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Exact Requirements Engineering for Developing Business Process Models Masoud Nosrati Department of Computer Engineering Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University Kermanshah, Iran [email protected]
Abstract—Process modeling is a suitable tool for improving the business processes. Successful process modeling strongly depends on correct requirements engineering. In this paper, we proposed a combination approach for requirements elicitation for developing business models. To do this, BORE (BusinessOriented Requirements Engineering) method is utilized as the base of our work and it is enriched by the important features of the BDD (Business-driven development) method, in order to make the proposed approach appropriate for modeling the more complex processes. As the main result, our method eventuates in exact requirements elicitation that adapts the customers’ needs. Also, it let us avoid any rework in the modeling of process. In this paper, we conduct a case study for the paper submission and publication system of a journal. The results of this study not only give a good experience of real world application of proposed approach on a web-based system, also it approves the proficiency of this approach for modeling the complex systems with many sub-processes and complicated relationships. Keywords— process model; requirements engineering; Business Oriented Requirements Engineering (BORE); BusinessDriven Development (BDD)
Initial step and probably the most difficult part of designing an information system is to decide what to build. Information systems let the corporations to perform their process automatically, regarding the logic and complex business rules for achieving the future goals [1,2]. When implementing an information system, insufficient requirements analysis in creating the business model causes unsatisfactory results that cannot fulfill the requirements of the business process. Process models have been a popular tool for developing business in the past decades. Modeling the business processes have been enhanced from different perspectives, like optimizing the work process, developing organization practices to fulfill the quality standards, automating work, and developing IT systems. Successful modeling of a business process strongly depends on the quality of the requirements engineering of the process. Nuseibeh and Easterbrook  define the requirements engineering as the process of identifying stakeholders and their needs, and documenting these in a form that is amenable to analysis, communication, and subsequent implementation. Przybyłek
 outlines two types of essential and accidental difficulties and the challenges of requirement engineering as follows: 1. Essential difficulties: − Understanding what the customers need, while they often have a vague picture of their requirements [5,6] − Effective communication among the stakeholders due to the gap between the business process and the system domains  − Adaptation to the frequent and arbitrary changes of requirements  2. Accidental difficulties: − Inadequate requirements elicitation practices, when the customers cannot articulate requirements or they are not involved enough in the requirements engineering process. − Rework and miscommunications due to many notations that are utilized by different stakeholders, like BPMN and UML  − Deficiencies in backward traceability make it difficult to keep consistency between documentation and the underlying information system [9,10] 3.
− Business analysis must precede requirements elicitation in order to obtain a deep enough understanding about the organization. − Using the same notation through the whole project enables all stakeholders to share the same work products. − Documentations must link business processes to results of an analysis, design and implementation in an explicit and traceable manner. In the proposed method, two methods of requirements engineering, namely “Business-Oriented Requirements Engineering (BORE)”  and “Business-driven development (BDD)”  are utilized for coping with the aforementioned challenges. This approach allows for extracting the process requirements from business process models and enables traceability between business processes and the corresponding system requirements for ensuring that the system requirements meet real business needs. One of the main goals of BORE is to precede the requirements engineering parallel to the system modeling, which causes fast progress of the work. On the other hand, BDD offers some tips for making the information system more consistent. It provides a more extensive
3th International Conference on Web Research definition of requirements engineering by considering the possible future changes of the requirements as well as hierarchy of requirements and the integrity of the information system. Modifying the BORE method with some tips of the BDD eventuates in the exact still flexible requirements engineering. The rest of this paper is organized as follows: second section casts a look at BORE and the tips of BDD in order to delineate the proposed method. Third section is dedicated to a case study of applying the proposed method on the journal publication process. Related researches are abstracted in fourth section. Finally, conclusion is placed in fifth section. II.
The base method of our approach is BORE in which the main objectives are : 1. supporting requirements elicitation under conditions of uncertainty about client needs 2. makeing that the system requirements are in alignment with and provide support for the underlying business processes This method is designed for the organizations that is accessible, and willing to undergo a process of innovation. Accuracy and preciseness of obtained information plays the most important role in requirements elicitation. Due to this, choosing the suitable data collection methods is important. Data collection methods in BORE include semistructures and unstructured interviews, apprenticing, workshops and scrutinizing the documents. Improving the business process and implementing the information system are mutually dependent. Since the customers have not a clear picture of their needs, the data elicitation methods must be appropriate enough to eventuate in proper information. Also, the analysis of the business process and requirements elicitation is composed of some overlapping functions that accelerate the parallel preceding of them. As shown in figure 1, BORE consists of three steps. The aim of the first step is to construct the As-Is model, which is a diagram that shows the details of current roles, relationships, etc. As-Is diagram helps to understand the organization of the business process. For creating this diagram, gathering the large amounts of information is needed. It can be performed via aforementioned data collection methods. Then, scrutinizing the obtained information to specify the exact roles, relationships, and other entities in the system is indispensible. The output of this step is the As-Is diagram. This diagram should be validated by the stakeholders to ensure that it is absolutely adaptable to the current state of the organization. Sometimes, it needs to some revision to achieve the final diagram. The goal of the second step is to improve the process through automation. Business process is composed of some sub-processes. The costs and benefits of implementing the information system for each sub-process should be calculated based on the workload and the domain of the facilities for implementing it. Those sub-processes that are cost effective
are prioritized for automation. According to BDD, capabilities and limitations of the project should be considered as an important factor during the analysis of the business process. In this step, holding workshops will be beneficial, because it helps to the convergence of the ideas and achieving fast consensus. The output of this step is the draft of To-Be model, which shows the general goals of the automation. In To-Be model, all the sub processes are labeled by A, S or M. The label A means that the sub-process should be performed automatically in the final information system. By S, the subprocess is executed with the support of the human agent, while M shows that it is performed manually. The ideal goal of the automation is to perform all the tasks automatically, but it is almost impossible in all the business processes. Some issues like human discipline, variability of the environment, legal responsibilities, authority level, limitations of the system, and the trade-off between the costs and benefits are the main barriers for this goal [11,12].
Fig. 1. Three steps of BORE
Third step is to elicit the functional requirements. Holding the workshops is still a good way for deciding about the requirements. In this step, the final To-Be models are constructed for the process and the use case diagrams are drawn. Przybyłek  believes that there is not an effective way to algorithmically perform the functional requirements elicitation, and it highly depends on the experience of the designers. According to BDD, there are different approaches for generating the final To-Be from the current As-Is diagram, as shown in figure 2. Based on the first approach, the improvements of the organization is the consequence of strategic developments. Some examples are: general policies of the business, the level of automation, customers' share from automation, etc. Capabilities and limitations should be considered, too. Second approach is the organizational improvement. Changing in the relationships and the capabilities of the organization, and changing the roles are some examples of this approach. Third approach is related to the business process, which is consisted of the workflows, regulations and the logic of the business and the consequential sub-processes. Based on this approach, improvements mostly affect the relationship of end-users. The last approach is the system and information level, in which the details of improvements via implementation are investigated, like integrating the information system, etc. Figure 2 also shows the hierarchy of the approaches. In other words, strategic approach focuses on the most general issues, while the system and information level approach concentrates on the minor subprocesses.
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Fig. 2. Different perspectives of process modeling
The process of journal paper submission system is selected for the case study. The selected journal is one of the scientific journals, which is published by Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch. All the steps of publishing the papers are handled manually. The work process is shown in figure 3. First, the corresponding author submits the paper to the email of editorial office. Secretary does the initial check for the format of document, supplementary materials, correctness of submission, and all other issues that might be needed by editor for the evaluation. If the paper is confirmed, the secretary assigns a unique number to the submission and hands it over the editor-in-chief, and send an acknowledge email to the author. Editor-in-chief should decide about how to evaluate the paper. There are three choices: he can evaluate the paper himself, or ask one of the editorial board members to evaluate the paper, or send the paper to some reviewers and ask them to provide some comments about it, in order to help him evaluate the paper. Also editorial board members may decide to send the paper to the reviewers, and then prepare a letter for the editor-in-chief about their final decision. After all these steps, editor-in-chief will make the final decision. The paper may be accepted, rejected, or found needing to revision. If a paper needs to revision, the author is asked to amend some parts of paper according to what the editor asks him, in order to make the paper appropriate for publishing in the journal. Editor-inchief then decides the revised paper to be accepted or not. Accepted paper will be sent for typesetting. Typesetter asks the author to submit the final version of the paper with approved authors’ details like emails, affiliations, etc. Then, he prepares it according to the template of the journal. As soon as the formatting is finished, typesetter sends a copy of the paper to author for the final check and modification if needed. By the confirmation of author, the paper will be placed in the publishing queue. The information about the workflow of the process is gathered from three sources: first, we had some interviews with secretary and editor-in-chief of the journal to make a topdown picture of the whole process. Then, an open end questionnaire was created to ask about the vague details of this process. Finally, we gathered some useful information via browsing the related websites. Figure 4 shows the As-Is model of the process.
Fig. 3. The followchart of paper submission system of the journal
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Fig. 4. As-Is diagram for the paper submission system of the journal
