text:
U.S.-China
One Belt One Road
About The China Africa Project
Speaking/Consulting
Follow CAP on Social Media
Listen to the CAP Podcast
Chinese Diplomats Are Now Leaning in To the "Wolf Warrior" Meme
by Eric Olander
The so-called "Wolf Warrior" meme that characterized Chinese diplomats in much the same way as the gung-ho, take-no-prisoners, Rambo style action star in the blockbuster movie was once roundly rejected by officials in Beijing.
But no more.
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Meet Lin Jing: China's Newest "Wolf Warrior" in Africa
China's Consul General in Cape Town, Lin Jing, is emerging as one of China's newest so-called "Wolf Warrior" diplomats who's spending a lot more time on Twitter taking direct shots at the U.S. and other ...
Who Exactly is the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria Trying to Reach With a Tweet Like This?
It's apparent that the social media managers in various Chinese embassies across Africa are still not entirely clear on how to best use Twitter to engage a large audience of local constituents. The Chinese embassy ...
Conservative U.S. Media Outlets Focus Their Ire on China's Ambassador to South Africa
China's ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, tweeted for the first time just six months ago. If the outspoken envoy planned from the beginning to use his new social media presence to provoke the United ...
Previous Story: China, African Union Break Ground on New HQ For the Africa Centers for Disease Control
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text:
'use strict';

angular.module('bcdssApp')
    .factory('ClaimFilterService', function ($http, DateUtils) {
        return {
        	filterClaims: function (filters) {
        		console.log(filters);
        		var data = {
        				establishedDate : (filters.dateType == "establishedDate"),
        				regionalOfficeNumber: filters.regionalOfficeOption,
        				contentionType: filters.contentionType,
        				fromDate: filters.fromDate,
        				toDate: filters.toDate
        		}
        		return $http.post('api/claims', data)
                	.then(function (response) {
                		return response.data;
                	});
            }
        };
    });

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
basil-2013-hi-res.jpg
rick-2013-hi-res.jpg
angela-tsun-2013.jpg
monika.jpg
sue-2013-hi-res-2.jpg
About Seven Perth
7 Viewer Vision
Today Tonight
Contact Seven Perth
Station Personalities
Susannah Carr
Rick Ardon
Monika Kos
Basil Zempilas
Angela Tsun
Best of The Burbs
PRESENTER - SEVEN NEWS PERTH
Susannah Carr was seven months old when she arrived in Australia from Essex, England.
After studying Law and Arts at the University of Western Australia, she began a career in media in December 1974 with the ABC in Perth.
During her time there she worked on the city and radio networks, 6WF and 6WN.
In March 1978, Susannah became the first female TV newsreader for the ABC in Perth and the second, nationally. She also presented the weather, compered classical music concerts for broadcast, live television commentary of events including the royal visit and anchored election coverage.
Susannah joined Seven National News Perth in January 1985 and began reading the news together with Rick Ardon.
She is an integral part of the Seven News Perth team and has been involved in a number of important special projects for the network.
- November 1992 - Susannah was co-driver of the Darracq "Genevieve" for the Genevieve 500 - a history making road race from Perth to Albany.
- April 1994 - she was part of a team sent to South Africa to report the historic, first all-race elections.
- December 1995 - was a part of the first western camera crew allowed into Russia to film the Kremlin and the priceless Faberge egg collection.
- 1997 - Susannah was part of the Seven Network team selected to cover the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
- 2000 - The Sydney 2000 Olympics gave Susannah the opportunity to broadcast live from Sydney from the Homebush Olympic headquarters.
- 2004 - saw her in Bali for the anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks that killed many Australian holiday-makers.
Susannah has won a Logie for most popular female personality in WA, six Clear Speech Awards and was named WA's favourite newsreader from a poll in The West Australian magazine.
2015 will mark Susannah and Rick's 30th year as co-presenters of Seven News Perth, in what we believe to be a world record for news reading duos.
Copyright © 2010 Channel 7 Perth

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We're jumping head first into it with a cracking new podcast from Anile.
Matt's music has been of a consistent quality since he first made his debut back in 2010. Since then he has continued to grace a plethora of quality labels such as Soul:R, CIA Deep Kut, Commercial Suicide and Cylon to name but a few. His wide-ranging output is indicative of an artist with a broad taste in drum and bass, someone who can pick out quality within the music whatever sub-genre it may line in.
Fast-forward to 2015, and it saw Matt being picked up by none other than Med School for an album project – and what an album it was. Chock full of quality, styles and vibes – it showcased his production talent and variety in spades and is one that is sure to stand the test of time.
And now he graces us with a sublime SUNANDBASS Podcast. Flitting beautifully from deep and dark to musical and uplifting, it's just what you need for the start of 2016.


text:
Rallies news, articles and information:
MSM blacks out nationwide rallies against Planned Parenthood just like they black out GMO protests
9/12/2015 - More than 13,000 pro-life advocates gathered at dozens of locations across the country at the end of July to protest continued government funding for Planned Parenthood, though you wouldn't know it from the way the mainstream media covered (or didn't) the multi-site rally. Two pro-life groups, Students...
Thousands rally across the country to support gun rights and freedoms
1/23/2013 - Scores of rallies held Jan. 20 around the country to demonstrate support for the Second Amendment and opposition to new gun control regulations proposed by President Obama and some Democrats in Congress drew thousands in a rare show of constitutional solidarity, reports said. The "high noon" rallies,...
Concepts related to Rallies
rallies on NaturalPedia™


BLMK Health and Care Partnership forms one of the first wave Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and has evolved from BLMK Sustainability and Transformation Partnership. It is taking the lead in planning and commissioning more integrated care for our population. This brings together NHS providers, commissioners, general practitioners and local authorities to work in partnership in improving health outcomes.


text:
Wilhelm Traugott von Wasielewski (* 9. Februar 1878 in Bonn; † 16. November 1956 in München) war ein deutscher Maler und Zeichner.

Leben
Wilhelm von Wasielewski wurde am 9. Februar 1878 als Sohn des Königl. Musikdirektors und Musikhistorikers Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski (1822–1896) in Bonn geboren.
Sein älterer Bruder war der Schriftsteller Waldemar von Wasielewski (1875–1959)

Von 1897 bis 1898 besuchte er die Kunstschule in Leipzig und von 1898 bis 1900 die Berliner Akademie der Künste; ab 1900 die Münchener Akademie sowie die Wilhelm von Diez Schule München; 1905 bis 1910 war er Schüler von Artur Volkmann in Rom, der entscheidenden Einfluss auf ihn gewann.

Ab 1923 lebte Wasielewski als freischaffender Künstler in München.

Seine Arbeiten orientierten sich in den frühen Jahren an der Münchener Secession, später, bedingt durch seinen Lehrer Artur Volkmann, am Stil der Deutschrömer.

Er schuf Bildnisse, Figurenbilder (Akte) und Landschaften (besonders in Tempera) sowie Illustrationen zu Kindergeschichten und Märchen.

Ein Bildnis seines Lehrers Artur Volkmann befindet sich im Museum Moritzburg in Halle.

Ausstellungen (Auswahl)
1924 fand eine Sonderausstellung mit Werken von Wilhelm von Wasielewski in der Galerie Heinemann, München statt.

1956 beschickte er die Ausstellung "Das Bildnis im Wandel der Jahrhunderte" im Museum Moritzburg in Halle.

Familie
Wilhelm von Wasielewski heiratete am 17. Mai 1916 die Bremer Kaufmannstochter Lucy Kulenkampff (1890–1977), mit der er 5 Kinder hatte.

Literatur

 Dressler Kunsthandbuch Bd. II, Das Buch der lebenden deutschen Künstler, Curtius Berlin, 1930.
 Johann Karl (Hrsg.): Aus Münchner Künstlerateliers, Hauptband I, München 1929, mit 3 Abb.
 Die Kunst, Bd. 51, Monatshefte für freie und angewandte Kunst, Bruckmann München 1925.
 Westdeutsche Wochenschrift für deutsche Kunst, Bd. 4, Hellweg Essen 1924.

Einzelnachweise

Maler (Deutschland)
Zeichner (Deutschland)
Wilhelm Traugott
Deutscher
Geboren 1878
Gestorben 1956
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: pytorch multiple branches of a model
Hi I'm trying to make this model using pytorch.
Each input is consisted of 20 images of size 28 X 28, which is C1 ~ Cp in the image.
Each image goes to CNN of same structure, but their outputs are concatenated eventually.
I'm currently struggling with feeding multiple inputs to each of its respective CNN model.
Each model in the first box with three convolutional layers will look like this as a code, but I'm not quite sure how I can put 20 different input to separate models of same structure to eventually concatenate.
        self.features = nn.Sequential(
            nn.Conv2d(1,10, kernel_size = 3, padding = 1),
            nn.ReLU(),
            nn.Conv2d(10, 14, kernel_size=3, padding=1),
            nn.ReLU(),
            nn.Conv2d(14, 18, kernel_size=3, padding=1),
            nn.ReLU(),
            nn.Flatten(),
            nn.Linear(28*28*18, 256)
        )

I've tried out giving a list of inputs as an input to forward function, but it ended up with an error and won't go through.
I'll be more than happy to explain further if anything is unclear.

A: Simply define forward as taking a list of tensors as input, then process each input with the corresponding CNN (in the example snippet, CNNs share the same structure but don't share parameters, which is what I assume you need. You'll need to fill in the dots ... according to your specifications.
class MyModel(torch.nn.Module):
   def __init__(self, ...):
       ...
       self.cnns = torch.nn.ModuleList([torch.nn.Sequential(...) for _ in range(20)])

   def forward(xs: list[Tensor]):
       return torch.cat([cnn(x) for x, cnn in zip(xs, self.cnns)], dim=...)

