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18K Gold 4.7ct Emerald and Trapezoid (2) Diamond Fancy Canary Diamond Ring
Gorgeous three stone ring features a GIA certified yellow diamond four-prong set in the center of a platinum mounting flanked on each side by a trapezoid white diamond. Sleek band tapers for comfort.
• Handcrafted In USA by our European master jewelers | Our durable setting is made with ample White-gold for a smooth, balanced, and comfortable fit. | Comfort fit setting available
• Art Deco style heralded the Age of Technology, marking the final break with the Old World aesthetic | Combining minimalist design elements and themes with timeless geometric form, Art Deco provides a classic look in a uniquely modern context
• Deluxe Presentation Box | Photos enlarged to show detail | Ethically Sourced | 1 Year Limited Warranty
• Details: Total Weight: 7 Grams | Total Carats: 4.7 Carats | Setting: 18K, White-gold | Ring Size: 0 | Diamonds: Natural, Real | Period/Style: Art Deco | Origin: USA | Condition: New | Includes: Deluxe Presentation Box

domain: design


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Granite is the first choice for many new and remodeled kitchens and homes. Granite offers an artistic and exclusive expression that cannot be found in any other materials used for kitchen counter tops. Granite is the hardest material that is available for kitchen counter tops and it is also one of the most expensive material to use.
The larger portion of the cost is not for the granite itself, but for labour costs such as, cutting, polishing and installing. Typically, Granite counter tops should be left for professionals to install. Although it may cost you less when installed without a professional, the installation of a granite counter top has to be perfect otherwise damages could occur.
After you have made your choice of granite at our showroom, a professional member of our team will go to your home and measure the area to receive the granite counter top.
Our professionals will even take seam lines into consideration, fitting the seams to the most desirable location for both strength, durability and aesthetic quality.
To ensure that a customized granite counter top will be supported in any installation, plywood or wood strapping may be added to the cabinetry. This is to construct a strong and level support for the granite. There can be slight variations in thickness of the granite so careful attention needs to be taken to prevent the slab from breaking when being installed and used on a regular basis. Leveling is a very important part of the process as it protects the stone from damage.
Granite slabs are cut with a diamond tipped saw that cuts precisely to the required measurements. For a look that is flawless. With prefabricated granite there are a few different profiles to choose from that create a smooth profile. At the end of the installation the installer will then apply a finish that will seal and polish the granite surface, protecting it from staining.
Installing a granite kitchen counter top should be left to professionals and not seen as a 'Do it Yourself' job. Granite may be the hardest material available, however granite can be very delicate when not handled and installed correctly.
Adding granite to your kitchen adds value and attractiveness to your home.
Installing Kitchen Countertops
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International Taijiquan Conference
The 11th International Taijiquan Conference will be held in the city of Handan, Hebei Province from October 16 to 21.
The conference welcomes Yang, Wu, Chen, Wu, Sun, and other major schools of Tai Chi masters. It will also provide opportunities for exchange and learning for fans to improve their Tai Chi skills.
Masters from more than 40 countries and regions will participate in the Tai Chi conference.
From 1991 to 2006, Handan has organized 10 consecutive International Tai Chi Chuan conferences.
No further information is available at this time.
Click here to submit more information.

domain: news


The TMS1000 is actually a series of 4-bit microprocessors produced by Texas Instruments. The units are actally microcontrollers containing ROM, RAM, I/O, & CPU on one chip. The following table summarizes the differences between the units.
|Pkg Pin Count||28||40||28||40||28||40|
|ROM Program Bytes||1024||1024||1024||1024||2048||2048|
|RAM Data Nibble||64||64||64||64||128||128|
|R Signal Outputs||11||13||11||13||11||16|
|O Data Outputs||8||8||8||10||8||8|
The block diagram of the cpu (inside the dotted line).
With the TMS1000 series, what you see is all you get. The units are not capable of expansion in any way. The highest clock frequency attainable by the series is 0.4MHz. this results in a 2.5 microsecond clock cycle. All instructions execute in 6 clock cycles. The devices were fabricated using PMOS and required a single -15V supply.
NOTE: The X register is two bits wide on the devices with 64 nibbles of RAM and three bits wide on the 128 nibble RAM units. The accumulator is standard type, aside from being four bits wide. The concatenated X and Y registers become a six or seven bit data register. This creates a pointer into the 64 or 128 nibbles of RAM. The concatenated Page Address Register and Program Counter constitute a ten bit program counter. On the devices with 2048 bytes of program memory, there is a 1 bit "Chapter Flag" used as the most significant bit of an eleven bit program counter. The Y register can also be used as a secondary accumulator and an output address register. The Subroutine Return Register and Page Buffer Register are storage areas that implement a one level subroutine call mechanism. When a subroutine is called, the contents of the Page Address Register and the Page Buffer Register are swapped. The Program Counter is copied to the Subroutine Return Register. The subroutine target address is then moved to the Program Counter.
Note that The R and O outputs are resposible for the additional pins on the 1200,1270, and 1300 chips. All of these units have internal clock logic which can be connected to an RC circuit with one end of the capacitor connected to Vss, one end of the resistor connected to Vdd and the opposite ends of the components connected to both OSC1 and OSC2. If an externally generated signal is to be used, it must be connected to OSC1 while OSC2 is grounded. A design utilizing many clocked chips would benefit from this setup.
The INIT (reset signal) should be held high for at least 6 clock cycles after power is applied. Reset causes the Page Address and Page Buffer registers to be loaded with binary ones. The O and R outputs as well as the program counter are zeroed. A consequence of this is that upon reset, the first instruction executed is at hex location 3C0.


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In the decades following the promulgation of the anti-Jansenist bull Unigenitus, scores of nuns and convents resisted the efforts of authorities to make them acquiesce to the Bull. Male Jansenist authors writing from a figurist perspective transformed this female dissent into the model for all forms of spiritual resistance against Unigenitus. Their gendered constructions represented a challenge to the church hierarchy, forging nuns into a political weapon against the ultramontane episcopacy. The controversy over the Religieuses Hospitalières during the 1750s reveals how Jansenist lawyers and magistrates deployed the controversies over these “model” nuns to censure episcopal despotism and to legitimate parliamentary intervention in religious affairs, thereby opening the way to prescribing constitutional limits on the monarchy itself.
Jansenist Nuns and Unigenitus
In this article the author examines the way in which concepts of citizenship and rights have been transmitted not only by conquest, but also by the imitation of Greek and Roman models. Also, the article discusses the way in which early modern empires, modelling themselves on the classical Roman empire in particular, bring these two elements together. Extensive historiographical work on the reception of European thought in the New World has been produced on both sides of the Atlantic and some important contributions that deal with the impact of the New World encounters in European thought have recently been made. However, the author argues that little work has been done on classical modelling as a vehicle for the transmission of concepts. The long tradition of classical learning, revived in the European Renaissance, made Latin the lingua franca of Europe, and school curricula across Europe ensured that members of the Republic of Letters were exposed to the same texts. This, together with the serviceability of the Roman model as a manual for Empire, ensured the rapid transmission of classical republican and imperial ideas. The author takes England and the British Empire as a case study and provides a variety of examples of classical modelling.
Peter Damian’s Models for Male and Female Rulers
differing models for rule Damian offered to Godfrey and Adelaide, and his reasons for doing so. To what extent did he differentiate between them because of differences in their status or behavior, and to what extent simply because of their gender? Peter
Bioarchaeological Perspectives on Pinker’s “Prehistoric Anarchy”
Neolithic Southern Scandinavia”; Meaghan Dyer and Linda Fibiger, “Understanding Blunt Force Trauma and Violence in Neolithic Europe: The First Experiments Using a Skin-Skull-Brain Model and the Thames Beater,” Antiquity 91, no. 360 (2017): 1515–1528. 29
Ana Isabel González Manso
, Pierre Rosanvallon highlighted that although doctrinaires used history to challenge the jus rationalist model (already criticized by Burke), they did so in a very different way than the representatives of German political romanticism, which extolled the
This article is an extension of my book on The Sociology of Elite Distinction. In this work, I sought to offer a discussion on the merits and limits of the major models of interpretation dealing with social distinction when confronted with empirical realities in a large number of environments. Here, I propose some reflections about the way historians have been using these sociological models. Although universalistic propositions were often developed, I argue that most grand theories were typical products of their time and also of the societies respectively taken into consideration. The question therefore arises as to what extent their (retrospective) use by historians seeking a conceptual apparatus is always pertinent. It is concluded that many theoretical models are valuable providing we do not see them as “reading grids” that could be systematically applied but rather as analytical tools which are more or less operational according to the contexts studied.
A Case Study
W. Brian Newsome
This article investigates the experiences of French women in communities of single-family homes by analyzing Villagexpo, a model subdivision built in the Paris suburb of Saint-Michel-sur-Orge in 1966. Drawing on archival resources and recent interviews with original inhabitants, the article argues that the “village“ model of Villagexpo attracted a nucleus of couples with deep roots in associational movements. Committed to the concept of village life, they facilitated social activity in the subdivision, helping female residents overcome a sense of isolation. The article modifies previous, and largely negative, depictions of the experiences of women in communities of single-family homes and places Villagexpo in the context of broader urban trends.
Gender and Rural Modernization in Postwar France
After World War II, France’s rural Catholic youth associations (Jeunesse agricole catholique [JAC] and its sister organization, Jeunesse agricole catholique féminine [JACF]) organized a traveling home expo for agrarian families. The Rural Home Expo promoted a vision of rural modernization that drew on gendered models of postwar consumerism, economic development, and Catholic teaching on the family. The new rural home envisioned by JAC helped popularize and advance policies to industrialize French agriculture. By the mid-1950s, female activists resisted the gendered division of labor on which this vision was based. In 1957, JACF shifted its mission to promote women’s participation in the agricultural profession.
This commentary considers proceedings from the workshop, “Can the Case be Made for Asian Democratic Theory or Practice?: Local Asian Perspectives,” held in Hanoi in February 2015. Particular attention is paid to the presentations of the two presiding professors, Pham Quang Minh and John Keane, both of whom argued that the Asian democracies of the twenty-first century would and should depart from the Western liberal democratic models of the late twentieth century. They also assuaged some of the visceral sentiments and tensions between the author (a boatperson who fled the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1979) and the local workshop participants (who were avid Vietnamese socialists).
Kyri W. Claflin
In the early twentieth century, French academic veterinarians launched a meat trade reform movement. Their primary objective was the construction of a network of regional industrial abattoirs equipped with refrigeration. These modern, efficient abattoirs-usines would produce and distribute chilled dead meat, rather than livestock, to centers of consumption, particularly Paris. This system was hygienic and economical and intended to replace the insanitary artisanal meat trade centered on the La Villette cattle market and abattoir in Paris. The first abattoirs-usines opened during World War I, but within 10 years the experiment had begun to encounter serious difficulties. For decades afterward, the experiment survived in the collective memory as a complete fiasco, even though some abattoirs-usines in fact persisted by altering their business models. This article examines the roadblocks of the interwar era and the effects of both the problems and their perception on the post-1945 meat trade.

