text:
Catiele Antunes
Abdul Aleem
Sean Curtis
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease CME
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed digestive disorders in the US with a prevalence of 20%, resulting in a significant economic burden in direct and indirect costs and adversely affects the quality of life[1][2]. GERD is caused by multiple different mechanisms that can be intrinsic, structural, or both, leading to the disruption of the esophagogastric junction barrier resulting in exposure of the esophagus to acidic gastric contents. Clinically, GERD typically manifests with symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. It can also present in an atypical fashion with extra-esophageal symptoms such as chest pain, dental erosions, chronic cough, laryngitis, or asthma[3][4]. Based on endoscopic and histopathologic appearance, GERD is classified into three different phenotypes: non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), erosive esophagitis (EE), and Barrett's esophagus (BE)[5]. NERD is the most prevalent phenotype seen in 60-70% of patients followed by erosive esophagitis and BE seen in 30% and 6-12% of patients with GERD, respectively. [1][5][6]. Over the years, the mainstay in the management of GERD has been lifestyle modifications, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, medically refractory GERD is becoming increasingly common, requiring a tailored approach in the management of GERD.
Currently, there is no known cause to explain the development of GERD. Over the years, several risk factors have been identified and implicated in the pathogenesis of GERD. Motor abnormalities such as esophageal dysmotility causing impaired esophageal acid clearance, impairment in the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), transient LES relaxation, and delayed gastric emptying are attributed in the causation of GERD [7]. Anatomical factors like the presence of hiatal hernia or an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, as seen in obesity is associated with increased risk of developing GERD [7]. A meta-analysis by Hampel H et al. concluded that obesity was associated with an increased risk of developing GERD symptoms, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal carcinoma [8]. The ProGERD study by Malfertheiner, et al. evaluated the predictive factors for erosive reflux disease in more than 6000 patients with GERD and noted that the odds ratio for erosive disease increased with the body mass index (BMI)[9]. Several other risk factors have been independently associated with the development of GERD symptoms that include age ≥50 years, low socioeconomic status, tobacco use, consumption of excess alcohol, connective tissue disorders, pregnancy, postprandial supination and different classes of drugs which include anticholinergic drugs, benzodiazepines, NSAID or aspirin use, nitroglycerin, albuterol, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and glucagon[10][11][12].
GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, with a prevalence of approximately 20% of adults in western culture. A systematic review by El-Serag et al. estimated the prevalence of GERD in the US between 18.1% to 27.8%. However, the true prevalence of this disorder could be higher because more individuals have access to over-the-counter acid, reducing medications[2][13][2]. The prevalence of GERD is slightly higher in men compared to women[14]. A large meta-analysis study by Eusebi et al. estimated the pooled prevalence of GERD symptoms to be marginally higher in women compared with men (16.7% (95% CI 14.9% to 18.6%) vs. 15.4% (95% CI 13.5% to 17.4%)[12]. Women presenting with GERD symptoms are more likely to have NERD than men who are more likely to have erosive esophagitis[15]. However, men with longstanding symptoms of GERD have a higher incidence of Barrett's esophagus (23%) compared to women (14%)[16].
The pathophysiology of GERD is multifactorial and is best explained by various mechanisms involved, including the influence of the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, the presence of a hiatal hernia, esophageal mucosal defense against the refluxate and esophageal motility.
Impaired Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) Function and Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxations(TLESRs)
The LES is a 3-4 cm tonically contracted smooth muscle segment located at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and, along with the crural diaphragm forms the physiological EGJ barrier, which prevents the retrograde migration of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus[17]. In otherwise healthy individuals, LES maintains a high-pressure zone above intragastric pressures with transient relaxation of the LES that occurs physiologically in response to a meal facilitating the passage of food into the stomach. Patients with symptoms of GERD may have frequent transient LES relaxations (TLESRs) not triggered by swallowing, resulting in exceeding of the intragastric pressure more than LES pressures permitting reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus[18]. The exact mechanism of increased transient relaxation is unknown, but TLESRs account for 48-73% of GERD symptoms[19]. The LES tone and TLESRs are influenced by factors such as alcohol use, smoking, caffeine, pregnancy, certain medications like nitrates, and calcium channel blockers [18].
Hiatal hernia is frequently associated with GERD and can exist independently without causing any symptoms. Nonetheless, the presence of hiatal hernia plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of GERD as it hinders the LES function[20]. Patti et al. reported that patients with proven GERD with or without a small hiatal hernia had similar LES function abnormalities and acid clearance. However, patients with large hiatal hernias were noted to have shorter and weaker LES resulting in increased reflux episodes. It was also pointed out that the degree of esophagitis was worse in patients with large hiatal hernias[21]. A study evaluating the relationship between hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitis by Ott et al. demonstrated the presence of hiatal hernia in 94% of patients with reflux esophagitis [22].
Impaired esophageal mucosal defense against the gastric refluxate
The esophageal mucosa comprises of various structural and functional constituents that function as a protective defense barrier against the luminal substances encountered with GERD [18]. This defensive barrier can be breached by prolonged exposure to the refluxate, which consists of both acidic gastric contents (hydrochloric acid and pepsin) and alkaline duodenal contents (bile salts and pancreatic enzymes) leading to mucosal damage. The influence of gastroparesis on GERD is unknown. It is believed that delayed gastric emptying contributes to GERD symptoms due to gastric distention and increased exposure to the gastric refluxate[18].
Defective esophageal peristalsis
Normally, the acidic gastric contents that reach the esophagus are cleared by frequent esophageal peristalsis and neutralized by salivary bicarbonate[23][18]. In a prospective study by Diener et al., 21% of patients with GERD were noted to have impaired esophageal peristalsis leading to decreased clearance of gastric reflux resulting in severe reflux symptoms and mucosal damage[24].
The esophageal squamous epithelium serves to function as a protective defense barrier against the retrograde migration of refluxate. Disruption of this epithelial defense is a common phenomenon in GERD and NERD [25]. The histopathological features of GERD are not unique to this condition due to minimal biopsy criteria for diagnosis and varying sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis[26].In fact, the histopathologic diagnosis of GERD is made based on an array of microscopic findings that include features of inflammation, basal cell hyperplasia, papilla elongation, and dilatation of intercellular spaces[26].
The typical clinical presentation of GERD is heartburn and regurgitation. However, GERD can also present with various other symptoms that include dysphagia, odynophagia, belching, epigastric pain, and nausea [27]. Heartburn is defined as a retrosternal burning sensation or discomfort that may radiate into the neck and typically occurs after the ingestion of meals or when in a reclined position[28]. Regurgitation is a retrograde migration of acidic gastric contents into the mouth or hypopharynx[28]. GERD presentation is considered to be atypical when patients present with extraesophageal symptoms such as chest pain, chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, dental erosions, dysphonia, and hoarseness and globus sensation[3][4].
The diagnosis of GERD is imprecise as there is no gold standard test available. The diagnosis of GERD is made solely based on presenting symptoms or in combination with other factors such as responsiveness to antisecretory therapy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and ambulatory reflux monitoring.
Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial
GERD can be presumptively diagnosed in most patients presenting with typical symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation [29]. Unless there are no associated alarm symptoms that include dysphagia, odynophagia, anemia, weight loss, and hematemesis, most patients can be initiated on empiric medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) without further investigations with a response to treatment confirming the diagnosis of GERD[29]. However, a meta-analysis published literature by Numans et al. refuted the accuracy of this empiric PPI trial diagnostic strategy[30].
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Patients presenting with typical GERD symptoms associated with any one of the alarm symptoms should be evaluated with an EGD to rule out complications of GERD. These include erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal stricture, and esophageal adenocarcinoma or rule out peptic ulcer disease. Distal esophageal biopsies are not routinely recommended to make a diagnosis of GERD as per the current American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines[29]. Patients with a high index of suspicion for coronary artery disease presenting with GERD symptoms should undergo evaluation for underlying cardiovascular disease. In contrast, patients presenting with noncardiac chest pain suspected due to GERD should have a diagnostic assessment with an EGD and pH monitoring before initiation of PPIs[31]. Current ACG guidelines recommend against screening for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with GERD symptoms[29].
Radiographic studies
Radiographic studies like barium radiographs can detect moderate to severe esophagitis, esophageal strictures, hiatal hernia, and tumors. However, their role in the evaluation of GERD is limited and should not be performed to diagnose GERD[29].
Ambulatory esophageal reflux monitoring