3th International Conference on Web Research Figure 4 shows the As-Is diagram of the submission system that contains some sub-processes that we should make decision about them. Also, this model is validated via workshop with the stakeholders. Some minor revisions were needed to achieve the final diagram. In order to make decision for computerizing the tasks, benefits and costs of the task should be taken into account. In other words, it should be determined that computerizing the task is how much beneficial and how much cost it imposes to implementation. Those tasks who are accompanied with high benefits and low costs are prioritized for computerization. Table 1 shows the list of the tasks in the As-Is model with their benefits and costs that are marked by high, medium and low. Some of the repeated tasks are omitted because of their similarity. The last column of the table shows the decision for the task. It can be A (Automatic), S (Supported), or M (Manual). The label A means that the task will be completely computerized in the To-Be model, and S means that it will be partially computerized with the support of the human agent. The label M indicates that the task remains manual, and it is not computerized. The next step is to create the To-Be diagram based on the decisions that we made in the table 1. To-Be model is almost the same of As-Is, with marked decisions. Figure 5 shows the To-Be diagram of the submission system. As it is shown, the tasks are shown by different colors. Green color means that the task should be performed automatically in the implemented final information system, while yellow means
that the task is executed with the support of a human agent. Those tasks with blue color are still performed manually in the final system. Validation of the To-Be model was checked through workshop with stakeholders. All the people who are working in this system confirmed that the To-Be model is absolutely adapted to their functional needs. After the validation, it can be claimed that the proposed method for elicitation of requirements was successful, because we could follow the modeling of system, in parallel with requirements engineering. Besides, the extracted To-Be model was highly adapted to the real needs of stakeholders. Also, we avoid any rework during the modeling and requirements engineering processes, due to utilizing BDD lessons. As the last notion, the power of the proposed method was latent in the extent and depth of the information that was gathered in initial steps of the work. From a hierarchical point of view, the submission system of the journal publishing process has three major processes: “paper submission”, “evaluation” and “typesetting and publishing”. Figure 6 shows the use case diagram of the system with all the five actors and three main processes. It is clear that the sub-processes of Editor-in-chief is more than other actors, because of its key role in the journal publishing process.
TABLE I. SUB-PROCESSES OF THE SUBMISSION SYSTEM WITH DECISIONS FOR COMPUTERIZING THEM
No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Sub-process Submit the paper (Author) Initial check (Secretary) Assign unique paper number(Secretary) Send the paper to EiC (Secretary) Decide how to evaluate the paper (EiC) Decide how to evaluate the paper (EBM) Give comments (Reviewer) Decide for further review (EiC and EBM) Evaluate the paper (EBM) Prepare the decision letter (EBM) Evaluate the paper (EiC) Make the final decision (EiC) Reject the paper and inform the author (EiC) Ask author to send the revised paper (EiC) Accept the paper and ask author for final version of paper (EiC) Submit the revised paper (Author) Submit the final version of paper (Author) Typesetting (Typesetter) Send the paper after typesetting for author’s confirmation (Typesetter) Reply to the typesetter (Author) Check the author’s reply Publish
Benefit High Low High High Medium Medium High Low Low Low Low High High High High High High Low High High Low Low
Cost Low Low Low Low High High Low Medium High Low High High Low Medium Medium Low Low High Low Low Medium High
Decision A S A A M M A M M M M S A S S S S M A S M M
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Fig. 5. To-Be diagram for the paper submission system of the journal
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Fig. 6. Use case diagram of submission system
IV. RELATED WORK Online business ranging from small retail to huge cloud service providing as well as other types of services became the most popular type of business in recent years [13-17]. Gaining from different techniques in IT opened new doors for fast development of traditional business tasks [18,19]. Process modeling was in the limelight of many previous studies. Business Process Management (BPM) provides concepts, methods, and techniques for enhancing the company’s business processes . One of the BPM related methods the Business-driven development method (BDD)  combines business process and IT development. The main goal of BDD is to develop information systems that directly satisfy business requirements and functional needs . There are many requirements engineering methods that make it challenging to select the most suitable technique for the project context . Furthermore, the case study organization has applied several requirements modeling methods, such as UML modeling and use cases, business rules and non-functional requirements. Use cases are widely used to model interaction between user and system  and a business rule is a statement that defines or restricts some aspect of the business . On the other hand, non-functional requirements are often needed [25,26]. Glinz  defines that a non-functional requirement is an attribute of or a constraint on a system, and that these attributes may include both performance requirements and specific quality requirements.
Štolfa and Vondrák  claimed that there are repeatable situations during transition between modeling the business process and requirement elicitation. Also, they described three patterns that can be applied to support the transition between business processes modeling as well as other phases of software development. In recent years, the importance of enterprise architecture (EA) has increased, as the number of techniques and complexity of the solutions has risen promptly in the case study organization. TOGAF  as an enterprise architecture framework, provides a widely accepted and increasingly applied techniques for enterprise architecture development. In TOGAF, the link between the strategy of the enterprise and the required business model is established and the high-level enterprise BPM process models are planned . It is in the process of establishing a more robust EA practice. Vara et al.,  attempted to prevent common mistakes detected in practice such as the misconception in understanding the business process by system analysts, the lack of focus on system goals, and miscommunication between stakeholders and system analysts. Their proposed method is based on the goal analysis via BPMN and the MAP model. Map is a goal/strategy-driven approach to capture the purposes of a system and determine the strategies that can contribute to fulfilling these goals.
3th International Conference on Web Research V. CONCLUSION In this paper, we had a survey on BORE method for requirements engineering, and the important lessons of BDD were introduced. Then we formed our combinational approach for requirements elicitation in order to develop business models. To do this, BORE method is used as the base of our work and it is enriched by the features of the BDD. It let us to model the more complex processes. One of the advantages of this method was exact requirements elicitation that adapted the customers’ needs. Also, it prevented us from rework in the process modeling. The case study of the paper submission and publication system of journal corroborated the proficiency of this approach for modeling the complex systems with many sub-processes and complicated relationships. Also, it was a good experience of requirements engineering and modeling a real-world web-based application. REFERENCES
Nosrati, M., Karimi, R., Mohammadi, M., & Malekian, K. (2013). Internet Marketing or Modern Advertising! How? Why. International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences, 2(3), 56-63.  Khoshnampour, M., & Nosrati, M. (2011). An overview of E-commerce. World Applied Programming, 1(2), 94-99.  B. Nuseibeh and S. Easterbrook, “Requirements engineering: a roadmap,” in Proceedings of the conference on the future of Software engineering (ICSE'00), pp. 35-46, 2000.  A. Przybyłek, “A Business-Oriented Approach to Requirements Elicitation,” in Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Evaluation of Novel Software Approaches to Software Engineering (ENASE’14), pp. 152-163, 2014.  Faulk, S., 1997. Software Requirements: A Tutorial. In: Thayer, R., Dorfman, M. (Eds.): Software Requirements Engineering. IEEE Computer Society press.  Maciaszek, L., 2005. Requirements analysis and system design. Addison-Wesley.  Taylor-Cummings, A., 1998. Bridging the user-IS gap: a study of major information systems projects. Journal of Information Technology 13, pp. 29–54.  Monsalve, C., April, A., Abran, A., 2010. Representing Unique Stakeholder Perspectives in BPM Notations. In: 8th ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering Research, Management and Applications, Montreal, Canada.  Ravichandar, R., Arthur, J. D., Perez-Quinones, M., 2007. Prerequirement specification traceability: Bridging the complexity gap through capabilities.  Gotel, O., Finkelstein, A., 1994. An Analysis of the Requirements Traceability Problem. In: 1st International Conference on Requirements Engineering, Colorado Springs, CO.  Nosrati, M., Hariri, M., & Shakarbeygi, A. (2013). Computers and internet: From a criminological view. International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences, 2(4), 104-107.
 Nosrati, M., Karimi, R., Makekian, K., & Hariri, M. (2013). PayPal as the most loved payment system among merchants and buyers in online transactions. World Applied Programming, 3(9), 396-400.  Nosrati, M., Nosrati, M., Karimi, R., & Karimi, R. (2016). Energy efficient and latency optimized media resource allocation. International Journal of Web Information Systems, 12(1), 2-17.  Sadeghi, M., Mohammadi, M., Nosrati, M., & Malekian, K. (2013). The Role of Entrepreneurial Environments in University Students Entrepreneurial Intention. World Applied Programming, 3(8), 361-366.  Nosrati, M., & Karimi, R. (2016). Investigating a benchmark cloud media resource allocation and optimization. World Applied Programming, 6(1), 5-9.  Nosrati, M., Chalechale, A., & Karimi, R. (2015, June). Latency optimization for resource allocation in cloud computing system. In International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications (pp. 355-366). Springer International Publishing.  Nosrati, M., Karimi, R., & Hariri, M. (2013). General trends in multiplayer online games. World Applied Programming, 3(1), 1-4.  Nosrati, M., Hanani, A., & Karimi, R. (2015). In proc. of Advanced Computing & Communication Technologies (ACCT), 2015 Fifth International Conference on. IEEE, 102-107.  Nosrati, M., & Hariri, M. (2011). An Algorithm for Minimizing of Boolean Functions Based on Graph DS. World Applied Programming, 1(3), 209-214.  Weske, M., Business Process Management - Concepts, Languages, Achitectures. 2007: Springer.  T. Mitra, "Business-driven development," IBM developer works, http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/ws-bdd/index.html, 2005.  H. Hiisilä, M. Kauppinen and S. Kujala, "Challenges of the customer organization's requirements engineering process in the outsourced environment - A case study," in Requirements Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality, pp. 214–229, 2015.  I. Jacobson, G. Booch and J. Rumbaugh, The unified software development process, Addison-Wesley, 1999.  Business Rules Group, "Defining Business Rules ~ What Are They Really?," 2000.  M. Glinz, "On Non-Functional Requirements," in 15th IEEE International Requirements Engineering Conference, 21-26, 2007.  L. Chung and J. C. Sampaio do Prado Leite, "On Non-Functional Requirements in Software Engineering," Chung, Lawrence, and Julio Cesar Sampaio do Prado Leite. "On non-functional requirements in Conceptual modeling: Foundations and applications, pp. 363-379, 2009.  Štolfa, S., Vondrák, I., 2004. A Description of Business Process Modeling as a Tool for Definition of Requirements Specification. In: 12th International Conf. on Systems Integration, Prague, Czech Republic.  The Open Group, "The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Version 9.1," The Open Group, 2011.  Vara, J.L., Sánchez, J., Pastor, Ó., 2008. Business Process Modelling and Purpose Analysis for Requirements Analysis of Information Systems. In: 20th international conference on Advanced Information Systems Engineering, Montpellier, France.


