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Connecticut Innovations to Invest Up to $3.9 Million in Upward Labs
HomeTag "Upward Hartford"
November 26 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Initiatives 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, Connecticut Innovations, CT, Greater Hartford, Hartford, Upward Hartford
Connecticut Innovations will invest $3.9 million over two years in Upward Labs, a Hartford-area program focused on developing and nurturing early-stage companies developing pilot programs in the smart building and aged care market segments.
Connecticut Innovations' financial commitment will be used by Upward Labs to invest in portfolio companies accepted into the program, as well as provide support to those companies in the form of recruitment, infrastructure and other operating expenses during their time in Hartford.
"Early-stage companies often lack the resources and direct access to larger organizations where they can test ideas, pilot projects and demonstrate proof of concepts," said Philip Siuta, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Connecticut Innovations.
He continued, "This initiative will allow larger corporations to identify and connect with innovative technologies and continue to grow the talent in the city. We are excited to announce this investment and look forward to welcoming a host of young and innovative companies to Hartford in the coming years."
The Upward Labs project is establishing two physical labs in downtown Hartford, where companies in the smart building and aged care industries accepted into the program will live and work for six consecutive months. During this time, portfolio companies will have the opportunity to pilot their product with well-known commercial, residential and senior care program partners and to work closely with established corporations to test their pilot programs and prove efficacy. In all, Upward Labs intends to invest in a total of 40 companies and execute four different six-month cohorts with 10 companies in each.
"In addition to the prospect of bringing a wave of innovative young companies to Hartford, Upward Labs is itself an innovative and cutting-edge example of a public-private partnership that is uniquely suited to helping transform Hartford into a thriving environment where millennials and others want to work, live and play," said Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner at Cantor Colburn LLP and chairman of the board of directors at Connecticut Innovations.
"There is a tremendous opportunity to establish and foster an ecosystem of young innovators and tech-forward thinkers in Hartford, and Connecticut Innovations is proud to support this effort," he added.
"We've intentionally focused Upward Labs on two industries that are exploding in both size and demand for increased efficiencies through innovation and technology," said Shana Schlossberg, Founder and CEO of Upward.
"Aged care and smart buildings are two categories that no city has really taken the lead on, yet their impact spans generations the world over. In Hartford, we understand the value and the potential of Upward Labs to elicit such transformation—from corporate leaders to the wider Hartford community. There's no city more qualified to lead the charge in taking these industries to a new level," she said.
About Connecticut Innovations Inc.
Connecticut Innovations is Connecticut's strategic venture capital arm, providing funding and strategic support to early-stage technology companies. In addition to equity investments, Connecticut Innovations provides grants that support innovation and collaboration through CTNext, and connections to its well-established network of partners and professionals.
VISIT: www.ctinnovations.com
FOLLOW: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter
About Upward
Upward is global incubator with a vision to re-invigorate second-tier cities through a generation of innovators with ideas that are fostered through connection, learning, and experience. In the last year, Upward's foundation city, Hartford CT, has started to transform into a thriving ecosystem and Upward has facilitated pilots and deals between startups from all over the world and major Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the city. With the introduction of Upward Labs, Upward is inviting startups globally to be a part of this movement and maximize their potential to effect real change.
VISIT: www.moveupward.city
Startup Genome Features Hartford in National Early-Stage Ecosystems Report
October 24 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Initiatives 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, CTNext, early-stage, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Hartford, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, MetroHartford Alliance, reSET, startup, Startup Genome, startups, University of Connecticut, Upward Hartford, Wesleyan University, West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Check out the new report about Hartford's the early-stage startup ecosystem in Hartford produced by Startup Genome with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Receiving national attention about all the businesses making an impact in Greater Hartford is more important than ever.
>>Read the full report
>>Read Hartford-specific findings
The new report revealed many key findings, such as:
Hartford's startup experience levels are very close to the activation phase average
Hartford has some record of successes—generating more will help increase ecosystem size and performance
Hartford's founders have more potential to meet their peers from top ecosystems beyond the city's borders
Hartford's startup landscape has an above average level of female founders
Hartford's startups have more potential to strengthen global market reach and global connectedness
Special thanks to all those who completed the survey upon which this report was based. And kudos to the local partners who also helped compile this important data, including:
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Launch EZ
MetroHartford Alliance
Upward Hartford
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Hartford's Groove Is Coming Back!
May 14 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Entrepreneurial Insights 0 comments Tags: advanced manufacturing, community, Connecticut, entrepreneurship, Hartford, innovation, Leadership Greater Hartford, MetroHartford Alliance, reSET, technology, Upward Hartford
One year ago, I wrote in the Hartford Business Journal that "Hartford stands at a tipping point: Bankruptcy? Revival? Or both?" And I focused on how common negative perceptions must be rebutted. David Griggs, the new President of the MetroHartford Alliance, observed recently in his debut presentation before 400 business and community leaders that "a community's positive self-image is key to advancing economic revitalization."
In tours of Hartford that I lead regularly for Leadership Greater Hartford, we see so much positive change in the last year that the city's future looks brighter than in decades. The dramatic transformation underway makes Aetna's departure announcement last year seem like a bad dream. CVS, Aetna's expected new parent, understands Hartford's strength as an insurance "center of excellence" where Aetna will thrive. The threat of the city's bankruptcy is now history, and the state and major insurers are ready to bolster Hartford's fiscal position.
In a fascinating twist, today's rapidly expanding entrepreneurial spirit strongly recalls 19th-century Hartford. Historians today call Hartford the innovation epicenter, the "Silicon Valley," of 19th-century American industrialization. Between the birth of the U.S. patent system in 1790 and 1930, Connecticut residents were awarded more patents per capita than anywhere else in the United States.
Today, numerous new "incubator/accelerator" launching pads build upon Hartford's traditional strengths in insurance, financial services, and advanced manufacturing and production. The University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford have collaborated with business leaders on the Downtown InsurTech program that launched the StartupBootcamp accelerator. Working with Techstars, Stanley Black & Decker's Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Downtown will accelerate its global Industry 4.0 "smart factory" initiative, and UTC has opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing innovation center at its Pratt & Whitney campus in East Hartford.
Upward Hartford and reSET Social Enterprise Trust exemplify the think tanks that assist entrepreneurs, large and small, in launching new cutting-edge products. Their rich menu of services includes funding sources, mentoring, periodic competitions and public recognition. reSET is unique in stimulating new enterprises that serve the common good.
National publicity about Connecticut's highly skilled and educated workforce, Hartford in particular, is reinforcing the city's momentum. Connecticut boasts New England's highest percent (72%) of advanced manufacturing jobs. Fortune magazine reported that the Hartford metro area has America's fourth highest number of digital tech-related jobs. And with more than 50% college-educated millennials, the Hartford area ranks sixth in the nation. It is understandable why Infosys announced plans for a major tech/innovation hub in Hartford that will create 1000 high tech jobs by 2022.
Job training, strategically focused on present/future workforce needs, is fast complementing Hartford's many corporate and pubic internship programs. Goodwin College exemplifies institutions with specialized degree programs in manufacturing technology and other jobs in highest demand. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has announced major grants to boost employment among Hartford residents and an innovation grant to the Hartford Public Library's "Crossroads to Connectivity Project" that narrows the city's "digital divide." These kinds of efforts reach down to the Hartford Boys & Girls Clubs, which initiated a new program to promote college/career readiness.
The vitality of Hartford as a place to live, work and play continues to unfold in highly visible ways. CIL's renovation of the historic Capewell Lofts, their housing/retail plans at the Main/Park street entrance to Park Street's vibrant Hispanic commercial area, and Spectra Boutique Apartment's unique amenities (including a theater) that will be replicated in the apartments being created at Pearl and Trumbull streets are transforming housing in the city.
Complete new multi-purpose neighborhoods are on the drawing boards adjacent to the Dunkin' Donuts Stadium and along Capitol Avenue. New residents and the 3,000+ members of the new Downtown UConn Hartford campus community are generating more "feet on the street."
Merchants and Downtown institutions are responding; TheaterWorks plans a $ 2.5 million renovation, and free admissions are available to the Wadsworth Atheneum and to Hartford Stage in partnership with Hartford Public Library. Infinity Music Hall and Sea Tea Improv Comedy Theater are huge draws, and new restaurants like The Republic, Sorella, and Spectra Café are three of many.
This dynamic transformation is strong fodder for revamping our historic self-image. And that strong and proud belief in who we are will be the foundation for more ambitious and comprehensive goals than ever before.
Greg Andrews is the Program Director for Leadership Greater Hartford's Executive Orientation Program and Hartford Encounter Tours.
Upward Hartford CEO Encourages Women Entrepreneurs
May 08 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Women In Business 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Hartford, Shana Schlossberg, Upward Hartford, woman entrepreneur, women in business
Upward Hartford Founder & CEO Shana Schlossberg (left) was interviewed by Cynthia Dokas Whipple, Director of Graduate Support and Admissions at Covenant Prep School in Hartford at the She Means Business kickoff event May 3, 2018.
Serial entrepreneur and Upward Hartford Founder & CEO Shana Schlossberg is the first to admit she has no fear. In a candid interview, Shana told a crowd of women entrepreneurs—which she defines as "forward thinkers"—about her entrepreneurial journey and what ultimately sparked her interest in helping revitalize Hartford.
It all took place at the kickoff She Means Business event, which took place Thursday, May 3 at Upward Hartford. The event was the brainchild of General Manager Samanatha Wanagel, who began working with Upward Hartford in November 2017.
"Very early on, we realized we needed a line of professional events for Hartford's women in business. And we knew we wanted it to be different, with unconventional and gutsy content," explained Samantha.
"We're crafting something that weaves women together, from all avenues of business. The collaboration will strengthen the city's professional female community and set the standard for the next generation of Hartford's female leaders," she added.
Attendees enjoyed networking before the interview began. Cynthia Dokas Whipple, Director of Graduate Support and Admissions at Covenant Prep School in Hartford was on hand to ask Shana about her experience, beginning with how she became an entrepreneur.
AN ENCOURAGED ENTREPRENEUR
Shana admitted she was always "scheming" as a child. She says she was always encouraged by her father, who told her she could be anything she wanted. She shared about her formative years, when her interests in everything from technology to opera singing and neuroscience had her travelling the world.
Shana recalled a moment thinking, "I wish I had an idea," which she said really sparked her journey as an entrepreneur. And, she emphasized, entrepreneurship is "a state of mind."
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORSHIP
Shana is careful with the word "mentor," which she feels can be misconstrued. To her it means someone you trust, someone who has your back, and someone who shapes you as a person. And not just in business—someone who supports, helps, and directs.
And, she pointed out that a mentor is different than a subject matter expert.
"Mentors help you when you're successful—and when you're not," she underscored. "Will your mentor still be there if you fail?"
Shana said, "Finding the right people to talk to is a shortcut to success."
In terms of finding mentors, Shana said, "I look for people more successful than me." She added, "I've been lucky to find those people in my life. They are the biggest reason for my success."
Peer-to-peer mentors also have an important place, she noted. "Entrepreneurs need people in the same boat—someone who's gone through what you're going through."
Shana joked, "I want to go back and mentor my younger self!"
"Entrepreneurship is a state of mind," says Upward Hartford Founder & CEO Shana Schlossberg.
FAILURE IS A MEASUREMENT
When asked about her growth as an entrepreneur, Shana said she has learned about her relationship with failure. She admitted when she was younger, "I could not fail.
She says it was an enlightening moment when she accepted failure as part of the journey.
"Failure is a measurement," she said. "If you don't embrace it, you can't have success."