A: Assuming each path have it's own weights, may be this could be done with grouped convolution, although pre fusion Linear can cause some trouble.
    P = 20
    self.features = nn.Sequential(
        nn.Conv2d(1*P,10*P, kernel_size = 3, padding = 1, groups = P ),
        nn.ReLU(),
        nn.Conv2d(10*P, 14*P, kernel_size=3, padding=1, groups = P),
        nn.ReLU(),
        nn.Conv2d(14*P, 18*P, kernel_size=3, padding=1, groups = P),
        nn.ReLU(),
        nn.Conv2d(18*P, 256*P, kernel_size=28,          groups = P),  # not shure about this one
        nn.Flatten(),
        nn.Linear(256*P, 1024 )
    )

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Even with a foot or more of snow, Coloradans know most of it will be gone after a day or two of bright mountain sunshine. But if the nights stay cold or the snow is on a protected north side of your property, it can melt or compact into ice, which is when many people reach for the deicer. They don't realize the damage they've done by using this product until the spring, when grass, plants and trees are dead, and walks and driveways are riddled with pits and cracks.
Sodium chloride is the same chemical as ordinary table salt. It's inexpensive, so it's the main ingredient in cheaper deicing products. While it will melt ice effectively down to about 10° F, it will also damage concrete, metals, soil and plants if not used carefully.
Dissolved salts are acidic, and acidic soils cause long-lasting damage to lawns, shrubs and trees. Once salt is in the soil, it's very hard to get out, so the best plan is to keep it away in the first place. Even if the salt is applied only on the hardscape, the water from melting snow and ice will carry it into the surrounding soil. Concrete and mortars are very alkaline, so acidic salts work into the pores, causing pitting and flaking known as spalling, which weakens the entire slab and promotes crack formation. Washing the salt away only encourages it to flow into the landscape or pollute water when it flows into the sewer system or groundwater.
You can minimize ice formation by avoiding walking and driving on snow before it's removed, preventing its compaction and icing up.
If you must use a deicer, be aware that sodium chloride isn't the only problem. Other salt-based deicing products include chlorides of calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Calcium chloride is widely used, and while it is less hazardous to vegetation than sodium chloride, as it melts ice it causes the surface to become slippery, presenting a hazard itself. This is popular as a deicer, though, because it's relatively inexpensive and effective to about -15° F. However, it's still no friend of concrete and can damage the roots of plants if it reaches them.
Potassium chloride can also cause severe damage to plants if splashed on foliage or allowed to soak into the soil and will damage concrete like sodium and calcium compounds.
Magnesium chloride in the form of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) has come into widespread use as a safer deicer by road and highway crews. It's made from limestone and acetic acid (the main ingredient in vinegar) and works differently from other salts in that it prevents snowflakes from sticking to each other. While it has little effect on concrete and vegetation, it's less commonly available to consumers, is more expensive, and works best at temperatures above +20° F, limiting its effectiveness in many icing situations.
Careful spot-treating problem areas can be done if necessary, but should be a last resort. It's better to risk a little landscape damage than a lawsuit. If the salt solutions run into planted areas, extra hand watering on warm winter days can help diffuse it and minimize damage. Unfortunately, it will probably be late spring before you know how much damage was done.
If you're concerned about the health of your soils, the plant health and management experts at Donovan Arborists are ready to help. Drop us an email at paul@denvertrees.com to learn about our free estimates for tree care services.


Furmint is a white grape best known in the Tokaj region of Hungary. It can also be found in other parts of the country and beyond, including Slovenia, Croatia (under the name Šipon), Austria and South Africa. The Furmint grape is best known for the decadently sweet Tokaji dessert wine, though it also produces excellent dry white wines in that region and elsewhere.
The flavor profile of Furmint can vary according to the style of wine, though there are some distinguishing characteristics. Furmint wines tend to be high in acidity, as well as highly concentrated in both flavor and aroma. Young Furmints tend to show aromas of apples and flowers, which over time give way to mature notes of nuts and honey. The alcohol content in Furmint wines can be high by white wine standards, easily reaching 14% alcohol by volume.
The grape is highly susceptible to botrytis, the so-called "noble rot" responsible for the great dessert wines of Tokaji (and Sauternes in Bordeaux, France, though the grape varieties used there are different). Sweet Tokaji is produced in a range of sweetness levels, indicated by Puttonyos, a unit of measure for the level of residual sugar in the wine. The Puttonyos level traditionally referred to the number of tubs, called puttonyos or hods, of aszú (Hungarian for dried) berries—meaning those infected with botrytis—that were added to each barrel of the base wine that's made from unbotrytized grapes. Puttonyos are measured on a scale of one to six; the more puttonyos, the sweeter, richer and rarer the Tokaji.
Tokaji Aszú wines are very high in acidity, striking a delicate and refreshing balance with their high sugar content. Sweet Tokaji tends to have a deep amber color and high concentration of aromas and flavors including marmalade, apricot and honey. While Furmint is the most important grape here, these wines may also contain Hárslevelű—another grape variety that is conveniently prone to botrytis—and Sárga Muscotály, better known as Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains.
Beyond Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos is Tokaji Eszencia, one of the most exclusive and expensive wines in the world, although it technically doesn't even qualify to be called a wine since it is so sweet—between 500–700g/L residual sugar—it rarely ferments to above 5–6% abv. Unlike most wine, Eszencia is known to be able to cellar for lifetimes, for hundreds of years, even.
Dry Tokaji wines can also be blends or single varietals, and Tokaji Furmint is the most common single varietal. Styles can vary from light and simple to concentrated and age-worthy. Simpler styles tend to be unoaked, fresh, fruity and are intended to be consumed young. Premium examples of Tokaji Furmint may have been fermented or aged in new oak, leading to higher ageing potential and more complex aromas and flavors.
Scroll down to view Wine Enthusiast's online Buying Guide, from which you can find the top-rated Furmint among our extensive wine reviews and collection of related articles.


A bright red Poppy flower with leaf in a tear drop setting with hook ball and spring ear wire in either a gold or silver plated finish. Suitable for any occasion and comfortable enough to wear all day, this lovely pair of earrings will brighten any outfit. A popular choice for any Remembrance occasion.


text:
Q: using Qr code to extract information from an api flutter I am trying to use Qr code scanner to extract information of the user for example user's picture, display name etc, by scanning a Qrcode with an endpoint as the message and passing the data data to a bottom modal. so, after the Qrcode is scanned and data is extracted, it should bring out the bottom modal with the details. it worked when I inputted the endpoint url, but the scanner kept on returning a result multiple times causing the modal to show multiple times, I want a situation where each time I scan the modal shows once.
scanner page
import 'dart:convert';
import 'dart:developer';
import 'dart:io';

import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;

import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
import 'package:qr_code_scanner/qr_code_scanner.dart';
import 'package:scanner_test/get_profile.dart';
import 'package:scanner_test/responsive.dart';

class QrScanner extends StatefulWidget {
  static const String pageName = '/qrScannnerPage';
  const QrScanner({Key? key}) : super(key: key);

  @override
  State<QrScanner> createState() => _QrScannerState();
}

class _QrScannerState extends State<QrScanner> {
  final qrKey = GlobalKey(debugLabel: 'QR');
  Barcode? result;
  QRViewController? controller;
  Responsive responsive = Responsive();
  final GlobalKey<ScaffoldState> _scaffoldKey = new GlobalKey<ScaffoldState>();
  GetProfile? profile;
  @override
  void dispose() {
    controller?.dispose();
    super.dispose();
  }

  @override
  void reassemble() {
    super.reassemble();
    if (Platform.isAndroid) {
      controller!.pauseCamera();
    } else if (Platform.isIOS) {
      controller!.resumeCamera();
    }
  }

  @override
  void showInSnackBar(String value) {
    _scaffoldKey.currentState!
        .showSnackBar(new SnackBar(content: new Text(value)));
  }

  Future<GetProfile?> getProfileData(String url) async {
    try {
      // String token =
      // Provider.of<TokenProvider>(context, listen: false).userToken;
      final response = await http.get(Uri.parse(url));
      if (response.statusCode == 200) {
        final item = json.decode(response.body);
        print(response.body);
        profile = GetProfile.fromJson(item);
        showQrModal();
      } else {
        print("error");
      }
    } catch (e) {
      log(e.toString());
    }
    return profile;
  }

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
        appBar: PreferredSize(
          preferredSize: Size.fromHeight(responsive.heightMargin(context, 70)),
          child: AppBar(
            title: Text("Scan an xProfile",
                style: TextStyle(
                    color: Color(0xff212121),
                    fontSize: responsive.heightMargin(context, 22),
                    fontWeight: FontWeight.w700)),

            centerTitle: false,
            backgroundColor: Colors.white,

            //elevation: 50.0,
            leading: IconButton(
              color: Color(0xff212121),
              icon: Icon(Icons.arrow_back),
              tooltip: 'Menu Icon',
              onPressed: () {
                Navigator.pop(context);
              },
            ),
          ),
        ),
        body: Stack(
          alignment: Alignment.center,
          children: <Widget>[
            buildQrView(context),
            Positioned(
                bottom: responsive.heightMargin(context, 92),
                child: buildresult())
          ],
        ));
  }

  Widget buildresult() {
    return //getProfileData("") != null
        // ? showQrModal()
        Text("Please hold the camera at the QRcode",
            style: TextStyle(
                color: Color(0xffffffff),
                fontSize: responsive.heightMargin(context, 18),
                fontWeight: FontWeight.w400));
  }

