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1 - 10 of 143 results for: ANTHRO ; Currently searching offered courses. You can also include unoffered courses
ANTHRO 1: Introduction to Cultural and Social Anthropology (ANTHRO 201)
This course introduces basic anthropological concepts and presents the discipline¿s distinctive perspective on society and culture. The power of this perspective is illustrated by exploring vividly-written ethnographic cases that show how anthropological approaches illuminate contemporary social and political issues in a range of different cultural sites.
Terms: Win | Units: 3-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI
Instructors: Ferguson, J. (PI) ; Lu, V. (PI) ; Gray, B. (TA) ... more instructors for ANTHRO 1 »
Instructors: Ferguson, J. (PI) ; Lu, V. (PI) ; Gray, B. (TA) ; Lu, V. (TA) ; Xie, T. (TA)
ANTHRO 1 | 3-5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 42278 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | LEC | Students enrolled: 70 / 80
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Tue, Thu 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM at 200-205 with Ferguson, J. (PI)
Exam Date/Time: 2016-03-17 12:15pm - 3:15pm (Exam Schedule)
Instructors: Ferguson, J. (PI)
ANTHRO 1 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 42804 | Section 02 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | DIS | Students enrolled: 21 / 30
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Tue 4:30 PM - 5:20 PM at 40-41J with Lu, V. (PI)
Instructors: Lu, V. (PI)
ANTHRO 1 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 42805 | Section 03 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | DIS | Students enrolled: 11
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Wed 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM at 420-286 with Lu, V. (TA)
Instructors: Lu, V. (TA)
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Wed 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM at 420-286 with Xie, T. (TA)
Instructors: Xie, T. (TA)
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Fri 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM at 40-41J with Gray, B. (TA)
Instructors: Gray, B. (TA)
ANTHRO 1 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 58056 | Section 06 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | DIS | Students enrolled: 7
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Tue 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at 40-41J with Xie, T. (TA)
ANTHRO 1 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 58055 (CANCELLED) | Section 07 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | DIS
Notes: This class section has been cancelled!
ANTHRO 1S: Introduction to Cultural and Social Anthropology (ANTHRO 101S)
Terms: Sum | Units: 3-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI
Instructors: Pepi, E. (PI) ; Simpson, I. (TA)
ANTHRO 1S | 3-5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 26688 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | LEC | Students enrolled: 11
06/20/2016 - 08/11/2016 Mon, Wed 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM at 50-51A with Pepi, E. (PI); Simpson, I. (TA)
Instructors: Pepi, E. (PI); Simpson, I. (TA)
ANTHRO 1S | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 37942 | Section 02 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | DIS
06/20/2016 - 08/11/2016 Mon 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM at 50-51A with Simpson, I. (TA)
Instructors: Simpson, I. (TA)
ANTHRO 3: Introduction to Prehistoric Archeology (ARCHLGY 1)
Aims, methods, and data in the study of human society's development from early hunters through late prehistoric civilizations. Archaeological sites and remains characteristic of the stages of cultural development for selected geographic areas, emphasizing methods of data collection and analysis appropriate to each.
Terms: Aut, Spr | Units: 3-5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI
Instructors: Bauer, A. (PI) ; Bautista, S. (TA) ; Busacca, G. (TA) ; Mazzucato, C. (TA)
ANTHRO 3 | 3-5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 15384 (CANCELLED) | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | LEC
ANTHRO 3 | 3-5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-GlobalCom, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI | Class # 46660 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | LEC | Students enrolled: 17
03/28/2016 - 06/01/2016 Mon, Wed 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM at 380-380Y with Bauer, A. (PI); Bautista, S. (TA); Busacca, G. (TA); Mazzucato, C. (TA)
03/28/2016 - 06/01/2016 Wed 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM at 420-245 with Bauer, A. (PI); Bautista, S. (TA); Busacca, G. (TA); Mazzucato, C. (TA)
Instructors: Bauer, A. (PI); Bautista, S. (TA); Busacca, G. (TA); Mazzucato, C. (TA)
ANTHRO 12: Anthropology and Art
Modernity. How the concept of art appears timeless and commonsensical in the West, and with what social consequences. Historicizing the emergence of art. Modernist uses of primitive, child art, asylum, and outsider art.
Terms: Aut, Spr | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum
Instructors: Malkki, L. (PI)
ANTHRO 12 | 5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum | Class # 28359 (CANCELLED) | Section 01 | Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit | SEM
ANTHRO 12 | 5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum | Class # 46855 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit | SEM | Students enrolled: 8
03/28/2016 - 06/01/2016 Wed 9:30 AM - 12:20 PM at 40-41J with Malkki, L. (PI)
Additional Resources: (Login to view additional resources)
ANTHRO 16: Native Americans in the 21st Century: Encounters, Identity, and Sovereignty in Contemporary America (ANTHRO 116C, ARCHLGY 16, NATIVEAM 16)
What does it mean to be a Native American in the 21st century? Beyond traditional portrayals of military conquests, cultural collapse, and assimilation, the relationships between Native Americans and American society. Focus is on three themes leading to in-class moot court trials: colonial encounters and colonizing discourses; frontiers and boundaries; and sovereignty of self and nation. Topics include gender in native communities, American Indian law, readings by native authors, and Indians in film and popular culture.
Terms: Win | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-AmerCul, WAY-ED, WAY-SI
Instructors: Wilcox, M. (PI)
ANTHRO 16 | 5 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, GER:EC-AmerCul, WAY-ED, WAY-SI | Class # 44969 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | LEC | Students enrolled: 12
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Mon, Wed 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM at 200-124 with Wilcox, M. (PI)
ANTHRO 25SC: Parks and Peoples in Patagonia: Dilemmas of Protected Area Conservation (HUMBIO 15SC)
This course uses the diverse parks and reserves of Patagonia as a laboratory for understanding the pros and cons of protected area conservation as they impact flora, fauna, and local people. We will explore national parks and protected areas (PAs) in both Argentina and Chile, as well as the flourishing establishment of private parks and reserves in the region. We will use a series of case studies to ask: (1) What approach to protected area (PA) conservation has been taken in each case? Who are/were the key proponents and what are/were their main objectives? Was climate change taken into account and if so, how? (2) What have been the main costs and benefits of the PA, and who has received them? Where benefits are not commensurate to costs what is being done to address the imbalance? And (3) Are there alternatives or variations-on-the-theme of protected area conservation that would be more beneficial for wildlife and local people? How could the interests of parks and people be made more compatible in each case? Throughout the course we will look for ways to achieve conservation in a manner that is socially just, biologically successful, and beneficial to local livelihoods.nnThe class will begin on the Stanford campus at the same time as other Sophomore College courses. But on Sept. 12 we depart on an intensive thirteen-day expedition (at no extra cost) to Argentina and Chile to observe firsthand many of the conservation issues and successes discussed in class. For this portion of the class, undergraduates will be joined by a group of Stanford alumni and friends in a format called a Stanford "Field Seminar." Because our class time on campus is limited to one week before travel, students will be required to complete all course readings over the summer. Both on campus and in South America, the course emphasizes student contributions and presentations. Students will be asked to lead discussions and carry out literature research on the conservation challenges of particular Patagonian protected areas and species. The final assignment for the seminar is to complete a seven- to ten-page paper on their findings and to present the main conclusions of that paper in a joint seminar of undergrads and alumni as we travel in Patagonia. nnNote: Students will arrive on campus and will be housed at Stanford until we leave for Patagonia. The travel components of the course are organized and managed by the Travel/Study Program of the Stanford Alumni Association. The costs of the trip (except incidentals) are included, thanks to the support of the Stanford Field Seminar Fund and generous donors. Students will return to campus on Sunday, September 25, the day before the fall term begins. Sophomore College course, applications required. Submit by April 5, 2016 at http://soco.stanford.edu .
Terms: Sum | Units: 2
Instructors: Durham, W. (PI)
ANTHRO 25SC | 2 units | Class # 27730 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | SCS | Students enrolled: 7
06/20/2016 - 08/11/2016 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM with Durham, W. (PI)
Notes: This class has a $1400 course fee.
ANTHRO 30: Linguistic Field Methods (LINGUIST 274A)
Practical training in the collection and analysis of linguistic data from native speakers of a language largely unknown to the investigator. Documentation of endangered languages. Research goals, field trip preparation, ethics (including human subjects, cooperation with local investigators, and governmental permits), working in the community, technical equipment, and analytical strategies. Emphasis is on the use of recording devices and computers in collection and analysis. Students are strongly encouraged to make a commitment to both 274A and 274B in the same year. Prerequisites: One course in phonetics or phonology and syntax, or permission of the instructor. Open to undergraduates with permission of instructor only.
Terms: Win | Units: 3-4
Instructors: Baglini, R. (PI)
ANTHRO 30 | 3-4 units | Class # 46991 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit | SEM
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Fri 9:30 AM - 12:20 PM at 460-110 with Baglini, R. (PI)
ANTHRO 30Q: The Big Shift
Is the middle class shrinking? How do people who live at the extremes of American society- the super rich, the working poor and those who live on the margins, imagine and experience "the good life"? How do we understand phenomena such as gang cultures, addiction and the realignment of white consciousness? This class uses the methods and modes of ethnographic study in an examination of American culture. Ethnographic materials range from an examination of the new American wealth boom of the last 20 years (Richistan by Robert Frank) to the extreme and deadlynworld of the invisible underclass of homeless addicts on the streets of San Francisco (Righteous Dopefiend by Phillipe Bourgois and Jeff Schonberg). The experiences of Hispanic immigrants and the struggle to escape gang life in Los Angeles are highlighted in the story of Homeboy Industries a job creation program initiated by a priest working in LA's most deadly neighborhoods (G-Dog and the Homeboys by Celeste Fremon). Finally in Searching for Whitopia: an improbable journeyninto the heart of White America, Rich Benjamin explores the creation on ethnic enclaves (whitopias) as fear over immigration and the shrinking white majority redefine race consciousnessnin the 21st century. Each of these narratives provides a window into the various ways in which Americans approach the subjects of wealth and the good life, poverty and the underclass, and thenconstruction of class, race, and gender in American society. Students will not be required to have any previous knowledge, just curiosity and an open mind.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci
ANTHRO 30Q | 4 units | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci | Class # 17751 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | ISS | Students enrolled: 10 / 14
09/21/2015 - 12/04/2015 Mon, Wed 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM at Gilbert Biological Science 117 with Wilcox, M. (PI)
ANTHRO 41: Genes and Identity (AFRICAAM 41, CSRE 41A)
In recent decades genes have increasingly become endowed with the cultural power to explain many aspects of human life: physical traits, diseases, behaviors, ancestral histories, and identity. In this course we will explore a deepening societal intrigue with genetic accounts of personal identity and political meaning. Students will engage with varied interdisciplinary sources that range from legal cases to scientific articles, medical ethics guidelines, films, and anthropological works (ethnographies). We will explore several case studies where the use of DNA markers (as proof of heritage, disease risk, or legal standing) has spawned cultural movements that are biosocial in nature. Throughout we will look at how new social movements are organized around gene-based definitions of personhood, health, and legal truth. Several examples include political analyses of citizenship and belonging. On this count we will discuss issues of African ancestry testing as evidence in slavery reparations cases, revisit debates on whether Black Freedman should be allowed into the Cherokee and Seminole Nations, and hear arguments on whether people with genetic links to Jewish groups should have a right of return to Israel. We will also examine the ways genetic knowledge may shape different health politics at the individual and societal level. On this count we will do close readings of how personal genomics testing companies operate, we will investigate how health disparities funding as well as orphan disease research take on new valences when re-framed in genetic terms, and we will see how new articulations of global health priorities are emerging through genetic research in places like Africa. Finally we will explore social implications of forensic uses of DNA. Here we will examine civil liberties concerns about genetic familial searching in forensic databases that disproportionately target specific minority groups as criminal suspects, and inquire into the use of DNA to generate digital mugshots of suspects that re-introduce genetic concepts of race.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-ED, WAY-SI
Instructors: Fullwiley, D. (PI) ; Moots, H. (PI) ; Soon-Shiong, N. (TA)
ANTHRO 41 | 3 units | UG Reqs: WAY-ED, WAY-SI | Class # 46575 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | SEM | Students enrolled: 35 / 50
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Mon 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM at 380-380W with Fullwiley, D. (PI)
Instructors: Fullwiley, D. (PI)
ANTHRO 41 | UG Reqs: WAY-ED, WAY-SI | Class # 58158 | Section 02 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | DIS
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Mon 7:30 PM - 8:50 PM at 420-050 with Evans, B. (TA)
Instructors: Evans, B. (TA)
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Mon 7:30 PM - 8:50 PM at 420-245 with Soon-Shiong, N. (TA)
Instructors: Soon-Shiong, N. (TA)
01/04/2016 - 03/11/2016 Mon 7:30 PM - 8:50 PM at 380-381U with Moots, H. (PI)
Instructors: Moots, H. (PI)
ANTHRO 42: Megacities
In this course we will examine the meaning, processes, and challenges of urbanization. Through a series of targeted readings across history and geography and through the study of varied means of representation (anthropology, literature, cartography, film, etc), the class will analyze the ways in which urban forms have come into being and created, met, and/or ignored challenges such as disease, water, transport, religious and class conflict, colonialism, labor, and trade. Students will read anthropology in conjunction with other disciplines (literature, urban planning, public health, architecture, and economics) to learn the ways in which ethnographies of immigration, urban poverty, class disparity, economic development and indicators, noise, and transportation substantively augment our understandings of how people live within globalization.
Terms: Spr | Units: 5
Instructors: Jain, S. (PI)
ANTHRO 42 | 5 units | Class # 47543 | Section 01 | Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP) | SEM | Students enrolled: 12
03/28/2016 - 06/01/2016 Tue, Thu 10:30 AM - 11:50 AM at School of Education 313 with Jain, S. (PI)
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I love dishes that don't require constant stirring and peeking and checking. Like this country style pork ribs with roast vegetables and gravy. Not exactly a one-pot dish but somewhere near. Brown the pork, braise in the oven, toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper, pop in the oven, and everything cooks at the same time. By the time the pork is tender and the vegetables are lightly crisp, the only thing left to be done is to strain the pork juices and thicken it with flour to make the gravy.
What are country style pork ribs? It is a pork cut that is commonly associated with barbecuing.
Cut from the blade end of the pork loin, next to the shoulder, these ribs contain a lot of fat, and may or may not contain bone. They are not the easiest eating type of rib for eating with the fingers because of the placement of the fat throughout the meat and the shape of the bone. But they are tasty.
I like the cut that includes some bone because the bone contains a lot of flavor which get transferred to the meat during cooking.
This recipe serves six (I set aside two portions that the girls will bring — frozen — to the condo for reheating during the week).
Heat a non-stick frying pan. Brown the pork ribs on both sides to sear. Note that if you're not using a non-stick pan, you may have to use a little oil. Brown the pork in batches, if necessary. As each piece browns, transfer to a wide baking dish which can hold all the pork pieces in one layer. Add the celery, leeks and carrot. Pour in the broth. Sprinkle some salt and pepper. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in a preheated 325F oven, at the center of the middle rack, for 45 minutes.
When the pork has been in the oven for 30 minutes, prepare the roasted vegetables. Dice the potatoes, carrots and eggplants. Place in a bowl. Pour in the olive oil. Add the parsley, salt and pepper. Toss to coast each piece of vegetable with oil and to distribute the seasonings evenly. Spread on a pan (line it with baking paper to make sure that nothing sticks during cooking) in a single layer.
Take the pork out of the oven and peel off the foil. Return the pork to the oven but position it on a lower rack. Place the tray with the vegetables on an upper rack. Turn up the heat to 350F and cook everything for 20 to 30 minutes or until the vegetables are done.
Lift the pork to a plate and keep warm. Tip the roasted vegetables to a bowl and keep warm.
Strain the pork juices. If you have less than a cup, add more broth to make about two cups. Pour about a quarter cup into a small bowl. Heat the rest in a pan. Dissolve the flour in the broth in the bowl. Add to the pan, stirring. Add more salt or pepper, or both, if needed. When the mixture boils, turn down the heat to medium and boil gently for about five minutes to completely cook the flour (otherwise, the gravy will leave a powdery sensation in the mouth). Turn off the heat. Stir in the butter.
To serve, place a piece of pork on a plate. Add the vegetables on one side. Drizzle with gravy.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Q: How to apply gaussian blur to contour lines using Numpy and Skimage I'm currently trying to create an image preprocessor that adds specific noise for AI training. In this case, I'm trying to add contour lines over the top of my input image that resemble sketch lines.
So far I have been able to get these lines drawn on my image, but they are very sharp and pixelated, which obviously doesn't resemble real artist-drawn lines. I need some way to apply a slight blur to soften these edges, but so far I have not been able to do this.
Here is a visual guide to what I am trying to achieve:

