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Jam Thumbprint Cookies
These Jam Thumbprint Cookies are the BEST! A delicious sugar cookie dough filled with your favorite jam, and then dusted with powdered sugar. These have become our all-time favorite cookie recipe for the Holidays!
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup jam
- powdered sugar for dusting
Place the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in the large. Beat with a hand held or standing mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat for a couple of minutes until combined.
Add the in the dry ingredients. Beat until well blended.
Place the dough on a large piece of plastic wrap and form it into a disk. Cover the dough completely with the plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 3 days.
Remove the shortbread cookie dough from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you plan to use it.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls. Place the balls of dough 3 inches apart on 2 sheets pan lined with silicon baking mats or parchment paper. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the middle of each cookie. Make sure not to crack the cookie dough when you are making your thumbprint. Fill each cookie with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
Place the baking trays of cookies in the freezer. Chill for 10-15 minutes or until cookies are firm.
Pull out of the freezer and bake for 10-11 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let sit for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.
Serving: 24g | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

domain: food


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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OutKick announced today that Charly Arnolt has left ESPN to join the fastest growing national multimedia sports platform as it continues to expand its lineup. Arnolt is leaving ESPN after five years and will be co-hosting a new OutKick show currently in development, which will be announced ahead of football season.
In addition to the show, Arnolt will be featured across OutKick platforms to discuss trending topics and to provide her authentic takes on the most pressing stories in sports. Arnolt brings years of industry experience to OutKick with her experience as a multi-platform host and reporter with ESPN as well as a host for WWE.
In commenting on the announcement, OutKick founder Clay Travis said, “Charly is an outstanding talent and will be a great asset for OutKick. It doesn’t surprise me she wanted to leave ESPN given their woke approach to sports and this is a great opportunity for her to join a platform that’s growing fast where she can speak her mind.”
Arnolt added, “I’m extremely excited to join OutKick and work alongside Clay and a great stable of talent. The outspoken nature of the platform and its ability to create engaging content is what really piqued my interest. I have a lot of opinions that I haven’t been able to express, and I can’t wait get started.”
Arnolt will continue her role as a reporter for UFC events. During Arnolt’s time at ESPN she was a host on First Take, SportsCenter and made regular appearances on ESPN+’s weekday morning show, SportsNation along with many other shows on the streaming service. She also launched an ESPN podcast called First Take, Her Take. Previously, she was with WWE and hosted a national syndicated radio show covering sports, entertainment, and comedy.
OutKick is one of the fastest growing national multimedia platforms that produces and distributes engaging content at the intersection of sports, sports culture, pop culture and news. OutKick’s industry recognized stable of reporters, hosts and contributors are accessible on http://OutKick.com as well as across video livestreams, social media, podcasts, and radio, reaching tens of millions of fans each month. Owned by FOX Corporation, OutKick was originally founded by Clay Travis. For more information, please visit www.OutKick.com.

domain: entertainment


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News continue to surface for the recently revealed Sonic Colours Ultimate. This time, Sonic’s best friend may be playable.
In an article published by the Japanese magazine Famitsu, screenshots showcased what appears to be a playable Miles “Tails” Prower were shown, much to the excitement of Sonic fans.
It still isn’t known if Tails will have his trademark characteristics from other Sonic games where he is playable.
The findings has yet to be confirmed by SEGA.
More Sonic Colours Ultimate details revealed
A new color power, Jade Wisp, that originally debuted in Team Sonic Racing, has been added to the game. It will work essentially the same way it did in its first appearance. The character will be transparent, and will be able to go through certain walls and objects.
Also confirmed was that a new game system for beginners has been added, as well as new items.
Moreover, the opening theme for the game, Reach for the Stars, and all stages and boss fights soundtracks have been updated. It was disclosed that remixes of the original soundtrack have also been included.
First look at merch items for the Japanese SEGA store
The Japanese SEGA store is preparing to sell a merchandise line up to commemorate the remastered title. It will feature a hanging scroll, a Tropical Resort place mat, a leather pouch, a Wisp-branded bag, and an acrylic panel.
A 30th Anniversary package will also include an art book, a soundtrack compilation CD , and a a limited edition collector’s coin.
All items can be pre-ordered at the Japanese SEGA store.
h/t Sam Procrastinates, Mr. Pasquale, affiliates
Correction: Article updated 28 May to reflect ambiguous nature of Tails’ involvement. We regret the error.


Is Robot Cooling Tower Cleaning Effective?
Judging from today's marketing of robot cooling tower cleaning, the answer to the question is YES!
However, anyone experienced with cooling towers knows that the honest answer should be maybe!
If you want a cooling tower cleaned by a robot, your tower usually, must stay in operation and be over four feet deep. So, what's the problem?
As the company that pioneered the use of robots for cleaning cooling towers, OLC Services wants you to understand some facts that are often "left out".


Ross King Grace And Peace tab
Highlighted Show chord diagrams
Grace And Peace Ross King Key: G Verse 1: G D/F# Em I lift my voice, unto the King, C D G And everything I am becomes and offering. G Em I sing my song, for You alone, C D G And everything around me suddenly is gone. Chorus: G D Sing Alleluia (Alleluia) G D/F# Em Grace and peace (Alleluia) C Sing Alleluia (Father) D G You are all I need. Verse 2: Your gentle hand, can calm my fear, And chase the clouds away until the sky is clear. Your Word in me, is like a flame, I cannot help but sing, and praise Your holy name!


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Company Feldman Ecopark, owned by MP Alexander Feldman, is planning to build in the Odessa region biological reserve “Danube Plavni”. According to preliminary information, the project investments will amount to about $ 15 million.
The head of the regional state administration Maxim Kuts has already signed a Memorandum of cooperation with the Director of “Feldman Ecopark” Vitaly Ilchenko.
It is reported that the purpose of the reserve – conservation of wildlife populations and their adaptation after life on the street and in harsh conditions.
In addition, on the territory of eco-Park will provide infrastructure for psychosocial rest and rehabilitation of people with lung diseases.
A similar Park has already been created in the Kharkiv region. Annually it is visited by 2.7 million tourists.
Noted that Ecopark will cover an area of 100 hectares.
Similar projects are planned in the Dnipro, Lviv, Kyiv region and Poltava.
From the state management company Feldman Ecopark requests a long term lease agreement on these areas and special tax regime (as implemented in the projects of mystetskyi Arsenal and ENEA).
In return, the company undertakes the formation of an investment package for the implementation of projects to $ 100 million.

domain: geography


All things considered, the Packers are pretty healthy for their playoff push. Only six players are currently on injured reserve, and two of them are Tyler Davis and David Bakhtiari, who have been out since the preseason and Week 2, respectively.
But a couple of noteworthy injuries will stress the Packers’ depth. Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie both came out of Sunday’s game a bit dinged up, and with De’Vondre Campbell a bit of a question mark lately, inside linebacker could be thin, to say the least, on Saturday.
Then on the edge, Kingsley Enagbare has reportedly torn an ACL. Though not having a huge second season from a statistical perspective, Enagbare is a solid third in edge snaps this season. He also logged nearly 200 snaps on special teams in the regular season, ranking seventh on the team in that category. The Packers will need 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness to fill a bigger role, in addition to whatever snaps 2023 UDFA Brenton Cox can offer.
Facing a 49ers team that’s about as good as it gets in the NFL this year, the Packers will need their depth pieces to step up in a big way.
The “next man up” mantra is a tired cliche, but it’s true, and the Packers will have to lean on the next man at edge rusher with one of their top depth pieces on the shelf.
Brian Gutekunst has been on a talent-acquisition hot streak, a welcome development after the 2020 and 2021 drafts.
The Packers’ defense has received plenty of the wrong kind of attention this year, but some of their most frequently maligned players and coaches made big plays Sunday.
For Green Bay flower shop owner, surprise chance to film ‘Fox NFL Sunday’ Packers spot with Jordan Love was ‘just wonderful’ | Packers News
The Packers won’t play a home playoff game this year, but they’re still making an impact in Green Bay.
Eagles’ Nick Sirianni on job status after late-season collapse, playoff exit: ‘I’m thinking about the guys’ | NFL.com
Sirianni says he’s not thinking about his own future. Perhaps he should!
No more amber-lettered jokes over the nation’s highways thanks to the fun-hating Feds.


