Project Title: Screening and Create the Registry of Disease pattern in Tribal Communities and provide the Health Care Strategies, Genetic Counseling and create the awareness to tribal women population in Tamil Nadu, India.
Qualification: First class in B.Sc. /M.Sc. /M.Phil.in Zoology/ Genetics/ Human Genetics and Molecular Biology/ Biotechnology/ Life Sciences/ Biochemistry/ Microbiology equal in the Aforementioned subject.
The interested applicants can apply with their curriculum vitae together with the copies of applicable documents/Certificates. The application must reach to Dr V. Balachandar, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore — 641 046or Mail at geneticbala@buc.edu.in on or before 26.04.2019.
On the day of the interview, the candidates should produce original certificates together with the supporting documents in proof of the qualification.
For additional information please see our site www.b-u.ac.in. No TA/DA will be provided for attending the interview.
Editor's Note: msc jobs, biotech jobs, life sciences, mphil jobs, project assistant jobs, Bharathiar University, Bharathiar University jobs, Bharathiar University vacancies, Bharathiar University careers, check out the Biotecnika Times Newsletter – a free service and also follow us on all of our social media. And also, check out the Podcast that we have for free listen on SoundCloud.


In this lesson, Khamael Alaloom introduces her first-grade class to people who help in the community and teaches students a new letter of the alphabet: miim. At the start of class, she reviews with students the content, language, and vocabulary objectives for the day. Then she projects images of community helpers on the board and reviews their names and what they do. Students pair up and talk about what they understood from the teacher's presentation. Next, Mrs. Alaloom hands out picture cards, and students take turns stating who is in the picture and how the person helps us—first within a small group and then in front of the class. After Mrs. Alaloom calls on a student to read aloud and then point out different parts of a sentence, students complete a writing activity in their notebooks, copying the sentences she provides. Finally, students review the letter miim and identify it at the beginning and in the middle of different vocabulary words.


text:
package org.drip.math.solver1D;

/*
 * -*- mode: java; tab-width: 4; indent-tabs-mode: nil; c-basic-offset: 4 -*-
 */

/*!
 * Copyright (C) 2012 Lakshmi Krishnamurthy
 *
 * This file is part of CreditAnalytics, a free-software/open-source library for fixed income analysts and
 * 		developers - http://www.credit-trader.org
 *
 * CreditAnalytics is a free, full featured, fixed income credit analytics library, developed with a special
 * 		focus towards the needs of the bonds and credit products community.
 *
 *  Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 *   	you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
 *
 *  You may obtain a copy of the License at
 *  	http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 *
 *  Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
 *  	distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
 *  	WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 *
 *  See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 *  	limitations under the License.
 */

/**
 * VariateIteratorPrimitive implements the various Primitive Variate Iterator routines.
 *
 * VariateIteratorPrimitive implements the following iteration primitives:
 * 	- Bisection
 * 	- False Position
 * 	- Quadratic
 * 	- Inverse Quadratic
 * 	- Ridder
 *
 * It may be readily enhanced to accommodate additional primitives.
 *
 * @author Lakshmi Krishnamurthy
 */

public class VariateIteratorPrimitive {

	/**
	 * Bisection
	 */

	public static int BISECTION = 0;

	/**
	 * False Position
	 */

	public static int FALSE_POSITION = 1;

	/**
	 * Quadratic Interpolation
	 */

	public static int QUADRATIC_INTERPOLATION = 2;

	/**
	 * Inverse Quadratic Interpolation
	 */

	public static int INVERSE_QUADRATIC_INTERPOLATION = 3;

	/**
	 * Ridder's Method
	 */

	public static int RIDDER = 4;

	/**
	 * Iterate for the next variate using bisection
	 *
	 * @param dblX1 Left variate
	 * @param dblX2 Right variate
	 *
	 * @return The next variate
	 *
	 * @throws java.lang.Exception Thrown if inputs are invalid
	 */

	public static final double Bisection (
		final double dblX1,
		final double dblX2)
		throws java.lang.Exception
	{
		if (!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
			(dblX2))
			throw new java.lang.Exception ("VariateIteratorPrimitive::Bisection => Invalid inputs");

		return 0.5 * (dblX1 + dblX2);
	}

	/**
	 * Iterate for the next variate using false position
	 *
	 * @param dblX1 Left variate
	 * @param dblX2 Right variate
	 * @param dblY1 Left OF value
	 * @param dblY2 Right OF value
	 *
	 * @return The next variate
	 *
	 * @throws java.lang.Exception Thrown if inputs are invalid
	 */

	public static final double FalsePosition (
		final double dblX1,
		final double dblX2,
		final double dblY1,
		final double dblY2)
		throws java.lang.Exception
	{
		if (!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
			(dblX2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY1) ||
				!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY2))
			throw new java.lang.Exception ("VariateIteratorPrimitive::FalsePosition => Invalid inputs");

		return dblX1 + ((dblX1 - dblX2) / (dblY2 - dblY1) * dblY1);
	}

	/**
	 * Iterate for the next variate using quadratic interpolation
	 *
	 * @param dblX1 Left variate
	 * @param dblX2 Intermediate variate
	 * @param dblX3 Right variate
	 * @param dblY1 Left OF value
	 * @param dblY2 Intermediate OF value
	 * @param dblY3 Right OF value
	 *
	 * @return The next variate
	 *
	 * @throws java.lang.Exception Thrown if inputs are invalid
	 */

	public static final double QuadraticInterpolation (
		final double dblX1,
		final double dblX2,
		final double dblX3,
		final double dblY1,
		final double dblY2,
		final double dblY3)
		throws java.lang.Exception
	{
		if (!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
			(dblX2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX3) ||
				!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
					(dblY2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY3))
			throw new java.lang.Exception
				("VariateIteratorPrimitive.QuadraticInterpolation => Invalid inputs!");

		double dblA = dblY1 / (dblX1 - dblX2) / (dblX1 - dblX3);
		dblA       += dblY2 / (dblX2 - dblX3) / (dblX2 - dblX1);
		dblA       += dblY3 / (dblX3 - dblX1) / (dblX3 - dblX2);
		double dblB = -1. * (dblX2 + dblX3) * dblY1 / (dblX1 - dblX2) / (dblX1 - dblX3);
		dblB       -=       (dblX3 + dblX1) * dblY2 / (dblX2 - dblX3) / (dblX2 - dblX1);
		dblB       -=       (dblX1 + dblX2) * dblY3 / (dblX3 - dblX1) / (dblX3 - dblX2);
		double dblC = dblX2 * dblX3 * dblY1 / (dblX1 - dblX2) / (dblX1 - dblX3);
		dblC       += dblX3 * dblX1 * dblY2 / (dblX2 - dblX3) / (dblX2 - dblX1);
		dblC       += dblX1 * dblX2 * dblY3 / (dblX3 - dblX1) / (dblX3 - dblX2);
		double dblSQRTArg = dblB * dblB - 4. * dblA * dblC;

		if (0. > dblSQRTArg)
			throw new java.lang.Exception
				("VariateIteratorPrimitive.QuadraticInterpolation => No real roots!");

		double dblSQRT = java.lang.Math.sqrt (dblSQRTArg);

		double dblRoot1 = (-1. * dblB + dblSQRT) / 2. / dblA;
		double dblRoot2 = (-1. * dblB - dblSQRT) / 2. / dblA;

		if (dblX1 > dblRoot1 || dblX3 < dblRoot1) return dblRoot2;

		if (dblX1 > dblRoot2 || dblX3 < dblRoot2) return dblRoot1;

		return java.lang.Math.abs (dblX2 - dblRoot1) < java.lang.Math.abs (dblX2 - dblRoot2) ? dblRoot1 :
			dblRoot2;
	}

	/**
	 * Iterate for the next variate using inverse quadratic interpolation
	 *
	 * @param dblX1 Left variate
	 * @param dblX2 Intermediate variate
	 * @param dblX3 Right variate
	 * @param dblY1 Left OF value
	 * @param dblY2 Intermediate OF value
	 * @param dblY3 Right OF value
	 *
	 * @return The next variate
	 *
	 * @throws java.lang.Exception Thrown if inputs are invalid
	 */

	public static final double InverseQuadraticInterpolation (
		final double dblX1,
		final double dblX2,
		final double dblX3,
		final double dblY1,
		final double dblY2,
		final double dblY3)
		throws java.lang.Exception
	{
		if (!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
			(dblX2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX3) ||
				!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
					(dblY2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY3))
			throw new java.lang.Exception
				("VariateIteratorPrimitive.InverseQuadraticInterpolation => Invalid inputs!");

		double dblNextRoot = (dblY2 * dblY3 * dblX1 / (dblY1 - dblY2) / (dblY1 - dblY3));
		dblNextRoot       += (dblY3 * dblY1 * dblX2 / (dblY2 - dblY3) / (dblY2 - dblY1));
		dblNextRoot       += (dblY1 * dblY2 * dblX3 / (dblY3 - dblY1) / (dblY3 - dblY2));
		return dblNextRoot;
	}

	/**
	 * Iterate for the next variate using Ridder's method
	 *
	 * @param dblX1 Left variate
	 * @param dblX2 Intermediate variate
	 * @param dblX3 Right variate
	 * @param dblY1 Left OF value
	 * @param dblY2 Intermediate OF value
	 * @param dblY3 Right OF value
	 *
	 * @return The next variate
	 *
	 * @throws java.lang.Exception Thrown if inputs are invalid
	 */

	public static final double Ridder (
		final double dblX1,
		final double dblX2,
		final double dblX3,
		final double dblY1,
		final double dblY2,
		final double dblY3)
		throws java.lang.Exception
	{
		if (!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
			(dblX2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX3) ||
				!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
					(dblY2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY3))
			throw new java.lang.Exception ("VariateIteratorPrimitive.Ridder => Invalid inputs!");

		double dblSQRTArg = dblY3 * dblY3 - dblY1 * dblY2;

		if (0. > dblSQRTArg)
			throw new java.lang.Exception ("VariateIteratorPrimitive.Ridder => No real roots!");

		return dblX3 + (dblX3 - dblX1) * dblY3 * java.lang.Math.signum (dblY1 - dblY2) / java.lang.Math.sqrt
			(dblSQRTArg);
	}

