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Arrest made after a Tom Brady jersey was stolen from the Patriots' Hall of Fame
Leave a Comment	/ Sports / By admin
The Foxborough Police Department in Massachusetts arrested 33-year-old Zanini Cineus on Thursday and charged him with stealing memorabilia from an exhibit inside the Patriots' Hall of Fame.
Among the stolen goods was a game-worn Tom Brady jersey, which Cineus was wearing underneath his jacket when police located him, according to police.
But wearing the jersey apparently didn't give Cineus any of Brady's stellar movement in the pocket. Police and security personnel located Cineus in the parking lot of Patriot Place, a shopping center near Gillette Stadium that includes the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Cineus was then taken into custody, charged with larceny and later taken to Wrentham District Court for arraignment, police said.
This isn't the first time someone has tried to steal Brady's jerseys. In 2017, two of Brady's Super Bowl jerseys from 2015 and 2017 went missing. They were later recovered by Mexico's federal police and the FBI at the home of a former newspaper editor in Mexico City.
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Prism Review
Into the Archives
12/17/20: Into the Archives: staff member Taylor Croft on "Fragments and Pieces" by Alisa A. Gaston, issue #19
Prism has published many great authors and many great works of fiction and poetry. Just one of those many pieces is a short fictional story called "Fragments and Pieces," written by Alisa A. Gaston. This story stuck out to me because of how relatable and impactful the story is. The characters all compliment each other in a sharp and well crafted dynamic. The tensions are relatable yet outstanding at times, yet are also set in quieter scenes that are just as impactful.
"Fragments and Pieces" boils down to a young narrator, Fay, watching her aunt and uncle's relationship dissipate into a separation. This story beings with an unspoken event that caused a rift between the narrator's aunt and uncle. It's ambiguously inferred that this event had something to do with fertility. The narrator usually lives with her mother but is often taken to live with her aunt because of her mother's alcohol addiction.
Uncle Cal is a strong character, as well. When he and Auntie are working on packing up their shared home after they decided to separate, readers get a glimpse into the relationship between him and Fay. While Fay is trying to disassemble their bed frame, she's having trouble with the screws. When he walks in, he gives her the advice to push into the screws before trying to unscrew them. It's only after he leaves the room that Fay tries out his advice. It works perfectly. Uncle Cal is the only developed male character in the story. I think this is meant to emphasize his impact on the narrator. Fay sees him as a father figure just as much as her auntie is a motherly presence in her life.
Flashbacks within the story illustrate the strength of the narrator's aunt, referred to as Auntie. She's qualified for a higher paying job, but she chooses to work at a kennel because she loves working with animals. She's the only person that stood up to her sister's threats and near violence and poured out the alcohol that Fay's mother was all too addicted to. Auntie regularly cares for Fay, often taking her from her mother when the home life is becoming too toxic or dangerous. Fay sees her auntie as more of a mother than her actual biological one.
Flashbacks also allow readers to see the kind of relationship the aunt and uncle had in the past. During family events, Fay used to be their messenger, running between the noisy and crowded living room to pass comments between the two such as, "Tell your auntie she needs to shave her legs," and "Tell your uncle he needs a shower." Fay reflects on moments like these, enjoying being apart of their laughing or their relationship.
This story also has beautiful moments of language and description. One particular moment that I love is how the narrator describes Auntie's hugs, "Auntie always holds on with her hands pressed firm and flat on my back, forcing me in, and squeezing me tight." Another moment is when the four were visiting Zion National Park, and two horses ran in front of their cars. Fay and her mother managed to dodge the horse in their vehicle, but the Uncle and Auntie weren't so lucky, "It was a colt. Its body was curled in a way I never imagined a body could curl.…Clumps of black mane and tail hair stuck to the splashes of blood on the pavement," These reflective and beautifully written moments lean into the characters, creating the impact of the sadness in watching this family's life unfold.
The story ends with Fay's sad scenic moment and her auntie driving Fay back to her mother after they were all finished with moving everything out of the uncle and auntie's house. Fay is overwhelmed with emotion as she realizes she doesn't want to go back to her mother and wants to leave with her auntie. When they get to the mother's apartment complex, Fay runs out of the car, causing her auntie to chase her. When she finally catches Fay, it's revealed that they both want to stay together because she views Fay as her child. The story leaves the reader with the inference that they were going to go tell Fay's mother. The ambiguity of the significant points in the story is why I feel this was a strong and impactful story and why it was my favorite out of this issue.
11/28/20: Into the Archives: staff member Sienna Ruiz on "Set It and Forget It" by Jaquira Díaz, issue #13
While reading through a Prism Review copy this Thanksgiving, "Set It and Forget It" by Jaquira Díaz caught my eye. The strangeness of some of the previous stories in the issue, makes Diaz's story, even though the subject matter is something more mundane, so much more striking with what goes on within the scenes. The banter between two characters, Ana and Cari, caught my eye immediately. Their dialogue conversation between one another is very strong. I could imagine the personality of the characters through their words. "Set It and Forget It" uses tension, tone, and impact within the story to make a strong communicable story that discusses a controversial topic within society in an evocative way.
"Set It and Forget It" is a story about a main character who goes with a friend to a clinic to get an abortion done. The two main characters are upset with the amount of time they are having to wait for the doctor to see them. It isn't until two more patients come in, Ana and Cari, that the story shifts tones.
The tension between characters within this story is very strong. Ana and Cari are individuals that all the other characters in the stories are irritated with. Their personality and rudeness makes one as a reader sympathize with the others in the waiting room that have to endure the suffering of their inappropriate jokes. Throughout the story, this tension slowly builds until the end when we surprisingly sympathize for one of the unlikeable characters, Ana. By Díaz having this contrast in the characters personality, the impact in the end feels greater. Even this character who the others lacked compassion for is affected by the difficulty that is getting an abortion.
What Díaz does well is highlighting a societal topic that is controversial, but she doesn't make it the foreground of the story. The two characters, Ana and Cari, are here causing most of the problems within the story. There is social commentary mentioned, but Díaz does a good job at making these women feel human by not focusing on trying to pick a side on what the women are doing.
The 'elephant in the room: abortion' isn't used as the key focus of the story, it's something one has to piece together. By not using the word, the reader isn't allowed to come up with their own judgments or beliefs on what the women are doing. The main focus is the character tension.
Within the story, there are also so many nice subtle character tensions. One example of this would be the somewhat comical irony of The Maury Show playing while all the women are in the waiting room. Their uncomfortableness and Ana and Cari's remarks make the waiting for the doctor more unbearable. All the women can relate to one another in the room. They all are there for the same reason and so even though they all aren't talking much except for Ana and Cari, the small tension feels louder:
"I can tell the other women are getting anxious. The more jokes Ana makes, the hotter the room feels. Every few minutes someone walks out of the clinic, fed up with Ana's comments and Cari's outbursts of laughter."
By the end of the story when the doctor comes the tone becomes serious. As soon as the jokes from Ana and Cari stop, the dreading of the situation finally becomes present in the story. But, Díaz doesn't allow the reader to form their opinions on what's about to happen, they take this moment to make the reader sympathize for the women. The narrator is worried about her friend and the fear she thinks her friend is feeling. Ana, the young woman who was making jokes is seen also upset by getting the abortion. In the end, the tone is more solidly empathetic as the Díaz focuses on the trauma the women are experiencing. Throughout the whole story, there is a strong juxtaposition in tone while having strong character tension, and this is why this story was my favorite out of the issue.
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Five things you need to know about the Riverside City College Baseball team
March 7, 2019 · by Viewpoints	· in Riverside City College, Sports.	·
By Angel Peña
Viewpoints | Angel Peña
1. How have they done
Riverside City College men's baseball team has gone 13-4 as it hits the midway point of the 2018-2019 season.
In the 2017-2018 season the team went 27-17 overall and by the midway point of that season the team had amassed a similar record of 14-4, which shows consistency in the teams overall success so far.
At the conclusion of last season, RCC made it to the second round of the California Community College Athletic Associations before losing to Orange Coast College in back to back games. The last championship won by the Tigers occurred in 2007 when RCC brought home the CCCAA state championship title under former longtime head coach Denis Rogers.
"We're getting better," head coach Rudy Arguelles said. "Everyday is still an opportunity to create that identity that they are trying to establish but there's been progress and improvement each and everyday and that all we can ask for."
2. How are they doing
"We have a way different mentality and make-up with this club," Arguelles said. "They've put themselves in a position to compete on a consistent basis."
The Tigers have been able to keep a winning record of 13-4 as every time the team has lost a game, they've bounced back to win two or more games in a row. RCC has otherwise been on a roll with a six game win streak going into the mid-season.
Sophomore pitcher Alexander Salazar has contributed to this win streak by having the most strikeouts by any pitcher on the team.
"My biggest influence is coach Dave, he taught me the mechanics of pitching," Salazar said.
Success on the mound isn't the only factor to the team's record. Freshman Mathew Ivancich has been a major influence in the team's progress by leading the team in RBIs.
"I want to be the best that I can be," Ivancich said "I want to be a team player."
3. How will they do
The Tigers are on track to complete another successful season should they present a strong showing in their upcoming string of games against a multitude of Orange Empire Conference teams that include Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College and Cypress College.
"We don't like to look in the past we like to stay in the moment," Arguelles said. "Our full expectations are that we will be participating and competing in season number three which is what we reference to playoff time."
The Tigers are projected to beat last year's season record if they keep this momentum going.
"I think we'll do good, we strive off our pitching," Ivancich said. "Our defense is pretty good and our hitting is coming around."
In the second half of the season the Tigers will face off against divisional rivals from the OEC.
"That's why we set up our schedule the way we do, tough non-conference early season schedule," Arguelles said.
4. Atmosphere in the dugout
The atmosphere in the dugout has a lot to do in part with the mentality of the players and Arguelles.
"There's a brand new set of bodies and mind sets," Arguelles said. "Which is what this level brings each and every year, some more extreme than others but this year was a really extreme turn over."
With only eight veteran players returning to the diamond, it would be easy to assume that the team would go through a rebuilding stage. However, their record says something different.
"We"re trying to achieve something great," Ivancich said. "We all want the same thing."
"We're getting better," Arguelles said. "Everyday is still an opportunity to create that identity that they are trying to establish but there's been progress and improvement each and everyday and that all we can ask for."
5. Game changers
Currently leading the team in overall batting average (with more than 20 chances at bat) with a .359 is freshman catcher Angel Mendoza. Sophomore outfielder Ulises Caballero leads the team in runs batted in at 15 alongside Ivancich. Ivancich himself ranks third in batting average with .309 and third in hits overall this season with 17.
"It's a way different than high school," Ivancich said. "It's like high school was just high school and in college it's like we're a team. We're trying to achieve something great, we all want the same thing."
Leading the charge for the Tigers pitching is Alexander Salazar who leads the team in strikeouts at 38, as well as the second highest strikeout average per nine innings with just over 11.
"There's a different mindset," Salazar said. "Everyone's more focused, everyone wants to get better at practice and we all want to get better, each and every day."
Tags: Athletics, baseball, batting average, California Community College Athletic Association, catcher, CCCAA, Head coach, RCC athletics, RCC baseball, RCC Tigers, state championship, strikeout, veteran player
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"For Infinity… and Beyond…": In Praise of "Toy Story 2" as the Perfect Sequel…
Posted on July 2, 2019 by Darren
Ranking films is often a fool's errand.
I make this argument with no small amount of hypocrisy. Most obviously, I co-host a weekly podcast called The 250, which is dedicated to exploring the Internet Movie Database's Top 250 Movies of All-Time. Even beyond that, I am guilty of participating in that periodic pleasure of pundits everywhere; the top ten… or forty… or fifty. At the end of every year, I produce a list of my favourite films of the year, whether on the Scannain podcast, on my personal Twitter, or even occasionally on this blog. In my defense, I rationalise that through a desire to draw attention to good films, and accept we can quibble on the order of said film.
At the same time, these lists can often be illuminating in terms of contextualising affection for a particular film, or for gauging the general mood. So when a film appears on a single list, it might be worth checking out if you trust the author. If it appears on multiple lists, it is probably a much stronger recommendation. (The Scannain annual top ten is an eclectic list, but it disparate viewpoints often settle on at least one consensus pick: You Were Never Really Here, Moonlight, Hell or High Water.) It helps to set a level of a particular film's relative appeal and popularity.
By that measure, Toy Story 2 is generally considered the weakest film its franchise. At time of writing, Toy Story, Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 all feature on the Internet Movie Database's Top 250 Movies of All-Time. Toy Story 2 is the lowest ranked entry in the franchise on lists compiled by Variety, Business Insider and The Ringer. It is the ranked as the weakest of the original trilogy on lists compiled by Slant Magazine, Collider and Polygon. None of this amounts to anything that can quantifiably be described as a "backlash." After all, to be the worst Toy Story movie, a film still has to be pretty good.
However, there is a sense in which Toy Story 2 gets overlooked. There are any number of structural reasons for that. The middle part of a trilogy, picking up immediately after Toy Story but without offering the resolution expected of Toy Story 3, the film is neither a beginning nor an end. It is not an introduction to these characters, and it does not really function as a farewell either. More than that, the film may also be somewhat tarnished by its production history, originally mooted as a straight-to-video release before entering an insanely fast turnaround as a theatrical feature; it is partly why Disney owns Pixar.
Still, this tends to look past what makes Toy Story 2 such a delight. It is in many ways the perfect sequel.
Filed under: On Second Thought | Tagged: animation, death, films, love, maturity, morality, pixar, temporality, toy story, toy story 2 |	1 Comment »