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Pioneering cartoon band Gorillaz is back! This time, they’re living off the western coast of Africa on an island called Plastic Beach:
The band have taken up residence, recording on a secret floating island deep in the South Pacific, a Plastic Beach HQ, made up of the detritus, debris and washed up remnants of humanity. This Plastic Beach is the furthest point from any landmass on Earth; the most deserted spot on the planet.
Here they’ve gathered Mick Jones and Paul Simonon (once of the Clash), Snoop Dogg, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, De La Soul and Little Dragon — among many others — to make a new album. The whole thing drops in March (with a Coachella appearance to follow) but you can hear the new single at the above link.
While Damon Albarn remains the main musical force behind the band, artist Jamie Hewlett supplies the visuals, making this OUR cartoon band, so don’t you give me “What does this have to do with comics!” in the comments!

domain: artistic


The pretreated concrete with reinforcing steel is sent to the jaw crusher for initial breakage by the conveyor belt, then effectively separated by the iron remover, and sent to the impact crusher for fine crushing. The crushed material is sieved by the vibrating screen. The finished material is output by the conveyor.
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Hog Crusher Skid Steer Concrete Crusher. The Hog Crusher Skid Steer Concrete Crusher is a heavy duty constructed attachment ideal for recycling concrete, block, brick, and stone materials on the jobsite by crushing it into back-fill material so it does not have to be hauled off, saving thousands of dollars in disposal costs.
The Concrete Crusher is a generated of wasted of Portland concrete demolition & on the site of construction about 30% of waste in the city found. Garbage can be recycled and reusable, including the concrete. Concrete crusher Demolish and makes one of the high environmental priorities and create awesome structure looks than need.
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In my last post, I talked the current pandemic in that it was predictable, that it was going to be at least a year (and likely longer) before we’d see a vaccine, and that various treatments would be tried and many would fail. In this one, I’m going to talk about what I think will happen over the next year.
1. Things will not go back to “normal.” This virus is not going to go away on its own, and until there’s a good vaccine, there will still be shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and other measures that people will have to follow. Aside from the official measures, people’s behavior is going to change, and much of what we used to considered normal, everyday life will not return quickly.
2. The next set of outbreaks will hit rural areas and states without strong restrictions. I’m not an epidemiologist, but I can look at the news, and it’s easy to see where the next hot spots for COVID-19 will be. The “Liberate” protesters, the evangelicals who continue to have large services, and states where the governors think they don’t need strong “stay at home” orders, or lifted them early, are going to have a lot of cases over the next two months. Areas that attract a large seasonal population, and have tourist attractions are also going to start having more cases. These areas are also the most likely to be underserved when it comes to healthcare, in addition to having older populations, so the mortality rate will be higher.
3. The economy won’t bounce back quickly. Over the past week of listening to various conservative “experts,” Republican state officials, and the President, I have come away with the impression that they have somehow convinced themselves that if we just lifted all the restrictions, the economy will be booming again in short order. That is not true. A sizable number of small businesses, and even some major ones, are never reopening. Even for those that do, the inevitable effects of the reduction in jobs and personal savings will mean that customers will not be once again flocking to public areas and congregating. It will also take time to recover from and repair the disruptions in various supply chains. So even if the virus were to suddenly disappear tomorrow, it will take months, and more likely several years for the economy to bounce back.
4. States are going to struggle, some more than others. What many people seem to be forgetting is that state constitutions require that a state balance its budget. The effect of the shutdown on the economy also means that state revenues will drastically decline. The inevitable result of this is that state spending will have to be slashed. A great many programs will be given major cuts, if not “zeroed out,” and state and local employees will be on the unemployment line. Education, roads, social services, environmental protection, parks, and a host of other things people take for granted and rely on will either be closed or greatly reduced. Those states which already are at low spending levels, and those which have a less diverse economy will be the ones that struggle the most, because they have little margin for error.
I’d really prefer to be writing an optimistic blog post right now, but I deal with reality. I remember the impact the recession had on the economy, and in particular on this area, and this is going to be worse. Yes, we will eventually come out of it, but the next 12 to 18 months are going to be tough. All the bluster and bullshit in the world coming out of the White House and the conservative media is not going to change that, although it can make it even worse.


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But most Americans may have been unaware of the President’s comments due to Federal Communications Commission rules which fine broadcasters up to $325,000 for airing unscripted comments. The only political statements deemed newsworthy by the FCC are those that have been carefully choreographed by a team of political scientists ahead of time. CNN, which is a cable outlet, played the quote. Fox News did not.
How did the most powerful man in the world feel about his speech to other world leaders?
“Just gonna make it up,” he said. “I'm not going to talk too damn long like the rest of them. Some of these guys talk too long.”
How does Bush talk to the king of
“Gotta go home. Got something to do tonight. Go to the airport, get on the airplane and go home. How about you? Where are you going? Home? This is your neighborhood. It doesn't take you long to get home. How long does it take you to get home? Eight hours? Me too.
(Our president forgivingly assumed that because
How does Bush talk to hired help?
“No, Diet Coke, Diet Coke.”
(Our President just couldn’t get over how far apart
“It takes him eight hours to fly home,” he continued. “Eight hours.
How does Bush talk to his best friends?
“Yo, Blair, what are you doing? You leaving?
Blair: No, no, no, not yet.
And the inner workings of trade negotations?
Bush: If you want me to. I just want some movement. Yesterday, I didn't see much movement. The desire's to move.
Blair : No, no there's not. It may be that it's impossible.
Bush : I'll be glad to say it. Who's introducing me?
Blair : Angela. [German Chancellor Angela Merkel ]
Bush : Tell her to call on me. Tell her to put me on the spot.
(Our president likes to carry the ball.)
Bush : Thanks for the sweater. Awfully thoughtful of you. I know you picked it out yourself.
Blair : Oh, absolutely.
The conversation then turned to the Mideast Crisis.
Bush : See, the irony is what they need to do is get
Blair : Who,
Bush : Right.
Blair : I think this is all part of the same thing. What does he think? He thinks if
Bush : I felt like telling Kofi to get on the phone with Assad and make something happen. We're not blaming
At that point Blair turned the microphone off.
Many on the left have latched on and mocked the president for his language and impatience. Even the right’s Bill O’Reilly considered the conversation “embarrassing” for the president. However, I predict the inane banter and crude speech will only help Bush. Indeed, those on the right should be supremely satisfied that he appears to speak in private exactly as he does in public, with simplistic thoughts tinged frequently with impatience and annoyance.
What would have been a real disaster is if the president had spoken too cerebrally, perhaps comprehending the size of
It’s just unfortunate that the president has to have his conversations listened-in on. This type of treatment should be inflicted only on commoners and laborers who need to be constantly monitored. As proof, you can be charged for things you said when you thought no one was listening, but our leader can’t even be repeated on public airwaves unless he knows he’s being quoted. What kind of people does
Many have criticized the President’s language. Your children are not allowed to speak that way in school, but he can. Your children are also not allowed to speak with food in their mouths, but our leader can. He is, of course, President. Who would ever even think of holding our leader to the standards we hold even the wildest and most unkempt of juveniles to? Yes, Bush said some shit. Let's all say it. Shit! Hey, that was fun. That gives boring rhetoric a little punch in the gut. Shit, get over it, people.
My advice is not to sweat this little episode. Happily, the president, when told about it, rolled his eyes and laughed. If he’s not worried, I’m not worried. In-fact white house spokesman Tony Snow is already using the conversation as an example supreme representation, pointing out how the President speaks and thinks like all Americans. How flattering!

domain: politics


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Experience the best of Southeastern North Carolina this late fall on this relaxed six-day trip.
Southeastern North Carolina offers excellent birding year-round, from its coastline dotted with barrier islands and salt marshes to the wonderful pine savannas where Red-cockaded Woodpeckers reside. The proximity of the Cape Fear, a blackwater river, and its associated hardwood swamps and spoil islands add further birding potential, while a number of ‘Carolina Bays,’ enigmatic shallow basins with a fascinating ecology, await to be explored.
Late fall is a lovely time to visit the area with increasing numbers of waterfowl appearing in rafts on the area’s lakes, ponds, and waterways, while flocks of overwintering gulls, terns, and shorebirds congregate on the beaches and sandbars. Red Knot, Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Marbled Godwit, and Great and Lesser Black-backed Gulls are just a few of the many species we should encounter here, while on the rocky jetties we hope to see Purple Sandpiper and Great Cormorant. All 3 species of scoter plus Northern Gannets can be seen nearly anywhere just offshore, and occasionally Parasitic Jaeger or Razorbill are as well. Visiting the salt marshes at high tide will give us the best chance at seeing all three coastal marsh sparrows – Seaside, Nelson’s, and Saltmarsh, while marshes along the river can hold King and Virginia Rails, and Sora. In the pine savannas we will of course pay special attention to finding the federally endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker plus Northern Bobwhite, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and with some luck, Bachman’s Sparrow. Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills have both increased in number in the region over the last decade and are still findable along with Anhinga at communal roosts and on lakes and swamps at this time of year. We will also explore parks, gardens, coastal scrub, and woodlands dominated by live oaks, where we should find Red-headed Woodpecker and a good selection of overwintering and straggling warblers, sparrows, and other songbirds.
The entire region has also proven to be a magnet for rarities through the years with Eurasian Wigeon, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Mottled Duck, Common Eider, and Pacific Loon all having shown up in fall or winter. Join Wilmington native Aaron on this fun tour to his old stomping grounds and some of the top hotspots in the region!
Some of the Birds We Hope to See
25+ waterfowl species including Black, Surf, & White-winged Scoters, Snow Goose, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Northern Bobwhite, Sora, King, Virginia, and Clapper Rails, American Avocet, American Oystercatcher, Piping Plover, Red Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed, and Great Black-backed Gulls, Royal, Caspian, Sandwich, & Forster’s Terns, Black Skimmer, Common & Red-throated Loons, Wood Stork, Anhinga, Great Cormorant, American Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Great Horned & Barred Owl, Red-headed & Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Merlin & Peregrine Falcon, Loggerhead Shrike, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sedge & Marsh Wrens, Fox, Seaside, Nelson’s, and Saltmarsh Sparrows, Rusty Blackbird, Black-and-white, Orange-crowned, Cape May, Blackpoll, Palm, Pine, Yellow-rumped, and Yellow-throated Warblers, and many more.