I need to find the contours in image (A) and draw them onto a new layer with alpha channel (B). I then need to blur these lines (C) and paste it back onto the original image (D).
Here is the section I'm having problems with:
    # Convert the image to a NumPy array
    augmented_image = np.array(augmented_image)
    augmented_shape = augmented_image.shape
    # Convert image back to color
    grey_image = color.rgb2gray(augmented_image)
    # Detect the contours of the image using the Canny edge detector
    edges = feature.canny(grey_image, sigma=3)

    # Create a blank image with dimensions 256 x 256
    blank_image = np.zeros((256, 256, 4))

    # Create a copy of the image to draw the contours on and convert to 4 layers rgba
    alpha = np.ones((augmented_image.shape[0], augmented_image.shape[1], 1), dtype=augmented_image.dtype) * 255
    augmented_image = np.concatenate([augmented_image, alpha], axis=2)

    # Iterate over the contours
    for contour in measure.find_contours(edges, 0.8):
        # Set offset
        offset = 10

        # Select a random point along the contour
        point = np.random.randint(0, len(contour))
        start_row, start_col = contour[point]

        start_row = start_row + offset
        start_col = start_col + offset
        start_row = np.clip(start_row, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)
        start_col = np.clip(start_col, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)

        # Select a random point along the contour that is not the same as the first point
        point = np.random.randint(0, len(contour))
        while point == start_row:
            point = np.random.randint(0, len(contour))
        end_row, end_col = contour[point]

        end_row = end_row + offset
        end_col = end_col + offset
        end_row = np.clip(end_row, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)
        end_col = np.clip(end_col, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)

        # Draw the line on the image using the draw.line function
        rr, cc = draw.line(int(start_row), int(start_col), int(end_row), int(end_col))
        blank_image[rr, cc] = 30

    # Smooth the contour lines using the gaussian function
    blank_image = filters.gaussian(blank_image, sigma=1)

    # Make sure image is same data-type
    blank_image = blank_image.astype(augmented_image.dtype)

    # Create a mask for the contour lines
    blank_alpha = blank_image[:, :, 3:]
    mask = np.any(blank_alpha > 0, axis=2)
    # Apply the smooth image to the masked region of the original image
    augmented_image[mask] = blank_image[mask]

    # Convert image back to 3 layers rgb
    augmented_image = augmented_image[:, :, :3]

I know that the problem lies somewhere in the 'mask' variable definition. Something about it being a boolean type just pastes a line of pure black squares on my image rather than the expected blurred line. No amount of messing with layer order or adding extra layers to copy from has fixed this.

