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Our photography distinguishes the UF brand and plays a significant role in how we communicate. Whether we’re using existing photos or shooting new images, each image should fall into one of the following categories: momentum moments, portraiture, environments, details, and spirit.
This action-oriented style of photography captures the UF work ethic both inside and outside the classroom.
“Momentum” photographs document both peer-to-peer collaborations and faculty-student interactions. Balance these group shots with images of individuals engaged in an activity or area of study.
When we use portraiture, we put a human face to our work. We want to show students, faculty, and staff in the best light, capturing them authentically.
When taking portraits, the focus should be on a single individual. Even when the subject isn’t the sole person in the photo, the eye should always be drawn to that one individual.
UF’s campuses’ vibrancy, community, and architecture are elements to show off, and these images paint the picture of our campus environment. Pepper sense-of-place shots throughout communications in a way that help the layouts breathe.
Detail photography is a great way to highlight UF’s many unique aspects. We can feature our processes, tools, equipment, and achievements. We can also use these shots to showcase the everyday beauty of our campus.
The energy, camaraderie, and sense of pride during social, competitive, and student-driven events are vital to the UF experience and our impact on the world. Though this imagery should never take the lead in depicting institutional and academic moments, it can support and round out our stories.
UF PHOTO GALLERIES
UF PhotoShelter is a curated collection of images depicting academic and campus life. Photos are available for use by faculty and staff. To find out more, visit UF PhotoShelter.
Photography is an essential component of how we communicate our story. The following guidance on photography techniques is designed to help establish a consistent and unique approach for capturing images to articulate that story. Not every technique will apply to every scenario we photograph. But with various approved compositional techniques, our photographers have greater flexibility to capture exciting and compelling images in any situation. These techniques also help our collective photo library to hang together with a consistent look and feel.
The objects and content of our photography are grounded on a 3×3 grid. This allows us to compose our shots based on the rule of thirds, which creates images that are aesthetically compelling and asymmetrically balanced and that reflect the forward movement that our creative platform expresses.
SPACE FOR MOMENTUM
Building on the 3×3 grid allows us to apply negative space around our subjects easily. When the subject of a shot is active or moving, we intentionally create the negative space on the side where forward movement would happen.
For example, if you’re taking a shot of an athlete running, more space should appear in the frame in front of the athlete than behind. The idea is to include visual space for the photo’s subject to move into.
Building layers of moments and framing one interaction with another are essential components of how we visualize momentum at UF. One way to convey this depth is by composing shots with a smaller frame within the larger photo. Look for elements such as windows, arches, and other objects that can frame a scene behind them. The frame does not necessarily have to surround the entire scene, but the effect should give the image a sense of depth.
Leading lines help direct viewers through the image and focus their attention on essential elements. Look for natural geometric lines, paths, or patterns that create a sense of depth and guide the eye toward the photo’s main subject.
Though photographing from various horizontal angles can create a sense of dynamic appeal, we always want our images grounded in reality and authenticity. The subjects of our photos should never feel small, warped, or stretched to heroic proportions. Therefore, shots should be limited to an even angle of 0º, or slightly below level by –10º to –25º. Never shoot from a higher angle or a bird’s-eye view.
A compelling image requires the right balance of many elements: composition, casting, lighting, equipment, and more. This section offers general recommendations for approaching some of the most common factors.
Our images are authentic and grounded in reality; therefore, we use natural lighting (or lighting that mimics nature) to highlight subjects. Light sources are placed slightly away from the camera, creating a natural sense of depth. Light sources should never come from the same angle as the camera, which flattens the image and removes the shadows.
For outdoor shoots, a slightly overcast day provides a lovely soft light that will be flattering for your subject. Direct sunlight isn’t usually desirable because it creates solid and hard shadows on the subject’s face. In such conditions, finding some light shade for your subject is best.
Fill lighting is appropriate. You can use reflected sunlight bounced back onto the subject’s face using a reflector or a simple white board.
When shooting indoors, put your subject near a window, with the room lighting off, and have the subject face slightly toward the light. You’ll get shadows on the parts of your subject which aren’t lit by the window light. If no windows exist, try bouncing a strobe light off a nearby wall to simulate the same effect.
LIGHTING FOR VARIOUS SKIN TONES
1. Position the light source carefully.
For a photo including people with different skin tones, place your primary light source away from lighter-skinned subjects and closer to darker-skinned subjects. This might mean you have to burn a little in post to ensure the subjects with lighter skin aren’t too bright. If you’re shooting outdoors, bring in a reflector, or have your darker-skinned subjects interact closer to the light source.
2. Draw on reflected light.
When shooting with natural light or flash, all skin types look better when the light is softer. Bouncing light or using diffusers helps reveal the complexity of everyone’s facial features. Use a diffuser to soften harsh sunlight, or shoot in the shade and find natural reflectors like light-colored walls or concrete on the ground. If using off-camera flash, use larger modifiers.
3. Use a hair light.
For subjects with any skin tone, dark hair tends to absorb a lot of light. Adding a hair light can bring out detail and texture in the hair, which can get lost if you’re only working with a single light.
Again, our images are grounded in reality, so ask your subjects to wear clothes that are authentic to who they are and (if applicable) their area of focus — such as a lab coat within a lab space. Subjects should never be overly styled or accessorized. Wardrobe selections should not have logos outside of UF branding.
Before capturing images, check your subject for anything distracting: lint or pet hair on clothes; uneven buttons or zippers; out-of-place collars or lapels; clothes that are riding up or half tucked in; a shiny forehead; and fly-away hairs. Always ask permission before approaching the subject, or have the subject adjust the issue independently.
SAMPLE WARDROBE COMMUNICATIONS
If you are in a setup that requires specific attire, you should arrive in your appropriate wardrobe with any needed props or tools for your shot.
No large non-UF images or logos should appear on your clothing. We may not be able to use you in the shoot if your clothing displays large graphics or promotes any entity.
Please arrive camera ready. Hair should be done, and makeup should look natural. Clothing should have minimal wrinkles.
Please bring a few different shirt options (ideally blue or orange). If you have spirit gear, we would love for you to bring it, but please do not arrive in it.
Guidelines for Clothing (students)
Unless expressly noted, we’re not looking for a formal or dressy appearance. Jeans and other casual pants are acceptable, with no extreme distressing or apparent holes. No shorts, please. Skirts and dresses may also be appropriate but avoid overly short styles. T-shirts, polos and casual button-downs are all appropriate. Light jackets, hoodies, or sweaters may be used as accents. Simple jewelry is fine. Avoid overly complicated print patterns and pure white.
Please bring any appropriate props or tools with you for your setup. The more authentic and lively we can make your scene look and feel, the better. Backpacks, books, headphones, notebooks, and laptops are all great additions.
Some of our photography is sourced from student ambassadors or communication partners at live events, where they use their smartphones to capture images instead of professional cameras. Here are a few best practices to help take full advantage of the photography capabilities of smartphones.
TURN ON GRID LINES
Navigate to settings, then to the camera, and toggle on grid lines. This will help you level the horizon, follow the rule of thirds, and center the subject.
CLEAN THE LENS
It sounds straightforward, yet many of us forget to do it! Whether you invest in a microfiber cloth or use the inside of your shirt, wipe off the lens before shooting an image. It will make the resulting photos much crisper.
TAP ON A SUBJECT TO FOCUS
Once you have the camera app open, tap the screen on the spot where you want the camera to focus. Once you tap, a box will appear around the focus areas.
ADJUST THE LIGHT BEFORE YOU SHOOT
After you tap the screen to set the focus, you’ll see a box and a sun icon appear. From here, you can hold your finger on the screen and drag it up to brighten the photo or drag it down to darken the image.
GET CLOSER INSTEAD OF ZOOMING IN
Zooming in digitally degrades the quality of the photo. So if you want more of the subject in the picture, take a few steps closer.
Layered photography visually expresses the collision of ideas and the notion of an iterative process that constantly informs, builds, and inspires our forward momentum. This visual trope allows us to hint at the moments, the details, and the environments that all play into one primary shot, whether the primary shot is a portrait, an iterative moment, or the outcome of our focus.
PRIMARY IMAGE SELECTION
The primary image is the main focus of the collage and drives the decision for the second- and third-layer photos. The primary image is typically selected from the Portraiture or Momentum Moment category. Based on the complexity of the primary image, thoughtful consideration should be given in determining the types of supporting shots needed to produce a coherent, not cluttered collage.
SENSE OF PLACE AND PROCESS
OTHER IMAGE SELECTION
Typically these images are pulled from our Environment and Detail photo categories. Their content should support the primary image’s content.
Considerations for approaching these secondary shots are like thinking through the progression of a story: Where did the primary image take place? Is there a detail of the primary image? What impact has the primary image made? As the subject matter is determined, consider the color story and the visual energy these shots bring to the collage.
SAMPLE LAYERED COLLAGES