domain: hobby


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I love the movies.
Of course, while I don’t get out to see them in the theater like I once did, I do find enough moments to spare in a year to do it up proper. You know. A darkened theater, surrounded by strangers, enjoying the flickering light and shadow projected on the big screen.
That said, there are many elements that conspire to make my entertainment excursions much fewer and far between than they once were. Where I once saw a movie a week, these days I can count my annual theater trips on my two hands – and some years I only need one.
Therefore, I tend to reserve the big blockbuster flicks for the theatrical exhibition and savor the meaty dramas at home. While my tastes have matured and I tend to gravitate towards the headier stuff (I currently have No Country for Old Men and There Will be Blood on my Must See List when they inevitably drop On Demand) – if I’m at the theater I want to nosh on a big bag of eye candy.
With that said, I’ve looked ahead at the year’s impending releases and have compiled a list of the films that I absolutely must see on the Big Screen. I placed these in order of desire so if I have to cherry pick from this list, you’ll know which titles I jettisoned for home viewing.
Without further adieu, I present My Top 11 Movies I’ve Just Got To See on the Big Screen in 2008.
11. Wanted – June 27, 2008
This one is based on a graphic novel of which I know nothing about. That may not be a bad thing as I’ve heard the film keeps characters and themes but drastically changes some elements of the source material’s universe. Specifically, this first film abandons any semblance of superheroes and super villains. Instead, we’ve got super assassins dueling it out – with Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie teaching fledgling spook, James McAvoy, his way around the wet works. The trailers for this one are slick – with some nouveau Matrixy effects (love the curveball bullet-time featured in this year’s Super Bowl teaser). This looks like a stylish kick of an action flick.
10. The Happening – June 13, 2008
This is what happens when M. Night Shyamalan gets mad. After the box office drubbing his last flick, the fable Lady in the Water, received, Shyamalan went from the toast to the ghost. There were scathing articles (including a full book detailing Lady’s faint) and it looked like the wunderkind had fallen under his self-imposed pressure to become the new Spielberg. That said, I’ve enjoyed all of the films that I’ve seen. I missed Lady but caught the much maligned The Village and enjoyed that quite a bit, even if I did see his trademark twist coming through the trees. All water under the bridge. With this flick, Shyamalan looks to get back to his formula for marrying the supernatural with the hyper-realistic. This is an end-of-the-world story, with Mark Wahlberg playing a man who starts witnessing the beginning of the end, as some mysterious force starts turning people into homicidal/suicidal beings. Rumors are it’s the planet shaking us off like fleas – with some dormant force causing man to off himself. How do you stop that? This has a creepy, cool trailer and a potent teaser poster that hints at an apocalyptic good time. I’m a sucker for these End of Days tales so this is high on my Must See list.
9. The Incredible Hulk – June 13, 2008
I’m one of the few people who actually enjoyed Ang Lee’s 2003 take on the Hulk. I liked his poetic gloss on the material and the comic book aesthetic he applied to the film – with the screen splitting into ‘moving panels’ on many instances. I could have done without Nick Nolte’s Method Acting (it was hard to tell if Nolte knew he was in a big-budget flick or if he was simply starring in a YouTube re-enactment of his booking). Regardless, I’m in the minority, so Marvel has decided to try a reboot to reestablish this as a powerhouse series on par with the X-Men and Spider-Man flicks. Gone is Eric Bana. In his place, Edward Norton essays Bruce Banner. The cast also includes Liv Tyler, William Hurt and Tim Roth as the villain, The Abomination. Also, Ang Lee has been drop-kicked and replaced by Transporter director Louis Leterrier. Obviously, Marvel is looking to up the action quotient in the reboot. I am a bit curious as to why we haven’t seen much from this flick thus far (for a big summer flick you’d think a teaser would have dropped by now). Oh well, I’m a sucker for the comic flicks so I’ll see this one too.
8. Hellboy II: The Golden Army – June 11, 2008
I missed the first film in theaters but caught it when my cousin ordered up a copy from Amazon and had it shipped to my house. I think he was aiming to add some troops to his army supporting Hellboy, and well, he made me a convert. The first film was a lot of fun. While the property may be derivative of other entertainments (a delectable stew of Indiana Jones, X-Files, H.P. Lovecraft and World War II movies), it all comes together to forge a flavor all its own. Plus, the casting was on the money with Ron Perlman bringing the Big Red Guy to vibrant life. Director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) returns to helm the sequel. Like Tim Burton, Del Toro is an auteur you trust to tease your eyeballs with his visionary approach to pop myth making. This one should be a blast.
7. Wall-E – June 27, 2008
So what if the lead character looks like Johnny 5. It’s PIXAR. ‘Nuff said, right. So far, the trailers on this have served to sell the character with no hint of plot. We see Wall-E, a robot whose sole job appears to be tending a massive trash heap (Easter Egg hunters will have a field day looking for all the in-jokes PIXAR will undoubtedly deposit in this land fill). From what I’ve read, the film takes place hundreds of years in the future and follows Wall-E’s journey through the universe. Apparently, the dialogue is slight (Wall-E doesn’t talk – he communicates through expressive Beeps and Boops – think R2D2 after Hooked on Phonics.) I just know that Colin is going to love this flick so I am absolutely primed to see this with him on the big screen. A movie about a lovable robot who journeys through space hitting just a month after he hits 5. That’s right in his wheel house. While I’m looking forward to the flick (and the amazing visuals these artists crank out in film after film), it’s the actual movie going experience with my son that I crave the most.
6. Iron Man – May 2, 2008
I just caught the new trailer that premiered in front of Lost the other night. Iron Man looks like it’s bringing a welcome dose of levity to all the superhero histrionics. First off, Robert Downey Jr. is expertly cast as playboy weapon’s inventor Tony Stark. Downey brings the snark that boozy Stark has in spades. While the trailer features all manner of rock ‘em, sock ‘em action, it’s the non-sequitors that really tie it all together. I especially like the line (delivered to Gwyneth Paltrow who catches Stark entangled in his invention – “C’Mon this is not the WORST thing you’ve caught me doing.” Funny stuff. Rounding out the cast are Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Jeff Bridges as Stark’s mentor. I’ve also read that Downey puts in a cameo appearance in The Incredible Hulk meaning Marvel is finally achieving some synergies in their various products with characters crossing over the collective universe. I predict this to be a monster hit.
5. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – November 19, 2008
While I’ve only read two of the books, I am a huge fan of these films. I just finished reading the second book – The Chamber of Secrets and can attest that the filmmakers have done a masterful job of bring the pages to life. In fact, those first two films are almost word for word translations. I know that as the series has grown more dense, some liberties have been taken, but at the end of the day, J.K. Rowling has to be happy with how her children have been treated. Half Blood Prince is the 6th film in the 7-part series – although if the rumors are true, we may see the final book The Deathly Hallows split into two movies. That said, this series has continued to impress me with the production values and attention to detail – where even the most minor roles have been played by the same actors all the way through. They’ve really created a persistent universe and these films will play well into to the future. With that said, as I know I won’t catch up on all my reading before this next film drops, I’m looking forward to this film to advance the tale. The last film, The Order of the Phoenix, grew impressively dark and I’m curious to see how much worse things can get for our intrepid Harry. Don’t spoil it for me.
4. The X-Files 2 – July 15, 2008
Thus far, not much is known about this film, which began filming late last year following the resolution of Chris Carter’s lawsuit against 20th Century Fox. It’s got an eclectic cast (David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson are joined by Amanda Peet, Xzibit and Billy Connolly). Chris Carter penned the screenplay and is directing the feature with his trusty executive producer Frank Spotnitz overseeing the operation. While initial reports pegged this as a ‘Monster of the Week’ tale, I’ve hard recent rumors that there is an alien vibe to the film. The whole crew recently appeared before Wondercon where they unveiled a trailer that showed a wide-eyed Billy Connolly leading FBI investigators to a massive frozen lake and a mysterious object buried within. All I know is, The X-Files was my favorite television show for close to nine years and although it weakened as it went on, it still produced more hours of quality entertainment than most series I’ve watched. Carter and Spotnitz were responsible for some of the most memorable episodes so I have high hopes for this one. This is going to be like a long lost reunion. It’s good to have these guys back.
3. Quantum of Solace – November 7, 2008
You wouldn’t know if by the title but this is the next James Bond flick. Breaking from series tradition, this will be the first one that continues directly from the last film, Casino Royale, with rumors that the film literally picks up where Royale left off – with Bond tracking down the mysterious organization that made off with his winnings. Royale was a winning reinvention of the Bond formula – gone went the wacky invisible cars and in came more stylish action like that breathtaking parkour chase that opened the film. And Daniel Craig’s James Bond was the best James Bond of all time. Spare me your Brosnans and Connerys. Craig kicked ass in the role. Hell, I even liked the Chris Cornell crooned theme song – You Know My Name – which is a first as usually these title tunes grate. I can’t wait for this one although hopefully I’ll decipher the title or they’ll change it before November.
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – May 23, 2008
Yes, that title is unwieldy. Let’s hope that’s all the damage George Lucas inflicted on this return of the man in the hat. With Spielberg calling the shots, and a trailer that seems very evocative of the prior films, I fell confident that this will rock. Growing up, many of my friends called Star Wars as their touchstone film – the one that defined their childhood. For me, it was Raiders of the Lost Ark. I always wanted to be an archeologist and when I saw how much ass they kicked on a regular basis, the career track was set in stone. And that’s how I came to work at a financial services company. Ahem. Anyway, while it would appear that this was a boat that had sailed (it’s gotta’ be tough making an action movie when your lead actor keeps sneaking away to Denny’s for the Early Bird Special), that trailer has erased all doubts. The story is set in the 50’s (with the Red Scare and Commies taking over for the Nazis as our Big Bad). Indy’s age is accounted for – although truth be told, Ford looks younger than he has in years. Also, Marion (Karen Allen) is back. I’ll be there opening night for this one.
1. The Dark Knight – July 8, 2008
2005’s Batman Begins is my favorite comic book movie of all time so its follow-up is a lock for my Number 1. I loved how Christopher Nolan approached the film as depicting a real world Batman – the perfect tonic to the cartoon caricature that Joel Schumacher brought to the Batman mythos. While Tim Burton’s take was visionary, Nolan was the one who got closest to the heart of darkness that beats in the Batman tale. The sequel looks to continue that with a truly creepy performance turned in by Heath Ledger as The Joker. Yes, it’s going to be a bit strange watching the film with knowledge of Ledger’s real life departure but at least we can let this final role stand as testament to the actor’s greatness.
So that’s my list. What are you guys looking forward to?


