text:
\section*{Acknowledgments}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Acknowledgments}
\large
\doublespacing

We thank Professor Dr. A.K.M. Akther Hossain for valuable discussions and crucial suggestions. We would also like to thank Department of Physics, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, for the laboratory support.

\section*{IV. Conclusions}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Conclusions}
\large
\doublespacing

In summary, a comprehensive investigation on the mechanical and
thermodynamic properties of the first stable compound of helium and sodium
Na\textsubscript{2}He has been carried out systematically by the theoretical
method. The mechanical stability of cubic Na\textsubscript{2}He has been
ensured through theoretical verification up to 500 GPa. Various
mechanical properties (bulk modulus \emph{B}, shear modulus \emph{G},
Young's modulus \emph{E}, \emph{B/G} values, Poisson's ratio \emph{\(\nu\)},
anisotropy factor \emph{A} and Vickers hardness
\emph{H\textsubscript{v}} ) of Na\textsubscript{2}He under different
pressure have also been reported. The study of the bulk modulus, shear
modulus, Young's modulus and Vickers hardness implies that the hardness
of Na\textsubscript{2}He can be improved by applying external pressure.
The study of Zener anisotropy factor indicates that
Na\textsubscript{2}He is an anisotropic material but near at 300 GPa
approximately isotropic nature of Na\textsubscript{2}He is revealed. The
study of Cauchy pressure, Pugh's ratio, and Poisson's ratio implies the
ductile manner of Na\textsubscript{2}He up to 500 GPa. The pressure-dependent behaviors of various thermal properties of
Na\textsubscript{2}He have also been reported and discussed. We hope the
predicted properties will have a good impact on comprehending the
mechanical response of newly discovered Na\textsubscript{2}He.

\section*{I. Introduction}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Introduction}
\large
\doublespacing

Helium (He) is chemically inert because of its closed-shell electronic
configuration. For this reason, helium is very unwilling to form any
stable compound in normal condition. However, helium possesses many
attractive chemical properties such as it has highest ionization
potential (24.59 eV) \cite{1} and zero electron affinity \cite{2}. On the
other hand, helium is available in large quantities in the universe. For
this reason, many scientists have tried to discover a stable compound of
helium in recent decades. For the first time in 2015, Xiao Dong \emph{et
al} predicted a stable compound of sodium (Na) and helium (He) at
pressure 300 GPa \cite{3}. Though the predicted compound
Na\textsubscript{2}He is stable above 113 GPa. They carried out both
experimental and theoretical investigation for ensuring the dynamical
stability of Na\textsubscript{2}He. However, the mechanical stability of
Na\textsubscript{2}He is still vague. They also showed that
Na\textsubscript{2}He is not an inclusion material. The formation of
Na\textsubscript{2}He is strongly exothermic and a wide bandgap appears when helium is inserted into sodium \cite{3}. They also studied
the electronic structure and pressure-dependent bandgap of
Na\textsubscript{2}He.

It is well known that pressure has a significant effect on the physical
properties as well as chemical properties of materials. When a material
is compressed it is generally deformed. This deformation behavior helps
to understand the nature of solid-state theories \cite{4}. High pressure
can also lead to the phase transition of a material \cite{5, 6, 7}. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the pressure effect on the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of newly reported Na\textsubscript{2}He. In this paper, we study the elastic, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of Na\textsubscript{2}He by using the DFT (Density Functional Theory) based first principles code CASTEP under different pressure up to 500 GPa. In this present letter, we also ensure the mechanical stability of Na\textsubscript{2}He by theoretical means.

\section*{II. Method of computation}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Method of computation}
\large
\doublespacing

The first principles calculations were performed in the CASTEP computer
code with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) using the PBE
(Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof) exchange-correlation functional
\cite{8, 9, 10, 11, 12}. The structural relaxation was obtained by using the BFGS minimization scheme \cite{13}. In this case, the convergence criteria were set to 0\emph{.}5 × 10\textsuperscript{−5} eV\emph{/}atom for energy,
0.05 GPa for stress and 0.03 eV/ Å for the force. The energy cutoff was set
at 1000 eV with 10×12×10 grids in primitive cells of
Na\textsubscript{2}He through the investigation. Stress-strain method
\cite{13} was used for obtaining the elastic stiffness constants at
different pressures. In this case, the maximum value of strain amplitude
was set to 0.003 through the whole elastic constant calculations at
various pressures.

\section*{III. Results and discussion}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Results and discussion}

\subsection*{A. Electronic structure}
\addcontentsline{toc}{subsection}{Electronic structure}
\large
\doublespacing

The first stable compound of helium
Na\textsubscript{2}He belongs to \emph{Fm-3m} (225) space group with the
cubic crystal structure, which retains four formula unit with 12 atoms
per unit cell \cite{3}. The experimentally evaluated lattice constant of
Na\textsubscript{2}He is 3.95 Å at 300 GPa \cite{3}. By minimizing the
total energy the atomic positions and lattice parameters have been
optimized as a function of normal pressure. Since Na\textsubscript{2}He
is more stable at 300 GPa, the crystal structure treated with 300 GPa is
shown in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 1}. In the structure of Na\textsubscript{2}He 4\emph{a} atomic site is fully occupied by He atoms with fractional coordinates
(0, 0, 0) and 8\emph{c} atomic site is fully occupied by Na atoms with
fractional coordinates (0.25, 0.25, 0.25). The calculated structural
parameters of Na\textsubscript{2}He at 300 GPa are tabulated in Table \ref{table 1} along with experimental values. The evaluated lattice constant at 300
GPa in this present study shows minor deviation (0.12\%) from the
experimentally evaluated value bearing the reliability of the present
investigation.

To investigate the effect of pressure on the structure of
Na\textsubscript{2}He, the variations of unit cell volume and lattice
parameter of Na\textsubscript{2}He have been studied under different
pressure from 100 GPa to 500 GPa. Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 2}(a) represents the change of
lattice constant and unit cell volume of Na\textsubscript{2}He with
external pressure. It is evident that the normalized lattice constant
and cell volume decreases with pressure. The compression of the crystal
is not uniform over the whole range of pressure. With the increase of
pressure, the relative compression of the structure is decreased due to
the repulsive interaction among atoms. The more the pressure is applied
the nearer the atoms are and hence their repulsive interaction is
strengthened, which leads to the above effect. Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 2}(b) represents the
pressure-volume plot of Na\textsubscript{2}He from which we determine
the pressure derivative bulk modulus \emph{\(B^\prime\)} of Na\textsubscript{2}He listed in Table \ref{table 1}.

\subsection*{B. Mechanical properties}
\addcontentsline{toc}{subsection}{Mechanical properties}
\large
\doublespacing

In order to justify the mechanical stability and determine the different mechanical properties of solids, the single crystal elastic constants have been calculated by linear fitting of the calculated stress-strain function \cite{14}. The cubic Na\textsubscript{2}He belongs to three independent elastic constants \emph{C\textsubscript{11}}, \emph{C\textsubscript{12}} and \emph{C\textsubscript{44}} . The evaluated elastic constants of Na\textsubscript{2}He at different pressure are tabulated in Table \ref{table 2}. As shown in Table \ref{table 2} it is clear that the studied compound is mechanically stable up to 500 GPa since the obtained values of \emph{C\textsubscript{ij}} obey the well established Born stability
criteria of solids \cite{15} given below.