domain: library


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The Federal Government does not build general hospitals. But PREMIUM TIMES can report today that President Goodluck Jonathan has waived two vital rules to establish a princely N2.8 billion new general hospital for his hometown, Otuoke, effectively placing the coastal community as an exclusive beneficiary of a strange largesse not known to federal laws.
It is not clear how and when the federal government first conceived the hospital project, as it was not listed in federal budgets between 2009 and 2011, and even after.
But the Federal Executive Council meeting of August 17, 2011, presided over by Mr. Jonathan, gave approval for the project, and a N2.8billion contract was hurriedly awarded to Messrs Avandale Limited. The job was projected to last only 12 months; and indeed, unlike the usual delay government projects face, it was delivered on time.
As the administration became aware that PREMIUM TIMES was making extensive enquiry about the hospital, President Jonathan hurried to Otuoke on Saturday to purportedly inaugurate the 40-bed hospital, which has now been named Otuoke Comprehensive Cottage Hospital.
At the ceremony, Mr. Jonathan claimed the project began as an initiative of the Bayelsa state government in 2006 before it was taken over by the presidency.
He did not say why he mandated the MDG office, which he personally supervises, to spearhead the project. Mr. Jonathan also did not tell his audience that an estimated N2.8billion federal money was pumped into the project, although a report say the project was eventually completed at a cost of N3.5billion.
Apart from the fact that it was never budgeted for (a violation of the appropriation law), the project breached a longstanding government policy requiring that the federal government provides only tertiary (teaching hospital, federal medical centers, and specialist hospitals); while the states build secondary facilities (general hospitals). Local governments provide primary facilities (health centers).
An exception to that rule, lately, has been the federal government’s direct intervention in local health care, in a spirited campaign against maternal and infant mortality, ahead of the 2015 target date for the actualisation of the Millennium Development Goals.
Otuoke hospital is a general hospital, strictly a secondary health facility, which should have come under the responsibility of the Bayelsa state government. But in 2011, few months after securing his official first term, President Jonathan sidelined that requirement, authorized through the Federal Executive Council, the construction of the N2.8billion hospital in his hometown, and personally supervised its speedy completion within 12 months.
The hospital stands clearly as the only known general hospital nationwide deliberately constructed with federal money by the president since taking office in 2010, a review of government projects, budgets and implementation records show.
Federal health officials also confirmed, in interviews with PREMIUM TIMES, the anomaly of the Otuoke project.
“The federal government is only concerned about tertiary health institutions, anything more than that, we don’t know,” a top official of the ministry of health headquarters said. Many of the officials who spoke insisted on anonymity, for fear they might be victimized.
“We don’t have any responsibility with general hospitals,” the official said.
Mr. Jonathan approved the erection of the hospital in Otuoke even when a Federal Medical Centre, FMC, had already been established in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Federal Medical Centres were established nationwide in states that do not have Federal University Teaching Hospitals present, for the purpose of providing tertiary level health care, which is within the purview of the Federal Government in the concurrent nature of health care delivery system in Nigeria, explains a government policy document seen by this paper.
Covering up illegality through the MDG
Mr. Jonathan himself knows he has broken the law by taking over the responsibility of the Bayelsa State government to establish a general hospital for his community. Perhaps to address that concern, the Otuoke hospital project was approved and executed not as a ministry of health project, but as part of intervention projects by the Millennium Development Goals office.
Even at that, the project breached the MDG plan. Where it appears minimally in line, its scale far outweighs similar allocations in other states, showing the imbalance that often characterize federal projects; and how the beneficiaries of such indiscretions are always the constituencies of powerful public officials. President Jonathan’s action also underlines the nepotism that usually characterise the siting of federal projects across the country.
The MDG office, headed by Precious Gbeneol, a known loyalist of the president, helps with water projects, renovates schools, builds small health centers and assists in health projects that specifically apply to maternal and infant health.
Two staff of the MDG office said they were not aware of projects such as the building of general hospitals anywhere. “It’s not what we do, we build only health centres, water projects, education and things like that,” one official said.
While affirming that position, a spokesperson for the office, Desmond Utomwen, however said the MDG department occasionally provides specific assistance to existing general hospitals in special circumstances. He cited how the office assisted the Obstetric unit of Kubwa general hospital in Abuja.
A detailed review of budgets and government project records show the nature of assistance the office provides. Besides supplies of drugs, contraceptives, antiretroviral drugs, insecticide-treated nets and the construction of primary health centers, a number of hospitals received minimal interventions in the form of renovation and completion between 2009 and 2013. All did so at far minimal rate, compared to the hospital in Otuoke.
The presidency refused to comment for this story. Telephone calls to presidential spokesperson were neither answered nor returned while an emailed message to the same official is yet to be responded to.
Otuoke: From a quiet hamlet to a controversial city
A low lying coastal settlement with a population of a few thousands, Otuoke, in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state, has undergone rapid transformation and unprecedented development just for being the birth place of a president, putting behind its poverty, and rapidly emerging into a modern city.
After Mr. Jonathan became president, the town’s poor past dramatically faded with its roads expanded, drained and lit by street lamps.
When the president approved six new universities shortly after taking office, one went to Otuoke, to fill Bayelsa state’s slot.
The transformation of the community has however also brought loads of controversies within the three years of the president’s tenure.
In early 2012, President Jonathan shocked Nigerians when he led his local Anglican Church to receive a curious donation of a 1200-seater auditorium from Italian construction firm, Gitto, a federal contractor that has continued to bid for construction jobs from the administration.
Many Nigerians consider the donation an attempt by the company to curry favour from the president.
When critics raised concerns that by receiving the church gift, the president had violated his office’s code of conduct which bars him from accepting gifts from government contractors while in office, Mr. Jonathan and his supporters hit back, questioning the rationality of turning down a worship centre donated by a private entity to a community.
The Otuoke community managed to stay out of media glare until 2013 when politicians and government allies again gathered for a fund raiser for the same small church.
At the event, controversial businessman, Arthur Eze, donated N1.2 billion while the Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio donated N230 million purportedly on behalf of 23 governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, drawing outrage from Nigerians.
While the community steadied through the controversies, it remained a top destination for high ranking federal government projects, as it effortlessly scooped key road, water, education and health projects, a review of the budgets since 2009 show.
A similar blend of projects is hard to come by in several other poverty-stricken villages across the Niger Delta.
Between 2010 and date, while other communities struggle to receive road and water projects, from the intervention agency, the Niger Delta Development Commission, Otuoke constantly got allocations. By 2012, its focus went beyond roads, and it was given a N2.08 billion “ultra modern market.” The job was handed to Kari Investment Company Limited on November 4.
This year, the community is listed in the budget for a new School of Midwifery, even though it already hosts a federal university.
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Hand-printed & hand-colored Linoleum block print on BFK rives printing paper. The print is painted with acrylic paints by the artist. Print size 5"x8" and frame size 11"x14". Edition of 50.
This series of artworks are produced based on the B'more Birds Mural Series painted by the artist. More information about the B'more Birds Mural Project, can be found in the "About" and "The Murals" pages of this website.


