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Kraft Heinz spends on AI and robots to cut costs
Can a business pursue costly innovative technology, while aggressively cutting costs? Francesco Tinto, Kraft Heinz’s chief information officer, says it can, if you invest in the right technology.
Tools powered by artificial intelligence, he says, can identify waste, inefficiencies, and areas ripe for trimming in manufacturing, supply chains, sales, and even IT departments themselves. Likewise, robots can be used to ramp up efficiencies in the production process, he said.
“We take only these two spaces, but go very deep,” he told CIOs and other senior IT managers at Gartner’s recent annual IT industry conference in Orlando, Florida. “That is our bet.”
Tinto two years ago became global CIO of the company formed by the merger of food industry giants Kraft and Heinz in 2013. He was previously a senior IT manager at Kraft for more than a decade.
Kraft Heinz is run by executives from Brazilian firm 3G Capital Partners LP, which is known for aggressively stripping costs out of slow-growth businesses.
In August, the maker of Jell-O pudding and Velveeta cheese reported that its second-quarter revenue fell 1.7% to $6.68-billion globally, while US sales fell 1.2%.
It’s not the only food company struggling amid changing consumer tastes and habits. Kellogg, maker of Frosted Flakes and Pringles, last month said quarterly sales fell 2.5% to $3.19 billion, including a 2% drop in North America.
To rein in costs, and boost sagging profits, Kraft Heinz set out a strict cost-cutting strategy dubbed zero-based budgeting, or ZBB — what Tinto calls “The Monster”.
It requires department heads to justify all expenses for each new period, meaning every function or project is continually re-evaluated for needs and costs, as new budgets are hashed out for the next cycle.
“ZBB says last year is gone and we start from scratch, from the bottom up, and try to understand the cost of running the company,” Tinto says.
That can make investing in projects without clear, near-term results difficult, especially in the area of technology.
But it also instills discipline and focus, he says.
Tinto said over the past year he focused spending on artificial intelligence and robotics, two areas he says can prove their worth by identifying inefficiencies company-wide, and automating processes where appropriate.
It helps that they can also be leveraged to develop new, revenue-generating products and services, he said.
Kraft Heinz is working with AI across all areas: Starting with sales and marketing, and more recently in the supply chain and manufacturing, to identify inefficiencies and optimize performance. Instead of working with five or six variables in these processes, “AI can handle 20 variables to achieve optimisation,” he said.
Likewise, it is testing robotics and automation in all areas of production, aiming to find process that are better — and more cheaply — handled by robots.
Tight budgeting forced the company to prioritize IT spending, shifting it away from funding legacy systems it no longer needed, he said.
“Business as usual doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.
Source: The Wall Street Journal919 Views


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Latitudo40 at the EC “Digital Challenge”
Latitudo40 in a nutshell
Founded in 2017 by 4 space industry experts and image analysis gurus, Latitudo 40 has combined the 20 years of experience of the “aged” founders to the multidisciplinary and young team which has grown to over 10 people. The team has now artificial intelligence, machine learning, image processing experts, UIX specialists, and business development professionals. Our vision is to give easy access to satellite images for everyone. We bring together data and algorithms from multiple sources and provide straightforward information to understand our planet from above.
The EarthAlytics cloud platform developed by Latitudo40 provides quick and easy access to all the information contained in Copernicus and Commercial High-Resolution satellite images. The platform is based on three fundamental pillars, access to the satellite catalogues of the main suppliers (Airbus, Planet, Maxar), process automation, and the use of AI/ML algorithms to analyse and interpret the images and user-friendly dashboards. Latitudo40 offers vertical solutions in the precision agriculture sector, urban planning, and monitoring, smart infrastructures.
The solution is characterised by a very simplified and intuitive customer journey, which allows access to the necessary monitoring information in just a few minutes.
The platform is designed to be simply integrated into any IT infrastructure of our customers, thanks to standard connectors, already available and usable with a Zero Code approach.
Hello Tomorrow Global Summit and the EC “Digital Challenge”
“Innovation is part of our DNA and, in addition to developing product activities, we like to take on new challenges in the international arena”, said Gaetano Volpe, CEO of the Latitudo40. The Latitudo40 team has decided to participate in the CEF Digital Innovation Challenge to test itself with the integration of open solutions (context broker, eDelivery, and Blockchain) offered by the European Commission.
They want to use open solutions as a tool to accelerate the development and scalability of the project.
During the first Bootcamp phase, the solutions were validated, and a pitch with the Urban Analytics application was presented.
They focused, among the available open solutions, on ContextBroker (to standardize the model of access to open data available in the municipalities and data lakes of our clients) and on Blockchain (to create a model of notarization of the information processed, to give greater transparency and reliability to our fully automated processing processes). Both challenges have been completed, they have started the process of fully integrating the solutions into the cloud platform.
Latitudo40 was among the finalists, together with CleverBooks and OpenContent, bringing for the first time a remote sensing solution with blockchain integration. The final result saw Latitudo40 arrive second, behind CleverBooks, but with great satisfaction.
The Digital Innovation Challenge allowed Latitudo40 to make their vision of easy access to remote sensing images as a tool to create sustainable and resilient cities known internationally and, above all, within the European Commission and CEF, through new applications that allow public decision-makers to make informed decisions.
Future Steps for Latitudo40
Their roadmap is very clear; they launched the product for the precision farming sector a few months ago. Also, they are preparing to launch the platform for urban monitoring in early 2021, for which they already have over 10 letters of interest from major European cities. They want to contribute to environmental sustainability and the fight against climate change. These battles must start from cities, which already host more than half the world’s population.

domain: geography


Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
|Title:||Study of traps in semi-insulating III-V epitaxial films by zero bias transient current spectroscopy|
|Authors:||Lau, W.S. |
|Citation:||Lau, W.S.,Goo, C.H.,Chong, T.C.,Tan, C.T. (1994). Study of traps in semi-insulating III-V epitaxial films by zero bias transient current spectroscopy. Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings 340 : 307-310. ScholarBank@NUS Repository.|
|Abstract:||Semi-insulating Al0.3Ga0.7As epitaxial films grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 400°C have been characterised by a recently proposed technique known as zero quiescent bias voltage transient current spectroscopy (ZBTCS). Separated electron trap spectra and hole trap spectra are obtained by ZBTCS. From these spectra, a prominent hole trap with an activation energy of 1.01eV, a prominent electron trap with an activation energy of 0.86eV and a continuum of states are detected. The trap concentrations of the detected hole trap and electron trap are calculated to be about 3.6×1015cm-3 and 9.7×1015cm-3 respectively. The continuum of states is believed to be due to the surface states of the Al0.3Ga0.7As film. By passivating the surface with (NH4)2S solution, the magnitudes of the continuums in the spectra reduce significantly. With the reduction of the surface states, hole injections that interfere the electron trap spectra are suppressed, and consequently electron trap spectra with more pronounced peaks are produced.|
|Source Title:||Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings|
|Appears in Collections:||Staff Publications|
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced income tax relief for developers and home-buyers in order to boost the demand for residential real estate in the country, as part of Atmanirbhar 3.0 stimulus measures to push economic growth. The first-time buyers of houses costing up to Rs 2 crore will get income tax relief of up to 20 per cent and this will be available till June 30, 2021. "This will incentivize people to buy homes and bring down the excess inventory," Nirmala Sitharaman said.
The Finance Minister announced doubling the differential between circle rate (stamp duty value) and agreement value (purchase value) for primary sale of residential units of up to Rs 2 crore, from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. "The government has decided to increase the differential from 10 per cent to 20 per cent under Section 43(CA) of the IT Act till June 30, 2021," the finance minister said, adding that necessary amendment to the income tax act will be made in due course. As a result, buyers of these units will get tax relief of up to 20 per cent under Section 56(2)(x) of IT Act, she added.
The tax relief will help the middle class which wants to buy when the housing sector is sitting on inventories, the finance minister emphasized.
Bank guarantees for construction activity, which constituted 10-15 per cent of the total project cost, will now be reduced to merely 3 per cent of the overall project value. This will ensure availability of additional liquidity to companies and reduce the burden on contractors.