  Widget buildQrView(BuildContext context) {
    return QRView(
      key: qrKey,
      onQRViewCreated: onQRViewCreated,
      overlay: QrScannerOverlayShape(
        borderColor: Color(0xff6FCF97),
        borderRadius: responsive.heightMargin(context, 35),
        borderLength: responsive.heightMargin(context, 70),
        borderWidth: responsive.widthMargin(context, 10),
        cutOutSize: responsive.widthMargin(context, 380),
      ),
    );
  }

  showQrModal() {
    return showModalBottomSheet<void>(
        context: context,
        backgroundColor: Colors.transparent,
        builder: (BuildContext context) {
          return Container(
              height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 381),
              width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 414),
              margin: EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(
                  responsive.widthMargin(context, 7),
                  0,
                  responsive.widthMargin(context, 7),
                  responsive.heightMargin(context, 7)),
              decoration: BoxDecoration(
                  color: Colors.white,
                  borderRadius: BorderRadius.only(
                      topLeft:
                          Radius.circular(responsive.heightMargin(context, 40)),
                      topRight:
                          Radius.circular(responsive.heightMargin(context, 40)),
                      bottomLeft:
                          Radius.circular(responsive.heightMargin(context, 40)),
                      bottomRight: Radius.circular(
                          responsive.heightMargin(context, 40)))),
              child: Column(children: [
                SizedBox(
                  height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 17),
                ),
                Container(
                  height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 4),
                  width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 64),
                  decoration: BoxDecoration(
                      borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(
                          responsive.heightMargin(context, 50)),
                      color: Color(0xff000000)),
                ),
                SizedBox(height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 37)),
                Text("QRcode Scan Successful",
                    style: TextStyle(
                        color: Color(0xff212121),
                        fontSize: responsive.heightMargin(context, 24),
                        fontWeight: FontWeight.w700)),
                SizedBox(height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 15)),
                Container(
                  height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 1),
                  width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 366),
                  decoration: BoxDecoration(
                      borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(
                          responsive.heightMargin(context, 50)),
                      color: Color(0xffEEEEEE)),
                ),
                SizedBox(height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 24)),
                Container(
                  height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 104),
                  width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 366),
                  decoration: BoxDecoration(
                      boxShadow: [
                        BoxShadow(
                          color: Colors.grey.withOpacity(0.1),
                          spreadRadius: 1,
                          blurRadius: 2,
                          offset: Offset(
                            0.1,
                            0.1,
                          ), // changes position of shadow
                        ),
                      ],
                      borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(16),
                      color: Color(0xffffffff)),
                  //alignment: Alignment.center,
                  child: Padding(
                    padding: EdgeInsets.fromLTRB(
                        responsive.widthMargin(context, 20),
                        0,
                        responsive.widthMargin(context, 20),
                        0),
                    child: Row(
                      //mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.spaceAround,
                      children: [
                        Container(
                          height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 72),
                          width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 72),
                          child: CircleAvatar(
                            radius: responsive.heightMargin(context, 28),
                            backgroundColor: Colors.blueAccent,
                            backgroundImage: NetworkImage(
                                "${profile!.message!.profilePhoto}"),
                          ),
                        ),
                        SizedBox(width: responsive.heightMargin(context, 16)),
                        Container(
                          width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 150),
                          height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 48),
                          child: Column(
                              mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.center,
                              crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
                              children: [
                                Text(
                                    "${profile!.message!.firstName} ${profile!.message!.lastName}",
                                    style: TextStyle(
                                        color: Color(0xff212121),
                                        fontSize: responsive.heightMargin(
                                            context, 18),
                                        fontWeight: FontWeight.w700)),
                                SizedBox(
                                  height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 6),
                                ),
                                Text("xProfile found!",
                                    style: TextStyle(
                                        color: Color(0xff616161),
                                        fontSize: responsive.heightMargin(
                                            context, 14),
                                        fontWeight: FontWeight.w500)),
                              ]),
                        ),
                        SizedBox(width: responsive.heightMargin(context, 20)),
                        Container(
                          height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 24),
                          width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 68),
                          decoration: BoxDecoration(
                              borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(
                                  responsive.heightMargin(context, 6)),
                              color: Color.fromRGBO(0, 135, 111, 1)),
                          child: Center(
                            child: Text(
                              "Basic User",
                              style: TextStyle(
                                  color: Colors.white,
                                  fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
                                  fontSize:
                                      responsive.heightMargin(context, 10)),
                            ),
                          ),
                        ),
                      ],
                    ),
                  ),
                ),
                SizedBox(
                  height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 24),
                ),
                GestureDetector(
                  onTap: () {},
                  child: Container(
                    height: responsive.heightMargin(context, 58),
                    width: responsive.widthMargin(context, 380),
                    child: Center(
                      child: Text(
                        "Add to Connections",
                        style: TextStyle(
                            color: Colors.white,
                            fontWeight: FontWeight.w700,
                            fontSize: responsive.heightMargin(context, 16)),
                      ),
                    ),
                    decoration: BoxDecoration(
                        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(
                            responsive.heightMargin(context, 100)),
                        color: Color.fromRGBO(0, 135, 111, 1)),
                  ),
                )
              ]));
        });
  }

  void onQRViewCreated(QRViewController controller) {
    this.controller = controller;
    controller.scannedDataStream.listen((scanData) {
      setState(() {
        getProfileData("${scanData.code}");
      });
    });
  }
}

profile model
import 'dart:convert';

GetProfile getProfileFromJson(String str) =>
    GetProfile.fromJson(json.decode(str));

String getProfileToJson(GetProfile data) => json.encode(data.toJson());

class GetProfile {
  GetProfile({
    this.status,
    this.message,
  });

  String? status;
  Message? message;

  factory GetProfile.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) => GetProfile(
        status: json["status"],
        message: Message.fromJson(json["message"]),
      );

  Map<String, dynamic> toJson() => {
        "status": status,
        "message": message?.toJson(),
      };
}

class Message {
  Message({
    this.id,
    this.firstName,
    this.lastName,
    this.email,
    this.username,
    this.createdAt,
    this.updatedAt,
    this.v,
    this.password,
    this.pin,
    this.profilePhoto,
  });

  String? id;
  String? firstName;
  String? lastName;
  String? email;
  String? username;
  DateTime? createdAt;
  DateTime? updatedAt;
  int? v;
  String? password;
  String? pin;
  String? profilePhoto;

  factory Message.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json) => Message(
        id: json["_id"],
        firstName: json["firstName"],
        lastName: json["lastName"],
        email: json["email"],
        username: json["username"],
        createdAt: DateTime.parse(json["createdAt"]),
        updatedAt: DateTime.parse(json["updatedAt"]),
        v: json["__v"],
        password: json["password"],
        pin: json["pin"],
        profilePhoto: json["profilePhoto"],
      );

  Map<String, dynamic> toJson() => {
        "_id": id,
        "firstName": firstName,
        "lastName": lastName,
        "email": email,
        "username": username,
        "createdAt": createdAt?.toIso8601String(),
        "updatedAt": updatedAt?.toIso8601String(),
        "__v": v,
        "password": password,
        "pin": pin,
        "profilePhoto": profilePhoto,
      };
}


Often in Europe, watching football is associated with nostalgic and fuzzy memories of going to the bar with friends and cheering the national team — an unquestionable ritual.
The question started a journey of self-exploration, and years later, in April 2019, Tetsuro Miyazaki is publishing a portrait photo book, Hāfu2Hāfu: A Word Photography Project About Mixed Japanese Identity. There are 120 pictures of people from 98 country combinations with one connecting thread: they are all of Japanese heritage. Or, as they are often called in Japan, hafu.
Born in 1978 to a Japanese father and Belgian mother, Miyazaki is part of the category of people with Japanese heritage who are exposed to different cultures growing up. In his household, his mother spoke Flemish, his father Japanese, and the two spoke English and French to each other.
Unsurprisingly, when he himself became a father in 2016, he was asked, "Are you going to give her a Japanese name? What language are you going to speak to her?" Suddenly, the question of heritage was again relevant to him, this time as a parent.
As a photographer, Miyazaki chose to investigate what it means to have Japanese heritage by photographing people and interviewing them. Starting with hafu friends he knew through kendo in the Netherlands, where he lived then, he would swap stories and discuss identity.
What has derived from it is Hāfu2Hāfu: A Word Photography Project About Mixed Japanese Identity (hāfu2hāfu.org, 2019). The project is completely crowd-funded in an attempt, as Miyazaki explains, to do some market research and find out if making a book was something people were willing to pay for.
The book structure chosen by Miyazaki is simple: bilingual English and Japanese, with 120 black-and-white photographs and a single identity-related question posed from the photographed to the viewer.
The piercing, poignant looks of those who were photographed, coupled with soul-searching questions, make for a powerful combination that almost stumps the reader.
I am also half-Japanese. My mother is Japanese, my father is Italian. I grew up in Italy, and some of the nostalgic memories I have as a kid are coming to Japan in winter, going to onsens, and hating sushi rice. After finishing my education in Europe and finding myself in the limbo-like life of a neo-graduate, I decided to use the opportunity to move to Japan. For years I had been itching to go, but always found excuses to put it off.
Looking at Miyazaki's book, I was surprised at how touched I was. I found myself searching for commonalities in physical features and wondering if these people had experiences similar to mine when coming to Japan or explaining their background in their "other" country.
One might dismiss this reaction as an isolated case. However, today more people come from different backgrounds, and the issue of how people identify themselves is popping up more frequently. With it comes the question of how one negotiates the fact of being between different countries and cultures.
Perhaps the fact that the label exists at all makes it easier for people to relate to it. But, Miyazaki explains, there is a tendency to create communities surrounding the word hafu. "There are very large Facebook groups for hafu Japanese. Hafu Japanese, Planet Haafu, or ハーフあるある," he notes. Yet, there seems to be almost no groups of the "other" half, like Miyazaki's Belgian half or my own Italian half. Might there be something unique by identifying as hafu?
The choice of the book's title itself — Hafu2Hafu — is a statement, because the label hafu has differing connotations, depending on whom you ask. People who have experienced bullying in school may prefer not to identity with the label as it implies that you are not whole. To deal with the problem, some have started using the expression "double," or other descriptions such as biracial or bicultural.
But these labels are not always inclusive for everyone who has one Japanese parent. For example, double implies the same as bicultural, or a perfect knowledge of two cultures. If you grow up with a single parent, you might not feel that way. And are you biracial if you're Chinese-Japanese? Also, parents often do not embrace the label hafu because they don't want their children to be seen as less than whole.
With parents from different countries, a hafu also faces the question of what it means from a legal standpoint. In fact, some of the questions with the portraits in Miyazaki's book are about dual citizenship. Inevitably, when you are asked to pick one passport, people sometimes associate it with additional questions of what it means to belong to that country. However, this is just not the case with people from Japan.
In popular culture and more broadly speaking, more people are asking themselves, how they identify. The recent blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians is about different perceptions of what it means to be "Asian." Also, a Facebook group called "Subtle Asian Traits" was started by a group of Asian-Australians in Melbourne in September 2018 and now has more than a million followers.
Books can be pre-ordered through the webshop with a pre-launch discount, for the price of € 29.50 EUR (approximately $33 USD), with shipment starting from April 2019.