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text:
OLYMPIA — Washington State will have a poet laureate, it seems, but without a butt.
After 12 years of unsuccessful attempts, state lawmakers have agreed to hire an official state poet laureate — salary to be determined — to promote poetry statewide and compose poems for government events.
Lawmakers stopped short, however, of Jacobsen’s suggestion that they fully embrace the medieval tradition of providing the poet with a 126-gallon barrel — known as a "butt" — of wine. Instead, Jacobsen said he'll see if the state wine commission would donate wine.
Full story here.
Nota bene: If they offer *me* the job, then I definitely want the wine. Perhaps a velvety Washington Merlot, or a spicy-sweet Italian Pinot Grigio, or a Southeast Australian Savingnon Blanc with hints of grass, pear and apricot. Really, it's not too much to ask. Hehehehe.
I'm about to start a ten-day stretch of on-call, covering part of a week for a colleague who had planned a trip to Alaska. I hope the nice weather here keeps it from being too crazy busy.
PS: It is almost 80 frigging degreees right now. Amazing. Like a summer day. I'm lovin' it. But it won't last for long. The forecast for the next 6 days: rainrainrainrainrainrain

domain: news


text:
Tariff reductions in the preliminary deal, which has not yet been confirmed by the American side, could amount to a bargaining win for Beijing.
The two leaders were expected to sign a partial trade deal that the United States and China reached in ministerial-level talks last month.
The data released also showed the "devastating impact" of China's retaliatory tariffs on USA exports, the group said, noting that the September data shows that exports to China that are subject to retaliatory tariffs are down almost 30 percent from pre-trade war levels.
Reports say Presidents Trump and Xi are considering to meet in the usa and in Europe.
China's latest push for more tariff rollbacks would be discussed, but was not expected to derail progress toward an interim deal.
Experts said the announcement that existing tariffs would be rolled back in stages was a positive development, but cautioned against over-exuberance, given the repeated reversals in the 19-month-long trade war.
President Donald Trump agreed to postpone a deliberate tariff hike whereas lower-level officers hammered out particulars.
How did Bevin let Kentucky slip away? (If he did)
In the past three off-off year elections in Kentucky for governor (2007, 2011, 2015) turnout was hovering around 30 percent. And as for McConnell's re-election chances, while definitely in question, he is not as inept a politician as Bevin.
China and the United States have agreed to proportionally roll back tariffs on each other's goods in phases, a Ministry of Commerce spokesman said.
There had been no indication whether or not Trump may agree, which raised the potential of one other breakdown in negotiations. Energy stocks jumped 1.1 percent.
"The trade war started with tariffs, and should end with the cancellation of tariffs", Gao said according to Reuters .
While no specifics have been released, the statement gives hope to investors and companies reliant on trade with China after concerns over China's push against tariffs had many fearing talks would be shut down as a result.
"This is what we're trying to do, not only perfecting our expanding trade relations with China but also recovering some lost time in economic relations with the USA", he added.
News reports said Beijing wants 15% tariffs imposed in September on 125 billion dollars of Chinese imports removed before it will make a formal commitment.
China's imports of American soybeans and different items tumbled 26.4% within the first 9 months of this yr following tariff hikes and orders to importers to seek out different suppliers.
Ross, who is travelling in Asia, did not directly say if rolling back tariffs was a possibility in the Phase 1 talks.


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Roger Bearm, Executive Director of the Retail Innovation Center at Wake Forest University, said: “I have the opportunity to do this.”
Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Coles and Macy’s, which were previously open on Thanksgiving Day, closed on Thursday.
According to Mr. Beam, many stores have closed due to the pandemic, and 2020 has changed the way of thinking about Thanksgiving shopping, which started about six years ago. Even if the store was open, some shoppers were worried about going to a crowded store and having to wear a mask.
“Before, the benefits of online shopping and shopping have begun to outweigh the benefits of going into a store and finding sales,” he said.
Target said it plans to close every Thanksgiving day in the future.
In addition, Beahm said the closing of Thanksgiving is now seen as a wise business move for companies eager to hire and retain workers.
“Many employees want to go home with their families and loved ones on Thanksgiving,” he said. “Meeting the needs of these employees is as important to the business as it is to keep Thanksgiving open in the short term.”
Eyewitness News talked to a shopper arriving at Wal-Mart in Farmingdale on Thursday morning, but it closed.
“I was surprised that it was closed,” said one shopper. “I thought it was open for at least half a day today.”
“I can’t blame people for taking a vacation,” said Nawed Jawed. “Everyone should spend time with their family.”
Keira Bethea said she was disappointed because she couldn’t buy the socks she wanted, but she was happy with the workers.
“It’s good for them,” she said. “Wal-Mart is always open. If I were an employee of Wal-Mart, I would love to spend my holidays.”
Shopper Alexander Coleman said he disagreed with the move because people may want to rush to trade Black Friday early.
“I think it’s really crazy to shut down at this point,” he said.
However, retailers have less incentive to open this year’s Thanksgiving, as many Americans appear to be already doing holiday shopping.
From November 1st to November 23rd, online spending reached $ 72.2 billion, with sales up nearly 20% last year, according to online analytics firm Adobe.
Vivek Pandya, Adobe’s Lead Insight Analyst, said:
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Many stores closed on Thanksgiving, analysts say it may be a permanent trend as a result of the coronavirus pandemic
Source link Many stores closed on Thanksgiving, analysts say it may be a permanent trend as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

domain: economics


text:
- What did Roman soldiers eat?
- What were poor Roman houses like?
- What did Roman slaves do in their spare time?
- Why were weddings forbidden in ancient Rome?
- What were families like in ancient Rome?
- What did the Romans do in their free time?
- What did a Roman house look like?
- Where did Roman slaves sleep?
- How did Romans entertain themselves?
- What country invented pizza?
- Did Caesar eat pizza?
- What did the Romans do in their daily life?
- Did Romans eat pizza?
- How much was a house in ancient Rome?
- What did ancient Romans call their parents?
- What was life like for a child in ancient Rome?
- Why pizza is called pizza?
What did Roman soldiers eat?
The Roman legions’ staple ration of food was wheat.
In the 4th century, most legionaries ate as well as anyone in Rome.
They were supplied with rations of bread and vegetables along with meats such as beef, mutton, or pork.
Rations also depended on where the legions were stationed or were campaigning..
What were poor Roman houses like?
The poor lived in cramped apartments in the cities or in small shacks in the country. The rich lived in private homes in the city or large villas in the country. Most people in the cities of Ancient Rome lived in apartments called insulae.
What did Roman slaves do in their spare time?
Most people in Roman times did not have much spare time; they were far too busy working. The Romans enjoyed watching fights between gladiators, and fights between people and animals. … These bloodthirsty shows were put on in front of crowds in large arenas called amphitheatres.
Why were weddings forbidden in ancient Rome?
A proper Roman marriage could not take place unless bride and groom were Roman citizens, or had been granted special permission, called “conubium.” At one point in Roman history, freed slaves had been forbidden to marry citizens.
What were families like in ancient Rome?
The Ancient Roman family was a complex social structure based mainly on the nuclear family, but could also include various combinations of other members, such as extended family members, household slaves, and freed slaves.
What did the Romans do in their free time?
The Romans enjoyed watching fights between gladiators, and fights between people and animals. These bloodthirsty shows were put on in front of crowds in large arenas called amphitheatres. Gladiators fought one another, usually in pairs. They also fought wild animals such as lions or bears.
What did a Roman house look like?
They were single-storey houses which were built around a courtyard known as an atrium. Atriums had rooms opening up off of them and they had no roofs. A rich Roman house had many rooms including kitchen, bath, dining, bedrooms and rooms for slaves. … Lead pipes brought water to the rich people houses.
Where did Roman slaves sleep?
Slaves were human tools who did not require privacy or their own space. Houses in Pompeii have no discernable sleeping quarters for slaves. Kitchen slaves probably slept where they worked, as did stable slaves. Porters would have bedded down in the small cubicles they used to guard the household entrance.
How did Romans entertain themselves?
The Romans had a range of leisure pursuits, from watching gladiatorial fights to playing dice games. … These were sometimes used to hold gladiator fights. The Romans in Caledonia probably had smaller amphitheatres in some of their larger forts. Evidence suggests hunting was a popular leisure pursuit, as were board games.
What country invented pizza?
Italy’sBut the modern birthplace of pizza is southwestern Italy’s Campania region, home to the city of Naples. Founded around 600 B.C. as a Greek settlement, Naples in the 1700s and early 1800s was a thriving waterfront city.
Did Caesar eat pizza?
In one sense, Julius Caesar never ate a pizza because he didn’t have some of its main ingredients. However, he probably ate something quite similar to it, albeit with liquamen instead of tomato sauce atop it.
What did the Romans do in their daily life?
Daily life in Ancient Rome often began with a light breakfast. Bread and water (or wine) would be served at home, or a wheat pancake could have been purchased on the way to work or school. Sometimes meat, fish, fruit, and other items may have been served, but not each day.
Did Romans eat pizza?
Although ancient Romans did not eat what we would call today “pizza”, it was a lot like modern focaccia. These early pizzas were eaten in Babylonia, Egypt, and Rome. … The modern pizza was first made in 1889. And as tomatoes are a “New World” plant they couldn’t have been used before the 16th century.
How much was a house in ancient Rome?
Some of these houses are said to have cost as much as two million denarii. The principal parts of a Roman house were the Vestibulum, Ostium, Atrium, Alae, Tablinum, Fauces, and Peristylium. The Vestibulum (modern Vestibule) was a court surrounded by the house on three sides, and open on the fourth to the street.
What did ancient Romans call their parents?
paterfamiliasAt the head of Roman family life was the oldest living male, called the “paterfamilias,” or “father of the family.” He looked after the family’s business affairs and property and could perform religious rites on their behalf. The paterfamilias had absolute rule over his household and children.
What was life like for a child in ancient Rome?
Children in Ancient Rome were usually reared by their mothers until they reached age of seven. After that they accompanied their fathers who taught them to be farmers, craftsmen or soldiers. Children from wealthy families usually went to school and were taught how to read and write.
Why pizza is called pizza?
The word “pizza” is thought to have come from the Latin word pinsa, meaning flatbread (although there is much debate about the origin of the word). A legend suggests that Roman soldiers gained a taste for Jewish Matzoth while stationed in Roman occupied Palestine and developed a similar food after returning home.