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Looking for a collection of the best tycoon games? A popular game genre, there are so many available these days that it can be difficult to pick one to play. This is how you respond to questions that you’re not allowed to answer — with a hilarious level of incredulity. In these quotes, Headey shades her own character, the New York Times interviewer, and Games of Thrones as a show in general. Apparently winter is really coming” is a delightfully vicious takedown of a show that has been using that tagline since 2011. All Thrones actors should answer every plot question with Apparently winter is really coming,” like when Marshawn Lynch repeatedly said, I’m just here so I won’t get fined” during media day for Super Bowl XLIX. Lena Headey gets a well-deserved A here, and I will crown her as the best deflector on the Game of Thrones cast. This honor will probably not save her from being killed in Season 7.
Goal Tycoon is produced by the same people that made Market Glory. It is a browser based, free to play, real cash economy game, which launched 15. December. This game is essentially a football manager simulator. You … Read more
The 750 GeV diphoton resonance has made a big impact on theoretical particle physics. The number of papers on the topic is already legendary, and they keep coming at the rate of order 10 per week. Given that the Backović model is falsified, there’s no longer a theoretical upper limit. Does this mean we are not dealing with the classical ambulance chasing scenario? The answer may be known in the next days. South stand, East stand, we need you for another thirty minutes” roars the announcer, the CFC fans respond to his request for more support, but for their team of course Chorley, Chorley”, never allowing the visitors to be heard for too long, the HT fans are quick to pipe up, come on you boys in blue”.
Sadly, my first exposure to FFI-IV was through the iOS editions, so I don’t have the context to feel the differences quite as acutely. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Final Fantasy VII remake. Now that we’re grown-ups, we can jump rope to keep our girlish figures or even just because it’s still fun.
Yes I think you are right RBS, that announcing ‘hints’ multiple times would be … Read more
John Brenkus and the ESPN Sport Science explain how riders can have success in the new motorcycle event at X Games Minneapolis. The game challenges you to build a successful carnival and has 3 different difficulty levels to keep you busy (best to start on Easy as it provides a good tutorial about the game fundamentals and systems). This does sound hysterical!! I don’t know antone who would play with me, though!! But you never know!
My favorite of the sprites is V. Captain Faris is such a ridiculously fun character. The early games just don’t take themselves very seriously! L.A. Noire is a pretty special game, a little different than what we’ve seen before. It’s set in 1940s Los Angeles where Cole Phelps (a World War ll veteran) now works as a detective.
Survivalcraft was originally released on Windows Phone, then subsequently on Android and iOS. The game is very well polished. You wouldn’t bump into walls because the game world is absolutely enormous. There are a variety of creatures in the game world, each of them are beautifully designed. There is also a huge emphasis put on survival. For instance, you’re character will faint if it didn’t get … Read more
Minecraft is a sandbox indie game created by Markus Persson and later developed by Mojang. Who would have thought that textured cubes in a 3D world would entertain millions of gamers around the world? Despite sporting a different feel especially on the visual level, Minecraft has taken the world by storm thanks to its innovative gameplay. The game’s open world allows players to play the game as they wish, a feature that is key to Minecraft’s phenomenal success. If you’ve ever played Monster Hunter, you’ll find this game very similar. While this does have all the core elements of an RPG, with the long story, stat progression, etc, it’s the Monster Hunter elements that really draw you in. Be sure to have Kimahri Lancet on Biran and Yenke 3-4 times to get multiple Overdrives, and Lancet Omega Weapon for Nova.
Please follow the instructions in the email within 48 hours to complete your registration. Ghost is Jon Snow’s direwolf, and he is one of the few direwolves spared by the series. If your friends want a key, email them telling them to get their lazy seat over to the giveaway page and do it themselves.
The second game in the … Read more
The convergence of the different houses in Season 7 will unfold in just seven episodes as the different players focus on King’s Landing. This is ominously depicted in the first official teaser made entirely of sigils belonging to the main Houses at play – the Lannisters, the Targaryens, the Starks, the Baratheons and the Tyrells, plus one more powerful game changer – the White Walkers. This is one of the most popular games like Clash of Clans out there. It’s action-packed, so make sure to try this game out and invite your friends! Again, Ixion Saga DT is yet another show within the domain of online-gaming-based anime. However, this one’s heavier on the comical and fantastical side! That means that this series caters more to the fantasy and comedy aspects of MMORPG anime.
KH: I never want to predict it If I tell you what my ideal scenario at the end of the show is, I feel like I would be cursing it. I’d just like to see Jon fulfill his dream of seeing his family and world safe. I can’t say if I make it through the season. But I do know where the end is for me.
It’s … Read more
It is not an uncommon sight in most households when the child/ teen spends more than 2-3 hours everyday playing the Call of duty or Counter strike. Video games have been in the market since many decades and have been popular since then because of the entertainment that they offer. Most of the video games are established on violence based topics. Violent video games definitely have negative effect on children as well adult users. Here we will see more on the psychological and health effects of video games on children. Castle Clash is a free-to-play strategy game. It is among the top 10 mobile games in the US, and constantly garners positive reviews from happy gamers. It shares striking similarities with Supercell’s CoC and there are many CoC vs Castle Clash debates all over the Internet. That said, this awesome game is more than just a clone. It has a distinct appeal that has attracted over 30 million players worldwide.
Terraria is set in a 2D world, and features several elements that can be seen on Minecraft such as crafting, construction and combat. Terraria also has a unique feature that allows you to let NPCs occupy the rooms you have … Read more
Popular science-fiction comedy adult cartoon Futurama is returning to the public. This time not in the form of a television series or movie but as a mobile game. The game is titled Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow and is being developed by TinyCo and Fox Interactive. To ensure the game has that distinctive look and comedic feel Futurama fans have come to know and love, series’ Executive Producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen have contributed content to the project as well as the show’s original animators, Rough Draft Studios. Bully was originally released exclusively on the Sony PS2 but later ported to the Xbox 360 with new content added in making it much better than it was before. The new content includes classes, clothing, unlockables, and missions. FortressCraft is a highly enjoyable game. The PC version offers a lot of enhancements and its features are absolutely plentiful.
After Seymour gives a rousing speech to the Crusaders, backtrack and talk to the Checkpoint sentry on the right for a Tough Bangle for Lulu (great armor). For the 2nd category I believe it should be Sanz, Franceschini (as noted by Marco), Torre. Manic Digger is a free game like Minecraft for Windows … Read more
The seventh season of Game of Thrones” returns on Sunday, and if you’re like a significant chunk of HBO’s viewership, you can watch it thanks to the login credentials tracing back to your friend’s ex-boyfriend’s parents. Jamie Williams, a staff lawyer for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the organization is among those seeking clarity from the Supreme Court. This characterful model, sculpted by Heriberto Valle Martinez and Irek Zielinski, will be cast in Pewter and will be free with all purchases at Salute or on our website over the weekend (22nd/23rd April) of £100 or more.
With several different resources to fuel your settlement and recruit military focused units there is plenty of strategy hidden in the game. FortressCraft is a game similar to Minecraft for Xbox 360. A PC version is also released under the name FortressCraft Evolved.
I have also included information and videos about Double Dutch, Chinese Jump Rope, and Jump Rope for Heart, all ways that an old game has taken on new forms. One of the fun things about the game is the ton of weapons you can find, and customize—snipers, assault rifles, whatever—you name it and you can just about get a hold of … Read more
With Season 7 almost here, we’re taking another look at the very best Game of Thrones episodes so far. The game is set in a 2D game world. You begin the game with a robot companion. You can jump in and take advantage of the various advantages the robot offers such as travelling faster and a huge arsenal of offensive and defensive abilities. You begin with no resources at all, so you have to slowly work your way up. Build up your resources and create your own city. Manual resource collection will gradually diminish as you progress through the game.
stop the scorers run, while he, followed by his teammates head towards their fans, whose turnout admittedly is only a fraction of the size of TR’s, but they are going just as mental. Their celebrations almost sounding a bit tinny, just because of how few there are and how big Wembley is.
With twenty five minutes gone its CFC who fashion the best chance of what has been a scrappy game, lacking in any real quality or finesse” as one fan puts it. A good overlap and the resulting dangerous cross that follows, is headed away. I can hear the … Read more
When you talk about video games, the stereotypical player is an adolescent or young adult male. You don’t really think adolescent or young adult females play video games, but surprisingly quite a few of them do. Actually, a large portion of gamers are of the female persuasion. I speak from experience, I’m a hardcore gamer, and I’m female (last time I checked). As you would expect from the title, you are put in charge of developing your own amusement park with the game pushing you forward with challenges. The game is beautifully presented and offers a huge number of attractions and decorations to spread across your park.
At school we would play hockey, kickball or pogoball in the small paved patches. Sounds like a great game and a good idea to write out the instructions for others to use. Blessed by a new SquidAngel today. You return with renewed enthusiasm to the piece of writing you were originally working on.
Whether you choose to go it alone or hop online to recruit the help of a Bro, you’ll find that with ever increasing waves of difficulty, survival is eventually going to get tough. For for this reason, the game does … Read more

domain: hobby


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DUBLIN, April 11 (Reuters) - Irish inflation rose above 1 percent for the first time in six years in March, data showed on Thursday, the first sign of some broader consumer price growth in the European Union’s best performing economy.
Consumer prices, which have been broadly flat since 2012, grew 1.1 percent year-on-year, the Central Statistics Office said, with additional energy costs helping boost the index to the highest annual level since February 2013. Prices were 0.8 percent higher month-on-month.
Separate CSO data showed Irish annual house price growth cooled further in February to 4.3 percent compared with a rate almost three times that a year ago as prices in Dublin rose by 1.4 percent, the slowest pace since late 2012.
Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Angus MacSwan

domain: economics


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History program digs into early days of Comstock mining
Mining on the Comstock has been much in the news lately, but a special program at Maynard’s Station in Gold Hill later this month takes a look at how mining was in the heyday of Virginia City.
“Real Mining on the Comstock: A Miner’s Banquet and Night Out,” will feature a couple of Comstock ghosts – Harry Gorham and Mark Twain – telling the tales that stretch back roughly 150 years.
The event, the proceeds of which benefit historic preservation on the Comstock, is Sept. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. It includes dinner and a show for a suggested donation of $20 per person or $35 per couple.
Doing the storytelling will be Comstock historian and reformed newspaperman David Toll, and Nevada’s favorite Mark Twain whisperer, McAvoy Layne.
Toll wrote the foreword to the book, “My Memories of the Comstock: An Eye-Witness Account of the Richest Place on Earth,” by Harry Gorham.
Gorham spent 26 years on the Comstock – from 1877 to 1903 – managing the Crown Point Mine and other mining and milling properties with his uncle Sam Jones, and Sam’s brother, John P. Jones, a Nevada state senator.
The book is filled with Gorham’s first-hand stories on live above and below ground in Virginia City.
Layne has spent more than 30 years donning the white suit and taking on the persona of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who took on the pen name Mark Twain while working as a newspaper reporter for Virginia City’s Territorial Enterprise.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, six days a week and multiple times a day, Layne, as Twain, entertained guests aboard the MS Dixie II paddle wheeler on its daily cruises from Zephyr Cove to Emerald Bay and back.
Layne has a great ability to connect with his audiences, whether it’s a boat load of tourists or a room full of history buffs.
This will be a great show.

