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Croix de guerre (Belgium)
(Redirected from War Cross (Belgium))
The Croix de guerre (French) or Oorlogskruis (Dutch), both literally translating as "War Cross", is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Belgium established by royal decree on 25 October 1915.[1] It was primarily awarded for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. The award was reestablished on 20 July 1940 by the Belgian government in exile for recognition of bravery and military virtue during World War II.[2] The post-1940 decoration could also be awarded to units that were cited. The decoration was again reestablished by royal decree on 3 April 1954 for award during future conflicts.[3]
Croix de guerre
World War I Croix de guerre with Palm (obverse)
Military decoration
Belgians and military personnel of allied forces
Awarded for
Bravery in the face of the enemy
25 October 1915 (World War I)
20 July 1940 (World War II)
3 April 1954 (Future wars)
Ribbon bar for World War I
Ribbon bar for World War II
Ribbon bar for 1954–present
Reverse of the WW1 Croix de guerre
A Belgian soldier wearing the WW1 Croix de Guerre
Lieutenant Colonel Baron Willy Coppens, a recipient of the WW1 Croix de guerre
Lieutenant General Baron Jules Jacques de Dixmude, a recipient of the WW1 Croix de guerre
Flying ace Lieutenant André de Meulemeester, a recipient of the WW1 Croix de guerre
World War IEdit
Award statuteEdit
The World War I Croix de guerre was established by royal decree on 25 October 1915 as an award for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. It was only awarded to individuals. The Croix de guerre was not only awarded for bravery but also for three years or more of service on the front line, or for good conduct on the battlefield. It was also awarded to volunteers older than 40 or younger than 16 after a minimum of 18 months of service, to escaped prisoners of war rejoining the armed forces, and to military personnel who were placed on inactive duty because of injury.[1]
Award descriptionEdit
The World War I Croix de guerre was a 40mm wide bronze Maltese cross with 3mm in diameter balls at its eight points. It had a 14mm in diameter central medallion bearing the relief image of a "lion rampant" on its obverse and the royal cypher of King Albert I on its reverse. Two 37mm long crossed swords point upwards between it arms. A 14mm high "inverted V" between the two points of the top cross arm is secured to the inside of a 25mm wide by 25mm high royal crown, the ribbon's suspension ring passes through the top orb of the crown giving the cross a total height of 65mm.[1]
The World War I Croix de guerre's ribbon is red with five 2mm wide light green longitudinal stripes, three at the center separated by 3mm and one on each side 3mm from the edges.
When the person being awarded the Croix de guerre was mentioned in despatches, this distinction was denoted by a device worn on the ribbon, either a small lion or a palm adorned with the monogram "A" (for Albert I):[1]
Bronze lion: regimental level
Silver lion: brigade level
Gold lion: divisional level
Bronze palm: Army level
Silver palm: five bronze palms
Gold palm: five silver palms
When awarded posthumously, the ribbon of the Croix de guerre was adorned with a narrow black enamel bar.[1]
Notable recipients of the 1914–1918 Croix de guerre (partial list)Edit
Uniform of King Albert
A 1914-18 Croix de Guerre with two palms and two bronze lion badges added
The individuals listed below were awarded the World War I Croix de guerre:[4]
His Majesty the King.
Robert, 7th Duke d'Ursel
Charles de Hemricourt de Grunne
Aviator Lieutenant Colonel Baron Willy Coppens
Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Piron
Cavalry Lieutenant General Baron Victor Van Strijdonck de Burkel
Lieutenant General knight Antonin de Selliers de Moranville
Lieutenant General Félix Wielemans
Lieutenant General Baron Émile Dossin de Saint-Georges
Lieutenant General Count Gérard-Mathieu Leman
Lieutenant General Baron Jules Jacques de Dixmude
Lieutenant General Albert Lantonnois van Rode
Lieutenant General Baron Armand de Ceuninck
Cavalry Lieutenant General Baron Léon de Witte de Haelen
Major General Doctor Antoine Depage
′Major General Baron Edouard Empain
Georges Lemaître
François Ernest Samray[5]
Commandant Kristian Løken
Lieutenant Colonel James Neville Marshall (Irish Guards)
Lieutenant Charles Nungesser
Sergeant Archie Barwick
Corporal Richard Reading, CdeG(B) (Corps de Mitrailleuses)
Major Richard Winters
Private Arthur H Whitwell CdeG (B) 1st Class, 12th Royal Fusiliers <London Gazette 15/04/1918 Page 4543>
Captain William R. Strong, U.S. Army 91st Division[6]
World War IIEdit
World War II Croix de guerre with Palm (obverse)
Reverse of the World War II Croix de guerre
Canadian General Harry Crerar, a foreign recipient of the Croix de guerre
The World War II Croix de guerre was established on 20 July 1940 by the Belgian government in exile, it differed from the World War I version in its statute and slight changes to the reverse of the central medallion and the ribbon.[2]
It was still mainly awarded to individuals, but was now also authorized as a unit award. A war cross being presented to a unit was denoted by a ribbon of the war cross being affixed to the unit colours[2]
The Belgian fourragère was awarded by the Belgian Government to a unit that was cited twice. Award of the fourragère was not automatic and required a specific decree of the Belgian Government. The fourragère is in the same colours as the ribbon of the World War II Croix de guerre. The Belgian fourragère was only worn by those who were members of the unit at the time of the award.
The World War II Croix de guerre was constructed in the same dimensions as its World War I predecessor, the only real difference being the royal cypher of King Leopold III on its reverse. The new ribbon was still red with light green stripes but there were now six, 1mm wide, and positioned three on each side 2mm apart beginning 2mm from the edge of the ribbon.[2]
The same ribbon devices were used as in World War I except the palms were now adorned with the monogram "L" (for Leopold III).[2]
The individuals listed below were awarded the World War II Croix de guerre:[7]
Lieutenant General Jules Joseph Pire
Cavalry Lieutenant General Sir Maximilien de Neve de Roden
Count Charles of Limburg Stirum
Josephine Van Durme Membre de la résistance Belge
Notable foreign recipients of the 1940–1945 Croix de guerre (partial list)Edit
Larry "Scrappy" Blumer USAAF
General George Patton (USA)
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (UK)
General Harry Crerar (Canada)
Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (Netherlands)
Colonel Whitfield Jack (USA)
First Lieutenant Audie Murphy (USA)
Major Richard D. "Dick" Winters (USA)
Christopher Peto (UK)
General Carl Spaatz (USA)
William P. Straitiff Sgt. (USA)
Allison Greenfield TSgt.(USA)
Captain William A. Dwight (USA) Liberation of Bastogne
Private - William John Hobson (Canada)
Post 1954 variantEdit
Obverse of the post-1954 Croix de guerre
Reverse of the post-1954 Croix de guerre
On 3 April 1954, the Belgian government re-established the Croix de guerre but this time without any reference to a specific conflict. This decoration is intended to be awarded in a manner akin the World War II statute during potential future wars. The 1954 Croix de guerre has not yet been awarded.[3]
The post-1954 (or current) Croix de guerre is similar to the previous variants but with a different reverse center medallion now bearing the Coat of arms of Belgium in lieu of a royal monogram.[3]
The ribbon is a colour reversal of the World War II Croix de guerre ribbon, green with three narrow 1mm wide red stripes 2mm apart on each side beginning 2mm from the edge.[3]
Belgium portal
World War I portal
World War II portal
Croix de guerre (France)
Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)
List of Orders, Decorations and Medals of the Kingdom of Belgium
^ a b c d e "Royal decree of 25 October 1915 creating the Croix de guerre". Belgian Defence Ministry. 1915-10-25. Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ a b c d e "Decree of 20 July 1940 re establishing the Croix de guerre". Belgian Defence Ministry. 1940-07-20. Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ a b c d "Royal decree of 3 April 1954 re establishing the Croix de guerre". Belgian Defence Ministry. 1954-04-03. Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ "Recipients of the WWI Croix de guerre compiled from the ARS MORIENDI web site" (in French). ARS MORIENDI. 2012-07-06. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
^ Arrêté de S.A.R. le Prince Régent, du 02.04.1949, No 5903
^ The Helena Independent 21/10/1919 Page 1
^ "Recipients of the WW2 Croix de guerre compiled from the ARS MORIENDI web site" (in French). ARS MORIENDI. 2012-07-06. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
^ Royal Decree No 5903, 02-04-1949
Other sourcesEdit
Quinot H., 1950, Recueil illustré des décorations belges et congolaises, 4e Edition. (Hasselt)
Cornet R., 1982, Recueil des dispositions légales et réglementaires régissant les ordres nationaux belges. 2e Ed. N.pl., (Brussels)
Borné A.C., 1985, Distinctions honorifiques de la Belgique, 1830–1985 (Brussels)
Paul Hieronymussen, 1967, Orders Medals and Decorations of Britain and Europe in colour, 2nd Ed. 1970. (London)
Croix De Guerre, Belgium
HET OORLOGSKRUIS '14–'18 (Dutch)
Les Décorations belges officielles de la première guerre mondiale (French)
Bibliothèque royale de Belgique (In French)
Les Ordres Nationaux Belges (In French)
ARS MORIENDI Notables from Belgian history (In French and Dutch)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Croix_de_guerre_(Belgium)&oldid=905877365"