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Synaptics Reports Record Revenue and Profit for Fiscal 2009; Announces CEO Transition
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Synaptics (Nasdaq: SYNA), a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications, and entertainment devices, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended June 30, 2009. The Company also announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Francis F. Lee, is retiring as CEO. Mr. Lee will continue to serve as Chairman and will remain involved with the Company as an advisor to Synaptics' management team. Thomas J. Tiernan, currently President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Mr. Lee as President and CEO, effective immediately.
The Company's GAAP results reflect the expensing of non-cash share-based compensation and non-cash impairment charges for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 and the years ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009; and a non-cash non-operating gain for the quarter and year ended June 30, 2009.
Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $115.3 million, an increase of approximately 19% over $96.9 million of net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $13.1 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared with net income of $2.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 included a non-cash non-operating gain of $160,000, and net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 included a non-cash impairment charge of $4.7 million, both of which were related to the Company's investment in auction rate securities.
Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $17.2 million, an increase of 60% compared with non-GAAP net income of $10.7 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. On a per share basis, non-GAAP net income was $0.47 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 57% compared with net income per diluted share of $0.30 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. (See attached table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results.)
Net revenue for fiscal 2009 was $473.3 million, an increase of approximately 31% over $361.1 million for fiscal 2008. Net income for fiscal 2009 was $54.3 million, an increase of 75% compared with net income of $31.1 million for fiscal 2008. On a per share basis, net income was $1.53 per diluted share, an increase of 94% compared with net income per diluted share of $0.79 for fiscal 2008.
Non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2009 was $77.9 million, an increase of 52% compared with non-GAAP net income of $51.4 million for fiscal 2008. On a per share basis, non-GAAP net income was $2.19 per diluted share, an increase of 67% compared with non-GAAP net income per diluted share of $1.31 for fiscal 2008. (See attached table for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results.)
"Fiscal 2009 was another strong year for Synaptics despite the challenging economic environment, with record annual revenue and net income growing 31% and 75%, respectively," stated Mr. Lee. "Our strong performance reflects solid execution across our key markets and continued progress towards our diversification strategy based on the expanding adoption of Synaptics' interface solutions in the mobile phone market. While the current macro uncertainties are evident in our customers' order patterns, we are encouraged by our growing pipeline of design opportunities in both the PC and non-PC markets. We expect continued growth in fiscal 2010 and will continue to invest for the future."
Kathy Bayless, SVP Finance, added, "As we look ahead to the first quarter and new fiscal year, our outlook considers global economic conditions and the dynamic nature of the markets in which we participate. Based on our current visibility, customer order patterns, customer forecasts and backlog of $62.8 million exiting the June quarter, we anticipate revenue in the September quarter will be $113 million to $119 million. As compared to the prior year quarter, we expect solid growth from mobile phone applications, while PC based revenue will decline, primarily reflecting the expected decrease in revenue from multi-media control applications, as well as a generally lower priced touchpad product mix. Additionally, our current outlook for fiscal 2010 suggests a revenue range of $495 million to $525 million, with the first half of the year roughly flat year over year."
Synaptics' cash and short-term investments at the end of June totaled $192.0 million. This balance excludes $28.8 million at book value of auction rate securities, which are included in non-current assets on the balance sheet. In the September quarter, the Company received redemptions of $3.3 million of certain auction rate securities, resulting in a $160,000 non-cash, non-operating gain. The company continues to monitor its investments in auction rate securities in light of the current economic uncertainties.
Mr. Lee added, "Synaptics is stronger and better positioned than at any time in its history and as I am interested in dedicating more of my time to my family, my foundation and other charitable and civic endeavors, I feel this is the right time for me to step down as CEO. Tom and I have worked closely together to spearhead the company's growth over the past three years, and the Board and I have confidence in Tom's ability to lead the company through its next stages of growth. Since joining the company in March 2006, Tom's strong business background, general management capabilities and focus on execution have served Synaptics well. During that time he has taken on increased responsibilities and broadened his role and impact within Synaptics. Tom has proven his ability to lead our global team, forge important customer relationships, expand our technology into exciting new markets, and deliver record financial results despite tough market conditions."
"I am grateful for the confidence that Francis and the Board have placed in me, and I could not be more pleased that Francis will continue to be involved as an advisor to the Synaptics leadership team," commented Mr. Tiernan. "Our prospects have never been brighter, and I am highly energized by the opportunity to continue the company's mission of innovating and deploying intuitive touch solutions across multiple end-markets globally. We will build on the growth and profitability that Synaptics has achieved since its IPO in 2002 and maintain a strong focus on enhancing shareholder value as we move forward."
Earnings Call Information
The Synaptics fourth quarter fiscal 2009 teleconference and webcast is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on Thursday, July 30, 2009, during which the Company will provide forward-looking information. To participate on the live call, analysts and investors should dial 1-877-941-4774 at least ten minutes prior to the call. Synaptics will also offer a live and archived webcast of the conference call, accessible from the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's Web site at www.synaptics.com.
About Synaptics Incorporated
Synaptics is a leading developer of human interface solutions for mobile computing, communications, and entertainment devices. The Company creates interface solutions for a variety of devices including notebook PCs, PC peripherals, digital music players, and mobile phones. The TouchPad(TM), Synaptics' flagship product, is integrated into a majority of today's notebook computers. Consumer electronics and computing manufacturers use Synaptics' solutions to enrich the interaction between humans and intelligent devices through improved usability, functionality, and industrial design. The Company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. www.synaptics.com
NOTE: Synaptics, TouchPad, and the Synaptics logo are trademarks of Synaptics in the United States and/or other countries.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
In evaluating its business, Synaptics considers and uses net income per share excluding share-based compensation and unusual or non-recurring items as a supplemental measure of operating performance. Net income excluding share-based compensation and unusual or non-recurring items is not a measurement of the Company's financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income. The Company presents net income excluding share-based compensation and unusual or non-recurring items because it considers it an important supplemental measure of its performance. The Company believes this measure facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period by eliminating potential differences in net income caused by the existence and timing of non-cash compensation charges and unusual or non-recurring items. Net income excluding share-based compensation and unusual or non-recurring items has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's GAAP net income. The principal limitations of this measure are that it does not reflect the Company's actual expenses and may thus have the effect of inflating its net income and net income per share.
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements about Synaptics, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. Synaptics intends such forward-looking statements to be subject to the safe harbor created by those laws. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Synaptics' anticipated revenue; revenue growth rates; the success of its growth and diversification strategies; its beliefs regarding the markets it serves and the adoption of its interface solutions in those markets; its assessment of its competitive position and opportunities in those markets; its assessment of market demands and trends in target markets; the status of its design pipeline; the amount of the investments it is making in its business; its business opportunities; and its assessment of consumer demands for various applications. Synaptics cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to, (a) demand for Synaptics' products, (b) market demand for OEMs' products using Synaptics' solutions, (c) changing market demand trends in the markets it serves, and (d) other risks as identified from time to time in Synaptics' SEC reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Synaptics on the date hereof, and Synaptics assumes no obligation to update such statements.
Jennifer Jarman
The Blueshirt Group
jennifer@blueshirtgroup.com
(Tables to Follow)
June 30,  June 30,
2009      2008
----      ----
Cash and cash
equivalents                                        $169,036   $96,218
Short term investments                                22,934    50,298
------    ------
Total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term
investments                                       191,970   146,516
Receivables, net of allowances of $513 and $539,
respectively                                         84,739    69,362
Inventories                                           14,950    21,065
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets                                                3,094     3,417
-----     -----
Total current
assets                                                294,753   240,360
Property and equipment,
net                                                    25,431    22,459
Goodwill                                                 1,927     1,927
Non-current auction rate securities                     28,767    37,946
assets                                                 25,343     3,669
------     -----
Total  assets                                         $376,221  $306,361
========  ========
Accounts payable                                     $32,210   $27,784
Accrued compensation                                   8,450     6,510
Income taxes payable                                   9,128     7,095
Current deferred tax liability                         9,419         -
Other accrued liabilities                             11,813     9,120
Note payable                                          65,303         -
------       ---
Total current liabilities                              136,323    50,509
Convertible senior subordinated notes                        -   125,000
Other liabilities                                       18,484    17,075
Preferred stock;
$.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued and outstanding                        -         -
Common stock;
43,779,011 and 42,500,535 shares issued, and
34,690,911 and 33,412,435 shares outstanding,
respectively                                           44        43
Additional paid in capital                           270,962   222,543
Less: 9,088,100 and 9,088,100 treasury shares,
respectively, at cost                              (237,387) (237,387)
Retained earnings                                    187,666   130,895
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)            129    (2,317)
---    ------
Total stockholders' equity                             221,414   113,777
-------   -------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity                                               $376,221  $306,361
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
June 30,           June 30,
--------           --------
2009     2008      2009      2008
----     ----      ----      ----
Net revenue                         $115,327  $96,854  $473,302  $361,057
Cost of revenue (1)                   68,924   58,085   281,793   213,606
------   ------   -------   -------
Gross margin                          46,403   38,769   191,509   147,451
Research and development (1)        18,995   14,438    68,026    50,093
Selling, general, and
administrative (1)                 12,944   13,780    54,014    48,126
------   ------    ------    ------
Total operating
expenses                             31,939   28,218   122,040    98,219
------   ------   -------    ------
Operating income                      14,464   10,551    69,469    49,232
Interest and other income, net           452    1,351     3,222     9,652
Interest expense                        (234)    (449)   (1,238)   (1,822)
Gain on settlement of debt                 -        -         -     2,689
Gain on early retirement of debt           -        -     3,600         -
Impairment (loss)/ recovery on
investments                             160   (4,726)   (9,243)  (10,963)
---   ------    ------   -------
Income before income
taxes                                14,842    6,727    65,810    48,788
Provision for income taxes (2)         1,760    4,093    11,486    17,688
-----    -----    ------    ------
Net income                           $13,082   $2,634   $54,324   $31,100
=======   ======   =======   =======
Net income per share:
Basic                                $0.38    $0.08     $1.60     $0.83
=====    =====     =====     =====
Diluted                              $0.36    $0.07     $1.53     $0.79
Shares used in computing net income
per share:
Basic                               34,388   33,969    33,981    37,667
======   ======    ======    ======
Diluted                             36,348   35,240    35,577    39,365
(1) Includes share-based
compensation charges of:
Cost of revenue                     $430     $136    $1,680    $1,102
Research and development           2,624    1,765     8,897     6,321
administrative                    3,726    2,934    13,843    10,080
$6,780   $4,835   $24,420   $17,503
======   ======   =======   =======
(2) Includes tax benefit for
share-based compensation
charges of:
$2,523   $1,486    $7,972    $6,114
Non-GAAP net income per share
Basic                              $0.50    $0.32     $2.29     $1.36
Diluted                            $0.47    $0.30     $2.19     $1.31
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share
(in thousands except per share data)
June 30,         June 30,
--------         --------
2009     2008    2009     2008
----     ----    ----     ----
Basic and diluted net income        $13,082   $2,634 $54,324  $31,100
=======   ====== =======  =======
Shares, basic                        34,388   33,969  33,981   37,667
Effect of dilutive share-based
awards                               1,960    1,271   1,596    1,698
-----    -----   -----    -----
Shares, diluted                      36,348   35,240  35,577   39,365
======   ======  ======   ======
Basic                                 $0.38    $0.08   $1.60    $0.83
=====    =====   =====    =====
Diluted                               $0.36    $0.07   $1.53    $0.79
Computation of non-GAAP basic and
diluted net income per share (unaudited):
Reported net income                 $13,082   $2,634 $54,324  $31,100
Non-GAAP adjustments (net of tax,
if applicable):
Gain on settlement of debt              -        -       -   (2,078)
Gain on early retirement of debt        -        -  (2,133)       -
Impairment loss/ (recovery) on
investments                         (160)   4,726   9,243   10,963
Share-based compensation            4,257    3,349  16,448   11,389
-----    -----  ------   ------
Non-GAAP basic and diluted net
income                             $17,179  $10,709 $77,882  $51,374
=======  ======= =======  =======
Non-GAAP net income per share:
SOURCE Synaptics
http://www.synaptics.com