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Thursday night proved to be one of those times, as Arrieta's slow start lulled the O's offense into a slumber they never came out of. And White Sox starter Edwin Jackson left little doubt of that, tossing eight scoreless innings in a dominating 10-strikeout performance that handed the Orioles an 8-0 rubber-match loss in front of 23,898 at U.S. Cellular Field.
The defeat handed a slumping Chicago squad its first series win in six tries, a skid dating back to the Baltimore series from Aug. 6-8. It also dropped the O's to 13-10 under Showalter and 0-5 in decisive, three-game contests on the road. The Orioles have been swept 10 times this year, and they are now 45-83 on the season.
The night was ugly from the onset for Arrieta, who was pitching on five days' rest and coming off two consecutive 110-plus pitch outings.
"I was erratic pretty much all night," said Arrieta, who threw only 16 of his first 35 pitches for strikes. "I struggled to find a consistent arm slot. I had trouble [with] location.
"Most of the time when I miss, it's not by much. But tonight, I was just missing by a lot."
And the White Sox had no problems waiting. Chicago's veteran lineup patiently worked Arrieta, who allowed a pair of runs on four singles in the third, before chasing him from the game after 85 pitches and four runs through four innings.
"It was going to be an uphill fight," Showalter said. "You actually like that he got out of [the first] inning with giving up only the one run. I'm pretty sure that he's going to tell you in [the clubhouse] that he felt great. Sometimes you can get a little too fine. I thought he got a little out of his delivery."
And as a result, Arrieta turned in his shortest outing in five starts -- his four earned runs allowed matched the total runs he had given up in his previous 12 2/3 innings.
Conversely, the Orioles couldn't get anything going off Jackson, who entered the game 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts since joining the White Sox. Jackson held the O's to one hit -- Nick Markakis' infield single -- through the first five innings, and worked off a blistering fastball that topped out at 98 mph.
"It's one of those things where you put the pressure on the offense on the other side," Jackson said of his approach, which included five strikeouts in the first two innings. "Stay ahead in the count and put the pressure on them. I don't really go for strikeouts unless it's a situation where I have to put someone away."
He did that almost effortlessly on Thursday, picking up eight strikeouts in the first five innings and allowing just one extra-base hit all night. Jackson went on to allow just three hits, twice stranding a runner at third base, en route to his second victory with Chicago.
"Every time I see him -- I think he's been with four or five clubs -- and you just wonder why," Showalter said of Jackson, who has recorded double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back starts for the first time in his career.
"He's been pitching well for quite a while. There's such late recognition on his slider and it goes in so hard, 88, 89 mph, and you don't pick it up until late. And it's more of a downward action than it is side-to-side. It gives him two really tough bullets because his fastball is so heavy with plus-velocity."
Jackson became the first White Sox starter since Javier Vazquez in 2007 to record at least 10 strikeouts in consecutive starts and improved to 5-0 with a 1.89 ERA in his past seven starts against American League opponents.
"He's always had great stuff," Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton said of Jackson, whom he played with in Tampa Bay. "I know he's a good teammate. I just look at a guy like that when you see him changing teams, I think it's just a matter of getting that right fit."
While Jackson could do no wrong on Thursday, the Orioles arms couldn't do anything right, helping the White Sox record 10 or more hits for the 11th time in 12 games. Orioles long man Rick VandenHurk came on after Arrieta and allowed two runs on five hits over three innings, while Armando Gabino -- who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk following the game -- surrendered a two-run homer to Alex Rios in the eighth.
But the night started and ultimately ended with Arrieta, who continues to be plagued by issues with his location. In 83 Major League innings, he has issued 46 walks against 39 strikeouts. The rookie has walked at least two batters in all 15 of his starts -- he has walked four or more in five outings.
"[I] just have to keep the walks down," Arrieta said. "I know that, everyone knows that. And I will. [I] just have to continue to work. That's all I can do."


Four Chinese military hackers from the People’s Liberation Army have been charged with hacking into the networks of the Equifax consumer credit reporting agency and stealing personal information of nearly 150 million Americans, the Justice Department announced on Monday.
Significantly, the four Chinese intelligence officers are also accused of plundering Equifax’s trade secrets, law enforcement officials said.
The individuals indicted in the Equifax hack are Wu Zhiyong, Wang Qian, Xu Ke, and Liu Lei. Government officials stated that the hackers were members of the 54th Research Institute which is a part of the People’s Liberation Army.
The accused intelligence officers exploited a software vulnerability that permitted them to acquire login credentials and navigate the corporation’s network to search for sensitive data.
The accused hackers reside in China and none are currently detained. Nevertheless, American government officials perceive the criminal charges as a robust deterrent to foreign adversaries and caution to other nations that American law enforcement possesses the ability to identify hackers hiding behind a keyboard.
“Today, we hold PLA hackers accountable for their criminal actions, and we remind the Chinese government that we have the capability to remove the Internet’s cloak of anonymity and find the hackers that nation repeatedly deploys against us,” Attorney General William Barr announced in a statement Monday.
Chinese military hackers have ramped up espionage-related hacking in recent years. In the past, The Justice Department indicted two Chinese hackers involved in the Anthem data breach.
“At the FBI we’ve been saying for years that China will do anything it can to replace the United States as the world’s leading superpower,” FBI Deputy Directory David Bowdich said. “This indictment is about more than targeting just an American business. It’s about the brazen theft of sensitive personal information of nearly 150 million Americans.”
The indictment specifies the efforts the military hackers deployed to conceal their digital tracks, including routing traffic through 34 servers in 20 nations to mask their location, deleting log files on a daily basis, and employing encrypted communication channels.
Initially, Equifax overlooked the hackers targeting its databases for more than six weeks. Foreign intelligence officers exploited a well-known web security vulnerability that Equifax had not patched.
According to the Government Accountability Office, a server that was hosting Equifax’s online dispute portal was running software with a known vulnerability. The military hackers were able to obtain sensitive databases that contained users’ personal information.
Equifax officials informed the Government Accountability Office that the corporation made several mistakes, comprising the possession of an obsolete list of computer system administrators.
Once the corporation distributed a notice to install a patch for the software vulnerability, the employees accountable for installing the patch failed to do so.
“We can’t take them into custody, try them in a court of law, and lock them up — not today, anyway,” Bowdich stated. “But one day, these criminals will slip up, and when they do, we’ll be there.”


A tractor-trailer hauling scrap metal flipped onto its side on New York’s Tappan Zee Bridge during Friday morning's rush hour, just ahead of a vehicle that captured the horrifying crash on video.
No one was hurt in the wreck that scattered metal cargo and parts from the tractor-trailer over the northbound lanes of the bridge, which spans the Hudson River between Rockland and Westchester counties.
The video shows the big rig, traveling at highway speed, as its trailer flips onto its left side and pulls the tractor over with it. The trailer's wheels and axle roll toward the wreck scene after the rig comes to rest.
Police told the Journal News the crash was caused by a failure in the truck suspension system, sending the trailer out of control. At least five other vehicles were hit by debris, the newspaper reported, but damage was minor.
The crash happened just before 9 a.m. on a heavily trafficked route to New York City. The span was closed in both directions for four hours, creating miles-long backups, FOX 5 NY reported.
Pictures taken by witnesses showed a chaotic scene, with scrap metal from the wrecked truck and a concrete lane barrier that appears to have been slammed out of place.


Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Diamond firm which followed rabbi's prediction about buried treasures is 'close to success' ...after 10-year hunt
Somewhere in the Carmel hills of northern Israel, diamond exploration company Shefa Yamim hopes to uncover the exact spot where faith meets science.
Potential new mines are big news in an industry that gets most of its diamonds from 20 or so mines, and where no large discovery has been made in 15 years.
Top Israeli diamond dealers even have their own mining operations in Africa but with booming demand for the gems driven by prosperity in China and India there are certain to be many more speculative projects.
'I hope I'm going to have the right to reveal it.'
In 1999, Taub founded Shefa Yamim, which means 'bounty of the seas' in Hebrew, based on a conversation that took place 11 years earlier in Brooklyn, New York between the late Rabbi Menachem Schneerson and the then mayor of Haifa. The dialogue was caught on video.
Many of Schneerson's followers believe him to be the messiah, making the comments a decree of sorts, and Taub answered the call.
Religious belief and biblical verse have inspired others to search for natural resources in the Holy Land.


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domain: economics


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Marie Antoinette essays Cette vaste suite familiale est situe l'tage, en faade Sud du chteau, et bnficie d'une vue panoramique. Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette was immature, brazenly self-indulgent, impetuous and wholly unprepared for the role history cast for her.
Fashionable Queens Body - Power - Gender Reviews in History These struggles, centered on the body and reputation of the queen, shed much lht on gender, politics, and power, both in the ehteenth century and in our own. Essay collections are always a mixed bag, and this one is more muddled than. There are two essays on Marie-Antoinette, both of them riddled with factual and.
Imagining Marie Antoinette - H-France Wolff emphasizes Maria-Theresa's first letter to her daughter on April 21, 1770, the so-ed "Regulation to read every month" (p. The letter is ostensibly about spiritual devotion, but when placed in the ehteenth-century cultural context of surveillance and self-discipline, Wolff shows that Maria-Theresa attempted to collapse space and time by regulating her daughter's soul and body. Shortly after the debut of her film Marie Antoinette at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. This essay takes as its focus this very issue of style, not only that of.
Marie Antoinette Writings on the Body of a Queen - H-Net Reviews Marie-Antoinette's body quite literally was a tool of international diplomacy. Sheriff helps us understand why the so-ed robe en chemise portrait of Marie-Antoinette caused such a stir in 1783. Indeed, Dena Goodman explains that this collection of eleven essays is "not another biography of Marie-Antoinette. The authors of the essays presented here.
Marie-Antoinette, Queen of Fashion Girls Guide to Paris The empress was not only interested in her daughter's regular devotions, but as other letters make clear, in her menstrual cycle, too. Marie-Antoinette was the queen of fashion in her time and paid a very hh price for it.
Marie-Antoinette - Facts & Summary - Reviewed by Christopher Corley (Department of History, Minnesota State University, Mankato) Published on H-Women (July, 2005) Marie-Antoinette (1755-1793), youngest daughter of the Habsburg Empress Maria-Theresa (1717-1780; r. Find out more about the history of Marie-Antoinette, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on