\emph{C\textsubscript{11}} \textgreater{} 0, \emph{C\textsubscript{44}}
\textgreater{} 0, \emph{C\textsubscript{11}} --
\emph{C\textsubscript{12}} \textgreater{} 0 and
\emph{C\textsubscript{11}} + 2\emph{C\textsubscript{12}} \textgreater{}
0\\
The pressure-dependent elastic constants and different mechanical
properties of Na\textsubscript{2}He are demonstrated in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}. The
value of \emph{C\textsubscript{11}} implies the stiffness of compounds
against (100)\(\langle100\rangle\) uniaxial strain. We can see from Table \ref{table 2} and Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(a) that Na\textsubscript{2}He becomes stiffer with the increase of pressure. On the other hand, the value of \emph{C\textsubscript{12}} and
\emph{C\textsubscript{44}} demonstrates the elasticity in shape. One can
see from Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(a) that with the increase of pressure both the shear constants are increased implying that the compound becomes more resistant to shear deformation with pressure.

The Cauchy pressure is defined as \emph{C\textsubscript{12} --
C\textsubscript{44}} which can be used to explain the atomic bonding
character in a compound \cite{16}. A compound will be nonmetallic
(metallic) if \emph{C\textsubscript{12} -- C\textsubscript{44}} is
negative (positive) \cite{17}. From Table \ref{table 2} we see that the value of
\emph{C\textsubscript{12} -- C\textsubscript{44}} for
Na\textsubscript{2}He is positive over the pressure range studied
indicating the metallic nature of Na\textsubscript{2}He. However, the Cauchy pressure is increased with the increase in pressure {[}Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(b){]}. Furthermore, the negative (positive) value of \emph{C\textsubscript{12}
-- C\textsubscript{44}} implies the brittle (ductile) manner of a
compound \cite{18}. As shown in Table \ref{table 2}, Na\textsubscript{2}He is ductile
and hence able to be drawn out into a thin wire. From Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(b) it is
noticeable that the more the pressure is applied the more ductile the
compound is implying the increasing metallicity of Na\textsubscript{2}He
with pressure.

From the single crystal elastic constants, \emph{C\textsubscript{ij}} the polycrystalline elastic moduli such as shear modulus \emph{G} and bulk modulus \emph{B} can be obtained according to Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) approximation \cite{19}. From the computed bulk modulus \emph{B} and shear modulus \emph{G} the Poisson's ratio \emph{\(\nu\)} and Young's modulus \emph{E} can be obtained by using the following relations \cite{20},
\begin{equation}
\tag{1}
\begin{split}
\nu = \ \frac{3B - 2G}{2(3B + G)}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
\begin{equation}
\tag{2}
\begin{split}
E = \ \frac{9\text{GB}}{3B + G}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
The computed values of \emph{B}, \emph{G}, \emph{\(\nu\)}, and \emph{E} under different pressure for Na\textsubscript{2}He are listed in Table \ref{table 3}. It can be noted from Table \ref{table 3} that the computed value of the bulk modulus
\emph{B} matches well with that of obtained from fitting the third order
Birch-Murnaghan Equation of State at 300 GPa. The bulk modulus \emph{B}
is a measure of the ability of solids to defend compression. From Table \ref{table 3} we see that at 300 GPa (more stable structure) the value of \emph{B} for Na\textsubscript{2}He is 758.43 GPa which is comparatively so high than that of the well known hardest material diamond (\emph{B} = 443
GPa) \cite{21}. This high value of bulk modulus is indicating strong
chemical bonding in Na\textsubscript{2}He. A hard material possesses
high bonding covalency. In Na\textsubscript{2}He direct covalent
interaction is found for Na-Na \cite{3}, showing good consistency with
this study. With the increase in pressure, the bulk modulus also
increases {[}Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(c){]} indicating that the ability of the resist
deformation of Na\textsubscript{2}He is enhanced with pressure. The
shear modulus \emph{G} is a measure of the ability of solids to defend
plastic deformation. The value of \emph{G} depends upon the value of
\emph{C\textsubscript{44}}. The large value of
\emph{C\textsubscript{44}} and \emph{G} at 300 GPa (see Table \ref{table 2} and Table \ref{table 3}) implies a high level of resistant of Na\textsubscript{2}He against the shear strain. It can also be noticed from Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(c) that with
external pressure the value of \emph{G} is increased indicating the
enhancement of the ability to resist shear deformation with the pressure of
Na\textsubscript{2}He. The Young's modulus \emph{E} is a measure of the
ability of solids to defend longitudinal stress. It is also used to
judge the stiffness of a material. From Table \ref{table 3} it can be seen that at 300 GPa the value of \emph{E} is quite high for Na\textsubscript{2}He and with the increase in pressure \emph{E} increases gradually indicating the enhancement of stiffness of Na\textsubscript{2}He with external pressure.

Pugh's ratio usually the ratio between bulk modulus and shear modulus
(\emph{B}/\emph{G}) is a very useful index to detect the brittleness and
ductility of materials \cite{22}. \emph{B/G} \textless{} 1.75 implies the
brittle manner of a material and the value greater than 1.75 implies the
ductile manner of a compound. From Table \ref{table 3} one can see that
Na\textsubscript{2}He is ductile in nature shows good accordance with
the result having from the analysis of Cauchy pressure. The pressure-dependent Pugh's ratio of Na\textsubscript{2}He is shown in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(d). It can be noted that at 100 GPa the fabrication of this compound is
easier. The Poisson's ratio \emph{\(\nu\)} is another useful index to explain the plasticity and bonding nature of solids. For the covalent crystal, the value of \emph{\(\nu\)} is 0.10 and 0.25 for ionic crystal. The value from 0.25 to 0.50 implies the central force in a solid \cite{23}. However, \emph{\(\nu\)} = 0.33 indicates metallic material \cite{24}. From Table \ref{table 3} we notice that all over the pressure range the Poisson's ratio is nearly similar and the value is around 0.39 implying the existence of the central force in Na\textsubscript{2}He. The pressure-dependent Poisson's ratio of Na\textsubscript{2}He is shown in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(e). We see a similar trend between the pressure-dependent curve of \emph{B}/\emph{G} and \emph{\(\nu\)}.
Poisson's ratio is also used to predict the brittleness and ductility of
solids. If \emph{\(\nu\)} \textless{} 0.26 for a compound then the compound will be brittle in the manner otherwise the compound will be ductile in the manner \cite{25, 26}. According to this condition, Na\textsubscript{2}He is ductile in nature, accord well with other predictions.

To measure the rate of anisotropy in crystal the Zener anisotropy factor
\emph{A} is a very useful index which is given as follows \cite{28},
\begin{equation}
\tag{3}
\begin{split}
A = \ \frac{2C_{44}}{(C_{11} - C_{12})}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
For the complete isotropic crystal, the value of \emph{A} is unity. The value greater or smaller than unity implies the rate of anisotropy in solid. The calculated values of \emph{A} at various pressures are listed in
Table \ref{table 3}. As shown in Table \ref{table 3} the anisotropic nature of Na\textsubscript{2}He has revealed. The pressure-dependent behavior of
\emph{A} is illustrated in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(f). With pressure up to 300 GPa the rate of anisotropy is decreased but after that, a strange behavior is noticed. More theoretical work is required to understand this mysterious behavior of \emph{A} for Na\textsubscript{2}He.

The Vickers hardness \emph{H\textsubscript{v}} is a very important
property of compound used to measure the hardness of solids. Chen
\emph{et al.} developed a very useful formula to predict the hardness of
solids given below \cite{27},
\begin{equation}
\tag{4}
\begin{split}
H_{V} = 2\left( K^{2}G \right)^{0.585} - \ 3
\end{split}
\end{equation}
Where, \emph{K} = \emph{G}/\emph{B}. The values of
\emph{H\textsubscript{v}} computed from Eq. 4 under different pressures
of Na\textsubscript{2}He are tabulated in Table \ref{table 3}. Evidently
\emph{H\textsubscript{v}} of Na\textsubscript{2}He increases gradually
with applied pressure {[}Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 3}(g){]} implying that pressure has a significant effect on the hardness of Na\textsubscript{2}He.

