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ACM TechNews is intended as an objective news digest for busy IT Professionals. Views expressed are not necessarily those of either Compaq or ACM.
Volume 4, Issue 327: Monday, March 25, 2002
Copyright Protection Bill Creates Furor in High-Tech Industry
Makers of PCs Fear Wrath of Microsoft
IT Workers Left Out of Economic Rebound
Wanted: A Peace Envoy to End Net's Bickering Over Address System
Lilith: Geek Music to Girls' Ears
Bleak Future Looms If You Don't Take a Stand
After College, A High Degree of Job Anxiety
Neural Network 'In-Jokes' Could Pass Secrets
Microsoft Password Research Looks to Images, Not Text
New Services Spur Growth of Public Access Wi-Fi
Will the Net Save China?
Crystals Advance Quest for Photonic Microchip
Broadband Bill Misses Senate Panel OK
Web Sites Told to Delete Data
Funding the Future
Java: Potent Security
Winners...and Losers
The Worldwide Computer
ACM SIGCHI Conference to Explore Transforming Technologies
"Copyright Protection Bill Creates Furor in High-Tech Industry"
Computerworld Online (03/22/02); Thibodeau, Patrick
Sen. Ernest Hollings' (D-S.C.) Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Act would require the high-tech industry to create a technical anti-copying standard to be embedded into hardware and software within a year, otherwise the FCC will be authorized to do so. David J. Farber of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia considers the legislation to be a bad idea that would "essentially emasculate the PC as a useful device." Giga Information Group's Rob Enderle predicts that, if approved, Hollings' bill would hamstring consumer PC sales, given that many people purchase new PCs so they can copy songs and other content online. The lack of a standard makes it harder to determine what impact the legislation would have on PC performance in the workplace, where applications and digital rights management technology may converge. Recording Industry Association of America President Hilary Rosen told the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month that although common standards are necessary for stopping online piracy, hardware manufacturers have no marketplace incentive to develop them. High-tech industry groups are also adamant that private-sector venture capital for digital rights technology could dry up if such legislation is passed.
http://www.computerworld.com/storyba/0,4125,NAV47_STO69460,00.html
For information regarding ACM's activities in the area of intellectual property, visit http://www.acm.org/usacm/IP.
"Makers of PCs Fear Wrath of Microsoft"
Washington Post (03/25/02) P. A4; Krim, Jonathan
Computer manufacturers such as IBM, Dell, and Compaq have shown reluctance to use the alternative Linux operating system in their new PCs due to fear of Microsoft, according to Red Hat CTO Michael Tiemann. He says that Dell backed off its agreement two years ago to use Linux because it was worried about ruining its relationship with Microsoft if it worked with Red Hat for a PC version of Linux. Because it does not run Microsoft's Office software, Linux has a significant disadvantage in the consumer market, but Microsoft says it would be a waste of resources and illogical for them to port their intellectual property to another system just to give it a boost. Currently, Microsoft only licenses its Office program for one other operating system, Apple's Macintosh. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly showed little sympathy for what she said could simply be hearsay on the part of Tiemann, but Microsoft documents produced by the nine states suing the company partially support his story.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11835-2002Mar24.html
"IT Workers Left Out of Economic Rebound"
ZDNet (03/21/02); Konrad, Rachel
Although the Federal Reserve is more optimistic about the prospects of the economy and the stock market is improving in certain segments, IT workers do not have much to smile about these days. Large numbers of tech workers have lost their jobs and have not been able to find new work in the industry. And the situation is unlikely to improve any time soon. Unemployment, which tends to trail other economic indicators after a recession, is expected by many economists to climb up to 7 percent, which would be its highest level since 1993. However, the IT industry could have an unemployment rate that is higher than the unemployment rate of the population at large. The Association for Bay Area Governments expects unemployment to rise to as much as 8 percent in the months to come, and other tech markets, such as Boston, Austin, Texas, the Research Triangle area in North Carolina, and Colorado are struggling as well. Some observers say there will be fewer tech hires because companies can get by with fewer workers as a result of the productivity gains that come from using high-speed servers and automated Web services. Other experts cite the impact of the decline in corporate spending on new hardware and software, as well as the decline in venture capital to startups for "expansion" rounds, which would lead to new hires.
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1106-865446.html
"Wanted: A Peace Envoy to End Net's Bickering Over Address System"
Wall Street Journal (03/25/02) P. B1; Weber, Thomas E.
ICANN has gone from cacophonous bickering to a stupendous meltdown, and now needs a peace process to right the organization responsible for overseeing the Internet's domain name addressing system. Some ICANN board members are calling for ICANN's own abolishment, one ICANN director is suing ICANN itself, and ICANN's CEO is calling for almost total internal reform. Former ICANN chairperson Esther Dyson envisions ICANN's role as the role of a public utility, while ICANN CEO Stuart Lynn has declared ICANN's current structure "impractical." So far, ICANN has been responsible for balancing the diverging interests of companies and consumers in regards to domain names, and in achieving consensus on technical issues, but has become mired in internal issues of procedure. Influential technologist and University of Pennsylvania professor Dave Farber has signed an open letter calling for ICANN to be abolished and for the creation of a permanent replacement--but Farber's idea would simply open up too many pre-ICANN issues, and ICANN should simply be fixed. ICANN needs a white knight to present and implement a compromise proposal, which may not include elected board members, but which must guarantee ICANN maintains open records of meetings and documents like any accountable public body must; and Farber himself would be a qualified choice for this role.
For information regarding ACM's Internet governance work related to ICANN, visit http://www.acm.org/serving/IG.html.
"Lilith: Geek Music to Girls' Ears"
Wired News (03/23/02); Dean, Katie
Middle school girls in Madison, Wis., are getting more involved in computers through the Lilith Computer Group, the brainchild of student Susannah Camic, which was co-developed by the Madison Metropolitan School District and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Camic says the group was originally founded "to increase the comfort level and confidence of girls in relation to computers." An online survey of 60 girls shows that the club has had a significant impact, according to the group's chief coordinator, Kathy Konicek. Eighty-seven percent of the respondents are regular participants, while 80 percent report increased confidence around computers and 50 percent report improved grades as a result of their participation. Ten of Madison's 11 middle schools host Lilith clubs, which boasts approximately 150 members in the city. The various clubs come together at a computer fair in the spring. To help participants maintain their interest in computers when they reach high school, the club is instituting a mentoring program this year.
http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,51249,00.html
To learn more about ACM's Committee on Women in Computing, visit http://www.acm.org/women.
"Bleak Future Looms If You Don't Take a Stand"
SiliconValley.com (03/23/02); Gillmor, Dan
Only a few large corporations will end up controlling access to the Internet, entertainment, and media content in a short while, if current trends continue, predicts SiliconValley.com columnist Dan Gillmor. Even as free speech and technological innovation is threatened by laws such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the music industry is pushing for more controlling legislation, such as Sen. Ernest Hollings' (D-S.C.) proposal to include digital copyright protection in all entertainment electronics. With the telecommunications industry in financial shambles, the largest players are collaborating to divvy up the market, resulting in fewer choices for consumers in the future. One of the most egregious affronts to Internet innovation and public interest is the music industry's attack on Internet radio broadcasting stations. Rather than change their way of doing business and adjust to new distribution technologies such as the Internet, the music industry has decided to wipe out the competition. Gillmor recommends that consumers pressure Congress and media companies to stop pursuing anti-competitive legislation.
"After College, A High Degree of Job Anxiety"
Washington Post (03/25/02) P. E1; Johnson, Carrie
Some tech college students facing imminent graduation are not ready to confront a job market that is less energetic than it was three or four years ago. Frustrated that there are fewer openings because of the recession and employers' preference for more experienced workers, these students have taken to classic avoidance behavior, such as part-time jobs and graduate school. Although key indicators suggest that the economy has started to recover, there may still be an increase in the unemployment rate this summer. Students who lack U.S. citizenship face an even tougher market, especially in the Washington area, with its concentration of government contracts. Still, the odds favor students with technical skills, according to experts such as Lloyd Griffiths of George Mason University. Gaining work experience through internships or consulting is another recommended strategy, says Raytheon college recruiter Len Green. There are also signs of hope at technology fairs, which are drawing high numbers of employers and students.
"Are You Being Served?"
Technology Review Online (03/15/02); Nickell, Joe
Customer service and digital technology could meld even further with the advent of virtual agents. Indeed, "service bots" could be so helpful as to fool customers into thinking they are flesh and blood. The ideal software-hardware hybrid would be capable of understanding the customer's language, be familiar with company products and customer habits, respond to vague queries, and generate answers to inquiries in an intelligent manner that takes both context and customer emotions into account; accomplishing all this would take the combined powers of voice recognition technology, natural language understanding engines, artificial intelligence, and text-to-speech synthesizers. Still, consumers are not yet warming to such technology, given the poor performance of automated customer service to date. Challenges that bot developers need to meet include customization, not to mention keeping company knowledge that the bot draws upon consistent and up to date, says IBM Research's Joe Bigus. MIT's Dr. Rosalind Picard acknowledges that programs which respond to emotional needs by reading body language and other sensory hints would be extremely valuable. Meanwhile, Norman Badler of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Human Modeling and Simulation notes that behavioral consistency is also key: Bots that display vocabulary, knowledge, or physical reactions that are inconsistent with interactions will engender distrust among customers. Current service bots may be limited, but they can still be useful, according to researchers--for one thing, they offer sharper, faster problem-solving capabilities.
http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_nickell031502.asp
"Neural Network 'In-Jokes' Could Pass Secrets"
New Scientist Online (03/23/02); Choi, Charles
Scientists have hit upon a new cryptographic technique involving neural networks that can train each other to solve problems. Ido Kanter of the Minerva Center in Ramat-Gan, Israel, and Wolfgang Kinzel of the Institute of Theoretical Physics in Wurzburg, Germany, discovered that two networks asked to categorize random pieces of data so that they could each arrive at the same answer became mirror images, with equal properties following opposite pathways. One of the networks' weightings can then be reversed, resulting in an identical answer. Such synchronized networks would essentially be using in-jokes to find answers, much to the chagrin of spies who are trying to decode their communications. The cryptographic method could find use in the rapid and secure transmission of data via mobile phones, videoconferencing, and online communications. Don Wunsch of the University of Missouri says, "I could see it becoming an alternative when users need to create a cheap and fast encryption with a minimum of shared communication, when security is of moderate, but not life-and-death, concern."
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992067
"Microsoft Password Research Looks to Images, Not Text"
Reuters (03/21/02)
Computer users whose memory limits their choice of passwords could one day use new verification systems that are easier to recall and are less susceptible to hackers. Microsoft researchers are working on such systems, which use images as passwords rather than text. One system enables users to make passwords by clicking on certain areas of the image, which correspond to specific pixels; access is granted when users click on those same areas in the same order. Image doctoring would be necessary so that the software can translate the pixels to random, encrypted numbers. Microsoft researcher Darko Kirovski says the system could work with any image, and possibly even video. Image-based password systems have been a focus of research for more than 10 years, according to cryptographer Bruce Schneier.
"New Services Spur Growth of Public Access Wi-Fi"
Computerworld Online (03/21/02); Brewin, Bob
Mobile carriers and wireless Wi-Fi access companies are beginning to look at the intersection of their user-bases, according to company representatives at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association conference. Voicestream Wireless announced a new PC card that will combine its wide-area General Packet Radio Service used for cell phones with Wi-Fi service from its newly acquired Mobilestar Network, renamed T-Mobile Wireless Broadband. The technology will enable Voicestream users to easily access T-Mobile's Wi-Fi service at 650 hot spots around the country, in places such as coffee houses and airport lounges. High-speed Wi-Fi wireless Internet access allows mobile workers to download large files while their normal cellular service can provide always-on availability of other applications such as email. Gartner Group says there will be over 19 million mobile users of Wi-Fi by 2006, compared to 132.9 million cellular phone users. Other major carriers said they are also looking at Wi-Fi integration. Boingo Wireless announced a deal with Hewlett-Packard to include Boingo software with new HP notebooks, so users can automatically detect when they are in range of one of Boingo's 500 network nodes.
"Will the Net Save China?"
Salon.com (03/21/02); Leonard, Andrew
Internet access and computer technology will bring social revolution in China, according to author David Sheff in his book "China Dawn." The book follows two Chinese entrepreneurs who see the Internet as bringing power to the masses and creating wealth in a country that last week saw demonstrations by up to 10,000 unemployed state workers. Edward Tian, one of China's most famous technology entrepreneurs, and Bo Feng, a Chinese venture capitalist who is neighbors with Sheff in California, visualize abundant Internet access for millions of Chinese in even the most remote rural areas, enabling them to communicate freely online without government control. However, in reality, although the Internet and technology startups offer real changes to China, but they may not be the catalysts of social change that Sheff proposes. Instead, technological innovation and advanced communication may only be a sign of China's opening up since former Premier Deng Xiaoping's reforms, writes Andrew Leonard. He argues that although the Internet ideal of grass-roots empowerment has possibilities in China, billions of Chinese are not yet online and the Chinese government retains firm control over the country
http://www.salon.com/tech/books/2002/03/21/china_dawn/index.html?x
"Crystals Advance Quest for Photonic Microchip"
University of Toronto researchers are working to create integrated optical chips by manipulating the formation of photonic crystals. The goal is to get the crystals configured on a microchip together with other optical components such as lasers, modulators, and multiplexers. Such an all-optical chip, which the researchers call the Holy Grail of optical communications, would be able to handle much more data than current electric-signal chips, and would enable all Internet networks to handle more traffic, more quickly, at less cost. Networks now employ fiber-optic cable that can shuttle terabytes of information very efficiently, making it necessary for routing equipment to scale likewise in performance. Leading the University of Toronto team is Edward Sargent, who also serves as Nortel Networks' research chairman of emerging technologies. He says the scientists are focusing on using the natural symmetries and order in crystal formation in order to build the right structures necessary for use in a microchip. Sargent adds that photonic microchip technology has dramatic implications for computing as well.
"Broadband Bill Misses Senate Panel OK"
Many members of the Senate Commerce and Science Committee were unmoved by arguments from Reps. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.) that their broadband deregulation bill would boost the number of households with high-speed Internet access, and said they would not support it. The Tauzin-Dingell bill was approved by the House of Representatives in February, but Committee Chairman Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.) said he favors bills that would offer tax incentives and low-interest loans to broadband providers. The bill would have allowed Baby Bells SBC Communications, Qwest Communications, BellSouth, and Verizon Communications to supply broadband without opening up their local networks to competitors. Hollings argued that deregulation would enable further monopolization of the broadband market by the Bells. Tauzin and Dingell responded to the committee's decision by challenging the panelists to devise a better solution.
"Web Sites Told to Delete Data"
Washington Times (03/21/02) P. A1; Sammon, Bill
The White House has issued a memo to all federal agency heads that they should remove "sensitive but unclassified" data that might provide terrorists with information about weapons of mass destruction or how to carry out biological attacks. The message caps a campaign by the government to remove more than 6,000 documents from the Internet, according to OMB Watch executive director Gary Bass, who suggested some of the information removed was of little use to terrorists, but of great importance to government watchdog groups. The Federation of American Scientists' Steven Aftergood said the memo was worrisome, despite the instructions to agency heads that they should also take into account the scientific and technical value in leaving information open. One federal official, requesting anonymity, said balance was a key factor in judging whether or not information should stay online. According to the memo, agencies have 90 days to report back to the Office of Homeland Security about their re-examination and any subsequent actions.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020321-16859342.htm
"Funding the Future"
InfoWorld (03/18/02) Vol. 24, No. 11, P. 59; Jones, Jennifer
CTOs could use the U.S. Department of Commerce's Advanced Technology Program (ATP) as a source of funding for high-risk projects that their companies are not willing to pursue or venture capitalists are not willing to support. The National Institute of Standards and Technology runs the ATP, which provides about $60 million in grants each year, with each grant averaging about $2 million. However, the IT industry has not taken advantage of ATP as it could have in the past, considering IT has obtained just 25 percent of all of the program's awards. "The CTO in the technology company is often an engineer or technologist with great ideas they want to pursue aggressively, and that is a fit for our mold," says ATP program manager David Hermreck. Funds from the ATP certainly would come in handy especially today, when companies and venture capitalist are turning their backs on projects that do not promise to deliver an immediate return on investment. The ATP does not limit R&D to defense or other government-related interests, and does not take an equity stake in companies. Meanwhile, the program has come under fire for serving as "corporate welfare," and there is likely to be a substantial cut in the ATP budget in 2003. Critics want ATP dollars to be spent on research, rather than product development or marketing.
"Java: Potent Security"
eWeek (03/18/02) Vol. 19, No. 11, P. 45; Coffee, Peter
IT managers are hesitant to deploy Web services, because existing and soon-to-be-released versions of the Simple Object Access Protocol standard have a shortage of integrated security measures. This has led to delays in the release of Microsoft's .Net servers. Meanwhile, enterprises may find Java to be more promising because its security strengths have already been proven, plus the industry has been improving security over the last six years. "If you have to do Web stuff today, use Java; it's there, it's mature, and it works," declared a member of eWeek's Corporate Partner Advisory Board. The high cost of actual authentications that transactions hinge on prompts developers to build a one-time authentication scheme via a single sign-on approach, and hackers could take advantage of errors that crop up when the protocols are re-implemented for different platforms. The Java platform's wide presence reduces that possibility. The September terrorist attacks have made physical security an important consideration for enterprise IT, and one promising application is portable security tokens with Java-based encryption processors. Among the topics to be discussed at the JavaOne conference in San Francisco next week is DaimlerChrysler's DealerConnect application environment, a Java-based application integration portal whose security infrastructure lowers the requirements for security-related code in applications.
http://www.eweek.com/article/0,3658,s%253D722%2526a%253D24190,00.asp
"Winners...and Losers"
Smart Business (03/02) Vol. 15, No. 2, P. 66; Jerome, Marty
Ziff Davis Smart Business asked a panel of business and technology experts to consider the life expectancy of certain technologies over the next 18 months to see which are worth investing in. Pagers, Web phones, Linux, XML, and Wi-Fi seem like sure things because of their widespread popularity and superior performance, even though technologies such as Wi-Fi have a limited market. The Palm OS, Windows XP, Java, peer-to-peer networking, broadband, and voice browsers are likely to be solid bets whose success curve will be mostly gradual as upgrades and innovations are implemented; peer-to-peer and broadband seem inclined to experience sharper growth. However, a majority of experts say WAP is destined for the scrap heap, despite the support of industry heavyweights. The cumbersome nature of handhelds being used to read Web pages is a major turn-off. Some technologies--Pocket PCs, boxed software, and Bluetooth--have equal chances of success or failure. Bluetooth devices have generated little enthusiasm, for example, but the technology could be jump-started by price reductions and innovative hardware developers. Meanwhile, the odds seem long that Transmeta Crusoe chips and the Macintosh platform will succeed; Crusoe is pitted against seemingly unstoppable chip giants Intel and AMD, while Macintosh boasts longevity but experts disagree about its viability.
"The Worldwide Computer"
Scientific American (03/02) Vol. 286, No. 3, P. 40; Anderson, David P.; Kubiatowicz, John
Peer-to-peer applications that exploit idle machines connected to the Internet could make cheap, unrivaled computing power available to all, but such applications cannot break into the mainstream until an end-all solution to infrastructure problems is worked out. An Internet-scale operating system (ISOS) would use economic theory to distribute Internet-wide computing resources equally among users and allocate reimbursements to the owners of those resources. The ISOS would have to define a resource's fundamental elements, its particular method of financial transaction, and its pricing structure, while at the same time taking steps to prevent fraudulent data storage and service provision and keeping tabs on resource usage--and still cost only a fraction of the hardware cost. The ISOS would tap into a resource pool of over 150 million hosts; the integrated system's processing speed and storage capacity would therefore be that of a single computer, multiplied 150 million times. Furthermore, this pool is capable of self-maintenance, offers terrific security, and yields more speed and capacity via hardware upgrades. However, the ISOS must contend with the pool's various quirks--such as heterogeneity and the fluctuation of hosts entering and exiting--and be careful not to alienate the hosts' owners by becoming inconvenient or not adhering to usage guidelines. An ISOS' design should include two basic components: A minimal core operating system, or microkernel, that acts as a platform for user-software-based higher-level operations; and central servers run by the ISOS provider. Programmers can build new applications using a software toolkit that includes such facilities as location independent routing, persistent data storage, and secure updates.
http://www.sciam.com/2002/0302issue/0302anderson.html
"ACM SIGCHI Conference to Explore Transforming Technologies"
ACM, New York (3/25/02); Virginia Gold
"The upcoming ACM conference on Human Factors in Computing"
(SIGCHI) will host a series of technical tracks that range from current usability and design issues facing today's practitioner, to radical visions of computing in the future facing generations to come. CHI2002 (April 20-25, Minneapolis) offers 32 modules---from software architecture problems, to designing for the mobile Internet, to Web sites that work. A practitioner's track will present usability experts reflecting on their experiences with methods in practice. Collaborative teams will work on design challenges throughout the conference, with all participants invited to join in as experimental subjects. Since "emerging technologies" is the interwoven theme of the conference, this year's events are designed to generate greater interactivity, turning attendees into participants.
For program and registration information, visit http://www.sigchi.org/chi2002.