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10 Kids Toys to Buy for the Holidays
Is it playtime yet? Toy expert and TimetoPlayMag.com content director Chris Byrne promises these 10 gifts--chosen exclusively for REDBOOK readers--will remain favorites past Christmas and well into 2014.
By Ava Feuer
Is it playtime yet? Toy expert and TimetoPlayMag.com content director Chris Byrne promises these 10 gifts—chosen exclusively for REDBOOK readers—will remain favorites past Christmas and well into 2014.
To anyone who ever said girls have to play with dolls and boys with blocks, this toy, created by a female engineer troubled by the lack of girls interested in entering STEM fields, proves skeptics wrong. (And if you haven't seen the awesome viral video around it, watch now!) The set includes a storybook featuring Goldie—who builds a spinning machine to help her dog chase his tail—that takes girls through building the star-shaped contraption themselves. "Making engineering and entertaining accessible for young kids may be the motivation behind this line, but it's also fun, which means that it keeps kids engaged and learning," says Byrne.
GoldieBlox and the Spinning Machine, $29.99; GoldieBlox.
When Sofia, the heroine of Sofia the First, attends a princess academy and receives the Amulet of Avalor, she gains the ability to speak to animals, which is what this now-in-real-life toy plays off of. The Sofia doll uses radio frequency ID to detect when her friends are near and engage in conversations using more than 30 phrases. Your daughter will most certainly approve.
Sofia the First and Animal Friends, $39.99; Amazon.
When Byrne and his team tested this game with parents, he told them, "I've got your crack," each time he returned with more equipment. That's because this classic skill and action game—think Jenga or Operation—isn't age-specific, meaning it's an experience that can be shared among parents, grandparents, and kids of different ages. "You're not indulging a kid the way you would playing Candyland," says Byrne of Boom Boom Balloon, of which the aim is to overcome your nerves and avoid popping the balloon during your turn.
Boom Boom Balloon, $19.99; Target.
Calling all soon-to-be artists, scientists, and their mothers, who can't say good-bye soon enough to the mess of watercolors and paints on the kitchen table. Using the three primary colors, kids can create virtually any shade they wish by mixing little drops in a beaker, then dipping in a felt-tip absorbent marker. "Parents tell us they love the Crayola marker because it's high-quality," says Byrne. Now the only question is where to store all those masterpieces.
Crayola Marker Maker, $24.99; Toys"R"Us.
If you've made family trips to see every Disney and Pixar movie in, oh, the last five years, you're already familiar with the stars of what's being touted as Disney's most ambitious gaming initiative to date. When characters are placed atop the Disney Infinity Base, they become part of the game and embark on missions. But what makes the whole thing really special is the ability to build worlds in the Toy Box, meaning you could insert the Monsters, Inc. characters into Cinderella's castle. Plus, you don't have to worry about kids losing themselves in an alternate reality and never coming out. "You need to interact with the people around you to compete or cooperate on missions," says Byrnes. "It's interactive. You're not just staring at a television."
Disney Infinity, $74.99; Toys"R"Us.
You may remember weaving lanyards during your days at camp, but these rug hooked and crocheted friendship bracelets are the newest things to emerge from days of summer fun. The kit comes with 600 rubber band bases, meaning you get a lot in a small, fairly inexpensive box—and Byrne's heard many tales of kids selling their creations or giving them as gifts. "We're going to look back and say 2013 was the year of the rubber band bracelet," he proclaims.
Shimmer N Sparkle Cra-Z-Loom Bracelet Maker, $19.95; Amazon.
This colorful racecar toy is nice enough looking that you won't admonish your kids to stash it away—and it's good for them. Made of renewable, recycled materials, including water-based and nontoxic paints, it's perfect for preschool-age children, who can host races during which cars roll continuously along four curved ramps. "It's a simple, classic toy that helps develop both fine motor and mental skills," says Byrne.
Ages 1.5 and up.
EverEarth Ramp Racer, $21.99; Bed Bath & Beyond.
We can't say no to a toy with a positive message and a near-cult following—and apparently we're not the only ones. Already selling out, this miniature doctor's office allows kids to pretend that they are Doc McStuffins and treat their stuffed animals for conditions like broken hearts with prescriptions for cuddles. "This kind of play is very empowering for kids, who see themselves in a healing role and able to affect change in the world," says Byrne.
Doc McStuffins Deluxe Get a Better Check-Up Center, $79.97; Walmart.
Fairies are magical creatures, so it's only fitting that playing with them feels that way. This interactive doll flies up at the push of a button, and from there the hand underneath it controls its movement. Because the toy is so easy to navigate—you can stop flight by grabbing its legs—it doesn't require a large or outdoor space. Hello, hours of cold-winter-day amusement.
Flutterbye Fairy, $34.99; Target.
If you've got a wannabe superhero in your house and you hand him this toy, there's a good chance he won't come inside for dinner. Unlike some radio-controlled toys, this one has a very small learning curve and is good for all ages. Plus, because it's small, it appears to soar even higher than the few hundred feet it rises, and actually resembles Iron Man himself. "When we tested this, it drew a serious crowd of admirers," says Byrne.
Iron Man Flying RC Extreme Hero, $79.99; Toys"R"Us.
Your Early-Bird Gift Guide Is Here!
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Czech-bred rhinos acclimatising in Rwanda after long journey
https://english.radio.cz/czech-bred-rhinos-acclimatising-rwanda-after-long-journey-8127533#player=on
Length of audio 3:13
Eastern black rhino, photo: ČTK/David Taneček
Five endangered eastern black rhinos from Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic have been successfully relocated to Rwanda. The animals arrived in Akagera National Park in the east of the country on Monday afternoon. The move is part of an international effort to restore the critically endangered subspecies in the central African state, where the entire rhino population was wiped out as a result of the civil war in the 1990s.
The transport of the five eastern black rhinos from the Czech Republic to Rwanda started in the early hours of Sunday, following months of preparations at the Safari Park in Dvůr Králové, East Bohemia. The two male and three female rhinos were flown on a plane from Prague to Kigali before being transferred by truck to Akagera National Park in the east of the country.
Immediately upon their arrival they were released into a special enclosure, where they started their long adaptation process. Dvůr Králové Zoo's special projects coordinator Jan Stejskal, who has been accompanying the animals along the way, says the whole process might range from weeks to months.
Jan Stejskal, photo: Milan Baják / Czech Radio
"The acclimatisation of the rhinos will take definitely weeks and months. It started of course immediately after their arrival. They started to feed already early in the morning on hay brought from the Czech Republic. Slowly the hay will be phased out and they will start getting used to local food, to local acacias."
The rhinos are accompanied by two breeders from Dvůr Králové, who will stay in Rwanda for the next few weeks to oversee their adaptation process to the new environment. Even though all of the five animals were born in captivity, Jan Stejskal is confident the animals will soon regain their natural instincts:
"We did translocation of rhinos already in the past and from this experience we know that rhinos born in captivity and taken to wild areas actually resume their instincts very fast.
"There needs to be an acclimatization period and they need to be carefully observed, so it is difficult to say when exactly they could be released into the wild areas of the National Park Akagera."
Some two dozen rhinos were donated to Rwanda by South Africa already in 2017, reintroducing the species that had disappeared for more than a decade due to poaching. The rhinos arriving from Dvůr Králové Zoo should expand the genetic diversity of the founder population, increasing its chances to survive.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are currently around 5,000 eastern black rhinos remaining across their range in the wild, making them one of the most critically endangered species in the world.
Along with efforts to reintroduce the eastern black rhinos to Rwanda, the zoo in Dvůr Králové is also leading international efforts to save the northern white rhino, which is practically extinct now.
Author: Ruth Fraňková
Scientists announce major breakthrough in efforts to save endangered white rhino
The Czech Tiger King
New project by Czech zoologists seeks to help diversify zebra populations
Czechs among world's main exporters of exotic animals, partly as a legacy of communism