domain: literature


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Foods that trigger afternoon fatigue
At 3pm on the dot, your eyes start to feel heavy, body posture sinks down, and your head nods back and forth. You’re suddenly overcome by a feeling of fatigue and grogginess. This is afternoon fatigue.
It’s no surprise this afternoon slump sets in after lunch. The body’s circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times of the day. This may prompt you to ‘take a nap’ between 1-3pm, but it varies by person. Dietitian, Rachel Fine, explains why eating an energy-fuelled lunch can help you avoid the afternoon crash.
“Eating lunch keeps your body fuelled and your metabolism active. When we fuel our body, we avoid dips in energy that lead to an afternoon of sluggishness and cravings,” says Fine.
It’s also important for your lunch to be rich in nutrients.
“Ideally, your lunch should have a healthy mix of complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, plus protein and healthy fats for satiety. Add some non-starchy vegetables for bulk and fibre,” says nutritionist, Rania Batayneh.
Now, here are the 9 foods to avoid to prevent falling into an afternoon slump.
Potatoes (chips, French fries)
Any salad or sandwich can be made a meal with a drink and a bag of chips or French fries. But, it’s best to skip both of those sides. Not only has intake of fried potatoes been linked to hypertension in a 2016 study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), but they also can be high in fat and low in energy-sustaining protein.
“While there isn’t an ideal macronutrient ratio for everyone – endurance athletes or individuals who are very active might need more carbohydrates, while those who lift weights often might need a little more protein – high-carb diets tend to make you sleepier,” Batayneh says. “After you eat carbs, your blood sugar levels increase; as a result, your body releases insulin to shuttle those sugars from your bloodstream into your cells.” This can trigger afternoon fatigue. Eat too many fast-digesting carbs, like fries or chips, and the resulting spike and fall in blood sugar will likely make you feel ready for naptime.
Just like French fries, you should also steer clear of the mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, and egg rolls, too. “Fried food can make you feel sluggish due to the high-fat nature of the meal, which requires a bit more time to digest,” Fine says. Fat is a challenge for the body to break down, adds Batayneh, “so your body spends more energy on their digestion, which can leave you feeling low in energy.” (Not to mention a 2019 study in the BMJ has found a link between eating more fried foods with a shorter lifespan.)

domain: food


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To be honest it was an experiment from the very start...
However, it didn't stop my newest 3D Printed bag from becoming a finalist at prestigious Russian competition by Greenbird and supported by Swarovski.
This year's theme was 'The Opposites' and the task was to create a bag using Swarovski crystals from the latest collection.
The main body of the bag is 3D Printed in black nylon with all the moving parts and hinges. I wouldn't have done it without the help of my long-term partner Shapeways and thanks to this close collaboration we worked through all the issues and broken models and made this beautiful product!
I would also like to draw a special attention to the crystal fixings. At the start I wasn’t sure how to make them because the whole piece was supposed to be 3D printed in nylon and fixing the stone by bending the prongs wasn't an option. And then it occurred to me that plastic has a very cool property: it flexes and then it takes the original shape. So the prongs that hold the stone were modelled already bent which means you can just click in the stone without using any tools or glue.
This is just a small part of this amazing piece, so stay tuned as I will be telling much more about all the details while waiting for the winners announcement on 3rd of March!
From MALINKO with LOVE.

domain: design


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Sales promotion consultancy IMP is understood to be battling to save its Pizza Hut business, after Burger King awarded its Ãº23m pan-European through-the-line account to IMP and its parent D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles jointly.
Industry sources say Burger King chose the DMB&B/IMP combination over rivals Saatchi & Saatchi and SP Lintas because of the strength of the below-the-line element in their pitch.
But one of the conditions of DMB&B/IMP winning the work is, apparently, that it must resign its Pizza Hut restaurant chain business, run jointly in the UK by Whitbread and PepsiCo, and believed to be worth around Ãº500,000 in revenue.
However, IMP president John Farrell, who is understood to have led the DMB&B/ IMP pitch, was reticent about suggestions that IMP played a major part in the win. He would not comment on the Pizza Hut rumours. But it is understood that IMP and Pizza Hut have been involved in crisis talks over the future of the account.

domain: news


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The Dow Jones industrial average climbed within two points of 17,000 for the first time after separate surveys showed that manufacturing expanded in the world’s two largest economies. In China, manufacturing grew in June for the first time in six months and in the U.S. the sector notched its 13th straight month of expansion.
General Motors climbed the most in almost a month after reporting that its U.S. sales rose one per cent in June despite a record-setting string of safety recalls. Netflix jumped after analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their outlook on the stock, predicting the company will benefit from its international expansion.
“The economic news, by and large, isn’t bad here,” said Phil Orlando, chief equity strategist at Federated Investors. “Maybe investors are starting to think that this thing is going to grind higher.”
The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 13.09 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 1,973.32. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 129.47 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 16,956.07. The index climbed as high as 16,998.70 in early afternoon trading before falling back slightly.
The Nasdaq composite rose 50.47, or 1.1 per cent, to 4,458.65.
Stocks climbed from the open after HSBC said its Chinese purchasing managers index rose to 50.7 in June from 49.4 a month earlier. Numbers above 50 signal growth. The market added to its gains after a separate survey showed that U.S. manufacturing kept growing, even as the pace of the expansion slowed from May.
Gains for the stock market were broad and nine of the 10 industry sectors that make up the S&P 500 rose on Tuesday. Utilities were the only sector to fall.
Health care stocks logged the biggest advance. The gains being led by Regeneron. The drug maker rose $19.53, or seven per cent, to $301.94 after the French drugmaker Sanofi said in a regulatory filing that it had raised its stake in the company to 22.5 per cent from about 20 per cent in April. Sanofi and Regeneron are collaborating on drug research and have an agreement that Sanofi won’t acquire more than a 30 per cent stake in the company.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 index has now gained 6.8 per cent this year, after jumping almost 30 per cent a year ago. While stocks are no longer cheap after their recent gains, they are still a compelling investment compared to buying bonds or holding cash with interest rates close to zero, said Joe Tanious, a global market strategist at JPMorgan Funds.
“In the long run market prices are dictated by the fundamentals,” said Joe Tanious, a global market strategist at JPMorgan Funds. “And the underlying fundamentals suggest that markets can move higher from here.”
Government bonds prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note climbed to 2.56 per cent from 2.53 per cent late Monday. Bond prices have risen this year, pushing interest rates lower, even as the Federal Reserve has reduced its economic stimulus and the economy has improved.
Among other stocks making big moves:
•Netflix jumped $32.50, or 7.4 per cent, to $473.10 after analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their outlook for the streaming video company. Goldman estimates that Netflix’s potential audience of subscribers will double over the next three years to 207 million people as the company expands internationally. The analysts have a 12-month price target of $590 on the stock.
•Twitter rose $1.08, or 2.6 per cent, to $42.05 after analysts at Stern Agee raised their estimates for the company’s earnings for next year and said that the social media company should benefit from increased use during the World Cup. The company also said today that it was hiring Anthony Noto, a Goldman Sachs executive, as its new chief financial officer.
•GM gained $1.29, or 3.6 per cent, to $37.59 says its U.S. sales rose 1 per cent in June. Sales were led by the Buick Encore small SUV, up 82 per cent. The redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe big SUV also had a strong month with sales almost doubling.
In world markets, European shares rose today, led by BNP Paribas after the bank said it had enough funds to pay a nearly $9 billion settlement of charges it violated U.S. trade sanctions. Asian stock markets were lacklustre despite an improvement in China’s manufacturing.
In early European trading, Britain’s FTSE 100 jumped 0.5 per cent to 6,774.77. France’s CAC 40 added 0.6 per cent to 4,447.51 and Germany’s DAX rose 0.2 per cent to 9,857.72.
BNP Paribas, France’s biggest bank, admitted to violating sanctions by processing billions of dollars in illegal transactions on behalf of clients in Sudan, Cuba and Iran that the U.S. had blacklisted to block their participation in the global financial system. The case has weighed on BNP’s share price and the resolution, though it involves a massive fine, is a relief for shareholders.
In Asia, investors appeared to shrug off data showing Chinese manufacturing is regaining momentum,
Mainland China’s key benchmark, the Shanghai Composite Index, added 0.1 per cent to 2,050.38 after a monthly survey of purchasing managers by HSBC showed manufacturing grew in June for the first time in six months, though the expansion was weak.
The rate of improvement was “only slight and weaker than the historical average,” HSBC said.
Markets in Hong Kong were closed for a public holiday.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.1 per cent to 15,326.20 after the central bank released a survey showing better-than-expected business sentiment despite a decline in the April-June quarter.
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.2 per cent to 1,999.00. Shares in Australia, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia also fell, while those in Taiwan and New Zealand gained.
In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude for August delivery was up 43 cents to $105.80 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 37 cents on Monday.
In currencies, the dollar rose to 101.58 yen from 101.32 yen late Monday. The euro slipped to $1.3697 from $1.3693.


