text:
Implementing Quality Improvement Tools to Address Four Challenges in Houston
The Health Department improved the process for obtaining birth and death certificates so customers weren't forced to miss time from work or take other extraordinary steps to obtain these vital documents in a timely fashion.
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) trained 25 employees in quality improvement (QI) tools and techniques and built its internal capacity to teach QI by hosting the QI Star TRaK (Training, Resources, and Knowledge) Train-the-Trainer (TTT) series. Participants were arranged into four groups and identified four QI projects to pursue: (1) decreasing HIV pending case load, (2) new employee orientation, (3) cost of lab services, and (4) decreasing vital statistics customer wait time. All projects are actively using QI methods to address areas of improvements; however, reducing customer wait time provided an opportunity to immediately meet the needs of the customer and improve an HDHHS service effectively and efficiently. An opportunity existed to improve the vital statistics area customer flow, and reduce customer wait times through QI methods learned during the HDHHS QI Star TRaK series. Customers were waiting nearly one-half hour to process vital statistics transactions. Long waits to receive service have widespread effects, including forcing customers to miss time from work to obtain a birth or death certificate. Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (P-D-C-A) cycle and other QI methods, the QI team implemented a pilot test to increase the number of cashier windows open to accommodate the customer demand. The pilot reduced customer wait-times by 50% from approximately 30 minutes to 15 minutes. To help maintain this reduction in customer wait-time, the program revised the standard operating procedures for cashiers, hired temporary staff to support other program responsibilities, and revised the program sick/vacation time policy to maintain appropriate staffing levels in all areas. The vital statistics program has assumed responsibility for the P-D-C-A cycle and continues to identify areas and opportunities to improve program effectiveness in servicing the residents of the City of Houston.
Houston Department of Health and Human Services
Arafat, D. Public Health Quality Improvement Exchange. Implementing Quality Improvement Tools to Address Four Challenges in Houston. Thu, 12/27/2012 - 16:08. Available at http://phqix.org/content/implementing-quality-improvement-tools-address-four-challenges-houston. Accessed January 16, 2021.
An opportunity exists to improve the Vital Statistics Customer Flow beginning with customer receipt of ticket number from information window and ending with being called by a cashier to complete financial transaction. This effort should reduce wait time by 15 minutes for the customer. This process is important to work on now because wait times are experienced between the info desk and cashier and to provide good, efficient customer service. The baseline measurement is defined as the following metric: average wait time per cashier window of 28 minutes by cashier by day.
HDHHS trained its employees in QI tools and techniques and built its internal capacity to teach QI by hosting the QI Star TraK TTT series for 25 employees. The Performance Improvement and Accreditation Team (PIAT) identified employees from six divisions and various levels of the organization to participate in the interactive training, which occurred over several weeks. Participants learned core QI tools and techniques before spliting into QI project teams. The project team assignments were randomized so that employees worked with new people on a project not directly related to their daily roles. The four groups were assigned a topic based on issues that participants knew existed within the health department; they were asked to come to the training with potential opportunities for improvement. During discussion, HDHHS participants picked four topics on which to begin QI projects, one of which was "Decreasing the Vital Statistics Customer Wait Time."
Vital Statistics is often the only interaction area residents have with HDHHS. Vital Statistics provides residents an opportunity to receive birth and death certificates and to apply for U.S. passports on site. To receive a birth or death certificate, customers were waiting nearly one-half hour from when they received a ticket number to be called to a cashier to when they actually were called by a cashier to complete the transaction. Anecdotally, project staff learned that customers used to wait less than 10 minutes to receive a birth or death certificate. Long waits to receive a service have widespread affects, including requiring residents to miss time from work to obtain a certificate.
The cause of the lengthy wait time was that not enough cashiers were available to complete financial transactions. The team recommended opening and staffing another window and adding more staff during the lunch-hour rush.
The Vital Statistics QI project was selected by the QI team because it represented a real opportunity to improve the experience of our customers. Using the SIPOC+CM diagram, a flow chart, and a cause-and-effect diagram, HDHHS isolated the time from receiving a ticket number to being called to the cashier window to complete the financial transaction as the area of improvement. Specifically, the QI team saw staffing levels, adjustments during peak hours, and distribution of responsibilities and tasks as the main causes of long wait times. The QI team consulted vital statistic supervisors throughout our planning process during weekly meetings. The first task the group chose to take on was to conduct a summary analysis cashier transaction data. Variables included number of customers served per week and per day, and average customer wait time, transaction time, and print time. QI team members observed cashiers during several time points during the work week. Based on the transaction data and observation, the QI team selected to implement a pilot test, moving one staff person from another section in the program to serve as a cashier to keep four cashier windows open at all times during one week in June 2012. During the week of additional staffing at the cashier windows, the average customer wait time dropped to 14 minutes. In addition to the transaction data, HDHHS surveyed the cashiers to get additional feedback on their experience. One cashier stated, "We were able to assist customers faster. Continue to [keep] more windows open." Another cashier noted, "[I] enjoyed all windows being open. [It] made everything flow smoothly and faster."
Data collection, Epidemiology and Surveillance:
Fishbone Diagram
Other QI tools:
SIPOC+CM
Kano Model
QI Tool Documentation:
HDHHS Vital Statistics Presentation Vital Stats Staff 9 11 12.ppt
The impact of the Vital Statistics pilot test was measured using transaction data captured using the "Queue-Matic" system. This electronic system timed the wait time of each customer in three segments: (1) wait time (from ticket to cashier window call); (2) transaction time (locating the certificate in online databases, completing financial transaction, and sending the certificate to the printer); and (3) print time (time to receive actual printed certificate). "Queue-Matic" allowed cashiers and supervisors to actively monitor the customer wait times and make staffing adjustments. HDHHS also measured the impact through surveying the cashiers and informal discussions with supervisors.
It is extremely important to involve all stakeholders (program leadership and staff) when implementing the P-D-C-A cycle or any other QI method or tool. Stakeholders often have additional ideas and insight on how a program can function more efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of customers.
Publication (e.g., news story, journal article)
PowerPoint presentation shared with vital statistic program staff on 9/17/2012.
National Public Health Improvement Initiative-Houston.pdf 356.1 KB
HDHHS Vital Statistics Presentation Vital Stats Staff 9 11 12.ppt 2.19 MB
Customer wait time decreased by 50%.
Other QI Outcomes:
The Vital Statistics standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cashiers was updated to include maintaining staffing levels during peak hours and seasons. Temporary staff was hired to help in other areas of vital statistics and to maintain production levels of other tasks and responsibilities. Performance expectations were communicated to staff, which led to improved program functionality. A new vacation/sick time policy was implemented. Staff must request vacation at least 2 weeks prior to allow supervisors to adjust staffing levels in advance.
QI Star TRaK (Training, Resources, and Knowledge) Series o	Having a hard deadline helped the QI teams move quickly through the process. o	A QI culture shift begins with a few people (25, in Houston's case). o	Share the QI success stories broadly so that all employees can understand the value, importance, and benefit. Vital Statistics QI Program o	You must be aware of the effect of QI projects on other programs. o	Its important to be open to change and to receiving constructive criticism. o	Listening to others and accepting suggestions can help with improvement initiatives. o	Improvements to not equate to failure. It is an opportunity to make processes and programs better.
The pilot test results were very promising, but they occurred when all employees in the vital statistics office were present. When multiple employees called in sick, the customer wait time rose again. A workload analysis was conducted and is being analyzed so as to streamline employee responsibilities. Upon completion of the analysis and implementation of revised tasks and responsibilities, the program will create a storyboard to post in the Vital Statistics customer lobby to share with customers (residents) the QI efforts of the program. The QI team is currently serving as a resource to the Vital Statistics program, which has assumed responsibility for monitoring the P-D-C-A cycle. The QI team has recommended the Vital Statistics program survey employees to better understand their experience with the QI initiative and survey customers to gauge their experience in Vital Statistics, including wait time. The QI team will present the QI project and results to the Vital Statistics staff in September 2012. PIAT is scheduled to present all QI projects from the QI Star TRaK series to HDHHS leadership in November 2012.
QI Related Training Received:
HDHHS trained its employees in QI tools and techniques and built its internal capacity to teach QI by hosting the QI Star TRaK TTT series for 25 employees. Employees from six divisions and every level of the organization participated in the interactive training, which occurred over several weeks. Participants learned core QI tools and techniques from Dr. Jack Moran and Ms. Sonja Armbruster from the Pubilc Health Foundation. The training was hosted by HDHHS during four full-day sessions: May 14–15, 2012, and June 11–12, 2012. A shared folder was set up on an HDHHS server with all presentations and materials used for QI Star TRaK. PIAT is in the process of transforming the information learned during QI Star TRaK into face-to-face and web-based training modules for all HDHHS staff. Web-based modules will also be available to other City of Houston employees through the city's learning management system. As web-based modules become available, PIAT will post the trainings on the Texas Public Health Training Center website (http://www.txphtrainingcenter.org/) and Texas TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliate INtegrated Network (TRAIN; https://tx.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx).
1,000,000 +
Harris County is the third-most-populous county in the United States, with an estimated 4.1 million residents in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of those, approximately 2.1 million (51%) were residents of the City of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the country. While most of the City of Houston is contained within Harris County, Houston also extends slightly into Fort Bend County to the southwest and Montgomery County to the north. The population of the City of Houston population increased by 7.5% during 2000–10. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Houston's population density in 2010 included 579 square miles of land area and had 3626.0 persons per square mile. The City of Houston's population is diverse—more so than Texas or the United States. According to the U.S. Census 2010, 44% of the residents were Hispanic, 26% were White, 24% African American, and 5% Asian. Twenty-six percent of City of Houston residents are under the age of 18 years. Twenty-eight percent of foreign-born residents call the City of Houston home. According to the U.S. Census 2010, 30% of the population lived below the poverty level. The median household income for the City of Houston is $42,355.
Planning to submit application for accreditation in the next year
Formal QI in Specific Areas
Local Health Department, City/Town
QI Member
Assistant Director (Chief Financial Officer), Administrative Services Division
Celina Garza Ridge
Staff Epidemiologist – General Surveillance, Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness
Varsha Vakil
Environmental Investigator V - Pollution Control & Prevention, Environmental Health Division
Naomi Macias
Division Manager - Vital Statistics Operations, Administrative Services Division
Lisa Akheituame
Staff Analyst – Office of Performance Management, Director's Office
Julia Gee
Performance Improvement Manager (Staff Epidemiologist-Specialist) – Performance Improvement & Accreditation Team, Office of Surveillance and Public Health Preparedness
Larissa Estes
Domain 9: Evaluate and continuously improve health department processes, programs, and interventions›Standard 9.1 Use a Performance Management System to Monitor Achievement of Organizational Objectives
Domain 9: Evaluate and continuously improve health department processes, programs, and interventions›Standard 9.2 Develop and Implement Quality Improvement Processes Integrated Into Organizational Practice, Programs, Processes, and Interventions
Dr. Raouf


