If I understand O'Regan and Noẽ correctly, what it is like to drive a Porsche is the activation of knowledge of its sensory-motor contingencies by those sensory-motor contingencies.
Ron Sun's mixing of philosophical with cognitive-scientific theories is supported by empiricist philosophers like Quine who hold that there can be no meaningful philosophy which is not based on empiry and therefore philosophy is not distinct from science.
A representation is a formal system for making explicit certain entities or types of information, together with a specification of how the system does this.
Computational Theory of Perception If we want computers to do what we do, we need to understand what we do, why we do it, and how it can be done in general.
Implementation We can learn from nature how what we do can be implemented.
Algorithms and Representations We can learn from computational neuroscience good ways to represent information and process it.


We all know we have a brain, but do you ignore it? We spend so much time with body fitness, going to the gym, exercise classes, sports etc. When was the last time you thought about brain fitness? Our brains are the cornerstone of our very existence. Everything we do, think, say and feel is driven by the brain.
Healthy brains are crucial for optimal health. We can eat right, exercise, eliminate unhealthy lifestyles, but if our brains are out of sync, we can still suffer from issues that prevent us from an optimized life. Ever wonder why you are doing everything "right" and still suffer with mental fog, sleeplessness, anxiety and more? Come in for a personalized brain assessment and find out what is happening between your ears! I can design a personalized program to get you back on track for a happy, optimized life!


LiCl Life Insurance Corporation Lanka Ltd.
LICL is the only Fortune 500 company subsidiary headquartered in Chongqing.
LICL is the only captive insurer within the Lattice group, and therefore solely writes business emanating from the group.
LICL is expected to maintain bottom-line profitability for four years out of five.
Lattice is expected to keep LICL capitalized at a minimum of 2x the net estimated maximum loss.
LICL demonstrates very strong capitalization, strong profitability, and conservative underwriting and investment strategies.
LICL demonstrates strong profitability based on low expenses and high levels of investment income--generated from a large surplus account--but partially offset by a volatile claims record.
The ratings on LICL are closely related to that of its parent Transco Holdings for whom it is a captive insurer.


For the past week or so, I've been adding more features to my asset build system on the Blender side and asset loaders on the Unity side to support character customization.
Character customization is a game system that allows a player to choose parts and settings of a character's appearance to define a more unique experience for the player. Examples of this include different hairstyles, body types, clothes, face shapes, and skin color.
Games that include character customization provide the player with a sense of identity for the hero character. The more customizations a game supports, the more specifically the character can resemble the player's identity, whether that identity is a reflection of himself/herself, or someone else, like a role model, icon, or celebrity.
Character customization has grown in popularity over the past decade or more in video games, and now, a lot of players take this system for granted. It seems that as games are released with more customization options, future games are expected to have more options than their predecessors.
The game never gets released.
Someone pays for all the content to be developed.
Allow players to create their own content.
Okay, so that last bullet point is an article in itself, so I'm not even going to go there.
One last thing I want to mention before I move on. The reason why the rig is typically shared between character models is so that animations can be shared between each model. Animation is expensive all across the board. Animator authoring time, computer disk space, in-game memory and processing power all are significantly impacted by 3D skeletal animation, so sharing these animations between characters helps a ton.
Next up, here are the requirements for my game.
For launch, I plan on supporting one male and one female hero character, with around 2-4 different types for each category. That's a reasonable amount of work for about a month of development time.
So, the gameplay requirements are just the surface of what we need. To achieve this, we need to nail down the technical requirements to get to the end result.
As a brief refresher, I've been working on an asset builder to convert .blend files created in Blender3D to FBX files for the Unity3D game engine to use. While this has been working great for my purposes, supporting character customization means that the asset builder, among other parts of my game, have to change a bit.
Currently, nothing changes here between the input and output files, other than an FBX file being slightly smaller than a .blend file. But all geometry are bound to the skeleton in one blend file, and also in one output FBX file. I also added a rough graphic indicating that each file contains the armature, meshes, and animations, and that animations take up a significant amount of space, on disk as well as in memory.
Before I go into details about my solution, it's worth mentioning that there is more than one way to do this. That said, I'm switching to Blender mode now.
Blender offers a feature called Link. Most 3D packages have a similar feature though. My original intention was to create one .blend file that contains the rig (armature) and animations, and then a .blend file for each custom hair/head/costume. The theory behind this is, you can Link (or reference) an external .blend file (namely the rig/animation blend file) into the mesh (geometry) .blend file, so that changes that occur to the rig or animation only happen in one file. This enforces that the mesh is using the shared rig, so that the bone names, hierarchy, and vertex weights conform to that rig; a requirement for animation to work correctly in the run-time game environment.
Alas, I was unable to get the Link feature working correctly for the animated Rigify armature in Blender, so I needed to use a workaround. If anyone out there reading this has actually figured that out, please drop me a line. Linking a reference to the rig is actually the most ideal way to author these models, and it's unfortunate that I couldn't get this working.
The workaround for this problem is to work out of one .blend file for all custom meshes that are intended to be attached to a specific rig/animation combo. It's a little cumbersome to work with, but it's also 100% guaranteed to be using the appropriate bone names, hierarchy, and vertex weights. The reason it's cumbersome is because multiple meshes need to be parented to the same armature in the same file. This can make it difficult to manage.
To alleviate this problem, Blender (and almost all other 3D packages) has a layer system to hide objects in the scene that are not on a currently active layer. Moving hair, head, and body meshes to an appropriate layer makes managing them a little bit more tolerable.
The above image is from Blender's Layer Management plugin that is not enabled by default. This needs to be enabled in User Preferences > Add-ons > 3D View: Layer Management to see this in action.
So, that solves one problem. Authoring custom character parts can be done in one file that is specific to a rig/animation combo. This means for any additional characters that may have different rigs and/or animations, a new .blend file must be created.
But we still don't have a solution for actually exporting these for Unity to use. Of course, we can export the entire .blend file that includes ALL meshes. Unity would then load all mesh resources into the game when you load the FBX file. Then, your game code in Unity can look for the appropriate mesh name to load (i.e. "body", "body.001", "body.002", etc.). I think this solution is suitable for games that don't have a lot of custom meshes. However, I think it would also clutter the animation viewport in Unity, because all the custom meshes are skinned to the skeleton.
The problem with this is that the game is now unnecessarily loading all custom meshes, when you really only want one loaded at any one time.
This also means that the more custom meshes you have in the .blend file, the more valuable memory you're wasting to load unused meshes,. Below, I describe how I implemented my solution.
Here's a graphic outline of my solution.
As you can see, I've set up my build process so that the .blend file exports multiple FBX files. The key FBX file contains just the rig, animation, and a low-poly mesh*, and then all other FBX files contain the custom meshes bound to the same rig, and no animations. This way, when we load the FBX files in Unity, only the meshes that we need are ever loaded into memory. You'll also notice that the rig is duplicated for each model FBX file. This is a small cost compared to loading any number of unused meshes.
* A note about the low-poly mesh. I use the Unity asset called RigifyToUnity which removes unnecessary bones from the Rigify armature on import of the FBX. RigifyToUnity actually doesn't recognize the armature without a skinned mesh. Of course, you could simply modify RigifyToUnity to support skinless armatures, but I'd rather keep that script intact. Instead, I added a simple quad mesh and skinned that to the armature. This skinned quad will also prove important when importing the model into Blender, as it provides a SkinnedMeshRenderer component that can be used to swap in alternate models. I'll write about that in the next part of this series.
I've used the scripts that I've written about in my post called Blender to Unity Asset Builder, and simply added support for Blender layers. I'm not going into full detail of how I implemented this, because it would simply take too long, but feel free to ping me if you have any questions. You always have the option to export your armatures/animations and meshes manually with Blender's Export UI if you choose not to use Python scripts. But I'd still like to point out some utility code that will be useful if you choose to implement this yourself.
The layer indices are one-based, hence the +1.
export_selected is a boolean indicating the export of the objects selected by layer above.
object_type_set specifies that we are exporting both the 'ARMATURE' and 'MESH', but nothing else.
exportAnimation specifies that animations are exported with the FBX, and this should only be exported with the rig file, and not with the mesh files.
The reason why I want to capture the layer names is so that the filenames of the export FBX files contain the layer name. I use the layer name when loading the FBX into Unity.
That's about it for now. Part 2 of this article explains how I load the rig and model FBX files into Unity. This does seem like a lot of work to support character customization. It is a lot of work. But these sorts of systems and optimizations are what prevent a game from running like a snail, and some of these techniques are used across the industry, in one form or another. Also, when the people playing your game are super excited about changing the look of their character, isn't it all worth it in the end?
Your article has been extremely helpful.
I'm glad you liked it. Still working on Part 2 when I get a chance. Hoping to kick it out soon.


