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Along With Positive Affirmation Across Business and Networking Platforms
A stellar panel of 30 brilliant industry minds inspired the over 3,000 delegates across the Keynote Address on 20 March, the inaugural China MICE Conference and dedicated Association Day Forums over 21 and 22 March. Special collaboration with endorsing associations like ASAE, CBEF, ICCA, SITE, and World PCO Alliance’s network, who developed the education programme along with TTG Events’ own conference team, delivered at the highest levels.
Prolific speakers included representatives from CITS MICE, CTS MICE, Hainan MICE Association, M.I.E., MSC Cruises, SITE, TUI China, Tempus, World Tourism Cities Federation and more.
Delegates gave thumbs up to the sessions’ relevant and on-point perspectives that discussed opportunities for associations by the Belt and Road initiative, the power of being a part of alliances, the relationship between DMCs and PCOs, the trends of holding meetings at sea, sustaining China’s pole position in outbound incentive in markets across the world, tapping on China’s own domestic incentive opportunities, and successful incentive formulas to attract international associations.
Domestic buyer Pan Jiang Hao, President, Beijing Paratrips, said, “The scale of this exhibition is very impressive, to have such a large gathering of MICE professionals in one place. The biggest takeaway for me as an inbound and domestic MICE player was during the Keynote Session when the panel discussed China’s current stance on gradually separating MICE from Leisure into an entity on its own. IT&CM China is one of the best MICE tradeshows around.”
Delegates across board also expressed positive experiences across board, with a variety of business and networking objectives met. Notable highlights included the over 14,000 business appointments concluded, and engagement activities by 32 destinations and organisations that ranged from coffee breaks, luncheons, dinners, cocktails, FAM trips, media briefings and more.
Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, returning exhibitor and part of the Malaysian delegation, complimented this year’s show, “We are very impressed with the quality of buyers this year. We had promising meetings and garnered very solid association leads. At our current stage of growth, national branding plays an important part in our exposure. This is why Penang is happy to strongly support and be a part of the Malaysian contingent.”
International Luxury Buyer Yuriy Horovyy, Director, Almont Travel, first time at the show was fruitful, “It is fantastic and it is my first time attending the show and I love it. I have established so many new connections and it is all about networking for me. For the Asian market, you have to be here.”
MICE Buyer Vikrant Grover, Director, YES TEAM MICE, complimented the show, “I think IT&CM China is a great show. It is well-organised and I met many new suppliers who are here and enthusiastic about doing business both on a domestic and international level.”
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau spoke of their destination presentation at the Association Days, “IT&CM China is our annual must-attend event, especially because the China market is important for Malaysia’s business events industry. Every year without fail, we experience solid potential in getting good business here, and this has made us a loyal partner at the event ever since.”
Lily Yang, Vice President, Changsha Female Entrepreneurs Association, said of the education sessions, “The Association Day programme was very exciting, allowing us to be exposed to international perspectives, new information and mutual learning opportunities. The education sessions have always been a highlight of the show and buyers are willing to take time out of their schedule to attend and benefit from these forums.”
Both Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Lily Yang were part of IT&CM China’s popular annual Association Days programme that saw heightened attendance this year. Other presenting destinations included Hangzhou Tourism Commission, Ningbo Tourism Administration, and National Institute of Tourism Promotion Argentina.


First drive: 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante in Italy
Confession time: I was mildly sceptical (and I’m certainly not alone here) of the Lamborghini Huracan Performante’s claimed 6min 52.01sec lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife when it was announced a couple of months ago.
I simply couldn’t see how a 640 hp coupe that weighs around 1,500 kg in road trim (1,382 kg dry weight) could blast around the 20.8 km circuit a massive five seconds faster than the devastatingly quick Porsche 918 Spyder -– a car that exploits all the high-tech engineering and motorsport nous the Zuffenhausen brainiacs could throw at it (albeit four years ago). It seemingly didn’t add up.
But now, after a day spent exploring the Performante’s breadth of capabilities at the dauntingly fast and undulating 4.959 km Imola circuit and across some dubiously-surfaced Italian backroads, it begins to make a bit more sense.
The Huracan spearhead’s point-to-point pace isn’t about brute force -– even though it offers a decent helping of this. It’s more about the supreme cohesiveness of the whole package, enabling it to carry an extraordinary amount of speed into, through and out of corners. It’s not too shabby on the straights either, as reflected by a claimed 0-100 kph split of 2.9 seconds (versus 3.2 seconds for the Huracan LP610-4), 0-200kph in 8.9 seconds (9.9 seconds for the LP610-4) and a top speed of 325 kph.
The raw stats mightn’t be ground-breaking in today’s context, but every element of the Performante has been honed to the nth degree, and its trump card (thankfully nothing to do with Donald) is the pioneering ALA (‘Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva’) active aerodynamics system that Lamborghini has promptly patented.
More on this later, but the gist of this tech is that it provides high downforce under braking and cornering, yet low levels of speed-sapping drag on the straights. However, the real clever bit is its asymmetric ‘Aero Vectoring’ capability, which is essentially analogous to a torque-vectoring system (but obviously using airflow), to help get the car turned in to corners.
Chatting over dinner, Lamborghini R&D boss Mauricio Reggiani reveals the tech was first proposed to him by a couple of ex-Toro Rosso Formula One engineers now in the employ of the Raging Bull, and preliminary tests in the wind tunnel proved the system had merit. Further development got the concept to a production-ready stage, and the Performante is the first car to utilise it.
The Huracan flagship’s emphatic Nurburgring benchmark is part of recently-installed CEO Stefano Domenicali’s desire to stamp the brand’s identity as it embarks upon a major growth initiative that entails a massive plant expansion to churn out the crucial new Urus SUV that will be revealed at the Bologna factory in December.
Predictably, one of the Performante’s key upgrades is a subtle massaging of that musical, rev-happy V10, which gains lightweight titanium valves and a low-backpressure exhaust system comprising two fat drainpipes that exit higher up and closer to the centre of the car than the four tips you’d find at the rear of lesser Huracans. There’s visual differentiation within the engine bay, too, courtesy of bronze cam covers (previously seen on the 30th Anniversary Diablo SE30).
These tweaks liberate an extra 30 hp and 40 Nm over the LP610-4 for max outputs of 640 hp at 8,000 rpm and 600 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The high revs at which peak torque arrives might have you thinking this is a peaky motor, but it’s in fact a very tractable unit, serving up 70% of maximum twist from just 1,000 rpm. The free-spinning V10 is hooked up to the same 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox as the regular Huracan, albeit subtly recalibrated for even faster response.
Both springs and anti-roll bars have been beefed up, which means the Performante’s suspension is 10% firmer vertically, while roll stiffness is boosted by 15%. It also gains stiffer (by 50%) bushings to further sharpen lateral control.
Complementing the engine and chassis upgrades is a weight-shedding regime, as part of which the Performante gains ‘Forged Composite’ (chopped carbon fibres in a resin) elements that include the front and rear spoiler, engine cover, rear bumper and diffuser, resulting in it tipping the scales 40 kg lighter than the standard Huracan LP610-4.
So much for the theory, how does it all gel out in the real world? In a word, brilliantly.
For those who have never been there (and I’m guessing this will be the case for most readers), Imola -– or Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, to refer to it by its officially moniker -– is a proper, hairy, old-school racetrack.
It’s unfortunately remembered primarily as the place where Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger lost their lives during the fateful 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, but this shouldn’t detract from the fact that it’s an epic piece of tarmac, with pronounced elevation changes and fast, ballsy corners such as the downhill Tamburello and Piratella, where you basically take a deep breath and keep the foot flat.
Firing out of pitlane, my eardrums are assaulted by the louder, harder-edged vocal signature of the Performante vis-à-vis its lesser siblings. Throttle response is sharper, too, and, in terms of raw straight-line urge, it feels lineball with its V12-powered Aventador S big brother. The 0-200 kph stats bear this out, as the latter is only a tenth quicker to this mark.
Everything about the Performante feels razor-edged. Where the Huracan LP610-4 was notable for having softened up somewhat compared to its Gallardo predecessor (in line with the top brass’s directive to make it a more user-friendly everyday supercar), the Performante seems ultra-focused in much the same way that the first Gallardo Superleggera was.
The transformation can be gauged by Lamborghini’s test and development driver Marco Passerini’s revelation that the Performante is about 4-5 seconds a lap quicker around Imola than the Huracan LP610-4s that are being used as pace cars for our three-car convoys today.
However, that deficit is partially offset by the fact the pace cars are shod with super-sticky, track-oriented Pirelli Trofeo R tyres that are worth at least 2-3 seconds per lap over the P Zero Corsas that our cars are on. Even so, the lead car ahead visibly squirms under brakes and through many of the corners, where the Performante remains relatively unflustered.
Of course, part of the Performante’s exceptional composure is down to its firmer suspension, but there’s no doubt the aforementioned ALA active-aero system (activated in the hardcore Corsa drive mode) plays a role here. Unlike a conventional active aero set-up, whereby the whole wing changes its angle of attack, the ALA system uses front and rear ducts within which sit electrically actuated flaps that open and close to either ‘stall’ (cancel out) the front spoiler and rear wing, or enable them to generate full downforce (750 per cent more than a standard Huracan).
Reggiani says this not only saves weight (it’s 80% lighter than a conventional hydraulic active wing), it’s also much quicker to activate, with the transition from full-downforce to low-drag mode taking place in less than half a second.
In addition, the rear wing’s inner air channel is split right and left, allowing ‘aero vectoring’ for high speed cornering. Depending on the direction of the turn, the ALA system activates either the right or left side of the spoiler, increasing downforce and traction on the inner wheel, which counteracts the load transfer under heavy cornering.
As alluded to earlier, it’s a bit like torque-vectoring, which means you need to apply less steering angle, and the car also remains more stable, which is particularly confidence-inspiring at a high-speed track like Imola.
What it all adds up to is arguably the most track-capable road car currently on offer (although the McLaren 720S may have something to say about that). The Peformante is electrifying in its hair-trigger responses, yet never seems intimidating in the way the first Aventador and the Murcielago were.
It’s forgiving and adjustable, so even if you dive into a corner too hot or are excessively violent with your steering or throttle inputs, it allows you to recover without having any white-knuckle moments or losing much in terms of forward momentum.
The electronic safety net is non-intrusive in its intervention (especially in Sport and Corsa modes), so the Performante is a terrifically enjoyable car on track, especially with that V10 singing at 8,000 rpm. In fact, the engine spins up to its redline so effortlessly that it’s not too difficult to inadvertently bounce off the rev limiter while your attention is focused on monstering the rear bumper of the pace car ahead.
But perhaps the Performante’s biggest victory is that it’s not a one-trick pony that pummels you into a pulp in real-world conditions. Proof of this is provided by the subsequent road loop, for which Lamborghini’s events team has selected a route that includes some remarkably poor sections of tarmac – lumpy in parts, and sharply corrugated in others.
On the whole, the Lambo copes surprisingly well. Ride quality is composed even in Sport mode, and the only the sharpest of corrugations cause any level of discomfort. The Performante is a realistic everyday supercar, even though most prospective owners are likely to have at least one or two other vehicles in their garage for daily-driver duties.
There’s no chance onlookers will mistake your Performante for a lesser Huracan –- the in-yer-face rear wing sees to that but, just for good measure, there’s also that elaborately sculpted rear diffuser, with its matt-black and gloss Forged Composite elements, plus those two massive exhaust pipes.
The snout is no less purposeful or menacing, thanks to a thrusting, sharp-edged front splitter and a pair of air intake winglets that mimic snake fangs.
There’s no doubt the car looks most striking in ‘Arancio Antheus’ matt-orange -– it’s the signature hue for the Performante –- which contrasts sharply with the numerous black elements, Italian flag pinstriping and bronze-painted Narvi 20-inch forged alloys.
It’s no shrinking violet, and this means its visuals will appeal to some buyers, but not necessarily all. Personally, I prefer the aesthetic purity of the unmolested Huracan. But you can each make up your own minds.
As an overall package, the Performante is a hugely tempting proposition for those who can afford it, and its price premium of around 13% over a Huracan LP610-4 is not excessive considering how much faster and more rewarding to drive it is than the car it’s derived from.
An English colleague perhaps summed it up best over lunch at Imola: “It’s the car the Huracan should have been all along”.
Better late than never. Bravo, Lamborghini.
Photos by Lamborghini.
Thought the article might be interesting until you had to throw in your stupid comment about our great president. Go screw yourself.