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Speaking at a women's retreat, Lorna is sober 36 years since 1976 . Born in England, she has lived in New York City for many years working for a major auction house. She relates being there when Lois's copy of the annotated manuscript of the Big Book was auctioned for over $2 million.
Great sense of humor, she spent many years as a close friend of Mother Teresa. Lorna came in to AA like a plane landing with no landing gear.
NOTE: Lorna is the author of two memoirs including, The Camel Knows the Way and In the Footsteps of the Camel. Look for her on TED by searching for the book titles. I will not put a link here in an attempt at some level of anonymity.


text:
Q: layout-xlarge being ignored using Nexus 10 emulator in Android Studio 1.4.1 I'm using Android Studio version 1.4.1.
I have the following 2 layout xmls in my layout-large dir:
activity-main.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<android.support.design.widget.CoordinatorLayout
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools" android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent" android:fitsSystemWindows="true"
    tools:context=".MainActivity">

    <android.support.design.widget.AppBarLayout android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_width="match_parent" android:theme="@style/AppTheme.AppBarOverlay">

        <android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar android:id="@+id/toolbar"
            android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="?attr/actionBarSize"
            android:background="?attr/colorPrimary" app:popupTheme="@style/AppTheme.PopupOverlay" />

    </android.support.design.widget.AppBarLayout>

    <include layout="@layout/content_main" />

    <android.support.design.widget.FloatingActionButton android:id="@+id/fab"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_gravity="bottom|end" android:layout_margin="@dimen/fab_margin"
        android:src="@android:drawable/ic_dialog_email" />

</android.support.design.widget.CoordinatorLayout>

content_main.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:paddingLeft="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
    android:paddingRight="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
    android:paddingTop="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
    android:paddingBottom="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
    android:orientation="horizontal"
    app:layout_behavior="@string/appbar_scrolling_view_behavior"
    tools:showIn="@layout/activity_main" tools:context=".MainActivity">

    <fragment
        android:layout_width="0dp"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:layout_weight="2"
        class="com.hfad.workout.WorkoutListFragment"
        android:id="@+id/list_frag"/>

    <FrameLayout
        android:id="@+id/fragment_container"
        android:layout_width="0dp"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:layout_weight="3" />
</LinearLayout>

Here is my AndroidManifest.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.hfad.workout" >

    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:supportsRtl="true"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme" >
        <activity
            android:name=".MainActivity"
            android:label="@string/app_name"
            android:theme="@style/AppTheme.NoActionBar" >
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
        <activity
            android:name=".DetailActivity"
            android:label="@string/title_activity_detail"
            android:theme="@style/AppTheme.NoActionBar" >
        </activity>
    </application>

</manifest>

Here is my build.gradle file:
apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 23
    buildToolsVersion "23.0.1"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.hfad.workout"
        minSdkVersion 17
        targetSdkVersion 23
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
    testCompile 'junit:junit:4.12'
    compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:23.1.0'
    compile 'com.android.support:design:23.1.0'
}

Here are the emulator details from Android Studio:
Name: Nexus_10_API_23

CPU/ABI: Google APIs Intel Atom (x86)

Path: /Users/rt/.android/avd/Nexus_10_API_23.avd

Target: Google APIs (API level 23)

Skin: nexus_10

SD Card: /Users/rt/.android/avd/Nexus_10_API_23.avd/sdcard.img

Snapshot: no

hw.lcd.density: 320

hw.dPad: no

hw.initialOrientation: landscape

avd.ini.encoding: UTF-8

hw.camera.back: none

disk.dataPartition.size: 200M

hw.gpu.enabled: yes

runtime.network.latency: none

skin.dynamic: yes

hw.keyboard: yes

runtime.network.speed: full

hw.device.hash2: MD5:47dc70fd92541dd16c19f9efa3e9db62

hw.ramSize: 1536

tag.id: google_apis

tag.display: Google APIs

hw.sdCard: yes

hw.device.manufacturer: Google

hw.mainKeys: no

hw.accelerometer: yes

hw.trackBall: no

hw.device.name: Nexus 10

hw.battery: yes

hw.sensors.proximity: no

AvdId: Nexus_10_API_23

hw.sensors.orientation: yes

hw.audioInput: yes

hw.camera.front: none

hw.gps: yes

avd.ini.displayname: Nexus 10 API 23

snapshot.present: no

vm.heapSize: 128

runtime.scalefactor: auto

When I run my app in the Nexus 10 emulator however, its using the layouts defined in the layout dir instead of the layout-xlarge dir. Any help is much appreciated!

A: I fixed this by going into the AVD Manager > Edit this AVD > Show Advanced Settings > Custom skin definition
Change the skin from "nexus_10" to "No Skin"

A: I had this problem too and after some research, I can say this is a known issue with android studio. The large and xlarge layouts are correctly displayed in the preview (in the IDE), but not with the emulators (it takes the normal layout xml). You should use a real phone, but I know that not everybody has an android phone.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The cult of personality is alive and well this week, as evidenced in the reporting around Diane Greene's appointment to head up Google's enterprise cloud business. Everyone thinks that magically, all the challenges that GCE has faced will vanish.
Or that Amazon's 10-year head start will suddenly evaporate or, just like that, Microsoft Azure will become Afar. The fact is, this isn't an easy game for Google to play, let alone win. Developers don't think about Google, and younger ones go for Amazon. (Remember Steve Ballmer saying, "Developers, developers, developers"? He was right. We no longer live in the IT-driven world of the 2000s. It's a dev-first world.)There is a school of thought that Google has build a vast fiber network and, thanks to its engineering- and infrastructure-focused culture, an amazing distributed computing platform. The engineering and operational excellence of the company is nonpareil. However, that awesomeness hasn't resulted in real gains, and Google has slipped behind in the race. The hardware- and network-based differentiation isn't enough. Both Amazon and Azure are established platforms. Amazon is the equivalent of the Windows ecosystem of the cloud, its reach starting at the bare metal and extending all the way to the application layer.
Some companies have shifted to GCE (probably to save money,) but overall, the massive AWS developer ecosystem has enough advantages that a growing number of developers are embracing it. There are courses being taught that teach you how to build on top of AWS. More and more developers know how to get the most out of Amazon. It has thus an amazing and astonishing headstart.
How will the arrival of one person to Google change that? There is a myth that one person can fix everything. Come on, we are too grown up to buy any of that.
Greene is a well-liked and well-known executive with elite Silicon Valley insider status, and her new appointment generates good and feel good headlines. It is assumed she will help establish the cloud platform, focus Google cloud efforts and figure out a way to sell to enterprises (a.k.a. corporations). If this happens as planned (and life and business rarely go according to plan), it will still be a couple years before it all comes together. It will be a couple MORE years for Amazon to push deeper into developer and IT ecosystems. Microsoft has a natural developer base that it can count on. But the problem for Google is that it is hard to define Google's natural base!
And let's not forget what happened on Greene's watch at VMware: The company missed the boat on the cloud. Meanwhile AWS became a big catalyst for non-VMware hypervisors. At VMware, there was an obsession with the tool, not what the tool can do. Respectfully, VMware invented a product and had no competition, and it sold it at a time when there was not much effort needed to win. When competition did show up, things changed remarkably for the company. Today's world is more competitive, and the two big boys aren't pushovers. Let's also not forget IBM (the consulting business) which is going to be pushing its own corporate agenda. I suspect Greene's Google Cloud will be slugging it out with those kind of competitors as well.
Look, I am not hating on Greene. Instead, I am asking that the so-called tech media take a more practical and realistic view of the situation, add some balance and don't forget that the guys in Seattle simply have a better game, a better plan and are obsessed with staying focused. No one asked the Google PR machine, "So what's the plan here?" What did she say in her job interview that made the management say, "OK, this will solve our 'laggard' problem"?
I haven't read one piece about Greene that isn't puffy — and that is a shame, for this is such a great business battle.
Steve Lohr on the news in The New York Times.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, on the decision.
Not news, just stuff worth reading!


