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Fetal Health Foundation Awards $50,000 ...
Aduro Biotech's Personalized LADD Therapy ...
Fetal Health Foundation Awards $50,000 Research Grant to Further Study into Fetal Pulmonary Disease
byNASDAQ Market NewsNovember 9, 2016
DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - Nov 9, 2016) - The Fetal Health Foundation (FHF) has named Dr. Deprest of the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven (Belgium) and the University College of London Institute for Women's Health the recipient of the 2016 Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant. Now in its third year of administering and awarding grants for fetal health research, FHF expanded its scope to include research projects from international centers and combined funds to allocate $50,000 to the grant recipient in order to increase the impact of the grant. The funds awarded to Dr. Deprest's study will be used to target prevention of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), an anomaly that disturbs lung development during fetal life.
According to Deprest, 30 percent of newborns diagnosed with CDH die due to pulmonary complications. His research team believes that the combination of current postnatal therapies with prenatal strategies represent the future of CDH management.
"Despite the progress in neonatology, too many newborns die due to respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension, and many others suffer significant pulmonary disease," Deprest stated. "With this research grant, we will continue to investigate the efficacy of maternally-administered sildenafil, a drug that selectively vasodilates the pulmonary arteries, to prevent pulmonary hypertension in newborns with CDH."
An international leader in CDH research and treatment, Dr. Deprest is best known for his work studying and advancing tracheal occlusion techniques and equipment that would allow sufficient in-utero lung development to sustain life after birth. Under his consultation, several medical centers in the United States have recently received FDA approval to pursue a feasibility study of fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) for serious CDH cases.
The Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant was established in 2014 with a generous donation and the continued support of the Brianna Marie Foundation in honor of Brianna Marie Hissam. Diagnosed with fetal hydrops, a condition caused when abnormal amounts of fluid build in two or more body areas of a fetus or newborn, Brianna Marie was born March 16, 2012, and only lived 15 hours.
According to Dalia El-Prince, executive director of FHF, the foundation received numerous grant applications for the award. "It's exciting to see the groundbreaking work that is occurring in the field of fetal health medicine," says El-Prince. "Choosing just one study to fund was difficult. Ultimately, our hope is to assist Dr. Deprest's team in taking his study to the next level to overcome this devastating birth defect and spare its monumental emotional toll."
Based in Littleton, Colo., the Fetal Health Foundation administers the Brianna Marie Memorial Research Grant and is an international leader in supporting families and medical treatment centers dealing with intrauterine fetal syndromes. Recently GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits, named FHF a "2016 Top-Rated Nonprofit," a designation determined by those who have direct experience with the nonprofit. Learn more about the Fetal Health Foundation at www.fetalhealthfoundation.org.
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Coco Peat is also known as coir, coco fiber or coir peat. It is made from coconut husks and is a consistent media for long term growing. Coco Peat Bricks have excellent water retention ability and can be used multiple times.
A 5kg compressed brick expands to 50 litres of growing media when 25 litres of water is added to it.
Please note that due to the manufacturing process of the bricks that each brick weighs between 4.4kg and 5.2kgs.


The transition to a digital system was first mandated by Congress in 1996. Broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers were informed. Twelve years later, and just one year out from the date of transition, ConnPIRG's report finds that accurate information about the transition is hard to come by in most retail stores.
ConnPIRG called on retailers to properly educate their employees and their customers about the digital TV transition.
Consumers can go online at dtv.gov or call the free government number 1-888-388-2009 to find out more about the government-sponsored coupon program.


【1】 Sweden スウェーデン《ISO の 2 文字コード》.
From Proto-Indo-European *swé (再帰的用法 pronoun).
There is little distinction made between the accusative forms sē and sēsē as the two forms are used indifferently, except that sēsē is preferred where emphasis is intended (especially in reference to a preceding ipse, または at the beginning または the end of a clause).
Privative suffix (for *sue-), from the reflexive pronoun suus. See sed.


Even though this post was written in 2011, I came across it recently and it had me thinking about all the frustrating and annoying things in the world of technology. Granted, this can be applied to an even larger scope, but there's a lot of companies that were once mighty that even as a customer (or user), I'm finding myself no longer believing in. In another way, you may have noticed some silence on this site for about the past month—outside of the HomePod launch, there just hasn't been much that has interested me. This site isn't going anywhere, but a little hiatus from time to time can be a good thing.


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Der Kruiner Tunnel ist ein 89 Meter langer kombinierter Eisenbahn- und Straßentunnel in der nordrhein-westfälischen Stadt Gevelsberg in Deutschland. Er durchschneidet den Damm der Bahnstrecke Elberfeld–Dortmund und befindet sich südlich der Gevelsberger Innenstadt nahe der Stadtgrenze zu Ennepetal. Durch den Tunnel führen die Ennepetalbahn und die Landesstraße L 700, welche bis 2015 die Bundesstraße 7 war.

Seit 1988 steht der Tunnel unter Denkmalschutz und ist unter der Nr. 91 in der Baudenkmalliste von Gevelsberg verzeichnet.

Geschichte

Die Bauarbeiten der Bahnstrecke Elberfeld–Dortmund begannen im Jahre 1845. Der Streckenabschnitt Wuppertal-Schwelm wurde bereits im Oktober 1847 in Betrieb genommen. Die schwierigen Geländeverhältnisse verzögerten den weiteren Bau. Zwischen Ennepetal und Gevelsberg musste im Bereich des heutigen Tunnels ein 340 Meter langer und bis zu 120 Meter breiter Eisenbahndamm errichtet werden, der zudem noch die Ennepe neben dem Tunnel quert. Die notwendigen Flächen konnten erst nach Enteignungen erworben werden, sodass der Bau des Damms und des Tunnels erst im Mai 1846 aufgenommen wurde. Die etwa 500.000 m³ Erde stammen aus dem Einschnitt beim Haus Martfeld in der Nähe von Schwelm und mussten mühsam von tausenden Arbeitern per Schubkarre herangeschafft werden.

Der Tunnel wird seit der Fertigstellung oberhalb von der Bergisch-Märkischen Eisenbahn überquert und im Tunnel von der Ennepetalbahn und der L 700 durchquert. Hinzu kam von 1907 bis 1956 eine eingleisige Verbindung der Straßenbahn Ennepe von Voerde nach Haßlinghausen. Später wurden im Tunnel der Straßen- und der Schienenverkehr durch eine Leitplanke abgetrennt. Dem Straßenverkehr stand nur eine Fahrspur für beide Richtungen zur Verfügung; der Verkehr wurde ab 1961 durch Ampeln geregelt.

Im Jahre 1992 wurde das Gleis ebenfalls mit einer Fahrbahndecke ausgestattet, und der Straßenverkehr kann seither die volle Verkehrsfläche im Tunnel nutzen und ihn zweispurig passieren. Wenn heute Züge der Ennepetalbahn den Tunnel passieren, wird für die Dauer der Zugfahrt der Straßenverkehr durch Ampeln gesperrt.

Weblinks

 Bilder der Tunnelportale
 Weitere auf eisenbahntunnel-portal.de
 Verkehr auf der Ennepetalbahn (defekt)
 628698 durchfährt den Tunnel
 Historische Bilder des Tunnels und der Ennepetalbahn im unteren Teil

Belege

Straßentunnel in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Eisenbahntunnel in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Märkische Straße Technischer Kulturdenkmäler
Erbaut in den 1840er Jahren
Baudenkmal in Gevelsberg
Route der Industriekultur (Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis)
Tunnel im Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis
Tunnel in Europa
Verkehrsbauwerk im Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis
Bauwerk in Gevelsberg
Verkehrsbauwerk in Europa

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
An Abundance of Snowfall
February was a snowy month. After several years of rather soft winter weather in what is typically wintertime, it seemed as if this February was so much colder and so much more snowy than normal. In fact, it was rather normal temperature-wise, but there was more snowfall than average. Not record setting snowfall by any means, just more than average. Plus, with the more normal wintertime February temperatures, what snow we got, stayed on the ground for the entire month. It was a good old fashioned winter month. This made for happy people looking to ski, skate or go ice fishing and generally anyone else that enjoys snow and typical Norfolk winter weather.
The month's low temperature of 4 degrees was observed on February 12. There were five days this month with single digit temperatures, but no days recording zero or below zero. The high temperature of 46 degrees was observed on February 24. There were no daily record high or low temperatures this month. The average monthly temperature was 22.8 degrees, just 0.6 degree above normal. It was the coldest February in Norfolk since 2015. February 2015's average temperature of 10.9 degrees was Norfolk's second coldest month of any month since 1932. The warmest February on record was in 2002 with 30.7 degrees. The coldest was in 1934 with 9.0 degrees, making that also the coldest month of any month as recorded at this weather station.
Total precipitation recorded for the month was 3.42 inches, just 0.21 inch below normal. A vast majority of February's precipitation was in the form of snow, with a small portion coming as freezing rain. Obviously, the month's cold temperatures played a role in this predominately frozen winter precipitation. The 2021 calendar year (January and February) total precipitation amount of 5.53 inches was 2.12 inches below normal. The record for most February total precipitation is 11.70 inches from 1981, the least amount is 0.60 inch from 1987.
February's monthly snowfall total of 35.0 inches was 14.7 inches above normal. Snow on ground depth during the month ranged from 9 inches to 21 inches, with an average snow on ground of over 17 inches during the month. This month ranked as Norfolk's eleventh snowiest February over the last 90 years. It was the snowiest February since 2014, then 2010 before that, then 1972 before that. Norfolk's top seven snowiest February's occurred between 1940 and 1972. The record for most snowfall in February is 52.4 inches from 1969, the least is 4.8 inches from 1998.
The 2021 calendar year snowfall total through February was 47.4 inches, 6.6 inches above normal. This is over 33 inches more snowfall than the same period last winter. The snowfall total for this winter season, October through February, was 71.5 inches, 6.1 inches above normal for this time period. This is over 31 inches more than last winter season for this time period. Hence, the happiness of the area's snow loving crowd, from those that try to make a living from snow to those that just play in it.
March is often Norfolk's transition month between winter and spring. March is a fickle weather month and can throw a wild mix of weather conditions at us. This March through mid-month was much colder than normal with minimal precipitation and minimal snow. It was certainly cold enough for snowfall, but the storms just did not form. The cold kept February's snow on the ground in most places at least through mid-month. Many local maple syrup producers have reported that this season has been slow due to the cold temperatures. That may change as the forecast for the last quarter of March is for temperatures to increase. Precipitation is needed, so hopefully the warmer conditions also bring some beneficial early spring moisture.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It is of the ''canterbury model'', which is of the largest models in the development. It is a very bright, sunny and spacious home. The nice size 3 bedrooms and formal living, dining and game room with hard wood floors. Family room with hard wood floor and a gas fireplace with remote control. There is a loft area that can be used as an office, gym, playroom, etc. Enjoy relaxing or entertaining guests in the large game/bar room. The game room has a lot of cabinets for storage. Private fenced yard with a big barbeque grill and a very nice backyard. The roof was renewed after hurricane sandy, and has a 50 year warranty. The home has many interior and exterior custom features. There is also a sprinkling system.
Listing courtesy of Realmart Realty LLC.


