text:
\section{Introduction}\label{sec:introduction}
Due to the ever-increasing traffic demand~\cite{cisco},
new solutions to avoid the eventual capacity exhaustion of current core optical networks have been proposed. They range from improved efficiency in the usage of currently installed resources~\cite{5307468}
to expand the optical network capacity~\cite{Mizuno:16}.
One of these solutions is obtained by combining the capacity increase of multicore optical fibers (MCF)~\cite{Saitoh:16}
with the efficient spectrum usage offered by dynamic elastic optical networks (EONs)~\cite{unknown}. We denote them together as dynamic MCF-EONs.

MCF extend the fiber capacity by adding multiple cores within the same cladding. Thus, the capacity of a single fiber is significantly increased given that each core can be considered as an extra optical medium~\cite{AWAJI2013617}. EONs~\cite{10.1117/1.OE.57.11.110802} divide the spectrum into narrow slots called frequency slot units (FSU), usually of 12.5 GHz width~\cite{Zhou:16}.
In EON communication, each connection uses as many adjacent slots as needed, thereby improving the spectral usage efficiency~\cite{7288388}. Under dynamic operation, EONs~\cite{7193515} can establish and release connections on-demand.

One of the main challenges of dynamic MCF-EONs is the design of efficient routing, modulation, spectrum and core assignment (RMSCA) strategies for establishing optical connections with as low blocking probability as possible. Most RMSCA proposals use heuristic approaches that consider the impact of inter-core crosstalk (inter-core XT) on optical signal quality, as described in~\cite{unknown,6958538,6959250,8761380}. Although heuristics are computationally simple, they cannot guarantee optimal solutions~\cite{Zerovnik_2015}
and their performance depends on the ability of the designer to detect the best set of rules defining the heuristic behaviour.

In recent years, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) techniques have been applied to solve resource allocation problems in dynamic elastic optical networks to overcome the drawbacks of rule-based systems. For example, DRL was applied to solve the routing, modulation and spectrum assignment (RMSA) problem in single domain EONs ~\cite{Chen:20, Chen_2019,natalino2020optical},  multi-domain EONs~\cite{Li_OFC2020}, multiband EONs~\cite{9492435,9492334} and survivable EONs operating under shared protection~\cite{Luo}; the problem of energy-efficient traffic grooming in fog-cloud EONs~\cite{Zhu_OFC2020} and the problem of establishing and reconfiguring multicast sessions in EONs~\cite{9502141}.
 Only one previous work has studied the application of DLR on MCF-EONs~\cite{9333250}, but this work focused on fixed-grid networks. In this paper, we extend the work reported in~\cite{Chen:20, Chen_2019,natalino2020optical} by applying DRL for the first time to dynamic MCF-EONs

A DRL system can be summarized as an agent (an entity equipped with a learning algorithm) that - during its training phase - learns to make good decisions by interacting with an environment~\cite{mnih2015humanlevel,8585411}. In the context of RMSCA, the agent must learn to allocate optical resources to connection requests such that they are not blocked due to physical impairments or lack of spectral continuity or contiguity in the chosen route. A reasonable allocation decision makes the environment give the agent a high-value reward. In resource allocation in optical networks, the environment is programmed to represent the state, operation and constraints of a dynamic optical network. When a connection request arrives during the training phase, the agent decides what resources to allocate. At the beginning of its training, the agent makes arbitrary decisions (exploration process). Then, the environment determines whether the set of resources identified by the agent is feasible and gives the agent feedback about the quality of its decision. This information, stored in the experience buffer of the agent, allows the agent to learn. As a result, it starts to select better actions (exploitation process) for future requests. Better actions result in the agent earning a high cumulative reward. After an agent has finished its training stage, it can be evaluated (testing stage) by having it process connection requests it has never received before.

In the context of dynamic MCF-EONs, with the exception of~\cite{9333250}, only supervised machine-learning techniques have been applied so far. These consist of techniques for making inferences based on expert-labelled data. Thus, instead of taking actions, supervised learning algorithms perform estimations or classifications ~\cite{10.1007/978-3-319-56991-8_32}.

For example, the authors of~\cite{XIONG201999, xiong2020deep} used supervised learning to predict future connection requests in dynamic MCF-EONs to perform a crosstalk-aware resource allocation in advance. Instead, the authors in ~\cite{8307057} used machine learning to estimate the inter-core XT to then execute a crosstalk-aware allocation algorithm. All these studies have used machine learning as an auxiliary process to improve the assignment, either by predicting future traffic or transmission quality. In none of them, machine learning had direct participation in the decision-making related to resource allocation.

To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous studies applying DRL to solve the RMSCA problem in dynamic MCF-EONs. In this paper, we present, for the first time, the implementation and testing of a new dynamic MCF-EON environment where four different DRL agents are trained to solve the RMSCA problem. The results obtained by the best performing agent are then compared to 3 baseline heuristics.

The rest of this article is organized as follows: Section II presents the DRL system developed, Section III describes the performance evaluation experiments, and Section IV concludes the paper.

\section{DRL for dynamic MCF-EONs}

The implementation process of any DRL system can be done in two stages:
\begin{itemize}
\item Stage 1: Environment Design and Implementation. The environment is a program that receives the agent´s action, processes it, and sends back feedback. The specific feedback depends on the results of the agent´s action on the environment. The environment must consider the characteristics and constraints of the existing system to process the action. In the case of an optical network, the environment must manage information about the network topology and status and model the network operation (including physical phenomena related to the signal transmission and spectrum allocation constraints).

\item Stage 2: Agent Training. The agent must first acquire knowledge about the environment. This training is done by exploration and exploitation. When exploring, the agent selects random actions to learn how the environment reacts and stores such knowledge. When exploiting stored knowledge, the agent makes informed decisions to select the following action. During exploration and exploitation, the agent receives feedback from the environment, which the agent uses to update its knowledge. In this way, the agent´s training progresses.
\end{itemize}

In the following, these two stages are described in detail in the context of dynamic MCF-EONs.

\subsection{Stage 1: Environment design and implementation}

In this work, the toolkit \textit{Optical RL-Gym}, developed by Natalino and Monti~\cite{natalino2020optical} to facilitate the implementation and
replicability of deep reinforcement learning environments for optical networks, was extended by creating a new environment: \texttt{DeepRMSCAEnv}. Such an environment encapsulates all the necessary functions to simulate an MCF-EON.

\begin{figure*}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[scale=.55]{figuras/Figura_1_entorno.pdf}
    \caption{Interaction between an DRL agent and the MCF-EON environment developed: DeepRMSCAEnv.}
    \label{fig:fig1}
\end{figure*}

The right part of Figure~\ref{fig:fig1} shows a schematic of the implemented environment, including its main components and interactions. Dashed and thick lines modules are modules from the Optical RL-Gym toolkit that had to be modified and developed from scratch, respectively, to model an MCF-EON environment correctly.

The environment can be considered an event-driven dynamic MCF-EON simulator and a feature engineering module. The former is responsible for processing the connection requests according to the agent´s action and sending the relevant information to the feature engineering module. The latter is responsible for preparing and sending feedback to the agent (reward and observation).

The dynamic MCF-EON simulator consists of five components. Two of these store data about the network:
\begin{itemize}
    \item Network information. This component stores the graph representation of the network and the link capacity, considering the multicore nature of links. It also stores the \texttt{K} alternatives routes for each source-destination pair, the modulation format used as a function of the route length distance
    and the network information, coded as in~\cite{Chen_2019}.
    \item Network state. This component stores the state of each slot (available or used) for each network link and core.
\end{itemize}

The remaining 3 components perform specific tasks:

\begin{itemize}
    \item Traffic generator. This component is responsible for the random generation of connection establishment and release requests. Connection establishment requests, defined by the triplet $(src, dst, b)$, are sent to the agent and the request processor component, where $src$ is the source node, $dst$ is the source node the destination node and $b$ is the bitrate. The connection release requests are sent only to the request processor.
    \item Request processor. This component receives several inputs. The first two are the connection establishment or release request and the agent´s action (in the case of an establishment request). When a connection establishment request is received, the request processor waits for the agent´s action (route, core, initial slot). Once the agent´s action is received, the Request Processor first determines the number of slots the connection requires. To do so, the most efficient modulation format that ensures a QoT~\cite{5465362} is first selected (QoT has been transformed into a maximum reach, as shown in Table 1). The calculation of the number of slots is the same described in Section II of~\cite{Chen_2019}.
    \begin{table}[h]
    \caption{Maximum reach for each modulation format~\cite{7302513}}
    \begin{center}
     \begin{tabular}{||c c||}
     \hline
     Modulation format & Max. reach (km)\\ [0.45ex]
     \hline\hline
     64QAM & 250 \\
     \hline
     32QAM & 500 \\
     \hline
     16QAM & 1000 \\
     \hline
     8QAM & 2000 \\
     \hline
     QPSK & 4000 \\
     \hline
     BPSK & 8000 \\
     \hline
    \end{tabular}
    \label{Umbral}
    \end{center}
    \end{table}

    Next, it checks the network topology (input from the Network information module) and the network state (input from the Network state module) to evaluate the availability of the resources selected by the agent. It also obtains information from the XT calculator component regarding the feasibility of the allocation in terms of crosstalk. If resources are available and a positive answer is received from the XT calculator, then resources are allocated, and the corresponding information is updated on the network state module. Information about a successful establishment is also sent to the reward generator.
    If resources cannot be allocated, information about the failed establishment is sent to the reward generator component only. When a connection release is received, the request processor component updates the network state module to make the released resources available.
    \item XT calculator. This component calculates the inter-core crosstalk (XT), defined as the interference between optical connections in neighbouring cores using the same frequency slots. It receives information about the resources selected by the agent (length of the links composing the route and core) and evaluates the XT. For generic MCF systems, with any number of cores in any geometric arrangement, the steps to calculate the mean XT affecting a connection established in core $i$ are as follows:
    \begin{itemize}
        \item Calculate the mean XT per unit of length between core $i$ and adjacent core $j$, $h_{i,j}$ as :

     \begin{equation}
     \label{eq:h}
     h_{i,j}=\frac{2k^2 r}{\beta \Lambda_{i,j}}
     \end{equation}
    where $k$, $r$, $\beta$ and $\Lambda$ are the coupling coefficient, radius of curvature (or bending), constant propagation and the distance between cores $i$ and $j$ respectively.