Often, she notes, failure is based on fear. "I'm a fearless woman," she proclaimed.
Shana says her inspiration comes from people like herself who are self-made. It also comes from people she has helped along the way. "Everyone has their own story. Seeing someone overcome the difficult is awe-inspiring."
How did Shana end up in Hartford? "I wasn't looking for Hartford," she nonchalantly said. "An event brought me here. They wanted me to solve Hartford." This was back in 2015.
Shana added, "I'm a social entrepreneur. I like to work on things that matter. I realized Hartford has what it needs. It's fixable."
So, she set a goal: We need to fix Hartford. "The only thing to fix a city is technology," she said. "And it had to start with a space where people can collaborate."
That's how the idea for Upward Hartford (originally Innovate Hartford) came to be. "It looks like a co-working space, but it's not. We had to call it something. It's really a nucleus," Shana explained.
The first She Means Business event at Upward Hartford was well attended by many types of women entrepreneurs.
Established and new startups work out of Upward Hartford. The space attracts not just startups but artists, insurance companies, and so forth, she notes. And Upward Hartford helps make mentor connections.
"We believe in change for Hartford," Shana said. And that all starts with an idea. That's where the Idea Wall started. It's a place to share ideas, a place where conversations start.
"How do ideas start?" Shana asked. "Someone has one, and someone needs it. That's how startups form."
After the interview, Shana answered questions about how to find your direction, where to find funding, and how the entrepreneurial experience differs for women and men.
The event was well-received and Upward Hartford hopes it will be the first in a series.
Find out more about Upward Hartford
VISIT: www.upwardhartford.com
She Means Business!
April 18 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Women In Business 0 comments Tags: entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, female entrepreneur, leadership, Trinity College Women's Leadership Council, Upward Hartford, women, women entrepreneurs
Join Upward Hartford and the Trinity College Women's Leadership Council for She Means Business Thursday, May 3 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Upward Hartford.
The event will include open networking and a fireside chat with Shana Schlossberg, interviewed by Cynthia Dokas Whipple.
Founder and CEO of Upward Hartford, Shana Schlossberg, will share her experience as a female serial entrepreneur. Find out why Hartford was the city of choice for her most recent venture and learn why she is so passionate about supporting the city's startup community.
The mission of She Means Business is to fill the room with strong female entrepreneurs willing to
Break down networking boundaries to set in motion a movement for Hartford's women in business
Build powerful relationships
Prioritize one another's success
Set an example for the next generation of Hartford's young women
Shana Schlossberg has 16 years of experience directing a broad range of technology initiatives in the internet, media, telecom, and emergency services industries. She founded EZBZ in 2011, with the goal of creating an efficient and fair platform which uses innovative technology to connect consumers and local businesses in real time. Shana frequently mentors startups and entrepreneurs, guiding them through the process and helping them build the best business possible. In 2015, Shana was honored in the White House by the Sustainable Business Council for her work in sustainable enterprises and for supporting local businesses.
Cynthia Dokas Whipple received a BA from Trinity College in 1988 and her JD from New York Law School in 1991. She is currently the Director of Graduate Support and Admissions at Covenant Prep School in Hartford, as well as a private educational consultant at SuccessPrep Partners. Cynthia is the co-author of Merrilee Mannerly, a children's book that was adapted into a musical. She is also a producer for The Conversation: Stories that Matter, a conversation series focusing on mother loss. Cynthia's strong writing background as both an attorney and creative writer has helped her in his various pursuits as a litigator, a children's book author, and an educational consultant.
Wine, Beer, and Refreshments will be served. Register to attend.
Entrepreneur Discovers CT Startup Scene
April 02 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Blog 0 comments Tags: BioCT, Connecticut, Connecticut Innovations, CT, CTNext, Innovation Places, MetroHartford Alliance, reSET, startuo, startup scene, startups, TIP, UConn, University of Connecticut Technology Incubator Program, Upward Hartford
I've spent the last 10 years starting up businesses in the niche affordable housing industry. My focus was countrywide and required a lot of travel to clients and industry events. In fact, my clients were more likely to be in Texas, South Dakota, or North Carolina than in New England.
Connecticut entrepreneur and mentor David Sagers is Principal at Sagers & Associates.
What drew me and kept me in the industry was the mission of providing housing to low-income households, and the people drawn to that mission. And it was exciting trying to figure out what new products and services would help them accomplish their mission.
When it was time for a career change, though, I wanted to stay and work in my home state, Connecticut. Through friends and associates, and without intent, I found myself advising a couple of startups focused on solving social issues. I wasn't familiar with the startup scene in the Hartford area, but I thought: Can I use what I've learned during my career to help local startups?
Hartford - a vibrant startup culture
Having grown up and lived my entire life in the Hartford area, I have always been amazed at the intelligence, business savvy, and spirit of many fellow Nutmeggers. So, it has been a pleasant surprise to see a vibrant startup culture and developing ecosystem in the Hartford area.
I've gotten to know the reSET community, particularly through the recent kickoff of their Impact Accelerator program (startups from other parts of the country are actually coming to Connecticut!). I've become familiar with the many services provided by CTNext, which is the advisory arm of Connecticut Innovations, and the exciting new development of the four Innovation Places in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Thames area. These are some of Connecticut's organizations and initiatives helping startups gain access to a developing ecosystem of working spaces, mentors, advisors, researchers, and potential investors.
Connecticut encourages and supports startups
I've also attended events or made connections with members of the MetroHartford Alliance, Upward Hartford, BioCT (formerly CURE), Nerac Inc., the University of Connecticut Technology Incubator Program (TIP), and others. From each of these experiences, I have gained an understanding of just how many organizations in Connecticut are encouraging and supporting startups through the early stages of their businesses—and how many former and current entrepreneurs are volunteering their time to help others succeed. (Read: Entrepreneur at Heart Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Connecticut.)
I'll never stop working within the affordable housing industry, because housing is such a critical factor in the lives of millions of low-income households. However, my current focus is on how, in my own small way, I can contribute to the growth of the Hartford economy. I believe the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater Hartford is one key to the region's economic growth, and I look forward to engaging and collaborating with the key members of this community.
David Sagers is Principal at Sagers & Associates, which provides strategic planning, operational improvement, and technology strategy to drive its clients' organizational transformation. David has built several technology services and products and led multiple technology-based businesses.
Digital Health Hackathon Weekend Winners
February 16 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Awards 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, digital tech, entrepreneurs, Hartford, health, health insurance, insurance, InsurTech, InsurTech Hartford, startup, Upward Hartford
Alexa, Does My Insurance Cover This? Hackathon Winners' Product Taps Digital Assistant
This piece by Staff Writer John Stearns originally appeared in HartfordBusiness.com February 13, 2018.
Four aspiring entrepreneurs with a product that uses the Alexa digital assistant to answer consumers' questions about their health insurance policy emerged from eight teams to win a digital health hackathon over the weekend in Hartford and a $5,000 cash prize sponsored by Cigna.
The winning team, InsurGuru, includes Jacques Caspi, Rajasekar Narayanan, Corey Harris Jr., and Craig Mitchell.
The Alexa-driven product allows a consumer to load their health insurance policy, then ask any question about what's covered, how much a procedure will cost, and proximity to in- and out-of-network doctors and clinics and their respective charges, according to a recap from Upward Hartford and InsurTech Hartford which conducted the hackathon February 9 – 11 at Upward Hartford.
InsurGuru members demonstrated their technology during the weekend, including pitching their business model and projections. The live demo included asking Alexa different questions about their policy and receiving "great answers," according to recap from Upward Hartford and InsurTech Hartford.
Judges evaluated teams based on product disruption and vision, business plan viability, market benefit, presentation and pitch, fundability and teamwork. InsurGuru's plan is to sell its product to the health insurance companies, which would give it to each customer, and judges agreed insurers would be interested, according to the recap.
The weekend-long startup marathon featured top regional developers, designers, coaches, entrepreneurs, mentors, and judges. Participating teams competed to create innovative prototypes that demonstrated coding and design skills for developing digital health applications. The teams' goal was to start with an idea on Friday night and leave Sunday evening with a startup company and new network contacts.
Hartford Incubator Making a Name Outside of Connecticut
January 02 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Initiatives 0 comments Tags: Connecticut Innovations, Hartford, incubator, MetroHartford Alliance, reSET, startup, startups, Upward Hartford, VentureClash
This story originally appeared in the Hartford Courant January 2, 2018.
Ojala Naeem is Managing Director at reSET.
Ojala Naeem was nervous when reSET, the Hartford startup-business incubator she directs, raised the bar for its latest round of applications, limiting entry into its 4-month program to businesses already generating investments or revenue.
Naeem hoped the new requirement would help attract successful businesses ready for growth, even if it significantly thinned the field. Instead, the "impact accelerator" program got 110 applications—triple what reSET received in 2016 and a sign that word may be getting out that Connecticut is open for business.
Through early December, applications streamed in from the major innovation hubs of New York City, Boston and Silicon Valley; from the United Kingdom and Canada; from India and Azerbaijan, Brazil and Haiti, Hungary and Malawi, Mexico and Spain, and a dozen other countries.
"We were banking on getting some companies from other places," Naeem said. "That was a big shift we made that really worked out."
The 22 companies that ultimately enrolled with reSET will spend January through May in Hartford, working with mentors, meeting prospective clients, attending business workshops and planning their growth—growth that may take root in this state.
reSET, a Hartford nonprofit, is funded by the state and a consortium of businesses, including the MetroHartford Alliance and the Walker Group, a Farmington-based digital and technology consultant. Since its creation in 2007, reSET says it has awarded more than $250,000 to new and growing businesses, and its graduates have generated $4.4 million in revenue.
That desire to foster economic development in the state is partly why 14 of this year's participants are Connecticut-based, Naeem said. Still, eight out-of-state startups made the cut as well, including a California-based company co-founded by the former chief technology officer of StubHub, an Israeli company that's already renting a desk at Upward Hartford, a co-working space on Church Street.
Last year, the impact accelerator did not even have eight out-of-state options, just two companies from Massachusetts and one from Chile. This year, 65 companies applied from numerous states and 22 countries.
Boaz Zilberman is CEO of Project Ray, a 4-year-old Israeli company developing smartphones and apps for the blind, and now new member of reSET's impact accelerator. The company started renting office space in Hartford this year after meeting Upward Hartford CEO Shana Schlossberg, who does regular outreach to Israeli companies.
Project Ray also recently received a $150,000 loan from Connecticut Innovations. But Zilberman says he's known of reSET for more than a year, because the nonprofit has a good reputation among Israeli social impact ventures.
"Once I got to Hartford, it became natural to approach them," he said. "This is the type of ecosystem we need in order to bring in business, to push it forward."
The new cohort also has three companies from New York City, though the major startup community has at least 20 incubators and accelerators of its own.
But Barak Oksayan, whose company Tatjack is developing an app to match tattoo artists with clients, says there's an appeal to swimming in a smaller pond, like Connecticut.
Whereas networking events in New York yielded lots of introductions but few connections, Oksayan eventually found a mentor in Eric Knight, an entrepreneur-in-residence at reSET.
"I started going to his advising sessions. I was driving up two hours from New York City to talk to him only 30 minutes," Oksayan said with a laugh.
From there, reSET reached out to encourage Tatjack to apply to the impact accelerator. "If we get investment from Connecticut, I might just move my headquarters there," he said. "We can do this anywhere. If the opportunity comes, why not?"
Zilberman said he still thinks Washington, D.C., could be the ideal location for his first international office, but he echoed Oksayan's praise of smaller cities and lesser-known states.
"For a company actually building a startup, to be in New York or Boston is extremely expensive. And second, you are one of too many other companies like you," he said. "Here there is a small enough community we can get an initial impact quite rapidly."
The impact acclerator at reSET is not alone in expanding its reach beyond the state.
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology has seen about a 10 percent increase in out-of-state business over the past year at its Advanced Manufacturing Center, thanks to relationships with businesses in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida and even Alaska, says spokesman Silvio Albino.