text:
Learn French (Canadian)
French Canadian is a Romance language with lots of similarities in grammar and vocabulary, making it easier to pick up one if you've learnt another. The Latin-based Romance languages are mostly spoken in the area of the former Western Roman Empire. However, many are now also spoken beyond Europe, including Portuguese in Brazil, Spanish in Latin America, and French in Canada. So maybe you'll be tempted to learn more than one?
Learn French (Canadian) with uTalk
Языковая семья
Fun facts about French (Canadian)
French spoken in Canada is famous for its 'sacres' or the use of religious and Church-related vocabulary as strong profanity. An extremely vulgar curse goes like this: 'Mon ostie de saint-sacrament de câlice de crisse!' (literally: 'My host of the holy sacrament of the chalice of Christ'). Learners of Canadian French have to get used to the idea of using church vocabulary as swear words!
In very casual (often stigmatised) street language, 'you and me' or 'toi et moi' tends to sound more like 'toé et moé' which was in fact the classic French pronunciation before the French Revolution.
There are quite a few differences in vocabulary between European and Canadian French, such as 'blonde' for girlfriend (instead of petite amie), croustilles for crisps (instead of chips), and frette for cold (instead of froid).
The expression 'lâche pas la patate' means 'don't give up' but literally translates as 'don't let go of the potato'!
Более 30 миллионов человек начали говорить на иностранном языке благодаря приложению uTalk
Более 60 тем, а также свыше 2500 слов и фраз, охватывающих повседневные ситуации.
Практикуй разговорный язык и сравнивай своё произношение с произношением носителя языка.
Увлекательное обучение, основанное на играх
© uTalk 2019 - Сделано в Лондоне с любовью
Условия | Конфиденциальность | Поддержка | Блог
Выбрать другой язык сайта:


Goizueta Business Library has an information guide with the key elements of storytelling.
Ira Glass explains what makes a good story at Presentation Zen and Director Tom.
I continue to be whacked on the head with story-telling. Daniel Pink, the attention economy, etc. Thanks for the pointers. Also, the Heath book moves up in priority (it's in my candidates shelf, ready to be read).


text:
Culture-Art
Security-Defense
Al-Aqsa Mosque
/Contents List
Syria will continue to fight terrorism by all legitimate means: Assad
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has emphasized his complete refusal of any invasion of Syrian land under any pretext, noting that Syria will continue to fight terrorism by all legitimate means.
As Reported by Qods News Agency (Qodsna) Speaking in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late on Tuesday, Assad thanked the Russian leader for reaching an agreement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to establish "a safe-zone" in northeastern Syria and conduct joint patrols in the area after marathon talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
The Syrian president also "expressed his full support for the results of the work, as well as the readiness of the Syrian border guards, together with the Russian military police, to reach the Syrian-Turkish border."
Russia and Turkey have agreed to remove Kurdish militants from border areas in northern Syria and launch joint patrols there.
Putin, for his part, briefed Assad on the results of his talks with Erdogan, and highlighted that the main provision of the memorandum of understanding agreed upon during the meeting was to restore the territorial integrity of Syria and to continue joint efforts concerning Syria's political settlement, especially the work within the framework of the country's constitutional committee.
The Russian president told Assad that any agreement between Turkey and Russia will focus on fighting all kinds of terrorism and dismantle any separatist agendas on the Syrian land.
Earlier in the day, Putin and Erdogan signed a memorandum of understanding, stating that Kurdish forces must withdraw from a Turkish-ruled "safe zone" in northeast Syria within 150 hours, after which Ankara and Moscow will run joint patrols around the area.
The announcement was made hours before a United States-brokered five-day truce between Turkish and Kurdish-led forces was due to expire.
Turkey has agreed to end the military offensive in northern Syria after Kurdish fighters withdraw from a safe zone, US Vice President Mike Pence has said.
On October 9, Turkish military forces and Ankara-backed militants launched a long-threatened cross-border invasion of northeast Syria in a declared attempt to push Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) away from border areas.
Ankara views the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984. The YPG constitutes the backbone of the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Turkish military and allied forces have launched a cross-border offensive against Kurdish YPG militants in northeastern Syria.
The Kurdish-led administration in northeastern Syria says the Turkish offensive has killed 218 civilians, including 18 children, since its outset. The fighting has also wounded more than 650 people.
Turkish authorities say 20 people have been killed in Turkey by strikes from Syria, including eight people who were killed in a mortar attack on the town of Nusaybin by YPG militants on October 11.
On October 17, US Vice President Mike Pence said Washington and Ankara had agreed on a five-day ceasefire in Turkey's attacks on Kurdish fighters in the region.
If the promises are not kept until Tuesday, the operation will start over, the Turkish leader said.
The agreement followed negotiations between Pence and Erdogan at the presidential palace in Ankara.
Pence said Ankara would pause its offensive, dubbed Operation Peace Spring, for 120 hours in order to allow YPG militants to withdraw 30 kilometers from the Turkey-Syria border.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed "any efforts" to de-escalate the situation in northern Syria and protect civilians amid Turkey's offensive there.
Once the withdrawal is complete, "Operation Peace Spring will be halted entirely," Pence told reporters.
Lavrov: US position on Syria "changeable and contradictory"
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has condemned Washington's "changeable and contradictory" position on Syria, stating that the US-led military coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh terrorist group is illegally present on the Syrian soil.
"We do not especially look back at the United States and their position. Firstly, this position is rather changeable and contradictory. Secondly, the coalition that the United States lead is illegally on the Syrian territory. It is well known. I hope that those seedlings of understanding among some of the members of the coalition that the policy should be changed, that there is need to cooperate with the Syrian government, I hope those seedlings rise," Lavrov said in Sochi.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, on September 2, 2019. (Photo by Reuters)
He added, "The Russian Federation, represented by its military police, together with the Turkish forces will patrol this territory (Syria-Turkey border from the Syrian side outside of Operation Peace Spring area) a week after the memorandum comes into force, tomorrow noon. The units of so-called Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces will be withdrawn from this area for 30 kilometers. Ten kilometers of this 30-kilometer zone will be the area of joint patrols by Russia and Turkey."
Syrian army forces deploy in nearly dozen Hasakah villages
Separately, Syrian government forces have deployed in nearly a dozen villages in the northwestern countryside of Syria's northeastern province of al-Hasakah.
Syria's official news agency SANA reported that Syrian army units entered the villages, including al-Kozaleya, Shuwaish, al-Nawfaliyah, al-Mahal, al-Badran, al-Hizam, Kahfet al-Marati and al-Dubaib, on Tuesday and began setting up posts there.
In another development, the Republican chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Tuesday that sanctions must be imposed on Turkey if it continues its offensive against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria.
"If Turkey maintains its aggressive path, it must bear a cost for undermining US security interests," Senator Jim Risch said.
Speaking in parliament, Cavusoglu described all threats and sanctions against Turkey as unacceptable, adding that Ankara expected the US Congress to turn back from its "damaging approach."
The top Turkish diplomat noted that ties between Ankara and Washington were at a critical juncture, emphasizing that he would convey this to the coming US officials.
The US has imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministries and three senior government officials following the country's military offensive against Kurdish militants in Syria.
The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Turkey over Ankara's military operation in northeast Syria, and called for an immediate ceasefire.
The sanctions apply to individuals, entities or associates of the Turkish government involved in "actions that endanger civilians or lead to the further deterioration of peace, security and stability in northeast Syria," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
Start Date: 2019/23/10 | Content ID: 334330
Syria Bashar alAssad Syrian President
Ultimate goal of pressures
on Lebanon dealing with Syria
Maria Saadeh
| Saturday 17 October 2020
Trump blindly following Israeli schemes in West Asia: Assad's aide
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, is blindly undertaking Israeli schemes in the region, says the political and media adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
| Monday 13 January 2020
Syria's Assad expresses condolences over Soleimani's assassination
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has condoled Iran over the assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, saying that the late commander's support for Syria will always be remembered by the Syrian nation.
| Saturday 04 January 2020
America can't be trusted at all; it stabs own allies in the back: Nasrallah
The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has warned against placing trust in the United States, emphasizing that Washington cannot be trusted at all as it betrays own allies in a surreptitious way and does not stand committed to any agreement.
| Wednesday 09 October 2019
Russia warns of actions that could stall peace process in Syria
Russia's Security Council has warned against actions that could endanger the peace process in Syria, after Turkey's Defense Ministry said Ankara was ready for a military operation against Kurdish militants from the People's Protection Units (YPG) to push them away from border areas.
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SDPN statement on anniversary of victory of 22-day Gaza war
Cultural week of 'Gaza a symbol of resistance' to be hold in Tehran
EU calls on Israel to end illegal settlement activity in West Bank
Zionist regime to demolish mosque under construction, school in Masafer Yatta
Zionist regime urged to provide COVID vaccines to Palestinians
Sudanese hold protest against normalization deal with Zionist regime
EU: Israel's new settlement plans contrary to int'l law
Jordan condemns Israel's new settlement plan in West Bank
Director of "Saint Mary" film told Qodsna: The realistic content of the movie consistent with current behavior of the occupying regime
Early elections increase indicators of an existential threat to Israel
Thousands of Israelis defy lockdown as they call for Netanyahu to resign
Heads of Arab local authorities call to boycott Sunday's meeting with Netanyahu
Iran's Leader statement
shocks enemies
Dr. Amine Hoteit
The Islamic world and
danger of changing concepts
Mahammad Ali Takhtravandeh
The role of Islamic parliaments
against normalization
Qods News Agency
©2017 Qods News Agency. All Rights Reserved