US President Trump’s impeachment is the “most rushed, least thorough and most unfair” in history, the Senate’s Republican leader Mitch McConnell says.
That’s according to the BBC.
The Democrat-led House of Representatives had let its “partisan rage” create a “toxic precedent that will echo into the future”, he added.
But the Democrats’ Chuck Schumer said Mr McConnell had offered no defence of the president’s actions.
On Wednesday, the House voted to impeach Mr Trump on two charges.
The charges are that the president abused his power and obstructed Congress.
Mr Trump now faces a trial in the Senate – but the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, so it is highly unlikely he will be removed from power.


The Future of Learning Systems - An Industry Survey & A Vision for the Future
In 2017 Bluewater Conducted a Survey
At Bluewater, we’ve found there are 7 KEY AREAS that every organization must address to have a truly impactful learning, talent, or human capital management system. In 2017, we did a survey to see how our friends and clients stacked up in each of those areas.
We used the information we got from that survey to paint a picture of where people are now and make some predictions about where learning is headed.
What Does the Future of Learning Systems Look Like?
The Future of Learning Systems is more than just your LMS. Download the presentation to get a picture of what’s coming, and a detailed breakdown of the results from our 2017 survey.


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Randy Crawford: Knockin' on Heaven's Door
I've had an utterly craptastic day and need some music to cheer me up. My usual choices under the circumstances are J-rock or jazz. Since J-rockers don't seem to use the fade-out, you lucky folks get a jazz post.
This is the stellar R&B vocalist Randy Crawford, with David Sanborn on sax and Eric Clapton on guitar. The song, of course, is a Bob Dylan cover and fits my mood a bit. Now if you'll excuse me, the pain meds seem to be wearing off, so I'll go dip into the next dose and crank up the volume…
7 hours ago

domain: entertainment


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Lemon Juice and Black beans are nice for managing the porosity, well being, and shine of the hair. First it's my opinion that gels can cause hair loss as a result of harmful chemicals it comprises. You apply them in the morning and wash them out before you go to mattress. Second: It is vital to say that results differ from individual to particular person. However, the most common of all causes of hair loss in women is hormones. Hair loss, in the case of Male/Female Pattern Baldness, is normally a gradual thing, nevertheless it can be rapidly accelerated by poor weight loss plan and elevated stress. On the other fold, it appears to protect the follicles from the harm that DHT can do. Swelling can be seen notably in the space across the brow and across the eyes. Vitamin B12 will be present in hen, salt water greens, yogurt, and many others.
Apart from commercially obtainable conditioners, there are some you can make at house shortly. Biotin is in the family of B-vitamins and is taken into account to be like "hair meals" in that it'll provide your follicles with the essential mineral it needs to grow hair fast. (It must be identified right here, though, that this is in the early levels of research, and is by no means conclusively confirmed.)Maintaining a full and healthy head of hair can be a main wrestle for African American ladies. But the kind of stress that we are talking about right here isn't the widespread each day type of stress that all of us expertise. After Swimming use a superb 'clarifying' shampoo. The grafts are then stored first in a container with a sterile saline resolution to maintain them moist, wholesome and prepared for implantation. Causes of Hair Loss There is a definite timeline for hair transplants to develop and, though the exact timings range from individual to individual, it should provide you with a rough idea of what to expect. Using Saw Palmetto for hair regrowth has been said to yield the identical constructive outcomes as the drug finasteride (Propecia) for blocking DHT, with no the place close to the identical negative effects. Sometimes the thinning is hereditary and is due to getting older, but there are still ways to treat these circumstances.
Deficiencies in important nutritional vitamins and minerals will slow down your progress fee. Therefore, you have to be extra cautious should you lose excessive hair since it will possibly point out a extra serious well being downside. Zinc is helpful in the stimulation of progress of hair and enhancing the immune functions Prolonged traction can ultimately cause everlasting hair loss. Now that you have taken nice pains to protect your hair, you can start doing issues to stimulate hair development. The Benefits of Using Natural Remedies to Stop Thinning Hair Another good vitamin is Vitamin E, this may and needs to be taken both internally and externally. Just what is that this? But in the long run you may guess what happened. When your body begins producing a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, that is where most hair loss stems from.
D) Psoralea seeds By extracting a relatively small amount of hair follicles, and letting them seat in special laboratory situations where they are encouraged to multiply, we can produce limitless new quantity of hair follicles. Enzymes in the physique convert testosterone into DHT. A poorly balanced weight loss program low on satisfactory vegatables and fruits will trigger hair to grow more slowly. It is advocate that all patients take it easy for the primary days and keep away from heavy bodily exercises. After repeated warnings from my mother to stop straightening I stopped, but solely after ending up with a couple of bald spots. Anagen effluvium happens when the hair follicle cells are so broken they cannot recuperate or reproduce. Reconstructors are just that, RE-CONSTRUCTORS, and you can't reconstruct what has not been DESTRUCTED. Nasal Hair / Nostril Hair Removal
A more long term solution is aggressively addressing the reason for your hair thinning or shedding. Are these accusations justified? Scarring and hiccups are some of these recorded uncomfortable side effects.The commonest sort of hair loss is male sample baldness, which is inherited. If you've got a previous photograph of your self you may be able to see if your hairline has changed. As free curl has extra probability of publicity to solar as compared to tied curl. In order for hair regrowth to happen useless follicles must be reinvigorated, scalp circulation should be improved, any contributing balding factors must be eradicated or modified, and the hormone dihydrotestosterone must be blocked (in 8 out of 10 instances). Medications might also play a part in hair loss. Step #three - Exercise The third tip is that it's important to promote good circulation in your scalp. Besides, the laser beam is a really slender light beam; with the intention to achieve the required efficiency over an enormous space on your scalp, the unit should be moved very slowly over the skin.