I’m on 10.2.100.36. We have a manufactured part that’s basically a printed sheet of paper. Multiple final parts will be cut from it. The IUM for the printed paper is EA, which does not allow decimal places. So we created a new UOM called MFG which does allow decimal places and has a 1:1 conversion with EA. The BOM for the final part calls for something like 0.02 MFGs of printed paper.
Cost rollup is coming up with a required quantity of 0 for the material, and therefore a cost of 0. By changing the number of decimal places allowed on EA in my test environment, I determined that cost rollup is calculating the required quantity using the number of decimal places from the material’s Part.IUM instead of PartMtl.UOMCode. This is unexpected. Is this a bug?
Have you tries using the UOM Conversion utility to change the IUM of the sheet part, from EA to MFG?
If MFG is in the same Part Class, you might be able to do it. Emphasis on “might”. The UOM conversion is very fickle, and rarely successful.
We have the same issue. Were you able to resolve your issue? Wondering what approach you may have used. We are going to contact Epicor customizations group to see if they can build a utility that would change the UOM’s on the affected parts since there’s been so much activity, the Part UOM conv doesn’t work.
I think my boss used a direct SQL update to change the IUM of the sheet part from EA to MFG. If the UOM conversion tool that Calvin mentioned doesn’t work, this may be your only option. This may do terrible things to your inventory valuation if the UOM conversion isn’t 1:1 like it was in our case.
@John If there is a lot of current activity it gets more complicated. If you have open POs, Jobs, boms with the part they all have to be removed for the processing of the change and then put back. It is best of all of the activity of the current structures parttran records have already been posted.
If you have screen shots of where the part is now and could make a new part in test with where you want to end up it would be easier to see if there was a possible path to get there.
Thanks for the reply Kevin. I’ll pass this information on to the IT department.
Our conversion rate is 1:1 so the costing would not be an issue. I’ll also let you know what Epicor Professional services says as an FYI.
What did Epicor say? I have the same issue. If only you could choose the UOM in the BOM…!
You can choose the UOM on the Part BOM for a Material part. You can pick any UOM that is in that Part’s UOM Class.
With respect to the costing, Epicor says the cost rollups work as designed. The Part IUM is used for the rollup regardless of the BOM UOM. So the next option was changing the UOM, which we couldn’t do, so this particular client from the original email just created new parts with the right decimal IUM.
However, at another company, a previous independent consultant built a custom utility which lets you select all the possible places a UOM exists, then changes the UOM through the database. They always check all the boxes for the various tables with the IUM.
It’s worrisome to use it as there have been a few things happen the utility doesn’t account for, but overall, the end user continues to use it, but only as a last resort. Their issue is simply new part setup errors caught after activity has occurred.
Ran across my own old thread. I missed some of the replies because I have a new account.
Yes, you can select some other UOM on the PartMtl. The issue is that cost rollup ignores the number of decimal places for the UOM you’ve chosen there, and instead rounds everything to the number of decimal places from the IUM. If the rationale is that you can’t use a fraction of the IUM, then it should always round up, not down. Pretty clearly a bug, and potentially one with major financial impact.


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“The blogs of strangers had to be read daily, and people nearby who had no web presence were becoming almost cartoonlike, as if they were missing a dimension.”
A slightly unusual book to review, based on the rest of my reading list which is comprised largely of more academic texts, but this book fits the theme.From artist and filmmaker Miranda July, this is a biographical portrait of various Los Angeles residents that also comprises a wonderful narrative about the inability of the internet and the networked world to contain and express the entirety of the human condition.
July, unable to finish her screenplay, pours obsessively over ads for items for sale placed in The Pennysaver. Overwhelmed with curiosity, she reaches out to the people who place the ads, asking to interview them. These people are trying to sell everything from leather jackets and hair dryers to leopards and vintage photo albums, and each has a unique story to tell. The first person she meets, for example, is just beginning the process of transitioning from a man to a woman. The last person she meets ends up acting in her film. Some are lifelong L.A. residents; but others she meets are immigrants from India and Cuba. No two people are alike. But she soon realises that none of them are especially interested in using computers. One acknowledges that it would make it easier to sell her wares if she did it online, but dismisses the notion as too much fuss. Others show little interest in the technology.
It is with this realisation that leads July to reconsider the stories she has been collecting in terms of the networked world:
“The web seemed so inherently endless that it didn’t occur to me what wasn’t there. My appetite for pictures and videos and news and music was so gigantic now that is something was shrinking, something immeasurably, how would I notice? It’s not that my life before the internet was so wildly diverse – but there was only one world and it really did have every single thing in it. Domingo’s blog was one of the best I’d ever read, but I had to drive to him to get it, he had to tell it to me with her whole self, and there was no easy way to search for him. He had to be found accidentally.”
The internet is unknowably vast, our search algorithms get better with each passing day, and yet all of human experience, complexity and emotion will never be contained online. So much research is now conducted solely online, and libraries facilitate this – indeed, often encourage it – but this excludes the richness and variety of the information in the offline world. Oral histories are lost, unrecorded performances vanish.
July took the stories, histories and personal archives (albeit of Care Bears and greeting cards) of normal people, and recorded them for posterity. There’s something wonderful in that.

domain: artistic


Giada Technology has announced the launch of their new compact barebones-system: The D300. The D300 family is based on the third-generation of Intel Core processors. The D300 systems are designed for builders of home assembly or all-purpose, unique compact PCs and multimedia systems with a wide range of applications. In addition, support for the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) which provides extensive security with high levels of data encryption, allows the use of D300-based systems in various applications in IT departments of large enterprises. The D300 system is also ideal for industrial control applications, smart traffic control systems, security and surveillance systems, commercial terminals and other similar applications which require small size, wide choice of interfaces, simplicity and reliability of use.
Featuring an ultra-compact size – only 236mm x 182mm x 50mm, the Giada D300 offers unprecedented performance in its size group thanks to the modern system logic – the Intel HM77 Express – and compatibility with third-generation Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 chips with a TDP reaching only 35W. The cooling system features a smart control fan.
The Barebones Giada D300 is equipped with two SO-DIMM slots, which allows for the installation of up to 16GB of DDR3-1333/1600 RAM. The motherboard also features two Mini-PCIe slots which allows for the use of extra peripherals (1 x mSATA SSD; 1 x PCIe/USB). The 5.1 channel audio codec is based on the ALC662 and there are two Gigabit Ethernet ports. The inside of the system allows for the installation of a 2.5 inch SATA drive.
The new third-generation Intel Core processors feature a powerful DirectX 11 core, which is compatible with a wide range of today’s 3D games and supports the majority of data rendering technologies of today. HDMI and DVI technologies with support for HDCP as well as an optional analog VGA interface are provided for video signal output.
The Giada D300 is equipped with a Wi-Fi module to support 802.11b/g/n network standards. Additionally, a user can connect a wireless Bluetooth interface as well as an IR port to use a remote control (which is optional).
Giada’s developers took care in providing a complete range of modern interfaces and features for convenient operation whether the system is assembled for home, office or industrial use. For example, the front panel of the D300 features analog Jack connectors to plug a microphone and headphones, two USB 3.0 connectors and two serial COM ports which are still quite common in IPC today. These connectors will be sufficient to use a wide range of external devices (a D300 version also comes without COM ports). The rear panel of the system features three audio jack connectors and two RJ45 LAN ports, there are four USB 2.0, two PS/2 connectors and a connector for an external 12V power supply apart from the above mentioned DVI-I, VGA and HDMI.
Internal interfaces include a GPIO port, TPM connector, a SATA port with power connector, three COM ports and a USB 3.0 port.
Thanks to the VESA Mount fixing mechanism, users can enjoy flexibility in installation and comfort of use. For example, the D300 can be easily attached to the back of a monitor or TV set.
The Giada D300 Barebones-system is equipped with a Phoenix EFI BIOS with support for an ACPI interface. The systems are fully compatible with the majority of popular operating systems including Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Linux.
Shipments of the Giada D300 are expected soon. Pricing will depend on the package and will be announced later.
Learn more about Giada’s entire line up of compact desktop PCs and motherboards at: www.Giadatech.com


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I AM A WRESTLING MANIAC!!
My top two favorite guy wrestlers are Shawn Micheals(HBK) and Jeff
Hardy (Rainbow Haired Warrior) and my top four favorite divas are Lita
(Amy Dumas), Beth Pheonix,Melina Perez and Victoria.
Well anyway I hate happy bubbly pplz.I also don't like it when pplz
lie about thereselves to impress pplz.I love to draw and play sports
but mostly sports where there are no rules,where
you run where and when you want or just feel free.I also hate when
pplz who have happy lives and really a GREAT life start complaining
about how they hate their life and it sucks.
I also like stuff too so don't start thinking I'm just some moody
person.I like the smell of wood and candles.I like the California
ocean,the sky,and the mountains, I prefer quiet than loud cities.I
like to see people smile and laugh when they actually mean it not just
pretending.I also love animals and nature.Cookies and funny icons also
make me happy.And most of all I would love a happy family and REAL
friends who won't leave you when you need them the most.
I have poofy,frizzy,curly brown hair that is mostly burnt from using a
straigthning it almost for a year.I have blue/green eyes.I dress
different from the world.When people ask me my style I simply say
MYSELF.I would rather be the ugliest person than look like everyone
My life goals are to become a WWE wrestler and to have a best friend.I
believe in angels.Laugh all you want but if angels didn't exist then I
probaly wouldn't be typing.But anyway I also like graffiti.If you
think about it graffiti actually takes a while to make look good,it's
not just some messed up kid vandalizing,sometimes it somebody trying
to get a message out.
I can be hyper,crazy,wild,weird,mean, and sometimes nice.I would love
to meet Jeff Hardy or Amy Dumas someday,they have inspired me and
helped me mentally in ways that helped me live life.
More coming soon


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Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to expedite its internal review of the K to 12 program amid continuing reports of low employment rates for graduates of the program, stressing that the review of the K to 12 curriculum is important to boost the employability of graduates.
Senator Win Gatchalian backed the plan of the government to take over the beleaguered Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) to solve the province’s worsening power supply problem.
Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to include energy security in its Philippine Energy Plan amid soaring energy prices that have contributed to the country's nine-year-high inflation rate.
Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the government to speed up the implementation of the fuel marking scheme under the TRAIN Law (Republic Act No. 10963) to plug revenue leakages such as oil smuggling.
Senator Win Gatchalian is questioning the decision of the Philippine National Oil Company – Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) Board to import some ₱2 billion worth of diesel from Singapore, raising doubts as to whether the plan is the best solution to alleviate the plight of public utility drivers struggling to cope with rising fuel prices.
Senator Win Gatchalian is calling on the government to develop a culture of innovation in order to boost the country’s economic competitiveness.
The Senate Committee on Energy led by Senator Win Gatchalian is set to take an in-depth look into the government’s strategy to ensure energy security and self-sufficiency amid skyrocketing global oil prices.
Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution that seeks to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the potential impact of suspending the fuel excixe tax on mitigating inflation.
Citing the numerous nuisance candidates who filed certificates of candidacy for senator in the 2019 midterm elections, Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Senate to hasten the passage of a bill which seeks to institutionalize the definition of nuisance candidates and hold them liable for election offenses.