Valenti Angelo (1897-1982) was an Italian-American printmaker, illustrator and author, born June 23, 1897 in Massarosa, Italy. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1905, living first in New York City then settling in Antioch, California. At the age of nineteen, Angelo moved to San Francisco, working by day as a labourer and spending his evenings and weekends at libraries and museums. He soon became a versatile artist and an especially skilled engraver and printer. Angelo's favoured medium was the linocut, and his prints depicting urban nocturnes and desert scenes of the American Southwest are particularly coveted by collectors and dealers. In 1926, Angelo made his first book illustrations for the well-known, San Francisco-based Grabhorn Press.
In a period of 34 years, Angelo decorated and illustrated roughly 250 books. Among these were folio editions of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, and numerous books of the Bible. Many of these books have been included in the annual American Institute of Graphic Arts exhibitions since 1927. Under the tutelage of May Massee of Viking Press, Angelo began writing children's stories in 1937. In 1939, Angelo won the Newbery Honor for Nino. After a mid-life relocation to New York State, he returned to San Francisco in 1974 and continued his life's work. Angelo died in San Francisco on September 3, 1982.
Block print on cream laid paper.
Utterly beautiful and a supreme work.
Signed, titled and dated by the artist in pencil just below plate mark.
Provenance: Collection of the late Marianne C. Gourary.


What is Hemp-Derived CBD and does it affect me?
Hemp can be used for numerous items. Some of things hemp is used for is rope, carpets, caulking, animal bedding, clothes, beauty products, fuel, paints, lubricants, and so much more! It can even be used to improve the soil in crop rotation, giving the next crop planted in that field added nutrients to ensure a better crop.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is made up of endocannabinoids, metabolic enzymes, and receptors. Its job is homeostasis, which is regulating your body so you can live comfortably. It is in charge of your eating habits, your sleeping patterns, and even your social habits. The ECS also controls inflammation, pain, and skin diseases. CBD oil can help your neurons navigate the neurotransmitters to the right receiver by either elevating the levels that are too low or decreasing the levels of a hormone that is overabundant. Some of the biggest reasons behind its accuracy are the receptors that receive messages throughout the body and brain. The two that are the most prominent today are CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors are densely populated in the brain, but can also be found throughout the body. By activating CB1 receptors with endocannabinoids, your brain can produce long or short term changes on the conversation between your neurons. THC is a good indicator of what all CB1 receptors are in charge of because THC activates it. CB1 receptors are in charge of your brain, spinal cord, thyroid, upper airways, ovaries, prostate, liver, adrenals, uterus, testes, your sleep, your mood, your pain, and your diet. When you take CBD medication, it interacts with your receptors the same way your endocannabinoids do. This means that if your body isn't functioning properly with the endocannabinoid system, CBD can help.
CB2 receptors are evenly distributed throughout the body and has been known to help the function of your eyes, stomach, heart, pancreas, digestive tract, and bones. When you see parts of your body swell with inflammation, it is that section of your body that is getting filled with a liquid that has immune cells that are trying to protect you from pathogens in your body. The endocannabinoids that interact with the CB2 receptor make sure that the inflamed area doesn't spread, and doesn't overstay its welcome. CB2 receptors are also found to be very active in the skin. People who may have a malfunctioning ECS may get skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. CB2 helps replenish old skin cells, heal damaged ones and throw out the dead ones. It also reduces inflammation, which is a prominent symptom of skin disease. And since there are CB2 receptors underneath the epidermis, using topical CBD medications can help with painful conditions.
Just like their human companions, animals like dogs, cats and horses have an ECS responsible for maintaining balance and health. Your animal's ECS is working continuously to monitor functions and then will trigger adjustments whenever outside factors cause any of the functions to become unstable, returning them back to homeostasis. The ECS is tasked with regulating a large number of your pets' functions, some of which include mood, appetite, memory, metabolism, sleep, pleasure, movement and coordination, and immune response. A properly functioning ECS is crucial for maintaining health and wellness in your dog, cat, or horse. CB1 receptors are located primarily in their brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are mostly found on cells in their peripheral organs and throughout their immune system. When you give your dog, cat, or horse hemp-derived CBD, the cannabinoid is absorbed into their bloodstream where it naturally stimulates the ECS and encourages its efforts to balance your pet's many functions.


Management of the state-run Barbados Water Authority (BWA) is seeking to clarify its position in light of strike action this week by workers at the island's lone water provider in support of their colleagues at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
At issue is the matter of increments, with the Barbados Workers' Union (BWU), which represents workers at both statutory corporations, accusing Government of reneging on its agreement to issue across-the-board increases in both cases.
However, in a brief statement issued late last night, management of the BWA suggested that the matter was totally above their heads and that the decision was minister Dr David Estwick's and the board of the water authorityto make.
The BWA, which last met with the BWU on September 19 this year, under the chairmanship of Minister of Labour Senator Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo, said the two sides had agreed to as much.
"It was recognized that the matter of salary adjustments, particularly for management, has to be dealt with at the level of the parent ministry – the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management – through the authority's board of directors," the BWA said.
"This is necessary as the requested salary adjustments fall outside the remit of the BWA," the statement added.
Back in March 2016, workers at the BWA downed tools for a week over the issue of increments. The standoff came to an end after the BWU struck an undisclosed deal with the BWA management following a six-hour meeting chaired by Byer-Suckoo.
The BWA also said it remained committed to finding a solution in the best interest of its workers, customers, suppliers and the country as a whole.
However, BWU General Secretry Toni Moore told Barbados TODAY last week that just as in negotiations with the CBC, Government had reneged on its promise to the BWA workers as far as the payment of increments was concerned.
"At the present time it is safe to say that this situation has the potential to snowball," Moore had stated before several workers at the BWA were called out on Monday to join the CBC workers on the picketline.
However, the limited action did not affect the country's water supply, with the union today suspending all protest action, pending the outcome of its talks with the CBC's management.
Well the BWA did not fix the sewage problem in Worthing and Hastings as the sewage was all over the road there last night. The new person in charge of this stated over a month ago that the problem with the pumps had been fixed however the people and businesses in these areas can tell you that the stink is not over.
Why can the BWA not be honest with the nation?
Too many square pegs in round holes.
It's time we call s spade a spade and get rid of the sycophants and obstructionists in these organizations.
I have asked before and will continue to ask, what has become of LOYALTY? I am not speaking about blind loyalty but loyalty to whichever government is in office.
I worked for an organization during the late sixty's and was both loyal and productive. I was not a clock watcher did whatever I was asked to do that was honourable. I was the senior office employee and had a junior who was my senior in age (20 years different) and we agreed to seek better employment. I got an offer and decided to leave and she was supposed to do likewise, would you believe I tendered my resignation and the manager asked who would do the work and she told him she would? He called me into his office and said these words to me, you see how you let others influence you and now she is willing to take up the position you are vacating. He did not give her the job but asked me to rethink my position which I did. The moral of the story is you should be very careful how you let those who are senior in age to you influence your decisions.
I rethink my decision and my first ever travel was recommended by the head office when they had problems with the office work in three Caribbean islands; I was the one sent to fix the problem and was praised by the head office (whites) for a job well done.
Yes Loretta, there is a lot of back stabbing here not only in government entities. Your story could probably be repeated by many employees. Sadly that is the way things work these days.
@Loretta Griffith: This attitude of deception is still very much alive within our public service, and statutory corporations to this day.
this shaping up nicely……..word of advice when wunnuh inflict the harm use garlic before the victim know what going on he gone lololol CBC down BWA to go. want to see better numbers this time people.
It seems as though the populist of Barbados are now living as a barrel of crabs environment! Everyone is looking to tear the legs off of the crab nearest the top of the barrel! Economy is down, productivity exports are ratioed some what like (9%/91%).What is commonly misleading the population that increases of salaries is going to put them in a better cost of living arena. Your tax bracket , home economics, and life style are the key indicators for a comfort zone. Those Barbadians who have created their cottage industries, farming produce, and craftsmanship shall see light at the end of the tunnel. Self employment seems to be the best way forward !
All I know is nuff pepper spray just land and I Ossie will be fishing off Coves Bay and enjoying de de pot fish catch! Wonna allrigt den! I gone!
Doctor Estwick, who the hell is he? Any relation to Dr Booby or Dr Who? Is he still alive and drawing a big monthly ministerial salary and allowances.


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Savez komunista Makedonije (makedonski: Sojuz na Komunistite na Makedonija) je politička stranka u Makedoniji osnovana 1992. pod imenom Savez komunista Makedonije - Spomenik slobode. Stranka surađuje sa srbijanskim komunistima. Predsjednik je Angele Mitreski.

Na izborima 1998. stranka je dobila 2 756 glasova (0,25 %).