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text:
BusinessHealth
By Editor On Dec 9, 2022
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved US$97 million in financing to strengthen Guyana's health care network, including expanding seven hospitals and leading the digital transformation of the health sector.
Under the project, there will be improved capacity at seven hospitals – in Regions 1, 8, 8 and 9 and at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Linden Hospital and New Amsterdam Hospital – and provide for extended coverage of diagnostic exams and medical consultations.
"It will also increase the efficiency of the public health system by supporting improvements in logistics, management, and processes. Infrastructure upgrades include more efficient use of water and energy as well as accessibility provisions for disabled persons," the Bank said in a release.
File photo of GPHC
It is expected that the project will benefit around 406,000 persons, over half of the country's population. In addition, the telehealth activities, which will be installed in over 15 health facilities, will reach all ten of the country's regions, including the hinterlands.
As part of the investment project activities, there is financing for Guyana's plans for a digital transformation in health, including the expansion of the teleradiology and teleophthalmology networks.
In addition, it will strengthen supply chain management, improve the provision of maternal and child health, and contribute to pandemic and emergency preparedness, among other activities.
Problem-solving competition "IDEAthon" slated for Sunday


Science is moving too fast… Is it a good idea to bring back Passenger Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius?
The idea is amazing and dangerous! DNA code manipulation, surrogate parents from cosmetically painted Rock Dove and surrogate flocks.
A debate on #TEDxDeExtinction presented by Ben Novak—"How to Bring Passenger Pigeons All the Way Back".


text:
Armstrong 2019
Dramatic, moving and deeply human, ARMSTRONG offers the definitive life story of Neil Armstrong: from his childhood in Ohio to his first steps on the Moon, and beyond.
Clear Present Danger 1994
CIA Analyst Jack Ryan is drawn into an illegal war fought by the US government against a Colombian drug cartel.
Raiders Lost Ark 1981
When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.
ActionAdventure
Lies Beneath 2000
When Claire Spencer starts hearing ghostly voices and seeing spooky images, she wonders if an otherworldly spirit is trying to contact her. All the while, her husband tries to reassure her by telling her it's all in her head. But as Claire investigates, she discovers that the man she loves might know more than he's letting on.
DramaHorrorMysteryThriller
Blade Runner 2049 2017
Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
MysteryScience FictionThriller
Six Days Seven Nights 1998
When Quinn, a grouchy pilot living the good life in the South Pacific, agrees to transfer a savvy fashion editor, Robin, to Tahiti, he ends up stranded on a deserted island with her after their plane crashes. The pair avoid each other at first, until they're forced to team up to escape from the island -- and some pirates who ...
ActionAdventureComedyRomance
Enders Game (2013)
Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.
IMDb: 8.22017163 min152 views
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
ActionAdventureFantasyScience Fiction
After 29-year-old Adaline recovers from a nearly lethal accident, she inexplicably stops growing older. As the years stretch on and on, Adaline keeps her secret to herself until she meets a man who changes her life.
DramaFantasyRomance
Barney, Christmas and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks, who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables -- but Barney has ...
ActionAdventureThriller
An entry-level employee at a powerful corporation finds himself occupying a corner office, but at a dangerous price: he must spy on his boss's old mentor to secure for him a multi-billion dollar advantage.
The powerful story of Jackie Robinson, the legendary baseball player who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier when he joined the roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The film follows the innovative Dodgers' general manager Branch Rickey, the MLB executive who first signed Robinson to the minors and then helped to bring him up to the show.
A stranger stumbles into the desert town of Absolution with no memory of his past and a futuristic shackle around his wrist. With the help of mysterious beauty Ella and the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde, he finds himself leading an unlikely posse of cowboys, outlaws, and Apache warriors against a common enemy from beyond this world in an epic showdown for ...
ActionScience FictionThrillerWestern
Extraordinary Measures
IMDb: 6.52010105 min92 views
Working-class father John Crowley is finally on the fast track to corporate success when his two young children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with Pompe disease - a condition that prevents the body from breaking down sugar. With the support of his wife, Aileen, John ditches his career and teams with unconventional specialist Dr. Robert Stonehill to found a bio-tech ...
Immigrants from around the world enter Los Angeles every day, with hopeful visions of a better life, but little notion of what that life may cost. Their desperate scenarios test the humanity of immigration enforcement officers. In Crossing Over, writer-director Wayne Kramer explores the allure of the American dream, and the reality that immigrants find – and create -- in ...
Set during the Cold War, the Soviets – led by sword-wielding Irina Spalko – are in search of a crystal skull which has supernatural powers related to a mystical Lost City of Gold. After being captured and then escaping from them, Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young man whose friend – and Indy's ...
Hollywood Homicide
Joe Gavilan (Harrison Ford) and his new partner K. C. Calden (Josh Hartnett), are detectives on the beat in Tinseltown. Neither one of them really wants to be a cop, Gavilan moonlights as a real estate broker, and Calden is an aspiring actor moonlighting as a yoga instructor. When the two are assigned a big case they must work out ...
ActionAdventureComedyThriller
Six Days Seven Nights
IMDb: 5.8199898 min206 views
Russian terrorists conspire to hijack the aircraft with the president and his family on board. The commander in chief finds himself facing an impossible predicament: give in to the terrorists and sacrifice his family, or risk everything to uphold his principles - and the integrity of the nation.
The Devil's Own
Frankie McGuire, one of the IRA's deadliest assassins, draws an American family into the crossfire of terrorism. But when he is sent to the U.S. to buy weapons, Frankie is housed with the family of Tom O'Meara, a New York cop who knows nothing about Frankie's real identity. Their surprising friendship, and Tom's growing suspicions, forces Frankie to choose between ...
CrimeDramaThriller
An ugly duckling having undergone a remarkable change, still harbors feelings for her crush: a carefree playboy, but not before his business-focused brother has something to say about it.
Patriot Games
When CIA Analyst Jack Ryan interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets Jack and his family as revenge.
Presumed Innocent
Life takes a nasty twist for D.A. Rusty Sabich when the woman he has been romantically involved with is murdered. He is assigned to investigate the case, but is soon charged with the murder.
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller
When Dr. Henry Jones Sr. suddenly goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, eminent archaeologist Indiana must team up with Marcus Brody, Sallah and Elsa Schneider to follow in his father's footsteps and stop the Nazis from recovering the power of eternal life.
Ford plays an American doctor whose wife suddenly vanishes in Paris. To find her, he navigates a puzzling web of language, locale, laissez-faire cops, triplicate-form filling bureaucrats and a defiant, mysterious waif who knows more than she tells.
After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees – and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.
As Rebel leaders map their strategy for an all-out attack on the Emperor's newer, bigger Death Star. Han Solo remains frozen in the cavernous desert fortress of Jabba the Hutt, the most loathsome outlaw in the universe, who is also keeping Princess Leia as a slave girl. Now a master of the Force, Luke Skywalker rescues his friends, but he ...
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.
DramaScience FictionThriller
The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to capture Luke. Meanwhile, rebel leader Princess Leia, cocky Han Solo, Chewbacca, and droids C-3PO and R2-D2 are thrown into various stages of capture, betrayal and despair.
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
DramaWar


Hi Kids! You now know a lot more about M.C.Escher than you used to!
Your task is to create a few short paragraphs of information about M.C.Escher that you will later use on the poster you will make.
A. When and where he was born?
B. What he childhood was like?
C. What was his family like?
D. What things did he do in his lifetime which were a big deal to him?
E. What kinds of art did he create?
F. When did he die?
G. Why is he still famous today?
1. Read the information on the pages linked above.
3. Using your notes and memory (from the documentary), write about M.C.Escher IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
4. Make sure that you have used you own words. Change things around, mix things up, make it YOURS.
5. Have you answered all the questions above?
6. Place your book open in the yellow tray.
7. Read/look through one of Mr.E's M.C.Esher books.
Click the link on the right-hand-side of the page which says "1946 Eye"
In 1946 there were no computers. Escher did this entirely with a pencil.
Watch the video of someone creating their version of "Eye" using a computer.
Your task this week is to sketch your own version of "Eye" pausing the video along the way to help you.
You will be using paper and pencil.
I suggest you get your art pencil for this activity.
You will need a rubber too!
If you prefer to sketch the picture from looking at a picture in a book, ask Mr E to lend you one of his ultra special M.C.Escher books.