text:
Android News / Product Manager Addresses Criticism Of OnePlus 5's Design
Product Manager Addresses Criticism Of OnePlus 5's Design
By Dominik Bosnjak
One Product Manager at OnePlus recently took to Chinese Q&A board Zhihu to address some recent criticism of the OnePlus 5's design. With the Shenzhen, Guangdong-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recently revealing the first official render of its latest Android flagship, some consumers took online to voice their displeasure about its overall look, criticizing the company for making a device that features an unappealing camera bump and is too similar to the Apple iPhone 7 series, among other things. The firm's employee drew a parallel between those reactions and those that surfaced following the unveiling of the OnePlus 3, stating that they still remember how some consumers were mocking images of the device published by Chinese telecommunications regulator TENAA and saying that the phone was "generic" and "ugly." Many of those same critics later changed their minds after getting the opportunity to use the OnePlus 3, the company's Product Manager said, adding how they believe history will repeat itself with the OnePlus 5.
The same source added that "a flat picture" can hardly be completely representative of an actual device, asserting that consumers should give the OnePlus 5 a chance before making any final conclusions on the handset. The Product Manager also specifically referred to the criticism of the camera bump present on the rear panel of the OnePlus 5, stating that smartphone development is an "art" that requires making compromises and currently doesn't allow for high-end image quality in a completely flat setup. In an effort to significantly improve the photo and video recording capabilities of the OnePlus 5 over those of its predecessor, the Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer had no choice but to design a device whose imaging setup protrudes through its back plate, the company's employee said.
All of the aforementioned arguments may be substantiated after the OnePlus 5 hits the market later this month, with the handset being scheduled for an official unveiling on June 20. According to earlier reports, the BBK Electronics-owned company is planning to release the OnePlus 5 shortly after announcing it and will be offering it in two variants boasting 6GB of RAM /64GB of flash memory and 8GB RAM / 128GB of storage space, respectively. Both models will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and offered in a handful of colors, according to previous teasers released by the Chinese OEM.
Dominik Bosnjak
Dominik started at AndroidHeadlines in 2016. He's approaching his first full decade in the media industry, with his background being primarily in technology, gaming, and entertainment. These days, his focus is more on the political side of the tech game, as well as data privacy issues, with him looking at both of those through the prism of Android. Contact him at [email protected]