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Home / Colorado / Students Launch Mutual Aid Fund to Help One Another
Students Launch Mutual Aid Fund to Help One Another
Colorado College News
Posted on December 01, 2020, 12:15 pm
Add to favorites	3 mins
A group of nine students — which later grew to approximately 15 — have founded the Colorado College Mutual Aid Fund to support students who request aid to meet basic living expenses. Funds generally are requested for items such as groceries, rent, transportation, and utilities by low-income students already receiving financial aid but who need additional help.
Begun in late July, the Mutual Aid Fund started as a branch of the student group Collective for Antiracism and Liberation. The Mutual Aid Fund is entirely student-run, created by students, for students, and organized under the Colorado College Office of Advancement. The group strives to create a network of solidarity within the CC community in order to meet each other's needs, say students who drafted much of the organization's statements. Among them are Hannah Friedman '22, Misbah Lakhani '24, Tova Salzinger '22, Dylan Chapell '24, and Ellie Miles '23.
According to the organizers, approximately 70% of the students who have requested aid are people of color and 62% are Bridge Scholars. The average request is $1,800.
The founding students say a key differentiator of the fund is that it's based in solidarity, not charity – one that directly allows CC students full and equitable access to their education.
"We hope to better our collective capacity to access a CC education, and address a number of related challenges that may have arisen for community members pertaining to COVID-19," says Salzinger.
To date, the Mutual Aid Fund has distributed nearly $37,000, but hopes to meet the more than $150,000 in requests already received. Friedman says a second round of redistribution is currently open and funds will be dispensed on Dec. 11.
All donations to the Mutual Aid Fund are used to supplement needs not covered by CC's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Response Fund and International Student Assistance Fund.
The group is working on fundraising from current students through social media, noting that if every CC student donated $20 per month ($5 a week) through the end of the Fall Semester, the fund would be able to redistribute $91,640; if continued through the end of the academic year, it would add up to $320,740. The students also are partnering with the Senior Class Gift and the Young Alumni Donation Committees to engage seniors and young alumni in redistribution of wealth. They also are sending targeted emails, texts, and letters to alumni and parents. More information and giving information is available at https://2cc.co/mutualaid
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edxi betts Featured on Indigenous Action
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Johnny Reed '13 Named Roddenberry Fellow
College News / Nov 20
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NPR Examines CC's Effort to Flush Out Coronavirus Through Testing
College News / Oct 26


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Tailored Review of Wilton Park: written ministerial statement
Wilton Park
Created by Wilton Park 0 comments
I am announcing today the start of a tailored review of Wilton Park, an Executive Agency of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
The principal aims of Tailored Reviews are to ensure public bodies remain fit for purpose, are well governed and properly accountable for what they do.
Wilton Park is an Executive Agency of the FCO, which convenes discreet dialogue on the UKs strategic foreign policy priorities. It has shaped and delivered events since 1946 linking a global network of experts from a range of sectors, including academia, the military, civil society, business, politicians and diplomats.
The Review, the first since 2015, will provide a robust scrutiny of and assurance on the continuing need for Wilton Park both its function and its form. If this process finds the agency should be retained in its current form and status, it will then consider how Wilton Park can deliver on its core mandate more effectively and efficiently. It will also assess the control and governance arrangements that are in place to ensure that Wilton Park and the FCO are complying with recognised principles of good corporate governance.
In conducting this Tailored Review, officials will engage with a broad range of stakeholders across the UK and overseas, including staff, management and the Board of Wilton Park. These consultations will include participating and sponsor organisations of Wilton Park events as well as partners from across UK government, foreign governments, international organisations, business, academia and the third sector.
The review will follow guidance published in 2016 by the Cabinet Office: Tailored reviews: guidance on reviews of public bodies. The Terms of Reference for the review can be found on gov.uk.
I shall inform the House of the outcome of the review when it is completed and copies of the report of the review will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Read the terms of reference for the Tailored Review of Wilton Park.
Published 25 April 2018
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Corporate report: Tailored Review of Wilton ParkMonday, 29 Oct
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It is impossible to delve into the world of fine chocolate in Montreal without understanding the importance of Barry Callebaut. At each Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy, chocolate artistry is taught alongside the importance of sustainability in the world of chocolate and cacao.
The Barry Callebaut Group (BCG) was founded in 1996 with the merger of the Belgian chocolate company Callebaut–which was founded in 1911–and the French chocolate and cocoa company Cacao Barry, founded in 1842. This merger created what is now the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group–the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products.
In this post, we are focused on the Barry Callebaut Group, with 53 factories worldwide that process 1.8 million tonnes of chocolate couverture for chocolatiers, pastry chefs, hotels, restaurants, and catering companies around the world. So without knowing it, you have almost certainly eaten a chocolate bar, creation, or dessert made from the BCG's extensive product line that includes the Cacao Barry, Callebaut, Mona Lisa, and Van Leer brands.
The kitchen at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy in Montreal is where many Canadian chocolatiers learn about chocolate.
But the BCG is not just about producing good quality chocolate. The conglomerate has invested millions of dollars to educate chocolate professionals who use their products, and has taught more than 115,000 cocoa farmers around the world how to grow and process their cocoa beans in order to achieve the finest quality possible. By increasing the quality, the farmers are able to charge more for their beans, and ultimately improve the standard of living for their families. These are the components necessary in creating sustainable chocolate. The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to making sustainable chocolate the global norm by 2025 and has confirmed that the BCG product line is currently at about 35% sustainable, with that percentage increasing each year.
In September, 2017, the BCG introduced a fourth type of cocoa–Ruby Chocolate–a pink-toned chocolate created through a special processing of Ruby cocoa beans. I have yet to try it, but there has been a considerable amount of media announcing it.
In the old days, couverture (the small disks you see in the bowls) just came in dark, milk, or white chocolate. Today's chocolatiers have an extensive number of choices to help them achieve the precise flavour they are seeking for their chocolate creations, as you can see here with two white (blanc) chocolate couvertures, one at 29% cacao and the other at 34%, each with its own distinct flavour profile.
We enjoyed tasting all the different types of Cacao Barry couverture that chocolatiers can use to make their own unique chocolate creations.
Montreal is the only city in Canada that is home to one of 20 international locations of the Barry Callebaut Academie du Chocolat. Chicago is home to the only Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy Center in the US.
A Barry Callebaut production facility is located in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, 60 kilometres east of Montreal. With about 500 people on staff just at this location, it is considered one of the largest chocolate factories in the world. There is also a Barry Callebaut production facility in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, and two in the US–one in American Canyon, California, and one in Chicago, Illinois, along with a new warehouse in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to handle distribution to the American East Coast.
The Or Noir custom couverture packaged under the Cacao Barry brand is a unique offering from the Barry Callebaut Group.
What impresses me most about the Barry Callebaut Group is that they have found a way to bring chocolatiers one step closer to the bean-to-bar experience. Produced under the Cacao Barry brand, BCG's new custom initiative for chocolate professionals called Or Noir (meaning Black Gold) enables chocolatiers to work with the company's chocolate lab in Paris to blend an absolutely unique blend of origins to create a signature chocolate that the chocolatier will use to create his/her own (almost) bean-to-bar chocolate bar. I talked about this in the post about Adorable Chocolat of Shediac, New Brunswick, who launched their signature Scorpion Bar in February, 2017, with the help of the Cacao Barry team of taste experts.
So when you hear the word 'Callebaut' associated in the world of chocolate, listen carefully, as it can mean a host of different things to different people. But what it does mean without a doubt, is great tasting chocolate with an increasing consciousness towards innovation and sustainability.
It is indeed, Jeri. I am really encouraged to see the good work that the Barry Callebaut Group is doing in helping change the way big chocolate companies do business. It's good for all of us!
It's great that Barry Callebaut Group is teaching how to grow and how to make chocolate and working with chocolatiers to create their own signature brands. I'm glad you explain the connection or lack thereof with Bernard Callebaut, beause that was my first question when I saw the name.
Hi Donna. Yes, I, too, was confused by the variations of the Callebaut name, knowing we have a Bernard Callebaut shop here in Winnipeg. I find it SO odd that the creator of that company cannot use his own name, as when his company went into receivership, an employee took over the company, complete with the founder's name!
That also happened to Amos, the founder of Famous Amos cookies. I believe that because of the following that had been built up over the years, the use of the name was considered a corporate asset, just like the physical locations and equipment, and so was sold with them.
That is correct, Nancy. But so strange, when it is the person's name and not just the company name.
That long Bernard Callebaut story sounds worthy of another post! I'm unfamiliar with the term couverture, could you explain that a bit? This was a fascinating post.
Thanks very much for your comment and query, Linda. Couverture is cocoa that has been processed into either disks, blocks, or occasionally a liquid form that chocolatiers, pastry chefs, and amateur home-based chocolate makers can use as the basis for the final product. The chocolatier will still have to melt, temper, and flavour the chocolates with any inclusions. But basically, they are starting out with a product that has taken them halfway there.
Cool. Thanks Doreen. Learning something everyday.
Very cool. I see more fine chocolatiers are doing this sort of education around the USA and Canada. I just wonder how much outreach it really is when there are fees for taking the classes and generally transportation is required. I wish there was an easier way to educate the mass of people who buy most of the candy and "chocolate" because I think only then will any serious change to the industry happen.
Where do you do your talks and events? Here on your blog you can reach to a very wide audience since internet access is fairly widespread though still a bit limited for lower classes.
Indeed, Tammy. This blog and my Chocolatour books, as well as freelance articles I write on the world of chocolate are helping to educate chocolate lovers here and around the world. I do chocolate talks and events wherever anyone wants me. That has included several parts of Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and Costa Rica to date. I'd love to have a big corporate sponsor that would help underwrite the costs of my travel. Right now, my travel costs are usually underwritten by tourism bureaus and small business partners.
I have learned SO much from you Doreen! I never had any clue that there was so much more to chocolate than the candy bars I see in the store at check-out! Thank you for opening my eyes to this amazing tradition and craft.
Thanks so much for your words of support, Marty. I am so glad that you and some of my other regular readers appreciate the work and detail I put into these posts. I enjoy writing them but am glad to receive the feedback.
A wonderfully complex article; ranging from the ethics of sustainability to the cut-throat world of business. Thanks for sorting out the Callebaut. names involved in this refined and tasty world of good chocolate.
I want to try ruby chocolate and will surely visit Papa Chocolat in Calgary where my daughter lives!
Let me know how you like it, Carol! I've not yet tried the Papa Chocolat or the Ruby Chocolate.
The more I read your blog posts, the more I feel the need to eat chocolate!
It is interesting to know some companies continue to work with a good ethic.
I must get myself to a chocolate factory one of these days.
I'm glad my posts are increasing your chocolate knowledge, Phoenicia. There is SO much to learn and enjoy about the world of artisan chocolate and cacao.
So much to know about chocolate! Who knew?
So much to learn about chocolate! Love how in depth you are with the info… I didn;t realize there was a site in Chatham… will have to visit – not far from me!
Hello Brenda, and thanks for your comment. I met Keith Hurdman in London (back when he was the Master Chocolatier who created the new premium line for Thornton's) but I haven't yet tried his Melt Chocolates. I'm sure they're delish.
Chocolate seems to be such a great interesting topic and history. Barry Callebaut introducing a new chocolate type, must be to the Chocolate Aficionado community like when Dylan went electric.
Another fun and educational post. I also enjoy reading the comments–I too, wondered what couverture meant. I've never heard of this chocolate maker, but again am struck by the efforts to make sustainable growing and enhance the lives of the small farmers. I mean, doesn't that totally justify chocolate for breakfast?
Right on, Rose! I'm glad you're enjoying the posts and learning with every one. And, yes! Cocoa nibs for breakfast is definitely on my menu most days. They taste delish on yogurt and fruit. Happy National Chocolate Day!
I love reading your stories, Doreen. I learn so much more about chocolate every single time. I'd love to try the new ruby chocolate from Callebaut, sounds delicious!
The Barry Callebaut Group in Montreal sounds like a great operation, and delicious to boot.
I love that they focus on sustainability and are involved in teaching too. The best of all worlds!
Hi Patti, and thanks for stopping by. Yes, the Barry Callebaut Group is really changing the way large companies are doing business. And the Montreal Chocolate Academy is a great place for chocolate professionals to elevate their skills, and their understanding of the world of chocolate.
Oh, I loved the concept of ruby chocolate! Can you imagine serving a selection of dark, light, white and ruby chocolate to guests?!!?
I buy Callebaut couverture at a wholesale store here in the Netherlands to use as chips in chocolate chip cookies! They come in 5 kg bags, so it lasts a while. Lately they've started stocking a range of them with differing amounts of cocoa. They're so good, sometimes I take a small handful just for feeding a craving!
Absolutely, Rachel! Using a really good quality chip in any chocolate creation makes it that much better. And they are indeed a delicious chocolate snack without all the additives.
BCG chocolate really seems huge and like it has a global impact. I especially like that they help farmers who make chocolate learn to make a profit. I know so many farmers in the world struggle. I'll try to be more mindful of the Callebaut name next time I'm thinking of getting a chocolate bar.
Hi Erica and thanks for your comment. You likely won't see the name Callebaut on a chocolate bar label. As I explain in the post, the BCG primarily provides couverture to chocolatiers and others who make products of chocolate for public consumption. So their name is widely known in the chocolate industry, but lesser known among consumers. It is indeed wonderful that they are attempting to train cocoa growing farmers how to grow and process the cocoa beans so that they get a better grade product and higher fee for their efforts.
Love the chocolate knowledge you are disseminating to the world. Pretty yummy passion you have there.
So cool about the Barry Callebaut's focus on sustainability. As much as I'd like to think I could be a chocolatier with their training and guidance, I think I'll leave that to those with the real talents for chocolate-making.
I know what you mean, Cathy! As much as I love to eat and celebrate great chocolate, I am not interested in making it.
I always learn something new about chocolate when I visit, and love the fact that you have developed such a strong niche. Barry Callebaut's focus on sustainability is admirable, the more bean to bar the better!
I have learned SO much from you Doreen! I never had any clue that there was so much difference between good chocolate and the candy bars I see in at the grocery check-out! Thank you for activating my eyes to this amazing tradition and craft.
BGC chocolate's story seems very inspiring. Working on chocolate market and forecasting the future has always been fun. But, doing it while we have a thorough understanding about it makes it very interesting. Thank You Doreen, for such an informative article.