VentureClash, a $5 million international business challenge run by Connecticut Innovations—the state's venture capital firm—also saw a spike in interest this year.
The pitch-off competition had 285 applications in 2017, up from 165 in 2016, according to CI spokesperson Lauren Carmody.
She, too, said the increased demand is a sign that the state's reputation is finally starting to change in the eyes of entrepreneurs.
Carmody said the evidence goes beyond successful programs like the impact accelerator, or competitions like VentureClash.
On December 5, Stanley Black & Decker Inc. announced plans to open an advanced manufacturing training and research center in downtown Hartford next year, with a focus on cyber technology, the internet of things, cloud computing, robotics and 3-D printing.
Four days earlier, the Hartford InsurTech Hub unveiled its own inaugural cohort of 11 startups chosen from 1,000 applications. They'll relocate to the city in January for a three-month accelerator program run by Startupbootcamp, a global leader in the creation of startup hubs.
"We think this is the start of something very, very good," Carmody said. "There have been the beginnings of this for a long, long time but we think right now we're establishing some critical mass."
CT Builds Bridges with Israel's Tech Economy
December 05 2017 Innovation Destination: Hartford IDH Global 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, economic development, global startup, innovation, International Business Council, Israel, Israeli startups, startup, tech, technology MetroHartford Alliance, Upward Hartford
This story by Matt Pilon originally appeared on Hartford Business.com November 20, 2017.
Miri Berger, co-founder of the Israeli startup 6Degrees, demonstrates an armband to enable those who have lost the use of their hands to use a computer mouse or smart phone. (Photo courtesy Matt Pilon)
Nearly two dozen Israeli startup executives and government officials, fresh off visits to New York and Philadelphia, made one last stop on their East Coast road show this month—to downtown Hartford.
It was the first visit of its kind to Connecticut by Israeli economic development officials, and the goal was to advance a relationship between a country and state/region that have spent years trying to strengthen their economic ties.
"An Israeli delegation has never stepped foot in Connecticut," said Shana Schlossberg, founder of Hartford's new accelerator Upward Hartford, who, along with the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC), organized the gathering. "I said 'come and I'll give you a day you won't forget.'"
And indeed, it was a production.
The Israeli companies, all of which are in the medical-technology space, pitched and were introduced to representatives from some of the region's largest employers in Upward Hartford's slick new co-working space in the Stilts Building, 20 Church Street.
Local companies in attendance included Aetna, Cigna, Travelers, The Hartford, Hartford HealthCare, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Stanley Black and Decker, and United Technologies Corp., among others. The Israeli delegation also dined in downtown Hartford and was welcomed by state lawmakers and Connecticut's top economic development chief, Catherine Smith.
Connecticut, with assistance from groups like CERC, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the MetroHartford Alliance, has been trying to woo Israel—sometimes referred to as Startup Nation—for years. Those efforts have included hosting Connecticut-Israel technology summits and a 2013 trip by the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to Israel.
The courting has borne some fruit: In recent years Israeli companies Biological Industries, a stem-cell culture distributor, and software developer Applango, have opened Connecticut locations in Cromwell and Stamford, respectively.
But the delegation's recent visit was seen as a potential next step in developing the relationship.
"This has really solidified our work over the past couple of years," said Jason Giulietti, a business recruitment vice president at CERC, which helps companies, including foreign ones, find locations, connections and incentives in the state. "It takes us out of the minor leagues and puts us in the major leagues."
Israel, a country of 8.5 million people that nourishes its robust tech economy by doling out approximately $500 million a year in economic incentives, wants to have a closer relationship to Connecticut.
"What we're identifying here is how we can create that deal flow," said Jonathan Cohen, North American manager for the Israeli Innovation Authority, which is the country's economic development agency.
Ultimately, Cohen said he would like Israel and Connecticut to sign a memorandum of understanding that would formalize the commitment of each government to an economic partnership and would lead to more Israeli companies coming here.
The delegation had just come from signing a memorandum of understanding with Pennsylvania state officials.
With or without that formal agreement, more Israeli startups are planting roots in Hartford — an area that has struggled to attract early stage companies, compared to New Haven and Fairfield counties.
Schlossberg, who is connected to Israel's startup community after living there from 2008 to 2012, has signed leases with four Israeli startups this year, and she expects to sign on three more from the delegation, though she wasn't yet ready to name them.
Schlossberg said signing the first company—Project Ray, which makes braille-like technology to help the visually impaired use smartphones—made it easier to attract others.
"Israelis work based on trust—they go where someone told them it works," she said. "If you make a good experience for one, it's word of mouth."
Schlossberg has enjoyed the support of DECD and Connecticut Innovations, which have issued joint $250,000 low-interest loans to the companies she has recruited thus far.
Cohen said Hartford's and Connecticut's well-publicized fiscal problems won't necessarily deter Israeli companies from thinking about a presence in the city or state.
"In Israel you can go and find deficits too," he said. "I think if you invest in those companies, in those stakeholders, the economy will flourish."
Inon Elroy, Israel's economic minister to North America who was also in Hartford, said Israeli startups, located in a tiny but dense country that largely doesn't have good relations with its neighbors, must look outward.
"Israeli companies need to have an international presence from almost the very first day," he said.
Elroy accompanies groups of Israeli companies—organized based on industry type—on delegation trips every six weeks or so.
"This time it's digital health and big data," Elroy said of the Hartford visit. "We're looking at doing a cyber delegation [to Connecticut] in the second part of 2018."
DEVICES FOR ALL
The Israeli startups that visited Hartford are in the medical and health technology industry.
The companies ranged from AEYE Health, which is using artificial intelligence to read retinal scans to Dr. Ora L.T.D., which is using voice recognition to detect emotional stress.
Tech Innosphere is developing a medical device to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while Myreleaf has a drug-free device to treat anxiety attacks.
Miri Berger was among the entrepreneurs who pitched during the Israeli delegation's Hartford visit. She and her husband Aryeh Katz co-founded a company called 6Degrees, which is developing an armband that enables those who have lost use of their hands to use laptops, smartphones and other gadgets.
The company's device, currently being piloted in Israel by several rehab hospitals and schools, is called Crescent.
Berger demonstrated how using subtle arm movements with the armband, which links to her laptop through Bluetooth, can replicate traditional mouse functions including left clicks, right clicks, double clicks and click-and-drag capabilities.
6Degrees' technology has received some recognition. It earned a $100,000 award in a recent competition hosted by MassChallenge in Israel.
Currently, Berger is weighing her company's location options. After the Hartford trip, she was headed off to MassChallenge events in New York and Boston.
Berger and her husband lived in New York for seven years as they earned degrees (Berger in industrial design and Katz in engineering), but moved back to Israel over the summer.
She said she can envision 6Degrees in Hartford.
"Any place that has the capability to help launch a startup is the place I want to be in," she said.
Interested in learning more about international business opportunities in the Hartford region?
Read our interview with Rebecca Nolan, Vice President of Business Development at the MetroHartford Alliance and Jason Giulietti, Vice President of Business Recruitment at CERC:
Introducing IDH Global
Read a Connecticut By the Numbers story about VentureClash:
CT Makes Efforts to Engage Global, Innovative, Early-Stage Companies
Read IDH interview with two Israeli-based startups:
SCADAfence – Israeli IoT Startup Second Place VentureClash Winner
Nervomatrix – Israel-Based Startup Finds Its Place in CT
CVG Connecticut Tech Tour
October 05 2017 Innovation Destination: Hartford Initiatives 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, CURE Innovation Commons, entrepreneurs, Fairfield University, innovation, networking, Quinnipiac University, startups, technology, Upward Hartford
The Crossroads Venture Group (CVG) Investor, Entrepreneur & Resource Network will be touring Connecticut with Paul Singh's North American Tech Tour and its Investor Syndicate.
Paul Singh is an Entrepreneur in Residence with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and DHS/USCIS.
Paul is an Entrepreneur in Residence with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and DHS/USCIS. He is one of the three original Founders of 500 Startups, former Managing Director of the DC-based incubator 1776, and Founder of Disruption Corp. (which was sold to 1776 last year). In the last two years, his ResultJunkies North American Tech Tour & its Investor Syndicate have visited more than 70 cities. Paul is adding four Connecticut cities to his tour.
The Tech Tour events will be full days of networking and learning for Connecticut entrepreneurs. The events are free to attend, but registration is required for each.
STARTUP ACCELERATORS, INNOVATION PARTNERS & DEAL FINANCING
1st Stop: Upward Hartford, Hartford, CT
Monday, October 16 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.| Office Hours
Rising Entrepreneurs meet 1:1 with Investors, Business Services, Innovation Places, Accelerators, Incubators and Co-Working Places.
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.| CT Startup Podcast
Come tell your story on a CT Startup Podcast! Recording interviews with Rising and Serial Entrepreneurs, Investors, Innovation Places, Accelerators, Incubators and Co-Working Places.
3:00 to 3:45 p.m.| Knowledge Sharing: Speaker
Deal Financing Mechanics: "How Convertible Notes Affect your Startup—Now and in the Future"
Presentation by Ben Wiles from Updike, Kelly & Spellacy
3:45 to 4:30 p.m. | Knowledge Sharing: Panel Discussion
"Is an Accelerator Right for My Startup?"
The region's accelerator leaders will discuss their programs and what they look for when choosing cohorts.
Paul Singh
Kevin Bouley, Nerac, Inc.
Jim Boyle, Yale Entrepreneurial Institute
Janis Collins, The Refinery
Michelle Cote, Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) at the University of Connecticut School of Business
Ojala Naeem, reSET
Startupbootcamp InsurTech
4:30 to 5:00 p.m.| Fireside Chat
Paul Singh on "Serial Entrepreneurship"
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.| Networking and Making New Connections
Learn more and register to attend Startup Accelerators, Innovation Partners & Deal Financing at Upward Hartford
UNIVERSITY STARTUPS, EARLY-STAGE CAPITAL & DEAL STRUCTURE
2nd Stop: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Tuesday, October 17 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Deal Structure Mechanics: "What Deal Terms Mean for Founders, Startup Teams & Investors"
Presentation by Stephen Cooper and Eric Kogan from Robinson & Cole LLP
3:45 to 4:30 p.m.| Knowledge Sharing: Panel Discussion
"What Attracts Investors to an Early Stage Company?"
Dana Duncan, ResultsJunkies
Alison Malloy, CT Innovations
Christopher Mirabile, Angel Capital Association (ACA) & Launchpad Ventures
Craig Mullett, Angel Investor Forum
Paul Singh on "Entrepreneurships"
5:00 to 6:30 p.m. | Entrepreneur Pitches
12+ University Startups (Student & Faculty) will showcase and pitch to CVG's Investor, Entrepreneur & Resource Network
6:30 to 8:00 pm | Networking & Making New Connections
Learn more and register to attend University Startups, Early-Stage Capital & Deal Structure at Fairfield University
WOMEN FOUNDERS PITCH COMPETITION & FINANCING STRATEGIES
3rd Stop: Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
Wednesday, October 18, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.
3:00 to 3:45 p.m. | Knowledge Sharing: Speaker
Deal Financing Mechanics: "You Raised Money—Now What? Common Pitfalls and Opportunities"
Presentation by Fiondella, Milone & LaSaracina
"Is Venture Debt Right for your High Growth Business?"
Peter Hicks, Webster Bank
Liddy Karter, Enhanced Capital
Ted Murphy, CT Innovations
John Strahley, Ironwood
Paul Singh on "Investors"
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.| Networking & Making New Connections
"Fueling the Growth" Investor & Entrepreneur Networking Cocktail Party. Competition winners and awards announced.
Learn more and register to attend Women Founders Pitch Competition & Financing Strategies at Quinnipiac University
BUSINESS FORMATION, DEAL FINANCING & COMMUNITY BUILDING
4th Stop: CURE Innovation Commons
Thursday, October 19 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Groton, CT
3:00 to 3:45 p.m. | Knowledge Sharing: Speakers
Business Formation Mechanics: "Which Structure Makes the Most Sense for Your Startup—Today & in the Future?"
Presentation by Paul Hughes and Evan Kipperman from Wiggin and Dana LLP
Deal Financing Mechanics: "Early Stage Financing—Who, What, Where, Why & Hows"
Presentation by Matthew Monteith from Shipman & Goodwin
4:30 to 5:00 p.m. | Fireside Chat
Paul Singh on "Ecosystem Community Building"
Find out more and register to attend Business Formation, Deal Financing & Community Building at CURE Innovation Commons
About Crossroads Venture Group
Crossroads Venture Group (CVG) is a professional organization that serves the investment community by bringing investors together with startups and growth-stage companies in Connecticut. CVG hosts monthly networking and pitch events and provides resources for entrepreneurs and innovators to help them launch and scale their businesses. CVG's mission is to assist in the development of high-growth enterprises through the promotion of capital formation in Connecticut. Learn more at www.cvg.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter @CVGTweets.


