text:
DISRUPTIVE: BIO-INSPIRED ROBOTICS features three separate interviews with (1) RADHIKA NAGPAL, (2) ROBERT WOOD, and (3) CONOR WALSH
Written on October 15th, 2015
Welcome to the second episode of my new monthly podcast series produced with Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering.
DISRUPTIVE: BIO-INSPIRED ROBOTICS features three separate interviews with (1) RADHIKA NAGPAL, (2) ROBERT WOOD, and (3) CONOR WALSH. From insects in your backyard, to creatures in the sea, to what you see in the mirror, engineers and scientists at Wyss are drawing inspiration to design a whole new class of smart robotic devices
In this one, CONOR WALSH discusses how a wearable robotic exosuit or soft robotic glove can assist people with mobility impairments, as well as how the goal to create real-world applications drives his research approach.
In part one, RADHIKA NAGPAL talks about her work Inspired by social insects and multicellular systems, including the TERMES robots for collective construction of 3D structures, and the KILOBOT thousand-robot swarm. She also speaks candidly about the challenges faced by women in the engineering and computer science fields.
In part two, ROBERT WOOD discusses new manufacturing techniques that are enabling popup and soft robots. His team's ROBO-BEE is the first insect-sized winged robot to demonstrate controlled flight.
The mission of the Wyss Institute is to: Transform healthcare, industry, and the environment by emulating the way nature builds, with a focus on technology development and its translation into products and therapies that will have an impact on the world in which we live. Their work is disruptive not only in terms of science but also in how they stretch the usual boundaries of academia.
http://wyss.harvard.edu/
– See more at:
DISRUPTIVE: BIO-INSPIRED ROBOTICS Radhika Nagpal Interview
DISRUPTIVE: BIO-INSPIRED ROBOTICS Robert Wood Interview
Conor Walsh's interview transcript
https://aworldthatjustmightwork.com/2015/07/auto-draft-18/
DISRUPTIVE: CONFRONTING SEPSIS – Don Ingber and Mike Super
Welcome to DISRUPTIVE the podcast from Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering.
In this episode of DISRUPTIVE, we will focus on: CONFRONTING SEPSIS.
Sepsis is a bloodstream infection in which the body's organs become inflamed and susceptible to failure. The leading cause of hospital deaths, sepsis kills at least eight million people worldwide each year. It can be caused by 6 species of fungi and 1400 species of bacteria. Diagnosis takes two to five days, and every hour you wait can increase the risk of death by 5-9%.
"Even with the best current treatments, sepsis patients are dying in intensive care units at least 30% of the time," says one of today's guests, Wyss Senior Staff Scientist Mike Super.
A new device developed by a team at Wyss may radically transform the way we treat sepsis. Their blood-cleansing approach can be administered quickly, even without identifying the infectious agent. In animal studies, treatment with this device reduced the number of targeted pathogens and toxins circulating in the bloodstream by more than 99%.
http://wyss.harvard.edu
Don Ingber and Mike Super's Interview transcript
Written on October 7th, 2015
In this one, RADHIKA NAGPAL talks about her work Inspired by social insects and multicellular systems, including the TERMES robots for collective construction of 3D structures, and the KILOBOT thousand-robot swarm. She also speaks candidly about the challenges faced by women in the engineering and computer science fields.
In part three, CONOR WALSH discusses how a wearable robotic exosuit or soft robotic glove could assist people with mobility impairments, as well as how the goal to create real-world applications drives his research approach.
DISRUPTIVE: BIO-INSPIRED ROBOTICS Conor Walsh Interview
Radhika Nagpal's interview transcript
DISRUPTIVE DISRUPTIVE: CONFRONTING SEPSIS – Don Ingber and Mike Super
Written on October 2nd, 2015
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
DISRUPTIVE: CONFRONTING SEPSIS
Terrence McNally interviews Don Ingber and Mike Super
[00:04] Hello, I'm Terrence McNally and you're listening to DISRUPTIVE the podcast from Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering.
The mission of the Wyss is to: Transform healthcare, industry, and the environment by emulating the way nature builds.
Our bodies — and all living systems — accomplish tasks far more sophisticated and dynamic than any entity yet designed by humans. By emulating nature's principles for self-organizing and self-regulating, Wyss researchers develop innovative engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing.
They focus on technology development and its translation into products and therapies that will have an impact on the world in which we live. So the Wyss is not interested in making incremental improvements to existing materials and devices, but in shifting paradigms. In this episode of DISRUPTIVE, we will focus on: CONFRONTING SEPSIS
Sepsis is a bloodstream infection in which the body's organs become inflamed and susceptible to failure. The leading cause of hospital deaths, sepsis kills at least eight million people worldwide each year.
It can be caused by 6 species of fungi and 1400 species of bacteria. Diagnosis takes two to five days, and every hour you wait can increase the risk of death by 5-9%. The treatment challenge grows more complex as the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria increases while the development of new antibiotics lags.
A new device developed by a team at Wyss and inspired by the human spleen may radically transform the way we treat sepsis. Their blood-cleansing approach can be administered quickly, even without identifying the infectious agent. In animal studies, treatment with this device reduced the number of targeted pathogens and toxins circulating in the bloodstream by more than 99%.
Although we focus here on treatment of sepsis, the same technology could in the future be used for other applications, including removing microbial contaminants from circulating water, food or pharmaceutical products.
Now let's explore the development process with Mike Super and Wyss Founding Director, Don Ingber.
[02:25] Ingber leads the Biomimetic Microsystems platform at Wyss in which micro-fabrication techniques from the computer industry are used to build functional circuits with living cells as components. He's authored more than 400 publications and over 100 patents.
The seeds of Wyss's therapeutic sepsis device go back over twenty years. I ask Don to talk about some of the earlier explorations and findings that laid the foundations for the current work.
Ingber:
[02:51] I was interested in mechanics and biology, this idea that mechanical forces are as important as chemicals and genes, and that the shape of the cell is important. To get at testing that, I come up with the idea of using little magnetic particles that I would coat with molecules that would bind to specific receptors on cells.
Continue reading "DISRUPTIVE DISRUPTIVE: CONFRONTING SEPSIS — Don Ingber and Mike Super"
Q&A: Don Ingber – Innovation Inspired by Nature
Written on June 18th, 2014
Aired 05/06/12
After 3.8 billion years of R&D on this planet, failures are fossils. What surrounds us in the natural world is what has succeeded and survived. So why not learn as much as we can from what works? Nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth.
In January 2009, Harvard received the largest philanthropic gift in its history — $125M — to create the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, and today's guest is its founding director, DON INGBER. I find this whole notion of imitating nature one of the most exciting developments in human activity and something that gives me great hope.
The human body is an engineering marvel that maintains its balance while executing complicated movements, and senses and adapts to heat and cold. Every 20 seconds, it circulates blood through its extremities. Its cells are able to replace wounded tissue, find and destroy dangerous invaders, and interconnect to produce thoughts and emotions. Our bodies – and all living systems – accomplish tasks far more sophisticated and dynamic than any entity yet designed by humans. By emulating nature's principles for self-organizing and self-regulating, Wyss researchers develop innovative engineering solutions for healthcare, energy, architecture, robotics, and manufacturing.


text:
3 missing Tennessee kids found safe in Cass County, Minnesota
Photo courtesy the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations
CASS COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - The three children from Tennessee repoted missing earlier this week, have been located in Cass County, and their non-custodial parents have been taken into custody, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
The three kids, Analia, Abigail, and Michale were reported missing on July 9.
Authorities say a witness contacted police saying they had seen the suspects car in rural Cass County.
Agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension located the car on a property near Motley, Minnesota.
Around 4 a.m. Friday morning, the Cass County Sheriff's Office and the BCA arrested Michale Christian, 48, and Amanda Essex, 25, both of Spencer, Tennessee,
The parents are currently in custody in Cass County awaiting extradition to Tennessee.
How to find a cheap flight out of Minnesota