Mike and The Mechanics, who have sold over 10 million records worldwide – announce their nationwide Word of Mouth Tour 2017, an epic run of 30 concerts in February/March, including taking in the Royal Albert Hall next year.
Genesis founding member Mike Rutherford (guitar) – joins forces with a new generation Mike and The Mechanics which includes one of the UK's most prolific R&B singer, Andrew Roachford (lead and backing vocals) – whose previous hits include Cuddly Tour and Family Man, and Canadian-born singer, Tim Howar (lead and backing vocals) who formed and toured with his band Vantramp, with the likes of Rod Stewart and Paulo Nutini.
I was on the convert here in Bielefeld, Germany yesterday which was great. Mike revealed that the new CD will be released in January. That's great news!


text:
Q: get value from json when passed key is a variable I am creating a list by fetching values from a JSON file. It is a nested JSON and the list items are- "Thriller","Fiction" which are basically keys for the next level.
on click of the item I'm passing its name(i.e. Thriller/fiction) to another function...
var val = thriller.
Now I need to fetch the value(i.e. "book" & bookname) corresponding to the passed key in this new function. I'm not able to do so using dot operator-
data.library.val not working..
If anybody has worked on something similar..please help..
JSON:
{ "library": [

    {
        "Thriller": [
            { "book": "ABC" },
            { "book": "DEF" }
        ]
    },
    {
        "Fiction": [
            { "book": "GHI" },
            { "book": "JKL" }
        ]
    },]  }

Code snippet:
$.getJSON('resources/abc.json', function(data){

        var i = data.library;
        $("#menuList1").css('display','block');
        $(i).each(function(key, value){
            $.each(value, function(key, value){
                    console.log(key);
                    $("#menuList1").append(''+key+'');
    });
   });    });

A: Use data.library[key]
MDN Documentation

A: Your Json is not valid, this },] specially. A good version  :
{
    "library": [{
        "Thriller": [{
            "book": "ABC"
        }, {
            "book": "DEF"
        }]
    }, {
        "Fiction": [{
            "book": "GHI"
        }, {
            "book": "JKL"
        }]
    }]
}