domain: medical


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A Washington County jury on Wednesday found a Bartlesville woman guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her seven-week-old foster son in December 2017.
According to BartlesvilleRadio.com, the jury recommended 44-year-old Tracy Nelson be sentenced to life in prison for following her three day trial.
According to a police affidavit, officers arrested Nelson after the state Medical Examiner determined the boy died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Nelson’s spouse told police the child was fine when she left the infant with Nelson while running errands.
Tracy Nelson is scheduled to be formally sentenced November 2nd.

domain: sociology


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Hillary Clinton has claimed victory in her battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, with President Barack Obama congratulating her.
The former first lady, U.S. senator, and secretary of state celebrated her victory over rival Bernie Sanders in a grueling primary election race amid cheering supporters in Brooklyn, New York, late on June 7. She said her feat crowns a long history of women's achievements at gaining rights.
"Thanks to you, we have reached a milestone," Clinton said. "First time in our nation's history that a woman will be a major party's nominee... We all owe so much to who came before."
"Tonight, we can say with pride that, in America, there is no barrier too great and no ceiling too high to break."
The White House said Obama called Clinton to congratulate her on securing "the delegates necessary to clinch" the Democratic nomination. Obama also called Sanders, who has not conceded the race, and will meet with him on June 9.
Clinton, 68, won the June 7 Democratic primary contests in California, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota, expanding her lead in the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination and setting up a five-month campaign against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump that will end with the presidential election on November 8.
Sanders, who won the Democratic caucuses in North Dakota and Montana, vowed to continue his quest for the White House, telling supporters in California that he will fight on to compete in next week's primary in Washington, D.C.
The Vermont senator said that, after that election, "we take our fight for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice to Philadelphia," where the Democratic National Convention will take place next month.
Trump -- who had already secured enough delegates to ensure his nomination at the Republican convention next month -- won in the largest state, California, as well as in Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, and New Jersey.

domain: news


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LAPTOP gaming is discovered to be significantly better than gaming consoles. It’s always a good idea to test the requirements to your favorite video games (the producers will record advisable playing cards). Built-in graphics are nice for casual 2ND games, but to really bring out the beast on 3D AAA titles, you’ll need a number of discrete graphics playing cards.
Get a repute amongst gamers for constructing models for use in online video games. Talking of video games, the system’s Nvidia GTX 1080 graphics card can deal with something you throw at it, and there’s a handy entrance-dealing with VR port for connecting your Oculus Rift or HTC Vive with minimal problem.
A portfolio of your own work is a necessity for the pc video games trade. Cheap reasonable gaming computer using a dedicated graphics card. A number of of these studies have indicated causality by exhibiting that RTs could be educated by game-play! Unfold gaming cheer with the newest processors, graphics cards, and options.
On the minimum, the Oculus Rift requires an Nvidia GTX 960 or AMD equivalent graphics card, an Intel Core i3-6100 or AMD FX4350 processor, 8GB of RAM, two USB three.zero ports, an HDMI 1.three port and Home windows 8 or newer. That is different to plain GDDR as customary GDDR memory sits on the PCB of the graphics card.
With support for up to an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti graphics, you may build the Gamer Master right into a legitimate gaming powerhouse whereas still getting a very good worth. In the event you love gaming and wish to design them, build them and make sure they offer the most effective player expertise doable, then this course is for you.

domain: game


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Saturday 17th April 5pm - Paint & Sip House Party for KirstinPaint & Sip at home
Location:7 Roper Road, Albion Park NSW, Australia
Cost:$65.00 per person
About this experience
You are invited to a Paint & Sip House Party!
Address: 7 Roper Road Albion Park
Time: 5pm - 7:30pm
Our art teacher will take you step by step through a chosen design - perfect for beginners :) We supply all art material - paint, brushes, aprons, easels and canvases.

domain: artistic


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Trinity Sport has announced that face coverings are now mandatory in the Sports Centre, apart from when members of the gym are exercising.
Trinity Sport posted on Facebook, saying that face coverings were now mandatory in Trinity Sport and that everyone should “mask up to keep everyone safe while at Trinity Sport Centre”.
In an email statement to The University Times, Communications Manager for Trinity Sport Gillian Neely confirmed that face coverings will not be required once members have begun their workout in Trinity’s gym.
“Face coverings should be worn by all members from when they enter the building”, Neely said. “Once a member has started their workout in the gym, a face covering is not required and once they finish their workout the user should then put their face covering on prior to exiting the gym.”
Neely also added that: “Trinity Sport staff will actively encourage our members to comply with this requirement in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”
Should a member forget to bring a face covering to the Sports Centre, Trinity Sport assured that masks will be available to purchase from reception.
Face coverings are now mandatory for all internal public spaces on campus. This ruling is not part of broader government health guidelines for sports centres and gyms throughout the country.
In an email to students last month, College announced that in accordance with new government regulations, students will have to wear face masks during all teaching and learning events, in the Library and in other public spaces.
Staff have been advised to wear visors instead of masks, in order to help them communicate more clearly.
Face masks will not be mandatory for students who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering “without severe distress” based on health grounds.
Staff and students may also remove their masks to “communicate with a person who has difficulties communicating”, to provide “emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person” or to “avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury”.


A phase-changing material created out of wax and foam could
allow the robots of the future to transform from being solid to
squishy and then back again.
The material has been developed jointly by MIT and Stony Brook
University and promises to allow robots of the future transform
between hard and soft states, which would make them ideal for using
It's more than a bit creepy imagining a robot being able to
slither through your body, but it would allow surgeons to carry out
operations less invasively and without causing any damage to the
organs or blood vessels. Thanks to their sponginess and
flexibility, the robots could also squeeze through rubble to hunt
for survivors during in search and rescue operations.
The material was developed in conjunction with robotics company
Boston Dynamics (now owned by Google) as part of Darpa's Chemical
Robotics programme. The initial idea was to try and create robots
that could move in much the same way octopuses do -- shifting their
mass to be able to squeeze through tight gaps.
There are significant obstacles to creating this type of
movement as it is very tricky to predict how soft material will
move and what shapes it will shift into. In order to be able to
control its movement, the robot would have to be able to exert a
reasonable amount of force onto surrounding surfaces. The solution
to this was to build robots that could shift between being hard and
soft as and when they need to.
The researchers found that the answer lay in combining foam,
which can be compressed and bounce back to its original shape, with
wax, which already changes state when heated. The material turned
out to be incredibly cheap to make -- all that was required was
polyurethane foam saturated in hot wax -- meaning that it could be
used even in low-cost robots. Wires were implanted inside the foam
and when a current was run through it, the surrounding wax would
melt, but would return to its original state when the current was
This means that any damage sustained to the robot would also be
reversible. "This material is self-healing," says
Anette Hosoi, who headed up the research. "So if you push it
too far and fracture the coating, you can heat it and then cool it,
and the structure returns to its original configuration."
A second version of the material has since been built using a 3D
printed foam lattice that turned out to be more amenable and was
easier to control. This was slightly more expensive to create, but
the researchers concluded that their first attempt at creating the
material would still be appropriate for low-budget projects.
The material has been described in more detail in a paper published in the journal Macromolecular Materials and
Engineering. Hosoi is now investigating other materials
that could be used in soft robotics, including liquids with
particles suspended inside that can switch from a liquid state to a
solid one using magnets or electricity.