    \item Calculate the total mean XT affecting core $i$, $XT_{i}$, by adding the crosstalk contribution of all its adjacent cores. That is:
     \begin{equation}
     \label{eq:XTi}
     XT_{i}=\sum_{j=1}^{n} h_{i,j}\cdot L
     \end{equation}
    where $n$ is the number of cores adjacent to core $i$ and $L$ the length of the link.
    \end{itemize}
    For the specific case where cores follow a triangular or hexagonal geometric arrangement and different pairs of cores are equidistant, equation~\eqref{eq:XTHex} has been found to be a better approximation to calculate $XT_{i}$~\cite{unknown}:

    \begin{equation}
    \label{eq:XTHex}
     XT_{i}=\frac{n-n\cdot exp[-(n+1)\cdot hL]}{1+n\cdot exp[-(n+1)\cdot hL]}
    \end{equation}

 where, as in equation~\eqref{eq:XTi}, $n$ represents the number of cores neighbouring $i$, and $L$ is the length of the link. The term $h$ is given by equation~\eqref{eq:h} (sub-indices have been dropped since the distance between all core pairs is assumed to be the same).

   An XT threshold value for different modulation formats is defined in~\cite{7302513}~\cite{ZHAO2017249} such that the signal quality is acceptable. If  XT exceeds this predefined threshold (summarized in Table~\ref{Umbral}), a negative answer is sent to the request processor (-1). Otherwise, a positive answer is sent (1).
\end{itemize}

\begin{table}[h]
\caption{XT threshold for each modulation format~\cite{ZHAO2017249}}
\begin{center}
 \begin{tabular}{||c c||}
 \hline
 Modulation format & XT threshold (dB)\\ [0.45ex]
 \hline\hline
 64QAM & -34 \\
 \hline
 32QAM & -27\\
 \hline
 16QAM & -25 \\
 \hline
 8QAM & -21 \\
 \hline
 QPSK & -18 \\
 \hline
 BPSK & -14 \\
 \hline
\end{tabular}
\label{Umbral1}
\end{center}
\end{table}

The feature engineering module in Figure~\ref{fig:fig1} is responsible for preparing the information to be sent back to the agent. It is made of three components:

\noindent\textbf{Reward generator.} This component calculates the numerical reward to be sent to the agent depending on the information received from the request processor component. In this work, a successful resource allocation returns a reward equal to 1 and a failed allocation equal to -1. Connections can be rejected due to lack of spectrum resources along the path selected by the agent, because of crosstalk among cores exceeding the predefined threshold or because the length of the path selected by the agent is longer than the maximum optical reach of any modulation format (such limit depends on the modulation format and a bit-error-rate threshold, as in Section III, Table 3 of~\cite{5534599}).

\noindent\textbf{Routes state.} This component receives the routing information from the network information component and the utilization state of the slots in such routes from the Network State component. This information is then consolidated in a 1D vector made of \((K\cdot C\cdot J)\) elements, where \(K\) is the number of alternative routes, \(C\) is the number of cores and \(J\) is the number of blocks with enough available slots to establish the connection request being processed. A block is a set of contiguous available slots.

\noindent\textbf{Observation generator.} This component consolidates - for the core selected by the agent - the following information in a 1D vector, taking as a basis the observation vector used in ~\cite{Chen_2019}: source node (one-hot encode), destination node (one-hot encode), holding time, reward, the number of slots requested, routes state, the action taken, and the reward for that action.

\subsection{Stage 2: Agent training}
The left side of Figure~\ref{fig:fig1} shows the interaction between the agent and the \texttt{DeepRMSCAEnv} environment during the training stage.

The agent aims to maximize its long-term reward. That is, selecting actions leading to the highest number of connection requests established. To achieve this goal, the agent is built considering two main components:

\noindent\textbf{Policy.} This component is where the behaviour of the agent is embedded. At a given time $t$, receives a connection establishment request as input along with a summary of the state of the network~\cite{Chen_2019} and an action $A_t$ is outputted. The action is defined by 3 integer numbers: a path identifier $k$ (selected out of \textit{K} possible pre-computed routes), a core identifier \textit{c} (selected out of \textit{C} possible cores) and the identifier of the initial frequency slot \textit{j} of the block selected. These values define which route, core and spectrum resources should be assigned to each request. As the agent successfully allocates more connection requests, the policy becomes better. At the end of the training, the policy is expected to allow the agent to define which action has the highest probability of not being blocked.
Figure~\ref{fig:figXAI1} shows a simplified example of two possible actions that might be taken by the agent, given a specific network state.

\begin{figure*}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[scale=.55]{figuras/XAI_1_estado.pdf}
    \caption{Example of connection request from node 5 to 3, requesting 3 slots (2 for data, 1 as guard band). K=2, meaning 2 routes. The routes spectral use is represented by white blocks (available FSUs) and red and gray ones (occupied for data and as guard bands, respectively).}
    \label{fig:figXAI1}
\end{figure*}

On the left part of the figure, 5-node network topology and a connection establishment request of 2 slots between nodes 5 and 3 are shown. The demand is represented by the red boxes (2 slots in this case) plus the grey box (1 slot used as a guard band). The amount of slots required to serve the connection (red squares) is determined by the modulation format, using the same method presented in~\cite{Chen_2019}. One guard band of 1 slot is considered for each connection request to achieve a good trade-off between the quality of transmission and the blocking probability~\cite{8024956}.

Let us assume the network is equipped with three cores per link, and the agent can select either route 1 ($k=1$), represented by the red link in the topology, or route 2 ($k=2$) by the green links. In addition to a route, the agent must also select a core and a slot. On the right side of the figure, the spectrum utilization of both routes is shown. Red and grey squares represent used FSUs. A row of squares represents the slot utilization in a specific core for a specific route. Thus, the three rows on the upper and lower part of the figure represent the slot utilization on the three cores of the first and second routes, respectively.

If the agent selects Action 1, depicted in the upper part of the figure, then action $A_t=[1,2,11]$ is sent back to the environment, signalling that the agent selects slot 11 as the initial slot on route 1 in core 2 to establish the connection. The thunderbolt symbol in route 1 represents the presence of crosstalk exceeding the acceptable threshold. In this case, the request will be rejected, and a reward of -1 will be sent to the agent.
Instead, if the agent selects Action 2, depicted on the lower part of the figure, then action  $A_t=[2,2,10]$ is sent back to the environment. This action leads to a successful connection establishment, and the agent receives a reward equal to 1. During the training stage, the policy component should be updated to select Action 2 over Action 1 (in this case), leading to a higher reward.

\noindent\textbf{Learning algorithm.} This component receives the rewards and observations from the environment and, based on that information, updates the policy to produce actions that maximize the expected cumulative long-term reward. In this study, we consider learning algorithms compatible with the action space considered. The action space used has a multi-discrete nature because the action is defined by multiple discrete values (route, core and slot identifier). Thus, the learning algorithms available in the  \texttt{Stable-Baselines}~\cite{stable-baselines} library that were compatible with a multi-discrete space state were selected (as also done in~\cite{Chen_2019, natalino2020optical}). These are:

    \begin{itemize}

    \item Advantage Actor-Critic (A2C)~\cite{mnih2016asynchronous} and Actor-Critic using Kronecker-Factored Trust Region (ACKTR)~\cite{wu2017scalable}: These are approaches based on the actor-critic algorithm~\cite{mnih2016asynchronous}, which has two interacting neural networks. The actor uses a dense neural network to process and update the policy obtained. The critic uses a separated neural network to evaluate the quality of the policy by calculating the 'value function'~\cite{mnih2015humanlevel}. Both algorithms differ in how they update their neural networks' weights. A2C does that by using the feedback the critic's network gives to the actor's network, whilst ACKTR uses a Kronecker-factored approximation~\cite{wu2017scalable}, which is a method that optimizes the stochastic gradient descent.

    \item Proximal Policy Optimization(PPO2)~\cite{schulman2017proximal} and Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO)~\cite{pmlr-v37-schulman15}: These learning algorithms use only one neural network, whose weights are updated based on the policy gradient descent. They differ in the way the policy gradient descent is approached.
    TRPO avoids sudden changes in the neural network weights, updating only those that do not differ by a greater distance than what the Kullback–Leibler restriction (relative entropy)~\cite{pmlr-v37-schulman15} allows. Instead, PPO2 does not impose limits on the neural network weights' changes to optimise the policy's descent curve.

    \end{itemize}

\section{Performance Evaluation}

 Table~\ref{tab:parameters_sim} lists the values of the main parameters used to train the agents. In terms of network parameters, we consider two topologies: the NSFNet and the COST239. For each one, we assume 100 FSUs and 3 cores arranged in a triangular geometry
 per link, and the available modulation formats are BPSK, QPSK, 8-QAM and 16-QAM. These simplifications have been considered due to memory constraints. The same number of slots was considered in \cite{9492435}. As in ~\cite{8717574}, we use ~\eqref{eq:XTHex} to calculate the XT.

 Regarding the traffic characteristics, we assume a fully dynamic behaviour, where connection establishment requests arrive as a Poisson process and connection holding times follow a negative exponential distribution. The bitrate associated to each connection is uniformly selected from the range [25-100] Gbps, as in \cite{Chen_2019}.
 Finally, regarding the agents (one per learning algorithm), they will select one out of 5 pre-computed routes, one out of 3 cores and the number of FSU needed for the connection considering a total of 100 FSUs. Agents will be trained in episodes made of 50 connection requests each (to simplify backpropagation in the dense neural network used by the agent by delivering small batches of data continuously), and the whole training session will consider a total of 160,000 connection requests. The parameters of the four agents will be the ones set by default in the agent's library \textit{Stable Baselines}\cite{stable-baselines}
 The DRL system developed is available in a Git repository~\footnote{The new environment, under the name \texttt{DeepRMSCAEnv}, is available at: \url{https://gitlab.com/IRO-Team/deeprmsca-a-mcf-eon-enviroment-for-optical-rl-gym/}}.