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Office Cleaning Central Bristol covering Clifton, Westbury Trym, Ashton Gate, Cabot Circus, Kingsdown, Redcliffe, Wapping Wharf and Spike Island.
Office Cleaning Central Bristol covering Clifton, Westbury Trym, Ashton Gate, Cabot Circus, Kingsdown, Redcliffe, Wapping Wharf and Spike Island. We provide office cleaners throughout Bristol.
Regardless of the premises, Office, Car showroom, Shop, Opticians, school etc spotless Commercial Cleaning can provide a free, no obligation quotation. We cover a wealth of different commercial premises with great expertise, and for some reason if there is something that we just cannot cover, we will try our best to arrange an alternative for you.
We fully employ all of our team members and they receive the full benefits that employment offers, we also train them all to NVQ level 2 in cleaning, with the option to take further qualifications and Apprenticeships in other areas such as customer service and Business and administration. We support all team members fully and offer as many opportunities for progression within the business as possible. All of our team members are also uniformed, so are easily recognisable on your premises.
We supply all of the environmentally friendly chemicals, and all of our equipment is regularly checked and signed off for health and safety, providing you with extra piece of mind whilst our team members are on your premises. If you feel there is a certain piece of cleaning equipment that would aid with your cleaning needs, then we are more than happy to see if this is something that we can supply and use. We are fully HSE compliant and work alongside a nationally recognised HSE company named 'Peninsula' so we are always working within the law, and can supply you with any information that you may require for your records.
Finally our full management service means that we can provide you with a tailor made cleaning checklist and supporting information/documents for your clean, whilst being available to help with any queries that you may have. We fully believe in providing a personal- professional – positive approach to cleaning, with a management team of experienced personnel who will deal with your query quickly and efficiently so that it is one less thing for you to worry about.
At spotless Commercial Cleaning Central Bristol we can offer any of our services on a regular basis, whether you would like a daily clean, weekly clean, or a fortnightly clean we can accommodate you. We appreciate that even the smaller of premises' need to be cleaned but do not need as much maintenance as somewhere a lot larger. With various packages available at set costs, we firmly believe that we can meet your cleaning needs and your budget (for more info please see our star rated packages).
We are fully flexible, and can clean at a time and day and basis that best suits your business. We can also increase or decrease the frequency of your cleans due to changes in budget or moving to a larger premises. At spotless spaces you are not tied in to any lengthy contracts, so changing is simply a matter of a phone call or email. We are here to make your life easier, and understand that business' change frequently, and with that we must be adaptable, so whatever your need, we can meet it.
As well as regular commercial cleaning Central Bristol, we also offer one off cleans. Whether this is a spring clean just freshen your work space up or a one off clean of your new office before you carry out the day to day cleaning duties yourself, we can help you.
With fully qualified cleaners, all environmentally friendly chemicals and HSE compliant equipment supplied by us, all you need to do is supply the date and we take care of the rest. We will organise for one of our management team to collect and return keys if you are not present for the clean, and liaise between the spotless team members and yourself the specifics of the clean. Your one off clean will be fully supervised by one of our qualified management team to ensure that your one off clean delivers the highest of standards.


My friend Jessica is a real star. We worked together, back in my magazine days and have been friends ever since. Jess is a brilliant reporter, an amazing athlete and a killer pizza maker. She even got me to rock climb once—yeah, this girl is the real deal.
It was so great sharing tacos with you love! I know we both always lament that too much time passes between our dinner dates, but I love that we pick up right where we left off.
Thanks for your sweet encouragement—it means so much to me. And I so appreciate you always thinking of me when opportunities pop up on your radar. I am very lucky to have a friend like you in my life.
I've got my fingers crossed for you too friend. Hopefully we'll be sharing a bottle of bubbly soon to celebrate!


Arrive in London, England. London's Calling Legendary author Virginia Woolf wrote that "to walk alone in London is the greatest rest." Your CosmosGO app will guide you to London's most famous landmarks: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London. Later in the afternoon meet your Tour Director who has everything you need to begin your England adventure.
"This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England." Shakespeare might have had an adventure like this in mind when he wrote these words.
Rate is as from : Rs 35,300 per person on double sharing.


text:
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Keep-job-skills-sharp-with-volunteer-work-2462701.php
Keep job skills sharp with volunteer work
Taylor Lindstrom
Published 4:00 am PDT, Sunday, July 26, 2009
2009-07-26 04:00:00 PDT 07/26/09 -- When you're out of work, it's easy to get into a mindset where you're willing to take on any paying job. It may be better to drop the word "paying" from your criteria, though, because doing volunteer work may actually do far more good than taking a paying job outside of your skill set.
It may seem counterintuitive to take time away from your job search to work without a paycheck, but there are some huge advantages. One of the biggest is that it can prevent unattractive gaps in your work history. Hiring managers in this economy may be willing to overlook of periods of unemployment, but even the most qualified job seekers can lose their luster if they're "on the beach" for too long. "It's a good way to show that the time has not gone idly by," says Steven Joiner, the director of the Career Transitions Program at Idealist. org. "People want to know you've done more with your time than watch soaps and stare at job boards."
That said, simply falling in line and doing the same volunteer work as a high school student is equally unimpressive. Instead, job seekers should put their skills to use if they want to have something to impress future employers. "There are two ways to be a part of volunteer organizations," says Joiner. "One is to see what's out there, and the other is to create something yourself. A lot of people miss the concept of the second. If they don't see something they're interested in, they just stop." Instead of browsing the job boards for volunteer opportunities in their specific fields, job seekers should find an organization they're passionate about and look for ways to make themselves valuable to that organization.
A common pitfall when using non-profit work to enhance one's career experience is not committing fully to seeing a project through. "I've had people say, 'I gave this non-profit a fantastic marketing plan for how to redo their image and their logo, and a year later nothing's happened,'" Joiner says. Volunteers need to show initiative, both as a boon to the non-profit and as a way to demonstrate their capabilities to their future employers. "People come up to me and say, 'I love Idealist, how can I help?' I say, 'I have no idea how you can help. You need to come to me and tell me how you're going to help,'" Joiner adds. "And then you need to go do it."
Taking the lead may be intimidating to those who haven't been accustomed to leadership roles in their previous jobs, but the upside of having to run the show solo is getting to run the show solo. "If the organization likes your project but doesn't have the time to put it into action, there's no reason in the world you can't recruit other volunteers and implement it yourself," says Lou Reda, executive director of HandsOn Bay Area, a San Francisco-based organization that creates opportunities for people to volunteer in local communities. Job seekers can leverage these kinds of successes to show that they have real-world experience in planning, executing and managing a team of people on a project that has real influence for an entire organization.
Another advantage in an interview situation is more subtle, but no less important. Job seekers who spend their time hunting down work without any other activities begin to get desperate, and it shows. "It's easy when you're isolated to feel like the world is falling apart and everything is horrible," Reda explains. Getting out in the real world, interacting with other people, and making tangible accomplishments can help dissipate that negative attitude. "You feel better about yourself and you come off as more excited, engaged and confident. -- all of which are qualities that are extremely attractive to potential employers.
If job seekers see an opportunity to take on more responsibility or a different skill area opens up, they should snatch it and leverage that experience to show future employers what they.re capable of. .Have the folks at the non-profit write letters of recommendation for you,. urges Reda. .Get that third-party acknowledgement and verification of your work.. Enthusiastic referrals and recommendations can go a long way toward giving job seekers that extra boost in an interview if their potential employer isn.t sure they.re capable of handling their needs. The networking opportunities that come from volunteer work are significant, too. .You spend more time communicating with human beings, meeting people who may actually know someone who can help you out, who likes the work they see from you,. Joiner says. Companies in every sector contribute to non-profits and participate in their events, and that expanded network may be just what.s needed to give job seekers a boost in their search. The bottom line about volunteering? .It.s a whole lot more useful than sitting home filling out applications,. Joiner says. .Get out there. Show them what you can do..
Is it OK to laugh at Florida Man?