	/**
	 * Iterate for the next variate using the multi-function method
	 *
	 * @param dblX1 Left variate
	 * @param dblX2 Intermediate variate
	 * @param dblX3 Right variate
	 * @param dblY1 Left OF value
	 * @param dblY2 Intermediate OF value
	 * @param dblY3 Right OF value
	 * @param of Objective Function
	 * @param dblOFTarget OF Target
	 * @param rfop Root Finder Output
	 *
	 * @return The next variate
	 *
	 * @throws java.lang.Exception Thrown if inputs are invalid
	 */

	public static final double MultiFunction (
		final double dblX1,
		final double dblX2,
		final double dblX3,
		final double dblY1,
		final double dblY2,
		final double dblY3,
		final org.drip.math.solver1D.ObjectiveFunction of,
		final double dblOFTarget,
		final org.drip.math.solver1D.FixedPointFinderOutput rfop)
		throws java.lang.Exception
	{
		if (!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
			(dblX2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblX3) ||
				!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY1) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid
					(dblY2) || !org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblY3) ||
						!org.drip.math.common.NumberUtil.IsValid (dblOFTarget) || null == rfop || null == of)
			throw new java.lang.Exception ("VariateIteratorPrimitive.MultiFunction => Invalid inputs!");

		double dblNextRoot = Bisection (dblX1, dblX2);

		if (!rfop.incrOFCalcs())
			throw new java.lang.Exception
				("VariateIteratorPrimitive.MultiFunction => Cannot increment rfop!");

		double dblTargetDiff = java.lang.Math.abs (of.evaluate (dblNextRoot) - dblOFTarget);

		try {
			double dblRootSecant = FalsePosition (dblX1, dblX2, dblY1, dblY2);

			if (!rfop.incrOFCalcs())
				throw new java.lang.Exception
					("VariateIteratorPrimitive.MultiFunction => Cannot increment rfop!");

			double dblTargetDiffSecant = java.lang.Math.abs (of.evaluate (dblRootSecant) - dblOFTarget);

			if (dblTargetDiffSecant < dblTargetDiff) {
				dblNextRoot = dblRootSecant;
				dblTargetDiff = dblTargetDiffSecant;
			}
		} catch (java.lang.Exception e) {
			// e.printStackTrace();
		}

		try {
			double dblRootQuadraticInterpolation = QuadraticInterpolation (dblX1, dblX2, dblX3, dblY1, dblY2,
				dblY3);

			if (!rfop.incrOFCalcs())
				throw new java.lang.Exception
					("VariateIteratorPrimitive.MultiFunction => Cannot increment rfop!");

			double dblTargetDiffQuadraticInterpolation = java.lang.Math.abs (of.evaluate
				(dblRootQuadraticInterpolation) - dblOFTarget);

			if (dblTargetDiffQuadraticInterpolation < dblTargetDiff) {
				dblNextRoot = dblRootQuadraticInterpolation;
				dblTargetDiff = dblTargetDiffQuadraticInterpolation;
			}
		} catch (java.lang.Exception e) {
			// e.printStackTrace();
		}

		try {
			double dblRootInverseQuadraticInterpolation = QuadraticInterpolation (dblX1, dblX2, dblX3, dblY1,
				dblY2, dblY3);

			if (!rfop.incrOFCalcs())
				throw new java.lang.Exception
					("VariateIteratorPrimitive.MultiFunction => Cannot increment rfop!");

			double dblTargetDiffInverseQuadraticInterpolation = java.lang.Math.abs (of.evaluate
				(dblRootInverseQuadraticInterpolation) - dblOFTarget);

			if (dblTargetDiffInverseQuadraticInterpolation < dblTargetDiff) {
				dblNextRoot = dblRootInverseQuadraticInterpolation;
				dblTargetDiff = dblTargetDiffInverseQuadraticInterpolation;
			}
		} catch (java.lang.Exception e) {
			// e.printStackTrace();
		}

		try {
			double dblRootRidder = Ridder (dblX1, dblX2, dblX3, dblY1, dblY2, dblY3);

			if (!rfop.incrOFCalcs())
				throw new java.lang.Exception
					("VariateIteratorPrimitive.MultiFunction => Cannot increment rfop!");

			double dblTargetDiffRidder = java.lang.Math.abs (of.evaluate (dblRootRidder) - dblOFTarget);

			if (dblTargetDiffRidder < dblTargetDiff) {
				dblNextRoot = dblRootRidder;
				dblTargetDiff = dblTargetDiffRidder;
			}
		} catch (java.lang.Exception e) {
			// e.printStackTrace();
		}

		return dblNextRoot;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Leucopis rajabimazhari är en tvåvingeart som beskrevs av Raspi 2005. Leucopis rajabimazhari ingår i släktet Leucopis och familjen markflugor.

Artens utbredningsområde är Iran. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Markflugor
rajabimazhari

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Head Office: No.47Eo, Street 288, Sangkat Beung Keng Kang I, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA.
No. of Adult:* Required. No. of Children << 12 ys Required.
Arrival Date :* Invalid format.
Departure Date :* Invalid format.


text:
EPA Cleanup Plan for Houston Superfund Site Opposed by Industry
October 17, 2017 /in Water News, Water Quality /by Brett Walton
The San Jacinto waste pits were flooded during Hurricane Harvey. EPA and industry differ on how to minimize contaminant risk.
The San Jacinto River meets the Houston Ship Channel before entering Galveston Bay. The San Jacinto waste pits are just upstream. Photo courtesy of NASA Johnson
By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue
In a decision cheered by environmental and public health groups, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a $115 million cleanup plan for the San Jacinto waste pits, one of the Houston-area Superfund sites that was flooded in August during Hurricane Harvey.
Local officials, according to the Houston Chronicle, called the recommendation for complete removal of soils that are contaminated with dioxin, a cancer-causing chemical that can take centuries to break down, the most important action that the EPA has taken in Harris County. Dioxin has been found in fish and crabs in the San Jacinto River and downstream in Galveston Bay, areas of commercial and recreational fishing.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has said since taking office in February that Superfund cleanups are among his top priorities. Pruitt, in a May 22 memo, put himself in charge of major Superfund actions — those expected to cost $50 million or more. He visited the San Jacinto site in September and signed the record of decision. As one of his first major Superfund decisions, the San Jacinto waste pits will test Pruitt's commitment to the program.
The agency's plan for the 34-acre site faces hurdles. The two companies responsible for the cost of cleanup oppose the decision, preferring a cheaper option that leaves contaminated soils in place, wrapped in high-tech fabrics, covered with rock, and protected with steel pilings.
A dump for paper mill waste in the 1960s, the San Jacinto pits were named a Superfund site in 2008. When Hurricane Harvey inundated the Houston area with as much as 50 inches of rain, the resulting torrent of water damaged a temporary cap placed over the site, part of which extends into the San Jacinto River.
The EPA cleanup plan entails excavation and removal of 212,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils. Small, temporary dams will be built to redirect the river and dry out the work area. Most public comments supported this course of action, and the EPA says that complete removal is "the most effective in reducing the toxicity, mobility, and volume of waste compared to all of the other alternatives."
The entities responsible for the cleanup costs are McGinnes Industrial Maintenance and International Paper. The EPA will now begin negotiating a settlement. After a mandatory 60-day negotiation period, the EPA can extend talks if the companies seem willing to work out a deal.
If no agreement can be reached, the EPA could order the companies to follow its plan and take legal action if they do not comply. Or, the agency could proceed with its cleanup plan and seek reimbursement from the companies.
Both companies oppose the EPA plan and prefer reinforcing the existing cap, a course of action that would cost less than half as much.
"International Paper respectfully disagrees with the decision by the EPA," according to a statement the company sent to Circle of Blue. "The company is committed to protecting public health and the environment and we believe that remediation planning for the San Jacinto site must be rigorous, transparent and science-based and lead to engineering standards that will protect the river and the community."
Modeling work done by the Army Corps of Engineers contradicts industry's assessment. A major hurricane with flooding, storm surge and wind-driven waves would erode a reinforced cap, the Army Corps says. Rising seas and a "dynamic river environment" add to the risk of relying on a manmade structure, according to the EPA.
The temporary cap has already been damaged on multiple occasions. After Hurricane Harvey, EPA responders found that storm punctured the protective cap and caused chemical levels in the river to spike. Tests at one of 14 monitoring sites showed dioxin levels at 70,000 parts per trillion, more than 2,333 times higher than the site's cleanup goal of 30 parts per trillion. The cap was reinforced with rock in early October.
The risks from flooding were foreseen. The EPA noted in a draft cleanup plan that the protective cap could be damaged by a large hurricane or severe storm.
"Because the intensity of future storms and flooding may increase, estimates regarding the ability of a cap (even a cap with increased armoring) to contain the dioxin waste material is highly uncertain," the report stated.
Since the cap was installed in 2011, the EPA has documented at least eight instances of leaks or erosion.
The pits were built in 1965 in marshes adjacent to the San Jacinto River as a disposal site for pulp from Champion Paper Mill, located upstream in Pasadena, Texas. Because of large-scale groundwater pumping and dredging sand from river banks, land in the area sank in the following decades. Berms that contained the pulp wastes collapsed and partially submerged the site in the river.
Brett Walton
Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue's weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club's Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton
Tags: Environmental Protection Agency, frontpage, Superfund, Texas, Water Pollution
https://i2.wp.com/www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/HoustonShipChannel1600px.jpg?fit=1600%2C1059&ssl=1 1059 1600 Brett Walton https://www.circleofblue.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Circle-of-Blue-Water-Speaks-600x139.png Brett Walton2017-10-17 06:00:562017-10-17 02:17:16EPA Cleanup Plan for Houston Superfund Site Opposed by Industry
California Drought Effect on Food Prices – Not Much
On Meeting the Colorado River for the First Time
The Stream, November 18: UNEP Calls for Green Global Economy
Ethiopia Hunger Reaches Emergency Levels
Video: Caring for Basins Beyond Reform with Australian Scientist John Williams
Nonstick Chemicals Slipped Into Water, Causing Health, Environmental, Regulatory Mess
HotSpots: October 17: Only Three Boreholes Remain in Embattled Raqqa, Syria The Stream, October 18: Raw Sewage Pollutes Forty Percent of Rivers in England...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The tall, blue-skinned humanoid is clad in loose, flowing robes. Its alien face has too many eyes and its hands have too few fingers.
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Infernal, at least two other languages, and telepathy 100 ft.
Magic Resistance: The mercane has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Mercantile Expertise: A mercane has advantage on skill and ability checks related to appraising, haggling and making sales pitches.
Magic Weapons: The mercane's weapon attacks are magical.
Multiattack: The mercane makes two attacks with its glaive.
Glaive: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d10 + 2) slashing damage.
Mysterious merchants of all things magical, mercanes are relatively weak and noncombative for creatures of their size. They prefer to bargain and haggle rather than to fight, but because they wander the planes seeking and trading magical goods, they typically travel with an entourage of hired bodyguards. Mercanes are capable of defending themselves, and often carry masterwork Large glaives. Yet these weapons are primarily for show, as mercanes prefer to let their bodyguards deal with violent opponents. If a situation turns ugly, mercanes typically use their magical abilities to flee, abandoning their hirelings if necessary.
Mercanes are known throughout the planes as traders in magical items. Each has a secret chest filled with wares stashed away, ready to be pulled out when it's time to haggle and close a deal (or to bribe a potential obstacle). Mercanes are therefore not easily robbed, and they only surrender the contents of a secret chest when they have no other choice. Mercanes have no interest in mundane goods, no matter how fine or rare. Only magical objects earn their attention and their coin. They're known for driving hard, but fair, bargains, and for hiring adventurers from time to time to recover certain goods of interest for a fair price. Although they are not particularly brave, they hold contracts sacrosanct and keep their agreements.
Rumors and legends abound as to the origins of the mercanes and their reasons for seeking out and buying magical items. Their home plane is unknown, and they have wandered between the worlds for as long as any can recall. Stories claim the mercanes feed on the magic items they acquire, or even need them in order to reproduce. There are also tales of a war in a far corner of the planes, with the mercanes serving the roles of arms merchants, aggressors, or defenders, depending on who tells the story.
Mercanes are 10 feet tall and weigh 500 pounds.