Doing this process without trying to blur the lines works great, minus the fact that it's very pixelated and doesn't fit the style of the training data. Blurring the image without trying to re-combine anything produces an adequate blurred line as well, however the entire image is blurred.
Here's what I can produce without the blurring process, and a rough idea of what I would like the final product to look like (made in Photoshop)

It's only when I try to mask and combine that this becomes a problem. I will post the full code below for anyone to run on their own system:
import random
import numpy as np
import skimage
from skimage.transform import rotate, resize
from skimage import draw, feature, color, measure, filters, util
from skimage.util import random_noise
import PIL
from PIL import Image
import os
import argparse
import cv2
from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.image as mpimg
from pathlib import Path
import imghdr

# Set parser args
parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
parser.add_argument("--dirty_dir", help="path to folder containing dirty images")
parser.add_argument("--clean_dir", help="path to folder containing clean images")
parser.add_argument("--dirty_savedir", help="path to dirty output folder")
parser.add_argument("--clean_savedir", help="path to clean output folder")

a = parser.parse_args()

# Set folder paths
dirty_dir = a.dirty_dir + '/'
clean_dir = a.clean_dir + '/'
dirty_savedir = a.dirty_savedir + '/'
clean_savedir = a.clean_savedir + '/'

print(f"Source Folder: {dirty_dir}")
print(f"Source Folder: {clean_dir}")
print(f"Output Folder: {dirty_savedir}")
print(f"Output Folder: {clean_savedir}")

def augment_image(image, filename, clean_dir):
    for i in range(8):
        # Create list for clean imgs
        clean_list = []
        # Randomly select a 256x256 region
        w, h = image.size[0], image.size[1]
        print(w,h)
        top = random.randint(0, h - 256)
        left = random.randint(0, w - 256)
        right = left + 256
        bottom = top + 256
        dims = [left, top, right, bottom]

        print(f'{filename} dimensions:{dims}')

        # Add dimensions to clean_list
        clean_list.extend(dims)

        augmented_image = image.crop((dims))
        print(f'{filename} shape: {augmented_image.size}')

        # Randomly rotate the image by 90, 180, or 270 degrees
        angle = random.choice([0, 90, 180, 270])
        augmented_image = augmented_image.rotate(angle)

        # Add angle to list
        clean_list.append(angle)

        # Randomly flip the image horizontally
        flip_lr = random.choice([True, False])
        if flip_lr == True:
            augmented_image = augmented_image.transpose(Image.FLIP_LEFT_RIGHT)
            clean_list.append("flip_lr")
        else:
            clean_list.append("none")
        # Randomly flip the image vertically
        flip_tb = random.choice([True, False])
        if flip_tb == True:
            augmented_image = augmented_image.transpose(Image.FLIP_TOP_BOTTOM)
            clean_list.append("flip_tb")
        else:
            clean_list.append("none")

        # Convert the image to a NumPy array
        augmented_image = np.array(augmented_image)
        augmented_shape = augmented_image.shape
        # Convert image back to color
        grey_image = color.rgb2gray(augmented_image)
        # Detect the contours of the image using the Canny edge detector
        edges = feature.canny(grey_image, sigma=3)

        # Create a blank image with dimensions 256 x 256
        blank_image = np.zeros((256, 256, 4))

        # Create a copy of the image to draw the contours on and convert to 4 layers rgba
        alpha = np.ones((augmented_image.shape[0], augmented_image.shape[1], 1), dtype=augmented_image.dtype) * 255
        augmented_image = np.concatenate([augmented_image, alpha], axis=2)

        # Iterate over the contours
        for contour in measure.find_contours(edges, 0.8):
            # Set offset
            offset = 10

            # Select a random point along the contour
            point = np.random.randint(0, len(contour))
            start_row, start_col = contour[point]

            start_row = start_row + offset
            start_col = start_col + offset
            start_row = np.clip(start_row, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)
            start_col = np.clip(start_col, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)

            # Select a random point along the contour that is not the same as the first point
            point = np.random.randint(0, len(contour))
            while point == start_row:
                point = np.random.randint(0, len(contour))
            end_row, end_col = contour[point]

            end_row = end_row + offset
            end_col = end_col + offset
            end_row = np.clip(end_row, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)
            end_col = np.clip(end_col, 0, augmented_shape[0] - 1)

            # Draw the line on the image using the draw.line function
            rr, cc = draw.line(int(start_row), int(start_col), int(end_row), int(end_col))
            blank_image[rr, cc] = 30

        # Smooth the contour lines using the gaussian function
        blank_image = filters.gaussian(blank_image, sigma=1)

        # Make sure image is same data-type
        blank_image = blank_image.astype(augmented_image.dtype)

        # Create a mask for the contour lines
        blank_alpha = blank_image[:, :, 3:]
        mask = np.any(blank_alpha > 0, axis=2)
        # Apply the smooth image to the masked region of the original image
        augmented_image[mask] = blank_image[mask]

        # Convert image back to 3 layers rgb
        augmented_image = augmented_image[:, :, :3]

        ## Add more noise types (lines, wrinkles, color)/make noise random chance to occur ##
        # Add random noise to the image
        noise = random_noise(augmented_image, mode='pepper', amount=0.011)

        # Convert the noisy image back to a PIL image
        augmented_image = np.random.random_sample(augmented_image.shape) * 255
        augmented_image = np.array(255 * noise, dtype=np.uint8)
        augmented_image = Image.fromarray(augmented_image)

        # Save file
        augmented_image.save(dirty_savedir + '_' + str(i) + '_' + filename)

        print(clean_list)

        # Function to mirror edits onto clean images
        def clean_aug(clean_dir, clean_list):
            # Open clean directory
            for filename in os.listdir(f"{clean_dir}"):
                # Rule out any weird Mac files
                if not filename.startswith("._"):
                    with Image.open(clean_dir + filename) as image:
                        # Define clean dimensions
                        clean_dims = clean_list[0:4]
                        # Crop image
                        clean_augmented = image.crop((clean_dims))
                        # Rotate clean image
                        clean_augmented = clean_augmented.rotate(clean_list[4])
                        # Flip clean image
                        if clean_list[5] == 'flip_lr':
                            clean_augmented = clean_augmented.transpose(Image.FLIP_LEFT_RIGHT)
                        if clean_list[6] == 'flip_tb':
                            clean_augmented = clean_augmented.transpose(Image.FLIP_TOP_BOTTOM)
                        # Save clean images
                        clean_augmented.save(clean_savedir + '_' + str(i) + '_' + filename)

                        print("Clean alterations copied successfully")

        clean_aug(clean_dir, clean_list)

# Clean up unnecessary files
def file_scrub():
    dirty_dir = dirty_savedir
    image_extensions = [".png", ".jpg"]  # add there all your images file extensions

    img_type_accepted_by_tf = ["bmp", "gif", "jpeg", "png"]
    for filepath in Path(dirty_dir).rglob("*"):
        if filepath.suffix.lower() in image_extensions:
            img_type = imghdr.what(filepath)
            if img_type is None:
                print(f"{filepath} is not an image")
            elif img_type not in img_type_accepted_by_tf:
                print(f"{filepath} is a {img_type}, not accepted by TensorFlow")

def image_aug(dirty_dir, clean_dir):
    for filename in os.listdir(f"{dirty_dir}"):
        # Check if the filename starts with "._"
        if not filename.startswith("._"):
            with Image.open(dirty_dir + filename) as image:
                # Open the image
                augment_image(image, filename, clean_dir)

image_aug(dirty_dir, clean_dir)
file_scrub()

Apologies for the cumbersome codebase. I just wanted to minimize the risk of discrepancies arising from an attempt at concatenating my script. If there is any clarification I can provide please let me know!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Professor Walter is the author of thirty-three learned articles and more than 100 reviews in such journals as The Journal of American History, The Georgia Historical Quarterly, The Western Historical Quarterly, Afro-Americans in New York Life and History, Revista Inter-Americana, American Studies Today(United Kingdom) and the Seattle Times.
Dr. Walter wrote the lead essay on sports for the Encyclopedia of African American Culture and History in 1996, and a similar essay for the Encyclopedia of American Studies in 2001.
Professor Walter has traveled widely in the U.S. and abroad. To date, he has presented more than 100 scholarly lectures at colleges such as Davidson, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Citadel, Bard College, and at Duke, Toronto (Canada) and Brown Universities.
Abroad, Professor Walter has lectured at the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies, the Free University of Berlin, John Moores Liverpool University, Manchester Metropolitan University and the U.S. Embassy in London.
Professor Walter regularly gives talks and speeches before civic organizations on African American topics, and ins in particular demand during Black History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebrations.
In December 2008 Dr. Walter will moderate a panel on new trends in African American literature at the University of Malaga (Malaga, Spain).


text:
Q: laravel registration : add error to validation generated outside of validation so this is my register controller
protected function validator(array $data)
{

    return Validator;
}

/**
 * Create a new user instance after a valid registration.
 *
 * @param  array  $data
 * @return User
 */
protected function create(array $data)
{
   register here
}

I want to add a referral system to this process basically when registering user might send a refer_id (id of a user who has referred this user to website), I'll check that refer id and if it was valid I'll do some my thing
I want to change my validation function to something like
protected function validator(array $data)
{

    $validation = Validator::make($data, [
        'email' => ['required' ,'email' , 'max:255', Rule::unique('users')->where('rep_id' ,  $this->rep->id) ] ,
        'password' => 'required|string|min:6|confirmed',
        'name' => 'required|max:255',
        'last_name' => 'required|max:255',
        'refer_id' => 'present|numeric',

    ]);

    if(isset($data['refer_id']))
    {
        $refer = User::find($data['refer_id']) ;
        if($refer)
        {
            // return error : refer id is wrong !
        }
    }

    return $validation ;
}

my problem is this part
// return error: refer id is wrong!

how can I return registering the user with this error back to view or add this error to validation errors?

