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Rheumatology > General Rheumatology
A Snapshot of Lyme Disease in the U.S.
CDC surveillance report lists top 7 states
by Cassandra Calabrese, DO December 09, 2017
Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne illness reported in the U.S. Cases occur mainly in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest, but certain areas of the Pacific coast are not immune. The geographic distribution is based on residence of Ixodes scapularis (Ixodes pacificus on the Pacific coast), the vectors that transmits Lyme disease.
Lyme disease has been a reportable disease since 1991, with cases reported to health departments by physicians and laboratories. Confirmed or probable cases are then reported to the CDC through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
The Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report recently published surveillance data for Lyme disease in the U.S. from 2008-2015. States with an average annual incidence ≥10 confirmed cases per 100,000 population were considered high incidence. During this time period, 275,589 cases of Lyme were reported to the CDC and most cases were from regions previously considered to be high incidence.
According to the CDC surveillance report, the top seven states for Lyme disease in 2015 were:
Vermont: 78.4 per 100,000/year
Maine: 74.7 per 100,000/year
Pennsylvania: 57.5 per 100,000/year
Rhode Island: 53.4 per 100,000/year
Connecticut: 52.2 per 100,000/year
New Jersey: 43.9 per 100,000/year
Massachusetts: 43 per 100,000/year
For the most part, these counts have remained stable over the years. However, incidence is rising in states that neighbor these regions. Demographics of reported cases are similar to what's been seen the past, but in lower-incidence areas there were more cases in younger females compared with the past.
We can take away from this that Lyme disease continues to concentrate in known high-incidence areas, although the geographic distribution seems to be spreading. This will add to the continuing public health challenge that is Lyme disease. Lyme should be considered in a patient with a suggestive clinical presentation even if they are not from a high-risk area.
Cassandra Calabrese, DO, is a fellow in rheumatology and infectious disease as part of a combined program at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. A version of this article first appeared on RheumNow, a news, information and commentary site dedicated to the field of rheumatology. Register to receive their free rheumatology newsletter.
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Art of the Prank
Award-winning documentary about New York artist Joey Skaggs, the godfather of the media hoax, as he tries to pull off the most challenging prank of his career.
Winner of best documentary feature at Slam Dance Film Festival, and the Jury Prize at San Francisco Docfest 2016, Art of the Prank is an emotional and humorous journey following the evolution of Joey Skaggs, Godfather of the media hoax, as he tries to pull off the most challenging prank of his career. This is interwoven with amazing archive footage of his earlier escapades-all reported as fact by prestigious journalists. The resulting twists and turns provide unprecedented insight into Joey's work as an artist, activist and social satirist.
Lower East Side Film Festival 2016, winner of best of fest
San Francisco Docfest 2016, winner of the Jury Prize
Slamdance Film Festival 2016, winner of best documentary feature
The Alhambra Theatre Film Festival 2016, winner of best documentary

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Paul Ryan Wins ... Re-Election To Congress
Brett LoGiurato
Nov 7, 2012, 4:29 PM
Paul Ryan is officially stuck in the House of Representatives. Ryan couldn't really lose Tuesday — he was either going to be the nation's vice president or he was likely going to win an eighth term in office. He won the latter, although he likely preferred the former.
Ryan won re-election in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, becoming the projected winner with nearly 58 per cent of the vote and 64 per cent of precincts reporting as of 12:30 a.m. ET.
His challenger, Rob Zerban, sent out a statement expressing disappointment but thanking his supporters.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't prevail tonight in this individual election against Paul Ryan. But I am so proud of the race we ran and all that we've accomplished," Zerban said in the statement. "When we first started this campaign, no one thought this district could be a real battleground. That we could force Ryan to dip in deep into his warchest of special interest money."
That means Ryan will re-enter the Republican-controlled House of Representatives as a familiar opponent for President Barack Obama — but with an even higher profile. He will likely be an even more visible face in the main legislative body that will oppose Obama in a second term.
barack obama election 2012 house of representatives mitt romney paul ryan politics-us


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Is datem vegan
What is Datem made of?
DATEM consists of mixed glycerol esters of mono- and diacetyltartaric acid and fatty acids of food fats.
Is Datem harmful?
It's considered safe in the US at up to 45 parts per million, but is banned from use in Europe because studies showed it could cause asthma or allergic reactions. DATEM – an acronym for Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Monoglycerides.
Is Datem halal?
DATEM, the abbreviation of "Mono- And Diacetyltartaric Acid Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids", is the most commonly used emulsifier in bread as a dough conditioner with the European food additive number E472e. Generally, this ingredient is vegan, halal, free of gluten and dairy in food.
What ingredients make food not vegan?
List of Ingredients That Are NOT Vegan
Castoreum.
Casein.
Whey.
Lactose.
Lactic Acid.
Gelatin.
Beeswax.
Cochineal or carmine.
Why is Datem bad?
Although the FDA has determined that DATEM is safe for consumption, studies from some sources are concluding that DATEM should be avoided. DATEM has been linked to heart fibrosis and adrenal overgrowth in lab animals. There may also be an increased risk of developing "leaky gut syndrome."
What is the bad ingredient in bread?
Potassium bromate, a potent oxidizer that helps bread rise, has been linked to kidney and thyroid cancers in rodents. Azodicarbonamide (ACA), a chemical that forms bubbles in foams and plastics like vinyl, is used to bleach and leaven dough – but when baked, it, too, has been linked to cancer in lab animals.28 мая 2019 г.
You might be interested: Vegan protein vs whey
What is the healthiest bread you can eat?
Here are the 7 healthiest breads you can choose.
Sprouted whole grain. Sprouted bread is made from whole grains that have started to sprout from exposure to heat and moisture. …
Sourdough. …
100% whole wheat. …
Oat bread. …
Flax bread. …
100% sprouted rye bread. …
Healthy gluten-free bread.
Is Yellow 5 banned in Europe?
While they're not banned in the European Union, they're made using colors that occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, and spices, like turmeric. Products that do contain yellow 5 and yellow 6 must be labeled with the phrase: "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."
Is e472e vegan?
E472e is Diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides. Although mainly vegetable oils are used, the use of animal fat (incl. pork) can not be excluded. Several groups, such as vegans, Muslims and Jews thus avoid these products.
Is Bread Halal or Haram?
Bread is not automatically Halal by nature and may be baked with ingredients derived from animal by-products, which could include pork by-products, according to the company.
Is e472 Halal?
powder or granular. Mushbooh if used as liquid, the solvents has to be Halal.
What is e471 in food?
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471) refers to a naturally occurring class of food additive composed of diglycerides and monoglycerides which is used as an emulsifier. These of diglycerides and monoglycerides have no limit for daily intake and are used as a fruit coating agent.
You might be interested: Raw vegan benefits
Is peanut butter vegan?
Is peanut butter vegan? … Most peanut butter is a simple mixture of ground peanuts and salt. Others might also contain oil or added sugar. Once in a blue moon, you may find a kind that contains honey, but nearly all peanut butter is 100 percent vegan.
What ingredients in bread are not vegan?
Bread containing eggs, honey, royal jelly, gelatin, or dairy-based ingredients like milk, butter, buttermilk, whey, or casein isn't considered vegan. You may also come across these ingredients that are usually — but not always — vegan: Mono and diglycerides.
Sprouts vegan
Vegan snack foods


Aggressive promotion and marketing in the Chinese market could help revive the flagging tourism sector, according to entrepreneurs.
As the number of outbound Chinese travellers has already exceeded 100 million, the country needs to focus on aggressive promotion and marketing in the Chinese market, stated Suman Pandey, chairman of PATA Nepal chapter.
"The government, during high-level visits between the two countries or through diplomatic mission, should also request the northern neighbour to send more tourists to Nepal to revive the tourism market that took a hit by the devastating temblors of April and May last year," opined Pandey.
PATA's Asia Pacific Visitor Forecast (2016-20) has stated that arrivals from China to Asia-Pacific destinations will rise from an estimated 102 million in 2015 to more than 150 million by the close of this decade. "Based on historic expenditure patterns, that increases the in-country aggregate expenditure by this market in Asia-Pacific from the $157 billion achieved in 2015 to more than $230 billion by 2020," it has forecast.
Nepal's hospitality sector is one of the most rapidly expanding sectors and tourism entrepreneurs believe coming years will see service providers upping the ante to tap high-end tourists. More so as global hotel chains like Sheraton, Marriot, Holiday Inn and Starwood Aloft are all set to debut in Nepal.
It is reported that around 4,000 rooms will be added within next five years in tourist standard hotels/resorts. Currently, the average tourist stay is 12.8 days and a tourist spends around $70 per day in the country. Chinese travellers in Nepal are preferred by tourism entrepreneurs as they are considered to be high-end tourists.
Out of the total 800,000 tourists that visit Nepal every year on average, around 16 per cent are Chinese, according to Nepal Tourism Board. To increase the flow of Chinese tourists, the government in December last year had waived visa fee for Chinese visitors. Only visitors from SAARC member countries had enjoyed such treatment till then.
Foreign visitors have to pay $25 for a 15-day visa and $40 and $100 for 30-day and 90-day visas, respectively.
Sugat Ratna Kansakar, managing director of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)opines that simply waiving the visa fee is not sufficient to attract greater number of Chinese tourists. More flight connectivity between the two countries, along with the completion of new airports at Bhairahawa and Pokhara will help bring more tourists from the world's second-largest economy, as per him.
The government aims to increase tourist arrivals to two million by 2020 and tourism entrepreneurs have been suggesting the government to focus on bringing more tourists from neighbouring India and China to achieve this goal.
Expensive airfare charged by the international airlines operating services to Kathmandu sector is considered to be a major drag for the tourism industry. NAC has been preparing to operate flights to other destinations as well so that airfare of Kathmandu sector is competitive.
However, South Asia bucks that intra-regional trend. Only 18 per cent of the additional volume in foreign arrivals generated by South Asia destinations will be intra-regional. Southeast Asia captures just over half of the additional foreign arrivals generated by South Asia.