domain: news


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fashion news | Gigi Hadid has been modeling since she was five
Gigi Hadid has been modeling since she was five, but it’s only lately that people have come to know her probably thanks to the show
Gigi Hadid has been modeling since she was five, but it’s only lately that people have come to know her probably thanks to the show, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and also due to the fact that she’s close friends with Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin.
Full green high heel 2015They cause your foot to wobble around. Sometimes, the dress is just going to call for a stiletto, as long as it’s something that’s occasional.
short party dressnew party dress super short dress new style hand bags.
Nice style hand bagnice italian handbags for party or wedding occasion
HUMA QURESHI (L), AYUSHMAN KHURANA (C) AND NEHA DHUPIA (R) INTRODUCING NEW FASHIONS IN INDAIAll the three are known as fashion icons in India. Their dressing, hairstyle and speaking style is favorite all over India.
Music Awards held over the weekend, but none of them brightened up her mood.
Selena Gomez did three outfit changes during the 2014 American Music Awards held over the weekend
actress was proud enough to showcase the fruits of her labor in a feature for Shape magazine’s
the leggy model arrived in a high-shine ensemble consisting of a long leather jacket teamed with gold metallic trousers.
I did find the pumps she wore last week quite fancy. Mother Monster flew out of Spain while decked in a Samurai-inspired outfit that was washed in gold and red
it’s only lately that people have come to know her probably thanks to the show
Katrina Kaif is one of the hottest actresses in Bollywood and with Bang Bang breaking all records on the box-office, the diva is glowing with the glory of her success.

domain: celebrity


text:
<-- Previous EpisodeNext Episode -->
Smash: The Nominations
This episode is not (yet) available on Hulu. Please check back later!
It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy copes with some very distracting news, Derek's past has repercussions for the entire "Hit List" team.

domain: entertainment


Martin, David, Jordan, Hannah and Roderick, Paul
Taking the bus: incorporating public transport timetable data into health care accessibility modelling
Environment and Planning A, 40, (10), . (doi:10.1068/a4024).
Full text not available from this repository.
This paper is concerned with geographical access to hospital services by public transport. By taking advantage of newly available public transport timetable data, a software tool is developed for the analysis of bus travel times under specified journey scenarios. The example of population access to Derriford Hospital in Devon, England, is used to illustrate the application of these methods, and the social and spatial pattern of accessibility by bus is explored. The analysis reveals substantial differences between access by public and private transport, and highlights the difficulty of combining conventional drive-time analysis with the discontinuous accessibility provided by public transport. There is a need for more attention to be paid to the incorporation of public transport in accessibility modelling.
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What does Ms. Smith have to do with sports you ask? Celebrity misbehavior, argues Kevin Hassett of AEI. In an article on the Bloomberg Newswire, Hassett finds a parallel in the death of Smith, and a paper by my Clemson colleague, Todd Kendall. His paper examines the tendency of NBA players to "misbehave" - as in getting called for a technical foul on the basketball court. What are the characteristics of players who commit technical fouls at a high frequency per minute played? Here is Hassett on Kendall:
From Dennis Rodman to Lindsay Lohan to Paris Hilton, traditional boundaries of public behavior seem a thing of the past. Why do celebrities tend to be such boors? A study by Clemson University economist Todd Kendall sheds fascinating new light on the question.
Kendall considers a number of competing economic theories of boorishness. The first, the "Beautiful Mind" theory, is that people who perhaps genetically disregard norms are more likely to have a creative impact. These same people might well behave more poorly than a typical conformist.
Alternatively, it might be that high income makes an individual insensitive to the normal disciplines of society. A third possibility is that celebrities tend to be young, and youths are much more likely to indulge in destructive conduct. Finally, it might be that individuals who can't be easily replaced tend to be the misfits.
To establish which explanation of bad behavior works best, Kendall gathered data from the National Basketball Association. Players in that league have been notorious for their rude and at times even criminal behavior. Fights on the court, brutish fouls, and even rape have been in the news in recent years. Kendall set out to discover which players behave the worst.
The NBA is a fine place to test these competing theories. Its players are young, have high incomes and guaranteed contracts. There is also significant variation in ability. Some players, like Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, have such preternaturally special skills that they fundamentally change the competitive level of their team. Others play their positions adequately, yet could be easily replaced. Do the irreplaceable stars tend to misbehave more?
You can get a copy of Todd's paper here. The bottom line is yes, "people who know they can't be replaced behave the worst." Moreover, the tendency to get teed up during a basketball game is positively related to the number of arrests off the court.
Hassett's piece has some interesting extensions of his analogy that are certainly worth reading. I'm not sure that Anna Nicole Smith's talents were irreplaceable, but hey, she was a bad girl 😉 and it's a nice story.


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Quantitative predictions of biomass ash risks in combustion
Numerical simulations for process optimization and fuel quality monitoring.
✔ Predict quantitatively ash related risks for solid fuels including low quality coals, variable agro-fuels and wastes
✔ Assess the reliability with challenging quality sources, in multi-fuel combustion and gasification plants
✔ Support the value chain: fuel procurement, plant design and retrofit, O&M troubleshooting, operations
✔ Improve fuel awareness and communication, visualizing fuel data for any user groups.
No fuel is ever the same: ash depends on the species but also the part of the plant considered, the soil composition, the fertilization and harvesting practises, and in case of a waste, the sorting process and trace elements. Therefore specific modeling is needed to evaluate each fuel.
Fuel screening and design
Ash chemistry optimization
Boiler and plant simulations
O&M challenge root cause
Prediction of the slag load, sticking properties and agglomeration in the furnace
Prediction of the volatilized sticky fly ash and hard deposits adhesion in convective passes
Fireside corrosion, erosion
Prediction of corrosive species occurrence in the high and low temperature boiler sections
Prediction of PM, SOx, HCl, HF, heavy metals emissions with ash and sorbents retention
Burning biomass, especially agro-biomass, offers a great potential, but it comes along with challenges such as slagging and corrosion. BIOFACT allows to anticipate the combustion behaviour of any biomass, giving precious information to any boilers operators and manufacturers!
Director, Bioenergy Europe (AEBIOM)
BIOFACT gives a double check on fuel properties for internal use, but graphical presentation also help to explain to customers in an easy and comprehensive way what are the risks of different fuels.
R&D manager, Vyncke
BIOFACT is helpful in evaluating a fuel change or investigating a particular fuel related problems e.g. corrosion, emissions, deposits, etc.
Technical manager, Jansen Boiler Tech.
BIOFACT is an engineering firm focusing on quantitatively predicting ash related issues in thermal plants.
We support boiler manufacturers and operators to predict the extent of slagging, fouling and corrosion for the specific fuel, in each energy plant.
Simulations studies are 20%–40% less expensive than comparable pilot experimental tests and are available with independent consulting mandates.

domain: chemistry


On this episode of Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler talks the top tech stories of the day, including Walmart’s two-hour delivery service, the Game Developers Conference’s plans to go online, Fortnite World Cup’s decision to skip this year, Xbox Series X updates, Space Day celebrations, and more.
Nibler is then joined by Marc Anteparra-Naujock, chief executive officer of Caffelli, and e-sports legend Fatality, who discuss the Mercy Corps & Caffelli streaming fundraiser, happening Saturday, May 2.
Comedy legend Greg Daniels, creator and executive producer of the new series Upload, joins the program to talk about the series’ debut on Amazon Prime Video.
Tom DeLonge, one of the founders of the influential rock band Blink-182, and co-founder, chairman of the board, and chief executive officer of To the Stars … Academy of Arts & Science, talks about how he was able to get the U.S. government to admit for the first time the existence of UFOs.
In this time of social distancing, how are we supposed to get our club fix? DT’s Riley Winn joins the program to talk about attending one of the first virtual nightclubs and how he fist-pumped his way through the night.
Finally, we check in with Ken Yeung, editor at Flipboard, for Tech Briefs, where he wraps up the biggest tech stories from this past week, including Apple and Google’s COVID-tracking API, Facebook allowing users to port photos to Google, and more.
- FIFA 22 and Naraka: Bladepoint coming to Xbox Game Pass this month
- Here’s how you can play Summer Game Fest demos on Xbox this month
- Hideo Kojima’s next game is coming to Xbox. Here’s what it might be
- Assassin’s Creed Origins leads June’s Xbox Game Pass lineup
- Xbox Game Pass is getting more Ubisoft games


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Screen-print on 270 gsm acid-free paper
21 x 29.7 cm
Edition limited to 25 copies + 5 AP
Each print is accompanied by a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity by the artist
The light source from the enlarger, the key component tool for producing photographic prints, illuminates - negative-less- and projects an image on a piece of paper. Here, the artist reproduces that image using silkscreen technique with phosphorescent ink. With the alternate process and chemicals, the image, familiarly seen in the dark room, will reveal itself in the dark giving this piece a twofold exposure.
Please note: For those who wish to frame this work, we recommend, not to use UV-blocked Museum Glass. The image will not be able to illuminate in the dark as phosphorescent ink collects light from the UV rays.