\subsection*{C. Thermodynamic properties}
\addcontentsline{toc}{subsection}{Thermodynamic properties}
\large
\doublespacing

Debye temperature \emph{\(\Theta\)\textsubscript{D}} is a very crucial
thermodynamic parameter which is related to directly or indirectly many
important thermal properties of solids such as specific heat of solid,
melting point, thermal expansion etc. It is the temperature which is
related to the highest normal mode of vibration of a crystal \cite{29}.
The Debye temperature can be obtained from different estimations. In
this study, we have used the calculated elastic constants to compute the
value of \emph{\(\Theta\)\textsubscript{D}} for Na\textsubscript{2}He. In this procedure, \emph{\(\Theta\)\textsubscript{D}} can be computed directly by using the following equation \cite{30},
\begin{equation}
\tag{5}
\begin{split}
\Theta_{D} = \ \frac{h}{k_{B}}\left( \frac{3N}{4\pi V} \right)^{\frac{1}{3}}{\times~ v}_{m}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
Where \emph{v\textsubscript{m}} is the average sound velocity which can
be calculated,
\begin{equation}
\tag{6}
\begin{split}
v_{m} = \ \left\lbrack \frac{1}{3}\left( \frac{2}{{v_{t}}^{3}} + \frac{1}{{v_{l}}^{3}} \right) \right\rbrack^{- \frac{1}{3}}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
Where \emph{v\textsubscript{l}} and \emph{v\textsubscript{t}} stands
for longitudinal wave velocity and transverse wave velocity respectively
which can be obtained as follows,
\begin{equation}
\tag{7}
\begin{split}
v_{l} = \left( \frac{3B + 4G}{3\rho} \right)^{\frac{1}{2}}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
And
\begin{equation}
\tag{8}
\begin{split}
v_{t} = \left( \frac{G}{\rho} \right)^{\frac{1}{2}}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
The computed values of \emph{v\textsubscript{l}},
\emph{v\textsubscript{t}} , \emph{v\textsubscript{m}}, and
\emph{\(\Theta\)\textsubscript{D}} of Na\textsubscript{2}He at different
pressures are listed in Table \ref{table 4}. The pressure-dependent behavior of \emph{\(\Theta\)\textsubscript{D}} for Na\textsubscript{2}He is illustrated in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 4}(a). It can be noticed from Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 4}(a) that with the increase in pressure \emph{\(\Theta\)\textsubscript{D}} of Na\textsubscript{2}He is increased gradually.

The thermal conductivity of the material is defined as the capacity to
conduct heat energy through solid. The minimum thermal conductivity is a
crucial thermodynamic parameter. With the increase in temperature, the
thermal conductivity of solid is decreased and reaches a certain value
generally defined as the minimum thermal conductivity \cite{31}. The
minimum thermal conductivity \emph{K\textsubscript{min}} can be obtained
by using the following relation \cite{32},
\begin{equation}
\tag{9}
\begin{split}
K_{\min} = \ K_{B}v_{m}\ \left( \frac{M}{\text{n\(\rho\)}N_{A}} \right)^{- \ 2/3}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
Where \emph{v\textsubscript{m}} stands for average sound velocity,
\emph{K\textsubscript{B}} is the Boltzmann constant, \emph{n} is the
number of atoms per molecule, \emph{M} is the molecular mass, and
\emph{N\textsubscript{A}} is the Avogadro's number. The calculated
values of \emph{K\textsubscript{min}} at different pressures by using
Eq. 9 are listed in Table \ref{table 5} and plotted in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 4}(b). It can be noted
from Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 4}(b) that with the increase in pressure
\emph{K\textsubscript{min}} of Na\textsubscript{2}He is increased
gradually.

The melting temperature of solid is another important thermodynamic
parameter. The melting temperature \emph{T\textsubscript{m}} of cubic
crystal can be computed as follows \cite{33},
\begin{equation}
\tag{10}
\begin{split}
T_{m} = 553 + 5.91C_{11}\ \pm 300\ K
\end{split}
\end{equation}
The calculated values of the melting temperature for
Na\textsubscript{2}He at different pressures are listed in Table \ref{table 5} and
illustrated in Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 4}(c). It can be seen from Fig. \ref{fig:Fig. 4}(c) that with the
increase in pressure \emph{T\textsubscript{m}} of Na\textsubscript{2}He
is increased gradually. At high temperature, the anharmonic effect of the
specific heat at constant volume is suppressed and close to a value
known as Dulong-Petit limit \cite{34}. The Dulong-Petit limit of solid
can be evaluated as follows \cite{34},
\begin{equation}
\tag{11}
\begin{split}
Dulong - Petit\ limit = 3nN_{A}K_{B}
\end{split}
\end{equation}
Where \emph{N\textsubscript{A}} is defined as the Avogadro's constant
and \emph{K\textsubscript{B}} is the Boltzmann constant. The calculated
Dulong-Petit limit of Na\textsubscript{2}He using Eq. 11 is listed in
Table \ref{table 5}.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


Todd C. Hunter, Jr. is a shareholder in Carr Allison's Tallahassee, Florida office. His practice primarily focuses on commercial transportation litigation and premises liability.
Todd received his undergraduate degree in finance and real estate from Florida State University. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Florida Coastal School of Law. During law school, Todd clerked for the Honorable Ronald Flury of the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida and a prestigious litigation firm in Jacksonville, Florida. Following law school, Todd spent three years as an Assistant State Attorney prosecuting cases ranging from DUI to homicide and two years with a civil litigation firm practicing employment law.
Todd is admitted to the Florida Bar and the United States District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida. He is a member of the Tallahassee Bar Association and is active in professional organizations such as the William H. Stafford American Inn of Court and the Exchange Club of Tallahassee. He also serves as an usher and member of the Youth Ministry Council at St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral and chapter advisor for the Kappa Alpha Order at Florida State University.
Todd enjoys playing golf, Florida State athletics, exercising and spending time with friends and family. Todd and his wife, Mycah, are proud parents of daughter Lively (1).
News Updates About Todd C. Hunter, Jr.


text:
Sustainability, Global
Isabel Hilton
CEO & Editor of chinadialogue
Isabel Hilton is a London-based international journalist and broadcaster. She is founder and editor of chinadialogue.net, a non-profit, bilingual online publication based in London, Beijing, and Delhi that focuses on the environment and climate change. She is a columnist for The Guardian and her work has appeared in the Financial Times, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Granta, the New Statesman, El Pais, Index on Censorship, and many other publications. Hilton is also the author and co-author of several books and she holds two honorary doctorates and was awarded the OBE for her work in raising environmental awareness in China.
She studied at the Beijing Foreign Language and Culture University and at Fudan University in Shanghai before taking up a career in written and broadcast journalism, working for The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The New Yorker. In 1992 she became a presenter of the BBC's flagship news program, "The World Tonight," then BBC Radio Three's cultural program "Night Waves."
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How do implement classes into my Nibbles remake? So I made a Nibbles/Snake remake by following the pygame tutorials on thenewboston youtube channel by sentdex. I made a lot of minor aesthetic changes, but overall, it's the same game. Here's the code for that:
import pygame
import time
import random

pygame.init()