you can refer the website http://jsonlint.com for validating your json.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Independent Media Centre Ireland http://www.indymedia.ie
Belfast anti-war group exposes the bloody truth of Thales Air Defence war profits
antrim | anti-war / imperialism | feature Friday April 28, 2006 12:11 by Mark Chapman - Justice Not Terror Coalition jntcx at bonbon dot net +44 773 781 9569
Drawing attention to Thales' murder business
This morning, Thursday 27 April peace activists from the Belfast-based Justice Not Terror Coalition staged a 'die-in' and blockade at the main gate of Thales Air Defence, Alanbrooke Road, Castlereagh.
'This symbolic and totally non-violent action effectively blockaded and closed down the main entrance to the Thales war profiteers site in Belfast for a period of time. We re-enacted an everyday scene from the streets of Baghdad, Samarra, Fallujah and other Iraqi towns and cities under US and UK military occupation', said JNTC member Ann Patterson.
'War profiteers Thales in Belfast specialise in short-range missiles for the British government's war efforts. Arms traders such as Thales concentrate on strategies to make a killing from armed conflicts. We are calling on the decision makers in Thales to start using the expertise and skills of their workers in socially useful ways rather than manufacturing weapons of death and destruction', said Mark Chapman. Mairead McKeown and Lelia Newman delivered a letter to Thales explaining the reasons for the peaceful protest and requesting a meeting to discuss these issues of concern for the group.
'We're taking this action today as part of the Global Call to Resist the occupation of Iraq and to oppose those who are benefiting from the continuing military occupation there. With over 100,000 Iraqi dead, over 2,300 US dead and over 100 UK troops dead, this military occupation clearly needs to end now. The US and UK administrations need to be held to account for precipitating civil war in Iraq and for increasing the likelihood of further terrorist attacks worldwide', said Peace People Chairman, Kevin Cassidy.
Justice Not Terror Coalition is co-ordinating non-violent resistance actions to the occupation of Iraq throughout 2006 in support of the Global Call to Action (http://www.globalcalliraq.org). These are planned for July 7 (London bombings), August 9 (Nagasaki Day), September 11 (9/11), December 10 (Human Rights Day).
Justice Not Terror Coalition
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75707
Indymedia Ireland is a media collective. We are independent volunteer citizen journalists producing and distributing the authentic voices of the people. Indymedia Ireland is an open news project where anyone can post their own news, comment, videos or photos about Ireland or related matters.


text:
Keeping Him Quiet
An Urban Fiction Novel
By: Smokey Moment
Narrated by: Destiny Starr
4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 (2 ratings)
An urban romance fiction novel!
Paris Italy Hall has had enough of street life and wants no part of it or the men in her complex that dwell in it, living off of the pain and suffering of everyday people. Paris works hard and goes to school so that she can say bye to her surroundings and move on to something better. But Demetrius "Meek" Lewis has other plans. He sees her and pursues her relentlessly until she gives in and gives him a chance.
After a whirlwind relationship that sweeps her off her feet, Paris begins to have doubts about the sincerity of the man she has fallen in love with. When she suspects he's been deceiving her and tries to get answers, he shows her that he isn't at all the man she thought he was. Paris soon realizes that she is trapped and unable to escape his clutches and is living a nightmare rather than a dream. It isn't long before her life goes from terrible to worse, when a drug rival kidnaps her and her world is turned upside down.
What happens when a dangerous man loses his most prized possession? How far will he go to seek revenge against the people involved? Will Paris escape from a man who has 100 reasons to finish what he started? Will she be able to tame the beast in him? What will become of two people brought together by the most dangerous of circumstances? This is a novel about lust, sex, money, lies, and betrayal. A book about a woman innocently caught between the crossfire and whose survival depends on her wits and surprisingly, her vulnerability. A powerful pause-resister! A must-listen!
©2018 Smokey Moment (P)2019 Smokey Moment
Secrets, Lies & Video


text:
Ministers: better care fund cash will be spent on health
By Kaye Wiggins, David Williams2014-02-13T00:01:00+00:00
Health and local government ministers have insisted better care fund cash will not be diverted by councils into non-health projects.
In HSJ and Local Government Chronicle's interview with Norman Lamb and Brandon Lewis, the two ministers sought to play down fears expressed by NHS England's medical director at a Commons health committee hearing last month. Sir Bruce Keogh said: "There is a fear that the labels [will] be taken off the money and that it will be used for filling in potholes and other significant things."
However, health minister Mr Lamb said it was "just wrong" to suggest the programme would allow councils to use NHS funds to fill potholes, adding "we will not let that happen."
When Mr Lewis, a minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, was asked whether he had confronted Sir Bruce about the claim, he said: "I haven't seen him but I don't agree with him."
Mr Lewis said of Sir Bruce's concern: "I'm confident that won't happen – local government will do the right thing as it generally does."
More from this interview: cash penalties axed for care fund failure
Analysis: better care fund decision offers a universal solution
But the local government minister said the actions of some councils could cause a loss of confidence in the sector. He referred to a Commons question in which Enfield Council was accused of using public health money for road maintenance.
"They had this tenuous argument that it would stop people having accidents," Mr Lewis said. "That does nobody in local government any favours and it's an atrocious way to behave.
"But that isn't local government. Local councils across the country know what this is about and they've got a vested interest in getting it right. The Enfield example is a salutary lesson to every council that that won't be tolerated, they won't get away with it."
Sir Bruce's concerns reflected serious misgivings in the acute sector about the prospect of a major transfer from their budgets to social care. NHS England guidance said use of the fund should lead to a 15 per cent fall in demand for emergency activity - an outcome that could be hugely destabilising for the NHS if not carefully managed.
"One of the ways we'll know this [fund] is working is if that demand falls," Mr Lewis said. "In a sense if we need less A&E because we've dealt with the problem, that's a good thing."
For his part, Mr Lamb said nervousness in the acute sector was "exactly what one would expect at this stage".
"Hospitals have become reliant on payment by results as a method of funding, and starting the shift away from that inevitably causes concerns," he said.
"But you have to look at the counterfactual all the time. You can point to the pressures and the risks of proceeding down the right route, but we have to look at what happens if you carry on with business as usual. For me that results in the NHS crashing and that's a scenario we've got to avoid."
Mr Lamb admitted that the example of Oxfordshire, where NHS providers effectively put the brakes on an ambitious integrated contract plan, showed the system was "enormously risk averse". He said the 14 local integration "pioneer" areas, designated by his department, were starting to change this approach. He said these areas had become "all the more important" since the introduction of the better care fund because other areas would look to them for lessons.
To this end, he said, the 14 pioneer sites would be able to go directly to some of the most senior figures in the NHS and local government for support. These included Department of Health director general for social care Jon Rouse, NHS England national policy director Bill McCarthy and Local Government Association chief executive Carolyn Downs.
"If we can get to understand better what the barriers are to sorting out a problem like delayed transfers of care and then rapidly disseminate that… you avoid too high a risk of making mistakes," he said.
Both ministers suggested the fund, if successful, could have significant implications for future reform.
Mr Lamb said his personal view was the fund was a step towards "the pooling of the whole health and care resource in a local area", which would help to ensure the rational use of resources.
Bruce Keogh
Five CCGs plan merger to cut running costs
Five clinical commissioning groups in the north east of England are considering mergers to cut running costs, HSJ has learned.
Two health economies will team up to reconfigure acute services which could result in centralisation, separation of urgent and elective work, and staff sharing schemes.
Trust chair perplexed by CQC leadership criticism
The chair of an acute trust has been left feeling puzzled and questioning inspectors' assessments after the Care Quality Commission criticised its leadership model.
1 Readers' comment
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Bonfire of financial penalties reaches cancer and RTT standards
Financial penalties are being lifted from high-profile standards including cancer and elective waiting times, so far without attracting much attention. How is this happening? And will it work, asks Rob Findlay