domain: history


text:
COLD WEATHER AND CAR TOXINS!
By Dr. Bronwyn Chisholm
As we all brace for the impending winter, many of us are preparing our vehicles for the cold. Enter: Antifreeze! This substance is incredibly toxic for our pets – and because of its sugary taste, both cats and dogs seek it out and will readily lick it off the concrete of a garage or road way. Antifreeze is so toxic that only a teaspoon or two can be fatal, by way of severe kidney damage; As the antifreeze is metabolized by the body, it is converted into microscopic, sharp crystals and as these pass through the kidneys on their way to the bladder, they shred the tissues within the kidneys, which this organ is unable to recover from.
Unfortunately, for treatment to be successful, it has to be initiated almost immediately after ingestion. The patient will act ‘tipsy’ after initial ingestion, but then appear to recover. But in the background, the damaging crystals are forming, and once this happens, we cannot treat the patient. Unfortunately, in my experience, this is often when pets are brought in, and then it is an incredibly sad diagnosis and prognosis. So, if you think there is any chance of ingestion of antifreeze, even if only a small amount, get your pet seen as soon as possible!
BREED OF THE MONTH:
Catahoula Leopard Dog!
Meet the incredibly handsome Nixon (pictured left and right), a beautiful Catahoula Leopard Dog! Catahoula’s are an incredibly interesting breed: They were developed in Louisiana and incidentally are the official dog breed of that state. They are hard working, very athletic animals, with distinct and striking coloration patterns, as you can see in Nixon’s photos. Because of their purpose as a working dog they are intelligent and strong, both physically and in temperament.
Here is what Nixon’s wonderful owners have say about their beautiful boy:
“Nixon is a very energetic, lovable, wonderful family dog. He is at times stubborn minded, but is a very down to earth dog who enjoys (and needs) his daily walks.”
Our clinic was closed on Thurs, Nov. 11th in honour of Remembrance Day.
Our sincere gratitude to all the men and women of our armed forces, both past and present, for the sacrifices they have made.
Our online store promotion will continue until Nov. 30th. Receive 10% off your online order when you enter the promo code: Fall2021 . Go to our website and click on the “shop online” button (offer available online only).
Last Month’s Trivia winner:
Congratulations to the beautiful Taz (pictured above) and his lovely owner who won our October Trivia! We hope you enjoy a little treat on us!

domain: pet


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Taoyuan Watercolor Biennial 2021
My heartfelt thanks to Professor Chin-Lung Huang and everyone in Taiwan who made this exhibition happen despite the attritions of lockdown 2020-21. Why do they do it, you may ask? ... when so few of the exhibitors have been able to visit Taiwan to see the wonderful gallery and the great hang of work by fellow watercolourists from around the world. I guess it's because these guys believe in what they doing and want to make things happen despite the misery of Covid.
Here are my paintings on the wall in the Exhibition Hall, Department of Cultural Affairs, Taoyuan. They were sent by me, lost by Hermes, then found and delivered (water-damaged) to the exhibition convenors who still managed to frame them up and put them in the show. The paintings (left to right) are Requiem for a polar bear; Sight of a humpback whale, and Riders, Mamallapuram Beach. All were painted in 2019.
To find out more, visit:

domain: artistic


text:
Explore The Foundations of Music In a Fun, Creative Class
Classes Start September 2021
Discovery meets on Thursdays
Available class times: 4:00pm, 5:00pm and 6:00pm (45 minute class)
What is Discovery?
Discovery Early Childhood Music Education classes are designed for children ages 4-7 and promote development through social engagement. Class activities include singing, chanting, moving to music, playing assorted percussion instruments, and developing fundamental aural and rhythmical skills. Following Discovery, when a young musician is ready to choose an instrument, we can assist in the selection process and recommend one of our master teachers.
Why are Early Childhood Music Classes important?
To answer this question, we should think about our body and in particular our brain. The brain is our super computer, like any computer, we have to program it. As our body grows, so does our brain. Therefore, teaching our brain advanced, complex patterns starting in a young age and throughout its growth and development, opens up neurological pathways, and sets the stage for endless possibilities.
Simply put; music further develops a child's brain, and the earlier a musical education journey begins, the better! This is where Discovery comes into play. Discovery lays the foundations on which a child can start playing an instrument throughout his/her growth years, in a fun, socially engaging weekly class.
Included with Discovery:
Complimentary Annapolis Symphony Orchestra concert access (Live or Online via Symphony+)
How can I apply for Discovery?
Follow this simple process:
1) Fill out our Application Form, and select: Discover - Early Childhood Music Education (and your preferred class time). We will contact you with more information upon submitting your application.
$100 per month (10 monthly payments per year).
$100 non-refundable deposit will be required to reserve your spot in Discovery.
Need-based financial aid is available! We can help students make their musical aspirations happen. Click HERE for more information.


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A Change.org petition has surfaced arguing against Madonna being the only artist to pay tribute to Prince at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards (airing on May 22).
“We cannot let Madonna be the main and only artist tributing Prince during the 2016 Billboard Awards,” it reads. “He is more than worthy of a better choice as a main performer. Please sign and share this petition so that we can get a proper tribute on May 22, 2016. Timing is tight! Spread the word.”
Meanwhile, Idolator reminds us that Prince did appear twice on Madonna’s 1989 album, Like a Prayer, and he played rhythm guitar on the title track and recorded the duet “Love Song.”
One petition comment suggests “Lenny Kravitz, Mint Condition, Sheila E, Chaka Khan” to be the tribute’s main performer instead. There are 1,961 signatures so far.

domain: celebrity


text:
4 medium-size sweet potatoes (avoid oblong shapes)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/4 maple syrup (good quality)
1/4 milk or heavy cream
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Reusable piping bag and star tip ( Ateco 829 star tip)
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Scrub sweet potatoes under running water. Place the potatoes on a roasting tray and bake until tender, around 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the potatoes to cool slightly before cutting open lengthwise, gently separating. Scoop out the flesh using a large spoon (leave enough on the “shell” so the skin holds its shape) and reserve shells.
- Mix together on medium speed the potato flesh, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and butter. Add milk slowly. Mix until the ingredients are completely combined and the puree is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set the potato skin bases upright on the tray and pipe in the mixture to the sweet potato skin. Alternatively, if you do not wish to pipe the mixture you can add with a spoon.
- Place the potatoes back into the oven. Bake 10-12 minutes.

domain: food


Posted at: 04/29/2014 12:12 PM
By: MARTHA IRVINE, Associated Press
Not so long ago, North Dakota was a place people were leaving, in danger of becoming a state filled with ghost towns. Now, a major oil boom is bringing new life to small towns in the region.
Watford City, in the boom's epicenter, is one town that has exploded with traffic and development, quickly growing from about 1,500 people to as many as 7,000.
"You just gotta live with it -- or else move out," said lifelong Watford City resident Gordon Levang.
Even in places that truly looks like no man's land, there are signs of revival. An old bank that once stood as a reminder of better times now stands in front of a row of new homes behind white picket fences.
The small-town charm is the appeal, residents say. "They see such a small community and kind people around, they want to move here because it's less traffic, slower pace," said Daniel Ibsen, gas a station clerk and longtime Grenora resident. "Everybody has their manners, y'know?"
Still, housing prices have skyrocketed, even for the most modest of homes. Crime and traffic accidents are up, causing some residents to question the oil boom's worth.
"As long as it's making money for their families, they're OK with it. But they don't want the riff-raff coming in," Ibsen said.
Either way, talk of ghost towns is dying out on this stretch of prairie.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


Excellent cased Birmingham proofed, Sharps Patent, Tipping & Lawden, four shot deringer, s/n 182, in obsolete .30 rimfire calibre.
Blued fluted three inch barrels, sliding forward for loading and with blued sprung release beneath, silvered brass action and butt, the former stamped ‘Tipping & Lawden. Sharps’ Patent’ in a circle on one side, blued rotating hammer-nose, spur trigger, chequered gutta-percha grips, numbered 182 to the gun. The deringer retains most of its original finish. Contained in its original case fitted and lined in blue baize with accessories including, a small unmarked pewter oil bottle, wooden handled screw-driver and key. The exterior of the lid veneered in walnut and with shield-shaped vacant brass escutcheon.
Good working order with four bright 9/10 bores.