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These licks go from easy to advanced – can you nail them all in 30 minutes?
Death's legendary 1987 debut, Scream Bloody Gore, is more than just an untouchable album. Upon its release, it was positively genre-creating.
Next week, Relapse Records is releasing a newly remastered version of Death's classic album, Individual Thought Patterns.
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Block copolymers have emerged as a compelling candidate for nanoscale fabrication. In the context of lithographic fabrication, attention has focused on the ability to control the self-assembly and orientation of the nanodomains. However, assembling the block copolymers into defect-free structures can be difficult. We know defect-free structures have a low free-energy in equilibrium, but defects still occur in experiments. This shows that the defects are occurring due to the kinetics and dynamics of the block copolymers. In this thesis, I explore two methods to reduce defects via the Hole-Shrink experiments and shear, and the first steps of a dynamic model to reduce defects in chemoepitaxy was developed. In the second chapter, the graphoepitaxial assembly of cylinder-forming block copolymers assembled into holes is investigated through theoretically informed coarse grained Monte Carlo simulations (TICG MC). The aim is to identify conditions leading to assembly of cylinders that span the entire thickness of the holes, thereby enabling applications in lithography. Three hole geometries are considered, including cylinders, elliptical cylinders, and capsule-shaped holes. Four distinct morphologies of cylinder forming poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymers are observed in cylinders and elliptical holes, including cylinders, spheres, partial cylinders, and wall-bound cylinders. Additional morphologies are observed in capsule shaped holes. PMMA cylinders that extend through the entire hole are found with PMMA-wetting surfaces; a weak wetting condition is needed on the bottom of the hole and a strong wetting condition is necessary on the sides of the hole. Simulated are also used to explore the morphologies that arise when holes are overfilled, or when PMMA homopolymers are added in blends with copolymers. We find that overfilling can alter considerably the morphological behavior of copolymers in cylinders and, for blends; we find that when the homopolymer concentration is >10\%, the range of conditions for formation of PMMA cylinders that extend through the entire hole is increased. In general, results from simulations (TICG) are shown to be comparable to those of self-consistent (SCFT) calculations, except for conditions where fluctuations become important. In the third chapter, non-equilibrium simulations of lamellae forming block copolymers are investigated by means of Theoretically Informed Coarse Grain Brownian dynamics simulations and Dissipative Particle Dynamics. Three lamellar orientations are subjected to steady shear, which differ in the direction of the microstructure with respect to the shear plane. The stable orientations are identified as a function of shear rate. It is found that for Brownian dynamics simulations the transition from parallel to perpendicular does not occur; however, by including local conservation of momentum, the lamellae exhibit this transition. The velocity profiles, stresses, and angles of the blocks in the system were analyzed to yield insights into why parallel orientations are less stable at higher shear rates. In the fourth and fifth chapter, a model is developed for polymer entanglements in homopolymers and block copolymers. One possible approach relies on using slip springs. However, to inform these coarse grained models of block copolymers, the entanglements should be elucidated. Experiments do not provide the molecular data, so microscopic models are useful tools to study the molecular data. In this work, we study such issue using a Kremer-Grest model as it represents a "microscopic model". This model can be used to obtain the topological constraints of the polymer to inform coarse grained simulations. Defect annihilation of block copolymer nanodomains have been studied recently, and these studies have shown that there is a large kinetic barrier for defect annihilation. These studies has been performed with soft unentangled block copolymers, but in the experimental system, these block copolymers may be entangled. The entanglement effects of block copolymers are studied here using a slip spring model, which was previously developed for homopolymer melts. In this article, a comparison between the soft, slip spring model and a Lennard-Jones polymer is performed. The Lennard-Jones polymer is examined using the Z1 analysis, where it is shown that the topological constraints are increased at the interface of the unlike blocks for shorter chains, but for longer chains the constraints decrease at the interface. For the slip spring model, there is always a decrease of slip springs at the interface; when comparing the two models, we observe that large molecular soft chains mimic the Lennard-Jones polymers in both the topological constraints, but not the orientation of the chains near the interface.


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domain: hobby


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Disorders and Treatment
- Mental Illness
- Bipolar Disorder
- Mood Disorders
- Borderline Personality
- Mental Health Diagnosis
- Mental Health Treatments
- Alternative Meds
- Case Studies
A new study shows that high levels of family stress in infancy are linked to differences in everyday brain function and anxiety in teen girls. This is according to results of a long-running population study by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists.
The study points to evidence for a developmental pathway in which early life stress creates neural pathway changes in the brain. The study revealed that babies who lived in homes with stressed mothers were more likely to grow into preschoolers with higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Also, the girls with higher cortisol demonstrated less communication between brain areas associated with emotion regulation – 14 years later. The two observations came together as predictors for higher levels of adolescent anxiety at age 18.
“We wanted to understand how stress early in life impacts patterns of brain development which might lead to anxiety and depression,” said first author Dr. Cory Burghy of the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior. “Young girls who, as preschoolers, had heightened cortisol levels, go on to show lower brain connectivity in important neural pathways for emotion regulation – and that predicts symptoms of anxiety during adolescence.”
Remarkably, young men do not show any of these patterns. “Our findings raise questions on how boys and girls differ in the life impact of early stress,” said Dr. Richard Davidson, professor psychology and psychiatry and director of the lab where Burghy is a post-doctoral researcher. “We do know that women report higher levels of mood and anxiety disorders, and these sex-based differences are very pronounced, especially in adolescence.”
Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison, MedicalNewsToday
The information provided on the PsyWeb.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational and educational purposes. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of PsyWeb.com nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.

domain: psychology


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domain: design


Smith & Wesson Expands M and P Pistols With Julie Goloski Model
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – Smith & Wesson Corp., announced today that the company has expanded the Military & Police (M&P) Pistol lineup with the introduction of the M&P9 JG (Julie Goloski), as part of the new Smith & Wesson Champion Series.
Designed in collaboration with Smith & Wesson Professional Shooter Julie Goloski, the polymer frame pistol incorporates several competition-specific features requested by the champion shooter. The M&P9 JG is engraved with the ‘Awareness Ribbon’ on the slide of the pistol and is packaged with two pink grip inserts (small and medium) along with the three standard black grip inserts. A portion of the proceeds for each pistol sold will be donated to a breast cancer awareness charity.
“Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer and over two million women have been treated for it in the United States,” said Julie Goloski, Smith & Wesson Consumer Program Manager and Champion Shooter. “This is a tragic statistic, but one that can be changed. The money raised from this new pistol will help support research, increase education and promote early detection among both women and men.”
Chambered in 9mm, the M&P9 JG features a fiber optic front sight along with a Warren® Tactical rear sight on top of the 4 Ã‚ ¼-inch barrel. For enhanced durability, the M&P9 JG has a Zytel® polymer frame reinforced with a ridged steel chassis and a through-hardened black Melonite® stainless steel barrel and slide. This combination of features provides unparalleled shootability and dramatically reduces felt recoil. The M&P9 JG has a capacity of 17+1 and is shipped with two magazines. The striker fired action trigger system features a 6 ½-pound trigger pull and has been designed with an overtravel stop for enhanced performance. Another distinct feature that separates the M&P line from other polymer pistols is that it does not require the user to press the trigger in order to field strip the firearm.
“In recognition of breast cancer awareness month this October, we encourage everyone to support the various charities and cancer centers through any means they can,” said Goloski. “For those who share a strong connection with the shooting sports, the purchase of a M&P9 JG is one way that you can give back.”
For images of the M&P9 JG, please email Matt Rice at [email protected]
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a global leader in safety, security, protection and sport, is parent company to Smith & Wesson Corp., one of the world’s largest manufacturers of quality firearms and firearm safety/security products and parent company to Thompson/Center Arms, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting rifles, black powder rifles, interchangeable firearms systems and accessories under the Thompson/Center brand. Smith & Wesson licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield, Houlton, Maine, and Rochester, New Hampshire. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America’s longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to www.tcarms.com.
Gary Giudice Blue Heron Communications (800) 654-3766 [email protected]
– AMMOLAND.COM – Free Press Release Service for the Shooting Industry! www.AmmoLand.com