Tax services are one of the key stages in the relationship with our clients. Any business, without exception, requires tax planning and optimization. Our aim is to be at your disposal at the right moment and to help with the resolution of your specific case. The consultations we offer are in the field of corporate and personal income taxes, VAT, local taxes and fees, cases related to the employment and social security legislation as well as issues concerning the tax implications of applying double taxation treaties.
We treat as crucial the tax representation and acting on your behalf and in your interest before the National Revenue Agency in connection with any inspections and audits taking place. We strive to participate actively in the process of preparing and presenting the documents and when necessary to develop explanations and motivated objections in the course of the tax proceedings.
If you require any ongoing tax consultations or just the resolution of a specific tax case, do not hesitate to contact us.


Circle time, free play, craft activities, songs, stories, parties and English library for children of all ages.
Coffee mornings, baby groups, talks, nights-out for parents and more.
Find out more about our membership criteria, the application process and how to submit an enquiry form.


Due Mari offers a variety of both private and semi-private dining spaces heart of New Brunswick, New Jersey, making it the ideal destination for both corporate and social events alike.
40 guests max. Located on our lower level, this is a true private dining space. Additionally, the room is equipped with a 52" flat screen with HDMI connectivity and full AV capabilities, making it ideal for meetings and corporate dinners.
10 guests max. The lounge is the perfect space for smaller groups looking for a more intimate dining experience.
80 guest max. Our spacious Amalfi Room is a versatile and inviting space on the main level of the restaurant, made semi-private with a wall of circular booths.
50 guest max. With its convivial atmosphere and access to our beautiful bar, the room accommodates receptions and seated events alike.
20 guest max. Overlooking Albany Street, this area provides a secluded space made semi-private with screens.