The Adry Cool Mattress is an innovative mattress from the TED collection with a cooling feature. It turns the all-day stress and tension into a sweet and relaxed sleep.
Mattress Adry Cool combines two completely different technologies that offer two different sleeping experiences. Thanks to the innovative Super-Comfort I-Springs Super Comfort with its 400+ springs per square meter, you'll enjoy unparalleled stature, flexible stability and individual support for every part of the body. In addition to it, AirFlex technology provides high-quality comfort, which, thanks to high-elastic profiled foam, contributes to the good blood circulation during sleep, while providing good support.
The cooling foam in the surface of the Adry Cool mattress has a pleasant effect and helps for a truly restorative sleep. The excellent ventilation of the mattress has the ability to prevent the growth of microorganisms, provides a clean surface and helps to achieve optimal bed temperature of sleep. The luxurious TED Balance is enriched with cotton-bamboo fibers and has anti-static properties.
The Adry Cool Mattress is a safe solution for cool nights and relaxing sleep, and its removable outer case, which is suitable for machine wash, will guarantee good hygiene in the bedroom for many years.
- multipocket spring for individual support
- profiled foam with a massage effect
- excellent ventilation
- luxury textile TED Balance with anti-static effect
- removable case, machine wash
- orthopedic characteristics
- anatomical properties
- easy to carry and deliver / roll
- made in Bulgaria
- height 22 cm (+/- 1 cm)
Delivery for all products outside the BEDs category - 15 working days.
Delivery of bed - 30 working days / made specifically for the client upon request /.
Supply of hotel furniture - by an individual offer.
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Research & development
DMMS strive to bring forth new knowledge within the field from extensive research that is both theory and practice based. Various research projects are coordinated within DMMS.
The research activities are focused on three strategically important areas:
The field of machine systems deals with construction and design principles for machine tools and machining systems for advanced component manufacturing. It includes "smart" machines and testing and analysis of their condition.
The area of processes focuses on manufacturing processes such as milling and turning, but also hybrid machining and strategies for machining.
Precision and measurement techniques
The area of precision and measurement technology is about development of new tests and analysis tools for monitoring and characterizing the condition and performance of manufacturing systems. Smart sensors, data collection systems, integrated data analysis and drones for industrial environments are included as new parts of theses activities.
The research is carried out by researchers, research engineers and doctoral students with support from industry representatives in collaboration with students through three main activities:
- student projects (via courses, for example)
- degree projects and national
- international research projects.
DMMS is also involved in industry organisations and production clusters.


text:
When ten-year-old Lewis is suddenly orphaned, he is sent to live with his Uncle Jonathan in a creaky (and creepy) old mansion with a mysterious ticking noise that emanates from the walls. Upon discovering that his uncle is a warlock, Lewis begins learning magic, but when he rebelliously resurrects an evil warlock he must find the secret of the house and save the world from destruction.
|Title||:||The House with a Clock in Its Walls|
|Release Date||:||September 15, 2018|
|Production Co.||:||Amblin Entertainment, Mythology Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment, Universal Pictures|
|Production Countries||:||Canada, India, United States of America|
|Writers||:||Eric Kripke, John Bellairs|
|Casts||:||Owen Vaccaro, Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Kyle MacLachlan, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sunny Suljic, Vanessa Anne Williams, Colleen Camp, Lorenza Izzo, Eli Roth, Braxton Bjerken, Ricky Muse, Charles Green, De'Jon Watts, Aaron Beelner, Joshua Phillips, Christian Calloway, Caleb Lawrence, Dylan Gage Moore, Jalyn Hall, Jackson T. Giles IV, Alli Beckman|
This house knows what makes you tick.
Original Title : Die unendliche Geschichte Release Date : April 5, 1984 Popularity : 15.582 Original Title : Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Release Date : February 1, 2010 Popularity : 24.652 Original Title : Hugo Release Date : November 22, 2011 Popularity : 11.362 Original Title : The Princess Diaries Release Date : August 3, 2001 Popularity : 20.775 Original Title : The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Release Date : December 18, 2001 Popularity : 45.295 Original Title : Mortal Engines Release Date : November 27, 2018 Popularity : 49.809

domain: entertainment


text:
Clinical TrialsThe James Cancer Center Columbus, OH
open for enrollment
Gemcitabine Hydrochloride and Eribulin Mesylate in Treating Patients with Bladder Cancer That is Advanced or Cannot Be Removed by Surgery
Phase II Trial of GemcitabineEribulin (GE) in Cisplatin Ineligible Patients with Advanced or Unresectable Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder
This phase II trial studies how well gemcitabine hydrochloride and eribulin mesylate work in treating patients with bladder cancer that has spread to other places in the body or cannot be removed by surgery. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine hydrochloride and eribulin mesylate, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading.
I. To estimate the objective response rate of gemcitabine (gemcitabine hydrochloride)-eribulin (eribulin mesylate) (GE) when given to cisplatin ineligible patients with advanced or unresectable urothelial carcinoma who have not received any prior chemotherapy for the advanced disease.
I. To estimate the median progression-free survival (PFS).
II. To summarize the toxicity profile (using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] version [v] 4 criteria) of the GE regimen in these patients.
Patients receive gemcitabine hydrochloride intravenously (IV) over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8 and eribulin mesylate IV over 2-5 minutes on days 1 and 8. Courses repeat every 21 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for up to 36 months.
Are you eligible?
Patients must have locally advanced or metastatic predominantly urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, ureter, or urethra that is not amenable to curative surgical treatment
Patients must have histologically confirmed predominantly urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, ureter, or urethra
Patients must have measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension (longest diameter to be recorded for non-nodal lesions and short axis for nodal lesions) as >= 20 mm with conventional techniques or as >= 10 mm with spiral computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or calipers by clinical exam
Patients must be ineligible for treatment with cisplatin, based on one of:
Calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) >= 30 and < 60 mL/min (Cockcroft-Gault)
CTCAE grade (Gr) >= 2 hearing loss
CTCAE Gr >= 2 neuropathy
Patients must not have received prior systemic therapy for their advanced cancer; prior intravesical therapy completed 4 weeks prior to enrollment and adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy completed more than 6 months prior to diagnosis of advanced disease are permitted
Zubrod performance status =< 2 (Karnofsky >= 60%)
Life expectancy of greater than 3 months
Leukocytes >= 3,000/mcL
Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,500/mcL
Platelets >= 100,000/mcL
Total bilirubin < 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (x ULN) for the institution
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]) =< 3 x institutional upper limit of normal
Creatinine clearance; calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) >= 30 mL/min and < 60 mL/min (Cockroft-Gault) unless the patient qualified based on hearing loss or neuropathy
Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately; men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and 4 months after completion of gemcitabine and eribulin administration
Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
Patients with a small cell component in their histology are excluded
Patients who have had chemotherapy for the treatment of the advanced or unresectable urothelial cancer of the bladder are not eligible; patients who were previously treated for local disease must not have received radiotherapy or chemotherapy within 4 weeks (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) prior to entering the study and must have recovered from adverse events due to agents administered more than 4 weeks earlier; patients who have received neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy must have completed treatment at least 6 months prior to diagnosis of metastatic disease
Patients who are receiving any other investigational agents
Patients with known brain metastases should be excluded from this clinical trial
History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to gemcitabine and eribulin
Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, a second cancer diagnosis within the past 5 years, or a cancer undergoing any treatment, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
Pregnant women are excluded from this study; breastfeeding should be discontinued if the mother is treated with eribulin and gemcitabine
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with inadequate cluster of differentiation (CD)4 counts or those who are on combination antiretroviral therapy with strong cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, polypeptide 4 (CYP3A4) effects are ineligible for this trial
Patients with baseline corrected QT (QTc) prolongation greater than grade 1 are excluded from this study; patients with grade 1 QTc elevation are eligible but must be monitored with electrocardiogram (ECG) (EKG) exams, for the first 3 cycles of treatment; eribulin time to maximum concentration (Cmax) after infusion is about 10 minutes, and half life is 40 minutes; ECG (EKG) should be performed between 10 to 40 minutes after eribulin administration (on day 1 and day 8 of treatment); continued ECG (EKG) monitoring beyond cycle 3 can be done at the discretion of the treating physician
Patients with congenital long QT syndrome are excluded from this study
Other medications known to prolong QT interval should be discontinued and if not possible, patient is excluded from this study

domain: medical


text:
Big Breakfast Diet for Fast Weight Loss
Having a large breakfast that includes almost 600 calories you can actually lose weight and achieve the results which will last quite long.
Generally people are eager to start a diet however following a diet in summer can become a real challenge. Eating a large breakfast reduces the impulses to eat during the day.
The main difference between traditional dieting with a menu low in carbs is that in 8 months, people on Big Breakfast diet went on losing weight whereas people on low-carb diet started to re-gain the lost weight.
This new plan is by no means common. Missing breakfast is actually a weight-loss strategy, though skipping breakfast is unhealthy to start your day with. Breakfast is important for both mental and physical health, and the studies indicate that eating a substantial meal in the morning helps to remove extra pounds.
According to the data of some study results, women that had missed breakfast previously changed the everyday routine to include the breakfast lost 28 % more weight. The research was made in a women group for more than 12 weeks. Additionally, more than 70% of the individual that participated in this research kept losing weight for over 12 months.
Actually a healthy breakfast should include fresh vegetables and fruits, breads or whole grain cereals, low fat cheese or skim milk, hard-boiled eggs for protein, fish or lean meat, and peanut butter. Having breakfast at home lowers the chance that you might consume something later on the road.
If you think starting the big breakfast plan, you should check with a dietitian to review the lifestyle and also eating habits and make an effective menu which will assist in reaching your goal. A number of dieters say that after the initial consultation with a doctor, they opt to go on with the diet plan and lose weight with a well balanced menu. A dietician can help you determine whether you are able to lose excessive weight by the help of big breakfast plan or not.


