled Blake Snell in the middle of…


Jesup, GA – Leonard Eugene "Gene" Healan, age 73, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at his residence in Jesup, GA. He was born in Chatham County to the late Leonard Leroy & Louise Agnes Moore Healan. He was a retired Paint Contractor and was a member of Port Wentworth Church of God. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran having served during the Vietnam Era, doing two tours in Germany. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Billy Healan.
Survivors: Wife: Peggy Anderson Healan of Jesup, GA; Brothers and Sister-In-Law: Jimmy & Dayle Healan of Faulkville, GA and Ben Daniel Healan of Ellabell, GA; Sister: Doni H. Goff of Tampa, FL; Sister-In-Law: Jeanette Healan; Uncle and Aunt: Zeno & Janelle Moore; Several other Brothers-In-Laws and Sisters-In-Law, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Monday, December 31, 2018, at 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home.
Funeral Services: Monday, December 31, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplin Ron Knapp officiating. Burial following at Union Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Mark Bennett, Johnny Anderson, David Lariscey, Greg Joyner, Curtis Joyner, Randy Monoco, William Thomas, Bob Odom and Tim Smith.
You lost a wonderful husband and I lost a friend.
Whenever I think of Gene I'll remember him and Frank racing to and from Ettlingen on the Autobahn. They were so daring and fearless and always ready to have an adventure.


text:
Q: Can we add query keywords to the code highlighter? Their are several keywords not added to the Syntex Highlighter that I would suggest adding. First I assume that the Query highlighter works on main Keywords used in many languages to help us programmers out.
Its missing the highlight of the following keywords "From", "Order By", and "Descending" in the recent addition to VB.net is the LINQ language syntax (its also in c#). A way for programmers to run database queries against .net objects. It's very neat.
However I copied over my query to answer my own question when I found these keywords were not highlighted. They're highlighted in Visual Studio and recognized as code keywords.
Here's the code:
Dim bestCat As ArticleCategory = (From cat In Categories
                                  Order By cat.tempCount Descending, cat.Name
                                  Select cat).First

I've simplified it for showing my example.
https://stackoverflow.com/a/8556274/345442
If you could help this patch request move along nicely: http://code.google.com/p/google-code-prettify/issues/detail?can=2&start=0&num=100&q=&colspec=ID%20Type%20Status%20Priority%20Milestone%20Owner%20Summary&groupby=&sort=&id=182
So keep informed of patch progress... I'm not writing it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
package org.springframework.security.access.annotation;

import java.lang.annotation.Documented;
import java.lang.annotation.ElementType;
import java.lang.annotation.Inherited;
import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
import java.lang.annotation.Target;

/**
 * Java 5 annotation for describing service layer security attributes.
 *
 *

 * The Secured annotation is used to define a list of security configuration
 * attributes for business methods. This annotation can be used as a Java 5 alternative to
 * XML configuration.
 *

 * For example:
 *
 *

 * @Secured({ "ROLE_USER" })
 * public void create(Contact contact);
 *
 * @Secured({ "ROLE_USER", "ROLE_ADMIN" })
 * public void update(Contact contact);
 *
 * @Secured({ "ROLE_ADMIN" })
 * public void delete(Contact contact);
 *

 * @author Mark St.Godard
 */
@Target({ ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.TYPE })
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Inherited
@Documented
public @interface Secured {
	/**
	 * Returns the list of security configuration attributes (e.g. ROLE_USER, ROLE_ADMIN).
	 *
	 * @return String[] The secure method attributes
	 */
	public String[]value();
}


Simple and comfortable, this light and loose dress was made for a stress-free day. Homey check pattern cotton skirt flows lightly with roomy length from the long sleeve black U-neck top at an empire waist height. Cute pockets adorn the skirt. Available in sizes from S-5XL. This is an imported dress and the sizes run smaller than typical US sizes, so please measure according to the chart below to assure proper fit before ordering your size.