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In the days that followed a foiled attempt to blow up Northwest Flight 253, the Obama White House clearly thought that it could bluff its way past the near disaster.
Two days after the event, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano contended that "the system worked." The next day, in prepared remarks, President Obama referred to suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab as an "isolated extremist" -- despite his apparent ties to al-Qaida in Yemen. Later, Obama counterterrorism adviser John Brennan asserted that there was "no smoking gun" that should have prevented Abdulmutallab's entry into America -- when everyone knew his father went to a U.S. Embassy in Nigeria to warn officials about his son's radicalization.
On Thursday, however, Obama hit the right note. In releasing a swift review of what went wrong and suggesting corrective actions, Obama did something President George W. Bush usually failed to do -- he appeared ready to sort through the weeds and dig through mistakes to correct problems quickly.
Obama's change of language was noteworthy; he acknowledged that "a known terrorist" should not have been allowed to board a Detroit-bound plane. He announced, "We are at war with al-Qaida."
To win a war, you have to know your enemy. Thus, it's important that the administration stopped downplaying any link between Abdulmutallab and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula member Anwar al-Awlaki, who also has been tied with accused Fort Hood killer Maj. Nidal Hasan. The White House review stipulated that the U.S. government "had sufficient information to have uncovered … and potentially disrupt" the planned Christmas attack, but failed.
At a press conference, Brennan said, "I told the president today, I let him down. I told him I will do better." Actually, Brennan let the American people down. Some critics are calling for Obama to fire someone -- be it an anonymous intelligence official or someone big enough to be on the Sunday talk shows -- as canning someone, they argue, would demonstrate that the president truly believes in accountability.
That's the sort of thing that is easy to say from the outside, where it is not necessary to acknowledge that many of these same operatives also may have stopped other attacks.
If I had to place a bet, I'd put my money on Napolitano being the first big-name casualty in the Obama administration. But really, what would Obama gain by firing her now? His reward would be a week of stories hitting him for hiring her, followed by a week of stories on potential picks -- a few of whom would be pilloried and destroyed -- followed by grueling confirmation hearings, during which the next, er, victim might or might not survive attacks from the left and right.
In the meantime, Obama has shown himself willing to swing with the pendulum on the issue of Guantanamo detainees. When Obama was a mere senator, it was easy for him to take potshots at President George W. Bush and to promise to shutter the prison at Guantanamo Bay. But now, as president, Obama has to preside over the consequences of his free-the-detainees rhetoric.
ABC News' Brian Ross reported that two of the men behind the Christmas Day bombing plot were detainees who had been released from Gitmo. The recidivism rate for the 530 released detainees has risen to 20 percent, and the remaining 198 are deemed hard core.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is against Gitmo, but that did not stop her from calling on Obama to halt the release of some 90 Yemeni detainees. Sunday, Brennan said the government would release Yemeni detainees, but on Tuesday, Obama changed course.
Earlier this week, Obama called Guantanamo Bay "a tremendous recruiting tool for al-Qaida." It turns out, releasing Gitmo detainees is a tremendous recruiting tool for al-Qaida.
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domain: news


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REDLANDS >> She may have traded the “Danger Zone” for the loading dock but former Navy jet fighter pilot Becky Murphy wouldn’t have it any other way.
After leaving the military in 2012, the Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran, Navy officer, and former F-18 Super Hornet fighter pilot has joined nearly 2,000 veterans hired by Amazon in the past year, through an initiative to boost the company’s ranks with service members transitioning into civilian life.
As an operations manager for the new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Redlands, which just began shipping orders in recent days, Murphy, 34, has found her second calling in another leadership position.
“For a pilot, mechanic, or tank driver, you still have great leadership qualities that are translatable to Amazon and it’s been a great experience,” said Murphy, who lives in Rancho Cucamonga.
Murphy is one of many who are part of the company’s efforts to hire veterans, and the program is playing itself out in the Inland Empire, where the Seattle-based company has three West Coast distribution centers.
“Amazon values the leadership skills and problem-solving abilities that veterans bring to our fulfillment centers,” according to a statement from the company. “It’s really a great match. Veterans thrive in our fulfillment network.”
About 1,900 military veteran hired on by Amazon in 2013 join several hundred vets who have already found employment in the company. Amazon offers programs to help veterans transition into civilian life, and connects them with an internal network of veterans for mentoring and support, according to spokeswoman Ashley Robinson.
Army National Guard chaplain Nathan Graeser, community liaison for the USC Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families, said veterans represent great value to employers.
“Almost in general, you get a much higher quality of worker who is often extremely on time and used to hard work,” Graeser said. “With veterans you get someone who has a tremendous amount of experience … vets in general are an amazing resource — most of them have had millions of dollars worth of training investment in them.”
Nationwide, the total unemployment rate for veterans was at 4.7 percent in September, which dropped from 5.6 percent in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the past year, Amazon’s military recruitment team attended more than 50 recruiting events to help veterans find jobs at the company.
It was at a similar event in Texas a few years ago that Murphy reconnected with an old Navy friend who had become a recruiter for Amazon. He convinced her to take serious consideration of the opportunity.
“When Amazon first started having conversations with me, I thought, ‘this is intimidating,” Murphy said. “What do I have to offer?’ I realized that what I do have is a lot of leadership experience, and the ability to care for and organize groups of people and care for their well-being.”
As an operations manager at the 500,000-square-foot Redlands Fulfillment Center, Murphy is responsible for overseeing every part of process inside the warehouse, from receiving orders, retrieving products from the warehouse floor, to packing them and getting the box out to the trucks on the loading dock.
The Redlands center, which handles products larger consumer items, employs about 500. Murphy began working at Amazon last year at its 1.2 million-square-foot fulfillment center in San Bernardino, which employs about 3,000 people.
“I’ve been challenged and new and different ways,” Murphy said. “These aren’t (camera memory) cards. These are really expensive TVs … We always take quality in high regard. Some owners are probably waiting for their brand new TV to come in and we’re going to make sure we get that TV to them on time, and it’s in perfect condition. As we get ready for Christmas, it’s really exciting to be part of that process.”
For more info about Amazon’s veteran recruitment program, visit amazonfulfillmentcareers.com.


This 321 stainless steel, high-pressure ammonia recovery system was designed by ICI and built by Robert Jenkins, LTD. The column is rated for 275 psig at 220°C. The system used a high-pressure steam-driven reboiler to strip ...
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October 11, 2017 in the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation was held the 4th meeting of the Subcommittee on Agriculture of the Russian-Chinese Commission introducing the regular meetings of the government heads。The parties talked over a range of topical issues of cooperation, including bilateral trade, ensuring mutual access of agricultural products to the market，strengthening regional cooperation.
Also, they paid much attention to question of how to improve the business investment climate in agriculture. Chairman of the Russian part of the Subcommittee, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Nepoklonov and Chairman of Chinese part, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China Qu Dongyu discussed the prospects for cooperation within joint development Sino-Russia agricooperation program.
In the framework of discussion of joint infrastructure projects in the agro-industrial complex，Karen Ovsepyan，the General Director of the Zabaikalsk Grain Terminal, LLC made a report regarding the implementation of “The New Russia-China Land Grain Corridor”, the Initiative supported by the President of Russia. Currently, the work on the Project is conducted in three large interconnected and at the same time independent ways.
First of all, it is a construction of the Zabaikalsk grain terminal, then a design and construction of 29 nodal elevator infrastructure in Siberia, the last is a development in Siberia of “contract production" of grain in long-term contracts with fixed volumes and a formular pricing. During the meeting, Mr. Qu Dongyu assessed the prospects for the presented principle of "contract production" and expressed interest in cooperation in the field of infrastructure development. He proposed to discuss the possibility of cooperation with the newly created and presented at the conference "COFCO Far East".