\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\caption{Network, traffic and training parameters} \label{tab:parameters_sim}
\resizebox{.48\textwidth}{!}{
\begin{tabular}{| l | l |}
\hline
\textit{Parameters} & \textit{Value} \\
\hline \hline
\textbf{Network Parameters} & \\
Topologies & NSFNet~\cite{10.1145/55482.55502} and COST239~\cite{11.1145/55482.55502}\\
Number of cores & $3$\\
Number of FSU by link  & $100$ \\
Modulation Formats & BPSK, QPSK, 8-QAM, 16-QAM\\
\hline
\textbf{Traffic Parameters} & \\
Bit rates [Gb/s] & Uniformly distributed in [25-100] Gbps \\
\hline
\textbf{Agent Training Parameters} & \\
Pre-computed candidate routes & $5$ \\
Number of connection requests per episode & $50$~\cite{Chen_2019}\\
Simulated requests per training & 160,000\\
Agent's learning algorithm parameters & By-default~\cite{stable-baselines}\\
\hline
\end{tabular}
}
\end{table}
\subsection{Preliminary Training Results}
The agents TRPO, PPO2, A2C and ACKTR, were trained with a traffic load of 250 Erlang, as in~\cite{Chen_2019}.

Figures \ref{fig:fig4} and \ref{fig:fig5} show the reward accumulated by the different agents during their training in the NSFNet and COST239 topologies, respectively. Given that each episode is made of 50 connection requests, the maximum reward achievable by an agent is 50. It can be seen that the A2C and TRPO agents are the only ones reaching values close to the maximum expected reward in both topologies with an average reward of 49 and 47, respectively, with TRPO exhibiting slightly better performance.

\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/Multiples_AgentesNSFnet-Recompensa-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Accumulated reward for the A2C, PPO2, TRPO and ACKTR agents in the NSFNet topology}
    \label{fig:fig4}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/Varios_Agentes-3Core-Recompensa-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Accumulated reward for the A2C, PPO2, TRPO and ACKTR agents in the COST239 topology }
    \label{fig:fig5}
\end{figure}

Figures \ref{fig:fig21} and \ref{fig:fig3} show the evolution of the blocking probability during the training process of the same agents for the NFSNet and COST239 topologies, respectively. For comparison, the dashed red line shows the blocking probability obtained by one of the baseline heuristics, kSP-FF-FCA. This heuristic has a list of 5 pre-computed paths, sorted from shortest (k=1) to longest (k=5). When a connection request arrives, the heuristic attempts to establish the connection in the shortest path of the list (k=1), applying the first-fit policy for spectrum allocation and first fit crosstalk-aware for core allocation, as described in ~\cite{7214205}. The same procedure is repeated for the following path in the list if unsuccessful. After attempting all paths, the connection is rejected if there are no available resources.

From the figure, we can see that, once the agents are in steady-state, TRPO and A2C agents outperform the heuristic, improving blocking of 24.3\% and 73.9\% for the NSFNet topology and  14.51\% and 38.71\% for the COST239 topology, respectively.

Given the excellent performance of the TRPO agent in both topologies, in the following section, this agent will be trained for different traffic loads, and then its performance will be contrasted with that of the heuristics selected in ~\cite{BRASILEIRO2020100584}.

\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/Multiples_AgentesNSFnet-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Blocking probability for A2C, PPO2, TRPO and ACKTR in NSFNet Topology }
    \label{fig:fig21}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/Varios_Agentes-3Core-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Blocking probability for A2C, PPO2, TRPO and ACKTR in COST239 Topology }
    \label{fig:fig3}
\end{figure}

\subsection{TRPO TRAINING RESULTS}

The TRPO agent was trained for traffic loads between 500 and 3000 Erlang; in steps of 500. Figures~\ref{fig:fig6} and~\ref{fig:fig7} show the evolution of the blocking probability achieved by the TRPO agent as a function of the number of connection requests for different traffic loads for the NSFNet and COST239 topologies, respectively.
It can be seen that the agent exhibits consistent behaviour, with the blocking probability increasing with the traffic load.

\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/NSFNet_TRPO-3nucleo-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Blocking probability progress for TRPO agent training in NSFNet Topology.}
    \label{fig:fig6}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/COST239_TRPO-3core-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Blocking probability progress for TRPO agent training in COST239 Topology.}
    \label{fig:fig7}
\end{figure}

\subsection{TRPO AGENT VS. HEURISTIC: BLOCKING PERFORMANCE}
Figures~\ref{fig:fig9} and ~\ref{fig:fig10} show the blocking probability achieved by the trained TRPO agent and the same heuristics selected for blocking evaluation in the survey~\cite{BRASILEIRO2020100584}: KSP-FF-FCA, KSP-RF-RCA and KSP-SCMA XT/demand Aware~\cite{6958538} for the NSFNet and COST39 topologies, respectively. The three heuristics apply alternated routing. KSP-FF-FCA uses the First Fit policy to select core and spectrum, KSP-RF-RCA applies a random policy to select core and spectrum, and KSP-SCMA XT/demand aware allocates different parts of the spectrum depending on the Bitrate of the connection request.

Compared to the best performing heuristic, KSP-SCMA XT/demand-aware, a significant improvement in the blocking performance of the DRL approaches is observed. For example, in the NFSNet topology, at the highest load studied, the TRPO agent exhibits a blocking probability of about $1.9\cdot10^{-2}$, about four times slower than the blocking of $8.5\cdot10^{-2}$ achieved by the heuristic. On average, considering both topologies and loads over 2000 Erlang, TRPO achieves a 4-times decrease in blocking concerning the best heuristic, being ideal for the future scenario of demand for connection requests~\cite{5681026},
highlighting the benefits of applying DRL techniques to the RMSCA problem. This improvement can be explained by the monotonic-improving behaviour of the TRPO agent~\cite{schulman2017trust}, which requires conservatively exploring the environment throughout the training to establish the confidence zone for its learning algorithm. Since its performance depends directly on the number of events that it must process during the training stage,  the more connection requests it processes - a situation that occurs at high traffic loads - the better its performance. As a result, the blocking increment performed by the agent according to the traffic load is lower than the one experienced by the heuristics.
\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/NSFNet_TRPO-Promedio-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Blocking probability steady average of TRPO agent trained in NSFNet topology.}
    \label{fig:fig9}
\end{figure}
\begin{figure}[h!]
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=0.49\textwidth]{figuras/Resultados nuevos/COST239_TRPO-Promedio-Gt50.pdf}
    \caption{Blocking probability steady average of TRPO agent trained in COST239 topology.}
    \label{fig:fig10}
\end{figure}

\section{Conclusion}
This paper presents a deep reinforcement learning approach applied for the first time in the literature to solve the routing, modulation format, spectrum and core allocation problem in dynamic multicore elastic optical networks. Simulation results show that the deep reinforcement learning approach offers a significant performance advantage over the best heuristic strategy studied.

Further research on improving the DRL approach performance should focus on hyperparameter tuning. For instance, applying transfer learning techniques or graph neural networks to cover a broader range of topologies with decreased computational effort, increasing the size of the data to be processed to study fibers with more cores and investigating different reward schemes that differentiate the reward according to the cause of blocking (e.g. crosstalk, capacity unavailability, fragmentation or optical reach).

Additionally, we would like to explore explainability techniques that might help understand how the agent makes its decisions to improve current heuristics.

We expect these results and the code made available in the Git repository to help the research community study the benefits of deep reinforcement learning in the area of optical networks.

\section*{Acknowledgements}
Financial support from projects: DI-PUCV (039.437/2020, 039.382/2021); ANID FOVI 210082; ANID FONDECYT Iniciación (11201024, 11220650, 11190710); ANID Magister Nacional (/2020-22201418, /2021-22210736), are gratefully acknowledged.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


''This article is about the dolphin mammal. For other uses of the term, please see dolphin (disambiguation).
Dolphins are certain aquatic mammals related to whales and porpoises.
laymen often use the term synonymously with Bottlenose Dolphin, the most common and familiar species of dolphin.
Wikipedia uses definition 2 above.
Porpoises (suborder Odontoceti, family Phocoenidae) are thus not dolphins in our sense. Killer Whales and some related species belong to the Delphinidae family and therefore qualify as dolphins, even though they are called whales in common language.
There are almost 40 species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from 1.2 metres and 40 kg (Heaviside's Dolphin), up to 7 metres and 4.5 tonnes (the Killer Whale). Most species weigh between about 50 and about 200 kg. They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and all are carnivores, mostly taking fish and squid.
The dolphin family is the largest in the Cetacea, and relatively recent: dolphins evolved about 10 million years ago, during the Miocene.
Dolphins are amongst the most intelligent of all animals. See the Dolphin brain article for more details.
Dolphins are also famous for their willingness to occassionally approach humans and interact with them in the water. In return, in some cultures like in Ancient Greece treated with welcome, such as the idea of a ship spotting dolphins riding in their wake was considered a good omen for a smooth voyage.
The popular television show Flipper, created by Ivan Tors, portrayed a dolphin in a friendly relationship with two boys, Sandy and Bud; kind of a sea-going Lassie, he understood English unusually well and was a marked hero: "Go tell Dad we're in trouble, Flipper! Hurry!" The show's theme song contains the lyric no one you see/is smarter than he.