Not any excess application is seriously essential. Even greater, the program can comprehend a few voices, highlights plus different languages. Selecting the right software program for just a law practice is dependent on which regions of what the law states staying utilized.
Considering the fact that world wide web conferencing needs no travel and leisure, they have an inexpensive method for all kinds of business meetings, especially regarding sales agents mainly because it delivers associated with the helpful option designed for net demonstrations with prospective. It is being a way of choice for businesses that want to perform comprehensive workout sessions since it enables those to conduct education on the web and eliminate travel-related costs. It is usually a fantastic application for over the internet guidance, when using the additional benefit of recorded visits staying replayed repeatedly and repurposed in several kinds. Web conferencing, or world wide web meeting software program, enables individuals to meet live over the world wide web to go over enterprise, education or perhaps different topics.
Gatherings could close off new online business bargains. Additionally it is feasible for get togethers to include around twenty-five individuals when making use of the corporate type of GoToMeeting. For an complete gathering option, you can likewise report meetings in addition to accessibility all your Ms applications within the gathering.
Presenting group meetings is known as a expensive venture as you consider the billable associated with attendees. Given it has to do with online gatherings, I had support to test Voicefox. Out of small area businesses to international organizations, the office reaching is mostly a substantial point of this way the corporation operates.
Nearly all the community software's creates an effective interpersonal group that will performs nicely for your venture. The primary ready-made applications are ad advertisement services or products absolutely absolutely available any person, in addition as a result of actuality of which, you may acquire of which at any lessen requisite cost. Selecting the proper scheduled appointment scheduling application is based upon how big the organization.
When you entirely will need to have a gathering, occur to be require a few tips for retaining more profitable events, and the accurate computer software for doing that. Alternatively, it is appointment in which team members make commitments to one another. Electronic digital appointments are specifically advised suitable for conditions that is certainly exactly where get together players are situated around the globe and they're furthermore ideal for when you wish to arrive at a considerable amount of people in unison, delight in in a on-line discussion.
Always keeping get togethers could possibly be pricey enterprise as soon as someone think of the billable about guests. Too frequently, persons contact a gathering to go over something free of seriously contemplating how very good results will be. When a interacting with is the perfect strategy achieve your own goals, consult typically the participants whose attendance is essential with the get together to hit your objectives. As long as it is the accurate fine ways to obtain objective, check out getting the quite college students the person who presence is very important for your reaching to be triumphant. Virtual group meetings happen to be gaining popularity, a number of small business owners plus establishments usually are resorting to digital meetings since they preserve time. They are particularly suggested designed for circumstances exactly where assembly members are situated all over the world and they are in addition exquisite for if you want to get to numerous folks all together, just like in a web convention. Easily becoming a member of the net conference can occasionally always be a concern. Read more: www.murrutrainer.shop .


text:
NDCS will implement questionnaire for facility entry
March 12, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – People entering the 10 facilities operated by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) will be asked to answer a series of questions to help identify those who have a higher chance of transmitting the coronavirus (COVID-19). For now, visits will continue to be allowed with inmates.
"There is no guarantee that we won't...Read more
NDCS utilizes defense strategy against coronavirus
March 10, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) -- Director Scott R. Frakes says the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) will utilize a "defend in place" strategy, as preparations are made to combat the coronavirus. Staff members and inmates have been advised that sanitary precautions are currently the best defense against contracting the illness.
"We are emphasizing handwashing...Read more
The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Nebraska partners with veterans at NSP
The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Nebraska featured a story in their newsletter about the partnership, installation of a new flagpole and first flag raising at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Read more about it on page 9 in Words from the President: http://www.nebraskalegion.net/Legionnaire/Legionnaire-Jan-Feb-2020.pdf
The Nebraska Legionnaire The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Nebraska January - February 2020
WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT
Happy New Year to everyone. Time to come out of our turkey...Read more
Inmates to receive notice of record adjustments
March 5, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Nearly 140 inmates in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) will receive notice of updates to their institutional records to reflect disciplinary sanctions that were previously ordered but not applied. The discrepancy was discovered through an internal review.
NDCS Director Scott R. Frakes emphasized that the issue at hand was not a...Read more
NDCS employee arrested
March 4, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Ashlee Yeackley (26), a food service worker at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), was arrested today by the Nebraska State Patrol for unauthorized communication with a prisoner (Neb. Rev. Stat. 83-417). She was booked into the Lancaster County Jail.
Yeackley has been employed by NDCS since February 2019 and has only been employed at the penitentiary. She will be suspended from her...Read more
NDCS Pharmacy team receives Director's Award
Congratulations to the NDCS Pharmacy team for going above and beyond in accomplishing the NDCS mission: Keep people safe.
The team received the NDCS Director's Award this week for their work in continuing to create an efficient department and for also being environmental stewards of our Earth.Read more
Two staff members assaulted at NSP
February 22, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb) – An inmate at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) assaulted two staff members just before 6:30 p.m. Both team members were taken to the hospital for the treatment of serious* injuries.
The assault occurred inside one of the housing units. The inmate punched the first staff member in the head, causing him to fall unresponsive on the ground. The inmate...Read more
NDCS to explore new prison construction options
February 18, 2020 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Today, Scott R. Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) announced he would soon be issuing a request for information (RFI) in order to identify possible options for the construction, maintenance and creation of new prison capacity.
"In particular, this will allow for the exploration of a public-private...Read more