# A few extra colors just for testing purposes.
WHITE = (pygame.Color("white"))
BLACK = (  0,   0,  0)
RED   = (245,   0,  0)
TURQ  = (pygame.Color("turquoise"))
GREEN = (  0, 155,  0)
GREY  = ( 90,  90, 90)
SCREEN = (800, 600)
gameDisplay = pygame.display.set_mode(SCREEN)
#Set the window title and picture
pygame.display.set_caption('Slither')
ICON = pygame.image.load("apple10pix.png")

pygame.display.set_icon(ICON)
CLOCK = pygame.time.Clock()
FPS = 20
FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("arial", 25)
SNAKE_SIZE = 10 # The width of the snake in pixels, not the length. Start length is defined in the game loop.
APPLE_SIZE = 10
TINY_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("candara", 15)
SMALL_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("candara", 25)
MED_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("candara", 50)
LARGE_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("krabbypatty", 75)
HUGE_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("krabbypatty", 150)
IMG = pygame.image.load("snakehead.png")
APPLE_IMG = pygame.image.load("apple10pix.png")
DIRECTION = "up"

def pause():
    paused = True
    message_to_screen("Paused",
                      BLACK,
                      Y_DISPLACE = -100,
                      size = "huge")
    message_to_screen("Press C to continue or Q to quit.",
                      BLACK,
                      Y_DISPLACE = 25)
    pygame.display.update()
    while paused:
        for event in pygame.event.get():
            if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                pygame.quit()
                quit()
            if event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                if event.key in (pygame.K_c, pygame.K_p):
                    paused = False
                elif event.key in(pygame.K_q, pygame.K_ESCAPE):
                    pygame.quit()
                    quit()
        CLOCK.tick(5)

def score(score):
    text = SMALL_FONT.render("Score: " + str(score), True, BLACK)
    gameDisplay.blit(text, [0, 0])
    pygame.display.update

def game_intro():
    intro = True
    while intro:
        for event in pygame.event.get():
            if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                pygame.quit()
                quit()
            if event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                if event.key == pygame.K_c:
                    intro = False
                if event.key in (pygame.K_q, pygame.K_ESCAPE):
                    pygame.quit()
                    quit()
        gameDisplay.fill(WHITE)
        message_to_screen("Welcome to",
                          GREEN,
                          Y_DISPLACE = -170,
                          size = "large")
        message_to_screen("Block Worm",
                          GREEN,
                          Y_DISPLACE = -50,
                          size = "huge")
        message_to_screen("The objective of the game is to eat apples.",
                          BLACK,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 36,
                          size = "tiny")
        message_to_screen("The more apples you eat the longer you get.",
                          BLACK,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 68,
                          size = "tiny")
        message_to_screen("If you run into yourself or the edges, you die.",
                          BLACK,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 100,
                          size = "tiny")
        message_to_screen("Press C to play or Q to quit.",
                          GREY,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 210,)
        pygame.display.update()
        CLOCK.tick(FPS)

def snake(SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_LIST):
    if DIRECTION == "right":
        HEAD = pygame.transform.rotate(IMG, 270)
    elif DIRECTION == "left":
        HEAD = pygame.transform.rotate(IMG, 90)
    elif DIRECTION == "down":
        HEAD = pygame.transform.rotate(IMG, 180)
    else:
        DIRECTION == "up"
        HEAD = IMG
    gameDisplay.blit(HEAD, (SNAKE_LIST[-1][0], SNAKE_LIST[-1][1]))
    for XnY in SNAKE_LIST[:-1]:
        pygame.draw.rect(gameDisplay, GREEN, [XnY[0], XnY[1], SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_SIZE])
        pygame.display.update

def text_objects(text, color, size):
    if size == "tiny":
        TEXT_SURFACE = TINY_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "small":
        TEXT_SURFACE = SMALL_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "medium":
        TEXT_SURFACE = MED_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "large":
        TEXT_SURFACE = LARGE_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "huge":
        TEXT_SURFACE = HUGE_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    return TEXT_SURFACE, TEXT_SURFACE.get_rect()

def message_to_screen(msg, color, Y_DISPLACE = 0, size = "small"):
    TEXT_SURF, TEXT_RECT = text_objects(msg, color, size)
    TEXT_RECT.center = (SCREEN[0] / 2), (SCREEN[1] / 2) + Y_DISPLACE
    gameDisplay.blit(TEXT_SURF, TEXT_RECT)

def randAppleGen():
    randAppleX = random.randrange(0, (SCREEN[0] - APPLE_SIZE), APPLE_SIZE)
    randAppleY = random.randrange(0, (SCREEN[1]- APPLE_SIZE), APPLE_SIZE)
    return randAppleX, randAppleY

def gameLoop():
    global DIRECTION
    gameExit = False
    gameOver = False

    SNAKE_LIST = [] # Where the snake head has been.
    SNAKE_LENGTH = 1 #Length that the snake starts.

    lead_x = (SCREEN[0] / 2)
    lead_y = (SCREEN[1] - (SCREEN[1] / 5))
    move_speed = 10
    move_speed_neg = move_speed * -1
    lead_x_change = 0
    lead_y_change = -move_speed

    randAppleX, randAppleY = randAppleGen()

    while not gameExit:
        if gameOver == True:
            message_to_screen("Game over",
                              RED,
                              Y_DISPLACE = -50,
                              size = "huge")
            message_to_screen("Press C to play again or Q to quit.",
                              BLACK,
                              Y_DISPLACE = 50,
                              size = "small")
            pygame.display.update()
        while gameOver == True:
            for event in pygame.event.get():
                if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                    gameExit = True
                    gameOver = False
                elif event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                    if event.key == pygame.K_q:
                        gameOver = False
                        gameExit = True
                    elif event.key == pygame.K_c:
                        gameLoop()

        # Handles arrow key and WASD events.
        for event in pygame.event.get():
            if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                gameExit = True
            elif event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                if event.key in (pygame.K_LEFT, pygame.K_a):
                    lead_x_change = move_speed_neg
                    lead_y_change = 0
                    DIRECTION = "left"
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_RIGHT, pygame.K_d):
                    lead_x_change = move_speed
                    lead_y_change = 0
                    DIRECTION = "right"
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_UP, pygame.K_w):
                    lead_y_change = move_speed_neg
                    lead_x_change = 0
                    DIRECTION = "up"
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_DOWN, pygame.K_s):
                    lead_y_change = move_speed
                    lead_x_change = 0
                    DIRECTION = "down"
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_p, pygame.K_ESCAPE):
                    pause()

        # If the snake goes beyond the screen borders the game will end.
        if lead_x >= SCREEN[0] or lead_x < 0 or lead_y >= SCREEN[1] or lead_y <0:
            gameOver = True

        lead_x += lead_x_change
        lead_y += lead_y_change

        gameDisplay.fill(WHITE)

        # Draw the apple on screen
        APPLE_RECT = pygame.draw.rect(gameDisplay, RED, [randAppleX, randAppleY, APPLE_SIZE, APPLE_SIZE])
        if APPLE_RECT in SNAKE_LIST:
            APPLE_RECT #If the apple appears anywhere "under" the snake, it will immediately respawn elsewhere.

        # Draw the snake on screen
        SNAKE_HEAD = []
        SNAKE_HEAD.append(lead_x)
        SNAKE_HEAD.append(lead_y)
        SNAKE_LIST.append(SNAKE_HEAD)
        # If you hit yourself, game over.
        if SNAKE_HEAD in SNAKE_LIST[:-1]:
           gameOver = True
        if len(SNAKE_LIST) > SNAKE_LENGTH:
            del SNAKE_LIST[0]
        snake(SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_LIST)

        score(SNAKE_LENGTH - 1)

        # If the snake eats the apple
        if APPLE_RECT.collidepoint(lead_x, lead_y) == True:
            randAppleX, randAppleY = randAppleGen()
            SNAKE_LENGTH += 1

        pygame.display.update()
        CLOCK.tick(FPS)
    pygame.quit()
    quit()

game_intro()
gameLoop()

It's a pretty solid little game. But I want to make the snake and apple into classes so that I can later spawn other types of snakes (perhaps basic AI?) and other types of apples (maybe ones that are green that grow your snake 3+). I made an attempt at doing this myself with a snake class:
import pygame
import time
import random

pygame.init()