text:
class Settings::PreferencesController < ApplicationController
  layout 'main'
  menu_group "設定"
  menu "カスタマイズ"

  before_filter :find_preferences

  def show
  end

  def update
    @preferences.attributes = params[:preferences]
    if @preferences.save
      flash_notice("更新しました。")
      redirect_to :action => 'show'
    else
      current_user.reload
      render :action => :show
    end
  end

  private
  def find_preferences
    @preferences = current_user.preferences
    raise IllegalStateError, "No preference for user #{current_user.id}" unless @preferences
  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


It is important to place your order for whatever event equipment you need as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. Once you have done this, we are flexible enough to work with you should there be any alterations or last minute minor changes to your order. Additions are welcomed based on availability. Small deletions prior to delivery can be accommodated (except for tents).
Demand is high throughout the year but even more so during the summer months and in the lead up to Christmas, so please ensure you book early.
We reserve the right to charge a premium for orders received less than 7 days prior to an event.
Simply browse our collections online or download our e-brochure and make your selection based on product codes. If you do this online, put your selected items into your basket and you can then make secure payment online using your credit or debit card. Note that your order is not confirmed - and no payment is charged to your card - until a member of our sales team wither confirms or declines your order. This normally takes place the same working day that we receive your order.
Alternatively, payment can be made over the phone or by chip and pin or cash if you decide to come into one of Event Hire UK's sales and distribution centres to collect your items.


We Might be Superheroes is moving forward. We are hoping to shoot 20 short webisodes. One of the biggest projects we've ever done. Six different directors! Eight different writers! Keep watching!
Okay-the AF production team are arguing, screaming and all most fist fighting over casting. Many great actors. Hard to choose! We have 22 scripts-got to cut that number down! Still this is looking great!


UK distribution firm Stobart Group has received approval to acquire sole control of Irish regional airline Aer Arann.
"Stobart receives approval for Aer Arann takeover" is part of ATW Plus, our online premium membership. Subscribing will provide you access to exclusive news, carefully researched airline financial, fleet and traffic data, plus the option to receive our popular, award-winning print magazine. To learn more, click here. If viewing via ATW Mobile, please login and click "Read web article" to view fully. Questions? ATWPlus@penton.com.


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How to access the Innowalk and the Hibbot
Uptime Service Program
Meet Live, a 4-year-old girl with Rett syndrome who loves action
Live is a tender and cheerful 4-year-old girl. She's diagnosed with Rett syndrome, but has a more atypical disease course, which means she cannot sit, stand or walk. Live makes good eye contact and has learned to use her eyes and facial expressions to communicate.
Live developed as expected until she was around 6 months, but Madeleine, Live's mother, still felt that something was different. - I have experience from Live's older sister, says Madeleine. It was that experience that made her feel that there was something special about Live, but the doctors reassured her that there was nothing to worry about since Live made such good eye contact and developed as expected.
From the age of 6 months, however, Live began to lose skills, and at Christmas time when she was 7 months old, they suddenly needed to support her head when she was held. - Then I knew that something was seriously wrong, says Madeleine. It was also around that time that she had her first respiratory arrest, and a full medical examination was initiated. When Live was 10 months old, she was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. She has a more atypical disease course and more complex disease picture than is typical for the syndrome.
What is Rett syndrome?
Rett syndrome is a serious disorder of the brain and nervous system that causes delayed development, difficulties in interacting with other people and problems with purposeful movements. The condition occurs mainly in girls and is due to one or more mutations – defects in the genetic material (DNA).
Kilde: nhi.no
Willpower, speed and action
Live's first years of life have been turbulent as she has developed chronic respiratory failure and has experienced repeated respiratory arrests. This led to many hospital admissions, and in 2021 she was hospitalised for most of the year due to a serious respiratory infection. She fights her way through every hospitalisation and has proven that she's a strong girl. - I think it tells a lot about who she is, and that she has an enormous willpower, says Madeleine.
It's important for the parents to facilitate and allow Live to use her willpower and take part of activities happening around her. She cannot sit, stand or move independently, but they focus on adapting and arranging for her to have the opportunity to participate in activities. Live doesn't use body language to express what she wants, but she communicates with her eyes and clearly shows that she likes speed and action. She loves to use the swing, going high up in the air and with great speed!
It's important that we help her to convey her message to others. At the same time, it's important for other children to see that even if you're different or in a wheelchair, it doesn't mean that you don't want to join and be included.
Madeleine, Live's mom
Assistive devices are an important part of everyday life to facilitate activity and inclusion. The fact that Live has the Innowalk at home gives her, among other things, the opportunity to experience the joy of standing upright, walking and moving every day.
The family has chosen to be open, and friends and family are an essential ingredient in their life. By taking part in the family's activities, visitors better understand that Live has a serious disorder, but also that she's Live and one of the family. They don't want Live's siblings at 6 and 2 year of age to feel it's a burden having a sister with extra challenges. She should rather be a natural part of their lives, and all their friends are always welcome in their home. - I want Live's siblings to be proud of her and look at it as an enrichment to have a sister who is different, says Madeleine.
A rich childhood
The family has recently been to Frambu, a competence centre for rare diagnosis in Norway. There they participated in a child palliative care course. The course deals with, among other things, living a rich childhood even when the child has a serious disease. This is something the family valued highly. Even though Live has a serious illness, they want her to experience good quality of life and be allowed to be a child. A smile from Live is invaluable and gives them a good indication that she's doing well.
It's important for Live and for the family that she can be home as much as possible. They have therefore adapted the house to Live's needs and have 24-hour-staffing assistants. In addition, they have access to medical equipment that allows them to handle most situations in their home and avoid too many hospitalisations. Madeleine tells that when Live is admitted to hospital, she only smiles when the pulse oximeter is removed, because then she knows she's on her way home. It's a clear signal that home is best for Live.
It means everything to the family that Live takes part in family life and has the opportunity to be included in all activities. The family of five has just been on holiday abroad for the first time. They are proud and grateful that they made it as a family and managed to solve the challenges that appeared along the way. They had a wonderful experience together. They also learned that next time they go on vacation, they need more assistance. Some demanding situations occurred, and there was little sleep for the parents as they were themselves responsible for monitoring Live at night. Still, they are left with the fact that it was worth all the worries and challenges because Live smiled from the time she got up in the morning until she went to bed at night, every day, all week. The journey was an enrichment for the whole family.
We proved that we made it happened as a family and we had a lovely holiday together. It was an enrichment for the whole family
Activation and mobilisation of the whole body
Live has a chronic respiratory failure, which means that they focus on mobilising and maintaining good lung function 24/7. When Live was little, it was easier to move the body and change body position to improve respiration and mobilise mucus. But as Live grows, the need for facilitation and positioning with assistive devices has increased.
Today, she has assistive devices to manage 24-hour positioning in lying, sitting and standing. Changing position, and positioning in general, has a great impact on respiration and saturation in the blood and is something that everyone around Live has been trained to perform throughout day and night.
Physical activity and mobilisation in standing with walking movements
It was Live's grandmother who first mentioned the Innowalk as an assistive device for Live. She previously worked at a special school and had seen the Innowalk in use there. Knowing Live's love for activity, she wondered if it could be a relevant device also for Live. Madeleine discussed the possibility with Live's physiotherapist, they got a trial; and the rest is history.
Live uses both a standing frame and the Innowalk every day, and both aids are important parts of everyday life to maintain good lung function. They experience that Live thrives in the Innowalk, and it's an activity she really enjoys. The movement has a positive effect on respiration and has a mucus-mobilising effect. They also see that activity of the whole body has a good effect on gastrointestinal function.
See Live for who she is
In conclusion, Madeleine has one important message to health service personnel and other service staff around Live. She would like everyone to see Live for who she is, and that she is given the opportunity to live as normal a life as possible, even if she is different and has specific needs. They should all aim to see the possibilities and not focus on limitations..
We see that there is so much vitality in Live, and it's important that she gets the opportunity to live a good and meaningful life
See video of Live.
Live is a tender and cheerful 4-year-old girl. She's diagnosed with Rett syndrome, but has a more atypical disease course, which means...
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurologicaldisorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. It affects the brain development and...
5 things you should know about scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideway curvature of the spine and often occurs secondary to a neuromuscular disorder, such as Cerebral palsy, spina...