City, university and college, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies participating in the Uniform Crime Reporting Program may report line-of-duty deaths that occur in their jurisdictions.
FBI field offices report line-of-duty deaths of law enforcement officers that occur in the United States and its outlying areas.
Several nonprofit organizations, such as the Concerns of Police Survivors and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, which provide various services to the families of fallen officers, also furnish information about line-of-duty deaths.
When the FBI receives notification of a line-of-duty death, the Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program staff works with FBI field offices to contact the fallen officer's employing agency. The FBI requests additional details about the fatal incident and supplies information about federal programs that provide benefits to survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The LEOKA staff also obtains criminal history data from the FBI's Interstate Identification Index about individuals who are identified in connection with line-of-duty felonious deaths.


text:
Fidra Gin; Life's a beach…
Ah. A day at the beach. Is there anything better in this life?…
There's something kind of magical about being near the ocean, with the sand between your toes, the summer breeze in your hair and the sun on your back that puts the mind and soul at ease. There's a peaceful tranquility to the smells and sounds of the coastal paradise that really is a dream…
No. Really. Usually it's nothing more than a dream!
You see, in this country, the thought of a day out at the beach more often than not outweighs the reality of the experience itself.
One such 'character building' experience that springs to mind as case and point was when my wife & I opted for a day trip to Scarborough from our 'stay-cation' base at the nearby city of York. Undeterred by the light drizzle of rain that had greeted our morning outlook, we made our way on to the most expensive public transport the UK had to offer (the train. Of course) and looked at each other with smiles that were shortly to be turned upside down.
It's difficult to put in to words the 'sea view' that we were presented with on arrival. Mostly because the torrential rain, by now driving sideways & aggressively in to our pale, cold cheeks, was playing an impressive supporting role to the sheet of thick mist blocking out any chance of a visible horizon.
It felt like we'd only been walking for five minutes (because we had only been walking for five minutes) when my wife declared she could walk no further! It turned out than my suggestion of wearing sensible footwear had been misinterpreted for 'wear the least comfortable pair of shoes you own – preferably ones that'll cause instant blisters'. To which she had duly obliged.
Hamstrung by both the weather, and my wife's minor flesh wounds, we found ourselves warming our hands around polystyrene cups of tea in a cafe that time had forgotten. And as we ummd & arrd over whether we had enough 20p's for the arcade games (spoiler alert; we didn't and the main arcade was closed for maintenance anyway) we tried to ignore that hailstones that had started to fall outside.
Well. What did we expect. It was June after all.
I've not ventured too far from the shore since the washout of our last excursion. But more recently, in a twist of fate, it was the sea that came calling to me.
Well, I say 'calling'…it was a Tweet. And I say 'the sea'…it was actually a lovely lady called Emma. And after some short social media introductions (a 'Wave' if you will…) there was soon a 'message in a bottle' washing up at my doorstep. Well, it was actually a message wrapped around a bottle (of gin), which I think you'll agree is a far better use of penmanship! It went on to read;
'Dear Matt,
Please find enclosed a bottle of Fidra Gin for you to try. Really hope you enjoy it!
Jo & Emma'
Without a hint of rain, sand or polystyrene in sight I was starting to think this was the kind of beach life I could get used to. All that was left to do now was to dip my toe…
Fidra Gin
Launched in September 2018, Fidra Gin is the brainchild and labour of love of two 'BFF's' Emma & Jo.
Provenance is at the heart of this spirit. Inspired by the wealth of coastal botanical riches on their East Lothian costal doorstep, the pair were enthused by the prospect of creating a gin that could represent them and their surroundings.
After enlisting the help of 'Sadie', a 5 litre Still that the friends added to their little team, a 2017 Winter of foraging began – they probably had better weather than my Scarborough outing! In combing the treasure troves of the Scottish hedgerows and sand dunes, 6 botanicals made the final cut; juniper, thyme, elderflower, lemon thyme, rosehip and sea buckthorn. It's a small, almost misleadingly simple sounding, lineup that is disguised by the flavour and cleverly worked complexity that we'll get to shortly…
The research has stood Jo & Emma in good stead, and the scavenging of local sea buckthorn and rosehip is a point of pride and principle instilled in the now end product. The lemon thyme is grown a the local Archerfield Walled Garden, which is also soon to be home to their thyme going forwards.
However, it would be fair to say that this is a gin still in its infancy, and at the start of its journey. To achieve that full 'East Lothian postcode', local sources of juniper and elderflower are still being sought. And whilst the team are fully transparent that Fidra Gin is a contract distilled operation, taking advantage of the experience and expertise of their pal Walter Mickelthwait from Inshriach Distillery in Aviemore, it is an obvious ambition to move the distilling on to sands a little closer to home…
That said, it's an exciting journey to watch unfold.
Let's take a longing gaze at the bottle, because it really is a thing of beauty. Spoiler alert; if you've not guessed…I think it's quite pretty!
So named after the teeney-weeney (but jaw droppingly beautiful) island of Fidra, tales of smuggling and treasures helped to christen the brand name.
It's bold purple text, with gold trim shadow, set against a textured cream background is both elegant and instantly eye catching. It was actually whilst scrolling through Social Media that a picture posted by The Gin Cooperative's (www.thegincooperative.com) Natalie Reid grabbed my attention. It's clean lines, and classy feel, are a nod to the purity that Fidra Gin promises to deliver on taste.
If you were in any doubt as to the gins credentials as being a 'Scottish Coastal Gin', the bottle helps to alay your fears – the gins heritage is delicately kissed across the artwork for your viewing pleasure.
And it's the little touches that really finish this as a class act.
The Island map printed on the bottles front and centre has the feel of a treasure map, which goes on to guide you to the aforementioned botanical list displayed proudly on the backside of the label. There's even a tiny lighthouse displayed, paying homage to Fidras almost sole inhabitant – other than the puffins that are denoted on the robust cork stoppers paperwork. (Note to reader; these may be Seagulls…I'm not Bill Oddie.)
It's almost a shame to open it. Almost…
Fidra Gin to taste
Now. If you're going to call out a gin as being 'coastal', then you'd best be packing some kind of a nautical feel. Luckily for us, Fidra delivers it in abundance!
On the nose, I picked up an initial saltiness. It's not unpleasant, like seafood or fish. It's more like when you gently wade out in to the warmth of the ocean and you get that light sea breeze spray as the waves wash against you.
There's a greenery of coastal vegetation, with a hedgerow herbaceousness of rosehip. Against the light saltiness, it could be forgiven for coming across as a sense of seaweed.
The thyme & lemon thyme combine beautifully for a slight citrus bite on the nose, which helps to cut through the savoury edge and provide a lighter zing.
The elderflower, a botanical I have a lot of time for, isn't a massive presence on the scene. But I'd hazard a guess that it is its inclusion that brings a delicate and delicious sweetness to the gin.
There is also an ever growing, and ever pleasing, force of juniper. It's not immediately bold, given the waves of sea air that hit you upon opening. But a sturdy pine cone hum builds as the neat spirit develops in the glass.
When tasted neat, there is a much stronger sense of sweetness on the pallet, presumably from the elderflower, that works wonders against the savoury saltiness of the sea buckthorn. I liken the effect to being the grown up drinks equivalent of 'sweet & salty popcorn', or sea salt chocolate. It really is a marriage made in heaven and a beautiful thing!
There's a brilliant vibrant freshness to the gin – it's both bright and elegant on each sip, with a resfreshing and crisp mouthfeel.
Those herbal inclusions have a headiness that really sings from the glass. It conjures imagery of Emma and Jo foraging amongst those sand dunes. The flavour profiles are as clear as when each botanical were first picked and cut.
There is a solid juniper backbone to the gin, which helps to provide an earthy pine tone that works in perfect harmony with the rosehip.
Now, for those that know me, I'm a big 'fan boy' of citrus gins. And a citrus gin this is not…But I couldn't give a hoot – it's bloody fantastic. The lemon thyme gives a suggestion of a zing, but that's not what this gin is about. This is about locality. And if you can find me a lemon growing in a Scottish sand dune then we can talk. Until then, I'm going to bask in the equally enjoyable tang of the sea that Fidra has in (buckets and) spades.
There's a purity to Fidra that provides more than just a beautifully balanced gin. It evokes feelings. You're almost transported to the seashore, trousers rolled up and paddling in the low tide.
A light tonic pulls forwards the sweetness and the juniper. There's still a herbal earthiness, but it is toned down and moved toward the background. I would suggest a double garnish is in order here; a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh thyme, to not only emphasise the greenery, but also to add a citrus kick in the trunks!
Surfs up
Remember when I said earlier that the modest list of botanicals was almost misleadingly simple? Hate to say I told you so…
This is a small batch Scottish gin, that is proudly shouting about the beauty of its surroundings for all who'll listen. What Jo & Emma have created is as eye catching in its design as it is breathtaking on the taste. If this is what they've managed to produce in such a short amount of time, I'm excited to see what the future holds.
Come on in folks…the waters warm.
Many thanks to Emma & Jo from Fidra Gin for my complementary bottle.
Head over to social media to follow the Fidra Gin journey at @FidraGin and follow all the latest news at their website http://www.fidragin.com
And thanks to Martin & Natalie Reid from The Gin Cooperative for introducing me to Fidra Gin during this years International Scottish Gin Day! Head over to their website to learn more at http://www.internationalscottishginday.com
And don't forget to stop by @theginshelf across all social media platforms for more blogs & event updates. Stop by, say 'Hi' & chat gin!
Alcohol, Craft, Drinks, Gin, Gin & Tonic, Small Batch
Biggar Gin; Biggar mentality
Manly Spirits; Manning up…
One thought on "Fidra Gin; Life's a beach…"