text:
The Chevrolet Corvette First Generation (C1) Buying Guide
Jon Branch January 20, 2021
The Inspiration For The Corvette – Blame the British? The people who, I think, were responsible for the inspiration of the Chevrolet Corvette, were the British, with a bit of help from the Italians. You…
Station Wagon Sleeper: A 300 hp 5.5 Litre V8 Mercedes-Benz 560 TEL Estate Custom
Ben Branch January 19, 2021
This is one of the most discreet sleepers we've seen in recent memory, it was built by Hamburg-based coachbuilding outfit Caro International GmBH in the 1990s using a Mercedes-Benz W126 560 SEL as its…
The Tamiya Lotus Super 7 Series II 1:24 Scale Kit
This is the Tamiya Lotus Super 7 Series II, a 1:24 scale model of a car with one of the longest production runs in history, if not the longest outright. Lotus famously came up with…
A Pulse Jet Powered Jaguar S-Type by Bob "The Rocketman" Maddox
Bob "The Rocketman" Maddox is one of the most interesting people in the world of custom vehicle creation. He has single-handedly advanced pulse jet engineering from the somewhat primitive designs used by the Nazis in their V-1…
The BMW 2002 Turbo – The First Turbocharged BMW Production Car
The BMW 2002 Turbo was the fastest and most desirable version of what was arguably the Bavarian automakers most important fast saloon car – The BMW 2002. The fundamental design ethos of the BMW…
Paul Walker's 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 FAM Is For Sale
This 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 is one of just two special "FAM" edition vehicles that were built, it was personally ordered by Carroll Shelby and it formerly belonged to the late actor Paul Walker…
Iso Grifo 7 Litri – A Rare Italian GT Car Capable Of 186 MPH
The Iso Grifo 7 Litri was to be one of the fastest road-legal production cars of its time, with a claimed top speed of 186 mph. The car was an extraordinary achievement from a…
The Black Ghost: Street Racing Legend – 1970 Dodge Challenger 426 Hemi Documentary
The Black Ghost: Street Racing Legend is a new documentary from the American Historic Vehicle Association about a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE ordered new by a man named Godfrey Qualls. This triple black 426…
A Rare Factory-Red Jaguar D-Type – Britain's Le Mans-Dominating Supercar
The Jaguar D-Type is perhaps most notable for the fact that it was a car designed using some cutting edge aircraft technology (in the 1950s) that would defeat all who came before it at…
The Baldwin Motion Phase III Camaro – A Rare Street-Legal 525 hp 1/4 Mile Killer
The cars built by Baldwin Motion were among the fastest semi-production cars in the United States in the '60s and '70s, they were so fast in fact that the DOJ and EPA shut the company…
1 of 3 Ever Made: The Rare Ferrari 375 America by Vignale
Just three examples of the Ferrari 375 America were bodied as coupes by Turin's legendary Carrozzeria Vignale in 1954, each of the cars was unique in its own way as they were built by…
Silodrome's Top 20 Cars Of 2020
Editor's Note: For the first time in Silodrome's 10 year history we're publishing the Top Cars list for a year in early January of the following year. The reason for this is that last year we unfairly missed a car from the list because it went viral after we published the Top 10 in late December – so from now on we'll do the Top Cars and Top Motorcycles lists in early January.


What does your dream educational tour look like? From Prague to Pompeii and Colonial Williamsburg to Québec City, you could win $20,000 to take your students anywhere EF travels. We think you'll especially enjoy our D-Day: England and France tour, where you and your students will attend the 75th anniversary ceremonies in Normandy and travel to significant sites from World War II.
What does your ideal educational tour look like? From Prague to Pompeii and Colonial Williamsburg to Québec City, you could win $20,000 to take your students anywhere EF travels. We think you'll especially enjoy our D-Day: England and France tour, where you and your students will attend the 75th anniversary ceremonies in Normandy and travel to significant sites from World War II.
At EF, we've spent over 50 years witnessing the power of educational travel, so we know how it can impact your classroom. That's why we design itineraries that put your students on the front lines of history and empower them to make real-world connections to what you teach. Choose from 250+ options to find the tour that will take your social studies lessons to the next level.


text:
subdirs(15-puzzle)
subdirs(face-detection)
subdirs(image-manipulations)
subdirs(camera-calibration)
subdirs(color-blob-detection)
subdirs(tutorial-1-camerapreview)
subdirs(tutorial-2-mixedprocessing)
subdirs(tutorial-3-cameracontrol)
subdirs(tutorial-4-opencl)


Are you using shopVOX's Customer Portal? If not, you should be! It can free up valuable time for your shop.
shopVOX's Customer Portal is called cPortal. cPortal is for all shopVOX users and allows your customers to place orders online directly using your own shop's shopping cart. In addition, this customer portal gives your customers the ability to view proofs and approve them, view quotes and approve them, and view their jobs on the job board. Think about how all of these features can save you time from phone calls and emails regarding these types of concerns.
CPortal can make life much easier for your shop because it is a customer self service access portal that gives your customers the opportunity to check out the answers to some of their questions and to order products and services without needing to call your customer service or accounts managers. In addition, you can customize what each customers see, as well as pricing for each customer. It's super safe and easy to use.
What will your customers see when using cPortal?
How can you enable free cPortal for your customers?
How do you set up products on your cPortal?