Even though it was Barbra's first appearance on the hit show that has been going for 15 years, the attention was turned to Barbra's set direction.
As you can see, Barbra has taken Ellen's iconic seat on the right, and the lighting has been turned down by a significant amount compared to the other episodes.
Whether Barbra was being a diva, or Ellen respecting an icon, Barbra's Netlfix special looks like it's going to be amazing!
Is Ellen DeGeneres ending her daytime talk show?


MECHANIC | Pop Culture | Super Rare | You can drive it. You can fix it. You are the total package.
The ForzaRC Pro-Am Bounty Hunter will have up to 16 rewards available to players. Most of these rewards will be revealed during our livestream show, with each ForzaRC driver selecting the rewards they want associated with their teams. You'll have multiple ways to earn rewards; first up, you'll get rewards based on how your associated team finishes on the event leaderboard.
Tune in at Noon Pacific August 15 at https://watch.forzarc.com/ and complete the Quests to earn the in game rewards. Be sure to Claim the reward before the stream ends. The same rewards will be available during the 6pm Pacific stream.
DIVER | Pop Culture | Legendary | Protect yourself from deep waters and dangerous curves.
THINK PINK | Pop Culture | Super Rare| You're dressed and ready. For what, that's up to you.
RIVETING | Pop Culture | Super Rare| You're no stranger to the strength of metal.
SWIRL | Pop Culture | Legendary | It's just so hypnotic.
SPA DAY | Pop Culture | Legendary | Some people pamper themselves with a mud bath. You prever the tranquility only found at top speed.
FIREFIGHTER TAN | Pop Culture | Super Rare | Handle the heat. Bring the heat. Thrive in the heat.
TUXEDO | Pop Culture | Super Rare | No, it's not a clip-on. You tied it yourself and it took like 45 minutes.
Any info how to unlock the new (?) MELLOW YELLOW driver gear.
Some were available in crates but I found that some require reaching a certain level. Once I reached a collector car level of around 30 the last two manufacturers' suits I was missing were offered as level up rewards. If I recall correctly one was Aston Martin. Don't recall the other..
Gear head who only uses the Xbox for racing sims. Set up: Xbox One Slim, Thrustmaster TMX Wheel, GT Omega wheel stand.
Just custom helmet designs like car liveries thanks very much!
Hey guys, Anyone know how to get the Skelleton suit, appreciate it thanks!
Any idea if one can get access to the Forza RC - Forza Racing Championship and Forza RC Seattle driver gear? (I missed the livestreams due to travel)?
Thanks! That could be possible (or at least doable, if implemented for this "one-off" items).


