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Fred Whisstock
Frederick William Whisstock (known as Fred Whisstock or Quip 1878 – 1943) was an English artist, cartoonist, and well known illustrator for the W. Britain Toy Company.
Fred Whisstock was born in 1878 in Bow, East London. He moved to Southend in 1887, and was encouraged in his painting by George Reed, the headmaster of London Road Schools. He won several scholarships to attend the Royal College of Arts (South Kensington) and also won the Queens's prize for Model Drawing. After two years as a teacher, he joined Waterlow and Sons, the London printers and for the following three years he designed postage stamps for Ecuador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and New Zealand.
Around 1903 he became a freelance artist and many of the watercolours in circulation, date from around this time (right). He worked with the poster artist Charles Dawson and later shared a studio in Jessle Chambers with the famous engraver J.A.C. Harrison. During this period he drew three caricatures (signed under the pseudonym Quip) that were published in Vanity fair. He continued to design book plates and, furthermore, designed a set of stamps for Liberia for Perkins Bacon. His cartoons (always signed Quip) were regularly published in newspapers and periodicals.
During the 1914-18 war, Whisstock served in the Home Guard as a Lance-corporal.
In the early 20th Century and up until 1930, Whisstock was employed by Britain's to design the box labels in a single style for their lead toy soldiers series. Fred Britain, the younger brother of William Britain, lived in Southend from 1899–1928, and it is suggested that the connection to the Britains firm was established through him. An example of his work is shown above. In good condition Britains Toy Soldiers in an original Whisstock Box have become highly collectable items (usually the signature is in the bottom left corner).
Fred Whisstock was not married, and he died in Southend on 16 September 1943 aged 65.
See also
Vanity Fair caricatures
References
Category:English artists
Category:Vanity Fair (British magazine) artists
Category:1943 deaths
Category:1878 births |
Ooooohh n ow that would be a nice challenge for a repaint Truthfully I would buy it at that price. Why don't you make it a "buy it now" and I'll bite. Been looking for one forever. It is more then what I wanted to pay but having to not look anymore would be worth it to me. Let me know.
MG is a great and very fair seller. Please don't knock him or his reasons for pricing because usually he'll make it as cheep as he can.
To be hounest this version of Defensor is a heck of alot rarer then the Oversized Brute and he alone goes for 100$+ for a knockoff because you cannot get these guys at this scale anywhere unless you do it yourself. (And trust me, reproduction is not only a bitch but a costly one at that)
I'm surprised I'm seeing this peice again for lower then 300$.
And the Quality isn't as bed as regular knockoffs from other companies. The plastic is actually really sturdy although the joints are loose. (Easily fixed as well with some clear nail pollish)
Try doing searches online and at online auctions as well and you'll see how scarce it comes up. They really are hard to find...and you people will pay 80$+ on a Alt Nem.Prime because of it's release amount but trust me, Alt.Nem Prime has nothing on this beast.
You had better apologize for that remark. you have no idea of that thing's actual rarity or value. if I had $150 I would not hesitate to drop it on that. I would love the chance to repaint it and modify parts to make it G1 accurate.
He's right, it was pulled by Ebay because it had some sort of "Trademark violation". He probably knew because I posted about it on TFans.
I considered removing all references to "Defensor" or "Transformers" and relisting it, but I decided to just save myself the effort and possible consequences and just sell it to directly to someone who expressed interest in buying it a month ago.
As for why this auction was pulled wheras lots of other knockoff auctions don't get pulled, I'm not sure. Maybe it was because i clearly identified it as a knockoff in the title, wheras a lot of sellers just use "KO" or don't mention it's fake at all when they sell knockoffs. Maybe it's because it was a prominent auction in that I payed the $20 to get it at the top of the category. Or maybe someone at Hasbro made a request to have it taken down. I'm not really sure. Ebay's message to me was incredibly vague. |
Q:
When my computed property is updated the linkTo attr does not get update in ember RC1
Here is the linkTo helper in my handlebars template
{{#linkTo 'person.page' nextPage target="controller"}}Next{{/linkTo}}
Here is my controller
PersonApp.PersonController = Ember.ArrayController.extend(Ember.PaginationMixin, {
itemsPerPage: 2
});
Here is the computed property in the mixin
nextPage: function() {
var nextPage = this.get('currentPage') + 1;
var availablePages = this.get('availablePages');
if (nextPage <= availablePages) {
return Ember.Object.create({id: nextPage});
}else{
return Ember.Object.create({id: this.get('currentPage')});
}
}.property('currentPage', 'availablePages'),
when I console log just before each return statement I can see the page id is correct ... yet my html isn't updated. Anything simple that I'm doing wrong in the above?
Also I do see a print each time I change the page (so the computed properties I depend on are being fired)
Here is a full blown jsfiddle showing that after you click next the first time ... it still points at /#/page/2 instead of /#/page/3
http://jsfiddle.net/RhTyx/2/
Thank you in advance
A:
First off: It would be nice, if you would not link a fiddle where the most important code is not part of the fiddle (the FilterSortSliceMixin). Therefore one cannot test anything, despite the fact the fiddle was really huge and contained lots of unnecessary code.
Regarding your problem:
I think this cannot work because the dependent properties you specified do not do anything. Your {{#linkTo}} helper sends the user into the the PersonPageRoute. The code of this route is:
PersonApp.PersonPageRoute = Ember.Route.extend({
model: function(params) {
return PersonApp.Person.find(params.page_id);
},
setupController: function(controller, model) {
this.controllerFor('person').set('selectedPage', model.get('id'));
}
});
So you are getting the personcontroller and set the property selectedPage. But this property is not specified in your dependent keys. So therefore i would suggest this:
//maybe even remove currentPage??
}.property('currentPage', 'availablePages' , 'selectedPage'),
So i guess you got confused with your naming. I guess, you should either have the property 'selectedPage' or 'currentPage', right?
Update: This is definitely a bug. Heres an excerpt from the LinkView class, which is used with the linkTo helper:
var LinkView = Ember.View.extend({
attributeBindings: ['href', 'title'],
href: Ember.computed(function() {
var router = this.get('router');
return router.generate.apply(router, args(this, router));
})
});
As you see it does not specify any dependent keys. Maybe you can reopen/patch this class and add the dependent key. Don't know which one this would have to be, but maybe context?
|
/*!
* VisualEditor UserInterface Actions ListAction tests.
*
* @copyright 2011-2020 VisualEditor Team and others; see http://ve.mit-license.org
*/
QUnit.module( 've.ui.ListAction' );
/* Tests */
QUnit.test( '(un)wrap', function ( assert ) {
var i,
cases = [
{
rangeOrSelection: new ve.Range( 56, 60 ),
method: 'wrap',
style: 'bullet',
expectedRangeOrSelection: new ve.Range( 58, 64 ),
expectedData: function ( data ) {
data.splice( 55, 0, { type: 'list', attributes: { style: 'bullet' } }, { type: 'listItem' } );
data.splice( 60, 0, { type: '/listItem' }, { type: 'listItem' } );
data.splice( 65, 0, { type: '/listItem' }, { type: '/list' } );
},
undo: true,
msg: 'wrapping two paragraphs in a list'
},
{
html: ve.dm.example.isolationHtml,
rangeOrSelection: new ve.Range( 191, 211 ),
method: 'unwrap',
expectedRangeOrSelection: new ve.Range( 187, 205 ),
expectedData: function ( data ) {
delete data[ 190 ].internal;
delete data[ 202 ].internal;
data.splice( 186, 4 );
data.splice( 196, 2 );
data.splice( 206, 2,
{ type: 'list', attributes: { style: 'bullet' } },
{ type: 'listItem' },
{ type: 'list', attributes: { style: 'number' } },
{ type: 'listItem' }
);
},
expectedOriginalData: function ( data ) {
// generated: 'wrapper' is removed by the action and not restored by undo
delete data[ 190 ].internal;
delete data[ 202 ].internal;
},
undo: true,
msg: 'unwrapping two double listed paragraphs'
}
];
for ( i = 0; i < cases.length; i++ ) {
ve.test.utils.runActionTest(
'list', assert, cases[ i ].html, false, cases[ i ].method, [ cases[ i ].style ], cases[ i ].rangeOrSelection, cases[ i ].msg,
{
expectedData: cases[ i ].expectedData,
expectedOriginalData: cases[ i ].expectedOriginalData,
expectedRangeOrSelection: cases[ i ].expectedRangeOrSelection,
undo: cases[ i ].undo
}
);
}
} );
|
The things Doreen Giuliano did to catch this guy’s eye: At 46, a wife and mother of three, she suddenly went tanning, hit the gym, went blond, bought short skirts and tight tops. She lived with her family in a three-story Victorian home on Prospect Park South, but she rented an apartment around the corner from his house — a basement apartment, at that. She spent at least seven months watching him from her car, or standing on a corner across the street from his place at 17th Avenue and 79th Street, following him on foot and figuring out his routine until, one day, she put on a pair of hot pants and got on her bicycle and rode by him about “100 times” and then, finally, she made contact.
His name was Jason Allo. He was 31, with a thick build and a bald head. It was actually Jason’s friend who had finally whistled at Doreen on that summer day in 2007, but Doreen had no interest in him whatsoever. It was always about Jason. Jason was the long game.
Jason, she was sure, was the reason her son John was in jail.
On Sept. 27, 2005, John Giuca was convicted of murdering Mark Fisher, a 19-year-old football star from New Jersey. According to prosecutors, Fisher encountered Giuca and his friends — who called themselves the “Ghetto Mafia” — while bar-hopping on the Upper East Side in October 2003.
Fisher took up an invitation to continue the party at the house on Prospect Park South, where Giuca still lived with his mother. (Doreen divorced John’s father when her son was 2.) The next morning, Fisher’s body was found a few blocks from Giuca’s home. He had been shot five times in the face and chest and wrapped in a blanket that Doreen would later identify as hers.
It was a sensational case that became known as the “grid kid” slaying, and in 2005, Giuca and his accomplice, Antonio Russo, were sentenced of 25 years to life.
In 2010, based on new evidence uncovered by his mother in her extraordinary sting operation — which involved months spent wooing Jason Allo, who was Juror No. 8 in her son’s trial — Giuca filed an appeal. He lost, but his attorney has filed an appeal in federal court, with the ruling expected within the next few weeks.
Even now Doreen is astonished that her son was found guilty. Two witnesses — one of whom was John’s girlfriend at the time of the murder — testified that John confessed to giving Russo the gun and telling him to show Fisher “what’s up.” The prosecution’s theory was that the murder was prompted by Fisher having leaned against a table in Giuca’s home.
One month later, Doreen says, she hatched her plan: She would go deep undercover, targeting one juror in particular, and prove that her son had been railroaded.
‘My first approach was to go to him as Doreen Giuliano,” she says. “Then I said, ‘No.’ He’s not gonna come two feet near me.”
Though Doreen has said before that she tried (and failed) to befriend two other jurors before Allo, today she insists that he was the only one. It’s unclear how she would have learned their names and addresses: Jurors filled out no forms, and attorneys for both sides had no information, either. She says she learned where Allo lived by asking around. “His barber ratted him out,” she says.
She concocted an alter ego: Dee Quinn. (Quinn is her maiden name.) “Dee” was a business-management consultant from California, and she had the business cards ($20 from Staples) to prove it, with her alternate cell number and e-mail address.
She bought a caller-ID spoof card ($10, got the idea from a Diane Lane movie) and would phone Allo pretending to be in LA and or in traffic in Brooklyn, all while sitting in her living room in Prospect Park South.
“I thought it was clever,” says Doreen.
Dee, however, was the opposite — perpetually at loose ends, the kind of woman who needed a man to take care of everything. It’s not difficult, however, to see how she pulled it off. Doreen has mastered a child-like affect — she speaks in a baby voice, tears up easily and does not relent till she gets her way.
So, on that first day in October 2007, when Jason’s friend Richie finally whistled her way, Doreen doubled back. “I made this elaborate plan to say, ‘I’m lost, do you know where the grocery store is, the coffee store is? You wanna hang out? Drink?’ ” At first, Doreen lasered in on Richie, keeping her back to Allo — a bit of reverse psychology. It worked.
“Then [Allo] says to me, and I’ll never forget this, ‘If you ever need any ganja, you can come to me.’ ”
And the sting was under way. Doreen, as Dee, started hanging out with Allo — mainly, she says, drinking wine and smoking pot in her basement apartment, eating the takeout food she pretended she had cooked, talking about everything and nothing while the recording devices she’d stashed in her handbag picked up their boring, innocuous chit-chat.
Impatient, Doreen came up with another angle: Dee was now working as a legal advocate for the wrongfully imprisoned. Maybe this would get Allo talking about the trial.
“I ended up finding out so much more than I anticipated,” she says.
But it would take months, and often, Doreen wouldn’t make it back home till dawn, reeking of smoke and booze. She and her second husband, Frank, had vicious fights, and Doreen would retire to bed — some nights to pass out, some nights with her law books — while Frank slept on the sofa.
“Even when I was home, I wasn’t home,” she says.
Frank was the only other person in Doreen’s life, she says, who knew about the sting. The only thing that kept him around was Doreen’s promise to never have sex with Allo.
That was a lie.
“Look,” she says. “Husbands are always second when you have kids. So when you say you’d do anything for your kid, you mean it. If I’m gonna lose Frank over my son, so be it. You could always get another husband. And would I lie if I did [sleep with Allo]? Yeah, most likely yes, I would lie. I would!”
(Jason Allo has said that the relationship was romantic; Doreen and her husband are still married.)
Doreen was fueled by outrage, what she saw as a gross miscarriage of justice.
Her son, she says, was tried and convicted before he ever went to trial, the press just eating up what the prosecution was feeding them. Her boy a gang member, the leader of the Ghetto Mafia, ordering the execution of Mark Fisher for kicks?
“The Ghetto Mafia did not exist,” Doreen says. “It did not exist.”
It’s true, she says, that John and his friends “called themselves that name” — but only out of camaraderie, she insists. “He didn’t judge a kid because you had money or you didn’t have money or you had a car or you didn’t — that’s why they called themselves the Ghetto Mafia.”