WHITE = (pygame.Color("white"))
BLACK = (  0,   0,  0)
RED   = (245,   0,  0)
TURQ  = (pygame.Color("turquoise"))
GREEN = (  0, 155,  0)
GREY  = ( 90,  90, 90)
SCREEN = (800, 600)
gameDisplay = pygame.display.set_mode(SCREEN)
#Set the window title and picture
pygame.display.set_caption('Block Worm')
ICON = pygame.image.load("apple10pix.png")

pygame.display.set_icon(ICON)
CLOCK = pygame.time.Clock()
FPS = 20
FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("arial", 25)
APPLE_SIZE = 10
TINY_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("candara", 15)
SMALL_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("candara", 25)
MED_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("candara", 50)
LARGE_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("krabbypatty", 75)
HUGE_FONT = pygame.font.SysFont("krabbypatty", 150)
IMG = pygame.image.load("snakehead.png")
APPLE_IMG = pygame.image.load("apple10pix.png")

def pause():
    paused = True
    message_to_screen("Paused",
                      BLACK,
                      Y_DISPLACE = -100,
                      size = "huge")
    message_to_screen("Press C to continue or Q to quit.",
                      BLACK,
                      Y_DISPLACE = 25)
    pygame.display.update()
    while paused:
        for event in pygame.event.get():
            if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                pygame.quit()
                quit()
            if event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                if event.key in (pygame.K_c, pygame.K_p):
                    paused = False
                elif event.key in(pygame.K_q, pygame.K_ESCAPE):
                    pygame.quit()
                    quit()
        CLOCK.tick(5)

def score(score):
    text = SMALL_FONT.render("Score: " + str(score), True, BLACK)
    gameDisplay.blit(text, [5, 5])
    pygame.display.update

def game_intro():
    intro = True
    while intro:
        for event in pygame.event.get():
            if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                pygame.quit()
                quit()
            if event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                if event.key == pygame.K_c:
                    intro = False
                if event.key in (pygame.K_q, pygame.K_ESCAPE):
                    pygame.quit()
                    quit()
        gameDisplay.fill(WHITE)
        message_to_screen("Welcome to",
                          GREEN,
                          Y_DISPLACE = -170,
                          size = "large")
        message_to_screen("Block Worm",
                          GREEN,
                          Y_DISPLACE = -50,
                          size = "huge")
        message_to_screen("The objective of the game is to eat apples.",
                          BLACK,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 36,
                          size = "tiny")
        message_to_screen("The more apples you eat the longer you get.",
                          BLACK,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 68,
                          size = "tiny")
        message_to_screen("If you run into yourself or the edges, you die.",
                          BLACK,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 100,
                          size = "tiny")
        message_to_screen("Press C to play or Q to quit.",
                          GREY,
                          Y_DISPLACE = 210,)
        pygame.display.update()
        CLOCK.tick(FPS)

def text_objects(text, color, size):
    if size == "tiny":
        TEXT_SURFACE = TINY_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "small":
        TEXT_SURFACE = SMALL_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "medium":
        TEXT_SURFACE = MED_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "large":
        TEXT_SURFACE = LARGE_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    elif size == "huge":
        TEXT_SURFACE = HUGE_FONT.render(text, True, color)
    return TEXT_SURFACE, TEXT_SURFACE.get_rect()

def message_to_screen(msg, color, Y_DISPLACE = 0, size = "small"):
    TEXT_SURF, TEXT_RECT = text_objects(msg, color, size)
    TEXT_RECT.center = (SCREEN[0] / 2), (SCREEN[1] / 2) + Y_DISPLACE
    gameDisplay.blit(TEXT_SURF, TEXT_RECT)

def randAppleGen():
    randAppleX = random.randrange(0, (SCREEN[0] - APPLE_SIZE), APPLE_SIZE)
    randAppleY = random.randrange(0, (SCREEN[1]- APPLE_SIZE), APPLE_SIZE)
    return randAppleX, randAppleY

class Snake:
    def __init__(self, image, x, y, direction, speed):
        self.image = image
        self.rect = self.image.get_rect()
        self.width = self.rect.width
        self.rect.x = x
        self.rect.y = y
        self.direction = direction
        self.speed = speed
        self.trail = [] # Where the snake head has been.
        self.length = 1 # Length that the snake starts.
    def snake_direction_change(direction):
        if direction == "right":
            self.image = pygame.transform.rotate(self.image, 270)
        elif direction == "left":
            self.image = pygame.transform.rotate(self.image, 90)
        elif direction == "down":
            self.image = pygame.transform.rotate(self.image, 180)
        else:
            direction == "up"
        pygame.display.update
    def snake_grow(x, y, z):
        gameDisplay.blit(self.image, (self.trail[-1][0], self.trail[-1][1]))
        for XnY in snake.trail[:-1]:
            pygame.draw.rect(gameDisplay, GREEN, [XnY[0], XnY[1], self.width, self.width])
            pygame.display.update

def gameLoop():
    gameExit = False
    gameOver = False

    lead_x_change = 0
    lead_y_change = -snake.speed

    randAppleX, randAppleY = randAppleGen()

    gameDisplay.fill(WHITE)

    snake = Snake(IMG,
                  x = (SCREEN[0] / 2),
                  y =(SCREEN[1] - (SCREEN[1] / 5)),
                  direction = "up",
                  speed = 10,)

    while not gameExit:
        if gameOver == True:
            message_to_screen("Game over",
                              RED,
                              Y_DISPLACE = -50,
                              size = "huge")
            message_to_screen("Press C to play again or Q to quit.",
                              BLACK,
                              Y_DISPLACE = 50,
                              size = "small")
            pygame.display.update()
        while gameOver == True:
            for event in pygame.event.get():
                if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                    gameExit = True
                    gameOver = False
                elif event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                    if event.key == pygame.K_q:
                        gameOver = False
                        gameExit = True
                    elif event.key == pygame.K_c:
                        gameLoop()

        # Handles arrow key and WASD events.
        for event in pygame.event.get():
            if event.type == pygame.QUIT:
                gameExit = True
            elif event.type == pygame.KEYDOWN:
                if event.key in (pygame.K_LEFT, pygame.K_a):
                    lead_x_change = snake.speed * -1
                    lead_y_change = 0
                    snake.snake_direction_change("left")
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_RIGHT, pygame.K_d):
                    lead_x_change = snake.speed
                    lead_y_change = 0
                    snake.snake_direction_change("right")
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_UP, pygame.K_w):
                    lead_y_change = snake.speed * -1
                    lead_x_change = 0
                    snake.snake_direction_change("up")
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_DOWN, pygame.K_s):
                    lead_y_change = snake.speed
                    lead_x_change = 0
                    snake.snake_direction_change("down")
                elif event.key in (pygame.K_p, pygame.K_ESCAPE):
                    pause()

        # If the snake goes beyond the screen borders the game will end.
        if snake.rect.x >= SCREEN[0] or snake.rect.x < 0 or snake.rect.y >= SCREEN[1] or snake.rect.y <0:
            gameOver = True

        snake.rect.x += lead_x_change
        snake.rect.y += lead_y_change

        gameDisplay.fill(WHITE)

        # Draw the apple on screen
        APPLE_RECT = pygame.draw.rect(gameDisplay, RED, [randAppleX, randAppleY, APPLE_SIZE, APPLE_SIZE])
        if APPLE_RECT in snake.trail:
            APPLE_RECT #If the apple appears anywhere "under" the snake, it will immediately respawn elsewhere.