For a great opportunity to work in a great location - Zandvoort, the beach of Amsterdam apply to the Barefoot Cottage. We are currently looking for chefs to work in our beachfront restaurant. We serve simple food, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu contains many salads, snackfood, sea food and sharing plates. As well as banquets with BBQs and cocktails.
Candidates must have experience working in busy environments.
We are looking for candidates who work with a can-do attitude and are fun, dedicated and love to cook. We're a small group of enthusiastic people that care for our guests.
When your not working there's time for a laugh and a swim. Imagine your 2019 summer is in Zandvoort.
The season starts mid March and ends mid September / early October.
We offer accommodation in an apartment in Zandvoort, away from work so that you can also enjoy a private life.
Any questions: please click "Apply Now".
If you're reading this message and think about a friend, we have more jobs to fill. Don't hesitate to introduce yourself.


text:
Home > News and Events > Woodbridge come in the top 10 of English schools i...
Woodbridge come in the top 10 of English schools in National Cross Country Cup Final
5 Dec 21
Last Saturday, Woodbridge competed in the National Cross Country Finals in Newquay, Cornwall. The Cross Country Cup is the largest English Schools team competition for cross country athletes and open to 8,000 secondary schools. We're extremely proud to say that all three teams that entered finished in the top 10 in England!
Having progressed from the start of the competition in October, qualifying for regionals from which the top three in each region are invited to the final last weekend, Woodbridge was one of just 27 schools that qualified for the National Final, which is quite some achievement we're sure you'll agree. Our report details the journey and our success:
This year, the finals were held in Cornwall on Saturday 4 December. Woodbridge School had three teams qualify for the Nationals, matching the School's previous best and qualifying for a fifth successive Nationals.
In our previous four Nationals our best girls team finish to date had been 13th. Our Senior Girls were first to race in the third race of the day on Saturday. Led by Ruby, who as a Year 11 in a Year 11 to 13 race finished 2nd to take a well-deserved Silver. The girls had their best ever result, finishing in an amazing 6th place. Full results were: Ruby Y11 2nd, April Y13 17th, Amy Y12 37th, Isobel Y11 49th and Anna Y12 119th.
Not to be outdone, or phased by the occasion in any way, our Junior Girls ('Pocket Rockets') were next up, almost matching the Senior performance to finish in 7th place – very special indeed at their first Nationals. Perhaps most pleasing, the team only just qualified finishing 3rd at the Regionals, and the school that had finished 2nd at the Regionals were a distant 19th at these Nationals. Full results were: Felicity Y7 19th, Charlie Y8 22nd, Eloise Y8 56th, Aurelia Y8 57th, Romilly Y7 88th and Sophie Y7 92nd.
In the final race of the day our Senior Boys closed out in style and rounded off a very consistent day for Woodbridge School with another 7th place. One final great performance against the very best in the country and full results were: Henry Y11 10th, Kit Y13 13th, Charlie Y13 71st, Johnny Y11 84th and Obi Y11 143rd.
A set of results on the highest stage that Woodbridge School can be extremely proud of. Congratulations to every athlete and a big thank you to staff and parents for making the very long trip to Cornwall.
Next stop and the final fixture for 2021 is the South of England Inter County Cross Country, being held on Saturday 11th December 2021 where ten of our athletes will compete for Suffolk!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
2. Al-Baqarah
The Rasul of Allah (saw) says: "There is a verse inside the chapter al-Baqarah that is the chief of...
Rabbi ij`alnee muqeema l-ṣalaati wa min dhurriyyatee Rabbanaa wa taqannal du`aa'i Rabbanaa ighfir le...
8. Al-Anfal
Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrates: Rasulullah (saw) said: "An 'offering' will not bring the sons of Adam...
41. Fussilat
51. Adh-Dhariyat
37. As-Saffat
59. Al-Hashr
In regards to the merit of 21st through 24th verses of Surah Al-Hasr the Rasul of Allah (saw) says:...
110. An-Nasr
When the help (of Allah) and the conquest (absolute clarity – conscious observation) has come,
95. At-Tin
By the fig and the olive,
55. Ar-Rahman
Rahman (the possessor of all of the qualities referenced by the Beautiful Names),
40. Al-Mu'min
Ha Meem!
Quran Quran Recitation in Arabic Hasan Güler (30 Juz/Parts) Juz' 1 Print Page
25:14 08 July 2015 1199 listens
Juz' 1
The Quran in general is divided into chapters (surah) and verses (ayat). It is additionally divided into 30 equal sections, called juz . Of note, division into Juzʾ has no relevance to the meaning of the Quran and anyone can start reading from anywhere in the Quran. The divisions of juz do not fall evenly along chapter lines. These divisions make it easier to pace the reading over a month's period, reading a fairly equal amount each day. This is particularly important during the month of Ramadan, when it is recommended to complete at least one full reading of the Quran from cover to cover. Some use this divisions to facilitate recitation of the Quran in a month, especially during Ramadan when the entire Quran is recited in the Tarawih prayers, reciting approximately one juzʾ a night.
The first juz' of the Quran starts from the first verse of the first chapter (1.Al-Fatiha :1) and continues part-way through the second chapter (2.Al-Baqarah :141).
Hadhrat Ali says, "The secret of the Quran is hidden in al-Fatiha, the secret of al-Fatiha is hidden in the Basmalah, and the secret of the Basmalah is hidden in the letter B! I am the point beneath that B!"
Select Quotations:
"This is the Knowledge (Book) of the reality and sunnatullah (the mechanics of the system of Allah), about which there is absolutely no doubt; it is the source of comprehension for those who seek protection." (Quran 2:1-2)
"Who believe in the reality (that their being comprises of the compositions of the Names of Allah) unknown to them (beyond their perception), and who establish prayer (who experience the meaning of salat alongside performing its physical actions) and who spend unrequitedly from both the physical and spiritual sustenance of life that We have provided for them for the sake of Allah." (Quran 2:3)
"And who believe in what has been revealed to you from your essence (from the depths of your essence to your consciousness) and what was revealed before you, and who, of their eternal life to come, are certain (in complete submission as a result of an absolute comprehension)." (Quran 2:4)
"They are in a state of HUDA (comprehension of the reality) from their Rabb (the Name composition comprising their essence) and it is they who are successful." (Quran 2:5)
"Allah has set a seal upon their brain's perception of reality; their insight is veiled." (Quran 2:7)
"And of the people are some who say, 'We believe in Allah in accord with the meaning of the letter B (with the belief that the Names of Allah comprise their being) and the Life after (that they will forever live the consequences of their deeds)' but in fact, their faith isn't in line with this reality!" (Quran 2:8)
"How can you deny that the Names of Allah comprise your essence (in accord with the letter B)? When you were lifeless (dead; unaware of your essential reality) and He brought you to life (with the knowledge He disclosed to you); again He will cause you to die (from the state of thinking you are only the body), and again He will bring you to life (purify you from confining your existence to your body and enable you to live in a state of consciousness)... Eventually you will see your reality!" (Quran 2:28)
"I will make upon the earth (the body) a vicegerent (conscious beings who will live with the awareness of the Names)." (Quran 2:30)
"And He taught (manifested and programmed) Adam all of the Names (all potential pertaining to the Names)..." (Quran 2:31)
"...So wherever you turn, there is the face of Allah (you are face to face with the manifestation of the qualities denoted by Allah's Names)..." (Quran 2:115)
"He is al-Badee (The originator of the heavens [states of consciousness] and the earth [the body] who makes things without any sample or like). When He wills a thing, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is." (Quran 2:117)
"The hue of Allah! And what can be better than being colored with the hue of Allah?" (Quran 2:138)
2. Al-Baqarah (224-286)
2. Al-Baqarah (76-150)
Al-Baqarah
The First Revelations
Faith In What?
Earth's Final Destination
Introductory Information To Underst...
Taoism–Buddhism–Totemism–Islam...
The Three Golden Realities of Life
Why don't you return home, to Turke...
The Nonreturnable Infinite Journey...
What is worship? #6
Holographic Universe Of Your Mind/S...


We can offer a unique and unrivalled lifetime support for your machines.
SCION gas chromatographs are designed to operate 24/7, a definite requirement as processes have to be controlled around the clock. Apart from very flexible straight configurations highly specialized analyzers are available. These analyzers comply with ASTM, EN, ISO, IP and GPA standards and methodologies. Furthermore SCION can configure custom instruments providing the perfect solution to your particular analytical, gas chromatographic problem.
SCION gas chromatographs are designed to operate 24/7, a definite requirement as processes have to be controlled around the clock. A range of analyzers is available, for process control as well as product control; for high level composition as well as trace impurities. SCION can configure custom instruments providing the perfect solution to your particular analytical, gas chromatographic problem.
SCION gas chromatographs are designed to support detailed and constant analysis of intermediates, the final drug product and its packing material. A range of GC solutions are available for residual solvents (RS), extractables and leachables (E/L) and organic volatile impurities (OVI) identification and quantification in pharmaceutical drug substances, excipients and products.
Scion has a range of dedicated GC solutions specifically designed to monitor different environmental contaminants. Combining pre-concentration techniques and specific detection allow for the sub ppb level determinations required. From headspace VOC analysis of water to pre-configured Greenhouse Gas Analyzers and custom instruments for SVOC analysis, we can provide you with the best solution for even the most demanding applications.
Scion has a range of dedicated GC solutions specifically designed for the food industry. Combining pre-concentration techniques and specific detection allow for bulk as well as trace level determinations. From headspace systems to pre-configured, custom analyzers we can provide you with the best solution for even the most demanding applications.