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How well do you know the Percy Jackson books?
A lot of people read the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan but few know all the answers to my test. If you do, your an avid reader and you really know a lot of stuff about the Percy Jackson series.
I think these days people only watch movies and forget about books. If you've read the books AND watched the movie your the best of both worlds. So, good luck for taking my Quiz. Have fun!

domain: library


text:
In classic westerns, the good guy wears the white cowboy hat, so it's fitting that Brad Paisley donned just that Friday for his tour-closing performance at a near-capacity Allstate Arena.
The frontman, who has sold more than 7 million records yet still remains a regular on the Grand Ole Opry stage, was comfortable in the role of charming Everyman. He sang tunes in which he promised everything from endless devotion ("Wrapped Around") to a willingness to lay down his life for that one true love ("She's Everything"). Paisley rarely strayed into maudlin territory, however, fanning passionate flames with slow-burning guitar solos that poured through the speakers like liquid mercury.
The most striking element of Paisley's 17-song, 80-minute performance was his six-string mastery, an endless barrage of solos evoking Southern dive bars, roadhouse boogies and prairie hoedowns. Backed by an agile six-piece band, the singer even toyed with classic rock, stampeding into the Led Zeppelin classic "Whole Lotta Love," which quickly gave way to a joyous "The World." Not as successful was a weightless cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," which Paisley attempted to reinterpret as a double-time hootenanny.
Best of all was "Mud on the Tires," a lap-steel-driven beauty that equated muddy tires with a midnight rendezvous. "It's in the middle of nowhere," Paisley sang in a surprisingly rich baritone. "To get there, you've got to get a little mud on the tires."
Carrie Underwood's opening set could have used a similar amount of grime. The sweet-voiced "American Idol" champ, whose debut album has already gone platinum four times over, performed airbrushed tunes that were wholesome to the point of nausea. The worst offender was "Jesus, Take the Wheel," a pandering morality tale that also offered some shockingly bad driving advice (Hint: If your automobile spins out of control on an icy road, do not throw your hands in the air in hopes that Jesus will take the wheel and guide you to safety).
"I Ain't in Checotah Anymore," explored the all-too-familiar theme of a small-town girl adjusting to big-city life; "Lessons Learned" sported lyrics that sounded copped from "Saturday Night Live's" Stuart Smalley ("Life gets harder/It makes you stronger"). Only "Before He Cheats," a ragged revenge fantasy, found Underwood exploring her dark side.
It's clear she has the chops, now it's time to see more of the claws.


North Korea appears to be preparing a missile launch to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the country’s founder Kim Il-Sung. One or two Musudan ballistic missiles were deployed around the eastern port of Wonsan some three weeks ago, according to Yonhap news agency which quoted an unnamed Seoul official. The move came as US intelligence warned the North’s ballistic missile capability is expanding. The founder’s birthday is an annual spectacular for North Korea, which celebrates with huge military parades featuring its most impressive-looking weapons or with missile launches.
There is an ample possibility that the North would launch them around Kim Il-Sung’s birthday.
Yonhap news agency quoting a South Korean official
The nuclear-armed state has staged several short- and mid-range missile launches but has yet to test the Musudan missile, known to have a range of up to 2,485 miles. Seoul’s defence ministry spokesman also said there was a “possibility” the North would carry out such missile test around Friday’s anniversary. On Tuesday, senior US politician Brian McKeon told a US Senate hearing that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme posed a growing threat to the United States and its allies in East Asia. He said North Korea was trying to develop longer-range nuclear ballistic missiles capable of hitting the US and was working to make its KN-08 road-mobile ICBM operational. At the same hearing, Admiral Bill Gortney, the officer in charge of defending US air space, said current assessment showed it was unlikely that North Korean missiles could hit the US, but it was prudent to assume it had the capability.
We don’t base our readiness levels on that low probability … We are prepared to engage that particular threat.
Admiral Bill Gortney, the officer in charge of defending US air space


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Bitcoin-Blockchain Webinar - Intellar automatedIn that short time, it went from being the foundation for a relatively unknown alternative currency.A block is a record of some or all of the most recent Litecoin transactions that.The Blockchain enables an anonymous transaction between two people that are unknown to each other, without the.
Bitcoin Wallet - Android Apps on Google PlayLike paper money and gold before it, bitcoin is a currency that allows parties to exchange value.The technology underlying bitcoin could fuel powerful systems for forecasting the future—and create a digital feed for facts.Search the block chain. Browse the Blockchain. Bitcoin. Bitcoin Testnet. Litecoin. Dogecoin. BlockCypher Testnet.A list of articles, blog posts, videos,. when you sign up for Medium. Learn more.The Blockchain Lab team has considerable experience working with new technologies and specifications still.Watch full episodes of our series Trust Disrupted: Bitcoin and the Blockchain.
It features Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, Nathaniel Popper, and more.Litecoin is a cryptocurrency that enables instant payments to anyone in the world and that can be efficiently mined with consumer-grade hardware.
Litecoin (LTC) statistics - Price, Blocks CountMost bitcoin users use online exchanges to exchange fiat currency for bitcoin, and digital wallets that facilitate payments.Note: BlockCypher is faster than other blockchain APIs, so these transactions may take a bit to appear on other sites.
If Bitcoin trades through a public ledger book, the blockchain is the mechanism which keeps everyone on the same page and prevents accounting errors, accidental or.
BITCOIN - Mercatus CenterUsing a blockchain, a service like Augur aims to enhance this dynamic by pushing markets across borders and removing all betting limits, roping in more people and more cash.Blocks are only considered valid six blocks deep into the chain.
Tierion: Blockchain Proof Engine | API
A new test version of the Lightning Network launched today, marking a step toward a long-awaited live debut on a major cryptocurrency.Bitcoin and other blockchain-based technologies have the potential to change the world.We gather the most groundbreaking movements with blockchain technology that can disrupt the financial system.But the technology behind it is what investors should focus on.But in an age when so many people feel so unsure about not just the future but the facts in the present, such big ideas are at least worth a try.Reforming a dubious past Can the notorious, high-flying, volatile, and unpredictable Bitcoin system.
Jaxx Blockchain Wallet - Android Apps on Google Play
The blockchain is the global ledger that securely records transactions for the bitcoin digital currency, operating outside the control of any central authority.Concentrated share among bitcoin miners also presents a potential risk.
Mastering Bitcoin: Programming the Open BlockchainBitcoin investors will receive a new digital asset called Bitcoin Cash after the blockchain supporting the cryptocurrency is forced to split in two.The magic behind bitcoin is powered by an equally exciting technology known as the.The instability of the Ethereum tokens that people use to make bets on these markets could undermine their accuracy, says David Rothchild, a researcher at Microsoft.
But so many startups and online communities are now applying the same concept to all sorts of other applications.Learn about blockchain technology and why cryptocurrency markets are on the rise in the US and around the world.It now sees a new way of building markets that predict the future: the blockchain.The easiest place to buy, use, and accept bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin.In Blockchain Revolution, Don and Alex Tapscott explain how blockchain technology - which underlies Bitcoin - is shifting how the world does business.Blockchain, the secure distributed ledger technology first created to track bitcoin ownership, has taken on a number of new roles in recent years tracking anything of.
Blockchain: Money speakers are the best and brightest from the world of FinTech.Blockchain technology was conceived a little over ten years ago.Bitcoin-Based Blockchain Breaks Out. although some other digital currencies—including litecoin and dogecoin—also use blockchains.Jaxx Blockchain Wallet provides a unified experience across devices.In the years since, economists refined the concept, and more recently, prediction markets have tapped into the wisdom of the crowds via the internet, forecasting everything from presidential races to sporting events to stock prices.
Bitcoin’s Big Problem: Transaction Delays Renew Blockchain
Blockchain Search Engine for Bitcoin — GoochainFor Joey Krug, the openness of a blockchain could deliver far more powerful prediction markets than ever before, spreading them to a much larger number of people, while keeping regulators at bay.
Chain | Enterprise Blockchain InfrastructureIf enough people participate, the trading price of the stock should indicate the likelihood of an outcome.Access detailed information on Litecoin (ltc) transactions, blocks and addresses.The deeper one goes into the blockchain, the more computing power needed to alter records.
Transactions count, value, Litecoins sent, difficulty, blocks count, network hashrate, market capitalization.The blockchain is not an interconnected series of individual accounts, but a record of past transactions.A new blockchain embassy for bitcoin and cryptocurrency enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, iconoclasts, connoisseurs, the general public has opened in Panama.As he explains, it could help automate any financial contract, from options and derivatives to insurance contracts and credit default swaps.The problem relates to how transactions are processed on the blockchain,. users to switch from bitcoin to alternative cryptocurrencies like litecoin.
Bitcoin transfers are also irreversible, so someone making a mistake entering an account number when making a payment will be out of luck.Now in its fifth year, Blockchain: Money is the longest running and most attended financial conference for the bitcoin, blockchain, and currency industries.

domain: economics


Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advocated some measure of fiscal incentives for listed companies on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in order to mitigate their cost burden and encourage more entities to list shares on the bourse.
Mary Uduk, SECs acting director general advocated the fiscal incentives on the sidelines of the Alliance Law Firm’s Maiden Lecture Series, Luncheon and Book Presentation in Lagos.
Represented at the event by Edward Okolo, director zonal offices coordinating department (ZOCD), Uduk believes that creating some form of fiscal incentives for listed entities will add further mileage to ongoing efforts to improve corporate governance in the country.
She cited experiences with some investors in the manufacturing sector, who claimed that despite fulfilling their fiscal obligations, the nation’s public procurement and contractual processes had continued to favour foreign companies to their disadvantage.
Apart from reduction of costs, the measure will translate to huge investment benefits to shareholders and also further position the quoted companies to contribute more to national development through improved capacities and job creation potential.
“Our case for fiscal incentives for listed companies on the NSE is actually based on experience. What we are saying is that Nigerian companies doing the same business these foreign companies are doing if they are listed should be encouraged in terms of public procurement or whatever government is doing.
“We don’t want to keep taking from them because they incur a lot of cost and you cannot reduce the cost more than a limited amount of percentage. The best is to begin to give them some incentives and with that you have more companies coming to the market, you have more jobs and then people will have dividends of investing. You must have companies to regulate and if people are not coming to the market, then who are you going to regulate?”
She stated that if such incentives are in place, the market would create jobs.
“If you go to Brazil, you go to Asia you see small scale companies coming to the market. You see fund managers and others playing the roles they are supposed to play. So, we need those incentives to encourage them to come to the market” Uduk added.
At the end of the day she said, Nigerians would get the value in terms of dividend payout if the company is listed adding that there should be incentives for companies coming out to get listed so that there could alternatives to savings by Nigerians.
Uduk disclosed that the level of compliance with the SEC Code 2011 remained low even as provisions relating to independent directors’ roles were being violated by some companies.
In addition, the SEC’s boss lamented that access to critical indices by which companies’ compliance with the SEC Code could be measured remained difficult as many companies were either unwilling to comply or lack understanding of the importance of corporate governance to their entities’ survival and profitability.