It has been established that CYP2E1 and CYP2D6 may be involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases [9-11]. In the present study, the frequency of the CYP2E1*1D allele was considerably increased in MND patients (14% versus 2.5% in controls; p <0.001). Earlier, Bachus et al. had not found any association between the CYP2E1 gene and MND. We found a considerably increased frequency of CYP2E1*1D homozygotes and the combined CYP2E1 genotype (hetero- zygote CYP2E1*1D and homozygote CYP2E1*1D) among our Russian patients. This suggests that the CYP2E1*1D polymorphism are associated with sporadic MND and that the CYP2E1*1D allele is involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic MND in patients from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Russia. CYP2E1 is a producer of reactive oxygen species and has the unique ability to induce the iron-catalyzed Fenton reaction and to increase the hydroxyl-radical-mediated metabolism of various xenobiotics, especially ethanol . It's induction in astrocytes causes oxidative stress, leading to the increased production of lipid peroxidation metabolites and decreased concentrations of glutathione , which may be involved in the degeneration of motor neurons. We also found that presence of the CYP2E1*1D allele is significantly correlated with more malignant forms of MND, such as truncal onset and diffuse onset ALS and progressive bulbar palsy. The same MND mutation may result in highly variable phenotypes within one family . The products of modifier genes or susceptibility factors can be responsible for part of this phenotypic variability. These phenomena probably explain the correlation between the CYP2E1*1D genotype and the clinical features reported here.
A deficiency in the CYP2D6 enzyme is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and result in poor metabolizers . The CYP2D6*4 allele is associated with a deficiency of the CYP2D6 enzyme . This abnormal gene product may have some novel effect that leads directly to, or promotes, the degeneration of motor neurons. We found CYP2D6*4 homozygote to be more frequent among our patients than among our controls, but not significantly so. A considerably increased frequency of the CYP2D6*4 allele in ALS patients has been reported . This suggests that the CYP2D6*4 allele may be a very weak risk factor for development of MND in our population.
The GST protect against oxidative stress by removing toxic compounds and reactive oxygen species via conjugation with glutathione. Deletion variants of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes and the GSTP1 gene Ile105Val polymorphism in exon 5 correlate with increased susceptibility to various diseases, including chronic bronchitis, arteriosclerosis, cancer and neurological diseases [22,23]. Because environmental toxins and oxidative stress have been implicated in neurological dysfunction, the lack of protection afforded by the null variants of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 isoforms and the valine-containing GSTP1 isoforms may be expected to be associated with MND. The Ile105Val polymorphism showed no difference in the GSTP1 genotype distributions between control and patient groups. However, we found that the wild type allele genotype is associated with classical upper and lower MN involvement, whereas the valine allele is significantly correlated with predominant lower and predominant upper MN involvement. Patients with the 105Val allele have less malignant variations of motor neuron involvement. Thus, the GSTP1 gene may act as a modifier gene and be responsible for part of the MND phenotypic variability in our population.
We found the GSTM1(0/0) frequency to be significantly decreased and the GSTM1(+) frequency to be significantly increased among our patients. Apart from the deletion allele, there are two common alleles, GSTM1*A and GSTM1*B, which involve base pair exchanges. It has been suggested that homo- and heterozygotes for GSTM1*A and GSTM1*B are less susceptible to different diseases than are carriers of the GSTM1(0/0) genotype, and that the heterozygous AB genotype may protect against MND as this combination protects against colorectal and brain cancer . The PCR method we used does not distinguish the GSTM1*A and GSTM1*B alleles. The use of another method and greater numbers of patients may resolve this point. We conclude that three genes of phases I and II of the detoxification system, i.e., CYP2E1, GSTP1 and GSTM1, participate in the development of sporadic MND in Russia.