text:
Discussion to "The Internal Mammary Artery and Vein as a Recipient Site for Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Report of 110 Consecutive Cases"
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery - Vol. 4 #98
The Internal Mammary Artery and Vein as a Recipient Site for Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction: A Report of 110 Consecutive Cases
by Charles L. Dupin, M.D., Robert J. Allen, M.D., Cynthia A. Glass, M.D., and Ross Bunch, M.D.
Discussion by William W. Shaw, M.D.
In the early days of breast free-flap surgery, in trying to identify the best recipient vessels, I had the opportunity to try nearly all the possible options: thoracodorsal, circumflex scapular, subscapular, posterior humeral circumflex, vein grafts to axillary, thoracoacromial, transverse cervical, and internal mammary vessels. The internal mammary vessels were used on more than 80 flaps, mostly for gluteal and some for tensor and TRAM flaps. Now, after about 500 breast free flaps, I use mostly the thoracodorsal system and occasionally the internal mammary system. The authors' extensive and favorable experience, however, attests to the merit of the internal mammary vessels. Therefore, the question remains, Is the internal mammary system better than the thoracodorsal vessels? If not, when is one system preferable to the other?
Advantages of the Internal Mammary Over the Thorocordorsal Vessels
I agree with the various advantages mentioned by the authors. From my experience, the more important advantages of the internal mammary vessels are as follows:
More versatile insetting of the breast flap. By being able to place the best part of the TRAM flap on the chest medially, it is easier to achieve medial fullness. It avoids the annoying situation of having too much bulk laterally and not enough medially. Also, with axillary pedicles, the distal part of the flap is medially on the chest where even minor fat necrosis can be exasperating to correct, requiring major revision of the flap.
Vascular pedicle free from arm and shoulder movement. The tremendous vertical excursion of the axillary pedicle caused by movement of the arm and shoulder is generally not well appreciated. Avoiding the axillary makes postoperative care easier in cases of tight pedicle. Without axillary dissection, one tends to have fewer problems with shoulder stiffness.
Avoidance of brachial plexus complications. Transient brachial plexus palsy from axillary exposure is largely preventable and spontaneously reversible. However, it can occur easily, causing a great deal of anxiety for the patient and the surgeon.
Availability. The thoracodorsal vessels may be compromised by previous axillary surgery or may be difficult to dissect from scar tissue. The internal mammary vessels are always available and previously undisturbed.
Excellent arterial flow. Because of its proximity to the heart and its consistent large caliber, the internal mammary artery always has vigorous pressure. It appears to be less affected by vasospasm or systemic pressure changes.
Surgeon and assistant comfort. When first operating on the internal mammary vessels under the microscope, the vessels move up and down as well as go in and out of focus, making the anastomosis a rather challenging experience. With some experience and cooperation from the anesthesiologist, however, it becomes quite manageable. Operating on the center of the chest rather than reaching over to the opposite axillae allows the assistant to participate more easily and comfortably under the microscope.
Disadvantages of Internal Mammary Vessels Compared With the Thorocodorsal
Requires medical chest scar for exposure. With the standard transverse incision for mastectomy, exposure of the third or fourth rib at the sternum is not difficult. With oblique or skin-sparing incisions, the exposure may be difficult without a more medial incision and a more visible scar. For patients with subcutaneous mastectomy, Poland's syndrome, or implant complications such medial scars would be more objectionable compared with a well-hidden inframammary scar in conjunction with a transverse axillary scar.
Extra time and dissection for immediate reconstruction. After mastectomy, the thoracodorsal vessels are already exposed. Without prior scars or radiation, these vessels are easy to work with and are ready for anastomoses within minutes. Using the internal mammary vessels, on the other hand, would require extra time for dissection of the ribs, intercostal muscles, and finally, the vessels.
Delicate internal mammary veins. The internal mammary veins have much thinner walls compared with the thoracodorsal veins. Surgical dissection and suturing require greater attention and expertise. The authors described having had two veins injured early in their series and having three venous reoperations for "twisting."
Compromise of the future availability of the internal mammary artery for coronary bypass. This may seem to be a rather remote concern for most patients contemplating breast reconstruction. We know, however, that many of these patients will be candidates for coronary bypass some 20 years later. The 10-year patency of internal mammary artery bypass is significantly better than that with vein grafts. Therefore, loss of the internal mammary artery represents a small but definite future compromise in some of the patients.
Need to resect a rib. While a costar cartilage resection is not risky or difficult, some patients do object to loss of a rib. There is also the occasional minor nuisance of the possibility of pneumothorax.
Internal Mammary Versus Thorocodorsal Vessels: Medical Merits or Fashion?
Medical literature, by nature, favors the reporting of innovations or new trends. Even surgeons are not immune to the fashions of the day. Operations have come and gone out of vogue at different times. Is a routine switch from thoracodorsal to internal mammary vessels warranted, or is it merely trendy?
The authors have presented a superb review of the anatomy of the internal mammary artery and vein. Their work helped to establish the feasibility and safety of using the internal mammary vessels. Their description of surgical techniques is very helpful in making the dissection easier. As a result of their work, I plan to utilize the internal mammary vessels more often than in the past.
On the other hand, my experience with the thoracodorsal system has been quite good, such that I do not plan to abandon it in favor of the internal mammary system routinely. I beg to differ slightly with the authors' statement that with thoracodorsal vessels, "medial placement of the breast mound was restricted and lateral fullness of the flap was a common problem." In the great majority of my TRAM free flaps, the reach is not a problem using the thoracodorsal vessels. For gluteal flaps or other flaps with shorter pedicles, this may be more important. Also, while the thoracodorsal artery is usually smaller than the internal mammary artery, I have found it to be quite satisfactory, as attested by my result of 99.5 percent survival over 320 TRAM free flaps. My operating time is about 5 1/2 hours for unilateral flaps and 7 1/2 hours for bilateral flaps, similar to that of the authors. Lastly, many patients prefer not to have any medial scars that might be noticeable with low-cut dresses or swimwear.
In the final analysis, this superb study with substantial clinical experience convincingly supports the authors' recommendation that the "internal mammary system should be brought back into the armamentarium for free-flap breast reconstruction." It would add greatly to our versatility in breast reconstruction. In some cases, the choice between the internal mammary and the thoracodorsal systems may be obvious. In other cases, probably either option would work equally well. One certainly should not hesitate to use the internal mammary vessels if it would make the operation easier or the result better. Finally, the patient should play an important role in selecting the location of the scars. I will probably continue to use the thoracodorsal vessels for immediate and most TRAM flaps, while choosing the internal mammary vessels for gluteal flaps, scarred axillae, or cases with questionable reach of the flap.
In short, it is always nice to have more choices, be it recipient vessels or the length of skirts.
William W. Shaw, M.D. Division of Plastic Surgery, UCLA 10833 LeConte Ave. (64-140) Los Angeles, Calif. 90024
Shaw, W. W. Microvascular free flap breast reconstruction. Clin. Plast. Surg. 11: 333, 1984. Shaw, W. W., and Ahn, C. Y. Free flap breast reconstruction. Adv. Plast. Reconstr. Svrg. 9: 221, 1993.


La Galouine suggests home specialities from their own smokehouse : smoke salmon, smoke duck fillet, our duck fillet and beef is a recipe from Innu inspiration with Labrador tea and woods tea. And chef's special patés, homemade onions confits with local cheese.
Our table d'hote : home products, salmon, trout, sea food plate, smoked duck salad, chimichuri giant shrimps, beef medallion, salmon supreme and fresh cod.


What's new in the case of Sergeant Bergdahl? Did he intend to desert the Army permanently? Did he really intend to join the Taliban or assist the enemy? Check out this edition of A Public Affair to find out more!
How will the inauguration of President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai affect Afghanistan's economy? How will the shift in power impact U.S. – Afghanistan relations? Check out this edition of A Public Affair to find out more!


How rich is Sharon Helga Corr? For this question we spent 20 hours on research (Wikipedia, Youtube, we read books in libraries, etc) to review the post.
:How tall is Sharon Corr – 1,88m.
Sharon Helga Corr (born 24 March 1970) is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and television personality. She is best known as a member of the pop-rock band The Corrs, which she co-founded in 1990 with her elder brother Jim and younger sisters Caroline and Andrea. She plays the violin, piano and guitar, and sings backing vocals. She began learning the violin when she was six years old. She has played in national youth orchestras and is qualified to teach the violin.The Corr siblings were awarded honorary MBEs in 2005 by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of both their musical talent and their charitable work raising money for Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, victims of the Omagh Bombing, and other charities.In 2012, Corr was revealed as one of the coaches on the first series of the RT? talent show The Voice of Ireland.


text:
require('proof')(1, async okay => {
    await require('./harness')(okay, 'idbobjectstore_add6')
    await harness(async function () {
        var db,
          t = async_test(),
          record = { property: "data" },
          expected_keys = [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ];

        var open_rq = createdb(t);
        open_rq.onupgradeneeded = function(e) {
            db = e.target.result;
            var objStore = db.createObjectStore("store", { keyPath: "key", autoIncrement: true });

            objStore.add(record);
            objStore.add(record);
            objStore.add(record);
            objStore.add(record);
        };

        open_rq.onsuccess = function(e) {
            var actual_keys = [],
              rq = db.transaction("store")
                     .objectStore("store")
                     .openCursor();

            rq.onsuccess = t.step_func(function(e) {
                var cursor = e.target.result;

                if (cursor) {
                    actual_keys.push(cursor.value.key);
                    cursor.continue();
                }
                else {
                    assert_array_equals(actual_keys, expected_keys);
                    t.done();
                }
            });
        };
    })
})