Političke stranke
Komunističke političke stranke
Politika Sjeverne Makedonije


Mathbeat allows you to select the types of math problems it gives you to solve by selecting the operators (+,-,×,÷) and the range for both operands (between 0 and 12).
Let's say you want to work on your multiplication by 6 facts. Select only the '×' to limit problems to multiplication, then adjust the top operand range to '6 through 6'. You can adjust the range numbers using the -+ buttons below each range number. The bottom range can be '0 through 12'. Hit 'Done' and Mathbeat will present you with problems like '6 × 4', '6 × 0', or '6 × 10'. The top (first) number will always be 6. The bottom number will be anything on the range from 0 through 12.
Perhaps you want to practice addition and subtraction? Make sure the '+' and '-' operators are selected and the other two aren't. Adjust your top and bottom operand ranges as desired. Note that Mathbeat will never give you a problem that has an answer less than zero. If it generates a subtraction problem with the top value less than the bottom, it will swap them to ensure the top value is always greater than or equal to the bottom value before it presents it to you to solve.
What about division? For division, you actually select the answer range. Answers will always be whole values (integers). Let's say you've been working on multiplication facts for 6, and want to mix it up a bit by also including related division problems. Adjust the top range to be 6 through 6, and the bottom range as desired (perhaps 0 through 12). Now select both the '×' and '÷' operators, and make sure the other two are not selected. Hit 'Done' and now not only will you get problems like '6 × 5', but you'll also get problems like '30 ÷ 5' who's answer is 6. It may be a bit trivial to only select a single value like 6 for the range of answers, but I hope you get the idea for how you can use it.
Want to play on the full range with all the operators? Go for it! Mathbeat keeps track of that high score separately, so you have a standard that you can always come back to and play against.


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Debate within the Lokacze Ghetto
Read a first-hand account of the difficult debates that took place about resistance within the ghettos.
A Project of the Miles Lerman Center
Contrary to the often-stated view of Jews as unwitting and therefore largely helpless victims, by mid-1942, most ghetto inmates had a strong sense of foreboding about what was to come. The liquidation of the ghettos in the occupied Soviet Union during the "second wave" in the summer and fall of 1942 was sudden and violent, but not unexpected. Resistance most commonly consisted of silent escapes or the attempt to hide behind false walls or in concealed bunkers. An example of the difficult debates that took place within the ghettos can be found in a rare ghetto diary of Lokacze prepared by Michael Diment.
From Michael Diment, The Lone Survivor: A Diary of the Lukacze Ghetto and Svyniukhy, Ukraine (New York: Holocaust Library, 1992), pp. 121-22.
It was 4 pm already when all the young people were summoned by Moniek Lotringer and Moshe Kolier to gather in the large warehouse of Moshe Kolier. We assembled quickly. The warehouse was full. Moniek opened the meeting. Talking in Polish, he said, "All of you know the situation; how sad it is, so I won't repeat it. In a little while we will all be buried in mass graves, only because we are Jews. Dear brothers and sisters, now we must fight for our lives and revenge our fatal plight at every opportunity. In short, we have to think about what we must do. If we only were in the woods and fields. The enemy knew how to take advantage of us, so we would be forced to fight among ourselves. We all harbored antagonisms against each other, a most useful person or anyone else, and we could not reach an understanding. Now we share the same destiny. We have to destroy our enemy right here and now. We will unify our strength and not attempt to anticipate every action of our foe; our experience has taught us that we cannot predict what they will do. They have already confiscated everything that might be useful to us, from the smallest tool like an ax, a pick or an iron bar; everything was seized, and we didn't anticipate that. When the killers arrive, we should not panic, but attack the enemy, with our bare hands if necessary."
Afterwards Moshe Kolier spoke, "I would like to express my opinion. We have to consider the consequences of a struggle with no weapons. If we only had iron bars or axes with which to kill the militia. With their machine guns, they will slaughter all of us. I believe we should organize into small groups and try to escape from the ghetto. Planning to escape in larger numbers at one time could be disastrous. If we are lucky and succeed, we should meet in the Saduwer forest. These woods are connected to the others and could take us to safer areas. There we can assemble a few hundred Jews and decide what to do. Those who wish to remain in the ghetto should remember that they are responsible for burning everything, including houses and the clothes on their backs."
Article Resistance in the Smaller Ghettos of Eastern Europe
Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Library bibliography: Ghettos
Series: Resistance in the Smaller Ghettos of Eastern Europe
Resistance in the Smaller Ghettos of Eastern Europe
Jewish Youth Movements in Wartime Poland: From Minority to Leadership
Testimony on the Escape from the Mir Ghetto by Eliezer Breslin
The Destruction of the German Garrison in Lenin
Mlynów: "Life under the German Occupation," According to Yehudit Rudolf
Lachwa
Izak Lichtenstein Testimony Excerpt
Zdziecioł (Zhetel)
The Underground in the Zhetel Ghetto
Stanislawów
Stanislawow (by Nechama Tec)
Partisan Groups in the Parczew Forests
Frank Bleichman
Samuel Gruber
What pressures and motivations may have affected the thinking of the disagreeing fighters?
Investigate other examples of resistance within the ghettos of Eastern Europe. How were their situations the same? How were they different?


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Tel (O): +91 44 2257 4684
Email: ramkumar@iitm.ac.in
Dr. P Ramkumar
Associate Professor, IIT Madras
Welcome to Dr. P. Ramkumar's Profile
Welcome and thank you for visiting my website. The website is currently under preparation and will be updated from time to time. Please browse through the research and publicaions page to know more about my teaching and research activities.
V Kashyap V, P Ramkumar. "Comprehensive analysis of geometrical parameters of crosshatched texture for enhanced tribological performance under biological environment". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology. April 2020. doi:10.1177/1350650120915136 (IF- 1.39; Citation- 1).
K Sreeraj, P Ramkumar. "Comprehensive analysis of effects of dynamic load frequency and hydrogenation to instigate White Etching Areas (WEAs) formation under severe sliding condition of bearing steel." Tribology International 144 (2020) 106 -131. (IF- 4.27; Citation- 2).
Parmar, P Ramkumar, K. Shankar, Macro geometry multi-objective optimization of planetary gearbox considering scuffing constraint, Mechanism and Machine Theory 154 (2020) 104045. Doi: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2020.104045 (IF=3.312).
Parul Mishra, P Ramkumar. "Synergistic effect of surface texturing and coating on tribological performance of piston ring-cylinder liner system". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology. 2020. Doi:10.1177/1350650120951289 (IF-1.39).
Vaibhav Singh, Raja P, Jitendra Kumar Katiyar and P Ramkumar, "Effect of friction modifiers compositions on tribological properties of Cu-Sn alloy/Al2O3 brake composite material", Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology (accepted) (IF-1.39).
K K Bose, P Ramkumar. "3-D FEM wear prediction of brass sliding against bearing steel using constant contact pressure approximation technique." Tribology online. 14 (2019) 194 -207 (IF- 0.84).
Jitendra Kumar Katiyar, P. Ramkumar, T. V. V. L. N. Rao, J. Paulo Davim. "Tribology in Materials and Applications." (2020) Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-47451-5 .
Esther Titilayo Akinlabi, P. Ramkumar, M. Selvaraj. "Tribology in Materials and Applications." (2021) Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore Doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-4488-0.
P Ramkumar. "Tribological Effects of Diesel Engine Oil Contamination on Steel and Hybrid Sliding Contacts". Chapter: 15 in "Tribology in Materials and Applications" (2020) Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Doi:110.1007/978-3-030-47451-5_15.
Portfolio Highlights
: Room No.408, Machine Design Section
: Department of Mechanical Engineering
: IIT Madras
: ramkumar@iitm.ac.in
: +91-44-2257-4684
DISCLAIMER | Copyright © 2016 Dr. P. Ramkumar , All rights reserved.


Ever heard of "blogging"? Of course, you have. In fact, it's probably been drilled into your brain over and over again as an absolute must for growth and development in the modern internet age. But no good business owner or marketing professional jumps into a new initiative just because it's the popular or trendy thing to do!
How will blogging support marketing efforts?
Why invest in blogging at all?
Rest assured, there are plenty of clear benefits to blogging that you don't have to be an SEO whiz or internet expert to understand.
An easy way to approach blogging for companies is to focus each post on providing in-depth answers to common questions about your product or service. Ask your customer service team what the top 10 most common questions they receive are and begin writing in depth blog posts answering each one of those questions. This not only delights your audience, building their appreciation and trust for your company but also decreases your overhead by cutting down the amount of time you need reps answering phones or emails! Blogging helps put your website to work for you, automating both customer service and the movement of prospects through the conversion funnel.
An official Forrester poll on customer service channels showed that use of company websites for help or FAQs has been increasing sharply, moving away from phone calls and person-to-person interactions. The study indicated that customers prefer to seek answers to their questions online first, using phone service as a secondary resort when they couldn't find what they were looking for online.
From the comments section of posts themselves to social media, quality blog posts encourage and enable engagement. Even if you aren't actively promoting posts on social media at first, getting the content up and running will put you in a good position should you decide to go the social route in the future. Having blog posts active also gives people something to share about online with their friends and colleagues; the definition of free marketing!
It has long been understood that customers who engage on social media contribute more to company revenue. There have also been hundreds of businesses built on the momentum gained through "going viral", further illustrating the power of social engagement.
Keywords are SEO assets, and adding useful blog content both increases and diversifies your website's keyword portfolio. In the information economy, content is currency and blogging is like mining for gold. Not every post will be a whale, but keep at it and you'll start seeing serious gains in no time.
In a previous post on conducting blog keyword research, we featured case studies on 3 of our clients here at Page One. After beginning blog content publishing, each of these clients saw major organic traffic growth which led to healthy increases in acquired new leads.
Once you've gotten a few quality posts up and the organic traffic starts flowing in, you'll have already started bolstering your brand authority in a very tangible way. Acquisition aside, driving traffic to your site increases your brand exposure among an audience that is relevant to your industry. Even if you aren't generating sales or leads from blogs, you are reinforcing the perception that your company is an authority in its industry.
Here at Page One we recently had a resounding success with a blog post for a manufacturing client that quickly began bringing in 1,500+ new users per week. That's ~200 new people per day that become aware of and interact with this company, all thanks to one blog post!
Quality backlinks (links to your website from other websites) are one of the most influential variables on your site's ability to rank well in search engines. Acquiring links can be both time-consuming and expensive, but one of the most effective and efficient ways to gain them is to create quality blog content that is worth linking to! Focusing on publishing blog posts that are relevant, useful, and original will attract natural backlinks to your site which will greatly benefit SEO.
Client 1: Backlinks more than quintupled over 1 year!
We'll be honest; blogging isn't for everyone.
...Then blogging probably isn't for you!
Don't know where to start with blogging for your business?