Medically refractory GERD is increasingly common, and patients often have normal endoscopy evaluation as PPIs are incredibly effective in healing esophagitis caused by the refluxate. Ambulatory esophageal reflux monitoring can assess the correlation of symptoms with abnormal acid exposure. It is indicated in medically refractory GERD and in patients with extraesophageal symptoms suspicious for GERD. Ambulatory reflux (pH or in combination with impedance) monitoring employs the utility of a telemetry pH capsule or a transnasal catheter. It is the only available test that detects pathological acid exposure, frequency of reflux episodes, and correlation of symptoms with reflux episodes[29]. Current practice guidelines recommend mandatory preoperative ambulatory pH monitoring in patients without evidence of erosive esophagitis[29].
The goals of managing GERD are to address the resolution of symptoms and prevent complications such as esophagitis, BE, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Treatment options include lifestyle modifications, medical management with antacids and antisecretory agents, surgical therapies, and endoluminal therapies.
Lifestyle modifications
Lifestyle modifications are considered to be the cornerstone of any GERD therapy. Counseling should be provided about the importance of weight loss given that underlying obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of GERD, and studies have shown that weight gain in individuals with a normal BMI has been associated with the development of GERD symptoms [32]. Individuals should also be counseled about avoiding meals at least 3 hours before bedtime and maintaining good sleep hygiene as it has been shown that minimal disturbances in sleep are associated with suppression of TLESRs, resulting in decreased reflux episodes[27] [33]. Studies have also shown improvement in GERD symptoms and pH monitoring studies with the elevation of the head end of the bed. Diet modification with the elimination of chocolate, caffeine, and spicy foods, citrus, and carbonated beverages in GERD is controversial and is not routinely recommended as per current ACG guidelines[29].
Medical therapy is indicated in patients who do not respond to lifestyle modifications. Medical therapy is comprised of antacids antisecretory agents like histamine (H2) receptor antagonists (H2RAs) or PPI therapy and prokinetic agents. Currently, there are two US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved H2RAs (famotidine and cimetidine) available in the US and are available over-the-counter. The other commonly used H2RA known as ranitidine, has been recalled as a potential health hazard or safety risk due to an unexpected impurity in the active ingredient. The less commonly known prescription-only H2RA nizatidine has also been recalled as well due to similar concerns. In the US, there are six PPIs that are currently available, of which three (omeprazole, lansoprazole, and esomeprazole) are available over-the-counter, and the remaining three (pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole, and rabeprazole) are prescription-only medications. Of the available medical options, PPI therapy is considered to be the most effective for both erosive and non-erosive GERD based on multiple large-scale studies. These studies have also shown improved symptom control, healing of underlying esophagitis, and decreased relapse rates compared to H2RAs [34][35]. ACG guidelines recommend PPI therapy to be initiated at once a day dosing before the first meal of the day[29]. Patients with incomplete responses to once-daily dosing can be treated with twice-daily dosing or adjustment of dose timing, specifically in patients with nighttime symptoms [29]. As needed, bedtime administration of H2RAs is recommended for individuals with nighttime symptoms not optimized with maximal PPI therapy[29]. The role of prokinetic agents such as metoclopramide and domperidone in GERD is limited due to lack of data and also due to their profound adverse effects on the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Surgical therapy
Patients who present with either medically refractory GERD, noncompliance, or experience side effects with medical therapy, underlying large hiatal hernia or individuals who desire to discontinue long-term medical treatment can be considered for surgical management[36]. The available surgical options for GERD are laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, Laparoscopic anterior 180° fundoplication (180° LAF), or bariatric surgery in obese patients[29]. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has been the gold standard surgical treatment in the management of GERD patients. However, given the rapid prevalence of obesity in the United States, gastric bypass surgery is becoming the most common surgical treatment for GERD[29]. It should be considered in obese patients with symptoms of GERD who prefer surgical therapy[27][29][36][29][27]. Current ACG guidelines recommend performing preoperative ambulatory pH monitoring in patients without erosive esophagitis and esophageal manometry to rule out achalasia or undiagnosed scleroderma-like esophagus prior to surgical therapy [29]. Two large meta-analyses comparing medical therapy with surgical therapy reported contrary conclusions with one reporting improvement of symptoms of GERD after surgery compared with medical therapy and other reporting considerable uncertainty in the benefits of surgical therapy compared to medical therapy [37][37][37]. However, patients undergoing fundoplication are at risk for developing postoperative adverse events that include bloating, which is seen in 15 to 20% of patients, dysphagia, and belching.The most common bariatric surgeries performed are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banded plication (LAGP), and sleeve gastrectomy[36]. Studies have shown that the resulting weight loss from surgical management of obesity has had positive effects on GERD. Of all the bariatric surgeries available, RYGB has proven to be the most effective bariatric surgery for reducing GERD symptoms[36]. It is recommended as the bariatric procedure of choice in patients with severe GERD preoperatively[36].
Endoluminal Therapy
In the era of minimally invasive surgery techniques, many different types of endoscopic therapies have been developed for GERD management. Most of them were discontinued after failing to demonstrate long-term efficacy. The current available endoluminal therapies include magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) and transoral incision-less fundoplication using the EsophyX (EndoGastric Solutions, Redmond, WA, United States)[29]. A recent meta-analysis by Gerson et al. that included data from 233 patients demonstrated that subjects who underwent TIF 2.0 procedure had improved esophageal pH, decreased need for PPIs, and significant improvement in the quality of life at three years after TIF 2.0 procedure [38]. Another prospective study by Testoni et al. demonstrated TIF with EsophyX as an effective long-term treatment option for patients with symptomatic GERD with associated hiatal hernia less than 2 cm. A meta-analysis comparing Nissen fundoplication and magnetic sphincter augmentation that included data from 688 patients with 415 who underwent MSA and the rest who were treated with Nissen fundoplication concluded that MSA was an effective therapeutic option for GERD as short-term outcomes with magnetic sphincter augmentation appeared to be comparable to Nissen fundoplication[39].
Non-ulcer dyspepsia
Rumination Syndrome
Esophageal diverticula
Esophageal and gastric neoplasm
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
Erosive esophagitis(EE): EE is characterized by erosions or ulcers of the esophageal mucosa[28]. Patients may be asymptomatic or can present with worsening symptoms of GERD. The degree of esophagitis is endoscopically graded using the Los Angeles esophagitis classification system, which employs the A, B, C, D grading system based on variables that include length, location, and circumferential severity of mucosal breaks in the esophagus [40].
Esophageal strictures: Chronic acid irritation of the distal esophagus can result in scarring of distal the esophagus leading to the formation of a peptic stricture. Patients can present with symptoms of esophageal dysphagia or food impaction. ACG guidelines recommend esophageal dilation and continue PPI therapy to prevent the need for repeated dilations [29].
Barrett's esophagus: This complication occurs as a result of chronic pathological acid exposure to the distal esophageal mucosa. It leads to a histopathological change of the distal esophageal mucosa, which is normally lined by stratified squamous epithelium to metaplastic columnar epithelium. Barrett's esophagus is more commonly seen in Caucasian males above 50 years, obesity, and history of smoking and predisposes to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma[28]. Current guidelines recommend the performance of periodic surveillance endoscopy in patients with a diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus[41].
The majority of patients presenting with typical symptoms of GERD are usually recognized and managed by primary care providers. Patients with medically refractory GERD and alarm symptoms are generally referred to gastroenterologists. The management of GERD requires an interprofessional approach involving primary care providers, gastroenterologists, otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, bariatric surgeons, and pharmacists. Primary care physicians should obtain a good history to evaluate for any alarm symptoms or intrinsic cardiac causes and should promptly refer patients for further cardiac evaluation. Considering lifestyle modifications are the cornerstone of GERD management, patients should be counseled about weight loss, tobacco and alcohol cessation, and avoidance of late meals. Bariatric surgery should be discussed with morbidly obese patients presenting with GERD symptoms and should be promptly referred for bariatric surgery evaluation. Otolaryngologists and pulmonologists should consider GERD in their differentials when evaluating patients presenting with atypical symptoms that include chronic cough, laryngitis, asthma, and hoarseness. Cases of patients with medically refractory GERD should be discussed in a multidisciplinary approach with the surgeons, pharmacists, and endoscopy nurses. Complications of GERD should be promptly recognized, evaluated, and treated to prevent long-term morbidity. This interprofessional approach helps in the management of GERD, resulting in improved patients' outcomes and increased quality of life.
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text:
Q: How can I compare two dataframes, row by row, adding a label (with True/False)? I would like to compare two dataframes, which have the same name for the columns. I would like to create another dataframe with an additional column with a label. If val1 = val1 and val2=val2 then add 1 (True), otherwise add 0 (False).
df1:
val1   val2
  3     4
  1     2
  6     7
  8     9