A while ago I started using a practice log. So far it's been a great tool. It's hard to get into at first, but once you get in the habit it's hard to not use it.
In case you haven't gotten the hint that practice logs are a good idea, here's some reasons why you need to start a practice log today.
You can't fool me. I know. You sat down to practice yesterday and had no clue what you worked on the day before. If there was a metronome used, the tempo you worked up to is completely blank in your mind.
It's hard to remember things. I don't remember to buy things at the grocery store without a list; I have google calendar email me a reminder on people's birthdays and anniversaries. One of the biggest issues with practicing is knowing where you've been and if what you've tried has worked. If that's not written down somewhere chances are you will not remember it. And we have to think in terms of years too! If you can't remember something for a week, what happens when you revisit a piece a year later?!
Sometimes, while practicing, you'll come up with an idea of how to practice something. Then you forget it. Write it down! I constantly keep notes about how to practice something. Notes on how to practice something can be simple or complex.
While small events can give focus (see number one) and become a daily goals (like, "practice measure 1-2 with stop/go techniques"), broader goals, as in number four, are also important. Having a practice log provides you with a way to get those goals down and quantified. There's several different levels to set goals for: daily (see number 1), weekly, 3-6 months, a year, etc. You might write a yearly goal on the first page of your log, so you see it every time. Weekly goals could be tracked on your day off from practicing: sit down, read what you did last week and if it worked, formulate some goals for the week to come.
Some days are bad days for playing guitar. Nothing works, everything is hard. To alleviate some of the tension on those days, I write myself angry notes. Mostly because it amuses me. These are days where my practice log includes things like, "This was terrible today, stop sucking." Worth a try!
Why do you keep a practice log? Leave some more reasons in the comments!
Very good thoughts here. I'm wondering if you are using any particular software for your log?
I'm just using a notebook. I suppose a simple text editor could work well, or a free blogspot or wordpress.com blog.
I think I will set up a wiki for myself. I can see how having a small notepad with you when you practice would be useful for some of the things you mention.
You may find http://www.staffnotes.net/fretnotes useful for a practice log.
Dan, that is awesome! Thanks!
Just plain excellent, The best reason is #1.
I'm glad you like it Cary.
Just came across your blog. Great suggestion. I definitely need the discipline. I actually started a blog just to track my progress as a new player… adding practice logs to it may help me stay motivated to practice and to keep the logs.
I'll be subscribing to your blog.
some excellent advice Chris as most practicing is not very efficient.
Good blog! I've just started playing guitar so this is all very interesting.
so we can see how you format it? Thank you!
Generally, I just use a note book. Put the date at the top, time spend practicing on the left. Then what I practiced on the right. Below the "what I practiced" section I put notes about what I think would work better for further practicing.
Thanks Dan! I spent a long time looking for these types of local bookshops here in vain.
I think a Practice log is a cool idea.
Very good explanation, I may try to do.


text:
Your MP Writes for the Abergavenny Chronicle and Monmouthshire Beacon
Back in 1997, I was one of those who voted against having a Welsh Assembly on the grounds that it was a Trojan horse which would be used by nationalists to achieve their dream of breaking Wales off from the Union. The means to independence would be to continually seek further powers until independence has been achieved. On 1 December, the Welsh Government announced that Labour and Plaid Cymru had...
Welsh Cavalry set for repatriation to Caerwent Barracks
Monmouth MP David Davies has welcomed today's announcement that The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) are being repatriated to Wales as part of a reconfiguration of...
Welsh Government urged to copy English Down syndrome legislation
The Welsh Government has been urged to follow plans being drawn up in England which will require local authorities to look after the needs of people with Down...
Hats off to beer enthusiast Tom Newman who has established a fantastic brewery in the heart of Monmouthshire. Lines Brew Co was born in 2016, brewing exotic and...
Sitting on the border between England and Wales in the village of Redbook near Monmouth is Jamie's Farm. This amazing charity provides residential visits for...
It's no secret there are huge problems with the Welsh Ambulance Service. I had a frank discussion with chief executive Jason Killens on Friday and he was very...
Welcome £2m funding boost for Monmouthshire community projects
Nine community projects in Monmouthshire have been awarded a share of over £2million in funding from the UK Government. The Community Renewal Fund is another...
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has delivered the largest annual funding settlement for Wales since the start of devolution over 20 years ago. As part of significant...
Another sad death this week as we said goodbye to Mady Gerrard; a tremendous character who brightened up the lives of her many friends in Monmouthshire and...
Welsh Government and NRW urged to act on Welsh river pollution
A Welsh MP has urged the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to act on the scandal of river pollution after a package of measures to help clean...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