text:
Hunter who thought he was firing at animal shot and killed teen at Lake Nockamixon, DA says
BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Young, Bethlehem Catholic
By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call |
Bethlehem Catholic's Ryan Young (23) stood head and shoulders above the competition this past boys basketball season. He averaged 16.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. (MONICA CABRERA / THE MORNING CALL)
Ryan Young was born in Montreal and spent time in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., upstate New York and Nebraska.
Fortunately for Bethlehem Catholic, he and his family ended up in Phillipsburg, N.J., and Ryan decided to follow his sister, Jordan, to Bethlehem Catholic.
"She went to Becahi because Phillipsburg didn't have a volleyball program at the time and Becahi had a good one," Ryan Young said. "My parents fell in love with the school while she was there. It worked out well for her because she earned a Division I scholarship to George Washington."
ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: Final standings, Top 10, plus 2nd, 3rd teams
The final standings and top 10 for the 2017-18 high school boys basketball season.
Here's a look at the 2017-18 Morning Call All-Area Boys Basketball team
A look at the 10 players who comprise the 2017-18 Morning Call all-area boys basketball team.
Jordan Young also won a state title in 2014, something that Ryan came close to doing this past boys basketball season.
Even though that didn't happen, it was still one of the best seasons in Golden Hawks hoops history.
[More High School Sports] Top 10 high school boys basketball teams: They are who we thought they were »
It included the school's first Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship, a District 11 4A title and three state playoff wins. Becahi finished at 28-4, tying the 1961-62 Pennsylvania Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association state champs for best record in school history.
And the 6-foot-10 Young towered above the rest as the biggest reason for the team's success.
He averaged 16.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in being a near-unanimous selection as The Morning Call's player of the year for 2017-18.
[More High School Sports] District 11 wrestling's postseason plan maximizes participation »
"I honestly believe that if Ryan wasn't in foul trouble with some tough calls, we would have beaten Imhotep," Becahi coach Ray Barbosa said.
BOYS BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF YEAR: Daryl Coleman, Southern Lehigh
Southern Lehigh's Daryl Coleman is the rookie of the year.
BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM OF THE YEAR: Bethlehem Catholic
Bethlehem Catholic won league and district titles and three state playoff games in becoming The Morning Call's boys basketball team of the year.
And since Becahi lost to Imhotep 65-60 in the state semis and Imhotep crushed Sharon 71-35 a week later for the state title, the Golden Hawks were likely the second best team in the state and that close to ending the area's 32-season state championship drought.
Young, though, has no regrets.
[More High School Sports] Lehigh Valley Boys Basketball: EPC Mountain Division features a towering figure and teams trying to climb the mountain »
"We won three of the four championships we set out to win and had one of the best seasons in school history," he said. "We really came together and competed well in the state tournament. We just came up short against a really good team."
In two months, Young will be headed to Northwestern University, where he can't wait to start playing Big Ten basketball.
He said he's looking forward to playing against more guys his own size on a larger floor.
[More High School Sports] Lehigh Valley Varsity: Tuesday's Schedule, Monday's Results »
"In high school, I faced a lot of double teams with guys much smaller than me guarding me and that's not always easy to deal with," he said. "I am looking forward to getting more one-on-one opportunities and being able to post up more often."
He will take with him a level of confidence and aggressiveness that developed throughout his time at Becahi and as a player on the high-powered Jersey Shore Warriors AAU team, the same program that boosted former Liberty and Villanova star and NBA player Darrun Hilliard's career.
BOYS BASKETBALL COACHES OF YEAR: Northampton's Coy Stampone and East Stroudsburg South's Shawn Munford
East Stroudsburg South's Shawn Munford and Northampton's Coy Stampone are the co-coaches of the year in boys basketball.
Young grew in height the past several years, but also in assertiveness.
[More High School Sports] Lehigh Valley high school wrestling rankings, like the COVID-crippled season, are unpredictable »
"I became a more committed player," he said. "Where I improved the most was a mental thing. I was never cocky, but it's not a bad thing to have the mindset that you're the best player on the court. I just became more focused, more confident, went after every rebound. Coach Barbosa worked with me a lot. So did my AAU coaches. I worked on my mental game as much making offensive and defensive improvements."
Barbosa, who was Morning Call player of the year himself in 2002 and 2003, saw in Young a player determined to get better who grew as a player, as well as in height.
As a sophomore in 2015-16, Young played in 19 of the team's 26 games and averaged less than three points per game.
[More High School Sports] 'It was a surreal feeling' says Notre Dame's Brendan Boyle of becoming area's latest 1,000-point man »
As a junior, the scoring average ballooned to 13.8 points per game and his overall game grew as well.
"I remember when he was a sophomore and playing a lot of JV ball, he was a tentative rebounder," Barbosa said. "But over the last two years, he became relentless on the glass. He had 20-plus rebounds per game as a junior and averaged six or seven offensive rebounds."
Barbosa said that Young's best attribute is as a passer.
[More High School Sports] Swimming previews: Emmaus boys loaded, while Hornets and Trojans should battle it out on girls side »
"He has great court vision and makes smart decisions," Barbosa said. "We ran our offense through him a lot and he was able to hit guys on their cuts so they could finish plays. He has a great basketball IQ. His post game has also gotten a lot better. He's really good around the rim. The thing about him is that if you tell him something once, he remembers it and never makes the same mistake again."
Young can thank his parents, Patrick and Tammy, for his height. Patrick, who was a member of the crew team at Syracuse, is 6-foot-4, and Tammy, a standout volleyball player at Syracuse, is 6-2.
Young is proud to have left Becahi on a high note and believes the program will be strong again next year. He'll be keeping an eye on the team from Chicago, especially because his brother, Kyle, will be a key player for the Golden Hawks.
[More High School Sports] Virtual swimming and diving meets are better than nothing in this season »
PAST MORNING CALL PLAYERS OF YEAR
1984: Mike Peapos, CCHS 1985: Jason Balliet, Palmerton, and Chris Nabholz, Pottsville 1986: Ed McCaffrey, CCHS 1987: Tom Kresge, Lehighton 1988: Billy McCaffrey, CCHS 1989: Billy McCaffrey, CCHS 1990: Shawn Godown, Easton 1991: Travis Crozier, Phillipsburg 1992: Antoine Hubbard, Salisbury 1993: Hubbard, Salisbury, and Pete Lisicky, Whitehall 1994: Pete Lisicky, Whitehall 1995: Gabe Lewullis, CCHS 1996: Ken Lacey, Stroudsburg 1997: Calvin Robinson, Dieruff 1998: Jerry Lloyd, Whitehall 1999: Rich Baker, Stroudsburg 2000: Anthony Ross, Dieruff 2001: Danny Hinds, CCHS 2002: Ray Barbosa, Allen 2003: Ray Barbosa, Allen 2004: Jason Greene, Whitehall 2005: Jason Greene, Whitehall 2006: Terrence Roderick, Allen 2007: Brian Hunter, Emmaus 2008: Travis Stoudt, Dieruff 2009: Jaleel Clark, Parkland 2010: Darrun Hilliard, Liberty 2011: Hilliard, Liberty, and Jalen Cannon, Allen 2012: Greg Bobal, Emmaus 2013: Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, CCHS 2014: Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, CCHS 2015: Devante Cross, Parkland, and Sam Iorio, Parkland 2016: Sam Iorio, Parkland 2017: Sam Iorio, Parkland; David Kachelries, Emmaus and Tyrese Martin, Allen.
kgroller@mcall.com
[More High School Sports] Lehigh Valley-area wrestling scoreboard, schedule »
Twitter @KeithGroller
Latest High School Sports
Lehigh Valley Boys Basketball: EPC Mountain Division features a towering figure and teams trying to climb the mountain
German army veteran of World War II remembers the Eastern Front and his years as a POW in Soviet camps


Community service graduation requirement information for High School students. Need to log hours for graduation? Use the Naviance link to submit your hours. Not sure how to navigate Naviance? Have questions? Please contact Ms. Whisler in our High School Guidance Department.
Visit the websites of CCS teachers, departments and clubs. Faculty will begin updating their websites in mid-August.