Natasha Raulerson (Mentor), tell us a little about yourself.
Hello and Hazzuh! My name is Natasha. Tasha for short. Romantic Suspense, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance are my jimmy jam to read. My bookshelves are lined with Neil Gaiman, Patricia Briggs, Shiloh Walker, etc and so on. I say those are my favorite genres, but really I just need a good story to hook me and I'm in. The only thing I tend to stay away from is the historical romance.
I originally started writing in first, but now I'm a third POV maniac. Not sure I can ever go back to first, except for in the area of short stories.
Ava Quinn (Mentee), tell us a little about yourself.
I enjoy reading. Period. All the genres call to me from non fiction to sff to literary, but my favorite is Romance. (Pause for a commercial: Romance – Giving voices to women since 1811. Now back to our regularly scheduled interview.) I write contemporary western romance, live in the US with my husband and my two daughters who participate in way too many activities. There's been more than one time when I've called my answering machine while driving them places to record an idea or some dialogue I don't want to forget. I've been a teacher for over 20 years. Riding my motorcycle and going to the roller derby are some of the things I like to do in the small amount of spare time I can scrape up.
Natasha, why did you decide to participate in Pitch Wars?
I entered PW last year, and didn't get in. However, the tools and information I learned about the writing craft I incorporated into my next novel, which helped me land an agent. I wanted to be a PW mentor to give back, pay it forward, and ultimately, to help someone achieve the dream.
Ava, why did you decide to participate in Pitch Wars?
What writer wouldn't? The mentors are fantastic, generous individuals who are extremely helpful to everyone. Brenda Drake is a rock star for organizing this. That woman deserves the best karma this world has to offer for how much she does for others. The writers who participate, whether chosen or not, are an incredible group of people. There's such an encouraging vibe in this community, and I'm so thankful to be a part of it.
Natasha, what are you most excited for?
For my mentee to learn and grow as an author. She's an amazing person and takes constructive criticism so well. It's really amazing to see her coming into her own, realizing what's working, not working, and taking the initiative to improve her craft. So I'm excited to see the comparison of the author she was, to the author she will be.
Ava, what are you most excited for?
I'm most excited for the opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. The flip side of the coin of any teacher is a love for learning and the knowledge that the learning curve ends at the grave. My mentor, Natasha Raulerson, has been so helpful and patient and such a fantastic teacher. I can't believe how much I lucked out to be working with her. The writing community is also such an awesome part of Pitch Wars. To have access to people who are going through the same struggles as you are and are lifting others up even as they struggle themselves is such a gift.
Ava, describe your novel in 3 words.
Natasha, describe your mentee's novel in 3 words.
Ava lives in Pennsylvania where she spends her days trying to fit in time to write whenever and wherever she can. She was an elementary school teacher for a decade before staying home with her own children. Now she's back in the classroom teaching preschool part-time while working on becoming a full-time author.
Natasha Raulerson grew up as a tomboy hanging with the guys, getting skinned knees, and swimming in the South Florida sun. Though she's more inclined to wear dresses now, she still prefers a good pair of chucks and comfy pair of jeans. Tattoos, Jack Daniels, and hanging at the pool are three of her favorite things. An author of adult romantic suspense, she's represented by the amazing Laura Bradford of The Bradford Literary Agency.
By day she writes about the characters driving her imagination wild. By night she enjoys a good book, hanging with her hubs, and getting snuggle attacks from her two spoiled pups.


>Bob posted a link to a photograph of a USDA climate zone map from 1936.
Were the temperature ranges for each zone the same then as they are now?
It was Rick's link. It doesn't seem to matter what the ranges were.
Much of the northeastern US is shown in the same zone as some of the more frigid parts of Colorado. (Extreme northwestern Colorado.) If that were true, then much of New York, northern New Jersey, and western Connecticut would be devoid of much of any vegetation, because of the continual drops in temperature to –50F (-45.5C) and below.
We probably would have read about that at one time or another.