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Celebrating 80 Years
Connecting Parks to People
- To protect newts during their migrating season, South Park Drive at Tilden will be closed to cars Fri, Oct 31 – Tue, March 31, 2015.
- Trail restoration work will soon be conducted alongside Peak Trail at Mission Peak. All trails will remain open.
- Mission Peak Regional Preserve new winter hours effective Sat, Nov 1 – Sun, Feb 1, 2015.
- ABC 7 News Report: Government Fight at Alameda’s Crown State Beach
- Doctors Bring Families to Regional Parks
Your Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco. The system comprises 114,000+ acres in 65 parks, including over 1,200 miles of trails. We acquire, manage, and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy now and into the future. Our parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. We invite you to enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, golfing, boating and nature study in our parks.
Events, Activities and More
Registration is now open!
Download a digital copy of the RIN
New! EBParks Activity Finder map


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What Is A Crown
A crown is a covering placed over a tooth, enveloping the biting surface and all the sides of the tooth.
Why Is A Crown Placed On A Tooth
A crown protects a tooth from fracture, increases the longevity and durability of the tooth, restores function of a tooth and improves the esthetics of a tooth.
A tooth may have huge fillings and could have developed fracture lines on the tooth from biting pressure. The continuous pressure on the tooth from just normal chewing forces could cause the weakened tooth to crack. In addition, if a person has the habit of grinding or clenching their teeth, the chances of the tooth fracturing are even greater. A crown placed on that tooth protects against tooth fracture.
A tooth that has root canal treatment becomes dry due to the loss of the nerve and blood supply to the tooth and becomes brittle and is very likely to fracture. A crown placed on a root canal treated tooth protects the tooth from fracture.
If a tooth is chipped, discolored, irregularly shaped, out of alignment with the adjacent teeth, placing a crown on such a tooth greatly improves the appearance of the tooth.
Crowns are also placed on implants to replace missing teeth.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Crowns And What Are They Made Of
Crowns can be either Temporary or Permanent.
Temporary Crowns are usually made of some kind of plastic and are usually placed while waiting for more permanent procedures to be ready.
Permanent crowns can be metallic or non-metallic. Metallic can be all-metal crowns, which will either be gold or an alloy similar to stainless steel. However, as most people do not like the metal to be visible in their mouth, most often the metal crowns have a layer of porcelain on all the visible surfaces- these are called porcelain-fused-to-metal (or PFM) crowns.
PFM crowns can be very strong and durable and serve satisfactorily in the mouth for many years. However, one major drawback of PFMs is that as the gums recede with the passage of a few years, the margin of the crown is visible as a black, unsightly line just above the gum margin. Patients usually are very conscious of this, especially if the dark discolored margin is visible right in the front of the mouth, and usually have the crowns remade.
Today, an increasing number of crowns have no metal at all, they are made of a strong, durable, glass-like ceramic material called zirconia. Zirconia is the strongest material used in dentistry today and is very esthetic. It can be used for single, individual crowns as well as a combination of crowns to make a bridge to replace missing teeth.
For porcelain crowns and bridges, as well as all the latest procedures and techniques in cosmetic dentistry and implants in Newtown, Levittown and the surrounding areas in Bucks County and Philadelphia, call us at Pearl Dental Arts at 215-949-8000 (Levittown office) or 215-504-4070 (Newtown office). Or you can contact us online to request an immediate appointment.
"Getting dental implants has changed my life. I can now eat steak with my dentures in! I would recommend Pearl Dental Arts to anyone with apprehensions about finding the best dental care."Satisfied Patient

domain: medical


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Change - Poem by Ioan Mourat
You and me, we were just friends,
until I fell in love with you it was the end.
We took our separate ways,
and I got tired of chasing you everyday.
but I still know in my heart,
I love you always, even when we part.
Now a new day has begun,
The darkness has been cast away by the sun.
And though the shadows still remain,
Our lives have never quite been the same.
And no matter what they say,
You’re beautiful, incredible and irresistible in every way.
Take this rhythm out of my head,
This untimely metronome, never meant to be heard.
I want to be in your arms
And fall in love with your colourful charm.
And I know this is too good to be true,
But nothing will ever change the way I feel for you.
Comments about Change by Ioan Mourat
Read this poem in other languages
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
Ioan Mourat's Other Poems
Still I Rise
The Road Not Taken
If You Forget Me
Edgar Allan Poe
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You

domain: artistic


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The latest news on FDA
Drug is shown to be most effective on larger tumors
Small study finds benefits, but drug does not have FDA approval for such use
The virus associated with most cases of cervical cancer
.S. News's rankings of "America's Best Nursing Homes"; cheap birth control could reappear on campus.
Helps minimize scarring after surgery
FDA-approved injection for knees less effective in deep joint areas, study finds
2 FDA-approved drugs inhibit both normal and virulent strains, study finds
Prefilled with Apidra, a rapid-acting insulin
An interactive look at the maze of federal agencies regulating a typical meal.
Agency says Ranbaxy Laboratories facility falsified scientific data


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PWD Acquisition acquires Pei Wei from Centerbridge Partners
PWD Acquisition LLC is owned and managed by Lorne Goldberg, who also owns and operates other quick-service Asian restaurant concepts.
PWD Acquisition LLC acquired the parent company of Pei Wei Asian Diner, LLC, Irvine, Texas, from its previous parent company, Centerbridge Partners, L.P., New York.
PWD Acquisition LLC is owned and managed by Lorne Goldberg, who also owns and operates the quick-service Asian restaurant concepts Pick Up Stix, Leeann Chin and Mandarin Express, with approximately 165 stores in 23 states.
Pei Wei, a fast-casual Asian restaurant concept, operates 167 company-owned stores and 26 franchised locations in 19 states and South Korea, with approximately 4,000 employees.


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My passion in combining more sustainable practice with the parametric design this time is externalised by this cardboard architecture. In daily basis we see the amount of card box we use to receive (and send) delivery. I am questioning the notion about reusable materials in a small scale. The sleeping hoop is inspired by Tina Hovsepian’s project, with an additional feature of my preference as a leisure camper.Â Geometry is generated in GH. Pictures were just provoked ideas.
Credit: Liu Zhenyan


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Before Norman systems were imposed, it was usual for people to have one given name followed by a byname, usually a patronym. It was also fairly common for people to be known by a name which identified them according to their appearance, character or occupation. Sometimes these names have a different initial letter from the word from which they are derived. This is due either to mutation (v to f, p to b) or to mistakes in transcriptions by scribes more familiar with Latin or English. Men usually used the mutated form and women always did. A woman might have a byname taken from her husband's given name or keep her own patronymic.
This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.
Copies may be made for personal use only.
tekeli.li home|Onomastikon home

domain: history


This Saturday, October 3rd the real estate closing process will change for everyone across the country. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be implementing new laws this weekend that will affect the way that buyers, sellers, agents, and title insurance providers proceed through the real estate closing process. The goal of the new regulations is to protect home buyers by educating them about closing costs and by streamlining the process.
To increase efficiency and reduce redundant paperwork, several forms will be revamped to be more simplistic and will be easier to locate key information. Some of the changes include combining The Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending disclosure into one document called the Loan Estimate. The new Closing Disclosure will be replacing the HUD-1 and final Truth in Lending document. However, the biggest change in the process will be the addition of the three day rule or “Know Before You Owe rule”.
The three day rule is simply a review period where no further changes can be made to the closing financials. Before, changes could be made in real-time, up to and including the final closing table. This was convenient for some parties, but often left the buyer in the dark about hidden charges that added up down the road. Now, anytime there is a major change in the financial agreement, it automatically triggers the three day review period to ensure that the buyer has adequate time to educate themselves about the terms.
There is no question that these new regulations will help to protect consumers during the buying process. The consolidation and simplification of paperwork and review period will help inform buyers leading to better choices and ultimately the development of a more well balanced market. With that being said, as a consequence of the new review period, some flexibility and convenience will be sacrificed.
The purpose of these changes is to protect consumers and help them make more informed and intelligent decisions. As a result, conveniences like early move-in or having a loading van ready to go, have probably gone by the wayside. – Rick Boswell, broker and owner, Century 21 Sterling Realty (full article)
Furthermore, buyers and sellers who are trying to complete a transaction quickly will find it more difficult. Hitting changing deadlines and dealing with last minute changes will be more of a challenge and require extra planning especially in the early phase of the law’s rollout.
In the first several months, lenders and title companies will follow these new rules very strictly. Over time, everyone will develop methods to solve last-minute problems…Real estate agents can help buyers and sellers avoid this problem by discussing the new settlement procedures at the time of the listing. – Louis M. Pope, broker and owner of Century 21 Trademark Realty (full article)
Home buyers should take the time to review these new changes thoroughly especially if you’re shopping for a new home presently. If you are currently writing or submitting an offer before October 3rd, you will be exempt from the changes, but check with your real estate agent first just to be sure. Overall these new regulations will benefit all parties by simplifying and streamlining documents and educating the buyer about closing costs through a mandatory review period.
If you’re wondering how much your home is worth visit our sister site: Charleston Listing for a free valuation based on current market conditions specific to Charleston, not a broad national average like Zillow or Trulia. Or contact me directly to discuss anything real estate; buying, selling or any questions you might have about the Charleston real estate market.
Search All Charleston Real Estate


Program is a result of acquisition of Direct Energy’s commercial services business and Triacta Power Technologies
October 26, 2015
Enercare Inc. has announced the introduction of its Preferred Customer Program for multifamily buildings. The program provides property managers, landlords, and developers with cost savings and a single point-of-contact for efficient delivery of services for their building’s sub-metering, water heating, and heating and cooling needs.
Loans allow for building upgrades and significant cost savings
July 6, 2015
The New York City Energy Efficiency Corp. (NYCEEC) announced that it has financed six new clean energy projects for small multifamily buildings that provide affordable housing for working families in neighborhoods across New York City.
Buildings in Boston, Chicago, Fayetteville, Ark., New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., Honored
November 28, 2014
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first existing multifamily housing properties to earn the new Energy Star multifamily certification for superior energy performance. EPA recognized 17 apartment and condo buildings across the country.
Multifamily Has Been Underserved Market for Efficiency Programs
December 19, 2013
According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the benefits of energy efficiency have been out of reach for many of the more than 20 million U.S. families living in apartments or condominiums that are often underserved by energy efficiency programs.
HVAC contractors in the apartment and condominium business could become busier in the near future. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI), released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), improved for the eighth consecutive quarter with an index level of 54.