text:
Media Matters: December 17, 2001
17 December 2001, Volume 1, Number 42
JOURNALISTS LAUNCH HUNGER STRIKE. Three journalists with the opposition daily "Yeni Musavat" began a hunger strike on 7 December to protest an attack the previous day on one of their female colleagues, Turan reported. Two more journalists joined the protest on 10 December. The edition of "Yeni Musavat" for 10 December failed to appear as no publishing house would agree to print it. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 11 December)
POLICE FORCIBLY DISPERSE JOURNALISTS' PROTEST. Armed police in Baku forcibly broke up an unsanctioned demonstration by journalists on 12 December outside the headquarters of the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan Party, Turan reported. Rauf Arifoglu, editor of the opposition newspaper "Yeni Musavat," and three other journalists were detained by police. The journalists were protesting official harassment of the staff of "Yeni Musavat" and two other newspapers, "Azadlyg" and "Hurriyet." ("RFE/RL Newsline," 12 December)
JOURNALISTS DEMAND ASYLUM IN UNITED STATES... Following the brutal attack by police on 12 December on the estimated 50 participants of an unsanctioned demonstration to protest harassment of opposition newspapers, the entire staff of the newspaper "Azadlyg" has asked U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson to grant them political asylum in the U.S., Turan reported. Baku Deputy Police Chief Yashar Aliyev told that agency the same day that the police intervention was justified as the demonstration was illegal, and that three journalists detained have been released. One of the 26 journalists beaten by police has been hospitalized with a severe concussion. Editors of independent media outlets submitted a request on 12 December to Baku Mayor Hadjibala Abutalibov for permission to hold a further protest demonstration on 20 December at any one of five suggested locations. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 13 December)
...AS INTERNATIONAL WATCHDOG COMPLAINS TO AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT. In a letter addressed to Azerbaijani President Heidar Aliyev on 13 December, Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) expressed concern both at the brutal police treatment of protesting journalists in Baku the previous day, and at infringements on media freedom in recent weeks, Turan reported. RSF General Secretary Robert Menard reminded Aliyev of his pledge during a 6 December meeting with U.S. Ambassador Wilson that he is the guarantor of press freedom in Azerbaijan and demanded that all pressures and aggression against the press be halted immediately. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 13 December)
TELEVISION CHIEF DISMISSED. On 6 December, the Electronic Media Council voted five to four to dismiss Bulgarian National Television Director Lili Popova, BTA and AP reported. The council said Popova does not meet the requirements of a recently passed amendment to the Media Law that stipulates that the state television chief must have at least five years experience as a TV journalist. Popova had no TV experience when she was appointed to the post three years ago, but the requirement did not exist at that time. She said she will appeal the council's decision in court, arguing that laws do not apply retroactively. The council appointed Kiril Gotsev, who was Popova's deputy, as acting head of state television. Popova was considered to be loyal to former Premier Ivan Kostov. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 7 December)
PRAGUE COURT HEEDS ZEMAN APPEAL AGAINST JOURNALIST'S SUIT. The Prague High Court on 6 December heeded an appeal by Premier Milos Zeman against the ruling of a lower instance court that he must pay 300,000 crowns ($8,099) in damages to journalist Ivan Brezina, whom Zeman had accused of corruption, CTK reported. Brezina said he will appeal the decision before the Supreme Court. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 7 December)
JAPANESE JOURNALIST RELEASED. A Japanese journalist reported missing after setting out in June to travel from Georgia to Chechnya was freed in the Pankisi gorge in eastern Georgia on 7 December, ITAR-TASS reported. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 10 December)
ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR BROADCASTERS. "The Visegrad Guidelines," a set of ethical guidelines for Hungarian broadcast journalists, was published in Hungarian and English, and produced by BMC Training, which is part of the Baltic Media Center, an international media development foundation. Among the topics of the recent publication are editorial independence, balanced reporting, reporting on minorities, politics, terrorism, and violence. Funded by the British Embassy, it is planned that senior Hungarian journalists will produce and finance this work in future years. For more information, contact Charles Fletcher at charliefletcher@yahoo.co.uk or see http://www.bmc.dk/ (International Journalists' Network, 10 December)
HIGH RATING FOR PUBLIC-SECTOR WEB ACCESS. A poll carried out in 27 countries by Emor and its partner firms showed that in terms of public-sector Internet services, Estonia is the most developed country in Central and Eastern Europe, BNS reported on 13 November. The poll revealed that one in four residents of Estonia aged 15 to 74 had used the services of state and/or government institutions via the Internet. ("RFE/RL Baltic States Report," 5 December)
KYRGYZSTAN RESTRICTS MEDIA ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TERRORISM. Kyrgyz authorities took unprecedented security measures during the two-day "International Conference on Enhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia; Strengthening Comprehensive Efforts to Counter Terrorism" that began in Bishkek on 13 December. No journalists are allowed to attend the conference. Information on the conference was provided only by the Kyrgyz state news agency, Kabar. Although live TV coverage of the conference was promised on 13 December, only the opening ceremony was covered. The government of Kyrgyzstan had organized the conference under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. ("RFE/RL Kyrgyz News," 13 December)
MEDIA OUTLETS, BOOKS TO BE TAXED. The Lithuanian parliament passed a bill on 22 November which will place a 9 percent value-added-tax (VAT) on medicines, medical products, books, mass media, special infant food, hotel services, water supply and sewerage, waste removal, and undertaker services, BNS reported. Some of these goods and services were exempt from VAT while others were subject to an earlier 18 percent rate. ("RFE/RL Baltic States Report," 13 December)
JOURNALIST JAILED FOR SLANDERING PRESIDENT... Vladislav Asanin, the former editor of the Podgorica daily "Dan", was jailed on 7 December for three months after being convicted of libeling Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic. The court ruled that Vladislav Asanin was guilty of premeditated "slander through the press" over an extended period. The charges arose from a private suit brought by Djukanovic, and is related to reports that ran originally in the Zagreb weekly "Nacional" and re-printed in "Dan" concerning the so-called "Balkan tobacco mafia," with which Djukanovic is alleged to have illegal business dealings. ("ANEM Media Update," 1-7 December)
...AND JOURNALISTS REACT. Journalists should not be jailed for slander, the head of the Association of Montenegrin Professional Journalists said on 7 December. Danilo Burzan commented on the imprisonment of "Dan" editor Vladislav Asanin after being convicted of slander against the Montenegrin president. Burzan said he would try to ensure that such crimes would no longer be a criminal offense. Budo Simonovic, who leads the Alliance of Yugoslav Journalists, said that the imprisonment of Asanin was a political trial. The head of the Association of Montenegrin Journalists, Vlatko Vujovic, described the jailing of Asanin as the most shameful decision passed by the Montenegrin judiciary in the past half century. ("ANEM Media Update," 1-7 December)
PARLIAMENT REJECTS REPORT ON PUBLIC RADIO. The Romanian parliament's joint session on 12 December rejected the report of the state-owned public radio's administration council for the year 2000, Mediafax reported. Culture Commission Chairman Senator Adrian Paunescu said the radio's administration council has been dismissed. The opposition National Liberal Party, Democratic Party, and Greater Romania Party boycotted the vote, arguing that the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) had already made up its mind on dismissing the council beforehand. They accused the PSD of trying to gain control of public radio. Radio administration council Chairman Andrei Dimitriu said there are "no real reasons" for dismissing the council, which, despite some mistakes had a good record overall. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 13 December)
EMBASSY IN SOFIA LAUNCHES VOLUME ON VLACH MINORITY. A book on the Vlach minority in Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and other countries in the region, was presented on 10 December at the Romanian Embassy in Sofia, Romanian Radio reported. The publishing of the book on the Vlachs, who speak a Romance language close to Romanian, was sponsored by the National Foundation for Romanians From Everywhere. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 11 December)
COURT ASKED TO GIVE ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALIST NINE YEARS IN PRISON. The military prosecutor in charge of the espionage case against former military journalist Grigorii Pasko demanded on 13 December that the court give Pasko a nine-year prison term, ITAR-TASS reported. Pasko has been accused of collecting classified information about the Pacific Fleet and passing it on to Japanese journalists. This is Pasko's second trial. The court in Vladivostok has adjourned until 17 December, when Pasko's lawyers will make their arguments. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 13 December)
INTERIOR MINISTRY CONFIRMS INTERNATIONAL WARRANT OUT FOR BEREZOVSKY... Viktor Prokopov, the deputy chief of the Interior Ministry's Main Directorate for Criminal Investigation, said that his agency has opened a criminal case against embattled entrepreneur and media mogul Boris Berezovsky and issued an international warrant for his arrest, rosbalt.ru reported on 11 December. He added that the whereabouts of Berezovsky abroad is well-known, and that it is up to the Prosecutor-General's Office to decide how to proceed. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 12 December)
...AND WHAT IS BEHIND POSSIBLE LIQUIDATION OF BEREZOVSKY'S TV-6? For more, see "TV-6: Another Court Ruling Threatens Independent Media" ("RFE/RL Business Watch," 11 December) and "Will TV-6 Go out with a Bang or a Whimper?" ("RFE/RL Russian Political Weekly," 10 December)
PAVLOVSKII CUTS TIES TO HIS INTERNET MEDIA OUTLETS. Gleb Pavlovskii, head of the Foundation for Efficient Politics, announced on 12 December that "due to forced and insuperable circumstances, the Foundation for Efficient Politics is winding up its cooperation with its Internet media outlets, strana.ru, SMI.ru, vesti.ru, and others. In the next few days the ownership of these resources will be reorganized and officially transferred to another party," reported strana.ru on 13 December. In a gazeta.ru interview, Pavlovskii claimed that this move is due to his desire "not to complicate cooperation between investors [whom he refused to name] and the mass media outlets." He said that the Foundation for Efficient Politics (FEP) also "has difficult relations with investors" but not with the state authorities. Pavlovskii said that "investors over-exaggerate my role in public polemics between public figures." He also claimed that FEP will not have access to these media outlets and that the journalists and FEP staff will have to choose with which organization they want to work in the future. (strana.ru and gazeta.ru, 13 December)
'ITOGI' SUCCESSOR HITS THE STANDS. A new weekly by members of the staff of "Itogi" has appeared on newsstands in Moscow, TV-6 reported on 10 December. The new weekly, "Yezhenedelnii Zhurnal," is edited by Sergei Parkhomenko, the former editor of "Itogi" before it was taken over by Gazprom-Media in April 2001. Parkhomenko promised that the new publication will have "plenty" of political coverage, but that the amount will vary from issue to issue. Parkhomenko commented: "Modern politics embrace something much greater and much more varied than mere political or cadre intrigues. It is this kind of politics, politics understood broadly, that we shall mostly be writing about." ("RFE/RL Newsline," 13 December)
OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER CONFISCATED IN NORTH OSSETIA. The entire 10,000 print run of the most recent issue of the opposition newspaper "Pravda Osetii" was seized by police on the border between Ingushetia and North Ossetia, Glasnost-North Caucasus reported on 12 December, quoting Editor Saukuz Aguzarov. The whole edition was devoted to materials criticizing the republic's present leadership, including President Aleksandr Dzasokhov, who is running for a second presidential term in a ballot scheduled for 27 January 2002. Aguzarov said pressure on his paper has intensified to the point where it can no longer be printed in North Ossetia. After having used publishing houses in Stavropol Krai and Voronezh, the three most recent issues of "Pravda Osetii" were printed in Chechnya. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 13 December)
'NEZAVISIMAYA' TO CLOSE CIS DESK. "Nezavisimaya gazeta" Editor in Chief Tatyana Koshkareva and Director Rustam Narzikulov have decided to close the daily's desk specializing on CIS affairs, effective in February 2002, gazetasng.ru reported on 6 December. The recent resignation of "Nezavisimaya gazeta" Deputy Editor Alan Kasaev, who ran the CIS desk, prompted the decision. Since the mid-1990s, "Nezavisimaya gazeta" has published more about CIS issues than virtually any other newspaper in the former Soviet Union. The daily's main financial backer, Boris Berezovsky, served as deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council from October 1996 until November 1997 and as CIS executive secretary from April 1998 until March 1999. Koshkareva and Narzikulov have run "Nezavisimaya gazeta" since Berezovsky sacked founding Editor In Chief Vitalii Tretyakov in June 2001. In explaining his departure, Kasaev cited his opposition to the daily's "editorial policy and changes in the newspaper's political line." ("RFE/RL Newsline," 11 December)
ELECTION LARGESS DROWNING MEDIA INDEPENDENCE? The November issue of the magazine, "Sreda," published a seven-point platform for journalists during elections -- such as being responsible to the public interest, condemning the use of smear tactics, and promising to be objective and impartial. Nevertheless, the "Sreda" editor asserts in "The Moscow Times," one of the "tragic paradoxes of Russian life in this period of democratic transition is that elections have become one of the chief impediments to creating a truly free, independent, and commercially viable press" due to the vast sums thrown at the media during elections at the national, regional, and local levels. The editor claims that "neither legislative restrictions nor the state of the economy have any effect" on the money made available to media during election campaigns and that "journalists and the political consultants think up highly refined gray and black schemes for getting their share of the cash." A predictable result of this financial windfall is that "a general system of corruption takes hold." (www.internews.ru/sreda, "The Moscow Times," 11 December)
JOURNALIST THREATENED. The editor of "Kepes Ifijusag," a Hungarian-language magazine published in Novi Sad, claimed on 3 December to have been threatened after publishing an article from the paper "Feral Tribune" on Eduardo Flores. Flores was the commander of the International Platoon active at the start of the war in Croatia. Attila Szabo Palocz claims that Flores sent him a letter with a death threat. ("ANEM Media Update," 1-7 December)
NEW STATE MEDIA OFFICIAL MAY RESIGN. After only a month on the job, Bojana Lekic may leave her position as head of current affairs for Radio Television Serbia, claims the People's Justice Party as quoted by the 5 December daily "Reporter." The party's "reliable" source says that Lekic is unhappy about interference by officials and resistance to her efforts to change the state media's compliant attitude to the government. ("ANEM Media Update," 1-7 December)
LOCAL CONTROL OVER NAMING STATE MEDIA OFFICIALS. The appointment of senior executives to Radio Television Novi Sad will be carried out according to the law, but the Vojvodina parliament will be given an opportunity to approve them, Deputy Serbian Prime Minister Zarko Korac said on 5 December. Korac said that the provincial assembly could either agree to the Belgrade appointments or call for new applications. ("ANEM Media Update," 1-7 December)
RADIO YUGOSLAVIA TO BROADCAST RADIO FRANCE INTERNATIONAL. As of 10 December, YU Radio, part of the federal public broadcaster Radio Television Yugoslavia, will rebroadcast current affairs programs of Radio France International, it was announced on 7 December. Radio France International and Radio Yugoslavia are expected to develop other business and technical cooperation in the future. ("ANEM Media Update," 1-7 December)
INTERNET NEWS ON DEVELOPMENT ISSUES. InfoTuk is a UNDP-funded project to assist in disseminating and sharing information on development issues in Turkmenistan. It plans to set up Internet training centers as well as supporting Internet access for groups active on health, development, education, and environment issues. For more information, contact Ms. Gulshirin Annadurdyev at annadurdyeva@untuk.org. (Center for Civil Society International, 29 November)
CRIMEAN NEWSPAPER PROBED FOR ANTI-SEMITIC PUBLICATION. The Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has launched criminal proceedings against the "Russkii Krym" newspaper in Simferopol in connection with anti-Semitic material it has published, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reported on 6 December. Prosecutor Oleksandr Dobroriz said a motion will soon be submitted to court to ban the newspaper. An RFE/RL correspondent reported that "Russkii Krym," which is published by the Russian Movement of Crimea, carried an article that claimed to reveal "tricks of the Jews and their ominous role in the contemporary fate of the Russian people." The proceedings against "Russkii Krym," which were initiated under the Criminal Code provision that prohibits stirring up interethnic enmity, is the first criminal case against a media outlet in Crimea. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 7 December)
JUMAEV ARRESTED FOR HIS POETRY. Forty-three-year-old Uzbek poet and member of the banned Birlik ("Unity") movement Yusuf Jumaev was arrested in his native Bukhara province on 23 October and accused of religious extremism, according to the latest briefing on his situation from the Central Asian Human Rights Information Network on 4 December. Jumaev was charged with spreading sedition in conversations with people in his village and calling for the "forcible overthrow of the constitutional government" in poems and notes discovered in his house by the police, the Information Network reported. There is concern that signatures from his neighbors on documents testifying to Jumaev's radical view are being coerced by the police. As for the allegedly seditious tenor of his poetry, such lines as "How long will a stupid person remain at the head of the country?/ Until the day of resurrection and Islamic judgment!" do not suggest the rabid rantings of a religious revolutionary, the briefing notes. They may hint, however, at why President Islam Karimov's regime is intent on painting him as one. ("RFE/RL Central Asia Report," 6 December)
NTV EXPANDS TO UKRAINE. Preliminary work on launching television network NTV-Ukraine has been completed, Ukrainian entrepreneur Vadim Rabinovich told lenta.ru on 3 December. An agreement on cooperation between NTV and Ukrainian television was reached earlier. The new channel will start broadcasting in January 2002. According to Rabinovich, the new network's staff will consist of Ukrainian (90 percent) and Russian (10 percent) journalists. "The NTV policies will be preserved, and [that] is the most important thing. We will work together as a team collectively gathering the topics. In alliance with the Russians, we consider ourselves younger partners," Rabinovich stated. ("RFE/RL Business Watch," 11 December)
NEW PUBLICATIONS, WEBSITES
NGOS ISSUE REPORT ON MEDIA FUTURE IN AFGHANISTAN. After a mission to Pakistan last month including Article 19 and the Baltic Media Center, international media organizations declared in a new report that freedom of expression concerns are key to a future Afghanistan, reported the European Journalism Center. The report examines Afghan media in Afghanistan and Peshawar, media legal and policy environment, and projects to support Afghan media development. The report included a call for ending government interference in newspapers, encouraging independent media, and transforming state-owned Radio and TV Sharia into a public broadcaster. For the full report, see the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) website, a clearing house for news on Afghan media, at http://www.iwpr.net/index.pl?intcrisis_afghanmedia_art19report.html (International Journalists' Network, 10 December)
FIRST ONLINE ARAB JOURNALISM REVIEW. Elsohof.com, the first Arab journalism review online publication, was launched in September 2001. It focuses on media-related issues in the Arab world, such as censorship and self-censorship, as well as journalism in the Arab world. It will publish investigative reports on such issues as media ethics, freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, newsroom diversity, and balanced coverage. The goal of the new publication is to build an interactive network to exchange ideas and influence decision makers, particularly on press freedom. An English brief is on the website for non-Arab readers. The site will also provide daily, biweekly, and monthly editions. For more, see http://www.elsohof.com to contact forum@elsohof.com.
NOTE: In the "End Note" of the 10 December issue of "RFE/RL Media Matters," it should have been noted that author Myroslava Gongadze is the widow of Heorhiy Gongadze.
TERRORISM THRIVES IN THE DARK
By Larry Kilman
The bullets struck Jose Javier Uranga like an angry swarm of bees, forcing him to crumple to the ground. And still they kept firing.
It was a young man in a trenchcoat who fired first, pulling a machine gun from under his trenchcoat as Uranga walked across the parking lot one morning at his newspaper, the "Diario de Navarra." As the bullets struck him, Uranga fell first to his knees, and then to the ground.
As he lay there, a young woman, perhaps a teenager, approached and fired a second machine gun as Uranga instinctively covered his head with his arms, a move that saved his life.
He had been hit 25 times. It has become a cliche to say, "it is a miracle he survived" but it is no less true for it in this case. It is also a miracle that, after 10 operations and 11 months in the hospital, he went back to editing his newspaper.
"If I had quit, it would have been the same as if they killed me. I went back to the newspaper," says Uranga.
So it goes for journalists in the Basque and Navarra regions of Spain. In the heart of the European Union, the ETA terrorist organization has targeted journalists -- and anyone else who disagrees with their tactics -- in their decades-long violent campaign for a separate state.
So the city of Bilbao, in the heart of the Basque Country, was an apt location for a "Terrorism Against the Media" conference organized by the Paris-based World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and the Spanish newspaper association AEDE. The conference, in mid-September, drew more than 260 publishers, editors, reporters, and human rights advocates from 25 countries to testify about the dangers they face and to show solidarity with their Spanish colleagues.
The message that emerged from the conference was that courage, persistence, and determination -- qualities possessed in great quantity by Uranga and many others who testified -- were the essential weapons in the war against terror. Coming on the heels of the 11 September tragedy, this message has even more urgency.
"Freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and the free flow of information are not peripheral issues in the fight against terrorism. It is no accident that the presumed authors of the mass terrorism which has hit the United States, and of many other acts of murder and destruction in recent years, are hosted, supported, and often financed by regimes which have eliminated or severely restricted freedom of the press and freedom of expression," said Timothy Balding, director-general of WAN.
"Terrorism thrives best in obscurity, in the dark, hidden from and untroubled by the bright light which free media would shine on it," he said. "This is why protecting and cherishing freedom of the media, in the Basque region, or anywhere else in the world where it is threatened, attacked, or withheld, must be a priority for all of us in democratic nations."
Delegates to the conference heard testimony from journalists working in countries where bodyguards and looking for bombs under cars are part of "normal" life � Algeria, Colombia, Indonesia, Israel, Northern Ireland, and Spain. They all echoed Uranga and Balding on the importance of not caving in to terrorism.
"We know what it is to achieve freedom of speech. We fought against Franco in order to establish democracy. Terrorism is similar to dictatorship -- it is a dictatorship of terror," said Gorka Landaburu, the Basque correspondent for the Spanish magazine "Cambio 16," who lost some fingers and some vision and hearing when he opened a package bomb.
"You have to keep going in life -- we are not going to throw in the towel, we are going to win the battle against terror," he said. "Democracy is difficult to obtain and it must be defended at all costs."
Francisco Santos Calderon, the editor in chief of Colombia's "El Tiempo," said: "The terrorist mind is the worst enemy of a free press. When an organization makes a journalist a military objective, it is difficult for them to step back. But as journalists we have to continue -- if we don't, they win."
Liam Clarke, the Northern Ireland editor for the "Sunday Times," put it this way: "What these assaults on writers and journalists represent is an attempt to control the memory of humanity. By making threats and ultimately attacking and killing journalists, groups are trying to ensure that certain facts and certain opinions do not get into history. That puts particular pressure on journalists to keep reporting. To stop would be a mistake in the long term."
Omar Bellouchet, chief editor of "Al-Watan" in Algeria, knows what it means to continue working despite hardships. He has faced pressure both from Islamic militants and from the Algerian government. He faced machine-gun fire when he went to pick up his children at school. His newspaper has been suspended six times since 1993 and has weathered more than 50 prosecutions in court.
"I understand a little about our Basque colleagues' determination and hate for what is occurring, and their willingness to continue to work, because it is the basis of democracy," he said. "Nobody can do it for them. They must continue for their country, and for their ideals.
"This meeting is very important to let our Basque colleagues know they are not alone," he said. "If terrorists are going to kill journalists, they're going to have to kill all journalists."
Larry Kilman is the director of communications for the World Association of Newspapers and a journalist who has worked for the Associated Press, Agence France-Press, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.