df2:
val1   val2
  3     4
  1     6
  6     7
  8     0

I wish I had a result like this:
df_new:
val1   val2  Label
  3     4      1
  1     2      0
  6     7      1
  8     9      0

How can I do it?

A: if rows are all aligned, just compare them directly,
df1["Label"] = (df1 == df2).all(axis=1).astype(int)

A: Try .merge with indicator= parameter:
x = df1.merge(df2, on=["val1", "val2"], indicator="Label", how="left")
x.Label = x.Label.eq("both").astype(int)
print(x)

Prints:
   val1  val2  Label
0     3     4      1
1     1     2      0
2     6     7      1
3     8     9      0

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Singapore, Seoul and Amsterdam are thriving after laying foundations for healthy integrated start-up ecosystems in the late '90s and early 2000s. Dubai and the UAE are on the cusp of greatness. Some might argue it is already great. Others, with their eyes fixed on the horizon, can sense that this is only the tipping point.


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You may be thinking that LED lighting can be harsh and cold to look at when it comes to interior decorating. This really isn't the case, and we urge you to look past this stigma. When LED bulb technology was first introduced, a lot of lighting did focus on the cold blue aesthetic. However, the tech has changed in a number of ways since then. Today, you can buy bulbs and lighting products in a range of different colours and styles. The benefits of having indoor lighting with LED technology really does trump the rest. Many designers today use the tech to highlight one area of the house, in the form of spotlights or decorative housings of the lights themselves. This is great if you would like to highlight areas of the kitchen, a focal point in the living room, or if you would like to have undercabinet lighting.
For many interior designers, LED lighting has been avoided at all cost. This was originally due to the lack of design and colour in LED lighting choices. This, of course, has become a thing of the past. LED lighting has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years, with hundreds of new designs hitting the shelves at lower costs. The lighting fixture on the right can be bought on the First Lighting website. The heads are fully adjustable and can be moved specifically to your liking. The design is simple and elegant and would look beautiful with any modern furnishings in the home. We purchased this exquisite centre piece last week, and we can't wait to put it up in our living room. We've chosen a dark grey theme with chrome accents, pretty sweet huh?
The First Lighting website is great for all kinds of LED lighting, not just indoor lighting. If you would rather stick to outdoor LED technology, that's great! The company offer a range of styles for outdoor use. However, the tech out there today regarding LED lighting is astounding, and shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to redecorating your home.


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« "3 HEARTS": One man, two women
"EFFIE GRAY": Poor Pitiful Pearl »
"HOME": Interstellar comedy
March 26, 2015 by butlerscinemascene
Oh, Pig the cat, and Trig in their flying car
"HOME" My rating: B-
94 minutes | MPAA rating: PG
Now and then voice talent can provide the make-or-break factor in an animated feature.
It's hard to imagine "Aladdin" or "Finding Nemo" without the vocal contributions of Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres. Jim Parsons provides a similar service in "Home."
Parsons, a multiple Emmy winner for playing a scientific genius/social idiot on TV's "The Big Bang Theory," provides the voice of Oh, an alien creature who has come to Earth along with about a million of his fellow Boovs.
The Boovs are a species of six-legged creatures with trashcan bodies, frog-like faces, prehensile ears and a chameleonic ability to change their skin coloring to fit their emotions (red for angry, blue for sad, yellow for fear…).
Though they overnight seize our world — banishing the human population to camps in the Australian Outback that are part suburban subdivision, part carnival midway — the Boovs aren't particularly scary. They don't kill or physically harm the dispossessed humans. They're like a herd of shy pre-schoolers.
Except for Oh, who in comparison to his brethren is a radical rugged individualist. Aggressively garrulous and outgoing, he irritates his reticent comrades, who dread his friendly incursions into their personal space. He's a well-meaning boor upsetting an otherwise sedate environment.
But Oh is terribly amusing, chattering on in his own form of malaprop-heavy, English-mangling Yoda-speak.
"What is the purpose of your face?" (Translation: "Why do you have that look?")
Or "I am saying the sorry to you." (Translation: "I apologize.")
Parsons delivers this tongue-twisting patter with a happy eagerness that is both amusing and ingratiating.
Director Tim Johnson and writers Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember (adapting Adam Rex's 2011 children's book "The True Meaning of Smekday") take a page from the "E.T." playbook. They team Oh with a human girl, Tip (nicely voiced by Rihanna), who with her fat cat Pig has avoided being taken by the Boov.
But Tip yearns to be reunited with her mother, now in a camp Down Under. With Oh's technological know-how Tip's mother's car is converted into a flying machine (employing hardware Oh cannibalizes from a convenience store) and the two set off on their quest.
There are complications. Oh and Tip are being pursued by the head of the Boovs, the bombastic Captain Smek (Steve Martin), whose self-absorbed idiocy is strongly reminiscent of Julien the lemur king in the "Madagascar" series.
Worse, yet another alien species, the terrifying Gorg, have been chasing the Boovs across the galaxy and, thanks to Oh's fumbling, have detected their prey on Earth.
"Home" (a dull title that says nothing about the movie) has some good messages. For starters, there's Tip and her mother (voiced by Jennifer Lopez), who are immigrants from the Caribbean. They're people of color, but the movie makes no big deal of the fact.
There are positive messages about being yourself, not succumbing to the herd mentality. And about the meaning of family, a concept foreign to Oh's people. And the joy of music, something else the Boov know nothing about.
The animation is exceptional, filling the screen with whimsical Boov "improvements" to our world. Earth becomes a sort of giant toy box filled with goofy visual delights.
Balanced against this is the unsettling notion of humans becoming a captive race. That the Boov round us all up with giant vacuum cleaners rather than with jackbooted storm troopers is meant to reassure, and the small fry will no doubt eagerly buy into the playfulness.
Grown-ups, though, may find themselves squirming a bit. After decades of cinematic aliens out to enslave us, it's hard to regard the Boov as all that benign.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Home", Jennifer Lopez, Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin | Leave a Comment

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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ISA and Automation Federation commemorate kickoff of 2018 FIRST(R) Robotics Competition
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (24 January 2018) – Earlier this month, the rules and game-playing details for the 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) were announced by FIRST®, a not-for-profit public charity designed to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.
Combining the rigors of science and technology, the FRC challenges teams of high school students (ages 14-8/grades 9-12) to design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform tasks against a field of competitors.
This year's FRC, titled FIRST® POWER UPSM (click here for game explanation and competition information.), is expected to involve approximately 91,000 students on 3,650 participating teams throughout the world. Working with adult mentors, students have six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet the season's engineering challenge.
Once the students build a robot, their teams will participate in one or more of the global 158 regional and district events that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students. The competition culminates at the 2018 FIRST Championship, 18-21 April in Houston, Texas and 25-28 April in Detroit, Michigan.
By participating in FIRST, students gain confidence to explore the innovation process while learning valuable science, engineering, technology, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. FRCparticipants are eligible to apply for more than $50 million in FIRST Scholarships from leading colleges and universities.
As strategic alliance partners of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), ISA and its umbrella organization, the Automation Federation, actively supportFIRST's multi-faceted educational programs that help young people discover and develop a passion for STEM learning and career pathways.
The FRC enables students to:
Learn from professional engineers
Master STEM skills
Utilize sophisticated software, hardware, and power tools
Improve teamwork, and interpersonal and communication skills
Qualify for more than $30 million in college scholarships
The FRC's positive impact on its student participants is impressive and well documented. Through their involvement, more than 88 percent demonstrate greater interest in education, and 92 percent are more interested in attending college.
"Fostering interest and enthusiasm among young people is critical to developing the next wave of automation engineers and technicians needed to meet the challenges of the future," emphasizes Marty Edwards, Managing Director and Director of Government Relations at the Automation Federation. "Events like the FIRST Robotics Competition drive home just how exciting science, technology, engineering and math—STEM for short—and automation-related learning can be for young people. ISA and the Automation Federation have immense potential to tap into this excitement, and attract many more young people to our profession."
Edwards encourages all ISA and AF members to take a closer look at how they can get more involved in FIRST programs and activities.
This year, more than 255,000 volunteers (including mentors, coaches and judges) have already signed up to fill roles across FIRST programs. The FIRST volunteer website outlines the various ways automation professionals can become involved, most commonly as a mentor or coach or as an event-day volunteer.
"By participating in FIRST and other discovery programs targeted to young people," Edwards says, "we can reconnect to the enthusiasm that ignited our own drive to learn and pursue an automation career and, at the same time, inspire others to follow their own path toward success in the profession."
About FIRST®
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering.
With support from more than 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and nearly $25 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in grades 9-12; the FIRST® Tech Challenge for grades 7-12; the FIRST® LEGO® League for grades 4-8; and the FIRST® LEGO® League Jr for grades K-3. To learn more aboutFIRST, go to www.firstinspires.org.
The International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world.
ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org), an association of non-profit organizations serving as "The Voice of Automation." Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute (www.isasecure.org) and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute (www.isa100wci.org).
About the Automation Federation
The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization of twenty (20) member organizations and seven working groups engaged in automation activities. The Automation Federation enables its members to more effectively fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications, and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is the "Voice of Automation."
Other Barcode News
SMC³, Logistics Management Announce Alliance Award Winners
AIM Names 2018 Industry Group Chairs
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Leeds Teaching Hospitals Nhs Trust Chooses Zebra Technologies For Gs1 Compliance
Russians Lined Up In A Record QR Code
ScanSource Named to FORTUNE Magazine's 2018 List of 'World's Most Admired Companies'
SunDance Acquires Pitney Bowes Relay 7000 Folder Inserter With Barcode Scanning
Economics of Track and Traceability - AIM Seminar
TEKLYNX Named 2018 Stevie® Awards Finalist for Customer Service Department of the Year
Sionic Mobile and Xevo Partner to Expand Merchant Network for Rich Retailer Experience
Barcode Verification At Your Fingertips by Omron Microscan