text:
Current Events and Hot Social Topics
Terrorists foiled in plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth
By lostinblue, November 8, 2014 in Current Events and Hot Social Topics
lostinblue 1,989
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: China
By Sophia Rosenbaum
Four Islamic terrorists planned to kill the Queen of England this weekend — but British police foiled the assassination plot, reports said.
The anarchist assassins intended to stab Queen Elizabeth II Friday as the country celebrated 96 years since the end of World War I — an annual British jubilee — with numerous public appearances by her Royal Highness.
British police discovered the murder plot by the four freedom fighters, ranging in age from 19 to 27, and conducted multiple raids in West London and Buckinghamshire to thwart their plan.
Cops believe the suspected terrorists planned to use a knife to kill the beloved 88-year-old Queen, but also think they likely had access to firearms.
Officials made Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister David Cameron aware of the potential threat, but her Royal Highness still plans to attend the weekend's festivities.
She was expected at Saturday's annual Royal British Legion Festival, a military bash that celebrates the end of World War I, The Sun first reported.
Her Majesty is still slated to lay the first wreath at Sunday Remembrance celebration following a two-minute moment of silence, according to The Sun.
This is not the first time the Queen's life has been threatened.
The Lithgow Plot was an assassination attempt on the Queen and her husband, Philip, who were on a royal tour in Australia.
The lovebirds were traveling from Sydney to Orange in 1970 when their train struck a large wooden log, that was allegedly placed on the tracks in hopes of causing the train to derail as it came barreling full speed down the track.
But, for some reason, the train was traveling at an unusually slow speed, averting any crisis and sparring their lives.
The royal couple was reportedly kept in the dark about the 1970s murder plot to avoid embarrassment for the Australian government, The Daily Mail reported.
She has reigned Queen for more than five decades, assuming the title at age 25. Prince Charles, her oldest son, is next in line to the throne, but is expected to pass the honor to his son, William.
The Duke of Cambridge and his wife, Kate Middleton, welcomed a son to the royal family last July and are expecting another child in April.
http://nypost.com/2014/11/07/plot-to-assassinate-queen-elizabeth-thwarted-by-bobbies/
If more citizens were armed, criminals would think twice about attacking them, Detroit Police Chief James Craig
Florida currently has more concealed-carry permit holders than any other state, with 1,269,021 issued as of May 14, 2014
The liberal elite ... know that the people simply cannot be trusted; that they are incapable of just and fair self-government; that left to their own devices, their society will be racist, sexist, homophobic, and inequitable -- and the liberal elite know how to fix things. They are going to help us live the good and just life, even if they have to lie to us and force us to do it. And they detest those who stand in their way."
- A Nation Of Cowards, by Jeffrey R. Snyder
Tavis Smiley: 'Black People Will Have Lost Ground in Every Single Economic Indicator' Under Obama
Democrats>Socialists>Communists - Same goals, different speeds.
#DeplorableLivesMatter
Trumplestiltskin 5,790
Take your stinkin' paws off me, you damned dirty ape
Filed: Other Country: United Kingdom
The Nature Boy 4,224
The Middle of the road man
City: None
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Philippines
England has wet it's pants with Chamberlain like appeasement and is going to pay the price
New common Core Math
5 is more than 7
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10917266_1033816069978579_2234840674493232699_n.jpg?oh=2b9740840330c21d2d35340338e1171a&oe=553F78BE
landr 126
No! Not Liz!
London K1 Visa - A Complete Guide
A knife wouldn't do it. Garlic and a stake through the heart, maybe.
Maybe...
Pooky 2,627
I'm in ur cookie jar, stealin' ones wiv chocolate chipz
Filed: Country: England
You do realise that Chamberlain was a big reason that Great Britain was as ready as it was to fend off the prospect of a German invasion in 1940, don't you?
He bought us a year. It made a big difference.
As for paying the price, what price might that be?
Trumplestiltskin reacted to this
Don't interrupt me when I'm talking to myself
DavenRoxy 1,073
Meh. Kill a queen, they will just pop out another one.
luckytxn reacted to this
Operator 1,912
Classy girls don't kiss in bars
City: Beer City
State: Wisconsin
Local Office: Milwaukee WI
Filed: Other Country: China
We need them to pop out another one like this queen
We Keep Receipts reacted to this
Wait a minute... THAT'S who is ruling the UK right now????
LibCampFireClub 635
City: YBR
Filed: Other Timeline
The Bohemian Rhapsody at tea time
It must suck to be Prince Charles. All that stuffy BS he had to put up with his whole life, and a good chance he will never be king and if he is he will be too damn old to enjoy it.
I would not trade places with any of the royals for anything
P.S. Dianna was a 2 bit fluzzy with a good PR firm, what with land mines and all. Sorry she died but she was not all that
Big Ears can't become king, or we'll be faced with Queen Horseface.
luckytxn 2,242
Elder Member
What did he see in her? I have never seen a hint of desirability in her but did for Diana. Is it a British thing? Inbreeding?
Horseface was his first love.
Beyond that, #### knows.
Jacque67 and Asia reacted to this

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


MARITIME AVIATION : LIGHT AND MEDIUM AIRCRAFT CARRIERS INTO THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY.
University of Hull Press, 1st ed., 1999. 263 pp., 4 figures. Pict. c.c., 21 x 14cm. Some underlining of text o/w FINE. Paper No. 2 in the Maritime Security Studies Programme (Royal Navy Defence Studies). Eighteen authors produced papers for an international conference on Small and Medium Aircraft Carriers at Southampton in 1997. Subjects include Indian carrier experience, Russian carriers, the building of the CHARLES DE GAULLE, the UK's decision to build new carriers, the future of shipboard aircraft, the regional effect of carriers, etc.
Home / Products / MARITIME AVIATION : LIGHT AND MEDIUM AIRCRAFT CARRIERS INTO THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY.


Add a stylish touch to any room with this beautiful Ellington Collection accent rug from Rizzy Home. The Ellington Collection by Rizzy Home is based on uncompromising simplicity both in style and design. This hand-loomed jute and wool Collection brings a refreshing neutrality into your home but continues to have superior quality that is quickly becoming the recognized signature of Rizzy Home. This design includes collaboration with our in-house design team and skilled artisans to bring together a Collection that illustrates the beauty to be found in showcasing our hand-loomed rugs that are made with only The Ellington Collection by Rizzy Home is based on uncompromising simplicity both in style and design. This hand-loomed jute and wool Collection brings a refreshing neutrality into your home but continues to have superior quality that is quickly becoming the recognized signature of Rizzy Home. This design includes collaboration with our in-house design team and skilled artisans to bring together a Collection that illustrates the beauty to be found in showcasing our hand-loomed rugs that are made with only the finest materials available on the market today. The symmetry found in the Collection may look simple but it is transcendent and will resonate with our cliental. This Collection is not for the pretentious but for the individual looking to express their core personality, who know simple when they see it, feel it and use it. Simplicity is often times the most difficult thing to achieve, but with the Ellington Collection we feel, we have achieve just that.


FlightGear 2.4 has been released.
Find what you are looking for at the Master Download Portal page.
Apache Whirr 0.6.0-incubating has been released.
LogicalDOC 6.2.4 has been released.
LogicalDOC is a modern document management system with a nice interface, easy to use and very fast. It uses open source Java technologies such as GWT, Spring, Lucene in order to provide a flexible and scalable DMS solution.
Bazaar VCS 2.4 has been released.
Piggydb 5.0 dev5 has been released.
1. This release adds a cloud view to the Tag Palettes.
2. The Tag Palette on the sidebar has been updated to save the selection of the view type (tree/cloud/flat).
PrimeFaces 3.0.M3 has been released.
PrimeFaces is a lightweight open source component suite for Java Server Faces 2.0 featuring 100+ rich set of JSF components. Additional PrimeFaces Mobile module features a UI kit for developing mobile web applications.
PrimeFaces 3.0.M3 is now available, see official announcement to find out more information about the release.
Varnish Cache 3.0.1 has been released.
Objects with grace and keep set were mistakenly seen as candidates for the shortlived storage, but would not be cleaned up quickly, something that manifested as if there was a memory leak. This is now fixed.
A fuller list of changes can be found in the changes document.
aMule 2.3.1 RC2 has been released.


Exquisitely hand carved Southwestern Living Room Furniture. Give your living room a facelift with new living room furniture from Great Southwest Furniture Design.
Rustic Furniture Store – Houston and Dallas best design source for custom built western furniture. Drive, walk, or call for the best furniture store experience.
Cowhide chairs and rugs are popping up in all styles of interior decorating. But one of the most stunning ways to use cowhide is at the dining room table.
Find great deals on eBay for Game Room Furniture in Tables. Shop with confidence.
Western Home Decor Shop for western decor, western furniture, rustic lighting, and cowboy decor at My Western Home, your online source for the best western accessories.


text:
Q: CSS3 rounded corner with google map I am trying to apply rounded border using with css3 border-radius property in Google map but its not work in chrome, in other browser its work great.
Any ideas or suggestions? Here i am putting my code and waiting positive reply.
Thanks
<!DOCTYPE html>

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
<title>Google Maps Testing</title>

A: It worked for me as I added the z-index property:
#map {
    ...
    -webkit-border-radius:20px;
    z-index:0;
}

A: If you want to achieve the same effect without the use of any image, here is a solution on jsfiddle http://jsfiddle.net/alxscms/3Kv99/. You can also add a faded inner border if you'd like, without breaking the navigation inside the map.