Incredibles 2 (film, 2018). A 2018 American computer-animated superhero film with "PG" rating by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by Brad Bird. Official Trailer.
Incredibles 2 is a 2018 American computer-animated superhero film directed by Brad Bird.
Following the events of the first film, the Incredibles and Frozone battle the Underminer, who has just appeared to terrorize Metroville. Though they prevent the destruction of City Hall, they are unable to stop him from robbing a bank and escaping. The collateral damage caused by the incident outrages the government and prompts them to shut down the Superhero Relocation Program, leaving the Parrs without financial assistance. Violet's love interest Tony Rydinger also discovers her superhero identity, forcing agent Rick Dicker to erase his memory. Lucius informs Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl of an offer from Winston Deavor, a wealthy businessman. He and his sister Evelyn propose sending the heroes on secret missions which will be recorded and publicized to regain public trust in superheroes. Due to Mr. Incredible's tendency to accidentally cause collateral damage, Winston chooses Elastigirl for the initial missions. While Elastigirl is away, Mr. Incredible struggles with his new role as a stay-at-home parent: Dash has trouble with math homework, Violet becomes withdrawn after Tony unintentionally fails to show up at their date due to his memory wipe, and Jack-Jack wreaks havoc with his burgeoning superpowers. He brings Jack-Jack to Edna Mode, who develops a suit that controls his abilities, allowing him to relax from his parenting difficulties. Meanwhile, on her missions, Elastigirl encounters a mysterious supervillain called the Screenslaver, who projects hypnotic images using television screens. She tracks him down to his hideout in an apartment building, and unmasks him as a deliveryman with no recollection of his actions.
The film Incredibles 2 was scheduled to be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on June 5, 2018 (Los Angeles), on June 13, 2018 (Egypt), on June 14, 2018 (Argentina, Australia, Chile, Colombia, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Cambodia, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ukraine, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan), on June 15, 2018 (United States, Bulgaria, Canada, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Croatia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, South Africa), on June 17, 2018 (Paris), on June 20, 2018 (Iceland), on June 22, 2018 (People's Republic of China), on June 27, 2018 (Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Taiwan), on June 28, 2018 (Brazil, Portugal), on July 4, 2018 (France), on July 5, 2018 (Hungary), on July 13, 2018 (United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland), on July 19, 2018 (Hong Kong, South Korea), on July 27, 2018 (Romania), on August 1, 2018 (Japan), on August 2, 2018 (Slovakia), on August 3, 2018 (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia), on August 24, 2018 (Norway), on August 30, 2018 (Denmark), on August 31, 2018 (Sweden), on September 19, 2018 (Italy), on September 27, 2018 (Germany) and on September 28, 2018 (Turkey).
The duration of the film is 118 minutes. With a budget of $200 million, the film grossed over $1.243 billion.
Incredibles 2 got high rating from critics. The audience also likes the film. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A+" on a scale ranging from A+ to F.


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Lifetime Achievement: Joe Pesci
Throughout his storied career, Joe Pesci has garnered massive praise and countless accolades. He is best known for his iconic roles in legendary films such as Goodfellas, Casino, Home Alone, and My Cousin Vinny. But despite these successes and more, Joe Pesci will forever hold a special place in
Who is Birgundi Baker?
sarabjit January 9, 2023
Birgundi Baker is an American actress who made her first big break in television when she was cast for the role of Sydney in the ABC Family series "Switched at Birth." She is currently 19 years old and was born October 4, 1998 in Los Angeles, California. Baker first appeared
Erik Landsness: A Story of Triumph and Achievement
Erik Landsness is a man who has achieved great success through hard work and dedication to his chosen profession. A true success story, Erik's story of perseverance, determination, and overcoming the odds is one of amazing triumph and achievement. Erik was born in Norway and immigrated to the United States
Gianluca Vacchi and Sharon Fonseca: A Love Story
Gianluca Vacchi and Sharon Fonseca first met in Venice, Italy in July of 2016. After seeing each other's Instagram photos, the married couple quickly fell in love. As a result, Vacchi decided to leave his wife of twenty years and move in with his new love interest. Since then, the
Aspen Rae: Biography of a Rising Star
Aspen Rae is a rising star in the entertainment industry who has quickly gained a lot of attention during her short time in the spotlight. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began her entertainment career as a model and quickly became a sought after figure in the fashion


Well, perhaps not as glamorous as Buzz Lightyear's famous launch slogan, but still exciting for the universe, er industry, is our move to 10Gbps testing and beyond. Today we are launching a mini-webinar series starting July 16, discussing high-speed deep packet inspection testing. More information.
10 Gbps Intrusion Prevention - Finally?
The races are now officially on. After a couple of quiet and not so quiet announcements of 10Gbps network IPS products this last year, it appears the market has achieved a quorum. And NSS Labs is continuing its tradition by leading the industry's first group test of these speed-demons. We will be evaluating the security effectiveness of these products at various performance levels, as well as their stability, usability/management features. See the methodology (link below) if you're interested in the details.
Several vendors are offering appliances boasting true 10Gbps throughput, while yet others are offering solutions which combine a load balancer and multiple smaller NIPS appliances. There are operational and financial reasons for both approaches. Some of the trade-offs will be discussed in the final group report to be published in Q4. If you're a vendor, we'd like to hear from you. If you're a user, buyer, or otherwise interested, you may wish to sign up to be alerted when the results are out (newsletter sign-up).


Whether you know him as Anakin, Lord Vader or simply Daddy, we all know him as one of the most distinctive villains in movie history.
The Star Wars Darth Vader Cereal Bowl boasts an impressive 500ml capacityand no matter how grumpy you are in the mornings, there's no need to unleash force lightning as this bowl is completely microwave safe.
Emblazoned with the Star Wars logo on one side and capturing the icy gaze of Darth Vader on the other, this super slick kitchenware is the perfect accessory for any Star Wars fan.
Featuring the Star Wars logo.
Bowl 14cm diameter by 8cm deep.


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RIAA wins $1.5m from 24-song file sharer - Printable Version
+- ConCen (https://concen.org/oldforum)
+-- Forum: Main (https://concen.org/oldforum/forum-4.html)
+--- Forum: Off-Topic (https://concen.org/oldforum/forum-8.html)
+--- Thread: RIAA wins $1.5m from 24-song file sharer (/thread-35478.html)
RIAA wins $1.5m from 24-song file sharer - TriWooOx - 11-05-2010
Quote: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has scored a major court victory with a judgement against Minnesota housewife Jammie Thomas-Rasset after she was fined $1.5m (£927,000) for sharing 24 songs online.
Thomas-Rasset was the first person to challenge the RIAA in court rather than pay a fine when she was accused of file sharing in 2007. She was initially accused of sharing over 1,700 songs, but this was later cut to 24.
Initially the courts found her liable and fined her $220,000 (£136,000) for copyright infringement, but the judge was later found to have given the jury misleading guidance and a mistrial was declared.
A second court also found Thomas-Rasset guilty and increased the award to $1.92m (£1.18m). The US Department of Justice backed the use of heavy fines and said that the award was "not excessive".
Thomas-Rasset appealed, and last year a judge cut the fine to $54,000 (£33,380).
"The need for deterrence cannot justify a $1.92m verdict for stealing and illegally distributing 24 songs for the sole purpose of obtaining free music," said Judge Michael Davis at the time.
The RIAA then offered to settle the case for a one-off payment of $25,000 (£15,450) to charity, on condition that Thomas-Rasset agreed to vacate the verdict so that it would not become official case law. She refused.
The appeals court has now ruled that the fine should be $1.5m, an amount Thomas-Rasset has said she will never be able to pay. She has said she will appeal.
"We are again thankful to the jury for its service in this matter and that they recognised the severity of the defendant's misconduct," the RIAA said in a statement.
"Now with three jury decisions behind us, along with a clear affirmation of Ms Thomas-Rasset's wilful liability, it is our hope that she finally accepts responsibility for her actions."
The case has highlighted some interesting attitudes in the media industry. Marie L. van Uitert, an attorney at the Motion Picture Association of America, said that media companies should not be required to provide proof before bringing actions.
"Mandating such proof could have the pernicious effect of depriving copyright owners of a practical remedy against massive copyright infringement in many instances," she said.
"It is often very difficult, and in some cases impossible, to provide such direct proof when confronting modern forms of copyright infringement, whether over P2P networks or otherwise.
"Understandably, copyright infringers typically do not keep records of their infringement."
The decision will also be a wake-up call to businesses that have not yet blocked file sharing on corporate networks.
The bulk of legal cases so far have been against private individuals but, with damages per song set by the verdict at $62,500 (£38,650), a corporate prosecution could bankrupt a company.
http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2272761/riaa-wins-mother-sharing-songs
RE: RIAA wins $1.5m from 24-song file sharer - icosaface - 11-05-2010
Yeah, proof of guilt, what a novel concept. How about suing the radio and tv stations for invading our personal air and cable space with their crap?