Ranking the Bears' 2020 rookie draft class from best to worst
As Ryan Pace prepares for his seventh NFL draft as Chicago Bears general manager, there's a lot of speculation about what he could ultimately do with Chicago's first first-round pick in three years.
While Pace has seen his share of criticism for some big misses in the draft, particularly in the first round, he has had some successes. In fact, his 2020 draft class certainly is promising following their rookie season.
Leading the 2020 rookie class was fifth-round receiver Darnell Mooney, who quickly established himself as Chicago's No. 2 receiver behind Allen Robinson. Second-round pick Jaylon Johnson, the seventh cornerback taken...
Projecting the Bears' wide receivers depth chart following Marquise Goodwin signing
The Chicago Bears signed veteran wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to a one-year deal last Friday, which adds some much needed depth and speed to the position.
Goodwin's signing almost certainly signals the end of Anthony Miller in Chicago, as the fourth-year wideout is reportedly on the trade block. But despite the addition of Goodwin, the Bears will most certainly look to draft a wide receiver in the NFL draft.
Goodwin brings some veteran experience to a receiving corps that lacks it. Aside from Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, there's not a lot of dependability behind them.
Let's take a look at how...
Free Agency: Grading the Bears' signing of WR Marquise Goodwin
The Chicago Bears added some depth in their wide receivers room with the signing of of veteran Marquise Goodwin to a one-year deal. Goodwin, a former San Francisco 49er, opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.
Goodwin, a former third-round pick from the Buffalo Bills in 2013, spent four seasons with the Bills before joining the 49ers, where he became a deep-threat receiver. He had a career year in 2017, where he totaled 56 catches for 962 yards and two touchdowns in San Francisco.
He would've spent the 2020 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, but his rights opted...


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On April 9th, 2012, I felt my baby move for the first time.
Lydia, my Mrs., had been feeling intermittent kicks and other sensations for a few days prior, but during the moments our little Peanut felt like doing twists, turns, and tumbles as she swam in her amniotic fluid, she did so away from the prying eyes of my ability to lay tactile witness.
“Ooh, now!” Lydia would beam, grabbing my hand and placing it on her belly.
I’d palm it like a basketball, and wait, and wait, and… nothing.
“Dammit, she was just moving,” Lydia would pout.
But on April 9th, while lying in bed, reading before lights out, Lydia felt a squirm, grabbed my hand, and for the first time in my forty-two years of existence, I felt a baby I helped create move. There was a wiggle, followed by three very light thumps.
“Those were kicks?” I asked. They felt like taps; something on the inside of her trying to get out.
“Yes!” Lydia smiled, overjoyed that I finally felt the blessed occurrence. “Isn’t it exciting?”
I paused, because I knew the wrong answer would get me in trouble. Though my first thought was of the movie Alien, and more specifically the image of John Hurt writhing on the cafeteria table moments before eruption, I felt it best to go with my actual emotion when responding: “It’s… weird.”
Lydia gave a slight pout. “It’s not exciting?”
“It’s not that it’s not exciting,” I tried to explain, “It’s just… weird.”
Fortunately, Lydia accepted this explanation, and left me to digest what was happening inside my brain.
I have dad friends who give me good advice, the most important of all being, “Don’t expect to have a connection with your baby immediately. All that crap about instantaneous bonds upon birth and eye contact? It’s horse shit.”
I like that, because it lets me know that what I currently feel regarding my Lydia’s pregnancy is normal.
And what do I feel?
Well, it’s not exactly “nothing,” but truth be told, it’s a little Strawberry Fields Forever: Nothing is real.
We’re halfway to the breach point, and her belly is definitely growing, but the truth still hasn’t exactly sunk in to my effective being quite yet. I am entirely aware my life will do a 180 when the little bugger pops out, and that nothing will ever be the same again, but until you experience something first-hand, no amount of mental preparation can make you actually feel something. Emotions and knowledge are two separate items in life, and never the twain shall mix.
I don’t know that I’m really looking forward to fatherhood, and not for the reasons I once had. I never wanted kids, because I never understood them. They cry, are a financial burden, and take up entirely too much of your time. There is no positive argument that can be made for having a child that can’t be equally argued against using logic. But, as said, logic and emotion make for a poor war front, and as much as I hate it, emotion has added a new level of apprehension to my impending parenthood.
I shall explain.
If having a child is indeed hell, then Lydia and I traveled a purgatory of infertility to achieve her ever-rounding belly. According to the medical professionals, we had a litany of obstacles standing in the way of our achieving natural pregnancy: we were both college educated, neither of us is Mexican, and maybe more important than the first but less important than the second, my spermies and her eggs just wouldn’t meet. Basically, Lydia’s insides were on permanent vacation and not working all that well on their own. Eggs aplenty grew inside her, but they seemed content to rest inside her ovaries without venturing into the unknown land of the fallopian tube. Or, to sum all of the above up in one quick sentence: “Her insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase.”
(Lydia has never seen that movie, naturally)
So, some wonderful eggs were laying in wait, they just wouldn’t make the trip to where my sperm could toss a Joey Tribbiani “How you doin’?” their way. For reasons never entirely decided upon by medical professionals—we apparently needed Dr. House for the actual reason—Lydia wouldn’t ovulate naturally.
To get to the point of pregnancy was a pain in the ass, literally; Lydia endured over 100 hormone shots in her keister. To me, this was advance karmic retribution for the pain in the ass baby she wanted to saddle me with. To Lydia, it was a nightly ritual that left her black, blue, and perpetually sore. It took two years of failed ideas and two cycles of IVF to combat the “lack of ovulating” issue successfully. As the talented comedienne Raleigh Weld put it so eloquently: “[Pregnancy] It’s not as easy as unwed teenagers make it look.”
Now that baby-time is approaching, emotions have crept their way into my brain, and worry is setting in. Not that negative thoughts are ever-present, yet, but they are out there, slowly circling me, like predators eyeing wounded prey.
My first experience with mind-crippling fear happened March 12th, 2012.
Lydia and I went to the hospital for a routine checkup. Like a tune-up with your car, they would kick her tires and make sure everything was running smoothly. And, for shits-and-giggles, do an audio-ultrasound, just to give the heartbeat of the little fetus a listen.
The doctor placed the Doppler/microphone on Lydia’s belly, and pushed down. Hard. A little too hard for my ignorant eyes.
“What if she crushes its diminutive head,” I thought, watching the doctor fiddle around.
The doctor used the microphone as if playing a game of hide-n-seek or Where’s Waldo with the fetus, pausing, pressing, moving, and pressing it in once again. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. All the while, nothing but loud static erupted from the speakers.
I sat somewhat cluelessly jovial, looking around, waiting for the moment we would be told, “Everything’s fine; go home and play video games” or something similarly kind.
After a few moments, however, I realized something: almost a minute had gone by, and no heartbeat had yet sounded.
Within a millisecond, my stomach dropped lower into my body than it ever has before. The crippling panicked thought, “Oh my God, what if the baby is dead?” came screaming into my mind like a Mack truck spun out of control.
“Faster than the speed of light” is the most used comparison when lightning-quick description is needed, and it is with that unfathomable rapidity a million-and-one thoughts flashed across my mind in a jumbled fury: “How will Lydia react? What do we do now? Do they take it out immediately? Are they going to schedule an appointment for a week from now, leaving it in there to rot? Will this prevent her from being able to become pregnant again? Will having this inside her poison her? Is Lydia OK? How the fuck can anyone ever believe in God knowing that things like this happen?”
And then, maybe a few seconds later, a quickly rhythmic, static-encompassed heartbeat reverberated from the speakers.
The doctor smiled warmly, saying, “There it is.”
And in an instant, my entire body relaxed; as quickly as it had gone into shock, comfort overcame me. I sat in the office somewhat numb, trying to understand what exactly had just happened to me.
Unfortunately, that moment was only the beginning of my worry; now I have a litany of questions and situations lining up to freak me the fuck out. “What if the blood tests come back and say the baby has Down Syndrome?” How do you react to that? Sarah Palin may have bravely and lovingly said such a detail made no difference to her, but she’s an IQ point away from mental incapacity herself. I worked in the field of home health care for a half-dozen years, tending to the requirements of two special needs adults. I was completely burned out by the end of a single shift; how the hell would I react to a 24/7 life of such demands on my life?
After the baby is born, it gets worse; I have to worry for years upon years about SIDS, autism, disease, child molesters, abduction, teen pregnancy, depressionsuicidedeath…
I make jokes about my impending eighteen-year headache, but I know all too well that it doesn’t end there. Parenthood is a long journey, one best described by Jason Robards in the movie named after the state of existence: “It never ends; it’s like your aunt Edna’s ass. It goes on forever and is just as frightening.”
Fuckity, fuckity, fuck fuck fuck.
What did I just sign up for?