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The color kenyan copper with hexadecimal color code #7c1c05 is a medium dark shade of red-orange. In the RGB color model #7c1c05 is comprised of 48.63% red, 10.98% green and 1.96% blue. In the HSL color space #7c1c05 has a hue of 12° (degrees), 92% saturation and 25% lightness. This color has an approximate wavelength of 603.98 nm.
Art is the stored honey of the human soul.

…

The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real.

…

The emotions are sometimes so strong that I work without knowing it. The strokes come like speech.

…


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Context: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may be a precursor to dementia, at least in some cases. Dementia and MCI are associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in clinical samples. Only 2 population-based studies exist of the prevalence of these symptoms in dementia, and none exist for MCI.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and MCI in a population-based study.
Design: Cross-sectional study derived from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study.
Setting and participants: A total of 3608 participants were cognitively evaluated using data collected longitudinally over 10 years and additional data collected in 1999-2000 in 4 US counties. Dementia and MCI were classified using clinical criteria and adjudicated by committee review by expert neurologists and psychiatrists. A total of 824 individuals completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI); 362 were classified as having dementia, 320 as having MCI; and 142 did not meet criteria for MCI or dementia.
Main outcome measure: Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, based on ratings on the NPI in the previous month and from the onset of cognitive symptoms.
Results: Of the 682 individuals with dementia or MCI, 43% of MCI participants (n = 138) exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms in the previous month (29% rated as clinically significant) with depression (20%), apathy (15%), and irritability (15%) being most common. Among the dementia participants, 75% (n = 270) had exhibited a neuropsychiatric symptom in the past month (62% were clinically significant); 55% (n = 199) reported 2 or more and 44% (n = 159) 3 or more disturbances in the past month. In participants with dementia, the most frequent disturbances were apathy (36%), depression (32%), and agitation/aggression (30%). Eighty percent of dementia participants (n = 233) and 50% of MCI participants (n = 139) exhibited at least 1 NPI symptom from the onset of cognitive symptoms. There were no differences in prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms between participants with Alzheimer-type dementia and those with other dementias, with the exception of aberrant motor behavior, which was more frequent in Alzheimer-type dementia (5.4% vs 1%; P =.02).
Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in the majority of persons with dementia over the course of the disease. These are the first population-based estimates for neuropsychiatric symptoms in MCI, indicating a high prevalence associated with this condition as well. These symptoms have serious adverse consequences and should be inquired about and treated as necessary. Study of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the context of dementia may improve our understanding of brain-behavior relationships.

domain: literature


The green-grey soft hairy foliage gives a glaucous appearance. Small, saucer shaped yellow flowers appear in late summer. Good for the edges of ponds and streams
Repotting or planting
9cm marginal plants require potting into a larger mesh basket. Place in a pond no deeper than 1/3 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. 1ltr marginal plants do not require repotting, place in pond no deeper than 1/2 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. 3ltr and 5ltr plants do not require repotting, as they are larger more established plants they can be placed up to the maximum recommended depth. There is no need to remove the mesh basket.
Little maintenance is required. Trim to tidy as required and after foliage has died back in autumn.
Full sun – Part shade
Measurements in centimetres
Height Min –Max


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We're not ones to boast, but we sort of have to be pretty good at video games in order to do our jobs properly. We've managed to beat every Dark Souls entry there is, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -- you name it and we've probably clocked it. However, Nioh 2's open beta just kicked our arse. Playable for the next 10 days, Koei Tecmo's follow-up to the 2017 samurai spin on the Souls formula could be the hardest one yet.
Of course, we're probably a little rusty having not played the original for quite some time, but muscle memory should have kicked in fairly quickly. The open beta appears to take place at the very beginning of the game, with a quick dabble in the character creation suite enough to differentiate your avatar from anyone else on the ancient Japanese battlefield. You're tasked with making your way to a castle way off in the distance, and there's a whole host of human and supernatural enemies in your path to slay. That is if you're up to the task.
We, on the other hand, clearly aren't. Deaths were aplenty as we tried and tried our best to make any real progress through the initial level, but we came up short. Struggling to manage our stamina meter effectively and getting caught up in one too many hit animations from enemies that chewed off the majority of our health, we could only manage to get so far. This game is hard, like really, really hard. A companion is even introduced partway through to offer a helping hand but it didn't improve matters much despite the fact we thought we had a friend to fall back on. Silly, silly us.
Gameplay-wise, this is absolutely more Nioh. More of the same isn't so bad, however, because the first title was a great twist on the Souls formula. Once again you'll be kitted out in ancient weaponry with a variety of stances to pick between, and it's these that dictate the type of attacks you'll perform. The adorable Kodamas make their return, hidden throughout the environments, while a cute but mysterious cat started following us around at one point. We've not quite figured out the point of them just yet.
Besides that, it's a lot of slashing, dodging, and blocking. You'll work your way through the somewhat linear location, taking on foes when you feel ready, and picking up any items they drop. Thus improving your character with enhancements to armour and skill points that better your moves. It's the typical Souls route of inching your character closer to progress while making sure to take on enemies strategically and falling back if the going gets tough. You know the drill by now.
It's not something that's going to reinvent the wheel, but Nioh 2 does appear to be a solid sequel to the original. It retains everything that made that 2017 outing so memorable, and if it manages to introduce enough new systems and mechanics to the experience come March 2020, we reckon the experience will be looked back on fondly. Even if that goes give it another opportunity to beat us into submission.
Have you played Nioh 2's open beta? Did you fare any better than us, or was it just as difficult for you? Change your stance in the comments below.

domain: game


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May 24, 2013
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
ALL in Children. ALL is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in children. ALL accounts for about 75% of cases of childhood leukemia. Each year, about 3,600 American children and adolescents are diagnosed with ALL. ALL can strike children of all ages, but is most likely to occur when children are 2 - 4 years of age. It is slightly more common in boys than in girls.
ALL in Adults. ALL is the least common type of leukemia among adults. About 1 in 3 cases of ALL occur in adults.
Race and Ethnicity
Caucasian and Hispanic children have a higher risk for ALL than African-American children.
ALL does not appear to run in families. But certain inherited genetic disorders may increase risk. For example, children with Down syndrome have a 20-times greater risk of developing ALL than the general population. Other rare genetic disorders associated with increased risk include Klinefelter syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, ataxia-telangiectasia, neurofibromatosis, Shwachman syndrome, IgA deficiency, and congenital X-linked agammaglobulinemia.
Radiation and Chemical Exposure
Previous cancer treatment with high doses of radiation or chemotherapy can increase the risk for developing ALL. Prenatal exposure to x-rays may also increase risk in children. Lower levels of radiation (living near power lines, video screen emissions, small appliances, cell phones) are unlikely to pose any cancer risk.
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There are sources widely available that can make gardening easier with better information at hand. You could spend hours on end searching through all of the books, websites, and magazines that are devoted to this topic. Luckily, you will find all the great tips you need to get started, right here in this article. Check them out.
Choose perennials that slugs are not attracted to. Snails and slugs can quickly wreak havoc on a garden. They gravitate towards perennials with smooth thin leaves, particularly on younger plants. There are perennials that slugs do not want to eat, the ones that they hate have hairy leaves, or are unappealing to their taste. These varieties include achillea, helleborus, heuchera, euphorbia, and campanula.
A garden with a foundation of healthy soil is the best defense against pests. Healthier plants are greater in strength and resistance to illness and insects. If you want to get the best plants, begin with a soil that has hardly any chemicals, and that will bring salts.
If you have a lot of low-growing plants to take care of in your garden, purchase gardening knee pads. If you spend a large portion of your gardening session on your knees, it could create pain over time. Using a pair of quality knee pads designed for gardening can provide your knees with cushioning and support, preventing any discomfort.
Many people think the best green gardens start from seeds, rather than plants. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds. Many nurseries use plastic growing pots that are very seldom recycled. Try buying from organic nurseries and farms so your garden is not using anti-environmental products.
Fertilizer in the garden is a must. Composted manure is effective in raising healthy plants, and commercial fertilizer products are safer and more convenient. Of all the fertilizing options available, it doesn’t really matter which one you choose as long as you use something.
If you’re a new gardener, it is vital that you follow the instructions when it comes to your chemicals and tools. If you fail to follow the directions, you expose yourself to safety hazards or a risk of experiencing adverse reactions. For your own safety, take the time to read and follow the instructions.
Do some research to find out the best time for harvesting your vegetables. There is a specific time to pick every sort of vegetable in order to maximize its taste and cooking utility. Some vegetables, such as zucchini and baby peas, should be harvested when they are relatively young. On the other hand, tomatoes taste best when they are as ripe as possible from the vine. Take the time to learn when your produce will be at its best for harvesting.
Gardening can be very fun and fulfilling. The more tips you learn, the more skill you develop as a gardener. Increase your knowledge year after year in order to become a great gardener. Utilizing the information you have learned here can set you on the path to the garden of your dreams.