text:
Raw: Nov. 19, 2012
Full results, photos and videos for the Nov. 19, 2012, edition of Raw.
Raw results: Punk celebrates 365 days as champion, Ziggler injures Cena in locker room brawl
Ryback def. Tensai
Ryback and Tensai clash inside the ring on Raw.
PHOTOS | VIDEO | RAW HIGHLIGHTS
DAYTON, Ohio — Now here's something you don't see every week: Monday Night Raw kicking off not with a match, but an address to the WWE Universe ... from Ryback.
Typically a Superstar of few words, the beast was positively effusive in Wright State University's Nutter Center when, one night after being driven through a table by Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, he made his intentions loud and clear to the man he believed responsible for the attack: WWE Champion CM Punk.
"Last night I was about to feast on the WWE Championship, but CM Punk employed three of his men to take food out of a starving man's mouth," Ryback snarled. "Well my hunger cannot be suppressed. I am a predator. And CM Punk, you and your three men are my prey."
Ryback presented the champion and his supposed minions with an ultimatum: The four of them could "make it easy on themselves" by facing him at once ... or the beast would tear Nutter Center to pieces until he found them.
What he got was hardly CM Punk and the former WWE NXT stalwarts. Instead, he got was Vickie Guerrero. And the Managing Supervisor was in no mood for Ryback's threats, presenting him with an ultimatum of her own: If Ryback caused any kind of chaos, he would be subject to a fine or suspension. Vickie revealed herself to be, if nothing else, a fan of Ryback's destructive tendencies, though. "I do like watching you destroy people ... so let's just see how big your appetite really is."
The meal she had in mind was Tensai, who was steaming mad following his elimination at the hands of Justin Gabriel in the bonus Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match the night before. The towering gaijin unloaded a world of hurt on Ryback, who struggled to find an initial response to his mountainous foe's opening onslaught. But after a few moments, the beast found his footing and surged back against Tensai, tossing him into the barrier outside the ring and unleashing an earth-rattling Meathook Clothesline, sealing the victory with Shell Shocked, all the while snarling "Punk" in the vicinity of the cameras. Seems like, despite Vickie's warning, Ryback was thinking of someone else during that contest.
Wade Barrett def. Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston
Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston goes one-on-one with the master of the Bull Hammer elbow, Wade Barrett.
PHOTOS | VIDEO
Wade Barrett has never been a man to mince words, so it wasn't exactly surprising he claimed the Intercontinental Championship should be his following the Englishman's elimination of Kofi Kingston in the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match the night before. But the Englishman certainly left a few jaws on the floor in Nutter Center when he grounded The Dreadlocked Dynamo with minimal fanfare, bestowing Kofi with his second Bull Hammer elbow in as many nights to earn a huge statement win over the freewheeling champion.
Kofi, as always, proved a handful for his opponent. Barrett struggled early on to find his groove as Kofi stymied the Englishman with his trademark, high-flying offensive maneuvers. Seeking separation, Barrett ultimately turned the tide as only he could: He kicked Kofi Kingston really hard in the face. The Brit's boot sent The Boom Squad General over the ropes, where Barrett subjected Kofi to a street-style beatdown by slamming the champion's head against the steel steps before hauling him back into the ring to finish the job. Barrett unloaded with a series of elbows and kicks to the stunned Kofi, who responded to the adversity in a very un-Kofi like way:
He got really, really angry.
"The Wildcat" found his second wind in a big way and unleashed an offensive storm against the brawling Brit, reversing the Winds of Change into a rollup pin, unleashing a series of kicks against Barrett and finally planting him with the SOS. It wasn't enough for the win, though, as Barrett rebounded and raked Kofi's eyes, finally unleashing the Bull Hammer and sending the Intercontinental Champion to dream street.
Kaitlyn def. Aksana
Kaitlyn looks to get her hands on Aksana inside the ring on Raw.
To paraphrase an old saying: Fool Kaitlyn once, shame on you. Fool her twice, get a knee to the gut and don't do it again.
At least, that's the message Aksana received loud and clear when Kaitlyn got her hands on Antonio Cesaro's scheming ex following her second attempt to derail Kaitlyn's opportunity at the Divas Championship. Kaitlyn foiled Aksana's attack Sunday, but fell short against Eve in her title match. She didn't suffer the same fate on Raw, though, outlasting Aksana's powerful offense to unleash a series of crushing maneuvers, finally driving her knee deep into Aksana's stomach to notch the three-count and an extremely personal one-on-one win.
U.S. Champion Antonio Cesaro def. Brodus Clay
Brodus Clay goes one-on-one with United States Champion Antonio Cesaro while R-Truth watches from the commentary table.
With R-Truth stewing on commentary, United States Champion Antonio Cesaro notched another resounding victory on Raw, this time at the hands of the steaming Funkasaurus, Brodus Clay.
Two months after suffering an upset loss to The Swiss Superman, Clay came out swinging against the elitist champion, working Cesaro's ribs with a series of punishing strikes before driving him into the corner. Cesaro briefly surged back, but the big man quickly overpowered the Stars-and-Stripes champion with a cranium-rattling headbutt and a corner splash. The Funky One's attempt at a top-rope strike ultimately cost him when Cesaro rallied and unleashed a soaring, spinning European uppercut off the turnbuckle before repeating his highlight-reel worthy feat from September and pummeling The Funkasaurus with the Neutralizer for the win.
Vickie Guerrero presented "eyewitnesses" to the "AJ scandal"
John Cena and AJ Lee lock lips in a kiss seen throughout the entire WWE Universe.
Did Vickie Guerrero finally push AJ Lee and John Cena to their limits? In her latest attempt to expose the so-called "AJ scandal," the Managing Supervisor brought out her greatest evidence: a pair of eyewitnesses who laid eyes on the supposed fling and came forth on Raw to present their accounts. Vickie summoned a waitress and a parking attendant from the Sacramento, Calif., restaurant where Cena and AJ had their alleged tryst, but AJ wasn't about to let herself be slandered any more than she already had been.
"If you want to fire me, go ahead and do it," the former Raw General Manager hissed at her replacement, only one night after Tamina Snuka interrupted their previous confontation with a sneak attack on AJ ( WATCH: TAMINA SPEAKS). "But if not, I suggest you do everybody a favor and shut the hell up."
The insult did little to faze Vickie, who took the proceedings one step further and prepared to display photos of AJ and Cena in the parking lot. "If you take offense to nudity, I suggest you walk out and protect your little ones' eyes, because now I'm going to present a photo of John Cena and AJ in the car!" Vickie beamed, but what emerged instead was nothing more than a stewing, stomping and decidedly clothed Cena.
"All of this is garbage," Cena said simply, accusing Vickie of manufacturing the scandal simply to get tongues wagging. Happily, he had a solution to that problem.
"I'll give you something to talk about," Cena said before turning toward AJ. "I hope you don't mind," said the Cenation leader before pulling AJ in for a tender kiss in the middle of the ring. But he never got to finish his point, because after Cena broke the lip-lock and turned back to Vickie to finish his thought, AJ spun him around and leaped into the 10-time WWE Champion's arms, swarming him with a smooch that left Vickie speechless.
With Cena otherwise preoccupied, however, the door was wide open for a sneak attack and that's just what happened: Dolph Ziggler sprinted forth and hit the Cenation leader with a cheap shot, squirming out of the Attitude Adjustment and booking it up the ramp to the locker room area. Cena gave chase, but an awkward landing after diving through the ropes seemed to hobble him considerably. Cena pursued Dolph as best he could, but with one leg seemingly compromised, the "AJ scandal" may have left him damaged in a way no one ever expected.
Randy Orton def. Alberto Del Rio in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match
Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio participate in a brutal 2-out-of-3 Falls Match on Raw.
How do you solve a problem like Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio? Well, we're not sure these Superstars' issues with each other can ever be put to bed for good, but a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match is a pretty solid start.
In any case, there was certainly an epic air about The Viper's latest clash with his opulent aggressor. A combination of the unusual stipulation combined with the long-standing nature of the rivalry brought out the most vicious side of each Superstar, to the point where even the calm, collected Del Rio lost his composure for a few moments.
The contest opened up in the way one would expect, with Orton striking fast and trying to put Del Rio away quickly, while Del Rio stuck to the side of strategy and calmly worked Orton's left arm, attempting to soften up The Apex Predator for the eventual Cross Armbreaker. Del Rio's temper ultimately got the better of him, though, after he caught Orton in a compromising position and slammed his arm against the ring post despite the referee's demands he stop. The brutal outburst earned Orton the first fall via disqualification, but the damage lingered despite the scales having been tipped in The Viper's favor.
The loss appeared to be a hit Del Rio was willing to take, as The Essence of Excellence continued to work the arm and keep Orton from building steam. The clearly hobbled Viper fought back gamely, but with one arm taken away, he wasn't able to escape when Del Rio finally did lock in the Cross Armbreaker, submitting after a brief struggle to even the playing field and give The Essence of Excellence a fall of his own.
The hold left Orton severely weakened, essentially robbing him of the left arm entirely and giving Del Rio the chance to employ his time-honored mat technique to leave The Apex Predator stumbling. A reeling Orton attempted to counter with a rollup pin, but Del Rio escaped and unleashed a wicked enzuigiri to the injured arm that left Orton literally screaming in pain. Orton rallied with a backbreaker, and caught perhaps his biggest break of the match when Ricardo Rodriguez, who attempted to interfere, was ejected from ringside. That development turned out to be subterfuge, though, as Del Rio caught the distracted Orton with the Backstabber and, sensing victory, attempted an RKO of his very own.
But as the WWE Universe knows, the RKO is often imitated, but never duplicated. Orton ducked out of Del Rio's attempt at the maneuver and planted The Essence of Excellence with a hanging DDT, eventually dodging a last-second enzuigiri attempt by Del Rio to unleash the original RKO on The Mexican Aristocrat, earning himself the third and final fall of the contest. Advantage: Orton. But is it permanent? Only time will tell.
The Great Khali def. Primo & Epico
The Great Khali faces the tag team of Epico & Primo while Hornswoggle makes Rosa Mendes a target for a practical joke.
Stop us if you heard this one: A Punjabi giant, two former WWE Tag Team Champions, the Anonymous Raw General Manager and Rosa Mendes walk into Nutter Center ...
Sounds like the beginning of a crazy joke, and the environment was certainly surreal in Dayton when The Great Khali collided with Primo & Epico in a bizarre Handicap Match that saw Hornswoggle, of all people, play a key role when he approached Rosa with a bouquet of flowers. The gesture seemed to have Rosa smitten, but Hornswoggle delivered the punchline when he unleashed a stream of water from within the flowers, soaking Rosa to the bone. Rosa's shrieks left Primo & Epico distracted enough for Khali to unleash the Punjabi Plunge and earn himself the victory, which he and Hornswoggle celebrated by breaking it down in the ring.
The Miz def. David Otunga
The Miz goes one-on-one with David Otunga.
It was a battle of last-minute additions when The Miz (the final member of Team Foley) met David Otunga (Cody Rhodes' replacement on Team Ziggler) in Dayton. And despite a stiff challenge from the brainy Harvard alumnus, it was The Awesome One who reigned supreme in his home state.
Surrounded by "Miz is awesome!" chants from the Ohio natives crowding Nutter Center, Miz showed considerable versatility against Otunga, using both technical strikes and his trademark, blunt-instrument offense in his systematic dismantling of the Harvard grad. That isn't to say Otunga rolled over for The Awesome One: Otunga put up quite a fight against the former WWE Champion, lacing into Miz's chest with a series of brutal clotheslines that left him gasping for breath. An unorthodox roll-up pin attempt by Miz turned the tide, though. Otunga never recovered from the surprise move and a top-rope strike from Miz was enough to set up the Skull-Crushing Finale and secure the victory.
Sheamus def. Damien Sandow
Sheamus competes against Damien Sandow on Raw.
In a rematch from their gritty minor classic a few weeks ago, Sheamus and Damien Sandow took each other to hell and back in a brutal fight that spilled all over in Dayton, Ohio. It was a contest that was every bit worth the wait for an encore, but before that fight could be had, a previous fight had to be addressed.
Sheamus stormed to the ring, dented chair in hand, and addressed his longstanding rivalry with Big Show. To summarize The Celtic Warrior's feelings on the state of things (and to co-opt a classic phrase): This time it's personal. The combination of Show's assault of William Regal and the underhanded way in which he retained the World Heavyweight Title at Survivor Series brought out the brutality in Sheamus. And for his part, the fighting Irishman wasn't willing to wait for a rematch. The Celtic Warrior summoned the giant from the locker room area, but The World's Largest Athlete wasn't having any of it. Incensed by Sheamus' mockery, the giant erupted in a furious tirade and not only denied Sheamus the rematch, but also unleashed an insult that stung The Celtic Warrior to his core: "You're just like your ancestors. You're barbaric."
Sheamus was ready to rumble for sure after that one, but that was the moment Sandow chose to make his entrance. As Show discreetly made his exit, "The Duke of Decency" took to the ring and immediately picked up where he left off with Sheamus. Sandow showed a finesse and brutality that completely belies his bookish demeanor, going shot for shot with The Celtic Warrior and employing a combination of both classic wrestling technique and ferocious strikes that forced Sheamus into the corner. The Irishman rallied in a unique manner, tossing Sandow out of the ring by his beard. The insult must have struck a nerve because The Enlightened One retaliated by mauling Sheamus in the corner, taking away The Celtic Warrior's momentum and giving Sandow the opportunity to bestow a decidedly unrefined beating on the former World Champion. The onslaught left Sheamus literally gasping for air and victory within "The Emperor of Enlightenment's" reach.
But as anyone can tell you, even the most enlightened of us are subject to bouts of hubris. And that never ends well for anyone. So when Sandow took just a little too long to celebrate when he set up the Elbow of Disdain, Sheamus rallied fast. The Celtic Warrior pummeled Sandow with the Irish Curse and left The Enlightened One to suffer, in quick succession, the forearm clubs, the battering ram, White Noise and the Brogue Kick. All of which, we suppose, is a lesson to Sandow: The fight ain't over till it's over. You're welcome.
John Cena and Dolph Ziggler battled in the men's locker room
AJ Lee seeks out Dolph Ziggler in the locker room and takes matters into her own hands.
She may be 95 pounds soaking wet, but AJ Lee proved she had plenty of guts when she stormed into the men's locker room to confront Dolph Ziggler after The Showoff's sneak attack on John Cena. But before AJ could lace into Mr. Money in the Bank, Ziggler retaliated with a string of vicious insults that shook the former Raw General Manager to her core. "I've seen girls like you my whole life," Ziggler sneered. "You're all the same. Sad, weak, pathetic. Face it, AJ. You're just trash."
The insults left AJ speechless, but happily one other option remained: She decided to fight, raining blows down on Ziggler's head and leaving The Showoff stumbling ... until Cena made his entrance, injured knee and all, and proceeded to tear the locker room apart with an all-out brawl. And while Cena saved AJ further humiliation, he may have come out worse for wear: After Ziggler put Cena through the bathroom stalls (yes, all of them), The Showoff got the last word by stomping Cena's injured knee as Superstars and officials dragged him out the door, leaving the Cenation leader with a potentially torn meniscus.
WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No vs. Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara went to a no-contest
Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara take on the WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No while The Prime Time Players help to provide commentary.
In all the tag team turmoil that has unfolded recently, the Nutter Center crowd was treated to a first on Monday night: Team Hell No vs. Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara. And while the champs' brutal, irascible style certainly provided an interesting challenge for the masked men, it was The Prime Time Players who made the biggest impact from their perch at commentary.
Kane and Sin Cara started things off, and The Big Red Machine looked to have The International Sensation dead to rights early on, but Bryan would not be denied his glory moment in the contest. The "No!" man tagged himself in against Kane's wishes and attempted to finish what Kane started, but Sin Cara quickly tagged in Mysterio to turn the tide. The Ultimate Underdog proved too much for Bryan or Kane to handle, nearly executing the 619 on The Devil's Favorite Demon to end the match. Quick thinking on Kane's part led him to duck out of the ring, but that did little to stem the chaos as Rey floored the champion with a seated senton. Bryan followed with a running knee that left Mysterio down, and Sin Cara completed the set with a suicide dive to the submission technician that left all four combatants strewn in a heap.
Sin Cara eventually got another crack at Kane, but The Mexican Icon's fortunes didn't improve much as he fell victim to the demon's punishing offense. Team Hell No finally started to find its groove after a rough 24 hours, with Kane and Bryan trading offensive sequences against the beleaguered highflier. Bryan provided a highlight when he applied a wicked-looking surfboard-headlock combo to Sin Cara, while Kane provided the brawn to Bryan's brains with power strikes. Sin Cara finally found his breathing room when he hit Bryan with a tornado DDT, leading both men to tag in their respective partners.
Kane and Mysterio traded furious blows from the second they entered the ring, but The Master of the 619's agility proved to be the difference-maker when he hit Kane with the 619. Before he could Drop the Dime and seal the win, though, Kane snatched Mysterio out of the air by the throat. At this point, The Prime Time Players had seen enough.
Darren Young and Titus O'Neil stormed the ring and laid waste to everyone between the ropes, bringing the match to a no-contest and prompting an unlikely burst of teamwork from the tandems who had, until moments earlier, been opponents. Bryan set Mysterio up for double 619 on the interlopers, and Kane planted "The Big Deal" with a Chokeslam while Sin Cara took to the skies and dropped a senton on a prone "Mr. No Days Off."
In conclusion: They're still the Tag Team Champions, but the competition for Team Hell No's titles has just intensified in a big way.
Ryback crashed WWE Champion CM Punk's 365-day celebration party
After crashing WWE Champion CM Pun's One-Year Anniversary Celebration, Ryback suffers another attack at the hands of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, & Roman Reigns.
So here we are, 365 days later. One full turn around the sun since CM Punk made Alberto Del Rio tap in New York City and took the WWE Championship for his very own. Eleven months since his first defense of the reign at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. Seven months since he walked into and out of WrestleMania XXVIII as champion, and one night after Punk proved his own prophecy right by defeating John Cena and Ryback, The Second City Saint stood in Dayton and celebrated the one-year anniversary of his second reign as WWE Champion.
And after some introductory oration by Paul Heyman, Punk took to the ring and, with no small amount of pleasure, quickly placed himself above the likes of Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock and proclaimed himself to be, as ever, The Best in the World. The Second City Saint then set his sights squarely on a date in the future: July 25, 2018, the 355th episode of WWE Main Event, when he would surpass Bruno Sammartino for the longest title reign in history. As for his greatest victory? For Punk, that answer was simple: His historic victory over Cena and Ryback, a win nobody said could be done save for Punk and Heyman himself.
It was a victory Punk seemed eager to relive, but at least one man wasn't feeling the same nostalgia. Ryback's music hit and the beast stomped down to the ring, fine/suspension be damned, to sink his claws into CM Punk finally. But once again, Ryback would be stopped short by the same men who cut him down the night before. Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns swarmed Ryback halfway down the ramp, stopping him from getting to Punk (who seemed as surprised by their presence as anyone) before once again hoisting Ryback on their shoulders and pummeling him through the announce table.
While the three attackers stood stoically in the ring, Punk decided to bask in the moment all the same. The Second City Saint sauntered down to the prone Ryback, planted one foot on his chest, and for the first time in year No. 2 of his WWE Title reign, proclaimed himself The Best in the World.
King Barrett