Show Box is really good for Android but I don't know why it is not available at Google play store. As we developers need this show box to save our database. Well I am available and free right now If some one need any Web development work than please let me know, you can check my site Which I had developed recently for one of my previous client, its about some kind of online writing services. I can also design a CUSTOM CSS website according to your needs and requirements.


text:
\section{Introduction}
We present a study of the forward-backward asymmetries $A_{\rm FB}$ for the production of charged $\Xi$ and
$\Omega$ baryons
in $p \bar{p}$ collisions at a center of mass
energy $\sqrt{s} = 1.96$~TeV, recorded by the D0 detector
at the Fermilab Tevatron collider.

We previously performed a study of $A_{\rm FB}$
for $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ production~\cite{l}, where $A_{\rm FB}$ is defined as the
relative excess of $\Lambda$ ($\bar{\Lambda}$) baryons produced with
longitudinal momentum $p_z$ in the $p$ ($\bar{p})$ direction.
These results are in agreement
with the observations
in a wide range of proton collision experiments
that the $\bar{\Lambda}/\Lambda$ production ratio
follows a universal function
of the ``rapidity loss" $y_p - y$ between the
beam proton and the produced $\bar{\Lambda}$ or $\Lambda$ baryon which
does not depend significantly on $\sqrt{s}$
or on the nature of the target $p$, $\bar{p}$, Be, or Pb
(see Ref. \cite{l} and references therein).
These results support the view that a strange
quark produced directly in the
hard scattering of point-like partons,
or indirectly in the subsequent showering,
can coalesce with a diquark remnant
of the beam particle to produce a $\Lambda$ baryon with a probability
that increases as the rapidity difference between the incoming proton
and outgoing $\Lambda$ baryon decreases.

If this hypothesis is correct, we also expect $A_{\rm FB} > 0$ for
$\Lambda_c$ ($\bar{\Lambda}_c$),
and $\Lambda_b(\bar{\Lambda}_b)$ production
in which a $c$ or $b$ quark can coalesce with a diquark form the proton.
For the $B$ mesons and $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ baryons, we expect
$A_{FB} \approx 0$ since these particles do not share a diquark with the proton.
Previous D0 measurements include $A_{\rm FB}(B^-, B^+)$~\cite{bm}
and $A_{\rm FB}(\Lambda_b, \bar{\Lambda}_b)$~\cite{lb}.

In this article, we present
measurements of the forward-backward asymmetries
of $\Xi^\mp$ and $\Omega^\mp$ production, where
we use the notation $\Xi^+ \equiv \overline{\Xi^-}$
and $\Omega^+ \equiv \overline{\Omega^-}$.
The $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ baryons are defined as ``forward"
if their $p_z$ points in the $p$ or $\bar{p}$ direction, respectively.
The asymmetry $A_{\rm FB}$ is defined as
\begin{eqnarray}
A_{\rm FB} & \equiv & \frac{\sigma_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) - \sigma_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + \sigma_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) - \sigma_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)}
{\sigma_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) + \sigma_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + \sigma_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) + \sigma_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)},
\label{lin0}
\end{eqnarray}
where $\sigma_{\rm F}$ and $\sigma_{\rm B}$  are the forward and backward cross sections of $\Xi^-$
or $\Xi^+$ production, and similarly for $\Omega^\mp$ baryons.
The measurements include $\Xi^\mp$ and $\Omega^\mp$ baryons
that are either directly produced or decay products of
heavier hadrons. The measurement strategy for the asymmetry $A_{\rm FB}$ of $\Xi^\mp$
and $\Omega^\mp$ baryons presented here
closely follows the analysis method used to determine $A_{\rm FB}$ for $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ baryons
in Ref.~\cite{l}.