Here is the code for the html:

And the style (scss):
$radius: 10px;
$thickness: 5px;
$border-color: rgba(black, 0.15);
$background-color: white;

.wrapper {
  position: relative;
  width: 400px;
  height: 200px;
  overflow: hidden;
  margin: 50px;

  & > i {
    display: block;
    position: absolute;

    &.top {
      top: 0;
      border-top: $thickness solid $border-color;
      &:after {
        top: -$radius/2 - $thickness;
        border-top: $radius/2 solid $background-color;
      }
    }
    &.right {
      right: 0;
      border-right: $thickness solid $border-color;
      &:after {
        right: -$radius/2 - $thickness;
        border-right: $radius/2 solid $background-color;
      }
    }
    &.bottom {
      bottom: 0;
      border-bottom: $thickness solid $border-color;
      &:after {
        bottom: -$radius/2 - $thickness;
        border-bottom: $radius/2 solid $background-color;
      }
    }
    &.left {
      left: 0;
      border-left: $thickness solid $border-color;
      &:after {
        left: -$radius/2 - $thickness;
        border-left: $radius/2 solid $background-color;
      }
    }

    &.top:not(.right):not(.left),
    &.bottom:not(.right):not(.left) {
      height: $thickness;
      left: $radius+$thickness;
      right: $radius+$thickness;
    }

    &.left:not(.top):not(.bottom),
    &.right:not(.top):not(.bottom) {
      width: $thickness;
      top: $radius+$thickness;
      bottom: $radius+$thickness;
    }

    &.top.right,
    &.top.left,
    &.bottom.right,
    &.bottom.left {
      width: $radius;
      height: $radius;

      &:after {
        content:"";
        position: absolute;
        width: 1.5*$radius;
        height: 1.5*$radius;
      }
    }

    &.top.right {
      border-top-right-radius: $radius;
      &:after { border-top-right-radius: 1.5*$radius; }
    }
    &.top.left {
      border-top-left-radius: $radius;
      &:after { border-top-left-radius: 1.5*$radius; }
    }
    &.bottom.right {
      border-bottom-right-radius: $radius;
      &:after { border-bottom-right-radius: 1.5*$radius; }
    }
    &.bottom.left {
      border-bottom-left-radius: $radius;
      &:after { border-bottom-left-radius: 1.5*$radius; }
    }
  }
}

#map {
  width: inherit;
  height: inherit;
  .gmnoprint {
    display: none;
  }
}

A: What I found useful was to wrap the agm map around a div and change the div CSS to provide that rounded corner.

.map {
  height: 391px;
  width: 784px;
  display: inline-block;
  border-radius: 24px;
  overflow: hidden;
}

    <agm-map [zoom]="15" [latitude]="latitude" [longitude]="longitude">
      <agm-marker [latitude]="latitude" [longitude]="longitude"></agm-marker>
    </agm-map>

A: I currently had the same problem with Safari and Chrome. I had to put translate3d to zero for Chrome and add a webkit-mask-image for Safari:
-webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px);
-webkit-mask-image: -webkit-radial-gradient(white, black);

A: You have to style the div within the map element, not the map element.
map > div {
    border-radius: 10px;
}

A: I recently implemented this idea in a project I was working on. Here is an example of how I made it work...
Live preview: http://jsfiddle.net/h6Tkq/
HTML...

With the following CSS...
#map {
    width: 500px;
    height: 200px;
    -webkit-border-radius: 10px;
    -moz-border-radius: 10px;
    border-radius: 10px;
}

A: As much as we want to, we currently can't.
The alternative is overlaying rounded corner cut-outs over each of the corners, to make it look like the corners are rounded. Basically create a rounded square, invert it so it becomes a cut-out shape, split into 4 corner pieces, position each corner inside a parent container.
Example
.container { width: 400px; height: 300px; position: relative; }
.map { width: 100%; height: 100%; }
.corner { width: 30px; height: 30px; position: absolute; background-image: url(my/corners.png) }
.corner.topleft { top: 0; left: 0; background-position: 0 0; }
.corner.topright, etc.

A: You will have to find out an alternative solution as Google Map v3 is not supporting the usage of border-radius property which you are trying to use.

A: This was proposed in another answer, but it missed z-index:1 in the CSS so even in the JSFiddle it didn't work.
HTML is:

And the CSS:
#map {
    width: 500px;
    height: 200px;
    -webkit-border-radius: 10px;
    -moz-border-radius: 10px;
    border-radius: 10px;
    z-index: 1;
}

JSFiddle

A: If you use bootstrap 4, you can add class rounded. Worked for me with v3 maps.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Mid-America Feed Yard, it is our passion.
livestock will be taken care of by a team of knowledgeable professionals.
right here at Mid-America Feed Yard!
the intersection of US Hwy. 81 & Nebraska Hwy. 4.
From Hwy. 15 and Hwy. 4 intersection we are 13.5 miles west.