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In 2014/2015 Meghan Brophy was a member of Socialist Alternative.
Verizon Strike Solidarity Committee
David Klassen May 25, 2016 · The Verizon Strike Solidarity Committee in full effect. — with Dan DiMaggio, Patrick Ayers, Patrick T. Shepherd, Joe Richard, Mark Friedman, Luke Elliott-Negri, Dick Sweatte, Flynn Murray, Nick Rynearson, Meghan Brophy, Chris Maisano, Micah Landau, Laura Moya, Mary Clinton and Mark Bergfeld.
DUMP TRUMP, DEFEAT RACISM AND MISOGYNY, BUILD THE LEFT was an open letter to the left from 47 grassroots organizers. October 17, 2016.
- A lot of us see something really clearly, but few of us—radical and revolutionary organizers—are willing to say it out loud.
- So we’re going to say it. Defeating Trump in the presidential election is a top priority for the left. And at a minimum, that means mobilizing voters for Hillary Clinton in swing states even if you vote for another candidate in a safe state. We’ve got to beat Trump and Trumpism while building movements that will fight, resist and disrupt a Clinton administration that will be militaristic and pro-corporate...
- As we mentioned at the beginning, defeating Trump is not enough. We need movements strong enough to fight a Clinton administration on several fronts—whether Israel/Palestine, free trade agreements, climate change, a $15 minimum wage, or the prison-industrial complex. And neutralizing the appeal of the far right means we need to both strengthen our movements for racial justice and win over white workers to a progressive class politics as an alternative to Trump’s racist economic nationalism. Finally, we need to build a left that can help anchor a visionary alternative to corporate Democrats. It won’t be easy, but we’ve come this far. Let’s defend what we’ve got in this election, and keep our eye on collective liberation.
Signatories included Meghan Brophy, Young Democratic Socialists.
Meghan Brophy December 15, 2016;
Left Labor Project Presents: What Happened? What Now?
Left Labor Project Presents: What Happened? What Now? Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 6 PM - 9 PM, 310 W 43rd St, New York.
A converastion with Bill Fletcher, Jr., international activist and co-author of Solidarity Divided: The crisis in organized labor and a new path toward social justice.
Those interested included Meghan Brophy.
NYC-DSA Socialist Day School
May 12th and May 13th, 2017, NYC-DSA will host a Socialist Day School that will investigate the influence these historical movements have on our current moment and what lessons we can learn as activists and organizers fighting for socialism today.
Speakers include: Jabari Brisport, Meghan Brophy, Maurice Isserman, Dan La Botz, Mark Levitan, Joseph Luders, Bob Master, Nivedita Majumdar, Yotam Marom, Maxine Phillips, Frances Fox Piven, Rene Rojas, Kristin Schall, Joseph Schwartz, Gay Semel, Reg Wilson.
Meghan Brophy and Sonam Singh.


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July 19-21, 2011
Mays Landing ? On Thursday, June 21, 2011, Atlantic County Sheriff?s Officers completed a three day arrest sweep of subjects wanted on warrants for failure to pay child support.
Operation Summer $quash II is the local component of a Statewide operation, the result of a four week investigation involving the collaborative efforts of all units of the Sheriff?s Office and the Atlantic County Family Court Support Enforcement Unit.
Fifty-five people were arrested on Child Support warrants and additional seventeen were arrested on criminal warrants. The total Child Support Warrants cleared in Atlantic County was sixty-seven of which the total Statewide was one thousand- seventy- four .
Forty- five people failed to make payment and were lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Thirty one municipal warrants were cleared also during the three day sweep. $12,522.79 in fines were collected of the $211,453.27 collected throughout the State.
Those owing child support are urged to contact Atlantic County Child Support Enforcement at (609) 345-6700 at extension 3551 to make arrangements for payment.
Anyone with a tip on a person wanted for failure to pay their Court Ordered Child Support or any fugitive can anonymously call the Atlantic County Sheriff?s Office at (609) 909-7200. Anonymous tips can also be made through the internet by clicking here
The warrant raids will continue and parents owing child support are advised by Sheriff Frank Balles to make their payments or face the possibility of arrest at any location or of having their photograph published in the newspaper, shown on television or posted on the internet.
Sheriff Frank Balles said, ?Even during tough economic times, it is our duty to continue to be vigilante in our timely execution of child support warrants issued by the Court.? He added, ?This office will continue to team with all of the Sheriff?s Offices in New Jersey to routinely participate in statewide raids organized to arrest those people wanted by the Family Court for failure to pay their Court Ordered Child Support.?
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT SHERIFF FRANK BALLES
AT  432-9407

domain: law


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Tartan Army in Brazil! Scottish fans spotted in the Uruguay section celebrating Suarez goals v England
- June 19, 2014
Oh Brave Scotland!
The history between England and Scotland means that Scotsmen tend to support A.B.E – Anyone But England, and delight in the Three Lions’ downfall during World Cups.
The Tartan Army have taken it one step far this time around, travelling all the way out to Brazil to join in with England’s opponents.
A group of kilt-wearing Scotsmen were spotten in the Uruguay section tonight, celebrating and cheering along with the Uruguay fans after Suarez goals.
Now that’s dedication to the A.B.E. cause!
The 20 best goalkeepers in the world, according to 101 Great Goals
- Awesome video! Cristiano Ronaldo’s son is a big fan of… Lionel Messi!
- The Top 101 youngsters in world football: Don Balon list 2014
- The 13 best free agents available for nothing in summer 2015 ft. Khedira & Gignac ...
- The 11 worst Liverpool signings during their 25 year barren spell [Video]
- Leaked! New kits for 2015/2016! Ft. Chelsea & Manchester United [video]
- The 10 best Premier League goals ever ft. Wayne Rooney & Thierry Henry [Official V...

domain: sports


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I learned this morning that Amazon.com Associates are now eligible to earn referral fees on Amazon.com Gift Certificates which are the perfect last minute gift. They are redeemable on a huge range of Amazon's products and are easy to send via email, an e-card or through regular mail.
Referrals from Amazon Gift Certificates will earn a flat 6% referral rate. Affiliates will still earn the 6% referral fee even if visitors click on a product they are promoting and buy a Gift Certificate instead.
Two downsides – Gift certificates will not count toward unit tiers and the promotion lasts only through December 31, 2006.


Paris 2016: Porsche to Roll Out 911 GT3 Cup And Panamera 4 E-Hybrid所有资讯
Porsche has announced that two new models will be making their public appearance for the first time – the 911 GT3 Cup and the recently announced Panamera 4 E-Hybrid.
Powered by a combination of a 2.9-liter V6 gasoline engine with an output of 330 hp and a 100-kW electric motor, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid delivers a combined total output of 462 hp and maximum torque of 700 Nm, with an electric range of up to 31 miles.
Being able to sprint from naught to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will also benefit from Porsche’s all-wheel drive system, a Sport Chrono Package with six or more driving modes, as well as Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system.
While combined fuel consumption stands at 2.5 litres per 100 km, the car is capable of achieving a top speed of 278km/h, with the maximum achievable speed in zero-emissions mode is 140 km/h.
Although the car has already been revealed recently, this will be the first time the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will be making its public appearance.
And then, we have the latest version of the 911 GT3 Cup - the most-produced racing car in the world.
No technical details have been revealed yet, but we expect the car to benefit from the many new technology and upgrades that have been applied to the latest road-going 911. Rumour has it that the GT3 Cup could also get the downsized, turbocharged engine.
Whatever it is, the car will definitely be more powerful than before. That said, watch this space for more updates on the new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and the 911 GT3 Cup.
Looking for a Porsche? Find one now at Carlist.my


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MLB THE SHOW 21 WILL BE ON XBOX! MLB The Show 21 Official Announcement
Boys it is a good day as they officially have announced MLB The Show 21. As before it has always been a playstation exclusive, this year it has finally been announced that the game will release on Xbox Series X/S, the Xbox One, along with the PS4 and PS5. I am sorry Nintendo Switch fans, nothing has been announced for you yet. The MLB The Show 21 cover athlete has been announced as Fernando Tatis Jr, as that is not surprise to anyone as the kid has literally changed the game. They did announce a couple of new gameplay features as well, that we go over in the video!
If you are reading this, THANK YOU!
#MLBTheShow21 #MLB21 #Baseball


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Prince dating 2016
On November 27, 2016, Prince William released a statement to clear up rumors that he was unhappy with his brother's decision to open up about his relationship.
A portion of the statement reads, “The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him."In early December 2016, Markle is photographed in Toronto wearing a gold necklace featuring the letters “M” and “H.” Later that month, she and Harry are spotted together picking out a 6-foot Christmas tree, and in London's West End holding hands on their way to see the Tony award-winning show Markle spoke of meeting the Queen during their BBC interview.
”Around the same time, reported that Harry had already introduced the actress to his father, Prince Charles.
On the same day, Markle posted a sweet photo on her Instagram of two bananas spooning, possibly hinting at the new love in her life.published an interview with Markle promoting her collection for retailer Reitmans.
In the interview, she discussed her collaboration with Reitmans, her charity work with World Vision, and her plans for the holidays.
"It's incredible to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honor and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother.
She's an incredible woman."After spending Christmas with their own families, the couple spends New Year's together in London. discloses to the that their father has been aware of Meghan's relationship since it began.