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Latest IFoA news
Click to filter your search
Changes to the Regulations approved by Council are now being shared with members.
In this blog, Mia Collier, Actuarial Consultant at Barnett Waddingham, talks about the differences in moving from University to the actuarial exams, with some helpful tips to manage.
“Exams are finally over” – you say leaving your final university exam. Unfortunately, for those going into the actuarial profession, this is not the case. In fact, the actuarial exams will differ from any you have taken before in many ways. In this blog, I will discuss the five areas, where I have seen these differences.
Voting for the IFoA Council Elections 2019 closes at 12:00 (BST) on Monday 24 June.
Council elections are your opportunity to influence the strategic direction of the IFoA. Make sure you use your vote!
Seventeen candidates are standing for eight vacancies in the General constituency and three candidates are standing for two vacancies in the Scottish constituency.
The GI board has opened nominations for its Outstanding Achievement Award. The criteria for the award have been revamped to reflect a diverse range of ways that GI actuaries could have made outstanding contributions. The criteria can be found on the website here. If you would like to nominate someone for the award, please email GI.email@example.com outlining how you think they meet one or more of the criteria. Nominations close Monday 15th July.
Marjorie Ngwenya, Immediate Past President of the IFoA, blogs on the actuarial profession in Africa.
The actuarial profession in Africa is in an exciting growth phase. The IFoA has 2,246 registered members in the region (representing 7% of its global membership).
Policy manager Matthew Levine talks about why infrastructure finance is being put under the spotlight.
Carol Storey, Manager (Sustainability & Climate Change), PwC and Resource and Environment Research and CPD committee member, explains why a new IFoA working party will be looking at the role of energy in the economy and invites you to get involved.
Nothing happens in our world without energy. Global economic growth has depended on harnessing ever increasing amounts of energy. Since overall investment returns depend on economic growth, changes in the patterns of energy use should be of great interest to actuaries.
Saunak is currently working as a Pricing Actuary in the Casualty Asia Team for Swiss Re Global Services and currently based out of Bangalore, India.
In his current role, he leverages his knowledge on pricing and is heavily involved in providing analytical support for a wide variety of projects across the Asian region.
I am a qualified actuary and currently working in the AM Best Analytics team in Singapore.
Other actuary news
Added: Thu, 20/06/2019 - 11:31The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has published a new guide to help UK pension funds comply with environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements coming into force later this year.
Added: Wed, 19/06/2019 - 16:00There were more insurance claims to cover the non-payment of debts in the first three months of this year than in any other quarter over the last decade, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has revealed.
Added: Tue, 18/06/2019 - 15:30The UK's National Employment Saving Trust (Nest) pension scheme has pledged to end all its investments in the tobacco industry within two years.
Added: Mon, 17/06/2019 - 15:00A group of investors with nearly $10trn (£8.9trn) of assets has today launched a campaign demanding hundreds of companies disclose their exposure to climate change.
Added: Fri, 14/06/2019 - 17:00Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are expected to replace one in five jobs within the next five years, a global survey of over 3,600 IT leaders by KPMG and Harvey Nash has found.
Added: Thu, 13/06/2019 - 12:00Legacy IT infrastructure and business models pose the greatest threat to the global insurance sector, a poll of more then 900 senior industry experts has found.
Added: Wed, 12/06/2019 - 17:15There has been a significant fall in interest around who should pay for social care in the UK amid a policy paralysis widely blamed on Brexit, new research has uncovered.
Added: Tue, 11/06/2019 - 12:20Employers could soon encounter a growing number of claims for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as more people start working from home.
Added: Mon, 10/06/2019 - 16:00European insurance buyers should prepare for rising rates and tightening terms and conditions after insurers suffered unprecedented losses over the last two years.
Added: Fri, 07/06/2019 - 12:20The number of companies and organisations supporting the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) has risen by more than half since last September.


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SPRINGBORO, OH. (WFLA/CNN) – A former Springboro Community City Schools teacher has been indicted by a Warren County Grand Jury on 36 counts of gross sexual imposition involving 28 first-grade girls.
John Austin Hopkins, 25, was taken into custody Monday morning.
Prosecutors say he was a gym teacher at Clearcreek Elementary and Springboro Intermediate schools.
The potential victims were identified through security footage beginning in December 2018 after Hopkins was accused of having contact with a first-grade student.
“The 36 counts of gross sexual imposition relate to 28 different children. All of these students again were female, first graders at Clearcreek Elementary. The elements of gross sexual imposition are that on the specific dates in question and specific dates specifically identified in the indictment, Mr. Hopkins had sexual contact with a person who was under 13 years of age.” Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said.
Hopkins is still in police custody and no arraignment has been set.


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Help us cover Nashville youth violence issues better
The Tennessean has launched an ongoing project to cover, comprehensively, the greatest threat to Nashville’s prosperity.
The facts stare at us. Painfully, and always.
The question is what our community does about it. One horrifying and senseless incident after another, youth violence is tearing apart families, neighborhoods, schools. It’s tearing apart Nashville.
So we begin by owning it and that includes The Tennessean.
We have launched an ongoing project to cover, comprehensively, the greatest threat to Nashville’s prosperity and to a generation of children growing up in the very shadows of the skyscrapers that house wealth that today is unimaginable by too few of them.
Today, in addition to our inspiring story on Pastor Marcus Campbell, we are devoting our entire Insight section to this important topic. Earlier this year, we’ve begun framing the profound challenges facing our communities.
That’s a start.
What I want to know is what aren’t we covering.
Where should we be that we haven’t been?
What have we not seen that we should? What photographs should be we publishing that we haven’t, what video?
Whose stories should be told? What stories should be told?
Who are the people making a difference every day?
What might our own inherent life experiences blind us from seeing, from understanding.
Our fundamental mission is to help communities connect, act and thrive, to actively influence a better quality of life in Middle Tennessee.
Behind that is an implicit promise to listen. Help us, help me, by telling us where and to whom. I invite you to write me and take an active role in this process. I promise to be there.
Michael A. Anastasi is executive editor of The Tennessean. Write him at firstname.lastname@example.org.

domain: sociology


Measure your candidates
on job skills, personality and fit
This culture add test assesses how a candidate’s values and behaviors align with your organization values and the behaviors that would make your ideal hire successful in a specific role, based on a customized survey you fill out.
This problem solving test evaluates candidates' ability to define problems and analyze data and textual information to make correct decisions. This test helps you identify candidates who use analytical skills to evaluate and respond to complex situations.
Attention to detail (visual)
This attention to detail test evaluates’ candidates ability to pay attention to visual details and information. This test helps you identify candidates who can pay close attention to visual cues and can handle visual material carefully and thoroughly.
This product management test evaluates a candidates’ understanding of the entire product lifecycle, as well as their capability to explore product ideas and bring the most suitable idea to life using established product management methodologies.
Adobe Photoshop for designers
This Adobe Photoshop test evaluates candidates’ technical skills in Photoshop, focusing on their ability to manipulate and combine images with text and other elements to create artwork for a variety of purposes and media.
This UX/UI design test evaluates candidates' knowledge of the overall UX/UI design process and their ability to turn feature requirements into useful and intuitive designs for digital products that provide a great experience to your users.
Rooted in Oldham & Hackman’s Job Characteristics Model, the job preferences test measures the extent to which your candidates' expectations align with your job offer, based on a customized survey that you and the candidate both fill out.
This AutoCAD test evaluates candidates’ ability to produce, edit, and manage drawings relevant to any industry in both 2D and 3D. This screening test will help you hire design experts who are skilled in AutoCAD and require no additional training.
This Microsoft PowerPoint test evaluates candidates' conceptual and creative skills to shape compelling presentations. It also tests their technical skills in creating effective slides using PowerPoint as part of the Microsoft Office suite.
IT business analyst
The IT business analyst test evaluates candidates’ aptitude in the skills required to function as an IT business analyst. The test helps you identify candidates who can guide your business to improve its products and services through data analysis.
This SketchUp Pro test evaluates candidates’ abilities with the software and their ability to create detailed and organized 3D models for presentations and photorealistic renderings. This hiring test identifies skilled, intermediate SketchUp Pro users.
Clean code is the hallmark of a quality software engineer. Clean code can be the difference between wasting thousands on a project versus doing it right the first time. This screening test validates an engineer’s ability to write easy to maintain code.
SolidWorks 3D CAD
This SolidWorks 3D CAD test evaluates candidates’ proficiency in the SolidWorks software as well as their understanding of how to apply the software as a tool to solve practical engineering design and manufacturing problems.
This Figma test evaluates candidates’ technical knowledge of the software and their ability to create designs that prize UX/UI using Figma’s design system. This test helps you identify designers who are well-versed in Figma and use it effectively.
This Adobe Illustrator test evaluates candidates’ technical knowledge of the software and their ability to create designs for both print and the web. This test helps you identify designers who are well-versed in Adobe Illustrator and use it effectively.