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Q: How can I use the invokeChaincode() function in composer,is the 'transaction' in composer equals to func in chaincode 'invoke'? We can define many things in chaincode "invoke" function.And we can also define many "transaction" in hyperledger composer network.What's more these two concept can change the ledger statement.
If I can use getNativeAPI().invokeChaincode() to call a "transaction in the other network?For example, if I have transaction:
In cto
participant ValifyParticipant identified by valifiedId {
  o String valifiedId
  o String organization
  o Double validRate
  o Double passRate
}

@returns(String)
transaction ValifyTransaction {
  o String detail
  o String valid
  --> ValifyParticipant valifyParticipant
  --> Participant Participant
}

In logic.js:
/**
 * Sample valify manual transaction fuction
 * @param {org.example.com.ValifyTransaction} vct the sample valify manual submit transaction instance.
 * @returns {String}(https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/string) The string.
 * @transaction
 */
async function ValifyCompoundTransaction(vct) {
  ....
}

How can I call ValifyCompoundTransaction in another network with the function getNativeAPI().invokeChaincode()
I have followed the tutorial:

https://hyperledger.github.io/composer/latest/tutorials/invoke-composer-network

to use getNative().invokechaincode() to execute function which is below:
 const otherNetworkData = await getNativeAPI().invokeChaincode('example-test-network',['getResourceInRegistry','Participant','org.example.com.Participant','1'],'firstchannel');

But failed and get the reason below:
2018-09-21 02:31:00.211 UTC [committer/txvalidator] validateTx -> ERRO 03c VSCCValidateTx for transaction txId = 60730ff6a58440f3a59322ca9590d2eeff933c23b074e73611dfc4ff9b6f8322 returned error: VSCC error: endorsement policy failure, err: signature set did not satisfy policy
2018-09-21 02:31:28.273 UTC [chaincode] HandleTransaction -> ERRO 042 [e2243000] Failed to handle INVOKE_CHAINCODE. error: could not get valid transaction

But When I remove the invokeChaincode() above it works fine


Klegg Electronics, mostly known for its diminutive MP3 players along with boutique, high-end media center systems, flat panel televisions, and home theater speaker systems announced today that it plans to introduce a new consumer-oriented Genesis line of media players, speakers, and flat-panel televisions beginning January 8, 2007. In addition to launching a separate online site for the Klegg Genesis line, the produts will be available via traditional retailers and online distributors.
"Over the past year Klegg has worked to lay the groundwork to support the GENESIS launch through strategic alliances, technological acquisitions and marketing initiatives," said Dennis Gentles, CEO of Klegg Electronics, in a statement. "The Company is confident that their entrance into the $21 billion consumer electronics industry with the new moderately priced Klegg Genesis line of products and the continued growth of Klegg's original product line, estimated to increase in sales by 27 percent in 2006, will dramatically impact Klegg's 2007 operating results and will produce long term sustained growth for the company."


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Home / (NUP) / Amnesty / Anambra Governorship election / Anambra House of Representatives / APC / APGA. PDP / BBC News / Biafra / CNN / Crime / House of Assembly / Igbos / INTERSOCIETY / IPOB / Music / PDP / peace keeping / OIL SECTOR!!!! AS NNPC AND OANDO!!!! PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION IN MIDSTREAM...SEE
OIL SECTOR!!!! AS NNPC AND OANDO!!!! PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION IN MIDSTREAM...SEE
RowlandGate Thursday, November 09, 2017 (NUP), Amnesty, Anambra Governorship election, Anambra House of Representatives, APC, APGA. PDP, BBC News, Biafra, CNN, Crime, House of Assembly, Igbos, INTERSOCIETY, IPOB, Music, PDP, peace keeping
Christian Rowland writing for ODOGWU MEDIA....The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru has pledged to deepen support to indigenous companies in Nigeria's oil and gas industry.
A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, said Baru made the pledge while commissioning the Lagos Midstream Jetty (LMJ) at the Apapa Harbour in Lagos.
"NNPC will continue to support all players in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry toward efficient product supply and distribution across the country,'' he said.
Baru reiterated NNPC's commitment to continuous collaboration with the private sector and urged private companies to develop innovative and profitable solutions that would not only aid development, but ease the way of doing business.
He noted that the development of the much-needed critical infrastructure should not be seen as the sole responsibility of government. "Good infrastructure plays a critical role in ending extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity among the citizenry.
"The reality is that we all have a role to play in developing and moving the economy forward, an economy that will benefit us all today and generations yet unborn,'' Baru said.
He commended Oando Plc for initiating the idea of the LMJ, saying the jetty was an encouraging example of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The statement also quoted the Chairman OVH Energy, Mr Wale Tinubu as saying "the N54.4 billion worth LMJ was conceived as an innovative industry solution to the perennial challenges marketers faced in the importation of petroleum products.
"Today, we have delivered a first-class engineering piece that meets global standards. "It is the first of its kind in the sub-Saharan Africa and will be of invaluable benefit to the industry and nation at large."
Tinubu also thanked the GMD for encouraging indigenous participation in the nation's oil and gas industry.
Conceived by ASPM Ltd, a subsidiary of OVH Energy Ltd (an Oando Plc Licence), the LMJ is West Africa's first privately owned mid-stream jetty located at the Lagos Apapa Harbour. The LMJ will allow up to 45,000 Dead Weight (DWT) vessels to berth and discharge products while easing out congestion around the Apapa corridor.
The Jetty which is also available for the use of players in all sectors, including peers and competitors, is expected to boost the delivery of petroleum products to Terminals around the Apapa axis and the nation at large.
Written and edited by Christian Rowland,
OIL SECTOR!!!! AS NNPC AND OANDO!!!! PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION IN MIDSTREAM...SEE Reviewed by RowlandGate on Thursday, November 09, 2017 Rating: 5


Top freeroll tournament tips for serious online poker wouldn't really apply to any other form of poker This makes Double or Nothing tournaments indiana cash for life winning numbers unique.In this case, playing at an MGM Resorts property leaves you at the whim of a table games pit..
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Ratings also allow you to identify poor value favourites and for setting betting exchange prices.5721 "After leaving the navy anne arundel mall casino address 6 years ago I decided that there might be the possibility of making some tax free dollars on the horses and supplementing my pension.Another helpful approach is to set an upper limit on the HRT price you will consider a horse. .You may be able to add additional value by considering the horse's distance ability, our overall risk factor under Easy Form and other factors like the number of past runs, first up etc.Regardless which one wins, the return will be 100 for your total bet.20 or a small profit.80 (less commission on the.80).A leader or a horses that dramatically changes its barrier) will result in a new leader and therefore a new scenario.You then converted each probability into a price, ie 50 (1/50).00.The TAB however only returned 120.00 or a profit.Ratings are very different to prices.If you have the discipline, access the media to gain a further advantage.A.00 horse has a 50 chance of winning.Watch (and be prepared) for dramatic changes in betting.Lets assume you have kept your log book running and have found your maximum runs of outs is 20 races in a row (this should be determined over 1000's of races).Conclusion Betting Exchanges offer better odds over the TAB's.It is provided within the last few minutes before the official race start time (Usually within 3 minutes to 30 seconds).Firstly you need to note that we provide market prices not ratings.This ensures that you maintain is there a way to win at slot machines a good win strike rate.You are no longer the market follower but the market leader - the "sheep" at the track are waiting for your move!So how much take is there?
This example illustrates the additional gains 'rounding down' gives a TAB.