1. How does the early years setting / school / college know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?
Dorin Park School is a local authority maintained special school and all places are allocated via Cheshire West and Chester.
All pupils attending Dorin Park have a Statement of SEN or Education, Health and Care Plan, detailing physical difficulties and/or medical needs and a range of additional difficulties.
Pupils with a Statement or EHC plan, can be admitted to the school at any point from Nursery 1 through to Year 14 providing their needs can be met. They are taught in groups smaller than those in a mainstream setting and usually vertically grouped, within a key stage.
Our pupils typically have a range of physical, medical and communications needs with associated learning difficulties. The range of physical difficulties includes cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. Some of our students have hearing and visual impairments. Nearly all of our pupils have some additional communications need related to their learning difficulty. Many are verbal, some non-verbal and in the case of some of our youngest children, some are pre-verbal.
Many of the pupils admitted have a diagnosis of global developmental delay or ASD associated with other complex features. Students with ASD at Dorin Park are likely to be pre-verbal or verbal.
We have experience of a wide range of medical conditions including Down's Syndrome and conditions arising from premature/traumatic birth as well as a number of rarer syndromes. Some pupils have a passport for urgent medical treatment. We are fortunate that we are sited a short distance away from the countess of Chester hospital.
Due to the medical needs and physical difficulties of many of our students, Dorin Park does not accept students whose assessment of need includes a provision for physically challenging behaviour.
The Sixth Form continues the learning foundations built upon earlier in the school by retaining the focus on development of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills, with students who can access GCSE level qualifications having the opportunity to do so.
Where the LA deems it necessary, we will admit students at 16 with complex moderate learning difficulties if they have other needs that make mainstream provision inaccessible. We continue to build independence and prepare students for work or further college study where appropriate, with a suite of accredited qualifications tailored to learner need.
2. How will early years setting / school / college staff support my child/young person?
From our last Ofsted inspection, July 2014: 'behaviour and safety of pupils are outstanding'.
We are privileged to have a variety of people on our governing body who have a keen interest in ensuring we provide the best education we can for our students. Our last Ofsted inspection reported that 'the governing body know the school's strengths and areas for development well, because its members play an active part in the life of the school'.
We recognise that supporting the child to develop their emotional health/physical health and well-being can be vital to them achieving their educational potential.
We are privileged to have access to a range of skilled staff, such as an Emotional Health and Well-being Mentor and Speech and Language Therapy service. We have on-site medical clinics, including the school doctor, school nurse, physiotherapists and occupational therapy. We have an on-site hydrotherapy pool and our specially designed playgrounds have a range of outdoor gym equipment and other play equipment to promote physical development.
The school uses a total communication approach to learning. Makaton is used to support speech development and understanding. PECs and communications systems and communication devices are used by some students to access the curriculum. Two speech and language specialists work in the school and support the school with alternative or augmentative communication.
3. How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs? How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive? Provide examples of interventions, equipment, resources that settings/ schools / colleges may allocate to match children's/young people's special educational needs?
As all Dorin Park students have an EHC plan/statement, their access to the variety of timetable opportunities are decided on the basis of their EHC plan/statement and an individual assessment of education and personal need.
Our curriculum is designed to span an ability range from the lower end of P scales, for our most cognitively challenged pupils, to Entry Level qualifications at Key Stage 4 or GCSE equivalents in vocational areas to meet the needs of students with more moderate learning difficulties. Where students can access GCSEs in the core subjects of English and Maths, this can also be provided for.
The school places a focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills as well as developing independent living skills and work readiness.
In Early Years and Primary, the students are taught in their pastoral bases. In the Senior School and Sixth Form the students follow a subject timetable, moving from class to class to access lessons delivered by specialist subject staff, in subject rooms. Teaching assistants in all areas remain with the students in their pastoral group, whether they move from lesson to lesson or remain in their pastoral rooms. There is a high level of staffing across all key stages, matched to student need. In addition, we modify and adapt the timetable to introduce flexibility matched to need.
All Key Stage 4 and post-16 students have access to a range of accredited courses to assist them in accessing their chosen journey beyond school. Students in the Sixth Form will access provision off our main site as part of their preparation for moving on and gaining more independence, and also to have access to specialist facilities. The majority of our post-16 students go on to Further Education/college provision.
Some students have access to additional offsite provision, such as PE provision, work experience, music therapy, or college visits/link courses. Some access a short course programme of literacy/numeracy intervention support, or play therapy/Emotional Health and Well-being support.
4 a) How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?
All students are assessed on entry to the school and their progress is tracked termly.
Every year we review each student's progress with parents/carers and other professionals via the Annual Review. Parents will also receive an academic report on progress.
We hold a pastoral parents' evening in the autumn term, a subject/progress parents' evening in the summer term and an annual review meeting to review their statement/EHC plan and subject reports on progress.
Where children require additional support they may access planned intervention programmes to assist them in improving progress or intervention programmes to nurture a specific talent.
Pastoral staff are the first link with parents. All our students have daily access to their pastoral team. Each pastoral group sits within a key stage and has a Head of Key Stage for additional support. Parents/carers will develop links with the pastoral staff, and can also liaise with the Head of Key Stage should they require additional support. Our Leadership group, and two SENCos are available, should families wish to speak to someone beyond their pastoral group of staff. We also have a Family Liaison Worker who is available for the additional beyond the classroom support that families may need from time to time.
Our Early Years students and those who are non-verbal/pre-verbal have agreed communication systems in place to ensure regular contact between home and school. Some students have home/school communication books and others have pre-filled communication sheets. 'ClassDojo' is also used as an additional means of communication.
The pastoral staff are responsible for the implementation of the student's individual plan. They oversee the progression towards targets, from the baseline assessment, and feedback to parents through parents' evenings and via the Annual review of the EHC plan/Statement.
Termly Personal and Social Development targets are sent home by pastoral staff along with student timetables. The curriculum content is promoted on the school website, allowing families to support and promote learning outside of school.
We recognise that parents are often in need of support to enable them to effectively promote learning and development. With this in mind we offer parent support sessions in specific areas such as: Numicon, sleep clinics, behaviour support, health and fitness.
4 b) What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall well-being?
All students have a group of pastoral staff who they meet with on a daily basis for form time, phonics/numeracy and the end of day assembly time. This team of staff are able to act as the students' champions, ensuring they have the access they need to additional support, such as play therapy/Emotional Health and Well-being support, or literacy/numeracy interventions. We have a team of staff who have undertaken further CPD in behaviour/emotional support, and who are able to provide the additional emotional support that students may need from time to time. The school employs an Emotional Health and Well-being Mentor who offers bespoke courses/sessions for those pupils who need additional personal/emotional health and well-being support. In addition to this we also access support from CAMHs to support mental health and well-being.
All students access a programme of PSHE and all have Personal and Social development targets linked to the IIP targets. We achieved the 'Investors in Pupils (IIP) Award' in recognition of how the school works with students to ensure a student voice, across all key stages. For example: student mentors support playground friendships; School Council representatives, elected by their pastoral group, ensure every pastoral group has a voice; the head boys and head girls provide excellent role models in each key stage.
Our school council meets every few weeks and ensure the students' voice is heard by the leadership group and Governors and they use that voice to influence decision making and work towards making the school a better place to be for all students.
We have several reward systems in place for students, and celebration of success is very important to us. All students work as part of their house team to gain house points, and a celebration event at the end of the term. They work as individuals to gain merits throughout the day and recognition as Achiever of the Week or the Term.
Students who have achieved excellent/improved attendance are rewarded in line with the school council agreed system.
Many of our students have additional medical needs that require medicinal and/or medical support, sometimes to be administered during the school day. We have additional staff who implement this in liaison with parents and medical staff to enable our students to maintain their health and operate to their full capacity throughout the day.
Our team of continence support staff ensure that all personal care needs are supported at the appropriate times during the day, with minimal disruption to learning. Where appropriate students are supported on a toilet training programme.
5. What specialism services, experience, training and support are available at or accessed by the setting/school/college? What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had or are having?
Training for staff is regular and ongoing and some of our school staff are working towards or have completed additional training in ASD, Makaton, intensive interaction, behaviour support or other therapeutic support. They provide additional support, as appropriate, for students, colleagues, other professionals and parents.
6. How will my child/young person be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?
Dorin Park staff are expert in including all children in activities outside the classroom, including residential trips.
Our primary school students have access to a residential visit in Key Stage 2, when they attend the Children's Adventure Farm Trust site, or similar, and the students in Key Stage 3 attend a residential in Bendrigg.
We have access to two adapted minibuses to access the local community and our staff are trained in carrying out risk assessments to ensure the safety of students.
All students have offsite activities at different times through the course of the year.
Some access local colleges, some attend sports provision in the community, and some have regular/weekly slots as part of their independence skills timetable.
Our post-16 and Key Stage 4 students have access-to-work based learning programmes, some of which are supported by staff and some where students access them as independent workers.
All lesson activities are differentiated to meet the many and varied needs of our students, and students are appropriately supported by the high staffing levels in lessons.
7. How accessible is the setting/school/college environment?
As a specialist school for physical difficulties, Dorin Park is a fully accessible environment with a range of specialist equipment to support our students. It is also suitable for students with visual impairment, with guide rails throughout the building and no steps. Toilets and changing facilities are adapted to cater for a range of needs, and hoists are available to ensure students can access facilities.
Many of our students are mobile, and can walk for at least short distances, but we have some pupils who use a wheelchair or other equipment for some or all of the time.
For those of our students who have additional sensory requirements we support their learning by having access to additional learning spaces, such as sensory rooms, TEACCH stations, smaller work spaces/work stations, as appropriate to need.
Some of our students live with family members whose first language is not English. Where appropriate, additional support from interpreters is sourced and additional written support can be reproduced in the language appropriate for the family. Our family liaison worker is available to support such families with any additional support they require to enable them to support their childs education.
8. How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college, transfer to a new setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?
Students in year 9 start to work with school staff and the Young People's Service to plan for their journey beyond school.
Some pupils will leave at age 16 to go onto further education/training/employment; some will remain until the age of 19, before accessing further education/training/employment.
To help them gain experience in the world of work, our Key Stage 4 and 5 students access work-based learning as part of the ASPIRE programme.
Those who require additional support to move on are supported by a planned transition programme. For some this may mean visiting the new setting with school staff or having their new placement staff come to visit them in school.
For some of our students, transition to another school or from another school may be planned before the traditional end of key stage. Where this is deemed to be appropriate, they are supported through a transition programme by our outreach staff.
Staff from the Outreach team will also provide additional support for the receiving/transferring school to ensure a smooth transition.
9. How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?
Parents and carers are encouraged to attend a variety of social events in addition to the formal parents' evening events throughout the year. Our staff and students work on themed productions to perform in front of parents and where possible we make use of our local churches for some seasonal events, such as Harvest/Christmas celebrations. Parents and members of the church community are welcome to attend such events.
We celebrate with our leavers, every summer in Chester Cathedral, where family and the SEN schools' community are encouraged to celebrate with us.
Some parents, particularly those who are parents of our younger students, help out on day visits offsite. We have a parents' page on our website where parents can see the upcoming events and where we promote our parent coffee morning and stay and play sessions.
Our coffee mornings are very popular as a chance to have an informal chat and share hints and tips with each other or to make links with other professionals.
The stay and play sessions events allow parents of babies/toddlers to get together for a relaxing and fun movement session.
We ask our parents to share their thoughts/ideas with us via review meetings, parents' evenings, questionnaires and home/school communications. Some of their thoughts are shared on the website.
10. Who can I contact for further information?
In the first instance parents are encouraged to speak to their child's pastoral teacher or the Family Liaison Worker (Maxine Nevitt).
If they are not available or the parents needs to discuss something beyond the classroom they can speak to their child's head of year.
If it is not appropriate to talk to either of these the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher can be contacted.
Any safeguarding concerns can be discussed with either of the three Safeguarding leads (Jane Mills/Sarah Adam/Jane Rowlinson).
For new admissions, parents should telephone the school office and ask for Sharon Jones who will then arrange a visit and a tour by a senior member of staff, usually the Headteacher. As we only admit children with an EHC Plan or Statement that indicates a need for specialist provision of the kind we offer, please be prepared to give information about this before a tour is arranged.
For additional information about support, advice, complaints, safeguarding procedures or any further information about the school, please browse our website.