Why do humans have hair on our arms and legs but not on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet? It's a fundamental question in human evolution that researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania say they've found clues to in a new study. Their findings reveal the existence of a naturally-occurring inhibitor secreted in developing hairless skin which blocks a signaling pathway, known as the WNT pathway, that controls hair growth. Cell Reports published the study today.
That natural inhibitor is Dickkopf 2 (DKK2)—a protein that is found in specific embryonic and adult tissues where it plays a variety of roles. Researchers tested plantar skin from mice—roughly the equivalent of the underside of the human wrist—and found that DKK2 was highly expressed. Furthermore, when they genetically removed DKK2, hair began to grow in this normally hairless skin region.
"This is significant because it tells us WNT is still present in hairless regions, it's just being blocked," Millar said.
Some mammals, such as rabbits and polar bears, naturally develop hair in their plantar skin. Millar's research group found that, unlike in mice, DKK2 is not expressed at high levels in rabbit plantar skin, explaining why hair can develop there. These findings suggest that production of DKK2 in specific skin regions has been altered during evolution to allow different patterns of hairless or hairy skin to form according to the needs of the animal.
Hair follicles develop during fetal life, but their production stops after birth. As a result, hair follicles fail to re-grow after severe burns or extensive, deep wounds in the skin. Millar and her team are now investigating whether secreted WNT inhibitors suppress hair follicle development in these scenarios.
While some regions of the human body are naturally hairless, others become so due to a variety of diseases. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 80 million people in America have androgenetic alopecia, also called male- or female-pattern baldness. Genome-wide association studies have identified DKK2 as a possible candidate gene associated with this condition, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.


text:
Five firefighters injured in Allentown rowhouse blaze
ALLENTOWN (AP) — A massive rowhouse fire in the Lehigh Valley has sent five firefighters to the hospital.
Allentown fire officials say the multi-alarm blaze was first reported around noon Thursday and spread quickly to the roofs of at least five adjacent homes.
Firefighters' union representative John Stribula said the five firefighters were hospitalized for treatment of overexertion and dehydration. At least four others were treated at the scene.
Fire department Capt. John Christopher said no residents were injured and it's not yet clear what sparked the blaze.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley is helping fire victims.


text:
The National Student > Student Travel Writer 2016
Why Brussels is obsessed with a peeing child
Sofia Quaglia at City University, London
This is a Student Travel Writer 2018 competition entry
Lighters with peeing children. T-shirts with peeing children. Mugs, ash-trays, plates, bags, badges, pencils, stencils… step into the city of Brussels and this peeing kid is ridiculously everywhere.
Manneken pis, meaning "Little man Pee" in Dutch, is in fact Brussels' symbol, as a result of a landmark bronze statue of a 61cm child urinating in a basin.
Situated in the back alleys of the main square, Grand Place, the figure was designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder in 1618 and ever since, although stolen and replicated several times, it has been a mascot for the town.
Every week the statue is dressed in costume on differing days, whether it's an organ builder costume, a gangster costume, a sailor costume or a musketeer, according to a schedule published on the structure of the fountain.
The tales told regarding such symbolic being are multiple and all credible in differing ways.
Top Destinations 2017: Peru
7 reasons you should visit Peru, according to the experts
Top destinations for 2017: British Columbia
One legend narrates that the statue is a representation of the two-year-old Duke Godfrey III of Leuven who, in 1142, when his troops were battling, was placed in a basket and hung on a tree to encourage his fighters. From there, the boy urinated on the opposing troops leading them to lose the battle shamefully.
Similarly a variation of this story is that, in the 1300s when Brussels was under siege by a foreign power and in the process of being blown up by attackers with explosives, a young boy urinated on the burning fuse and saved the city from fire.
Other stories, passed on from generation to generation, entail a rich merchant foreigner or a sweet lady losing their children while doing business or shopping in the square and, after mobilitating the whole city to find their child, had a statue built in gratitude to those that helped find him.
The statue is such a symbol for the city that several tourists come photograph it each day. On special occasions, it is even hooked up to a beer keg and passersbies fill their cups from what looks like the cherub's pee.
What tourists are seldom told is that since 1987, the Manneken pis has had a female counterpart, Jeanneke Pis. Furthermore, there are variants of this figure all over the world ranging from numerous cities within Belgium, expanding to China, Indonesia, Brazil, Florida and more.
In order to provide no entrant with an unfair advantage, Student Travel Writer 2018 competition entries are edited for grammar only - stylistic choices and headlines are solely the work of the writer in question and not of The National Student's editorial staff.
5 bone-chilling ways to celebrate Halloween in Illinois
Top Destinations for 2017: Colombia
Asia's longest zipwire has just opened in South Korea and it's not for the faint-hearted
Travel one of the USA's most haunted roads: Route 66
Top Destinations for 2017: Nepal
Top Destinations for 2017: Namibia
Top Destinations for 2017: Belize
Woman gets great deal on 'ipad'
The danger of letting our policing fall into private hands
Top 10 weirdest sexual fetishes
The timeless charm of Pride & Prejudice
PETA plucks out Burberry in peacock feather scandal
Video: 26-year-old macaroon entrepreneur gives her top tips for success
Two students tell us what it's like to go through Clearing
Interview: Ella Eyre
Win ODEON cinema tickets by sharing this road safety message from Paul Walker


text:
package testsuite.simple;

import java.io.UnsupportedEncodingException;
import java.sql.Connection;
import java.sql.SQLException;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.Map;
import java.util.Properties;

import testsuite.BaseTestCase;

import com.mysql.jdbc.CharsetMapping;
import com.mysql.jdbc.ConnectionImpl;

public class ResultSetTest extends BaseTestCase {

    public ResultSetTest(String name) {
        super(name);
    }

    /**
     * Runs all test cases in this test suite
     *
     * @param args
     */
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        junit.textui.TestRunner.run(ResultSetTest.class);
    }

    public void testPadding() throws Exception {
        if (!versionMeetsMinimum(4, 1, 0)) {
            return;
        }

        Connection paddedConn = null;

        int numChars = 32;

        // build map of charsets supported by server
        Connection c = getConnectionWithProps("detectCustomCollations=true");
        Map<String, Integer> charsetsMap = new HashMap<String, Integer>();
        Iterator<Integer> collationIndexes = ((ConnectionImpl) c).indexToMysqlCharset.keySet().iterator();
        while (collationIndexes.hasNext()) {
            Integer index = collationIndexes.next();
            String charsetName = null;
            if (((ConnectionImpl) c).indexToCustomMysqlCharset != null) {
                charsetName = ((ConnectionImpl) c).indexToCustomMysqlCharset.get(index);
            }
            if (charsetName == null) {
                charsetName = CharsetMapping.getMysqlCharsetNameForCollationIndex(index);
            }
            if (charsetName != null) {
                charsetsMap.put(charsetName, index);
            }
        }
        c.close();

        Iterator<String> charsetNames = charsetsMap.keySet().iterator();
        StringBuilder columns = new StringBuilder();
        StringBuilder emptyBuf = new StringBuilder();
        StringBuilder abcBuf = new StringBuilder();
        StringBuilder repeatBuf = new StringBuilder();
        StringBuilder selectBuf = new StringBuilder();

        int counter = 0;

        while (charsetNames.hasNext()) {
            String charsetName = charsetNames.next();

            if (charsetName.equalsIgnoreCase("LATIN7") || charsetName.equalsIgnoreCase("BINARY")) {
                continue; // no mapping in Java
            }

            try {
                "".getBytes(charsetName);
            } catch (UnsupportedEncodingException uee) {
                continue; // not supported on this platform
            }

            if (counter != 0) {
                columns.append(",");
                emptyBuf.append(",");
                abcBuf.append(",");
                repeatBuf.append(",");
                selectBuf.append(",");
            }

            emptyBuf.append("''");
            abcBuf.append("'abc'");
            repeatBuf.append("REPEAT('b', " + numChars + ")");

            columns.append("field_");
            columns.append(charsetName);

            columns.append(" CHAR(");
            columns.append(numChars);
            columns.append(") CHARACTER SET ");
            columns.append(charsetName);

            selectBuf.append("field_");
            selectBuf.append(charsetName);

            counter++;
        }

        createTable("testPadding", "(" + columns.toString() + ", ord INT)");

        this.stmt.executeUpdate("INSERT INTO testPadding VALUES (" + emptyBuf.toString() + ", 1), (" + abcBuf.toString() + ", 2), (" + repeatBuf.toString()
                + ", 3)");

        try {
            Properties props = new Properties();
            props.setProperty("padCharsWithSpace", "true");

            paddedConn = getConnectionWithProps(props);

            testPaddingForConnection(paddedConn, numChars, selectBuf);

            props.setProperty("useDynamicCharsetInfo", "true");

            paddedConn = getConnectionWithProps(props);

            testPaddingForConnection(paddedConn, numChars, selectBuf);
        } finally {
            if (paddedConn != null) {
                paddedConn.close();
            }
        }
    }

    private void testPaddingForConnection(Connection paddedConn, int numChars, StringBuilder selectBuf) throws SQLException {