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Last week’s announcement by Saks Fifth Avenue that it plans to cut 9 percent of its workforce as a result of slumping economic conditions could portend things to come for the luxury retail sector, warn analysts. Little more than a year ago, analysts forecast luxury retailers would average annual growth of 6 percent, making the sector resistant to the effects of a downturn (See story here). But today, as wealthy consumers reel from the plunge in the stock market and mid-tier shoppers shift to discount retailers, luxury looks like the most vulnerable retail sector.
While most of the retail industry struggled in 2008 (same-store sales for all U.S. chain stores rose just 1.1 percent for the year), the luxury sector experienced same-store sales declines during 10 of the past 12 months, according to ICSC. Things got worse as the year went along as well. In each of the last four months of 2008, luxury retailers posted double-digit same-store sales declines, including a 10.5 percent decline in November and a jaw-dropping 17.4 percent decline in December. During those months, same-store sales for all U.S. stores declined 2.7 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.
So far, the disappointing sales figures have not resulted in luxury store closings or bankruptcies. However, it’s only a matter of time, according to C. Britt Beemer, CEO of America’s Research Group, a Charleston, S.C.-based consumer behavior research firm. Jeff Green, president of Jeff Green Partners, a Mill Valley, Calif.-based consulting firm, foresees closings for both Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Saks close some stores; some of [its] smaller secondary market stores or smaller tourist market stores,” Green says. “They are going to need more cuts than they have announced. And it wouldn’t surprise me if Tiffany closed a few, but remember these are [companies] that haven’t closed stores for a while.”
The ongoing recession has taken its toll on brand-conscious aspirational shoppers—middle-class and upper-middle class consumers willing to spend a portion of their income on luxury brands normally reserved for the truly wealthy. Meanwhile, customers of luxury retailers have also been disproportionately hit by Wall Street layoffs and troubles in the stock market, notes Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, LLC, a New Canaan, Conn.-based retail consulting firm. Meanwhile, the strengthening dollar—which has risen more than 15 percent against the Euro since August 2008, as well as the global reach of the recession, have diminished foreign traveler’s spending power and reduced the number of tourists visiting the U.S. for luxury bargains, he says.
“There is a triple-whammy and luxury has not been hit like that in our memory,” according to Johnson.
As a result, Johnson too, expects consolidations among luxury sellers in the near future; particularly in the jewelry sector. Green estimates between store closings and lower sales, luxury retailers will experience flat same-store sales growth this year. Surveys by America’s Research Group show that since September, luxury retailers have been struggling more than discount or mid-tier stores. In the first two weeks of January, for example, traffic at jewelry stores fell 1.2 percent compared to the prior year, the worst decline in 30 years. During the same period in 2008, traffic was up 15.4 percent.
“The luxury side is challenged because so many of the dollars spent by those shoppers are discretionary dollars,” Beemer says. “Luxury is going to be the most difficult to turn around for at least two or three years.”
In December, Saks Fifth Avenue, the New York City-based luxury department store chain, reported a 19.8 percent decline in same-store sales, after a 5.2 percent dive in November. On January 15, Saks said it would eliminate approximately 1,100 positions among its corporate staff and at its 53 U.S. stores , citing the sluggish economy.
Meanwhile, Neiman Marcus reported same-store sales declines of 27.5 percent in December and 11.9 percent in November. The Dallas-based company operates 40 Neiman Marcus stores and two Bergdorf Goodmans.
A week ago, Tiffany & Co. reported U.S. same-store sales for the November/December 2008 period dropped 35 percent. To deal with the new “retail environment for luxury goods,” the company’s chairman and CEO Michael J. Kowalski already announced cost-saving measures, including an early retirement program. The upscale jewelry retailer operates 70 stores in the United States.


How to refer to the Step Down service
Service Users from Secondary Care Psychiatry, Crisis Resolution Team, Assessment and Brief Therapy (ABT) team, Early Intervention Service or the Perinatal team can be identified by the psychiatrist and referred to the Enhanced Community Primary Care Service (ECPS) for follow up in specialist mental health clinics within the individual's GP Surgery. People will be seen for up to one year every 3 months to review their ongoing mental wellbeing. During the course of that year if they need a medical review, they can be seen by a Consultant Psychiatrist within the ECPS.
How to refer to the Step Up service
Patients that need additional mental health support but that don’t meet the criteria for Secondary Care Psychiatry can be identified by their GP and referred to ECPS via ABT. The patient needs to be registered with a Newham GP and have an already diagnosed Mental Health Condition. To access service please speak to your consultant psychiatrist or


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Louis Chenevert is a successful Canadian businessman. He went to HEC Montréal were obtained his degree. In nineteen ninety-nine, Louis Chenevert was elected Pratt and Whitney’s president, previously working for General Motors for fourteen years. In two thousand and six, Louis Chenevert, again was elected CEO of United Technologies Corporation. Louis Chenevert has also had been an adviser to Goldman Sachs in the industrial and aerospace sectors. Louis Chenevert has truly had a successful and diverse career and has put his skills and knowledge to good use for those companies. (See: frenchtribune.com/teneur/25552-innovative-deals-and-inspired-leadership-characterize-louis-chenevert)
When most people thing of America’s industrial sector, they often think of the aging rusted rail line. They think the industrial sector has gone the way of the locomotive. There are some manufacturers that are still around despite Washington, D.C. regulations, and the indifference of pop culture. One of them is United Technologies Corporation, based in Hartford, Connecticut. This massive of a conglomerate is valued at sixty-three billion dollars. Impressive for a rust bucket of a sector, right? Visit This Page to learn more.
The main markets for United Technologies Corporation are in the aerospace and building supplies. The company makes everything from helicopters and jet engines to air conditioners and elevators. Despite the high taxes in Connecticut, Louis Chenevert was able to contribute greatly to the economy. In part, was able to continue the company’s seventy years of paying dividends. The company has also out performed many companies listed on the stock exchange. Find out more about him on yachtingmagazine.
Louis Chenevert’s time at United Technologies Corporation was no always easy. The company had to withstand the worst economic crisis in many years, the two thousand and eight great recession. Through the tenure of Louis Chenevert he saw the stock price rise from the low of thirty-seven dollars to one hundred seventeen. This was done by his hard work of spearheading a companywide reorganization. He was able to streamline services, for example combining elevator, escalator, and air conditioning product and services to provide a comprehensive service to builders. In addition, he did what other companies weren’t. He didn’t outsource work. In fact, he actually brought many engineering jobs back to America.
Louis Chenevert has always been a progressive leader. He understands how to plan for the long and short term in order to keep his team focused on every aspect of the mission. Louis became the CEO of United Technologies Corporation and immediately began to make an impact on how business was done, as well as the culture of the organization. He wanted his creators to understand that they had a voice in how business was conducted. This gave them the confidence to express themselves in a manner that would take the company in different directions. UTC became a front runner in its industry while under Louis Chenevert’s leadership. The company prides itself on making a positive influence within the US economy by introducing new jobs to American citizens.
Technology is an industry where creative minds need to have their freedom. The market is always changing. There are new items and tools introduced to the market on a regular basis. These inventions keep consumers on their toes and demanding more. Louis made sure United Technologies Corporation remained on the cutting edge of the movement by planning to hire 25,000 people within a three-year time frame in the United States alone. Chenevert was making a point that UTC was committed to the creativity that it speaks of.
The main organization will always have a major influence on its affiliate brands. Suppliers must be thoroughly taken care of in order to provide a satisfactory product. UTC made the investment in its suppliers by allocating over 40 million dollars over 3 years in order to show dedication to its subsidiary companies. Check him out on Crunchbase.
Technology comes from the creative minds that produce the material. People will always be the most important aspect of business. Louis committed to investing in his team by creating a program that allowed each person to obtain a college degree. The company pays for the tuition no matter what specialty is chosen. Read This Article for more information.
Louis Chenevert received his education from HEC Montreal. HEC is an affiliate of the University of Montreal. Chenevert completed his bachelor’s degree and went on to have a successful business career. He spent 14 years at General Motors before joining Pratt & Whitney. After Pratt & Whitney Louis became the CEO of United Technologies Corporation. He resigned form UTC in 2014.
View Source: https://www.forbes.com/lists/2012/12/ceo-compensation-12_Louis-R-Chenevert_FTA5.html

domain: finance


All-Ireland title for local pupils
A team of students from Ballyclare Secondary recently became all-Ireland kit car champions for the third year in a row.
The five girls and five boys were crowned champions at Kirkistown Circuit on May 18.
They raced a kit car and a self build on the day and managed first and second in both races against a competitive field of 11 other kitcars from as far away as Dublin University.
Representatives from the Doagh Road school have been competing in the Greenpower Educational Trust F24 Kitcar competition for the past five years.
The aim of the Greenpower competition is to “inspire young people around the world to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths through a unique challenge: to design, build and race an electric car”.
Over 500 schools from around the world take part with the pinnacle event being the International Final, held this year at Silverstone Race Track in October.
Commenting on this year’s success, Technology teacher Des Beckington said: “There are so many valuable experiences our pupils have had in the past year. The majority of the current team study GCSE Technology and Design, Resistant Materials.
“Although Electronics is part of the core it is not the main focus of the course, rather students study materials, tools and processes as well as an emphasis on good design.
“The 2019 team, using their course knowledge set about trying to improve the existing 2018 car without having to dive too deep into the electronics. The team recognized that the 2018 chassis material, aluminium, was a good choice with its strength to weight ratio, but after carrying out material density calculations they soon realised that thin plywood was actually lighter yet still gave the structural strength needed.
“By reading through all the rules carefully, the team managed to design and manufacture a lighter kitcar but they also improved the overall shape to be more aerodynamic than the previous car.”
The pupils in the team this year were: Reece Harvey, Zara Jones, Kieren Ferguson, Victoria Jebb, Mackenzie Williams, Abby Turbitt, Andrew Turner, Eva Campbell, Andrew Keys and Jasmine Shields.
They wish to thank their very supportive local sponsors Woodside Logistics Group, W.J. Scarlett and Son Builders Merchant DIY and Aalco Metals Ltd for their support over the past year.
Ballyclare Secondary School now go to the International Final in October along with Campbell College Belfast to represent the island of Ireland.