domain: agronomy


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Pottermore Secrets and Mysteries Revealed: Harry Potter Goes Interactive
What started off as an international bestselling book series has grown into a global phenomenon. The best way to experience Harry Potter’s incredible adventures is to begin by reading the seven Harry Potter books, written by J.K. Rowling.
Then, you can relive Harry’s adventures by watching all eight blockbuster movies. Each is available separately on DVD, as a digital download, or on Blu-ray and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Plus, if you visit the Universal Studios Orlando theme park in Orlando, Florida, you can literally step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a truly breathtaking and immersive experience. At this theme park, you get a whirlwind tour of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a look at the Hogwarts Express, be able to walk through Diagon Alley, plus visit Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands.
If you happen to be in London, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Harry Potter movies when you visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter attraction.
Or if you’re a gamer, you can take control of Harry Potter’s adventures at home by playing a series of action-packed video and computer games that are available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, Wii, and Nintendo DS.
After you get to know Harry, Ron, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, Lord Voldemort, and the rest of the incredible, unusual, and often heroic characters within the Harry Potter series, there are so many different ways to relive their adventures and, in some cases, create your own.
And then, there’s Pottermore! Anyone who can surf the Web, using a PC, Mac, or tablet, can visit www.Pottermore.com and experience Harry Potter’s adventures in a unique and highly interactive way.
So, What’s Pottermore Anyway?
J.K. Rowling herself has teamed up with a group of talented website designers, game developers, artists, and other technological geniuses to create an online world based faithfully on the Harry Potter books. This unique website is called Pottermore.
Pottermore isn’t an eBook, but it does highlight important scenes from every chapter of the Harry Potter books, and it enables you to delve much deeper into those scenes by reading exclusive information that J.K. Rowling has written and added only to the Pottermore website.
You can also read detailed descriptions of characters, creatures, magical objects, and enchanted items, plus many of the locations that were featured within the Harry Potter books.
These descriptions reveal previously unreleased details and convey J.K. Rowling’s personal thoughts and opinions, so you can discover things about Harry Potter’s world that were not included within the original books or movies.
Plus, as you’re making your way through Pottermore and experiencing each chapter of each book, two things happen at once. First, you follow in the footsteps of Harry, Ron, and Hermione and relive some of their awesome and magical adventures (in the order they happened within the Harry Potter books).
At the same time, however, your character within Pottermore has his own unique adventure, which you will help to control.
After establishing your Pottermore account, you have the chance to
- Obtain your own, unique magic wand from Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands.
- Select an animal avatar (an owl, cat, or toad) from Eeylops Owl Emporium & Magical Menagerie, which is located along Diagon Alley.
- Become a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, put on the Sorting Hat, and be placed into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin.
- Collect dozens of items during your exploration.
- Cast spells with your unique magic wand.
- Participate in the Wizard’s Duel using your magic wand.
- Mix and brew magical potions.
- Earn house points based on your achievements and to help your house win the Pottermore House Cup.
- Share items and gifts with other Pottermore fans.
- Post your ideas and thoughts about Pottermore and the Harry Potter books so that other Harry Potter fans can discover what you think.
- Create and share your own Harry Potter-themed drawings and artwork.
Like the book series itself, Pottermore is divided into seven distinct areas, starting with Book 1, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Your online adventure begins in Book 1, Chapter 1, “The Boy Who Lived.”
When Pottermore was first launched, only Book 1 was unlocked. Over time, each additional area within Pottermore will become available, giving you access to all new adventures and challenges.
For example, Book 2, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was unlocked on Pottermore in mid-summer 2012. Before you can access it though, you have to unravel all the mysteries and collect all the hidden items within Book 1 (which this unofficial strategy guide will help you do).
One of the things you can do within Pottermore is learn how to brew potions, after finding or buying all the necessary ingredients.


Sepang Circuit Revs up with Petronas Deal Amidst Rumors of F1 Return. Sepang Circuit is revving up for a potential comeback in the world of F1, and it’s all thanks to a game-changing partnership.
Recently, the Petronas Sepang International Circuit emerged on the scene, following a crucial 3-year naming rights agreement with the Malaysian energy powerhouse, Petronas.
While F1’s calendar has grown increasingly crowded, the hopes of an F1 return to this iconic venue are shining brightly once more.
Sepang Circuit Revs up with Petronas Deal Amidst Rumors of F1 Return
The Sepang Circuit is roaring back to life, fueled by an exciting partnership with Petronas.
This development opens the door to a potential revival of the Malaysian GP, an event beloved by millions of racing fans.
The racing world is abuzz with anticipation as Sepang sets its sights on a thrilling comeback.
The Petronas Deal
In this transformative 3-year naming rights partnership, the iconic track has rebranded itself as the Petronas Sepang International Circuit.
This collaboration is more than a name change; it represents a lifeline for the venue, breathing fresh energy into its prospects.
With a thriving MotoGP event on the horizon, the potential for hosting world-class motorsport events, including a possible F1 return, is once again in sight.
Past Glory of Sepang Circuit
This iconic track, once a dazzling jewel on the F1 calendar, hosted races that left fans craving for more.
Its challenging layout and unpredictable weather delivered some of the most exciting moments in the sport’s history.
However, financial limitations forced it to step back, but with the recent Petronas partnership, whispers of a potential F1 return have rekindled the hope of reliving its glorious past.
Hopes for F1 Return
While Formula 1’s calendar grows busier, the prospect of the Malaysian GP making a comeback is a tantalizing one.
With the circuit’s recent naming rights partnership with Petronas, the stage is set for a revival.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali’s view on a 24-race season poses challenges, but fans and enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to see if the roar of F1 engines will once again grace this beloved track.
Role of Petronas in Motorsports
Petronas’ energy giant’s engagement extends across various racing domains, including Formula 1 and MotoGP.
With a title sponsorship deal with the Mercedes Petronas F1 Team, Petronas has etched its name into the annals of motorsport history.
Beyond naming rights, this partnership signifies a dedication to promoting world-class events and showcasing Malaysia’s capabilities on the global stage.
Petronas’ investment resonates with its long-standing commitment to support the growth of the sports and entertainment industry in Malaysia.
In conclusion, the Sepang Circuit is on the verge of an exciting revival, thanks to the groundbreaking Petronas Deal and the spirit of anticipation for a possible F1 Return.
This transformative three-year naming rights partnership with Petronas has breathed new life into the iconic racing venue, setting the stage for a thrilling future.
While challenges lie ahead with a crowded F1 calendar, the hopes of racing enthusiasts are reignited.
As we look ahead, the motorsport world eagerly awaits the return of the roar of F1 engines at the beloved Sepang Circuit, fueled by the unwavering support of Petronas.


WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Buyers Edge Platform, the leading Software and Analytics company providing data-driven insights and technology to the foodservice industry, has launched a Supply Chain Support Center to help restaurants and other operators navigate the many challenges brought on by the supply chain crisis. In a time of disruption, the support center provides up-to-date commodity insights and supply chain expertise to various foodservice industry stakeholders.
"There is no short term solution to the supply chain crisis and it’s vital that we do everything to keep America’s restaurants in business. By creating the Buyers Edge Platform Supply Chain Support Center, we hope to provide the necessary information and resources to help restaurant operators navigate rising food costs, food shortages, and equipment delays", says John Davie, CEO of Buyers Edge Platform. "Restaurants have always been there to help customers through their happiest and toughest times and it’s our turn to make sure they have the support they need to make it through these challenging times."
In addition to the Supply Chain Support Center, Buyers Edge Platform is committed to providing maximized value and technology solutions to streamline processes so restaurants and other operators can beat the labor shortage and maximize their profits.
About Buyers Edge Platform
Buyers Edge Platform is the leading Software and Analytics company providing data-driven insights and technology to the foodservice industry. Buyers Edge Platform connects entities throughout foodservice and empowers them to run their businesses more efficiently by leveraging data and analytics. Buyers Edge Platform’s mission is to drive the foodservice industry from manual to automated with programs that benefit all stakeholders across the supply chain. To learn more visit www.BuyersEdgePlatform.com.
SOURCE Buyers Edge Platform


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Last Days of the Arctic
Höfundur Ragnar Axelsson
Þessi vara er ekki fáanleg eins og er
Ragnar Axelsson is an Icelandic photographer and photojournalist, born in 1958. He has worked for the Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið since 1976 and as a freelance shooting projects in various parts of the world for numerous magazines and agencies. The North has for a long time fascinated him and different aspects of the north appeared in his photography regularily.
In 2004, he published Faces of the North, a collection of his black and white photographs of traditional ways of life in Iceland, the Faroes and Greenland taken over a period of fifteen years, preserving that way a glimpse of a lifestyle that is gradually vanishing.
His newest publication Last Days of the Arctic is a breathtaking introduction to a life of Greenlandic hunters in the most remote communities in the world. Professor Mark Nuttall, a leading Arctic scholar, wrote the foreword for the book, which in a sincere and simple way represents the part of world that we now see changing.