If you don't like pain, don't fight….
Are you grateful for where you are at this moment in time?
Or are you still waiting on that one BIG thing to happen?
That one BIG thing is an accumulation of all the little things leading up to it.
Take the time to be grateful and appreciate the moments that seem insignificant.
Sometimes we pass through our accomplishments and setbacks too quickly.
During my "fighting years", my goal was to leave a mark in the growth of Muay Thai in NYC. I wanted to make sure that after I am dead and buried that people can look back and say that I made a difference in the sport.
This was the BIG vision for me…and still is.
But I am super grateful for all the small things that have lead to, and are leading to the ultimate dream.
LOSING the last and final fight of my career, but still being able to squash the "East coast vs West Coast" beef that was going on at the time….
I, myself, passed through all these moments quickly to get back on my path towards my true purpose in life.
But as I look back and reflect, I feel gratitude as all these events have played a MAJOR part in helping me become the person that I am today.
Appreciation and gratitude are already within YOU!
It's NOT something you can buy.
It's NOT something you can borrow.
It's NOT something you can steal.
I challenge you to let APPRECIATION and GRATITUDE into your life today to help you realize that the little things matter.
Disappointments and triumphs are one in the same.
There are NO wins without losses.
There are NO peaks without valleys.
There is NO good without the bad.