        String query = "SELECT " + selectBuf.toString() + " FROM testPadding ORDER by ord";

        this.rs = paddedConn.createStatement().executeQuery(query);
        int numCols = this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnCount();

        while (this.rs.next()) {
            for (int i = 0; i < numCols; i++) {
                assertEquals(
                        "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars, this.rs.getString(i + 1)
                                .length());
            }
        }

        this.rs = ((com.mysql.jdbc.Connection) paddedConn).clientPrepareStatement(query).executeQuery();

        while (this.rs.next()) {
            for (int i = 0; i < numCols; i++) {
                assertEquals(
                        "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars, this.rs.getString(i + 1)
                                .length());
            }
        }

        if (versionMeetsMinimum(4, 1)) {
            this.rs = ((com.mysql.jdbc.Connection) paddedConn).serverPrepareStatement(query).executeQuery();

            while (this.rs.next()) {
                for (int i = 0; i < numCols; i++) {
                    assertEquals(
                            "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                    + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars,
                            this.rs.getString(i + 1).length());
                }
            }
        }

        this.rs = this.stmt.executeQuery(query);

        while (this.rs.next()) {
            for (int i = 0; i < numCols; i++) {
                if (this.rs.getRow() != 3) {
                    assertTrue(
                            "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                    + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1),
                            numChars != this.rs.getString(i + 1).length());
                } else {
                    assertEquals(
                            "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                    + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars,
                            this.rs.getString(i + 1).length());
                }
            }
        }

        this.rs = ((com.mysql.jdbc.Connection) this.conn).clientPrepareStatement(query).executeQuery();

        while (this.rs.next()) {
            for (int i = 0; i < numCols; i++) {
                if (this.rs.getRow() != 3) {
                    assertTrue(
                            "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                    + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1),
                            numChars != this.rs.getString(i + 1).length());
                } else {
                    assertEquals(
                            "For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                    + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars,
                            this.rs.getString(i + 1).length());
                }
            }
        }

        if (versionMeetsMinimum(4, 1)) {
            this.rs = ((com.mysql.jdbc.Connection) this.conn).serverPrepareStatement(query).executeQuery();

            while (this.rs.next()) {
                for (int i = 0; i < numCols; i++) {
                    if (this.rs.getRow() != 3) {
                        assertTrue("For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars != this.rs.getString(i + 1)
                                .length());
                    } else {
                        assertEquals("For column '" + this.rs.getMetaData().getColumnName(i + 1) + "' of collation "
                                + ((com.mysql.jdbc.ResultSetMetaData) this.rs.getMetaData()).getColumnCharacterSet(i + 1), numChars, this.rs.getString(i + 1)
                                .length());
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


For a more modern aesthetic complemented by a sleek, continuous top rail, Evolutions Rail Contemporary offers a linear, high-style look with low-maintenance sensibility.
Post covers in 42″ and 8′ lengths.
TimberTech's modern rail profile with a continuous flat top rail is available in three colors and is compatible with all infill options.


An AMR Research survey of 500 RFID Journal readers shows that spending on RFID is being hampered by high cost and immature technology.
Jul 22, 2005—Projected spending on RFID technology among end users won't accelerate significantly until after 2008 at the earliest, according to a report released by AMR Research this week. The main reason behind this lackluster spending? "Most companies are simply not finding a return on investment," says Dennis Gaughan, research director at the Boston-based consulting firm and the report's author. The 20-page report—"RFID Technology Assessment 2005-2007: Where Is the ROI?"—is based on an April survey of 500 RFID Journal subscribers that work for end user companies.
The report says that the high costs of RFID hardware, software and services and the immaturity of the technology contribute to a lack of ROI for end users. It also says the adoption of RFID technology is being spurred by retailer and government mandates, which is pushing many end users into using a technology they would not otherwise use until it was more affordable and mature. Gaughan says this echoes what AMR Research staff is hearing from many of the end users they speak with. "Most users we talked to are approaching RFID as a compliance requirement rather than as an enabling technology," he says. "Most of them say they would not be using RFID right now if they didn't have to."
While respondents point to cost as a major roadblock to an ROI, the lack of standards is another issue. Says the report: "Overall, 44 percent of the respondents believe that the maturity of today's RFID standards is enough to deliver an ROI. However, only 29 percent of process manufacturers [makers of gasoline, ore, drugs, chemicals, consumer products and other goods that are produced in batches, instead of discrete units] believe the standards have reached an appropriate level of maturity. Only 35 percent of the large company segment (more than 5,000 employees) believes that standards are mature enough to deliver ROI."
The survey's demographic breakdown shows that biggest group of respondents (205) are in the discrete manufacturing industries. Discrete manufacturers are companies that produce distinct, individually distinguishable products, such as cars and appliances (companies in the automotive, aerospace/defense and the high-tech industries are discrete manufacturers). The second largest group (188) is in service-based industries, including retail, transportation and wholesale distribution. The third largest segment (107) are process manufacturers. The majority (44 percent) of all respondents work for companies have fewer than 500 employees, followed by companies with 10,000 or more employees (25 percent) and 500 to 999 employees (10 percent).
The report also says that RFID deployments will still be largely limited to pilot projects rather than full deployments until 2008. It bases this on the respondent's RFID budget forecasts through 2007, which show what the report calls modest growth in spending: a 16 percent increase from 2005 to 2006 and a 20 percent increase the following year. The average RFID budget in 2005 is $548,000, which will increase to $771,000 by 2007. "For a quickly emerging market, you would expect to see a much higher growth rate," says Gaughan, "of around 30 to 40 percent."
What's more, few of the respondents—only 8 percent—have transitioned from a pilot project to a full deployment, while 23 percent are currently in a pilot, according to the report. Based on spending projections, the report says, not many more end users will be moving into full deployment in the coming two year, either.
Despite the survey respondents' apparently slow movement into deploying RFID, especially when compared with the hype surrounding the technology, Gaughan believes companies stand to gain many important benefits from deploying RFID, including supply chain visibility and reduced out-of-stocks. But, he explains, these benefits will be realized only by devising a long-term strategy beyond compliance.
The survey also shows that RFID vendors are competing in a market with no clear leaders, though the survey shows that end users are looking for large vendors that can support global RFID deployments.
The report costs $2,500, can be purchased online at AMR Research's Web site.


Garden gazebo kits – A kiosk is a small wooden structure with open sides and a roof. Gazebos have long been the fixtures in public parks, and many people install them in their backyards. A kiosk allows you to meet outdoors with family and friends, and provides shelter if it starts to rain. Building a gazebo can be a difficult project, so many people buy and assemble gazebo kits. Purchase a lookout kit. You can find one online or at a home improvement store, and it will cost between £ 1,300 and £ 1,950 for a kit that is 6 to 8 feet wide. The kits contain all the parts you need to build the lookout, with the larger pieces – such as floor and ceiling panels pre-assembled.
Build the bases of the roundabout. This can involve pouring a concrete slab, or building docks by digging holes in the floor, filling them with concrete and installing the gazebo footer. Arrange the pieces in the garden gazebo kits by grouping similar pieces together. This will help speed up the assembly process. Lay the floor face down and panels fit. Screw the panels together by attaching the screws included in the kit through the holes drilled. Turn one to the ground and move it to its position in the foundation or shoes. Follow local zoning regulations as to whether the gazebo should be screwed to the base.
Garden gazebo kits, insert the beams that will support the roof panels in position all around the perimeter of the plant, but do not insert them into place yet. Slide the wall panels into position between the beams and the screw in place. Secure the beams to the floor. Check all joints to make sure they are securely fastened. Place a ladder in a position where you can begin installing the roof panels. Slide the ceiling beams into position, with the help of a wizard if necessary. Connect the frames where they meet in the center of the gazebo and where they connect to the beams, with the provided hardware. Place the ceiling panels on the top of the trusses and bolt the trusses, following the manufacturer's instructions.