domain: celebrity


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concentrations. It can be popular that plant-derived antioxidants can switch to prooxidants even at low concentrations within the presence of transition metallic ions such as copper. It's well set up that tissue, cellular and serum copper amounts are significantly elevated in different malignancies. Copper is an important metallic ion present during the chromatin which is carefully connected with DNA bases, particularly guanine.
Nitric oxide synthase exercise, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels from the radiotherapy team had been increased than Those people of all other groups. Conclusions: The results implicate An important position for NSO and TQ in blocking cataractogenesis in ionizing radiation-induced cataracts while in the lenses of rats, wherein NSO have been discovered to get more potent.”
Vitamin B12 deficiency is hazard for those who observe a rigorous vegan eating plan who Really don't eat the major foodstuff resources of B12: meat, eggs and dairy products and solutions. Infants whose mums are vegetarians could possibly have vitamin B12 deficiency.
existing welcome evidence that Nigella sativa and thymoquinone may possibly minimize despair by lessening neuroinflammation:
This ailment is more widespread in people in excess of sixty, in Ladies, in individuals with a relatives history of pernicious anaemia or some autoimmune problems, together with Addison’s illness and vitiligo.
This really is way more B12 than what you can obtain from Marmite or other yeast extracts.So, as ever with diet facts, it is best to buy a product where you can check with the label for particular B12 written content. 1 should also be cautious on counting on the yeast being a sole resource for vitamin B12.
Energy and Endurance - A lack of vitamin B12 will result in anemia and weak spot. Suitable levels of vitamin B12 are essential to keep standard energy stages. Statements of vitamin B12 as an energy or atheletic enhancer stay unproven.18
Dementia and depression are related to this deficiency as well, perhaps through the underneath-manufacture of methionine as a result of inability to transform homocysteine into this product or service. Methionine is a necessary cofactor during the production of various neurotransmitters.
Folic acid is most likely most effective often called a vital vitamin for Women of all ages just before And through pregnancy, as it takes portion in maternal tissue growth for the duration of pregnancy, where here by a every day dose of four hundred micrograms contributes to the traditional improvement of the kid's Mind and spinal cord.
But there is fairly minor investigation about these merchandise, and the top analyzed of they're prescription weight-loss medicines.
“The screening of antipsoriatic action of 95% of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds by making use of mouse tail product for psoriasis and in vitro antipsoriatic exercise was completed by SRB Assay applying HaCaT human keratinocyte mobile traces….The ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seeds extract manufactured a major epidermal differentiation, from its degree of orthokeratosis (seventy one.36±2.
Beneath are the very best ten foods optimum in vitamin B12 by common serving sizes, click here for an extended listing of vitamin B12 rich foods, and listed here for other foods superior in vitamin B. For a lot more begin to see the article content for vegan and vegetarian sources of vitamin B12.
reporting evidence that Nigella sativa features some safety in opposition to the nephrotoxic consequences of cisplatin:
The body can only retail store approximately 30 mg thiamine during the tissue exactly where it is generally present in skeletal muscle but will also while in the liver, heart and kidneys. Thiamine is usually degraded by large temperatures, Alcoholic beverages, coffee, nicotine, sure medications, raw fish and by not enough folic acid.

domain: medical


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Explore and find Listings
The 22nd Annual Steward's Ace Hardware Bluefish 5K Road Race will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019. This race is USATK Certified #CT15024JHP. This year there will also be a Lickety Split Kids Fun Run at the school for kids 8 and under as well!
at Race begins @ Jared Eliot Middle School
Join us on August 8, 2019 and listen to Sunny Train provide interactive family music entertainment for all ages!
at Vece Gazebo @ Pierson School

domain: hobby


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The Debate in Modern America
by Mark Largent
RJ240 .L37 2012
New Arrivals, 2nd floor
As I walked past Walgreens the other day, I was reminded to get my flu and shingles shots. [I didn’t take them up on their kind offer to poke me with needles.] These preventative health measures sound good, but do the benefits outweigh the potential risks? This week’s featured title examines the medical treatments under the microscope on both sides of the issue.
Largent, history professor at Michigan State University, tackles the controversy revolving around vaccines, particularly for children. As the author states in the introduction, the mandated number of vaccinations for children under the age of six has tripled since 1990, and this rise has caused fear and unease on the part of parents wanting the best for their babies. He investigates the issues surrounding the debates, namely the hyped connection between the immunizations and autism. Largent also offers recommendations going forward, as this concerns everyone from the parents and physicians to politicians and public health officials.


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The Abbott government must do a better job to assure people about the future of the national disability insurance scheme, says a leading advocate, who argues the anxiety could encourage rushed purchases of once-in-10-year support items.
Craig Wallace, president of People with Disability Australia, welcomed plans by a joint parliamentary committee to visit areas currently benefiting from the early stages of the rollout to speak with participants, families and carers about their experience.
The committee, headed by former Liberal minister Mal Brough, will travel to all four trial sites over coming weeks, the latest in a series of review processes looking at implementation.
The scheme – designed to provide individualised support for people with permanent and significant disability – began in July 2013 in Tasmania for youth aged 15 to 24; in South Australia for children aged up to 14; and in the Barwon area of Victoria and the Hunter area in New South Wales for people up to the age of 65.
He said uncertainty could influence people’s purchasing decisions over once-in-10-year needs, such as a new wheelchair hoist for their car.
“I really urge them [the committee] to get an understanding of just what the public anxiety around the scheme is doing in terms of the way people are using the scheme,” Wallace said.
“I think that people are worried that every time we have a public conversation about the scheme it’s about whether it will continue or face cuts in the budget … If people think it will run out tomorrow people will try to get lots of support they need now.”
The government has repeatedly said it remained committed to delivering the scheme – in line with its election commitment – but has left the door open to extending the 2018-19 deadline for the full rollout and seeking cost savings.
When fully implemented, the scheme is estimated to cost $22bn in combined federal, state and territory funding each year and will support about 460,000 people.
Tony Abbott confirmed on Monday the government would proceed with an additional trial site in the Perth Hills area on 1 July. The prime minister said the government was “totally committed to delivering a sustainable, affordable national disability insurance scheme” but the important thing was “getting it right rather than rushing it”. Abbott accused the former Labor government of rushing the first trials “because they wanted a political monument”.
The government is awaiting advice from the scheme's board as to its ability to deliver according to the previously agreed timeframes.
The treasurer, Joe Hockey, employed strong language as he set the scene for his first budget, to be handed down in May.
Hockey told the ABC on Monday the government must “get on top of the proper management of the national disability insurance scheme” or face unsustainable costs and that it could end up “as big a farce” as the home insulation program.
Hockey made a similar comparison with Labor’s home insulation program during an interview on Sky News. On the same day, Hockey told the broadcaster Alan Jones that Labor had “created a tsunami of expenditure” after the four-year budget cycle.
John Della Bosca, the national campaign director for the advocacy group Every Australian Counts, said disability policy often yielded arguments within Treasury and expenditure review committees about big numbers and costs, but it was important not to lose sight of the “lived experience of people with a disability”.
The parliamentary committee – comprising MPs and senators from across the political spectrum – plans to visit Geelong on 14 and 15 April, Hobart on 16 and 17 April, Newcastle on 5 and 6 May, and Adelaide on 7 and 8 May.
Brough said all committee members were “united in their support” for the scheme and its design principles of giving people much-needed support and choice and control of their lives.
He said the committee wanted to understand how easy it was for eligible people to access the support, whether the planning process for participants was working effectively, whether participants had a real choice in their service providers, whether those who missed out on a scheme package were able to access appropriate “in-kind” services, and how well were the federal and state governments co-ordinating their effort to roll out the scheme.
Asked whether the committee would consider whether the timing for the full rollout should change, Brough did not give a direct answer. “This is a genuine bipartisan committee which is aiming to be a positive contributor to the development of the NDIS,” he said in a written reply.
The Labor MP Amanda Rishworth, another member of the committee, said it was important to hear from the service providers and look for improvements as part of the rollout.
Rishworth, who served as parliamentary secretary for disabilities and carers when the launch sites began last year, raised concern over the government’s rhetoric about the scheme.
“The government’s attitude is that one thing doesn’t work so ‘it’s a whole disaster and it’s not working’. The whole idea of having launch sites, now called trial sites, is to work out what’s working and what’s not,” she said.


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PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles – Black Silver
Welcome to the world of PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles in Black Silver. These exquisite candles are designed to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home decor. With their sleek black and silver design, they are perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in any room.
- Stylish black and silver design
- High-quality materials
- Long-lasting burn time
- Creates a warm and inviting ambiance
- Perfect for any occasion
Enhance Your Home Decor
PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles in Black Silver are not just ordinary candles. They are a statement piece that can transform any space into a luxurious retreat. Whether you place them on your dining table, coffee table, or mantel, these candles will instantly elevate the look and feel of your home.
Their sleek black and silver design adds a touch of modernity and sophistication to any room. The combination of these two colors creates a stunning contrast that is visually appealing and eye-catching. These candles are not only functional but also serve as a beautiful decorative element.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long do PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles burn?
PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles have a long-lasting burn time of approximately 30 hours. This ensures that you can enjoy their warm glow for extended periods without having to replace them frequently.
2. Are PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles safe to use?
Yes, PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles are made from high-quality materials and are designed to be safe for use. However, it is important to always follow the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
3. Can I use PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles for special occasions?
Absolutely! PartyLite Lounge P9139 Table Candles are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special milestone, or simply want to create a cozy atmosphere for a romantic evening, these candles will add a touch of elegance and charm to your event.