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Peace lilies tolerate low light levels and a wide temperature range, traits that endear them to indoor gardeners. There are dozens of hybrid cultivars, even one with curly leaves. On most plants, however, curled leaves indicate cultural problems.
Curled or wrinkled leaves may indicate inconsistent growing conditions.
Peace lilies are members of the arum plant family grown mainly for their dark green foliage. They tolerate low to medium light but blooming plants need bright indirect light. They can tolerate nighttime temperatures to 55 degrees Fahrenheit but their ideal temperature range is from 70 to 90 F.
Curled or wrinkled leaves may be due to excess light or heat. Leaf edges may brown in the vegetative version of sunburn. Moving plants toward an east or west-facing window with a sheer covering where brightness does not exceed 2500 foot candles and keeping temperatures below 90 F may help cure the condition.
Stunted, wrinkled leaves indicate a peace lily that needs a rest or dormant period. Allowing the plant to go dry induces dormancy. Re-pot plants with clean soil and keep them moist, withholding fertilizer until they start growing actively.


text:
TCA Press Tour
Amazon Prime Video Sees Itself as a 'Global Network,' and Says It's Not Focused on Netflix
'It's all about the content,' says chief Jennifer Salke
Jennifer Salke (with, l. to r., TV co-heads Albert Cheng and Vernon Sanders) accepted the Amazon job exactly one year ago.
It's been exactly one year since Jennifer Salke accepted the job as head of Amazon Studios, and she gave reporters a state of the union at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif.
One of her big initiatives when she arrived at Amazon from NBC, Salke said, was getting her hands around Amazon's global community in order to diversify the company's storytelling.
"We're aware that we're in a race for talent globally," Salke said. "Not because of a fear of competition, but where we know our customers are."
To that end, Salke has greenlit 20 new and returning international series, including a Japanese version of The Bachelorette.
"We're a global network, and we're going to be making shows for our customers all around the world," said Albert Cheng, co-head of television, Amazon Studios.
But the company still has a heavy focus on its U.S. audience. Salke renewed Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan for a third season, even though Season 2 has yet to air. The company has also signed Al Pacino to star in The Hunt, a Nazi-hunting vengeance drama from executive producer Jordan Peele.
And Amazon ordered The Power, a 10-part series based on British author Naomi Alderman's best-seller. The series will be directed by Reed Morano, who has an exclusive TV deal with Amazon.
"We're taking a curated approach to our roster and slate," Salke said. "It's all about the content."
Vernon Sanders, Amazon's co-head of television, said Amazon isn't making any of its moves in response to its biggest streaming competitor, Netflix. "We're so focused on what we're doing with talent," he said.
Amazon has extended its deal with Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the writing, directing and producing team behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which was created by Sherman-Palladino. Amazon will be in business with them "for years to come," said Salke, adding that she's heard the duo's ideas for Season 3 of Mrs. Maisel and is "more than confident" about the show's direction.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won eight Emmys last year, including outstanding comedy series. Those wins are driving traffic to the show, which is "outperforming expectations across the service," according to Salke.
Amazon's new series Homecoming also received critical acclaim last year, but star Julia Roberts won't be returning for Season 2. "Julia was always only intended to be in the first season," Salke said.
Sanders said Homecoming producers have "compelling" creative for Season 2, and they hope to have casting news "sooner rather than later."
Another one-and-done agreement, Salke said, was for Matthew Weiner's tepidly received Mad Men followup, The Romanoffs. "That was designed to be a one-season show," said Salke, who is talking with him about other projects.
One show that will indeed be returning is Transparent, which will conclude with a musical movie later this year. (Star Jeffrey Tambor, who was the subject of sexual harassment allegations from Transparent staffers, exited the series in 2017.)
The musical wrap-up was creator Jill Soloway's idea, said Salke, adding that it is "really special … it brings the whole thing full circle" and "does everything that you would want it to do." Salke is thinking about ways to "eventize that ending, because it deserves to have a lot of eyeballs on it."
Salke didn't have an update on Amazon's long-gestating Lord of the Rings TV project the company landed the rights to in 2017 for a reported $250 million. Writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay, whom Amazon hired last year to develop the project, "are making great progress," she said. There's also no word on whether Peter Jackson, who directed six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, will be involved in the TV series.
One topic Salke didn't discuss at all: Woody Allen's recent lawsuit against her company for canceling its $68 million deal with him. "I really can't comment," she said. "It predated me."
https://adweek.it/2tjIagx
Jason Lynch
@jasonlynch
Jason Lynch is Adweek's TV/Media Editor, overseeing trends, technology, personalities and programming across broadcast, cable and streaming video. Formerly TV Editor for People magazine, he has been covering the TV and movie industries for two decades.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
QB Roles
==============================================================================

QB roles are [Ansible roles][] that can be run via `qb run`. An Ansible role is a QB role if it has a [QB Metadata](#QB_Metadata) file - `meta/qb.yml` or `meta/qb`.

<!-- References & Further Reading: -->

[Ansible Roles]: http://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/playbooks_reuse_roles.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creating QB Roles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The easiest way to create QB roles is to use QB's `qb/role/qb` role (say *that* five times fast!):

    qb run qb/role/qb DIRECTORY [OPTIONS]

Since `run` is the default QB CLI command and role names are inferred from partial matches whenever possible, this is commonly shortened to:

    qb role/qb DIRECTORY [OPTIONS]

Which will work unless your roles path contains other roles with 'role/qb' in their name.

This will generate a `DIRECTORY/meta/qb.yml` file with common keys and values for you to start from, as well as some notes and links.

> **Example**
>
> To create a new role named `me/my_new_role` at `./roles/me/my_new_role` run
>
>     qb role/qb ./roles/me/my_new_role
>

As always, you can check out the `qb/role/qb` options via

    qb role/qb -h

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QB Metadata
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QB metadata is a dictionary structure mapping string keys to mixed values that provides QB-specific role configuration.

**_A role is a QB role if (and only if) it has QB metadata._**

See {file:doc/qb_roles/metadata.md QB Role Metadata} for details.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


College Crossing is a wonderful neighborhood in Olive Branch with beautiful landscaping surrounding the community just 20 miles from downtown Memphis. Olive Branch has been named the fastest growing city in the nation over the past two decades. Over the past few years, Olive Branch has received numerous Keep Mississippi Beautiful awards and Urban Forestry awards. Olive Branch residents take pride in Desoto County's highly ranked school system, it's lower crime rate, wonderful city parks, a booming economy, and convenient shopping. In Olive Branch, you will find a small town atmosphere with a city next door.
South on Germantown Pky. Left on Poplar Pike. Right onto Hacks Cross. (crossing into Mississippi). Hacks Cross Rd. becomes Bethel Rd. Turn right onto College Rd, right into Dockery Dr.


text:
The cryptocurrency ATM, locally dubbed as La Bitcoinera, is now accessible in Honduras. The first machine dispensing virtual currencies began to be operational last week.
We feel delighted to learn about and share this new report with our readers. We think it clearly demonstrates Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency backers' vision. That is, widespread crypto-asset availability, usage, and acceptance will inevitably spill over gradually to the rest of the world.
According to the August 30, 2021 report posted online by Singapore-based business and financial news source The Business Times, TGU Consulting Group is the Honduran company that installed La Bitcoinera in an office tower based in Tegucigalpa, the Central American nation's capital.
The cryptocurrency ATM permits cryptocurrency users to purchase crypto-assets using the Honduran lempira, the country's national currency. Among these cryptocurrencies available are Bitcoin, which trades at US$49,347.44 at the time of writing, per the trading price information published on CoinGecko.com, and Ethereum, which is currently worth US$$3,263.98.
Cryptocurrency users can transact in La Bitcoinera by first scanning an official identification. Then, they will need to input personal information like a phone number.
Juan Mayen is the 28-year-old chief executive officer of TGU Consulting Group. He led the effort of bringing La Bitcoinera to Honduras.
Mayen hopes to educate citizens about cryptocurrencies through the first-hand experience. He remarked that there is no automated method to avail of cryptocurrencies in Honduras until now.
Additionally, the TGU Consulting Group CEO explained that Honduran cryptocurrency users would have to buy crypto-assets peer-to-peer. They would need to search for an individual willing to engage in cryptocurrency transactions and meet in person.
Mayen added that cryptocurrency users would have to carry a specific amount of money, and this scenario is very risky and inconvenient, considering the existing environment in Honduras. He cited that if the La Bitcoinera service becomes popular, more units of this cryptocurrency ATM will get installed.
The TGU Consulting Group head pointed out that numerous software developers in Honduras nowadays already get paid in virtual currencies. Mayen added that these digital assets would also be an affordable choice to send remittances.
Hondurans based overseas, mainly in the United States, sent US$5.7 billion in remittances last year. This figure is approximately 20 percent of the Central American country's gross domestic product.
We want to congratulate Honduras and the group involved in installing the first-ever cryptocurrency ATM in the nation. We think they made a laudable effort of responding to Bitcoin supporters' desire after witnessing neighboring El Salvador metamorphosing into the first country to establish Bitcoin as legal tender last June.
Moreover, we understand Mr. Mayen's sharing of the current disconcerting and hazardous cryptocurrency trading scene in Honduras. We think La Bitcoinera will make numerous Honduran cryptocurrency users satisfied because this cryptocurrency dispenser would make their lives easier.
TagsBitcoin Bitcoin ATM cryptocurrency cryptocurrency ATM finance financial markets Honduras money virtual asset virtual currency
Despite Uncertainty, Bitcoin's Trading Price Crosses US$50-K Mark
Bitcoin Leads the Pack of Cryptocurrencies Reaching Fresh Highs
Bitcoin Breaks Historic September Price Trends, Crossing US$51-K