Find Me printing solves the problem of finding the closest printer from a long list of available printers. It is a roaming print service that allows print jobs to find users based on their physical location. Some organizations will want to utilize more than one Find Me print queue, and this article will cover the considerations that will need to be taken in before and during deployment.
Before planning deployment of your Find Me print queues, some planning and considerations need to be noted down to ensure your environment will not only be easier to use, but will be compatible with your current printer fleet along with taking in usage statistics for each printer to ensure no print queue is under-resourced. This knowledge base article explains these factors in detail, however this will be covered again to ensure these factors are taken into consideration when planning your deployment.
What is the maximum number of held jobs per virtual queue?
We have seen that Windows operating systems have a limit on how many jobs can reside in a single print queue. For example on Windows problems/warnings can occur if there are more than 1000 jobs in a print queue. This is a limitation within Windows that needs to be taken into consideration, and the more printers/users you associated with a single global queue, the higher the anticipated number of jobs pending in the queue. Large organizations may end up hitting this upper job limit quite easily.
How long does a job stay in the virtual queue before it's removed?
Timeout periods for held jobs within a virtual queue are the amount of time a job is held in the queue before it expires and is deleted. These times differ for each environment, and the default value differs between education and commercial/professional sites (2 hours for education, 4 hours for commercial/professional). The timeout is configurable but the default is a good compromise between user convenience and environmental savings. It is recommended to keep the timeout periods at the default values.
What if I want to extend the timeout periods for held jobs?
Sometimes extending the timeout periods of held jobs is requested, and the process for extending these timeouts needs to be very carefully planned and implemented to ensure the number of held jobs never reaches the maximum amount and specific print servers can handle the extra held jobs in each queue. It is recommended to increase the timeout period gradually over a period of weeks to ensure no queue is heavily overloaded.
These variables will greatly change your planning methods for extending the timeout period and it is important to get a feel of these numbers for each virtual queue before extending your timeout periods. Below is a brief planning method which should be a starting point for planning your timeout extension and give you an idea of the variables that need to be monitored throughout the timeout extension period.
It is recommended to extend your timeout period once a week, doubling the time each week until you have reached a suitable timeout period. This would mean if you wanted to extend the timeout to 24 hours, it will take about 5 weeks to go from the default 2 hours. There are two major variables that need to be monitored multiple times per day during peak usage periods until the timeout extensions are complete to ensure the extended timeouts are working as intended.
Number one is the number of print jobs in each virtual queue. How are each virtual queues job count looking? Are they hitting close to the maximum number of jobs? If so, you have two options that you can follow. Option one is to split the single virtual queue up into two or more virtual queues to lower the usage of each queue. Option two is to keep the timeout at a stable time period where the number of jobs will likely never reach the maximum of 1000 held jobs.
Number two is server resource utilization. How are the CPU and memory usage going with the extra load? Is the print server showing sluggishness after an extension of the timeout period? If so, there are two options you can follow. One is to set up another print server and separate these virtual queues over two print servers rather than one. The second option is to keep the timeout at a stable time period where the server will likely never be over-stressed.
What model and make of printers can I use in a single virtual queue?
Large organizations tend to have a mix of printer types, models and makes. The driver on the global virtual queue controls how the print job is rendered and what print options are available to the user. If there is a mix of devices in the organization there may need to be multiple global queues to support this mix. For example jobs rendered on a global queue with a Postscript driver cannot be routed across to a GDI based inkjet device. There may be the need to have multiple global queues each associated with different printer types.
Can I "mix and match" printer models for a single virtual queue?
If all of the printers support Postscript then the PaperCut Global Print driver for Windows (LInux? and Mac users can use the CUPS Universal Postscript driver) will do the trick for printing. You should test common areas across all devices to assure that page boundaries (printable area differences) and finishing options such as duplex combinations work as expected. Users can be instructed to use the direct queues on the server if the printer's advanced features are required(e.g. stapling, folding, color profiles, etc). Please refer to the PaperCut documentation for more information on how to manage differences between printers.
How can I manage these queues once they are setup?
A single organization-wide global queue does offer some management/simplicity advantages but can introduce other complications. For example, a single queue can be a single point of failure for all users. Multiple global queues partitioned by office/building/floor/area can help mitigate this single-point-of-failure. This does not mean that the partitioned queue can only route jobs to printers in this area, it simply means that users in this region use this global queue by default. Jobs can still be configured to route to any device in the organization if this is what is desired.
What driver should I use for the global queue?
It�s important that the driver on the global queue is able to produce output (e.g. Postscript or PCL) that is compatible with all printers/MFDs that will be associated with the global queue. Chapter 11 in the PaperCut manual discusses some selection options. If you have a mixed device fleet, there is of course no substitute for good testing. Take the time to test your selected global queue driver with your target devices.
Now you know the factors in deploying multiple Find Me print queues, we can start planning the deployment. This planning will include how you want to separate each Find Me print queue, along with staged deployment of print queues within your organization.
How should I separate these queues?
This is the first question you should be asking that will require some thought. The separation of print queues is an option which the end users will notice the most as this will be the list they are given for printing, so care is needed in ensuring that the conventions for deployment are as easy to understand for the users as possible.
Please note that a printer can be members of multiple virtual queues, so if there is an overlap in separation such as a printer being in two departments sharing a computer area, they can be members of both Find Me print queues.
Now I've planned, how do I deploy my virtual queues?
Now you have decided how you will be setting up your Find Me print queues, it is time to deploy them. The suggested method of deployment for this in larger organizations where reaching the maximum number of active jobs is a possibility, is to gradually deploy your printer fleet. Please note that if needed, whilst deploying the Find Me print queues, it is possible to keep the direct print queues set up to ensure a crossover period for users to get used to the Find Me print queue functionality.
The recommended deployment process for Find Me print queues is to deploy one virtual queue every couple of days and to monitor print queue load and active jobs on the print queue to ensure the active job limit is not reached. This process also allows you to roll back easily if there are unrelated factors that are preventing the deployment. If your Find Me print queues are spread across multiple print servers, it is advised to monitor network usage between the print servers in use, especially if there is likelihood of printing large spool files greater than 1GB that will be redirected through the network.
Once deployment has completed and the entirety of your environment is running Find Me printing, it is your decision whether direct print queues are removed for users, to ensure usage of Find Me printing only.


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'We had to help': Advocating for autistic kids becomes mission for business owner
Business By Linda Trischitta, Editor Thursday, March 19, 2020
When Cristina Miranda-Gilson was growing up in South Miami, performing community service was a mandate from her mother, Mercy Diaz-Miranda.
"Whether we wanted to or not, we had to help,"
Miranda-Gilson, 61, said about the importance of volunteering that she learned from her mom, a former newspaper publishing executive.
"It just really is about giving back," Miranda-Gilson said. "And in giving back, you gain so much."
Miranda-Gilson is founder and chief executive officer of HDS Companies, a Weston business which sells software and professional services to governments and agencies that manage affordable housing.
She is moving the 22-year-old firm to Miami Lakes this spring, and bringing with it the HDS Foundation, which she also leads.
The foundation's goal is to help those on the autism spectrum gain independence, work skills and safe housing.
That cause is personal for Miranda-Gilson, whose second daughter, Katherine Gilson-Miranda, now 23, was born premature and diagnosed as developmentally delayed.
"I wasn't worried about the condition but more about what we could do to improve her outcome,"
Miranda-Gilson said.
Katherine began speech and other therapies. When she was eight, she was diagnosed as autistic, and higher functioning.
"Through my daughter, we learned what the kids needed and where they were having difficulty, because their development ranges along the spectrum and not everybody is getting what they needed," Miranda-Gilson said.
In Miami Lakes, Miranda-Gilson will find friends among the Special Needs Advisory Board, whose mission is to make the town a model for inclusion of all of its residents and to find solutions for unmet needs.
Miranda-Gilson said that for the past decade or so, HDS Foundation has issued an annual grant to a school, and focuses on eight to 12 teenage students.
The grant money helps the kids obtain jobs and reduce their isolation by getting out to enjoy restaurants, attend a prom or go to homecoming games, Miranda-Gilson said.
The foundation also helps find support for the children's families who may be overwhelmed, a feeling Miranda-Gilson said she experienced.
Miranda-Gilson's other daughter, Meagan Bouscher-Miranda, 31, serves on the foundation's board.
Some of the foundation's clients have worked at her firm.
"These young people can contribute a lot," Miranda-Gilson said. "Having them in our company helped our staff on so many levels have a greater understanding for people of different abilities."
She hopes to expand the foundation's work in Miami Lakes.
HDS Companies and HDS Foundation will occupy second floor offices along Northwest 67th Avenue above Jersey Mike's, Amerant Bank, Bolay and Sergio's Cuban Café + Grill, in the Crescent Pointe building.
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day.
That night and for the month of April, the Crescent Pointe building as well as the oak tree at the fountain on Main Street will be bathed in blue light to bring awareness to autism.
Town Hall will also have blue lighting.
As for Katherine Gilson-Miranda, she's a junior at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville in its THRIVE program for students with autism spectrum disorders.
Her goal is to earn a degree in early childhood education, her mother said.
The company plans to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on a future date.


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Internalisierung ist die Einbeziehung sozialer Zusatzkosten/-nutzen (Kostenrechnung), die durch externe Effekte (auch Externalitäten) verursacht werden, in das Wirtschaftlichkeitskalkül des Verursachers.
Ziel der Internalisierung ist es, die durch Marktversagen (allokative Marktmängel) entstandenen Ineffizienzen zu minimieren und so das Wohlfahrtsoptimum zu erreichen.

Positive und negative externe Effekte des Wirtschaftssystems
Das Wirtschaftssystem erzeugt im Laufe seiner Funktionsweise positive und negative Effekte. Derzeit verschärfen sich die Probleme, die mit der Notwendigkeit verbunden sind, negative externe Effekte zu minimieren, die globale Risiken für das globale Wirtschaftssystem darstellen. Die akutesten Risiken betreffen die Nachhaltigkeit des Finanzsystems, die Umweltverschmutzung, den Klimawandel und den Ausbruch neuer tödlicher Krankheiten. Die Lösung des Problems der Minimierung negativer externer Effekte ist mit der Schaffung eines Mechanismus für die Bilanzierung von externen Effekten und eines Mechanismus verbunden, der die Wirtschaftssubjekte dazu anregt, die durch ihre Aktivitäten verursachten negativen externen Effekte zu minimieren und die positiven externen Effekte zu maximieren.

