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How 3-D Printing Works
by Stephanie Crawford
Browse the article How 3-D Printing Works
Some day, you might be able to print out new house keys and other three-dimensional items on a printer like this one (or an even smaller version) from the comfort of your home office.
Photo courtesy of Stratasys, Inc.
Imagine that you've decided to organize your closet, but instead of measuring containers at a store to make sure they will work, you just go to your office, enter the measurements you want your containers to be, and print them out right there. Now imagine that you have to build a diorama of a famous Civil War battle for a project at school, and you use that same printer to construct all the soldiers, cannons and trees in perfect detail.
This technology may be closer than you think thanks to 3-D printing. 3-D printing is making it easier and faster to produce complex objects with multiple moving parts and intricate design, and soon it will be affordable enough to have at home.
Additive manufacturing (AM) is the family of manufacturing technology that includes 3-D printing. AM is the means of creating an object by adding material to the object layer by layer. AM is the current terminology established by ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) [source: Gibson, et al.]. Throughout its history, additive manufacturing in general has gone by various names: stereolithography, 3-D layering and 3-D printing. This article uses 3-D printing because it seems to be the most common term used to describe AM products.
You can see some of the basic principles behind AM in caves; over thousands of years, dripping water creates layers and layers of mineral deposits, which accumulate to form stalagmites and stalactites. Unlike these natural formations, though, 3-D printing is much faster and follows a predetermined plan provided by computer software. The computer directs the 3-D printer to add each new layer as a precise cross-section of the final object.
Additive manufacturing and 3-D printing specifically, continues to grow. Technology that started out as a way to build fast prototypes is now a means of creating products for the medical, dental, aerospace and automotive industries. 3-D printing is also crossing over into toy and furniture manufacturing, art and fashion.
This article looks at the broad scope of 3-D printing, from its history and technologies to its wide range of uses, including printing your own 3-D models at home. First, let's take a look at how 3-D printing got its start and how it is developing today.
History of 3-D Printing
The earliest use of additive manufacturing was in rapid prototyping (RP) during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Prototypes allow manufacturers a chance to examine an object's design more closely and even test it before producing a finished product. RP allowed manufacturers to produce those prototypes much faster than before, often within days or sometimes hours of conceiving the design. In RP, designers create models using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and then machines follow that software model to determine how to construct the object. The process of building that object by "printing" its cross-sections layer by layer became known as 3-D printing.
The earliest development of 3-D printing technologies happened at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and at a company called 3D Systems. In the early 1990s, MIT developed a procedure it trademarked with the name 3-D Printing, which it officially abbreviated as 3DP. As of February 2011, MIT has granted licenses to six companies to use and promote the 3DP process in its products [source: MIT].
3D Systems, based in Rock Hill, SC, has pioneered and used a variety of 3-D printing approaches since its founding in 1986. It has even trademarked some of its technologies, such as the stereolithography apparatus (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS), each described later in this article. While MIT and 3D Systems remain leaders in the field of 3-D printing, other companies such as Z Corporation, Objet Geometries and Stratasys have also brought innovative new products to market, building on these AM technologies.
Today, some of the same 3-D printing technology that contributed to RP is now being used to create finished products [source: The Economist]. The technology continues to improve in various ways, from the fineness of detail a machine can print to the amount of time required to clean and finish the object when the printing is complete. The processes are getting faster, the materials and equipment are getting cheaper, and more materials are being used, including metals and ceramics. Printing machines now range from the size of a small car to the size of a microwave oven.
3-D printing and other forms of AM are still new players in the field of manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is often compared to, or even mistaken for, another common manufacturing process called computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining. However, CNC is subtractive, which is the opposite of AM. In CNC machining, material is removed from some pre-existing block until the finished product remains, much like a carving a statue from stone.
Now that you have some background information about the field, let's explore some 3-D printing technologies.
Direct and Binder 3-D Printing
3-D binder printing
One approach to 3-D printing is direct 3-D printing. Direct 3-D printing uses inkjet technology, which has been available for 2-D printing since the 1960s [source: Gibson, et al.]. Like in a 2-D inkjet printer, nozzles in a 3-D printer move back and forth dispensing a fluid. Unlike 2-D printing, though, the nozzles or the printing surface move up and down so multiple layers of material can cover the same surface. Moreover, these printers don't use ink; they dispense thick waxes and plastic polymers, which solidify to form each new cross-section of the sturdy 3-D object.
Rapid prototyping (RP), which we described earlier in the article, has been a major factor in the growth of direct 3-D printing. In 1994, the ModelMaker, a machine produced by a company known as Solidscape, became the first commercially successful technology to apply the inkjet approach to RP [source: Gibson, et al.]. Other commercial RP products have followed, and all of them use waxy compounds. For example, today's advanced rapid prototyping products use technologies such as multi-jet modeling (MJM), which creates wax prototypes quickly with dozens of nozzles working simultaneously [source: G.W.P.].
Binder 3-D printing, like direct 3-D printing, uses inkjet nozzles to apply a liquid and form each new layer. Unlike direct printing, though, binder printing uses two separate materials that come together to form each printed layer: a fine dry powder plus a liquid glue, or binder [source: Gibson, et al.]. Binder 3-D printers make two passes to form each layer. The first pass rolls out a thin coating of the powder, and the second pass uses the nozzles to apply the binder. The building platform then lowers slightly to accommodate a new layer of powder, and the entire process repeats until the model is finished.
MIT's 3DP process, mentioned earlier, uses this binder approach. MIT licenses companies to develop products that use 3DP, but to qualify, the company must use some unique combination of powder and binder materials.
Binder 3-D printing has a few advantages over direct 3-D printing. First, it tends to be faster than direct printing because less of the material is applied through the nozzles. Another advantage is that you can incorporate a wider variety of materials in the process, including metals and ceramics, as well as color.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing approach that's similar, though not identical, to direct 3-D printing. The FDM process, trademarked by Stratasys, Inc, includes injecting molten plastic in closely packed lines using very tiny nozzles. FDM can create objects with features as small as a fraction of a millimeter. [source: Grimm]
Photopolymerization and Sintering
Selective laser sintering
Photopolymerization is a 3-D printing technology whereby drops of a liquid plastic are exposed to a laser beam of ultraviolet light. During this exposure, the light converts the liquid into a solid. The term comes from the roots photo, meaning light, and polymer, which describes the chemical composition of the solid plastic.
In the 2000s, the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing (PTCAM) was a partnership of schools and businesses that provided hands-on training in metalworking skills in North Carolina. Some of PT CAM's training incorporated a stereolithography apparatus (SLA) by 3D Systems. SLA uses photopolymerization, directing a laser across a vat of liquid plastic called photopolymer. As with inkjet 3-D printing, the SLA repeats this process layer by layer until the print is finished. For more details on this process, see our article How Stereolithography 3-D Layering Works.
Sintering is another additive manufacturing technology that involves melting and fusing particles together to print each successive cross-section of an object. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one form of sintering used in 3-D printing. SLS relies on a laser to melt a flame-retardant plastic powder, which then solidifies to form the printed layer. This is similar to the mechanism behind 2-D printers: They melt the toner so that it will adhere to the paper and create the image.
Sintering is naturally compatible with building metal objects because metal manufacturing often requires some type of melting and reshaping. One example of using metal as a sintering material is a product called LaserForm A6 metal from 3D Systems [source: 3D Systems, "A6"]. The objects created by the LaserForm A6 have several advantages over metal products made by other means, such as die-casting. One of the biggest advantages is the high level of precision that SLS can achieve.
So far, we've looked at how 3-D printing has developed and four widely adopted 3-D printing technologies. Next, let's examine the general process of printing three-dimensional objects, which applies no matter what approach you're using.
The 3-D Printing Process
No matter which approach a 3-D printer uses, the overall printing process is generally the same. In their book "Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing," Ian Gibson, David W. Rosen and Brent Stucker list the following eight steps in the generic AM process:
Step 1: CAD -- Produce a 3-D model using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The software may provide some hint as to the structural integrity you can expect in the finished product, too, using scientific data about certain materials to create virtual simulations of how the object will behave under certain conditions.
Step 2: Conversion to STL -- Convert the CAD drawing to the STL format. STL, which is an acronym for standard tessellation language, is a file format developed for 3D Systems in 1987 for use by its stereolithography apparatus (SLA) machines [source: RapidToday.com]. Most 3-D printers can use STL files in addition to some proprietary file types such as ZPR by Z Corporation and ObjDF by Objet Geometries.
Step 3: Transfer to AM Machine and STL File Manipulation -- A user copies the STL file to the computer that controls the 3-D printer. There, the user can designate the size and orientation for printing. This is similar to the way you would set up a 2-D printout to print 2-sided or in landscape versus portrait orientation.
Step 4: Machine Setup -- Each machine has its own requirements for how to prepare for a new print job. This includes refilling the polymers, binders and other consumables the printer will use. It also covers adding a tray to serve as a foundation or adding the material to build temporary water-soluble supports.
Step 5: Build -- Let the machine do its thing; the build process is mostly automatic. Each layer is usually about 0.1 mm thick, though it can be much thinner or thicker [source: Wohlers]. Depending on the object's size, the machine and the materials used, this process could take hours or even days to complete. Be sure to check on the machine periodically to make sure there are no errors.
Step 6: Removal -- Remove the printed object (or multiple objects in some cases) from the machine. Be sure to take any safety precautions to avoid injury such as wearing gloves to protect yourself from hot surfaces or toxic chemicals.