        # Draw the snake on screen
        SNAKE_HEAD = []
        SNAKE_HEAD.append(snake.rect.x)
        SNAKE_HEAD.append(snake.rect.y)
        snake.trail.append(SNAKE_HEAD)
        # If you hit yourself, game over.
        if SNAKE_HEAD in snake.trail[:-1]:
            gameOver = True
        if len(snake.trail) > snake.length:
            del snake.trail[0]
        snake.snake_grow(snake.width, snake.trail)

        score(snake.length - 1)

        # If the snake eats the apple
        if APPLE_RECT.collidepoint(snake.rect.x, snake.rect.y) == True:
            randAppleX, randAppleY = randAppleGen()
            snake.length += 1

        pygame.display.update()
        CLOCK.tick(FPS)
    pygame.quit()
    quit()

game_intro()
gameLoop()

This version isn't nearly as cute. In fact, it doesn't work at all. My understanding off classes and functions is elementary at best. A lot of code from the original was changed or completely deleted in my trial and error processes. I spent several hours trying to make this work to no avail. My main goal was to produce a Snake and Apple class that can be reused for later variations of both of them.
So, I've come to you fine folks to assist me! I have two main questions:
1) What do I have to do to make this work properly?
2) How can I clean up my code to make it easier to read and more efficient overall?

A: "A lot of code from the original was changed or completely deleted in my trial and error processes"
Bingo.  You just found the crux of your issue.  Software development should be a controlled, thought out process - not trial and error.  You need to proceed thoughtfully, and  purposefully.
What you are trying to do (or should be trying to do) when introducing classes is refactoring your code.
You should start again with the original, working copy, and proceed to change as little as possible when you introduce a Snake class.  The first step would be to simply convert your snake function into a class, and substitute that in.  Below is where you might start: replace your snake method with this Snake class, and change the line where you use it
class Snake:
    def __init__(self, SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_LIST):
        if DIRECTION == "right":
            HEAD = pygame.transform.rotate(IMG, 270)
        elif DIRECTION == "left":
            HEAD = pygame.transform.rotate(IMG, 90)
        elif DIRECTION == "down":
            HEAD = pygame.transform.rotate(IMG, 180)
        else:
            DIRECTION == "up"  # note: this line does nothing
            HEAD = IMG
        gameDisplay.blit(HEAD, (SNAKE_LIST[-1][0], SNAKE_LIST[-1][1]))
        for XnY in SNAKE_LIST[:-1]:
            pygame.draw.rect(gameDisplay, GREEN, [XnY[0], XnY[1], SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_SIZE])
            pygame.display.update  # note: this likely does nothing - I think you want to call it (pygame.display.update())

and change this:
snake(SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_LIST)

into:
snake = Snake(SNAKE_SIZE, SNAKE_LIST)

Now at this point, if your code worked before, it should still work (assuming I haven't done anything silly).  Is this a good example of a class?  No.  My Snake class is terrible.  Your attempt at a snake class is far, far better.  Doing things this way gives you a starting point though.  You can then proceed to do things like:

*

*assign the parameters to instance variables

*move pretty much all the code into another method

*start removing the module-level variables it has access to, and pass in additional arguments

*etc.

An alternate way to refactor this module might be to change each of your functions so that none of them rely on module level variables. Pass every variable that each function needs into that function.
The main point I'd like to leave you with is that it is far easier to make working software by writing/changing just a little at a time.  Make sure it still works before changing something else.  Work on small bits of code & test each change so you'll know exactly where and how your program broke.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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homeowners fight against foreclosure by offering practical solutions.
We were not the average home buyer. We were looking for a home with acreage, located between our two son's homes, and within a very affordable price range for us. Susan didn't hesitate when she heard our list of demands. Nor did she hesitate driving us all over Southeastern Louisiana in the search for our home. She never once made us feel as if we were keeping her from something more important. She researched areas and restrictions, flood history, and surrounding area information to make sure there would be no unwanted surprises regarding our property. Susan kept an open line of communication between us and the Seller's agent. She was able to find us everything we were looking for and we could not be any happier with the outcome of all her hard work. We will definitely pass her name on to anyone we know looking for a real estate agent.
My husband and I have worked with Deborah Howard for 3 real estate transactions(buying and selling). She is knowledgeable, personable, patient, detail-oriented and incredibly generous with her time (many evenings and weekends). In the home we sold, the attic stairs broke at the 11th hour; Deborah picked up the new stairs and brought them to the house herself!! She answered every question and every part of the process clearly and thoroughly. Deborah's enthusiasm for her clients and her work also made this process much more FUN than we ever could have imagined. We highly recommend Deborah Howard for all your real estate needs!
I had an amazing experience with both Laura Jacob and Robin Province at K2 Realty. I was moving under not so great circumstances, and they were professional, compassionate, and dedicated to finding the right property for my family and me. They demonstrated patience and thoroughness. Their negotiation skills are top notch. I couldn't have asked for a better team.
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text:
Cachuma Lake closed during search for possible drowning victim
Published July 12, 2014 at 7:49 PM PDT
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department
Boating at Cachuma Lake was closed Saturday while the Sheriff's Dive Team searched for a missing 22-year-old man who was last seen going underwater Friday night, just before 8:00 p.m.
The search was suspended Saturday afternoon because of poor underwater viability, but Santa Barbara County park rangers will continue to do surface patrols of the area.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department said in a media release that divers reached a depth of 80 feet under zero visibility conditions.
A representative from the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area indicated on Sunday morning that there were no immediate plans to close the lake again this weekend.
The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.
A visitor to the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area called 9-1-1 Friday night to report a boat about 50 yards offshore, at the north end of the Dakota Plains camping area, with a male waving his arms in distress and two people in the water.
Rangers responded on a patrol boat, according to the sheriff's department, and discovered one man struggling in the water. They were able to rescue him, but were unable to locate the other man.
drowningCachuma LakeSanta Barbara County Sheriff's Departmentclosedboating


text:
Q: Saving file using dialog utility i am still new to terminal and i can not find way to save a file after editing with dialog utility.
#dialog --no-lines --title 'Name' --backtitle 'program' --editbox /etc/passwd 30 70

Maybe you could help me to save this edite file?

A: From the dialog manpage: "On exit, the contents of the edit window are written to dialog's
 output."
So you should redirect the output of your dialog command to a file and use it based on the return code.

A: tempfile="/tmp/tmp.tmp" ## to make a temp file you can also use mktemp
filex="/path/file to be edited"
dialog --editbox "$filex" 28 125 2> "$tempfile"
returncode=$?
if [ $returncode -eq 0 ] ; then
  rm "$filex"
  mv "$tempfile" "$filex"
fi


Exercise, particularly short, intense bouts of it (think you lunchtime run or spin class) improves goal-directed functions, known as executive functions. In particular, those who take exercise breaks are much better able to focus their attention after exercise*. I myself have been encouraged to take midday walks or runs whenever working from home. A short, televised experiment showed participants who took a break from a puzzle and used more limited mental focus (namely exercise) performed better than those who switched to another highly mentally demanding activity. From this, it could be taken that the opportunity to let the mind go where it wants has as much benefit as the actual exercise itself.
Since the effects of more intensive exercises has been taken into account, a small study of female students was set up to look at other forms of exercise such as yoga, tai chi and martial arts*. What sets yoga apart from conventional exercise is that mindfulness and breath work (Pranayama) are an integral part of the practice. It makes sense to me that this is the key factor that could improve cognitive function as much as, or even more than conventional aerobic exercise. In the study, participants were found to have shown improved brain performance in a particular task following twenty minutes of yoga practice, meditation and breathing exercises. Indeed, the students in the study actually performed better following yoga than they did after the same amount of time on a treadmill.
Thinking specifically about studying, I wondered how yoga could help university students improve their work. I know that for me, procrastination after exercise or yoga can make the active break in my studies less productive than not. Looking at my patterns of behaviour, more relaxed yin-style yoga practice leaves me feeling focused. By contrast, finishing my yoga after a challenging posture that I want to relive doesn't exactly lend itself to concentrated study! I have been focussing on taking a proper Shavasana each time I practice (as I mentioned in this post, Corpse Pose can be the hardest asana!).
Yoga.com suggested seven poses to improve focus, which I had a practice of to get my zen on. I find balances great for improving my concentration and awareness, whilst cooling seated forward folds and meditation are perfect for quieting my mind.
*Source: The Acute Effects of Yoga on Executive Function.