A: Laravel has a clean approach to do this
try this
'refer_id' => 'nullable|exists:users,id'

or may be
'refer_id' => 'present|numeric|exists:users,id'


text:
package com.ashitakalax.scheduledtimelapse.adapter;

import android.content.Context;
import android.database.Cursor;
import android.support.v4.view.ViewParentCompat;
import android.support.v4.widget.CursorAdapter;
import android.support.v7.widget.CardView;
import android.view.LayoutInflater;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.view.ViewParent;
import android.widget.CompoundButton;
import android.widget.Switch;
import android.widget.TextView;

import com.ashitakalax.scheduledtimelapse.R;
import com.ashitakalax.scheduledtimelapse.alarm.AlarmReceiver;

import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.Locale;

/**
 * Created by lballing on 8/12/2016.
 */
public class ProjectCursorAdapter extends CursorAdapter {
    // These indices are tied to FORECAST_COLUMNS.  If FORECAST_COLUMNS changes, these
    // must change.
    static final int COL_PROJECT_ID = 0;
    static final int COL_PROJECT_TITLE = 1;
    static final int COL_PROJECT_FREQUENCY = 2;
    static final int COL_PROJECT_START_TIME = 3;
    static final int COL_PROJECT_END_TIME = 4;
    static final int COL_PROJECT_ACTIVE = 5;

    private SimpleDateFormat dateTimeFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("EEE, MMM d, yyyy  hh:mm aaa", Locale.US);

    private OnProjectSelected mOnProjectSelected;
    private OnProjectActiveStateChanged mOnProjectActiveChanged;
    private ArrayList<Switch> mSwitchList;
    public interface OnProjectSelected {
        void onProjectSelected(long projectId);
    }
    public interface OnProjectActiveStateChanged {
        void onProjectActiveState(int projectId, boolean isActive);
    }

    public ProjectCursorAdapter(Context context, Cursor c, int flags)
    {
        super(context, c, flags);
        this.mSwitchList = new ArrayList<>();
    }

    public void setOnProjectSelectListener(OnProjectSelected listener)
    {
        mOnProjectSelected = listener;
    }
    public void setmOnProjectActiveChanged(OnProjectActiveStateChanged listener)
    {
        this.mOnProjectActiveChanged = listener;
    }

    @Override
    public View newView(Context context, Cursor cursor, ViewGroup parent) {

        View view = LayoutInflater.from(context).inflate(R.layout.project_card, parent, false);
        int id = cursor.getInt(COL_PROJECT_ID);
        view.setId(id);
        view.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
            @Override
            public void onClick(View view) {
                mOnProjectSelected.onProjectSelected(view.getId());
            }
        });
        Switch activeSwitch = (Switch) view.findViewById(R.id.projectActiveSwitch);
        activeSwitch.setTag(id);
        activeSwitch.setOnCheckedChangeListener(new CompoundButton.OnCheckedChangeListener() {
            @Override
            public void onCheckedChanged(CompoundButton compoundButton, boolean b) {
                int projectId = (int)compoundButton.getTag();
                mOnProjectActiveChanged.onProjectActiveState(projectId, b);
                if(b) {
                    compoundButton.setText(R.string.card_subtitle_active);
                }
                else {
                    compoundButton.setText(R.string.card_subtitle_inactive);
                }
            }
        });
        return view;
    }

    @Override
    public void bindView(View view, Context context, Cursor cursor) {

        CardView cardView = (CardView)view.findViewById(R.id.card_view);
        TextView titleTextView = (TextView)view.findViewById(R.id.title_text_view);
        TextView frequencyTextView = (TextView)view.findViewById(R.id.frequency_text_view);
        TextView startTimeTextView = (TextView)view.findViewById(R.id.start_time_text_view);
        TextView endTimeTextView = (TextView)view.findViewById(R.id.end_time_text_view);
        Switch activeSwitch = (Switch) view.findViewById(R.id.projectActiveSwitch);

        // todo add image to cardview(either default or one that is part of the set)
        titleTextView.setText(cursor.getString(COL_PROJECT_TITLE));
        String freqStr = "Frequency " + cursor.getFloat(COL_PROJECT_FREQUENCY);
        frequencyTextView.setText( freqStr);
        startTimeTextView.setText(dateTimeFormat.format(new Date(cursor.getLong(COL_PROJECT_START_TIME))));
        long endTime = cursor.getLong(COL_PROJECT_END_TIME);
        Calendar endCalendar = Calendar.getInstance();
        endCalendar.setTimeInMillis(endTime);
        endTimeTextView.setText(dateTimeFormat.format(new Date(cursor.getLong(COL_PROJECT_END_TIME))));
        String activeStatus;

        Calendar now = Calendar.getInstance();
        if(endCalendar.getTimeInMillis() < now.getTimeInMillis())
        {
            cardView.setElevation(R.dimen.cardview_default_elevation);
            activeSwitch.setChecked(false);
            activeSwitch.setEnabled(false);
            activeStatus = context.getString(R.string.project_card_expired);
        }
        else if(cursor.getString(COL_PROJECT_ACTIVE).equals("1"))
        {
            activeSwitch.setChecked(true);
            cardView.setElevation(R.dimen.card_raised_elevation);

            activeStatus = context.getString(R.string.project_card_active);
        }
        else
        {
            cardView.setElevation(R.dimen.cardview_default_elevation);
            activeSwitch.setChecked(false);
            activeStatus = context.getString(R.string.project_card_inactive);
        }
        activeSwitch.setText(activeStatus);
    }
}


Here's a list of our upcoming events, we'll update it as information becomes available. If you go to a show be sure to stop by and say "hello" we'd love to meet you or see you again. Maybe we can even sell you some art.
Meet talented artists and absorb a world of color, energy, and beauty. Take something home with you! Every artist vending at ABF has one item to raffle at VAC's Raffle Tents at the front of the park. If you purchase artwork at the festival, get one free raffle ticket per $50 that you spend when you show your receipt at the VAC raffle tent. Or purchase 1 ticket for $1 or 6 tickets for $5.
All day Saturday and Sunday there will be live music on the stage in the center of the park. Enjoy everything from folk music and blues to belly dancing!
Need to take a break from all of the ABF excitement? Take a short walk up Bell Street to Valley Art Center to see our exterior mural- the first sanctioned mural in Chagrin Falls Village.


text:
#ifndef SEASIDE_H
#define SEASIDE_H

#include <QAbstractItemModel>
#include <QUuid>
#include <QContact>
#include <QtDebug>

class SeasideProxyModel;

using namespace QtMobility;

class Seaside
{
public:
    enum Role {
      DataRole = Qt::UserRole + 0,
        SearchRole = Qt::UserRole + 1
    };

    enum Column {
        ColumnFirstName,
        ColumnLastName,
        ColumnCompany,
    //  ColumnTitle, //TODO: Add title
        ColumnBirthday,
        ColumnAnniversary,
        ColumnAvatar,
        ColumnFavorite,
	ColumnisSelf,
        ColumnIMAccounts, //REVISIT
        ColumnEmailAddresses,
        ColumnPhoneNumbers,
        ColumnPhoneContexts,
        ColumnPhoneTypes,
        ColumnAddresses,
        ColumnAddressContexts,
        ColumnPresence,
        ColumnUuid,
        ColumnCommTimestamp,
        ColumnCommType,
        ColumnCommLocation,
        ColumnLast = ColumnCommLocation
    };

    enum Presence {
        PresenceAvailable,
        PresenceAway,
        PresenceOffline,
	PresenceBusy, //REVISIT
        PresenceUnknown
    };

    enum CommType {
        CommCallDialed    = 0x0001,
        CommCallReceived  = 0x0002,
        CommCallMissed    = 0x0004,
        CommSmsSent       = 0x0010,
        CommSmsReceived   = 0x0020,
        CommEmailSent     = 0x0100,
        CommEmailReceived = 0x0200,
        CommIMSent        = 0x1000, //REVISIT
        CommIMReceived    = 0x2000, //REVISIT
        CommNone          = 0x0000
    };

    enum Location {
        LocationMobile,
        LocationHome,
        LocationWork,
	LocationOther, //REVISIT
        LocationNone
    };

    static inline QVariant field(const QAbstractItemModel *model, int row, int column)
    {
        return model->index(row, column).data(DataRole);
    }

    // convenience functions for working with QContact
    // items where we support only one detail
private:
    static QString contactName(const QContact *contact);
    static QString contactFirstName(const QContact *contact);
    static QString contactLastName(const QContact *contact);
    static QString contactAvatarPath(const QContact *contact);
    static QString contactOrganization(const QContact *contact);
    static QDate contactBirthday(const QContact *contact);
    static QDate contactAnniversary(const QContact *contact);
    static bool contactFavorite(const QContact *contact);
    static bool contactisSelf(const QContact *contact);
    static Presence contactPresence(const QContact *contact);
    static QUuid contactUuid(const QContact *contact);
    static QDateTime contactCommTimestamp(const QContact *contact);
    // items where we support multiple details
    static QStringList contactEmailAddresses(const QContact *contact);
    static QStringList contactIMAccounts(QContact *contact); //REVISIT
    static QStringList contactAddresses(const QContact *contact);
    static QStringList contactPhoneNumbers(const QContact *contact);
    static QStringList contactNotes(const QContact *contact);

    friend class SeasideListModel;
    friend class SeasideProxyModel;

};

/*
  Model data for Seaside::DataRole
  --------------------------------
  FirstName           String
  LastName            String
  Company             String
  Birthday            Date
  Anniversary         Date
  Avatar              String      path/filename
  Favorite            Bool
  isSelf              Bool
  IMAccounts          StringList
  EmailAddresses      StringList
  PhoneNumbers        StringList
  PhoneContexts       StringList  of "Home", "Work", or empty
  PhoneTypes          StringList  of "Mobile" or empty
  Addresses           StringList
  AddressContexts     StringList  of "Home", "Work", or empty
  Presence            Int         mapping to Seaside::Presence enum
  Uuid                String
  CommTimestamp       DateTime
  CommType            Int         mapping to Seaside::CommType enum
  CommLocation        Int         mapping to Seaside::Location enum

  Use the following macros to simplify repeated access to fields.
  First, call SEASIDE_SHORTCUTS
  Then call SEASIDE_SET_MODEL_AND_ROW, passing the model and row number, probably
    from a QModelIndex you have.
  Then call SEASIDE_FIELD with the name and corresponding type from the table above,
    with initial caps as shown.
  For example:

  SEASIDE_SHORTCUTS
  SEASIDE_SET_MODEL_AND_ROW(index.model(), index.row());

  bool fav = SEASIDE_FIELD(Favorite, Bool);
  QStringList emails = SEASIDE_FIELD(EmailAddresses, StringList);
*/

#define SEASIDE_SHORTCUTS \
const QAbstractItemModel *seasideModel; \
int seasideRow;

#define SEASIDE_SET_MODEL_AND_ROW(model, row) \
seasideModel = model; \
seasideRow = row;

#define SEASIDE_FIELD(name, type) \
(Seaside::field(seasideModel, seasideRow, Seaside::Column##name).to##type())

class SeasideCommEvent
{
public:
    SeasideCommEvent();
    virtual ~SeasideCommEvent();

    bool operator ==(const SeasideCommEvent& event);

    void setType(Seaside::CommType type);
    void setLocation(Seaside::Location location);
    void setDateTime(const QDateTime& time);
    void setText(const QString& text);
    Seaside::CommType type();
    Seaside::Location location();
    QDateTime dateTime();
    const QString& text();

    QString getFriendlyDateString();

private:
    Seaside::CommType m_type;
    Seaside::Location m_location;
    QDateTime m_dateTime;
    QString m_text;
};

class SeasideDetail
{
public:
    SeasideDetail();
    SeasideDetail(const QString &text, Seaside::Location location = Seaside::LocationNone);
    virtual ~SeasideDetail();
    bool operator ==(const SeasideDetail& detail);

    Seaside::Location location() const;
    const QString& text() const;

    bool isValid() const;

private:
    bool m_valid;
    Seaside::Location m_location;
    QString m_text;
};

#endif // SEASIDE_H


True Costs of Cancer: How are You Paying for Cancer?
A "Living Cancer" exclusive from WNYC.
A "Living Cancer" exclusive by Kathryn Tam, WNYC.
In the past, doctors suggested that perhaps their patients should not be told they have cancer.
How much do you know about potentially cancer-causing chemicals?