Many view shoplifting as a crime that is not serious. While a first time offender may be able escape serious charges, a repeat offender runs the risk at having a permanent stain on their criminal record. The value of the goods stolen determines how serious of penalties an individual is going to have to face for shoplifting charges.
What penalties come with being found guilty for shoplifting charges?
What alternatives can an experienced lawyer get their client as opposed to jail time or the retail theft crime going on their permanent record?
What is the goal of an attorney when defending shoplifting cases?
In Miami, Florida shoplifting is looked at by the court of law very seriously. How serious the punishment that guilty parties will be given depends on a few different determining factors. One factor is the charged parties criminal background. Do they have a history of shoplifting? Do they have any other type of criminal past? What was the total value of the property taken during the retail theft? Another determining factor of how serious a punishment a guilty individual will get for shoplifting depends on the actions that a store owner wants to take to pursue retail theft charges. Some storeowners take merchant theft much more serious then others.
If the value of goods was determined to be less then $300 the shoplifting charge is considered to be a misdemeanor offense. If it is the charged person's first offense and they have an attorney, the penalties will most likely be small fines, community service and/or participating in a diversion program. It is even possible to have the charges dropped all together.
If a person charged with retail theft has a past history of shoplifting the penalties will likely be more severe. The more times an individual has been charged with shoplifting the more severe the penalties will get each time.
If the value of the goods stolen is estimated to be $300 or more then the penalties for a guilty verdict in a merchant theft case can include jail time, community service hours, and other serious penalties that can scar a person's permanent record.
Make not mistake about it, even though shoplifting and retail theft may seem like small crimes they are crimes that can leave a person with a felony charge on their permanent record. The goal of any reputable attorney when it comes to merchant theft is to do everything in their power to make sure that their client is not convicted and avoid having the charge go on an individuals permanent record as that could tarnish their clients reputation and make it difficult for them to gain future employment.
If you or someone you know has been charged with the crime of shoplifting do not take the chance of fighting the charges without the help of an attorney who has had success defending individuals in merchant theft cases.


text:
Ein Umweltzeichen, oft auch Umweltkennzeichen oder Ökolabel, ist ein Gütezeichen, das Produkte und Dienstleistungen markiert und Aussagen über die Umweltfreundlichkeit einzelner Merkmale trifft. Sie richten sich meist an Verbraucher und sollen meist das gekennzeichnete Produkt gegenüber anderen der gleichen Produktgruppe herausheben und so die Kaufentscheidung beeinflussen. Umweltzeichen sind oft freiwillig und werden von verschiedenen Institutionen, Verbänden oder unabhängigen Prüfinstituten vergeben.

Entwicklung

In den 1970er Jahren, mit dem wachsenden Umweltbewusstsein und dem Aufkommen der modernen Umweltbewegung, wollten Verbraucher zunehmend umweltfreundliche Produkte kaufen und zeigten für solche Produkte eine zunehmende Zahlungsbereitschaft. Das erste Umweltzeichen weltweit war der Blaue Engel, der 1978 in Westdeutschland eingeführt wurde. Nach der Rio-Konferenz 1992 bemühten sich zahlreiche staatliche und private Initiativen, Konsummuster zu verändern und so auf eine nachhaltige Entwicklung der Wirtschaft hinzuwirken. In den USA wuchs der Anteil sich als "umweltfreundlich" bezeichnender Produkte von 1,1 % im Jahr 1986 auf 9,5 % im Jahr 1999. Inzwischen sind Umweltzeichen weit verbreitet und werden nicht nur auf Verpackungen, sondern auch in anderen Kommunikationskanälen, wie Webseiten, eingesetzt. Neben Produkten und Dienstleistungen werden mit ihnen ganze Unternehmen, Regionen oder Staaten gekennzeichnet und beworben. Der ecolabel index verzeichnete 2014 insgesamt 458 Kennzeichnungssysteme in 25 Wirtschaftssektoren und 195 Ländern, hinzu kam eine große Zahl dort nicht verzeichneter Umweltkennzeichen.

Merkmale und Klassifizierung
Zeichengeber können staatliche oder unabhängige private Organisationen sein, die von Umweltschutz-, Verbraucher- oder Wirtschaftsverbänden ins Leben gerufen werden. Oft handelt es sich auch um Selbstdeklarationen von Herstellern.

Ein System zur Vergabe eines Umweltzeichens legt in der Regel fest
 für welche Produktkategorien das Zeichen vergeben wird,
 welche Umweltkriterien bei der Produktion bzw. Erbringung von Dienstleistungen einzuhalten sind,
 wie die Einhaltung der Kriterien geprüft und überwacht wird,
 mit welchen Kommunikationsstrategien das Zeichen dem Verbraucher bekannt gemacht werden soll.

Hersteller können sich freiwillig für eine Kennzeichnung entscheiden, es gibt aber auch verpflichtende Umweltkennzeichnung, in Deutschland zum Beispiel die Energieverbrauchskennzeichnung. Die Umweltkriterien können sich auf einzelne oder viele, produkt- oder prozessorientierte Merkmale beziehen. Sie können absolute Standards definieren oder von Herstellern bestimmte Verbesserungen bzw. Verbesserungsprozesse fordern. Umweltkennzeichen haben einen regionalen, nationalen oder internationalen Geltungsbereich.

Typen nach ISO 14020–14025
Die ISO hat Normen und Richtlinien für verschiedene Typen von Umweltzeichen in ihrer Normenreihe ISO 14000 entwickelt. ISO 14021 gibt Rahmenbedingungen für Umweltaussagen vor, die Hersteller selbst für ihre Produkte treffen, sie werden als Typ II Umweltzeichen bezeichnet. Typ I und III Umweltzeichen sind von Dritten vergebene Kennzeichen hinsichtlich bestimmter, über den gesamten Lebenszyklus ermittelter Kriterien. Während Typ I Umweltzeichen aussagen sollen, dass Produkte hinsichtlich der betrachteten Umwelteigenschaften qualitativ besser sind (ISO 14024, Environmental labels and declarations — Type I environmental labelling — Principles and procedures), treffen Typ III Umweltzeichen quantitative Aussagen auf Basis von Umweltdeklarationen (ISO 14025).

Typische Umweltzeichen wie der Blaue Engel oder das EU Ecolabel sind in der Regel Typ I Umweltzeichen. Beispiel für ein Typ III Umweltzeichen ist das Zertifizierungssystem der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen für Baustoffe auf Basis der Umweltdeklarationen des Instituts Bauen und Umwelt.

Umweltökonomische und -politische Betrachtung
Die Einhaltung höherer als gesetzlich geforderter Umweltstandards ist für Unternehmen in der Regel mit Kosten verbunden. Hinzu kommen die Kosten einer Prüfung und Zertifizierung durch Dritte und Lizenzgebühren für die Verwendung von Zeichen, die häufig ebenfalls von den Herstellern zu tragen sind. Gewinnorientierte Unternehmen werden daher, in umweltökonomischer Betrachtungsweise, nur dann ein freiwilliges Umweltzeichen anstreben, wenn die Vorteile die Kosten aufwiegen. Eine vertrauenswürdige Umweltkennzeichnung macht Umwelt-Qualitätseigenschaften sichtbar und kann das Problem asymmetrischer Information zwischen Hersteller und Kunde — eine Form des Marktversagens – beseitigen. Die sichtbare Produktdifferenzierung erlaubt es Kunden, ihren Präferenzen für Umwelteigenschaften entsprechende Entscheidungen zu treffen (→ Nachhaltiger Konsum), und Herstellern, höhere Preise zu realisieren und so höhere Kosten wieder einzuspielen. Zudem kann sie Unternehmen, aber auch anderen Akteuren wie Staaten oder Regionen, einen Reputationsgewinn verschaffen. Umweltzeichen können somit Anreize bieten, Umweltinnovationen zu entwickeln, und die Diffusion umweltfreundlicher Produkte im Markt fördern.

In Untersuchungen zeigte sich bei Verbrauchern eine höhere Zahlungsbereitschaft, wenn Umweltzeichen mit spezifischen, in Zertifizierungsverfahren geprüften Kriterien verbunden waren. Außerdem war es von Vorteil, wenn der Zeichengeber bekannt war oder eine bekannte unabhängige Organisationen ein bestimmtes Kennzeichen billigte. Des Weiteren war die Zahlungsbereitschaft höher, wenn sich die Käufer außer besserer Umweltqualität auch eigene Vorteile versprachen, etwa geringere Gesundheitsrisiken bei Bio-Lebensmitteln oder einen Prestigegewinn.