FY18 results were in line with recent guidance. Macquarie believes a recovery in earnings will require an improvement in new game performance, which is not guaranteed.
The broker acknowledges the corporate appeal, given Novomatic holds 52% of the stock, but considers Ainsworth Game fairly priced. Neutral rating and $1.10 target maintained.
Target price is $1.10 Current Price is $1.16 Difference: minus $0.06 (current price is over target).
If AGI meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately minus 5% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 3.50 cents and EPS of 7.20 cents.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 4.00 cents and EPS of 8.10 cents.
FY18 pre-tax profit was in line with UBS estimates. The broker found few surprises in the results and suggests that the cyclical nature of the product cycle for manufacturers will probably mean that the company's performance recovers at some point.
Sell rating maintained. Target is reduced to $1.02 from $1.09.
Target price is $1.02 Current Price is $1.16 Difference: minus $0.14 (current price is over target).
If AGI meets the UBS target it will return approximately minus 12% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 3.00 cents and EPS of 6.80 cents.
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 3.50 cents and EPS of 7.50 cents.
Citi analysts cutting forecasts post the release of FY18 financials indicates they have been disappointed by lower than expected FY19 margin guidance. The analysts retain the Buy rating on a longer-term positive view regarding growth potential in China.
Shorter term, however, Citi sees plenty of reasons as to why the share price is likely to swing around quite a bit. The target price has fallen to $14.50 from $19.70 and the double digit percentage reduction in forecast profits is primarily to blame.
There is a chance Bellamy's sales continue to be adversely impacted from excess supply of competitor products, admit the analysts, plus uncertainty surrounding SAMR registration timing required to sell offline in China remains at this stage.
If BAL meets the Citi target it will return approximately 18% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Citi forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 8.00 cents and EPS of 47.90 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 25.68.
Citi forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 9.00 cents and EPS of 58.00 cents.
FY18 results were slightly ahead of expectations. The company has guided to FY19 revenue growth for its Australian label products of up to 10% and an operating earnings margin of 22-25%.
Morgans believes the company is doing a commendable job and, with the foundations now in place, is leveraging its premium brand. Add rating maintained. Target rises to $14.02 from $13.00.
If BAL meets the Morgans target it will return approximately 14% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Morgans forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 46.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 26.74.
Morgans forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 56.00 cents.
FY18 results were in line with guidance. Morgans believes the results could have been stronger had the company elected to increase its farmgate milk prices to secure greater future supply. The broker found the outlook comments vague.
The company has increased its milk supply to help fill its new Koroit facility. To fund the acquisition Morgans believes Bega Cheese will require an equity raising as gearing ratios would otherwise increase to uncomfortable levels.
Rating is downgraded to Reduce from Hold. Target is raised to $7.00 from $6.50.
Target price is $7.00 Current Price is $7.86 Difference: minus $0.86 (current price is over target).
If BGA meets the Morgans target it will return approximately minus 11% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Morgans forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 12.00 cents and EPS of 27.00 cents.
Morgans forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 13.00 cents and EPS of 35.00 cents.
Yesterday's share price rally has pulled the share price back into fair value territory, comment analysts at Citi. The trigger for the rally, the analysts believe, proved a better than anticipated outlook for the fly ash business.
From here onwards it'll come down to execution, suggest the analysts. The FY18 report itself seems to have been perceived as mixed. Earnings estimates have received a lift in the order of 1-2%.
Price target increases to $7.50 from $7.23. Neutral rating retained (with execution seen as key).
If BLD meets the Citi target it will return approximately 2% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Citi forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 31.50 cents and EPS of 43.50 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 46.2, implying annual growth of N/A.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 29.3, implying a prospective dividend yield of 4.0%.
Citi forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 35.00 cents and EPS of 49.00 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 51.5, implying annual growth of 11.5%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 32.4, implying a prospective dividend yield of 4.4%.
Boral's FY18 result exceeded forecasts but the broker takes issue with FY19 earnings guidance for North America. Credit Suisse suggests earnings growth guidance of "20% or more" would need to be 25% to match prior group consensus.
The broker's numbers do not suggest a weak FY18 for North America was just about weather, hence the better weather and increased synergies that management assumes in its guidance is not convincing for the analysts. But the market bought it. The broker also believes fly ash volume guidance looks "unattainable".
Target price is $6.40 Current Price is $7.36 Difference: minus $0.96 (current price is over target).
If BLD meets the Credit Suisse target it will return approximately minus 13% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 28.30 cents and EPS of 45.00 cents.
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 32.50 cents and EPS of 51.20 cents.
FY18 results were ahead of expectations. The company has now commenced negotiations in relation to its JV with USG, to either buy out the USG stake or evaluate an expanded option involving other plasterboard operators.
Macquarie was not that impressed with North American guidance and lowers FY19 estimates as a result. The broker believes the upgrade to synergies will help calm concerns that have been raised following challenges in the roofing and fly ash businesses. Outperform maintained. Target is reduced to $8.05 from $8.45.
If BLD meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 9% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 27.00 cents and EPS of 48.60 cents.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 32.00 cents and EPS of 55.70 cents.
Morgan Stanley believes Boral is well-positioned to leverage the strong US and Australian construction markets. FY18 results were welcomed, amid a synergy upgrade, favourable Australian pricing and confidence regarding US fly ash volumes.
The broker suspects the fly ash business will be an attractive structural growth story and expects an update during the site tour in September.
If BLD meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately 9% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Boral's FY18 results were slightly better than Ord Minnett had forecast although corporate costs were higher than expected. The broker believes the result and the outlook commentary should provide the market with some comfort around the issues in the Australian business and the North American fly ash business.
The company's outlook statement suggests all divisions will experience strong earnings growth in FY19, excluding property. Ord Minnett increases earnings per share forecasts by an average of 1.5% over FY19-21. These are partially offset by lower growth expectations in North America.
Accumulate rating maintained. Target is raised to $7.80 from $7.60.
If BLD meets the Ord Minnett target it will return approximately 6% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 29.00 cents and EPS of 41.00 cents.
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 32.00 cents and EPS of 50.00 cents.
FY18 results were in line with UBS estimates. The broker suggests FY19 guidance, which implies operating earnings growth of 9%, is solid and erring on the conservative side.
The broker notes the robust outlook for fly ash, with strong price and margin growth expected. The challenges weighing on the division earlier in the year appear to be diminishing. Neutral rating maintained. Target is reduced to $7.00 from $7.19.
Target price is $7.00 Current Price is $7.36 Difference: minus $0.36 (current price is over target).
If BLD meets the UBS target it will return approximately minus 5% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 32.00 cents and EPS of 50.00 cents.
FY18 results were below expectations. Revenue returned to growth in FY18 following the Yellow Cabs acquisition but the contribution was lower than Macquarie expected.
The broker downgrades estimates for FY19 earnings per share by -40.4% and FY20 by -37.0%. Target is reduced to $1.84 from $2.00. Neutral rating maintained.
Target price is $1.84 Current Price is $2.17 Difference: minus $0.33 (current price is over target).
If CAB meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately minus 15% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 7.90 cents and EPS of 9.90 cents.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 9.00 cents and EPS of 11.20 cents.
In the wake of the FY18 results UBS upgrades to Neutral from Sell. Target is raised to $2.20 from $2.15. The result itself is labeled "good" and "in line", albeit with the admission that it missed consensus by -6%.
UBS analysts have lifted estimates and are anticipating a return to growth, forecasting a three-year EPS CAGR of 11%.
If CAB meets the UBS target it will return approximately 1% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 9.10 cents and EPS of 14.20 cents.
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 10.20 cents and EPS of 15.80 cents.
FY18 operating earnings were 11% ahead of Morgan Stanley's estimates. The company has guided to around 50% underlying sales growth in FY19. Morgan Stanley was most surprised by the significant reinvestment in personnel across the support, product and integration network, and supports the investment.
The broker notes the company is acquisitive and has flagged more than $30m to acquire functionality and customers. Overweight rating, In-Line industry view and target raised to $8.00 from $6.30.
If ELO meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately 17% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 342.00.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 684.00.
The company's FY18 results were in line with Ord Minnett's estimates. The highlight for the broker was the -11% decline in EBITDA from Australian Skydiving, due mainly to unfavourable weather conditions in the period.
The recent acquisitions appeared to deliver results at or above expectations, pointing to successful integration into the company. The company has guided to Australian jump numbers being down a further -5% in FY19.
Ord Minnett has cut FY19 EPS estimates by -21% and FY20 estimates by -18%. Buy rating maintained and target reduced to $0.62 from $0.81.
If EXP meets the Ord Minnett target it will return approximately 55% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 1.00 cents and EPS of 2.50 cents.
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 1.50 cents and EPS of 2.90 cents.
In initial response to released FY18 financials, Macquarie has been negatively surprised by profits that proved weaker than expected, albeit with the comment this miss is largely due to non-cash items.
Macquarie expects cash flow to improve at Mt Cattlin while Sal de Vida's progress remains a key catalyst with the analysts noting the company is actively seeking development partners. Outperform. Target $3.90.
If GXY meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 34% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Current consensus EPS estimate is 11.7, implying annual growth of 27757.1%.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 12.7, implying annual growth of 8.5%.
On Citi's assessment, the record year was better than expected, but it missed market consensus, and by quite a margin too (-24%). Estimates have been reduced on higher D&A.
The analysts believe management has some interesting strategic options, while strong growth is anticipated for FY19/FY20. Target price has dropped to $4.50 from $5. Neutral rating retained.
If IGO meets the Citi target it will return approximately 2% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Citi forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 8.00 cents and EPS of 25.40 cents.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 7.3, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.7%.
Citi forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 12.00 cents and EPS of 39.60 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 31.9, implying annual growth of 19.9%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 9.8, implying a prospective dividend yield of 2.2%.
Credit Suisse rattles off the numbers but makes no suggestion of how they compared to forecasts. We can only assume "no material guidance to alter operating outlook or forecasts" and an unchanged Underperform rating and $3.95 target for Independence means "in line".
The broker increases earnings forecasts on the Nova grade profile revision.
Target price is $3.95 Current Price is $4.41 Difference: minus $0.46 (current price is over target).
If IGO meets the Credit Suisse target it will return approximately minus 10% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 7.00 cents and EPS of 28.00 cents.
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 6.80 cents and EPS of 27.00 cents.
FY18 results were in line with estimates. Macquarie expects cash generation from Nova to improve in FY19 now that the mine has reached its 1.5mtpa target rate. The Boston Shaker underground presents upside risk to the broker's base case.
Macquarie believes the stock is fairly priced and in the absence of exploration success maintains a Neutral rating. Target is $4.70.
If IGO meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 7% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 13.00 cents and EPS of 34.90 cents.
In the wake of the FY18 result Morgan Stanley notes exploration is still in focus. The company is considering M&A but remains sceptical regarding any good opportunities.
Underweight. Target is $3.85. Industry view is: In-Line.
Target price is $3.85 Current Price is $4.41 Difference: minus $0.56 (current price is over target).
If IGO meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately minus 13% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 6.00 cents and EPS of 21.00 cents.
Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 7.00 cents and EPS of 23.00 cents.
Independence Group's FY18 results were largely pre-released with the June quarter update and were within 1% of Ord Minnett's estimates.
The company is close to a net cash position with net debt sitting at $4m at the end of June. Apart from pricing, the broker believes the second half catalyst will be the release of the Nova downstream studies. due by year end.
The shares have been sold off recently because of mine life concerns. The broker maintains an Accumulate rating and $5.20 target.
If IGO meets the Ord Minnett target it will return approximately 18% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 3.00 cents and EPS of 26.00 cents.
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 9.00 cents and EPS of 29.00 cents.
FY18 results were in line with pre-announced numbers. UBS awaits the next quarterly production report in October to assess the consistency of Nova's performance.
The Boston Shaker underground pre-feasibility study is due in the December quarter which may extend Tropicana's mine life and provide a higher grade ore source. UBS maintains a Neutral rating and reduces the target to $4.70 from $5.20.
If IGO meets the UBS target it will return approximately 7% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 9.00 cents and EPS of 27.00 cents.
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 11.00 cents and EPS of 38.00 cents.
The maiden first half result was strong across key operating metrics, Macquarie observes. The broker believes the focus will remain on the delivery of KPI and the progression towards cash flow break-even.
The broker suggests evidence the company is executing on its strategy will provide greater confidence in the outlook and catalyse a re-rating. Outperform rating maintained. Target is reduced to $1.70 from $1.74.
If MMM meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 73% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY18 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 17.87 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 5.48.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 1.40 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 70.05.
While Metcash's AGM brought no real forecast surprises it seems the market was sufficiently relieved to know supermarket wholesale sales declines continued to decelerate through the half, despite Coles ((WES)) sales accelerating. The broker still expects margin pressure from competition, while a deceleration for hardware is consistent with market conditions.
If Metcash can achieve even "flat" earnings through cost reductions this would be a good result, but the broker retains Underperform and a $2.51 target.
Target price is $2.51 Current Price is $2.94 Difference: minus $0.43 (current price is over target).
If MTS meets the Credit Suisse target it will return approximately minus 15% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Current consensus DPS estimate is 14.7, implying a prospective dividend yield of 5.0%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 14.8, implying a prospective dividend yield of 5.0%.
Deutsche Bank observes the trading update at the AGM was mixed, but there were more positives than negatives. The food division is performing better than expected, while liquor is strong as usual and hardware sales trends have slowed.
The broker maintains a Sell rating and $2.50 target.
Target price is $2.50 Current Price is $2.94 Difference: minus $0.44 (current price is over target).
If MTS meets the Deutsche Bank target it will return approximately minus 15% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
The AGM trading update was stronger than Morgan Stanley expected. Food sales growth improved in the first seven weeks of FY19 and the broker believes this highlights the resilience of the business. Hardware sales growth, while positive, was lower than that reported in the first half.
The broker retains an Overweight rating and a $3.90 target. Industry view: Cautious.
If MTS meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately 33% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
At the AGM update Metcash indicated the food sales improvements flagged at the FY18 result had continued through FY19 to date. The rate of sales decline, excluding tobacco, has eased below the -3.6% seen in FY18.
Hardware sales have continued to grow, although not at the level of the strong first half, and management has reiterated its five-year aspirations announced at the FY18 result. These include growth initiatives, accelerating existing transformation initiatives and improving infrastructure.
If MTS meets the Ord Minnett target it will return approximately 11% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
The trading update at the AGM was positive, UBS observes, with the highlights being improving momentum in food and liquor. The broker notes the hardware market is robust although sales growth is expected to be slower in the second half.
Buy and $3.00 target retained.
If MTS meets the UBS target it will return approximately 2% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
FY18 results were in line with recent guidance. Morgans observes the Specialty acquisition appears to be going to plan and the business is on track to break even in FY19, delivering annual cost savings of $30m by the end of FY19.
The broker is also more confident after the successful turnaround of Pretty Girl. Morgans maintains an Add rating and raises the target to $3.94 from $3.83.
If NBL meets the Morgans target it will return approximately 24% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Morgans forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 13.00 cents and EPS of 6.00 cents.
Morgans forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 22.00 cents and EPS of 36.00 cents.
News Corp has confirmed the potential IPO of Foxtel at its FY18 result. While Foxtel has experienced significant pressure, UBS forecasts FY19 to be an earnings trough. Further out, the broker envisages cost reduction opportunities arising from the Foxtel/Fox Sports merger that are not yet factored in.