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Today is National Day of Mourning- CSO Demands Accountability, Justice For Victims Of Mass Atrocities
It’s a day set aside by the members of Community of Practice Against Mass Atrocities to remember victims of violent killings across the country and demand for accountability and justice for them.
Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) a foremost Citizen stakeholders platform, is leading the campaign in the State.
Prince Chris Azor, the group’s Coordinator, while speaking to newsmen, emphasized the need for government and all stakeholders to reinforce interventions in curbing the existential challenge.
“It’s worrisome to note that at least, 2000 civilians and security personnel were killed from January this year to date, and over 540 are in April alone. This is absolutely unacceptable” he said.
“National Day of Mourning honours these victims of Mass atrocities in Nigeria. People who have lost their lives or live with the aftermath of different forms of atrocities that continue to plague the nation. Some still remain missing and are unaccounted for. We therefore, demand accountability and justice for the victims of these killings, Prince Azor further stressed.
The Human Rights advocate, however commended Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo for setting up a Bureau for Missing Persons domiciled in the Ministry of Justice. For him it’s a step in the right direction. He therefore, called on the Attorney General to operationalize the Bureau for effectiveness and efficiency.
The group pledged to continue to engage the government and stakeholders for desired result.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is #EndTheKillings: Justice For Victims Of Mass Atrocities.


March 1-7, 2021
Join us for a week-long celebration of our Production Facility this year as our Open House goes online! Throughout the week of March 1-7, we'll be sharing special behind-the-scenes videos from our Horticulture team, and then we'll cap the week off with two live Question and Answer programs on Saturday, March 6.
Register for the two interactive Question and Answer programs:
- March 6 - Online Q&A: Plant Health Care for the Home Grower (Production Facility Virtual Open House)
- March 6 - Online Q&A: Orchid Care for the Home Grower (Production Facility Virtual Open House)
We will post behind-the-scenes videos daily the week of March 1, 2021. Watch the latest here, and click the playlist in the video's upper right corner to see all videos in this playlist. You can also see the full playlist here.
About the U.S. Botanic Garden Production Facility
Greenhouses to shelter and propagate plants have been part of the U.S. Botanic Garden since the 1850s.
Our Production Facility is the largest greenhouse complex supporting a public garden in the United States. The greenhouse, completed in 1993, includes 85,000 square feet under glass divided into 34 greenhouse bays and 17 environmental zones. Its computerized environmental controls provide the flexibility to grow a wide variety of plants for public display.
The Production Facility supports foliage, nursery crops and seasonal displays and exhibits. In addition, it contains all of the U.S. Botanic Garden collection not currently on display, including orchids, medicinal plants, insectivorous plants and rare and endangered species.


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Full Title: U.S. Renewable Energy Technical Potentials: A GIS-Based Analysis
Publication Date: July 1, 2012
Full Text: Download Resource
Renewable energy technical potential, as defined in this study, represents the achievable energy generation of a particular technology given system performance, topographic limitations, environmental, and land-use constraints. The primary benefit of assessing technical potential is that it establishes an upper-boundary estimate of development potential (DOE EERE 2006).
Although numerous studies have quantified renewable resource potential, comparing their results is difficult because of the different assumptions, methodologies, reporting units, and analysis time frames used (DOE EERE 2006). A national study of resource- based renewable energy technical potential across technologies has not been publicly available due to the challenges of unifying assumptions for all geographic areas and technologies (DOE EERE 2006).

domain: literature


I came across a reference to this op-ed piece from the New York Times on a friend's LJ: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/opinion/03galassi.html?ref=opinion
It's a very thought provoking piece, but as a writer I find some of it disturbing.
First, the piece presents a somewhat narrow view of e-publishing, in that it assumes that you're only talking about exactly reproducing an edition of a book that existed first in print somewhere. In the case under discussion, that's apparently the situation, but that's a relatively small portion of e-publishing today. There are a great many smaller presses these days which publish primarily in e-book format. Often the e-book is the first edition, complete with ISBN, and print rights may be negotiated for later. The two are very clearly differentiated in the contract between author and publisher.
With respect to the situation which prompted the editorial, it seems pretty clear that the current copyright holders of the text cannot legally simply reproduce the Random House edition without the permission of Random House.
For one thing, while Mr. Styron's heirs own the copyright to his works, subject to agreements he made with any publishers which may they be in force, they very likely don't own the rights to the cover or interior art. If the rights to the text have reverted to them upon expiration of an agreement with Random House, the right to the art have probably also reverted to the artist, unless they were considered work-for-hire, in which case Random House still owns them.
Nor can Random House simply produce an e-book edition, unless there's language in the original contract which allows for multiple formats. If Random House still holds rights, and the language in the contract regarding formats is sufficiently vague, then they might be able to generate the e-book edition, and send royalties as specified in the contract. Otherwise they would need to negotiate with the current copyright holders for the additional format rights.
However, as an author I'm disturbed by the suggestion that the editor was such a substantial contributor to the work that it conveys any kind of proprietary interest in the work to the publisher, beyond the term of the contract between author and publisher.
It's pretty clearly spelled out in my contracts that I supply the work, and am expected to work with the editor to make it meet my publishers house editorial standards. There's a give and take between author and editor, which results in a final product. That final product is still mine, regardless of the amount of blood, sweat and tears the editor expended on it. (And I don't mean to denigrate editors here - a good editor is a wonderful thing.)
But when my contract lapses, if the publisher doesn't renew it, or I turn them down because I don't like the terms, or for no reason at all, the final text which the editor and I agreed upon is still mine to take away. Not the typesetting, layout, page design, and production details, and not the marketing text and materials (unless I also wrote that, which is often the case with my current publisher), but the edited final text is mine.
This article reads as if Mr. Galassi would like to claim otherwise, and that bothers me.


Xe Honda Passport 2020 - The all-new 2020 Honda Passport was unveiled last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The world had the opportunity to check nearer to Honda's newest SUV.
There is still lots of items that we don't learn about the upcoming Passport model. While the SUV will share the underpinnings with the Honda Pilot model, further informations are yet to be announced.
The 2020 Honda Passport will be six inches shorter compared to Pilot model and it'll offer room for five passengers. The front-wheel-drive will be standard and this SUV will operate on a 3.5-liter V6 engine.
The drivetrain is offering great power and it may also offer a 9-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, both exterior and the interior will be based on the Pilot model.
Towing capacity and fuel economy
Passport with the conventional FWD can lug a 3,500-pound trailer. On the other hand, Passport with the AWD setup can lug around 5,000 pounds. And while Honda didn't announce the fuel economy numbers, new Passport will offer around the same mileage while the Pilot model. Honda Pilot offers 22 mpg combined and so the 2020 Passport won't largely depart from that number.
Beneath the hood of 2020 Honda Passport will be the same 3.5-liter V6 unit that powers the larger brother, Honda Pilot. This engine is just a direct-injection mill, powerful enough to efficiently handle how big is the Passport.
The powertrain produced 280 horsepower , with 262 lb-ft of twist at 4,700 rpm. The EPA city/highway fuel economy is 20/25 mpg for the front-wheel drive and 19/24 mog for all-wheel drive.
The engine is linked to the 9-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox is a refreshment in comparison to the CVT that kills any joy and driving excitement. However, we can expect in the foreseeable future that the company will release a four-cylinder engine, beside the conventional 3.5-liter V6 drivetrain. The towing capacity of the newest Passport is 5,000.
2020 Honda Passport Redesign
The exterior of the upcoming 2020 Honda Passport will share a lot of things in accordance with the Honda Pilot. However, the newest Passport will be six inches shorter, whilst the wheelbase will always be the same. Also, the newest model will be about an inch wider, and the floor clearance is nearly an inch higher.
This change will give you some extra room underneath the body of the vehicle, thus provide the Passport a chance for better off-road performance. The organization may also add new features, to produce this SUV into a real all-terrain model.
As for the other features worth on mentioning, a steeper back-window angle provides a sportier check out the trunk side, and all of the exterior sheet metal are unique and different. The Passport will come with standard 20-inch wheels and a modernly designed front face.
The slight changes in features will certainly give the newest model a far more rugged stance and a far more distinctive appearance. Also, with the minor changes in size and ground clearance, Passport is just a better-proportioned model compared to Pilot.
The interior of 2020 Honda Passport is extremely comfortable, intuitive and creative. The newest model offers around 77.9 cubic feet of space, a lot more compared to competitors like Ford Edge or Hyundai Santa Fe. Also, in the back underneath the cargo floor, you will find optional plastic bins.
These bins are perfectly suitable to store gear, valuables or similar things. The bins are removable as well, in order to adjust the space and access to the spare tire more easily. The cabin looks virtually identical, but upgraded version of the Pilot.
The entire design has a good balance between modern touchscreen display technology and physical buttons. The buttons will control key functions like volume, air-conditioning controls, and heat.
Furthermore, the Sport trim includes a standard 5-inch display monitor, but the larger EX-L, Touring, and Elite offer an 8-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard through all trims , except the beds base Sport trim level.
The 2020 Passport will include Honda Sensing, company's extensive suite of safety features as well. Honda Sensing is standard on all trim levels , as well as 20-inch wheels. These type of wheels aren't even an optional on most SUVs, the Passport could have it as a standard.
Honda Passport Colors
The 2020 Honda Passport brings rich color palette, with eight exterior color options and two interior options. Each one of these hues is unique and very vibrant and fits perfectly to the Passport's attitude and styling. For the exterior , you can choose from Black Cooper Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Deep Scarlet Pearl, and White Diamond Pearl.
These color can be found on all trim levels. However, the Sport offers two more color options – Black Forest Pearl, and Black Forest Pearl. For the interior , you can choose from Black or Gray, and they are available on all trim levels.
Whichever color you choose to be just the right choice for you personally, with this particular opulent palette the Passport will surely be noticed on the streets.
Release Date and Price
The upcoming 2020 Honda Passport posseses an MSRP starting at $32,000 for the Sport trim. Next, the EX-L will cost almost $6,000 more compared to entry-level model. The Touring model starts around $40,000. If you prefer the upscale Elite with much more equipment, the starting price with this model is about $44,000.
Although the beds base price of the newest model is slightly higher compared to most competitors, the Passport includes a great deal more standard equipment than any similar SUV. The Elite may be easily compared with the Ford Edge or Nissan Murano in the number of useful features and gadgets.
We expect that the 2020 Honda Passport will be ready before the end of the following year. However, the sale will probably start in the initial couple of months of 2020.