SUFFERING FAILURE AND LOW ESTEEM – Suffering can make you better?
Do you have heroes? Someone you really respect? Are there people who have been role models in your life? Probably. These are the people who have helped shape our lives. Now turn it around and think about your life. Have you been a role model for other people? Either way, it very difficult to see someone like that seeming to suffer from a sense of failure and low self esteem.
MY STORY: Oh yes! I've had one and only one person that I would call an enemy in my life. She was very high up in the government at the time. Her assistant and I watched her enjoy destroying people. When she turned her evil intentions on me, I thought I would be destroyed, too. No one had ever stood up to her. I began journaling everything. . . I mean everything! Her assistant did, too. I thought I was failing the test in every way possible. But there was an observer. We'll call her Salley. Salley watched.
The base commander came to my aid to get my Top Secret clearance approved. So did the Wing Commander. Both godly Christian men. Of course, my supervisor didn't know they were also very good friends of ours. My union representative was very helpful. He suggested the journaling. But even so, I was feeling justly persecuted and I felt like a total failure even when I wom! I took those journaling notes into the meeting with the Commander of Personal on the base. Toward the end of the meeting, my supervisor stood up and began screaming, "But she has boxes under her desk! She has boxes under her desk!" Over and over and over! The Commander stood up and said, " Kathy, I think I get the picture." When my supervisor left, he looked at me and said, "I'll get you out of there." He did and into a wonderful jjob, too!
The observer, you ask? What happened to her? Well, a few years later, Chris received a call from her to do her husband's funeral. Since we didn't have much connection with them he asked why. She said, "because of the way way Kathy handled the situation with our supervisor. WOW! Pooh. . . Wow! I had no idea. Today she and her family are very active in church. But I couldn't see it. When God is working you may not feel it, see, understand it or ever be aware of it.
The Apostle Paul is one of my heroes. Below is a verse he wrote at a low point in his life. We talked last time about how our suffering can help other people and their suffering can help us. Paul is such a huge character in the New Testament! He looms over nearly all others in his sufferering for Jesus, his total committment, his complete Spirit-filled life, his union with Jesus, that is spiritual maturity lived as a life of LOVE. And, of course, his colossal suffering. Just listen to what he says about it himself.
But I cannot relate to all that. it buries me in heroism that comes very, very near to a super hero. No! I am drawn here to this verse. . .
But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
". . . though we seem to have failed." There it is! FAILURE! And before that horrible admission he says, ". . . not that we appear to have met the test." Have you ever failed a test? College exam? An entrance exam? A professional final? It can be devasting But Paul is talking about life and death here. Eternal life and death. Failure, he thinks, to bring them to maturity. Big stuff, but still I can see myself here. my failures, or things in my life that I think were failures. But as IS his habit to, as he turns his weakness into a plus. He prays for the them. He cannot see any way out for them or for himself but still he prays.
When he comes to them it will be to severely discipline some believers who just won't get with the program. Paul, as their leader and teacher feels very responsible for their failure. See how He even sees failure in his appearance. Fear of failure and low self esteem affect how we see ourselves. He trusts now in the power of God to work though he cannot see it now. Neither can we at such times. Ohhh . . . how I can relate to this.
Trust can be hard when we can't see ahead. It's like driving in dense fog. but the road goes ever on and on. . .