text:
DGS-Certified Small Business #13735
IT CMAS #3-10-70-0915C
Non-IT CMAS #4-15-03-0414B
IT MSA #5167010-125
IT & Telecommunications Analysis
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Communications Division
California Relay Service 3
For the CPUC's Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), we developed a comprehensive acquisition strategic plan for California Relay Service 3 (CRS-3), a service available to all Californians who are deaf. We considered federal and State laws and regulations, the anticipated regulations and funding changes, formal input from stakeholder constituent groups, and program policies. Our work included research, graphics, and technical writing. We facilitated reviews and adoptions. We also developed a 300-page RFP for the outsourcing of multiyear, multivendor CRS-3. And we provided project development and management support throughout the procurement and implementation processes.
For the CPUC's Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), we managed the acquisition of an outsourced California Relay Service 2 (CRS-2) based on a multiple-contractor approach with third-party call delivery and reporting. This new architecture was the first in the nation to offer both multiple competing vendors for relay service and independent third-party auditing for cost and performance compliance. We provided strategic planning; RFI and RFP development; facilitation of consumer and stakeholder involvement including development of graphics and documentation for public presentations throughout the state; facilitation of FCC support; and management of the solicitation and evaluation.
We led extensive facilitation of stakeholders and program staff; numerous presentations and facilitation of CPUC executive and program management; and project development and management. We acted as the authorized Procurement Official, and provided contract negotiations and award services. We developed a 300-page RFP for the outsourcing of multiyear, multivendor CRS-2. We also provided project management oversight, coordination, and assessment of vendor implementations.
FCC Regulatory Analysis
We provided ongoing analysis and reporting of FCC activities and regulations pertinent to the CPUC's Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program. We advised the CPUC regarding potential program and policy changes, and provided assessment and input regarding the FCC regulatory process.
Database for Equipment Processing Center
For the DDTP, working with and facilitating program stakeholder representatives, we identified and defined current and new program business processes for the distribution of equipment to Californians with hearing, speech, and motion disabilities. This included functional, technical and contractual requirements for a distributed database to support the program. We specified a database distribution system to serve multiple phone utilities and a centralized warehouse operation. We developed a complete RFP, bidding and evaluation methodology, and contract language.
California Relay Service
For the DDTP, we worked extensively with constituent stakeholder groups facilitating the strategic development of program policies and goals. We provided project development and management, and assessment of the program to administer its relay service. We developed and issued a technical Invitation for Bid (IFB) for outsourced California Relay Service in compliance with State and federal laws. We also provided acquisition and award planning and management services.
For the DDTP, we reviewed program mandates, defined program needs, and worked extensively with constituent stakeholder groups facilitating the strategic development of program policies and goals. We provided project development and management, and assessment of the program to administer relay services. We developed and issued an RFI and a 300-page technical RFP for outsourced relay service in compliance with State and federal laws. We also provided acquisition, award planning, and management services.
California Department of Technology
CALNET-3
CALNET is a critical service that provides voice and data communications to most of California's State and local government entities. It is the State's largest set of telecommunications and networked IT contracts, with an estimated annual value of $2 billion to multiple vendors.
For the acquisition of statewide CALNET services, we provided procurement support to acquire vendor pools for multiple categories of statewide and regional CALNET-3 services. We conducted research, facilitated key policy decisions, and designed a new RFP format that also serves as a model for future State IT procurements.
We provided formal project development and management support, and facilitated development of the 2,000-page RFP, including all business, technical and cost requirements, and special terms and conditions. We also provided technical writing and editing; preparation for publication; and procurement process and evaluation support.
For the department's Statewide Telecommunications and Network Division (STND) (formerly DGS Telecommunications Division), we assisted in the rebid of the State's outsourced CALNET-2 telecommunications services. We provided analysis of the State's RFI results; assessed federal laws, regulations and court decisions relative to program development and implementation; assessed market conditions; developed the strategy for procurement in multiple awarded modules and facilitated its adoption; contributed to public media releases; facilitated development of the RFP and its publication; and provided project management assistance during the procurement.
California 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Office
Statewide Strategic Plan
We managed and developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan for statewide multijurisdictional 9-1-1 systems, services, and management. Our extensive assessment of this mission-critical public program involved: extensive research; facilitation of program and administration executives; facilitation of stakeholder groups; formal assessment of multijurisdictional statewide public agencies and programs; assessment of statutes and key policies; assessment and recommendations for funding methodologies; and assessment of public agency organization, culture, and change management. We also provided expert 9-1-1 subject-matter knowledge, and technical writing.
We developed a 250-page public report considered by the Chief of the 9-1-1 Office and California Legislative members as outstanding. The report resulted in multiple public hearings concerning recommendations for significant changes to California 9‑1‑1 laws, management, operations, funding and technologies.
Fiscal and Operational Review
We facilitated strategic goals and objectives pertaining to statutorily mandated oversight of 480 statewide local jurisdiction Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for compliance with 9-1-1 operational performance and use of State funds.
We assessed State and local public agencies' practices. We developed new compliance processes and measurements for the 9-1-1 Office to use in determining PSAP network performance levels, system configuration, and funding and fiscal accounting management. We also developed a new Fiscal and Operational Review (FOR) operations manual, including change management processes, and provided office and field training of 9-1-1 Office staff for use with local PSAP management throughout the state.
New Statewide Reporting System
The State 9-1-1 Office needed a way to measure 9-1-1 call answering times, call volumes, and other performance indicators experienced at California's 480 Public Safety Answering Points managed by local jurisdictions throughout the state, and to create a database for analysis and reporting. For this effort we developed strategic program goals and objectives; assessed agencies' organizational needs and requirements; conducted research including security parameters; facilitated multijurisdictional stakeholder input; developed a technical RFO for a new statewide 9-1-1 reporting system; provided project management and procurement subject matter expertise throughout the procurement; and provided project management of the implementation including change management support in the State 9-1-1 Office and in the field at multiple PSAPs.
Strategic Statewide Database Planning
We provided long-range strategic planning for the State's E9-1-1 outsourced system database services. We reviewed federal and State legislation, statutes, regulations and court orders, and tariffs and contracts. We identified operational and political issues from all public and private stakeholder groups. We surveyed the state PSAPs for operational, technical and management conditions and issues. We reviewed the impact of emerging technologies on the deployment of emergency services. We assessed alternative long-range plans and costs, and provided recommendations for statewide 9-1-1 database implementation and management.
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Disability Insurance (DI) Branch Operational Improvements
We performed an assessment of the DI Branch's business processes and their use of six statewide call centers, in order to ascertain ways to improve the Branch's operational performance and outcomes. We conducted an extensive assessment of the Branch's organization, culture and procedures.
Our work included research, project development, and management. We developed a report addressing findings; recommended change management practices including some pertaining to policies and practices; and recommended adjustments to the Branch's communication systems. The report developed strategic and functional plans; provided practical implementation recommendations; and led to improved operations and better service to the public.
Tax Branch Operational Improvements
We performed an assessment of the Tax Branch's various business processes and researched eight statewide call centers and two public contact lines to find ways to improve the Branch's operational performance and outcomes. We conducted an extensive assessment of the Branch's business organization, culture, policies and procedures.
We developed a report that addressed the findings, recommended change management practices including those pertaining to policies and practices, and recommended adjustments to the Branch's communication systems. The report developed strategic and functional plans, provided practical implementation recommendations, and recommended changes in staff training and assignments. The report was presented to EDD and Branch management, and was used to improve operations and service to the public.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Branch Operational Improvements
We assessed the potential of new voice-activated technologies to improve UI operations and the public's experience. We researched the Branch's operational processes for continued-claims processing, and facilitated definition of business requirements. We also facilitated development of no-cost vendor contracts for testing purposes, and the pilot system design. We developed call-flow scripts and the testing process. We provided project management support throughout. We also developed a report assessing the testing of emerging technologies in support of a program redesign of the Branch's continued-claims process.
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
Statewide Network Assessment
We developed an analysis of the migration of the Office's statewide education data network (4CNet), which served 108 community colleges, to a newer joint-venture outsourced educational network (CENIC). Our work included an assessment of the community colleges' use of networked services for educational and administrative purposes, and forecasting of online and on-demand remote learning.
We presented and facilitated ongoing findings to a steering committee. We also provided research, policy reviews, and assessment; project management support; and recommendations for implementation.
Communications Design for Richmond Laboratory
We defined the communication needs in support of mandates, program goals and operations for the new 60-acre California Public Health Laboratory in Richmond. This laboratory is a biosafety level-4-equivalent to the federal Centers for Disease Control labs.
We examined voice, data, and video communication needs, and compared PBX and Centrex voice services. We researched and assessed communication requirements of the then-current laboratory in Berkeley, and the mandated statewide reporting between public and private health organizations and the laboratory. We provided project management support throughout. We were also retained to review communications engineering designs and recommend improvements.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW)
Marine Region Business Process Analysis
The Marine Region involves DFW's operations overseeing the resources of California's coastal waters. We performed an in-depth business process analysis and a strategic assessment for sharing of biological and other Marine Region data among all DFW and external stakeholders. Our work included extensive field research and facilitation of goals, objectives and functional requirements. We also assessed federal and State laws and policies, and Marine Region policies and practices concerning information and data flows. We recommended changes to the technical and operational environment, and to key policies. We also gave presentations of findings and recommendations with detailed graphics and implementation concepts.
FSR for Automated Licensing Data System
For the Licensing and Revenue Branch, we conducted a feasibility study for the establishment of a networked (Internet and public network) licensing, accounting and revenue-collection system via outsourced service providers. We developed a Feasibility Study Report (FSR) and related Budget Change Proposal (BCP). We also provided strategic planning and facilitation, technical writing, and new funding models.
FSR for Marine Biology Division
We performed a feasibility study and wrote a Feasibility Study Report (FSR) for a networked database system for the Division. We facilitated new strategic goals, objectives and functional requirements among departmental stakeholders. We also researched and assessed the Division's policies and practices relative to law, to the management of marine natural resources, and to the new goals and objectives. We provided project development and management expertise. The FSR was approved and the project was funded.
FSR for Bay-Delta and Special Water Projects Division
We performed a feasibility study and wrote a Feasibility Study Report (FSR) for networked automation at the Division. We assessed all the Division biologists' natural resources projects and how those projects could change with networked data sharing. The FSR was approved and the project was funded.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
FSR for Statewide Data Network
We developed a Feasibility Study Report (FSR) for control agency approval and funding for a new $55 million statewide data network and establishment of associated department-wide office automation standards. We assessed alternatives, developed the report, and facilitated control agency approval, including approval by the Legislative Analyst's Office.
Highway Right-of-Way Strategies
We researched and assessed laws and regulations pertaining to the use of fiber optic pathways along State highways to be shared with third-party vendors. We advised Caltrans on right-of-way policy and acquisition strategies for multivendor participation, and participated in agency/vendor discussions regarding needs and strategies.
Cellular 9-1-1 Program Assessment
We performed a total program evaluation of CHP's cellular 9-1-1 and freeway callbox multijurisdictional program operations. We researched existing conditions; statutes, regulations, and rules; court and attorney general opinions; interagency agreements and relationships; contracts; policies; procedures; and existing technologies and networks.
We researched existing staffing; training; and management practices and policies. We also determined existing levels of service; researched budgets and costs; and researched public opinion and awareness.
We facilitated definition of missions, goals, and objectives. We developed a complete needs analysis and defined the scope and extent of existing problems. We provided extensive and detailed recommendations toward total program improvement, including changes in statutes and regulations; funding; staffing and organization; training; hardware, software and networking; policies and procedures; and public education.
California Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement
FSR for Gun Registration
For the Attorney General's Office, in response to a legislative mandate, we facilitated the completion of a Feasibility Study Report (FSR) for an outsourced statewide long-gun registration and fee-collection system. We reviewed and facilitated goals and objectives, and an alternative solution, with constituent stakeholders including gun dealer organizations, the NRA, and others.
We developed a design that would not use State funds. We assisted in the system design and pilot project. We recommended alternative procurement for shared revenue/risk with outsourced development, deployment and operations. We also assisted in developing an RFP for the procurement including contract terms and conditions.
The system was approved, funded and implemented. The solution received the Smithsonian Award for vision and creativity.
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
Special Project Report
We researched contractor and program failures of a three-year implementation attempt (one year and $2 million over budget) to provide a statewide networked custom application for court scheduling, email, word processing, forms, and reporting. We researched and assessed the Board's organization, mandates, policies, culture, and requirements for change.
We consulted with the Board and the California Department of General Services' Office of Legal Services to review Board options. We facilitated and guided the Board to a solution that resulted in terminating the contractor and acquiring a system from another state that met all functional requirements. The solution resulted in an overall cost of $1 million less than budgeted, and brought the project back on schedule. We also wrote a Special Project Report (SPR) for submittal to the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst's Office.
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Strategic Planning for a Hospital Information System
We facilitated and developed strategic planning and contract language, including goals and objectives, for the design and acquisition of a hospital information system at the California Veterans Home in Yountville. The system was based on alternative procurement concepts of shared State/vendor responsibility, risk, and funding.
Strategic Planning for IT and Communications
We facilitated formal strategic and tactical planning for departmental IT operations, and for voice, video and data communication systems. We assessed IT operational capabilities and assisted with new mission, goals, objectives, and policies. We made recommendations for change management and implementation. We developed interagency contract documents and delegated-authority documentation for submission to control agencies.
Bell Canada/Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Video Relay Service Feasibility Study
We conducted a comprehensive study of the feasibility of outsourcing Video Relay Service (VRS) for all Canadians who use sign language as their primary communication. The study included research of policy and law; cultural and organizational assessments; extensive presentations; interviews and facilitation of multiple stakeholder groups across Canada; assessment of potential demand and costs, funding, and vendor reimbursement methodologies; program management options, recommendations and policies; and initial and ongoing program design, implementation, and management recommendations.
The 800-page report in English and French was published by the CRTC in April 2012. After national public input, in April 2014 the CRTC ordered national VRS, adopting all of Mission Consulting's recommendations, including establishing a new program administration with a $30 million annual budget.
Mission Consulting, LLC
1620 R Street, Suite 300
© 2018 Mission Consulting, LLC