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The time to do everything on your own is over. The future of business lies in technologies that would streamline the production process. The future also depends on digital innovations and software to make customer relations, engagement, and payments more convenient. For businesses to grow, they need to find the right set of software that would boost their processes.
Customer relationships management software can help to provide effective solutions for handling incoming customer queries and directing them to what they need. This software can verify the customer’s needs and help connect the customer to the exact employee who can solve their problem. This means that you don’t need to hire more people, and you can ensure that your employees don’t get overwhelming amounts of work.
Learn more about what the many tools out there can do so you know the right partnerships and business arrangements you need to make your company a leader in the field.
Collaboration and Project Management Tools
These tools help your employees to collaborate and conduct projects together with minimal supervision and with full access to everyone’s knowledge and company resources. It allows for a more streamlined approach to completing projects, and it keeps employees productive no matter where they are working from.
Time Tracking Software
This is a great tool for supervisors and managers to provide more efficient and effective guidance and feedback to employees. This software can help to identify the optimal time certain tasks can take and which employees are best at these tasks. It can help make changes to responsibilities and task assignments that improve the process and productivity. Knowing they are being tracked can also help employees take greater accountability for their tasks and errors, making it easier to give them guidance and any training necessary to improve their work.
Digital Filing Systems
This reduces physical paperwork, which is good for saving employees from losing valuable time doing administrative work when their efforts can be better used elsewhere. It also saves costs on paper and reduces waste.
These digital systems make it easier to sort files, save them under multiple designations for easier identification, and share them with only the approved persons without worry.
An online invoicing service connected to your payment portal can make it much easier to collect payments from customers. You can set up the system to send the invoice after the customer selects the items or service. They can then be assured that they will receive their purchase upon making the payment.
Your business will no longer need to be met with people attempting to bargain on prices, delaying payments, or missing important tax filing deadlines because you cannot close accounts on time.
Some businesses sell online to create a new revenue stream. With the aid of social media and a user-friendly website, you can find a new group of customers who fit your target demographics and begin generating sizable revenue from online sales. Some small businesses operate entirely online and only have physical spaces for storage of products and manufacturing.
Nowadays, companies have increasingly relied on outsourcing manufacturing to reduce overhead and still deliver quality products while building a network that can sustain itself during tough economic times. For instance, businesses, such as Lakeside manufacturing services, provide custom solutions for material handling and portable equipment that serves multiple industries. This allows small businesses that do not have the budget to receive quality equipment that suits their needs.
Digital bookkeeping allows you to file taxes efficiently, use accounting software to streamline business finances, and implement budget tracking to reduce expenses. This can help you better understand how your business spends money and how to cut down on unnecessary expenditures.
This also helps keep record-keeping very clear and above board, which can be a great asset when looking for investors or selling your business.
Marketing software can help you to manage multiple social media platforms with a small staff. They can edit, update, and share content from one space. This is efficient and easy to supervise, and you can keep track of the content your company posts.
This type of software can also help you to identify the best social media platforms for your business. Find out where the greatest concentration of your target demographic is so you can make targeted marketing efforts that will reach them effectively.
Choose the Right Software for You
You can find multiple solutions that can aid productivity and increase efficiency. There are web-based seminars and training programs that can ensure that your employees make the best use of the digital innovations and technologies you plan to implement.
Expanding your knowledge base is how you can ensure that your company is making full use of its many options for productivity and growth. The opportunities are out there and available for anyone willing to do whatever it takes to achieve business viability.


Updated: March 1, 2021
Georgia on Monday recertified its presidential election results, finding Joe Biden as the winner after a second recount, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said.
“Today is an important day for election integrity in Georgia and across the country,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “Georgians can now move forward knowing that their votes, and only their legal votes, were counted accurately, fairly, and reliably.”
[read_more id="2" more="Read full article" less="Read less"]
Overall, Georgia has now counted its presidential election results three times, and each time, it found that the Democrat beat the Republican President Donald Trump.
Biden won Georgia with more than 12,000 votes, the first Democrat to win the red state in nearly three decades.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp certified Biden’s win on November 20, following a statewide audit, which included a hand recount of the nearly 5 million ballots cast in the state.
However, the President’s legal team demanded another recount which has now concluded and found Biden won the state.
Trump has continued to spread baseless election fraud claims on the social media, but in the courts, he has failed to prove any fraud. More than 40 cases have been thrown out by both conservative and liberal judges.
The recertification of the Georgia election for Biden is another blow to him, and another demonstration that the Republican Secretary of State and Governor have resisted pressure from Trump to overturn the will of the people. Trump has attacked Georgian officials for not doing his bidding.
The certification grants the state’s 16 electors to Biden before the December 14 Electoral College vote.
Trump has gone from calling for a recount to calling for additional signature verification after both recounts went to Biden.


The upcoming Fairy Tail 532 Chapter of the manga series will likely focus on Zeref Dragneel as he tries to implement the spell he believes to be the solution to all problems, the Neo Eclipse. However, his plans will face challenges from Natsu, who is bent on defeating and preventing him from casting the spell that could erase his friends as well as from Anna Heartfilia, who has other plans on how to use the powers of the Ravines of Time.
Zeref’s Ultimate Goal
Zeref’s solution to the current problems he is facing is so simple that it would have been attractive if it were not so disruptive to the current state of affairs. Instead of merely traveling back to a point in the distant past, Zeref plans to reset time itself so that he will have a chance to relive his life while erasing everything and everyone else in the process, a spell that Zeref may attempt to cast in the coming Fairy Tail 532.
The Neo Eclipse aims to solve three problems that the Black Wizard is facing. First, Zeref views immortality as a curse rather than a blessing. Indeed, there seems to be no point in being able to live forever if one cannot love or care for another human being as it would ultimately lead to their demise. Fairy Tail 532, titled “I Can No Longer See Love,” will most likely feature Zeref trying to cast the Neo Eclipse spell, as well as explore his justifications for doing so.
Turning back time to a point before he became immortal would solve this burden of being unable to love and care for someone. It would also reverse the need for Natsu to become the demon E.N.D. as Zeref plans to go back to a time before Natsu died. Lastly, it could be the solution to the threat posed by Acnologia as Zeref hopes he could reset time to a point before the Black Dragon obtained his fearsome power, back to a time when he was still a regular dragon slayer.
In the previous chapter, Mavis was seen joining the fight between brothers. This latest development actually pleased Zeref as Mavis is a crucial part in casting the Neo Eclipse, along with Natsu and the power coming from the Ravines of Time. Will Zeref be successful in resetting time in the coming Fairy Tail 532?
— Animefever (@AnimefeverFT) April 10, 2017
Natsu Becomes A Dragon?
While it has been previously speculated that Natsu can no longer transform into a dragon, the recent chapter seems to challenge that theory. Faced with the overwhelming power that Zeref possessed, Natsu was seen upgrading himself that, by the end of the chapter, it appeared as if he is on the way to dragonification. For instance, scales appeared on his forehead and around his eyes that one can’t help but compare to Irene Belserion’s transformation. In his quest to defeat his older brother Zeref, will Natsu transform into a dragon in Fairy Tail 532?
It is too early to tell at the moment. But there is another event shown in the previous chapter that seems to suggest that Natsu could be turning into something else.
The Book of Zeref that resurrected Natsu is currently in Lucy and Gray’s possession. Sitting on a bench somewhere in Magnolia, they were surprised when the characters in the book started to flow outwards. Of course, the implication is that the demon E.N.D. is now starting to be awakened. But since Natsu has now exhibited some dragonlike characteristics, will Natsu transform into a dragon/demon hybrid in the coming Fairy Tail 532?
— MsSaltyAnchor (@MsSaltyAnchor) April 3, 2017
Anna’s Second Option
Meanwhile, the group of mages on board Pegasus’ flying ship Christina will be facing some tough times ahead in Fairy Tail 532. While they have successfully lured Acnologia into the spot where the Ravines of Time is located, they ultimately failed to seal the Black Dragon away inside the chaotic space-time aberration. Apparently, Zeref has sealed the Ravines of Time as he intends to use its power for his own spell, the Neo Eclipse.
As previously speculated by the Inquisitr, there is a conflict between Zeref and Anna’s plans on how to deal with Acnologia and how to utilize the unfathomable powers of the Ravines of Time. In fact, previous speculations came true, Zeref’s meddling with the space-time anomaly resulted to the failure of Anna’s strategy.
But Anna is not giving up yet. With the Black Dragon hot in pursuit and determined to end them all, Anna has no choice but to give it a second shot in the coming Fairy Tail 532. Will she successfully undo Zeref’s seal and use the Ravines of Time in sealing Acnologia?