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Eighty years after the federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) carved up the nation's metropolitan…
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As climate change threatens residential areas, a longtime federal home buyout program – designed to…


text:
Irish Republican News · April 5, 2007
Tributes to plastic bullet campaigner
Emma Groves, a west Belfast woman who became a major factor in the campaign against plastic bullets after being blinded 35 years ago, has died.
Mrs Groves was standing inside her west Belfast home at the height of the conflict when a British army rubber bullet came through the window.
The bullet struck Mrs Groves in the face, leaving her permanently blinded.
She spent the rest of her life prolifically campaigning against the use of rubber and plastic bullets by British police and soldiers in the north.
Mrs Groves, who passed away on Monday aged 86, won the respect of the West Belfast community for her tireless work for the banning of the lethal weapon.
Along with her great friend, Clara Reilly, she helped found the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets following the killing of John Downes in August 1984.
This campaign brought together the families bereaved and many of those injured by rubber and plastic bullets and highlighted the lack of police investigation and lack of recourse through the courts.
In addition to addressing the European Parliament, she brought families to Scotland where the plastic bullets were made and stood outside the factory to inform the workers of the damage the weapons caused in Ireland.
She also addressed the shareholders of the production company in America, which decided immediately to discontinue their role in the production of plastic bullets.
Speaking on behalf of Relatives for Justice, a campaign group which Emma helped to found, Andree Murphy attributed the Chief Constable's declaration that those killed by the use of plastic and rubber bullets were innocent to a direct result of the veteran campaigner.
"Emma Groves was a formidable figure whose dignity, integrity and humanity touched all who came into contact with her. She was undoubtedly a great woman and was often referred to as West Belfast's First Lady.
"This is not only a great loss to our organisation, and the families who knew and loved her, but also the entire community who have lost a human rights champion.
"There are many who believe that had she lived somewhere else, and had she not been from West Belfast, she would have at least been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize.
"Emma was robbed of the sight of her eyes but not her vision. She knew that our entire community could be policed better without these weapons of death and human carnage."
Sinn Fein West Belfast MP Gerry Adams has also extended his condolences to the Groves family. He said Emma was "an energetic and committed champion in the fight to eliminate the use of rubber and plastic bullets."
"I knew Emma Groves well. She was a warm, kind, gifted and articulate spokesperson for the campaign against plastic bullets.
"Mrs Groves had a large family who will mourn her passing.
"But she also will be mourned by the many thousands of people who came to know her over the years and who respected and admired her determination and courage."


text:
Phi Kappa Upsilon
Pledge Fact
1 The three Greek statues in the house were donated by Mr. Rudy Travis.
2 The Phi Kappa Upsilon Fraternity House sits on 1.779 acres of land.
3 The E & H in the upstairs bathroom stands for Edward and Helena Newinski, one of the original owners of the house.
4 The coffee table in the front room was built by Mr. Dwayne Berger in the spring and summer of 1982.
5 The upstairs firedoor was built by Mr. Leo M. Knasky to signify no smoking in the upstairs bedrooms.
6 On April 26, 1966 the house was conveyed and warranted to the Phi Kappa Upsilon Housing Corporation.
7 The spring pledge class of 1985 revarnished the Arnold Halthaller paddle.
8 The fireplace was built in 1966 by Mr. Ralph Eagle.
9 The driveway lights were put up in the Fall of 1986 by Mr. Keith Bradley.
© Phi Kappa Upsilon Fraternity 2021. All rights reserved. Created By MrRSM Technologies, LLC
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Determination of Vitamin C in Small Volumes of Blood by HPLC/EC
Abbas Hadjiakhoondi 1
David G. Watson 2
Samad Lotfollahzadeh 3
Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfouli 3
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Strathclyde Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 27 Taylor St., Glasgow G4 0NR, U.K.
3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
A sensitive procedure for determining total vitamin C (ascorbic acid + dehydrate ascorbic Acid) in a blood drop from a finger prick, before and after the adminis- tration of a vitamin C tablet is described. Analysis was carried out by high per- formance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC/EC). Measurements were taken one hour, two hours and six hours after the administra- tion of a 500 mg vitamin C tablet. D-Isoascorbic acid was used as the internal standard and analysis was carried out using two C-18 columns connected in series and a phosphate buffer mobile phase. Dehydroascorbic acid in the samples was converted to ascorbic acid by incubation with DL-homocysteine for 30 minutes. The level of vitamin C in blood reached a maximum concentration after two hours.
Electrochemical detection
The physiologic importance of vitamin C to human health is well known, e.g., as a potent antioxidant, ascorbic acid (AA) has the capacity to eliminate reactive oxygen species [1, 2]. The total vitamin C content in blood plasma and leucocytes is widely accepted as an indicator of tissue status of vitamin C [3]. A number of techniques have been used to quantify vitamin C in foods and biological samples including: a colorometric assay the ascorbic acid reaction with 2,4- dichlorophenol-indophenol [4], or folin-phenol reagent [5], capillary zone electrophoresis [6], several HPLC methods using UV detection [2, 7] and HPLC with electrochemical detection (EC), which is currently the method of choice for quantification of ascorbic acid in foods, tissues and biological fluids [8-11]. The current study reports a method suf- ficiently sensitive to determine AA plus dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) in 50 l of blood using HPLC-EC.
2.1. Chemicals
Ascorbic acid, D-isoascorbic acid (IAA), DL-homocysteine, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and trichloroacetic acid were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company, Gillingham, Dorset. Vitamin C tablets (500 mg, Pharmadass) were purchased locally.
2.2. Finger tip blood samples
One or two drops of blood were collected from healthy volunteers using a lancet directly into eppendorf tubes. Samples were taken before and one h, two h, and six h after the administration of a 500 mg vitamin C tablet. Immediately after collecting blood samples, 50 l blood was measured from the drop using a Hamilton syringe and was transferred into another eppendorf tube. Then 100 l of phosphate buffer (100 mM, pH 4.7), containing 1 mM EDTA was added to the tubes followed by 30 l of 1% DL-homo- cysteine solution. The samples were left for 30 minutes at the room temperature, and then 40 l of a 30% trichloroacetic acid solution was added to the samples. The samples were then centrifuged to remove the precipitated cells and proteins, and 200 ng of IAA (20 µl of 10 µg/ml) was added to 100 l of the supernatant, and 50 l of the final solution was injected into the HPLC system.
2.3. Instrumentation
A P100 Spectra-Physics isocratic HPLC system was used. The Rheodyne injection valve was fitted with a 50 l loop. Separation was achieved by using two Prodigy 5 m ODS C18 reversed-phase columns (250 4.6mm i.d., Phenomenex UK, Macclesfield ) which were connected in series. Detection was carried out using a LC-4A electrochemical detector (Bioanalytical Systems). The potential of detector was set at 0.4 V versus an Ag-AgCl reference electrode . The mobile phase was composed of 100 mM phosphate buffer, pH 3, containing 1 mM EDTA, and the flow rate was 1 ml/min.
2.4. Calibration and precision
A calibration curve was prepared by dissolving different amounts of AA + 2 µg of IAA in 1 ml of the mobile phase. The standard curve between 1-6 g/ml of AA was linear (r = 0.998). If required, samples were diluted with the mobile phase to fall within the range of the calibration curve. The precision of the method was determined by injecting 5 aliquots of the same blood sample containing 13.1 µg/ml of AA which gave precision of 1.4 % for the measurement of the sample.
By using two C18 reversed columns in series, baseline separation between the L- ascorbic acid present in the blood and IAA used as an internal standard was possible. The exact mechanism permitting this separation is unclear, but IAA is the ideal internal standard for this assay because of its close similarity to AA. The vitamin C level was measured in six healthy volunteers (5 male and 1 female). Typical chromatograms are shown in Figure 1 for vitamin C in blood samples obtained from one of the volunteers. The mean concentrations for vitamin C in the blood samples before and at 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h after the administration of a vitamin C tablet are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Mean (SD) concentrations of vitamin C (AA+DHA) in the blood samples before and at different time points after taking a 500 mg vitamin C tablet.
In order to determine whether any peaks corresponding to DHA appeared in the chro- matogram, a sample containing 5 g/ml DHA and 2 µg/ml IAA was injected into the HPLC. Consequently, only the peak corre- sponding to the IAA was observed, and the injection of DHA alone did not reveal any peak.
Figure 1. HPLC chromatogram of ascorbic acid (AA), measured in a blood drop. Samples were taken before and at 1, 2 and 6 h (left to the right, respectively ) after taking a 500 mg vitamin C tablet by volanteers. Two hundred nanograms of isoascorbic acid (IAA) was added to 100 l of each sample prior to the injection to the HPLC.
The method described above has the potential to detect Previous work using HPLC with UV detection determined vitamin C (AA+DHA) concentration in human plasma to be 15.3 g/ml without supplementation [3]. In anoth- er study, it was shown that in fresh blood plasma samples, the DHA concentration was less than 5% total AA [8]. Various methods have been described for the reduction of DHA to AA e.g. incubation of DHA with dithiothreitol [3], 2-mercaptoethanol [12], and DL-homocysteine [9]. In the current study, 2-mercaptoethanol in sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, with 1mM thiourea and 0.1 mM EDTA [12] was tested but the efficiency of reduction was not high, and better results were obtained with DL-homocysteine as a reducing agent.
[1] Conklin PL. Vitamin C: a new pathway for an old antioxidant. Trends Plant Sci 1998; 3: 329-330.
[2] Tsao CS, Young M. A stabilized ascorbic acid solution. Med Sci Res 1996; 24: 473-475.
[3] Esteve MJ, Farre R, Frigola A, Garcia- Cantabella JM. Determination of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids in blood plasma and serum by liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr 1997; 688: 345-349.
[4] Vander Jagt DJ, Garry PJ, Hunt WC. Ascorbate in plasma as measured by liquid chromatogra- phy and by dichloroindophenol colorimetry. Clinic Chem 1986; 32: 1004-1006.
[5] Jogota SK, Dani HM. A new colorometric tech- nique for the estimation of vitamin C using folin-phenol reagent. Anal Biochem 1982; 127:178-182.
[6] Choi OK, Jo JS. Determination of ascorbic acid in foods by capillary zone electrophoresis. J Chromatogr1997; 781: 435-443.
[7] Manoharan M, Schwille PO. Measurement of ascorbic acid in human plasma and urine by high performance liuqid chromatography results in healthy-subjects and patients with idopathic cal- cium urolithiasis. J Chromatogr 1994; 654: 134-139.
[8] Iwase H, Ono I. Determination of ascorbic acid in food by column liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection using eluent for pre- run sample stabilization. J Chromtogr 1998;806: 361-364.
[9] Behrens WA, Madere R. A procedure for the sep- aration and quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in food and animal tissue. J Liq Chromatogr 1994; 17: 2445- 2455.
[10] Graumlich JF, Ludden TM, Conry-Cantilena C, Cantilena LR Jr, Wang Y, Levine M. Pharmacokinetic model of ascorbic acid in healthy male volunteers during depletion andrepletion. Pharm Res1997; 14: 1133-1139.
[11] Watson DG, Iqbal Z, Midgley JM, Pryce-Jones H, Morrison L, Dutton GN, Karditsas S, Wilson W. Measurement of ascorbic acid in human aqueous humour, plasma and bovine aqueous humour by high-performance liquid-chromatog- raphy with electrochemical detection. J Pharm Biomed Anal 1993; 11: 389-392.
[12] Bode AM, Rose RC. Analysis of water-soluble antioxidants by high-performance liquid chro- matography with electrochemical detection. Methods Enzymol 1999; 299: 77-83.
Hadjiakhoondi, A., Watson, D., Lotfollahzadeh, S., Mokhber Dezfouli, M. (2005). Determination of Vitamin C in Small Volumes of Blood by HPLC/EC. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1(1), 7-10.
Abbas Hadjiakhoondi; David G. Watson; Samad Lotfollahzadeh; Mohammad Reza Mokhber Dezfouli. "Determination of Vitamin C in Small Volumes of Blood by HPLC/EC". Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1, 1, 2005, 7-10.
Hadjiakhoondi, A., Watson, D., Lotfollahzadeh, S., Mokhber Dezfouli, M. (2005). 'Determination of Vitamin C in Small Volumes of Blood by HPLC/EC', Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1(1), pp. 7-10.
Hadjiakhoondi, A., Watson, D., Lotfollahzadeh, S., Mokhber Dezfouli, M. Determination of Vitamin C in Small Volumes of Blood by HPLC/EC. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2005; 1(1): 7-10.