The night Mark Fisher was murdered, Doreen and her husband were down at their condo in Florida. She says she got a call from John — she doesn’t remember the day or time — telling her she needed to fly home immediately. Doreen says she never asked John what was wrong, and he never told her.
By the time she and Frank pulled up to their home, the cops had cordoned off the house and the press was all over and John wasn’t home, but that didn’t strike her as odd.
One of the detectives at the scene suggested that Doreen call her son. “I said, ‘John — there’s detectives and the press, what happened? What happened?’ And he said . . . he didn’t tell me. He says, ‘I’m going to the police station.’ ”
When the cops told Doreen that a young man had been murdered, quite possibly outside her home, she remembers thinking to herself: “Why are you telling me about this kid?”
After a 12-hour interrogation, Doreen says, John was released. Then, she says, the police began harassing her son, re-investigating an earlier incident when, at 17, John had been caught by cops lighting off fireworks.
Now, in the wake of Fisher’s murder, there were witnesses testifying to gunplay. John was arrested and held in jail leading up to and throughout the trial.
Finally, one night around New Year’s 2008, while drinking and smoking in Doreen’s apartment, Jason Allo said something he shouldn’t have: “Technically, by law, I shouldn’t have even been on that jury,” he said.
The recording devices, as always, were on. Allo also said that he had recognized some of the witnesses in her son’s trial from the neighborhood, and he thought it was wrong not to admit that and recuse himself.
Doreen was elated. She got him, she knew it. Her son’s trial had been tainted. There was no way John couldn’t get a new trial, and surely, an acquittal.
She had John’s attorney file the motion to appeal. The ruling came down in October 2010.
“[T]he defendant’s motion reveals extraordinary misconduct,” it reads, “not by a juror, but by the woman who generated the motion — the defendant’s mother.”
The ruling also found that the tapes Doreen had submitted were “selectively recorded” and that there was no way to tell whether they had been manipulated.
As for Doreen’s key charge — that Allo should never have been on that jury — she was done in by her own handiwork.
On the tapes, Allo also says that when the witness list was read to him, he “didn’t know any of the names.”
Further, the US Supreme Court had “long ago” ruled that jurors on high-profile cases could not be expected to have no knowledge going in; that Jason Allo eventually recognized some of these witnesses as people he’d known 10 or 12 years prior meant nothing.
But this is not the story Doreen tells. She insists Allo held a grudge against her son because Allo’s brother wasn’t cool enough to hang with John and his friends back in the day.
She also says that Allo — who was caught on tape saying “I hate Jews” — was convinced that John Giuca was, in fact, Jewish. And so he voted to convict.
And here is the crux of Doreen’s conundrum: Her undertaking necessitated such grand deceit that any inconsistencies in her story work against her.
From her point of view, a grave injustice has been done to her son, and, by extension, to her. All of her manipulations are justified, she says, because she was in search of the truth, which she believes she found.
Doreen refuses to give up. Aside from filing this new motion, she has written to Gov. Cuomo, requesting that a new trial be held outside of Brooklyn, or that he appoint a special prosecutor. She would also like just about everyone who worked on the prosecution’s side in the first trial removed. |
Tell us today
What is Tenancy Fraud?
There are different types of housing fraud. Here are some of the most common ones:
Unlawful Subletting
Where a tenant lets out their council or housing association home without the knowledge or permission of their landlord. They often continue to pay the rent for the property directly to their landlord, but charge the person they are subletting to a much higher rate. It is unlawful and unfair to sublet and to profit from a property which could be given to someone legally entitled to occupy it.
OBTAINING HOUSING BY DECEPTION
Where a person gets a council or housing association home by giving false information in their application, for example not telling the landlord they are renting another council or housing association property or giving false information about who lives with them.
Wrongly claimed succession section
Where a tenant dies and someone, who is not entitled to, tries to take over or succeed the tenancy. For example, they might say they lived with the tenant before they died, when in fact they were living elsewhere.
Key Selling
Where a tenant is paid to pass on their keys in return for a one-off payment to someone who then takes over the tenancy illegally.
Why is it important to tackle tenancy fraud?
There isn’t enough social housing to meet the needs of people who genuinely need it. We have to make the best use of the housing that is available ensuing that it is occupied by those who are legally entitled to do so. People waiting for social housing will have to wait even longer if homes continue to be occupied by people who have no right to be there. |
Williams play down talk of handicap to Merc
Williams chief test and support engineer Rod Nelson has shrugged off suggestions that his outfit have a big handicap to Mercedes due to the fact that it's customer team.
Williams swapped to Mercedes engines at the start of the 2014 campaign and they finished the season as the second fastest team behind the German manufacturer's works team.
However, there were suggestions last year that the team would need permission from Merc to use certain configurations while McLaren CEO Ron Dennis was also frustrated by the lack of access to date from their engine supplier, saying customer teams are at a disadantage.
However Nelson insists his Grove squad doesn't have any issues.
"Relative to where we have been using other people’s power units, you face the same issues, the same problems, if you have a Cosworth, or a Renault, or whatever," he is quoted as saying by f1i.com.
"We work pretty closely with Mercedes, we make some suggestions, they make some. They’re a racing team, they’re there to win Championships, which is fine. We haven’t had significant issues with fitting the engine in and fitting the systems around it. Some things we do very differently to Mercedes. Some of it we do in a very similar. So we haven’t have any massive issues with it.
"We have the same engine. Engine designers are engine designers, and chassis designers are chassis designers. Obviously, they get more information at an earlier stage that we might. Their chassis guys will know what the engine guys are working on and there are scenarios where they can push it one direction I guess, or push it in another direction.
"When it boils down to it, the chassis designers are given an engine and they’re putting in the back of their car." |
While the Dow lost 469 points and closed down 2.84 percent, Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT) was up 5.6 percent at midday and closed up 2.41 percent at $18.24 ahead of its first earnings announcement on Wednesday. Planet Fitness will report its second quarter earnings after market close at 4:30 p.m. Eastern, marking the first financial disclosure since the company went public in August.
J.P. Morgan and RW Baird analysts also gave Planet Fitness positive ratings, according to a MarketWatch report. J.P. Morgan gave Planet Fitness a $20 price target, citing its franchise model as a key driver for continued growth. Baird gave a $22 price target, expecting to see more than 20 percent growth in earnings per share every year from Planet Fitness.
Other fitness-related stocks closed mixed on Tuesday.
The August slide for Fitbit, San Francisco, (NYSE:FIT), continued into September, and it closed down 4.64 percent at $32.89 on Tuesday. It marked the lowest close since $33.28 on June 29. The company, which makes wearable fitness trackers, went public in June at $20 per share and hit a high of $51.90 per share on Aug. 5.
Brunswick Corp, Lake Forest, Illinois, (NYSE:BC), closed down 4.08 percent at $47.68 per share. The parent company of Life Fitness is trading in a 52-week range of $38.17 to $56.63 per share.
Town Sports International (TSI), New York, (NYSE:CLUB), closed down 1.55 percent at $2.54 per share. TSI, which traded at a 52-week high of $7.69 in January, hit its 52-week low on Aug. 19 at $1.92 per share.
Mindbody, San Luis Obispo, California, (NASDAQ:MB) closed up 0.07 percent at $14.03. Mindbody, which went public in June, traded at a high of $16.25 per share on June 19 before hitting a low of $9.14 per share on Aug. 4. |
I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)I'm probably going to think of more later on.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...
Define 'God' before you make any arguments whatsoever. Rule #1 when discussing God's existence?
1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
Would be expected if Deism is true - and thus nowaday religions have little/nothing to do with God.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Way too complex issue for a forum post. And the answer isn't always religious anyway.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Not all religions posit heaven - nor does God's existence mandate it - albeit you have yet to define it.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
See above.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
Present them.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)I'm probably going to think of more later on.
The same reason there are stupid ideas in general. People don't know or apply the same methods used to successfully solve complex topics and problems to preconceived notions including religion, and a whole host of stuff, e.g. Anti vaxxers, climate change denial, spiritualism, etc.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...
Define 'God' before you make any arguments whatsoever. Rule #1 when discussing God's existence?
I'm asking this to all people of all faiths, which means different beliefs. I'm not going to provide exact definitions, I just want to have a discussion.
1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
Would be expected if Deism is true - and thus nowaday religions have little/nothing to do with God.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Way too complex issue for a forum post. And the answer isn't always religious anyway.
I didn't ask you to answer all of these questions. And I don't think it's too complex at all for a forum post.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Not all religions posit heaven - nor does God's existence mandate it - albeit you have yet to define it.
See first line in this reply.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
See above.
See above.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
Present them.
For example, the question: Can God create a rock so heavy he cannot lift?
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)I'm probably going to think of more later on.
The same reason there are stupid ideas in general. People don't know or apply the same methods used to successfully solve complex topics and problems to preconceived notions including religion, and a whole host of stuff, e.g. Anti vaxxers, climate change denial, spiritualism, etc.
You're just extending my question here. I asked why such stupid and disproven things are supposed to be the words of God and you replied by saying that it's religion.
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
Man created religions to create gods and beliefs that please them and also to lead the real Israelites away from the TMH God.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
I always wondered that myself. Each religion has a different god and different beliefs. If you insult their god and their belief, they go mayhem.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
The heaven of TMH God is out of this universe. The heaven that the so called "Christians" say they will go to when they die, is not the heaven the Bible speaks of. The picture of heaven Christianity has painted and brainwashed people with is the imagination of Christianity. You may have heard this prayer before.
Matthew 6:9-10
[9] After this maner therefore pray yee: Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heauen.The Kingdom is heaven. The Kingdom will be here on this earth. Heaven means ruler ship. There is ruler ship in heaven and just as there is ruler ship in heaven, there will be ruler ship here on this earth.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Science contradicts the book of the Israelites because Science was created by our enemy, the devil himself, which is actually men on this earth. Science says we evolved from apes, yet apes are still apes, there was no change of kind. Science can apparently predict when the world is going to end, which still hasn't happened. Science says an explosion created the universe, the planets, etc.... So I guess if I pop a fire cracker, planets will form...lol :D
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
There is a God in heaven making everything happen up there and down here. Just like the so called "white" man has power here on earth. The so called "white" man, which enslaved the real Israelites, calls the shots on everything, from which country he will invade and start war with, to what group of people he wants to have less rights and so forth.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Got me on that one because religion was not given to anyone, it was created by man.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
1. The non-monotheistic religions developed apart from divine revelation. They developed myths which as Tolkien argued to CS Lewis:
...that myths, far from being lies, were the best way of conveying truths which would otherwise be inexpressible. 'We have come from God [continued Tolkien], and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of true light, the eternal truth that is with God.' Since we are made in the image of God, and since God is the Creator, part of the imageness of God in us is the gift of creativity. The creation -- or, more correctly, the sub-creation -- of stories or myths is merely a reflection of the image of the Creator in us. As such, although 'myths may be misguided, . . . they steer however shakily towards the true harbour...
Judaism believes in divine revelation up to Jesus. Christians believe in Divine revelation up to and including Jesus. The various Christian sects have adopted heresy from the one true Christian faith. Islam is essentially a fancy version of Arianism promulgated by Mohammed.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
The claim of TRUTH creates conflict.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Where God resides.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Well it doesn't.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
Yes.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
There are many ways to read the bible. Traditionally it has been understood that one reads the bible literally until there is reason not to read it literally - particularly Genesis which is poetic in nature. The Bible is a book about God's relationship with mankind. Thus as the old saying goes, the bible is not about how the heavens move, but how to move to heaven.
Thus creationism was reasonable to accept until we understood more. As we understand more we come to a deeper understanding of God. It is like saying lightning happens because God wills it. And while that it true, it doesn't say how God chooses to accomplish this. Same with creation. How God chooses to accomplish his will is his choice.
You can also do the same with atheists. When Fr. Lemaitre first proposed the Big Bang the atheists disbelieved and mocked him - giving his proposal a ludicrous title - the Big Bang.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
I always wondered that myself. Each religion has a different god and different beliefs. If you insult their god and their belief, they go mayhem.
Exactly.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
The heaven of TMH God is out of this universe.
OK
The heaven that the so called "Christians" say they will go to when they die, is not the heaven the Bible speaks of. The picture of heaven Christianity has painted and brainwashed people with is the imagination of Christianity. You may have heard this prayer before.
Matthew 6:9-10
[9] After this maner therefore pray yee: Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heauen.The Kingdom is heaven. The Kingdom will be here on this earth. Heaven means ruler ship. There is ruler ship in heaven and just as there is ruler ship in heaven, there will be ruler ship here on this earth.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Science contradicts the book of the Israelites because Science was created by our enemy, the devil himself, which is actually men on this earth. Science says we evolved from apes, yet apes are still apes, there was no change of kind. Science can apparently predict when the world is going to end, which still hasn't happened. Science says an explosion created the universe, the planets, etc.... So I guess if I pop a fire cracker, planets will form...lol :D
I'm sure you're joking on this one. Everything you've said about science seems incredibly ignorant. However, this gives me a new question about Satan/hell which I will present at the end of this post.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
There is a God in heaven making everything happen up there and down here. Just like the so called "white" man has power here on earth. The so called "white" man, which enslaved the real Israelites, calls the shots on everything, from which country he will invade and start war with, to what group of people he wants to have less rights and so forth.
That still doesn't answer my question. How do you respond to the question of omnipotence in post #3?