Unterscheidung
Allgemein kann man zwischen marktmäßigen und technologischen Externalitäten unterscheiden. Unter marktmäßigen (pekuniären) externen Effekten versteht man die Auswirkungen des Handelns einer Person (oder einer Gruppe von Personen o. ä.) auf einen zunächst unbeteiligten Dritten, welche durch übliche Marktprozesse ausgelöst werden. Beispielsweise wird ein Anstieg der Anzahl der BWL-Studenten zu einem Anstieg entsprechender Absolventen führen, die in den Markt drängen. Das wird sich wahrscheinlich auf Gehälter u. ä. für BWLer auswirken. Marktmäßige externe Effekte sind allerdings im Wesentlichen unproblematisch. Technologische Externalitäten hingegen sind aufgrund von nicht in Marktpreisen internalisierten Kostenarten und der damit verbundenen Fehlallokationen und entsprechender Ineffizienzen wirtschaftspolitisch von großem Interesse.

Externe Effekte können in zwei Klassen unterteilt werden:
 Pigou-Externalitäten: quantitativ, numerisch messbar
 Coase-Externalitäten: qualitativ, keine eindeutige quantitative Bewertung

Internalisierungsinstrumente
Die durch Externalitäten entstehenden Ineffizienzen können auf verschiedenen Wegen bewältigt und internalisiert werden. Internalisierung bedeutet dabei, dass dem verursachenden Wirtschaftsakteur ein (ökonomischer) Anreiz gegeben wird, die sozialen Zusatzeffekte in sein Entscheidungskalkül mit einzubeziehen, womit die entsprechenden Wohlfahrtsverluste
vermieden werden sollen. In der Praxis geschieht dies auf unterschiedlichen Wegen sowohl durch private als auch staatliche (öffentliche) Akteure. Immer geht es darum, möglichst eine Rückkehr zum volkswirtschaftlichen Optimum zu erreichen.

Private Internalisierungsansätze
 Gesellschaftliche Normen
 Vor allem negative externe Effekte werden dadurch vermieden, dass sich die Akteure an Verhaltensregeln orientieren. Zum Beispiel laden Personen ihren Hausmüll nicht einfach auf der Straße ab, nicht etwa weil es die geschriebene öffentliche Ordnung vorschreibt, sondern weil sie sich an Normen orientieren: "Man tut so etwas einfach nicht."
 Hilfsbereitschaft
 In friedlichen, freiheitlichen Gesellschaften finden gemeinnützige Einrichtungen (Stiftungen, Vereine etc.) große Unterstützung bei privaten Akteuren in monetärer und auch natureller (etwa persönliches Engagement) Hinsicht. Somit gelingt es, das Angebot an positiven Externalitäten über das herkömmliche Marktergebnis hinaus auszuweiten.
 Persönliches Verantwortungsempfinden
 Wer seine CO2-Bilanz ausgleichen möchte, kann z. B. den durch Flüge entstandenen CO2-Ausstoß kompensieren.Die Deutsche Bahn AG bietet diese Möglichkeit gleich beim Ticket-Kauf über die "Umwelt-Plus"-Option und verspricht dafür eine "Reise mit 100% Ökostrom".CO2-Emissionen kann sowohl der private Haushalt als auch der Arbeitgeber kompensieren. Die Deutsche Bundesregierung kompensiert zum Beispiel alle Dienstreisen "ab Beginn der laufenden Legislaturperiode", also ab 22. Oktober 2013.
 Eigeninteresse
 Bei unternehmerischen Tätigkeiten kann es von Vorteil sein, Externalitäten (meist positive) miteinzubeziehen, etwa durch die Betätigung auf verschiedenen Geschäftsfeldern. So könnte beispielsweise ein Möbelhersteller sein Tätigkeitsfeld ausweiten und in die Aufforstung und den Schutz von Waldbeständen investieren.
 Vertragliche Regelungen
 Im Zuge der durch das Zivilrecht gewährleisteten Privatautonomie können Verträge zwischen privaten Akteuren abgeschlossen werden, welche die Auswirkungen von Externalitäten internalisieren (Zahlung von Ausgleichszahlungen, Patentrecht etc.). In diesem Zusammenhang spielt das sog. Coase-Theorem eine zentrale Rolle.

Staatliche Internalisierungsansätze
Staatliche Eingriffe zur Korrektur ineffizienter Marktergebnisse aufgrund externer Effekte können zum einen in regulierenden, zum anderen in marktnahen Maßnahmen resultieren.

 Regulierende (ordnungspolitische) Maßnahmen
 Staatliche Regulierungen sind direkte Eingriffe in den Produktions- und somit Verschmutzungsprozess der Unternehmen. Dies kann etwa dadurch geschehen, dass bestimmte Emissionsgrenzwerte festgesetzt oder Umweltschutztechniken vorgeschrieben werden, meist unabhängig von der speziellen Situation der Unternehmen oder Wirtschaftszweige. Prinzipiell ist es auf diese Weise möglich, zu einer gesamtwirtschaftlich effizienten Lösung zu gelangen, aber aufgrund gesetzlicher Bestimmungen, mangelnder Information auf Seiten der Behörden oder anderer Schwierigkeiten sehr unwahrscheinlich. Für die betroffenen Unternehmen fehlt darüber hinaus meist ein ökonomischer Anreiz, die Verschmutzung unter die gesetzlich geforderten Werte zu senken. Deshalb sollten solche Maßnahmen nur eingesetzt werden, wenn die Erreichung eines bestimmten Zieles durch marktnähere Lösungen nicht erreicht werden kann.
 Marktbasierte Maßnahmen
 Zur Korrektur negativer externer Effekte stehen dem Staat prinzipiell zwei Möglichkeiten zur Verfügung. Eine dieser Möglichkeiten sind Emissionsgebühren, sog. Pigou-Steuern. Hierbei wird ein Preis für einen externen Effekt festgesetzt, der bei dessen Verursachung zu zahlen ist (bspw. 10 € pro Tonne Kohlendioxid-Ausstoß). Eine Pigou-Steuer schafft also einen Preis für das Recht einer bestimmten Menge an Umweltverschmutzungen. Für Unternehmen mit Grenzvermeidungskosten, die kleiner als der Steuersatz sind, wird ein Anreiz geschaffen, umweltfreundlicher zu produzieren, um somit die Steuerpflicht zu senken. Im Gegensatz zu den meisten gewöhnlichen Steuern generieren Pigou-Steuern Staatseinnahmen bei gleichzeitiger Effizienzsteigerung. Wird die Höhe der Steuer richtig berechnet, lässt sich das gesamtwirtschaftlich effiziente Niveau der Umweltverschmutzung erreichen.  Eine zweite mögliche, marktnahe Maßnahme ist der Zertifikatehandel. Durch den legalisierten Handel von Umweltzertifikaten (Verschmutzungszertifikate) wird durch den entstehenden Markt ebenfalls ein Preis für Verschmutzung gesetzt. Daraus resultierende Erlöse kommen jedoch nicht primär dem Staatshaushalt zugute, sondern besonders Unternehmen mit niedrigen Grenzvermeidungskosten. Unter bestimmten Bedingungen garantiert das Coase-Theorem auch hier eine aus Effizienzsicht optimale Verteilung der Ressourcen.

Oben genannte Ansätze fokussieren eher auf die Internalisierung negativer externer Effekte. Eine Internalisierung positiver externer Effekte erfolgt weitgehend analog, etwa über die Zahlung von Subventionen anstatt der Erhebung von Steuern.

Als Gegenbeispiel dazu können Kosten auch externalisiert werden. Hierbei werden die entstandenen und noch entstehenden Kosten in andere Regionen oder auf nachfolgende Generationen umgewälzt. Vor allem im klassischen Fall eines Marktversagens wird diese Alternative regelmäßig angewendet.

Beurteilungskriterien
Die völlige Beseitigung von Externalitäten ist i. d. R. volkswirtschaftlich nicht optimal. Ziel einer effizienten Wirtschaftspolitik sollte deshalb sein, die "richtige Menge" sowohl positiver als auch negativer externer Effekte herbeizuführen. Um die Zielerreichung der einzelnen Instrumente zu bewerten, stehen verschiedene Beurteilungskriterien zur Verfügung:

 Statische Effizienz
 Inwieweit führt ein bestimmtes Instrument zu einem Optimum in dem Sinne, dass ein vorgegebenes Ziel mit geringstmöglichem Aufwand (minimalen Kosten) erreicht wird.
 Dynamische Effizienz
 Inwieweit entstehen durch das Instrument Anreizwirkungen, über ein exogen vorgeschriebenes Maß hinaus tätig zu werden, um negative externe Effekte zu vermeiden oder positive möglichst kostengünstig bereitzustellen.
 Treffsicherheit
 Inwieweit erreicht ein Instrument das für die Externalität vorgegebene Ziel in der Realität.

Siehe auch
 Internalisierungstheorie multinationaler Unternehmen
 Beispiele für die Internalisierung externer Kosten: CO2-Abgabe (Schweiz), VOC-Abgabe, Wasserentnahmeentgelt, Maut, Stromsteuer und andere Umweltsteuern.
 Die Doppelte-Dividenden-Hypothese beschreibt den doppelten Gewinn von Lenkungsabgaben, wenn diese an Konsumenten und Wirtschaft rückverteilt werden.

Literatur
 Fritsch, Michael (2010): Marktversagen und Wirtschaftspolitik: Mikroökonomische Grundlagen staatlichen Handelns, 8. Auflage, Verlag Franz Vahlen.
 Mankiw, Gregory N. (2004): Grundzüge der Volkswirtschaftslehre, 3. Auflage, Stuttgart, Schäffer-Poeschel.
 Sadowsky, Tim / Steinhauer, Hans / Wagner, Sven (2007): PBSF im Hauptstudium: Ökosteuern und hybride Systeme, Kapitel 2.4: Internalisierung externer Effekte, Universität Trier.
 Samuelson, Paul A. / Nordhaus, William D. (2005): Volkswirtschaftslehre – Das internationale Standardwerk der Makro- und Mikroökonomie, Landsberg am Lech, mi-Fachverlag (Redline Wirtschaftsverlag).
 Traub, Stefan (2007): Vorlesung Finanzwissenschaft – Kapitel 4: Externe Effekte, Universität Bremen.