text:
Frontline Health Workers Are Still Suffering From PTSD
Jan 23, 2023 Curated Article | Futurity
Researchers found that frontline health workers may be experiencing PTSD symptoms after working through the COVID-19 pandemic and its surges.
How can this research help craft policies that protect healthcare workers? What did the pandemic reveal about the U.S. healthcare system?
Learn more about healthcare access and affordability.
Pandemic frontline health care workers who have not received a formal post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis may still experience critical health symptoms that could lead to other health problems, researchers report.
The findings of the study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research show that the pandemic's mental toll impact extends beyond career burnout.
"While there has been a lot of attention paid to elevated symptom levels indicative of a clinical diagnosis, little attention has been paid to subclinical symptom levels," says lead author Bryce Hruska, assistant professor of public health in the Falk College at Syracuse University.
Subclinical (or subthreshold) symptoms refer to psychiatric symptoms—PTSD symptoms in the case of this study—that are not severe enough to be considered indicative of a clinical diagnosis.
Hruska and his collaborator, Maria Pacella-LaBarbara at the University of Pittsburgh, examined the prevalence and significance of subthreshold PTSD symptom levels (known as PTSS) in frontline health care workers responding to the pandemic nearly one year after it started, from December 2020 through February 2021. Data from this study were collected from emergency health care workers located primarily in western Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
"This is an important study that captures what frontline health care workers were experiencing during the pandemic's second wave and continue to experience as COVID approaches the start of its fourth year in the US. It could not have been possible without the work of many people, including other researchers and medical personnel who assisted with ensuring that these workers' experiences were represented," says Hruska.
"In fact, we found that while 5.5% of the health care workers in our sample met criteria for probable PTSD, over half (55.3%) experienced subthreshold symptoms," he says. "Even though they weren't reporting symptoms indicative of a clinical diagnosis of PTSD, these workers were still feeling its effects."
Researchers found that workers experiencing these symptoms levels reported:
88% more physical health symptoms (e.g., constant fatigue, weight change, low energy, headache)
36% more sleep problems (e.g., daytime sleepiness, difficulty getting things done) than health care workers not experiencing any PTSD symptoms
Read the full article about frontline health workers by Keith Kobland at Futurity .
North America Quality Employment Mental Health COVID-19
Disadvantaged Boys Also Struggle with Eating Disorders
We Need to Go Beyond Screening for Mental Health


A solid, if unspectacular session: legs felt a bit heavy initially, though I felt I ws recovering between reps really quickly, and the last couple felt much more sprightly... felt good on the sprints though.
A gorgeous, properly spring feeling, evening, back to shorts and t-shirt weather which is pretty welcome, can't be fucked with any more snow!
For the first (or maybe second) time in the history of Fort Willam or football, the football pitch was in use, so I had to revert to speed variations for the session. Legs felt good, and the bursts of speed felt nice and smooth and easy to get up to that effort level. Feeling really good!
Didn't get out at lunch, so combined the two 30's and did some strides too, before the gym. Definitely felt the triangle circuits in the legs initially, but after 20mins or so, they loosened up, and thereafter felt really good.
20' easy; 3x triangle circuit; 20' easy.
Weather improved slightly, and ended up being okay, which was much appreciated as I didn't fancy another run in the snow again!
Doing the triangle circuits with John definitely made me push it, and though I settled in to the second and third ones, I definitely felt it on the first. Felt really good though, and was able to keep pushing on the flats and the descents again, so felt I was climbing strongly.
...despite that, and the headwinds, felt amazing on this run; felt super solid and smooth and totally in control at slightly quicker than previous moderate pace. A real confidence boosting run.
Feeling really good just now, excited for the first Scot champs race in a couple of weeks!


Oct. 12 - Hezbollah refutes accusations it has sent fighters into Syria to help crush anti-government protests. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
Hezbollah deny sending fighters into Syria to help its ally President Bashar al-Assad to quell the bloody rebellion. The group's chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah made the statement on Manar TV on Thursday. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAYYED HASSAN NASRALLAH, HEAD OF LEBANON'S SHI'ITE MILITANT GROUP HEZBOLLAH, SAYING: "From the beginning there have been people in the Syrian opposition who told Arab satellite channels that Hezbollah sent 3,000 fighters into Syria and was fighting alongside the regime. At the start we said that this wasn't true and I say that it is still not true." Hezbollah's opponents have accused it of sending fighters into Syria to support the Assad regime. Last month, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Nasrallah for helping Assad crush anti-government protests, as well as two other members for what it calls the group's "terrorist activities."


text:
Victoria Gold to Drill the Mill Canyon Project in Nevada
View in PDF format
Victoria Gold Corp. (VIT.TSX‐V) ("Victoria" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will undertake an exploration drilling program at its Mill Canyon, Nevada project, which is contiguous with Barrick Gold's Cortez Hills and Pipeline gold mines. This drilling program, which will test one of several high‐quality exploration targets on the Company's 6,900 acre property, is scheduled for early October, 2011.
About the Mill Canyon Project
Victoria's Mill Canyon gold project is located in north‐central Nevada, approximately 175 miles (280 kilometers) east‐northeast of the city of Reno, and 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Elko. The project is situated at the southern end of the Cortez Mountains. Victoria's property comprises patented and unpatented mining claims that cover an area of approximately 6,900 acres (28 square kilometers) on the northern side of the Battle Mountain -- Eureka mineral belt (Cortez trend), which is one of the world's most prolific and prospective gold provinces. The Mill Canyon project adjoins Barrick Gold's world‐class Cortez Hills gold mine and the Cortez Pediment project and is along the most productive and prospective part of the Cortez trend between the Pipeline gold mine (6 kilometers to the northwest) and the Red Hills and Gold Rush discoveries (3 to 4 kilometers to the southeast), which are the newly discovered gold deposits that Barrick reported on very recently.
The geologic characteristics of Victoria's Mill Canyon project, display strong similarities with the adjacent Cortez Hills and Pipeline mines, the former Horse Canyon gold mine (which adjoins the southeast boundary of the Mill Canyon project), Barrick's newly announced discoveries at Red Hill and Gold Rush (located 3 to 4 kilometers southeast of Mill Canyon), and their Pediment project, which is contiguous with the southern boundary of the Mill Canyon project.
Victoria's ongoing geological work at Mill Canyon has recently concentrated on the region of the Erwin target in the central portion of the project area. Although this area received little attention from previous workers, it has been determined to have very good potential for the discovery of large‐scale "Carlin‐style" gold deposits, as indicated not only by the strong gold results from rock‐chip (up to 78.2 grams per tonne) samples and very strong gold anomalies (up to 420 parts per billion gold) in soil samples in the target zone, and by historical regional exploration drilling that encountered significant gold mineralization in one hole that was never followed‐up on. Drill hole DML‐7, which encountered a 9 meter interval that averaged 2.3 grams of gold per tonne and was drilled by Santa Fe Pacific Gold , encountered strong gold mineralization in carbonate host rocks of the Lower Plate of the Roberts Mountain thrust fault system, which are the same rock units that host the extensive gold deposits throughout northeastern Nevada, including the Carlin trend mines, Jerritt Canyon and at the Pipeline and Cortez Hills mines.
Victoria's drill program will test the extent of the mineralization encountered in the historical drill hole at the Erwin target, as well as other mineralized zones in the central part of the Mill Canyon project that have been recently outlined by Victoria's work. This first phase of exploration drilling will be comprised of six to ten holes totaling approximately 15,000 feet (4,600 meters).
Geochemical sample results cited in this press release were obtained from "spot" rock chip samples and soil samples which were collected by Victoria Gold's geologic staff during the course of their detailed investigations of the Mill Canyon project. All samples were delivered by Victoria's personnel to the Sparks, Nevada laboratory of American Assay, Inc., who undertook the analytical determinations for gold and other elements. The drill hole assay data cited in this news release are historical in nature and have not yet been verified by Victoria Gold.
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed as accurate by Ted Wilton, CPG‐7659, Vice President of Exploration of Victoria Gold Corporation, as the Qualified Person.
Victoria Gold Corp. is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company focused on advancing its flagship project, the Eagle Gold Deposit, located on the 100% owned Dublin Gulch property in the Yukon, Canada, to production. The company also continues to explore its other core projects in Yukon and Nevada. For more information please visit the company's website at www.vitgoldcorp.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities, anticipated metal production, anticipated dates for the completion of work performed by external consultants, internal rate of return, estimated oregrades, commencement of production estimates and projected exploration and capital expenditures (including costs and other estimates upon which such projections are based) and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include metal prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
This news release and the information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from registration.
Katie Fedorowicz, MBA


text:
package org.apache.directory.server.ntp.io;

import java.nio.ByteBuffer;

import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.LeapIndicatorType;
import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.ModeType;
import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.NtpMessage;
import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.NtpMessageModifier;
import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.NtpTimeStamp;
import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.ReferenceIdentifier;
import org.apache.directory.server.ntp.messages.StratumType;