The United States Constitution is one of the most unique documents in the world. Serving as the foundation of our nation, it lays the groundwork on which our government functions. More importantly, it outlines basic rights and freedoms of the American population through the Bill of Rights. One of the most controversial amendments within the Bill of Rights is the second amendment: the right to keep and bear arms. Often criticized as an outdated amendment, the second amendment inspires plenty of controversy among the general public. However, I believe gun ownership is a freedom that should not be taken away.
Many critics of the second amendment often cite crime rates as a need for gun control. Others claim the amendment was written during a time when such a law was more appropriate, but that those times are far gone. Still others question the interpretation of the amendment. They say it only guarantees the right of states to maintain militias and that private gun ownership by the general public is not provided for. However, as the son of a career military man, I believe the right to keep and bear arms is an important amendment to the Constitution that should be protected. Growing up around firearms, I have experienced the responsibility and the weight that comes with owning a weapon.


text:
Tag: 2023 Q1
Egypt, Qatar to launch joint business forum in 2023 Q1
An Egyptian-Qatari Business Forum will be launched during the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, Mubasher reports citing sources familiar with the matter. Egypt's General Authority ... Read More


For further information, or to request a quotation, please complete boxes below and we will be happy to respond to your query as soon as possible.
Unit 7 Rockhaven, Triangle Park, Triangle Way, Gloucester. GL1 1AJ.


I like to share with you a discussion on Storytelling, started on SF Digest.
Storytelling is very dear to me and I think it is a great and very powerful tool. I really love to use it in coaching, working with teams, OD consulting, training and workshops and ... at home!
There are so much opportunities to use storytelling and it is very easy and effective to use this in SF.
It would be lovely to receive your responses!


text:
Q: fill pandas values dictionary using list comprehension Is there a way to replace this syntax by a list comprehension?
for w in loc:
    dict_filter_data[w] = df.loc[df['location'] == w]

If is it possible, would it be faster?

A: You can do:
dict_filter_data = dict(df.loc[df['location'].isin(loc)]
                          .groupby('location').__iter__()
                       )

if loc contains all unique location values then you just need:
dict_filter_data= dict(df.groupby('location').__iter__())

note that using groupby here is highly recommended, it is much faster than using a for loop. But you could do:
dict_filter_data = {w : df.loc[df['location'] == w] for w in loc}

if you want to update dict_filter_data (not start empty):
dict_filter_data.update(dict(df.loc[df['location'].isin(loc)]
                               .groupby('location').__iter__()
                            )
                       )

Or
dict_filter_data = dict(dict_filter_data,
                        **dict(df.loc[df['location'].isin(loc)]
                                 .groupby('location').__iter__()
                              )
                        )

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Every year in August 15th you can see e new pyrotechnic creation. In 2016, we shall admire " Biarritz, the magic jewel " . The firework has been fired from the "Basta" rock and on the large beach: unforgettable 25 minutes, 2000 rockets, 20 000 spectators!