domain: literature


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Though the holidays are over, hundreds of Monsanto Company employees will continue to give back to their communities by participating in the company’s second “Rural Hunger Volunteer Week.”
Though the holidays are over, hundreds of Monsanto Company employees will continue to give back to their communities by participating in the company’s second “Rural Hunger Volunteer Week.” Employees at nearly 100 locations across the U.S. volunteered at local food banks or organize food collection drives in February as part of Monsanto’s on-going push to combat hunger in rural America.
On Feb. 14, employees from Monsanto’s Stuttgart Seed Site volunteered on behalf of nearly 150 families at Fish and Loaves, a food pantry organized through Victors’ Empowerment Center in Stuttgart.
By mobilizing employees across the country, Monsanto hopes to make a real impact while bringing the issue of rural hunger into people’s consciousness this winter, and throughout the year.
“Our site participated in Rural Hunger Volunteer Week because we feel it is very important to give back to the community that we live and work in,” said Jeff Maupin, Stuttgart Monsanto Testing Operations Manager. “Our team plans to register 20 hours of volunteer time to earn a $250 grant through Monsanto’s Employee Volunteer Program, and once we obtain the funds, Fish and Loaves will use the donation to purchase a new freezer.”
To fight rural hunger, the Stuttgart Monsanto site unloaded packaged items, weighed goods, and organized food baskets for less fortunate families in the Stuttgart community.
Even though America’s farmers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, hunger is a significant problem in America — and rural America is no exception. According to Feeding America, more than 15 percent of rural households are food insecure. That is around three million households in the very communities where much of the world’s supply is raised.
“As counterintuitive as it may seem, there are millions of rural families that simply don’t know where their next meal will come from,” said Brenda Cockrell, Monsanto’s Global Volunteer Program Manager. “As a company with deep roots in rural America, we are committed to helping address this problem. That is what Rural Hunger Volunteer Week is all about.”
Monsanto is an unwavering supporter of America’s farmers and their communities. In addition to Rural Hunger Volunteer Week, the company is involved in several other key efforts to fight hunger in America. Recently, Monsanto pledged $3 million to Invest an Acre, a partnership which helps farmers support their local food banks. Other efforts include annual food drives at industry tradeshows, which have raised 80,000 pounds of food over three years, as well as donations to rural food banks amounting to $300,000 through the Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities program.
More information about Monsanto’s commitment to end rural hunger can be found at www.monsanto.com/fightinghunger.

domain: food


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Strutters celebrate six decades of dance with pregame alumnae event
In celebration of the Texas State University Strutters, six decades of Strutters alumnae will take the field for a pregame appearance at the home football game against the University of Wyoming on Saturday, September 7 at Bobcat Stadium.
The football game has a 6 p.m. kickoff.
The Strutter alumnae will join with current Strutters to form a run-through line for the Bobcat football players taking the field. The Strutters Always Alumni Association board of directors will host a reception 3-4:30 p.m. for all Strutter alumnae at the Linda Gregg Fields Strutters Gallery.
The first precision dance team formed at a four-year university, the Strutters are currently the largest such team in the nation. Strutters alumnae and alumnae managers from across Texas and other states such as Kansas, Colorado, California, Arkansas, Illinois and Washington will be in attendance. The Strutters perform all styles of dancing, but are especially known for their high kicks and precision dance team style.
The Strutters were formed in 1960 by Barbara Guinn Tidwell to help keep the fans in the stands for the halftime performances at Bobcat football games. Since then, the Strutters have performed at all home football games. Strutters have also performed in 26 countries, three presidential inaugural parades and many other events. Tidwell directed the Strutters for 37 years, and was succeeded by Susan Angell-Gonzalez. The current director is Tammy Fife, who will oversee the Strutters as they lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November.
Strutters Always will host a Texas Chic Gala on Friday, September 6 at the University Events Center. The gala is open to all Strutter alumnae and friends. The ticket sale deadline is August 23. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/60strutter.
There will also be a free Strutters reusable grocery bag give away at the H-E-B grocery store at 641 E. Hopkins Street on August 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Current Texas State Strutters will celebrate six decades of strutting by giving away 1,000 bags designed by artist Jill Pankey, a former Strutter. Pankey will be at the giveaway to sign bags.


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Massive Disneyland Attraction Database
The Jessica's House and Hound Jessica attraction as seen from the top of Earth
Jessica's House and Hound Jessica
August 31, 1958
Avg. queue length:
After you meander
through Jessica's house, you'll dicover his TV Coop in the rain. There you can find Jessica as he is taping a scene from his over-familiar film, an animated version of The Ox-Bow Incident. Be sure to ask him a silly question!
- If this is your first visit to Disneyland, you'll want to go on this attraction with a funny hat on.
- For your safety, you should be in good health or free from cardiac, stomach, social, or viral problems or other conditions that could be aggravated by this attraction.
- In accordance with local customs, maintain your fingers and strollers inside the vehicle at most times.
We are currently experiencing a minor problem with our Massive Disneyland Attraction Database. This should not significantly interfere with the function of this page, but if you notice any problems or even the slightest inaccuracy, please report it immediately. Thank you for your large donation.

domain: travel


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A minor earthquake with magnitude 2.84 (ml/mb) was reported 1 kilometers (1 miles) from Manhattan in Montana on Tuesday. Date and time of earthquake in UTC/GMT: 16/07/19 / 2019-07-16 10:18:16 / July 16, 2019 @ 10:18 am. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 5.21 km (3 miles) below the earth’s surface. Id of earthquake: mb80352344. Event ids that are associated: mb80352344. The temblor was detected at 03:18:16 / 3:18 am (local time epicenter). Exact location of event, depth 5.21 km, -111.355° West, 45.8631667° North.
Nearest cities/city/villages to epicentrum/hypocenter was Livingston, Bozeman, Belgrade (min 5000 pop). Close country/countries that might be effected, United States (c. 310 233 000 pop). Earthquake epicenter was 32 km (20 miles) from Bozeman (c. 37 300 pop), 17 km (10 miles) from Belgrade (c. 7 400 pop), 66 km (41 miles) from Livingston (c. 7 000 pop).
In the past 24 hours, there have been 0, in the last 10 days one, in the past 30 days four and in the last 365 days eleven earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater that has occurred nearby. Every year there are an estimated 1,300,000 minor earthquakes in the world. Earthquakes 2.5 to 2.9 are often felt, but only causes minor damage.
Did you feel the quake?
Were you asleep? Was it difficult to stand and/or walk? Leave a comment or report about shaking, activity and damage at your city, home and country. This data comes from the USGS Earthquake Notification Service. Read more about the earthquake, Seismometer information, Distances, Parameters, Date-Time, Location and details about this quake, that has occurred near: 1 km WNW of Manhattan, Montana.
Copyright © 2019 earthquakenewstoday.com All rights reserved.

domain: geography


Our scrumptious blankets and scarves are created by a group of master craftsmen and women from Sierra Leone using a unique process we call, “up-cycling.” This indigenous and authentic art form is passed along by the elders, taking years to perfect.
A century-old Sierra Leonean tradition, weaving is passed down to each generation and is one of their few remaining native art forms. Weavers use sweaters from around the world, unweaving each one, respooling the yarn, then reweaving that yarn into strips using traditional looms. As a result, each creation is a one-of-a-kind combination – a global piece of art.
We know you will enjoy a lifetime of enjoyment from these very special pieces.


IT services have become an integral part of almost all businesses. From managing and storing data to maintaining communication systems, IT services have revolutionized the way we do business. However, for those who are new to this industry, the question arises: What does IT stand for in IT services? In this article, we'll explore the meaning of IT, its evolution, and its importance in the modern era.
What Does IT Stand for in IT Services?
IT stands for "Information Technology." This refers to the use of computer-based technology to manage, process, store, and communicate information. IT services encompass a broad range of activities, including software development, network administration, system integration, and technical support.
The Evolution of IT
The origins of IT can be traced back to the invention of the abacus in ancient times. However, the modern era of IT began with the invention of the computer in the 20th century. The first computers were massive machines that filled entire rooms and were operated using punch cards.
Over the years, computers have become smaller, faster, and more powerful. The introduction of microprocessors in the 1970s led to the development of personal computers, and the advent of the internet in the 1990s changed the way we communicate and access information.
Today, IT has become an integral part of almost every aspect of our lives. From smartphones to self-driving cars, IT is driving innovation and shaping the world we live in.
The Importance of IT in the Modern Era
IT services are essential to modern businesses, as they help to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and improve communication. Here are some of the ways that IT services are used in the modern era:
- Data Management: IT services are used to store, manage, and process large amounts of data. This includes everything from customer information to financial records and marketing data.
- Communication: IT services are used to facilitate communication within and between businesses. This includes email, video conferencing, and instant messaging.
- Software Development: IT services are used to develop and maintain software applications. This includes everything from mobile apps to enterprise-level software systems.
- Network Administration: IT services are used to manage and maintain computer networks. This includes everything from setting up and configuring hardware to troubleshooting network issues.
- Technical Support: IT services are used to provide technical support to businesses and their employees. This includes everything from helping with software issues to setting up new hardware.
- Cybersecurity: IT services are used to protect businesses from cyber threats such as hacking, malware, and phishing attacks.
- Cloud Computing: IT services are used to provide access to computing resources over the internet. This includes cloud storage, virtual machines, and software as a service (SaaS) applications.
- Data Analytics: IT services are used to analyze and interpret data to gain insights into business operations and customer behavior. This includes everything from market research to predictive analytics.
- IT Consulting: IT services are used to provide expert advice and guidance to businesses on how to use technology to achieve their goals. This includes everything from IT strategy development to project management.
IT services play a crucial role in the modern era. They help businesses to stay competitive and adapt to the ever-changing technological landscape. Whether it's data management, software development, or network administration, IT services are an essential part of any successful business.
IT stands for "Information Technology" in IT services. It encompasses a broad range of activities, including software development, network administration, system integration, and technical support. IT has evolved significantly over the years, from the invention of the computer to the modern era of cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. IT services are essential to modern businesses, helping them to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and improve communication. As technology continues to advance, IT services will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of business.