Einzelnachweise

Wirtschaftspolitik
Umweltpolitik
Umweltökonomik


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Q: Platform-independent random state in scikit-learn train_test_split Does setting a specific random seed (random_state) when splitting train/test datasets using scikit-learn produce the same initialization of the random number generator (i.e., produces same pseudo-random numbers) over different platforms - for instance, over different cloud computing instances?
Thanks!

A: As long as random_state is equal on all platforms and they are all running the same versions of numpy, you should get the exact same splits.
Since random_state is a numpy instance, I think all of scikit-learn's pseudo-random number generators are frozen because numpy froze RandomState.
You can check the documentation for random_state here, which as you can see is numpy.random.RandomState. You can check numpy's compatibility guarantee here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Snowden Calls for Boycott of Google's Newest Messaging App Allo
By Ellen Nakashima & Hayley Tsukayama, The Washington Post | Updated: 23 May 2016 11:42 IST
Google has announced a new messaging app with strong encryption, meaning that your communications can't be wiretapped. But there's a catch: You have to turn on that feature yourself.
The tech titan's plan to launch Allo this summer without encryption by default has drawn withering criticism from some quarters.
Google's decision to disable end-to-end encryption by default in its new #Allo chat app is dangerous, and makes it unsafe," Edward Snowden tweeted. "Avoid it for now."
But other privacy advocates are more positive.
"I, too, would prefer that Allo be encrypted by default," said Kevin Bankston, director of New America's Open Technology Institute. But, he added, "all in all, this is going to be a net increase in the amount of encrypted messaging out in the world. And that is ultimately a good thing."
With Allo's debut, Google is taking a step toward joining the growing number of tech firms embracing "end-to-end" encryption, which protects the privacy of text messages and voice and video calls in such a way that even with a warrant, the government can't access them. But by requiring users to turn on the feature, Google is lowering the odds that average users will avail themselves of the option, critics such as Snowden say.
(Also see: Google's Allo and Duo Apps: Everything You Need to Know)
Apple's iMessage launched in 2011 with strong default encryption. WhatsApp, Facebook's messaging app, last month announced it had full, end-to-end encryption by default on all platforms - including Android, iPhone and BlackBerry. Apple also launched its video call FaceTime feature in 2010 with default strong encryption. That means that even when served with a warrant, these firms cannot provide law enforcement access to WhatsApp and iMessage chats.
FBI Director James B. Comey has endorsed the benefits of encryption. "I love strong encryption," he said in a speech last month. But, he said, "what's changed in the last few years is that it's now become the default, covering wide swaths of our lives and covering wide swaths of law enforcement's responsibilities." He has called for a balancing of privacy and public safety needs in which firms maintain a way - usually with a key - to get the government access to the communications it seeks.
So Google's move on balance is welcome, said one law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the issue on the record. "Having this as an opt-in feature is certainly useful to us."
Google designed Allo without default encryption to make it easier to mesh the chat app with Google Assistant, a new conversation bot that can hold natural-sounding discussions with users, a Google spokesman said. It's a competitor to Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa and the many bots created for Facebook's Messenger app. Assistant is designed to tap into Google's wealth of data about users to provide tailored recommendations, from the best movies to see to the quickest route to the theater.
Because Google may need to run queries made of Assistant on its own servers, the official said, it's not feasible to offer end-to-end encryption by default. Users who opt to use the encrypted "Incognito" mode may thus lack some Assistant features, he said.
Some tech experts said it is possible to combine strong encryption with the artificial intelligence bot feature. "There's always a way," said Morey Haber, vice president of technology at the cyber-security firm BeyondTrust. Smartphones, for example, could do some of the processing on the device. But, he said, it would be difficult to fully process queries to Assistant without the power of Google's remote servers, which would need to see the unencrypted queries. "I don't think the technology is there yet," Haber said.
The company said that even the standard chat mode conforms with standard encryption practices; messages between Google and users will be encrypted, but the Google Assistant system will have access to what users are sending.
Still, the company's decision to forgo default encryption has raised questions - even internally.
A Google engineer wrote in a personal blog post Thursday obliquely criticized the lack of default encryption. "If incognito mode with end-to-end encryption . . . is so useful, why isn't it the default in Allo?" Thai Duong wrote. He also said he would push for "a setting where users can opt out of cleartext [unencrypted] messaging." Both lines were quietly removed later that evening from his post, with Duong adding a note that he erased a paragraph "because it's not cool to publicly discuss or to speculate the intent or future plans for the features of my employer's products."
Google declined to comment on whether it pressured Duong to edit his post.
Christopher Soghoian, American Civil Liberties Union principal technologist, said by making the encryption feature an opt-in, "Google gets the maximum press value out of the encryption tech while guaranteeing that it is used by as few people as possible."
Google, he said, "has given the FBI exactly what top officials have been asking for."
Bankston said the opt-in will depend on how easy the firm makes it to do so. "That," he said, "will turn a lot on the design."
© 2016 The Washington Post
Further reading: Allo, Apps, Artificial Intelligence, Duo, Edward Snowden, Encryption, Facebook, Google, Google IO, Google IO 2016, Internet, Privacy, Social, WhatsApp
Isro Successfully Tests Homegrown RLV as Mini-Shuttle
Apple, Google Locked in Battle for Supremacy
Google Allo Shutting Down Today: How to Download Chat Messages, Media
Eight Popular Tech Products That Shut Down In 2018
Google Allo Is Shutting Down: Here's How to Save Your Chat History
Google Chat Service a Precious Gift to Cybercriminals and Government Spies: Amnesty
Google Announces 'Chat' as Its RCS-Based SMS Replacement Platform, Pauses Investment in Allo
Global Device Shipments to Hit 2.16 Billion Units in 2020: Gartner


text:
UK Insurance
Solutions for the globally mobile:
International Plans for Individuals
International Plans for Employers
International Organisations - IGO/NGO
What does good health and wellbeing look like
Promoting positive emotional wellbeing in the workplace
The emerging role of digital in employee health and wellbeing
Why take out a health insurance policy for employees at your SME?
Mental health: what health insurance can do for the emotional wellness of employees of SMEs
Embracing the digital age within healthcare
Tips for selecting a dental plan for your business
Addressing a 5 point workplace cancer strategy
How to protect employees' mental health during COVID-19 – no matter where they are in the world.
The crucial role of data when supporting clients through COVID-19
Building structural COVID-19 resilience through a fundamental focus on healthier living
Why is it important to implement a health and wellness plan in a small or medium-sized enterprise
Offering family health cover from the sme, first step in providing employees with comprehensive health care
Having a health partner: the key to optimising your SME's wellness plan that will help it to grow
Employees who feel valued and cared for are employees who feel happy, efficient and productive. That is why looking after their whole health is key to a successful SME. But finding new ways to improve employees' well-being at a time when their lives have become more complex than ever can be a real challenge. So how can small and medium-sized enterprises meet their employees' needs? At Cigna, we can reveal that the answer lies in collaborating with a partner that specialises in health services. Keep reading to find out why.
Health is everything. Feeling healthy and full of energy is what enables us to enjoy life, be motivated, work safely and have the desire to progress in the world of work. SMEs must understand the importance of taking an active role in their employees' comprehensive care, because ensuring that there is a balance in all the areas of employees' health produces great benefits in terms of commitment and business productivity.
In this context and, with a view to setting themselves apart in an increasingly competitive market, SMEs must invest in wellness programmes that offer more than a standard benefits package. However, taking that step is not always easy and can be a challenge for SMEs if they do not go about it with the right healthcare partner. With the support of specialised companies, smaller companies will have access to the resources, knowledge and advice they need to grow and improve the effectiveness of their health plans.
In this sense, having a specialised partner will help them to develop, for example, tailor-made programmes for special groups, such as patients with chronic conditions, while improving the support for looking after employees and offering increasingly comprehensive health benefits. In short, they help to design the strategy that the SME needs, by focusing resources on what is truly necessary.
In order to make objective decisions with respect to well-being, we need experts who know how to identify employees' needs and how to meet them. And that is exactly what we do at Cigna – we advise SMEs to help design the health plan that best suits them. But what is the aim of this? The aim is to respond directly to existing needs and generate, as a result, a return on investment. Click on this link to see some of the options available.
However, to become a healthy SME, they must accept that although their teams are smaller than those of major corporations, they are made up of individuals with very different lives and concerns that can affect their overall well-being.
Organisations like Cigna, which specialise in providing health solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises, have a lot to say and offer during this process. We help to raise these entities awareness and opt for health solutions that are adapted to their employees' individual needs. We also provide them with different whole healthcare-oriented solutions, which focus on prevention and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
And, in turn, the support of a healthcare provider also facilitates access to state-of-the-art health and wellness tools. So at Cigna, we offer these companies solutions which have shown increased success, such as, for example, the Global Telehealth service available with the Cigna Wellbeing AppTM.
This digital application has become a real investment for the success of SMEs: it offers employees and their families easy and safe access to quality care, from the best health professionals, any time and anywhere. It is vital that there is an understanding within the workplace that looking after employees' whole health also means looking after their family well-being. If their nearest and dearest are looked after, employees will have fewer worries and, as a result, will be able to concentrate better on their work duties.
Each and every one of the reasons given for working on employees' comprehensive care with the support of a specialist are crucial for SMEs, as the current context presents new health challenges to which they must respond. Addressing these challenges with a health partner like Cigna also means offering employees different benefits packages, by balancing the financial cost and resources with the objectives of the health plan: offering a wide high-quality medical network, premium customer experience, benefits focused on comprehensive health care or guidance during the implementation of a wellness programme.
A partner which specialises in health services also helps to educate people management teams to promote a true wellness culture in which each employee feels supported and motivated to take care of themselves. It also encourages the entire workforce to give their best, by achieving the SME's business results and creating a better future for the company.
At Cigna, we have the health plan that your SME needs. Contact us using this link and we will help you develop a made-to-measure wellness plan to look after your team's whole health.
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