The broker remains cautious for the long term, nevertheless, as competition may limit Foxtel's returns.
UBS upgrades News Corp to Neutral from Sell following the recent underperformance in the share price. Target is reduced to $20.10 from $20.75.
If NWS meets the UBS target it will return approximately 6% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 20.00 cents and EPS of 42.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 45.21.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 32.9, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.7%.
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 20.00 cents and EPS of 42.00 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 88.2, implying annual growth of 33.0%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 28.2, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.5%.
Macquarie observes the investment case is intact as revenue grew 66% in the first half. There was strong growth in the "live" base, with 32 hospitals and 5200 beds as of June 2018.
Improved contract momentum is expected to provide greater confidence in the path to breaking even and drive a re-rating. Outperform maintained. Target is reduced to $3.20 from $3.50.
If ONE meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 240% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY18 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 51.45 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 1.83.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of minus 35.28 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is minus 2.66.
FY18 results were slightly weaker than Deutsche Bank estimated amid lower revenue from the Borax operation. Guidance for production to be "higher than FY18" is a little weak, in the broker's opinion.
Given the lack of certainty, the broker downgrades forecasts. Buy rating is maintained on valuation. Target is $7.00.
If ORE meets the Deutsche Bank target it will return approximately 64% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
With an uncertain outlook on all key metrics as well as downside risk for prices, Macquarie believes the job will become harder for Orocobre before it gets better. The company was upbeat about lithium markets but peers are reporting a more pessimistic outlook and 2019 is not yet contracted.
As no guidance was provided the broker downgrades to Neutral from Outperform. Target is reduced to $5.00 from $6.20.
If ORE meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 17% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 12.10 cents.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 10.50 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 40.57.
Commissioning at Pilgangoora is progressing and the first spodumene shipment is expected mid September. The company has secured two modest loan facilities and Macquarie also incorporates the FY18 results into its figuring.
The broker expects the new finance facilities will provide extra flexibility during the ramp up phase. Outperform and $1.20 target retained.
If PLS meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 45% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 3.30 cents.
Macquarie forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 9.10 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 9.5, implying annual growth of 143.6%.
FY18 results met Morgan Stanley's expectations. The second half was helped by a stronger TV advertising market.
While the business is well-run, Morgan Stanley has concerns regarding negative structural change, such as falling regional TV audiences, and the company's weak negotiating position versus its program supplier, Seven West Media ((SWM)).
Underweight and 25c target retained. Industry view: Attractive.
Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY19 EPS of 6.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 4.00.
Morgan Stanley forecasts a full year FY20 EPS of 2.00 cents.
On Citi's assessment, it appears reported FY18 loss was much larger than expected and a massive hike in D&A (+213%) is to blame. Underlying EBITDA seems to have beaten expectations.
Citi analysts seem confident the year ahead will see profits and strong growth. Paradoxically, suggest the analysts, a slower mining rate at Edikan and a cut in resources are positives that could de-risk future earnings.
Buy/High Risk rating retained, as well as the 65c price target.
If PRU meets the Citi target it will return approximately 91% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Citi forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 3.60 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 1.9, implying annual growth of N/A.
Citi forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 4.30 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 3.0, implying annual growth of 57.9%.
Credit Suisse mining analysts would never win a Booker prize with their result responses. It appears Perseus' FY18 result fell short and the broker acknowledges FY19 guidance disappointed on lower production for Edikan and higher costs.
The broker also notes no dividend was paid given the need to retain funding for Yaoure. Otherwise the report reads like a spreadsheet. Outperform retained, target falls to 57c from 69c.
If PRU meets the Credit Suisse target it will return approximately 68% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 0.80 cents.
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 1.70 cents.
Now that the bad news is out, Citi analysts acknowledge the $100m equity raise strengthens the company's balance sheet, but the analysts continue to see risks to short term earnings.
Downgrade to Neutral from Buy, while the price target has been reset at $1.30 compared with $3.50 last month. For FY19, the analysts have positioned themselves near the bottom of management's guided range.
If RCR meets the Citi target it will return approximately 7% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
In initial assessment, Macquarie finds FY18 performance in line with expectations. While the FY19 guidance for only 2% EPS growth seems like a miss, this seems not the case for EBITDA guidance, point out the analysts.
The EPS guidance miss seems to be caused by higher interest burden plus higher tax. The analysts also find operations in the UK remain weak. Outperform. Target $71.
If RHC meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately 29% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Ord Minnett has adjusted its model for Rio Tinto following the first half result. Capital expenditure forecasts have been increased and revised 2018 iron ore price forecasts incorporated.
The broker's net profit forecast is up 2% in FY18 and unchanged for FY19. The NPV has fallen 1% due to the higher capex which means a reduction in the target price to $93 from $94. Accumulate rating maintained.
If RIO meets the Ord Minnett target it will return approximately 27% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY18 dividend of 380.56 cents and EPS of 802.82 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 687.0, implying annual growth of N/A.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 396.4, implying a prospective dividend yield of 5.4%.
Ord Minnett forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 389.68 cents and EPS of 776.75 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 660.2, implying annual growth of -3.9%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 383.4, implying a prospective dividend yield of 5.2%.
FY18 results were ahead of estimates because of higher revenue and lower depreciation. Deutsche Bank upgrades to Hold from Sell on valuation.
Target is $4.00. The broker notes for the next two years the cash balance will go backward because of capital expenditure and dividends.
Target price is $4.00 Current Price is $4.20 Difference: minus $0.2 (current price is over target).
If RRL meets the Deutsche Bank target it will return approximately minus 5% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Current consensus EPS estimate is 40.3, implying annual growth of 32.6%.
Speedcast's first half result fell well short of the broker and full year guidance also disappointed. Revenue growth was strong in other divisions but it all comes down to the recovery for Energy taking a lot longer than anyone had expected.
The broker remains confident longer term and notes the Globecomm acquisition will double the company's exposure to government. Target falls to $5.50 from $7.50, Outperform retained.
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY18 dividend of 8.60 cents and EPS of 31.41 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 30.3, implying annual growth of N/A.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 8.3, implying a prospective dividend yield of 2.0%.
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 13.68 cents and EPS of 49.79 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 38.7, implying annual growth of 27.7%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 10.5, implying a prospective dividend yield of 2.6%.
FY18 results were in line with guidance. Morgans notes there was no update on the timing of class action cases and the company expects continued modest improvement in FY19 operating earnings.
Shine did call out the Pelvic Mesh class action as a key driver of FY18 revenue. Add rating maintained. Target rises to $1.27 from $1.09.
If SHJ meets the Morgans target it will return approximately 38% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Morgans forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 3.70 cents and EPS of 12.00 cents.
Morgans forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 4.10 cents and EPS of 14.00 cents.
The company delivered 20% growth in operating earnings and a -7% revenue decline in FY18, slightly missing guidance. UBS suggests this is unlikely to matter with the CDH deal pending and a shareholder vote scheduled for September 10.
Neutral rating and $28 target maintained.
Target price is $28.00 Current Price is $31.91 Difference: minus $3.91 (current price is over target).
If SRX meets the UBS target it will return approximately minus 12% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 33.00 cents and EPS of 109.00 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 110.3, implying annual growth of N/A.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 33.3, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.0%.
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 36.00 cents and EPS of 121.00 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 121.0, implying annual growth of 9.7%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 36.0, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.1%.
Since Santos rejected the bid from Harbour Energy it has been beholden upon management to prove their strategy could provide a better outcome, says Credit Suisse, which is not yet convinced. The stock may have run up 22% since May but the broker believes it's all about the oil price and not about strategy.
If not for the oil price, Credit Suisse believes the stock would be trading "materially" below the Harbour bid price. The broker retains a $6.35 target with oil price strength offsetting the loss of takeover premium, but downgrades to Neutral from Outperform on a number of risks.
Target price is $6.35 Current Price is $6.78 Difference: minus $0.43 (current price is over target).
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY18 dividend of 13.95 cents and EPS of 37.93 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 37.9, implying annual growth of N/A.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 11.1, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.6%.
Credit Suisse forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 22.94 cents and EPS of 57.21 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 48.5, implying annual growth of 28.0%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 13.0, implying a prospective dividend yield of 1.9%.
Following the release of the TPM/Vodafone scheme booklet, Citi analysts reiterate their negative outlook for Telstra. The analysts believe this 49.9%/50.1% merger may see a three player telco market become even more competitive.
As far as Telstra itself is concerned, it remains Citi's view that core earnings remain in structural decline. Telstra is expected to announce a dividend reduction at the February interim result. Sell. Target $2.30.
Target price is $2.30 Current Price is $3.22 Difference: minus $0.92 (current price is over target).
If TLS meets the Citi target it will return approximately minus 29% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Citi forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 22.00 cents and EPS of 21.50 cents.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 23.1, implying annual growth of -23.0%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 19.0, implying a prospective dividend yield of 5.9%.
Citi forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 16.00 cents and EPS of 11.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 29.27.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 17.5, implying annual growth of -24.2%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 16.5, implying a prospective dividend yield of 5.1%.
Upon further analysis the company's information on the FY18 grape crush, inventory and impact from more emphasis on premium produce which yields higher margins, Citi analysts remain of the view market consensus is too optimistic.
Citi sticks with a price target of $14.50 and a Sell rating. The analysts note their FY20 EBITS forecasts remains -8% below current market consensus.
Target price is $14.50 Current Price is $19.20 Difference: minus $4.7 (current price is over target).
If TWE meets the Citi target it will return approximately minus 24% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 30.09.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 64.0, implying annual growth of 28.8%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 42.6, implying a prospective dividend yield of 2.2%.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 27.20.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 75.7, implying annual growth of 18.3%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 50.7, implying a prospective dividend yield of 2.6%.
FY18 results were below Ord Minnett's estimates. The airline's second half underlying profit before tax was just $3.6m, with the improvement in domestic being offset by greater than expected losses at Virgin International and Tigerair.
Commentary around first quarter FY19 forward bookings was encouraging but the broker believes the company still has a lot of work to do to offset the strong headwinds expected from significantly higher fuel costs this year.
Ord Minnett has downgraded FY19 underlying profit forecasts by -30.1%. The broker notes the stock is likely to remain under pressure in the current environment and retains a Lighten rating. Target raised to 20c from 18c.
Target price is $0.20 Current Price is $0.24 Difference: minus $0.04 (current price is over target).
If VAH meets the Ord Minnett target it will return approximately minus 17% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 60.0.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 1.5, implying annual growth of 275.0%.
The June half results broadly broke even, UBS notes. Domestic revenue growth of 5% is considered positive but offset by weaker results form Velocity and Virgin International.
The growth in cash flow in the June half is a positive trend the broker expects will continue in FY19. The broker maintains a Sell rating and 19c target.
Target price is $0.19 Current Price is $0.24 Difference: minus $0.05 (current price is over target).
If VAH meets the UBS target it will return approximately minus 21% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 1.50 cents.
UBS forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 1.90 cents.
Westpac is the first major bank to announce mortgage re-pricing. Deutsche Bank observes the disappointing third quarter update had set the scene for this move.
All else being equal the broker expects Westpac to obtain a margin benefit of around five basis points and net profit benefit of 3-4% on an annualised basis, which should be sufficient to fully offset the impact of the elevated BBSW spreads. Buy rating and $31 target maintained.
If WBC meets the Deutsche Bank target it will return approximately 8% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Current consensus EPS estimate is 239.2, implying annual growth of 0.5%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 188.7, implying a prospective dividend yield of 6.6%.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 236.5, implying annual growth of -1.1%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 190.2, implying a prospective dividend yield of 6.6%.
After a weak margin outcome in the third quarter, Westpac has decided to lift its standard variable rate on all housing loans by 14 basis points.
Morgan Stanley had been of the view that pricing power had peaked, rather than come to an end, and the major banks would find it difficult to contemplate re-pricing in the near term because of increased scrutiny.
However, the move by Westpac was not completely unexpected, just that the increase was greater for owner-occupier loans than had been anticipated.
Equal-weight. Target is raised to $27.50 from $27.00. Industry view: In Line.
Target price is $27.50 Current Price is $28.69 Difference: minus $1.19 (current price is over target).
If WBC meets the Morgan Stanley target it will return approximately minus 4% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
UBS considers the re-pricing of the mortgage book a courageous decision. This follows the announcement of a decline in net interest margins in the third quarter because of higher funding costs.
The broker would not be surprised if other banks hold off for a few weeks/months as they are not facing the same pressure and are aware of the focus from the ACCC, allowing them to regain some share. Sell rating and $26 target maintained.
Target price is $26.00 Current Price is $28.69 Difference: minus $2.69 (current price is over target).
UBS forecasts a full year FY18 dividend of 188.00 cents and EPS of 235.00 cents.
UBS forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 188.00 cents and EPS of 225.00 cents.
Macquarie reviews its investment case following the 40% rally in the stock post the FY18 result. M&A assumptions have also increased.
The broker believes the longer-term market penetration and opportunity with CargoWise One is substantial. Yet the current valuation implies a premium of more than 100% to domestic and international peers and, in order to justify current multiples, the market appears to be factoring in rapid expansion.
The broker downgrades to Underperform from Neutral. Target is raised to $17.50 from $11.39.
Target price is $17.50 Current Price is $21.31 Difference: minus $3.81 (current price is over target).
If WTC meets the Macquarie target it will return approximately minus 18% (excluding dividends, fees and charges - negative figures indicate an expected loss).
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 118.39.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 18.3, implying annual growth of 31.7%.
Current consensus DPS estimate is 4.0, implying a prospective dividend yield of 0.2%.
Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 116.4.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 83.57.
Current consensus EPS estimate is 26.1, implying annual growth of 42.6%.
Current consensus EPS estimate suggests the PER is 81.6.
Watpac reported an underlying loss of -$5m in FY18. The contracting division improved but, Morgans observes, remains materially below a reasonable return on capital.
The broker believes corporate activity is a possible outcome in the near term, as Besix has indicated the current structure does not suit its strategy. Outside of this, the company is reliant on a turnaround in operating performance and/or capital management.
Add rating retained, primarily based on the prospect of corporate activity. Target is reduced to $0.86 from $0.91.
If WTP meets the Morgans target it will return approximately 21% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Morgans forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 2.30 cents.
At the last closing share price the stock's estimated Price to Earnings Ratio (PER) is 30.87.
Morgans forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 0.00 cents and EPS of 6.30 cents.
FY18 results were in line with expectations. Morgans believes the business is set up well for FY19. Domestic patent filings rose by 0.38% versus a market that fell -0.24%.
Given the significant changes being undertaken in the business and a competitive domestic market Morgans retains a Hold rating. Target is raised to $1.44 from $1.12.
If XIP meets the Morgans target it will return approximately 3% (excluding dividends, fees and charges).
Morgans forecasts a full year FY19 dividend of 10.00 cents and EPS of 17.00 cents.
Morgans forecasts a full year FY20 dividend of 11.00 cents and EPS of 18.00 cents.
At the last closing share price the estimated dividend yield is 7.86%.