\section{Detector and data}

The D0 detector is described in detail
in Refs.~\cite{run2det, run2muon, layer0, layer0_2}.
The collision region is surrounded by a
central tracking system that
comprises a silicon microstrip vertex detector and a central fiber
tracker, both located within a $1.9$~T superconducting solenoidal
magnet~\cite{run2det}, surrounded successively by the liquid-argon/uranium
calorimeters, a layer of the muon system~\cite{run2muon}, comprising
drift chambers and scintillation trigger counters, the
$1.8$~T magnetized iron toroids, and two
additional muon detector layers after the toroids.

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.38}
{\includegraphics{cascade_fb_180000_243.eps}}
\caption{
Invariant mass distributions of
reconstructed $\Xi^- \rightarrow \Lambda \pi^-$
(circles) and $\Xi^+ \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} \pi^+$
(triangles) for
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$ data.
}
\label{fit_0_1}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.38}
{\includegraphics{omega_fb_180000_244.eps}}
\caption{
Invariant mass distributions of reconstructed
$\Omega^- \rightarrow \Lambda K^-$
(circles) and $\Omega^+ \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} K^+$
(triangles) for
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$ data.
}
\label{m_omega}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

The longitudinal momentum $p_z$ and the rapidity $y \equiv \ln{[(E + p_z)/(E - p_z)]}/2$
are both measured with respect to the proton beam direction
in the $p \bar{p}$ center of mass frame where $E$ is the energy of the baryon.
We present results for the full integrated luminosity of $10.4$ fb$^{-1}$, collected from 2002 to 2011,
using two data sets (i) $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \Xi^\mp X$, and
(ii) $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$.
The first data set is unbiased since it is collected
using a pre-scaled trigger on beam crossing (``zero bias events") or
with a pre-scaled trigger on energy deposited in the forward counters
(``minimum bias events").
The second data set is selected with a suite of single muon triggers
which implies that most events contain heavy-quark ($b$ or $c$) decays.
This data set is defined using the same muon triggers and muon selections as
in Ref.~\cite{dimu_asym3, dimu_asym4}. The muon data provides
a sizable data set that adds additional statistics for the analysis.
For $\Omega$'s there are fewer events, so we only present results for the set
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$.

We observe $\Xi$ baryons through their decays
$\Xi^-\rightarrow \Lambda \pi^-$
and $\Xi^+ \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} \pi^+$, and
 $\Omega$ baryons through their decays
$\Omega^- \rightarrow \Lambda K^-$
and $\Omega^+ \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} K^+$,
 with $\Lambda \rightarrow p \pi^-$ and $\bar{\Lambda} \rightarrow \bar{p} \pi^+$ in both cases.
The $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ candidates are reconstructed
from pairs of oppositely curved tracks with a common vertex ($V^0$).
Each track is required
to have a non-zero impact parameter in the transverse plane (IP)
with respect to the $p \bar{p}$ interaction
vertex with a significance of at least two standard deviations.
The proton (pion) mass is assigned to the daughter track with
larger (smaller) total momentum since the decay
$\Lambda \rightarrow p \pi$ is just above threshold.
The invariant mass of the $(p, \pi^-)$ or $(\bar{p}, \pi^+)$ pair
is required to be in the interval $1.105<M(p\pi)<1.125$~GeV~\cite{l}.
We require $\Lambda$  and $\bar{\Lambda}$ candidates with
$1.5  < p_T < 25$ GeV and pseudorapidity $|\eta| < 2.2$~\footnote{
The pseudorapidity is given by $\eta = -\ln[\tan(\theta/2)]$,
where $\theta$ is the polar angle with respect to the proton beam direction}, and
their IP must be non-zero with a significance greater than two standard deviations.

The $\Lambda$ ($\bar{\Lambda}$) candidate is combined with a negatively
(positively) charged-particle track with separation in the transverse
plane from the primary vertex
with significance greater
than three standard deviations and a good vertex with the
$\Lambda$ ($\bar{\Lambda}$) candidate.
This track is assigned the pion mass for $\Xi$'s or the kaon
mass for $\Omega$'s.
The $\Xi^{\mp}$ or $\Omega^{\mp}$ candidates are required to have an IP
consistent with zero within three standard deviations.
The observed decay lengths in the transverse plane of the
$\Lambda$ and $\Xi^-$ or $\Omega^-$ (or $\bar{\Lambda}$ and $\Xi^+$ or $\Omega^+$)
are required to be greater than 4 mm.
The invariant mass for the $\Xi^{\mp}$ candidate is required to be
in the interval $1.2< M(\Lambda\pi)<1.5$~GeV and $1.55<M(\Lambda K)<1.85$~GeV for $\Omega^{\mp}$
candidates.
The kinematic selections for the $\Xi^{\mp}$ and $\Omega^{\mp}$ candidates are
$p_T > 2.0$~GeV and  $|\eta| < 2.2$.
The pion or kaon track and the two daughter tracks of the $\Lambda$ baryon
are required to be different from any track associated to a muon.
The invariant mass distributions for the
decays $\Xi^- \rightarrow \Lambda \pi^-$ and
$\Xi^+ \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} \pi^+$
are shown in Fig.~\ref{fit_0_1} and for the
decays $\Omega^- \rightarrow \Lambda K^-$ and
$\Omega^+ \rightarrow \bar{\Lambda} K^+$
in Fig.~\ref{m_omega}.

\section{Raw asymmetries and detector effects}

We obtain the numbers $N_{\rm F}(\Xi^\mp)$ and $N_{\rm B}(\Xi^\mp)$
of reconstructed $\Xi^\mp$ baryons in the forward and backward
categories in each bin of $|y|$ by counting $\Xi^\mp$
candidates in the signal region, $1.305 < M(\Lambda\pi) < 1.335$~GeV,
and subtracting the counts in two sideband regions, defined by
$1.2775<M(\Lambda\pi)<1.2925$~GeV and $1.3475<M(\Lambda\pi)<1.3625$~GeV.
The signal region for $\Omega^\mp$ candidates is $1.6575<M(\Lambda K)<1.6875$~GeV,
and the sideband regions are $1.630<M(\Lambda K)<1.645$~GeV and $1.700<M(\Lambda K)<1.715$~GeV.

The normalization factor $N$ and the three raw asymmetries $A'_{\rm FB}$, $A'_{\rm NS}$,
and $A'_\Xi$ are defined by
\begin{eqnarray}
N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) & \equiv & N (1 + A'_{\rm FB}) (1 - A'_{\rm NS}) (1 + A'_\Xi), \nonumber \\
N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) & \equiv & N (1 - A'_{\rm FB}) (1 + A'_{\rm NS}) (1 + A'_\Xi), \nonumber \\
N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) & \equiv & N (1 + A'_{\rm FB}) (1 + A'_{\rm NS}) (1 - A'_\Xi), \nonumber \\
N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+) & \equiv & N (1 - A'_{\rm FB}) (1 - A'_{\rm NS}) (1 - A'_\Xi),
\label{def}
\end{eqnarray}
and similarly for $\Omega$.
The raw asymmetries $A'_{\rm FB}$, $A'_{\rm NS}$, and $A'_\Xi$
have contributions from
the physical asymmetries
$A_{\rm FB}$, $A_{\rm NS}$, and $A_\Xi$, and from detector effects.
The forward-backward asymmetry $A_{\rm FB}$ measures the relative excess of
$\Xi^-$ ($\Xi^+$)
baryons with $p_z$ in the $p$ ($\bar{p}$) direction.
The asymmetry $A_{\rm NS}$
is given by the relative excess of the sum of $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ baryons
with $p_z$
in the $\bar{p}$ beam direction (north) with respect to the $p$ beam direction (south).
The asymmetry $A_\Xi$ is the relative excess of negatively charged
over positively charged baryons.

The initial $p \bar{p}$ state is invariant with respect to
CP conjugation, which changes the sign of $A_{\rm NS}$ and $A_\Xi$,
while $A_{\rm FB}$ remains unchanged. A non-zero value of $A_{\rm NS}$ or $A_\Xi$
would indicate CP violation.

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.38}
{\includegraphics{cascade_fb_pt_pz_y_l_lbar_zb_2_241_fixed.eps}}
\caption{
Distributions of $p_T$, $p_z$, and $y$
of reconstructed $\Xi^-$ (circles) and $\Xi^+$ candidates (triangles)
with $p_T > 2$ GeV, for the minimum bias data sample
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \Xi^\mp X$.
}
\label{pT_pz_eta_3}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

The asymmetry $A'_{\rm NS}$ is mainly due to differences in the product of the acceptance
and efficiency between the northern hemisphere of the D\O\ detector with respect to
the southern hemisphere. The difference
in reconstruction efficiencies of $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ baryons caused by the
different inelastic interaction cross-sections of $p$ and $\bar{p}$
with the detector material creates the additional asymmetry $A'_\Xi$~\cite{l}.

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.35}
{\includegraphics{cascade_fb_a_afb_ans_zb_2_241_fixed.eps}}
\caption{
Asymmetries $A'_{\rm FB} = A_{\rm FB}$,
$A'_{\rm NS}$ and $A'_\Xi$ of reconstructed $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ candidates
with $p_T > 2$ GeV, as a function of $|y|$,
for the minimum bias data sample
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \Xi^\mp X$.
The uncertainties are statistical.
}
\label{A_AFB_ANS_3}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{table*}[htbp]
\caption{\label{results}
Forward-backward asymmetry $A_{\rm FB}$ of
$\Xi^\mp$ baryons with $p_T > 2$ GeV
in minimum bias events,
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \Xi^\mp X$, and muon events
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$,
and  $A_{\rm FB}$ of
$\Omega^-$ and $\Omega^+$ baryons with $p_T > 2$ GeV in muon events
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$.
The first uncertainty is statistical, the second is
systematic due to the detector asymmetry $A'_{\rm NS} A'_\Xi$.
}
\begin{tabular*}{\textwidth}{c @{\extracolsep{\fill}} cccc}
\hline\hline
$|y|$ & $A_{\rm FB} \times 100$ ($\Xi^\mp$, min. bias) &
$A_{\rm FB} \times 100$ ($\Xi^\mp$, with $\mu$) &
$A_{\rm FB} \times 100$ ($\Omega^\mp$, with $\mu$) \\
\hline
0.0 to 0.5 & $-2.78 \pm 3.20 \pm 0.34$ & $-0.20 \pm  0.72 \pm 0.01$
  & $-3.43 \pm \phantom{1}2.90 \pm 0.13$ \\
0.5 to 1.0 & $\phantom{-}5.23 \pm 2.85 \pm 0.55$  & $-0.13 \pm 0.66 \pm 0.03$
  & $\phantom{-}3.25 \pm \phantom{1}2.78 \pm 0.10$ \\
1.0 to 1.5 & $\phantom{-}2.61\pm 3.75 \pm 0.45 $ & $\phantom{-}1.55\pm0.77 \pm 0.05$
  & $\phantom{-}0.46 \pm \phantom{1}3.52 \pm 0.14$ \\
1.5 to 2.0 & $\phantom{-}5.09 \pm 9.00 \pm 1.64$  & $-1.14\pm 2.05 \pm 0.27$
  & $\phantom{-}5.75 \pm 10.86 \pm 5.70$ \\
\hline\hline
\end{tabular*}
\end{table*}