Step 7: Postprocessing -- Many 3-D printers will require some amount of post-processing for the printed object. This could include brushing off any remaining powder or bathing the printed object to remove water-soluble supports. The new print may be weak during this step since some materials require time to cure, so caution might be necessary to ensure that it doesn't break or fall apart.
Step 8: Application -- Make use of the newly printed object or objects.
The 3-D Printing Revolution
An engine manifold prototype created by PTCAM using 3-D printing
If you do a Web search for 3-D printing, you'll notice that its uses are growing exponentially. One reason for this growth is that manufacturers are increasingly relying on 3-D printing to make prototypes and parts for large industries. For example, the automotive industry has used 3-D printing technology for many years for rapid prototyping of new auto part designs. The picture above shows a manifold prototype created by the Piedmont Triad Center for Advanced Manufacturing (PTCAM).
Another reason 3-D printing is growing is because innovative professionals outside of large industrial manufacturing have found ways to use it in their own fields. For example, Bespoke Prosthetics in San Francisco, CA, is using 3-D printing to create unique prosthetic limb coverings [source: Bespoke]. They're also experimenting with 3-D printing as a way to produce entire limbs that are much cheaper than conventional prosthetics and are even dishwasher-safe [source: Vance]. Similarly, Walter Reed Army Medical Center has used 3-D printing to produce models that surgeons can use as a guide for facial reconstructive surgery [source: King].
Engineers in the aerospace industry are incorporating 3-D printing for some large-scale product improvements. The industry is already using rapid prototyping to help test and improve its designs as well as to show off how well they work [source: Gordon]. Aerospace research company EADS has an even bolder ambition for 3-D printing: to manufacture aircraft parts themselves, including an entire wing for a large airplane. EADS researchers see this as a green technology, believing 3-D printed wings will reduce an airplane's weight and, thus, reduce its fuel usage. This could cut carbon-dioxide emissions and the airline around $3,000 over the course of a year. [source: The Economist]
3-D printing also has some interesting aesthetic applications. Designers and artists are using it in creative ways to produce art, fashion and furniture. Graphic artist Torolf Sauermann has created colorful geometric sculptures using 3-D printing [sources: Sauermann, Jotero GbR]. Freedom of Creation (FOC), a company in the Netherlands, sells several 3-D printed products made from laser-sintered polyamide, including lighting with intricate geometric designs and clothing designs consisting of interlocking plastic rings that resemble chain mail. FOC also has a number of corporate clients using its design and print services, including Philips, Nokia, Nike, Asics and Hyundai [source: FOC].
Costs of 3-D Printing
Historically, 3-D printing has been an expensive technology. PTCAM's SLA, described earlier in the article, cost in excess of $250,000; the liquid plastic cost about $800 per gallon. Organizations that owned this type of equipment might sell stereolithography services to others or allow companies to purchase blocks of time to use the equipment.
Today, many large industrial AM machines are still pricey, though less so than before. For example, in February 2011, 3D Systems' ProJet CPX 3000was selling for $79,999 and it could produce highly-detailed models up to 11.75 inches by 7.3 inches by 8 inches (298 millimeters by 185 millimeters by 203 millimeters) [sources: Rapid Direction, "ProJet", 3D Systems, "ProJet"]. That price doesn't include the required VisiJet CPX200 Wax Build Material, which costs $975 for a 4-cartridge case [source: Rapid Direction, "VisiJet"].
Dimension 3-D printers from Stratasys, Inc., demonstrate how 3-D printing can be even less expensive. The Dimension Elite printer, for example, can create production-grade plastic models up to 8 inches by 8 inches by 12 inches (203 millimeters by 203 millimeters by 305 millimeters) starting at $29,900 [source: Stratasys, "Elite"]. In addition, the ABS Plus plastic printing material, required for use in the Dimension Elite, comes in nine different colors and can be used even in Stratasys' desktop-sized uPrint printers, priced from $14,900 [source: Stratasys, "uPrint"].
Not only is 3-D printing getting cheaper within its own category, it's also a more cost-effective way to produce products previously made using other technologies. For example, Solidscape targets dental labs for some of its small 3-D printers [source: Solidscape]. These models cost $30,000 to $60,000, and build and support materials cost a few hundred dollars more [source: Esslinger]. These and other types of 3-D printers can craft molds for crowns, bridges and dentures faster and with greater accuracy than older methods, increasing a dental lab's productivity [source: DentalProductsReport.com].
3-D Printing at Home
Now that you're aware of common 3-D printing technologies and how different industries are employing them, you might be wondering how soon you can start printing a custom-designed computer mouse, toy trucks for the kids or the perfect toolbox from your home office. As we've seen, 3-D printing is expensive, both in terms of machinery and materials. Products like V-Flash however, are paving the way to affordable 3-D printing at home. The V-Flash Personal 3-D Printer weighs under 150 pounds, builds objects up to 9 inches by 6 and three-fourths inches by 8 inches (228 millimeters by 171 millimeters by 203 millimeters) and is small enough to sit on a table in your office [source: 3D Systems, "V-Flash"]. V-Flash is available from 3D Systems for $9,900, making it more affordable than other 3-D printers currently on the market. The building material for V-Flash is a durable plastic called film transfer resin (FTI); a 1.8 kg cartridge can be purchased for $850. In addition to the material, you'll need the build pads that the machine uses as the starting surface on which to print the first layer. These pads cost about $95 for a set of 20. [source: ProParts]
If the cost of V-Flash is out of reach for your home use, you have a few other options available to you. Some enthusiastic makers and do-it-yourself enthusiasts have come up with their own solutions. For example, physicist and blogger Windell Oskay built his own 3-D printer in 2007 that fabricates objects from sugar using a sintering approach [source: Oskay]. The project, called CandyFab, has a dedicated Web site at CandyFab.org.
For a more professional approach, you can purchase 3-D printing services instead. These services allow you to send in your own CAD files and get back a high-quality production of your object or objects created by an industrial 3-D printer. Online companies that offer 3-D printing services include Shapeways and Ponoko. These sites also give you the option of setting up an online store, allowing you to make money when others purchase 3-D prints of your design. [source: Shapeways, Ponoko]
3-D printing continues to develop and grow and is becoming an increasingly popular and more affordable way to produce prototypes and finished products. In the near future, a kid could be using 3-D printers in school to build miniature replicas of Mount Rushmore -- and you could be printing your own copies of your house key rather than making a trip to the hardware store.
For lots more information about 3-D printing, head on over to the next page.
How Laser Printers Work
How Inkjet Printers Work
How Offset Printing Works
How Mobile Printing Works
How Stereolithography 3-D Layering Works
Hardware Review: 3D Systems' V-Flash 3D Printer
3D Systems. "LaserForm A6 Metal." Feb. 7, 2007. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.3dsystems.com/products/datafiles/datasheets-1007/SLS/DS-Laserform_A6_Metal_0207.pdf
3D Systems. "ProJet CPX 3000: 100% Real Wax Pattern Production System." 2009. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.3dsystems.com/products/datafiles/projet/ProJet_CPX_3000.pdf
3D Systems. "V-Flash Personal 3D Printer Brochure and Technical Specifications." 3D Systems, Inc. 2010. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://printin3d.com/sites/printin3d.com/files/downloads/V-Flash_Brochure_USEN.pdf
Bespoke Prosthetics. "About Bespoke." (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.bespokeinnovations.com/prosthetics/about/about.html
DentalProductsReport.com "D76+/D66+: Solidscape." Advanstar Dental Media. 2008. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://marketplace.dentalproductsreport.com/community/DisplayAd.asp?id=7481
Economist, The. "3D printing: The printed world." The Economist Newspaper Limited. Feb. 10, 2011. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.economist.com/node/18114221
Esslinger and Company. "Solidscape Rapid Prototype." 2008. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.esslinger.com/solidscaperapidprototype.aspx
Freedom of Creation (FOC). "About." 2011. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.freedomofcreation.com/about
Gibson, Ian, Rosen, David W., and Stucker, Brent. "Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing." Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2010.
Gordon, Leslie. "Designing and 3D Printing a New Kind of Turboprop."
Grimm, Todd. "Fused Deposition Modelling: A Technology Evaluation." T.A. Grimm & Associates. April 2003. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.stratasys.com/~/media/Main/Files/White%20Papers/Stratasys_WP-FUSED-DEPOSITION-MODELLING-Grimm.ashx
G.W.P. Manufacturing Services AG. "Multi-jet Modeling (MJM)." 2011. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.gwp-ag.com/en/services/prototyping/rapid-prototyping/multijet-modeling/index.html
Jotero GbR. "Gallery." 2008. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.evolution-of-genius.de/gallery/default.htm
King, Rachael. "Printing in 3D Gets Practical." Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P. October 6, 2008. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2008/tc2008103_077223.htm
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). "Licensees of 3D Printing Technology." (Feb. 24, 2011)http://web.mit.edu/tdp/www/licensees.html
Oskay, Windell H. "Sneak Preview: The Evil Mad Scientist 3-D Printer Project." Feb. 24, 2007. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/3printerpreview
Ponoko. "How it works." 2011. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/how-it-works
ProParts. "V-Flash Personal 3D Printer." 3D Systems, Inc. 2009. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://rapid-prototyping.3dproparts.com/V-Flash-Total-P12382C26.aspx
Rapid Direction, Inc. "3D Systems ProJet CPX 3000 Production Wax System." 2011. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.rapid-direction.com/product/3D-PJCPX/ProJet-CPX3000-Production-Wax-System-by-3D-Systems.html
Rapid Direction, Inc. "VisiJet CPX200 Wax Build Material." 2011. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.rapid-direction.com/product/3D-CPX200/VisiJet-CPX200-Wax-Build-Material.html
RapidToday.com. "STL 2.0 May Replace Old, Limited File Format." Rapid Publishing, LLC. 2009. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.rapidtoday.com/stl-file-format.html
Sauermann, Torolf. "YouTube Channel: Math Art of Torolf Sauermann." (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.youtube.com/user/torolf44
Shapeways. "Personalize Your Own Product." (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.shapeways.com/themes/co-creator_platform
Solidscape. "Solidscape 3D Printers." (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.solid-scape.com/solutions-for-investment-casting/3D-wax-printers.html
Stratasys, Inc. "Dimension Elite: Product Specifications." 2010. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.dimensionprinting.com/3d-printers/printing-productspecs-elite.aspx
Stratasys, Inc. "All about uPrint: Product Specifications." 2009. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://uprint.dimensionprinting.com/3d-printers/3d-printer-benefits.aspx
Vance, Ashlee. "3-D Printing Spurs a Manufacturing Revolution." The New York Times Company. September 13, 2010. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/technology/14print.html
Whitwell, Tom. "Microtrends: Printing in 3D." Times Online. Times Newspapers, Ltd. 2010. (Feb. 21, 2011) http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article1839765.ece
Wohlers, Terry. "Additive Manufacturing 101: Part I." Time Compression. Gardner Publication, Inc. January/February 2010. (Feb. 21, 2011)http://www.wohlersassociates.com/JanFeb10TC.htm