text:
@{
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    ModuleVersion         = '0.0.1'

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    GUID                  = 'f2793754-6dc7-439a-a779-b1529b5e704c'

    # Author of this module
    Author                = 'DSC Community'

    # Company or vendor of this module
    CompanyName           = 'DSC Community'

    # Copyright statement for this module
    Copyright             = 'Copyright the DSC Community contributors. All rights reserved.'

    # Description of the functionality provided by this module
    Description           = 'DSC resources for configuring Windows iSCSI Targets and Initiators.'

    # Minimum version of the Windows PowerShell engine required by this module
    PowerShellVersion     = '4.0'

    # Minimum version of the common language runtime (CLR) required by this module
    CLRVersion            = '4.0'

    # Processor architecture (None, X86, Amd64) required by this module
    ProcessorArchitecture = 'None'

    # Functions to export from this module
    FunctionsToExport     = @()

    # Cmdlets to export from this module
    CmdletsToExport       = @()

    # Variables to export from this module
    VariablesToExport     = @()

    # Aliases to export from this module
    AliasesToExport       = @()

    # DSC resources to export from this module
    DscResourcesToExport  = @('iSCSIInitiator', 'iSCSIServerTarget', 'iSCSIVirtualDisk')

    # Private data to pass to the module specified in RootModule/ModuleToProcess. This may also contain a PSData hashtable with additional module metadata used by PowerShell.
    PrivateData           = @{

        PSData = @{
            # Set to a prerelease string value if the release should be a prerelease.
            Prerelease   = ''

            # Tags applied to this module. These help with module discovery in online galleries.
            Tags       = @('DesiredStateConfiguration', 'DSC', 'DSCResource', 'iSCSI', 'Target', 'Initiator')

            # A URL to the license for this module.
            LicenseUri = 'https://github.com/dsccommunity/iSCSIDsc/blob/main/LICENSE'

            # A URL to the main website for this project.
            ProjectUri = 'https://github.com/dsccommunity/iSCSIDsc'

            # A URL to an icon representing this module.
            IconUri      = 'https://dsccommunity.org/images/DSC_Logo_300p.png'

            # ReleaseNotes of this module
            ReleaseNotes = ''
        } # End of PSData hashtable
    } # End of PrivateData hashtable
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Enjoy a guided walking tour of one of the most important archaeological sites in Puglia, the Gnathia Archaeological Park and Museum. Explore this ancient Roman city and admire mosaics, the necropolis, defensive walls and the Episcopal Basilica.
Discover the ancient city of Egnazia (or Gnathia), which was inhabited by the indigenous populations of the Japigi, the Messapi, and Greeks up until the Roman age. Admire the mighty defensive walls and visit the site of the necropolis.
See the remains of the Via Traiana way, the Civil Basilica with the hall of the Three Graces (kept in the museum), the oriental deities, the square with the arcades, the cryptoporticus and the Roman baths. Marvel at the Episcopal Basilica and the Southern Basilica which was originally paved with mosaics.
Later, visit the recently renovated Giuseppe Andreassi National Archaeological Museum, built outside the walls of ancient Gnathia, in the area of the Messapian necropolis. Learn about thirty centuries of history starting from the Bronze Age up until the Messapian and Roman eras, through exceptional exhibits and panels with photos of the excavations. Don't miss the marble head of the god Attis and the mosaic of the Graces which stand out for their impressive beauty.


text:
4911 Sandhill Drive, Sugarland, Texas
Family Medicine/Family Practice
Feature Story for 70th Anniversary
On January 15, 2020, OakBend Medical Center celebrates its 70th Birthday. During the past 70 years, the hospital has continued to service the community and to expand and grow. Today it is the largest healthcare system in Fort Bend County, and the only remaining independent hospital in the Greater Houston area. The hospital's roots run deep in the community.
On July 23, 1947, A.P. George, Mamie E. George, A.E. Myers, C.L. Dutton, J.A. Wessendorff, W.C. Minkwitz, Wharton Weems, Colonel P.E. Peareson, R.M. Darst, W.H. Morehead, and John M. Moore, Jr. met at the A.P. George farm. Invited by Mr. and Mrs. A.P. George, these public-spirited citizens came together for the purpose of organizing and establishing a hospital in Fort Bend County. This group of individuals unanimously agreed to associate themselves with the hospital.
During this meeting, they reviewed findings on the health needs of Fort Bend County and concluded that a real need existed for a hospital in the area. Mr. and Mrs. A.P. George donated The J.H.P. Davis home, which consisted of approximately twenty-five acres, as the site for the hospital.
In October 1947, Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital was chartered as a nonprofit hospital. A.E. Myers was elected President of the Board of Directors. Other board members included John M. Moore, C.L. Dutton, W.C. Minkwitz, A.P. George, Mrs. Mamie E. George, Joe A. Wessendorff, Wharton Weems, R.M. Darst, P.E. Peareson and W.H. Morehead.
The hospital was completed with 51 fully equipped beds, and on January 15, 1950, the formal opening ceremonies of the hospital were held. The first patient was admitted at 8:00 p.m. on the same day. Since that time, the hospital has not wavered from its mission: To provide exceptional, compassionate health care for our community, regardless of ability to pay.
Due to the increasing number of patients requiring hospital treatment, in 1957 the facilities of Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital were expanded to include a new patient wing consisting of 26 private and two semi-private rooms and a nursing station with storage area. Other features included an emergency area, an autopsy room and storage space.
The needs of the community continued to grow and in 1962 and 1963, Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital spent over half a million dollars in renovations and expansion. The additions included a Physical Therapy Department and a surgery and recovery room. A complete Obstetrical Department, with 14 patient beds, four labor rooms, two delivery rooms and a nursery was also added. During the renovations and additions, the Business Office was remodeled and expanded along with the construction of the Administrator's Office and Medical Records Department and the C.V. Nichols Memorial.
In 1969 it was necessary for the facilities of Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital to be expanded once again. A complete new wing was added which included 36 patient beds, a Coronary Care Unit with five beds, lobby, waiting rooms and modern nurses' station with a separate unit for preparing medications. Additionally, other areas that were added or expanded included a new Laboratory, X-ray, dietary, mechanical and storage facilities. Once again, the cost was over half a million dollars to renovate the hospital.
On October 29, 1986, all but one wing of the facility was demolished and a new 185-bed facility was opened to better serve the community. In 2004, Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital changed its name to OakBend Medical Center.
Continuing to grow and serve the community, in 2009 OakBend Medical Center opened its Williams Way Campus at 22003 Southwest Freeway, Richmond, Texas 77469 with 57 beds and in 2012, OakBend Medical Center's Jackson Street location at 1705 Jackson Street, Richmond, Texas 77469 expanded to 184 beds.
In 2015, OakBend created a first-ever capital campaign. Vision 2020, a five-year campaign, provided for the comprehensive renovation of its Jackson Street Campus. It was designed to create an environment that reflects OakBend's commitment to excellence. The completed projects included the renovation of the exterior of the building, improvements to the ICU, emergency and skilled nursing departments, and the full renovation of both the 4th and 5th floors. Remaining projects included in Vision 2020 include improvements to the first floor common spaces and elevators, along with additional upgrades in the emergency department and skilled nursing facility.
After Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton, Texas, closed its doors in November of 2016, the sign on the front door directed people to a hospital 20 minutes away. That can seem like an eternity if the patient is in pain or in need of urgent medical care. After a long and sometimes bumpy ride, OakBend Medical Center took on the challenge to establish a hospital in the building that formerly housed Gulf Coast Medical Center and bring emergency and medical services back to Wharton. It opened its emergency room doors on June 4, 2018.
Eight weeks after opening OakBend Medical Center-Wharton Hospital Campus, the hospital was exceeding expectations. From the opening on June 4th through July 30th, the hospital's signature No Wait Hospital Emergency Room saw more than 1,500 patients. The radiology department had been busy as well, handling more than 1,300 patients with CT, ultrasound and x-ray services.
OakBend houses several unique programs and facilities including the county's only no-wait emergency departments, hospital-based skilled nursing facility, advanced trauma program, acute care for the elderly (ACE) unit, geriatric psychiatric program, and permanent hospital-based air ambulance. It also has numerous programs designed to meet the needs of the community including advanced wound care services, a heart attack program, and a Gold Plus-rated stroke program.
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OakBend Medical Group
4911 Sandhill Drive, Sugarland
oakbendmedicalgroup@obmc.org
www.oakbendmedicalgroup.com
Get Map Direction
© 2022-23. All Rights Reserved by OakBend Medical Group


When it comes to talking about love, novels have never been quite as good as short stories. But here the objections will come pelting in. Surely the greatest novels are all about love. Rochester and Jane; Elizabeth and Darcy; Vronsky and Anna: aren't these love stories? They are, of course. But that isn't quite the same thing. Whatever their virtues, even the best novels about love are really novels about the shape of a love affair, about the obstacles that love has to overcome or the consequences of consummation. The novel – bourgeois art form that it is – typically wants to know the effects of love on the family, on the community, on the world. Its concern is less with how love feels than with its arc. Anna Karenina might meet her end under a train, but Anna Karenina has plenty of time to tie up the loose ends of its narrative.


text:
package com.opower.common.reflect;

import org.junit.Test;

import static com.opower.common.reflect.hide.ReflectionTestClasses.publicStaticClassWithPublicConstructor;
import static com.opower.common.reflect.hide.ReflectionTestClasses.publicStaticClassWithPrivateConstructor;
import static com.opower.common.reflect.hide.ReflectionTestClasses.publicStaticClassWithProtectedConstructor;
import static com.opower.common.reflect.hide.ReflectionTestClasses.publicStaticClassWithNonDefaultConstructor;
import static com.opower.common.reflect.hide.ReflectionTestClasses.privateStaticClassWithPrivateConstructor;
import static com.opower.common.reflect.hide.ReflectionTestClasses.privateStaticClassWithPublicConstructor;