Science Ninjas is set in a familiar but futuristic world, where Science Ninja Eureka Fermi leads her team of Science Ninjas against obstacles they can only overcome with the clever application of scientific and engineering principles. Each story teaches a specific science concept.
So, who are Science Ninjas?
11-Year Old Eureka Fermi has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and black belts in Judo, Jujitsu, and Taekwondo. Always cool, occasionally aloof, she's ready to do what it takes to get the job done. She's usually chewing a brand of sugarless bubblegum she synthesized herself (her favorite flavor is strawberry).
Carlos Einstein has been genetically engineered to be faster, stronger, more durable, and hungrier than any 10-year-old on the planet. While not a genius like his commanding officer Eureka, Carlos has a good spirit and a broad curiosity about the natural world. Carlos is just a cadet and not a full-ranked Science Ninja.
Arrogant and quick to anger, Mei is a Genetically Modified Handful. Her amazing abilities, including heightened strength, speed, and durability, are offset by her abrasive and uncooperative behavior. Perhaps her defensiveness and low opinion of anyone from the science-phobic land of Maculani are just defenses against the judgment she feels as a GMH.
Remarkably bright, if Dr. Davy took his ninja duties as seriously as his science, he would rival Eureka in his abilities. As such, he's more of a lover than a fighter, seeing missions and labwork as opportunities to forge friendships and socialize.
The fiercely independent princess of the Water Ninjas came to the Science Ninjas out of a desire to help others. A curious stranger in a strange land, Sloopy is torn between the simple and natural beauty of the River Kingdom and the exciting modern world of the Science Ninjas. Sloopy wouldn't consider herself a flirt - it's just her duty as a princess to explore suitable matches!
While the disciplined Monk has near mastery over his body, he has less control over the expansive curiosity of his mind. That's how a monk from Maculani started corresponding with Science Ninja Eureka Fermi on how to teach the mysteries of nature to his order. When Maculani warlords learned of Lo'Jian's heresy, he fled to Newton to continue his training. While his vows prevent him from romantic relationships, he loves to play the matchmaker.
Little is known about the Maculani spy who always shows up in the wrong place at the right time. While aiding the Science Ninjas at crucial times, Rascal's real agenda remains mysterious - in fact, no one even knows whether Rascal is a boy or a girl.
Operating from the Shadows, Dr. Tox's missions are classified at the highest level. Reporting directly to the Science Ninjas' mysterious leader Shogun, Dr. Tox's name alone inspires fear in enemy and ally alike.


One of the most efficient and cost-effective decisions a small business can make is to invest in their community by joining their local chamber of commerce. Analytically, being a member has a drastic impact on both the visibility and credibility for small businesses. Members also gain access to networking opportunities, member-only information and a surplus of other values, which vary from chamber to chamber.
Incredibly, a study done by the recently retried Schapiro Group found that, "When consumers know that a small business is a member of [their] chamber of commerce, they are 44 percent more likely to think favorable of it and 63 percent more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future." While it's not surprising that a positive trend appears when consumers are aware that a business is a member of their chamber, the strength of these values are. Again, there is a positive correlation with consumer favorability (44 percent increase in rating), customer awareness (51 percent increase in awareness), local reputation (57 percent increase) and again, and probably most importantly, an increase in the likelihood that these consumers will purchase a small business' goods or services (63 percent) in the short future. These numbers cannot, and should not, be ignored!
Beyond exposure, being a chamber member comes with added networking perks. While these incentives will differ from chamber to chamber, the intrinsic value remains the same. Your business will be better positioned communicate and utilize resources designed to help you grow. The goal of these chambers is to create a thriving environment within the community by investing in their businesses, your business. Yes, there are dues and it is an investment, but like all business ventures you should weigh the good with the bad and in this case it's pretty clear.
From a marketing perspective, it is important to realize that your business will only benefit based on your involvement and visibility. Simply joining, paying a month's dues and taping a sign to your storefront is not enough. Start by attending events, making contacts, ensuring that your marketing pieces — online and print — emphasize your membership. Being active and making sure your potential clientele know you're a chamber member are the best ways to see an ROI from your membership.
It's up to your local chamber to provide you with the means to help your business, but it's up to you to maximize how you use them!


1921 Tequila Cream awarded the highest honor, Best of Category, along with a Gold Medal at the premier agave competition in the country.
Casa 1921, producer and marketer of ultra-premium tequila, today announced that its 1921 Tequila Cream Liqueur took home the coveted Best of Category award as well as a Gold Medal in the flavors/cream category at the 2009 Spirits of Mexico Competition for the second consecutive year.
Juan Francisco Collado, President of 1921 Tequila said: "We know our crema de Mexico is something special and the Spirits of Mexico Competition is a wonderful validation. We use our 1921 Tequila Blanco as the base for our cream liqueur. The blue agave from the Jalisco Highlands produces the finest tequila and we only use agave grown in this special terroir in all our tequila expressions. It is said that cream rises to the top and our 1921 Tequila Cream has certainly proven that it is la crema de la crema."


Our Q & A Series is edited by members of our Students & Young Professionals Network. It's an opportunity to get senior global health professionals to share about their global health experience. Questions are related to motivations for engaging in global health, the role of research, and career advice for those new to the field.
Get to know a professor, a mentor or colleague you're inspired by and interested in learning more about, rather than relying on a cold-call!
Who would you like to interview? This could be someone you've taken a course from, a mentor, colleague, or peer who has an interesting global health story to share! Pro tip: Search the CCGHR Members Directory according to your interest areas to find potential interviewees.
Submit your idea to sypn@ccghr.ca before you get started. We will provide detailed instructions and connect you with an email introduction if useful.
Contact your potential interviewee to see if they could give you 20 minutes of their time. If so, find a mutually convenient time to meet-up in person, talk on the phone, or Skype!
There are 3 mandatory questions we'd like answered in all Q&As, but aside from those, the interview is totally up to you! Prepare following the SYPN interview guide and put your active listening skills to work.
Send us your completed interview for copy editing and content approval by the interviewee. We will endeavour to post it within 4 weeks of submission.
Q & A with Brian Cameron, January 8, 2019 – On the importance of facing health inequities head on, following your passions, and how to get started. Interview by Julia Pemberton.
Q & A with Jerry Spiegel, February 19, 2018 – On solidarity with Cuba, when building on your own experiences can help you, and how to seek quality partnerships and relationships in global health research. Interview by Nicole Spence.
Q & A with Annalee Yassi, October 26, 2017 – On ethics in global health research, the link between clinical care and the social and environmental determinants of health, and why humility is key. Interview by Nicole Spence.
Q & A with Donald Cole, September 2017 - On the importance of thinking about health in the context of multiple systems, species and contexts, and engaging in the cascade of global health research mentorship. Interview by the CCGHR SYPN Professional Development Team.