Arthritis Foundation; excellent site, primarily for patients.
the palms and soles and desquamation of the fingertips. Most patients have cervical lymphadenopathy. A myocarditis is present in more than 50% of patients and is manifested by a tachycardia. Many other symptoms might also occur, such as respiratory, neurologic, and GI symptoms (Box 32-5). Because KS symptoms resolve spontaneously, cardiac manifestations might not be diagnosed. A coronary arteritis and even aneurysms might develop, with significant morbidity and mortality. Laboratory studies are not helpful. Serial electrocardiograms are recommended at diagnosis, 2 to 3 weeks into the illness, and 1 month after that.
Although KS's seasonal variation (winter and spring) and epidemics suggest an infectious cause, none has yet been identified. IV fluids, aspirin, and IVIG have been used most frequently for KS. Antibiotics are of no use unless there is a concomitant bacterial infection. Steroids might actually increase the incidence of aneurysms and should be avoided, if possible.


(NaturalHealth365) The popular dietary supplement Golean Detox has issued a voluntary recall of a large batch of their product labeled Golean Detox capsules. Specifically, the official recall alert effects consumers nationwide and specifically pertains to Golean Detox capsules packaged in 14 individual 2-capsule doses within 28 count boxes with the UPC code 8 938510 909013.
While dietary supplement recalls are nothing new, Golean Detox capsules are being recalled due to the discovery of undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein within the product. Because both of these substances were withdrawn from the United States market due to safety and toxicity concerns, the company was compelled to issue this immediate recall alert.
What exactly triggered the recall of Golean Detox capsules?
Neither safety nor efficacy have been established concerning the two substances (mentioned above), and each has its own potential hazards and side effects. Sibutramine was a big issue amid dietary supplement recalls, as it was commonly utilized as an appetite suppressant until its withdrawal from the market.
Consumer threats included increased heart rate and blood pressure which boosts one's risk for stroke, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and coronary artery disease.
Phenolphthalein works as a laxative, and was once fairly common within weight loss products. However, carcinogenicity concerns caused it to be unapproved for use within consumable goods.
Not only can phenolphthalein interact adversely with other medications, considerable health risks include gastrointestinal disturbances, erratic heartbeat and even cancer with long term use.
Unfortunately, for every two harmful products like these that are banned, there are hundreds still approved with unknown consequences. Bearing this in mind, it's a good idea to consider other alternatives and natural weight loss solutions.
There are many barriers to weight loss, both self-created, genetic and environmental.
Simply switching to a predominantly organic diet and getting moderate exercise daily can have a huge impact on overall health and body weight composition.
Many individuals turn to diet first, with vegan, keto and other unprocessed food choices being the most popular. Many on this path enjoy the incredible health benefits of moving away from chemically-processed (unnatural) foods and – as a result – experience healthy weight loss.
Another weight loss trend free of diet pills is the 16:8 intermittent fasting diet, which recommends 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating a normal diet (organic preferably).
Regardless of how you choose to tackle weight loss goals, remember to speak to your healthcare provider before beginning any new diet or exercise routine to avoid complications and to enjoy greater success in your efforts.


If a have Oil rate, water rate, gas injection rate, water cut , annular pressure and PTH, can i calculate reservoir pressure and productivity index?
1. Laminar, horizontal flow in a homogeneous reservoir.
2. Reservoir and fluid properties, k, f, h, ct, m, and B are independent of pressure.
3. Single-phase liquid flow in the transient time region.
The ratio of the rate of production, expressed in STB/day for liquid flow, to the pressure drawdown at the midpoint of the producing interval, is called the productivity index, symbol J.
The PI is a measure of the well potential, or the ability of the well to produce, and is a commonly measured well property. To calculate J from a production test, it is necessary to flow the well a sufficiently long time to reach pseudosteady-state flow. Only during this flow regime will the difference between and pwf be constant. It was pointed out in Section 3 that once the pseudosteady-state period had been reached, then the pressure changes at every point in the reservoir at the same rate. This is not true for the other periods, and a calculation of productivity index during other periods would not be accurate.
In some wells, the PI remains constant over a wide variation in flow rate such that the flow rate is directly proportional to the bottom-hole pressure drawdown. In other wells, at higher flow rates the linearity fails, and the PI index declines, as shown in Fig. 8.15. The cause of this decline may be (a) turbulence at increased rates of flow, (b) decrease in the permeability to oil due to presence of free gas caused by the drop in pressure at the well bore, (c) increase in oil viscosity with pressure drop below bubble point, and/or (d) reduction in permeability due to formation compressibility.
In depletion reservoirs, the productivity indicies of the wells decline as depletion proceeds, owing to the increase in oil viscosity as gas is released from solution and to the decrease in the permeability of the rock to oil as the oil saturation decreases. Since each of these factors may change from a few to several-fold during depletion, the PI may decline to a small fraction of the initial value. Also, as the permeability to oil decreases, there is a corresponding increase in the permeability to gas, which results in rising gas-oil ratios. The maximum rate at which a well can produce depends on the productivity index at prevailing reservoir conditions and on the available pressure drawdown. If the producing bottom-hole pressure is maintained near zero by keeping the well "pumped off," then the available drawdown is the prevailing reservoir pressure, and the maximum rate is .
Fig. 8.15. Decline in productivity index at higher flow rates.
In wells producing water, the PI, which is based on dry oil production, declines as the water cut increases because of the decrease in oil permeability, even though there is no substantial drop in reservoir pressure. In the study of these "water wells," it is sometimes useful to place the PI on the basis of total flow, including both oil and water, where in some cases the water cut may rise to 99% or more.


What will become of Michael Jackson's children: Prince Michael, 12; Paris, 11 and Prince Michael II, 7, also known as "Blanket"?
Beverly Hills dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, alleged sperm donor for Michael Jackson's two older children, Prince Michael and Paris. Nurse Debbie Rowe became the surrogate mother and was married to Jackson for three years, though she said the marriage was a complete sham.
If Michael 's third son father was the dermatologist and the child has no mother…. then didn't the lawyers forget that michael needed to adopt the child. The child certainly doesn't look much like young Michael.
y a jmichael lo sigo amando aunque ya noi este aqui en este mundo siempre estara en mi corazon por siempre y lo sigo recordando.
michael jackson te amo y a los niños los quiero mucho.
It's absurd how many people believe Michael Jackson fathered his children. I think they fail to recall that regardless of his pale skin color at the time of his death, he was born black, the issue of 2 black parents (Joseph & Katherine). Although there could be some doubt as to the paternity of the 3rd child, Prince ll ("Blanket"), Prince l & Paris are most certainly caucasian.
Furthermore, I've always believed Dr. Arnold Klein (Jackson's dermatologist) was the sperm donor for the two eldest children– (via his former nurse, Debbie Rowe) long before it was ever speculated in the press. Take a close look at the the eldest child, Prince l. The resemblance to Dr. Klein is unmistakable.
Dr. Klein is an avaricious parasite. He fed off Michael's deep insecurities about his looks and encouraged him to do all the skin bleaching and nose jobs. I don't think Prince I looks like Klein; heaven forbid that!


Join world leaders and experts in finding solutions to the causes and consequences of corruption on peace & security, natural resources & energy markets, climate change, and sustainable globalisation. Plenary sessions will be debate driven and conducted by a professional moderator. Each session will start with a short opening statement by the panellists and then, the floor will be opened up for a broader interactive discussion between the panel and the audience. Plenary sessions will be translated into the six official languages of the UN.
Press here to subscribe to the 13th IACC Newsletter, so you can be notified accordingly.


Get rid or lose beer belly fat or the beer gut, as nothing can hide it, not even "cleverly cut" outfits. You can camouflage a bad haircut with a wig. You can hide your terrible eyesight behind contact lenses. You can cover a bald head with a toupee. But beer belly fat? It's out there for all the world to see!
First off, change your drinking habits. Besides, in a social setting you are apt to enjoy the company of your friends even more when you drink in moderation.
Drinking in moderation is defined by the US Dept. of Health to mean no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men. One drink is either a bottle of beer (12 oz.), one glass of wine (5 oz.) or one shot of liquor (1.5oz).
The next step is no big secret: Eat foods with less fat and calories, and reduce the portions.
Increase your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables (preferably green) and raw nuts. Since nutrients are partly embedded under the skin in most fruits, eat them with the skin whenever possible.
When having meat, make it unprocessed meat and remove the fat. Focus on consuming lean protein which is commonly defined as meat with no more than 55 calories and 2-3 grams of fat per serving.
Lastly, and not surprisingly, you must perform the correct exercises to further accelerate abdominal fat loss.
Performing crunches and using abs machines have been found to be utterly useless in losing stomach fat. These only work the abdominal muscles, but do absolutely nothing to burn stubborn abdominal fat!
Why Must You Lose the Beer Belly Fat Fast Now?
According to a study by Dr. Xiang Gao of the Harvard School of Public Health, "central obesity" (aka beer belly fat) is associated with a 60% higher risk of having Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). This is a sleep disorder where an individual feels discomfort in the legs, and the only way to relieve the discomfort is to move the legs frequently.
And then there's the back pain problem. Due to the excess weight in the stomach area, the body is now being pushed forward causing chronic lower back pain.
Are you going to continue to carry that unhealthy beer belly fat around, or do you want to be healthy and attractive now?


The average pay for a Computer Operator Peripheral Equipment is $38,889 a year and $19 an hour in Idaho, United States. The average salary range for a Computer Operator Peripheral Equipment is between $29,000 and $47,120. This compensation analysis is based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Idaho, United States.