text:
Scott Bales
Microsoft Global Digital Advisor
Speaker links:
Business SpeakersCreativity and InnovationEntrepreneursFuture / New TechnologiesLeadershipScience and TechnologyTransformation and Technology
Artificial intelligenceBlockchainFuture TrendsInnovationbankingchangedigitalizationdisruptive technologiesfuture of workfuturistinternet of thingsorganizational development
A technology & innovation guru, Scott Bales is a global leader in the cutting edge arena known as "The Digital Shift", encompassing innovation, culture, design, and mobility in a world gone digital. Currently Scott is Microsoft Global Digital Advisor working with Senior Leaders in Microsoft's Top Customers to build Horizon 3 Transformation and Strategic Partnerships through Co-Investment, Co-Innovation and Mutual Business Outcomes.
He is the former Vice President of Visa Company Fundamo, former Head of Technology for ANZ subsidiary WING Money, founding member of Next Bank, a mentor to entrepreneurs across the world, sits on the Board of Care Pakistan and holds advisory positions at Startup Bootcamp Fintech, Hub Singapore and Apps 4 Good.
Scott Bales is also author of best-selling book 'Mobile Ready: Connecting With The Untethered Consumer' and 'Innovation Wars' released in 2019, an essential guide for any corporate to drive successful innovation programs with impact.
As a thought leader, Scott thrives on the intersection between cultural and behavioural changes in the face of technology innovations. With over ten years of international experience in innovation and implementation strategy, Scott Bales has built a reputation as a sought-after consultant and speaker with the ability to communicate unorthodox ideas with insightful passion.
As a speaker, Scott Bales uses his extensive experience in the sector to provide the executives of tomorrow with simple steps to recode their leadership to adapt and succeed in technology-saturated world of today. In addition, he also offers an insight into the evolution of major cities in the eyes of the digital citizen, through the integration of IoT, smart vehicles and artificial intelligence. Scott's talks also cover the future of work; valuable tools to understand how the introduction of new technologies (the cloud, blockchain, AI) will reshape the workplace as well as well as to explore the key role of the human element in this modern framework.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiNFBbwNsNw
Scott Bales – Recode your Leadership
Chief Marketing Officer, Endeavor. Former Chief Brand Officer at Uber
Manisha Thakor
Founder of MoneyZen LLC
Advisor, leadership development at Google
Luigi Valdés
Expert of Organizational Information
Jonas Ridderstrale
Leading business speaker & thinker
Isabel Aguilera
Executive and Director with a wide experience in Strategy, Innovation, Technology and Sustainability in blue chip companies such as GE, Google, Dell Computer and NH Hoteles.
María Acaso
Expert in educational revolution and art thinking
Inventor of the World Wide Web. Leader & Visionary in the Future of Technology. One of TIME Magazine's "Top 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century"
Sterling Hawkins
Sergio Marsal
Portada » Conferenciantes » Scott Bales


FuelSmart is a locally owned and operated fleet fuel solution servicing the Santa Barbara community for the last 20 years. FuelSmart is the SBCA's preferred fleet fuel program to help your business conveniently and efficiently manage your fleet's fueling activities.
For details about SBCA's exclusive partner program, please contact Jennifer Sanchez at 805.964.7144 or pmjennifers@gmail.com.
Once you have your FuelSmart cards, you can purchase gas at any of their participating stations. We've included a list below, but if you're on the go, you just need to scan the QR code on your card with your smart phone to locate the nearest station.
At the pump, just swipe your card before answering the question "Credit or Debit?" and then follow the prompts to pump your fuel.
Every other Monday, we will email you an invoice for all of your fuel purchases by the cards on your account. Review the invoice for accuracy and call with any questions.


We've had books with pictures in them for hundreds of years. With modern computing powers we can move from static pictures in our PDF documents to dynamic animations and tell a more compelling and understandable story like in this Project Draco example (you may need to download it to see the animation in action and use Adobe Reader X or newer).
readers should not be distracted by the animation when reading text.
You can read more about this research and follow our instructions if you want to try it out. Happy publishing!


Here is our complete survey of hydration options for triathletes, updated and revised for 2015. Strap in, this is as thorough a guide as you'll find anywhere.
Water, water, everywhere! But how are you going to drink it? Here are my simple recommendations on hydration setups.
Jeremiah Mitchell is a pro triathlete who has been working with TriRig all year in Shipping and Logistics. Recently, he started riding our Omni, and immediately took it to a race win and bike course record.


text:
Bucket List: "Gone With A Trace" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Posted by Dustin on March 23, 2020 at 09:52 PM CST
Go back to Level 1313 on Coruscant, the same area where Ahsoka hid out when she was on the run, and learn more fun facts from this episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Gone With a Trace."
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Bucket List highlights trivia and fun facts from each episode of the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, streaming now on Disney+!
Clone Wars Download: "Victory and Death"
George Lucas And Dave Filoni Talk The Clone Wars
Exclusive Star Wars Authentics Pics From "Old Friends Not Forgotten"
Jon Favreau Goes Behind The Scenes of Star Wars: The Mandalorian In New Series
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Old Friends Not Forgotten" Preview
Bucket List: "Together Again" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Clone Wars Download: "Together Again"
Exclusive Star Wars Authentics Pics From "Together Again"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Together Again" Review
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Together Again" Preview
Exclusive Star Wars Authentics Pics From "Dangerous Debt"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Dangerous Debt" Review
GonkAcrylics By GonkToys
Bucket List: "Deal No Deal" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Clone Wars Download: "Deal No Deal"
Star Wars: The Ultimate Pop-Up Galaxy Limited Edition
Exclusive Star Wars Authentics Pics From "Deal No Deal"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Deal No Deal" Review
Ashley Eckstein Releases Statement Regarding Ahsoka Tano Casting News
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Deal No Deal" Preview
Clone Wars Download: "Gone With A Trace"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Gone With A Trace" Review
The Clone Wars "Gone With A Trace" Preview
Bucket List: "Unfinished Business" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "Unfinished Business" Review
The Clone Wars "Unfinished Business" Preview
Bucket List: "On the Wings of Keeradaks" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars "On The Wings Of Keeradaks" Review
Star Wars: The Clone Wars "On The Wings Of Keeradaks" Preview
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Bucket List: A Distant Echo
The Clone Wars "A Distant Echo" Review
The Clone Wars "A Distant Echo" Preview
Bucket List: "The Bad Batch" - Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars "The Bad Batch" Review
Are You Ready For Star Wars: The Clone Wars To Return?
The Clone Wars: The Final Season Sneak Peek And New Images From The First Episode
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Recap
Maul's Journey In Star Wars: The Clone Wars In Under Five Minutes
Ahsoka Tano's Journey In Star Wars: The Clone Wars In Under Five Minutes
Captain Rex's Journey In Star Wars: The Clone Wars In Under Five Minutes
* The Last of Us
* Star Wars Book Collectors Corner