Look who I found in the post office!
The verdict: I ordered a Size 7 [I generally wear a 6.5 in flats and a 7 in boots is perfect with thick socks] in Sienna. The brown is redder than I expected, but I think I actually like it better that way. The leather is super soft and stiff as of right now. The only thing I would be careful about is that the foot size is perfect, especially with thick socks, but the calf part runs REALLY tight. As in, I think it's going to cut off circulation and I may have to amputate my legs kind of tight.
These boots are gorgeous! LUCKY YOU!
oooh those are so pretty! how's the fit in terms of width? i unfortunately have slightly wider feet where a normal width shoe will start to pinch at the end of a long shopping trip.
Those are beautiful, I can only imagine all the amazing outfits for them to be worn with.
Holy hotcakes those are beautiful. I feel like they look nicer with that reddish hue as well; ugh, beauty.
Oh. my. goodness. Please give me these. No? Just make sure you post a billion pics of you wearing them!
Oh god - they're gorgeous!
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Btw, thanks for having a look at my blog.
omgosh those are GORGEOUS riding boots!! the color is such a rich buttery caramel color!!!
GORGEOUS, I absolutely love these!
You are so freaking lucky! Those boots are adorable. Can't wait to see you actually wear them!
Sweet score! Those boots are incredible.
Boot envy! Those were made for rockin'.
oooh i would wear those everywhere. doing the dishes, with my pajamas, everywhere!
WOOOW!!! Your boots are to die for!
This is an amazing buy, I'm drooling over your new babies can't wait to see you rock them!
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I have been trying to find a pair. Called Tory Burch and all major retailers.
they are really nice! have you wore them already?


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Friday, January 6 2023
President Of India Inaugurates International Gita Mahotsava-2017
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsava-2017 today (November 25, 2017) in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the message of the Gita is relevant for all times to come. From an ancient society based on agriculture to a society based on commerce and industry, and now to a knowledge society – the message of the Gita has been everlasting. The Gita guides us in resolving the dilemmas and struggles between right and wrong that exist within every human being. "What is right and what is wrong?", "What should we do and not do?" Answers to these questions emerge from the Gita.
The President also noted the efforts made by the people of Haryana to improve the child sex ratio in the state. He commended the Government of Haryana's efforts in this regard. He pointed out that daughters of Haryana had excelled in a variety of fields, from politics to education, mountaineering to wrestling, and space travel to, to cite a recent example, beauty pageants. He stressed the need to encourage this process of women's empowerment in the state.
Earlier in the day, the President visited Brahma Sarovar and laid the foundation stone of the Gita Research Centre at the Gita Gyan Sansthanam in Kurukshetra.
Indian Navy's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) clears certification by INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences)
PM reviews steps taken to reduce under-nutrition
NITI Aayog Launches'Poshan Gyan', a Digital Repository on Nutrition Information
President of India hosts 'At Home' for Freedom Fighters on the 77th Anniversary of Quit India Day
President Kovind Presents National Florence Nightingale Awards for Nursing Personnel


Filed under: Judicial Misconduct, Drug Treatment/Rehab. Location: Florida.
In an ironic twist, a Florida drug court judge was removed from the bench after enrolling in a substance abuse treatment program herself.
In December 2013, Broward County Judge Gisele Pollack, 57, took a two-week leave to participate in a substance abuse program after admitting to consuming alcohol before work. The inebriated judge had threatened to fire her staff for preventing her from entering the courtroom; another judge was forced to intervene and send her home.
Only a few months after Pollack completed the treatment program, a prosecutor informed Administrative Judge Sharon Zeller that Pollack's speech was slurred during a court proceeding. Pollack was removed from the bench on March 19, 2014; she immediately took personal leave and again checked herself into an outpatient rehab center.
According to Broward Public Defender Howard Finkelstein, also a recovering addict, the first time someone enters a substance abuse program the duration is 28 days.
Pollack never hid the fact that she had an addiction problem. During her 2004 campaign, she admitted to being a recovered alcoholic who could approach drug court with an insight that other judges lacked. She had been sober for two decades and blamed her recent relapse on "personal tragedies." Her mother passed away shortly before the December 2013 incident and she had been caring for her bedridden son for several years.
While still receiving treatment, Pollack returned to work but was later suspended without pay after she caused an accident while driving under the influence in May 2014.
Regardless, Pollack continued to be well-respected among her peers. As a proponent of alternative sentencing, she allowed non-violent drug offenders to complete substance abuse treatment, testing and supervision in exchange for dismissing the charges against them.
"Anybody who's watched what she's done knows that she's single-handedly saved the lives of hundreds of people," said Finkelstein. Still, he said it "becomes problematic" when deciding whether she can sit in judgment of others after her own relapses.
Pollack resigned from the Broward County court in early January 2015 after the JQC announced it was recommending her removal from office. The formal charges against her included at least six incidents of professional misconduct while she was intoxicated at work.
Saying the loss of Pollack on the drug court was a real loss for the community, Finkelstein offered to let her return to her former job – with the Broward Public Defender's Office. Pollack agreed to join the team representing indigent clients who cannot afford to pay for counsel between their first appearance and arraignment.
"She's somebody with a wealth of experience who cares deeply about people and can serve my clients and my office very well. For me it's an opportunity to pay it back and pay it forward. But for someone throwing me a life preserver 27 years ago, I never would have been able to rebuild my life," said Finkelstein.
Two other Broward County judges, Lynn Rosenthal and Cynthia Imperato, were also arrested for driving under the influence in 2013 and 2014. Rosenthal resigned in October 2015 and Imperato stepped down in February 2016 rather than face disciplinary action.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Announces Drug Court Dismissal of Charges After Successful Completion of Drug Program Entitles Defendant to Immediate Expungement, Feb. 14, 2019. Alternative Sentencing, Drug Treatment/Rehab.
#MeToo Movement, Misconduct Claims Impact Federal and State Judges, Nov. 6, 2018. Sexual Assault by Judges, Judicial Misconduct.
West Virginia Legislature Impeaches State Supreme Court Justices for Alleged Misconduct, Nov. 6, 2018. Judicial Misconduct.
Is a Florida Chief Judge Taking Cues From a Prosecutor?, Oct. 31, 2018. Judicial Misconduct, Prosecutor/Attorney General Misconduct, Prosecutors, Judiciary.
Arkansas and Oklahoma Rehab Programs Sued for Using Court-ordered Defendants for Forced Labor, Aug. 6, 2018. Prison Labor, Class Certification, Drug Treatment/Rehab.
Civil Commitment Used to Imprison Drug Users in Massachusetts, July 2, 2018. Drug Treatment/Rehab, Civil Commitment.
Tennessee Judge Ends Sentence Reductions for Prisoners Who Agree to Sterilization; Receives Reprimand, July 2, 2018. Judicial Misconduct, OB/GYN, Male Reproductive, Alternative Sentencing.


The Rams have gone from laughing stock to knocking on the door of the Super Bowl in the two short years since Sean McVay took over as head coach. McVay's impact has already been felt with seemingly any coach who knows a guy who knows him getting interest for vacant head coaching positions.
L.A, has gone against the NFL grain by stocking their roster with high-priced veterans, holding lighter practices, and not allowing their stars to sniff the field in the preseason. In a copycat league, if the Rams win this weekend and get to the Super Bowl, their blueprint will be furiously copied by the entire NFL.