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China worse off if Barley tariff not removed: Birgmingham
China threatens to hit Australia with tariffs amid souring relations
2019 winter guide compiles wheat, chickpea and barley varieties.
Net blotch one of the most prevalent barley diseases in Australia.
Farmers in need of dry weather due to rising crop fungus.


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Embark now on an authoritative exploration of sage incense. This guide will excavate its multifaceted dimensions—from its deeply ingrained history in ritualistic traditions to its intricate aromatic profile. We delve not merely into antiquity but also into contemporary science, dissecting both the substantiated and the mythical health benefits of this venerable herb. Consider this your definitive manual to the enigmatic universe of sage incense, a fragrance that endures across epochs and hints at untapped benefits.
Let the journey commence. Our quest aims to unearth the essence, significance, and contemporary relevance of this aromatic marvel. You’re entering the world of sage incense—a realm where timelessness and fascination converge. Prepare for enchantment.
Table of Contents
What is Sage Incense?
In a world filled with synthetic fragrances and artificial essences, the timeless allure of natural scents like sage incense remains undeniable. But what distinguishes it in a crowded marketplace of olfactory sensations? What is it that makes this herb-infused smoke not just a fragrance but an experience? This section aims to explore these questions, delving into the basics, the ingredients, and the rich composition that makes sage incense more than just a bundle of burning herbs. Prepare yourself for an aromatic awakening as we take a close look at what it really entails.
Decoding Incense: Incense, at its most rudimentary, emits fragrant smoke upon combustion. Originating in antiquity for uses ranging from religious ceremonies to aromatherapy and odor neutralization, its essence defies simple description. The selection of raw materials, intricate preparation methods, and even the nuances of its combustion process bestow each incense variety with a set of unique attributes.
Elemental Components: A versatile palette of materials formulates incense, encompassing tree resins like frankincense, essential oils such as lavender, and herbs including sage. Each constituent adds its own olfactory imprint, combustion duration, and some contend, distinct health advantages.
Incense Taxonomy: Sage incense manifests in a spectrum of forms—sticks, cones, and loose leaves—each delivering a singular experience. For a thorough dissection of incense classifications, the reader is directed to a subsequent section in this authoritative guide.
Sage as an Ingredient
Defining Sage: Salvia, universally recognized as sage, constitutes a diverse genus with a plethora of species. Far more than a mere culinary accessory—the very herb accentuating your Thanksgiving stuffing—sage carries a venerable history interwoven with medicinal and ritualistic applications.
Sage Varietals: White Sage (Salvia apiana) holds the throne in incense applications, revered for its potent aromatic attributes. Yet, the realm of sage extends beyond this singular variety, incorporating other species like Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis) and even the exotic Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans), each contributing its own unique olfactory signature.
Sage’s Incense Ascendancy: Sage distinguishes itself as an incense constituent through both its complex aromatic matrix and unmatched versatility. Its robust, earthy fragrance stands independently but also melds seamlessly with a spectrum of other aromas. Further amplifying its allure, sage’s historical roots in purification rituals infuse it with a transcendent, spiritual dimension when employed in incense.
Sage Incense Composition
Primary Components: Sage incense is more than just pure sage. It often features a structural base, like bamboo sticks. Natural resins and oils are also added to enhance its scent. In certain blends, you may discover hints of other herbs or spices. These additional elements contribute to a complex aromatic experience.
Combination with Other Aromas: Because sage has such a robust scent, it pairs well with both subtle and strong fragrances. For instance, sage and lavender create a calming blend, while sage and cedar produce a more invigorating, outdoorsy aroma. The options are almost limitless, making it a versatile choice for anyone looking to customize their aromatic experience.
The Benefits of Sage Incense
When we talk about the benefits of sage incense, it’s easy to get lost in poetic musings and ancient folklore. However, the advantages of this time-honored aromatic are not merely anecdotal or relegated to esoteric circles. We’re entering a realm where spirituality meets science, where thousands of years of human experience intersect with modern research. Prepare to look beyond the ethereal smoke as we examine the tangible, well-documented benefits of sage incense. From enhancing your physical well-being to uplifting your spiritual consciousness, the advantages are far more multifaceted than most people realize.
Unlocking the Potentials of Sage’s Fragrant Power
When you light a stick of sage incense, you’re doing more than filling a room with pleasant aromatics—you’re tapping into an ancient legacy of holistic benefits that extend far beyond olfactory pleasure. In this next segment, we will sift through the smokescreen to unveil what contemporary science and age-old wisdom say about the multi-faceted benefits of sage incense. From physical health to spiritual well-being, prepare to be enlightened on how this humble herb packs a potent punch.
Antimicrobial Properties: Sage incense has been studied for its potential to purify the air. Sage smoke has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, capable of neutralizing bacterial and viral elements to some degree.
Respiratory Health: Though one must always be cautious about smoke inhalation, some proponents suggest that the compounds in sage smoke can act as bronchodilators, opening up airways and easing respiration.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Many users claim that the scent of sage has a calming effect on the mind and body, potentially aiding in stress reduction.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
Enhanced Focus and Cognitive Function: Preliminary research has suggested that the compounds in sage can support cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and even mood.
Emotional Balance: The aromatic properties of sage have also been used in aromatherapy to induce a sense of emotional balance and calmness.
Spiritual and Energetic Benefits
Space Clearing: In many spiritual traditions, sage incense is used for ‘clearing’ or ‘cleansing’ a space energetically, effectively resetting the emotional and spiritual environment.
Spiritual Connectivity: Many people use sage incense as an aid in meditation or spiritual practices, claiming that its scent helps establish a deeper connection to spiritual or metaphysical realms.
Cultural and Ritualistic Uses: From Native American ceremonies to modern pagan practices, the use of sage for spiritual and ritualistic purposes spans across various cultures and traditions.
What Research Says: Though much of the knowledge about sage’s benefits comes from traditional uses and anecdotal evidence, there is growing scientific research aimed at understanding its actual impact on health and well-being.
Skeptical Views: Note that many people strongly believe in sage’s benefits, but rigorous scientific evidence doesn’t universally support these claims. Like any holistic practice, experiences can differ from person to person.
The History of Sage Incense
Following the fragrant trail of sage incense, we must understand that this isn’t just a passing trend. This is heritage. It’s a ritualistic practice that diverse cultures have embraced over time. Think of it as a thread woven into the vast tapestry of human history. Recognizing this legacy enriches our current experience with sage incense. In this section, we explore the ancient aromatic’s chronicles. We trace its journey across civilizations and spiritual practices. This helps us understand its evolution into the complex phenomenon we know today.
Tracing the Smoke Trails of an Ancient Tradition
Before we delve into the cultural tapestries that have been colored by sage incense, it’s crucial to grasp the immense timeline we are dealing with. The history of sage incense doesn’t just span decades or centuries; it traverses millennia, crossing cultural, geographical, and even religious boundaries. Whether it is a Native American sage smudging ritual or the use of sage in traditional Chinese medicine, this herb and its aromatic applications have left indelible marks on human history. In this section, we’re not just lighting a stick of incense; we’re lighting a torch that will illuminate the corners of history where sage has left its aromatic signature.
The Early Beginnings: Sage in Antiquity
Sage in Ancient Civilizations: Sage was not just a latecomer to the herbal scene. Historical records, including texts from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, mention the use of sage for various applications, from culinary uses to medicinal remedies.
The Spiritual Context: Beyond the physical, sage has also been ascribed spiritual importance. In ancient Rome, sage was considered sacred and was used in religious ceremonies. This sanctity of sage set a precedent for its inclusion in spiritual rituals for centuries to come.
Native American Rituals: The Art of Smudging
The Smudging Ritual: One of the most well-known applications of sage in a religious and spiritual context comes from Native American traditions. Smudging, the act of burning sage to produce a smoke with cleansing properties, has been a staple in various Native American cultures for generations.
Cultural Significance: The use of sage in smudging is not merely about producing a pleasant aroma. For many Native American tribes, it’s a sacred ritual meant to purify spaces, objects, and even individuals.
Modern Adaptations: It’s crucial to acknowledge that while smudging has found its way into modern spirituality, it remains a cultural practice with deep roots in Native American history. If you decide to incorporate sage smudging into your practices, it’s important to do so respectfully and knowledgeably, recognizing its origins.
Sage in Eastern Traditions
Chinese Medicine: Sage has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it’s known for its properties that relate to longevity and vitality.
Sage in Buddhism and Hinduism: In the East, sage is not as prominently used as in Native American or Western traditions, but it still finds a place in certain spiritual rituals, often blended with other incense materials like sandalwood or frankincense.
The Modern Resurgence
A New Age Renaissance: In the modern era, sage has experienced a resurgence, especially among New Age circles. It’s used for everything from yoga and meditation to chakra cleansing, becoming a staple in the spiritual wellness toolkit of many.
Scientific Exploration: As sage makes its modern comeback, it’s not just spiritual enthusiasts who are taking notice. Scientists and researchers are also beginning to explore the potential health benefits of sage, some of which we will delve into later in this guide.
The Aromatic Profile
Sage incense is more than just an aromatic herb that fills your room with smoke; it’s a cornucopia of scents, each more intricate than the last. In a single stick or cone of incense, you will find an entire symphony of olfactory experiences, a well-orchestrated balance of notes that resonate with different parts of your senses. As we transition into this section, we’ll dissect what makes it such an evocative and complex fragrance. Prepare to delve into the chemical constituents that construct its unique aroma and understand how each note plays a role in the grand symphony that is sage incense.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Sage’s Unique Fragrance
For those who have lit a stick of sage incense, it’s a scent that needs no introduction—earthy yet ethereal, powerful yet calming, a fragrance that seems to oscillate between the terrestrial and the spiritual. But what exactly constitutes this enigmatic aroma? What chemical constituents lend it its unique fragrance? Why does it interact with our senses in the way that it does? This section will offer a meticulous analysis of sage incense’s aromatic profile, exploring its complexity from a sensory, chemical, and experiential perspective. Buckle up, olfactory enthusiasts; we’re about to embark on a sensory journey unlike any other.
Identifying the Notes
Top Notes: When you first light a stick of sage incense, the immediate scent that wafts through the air belongs to the top notes. These are often the lighter, more volatile components that provide an initial burst of aroma.
Middle Notes: As the incense continues to burn, the middle notes begin to manifest. These are the heart of the fragrance, often more rounded and less volatile than the top notes. In sage incense, you’ll likely find a warm, herbaceous quality at this stage.
Base Notes: As the smoke settles, the base notes linger, providing a lasting impression. These notes are often richer and more resinous, giving the sage its enduring earthy quality.
Terpenes: One of the primary constituents in many plants, including sage, is a class of organic compounds known as terpenes. These are the building blocks of many essential oils and contribute to sage’s unique scent profile.
Esters and Aldehydes: Other important chemical constituents in sage include esters and aldehydes. These contribute to the complexity of sage’s aroma, adding layers that are alternately fruity, floral, and woody.
Synergistic Blends: Sage incense often includes other aromatic compounds that enhance or complement its primary scent. This synergy creates a blend that is greater than the sum of its individual parts.
The Scent Experience
Sensory Interaction: The experience of smelling sage incense is not just a matter of inhaling a pleasant aroma. It’s a multi-sensory interaction that can influence mood, evoke memories, and even trigger physiological responses.
Mood and Emotion: The aroma of sage has been associated with feelings of cleansing, renewal, and spiritual upliftment. While this is partly cultural, there’s growing scientific interest in the mood-altering effects of aromatic compounds.
Culinary Echoes: Because sage is also used in cooking, the scent of sage incense may evoke culinary memories for some, adding another layer to its sensory experience.
As we reach the end of our exploration, it’s evident that sage incense is far more than a simple aromatic pleasure. It’s a confluence of history, culture, chemistry, and holistic well-being—a true symphony that engages not just our senses but touches our soul. Sage incense, with its rich past, complex aromatic profile, and broad spectrum of purported benefits, stands as a testament to humanity’s enduring relationship with the natural world. Whether you’re a first-time user or a sage aficionado, the multifaceted nature of this ancient aromatic invites endless discovery.
Historical Legacy: Sage incense is steeped in history, playing a significant role across various cultures and spiritual practices.
Aromatic Complexity: From its top notes to its base, the aroma of sage is a complex blend of organic compounds, each contributing to its unique scent profile.
Holistic Benefits: Beyond its sensory appeal, sage incense offers a range of purported physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, some of which are beginning to be supported by modern science.
The Future of Sage Incense
Continued Research: As interest in holistic health and spirituality continues to grow, it’s likely that sage and similar aromatics will be the subject of further scientific research.
Sustainability: As sage incense grows in popularity, responsible cultivation and harvesting will become increasingly important to ensure that future generations can also experience its unique allure.
Cultural and Spiritual Relevance: Sage incense’s role in modern rituals and spiritual practices is likely to evolve, possibly incorporating new traditions and interpretations that add to its already rich tapestry.
If there’s one thing to take away from this comprehensive guide, it’s that the story of sage incense is still being written. Each stick or cone lit adds a new note to an ever-expanding symphony, a new chapter in a tale that stretches back through millennia. As you light your next piece of sage incense, take a moment to reflect on the richness of the experience awaiting you—an experience that engages the body, captivates the mind, and elevates the spirit.
In this grand narrative, you are more than just a spectator; you’re a participant. And the smoke that spirals upwards? Consider it a fragrant manuscript, encoding the wisdom of ages past and the promise of discoveries yet to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Sage Incense?
Sage incense is a blend of sage plant materials and traditional incense ingredients designed to release a distinct sage aroma when burned.
How Does Sage Incense Smell?
The smell of sage incense offers an earthy, herbal aroma, often enriched by secondary notes depending on complementary ingredients.
Is Sage Incense Safe?
Sage incense is generally safe when used responsibly, but it’s essential to observe fire safety measures and be aware of potential allergic reactions.
Can I Make Sage Incense at Home?
Yes, you can make sage incense at home using dried sage leaves, a binding agent like makko powder, and optionally, essential oils.
Where Can I Buy Sage Incense?
You can purchase sage incense from specialty stores focusing on wellness, online retailers, or directly from producers offering fresh and authentic products.