/**
 * Tests the {@link Reflection} methods
 *
 * @author jeff@opower.com
 */
public class TestReflection {
    @Test
    public void testPublicStaticClassWithPublicConstructor() throws Exception {
        callCheckAndThrowCause(publicStaticClassWithPublicConstructor());
    }

    @Test(expected = IllegalAccessException.class)
    public void testPublicStaticClassWithPrivateConstructor() throws Exception {
        callCheckAndThrowCause(publicStaticClassWithPrivateConstructor());
    }

    @Test(expected = IllegalAccessException.class)
    public void testPublicStaticClassWithProtectedConstructor() throws Exception {
        callCheckAndThrowCause(publicStaticClassWithProtectedConstructor());
    }

    @Test(expected = InstantiationException.class)
    public void testPublicStaticClassWithNonDefaultConstructor() throws Exception {
        callCheckAndThrowCause(publicStaticClassWithNonDefaultConstructor());
    }

    @Test(expected = IllegalAccessException.class)
    public void testPrivateStaticClassWithPrivateConstructor() throws Exception {
        callCheckAndThrowCause(privateStaticClassWithPrivateConstructor());
    }

    @Test(expected = IllegalAccessException.class)
    public void testPrivateStaticClassWithPublicConstructor() throws Exception {
        callCheckAndThrowCause(privateStaticClassWithPublicConstructor());
    }

    private void callCheckAndThrowCause(Object object) throws Exception {
        try {
            Reflection.checkDeserializable(object);
        }
        catch (RuntimeException e) {
            Throwable cause = e.getCause();
            if (cause instanceof Exception) {
                throw (Exception)cause;
            }
            throw e;
        }
    }
}


text:
The Batman Nightclub 'Wayne Manor' Revealed in 1966 'Life' Magazine Article
Chris Sims
Every now and then, I'm reminded of just how amazing the Internet as a massive resource of instantly accessible information. Sure, 90% of that "information" is guys running their mouth ad nauseum about the KGBeast or stories where Edward Cullen and Mr. Spock express their forbidden but irresistable love for each other, but there's also an incredible wealth of actual knowledge out there too.
Take, for instance, Google Books, which contains Life Magazine's entire weekly run -- stretching from 1936 to 1972 -- as a free searchable archive. It's an incredible look at American society in the 20th century that covers everything from World War II to the Moon landing, but more importantly, they occasionally got around to the real issues of the day. And by that, of course, I mean Batman.
I've seen the cover featuring Adam West in what I can only describe as a full-on frolic before, but it wasn't until today that Andrew Weiss sent me the actual content of the article, which focuses on the Batmania that was sweeping the nation after the TV show became a hit. The article also features the musicals inspired by both Superman and MAD Magazine, but far more interesting is its focus on how the public reacted to the show.
Especially when they started talking about the Batman nightclub called Wayne Manor, and the Batman-themed haircut.
The article itself was printed in the typically tilted Batman '66 style, and while they somehow managed to refrain from a headline involving the words Biff and Pow, they inexplicably keep the tilt around for the following pages, where a play about the Marquis de Sade was lumped in with Superman, Batman and MAD as another example of how the entire country's gone crazy for over-the-top characters.
The opening of the article gives a quick rundown on Batman, referring to him as "a Dracula with a halo who pops out of his Bat lair to foil his enemies with mysterious weapons," which might end up being my favorite description of the character, ever.
The good stuff, though, comes when they start discussing the impact on pop culture:
"The hottest place in the San Francisco suburb of Sunnyvale is Wayne Manor, named after Batman's straight self, Bruce Wayne. At the Manor (above), the Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin are painted in throbbing colors on the walls, and villains cackle in flouresence. Behind a plate glass screen, girls dressed like Robin lead the crowd in the Batusi. Batman sells tickets at the front door, the maitre d' is the Joker, and drinks are served by Wonder Woman."
My original plan was to bold the most awesome things about that description, but everything is the most awesome thing. I want to go to there. [Ed. note: It also featured headlining bands that included Sly and the Family Stone!]
There's also a brief discussion of a Cleveland police officer with the unfortunate/awesome real name of Gilbert Batman, who dressed in costume for a blood drive who got calls meant for the Caped Crusader, but the craziest bit of all is Batman's impact on fashion:
"In Detroit, a hairdresser has invented the Bat Cut, in which the girls' eyebrows are shaved off and the hairline imitates Batman's cowl."
I sincerely wish that they had a shot of the finished product rather than just the process, because I can't imagine how that would look anything but astonishingly awful. Especially with the completely unnecessary shaving of the eyebrows. I mean, in 1966, Batman even had eyebrows on his mask. That dude is all about the brow.
The entire article can be read on Google Books, and in case there are any aspiring Doc Browns or Marty McFlys out there who needed more motivation to discover a way to travel back to the '60s, go back and read that paragraph about Club Wayne Manor again. I'll be waiting for your phone box and/or DeLorean as soon as I finish typing.
Filed Under: Adam West, AdamWest, Batman, Batman 66, Batman66, Life Magazine, LifeMagazine, Wayne Manor, WayneManor
Categories: Culture, DC


← My cover is coming! My cover is coming!
Isn't it eye-catching? I think the Harper team did an amazing job capturing the theme and tone of the book, and so did my editor, Alessandra Balzer! You can read her thoughts – and an interview with my designers Alison and Jenna, at The Book Smugglers blog.
NONE OF THE ABOVE at the Harper booth!


The LM5022 device is a high-voltage, low-side, N-channel MOSFET controller ideal for use	in boost and SEPIC regulators. It contains all of the features required to implement single-ended	primary topologies. Output voltage regulation is based on current-mode control, which eases the	design of loop compensation while providing inherent input voltage feedforward. The LM5022 includes	a start-up regulator that operates over a wide input range of 6 V to 60 V. The PWM controller is	designed for high-speed capability including an oscillator frequency range up to 2.2 MHz and total	propagation delays less than 100 ns. Additional features include an error amplifier, precision	reference, line undervoltage lockout, cycle-by-cycle current limit, slope compensation, soft start,	external synchronization capability, and thermal shutdown. The LM5022 is available in the 10-pin	VSSOP package.


text:
Q: Share node.js Module Between Web Worker and Website on Azure I have a node.js site deployed as a website on Azure. It has several web jobs which are stored in /root/App_Data/Jobs/...
Is it possible to share code/custom modules between the website and jobs? or does the code have to be duplicated in each directory?

A: A node.js app can use require() to load its code from any path.  So, you can use a path to a shared location if that makes sense to your implementation.
For deployment reasons, it may be easier though to actually use two separate copies of the code.  Then, you can test and release each component separately.  If they both use a shared location, you can't update one without affecting the other so both have to be tested and released on the changed code at exactly the same time.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


John Livesay (aka "The Pitch Whisperer") helps entrepreneurs craft compelling pitches. He's the author of The Successful Pitch: Conversations On Going From Invisible To Investable (pretty good pitch, right there in the title), host of The Successful Pitch Podcast, and has been featured in Inc., Forbes, Fast Company, CBS, Fox, and more.
We did this via Skype, so we each had to bring our own wine.
John had some Stag's Leap chardonnay (@StagsLeapWines).
Reuben had Ron Rubin (no relation) Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (2013). Quite yummy for folks who like Russian River Valley pinots.
Update: Check out John's TEDx talk on being your own lifeguard.


Two quality companies; one clear stock winner.
With market volatility on the rise in recent weeks, many investors are looking to shift cash toward stable businesses that tend to do well in a wide range of economic environments. These quality blue chips are also prized for their steadily rising divided payments that can help cushion the blow of a potential stock market drop.
Today, we're looking at two businesses that meet these high qualifications and stacking them up against each other to see which might make a better long-term buy. While both PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) and McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) bring unique strengths to the table, there are good reasons an investor might prefer one over the other right now.
Sales growth is for the most recent complete fiscal year. Data sources: Company financial filings and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Both companies are taking full advantage of their leading market positioning to post strong results in difficult selling conditions. At McDonald's, that translates into a nearly 5% increase in comparable-store sales through the first three quarters of 2018, while rivals like Yum! Brands' Taco Bell and KFC have been flat. Pepsi, meanwhile, has raised sales by about 3% in a tough environment for both soft drinks and consumer packaged foods.
Each company is facing challenges, to be sure. Pepsi's growth has been trailing Coca-Cola's in recent quarters so much that the company has been forced to rely more on its snack-food segment to deliver most of its gains. McDonald's is enduring declining customer traffic in its U.S. market that the management team hopes to fix through an aggressive store-upgrade initiative. Still, the restaurant chain holds the edge in terms of the strength of its operating trends.
PepsiCo and McDonald's are both financial juggernauts, and they are also becoming more profitable these days. Yet, again, McDonald's comes out ahead in this area. The fast-food giant's operating profit margin soared to 42% of sales in 2017 from 32% a year earlier thanks mainly to its refranchising initiative. By selling down its proportion of company-owned locations to about 5% from 15% a few years ago, the chain is trading volatile food sales for steady, profitable rent, royalties, and fees. There's a bit more improvement to come in this area, too, since McDonald's still plans to sell about 3% of its global base of stores to franchisees.
Pepsi is cutting costs aggressively, and success here has helped push operating margin to an eight-year high. However, its gains in this department don't approach the head-turning results that McDonald's has managed.
Neither company is a slouch when it comes to direct cash returns, with both McDonald's and Pepsi announcing a 15% boost to their annual dividends this year. Pepsi pays a more generous 3.3% yield right now, but two factors suggest McDonald's dividend will grow more quickly in the years to come. First, the restaurant chain has more of a buffer given that the payout amounts to about 60% of earnings, compared with over 90% for Pepsi. And second, McDonald's cash flow is more robust these days, meaning it has plenty of funds that it can direct toward share repurchases and dividends even after pouring resources back into the business.
Overall, McDonald's looks like the stronger investment from both an operating and a financial standpoint. That said, Pepsi's path could shift significantly under its new management. Investors should get their first concrete view of that updated strategy in early 2019 when incoming CEO Ramon Laguarta holds his first earnings conference call.