/**
 * @author Apache Directory Project
 */
public class NtpMessageDecoder
{
    /**
     * Decodes the {@link ByteBuffer} into an {@link NtpMessage}.
     *
     * @param request
     * @return The {@link NtpMessage}.
     */
    public NtpMessage decode( ByteBuffer request )
    {
        NtpMessageModifier modifier = new NtpMessageModifier();

        byte header = request.get();
        modifier.setLeapIndicator( parseLeapIndicator( header ) );
        modifier.setVersionNumber( parseVersionNumber( header ) );
        modifier.setMode( parseMode( header ) );
        modifier.setStratum( parseStratum( request ) );
        modifier.setPollInterval( parsePollInterval( request ) );
        modifier.setPrecision( parsePrecision( request ) );
        modifier.setRootDelay( parseRootDelay( request ) );
        modifier.setRootDispersion( parseRootDispersion( request ) );
        modifier.setReferenceIdentifier( parseReferenceIdentifier( request ) );
        modifier.setReferenceTimestamp( new NtpTimeStamp( request ) );
        modifier.setOriginateTimestamp( new NtpTimeStamp( request ) );

        byte[] unneededBytes = new byte[8];
        request.get( unneededBytes );

        modifier.setReceiveTimestamp( new NtpTimeStamp() );
        modifier.setTransmitTimestamp( new NtpTimeStamp( request ) );

        return modifier.getNtpMessage();
    }

    private LeapIndicatorType parseLeapIndicator( byte header )
    {
        return LeapIndicatorType.getTypeByOrdinal( ( header & 0xc0 ) >>> 6 );
    }

    private int parseVersionNumber( byte header )
    {
        return ( header & 0x38 ) >>> 3;
    }

    private ModeType parseMode( byte header )
    {
        return ModeType.getTypeByOrdinal( header & 0x07 );
    }

    private StratumType parseStratum( ByteBuffer request )
    {
        return StratumType.getTypeByOrdinal( request.get() );
    }

    private byte parsePollInterval( ByteBuffer bytes )
    {
        return ( byte ) Math.round( Math.pow( 2, bytes.get() ) );
    }

    private byte parsePrecision( ByteBuffer bytes )
    {
        return ( byte ) ( 1000 * Math.pow( 2, bytes.get() ) );
    }

    private ReferenceIdentifier parseReferenceIdentifier( ByteBuffer request )
    {
        byte[] nextFourBytes = new byte[4];
        request.get( nextFourBytes );
        return ReferenceIdentifier.getTypeByName( new String( nextFourBytes ) );
    }

    private int parseRootDelay( ByteBuffer bytes )
    {
        int temp = 256 * ( 256 * ( 256 * bytes.get() + bytes.get() ) + bytes.get() ) + bytes.get();
        return 1000 * ( temp / 0x10000 );
    }

    private int parseRootDispersion( ByteBuffer bytes )
    {
        int temp = 256 * ( 256 * ( 256 * bytes.get() + bytes.get() ) + bytes.get() ) + bytes.get();
        return 1000 * ( temp / 0x10000 );
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


January is one of the most optimistic months of the year. Besides ushering in a new year, it's symbolic of a new start, making resolutions to replace bad habits with good and continuing down the road of self-improvement.
When making those New Year resolutions, don't forget your garden. And, to increase your success rate, keep it simple! (Honestly, how many resolutions have you actually kept)? This year, make your gardening resolutions realistic and specific, rather than the sweeping 'I vow to never neglect my garden again' statements. By making resolutions that are actually attainable you'll not only feel better about yourself, but your garden will thank you! To continue reading click here.
Keep tools sharpened and occasionally apply a coat of oil.
Good garden tools should last for many years when properly maintained.
You're welcome, Rebecca! We look forward to featuring more of your tips as the weather warms up and our garden enthusiasts start preparing.
Howdy! I could have sworn I've been to this web site before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it's new to me.