The pirates of the Black Hand are the most dangerous kind of pirates - shipless, aimless and destitute. They search desperately for a way to leave the Exiled Lands and they form strange alliances and quirky plans to help them achieve that goal. So far, nothing has come to fruition.
These trousers are a reflection of their attitude, a patchwork of sloppy stitching and flung together pieces. Like the Black Hand, however, it seems to work.


text:
Kościół Matki Boskiej Różańcowej – rzymskokatolicki kościół parafialny, znajdujący się w miejscowości Gromiec, w gminie Libiąż województwa małopolskiego.

Parafia w Gromcu została erygowana w 2007 roku. W centrum miejscowości jest budowana nowoczesna, jednonawowa świątynia.

Bibliografia

Linki zewnętrzne
 Strona internetowa parafii Matki Bożej Różańcowej w Gromcu

Kościoły w archidiecezji krakowskiej
Świątynie pod wezwaniem Matki Bożej Różańcowej
Obiekty sakralne w gminie Libiąż
Kościoły w powiecie chrzanowskim
Kościół

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Whether you're buying a home for the first time, or you know what you're doing, finding a good mortgage for the home is something to learn about. Without the right mortgage you may pay more than you have to, or even face losing your home to foreclosure. The following article contains tips to assist in obtaining the best financing available.
To find out what your mortgage payments would be, go through the loan pre-approval process. Go to many places in order to get terms that are favorable to you. After this point, you can easily calculate monthly payments.
Prepare for the home mortgage process well in advance. If you want a mortgage, get your finances in order right away. You need to build substantial savings and make sure your debt level is reasonable. If you wait longer than you should, you might not be able to get a home mortgage.
Before attempting to secure a loan, you should take the time to look over your credit report, as well as making sure that your financial situation is in perfect order. Credit standards are becoming even more strict, so work on your credit as soon as possible.
A solid work history is helpful. A two-year work history is often required to secure loan approval. If you switch jobs too much, you might be not be able to get a mortgage. You should never quit your job during the application process.
Gather your paperwork together before applying for a mortgage. In the event that you arrive without sufficient documentation of your current earnings and other relevant information, you may quickly be dismissed, and asked to return when you do have everything in hand. Your lender will need to see this necessary information, and having it on hand will help speed up the process.
Try refinancing again if you're upside down on your mortgage, even if you have already tried to refinance. Recently, HARP has been changed to allow more homeowners to refinance. Lenders are more open to refinancing now so try again. If the lender will not work with you, look for someone who will.
Don't spend too much as you wait for approval. Lenders recheck your credit in the days prior to finalizing your mortgage, and could change their mind if too much activity is noticed. If you need to make any major purchases, wait until after you sign the closing paperwork.
Check into some government programs for individuals in your situation if you're a new homebuyer. These programs can help with the cost of closing, finding the best rates, and even assist in finding lenders that can help people with lower credit ratings.
Changes in your finances can cause a rejection on your mortgage. Don't apply until you have had a steady job for a few years. You should not accept a different job until your mortgage has been approved since your mortgage provider will make their decision depending on the information you included in your application.
Prior to applying for a home mortgage, get all your documents ready. Many lenders require these documents. Some of them include W2s, bank statements, pay stubs and your income tax returns for the past few years. The mortgage process will run more quickly and more smoothly when your documents are all in order.
Before you sign the dotted line on your refinanced mortgage, be sure to get full disclosure of all costs involved in writing. Include all fees and costs for closing, application, inspection, etc. Most companies are truthful about all the costs involved, a few may conceal charges that you will not be aware of until it is too late.
Make sure that you narrow your scope to what you can realistically afford before you start shopping for a mortgage. This ensures you are able to live within your means and demonstrate to your lender that you are serious. You need to understand how much you can swing each month. Set the price firmly. Don't let a broker even show you a house beyond that limit. No matter how awesome getting a new house is, if you're not able to get it paid for you will be in trouble.
Make sure that you have all your financial paperwork on hand before meeting with a home lender. Some of the paperwork you'll need includes your recent pay stubs, tax forms and bank statements. When you have these documents organized and ready to present to the lender, you will avoid wasting precious time when applying for your mortgage.
Talk to friends and family to get mortgage advice. It may be that you can get good advice about the pitfalls to avoid. You may be able to avoid any negative experiences with the advice you get. Talk to as many people as possible so that you get many points of view.
All loans should be taken seriously, and this is even more true with something as large as a home loan. It's crucial to locate the loan that's best for you. The information provided in this article can help you find the best loan for you home.


The Agawa Bay Campground in Ontario, Canada is situated along the shores of Lake Superior and from your camping spot or along the beach you can watch a storm fill the night sky. Watch the lightning flashes illuminate the sky creating a pinkish tinge to the clouds and listen to the bellowing claps of thunder.
Picture of a storm moving in over Lake Superior that you can watch from the coziness of your campsite at Agawa Bay in Ontario.


text:
Refugee children
Displaced Persons Camps and Centers Photograph Collection
Identifier: RG 294.5
The collection is comprised of photographs of various provenances related to the lives of Jewish displaced persons (DPs) in the period immediately following the Second World War, from 1945 to 1952. The photographs pertain to DP camps and communities in the Allied occupation zones in Germany, Austria, and Italy, primarily those established by the American and British military, and administered by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, and, later, the International Refugee Organization. Diverse aspects of daily life among the DPs are depicted, such as school, work, recreation, and vocational training, including many activities sponsored by Jewish voluntary organizations, especially World ORT and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Also depicted are cultural activities such as theater, children's performances, Jewish holiday celebrations and parades, and commemorative events honoring those who died in the Holocaust. The photographs capture leaders of the Jewish DP zonal and camp committees, DP police, and Zionist living collectives (kibbutzim), as well as notable military, political, and cultural personalities of the period, such as Lucius D. Clay, Fiorello LaGuardia, David Ben-Gurion, Yitzhak Gruenbaum, and H. Leivick. The photographs also reflect political and historical developments, including the major congresses of the DP leaderships in Germany, Austria, and Italy; protest demonstrations concerning British policies regulating immigration to Palestine; and events held upon the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.
Dates: circa 1920s-1959; Majority of material found within 1945-1952
Found in: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research / Displaced Persons Camps and Centers Photograph Collection
Executive Functions Records in the Hadassah Archives
Identifier: I-578/RG 13
This record group includes documents created and maintained by the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Director and the Chair of the Division Coordinators/Directors Committee. Prominent is the Henrietta Szold series, containing correspondence by and to Szold as well as printed materials written by and about her. The files in this record group were created by a national president or executive director, or for their use, or maintained in their office during their years in office. Included are correspondence, minutes, memos, publications, reports and subject files on topics with which these individuals were involved.
Dates: 1875, 1877-2011, 2015; Majority of material found within 1910 - 2000
Found in: American Jewish Historical Society / Executive Functions Records in the Hadassah Archives
German-Jewish Children's Aid Records
The German-Jewish Children's Aid, later known as the European-Jewish Children's Aid, was involved in bringing Jewish children to the United States from Europe before, during, and after World War II. The records in this collection are comprised of correspondence, reports and case files, which may contain biographical information as well as questionnaries and correspondence concerning the case.
Found in: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research / German-Jewish Children's Aid Records
Papers of Cecilia Razovsky
The papers consist of correspondence and reports of Cecelia Razovsky (married name: Davidson), noted social worker specializing in immigration and resettlement of refugees. The collection includes information about her work with the National Council of Jewish Women in the 1920s, and with the National Refugee Service (and predecessor organizations) in the 1930s. Information is included about her work as a Resettlement Supervisor in the post-World War II Displaced Persons camps in Europe, and as a field worker in the southwestern U.S. for the United Service for New Americans in 1950. The collection contains reports and correspondence from her trips to South America, primarily Brazil, to explore possibilities of refugee settlement in 1937 and 1946; as a representative for United HIAS Service to aid in settling Egyptian and Hungarian refugees in 1957-1958; and as a pleasure trip and evaluation of the changes in the Jewish community of the country in 1963. Also included in the collection are many of Razovsky's articles, plays, and pamphlets.
Found in: American Jewish Historical Society / Papers of Cecilia Razovsky
Young Judaea Records in the Hadassah Archives
Identifier: I-578/RG 8
Young Judaea is the oldest Zionist youth organization in the United States, established as a national organization in 1909 by the Federation of American Zionists. It was supported by Hadassah, including direct financial sponsorship from 1967-2011. The major aims of Young Judaea throughout its history have been to advance the cause of Zionism, to further the mental, moral, and physical development of Jewish youth, and to promote Jewish culture and ideals in accordance with Jewish traditions. Young Judaea has remained non-partisan and non-denominational, embracing and recruiting Jewish youth from all backgrounds.
Found in: American Jewish Historical Society / Young Judaea Records in the Hadassah Archives
Youth Aliyah Records in the Hadassah Archives
The Youth Aliyah Records in the Hadassah Archives document Hadassah's work with multiple international organizations to rescue Jewish children from continental Europe to Palestine from 1933-1945. The collection also documents Hadassah's involvement with Youth Aliyah since 1946 in providing residential, educational, vocational, rehabilitative and therapeutic care for displaced and at-risk youth from around the world.
Found in: American Jewish Historical Society / Youth Aliyah Records in the Hadassah Archives
More about 'Refugee children'
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee 3
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America 3
Zionist Organization of America 3
Ben-Shemen (Youth village: Ben-Shemen, Israel) 2
Brandeis, Louis Dembitz, 1856-1941 2
Freier, Recha 2
Freund, Miriam K. (Miriam Kottler), 1906-1999 2
German-Jewish Children's Aid (Organization) 2
Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America 2
Jacobs, Rose G., 1888- 2
Jacobson, Charlotte, 1914- 2010 2
Jewish Agency for Israel. Youth Aliyah Department 2
Jewish Agency for Palestine. Child and Youth Immigration Bureau 2
Kol, Moshe, 1911-1989 2
Lehman, Herbert H. (Herbert Henry), 1878-1963 2
Magnes, J. L. (Judah Leon), 1877-1948 2