Transition bonds: What are they and how do they help decarbonize?
Green bonds, blue bonds, sustainability-linked bonds … the world of energy transition finance can be a confusing place for the uninitiated.
“The use of innovative financial tools and mechanisms,” said the organizers of an event at COP27 in Egypt, “can be an effective vehicle to channel funds to projects and translate NDCs [nationally determined contributions] and NAPs [national adaptation plans] into investment action plans”.
Yet instruments like these are also increasingly important to industry majors looking to finance more sustainable infrastructure projects. And, recently, a new type of bond has emerged: the transition bond.
A total of 11 transition bonds were issued during 2020 and slightly more in 2021. The first half of 2022, however, saw 23 transition bonds from 17 issuers, totalling $2.1billion, the latest available analysis shows.
So what are transition bonds and how do they differ from other energy transition finance instruments?
What are transition bonds?
As more companies seek to reduce their environmental impact, transition bonds could play an important role in helping carbon-intensive industries improve their green credentials.
According to the Oxford Business Group, this relatively new type of bond is often issued in fields that would not normally qualify for green bonds, such as large carbon-emitting industries like oil and gas, iron and steel, chemicals, aviation and shipping.
How do transition bonds differ from green, blue and sustainability-linked bonds?
Aptly named green bonds usually provide a source of direct finance for pre-identified environmentally friendly projects, like solar power farms or sustainable waste management facilities. A company's total environmental profile and commitment to reducing its carbon footprint is often assessed before it is eligible for funding.
Blue bonds are a subset of green bonds and provide financing for projects related to ocean conservation, for example, renewable energy infrastructure like offshore wind farms or sustainable marine and fisheries projects.
Sustainability-linked bonds are connected to long-term sustainability goals. Funds from these bonds can be used for any project, provided certain sustainability improvements are met — such as reducing emissions by a set amount within a predetermined deadline.
Transition bonds sit somewhere in between green and sustainability-linked bonds. Like green bonds, the finance they provide is directed at a specific project. But, as with sustainability-linked bonds, the bond issuer isn’t required to already be operating sustainably but is usually in the process of transitioning to lower-carbon operations — such as a fossil fuel project aiming to reduce its emissions.
What examples are there of transition bonds?
One major example is the $216.6 million transition bond issued by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to finance its portfolio of green transition projects.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group issued its inaugural JPY 10 billion five-year transition bond in September 2022.
Proceeds from the bond will be used to finance and/or refinance eligible projects, such as those aimed at decarbonizing existing energy infrastructure, building hydrogen infrastructure and solutions to capture, store and utilize CO₂.
The bond was selected as a model example for the 2021 Climate Transition Finance Model Projects by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI).
What scenarios might they be used in?
Some major lenders — including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) — refuse to fund coal mining or oil and natural gas production and exploration.
However, transition bonds could play a key role in emerging markets, as the ADB has announced it will continue to give financial support to plants transitioning to cleaner solutions.
Transition bonds look set to benefit from the global trend toward sustainable finance, supporting heavy-emitting industries in their efforts to decarbonize.
Are they green?
Concerns have been expressed about transition bonds providing a potential outlet for greenwashing, or “transition washing” to coin a more recent term, where a company’s environmental performance or intentions are exaggerated or misrepresented.
While transition bonds can finance carbon-intensive markets, they are also specifically designed to fund lower-emissions projects.
Transparency concerns could stem from the absence of clear and consistent international standards regulating sustainable finance bonds. However, moves are being made to address this issue.
The International Capital Market Association published the Climate Transition Finance Handbook in 2020, containing guidance on issuing a transition bond. And not-for-profit organization the Climate Bonds Initiative is working to establish universal standards to boost transparency in the transition bond market.
Increased transparency on bond issuance and governance should help improve understanding and take-up of this nascent financial tool.


text:
As the leader in adult, Clothing-Optional couples cruises, we offer a unique experience on the most exhilarating and exciting vacation you can have on the high seas. Get away from the day-to-day stress of work, kids and the daily grind with thousands of like-minded couples on complete take-over cruise ships.
Along with our parent company, Right Connections Travel, we have been the industry leader in vacation packages at premier couples-only resorts such as Desire and Temptation resorts in Cancun and Hedonism II in Jamaica. We offer an alternative way to spend your valuable "just the two of us" time with a naughty twist. The one thing that sets us apart from all other adult travel agencies is our impeccable customer service. We offer perks, reward points, transportation advantages, and are always a phone call away for your special needs.
If you questions regarding any of the cruises we offer, please contact us, and we are happy to answer any questions and assist you with your booking.

domain: travel


Kazakhstan’s justice ministry has informed Almaty city hall it can proceed with a court demand for compensation from former top official Viktor Khrapunov who is accused of looting state funds, it said in a March 31 statement.
The Kazakh ministry argued in the US appeals court that it was entitled to file a suit against Khrapunov as he has left himself open to anti-corruption legislation in California by investing some of the funds into properties there.
Kazakhstan’s filings have estimated Khrapunov’s worth at around $320mn-$430mn. Its accusations also allege a link between Khrapunov and companies owned by US President Donald Trump and his Trump SoHo hotel-condominium in New York.
The development follows a verdict from the US Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit on March 30, which overturned an earlier ruling given by the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Khrapunov was head of Kazakhstan’s energy and coal industry ministry in 1995 and served as mayor of Almaty between 1997-2004. He then served as governor of the East Kazakhstan region until 2007, when he was appointed emergency services minister before resigning after 10 months. He subsequently left for Switzerland.
Since then he has been the subject of 20 investigations in Kazakhstan, although it is widely theorised that Astana’s pursuit of Khrapunov is linked to Kazakh fugitive banker Mukhtar Ablyazov, presently a high-profile target of the Kazakh government. Khrapunov is the father-in-law of the eldest daughter of Ablyazov, who is also accused of embezzling money.
The Financial Times cited lawyers for Almaty as saying that among the limited liability companies used by Khrapunov to launder money, three were linked to real estate developed by companies belonging to Trump. These companies were labelled Soho 3310, Soho 3311 and Soho 3203.
“The companies were created in April 2013 in New York. A week later, property records show, they paid a total of $3.1 [million] to buy the apartments that corresponded with their names in the Trump Soho, a 46-storey luxury hotel-condominium completed in 2010 in a chic corner of Manhattan,” the newspaper reported.
A Belgian court has lifted a freeze on Kazakh National Fund assets worth $21.5bn imposed as part of a dispute with Moldovan oligarch Anatolie Stati, the Kazakh justice ministry said on May 30. It ... more
Kazakhstan’s soon-to-be financial hub, Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), is seeking exclusive rights on initial public offerings (IPOs) of the largest state-run ... more
The Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and Iran have signed an interim free trade agreement (FTA), TASS reported on May 17. “The provisional agreement includes an initial list of goods, ... more


"The professor" explains why this year will be a very weak year for backup quarterbacks, and find out where he ranks Tavaris Jackson on the backup quarterback list. The Colts sign Ahmad Bradshaw to a deal, but was it a good move by the Indianapolis Colts? Clayton also explains what Reggie Bush's role will be with the Detroit Lions this season. Plus, was bringing up Mike Zunino from Tacoma a desperation move by Jack Zduriencik and Eric Wedge? John Harbaugh's comments about PEDs towards the Seahawks, continue to make headlines in the NFL, but were the comments really out of line?