text:
Papers are said to plan Yahoo deal expansion
By James Rainey
April 13, 2007 12 AM PT
Times Staff Writer
A dozen companies that own about 250 daily newspapers are preparing to expand a ground-breaking partnership with Yahoo Inc. to share advertising and editorial content, several newspaper executives familiar with the situation said.
The companies, facing the flight of readers and advertisers, are working with Yahoo to give wider Internet play to their news reports, draw users to their Web pages and offer national advertisers a one-stop solution for multiple newspaper websites, the executives said.
The Yahoo-newspaper partnership began last November when seven news companies teamed up to sell employment ads through Yahoo's classified job site, HotJobs. The consortium has been growing since and will be strengthened considerably by the addition of McClatchy Co., the nation's second-largest publisher by circulation, the executives said.
The deal with Yahoo will allow the newspapers to gain access to Yahoo's giant audience of hundreds of millions of daily viewers. For its part, the Web portal will be able to take advantage of the local news content and advertising sales forces of the newspapers.
One newspaper executive called McClatchy, owner of the Sacramento Bee and 30 other newspapers, "a huge swing vote in the industry" whose participation could encourage other companies to sign on with the Yahoo newspaper partnership. Right now, the consortium includes Cox Newspapers Inc., Hearst Communications Inc. and MediaNews Group Inc., which publishes the Daily News, the Pasadena Star-News and the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
An executive at another large newspaper company said: "Is this a cure-all to our ills? Probably not. But we are very excited about it. It's a lot of revenue at a time we need it a lot."
Both executives asked not to be named because they hadn't been authorized to speak in advance of a formal announcement, which could come as early as Monday. Spokeswomen for both Yahoo and McClatchy declined to comment.
The agreement would come on the heels of a deal with Viacom Inc. in which Yahoo agreed to place so-called sponsored search and short text ads on 33 of the media company's websites, including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Yahoo hopes to close the gap with Google Inc. in part through such cooperative agreements with "old media" companies.
The newspaper industry has been trying for more than a decade to form a single consortium to increase the reach of online advertising and content.
The most concerted effort came in the mid-1990s. A $25-million investment by nine newspaper companies in the New Century Network produced very little ad revenue, and the initiative was scuttled amid considerable squabbling.
The sense of urgency has grown considerably, with newspapers in 2006 losing revenue for the first time during a period of economic growth. The advertising losses seemed to accelerate for many companies in the first quarter of 2007.
The newspapers will use advertising service technology developed by Yahoo that will allow airlines, phone companies, investment firms and other large national advertisers to make a single buy to reach multiple markets.
The Internet portal has agreed to place prominent links -- including on section fronts for Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Finance -- that will drive readers back to local newspaper websites, one of the newspaper executives said.
The newspapers will, in turn, integrate Yahoo's Web search engine into their Internet sites.
The consortium is notable for companies it doesn't include: Gannett Inc., which publishes 90 dailies including USA Today, and Tribune Co., the third-largest publisher by circulation, which produces the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune.
A Gannett spokeswoman said the company was engaged in continuing conversations on the subject of partnering with a Web portal. Tim Landon, president of Tribune Interactive, said the company was continuing "an active dialogue with key players in the publishing industry and large online players."
Although industry experts held out hope that the two newspaper giants someday might join Yahoo, the companies have been investigating other alternatives. Past animosities could also prevent a unified effort.
Gannett and Tribune executives late last year were reported to be planning their own online consortium, one that McClatchy also considered joining. That would have put the three biggest newspaper companies in an alliance and offered a one-stop solution for national advertisers.
But McClatchy and other newspaper companies had privately expressed unhappiness with Gannett and Tribune. The disagreement originated with the job search site CareerBuilder.com.
Gannett and Tribune own 85% of CareerBuilder. Other newspaper companies wanted to sell ads through the company. But executives at several of the news outfits complained that Tribune and Gannett demanded too big a cut of ad revenue.
The papers that would eventually ally with Yahoo considered Gannett and Tribune too centrally controlled and less collaborative.
Some of the executives not signing on with Yahoo, meanwhile, accused their peers in the new consortium of giving away their news and advertising franchises in their haste to expand on the Internet.
james.rainey@latimes.com
James Rainey
James Rainey has covered multiple presidential elections, the media and the environment, mostly at the Los Angeles Times, which he first joined in 1984. He was part of Times teams that won three Pulitzer Prizes.


text:
Q: What shape should openCV color image take for copyMakeBorder? I have a 3-channel color image and I'd like to extract a subimage with a reflected border using openCV copyMakeBorder.  Should the shape of the image be (3, H, W ) or ( H, W, 3 ) or what?
I believe openCV uses Numpy arrays.  Suppose I have a 512x512x3 color image, which would be an array with shape=[512,512,3].  When I invoke cv2.copyMakeBorder on the whole image with a border width of 32 all around and border treatment "reflect", I want to get back an image represented by a [576,576,3] array, not a [512,512,67] array.  So, the order of the axes matters.  Sorry that I don't have any code to point to, I was trying to understand before I code.

A: Well, just try it...
>>> im=np.random.randint( (32,32,3) )
>>> im.shape
(3,)
>>> im=np.random.randint(0,255,(32,32,3))
>>> im.shape
(32, 32, 3)
>>> cv2.copyMakeBorder
<built-in function copyMakeBorder>
>>> imb = cv2.copyMakeBorder( im, 8, 8, 8, 8, 3 )
>>> imb.shape
(48, 48, 3)
>>> im2=np.random.randint(0,255,(3,32,32))
>>> im2.shape
(3, 32, 32)
>>> cv2.copyMakeBorder(im2,8,8,8,8,3).shape
(19, 48, 32)

So, as I suspected, the order of axes does matter, and the correct order is
[row,col,color].  In the example above, im2, which is [color,row,col],
misbehaves.


text:
Everyone's trying to figure out who the next big European Entrepreneur will be
By Liam Boogar Published on 14 January 2013 at 10 h 15 min
What's the deal with trying to identify the "next big entrepreneur" in Europe? Perhaps we've gotten tired of looking for the next big idea, and now it's time to identify the next big entrepreneur. Award ceremonies for startups have always lived up to the Golden Globe-like atmosphere they try to give off, in that everyone secretly knows that the awards don't mean a thing, and yet we nonetheless want our favorite startup (or ourselves) to win this meaningless award.
The Europas – it's like The Crunchies, and all the glory that goes with that comparison
The Europas, recently handed off to the Web Summit gang, has been pushing to not only award the top European startups, founders & VCs, but has been pushing regional awards as well, having announced the shortlists for awards for best startup in France, Russia, the UK, and pretty much everywhere in Europe. While the event promises to live up to the standards of SV's The Crunchies, as well as to the reputation of the previous editions of The Europas, I can't help but point out that neither of those two things carries any real value.
MIT – they also kill time…
At the same time as The Europas looks to define Europe's next big startups and entprenreurs,, MIT is doing its 2nd annual TR35 event, which also includes a regional look for inspiring Entrepreneurs under 35 – the French site is here, with all its too-confusing-to-find-how-to-nominate-people beauty. The nominations close today, and I'm not too sure how representative any nomination will be of the ecosystem, given that I only found out about it last week, thanks to a tweet or two that seemed borderline sponsored.
The Europioneers – the last entrepre-frontier
Lastly, the European Commission and TheNextWeb have teamed up to bring the Europioneers, "an initiative to celebrate Europe's finest technology entrepreneurs." It sounds like a nice idea – the EC has certainly been doing a lot of consideration on how it can support the ecosystem – but is an award show organized by a government body really the solution? You can nominate your favorite European Tech Entrepreneur for the Europioneers through February 14th.
Do entrepreneurs really need awards?
I find myself asking this question often. Given the amount of time we spend writing, watching, analyzing predicting, investing, chewing out, supporting, hating, loving, hating again, and finally saying we knew they would make it all along, do entrepreneurs really need "best travel/wine startup" awards to help the rest of us follow the vast scene in Europe?
I've often argued that there aren't enough startups in France that we need a local accelerator – that isn't to say that there aren't a lot of startups, there are, it's just that what French startups need is hands-on mentoring and someone to say "hurry the fuck up," not free office space & PR. I feel oddly similar about startup award ceremonies. While I will always root for my favorite startup to win, especially a French startup, I have to ask myself: am I wasting my time or that of the nominated startups? Even worse, am I misleading my readers to thinking that these startups are the most important ones to watch?