Allerdings werden freiwillige Umweltzeichen von innovativen Firmen vergleichsweise selten verwendet. Eine Firmenbefragung ergab keine Hinweise, dass freiwillige Umweltzeichen Produktinnovationen stimuliert hatten. Für verpflichtende Umweltzeichen, wie das EU-Energielabel, gibt es dagegen Untersuchungen, die eine Wirksamkeit belegen.

Umweltzeichen sind in vielen Fällen nicht geeignet, als alleiniges Instrument Marktversagen zu beseitigen. Ihre Wirksamkeit hängt davon ab, ob die Information über Qualitätseigenschaften den Kunden richtig erreicht und ob dieser über eine ausreichende Zahlungsbereitschaft und -fähigkeit verfügt. Umweltzeichen, besonders unregulierte Selbstdeklarationen, können auch verwendet werden, um Kunden zu täuschen (→ Greenwashing). Zeichengeber haben zudem Anreize, niedrige Standards zu setzen, um möglichst vielen Firmen die Teilnahme zu ermöglichen. Zu hohe Standards können mit sehr hohen Kosten verbunden sein, die in keinem Verhältnis zum Umweltnutzen stehen. Eine zunehmende Kennzeichnungsvielfalt kann Verbraucher verwirren und ihre Zahlungsbereitschaft verringern.

In der Umweltpolitik spielen Umweltzeichen daher eine ergänzende Rolle. Das deutsche Umweltbundesamt sieht sie nicht als Ersatz für marktbasierte Instrumente, die direkte Förderung von Innovationsprojekten oder ordnungsrechtliche Instrumente.

Verschiedene Umweltzeichen

Verschiedene staatliche Umweltzeichen sind:
 Der Blaue Engel wird seit 1978 vergeben. Er war das weltweit erste Umweltzeichen.
 Das Österreichische Umweltzeichen wird seit 1990 vom österreichischen Umweltministerium für eine ständig wachsende Palette von Produktgruppen, Dienstleistungen und Betriebe vergeben.  Die grafische Gestaltung des Umweltzeichens stammt vom Wiener Künstler Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
 Das Europäische Umweltzeichen EU Ecolabel existiert seit 1992. Die Vergabe erfolgt über nationale Stellen, für Deutschland durch die RAL gGmbH.
 Das Nordische Umweltzeichen existiert seit 1989.

Weitere verbreitete Umweltzeichen, vor allem in der Lebensmittelbranche, sind Bio-Siegel der Europäischen Union und verschiedener Anbauverbände, die Produkte aus ökologischer Landwirtschaft kennzeichnen. Klimasiegel für klimafreundliche Produkte haben sich bislang kaum durchgesetzt.

Im Global Ecolabelling Network sind 29 Organisationen  zusammengeschlossen, die Umweltkennzeichen vergeben.

Siehe auch
 Prüfsiegel
 Textilsiegel
 Liste von Fairtrade-Siegeln

Literatur

 Stefanie Weyer: Produktpolitik und Umweltkennzeichen – Theoretische Grundlagen und Praxiserfahrungen. Grin Verlag, München 2008, ISBN 978-3-638-95464-8.

Weblinks

 www.blauer-engel.de
 Europäisches Umweltzeichen EU Ecolabel
 DIN, Umweltdeklarationen von Produkten

Einzelnachweise

Ökologieorientierte Betriebswirtschaftslehre
Umweltökonomik

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Reverses the appearance of wrinkles by up to 30%. It contains a patented technology that hydrates to allow the natural cross linking of elastin to help strengthen skin?s surface for younger-looking, more resilient skin. See visible results in 2 weeks.
Apply every evening on clean dry skin. Dispense four pearl size drops of product and smooth gently on face and neck. As with all facial products avoid getting into eyes.


It's impossible not to acknowledge how quickly social media changed overnight. The reveal of the new Facebook profile page moved social media in a direction no other social network on the web could offer – an opportunity to start from the beginning.
A new way to express who you are.
They have years of content and theoretically have much deeper connections given age and family extensions. If Zuckerberg can convince Gens Y & X to maintain Facebook as a platform to share not just textually but through images and video, as they go through rights of passage (engagement, marriage, children), then it's game-over. Want to see the grandchildren? Get a Facebook account. Kids are turning to teens? Share those albums on their pages so they can start their own timelines properly.
And I'm not even going to go into detail on the ticker. My initial reaction was negative but the more I acclimate to it, the more power I see for brands seeking ways to build stronger connections with their fans. Couple this with verbs and the potential to "dislike" and you now have an emotive, expressive social network with a thriving community of content sharing and update consumption.
It's an exciting time for social media. Facebook, arguably the most binary look and feel of all the social networks, suddenly came to life through profiles and timelines. I've been a harsh critic through the years but after synthesizing both timeline and the ticker, this update has left me impressed.


'Brand New Key' is a pop song written by folk singer Melanie (Melanie Safka), which became a novelty hit in 1971-72. Taken from Melanie's album 'Gather Me', it was also known as 'The Rollerskate Song'. It was her biggest hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in December 1971 and January 1972. It reached #1 in Canada and Australia, and #4 in the UK charts. Melanie's version of 'Brand New Key' was featured in the 1997 film 'Boogie Nights'.
Brand New Key Lyrics are the property of the respective artists, writers and labels. These lyrics are provided for eduacational purposes only. Please buy the song if you like them.


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Home » News » Missouri Governor Asks EPA for Law Change to Allow Permanent Year-Round E15 Sales in State
Missouri Governor Asks EPA for Law Change to Allow Permanent Year-Round E15 Sales in State
Source: By Todd Neeley, Progressive Farmer • Posted: Monday, January 2, 2023
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) — Add the state of Missouri to a list of now 10 Midwest states that have asked EPA to change the law to allow them to permanently sell E15 year-round, as the state's governor last week filed a request with EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
The White House Office of Management and Budget earlier this month launched an official review of a request by governors in nine states to change federal law to allow permanent year-round E15 sales.
The move comes as agricultural groups had been pushing Congress to pass a year-round E15 bill before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
From April to June, nine states including Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin asked EPA to begin a rulemaking that would place E10 and E15 on equal regulatory footing in the summer months beginning in 2023. Currently year-round E15 sales are curtailed by the EPA in high-ozone regions of the country from June to September.
In a Dec. 21, 2022, letter to Regan Missouri Gov. Michael L. Parson requested the agency to make the same change to the state's law, https://d35t1syewk4d42.cloudfront.net/….
"Allowing E15 sales to continue this past summer helped extend tight fuel supplies and provided Missouri drivers with lower-priced options at the pump during a period of record-high fuel prices and turmoil in the world energy market," Parson said in the letter.
"However, it is clear that relying on emergency waivers for year-round sales of E15 is not a long-term solution for Missouri's fuel retailers, farmers and ethanol producers, consumers, or the environment. Thus, I am joining other Midwest states in seeking a permanent solution to allow year-round E15 and further reduce emissions."
Earlier this year, the Biden administration granted an emergency waiver to continue E15 sales in the summer months. A Trump administration rule that allowed E15 year-round was struck down by a federal court.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in a news release other states should push the EPA for similar actions.
"This simple regulatory solution will allow consumers in Missouri to benefit from E15's lower cost and lower emissions throughout the year," Cooper said.
"We continue to call on other states to take similar action so that the benefits of E15 can be permanently enjoyed by drivers across the nation."
An RFA analysis found that drivers saved an average of 30 cents per gallon last summer during a period of record-high gas prices, just from fueling up with E15.
In addition, a recent study by the refining industry found the action sought by the 10 states would increase gasoline-refining costs by 1.5 cents per gallon or less in the Midwest.
Read more on DTN:
"OMB Reviewing Nine States' E15 Requests," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com