text:
Homepage Home > 'Top dog' Inca shortlisted for national award
'Top dog' Inca shortlisted for national award
People from across Norfolk and Suffolk are being urged to make their voices heard by voting for a much-loved pooch to be crowned Pets As Therapy Dog of the Year in a national competition.
Eight-year-old Inca and owner Sheena Scrimgeour, who have made a difference to scores of patients receiving care from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), have made the final six of the contest, arranged by the Pets As Therapy (PAT) charity.
The duo beat hundreds of other entrants from across the country – including 70 from the eastern region alone – to make the shortlist – and now need the public's support to help them lift the title. They are appealing for people to take a minute to vote for them online at www.yours.co.uk/PATDogs
The pair will find out whether they have won on live TV at next year's Crufts Dog Show, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham in March.
Miss Scrimgeour, who lives in Hellesdon, in Norwich, entered Inca after receiving fantastic feedback from NSFT staff, service users and relatives about the difference she has made to them – with some even crediting the Labrador/Staffy cross as "saving their lives".
"I couldn't believe it when I heard we had been shortlisted," she said. "Every time I visit patients on the ward and they say how much they want Inca to win, but I always played down the likelihood of us getting through to the final so that they didn't get their hopes up. I must admit I'd almost convinced myself that it was out of reach and was just blown away when I got the news.
"I'm very pleased for the patients as they made a great effort to write lovely statements to support Inca's entry in the competition. I've been telling them she's been shortlisted as I visit the wards and they are all delighted and excited
"The only sad thing is that my mother won't be able to watch. She thought the world of Inca and loved Crufts and watched it every year, but died in March at the grand old age of 101. She would have loved to see Inca up on stage in the arena in front of crowds of people being recognised for the work she does.
"If Inca wins, I will dedicate the award to her. I'm sure she would have been proud of us both."
The pair received a raft of messages of support from NSFT staff and service users to help them reach the final six, including:
• "Sheena will come onto the ward and brighten up the whole place with her personality and the way in which she interacts Inca with us patients. I have become very fond of them both… I always look forward to Sheena coming along with Inca and bringing us joy." – patient on Catton Ward at the Norvic Clinic.
• "Inca's calming, gentle personality and warm approach makes you feel like you are the only person in the world she loves. My own wellbeing, along with that of our service users, continues to be uplifted by Inca (and Sheena's) presence. It is hard to put into words the impact Inca has when she visits. I can sum it up by saying you feel her presence in your heart when she is around." – Julie Warren, NSFT Chaplain and Spiritual Care Lead.
• "Inca is a beautiful dog with a lovely calming nature. She is gentle and loving and will happily sit and be stroked by everyone. I believed she has a very positive impact on all she meets and I know that her visits are very eagerly awaited and enjoyed by many..." – Veronica Rackham, Thurne Ward, Hellesdon Hospital.
Miss Scrimgeour and Inca have been volunteering with Pets As Therapy for the past six years. They visit Hellesdon Hospital every Monday, The Julian Hospital on Tuesdays and the Norvic Clinic on Fridays, as well as fitting in regular visits to Hellesdon High School, a prison and the University of East Anglia.
"Inca has a lovely nature and just loves people, and seems to know she is doing something beneficial," added Miss Scrimgeour. "She thoroughly enjoys the interaction and I can tell she gets pleasure from the visits.
"I've always wanted my dogs to have a rich and varied life so decided to volunteer with the charity after I retired. I'm also really interested in research which shows the benefits which animals can bring to people. They are great for mental and physical wellbeing, help people to manage stress and lower the pulse and blood pressure. All in all, they provide people with a real 'feel good' factor."
Jennifer Dubois, Volunteer Support Officer with Pets As Therapy, said: "Picking only six dogs to be in the final of PAT Dog of the Year was incredibly hard. Every entry has its own wonderful back story which makes it an almost impossible task. Every year, however, some stand out for their longevity, diversity and the impact they make in their chosen establishments.
"This year the six finalists – including Inca – stood out in this aspect. We wish every finalist the very best of luck – each one is a winner in PAT's eyes."
Julie Cave, Interim Chief Executive with NSFT, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Inca has been shortlisted for this national prize. Together with Sheena, she brings lots of smiles and joy to our wards, especially for patients who have had to leave their own pets at home while they are in our care.
"Inca and Sheena are inspirational in the voluntary work they do across our Trust, and we truly hope they'll pick up the title when they travel to Crufts next year."
People can vote for Inca by filling in the form in the current edition of Yours magazine or by visiting www.yours.co.uk/PATDogs. Voting closes on 31 December.
To support Pets As Therapy, visit http://petsastherapy.org/
For more information about volunteering with NSFT, visit www.nsft.nhs.uk and click on the "get involved" link from the homepage.
Top-dog-Inca-shortlisted-for-national-award


I agree with the above comment as all stories have already been told (or so I have been told) but what has not been written is each writer's telling of the story. That is always new or so I have been told. Really enjoyed this last series of posts as well as the comments, Sigrun.
Thank you Karen, so nice to here from you – always!
I haven't had a look at any of his books for years, thank you for bringing him up!
To me this is about making the world of art your own, not mirroring – but becoming, from the inside out.
Yes. Whatever that is. I agree. Thank-you for elaborating..
Peter Elbow in "Writing with Power, Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process": If you want your words to make a reader have an experience, you have to have an experience yourself—not just deal in ideas or concepts. What this means in practice is you have to put all your energy into seeing—into connecting or making contact or participating with what you are writing about—into being there or having the hallucination.
I love that!!!! And what a great quote!!!!! I'm going to post it!!!!! I try to do this with my writing and directing (think about this all the time). The problem is, this is a much tougher type of storytelling, it's tough on you as a storyteller, depending on what you want to say.
And I don't cite that as excuse – it's just what I find..


text:
es una villa que se encuentra en Tokio, Japón; específicamente en la zona de las islas Izu, dentro de la subprefectura de Ōshima.

Según datos del 2010, el pueblo tiene una población estimada de 3.040 habitantes y una densidad de 109 personas por km². El área total es de 27,83 km².

Fue creado como villa el 1 de octubre de 1923 con el nombre de Niijimahon y añadido a la subprefectura de Ōshima en 1926. Luego el 1 de noviembre de 1954 absorbe la villa de Wakagō. El 1 de abril de 1992 cambió su nombre de Niijimahon a Niijima.

La villa comprende las islas habitadas de Niijima y Shikinejima, al igual que las islas deshabitadas de Udoneshima, Hanshima y Jinaitō. Estas islas se ubican a más o menos unos 160 km al sur de la zona continental de Tokio. La mayor altura es el monte Miyatsuke (432 m) en Niijima. En la isla de Niijima también se ubica el aeropuerto de Niijima y el puerto.

Es conocida por sus onsen.

Enlaces externos

 Página oficial (en japonés)

Localidades de Tokio

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Photo, Print, Drawing Mrs. Pauline Adams in the prison garb she wore while serving a sixty-day sentence.
- Summary: Pauline Adams, three-quarter-length portrait, sitting at a table in prison clothes with right arm raised holding a cup.
- Mrs. Pauline Adams of Norfolk, Virginia, was arrested when picketing the White House on Sept. 4, 1917, and sentenced to sixty days in Occoquan Workhouse. She was arrested again at a watchfire demonstration on Feb. 9, 1919, but was released on account of lack of evidence. She was one of the speakers on the "Prison Special" tour of Feb-Mar 1919. Source: Doris Stevens, Jailed for Freedom (New York: Boni and Liveright, 1920), 354.
- Photograph published in The Suffragist, 7, no. 1 (Feb. 15, 1919): 5.
Mrs. Pauline Adams in the prison garb she wore while serving a sixty-day sentence . Norfolk United States Virginia, 1919. [between 1917 Sept. and] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000068/.
(1919) Mrs. Pauline Adams in the prison garb she wore while serving a sixty-day sentence . Norfolk United States Virginia, 1919. [between 1917 Sept. and] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000068/.
Mrs. Pauline Adams in the prison garb she wore while serving a sixty-day sentence . [between 1917 Sept. and] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000068/>.


text:
City airport to enlarge terminal - City airport to enlarge terminal - Website Ho Chi Minh City
City airport to enlarge terminal
Thứ bảy, 06/09/2014, 03:25 SA
An Airports Corporation of Viet Nam proposal to upgrade and expand terminal T2 at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City at a cost of VND2.31 trillion (US$114.2 million) has been approved by Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang.
It envisages enlarging the terminal by 22,000sq.m to 115,834sq.m with 120 check-in counters, an increase of 40, and 19 boarding gates.
The work, to be completed in 2017, will enable it to handle 13 million passengers a year, an increase of 3 million over the current capacity.
A first stage will start in November this year and be completed in a year at a cost of VND1.5 trillion.
According to the ACV, the terminal is expected to serve 29 million passengers, including 13 million foreigners, by 2018.
Long Thanh International Airport in neighbouring Dong Nai Province can only be completed after 2024, the ACV said.
"In the next 10 years the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport will remain the major facility for international passengers flying to the southern region of Viet Nam. Therefore, expansion of T2 is a necessity."
Since the land required for the expansion belongs to it, the public would not be affected, it added.
(Source: VNS)
Xuất Chuyển đổi City airport to enlarge terminal tới DOC
Xuất Chuyển đổi City airport to enlarge terminal tới PDF


Imagine a lazy man who never gets anything done. He's full of good ideas and noble intentions but his arms and legs stay pretty much right where they are. When you point this out to him, he responds that he has a fully functioning nervous system, thank you very much. Isn't listening to the signals passed on from the brain enough? Or, if the brain really wanted things done, wouldn't it do them itself? Hopefully that doesn't describe any real people you know, but unfortunately, it is the attitude of some real churches. In Ephesians 4, Paul fires up his. . .