The bomb in Derry achieved its objective, there can be no doubt of that. The objective was not to specifically kill, but to attract attention. Over the last 48 hours, the world's media have been talking extensively about the 'New IRA'.
This publicity is just what the dissident republican terrorists needed. It matters little whether you're talking about the Continuity IRA, the Real IRA or now the New IRA – they are basically the same little band of violent dissidents intent on being seen as relevant to political life on this island.
Over the last number of years and particularly during the British queen's visit to Ireland in 2011, the dissidents struggled to manifest any kind of meaningful threat.
Due to a mix of effective intelligence-led policing in both Irish and UK jurisdictions, internal rivalries and a large dollop of apathy, the dissidents had become largely irrelevant to the politics of this island.
Between trying to improve their ability to make bombs and procure weapons, they had largely focused on trying to make revenue from criminal activities. This had also led to tribal infighting and turf wars.
Now Brexit has become a godsend, catapulting dissidents from the margins of the media back into the main arena. In recent years they have detonated the odd device and murdered individual police and prison officers, but they did not receive much attention outside of Northern Ireland.
The lurch of Brexit negotiations to focus on the Border and Northern Ireland has provided a platform on which dissident republicans can posture and seem stronger and more capable than they really are.
The orchestrated riots in Derry last summer and now Saturday's bombing are very much part of a muscle-flexing exercise designed to lure more young nationalists in Derry and surrounding areas to support their organisation.
There is not a whole lot of long-term strategic thought going on here within this group. However, the broader security community is keenly aware that this re-branding exercise, for that is what it is, can have potential calamities.
The sectarian divide was never successfully dealt with in Northern Ireland in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement, particularly in the urban areas. Now, the uncertainty of Brexit and tribal and bellicose rhetoric has contributed to a climate more conducive to further polarisation in the North of this island.
It is such a climate that is ideal for violent republicanism in the guise of the 'New IRA' to multiply and influence. Security services on both sides of the Border are watching with unease as the dissidents attempt to take the media spotlight again – with all the attendant influence on young minds that goes with such publicity in this online age.


pe_and.h 907 bytes  4797 4 years nmedfort Progress on multi-target UCD compiler.
pe_or.h 896 bytes  4797 4 years nmedfort Progress on multi-target UCD compiler.
pe_xor.h 919 bytes  4797 4 years nmedfort Progress on multi-target UCD compiler.


text:
A Brief Review About Dr. Chris Brummer
AuthorBusinessBusinessmanCareerentrepreneurFinancialFounderInvestmentLeaderMarketingTechnology
Dr. Chris Brummer is an outstanding author, lecturer, professor, and the Washington DC Fintech Week founder. He teaches students at the great Georgetown University Law Center and serves as the School Intentional Economic Law Faculty Director. Dr. Chris has more than a decade of researching expertise that focuses on regulatory policy and financial development. He…
The UK's Utility Warehouse for Landline Telephony and Electricity
BusinessCompanyEnergyFirmHome ServicesInsurance ProviderTelecommunication
The UK's Utility Warehouse is a full service supplier to the residential and commercial properties across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and is a specialist supplier of commercial property supplies. The UK's Utility Warehouse is now expanding into broadband, mobile telephony, and wireless technology with new developments currently underway. It is now one of the…
Lessons from Payam Banazadeh
BusinessCareerCEOCompanyentrepreneurFirmFounderLeaderTechnology
Payam Banazadeh, is known and appreciated by many people working in technology and aerospace. When everyone looks at the professional and successful life of Payam Banazadeh, they think that he has always planned his life perfectly, and this is why he executes his ideas perfectly. Just like other normal professionals in the world, Payam Banazadeh…
Why Greg Blatt is Encouraging Business Owners to Adopt Unique Operational Ideas
Being unique in the market is something that every organization is looking to have in its business operations. However, there are very many challenges that have been facing most of the companies in the market, which is the main reason why such entities have been struggling to achieve their intended goals and objectives in the…
The Hauser Insurance Group Is Showing The World That Companies Can Balance Variety with Results
CompanyInsurance world
The Hauser Insurance Group Is Showing The World That Companies Can Balance Wide Variety with Excellent Results The Hauser Insurance Group has been operating for over 40 years in the insurance world and is an organization that is geared towards protecting clients and fund managers from a variety of complex risks for years to come….
Abdulla Al Humaidi Is A Powerful CEO
EntertainmentLeadership
There's extremely great news for people who love themed rides and attractions. Based in London, The London Resort will also be an incredible theme park soon. Here is everything that you need to know about The London Resort. Important Information About The London Resort Do you know who is supporting this incredible project?…
Why You Shouldn't Stress about Wearing a Mask says Eye Healthcare Specialist Tom Chang MD
Acuity Eye GroupEye Doctor
Dr. Tom Chang MD received his degree in medicine from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and has been practicing for more than 20 years. Currently working in Pasadena California, he is associated with several Pasadena hospitals including the Methodist Hospital of Southern California and Advent Heath Bakersfield. Tom Chang MD is also the…
Quentin Flannery´s Successes
AustraliaLeadership
A graduate of the Queensland University of Technology, investor and businessman Quentin Flannery is a man who has accomplished a great deal in his lifetime. He is an entrepreneur who has managed to amass a fortune during his career in the resources sector. Quentin Flannery currently serves as the director for several companies within the…
Prev Page 1 … Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2019; Transferring office; 3/2/1988 memorandum, Massa to Fleckner; Contact reference staff for details.
The C. J. Bulliet papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
The C. J. Bulliet papers, circa 1888-1959. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The microfilm of this collection has been digitized and is available online via the Archives of American Art website. Glass plate negatives are housed separately and closed to researchers.
The Downtown Gallery records are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Prior to publishing information regarding sales transactions, researchers are responsible for obtaining written permission from both artist and purchaser involved. If it cannot be established after a reasonable search whether an artist or purchaser is living, it can be assumed that the information may be published sixty years after the date of sale.
Downtown Gallery records, 1824-1974, bulk 1926-1969. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Study for Figure in "Incident"


Last month I had the ultimate pleasure of attending a workshop for Zimmerman Inspiration Series taught by Christopher and Nancy Nolan (who are super talented and genuine human beings). I think that you can never know too much or know it all and I always want to be learning and growing as a photographer. It was the perfect fresh perspective I was needing in the midst of busy season. I can't wait to implement some new things I learned and push myself further. I also loved shooting all the vignettes that Jessica Zimmerman and Christopher and Nancy set up for us. I played around with a little film too!
Images are film and digital.


text:
Liz Truss refuses to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation despite growing pressure
Liz Truss has refused to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation, despite growing pressure from a cabinet minister and senior Tory MPs.
Speaking to broadcasters in Birmingham, where the Tory party conference is underway, the prime minister said she had "not made a decision" on whether to stick to the benefit uprate promised by her predecessor Boris Johnson.
She added: "Of course, there will be discussions about the way forward on commitments like benefits, on how we deal with future budgets.
"I'm very clear that going into this winter, we do need to help the most vulnerable."
While Ms Truss has not ruled out a real-terms cuts to benefits, she has said she is "fully committed" to raising pensions in line with inflation.
Politics Hub: Truss and cabinet minister take different lines on benefits
PM Liz Truss interview in full
When asked about the difference in approach for people on pensions compared to benefits, Ms Truss told LBC's Nick Ferrari that "people are in a different situation, depending on which stage of life they're in".
More on Liz Truss
She added: "When people are on a fixed income, when they are pensioners, it is quite hard to adjust. I think it's a different situation for people who are in the position to be able to work."
Asked if she will rule out austerity, she said she has committed to reducing debt as a proportion of national income over the medium term.
"Well, I wouldn't use the term you describe. What I'm talking about is fiscal responsibility," she added.
Ministers hint at cabinet split
Ms Truss is facing a fresh battle with Conservative MPs over a potential benefits squeeze and cuts to public spending, after already being forced into making a policy U-turn on her tax cuts yesterday.
It is understood that Downing Street is considering increasing Universal Credit using a lower metric, such as the increase in average earnings, instead of inflation.
Penny Mordaunt became the first cabinet minister to openly oppose the idea of not uprating benefits with inflation, telling Times Radio: "I've always supported – whether it's pensions, whether it's our welfare system – keeping pace with inflation. It makes sense to do so. That's what I voted for before."
The Leader of the House of Commons added: "We want to make sure that people are looked after and that people can pay their bills. We are not about trying to help people with one hand and take away with another."
Ms Truss refused to be drawn on whether she welcomed those views, telling reporters: "As I've said, no decision has been made yet on that issue. And I look forward to having those discussions."
Ms Mordaunt appears to have taken a different line to Brandon Lewis, the justice secretary – hinting at a cabinet split on the matter.
He refused to give his position when asked about the government's plans to uprate benefits on Sky News, telling Kay Burley: "There is a process around this that the Department for Work and Pensions, Chloe Smith, the secretary of state, works through."
He said announcements will be made "over the autumn", adding: "I'm not going to pre-judge what that will be."
First part of Truss' reign is over – is there any way back?
Should benefits rise with inflation?
The comments come after a slew of senior Tories called on the PM to row back on cutting public spending in the middle of the cost of living crisis.
On Monday, senior Conservative MP Damian Green told Sky News: "The government should uprate in line with inflation. The previous government said it was going to, so people are expecting this."
Former transport secretary Grant Shapps has also stepped up the pressure. Asked if he would want to see benefits increased in line with inflation, he said: "Of course, every politician would want to see that."
Benefits are usually uprated in line with the consumer price index (CPI) rate of inflation from September, with the rise coming into effect the following April.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that each percentage point rise in CPI adds £1.6 billion to welfare spending.
The latest row comes as the government dramatically dropped its plans to abolish the 45% tax rate on earnings over £150,000 following widespread criticism, including from Tory MPs.
Ms Truss defended the U-turn on Tuesday, saying the government "listens" and the tax cut "wasn't a core part" of the growth plan.
But she repeatedly refused to say if she trusts her chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, when challenged, instead saying the two work "very closely".
Starmer hoping for a calmer, happier Labour conference in Liverpool… but will he get one?
Sunak admits going to bed 'every night' knowing he 'can't solve all the problems' people have
PM going for broke in hope of winning big – but has she misjudged the public mood? | Beth Rigby
Cummings reveals WhatsApp message which appears to show PM calling Hancock 'totally f****** hopeless'
NHS crisis: Politicians are not offering a comprehensive solution on how to fix the health service
Jeremy Hunt is now an all-powerful back seat driver, MPs believe
Kwasi Kwarteng: What a day! Chancellor admits fiscal plan caused 'a little turbulence' but vows to plough on with economic plan
Home Secretary Suella Braverman vows to stop Channel migrant crossings – and will 'make Rwanda scheme work'