text:
Publisher: Macrothink Institute (Total: 47 journals) [Sort by number of followers]
Showing 1 - 47 of 47 Journals sorted alphabetically
Aquatic Science and Technology (Followers: 4)
Asian J. of Finance & Accounting (Followers: 16)
Business and Economic Research (Followers: 12)
Business and Management Horizons (Followers: 14)
Business Management and Strategy (Followers: 48)
Case Studies in Business and Management (Followers: 15)
Education and Linguistics Research (Followers: 6)
Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (Followers: 11)
Global J. of Educational Studies
Human Resource Research (Followers: 1)
Intl. Finance and Banking (Followers: 3)
Intl. J. of Accounting and Financial Reporting (Followers: 17)
Intl. J. of Culture and History (Followers: 14)
Intl. J. of Education (Followers: 17)
Intl. J. of English Language Education (Followers: 14)
Intl. J. of Global Sustainability (Followers: 3)
Intl. J. of Human Resource Studies (Followers: 17)
Intl. J. of Industrial Marketing (Followers: 6)
Intl. J. of Learning and Development (Followers: 5)
Intl. J. of Linguistics (Followers: 12)
Intl. J. of Management Innovation Systems
Intl. J. of Regional Development (Followers: 1)
Intl. J. of Social Science Research (Followers: 14)
Intl. J. of Social Work (Followers: 24)
Intl. Research in Education (Followers: 6)
Issues in Economics and Business
Issues in Social Science (Followers: 5)
J. for the Study of English Linguistics (Followers: 6)
J. of Agricultural Studies (Followers: 5)
J. of Applied Biotechnology (Followers: 2)
J. of Asian Development (Followers: 2)
J. of Biology and Life Science (Followers: 2)
J. of Corporate Governance Research
J. of Education and Training (Followers: 3)
J. of Educational Issues
J. of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (Followers: 8)
J. of Environment and Ecology (Followers: 10)
J. of Food Industry (Followers: 2)
J. of Food Studies (Followers: 6)
J. of Management Research (Followers: 5)
J. of Public Administration and Governance (Followers: 29)
J. of Safety Studies (Followers: 1)
J. of Social Science Studies (Followers: 13)
J. of Studies in Education (Followers: 4)
Research in Applied Economics (Followers: 3)
Research in Business and Management (Followers: 2)
World J. of Business and Management (Followers: 2)
International Journal of Social Work
Number of Followers: 24
Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2332-7278
Published by Macrothink Institute [47 journals]
'It's Like You Are Trapped in a Small Place': Language Skill
Acquisition and Settlement Outcomes of Ageing Cambodian Refugees
Authors: Shamette Hepburn
Abstract: Language skill acquisition is one of the main challenges encountered by refugees and immigrants entering and transitioning to a new society. In Canada, adult newcomers' language education is primarily tasked to English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. These programs aim to provide English language training, preparation for the labour market and integration into Canadian society. This paper presents findings of a larger qualitative study that explored the experiences of 15 community-dwelling Cambodian Canadians (aged 55 and older) in northwest Toronto. Drawing on critical transnationalism and postcolonialism, it examines Cambodian Canadians' reflections on their language skill acquisition and integration vis-à-vis the education and migration regimes which form part of the resettlement bureaucracy supporting these activities and processes. Decades after participating in language education programs, ageing Cambodian Canadians' narratives reveal that inadequate resources and support have resulted in lower than desired language skill acquisition and differential inclusion within their communities.
PubDate: 2020-08-19
DOI: 10.5296/ijsw.v7i2.17422
Issue No: Vol. 7, No. 2 (2020)
Effect of Religiosity and Spirituality on Employees Prosocial Behavior
With the Mediatory Role of Humanism and Ethics
Authors: Aneeqa Wasim, Danish Ahmed Siddiqui
First page: 17
Abstract: Purpose - People belongs to different religious groups found prosocial with each other instead of having different religious beliefs and practices, but the reason is less known about why it is so. This paper aims to answer this question by proposing a theoretical framework, hypothesizing that religiosity inculcates the spirit of humanism and ethics, that would turn individual into prosocial, religiosity also tends to make people more spiritual, in turn, make them more humane and ethical.Design\methodology - A well-structured framework is developed, and the PLS-SEM two-step approach is used to generate results by using SmartPLS3. Data is collected through the primary data collection technique and a survey based on 1000 questionnaires is conducted out of which 356 responses were received.Findings - The empirical result shows that religiosity has a significant positive impact on prosocial behavior directly, as well as through Humanism and ethics. Whereas spirituality has an insignificant impact on prosocial behavior directly but has an indirect effect through both humanism and ethics. It is also found that religiosity also has a significant impact on spirituality.Limitations - Data is limited to upper and middle-level employees of well-performing organizations of Karachi.