"A delicious lasagna recipe with a twist. Alfredo sauce is named after Roman restaurateur Alfredo di Lello who is credited with creating this dish in the 1920s."
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Rinse in cold water and drain well.
Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan over medium heat add oil and cook broccoli or spinach and green onions until tender, stirring frequently. Remove pan from heat and stir in ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt and egg.
Place noodles in a single layer on a sheet of waxed paper. Evenly spread some of the cheese mixture on each noodle. Roll up each noodle from the short end, jelly-roll style.
In a 8x12 inch baking dish, spoon about 3/4 of the Alfredo sauce on the bottom and spread evenly. Arrange the rolled noodles, seam side down, in the dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce. Cover loosely with foil and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted. Serve.
A great twist on traditional Lasagna. My husband who is very heartburn prone loved it because it contained no tomatoes.
Tastes great and looks great too. Don't forget to thaw the spinach first.


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Glasses are the new fashion accessory
Gone are the functional frames. People are now carefully choosing glasses as they would clothes or earrings.
Glasses are the new fashion accessory Gone are the functional frames. People are now carefully choosing glasses as they would clothes or earrings. Check out this story on DemocratandChronicle.com: http://on.rocne.ws/17VhNg5
Mary Chao, @marychaostyle Published 7:49 a.m. ET July 22, 2013 | Updated 7:50 a.m. ET July 22, 2013
(Photo: , )
I cursed the day I was handed a prescription for glasses. I had been having trouble reading the chalkboard in college classes and decided to finally face the truth.
But I only wore the thick plastic frames in the classroom. I never wore those ugly specs outside, even though I couldn't recognize friends waving to me from across the street.
Times are very different now. What was once an albatross around my neck (actually on my face) is now another way for me to indulge my passion for shopping.
Glasses are hot. Celebrities are sporting geek chic frames on the red carpet, and you'll find plenty of stylish frames in fashion magazines. Glasses are now at the cutting edge of technology, too: Google Glass — essentially a pair of glasses with a built-in computer — is making waves as the next big thing in techie cool. Even folks who have 20/20 vision are buying frames with nonprescription lenses to be on trend.
"It's jewelry for the face," says Barbara Vanhouten, optician at One Hip Chic Optical in Rochester. Her customers, she says, often buy multiple pairs for their collection, some in plastic and others in materials like titanium for different looks.
Chelsea Getty of Fairport has seven pairs to match different outfits, her favorite being white 1950s-style frames.
"I use (them) as an accessory," says Getty, noting that she has artsy frames in metal that she'll wear to events such as art gallery parties, and tortoise devil's tail frames for an even flashier look.
The catch is that she doesn't need glasses. But she treats herself to one stylish pair of specs a year from Eye Openers in Brighton and has clear glass put in them.
When Rich Levy, owner of Eye Openers, started in the optical business more than 30 years ago, "it was all clinical," he recalls. People bought glasses strictly for function. "Now it's all about fashion."
Levy saw the trend emerge in the early 1990s, when celebrities started wearing glasses. The hot line back then was Oliver Peoples' antique-style collection. Today, there are dozens of popular fashion lines, like Frieze Frames' collection of retro chic looks. Some frame manufacturers are adding Swarovski crystals to their products. Levy says the upswept cat-eye look is hot right now.
Some people, of course, go a bit overboard. Like Lou Ferrari of Greece. He owns more than 100. Each morning, Lou picks out a shirt and slacks, plus a pair of glasses to complete the outfit. His collection includes leather frames with Transitions lenses, which have a sun-activated tint.
"I like fashion. I like glasses," he says. "I have to stay in style."
Opticians concur that men are getting into the eyewear trend. Maui Jim, featured at Reed Eye Associates (in Pittsford, Irondequoit and Greece) and other places, is a popular style for women and men and is fast becoming the Wayfarer of 2013.
If you want to start collecting, look for special sales. Eye Openers hosts a garage sale annually from Aug. 1 to 31. Frames that were $400 to $500 are marked way down, and there's usually a line out the door during the first few days of the sale.
Whenever I go, I tell myself I'll buy just one pair. Last year, I ended up with three: a cat-eye, nerdy-cool frame; a red, angular modern frame; and a thin, taupe-colored frame. Even a fiscally conservative co-worker got caught up in the excitement, buying a green and brown metal pair and a funky cat-eye pair as well.
She recalls hating to wear Coke-bottle glasses starting in third grade. But now she's part of the trend.
Call it the fashion revenge of the nerds.
MCHAO@DemocratandChronicle.com
Twitter.com/MaryChaoStyle
Read or Share this story: http://on.rocne.ws/17VhNg5

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I have RNA-Seq data with 100 samples and 30k genes. Samples as columns and genes as rows. Tumor vs Normal.
After filtering step I see around 19k genes were used for differential analysis. With differential analysis cutoff FC > 2 and FDR < 0.05, there are about 1000 differential expressed genes.
For Gene set enrichment analysis do I need to use only those 1000 differential expressed genes or do I need to use those 19k genes as input?
You have to use the 19k genes, but how you will do so depends on the enrichment method you are using. For GSEA, you have to use the ranked vector of all 19k genes.
I'm actually using this for GSEA. Do you think ranking genes based on FC and Pvalue like below is right?
This seems fine, it is the same metric as used at Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) explained.
Hi, Basically, if you want to check on which biological state you gene set belongs its ideal to check some of differentially expressed top up-regulated and down-regulated genes. That number depends upon you. I saw people taking top 100 also and other times the whole set of up and down-regulated genes.
For multiple testing correction in GO analysis, is it ok to remove GO terms with only 1 gene hit?


Scarlet's pups are up on their feet and getting around. These pups are super sweet and curious. I can't wait till they start chasing each other around and steeling toys.
Well, hello everyone! It has been a while since I posted on this blog so I guess it is time. Today, Scarlet delivered 13 beautiful pups. She and her pups are doing wonderfully and we are very pleased. Scarlet is a terrific girl and excellent mother. We are so proud to have her in our lives, raising up beautiful new additions to the Golden Retriever world. Thanks again Scarlet, you are awesome!!
Vanna's puppies are now 13 days old and have just opened their eyes. They are cute as can be and growing like weeds. Several of them are really beginning to get around and trying to walk without scooting. They are all very sweet and really getting use to a lot of snuggling. As you will see, they still prefer sleeping more than anything at this point. Autumn's puppies are only 10 days old and still have little squinty eyes. They should open up in the next day or two. Autumn is being a fantastic mom again and seems to be showing Vanna the ropes when it comes to motherhood. We are so proud of both of them and thrilled that all of these precious puppies have loving families awaiting their welcome.
Whatever happens, we will be happy to see healthy little ones.
We have had an overwhelming response from our web page this past few months. Thank you to everyone who has visited. We have 20 families anxiously awaiting the arrival of Vanna and Autumn's litters this month. Our hopes are that we will be blessing each of these families with their perfect 4 legged, furry companion. It is because of this, we are not taking any additional deposits at this time. We are planning a couple of additional litters this year, so feel free to contact us if you have any questions about them. We are super excited about the current litters. Vanna and Autumn are growing bigger each day and are as cute and cuddly as can be. We will be going in for Xrays next week and can hardly wait. Keep checking back and we will keep you updated. Happy Spring!!!!
We have added a new addition to the gang. His name is Tucker and he is cute as can be. He was born August 30th 2012 and will be the sire to some future litters with Lola and Lexi. He has a great temperment and personality with an excitement for life. He should fill out nicely and be a nice complement to our breeding program. We look forward to the next couple of years as he grows into a handsome young adult.
Wow, it has been busy out here this winter. Between the rain and the wind and all the furballs, there isn't much time left in the day. We are excited to announce that both Autumn and Vanna have been bred by Brody and we will be expecting the puppies in the middle of April. Autumn was a great mom to 11 adorable pups the first time around and I have not doubt she will do the same this time. With any luck, Vanna will do just as good of a job. Maybe she will even learn something about it from Autumn. We will keep you posted as the pregnancies progress and share a few pics along the way.
Sophie came back to visit us this past week for an afternoon of fun with her friend and family. We adopted Sophie out this year when we retired her from being a mom. She always did such a great job and felt it was her time to just be a family pet. She is always such a happy girl and is with a fantastic family now. We enjoyed playing with her and relaxing in the house for the day. Here is a pic of her hanging out in the yard. What a cutie. We love you and miss you Sophie!!
Hi everyone. This is an exciting time for us around here. Autumns puppies are 4 weeks old now and cute as can be. Everyone is growing like little weeds and their personalities are really starting to come through. We have 5 of our puppies reserved at this point and 6 left available. The puppies are really begining to enjoy playing and we will be going for car rides in the near future. Autumn is being a fantastic mom and has really impressed me with her little fluffballs. For a first time mom, we are really pleased.
Less than a week to go!! Autumn is due to have her first litter of puppies the first week of September, 2012. She went in for a check up and puppy count and it appears she should be having 11 little ones. She has been restless the past few days and not eating as much as usual. This could mean we are really close. We are so excited to see what the little ones will look like. I am rooting for lots of llittle dark babies from her. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Check back next week for some possible pics.