Are you a live game enthusiast? Are you inseparable from your TV and your joysticks? Then here's Roku's take on the best gaming channel in town. The MLB TV channel that is available on your very own Roku channel store. Now get your Roku devices activated (which ever model you have) and also get the MLB activation code on Roku to activate it. Invite your friends to your home and indulge in some of the best games in tow.
View live and archived games on MLB TV. To return to the schedule page, just hit the back button on the remote of your Roku player.
In the scoreboard when using your Roku remote, the navigation works the same as the navigation in the calendar functions.
Activate Roku and follow the steps to activate MLB TV channel on Roku.
In the event that you find any issues, visit our website https://www.rokuactivationcode.com or call us at +1-844-965-4357 and we have the best team to assist you.


text:
\section{Experiemental results}

\begin{figure}[!t]
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:ring_micrograph}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{ring_schematic.png}}
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:ring_spec}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{ring_spec.png}}\\
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:ring_tunability}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{ring_tunability.png}}
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:ring_pulse}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{ring_pulse_2.png}}\\
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:ring_hist}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{ring_histogram.png}}
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:ring_dist}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{ring_histogram_2.png}}

\caption{\label{fig:ring} (a) Schematic of the microring. (b) The normalized transmission spectrum with both microrings biased at critical coupling. (c) DC tuning of the  transmission spectrum. (d) Histogram of 8000 overlapping pulses generated by the first microring. (e) The time-dependent accumulated photon counts due to two alternating intensities from the modulation of the two microrings. The time bin is 1 ns. (f) The photon number distribution of the pulses in (e). The  photon counts were calculated using a time bin of 5 ns.}
\end{figure}

Figure ~\ref{fig:ring_micrograph} shows the schematic of the  microring modulator.  Each microring contains a 400 $\mu\mathrm{ m} $ long PIN diode phase-shifter inside the ring for modulation. A $2\times2$ Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) coupler and an intracavity 100 $\mu$m long doped Si resistive heater provide independent tuning of the coupling coefficient and resonance wavelength, respectively, to achieve modulation with a high extinction ratio (ER). Thin film heaters were not available in this foundry process. Fig.~\ref{fig:ring_spec} shows the static transmission of the transmitter when both microrings were set to the critical coupling condition and slightly detuned from each other. The microrings had a free spectral range of 0.65 nm, and the minimum transmission was about -27 dB. The loaded $Q$ factor of the microrings was about $9.5 \times 10^5$.  Fig.~\ref{fig:ring_tunability} shows the tuning of the transmission at a fixed wavelength of 1549.9 nm as a DC voltage was applied to the intracavity PIN diode of one of the microrings.  A static ER of 25.6 dB was achieved by an applied voltage of only 50 mV. Fig.~\ref{fig:ring_pulse} shows the pulse shape generated by the first microring, which is a histogram of 8000 overlapping pulses. The microring was driven by a programmable pattern generator with bursts of 8000 1 ns-wide long pulses at a repetition rate of 10 MHz to generate a train of nominally identical pulses. The tests lasted for > 5 min. The optical pulses had a full width half maximum (FWHM) of 2.4 ns and the jitter was 0.9 ns FWHM. The dynamic ER  was 20 dB, which, to our knowledge, is  the highest of any Si microring and MZI modulator. A high ER  reduces the QBER penalty \cite{gisin2002quantum}.

The two microrings, when tuned to have matching resonances, could generate pulses with varying intensity levels, which can be used for signal and decoy states. Fig. \ref{fig:ring_hist} shows the cumulative photon count of $3.75\times 10^{5}$ repetitions of a modulation pattern with alternating intensities.  The first microring was driven with 1 ns long pulses at a repetition rate of 10 MHz, and the second microring modulator was driven by a 5 MHz square-wave from an arbitrary function generator (AFG).  The voltage levels of the AFG produced the two intensities shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:ring_hist}. Fig. \ref{fig:ring_dist} shows the distribution of cumulative photon counts.  The mean photon numbers per pulse of the two states were $0.129\pm 0.003$ and $0.009\pm 0.001$, respectively.

\begin{figure}[!t]
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:voa_schematic}\includegraphics[trim= 0in 0in 0in 0in, clip, width=1.2in]{voa_schematic.png}}
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:voa_tunability}\includegraphics[trim= 0in 0in 0in 0in, clip, width=2in]{voa_tunability.png}}
\caption{\label{fig:VOA} (a) Schematic of the VOA. The VOA is a cascade of four identical MZIs (labeled M1 to M4). (b) Normalized transmission of each MZI at 1550 nm. The maximum attenuation provided by each MZI is 40.3, 44.0, 53.3 and 46.4 dB. The transmission is normalized to the starting point (zero bias).}\label{fig:voa}
\end{figure}

The next device in the PIC is the VOA, which consists of four cascaded nominally balanced 2 $\times$ 2 MZIs.  The MZI has two 3 dB multimode interference (MMI) couplers separated by 300 $\mu$m  long phase-shifters each containing  a 250 $\mu$m long  heater.  The attenuation is tuned by the differential phase-shifts in the MZIs.The tuning range of each MZI at 1550 nm (labeled M1 to M4) is shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:voa_tunability}. Each MZI could provide $> 40$ dB of attenuation, so the VOA could generate an attenuation $>$160 dB.

\begin{figure}[!tbp]
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:pol_schematic}\includegraphics[width=3.2in]{pol_schematic.png}}
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:pol_transmission}\includegraphics[width=1.6in]{pol_tunability_1.png}}
\subfigure[]{\label{fig:pol_extinction}\includegraphics[width=1.75in]{pol_tunability_2.png}}
\caption{\label{fig:PolExp} (a) Schematic of the polarization modulator. (b) Normalized transmission of the four polarizations vs. voltage, $\pm \Delta V$, applied to the PIN diodes in the MZI at a bias of 1.2 V. (c) The total transmitted power (Normalized) and power ratio within each basis vs. $\Delta V$. }
\centering
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}[t]
\includegraphics[trim= 0in 0in 0in 0in, clip, width=3.5in]{pol_decoy.png}
\caption{\label{fig:pol_decoy} Projections of the polarization states onto $\vert D\rangle$ showing multi-level modulation using the second microring, VOA, and polarization modulator.}
\end{figure}

The output of the VOA connects to the polarization modulator. The polarization modulator is used to prepare the four states, \{$\vert H\rangle$, $\vert V\rangle$, $\vert D\rangle$, $\vert A\rangle$\}, that constitute two conjugate bases, where $\vert D\rangle=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\vert H\rangle+\vert V\rangle)$ and $\vert A\rangle=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} (\vert H\rangle-\vert V\rangle)$. In the polarization-encoding scheme, the states are identified as the polarization angles \{$0^{\circ}, 90^{\circ}, 45^{\circ}, -45^{\circ}$\}.  Fig.~\ref{fig:pol_schematic} shows the schematic of the polarization modulator, and the design is based on our  work in \cite{sacher2014polarization}. The polarization modulator consists  of a nominally balanced MZI followed by a polarization rotator combiner (PRC). The Si PIC preferentially supports the fundamental transverse electric mode (TE0).  In the polarization modulator, the MZI  controls the amplitude ratio between the two inputs to the PRC.  Then the PRC converts the TE0 mode in one of its inputs (e.g., the lower branch) into the fundamental transverse magnetic (TM0) mode, which is combined with the TE0 light from the other input (e.g., the top branch) at the output.

The MZI has a 1000 $\mu$m long PIN diode and a 250 $\mu$m long resistive heater in each phase-shifter. An additional set of heaters in the inputs to the PRC enables additional phase tuning between the TE and TM components. The PIN diodes are driven in push-pull and modulate the effective index of the Si waveguides by the plasma dispersion effect \cite{soref1987electrooptical}. Ideally, only the real part of the refractive index is modified, but the plasma dispersion effect also slightly alters the absorption coefficient, which causes a slight PDL. PDL can also be caused by fabrication errors in the PRC and fiber-to-chip coupling. The PDL at the chip output can be compensated by adding tunable attenuators at the inputs of the PRC for fine balancing of the loss between the TE and TM components. The polarization extinction ratio (PER) can be increased by including PIN diode phase-shifters at the inputs of PRC for the dynamic compensation of the phase mismatch between the two polarization components.  The measured PDL and PER are described next.