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Story: Customs and tariffs
Early customs house, Auckland (1st of 2)Next
The small store in the foreground served as the customs house for Auckland when customs duties were first introduced in 1841.
About this item
Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, Sir George Grey Special Collections
Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

domain: history


Q&A Of The Day – Do Mask Mandates Negatively Impact Education? Part 1
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Parler & Twitter: @brianmuddradio
Today’s entry: Hey Brian, school question for you. The Board of Ed cited negative educational impact with mask mandates when they issued the new policy. Are they just saying that or is there actual research showing a negative education impact from mask use? If there is I’d think that’d considerably strengthen the state’s position.
Bottom Line: The answer is yes; research exists on the impact of masks in the classroom. Before addressing it, here’s specifically what the Florida Board of Education stated as they adopted a rule mandating that parents can opt their children out of a school district’s mask mandate: Unnecessarily isolating, quarantining, or subjecting children to physical COVID-19 constraints in schools poses a threat to developmental upbringing and should not occur absent a heightened showing of actual illness or serious risk of illness to other students. Of course, Governor DeSantis has also cited numerous negatives associated with the “muzzling” of kids. So, where’s this coming from? There are no fewer than 13 related studies/reviews which have published on the National Institutes of Health’s (team Fauch) website.
Different studies have covered different impacts of masks in the classroom. Here are the findings of a study entitled: Masked education? The benefits and burdens of wearing face masks in schools during the current Corona pandemic. Face masks can prevent the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2, in particular as this spread can occur from people with no symptoms. However, covering the lower half of the face reduces the ability to communicate, interpret, and mimic the expressions of those with whom we interact. Positive emotions become less recognizable, and negative emotions are amplified. Emotional mimicry, contagion, and emotionality in general are reduced and (thereby) bonding between teachers and learners, group cohesion, and learning – of which emotions are a major driver. The benefits and burdens of face masks in schools should be seriously considered and made obvious and clear to teachers and students. That’s pretty straightforward. Masks emphasize negative emotions over positive ones and impair the ability to connect with teachers and other students. That’s a clear negative impact for students and teachers alike and is congruent with what Governor DeSantis and the Florida Board of Education have stated. That’s not the only impact, however.
In a study entitled Face Masks in Young Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic researchers found the following negative impacts:
- 81% of children were embarrassed to wear a mask at school
- 49% of children experienced headaches associated with wearing masks
- 45% experienced speaking difficulties
- 45% experienced mood changes
- 28% experienced impaired breathing/discomfort
That’s a huge swath of school children experiencing many issues which could clearly impact their ability to learn (and potentially overall health). Incidentally the impact isn’t limited to grade school students either. In the second part of today’s Q&A I’ll cite a study that shows how potentially detrimental masking can be within higher education as well and tie the whole conversation together.


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One of the nicest hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure of overnighting can be found near the Johannesburg Airport, little over twenty minutes North of the hectic and largest South African city is Pretoria, the legislative Capital. Before hitting that town, famous for its abundant Jacaranda Trees, in a hidden and very nice neighborhood you will find a Villa turned into a hotel for Kings, their website says it all and nothing of it is overstated. What an incredible place!
Click on “full screen” for the high-res slideshow:
A magnificent villa with sweeping views across the treetops of the historical Jacaranda City. Set in tranquil gardens, teeming with birds, it is no wonder that Illyria is often referred to as a “little paradise”.
Upon entering through the wrought iron gates, a fairytale ambience, reflecting the epitome of gracious and romantic living unfolds, complete with white gloved butlers discreetly working their magic to please.
Unrivalled personalized service, exclusivity and luxury are a given at this intimate haven. Fine antiques, 17th century tapestries, soft classical music and exquisite cuisine have contributed to Illyria’s standing as a sought-after oasis of tranquility, refined beauty and charm.
It comes as no surprise that Illyria House has become a destination in its own right, a unique, nostalgic, colonial experience, highly appreciated by the discerning traveler, and the secret retreat of royalty, heads of state and celebrities alike.
Services rendered by your personal butler include organizing historical tours, sports activities, country picnics, individualized shopping outings and transfers to attractions in the city and surrounding areas. Guests may enjoy beauty treatments in the magical wellness spa in the secret garden or in the privacy of their rooms.
Secluded yet centrally located, a stay at Illyria House is ideal in combination with a luxury rail journey, wildlife safari or Indian Ocean island resort, and holds the promise to add an unforgettable authentic experience in colonial African hospitality.


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Easter Toys and Novelty Party Supplies.
Includes 24 Easter Pencils with Egg-Shaped Card.
With a colorful pattern of Easter eggs and flowers, these pencils make super cute giveaways! The included egg-shaped cards are printed with “Have an egg-cellent Easter!” on the front and To/From space on the back to write a friendly message. Size: Card, 3" x 5 1/2"; pencil, 7 1/2". Includes To/From Space.
This is a value priced item from our wholesale warehouse. Please add one day to your EDD date at checkout.


In September of 2018, two hydrogen passenger trains started operating on a 100-kilometer (62 mile) stretch of track between the towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde, and Buxtehude in northern Germany.
The bright blue trains manufactured by the French company Alstom warmed the hearts of hydrogen die-hards globally. It’s the first commercial hydrogen-powered train in operation, after all. They hope it’s the first of many. It’s a faint hope, but hydrogen might become one of the fuels for a subset of passenger and freight trains in the future, along with line-side electric, battery electric, and biodiesel.
The space is a bit open to that possibility right now, although electrification without hydrogen is much more widespread, having first been put into operation in 1883. The first demonstration of the common third-rail system was in Germany in 1879 by Siemens. Battery electric trains were first in operation in 1887, also in Germany. Battery electric has been revived in recent years, with different manufacturer’s solutions in operation in multiple countries globally, and multiple new systems slated to start operation in 2019.
Hydrogen trains are much quieter than diesel, but purely electric trains — whether battery or externally supplied — are even quieter. Hydrogen trains have very limited emissions at the train, but much higher emissions up the supply chain in the vast majority of cases, while purely electrically driven trains can be 100% emissions free and often are today. Calgary’s C-Train, for example, runs solely on wind generated electricity. Hydrogen refueling can be centralized at train yards, but charging of batteries can be done both at train yards and along major routes.
A bit of background. All trains these days are already electric. The motors are electric and provide both motive power and dynamic braking, which is like regenerative braking but the electricity produced gets pumped into heating coils in the roofs instead of being used.
Most trains are diesel-electric, which means that they have a diesel generator producing the electricity the motors need. The largest is a GE engine that produces 6,000 horsepower.
Many train lines through many cities and densely populated areas are already electrified. They use third-rail electric supply along the rail bed or they use overhead trolley wires. There are many trains globally which work in this model, including all subways and almost all light rail systems. There are many freight corridors which have hybrid systems, where the diesel electric generator is used outside of the corridor, but on that stretch external electricity is used instead.
Heavy rail regional commuting often has external electricity through urban areas and uses diesel electric in suburban and exurban areas. Toronto is in the process of electrifying the urban portion of its GO Transit, as one example.
Biodiesel has existed for decades, just with a bad price point, manufacturer warranty leeriness, and spotty supplies. As a result, it has tended to be capped at 5% or less of fuel, or only be used in some seasons.
Hydrogen trains replace the diesel generator with either a hydrogen internal combustion engine to generate electricity or a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity.
Hydrogen is somewhat like biodiesel. It’s a manufactured product that can come from a few different sources. It doesn’t exist as a source of energy, but is manufactured as a store of energy. The primary means of creating hydrogen is steam reformation of natural gas, with high CO2 emissions and energy inputs. Well over 90% of all hydrogen is created from natural gas, which is why many tend to call it a fossil fuel. It’s mostly just a refined byproduct from the fossil fuel source, just as gasoline and diesel are.
A subset is produced by electrical hydrolysis of water. That can be much cleaner, but it depends on the energy inputs being clean. An analysis was published in CleanTechnica a couple of years ago (cited below), and if grid electricity is used to generate hydrogen, it’s higher in CO2 emissions than diesel, and certainly higher than just using the electricity directly. If hydrogen is generated with only carbon- and pollution-neutral forms of generation such as wind and solar, it can be a clean fuel through the entire supply and use chain, but it has never been to date outside of meaninglessly small demonstration projects. There’s a lot of work in this space with catalysts to try to make it more efficient at scale, but breaking chemical bonds in non-endothermic reactions and recombining them in exothermic reactions without having them explode energetically is expensive and complex.
A further subset is created by biological processes, but those haven’t been able to scale or be consistent. Biology is messy.
Well-to-wheel equivalents for hydrogen are poor as it’s relatively inefficient to generate hydrogen, it’s relatively inefficient to store and distribute it, and fuel cells and hydrogen internal combustion engines are relatively inefficient at converting it to electricity. It’s much lossier than batteries, so you have to choose your application.
Hydrogen today is almost entirely an industrial feedstock, not a fuel. It doesn’t have a retail distribution network. Unlike electricity, it’s not available everywhere. This is meaningful, as the characteristics of forms of transportation that could use hydrogen as a fuel become clearer. They need a hub-and-spoke model, not a network model. In other words, they need a place where everything comes together and the vehicles can be centrally refueled. Trains have that characteristic. Rail yards are central hubs, and passenger trains have central yards where they go overnight or when otherwise out of service. The barriers to creating a hydrogen distribution network to reach trains are much lower than for anything which drives on roads.
Hydrogen’s supply is more scalable and less spotty than biodiesel simply because it can be created from natural gas, and fracking — with its attendant issues — makes natural gas supply relatively easy to turn up or down. But natural gas gets much more expensive in the winter time at present. When temperatures get cold and a whole bunch of places want to heat with gas and others want to heat with electricity from utilities that use gas generation, gas prices go up. A lot. And hydrogen is hard to store, so it’s going to be created as close to use as possible. That means that any increase in hydrogen demand is likely to see significant seasonal variation.
The potential for a reasonably easy to solve distribution network is part of what leaves the door open for hydrogen for trains. The other part is fossil fuel interests lobbying for a hydrogen future. They really want people to keep consuming their product. That’s why the Nikola hydrogen truck is helmed by a former natural gas sales executive, and it’s likely the money behind it doesn’t come from the same people who funded Tesla.
- Hydrogen Isn’t For Cars But Still Might Have A Transportation Role
- Hydrogen Might Fulfill 3–4% of Total Transportation Fuel Needs
- Electric Buses Overall Best For CO2, Health & Price; Hydrogen Worst
- The Hydrogen Economy: A Sonata Written For An Imaginary Instrument & Needing 4 Arms To Play
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The spat between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Graeme Souness has continued with the former Liverpool player refusing to change his opinion of the Blues in reaction to the Portuguese’s criticism of his comments, reports the Daily Mirror.
The pundit branded the Stamford Bridge outfit as “pathetic” for surrounding the referee when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off for PSG in mid week.
In reaction to this Mourinho said: “The difference between me and Souness is this – Souness as a player, up there. Jose Mourinho as a player, down here. Jose Mourinho as a manager, up here. Souness as a manager, down there. With another difference: I was not a frustrated man because I was not a top player. He is clearly a frustrated man.”
However, despite this Souness is refusing to back down, writing on Sunday: “He had his say about me at his press conference on Friday and he is entitled to his opinion, but it won’t change mine. When he reflects on what went wrong against PSG and addresses it, I hope – yet doubt – that will include the obsession with gamesmanship.”
This seems to continue the Blues’ boss fractious relationship with the press in his second spell at Chelsea. It also seems to be showing no signs of ending in the near future.