text:
Good morning! Welcome to our live blog, everyone.
I love 9:25 liveblog season
We're expecting orders from last week's conference very soon, followed by opinions in one or more argued cases at 10. Will this be the week that we get an order on wedding cakes or Indiana abortion? We'll know soon enough.
Good morning, all. Your "view from the courtroom" correspondent cannot be in the courtroom today, so I thought I would participate in the Live Blog.
Mark Walsh
Here's a link to the order list: https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/051319zor_10n2.pdf
There are no new grants today at the Court.
Two cases I was keeping an eye on for Education Week were denied this morning: One is Millburn, N.J. v. Palardy, about "Whether, and how, the Supreme Court's two-step framework for evaluating First Amendment retaliation claims by public employees applies to a claim alleging retaliation based on an employee's association with a public-sector union." The petition was written by former SG Greg Garre.
The justices deny review in the case of Christopher Price, a death row inmate in Alabama. Justice Thomas has a lengthy opinion concurring in the denial of review and responding to Justice Stephen Breyer's dissent (here: https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/04/justices-clear-the-way-for-alabama-execution/).
The second denied case I was interested in is Tree of Life Christian Schools v. Upper Arlington, Ohio, which involved a religious school's challenge to a zoning regulation under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
The justices deny review in a case involving whether whether prisoners have a First Amendment right to include threatening, abusive and irrelevant language in their grievances. The prisoner prevailed in the Ninth Circuit and the state asked the Court to weigh in. The case is Dahne v. Richey; Justice Alito dissents from the denial of review, joined by Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh.
The Supreme Court sends Myers v. United States back to the Eighth Circuit for additional consideration in light of the position that the government took in its brief. John Elwood has a more extensive discussion of the case in Relist Watch here: https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/05/relist-watch-142/. The Chief Justice dissented from the disposition of the case, joined by Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissents from the denial of cert. in the case of Abu-Ali Abdur'Rahman, who is on death row in Tennessee (and who, in the interest of full disclosure, was my client for many years when I was practicing law).
Looking at the orders list from home today, I forgot to scroll to the bottom to see the written opinions relating to orders. When we get that list at the court, those opinions are stapled on top of the rest of the orders list.
The justices also denied review in Town of Millburn v. Pallardy. The town had asked the justices to weigh in on whether and how the Supreme Court's two-step framework for evaluating claims by government employees that allege that they were victims of retaliation for something that they said applies to claims alleging retaliation based on an employee's association with a public-sector union.
Any thoughts on why Tree of Life was denied cert? (worked on RLUIPA stuff for my con law clinic and am interested).
How does the Court make a selection when counsel is to be appointed? Is there a list of volunteers or is any member of the SCOTUS Bar eligible?
@AmyHowe In cases like Myers v. United States, where it is remanded before SCOTUS even hears it, does that mean that there was an application for Cert that was first denied (which means <4 voted for it) and then a separate vote to remand? Or do they just vote to remand? Or do we not know?
by benc 5/13/2019 1:43:52 PM
Is Gundy ever going to be decided
by jamesconnolly 5/13/2019 1:45:18 PM
Box v. PP of Indiana still not acted upon. Any thoughts?
by Conlawprof 5/13/2019 1:46:36 PM
Will there be coverage of Thomas' concurrence in the denial of certiorari for Dunn v. Price? It seems like a remarkable addendum to Breyer's remarkable earlier dissent.
by Colin 5/13/2019 1:49:15 PM
At this point how likely are opinions to come out in the order in which they were argued? Are the one remaining case each from October and November more likely to be decided this week or at this point could it just as well be July we learn their outcomes?
by AE 5/13/2019 1:50:10 PM
Tree of Life seemed straightforward to me as a cert denial. The building wasn't zoned residential or for schooling and is in the middle of an office park. It's not that the city was disfavoring religion, it was disfavoring any educational establishment in that space.
by davidmac 5/13/2019 1:50:50 PM
I'm really hoping we see something on Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission v. American Humanist Association. I wonder if they look like they're going through with eliminating the Lemon Test and whether they're going with the other tests (coercion, endorsement, penalty) or go with what my professor calls the "history test."
Amy, what's the most # of opinions you can remember being released on one day?
by Andrew 5/13/2019 1:52:26 PM
Good morning Amy! I love scotusblog
by Ian 5/13/2019 1:53:08 PM
How about the dual sovereignty case???
by Da Man 5/13/2019 1:53:34 PM
More opinion days this week, or not until next Monday?
by Top Side 5/13/2019 1:53:35 PM
The school prayer decision I'm thinking of (when 15 opinions came out in a single day) was in 1962 or 63.
Five-minute buzzer just sounded.
Does it seem like the Solicitor General is taking a lot of time to file his views on some cases?
by Charlie A 5/13/2019 1:57:24 PM
I have not gotten up but hear Ariane de Vogue of CNN saying two boxes. For the new-ish here, the number of boxes is a rough proxy for the number of opinions.
What's the quickest a Court has given a merit opinion after the oral argument during the Roberts Court era? Sometimes I feel that an obvious 9-0 case would end up being quicker than it is. Like the aforementioned Gamble v. US.
@Mark: I really like the View from the Courtroom posts. I like hearing about the atmosphere in the courtroom and how the justices and lawyers interacted, and the room reacted to the arguments.
What? No five-minute buzzer sounded at my house! Normally, I would be seated upstairs in the courtroom by now and chatting with the handful of reporters who go up for opinion announcements.
Okay, I'm headed in to wait for opinions. Back soon.
Anything on DACA
by noah 5/13/2019 2:00:54 PM
We have the first opinion. It is Apple v. Pepper, from Justice Kavanaugh. The Ninth Circuit is affirmed.
The decision is 5-4. Kavanaugh is joined by Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan.
Gorsuch dissents, joined by Roberts, Thomas, and Alito.
Here's a link to the opinion in Apple v. Pepper. Amy will have our analysis.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/17-204_bq7d.pdf
On DACA, Roberts trying to force other two branches to legislate
The court says that iPhone users purchased apps directly from Apple and therefore can sue Apple for antitrust violations. They allege that Apple has monopolized the retail market for apps and has unlawfully used its power to charge consumers higher prices.
Interesting that Kavanaugh and Gorsuch split on this antitrust case! Article today about precisely that -- they are not lockstep.
The court does not decide the merits of the antitrust claims against Apple or whether Apple might have any other defenses. Just says that Apple can't rely on a defense known as Illinois Brick's direct-purchaser rule.
The justices announce opinions in order of reverse seniority, so we could hear from Kavanaugh or any other justice again today. He is still announcing his opinion.


text:
in: Games
March 29, 2007 (JP)
D.Gray-man: The Apostles of God (ディー・グレイマン:神の使徒達, Dī Gureiman: Kami no Shitotachi) is an adventure game for the Nintendo DS based on the series.
2 English Translation
3 Soundtrack
It features a retelling of Allen's first missions after joining the Black Order, from Mater to Krory's Castle. Players may pick their choice of companions as they solve puzzles and battle Akuma in a race to reach the Innocence before the Millennium Earl.
The final chapter, a non-canonical story set in Cagliostro, contains three possible endings.
An unofficial fan-translated English patch for the game was released in March 2019. It is fully playable and includes an accompanying walkthrough with a guide to unlocking the true ending.
The soundtrack hasn't gotten an official release but can be found here.
Official Nintendo Website (Japanese)
English Translation Source