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Got me on that one because religion was not given to anyone, it was created by man.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
The question rather should be why wouldn't there be? With all the various cultures and so many different types of people it only seems obvious there would be.There is really nothing wrong about this, rather natural.I think I know where you are going with this but I'll leave it at face value for the time being.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Well in politics and government systems I think it's pretty obvious.If you mean in forums like these and on the internet I think it is because we lose sight of what spirituality is and become locked in a fleshly mentality.It is also the mentality of believers pointing fingers and claiming the others are going to hell. The more I apply spiritual principles to my life the more I see how evil this is and the divisions in the body it is causing.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Haha, well lets put it this way, heaven is not located between here and the moon lol. Actually according to Jesus and the scripture the Kingdom of heaven is a spiritual kingdom, so if that is the case then there is a good chance we would be unable to view that in a material body. Could be wrong about that but I would also have to believe that the kingdom of heaven would be situated at a pretty good distance away but that is just a guess.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Well that may be a bit of an exaggeration but for one the Bible is not a science book, it is a spiritual book written by spiritual men, not by modern scientists. The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details, for that would have been impossible for them to communicate such things. Rather they say things like "God said let there be light", that is a simple illustration as opposed to breaking it all down with scientific terminology they wouldn't have known anything of.Having said that I think the creation story in the Bible is about as close as we can get to getting a decent understanding of creation, I think it was meant to communicate simply and to the point.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
No, God is a maximal Being. Yes there is a slight difference between the two terminologies. The Omni crap is just made up and causes more confusion than not.
Maximal "of or constituting a maximum; the highest or greatest possible". God is the greatest possible.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Give me an idea why you think creationism is stupid as opposed to a random chance occurrence, and don't tell me it's not random, it is lol. I don't want you to bite on words I just want a simple explanation.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
The question rather should be why wouldn't there be? With all the various cultures and so many different types of people it only seems obvious there would be.There is really nothing wrong about this, rather natural.I think I know where you are going with this but I'll leave it at face value for the time being.
I know what you mean by this, but the religions are way too different to claim they all worship the same god. Plus, all the Protestant sects came from Catholicism.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Well in politics and government systems I think it's pretty obvious.
Expand please
If you mean in forums like these and on the internet I think it is because we lose sight of what spirituality is and become locked in a fleshly mentality.
I don't
It is also the mentality of believers pointing fingers and claiming the others are going to hell. The more I apply spiritual principles to my life the more I see how evil this is and the divisions in the body it is causing.
But if the main point of most religions is don't fight, (and don't pull Islamic State here because they're exploiting one line of the Quran). Plus see my top answer in this post.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Haha, well lets put it this way, heaven is not located between here and the moon lol. Actually according to Jesus and the scripture the Kingdom of heaven is a spiritual kingdom, so if that is the case then there is a good chance we would be unable to view that in a material body. Could be wrong about that but I would also have to believe that the kingdom of heaven would be situated at a pretty good distance away but that is just a guess.
OK
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Well that may be a bit of an exaggeration but for one the Bible is not a science book, it is a spiritual book written by spiritual men, not by modern scientists.
So you're saying the people who wrote the Bible were uneducated and mistaken?
The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details, for that would have been impossible for them to communicate such things. Rather they say things like "God said let there be light", that is a simple illustration as opposed to breaking it all down with scientific terminology they wouldn't have known anything of.
But even if it's taken figuratively, science contradicts a ton of it.
Having said that I think the creation story in the Bible is about as close as we can get to getting a decent understanding of creation, I think it was meant to communicate simply and to the point.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
No, God is a maximal Being. Yes there is a slight difference between the two terminologies. The Omni crap is just made up and causes more confusion than not.
OK
Maximal "of or constituting a maximum; the highest or greatest possible". God is the greatest possible.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Give me an idea why you think creationism is stupid as opposed to a random chance occurrence, and don't tell me it's not random, it is lol. I don't want you to bite on words I just want a simple explanation.
I'm not sure if you really understand evolution. The whole point is that it happens according to random chances.Anyways, creationism was just thought up by some guy sitting and thinking before science existed. Evolution is scientifically proven, and makes more sense (e.g. how was God created?).
lol, hell if I know, I haven't died, so I can't answer that question for you. All the Scriptures tell us is that when we die, our bodies return to dust and our souls return to the Father. - Ecclesiastes 12:7, but Scriptures don't tell us exactly how the soul gets to the Father.
That still doesn't answer my question. How do you respond to the question of omnipotence in post #3?
You didn't understand my answer. TMH God is the most powerful being. HE gives power to those HE wants to give power to and HE takes power away from those HE wants to take power away from. The so called "white man" is the most powerful on this earth at the moment. He can invade other countries and start wars with them, he calls all the shots in this world. The so called "white man" runs this world, it's his and TMH God gave him that power. TMH is the one causing everything that happens in this earth, i.e., famine, drought, slavery, wars, etc... the solar system cannot cause wars and slavery. The solar system cannot cause the corruption of a government and cause all the evil occurring on this earth. That's all TMH God's doing.
7. How does hell exist?
Hell is not what the Christians tell you. It is not under the earth where a red guy has a pitch for and is poking you with it....that is not in the Bible. Christians don't understand parables. Hell is a condition not a place. Satan is a man on this earth today. This is going to be a lesson that I would have to type up for you, so that you can understand how the bible explains hell and I would have to send it to you through a messgae, but I'll give you a few scriptures.
Revelation 12:9
[9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the deuill and Satan, which deceiueth the whole world: hee was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
So this is describing a man that was cast into the earth, not beneath the earth, INTO the earth.
Jude 1:7 Euen as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them, in like maner giuing themselues ouer to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffring the vengeance of eternall fire.
How did Sodom and Gomorrha suffere eternal fire?
Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained vpon Sodome & vpon Gomorrah, brimstone and fire, from the LORD out of heauen.
So the fire and brimstone are the astroids (stars) falling from space.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearefull, and vnbeleeuing, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all lyars, shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
So the lake of fire is when the stars are going to be falling from space. America is going to be destroyed with fire and brimstone for it's wickedness and so many stars are going to fall on this nasty country that it's going to look like a lake of fire.
I will send the rest of it to you through a message or just post it on this forum because it's to much to type and to little characters so it may be 2 or 3 postings.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
The answer to this will be based on interpretation and opinion.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Why do archeologists argue about artifacts, even though they all agree that they are from the past?
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Heaven has several definitions. If you're talking about the Heaven good people go to after they are judged. I don't know. But then I don't know where the other dimensions are that are discussed in string theory, either.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Because religious texts were written in a time of scientific ignorance, by men who weren't too concerned with the science of that time. They wrote it the way they understood it.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
Define omnipotent.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Because the world is full of stupid people who are quite good at corrupting and destroying just about everything they touch.
I'm probably going to think of more later on.
Thinking is extremely taxing on the gullible, and it takes hours to clear the smoke.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
The question rather should be why wouldn't there be? With all the various cultures and so many different types of people it only seems obvious there would be.There is really nothing wrong about this, rather natural.I think I know where you are going with this but I'll leave it at face value for the time being.
I know what you mean by this, but the religions are way too different to claim they all worship the same god. Plus, all the Protestant sects came from Catholicism.
I didn't say they all worship the same God, I said there are a many variety of people and cultures, while the idea of God can be universal, we still see the influence of cultures and different ideas about what spirituality consists of. My only point here is this seems perfectly natural, would it not? If not, how would you possibly expect everyone to have the same views? That is not very logical.Again I'm not saying this is the way it should be, but the way it would be naturally.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Well in politics and government systems I think it's pretty obvious.
Expand please
The focus isn't about people and spirituality, in these arenas we see more power and control. This is not spirituality.
If you mean in forums like these and on the internet I think it is because we lose sight of what spirituality is and become locked in a fleshly mentality.
I don't
Didn't say you did, I myself try and avoid this mentality though I do get concerned with certain practices I think contradict what Jesus taught. But in most cases I speak for my own beliefs and I am secure in that. But I'm glad you avoid the same.
It is also the mentality of believers pointing fingers and claiming the others are going to hell. The more I apply spiritual principles to my life the more I see how evil this is and the divisions in the body it is causing.
But if the main point of most religions is don't fight, (and don't pull Islamic State here because they're exploiting one line of the Quran). Plus see my top answer in this post.
And I'm with you, they shouldn't. I don't support that and I don't know why people form this mentality. Love needs to come before all else, this is the only foundation for truth and change.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Haha, well lets put it this way, heaven is not located between here and the moon lol. Actually according to Jesus and the scripture the Kingdom of heaven is a spiritual kingdom, so if that is the case then there is a good chance we would be unable to view that in a material body. Could be wrong about that but I would also have to believe that the kingdom of heaven would be situated at a pretty good distance away but that is just a guess.
OK
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Well that may be a bit of an exaggeration but for one the Bible is not a science book, it is a spiritual book written by spiritual men, not by modern scientists.
So you're saying the people who wrote the Bible were uneducated and mistaken?
Nope, read that again lol. Actually the folks who wrote the Bible were far from uneducated, we just didn't have the scientific understanding and terminology. You are aware of how old the scriptures are right?
The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details, for that would have been impossible for them to communicate such things. Rather they say things like "God said let there be light", that is a simple illustration as opposed to breaking it all down with scientific terminology they wouldn't have known anything of.
But even if it's taken figuratively, science contradicts a ton of it.
But its not trying to be a science book, its simply expressing the idea of creation, is that something that alludes you?It doesn't matter, creationism is not a science idea. Science doesn't worry about God or spiritual truth, it just studies the material world.Having said that I haven't seen a TON of anything being contradicted. Of course unless you're referring to YEC, and in which case this is not shared across the board.Why don't you go back and read the beginning of Genesis and think about what I said above..."The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details" and then tell me what you think and if it makes more sense.
Having said that I think the creation story in the Bible is about as close as we can get to getting a decent understanding of creation, I think it was meant to communicate simply and to the point.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
No, God is a maximal Being. Yes there is a slight difference between the two terminologies. The Omni crap is just made up and causes more confusion than not.
OK
Maximal "of or constituting a maximum; the highest or greatest possible". God is the greatest possible.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Give me an idea why you think creationism is stupid as opposed to a random chance occurrence, and don't tell me it's not random, it is lol. I don't want you to bite on words I just want a simple explanation.
I'm not sure if you really understand evolution. The whole point is that it happens according to random chances.
And that's what I said. Read that again.
Anyways, creationism was just thought up by some guy sitting and thinking before science existed. Evolution is scientifically proven, and makes more sense (e.g. how was God created?).
You never gave me an example of how creationism is stupid compared to a random chance universe, I see no comparison.If you think like some others that we are a product of a warm primordial pond as we slowly crawled up out of that green sludge into a suit of skin and a tuxedo then that could be quite stupid too, it goes both ways really. To be honest the idea of creation seems far less stupid to me.The concept of God is eternal (doesn't need to be created), eternity works as a circle. Everything we know as humans in a material world is point a, to point b. That is because the material is set to decay along with our physical bodies and all our material possessions.It's our consciousness and our spirit bodies that move into eternity where the cycle of life and death are removed.
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
The question rather should be why wouldn't there be? With all the various cultures and so many different types of people it only seems obvious there would be.There is really nothing wrong about this, rather natural.I think I know where you are going with this but I'll leave it at face value for the time being.
I know what you mean by this, but the religions are way too different to claim they all worship the same god. Plus, all the Protestant sects came from Catholicism.
I didn't say they all worship the same God, I said there are a many variety of people and cultures, while the idea of God can be universal, we still see the influence of cultures and different ideas about what spirituality consists of. My only point here is this seems perfectly natural, would it not? If not, how would you possibly expect everyone to have the same views? That is not very logical.Again I'm not saying this is the way it should be, but the way it would be naturally.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Well in politics and government systems I think it's pretty obvious.
Expand please
The focus isn't about people and spirituality, in these arenas we see more power and control. This is not spirituality.
If you mean in forums like these and on the internet I think it is because we lose sight of what spirituality is and become locked in a fleshly mentality.
I don't
Didn't say you did, I myself try and avoid this mentality though I do get concerned with certain practices I think contradict what Jesus taught. But in most cases I speak for my own beliefs and I am secure in that. But I'm glad you avoid the same.
It is also the mentality of believers pointing fingers and claiming the others are going to hell. The more I apply spiritual principles to my life the more I see how evil this is and the divisions in the body it is causing.
But if the main point of most religions is don't fight, (and don't pull Islamic State here because they're exploiting one line of the Quran). Plus see my top answer in this post.
And I'm with you, they shouldn't. I don't support that and I don't know why people form this mentality. Love needs to come before all else, this is the only foundation for truth and change.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Haha, well lets put it this way, heaven is not located between here and the moon lol. Actually according to Jesus and the scripture the Kingdom of heaven is a spiritual kingdom, so if that is the case then there is a good chance we would be unable to view that in a material body. Could be wrong about that but I would also have to believe that the kingdom of heaven would be situated at a pretty good distance away but that is just a guess.
OK
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Well that may be a bit of an exaggeration but for one the Bible is not a science book, it is a spiritual book written by spiritual men, not by modern scientists.
So you're saying the people who wrote the Bible were uneducated and mistaken?
Nope, read that again lol. Actually the folks who wrote the Bible were far from uneducated, we just didn't have the scientific understanding and terminology. You are aware of how old the scriptures are right?
The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details, for that would have been impossible for them to communicate such things. Rather they say things like "God said let there be light", that is a simple illustration as opposed to breaking it all down with scientific terminology they wouldn't have known anything of.
But even if it's taken figuratively, science contradicts a ton of it.
But its not trying to be a science book, its simply expressing the idea of creation, is that something that *eludes* you?It doesn't matter, creationism is not a science idea. Science doesn't worry about God or spiritual truth, it just studies the material world.Having said that I haven't seen a TON of anything being contradicted. Of course unless you're referring to YEC, and in which case this is not shared across the board.Why don't you go back and read the beginning of Genesis and think about what I said above..."The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details" and then tell me what you think and if it makes more sense.
Having said that I think the creation story in the Bible is about as close as we can get to getting a decent understanding of creation, I think it was meant to communicate simply and to the point.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
No, God is a maximal Being. Yes there is a slight difference between the two terminologies. The Omni crap is just made up and causes more confusion than not.
OK
Maximal "of or constituting a maximum; the highest or greatest possible". God is the greatest possible.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Give me an idea why you think creationism is stupid as opposed to a random chance occurrence, and don't tell me it's not random, it is lol. I don't want you to bite on words I just want a simple explanation.