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Residents in southern Saskatchewan now have better access to information regarding criminal activity in their area.
RCMP launched the Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network on Thursday, a program that will provide text messages, emails or phone calls to residents who sign up.
“When an RCMP detachment becomes aware of an incident or crime, they can issue an advisory via the system and local residents who have signed up for the program will become aware of what happened,” said Mark Fisher, Saskatchewan RCMP commanding officer and assistant commissioner.
“Equipped with this information, citizens will be in a better position to provide tips and information to their local RCMP.”
The Saskatchewan government has committed nearly $50,000 to launch the program.
“We know that people across our province want information to help keep their family and home safe,” Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell said.
“The Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network allows people to get reliable information right from the RCMP.”
The effectiveness of the program will be evaluated by RMCP in 18 months before possibly expanding it province-wide.
“We want rural residents to feel safe in our communities,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) president Ray Orb said.
“With the reinvigoration of Rural Crime Watch Associations in the province and the addition of the Provincial Response Team, this mass notification system adds to the basket of tools and peace of mind for our members.”
Anyone can sign up through the SARM, SUMA or RCMP websites.

domain: law


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IT was not even a ‘year as usual’ for agriculture. At least, that is what farmers think of 2012. The sectoral problems compounded manyfolds during these 12 months.
To begin with, the ownership of the sector continued to be a matter of debate, even dispute, between the federation and its federating units for second year running.
The most important crops (wheat, rice, cotton and gram) missed their production targets. Cost of crop production increased by another 20 to 25 per cent during this year with output prices dropping even below of what they were last year.
According to State Bank of Pakistan, rupee has lost another 7.8 per cent over this year, making farm inputs correspondingly expensive. The food security situation only worsened. That is how farmers and their representative bodies sum up agriculture performance in this calendar year.
To their credit or incompetence, the federal and provincial governments are not even contesting the farmers’ claim that it has been one of worst years for them. Both are simply trying to avoid responsibility for lacklustre performance of the most important sector in an election year.
After the 18th Amendment, an atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty prevails. For the second consecutive year, the sector has suffered because of confusion over who needs to do what in certain areas of responsibility.
Adhocism ruled the sector. In the last one year, the country missed production targets of all major crops. Against a target of 25 million tonnes of wheat, 23.45 million tonnes were produced. This drop of 1.5 million tonnes cost the farmers around Rs45 billion.
Similarly, cotton also lost around 1.5 million bales — 13.58 million bales against a target of 15 million bales. This was another loss of Rs60bn to the farming community. Rice crop also lost half a million tonnes and caused a loss of Rs17bn to farmers.
Gram production came down to 250,000 tonnes from 550,000 tonnes. These 300,000 tonnes translate into a loss of Rs28 billion. Put together, these fours crops hit farmers by around Rs200 billion. The governments, especially that of Punjab, may not be having Rs200 billion development plan for the rural areas, where poverty and hunger reign supreme now.
One can look at the gram loss alone to measure the negative impact. The Rs28 billion loss has mainly hit four districts s— Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab and Mianwali. They are already the most under-developed districts in the province and had to take a hit of Rs7 billion each on gram production alone in one year.
In a virtual policy and planning vacuum, the sector suffered immensely. For example, Pakistan needs around 900,000 tonnes of gram to feed its population on cheap protein. But, it produced only 250,000 tonnes. This is despite having ecology and soil potential.
In the past, Pakistan has produced close to 800,000 tonnes. Even in worst-weather years, the gram production never came down than five maunds per acre. This year, it was only 2.2 maunds. How and why did the production drop by more than 70 per cent within a matter of few years? No one knows.
Punjab has around 35,000 employees in its agriculture department and another 47,000 in irrigation. This huge manpower is looking after only 25,000 villages in the province. That makes more than three officers a village on the head of these two departments.
The employees of equally over-staffed departments of food, forestry, livestock and environment are in addition to those numbers. What these employees were doing during the year, no one knows.


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U.S. stocks followed global equities down Friday as fears mount that the American economy may not be able to offset the combined drag of the euro zone crisis and sharply decelerating growth in China and India.
The May nonfarm payroll report showed a shockingly weak 69,000 new jobs created, less than half of what most economists expected and a signal the nascent U.S. recovery may be running out of steam. Also, the Chicago purchasing managers index dropped to 52.7 last month from 56.2; economists were expecting an increase to 56.8.
In midday trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 213.20, or 1.72 percent, to 12,180.25. The broader S&P 500 fell 25.28, or 1.93 percent, to 1,285.05 and the Nasdaq Composite plunged 60.54, or 2.14 percent to 2,766.80. The yield on the benchmark 10-year
Treasury fell to 1.46 percent. Asian stock indexes all closed lower and European indexes tumbled hard, with Germany's DAX plunging 3.35 percent.


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Past Articles in Connecticut College
Other Popular Topics
What to watch for among the story lines and contenders this weekend in Winston-Salem.
May 20, 2016 by Kyle Taylor and Kyle Murray in Preview with 4 comments
It's been a bumpy road for the Metro East.
May 5, 2016 by Charlie Eisenhood in News with 26 comments
The Metro East title runs through SUNY Geneseo.
Apr 23, 2015 by Patrick Stegemoeller in Preview with 5 comments
While the Metro East has never produced a national champion, it has become one of the deepest DIII regions in the country.
Jan 27, 2014 by Patrick Stegemoeller in Preview with 15 comments
Lots of exciting action out in Riverside, California, as top DIII teams faced off in pool play yesterday at the DIII Warmup.
Feb 10, 2013 by Jesse Moskowitz in News with 1 comments
DIII Warmup, the first early test for many of the country’s top DIII teams, is set to take place in Riverside, California this weekend.
Feb 6, 2013 by Jesse Moskowitz in Preview with 8 comments
Amidst the vast expansion of professional ultimate, musings of league partnerships, and threats of mass exodus of traditionally elite club teams is an ostensibly trivial…
Jan 15, 2013 by Jesse Moskowitz in News with 10 comments


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“Wake up now, look alive, for here is a day off work just to praise Creation: the turkey, the squash, and the corn, these things that ate and drank sunshine, grass, mud and rain, and then in the shortening days laid down their lives for our welfare and onward resolve. There’s the miracle for you, the absolute sacrifice that still holds back seeds: a germ of promise to do the whole thing again, another time.”
Barbara Kingslover, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Thanksgiving celebrates the bounty of the growing season and provides a special day to offer thanks for the many other blessings in our lives. What a perfect combination: food from the garden and thankful hearts!
No matter where our food came from–the grocery store shelves or the organic farm, or perhaps our own backyard–Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the growing season from start to end. Here is the culmination of that season and all its elements: seed, soil, sun, water, and the gardener’s touch. Praise God for that he gives us the chance to take part in the awesome process of providing sustenance for ourselves and the ones we love.

domain: agronomy


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ROOTS AND SHOOTS PLATES
Great style doesn't have to be limited to fine china. These melamine plates are elegant enough for the dining room, but can also withstand the outdoor elements at the picnic table. Created by artists training at the Savannah College of Art and Design, these crisp white plates are contrasted by rich and vivid colors and organic, abstract patterns of foliage and trees. The roots and shoots plates are light-weight and made of durable, dishwasher-safe plastic. Modernly rustic, this set of four plates are the perfect size for sandwiches and sides, pastas and salads. Created by the designers of Working Class Studio. Made in China. Sold as a set.
These items have been discontinued. When they sell out, they will no longer be available. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- Item ID: 15856
- Materials: melamine
- 14" L x 8.25" W
- dishwasher safe. do not microwave.
Working Class Studio
Working Class Studio is a product development venture of the Savannah College of Art and Design that cultivates and promotes the work of talented SCAD student, alumni and faculty artists. An innovative concept for an educational institution, Working Class Studio marries function with fine art to deliver a well-curated, ever-expanding mix of original stationary and home decor lines. See all creations.
Carbon Fiber Card Holder
Agate Cheese Spreaders -Set of 2
Flavor Infuser Water Bottle
Mother & Daughter Letter Book
Birth Month Flower Necklace
Portable iPhone Charger
Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses- Set of 4
Toggle Switch Plate
Marimo Moss Ball Light Bulb Aquarium
Story of the Earth Set of 7 Bracelets
Molecular Gastronomy Kit - Cuisine
I'll Be There Necklace
Whiskey Stones & Gift Set