Six employees and two board members were honored for their years of service at our annual Employee & Board Appreciation Banquet in early 2018.
As Director of Information Technology, Aaron keeps the campus computers, software and network operational. He has worked to improve the infrastructure and Internet speed during his years in IT. When a student or employee has a problem, Aaron is quick to help them solve it. Once they are back in working order, he returns to the project he had been working on. With technology always changing, we are glad to have Aaron's consistent service.
As Director of Student Services, Lori is responsible for the mail room, Student Council and overseeing the Harvest House. That makes her very popular with students! She also coordinates new student orientation and assists with commencement. Lori is the "mom away from home" for many of our students. She is the one they go see when they need to know how to fix something, are sick, or just need a mom's perspective.
While at Central, Jamie has served as a part-time professor, online teacher, and now as Online Coordinator. Jamie works hard at all he does to benefit the Kingdom. When the the Online Coordinator position opened, Jamie stepped in and followed the strategic plan to see the program expand. Through his efforts, Central's online program continues to grow. Jamie is also the preaching minister at First Christian Church (Vandalia, MO).
As Professor of Old Testament, Chad makes the Old Testament come alive to his students. He keeps them alert by walking through the classroom while he teaches. Chad also demonstrates proper priorities to the students by making time for his wife and young children. Chad is working towards a doctorate degree and studies hard to stay relevant for his students.
Dr. Dan Lowry (Warrensburg, MO) served on the Board of Directors for 16 years before retiring in January. Dr. Lowry's career was in public school and higher education. He has also served as a minister in a local church for many years. His knowledge of the public and higher educational systems helped the Board of Directors guide the College.
Dr. Dan Curtis (Warrensburg, MO) retired from the Board of Directors after 44 years of service. Dr. Curtis' knowledge of higher education and public relations was an asset throughout the College's development. A former chairman of the Board, he also served on the Student Success and Advancement Committees. He is the longest serving board member in the College's history.
Professor Gareth Reese has been teaching students how to study the Word of God since 1957. During his 60 years at Central, he has been also been Central's librarian, basketball coach, and athletic director. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Mr. Reese has written extensively on 25 books of the New Testament. He writes a monthly column in the Restoration Herald.
Lloyd Pelfrey has had many titles in his 60 years at Central Christian College of the Bible: Old Testament Professor, Academic Dean, President, Emeritus Professor, Chancellor, and President Emeritus. "Professor" continues to be his favorite. Mr. Pelfrey still teaches in the classroom and online. He remains a dedicated student and preacher of the Word.


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Diversions Front Page Health ReviewsWRITER'S BLOC
Understanding Dad ... before it's too late
Exclusive: Jim Fletcher reviews Larry Elder's 'Dear Father, Dear Son'
By Jim Fletcher
I have grown to appreciate Larry Elder's writings and wisdom very much. All the better when he produces a book, and his latest, "Dear Father, Dear Son: Two Lives … Eight Hours" is a particularly worthy effort and one you won't soon forget.
The book is really a narrative about what happens when a once-shattered relationship is restored in the blink of an eye. For that reason alone, "Dear Father, Dear Son" will resonate with the widest possible audience. Who hasn't had, or been touched by, a damaged relationship in need of serious mending?
Elder has the courage to walk us through a deeply personal period in which he and his father didn't speak for 10 years. Astonishingly, the thaw began over a single, eight-hour conversation that altered both lives. Kudos to Larry Elder (and his father!) for having the courage to tell this story.
The opening lines reveal not only a serious, reflective soul, but they also reveal a marvelously gifted writer: "His face was hard. Not just his expression, but his skin. It, too, was hard – sandpaper hard."
Thus begins Larry Elder's description of his father, or at least the man he once knew as Father. His insight into small things that illuminated his dad's coarse nature are fascinating. A hard father was all Larry Elder knew.
Later on, during conversation with Elder … well, Elder … Larry describes some of his own traits to his father. It is a nice bit of self-reflection, and shows readers that it's often desirable to be open, if one wants to repair a ruptured relationship.
The father listens, props his leg on a stool and says: "You know somethin'? When people mistreat you, you put'em down. You're a lot like me. Stubborn."
Ah, a mirror was held up, and Larry discovered that the man he'd hated for a long time was not so different from him. A decade-long freeze in communication unfolded in a miraculous way, with both men discovering each other really for the first time.
Elder describes a (sort of) funny exchange his father had with the famous crew of "60 Minutes," who interviewed the parents about their son: "Morley Safer sat across from him. Safer talked to Dad about his hard life in the country, during the Depression and Jim Crow.
"'Mr. Elder,' said Safer, 'your son says if you work hard, keep your nose clean, you can make it in life. Is that how you feel?'
"'Worked for me,' Dad said. 'Worked for me.'
"When the piece aired, the only part of Dad's interview they used was, 'Worked for me, worked for me.'"
The quiet, practical "Greatest Generation" answer.
Larry Elder, a radio and television personality based in Los Angeles, learned from his father's hardscrabble beginnings and earned degrees from Brown University and the University of Michigan Law School. No doubt his father, Randolph, was proud (the father died in 2011).
Elder, a self-described libertarian, once gave a speech in which he described a profound principle he learned from his father: He never hated.
Thrown out of an abusive home at 13, Randolph Elder served in the military, held a number of jobs, then got his GED and opened a restaurant. Through it all, Elder the younger said, his father's moral compass kept him straight: "He was never bitter, he never condemned his circumstances, and he always said there are very few problems that cannot be solved through hard work."
Is it any wonder the country is in the shape it's in today, at this moment? If only an entitlement-driven culture could see the better choice exemplified by Randolph Elder …
The remarkable journeys of these two men – and their more remarkable reconciliation – is an extraordinary story. The book is really perfect for withdrawn men who nurse grudges in relationships. Yet it has quite a universal appeal, anchored as it is in a willing spirit that considers the views and perspectives of another.
"Dear Father, Dear Son" is triumphant and brilliant.
An interview with the author can be seen below:
Discover how real and relevant Bible prophecy is to you with Jim Fletcher's "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine): How to stop worrying and learn to love these end times"
Blogger and researcher Jim Fletcher has worked in the book publishing industry for 15 years, and is now director of the apologetics group Prophecy Matters. His new book, "Truth Wins," provides important analysis of Rob Bell and his Emergent friends.
Spreading the Gospel in funny ol' ways
Meet the man behind the 'Coast to Coast' microphone
Are you 'mad as hell'?
When pastors tweet nonsense
Hey Deplorables: Need some guidance?