Your hometown, things people can do with a piece of paper but youll never learn it all. They connect your birthday, your name, the things people can do with a piece of paper first two are numbers. It isnt code that anyone uses.


Tonight I went to Lil' Woody's for a burger, then to Pie Bar for a slice of pie and a drink.
The first time I went to Pie Bar, several years ago on a cold night where I felt like an adult who could have dessert first if she damn well pleased, I said to myself, this is a cool little place with a nice romantic vibe, I should take people I wanna sleep with here in the future. And I have, now and then. Thinking of that on the way home, I find myself pondering if there's anyone I should take there again before I leave town for good. Or anyone I should take there who I haven't yet.
These sure are not thoughts I ever really expected to be in a position to have when I was a sad, angry teen boy.
Anyway. It was good pie.


Here we have a lovely old cast iron fire basket / Log Burner that can be used inside or outside. Im unsure of its age probably 30 years or so.
It has been reclaimed and coated with 2 coats of stove paint. The top part sits on top of the basket. (previously bolted on but the bolts have melted with heat so it just sits nicely on top). This would look lovely in any alcove or small fire place.
Height at back 16.6. Height at front 9.5. The item "Vintage Cast Iron Inglenook Firebasket Fire Grate Fireplace Garden Wood Burner" is in sale since Saturday, September 1, 2018. This item is in the category "Home, Furniture & DIY\Fireplaces & Accessories\Grates & Andirons". The seller is "johni2144" and is located in Newport,South Wales.


text:
Елеонора Мария ди Франческо де Медичи (; * 1 март 1566, Флоренция; † 9 септември 1611, Кавриана) от род Медичи, е чрез женитба херцогиня на Мантуа и Монферат.

Произход

Тя е най-възрастната дъщеря на велик херцог Франческо I де Медичи от Тоскана и ерцхерцогиня Йохана Австрийска, дъщеря на император Фердинанд I. Елеонора де Медичи е сестра на Мария де Медичи, кралицата на Франция и майка на крал Луи XIII.

Биография
На 29 април 1584 г. Елеонора де Медичи се омъжва за Винченцо I Гондзага (1562 – 1612) от род Гондзага, от 1587 г. херцог на Мантуа и херцог на Монферат. Той е разведен от Маргерита Фарнезе от Парма. Елеонора де Медичи и Винченцо I Гонзага имат децата:
 Франческо IV Гондзага (1586 – 1612), херцог на Мантуа и Монферат от 1612, ∞ 1608 за Маргарита Савойска (1589 – 1655), дъщеря на херцог Карл Емануил I Савойски
 Фердинандо Гондзага (1587 – 1626), кардинал 1607, херцог на Мантуа и Монферат от 1612, ∞ 1) 1615, развод 1616 Камила Фаа Ретичина, ∞ 2) 1617 Катерина де Медичи (1593 – 1629), дъщеря на великия херцог на Тоскана Фердинандо I де Медичи
 Гулелмо Доменико Гондзага (* 4 август 1589, † 13 май 1591)
 Маргарита Гондзага (* 2 октомври 1591, † 7 февруари 1632), ∞ 24 април 1606 за Хайнрих II херцог на Лотарингия (1563 – 1624)
 Винченцо II Гондзага (1594 – 1627), кардинал 1615, херцог на Мантуа и Монферат 1626, ∞ 1616 за Изабела Гондзага, дъщеря на Алфонсо I Гондзага, маркграф на Новелара
 Елеонора Гондзага (* 23 септември 1598, † 27 юни 1655), ∞ 2 февруари 1622 за император Фердинанд II

Източници

 Vogt-Lüerssen, Maike. "Eleonora de' Medici, Duchess of Mantua". kleio.org.

Външни препратки
 Eleonora Medici, genealogy.euweb.cz
Херцози на Мантуа
Херцози на Монферат
Медичи
Гонзага
Жени
Италианска аристокрация
Италианки


text:
By afaqs! news bureau Published: 28 Nov 2014, 5:30 AM IST
Kellogg gifts breakfasts to children
The breakfast cereal company successfully culminates its Breakfast Pledge initiative by gifting 4,00,000 children with breakfasts across several cities.
Kellogg India recently completed the Kellogg's Breakfast Pledge initiative that was kick started in January, 2014 by gifting 400,000 breakfasts to school children across the country.
In January 2014, the brand launched the initiative and called upon people through various touch points to take a pledge to eat breakfast every day; with every pledge, Kellogg's would gift a breakfast to a child.
This was successfully culminated by partnering with United Way of Mumbai (UWM).
400,000 Indians together pledged their support and the company delivered on its commitment, by gifting 400,000 breakfasts to children in the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
The breakfast consisted of a pack of Kellogg's Anaaj Ka Naashta and milk along with a bowl and spoon. Reinforcing this exercise, an educational module on the importance of breakfast was also included to highlight the ill-effects of meal skipping and inadequate food intake particularly at breakfast time.
Speaking about this initiative, Sangeeta Pendurkar, MD, Kellogg India, says, "In line with our vision of creating a healthier nation, it is our responsibility to ensure that young India gets the right start to their day with a nutritionally adequate breakfast. We hope we have made a difference with the gifting of 400,000 breakfasts to children and are grateful to Indians for believing in the Power of Breakfast and pledging their support for this initiative. Besides advocating the importance of breakfast, at Kellogg we have been building the goodness of grains as part of a balanced breakfast through our communication 'Anaaj Ka Naashta, a solid start for you'."
Jayanti Shukla, executive director, United Way of Mumbai (UWM), says, "This initiative also helped them appreciate the significance of starting the day on a healthy note with a nourishing breakfast. We have seen a significant creation of awareness amongst children in schools across India and hope this initiative will go a long way in helping Indians understand the importance of a nutritionally adequate breakfast."
In 2013, Kellogg India supported the 'India Breakfast Habits Study' which showed that 1 in 4 Indians claim to skip breakfast and a whopping 72 per cent have a nutritionally inadequate breakfast.
Post this revelation, Kelloggs embarked on the Power of Breakfast Initiative with the intent of spreading the awareness about the importance of breakfast among Indians.
In India, Kellogg is primarily focused on educating the Indian consumers about the importance of breakfast cereal by driving the 'goodness of cereal' agenda. Kellogg is known for its flagship brand Kellogg's Corn Flakes with its range of five variants positioned to all members of the family.
KelloggKellogg IndiaBTLUnited Ways of MumbaiJayanti ShuklaSangeeta Pendurkar


consists of a special mixture of green tea extracts with EGCG, vitamin C and piperine. We use only raw materials from controlled cultivation.
If you order tigovit for 85 € in germany or for 125 € abroad the shipping is free.
Take a half-year supply now! Order 6 packages and pay just 5 packages!