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Genomics Business, Policy & Funding
Castle Biosciences Acquires Cernostics for up to $80M
Oct 19, 2021 | staff reporter
NEW YORK – Skin disease diagnostics company Castle Biosciences said on Tuesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cernostics, a privately held firm that specializes in spatial biology and artificial intelligence-driven image analysis of tissue biopsies.
Under the terms of the agreement, Pittsburgh-based Cernostics will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Castle Biosciences. At closing, Castle will pay $30 million in initial consideration to Cernostics security holders, which may consist entirely of cash or $20 million in cash and $10 million in Castle common stock, at Castle's discretion. Further, up to an additional $50 million in cash and/or common stock may be payable in connection with the achievement of certain milestones based on Cernostics' 2022 performance.
The transaction is expected to close prior to the end of this year, subject to the delivery of certain financial statements to Castle, continued employment of certain Cernostics personnel, and satisfaction of other customary conditions to closing.
Upon finalization of the deal, Cernostics CEO Mike Hoerres, as well as the company's executive management team and other staff, are expected to stay with Castle. Cernostics' laboratory and operations will remain in Pittsburgh.
Cernostics applies spatial biology and biologically aware AI and machine learning to tissue diagnostics. The company's TissueCypher Barrett's Esophagus Assay is a laboratory-developed test that's been designed to predict future development of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and/or esophageal cancer in patients with Barrett's esophagus. It's indicated for patients with endoscopic biopsy-confirmed BE that is graded non-dysplastic, indefinite for dysplasia, or low-grade dysplasia.
"Acquiring the TissueCypher platform is aligned with our commitment to utilizing innovative technology to provide clinically actionable information that guides disease management and improves patient outcomes," Castle CEO Derek Maetzold said in a statement. "The TissueCypher Barrett's Esophagus Assay addresses an unmet need in BE, as it is designed to objectively and accurately predict progression from non-dysplastic, indefinite for dysplasia and low-grade dysplasia BE to HGD or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC)."
EAC is highly lethal with five-year survival rates of less than 20 percent, he noted. Intervention in patients with BE has been proven to reduce progression to EAC.
In a note to investors, SVB Leerink analyst Puneet Souda said the acquisition "sets the stage" for Castle's expansion into the GI market.
The TissueCypher test is currently reimbursed by Medicare at $2,513, with potential for a higher ADLT reimbursement longer term, he said. Castle sees a $1 billion total addressable market for Cernostics BE assays with material revenue and volume contribution in 2023, and the company's management sees opportunities in GI that are similar to dermatology.
Souda noted that Castle expects to hire 13 to 15 GI sales reps to build support for the franchise in the 12,000 to 13,000 clinically active GI physicians and 1,000 to 2,000 small groups of cardiothoracic surgeons that would form the target market.
"We expect Castle to position GI as an additional disease area beyond skin cancer with classifier assays that help stratify risk for patients," he wrote.
Castle's shares rose more than 7 percent to $67.47 in morning trading on the Nasdaq.
Castle Biosciences


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Job losses on the Tyne: how many crucial questions remain unanswered
The Journal has been reporting on potential job losses at OGN for nearly a year, but can't get answers from the Government
Graeme WhitfieldBusiness editor
The 118 meter oil and gas platform that weighs a staggering 5400 tonne preparing to leave OGN yard in Wallsend
The story behind this week's announcement of job losses on Tyneside is one of obfuscation and questions going unanswered. Business editor Graeme Whitfield reports on how tax breaks from the UK Government have led to redundancies in the North East.
This week's announcement that Tyneside offshore group OGN had issued redundancy notices to around 200 staff has been a long time coming.
As well as a corporate and personal disaster for many in the North East, the story of the OGN job losses is one that asks many questions. Getting answers to those questions, however, is proving far from easy.
As The Journal reported on Tuesday, the fact that jobs were being lost on Tyneside was compounded by the fact that the foreign firms taking the work are effectively being given a tax break by the UK Government to do so.
The Journal has been asking some simple questions about the work for a number of months, in particular: where is the work going, and why?
Finding that out has involved phone calls to various locations around the world and numerous requests for comment to Government departments and agencies, the vast majority of which have gone ignored.
As long ago as last October, The Journal was carrying a front page with the headline "Why are we losing £70m contract and 1,000 jobs?", with OGN chairman Dennis Clark warning that if a key contract went abroad the "long-term consequences of this are extremely serious for British manufacturing, prosperity and employment."
The contract in question was work on the Culzean gas field, one of the largest North Sea gas discoveries of recent years. The field is being managed by Danish firm Maersk Oil, with many UK companies – including OGN – hoping to get lucrative contracts from a pool of work worth billions of pounds.
But Mr Clark's fears were confirmed not long after our original article when Heerema, a Dutch firm with a base in Hartlepool, announced that it had won the major contract for the Culzean project.
Heerema's press release on the contract win was titled "Heerema Hartlepool awarded Culzean Wellhead Platform jacket" and quoted chief executive Koos-Jon van Brouwershaven saying: "Having been able to secure this work for a UK based company is of great importance."
Yet the press release also said that some of the work would be done in Heerema's yard in the Netherlands. How much work would come to the UK, and whether any jobs would be created as a result, was entirely unclear.
So we asked. And asked and asked and asked. Phone calls to Hartlepool diverted us to Holland, and vice versa. Getting people to the phone was a major effort. We asked how much the Hartlepool part of the contract was worth and were told it wouldn't be possible to say that for commercial reasons. OK, we said, give us a rough idea, maybe a percentage of how much of the contract was coming to the North East and how much to Holland. Again, they couldn't say.
It was only on November 3, after three weeks of chasing, that The Journal could publish a story outlining how no jobs would be created in the North East as a result of the work, while the bulk of the estimated £40-50m contract was being done abroad.
This was significant, not just because of the potential problems it caused OGN, but because a press release issued by Maersk Oil at the same time quoted Priti Patel, then Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, highlighting the fact that the contract had been made possible by a Government tax break.
"The Culzean project has the potential to meet around 5% of UK gas demand in 2020/21," she said, "and would not be possible with the Government's ultra high pressure, high temperature cluster area allowance."
The "ultra high pressure, high temperature cluster area allowance" is a measure introduced by the Government in 2014 which exempts profits made by oil and gas operators from the charges levied on the industry in the last parliament.
But international competition law means while the UK Government can offer the tax break, it cannot tie that sweetener to a condition that contracts go to this country.
In June, Mr Clark appealed for a "UK first policy", saying that "these projects are being subsidised by the UK taxpayer but are bringing no benefit to the UK economy." While competition law was meant to create a level playing field, he pointed out, the market was being tilted towards firms in the Far East where governments funded the projects on credit with the money being re-paid once the project was up and running.
Tyneside MPs Mary Glindon, Alan Campbell and Catherine McKinnell – acting on behalf of OGN itself and constituents who work there – intervened to ask Ministers to explain the situation. It is in replies to those MPs - and only there, as Government departments are not answering questions from The Journal - that some light can be shed on the issue.
In a letter to Mrs McKinnell earlier this month, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom said: "We are fully of how important this industry is for the UK economy, especially in relation to the large number of jobs it creates and supports right across the UK.
"We cannot, however, mandate UK content and indeed it would be illegal to do so. We take every opportunity to press that operators must afford fair and open opportunities for indigenous businesses with the capacity to undertake work."
What is clear is that any requests from the Government for work to come to the UK have mostly fallen on deaf ears.
In July, Ms Leadsom had agreed to chair a re-formed Cross Party Oil and Gas Group in Parliament, a group which had been credited with winning a major contract for OGN in 2014.
But it was the completion of that work and the loss of the Culzean project that have led to Dennis Clark's warning from last year being realised. As OGN issued redudancies notices this week, unions could only voice their frustration. OGN shop steward Terry Telford was among them.
"Taxpayers will be wondering what they are getting out of this when huge incentives are given to oil and gas operators yet the UK is thrown the crumbs from the table," he said.
"The foreign competition will be over moon because not only have they won the work, but this is another competitor potentially knocked out.
"It's extremely disappointing and it means that valuable skills will leave the area and the North East will be impoverished because of it."
Why this has happened is something the Government either does not know or does not want to say. The Journal put the question to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Treasury and the Oil and Gas Authority in numerous phone calls this week.
We are still waiting for answers.
The Gate NewcastleGaming centre boasting the best in video games experiences is heading to NewcastleYuMe World will feature technology never seen before in the UK, according to the firm
DeloitteTop business brains share secrets of starting a successful firm in new bookInspirational new release 'Yes Business Can' aims to help British businesses maximise their potential
North East Business Executive Of The YearNorth East Business Executive of the Year of AwardsNorth East Business executive awards at the Boiler shop, Newcastle
Newcastle upon TyneFrom Auf Wiedersehen Pest to Bonnie Tiler: the North East's 20 funniest business namesHairdressers and takeaways appear to be the hotbeds for pun-laden business names in the North East
North East Business AwardsSearch is on for North East company success storiesLast year Northumberland's Tharsus Group won the top prize at the North East Business Awards


It was a pleasure for all of us to revisit some of the works that are part of the unique repertoire that Ady has assembled over its seven year lifespan. Here's another work that we cherished returning to: Corrina Bonshek's, "Journey to the Centre". Our thanks again to Corrina for writing us such a wonderful work. Please enjoy it again here.