I'm not sure if you really understand evolution. The whole point is that it happens according to random chances.
And that's what I said. Read that again.
Anyways, creationism was just thought up by some guy sitting and thinking before science existed. Evolution is scientifically proven, and makes more sense (e.g. how was God created?).
You never gave me an example of how creationism is stupid compared to a random chance universe, I see no comparison.If you think like some others that we are a product of a warm primordial pond as we slowly crawled up out of that green sludge into a suit of skin and a tuxedo then that could be quite stupid too, it goes both ways really. To be honest the idea of creation seems far less stupid to me.The concept of God is eternal (doesn't need to be created), eternity works as a circle. Everything we know as humans in a material world is point a, to point b. That is because the material is set to decay along with our physical bodies and all our material possessions.It's our consciousness and our spirit bodies that move into eternity where the cycle of life and death are removed.
I didn't say they all worship the same God, I said there are a many variety of people and cultures, while the idea of God can be universal, we still see the influence of cultures and different ideas about what spirituality consists of. My only point here is this seems perfectly natural, would it not? If not, how would you possibly expect everyone to have the same views? That is not very logical.
It would be far more logical to think that everyone would have the same views, especially if we are to believe there is one God. He would give a message to all mankind equally, incontrovertible and coherent. This would be evidence that gods are man made concepts.
The focus isn't about people and spirituality, in these arenas we see more power and control. This is not spirituality.
Spirituality = Gospels. That's what you said.
Nope, read that again lol. Actually the folks who wrote the Bible were far from uneducated, we just didn't have the scientific understanding and terminology. You are aware of how old the scriptures are right?
Certainly, by today's standards, they were not educated by any stretch of the imagination. Elementary school concepts would be quite foreign to them. There's was an education in myth and superstition. More evidence to suggest gods were man made concepts.
The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details, for that would have been impossible for them to communicate such things. Rather they say things like "God said let there be light", that is a simple illustration as opposed to breaking it all down with scientific terminology they wouldn't have known anything of.
LOL. An absolutely silly argument, God could have simply taught men about light, but instead men had to figure it out themselves. Again, more evidence to suggest gods are man made.
But its not trying to be a science book, its simply expressing the idea of creation, is that something that alludes you?It doesn't matter, creationism is not a science idea. Science doesn't worry about God or spiritual truth, it just studies the material world."The ideas expressed about creation in say the Bible are more directed to simply invoke imagery not really scientific based details" and then tell me what you think and if it makes more sense.
And, just like creation, the spiritual is also just written to invoke imagery that is isn't really based on reality, or it doesn't actually exist. That makes much more sense. See how that works? LOL.
Marrying a 6 year old and waiting until she reaches puberty and maturity before having consensual sex is better than walking up to
a stranger in a bar and proceeding to have relations with no valid proof of the intent of the person. Muhammad wins. ~ Fatihah
If they don't want to be killed then they have to subdue to the Islamic laws. - Uncung
There would be peace if you obeyed us.~Uncung
Without God, you are lower than sh!t. ~ SpiritandTruth
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)I'm probably going to think of more later on.
Please don't think of more ideas. I'll provide some insight to this one, or I'll provide a link that better explains the Genesis. It's hopefully not too complicated for your understanding, but maybe it is. You've done a remarkable job thus far with excruciating bullet points that easily suicide all logic AND reason, and with one shot, with one post, well that in its self is amazing. Good luck, and happy reading.
It prints out as eleven pages long, so think of it as a Cat in the Hat, or Green Eggs and Ham, because I really don't know, I mean I don't know where you're at. So many books, with so little time. But what a wonderful life it is, when everything begins to rhyme. This link will help shape the puzzle.
There are false religions out there, although some people believe they're all a lie. God is God. Man is man and it will always stay that way. Man will fail you and God will test your ability to keep your eyes on him. Living on earth is basically a test from the one true God, in my opinion.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
They don't believe the same way as each other. False religions were created so that it would lead souls to hell bc it teaches ideals that go against God's will.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN?
Of course, I've never been there but from various testimonies that I've witnessed, it is a miraculous place where the soul can take eternal rest free from worry, sadness and sickness and abundant in love, hope & peace. Like a dream. I believe it to be real.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Honestly, scientists are smart and all but in my opinion, everything they think they know about how everything works only proves how great the works of God really are. Its pretty fascinating, really-how no one can prove or disprove that He exists. Its really more of a spiritual question, and yes, we all have a spirit and we control where it will end up.
5. Is he omnipotent?
I believe so. No human has the capability to do the things that God can do unless calling upon demonic powers. While not the same as God, they can do "tricks" too but there are consequences. God is all powerful and can give you what you need, which are not things of this earth. The devil is good at deceiving people, though. Be aware of what true happiness is compared to what the world would have you to believe. Its been said that earth is the devils playground, running around trying to take as many souls to hell as possible. The devil might give you things like money, fame, glory & lust for only a short amount of time but they all come at a price and it may be your soul. It really depends on who you give it to!
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas?
I couldn't answer that even if I tried, sorry! Only God knows, I guess haha
There are false religions out there, although some people believe they're all a lie. God is God. Man is man and it will always stay that way. Man will fail you and God will test your ability to keep your eyes on him. Living on earth is basically a test from the one true God, in my opinion.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
They don't believe the same way as each other. False religions were created so that it would lead souls to hell bc it teaches ideals that go against God's will.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN?
Of course, I've never been there but from various testimonies that I've witnessed, it is a miraculous place where the soul can take eternal rest free from worry, sadness and sickness and abundant in love, hope & peace. Like a dream. I believe it to be real.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Honestly, scientists are smart and all but in my opinion, everything they think they know about how everything works only proves how great the works of God really are. Its pretty fascinating, really-how no one can prove or disprove that He exists. Its really more of a spiritual question, and yes, we all have a spirit and we control where it will end up.
5. Is he omnipotent?
I believe so. No human has the capability to do the things that God can do unless calling upon demonic powers. While not the same as God, they can do "tricks" too but there are consequences. God is all powerful and can give you what you need, which are not things of this earth. The devil is good at deceiving people, though. Be aware of what true happiness is compared to what the world would have you to believe. Its been said that earth is the devils playground, running around trying to take as many souls to hell as possible. The devil might give you things like money, fame, glory & lust for only a short amount of time but they all come at a price and it may be your soul. It really depends on who you give it to!
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas?
I couldn't answer that even if I tried, sorry! Only God knows, I guess haha
Your profile says you are only 17, haven't you betters things to do than post complete nonsense on a forum? When you gain a bit of maturity you might just cringe at some of your garbage, LOL!
Your profile says you are only 17, haven't you betters things to do than post complete nonsense on a forum? When you gain a bit of maturity you might just cringe at some of your garbage, LOL!
Wow, never heard that one before! Look, I've been through a lot and God is the one thing in my life that hasn't changed or let me down. You're looking at this from a logical standpoint & I'm young, not an idiot. When my opinion changes, I'll let ya know! I can't describe how sorry I feel for you bc you're not very open minded about this but good luck to you & even though you'll hate this, God loves ya
Your profile says you are only 17, haven't you betters things to do than post complete nonsense on a forum? When you gain a bit of maturity you might just cringe at some of your garbage, LOL!
Wow, never heard that one before! Look, I've been through a lot and God is the one thing in my life that hasn't changed or let me down. You're looking at this from a logical standpoint & I'm young, not an idiot. When my opinion changes, I'll let ya know! I can't describe how sorry I feel for you bc you're not very open minded about this but good luck to you & even though you'll hate this, God loves ya
I am old enough to be your granny! Sadly I was once as opinionated as you as a teenager when I was a 'born again'. I am grateful I lost my faith by the time I got to 19 when the doubts became overwhelming. I cringe now at some of the things I came out with then!
There are false religions out there, although some people believe they're all a lie. God is God. Man is man and it will always stay that way. Man will fail you and God will test your ability to keep your eyes on him. Living on earth is basically a test from the one true God, in my opinion.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
They don't believe the same way as each other. False religions were created so that it would lead souls to hell bc it teaches ideals that go against God's will.
Do you not realize that your religion could be false, as well? It's kind of hypocritical to be calling other religions false when your religion has never been shown to be valid, it makes you look quite foolish.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN?
Of course, I've never been there but from various testimonies that I've witnessed, it is a miraculous place where the soul can take eternal rest free from worry, sadness and sickness and abundant in love, hope & peace. Like a dream. I believe it to be real.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
Honestly, scientists are smart and all but in my opinion, everything they think they know about how everything works only proves how great the works of God really are.
That is an insult to every single person who worked hard and delivered something beneficial from science. You should be ashamed of yourself, you look quite foolish.
Its pretty fascinating, really-how no one can prove or disprove that He exists.
It is up to you entirely to prove your god exists.
Its really more of a spiritual question, and yes, we all have a spirit and we control where it will end up.
Please explain spirit to us, that has never been shown to exist so you would be the first to show it.
5. Is he omnipotent?
I believe so. No human has the capability to do the things that God can do unless calling upon demonic powers.
Humans have shown we can do a great deal more than any god, with no demonic powers required.
While not the same as God, they can do "tricks" too but there are consequences. God is all powerful and can give you what you need, which are not things of this earth. The devil is good at deceiving people, though. Be aware of what true happiness is compared to what the world would have you to believe. Its been said that earth is the devils playground, running around trying to take as many souls to hell as possible. The devil might give you things like money, fame, glory & lust for only a short amount of time but they all come at a price and it may be your soul. It really depends on who you give it to!
So, you believe in the boogeyman hiding under your bed, too? Can you show this devil of yours exists or is this just another foolish notion on your part?
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas?
I couldn't answer that even if I tried, sorry! Only God knows, I guess haha
You have answered that. Thanks.
Marrying a 6 year old and waiting until she reaches puberty and maturity before having consensual sex is better than walking up to
a stranger in a bar and proceeding to have relations with no valid proof of the intent of the person. Muhammad wins. ~ Fatihah
If they don't want to be killed then they have to subdue to the Islamic laws. - Uncung
There would be peace if you obeyed us.~Uncung
Without God, you are lower than sh!t. ~ SpiritandTruth
Do you not realize that your religion could be false, as well? It's kind of hypocritical to be calling other religions false when your religion has never been shown to be valid, it makes you look quite foolish.
Well sir, basically if they don't believe that Jesus is the son of God & that he is the only way to heaven, then their teachings are ultimately misleading. My god is real bc I can feel his presence and it is peaceful. I can't describe what it feels like bc it's too great. I don't have to meditate to feel Him.
That is an insult to every single person who worked hard and delivered something beneficial from science. You should be ashamed of yourself, you look quite foolish
To you, yes because the works of God may seem foolish to someone who has never known Him, so that's okay.
It is up to you entirely to prove your god exists.
It really isn't. Its not something I,personally can show you. He's not of this earth so you won't see him unless He needs you to.
Please explain spirit to us, that has never been shown to exist so you would be the first to show it.
Your being. Not physically but the essence of you.
Humans have shown we can do a great deal more than any god, with no demonic powers required.
Like what?
So, you believe in the boogeyman hiding under your bed, too? Can you show this devil of yours exists or is this just another foolish notion on your part?
Well the works of the Devil are everywhere, influencing God's children to stray from the path they should be on.
Do you not realize that your religion could be false, as well? It's kind of hypocritical to be calling other religions false when your religion has never been shown to be valid, it makes you look quite foolish.
Well sir, basically if they don't believe that Jesus is the son of God & that he is the only way to heaven, then their teachings are ultimately misleading.
Or, your teachings are ultimately misleading. Has this never crossed your mind?
My god is real bc I can feel his presence and it is peaceful. I can't describe what it feels like bc it's too great. I don't have to meditate to feel Him.
And, how do you know you feel your god's presence? Did he tell you that himself?
That is an insult to every single person who worked hard and delivered something beneficial from science. You should be ashamed of yourself, you look quite foolish
To you, yes because the works of God may seem foolish to someone who has never known Him, so that's okay.
Ah, so it's okay to insult people because those people don't know your god. You are an a$$, sir.
It is up to you entirely to prove your god exists.
It really isn't. Its not something I,personally can show you. He's not of this earth so you won't see him unless He needs you to.
So, you believe in the boogeyman hiding under your bed, too? Can you show this devil of yours exists or is this just another foolish notion on your part?
Well the works of the Devil are everywhere, influencing God's children to stray from the path they should be on.
Clearly, you're insane. Nice talking to you.
Marrying a 6 year old and waiting until she reaches puberty and maturity before having consensual sex is better than walking up to
a stranger in a bar and proceeding to have relations with no valid proof of the intent of the person. Muhammad wins. ~ Fatihah
If they don't want to be killed then they have to subdue to the Islamic laws. - Uncung
There would be peace if you obeyed us.~Uncung
Without God, you are lower than sh!t. ~ SpiritandTruth
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
The concept you have of your mother is different than the concept your father has of her. Different from the way your grandmother thinks of your mother.
In science there are many theories about how gravity works, not all can be right. but some are similar and maybe even one is right.
Victors right history, the correct and accurate interpretation is not always the victor.
Essentially I end with saying that God if he/she exists... He is more than likely poorly understood, or fairly inaccurately portrayed.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
People like to fight an enemy they can villanize. Dehumanize. This means finding a difference and exaggerating it. people have fought each other over smaller differences.
If you revering to non-violent arguing, confrontation and debate is a way of resolving inaccuracies. The sciences fight each other as well.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
Heaven a synonym meaning the sky, or a realm. Like how universe meant solar system before and now means all of this space-time, but some say it means everything that existence so it would be this "universe" and another in a soup of multiverse.
Many religions say there are 7-9 heavens. This isn't much different than scientist saying there other dimensions.
heaven is a realm composed of spiritual matter. And is probably does not directly interact with normal matter.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
I think half is a big assumption. 1. depends on the religious text. 2. depends on what era of science you are comparing it to.
Science is a knowledge people have and it changes. Plus the way people describe things changes as the science advances. The lingo used by newton is no the same lingo used by cosmologist or optical engineers today.