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Gloria Lerma Rodriguez
By Stephanie M. Jacksis
The United States should have let the Vietnamese fight their own battle during the Vietnam War, said Gloria Lerma Rodriguez.
Among many other bizarre aspects of the war, which left many "mentally disturbed," Lerma Rodriguez said, American soldiers at times slept with allies and enemies in the same foxhole.
"It was terrible, using innocent children with grenades hidden under their clothes. Very unjust. Thanks to God it's over," she said.
Read more about Gloria Lerma Rodriguez
Richard Geissler
By Joshua Avelar
For Richard Geissler Jr., a U.S. Army veteran who became a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, passion for community activism shaped his life despite the many different communities he served and the overbearing obstacles he faced.
Read more about Richard Geissler
Jesus Soto
By Bernice Chuang
About 14 months before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, Jesus "Joe" Soto, 20 years old, enlisted in the Marines as a private. His ship, the USS New Orleans, deployed for Pearl Harbor in October, just a few months before the attack.
Soto served proudly in the Marine Corps and said he found brotherhood and unity aboard his ship. While the war provided many frightening memories for Soto, he also found pride in his achievements as a Marine.
Read more about Jesus Soto
Roque John Riojas
By Maxx Scholten
Gunning down loose poultry with his military-issued M1 rifle just to savor the sweet taste of fried chicken and collecting cowpie patties to burn to keep away the nip of mosquitoes -- these are some of the memories Roque Riojas has of his time with the 135th Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, fighting in Africa and Italy during World War II.
Read more about Roque John Riojas
Estella Zaragoza Hernandez
By Ashley Nelcy Garcia
For Estella Zaragoza Hernandez, working in the fields under the sizzling California sun as a young girl was not much more than a child's game.
It was part of her life, growing up as the youngest of six children, the daughter of Mexican immigrants who crossed the American border years before she was born. When she was a child, Hernandez's family migrated from place to place picking crops and working the fields throughout California.
Read more about Estella Zaragoza Hernandez
Oscar C. Muñoz
By Jordan Haeger
It's 3 a.m., and Oscar C. Muñoz wakes up to make sure his doors and windows are locked in his Chula Vista, Calif., home. It's been this way every day for more than 40 years.
Muñoz enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on April 15, 1968, without telling his parents. One of twelve children born to Manual and Abigail Muñoz, farm laborers in Arizona, he knew the military was his only way to access education and success.
"We used to pick cotton, and it was three cents a pound," Muñoz said. "Can you imagine how much cotton you have to pick to make one pound?"
Read more about Oscar C. Muñoz
Emilio Portales
By Trent Lesikar
"All those bullets and none of them had my name on it," Emilio Portales said with a laugh. Portales saw action on the front lines of U.S. Army campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, France and Germany during World War II. He survived the 1944 invasion of Normandy, fought in much of the European campaign, and witnessed the liberation of a concentration camp in Germany.
Read more about Emilio Portales
Richard Brito
By Priscilla Pelli
Missing the birth of his two daughters was one of the many sacrifices Richard Brito had to make when he saw that a war threatened the national security of the United States in 1965.
While Vietnam spurred controversy among many Americans throughout the 1960s, Brito said he saw it as a calling to help protect the security of the nation during a time of distress and turmoil.
"I loved the military," Brito said. "That's what I wanted to do all my life."
Read more about Richard Brito
Angel Romero
By Samantha Salazar
One of nine siblings and the fourth of five brothers to fight in World War II, Angel Romero consistently returns to the subject of his family and friends, and the support he has always received from them.
Romero tears up when talking about his parents and siblings, saying, "My family would have to be defined as unique. I wish everybody had a family like mine."
Read more about Angel Romero
Martin C. Sanchez
By David Muto
Martin Sanchez was told after he returned from the war that he'd be welcome anywhere if he wore his military uniform out of the house.
Sanchez laughs while recalling this advice.
"We don't serve no Mexicans here," he said in the voice of a shop owner who denied him access to his store, even while Sanchez was dressed in the attire he'd received after enlisting. "You gotta go up by the railroad track up there."
Read more about Martin C. Sanchez


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Part of the Series: Chaplin's Mutual Comedies
The Vagabond, Chaplin's third Mutual film, was an important step in Chaplin's career, in which he interweaves pathos as an integral part of the comedy. He imposed an unlikely happy ending on The Vagabond, in which the gypsy...
The Vagabond, Chaplin's third Mutual film, was an important step in Chaplin's career, in which he interweaves pathos as an integral part of the comedy. He imposed an unlikely happy ending on The Vagabond, in which the gypsy drudge demands that the car she is being taken away be turned around to bring Charlie along with her.
Albert Austin, Charlie Chaplin, Charlotte Mineau, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Frank J. Coleman, James T. Kelly, Leo White, Lloyd Bacon


Hannah's Healthy Bakery provides paleo, gluten free, healthy baking mixes that taste amazing. Our mission is to provide you with foods that are health conscious, and also taste delicious at the same time. Enjoy brownies, pancakes, cookies and more.


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Halibut Market Highlighting Regional Revenue Share Dominance during 2018-2028 9 mins ago
Home 2018 December 20 National Uber Self-Driving Cars are Back to Pittsburgh Streets Again
Uber Self-Driving Cars are Back to Pittsburgh Streets Again
The death of Elaine Herzberg (49) shocked the US and let the population doubt the self-driving cars that tested Uber then. After the test operation has been temporarily suspended, the robot Uber now on the road again.
The robotic cars of the transport service operator Uber are back on the road nine months after a fatal accident. On Thursday, the autonomous test drives were resumed in the city of Pittsburgh, as Uber confirmed.
Previously, the Department of Transportation of the US state of Pennsylvania had approved this. In San Francisco and Toronto, Toronto, the cars are initially man-driven. Uber points out that safety has improved since the accident.
The robot car tests were discontinued after one of the vehicles had killed the pedestrian Elaine Herzberg († 49) in Arizona in March. Apparently, she thought the software was a plastic bag. It was the first and so far only fatal accident with a self-driving car.
According to a preliminary report from the NTSB accident investigation agency, the Uber software had problems identifying the woman pushing a bike next to her – even though the vehicle's many sensors had registered her. The car did not break. The Volvo built-in emergency brake assistant was disabled.
On video footage from the vehicle was to see that the security driver at the wheel before the collision had not looked at the road. The "The Information" website also reported that a few days before the accident, one of the developers had warned the management of the robot car program about the risks.
One of the changes made by Uber is that there are two more people in the car every test drive. It is better monitored whether a security driver is tired or distracted. People should not spend more than four hours a day behind the wheel – earlier it could be eight hours. And the emergency brake assistant remains switched on now. (SDA / HI)
Filed in: National
At Least six dead and 16 Injured in Denmark Train accident
Sicily Volcano Outbreak After Series of Earthquakes
One Killed in Downtown Vienna Restaurant Shooting
Gatwick Airport Forced to Shut Down Again
Halibut Market Highlighting Regional Revenue Share Dominance during 2018-2028


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Ronald D. Moore explains why he's back on Syfy with Helix
Meredith Woerner
Filed to:Helix
Battlestar Galactica's Ronald D. Moore is finally coming back to television, to bring us Helix, a show set in an Arctic research facility, studying a plague that could wipe out our planet. So how much of Moore's scrapped script for The Thing wound up in there? And why isn't he doing another spaceship show?
Director Singled Out For Ronald D. Moore's The Thing Prequel
The Ronald D. Moore-scripted prequel to The Thing is not only starting to roll, but it may be…
At Syfy's Upfront presentation, we got 4 minutes of face-to-face time with the Battlestar Galactica maestro. And we asked him everything we could about Helix, which is already filming a 13-episode season. But first, check out the official rundown:
A thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak. There, they find themselves in a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind's salvation or total annihilation.
How much of Helix was influenced by that The Thing prequel script you wrote?
Ronald D. Moore: Oh! God, I kind of forgot about the Thing script that I wrote, actually. Not much at all, because this script was actually written by someone else. Another writer, Cameron [Porsandeh]. He wrote it and developed it and it was sent to me.
I really wasn't into reading it, because I don't like medical things, and I'm not a disease person, or hospital shows. And I didn't want to do it, and they just said, "no trust us, trust us, it's a great script." And sure enough I read it, and it was a page turner, and I was pulled. [I thought] this was a great opportunity. My experience doing a version of The Thing movie was completely different, a best-forgotten chapter of my life. So it had no bearing on this.
Was it about the script that kept you turning pages?
It was smart, it was well structured, the characters grabbed me right away. And also it was an intelligent script. It didn't talk down to the audience. It didn't go for cheap thrills and cheap scares. It was playing at a level of realism that made it scary. I started getting a little uneasy and nervous because it was so close to reality that I was starting to get a little uncomfortable. And then I realized, "Oh shit, that's the goal, that's what it's all about."
How much of the script involves medical jargon?
It's in there, but it didn't overwhelm it. I didn't feel like I was watching a hospital show. I didn't feel like I was watching ER. There was enough of it to sort of make it believable and sort of under the basis of it. I didn't feel like I was watching ER. But I was never lost in it, there was never a point where I said, "I have no idea what these people are talking about."
What is it about plagues? They're very popular right now.
People have loved plagues since the Middle Ages! Plagues are always popular, there's always one coming around the corner. I can't wait for the next one, like zombies. I think maybe it's all about the end of the world — how fascinated we are with watching the civilization we know being destroyed in some way. We have some weird, sick fascination with our own demise. In the most spectacular and dramatic terms.
How gory is Helix going to be?
It will have some gore in it. There's some pretty nasty things that happen to some people who are infected with this, and the attempts to save them and so on. But it's not really the stock and trade of it. It's really more of a thriller. It's more of a character piece about people trapped in an isolated area. And trying to depend on each other, and realizing that some of them aren't telling the truth. Trying to figure out the truth is, and how to survive.
How many people are trapped in this Arctic area?
We're talking a few hundred people. It's not The Thing, where there are only 12 guys, or however many people they had. It's not quite that isolated. This is a facility where there's research going on. Where you had people maintaining equipment, mopping floors, and cooking meals. Scientists and assistants.
How was this show influenced by the actual communities that exist right now [in those areas] that have barbershops and bars?
Quite a bit. Cameron, who wrote the script, did a lot of research. He he had been to many of these facilities and he brought that sense of reality into the piece.
It was just announced that they're going to have a lot of spaceship shows on Syfy now. And Battlestar Galactica was one of the first shows to re-ignite that whole thing. But now you're coming back on Syfy with a non-space show, how does that make you feel?
Somehow it's not within me to be doing what everybody else is doing, I guess. I've always got to be the outlier. I've always gotta be on that crazy show that nobody thinks is going to work.
Shortly after our red carpet chat, Syfy screened a teeny, tiny teaser trailer that I'm absolutely sure was just some sort of quickly-assembled images that will not be in the series proper. However this is what we saw, and the feel RDM was channeling. The shot opens in a snowy, remote nothingness, careening about through snow flurries. You see an Arctic research facility, where everything is pristine and white. A figure in a white hazmat suit sits at an all-white table in an all-white facility. They remove their hood. They're not really moving any more and as the camera slowly pans in you can see a trail of something running down the side of their face. Blood, black ooze, bile? Who knows. But that's all they showed.
Can't freaking wait.