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The Six Days of Creation
I sat with some preachers recently who expressed their opinion that the Genesis account of creation did not take place in six literal days, but that each "day" represented a 1,000 year span. Which interpretation does the internal evidence in the Genesis account support: six literal days of creation or six 1,000 year periods?
The Power of God and the Act of Creation Ex Nihilo, From Nothing
Hebrews 11:3 says: "Through faith we understand that the worlds [note the plural] were framed by word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." This echoes the repeated refrain in Genesis 1, "God said." The psalmist declares: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth . . . For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:6, 9. These verses indicate that the all-powerful God [Elohim] instantaneously made the heavens and earth and everything in them by merely speaking them into existence. Nothing in these verses remotely suggest a process drawn out over long millenia of time.
The Order of Creation
The Genesis account reveals an ordered, logical process to the creation. When the earth was formless and void in the vast emptiness and darkness of space, God spoke: "Let there be light." And the light appeared. And He separated the light from the darkness, calling the light day and the evening night. And evening and morning were, the first day. God's first act of creation was to create light, and to fix a defined period of time - evening and morning - which formed the basis for the remainder of his creative week and activity. The first day, the light appeared. The second day, the sky was formed to divide the earth's atmosphere from space. The third day, the sun, moon and stars were made to govern the times and seasons. Note carefully that the sun ruled the day, and the moon ruled the night. That's our literal day. On the fourth day the waters were collected into one place and the dry land and the vegetation appeared. The fifth day, the sky and seas were filled with birds and fish. On the sixth day, the beasts of the field and humanity were created. And on the seventh day, God rested and blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.
The Mosaic Interpretation of the Genesis Account: Literal
There is nothing in the orderly account of creation to suggest that it should be taken other than literally. And the bible writers from Genesis to Revelation clearly understood the whole account to be literal and in six days. God reiterates the fact of a literal, six day creation by enshrining it in the ten commandments which He wrote with his own finger on two stone tablets and gave to Moses: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy . . . For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:11. Would God command humanity to keep a literal day, the seventh day, holy if there was not a literal seventh day to begin with? Anything other than a literal interpretation of the creation week of Genesis leads to vague and illogical conclusions.
The internal biblical evidence of the Genesis creation accounts supports an interpretation of literal days of creation. There is nothing in that account or anywhere else in scripture to support a metaphorical interpretation of the days of creation.

domain: library


Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Aspira, Apr 11, 2011.
last race was amazing indeed. I really enjoy it
Apart from the usual overtakers trying different moves on different corners the only time anyone overtook was on the straight with the rear wing adjustment. What they should do is have ballast added to the championship leaders to slow them down enough to bring them inline with others. oh and then give the back three teams a front mounted machine gun. I'd watch that shit!!!
Mounted machine guns, yes!
just play this!
Screw that, Twisted Metal 2 was the SHITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT.
Can't wait for Twisted Metal on the PS3
some twisted metal were good, but some were just as terrible
twas win on a stick again, only thing was that the DRS overtaking was a little too easy this time. drs+kers+slipstream = just walking past :/
They need to find out a way to even teams. I got the feeling yesterday vettal could have won a lot easier if he wasn't worried about tyres. This makes it boring!! Although I do love how everyones attitude to schumey has changed.
There are always going to be good teams and shit teams. Like how there will always be masters players and bronze leaguers. I agree that a more balanced field would surely be more exciting to watch as you wouldn't know who would be on top, but at the same time, teams at the top get there by putting serious time and money into it so its well deserved.
Personally I would like to see aerodynamics be heavily restricted, and instead go back to the good old days of big turbo engines and slicks. Basically, I would like to see the rule book consist of;
1. All the follow Aerodynamics are banned. <insert list>
2. If your car abides to rule 1 and fits in this box, its legal.
Thats all that is needed. Then we would have the glory days of 1980's motorsport returning.
They are reducing drag in 2013, and eliminating lots of the aero stuff on cars ( + tyre size increase ) and keeping DRS and I think KERS.
And also 5 people dying every race
Danger is the most important ingredient in making interesting motorsport. Danger doesn't mean death though..... Sure F1 is dangerous, wheel to wheel battles in open wheel racers at 200mph.... but I see rally as being more dangerous..... 150+ mph through forests...... but still, due to modern safety design, people don't die that easy in crashes.
Bring back the excitement and thrills of 1980's F1 I say.... and bring back the Group B while your at it!!!
nah, winner gets 100 million euro's and is the only one that survives. Racers start with bombs attached to them, who ever wins gets to survive. Oh and scrap all the lame safety features.
2 problems solved, 1 motivation for drivers, 2 you've got the festivity fireworks sorted out!
Watch canada bitches.
canada was epic idd
during monaco i felt asleep, too boring shit
Sent from my HTC Desire using Forum Runner
The rear wings stuff was supposed to make over taking exciting,,, seeing them just glide past MSC on the middle of the striaght with and have time to have a sandwich before breaking for the corner made me a sad panda, was just too easy.
stfu katie ^^
Drifting like a madman :d
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Just one week before she releases her new album, Taylor Swift has given her fans one more taste of what her upcoming seventh full-length sounds like, though it's not the final hurrah she could have used.
“Lover” is a radical departure from the electronically-produced pop Swift delivered as she kicked off the Lover campaign. Instead of another over-the-top number, the singer-songwriter strips things down and takes things back to a simpler time. "Lover" sees Swift picking up the guitar (whether she actually plays it or not, it's present) like she used to when she first started out.
In addition to sounding more like her first few records than her previous two, "Lover" also has a lovely nostalgic quality to it. The tune feels like it would have been popular decades ago, perhaps during a time when the word "lover" may have been risque, but the music would have worked perfectly.
While it's nice Swift is shaking things up from previous singles "Me!" and "You Need to Calm Down," it's tough to imagine "Lover" becoming a true smash. It may enjoy a lofty debut due to the singer's star power, a sizable marketing budget and a massive and dedicated fan base that has been waiting, but it doesn't feel like a long-lasting hit.
"Lover" is undeniably pretty, sweet, and a fair final play to get people excited for the album...but let's hope Swift has another pop banger on the way as well.
Swift co-produced “Lover” with Jack Antonoff, and this isn’t the first time the two have come together to create a smash. The talented pair worked on "Look What You Made Me Do,” "Call It What You Want,” "I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” and “Out of the Woods,” in addition to a number of tracks that Swift included on various albums. The singer wrote the song entirely on her own, a rare sight in pop music these days.
“Lover” is the third single to come from Lover and the fourth song overall. She introduced this era with “Me!,” which features Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco, and that was followed by a second single, “You Need to Calm Down.” Both of those tunes rose to No. 2 on the Hot 100, held back by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road.” Swift then gifted her fans with “The Archer,” which serves solely as a promotional single.


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As the dark specter of the Nazis settles over Germany, two wealthy and educated brothers are suddenly thrust into the rising tide of war. Karl, a former soldier and successful businessman, dutifully answers the call to defend his country, while contemplative academic Gerhard is coerced into informing for the Gestapo. Soon the brothers are serving in the SS, and as Hitler’s hateful agenda brings about unspeakable atrocities, they find themselves with innocent blood on their hands.
Following Germany’s eventual defeat, Karl and Gerhard are haunted by their insurmountable guilt, and each seeks a way to escape from wounds that will never heal. They survived the war and its revelation of systematic horrors, but can they survive the unshakable knowledge of their own culpability?
Review: Winter Men by Jesper Bugge Kold was originally published in Danish in 2014 as Vintermænd, and is rendered into English by by K.E. Semmel, who has done a tremendously fine work of it. This is an extremely well-written novel, albeit a searing one, which will tug at the conscience of readers as it takes a hard look at the moral quandaries facing the people of Germany as the winds of change swept across the country during the World War II. The novel is forthright and honest in its exploration of the subject while at the same time draws the reader into the story through its magnificent and stunning portrayal of the era and the people, alternating between scenes of life in Hamburg and those in the war fronts and the concentration camps.
Author Jesper Bugge Kold’s thoughtful, grim and brooding novel explores the lives of two brothers who were caught up in the vortex of violence that swept the country as the Nazi propaganda was unleashed. The brothers are Karl and Gerhard, who lives in Hamburg. Both of them are well-educated, and quite affluent and respectable members of the society. Karl is the director of a textile factory while Gerhard teaches mathematics at the university. The brothers are not Nazi sympathizers yet the quirk turn of fate so destined them that they were ultimately absorbed as members of the SS. While others were not so lucky, Gerhard was handed the choice to either join the Gestapo or be one among the teeming nameless people working for survival in one of the concentration camps. As fate would have it, instead of being an inmate Gerhard rose to become the commandant of a concentration camp.
Some may consider this well-researched work as an attempt to exonerate many people who worked for the Nazi in the run-up to and during the course of the Second World War. While this assumption may be a little far-fetched, author Jesper Bugge Kold’s Winter Men is an examination of the ethical and moral predicaments in which many Germans would have found themselves during this period. Karl and Gerhard enrolled their services in the SS not because they were ideologically drawn to it, but it was a pragmatic decision based on the idea of surviving and thriving than not at all. But their decision, whether good or bad, had its irreparable effect. They become tools, with bloods on their hands. The end of the war was the beginning of their travails, leading to a sad end for both. And what begs an answer is the reasonable question: What would you have done if you were in their shoes?
About the Author: Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1972, Winter Men is Jesper Bugge Kold's first novel. It was published in Denmark in August 2014, and the same year it was nominated to the prestigious Debutant's Prize at BogForum.
Jesper Bugge Kold grew up in Copenhagen and has a bachelor's degree from the Library School and a master's degree from the University of Information Technology. Later, working as a sports journalist on several Danish TV-channels, he was editor on the national coverage of NFL. In 2009 he and his family moved to the countryside where he found time to start writing.
Based on an enormous amount of research, Jesper Bugge Kold has been in contact with former concentration camps, historians, and museums during the writing of Winter Men.