Category: Books, Self Help & Personal Development, Spiritual Thought and Practice, Yoga and Meditation Tags: meditation, mindfulness, science and spirituality, Tamara Russell.
This, the sixth title in a new series of fresh, accessible mind, body, spirit guides, explores the fascinating art of mindfulness, reframing what the term really means, how and why it has become so popular and the mind-blowing power it has to enhance our lives in all kinds of amazing ways.
Due to the recent widespread media coverage on the far-reaching health benefits of mindfulness, misconceptions about the practice have become common as it has moved from spiritual to secular realms. So what is the reality? And how can this one thing have such a dramatic impact on so many people, in so many areas of their lives? This book aims to demystify the confusions that often get in the way of mindfulness training, and help readers get to grips with it in a way they can put to optimal use in their daily lives. After an insightful introduction about why the subject of mindfulness is so worth exploring, each chapter then addresses a key question: What does mindfulness really mean and what are its benefits? How does it actually work? Where does mindfulness come from and how has it developed through the years? How can I get the most from it? What are the key tools to develop it? And finally, what are the future possibilities for society as a whole with mindfulness? As such, this book brings readers on an exploratory journey through the fascinating world of mindfulness, giving us a deeper understanding of what it means to live mindfully, revealing the depth of its capacity to enhance our everyday lives, and in turn helping us to lead more connected, aware and contented lives.


text:
Resources Treating HS Treatments
Understanding Treatment for Mild Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A.
Liz Aulino, Ph.D.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with several treatment options. Severe HS may be treated with injections of medications such as biologics. Mild HS is usually managed with a combination of topical or oral medications and lifestyle changes aimed at preventing flare-ups.
HS is characterized by painful nodules deep in the skin. As the disease progresses, these bumps can link together to form tunnels under the skin (sinus tracts) that create permanent scarring. HS tends to crop up in skin folds that experience a lot of friction, like the armpits and near the genitals. Sometimes HS is triggered by blocked sweat glands or hair follicles. HS is not contagious, and it is not caused by poor hygiene. There currently is no cure for HS, but treating mild HS early may be helpful in slowing the progression of the disease.
Treatments for HS vary depending on the severity of the condition. HS severity is assessed using the Hurley system, which ranges from stage 1 to stage 3. Mild HS falls under Hurley stage 1. A person with Hurley stage 1 HS has inflammatory abscesses or nodules, but no sinus tracts or scarring. Your doctor will use the Hurley system to assess the severity of your HS, which will help them create an appropriate treatment plan.
Generalized Treatments
Minimizing pain, caring for wounds, and managing risk factors are important for all people with HS, including those with mild cases. The goal of generalized HS treatments is to decrease symptoms while improving the quality of life for someone with HS.
People with mild HS may experience pain or discomfort with their lesions. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage pain and decrease swelling or inflammation during outbreaks. Warm compresses may also help decrease pain and swelling.
Wound and Skin Care
Proper wound care is important for preventing a bacterial infection. Along with other treatments, dermatologists sometimes prescribe antiseptic washes such as chlorhexidine for washing affected areas. Washing with gentle, nonabrasive soaps can prevent skin irritation. Wearing loose clothing that does not trap sweat can also help.
Addressing Risk Factors
Both smoking and obesity frequently co-occur with HS, but these risk factors have not been proven as causes. Addressing these factors may help relieve symptoms.
Some factors linked with obesity, such as skin friction and changes in insulin production, can increase HS outbreaks. Losing weight through exercise may decrease HS flare-ups, but try to find ways to exercise that don't irritate your skin. This is especially important if sweating is an HS trigger for you. If you smoke, quitting smoking may also help decrease flares.
Dermatologists may prescribe antibiotics to treat mild HS. For localized flare-ups, topical antibiotics (applied on the skin) may be prescribed. Oral antibiotics (taken by mouth) may be used for more generalized outbreaks. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for mild HS include:
Clindamycin is typically prescribed as a topical antibiotic that's applied directly to the affected areas. Some people who do not respond to other treatments have found success with a combination of oral clindamycin and rifampin, another antibiotic. However, this treatment is more common in people with advanced HS.
Side effects of antibiotics vary by the type of antibiotic prescribed and the treatment's duration. Most common side effects include:
Skin sensitivity to sunlight
Corticosteroids, sometimes just called steroids, are anti-inflammatory treatments that can be administered directly to an inflamed nodule. Corticosteroid injections directly into a nodule work only in mild cases and in nodules that are not infected.
Hormonal Treatments
HS usually does not appear until after puberty. This trend has led some doctors to believe that the surge in sex hormones around puberty is part of what causes the skin condition.
Hormonal treatments may reduce HS symptoms. The most common hormonal therapies prescribed to treat mild HS are oral contraceptives and metformin.
Some evidence indicates that hormonal imbalances causing an increase in androgens, such as testosterone, can trigger HS. Oral contraceptives (hormonal birth control) are sometimes prescribed to women with HS to help stabilize hormones and prevent flare-ups associated with menstrual cycles. These medications can also decrease the amount of fluid in chronic HS lesions. Some women may experience side effects from hormonal birth control, including nausea, headaches, and bleeding between periods. These side effects usually occur in the first weeks or months of treatment.
Aldactone (spironolactone) is also sometimes prescribed to women with mild HS when hormonal imbalances associated with testosterone are suspected. This medication works similarly to hormonal birth control. Spironolactone can help decrease inflammation in HS lesions and improve pain.
Finasteride, another androgen inhibitor, may also be prescribed. Finasteride can be used alone or with other hormonal therapies. It can be given to men and women.
In some cases, dermatologists prescribe the diabetes medication metformin. Insulin and hormones similar to insulin are thought to play a role in HS. Conditions associated with insulin, such as metabolic syndrome, often occur alongside HS. This may explain why metformin is an effective treatment.
Metformin can also contribute to weight loss, which can be helpful in controlling HS flare-ups. Metformin can be prescribed to both men and women. The most commonly reported side effects of metformin are gastrointestinal issues.
Resorcinol is a topical treatment sometimes prescribed by dermatologists for mild HS. This treatment is applied directly to acute nodules. Resorcinol has anti-inflammatory properties and can decrease the pain associated with abscesses, as well as how long they last. This treatment causes the top layer of skin to shed — its use should typically be tapered as symptoms begin to improve.
Surgical interventions for HS are generally performed in a doctor's office. Punch debridement is a type of procedure that is useful for new lesions. It involves:
Removing the top layer of skin over a single, newly formed nodule
Excising (cutting out) the tissue to prevent it from worsening
If lesions have progressed and are painful, lancing (piercing) and draining them may help. Doctors use lancing in special cases to give a person with HS relief, not as a regular treatment. There is also some evidence that laser hair removal can be helpful in newer cases of HS.
Treatments Differ for Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Treatments for moderate or severe HS (Hurley stages 2 and 3) can differ from treatments for mild HS. Treatments for advanced stages can include biologic drugs. These drugs aim to change the immune system to stop the immune responses that lead to HS symptoms.
Humira (adalimumab) is the first biologic approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat HS. Other biologics, such as Remicade (infliximab), are not approved by the FDA for HS but are sometimes prescribed to treat the disease. These off-label treatments are generally only used in severe cases.
Retinoids, such as acitretin or isotretinoin, are used to treat acne. They can also be used to treat severe HS that has not responded to other therapies. Retinoids are not the first course of treatment in HS, so they are not used for mild cases.
In cases of severe disease, surgical excision of large areas of scar tissue and tunnels followed by skin grafting may be considered. This procedure is considered the final treatment option for stage 3 HS. It is not necessary in cases where management and other treatments are effective.
Talk With Others Who Understand
On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa and their loved ones, more than 23,600 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with hidradenitis suppurativa.
Are you living with mild hidradenitis suppurativa? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on myHSteam.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa — Cleveland Clinic
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Management — UpToDate
Hidradenitis Suppurativa — Cedars-Sinai
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Stages: Hurley Staging System — HS Source
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Diagnosis and Treatment — American Academy of Dermatology Association
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) — NHS
Hidradenitis Suppurativa — Mayo Clinic
Antibiotics — Cleveland Clinic
Hidradenitis Suppurativa — American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
Combination Birth Control Pills — Mayo Clinic
Finasteride in Hidradenitis Suppurativa — The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology
Metformin — For the Dermatologist — Indian Journal of Pharmacology
Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Hidradenitis Suppurativa — JAMA Dermatology
Topical 15 Percent Resorcinol Is Associated With High Treatment Satisfaction in Patients With Mild to Moderate Hidradenitis Suppurativa — Dermatology
A Concise Clinician's Guide to Therapy for Hidradenitis Suppurativa — International Journal of Women's Dermatology
Ariel D. Teitel, M.D., M.B.A. is the clinical associate professor of medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Learn more about him here.
Liz Aulino, Ph.D. earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from Kent State University, where she studied how hormones can influence brain development and social behavior. Learn more about her here.
Being Yourself Is More Than Enough
Surgery for HS: Understand Your Options
Overcoming the Fear of Injections for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Biologic drugs used to treat HS can be safely and conveniently self-injected at home, but some...
5 Vitamins for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Can They Help?
Many people with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) — an inflammatory skin condition — consider making...
Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa on the Inner Thighs
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also called acne inversa, is a chronic, inflammatory skin...
Should You Pop Your Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cysts?
It may be tempting to want to pop, squeeze, or pick at your painful hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)...
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Under the Arms: Pictures and Treatment
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) (or acne inversa) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. People...


text:
Q: PHP: string parameter to __construct not passed correctly I'm trying my hand at TDD with PHP and am writing a webbased app to access articles in a MySQL database; this is the test function:
class TestArticleTestCase extends UnitTestCase {

...

public function testArticleGenerateInsertSqlString() {
    $testArticle = new Article("12345", "2009-09-13 20:20:20", "Test heading", "Test text");

    ...

}

and this is the Article class:
class Article {
    private $_articleId;
    private $_pubDate;
    private $_heading;
    private $_text;

    public function __construct($articleId, $pubDateUnchecked, $headingUnescaped, $textUnescaped) {
        echo "pubDateUnchecked == $pubDateUnchecked
";
            ...

 }

I included the echo in the constructor because the dates in the database was not what I initialised the Article with, and sure enough, tracing the problem, this is the output of that echo in the constructor:
pubDateUnchecked == 2005-06-01 12:00:00
Maybe I've just stared at this code too long, but how can the string change from where I instantiate it to directly where it gets instantiated, BEFORE I start manipulating it as a date (I check that it's in am allowable date format with strtotime() and date() later on..).
Does anyone have any ideas on where to look?
Thank you,
Stephan.

A: Maybe a cache problem? Or you've edited the wrong file? Has happened before ;-)
A debugger would be helpful in this case. But if you don't have/can't install one try something like
public function testArticleGenerateInsertSqlString() {
  $testdata = array(
    array('articleId'=>"12345", 'pubDateUnchecked'=>"2009-09-13 20:20:20", 'headingUnescaped'=>"Test heading", 'textUnescaped'=>"Test text")
  );
  echo '
Test. Now=', date('Y-m-d H:i:s'),' modtime(__FILE__)=', date('Y-m-d H:i:s', filemtime(__FILE__)), "
\n";
  foreach( $testdata as $t ) {
    echo "
Test. new Article({$t['articleId']}, {$t['pubDateUnchecked']}, {$t['headingUnescaped']}, {$t['textUnescaped']})
";
    $testArticle = new Article($t['articleId'], $t['pubDateUnchecked'], $t['headingUnescaped'], $t['textUnescaped']);