text:
(LK) - The Gospel According to Luke
LK 13
1 Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. 4 Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way."
6 He spoke this parable. "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. 7 He said to the vine dresser, 'Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?' 8 He answered, 'Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it, and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.'"
10 He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. 11 Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." 13 He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight, and glorified God.
14 The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, "There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!"
15 Therefore the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water? 16 Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?"
17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed, and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18 He said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? To what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and put in his own garden. It grew, and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky lodged in its branches."
20 Again he said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened."
22 He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. 23 One said to him, "Lord, are they few who are saved?"
He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in, and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' then he will answer and tell you, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 He will say, 'I tell you, I don't know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrown outside. 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in the Kingdom of God. 30 Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last."
31 On that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, "Get out of here, and go away, for Herod wants to kill you."
32 He said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I complete my mission. 33 Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can't be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.'
34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused! 35 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'"[34]
'behold 'lord abraham answered away begin being come compare days don't door down eighteen enter first found freed fruit galileans healed house infirmity jerusalem jesus kingdom know last lord multitude none ought outside perish prophets repent sabbath same shall teaching tell think three today tomorrow tree unless until woman worse years


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You've whispered "goodnight, moon" countless times with your little ones, but we're betting you've never seen the moon like this.
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text:
Issue #21 | November 27, 2018
Recent Numbers
Coming Events & More
Recently, from the Cleveland Fed
Cleveland Fed cybersecurity team tackles hacker threats
When it comes to protecting your money and personal information, you want a team in place that's just as savvy as the cyberattacker whose goal it is to disrupt bank operations and breach data security. Although commercial banks have their own protective procedures, the Federal Reserve also has a national team in place to analyze hacker methods and monitor attacks on the financial sector. What can you do to protect yourself? See the story, infographics, and videos.
Cleveland Fed president takes policy message to New York
Cleveland Fed president Loretta J. Mester took to the road recently to speak to two groups of financial professionals. She appeared before the Forecasters Club in New York City on October 24. The next day, she spoke to the Money Marketeers of New York University, Inc. Mester told the group, "From the perspectives of the Fed's goals of maximum employment and price stability, the US economy is doing very well." Read her complete speech.
Why did the Cleveland Fed form a Community Advisory Council, and how will we use the information its members provide?
Mary Helen:
I have to tell a story. Immediately after our new Community Advisory Council (CAC) had met for the first time, I was getting into the elevator with several members, and one said, "It's really cool: We all have different perspectives." And I said, "That's by design. We want those different perspectives."
We formed the council to have an ongoing, systematic way to engage with and learn from key stakeholders who represent low- and moderate-income populations and communities in our District. The Federal Reserve's Board of Governors has a CAC, and several Federal Reserve Banks have had success with different versions of community councils, too.
Our council's members come to the table with different perspectives and expertise, which makes for very rich discussions. Just in the initial meeting, topics ranged from housing in Kentucky to collateral sanctions for people who've been incarcerated, or those punishments that come after one's release from an institution including not being able to find employment. I think community development practitioners, including those of us in the Cleveland Fed's Community Development Department, are in the business of opening up access, and access can mean lots of things—opportunities in the workforce and for education, for example. What the council's discussion brought home is that we need to think more deeply about barriers. Many of them, because they are structural and longstanding, may be in our blind spot.
We plan for the CAC to meet twice a year, focusing on macroeconomic trends that impact low- and moderate-income communities such as changes in wages and employment opportunities. At these meetings, we also will take a deeper dive into specific topics. At the first meeting, the topic was debt and consumers' ability to pay their bills. Our department also will share its plans for its direction to get council members' input. Do our strategies make sense? Can they think of a better way of our achieving what we intend to do?
Low- and moderate-income people make up a significant portion of our population, and what happens to them has significant repercussions for our economy. People should know what's going on with the underserved. If we can figure out how the economy is impacting lower-income and underserved people and what roadblocks they are encountering, then we may find ways to suggest to mitigate them. The goal is to incorporate more people into the regional economy more equitably. The community development function throughout the Federal Reserve System is responsible for getting insight and intelligence about the issues that are impacting disadvantaged populations and communities. This council is another very big and important tool to do this.
Mary Helen Petrus
is an assistant vice president in the Cleveland Fed's Community Development Department. She oversees the department's outreach and public engagement activities such as meetings with stakeholders and public programming across the region the Bank serves.
See the 15 who make up our new council
Curious about who serves on the nationwide System CAC?
Have a question of your own for Mary Helen? Email her. Check out the Ask the Expert library.
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Escape from the Barter Islands, our updated online game that teaches students about the value of money and trading, is now available in English and Spanish.
Download from the iPhone App Store or Google Play
July 14–December 6
Volatility Smile 3 (Cleveland, OH)
Contemporary art by Philip Vanderhyden on display at the Cleveland Fed Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
Financial Stability: Markets and Spillovers (Washington DC)
Tune in for the livestream
February 6, 2019 (5–8 pm EST)
Teacher Town Hall (Pittsburgh, PA, and Cincinnati, OH)
High school and college educator and student workshop and a live video conference with Federal Reserve System Chair Jerome Powell
May 9–10, 2019
2019 Federal Reserve Community Development Research Conference (Washington DC)
June 19–21, 2019
Policy Summit 2019 (Cincinnati, OH)
From around the Federal Reserve System
Economics of food: science, biotechnology, obesity, and scarcity
The saying goes "you are what you eat," but in reality we eat what we can afford and have access to. Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic sat down with the head of the agricultural economics department at Purdue University, Jayson Lusk, to discuss the tradeoffs that come with increasing the production of foods; how science, technology, and innovation affect the availability of foods; and how distribution, poverty, and obesity can be related.
Listen to their conversation (or read the transcript)
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