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George Washington Acrylic Print
by Otto Greule Jr
George Washington by Otto Greule Jr - 6" x 8"
George Washington acrylic print by Otto Greule Jr. Bring your artwork to life with the stylish lines and added depth of an acrylic print. Your image gets printed directly onto the back of a 1/4" thick sheet of clear acrylic. The high gloss of the acrylic sheet complements the rich colors of any image to produce stunning results. Two different mounting options are available, see below.
SEATTLE, WA - MAY 24: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco... more
3 - 4 business days
Acrylic Print Tags
SEATTLE, WA - MAY 24: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on May 24, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Image provided by Getty Images.
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What you need to know
- Facebook has launched an all-new app called Instagram Lite for those in developing markets.
- Instagram Lite is designed to take up less space and use much less data than the main app.
- The new app will be rolling out to over 170 countries worldwide over the coming months.
Today, social networking giant Facebook announced the launch of an all-new app aimed at connecting even more of the world's population. The new app is called Instagram Lite, and it is a trimmed-down version of one of the company's most popular and most successful platforms — Instagram. The new app was built from the ground-up, based on the frameworkds and lessons learned from the popular Facebook Lite app, which has over 200 monthly active users.
Most, but not all, of the core services from the main Instagram app will work on the Lite version, including popular messaging features. Instagram Lite users will be able to view the popular short-form video service called Reels, though they won't be able to upload Reels of their own (at least, not initially), and they will still have access to other popular features such as text markup, stickers, and filters.
Instagram Lite resulted from a collaboration between Facebook's offices in Tel Aviv, Isreal, and New York City. Facebook representatives said that the goal of developing the new app was to deliver the same core user experience as the main Instagram app but to do so in a way that would require much less space to download and would use much less data to operate. Instagram Lite only requires 2MB of space on a phone, compared to over 30MB for the main Instagram app and over 100MB for other popular Android apps.
Facebook's research told them that, for example, one out of three smartphone users in India see a low storage warning on their device each day. Other users in developing markets are connected to 2G or slower networks or experience data caps or expensive data charges, while still others share devices with family members.
A spokesperson from the Instagram Lite team at Facebook mentioned that the app has been active and in testing in countries like India, Morocco, and Venezuela, by users with phones as old as the original Samsung Galaxy, up to more modern, but lower specced phones including some of the best cheap Android phones on the market.
Instagram Lite will be rolling out to users in 170 countries worldwide starting today. Check the Google Play Store to see if it is available in your region.
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Jeramy was the Editor-in-Chief of Android Central. He is proud to help *Keep Austin Weird* and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand.


Alpaca has been considered a luxury fiber for more than 5000 years. The Incan empire reserved alpaca fiber for royalty. Today, it is the perfect material to place anywhere in your home or business.
Ulana Handcrafted Rugs uses alpaca as our preferred material because of its softness, light weight, range of natural color, strength and durability. Alpaca has several other advantages that make it preferable to standard wool rugs:
— Alpaca is as soft as cashmere and feels great on bare feet.
— It is hypoallergenic and more durable than sheep's wool.
— It is naturally water-repellent and difficult to ignite.
— Alpaca is easy to clean. Although spots are uncommon, remove any mark with a small amount of carbonated mineral water.


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The Good House is in the vein of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, i.e., you must enjoy horror, the hide-behind-the-couch-scary stuff.
The story centers on demonic possession, voodoo, magic spells, and death of the innocent and bad guys alike. A spooky Good House on a hill and an ancient curse, will grip the reader. Anticipation will satisfy the ghoulish heart in you!
The story could have been shorter by a few chapters, in my opinion. The author is extremely adept at stretching out the story, creating new scenes of terror. All fit into the plot, but ultimately some didn’t really add much to the tale. Credibility is an issue for me with the behavior of Cory; he’s a teenager with the volatile hormones of a young man, but follows through with behavior that’s a bit too responsible for even an adult in the same position.
The books I’ve listened to in this genre usually have me rolling my eyes, but Tananarive Due does a great job. Narration is very well done by Robin Miles. At over twenty-one hours, The Good House is a long audiobook, but if you like the genre, it’s probably just about right!


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I am depressed*.
I can’t choke it down any longer. Like a fat birthday boy demanding the largest chunk of cake by moving his hands farther and farther apart, my depression has eyed me, every day wanting a bigger and bigger piece. This morning it took all of me.
Maybe I’m still sick with the flu, I think when I awake. It’s possible. I’ve been pummeled for more than 12 days with it. That could be the reason.
I consider calling my assistant, Annie, and telling her not to come to work. Annie is cheerful. Sometimes relentlessly cheerful. I want to murder relentlessly cheerful people when I’m depressed.
But I flutter the idea out of my mind. Isolation is the worst thing, I’ve learned from a lifetime of experience. Then I remember the bread dough that has been rising on my counter for almost 20 hours. I’m happy until I walk to the bathroom and forget I’m happy.
A walk. I will take a walk. And at the unholy hour of eight in the morning, I am outside, walking down the gentle slope of our road. I smell wet: damp leaves, sweet; soaked bark, earthy and dark. Crows caw and warn the others of my approach.
My stomach clutches. When I’m depressed, everyday pleasures cause me such angst and guilt. I’m reminded that I’m constitutionally unable to be buoyed—no matter how momentarily—by something outside of myself. I prefer gray, obliterating skies, or better yet, night; the cold shoulder of winter; lashing storms, like yesterday’s downpours—anything that a normal person would consider depressing because I find refuge in them.
Unlike an animal that changes its appearance to blend into the background, I am camouflaged by bleak, gloomy, and untoward surroundings, and I don’t have to explain myself to others. Doesn’t everyone get down on rainy days and Mondays? They even wrote a song about that.
Depression is cunning, I think, watching the floodwaters gush over the falls down at the bottom of the hill. It first figure-eights between my feet like a cat trying to trip me up. I can usually outmaneuver it–a few quick steps, and I fox-trot out of the way.
But then the seduction begins. It slithers up, licking my calves, the insides of my thighs. For the past several days, I’ve felt it trying to lace its fingers between mine, wanting to pull me toward it so we can waltz. Me listless, feet dragging while it, haughty and victorious, sweeps us through the rooms.
When this happens, The One usually steps back, watching from a distance. He knows I will, in one vicious swipe, attack him. Twenty-two years of trial and error has shown him that only when I reach out should he comfort me.
I like to call him to me when I’m sitting down where I can lean my head against his chest. He wraps his arms around me and strokes and kisses my head. The thrum of his voice deep inside soothes. At these times, I need to feel smaller-than, to feel someone bigger in who I hold the childlike hope that he can make it all go away. When I am well, I will again tower over him, but not before this leaves.
Back from my walk, I turn on the oven and inspect the bread dough. The top is a riot of bubbles, like winking eyes. Although I’m a baker of sweets, I turn to bread when I’m down. Single-cell microscopic fungi springing to life, not just surviving but thriving, give me hope.
For each loaf, they have the equivalent of a frat-house kegger, gorging themselves then farting, belching, and gorging some more. I think how apt it is that “yeast” rhymes with “feast,” for that’s what they do, that’s their sole job. To feast.
“Yeast are never depressed, I bet,” I say to no one. I fold the dough over itself several times, place it on a floured towel, and cover it. I sit, watching, knowing I will grow too distracted to notice it rising. It will take more than two hours to double in size, but I hope some of the party atmosphere will rub off on me.
I write. I clean. I sigh deeply. I miss my mania. I want somehow to ignite those fireworks that have sparked and exploded in me, whispering, “You can do anything,” making plans for me that I will never keep.
I want to sing; singing is always a sign I feel good. But no song comes. Just two lines from Hedwig and the Angry Inch: I put on some make-up, I turn on the eight-track…” loop through my head. I try to divine meaning in them, but there isn’t any, just some detritus left over from a Times Talk.
After the dough has risen, I flip it into the searing-hot Le Creuset pot, and it sticks to the dish towel. I try to shake it off, but the clump hangs above the pot, pendulous. “This dough is a piece of shit!” I yell, which expands to include “This recipe is a piece of shit,” and inevitably bleeds into “I am a piece of shit.” I am a screwup.
I claw the dough from the towel, throw it into the pot, and slide it into the oven. Any joy I had derived from baking the loaf is gone. It will be a mess, look freakish, and I will have failed. I will feel no modicum of accomplishment, which can, sometimes, lift me, just for a moment, when nothing else will.
Pulling the loaf from the pot 45 minutes later, I marvel, Yeast is amazingly forgiving. The loaf is not even misshapen, and it’s richly brown, with pockmarks and desert-like cracks ripping through its surface.
That’s why I turn to bread when depressed, I believe: It bears no grudge. Puff pastry, brioche, and pâte à choux are punitive doughs. But this ordinary bread, with its punch-drunk yeast, can cope with being cursed at and mangled. Bread is the dough of the depressed, the worried, the anxious, the burdened.
I am still depressed, but at least I now have the carbs. I cut myself a slice.
*If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What a dear piece of writing, thank you. I worked on a project that used bread to capture the complexities of life. One of the delights I found was in exploring the etymology of the work “companion” from the French–com meaning with and pan meaning bread. Companion:with bread
Here is our finished bread.
Thank you, Mariette. And thank you for your bread project. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. The women reminded me so much of my Vovo Costa.
I have followed your blog for years and just tonight came across this entry. It really touched me. I have had my own struggle with anxiety and depression. It set me on a path I could have never thought possible. I send along a couple of clips from a radio program that features a teaching that pointed me towards life. I offer it with respect and compassion.
Inquiring into the Core of Depression
Fear and Anxiety
Thank you, Rebecca. There are many things that can help people. If this is of comfort to some, wonderful!
You will hate hearing this but for what it’s worth, a high carb, low-fat raw food diet cured–CURED, I say–my severe depression. Cheating, which I’ve done often, instantly reveals the effectiveness of the above. Weird, but true.
tunie, do you have a link to any information on this?
As I babysit my new 3-month-old grand daughter, I can finally catch up on my favorite blogs while she naps. I read this and nearly dropped my iPad. I, too, suffer from clinical depression and have felt and said those very same words. Some days I’m the shit and other days I’m the bucket. Either way I got the shit thought in my head. And it’s so hard to get it out! I have heard the “Cheer up, shake it off” and “Suck it up” more times than I care for. Glad I’m not a registered gun owner ’cause I could blow their heads clean off if I heard it one more time! But I keep taking my meds and pushing myself everyday, otherwise “IT” wins and I won’t allow that. Thanks for the post, I am not alone. Love your blog, gives me smiles and giggles. Please don’t stop. I need this.
Angie, so sorry that IT is hounding you. It’s awful. But as you say, hang in there and take the meds. For me it does put a floor in below which I can’t drop. And reach out here or to friends and family. This is not a disease to be dealt with alone.
Will you ever do more podcasts? I loved each and everyone of those
So much, would love to hear them again.
Angie, we’re hoping to. It’s harder now that Renee is in Arizona and I’m in CT. We used to be neighbors in NYC!
David – thank you as always for your candor – I seem to be in in a down swing at the moment and seeing this piece gave me comfort and support – like you, a physical bug seems to have set the mental bugs into overdrive once more. Getting out and gardening is a go to for me rather than baking bread but taking that step, inspired by you, has made me feel good this morning.
Samantha, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re down. Most important: 1.) Eat right, that really helps. 2.) Keep on gardening. I’ve started this year and it really helps clear the mind and feed the soul. I’m with you.