When looking at some of the ancient descriptions it could be of benefit to ask, "If a man in the age saw this. how would they describe it?"
Some of the descriptions in Enoch are a starling similarity to a black hole sucking in stars. An object Enoch (or any man till modern time) could observe. The question begs where did this guy get such knowledge? If the man speaks in other passages in a matter-of-fact voice and with no flights of fancy, why the sudden description of a dream or something imagined?
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
The word is ambiguous. I found no argument that demonstrates "omnipotence" is impossible.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Scientist once thought the earth was flat, that glass was a super viscous liquid, that heat was a liquid, that light moved through a liquid, (yes science really likes the idea of everything is fluid to the bottom.)
Creationism is a modern interpretation and is directly related to the historical events, translations and preachings during separations of the church.
Or, your teachings are ultimately misleading. Has this never crossed your mind?
Or you're close-minded and not seeking God's truth. If you were, he would show it to you like He has done for me and many others. But you have to seek him 100% and be serious about it. There will come a time when nothing else can fill the emptiness you may come to feel but just know that He is always there. He has not nor never will leave you and forsake you. All He wants is a chance to show you a fulfilling life that will matter after you die. God bless you & I love you anyways, brother.
And, how do you know you feel your god's presence?
You wouldn't understand, because you don't know and obviously don't care.
Ah, so it's okay to insult people because those people don't know your god. You are an a$$, sir.
I haven't insulted anyone, if I did, excuse me. Its a real problem that you are mocking and I don't appreciate it. But that's your opinion and I'll respect it.
That explains absolutely nothing. There is only the physical me, there is no more than that, it is like that with every human.
That is why you don't believe in God or heaven or hell. You'll see one of them someday. I hope it's God even though you've denied Him by saying (repeatedly) that He doesn't exist.realize that this is more than any religion. Its a relationship with God & its not about what other people say and do to shake your faith. That's why I can love you in spite of the fact that we don't agree because you, brother are the one I want to see when I go to heaven. I have no doubt about my God and that is final.
Those are gifts from God. Where else could they have come from? Certainly not from past experiences of mankind. Those are the ways of God, sir.
Clearly, you're insane. Nice talking to you.
Likewise. You are an ignorant human being in regard to anything more comprehensive than the physical being. The things of Earth will fade and what will you be left with? Think about it. Even though you try to make me question every fiber of my spiritual wellbeing, I thank you for your time, wasted. Rest assured, I have nothing but love and hope for you. Sorry if I have offended you, just don't blame it on God. Everything I said, I only meant it for the better but I'm only human & sometimes I say the wrong thing. I hope you've forgiven me, as Christ has. If only you knew...
That explains absolutely nothing. There is only the physical me, there is no more than that, it is like that with every human.
That is why you don't believe in God or heaven or hell. You'll see one of them someday.
That is highly doubtful and is merely a childish threat on your part. Grow up.
I hope it's God even though you've denied Him by saying (repeatedly) that He doesn't exist.realize that this is more than any religion. Its a relationship with God & its not about what other people say and do to shake your faith. That's why I can love you in spite of the fact that we don't agree because you, brother are the one I want to see when I go to heaven. I have no doubt about my God and that is final.
Those are gifts from God. Where else could they have come from? Certainly not from past experiences of mankind. Those are the ways of God, sir.
Sorry, those do not come from God, they come from men with brains in their heads, not delusions of gods.
Clearly, you're insane. Nice talking to you.
Likewise. You are an ignorant human being in regard to anything more comprehensive than the physical being.
You are also a physical being and nothing more.
The things of Earth will fade and what will you be left with
Nothing will fade out, that is just another delusion on your part.
Think about it. Even though you try to make me question every fiber of my spiritual wellbeing, I thank you for your time, wasted. Rest assured, I have nothing but love and hope for you.
No, you don't, that is another fabrication.
Sorry if I have offended you
It is your religion that is highly offensive, not you.
just don't blame it on God.
I don't, I blame it on the psychotic men who created your religion.
Everything I said, I only meant it for the better but I'm only human & sometimes I say the wrong thing. I hope you've forgiven me, as Christ has. If only you knew...
Marrying a 6 year old and waiting until she reaches puberty and maturity before having consensual sex is better than walking up to
a stranger in a bar and proceeding to have relations with no valid proof of the intent of the person. Muhammad wins. ~ Fatihah
If they don't want to be killed then they have to subdue to the Islamic laws. - Uncung
There would be peace if you obeyed us.~Uncung
Without God, you are lower than sh!t. ~ SpiritandTruth
Ah yes, the Campus Crusade Marilyn Adamson, liar extraordinaire, who attempts to tell us she was once an atheist but found God through logical proof. Only someone so dim-witted could possibly find her story plausible.
There is no evidence in that video, just more fabricated lies from those who want to convert.
Marrying a 6 year old and waiting until she reaches puberty and maturity before having consensual sex is better than walking up to
a stranger in a bar and proceeding to have relations with no valid proof of the intent of the person. Muhammad wins. ~ Fatihah
If they don't want to be killed then they have to subdue to the Islamic laws. - Uncung
There would be peace if you obeyed us.~Uncung
Without God, you are lower than sh!t. ~ SpiritandTruth
At 5/27/2015 6:20:37 PM, AlwaysRight12345 wrote:I am an agnostic seriously leaning towards full-out atheism. I have a series of questions about the existence of God that I think are really serious proofs of His nonexistence. I am ready to discuss on the following (and more if I can remember them).
If you don't believe in God you are an atheist already. An agnostic atheist to be precise.
If God exists...1. Why are there so many interpretations of him? (All of the sects of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and the thousands of others)
Different people, different ways of understanding God.
2. Why do people fight each other about Him even though they all agree he exists?
Human nature and the fact that the Abrahamic religions in particular tend to see their way as the only true way. This is less true of pagan religions where there was even a tendency to copy religious practices. A good example is how the Romans adopted and adapted Greek gods to their culture.
3. WHERE IS HEAVEN? (This seems like a stupid question now that it's outside of my head, but when Armstrong went to the moon, he didn't pass through heaven)
In the spiritual dimension. It is not in the same dimension this physical universe occupies and so doesn't exist anywhere in this universe.
4. Why does science majorly contradict half of the stuff in religious texts?
I doubt this especially since many aspects they treat on don't mix. For instance, the Bible has books of the prophets and their statements, records of historical events in the likes of Kings, prose and poetry in the Psalms & Proverbs etcetera. Science contradicts some parts of the Bible particularly Genesis but not all, and probably not a major part.
5. Is he omnipotent? (Because that seems seriously impossible as there are half a dozen theories disproving omnipotence)
Mention such theories.
6. Why are there so many stupid religious ideas? (e.g. CREATIONISM and yes it's stupid)
Creationism makes more sense than evolution, specifically universal common ancestry.
I'm probably going to think of more later on.
Okay.
"I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness. Everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing, postulates consciousness." - Max Planck |
# coding: utf-8
from socket import *
import struct
import sys
import threading
import time
NUM_MASTERSERVERS = 4
MASTERSERVER_PORT = 8300
TIMEOUT = 2
SERVERTYPE_NORMAL = 0
SERVERTYPE_LEGACY = 1
PACKET_GETLIST = "\x20\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\xff\xff\xff\xffreqt"
PACKET_GETLIST2 = "\x20\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\xff\xff\xff\xffreq2"
PACKET_GETINFO = "\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xffgief"
PACKET_GETINFO2 = "\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xffgie2" + "\x00"
PACKET_GETINFO3 = "\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xff\xffgie3" + "\x00"
class Server_Info(threading.Thread):
def __init__(self, address, type):
self.address = address
self.type = type
self.finished = False
threading.Thread.__init__(self, target = self.run)
def run(self):
self.info = None
if self.type == SERVERTYPE_NORMAL:
self.info = get_server_info3(self.address)
elif self.type == SERVERTYPE_LEGACY:
self.info = get_server_info(self.address)
if self.info:
self.info = get_server_info2(self.address)
self.finished = True
def get_server_info(address):
try:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_DGRAM)
sock.settimeout(TIMEOUT);
sock.sendto(PACKET_GETINFO, address)
data, addr = sock.recvfrom(1024)
sock.close()
data = data[14:] # skip header
slots = data.split("\x00")
server_info = {}
server_info["version"] = slots[0]
server_info["name"] = slots[1]
server_info["map"] = slots[2]
server_info["gametype"] = slots[3]
server_info["flags"] = int(slots[4])
server_info["progression"] = int(slots[5])
server_info["num_players"] = int(slots[6])
server_info["max_players"] = int(slots[7])
server_info["players"] = []
for i in xrange(0, server_info["num_players"]):
player = {}
player["name"] = slots[8+i*2]
player["score"] = int(slots[8+i*2+1])
server_info["players"].append(player)
return server_info
except:
sock.close()
return None
def get_server_info2(address):
try:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_DGRAM)
sock.settimeout(TIMEOUT);
sock.sendto(PACKET_GETINFO2, address)
data, addr = sock.recvfrom(1024)
sock.close()
data = data[14:] # skip header
slots = data.split("\x00")
server_info = {}
server_info["token"] = slots[0]
server_info["version"] = slots[1]
server_info["name"] = slots[2]
server_info["map"] = slots[3]
server_info["gametype"] = slots[4]
server_info["flags"] = int(slots[5])
server_info["progression"] = int(slots[6])
server_info["num_players"] = int(slots[7])
server_info["max_players"] = int(slots[8])
server_info["players"] = []
for i in xrange(0, server_info["num_players"]):
player = {}
player["name"] = slots[9+i*2]
player["score"] = int(slots[9+i*2+1])
server_info["players"].append(player)
return server_info
except:
sock.close()
return None
def get_server_info3(address):
try:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_DGRAM)
sock.settimeout(TIMEOUT);
sock.sendto(PACKET_GETINFO3, address)
data, addr = sock.recvfrom(1400)
sock.close()
data = data[14:] # skip header
slots = data.split("\x00")
server_info = {}
server_info["token"] = slots[0]
server_info["version"] = slots[1]
server_info["name"] = slots[2]
server_info["map"] = slots[3]
server_info["gametype"] = slots[4]
server_info["flags"] = int(slots[5])
server_info["num_players"] = int(slots[6])
server_info["max_players"] = int(slots[7])
server_info["num_clients"] = int(slots[8])
server_info["max_clients"] = int(slots[9])
server_info["players"] = []
for i in xrange(0, server_info["num_clients"]):
player = {}
player["name"] = slots[10+i*5]
player["clan"] = slots[10+i*5+1]
player["country"] = int(slots[10+i*5+2])
player["score"] = int(slots[10+i*5+3])
if int(slots[10+i*5+4]):
player["player"] = True
else:
player["player"] = False
server_info["players"].append(player)
return server_info
except:
sock.close()
return None
class Master_Server_Info(threading.Thread):
def __init__(self, address):
self.address = address
self.finished = False
threading.Thread.__init__(self, target = self.run)
def run(self):
self.servers = get_list(self.address) + get_list2(self.address)
self.finished = True
def get_list(address):
servers = []
try:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_DGRAM)
sock.settimeout(TIMEOUT)
sock.sendto(PACKET_GETLIST, address)
while 1:
data, addr = sock.recvfrom(1024)
data = data[14:]
num_servers = len(data) / 6
for n in range(0, num_servers):
ip = ".".join(map(str, map(ord, data[n*6:n*6+4])))
port = ord(data[n*6+5]) * 256 + ord(data[n*6+4])
servers += [[(ip, port), SERVERTYPE_LEGACY]]
except:
sock.close()
return servers
def get_list2(address):
servers = []
try:
sock = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_DGRAM)
sock.settimeout(TIMEOUT)
sock.sendto(PACKET_GETLIST2, address)
while 1:
data, addr = sock.recvfrom(1400)
data = data[14:]
num_servers = len(data) / 18
for n in range(0, num_servers):
if data[n*18:n*18+12] == "\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\xff\xff":
ip = ".".join(map(str, map(ord, data[n*18+12:n*18+16])))
else:
ip = ":".join(map(str, map(ord, data[n*18:n*18+16])))
port = (ord(data[n*18+16])<<8) + ord(data[n*18+17])
servers += [[(ip, port), SERVERTYPE_NORMAL]]
except:
sock.close()
return servers
master_servers = []
for i in range(1, NUM_MASTERSERVERS+1):
m = Master_Server_Info(("master%d.teeworlds.com"%i, MASTERSERVER_PORT))
master_servers.append(m)
m.start()
time.sleep(0.001) # avoid issues
servers = []
while len(master_servers) != 0:
if master_servers[0].finished == True:
if master_servers[0].servers:
servers += master_servers[0].servers
del master_servers[0]
time.sleep(0.001) # be nice
servers_info = []
print str(len(servers)) + " servers"
for server in servers:
s = Server_Info(server[0], server[1])
servers_info.append(s)
s.start()
time.sleep(0.001) # avoid issues
num_players = 0
num_clients = 0
while len(servers_info) != 0:
if servers_info[0].finished == True:
if servers_info[0].info:
num_players += servers_info[0].info["num_players"]
if servers_info[0].type == SERVERTYPE_NORMAL:
num_clients += servers_info[0].info["num_clients"]
else:
num_clients += servers_info[0].info["num_players"]
del servers_info[0]
time.sleep(0.001) # be nice
print str(num_players) + " players and " + str(num_clients-num_players) + " spectators"
|
Firemen and other personnel try to contain a leak from the truck which reportedly turned up to deliver gas at the kitchen area of the Knutsford Court Hotel on Chelsea Avenue yesterday. - Jermaine Barnaby
A propane gas leak from a truck outside the delivery area of the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew, yesterday, prompted firefighters from the York Park Fire Station to respond immediately in order to contain the leak.
The STAR understands that sometime yesterday afternoon, a Gas Pro truck was delivering propane cooking gas to the hotel when, while negotiating a turn, it went over a hump resulting in the rupturing of a hose.