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'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2022′ on ABC Brings the Party to Times Square and New Orleans With a Dynamic Performance Lineup
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee LL Cool J Will Give a Spectacular Performance Just Before Midnight With Chlöe, Journey, and Karol G Also Set To Hit the Stage in Times Square
New Orleans Co-Host Billy Porter To Deliver New Hit Single on the Historic Riverboat Louis Armstrong
The 50th Anniversary Celebration Airs Live Friday, Dec. 31, Beginning at 8/7c on ABC
ABC and MRC Live & Alternative announced the performance lineups in Times Square and New Orleans for "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022." This year marks the 50th anniversary of America's go-to annual New Year's tradition that celebrates the year's very best in music. The most-watched New Year's Eve celebration nationwide which features iconic performances of the year's biggest songs airs LIVE Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC.
Performances in Times Square:
2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, hip-hop superstar and multihyphenate entertainer LL COOL J will give a spectacular performance of his iconic hits from the NYRE stage.
Pop/R&B superstar Chlöe will wow the Times Square crowd with an unforgettable performance of her chart-topping hit "Have Mercy."
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and award-winning rock legends Journey will perform a special collection of notable and celebrated hits.
Multiplatinum international Latin phenom KAROL G will kick off the night's festivities with a red-hot performance of her fan-favorite hits.
Performance in New Orleans:
New Orleans co-host Billy Porter delivers his new hit single and a sneak peak of a future classic on the riverboat Louis Armstrong on the mighty Mississippi River in the historic French Quarter.
AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
Los Angeles Performers
AJR and duo Daisy The Great ("BANG!" "Record Player")
Avril Lavigne and Travis Barker ("Sk8ter Boi," "Bite Me")
Big Boi with singer Sleepy Brown ("The Way You Move," "Animalz")
Don Omar ("Danza Kuduro")with Nio Garcia ("Se Menea")
French Montana ("FWMGAB," "Unforgettable")
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ("Can't Hold Us") with singer Windser ("Next Year")
Måneskin ("Beggin'," "Mamma Mia")
Mae Muller with Polo G ("Better Days"); Polo G ("Rapstar," "Smooth Criminal")
Masked Wolf ("Astronauts in the Ocean," "Pandemonium")
OneRepublic ("Counting Stars," "Run")
Walker Hayes ("Fancy Like," "AA")
Puerto Rico Performer
Global music star and reggaeton dynamo Daddy Yankee will give a special hometown performance in Puerto Rico.
Host, Co-Hosts and Correspondent
The L.A. Party festivities will be kicked off by five-time NYRE co-host and multiplatinum selling artist, Ciara, with Club Quarantine's D-Nice spinning the turntables at the celebration. The star-studded NYRE lineup also includes 17-time host and executive producer Ryan Seacrest in Times Square with first-time co-host Liza Koshy, co-host Billy Porter from New Orleans, and co-host Roselyn Sanchez leading the festivities in Puerto Rico, the inaugural destination for the show's first Spanish-language countdown,
POWERBALL correspondent Jessie James Decker will announce the "POWERBALL First Millionaire of the Year" live from New York just after midnight.
The No. 1 New Year's Eve programming special each year, last year's program dominated the combined deliveries of its broadcast competitors by 7.0 million Total Viewers and by 63% with Adults 18-49. Soaring by double digits year over year, last year's late-night telecast attracted 18.4 million Total Viewers and ranked as the highest-rated musical special of 2020 among Adults 18-49.
For the latest Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve news, exclusive content and more, follow NYRE on social (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram), on ABC sites (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram), online at newyearsrockineve.com and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #RockinEve.
About MRC Live & Alternative
MRC Live & Alternative, a division of global entertainment company MRC, is the world's largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the "Academy of Country Music Awards," "American Music Awards," "Billboard Music Awards," "Golden Globe Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" and the "Streamy Awards." MRC Live & Alternative owns one of the world's most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For more information please visit: www.mrcentertainment.com.
About ABC Entertainment
ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including "Grey's Anatomy," the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; riveting dramas "The Good Doctor," "A Million Little Things," "Station 19" and fall's groundbreaking No. 1 new series, "Big Sky"; trailblazing comedy favorites "black-ish," "The Conners," "The Goldbergs" and "Home Economics"; the popular Summer Fun & Games programming block, including "Celebrity Family Feud," "Holey Moley," "Match Game," "Press Your Luck" and "To Tell the Truth"; star-making sensation "American Idol"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank"; "The Bachelor" franchise; long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"; "General Hospital," which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"; as well as two critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" specials. The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars®," "The CMA Awards" and the "American Music Awards." ABC programming can also be viewed on demand and on Hulu.
In: Entertainment
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Hello summer! This month our UXperts turn to user experiences that make their lives cool as a cucumber — from booking getaways, to hiking America's great trails, to connecting with colleagues across the globe. What emerges is a theme of knowing thy user. These UXperts agree that understanding the needs and wants of a user creates seamless, natural experiences that people love to tell their friends about.
Whether you're planning to be the next Cheryl Strayed by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail or you're just looking to read the essential news as you commute into work, July's app-based choices remind us that the trick to user experiences that stick is knowing what your users need, when they need it.
I love to hike, but I hate hiking apps. Too often, excess functionality and data combine in a poor UX that makes finding and exploring new trails more grueling than the hike itself. Inexplicably, most hiking apps suffer the most when taken offline. When access to cloud data disappears, their functionality goes with it.
Enter Hiking Project, made by REI Co-op. From Andorra to Vietnam — and everywhere in between — Hiking Project has information on a staggering 38,936 trails, totaling 147,881 miles of trails all over the world.
A bottom-focused UI that is clean, clear, and intuitive is a big win for Hiking Project. More impressive than its layout, however, is the offline user testing that clearly went into its production.


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Q: Product of two simply connected compact sets in $\mathbb{C}$ is polynomially convex in $\mathbb{C}^2$? Is it true that the product of two simply connected compact sets in $\mathbb{C}$ is polynomially convex in $\mathbb{C}^2$ ?
Thanks !

A: Sure, assuming the two compact sets are nice enough (not just simply connected).  Any points that is not in the product has either the first or the second coordinate not in one of these simple connected sets.  So get a polynomial in the first or the second variable that is bigger at that point then on the compact set, and voila.
Of course, you're in trouble if the compact set in $\mathbb{C}$ is simply connected but its complement is not connected (that could happen if you for example loop one of the sides of the graph of $\sin(1/x)$ back on itself, it's simply connected because there is no continuous loop that goes around).
But if you instead do it with compact sets with connected complements, then you're fine.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


A little late but still want to impart the milestone of the year 2018 to all and also to make it as a journal for my kids. Maybe somehow, someday, they can able to read this post and find in their heart what they really mean to me and know how i felt with all the the thoughts imparted.
If you would ask me around fifteen to twenty years ago about the highlights of what a year looks like for me, maybe all i can tell you is-bout career, what I want to invest in, or what my goals for our family are. And if you are in the same situation now like i am before, it's okay.it is a phase of life were you see the world in your own and conquer it if you want. Through your dreams and goals, hard work and perseverance you can help yourself stand through the battle and can able to go through life in an easy way. But it's important to let your values stand in all the fields that you encounter, with all the paths that you will unravel, do not forget who you are from the start, the way how you see yourself when you started, and be humble. It is important to be obedient but know how your voice can be heard in a certain circumstances.
Motherhood/Parenting this year is more about teachings and instilling discipline. A normal household who struggles having an adult, teenager and kid, a mom who is raising her children.Though i have high hopes and expectation that sometimes can not be meet but i am thankful that we have good relationship still. [ eventhough my voice always dominating the house! ha ha ha ] But one thing i won't forget is how they tell me that they appreciate what i am doing, hearing those always brought me to tears, overflowing tears actually.Being a mother is tough, but having a purpose to raise a good child is a challenge that i embrace and i will not quit even though there are hard times and i always do soak myself with all the good times because it is always priceless.
My outlook now is different as the years past by. Personally, the highlights of a year for me alone is the chance that i'm still breathing and healthy, my family is healthy. That i able to mingle with my love ones in a healthy and productive way and that i could able to do what i love in normal, regular basis. It's the simple joys that matters now. Maybe because i can really find true happiness with those, and maybe that what matters to me most right now. Success is a personal choice and has many meanings, vision and outlook, and that is how you differentiate yours depends on how you see life and how contented you are on it.
Husband and iare keen about our health & wellness nowadays. I do enjoy our routine and it makes us even more closer to each other. Having him around makes life easier to handle.
Though i love pretty things and the beauty that goes with this world. But within my core i still humble myself with all the real side of what the world really is. That God able to show me both sides in order to appreciate what life He has given me each day, and to appreciate it even more. I know if not all, but some of us are afraid of struggles, but through those times that we can build a dream be determine, know what a true relationship is, what really matters in this world and appreciate life even in the little things. With that being said, it all depends upon how we look up to life but in those situation, you can see the genuine beauty of life. When you laugh hard and sobbed, that's natural, we are only human. But in those circumstances you can live happily each day, that you have a grateful heart even were you are in the path that you have not chosen. When you find time to appreciate and thank all what comes your way, may it be big or small, then you find true success, you are at peace. My son call it adaptation but i call it, acceptance.
It is lovely that i able to reconnect with an old friend. A satisfying and overflowing happiness to let yourself talk and have good conversation that you can freely let your soul be heard that you know both of you will not judge each other. A kind of relationship that you know prosper even if you don't always see each other. A person who knows you from the past that you can say anything and everything and just seeing them have a spark of joy in your life. Bless all friendships that knows no boundaries and no limits even if status quo is not an issue at all.
Can it be possible to have a grateful heart with all the struggles happening in life? What do you think? As a mother of four, i believe that it's important to instill values and help a child to appreciate life at a young age. I believe it is a choice. Those who consider to appreciate it find light, and those who will not, seek darkness. Parenting wise it is a responsibility to teach our children values, that the world is lacking now. But us parents know that not all children are willing to listen and execute our teachings. But it's important that we do our best and try hard because if we will not, who will?
Beach and summer days will always be a great memories to look back in our family. A tradition we started and we always look upon to experience. Added that the road trips are a great way for deep conversations, being silly, eating chips , laughter's, giggles, snorting and farting ha ha ha. That is summer fun is all about, digging family relationships and memories that will last in our hearts, for a lifetime.