Recently went to apply Service Pack 2 to a SQL Server 2012 active/passive cluster, and it failed with the error message, Cluster Group cannot be determined for the Instance named Removed This indicates there is a problem with the product registry.
So after scratching my head for two hours, and now outside my maintenance window, I read the message literally and found the ClusterName in the registry did not match what was running in ClusterManager.
Why this happened is because this cluster was built with a "temporary" name and then the virtual name swapped with another cluster when we upgraded from sql 2008 to 2012. Now why when we moved the virtual name it didn't update the registry I don't know.
The fix was to manually update the registry (I love doing that!), re-run service pack 2 and all was fine.


more help when I can think of it.
and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
>more help when I can think of it.
Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
> and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
> > and increased maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
Height 5 foot 11 inch.
>>more help when I can think of it.
>Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
not thought of an airplane. I have to remember that.
> > and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> with a rock and see how long you live.
STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
>>>and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
>>>Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
>>with a rock and see how long you live.
> STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
"Eat right, exercise, and diet anyway."
It's just with CR you get to be cold, hungry and miserable while you do it.
>>> > restriction and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
>>> > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
>>> with a rock and see how long you live.
>> STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
>guilty for what you said.
> >> > restriction and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> >> > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
> >> with a rock and see how long you live.
> > STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
> guilty for what you said.
Yeah, the odds of that are are at least slightly above zilch, nada, or zip.
> >>>and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> >>>Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
> >>with a rock and see how long you live.
> "Eat right, exercise, and diet anyway."
> >>> > restriction and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> >>> > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
> >>> with a rock and see how long you live.
> >> STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
> >guilty for what you said.
All the more reason to live life to the full and enjoy it.
>>>>>and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
>>>>>Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
>>>>with a rock and see how long you live.
>>>STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
>>"Eat right, exercise, and diet anyway."
You trying to put me in an early grave or what?
Maybe half a garbanzo every other day.
>> >>> > restriction and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
>> >>> > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
>> >>> with a rock and see how long you live.
>> >> STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
>> >guilty for what you said.
>All the more reason to live life to the full and enjoy it.
> > > and increased maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> > > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
> Height 5 foot 11 inch.
He'd beefed up a bit, then, since his last televised interview.
> >> >> > restriction and increaed maximum life span, but, you didn't.
> >> >> > Of course, it didn't work so well for Walford, who died in April.
> >> >> with a rock and see how long you live.
> >> > STILL get hit by a bus and killed?
> >> guilty for what you said.
> you feel guilty for what you said about Walford.
> But I'm going to stop reformatting your broken quotes at this point.
Whatever floats your boat, Skippy.
> Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
Know where I can score some of those tickets?
> >>more help when I can think of it.
> > Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
> Know where I can score some of those tickets?
Saw something in the paper today.
about half a minute of weighlessness.
For folks who have too much money.
>>>> >guilty for what you said.
>>>All the more reason to live life to the full and enjoy it.
to concentrate on the mundane business of working for a living!!
On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:02:45 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
>> >>more help when I can think of it.
>> > Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
>> Know where I can score some of those tickets?
>Saw something in the paper today.
>about half a minute of weighlessness.
>For folks who have too much money.
> On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:02:45 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
>>>>>more help when I can think of it.
>>>>Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
>>>Know where I can score some of those tickets?
>> On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:02:45 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
>>>>>>more help when I can think of it.
>>>>>Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
>>>>Know where I can score some of those tickets?
to me. Try a school.
>>>On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:02:45 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
>>>>>>>more help when I can think of it.
>>>>>>Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
>>>>>Know where I can score some of those tickets?
> to me. Try a school.
> "Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."
btich losing power for the next week. Good luck facing down Ivan tonight.
>>>>On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:02:45 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
>>>>>>>>more help when I can think of it.
>>>>>>>Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
>>>>>>Know where I can score some of those tickets?
>> to me. Try a school.
>> "Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum."
>btich losing power for the next week. Good luck facing down Ivan tonight.
Thanks, but I'm too far inland to give a worry.
>>>>>> >guilty for what you said.
>>>>>All the more reason to live life to the full and enjoy it.
>> to concentrate on the mundane business of working for a living!!
>the same. But I don't need to drink, even in a drinking company.
It's all about perception DZ, if I and my chums think we are "sharp"
>Time to go and do some squats now.
> > On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:02:45 GMT, "Lee Michaels"
> >>>>>more help when I can think of it.
> >>>>Lifting on an airliner as it flies a parabolic path works best.
> >>>Know where I can score some of those tickets?
just crazy people stuff and settle down for the ride.


Measuring the success of Russia's largest and most recent "cross-border" projects-Ukraine and Syria-is extremely difficult. What could be considered Russia's ultimate goals there?
If we use these (or similar, less ambitious) goals as a yardstick, we would inevitably arrive at disastrous conclusions. Only modest gains have been made on the ground in Syria. Russia is still not accepted as a full partner by the West. Moscow is embroiled in cold-war style confrontation with a previously friendly Turkey and has to brace itself for an extended war effort in the Middle East. "Putin's 'crafty' Syrian chess move has left him with a lot more dead Russians; newly at odds with Turkey and Iran; weakened in Ukraine; acting as the defense lawyer for Assad – a mass murderer of Sunni Muslims, the same Sunni Muslims as Putin has in Russia; and with no real advances against ISIS," Tom Friedman of the New York Times writes in an imaginary dialogue with a Putin apologist.
Meanwhile, the economic costs of Russia's escapades in Ukraine and Syria are huge and growing. Russia's isolation from the West is becoming more entrenched, relations with China are cooling, and Russia is suffering economically. No end is in sight to the slowdown caused by a combination of adverse oil prices, Western sanctions, and a failure to attract investment. Oil prices are down 60 percent from their peak in June 2014, and the downward pressure is only accelerating. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is continuing to defend its market share by any means necessary: the price of oil went down 14 percent in a week since the cartel indicated it would no longer cap its members' levels of production. "[Oil below $40] is possible," Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said only two weeks ago. "Oil may reach $30. Low prices may dominate the entire coming year," Siluanov is saying now. Today's ruble would buy you, roughly, 50 to 70 percent of what it would a year ago.
To my mind, what's happening is not bad planning and missed targets. These are shifting plans and moving targets. The most important goals, the ones the Kremlin really cares about, are the domestic ones. But Putin has long run out of domestic means of reaching those goals. That's why he decided to go beyond Russia's borders.
The Russian politician thrives on conflict, not on achieving policy objectives or specific military targets (just like your typical Russian high-ranking official thrives on expenditure, rather than revenue). Targets are movable. No one will judge Putin domestically for aiming at Homs instead of Raqqa, or for sending the ruble down 60 percent instead of 20 percent-as long as his regime is in place. He will always be right as long as he controls regime security. He will be wrong on every count as soon as he loses control. This is how he himself must be thinking. Otherwise he would not be pulling frantically on the control levers and constantly changing his direction.


text:
Rachel Syme
Rachel Syme is a frequent contributor to NPR Books. She is the former culture editor of The Daily Beast, and has written and edited for Elle, Radar, Page Six Magazine, Jane, theNew York Observer, The Millions, and GQ.
100 Years Later, Titanic Lives On In Letters
It's been 100 years since the sinking of the RMS Titanic, and the anniversary brings with it a barrage of literature. Former NPR editor Rachel Syme has been keeping track of the new releases and lists her favorites here. Do you have a favorite Titanic book? Let us know in the comments.


text:
BackHomeStoreMUSIC AUTOGRAPHSHand Signed CD's / DVD's Ben Stiller Signature
John Travolta Autograph£175.00
Ben Stiller Hand Signed DVD£125.00
Ben Stiller Signature
Genuine Ben Stiller Signature hand signed in blue ink to the front cover of the DVD Meet The Fockers. From the private collection of a German TV show host this item comes complete with a market leading unconditional 90-day money back guarantee and lifetime COA. Worldwide shipping is available.
Category: Hand Signed CD's / DVD'sTag: Ben Stiller
Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller (born November 30, 1965), known as Ben Stiller, is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
After beginning his acting career with a play, Stiller wrote several mockumentaries, and was offered his own show entitled The Ben Stiller Show, which he produced and hosted for its thirteen-episode run. Having previously acted in television, he began acting in films; he made his directorial debut with Reality Bites.
Throughout his career he has written, starred in, directed or produced more than fifty films including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Zoolander, The Cable Guy, There's Something About Mary with Cameron Diaz, the Meet the Parents trilogy, DodgeBall, Tropic Thunder, the Madagascar series, and the Night at the Museum trilogy. In addition, he has had multiple cameos in music videos, television shows, and films.
Ben Stiller Autograph
Ben Stiller Hand Signed DVD