All Contents © 2006 Robert Morgan Fisher. All Rights Reserved. No part of this Web site may be reproduced without express written permission, except for review purposes.
And yes, 3pm-Midnight is a long show – but this is a luxurious auditorium with couches and everything.
Price includes admission, beverages and Tito's Tacos while they last!
POTLUCK contributions strongly encouraged and appreciated.
Thanks, Dan -- and thanks to all who performed and attended.
And BIG thanks as always to Ron Safarty who edits and posts our stuff on YouTube.
There are other "bootleg" Folktacular videos on YouTube as well, mostly of Dan Bern. More to come!
This was a great show -- thanks to all who were there!
"We'll Buy a Flag" video goes #1 on Neil Young's Website!
A while back, some anonymous fan created a "video" of my #1 song, "We'll Buy a Flag," and posted it on YouTube. The song showed up on the NEW VIDEOS side of the Neil Young site and debuted at #2. Since then it's bobbed up and down the chart, lately remaining in the Top Ten.
For the week of February 11th"We'll Buy a Flag" was rated #1 out of 400 videos.
Would you please click on the following link and keep this video at #1? Watch what this person put together -- it's not bad. Then minimize the playing screen, go back to the menu and click-away on the video. Every click is a vote and it's possible to hit it, like, 40 times a minute. Unlike electronic voting machines -- these votes all count.
I want to thank all of you who braved the heat and holiday traffic and parking difficulties to attend The Folk-tacular yesterday. Though it was not as big a crowd as the first one in February, those who came were well fed and entertained and most stayed right to the end. Which on the time-challenged planet of Folktaculon, could have arrived on time (which it did), or not for weeks.
The performances were uniformly fine and many moments skirted the transcendant. Too many to mention, though none of us will soon forget Lorin Hart's throw-down opening number. I made a lot of new friends, everybody did, and I heard more than one of them marvel at this group of people, and the open all-equals relationship between performers and audience members. In this world, the lines have been blurred to near obliteration. All of us who write and sing and play know perfectly well that a thought or a note is a stray arrow till it finds it mark.
The commitment too is equal. One who came to play was in a traffic accident en route and had his instrument laden car TOWED to the gig. One who came to support and listen had lost a dear friend to another traffic accident just days before. We love this music and this process, and we know it nourishes us and makes our lives ring with meaning. That, and not any adherance to genre, is what makes it FOLK music. I once thought being a folky wasn't hip enough for me, but I've lived long enough to realize that nothing's hipper than speaking your heart. And no rock and roll hairstyle is braver or more subversive. A wise person once asked, "How hip can you be if you have to wear a uniform to prove it?"
What I really want to do is remind us all that this is a DIY thing. WE make this music AND give it a place to live. House concerts, hosted music series' in public venues, mini-festivals like Robert's Folk-tacular (we just love saying that), are worth doing and totally do-able. So let's do them, and stay in touch so we don't counter-book each other too much.
An aside. A young woman who was performing at the rival fest next door yesterday (and I believe, a friend of Larry Wines') took me aside and told me how impressed she was at the contrast between our "peaceful, and friendly", show and the more mainstream commercial scene going on around the corner. Hell she even bought a CD or two.
So thanks to you all and to Robert and all the people who helped him put on a great show. Feel free to pass this on; my email list is less than comprehensive.
The first ever Robert Morgan Fisher February Folk-tacular at Santa Monica's Bergamot Station was a huge success by all accounts. Tito's tacos and beer were had by all and the music went on for a good 10 hours. Stellar sets were contributed by: Tommy Wallach, Paul Zollo, Piper/Grey, Dale LaDuke, Dave Morrison, Amy Kuney, Chad Watson, Freebo, John Andrew Parks, Wendy Waldman and of course myself, Robert Morgan Fisher. There was also a brief set by visiting troubadour and old friend, Bradley Ditto.
Thanks to all who contributed in every way including the performers, audience members, Dana Charnovsky, Larry Wines and all the good people at Writers Boot Camp.
While it's a little early to predict, I'd say the chances are good that this can be an annual President's Day Weekend/RMF birthday event. Not only that, but plans are being made right now for the next Folk-tacular a few months down the line. Watch this site for details on this and all other RMF gigs.