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Demand Letter re: RSA 339:22
On November 21, 2012 I delivered the following letter to Keene Attorney Tom Millins regarding RSA339:22 relating to the appointment of an Inspector of Petroleum, Naptha & Illuminating Oil.
Want to discuss rather than just commenting here? Visit the Shire Society Forum.
City Attorney Thomas P. Mullins
City of Keene, NH
3 Washington Street
Keene, NH 03431
RE: Demand Letter
We have spoken twice regarding my concerns about the City of Keene being out of compliance with RSA 339:22. When we last spoke you said that I should go to the New Hampshire General Court about this statute, as in your opinion the law was out-dated.
The New Hampshire General Court has had ample opportunity to amend RSA 339:22 since its original enactment in 1873. The General Court being unwilling to repeal the law in question for the last 139-years indicates a stern commitment to safe oil-lamp usage.
I request that you instruct the Keene City Council to comply with RSA 339:22. Failure of the City to swiftly move into compliance with RSA 339:22 will result in my requesting a Writ of Mandamus in the Cheshire County Superior Court.
Please do the right thing and comply with the law.
Darryl W. Perry


MicCell – Customizable Tool Kit for Micro Biology
Microfluidic systems may integrate fluidic, electronic and optical functions. Being a valuable tool in routine use prototyping can be challenging and expensive. When diagnostic cartridges needs to be optical transparent they often feature hot embossed microplastics. The manufacturing processes than require expensive production machines and layout specific casting tools.
MicCell Examples with microscope adapters (blue, Left), Experimental setup for a MicCell with fluid processor (Right)
For R/D purposes the MicCell combines an affordable casting process using PDMS and a convenient mechanical setup for quick replacement of the used PDMS channel plate. The mechanical frame of the MicCell fits on standard microscope stages.
Please also refer to the Microfluidics section for silicon-glass flowthrough cells and complex microfluidic instruments.
Core of the MicCell is an optical transparent PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) chip with a user specific microfluidic channel layout. It is accomplished by “channel spacers” for fluidic interconnections and calottes/ polycarbonate frames for mechanical adaptation to standard microscope systems.
The “MicCell-Process”: Preparation of the PDMS-CP “Channel Plate” (Left); Position of the PDMS-CP during usage (Right)
The disposable PDMS chip can be done by the customer using the included casting set. It is easily replacable, therefore microfluidic experiments can be done at affordable costs.
Standard sizes for the PDMS channel plate are:
- 22 x 22 mm
- 22 x 50 mm
- 25 x 75 mm
The PDMS channel plate goes in between the Polycarbonate carrier and the calotte and gets sealed by a standard glass lid. Glass lids wih electrode structures on the inner side are available on request.
On top of all, the MicCell channel plate carrier can be completed with other microfluidic parts, tubes, filters, bottles, syringe systems and an operation software. Move on to FOILS VS. PDMS for more information and downlaod the full MicCell catalogue on the bottom of this page.
Casting Set for PDMS Channel Plates
The casting set mainly comprises the casting station, Polycarbonate carriers, liquid PDMS and syringes. In addition, you will need a “Master Chip” introducing your particular channel layout.
Casting set for PDMS channel plates (CP)
Injection of the liquid PDMS into the casting station
The master chip is made from Teflon coated silicon and made at GeSiM on request. Basically we accept any layout provided by a CAD drawing; a set of typical channel layouts is on the shelf. Please ask.
Foil Based Microsystems Made to Order
Alternatively GeSiM offers customized microfluidic systems made of adhesive foils that are cut by different technologies and assembled in our factory. They can be ordered in small and large quantities, thus can be used as disposable, and snugly fit in the GeSiM MicCell chamber. They are an attractive alternative to PDMS channel plates. GeSiM is currently redesigning the BSyS robot to produce them automatically.
Systems from glass are also available, please inquire.
Intricate multi-layer layouts can be achieved so that numerous applications, e.g. point-of-care diagnostics, become feasible. Interesting accessories are membranes with defined cylindrical nanopore geometries from Oxyphen AG, produced by beaming with energetic heavy ions. This has e.g. allowed the safe encapsulation of genetically engineered yeast cells in biosensors for anthropogenic pollutants in wastewater (Schirmer et al., 2018, 2019; Günther et al., 2019).
“Track-etched” membrane (Oxyphen GmbH) placed on a cut foil (darker) with round hole and channel. The speckles are the pores.
Fluidprocessor with Graphical User Interface
A macrofluidic hardware box with programmable logic controller (F-Box) is required that has replaced our old “Fluid Processor” and provides all functions, be they external (e.g. syringe pumps and other pumps, external 2/2 or selector valves, level sensors, coolers, heaters) or internal (e.g. hydrogel microvalves, temperature sensors, voltages/impedances).
F-Box Fluid Processor for an SPR sensor, featuring various valves, four syringe pumps and a Peltier cooler with temperature controller.
Forget about connecting each pump or valve to your computer with a cable and sending strange commands. With our new intuitive graphical user interface, you can quickly configure and run any microfluidic system. The GeSiM Fluidics GUI lets you also compile sequences for unsupervised 24/7 operation.
MicCell GUI. Devices in the F-Box are automatically detected. Add them to the fluid diagram via clicking and dragging (left) and manually control them (right). You can also define automatic processes including many controls, e.g. status queries, loops, counters (not shown).
MicCell GUI. Devices in the F-Box are automatically detected. Add them to the fluid diagram via clicking and dragging (top) and manually control them (bottom). You can also define automatic processes including many controls, e.g. status queries, loops, counters (not shown).
The Hydrogel Valve – Properties and Function
Hydrogel microvalve HG7
HG7 microvalve on a MicCell carrier
To add liquid, to start and stop reactions, a dead volume free microvalve (GeSiM patent) can be placed into the flow system.
The valve is made from a silicon chip but comes with different housings for convenient handling. Most popular version is called “HG-7″, based on a PEEK-housing with 1/16” fitting.
The valve chip incorporates a small but well-defined amount of a hydrogel immobilized in a liquid transparent chamber. The surrounding heater controls the temperature of the chamber in a limited range around the swelling temperature of the hydrogel.
For operation of the valve nothing but 250 mW power is required. The Fluid Processor provides full control of the device.
The sample liquid gets in contact with the enclosed hydrogel. Therefore, the valve is mainly made for aqueous solutions but tolerates <15 % methanol, acetone.
Measurement of Tiny Flows
The GeSiM flow sensors has been designed for flow rates in the range of 0…100 Microliters per minute. It is a thermocalorimetric sensor measuring the heat transfer in a very tiny chamber. The fluid sample is negligibly heated whereas the surroundig temperature distribution is monitored.
As larger the heat transport through the chamber as more precisely the measurement result will be. In other terms, as more time is allowed for a single measurement as better the accuracy.
The sensor can be used along with the MicCell Fluid Processor (See next article) but is available for standalone operation too. The sensor is cascadable, it allows to measure several independent fluid flows simultaneously. Up to four stacked sensors can be managed by a single controller. The controller connects to a PC through serial interface, a dedicated software displays the measurement result.
The Versatile MicCell System: Research Already Done
The MicCell System gained much attention from researchers world wide. Here we present a list of possible and already done applications. Please contact us for further details.
- Micro-reaction technology, e.g., hybridization or stoppedflow chamber, using fluorescence detection
- Immobilization of biomolecules (e.g., protein or DNA) in the microchannels before assembly, e.g., by microarraying
- Generation of concentration gradients perpendicular to the microchannel cross section by a “gradient mixer”
- Semi-automatic drug screening using adherent cells or tissue slices
- Viability tests and other cell-based physiological assays
- Measurement of the interaction of cells with immobilized proteins, DNA, RNA, oligo- or polysaccharides, lipids, and other ligands
- Cell handling and sorting using optical tweezers
- Identification of cancer or stem cells using an “optical stretcher” (patent University of Leipzig)
- Electroporation in the flow
- Testing of the uniformity of microbeads and other particles, potentially with sorting
- Manipulation of elongated macromolecules (e.g., DNA or motor proteins) in hydrodynamic flow fields for the bottom-up construction of nanostructures, force measurements, etc.
- Micro-capillary electrophoresis under the microscope
- Integration of, e.g., column or filtration material for micro-purifying with or without microscope control
- Liquid processing independent of a microscope (e.g., assays using electrochemical detection)
Chemical synthesis on the nanoscale
- Observation of opaque objects in the MicCell using the pivotable sample carrier
Below we present a few examples.
Wastewater Analysis Using Foil-Based Microfluidics
Together with Fraunhofer IKTS (Dresden) and other companies (BMBF project ANTHROPLAS), a nanoplasmonic biosensor for 24/7 detection of 10 µg/l diclofenac in wastewater was developed (Steinke et al., 2018). It features a functionalized nanostructured gold surface in a foil-based microfluidic system (Steinke et al., 2019) and a miniaturized optoelectronic unit (Wuchrer et al., 2016).
PC foil with four nanopillar arrays made by NIL
Ready-to-use chip with two 2 mm wide / 90 µm deep channels in a white laser-cut foil
Exploded view of complete sensor system
Sensor cell without PC body
- Nanopillar arrays in a UV-curable photoresist on a polymer substrate made by nanoimprint lithography with a GeSiM Microcontact Printer.
- Foil-based microfluidic systems, based on adhesive tape technology of Fraunhofer IKTS, with two flow channels operating in parallel.
- A casing for the microchannels with standard “chip-to-world” interface based on the GeSiM MicCell that also integrated the optoelectronic system.
- Software for easy control of all fluidic components.
Foil Based Multi-Layer Flow Cell to Study Gradients
Flow cells were designed in which a collagen layer with live cells is exposed to two different concentrations of an analyte to study the effect of chemical gradients on the fate, e.g. differentiation, of cells or organoids grown in extracellular matrix. A track-etched above the collagen prevents outflow of cells.
Gradient chamber principle. Two different concentrations of a substance (c1, c2) flow in two channels above this setup and diffuse through the membrane into the space underneath. Only liquids/gels and the membrane are shown.
Gradient chambers for 22×22 mm2 MicCell, with collagen channels of different width, top (left) and bottom view (middle). Through holes in the top foil, the bottom channel is filled with cell-laden collagen and the two small top channels are filled with liquids to study. Five layers are needed: top cover foil, top channel foil, pore membrane, bottom channel foil, bottom cover foil. The right picture shows the PC body with six threaded holes with O-rings, and the MicCell support.
Courtesy Tilo Pompe Lab, University of Leipzig.
Detection of Biological Polutants in Waste Water
A foil-based microfluidic flow cell based on the MicCell System has been developed for the detection of pollutants in wastewater. This project was conducted by Kurt-Schwabe-Institute Meinsberg and GeSiM. Together with other partners (BMBF project BIOSAM HIGS), we designed a biosensor setup containing this foil-based flow cell for the detection of the pharmaceutical compound diclofenac. The flow cell encloses immobilized genetically modified yeast cells that produce a fluorescent protein upon stimulation with diclofenac. Due to its special design, the flow cell allows supply with nutrient solution and analyte while preventing loss of reporter cells. Fluorescence intensity, which correlates with the diclofenac concentration, is then detected by fluorescence microscopy or a spectrometric detection unit. A change of the specification of the engineered yeast cells allows the detection of a wide panel of substances that can be parallelized for high convenience and efficiency.
Left: Flow cell connected to the tubes via a polycarbonate body that is mounted on the detection unit. The sensor chambers are located underneath the polycarbonate body with the microfluidic tubes. Middle: Photo of the foil-based microfluidic flow cell. The dimensions of the flow cell are 22 x 22 mm, the height of the chambers is 100 µm. Right: Exploded drawing of the foil-based microfluidic flow cell.
The yeast cells are immobilized in the two lower cell chambers and covered by a porous membrane, which allows diffusion of nutrients and analytes from the supply chambers to the yeast cells but prevents them from leaving the cell chambers.
Courtesy of Kurt-Schwabe Institute Meinsberg
Schirmer et al., Talanta 203 (2019) 242–247):Portable and low-cost biosensor towards on-site detection of diclofenac in wastewater
Primary Cell Adhesion and Biofilm Formation on Anti-(bio)fouling Surfaces
In order to exploit the potential of biofilms or minimize the risk of their formation it is important to study and characterize them. To meet these aims the biomonitoring group of the Institute of Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering at TU Dresden has established a modular flow cell system with a parallel plate flow chamber. It is based on GeSiM’s MicCell and offers possibilities to study biofilms on opaque surfaces in continuous flows under a fluorescence microscope.
The centrepiece of the flow chamber is a microfluidic chip, consisting of a glass slide, a fluidic layer and the substrate. The fluidic layer is made from a polymer 3D printed on the glass slide and both its thickness and shape can be modified.
Recently an innovative sample holder was designed. It is made of stainless steel with holes to ensure liquid flow across the sample surface. The advantage of this setup is that samples with various geometries can be examined with no need for drilling before analyses. Hence the flow cell can be easily and rapidly adapted to meet different requirements.
Furthermore, due to the laminar flow inside the microfluidic channel, conditions can be tightly controlled, and we can regulate variables such as oxygen and nutrient levels simply by varying the medium supply.
We use the flow chamber to study the adhesion behaviour of microorganisms and the first stages of biofilm formation on various materials. The acquired data are used to characterize the local and time-related biofilm formation and to derive parameters like growth rate, biofilm height and biomass volume.
Technische Universität Dresden
Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering
Institute for Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering
Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Prof. Th. Bley
Biomonitoring Group, Assoc. Prof. E. Boschke, Dipl.-Ing. S. Mulansky