text:
You Don't Have to Be a Rocket Scientist to Read This
By Jeri Watson
I'm Phil Murray with Words and Their Stories, a program in Special English.
"You do not need to be a rocket scientist." Americans hear these words often. People say them in schools, offices and factories. Broadcasters on radio and television use them.
This is how you might hear the words used.
Workers in an office are afraid to try to use their new computer system. Their employer tells them not to be foolish: "You do not need to be a rocket scientist to learn this," he says.
A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Dec. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Or, high school students cannot seem to understand something their teacher is explaining. "Come on," she says. "You do not need to be a rocket scientist to understand this."
Or, a company that makes soap is trying to sell its product on television. "You do not need to be a rocket scientist to see that our soap cleans better," the company says.
These words send a strong message. They say that you do not need to be extremely intelligent to understand something.
How did the expression begin?
No one seems to know for sure. But an official of the American space agency -- NASA -- says the expression just grew. It grew, he says, because rocket scientists probably are the most intelligent people around.
Not everyone would agree.
Some people might be considered more intelligent than rocket scientists. For example, a person who speaks and reads 15 languages, or a medical doctor who operates on the brain.
Still, many people would agree that there is something special about scientists who build rockets. Maybe it has to do with the mystery of space travel.
Moving pictures from before World War II showed a man named Buck Rogers landing on the planet Mars. He was a hero who could defeat any enemy from outer space.
The rocket scientist is a different kind of hero. He or she makes space travel possible.
Rocket scientists, however, can have problems just like anyone else.
A Washington rocket scientist tells about a launch that was postponed many, many times. Finally, everything seemed right. Mechanical failures had been repaired. The weather was good.
The scientists had planned that part of the rocket would fall into the ocean after the launch. All ships and boats within many kilometers of the danger area had been warned. But in the last few seconds a small boat entered the area. Once again, the launch was postponed.
When the work goes well, most rocket scientists enjoy their jobs. One scientist said, "As a child I loved to build rockets. Now I am grown. I still love to build rockets. And now I get paid for it."
This program, Words and Their Stories, was written by Jeri Watson.
I'm Phil Murray.
Hold Your Horses! (14/6/28)
Bigwig and Top Banana (14/4/26)
[ti:You Don't Have to Be a Rocket Scientist to Read This] [ar:Phil Murray] [al:Words and Their Stories] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]Hello. [00:14.64]I'm Phil Murray with Words and Their Stories, [00:19.64]a program in Special English. [00:22.35]"You do not need to be a rocket scientist. [00:27.32]" Americans hear these words often. [00:31.04]People say them in schools, [00:33.59]offices and factories. [00:35.96]Broadcasters on radio and television use them. [00:40.66]This is how you might hear the words used. [00:45.53]Workers in an office are afraid to try [00:50.70]to use their new computer system. [00:53.89]Their employer tells them not to be foolish: [00:57.94]"You do not need to be a rocket scientist [01:02.72]to learn this," he says. [01:04.18]Or, high school students cannot [01:08.64]seem to understand something [01:10.86]their teacher is explaining. [01:14.41]"Come on," she says. [01:16.77]"You do not need to be a rocket scientist [01:21.20]to understand this." [01:22.90]Or, a company that makes soap [01:27.32]is trying to sell its product on television. [01:31.79]"You do not need to be a rocket scientist [01:36.44]to see that our soap cleans better," the company says. [01:41.57]These words send a strong message. [01:45.92]They say that you do not need to be extremely [01:51.48]intelligent to understand something. [01:54.79]How did the expression begin? [01:58.59]No one seems to know for sure. [02:02.21]But an official of the American space agency -- NASA -- [02:08.75]says the expression just grew. [02:12.22]It grew, he says, [02:14.91]because rocket scientists probably [02:18.58]are the most intelligent people around. [02:22.86]Not everyone would agree. [02:25.81]Some people might be considered [02:29.38]more intelligent than rocket scientists. [02:32.85]For example, [02:34.16]a person who speaks and reads 15 languages, [02:39.67]or a medical doctor who operates on the brain. [02:44.69]Still, many people would agree that [02:48.97]there is something special about scientists [02:53.84]who build rockets. [02:55.45]Maybe it has to do with the mystery of space travel. [03:01.04]Moving pictures from before World War II [03:05.71]showed a man named Buck Rogers [03:09.38]landing on the planet Mars. [03:12.29]He was a hero [03:14.10]who could defeat any enemy from outer space. [03:18.65]The rocket scientist is a different kind of hero. [03:24.60]He or she makes space travel possible. [03:28.89]Rocket scientists, however, [03:31.89]can have problems just like anyone else. [03:35.68]A Washington rocket scientist tells [03:40.29]about a launch that was postponed many, [03:44.38]many times. [03:45.76]Finally, everything seemed right. [03:49.37]Mechanical failures had been repaired. [03:53.15]The weather was good. [03:55.03]The scientists had planned [03:58.06]that part of the rocket [04:00.09]would fall into the ocean after the launch. [04:04.28]All ships and boats within many kilometers [04:09.31]of the danger area had been warned. [04:12.41]But in the last few seconds a small boat [04:17.33]entered the area. [04:18.83]Once again, the launch was postponed. [04:23.09]When the work goes well, [04:26.10]most rocket scientists enjoy their jobs. [04:30.17]One scientist said, [04:32.38]"As a child I loved to build rockets. [04:36.60]Now I am grown. [04:38.67]I still love to build rockets. [04:42.04]And now I get paid for it." [04:45.40]This program, Words and Their Stories, [04:53.85]was written by Jeri Watson. [04:56.74]I'm Phil Murray.


Spring will be here before you know it. As many parts of the country begin to thaw out over the next several weeks, it's the perfect time to inspect your vehicle for any winter damage and do some maintenance to ensure it makes a smooth transition into the warmer months ahead.
Wax on, wax off. The salt and grime from winter roads can build up and cause rust and corrosion on your car's exterior over time. Give it a thorough wash to remove any buildup, and follow that with a fresh coat of wax to protect your car's paint and finish. Waxing tips: working in small sections, apply a thin layer using a poly foam applicator and buff with a microfiber towel. Work in the shade for better visibility and to prevent the wax from drying too quickly in the sun.
Pump it up (or down). Changes in temperature mean fluctuations in tire pressure. Colder weather decreases tire pressure while warmer temps can increase it. As we move into warmer weather, make sure your tires are at the optimal pressure as recommended by your owner's manual. Adjusting the tire pressure also helps ensure you're getting the best fuel economy and drivability from your vehicle.
Pop the hood. Cold temperatures can damage belts and hoses and make them brittle, so check to make sure there aren't any cracks, leaks or hardening. While you're under there, take a look at the levels of your power steering, brake, transmission and windshield washer fluids as well as your anti-freeze. Top off any that are low, especially anti-freeze since it will help prevent your car from overheating as temperatures rise in the coming months.
Line things up. If a few potholes have snuck up on you recently, you may want to check your suspension and alignment. Rough roads can damage your car's suspension system and throw your wheels out of alignment. Make sure to have them inspected and adjusted as needed for optimal drivability.
Wipe it away. Winter weather can wreak havoc on your wipers leaving them scratched, dry, cracked and worn down. Other factors, such as operating conditions, frequency of use, materials and sunny weather can all impact how often your wipers will need to be replaced. Don't get caught without them in those April showers – it's a quick, inexpensive fix that's critical to your safety on the road.
Get charged up. Winters are hard on your car's battery, but warm weather is its real enemy. Hot temperatures outside mean it's even hotter under the hood, which can accelerate corrosion and cause battery fluid to evaporate resulting in decreased capacity and a shorter battery life. Have it tested and consider getting a new one if it's more than a few years old.


//   Stream interface for manipulating data within a container stream.
//  05/13/2002: RogerCh: Initial implementation.
//  07/31/2002: RogerCh: Make obvious that we are using security suppressed interfaces.
//  up with a negative position.
// updating the stream pointer if the stream has been truncated.
int written = 0; // CLR guys have deemed this uninteresting?
// Check whether this Stream object is still valid.
// As per CLR docs for Stream.Close, calls to close on dead stream produces no exceptions.
//  one COM ref for each RCW and there may be other users.
/// a dependency on the rest of the container object tree.