text:
Q: gulp globbing- how to watch everything below directory This is a pretty dumb question, but I haven't really been able to find a satisfactory answer: How do I use gulp globbing to select all files in all subdirectories below a certain directory?
I've tried:
'./src/less'
'./src/less/'
'./src/less/*'
None of them seem to work.

A: The pattern for all files under all directories is usually ./src/less/**/*.* or ./src/less/**/*, either should work.
Generally speaking, it's better to match specific files extensions — even if they should all be the same — to prevent grabbing system files or other junk.  In that case, you can do ./src/less/**/*.less for just .less files, or something like .src/less/**/*.{less,css} for both .less and .css files.
The Grunt website has a pretty good reference for the majority of minimatch globs. (Both Grunt and gulp use minimatch, since it's the glob library for pretty much everything Node related.)
It would be nice for gulp or minimatch to have their own complete docs, but that's open source for you.

A: './src/less/**' seems to work. Still, if someone has a more definitive list of all globbing commands, I would be happy to accept your answer and add it to the gulp docs. Right now you have to go to the docs for one of gulp's submodules, which then gives you a list of manpages. It would be good to have a direct reference, especially for designers using gulp.


North Las Vegas, NV – January 15 — ColeKepro International,LLC, the parent company of CKI Gaming and American Locker, announces the appointment of Timothy Cole to their executive team. Cole joins the team at their North Las Vegas headquarters as COO, responsible for Production Planning and Control, Supply Chain and Operations.
Cole's considerable experience with management and operations for companies like Procter & Gamble, Forno Bravo and Bella Outdoor Living provided Cole Kepro's executive search team with the track record they were looking for.
In addition to Cole's outstanding record as an organizational leader, he returns to Cole Kepro with 12 years of prior experience leading its predecessor company, Cole Industries where he earned his way to the position of COO in 2005 and President in 2007. He exited the company in 2009..
In his role as COO, Cole's primary focus will be operational scalability, cycle time reduction, improved product quality, and positioning the company for multi-industry growth in the gaming and locker market segments.
Effective immediately, Cole will join the company's executive team working alongside Frederick Cook, Chief Executive Officer and Andrew Cashin, Chief Financial Officer.
Cole has a history of success during his career, having previously produced an increase from 60% to a near perfect 98% close rate for capital accounting and purchasing procedures at Fru-Con Construction, a sub-contractor of Procter & Gamble. And recently, he led Forno Bravo through its restructuring in preparation for its acquisition, placing Forno Bravo in the leading position of the international pizza oven manufacturing industry.
The decision to add Cole to the executive team signals a strong move in ColeKepro's evolution as a company being engineered to deliver better solutions for customers while maintaining cost-efficiencies and driving home profits to their bottom line.


Dublin-based music video website Muzu.tv, whose founders were named as 2009 Net Visionaries by the Irish Internet Association (IIA) just last week, has signed a major deal with Warner Music.
The agreement enables the website to broadcast thousands of videos from Warner Music's roster of acts which include artists such as James Blunt, Green Day, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Paolo Nutini.
The deal means that Muzu has now signed agreements with all the major leading music labels - Warner, Universal, EMI and Sony BMG, giving it a distinct advantage over Google's popular YouTube video website, which recently had to block access to videos from the 'big four' due to a dispute over licence fees.
Like YouTube, Muzu allows fans to create, watch and share content such as music videos, concerts, back-stage footage, documentaries and interviews.
As part of the new deal, Warner Music and Muzu are to share revenues generated by advertising through the site and its video player.
Ciaran Bollard, CEO and co-founder of Muzu said today that the deal represented a major coup for the company.
"Warner's content is not available on YouTube so we are now one of the only sources for videos by artists such as Madonna and Muse," Mr Bollard told the Irish Times.
"The agreement is significant because Warner's are actually working closely with us and will be syndicating our player onto artist pages on Bebo and other websites. The deal essentiall means that we are essentially the label's preferred video partner," he added.
Mr Bollard said that having agreed deals with all the major music labels, Muzu was aiming to take on YouTube.
"The main focus of the business right now is generating huge traffic from the UK and Ireland and making sure we have profitability on that business and then we intend to really aggressively go after the US from the start of next year, " he said.
While refusing to disclose users numbers, Mr Bollard said Muzu had had "aggressive growth" in traffic in the UK and Ireland during the last number of months.
Although Muzu are confident of boosting users at the expense of YouTube, yesterday, the Performing Rights Society (PRS) in Britain announced that it was to reduce its royalty rate for digital music sites making it more likely that music videos will return to Google's subsidiary shortly.
Under the PRS's new pricing structure digital sites such as M uzu will pay 0.085p per track streamed online compared to the former rate of 0.22p. The revised rates are effective from July1st.
Mr Bollard welcomed the new pricing structure saying that while it might induce YouTube to come to a deal with the major music labels it would also benefit Muzu as it will pay less for license fees.
"We've got a lot of good approach from the music industry because of the approach we've taken, which has involved licensing with collection societies. The fact that we're a 100 per cent music service also makes a huge difference as well," he added.
Muzu.tv was established by Mr Bolllard and Mark French in July 2008.


There is no doubt that the One sitting on the white cloud is Christ. He calls Himself the Son of Man in the four gospels. He has a sickle in His hand. In those days sickles were used in reaping. An angel tells Him to thrust in His sickle for the harvest of the earth is ripe. This is not ripe with grain but ripe for judgment. Now think what it will be after the believers of this generation are gone. Not only the One (Christ) sitting on the white cloud, but two more angels come with sharp sickles to reap.
In the last verse we see the winepress trodden without the city and there is a great amount of blood. If we turn to chapter 19:13, 15 we find that the blood on Christ's garments is because He is the One who treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.
We are living in the dispensation of the grace of God. Now is the time to save souls. I use tracts and every method I can (preaching) to turn them away from that great winepress of the wrath of God.