To measure the polarization tunability, the output of the polarization modulator was passed through a fused fiber polarization independent 3 dB splitter, and each output branch passed through an in-fiber polarization controller (PC) followed by a fiber-based polarization beam splitter (PBS).  The PCs were set such that each PBS was aligned to the rectilinear and diagonal basis, respectively.   Fig. \ref{fig:pol_transmission} shows the transmission for 1550 nm at  the outputs of each PBS vs. a small-signal voltage sweep, $\Delta V$, applied in push-pull mode to the PIN diodes in the on-chip polarization controller at a bias of 1.2 V. Fig. \ref{fig:pol_extinction} shows the total transmitted power and power ratio of the two orthogonal components within each basis. The PER was $> 30$ dB, and the power variation across the four polarization states was 0.9 dB.

To show the combined functionality of the intensity modulation, attenuation, and polarization preparation, Fig. \ref{fig:pol_decoy} shows the photon number histograms of the four polarizations are projected onto $\vert D\rangle$ using  the second microring modulator, VOA, and polarization modulator.  The input to the chip was a periodic pulse train near a wavelength of 1550 nm, and the first modulator was not used to remove the onus of spectral alignment of the two microring modulators. The mean photon numbers for the two intensities were about 0.094 and 0.029.

Finaly,  we present a proof-of-concept BB84 QKD demonstration using the on-chip VOA and  polarization modulator at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The setup is shown in Fig.~\ref{fig:setup}.  For improved modulation ER and thermal stability, the microrings were bypassed and an external LiNbO$_{3}$ intensity modulator was used instead. The external modulator provided a dynamic ER of 30 dB compared to 20 dB of the microring, reducing the penalty on the QBER. For a perfect single photon source, to obtain a secret key with Shor-Preskill's proof \cite{shor2000simple} requires a QBER $\lesssim$11\%. Secure QKD can be done with weak coherent pulses \cite{gottesman2004security}. At the sender (Alice's) side, the input to the  PIC was bursts  of 1000 optical pulses with a FWHM of 1 ns at a repetition rate of 10 MHz. The bursts were at the clock frequency of 9.71 kHz. The PIC attenuated pulses to single photon level and randomly prepared the four polarization states. A wavelength division multiplexer (WDM)  and a bandpass filter (BPF) were added at the output of the PIC to filter out the weak  electroluminesence peak a wavelength of 1150 nm from the forward biased Si PIN diodes \cite{fuyuki2005photographic}. The WDM and BPF added a loss of 5 dB and can be replaced by an integrated on-chip filter in future designs.

The signals were  transmitted over a 5 km long spool of standard single mode fiber. At the receiver (Bob's) side, a tunable beam splitter (TBS) balanced the losses of two paths so that each basis has a 50\% probability to be chosen for the measurement. The PC preceding each PBS was tuned for the measurement of two conjugated bases in the two paths, and the photons were detected using InGaAs single photon avalanche photodetectors (SPADs). The detection efficiency of the SPADs was  20\% and the dead time was set to 15 $\mu$s. The four channels at  Bob's end were measured sequentially, rather than simultaneously, to maintain an identical detection efficiency.  The loss of the  link, which includes the fiber and Bob's equipment, was about 6.1 dB.  The time interval analyzer (TIA) was synchronized with the clock to perform time-correlated single photon counting.

\begin{figure}[!t]
\includegraphics[trim= 0.2in 0.2in 0in 0in, clip, width=3.5in]{QKD_setup_2.png}
\caption{\label{fig:setup}Setup schematic. PS: power supply, PG: pulse generator, IM: intensity modulator, AFG: arbitrary function generator, BPF: bandpass filter, SMF: single mode fiber, TBS: tunable beam splitter, PC: polarization controller, PBS: polarization beam splitter, SPAD: single photon avalanche photodetector, TIA: time interval analyzer.}
\end{figure}

The on-chip VOA attenuated the pulse intensity by 27 dB. 562 Mbits (effective) were emitted for each channel test. The photon fluxes for the four polarization states had a variation of circa 1 dB, after accounting for the differences in connector loss, in agreement with the classical results. The mean photon per pulse is estimated to be 0.024 and QBER 5.4\%. The raw rate was 13.2 kbps and the asymptotic secure key rate was about 0.95 kbps, which was estimated using the key rate formula without decoy states (see Eq.(12) in \cite{lo2005decoy}). These results show the feasibility of foundry Si photonics for practical QKD, and the key rate would be improved with faster detectors and higher modulation speed.

In summary, we have demonstrated the first Si PIC transmitter for polarization-encoded QKD. Proof-of-concept QKD demonstration showed a QBER of 5.4\% and asymptotic secure key rate of 0.95 kbps. Future improvements include feedback and temperature control for chip stability, PDL compensation, and on-chip integration of the receiver. This work shows the potential of using foundry Si photonics for low cost, wafer-scale manufactured components for optical quantum information.

\section*{Acknowledgments}
The fabrication was sponsored by CMC Microsystems. We thank Prof. L. Qian for the loan of the SPADs. Funding from the NSERC, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund, and Canada Research Chairs is gratefully acknowledged.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Meet The Businessman Helping Giuliani Try To Find Dirt On Democrats In Ukraine
By Jeff Brady
Long before President Trump's now-famous call with Ukraine's president in July, Rudy Giuliani was regularly meeting with Ukrainian officials in pursuit of dirt against Democratic opponents.
He was not alone. There was a "guy" with him. In the news business we call them fixers — guides who know local people and can make introductions, set up meetings and translate interviews.
Lev Parnas, a businessman who says he splits his time between Florida and New York, was one of Giuliani's fixers. Parnas says he is a U.S. citizen but was born in Odessa, Ukraine, back when it was part of the Soviet Union.
Parnas helped Giuliani search for evidence to promote a theory of corruption in Ukraine by Joe Biden, who could become Trump's Democratic rival in the 2020 election. Biden's son Hunter, who was on the board of a gas company in Ukraine, also was a focus.
That corruption theory isn't holding up under scrutiny.
Parnas argues not all the facts about this and other conspiracies are known yet. And he is not ready to release all the information now.
While he's keeping that information secret, Parnas has confirmed a few things outlined in a whistleblower complaint that was made public this week.
There was a Skype call in late 2018 with former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who is key to the corruption theory.
"I arranged the Shokin call with the mayor," Parnas tells NPR, referring to Giuliani by his title from when he was mayor of New York City.
There also were meetings in late January in New York and mid-February in Warsaw with Yuriy Lutsenko.
"I was present but I'm not going to comment on what was discussed in those meetings," says Parnas.
Lutsenko was Ukraine's prosecutor general until August and once suggested Hunter Biden broke the law. He later walked back that allegation.
The start of a friendship
Parnas is a little more forthcoming about how his relationship with Giuliani started about two years ago. He says they attended the same political functions and really got to know each other when a mutual friend set up a meeting to discuss Parnas' investment fraud insurance business.
That meeting didn't result in doing business together, but Parnas says it sparked their relationship.
"We're good friends. We spend time together," Parnas says. "We play golf together."
About a year ago, Parnas says, he began receiving information from people in Ukraine about meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and about Hunter Biden's work with the natural gas company Burisma.
"At first we also thought it couldn't be true — that it was a conspiracy theory," but Parnas says the information kept coming. He says some of it was in the form of solid evidence, "like financial records and stuff like that where you can't dispute."
Parnas is a big fan of Trump, calling him "one of the greatest presidents we have." But lest you think Parnas did all this to help Trump in the 2020 election, he says, "absolutely not."
"I was doing it because I felt as a U.S. citizen it was my patriotic duty," says Parnas.
Playing with the "big boys"
Parnas' actions don't always seem to be as noble as his stated intentions, however. Consider one of his business enterprises, called Global Energy Producers.
The company was formed to sell liquefied natural gas from the U.S. to countries around the world, especially Ukraine. Doing that requires permits and licenses that can take years to acquire.
Parnas sought to jump-start that process by making big political contributions, including a $325,000 donation to a pro-Trump political action committee called America First Action.
"I wanted to get notoriety for my energy company and I felt it might be a great way to play with the big boys," says Parnas.
Parnas made the contribution with a business partner, Igor Fruman. He reportedly has also helped Giuliani. NPR wasn't able to reach him for this story.
The contribution was wired from an account that did not belong to Global Energy Producers, which caught the attention of the Campaign Legal Center. The organization labeled the company "shady" and filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission.
"Fruman and Parnas appear to have bought access to 'Trumpworld' by directing a six-figure contribution to a pro-Trump superPAC through a shell corporation," says Brendan Fischer, an attorney with the CLC. Fischer says the FEC is still considering the complaint.
Parnas says no one in the administration has promised to help his business because of the contribution. He says the way the money was wired to the PAC was a mistake and he has learned to do it differently next time.
"It's a whole big misunderstanding that my attorneys are going to clear up," says Parnas.
And he says the plan to get attention didn't work anyway. "With all this publicity it's been difficult to do any business, obviously, in Ukraine now," says Parnas.
Contributing to the publicity are this week's developments, including the impeachment inquiry House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Tuesday.
Parnas says he is spending a lot of time fielding calls from reporters.
"I'm a little upset with the way the news is coming out because I don't think our president did anything wrong," says Parnas. He is optimistic the outcome will favor his side of the country's political divide.
"We have God and the truth on our side, so I think that will prevail," says Parnas.
Jeff Brady
Jeff Brady is a National Desk Correspondent based in Philadelphia, where he covers energy issues and climate change. Brady helped establish NPR's environment and energy collaborative which brings together NPR and Member station reporters from across the country to cover the big stories involving the natural world.
See stories by Jeff Brady