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The Effects of the Santa Barbara Oil Spill, One Year Later
Catching up with a scientist who conducted surveys of humans and sea creatures in the wake of last year's oil spill at Refugio Beach.
Francie Diep
An oil-covered crab stopped dead in mid-track on the beach near Refugio State Beach on May 20th, 2015.
(Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)
One year ago today, a pipeline carrying crude oil along the Southern California coastline ruptured, unleashing up to 143,000 gallons of oil into the ocean. In the aftermath of the disaster, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network collected 204 dead birds and 106 dead marine mammals.
Immediately after the spill, a number of scientists in the Santa Barbara, California, area sprang into action, collecting data on its effects. Though those efforts should offer some results, they're not all freely available: At the time of the spill, some of the researchers Pacific Standard contacted refused to share their results because they were to be used in a potential lawsuit by the state against the pipeline's owner, Plains All American Pipeline. (Indeed, a Santa Barbara grand jury indicted Plains All American on 46 criminal counts earlier this week, with the charges under seal, the Los Angeles Times reports.)
But there is perhaps one way to get a sense of what's at stake. This week, Pacific Standard caught up with Sean Anderson, an ecologist at California State University-Channel Islands who studied the spill and has shared his data publicly at conferences and online. Much of this work is now under review for publication.
Tell me about the size of this spill.
The spill overall was relatively small, compared to things like the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. But it was still a large spill.
The other thing that's important to say is that the amount of oil that was released has been revised several times upward. This is a common thing that happens.
What animals did you study after the spill? Why were they important?
The critters that we think were most impacted were likely to be those that were residing in the surf line, so, for example, the sand crab and the grunion. The surf line is the area between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide. That's where that oil was hanging out most consistently.
Sand crabs are a really fundamental part of the sandy beach ecosystem. The birds eat them, the fish eat them. Grunion spawn at the time of year the oil spill was happening. So those eggs, which are laid in the sand and sit in the sand for several weeks while they develop — those guys were being bathed in oil-concentrated water.
What was the spill's effects on those animals?
Now this part gets a little complex. Because we're experiencing all this climate change, the ocean conditions last year were really weird. We were seeing a lot of dead marine mammals before the oil spill happened. We were seeing greatly reduced diversity and abundance of the critters that live in and around the beach. When this oil spill happened, it had impacts, but it was a little bit hard to detect. So, to prove we were seeing potential impacts from the oil spill, we took critters and oil from the beach, and, in a laboratory setting, we exposed these crabs and these little eggs to this oil.
Sure enough, at the concentration that the oil was floating around in the surf line, it was harming or outright killing a lot of the critters that live there. As for the actual magnitude — did we halve the population? Did we one-quarter the population? We can't quite tell yet, but because a relatively small amount of beach was heavily oiled, we're probably not going to see a huge impact, long-term, from this spill.
But I think some of the more significant impacts are actually on the human side of the equation.
What were the human impacts of the spill?
We surveyed beach visitors up and down the coast over 33 different beaches. The tarring that we saw was not consistent. We would get an area that was heavily tarred, maybe a couple inches thick of tar ball, and then we'd go a quarter-mile down the beach and we'd get an area that was relatively free from tarring. So the question was: Does having a beach that was heavily tarred influence people's behavior?
We asked people, "How much money did you spend this past week at the beach, or are you planning to spend this coming week at the beach?" That was heavily affected by the amount of tar. At beaches that were heavily tar-balled, people were going to the beach, but they weren't staying as long. They weren't getting hotel rooms. They weren't having the regular economic impact that you would otherwise expect. That was in the immediate wake of the oil spill.
We repeated those surveys at the end of the summer, about three months in, and we found their spending had gone back to not being affected.
So the effect of the oil spill was significant, but it was relatively short-lived, in terms of the economic impact.
What did you think of the government's response to the oil spill?
They did the clean-up pretty well, but one issue was that we have a lot of technology that could have helped to document the spill and forecast some of its impacts, and they weren't all brought to bear. Our underwater drone could have helped. And the answer was always, "No, you're going to get in the way of the oil response teams."
I know that I'm a nerdy scientist and I'm not in the command structure. I'm not trying to get in people's way. But we have a lot of questions with the Deepwater Horizon spill that we haven't fully been able to answer because we didn't collect key data. There has to be a better way.
OilSANTA BARBARA OIL SPILLNEWS
Francie Diep is a staff writer at Pacific Standard, where she specializes in health and drug policy and the intersections of culture and science. Previously, she covered science, health, and science policy for Scientific American, Popular Science, and Smithsonian.
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Review: Madden NFL 11 (PS3)
09. Aug, 2010
Title: Madden NFL 11
Format: Blu-ray Disc
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Developer: EA Tiburon
Yup, it's a Madden game, if you've played them in the last couple of years, you'll pretty-much know what to expect. The stadiums look great, the game modes are plentiful and deep, and Chris Collinsworth will have an opinion about everything.
As a Football game, it's fun, really fun. They allow you to get as deep as you want in terms of managing a franchise and everything involved with doing so. Or, if you're like me, you just want to play a season, you can do that as well. The interface has been streamlined a bit more than last year, and they've done a great job at showing the player what they've added this year, by way of videos right in the front-end menu.
The two biggest additions this year are the new "Locomotion" animation system, and the option to use "GameFlow" to call all of your plays. "Locomotion," while seeming like it is physics-based, makes the game feel more like it should. No longer will players turn on a dime or blast through an entire wall of blockers via a hole that would let Shia Le Bouf through (as he yells "no no no no no no.") It's a very tough thing to explain, but once you play even the demo, you start to understand what it's all about.
"GameFlow" is obviously a nod to those players that are just starting-out with a Football game of the digital variety, or for those that love the game, but don't understand all of the aspects of play-calling. Honestly, I think it's a great move on EA Sports' part. GameFlow definitely makes the game more accessible, and it can be completely turned-off in the options if you don't want to use it. I played 4-5 games using only GameFlow, and most of the time it worked very well. I did audible a few times though, as some of the play calls really didn't make much sense for the situation (and actually, might just be a result of a shift on the defensive side.) Even if you have GameFlow activated, you can choose at any time to hit the full playbook for that special play that shoots your Tight End up the middle while the Linebackers move up on a run defense. If you're a longtime Madden aficionado, you may never see GameFlow in action, and that's fine. It's not targeted at those players and isn't being forced-down anyone's throat.
Controls have definitely seen an improvement (and a step-backward to some Madden faithfuls.) First, the "bad." The developers completely changed the implementation of the strategy pad this year, and a LOT of people are not happy about this. EA has already stated that there will be a patch around the time the actual NFL season starts, that will allow everyone to switch to the old-style, well mostly. In our interview with Phil Frazier, Senior Producer for Madden 11, he stated that to get the patch out in a timely manner, that the strategy pad would have to essentially be a 'hybrid,' since they'd have to make changes to full screens etc to replace it completely. The good changes to the controls are vast though, and after you get used to the fact that there's no 'speed burst' any more, are quite comfortable to use. Almost everything has been moved from the shoulder buttons to the right stick, and it works really well. If you want to lower your head, hold the stick down a bit. Want to side-step a defender, hit right or left in the stick. Triangle still works to jump, and Circle still spins, but using the stick feels really good. The last item in terms of controls is the new (old) kicking interface. They've finally removed the analog stick kicking in favor of the classic 3-button press meter (unless you play the PSP version, which still uses the analog nub to kick.) It works GREAT, and is definitely a welcome change.
Visuals:
The visuals have been cleaned-up a bit from last year, with better lighting (even though it's not the progressive lighting from the NCAA titles,) and nicer weather effects. Again, if you've seen a Madden game over the last couple of years, this one isn't going to blow you out of the water, but it's no slouch by any means. Players seem to react to the weather a bit more realistically now, as you'll see them lose their footing on the muddy field, and the animations when they try to regain their balance is really well done. I do still experience the occasional "hitch" from time-to-time, and it'd be nice to see that fixed some day. The one other issue that I have in terms of the visuals, is more about the stadium environment. I was playing a pre-season game against, I believe it was the Seahawks, at Lambeau Field (Yes, I ONLY use the Packers, deal with it!) It was raining, and the game was a blowout pretty early-on (I was KILLING them.) As I started looking into the stands, I noticed that seats were emptying pretty quickly, and it was only the 3rd quarter. I have season tickets for the Packers, and I know 1st-hand, yeah, that doesn't happen, not even during pre-season.
Audio is good as usual, with the return of Chris Collinsworth and the addition of Gus Johnson for the play-by-play (a very welcome change.) They also seem to have added a lot more personalization to the individual venues this year as well, and despite not having "Start Me Up" for kickoff's, it definitely reminds me of being at Lambeau. One addition in the audio department this year is that if you wear your Bluetooth communicator, your coordinator will talk to you that way instead of over the main speakers. It's a cool idea that we've seen in other games like MGS4, and actually, is a pretty cool way to play the game. I also really like the coordinator's explanations of why a play was called, and/or what the expectation of that play-call is. It has honestly helped me understand the game of Football more, and has definitely helped me in my play calling in general.
Online/Multiplayer:
Online is pretty deep this year overall. The standard stuff is there for online matches, ranked or un-ranked. Along with those modes though, you also get a full Online Team Play mode, which allows you to play 3-on-3 online with up to 5 other people.I only got to play this mode once, but I'll tell you, it's REALLY sweet. This is definitely a mode that I'd like to play quite a bit. You also have a full online Franchise mode again this year, but the servers were down during the times that I tried to check it out. Online play, in general, is very well done, with some minor annoyances. I'm not sure if it was the connection of my opponents or the experience overall, but the game is definitely not as "snappy" as when it's played locally. Timing on the kick meter is definitely different, and resulted if muffed kicks more than once. Voice Chat is good, when my opponent actually used a mic. The lobby system is essentially what it's been for a couple of years, and there are quickplay options as well. Obviously, I can't speak much to the matchmaking based on skill, since there were only a handful of people online during the time I was playing.
There are a ton of other items that could be covered here, but I'll leave that to Operations Sports and Pasta Padre. The bottom-line is that it plays a great game of Football. The new stick-based controls are great, and the removal of the speed burst finally makes this series feel a bit more like a simulation. Madden NFL 11 is the only game in town for an actual NFL-licensed videogame, but they don't seem to be resting on their laurels when it comes to changes for the better, well, except for the visuals, it would be nice to see an overhaul (I'm spoiled by The Show.) if you liked Madden NFL 9 or 10, then guess what, you're going to like 11. It's fun!
Written by Glenn Percival
Just a guy that loves games, movies, Golf, Football, and Baseball.
Editor-in-Chief, Video Producer, and whipping-boy
View all posts written by the authorFollow the author on Twitter @PSNationContact the author at [email protected]Find the author on the PSN as Torgo
Posted by: Glenn Percival on August 9, 2010.
PS3 Review, Review
Episode 176 – Tales of Monkey Sportsball
Familiar voices in Fallout: New Vegas