text:
KabbalaOnline.org Weekly Torah Archives Bereishit - Genesis Toldot Contemporary Kabbalists
Fostering Good, Combating Evil
Jacob's focus was mainly the constant ascent in divine consciousness
"The children struggled within her…." (Gen. 25:22)
When she passed by the house of study headed by Shem and Eber, Jacob tried to get out; when she passed by a temple of idolatry, Esau tried to get out. They were also fighting over who would inherit the two worlds: the physical world and the World to Come.[Rashi]
This does not mean that Esau possessed an inborn drive to serve idols, for:
we know that everyone is born with free choice - and we also could not then fault him for turning out wicked, and
how could a son of Isaac possess such a trait?
Esau…desired both worlds…
Rather, it means that Jacob and Esau were each born predisposed to one of the two, complementary facets of the
G‑dly life. Jacob was drawn to the direct path of ascending the ladder of divine consciousness by increasing (quantitatively and qualitatively) in knowledge and good deeds. Esau, in contrast, was drawn to the indirect path of championing goodness by combating evil.
This is clear also from the fact that they were fighting over who would inherit both worlds: This World and the World to Come. Had Esau been innately evil, he would not have been interested in the World to Come. The fact that he desired both worlds indicates that at this point, at least, his intentions were still pure. True, his focus was on the challenges of This World, but he saw the World to Come as a source of inspiration and guidance in accomplishing his goal of refining this world. In contrast, Jacob's focus was mainly the World to Come, the goal of the constant ascent in divine consciousness. But he wanted This World also, since he knew that answering the challenges of This World enables us to attain higher levels in the World to Come.
Adapted from Likutei Sichot (vol. 20, pp.108 ff.)
Copyright 2001 Chabad of California / http://www.LAchumash.org
Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky is a scholar, writer, editor and anthologist, living in Jerusalem. He has recently produced two monumental works: "Apples from the Orchard: Arizal on the Weekly Torah" and a Chumash translation with commentary based on the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Kehot).
From the Kehot Chumash, produced by Chabad of California with an interpolated translation and commentary based on the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory. Copyright (c) 2008 by Chabad of California, Inc. All rights reserved. For personal use only. The full volume is available for purchase at Kehotonline.
More from Moshe Wisnefsky | RSS
Choosing the Path of Love
Two Souls
Children Banished from Their Father's Table
Assigning Homework
THEMES of Featured Contemporary Kabbalists Articles
Esau's Autobiography
A cautionary tale of violence and villainy
14 Facts About Esau Everyone Should Know
Jacob of the Bible
Jacob, Our Father
Current Torah Portion
Bereishit - Genesis
Shemot - Exodus
Vayikra - Leviticus
Bamidbar - Numbers
Devarim - Deuteronomy
Daily Zohar - Hok L'Yisrael
World To Come (80)
Physicality and Spirituality (209)
Jacob (155)
Esau (70)


To discover Manual Rocker Recliner By Monarch Specialties Inc.
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This is the subsequent sofa on our list. It is extra comfortable and very ideal for little areas or attic living. It's upholstered in polyester material, prospects inset control keys that provide an elegant diamond-tufted style. It is made from long lasting supplies and the thighs are made of long lasting wood to add to its durability. The loveseat comes with an java discolored wooden legs and no-marking foot caps. It offers a comfortable foam cushioning and rayon material furniture which makes it extremely luxurious. It features a longue place that gives an exceptional space for resting.
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This reclining loveseat requires the 2nd place because its a super affordable, extremely comfortable choice that may fit in with most home decorations designs. Its wood frame is padded with circles (for some springtime) and high-density froth (for some gentle), and upholstered with brownish faux leather which makes it an ultra-flexible piece of furniture. Add it to the person cave for any comfy spot to view the sport (and dont worry about any spillsits vinyl fabric upholstery tends to make clean-up simple) or perhaps your living room with a few ornamental throw cushions for the perfect place to cozy up after a long day. Real-existence clients love this lying loveseat simply because its comfortable, long lasting, simple to put together 1 reviewer even noted that they was able to assemble two models in under forty-five minutes! and delivery from the merchant is easy.
The Lawson might be called quintessential American couch style. It is comfy and straightforward: The boxy shape is generous and usually has 3 back again soft cushions in addition to three seat cushions. The classic Lawson also has A taller back and box-formed soft cushions that have welts in the edges, as do the back cushions. Ideal for snuggling and sleeping, this sofa style was designed for Thomas Lawson, an American copper magnate in the change of the hundred years. He wanted a sofa which was quite different from the fussy Victorian styles which were typical at that time. Present versions of the Lawson can also incorporate metal or wood contained in the hands. Most significantly, this sofa design is the one that will change its vibe with the textile you select for that furniture. The shape is so flexible that it can be attractive, luxurious, commercial, casual or formal depending on your material option.
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HSN Community / Forums / Fashion / Who is the maker of colleens top.
Who is the maker of colleens top.
The black dress Colleen is wearing is From what line?
Colleen's dress is from her line coming up in March 2015 and is not yet available on HSN.com.


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text:
Q: Hypersurface four-vector, or a familly of four 3-forms? While reading my old personal notes on forms in relativity, I got confused about some aspects of the mathematical formalism (integration on tensors and p-forms).  The energy-momentum flux across some hypersurface $\Sigma$ in spacetime is defined as this:
$$\int_{\Sigma} T^{ab} \, d\sigma_b, \tag{1}$$
where $d\sigma_b$ are the covariant components of the hypersurface normal.  Lets work in special relativity with cartesian coordinates, for simplicity.  I'm using $c = 1$ and metric signature $\eta = (1, -1, -1, -1)$.  Usually:
\begin{align}
d\sigma_0 &= d^3 x = dx \, dy \, dz, \tag{2a} \\
d\sigma_1 &= dt \, dS_x = dt \, dy \, dz, \tag{2b} \\
d\sigma_2 &= dt \, dS_y = dt \, dz \, dx, \tag{2c}\\
d\sigma_3 &= dt \, dS_z = dt \, dx \, dy. \tag{2d}
\end{align}
These infinitesimal elements could be interpreted as the covariant components of a four-vector in spacetime (maybe I'm doing a mistake here!).
Now, we could introduce a familly of four 3-forms (fully antisymetric rank 3 tensors):
\begin{equation}\tag{3}
d\boldsymbol{\sigma}_a = \frac{1}{3!} \, \varepsilon_{abcd} \, \mathbf{d}x^b \wedge \mathbf{d}x^c \wedge \mathbf{d}x^d \equiv \varepsilon_{abcd} \, \mathbf{d}x^b \otimes \mathbf{d}x^c \otimes \mathbf{d}x^d,
\end{equation}
where $\varepsilon_{abcd}$ is the totally antisymetric permutation Levi-Civita symbol and $\varepsilon_{0123} \equiv 1$.  Explicitely, this expression gives four 3-forms (or tensors):
\begin{align}
d\boldsymbol{\sigma}_0 &= +\: \mathbf{d}x \wedge \mathbf{d}y \wedge \mathbf{d}z, \tag{4a} \\
d\boldsymbol{\sigma}_1 &= -\, \mathbf{d}t \wedge \mathbf{d}y \wedge \mathbf{d}z, \tag{4b} \\
d\boldsymbol{\sigma}_2 &= -\, \mathbf{d}t \wedge \mathbf{d}z \wedge \mathbf{d}x, \tag{4c} \\
d\boldsymbol{\sigma}_3 &= -\, \mathbf{d}t \wedge \mathbf{d}x \wedge \mathbf{d}y, \tag{4d}
\end{align}
which are very similar to components (2).
So my question is what actually is the hypersurface normal?  A four-vector of infinitesimal covariant components $d\sigma_a$, or a set of four 3-forms $d\boldsymbol{\sigma}_a$ (i.e antisymetric co-tensors)?
Also, are the 3-forms (3)-(4) a Hodge dual of something else?
Why am I confused with this??