text:
B-Movies, Big Issues
I rented two pretty crummy movies from the McDonald's kiosk last night -- The Happening and You Don't Mess with the Zohan. Both were films geared unabashedly towards the lowest common denominator, presenting gratuitous gore in the former and a nonstop barrage of tasteless sex jokes in the latter. Both movies, I feel, rather undercut their core goals by bringing in sensitive real-world issues that were quite above their modest ambitions.
The Happening, promoted widely as Night Shyamalan's first R-rated movie, should have been publicized more as his first movie not to feature a signature twist. I don't feel at all bad about giving the whole plot away right here, since Mark Wahlberg's science teacher character does so in the first scene in which he appears. The trees are sick of sharing the earth with the humans, and... they're fighting back! (Sadly, the soundtrack passes up on the opportunity to use any Rush songs.) This makes for some scary scenes in the the first ten minutes, as people begin to graphically commit suicide left and right on city streets. Unfortunately, the rest of the picture really lags, since there's not a whole lot of terror to be wrung out of a small group of refugees fleeing death-bringing pollen. Shyamalan, who's a fabulously gifted director, does his best and manages to deliver a handful of whopper scares. But there's also a lot of shots of the wind gently -- ominously, but gently -- blowing the foliage around. Grass is inherently not scary.
The movie is miscast, too. Wahlberg is as he always is. His character seems a little slow, like maybe he's reading his lines off of his wrist, but Mark Wahlberg has always been able to make his radiating stupidity play sympathetic. Zooey Deschanel, on the other hand, is a good actress, but she's hugely out of place here. Her character is supposed to be emotionally distant, providing the friction in her marriage to Wahlberg and the film's one and only subplot, but Deschanel couldn't play emotionally distant if she tried. Her enormous eyes communicate everything she's feeling immediately. Shyamalan's rep lets him bring in better actors than he really deserves for many of the minor roles, and John Leguizamo, Alan Ruck, and even Clerks' Brian O'Halloran all wander through impactless. The director has a real problem with his premise -- the plague kills by making people suicidal, but to show any of his leads actually killing themselves would leave the audience with the wrong final impression of them. So he cuts away, which makes the whole thing feel floaty and inconsequential. Lots of movies kill scores of extras.
Realizing he's losing momentum, Night takes a random detour in the last twenty minutes or so to provide a new antagonist (beautifully played by grand dame Betty Buckley) and a few more arbitrary shocks, including the sight of the kid from The Kid taking a full-barrel shotgun blast right in the gut. Final analysis, the guy hasn't made a half-decent movie since Signs, and ought to try his hand on somebody's else's script one of these days. If Mark Wahlberg can't understand it and passes, that would be a good first step.
As for You Don't Mess with the Zohan, it's pretty minor gross-out fare, save for the vaguely offensive sight of John Turturro and Rob Schneider in dusky makeup playing Arabs. Adam Sandler hasn't made a good old-fashioned Adam Sandler movie in a while, with a stupid voice and idiotic asocial behavior, so in that sense it's nice to see him going back to what he does best. Zohan isn't as funny as Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore, the two Z-grade classics that established Sandler's formula and still lend their names to his production company, but it's in the same spirit. Casting no one else in the movie taller than 5'5" does not make Sandler any more convincing as an untouchable commando, and why exactly his Zohan is such a naif is a mystery. It's not exactly like Tel Aviv is a backwater.
The commando-as-hairdresser stuff is pretty funny, but Zohan's immoderate libido isn't, and the whole subplot with him servicing all of his elderly female customers after he styles their wigs is more disturbing than anything else. The plot, when one shows up about two-thirds into the proceedings, is straight out of Caddyshack II. Sandler works a few laughs out of the premise, but he's not really doing anything to advance the cause of Israeli-Palestinian relations, and I sincerely hope he doesn't view this as an Austin Powers-like franchise. His Israeli accent isn't all that distinguishable from his dreaded Waterboy Cajun accent, and both really wear on the ears after long enough. Also, what is the whole obsession with goats?
New TV Season, Hooray!
We're a few weeks in and I've figured out what I'm keeping on my DVR season pass list. Seems like the networks, across the board, are energized by the end of the writers' strike and the prospect of full seasons of their profit-making shows. Less reality and more "Heroes" is OK with me.
Jury's still out on the new shows. I have a lot of shows from last season that I bailed out on early due to strike depression, so I'm giving them my time now instead of anything new and clearly doomed -- the ads for that Jay Mohr sitcom, in particular, seem wretched. "Pushing Daisies," perhaps surprisingly, survived a short and overlooked first season on a network where it sticks out like a sore thumb. I was pleased to see its second-season premiere well-promoted. The show is still just a little bit too stylized for its own good, but if you're the sort of person who gets drawn in by Tim Burton sets or Coen Brothers scripts, at some point you just accept that every line of dialogue is going to be overloaded with puns and alliteration and go with it. Any show that can have French Stewart as a guest star and still boast at least three more overacting characters has got some charm to it.
The other show from last season I lost in the shuffle there was "Life," which I'm now watching with some interest. The police procedural show is so ubiquitous now that there's already a whole genre of shows that try to subvert its formula; "Life" is hardly the first show to try and put itself at right angles to America's obsession with very attractive corpses. If you want wisecracking with dusting for fingerprints included, there's the more meat-and-potatoes "NCIS," or cable's lovable "Monk" and "Psych." But "Life" has something going for it, mostly Damian Lewis's beatific lead character. If you haven't heard the hook, he's a police detective who was wrongly imprisoned for murder and has been released and returned to the job after years of incarceration. As a result, he has kind of "only he who has lost everything gains anything" quiet peace to him, in addition to a penchant for tropical fruits. It's a completely unique inverse to the hard-as-nails cop and the actress who plays his straight-arrow partner is witty enough to keep up with Lewis. Only thing is the same problem with all these shows -- how are there enough horrible murders in Southern California to keep all of these people on all these shows in their jobs? Sometimes I'm glad I live in flyover country.
New seasons of "Californication" and "Dexter" are underway over on pay TV. I haven't started the latter yet because I just finished watching the second season (suitably exciting, some more bad acting from the supporting cast, not as creepily airtight as the first). I did watch the first three episodes of David Duchovny's series. Is it OK for a sex addict to be appearing on what's basically a revival of HBO's classic nudity vehicle "Dream On," only with literary ambitions? I wonder if Duchovny hears his own voice narrating his various liaisons as he once did "Red Shoe Diaries." See, no matter how big you get, movie star even, you can never escape pay cable soft porn.
OK, I'm belittling Tom Kapinos's show a little. Wendie Malick was hotter as the ex on "Dream On" than the vacant Natascha McElhone is on "Californication," but other than that the writing is much better, the jokes are way better, and the girls are hotter. Carla Gallo played a porn star in a recent storyline. After ending the first season by suggesting that his protagonist had finally made his mind up to settle down with his daughter and her mother, Kapinos sets out right away to put Duchovny's Hank into situations that are going to jeopardize his new domesticity. Taking a job writing the biography of a coke-snorting, prostitute-enthusiast record producer (Callum Rennie) is like smoking in an oxygen bar. The producer knows the show works best not when Hank is happy, but when self-loathing (and drowning in topless chicks half his age). It's seems like there should be a little cognitive dissonance there between Duchovny's real-world commitment to recovery and the ongoing party on his show. Unless of course the whole sex-addiction story was a publicity stunt. At this point nothing would surprise me.
Couple movies I watched lately: Vantage Point was interesting from a technical standpoint but very dull as a movie; dividing it up into several 12-15 minute sections following each character removed the script from all requirements to give the characters motivations or personalities. Baby Mama sagged from a deathly stupid plot but had a decent amount of laughs. It seems weird to say that any movie's two highlights were Sigourney Weaver and Dax Shepard, but there you have it. Gone Baby Gone was a steady, interesting mystery that was a little longer than it needed to be but did do a good job essaying each of the characters so their actions in the end made sense. Ben Affleck is clearly at least a little smarter than the "Family Guy" and "South Park" writers think.


Thanks to Gabrielle Marquette of Fearless Teachers for buddy blogging with me this week!
Imagine this: as an educator, you are awarded a $100,000 grant which allows you to take time out of the classroom to research and implement a transformational idea. You can use the funds to travel to innovative schools, to attend conferences to further your learning, to hire consultants to work with your school, or any other activity that might help you in your venture. With the help of your administration and a steering committee, you work to transform your school into a place that best serves the needs of students.
Sound like a dream? It is, but it's available to Vermont educators through the graciousness of the Rowland Foundation, which seeks to usher forth the work of innovative educators, and in turn to truly transform Vermont schools.
This is the ultimate gift of the Rowland Foundation. Time to reflect on why education is the way it is, how change happens, and the true meaning of innovation is something most educators only have time for if they disregard the more pressing issue of planning classroom lessons. During the sabbatical, fellows meet five times per year and engage in reflective protocols; they blog about their experiences, successes, and insights, and they have deep discussions with others who are engaged in similar work. Wouldn't it be incredible if we somehow built into our systems the opportunity for every teacher to take a sabbatical every few years? How might that change our schools?
The Rowland foundation literally trusts teachers every year to make choices about what to do with $100,000 no questions asked. This can be overwhelming at first. There is a sense of guilt that comes with many years of explaining where each penny of your budget is headed. But, once a Rowland fellow can let go of that guilt, the level of creativity and innovation that is possible increases exponentially. One experience leads to another; questions begin to unfold; learning about one new idea leads to a desire to know about ten more new ideas. This is another level of overwhelming that requires working through but at each turn the learning ascends drastically. While there are moments of paralyzed wonder, the ability to respond to a curiosity and have the freedom to do it in whatever way you choose is extremely liberating and leads to deep learning, creativity and ultimately innovation.
The Rowland fellowship stresses that we are engaging in an inquiry process. Unlike most learning experiences, there really is no expectation for a final or finished product. There is no paper, no formal presentation or defense. The fact that there is no expected outcome is again, liberating. It allows for experimentation, revision, or major pivots if that makes sense. In general, learning experiences have an expected outcome. But with inquiry, learning changes our thinking along the way and what made sense at the start doesn't always make sense in the end. Learning experiences where the process is more important than the product allow for real problem solving to occur.
Because of the focus on inquiry, Rowland fellows are free to experiment. This is key to innovation, as sometimes those experiments fail. However, fellows are able to incorporate these lessons and move forward with a better plan. They are free to imagine possibilities and make progress with other stakeholders in their schools. They function as models of innovative thinking and often inspire their colleagues to follow suit.
–whether it be in a classroom with students or with professional development. Innovation happens by embracing the fact that failures happen but can ultimately be overcome with solid relationship foundations. Vermont owes thanks to the Rowland Foundation for supporting innovative teachers with the ambition and drive to transform its schools.
Frith, Caleb. Think. Digital image. Unsplash. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
Street, Jamie. "Sparklers after Sunset, by Jamie Street | Unsplash." Back to Unsplash. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
Tietsworth, Justin. "Lead The Way, by Justin Tietsworth | Unsplash." Back to Unsplash. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.
ISTE asks…what do you need to effectively integrate tech in your school?
Equitable Access: All students, teachers, staff and school leaders have robust and reliable connectivity and access to current and emerging technologies and digital resources.
As part of our Lancer One program, every student in our school is issued an iPad. Indeed, one of the original goals of the Lancer One program was equity: all learners were to have equal access to technology. In a rural school district, where diversity comes in the form of socio-economic separation, the importance of this belief cannot be overstated. We wanted our students to be able to access learning opportunities anytime and anywhere, and having devices in hand was imperative. With a supportive community who were able to recognize a budget surplus as an opportunity, we were able to make it happen, and with a lot of work on infrastructure, we were able to build the internal supports to uphold it.
I appreciate how ISTE recognizes that "leaders" can be any stakeholders. This is why I think we succeed in this element. Our teachers are empowered through a culture of opportunity and celebration–that is, we encourage teachers to share their successes and we celebrate them. (Check out #LamoilleLearns for a few examples!) Our students lead the way in groups like YATST, Environmental Club, and A World of Difference–effecting change in the realm of technology and beyond.
While every school has bright spots, there are also some that could use some shining. I think Implementation Planning is ours. ISTE describes this as, "All stakeholders follow a systematic plan aligned with a shared vision for school effectiveness and student learning through the infusion of information and communication technology (ICT) and digital learning resources." We have some incredibly bright spots–teachers who are lighting it up daily with innovative use of technology to meet the needs of our learners–but there need to be more. As George Couros so often reminds us, it's about relationships, and building those with reluctant teachers is a step in the right direction. As the tech integrationist, I've started with that and have continued to encourage those who risk. It's about helping teachers keep what's working and update what's not–without judgement.
One of the things I noticed in ISTE's Lead & Transform Diagnostic Tool was the number of times they referenced some kind of incentive for teachers. While I spend most of my time trying to bribe teachers with lunch in order to show them a tool, this survey started me thinking more seriously about compensation. Food is great; badges are better, but money? Now you're talking. Maybe that's where the magic incentive lies, and perhaps it's where more school districts should begin planning their PD budgets. If funds were budgeted to compensate teachers for taking the time to learn these new tools on their own, perhaps more teachers would do it.
$$$: Maybe more teachers would look this happy to be learning?
Or, what if we banded together (speaking for smaller school districts) and offered up a partnership with some of the big leagues to host PD? Beekmantown School District had great success with their recent Explore EDU event that paired classroom visits with panel discussions. While traveling to far off places for conferences isn't always possible, perhaps we ought to start considering bringing more to us.
Big ideas…thanks to ISTE for providing the inspiration to begin dreaming about a school that meets all of the essential elements!
Posted on March 22, 2017 Categories edtech, education, innovations in education, teaching7 Comments on ISTE asks…what do you need to effectively integrate tech in your school?
For a moment, I've pretended that my dream school exists. I pored over photos to find glimpses of it in my own school, in schools I've visited, and in the activities my children participate in. I didn't capture everything of which I dream; in truth, this is a cursory look in draft form of my ideal school, but it's a start.
I envision an education that inspires, challenges, and exposes students to the wonder of the world through experience.
The school is just the catalyst for a deeper kind of learning that often happens outside of its walls–it's a building, but as with any great architecture, it inspires. Its learning spaces are amorphous–changeable depending on the needs of its inhabitants. The learning is not confined to this space, and instead encompasses the idea that education happens all the time, everywhere. We are always learning through our experiences. My vision includes opportunities for all students to travel and see the world–provoking the deep empathy only possible with first-hand experience.
The school name needs an upgrade, and this is just the beginning of an idea. Still, I would want to attend my dream school, so I can't be that far off.
Thanks again to George Couros for the inspiration. 250 words–a different sort of challenge!