text:
Frank Sonsini is a passionate and pioneering USA composer who appears in numerous TV shows, films, documentaries, animation, video games, and commercials. His guitar mastery combined with orchestral instrumentation is always fresh and original. Frank creates a fusion of Hard Rock, Blues and Jazz, but is also in great demand for his specialty Horror and Halloween tracks. With his creepy musical SFX, Frank’s bone-chilling music forms the horrific background for NFL Films/Bristlecone’s Faces of Evil (TNT) and H. P. Lovecraft’s The Terrible Old Man (Bravo).
In addition to creating powerful and dramatic music, Frank Sonsini offers a variety of special effects and creative sound bites that will help you create realistic scenarios with the depth and breadth of tones that will transport your audience there! His music is progressive and richly layered, and perfect for any production venue. Frank’s music was used to chilling effect as the memorable creepy soundtrack for the short film Last Stand, and an eight-minute Director's Cut from the 2007 sleeper zombie film George A. Romero Diary of the Dead.
Frank’s evil tunes set the scene for the Flash animation series The Perils of…Dr. Shroud. Robusto Records released a haunting Halloween CD, Symphony of the Night, that combines heinous sound effects with wicked original compositions. Frank composed and performed Rock music to accompany E! Entertainment's Tara Reid’s Taradise, somber rhythms for E! 25 Celebrity Near Death Experiences, and upbeat Rock tracks for the Chelsea Lately Show. Frank's versatility also shines in 20 Acts Of Love Gone Wrong (ETV), his Mexican style guitar performance in 25 Most Memorable Swimsuit Moments (ETV), and many other television shows.
Slow water drip with a spacious effect that gives the sense of in a cave or any other very large enclosed areas. Can be used in a large abandon warehouse, prison, dungeon, torture chamber or cavern scene. Water, Dripping
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domain: artistic


text: About 10 minutes ago I did a solo sm run. The weird thing tho was my hp never dropped. I had used a coriander dish avoided all the gas. But usually I have to still use multiple pots and hr. Am I op now? Or did sm bug out. Cause I never used a single pot or hr. I think this was a small bug. To be exact. I had went down steps was rubberbanding so went back up stairs closed game reopened. I had spammed aloe during this time. Then went back down to fight and my hp never dropped. I think maybe the using aloe and steps I did may have lead to a bug where even tho it wasnt showing the aloe healing me it was? Idk just wanted to report because this is unusual for me.