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The demon queen subdued enormous and powerful monsters and slaughtered over half of the world's population. Surviving members of the human race elected a hero to slay the demon queen, beseeching release from her oppressive rule. However, he questions his mission to eradicate the monsters: in his opinion, they too are conscious and alive, and so he anguishes over that fact. Sheila the Demon Queen became interested in him and decides to join his journey, hiding her identity and planning to kill him after she has gained his trust. Immediately, however, she realizes that she's fallen in love wi... More...
The demon queen subdued enormous and powerful monsters and slaughtered over half of the world's population. Surviving members of the human race elected a hero to slay the demon queen, beseeching release from her oppressive rule. However, he questions his mission to eradicate the monsters: in his opinion, they too are conscious and alive, and so he anguishes over that fact. Sheila the Demon Queen became interested in him and decides to join his journey, hiding her identity and planning to kill him after she has gained his trust. Immediately, however, she realizes that she's fallen in love with the hero, and hence their journey begins... Less...
Superior † (Sequel)
Недосягаемый
シューピアリア
魔王爱勇者
수피리어
Bushido Angel Adventures
ENXAME
JanimeS
Snow Kiss Scanlations
Superior Scans
v.2 by ENXAME over 11 years ago
v.9 c.1b by Bushido Angel Adventures over 12 years ago
9 Volumes (Complete)
Superior by okigen
April 11th 2018, 8:12am PST
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Romance Shounen
Changed by Love
Demon Queen
Demon-Human Relationship
Demon/s
Star-Crossed Lovers
Strong Female Lead
Strong Male Lead
Unorthodox Female Love Interest
Zhi Mo (Novel)
Superior †
Retired Heroes
Maougun Saikyou no Majutsushi wa Ningen datta (Novel)
Maoyuu Maou Yuusha - "Kono Watashi no Mono Tonare, Yuusha yo" "Kotowaru!"
Vampire Juujikai
Mahou Tsukai Kurohime
Hoshi no Samidare
1/2 Prince
Shin Angyo Onshi
Angel Densetsu
Hagane no Renkinjutsushi
Chrno Crusade
Übel Blatt
Double Arts
The Breaker
Psyren
Ookami to Koushinryou
Blood Alone
Otoyomegatari
Akumetsu
Yanki-kun to Megane-chan
Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro
Hatenkou Yuugi
Watashi no Ookami-san
Midori no Hibi
Immortal Regis
Ciel - The Last Autumn Story
The Legend of Maian
Tsubasa - Reservoir Chronicle
Change 123
Rosario to Vampire
Ichtys
GanGan Powered (Square Enix)
Weekly Pos #379 (+71)
Monthly Pos #691 (+62)
3 Month Pos #808 (No change)
6 Month Pos #796 (+1)
Year Pos #788 (-106)
shounen?
honestly is thier ment to be a sequel to the ending
Superior Wiki
Superior Grade Manga
JanimeS dropped Superior
Poor execution
by Shellshock
So i finished Superior and all i can say that it was unimpressive. The series has good worldbuilding. how the author uses episodic chapters to enrich the world was well done. but sadly thats seems to be the author's only decent point. The story is that the MMC who is the Hero needs to kill the leader of monsters who is the FMC. Unknown the MMC is that the FMC is some human looking monster and since he doesn't know her apperance but the FMC knows him she tags along just for fun. Along the way she falls in love with him however whilst the MMC slowly gains feelings for her as well. Here's the catch though. The MMC doesn't want to kill anybody and believes that monsters and humans coexist. The story really starts however at the start of the 3rd volume when the author gets the party together. The Monster lord, the Hero, and the hero's 2 companions. The romance personally was poorly done. It could've been a great Love square with funny banter but the author never properly utilizes its potential. The action also is pretty mundane. There were some good moments though. I think the series was strongest was when the hero was trying to convince other characters that he can't kill and they can live in peace. I liked that part but again the execution is just poor. The execution is really the main reason this series suffers. Its just great ideas but poor execution all around. The author doesn't explain how people get from point A to Point B. we are just supposed accept that this is happening right now. The author also does a shit job of trying to give other characters heart. Giving a flashback on there death bed when they were just introduced doesn't work. It never did no matter how many times the author used it. It helped with the world building but again was poorly executed. The author also drags on this pointless backstories with far too little engaging moments. Overall i liked the concept but the execution just pulls the series down so much. Some decent moments though
Tries to hard for the "cool"factor
by sakirol
March 21st, 2016, 11:33am
The art is quite nice. I really liked the character designs. But the characters fall short, and as a result, the story also falls short due to its dependency on the characters. The characters are too distant or suave. It feels like the mangaka is trying too hard to incite a "woah bro, this is deep" feeling, but there is nothing original about how the characters feel, so it just comes out flat.
... Last updated on March 21st, 2016, 11:35am
So far disappointing
by PZcolo
July 11th, 2015, 2:17pm
Boring and naive. In 90% of the cases I hate the concept of "don't kill whatever the cost", it's usually used in a very childish and shallow manner, like here. Got to agree with asmageddon, this just didn't feel "real" in any layer (just consider in 1 chapter alone the demon lord goes from killing half of humanity to never killing again... that's char development... likewise, other chars change like pancakes after 1 talk or event, I find it lame) so yeah it is a bit of a disappointment and with so much interesting manga out there I'm dropping this for now after finishing vol2, thou I do hope to pick it up again sometime.
... Last updated on July 11th, 2015, 2:19pm
Better then what I was expecting
by tipz
August 1st, 2014, 2:39pm
Even though it started out as a typical adventure manga. It had more depth then what I was expecting.. I would have liked to see more mature drama between the hero and her in this one but overall it was a well written well drawn out story (prequel).
jumps straight to the point right from the start. The hero comes to slay he demon lord. She though falls for him so easily... And they go on different adventures. Some chapters are hard to get through because of how wordy and lengthy the chapters are. It took me by suprised.. Cause everytime I thought I was getting bored with the story. They found a new way some how to keep it interesting. It ends with a mini battle and questions as to what is going to happen next
Weaknesses outweigh the strengths
by MangaGhost
June 29th, 2014, 1:34am
Premise is kind of funny and some of the comedy works. However, there isn't a real good balance between comedy and drama. All these people that have had to endure cruelty and harsh lives is sometimes handled flippantly. The author also doesn't know the difference between showing and telling. Its quite annoying when we are hit over the head with another rushed explanation of a new characters tragic background. The romance part though is cute and works for me. Some of the character designs are nice like Maou-sama (the Demon Lord). I also like some of the cover art. The dialogue has a shoujo-esque quality at times. Plus it unfortunately gets progressively dumber and childish as the series goes along. So some decent art, a funny premise and crappy storytelling ends up making this really mediocre which is unfortunate.
by Silvergoku
June 17th, 2014, 9:49pm
Manga starts off good, keeps you hooked, interested and the comedy is very good. Don't judge a manga by comments alone, read the first volume and decide for yourself because I found the manga better than what the comments said. My only warning which isn't a warning is the first series of Superior ends like in the middle of the series, and continues into the second series of Superior which is completely scanlated. It is not much of a warning but in reality both series were suppose to be 1 series but it was split for some reason. Recommended for people who enjoy action, comedy and romance.
by shmanga123
August 13th, 2013, 2:51am
At first i was surprised as compared to the historical manga ive read superior was unoque the build up was amazig though it dragged on a tiny bit i honestly loved this manga cant wait till i find another manga like it the art was fantastic i would say this manga is UNDERATED. How the characters emotion builds uup and the confusion LOVED this manga
In the top five
by Ariaofthesong
August 6th, 2013, 11:14pm
Superior is one of my top five favorite manga in the whole wide world. Why? Because the art is beautiful, the plot is intriguing, and the characters are cool as hell. It is a great manga, just give it a chance. Yes, the beginning is a little rocky and the ideals of the Hero are cliche. He has his reasons, don't just think that he wont kill because he's an average shounen hero. You can identify with all the characters, even the ones that come into play later. You can even relate to the poor walking head grandpa. And the artwork is beautiful and elegant (as it progresses) and you are instantly drawn in.
While there are several problems, I find that they are so insignificant that it is possible to just read it and enjoy it.
Oh, for anyone that wants to know (in no specific order) my faves, here
1.)Taiyou no Ie
2.)Red River
3.)Usotsuki Lily
4.)Superior
5.)Saver
Commentor below me: whaaaaa???
by Aadieu
July 15th, 2013, 10:47pm
It IS totally luv it or hate it! ....it's silly, it's sappy, it borders on the ridiculous, it's got some ho-yay and eye-blistering amounts of bishies - BUUUUUT, it's just sooo dang charming and sweet that most of us don't seem to care!!!!
hence: PURE WIN.
I'm honestly surprised
by pokepika2410
May 24th, 2013, 11:34pm
This is my first comment basically ever, so please bear with me.
I really liked the art style and the characters, as sappy as they are sometimes. The plot overall is pretty straightforward to the point that whatever vague idea you have of the ending (besides a "plot twist" or two) is probably quite accurate. I'm a little surprised by how highly rated it is, but if you want some fantasy adventure cliche because you love some aspects of fantasy but don't have enough time to read lots of them (like me), then Superior is a pretty good option.
This is just my try on putting my opinion out there. Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, this series compelled me to type out a comment, so it's definitely "something." It's not a 1, but it's not a 10 either, and I think some people who commented are really invested in only a few aspects and only raging or fangirling about those parts. Like most things, it's not just "love it or hate it." Only the reader can form his or her own opinion, and I just hope that I cleared up some misconceptions about Superior.


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