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NEW YORK -- Capping what Wall Street is calling a remarkable turnaround year for Caesars Entertainment, company President Wally Barr mapped out a plan for shareholders Wednesday that will increase revenues, cut costs and reduce debt for the casino giant.
Wall Street was generally bullish on the company's plans and on its accomplishments in the past year, even while it was insistent that more needs to be done and that the company needs a more stable management team.
Merrill Lynch analyst David Anders, in an advisory to investors, hailed Caesars for completing construction on the Strip side of Caesars Palace.
He said this is the first time in three years there will be no construction in front of the casino, eliminating a major source of the disruption that has tarnished the company's reputation.
Work is wrapping up on the first new porte cochere and entry area at Caesars Palace since 1979, and final touches are being put on the Roman Forum gateway to the property at the corner of the Strip and Flamingo Road.
Anders also said that with the new, 950-room tower coming out of the ground and set for opening in late 2005, Caesars Entertainment can be expected to generate accelerating cash flow growth.
Eric Hausler, gaming analyst for Susquehanna Financial Group, said Caesars Entertainment under Barr, who was promoted to president in November 2002, has set a course that has been successful with patrons and investors.
"They're getting it together. Investors have waited for several years since Arthur Goldberg passed away for some leadership out of the company, and now we're getting it," he said. "They're cutting costs, deploying capital where it needs to be and selling off underperforming assets, and I'm sure there will be more of that."
Barr said after the annual shareholders meeting that he expects license applications for Colony Capital, which is buying the Las Vegas Hilton for $280 million, to be considered by Nevada gaming regulators in June and for the sale to close immediately after that.
Caesars plans to use the $265 million in net proceeds from the sale to further reduce debt. The company already has cut its debt by $1.1 billion since 2002 to about $4.2 billion.
With regard to the sale of other properties in Reno, Laughlin and the Gulf of Mexico area, Barr said the company continues to get offers, but is not in serious negotiations with possible buyers.
Barr also said the selection of an executive to succeed him as chief operating officer, which he cited as a priority when he was promoted, is unlikely to happen soon.
"The world has changed a lot with (the) Sarbanes-Oxley (corporate reform legislation). Company presidents and CEOs have to be more hands on. I came from the operation side and have put more control in regional managers rather than have another level of management," he said.
However, Barr said that when a chief operating officer is named, it will be a clear signal that the person named will be his successor and heir apparent.
He also said he expects to appoint a successor to Harry Hagerty as chief financial officer within the next week.
Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone said Wall Street would welcome these steps to strengthen the senior management team at Caesars Entertainment.
"They've definitely turned the corner and are heading in the right direction. The Street needs to see continued results, improvements in the balance sheet and the sale of more problem properties," he said.
But most of all, Falcone and other analysts said, investors want to see a stronger and more stable management team after several years of tumult at the top.
And Hausler said although the list of developments generally is positive, investors remain skeptical even though analysts remain convinced the company is moving in the right direction.
Caesars shares closed Wednesday at $13.50, up 7 cents, or 0.52 percent. Over the past year, Caesars shares have increased 90 percent.


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Luxembourg-based satellite group SES SA is in talks to merge with its U.S. rival Intelsat SA, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, signaling consolidation in the rapidly changing and competitive industry.
Last week, French satellite company Eutelsat (ETL.PA) said it was in talks over a possible all-share merger with British rival OneWeb.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has raced ahead of rivals to build a constellation of satellites by investing heavily in infrastructure and recently broke its record of the number of rockets launched in a single year.
Intelsat and SES are in active discussions about the structure of any potential deal, the FT report said, citing three people familiar with the matter, adding that the discussions were at an early stage and there is no guarantee of a deal being reached.
"Neither wants to be the last one standing," the report quoted one of the three persons as saying.
SES, which has a market capitalisation of 3.57 billion euros ($3.63 billion) according to Refinitiv Eikon data, declined to comment on the report, while Intelsat did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
In May, SES said it expects demand for its services in Ukraine to have a positive effect on its second-half revenue, after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings.
Russian authorities step up anti-dollar narrative
NYSE-owner ICE profit beats as volatility drives up trading volumes
Monte dei Paschi seals deal with unions over job cuts
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Hey, hey, hey. As Krusty would say. The party-gyling fun has spread to Let's Brew Wednesday. And when I say fun, I mean mind-numbing tedium.
We've a thrice [check that's a real word] of Stouts, all magically spun from the same set of grains. If you've managed to stay conscious throuugh my party-gyling posts you'll have a good idea how Truman did that. Not magic, but still an impressive feat of mathematics. They didn't have claulators back in the 1890's. Even if they had, Truman wouldn't have let their brewers use them. Even in the 1970's their brewers had to perform all their calculations on a slate.
That Truman produced so many Stouts (in addition to these three there was also a Running Stout, Keeping Stout and Double Export Stout) is a sign of the popularity of such beers. And a testament to the commercial flexibility provided by party-gyling. A glance at any 19th-century brewery price list will confirm just how widespread a technique it was. How else could a small brewery have 15 different products?
I think that's me about done. There are some party-gyle logs singing like sirens. Excuse me while I go and smash into some rocks . . . . .


Cost: This event is $60 to attend with only 12 tickets available*. We want you to have plenty of hands of experience and the opportunity to ask plenty of questions. You leave the class with a lot of knowledge and your very own worm bin (complete with worms)! *class needs a min of 6 to run.
Intro to Vermiculture and Make Your Own Worm Bin!
Join us for an evening of fun as we learn how to make our own vermicompost bin! Composting with worms is a simple process that diverts food waste from landfills, while producing super-enriched soil amendment. Come learn not only the basics about worms and worm composting, but also the science behind successfully gardening with worm products. Participants in this workshop will leave with an 18-gallon Rubbermaid bin which they have prepared with bedding and food for the worms, as well as ½ pound of red wigglers. Everything will be complete for a successful and operating worm bin to be maintained at home by the participant.
Mary Ann Smith, after spending 20 years teaching high school math in Haywood County, decided to expand her avid interest in gardening to include worm farming. For the past five years, Mary Ann has supplied composting worms, vermicompost, worm tea and organically grown produce to various regional businesses and farmers' markets. She has been a speaker at the Organic Growers' School and at Asheville GreenWorks workshops and been featured in the Smoky Mountain News and other publications. Mary Ann's passion is to provide education as well as products which support sustainable farming practices in the local community.


It is God's system that after we choose Him as our only God and Master and hold fast to His rope, He renders our hearts and minds wide open to His message and His commands. He guides us to the easiest path and augments our belief.
God Guides the Believers [10:9] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, their Lord guides them, by virtue of their belief. Rivers will flow beneath them in the gardens of bliss.
Only God Guides [28:56] You cannot guide the ones you love. GOD is the only One who guides in accordance with His will, and in accordance with His knowledge of those who deserve the guidance.
Among the means that God uses to guide those who deserve His guidance is sending human messengers. All God's messengers have the sole duty of delivering and confirming God's message which has always been one and the same: worship God alone. Worshiping God alone means nothing but following His own words in His scriptures.
One God/One Message/One Religion [21:25] We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: "There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone."
[65:11] a messenger* who recites to you GOD's revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him. *65:10-11 The ``Messenger'' here is clearly the Quran. Verse 10 talks about ``sending down a message,'' and this points to the Quran as the messenger in 65:11 (Appendix 20).
The Quran: Messenger of God [11:2] Proclaiming: "You shall not worship except GOD. I come to you from Him as a warner, as well as a bearer of good news.
[14:1] A.L.R. A scripture that we revealed to you, in order to lead the people out of darkness into the light - in accordance with the will of their Lord - to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.
All students of the Quran know that God's scriptures, preached by all of His messengers, are the only valid source of guidance. Messengers of God are sent as mercy for the sole duty of directing us to this one valid source of guidance.
Our generation was blessed by one of these messengers, Messenger of the Covenant, who confirmed and purified our religion from the Quran and by the Quran. His sole duty, like all previous messengers, was to take us back to following the word of God after years of misguidance, conjecture, and neglection of the Quran. He proclaimed to the world the fact that Quran is our only valid source of religious law and guidance. He was fully supported by the solid proofs of the divine authorship of the Quran. These solid proofs are from within the Quran itself and have existed for more than 1400 years, but we are the generation to witness them according to God's will and plan.
God's Messenger of the Covenant [3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."
[46:12] Before this, the book of Moses provided guidance and mercy. This too is a scripture that confirms, in Arabic, to warn those who transgressed, and to give good news to the righteous.
The Gospel of Jesus: Guidance and Light [5:46] Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous.
Quran: Our Means to Salvation [17:9] This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense.
The Best Hadith [39:23] GOD has revealed herein the best Hadith; a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom, then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD's message. Such is GOD's guidance; He bestows it upon whoever wills (to be guided). As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.
[22:74] They do not value GOD as He should be valued. GOD is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.
"We did not leave anything out of this book," is in Verse 38 (19x2)of chapter 6 and consists of 19 Arabic letters (6:38).
"He sent down this book fully detailed," is in Verse 114 (19x6) of chapter 6 and consists of 19 Arabic letters (6:114).
The Quran proclaims that the Quran is complete, perfect, and fully detailed (6:19,38,114,115; 50:45), and that religious regulations not specifically instituted in the Quran constitute a religion other than Islam, i.e., Submission (42:21, 17:46).
The true believers uphold the Quran, the whole Quran, and nothing but the Quran. This principle is confirmed by the Quran's mathematical code. 17:46 proclaims that we shall uphold the Quran ALONE. The word "ALONE" occurs in the Quran 6 times: 7:70, 17:46, 39:45, 40:12 & 40:84, and 60:4. All these occurrences refer to God, except 17:46. When we add the numbers of suras and verses which refer to "GOD ALONE," we get 361, 19x19. This proves that17:46 refers to "the Quran ALONE."