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.38}
{\includegraphics{cascade_fb_y_l_lbar_mup_mum_2_243_fixed.eps}}
\caption{
Distributions of rapidity $y$ for reconstructed $\Xi^-$ (circles) and $\Xi^+$ candidates
(triangles) in events with a (a) positively or (b) negatively charged muon
for $\Xi^{\mp}$ candidates with $p_T > 2$ GeV.
}
\label{y_l_lbar_mup_mum_2_114_4}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

The raw asymmetries
including terms up to second-order in the asymmetries are given by
\begin{eqnarray}
\lefteqn{A'_{\rm FB}  =  A'_{\rm NS} A'_\Xi } \nonumber \\
& & + \frac{N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) - N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) - N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)}
{N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)},  \label{lin1} \\
\lefteqn{A'_{\rm NS}  =  A'_{\rm FB} A'_\Xi }  \nonumber\\
& & +\frac{-N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) - N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)}
{N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)},  \label{lin2} \\
\lefteqn{A'_\Xi   = A'_{\rm FB} A'_{\rm NS}  }  \nonumber \\
 & & +\frac{N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) - N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) - N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)}
{N_{\rm F}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^-) + N_{\rm F}(\Xi^+) + N_{\rm B}(\Xi^+)}.
\label{lin3}
\end{eqnarray}

The polarities of the solenoid and toroid magnets
were reversed about once every two weeks during data-taking
to collect
approximately the same number of events for each of the
four solenoid-toroid polarity combinations.
We apply weights to equalize the sums of
$\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ candidates reconstructed for each of the
four polarity combinations.
This averaging over magnet polarities
cancels contributions from the detector geometry to $A'_{\rm FB}$ and $A'_\Xi$,
but not to $A'_{\rm NS}$~\cite{l}.

The raw asymmetry $A'_{\rm FB}$
has negligible contributions from detector
effects after averaging over solenoid and toroid magnet polarities.
The raw asymmetries $A'_{\rm NS}$ and $A'_\Xi$ are dominated
by detector effects~\cite{l}.
The quadratic term $A'_{\rm NS} A'_\Xi$ in Eq. (\ref{lin1})
corrects $A'_{\rm FB}$ for the detector effects $A'_{\rm NS}$ and $A'_\Xi$
on the particle	counts $N_{\rm F}(\Xi^\mp)$ and $N_{\rm B}(\Xi^\mp)$.
We can therefore set $A'_{\rm FB} = A_{\rm FB}$ where
$A_{\rm FB}$ is defined in Eq. (\ref{lin0}).

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.4}
{\includegraphics{cascade_fb_a_afb_ans_mup_mum_243_fixed.eps}}
\caption{
Asymmetries $A'_{\rm FB} = A_{\rm FB}$,
$A'_{\rm NS}$ and $A'_\Xi$ of reconstructed $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ candidates
with $p_T > 2$ GeV, as a function of $|y|$,
for
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$ events.
The uncertainties are statistical.
}
\label{a_afb_ans_cascade}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.4}
{\includegraphics{cascade_fb_afb_2_4_6_mup_mum_fixed_243.eps}}
\caption{
Asymmetry $A'_{\rm FB} = A_{\rm FB}$ as a function of $|y|$
for $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$ events
with (a) $2.0 < p_T < 4.0$~GeV, (b) $4.0 < p_T < 6.0$~GeV,
and (c) $p_T > 6.0$ GeV.
The uncertainties are statistical.
}
\label{afb_2_4_6_mup_mum_243}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\section{Minimum bias sample events $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \Xi^\mp X$}

The minimum bias sample contains $3.7 \times 10^3$ reconstructed
$\Xi^\mp$ candidates with $p_T > 2$ GeV.
Distributions of $p_T$, $p_z$, and $y$ for the  $\Xi^\mp$ candidates are shown in Fig. \ref{pT_pz_eta_3}
and the corresponding raw asymmetries $A'_{\rm FB} = A_{\rm FB}$,
$A'_{\rm NS}$ and $A'_\Xi$ in Fig. \ref{A_AFB_ANS_3}.
These asymmetries are calculated using Eqs.~\ref{lin1}-\ref{lin3},
neglecting the quadratic terms since they are small compared to the statistical uncertainties.
The correction $A'_{\rm NS} A'_\Xi$ needed to obtain $A'_{\rm FB} = A_{\rm FB}$
 is measured to
be consistent with zero within statistical uncertainties, see Figs.~\ref{A_AFB_ANS_3} (b) and (c).
Thus, we choose not to apply this correction, but rather take
the full measured detector asymmetry $A'_{\rm NS} A'_\Xi$ as the systematic
uncertainty on the measurement of $A_{\rm FB}$. The
results are summarized in Table \ref{results}.

\section{Muon sample events $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$
and $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$}
\label{mu-analysis}

To study the asymmetries using a larger data set, we consider
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$ and $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$  events
taken from the single muon trigger sample.
Charged particles with transverse momentum in the
range $1.5 < p_T < 25$ GeV and $|\eta| < 2.2$ are considered as muon candidates.
 Muon candidates are further selected
by matching central tracks with a segment reconstructed
in the muon system and by applying tight quality requirements
aimed at reducing false matching and background
from cosmic rays and beam halo.
To ensure that the muon candidate traverses the detector,
including all three layers of the muon system, we
require either $p_T > 4.2$ GeV or
$|p_z| > 5.4$ GeV~\cite{dimu_asym3, dimu_asym4}.
The inclusive muon sample contains $2.2 \times 10^9$ reconstructed
muons and
$7.7 \times 10^4$ reconstructed $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ candidates with $p_T > 2$ GeV, as well
as  $1.4 \times 10^4$ reconstructed $\Omega^-$ and $\Omega^+$ candidates.

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.38}
{\includegraphics{omega_fb_pt_pz_y_l_lbar_mu_2_244.eps}}
\caption{
Distributions of $p_T$, $p_z$, and $y$
of reconstructed $\Omega^-$ (circles) and $\Omega^+$ (triangles)
with $p_T > 2$ GeV, for the data sample
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$.
}
\label{pt_pz_y_l_lbar_mu_2_152}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[htbp]
\begin{center}
\scalebox{0.38}
{\includegraphics{omega_fb_afb_2_mup_mum_fixed_244.eps}}
\caption{
Asymmetry $A_{\rm FB}$ as a function of $|y|$
for events $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$
for $p_T > 2$ GeV.
The uncertainties are statistical.
}
\label{afb_omega}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Rapidity distributions for reconstructed $\Xi^-$ and $\Xi^+$ candidates
are shown in Fig.~\ref{y_l_lbar_mup_mum_2_114_4}.
From these distributions
we observe that (i) the detection efficiency for $\Xi^-$ baryons is larger than for $\Xi^+$
baryons as explained above, and (ii) there are more
$\Xi^\mp \mu^\pm$ than $\Xi^\mp \mu^\mp$ events.
An example of a process with a correlated $\Xi^- \mu^+$ pair is the decay
$\Xi^0_c \rightarrow \Xi^- \mu^+ X$.
We find that the asymmetry $A'_{\rm FB}$ obtained
with events containing a $\mu^+$ is consistent with
the corresponding asymmetry with $\mu^-$ within
statistical uncertainties. We therefore
combine the $\mu^+$ and $\mu^-$ samples
to obtain the asymmetries presented in Figs.~\ref{a_afb_ans_cascade} and \ref{afb_2_4_6_mup_mum_243}.

The $p_T$, $p_z$, and $y$ distributions for  $p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$ events are shown in
Fig.~\ref{pt_pz_y_l_lbar_mu_2_152}, and the corresponding asymmetry $A_{\rm FB}$ is
presented in Fig.~\ref{afb_omega}. The $\Xi^\mp$ and $\Omega^\mp$
asymmetries are summarized in Table \ref{results}.

\section{Conclusions}
We have measured the forward-backward asymmetries $A_{\rm FB}$ in
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \Xi^\mp X$,
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Xi^\mp X$, and
$p \bar{p} \rightarrow \mu \Omega^\mp X$ events using
$10.4$~fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity recorded with the D0 detector.
We find that $A_{\rm FB}$ for $\Xi^{\mp}$ and $\Omega^{\mp}$ are
consistent with zero within uncertainties.