Earlier this month, I wrote a blog on how police departments in Maine are using enterprise mobile mobile business apps to communicate with citizens to help fight crime in their communities. A recent story on Citizen Services by John Moore for the Digital Innovation Gazette included an interview with Lisa Wolfisch, chief of the U.S. Census Bureaus' Web & Social Media Branch and Alexander Permison, who works with the Census' Application Services Division.
Ms. Wolfisch and Mr. Permison spoke on the August release by the U. S. Census Bureau"s release of its first mobile app, America"s Economy along with a public API which allows developers to build their own mobile business apps using Census data. Both of these releases are in keeping with the White House"s Federal Digital Strategy, which calls for agencies to boost access to data.
When you develop an Enterprise Mobile App with the Snappii WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) Visual Drag and Drop Editing Platform, you can easily include your entire app development team in the entire app design and QA process together. Ongoing additions and adjustments are easily built in the Snappii Platform and again can incorporate your entire development team to ensure every team is able to contribute and participate throughout the process.
Do you have an app and/or an app development idea utilizing U.S. Census Bureau data? With the announcement of the release of Snappii 2.0, it also opened up the door to utilizing data bases in Enterprise Mobile Apps developed on the Snappii Platform. You can read more about Data Integration in this recent Snappii Blog.
I wish you the very happiest of holidays and encourage you all the benefit you can receive building your organization"s mobile business apps using the Snappii Platform. Whether you be a local, state or federal agency, an enterprise corporation, a private business person, or an individual business person or app designer, Snappii will free you from the cost of app development and provide you with all of the resources to design your own Enterprise App for the new year.
This entry was posted in Blog and tagged government by Alex Bakman. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Быко́во — деревня в Лотошинском районе Московской области России.

Относится к сельскому поселению Микулинское, до реформы 2006 года относилась к Микулинскому сельскому округу. По данным Всероссийской переписи 2010 года численность постоянного населения составила 4 человека (1 мужчина, 3 женщины). Код ОКТМО — .

География
Расположена в северо-западной части сельского поселения, примерно в 23 км к северо-западу от районного центра — посёлка городского типа Лотошино, на левом берегу небольшой реки Боровки, впадающей в Шошу. Соседние населённые пункты — деревни Боровки, Коноплёво и Речки.

Исторические сведения
В «Списке населённых мест» 1862 года Быково — владельческое сельцо 2-го стана Старицкого уезда Тверской губернии, по Волоколамскому тракту в город Тверь, при речке Боровке, в 32 верстах от уездного города, с одним двором и 14 жителями (4 мужчин, 10 женщин).

В 1886 году — 4 двора и 33 жителя (17 мужчин, 16 женщин). В 1915 году насчитывалось два двора.

С 1929 года — населённый пункт в составе Лотошинского района Московской области.

Население

Примечания

Литература

Населённые пункты Лотошинского района
Населённые пункты Старицкого уезда

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


By this stage I had also become somewhat of a fixture at E B and therefore they offered me an attractive position to stay on. This isnt entirely or even mostly a function of Groupons business model much more important is the massively increased willingness of people to buy things online now than when the likes of eBay Yahoo and Amazon launched in the 1990s. The clean-up of concentrates from a dry-washing plant is accomplished best by wet-processing methods. AS4926 Telefonica Data Argentina SA. But over time he may have started having feelings for you. Zach John Stamos a prospective sperm donor for Monica who finds out that Chandler cannot get her pregnant . HawkwindDoremi Fasol Latido CD 1599. I am a vegetarian and I do not eat meat . Continuing to be his home for many years. Australia also hasmany of the worlds best beaches both undiscovered secluded beaches and famous surf breaks alike. Now we have a sudden burst of summerwill the mackerel. It was Crazy to hear them snap like that. In Corinth Baptist Church with the Rev. Enseguida lo suaviz en otro tono Te lo digo por lo mucho que te queremos. He can also be unlocked in either mode by using a Free Check on the proper Checklist box. If your home has limited square footage you may be asking yourself well doesnt sound need room to travel Its true sound does need room to travel but if you stick a 9 foot concert grand in a storage room and also place an upright in that same room the 9 foot will still be a more enjoyable aural experience. Khl lagern und innerhalb von acht Wochen aufbrauchen kein Problem. Los alimentos ms implicados son principalmente. To begin with function keywords need to have to be implemented strategically matching your sites content. Te proporcionar estrategias para pensar y actuar de manera diferente lo cual mejorar tu estado de nimo. Recounted mainly from contemporary records by Neil H. Je vous envoie toutes mes amitis. Science sociology economicsplease sir suggest me best and easy combination to crack IAS. Consiste en su bsqueda de informacin que les. Pero hay quien busca opciones por aquello de las caloras o como es el caso de Venezuela la escasez de aceite vegetal es posible. 1940 Pontiac Coupe 2 Door Sport Coupe waux. But what will produce these things Nothing nothing but love. And yet when I think back on movies that have made me uncomfortable movies that have made my skin crawl movies that have forced me to avert my eyes because looking at the screen feltnothing short of unbearable I think of. Na spotkaniu przybliono dzieciom poprzez filmy i piosenki postaci witego Jana Bosko i witej Teresy z Avili. Segundo o empresrio e presidente do Grupo Izoton Lucas Izoton a expectativa que esse setor cresa de tal maneira que atraia cada vez mais turistas e empreendimentos. Of course it must always be remembered that Winthrop. These words of former American President JohnFKennedy. The game is actually a zero-player game meaning that its evolution is determined by its initial state needing no input from human players.