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text:
Home / Hormones / Exemestanex 20 By Euro Pharma
Exemestanex 20 By Euro Pharma
Brand: Euro Pharma Category Hormones Use Cases: Muscle Growth Form: Tablets
Exemestanex is a new drug that blocks enzymes responsible for aromatization, which prevents the side effects that steroids can cause such as flavoring. It is significantly different from drugs belonging to the class of aromatase inhibitors, and has an irreversible and permanent effect. As a result, 85% or more of estrogens are suppressed in the body of the athlete.
Exemestanex during a steroid cycle prevents the side effects that steroids can cause, such as flavoring. It should be noted that the effect of Exemestanex is fundamentally different from the usual action of Nolvadex. Tamoxifen has no effect on the aromatization process, but instead begins to interact with the cellular estrogen receptors, preventing estrogen from joining them and forming a bond.
Exemestanex also acts on the process of flavoring and suppresses it. Exemestanex has no estrogenic or progestogenic activity, but is characterized by mild androgenic activity.
Breast cancer in postmenopausal women (natural or induced), progressing against the background of antiestrogen therapy, non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors or progestins can be treated with Exemestanex.
For men, the recommended dosage is 12.5-25 mg/day, and for women, the recommended dosage is 12.5 mg/day. However, side effects may occur frequently and in varying degrees. These side effects can include nausea, fatigue, sweating, dizziness, headache, skin rash, and insomnia, among others.


Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, are battling a 14-count public-corruption indictment that alleges they lent the prestige of the governor's office to a Richmond-area businessman in exchange for gifts and loans.
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, are battling a 14-count public-corruption indictment that alleges they lent the prestige of the governor's office to a Richmond area businessman in exchange for gifts and loans.
RICHMOND — As first lady of Virginia, Maureen McDonnell sometimes yelled at her chief of staff so loudly that the governor's security detail came rushing over to see what was wrong, the onetime top aide testified Wednesday. McDonnell text-messaged workers at all hours of the day and night, no matter if they were at home making dinner or even sleeping.
And she once accused the mansion chef of intentionally serving her spoiled food — just to make her sick at Christmas, the aide testified.
The McDonnells are charged with lending the prestige of the governor's office to Richmond-area businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for loans, vacations and luxury goods. Sutherland's testimony helped prosecutors on a number of points.
She rejected, for example, the idea of a romance between Williams and Maureen McDonnell and provided examples of loving gestures she observed between the McDonnells. That seriously undercuts the defense assertion that the marriage was so broken that Robert and Maureen McDonnell were incapable of conspiring together.
She also provided concrete examples of the couple's money troubles, which prosecutors have said motivated them to seek Williams's money.
But Sutherland, notably, weakened the link between Robert McDonnell and an August 2011 event at the Executive Mansion that prosecutors say was intended to help Williams promote a dietary supplement produced by his company. She testified — and e-mails show — that the governor's scheduler initially said McDonnell would not be able to attend because he had a radio appearance the same day. He agreed to come for the last 30 minutes only after Sutherland indicated that the first lady would be unhappy otherwise, the e-mails show.
Because the first lady is not a public official, prosecutors cannot win the case by proving that she alone helped — or offered to help — Williams. They must show that she conspired with her husband to do so.
"It was lovely," Sutherland responded.
On the McDonnells' finances, Sutherland testified that the first lady confided that the couple was underwater on a home they had purchased in the Richmond suburbs and that rent payments were not providing enough to pay the mortgages on two homes the couple bought as investment properties in Virginia Beach.
She said she charged to her own credit card shoes that Maureen McDonnell bought for the inauguration after discovering that the first lady's card was maxed out. (Sutherland was reimbursed by Robert McDonnell's political action committee.) Sutherland also gave her boss a $6,000 loan in June 2011, after Maureen McDonnell said she needed money to cover a stock purchase. It was soon after Williams lent the first lady $50,000 and around the time the first lady bought about $30,000 of Star Scientific stock.
Unlike Williams's loan, the loan from Maureen McDonnell's chief of staff was paid back in two months.
Sutherland, who worked for the first lady for about 20 months, said Maureen McDonnell "was a delight" to work with on some days, though other days were intolerable.
She said she discussed mansion working conditions at least once a month with Martin Kent, the governor's chief of staff and her direct superior. Just once, she said, did she lay out issues for the governor, when he saw her in tears in the hallway outside his office.
Before she took the stand, Sutherland was a major target for defense attorneys, who said she was working to secure a job with Williams as she helped him navigate the governor's office. They said her work with the 2011 mansion event, in particular, provided evidence of that motive, and they noted that when Williams took Maureen McDonnell on a $20,000 shopping spree in New York City, he bought a $1,600 dress for Sutherland.
And they suggested that Sutherland failed to shield her boss from Williams and, therefore, was partly to blame for what took place.
Sutherland acknowledged that she talked with Williams in her desperate search for a job away from the first lady, though she left in October 2011 without any sort of job connected to him. That, she said, was after a final, unpleasant exchange in which Maureen McDonnell — apparently having heard that she had talked with Williams about a job — demanded her e-mail password, browsed her account and searched her desk for business cards.
And Sutherland did not receive anywhere near the same level of generosity from Williams that the first lady did. Jurors saw picture after picture of the apparel Williams bought for Maureen McDonnell on a New York shopping trip in 2011 — including a dress from Bergdorf Goodman, a coat and sweater from Oscar de la Renta and shoes and a purse from Louis Vuitton. But they saw just one item bought for Sutherland.
It was a dress, shown to the jury in a plastic garment bag with its $1,600 price tag still attached. Sutherland said it had been in her closet, unworn, until the day the FBI knocked on her door.


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Zambia's envoy in CAF Confederations Cup Green Buffaloes were held to a 2-2 draw with Gaborone giants Township giants on their tour of Botswana.
The 'Go Boys & Fight, Conquer' arrived in Botswana on Friday to start their pre-season.
Right full back Malan Gondwe and the legendary Felix Katongo scored for the Bilton Musonda coached side.
New signings, Youremember Banda from Napsa Stars, Eddie Sinyagwe from lumwana Radiants, Sporting Lusaka's Lazarous Muchinga and Kabwe Warriors' Monga Chilimba all made their debut.
Three Buffaloes players are in coach Wedson Nyirenda's CHAN squad.
Midfielder Jack Chirwa is expected to start in midfield alongside Kondwani Mtonga while Adrian Chama and Mike Katiba will be on the bench in Morocco.
Buffaloes will face Egyptian side El Masry in the preliminary stage over a 2 legged tie.
Nkana is the other side that will be presenting Zambia in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Champions Zesco United has been joined by Zanaco in CAF Champions League.
They will be eliminated by the Egyptians.It will be a go-come journey,finito.No other flights.
Wounded Buffaloes, will show Egyptians what it takes to support local.


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