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KIWI 'HAKA' NO MEASURE FOR HACKERS......
This week, 9 New Zealand websites caught in an International breach last week which saw a total of 775,000,000 Usernames/Passwords listed on the Dark Web; Tampa Bay USA Credit Union gets spoofed, Canada sees an uptick in data breaches, and HR/Finance employees get caught in the cross-hairs of cybercrime.
This Past Week's Top Dark Web Compromises:*
Top Source Hits: Domains (99%) Top Compromise Type: ID Theft Forums (99%) Top Industry: High-Tech / IT Top Employee Count: 11 - 50 Employees
This Past Weeks Top Targeted Industry attacks:*
Finance Hits: 69 | Targets: Equifax Inc, BlackRock, Inc., Citigroup, PayPal, UniCredit.
Information Technology Hits: 56 | Targets: Apple, Twitter, Google, Netflix, Facebook
Software Hits: 47 | Targets: Twitter, Spotify, Google, Facebook, Adobe
Retail Hits: 28 | Targets: Apple, B&Q, Carrefour, Mondelez International Inc, GameStop
Social network Hits: 26 | Targets: Twitter, Google, Facebook, LinkedIn
This Past Week's Top Threat Actors: *
Inj3ct0r Team Hits: 28 | Targets: WordPress, Joomla, Twitter, Apache HTTP Server, SCADA and ICS Products and Technologies
Hezbollah Hits: 14 | Targets: Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, United States
APT28 Fancy Bear Hits: 13 | Targets: Democratic National Convention, Democratic National Committee, United States, Germany, United States Senate
DarkHydrus Hits: 6 | Targets: Middle Eastern government, Palo Alto Networks, Google, InfoSec, Threat Intelligence Center
VeryMal Hits: 4 | Targets: United States, Mac, Confiant, Apple
This Past Week's Top Malware Virus Exploits: Hits: *
GandCrab Hits: 235 | Targets: Microsoft Office Word, Syria, Microsoft Windows Xp, Microsoft Windows, Russia
Redaman Hits: 17 | Targets: Russia, Banking, Wireshark
Anatova Hits: 17 | Targets: Peer To Peer, Comunidad de Estados Independientes, McAfee, RPP, Джона Макафи
ProcessHijack Hits: 12
New Zealand Websites caught and hacked in major world breach*:
Nine New Zealand websites have been compromised in a huge online data breach.
The data breach is the third largest ever and the largest in which the stolen information has been made public, according to a technology magazine. More than 770 million email addresses and passwords, totalling 87 gigabytes of data, have been posted online in a hackers' forum. The technology magazine Wired said they appear to have been stolen from more than 2000 websites around the world. The nine New Zealand websites targetted predominantly belong to smaller companies. No credit card information is included in the leak, only email addresses and passwords. One of the companies affected by the breach, Auckland Florist Blooms Online, said it had no idea of the breach until contacted by authorities but would be changing all passwords. Wired magazine believes the data breach to be the third largest ever, and the largest in which the stolen information has been made public. The data breach file is named "Collection #1" – Wired magazine described the breach as being "a completely random collection of sites purely to maximize the number of credentials available to hackers - There's no obvious patterns, just maximum exposure."
Cloud Customers Faced 681Million Cyberattacks in 2018*:
The most common attacks involved software vulnerabilities, stolen credentials, Web applications, and IoT devices.
Cloud customers were hit with 681 million cyberattacks last year, according to analysts at cloud security provider Armor, which recently analyzed cloud attacks detected in 2018. The most common cloud-focused threats leveraged known software vulnerabilities, involved brute-force and/or stolen credentials, targeted the Internet of Things (IoT), or aimed for Web applications with SQL injection, cross-site scripting, cross-site request forgery attacks, or remote file inclusion. Researchers based the list on volume; these are not the most advanced or lethal cloud attacks. Yet they continue to work, are easy to access, and are fairly simple to use, they explained in a blog post on their findings. Any cybercriminal can rent an exploit kit containing attack tools for a reasonable amount of cash. For example, they said, the older and established Disdain Exploit Kit was charging rental fees starting at $80 per day, $500 per week, and $1,400 per month. Kits are designed to be accessible to cybercriminals at all levels and are constantly updated with new exploits. "Organizations that ignore patching leave themselves open to attacks that can take time and resources away from their business and can cause a lot of damage," said Corey Milligan, senior security researcher with Armor's Threat Resistance Unit (TRU). TRU predicts IoT attacks, DDoS campaigns, targeted ransomware, advanced phishing campaigns, and attacks targeting containers and cloud services will be prevalent in 2019.
A New ransomware strain is locking up Bitcoin operations in China*:
Ransomware threatens to overheat and destroy mining rigs if victims don't infect 1,000 other devices or don't pay a 10 Bitcoin ransom.
A new strain of ransomware has been observed targeting Bitcoin mining farms. Most of the infections have been reported in China, the country where most of the world's cryptocurrency mining farms are located. Named hAnt, this new ransomware strain was first seen in August of last year, but a new wave of infections has been reported hitting mining farms earlier this month. Most of the infected mining rigs are Antminer S9 and T9 devices, used for Bitcoin mining, but there have also been reports of hAnt infecting Antminer L3 rigs, used for mining Litecoin. In rare instances, Avalon Miner equipment (used for Bitcoin), were also reported as infected, but in much smaller numbers. It is unclear how Cyber Hackers first infect a mining farm's data centers or equipment, but some Chinese security experts suggest that hAnt comes hidden inside tainted versions of mining rig firmware that has been making the rounds online since last summer. According to reports in Chinese media, once hAnt infects a mining farm, it immediately locks the device and prevents it from mining any new currency. When equipment owners connect to devices remotely (via a CLI) or manually (using LCD screens) the first thing they see is a splash screen depicting an ant and two pickaxes in green ASCII characters, similar to the red skull splash screen displayed by the NotPetya ransomware. Clicking anywhere on the screen or pressing any key loads the hAnt ransom note, in both English and Chinese text. The ransom note is somewhat unique when compared to ransom demands seen on desktop ransomware variants because victims are given a choice. They can either pay a 10 Bitcoin (US$36,000) ransom to remove the ransomware from the mining farms operating systems, or they can download a malicious firmware update that they have to apply to other mining farms to further spread the ransomware worldwide. If victims fail to pay the ransom or infect at least 1,000 other devices, the ransom note threatens to turn off the mining farms computer fans and its overheat protection, leading to the device's destruction. However, an hAnt worm-like component would explain a report from Yibenchain, the Chinese news site which first broke the story. The news outlet cited an executive from BTC.Top, a local Bitcoin mining company, who claimed that hAnt infected over 4,000 devices within minutes. Besides financial losses caused by hAnt after the ransomware stopped normal mining operations, victims also reported losses caused by the time needed to reflash the infected mining equipment's SD card to remove the ransomware and install clean firmware.
Can You Spot the 'phish'?*:
Google's technology incubator Jigsaw has revealed a quiz that tests users' abilities to identify phishing attacks. In asking you to distinguish legitimate emails from phishing scams, the test reveals some of the most common scenarios that fraudsters use with a view to stealing your finances, data or identity. It comes complete with to-the-point explanations as to why this or that message is, or is not, a phishing attack. According to Jigsaw's blog post, the test is based on the company's security trainings with "nearly 10,000 journalists, activists, and political leaders around the world from Ukraine to Syria to Ecuador". All eight scenarios draw on real-life techniques deployed by scammers. The examples vary and include files shared via Google Drive, email security alerts, Dropbox notifications and, of course, attachments that ask for your immediate attention but are, instead, intended to download information-stealing malware onto your machine. Phishing remains the most pervasive of online cons and has for long been a highly effective method for fraudsters to steal people's sensitive data. "One percent of emails sent today are phishing attempts," according to Jigsaw's figures. Indeed, many security incidents begin with a user simply clicking on a malicious link or opening a dangerous attachment that is most commonly delivered via email or social media. Even though email filters do a good job of winnowing out many such scam attempts, some fraudulent emails will still slip through. Which is where phish-spotting skills can be critical, as can anti-phishing protection that is commonly part of reputable security software. And, as Jigsaw itself recommends, you should enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, if you haven't done so already. The extra factor, though not flawless, offers a valuable additional layer of protection in return for very little effort. It is best implemented via a dedicated hardware device or delivered through an authenticator app, rather than via text messages (although SMS is still better than nothing). If you're up for some more testing, you may also want to head over to this questionnaire devised by researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Helsinki.
THREAT FOCUS: Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union - USA*
Exploit: Debit card spoofing. Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union: Financial services provider. Customers Impacted: Approximately 3,000, or 10% of all union members. Risk to Small Business: 1.555 = Severe: The debit card information of union members was recently spoofed, a technique in which cybercriminals input Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) to a software from the Dark Web that generates fake debit cards and links them to actual accounts. Thankfully, no members incurred any financial losses, but the credit union will be forced to cancel and reissue debit cards to thousands of account holders. Although there is a small risk of customer churn due to impatient members having to wait for new cards, the costs associated with card reissuance pose greater monetary risk for financial institutions.
Individual Risk: 2.428 = Severe: Since cards will be getting reissued, it is important for union members to closely monitor their mail and ensure that they receive their new debit cards. Customers Impacted: Approximately 3,000, or 10% of all union members. Effect On Customers Businesses: Knowing that hackers can simply generate new debit cards to link to your credit union account can be unnerving for those looking for a secure financial services provider. In a world where trust and reputation are paramount for new and existing customers, businesses must do all they can to avoid new headlines and demonstrate their commitment towards security. Risk Levels: 1 - 1.5 = Extreme Risk 1.51 - 2.49 = Severe Risk 2.5 - 3 = Moderate Risk *The risk score is calculated using a formula that considers a wide range of factors related to the assessed breach.
THREAT FOCUS: Black Rock – USA*
Exploit: Database leak. BlackRock: World's largest asset manager and issuer of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Customers Impacted: Over 12,000 advisers and sales representatives. Risk to Small Business: 1.777 = Severe: The global investment management firm unintentionally displayed confidential information regarding thousands of financial adviser clients on its website. The data included personal information including names and emails, but also the assets each adviser was managing. A company spokesperson clarified that "the inadvertent and temporary posting of the information relates to two distribution partners serving independent advisers and does not include any of their underlying client information." However, this news still has the potential to spook financial advisers from working with BlackRock and clients from entrusting their funds there. Individual Risk: 2.142 = Severe: When vulnerabilities of this magnitude are exposed within a third-party provider's environment, the finger-pointing begins immediately. LCP Transportation, the vendor for MHS that disclosed the breach, will surface in news headlines and must answer to many other concerned clients as well. Although there is no evidence that any of the information was misused, experts are already calling for better cyber-risk management solutions to protect the healthcare industry. Effect On Customers Businesses: Data security is starting to become a priority on Wall Street due to recent losses shaking up public trust in the financial services industry as a whole. Breaches that originate from third-parties and avoid exposing end-user information still cause reputational harm, which can be measured in millions of dollars. Ultimately, companies will be evaluated by the security protocols they already have in place before a cyber-attack happens, along with the timeliness and effectiveness of their response.
Risk Levels: 1 - 1.5 = Extreme Risk 1.51 - 2.49 = Severe Risk 2.5 - 3 = Moderate Risk
*The risk score is calculated using a formula that considers a wide range of factors related to the assessed breach.
THREAT FOCUS: Health Sciences North - CANADA*
Exploit: System infection via zero-day virus. Health Sciences North (HSN): Academic health science Centre and Hospital. Customers Impacted: To be determined.
Risk to Small Business: 2.111 = Severe: Officials were forced to shut down HSN's electronic health record systems for 21 of 24 hospitals, interrupting care procedures and communications. Fortunately, there is no evidence of a breach, but the downtime will heavily disrupt processes and result in financial losses. Individual Risk: 3 = Moderate: Since data was not corrupted by the virus, personal health data should remain secure and intact given that the systems were backed up. Nevertheless, patients will be inconvenienced by appointment rescheduling, and the virus that infected HSN's cancer program signals that such medical information could be valuable to future hackers. Effect on Customers: Even when a cyber-attack is mitigated, it inevitably results in the slowdown of business activities, which can lead to the erosion of customer loyalty. However, when viruses infect an information system, the time to detection becomes of utmost importance in containing the source and identifying what could be affected.
Risk Levels: 1 - 1.5 = Extreme Risk 1.51 - 2.49 = Severe Risk 2.5 - 3 = Moderate Risk *The risk score is calculated using a formula that considers a wide range of factors related to the assessed breach.
THREAT FOCUS: Coast Capital Savings - CANADA*
Exploit: Phishing, "brute force," and social engineering fraud. Coast Capital Savings: Federal credit union headquartered in Surrey. Customers Impacted: 140members. Risk to Small Business: 2.111 = Severe: Coast Capital Savings recently reported that 140 members had money stolen from their accounts in a targeted cyber-attack between November and December of last year. The average loss per victim ranged from $3,000 to $6,000, amounting to hundreds of thousands in total. Customers are voicing their concerns publicly, stating that the credit union has not been able to say how the funds were accessed or if they would be reimbursed. Additionally, some are citing a lack of additional security and negligence in safeguarding member accounts, which drives business risk up high. Aside from a possible onslaught of lawsuits, the credit union stands to lose customers and long-term brand loyalty. Individual Risk: 2.571 = Moderate: The investigation revealed that the hackers deployed fake emails and texts asking for security information, used a computer program to guess passwords, and impersonated trusted sources to scam customers via telephone. Since payment accounts were compromised, this attack poses significant financial risk to individual members. Also, if the usernames and passwords were reused for other financial accounts, hackers could gain access to those as well. Effect on Customers: The news following this breach is characteristic of any public relations team's worst nightmare, as it cites specific customer grievances that can significantly impact the outlook of new and existing business. When a payment compromise is discovered over a year after it initially occurs, it becomes increasingly difficult to pinpoint the source and respond to customer complaints in a timely fashion. This further emphasizes the need for businesses to invest in security solutions that offer proactive detection and prevention.
THREAT FOCUS: Newcastle Royal Grammar School – UNITED KINGDOM*:
Exploit: Email spam. Royal Grammar School (RGS): British independent school located in Newcastle. Risk to Small Business: 2.111 = Severe Customers Impacted: To be determined Risk to Small Business: 2.111 = Severe:
In this incident, hackers attempted to scam parents of Newcastle students by asking them to pay school fees in bitcoin to receive a 25% discount. Since the attackers had access to the email addresses of parents, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating to learn more and advising caution regarding future phishing attacks targeted towards schools.
Individual Risk: 2.428 = Severe: It is still unknown how hackers gained access to parents' email addresses, which could put personal information at risk. However, it is unlikely that payment details were exposed.
THREAT FOCUS: Averline - FRANCE*:
Exploit: Magecart attack, also known as web card skimming. Adverline: Paris-based online advertising company. Risk to Small Business: 1.888 = Severe Customers Impacted: To be determined.
Risk to Small Business: 1.888 = Severe:
In November of last year, a cybercriminal group attacked the content delivery network (CDN) of Adverline. They hacked infrastructure in order to send malicious JavaScript code to online stores and steal payment card details entered by customers on checkout pages. Identified as a sophisticated form of a "Magecart" attack, cybersecurity experts are estimating a total of 277 affected sites. Although there is no further clarification on Adverline's response, speculators can rest assured that the advertising company will be losing many of its client relationships.
Individual Risk: 2.428 = Severe: As you can imagine, there is not much end users can do to protect themselves against Magecart attacks. The risk of payment fraud is extremely high and widespread, especially with the number of sites affected since November. Consumers can protect themselves in the future by constantly monitoring their accounts and employing services that provide unique or encrypted payment card numbers for online transactions. Effect on Customers: The Adverline breach is a classic example of how an infrastructure hack can be manipulated to compromise an entire network of websites. Aside from adhering to best practices for vendor evaluation, companies must find ways to decentralize infrastructures in order to protect key assets and avoid being exposed in one fell swoop.
An Emerging Target for Data Breaches: HR and Finance Employees* As phishing attacks evolve in sophistication, human resource and finance teams are becoming caught in the crosshairs. Historically, such departments have been able to fend off poorly executed phishing campaigns. However, as hackers get smarter, so do their tactics. By adopting the writing styles of executives on social media, they can produce "look-alike" language that is capable of fooling even the most careful employees.
Many times, employee data can command a higher price tag on the Dark Web than customer data, since it is more likely to include social security numbers, dates of birth, names of dependents, and other lucrative data that can be used in perpetuity, instead of a one-time payment card fraud. When it comes to phishing attacks, it's important to remember that human users are the weakest link the security chain.
* Disclaimer: Avantia Corporate Services Pty Ltd and Avantia Cyber Security provides the content in this publication to the reader for general information purposes only and has compiled the content from a number of sources in Australia, the USA, and up to 56 other countries who provide cyber breach information to us in real time. Given their international focus and experience in the cyberspace arena we believe their data to be accurate and reliable, however, we give no warranty (implied or otherwise), as to the contents accuracy or fitness for use. No validation or investigation has been performed by Avantia Corporate Services or the Author as to its accuracy or reliability. Readers should conduct their own investigation and come to their own conclusions.


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Security chief calls Minnesota Capitol 'safe' despite protests
January 8, 2021 6:25 p.m.
Minnesota state troopers stand on the steps of Minnesota State Capitol during a rally in support of President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News file
Officials have taken steps to ensure the Minnesota Capitol is safe despite recent and planned protests there by supporters of President Donald Trump, the state's public safety chief told lawmakers in a letter released Friday.
But Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington also urged legislators to restrain their rhetoric, saying the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol proved that words matter.
Harrington wrote to legislators Thursday after a peaceful "Storm the Capitol" protest by about 500 people, including at least three Republican lawmakers, in St. Paul on Wednesday. Organizers of that rally have since announced a "Stop the Steal" event at the Capitol for Saturday, with plans for protests outside the homes of unspecified public officials afterward.
WednesdayTrump backers rally at Minnesota Capitol against Biden win
'How did it get to this?'Minnesotans react to violence, chaos at U.S. Capitol
"We all play a critical role in ensuring the continuation of safety at the Capitol and I encourage you to carefully consider the effect of our rhetoric," Harrington wrote. "As leaders in our state, I think it is up to all of us to call out language or activity that endorses or encourages illegal or destructive behavior. We simply cannot stand by — and certainly not participate — while some choose to instigate violence or ignore law and order in our state and nation."
Protesters attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump on Wednesday in St. Paul.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii | Star Tribune via AP file
Demonstrators, some openly carrying guns, went to the homes of some state representatives last weekend, Harrington wrote, noting that "some groups" have said they plan to protest against judges and state constitutional officers. Among the targets of speakers' ire Wednesday was a judge who approved a consent decree last summer that made voting by mail easier during the pandemic. The commissioner said his department has alerted all police chiefs and sheriffs in the state and told them that his department is tracking that sort of activity.
Harrington didn't name the targets of last weekend's protests for security reasons. But Democratic Rep. Carlos Mariani, of St. Paul, tweeted Saturday that about "100 whites in MAGA hats protested #Covid rules at my home." He said they blocked the street with trucks and that some carried guns and wore military-style clothing.
"Terrorism has many faces," Mariani wrote. "Democracy is fragile. We must stand together."
Minnesota U.S. Rep.Stauber says he is 'disappointed' in Trump but doesn't support impeachment
Politics Friday special: Minnesota's political observers reflect on U.S. Capitol chaos
While Democrats call for removing Trump4 MN GOP lawmakers silent on blame for Capitol siege
Harrington noted that there were "no active attempts" to breach the state Capitol on Wednesday, though many of the roughly protesters yelled that they wanted to and cheered the news of the storming of the U.S. Capitol. He said the reinforced security presence helped discourage trouble and that the stepped up security will continue at the Capitol, which has been fenced off since the unrest following the death of George Floyd in police custody last summer.
"These plans are preventative in nature, as there are few known active threats to the State Capitol at this time" Harrington wrote. "The State Patrol will continue in this posture as needed, based upon what we learn about upcoming protests, rallies and events at the Capitol Complex and surrounding area."
Capitol security watch protesters during a rally in support of President Donald Trump on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday.
Wednesday's rally was organized by Hold the Line MN, a Facebook group for self-proclaimed "patriots" committed to "rallying behind our President and America as we navigate this uncharted territory together."
Becky Strohmeier, a leader of the group, said she didn't know how many people would attend Saturday.
At least three Republican lawmakers appeared at Wednesday's rally, including fiery conservative Reps. Steve Drazkowski, of Mazeppa, Minn., and Eric Lucero, of Dayton, Minn., though the commissioner didn't criticize any specific legislators.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Benefits changes focus on employee wellness, long-term cost savings
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State officials have announced a new, comprehensive strategy designed to improve employee health and to curb the rapidly growing cost of health care for both employees and the University.
The changes, all of which are outlined below, will be implemented by Jan. 1, 2014, and seek to reduce, over the long term, the University's significant and growing health care costs through wellness-focused programs and strong relationships with partner providers. These changes only apply to Penn State employees who are enrolled in the University-sponsored health plan. Additional details about individual initiatives will be released by the Office of Human Resources over the coming weeks through face-to-face meetings, electronic and mail-based communications.
"We are implementing a significant set of changes that will help us turn the tide on unmanageable increases in health care costs for our faculty and staff," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "Higher education is at the crossroads with respect to our responsibilities for greater cost control, and now is the time for decisive action. I have challenged our leadership in human resources to hold annual health care cost increases to the Consumer Price Index plus 2 percent, a goal that will help us to sustain the existing quality of employee health care options while easing pressures on tuition increases that face our students and their families."
Penn State's health care insurance is self-funded, so the costs for faculty, staff and their dependents are paid directly by the University and by employees through their health care contributions. In 2013-14, the University's health care costs are expected to top $217 million, continuing a steady trend of increased expenses, projected to balloon further without significant intervention. Nationwide, employers are seeking ways to stem the ever-increasing cost of health care, which includes initiatives to empower employees and their families to make healthy choices and minimize their medical risks through preventive care. The strategy is being implemented as part of the University's 2009-10 to 2013-14 strategic plan and seeks to reduce cost through similar methods.
"We have heard the concerns raised by some members of the University community since the announcement of the Take Care of Your Health initiative earlier this month, and we want to be clear about all of the changes that are being made to employee health care at Penn State for the foreseeable future," said Susan Basso, vice president for Human Resources. "We know that many members of our faculty and staff will have questions about the steps we are announcing today, and that some of the changes may affect their health-related choices. In the coming weeks, we will answer their questions and provide them with comprehensive, detailed information to fully support them in their decision-making."
In spring 2013, OHR benefits staff attended meetings with various constituent groups, including the Faculty Senate Joint Committee on Insurance and Benefits, the Faculty Senate Benefits Committee and the University Staff Advisory Council, to discuss proposed changes and solicit feedback. The discussions were productive, Basso said, and helped to shape the strategic direction of the University's plan. Officials at Penn State Hershey Medical Center implemented similar objectives eight years ago that incorporated employee wellness into their health benefits strategy. The changes that were implemented proved successful in significantly reducing the trajectory of health care costs. Though the two are not identical, the University-wide program announced today is modeled after the Medical Center's program.
The changes outlined below will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014, for all benefits-covered Penn State employees and their spouses/same-sex domestic partners (SSDPs). Additional information about each component of the initiative can be found at the individual links below.
Like all employers, Penn State always has had access to aggregate reports from its health care insurer. The reports have and will continue to be used only for benefit planning purposes. Because Penn State and all third-party providers must comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), it is important to emphasize that Penn State will never have access to an individual's health records, will never ask for those records and will not charge an employee additional fees based on their individual health status.
The changes are aimed directly at encouraging all employees and their families to improve their health, thereby reducing costs for both employees and for Penn State.
-- The annual Take Care of Your Health initiative encourages benefits-enrolled employees to participate in a free, confidential biometric screening, and encourages those employees and spouses/same-sex domestic partners (SSDPs) to complete an online wellness profile and to certify that they have had or will have a preventive physical exam. Those employees and spouses/SSDPs who do not complete the steps will be assessed a monthly $100 surcharge.
For more information about this initiative, visit: http://news.psu.edu/story/282680/2013/07/25/administration/take-care-your-health-sees-record-participation-following
-- New health plan options to provide employees with a greater range of coverage choices are being finalized. The cost will be dictated by the choices that an individual makes. Some options will actually eliminate cost sharing on preventive care and other medical services for employees who have been diagnosed with the most prevalent chronic conditions, if the employee chooses to opt in.
For more information about this initiative, visit: http://news.psu.edu/story/282685/2013/07/25/administration/health-benefit-choices-value-based-design-offer-lower-cost
-- A monthly insurance surcharge of approximately $100 will be assessed to benefits-enrolled spouses/SSDPs who have the option to elect health care coverage through their own employer. At this time, this surcharge will not apply to employees whose spouses/SSDPs also are employed at Penn State.
For more information about this initiative, visit: http://news.psu.edu/story/282688/2013/07/25/administration/health-care-plan-changes-include-modifications-spouse-partner
-- Free tobacco cessation programs will continue to be offered to employees and their covered spouses/SSDPs who wish to quit; a new monthly surcharge of $75 per tobacco user per month will be assessed to those who choose to continue to use tobacco.
For more information about this initiative, visit: http://news.psu.edu/story/282692/2013/07/25/administration/university-announces-tobacco-cessation-differential-program
"We want all Penn State employees and their families to be knowledgeable about their health, and our strategic goal is to help encourage individuals to make personal choices that are well-informed and health-focused, which ultimately benefits all of us," said Susan Basso, vice president for Human Resources.
Penn State has had robust, voluntary wellness programming for more than a decade. Voluntary participation, however, has not positively impacted the health care cost curve at all. As a result, Penn State is implementing a more aggressive strategy, which employs a financial disincentive but keeps premiums stable for all with no hidden costs. In order to have offered incentives rather than surcharges, the University would have had to inflate health care premiums artificially for all employees and then discount for those who participate. Those involved in drafting and implementing the plan felt it was important to be straightforward about how the costs will be assessed. This strategy is not a result of the Affordable Care Act, but is supported by its mandates.
"Maintaining affordable, competitive health care options for our employees is critically important to ongoing recruitment and retention of top-quality talent, even as the University faces mounting health care costs. Continuing to ask all employees to contribute an increasing percentage of their income is not a sustainable, long-term solution," said Basso. "This strategy allows our employees to control their own financial outcomes, while helping us to manage costs and reduce the need to pass expenses on to employees through increased premiums. Stable health care costs also will mean greater availability of funds for other pressing needs, including pay increases for employees. I realize that these changes are a lot for individuals to absorb, but I am confident that in the long term we will benefit as individuals and as a community."
Employees who have questions about any of the initiatives outlined above are encouraged to contact their human resources representatives, or to contact the Penn State Office of Human Resources at benefits@psu.edu or 814-865-1473. More information will be available in late August.
Employees who are a part of the University's Teamsters' collective bargaining agreement will not see any health care benefit changes during the current contract term, which expires June 30, 2014.
Jill Shockey
jss140@psu.edu
http://news.psu.edu
L. Reidar Jensen
lrj114@psu.edu
President's message explains health care benefits changes at Penn State
University announces tobacco cessation, differential program
Health care plan changes include modifications to spouse, partner costs
Administration, Budget, Human Resources, Strategic Planning
health care initiative


text:
Q: Is this way to create date and time inputs right? <form:form method="POST" action="/GuardarPase" modelAttribute="pase">
  Pelicula: <%= pelicula.getTitulo() %>

  <form:hidden path="paseId" value="0"/>
   <form:hidden value="<%= pelicula.getPeliculaId() %>" path="peliculaId"/>
  Sala:
  <form:select path="salaId">
    <%for(Sala s : salaList){%>
    <form:option value="<%= s.getSalaId() %>"><%= s.getNombre() %></form:option>
    <%}%>
  </form:select>

  <fmt:formatDate value="${pase.fecha}" var="dateString" pattern="dd-mm-yyyy" />
  dia: <form:input path="fecha" value="${dateString}"/>

  <fmt:formatDate value="${pase.hora}" var="timeString" pattern="hh:mm" />
  Hora: <form:input path="hora" value="${timeString}"/>

  Tarifa:
  <form:radiobuttons items="${precioList}" path="tarifa" itemLabel="categoria"/>
  <form:button type="submit">Crear</form:button>
</form:form>

I dont  know if this way is correct, i tried it and i dont know. I also modified model to set teh values, but the definition of the fields in the model is like a datetime not a date and a time , so its not too clean.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Nero Trigger is a tethered camera trigger that works with cameras from a variety of manufacturers, including Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, and Pentax. According to its maker, it should also work with other brands, too, but the necessary cables are only available directly from the company for these five brands. Once connected to your camera, the Nero Trigger can trip its shutter remotely on a number of different event types.
In Lightning mode, a sudden change in light level is taken as a signal to trip the shutter, with a 99-step sensitivity control available. As the name suggests, this is ideal for lightning photography, so long as you ensure that you're shooting from a safe place. It can also be used for fireworks, or anything else where there's a significant change in light level at the key moment where you want the shutter to open.
The Nero Trigger is fairly compact, and has a logical user interface with color screen.
Sound mode is similar to Lightning mode, but instead takes an aural trigger such as a bursting balloon or shattering glass. Here, you have not only a sensitivity adjustment (with 999 steps available), but also a time delay parameter of up to 999 milliseconds.
Laser mode, too, is similar to Lightning mode, but with a key difference. The Nero Trigger looks not for a sudden increase in light levels, but for a decrease. That lets you set up a laser beam aimed at the Nero Trigger, and have a photograph captured when something -- a naturally-shy animal, perhaps -- steps into the laser beam, and momentarily disturbs the signal. This time, you have both a time delay, and a threshold parameter that accounts for laser sources of different output power.
In Time-Lapse mode, the Nero Trigger will capture photos at a preset interval with your chosen shutter speed, and a user-specified limit on the number of frames captured. The minimum interval is one second, and the maximum is 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Preset exposure times have the same range. Alternatively, you can set the exposure time to zero, and the Nero Trigger will simply start the exposure and allow your camera to determine the necessary shutter speed. The frame capture limit can be set as high as 9999 frames, or the limit disabled altogether by setting it to zero. Quite handy for cameras -- especially entry-level models -- which lack an interval timer function!
A two-year warranty is included in the US$200 purchase price, as is free shipping anywhere in the world via DHL.
There's also an HDR mode, although there's a catch that will rather limit its utility. In HDR mode, the Nero Trigger will capture five or seven frames around a center shutter speed which you define. You have a choice of 1/3, 1/2, 1, or 2EV step sizes between frames. The camera must be set to Bulb mode, and your chosen shutter speed for the "normal" frame has to be within a range of 1/15 to 15 seconds, presumably due to the accuracy with which you can trigger exposures.
And finally, there's a DIY mode, which lets you connect your own trigger device to the Nero Trigger. This can have a voltage of up to 3V, and can trip the shutter based on either an increase or decrease in voltage. (Or in Change mode, on either event.) You have a choice of a 999 step granularity on voltage detection between 0V and 3V, and a 0 to 999 millisecond trigger delay.
All of this is configured on a small, color screen on the Nero Trigger unit. The device's interface is pretty straightforward, too, with Menu / Back and Start buttons, plus a four-way controller. And that's about the size of it: A simple way to extend your camera's capabilities, and to capture events based on pretty-much any trigger you can imagine.
The Nero Trigger is available immediately in a choice of six colors.
Available immediately, the Nero Trigger ships in six colors: red, black, orange, blue, green, or pink. Pricing is set at around US$200, with one free camera cable included. Additional camera cables can be purchased for $20 apiece, if you want to control multiple camera types. (Or you can supply your own cable, if your camera isn't one of those for which cables are offered.) Worldwide shipping using DHL is included in the purchase price.
More details on the Nero Trigger website!


text:
Hump-Day Has A New Name: Odd Wednesdays
By far the musical discovery of the night was young vocalist Erin Ragland
By Yeni Alvarez
"Odd was hilarious!" said Mindy Vargas, as she walked out the door near Sunset & Vine, vowing to be back in 2 weeks. She was talking about the new music/variety show "Odd Wednesdays" taking up residence at Ivan Kane's Cafe Was every odd numbered Wednesday night.
Cafe Was is the latest jewel in Kane's crown - the bold impresario behind the LA and Vegas incarnations of the retro-burlesque "40 Deuce." His new place, a 'Bohemian Bistro' in Hollywood at Sunset & Vine has been open 15 months and is hitting its stride just as the weather turns warmer and people are venturing out of their homes. With live entertainment, including burlesque Thursday through Sunday, Kane was open to something different while expanding his entertainment to Wednesdays. And that's what he got.
TV host Mark DeCarlo, best known from the dating show Studs and more recently, "Taste of America," a comedic food show on the Travel Channel, was back home in LA and itching to do another live show. "TV's Mark Walberg and I used to host a variety show at the Atlas Suppler club, adjacent to the Wiltern Theater a few years ago. It was a combination of comedy, improv, variety acts and great live music," he explained. "We had Second City guys like Steve Carrell, and Jim Turner, along side new singers and strange hypnotists. It was the Gong Show without the Gong."
DeCarlo hosts Odd Wednesdays, sprinkling in his off-the-cuff comedy between jamming with the phenomenal house band, Old Blues Eyes. Regular viewers of his Travel Channel show would catch brief riffs of his harmonica playing, but live at Cafe Was, DeCarlo lets it fly. The house band, comprised of session players and film and TV composers, backed DeCarlo, and all the singers throughout the night and stunned the packed house with their expert playing, all while keeping the volume perfectly suited for the upscale, yet comfortable club.
A few mediocre comics were mixed into the night. Not hilarious, but brief enough to endure. Comedic highlights included Italian comics Jimmy & Joey and Ron Barba's musical comedy set mixed in with awe-inspiring juggling by Bryson Lang and Roxanne Ferrara's risqué burlesque. DeCarlo also had some fun with the packed house in between acts.
One comic ended her act by spitting milk all over the stage floor, shorting out the entire sound system. The crew flew into action to fix the problem, leaving DeCarlo on stage - with time to kill. Using the easy, laid back style honed in over 400 Travel Channel cities, he simply started talking to audience members, settling finally on a little 8 year old girl who'd just seen "Cats" down the street at the Pantages Theater. The audience was howling as the little girl described the various cats in the show, while DeCarlo had fun with her, but never at her expense. In no time, the sound was fixed and the show continued.
By far the musical discovery of the night was young vocalist Erin Ragland. An unknown, DeCarlo found her through MySpace and invited her to join the cast for the night on a hunch. Her robust, throaty voice rocked the room and brought even show business veterans like Chris Bearde (creator of the original Gong Show), and Billy Riback (Home Improvement) to their feet.
Though the show presents twice a month, each show is conceived differently. The First odd Wednesday of each month is a 'jam night' where unknowns come down and sing and perform their acts in rapid succession. The Last odd Wednesday of each month features only known musicians and actors from film and TV, with just one or two of the Jam Night standouts mixed in.
Odd Wednesdays plans to be the place where musicians in town to play one of LA's larger venues can come in and do a few tunes to promote an upcoming gig along side established comics in a hip room in the heart of Hollywood.
And not just Hollywood… Mike Sinclair of Streaming Media Hosting shoots the show with an array of video cameras, and sends it out as a live webcast all over the world. Past shows are archived at www.cafewas.com
DeCarlo goes on: "The goal is to do a an original, one of a kind show where people can walk through the door and see someone they know from TV doing something they didn't know they did."
"Jeff Goldbulm played here New Years Eve," explained Kane recently. "The guy is a fantastic musician, had his band around him. People were stunned at how good he is. He played all night, and we were filled with happy people. Which is how I like it."
Seems like Kane and DeCarlo are well on their way to being happy for a long time.
» STUDS Star Mark DeCarlo Packs The House With ODD WEDNESDAYS At Cafe Was
Home » Music Spotlight » Hump-Day Has A New Name: Odd Wednesdays
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text:
Posted inMidwest Energy News
Consumers Energy plans to retire remaining coal plants by 2025
by Andy Balaskovitz June 24, 2021
UTILITIES: Consumers Energy announces plans to retire its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2025 and replace them with clean energy and the purchase of four existing natural gas plants. (Detroit News)
POLICY: Minnesota's new energy conservation law is expected to boost adoption of air source heat pumps as an alternative to propane and other fuel sources for heating. (Energy News Network)
***SPONSORED LINK: Attend the NCEW21 Policy Makers Symposium to hear from industry leaders and policy makers charting a clean energy, low-carbon future during the 5th Annual National Clean Energy Week September 20-24, 2021! Registration opens June 22, don't miss out! www.NationalCleanEnergyWeek.org ***
PIPELINES:
• Enbridge says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' call for a full environmental impact assessment of the planned Line 5 tunnel would delay the project. (Reuters)
• Minnesota officials issue an amended permit for Enbridge to pump significantly more groundwater out of the Line 3 pipeline construction area. (MPR News)
COAL:
• Utility officials discover additional toxic chemicals at the site of a former coal plant in western Michigan. (MLive)
• Vistra Energy agrees to clean up pits of water-soaked coal ash along the Vermilion River as part of a deal with the Illinois attorney general's office. (Journal Gazette and Times-Courier)
EFFICIENCY: An Ohio company raises $22 million from an investment fund backed by Bill Gates to improve energy efficiency in homes. (Bloomberg)
NUCLEAR: Critics of the planned extension of a Wisconsin nuclear power plant's operating license seek a more thorough federal safety review. (WUWM)
SOLAR:
• Amazon announces plans to invest in 11 U.S. solar projects, including a 50 MW project in northwestern Ohio. (Farm and Dairy)
• A Kansas electric cooperative announces the completion of two 1 MW solar projects. (Salina Journal)
• Local officials break ground on a 15-acre solar plus storage project in northern Minnesota. (LPTV)
OIL & GAS: Despite repeated citations, Ohio officials have yet to take formal enforcement action against a facility that handles hydraulic fracturing waste. (Columbus Dispatch)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Kansas City pilot program seeks to integrate electric vehicle charging technology with the city's streetlight system to provide public charging. (Centered)
POWER PLANTS: CenterPoint Energy's plan to displace retiring coal plants with natural gas generation would cost average residential customers $23 a month, utility officials tell regulators. (Evansville Courier & Press)
WIND: County officials in northwestern Iowa begin working on new zoning regulations for utility-scale wind projects. (Sioux City Journal)
RENEWABLES: Michigan's first community college enrolls in DTE Energy's voluntary renewable energy program. (ClickOnDetroit)
Andy Balaskovitz
Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing's alternative newsweekly.
More by Andy Balaskovitz


The University and the Union acknowledge the role of the Faculty Senate in shared governance. The Union represents faculty interests on wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. The Union shall endeavor to work collegially with the Senate.


text:
'use strict';

promise_test(async testCase => {
  const file = await storageFoundation.open('test_file');
  testCase.add_cleanup(async () => {
    await storageFoundation.delete('test_file');
  });
  await file.close();

  const fileNamesBeforeDelete = await storageFoundation.getAll();
  assert_in_array('test_file', fileNamesBeforeDelete);

  await storageFoundation.delete('test_file');
  const fileNames = await storageFoundation.getAll();
  assert_equals(fileNames.indexOf('test_file'), -1);
}, 'storageFoundation.getAll does not return file deleted by' +
     ' storageFoundation.delete');

promise_test(async testCase => {
  await storageFoundation.delete('test_file');
  // Delete a second time if the file existed before the first delete.
  await storageFoundation.delete('test_file');
}, 'storageFoundation.delete does not fail when deleting a non-existing file');

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Coach Alex Wilson
Women's Soccer History
Skyhawk Field
NE10 Women's Soccer
NCAA Women's Soccer
Donate to Women's Soccer Program
Block and Duserick Placed on Division II Conference Commissioner's Association Second Team
Duserick and Block tally their first D2CCA Awards
Division II Conference Commissioner's Association Women's Soccer All-East Region Team
EASTON, Mass. (November 16, 2016) – Seniors Jamie Block (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown) and Brianna Duserick (Canton, Mass./Canton) of the Stonehill College women's soccer team were both named to the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association All-East Region second team, as announced by the association on Wednesday.
Stonehill's goalkeeper Block wrapped up her senior season with a career-best 0.85 goals against average, 19 goals against, 99 saves, an .839 save percentage, and 10 shutouts. The Georgetown, Massachusetts native led the Conference in shutouts this season, as she totaled 20 games with zero in the back for her career. This ranks her third in program history sitting behind Kathleen Neff '00 with 24 from 1997-2000.
Block was most recently named NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year prior to postseason play, as she also picked up NE-10 All-Tournament honors and was tabbed on the NE-10 All-Conference first team for her first time. The senior was named NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Week twice this season and assisted the team to its first Catholic Cup Championship in program history after a 3-1 victory over Assumption College and a 1-0 win over Saint Anselm College and being named to the Catholic Cup All-Tournament team.
In Block's junior year, she was tabbed on the NE-10 All-Conference third team and NEWISA All-New England second team, while being recognized on the NE-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for six semesters and the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for two semesters.
Duserick
Duserick was part of the back line this year that held opponents to 19 goals against, while also being a component of the Skyhawks' offense that has scored 39 goals in the 22 games this season. The Canton, Massachusetts native tallied one goal this year, making her career total to two with one game-winning goal, which was in a 2-1 victory over Franklin Pierce University this season. Duserick led the team with five assists this year, ranking eighth in the conference, totally six in her career.
The senior was named to the NE-10 All-Tournament team after assisting Stonehill to its first Conference Championship since 1995 and the NE-10 All-Conference first team after the Skyhawks recorded a fourth-place finish in the regular season. She was also tabbed NE-10 Defensive Player of the Week for her first Conference accolade of her career. Duserick was named to the Catholic Cup All-Tournament team after tallying two helpers in the opening game against Assumption. Previously she as named to the NE-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for three semesters.
Stonehill finished fourth in the Northeast-10 Conference play with an 8-5-1 record, while concluding post season play with a 15-6-1 overall record. This mark was the best since 1999 when the squad went 17-4-1. The Skyhawks also tallied national rankings this season, matching its highest four from back in 1999. The 2016 team also recorded its first NCAA bid in program history after winning the NE-10 Conference Championship against Pace University, its first title since 1995.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
April 20, 2017 Women's Soccer Welcomes Addition for Ten Total for Class of 2021
March 16, 2017 Women's Soccer Alumni Game *Location Change*
March 16, 2017 Women's Soccer Welcomes Addition for Nine Total for Class of 2021
February 23, 2017 SOLD OUT! Stonehill Women's Soccer To Host ID Clinic
February 7, 2017 Women's Soccer Welcomes Eight to Class of 2021
December 16, 2016 Stonehill College Women's Soccer and Field Hockey Teams Volunteer at My Brother's Keeper
December 12, 2016 Block, Duserick and Kapatoes Named to NEWISA All-New England First Team
December 9, 2016 Block Headlines Scholar All-America First Team, As O'Brien and Block are Named to Scholar All-East Region First Team
December 6, 2016 From Wicked Local Georgetown: Georgetown's Block closes soccer career at Stonehill as All-American
December 5, 2016 From the MetroWest Daily New: On Campus: Hopedale's Kapatoes at the core of collective success at Stonehill
December 2, 2016 Block Named to NSCAA NCAA Division II All-America Second Team
December 1, 2016 Block Named to First Team, Headlines Four NSCAA NCAA Division II All-East Region Selections for Women's Soccer
November 30, 2016 Five Women's Soccer Players Selected to Play in NEWISA Senior Bowl
November 22, 2016 Wilson, O'Brien and Whitney Named NSCAA Women's Regional Staff of the Year
November 17, 2016 Block and Duserick Placed on Division II Conference Commissioner's Association Second Team
November 11, 2016 Women's Soccer Tripped Up By American International, 3-1, in Opening Round of NCAA Play
November 9, 2016 NCAA Division II East Regional Women's Soccer Preview: #4 Stonehill Versus #5 American International
November 8, 2016 Stonehill Seeded Fourth in East for First NCAA Appearance
November 6, 2016 Northeast-10 Champions! Women's Soccer Defeats Pace, 2-1, in Title Game
November 5, 2016 NE-10 Women's Soccer Championship Preview: #4 Stonehill Hosts #6 Pace
November 4, 2016 Block Named NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year, Headlines Six All-Conference Selections for Women's Soccer
November 4, 2016 Wilson Named NE-10 Women's Soccer Coach of the Year
November 4, 2016 Women's Soccer Records 10th Shutout Against No. 12 Adelphi, 1-0, in NE-10 Semifinal Game
November 3, 2016 NE-10 Women's Soccer Semifinal Preview: #4 Stonehill Heads to #1 Adelphi
November 1, 2016 Women's Soccer Earns 2-0 Victory Over Saint Rose in NE-10 Quarterfinal Play
October 31, 2016 NE-10 Women's Soccer Quarterfinal Preview: #4 Stonehill Hosts #5 Saint Rose
October 29, 2016 Women's Soccer Drops Final Regular Season Game Versus Le Moyne, 2-1
October 26, 2016 Three Unanswered Goals in the Second Half Edge Women's Soccer Over Merrimack, 3-2
October 18, 2016 No. 24 Women's Soccer Drops Northeast-10 Contest to Southern Connecticut State, 1-0
October 15, 2016 Pace Holds Off No. 7 Women's Soccer, 1-0
October 12, 2016 No. 7 Women's Soccer Records Eighth Shutout Against New Haven, 1-0
October 11, 2016 Pre-game Ceremonies to Highlight Men's and Women's Soccer on Saturday
October 10, 2016 No. 4 Women's Soccer Edged by American International, 1-0
October 7, 2016 Saint Anselm Breaks No. 4 Women's Soccer Streak, 2-0
October 6, 2016 From The New England Soccer Journal: Inspired Seniors
October 5, 2016 From NCAA Division II: DII Women's Notebook: A new No. 1, a familiar face and surprising Skyhawks
October 4, 2016 No. 4 Women's Soccer Records Seventh Shutout Over Bentley, 2-0
October 3, 2016 No. 5 Women's Soccer Tallies Trio of NE-10 Conference Weekly Awards
October 1, 2016 No. 5 Women's Soccer Downs Saint Michael's 3-0
September 30, 2016 62 Stonehill Student-Athletes Earn Division II ADA Academic Achievement Awards
September 28, 2016 No. 5 Women's Soccer Records Fifth Shutout with 1-0 Victory Over Assumption
September 27, 2016 Women's Soccer Breaks into No. 5 Spot in NSCAA Poll
September 24, 2016 No. 18 Women's Soccer Takes Down No. 5 Adelphi, 4-3
September 21, 2016 From The Enterprise: COLLEGES: Stonehill women's soccer team nationally ranked
September 21, 2016 No. 18 Women's Soccer and Southern New Hampshire Play to Scoreless Draw
September 17, 2016 No. 24 Women's Soccer Dominant Against Saint Rose, 8-1
September 14, 2016 Women's Soccer Climbs National Polls to No. 24
September 14, 2016 No. 24 Women's Soccer Fends off Franklin Pierce in Overtime, 2-1
September 13, 2016 Block Named NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Week
September 10, 2016 Women's Soccer Rises to the Challenge Against No. 20 LIU Post, 1-0
September 8, 2016 Women's Soccer Shuts Out Molloy, 3-0
September 3, 2016 CATHOLIC CUP CHAMPIONS! Women's Soccer Blanks Saint Anselm, 1-0
September 2, 2016 Women's Soccer Preseason Report
September 2, 2016 Women's Soccer Rallies Late in Second Half to Top Assumption, 3-1, in Catholic Cup Opener


Ole Arve Misund was recently appointed from the Norwegian cabinet minister to be the new General Director of the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES).
Ole Arve was currently the Managing director of the University Centre (UNIS) in Svalbard, a position he took in March 2012. He is also the Chair of the board of UNIS CO2 Lab A/S.
Ole Arve Misund former position was Research Director at Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway, 2000 – 2012, and Head of the Fish Capture Section, IMR, 1997 – 2000. He has also been member of the Norwegian delegation to the Joint Norwegian – Russian Fisheries Committee 2005 – 2011, and lead the Science Group of the Joint Norwegian – Russian Fisheries Committee 2005 - 2011. And Elected Chairman of International Council of the Exploration of The Sea (ICES) Fishing Technology Committee 1999 - 2001.
Polar Committee (2012 – 2013) of the Norwegian Research Council.
Norwegian Scientific Academy for Polar Research.
worked with ORSTOM (now IRD), France, in 1992, specializing in fisheries technology, abundance estimation of fish, and fish behaviour.
Published about 50 scientific articles, co-authored several books and book chapters, given many presentations and interviews, and acted as a referee for scientific journals.
Educated as fisheries biologist at the University Of Bergen, Norway (Cand. Scient. 1986), and holds a Dr. of Philosophy degree at University of Bergen from 1991. Senior Executive Course at the Norwegian Defence University College, spring 2011.


GREENSBORO, N.C., USA, Jan. 25, 2018 – Syngenta has received confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that several Syngenta herbicide tank-mix options have been cleared for inclusion with both XtendiMax® with VaporGrip® Technology and Engenia® herbicides. These herbicides will be available for use on Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans and Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton traits, providing growers with additional weed management options in 2018.
University researchers stress the importance of diversifying modes of action within a weed management system. In continuous crop systems with early and late post-emergence applications with one mode of action, resistance can lead to weed control failure in as little as two years. By comparison, the addition of a pre-emergence herbicide with two effective modes of action can delay resistance for 18 to 20 years in most cases.
All of the recently cleared Syngenta herbicide tank mixes have been tested according to EPA approved protocol, and the results are certified in accordance to the terms and conditions of registration for XtendiMax and Engenia.
(with Engenia), Fusilade® DX and Gramoxone® SL 2.0 herbicides.
©2018 Syngenta, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Gramoxone SL 2.0 is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Boundary®, Caparol®, Dual Magnum®, Envoke®, Flexstar®, Fusilade®, Gramoxone®, Prefix®, Reflex®, Sequence® and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


A Solar Powered and Electrified Middle East?
While the world economy gradually turns to renewable energy, is the Middle East following suit? If a non-carbon fuel global economy eventually emerges, how will that impact the Middle East rentier states?
The issue of renewable energy (RE) has attracted remarkable little attention in Middle East scholarship, despite the widely held notion that the oil curse is the mainstay of the region's pervasive authoritarianism. One hardly finds academic articles on RE in the Middle East beyond technical assessments in specialized journals. But there is clearly something going on. In 2012 Saudi officials surprised everyone by announcing an ambitious $109 billion plan for renewable energy, aiming to build "a solar industry that generates a third of the nation's electricity by 2032". Although the Saudi plan has suffered delays, other MENA countries, especially UAE, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt, are pushing ahead to reduce their reliance on fossil fuel, in particular by building large-scale solar energy projects. Climate change concerns are only a small part of this shift. For GCC-states, and Saudi Arabia in particular, the shift is motivated by rapid growth in domestic energy consumption and unsustainably high level of fossil-fuel subsidies. In fact, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Algeria spend an incredible 5 – 11 percent of their GDP on oil subsidies. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the country's growing energy needs must be met by other sources. If not, the Kingdom will no longer remain a dominant oil exporter (a "swing producer"). For oil-importing Arab states, like Jordan, the turn to solar energy is partly a response to energy security concerns. The 2003 Iraq war disrupted the flow of cheap Iraqi oil and during the Arab Spring turmoil gas import was severely disrupted, causing chronic energy shortages in the Kingdom. Since most countries in the region burn gas and oil (not coal or nuclear) to produce electricity, new solar energy plants will help stabilize government budgets by reducing fuel import costs or by freeing up reserves for exports. For many countries, urban air pollution has become a driving factor behind the search for clean energy, especially in Iran. Finally, during the past decade solar energy and wind power technologies have become cheaper and are in many cases cost competitive with their fossil rivals even without government subsidies.
The Middle East is currently witnessing a tremendous growth in solar energy production. Morocco currently imports more than 90 % of its energy, but its huge Noor Ouarzazate solar energy project is expected upon completion in 2019 to cover a significant part of the country's annual electricity needs. In 2011 the Egyptian government opened its first solar power plant at Kuraymat, south of Cairo, and a number of new solar energy and wind power project contracts were signed this year, aiming to fulfil an ambitious plan of having 20 % of Egypt's electricity needs from renewable sources by 2022.
In Jordan, the huge Shams Maan Solar Photovoltaic Project was launched in 2015, helping the country reach its goal of having 10 % of its electricity needs from renewable energy by 2020. In Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park which opened in 2013, is under continuous expansion. In January this year, the Emirate also tripled its renewable energy target for 2030 to 15%. In Israel, the 134 acre Ketura Solar field opened in July 2015, the largest solar part to be connected to the Israeli grid. The country aims at having 10 % renewable energy by 2020 up from less than 2 % today. In Turkey, solar energy production has also grown significantly over the past few years. The Erdogan government seeks to have at least 30 % of the country's electricity from renewable energy by 2023. Following a surge of new contracts on solar energy plants, the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) hailed 2014 as "a breakthrough for solar power in the Middle East".
Solar energy exploitation is not merely the business of governments and their largest private contractors, however. Solar water heaters have long been omnipresent in Israel, Turkey and elsewhere in the region, but new forms of solar energy exploitations are now available and at increasingly more affordable prices. Throughout the Middle East solar panels on private roof tops have become more and more commonplace. In fact, (mostly Chinese) mass production of solar panels has caused a 65-70 % price reduction in less than five years. In Dubai, you may now purchase roof tiles with integrated solar panels. Solar panels in the shape of artificial palm trees are being erected in the wealthy Emirate, and they also come in the shape of coloured glass and are being produced by a Chinese company at factories in Dubai.
Solar energy is also sought by the less-than-prosperous. In Yemen, demand for solar panels has gradually picked up in rural areas over the past few years due to inadequate public electricity service. Oil companies operating in the country have funded solar-powered water pumps to Yemeni farmers as part of their "corporate social responsibility strategy". Following the Saudi led air campaign the demand for solar panels has skyrocketed in Yemeni cities due to fuel shortages and constant power blackouts, and poor Yemenis are digging deep into their pockets to purchase solar panels. Similarly in Gaza, electricity outages and chronic shortages of fuel have encouraged the installment of solar energy systems, not only in private homes, but also at some schools, nurseries and water pump stations.
While the expansion of solar (and also wind) energy in the MENA region is perhaps the most visible part of an emerging adaptation to a future without fossil fuel, another and less visible aspect of this renewable turn is the introduction of electric (or hybrid) vehicles (EVs). Recent years have witnessed a remarkable growth in global sales of EVs with more than 300,000 EVs sold in 2014 alone. EVs are not entirely new to the region, however. Back in 2007, the Israel-based Better Place company launched an very ambitious EV-project in which a network of battery swapping stations and an infrastructure of charging stations would serve the drivers of the company's car, the Renault Fluence ZE. At its peak in 2012 some 21 stations and more than 1,000 charging points operated in Israel. The over-ambitious company sold less than 1,500 cars and went bankrupt in 2013, dealing a blow to EV projects in Israel. The country's high-tech industry has not abandoned the EV idea entirely though, and is making interesting advances in EV battery technology .
Besides Israel, Turkey is the MENA-country with highest EV ambitions. In fact, it is the only country in the region where the world-leading EV producer Tesla Motors is slated to include (in 2016) in its rapidly expanding global supercharger network. (Superchargers enable Tesla drivers to travel long distances with only short charging stops). Turkey has long had a large car industry, producing mostly parts of foreign car brands and running assembly factories. Its attempt to produce its first domestic car in 1961 (the "Devrim" or "Revolution") failed, but in 2011, the Erdogan government announced that Turkey would once again try to produce its own "national car". This time, however, the car should be electric. According to Science and Technology Minister Fikri Işık, "Turkey has missed the train for the classic internal combustion motor technology. […] But electric cars present a new window of opportunity". Turkey wants to be on board when the new-generation electric cars are hitting the market, and is encouraging a multitude of interesting EV projects and prototypes: from the long-range EV proto-type developed by Istanbul University students and the Porsche-like model developed by the ETOX company to a mass market EV proto-type, developed by Derindere Motorlu Araçlar (DMA). The latter is based on a Toyota Corolla and has an impressive 400 km range, but with an uncomfortable price tag of TL 180,000 ($73,300). Its CEO claimed this year to have concluded license deal with three countries for mass production. Turkey had an EV production between 2010-13, when it produced the Renault Fluence Z.E. at Renault's factory in Bursa-Oyak. Having no charging infrastructure in Turkey, the company sold less than 100 cars to Turkish customers, however. Today, an estimated 100-200 charging stations exist in Turkey and more are being built, but fully electric cars are still few and far between. There is only one fully electric Taxi in Istanbul. The EV fever has clearly not filtered down to the average customer yet.
In Dubai, authorities are also promoting EVs. The first EV charging station the UAE opened in Dubai in February 2015 by a royal dignitary from the Maktoum family. Dubai is scheduled to phase in 100 new charging stations in 2015, with 12 of these having a capacity to serve 24 cars at a time. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority recently purchased eight EVs as part of its car fleet, and the promotion of EVs is part of Dubai's "Green Transport" Initiative. Various incentives are offered, including special parking slots are reserved for EVs. Luxurious EVs such as the BMW i8 are being sold in small numbers in the GCC countries, and two of them are employed by Dubai's police force. A pilot project for electric bus transportation in Dubai is also being planned. True to its image of promoting everything spectacular and mind-boggling, Dubai has purchased a specially designed fully-electric "superbus" proto-type capable of driving at 250 kph. The 15 meter futuristic bus with luxurious details and eight gull-wing doors was touted as the "world's fastest bus" at a trade fare in Dubai in 2011, and the idea was to build a dedicated superbus lane between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Although car fuel in UAE is still very cheap, the government is considering cutting fuel subsidies. If that happens and the charging infrastructure expands significantly, EVs may also be embraced by the average consumer in Dubai.
The increased interest in EVs in the region is partly driven by air pollution concerns, especially in Iran. Tehran and several other Iranian cities are among the most polluted cities in the world. Thousands of premature deaths in Tehran are blamed on air pollution, caused mostly by several millions vehicles in the city. Many Tehran cars are more than 20-years old and/or Iranian-produced models with high emission rates. Another widespread problem is domestically-produced benzene-contaminated car fuel. Following new international sanctions imposed on Iran in 2010 on fuel imports, Iranian refineries tried to boost production by mixing benzene into gasoline, creating a relatively toxic fuel. When the orange haze of smog is at its most extreme, schools have been temporarily closed and strict traffic restrictions imposed. Due to a lack of high-tech refinery capacity in Iran, the oil-producing country is among the world's largest importer of fossil-fuel. In 2010, the Iranian government decided eventually to reduce its fossil-fuel subsidies (until then a large part of the government budget), causing a 75% price increase in car fuel. Against this background, it is not surprising that Iran looks to electric vehicles as one solution to reduce its air pollution problems and fossil-fuel costs. Various EV initiatives have been launched: the leading Iranian vehicle manufacturer, Iran Khodro Industrial Group, has recently signed contracts with local universities to develop hybrid and electric cars. In March 2015, President Rowhani himself appeared on Iranian TV, driving the Iran Khodro's new plug-in hybrid EV. The car is part of Iran's "The National Hybrid Car Project" and has an estimated range of 70-80 km on a single charge. Tehran city is also promoting electric motorcycles and hybrids taxis as the solution to the air pollution crisis. Terra Motors, Japanese EV producer of eco-friendly scooters and tuk-tuks has reportedly partnered with an Iranian car distributor, Jahanro Industrial, to import a fashionable smartphone-connected electric scooter to Iran. At the 2014 International Exhibition of Transportation and Urban Services in Tehran, "everybody was talking about the electric vehicles (EVs)", according to the organizers, and demand for EVs is reportedly picking up. Tehran municipality plans to ban fossil-fuel vehicles from entering restricted areas of the city, allowing access only to electric motorcycles (MCs). An 2014 government plan aimed at putting 400,000 electric motorcycles on Iranian streets. Government incentives included cash incentives to manufacturers, cheap loans to purchase electric MCs, dedicated free parking slots, free charging, tax and tariff exemptions, etc.
As is the case of solar power, the electrification of transportation also has a low-tech and bottom-up dimension which sometimes becomes visible in poor or war-ravaged areas with lack of adequate access to new cars and fossil-fuel. To convert petrol-fuel cars into an electric vehicle is a relatively low-tech affair (see example from Jordan and Turkey). University students in the region have also developed EV proto-types at budget prices (see examples from Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey). While such individual projects rarely move beyond one car, two innovators in Gaza, Waseem Khazendar and Fayaz Anan, responded to the fuel-crisis in 2008 by starting a mini-serial production of electric cars. Their proto-type was an old 1994 Peugeot 205 car model charged with a package of 34 standard lead-acid car batteries. The car reportedly did up to 100 miles on a single charge on the flat coastal roads in Gaza. It reportedly became a "point of pilgrimage" with some 400 Gazans lining up to pay the $2,500 for having their cars "electrified". Khazendar and Anan converted some 30-40 cars, but they quickly faced the problem of the Israeli siege as access to batteries and electric motors dried up. In 2012, another Palestinian entrepreneur in Gaza produced a homemade electric car entirely out of recycled material. It was an admittedly slow-moving and unfashionable vehicle, but with an impressively low price tag.
In the West Bank city of Hebron, solar-powered car proto-types have been produced by both Palestinian student teams and a professional engineering company. Both models are akin to slow-moving golf carts, but are cheap to produce and very cheap to "refuel". Most importantly, they can be produced and fueled locally. Since EV batteries and solar panels are projected to become more affordable and more efficient, these type of local electric "car industry" projects and homemade electric vehicle conversions – already a popular business and hobby in the U.S. – may also become more widespread in the Middle East, especially in areas where war and underdevelopment fosters self-sufficiency and local innovation.
The End of the Rentier State?
So where is the renewable energy revolution taking us in terms of the future of Middle East politics? Things are moving fast and as noted by a recent study, "perceptions of the role of renewables in the energy mix have not caught up with reality". The accelerating speed of the ongoing energy revolution will eventually reduce the importance of oil both as a political instrument and geopolitical factor. One cannot take for granted that the current slump in oil prices is just a temporary dip. On the contrary, it may well remain low and perhaps even continue to drop. Current global fossil fuel subsidies amount to a staggering $500 billion annually, while renewable energy in some cases is already beating carbon fuel on the economic market without green subsidies. That spells trouble for the Middle East rentier states and their ruling elites. On the other hand, renewable energy, and solar in particular, holds great promise for local ownership and participation. Much like the cell phone revolution in the third world, large populations without electricity may now "leapfrog" traditional energy systems, and move directly to cost-effective off-grid solar energy systems. The (mostly) decentralized character of solar energy, its infinite supply, and its "off-grid potential" may lay the groundwork for a political structure more amenable to democratic rule. The concept of energy democracy and its leftwing activists have been around for some time and their ideological project may seem somewhat naïve. It remains true, however, that the green energy revolution will erode the material basis for the Middle East rentier state. The dominant "ruling bargain" in the region, temporarily unraveled by the Arab Spring, will be further unsettled by the new energy paradigm. The ruling elites are well aware of the coming challenges, however, and they will have to plan for a future in which popular support and acquiescence cannot be bought by cheap oil and government subsidies.


text:
Geraint Thomas gilet challenge (Twitter, Geraint Thomas)
The Tour de G's Gilet continues: Cycling's most famous garment set to take on Tour de France Femmes
"Your gilet has been having such a great time, so why not try to get it to the real end of this race?"
by Ryan Mallon
Sun, Jul 24, 2022 18:17
Forget Jonas Vingegaard's duel with Tadej Pogačar, or Wout van Aert's stab at world domination, the real – and most impressive – story of this year's Tour de France belongs to an item of clothing that shouldn't have even made it to the start line.
I am of course talking about the gilet.
Geraint Thomas' Tour may have finished with a podium place – the third of the 36-year-old's career – that certainly confounded most pre-Tour expectations, but the Welshman's race started over three weeks ago in far less auspicious circumstances.
As the Ineos Grenadiers rider tackled the first few kilometres of the Tour's opening time trial in cold and rainy Copenhagen, he glanced down in horror to find that he was still wearing his pre-TT body warmer.
"We're in a team that spends hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, on aerodynamics?" Thomas' teammate Luke Rowe said after the stage on the pair's Watts Occurring podcast.
"And on the biggest stage, biggest race, Geraint goes to the start line a bit chilly, so he sticks his nice warm gilet on. Not the most aerodynamic bit of kit, but you were nice and warm, weren't you?"
As Thomas took to the start ramp, the rider – as well as a team soigneur and mechanic – all failed to notice that the 2018 Tour winner was a tad overdressed for the occasion.
"The legs were good, it's just a shame about the start of it," he told Matt Stephens at the finish. "And that bl-, that blinking gilet.
"Because I zipped it up, it was all nice and snug, I totally forgot I had it on. And nobody spotted it either at the start.
"Ugh, that was cracking me a bit as well. I did think about taking it off, but that would have been a bit dodgy. It's one of them... but the main thing is that the legs were good."
> Tour de France Gilet-gate: Geraint Thomas explains how he forgot to ditch body warmer for Copenhagen TT
Though naturally frustrated at the time, the former Olympic champion quickly decided to make the most of his mishap by setting a challenge: for the infamous gilet to be passed on stage by stage by a different fan, until it finally reached Paris after three weeks on the road.
Thomas then said that, once the gilet made it all the way to stage 21, he would auction it off in aid of his Cycling Trust, which aims to break down barriers that prevent young people from taking part in cycling through funding and support programmes.
Day one of #wheresGsgilet. Safely handed it over to Duncan who drove down from Glasgow yesterday 🤯 See you in Paris maybe… 🤣🤷♂
Who wants to pick up the baton from Duncan tomorrow and take it on the cobbles? #TDF2022 pic.twitter.com/UdnyJYlmFT
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 5, 2022
Much like the Welshman's GC tilt, the challenge has proved a resounding success.
"Against all the odds I'm assured the gilet is making it to Paris," he tweeted this morning. "Thanks to the crew at GCN for doing the final leg and to everyone who's got it round France. It's kept me amused on the massage table every night.
"Now I'm hoping we can do some good with it. We've set up a raffle for the gilet in aid of the Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust, which simply aims to help more children access and enjoy cycling across Wales and the UK.
"One lucky winner will get to keep the gilet (maybe give it a wash) and hopefully we can help lots of kids get better access to riding bikes."
Against all the odds I'm assured the gilet is making it to Paris 🤞🤣 Thanks to the crew @gcntweet for doing the final leg and to everyone who's got it round France. It's kept me amused on the massage table every night 👌 #wheresGsgilet pic.twitter.com/8V76l9d7u7
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 24, 2022
However, as we're all being treated to an additional week of racing this July thanks to the relaunched Tour de France Femmes, EF Education-TIBCO-SVB's Lizzy Banks reckoned it was only fair that the gilet took in the much-anticipated women's race.
"So, Geraint Thomas, your gilet has been having such a great time, so why not try to get it to the real end of this race?" Banks tweeted. "The top of La Super Planche de Belle Filles where the Tour de France Femmes will finish and get it signed by the winner of the other TdF!"
"Well I guess it's made it this far… one more week won't hurt," an enthusiastic Thomas replied.
"Love the idea. Shall we get the gilet round Tour de France Femmes?"
Looks like the 'G-lay relay' is on.
While a very un-Ineos-like oversight sparked the gilet's own unique Tour de France, this morning the British team seemingly decided to bookend their race with yet another organisational mishap. Ahead of today's final stage in Paris, and with the riders' lunch AWOL, Thomas, Pidcock and co. feasted upon a very different kind of marginal gain:
That hit the spot 🤣 Pre-Paris fuel with the boys 👌 pic.twitter.com/7JlfzyFktb
Geraint Thomas
2022 Tour de France
2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
Ryan Mallon
Ryan joined road.cc as a news writer in December 2021. He has written about cycling and some ball-centric sports for various websites, newspapers, magazines and radio. Before returning to writing about cycling full-time, he completed a PhD in History and published a book and numerous academic articles on religion and politics in Victorian Britain and Ireland (though he remained committed to boring his university colleagues and students with endless cycling trivia). He can be found riding his bike very slowly through the Dromara Hills of Co. Down.


text:
Кайде Гордон (; родился 5 октября 2004) — английский футболист, полузащитник клуба «Ливерпуль».

Клубная карьера
Уроженец Дерби, Гордон начал футбольную карьеру в академии местного «Дерби Каунти» в 2013 году. 29 декабря 2020 года дебютировал в основном составе «Дерби Каунти» в матче Чемпионшипа против «Бирмингем Сити».

5 февраля 2021 года 16-летний Гордон перешёл в «Ливерпуль». 21 сентября 2021 года дебютировал в основном составе «Ливерпуля» в матче Кубка Английской футбольной лиги против «Норвич Сити» . 9 января 2022 года в матче Кубка Англии против «Шрусбери Таун» Гордон забил свой первый гол за «красных», став самым юным автором гола «Ливерпуля» в этом турнире.  16 января 2022 года дебютировал в Премьер-лиге, выйдя на замену в матче против «Брентфорда».

Карьера в сборной
Выступал за сборные Англии до 16 и до 18 лет.

Примечания

Ссылки
 Профиль футболиста на официальном сайте ФК «Ливерпуль»
 Профиль футболиста на официальном сайте Премьер-лиги

Футболисты Англии
Игроки ФК «Дерби Каунти»
Игроки ФК «Ливерпуль»

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Over 780 Acidised Wav and Rex2 samples explore the boundaries of House, Broken Beat and Lounge featuring authentic live instumentation broken down into easy to use loops and individual hits. Lovingly assembled by Reel People leader and Papa Records founder Oli Lazarus, this collection features over 700MB of pure, soulful sounds, which have graced releases from artists such as DJ Spinna, Reel People, Blaze, Osunlade, Jon Cutler, Dennis Ferrer and Domu. In detail you will find in the drumloops section 52 Broken Beat Loops, 23 House Beats, 39 Live played loops and 33 Nu Soul Breaks. IN the Drum HIts section you can expect 24 Cymbals, 147 LIve HIts, 28 Hats, 30 Snares and 21 Kick Drums.
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text:
Q: Having problems understanding following simple algorithm public class Test1
{
    public static void main (String[]args)
    {
        int number = 0;
        for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
        {
            if (number != 0)
            {
                number = i * number;
            }
            else
            {
                number = i;
            }
        }
        System.out.println (number);
    }
}

I'm not quite sure how this algorithm works. My thought process is:

*

*We set number to 0 by default.

*In the for loop we are just saying, continue counting i till it's no longer smaller than 5.

*We say that if number isn't 0, we update number by multiplying it with i. So in our case, i is 0,1,2,3 and 4.

*Else we are saying the number is i and i is what we were counting.

*Lastly, we print number.

Am I missing something? Am I wrong somewhere?
If I run this code why do I get 24 as output? I cannot understand how this simple program works.

A: public class Test
{
    public static void main (String[]args)
    {
        int number = 0;
        for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
        {
            if (number != 0)
            {
                number = i * number;//For i=2, 3, 4
            }
            else
            {
                number = i;//This is executed twice - for i=0 and i=1
            }
        }
        System.out.println (number);
    }
}

Let's understand this program.

*

*Execution begins from the main() method.

*A variable named number is defined and initialized to 0.

*A loop control variable named i is defined. Its initial value is 0 and it is increased by 1 at the end of every iteration till it reaches 5. Note that i is never modified inside the loop body.

*For i = 0, the condition number != 0 is false, the else block is executed. number = i. The value of number remains 0.

*For i = 1, the condition number != 0 is false, the else block is executed. number = i. The value of number changes to 1.

*For i = 2, the condition number != 0 is true, the if block is executed. number = i * number. The value of number changes to 2.

*For i = 3, the condition number != 0 is true, the if block is executed. number = i * number. The value of number changes to 6.

*For i = 4, the condition number != 0 is true, the if block is executed. number = i * number. The value of number changes to 24.

*Since i = 5, the loop breaks. The value of number is printed.

This is how we end up getting 24 as the output.

A: Executing the algorithm step by step will help understanding it.
Let's start with the first line. As you said, this line just sets number to 0.
int number = 0;    | number: 0

I included the value of the variable on the right side after the bar.
Second step is to start with the loop. Before the loop starts, the counter variable i is set to zero.
int i = 0;    | number: 0, i: 0

As a second step we have to check if the loop criterion is fulfilled, so that the body of the loop will be executed.
The criterion of the loop is i < 5 and since the current value of i is 0 and 0 < 5, the body of the loop is executed:
if (number != 0) {
    number = i * number;
} else {
    number = i;
}

Since it is an if statement, we have to see if the if-condition is fulfilled. number is currently 0, so number != 0 is not true. This means we go to the else branch with is:
number = i;    | i = 0 -> number = 0

Since i is zero, number continues to be zero after this statement was executed.
This is the end of the first execution of the loop. Last thing the loop does before restarting is incrementing the counter:
i++;    | number = 0, i = 1

Now i < 5 is still true, so the loop body runs again.
We still have number = 0 therefore number != 0 is still false.
Note that i was updated to 1, but number was not until now. Now:
number = i;    | i = 1 -> number = 1

Now the loop increments the counter and starts anew:
i++;    | i = 2

Still i < 5, so the body of the loop is executed again.
For the first time number != 0 is true, because number = 1.
So now we execute:
number = i * number;    | i = 2 -> number = 2

number used to be 1, i is to, so i * number = 2
Again the loop body ends, the counter is incremented and the loop restarts, since 3 < 5:
i++;     | i = 3

Here again number != 0, so we execute
number = i * number;

which yields number = 6 since 2 * 3 = 6.
The same process continues one more time with i = 4.
Now number = 4 * 6 = 24.
We increment the counter
i++;    | i = 5, number = 24

Now i < 5 is no longer true, the loop exits and
System.out.println(number);

prints the current value of number, 24 to the screen.

A: Your thought process was good, but it wasn't exact or detailed enough because the meshing/merging of the sequence of the multiplication (of number) with the sequence of incrementing i is important.
Work it out on paper with a table, one column per variable, one line per instruction executed:
i      number

null   0     int number = 0; // i has not been initialized yet.
0      0     int i = 0;
0      0     number = i;  // it took the else branch
1      0     i++
1      1     number = i;
2      1     i++
2      2     number = i * number
3      2     i++
3      6     number = i * number
4      6     i++
4      24    number = i * number
5      24    i++
5      24    falls out of loop since i < 5 is now false


text:
Diana Shpungin
Diana Shpungin is a Brooklyn based multi-disciplinary artist who works in drawing, sculpture, installation, hand-drawn animation, video & sound. Born in Latvia's seaside capital of Riga under Soviet rule, Shpungin immigrated as a small child to the United States where her family settled in New York City. She received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts, New York, NY and has taught and lectured at numerous universities and art schools. She is currently faculty at Parsons: The New School for Design in New York. Shpungin has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions in both national and international venues including: The Bronx Museum of Art, Bronx, NY; Sculpture Center, Long Island City, NY; Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach, FL; Futura Center for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic; Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France; Invisible Exports, New York, NY; Stephan Stoyanov Gallery, New York, NY; Museum of Contemporary Art, Miami, FL; and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY. Shpungin's work has been reviewed in publications such as Artforum, Flash Art, New York Magazine, Art in America, Art Papers, The Village Voice, The New York Times, NY Arts Magazine, Timeout New York, Zing Magazine, Bloomberg, M-The NY Artworld, Timeout London, Connaissance des Arts, Le Monde, Whitehot Magazine, The Boston Globe & Miami Herald among others and she was cited in the introduction of Jerry Saltz's most recent book "Seeing out Louder". Shpungin has been awarded residencies with The MacDowell Colony, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, VLA Art and Law, Bronx Museum AIM Program and Islip Carriage House.
Diana's ArtPrize Entries
These are Diana's official ArtPrize entries from this year and past years.
Drawing of a House (Triptych)
2015 ArtPrize Entry Diana Shpungin
Diana's Past Work
These are images of past work that Diana has done.
Diana's Links


Square Enix Forums > Games > Final Fantasy Series > FINAL FANTASY VII-XII Forums > FINAL FANTASY VII > FF7: Remake Materia System, what do we expect?
View Full Version : FF7: Remake Materia System, what do we expect?
How do we think the materia system will work guys? I found this video with a really intriguing concept https://youtu.be/-22j_hDdO_I think he maybe onto something.