This caused propane to leak into the area. Propane is the gas used for cooking among other purposes.
prevent ignition
"Limited amount of propane gas was in the pressure hose. It is leaking from the truck currently, so we're trying our very best to plug the area to prevent the gas from leaking out. We're also using water to cool the area to prevent ignition and we're plugging the hose," a representative from the York Park Fire Station said yesterday.
Traffic and the movement of pedestrians along the busy thoroughfare were curtailed as the area was cordoned off.
Later, a senior representative from the hotel said the matter had been rectified and that no one had been injured in the incident.
She said the driver of the truck was new and had ventured where he should not have been. She also added that the driver had not started his delivery when the incident occurred. |
Q:
Loss function that penalizes bigger errors
I'm building a machine learning model that realizes sales predictions based on a set of features, but for this specific problem it would not be important to have a spot-on prediction.
The problem is that with the MSE loss function I'm getting some predictions that get spot-on predictions on part of the validation data, and gets a somewhat high error on other points.
So, I was thinking if there is a established function that would help the algorithm prioritize models without grotesque errors.
Thanks in advance.
A:
Often MSE actually penalizes the largest errors too much - being very wrong on a few outliers may be OK if the model is usually more or less right.
Since this is sales prediction, don't you have a loss function? i.e. the cost to the business of an error? On the face of things this is more likely to be the absolute error rather than the squared error.
It might be time to think about your descriptors. No loss function can make a good model if the input data is not predictive of the output.
|
Q:
How to unite gameobject meshes?
Because of I made my house from the unity editor I can't remove this mesh borders. I tried MeshCombiner but it just connects all of the meshes in one mesh borders still exist. I know I can make it from Blender or something like this but is there any one to remove from unity?
Screen Shot: http://imgur.com/a/1XALE
A:
Maybe you are looking for CombineMeshes. An example is
using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;
[RequireComponent(typeof(MeshFilter))]
[RequireComponent(typeof(MeshRenderer))]
public class ExampleClass : MonoBehaviour {
void Start() {
MeshFilter[] meshFilters = GetComponentsInChildren<MeshFilter>();
CombineInstance[] combine = new CombineInstance[meshFilters.Length];
int i = 0;
while (i < meshFilters.Length) {
combine[i].mesh = meshFilters[i].sharedMesh;
combine[i].transform = meshFilters[i].transform.localToWorldMatrix;
meshFilters[i].gameObject.active = false;
i++;
}
transform.GetComponent<MeshFilter>().mesh = new Mesh();
transform.GetComponent<MeshFilter>().mesh.CombineMeshes(combine);
transform.gameObject.active = true;
}
}
|
Q:
Continue execution in console after running jar
I have a jar that executes endlessly because i create a thread and the i join() the edt with this thread.
If i run this jar with double click on lets say windows a javaw process is created that runs forever and i can continue working which is what i want.
Now if i try to run the jar from cmd with java -jar myJar.jar the execution halts right there.
What i want is to continue cmd execution after running the jar.
*Note:*I currently trying to do this in linux console which i access with putty.So please consider this in your answer
Thank you
A:
java -jar myJar.jar &
The & puts the command into the background and allows you to do other things from the shell prompt.
This is very basic UNIX/Linux shell stuff. I suggest that you find / read an online tutorial or a book on the shell you are using (e.g. bash). It will make your life a lot easier. Or if you are a masochist, read man bash.
I currently trying to do this in linux console which i access with putty.
Use of putty is actually not relevant.
A:
Try this
java -jar myJar.jar&
It means that the process gets launched and runs in the background. If you want to get it back, type fg. To push it back in the background, press CTRL+Z (this pauses its execution and gives you back your shell prompt) and then run bg to resume it in the background.
|
Q:
Convert list of dictionaries into list of nested dictionaries
I tried and saw multiple solutions for the above question but could not find a solution that suits my case.
I have following list of dictionaries.
input_list = [
{'k0':'v0','level':0,'row':0},
{'k1':'v1','level':1,'row':1},
{'k2':'v2','level':2,'row':2},
{'k3':'v3','level':2,'row':3},
{'k4':'v4','level':1,'row':4},
{'k5':'v5','level':2,'row':5},
{'k6':'v6','level':1,'row':6},
{'k7':'v7','level':0,'row':7},
{'k8':'v8','level':1,'row':8},
{'k9':'v9','level':2,'row':9},
]
and I need to convert this list to list of nested dictionaries in the following way
[
{'k0':'v0',
'level':0,
'child':[
{'k1':'v1','level':1,'child':[{'k2':'v2','level':2},
{'k3':'v3','level':2}]},
{'k4':'v4','level':1,'child':[{'k5':'v5','level':2}]},
{'k6':'v6','level':1}
]},
{'k7':'v7',
'level':0,
'child':[{'k8':'v8','level':1,'child':[{'k9':'v9','level':2}]}]}
]
Solutions which I tried are as follow
levels = dict()
for n in input_list:
levels.setdefault(n['level'], []).append(n)
this gives me dictionaries with levels separated but I couldn't move past this code for my desired solution
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
A:
You can use recursion with itertools.groupby:
from itertools import groupby as gb
data = [{'k0': 'v0', 'level': 0, 'row': 0}, {'k1': 'v1', 'level': 1, 'row': 1}, {'k2': 'v2', 'level': 2, 'row': 2}, {'k3': 'v3', 'level': 2, 'row': 3}, {'k4': 'v4', 'level': 1, 'row': 4}, {'k5': 'v5', 'level': 2, 'row': 5}, {'k6': 'v6', 'level': 1, 'row': 6}, {'k7': 'v7', 'level': 0, 'row': 7}, {'k8': 'v8', 'level': 1, 'row': 8}, {'k9': 'v9', 'level': 2, 'row': 9}]
_d = [{a:b for a, b in i.items() if a not in {'row'}} for i in data]
def get_results(d, l = 0):
r, p = [(a, list(b)) for a, b in gb(d, key=lambda x:x['level'] == l)], []
for a, b in r:
if a:
p.extend(b)
else:
p[-1]['child'] = get_results(b, l+1)
return p
import json
print(json.dumps(get_results(_d), indent=4))
Output:
[
{
"k0": "v0",
"level": 0,
"child": [
{
"k1": "v1",
"level": 1,
"child": [
{
"k2": "v2",
"level": 2
},
{
"k3": "v3",
"level": 2
}
]
},
{
"k4": "v4",
"level": 1,
"child": [
{
"k5": "v5",
"level": 2
}
]
},
{
"k6": "v6",
"level": 1
}
]
},
{
"k7": "v7",
"level": 0,
"child": [
{
"k8": "v8",
"level": 1,
"child": [
{
"k9": "v9",
"level": 2
}
]
}
]
}
]
A:
# This stores last dicts seen by their levels
dict_by_levels = [None] * len(input_list)
# To be returned; begins with the first "root"
output_list = [input_list[0]]
for prev_dict, cur_dict in zip(input_list, input_list[1:]):
# Get previous and current level, and store them in levels dict
prev_level, cur_level = prev_dict["level"], cur_dict["level"]
dict_by_levels[prev_level] = prev_dict
dict_by_levels[cur_level] = cur_dict
# If we are currently in a deeper level, append to previous dict's child
if cur_level > prev_level:
prev_dict.setdefault("child", []).append(cur_dict)
# If we are currently in a shallower or equal level *and* the current level is not 0,
# then get the last one-level-before dict seen so far, and append to it
elif cur_level <= prev_level and cur_level != 0:
dict_by_levels[cur_level-1].setdefault("child", []).append(cur_dict)
# This else is equivalent to "if cur_level == 0" i.e. a "root" dict
else:
output_list.append(cur_dict)
I keep track of two level for each turn of the loop i.e. previous and current dicts. I also make dict_by_levels which is a list of dicts by level; index 0, 1, 2.. will have the last dictionary seen by that level, if any. This helps in the case where we go a shallower or equal level (e.g. from 2 to 2).
If the current level is higher than previous level (e.g. 1 > 0), then we simply append to children of current dict.
If the current level is less than equal to the previous level, this means that we should be appending to the children of last seen dict with level current level - 1 (dict_by_levels helps here). Of course, if current level is 0, we don't do this - we have a new root.
And that root case is handled in else clause via appending to the output list to be returned.
|
Template.registerHelper('selected', function(key, value) {
return key == value ? 'selected' : '';
});
Template.registerHelper('isUpdateable', function(userId, role) {
var loggedInUserId = Meteor.userId();
return ((userId == loggedInUserId || (role === 'moderator' && (!Roles.userIsInRole( loggedInUserId, ['admin'], 'CB')))) ? true : false);
});
Template.userById.helpers({
getUser:function(){
var userId = FlowRouter.getParam('userId');
if (Roles.userIsInRole(userId, ['admin'], 'CB')) {
return ;
} else {
return Meteor.users.find({_id:userId});
}
},
userRoles: function(){
const roles = Meteor.users.findOne({_id: FlowRouter.getParam('userId') }).roles;
const roleGroup = 'CB';
return roles[roleGroup] ;
},
});
Template.userById.events({
"change #authorization": function(event, template){
var currentAuthorization = template.find('#authorization').value;
const roleGroup = 'CB';
var pastAuthorization = this.roles[roleGroup].pop();
var userId = this._id;
var username = this.username;
Meteor.call("updateRoles",this._id,this.username,currentAuthorization,pastAuthorization, roleGroup, function(error, result) {
if (result) {
swal("Done!", "Updated "+ username +"'s access right ", "success")
}else{
swal("Oops something went wrong!", error + "\n Try again", "error");
}
});
},
});
|
Q:
Collecting multiple Variables from one loop
I'm Working on a project for college and have sat here trying to figure out a solution to this problem for a solid 3 hours now. the problem is:
Scenario:
You want to calculate a student’s GPA (Grade Point Average) for a number of classes taken by the student during a single semester.
Inputs:
The student’s name.
Class names for the classes taken by the student.
Class letter grade for the classes taken by the student.
Class credit hours for the classes taken by the student.
Processing:
Accept and process classes until the user indicates they are finished.
Accumulate the number of credit hours taken by the student.
Calculate the total number of “points” earned by the student as:
a. For each class calculate the points by multiplying the credit hours for that class times the numeric equivalent of the letter grade. (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0)
b. Total all points for all classes.
Calculate the GPA as the total number of “points” divided by the total credit hours.
Output:
Display a nicely worded message that includes the student’s name and the GPA (decimal point number with 2 decimal places) achieved by the student that semester.
What I currently have is:
static void Main(string[] args)
{
String StudentName;
//Error Trapping
try
{
Console.WriteLine("Welcome to The GPA Calculator");
Console.WriteLine("Hit any key to continue...");
Console.ReadKey();
Console.Write("Please enter your name: ");
StudentName = Convert.ToString(Console.ReadLine());
InputGradeInfo();
}
//Error Repsonse
catch (System.Exception e)
{
Console.WriteLine("An error has Occurred");
Console.WriteLine("The error was: {0}" , e.Message);
//Belittle the User
Console.WriteLine("Good Job, you Broke it.");
Console.ReadLine();
}
}
public static double InputGradeInfo()
{
String ClassName;
Char LetterGrade;
Double LetterGradeValue;
Double CreditHours;
Double ValueOfClass;
Console.Write("Please enter the class title: ");
ClassName = Convert.ToString(Console.ReadLine());
Console.Write("Please enter the total credits this class is worth: ");
CreditHours = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
Console.Write("Please enter the grade letter recived: ");
LetterGrade = Convert.ToChar(Console.ReadLine());
switch (LetterGrade)
{
case 'a': LetterGradeValue = 4;
break;
case 'A': LetterGradeValue = 4;
break;
case 'b': LetterGradeValue = 3;
break;
case 'B': LetterGradeValue = 3;
break;
case 'c': LetterGradeValue = 2;
break;
case 'C': LetterGradeValue = 2;
break;
case 'd': LetterGradeValue = 1;
break;
case 'D': LetterGradeValue = 1;
break;
case 'f': LetterGradeValue = 0;
break;
case 'F': LetterGradeValue = 0;
break;
default: LetterGradeValue = 0;
break;
}
ValueOfClass = CalculateClass(LetterGradeValue, CreditHours);
return ValueOfClass;
}
public static double CalculateClass(double LetterGrade, double CreditHours)
{
Double CreditTotal;
CreditTotal = CreditHours * LetterGrade;
return CreditTotal;
}
The Problem arises for me as to how one would loop info collection, save it to different variable every time and then breaking the loop using user input at the end. We haven't learned about arrays yet so that's off the table. After I have that looped collection down calculating the total GPA and displaying wouldn't be difficult.
Also I haven't learned about created classes yet so I can't use those either
A:
static void Main(string[] args)
{
String StudentName;
//Error Trapping
try
{
Console.WriteLine("Welcome to The GPA Calculator");
Console.WriteLine("Hit any key to continue...");
Console.ReadKey();
Console.Write("Please enter your name: ");
StudentName = Convert.ToString(Console.ReadLine());
List<double> gradeInfoList = new List<double>();
List<double> creditList = new List<double>();
bool brakeLoop = false;
while (!brakeLoop)
{
gradeInfoList.Add(InputGradeInfo(creditList));
Console.WriteLine("Do you want to continue(y/n): ");
brakeLoop = Console.ReadLine() != "y";
}
Console.WriteLine(StudentName + " GPA is: " + gradeInfoList.Sum() / creditList.Sum());
}
//Error Repsonse
catch (System.Exception e)
{
Console.WriteLine("An error has Occurred");
Console.WriteLine("The error was: {0}", e.Message);
//Belittle the User
Console.WriteLine("Good Job, you Broke it.");
Console.ReadLine();
}
}
public static double InputGradeInfo(List<double> creditList)
{
String ClassName;
Char LetterGrade;
Double LetterGradeValue;
Double CreditHours;
Double ValueOfClass;
Console.Write("Please enter the class title: ");
ClassName = Convert.ToString(Console.ReadLine());
Console.Write("Please enter the total credits this class is worth: ");
CreditHours = Convert.ToDouble(Console.ReadLine());
creditList.Add(CreditHours);
Console.Write("Please enter the grade letter recived: ");
LetterGrade = Convert.ToChar(Console.ReadLine().ToUpper());
switch (LetterGrade)
{
case 'A': LetterGradeValue = 4;
break;
case 'B': LetterGradeValue = 3;
break;
case 'C': LetterGradeValue = 2;
break;
case 'D': LetterGradeValue = 1;
break;
case 'F': LetterGradeValue = 0;
break;
default: LetterGradeValue = 0;
break;
}
ValueOfClass = CalculateClass(LetterGradeValue, CreditHours);
return ValueOfClass;
}
public static double CalculateClass(double LetterGrade, double CreditHours)
{
Double CreditTotal;
CreditTotal = CreditHours * LetterGrade;
return CreditTotal;
}
Here you probably want this. You need one while loop to take all the classes, the loop brakes if you say that you don't want to continue or put another input. You make the gradeInfoList with gradeInfoList.Sum() function.