Gifts for a 40th birthday aren't easy to choose.
With mid-life crisis coming on, one wrong move can mean the difference between a party and a parting. So we selected thoughtfully and with considerable care. We're pretty sure you'll be in love: we got you an HP Indigo 12000HD B2-format digital production press. B2 you ask? No, it's not a bomber; not a vitamin; it's a metric measure of paper size. In real language it means 20" x 29". And size does matter, because it means our gift to you is better pricing on roughly half of the jobs we've historically printed on offset equipment. The Indigo will handle all the printing we've ever done and more, now reinvented on a digital platform. HD you ask? That's right: high definition, meaning superb, unvarying photographic quality with output resolution allowing 275lpi screening. Colour and consistency monitored by cameras, not by eye. Seven ink stations so you can add white, or clear; custom PANTONE colours, or fluorescents. On virtually any substrate including synthetics and metallics, from bond to 18pt board.
The only Western Canadian installation of the HP Indigo 12000HD, coming to nexGen this spring. You're gonna like this gift.


If you or someone you love suffers from an addiction, deciding to do something about it is the most important decision you can make. The next step is a critical one. Will you seek treatment, counselling or rehab, or do you need honest and experienced advice on what to do and where to go for assistance?
We strongly encourage you to call us.
Our helpline is staffed by experienced and supportive professionals. They have helped thousands of people like you by answering questions, providing consultations, offering advice and encouragement, or simply listening to your concerns with a sympathetic ear.
If you don't have the time or are uncomfortable speaking to someone directly, or if you simply wish additional information, please fill out the confidential contact form below and one of our staff would be happy to get back to you.


When asked how I became interested in UFO's, which I'm asked a lot, my answer is always the same. Some 30 years ago I would lie in the backyard and look up into the night sky, and wonder what might be out there. I've never been egotistical enough to think we're the only thing in this vast universe that our earth is a small part of. Like everyone else I was raised in a box, fed information by my parents, teachers, and others, but at some point I decided to get out of the box, and look at other possibilities, including the possibility that other life forms surely exist "out there" somewhere. That has taken me on a fantastic journey continually looking for answers to the age-old question, "are we alone" in the universe, and truly different and unique from anything else.
I'm firmly convinced that they are probably observing us, perhaps to see that we don't self-destruct, which was possible in my lifetime during the cold war years, and continues today. The human being is the only species on the planet that cannot get along with each other over boundaries, the color of our skin, religious beliefs, etc., and have been known as war people for many centuries. We tested the first atomic bomb a 100 miles south of Roswell at White Sands on Trinity site, 2 years before the Roswell Incident; we tested 2 in the Pacific Ocean, and dropped 2 on Japan to end World War II. Were they sitting out there somewhere looking in at us and wondered what are these clowns on earth up to? Surely they don't want us in their neighborhood with nuclear weapons, which we're known for.
In the mid 1980's I started hearing bits and pieces about Roswell and the crash that occurred there in 1947. That peaked my interest again that perhaps there was something to my original curiosity, that surely there was life out there somewhere and they were coming here to earth. Consequently my UFO book library began expanding as I tried to read all I could about extraterrestrials, and what little was known about them. That continued for several years primarily as a hobby, while I continued my civil engineering profession, as a technician with the Texas Department of Transportation. I started attending UFO group meetings when I could, and upon retirement moved from Texas to Roswell New Mexico, becoming involved with the UFO Museum from 1996 until 1998, where I had the good fortune of meeting several of the first-hand witnesses and worked with some of the top researchers in the field. Today I'm still working with researchers such as Stanton Friedman, Scott Ramsey, Frank Warren and others, while continuing to look for more witness that were involved with the Roswell Incident 66 years ago, that might be willing to talk about it. That is however becoming more difficult with each passing day, as they would now be 80 or 90 years old if still alive.
I quickly realized that I'd never know all I needed to know unless I limited myself to particular areas of research, due to the vast amount of information being distributed pertaining to the subject of UFO's. I decided to concentrate the majority of my research on the Roswell event, and later began researching three other topics; Area 51, Underground Bases and the Pyramids of Giza, all of which have been unbelievably interesting.
When I started doing the Roswell UFO Tours (www.roswellufotours.com) here in Roswell several months ago, I found that there were more people interested in the Roswell Incident then I could have possibly imagined. Roswell is of course a worldwide recognizable name, with people from all over the world coming here to take the tours. Most have the same curiosity I had years ago, and are anxious to learn as much as they can. Being able to share my years of research about Roswell with them has been rewarding for me as a researcher, telling them all up front that I won't try to convince them one way or another, but will simply share what I know with them, and let them decide what they want to believe.
Most people know very little about the town of Roswell except that it's known for a UFO crash some 60 years ago, so I also share some of the history about the town with people, that all seem to take pleasure in hearing. Roswell has a rich history back to the 1800's of "gunslingers", outlaws and cattle people, which most people enjoy learning about.
Those of us that have studied and researched the Roswell Incident for many years agree that many of the accounts and excuses given make no sense when reviewed, such as the rancher who discovered the debris on the ranch being interrogated by the military over a weather balloon, the Mogul balloon excuse, and the worst one ---crash test dummies that weren't used until 6 years later. Also General Ramey ordering the top Intelligence Officer, Major Jesse Marcel, to pose for pictures with a weather balloon and not permitted to talk while being photographed. There are of course many other excuses we've been given, and 66 years later we've still not been told the truth about Roswell.
At my age I don't expect to know the truth about the Roswell Incident from our Government or Military Leaders in my lifetime, as I don't know which of them would be willing to admit they have been lying to us for 66 years. We've had 4 excuses over those 66 years, and quite possibly will have more in the future, but for now my curiosity from years ago has allowed me to occasionally share what I know with others, and I will continue to search for the truth.
Details of Alleged Photographic Evidence Re Roswell UFO Crash Leaked To The Public!


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Q: How to load a big sparse tensor in scikit-tensor I'd like to do tensor analysis with python using scikit-tensor.
https://github.com/mnick/scikit-tensor

However, there is few docs about it.
I'd like to read a big tensor from files. I cannot find out what the function in it i should use.
Or is there any more easy tensor tools for python?


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Jazz Mass Spirit Listen Shelter of Trees
Ike Sturm
Because of its transcendent nature, listening to jazz is often considered to be a spiritual experience. Certainly listening to John Coltrane's A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1964) is a larger-than-life experience. Same can be said of bassist Ike Sturm's JazzMass, a 10-part construction for jazz septet, voices and strings that presents prayer and music as a sacrament.
Sturm, graduate of the Eastman School of Music and protégé of Dave Holland, is the music director for the jazz ministry at Saint Peter's Church in Manhattan. He was commissioned to compose and produce this music by St. Peter's, where a weekly jazz vespers service is held.
Without a doubt a labor of love, the recording features an all-star cast of jazz musicians including saxophonists Donny McCaslin and Loren Stillman, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and drummer Ted Poor. Taking the format of a Catholic Mass, the music proceeds from invocation ("Kyrie") to recessional ("Shine"). Sturm's arrangement blends a 14-member choir, 10-piece string section, and septet in such a feathery manner that the music levitates. The outstanding performer here is leading vocalist Misty Ann Strum, whose sung recitation of sacred text is the center of the recording.
For jazz listeners the intersection of a choir, strings and a jazz septet is perplexing. If not for Sturm's arrangement, that may be true; but when McCaslin's tenor saxophone takes flight over the raised voices of the choir praising God, the fit feels natural. This is not jazz plus strings as much as it is a unified concept, as if this church's roof is big enough to fit the many sounds invited into this Mass.
After Sturm's solo bass "Interlude," Misty Ann Sturm is backed by the jazz septet on "Just As I Am"; McCaslin responding with Coltrane-like flights of notes before the hushed vocalist returns, accompanied by strings. Guitarist Ryan Ferreira supplies the supernatural voice behind "Offering: Stillness," a wordless vocal piece that champions a tender and sympathetic mood, and he flavors the improvised Thanksgiving" with more ethereal and exquisite notes. The music ends with "Hymn: Shine" an uplifting folk/spiritual piece that is a perfect blues processional, allowing the anointed to go forth into the world thinking peaceful and engaged thoughts.
- Mark Corroto, All About Jazz
Link to full article
Newer:Cultural Examiner – Examiner.com NYOlder:Jazz Chicago
AuthorPhil Price
© 2015 Ike Sturm