Storefront International Series: Hong Kong (Storefront IS Hong Kong) is a three-day series of events that take place in contested sites across the city of Hong Kong. Events seek to address the nature of urban public life, and to highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by Hong Kong residents. Local and global agents from various fields present and discuss their ideas and observations about various places within the city, bringing to the forefront a larger conversation about the cultural and physical landscapes of the region. Storefront IS Hong Kong goes beyond social, disciplinary, and ideological boundaries, breaking established lines of division to produce spaces of collective thought, reflection, and ultimately, action.
Storefront IS Hong Kong is presented in collaboration with the Hong-Kong based DESIGN TRUST (an initiative of the Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design).
The events are part of Storefront International Series, a nomadic project that brings the experimental formats of Storefront's events series to cities and territories around the globe. Establishing a transversal format of inquiry, Storefront International Series works with local individuals and institutions to identify and address the most pressing issues in a particular region through alternative frameworks of discussion. By bringing together agents from the fields of art, architecture, literature, politics, real estate, anthropology, economics, technology, design, and science with members of the public, the Storefront International Series aims to articulate local desires within a global context.
Strategically located in the Pearl River Delta region of southern China, Hong Kong, officially an "autonomous territory," serves as the gateway to modern China. The border between Hong Kong and mainland China is crossed every day by thousands of people who work or study on the other side. The infrastructure of the daily commute and the service economy has developed into a third space, inhabited by migrant bodies and defined by financial and cultural exchange protocols. This transnational community represents a rich and diverse engine for the economic and cultural growth of the region. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen border will be the site for a critical discussion around questions of migration and exchange, learning from local conditions and reflecting upon geopolitical borders on a global scale.
The Reading Images Series invites participants to closely look into images and construct arguments, narratives, and observations that produce incisive readings about form, politics, gaze, and representation.
*Please note: members of public must buy their own ferry tickets (event will take place in the upper deck) and arrange a Shenzhen visa independently. The ferry from Hong Kong to Shekou departs at 11:30 am. Please be reminded that all participants will have to depart the ferry on arrival at Shekou and independently arrange further transportation back to Hong Kong, via the ferry (1:10pm / 2:15pm / 3:35pm) or alternative border crossing.
The concept of the contemporary sharing movement, increasingly ubiquitous, is influencing the exchange of goods, data, images, services, and spaces of residence and work globally. Hong Kong's scale, growth, and political situation have favored various forms of sharing experiments. Peer-to-peer local technologies, the architectures of informal rooftop communities, and the urbanisms originated from the so-called "umbrella revolution" serve as points of departure for a discussion around the potential of the culture of sharing. This series will explore the spatial, social, public, and private consequences of the sharing movement for the construction of more aspirational forms of public life.
This event is happening simultaneously in Hong Kong and New York. The Hong Kong event is kindly hosted by Mina Park. Food will be prepared by Eva Franch, Alan Lo, and Mina Park.
The Paella Series is a format that aims to produce intense conversations on delicate subjects through a space of intimacy and quotidian action, in this case cooking and eating. Held in a state of floating attention and distracted thoughts, conversations between a select group of guests are private but recorded and archived for possible public access.
"In mid-2014, the population of Hong Kong was 7.24 million, including 7.03 million Usual Residents and 0.22 million Mobile Residents. During the period 2010 to 2014, the population grew at an average annual rate of 0.8%." Hong Kong's limited physical territory and its population growth have increased the development of spaces for micro-living, augmenting the already high density of the city. Definition Series: Smallness, part of the Design Trust Futures Studio Public Review, examines how "smallness," also understood as a form of agility in the face of seemingly fixed structures, can be operative in architecture. Addressing both public and private spaces, participants will present a definition of the notion of "smallness" and its impact upon the development of the city of Hong Kong.
Design Trust Futures Studio is a new cross-disciplinary initiative. Experts in design will focus on future-oriented thinking with outcomes that are impactful to society or public space in Hong Kong and the Greater Pearl River Delta Region. With an inaugural theme of "SMALL IS MEANINGFUL," the exploration and research of the Design Trust Futures Studio will initiate with an examination of housing and parks in Hong Kong, and will address how space is utilised, subsequently developing a series of new prototypes of micro-parks for Hong Kong.
Definition Series: Smallness is hosted in partnership with Spring Workshop.
The Definition Series invites participants to produce their own definitions of a given term, constructing a multifaceted edifice around particular words and their contemporary usage in specific fields, contexts, and practices.
The notion of scale allows us to understand relationships between space and context; born out of historical precedents and conventions of knowledge production, scale is a shifting cultural construct. Discussions about scale during the end of the last century in Europe focused on reevaluating scale in accordance with emerging infrastructural spaces and typologies. With homogeneous city models appearing worldwide, ideas of scale have been disseminated as yet another force of globalization. What scalar conditions are endemic to the contemporary reality of global metropoli in Southeast Asia and elsewhere? What can be understood from this context in Hong Kong? Manifesto Series: Scale presents seven-minute manifestos by a group of participants who will each take a position on scale in Hong Kong.
Manifesto Series: Scale is hosted in partnership with Spring Workshop.
The Manifesto Series invites participants to denounce a present or past condition; proclaim an alternative present, past, or future situation; and indicate a strategy or method of action.
The collective imaginary of a city is made up of recognizable icons, signs, symbols, ratios, chromatic palettes, smells, acoustic signatures, and other multiple modalities of perception. Moving through Hong Kong, from its continuous interior walkways to its sidewalks and onto the upper platforms of the city's tram infrastructure, one perceives a city from particular types of vantage points. These perspectives, or geographies of perception, constitute an identitary signature of Hong Kong's urban imaginary. Moreover, we now navigate the city with the aid of digital technologies that guide us each time through a different optimized experience. Our ability to read the city has shifted; neon signs are being substituted by pop-up ads, for example. In a time where the urban and the digital are colliding, how should we read the city?
What forms of experiencing the built environment are obsolete, and which are emerging? Walking Series: Legibility is a series of city tours led by local and international experts that will each render visible and legible a particular layer of the urban fabric and public life.
The Walking Series is an event that invites individuals both familiar with and foreign to a particular territory to lead a walking exercise through its streets or paths. Borrowing from examples of guided tours, the Walking Series unveils latent realities through a real-time experience of navigation and transit.
Excess, a fundamental term in modern aesthetic theory, enables the self but also annihilates it. The high density of Hong Kong constitutes one of its fundamental identities, but when is high density too high? Cabaret Series: Excess presents a series of performances about the costs and benefits of high-density urban living, as well as explorations on more sustainable ideas of growth and development.
Cabaret Series: Excess is hosted in partnership with Studio 9. Refreshments are kindly provided by The Coffee Academics.
The Cabaret Series develops modes of expression that engage with contemporary discourses, audiences, and physical space in a playful and humorous manner. These events aim to produce new forms of communication between speakers, performers, and spectators through provocation, seduction, and immediacy.


Forcing anti-abortion pregnancy crisis centers to advertise for abortion services amounts to unconstitutionally compelled speech and violates the First Amendment, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
The high court reversed a decision by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had denied a request for a preliminary injunction blocking the California law from taking effect. The Reproductive Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency (FACT) Act required nonprofit facilities to tell women that they are eligible for free or low-cost "family planning" services — including birth control and abortions.
The statute also required the messages to include the phone number of a county social services office that provides the services.
The majority opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by the other four conservative-leaning justices, overturned both of the law's major regulations — one applying to licensed facilities and one governing unlicensed operations.
Thomas declared that the notice requirement is "content-based regulation of speech" and is inconsistent with the First Amendment.
"Here, for example, licensed clinics must provide a government-drafted script about the availability of state-sponsored services, as well as contact information for how to obtain them. One of those services is abortion — the very practice that petitioners are devoted to opposing," he wrote.
"By requiring petitioners to inform women how they can obtain state-subsidized abortions — at the same time petitioners try to dissuade women from choosing that option — the licensed notice plainly 'alters the content' of petitioners' speech," he said.
The ruling was one of two big 5-4 decisions handed down by the court Tuesday in favor of conservatives. The other ruling upheld President Donald Trump's so-called travel ban.
Justice Stephen Breyer, emphasizing the intensity of his disagreement, read his dissent on the abortion case from the bench. He argued that Tuesday's ruling threatens a broad range of laws requiring disclosure of information to consumers.
"Thus, the majority's view, if taken literally, could radically change prior law, perhaps placing much securities law or consumer protection law at constitutional risk, depending on how broadly its exceptions are interpreted," he wrote.
A range of anti-abortion organizations hailed the decision.
"I know from personal experience the difference that caring, dedicated pregnancy resource center care volunteers can have and what happens when women don't have access to that. Today's ruling is a victory for pregnancy resource care centers and all the women who reach out to them for help in times of need," Americans United for Life President and CEO Catherine Glenn Foster told LifeZette in a statement.
"The Supreme Court agreed with our arguments that a sign on a wall is not consent. I am delighted that the Supreme Court has vindicated the First Amendment today and strongly affirmed the free speech rights of all Americans," Foster said.
California's law was a "classic example of compelled speech," according to Grazie Pozo Christie, policy adviser for The Catholic Association.
"The Court recognized this injustice as what it is: a violation of the First Amendment rights that make America a beacon and an example to the world," she said in a statement.
Lila Rose, founder and president of the anti-abortion group Live Action, said in a statement that pregnancy centers are performing important work educating women and providing baby supplies and parenting classes.
Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council (FRC), argued that it is a "grave concern" that such a law could even be passed in America.
Abortion-rights activists, however, blasted the decision.
"There are over 2700 fake women's health centers across the U.S., and every day they lie to more and more women about their healthcare," the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) tweeted.
LifeZette senior editor Deirdre Reilly contributed to this report.


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No. 87 Squadron RAF was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Air Force during the First World War and Second World War.

World War I
87 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was first formed on 1 September 1917 at Upavon from elements of the Central Flying School. On 17 December 1917, it moved to Hounslow Heath Aerodrome and was equipped with Sopwith Dolphins and S.E.5As, moving on to France in April 1918. After the armistice, the squadron moved back to England and was disbanded at RAF Ternhill on 24 June 1919. The squadron had seven aces, in Arthur Vigers DFC, Leslie Hollinghurst, Henry Biziou, Joseph Callaghan, Charles Darwin, Herbert Joseph Larkin, Alexander Pentland, and Charles Edward Worthington. The squadron's "lazy-S" style insignia in use late in World War I on its Dolphins is said to have been authorised for use by CO Callaghan, whose pre-war time living in Texas, where livestock branding on ranch livestock was common there at that time, could have inspired his choice of squadron insignia.

World War II

87 Squadron was re-formed on 15 March 1937 at RAF Tangmere from elements of No. 54 Squadron RAF, operating the Hawker Fury. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the squadron was part of the air element of the British Expeditionary Force in France, equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. Flight Lieutenant Ian Gleed was posted to the squadron as a replacement pilot on 17 May 1940 and became an ace in two days. He took command of the squadron in December 1940 when it was based at RAF Charmy Down.

John Strachey MP served as the intelligence officer for the squadron during the Battle of Britain.
On 23 July Flt Lt AWG Le Hardy (Tony) took command before being sent on Special Operations as the Air Liaison Officer to the Military Mission to Marshal Tito on the island of VIS off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. Squadron Spitfires were deployed to the island in support of the commando forces from the airfield organised by A/Sqn Ldr Le Hardy for operations in support of the partisan forces in the Balkans for which he was decorated with the OBE, the youngest officer to receive that award, aged 21. The airfield became a valuable destination for damaged Allied Aircraft saving many lives. {Flying Log Book A Le Hardy OBE RAF}.

In July 1944 87 Squadron became one of two RAF Squadrons to join No. 8 Wing SAAF (the other being RAF 185 Squadron) and began fighter-bomber operations supporting the fighting in Italy as well as taking part in offensive sweeps across the Balkans from its detached Italian bases. It continued in this role in the Italian Campaign until the end of the war.

The Cold War
87 Squadron was again re-formed as part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany on 1 January 1952 at RAF Wahn with the Gloster Meteor NF11, with the main tasking being the defence of the Ruhr, after five years it moved to RAF Bruggen, and was equipped with the Gloster Javelin as an all-weather interceptor force until it was disbanded on 3 January 1961.

Aircraft

Notable pilots

World War I
Charles J.W. Darwin
Herbert Larkin
Arthur Vigers

World War II
Geoffrey Allard
Roland Beamont
John Cock
John Dewar
Ian Gleed DSO DFC
Derek Harland Ward

Notes

References

 Royal Air Force Website - 87 Sqn History

Halley, James J. 1988. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Air Britain .

External links

 History page on RAF website

087
087
Military units and formations established in 1917
Military units and formations disestablished in 1961

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia