In 2015 the armed forces (AF) of the USA announced the long-awaited small arms producers in the competition for the new army pistol XM17, programs MHS (Modular Handgun System – the Modular weapon System).
As far As we needed a new pistol for the US army, in the end, the Beretta M-92FS (in the U.S. referred to as M. 9) is not too outdated weapons? The main reason for this program is the same as that in case of replacement of the Colt M1911 A1 Beretta M. 9. For the 15-20 years that are the pistols Beretta M. 9, many of the elements could seriously wear out, of course, provided that they do not lie in the warehouse in anticipation of world war II, and extensively used at least for training purposes. Of Course, some elements, such as the barrel, springs, pins, and more, can be replaced, but the complexity of diagnosis and repair, replacement of worn components can be quite high and financially burdensome. Another option is the purchase of additional quantities of pistols M. 9 also inefficient, since during the operation the accumulation of experience, changing demands to an army gun, manufacturers offers new design solutions.
Requirements for the new army pistol began to be developed in 2008 and include a modular design allowing replacement of the elements of the gun for shooters with different sizes of the hand. The management should be bilateral, with the possibility of convenient usage and right-handed and left-handed. The gun should be equipped with rails for mounting rifle accessories and different types of sights. The coating gun should not be slippery and be pale.
Guns should provide sufficient accuracy, allowing you to hit a 4 inch target (10 cm) with 50 meters in 90 percent of cases throughout the service life of the weapon. Each proposal had to include two gun – one full, the second compact, or a single gun that meets the requirements as to full-size and compact models. According to the requirements of reliability and durability, the offered pistols should provide at least 2000 rounds without delay, not less than 10 000 shots before the appearance of faults, and guarantee the life of the barrel up to 35 000 rounds.
The user guide for the new army pistol will detail all the steps required for the operation of the gun and modifications to its ergonomic component. Gun design should exclude the possibility of its complete disassembly by unskilled users (read soldiers). Complete disassembly should be performed by a professional gunsmith division, with the help of special tools.
An Interesting point, despite the fact that the US army use standard NATO 9x19 cartridge, the gun program MHS stringent requirements for the caliber/cartridge was not nominated. Because of the complaints of servicemen for inadequate lethality cartridge 9x19 when using pistols of this caliber in combat zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan, the manufacturers could offer weapons of other calibers such as .40 S&W .45 ACP, .357 SIG, FN 5.7 x 28 mm.
In Addition, the possibility of application of the new army gun is expansive and fragmentiruya bullets. The Hague Convention of 1899, prohibiting their use in hostilities, the U.S. did not sign, although to date and kept. It is believed that application of expansive and fragmentiruya bullets in the 9x19 cartridge will improve its stopping power and lethality without switching to another caliber.
As with previous attempts to replace the army pistol in the years 1978-1988, there were obstacles. The Committee on armed services of the U.S. house of representatives demanded to cancel the MHS program and instead upgrade the gun Вeretta M. 9. The company Вeretta, wanting guaranteed to remain the primary supplier of army guns army US, even before the official start of the program, MHS, presented in December 2014 the upgraded M9A3 pistol Вeretta, partially satisfying the requirements of the U.S. armed forces for a new gun.
Вeretta M9A3 Pistol is a further development of the model Вeretta M. 9/M-92FS. It is equipped with a guide under the barrel, interchangeable front sight, grip lower coverage. In the muzzle part of the barrel is threaded with a removable protective sleeve, designed for installation of quick-detachable silencer.
Вeretta M9A3 Pistol
Performance characteristics of the gun Вeretta M9A3: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds; Barrel Length: 125 mm; Overall length: 216 mm; Height of arms: 137 mm; - Weight without cartridges: 961,
However, the company's offer Вeretta was rejected by the House of representatives of the U.S. Congress has approved spending on a new pistol, and in August 2015 the armed forces of the United States officially announced the launch of the MHS program, putting the program cost in the amount of $ 580 million. The Test pistols was planned to take place before the end of 2017 and beginning of 2018, the winner has to supply the armed forces of the United States 280 000 standard M17 guns for the army, replacing Вeretta M. 9, 212 000 pistols M17 for other services and 7 000 M18 compact versions.
Just for testing were selected pistols, weapons provided by eight companies.
The Company Вeretta sent to the contest a new gun APX. The Czech company Ceska zbrojovka participated with compact pistol CZ P-07 and a full-size CZ P-09 in caliber 9x19 and .40 S&W.Us subsidiary FN America LLC Belgian company Fabrique Nationale introduced a specially developed for the requirements of the program MHS pistol FN 509.
The Company Sphinx presented a pistol SDP. Austrian Glock was Involved with MHS pistols Glock 19 chambered for 9x19 and MHS Glock 23 chambered for .40 S &W. the Company SIG Sauer P320 MHS, presented in full-size and compact versions. The American company participated in Smith &Wesson pistol M&P M2.0, company STI-Detonics pistol and STX.
According to some reports as candidates also considered the guns of the companies Heckler &Koch, Springfield Armory, Taurus and Walther, but they officially participate in the competition are not accepted.
Since the M9A3 pistol Вeretta wasn't a compact version, and a number of parameters, it does not fit the requirements of the contest MHS, the company Вeretta involved with the new gun APX. Presumably, this gun was designed specifically for the requirements of the MHS program, including a modular design. Under the requirements of the MHS program Вeretta APX is equipped with a non-automatic fuse, whereas for civilian applications there is a version only with automatic safety like on the Glock pistols.
The gun used Beretta APX automation with a short recoil and locking warp breech. The shutter is made of stainless steel, the frame is made of impact resistant polymer, USM udarnikov, with a preliminary platoon of a cock the shutter and dozvolom when you press the trigger.
Presumably, one of the factors that played against the Beretta APX was the absence at the beginning of the MHS program of mass production of these guns and sales them in any power structures.
Performance characteristics of the gun Вeretta APX: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds; Barrel Length: 085 mm; Overall length: 192 mm; Height of arms: 142mm; Weight unloaded: 760 g.
The Pistols CZ P-07 and P-09, submitted by company Ceska zbrojovka, based on the design of the CZ-75 pistol, familiar to athletes who are engaged in practical shooting. Pistols are based on a polymer chassis with a steel gate and have a new (relative to the CZ-75) USM Omega trigger double action with smooth trigger stroke. Automation based on the use of recoil with a short recoil, locking is performed using a declining breech. The controls and the shape of the gun is optimized to work with gloves.
According to user reviews, the gun is comfortable and accurate. Apparently, the US army did not suit the modularity of the pistols CZ P-07 and P-09, which consists only in the replacement of the rear part of the arm, which is probably why Ceska zbrojovka declined formal participation in the contest.
Gun CZ P-09
Performance characteristics of the pistol CZ P-09 Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 19 rounds; Barrel Length: 112 mm; Total length: 210 mm; - Weight without cartridges: 862
The Company FN America LLC for the contest MHS came out with one gun FN 509, which was offered as full and as compact version. The frame is polymer. Automation gun works on the scheme of using the recoil of the movable barrel during its short course, closing with the falling trunk, grip the top ledge of his breech with an enlarged window to eject spent cartridges. USM udarnikov, pre-platoon drummer.
As in the case of the pistols CZ P-07 and P-09 pistol FN 509 is not implemented modularity.
Gun FN 509
FN 509 Gun with a silencer, red-dot sight, under-barrel flashlight and extended shop
Performance characteristics of the gun FN 509: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds; Barrel Length: 102 mm; Total length: 188 mm; Height of arms: 141 mm; - Weight without cartridges: 762
Swiss gun Sphinx SDP data vary, according to one, and was attended by a full-size version and the Compact, according to others only the Compact, which, however, is not so important. The Sphinx pistols are descended from gun CZ 75, is no exception and the SDP model, respectively its design is similar to that of the progenitor, with a few changes. The modularity of the gun is missing, and the price certainly above the competition (the fee for high quality workmanship), respectively, the probability of winning a given pattern from the beginning was minimal.
Sphinx SDP Compact Pistol
Performance characteristics of the gun: Sphinx SDP Compact: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds; Barrel Length: 95 mm; Total length: 190 mm; Height of arms: 140 mm; Weight unloaded: 780 g
The Austrian company Glock for competition MHS went on the unthinkable sacrifice, releasing versions of their pistols with non-automatic safety (previously, this was done only according to the requirements of the "native" Austrian army). Because of the fuse, the thickness of the pistols increased by 2 mm.
Initially it was assumed that the competition will involve pistols Glock 17/Glock 19 in caliber 9x19 and Glock 22/Glock 23 caliber .40S&W. However, the Austrians surprised everyone by presenting, so to speak, a "hybrid" version of these models, the Glock 19 and Glock 23 MHS MHS. So the Glock 19 MHS height fits Glock 17, and the length of the shaft and the housing Glock 19. Accordingly, for Glock 23 MHS is the dimension of the Glock 22 and Glock 23. The front faces of the stoppers are bothpistols made in a beveled form, the type of paddles subcompact - Glock 26/ Glock 27. The guns covered with the protective non-glare coating.
Stores Glock pistols MHS is not compatible with civilian samples because of the protective protrusion on the handle. For each gun fired at the shop a standard capacity of 17 rounds 9x19 or 15 rounds .40S&W, and increased capacity – 19 rounds 9x19 or cartridge 22 .40S&W with protruding outside the handle cover. The neck store expanded to the accelerated installation of the new store, in the back there is a removable sling swivel. Otherwise for the most part it's all the same "good-old" Glock.
Main reason for the rejection of Glock pistols MHS again is considered not meet the requirements of modularity of the weapon. Looking ahead, the company Glock has filed a protest, considering that the possibility of her pistols underestimated in comparison with the competitor the winner, but the protest was rejected.
The Glock 19 MHS
Performance characteristics of Glock 19 MHS: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Capacity: 17 or 19 rounds. Barrel Length: 102 mm; Total length: 185mm; Height of arms: 138 mm; - Weight without cartridges: 708 g.
The American company Smith&Wesson was involved with the model M&P 2.0 (Military and Police). The frame is made from Zytel polymer, with steel inserts, automation based on the use of the energy of the recoil with a short recoil, locking the barrel by the scheme Browning. The barrel, bolt and other metal parts are made of stainless steel, USM udarnikov, only double action. The pistol is modular, has a removable back. Despite the fact that the gun was a S&W M&P is actively used by the power structures of the USA and other countries of the world, its design is also modular in accordance with the requirements of the MHS program. Consequently, the company Smith&Wesson voluntarily refused to participate in the contest.
Gun S&W M&P 2.0
Performance characteristics of the gun S&W M&P 2.0: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds; Barrel Length: 108 mm; Total length: 188 mm; Height of arms: 140 mm; - Weight without cartridges: 734 g.
Scheme of the gun S&W M&P
The Second American company STI was a gun STX. Chassis STX gun made of aluminum alloy grade 7075 with polymer coating. The shutter is made of steel. The frame supports four different barrel lengths and shutter, there are two sizes of frames for people with different size hands. The Gun STI STX was removed from the contest MHS without explanation.
Gun STI STX
Performance characteristics of the gun STI STX: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds; Total length: 178 (201) mm;* - Weight without cartridges: 652 (1020)* * - in different sources given different sizes and weight of the gun STI STX, maybe these are for weapons with different barrel length and the shutter-casing.
Presentation of the gun STI STX
Finally we come to the winner. The U.S. armed forces on 19 January 2017 announced that the winner of the MHS program was the pistol the SIG Sauer model P320 full size and compact variants. With SIG Sauer a contract in the amount of 580,217 million dollars. In the US army, the gun will receive designation M17 for a full-size version and M18 compact version.
Pistols SIG Sauer M17 and M18
Performance characteristics of the SIG Sauer M17: Caliber: 9x19 mm; Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds; Barrel Length: 119 mm; Overall length: 203mm; Height of arms: 134 mm; Thickness of arms: 35,5 mm Weight without cartridges: 833 g.
The Original SIG Sauer P320 has a maximum modularity of all submitted samples. USM can be inserted into frames of various sizes (full, compact, subcompact), shutter-casings of different lengths and barrels of different lengths and sizes – 9×19, .357SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
Frames, shutters-covers, trunks, modular kit SIG Sauer P320
Interchangeable frame pistols M17, M18 polymer, but includes a removable metal base with details of USM and the guide for the shutter, so the motion of the slide and the barrel does not wear on the polymer frame. The number of the weapon stamped on a metal base, frame made the cut for this room was visible.
Metal based pistols M17, M18
Guns used automation with moving barrel and a short stroke, tilting locking breech. USM udarnikov, with a preliminary partial cocked. Full Assembly and disassembly of guns M17, M18 require special tools as specified in the terms of the program MHS.
Guns of M17 and M18 equipped with two hand guards and levers slide stop on the frame. The magazine release can be installed in both left and right sides. The rear sight is mounted on a special removable platform on the shutter-casing of the gun. Instead of a site with entire can be installedcompact collimator sights, including and is compatible with night vision devices. Pistols can be equipped with extended barrels threaded for installation of silencer.
Reflex sight on the slide of the pistol SIG Sauer M17 installed in place of ground with a whole
the Length of the arms and used stores for pistols M17 and M18 are the same. The troops pistols are supplied fully assembled, complete with two additional interchangeable plastic frames with handles dimensions L, M and S, i.e. big, medium and small.
Supplied pistols SIG Sauer M17 and M18
In January 2017, the information appeared that a police officer in Connecticut was shot because of an accidental discharge when his P320 fell to the ground. This problem was also extended to the P320 pistols sold on the civilian market, but according to the SIG Sauer this problem is fixed in the M17 and M18 pistols, and the moment should be resolved in civil samples.
There is information about some of the other problems of SIG Sauer pistols M17, M18, such as accidental gunfire, the release of the cartridges eat man world out there (double ejection when the cartridge case during firing has out and the unexpended ammunition), frequent delays when using bullets with a full metal jacket. According to one, these problems were treated in the initial phase of testing and eliminated in a mass-supplied weapons, according to others, these problems are revealed by military personnel from combat units that have already received new pistols.
On the other hand, given the number of guns sold by SIG Sauer, the problems are unlikely to have a mass character, and we must look for the root causes. In the end, nobody has been able to create a design that another can't break.
Video unboxing and shooting the military personnel of armed forces pistols SIG Sauer M17
What are the findings?
In comparison with the first contest to pick army pistol, which lasted almost ten years, competition on the program of MHS managed to spend less than two years, with almost no scandals, except for the complaint of the company Glock. However, who knows what will happen in six months or a year, if the problems cease, it is possible that the results will cancel and begin to choose again...
There is a feeling that some companies participated the tender for the MHS program "for show". Seems like the competition is, the participants, and rivalry as such is not observed, or were withdrawn or rejected for unknown reasons. In Russia the theme of "fake" tender is well known, when the terms of reference (TOR) are adjusted so to match them I could only access a single provider. It is likely that in the Bastion of democracy has also long been familiar with this scheme. In the end, the Glock was not chosen, not a conspiracy is it?
On the other hand, we cannot exclude the option that the company members and the customer (U.S. army) signed the agreement on confidentiality of test results by competition in order to revealed the disadvantages of a particular weapon is not reduced sales to departments and individual buyers.
In contrast to the competition for military pistol 1978-1988 years, all manufacturers offered models of classical design. No exhaust gases, no rotating barrels or automatic fire, and other exotics.
In any case, TK on a new weapon, a set of trade-offs between desired characteristics and capabilities of suppliers. A company that can manufacture a limited batch structurally perfect gun may not be able to deploy its large-scale production. The desire to change the caliber on a more efficient stumbles upon a warehouse, littered with used ammunition caliber.
Given the above, US forces were armed with a decent gun (kit), able to satisfy their needs in this kind of weapons in the coming decades.
P. S. In the framework of the MHS was considered, perhaps rather formally, the transition to another caliber, due to the presumed low efficiency of the 9x19 cartridge, while the FBI, previously switched to calibre .40S&W back to the 9x19 cartridge. But talk about it in another article.
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Deserie Fitch usually sells single homes around $512k in value,
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Tim &. Anne covers Panama City Beach (FL), Santa Rosa Beach (FL)
Coastal Builders of NW Florida Inc can be found at Lynn Dr 285. The following is offered: B2B Contractors. The entry is present with us since Sep 10, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Santa Rosa Beach there are 42 other B2B Contractors. An overview can be found here.
Coastal Builders of NW Florida Inc is located at 285 Lynn Dr, Santa Rosa Beach, FL. This business specializes in Home Repair & Improvement.

domain: geography


NEW YORK — This had to be a commissioner’s worst nightmare come to life: Adam Silver saw large corporations fleeing for the exits, like a rush of giant mutant logo creatures with their hair on fire, and that had to be a stunning sight.
The worst part is that when advertisers start bailing out, you have to include actual basketball in the three-hour infomercials they call NBA telecasts, and nobody wants to go there anymore.
But Mercedes, Kia, State Farm, Red Bull, Virgin and many others pulled their ad dollars on Clippers telecasts. They did it because a corporate partnership with Donald Sterling doesn’t sit well with consumers, so you have to applaud their survival instincts — just as you should applaud all those other groups who delivered a simple but powerful message in the previous 48 hours: Racism isn’t profitable.
Oh, and their secondary message, aimed right between Silver’s eyes, went something like this: If you do nothing, you’re saying racists are welcome to own your teams, so prepare to reap the whirlwind.
So it’s hard to throw too many rose pedals and huzzahs at Silver today — partly because we fear he might fall over, the poor guy looked so stressed out; but mostly because the anvil he dropped on Sterling yesterday at the Midtown Hilton was the commercially expedient thing to do for his $5 billion fun house.
Fact: If you have a young TV audience, you probably have a minority audience. Today, about 40 percent of the U.S. population under the age of 30 — the NBA’s chief demographic — is either African-American or Hispanic. You’d think some politicians would catch on to that by now.
Silver knows this, so he channeled his inner Stern (remember, that’s more of a descriptive adjective than it is a last name) and blew up Donald Sterling so that the rest of us could drop our jaws and gaze like it was some pyrotechnic wonder.
It was a strong statement, for the most part: Hurling the dotty old man onto the next ox cart leaving Enlightenment Alley and lifting $2.5 million out of his bank account represents the maximum punishment allowed by NBA law, and Silver acted like the last commissioner would have acted.
Then he adroitly left the next move up to Sterling’s peers — only the other owners have the power to rescind Sterling’s ownership, and Silver clearly knows that he already has the necessary votes — while conceding there may be some due process concerns down the road.
We can’t be entirely cynical about it, because the NBA usually picks the right side when somebody interjects something stupid into an otherwise splendid sport. David Stern might have been ruthless, but he was also a champion for racial justice. We also have little doubt that Silver’s actions had Stern’s fingerprints all over it, because he brought a bazooka to a knife fight — just as his predecessor would.
Is there any doubt what Stern would have advised Silver to do? Don’t waste a crisis, he probably instructed him. Establish yourself, establish what you stand for, and do it in clear language so that troglodytes like Donald Sterling and his like can understand it. Some good can come out of this — find it.
What choice did Silver have but to empty both barrels? There was risk of a revenue meltdown. But he also couldn’t destroy his credibility with his players three months into the job. Picture him at the head of the table for the next collective bargaining session, telling Chris Paul and other union officers, "So let’s talk about our new partnership, fellas." They’d pelt him with rotten produce.
But in the player vernacular, he didn’t punk out.
It’s an interesting development, because this wasn’t supposed to be his crisis. Silver was elevated to commissioner because he was the business architect for Stern’s league the last five years. He was promoted specifically to change the management style of this league.
Something often forgotten about Stern’s imperious style is that it grates on, well, everybody after a while. Half the owners got sick of him — Sterling himself famously told Stern, "I would fire you" during a 2009 Board of Governors meeting — and Stern was losing his grip.
Yes, the owners knew he made them gobs of green, but they wanted a more collegial, collaborative, coalition-building, committee-oriented approach toward its operation.
Silver was the guy for that job. With little warning, he was handed a crisis that Stern himself was born to manage. Silver handled it, and now he’ll try to torpedo the odious ownership that his predecessor couldn’t erase, or didn’t want to. Call it a good start for the new guy.


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Safety DeJon Gomes, who practiced for the first time Tuesday with the Lions, has a certain claim to fame.
Two years ago when he was with the Redskins, his hit was the reason that the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson tore his ACL.
The two will meet again Sunday if Gomes is active for the Lions, but it won’t be the first reunion. They played each other last season too.
“I mean it’s just going out there and playing some football,’’ Gomes said quietly. “I talked to him after the game last year. He understands we’re just out there playing football and freak things happen. I try to put it behind me.’’
“He had a little bit of experience. Good tackler. Can play some special teams. Has some starting experience. Good ball skills. Play free or strong,’’ Schwartz said. “We had a target on him and we were able to get the claim in on him and able to get him. We’ll get him up to speed as quickly as we can.”
Oddly enough Gomes, who is 23, said one of the safeties he’s looked up to is Louis Delmas and now they’re teammates.
“We’ve been talking, he’s been helping me out with the defense,’’ Gomes said.
“I actually watched him in college and the NFL as a safety to learn stuff from.
I like his game a lot, he plays intense and I’m glad to be with him.’’

domain: news


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updated 09:20 am EDT, Mon April 9, 2012
AOL raises cash through patent deals
AOL made an important deal to raise cash Monday by selling patents to Microsoft. Under the deal, AOL would sell 800 patents to the Windows developer and license out 300 more. The terms would give it an immediate payment of $1.06 billion in cash, and Microsoft would give AOL a perpetual license back.
To help absorb the income tax hit from the deal, AOL would use $40 million of deferred tax assets. The deal was expected to close before the end of the year.
Adding the cash may be vital for AOL, which as of the end of 2011 had $407.5 million in pure cash. Its market cap at $1.75 billion represents more of its current value.
Microsoft hasn't said what it plans to do with the patents, although only some of the patents relate to AOL's content portals and websites. Others are relevant for wireless technology, interfaces, and voice. The acquisition could be an advantage in trying to challenge companies like Motorola over Android by wielding patents firms like Motorola weren't prepared to counter.

domain: finance


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David Sokol has backed up the truck to load up on shares of Middleburg Financial (MBRG), continuing to add to a position the investor was holding when he resigned from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B) in March.According to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Sokol purchased 66,811 Middleburg shares for his trust account this month, through Tuesday, for a total of $978,638, or an average price of $14.65 a share. Sokol also picked up 11,817 shares for his IRA account, for $169,743, or an average price of $14.36.
Middleburg Financial’s shares closed at $14.76 Tuesday, up 2% so far in August and up 4.5% year-to-date, bucking the trend for the largest U.S. banks. This performance compares quite favourable to the KBW Bank Index (I:BKX_), which was down 21% month-to-date and down a whopping 30% year-to-date.
Some of the best-known U.S. banking names have fared even worse, with Bank of America (BAC_) seeing its shares drop 35% during August through Tuesday’s closing price of $6.30. Shares of the nation’s largest bank were down 53% year-to-date.
Looks like other investors smell a winner in Middleburg Financial (or maybe in Sokol), despite the bank’s meager earnings.
Middleburg Financial had $1.1 billion in total assets as of June 30, and reported second-quarter net income of $1.2 million, or 17 cents a share, compared to $724 thousand, or 10 cents a share, a year earlier.
The company’s provision for loan losses declined to $1.1 million during the second quarter, from $1.3 million a year earlier, however, this improvement was more than offset by an increase in expenses on foreclosed properties to $606 thousand in the second quarter, from $295 thousand a year earlier.
The bank’s net interest margin — the difference between its average yield on loans and investments and its average cost of funds — was 3.78% during the second quarter, expanding from 3.67% a year earlier. Its second-quarter return on average assets was 0.39%, which is way below the combined U.S. bank and thrift industry’s 0.85%, reported Tuesday by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.


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- Skin allergies
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Nervousness, anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems
- It may start when something rubs, irritates, or scratches the skin, such as clothing.
- The person begins to rub or scratch the itchy area. Constant scratching causes the skin to thicken.
- The thickened skin itches, and this leads to more scratching. This then causes more thickening of the skin.
- The skin may become leathery and brownish in the affected area.
- Itching of the skin that may be long-term (chronic), intense, and that increases with stress
- Leathery texture to skin
- Raw areas of skin
- Skin lesion, patch, or plaque with sharp borders and a leathery texture, located on the ankle, wrist, neck, rectum, anal area, forearms, thighs, lower leg, back of the knee, and inner elbow
- Counseling to help you realize the importance of not scratching
- Stress management
- Behavior modification
- Lotion or steroid cream on the area to calm itching and irritation
- Peeling ointments containing salicylic acid on patches of thick skin
- Soaps or lotions containing coal tar
- Bacterial skin infection
- Permanent changes in skin color
- Permanent scar
- Symptoms get worse
- You develop new symptoms, especially signs of skin infection such as pain, redness, drainage from the area, or fever
Lichen simplex chronicus is a skin condition caused by chronic itching and scratching.
This disorder may occur in people who have:
The problem is common in children, who cannot stop scratching insect bites and other itchy skin conditions. It also occurs in children who have chronic repetitive movements.
This skin disorder leads to scratching, which then causes more itching. It often follows this pattern:
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will look at your skin and ask if you have had chronic itching and scratching in the past. A skin lesion biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
The main treatment is to stop scratching the skin. You may have:
You may need to use these medicines on your skin:
You many need to use dressings that moisturize, cover, and protect the area. These may be used with or without medicated creams. They are left in place for a week or more at a time.
To control itching and stress you may need to take medicines by mouth, such as:
Steroids may be injected directly into the skin patches to reduce itching and irritation.
You may need to take antidepressants and tranquilizers if the cause of your itching is emotional.
You can control lichen simplex chronicus by controlling scratching and reducing stress. The condition may return or move to different areas on the skin.
These complications of lichen simplex chronicus can occur:
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
Habif TP. Ezcema and hand dermatitis. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby; 2009:chap 3.
Weisshaar E, Fleischer Jr. AB, Bernhard JD, Cropley TG. Pruritis and dysesthesia. Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, et al, eds. Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2012:chap 6.
- Review date:
- December 11, 2014
- Reviewed by:
- Richard J. Moskowitz, MD, dermatologist in private practice, Mineola, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

domain: health


Benji Joya has not had the best start to his professional career to say the least.
The 24-year-old San Jose native has made 18 appearances since 2012, spending time on loan with MLS’ Chicago Fire and Liga MX outfit Club Necaxa.
Through that time he scored one goal with Chicago, making 12 appearances in the 2014 campaign.
Joya, a former U.S. international with the U-20 and U-23 sides had been without a club since 2016 after being let go from Sporting Kansas City.
However, after many months of waiting the midfielder has found himself a new team. Joya reportedly has joined Mexican third tier side Irapuato FC, according to his Twitter.
Estoy muy contento de regresar al Fútbol Mexicano 🇲🇽🙏🏼 Hoy me toca ser parte de de la “Trinca”, Irapuato FC ! Nuevo equipo y nueva institución que defenderé a muerte para lograr el Ascenso que tanto se merece. Saludos mi gente ! #ImBack⚽ #Joya pic.twitter.com/ifexAOtKWa
— Benjamin Joya (@benjijoya54) January 10, 2018
Joya is scheduled to join the club in training immediately. Irapuato is coming off a 5-4 victory over Cruz Azul Premier in their season opener back on Jan. 5th.


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Perfecting the Art of the Cocktail
Something told me to expect the unexpected, even before I lifted the vintage coupe glass (mysteriously etched with the name "Ethel") to my lips and took a sip of a Tangled Hearts, a pale pink elixir made with gin, mezcal, tea rose, strawberry, and strawberry-lime dust ($12). I'd seen Alan Walter, the newly appointed creative director at Loa, arrive for work earlier in the day. He was sporting a retro dinner jacket, a bolo tie, and a vaguely Victorian haircut, and since unique style usually suggests independent thought, I was already intrigued.
Alan has a Master of Fine Arts in directing, and once worked as a playwright, so he feels at home in a theatrical setting—and that's what he's created at Loa. His cocktails are clean, austere, and made with unusual spirits, fresh juices, homemade syrups, and an abundance of local ingredients. "A bar serves many purposes for many people," Alan says. "It's for romance and courtship, business meetings with colleagues, or a quiet moment for solitary reflection." Each drink on his hand-stamped Potations, Preparations, and Libations menus, printed on the back of vintage Keno cards, reads like a short story. There's the Francene (rum, fresh Muscadine juice, shiso) and Ten Years in a Day (a glass of Cabernet served with a hand mirror and smelling salts). Ordering a second cocktail, I started to wonder what it actually takes to create all that magic behind the bar. So, I asked Alan to take me along on a typical day.
9:30 a.m. - RISE, SHINE, AND SHOP
Alan hops in his 1965 Pontiac Bonneville and heads out to replenish bar supplies, hitting off-the-beaten-track ethnic grocers such as Hong Kong Market (925 Behrman Highway, Gretna; 504/394-7075). At Hong Kong Market, he stocks up on shiso, several varieties of fresh mint, galangal, fresh turmeric, and large bunches of lemongrass and gingerroot. He uses the lemongrass to create three syrups: a pure lemongrass syrup, a lemongrass-celery syrup that finishes his Blueberry Aquavit, and a lemongrass-pine needle syrup.
11:30 a.m. - HAVE GARDEN SHEARS, WILL TRAVEL
"I do a bit of creative foraging for some unusual local ingredients that I can't buy in markets," Alan says. Depending on the time of year, that means picking clover along the 17th Street Canal in Lakeview and Spanish moss (an experimental ingredient that he uses to make tea) from live oaks and cypress trees in City Park. He also steeps pine needles—"I get them from neutral ground off of Robert E. Lee Boulevard in Lake Vista," he says—in alcohol to make a syrup used sparingly in several drinks, such as one made with lemongrass and tequila añejo.
12:30 p.m. - SEARCHING FOR STEMWARE
"If I'm going to spend a lot of time creating a cocktail, I might as well put it in a glass that's really pretty," Alan says. This & That Antiques and Vintage (Jefferson Flea Market, 2134 Airline Drive, Kenner; 504/461-0133) is the source of many of his favorite finds. "This place reminds me of my grandma's house," he says.
2 p.m. - SEEKING JUICY FRUITS
"Hollygrove Market & Farm [8301 Olive Street, New Orleans; 504/483-7037] is a community garden and a great spot for organic satsumas and other citrus fruits, such as grapefruits and navel oranges that are grown in Louisiana's Southern Parishes," Alan says. "It's a market with a mission, one of the first spots in New Orleans to bring the community garden back. When I'm done, I sometimes grab a bowl of jambalaya from a nearby food truck for lunch."
4 p.m. - TASTING AND JUICING
After arriving at Loa, Alan spends time tasting wines, spirits, and craft beers from various local distributors. "They bring in selections that they think I'll be interested in, such as wines made by smaller producers that will enhance our eclectic menu," he says. An hour before opening, Alan supervises the bartenders as they slice citrus fruits, place bouquets of herbs in water, simmer and strain new syrups, and juice any of the 12 fresh fruits and vegetables that Alan considers the anchors of their beverage program. "Fresh, unpasteurized juices can change so radically from day to day," he explains. "So we juice apples, ginger, cucumbers, plums, pineapples, satsumas, lemons, limes, and more through a top-loading juicer and citrus juicer."
5 p.m. to midnight - HAPPY HOURS
Once the ice is stocked and the signature playlist queued, Alan cinches on a necktie and prepares for the night—and no two evenings are ever the same at Loa. "You never know whether it will be 10 or 30 people," he says. "So our bartenders have their ingredients already prepared in case they have to make a lot of drinks immediately." For someone who enjoys theatrics, staging each evening certainly has plenty of payoffs. "I love finding the perfect ingredients or hunting down the perfect glass," Alan says, "and the end result is that we make people happy."

domain: hobby


text:
You can go for a night out with your significant other or send a flower bouquet and a box of chocolates to make them feel special. However, nothing beats a change of scenery to rekindle or stroke your passion and desire for love. So, it would be wise to book a hotel room in one of the many beautiful holiday spots in the USA, grab a couple of air tickets, and spend some alone time with your significant other at a romantic destination.
While your typical couples vacation is all about sexy perks, solitude, and privacy, the best couples vacation spots in the USA include towns and cities that simultaneously provide a wealth of opportunities for exploration and romance.
So, if you and your spouse have a passion for wine, Napa, California, is the place to be. On the other hand, if you love history, Savannah, Georgia, is the perfect vacation spot if you and your spouse are history buffs.
In fact, the USA is full of cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds that translate into various old and new towns and cities that will provide you and your loved ones with the adventure you always wanted. So, without waiting any further, let us take a look at some top holiday spots in the USA for couples that will undoubtedly re-ignite the fire between you and your spouse.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
The few moments you and your spouse will spend in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, will last you forever. After all, it is one of the best couples vacation spots in the USA. Located at the bottom of the beautiful Smokey Mountains, Pigeon forge welcomes thousands of couples every year.
This location provides them with luxurious food and activities, including rafting, hiking, and ziplining. In Gatlinburg, the Mountain Coaster Gatlinburg is a fantastic thrill ride you and your significant other will love.
This place doesn’t lack finding accommodation either because there are tons of cabins and rooms ready to be rented at reasonable rates. It’s time to grab a couple of air tickets and take your couples adventure to Pigeon Forge today.
Ultima Thule Lodge, Alaska
If you and your loved one enjoy spending your time in the wild, look no further than the Ultima Thule Lodge in Alaska. This vacation destination is one of the holiday spots that will offer you and your spouse exciting wildlife and outdoor adventures along with luxuries amenities that will leave you in awe. Not to mention, you will have to fly in to reach this destination.
You and your loved one will be in the middle of nowhere. However, this place will give you and your loved one luxurious five-start hotel-quality meals, freshly caught fish, freshly baked pastries, and a woodfire sauna where both of you can spend some romantic alone time while soaking in herbal oils.
Furthermore, you and your spouse can go for activities such as kayaking, fishing, hiking, and much more while you’re here.
Jackson, New Hampshire
Located at the edge of New Hampshire, Jackson is a quaint destination for couples. This is one of the holiday spots that will provide you and your loved one with some alone time in the middle of the rolling Mountain National Forest. Furthermore, it is the best place for nature enthusiasts as it houses the 100-foot Jackson falls that you and your spouse can bathe beneath to have a memorable time.
On the other hand, couples can also navigate the snow-dredged vistas between Wildcat Mountain and Mount Washingtons during the cold season. In addition, you can also go skiing and snowboarding if you and your loved ones are extreme snow sports lovers.
See Also: 11 Destination Weddings Locations
One of the oldest cities in Georgia, Savannah is full of Spanish moss, oak trees, historical sights, and stately mansions that you and your lover can enjoy. With thriving culinary and cultural scenes along with year-round warm weather, Savannah is an excellent Southern getaway for couples.
While you’re here, you can enjoy the views of the magnificent water fountain and impressive gardens located in Forsyth Park. On the other hand, outdoorsy couples can take a stroll down the tree-shaded River Street, which oversees the Savannah River.
There you can taste authentic Southern cuisine and collect souvenirs from the riverside. In contrast, if you and your loved one are intrigued by ghost stories, you can take a walking ghost tour in the many haunted houses in the Historic District. Furthermore, you can also drive to Bluff Drive, located in the Isle of Hope to view antebellum houses and quiet cottages.
Scottsdale, Arizona, is a heavenly place full of golf courses, spas, and luxurious resorts that you and your significant other can enjoy. While here, couples can take a walk down Main Street, visit the local museums, and have yummy meals in the dozens of restaurants present.
Furthermore, for couples who fancy an early morning adventure, you can take a hot air balloon ride over the Superstition Mountains.
If you’re a sucker for sightseeing, Scottdale has you covered with sweeping valley views and, most importantly, a memorable experience with your loved one. Furthermore, architecture enthusiasts can head out to Taliesin West via a twenty-minute drive to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home.
Unlike any other Hawaiian island, Molokai is slow-paced, has shorter buildings than coconut trees, and doesn’t house pua parties or ultra-luxury resorts. So, if you and your loved one are looking for an authentic Hawaiin experience, the ‘Friendly Isle’ is the place to be.
While you’re here, you and your lover can hike through the Halawa Valley and experience the cascading waterfalls while being guided by the descendants of a century-long population of inhabitants. If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, you can stay at the Hotel Molokai and enjoy the palm-fringed, peaceful beach and alone time with your significant other.
Share pipping sweet bread slathered with strawberry cream cheese, cinnamon, and butter with your loved one. Then, burn the calories you ate by canoeing the beach with thousand-year-old sea turtles. Finally, show affection to your partner by picking your plumerias while visiting the Molokai Plumeria farm and joining them with a string to create a lei.
As you can see with the top couples holiday spots listed above, there are tons of locations you and your loved one can visit to have some luxurious, intimate time with each other. The cities and resorts mentioned above will provide you with memorable adventures while giving you the comforts of five-star hotels.
So, if you and your significant other are feeling bored at home, then now is the time to get up and visit these towns and cities sooner rather than later.

domain: travel


Well, we gotta say, that sure is a strange thing to ban.
The Penang government will ban all “simulator machines” or “games of chance” in the state after 2018 to curb the increasing number of social problems.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the decision was made by the state during an exco meeting following concerns about social problems and the dumping of such machines, which include those that require people to try their luck at picking up small figurines and soft toys using a claw.
He said both the Penang Island City council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai municipal council (MPSP) will be notified of the new ruling.
The “toy claw” machine, also known as the claw crane machine or claw machine, is a type of arcade game known as a merchandiser and is commonly found in video arcades, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theatres, shopping malls, and bowling alleys.
In countries like Japan and South Korea, the machines can be found just about anywhere including along streets/alleys or “parked” in front of stores.
The machine consists of prizes, usually plush toys or alternatives such as jewellery, dolls, candy, and electronics. Players are required to insert money or tokens, which then allows the player to manipulate a joystick that controls the claw for a variable amount of time. The player is able to move the claw back, forth, and sideways before descending the claw and making an attempt to grip a prize.
After making the gripping attempt, the claw then moves over an opening in the corner of the case and releases its contents. If the player is successful, then the prize will be dropped into the opening and dispensed through a chute into a hatch.
Yes, it can get pretty addictive if one is persistent enough.
In speaking to reporters yesterday (Sunday, 26th February 2017), Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said, “As for this year, simulator machines will only be allowed to operate inside hotels, malls and supermarkets but after 2018, Penang will no longer have any simulator machines.”
He also added that all new applicants for simulator machine licence would be rejected while the renewal of current licence will not be approved after 2018.
We get the smoking ban and the ban on plastic bags, but this? What do you guys think? Is this ban necessary or no? Let us know your thoughts!


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Original article by David Marin-Guzman
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 8 : 29-May-20
The Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees’ Association has expressed support for an overhaul of the enterprise bargaining system. However, national secretary Gerard Dwyer says the union is of the view that the ‘better off overall test’ is not the primary cause of delays in negotiating and implementing workplace agreements. Employers’ group contend that the BOOT is a key problem that needs to be addressed. The proportion of private sector employees who are covered by enterprise agreements has fallen from 22 per cent in 2013 to just 12.8 per cent.
SHOP, DISTRIBUTIVE AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION


Kang Ha Neul has been confirmed to be in a upcoming movie starring IU and Park Seo Joon.
From appearance to acting style, all 4 actors Ji Chang Wook, Kim Soo Hyun, Park Seo Joon, Lee Min Ho all showed themselves unsuitable to play the villain.
Park Seo Joon was the first Korean actor have a YouTube Gold Play Button
The cast of 'Itaewon Class' livestream press conference for nCovid-19
Reviewing the actresses who co-starred with Park Seo Joon, everyone is beautiful and good acting
[K-Star]: The 5 hottest male actors in Korean cinema are all born in 1988 - Who are they?
[K-Movie]: Movie "The Divine Fury" was released in theaters on July 31
[K-Star]: Ji Sung, Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik sent gifts to support Han Ji Min and V (BTS)
[K-Movie]: “Parasite” has released new stills of Park Seo Joon
In the morning 02/11, Rakuten Dramacool Announces New Favorite Stars on Dramacool Top Celeb


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Cat Toileting: The Scoop On Poop (and Pee)
For all you cat owners out there, let’s start this new season properly: with well-trafficked litterboxes, clean houses, happy cats and a happy you! The single biggest behavioral problem for which cat owners seek help is “inappropriate elimination” (or simply, elimination outside of the litterbox) by their cats. The good news is that in the majority of cases, the prognosis for resolution is great. This “Top 10 List” of guidelines will help you ensure that your cats’ poop and pee lands in their designated boxes and not atop your bed, rug or laundry:
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. If all is well and your cats are using their boxes 100% of the time, don’t change anything.
Spay/Neuter your cat. This removes hormonal drives for eliminating around the house.
Cat-to-box ratio. Follow the industry’s rule of thumb: # of cats + 1 = # of boxes.
Location, location. Each box needs its own separate location. Having 3 boxes lined up next to each other is like one giant toilet to a cat. Similarly, 3 boxes placed in the corners of 1 room is like having 1 bathroom with 3 toilets. Size and number of toilets make no difference if Fluffy dislikes the bathroom. That’s when elimination takes place elsewhere. If you have a multi-level house, ideally you should have a box on at least two of those floors.
Room, with a view. Cats prefer open, uncovered boxes large enough for free and easy movement (not the cramped quarters of a small, dark and smelly cave). They want to dig in a layer of litter at least 2-3” deep. In nature, cats eliminate in open areas with a 360° view and easy escape route, if needed. Shallow plastic storage boxes work well.
Quiet, please. The box should be in a relatively quiet/peaceful area. Avoid areas with loud or cycling noises (dryers, furnaces, etc.) that may frighten your cat. Being spooked while using the box can lead to box aversion.
Fresh and feeling fine. The word in the alley is: the finer the better, clumping is best. Litter should be the sandy, granular, non-deodorized kind. Scoop out the waste daily. Avoid box liners if possible. If you need something around the box to catch the stray litter (pardon the pun) that spills over, use newspapers or a cheap rubberized, washable bath mat. Replace all litter in the box at least once a month. Wash the box with a hot water/dilute bleach solution. No perfume-y detergents!
A little help, please. If your cat is more than 10 years old and possibly arthritic, jumping over the lip of the box may be challenging. Get a box with a lower entry cut out or cut the plastic yourself to ease entry/exit for your aging feline.
Full access. Make sure no doors or gates block your cat’s access to the room where the box(es) are located. Ever.
Safe hideaway. If you have a multi-cat household, make sure you correctly identify who your lowest ranking cat is and make sure that cat has a safe and accessible litter box for his safe use.
There are at least a dozen other reasons why cats lapse in their elimination behavior, but those reasons are beyond the scope of this writing. However, if you proactively follow these 10 guidelines, you’ll be well ahead of the curve in preventing elimination lapses. If it happens nonetheless, then it’s time to bring your feline into the office for some Sherlock Holmes investigating!
Contact Bernardsville Animal Hospital to explore the applicability of laser therapy for your pet, and an initial complimentary demonstration. 41 Morristown Rd. Bernardsville. 908-766-0041. BernardsvilleAnimalHospital.com.

domain: pet


text:
Publication Year: 2007
Single-User Purchase Price:
Unlimited-User Purchase Price: $82.50
Book Status: Available
Including interviews with women from a variety of backgrounds who grew up with mentally ill mothers, this book explains how the experience can thwart a daughter's needed developmental milestones, and includes steps that such daughters or the ones who love them can take to heal that damage and protect their own mental health.

domain: sociology


text:
The Rule of 72
Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.
Layers of Protection
Take these five steps to protect your financial well-being before making any other changes.
The Big Picture– Cracking Open a Six Pack
Knowing your risks is essential when making investment decisions and exit decisions.
6 Strategies to Help You Prepare for Living on Retirement
Explore financial strategies that may help you prepare for living on a fixed budget during retirement on My Retirement Walk.

domain: economics


text:
Miley twerks her way into the news, JLaw rules the screens, Macklemore and Lorde rises to the top, and Bieber loses his cool. A look at the top entertainment news stories of 2013.
(REUTERS) - This year in entertainment will be remembered as the year of the twerk in general, the twerk seen round the world - Miley Cyrus.
It was also a rocky year for Miley relationship-wise; she broke up with fiance Liam Hemsworth in September. But her antics brought to the forefront of pop culture her signature dance style - twerking.
Twerking, which has been defined by Oxford dictionary as a "dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance" first started in the 90's in the Southern part of the U.S. The dance recently became popular again when Cyrus posted video online of herself twerking. In September, more than 350 people twerked their way into the history books as they set a new Guinness World Record for the most people twerking simultaneously for two consecutive minutes.
Twerking wasn't the only dance craze in 2013 - the Harlem Shake began as a dance in the 1980's but the 2013 version was an electronic dance track by 23-year-old Brooklyn DJ, Baauer, who released the single with the record label Mad Decent. The single launched a flood of online videos of people doing their own versions of the popular dance.
It was also a mixed year for Justin Bieber, who had many public spats during his "Believe" world tour. In March, the singer was caught on film losing his temper with a paparazzi photographer while leaving his London residence, angered some in Brazil and Australia when he spraypainted walls at hotels, angered his neighbors in Calabasas, California for driving recklessly, and had his capuchin monkey seized by German authorities after he was unable to provide proper documentation for the animal at Munich airport. Bieber and on/off girlfriend Selena Gomez also called it quits.
Beyonce and Jay-Z continued their reign at the top, celebrating their five year anniversary with a trip to Cuba, creating pandemonium as they dined out and toured historic Old Havana. Beyonce was the center of a media storm when in January the Grammy-winning singer performed The Star Spangled Banner at the second inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Marine band first told U.S. news outlets that the "Single Ladies" star "decided to go with the pre-recorded music at the last minute" and that, to the spokeswoman's knowledge, she was not actually singing the anthem, causing many to question whether she was lip-synching, singing over her own pre-recorded track, or performing live when she delivered a flawless version of the U.S. national anthem.
Jay-Z welcomed a hit record, with "Magna Carta Holy Grail," which opened at number one on the Billboard charts, and was nominated for nine 2014 Grammy awards.
In other music news, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, whose songs "Thrift Shop," "Can't hold Us," and "Same Love," an anthem in support of same-sex marriage, topped the charts this year. 17-year-old New Zealander Lorde had a hit with "Royals," helping her become the first solo female artist to top the Billboard Alternative songs chart since 1996. "Royals" was also named second best song of the year by Rolling Stone, behind #1's "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk, off their explosively successful album, "Random Access Memories," released in May.
Pharrell Williams was very busy with his collaborations with Daft Punk on "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance" as well as "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke, which became the song of the summer for its catchy tunes, but courted controversy with what some call its misogynistic music video in which Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell appear in suits beside nude women playing with sex toys and wearing gas masks. The song is also the subject of legal action -- Thicke and his co-writers pre-emptively sued the estate of Marvin Gaye because of similarities between his music and "Blurred Lines." Thicke alleges that the owners of Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up" and Funkadelic's 1974 song "Sexy Ways" have threatened legal action over copyright infringement if the composers of "Blurred Lines" do not pay a monetary settlement.
Taylor Swift also continued her success with her album "Red," with seven hit singles including "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "Begin Again," and "I Knew You Were Trouble." Swift will have another shot at the top prize at the Grammy Awards in 2014, when "Red" goes head to head for album of the year, against "Random Access Memories," "Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City" by Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore's "The Heist," and "The Blessed Unrest" by Sara Bareilles, whose song "Brave" was very popular, causing singer Katy Perry to tweet her support of it. Perry then was criticized for similarities between Bareilles' "Brave" and her own song "Roar," a power anthem touting female strength.
Female strength was also evident in earnings for music stars, with pop singer Madonna named the the highest paid woman in music by Forbes, taking in $125 million dollars (USD) in 2013 from her MDNA Tour. Lady Gaga came in at #2 with $80 million, followed by Swift at $55 million.
Other hot albums in 2013 included Gaga's "Artpop," Justin Timberlake's "The 20/20 Experience," and Kanye west's "Yeezus."
West was another widely talked about celebrity, with public fascination with him and fiance Kim Kardashian fueled by the birth of their daughter, North West, in June. The pair were engaged in October when Grammy-winning West at proposed at San Francisco's Major League Baseball stadium, which he rented for her 33rd birthday. They also appeared in the music video for "Bound 2," where they appear riding a motorcycle through the American west with a nude Kardashian, while engaging in sexually explicit activity.
Pop star Britney Spears has agreed to headline a show at Planet Hollywood for two years in Las Vegas. "Britney: Piece of Me" kicks off on Friday, December 27.
Mumford & Sons won the big prize at the 2013 Grammy Awards, taking home album of the year with "Babel," while Belgian-Australian Gotye won record of the year for "Somebody That I Used to Know."
One Direction continued their meteoric rise, with the release of their hugely successful concert documentary film, "One Direction: This is Us." The former "X-Factor" contestants released their latest album "Midnight Memories" in November and are going on tour in Spring 2014.
Grammy-winning R&B singer Chris Brown had a troubled year. Brown, 24, pleaded not guilty in October to misdemeanor assault stemming from an incident in which police said he and his bodyguard punched a man in the face outside a Washington hotel. When the incident occurred, Brown was serving five years of probation under a 2009 sentence for assaulting fellow R&B singer and girlfriend Rihanna. A judge in Los Angeles ordered Brown to complete a 90-day substance abuse and anger management program.
On the movie side of showbiz, the year belonged to Jennifer Lawrence, who was crowned with a best actress Oscar in February for her role as a grieving young widow in "Silver Linings Playbook." She also reprised her role as Katniss Everdeen in the second installment of the "Hunger Games" films, "Catching Fire," which has grossed nearly $700 million dollars since its opening on November 22. Other big winners at the box office included "Iron Man 3," with a worldwide gross of $1.2 billion, "Despicable Me 2" with a worldwide gross of $900 million, and Superman flick "Man of Steel," which has grossed $700 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. "Gravity," directed byAlfonso Cuaron and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts in a battle of survival after space debris destroys their spacecraft, has earned over $600 million dollars so far at the box office. Indie flick "Spring Breakers" was also a controversial hit, and was selected to compete in the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion prize. The film, directed by Harmony Korine, follows a group of college-aged girls through their descent into drugs, crimes, and violence. The film starred James Franco as a gold-toothed gangster and rapper, and Vanessa Hudgens andSelena Gomez as young criminals.
Then 22, Lawrence's best actress win was a battle between the ages, with her main competition being French actress Emmanuelle Riva, the 86-year-old star of "Amour," director Michael Haneke's heartbreaking saga about an elderly couple suffering from disease. "Amour" was nominated for the best picture Oscar, and won the prize for best foreign language film.
"Argo," about the Iranian Hostage Crisis and directed by Ben Affleck, won the best picture prize at the Academy Awards, but Affleck was snubbed by not getting a nomination in the directing category, despite winning the top prize at the Directors Guild Awards, a general indicator of the best director Oscar winner, which was won this year by Ang Lee, who helmed "Life of Pi."
Daniel Day-Lewis made history by becoming the first to win three best actor Oscars, this time for his role as U.S. president Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln." Anne Hathaway won the prize for supporting actress for "Les Miserables," and Christoph Waltz won a second best supporting actor Oscar for Quentin Taranino's "Django Unchained." British singer Adele also took home gold that night for co-writing the winning song for the James Bond film "Skyfall."
French director Abdellatif Kechiche's "Blue is the Warmest Color," an intimate love story between two young women, received rave reviews from critics at the Cannes Film Festival, and winning the top prize there, the Palme d'Or.
Box office bombs this year were plentiful, with Will Smith and son Jaden Smith's film "After Earth,"Johnny Depp's "Lone Ranger," and afterlife cop drama "R.I.P.D." among the year's most notable stinkers. Biopics "Diana," starring Naomi Watts as the late Princess of Wales, and "The Fifth Estate," with Benedict Cumberbatch as Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, were also critical failures.
And "50 Shades of Grey" got, then lost, then got again, its title character. Dakota Johnson, daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, will play Anastasia Steele in the big screen adaptation of the best-selling erotic novel by E.L. James. But casting manipulative entrepreneur Christian Greyturned out to be a problem. At first, "Sons of Anarchy" star Charlie Hunnam was assigned the role, which had taken some time to fill, but he later backed out before production began. He will be replaced by actor Jamie Dornan. The film is expected to be released in early 2015.

domain: entertainment


Miguel Sangalang Executive Director and General Manager City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting Los Angeles, United States of America
Miguel Sangalang currently serves as the Executive Director and General Manager for the Bureau of Street Lighting of the City of Los Angeles (LA LIGHTS). As head of the agency his role is shaped by the upkeep and improvement of the city's 220,000 street lighting infrastructure assets.
Smart Solutions for Safer Public SpacesSafety & Security #City Sovereignty, #Physical Security, #Public Safety, #Surveillance, #Urban Safety
Tuesday, November 15 - 11:45h - 12:30h (GMT+)


text:
Young Charlie = theological reader vs. Anne and brother = scientific reader
Uncle Charlie, aka Mr. Spencer (mothers maiden namefixation/obsession with the
mother), aka Mr. Otis (similar to Oakley)
Cigar smoke-ring-Osigning the house with his initial. He i
The Sick Rose
By William Blake
O Rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm,
Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.
Santa Rosa (setting) is representative of
SHADOW OF A DOUBT
Both Charlies fetishize the mother (Young Charlies own mother, and Uncle Charlies
What are the consequences of bringing together the idea of a mother and a sexualized
Film is about the family, ideology of the family
Uncle Charlies sadistic hobby of murdering rich, widowed women is simply a
method of temporarily phallusizing himself.
The wealthy widows he kills are perfect for validating Charles phallus as
symbols of money and independence.
In killing such a wom
For Rope, Hitchcock replaced the cut with constant movement of the camera and a
particular use of zooming in or out, so that a shot was close up to intentionally show the
relative importance of the moment. Often, these close-ups framed two or three
Top floor with bedrooms
Central floor with public spaces
Basement, home to abasement.
Home to liquids and the uranium powder (Alexs secret)described as sand
and dirtAlexs dirtiness.
Only key is with Alexhe wants to protect his secrets
Alicia Huberman = A/licia variant of A/lex (outside of the licit; illicit; notorious)
Huberman = Ubermensch (notion of superman, Aryan, dominant, idealized race
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine
A film about the TRIANGLE. OR about positioning the heterosexual male in the world.
Hyperformalism of the Film
Alicia-separates herself from Nazis (her German fathers ideology) and sides with the US
(her mothers homeland). Matrilineal ID with the USthreat
A significant irony of Notorious is the duality of the role that Alex plays with
respect to Alicia
He is her husband, and yet he and his mother, Mrs. Sebastian, are presented as a
couple themselves, especially in the last two scenes of the film.
HITCHCOCK INTRO (1926 as a director in the silent era)
Set of values (both prescriptive and descriptive)
A lens through which to see the worldshapes the world into meanings
One of top 3 important directors AND among worlds most popular fi

domain: artistic


text:
«ABSORBING CONCEPTS / Sokal’s Self-Reflecting Mystification» 2017
From the series «Skins of Conceptual Constructions»
There are different kinds of texts near the object: philosophy, novel, news articles, historical, poetic, scientific etc. A visitor can take a page with a text and shows it to the camera. The object “takes a look” at a page, analyzes the information, and then it comes into motion.
250x250x250 Polymers, metal, motors, video camera, movie device
Software and control system: Valery Karpov, Dmitry Dobrynin
Exhibition "Innovation as an Artistic Technique", The State Hermitage Museum,2018
The exhibition Daemons the machine, Laboratoria Art&Science Foundation, MMOMA. Photo by Yuri Palmin, 2018


text:
Mackinaw City, MI
The Thunderbird Inn, is one block from Ferry Boats, restaurants and shopping. Just a half a mile from Historical Fort and the Mackinac Bridge. You can take the ferry to Mackinac Island, which is close by.
The Thunderbird Inn has been totally renovated and received the Best Western Chairman's Highest Award for service and cleanliness.
Mackinaw City Thunderbird Inn offers complimentary Continental Breakfast, a Playground, an indoor heated pool and spa, whirlpool, sauna, guest laundry, game room, children's activities, fax and photocopy services, RV and truck parking.
146 Old Us 31, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA


text:
Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are in no rush to leave the smartphone market. Microsoft is down but not out. It is indeed making a comeback with a bang with its Windows 10 for mobile phones. Small players like Firefox will soon be history if they do not find a foothold elsewhere. That is what Firefox has done by joining hands with Panasonic to make 4K TVs.
What can a Television set with Firefox do?
Think of it as smartphone with a large screen and television set with all capabilities of a computer. Therefore, all web applications can be used on this smart television set. It is also possible for people to customize the screen, gain access to desired channels faster, and to send emails. Users can also transfer content on their television sets across to different devices. This has not been possible so far.
What are the Prospects for this Product?
The boundaries between computers and television sets will diminish. While television set may not have required technologies to be a comprehensive gadget that facilitates talking as well, Firefox has pioneered a way towards it. For starters, Panasonic is only introducing Firefox on some of its models, which are CR 850 and 730, and CX 680, 700, 750, and 800. Whether these television sets will continue to be referred to as television sets or be termed as smart televisions remain to be seen.
It is a pioneering development for sure and its potential will soon be exploited by many developers. It will make Google, Microsoft, and Apple sit up and wonder why it never struck them to think out of the box in this way. Even though smartphone market is much larger, the fact that people would become more familiar to Mozilla’s Firefox, when compared to other browsers, will increase the popularity of Firefox on other gadgets, without much effort on the part of Mozilla.


text:
How washing the dishes could protect you from DEMENTIA: Researchers find keeping fit – even through basic house chores – keeps brain healthy in old age
- Those who ‘frequently’ do chores a fifth less likely to develop dementia
- Meanwhile, regular exercise can reduce the risk by 35%, scientists say
- Scientists say findings show ‘simple lifestyle changes’ may protect dementia
Keeping fit simply by doing household chores can cut your risk of dementia, say researchers.
Adults who ‘frequently’ hoover, do the ironing and take out the rubbish are a fifth less likely be struck down with the cruel memory-robbing disorder than those who don’t bother.
Chinese experts claim the brain benefits all stem from staying healthy.
Experts already accept some forms of housework, such as mowing the lawn, as aerobic exercise.
Lead author Professor Huan Song said: ‘Our study has found that by engaging more frequently in healthy physical and mental activities people may reduce their risk of dementia.
‘More research is needed to confirm our findings.
‘However, our results are encouraging that making these simple lifestyle changes may be beneficial.’
A study of half a million Britons found that those who ‘frequently’ hoover, do the ironing and take out the rubbish are a fifth less likely to develop dementia compared to those who do it the least
Dozens of studies over the past few decades have shown that regular mental, physical and social activity keeps the brain healthy in old age.
But Professor Song and her team wanted to find out more about the role played by a wide range of lifestyle habits in developing the disease, which affects 900,000 Britons and 5.8million Americans.
Researchers monitored 501,376 thousand Britons using data from the UK Biobank — a hub of medical and genetic information. Contributors regularly answer questions about their lifestyle.
At the start of the study, the middle-aged volunteers were quizzed on their physical activities, including how often they did housework and exercised.
Participants were also asked about how often they see loved ones, use their phone, computer and TV.
Over the course of the 11-year study, 5,185 people developed dementia.
The findings, published in the journal Neurology, show most physical and mental activities were linked with dementia.
Those who ‘frequently’ did chores were 21 per cent less likely to develop dementia, compared to those who did the least.
Meanwhile, people who exercised regularly often had a 35 per cent reduced risk of getting diagnosed with dementia, compared to their lazy counterparts.
And those who saw loved ones every day were at a 15 per cent lower risk, compared to those who barely saw friends and family.
The team also calculated dementia incident rates by activity patterns in person-years, which takes into account the number of people in the study and how long they were monitored.
For every 1,000 person-years, there was 0.86 dementia cases among those who regularly did household chores, jumping to 1.02 cases among those who didn’t.
Among regular exercisers, there was 0.45 cases, compared to 1.59 among those who rarely worked out.
And there were 0.62 dementia diagnoses among those who saw their family daily, compared to 0.80 among people who visited loved ones every few months.
The findings accounted for risk factors, such as age, income and smoking. Even those with a family history of dementia still benefitted from being physically and mentally active.
However, the data was based on self-reported physical and mental activity, so may include errors.
Scientists believe staying active can reduce the chance of developing dementia because it maintains blood flow to the brain and may encourage brain cell growth and survival.
It also protects against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity – all of which are factors that increase dementia risk.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6million by 2040.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society

domain: medical


Americans love their cars but with an increase in gas prices and concerns about pollution, it’s getting more and more difficult to find that perfect car. Until now! Elio Motors Founder, Paul Elio has found a solution, he shares a glimpse at the brand new three-wheeled Elio.
This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.


text: Mitch Dalton is arguably the UK’s most revered session guitarist! Mitch has a list of credits that could literally fill a phone book including Robbie Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Melody Gardot and Herbie Hancock to name a few! Mitch leads his own superb jazz outfit Mitch Dalton & The Studio Kings which includes top musicians Dave Arch (Strictly Come Dancing), Steve Pearce (Sessions, Van Morrison) and Ian Thomas (Sessions, Eric Clapton). Mitch is quite simply a legend and we are privileged to have him join us for a return visit for this live jazz session. Please come early or call the venue on 07454 747383 to book a table.


text:
- Frontier Cattle Ranching in the Land and Times of Charlie Russell
In this book, Warren M. Elofson offers a new orientation to the subject of western ranching than has commonly been seen before: he undertakes a cross-border study. Because the industry was continental rather than national, in spite of the variations between the Canadian and American versions, his approach is sensible. He provides wonderful stories, which fascinate the reader (academic or otherwise), and undertakes his task objectively. Well written, the book is rich in details about individual settlers and their social dynamics, facts which bring the West and its people to life. Many illustrations enhance his stories as well. It might be noted that the title is somewhat misleading. The work and life of the well-known American painter Charles Russell is not highly relevant to the way the book unfolds.
Elofson believes that earlier studies on ranching overemphasize the Eastern/British influence on Canadian ranching as a differentiating factor between the American and Canadian versions. He argues that the Eastern/British influence was as strong on Montana ranching as on the occupation in Alberta. He does not suggest that the Canadian arm was an outgrowth of the American one. Rather he is convinced that the two shared patterns and likely influenced each other. He describes, for example, violence and guns as being evident on both sides, although noting as well that they were more common in Montana. Elofson found that the most dramatic difference with respect to crime rates was in Native/non-Native conflict. He thinks distinctly more of this problem existed in Montana than in Alberta, a fact he attributes to the presence of the North-West Mounted police, slower movement of white settlers into Alberta's Native lands, and the government surveying of reserves in order to keep whites out.
Elofson describes the impact of literature on European and Eastern continental attitudes to the West, and suggests that people were more interested in the romance and adventure the West offered than in its imperialistic potential. He also proposes that the large ranching systems [End Page 360] were not destroyed by the influx of small farmers. Elofson argues that the big ranches had died out before intensive settlement started. The practices of not laying in hay, year-round pasturing on native grasses, attempts to fatten without grain, and the shipping of cattle long distances under these conditions had proved unsustainable. Elofson provides a particularly good description of modern ranching with its mixed farming approach, and reveals the transitions by which it arose out of the old system. The ranches themselves, in other words, changed. They kept smaller herds, took in hay, practised mixed farming, timed calving, began feeding better, provided shelter, and built fences to control the movement of bulls - essential for planned breeding.
The cattle industry was global in its impact by 1870 and ranching can, therefore, be seen as a part of that broader story. In order to give his colourful stories larger historical significance and context, Elofson might have fitted Montana and Alberta ranching into their national, continental, and world framework in a more comprehensive fashion. Continental cattle issues, in fact, shaped the way ranching evolved in the West. The changing situation within the United States (both the eastern seaboard and the Midwest ' s corn-fattening areas) and within Canada (particularly Ontario) explains patterns in ranching. These developments in turn reflected a European environment which had made Britain the largest market for cattle in the world. The British demand for beef, and international quarantine structures that were designed to control the spread of rinderpest, pleuropneumonia, and foot-and-mouth, were major influences on how the entire cattle industry across North America developed. The way the breeder/feeder structure worked is also important to Elofson's story of ranching cattle production. More attention to the system would have given his arguments better dimension, if for no other reason than that the breeder/feeder structure was not the same in Canada as in the United States, a fact...

domain: library


text:
The last stop on the tour through the craft shops is after the silversmith and the umbrella workshop the lotus weaving. Here the most expensive yarn in the world is made. Even silk looks pale beside it. The retail price of Lotus products is almost double of silk products. But the difference is noticeable. Anyone who has ever touched good silk will be amazed how delicate the lotus threads are and how wonderful the fabric feels.
But it takes time until the high-quality textiles are finished. Not for nothing is the yarn so expensive. First, open the lotus stems and scratch out the few threads inside them. These are then spun and dyed as desired. Then begins the work of the weavers, who transform the valuable threads into wonderful works of art on large, wooden looms according to given designs. This can take days, even weeks, depending on the difficulty of the pattern and the number of different colors.
Of the surrounding countryside, the women usually see little, but since it is their usual environment, they are certainly not quite as hungry for the sight as the tourists. All the more beautiful that after the visit you finally drive a bit on the open Inle Lake to get to the Nga Phe Kyaung, the Jumping Cats Monastery.