text:
SWM CEO Dr. Florian Bieberbach. © Martin Hangen
How Stadtwerke München Cooperates with Startups: An Interview with SWM Boss Dr. Bieberbach
Florian Deglmann | 28. September 2018
We spoke with Dr. Florian Bieberbach, CEO of Stadtwerke München (SWM), about the Munich startup landscape and how Stadtwerke is already collaborating with startups to foster innovation.
Dr. Bieberbach, what are the most important issues for the future that SWM is involved in at the moment?
All of our major areas of business, namely energy supply, communication and mobility, are topics of the future. I view that as a stroke of luck and a challenge at the same time. All three areas are undergoing fundamental change that is altering and augmenting the value-added chains. Just a few of the fields that are relevant to us, each with many detailed topics of their own, are electromobility, autonomous driving, sector coupling, smart home, connectivity and IoT and also smart network control. What that means for us is that we have to adjust our business models and, in the same light, redefine our relationship with our customers. That, in turn, also means a shift in perception, in how we position ourselves as a company and in the kind of management culture we lead.
Climate-neutral energy supply remains a core topic for us. After all, we've been working on the energy transition for ten years. However, its implementation and the many details involved will have us busy for many years to come, as is demonstrated by the development of geothermal energy for climate-friendly district heating in Munich.
"Public services go digital"
Digitization as the driver for effectiveness and efficiency as well as multi-faceted technological breakthroughs play a major role for us. That includes data analytics, artificial intelligence and AR (augmented reality). We're already benefitting from new digital solutions in many fields, for example in maintenance. Our LoRa network lays the foundation for a wide range of applications in the field of connectivity. And with the development of service-on-demand offers, we're complementing what the city has to offer in terms of mobility.
SWM also takes a broader view and works in various partnerships and on projects both on a local level and with industry partners.
We're currently experiencing a very challenging and exciting time that you could summarize with the phrase "public services go digital."
A lot of untapped potential for collaboration with startups
What role do startups play in these topics?
I'm very pleased that collaborating with startups is becoming increasingly common for us. It's a classic win-win situation that offers advantages both for us as an established company and also for startups: Startups help us complement our portfolio. When it comes to topics that we either have not addressed or recognized yet – or those we simply haven't had time for – startups are able to tackle and implement them faster. In exchange, we give them the opportunity to actively shape the future with new concepts in an exemplary international city.
Innovative strength also comes from our own staff. We have excellent employees with outstanding expertise and a healthy dose of curiosity. It's perfect when that comes together with "startup spirit."
Are you already working together with startups?
We're working with startups in some areas and the experience has been positive so far. We still have a lot of untapped potential. Cooperating with a startup is something that also has to be learned. We definitely still need to develop in that respect. But I'm guessing we aren't that much different compared to other companies.
What work is being done in concrete terms? Where do the responsibilities, duties and liberties lie?
There isn't a general answer to that question. It varies from issue to issue and depends on what both of us aim to achieve and also on the startup's expectations. Our aspiration is to create an environment that makes it possible for both parties to successfully implement a project.
SWM's door is open to startups
How should a startup contact SWM if it thinks cooperation could be interesting? Do you already have a specific startup program or person to contact – perhaps also scouts out looking for startups?
The first point of contact for startups is SWM's innovation management. They work closely with "New Business," a department that is dedicated exclusively to new business models and always looking for good ideas. We also attend startup events and conferences. We're there to communicate: "We're open and interested in excellent cooperation – come talk to us!" We've also played an active role in the very early concept stages: We work closely with universities and innovation centers to support and promote good ideas.
"As a place of innovation, Munich has long since outgrown its infancy"
What does a startup need to offer for SWM to be interested in cooperation?
First, it would need an interesting kind of technology, a service or a product that would fit and/or complement our portfolio. We're not looking to cooperate in areas outside of our existing lines of business. Moreover, the startup should also share our values. We as a company act sustainably in many ways. We have strong local roots and take responsibility for Munich and the region.
How do you view Munich as a startup location? Where do you think there might be potential to improve or catch up?
As a place of innovation, Munich has long since outgrown its infancy and is becoming even more attractive. We have industrial companies that are world leaders in their fields and strong SMEs. We even have several excellent universities that are actively involved in research and cultivate young talent. We have a series of local patrons who feel responsible for the city and its future viability. Last but not least, Bavaria and Munich are areas that will continue to grow and have recognized the need to continue to develop the necessary infrastructure.
Thank you for the interview!
Dr. Bieberbach Stadtwerke München SWM
Florian Deglmann
Der Exil-Nürnberger erforschte bis April 2019 als Redakteur die Münchner Startup-Szene.
Video Interview with Bastian Nominacher: How Celonis Became a Unicorn
As the latest Munich unicorn, the local company Celonis was already the talk of the town in 2018. CEO and co-founder Bastian…
Florian Deglmann | 7. April 2019
Alphazirkel Brings Family Businesses Together with Munich Startups
Alphazirkel supports cooperation between founders and established SMEs. We spoke with the network's Managing Partner, Dr. Albert Michael Geiger. He explained how…
Florian Deglmann | 22. November 2018
Customer Feedback Instead of "Hot Air": an Interview with Business Angel Martin Giese
It's been a long road from starting a school newspaper to becoming a business angel. That's something Martin Giese knows only too…
"Don't Set Any Limits!" – an Interview with Dagmar Schuller from audEERING
Dagmar Schuller founded her company audEERING in 2012 with a small team and very little seed capital. Building something new and continuously…
Helen Duran | 30. July 2018
World Champion and Startup Investor: an Interview with Philipp Lahm
During his athletic career, Philipp Lahm reached nearly every conceivable goal for a soccer player: German champion, cup winner, winner of the…
Simon Tischer | 6. February 2018
"If You Want to Win People Over, You Have to Be Able to Tell a Good Story" – An Interview with Markus Sauerhammer from Startnext
An increasing number of startups are discovering crowdfunding as a potential financing option. Whether it involves more than simply "bringing in the…
Regina Bruckschlögl | 13. April 2017
Air Taxis for Everyone: An Interview with Lilium CEO Daniel Wiegand
We spoke with Daniel Wiegand, CEO and co-founder of the electric aircraft startup Lilium, about the company's future plans, their investor Frank…
Simon Tischer | 7. December 2016
Dr. Carsten Rudolph: Venture Capital Prospects for Local Startups
Some of the news about financing, transactions and exits in the startup scene can make your head spin – especially on an…
Florian Deglmann | 21. June 2016


text:
Hate speech bill: Ijaw youths blow hot over death penalty
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Tuesday, kicked against the Hate Speech Bill sponsored by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi of Niger State.
The group said the bill will become an instrument in the hands of politicians to suppress and repress opposition if passed.
National President of the body, Mr Eric Omare, yesterday, in Warri, Delta State, also flayed the constitution of Anti-Hate Speech Commission, observing that the functions of the commission were already being performed by Ministry of Information.
According to him, "in a country like Nigeria, where politics is played with all sorts of bitterness, the anti-hate speech law would be used by politicians to suppress their opponents and trample on the right to freedom of expression and, therefore, must be discouraged.
"In our view, what is required is effective campaign and orientation on the negative effect of hate speech without the necessity of having a law with punitive sanctions. We also oppose the setting up of the Anti-Hate Speech Commission because such a body is not necessary.
"We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to drop the Anti-Hate Speech Bill and use the already existing instruments of government to fight against hate speech in the country."
Buhari wants Nigeria to be like North Korea – Fani-Kayode reacts to 'Hate Speech' bill
Hate speech: IPC warns Nigerian Senate against death sentence
Electoral Act Bill: ECOWAS stopped Buhari from signing Bill – Senator Omo-Agege
Obasanjo, Babangida, Danjuma have rejected Buhari – Fani-Kayode
I Do Not Have Constitutional Powers To Create Cattle Colonies For Herdsmen – Buhari
READ Presidency warns US, UK to stop interfering
Nigerian makes history in Italy, becomes first black elected senator