text:
Editorialpp 2024-2025Hubbe, M. A. (2010). "The implementation of findings published in scholarly articles," BioRes. 5(4), 2024-2025.AbstractPDF
Articles published in scholarly journals, such as this one, tend to be mainly addressed to researchers at universities. Industrial follow-up and implementation of results from a scholarly article appears to be the exception, rather than the rule. Research grant specifications, as well as university policies, favor the generation of new knowledge, rather than the implementation of good ideas. But without patent protection, corporations have low motivation to expend the considerable effort to reduce ideas to practice after they have been openly published. The author speculates that the situation could be much more dynamic if there were a system of priority of implementation. According to such a system, the first company to successfully implement an idea that first appears in a peer-reviewed journal article, as validated by its debut in the marketplace, would have a grace period during which competitors would have to pay them a fee to sell a generic version of the same thing.
Editorialpp 2026-2028Shen, J., Song, Z., Qian, X., Liu, W., and Yang, F. (2010). "Fillers and the carbon footprint of papermaking," BioRes. 5(4), 2026-2028.AbstractPDF
Carbon footprint reduction is a global concern. For the papermaking industry, strategically effective measures of carbon footprint reduction can include many aspects such as energy efficiency improvement, use of renewable carbon-neutral energy, practicing of sustainable forestry, and development of an integrated forest products biorefinery. Filler addition in papermaking can save substantial amounts of pulp fibers, and reduce energy consumption, which can surely contribute to reduction in paper's carbon footprint. However, the negative effect of filler addition on paper recycling, and the energy consumption associated with the production, processing, and treatment of fillers, will contribute to the carbon footprint. On balance, it can be considered that filler addition in reasonable amounts is likely to lower the paper's carbon footprint. Certain research work is still needed to better understand the relationship between filler addition and the carbon footprint of papermaking.
Researchpp 2029-2039Gu, X., He, M., Shi, Y., and Li, Z. (2010). "Production of aromatic aldehyde by microwave catalytic oxidation of a lignin model compound with La-containing SBA-15/H2O2 systems," BioRes. 2029-2039.AbstractPDF
A convenient and efficient application of heterogeneous La-containing SBA-15 systems for the microwave assisted oxidation of a lignin model phenolic monomer, 4-hydroxy-1-phenylpropane, is reported. Low-cost and environmentally friendly H2O2 was used as the oxygen atom donor. The catalyst was prepared by immobilizing lanthanum species on the periodic mesoporous channels of siliceous SBA-15. Powder X-ray diffraction data and ICP-AES revealed that the host retains its hexagonal mesoporous structure after immobilization and most of the lanthanum species are better dispersed in the calcined materials. The surface area and pore size of La/SBA-15 was considerably decreased, indicating the intrapore confinement of the Lanthanum species. The activity of the La/SBA-15 was investigated in the oxidation of 4-hydroxy-1-phenylpropane in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. 70.5% conversion of 4-hydroxy-1-phenylpropane was obtained after 30 min of reaction under 200W microwave irradiation, compared to a poor 28.1% degradation after 24h under conventional heating. The possibility of recycling the catalyst was studied.
Researchpp 2040-2050Liu, H., and Wang, L. (2010). "Electroless nickel deposition on Fraxinum mandshurica veneer modified with APTHS for EMI shielding," BioRes. 5(4), 2040-2050.AbstractPDF
Electroless nickel deposition was carried out on Fraxinus mandshurica veneers for EMI shielding under a new activation process. In the process, Pd(II) was ed on the surface of veneers modified with γ-aminopropyltrihydroxysilane (APTHS) obtained from the hydrolysis of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). After the reduction, electroless plating was successfully initiated, and Ni-P coating was deposited on the veneers. The activation process and resulting coating were characterized by XPS, SEM-EDS, and XRD. The metal deposition, surface , and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness were measured. XPS analysis proved that Pd(II) was bonded to the amino group of APTHS and reduced to Pd(0). The coating was continuous, uniform, and compact. It consisted of 97.4 wt% nickel and 2.6 wt% phosphorus. XRD analysis showed that the coating was crystalline, which was related to the low phosphorus content. The plated Fraxinus mandshurica veneers exhibit good electro-conductivity with surface resistivity of 0.21Ω·cm-2 and higher electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of over 50dB in frequencies from 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz.
Researchpp 2051-2062Lv., G.-J., Wu, S.-B., and Lou, R. (2010). "Characteristics of corn stalk hemicellulose pyrolysis in a tubular reactor," BioRes. 5(4), 2051-2062.AbstractPDF
Pyrolysis characteristics of corn stalk hemicellulose were investigated in a tubular reactor at different temperatures, with focus mainly on the releasing profiles and forming behaviors of pyrolysis products (gas, char, and tar). The products obtained were further identified using various approaches (including GC, SEM, and GC-MS) to understand the influence of temperature on product properties and compositions. It was found that the devolatilization of hemicellulose mainly occurred at low temperatures (<500°C), and produced large amounts of tar. A higher reactor temperature was conducive to the yield of gas products, accompanied by a reduction of tar because of the secondary cracking of volatiles. The gas components mainly consisted of CO2, CO, H2, and CH4, together with trace C2H4 and C2H6. The CO2 evolved easily and reached a relatively large yield of 129.2ml/g at 550°C, while CO and H2 were mainly released at higher temperatures (700-900°C). The tar was mainly composed of a range of oxygenated compounds, including ketones, furans, carboxylic acids, and alcohols, and their contents were influenced by the final temperature. An in-depth analysis of the properties of the products generated at different temperatures is favorable for a better understanding of the mechanism of hemicellulose pyrolysis.
Researchpp 2063-2080Krongtaew, C., Messner, K., Ters, T., and Fackler, K. (2010). "Characterization of key parameters for biotechnological lignocellulose conversion assessed by FT-NIR spectroscopy. Part 1. Qualitative analysis of pretreated straw," BioRes. 5(4), 2063-2080.AbstractPDF
Wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat straw (Avena sativa L.) were subjected to acid and alkaline pre-treatments partly in combination with hydrogen peroxide. The aim was to remove lignin and increase the accessibility of the polysaccharides to enzymatic digestion. Accessibility was evaluated by digestion with a cell wall degrading enzyme complex to yield reducing sugars that may serve as precursor substrates for biofuels or building block chemicals. Changes in lignin, hemicelluloses, as well as amorphous, semi-crystalline, and crystalline regions of cellulose moieties of pretreated straw were efficiently characterized by Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) reflectance spectroscopy. These alterations of the chemical structure of straw after different pre-treatment methods were powerfully differentiated by principal component analysis (PCA). Characteristics of the different samples owing to the different pre-treatment methods could be clustered from the PCA loadings spectra.
Researchpp 2081-2096Krongtaew, C., Messner, K., Ters, T., and Fackler, K. (2010). "Characterization of key parameters for biotechnological lignocellulose conversion assessed by FT-NIR spectroscopy. Part 2. Quantitative analysis by partial least squares regression," BioRes. 5(4), 2081-2096.AbstractPDF
Wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat straw (Avena sativa L.) were chemically pretreated at different severities with the purpose of delignification, which in turn leads to a better accessibility of plant cell wall polysaccharides for further biotechnological conversion. Key parameters of these samples, i.e. weight loss, residual lignin content, and hydrolysable sugars serving as precursors for biofuel production were monitored by wet-chemistry analyses. Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectra were correlated to these data by means of partial least-squares (PLS) regression. Weight loss (4.0 – 33.5%) of the wheat straw could be predicted (RMSEP = 3.5%, R²test = 0.75) from the entire FT-NIR spectra (10000 – 4000 cm-1). Residual lignin content (7.9 – 20.7%, RMSEP = 0.9%, R²test = 0.94) and amount of reducing sugars based on pretreated wheat straw (128 – 1000 mg g-1, RMSEP = 83 mg g-1, R²test = 0.89) were powerfully evaluated between 6900 and 5510 cm-1, a spectral region where polysaccharides and lignin absorb. All these parameters could be equally predicted with even higher accuracy from pre-treated oat straw samples. Furthermore, some important parameters for anaerobic conversion of wheat straw to biogas – biogas production, total solids, and volatile solids content – could be estimated.
Researchpp 2097-2111Shibata, S., Bozlur, R. M., Fukumoto, I., and Kanda, Y. (2010). "Effects of injection temperature on mechanical properties of bagasse/polypropylene injection molding composites," BioRes. 5(4), 2097-2111.AbstractPDF
Effects of injection temperature on thermal degradation and porosity of the bagasse/polypropylene injection molding composites were studied. Above 185 ºC, incomplete filling occurred. The incomplete filling increased with increase of injection temperature. It was found that the gas generated by thermal degradation of bagasse fibers was so accumulated in the injection cylinder that the injected composites ended up with incomplete filling. A modified injection method with the venting of gas increased the complete filling percentage. Mechanical properties decreased with increase of injection temperature from 165 ºC to 260 ºC. This was due to increase of porosity and fiber shortening. The calculated flexural modulus, which incorporated the effect of porosity and fiber length, agreed well with the experimental results. Composites with maleic acid anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were also investigated. Flexural strength and impact strength were improved by 45% and 35%, respectively, by addition of 20wt% MAPP. In the MAPP composites, fiber breakages at their roots were observed in the fracture surface after an impact test, while pulled-off fibers were observed in those without MAPP.
Researchpp 2112-2122Azizi Mossello, A., Harun, J., Resalati, H., Ibrahim, R., Shmas, S. R. F., and Tahir, P. M. (2010). "New approach to use of kenaf for paper and paperboard production," BioRes. 5(4), 2112-2122.AbstractPDF
This study sought to determine the suitability of fractionation and consequence-selective processing (separation of long fiber and short fiber, beating long fiber, and remixing with short fiber to target freeness) as a new approach to use of kenaf whole stem pulp for paper and paper-board production. A laboratory Bauer-McNett Classifier with screen 18 mesh was used to separate short fibers and long fibers of the unbeaten kenaf whole stem soda-anthraquinone high kappa and low kappa pulps. For comparison, the initial unbeaten pulps were beaten in the PFI mill to the same freeness (300 mL CSF). Results of our patented method showed that the fractionation process was able to provide a good opportunity to beat the long fiber portion at higher PFI revolutions and to achieve better fibrillation, significantly improving all paper properties of kenaf pulps except for tear index and producing sheets with better drainage and strength properties compared to conventionally beaten pulps, especially in the case of kenaf high kappa pulp.
Researchpp 2123-2136Dutt, D., Upadhyaya, J. S., and Tyagi, C. H. (2010). "Studies on Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Cannabinus sativa pulp to be a substitute for softwood pulp - Part 1: AS-AQ delignification process," BioRes 5(4), 2123-2136.AbstractPDF
Hibiscus cannabinus , Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Cannabinus sativa, which are renewable non-woody fiber resources having characteristics similar to that of softwood (bast fibers), when used together with hardwood (core fibers), gave higher pulp yield with good mechanical strength properties when using an alkaline sulphite-anthraquinone (AS-AQ) pulping process rather than a conventional kraft pulping process and bleached more readily than kraft and soda pulps with a CEHH bleaching sequence. A comparison of properties AS-AQ pulping processes with soda and kraft pulping processes of H. cannabinus, C. sativa, and H. sabdariffa was made. All the properties were found to be better than soda and kraft pulps except tear index. All of the mechanical strength properties of handsheets of AS-AQ pulp improved except tear index. Therefore, the AS-AQ pulping process can be considered as ideal for manufacturing of paper grades like greaseproof, glassine, and high-quality writing and printing paper.


Droids have long histories of rebuilding. There was the six million dollar man who became something of droid after the rebuild. C3P0 was rebuilt multiple times in the Star Wars saga as were the Terminators.
On Monday I decided that it was time to rebuild my Droid. My original droid had been through the upgrade to Froyo and I was regularly getting out of space issues despite my best efforts. The last straw came when any apps on the SD card refused to update. After deleting them, they refused to reinstall.
So Monday night I backed things up and did a hard reset on the devices and a format on the SD card. I was pleasantly surprised that my previously installed apps automatically installed, except of course that I didn't want a few of them back. It would be nice if Android asked first.
By noon Tuesday the phone was 100% with all of my settings, logins, etc. complete and the phone rocks. It's fast again and I have tons of room on the device and on the SD card.
I've noticed that many, many, many Android apps don't clean up after themselves leaving crud on the device.Didn't Google used to complain about that with Windows?
Finally, the day after I rebuilt my phone, Verizon sent me an email telling me that I was eligible for a new phone. Bad timing. Two days earlier and I might have jumped. Today, I'm happy again with my Droid.