Umm Al Quwain, UAE, 06 June 2015: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'allah, member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Gulf Craft today unveiled the Majesty 155, the UAE shipbuilder's largest-ever, fly-bridge motor superyacht.
The unveiling at the Majesty Yachts shipyard in Umm Al Quwain, UAE proved to be a welcome addition to the ever-expanding Gulf Craft portfolio, and served as further testament to the company's decades-old, trust-based consultative approach to growing its business.
Gulf Craft's largest and latest addition to its Majesty Yachts brand also clearly demonstrates the company's continuous dedication to the luxury yacht market.
"Gulf Craft's track record has been consistently recognized on a global level. The conception and creation of the Majesty 155 has further pushed our capabilities as a company, creating even higher expectations from our customers around the world," said Mohammed Hussein Al Shaali, Chairman of Gulf Craft.
"With visionary leaders and a globally competitive mindset, the UAE makes it possible for us to further expand within an increasingly competitive industry, as well as establish the country as a global player in the leisure marine sector," added Al Shaali.
"We are very grateful toward all those who have contributed to our success, and who have supported us throughout our journey. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to our valued customers without whom, Gulf Craft would not have reached this high international ranking," concluded Al Shaali.
Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, believes the unveiling of the Majesty 155 is significant for a number of reasons.
The pioneering Majesty 155 is Gulf Craft's first displacement superyacht. At 155 feet (47 meters),the Majesty 155 offers owners the experience of luxury and comfort at its finest, from an ornately designed fountain on the sundeck, surrounded by a spacious seating area where passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the water, to a beautiful waterfall that cascades from the rear sundeck into the Jacuzzi situated on the upper deck.
The elaborate and sophisticated detailing of the Majesty 155 provides owners with an unsurpassed luxury experience in both style and functionality. The owner's first-class stateroom is furnished using only premium fabrics and leathers, with countertops constructed from Cappuccino Onyx and CremaMarfil marble, further emphasizing the room's supreme elegance.
The dedicated cigar lounge within the owner's stateroom features a ceiling crafted from genuine cigar leaves, adding a delicate yet artistic touch to the room's alluring design. The owner's stateroom balcony is another distinct feature of this superyacht, allowing owners to enjoy the panoramic seascapes from the privacy of their own room.
Guests will be charmed by the eloquent design of the lower deck guest staterooms which are finished using the finest Red and Green Onyx and Botticino Royal Marble. Those looking to spend time under the sun's golden rays will find comfort in the superyacht's dedicated beach club situated at the rear entrance, fully equipped with a pantry, a retractable television, and a spacious lounging area. The lower deck also features a spacious garage behind the beach club which can house a tender and two jet skis, all easily moved in and out by crane.
An elevator that carries guests between the lower, main and upper decks offers added convenience, and a second balcony in the main saloon, along with a custom-made television – built to withstand all types of weather conditions – outside the upper deck seating area, further bolster the capacity to entertain. Guests will also find the upper deck's indoor lounge to be quite remarkable, with its huge windows affording all inside unparalleled panoramic views.
Onlookers of the Majesty 155 will be dazzled by the underwater lights that surround the entire base of the superyacht, illuminating its commanding presence as it sets sail into the open seas, while maintaining a majestic night time stature within its berth.
Opulent in style and elegant in design, the Majesty 155 also boasts exceptional performance. The power of twin 2,011 hp MTU 12V 4,000 M63 engines provide excellent fuel efficiency and an ability to cover a range of over 4,200nm with an approximate maximum speed of 16 knots.
Massimo Gregori Grgič, of Yankee Delta Studio in Italy, is responsible for the naval architecture of the Majesty 155.
The Majesty 155's hull design allows for low fuel consumption, long-range capability, and incredible comfort. The 9.60 m beam gives large space inside and allows for an even greater stability. The hull design was tank-tested in Italy, and the actual ship proves to perform above all expectations. She is easy to handle, stable, and quiet, leaving minimum wakes behind.
Founded in the United Arab Emirates in 1982, Gulf Craft is a major manufacturer of luxury yachts and fiberglass boats and one of the world's top 10 superyacht builders (as listed in the 2014 Global Order Book). Gulf Craft has built a distinguished reputation as a manufacturer of a wide diversity of vessels, ranging from fishing and family boats to sport cruises and semi-customized luxury superyachts.


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I joined Felicity Bryan Associates as an agent after seven years as an editor at Bloomsbury, where I worked with authors such as Reni Eddo-Lodge and Kamila Shamsie, and published Jenny Zhang, Olivia Sudjic and Saba Sams, amongst others.
At FBA I am building a list of writers of fiction, non-fiction and select poetry, with a particular openness to authors who can work across these forms.
In fiction I am looking for works (novels, short story collections, novellas) that strike the heart and intellect in equal measure, that feature protagonists on the margins, and the full and complex lives of those not often represented in literature. I'm drawn to fresh and unexpected subversions of known narratives, the subtleties of class conflict, and writing that challenges, whether in form or content. Examples of novels I've admired are Severance by Ling Ma, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, The Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasm, Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima, Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley and When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut. In short fiction, I admire the work of Jhumpa Lahiri, Colin Barrett, Mary Gaitskill and Julie Orringer.
In non-fiction, I'm interested in oral and narrative histories, explorations of contemporary political and philosophical issues, gripping investigative journalism, as well as literary and cultural criticism and biography. Works I've admired range from The Right to Sex by Amia Srinivasan, Free by Lea Ypi and The Years by Annie Ernaux, Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe, and At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell.
Children's and YA
Mona Arshi
Polly Barton
Kanya D'Almeida
Sophie Gallagher
Clare Hammond
Amber Husain
Rebecca Ivory
Amy Key
Clara Kumagai
K Patrick
Saraid de Silva


I don't think I've seen that one before. I've seen Zuko having an evil twin, Zuko being born after Azula, and Zuko and Azula simply being switched in terms of Ozai's favor, but not Zuko alone.
I'm not sure that Zuko would be more powerful, but he might be more brutal. I can see writers taking it a variety of ways, really, depending on what they want to say about nature vs nurture.
Maybe "more powerful" wasn't the best way of putting it. I meant maybe he'd force himself to progress faster since he would be entirely under Ozai's thumb and the focus of all attention. Especially considering Ursa being dead and Iroh doing his military stuff throughout the majority of his childhood. But yeah, it wouldn't make him a prodigy. Ozai would definitely have to try a different approach with him here. With only one heir, it'd be utter stupidity on his part if all he did was berate him.
I wonder how he'd be friend wise with essentially no competition to hog the attention. We never see him hanging around boys his own age. I've always pondered how a potential "Zuko posse" might look.
Zuko's lack of social life during his years in the Capital has always been a big blank spot in his history. If there's a "Royal Academy for Girls," then presumably there's a masculine equivalent, in which case Zuko must have somehow experienced it without emerging with a single lasting friend.
I addressed it in only one of my fanfics, and even then it was just in an aside describing Zuko having been pulled from school in favor of at-home tutoring because of an "incident."
Someone should write a story where Zuko goes back to his ten-year reunion as Fire Lord.
I actually doubt that Zuko being an only child - especially if Ursa died giving birth to him - wouldn't make him stronger. For one, I'm fairly sure that this would throw his relationship with Ozai even more off-track, even openly hostile, as Zuko blames Ozai for Ursa's death or projects his self-blame into his father. A dead mother is a big deal in these kinds of stories, after all. So Ozai would hate Zuko (the reason he did this in the show is not solved with Azula being non-existent), Zuko would hate Ozai, and the boy would vent his pent-up anger into the most obvious thing: his firebending. And we are talking about a lot of anger here, with no counterbalance because Ursa is gone.
Also, without Ursa and considering the above things, Ozai's little ploy with becoming the heir would backfire quite brutally. Zuko would be too eager to get down to business with his father, so when Ozai comes to kill him, there would be a running battle between the two. With lots of raw emotion and shouting. Like, the final scene would find them duking it out on the roof of the palace, in the middle of a thunderstorm, with Zuko shouting "I hate you, father! I HATE YOU!" and Ozai answering "Father?! You are not my son!" then the two blast each other at the same time, knocking each other unconscious. I expect this level of drama at the bare minimum.
Then Azulon would banish both for being so embarrassing, so the two would end up hunting the Avatar together to earn their place back. Cue in lots of anger and shouting and screwing over the other out of spite on one side, and the occasional back-to-back fight when they face a mutual enemy (like Zhao) and moments of "these two are not so different at all" on the other. This has the potential for a very interesting tale.
Interesting ideas, Ato. I also wouldn't mind if Ozai eventually came up with a plan involving Zuko to eventually overthrow Azulon and Iroh entirely. Maybe they could even try to lure Aang in with a false promise of peace.
That's certainly a unique interpretation of how these characters would react. I think it more likely that Ozai would shrug at Ursa's death and remarry ("If she was weak enough to die in childbirth, then the Fire Lord's experiment was over as soon as it began."), and Zuko's rage would make him a much worse Firebender because he's not patiently working on his breathing exercises and basics.
And then we could do a story with Zuko in a rivalry with a half-sibling.
Or hell, even both. Zuko could be stuck in the middle there as Mr. Jack of All trades but master of none.