Also your variables should start with small letter, StudentName->studentName !
EDIT:
gpa List is collection which stores all your values which comes from InputGradeInfo().
What Sum() function is doing:
double sum = 0;
foreach(double d in gpa)
{
sum= sum + d; //(or sum+= d;)
}
In other words loop all the elements in gradeInfoList collection and make the sum of them.
About the while loop-> this loop will executes till the condition in the brackets is broken. In this case you can add many classes till you click 'y' at the end. If you click something else from 'y' you will break the loop.
I add another list creditList which you will add as parameter to the InputGradeInfo. In this list you will store every credit per class. At the end you will have gradeInfoList .Sum()/creditList.Sum() and this will give you what you want.
|
Howdy, Vanessa, from the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona! Thanks for introducing yourself. I'm sure you will find a lot of things on the site to your liking. This is the place for all things Celtic, so make yourself at home.
Welcome aboard and have a great day!
--------------------
Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost. -- John Quincy Adams
Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less - Robert E. Lee
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved - Romans 10:13 (KJV)
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him - Nahum 1:7 (KJV) |
Q:
not getting data in my datatable
I am a newbie to json and datatables.
I am getting my data in alert(data);.
My datatable gets initialized, but its not displaying any records in my datatable.
Am I missing something here?
$(function() {
$('#Search').click(function() {
$.ajax({
url: "{{url_for('search')}}",
data: $('form').serialize(),
type: 'POST',
success: function(data) {
alert(data);
assignToEventsColumns(data);
},
error: function(error) {
console.log(error);
}
});
function assignToEventsColumns(data){
$('#example').dataTable({
data: data,
columns: [
{ title: "Name" }
]
});
A:
The type of data is a string, when it should be an object or an array of objects.
Try this to parse it.
$('#example').dataTable({
data: JSON.parse(data),
columns: [
{ title: "Name" }
]
});
|
Newsom Footwear Corporation's flexible budget cost formula for raw material is $2.61 per unit of output. The company's performance report for last month showed a $6,840 unfavorable Flexible Budget variance for raw material. During that month, 17,100 units were produced. Budgeted activity for the month had been 16,700 units. The actual cost per unit for raw materials must have been closest to: A. $3.01B. $3.49C. $3.41D. $2.61 |
Enzo Dieci
Enzo Dieci (born January 28, 1934) is an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who has left Rome in dec. 2009 and currently serves at 35 km from Lima in the Church of the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.
Born in Sassuolo, Dieci was ordained to the priesthood on March 17, 1962.
On April 7, 1992, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Maura and an Auxiliary Bishop of Rome. Dieci received his episcopal consecration on the following April 26 from Pope John Paul II himself, with Cardinals Franciszek Macharski and Angelo Sodano serving as co-consecrators.
As an auxiliary of Rome, he assists the Cardinal Vicar, currently Agostino Vallini, in the day-to-day administration of the diocese, which is delegated to him by the Pope. Dieci also serves as delegate for Missionary Cooperation among Churches.
External links
Catholic-Hierarchy
Vicariate of Rome - in Italian
Category:1934 births
Category:Living people
Category:20th-century Roman Catholic bishops
Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops
Category:Italian titular bishops
Category:Bishops in Lazio
Dieci, Enzo |
On this page
Vaping
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by a vaping product, such as an electronic cigarette. Vaping doesn’t require burning like cigarette smoking. The device heats a liquid into a vapour, which then turns into aerosol. This vapour is often flavoured and can contain nicotine.
Vaping devices are usually battery-powered. They may come with removable parts. Vaping products have many names, including:
mods
vapes
sub-ohms
vape pens
e-hookahs
tank systems
electronic cigarettes / e-cigarettes
electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
They may also be known by various brand names.
Vaping devices
Most vaping devices consist of a:
battery
mouthpiece
heating element
chamber, such as a tank or reservoir to contain a liquid solution
Most vaping devices use electrical power from a battery to heat a liquid solution. The heat causes the solution to become vaporized. The vapour then condenses into an aerosol, which is breathed in by the user through the mouthpiece.
Vaping devices are available in many shapes and sizes. Some are small and look like USB drives or pens, while others are much larger.
There are two kinds of vaping devices:
open, which means they can be refilled
closed, which means either the whole product, or the part that holds the vaping substances, can’t be refilled
Vaping liquids and substances
Most vaping substances available for sale:
are flavoured
contain nicotine
are liquids, but some are offered as: wax herbs
In vaping liquids, nicotine and/or flavouring compounds are dissolved in a liquid mixture. This mixture is typically propylene glycol and/or glycerol (vegetable glycerin).
In the vaping substances that contain nicotine, the level of nicotine can vary widely. Some mixtures have:
very low levels of nicotine
more nicotine than in a typical tobacco cigarette
Flavouring compounds consist of chemicals and blends of chemicals used to make different flavours.
Contents of vaping vapour
Vaping products produce an aerosol that may contain dozens of chemicals. The ingredients typically found in vaping liquids are also found in the aerosol. They include: |
electroscope
Definition
Electronics
An instrument which detects electric charges by means of electrostatic forces. In a gold-leaf electroscope, for instance, two gold leaves are suspended side by side from a conducting rod which is held by an insulated support, and placed in a groundedenclosure, such as a glass jar. When a charge is applied to a plate to which the rod is connected, the leaves separate due to their mutual repulsion. |
Q:
Insertar valores de cajas de texto C# en (ASP.NET) a SQL Server
Buenas soy nuevo en el tema para desarrollo, trabajo en un proyecto, el código me fue proporcionado, mi caso es que tengo que capturar valores de 3 cajas de texto y almacenarlos en una base de datos en SQL Server, principalmente son 3 valores para almacenar como tipo E-Mail y guardarlos en sus respectivas columnas [EmailNotificaError, EmailNotificaInicio, EmailNotificaFin] en una tabla llamada TInterfaces haciendo uso de un procedimiento almacenado para insertar
Aun estoy investigando, de antemano muchas gracias.
Datos:
interfaz [DetalleNotifica.aspx]
<div class="form-row">
<!-- Input NotificarErrorMail -->
<div class="form-group col-md-3">
<div class="form-group form-check">
<input type="checkbox" class="form-check-input" id="Marcar1" value="1" onchange="javascript:MuestraBoton1()">
<label class="form-check-label" for="exampleCheck1">Notificar solamente al ocurrir un error E-Mail</label>
<asp:textbox id="Contenido1" runat="server" cssclass="form-control" placeholder="Ingresa E-Mail"></asp:textbox>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Input NotificarEjecMail -->
<div class="form-group col-md-3">
<div class="form-group form-check">
<input type="checkbox" class="form-check-input" id="Marcar2" value="1" onchange="javascript:MuestraBoton2()">
<label class="form-check-label" for="exampleCheck1">Notificar al inicio de e ejecución E-Mail</label>
<asp:textbox id="Contenido2" runat="server" cssclass="form-control" placeholder="Ingresa E-Mail"></asp:textbox>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Input NotificarEjecFin -->
<div class="form-group col-md-3">
<div class="form-group form-check">
<input type="checkbox" class="form-check-input" id="Marcar3" value="1" onchange="javascript:MuestraBoton3()">
<label class="form-check-label" for="exampleCheck1">Notificar al final de ejecución E-Mail </label>
<asp:textbox id="Contenido3" runat="server" cssclass="form-control" placeholder="Ingresa E-Mail" ></asp:textbox>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Input Guardar & Enviar -->
<div class="form-group col-md-3 items-center">
<div class="btn-group btn-group-toggle" data-toggle="buttons">
<label class="btn btn-secondary btn btn-outline-secondary">
<input type="checkbox" name="marcarTodo" id="group1" />
Marcar Notificaciones E-Mail
</label>
<label class="btn btn-secondary btn btn-outline-secondary">
<input type="checkbox">
Enviar
</label>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Codigo [DetalleNotifica.aspx.cs]
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Configuration;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Linq;
using System.Web;
using System.Web.UI;
using System.Web.UI.WebControls;
namespace InterfacesAGA
{
public partial class DetalleNotifica : System.Web.UI.Page
{
protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
string sql = string.Empty;
try{
SqlConnection cnConexion = new SqlConnection();
cnConexion.ConnectionString = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["cnInterfaces"].ToString();
SqlCommand comando = new SqlCommand();
SqlDataAdapter adapt = new SqlDataAdapter();
comando.Connection = cnConexion;
comando.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
comando.CommandText = sql;
sql = "spHeaderInterface";
hidIdInterface.Value = Request.QueryString["id"].ToString();
SqlParameter pIdInterface = new SqlParameter("IdInterface", SqlDbType.Int);
pIdInterface.Value = Convert.ToInt32(Request.QueryString["id"]);
comando.Parameters.Add(pIdInterface);
if (cnConexion != null && !cnConexion.State.Equals(ConnectionState.Closed))
cnConexion.Close();
else
cnConexion.Open();
SqlDataReader dr = comando.ExecuteReader();
if (dr.HasRows)
if (dr.Read())
{
hidIdInterface.Value = Request["id"].ToString();
lblNombre.Text = (dr.IsDBNull(dr.GetOrdinal("Nombre")) ? "" : dr.GetString(dr.GetOrdinal("Nombre")));
lblDescripcion.Text = (dr.IsDBNull(dr.GetOrdinal("Descripcion")) ? "" : dr.GetString(dr.GetOrdinal("Descripcion")));
if (dr.IsDBNull(dr.GetOrdinal("Activo")))
{
imgInterfaceActiva.ImageUrl = "images/inactivo.gif";
imgInterfaceActiva.ToolTip = "Interface inactiva";
}
else
{
if (dr.GetBoolean(dr.GetOrdinal("Activo")))
{
imgInterfaceActiva.ImageUrl = "images/activo.gif";
imgInterfaceActiva.ToolTip = "Interface activa";
}
else
{
imgInterfaceActiva.ImageUrl = "images/inactivo.gif";
imgInterfaceActiva.ToolTip = "Interface inactiva";
}
}
if (dr.IsDBNull(dr.GetOrdinal("UltimaEjec")))
lblUltimaEjec.Text = "Nunca se ha ejecutado";
else
lblUltimaEjec.Text = String.Format("{0:dddd, MMMM d, yyyy HH:mm:ss}", dr.GetDateTime(dr.GetOrdinal("UltimaEjec")));
if (dr.IsDBNull(dr.GetOrdinal("SiguienteEjec")))
lblProximaEjec.Text = "No está configurada su siguente ejecución";
else
lblProximaEjec.Text = String.Format("{0:dddd, MMMM d, yyyy HH:mm:ss}", dr.GetDateTime(dr.GetOrdinal("SiguienteEjec")));
}
comando.Dispose();
cnConexion.Close();
cnConexion.Dispose();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
lblNombre.Text = "¡Ocurrió un error al leer el registro! " + ex.Message;
lblNombre.Visible = true;
}
}
}
}
Datos: Procedimiento Almacenado para insertar
USE [Interfaces]
GO
04/10/2018 12:19:10 p.m. ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[sp_InsertaMailTI]
@EmailNotificaError varchar(100) = NULL,
@EmailNotificaInicio varchar (100) = NULL,
@EmailNotificaFin varchar (100) = NULL
AS
BEGIN
SET NOCOUNT ON;
INSERT INTO dbo.TInterfaces(EmailNotificaError,EmailNotificaInicio,EmailNotificaFin) VALUES (@EmailNotificaError,@EmailNotificaInicio,@EmailNotificaFin);
END
A:
Agunos comentarios respecto al codigo, podrias reducirlo bastante si usas un bloque using para el objeto de conexion
protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
try
{
string connstring = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["cnInterfaces"].ToString();
using(SqlConnection cnConexion = new SqlConnection(connstring))
{
string sql = "spHeaderInterface";
SqlCommand comando = new SqlCommand(sql, cnConexion);
comando.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
hidIdInterface.Value = Request.QueryString["id"].ToString();
comando.Parameters.AddWithValue("@IdInterface", Convert.ToInt32(Request.QueryString["id"]));
SqlDataReader dr = comando.ExecuteReader();
if (dr.Read())
{
hidIdInterface.Value = Request["id"].ToString();
lblNombre.Text = dr["Nombre"] == DBNull.Value ? "" : dr["Nombre"].ToString();
lblDescripcion.Text = dr["Descripcion"] == DBNull.Value ? "" : dr["Descripcion"].ToString();
//resto codigo
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
lblNombre.Text = "¡Ocurrió un error al leer el registro! " + ex.Message;
lblNombre.Visible = true;
}
}
por otro lado para insertar tu bloque de codigo deberia ser algo como esto
protected void button1_click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
try
{
string connstring = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["cnInterfaces"].ToString();
using(SqlConnection cnConexion = new SqlConnection(connstring))
{
string sql = "sp_InsertaMailTI";
SqlCommand comando = new SqlCommand(sql, cnConexion);
comando.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure;
comando.Parameters.AddWithValue("@EmailNotificaError", Contenido1.Text);
comando.Parameters.AddWithValue("@EmailNotificaInicio", Contenido2.Text);
comando.Parameters.AddWithValue("@EmailNotificaFin", Contenido3.Text);
comando.ExecuteNonQuery();
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
lblNombre.Text = "¡Ocurrió un error al leer el registro! " + ex.Message;
lblNombre.Visible = true;
}
}
|
c) 1/6 (d) 3
c
What is the nearest to -2 in 5, 0.1, 7, -1/2?