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If you want to put your chips on chips, the place to look now is among the companies making analog semiconductors and those for such markets as wireless communications. That's the recommendation of Thomas Smith, senior investment officer and group head for technology stocks at Standard & Poor's.
The recovery in tech may take several more quarters, Smith observes. And S&P suggests that investors underweight their exposure to the tech sector, he adds, because of a danger that it might see some retracement before the market rally gets going strongly.
Among the stocks of semiconductor and semiconductor-equipment companies, the area Smith personally covers, S&P has buys on Analog Devices (ADI) and Microchip Technology (MCHP). In addition, in the tech group generally, S&P lists as buys Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco (CSCO), Flextronics (FLEX), Fair Isaac (FIC), and Overture Services (OVER). Other buys are Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), Symantec (SYMC), and Electronic Arts (ERTS), the video-game maker. A recent small-cap addition to the info-tech buy list is WebEx Communications (WEBX).
These were among the comments Smith made in an investing chat presented Dec. 3 on America Online by BusinessWeek Online and Standard & Poor's. He was responding to questions from the audience and from BW Online's Jack Dierdorff. Following are edited excerpts. A complete transcript is available from BusinessWeek Online on AOL at keyword: BW Talk.
Note: Tom Smith is an equity analyst with Standard & Poor's Investment Advisory Services. He has no affiliation with or ownership interest in any company under discussion. S&P's other affiliates may provide services to the companies under discussion today.
Q: Before we dig into the tech sector, Tom, is the market rally just pausing for breath, or do you at S&P think it has run out of steam?
A: I think the market is pausing for breath. From my seat here in the tech group, the fact that the Nasdaq composite average has been piercing its 200-day moving average in recent days is a bullish sign. Although it backed off some today, we think the Nasdaq will tend to move higher over the next quarter.
Of course, a retracement after the very fast upward movement since October would not be extraordinary. Overall, S&P is bullish on the markets. We have an underweight ranking on the tech sector out of caution that there might be a brief retracing of part of the rally since October.
Q: What do you think of Intel (INTC)?
A: Intel is a 2-STAR (avoid) with us [in S&P's Stock Appreciation Ranking System, known as STARS], although the shares have come back lately and recent fundamental indications are that Intel may be able to report in line with expectations. We see Intel heading into a seasonally weak period into the first half of next year, with some question about how strong PC sales will be in the second half of '03.
Intel maintains a substantial amount of production capacity, which will help it if sales turn up but expose it to some risk if sales should disappoint in 2003. We prefer chipmakers with less exposure to commodity-pricing situations, including the analog chipmakers. That said, Intel is expected to be able to raise prices on flash memory in January. However, we think this news is largely in the stock already.
Q: I've owned 8,500 shares of VTSS
(Vitesse Semiconductor) since '94 -- what's its future?
A: Vitesse is no longer in coverage. It is a communications-semiconductor maker. The wireline communications equipment markets remain quite weak and are apt to stay weak throughout 2003. Although we don't have a STARS ranking on Vitesse, peer companies active in that same part of the chip industry include PMC-Sierra (PMCS), which is a 2-STAR (avoid), and Applied Micro Circuits (AMCC) is also a 2-STAR (avoid). The story in this part of the chip world is that you have low-priced stocks, many of which will come back, or may come back someday. However, the time frame for recovery is beyond our 6- to 12-month time frame.
Q: Backing up a sec, you said re: Intel that you preferred other chipmakers. Such as?
A: Such as analog chipmakers, including ADI
(Analog Devices), which is a 5-STAR (buy). ADI's sales come 80% from high-end analog chips and 20% from DSP [digital signal processing] chips, which are used mainly in communications applications but really cover a wide range of end markets, including computers, wireless handsets, wireless base stations, digital consumer electronics, hospital instruments, and process-control instruments for industry and other end markets. ADI has some debt, but we believe it's generally a well-managed company and is one of the best ways to play the DSP chip area.
Texas Instruments (TXN) similarly makes high-end analog and DSP chips. However, it also makes a lot of low-end chips and educational calculators, and overall to us is less attractive. TXN is a 2-STAR (avoid) with us, despite its raising its guidance for fourth-quarter [earnings per share] by 1 cent today. Other chipmakers we like include Microchip Technology (MCHP), which is a 5-STAR (buy). MCHP makes embedded control systems used in a very wide range of end products, including automobile electronics and household appliances, where sales have been steady and where increasing penetration of microcontrollers has been a favorable trend.
Additionally, we like Linear Tech (LLTC) as a 4-STAR (accumulate) and Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM) as a 3-STAR hold. These two are pure plays in high-end analog chips. Their attraction is very wide margins by industry standards and relatively steady pricing for their chips. However, they typically trade at premium valuations. So in summation, we prefer analog, DSP, and microcontroller categories of chips rather than a commodity-oriented kinds of chips such as microprocessors and processors and DRAMs.
Q: What do you think of Kemet (KEM)?
A: Kemet is a maker of capacitors, which are a passive electronic component widely used in all kinds of electronics. Kemet is presently a 3-STAR (hold). Business conditions have stabilized at a low level for Kemet.... The capacitor industry saw a large buildup of production capacity during the boom in 2000. We think it will be a while before demand catches up with that capacity and leads to strong enough pricing to create strong earnings for Kemet.
A similar company, AVX (AVX), is a 2-STAR (avoid), and we have some of the same concerns -- that a lot of capacity is out there and that demand is coming back slowly. Again, these companies should cycle up with the electronics industry. However, the time frame for recovery is long enough so that these are not among our favorite companies right now.
Q: What about FLEX
A: Flextronics is one of the stronger contract-manufacturing companies. Flextronics was upgraded today from 4-STAR (accumulate) to 5-STAR (buy). Analyst Richard Stice believes that Flextronics is the best-positioned electronics manufacturing-services company and should benefit from the growing trend of outsourcing manufacturing activities.
Q: Do you cover RFMD
(RF Micro Devices)?
A: Yes, I do. RFMD is presently a 3-STAR (hold). It's a strong player in radio-frequency chips for wireless communications and should see sales and earnings improve as companies such as Nokia (NOK) begin to sell more units of phones and to sell next-generation phones that are packed more densely with high-powered electronics. In the near term, RFMD's earnings are just beginning to come back into profitability.... Overall trends within the semiconductor industry seem to be favoring wireless chips compared to other kinds of chips.
Q: What about ORCL
(Oracle) and SUNW
(Sun Microsystems) -- are they worth holding?
A: Oracle is a 4-STAR (accumulate) as covered by analyst Jon Rudy. We estimate that it will have earnings of 39 cents in the fiscal year ending in May, 2003, and EPS of 42 cents in the '04 fiscal year. Oracle, of course, has a large franchise in computer software for businesses. It should do better as patterns for information-technology spending by business become stronger.
We should see a little of this in the second half of '03 and expect to see more decisive recovery in 2004. So, yes, we would hold Oracle for this recovery and advise accumulating a larger position.
Sun Microsystems, as followed by Megan Graham-Hackett, is a 3-STAR (hold). We estimate that Sun will lose 2 cents per share in the June '03 fiscal year. Sun, of course, is an innovative player in the network-computing markets. The share price has been driven under $5 for some time now, and its book-to-bill ratio is near 1, implying that business is stable -- and for this company, the lack of deterioration may be viewed as good news. On the other hand, an acceleration to robust earnings still seems somewhat distant.
Q: Can we please get your viewpoint on KLAC
A: KLAC is the premier maker of semiconductor equipment used for yield management and process monitoring during the making of semiconductors. It's presently ranked as 2-STAR (avoid), as covered by analyst Richard Tortoriello.... Although KLA is one of the larger companies in the semiconductor-equipment group and has strong market position, as judged by market share, in certain niches, it's suffering along with other semiconductor-equipment makers from a very slow pattern of orders this fall.
(Applied Materials) is another name that several people have brought up. Do you like it?
A: Most of the same arguments just stated for KLA also apply for AMAT. It's a large company in the group with strong R&D and the potential to sell equipment to the leading-edge chip plants. However, earnings visibility is low, and the time to strong earnings recovery could be long.
Therefore, at the moment, Applied is a 1-STAR (sell) with us. This is based mostly on valuation and low earnings visibility for the group. We carry an underweight ranking on the semiconductor-equipment group.
Q: What about EMC (EMC)?
A: EMC Corp. is one of the larger players in the storage hardware and software markets. It's covered by analyst Richard Stice. It's a 3-STAR (hold). We estimate a loss of 9 cents per share in 2002 and a loss of 5 cents in 2003, indicating that the time to recovery may be a little longer than we would like to see in a bullish call. So while we expect EMC to come back when IT spending picks up, for now we are neutral on the shares.
Q: How about Rambus (RMBS) and ATML
A: We don't cover Rambus. However, we do cover Atmel Corp. -- it's presently a 3-STAR (hold). The shares showed some life in recent days on the concept that wireless chips might be doing better and that flash-memory pricing might be rising, as based on comments by Intel.
Atmel is a broad-line chipmaker that makes various kinds of logic chips, memory chips, and microcontrollers, It's active in wireless areas, including handsets, but also including things like smart cards, identity-security chips, and chips for more humble wireless functions such as remote controls for garage doors.... We expect Atmel to recover with the chipmakers as the industry cycles up more strongly in 2004. But we would prefer other chipmakers here and are neutral on Atmel.
Q: You have buys on Analog Devices and Microchip, Tom. Any other positive readings for us as we wind this up? The revival in corporate IT spending -- and with it the revival of many of the tech names -- seems to have become a moving target.
A: With the recovery in tech seeming to be closer, yet still a process that's apt to take several more quarters -- or perhaps up to two years for some parts of the IT sector -- we are choosing as 5-STARS names that have strong market position in their franchise and solid balance sheets.
The recent additions to the 5-STAR list have included Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco (CSCO), Flextronics, Analog Devices, Fair Isaac (FIC), and Overture Services (OVER). We're still positive on Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), Symantec (SYMC), and Electronic Arts (ERTS), the maker of video-game software. A recent small-cap addition to our IT buy list is WebEx Communications (WEBX).

domain: finance


text:
Choosing the next location
Live somewhere with amazing week days and incredible weekends
When we moved to London, it was for an exciting job, not an exciting location.
It's true that London is amazing, full of ambitious people bursting with energy, and so many options and cultures mixing together. But we were leaving Switzerland behind, a place with stunning mountains, rippling lakes, and a superb quality of life.
The choice to leave glorious Switzerland was driven by the the bright and shiny lights of exciting and enjoyable work opportunities. So whilst Switzerland felt like a place to optimise for amazing weekends, London felt like a place to optimise for amazing week days.
Six months ago, we agreed to try again: to live somewhere with amazing week days AND incredible weekends. This will be our third major move, and we are hoping for third time lucky.
We chose Lisbon. One of my colleagues at the time said ‘Lisbon, that's a bit random isn't it? How did you choose?’ I told him the choice was thanks to a high stakes version of pin the tail on the donkey, and I think he believed me(!).
Actually we took a few steps that helped us find Lisbon. As with many great projects, this one started with a checklist of criteria for the next place. We wanted the following:
- sunny weather,
- good kitesurfing,
- active tech network,
- safe enough for me to run at night.
- (extra plus) a language challenge was desirable.
Oh boy did we get excited about New Zealand! Some other strong contenders included Tel Aviv, South Korea, Singapore, California & Melbourne. The next step was to see what work opportunities would be available in a place that ticked our boxes.
We started exploring different work opportunities in locations that ticked our boxes. This involved a combination of networking, chatting to head hunters, discussing new location options with our current jobs, and applying for roles abroad.
Ruskin found an opportunity to start his dream job working at an early stage startup, and the bonus was that they would be happy for him to work remotely in Europe. Within Europe, Lisbon seemed to be a place that ticked most of the boxes, especially kitesurfing and climate! It appeared to have a growing tech scene thanks in part to hosting the recently relocated Web Summit. But we weren't sure if that was enough to tick the tech community box.
So I set about networking, spoke to nearly 20 people based out in Lisbon, and was excited about the energy and ambition of the folks out there. Not to mention the added positive sign that most people I spoke to surfed at the weekend. The decision was made before we even made it out for a reccy visit, and luckily we were still convinced after heading out to meet the friendly happy local residents and admire the stunning coast. Voila - the next location has been chosen and and so here we go!

domain: geography


text:
The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth (Book of Dust, Volume 2)
Return to the world of His Dark Materials—soon to be an HBO original series starring Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda—in the second volume of Philip Pullman’s new bestselling masterwork The Book of Dust.
The windows between the many worlds have been sealed and the momentous adventures of Lyra Silvertongue’s youth are long behind her—or so she thought. Lyra is now a twenty-year-old undergraduate at St. Sophia’s College and intrigue is swirling around her once more. Her daemon Pantalaimon is witness to a brutal murder, and the dying man entrusts them with secrets that carry echoes from their past.
The more Lyra is drawn into these mysteries, the less she is sure of. Even the events of her own past come into question when she learns of Malcolm Polstead’s role in bringing her to Jordan College.
Now Lyra and Malcolm will travel far beyond the confines of Oxford, across Europe and into the Levant, searching for a city haunted by daemons, and a desert said to hold the truth of Dust. The dangers they face will challenge everything they thought they knew about the world, and about themselves.
Praise for The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage:
“It’s a stunning achievement, this universe Pullman has created and continues to build on.” –The New York Times
“Too few things in our world are worth a seventeen year wait: The Book of Dust is one of them.” –The Washington Post
“Reading this novel is like standing in a room in which suddenly all of the windows have blown open at once.” –Slate