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Mr. and Miss Anonymous by Fern Michaels
Audio Book, Narrator
Published May 2009 by Brilliance Audion
Listened July 2011
I finished listening to this book just before I left for my trip to New York City. I attended the Indie Book Event. I thought I would have a little bit of down time to get this written up, but it was pretty much no stop until I arrived at the airport on Sunday. By then, I was so exhausted, I don't think I could have strung together a coherent thought. Add to the the fact that there was not super spectacular about Mr. and Miss Anonymous, I just couldn't get motivated to put words on the screen.
I picked this out of my digital library right after I finished Room by Emma Donoghue. I think I was thinking for something different, but the summary sounded like what I was looking for. It wasn't a bad listen, just too predictable for me. I think I would have liked to see more about what went on at the school. The relationship between Lily and Pete seemed contrived; I didn't feel any chemistry between them. The story just didn't hold me attention, and that's bad for an audio book because then my attention wanders.
It might have been better to have read the book, instead of listen to it. If you are looking for a light mystery to read, then you'll probably like Mr. and Miss Anonymous.
August 6, 2011
August 1, 2011
Here are the eBooks I picked up this month. I have quite a back log so I tried to be a bit more selective this month.
New on my reading list this week:
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.
Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.
In my Mailbox is sponsored by The Story Siren and It's Monday! What are you Reading? is sponsored by Book Journey.


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Dynamic, rapid changes in the heart that can be seen from the outside are dramatic, but they’re nothing compared to what can be seen inside heart cells themselves. And a research team from the University of St. Andrews has proven exactly that by placing microlasers inside these cells and monitoring changes at a microscopic and localized level.
In the team’s experiments, the microlasers were inserted into the cardiac cells of both neonatal and adult mice and zebrafish, as well as into cardiac slices from rats. The microlasers were internalized by neonatal cells, or were placed on top of the adult cells, measuring the contractility of the myofibrils inside those cells.
These devices were 10- to 20-µm microspheres using the “whispering gallery mode” effect, which accumulates lightwaves similar to sound waves. This technology captures rapid changes during heartbeats at high resolution. Usefully, only cells involved in that action registered any changes in color; even neighboring cells did not light up. This effect was seen through an inverted fluorescence microscope.
Doctors typically perform a number of standard procedures to monitor the heart, such as measuring blood pressure or taking an electrocardiogram. But these do little to tell clinicians what is happening in specific portions of the heart. And traditional forms of imaging cannot easily resolve changes that may last only microseconds.
Researchers noted that lasers, while particularly useful in bioimaging, tend to be large and consume considerable power, and thus only capture changes barely below the heart’s surface. The work of the St. Andrews team changes that.
“The majority of modern microscopes use CW [continuous-wave] laser to excite fluorophores inside biological tissue and then reconstruct an image based on the captured fluorescence,” said Marcel Schubert, a Royal Society Fellow in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St. Andrews and one of the leaders of the research. “However, biological tissue strongly scatters visible light, making it impossible to look deeper than about 50 µm. Multiphoton microscopy can improve penetration, but for heart tissue the limit is currently only 100 µm. What we show in the paper is that we can recover the signals from our microlasers even through 400-µm heart tissue.”
One of the benefits of this technology, Schubert said, is that there is no aging effect on the microlasers in cells. “Photobleaching might become an issue, but depending on the dye used in the microlaser we have found that they can survive millions of pulses,” he said.
Researchers have already developed even smaller lasers, nanolasers, for ongoing research to track changes inside cells, as well.
“Even though we have not seen detrimental effects from the current 15-µm lasers in cells, they are probably too large for long-term experiments, for example in stem cells, and may affect cell behavior in currently unknown ways,” Schubert said. “Besides being less intrusive, smaller lasers can obviously provide higher spatial resolution, and loading several lasers into one cell may give us insights into variations in contractility within individual cells.”
The research was published inNature Photonics(www.doi.org/10.1038/s41566-020-0631-z).


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Websites by Children’s Authors and Illustrators.
David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, because “every mom needs a break now and then.”).
Kate Atkinson is the bestselling author of 10 books - Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Human Croquet, Emotionally Weird, Not the End of the World, Case Histories, One Good Turn, When Will There Be Good News?, Started Early, Took My Dog, Life After Life and A God in Ruins.
Lucinda Riley. Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages and sold over twenty million copies worldwide. She is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. Learn More.
A Welcome from Bernard Cornwell. This is my website. There are others devoted to my books and some of them are very good, but this one is the Authorised Version.
Famous People Lessons: Ready-to-print handouts (166 so far) for English lessons on the lives of famous people. FREE Word and PDF downloads.
How do you reference a web page that lists no author? This page reflects guidance from the sixth edition of the Publication Manual. For the most current guidelines, see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) and our Style and Grammar Guidelines page for the seventh edition.
This tells us that the WordPress theme is Divi. Collect the following assets for your author website. Your professional bio. If you don’t already have one, write a 100-300 word professional bio in third person that would be appropriate if used to introduce you at a reading or event.


Efforts have begun in Baltimore to prepare the city's workforce for about 1,700 jobs that are expected to arrive with the late-summer opening of the Horseshoe Casino on Russell Street.
City Councilman Carl Stokes will host a jobs fair with Horseshoe officials on Feb. 5, at which interested applicants will be able to submit their applications and ask about job openings.
At the event, to be held in the Oliver Community Association building at 1400 East Federal St., officials will look for "job applicants in every category from accountants to customer service representatives," an event announcement said.
Stokes said the city is poised to see many jobs arrive in the next year, at Horseshoe, a planned Amazon distribution center and in and around Harbor East — opportunities driven in part by taxpayer subsidies.
It only makes sense to try to direct those jobs to Baltimore residents, he said.
"If we're going to encourage job creation, we should also encourage that many of those jobs should go to local residents who are otherwise unemployed, because we have a situation where men and women aren't able to provide for their children or themselves — which results in the decline of families and neighborhoods," Stokes said.
In addition to the job fair, a series of two-day "Horseshoe Legendary Academy" workshops began Thursday for Baltimore residents interested in securing a casino job, with information on "hiring requirements, the interview process [and] skill assessments," according to the Mayor's Office of Employment Development, which is organizing the seminars.
Those who receive a "certificate of completion" for having gone through a seminar will receive "special" consideration in the hiring process, officials have said.
The first seminar began Thursday at Bon Secours Community Works.
Additional seminars will be held Monday and Tuesday at the HARBEL Community Organization; on Feb. 6 and 7 at the Northwest Career Center; on Feb. 11 and 12 at the Westside Youth Career Center; and on Feb. 20 and 21 at the Northwest Career Center.
Those interested in attending can find more information at http://www.OEDworks.com, or by calling 410-396-9030. Find available Horseshoe jobs, and other available jobs in the city, at http://www.oedworks.com/jobseek/hotjobs.htm.


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Purchases of jewelry, watches and associated accessories are highly discretionary.
New York, NY (PRWEB) February 05, 2014
The Direct Selling of Jewelry and Accessories industry is sparkling again following a brief period in the recession-induced doldrums. The industry, which relies on an army of salespeople making person-to-person or group sales away from a fixed retail location, has benefited from the economic recovery and the corresponding uptick in consumer spending. Despite increased competition from online retailers (e-tailers), revenue for the Direct Selling of Jewelry and Accessories industry is expected to increase 3.0% to $2.5 billion over the five years to 2014. This includes a 2.2% rise in 2014 as per capita disposable income and consumer confidence jump 3.1% and 6.2%, respectively, over the year.
According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Andy Brennan, “Purchases of jewelry, watches and associated accessories are highly discretionary, meaning broad economic conditions, such as per capita income, the unemployment rate and consumer confidence, have a big effect on the ability and willingness of consumers to purchase products the industry sells.” As income levels have risen over the past few decades, direct sellers have shifted their focus from home durables and personal care items to more expensive personal accessories, such as jewelry and watches. A large number of direct sellers have entered the industry over the past decade to supplement their income or as a flexible and autonomous means of employment. This trend was exacerbated by the recession as people that had lost their jobs or had their hours cut sort employment options with relatively low barriers to entry.
“The industry's growth is expected to slow over the next five years as consumers rely on alternative retail channels to purchase jewelry and similar accessories,” says Brennan. Industry revenue is projected to rise over the next five years. Two broad themes will characterize the industry over the next five years. The gradually improving economy is expected to lead to higher income levels and, consequently, higher discretionary spending. This will boost overall spending on jewelry and accessories. However, intensifying competition from alternative retail channels, most notably e-tailers, will tempter demand for products sold by direct sellers. For this reason, direct sellers will need to emphasize their competitive advantage of personalized service to maximize sales.
The Direct Selling of Jewelry and Accessories industry is characterized by low market share concentration. The market is highly fragmented with many small operators looking to enter the market. Most operators in the market tend to be a small group of people creating and selling their own jewelry without an extensive network. As the industry continues to grow, IBISWorld expects that market share concentration will follow suit.
For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Direct Selling of Jewelry and Accessories in the US industry report page.
Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld
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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics
Operators in the Direct Selling of Jewelry and Accessories industry rely on a direct sales model, where salespeople are contracted by the company to market the product. Wages are commission-based. Companies in this industry supply accessories, including jewelry and watches.
Key External Drivers
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Products & Services
Globalization & Trade
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
Barriers to Entry
About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

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