While a foray into hydraulic systems may seem a stretch for Thomson, which has always made static parts, keep in mind the manufacturer is first and foremost an aerospace contractor. That means that, while it would seem that Thomson is starting behind companies like Fox and RockShox, who have been manufacturing hydraulic parts for years, Thomson is actually ahead of the learning curve—and the Thomson Dropper Post makes this point obvious.
The only part that the Dropper shares with its siblings is the much-loved saddle clamp. The post uses an oil cartridge to control height and a nitrogen shock to lift the mechanism. Because oil doesn't compress, the post stays put wherever your posterior leaves it, for an infinite range of adjustment. The last 15mm of travel (at the top) is damped, so your body isn't on the receiving end of a hard smack.
Post gets stuck. Bad cust. support.
I bought the dropper post about year ago, so this review is based on many rides.
The dropper is released by depressing a lever that is mounted to handlebars. The lever is short so it doesn't get in the way when riding, but the movement of the trigger is directly downward. This can be an awkward movement for your thumb when you are riding. It is not a push movement like we see on other shock systems. The cable extends straight out of the lever (towards the front of the bike), which causes the cable to interfere with the brakes (I run XT hydraulic). The result is that the lever must be rotated down, which makes the movement of the trigger even more downward. Awkward. And sorry if this description is confusing – doing my best.
The dropper release is VERY STIFF. I have pulled the cable out of the trigger several times just trying to actuate the dropper. This is especially true if the post has not been used in over three days or the weather is under 40 degrees F. My dropper has gotten stuck several times. I didn't want to strip the cable from the trigger on the trail, so I just rode with the saddle down for a while until it shook loose. Hitting the saddle (hard) while you shake the lever (quickly) seems to help.
You might think that my post is defective, and here is where the customer service comes into consideration. I wrote Thomson with a few questions about the post to be sure it was the post and to see if I was doing anything wrong. The support was pretty terrible. I asked questions like "how hard should I have to push on the lever to actuate the dropper". The response: "I would recommend getting a feel of how much pull is required to engage the post". This went on for several emails, culminating in Thomson directing me to remove the post, grab the cable with my hand, and manually pull the cable to move the actuator. This essentially compares the strength of my entire arm to the strength of my left thumb – pretty bad test and not quantitative at all. My conclusion is that Thomson thinks my post is normal and operating as it is supposed to. Therefore, my recommendation is to not buy this post – the risk of stripping your lever and getting a saddle stuck in the down position is too great.
One more comment if you really want this post: Thomson also wrote that "some hacks use other levers with our dropper post". Maybe others are having this same problem and also gave up on customer support. Perhaps this is a way to make the Thomson dropper reliable.
I have had nothing but awesome support from Thompson. Was an early adopter of this post and the dropper just got serviced (minor stiction) and it's now again perfect. After hundred miles more of singletrack and paved trails with a lot of stair jumps (im about 200 pounds) not one bit of play. The lever routing issue was easily resolved with a simple cantilever brake noodle. Looks clean and works perfectly. Best seatpost out there and I have had many.
I've been running this post for almost 2 years now, and the only issue may already be resolved by the newer model remote lever. The original lever is not as ergonomic or smooth around the edges which is more of a comfort issue than function. Otherwise, I use this dropper dozens of times every ride regularly trimming the seat height to match the terrain or to reduce fatigue. It's action is smooth, well modulated and very controllable. The quality of the clamp is pure Thomson (top notch). It's currently in my 2011 Trek HiFi. The only maintenance I've done is replacing the cable once and just keeping it clean.
Although I have only used it for a couple of weeks- I am loving it already. This is my first dropper so have nothing to compare it to but has met or exceeded my expectations. Also- it looks really sharpe on my bike (as a side note).
You know that Thomson makes awesome stuff. I replaced my set (lay) back seat post with this one. Thing is I was always sliding to the nose of my saddle when I was climbing steep stuff anyway. The bike did not come with a quick release so the seat was high all the time.
I am a weight weenie, that is my bike, not actually me. Adding 500 grams took a lot of pondering. Is is really worth spending that much $ to add additional weight? Well...I did it.
I have not had much time on the seat post, and the new position and another lever takes a bit getting used to. The setup was easy, however, I added a (brake cable) noodle to keep the cable bend smooth, tucked in and clean.
I really like having the seat out of the way, especially being able to do that on the fly. I just require a bit more practice to make using the seatpost smooth and automatic.
Choosing the Thomson seatpost was a no brainer for me. Thomson stuff is just that good.
This is not the bike I expected from a weight weenie!
No issues with this thing. Made very well, and has a great lever as opposed to some of the plunger types on the market.
The cable included is too short. With the current routing it keeps getting caught in my pivots in the down position. Nothing like a seat that rises on its own.
I recently purchased this dropper post, so I haven't had it for a long time yet, but it seems to be working amazing so far!
I've used this post for over a year and haven't had an issue with it. Smooth up and down and easy to use/mount lever. Thomson quality for sure.
I bought my Thompson 125 dropper post to replace a KS LEV seatpost that was spending months away at KS for a standard rebuild. Sick of waiting and longing for the ability to lower my seat, I shelled out for the Thompson. In two months, it's been great. No discernible play up or down or side to side. The seat remains tight and I have not had to adjust anything since the initial install. My only qualms so far is that the last 1 cm of travel is sometimes sticky when the seat returns. It is usually the first 4-5 times I use the post in a ride, and I have to manually pull the seat back up to full extension. I've heard of this happening with other Thompsons. Right now it a 4 star post. The first rebuild will determine if the rating goes up or down.
Same just happened on my new post, sticks at the last 1 cm of rise. Under 30 day exchange so going for a new one.
While I haven't had this long enough to make a call on long-term reliability, I can say that it worked great out of the box, was easy to install, and has been flawless over the first month and ~200 trail miles in the PNW mud. Having used (and returned due to blown seals) a Reverb and KS Lev, this one has been the most pleasant user experience of the lot so far. The trigger feels great on the bar and fits well with shifter/brakes. Fingers crossed on reliability!
Out of the box and installed without issue. Cable and housing length was spot on even for my XL Yeti ASR-7. Function is flawless so far and expect nothing but the best from Thomson. Will update as time goes on, but this is leaps and bounds better than my last dropper post.
4 months of use and still without an issue. I am also what most would consider a Clydesdale at 6'3" 240lbs geared up. I never have to think about it working or not working. If I don't have to think about a component, I consider it a win.
I'm 230 lbs, ~245 lbs with all my ride gear, and have been mountain biking for about two decades. Most of my riding in the past ten years falls into the all-mountain category. Out of the box, the Thompson post appeared promising. The post head makes saddle adjustments easy, and rock solid. Plus, the head/shaft machining is clean and bomber (I had problems on my old KS 950i post, where the saddle eventually spun on the seatpost shaft head). The handlebar lever is small, and required some trial and error to find the best ergo location on the handlebars. Strangely, Thompson shipped the post with a cable housing that was at least three inches too short for my frame (easily solved with spare housing I had on hand). Once installed, the seatpost adjusted easily, and had a rock-solid feel. Unfortunately, the post developed slop in the collar at the top of the fixed section of tubing (the part that stays inside the bike frame). After about a month of use, I could see several degrees of movement in the saddle and hear creaking during seated climbs. No post I've used so far has been perfect, but at this price, the Thompson shouldn't show this much wear in less than a season.
I had the same problem. Called David at Thompson, he explained to me that the first run had a problem with this. He sent me a Newport and I have no problems since.
Since the Thomson site is under construction I was hoping you could help me out. Based on good reviews the Thomson Elite 27.2 seems to be the best dropper on the market. However, I have a large frame (really need a medium) and I'm concerned that at full extension it will raise my seat height. I did have the bike sized a few months ago and I'm very happy with the current driving position.
1. Can the post be inserted into the frame so the post collar sits on or is just above (a few mm's) the frame?
2. If not what in the Max insertion length? If you can give me the dimension from the bottom of the post that will be helpful.
3. If you can insert all the way and the dropper is extended out fully what is the dimension from the bottom of the collar to the top of the post (where the seat rail sit)?
4. Can you verify that the overall length is 430mm?
5. Do you think they will be releasing a covert version of the 27.2 in the future?
Is this the v1 (short cable) or v2 elite dropper?
It includes both sets of cables and housings. I have a large frame SC Tallboy and it small cable fit fine.


For folks who are recovering from childhood abuses (legalism, physical abuse, cults, etc), recovery groups seem like a good resource for recovery. But are some recovery groups worse for you than the thing you were originally recovering from (or at least compounding the trauma)? Kicking wounded people while they are down?
In this podcast episode of The Scarlet Virgins, Rebecca shares her thoughts on why we need to use discernment when it comes to these kinds of communities.


text:
Die Mestaruussarja 1968 war die 38. Spielzeit der finnische Fußballmeisterschaft seit deren Einführung im Jahre 1930. Sie wurde unter zwölf Mannschaften vom 28. April bis 6. Oktober ausgespielt. Meister wurde Turku PS vor Titelverteidiger Lahden Reipas.

Teilnehmende Mannschaften

Abschlusstabelle

Kreuztabelle

Torschützenliste
Tommy Lindholm von TPS Turku wurde mit 23 Toren erneut Torschützenkönig.

Fußballpokal
Das Endspiel um den finnischen Fußballpokal fand am 12. Oktober 1968 im Olympiastadion Helsinki zwischen Kuopion PS und Titelverteidiger Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat statt. Kuopio gewann mit 2:1.

Internationales Abschneiden
Turku PS qualifizierte sich als Meister für den Europapokal der Landesmeister 1969/70, Pokalsieger Kuopion PS nahm am Europapokal der Pokalsieger 1969/70 teil:

 Meister Turku PS (Landesmeisterpokal)
 Vorrunde: 0:1 und 0:4 gegen  Kjøbenhavns Boldklub
 Pokalsieger Kuopion PS (Pokalsiegerpokal)
 1. Runde: 0:0 und 0:1 gegen  Académica de Coimbra

Weblinks
 Finland - List of League First Level Tables RSSSF

Einzelnachweise

Fußballsaison 1968
1968

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Bike is Britain's bestselling motorcycle magazine for good reason. It's the world of motorcycling in one high quality magazine. It covers all types of bikes, features astonishing people, it takes you on wild adventures and it helps riders out. Enjoy!