Join Butser Ancient Farm interpretive staff and explore the Saxon landscape around Butser Ancient Farm. We visit the important site of the 7th Century Church Down Saxon settlement, 10th Century Chalton village, and Harold Godwin's St Hubert's Church at Idsworth. You'll also have the chance to see the reconstructed Saxon buildings at Butser Ancient Farm. Enjoy a wonderful walk through the borderlands of the West and the South Saxons, 5 miles distance, 400 years in time. Medium difficulty.
10am – Arrive at Butser Ancient Farm and view the reconstructed Saxon buildings.
10.30am – Depart Butser Ancient Farm and drive the short distance to St Hubert's Church Idsworth to start the walk. We will then begin a circular walk from the church up to Church Down to see the original site of the Saxon village, from which the evidence for Butser's Saxon buildings is drawn.
12.30pm – arrive back at St Hubert's Church with a chance to see the church and the wall paintings from the 1300's. You'll then have the option to return to Butser Ancient Farm for the rest of the afternoon.


Today's technology offers two choices for betting at internet casino sites. As a player, you have the option either to play a Java game or to download the game software from the casino site.
The difference between the two lies on the player options. If you want to start your game right away, you can choose the casino game that requires Java as it will allow you to have an instant game without a download delay.
Meanwhile, if you choose to play with casino software, it will take you a couple of minutes or hours depending on your computer speed and internet connection. This second option will give you better sounds, realistic graphics and sharper images.
However, either option will still make your online gambling experience easy and convenient. Therefore, the decision whether to play through the java enabled game or through the software, usually lies to personal preferences of the player.
Whether you pick the Java enabled casino game or you install the files saved on your computer, both options will require you to open an account before you can start playing the casino game.
If you decide to download, you can visit the online casino site, sign up and choose the game that you want to download. Afterwards, you have to open an account where you can use to pay wages and to receive your earnings as well.
In opening an account with the online casino site, you have the option to use wire transfer, credit card, or electronic transfer in order to credit funds to your account. Afterwards you can start playing your favorite casino game.
The question on what is the best online site depends on the player's preferences. You can actually choose from thousands of online casinos on the net. Before you choose which site you will join, there are some things that you should consider.
From the many online casino sites, it will be better if you choose the online site that offers sign up bonuses. So obviously it is important to know the value of the sign up bonuses they offer in order to compare sites. There are casino sites that offer much higher sign up bonuses than others do so it is better if you choose the site that offers the best value.
Before signing up, you also have to see the list of casino games available as well as the casino rules and regulations for each game. It will be better if you join a casino site that holds a license and is accredited.
In the end, joining an online casino site is not as hard as it seems. You will quickly learn that playing in these casino sites is not complex and it will give you lots of non stop fun with exciting gambling games.


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SOURCE / ECONOMY
Yuan to see increased use in bilateral trade between China and Russia as dollar, euro share declines, 'pushing internationalization drive'
By Global Times Published: Dec 02, 2022 05:26 PM
RMB Photo:VCG
More Chinese yuan is expected to be used in cross-border settlement between China and Russia, further promoting yuan's internationalization process, a Chinese expert said on Friday, after Russia's central bank said international settlements and payments in alternative currencies have soared at the expense of the US dollar and the euro.
The comments were made as the US-led West tightens their sanctions against Russia, as most recently seen by efforts of the Group of Seven nations trying to impose a price cap on Russian seaborne oil.
Against the backdrop of Russia cutting its usage of US dollar and the euro, while increasing settlement in local currencies in foreign trade, the Chinese yuan has become an ideal choice for Russian businesses due to China's status as the world's second largest economy and the engine of global economic growth, Li Xin, director of the Institute for Eurasian Studies at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Friday.
As more Russian companies seek to settle their exports in yuan, the yuan faces a historic opportunity in speeding up its internationalization process, Li said.
The share of international settlements and payments in currencies other than the dollar and the euro has moved up from 21 percent to almost 50 percent, Russian news agency TASS reported on Thursday, citing the Financial Stability Review by the Bank of Russia.
The share of friendly countries' currencies in export payments reached 46.6 percent, up from February's 13.6 percent, according to the Russian Central Bank.
As a number of Western countries try to remove Russia from their economic system, choosing to work with partners on local currency settlement has become Russia's goal.
The yuan comprised about 17.9 percent of Russia's trade settlements with China in 2021, up from 2014's 3.1 percent, according to media reports.
In September, Russian state energy giant Gazprom said it has reached several agreements with China National Petroleum Corporation, including on the use of Russian roubles and Chinese yuan to pay for Russian natural gas supplies to China.
More Russian companies will seek yuan as the currency in cross-border payment, though whether a certain company decides to let the buyer of its products pay in yuan will still be subject to the company's circumstance, Li said, when asked whether more Russian energy companies will choose to settle their exports in yuan due to reduced access by companies to traditional payment methods and the freezing of Russian overseas gold and foreign exchange reserves by some Western countries.
The increase of yuan in the Russian market is also demonstrated by the currency's increased weight in the Russian bond and forex market.
Yuan-rouble trading has totaled 185 billion yuan ($26.27 billion) in October, more than 80 times the level seen in February when the Russia-Ukraine conflict started, Reuters reported this week, citing exchange data.
The surge of interest has seen the yuan's share of the currency market jump to 40-45 percent from less than 1 percent at the start of the year, according to the report, citing an executive with the Moscow Exchange's foreign-exchange market department. The dollar/rouble pair, by comparison, has seen its share drop from over 80 percent in January to 40 percent as of October.
A growing list of Russian companies, including aluminum giant Rusal and largest oil company Rosneft have also completed yuan-denominated bond sales this year or are planning to do so.
Bilateral trade between Russia and China is on track to hit a new high this year. In the first 10 months of this year, bilateral trade totaled $153.94 billion, up 33 percent year-on-year, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs.
Chinese yuan becomes 5th most traded currency in global FX market, a rise of three places compared with 2019: report
The Chinese yuan has now become the fifth most traded currency in terms of global foreign exchange turnover, ...
Yuan clearing service officially launched in Argentina, advancing internationalization
A yuan clearing business was officially launched in Argentina on Tuesday, local time, which is expected to inject ...
Rosbank Capital launches open-ended fund denominated in yuan, HK dollar
Russia's recent launch of the yuan and Hong Kong dollar denominated open-ended fund is the latest example of ...


text:
Q: Regex for matching Table.Column in a list of columns of different tables I want to isolate all CLIENT.xxxx in this string:
CLIENT.TEST,Toto.test,Test.Test,CLIENT.NOM,
Zozo.zaza,CLIENT.Machin,Truc.Chose,Truc.tralala,

I use this regular expression: CLIENT\..*[\,\)]. But, as you can see at https://regex101.com/r/LKD50F/1 not only CLIENT.xxxx match the expression but also Toto.test, Test.test, and so on.
How can I modify my regexp to match only CLIENT.xxxx ?

A: Try this: CLIENT\.\w+[\,\)]
regex-demo

A: \bCLIENT(\.\w+)+

If you rely on it being followed by , or ) you can use look-aheads in perl-regex:
\bCLIENT(\.\w+)+(?![,)])