Maybe someone can help me with this. An older subpanel was converted to more of a junction box. Is this acceptable? Right now I’m only recommending closing the unused openings in the panel where breakers were installed at one time.
It is an acceptable practice. I would comment on the rust and also recommend closing the holes.
I agree with Taylor
It is acceptable and you are correct with your call.
But it’s an FPE Stablok! Replace it now. :mrgreen:
Actually it is just a junction box. Close the openings. Many times the cover is just screwed shut.
I wouldn’t even mention the rust. I would simply suggest securing the cover.
Aren’t the openings are closed when the cover is shut? Just wondering, can’t a junction box have a hinged cover?
Troughs can have a hinged cover.
Duct tape is dirt cheap!!
It can be used to repair torn screens, holes in the fender of your car, hold broken lawn chair frames together, fix plumbing leaks, secure the deadfront closed,and cover holes where breakers used to be!


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Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and cyclin D1, two impor tant factors in cell-cycle progression, play key roles in the carcinogenesis of varied human cancers. However, eIF4E expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its association with cyclin D1 has received little investigation. One hundred forty-seven subjects with primary NSCLC, with long-term follow-up and essential clinicopathologic parameters (including age, sex, tumor grade, tumor stage, smoking history, performance status, weight loss, histology grade, and survival data) were evaluated based on expression of eIF4E and cyclin D1. Immunohistochemical analysis was per formed using monoclonal antibodies against eIF4E and cyclin D1. While 134 of 147 cases (91%) were positive for eIF4E, 82 of 136 cases (63%) were positive for cyclin D1. Western blot results were consistent with those illustrated by immunohistochemistry. While eIF4E(+) correlated with significantly shor ter patient survival (P = .03), cyclin D1(+) correlated with longer patient survival (P = .01). Assessment of coexpression of cyclin D1 and eIF4E shows greater value in determining the prognosis of NSCLC: patients with eIF4E(+)/cyclin D1(-) have poorer outcome, those with eIF4E(-)/cyclin D1(+) have a more favorable outcome, and those with eIF4E(+)/cyclin D1(+) have an intermediate outcome (P = .02). The negative effect on survival in patients with eIF4E(+) suggests its potential prognostic role in NSCLC. These results warrant fur ther investigation to explore the value of eIF4E in identifying patients with aggressive disease for adjuvant treatments.
- Cytokeratin 7
- Western blot
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Cancer Research


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As most of you already know, I traveled a lot in my life and visited many places around the world, from the USA, the UK, Europe, and Africa… But there is nothing quite like the Caribbean islands!! From crystal-clear waters to lush greenery of the rainforests, the Caribbean is a feast for the senses. But one aspect that truly stands out is the vibrant and colorful color palette that adorns the islands. It’s like the colors on a steroids! So for this designer girl who already loved bright colors, this truly inspired and shaped my design journey with West Indies Wear. In this week's blog, I will explore the significance of color in Caribbean culture, the top color palettes found in the Caribbean islands, the most colorful Caribbean destinations to visit, the impact of Caribbean colors on art and design, and the inspiration behind the colors used for my vibrant clothing prints. Let’s sail into it ⛵
The Caribbean islands are a tropical paradise that boasts some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world. The region is home to over 700 islands, each with its own unique charm and beauty. The Caribbean is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical greenery, but what really sets it apart is the vibrant and colorful palette that you see across the islands. From the bright pinks, yellows, and oranges of the tropical flowers to the deep blues and greens of the ocean and the lush foliage, the Caribbean is an absolute riot of colors.
The significance of color in Caribbean culture
Color plays a significant role in Caribbean culture, and it is deeply ingrained in the region's history and traditions. In many Caribbean countries, colors are associated with specific meanings and emotions. For many Caribbean locals, color tells a story. Blue is the colour of the sky and the sea, symbolizing faith and trust. Red ignites passion, courage and love. Green embodies nature, and yellow gives energy. Orange symbolises the tropics and sunshine. And purple indicates wealth and wisdom. But why do Caribbean people or people who live in the tropics love to paint their homes in bright colors? Well, some people actually claim that certain colors reflect the sun’s heat and rather than being absorbed into the building and heating up the interior, it reflects back and keeps the home cooler during really hot days. Savvy, huh?!
Top Caribbean Color Palettes
The Caribbean islands are famous for their bright and bold color palettes, which are inspired by the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage. Some of the most popular color palettes in the Caribbean include:
- Tropical colors: bright and bold colors such as pink, orange, yellow, and green that are inspired by the region's tropical flowers and foliage and often used in clothing, artwork, and home decor.
- Island colors: deep blues, greens, and teals, which are inspired by the ocean and the lush vegetation found on the islands.
- Caribbean colors: a combination of the bright and vibrant colors used on man-made structures like seaside houses and other buildings. Bright and bold pinks, green, yellow and blue, this palette is often used to create a vibrant and colorful atmosphere in homes, restaurants, and hotels.
The most colorful Caribbean destinations to visit
If you're looking for a colorful and vibrant vacation destination, then the Caribbean is the perfect place to visit. Some of my most favorite colorful Caribbean destinations include:
- Barbados: This island is known for its vibrant and colorful architecture, including the brightly painted houses in the capital city of Bridgetown. So many adorable tiny old Caribbean style homes scatter the island, how these little chattel homes survived the hurricanes better that the modern day building materials we will never understand. Perhaps color acts a shield too.
- Jamaica: Jamaica is famous for its colorful street art and reggae-inspired color palettes, which can be seen throughout the island.
- Curaçao: This island is famous for its pastel-colored buildings, which are a legacy of its Dutch colonial history.
The impact of Caribbean colors on art and design
Caribbean colors have had a significant impact on art and design, both within the region and beyond. Many Caribbean artists use bright and bold colors in their work to reflect the region's vibrant culture and natural beauty. Just before the horrific earthquake of 2010 in Haiti, I was lucky enough to visit the island as part of a group of buyers. We travelled all over Port au Prince and nearby area’s visiting artists in their homes and workshops. It was fascinating. Haiti is a very poor country, even then, but behind the crumbling buildings and rubbish in the streets were these amazing artists creating beautiful brightly colored artwork in their back rooms and front verandahs. Metal work intricate painted, papier mache from recycled paper, basketry, wood carvings, handcrafted life-size statues hammered out of recycled oil drums, mosaic, and hand painted bowls carved out of calabash, and sequin voodoo art. Their creativity is astounding.
The inspiration behind the colors used for my vibrant clothing prints.
West Indies Wear has always been about embracing color and comfort while expressing your personality through your clothing choices. As I have always loved bright and bold colors, even before I visited the Caribbean, but ten fold afterwards. I love creating a collection that reflects the Caribbean’s vibrant and colorful culture, it has been so fun to be able to create a range of clothing not only for my own style but to be able to share it with island girls across the globe. From cool cotton tunics in tropical prints to bold and colorful sarongs, the West Indies Wear life is all about having fun with color!!
I was recently reminded of my graduating collection from Fashion College. My collection was selected to represent my college at the Fashion Institute of Australia (FIA) annual design awards in the Student category in 1992.
My collection was a combination of bright primary colors and classic resortwear items. I had to dress 5 models for the runway and I had to make everything myself. I did everything from hand dying the lycra for the swimsuits, hand screen printing the labels and the printed fabrics. I made all the patterns myself, I cut and sewed all the garments; there were 2 skirts, one top, one dress, one pair of palazzo pants, 4 swimsuits, 5 hats, and 2 belts. I found the most amazing soft leather in the matching colors to make the belts, and I hand painted all the hats in different colors and lined the inside of them in the matching print.
I hope you enjoyed this weeks blog all about the colours of the Caribbean that have inspired me so much throughout my fashion career. Even well before my West Indies Wear journey, I was channeling so much vibrancy in my designs.
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About Travis Thompson
Seattle rapper Travis Thompson's playful sound is guided by rhymes that combine evocative description and candid emotion. A protégé of Macklemore, he released music independently beginning in 2015. After being featured on Macklemore's 2017 song "Corner Store," he made his major-label debut with the 2019 EP Runaways.
Raised partly in suburban White Center and based in Burien, Washington, Travis Thompson began writing rhymes as a school kid but became more serious about pursuing music as a career in his late teens. He released his debut EP, Living for the Future, in 2015. Around that time, local icons Macklemore and Ryan Lewis founded a youth program called The Residency, which brought in local promoters, agents, and others with behind-the-scenes knowledge of managing a career in the arts to speak to low-income kids. Thompson signed on, reportedly impressing Macklemore not only with his rapping skills but with his enthusiasm; Thompson returned to the program as a paid intern the following year. In the meantime, he released the Ambaum mixtape in 2016.
His big break came in late 2017 when Macklemore featured Thompson alongside Dave B on the single "Corner Store." They performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, marking Thompson's television debut. He followed up with the album YouGood? in mid-2018. After signing with Blvd Boys/Epic, Thompson released the Runaways EP in early 2019. ~ Marcy Donelson