domain: literature


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Bc rich mockingbird dating
Bc rich mockingbird dating - Sexchat sexchat text
Then, while he increased experiences in different bands, Slash tried out few other instruments before adopting definitely Les Paul guitars in 1985.For studio sessions, Slash almost exclusively uses a 1959 Les Paul Standard replica made by Kris Derrig.
Body designs with such names as "Warlock," "Mockingbird," "Bich," and "Eagle," among others, have been and continue to be the guitar of choice for many, including longtime B. Rich endorsing artist and Slayer guitarist, Kerry King who has his own Signature Models. Rich brand, and are excited and honored to have Praxis Musical Instruments chosen to carry the brand legacy into and beyond its 50th Anniversary," he says. Gary Hanser has been in the musical products industry for 40 years.Because they didn’t have an adjustable truss rod, the guitars were often brought in later to have the fretboard removed and a truss rod installed.They also had very thin spruce tops that sounded nice but were known to crack and move from 1/16" to 1/8" into the soundhole if too much string tension caused the neck to fold into the body. Photo by Andy Caulfield During the ’80s, the wild shapes of B. Rich guitars proved to be the perfect match for the over-the-top theatrics of the burgeoning heavy metal craze. Father and son brought bodies in from Mexico, had them painted and assembled at the shop for mariachi, classical, and folk musicians. A Mockingbird bass and various double-cutaway Eagle and single-cutaway Seagull 6-strings hang behind him. Rico’s son Bernardo “Bernie” Chavez Rico, an accomplished flamenco guitarist, become involved with the guitar making, however.These issues were quickly addressed without question, and problem instruments were repaired or replaced even many years past the one-year warranty.
In 1968, Bernie made his first electric solidbody using a Fender neck.
Brian Martin, VP of sales & marketing for Praxis Musical Instruments, believes that this worldwide license agreement of BC Rich will be an exciting time in the nearly 50 year history of BC Rich brand of musical instruments. "The guitar market has changed so much, but the business model has been slow to catch up," he observes.
Hanser went looking for a licensee that could manage the brand from the ground up.
Word spread, and throngs of musicians like Barry Mc Guire and David Lindley started bringing in Martins and Gibsons for work and daring modifications, such as disassembling a Martin D-18 and putting in a 12-string neck.
By the early ’60s, folk music had become popular and folk artists started bringing in their acoustic steel-string guitars to the shop for repairs.
Slash is probably one of the most famous Les Paul players in rock.

domain: hobby


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It is not entirely surprising to see global interest in Bitcoin accelerate all of a sudden. Following the re-break of the $50,000 level, there are more new addresses than a few months ago. Moreover, the number of UTXOs in profit surpasses 95% again, indicating overall bullish sentiment.
Bitcoin New Addresses Spike
It is essential for any cryptocurrency – Bitcoin, Ethereum, or otherwise – to keep attracting newcomers. While it is tricky to measure such growth, the number of new addresses can offer some indication. As this number is now rising spectacularly, there is a four-month high for Bitcoin addresses. An intriguing development that is most likely tied to the recent BTC price action.
The metrics by Glassnode show there is a four-month high for new addresses on the Bitcoin blockchain. A welcome change, as this metric was dropping off significantly in the past few months. Even though BTC has had a stellar run, note everyone believed it would re-break $50,000 and then some, Lo and behold, one Bitcoin currently trades for $52,450, and its value is still climbing by the day.
A renewed price surge often triggers general market excitement. Unfortunately, it is also bad news for most altcoins, as they will see liquidity dry up by people chasing BTC-based profits. There will still be plenty of market volatility for speculators to benefit from in the hours and days to come. However, the rising number of new addresses shows people from outside the crypto industry might be making their move.
Unfortunately, no one can pinpoint why the new addresses metric is rising. Exchange deposit addresses will contribute to the overall rise in number. Additionally, users can generate unlimited amounts of Bitcoin addresses through their wallet software. It doesn’t mean there are thousands of new users all of a sudden, although there are likely many newcomers exploring the space. New addresses don’t mean addresses holding funds; thus, excitement may need to be tempered.
UTXOs In Profit Perk Up
Following the recent Bitcoin price increase – 28% in the past week – there are more UTXOs in profit again. A UTXO represents an unspent output valued at the last time it was moved on the network, tied to the price at the time. For those UTXos to be in profit, the current Bitcoin value needs to be higher than the last recorded transactions associated with the output. It seems many people previously bought near or above the current price level, which is rather interesting.
However, as the Bitcoin price keeps moving up, more people will be in profit. Currently, over 95% of UTXOs are in profit already, which is a significant improvement. That metric had dipped to 89% not that long ago. It will be impossible for 100% of UTXOs to achieve profit simultaneously, but 99% or better is certainly possible. An exciting future lies ahead for the world’s leading cryptocurrency, especially with the new addresses on the rise.