\input acknowledgement_APS_full_names.tex

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


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text:
Myanmar - People and Life
BEAUTY, HYGIENE, HAIR AND TATTOOS IN MYANMAR
BEAUTY AND HYGIENE IN MYANMAR
Some women in Myanmar wear a comb in the back of their hair. It also a custom for women to wear flowers in their hair. Aung San Suu Kyi is among those that do this. Burma (Myanmar) last entered the Miss Universe pageant in 1961,
People in Myanmar—as elsewhere in Asia— and men especially let their mole hair and pinkie fingernails grow to a very long length. Hairs growing from a mole are considered good luck. One reader on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum wrote: "Moles have specific meanings, depending where they are located. Some are good, some are bad. Hairs growing out of a mole is considered very good luck. I think 3 hairs is really good luck. I've no idea why. My mother, beautiful woman that she is, when I was a teen, had a bumpy mole under her chin...and freekn 1-3 hairs started growing and she kept it because of the good luck. rolls eyes And by the by, any moles/beauty spots hear the eyes mean you cry a lot.
Some say the long fingernails are used for cleaning the ears and other orifices. A better explanation is the association of a long fingernail with the upper classes, with the reasoning being that one can not do manual labor if one has long fingernails. One reader on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum wrote: "Much face is put on being rich enough not to have to work in the fields/ factories etc. If one does have to labour you can't have long fingernails because they'd just break hence the long nails grown by others - it's a statement like a piece of bling jewlery to say " hey look at me I'm wealthy enough to rise above the labouring class". Another wrote: A pinky that reaches past the last digit joint of the ring finger means wealth and intelligence... Plenty of people's pinkies aren't that long, so the men grow the pinky nails long to reach that goal."
Many Burmese bathe twice a day: once in the morning before work and again after work. Bucket bats and mandis are the norm. Even when bathtubs are available they tend to be used to store water rather than for taking a bath. Because sources of water often are unreliable water is often stored in buckets and barrels.
Washing and Taking a Shower in Myanmar
Seat of Our Pants blog reported: "For those of us that are used to luxurious items, such as in-house showers, washing oneself in public seems like a kooky thing to do. Well, that's not the case in Myanmar, where all washing seems to take place outside. Rivers are not only means of transport, they're big, flowing bathtubs. Locals, who are always wrapped in their longyi (sarong-type wraps), scrub themselves clean mere feet away from oil-dripping barges and restaurant left-over dumping grounds. When a river isn't available, there are street corner washing areas. You find groups of people, at any hour of the day, washing themselves, their clothing or their dishes there. [Source: Seat of Our Pants blog]
According to Wikipedia: In rural areas men are often seen with a folded paso on one shoulder either for use when bathing or for use as a cushion for a carrying pole on the shoulder or a heavy load on the back. Women, when they bathe, simply wear their longyi higher by tucking it just under the arms to cover their breasts before removing the blouse; they may be seen using the longyi as a buoy in the river by trapping some air in and secured underneath by the hands. They use a man's paso or another piece of long fabric, rolled and coiled as a cushion on top of their heads in order to carry water pots, firewood, baskets and trays; it is the street hawker's customary way of carrying her wares. [Source: Wikipedia +]
Changing is done simply by stepping into the new longyi and pulling it up, at the same time loosening and dropping the old one, or the new one can be pulled over from the head down. However, even when in private, women change without ever actually removing all their clothes. Instead, they will wear one longyi while changing into a new one. A woman may be seen pulling her longyi up bit by bit as she wades deeper and deeper into a river without getting it wet. It is merely a matter of lifting it up in the bathroom or in bed for that matter. Washing and ironing cannot be simpler as they are cylindrical pieces of cloth, easily hung, pressed, folded and stacked with a bare minimum use of wardrobe space. +
Toilets and Underwear in Myanmar
On the toilet situation in Myanmar, one blogger wrote in Tales of Asia: "Public facilities are virtually nonexistent. And like these same countries, most lodging will have western toilets except at the most basic level. I found butt sprayers available more often than not in the hotel rooms in which I stayed. The rules are much as in the other countries in that ducking behind a bush is always an acceptable course of action. Local restaurants will usually have a squat toilet in a shed somewhere. I traveled by air and by car so I can't speak for the bus and train stations. Facilities in the airports were usable, though not exactly modern. Floors can be wet and slippery. There is usually a water basin or pipe for washing. A coconut leave is used like a mop. In the country side outhouse toilets can be some distance from the house and a flashlight is required to reach them at night. [Source: tales of Asia]
Underwear can be a sensitive topic in Myanmar. Never raise your underwear above your head. This is considered very rude. Washing is often by hand. If you have some laundry done at a guesthouse, some people make take offense to washing you under garments. If you wash them yourself do so in a bucket, don't do it in the sink. When drying underwear, do it in a discreet place and don't hang it so it is head level or above as it is regarded as dirty and uncouth for part of the lower body to be higher than the head.
There is a superstition in Myanmar that contact with women's garments, especially underwear, can sap men of their strength. It is widely believed in Myanmar that if a man comes in contact with a woman's panties or sarong they can rob him of his power. In 2007 one Thai-based group launched a global 'panties for peace' campaign, in which supporters were encouraged to send women's underwear to Burmese embassies, in the hope that contact with such garments would weaken the regime's hpoun, or spiritual power. The generals may indeed subscribe to this belief. It is widely rumoured that, before a foreign envoy visits Burma, an article of female underwear or a piece of a pregnant woman's sarong is hidden in the ceiling of the visitor's hotel suite, to weaken their hpoun and thus their negotiating position. [Source: Andrew Selth, a Research Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, The Interpeter, October 22, 2009]
The Daily Mail reported: "Burma's iron-fisted - yet superstitious - military junta believe touching lady's underwear will "rob them of power", organisers say. And Lanna Action for Burma hope their "Panties for Peace" campaign will help oust the oppressive rulers who ruthlessly crushed recent democracy protests. The group's website explains: The Burma military regime is not only brutal but very superstitious. They believe that contact with a woman's panties or sarong can rob them of their power. So this is your chance to use your Panty Power to take away the power from them. Activist Liz Hilton added: "It's an extremely strong message in Burmese and in all Southeast Asian culture. [Source: Daily Mail]
Most toilets are Asian-style squat toilets or a hole in the ground. Upscale hotels and restaurants usually have Western-style toilets; sometimes the don't have seats. Bring along toilet paper or tissues. Many restrooms don't have toilet paper. Asian style toilets often have a small cement tank next to it with some water and a plastic scoop inside. The water is there to clean your butt and flush the toilet. Many Asian sewer systems can not handle toilet paper. You are expected to put used toilet paper and tissue in a wastebasket rather than in the toilet. Otherwise the paper might clog the pipes.
Thanakha
Many women and children wear white "thanaka" bark paste on their faces. Sometimes it looks like they have bandages on their cheeks. The powder used to make the paste is ground from the bark of thanaka tress, a kind of sandlewood, and the Burmese credit it with providing their women with excellent complexion and protecting their skin form the harsh sun and keep her skin looking young, fresh and alive. The bark is also worn by women in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Brigette and Robert wrote in their Brigette and Robert on Tour blog: "Wherever we go in Myanmar, we always see women and children with yellow spots (paintings) on their faces. At first we thought this could be a Buddhist custom, although the colors also look like some kind of facial warrior painting. But neither of the two is true. The paint is locally grown thanaka (sandal-wood), grounded into a yellowish paste. People use it as a sun block and skin moisturizer… or maybe it's just "Myanmari fashion" as we read that thanaka is only used with a lot of imagination as a sun block. Still, it looks interesting; it gives their faces a unique appearance – a cultural distinction which can only be seen in Myanmar (as far as we know). [Source: Brigette and Robert on Tour, Blog]
According to the Myanmar government: "Thanakha" — which comes from a plant known by the botanical name "Limonia Acidissma Linn" —is essential as well as a favorite cosmetic which comes in the form of a yellow paste applied to the face. The origin of Thanakha is scarely capable of being historically traced as it springs from the earliest glimmerings of civilization. Over 2,000 years ago the Queen of Peikthano (Srikhsetra) was recorded as a lover of "thanaka". Following the destruction of the Shwemadaw Pagoda in the earthquake of 1930, a circular stone slab used by Princess Razadatukalya, daughter of Hanthawaddy Sinbyshin Minn, was found in the ruins. It showed a woman grinding Thanakha bark. [Source: Myanmar Travel Information =]
Some say Thanakha is conspicuous as a rarity among urban Myanmar womenfolk. I wonder. It is admittedly far less used in town than in the countryside. But it does command an appreciable scale of appeal amongst townspeople. While the Modern Miss might not use it when going around the town as a rule she does favour it as a finishing touch after a bath when at home. "Thanaka" is fragrant in addition to having an astringent quality. =
It is in the Myanmar village that the practice of applying Thanakha regularly is rooted so strongly as to defy the impact of time. But it draws its strength not from any sentimental attachment for it on the part of the rural public. But rather because it is still cheap. Unlike face powder it stays fresh and keeps its dainty smell for a considerable length of time. It also possesses a little something that its competitors in trade have not got. For Thanakha means not only a cosmetic for beautifying the face. It is also a cleansing agent possibly without compare for uniqueness. It is a blessing in tropical heat. It removes body odours. Because of such attributes. Thanakha is used by many men and woman in villages and not a few towns. =
Hairstyles in Myanmar
According to the Myanmar government: There was a time not long ago when long, black, glossy hair was considered the crowning glory of a Myanmar woman and the longer and thicker the growth the better. In fact. men also wore their hair long and knotted in the days of the monarchy and even after. Short hair was considered unbecoming and indecorous especially in women. Even small girls used to wear their hair long in a small topknot encircled by a fringe. This style was called a "'Hsayit-waing". When a girl entered adolescence the hair has grown longer and the topknot thicker, but she still has a fringe with the side ends tucked in a curve behind the ears. This is called a "Hsadauk" and both styles are sweet and charming. When an adolescent girl reaches womanhood the fringe now grown longer is gathered up together with the hair of the topknot. and these long tresses are twined into a chignon. These differing hairstyles mark the progress of the years through childhood and adolescence to womanhood. But the hair was always worn long. Long hair has come back into fashion but now it is worn hanging down like a veil at the back. This style, by the way, was taboo in the olden days. [Source: Myanmar Travel Information]
Formerly women wore their hair long but it was always fashioned as a "Sadone"—a cylindrical topknot with or without tresses flowing down the side. Or else it was twisted and wrapped around a comb—usually made of bamboo, ivory or tortoise shell—or tied into a bun at the nape of the neck.
Long hair calls for neatness and cleanliness. A Myanmar woman never used to allow herself to be seen with hair tousled or tangled. Her hair was always oiled with pure fragrant coconut oil and knotted in place. Cleanliness required at least a weekly shampoo and twice weekly in the summer. And there was a very effective fresh. natural shampoo that was always home made.
Traditional Myanmar Shampoo and How to Make It
According to the Myanmar government: The main ingredients of traditional Burmese shampoo are: 1) the bark of a shrub known as"Tayaw".(Family Name: Sterarliaceae; Botanical Name: Buettneria Adamnensis.Kz); and 2) the soapy fruit of the "Kin-mun". (Family Name: Mimosaceae; Botanical Name: Acacia Concinna. Dc.) The distribution of both plants is countrywide and they grow in the wild and thrive without tending. The shampoo is prepared in a quantity sufficient for all the females of the household, young and old. Both the bark of the Tayaw and the fruit of the Kin-mun are easily available at any bazaar year round. [Source: Myanmar Travel Information]
The Kin-mun fruit is first washed thoroughly and boiled with water until soft and pulpy. While the Kin-mun is being boiled the Tayaw is shredded, washed and soaked in a bowl of cold water. Very soon the water becomes a thick viscous liquid. The amount of water used must be of equal parts for both. When the boiled Kin-mun water has cooled it is passed through a sieve and the pulp removed. The same is done for the Tayaw though it is difficult to get rid of all the fibres. Both liquids are then mixed together and we have a shampoo with a faint elusive scent. Sometimes one or two limes are halved and soaked together with the Tayaw but this is optional.
To use this shampoo one sluices the hair with water first. Then with a small cup or bowl the liquid shampoo is poured generously on the head and the scalp is scrubbed and massaged. Scrubbing produces some suds from the Kin-mun, but not much. This is done at least twice, after which the long hair is shampooed and scrubbed in manageable proportions until one reaches the tip. After this, many bowls of water are poured to wash away the Tayaw and Kin-mun and the hair is now squeaky clean. The soapy Kin-mun cleanses the hair. The lime prevents or cures dandruff and the Tayaw is the best natural hair conditioner making the hair soft and pliant and therefore easy to comb.
Tayaw/Kin-mun shampoo is still used by Myanmar women today. In the cities where the pace of daily life has quickened. this shampoo is sold ready-made in two plastic bags: one containing Tayaw and the other Kin-mun. The lime is added at home if so desired. But imported foreign shampoo and conditioners are fast replacing the traditional natural home- made shampoo. Some enterprising Myanmar businessmen with the help of chemists—seeing the economic potential of Tayaw and Kin-mun which are cheap and plentiful—have begun manufacturing local shampoos with a Tayaw/Kin-mun base. They are is made in both liquid and powder form, but I doubt if the purity of the home-made shampoo has been retained.
Tattoos in Myanmar
Traditionally, tattoos embellished or protected their bearer against the blows of misfortune. Because they believed in the existence of spirits and dark forces, the Burmese were covered with them and symbolically reproduced them onto their puppets. Nicolo di Conti, a Venetian merchant who came to Burma in 1435 said: "All inhabitants, men and women, decorate their flesh using an iron point that paints them in an indelible manner. Thus are they painted for the rest of their days". These tattoos could be located on the face, the chest, the pelvis, the feet, the hands and the limbs. [Source: Myanmar Travel Information]
According to Myanmar.cm: "Tattooing in Myanmar is an ancient practice. Tattooing is the act or practice of marking the skin with indelible pictures or patterns by puncturing the skin with needles or other sharp objects and inserting pigments. It used to be a very painful practice, hence one of the main purposes of wearing tattoos was to give the impression as being courageous. When ancient Myanmar men or soldiers braced themselves for fighting, they wrapped their longyis around the crotch and fastened it in the back thus exposing both legs completely to show off tattoos that covered the thighs, from the waist down to the knees, in the form of cascading circles. [Source: Myanmar.cm]
"Among the Burmese, the practice of tattooing is confined to men only and looked upon as macho. In previous eras, young men with no tattoos on their thighs were regarded as sissies and frowned upon by ladies. Today, Burmese men wear various patterns on different parts of the body, especially the chest, back and forearms. Until recently, a number of young men tattooed figures of animals on their bodies, or initials, words or small figures on their forearms. The belief in occultism among Myanmar people used to play an important role in wearing tattoos. Some men were convinced that certain words, letters, diagrams or patterns tattooed on their bodies would bring them supernatural powers. These beliefs and concepts, as well as the practice of tattooing itself, however, are dying out among Myanmar people especially among the younger generations."
Chin Facial Tattoos
Chin women have traditionally worn facial tattoos. On his experience seeking out Chin with facial tattoos from Mrauk U, near Sittwe, Jay Tindall wrote in his blog: "I woke up early and drove to the Lay Myo River where I took a small local boat upriver heading for my destination. Along the way we saw villages of fisherman and farmers and many traditional sail boats, most of them Muslim people living in Myanmar since British colonial days. We eventually reached the first Chin tribal village, and my guide was well known there as he had sponsored the son of one family though school and he is now a teacher. Because of this bond we were readily welcomed into the family home where there were no less than four women with tattooed faces. [Source: Jay Tindall, remotelands.com December 21, 2012 ^^]
They four women with tattooed faced "told me how they were tattooed when they were nine years old, and how it was the ancient custom to do so to prevent invaders from taking away the local women. The tattooing took over a day to complete and was extremely painful, especially when tattooing their eyelids. It should be noted that each area of Chin state has a distinct tattoo pattern that is different from the others, so it is actually possible to know where a woman comes from by the pattern on her face. The practice is now not allowed by the Burmese authorities, and the younger generation is not interested in this custom as well. Therefore this part of Chin culture is dying out fast." ^^
Different tribes in northwestern Myanmar have used tattoos to distinguish one hill tribe from another or indicate their martial status and social rank. Christian Develter, the Bangkok-based Belgian artist who studied Chin facial tattors, told the China Daily: "For Chin people, they feel like they are somebody having these tattoos on their faces, as they indicate their social status. More than social status, the facial tattoos are also indicative of the women's origins. People can tell where a Chin woman is from the design of the facial tattoos." Some women in China from the Derung ethnic group in Yunnan also have facial tattoos from the same origin as the Chin in Myanmar, but there are only around 40 who still retain the tattoos.
Chin Tattoos, Modern Art and Fashion
Gao Zhuyuan wrote in the China Daily: "The facial tattoos of Myanmar's Chin women have been transformed into forward thinking fashion. Christian Develter, the Bangkok-based Belgian artist did a show called "Chin: Unmasked collection" at Tube Gallery in Bangkok—with the Thai fashion designers and founders of Tube Gallery, Phisit Jongnarangsin and Sakxit Pisalasupongs— with paintings inspired by Chin tribeswomen with facial tattoos. The three-in-one collection was unveiled among a heady mix of cocktails, music and neon signs, silk, sequins, vibrant-colored dresses and models with facial tattoos inspired by tribal women from the north of Myanmar. [Source: Gao Zhuyuan, China Daily, February 17, 2013::]
"It is about the tattooed faces of the Chin women, it is about my paintings and it is about fashion, so it is three stories in one collection," says Develter, who spent weeks traveling among the Chin tribes last year. Unlike Develter who has met the tattooed women, Phisit Jongnarangsin and Sakxit Pisalasupongs, only saw Develter's pictures. The facial tattoos get an urban look after Develter modernizes them in his paintings. The two designers extracted the tattoo from one of the artist's early Chin paintings and produced what they call an "avant-garde mask". ::
Develter's paintings are integrated into the design through these graphic patterns. Some of the dresses show the woman's tattooed faces, while in others the faces have been inverted against an ocean-blue background that produces an ocean-mirror effect. "He (Christian) also showed us the colors Chin people use on their garments, and the materials they weave like cotton. So we used those colors to create our collection," Sakxit says. ::
Kupluthai Pungkanon wrote in The Nation, "Develter reveals that he aims to be a mixture between the contemporary and the past featuring the perfect symmetric urban contemporary faces of Asian females painstakingly painted with tribal Chin tattoo designs from Myanmar. "I spent about three weeks there," he says. "When you look at the tattoo lines, it seems like they've been done by computer, but they're not. The original is very old generation, and when we translate it to art and then fashion, it is very interesting." The Chin and their tattoos are relatively unknown to the outside world. These paintings are an open invitation to learn more about these remarkable women living in Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar. "I don't want the look to be too ethnic, so I paint on modern women's faces," Develter points out. [Source: Kupluthai Pungkanon, The Nation. December 13, 2012 ]
"However, instead of simply applying the Chin paintings directly on their designs, the duo of designers add their own vision of beauty and art in stunning looks, in particular when unmasking the spider webs in the face tattoos. "You will see a strong graphic that creates an immediate impact due to its beautiful structure," Phisit says. "We played a lot with the paintings. We started from taking the tattoo off the lady's face in the painting. The result was a very interesting, avant-garde mask, which not many people could have guessed that it came from a face of a woman in Myanmar. Then, we multiplied the mask on a computer program to create a modern graphic pattern. The outcome was a modern yet beautiful graphic that we were not expecting," says Phisit. In term of colors and fabric, Pisith points out that the color stripes are inspired by Chin woven fabrics.
Myanmar Rejoins the Miss Universe Contest After 50 Years
In October 2013, AFP reported: "With a whiff of controversy despite the total absence of bikinis, a US-educated business graduate was selected as the first Miss Universe contestant to represent Myanmar in more than 50 years. Moe Set Wine will take her place on stage at the global beauty pageant in Moscow in November, reflecting dramatic political and social changes in the former junta-ruled nation, which last fielded a Miss Universe contender in 1961. "I feel like now I am part of the history and I feel like a soldier that is doing something for the country and my people," she said after winning the trophy. "I'm still in shock. I still can't believe it. I feel really happy, because now I get the chance to represent my country," said the 25-year-old, who has a BA in business marketing from California Lutheran University. [Source: AFP, October 5, 2013]
The Myanmar government has released Aung San Suu Kyi and scrapped draconian censorship measures but the country is still conservative and when racy shots of a model in a two-piece swimsuit appeared online a few years ago, she received abuse and threats. So the Miss Universe hopefuls were careful not to bare any midriff in the swimsuit section and wore long dresses elsewhere in the show. "My personal view is that the competition presents a good image of our country, but if you look at what they wear, it is not what a lot of people here like," Deputy Culture Minister Than Swe said. Burma (Myanmar) sent representatives to the Miss Universe contest in 1959 but stopped in 1962. The event in 2013 was broadcast live on satellite television.
Hemlines are rising in the former Burma as it opens up to the world after decades of iron-fisted military rule until 2011. Myanmar's traditional dress, which is still mandatory in high schools, universities and most state workplaces, is the demure longyi - a sheet of cotton or silk cloth wrapped around the waist and stretching to the feet. Younger people are embracing alternatives, brushing aside concerns about morals and modesty. The country has succumbed to the "Korean wave" spreading across Asia and the wider world with its soap operas, films, "K-pop" and clothing. "Myanmar people dared not wear clothes like this in the past. Now things are improving," said Htay Htay Tin, who designed the contestants' outfits. And the swimsuits? "I wouldn't dare to wear one, but they are part of the competition," she said.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Yes!! It is time to blog again. I have been busy with lots of things, working, painting, LOOKING FOR A NEW SHOP, keeping my costumers happy, traveling, having fun, learning to relax, parenting, exercising( only a little) and more … the only thing I haven't done at all is blogging. I guess life and work got on the way until today!!
September last year I thought I had found my dreamed shop, in a nice location and perfect size, unfortunately things did not workout and we never came to an agreement with the other party. It was only until late february this year that I finally got a new place, small but quiet practical, ideal for the logistics of my distribution business. I have been here almost 4 months and I can only feel grateful that I found this place. Driving back and forward to my old shop-atalier was time consuming and exhausting. The new place is just 100 mt. from home. 🙂 I can't ask for more.
This is how things looked the day we moved.
My husband and his father helped me with the move which took one day, two vans and lots of carrying. Once at the new place I gave myself a couple of days to organized the stock as I needed to be able to supply my costumers as soon as possible, that was done relatively easy and fast….. and then the email came! Annie send me and email suggesting dates for at visit to Denmark!! She wanted to see and train the stockists in Denmark, and my shop was just piled boxes all over the place!! I panicked for 5 minutes, then I called my father in law (handy man) and a friend and asked for help. They did a great job!! And without them I would not have had my place ready by April 10th, just one month after the move.
We made it! the sink was the only thing that was not ready by April 10th, it arrived about a week later.
On April 10th 2014 I was back on business and sooo ready to receive Anne Sloan, Jane and Cal from Oxford.
My next post will be about their visit to Denmark. Don't worry you won't have to wait 6 months for that one. I will post it this week, I promise!
Beautiful pictures Adri!! You are at hard worker and I can see that your family adores you.
They do 😉 Thanks Vero!