text:
Home » News » Of Mice & Men Announce New Albums "Echo," Share "Fighting Gravity" Video
Of Mice & Men Announce New Albums "Echo," Share "Fighting Gravity" Video
Posted by Staff on Oct 20, 2021 in News | 0 comments
Of Mice & Men — Aaron Pauley (bass + vocals ), Valentino Arteaga (drums), Alan Ashby (guitar), and Phil Manansala (guitar) — are pleased to announce their seventh album Echo, out December 3 via SharpTone Records.
The album is comprised of the previously issued Timeless and Bloom EPs, along with the new and final Ad Infinitum EP. The EP will be released on vinyl in April 2022.
The full Echo album track listing is below. Pre-order the album digitally here.The physical pre-order will go live on Friday, October 22, at the same link.
The band has also shared the video for latest single "Fighting Gravity." Watch it here.
"'Fighting Gravity' is about learning to let go, while also recognizing the impermanence and shortness of life," says Pauley. "We think we're in control of so much, but we're really not, and that existential dilemma is at the foundation of the human condition."
Of Mice & Men exclusive discussed the record and its unique, EP-driven rollout over at Loudwire. Read it here.
"Echo is a snapshot of the last year-and-a-half of our lives," the band says, summing the album up effectively. "It covers loss and growth, life and impermanence, love, and the infinite — how the most wonderful and most tragic parts of the human experience are deeply intertwined."
The Southern California-based quartet used their time spent in the 2020 lockdown, which was the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in an incredibly productive way. They recorded all of the music on Echo during that time by working remotely via Zoom and sharing files. They had not been in the same room together since February 2020 and the start of the global shutdown.
The album was entirely self-produced by the band, and mixed and master by Pauley. Echo also includes the band's take on the Crosby, Stills, and Nash track "Helplessly Hoping," which closes out the release.
As is the case with all previous 2021 music drops, the artwork (pictured below) was designed by the iconic artist Derek Hess.
ECHO TRACK LISTING:
"Pulling Teeth"
"Fighting Gravity"
"Helplessly Hoping"
AD INFINITUM EP TRACK LISTING:


Announcing a new Mystery Hostess Event!!
Place your orders for any product, retiring or otherwise, between April 24 and April 30, (on-line or email me) and use this Hostess Code - QKSCZFZK.
As you look at the Retiring Lists, remember you can get all the stamp sets right up until June 3, but the retiring accessories are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! You know that means you have to act quickly. Check the list daily with attention to the column on the far right. If you see an x in that column, that accessory has been sold out and no longer available. Did you notice that some accessories are 25%, 40% and even 60% off?
Don't wait too long until you are disappointed! Remember how fast some of the Clearance Rack items went!


By purchasing packages of city services PASSCITY, you get unlimited access to many services that you had to pay before. Visiting museums, exhibitions, cinema, entertainment, food, sports, travel, transportation - all this becomes available for a fixed cost of the corresponding package of services.
Each package of services is valid for one, two or even four persons . While purchase, you determine how many people will act on the package of services.
Service packages can be given - it's a great opportunity to make an unusual, useful and interesting gift to your relatives, friends, colleagues, partners and customers. For corporate clients, we have a system of discounts.
Unlimitedly visit the main museums and galleries, including events taking place on these sites, listen to audio tours daily, enjoy coffee after each visit to the museum for free with PASSCITY.
You can attend exhibitions, museums and excursions.
With PASSCITY card and "Travel" service package you will get maximum pleasure from a trip to Moscow or St. Petersburg. At your service unlimited access to all the main sights of the two capitals opens. The packages already include transport and coffee, as well as endless excursions. You can travel with PASSCITY alone, or you can share it on a card for two people. Tariffs are profitable and convenient.
and write to us. We deliver it in two days!
With pleasure we will answer all questions!
You can enjoy the opportunities of PASSCITY yourself, and you can make happy a loved one, friend, colleague, partner or client, giving him this card - because she is not named.
By purchasing packages of city services PASSCITY, you get unlimited access to many services that you had to pay before.
The PASSCITY card provides access to the services purchased in the package. While purchase you specify the place and time convenient for receiving the PASSCITY card. Delivery is free!
Visiting museums, exhibitions, cinema, entertainment, food, sports, travel, transportation - all this becomes available unlimited for a fixed cost of the corresponding package of services.
Enter the email and we will send the full description of the product!
I like to go with PassCity very much - I've already visited a lot of interesting things. And sometimes quite spontaneously, the benefit of a convenient card is always in my wallet and the map in my phone.
Perfectly thought out product. All the most interesting exhibitions are available for visiting. Remained the best impression of visiting museums with a brand new plastic PassCity.
I do not understand why not everyone knows about the existence of PassCity and continue to overpay for ordinary entrance tickets, valid one day. I will also note the high quality of the new plastic PassCity, with prompt delivery.
We will answer all your questions and gladly give you a nice bonus!
Make life in the city comfortable and modern.


Embracing body diversity while still acknowledging the obesity epidemic.
Tiffany Yip is teaching a graduate seminar on Multicultural Psychology and this blog was written with Vincent Corcoran, a third-year doctoral student in Fordham University's Clinical Psychology program.
Cosmopolitan UK recently announced that Tess Holliday would be gracing the cover of their October 2018 issue. This announcement was met with controversy. Why? Well, Holliday is a plus-sized model. At 5'5" and approximately 280 pounds, Holliday's body mass index (BMI) is over 40, placing her within the "severe" obesity category. Individuals in this category are at greatest risk for obesity-related health problems as designated by the CDC. Therefore, while many have praised Cosmopolitan for battling modern beauty standards, others have questioned whether the magazine crossed a line in celebrating obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle.
This is not the first time Holliday has been on the cover of a major magazine publication, appearing on the cover of People magazine back in 2015, but this most recent appearance reignites an ongoing debate that has emerged over the last decade as obesity rates continue to rise in the US. Specifically, can someone be classified as overweight or obese and still be healthy? The majority of medical professionals would likely believe not, with a view that being overweight or obese in most, if not all, cases is detrimental to an individual's long-term health. However, there are more and more body acceptance advocates who champion the view that individuals can be healthy at any size. So, what's the reality? As with many polarized views, the truth may likely be found somewhere in the middle.
One critique made by the body acceptance community is that BMI as an indicator of unhealthy weight is invalid. As Tess Holliday herself once stated in a tweet, "BMI has been disproven many times." Turns out, they're not entirely wrong. Created in the 1800's, BMI was intended to be applied as a population statistic. However, given the simplicity of the formula, the index was eventually adopted by the medical community to be used as an indicator of unhealthy weight on an individual basis. But research has demonstrated that BMI can often mislabel individuals with a healthy amount of fat to be overweight (i.e., athletes) and fail to capture other individuals who are at-risk due to excess fat (i.e., those who carry excess fat around their abdomen). BMI fails in these instances because it is a simple function of height and weight, and does not fully account for the percentage of weight that is attributable to muscle versus fat tissue. One 2016 study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, demonstrated that using BMI alone would misclassify approximately 75 million US adults as unhealthy. However, that same study found more than three-quarters of those with a BMI over 35 were found to be unhealthy according to six other accepted health metrics. Therefore, while BMI is not a foolproof metric of health, at its more extreme values it appears to retain some utility.
Is BMI an imperfect metric? Yes. Can people with elevated BMIs still be healthy? Yes. Does carrying excess fat often increase an individual's risk for poor health outcomes? Yes. All are true. Dr. David Katz may have said it best: "I can be okay with 'okay at any size' if it includes a proviso: okay at any size as long as health is not adversely affected." Digging deeper into his sentiments, we must recognize that the obesity epidemic has not emerged from a deficiency of personal responsibility but rather a complex interaction of factors at both macro and micro levels. We should uphold the notion that weight and waist size do not equate to human worth. Urge individuals to speak up against fat-shaming and increase the presence of diverse body shapes and weights in popular media. In sum, we should avoid reducing obesity to being viewed as a moral failure, as shame has rarely ever been a strong motivator towards change. In fact, a model developed by Dr. Janet Tomiyama describes shame as a core emotional mechanism for continued weight gain when encountering weight stigma. Nonetheless, we should remain worried when models who promote living life at body extremes, like Tess Holliday, gain celebrity status. Not dissimilar to the concern that many voiced when celebrity model Kate Moss, illustrative of the harmful thin-ideal, coined the infamous tagline, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".
The obesity epidemic is real and complex, with over one-third of the US population currently classified as obese. Back in 2008, annual medical costs related to obesity were estimated to be $147 billion, a figure that has undoubtedly increased. While a solution to this epidemic will not emerge overnight, requiring an amalgamation of interdisciplinary action to inform both health policy and practice, championing models of extreme body dimensions on either end of the weight spectrum may prove to be equally as damaging.
Grabe, S., Hyde, J. S., & Ward, L. M. (2008). The Role of the Media in Body Image Concerns Among Women: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental and Correlational Studies. Psychological Bulletin, 134(3), 460–476.
Tomiyama, A. J. (2014). Weight stigma is stressful A review of evidence for the Cyclic Obesity/Weight-Based Stigma model. Appetite, 82, 8–15.
Tomiyama, A. J., Hunger, J. M., Nguyen-Cuu, J., & Wells, C. (2016). Misclassification of cardiometabolic health when using body mass index categories in NHANES 2005–2012. International Journal of Obesity, 40(5), 883–886.
Tess Holliday is fat and unhealthy and shouldn't be anything more than a BEFORE model.
Studies also show that obese models don't make obese women feel better about themselves.
Have you looked at Tess Holliday's medical charts? Have you talked to her doctor?
Is your "Ph.D" in Diagnosing a Patient From My Keyboard?
...and names will also hurt me.
Unpacking the consequences of cultural appropriation on Vodou's adherents.
Colin Kaepernick: Hero or Villain?