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Photoshop CS6 is all about the wow factor, and this new demo is no different.
Instead spending hours to move an object from one spot in your photo to another, it takes seconds.
Better yet, it’s so simple even you and I can do it.
If you’ve ever wanted to move a car, a person or any object in a photo, watch how drop dead simple it is in Photoshop CS6 in this video demo below from Bryan O’Neil Hughes, Adobe Photoshop Senior Product Manager.
Hughes is able to loosely select a binocular mount and a woman and move them to a new place in seconds, with what can only be described as magic. The place he moves the object from is filled in from nearby pixels, as if the object was floating on top of the image.
But wait. It gets even better. By grabbing a small section of a roof, he is able to make the roof larger with a click and a drag.
These cool demos are thanks to Adobe Photoshop CS6’s new content aware features. Instead of taking hours and requiring complicated steps, Content Aware aims to make it possible for pros to be more productive and amateurs to be more creative.
Check out the before and after comparison below to see all the differences.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


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Spain will begin its first clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine. The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has authorized the clinical trial in Spain of the Janssen vaccine, thus becoming the first trial of this type for a coronavirus vaccine authorized in the country.
As pointed out by Health, this pivotal, multinational trial, with a double-blind design, in which the vaccine or a masked placebo is administered, will study the safety and efficacy of a two-dose regimen of this vaccine with a total of 30,000 volunteers from nine countries, including Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Specifically, in Spain this trial will be carried out in nine hospitals that will start, as soon as possible, the recruitment of volunteers who meet the inclusion criteria specified in their protocol.
The study will initially vaccinate participants without diseases associated with an increased risk of progression to a severe prognosis from coronavirus. Thus, and after evaluation by an independent surveillance committee of the safety data of these participants, it would eventually include participants with concomitant diseases that are associated with a greater risk.
20% of the patients will be under the age of 40, and 30% over the age of 60, and throughout the trial, close monitoring of all volunteers and identification of all COVID-19 cases found will be carried out throughout the trial. go producing. This will allow preliminary analyzes to be carried out with intermediate data.
Of course, from the AEMP they have explained that, however, it will be necessary to wait until the clinical trial has finished to be able to analyze all the data and draw final conclusions.
These clinical trials are part of the requirements that must
carry out all investigational vaccines to demonstrate their
quality, safety and efficacy. Only after having been evaluated and if
comply with regulatory standards, they will be authorized for their
This vaccine, called Ad26.COV2.S, is based on a technology
well documented with a non-replicative recombinant adenovirus,
to generate an immune response to one of the coronavirus proteins known as protein S –spike, also called spike protein in Spanish–.
The Ministry of Health, through the AEMPS, maintains contact with
different companies that have proposed the inclusion of Spanish centers
in its clinical trials to contribute to the global effort in the search for the vaccine against COVID-19.
The start of clinical trials is, according to what has been pointed out by the department headed by Salvador Illa, another milestone on this path that should end with the eventual authorization and availability of safe and effective vaccines to the public.

domain: biology


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Thomson and First Choice reveal where holidaymakers are travelling over the Jubilee
Demand for 7,10 and 11 night breaks has been strong as people look to make the most of their days off.
Destinations such as Egypt and Turkey are proving very popular over the weekend, thanks to their guaranteed high temperatures and wide choice of big all-inclusive resorts. As always the Balearic Islands of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca are also selling well, with many holidaymakers looking to go back to resorts that they know and love. Thanks to the extended bank holiday weekend many customers are also looking to travel further and Florida and Mexico are Thomson and First Choice’s most popular long haul destinations for the Jubilee weekend.
“This year’s half term is proving especially popular thanks to the extra days off for the Queen’s Jubilee,” says Steve Perridge, general manager of Late Trading for Thomson and First Choice. “All-inclusive holidays are selling well, as consumers want to budget for their holidays more easily. However thanks to the strength of the pound against the Euro, holidaymakers to Eurozone countries, will find eating out and going shopping cheaper than last year.”

domain: travel


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Join us for the American Physiological Society (APS)/American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Conference: Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease, formerly known as the Renal Hemodynamics Summer Research Conference.
This 11th triennial conference focuses on cutting-edge research presented by top investigators in the field of renal research. We’re excited about this four-day opportunity for leading scientists and clinicians from around the world to meet, present and collaborate.
Presented topics will include:
- metabolic syndrome,
- sex steroids and the kidney,
- developmental programming of kidney disease,
- genetics, epigenetics and the kidney,
- immunology and the kidney,
- and circadian biology of kidney function.
Also covered will be recent advances in the traditional areas of renal hemodynamics, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and podocytes, autocoids, and hypertension.
Explore the menu tabs to the left to find information on how to submit abstracts, apply for awards, register for the conference, make hotel reservations and more.
Please visit our exhibitors:
Thanks to our sponsors:


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Typecast as a Cool Old Guy, Eugene Levy (Born Dec. 17, 1946) has become the Cool Dad of America (even though he's Canadian). He is the only person to star in every single one of the American Pie movies (American Pie, American Pie 2, American Wedding, Band Camp, The Naked Mile, Beta House, Book of Love and American Reunion).
Roles of Note:
- SCTV: Where Levy became well known. Like the entire cast, Levy played many characters on the show.
- Along with John Candy, he played one half of the Schmenge Brothers, a pair of Leutonian polka-playing brothers with strange customs and tastes in food.
- Possibly his best-known role on SCTV was one half of the news team as the Kind Hearted Simpleton Earl Camembert, a not-especially-bright reporter with some bizarre habits that had to be kept in line by his co-anchor.
- Club Paradise: Barry Steinberg
- American Pie series: Noah Levinstein, "Jim's Dad"
- Josie and the Pussycats: As Himself, as the man who explains how to be "hip and cool" to the officials from the U.S. government.
- New York Minute: Nassau County Board of Truancy agent
- A Mighty Wind: Mitch Cohen, traumatized folk singer
- Best in Show: Gerry Fleck, who (along with his wife) enters their terrier in a prestigious dog show.
- For Your Consideration:
- Waiting for Guffman: Dr. Alan Pearl, a tragically square dentist determined to discover his inner entertainer.
- Splash as Dr. Walter Kornbluth.
- Serendipity as a Bloomingdales employee.
- Schitt's Creek as Johnny Rose.
- Big Ol' Eyebrows: Truly majestic. Just look at the page image.
- Cool Old Guy: The ultimate example
- Fake American : He's Canadian, but most of his characters are American.
- Took a Level in Badass: At least once per movie, and he's been in over 40. Became epic-level in the American Pie series