The crisis rocking Ahiazu Mbaise Catholic dioceses in Imo State at the weekend took a dramatic twist with the Imo State Police Command arresting four priests and eight others.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem made the disclosure in a press statement in Owerri.
Enwerem said the arrests became necessary following an assault on the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahiazu Mbaise Police Station, Danjuma Ragga, a Superintendent of Police on Saturday, at the Catholic Cathedral, Ahiazu Mbaise.
According to him, the Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Clement Ebi had played host to the National President of the Catholic Women Organisation, on Saturday at the St. Roses Catholic Church in Ezinihitte Mbaise Council Area, but some youths forcefully stopped the meeting.
DSP Enwerem said: "The youths set up bonfires, barricaded the highway and disrupted the peace of the town. The youths led by Rev. Fr. John Ogoekwe of Christ the King Church, Uvuru Aboh Mbaise defied the appeal of the DPO as they started hauling missiles on the police, threatening to burn down a police vehicle and disarm police officers involved in the operation".
The Police spokesman alleged that the youths fired gunshots from inside the Catholic Cathedral which hit DPO Danjuma on both legs and hands, adding that he is recuperating in the hospital.


Every two years PRME holds a Global Forum to re-orient business schools' curricula.
Sunmin Kim is a doctoral student at Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan and a student reporter for oikos International.
A flexible yet systematic approach to embedding sustainability in MBA and undergraduate programs brought benefits for faculty, staff, and students.


You can buy tickets at the venue but buy them early as shows sell out quickly.
Click on the venue name below to go to the venues website so you can contact them.
You can also click on the MAP link to get driving directions to the venue.
Please note: If a venue listed below doesnt have Junior listed on their website, please contact the venue directly for show information. This list is updated weekly from Billions Booking Agency.


Good developers are always on the hunt for new tools that allow them to accomplish their everyday tasks faster, cheaper, or better. For IBM i developers who like to stay within the comfy confines of Eclipse, there's a little-known database management utility called IBM Data Studio that could become a go-to tool, particularly when it comes to graphically debugging SQL and Java stored procedures on the IBM i server.
IBM Data Studio is a free graphical development tool based on Eclipse that previously went by a couple of names, including IBM DB2 Developers Workbench and IBM DB2 Development Center. The product helps streamline a range of common development and administrative tasks for DB2 for i and every other relational database management system.
On the development front, Data Studio can be used to create, test, debug, and deploy database routines, including stored procedures and triggers, according to IBM's Data Studio webpage. It gives developers the capability to browse and edit data in tables, to create and run SQL statements, and dozens of other capabilities aimed at the database developers.
The software has worked with the IBM i database for a while, but few IBM i developers are aware of it. That should change as the result of a move that IBM made earlier this year with the launch of Rational Developer for IBM i (RDi) 9.0–the current name of IBM's flagship Eclipse-based development tool for IBM i.
By including Data Studio with RDi 9.0, IBM is making it easier for IBM i developers to get the latest, greatest tooling. While the product has been free for some time, IBM hopes that it will get more developers to be aware of it and start to use it with their database development tasks.
Charles Guarino, an IBM i programmer and speaker who gives presentations on IBM development tools at conferences and other events, says that IBM made a good move by including Data Studio in RDi 9.0.
The big news with RDi (besides the fact that IBM changed the name of its Eclipse-based development tool to a name that it had already used for several years) was the inclusion of Worklight Studio in the tool. Worklight Studio is used to develop mobile applications, which is a big priority at IBM i shops and the rest of the computing world.
As IBM i developers move to adopt RDi 9.0 to get the Worklight Studio functionality, they will be happily surprised to find Data Studio as well, Guarino says.
For more information on how to make the most of Data Studio in an IBM i environment, check out IBM's Kent Milligan's recent developerWorks article "IBM Data Studio debugger and IBM DB2 for i" at www.ibm.com/developerworks/ibmi/library/i-debugger-db2-i/index.html?ca=dat-.
is always ready to go.


Though the name and bottle are based heavily on 1990's discontinued C'est La Vie, the fragrance juice is completely new.
There are 2 reviews of C'est La Fête.
A very quick and simple review - this smells sooooo much like Givenchy Insense!
From looking at the bottle, I thought this would be ultra sweet and fruity and flowery – gaudy and cheap – that's what the bottle screamed. Okay, the opening IS quite fruity errrm …extremely fruity. But it gradually morphs to a very nicely done white floral which has just a touch of fruit – not so much as to sweeten the mixture too much. If it would stay like this, it would be an excellent fragrance; unfortunately these heart notes don't last long enough. The excellent white florals all too soon become a sweet, neutrally textured blah floral, which completely lacks oomph of any sort. It is a non synthetic floral / fruit accord but it's too sweet and not edgy enough for my tastes. The drydown, too is a nicely done sandalwood and vanilla – nicely done but ordinary and could use more longevity. C'est la Fête! is an okay fragrance. It retains an acceptable grasp on all the basics, but, for a 2007 scent, it seems to be already a bit old fashioned and ... generic.
There are no member images of C'est La Fête yet. Why not be the first?


text:
CNBC Africa PowerVU Key on IntelSat 20
PowerVU Key found for CNBC Africa.
Intelsat 20 (IS-20) @ 68.5° East
4064 H 19850 7/8
DVB-S/MPEG-2
CNBC Africa
CNBC Africa is an African television network for Sub-Saharan Africa. It was launched by CNBC and Africa Business News (Pty) LTD on June 1, 2007. CNBC Africa is headquartered in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The channel features programmes and updates from CNBC Europe, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, the US and other CNBC affiliates around the world.
For the launch of the channel on June 1, 2007, CNBC Africa broadcast an 1-hour interview with the then president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.


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