https://regex101.com/r/xeuAmy/1

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The economy seems to be turning a corner, but jobless claims are still in the millions
Updated: 1:21 PM EDT Jun 18, 2020
By Anneken Tappe and Tami Luhby
Hi. Yeah, Even as the country reopens and many people return to work, Mawr and more people are filing for unemployment. We've seen the numbers this week. It's a frustrating process to understand. We're trying to get you the answers to your questions and here to help us today, as he is so often is Pete Done. Pete is a USA Today financial columnist, hosted the People Planner show and CEO of your money line. And, hey, money will compete. Hey, Jeff, good to be with you again. Let's get right into it. Cassidy Higgins Temple sent me a message asking, Did the federal government change the way they deposit the $600 unemployment benefit? I received three weeks of payments in a one time lump sum with no explanation. And then last week I didn't receive anything. Yeah, Cassie, There's a lot of changes going on right now. You are absolutely right. That first deposit was to cover the first few weeks since you filed, but specifically, let's look at a state like Florida. What they're doing is they're making payments every other week, so you will get you know, your 600 in two chunks, right? It'll go zero than 1200 0 than 1200. So that's what she is experiencing. Tiffany pinch asks on Twitter. My mom filed for U I benefits back in March. She received an award letter but has yet to receive any funds. Can you offer any advice or help? Yeah, that's frustrating. We're seeing a lot of delays in that regard. I would most certainly try to call if they haven't already. Jeff, this may surprise you, but sometimes when people have these delays, they're simply not calling. They're not waiting on the line for hours like they should, and fortunately, so give him a call. Something is wrong in this particular situation. People getting a lot of questions. Obviously, we talk a lot about the stimulus and unemployment benefits, but still getting a lot of questions on people waiting for their regular tax returns. Their refunds. Rodnina Marino sent me an email asking I mailed in my taxes on February 18th. I have checked online once a week since probably before March 16th. It does show they've received them and they're being processed. It's been over 12 weeks. Is there any way to find out why we have not received our refund via direct deposit. I can't give a why, but I can give you. Ah, What's next? The next status update that you hope to see is refund approved. At that point, it'll arrive within 21 days. But up until that point, you're just waiting in line with everyone else. This is thrown off the I arrest this whole catastrophe, this economic shutdown just like every other organization. So I think things were fine. But you are waiting for the refund. Approve. Status update. Got it. Pete, Thanks so much for being with us. My pleasure, Jeff. For you at home. This is a tough time for so many reasons. You need me to tell you that Here's how you can send in your questions. To me, nothing is too big. Nothing is too small on Facebook. You can find me at Rawson, reports on Instagram and Twitter. You can find me at Jeff Rawson. We also have our Rawson Reports newsletter right to your inbox. For free. Sign up at Rawson reports dot com. Stay safe. Back to you
Although the U.S. economy has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks as lockdown restrictions have eased, millions of Americans are still seeking unemployment aid to make ends meet.Another 1.5 million workers filed for first-time jobless benefits last week, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Initial claims have been falling every week since peaking at 6.9 million in the last week of March. Economists think this means that most job losses due to the pandemic are behind us.The latest figure from the Labor Department marked the 11th straight weekly decline in applications since they peaked at nearly 7 million in March as the coronavirus shut down much of the economy and caused tens of millions of layoffs. The decline was much smaller, though, than in recent weeks, falling just 58,000.The total number of people receiving unemployment aid also fell slightly, reflecting the return of many to their old jobs.Stripping out the seasonal adjustments, initial claims stood at 1.4 million last week. These adjustments smooth out the data in normal times but add unnecessary noise in this unprecedented situation.Overall, more than 45 million Americans have now for first-time benefits since mid-March.The job market appears to have begun a slow recovery. In May, employers added 2.5 million jobs, an increase that suggested that the job market has bottomed out. The unemployment rate declined from 14.7% to a still-high 13.3%.Even with the May hiring gain, nearly 21 million people are officially classified as unemployed. And including people the government said had been erroneously categorized as employed in May and those who lost jobs but didn't look for new ones, 32.5 million people are out of work, economists estimate.Continuing claims, which count people who filed for benefits for at least two weeks in a row, stood at 20.5 million. Experts are looking for this number to come down substantially over the summer. If it doesn't, it could mean that the labor market recovery is much slower than hoped.On top of the regular unemployment benefits, 760,526 workers filed initial claims for pandemic unemployment assistance. These additional benefits were created by Congress to provide aid to independent contractors, the self-employed and gig workers among others.A tale of two economiesEconomic data has been painting a murky picture over the past weeks. The steady decline in jobless claims follows some other encouraging reports that suggest that the lifting of shutdown orders has sparked some pent-up demand from consumers, whose spending largely drives the economy. Most economic gauges remain far below their pre-pandemic levels, though, and some analysts question whether the recent gains can be sustained, especially if the virus were to surge back.Last month, retail and restaurant sales jumped nearly 18%, the government said Tuesday, retracing some of the record plunges of the previous two months. Even so, retail purchases remain a sizable 6% below their year-ago levels.Furniture store sales nearly doubled, and clothing sales nearly tripled, though both remain far below their levels before the coronavirus struck. Clothing store sales are still down 60% compared with a year earlier.With nearly record-low mortgage rates, applications for home loans reached an 11-year high last week. But even though the number of homes under construction rose in May, they remain substantially below last year's pace.That not withstanding, millions of people remain unemployed. More than 20 million jobs vanished at the height of the lockdown and it will take time to rebuild the labor market. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections is rising in some states, putting the reopening in jeopardy.Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated during his Congressional Testimony earlier this week that the pace and strength of the recovery remained uncertain. Powell also said the central bank, as well as the government, might need to do more to support the economy, its workers and those hit hardest by the pandemic recession. The Fed has stressed that minority groups including black, Hispanic and female workers have been overpresented in bearing the brunt of the crisis.More than 100 economists, including former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and Chairman Ben Bernanke, sent a letter to Congress urging the government to deploy more stimulus. The economy and the job market face a raft of uncertainties that could slow or even derail a recovery. Business re-openings have caused spikes of viral infections in nearly half of states, a trend that could lead consumers to pull back again on shopping and dining out and reverse any economic gains.Restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters will likely rehire only a portion of their workforces. Many consumers won't fully resume their previous habits of shopping, traveling and going out until a vaccine is available.One key reason why consumer spending has rebounded is that government aid programs, from one-time $1,200 stimulus checks to $600-a-week in supplemental federal unemployment aid, have helped offset the loss of income for laid-off Americans. Yet nearly all the stimulus checks have been issued. And the supplemental federal jobless aid is set to expire July 31. Other data paints a picture of an economy slowly on the mend. A weekly survey of small businesses by the Census Bureau found that in the week that ended June 6, nearly 10% of small firms said they were hiring. That's double what it was five weeks ago. About 13% said they were still cutting jobs, less than half of what the figure was in late April.The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Although the U.S. economy has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks as lockdown restrictions have eased, millions of Americans are still seeking unemployment aid to make ends meet.
Another 1.5 million workers filed for first-time jobless benefits last week, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Initial claims have been falling every week since peaking at 6.9 million in the last week of March. Economists think this means that most job losses due to the pandemic are behind us.
The latest figure from the Labor Department marked the 11th straight weekly decline in applications since they peaked at nearly 7 million in March as the coronavirus shut down much of the economy and caused tens of millions of layoffs. The decline was much smaller, though, than in recent weeks, falling just 58,000.
The total number of people receiving unemployment aid also fell slightly, reflecting the return of many to their old jobs.
Stripping out the seasonal adjustments, initial claims stood at 1.4 million last week. These adjustments smooth out the data in normal times but add unnecessary noise in this unprecedented situation.
Overall, more than 45 million Americans have now for first-time benefits since mid-March.
The job market appears to have begun a slow recovery. In May, employers added 2.5 million jobs, an increase that suggested that the job market has bottomed out. The unemployment rate declined from 14.7% to a still-high 13.3%.
Even with the May hiring gain, nearly 21 million people are officially classified as unemployed. And including people the government said had been erroneously categorized as employed in May and those who lost jobs but didn't look for new ones, 32.5 million people are out of work, economists estimate.
Nearly 43 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits during the pandemic
Continuing claims, which count people who filed for benefits for at least two weeks in a row, stood at 20.5 million. Experts are looking for this number to come down substantially over the summer. If it doesn't, it could mean that the labor market recovery is much slower than hoped.
On top of the regular unemployment benefits, 760,526 workers filed initial claims for pandemic unemployment assistance. These additional benefits were created by Congress to provide aid to independent contractors, the self-employed and gig workers among others.
A tale of two economies
Economic data has been painting a murky picture over the past weeks.
The steady decline in jobless claims follows some other encouraging reports that suggest that the lifting of shutdown orders has sparked some pent-up demand from consumers, whose spending largely drives the economy. Most economic gauges remain far below their pre-pandemic levels, though, and some analysts question whether the recent gains can be sustained, especially if the virus were to surge back.
Last month, retail and restaurant sales jumped nearly 18%, the government said Tuesday, retracing some of the record plunges of the previous two months. Even so, retail purchases remain a sizable 6% below their year-ago levels.
Furniture store sales nearly doubled, and clothing sales nearly tripled, though both remain far below their levels before the coronavirus struck. Clothing store sales are still down 60% compared with a year earlier.
With nearly record-low mortgage rates, applications for home loans reached an 11-year high last week. But even though the number of homes under construction rose in May, they remain substantially below last year's pace.
President Trump hails jobs report, but unemployment rate still high
That not withstanding, millions of people remain unemployed. More than 20 million jobs vanished at the height of the lockdown and it will take time to rebuild the labor market. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 infections is rising in some states, putting the reopening in jeopardy.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated during his Congressional Testimony earlier this week that the pace and strength of the recovery remained uncertain. Powell also said the central bank, as well as the government, might need to do more to support the economy, its workers and those hit hardest by the pandemic recession. The Fed has stressed that minority groups including black, Hispanic and female workers have been overpresented in bearing the brunt of the crisis.
More than 100 economists, including former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and Chairman Ben Bernanke, sent a letter to Congress urging the government to deploy more stimulus.
Jerome Powell: A stronger job market is key to combating economic inequality
The economy and the job market face a raft of uncertainties that could slow or even derail a recovery. Business re-openings have caused spikes of viral infections in nearly half of states, a trend that could lead consumers to pull back again on shopping and dining out and reverse any economic gains.
Restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters will likely rehire only a portion of their workforces. Many consumers won't fully resume their previous habits of shopping, traveling and going out until a vaccine is available.
One key reason why consumer spending has rebounded is that government aid programs, from one-time $1,200 stimulus checks to $600-a-week in supplemental federal unemployment aid, have helped offset the loss of income for laid-off Americans. Yet nearly all the stimulus checks have been issued. And the supplemental federal jobless aid is set to expire July 31.
Other data paints a picture of an economy slowly on the mend. A weekly survey of small businesses by the Census Bureau found that in the week that ended June 6, nearly 10% of small firms said they were hiring. That's double what it was five weeks ago. About 13% said they were still cutting jobs, less than half of what the figure was in late April.