text:
Inclusion Advisory Group
CBM Leads Disability Inclusive Response During Global Pandemic
by	Holly Mumford
CBM Leads Disability Inclusive Response During Global Pandemic CBM's Inclusion Advisory Group partner with the disability movement to influence organisations, institutions and systems to realise the rights of persons with disabilities and work for a more inclusive world. 2020 was our busiest year yet, shifting our efforts in the midst of a global pandemic to focus...
COVID-19, IAG
Desty's Story: Challenging Stigma Around Mental Illness in the Midst of COVID-19
Challenging stigma around mental illness in the midst of Covid-19One of the most challenging barriers to building inclusive communities can be tackling stigma attached to mental illness. In the advent of Covid-19, people experiencing existing mental health concerns have faced further stigma when trying to access health services, receive medication, or support networks. Lockdowns have...
covid, COVID-19, COVID19, mental health
Matti's Story: Inclusive Education During the COVID-19 Crisis
Matti's Story: Inclusive Education During the COVID-19 Crisis It's that time of the year again in Australia – back to school. Last year's lockdowns saw home schooling become the 'new normal,' highlighting a stronger appreciation for our access to education here in Australia.Receiving an education is one of the primary ways people living in poor communities...
back to school, covid, COVID-19, COVID19, Education
A Story of Hope from Indonesia
Finding the positive in the Covid-19 landscape: A story of hope from IndonesiaAs the Covid-19 pandemic escalated around the world, the World Health Organisation issued a sobering report noting the risk that people with disability faced in protecting themselves from contracting the virus. Over the last 12 months, these challenges have also extended to protecting...
COVID-19, COVID19
Building a Disability Inclusive Response to COVID-19 in Indonesia
As countries around the world continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that these responses take into account the needs of people with disabilities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that people with disabilities face a greater chance of contracting the virus, since they may be unable to practice physical distancing,...
COVID-19, COVID19, idpd2020
Combating the Stereotypes: COVID-19 Response in Nepal
Combating the stereotypes: COVID-19 response in Nepal Sarita Lamichhane (pictured centre), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion expert of Support Activities of Poor Producers of Nepal (SAPPROS) Nepal"Persons with disabilities are usually looked at as passive receivers of humanitarian aid during disasters. Being a visually impaired woman, I strive to change these attitudes on a daily basis."Sarita...
Adapting Our Livelihoods to the Conditions of COVID-19: Indonesia
Adapting our livelihoods to the conditions of COVID-19: IndonesiaThe impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods has been extensive, but increasingly CBM has been hearing reports on how people have been able to adapt to these new conditions, by adapting their businesses operations in order to continue to earn a living. CBM checked in with Hascaryo...
Making Humanitarian Action Inclusive
World Humanitarian Day: Making Humanitarian Action Inclusive At time of crisis, people with disabilities are often among the worst affected and the last to receive help. They may not hear about the best ways to protect themselves or be able to reach help. They may struggle to access essentials like clean water and food – and...
The Challenges of Inclusive Eye Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The challenges of inclusive eye care in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic For the first time in a long time, individuals across the globe are united in facing the same crisis – the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the generous support of Australians, CBM Australia has been able to contribute to the prevention of the virus...
Empowering Women Living With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Crisis
CBM received an update from an organisation of people with disability (OPD) in Cameroon: Bamenda III municipality. With the support of CBM and partner organisations, Bamenda III were able to ensure that their members were able to access COVID-19 kits and receive appropriate training on the use of the kits. This training was tailored specifically...
Preventing Further Spread: Prevention Kits in Cameroon
Preventing the transmission of COVID-19 remains for now one of the best methods of combating the virus. CBM has been involved in curbing the spread of COVID-19 through the distribution of prevention kits to the communities we work with in Cameroon, in West Africa. These prevention kits include sanitation products like soaps, buckets and face...
Redirecting Efforts to Build Community Protection: The Philippines
Redirecting efforts to build community protection: The Philippines When news of the COVID-19 crisis escalated, our CBM Philippines office and local partner responded by preparing preventative measures to ensure the safety of one of the communities we work with in Southern Leyte. Since April, 226 hygiene and safety packs have been distributed amongst the community....
Responding to COVID-19 in Indonesia
Responding to COVID-19 in Indonesia In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic one way in which CBM has been working in Indonesia is to build initiatives that will assist people who might otherwise struggle during this time. One of these initiatives was through a partnership with a social crowdfunding platform. One of the campaigns on this...
Redirecting Efforts to Build Community Protection in India
In lower-income countries, the repercussions of COVID-19 will place additional strain on health services, leaving many people more vulnerable. CBM Australia has sought to assist and strengthen health systems and community infrastructure to ensure people with disabilities in India can meet their continuing and additional needs in a time of uncertainty caused by COVID-19.By mobilising...
CBM Australia Media Release: 29/05/20
29/05/2020CBM Australia welcomes Australia's international COVID-19 response, though warns that ambition without investment will leave people with disabilities further behind. The Australian Government today released its Partnerships for Recovery COVID-19 development strategy, and made tangible commitments to prioritising the inclusion of people with disabilities and women and girls. CBM Australia – Australia's largest international development organisation...
URGENT BULLETIN : Latest Report From the Field
LATEST REPORT FROM THE FIELD HYGIENE CRISIS: SOAP IS LIKE GOLD DUST NOWHere in Australia we're well used to the public health advice on washing our hands to break the COVID-19 cycle. But simple hand soap is a luxury item for millions of people living in poverty. So rare that many people are having to use...
An Urgent Message from CBM Bangladesh
I write to you from Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh asking you please to help us now, today. Our situation is desperate. If I had to use just one word to describe the atmosphere in this city at the moment, it would be "fear".Everyone is afraid. Especially the poor, who live in vast slums, and...
The challenge of an inclusive government response to COVID-19: Snapshot from the Philippines
by	Angela Grogan
Advocating to governments to improve their policies and programs so they are more disability inclusive, CBM Australia works hard to ensure that wherever people living with disabilities are, they are not left behind. Erly, CBM programme manager in the Philippines, highlights the precarious position of people living with disabilities during the pandemic, and the critical...
Packaging Relief: Responding to COVID-19 in the Philippines
In light of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, CBM Australia's projects have temporarily changed focus to provide immediate assistance to those in need. In the Philippines, a community project initially designed to prepare persons with disabilities and their communities for natural disasters such as typhoons has now adapted to prepare for new and ongoing challenges. Prior...
Adapting to circumstances during the COVID19 crisis: snapshot from the Philippines
During global pandemics such as the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and now the COVID-19 crisis, people living with disabilities can experience reduced agency and independence with changes in routines and support."I am a person with disability. I am independent and I like socialising. But the situation now is challenging. Public transport, including the ride-hailing...
Practical tips for church inclusion of people with disabilities during COVID-19
As we practice social distancing and self-isolation in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, many churches have radically adapted the ways that they operate. Church services are being live-streamed and small groups are meeting online.How can churches ensure they are inclusive of people with disabilities as we connect in these new ways?In 1 Corinthians...
COVID-19, COVID-19-Church
Curbing the Spread: Preventative Measures in our Country Offices
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our country offices have taken precautions to ensure the safety of the staff and communities we work in. In addition to practising strong hygiene habits, the offices have undertaken the following steps:In Bangladesh, the Country Office has readily begun working from home as the whole country experiences lockdowns and...
COVID-19 Puts Further Pressure on People with Disability in Indonesia
The unfolding impact on the livelihoods for many in the communities CBM Australia and our partner organisation work in, presents another dimension of the COVID-19 crisis.Updates from our Country Office in Indonesia have reiterated that many people are now facing economic hardship resulting from the pandemic. "I am sad because the demand of my product...
COVID-19 and community care in Cameroon
In addition to civil unrest, the loss of lives and significant population displacement, the Northwest region of Cameroon is also bracing for the impact of COVID-19, but with so many displaced people, the task of flattening the curve has been made that much harder. "I have been preventing the virus by washing my hands with...
COVID 19: The transition to working from home can take longer for people with vision impairment
Graeme Turner tells his story.I sit at my office desk. And although that's not normally the way to start, it's vital for this story. And while my desk is now at home, I'm still fired up to engage with so many of our wonderful supporters because, as you know at a time like this, those...
A Prayer for our Partners
Please join in quiet contemplation as I pray.Dear God, Our hearts are deeply concerned for communities, people with disabilities and their families, for partner organisations, their staff and leaders facing the pandemic and we want to learn from their grace and perseverance.We bring them to you today. We trust in your goodness, mercy and compassion....
Stevie's thoughts on handling isolation
As we take measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, our lifestyles are severely restricted.I have lived with physical restrictions all my life. I have cerebral palsy and in my adult years I have lived with fatigue and other health problems. This means I require plenty of rest and to spend a lot of time...
A COVID-19 update from our partners in India
As lockdowns come into effect around the globe, CBM Australia remains in close contact with our overseas partners and country offices to monitor the impact COVID-19 lockdowns are having on the communities we work with."India's Coronavirus lockdown has left huge numbers of people stranded and hungry. You may have heard in the news that the...
COVID-19 Nepal Story
To protect their staff and do their part to #flattenthecurve the CBM Nepal Country office staff have all been working from home. Rita oversees the mental health projects for Nepal – an area that only grows in importance as daily life and access to essential services are impacted by COVID-19.Nepal shares borders with India and...
COVID-19 Ethiopia Story
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, we are glad to report CBM Australia was able to assist in the delivery of assistive devices to nearly 100 children living with disabilities in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, before the crisis hit.Over the last six months devices including wheelchairs, crutches, visual aids, spectacles and hearing aids were distributed by...
COVID-19: Philippines Story
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, CBM remains committed to amplifying the voice of people with disabilities who are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.Despite government support, there are concerns for people living with disabilities: "There is no regular work," writes our CBM Philippines Field Coordinator, Evelyn. She agrees that for many people...
COVID-19 Vietnam Story
CBM Australia has been concerned for the health of our partners and projects in light of the recent health crisis, and we are maintaining close contact. Most offices are closed and staff, like Mai from our Vietnam office, are working from home, in close phone contact with our partners as they work to develop local...
COVID-19 Indonesia Story
"All of our partners have excellent skills in community mobilisation and disability inclusion and are well connected to the communities they have been working with as well as local health providers. Together we will work to maintain these relationships throughout this crisis and ensure those most vulnerable are not left behind," states our Indonesia Country...
COVID-19 India Crisis
As the COVID19 crisis continues to unfold, CBM offices everywhere are working hard to contain the crisis. "The situation in India is also not so good but the government has taken precautionary measures and imposed total lockdown across India. Some of the States have imposed a curfew for the safety of the public," writes our...
Including People with Disabilities in the COVID-19 Response
by	Sean Peters
As the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) are felt by more and more people here in Australia and around the world, CBM is committed more than ever to ensuring people with disabilities are not left behind and continue to access their human rights.Even in difficult and uncertain times, we are reminded of Christ's call to love...
COVID-19 Call To Prayer
CBM is supporting the call of Australian church leaders for Christians to pray together, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that is gripping the world.Christians are encouraged to set their alarms to pray for 19 minutes at 1900 hours (7pm) each day, no matter what their time zone."We believe prayer changes things," says Nathan Brown,...
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So why don't we all get together and make games?
I was thinking we all could get together and make a bunch of cheap quick, Iphone games.
Most of the games being played by kids are shite, on all of these phones.
We could work togehter to make quick intresting games, and release a game per week.
I could do the art. The character sprites, backgrounds, X objectss. I could even do a story, or two. Somebody could do the music , and sound effects.
Somebody else could do the programming work.
Together we could make up an idea that can work "even if the new iphone crap standards kicks in.
Seriously their is money to made, and while I have my big PCE ideas, I just want to make something while I still have my eye sight.


text:
Q: Web Api Controller and Thread Pool When a HTTP request is received by IIS, it hands off the request to the requested application in an application pool that is serviced by one or more worker processes. A worker process will spawn a thread from the shared thread pool (if required) to service the http request.
(i) In the context of a web api controller, when this request is received, is the controller instantiated and assigned to the spawned thread?
(ii) When there are multiple http requests to the same api controller, will there be as many instances of the controller per spawned thread?
(iii) In a scenario where a resource that is not thread safe (dbContext) is declared at the class level and instantiated in a constructor and then used in the class methods. Will there be issues committing and managing transactions?
In essence, is there a one-to-one match of controller instance per thread? (I am aware that with asp.net multiple threads can actually service a single http request).

A:
(i) In the context of a web api controller, when this request is
  received, is the controller instantiated and assigned to the spawned
  thread?
  (ii) When there are multiple http requests to the same api controller,
  will there be as many instances of the controller per spawned thread?

When a request is received, a controller instance is created by ControllerFactory or DependencyResolver.
Basically, main thread creates an controller instance, and then the same instance is shared between multiple threads until the request is completed.

(iii) In a scenario where a resource that is not thread safe
  (dbContext) is declared at the class level and instantiated in a
  constructor and then used in the class methods. Will there be issues
  committing and managing transactions?

Yes, share member or static are not thread safe. However, local variables inside action methods are thread safe.

A: Answer to your questions by point:
(i). Yes
(ii). No. Normally controllers are singleton and not thread safe. You create multiple threads to handle multiple request but they cal same controller instance (or service)
(iii).  Yes. Its your responsibility to look after data sanity checks or thread safety concerns. If you don't then you can face all sort of issues like dirty read, dirty ride, thread safety... all kind of thread safety issues.
You can treat controller as service so just delegate the incoming requests to new sub-services or controllers by creating new instance like creating a new task handler for each request BUT you still need to think about thread safety of shared resources like Database.