domain: entertainment


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Several thousand residents of Central Saanich may soon find themselves in a new provincial riding.
The preliminary report from the independent commission tasked with reviewing British Columbia’s electoral districts recommends that portions of the community now in the riding of Saanich North and the Islands move into the riding of Saanich South.
“We propose moving Brentwood Bay into this electoral district (Saanich South) to address the population disparity between it and the adjacent riding of Saanich North and the Islands,” it reads. “Moving the community of Brentwood Bay from this riding (Saanich North and the Islands) into Saanich South, as we propose, creates room for the anticipated population growth in this riding.”
Adam Olsen of the B.C. Greens, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, currently represents all of Central Saanich, while New Democrat Lana Popham currently represents Saanich South.
The estimated population of Saanich North and the Islands would drop from what is currently 62,565 to 57,346, while the population of Saanich South would rise from what is now 54,007 to 59,226, if the move were to go forward. Overall, the British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission recommends increasing the number of ridings to 93 from 87.
The electoral quotient —the average of people per riding with 93 ridings — would be 53,773 with the permissible range between 40,330 and 67,216. One of the six new ridings would be called Langford-Highlands to address the rapid population growth in Greater Victoria with effects on surrounding ridings.
Local reactions to the move vary. Olsen said “unnecessarily” splitting Central Saanich between two MLA on the basis of unrealized population projections that may or may not come to be undermines governance.
“These are population exercises, not good governance exercises necessarily,” said Olsen, a former Central Saanich councillor. “I have a relationship with Central Saanich council that if they need anything from the provincial government that is sticky and need to get unstuck, I’m there to help advocate for them.”
Olsen said he understands that electoral ridings cannot always enclose municipal boundaries in their entirety. But any review should not just consider population projections but also less-quantifiable governance issues.
Olsen said he has already spoken briefly with Popham about the potential move, adding that he and Popham work well together. “But it makes it more complex than what is necessary,” he said.
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor said “superficially” it may be a concern that Central Saanich could end up speaking to two MLAs rather than one to have its voice heard.
“The reality is we already deal with different ministers, who are also MLAs,” he said. “But the bigger issue is making sure that whatever MLA, minister, you are dealing with on a particular topic is well-versed…(Olsen) has come with us to meetings with ministers. I personally have developed a relationship with Lana Popham, as an MLA from Saanich South, because she is right there. We are already an agricultural community anyways. One or two MLAs, I don’t think that is a significant concern for me.”
If Olsen and Windsor may have different interpretations of what the potential move might mean, they both share similar concerns about the process, with the report dropping in the middle of the municipal campaign. The current focus lies on Oct. 15, said Windsor. The new council — depending on its composition — may also need time to get up to speed in terms of the issue itself, he said.
The BC Electoral Boundaries Commission has invited feedback until Nov. 22. Central Saanich’s schedule shows council’s inaugural meeting on Nov. 7 with the first genuine meetings scheduled for Nov. 14 and Nov. 28. So council could weigh in if it chooses to do so, said Windsor.
Public hearings start Oct. 17 and the period for public submissions ends Nov. 22. The commission will hold hearings for MLAs after the public input period. The commission would then prepare a submission to the Legislative Assembly due April 3, 2023.
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Happy Kitchen Mini Cupcake DIY Kit
Brand: Popin' Cookin'
For the more adventurous. Make cute, mini cupcakes that can be decorated in a variety of ways. Enjoy cocoa and plain flavor with candy and cookie sprinkles. Who else makes candy this much fun? Requires 2 minute baking. Picture instructions on back panel but youtube videos can guide you.
Check out all of the the Kracie kits we offer by clicking on the Brand link above.
You may also be interested in some of our other products...
Make rainbow gummies in 4 shapes such as: Carrot, House, Flower, Airplane, Whale, Bunny... (mold shapes differ depending on production run.The mixing tray allows you to create 8 colors that you inject into the molds. Great for decorating desserts. Grape, Lemon, and Soda flavor.
Candy ramen? Yes, Japanese candy maker Kracie has all bases covered when it comes to recreating popular foods in sugar form. The cool thing about this item is that you make it from scratch. You even get to make candy gyoza dumplings which is a perfect side dish. Even comes with its own mini dish and bowl.
Make colorful, fruity, crunchy and cute animal candies in 5 assorted shapes such as: Dolphins, Penguins, Bears, Ducks, Butterflies... (mold shapes differ depending on production run - There are 6 tray varieties in the series and we select them randomly.) By mixing water to the powders and pressing them into the molds you will create wonderful little candies.
Another fun, Do-It-Yourself gummy kit from Kracie. This time around you can create pineapple, soda, and grape flavored ocean creatures. The mold tray has five sea animal shapes plus the kit comes with one background display card (4 in the series.) A great way to spend a rainy afternoon. Would make a fun gift too!
Create a tray of 8 mini takoyaki balls from scratch and then decorate them with the sauce that you also make. Such a fun and tasty kit from the Popin' Cookin' series. All you need is water as this kit contains all the powders, trays, and molds necessary to make a realistic tasting Japanese favorite festival dish.
Let's dig for gummies! Meiji offers a unique kit containing a tray of milk chocolate with orange and sour lemon gummies hidden within. You excavate the various shaped pieces with a spoon. There are 12 various shapes you can find including swords, diamonds, and crowns. Five gummies are embedded in each kit. Some are more rare than others.
Make a mini fast food set of hamburgers, fries, and beverage. All you need is water and a microwave oven. Includes a plastic mold tray, spoon, knife, cup and a bunch of powders and sauces. Picture instructions on back panel (with Japanese) but youtube videos can guide you if you get stuck.
Such a fun kit where you make 3 Japanese traditional sweets along with a mini cup of ramune soda. Enjoy Taiyaki chocolate filled fish pancake, Ichigodaifuku strawberry mochi rice, and Mitarashi Dango sweet soy sauce covered sticky rice treats. All you need is water and a microwave oven and a pair of scissors. Includes a plastic mold trays, spoon, cup and a bunch of powders and sauces.
Put together a mini plastic washing machine, add the water & powders to the drum, and spin the wheel on the side. Watch the delicious yogurt flavored foaming candy expand from the drum. Very edible! Very odd! Very cute! **WE RANDOMLY CHOOSE THE COLOR of the machine unless you order more than one, where we will try to send different ones, depending on stock.
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Start shopping in seconds! Just push the "add" button next to the desired product. We ship to most countries in the world. Once you create a shopping cart simply choose your country from the drop-down menu. There are 3 shipping options which allow you to see your updated total while you shop! Enjoy browsing our huge selection of Japanese goods!
J-san and his crew are on a short holiday but you will still be able to place orders and contact us.
All orders placed after Thursday July 21, 10:00 pm PST will be shipped out from Wednesday, July 27.
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This loft-like downtown spot serves a hearty brunch every day until 3 p.m. Try the Big Damn Breakfast and you’ll be fueled up for the rest of the day. For dinner it serves a mean burger, and offer the occasional can’t-miss burger and bourbon special.
This bakery makes more than elegantly sinful, richly sinful and just-plain-old sinful desserts. It offers desserts to fit a variety of diets including sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan. If sweets aren’t your thing, try the savory scones, quiches, and frittatas.
Family owned and operated, this eatery offers authentic German cuisine and a warm atmosphere. Its menu includes schnitzel, sauerbraten and rouladen. It also offers German beers and wines. Save room for dessert — offerings include homemade apfelstrudel and a fallen chocolate souffle.
Homegrown, but with its heart in the Rockies, this expanding chain features hearty food — steaks, ribs, meatloaf and some killer blue-cheese coleslaw — as well as a full bar with a large selection of domestic and import beers, wine and spirits.
Billed as “modern Vietnamese,” this Frankfort Avenue establishment takes authentic tastes of Vietnam to a higher level, incorporating a French flair and organic ingredients. Try the different preparations of prawns or the shaking beef — cut-up filet mignon with garlic, watercress, red onions and jasmine rice.


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A stolen vehicle and a vehicle with no insurance have both been seized from Stratford.
At approximately 9pm last night (Monday 10 August), officers from the Southern Vehicle Crime team were patrolling in the Alveston area when they located a van, which was suspected to have been stolen with keys from an address in Coventry.
Whilst dealing with this vehicle, officers also came across another vehicle which was being used without insurance. Both vehicles were seized and enquires are ongoing.
The stolen vehicle will now be given back to its rightful owner.

domain: law


The film follows Fleck through his solo writing expeditions, his interviews with the classical musicians for whom he’s writing the piece, and his interactions with friends, family and mentors who watch him while he works. “I realized when I was writing this piece that I had never actually written a whole piece — every note of a piece — in my whole life, even though people consider me a composer or a writer who has written a lot of tunes,” says Fleck of “The Impostor,” the piece he eventually debuts with the Nashville Symphony backing him.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with Fleck’s work, the documentary is a fascinating glimpse into how a musician — one who doesn’t even read music — could create a masterpiece for the world to enjoy. Béla Fleck: How to Write a Banjo Concerto screens tonight only at 8 p.m. at the Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Avenue. Fleck will be on hand for a Q&A session after the film. Tickets are $20 to $25 and are available at the Sie box office, online at denverfilm.org, or by calling 303-595-3456.
Tue., June 17, 8 p.m., 2014


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Private Double Room
Our budget-friendly option is perfect for travellers seeking added privacy within a hostel setting. Our standard double bed comes with all the bedding you need for two travellers. Enjoy a soft mattress, comfortable pillows, and fresh linens to help you rejuvenate after your travels.
3 Bed Mixed doorms/ 4&5 Bed Mixed Dorms
We offer multiple rooms with different bed arrangements to suit you and your travel needs. Whether you’re a solo traveller or travelling in a group we can accomodate you!
Female Only Dorms
We have 2 female only shared dorms located on the lower level.
Full Equipped Shared Kitchen
We have 2 kitchens one located downstairs & another on the second level which connects to the outdoor patio.
Our outdoor terrace is fully covered and provides the perfect spot for your morning coffee or evening wine.
Restaurants & Bars
- Outdoor Patio
- Bus station
- Free 24/7 Wifi
- No Parking available
- Safe deposit box
- Luggage drop
- Address Verification for Banks
- Usb Ports
- Coin operated Washing machine
- Coin Operated Dryer


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Hyderabad, January 9, 2018
IRDAI to give shape to the risk-based capital regime followed in developed countries
Insurance companies will soon have to adhere to more stringent, global standards in capital requirements, with insurance regulator IRDAI set to introduce the Risk Based Capital (RBC) regime.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has called for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from consultancies, agencies and institutions for the implementation of the RBC regime.
“IRDAI shall make the transition to RBC to conform to the principles followed in jurisdictions across the globe and consistent with the prevalent core insurance principles of the International Association of Insurers,’’ the regulator said, adding that suitable adjustments will be made to the Indian context. In the RBC regime, the minimum capital requirement will be based on the types of risks to which an insurer is exposed.
An expert panel on the RBC, which submitted its report in August last year, had said: “The drawback of the current solvency method is that the level of confidence provided by the capital held by the companies is not known. So the capital held may be too high, or too low, given the risk profile of the companies.”
The RBC method, on the other hand, is risk-focussed and follows standards adopted in developed countries. “With greater transparency on risks, it will facilitate comparisons across insurance companies, providing information such as the financial strength of the insurers. This will help in early and effective intervention by the regulator, if necessary.”
In a report on financial services in India released last month, both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank suggested the adoption of risk-based solvency and supervision.
They had advised the insurance regulator to formulate a strategy and timetable for the introduction of risk-based capital adequacy.
“It should develop a risk-based supervisory circle, using impact and risk assessment to determine supervisory focus. Skill and expertise should be upgraded to this end,” they observed.
[The Hindu Business Line]

domain: finance