text:
Work, Travel, Create – Recruitment platform Torre opens applications for the "best job ever"
Airbnb of the sea: France's Click & Boat secures $200K to expand its peer-to-peer boat rentals marketplace
Startup Q&As
A Q&A with Click & Boat co-founder Edouard Gorioux. The Paris-based startup, which is a peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace, announced the closing of a €200,000 Seed funding round last week from unnamed Angel investors. It was founded late last year by Gorioux and Jeremy Bismuth, and is currently available in Europe.
SUB: Please describe Click & Boat and your primary innovation.
Gorioux: Click & Boat is the French leader in the peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace. Our main innovation is that we offer daily insurance to reassure both the boat owner and the renters. We are the first in Europe to provide this insurance solution by the day.
SUB: Who are your target markets and users?
Gorioux: We pretty much target everybody owning a boat, even those who are trying to sell it. We try to convince them that selling is not the solution if they can't afford the huge expense that comes with owning a boat. Instead, we explain to them that with us, they can rent it, make some money to pay the charges, and most importantly, they can still sail when they want.
For the renters' side, we target the sea lovers, even if they don't know how to sail. Indeed, on Click & Boat you can rent a 'boat-hotel,' meaning spending the night on a boat without leaving the harbor. You can even sail with the owner through a co-navigation contract. For the others who are used to sailing, they simply fill in their nautical experience and knowledge when booking a boat.
SUB: Who do you consider to be your competition, and what differentiates Click & Boat from the competition?
Gorioux: Collaborative consumption is really trendy nowadays, just look at all the businesses that emerge since Airbnb was successful. Therefore, the market attracted some entrepreneurs and sail lovers who created peer-to-peer boat rental in Europe, but this competition is only made of startups. We differentiate from the competition with our insurance by-the-day. This is a real innovation, and we are the first to offer it. We also like to think we are really responsive and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. No one is really leading the overall market right now, but we surely aspire to be the one who does.
SUB: You just announced that you've raised €200,000 in Seed funding. Why was this a particularly good time to raise outside funding?
Gorioux: We believe this is the perfect time for fundraising because we had already been testing the market and the concept for about seven months, so we had tangible proof to show to our private investors that the idea was working. But this is also a particularly good time because the most important period for this kind of sector is coming. We are slowly entering the season, which will last until September. We need to be strongly present this spring and summer, and the fundraising will help us do so.
SUB: How do you plan to use the funds, and do you have plans to seek additional outside funding in the near future?
Gorioux: We will use the funds mainly for marketing, commercial and IT purposes. We intend to improve our website and to develop a mobile app. Right now, the fundraising will be sufficient to develop Click & Boat in France and internationally, but we never know what tomorrow will be made of.
SUB: What was the inspiration behind the idea for Click & Boat? Was there an 'aha' moment, or was the idea more gradual in developing?
Gorioux: We couldn't stand seeing so many harbors full of boats standing still without ever moving when we know how much a boat can cost every year to its owner. On the other hand, we knew that during summer, there are never enough boats for traditional rentals.
SUB: What were the first steps you took in establishing the company?
Gorioux: We started by implementing an efficient insurance solution, but one of our first steps was also to confirm that the concept was actually answering boat owners' needs.
SUB: How did you come up with the name? What is the story or meaning behind it?
Gorioux: We wanted to simplify the yachting practice, so we needed a simple and convenient name to remember.
SUB: What have the most significant challenges been so far to building the company?
Gorioux: Our startup is young, and nothing is easy, but we move on fast and well. For now, we haven't faced any insurmountable obstacles, but we keep our fingers crossed that nothing will happen.
SUB: How do you generate revenue or plan to generate revenue?
Gorioux: We generate revenue through a commission between 11-and-15 percent on every transaction. Basically, we have the same business model as Airbnb.
SUB: What are your goals for Click & Boat over the next year or so?
Gorioux: Right now, we are focusing on international development. Our objective for this summer is to become the leader in the European market. We are currently translating the website in many different languages—English, Spanish, Italian, German—and we are working on getting more boats from foreign seas. We are building a special team for this internationalization.
Appsee wants to give mobile app developers deeper insight into user behavior with its visual analytics platform…and $1 million in new funding
A Q&A with Appsee co-founder and CEO Zahi Boussiba. The Tel Aviv-based startup, which offers a mobile analytics …
Metanautix emerges from stealth mode to help cut the complexity out of big data analysis
A Q&A with Metanautix co-founder and CEO Theo Vassilakis. The Palo Alto-based big data analytics startup launched out …
Founded at a hackathon in Latvia, Campalyst is helping marketers optimize social media communications for better ROI
A Q&A with Campalyst co-founder Dalia Lasaite. The New York City–based company was founded in 2011 and recently …
Adlet launches public beta of its advertising platform for bloggers and small businesses
A Q&A with Adlet founder and CEO Emma Coles. The Swansea, UK-based startup, which is a flexible ad …
Stitch launches public beta of its mobile productivity platform for salespeople
A Q&A with Stitch co-founder and CEO Somrat Niyogi. The San Francisco-based startup, which is a mobile productivity …
Eruptive Games has impressed gamers and investors (to the tune of a recently-raised $1 million round) with its social games for both casual and hard core players
A Q&A with Eruptive Games CEO Julian Ing. The Vancouver–based company, which was previously named Kaboom Social Games, …


text:
Imo: Senator Okorocha Issues Stern Warning To Gov. Ihedioha
Emmanuel Egobiambu
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha (Image: Reporters At Large)
Senator Rochas Okorocha has cautioned the Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha against assaulting his wife and children.
Okorocha issued the warning in a statement over the weekend in Owerri, the Imo capital.
According to the Imo West lawmaker, his family has done nothing to warrant harassment from his successor.
"Thugs believed to be working for the secretary to the State Government, Chief Onyeaguocha invaded a mechanic workshop around the Orji flyover and took away a vehicle undergoing repair and owned by the daughter of the former governor, Uloma Nwosu nee Okorocha" the lawmaker's media aide Sam Onwuemedo noted in the statement.
"Even when she later sent her staff with the particulars of the vehicle they took away, to show that the vehicle does not belong to the State Government and to show that she bought the vehicle long time ago, they threatened to beat her and detain her and never cared to look at the particulars of the vehicle.
"If Ihedioha's government wanted anything from any of the former governor's children or wife they could do so through the Police or DSS in the State.
"Invading their houses or impounding their private vehicles even from the mechanics for any reason, is barbaric and should be frowned at.'
"We want to make this appeal and ask Governor Emeka Ihedioha to take charge as the governor of the State and halt the incessant harassment and abuse of the wife and children of the former governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha by his senior appointees and their foot soldiers.
"Specifically, Governor Ihedioha should call Uche Onyeaguocha and his thugs to order and stop them from their harassment and abuse of the wife and children of the former governor.
"Chief Ihedioha should not create an ugly history or set very bad precedence as the first governor of the State who took delight in harassing the children and wife of the man he succeeded as governor.
The statement noted that "His appointees have been harassing and castigating the children and wife of the former governor even at public functions and in the media.
"This is not good for the Office of the Governor. They can criticize or malign Rochas Okorocha on any issue which they have been doing, but to begin to harass the children and wife, is unacceptable to us and indeed, to all decent men and women in the society.
" Thugs believed to be working for the secretary to the State Government, Chief Onyeaguocha invaded a mechanic workshop around the Orji flyover and took away a vehicle undergoing repair and owned by the daughter of the former governor, Uloma Nwosu nee Okorocha.
It added: "It is also important to remind those who have got appointments for chewing election result sheets that no human being has the monopoly of thuggery or lawlessness and the most dangerous situation could arise when people are pushed to the wall.
"It also gives the wrong impression that those who want to be Secretary to the Government of the State should only need to tear or chew election result sheets.
"Okorocha's wife and children never committed any crime by remaining in the State after he had left as governor when the children and wives of those before him are all at overseas."
Egobiambu Emmanuel is a Mass Communication graduate from the University of Benin. He is a media enthusiast, loves reading and writing, and has a special interest in personal development. Emmanuel is a reporter with Concise News.
Imo: Ihedioha Suspends Council Chairmen, Councillors
Imo: Ihedioha Fires Back At Okorocha, Calls Him 'Braggart'
Police Burst Six-man child Trafficking Syndicate In Imo
2019 Election: Okorocha Speaks After Collection Of Certificate Of Return
Imo Assembly Elects Collins, Onyekamma As New Speaker, Deputy
Imo: Six Assembly Members Defect To PDP
On Pastor Adeboye, RCCG, Daddy Freeze And Tithing
Buhari's Anti-corruption Fight And The Rule Of Law
Why 'Greatest Ever' Messi Won't Win Anything With Argentina
Apostasy And Freedom Of Religion In Nigeria


text:
.km is het achtervoegsel van domeinnamen van de Comoren.

Het domein is sinds 1998 actief, maar wordt niet veel gebruikt.

Zie ook
 Lijst van topleveldomeinen op het internet
 ISO 3166-2:KM

Externe links
 IANA whois-gegevens van .km
 Domeinregistratiewebsite voor .km

Km


text:
Elanor Jackson
Elanor Jackson is an independent consultant specializing in gender equality, women's rights and child protection issues and participatory approaches to learning. She has strong experience working on discriminatory social norms, violence against women and girls, women's leadership and political participation, girls' education, child rights, child participation. She has facilitated gender equality reviews, feminist evaluations, gender assessments of programmes and organisations, organisational learning assessments and theories of change and designed and facilitated participatory research projects. Recent projects include supporting Oxfam Myanmar to develop a Gender Strategy; working with INTRAC as a Gender Advisor on MEL for the Media for All Project in the Western Balkans; undertaking a review of ActionAid's 'right to education' programming and institutional fundraising strategy; developing programme guidance for Plan International on Gender Transformative Programming and Influencing for Plan's 6 thematic focus areas. Elanor is also an Associate Gender Advisor for the British Council.
Elanor has 32 years track record working with international NGOs in the UK and overseas and with NGOs and women's rights organisations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. She has expertise in supporting programme quality, participatory monitoring, learning and reflective practice, developing monitoring and learning systems, supporting organisations' safeguarding policies and procedures, advising on NGO partnership, designing and undertaking research, developing and delivering training courses on gender equality and women's rights and safeguarding. She has strong skills in programme cycle management, staff management and mentoring. Elanor is a Trustee for Action Village India, has a Masters in Human Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is fluent in Spanish and has a good standard of Portuguese.
Terre des Hommes: an organisation-wide theory of change
To what extent does feminist MEL shift the power?
INTRAC Newsletter August 2019