For most students the semester is winding down, but for three of the fashion department's top students, the work is just beginning.
Earl Mabaquiao, Kristin Yip and Laura Nickel have been named three of 25 finalists in the 2001 Télio Design Competition.
They now have just five days, once their schoolwork is done, to complete a garment they designed for the competition, which will be held in February. The competition, put on be Montreal-based textile company Télio, invites fashion students from across Canada to design and, now that they have been named finalists, create a garment, which will be presented to judges during Montreal Fashion Week.
"Part of the thing that's also stressful about the competition is that we're students, and part of the competition rules is that we can't ask for help from anyone else, so we have to figure everything out on our own. We've all done these crazy designs, not thinking that were actually going to get in and now we have to make it on our own," said Nickel.
But the trio is excited to showcase what they can do.
"It's a pretty big deal for us, especially as students. It's a great opportunity. I think one of the best opportunities as a student in Canada, to show at this event, because it's a national competition and we have so many opportunities in winning the competition. Also, just in being place in those sort of circumstances, getting to talk with media, getting to talk with industry professionals, doing that networking, making those connections, and then also it's a super-fun opportunity for most of us who don't have the opportunity to travel, to have someone put us up in Montreal. Fly us out there and put us up and wine us and dine us. It's really fun," said Nickel.
Following the Montreal Fashion Week, Télio will announce five winners of scholarships totaling $10,000. The will be awarded based on the student's ability to show creativity, use technical skills and capture the theme of the competition: Great Canadian North.
"I was inspired by the Aurora Borealis and its beauty. I wanted to take that beauty and take a still picture of it in the form of a garment," said Yip.
Mabaquiao drew his inspiration for the weather of the north, while Nickel's inspiration for her design came from the imperfections found in the north.
"There's all these cracks and crevices and there's such a rawness about it… These are the things we find so beautiful about the north," said Nickel.
With the semester wrapping up and the university closing for winter break, the three finalist don't have much time to complete their intricate designs before the competition. Because the fashion week and competition have been pushed up a month, the trio won't have much time in the new year to complete their work.
"We don't want to leave it 'til January," said Yip.
Although the stress is clearly beginning to mount for them, with schoolwork to take care of before the start their garment, they have not lost their enthusiasm.
"At the end of the day, we are showing at Montreal Fashion Week, and to do that as students and someone else is giving us that opportunity, it's great. It's exciting but we just have to deliver because our names are attached to it," said Mabaquiao.


text:
Tag: imprisonment
On this day, 25 May 1895, libertarian socialist author Oscar Wilde was imprisoned for two years' hard labour for "indecency". This graphic biography of Oscar Wilde focuses on perhaps the most important phase of the Irish writer's life: his two years behind the iron bars and stone walls of the brutal Victorian prison system. Merlin Holland, Oscar Wilde's grandson, has praised the "quality as well as the sensitivity" of The Season of Sorrow.
With two plays running in London's West End and at the height of his success, Wilde was convicted of gross … More
Biography, graphic novel, homosexuality, imprisonment, on this day, Oscar Wilde, prison, Rob Marland, socialist
Many know of Wilde's spectacular rise and dramatic fall, but less familiar are the circumstances of his ordeal behind the iron bars and stone walls of the brutal Victorian prison system.
Wilde was convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years hard labour. There are many biographies of Wilde, but … More
graphic novel, imprisonment, Oscar Wilde, prison, punishment, Rob Marland, Victorian
What do you do when you find yourself imprisoned in your room for 6 weeks?
Xavier de Maistre, a 27-year-old Frenchman found himself in this uneasy situation when he was arrested in Turin after a … More
confinment, imagination, imprisonment, novel, Xavier de Maistre


text:
Hezbollah takes responsibility for last week's drone over Israel
By David Barnett | October 11, 2012 | [email protected] |
On Oct. 6, the Israeli Air Force shot down a foreign drone near the Yatir Forest in the northern Negev. While the Israeli media quickly pointed the finger at Iran and Hezbollah, Israeli defense officials refrained from disclosing the drone's origin.
Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged that Hezbollah was responsible for the drone. A couple of hours later, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, said that Hezbollah was in fact behind the drone, which he named "Ayoub." According to Nasrallah, the drone was manufactured by Iran and assembled in Lebanon.
During his televised speech, Nasrallah declared that "[i]t is our natural right to send other reconnaissance flights inside occupied Palestine…. This is not the first time and will not be the last. We can reach any place we want." In addition, he claimed that Hezbollah is revealing only parts of its capabilities, while concealing others.
According to a recent Channel 10 report, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) believes that Hezbollah is in possession of dozens of drones, some of which are able to carry explosives. However, the drones are said to be obsolete models that are no longer in use by most nations. Earlier this year, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that "Hezbollah has been allocating increased resources towards bolstering its drone unit."
During the 2006 war with Hezbollah, the Israeli Air Force shot down a number of Hezbollah drones, and in 2004 an Iranian-made drone spent approximately five minutes in Israeli territory. In April 2005, a Hezbollah drone (Mirsad-1) was sent over Israel. According to a secret cable released by Wikileaks, Syrian intelligence officers may have helped Hezbollah with this launch.
Tags: hezbollah, Iran, Israel, lebanon, Syria
sundoesntrise says:
Hezbollah apparently also fired missiles a few times from it's drones during the 2006 war.
Hezbollah is in it's political death throes, it's support for Assad has made it lose major credibility in that region.
Once the Syrian rebels win the war and overthrow Assad, they have repeatedly stated that they will then go after Hezbollah in it's strongholds. That will be a fight to the bloody death.
Tony Buzan says:
In terms of the Sunni Jihadis and al Qaeda turning their sights on Hezbollah after a victory in Syria, Sundoesntrise's comment above is of course true, because there is a MASSIVE civil war between the Shia and the Sunni in Islam.
The Saudi, Sunni, al Qaeda wing believes women should be imprisoned for the felony of driving, that women cannot go to the emergency room without a male escort, cannot be University professors or medical doctors and much more.
Public beheadings are of course the norm in Sunni Saudi Arabia.
By contrast, the "bad guys", the Shia of Hezbollah and Iranian and Bahranian notoriety, believe women should be allowed to drive without fear of arrest, should be medical doctors, surgeons and university professors and members of parliament.
In this Islamic civil war, how wise is it to put ALL of our support on the al Qaeda Sunni faction?
mi1400 says:
isnt it suspecious that Iran's filth going to gangs is glorified in news and if other nations do same no matter how rightfully they get embargoes!?!
essential-intelligence says:
Since only the USN is known to have a full-scale Heli-drone in full operational service, and since neither Nassrallah nor Iran have presented any on a public demonstration, like they usually do – even with early concept prototypes, then his recent statement shouldn't be taken literally. Detailed analysis of this affair can be found here : //essential-intelligence-network.blogspot.com/2012/10/remotely-rotating-middle-east.html
As sundoesntrise stated if the rebels go after Hezbulla this will be AQ against Hezbulla in reality. Not sure that would ever happen. However if it did it would certainly be a bloody affair. Iran is hoping it stays in Syria.
Bungo says:
sundoesntrise said: "Hezbollah is in it's political death throes, it's support for Assad has made it lose major credibility in that region. Once the Syrian rebels win the war and overthrow Assad, they have repeatedly stated that they will then go after Hezbollah in it's strongholds."
That's a very interesting analysis. I've never heard that before. I will watch with great interest to see if this happens. I've always thought Hezbollah had broad support from the general populace in Lebanon. Keep us posted.
mike merlo says:
@sundoesntrise
"That will be a fight to the death." While a most attractive prediction its not going to happen.
There are quite a few tank commanders in the Israeli Defense Forces who would assert that it is not smart to underestimate the military capability of Hezbollah.
Mike Merlo,
Well, if you have some type of omnipresent knowledge of what the FSA will do in the future, then I applaud you for your amazing powers.
thank you for acknowledging my omnipresence or more pointedly my lack thereof. As much as I appreciate what I categorize as "bellum omnium in omnes" (A war of all against all) that has & continues to envelope the 'world' of Islam I don't see it 'arranging' itself as you characterize a possible Hezbollah FSA confrontation. Although I would certainly very much appreciate being proven wrong.
You cannot predict future world events with a certainty. Only a 'maybe'. None of us can. My original post was going off of statements by the FSA leadership themselves of what they would do. No offense, but you're not really in any position at all to say "it would never happen".
Obviously I should point out that I am sceptical it ever will myself. But I am willing to keep an open mind to it, the FSA and ordinary Syrians are tired of Hezbollah killing them just so Assad can survive.
Who knows, Mike; maybe right now, FSA is getting ready to stage an attack at this very moment. Not saying they are for sure, but you never know with these kind of things.