text:
This article was published on January 8, 2013
Microsoft determines Windows RT jailbreak poses no security threat, applauds hacker for ingenuity
Emil Protalinski
Emil was a reporter for The Next Web between 2012 and 2014. Over the years, he has covered the tech industry for multiple publications, incl (show all) Emil was a reporter for The Next Web between 2012 and 2014. Over the years, he has covered the tech industry for multiple publications, including Ars Technica, Neowin, TechSpot, ZDNet, and CNET. Stay in touch via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
On Sunday, reports surfaced that the Windows RT operating system had been jailbroken to allow the execution of unsigned ARM desktop applications, and Microsoft quickly confirmed it was investigating the claims. The company has now issued a statement saying that it does not consider the findings to be part of a security vulnerability, and that the circumvention method may not be available for long.
On the one hand, Microsoft is saying there is no security hole that needs to be plugged. On the other hand, the company is admitting this is an issue that it may want to address in the future.
Here is the full statement:
The scenario outlined is not a security vulnerability and does not pose a threat to Windows RT users. The mechanism described is not something the average user could, or reasonably would, leverage, as it requires local access to a system, local administration rights and a debugger in order to work. In addition, the Windows Store is the only supported method for customers to install applications for Windows RT. There are mechanisms in place to scan for security threats and help ensure apps from the Store are legitimate and can be acquired and used with confidence.
We applaud the ingenuity of the folks who worked this out and the hard work they did to document it. We'll not guarantee these approaches will be there in future releases.
The security researcher being applauded is clrokr, who developed the workaround for allowing desktop applications to run on Microsoft's ARM-based OS. As we outlined earlier today, however, it's a rather limited exploit since the setting needs to be changed each time the PC boots up, and it only works for unsigned ARM desktop apps.
This is the main reason Microsoft says it's not a security threat: the specific value that needs to be changed can't be permanently altered on devices enabled with Secure Boot. It has to be modified in memory when the OS is already running, and that's exactly what clrokr figured out how to do, after tracking down the right value in the Windows RT kernel.
While the hack is limited, it still does open up possibilities for a homebrew scene full of ARM desktop apps for Windows RT and thus the Microsoft Surface. Right now, only technically-savvy users will be able to reproduce clrokr's method, but assuming Microsoft doesn't issue a patch (and its statement is open-ended enough that this may happen), most will be able to do it once software that does it for them is available.
See also – Why Microsoft loves homebrew and hacking
Image credit: Pryam Carter
Published January 8, 2013 - 12:00 am UTC


OUT! Caught. Andile Phehlukwayo to Imam ul-Haq. Back of a length, outside off stump down the track driving, outside edge to wicketkeeper, by de Kock. There was no need for that from Imam Ul-Haq, particularly after the calm and collected approach he took to his innings up to that point. Pakistan lose their second with 1 run required to win.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Imam ul-Haq. Back of a length, to leg on the back foot working, to cover for no runs, fielded by van der Dussen.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Length ball, middle stump on the front foot flick, to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by van der Dussen.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Length ball, off stump on the front foot driving, to mid off for no runs.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to cover for no runs, fielded by Phehlukwayo.
Beuran Hendricks to Imam ul-Haq. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Late Cut, to third man for 1 run, fielded by Tahir.
Wide Beuran Hendricks to Imam ul-Haq. Back of a length, middle stump no foot movement glancing, Play and Miss (Leg Side) to wicketkeeper for 1 run, fielded by de Kock.
Beuran Hendricks to Imam ul-Haq. Back of a length, outside off stump down the track driving, missed to wicketkeeper for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Length ball, off stump on the front foot working, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by van der Dussen.
Imran Tahir to Imam ul-Haq. Leg spinner half volley, off stump on the front foot pushing, mis-timed back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Tahir.
Imran Tahir to Babar Azam. Leg spinner half volley, middle stump on the front foot pushing, to long on for 1 run.
Imran Tahir to Imam ul-Haq. Leg spinner half volley, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to point for 1 run, fielded by Miller.
Imran Tahir to Babar Azam. Leg spinner length ball, middle stump down the track flick, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
Imran Tahir to Babar Azam. Leg spinner length ball, middle stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Miller.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Back of a length, outside off stump moves in front pulling, to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by van der Dussen.
Beuran Hendricks to Imam ul-Haq. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
Beuran Hendricks to Imam ul-Haq. Length ball, off stump on the front foot flick, to deep mid wicket for 2 runs.
Beuran Hendricks to Imam ul-Haq. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot driving, to point for no runs, fielded by Hendricks.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to mid off for no runs.
Imran Tahir to Imam ul-Haq. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump down the track defending, back to bowler for no runs, fielded by Tahir.
Imran Tahir to Babar Azam. Leg spinner half volley, middle stump on the front foot driving, to mid on for no runs, fielded by Miller.
Imran Tahir to Babar Azam. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the front foot pushing, to cover for no runs, fielded by du Plessis.
Imran Tahir to Babar Azam. Googly length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly point for no runs, fielded by de Kock.
Imran Tahir to Imam ul-Haq. Leg spinner full toss, outside off stump down the track driving, to long on for 1 run, fielded by Hendricks.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, mis-timed to mid off for no runs.
Beuran Hendricks to Babar Azam. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to mid off for no runs, fielded by Miller.


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