-1/2
What is the nearest to 1 in 1, -0.2, 7.62, -0.5?
1
What is the nearest to 1 in -5/2, -1, 4, -9?
-1
Which is the closest to -1? (a) -5 (b) -0.32 (c) -0.5
c
What is the closest to -2/5 in 4, 1, 2?
1
What is the nearest to 1 in 7, -0.4, 0.05?
0.05
Which is the nearest to 1? (a) -1/10 (b) -59 (c) -1/2
a
What is the closest to -0.1 in 1/12, 7, 0.5?
1/12
Which is the closest to -1.9? (a) 1/5 (b) 2/7 (c) -1 (d) 6
c
What is the closest to 1/2 in 9, -0.246, 2/7, -5?
2/7
What is the nearest to 1/2 in 1/67, -0.5, 2/19, 0?
2/19
What is the nearest to 0 in -0.7, -3/2, -12?
-0.7
Which is the closest to 1? (a) -0.5 (b) 12 (c) -5
a
Which is the closest to -0.1? (a) 15 (b) -8/5 (c) -1/5 (d) 0.4
c
Which is the closest to 2? (a) 3 (b) -3/7 (c) -0.1 (d) 2
d
Which is the closest to 1? (a) -6/13 (b) 2 (c) -0.4 (d) 1/10
d
What is the closest to 1 in 2, -3, 0.52?
0.52
What is the nearest to 0.1 in -5, -1/4, 0.07, 0.19?
0.07
What is the nearest to -2/7 in -31, -2/9, 13, -3?
-2/9
Which is the nearest to -1? (a) -0.7 (b) -0.4 (c) 3 (d) -1
d
Which is the closest to -18/13? (a) -0.4 (b) 7 (c) 3 (d) -1/6
a
What is the closest to 36 in -0.2, 0, -0.14?
0
Which is the closest to -1/2? (a) -1/3 (b) 0.5 (c) -5/6
a
What is the nearest to -2/5 in -0.1, -3, 8, 0.1?
-0.1
Which is the closest to -8? (a) 2/5 (b) -4/5 (c) 1 (d) -11/3
d
Which is the nearest to 0? (a) -1/3 (b) -1.3 (c) -0.3 (d) 1
c
Which is the closest to 148? (a) 1 (b) 0.4 (c) -0.05 (d) 5
d
Which is the closest to 0? (a) 5 (b) -0.01 (c) 2 (d) 4
b
Which is the nearest to 0.1? (a) 3 (b) -73/2 (c) -0.3 (d) 6
c
What is the nearest to -1 in 1, 4, 2/9?
2/9
What is the nearest to -0.069 in 4, 4/7, -4?
4/7
Which is the closest to 2/3? (a) -2/7 (b) -3 (c) -0.0817
c
Which is the nearest to -0.19? (a) -5 (b) -1 (c) -0.5
c
What is the closest to 0.2 in 23, 2/11, 4?
2/11
Which is the nearest to 0.4? (a) 5 (b) -0.5 (c) -0.3 (d) -1.7
c
What is the nearest to -7.6 in 3/5, 3, 2/7?
2/7
Which is the nearest to -1/3? (a) -11 (b) -2/7 (c) 0.3 (d) -2/3
b
What is the nearest to 0.1 in -1.9, -3, -0.1, -1?
-0.1
What is the nearest to 0 in 0, -4, 0.4, -349/6?
0
What is the closest to 2/7 in -4, 0, -7?
0
What is the nearest to -0.1 in 2/5, 2, 5, -16/17?
2/5
What is the closest to -3/7 in 2/3, -10, -1, 0?
0
What is the closest to -7 in -3, -1.5, 0.3?
-3
What is the nearest to 40 in 0.1, 2/13, 8?
8
What is the closest to -1/2 in -13, 2, 4, -2/9?
-2/9
What is the closest to -2/5 in 1.2, 2, -1?
-1
Which is the closest to 0? (a) -2 (b) 2/7 (c) 4 (d) -3
b
What is the nearest to 2 in 1/8, 2/29, -0.2, -3?
1/8
Which is the closest to 324? (a) -3 (b) -4/3 (c) 4 (d) 0.1
c
Which is the nearest to 2? (a) 0.2 (b) -0.11 (c) -11 (d) 0.1
a
What is the closest to -2/9 in 7, 0.5, 0.6, 2?
0.5
What is the nearest to 1 in -31, 3/2, -0.1, -2?
3/2
What is the closest to -0.2 in 5, -5, -0.2?
-0.2
What is the nearest to -0.2 in -3, -6, 1/9?
1/9
What is the closest to -5 in 0.3, 1/33, -1/4?
-1/4
Which is the closest to 2/11? (a) -2 (b) -3.3 (c) -0.4
c
What is the closest to -2 in 0.06, -23, -0.3?
-0.3
What is the nearest to 0 in 3/40, 0.5, 1, -4?
3/40
What is the closest to 0.1 in -4, 2, 29/4?
2
Which is the nearest to -2/11? (a) 3/5 (b) 1/2 (c) 0.1 (d) -2/7
d
Which is the nearest to 2/3? (a) -0.8 (b) -6 (c) 0.04 (d) -0.5
c
Which is the nearest to 0? (a) -3.2 (b) -5 (c) 2/5 (d) -3
c
Which is the nearest to 0? (a) -3/2 (b) -3/7 (c) 0.3 (d) 2
c
What is the nearest to -136 in -0.5, -3, 2?
-3
Which is the closest to -1? (a) -2/7 (b) -5 (c) -1/3
c
What is the closest to 15 in -2/17, 1/4, 0?
1/4
What is the nearest to 0.2 in -3, -0.1, 2/3?
-0.1
Which is the closest to -1? (a) 3 (b) -0.01 (c) -3/4
c
What is the nearest to 0 in -3, -0.17, 4?
-0.17
What is the closest to -2 in -5, -0.2, 451?
-0.2
What is the nearest to -9 in -3/4, 1/6, 4/7?
-3/4
Which is the nearest to -1/3? (a) -140 (b) -0.3 (c) 2/7 (d) -0.1
b
What is the nearest to -2 in 3/8, 3, -4, 1/4?
-4
Which is the closest to -1? (a) 1/3 (b) 3 (c) 0 (d) -3/7
d
What is the nearest to 0.2 in 5/3, -1, -2/15?
-2/15
What is the closest to -0.1 in -0.1, 0, -3, 3/5?
-0.1
What is the nearest to 24 in 4, -3/5, -1, -0.3?
4
Which is the closest to 3.3? (a) 4 (b) -36 (c) 2 (d) -3
a
Which is the closest to 1/4? (a) -1/37 (b) -1/9 (c) -2
a
What is the closest to 14/3 in 9, 2, -7/4?
2
Which is the closest to 2? (a) 1/2 (b) 1/5 (c) -5 (d) 1/4
a
Which is the closest to -10? (a) -3 (b) 2 (c) 5
a
Which is the nearest to 1? (a) 1/2 (b) -4.6 (c) -2/11 (d) 0.4
a
Which is the nearest to -16? (a) 2 (b) 0.4 (c) -151
b
Which is the nearest to 1? (a) -8/9 (b) 0.2 (c) -3/4
b
What is the nearest to 1/2 in 0.3, 1/4, 0.66?
0.66
Which is the nearest to 4? (a) -3 (b) -2 (c) -0.1 (d) 0.5
d
What is the nearest to 17 in -2/3, 7, -3?
7
Which is the nearest to 1/108? (a) 0.2 (b) -2 (c) 0.4
a
Which is the nearest to -3? (a) -8 (b) -2 (c) 0.1
b
What is the closest to 1 in -2, -2/3, -194?
-2/3
What is the closest to 0 in -4, 2/11, -13?
2/11
What is the closest to 3/5 in -0.4, -4/133, -2?
-4/133
Which is the closest to 0.04? (a) 5.4 (b) -1 (c) 2/3
c
What is the closest to -68 in -2/15, -5, -2?
-5
What is the closest to -0.1 in -0.4, 0, -5, 489?
0
What is the nearest to 0 in -5, 1, -8, 1/4?
1/4
Which is the closest to -2.9? (a) 0 (b) 0.3 (c) -3
c
What is the nearest to 0 in -3, 2, 2/129, -1/5?
2/129
What is the closest to -1 in -4/7, -14, -7?
-4/7
Which is the closest to 1? (a) 2/7 (b) 1 (c) -5 (d) 0.03
b
Which is the nearest to -1? (a) -2/5 (b) 3 (c) -52
a
What is the closest to -1.9 in 1/7, -0.5, 2/3?
-0.5
Which is the nearest to 1? (a) -17/4 (b) -1 (c) 0.3
c
What is the closest to 0.168 in -2/5, 1, 6?
-2/5
Which is the nearest to 10? (a) 1 (b) -1.5 (c) 3/2
c
What is the nearest to 2/5 in 2/13, -4, 0.5?
0.5
What is the nearest to -2 in -0.6, -5, -1, 24?
-1
Which is the closest to 0.07? (a) -3 (b) 0 (c) 1
b
Which is the closest to 2? (a) 0.02 (b) 7 (c) 2/7
c
Which is the closest to 0? (a) -0.08 (b) 5 (c) -23
a
Which is the nearest to -35? (a) 1 (b) 36 (c) -3/4 (d) -5
d
Which is the closest to 0? (a) 0 (b) 66 (c) 3/2 (d) 0.5
a
Which is the nearest to -2/3? (a) 0.4 (b) 14 (c) -3/5 (d) -5
c
What is the closest to 0.1 in 3.9, 4, -2?
-2
What is the closest to -0.2 in 657, -2/11, -1?
-2/11
Which is the closest to -3? (a) 1 (b) -2/7 (c) -1 (d) -0.3
c
Which is the nearest to 0? (a) 6 (b) -2 (c) -30
b
Which is the nearest to -1/4? (a) -175 (b) -4 (c) -3
c
What is the closest to -0.1 in 40, 5, -3, -5?
-3
Which is the nearest to 1? (a) 2 (b) 0.16 (c) -6 (d) 6/7
d
What is the closest to 2/3 in 0.1, -3/4, 2/9, 4?
2/9
What is the nearest to 21 in 1/10, -21/2, -3, 5?
5
Which is the closest to 3? (a) -3 (b) 5 (c) -2/17 (d) 23
b
Which is the nearest to 2/3? (a) -2/43 (b) 2/37 (c) 0
b
Which is the nearest to -2? (a) -0.5 (b) -13/5 (c) 3/5
b
What is the closest to 0.01 in 6, 1/15, 3, 2?
1/15
Which is the closest to -0.1? (a) -1/245 (b) 1/2 (c) -4 (d) -1
a
What is the nearest to -2 in -2/9, 0.5, -5, -12/13?
-12/13
Which is the nearest to -2? (a) -14 (b) 2/15 (c) 0
c
Which is the nearest to -3? (a) -2 (b) -8 (c) 7/9
a
Which is the closest to -2/15? (a) 4/11 (b) 2/17 (c) -3
b
Which is the closest to -10? (a) 2/11 (b) -2 (c) -4 (d) 3
c
What is the closest to 1.1 in 1/3, -5, 2?
1/3
Which is the nearest to -1? (a) -0.5 (b) -3 (c) -141
a
What is the closest to 2/3 in -2, 3, -0.5, 1?
1
Which is the nearest to 2/5? (a) 0.2 (b) -239 (c) -0.3
a
Which is the nearest to -2? (a) 6 (b) 0.05 (c) -2/17
c
Which is the closest to 17? (a) 5 (b) -0.1 (c) -1
a
Which is the closest to 0.8? (a) 5 (b) 0 (c) -0.4 (d) 4
b
Which is the closest to -1? (a) -3 (b) -163 (c) 4
a
What is the nearest to -2 in -1, 0.1, 0.43?
-1
What is the closest to 2/5 in -361, 3, -0.4?
-0.4
Which is the closest to 1/5? (a) -0.04 (b) -2 (c) 8 (d) 1
a
What is the nearest to -1/2 in -3/7, 0, -7, 5?
-3/7
What is the nearest to 1 in 8/45, -1/7, -2/3?
8/45
Which is the closest to 2/5? (a) -5 (b) 1 (c) -8/155
c
Which |
Material for Cantonese speech audiometry constructed by appropriate phonetic principles.
Cantonese is the common Chinese dialect spoken by the citizens in Hong Kong. It is difficult to construct a material for speech audiometry in the Chinese language in view of 3 facts: (1) all words are monosyllabic, (2) the language is tonal and (3) there are many homophones. Since well-documented Cantonese speech audiometry is not available, an attempt is made in this pilot study to construct short word lists which are equal in phonemic distribution. |
People v Long (2017 NY Slip Op 05330)
People v Long
2017 NY Slip Op 05330
Decided on June 30, 2017
Appellate Division, Fourth Department
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.
Decided on June 30, 2017
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department
PRESENT: PERADOTTO, J.P., CARNI, LINDLEY, TROUTMAN, AND SCUDDER, JJ.
542 KA 14-01074
[*1]THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, RESPONDENT,
vVINCENT S. LONG, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT. (APPEAL NO. 1.)
D.J. & J.A. CIRANDO, ESQS., SYRACUSE (BRADLEY E. KEEM OF COUNSEL), FOR DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
BROOKS T. BAKER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, BATH (JOHN C. TUNNEY OF COUNSEL), FOR RESPONDENT.
Appeal from a judgment of the Steuben County Court (Marianne Furfure, A.J.), rendered February 13, 2014. The judgment convicted defendant, upon his plea of guilty, of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.
Memorandum: In appeal No. 1, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Penal Law § 220.16 [12]). In appeal No. 2, defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his Alford plea of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (§ 220.16 [1]) and, in appeal No. 3, he appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his Alford plea of bribing a witness
(§ 215.00).
In appeal No. 1, defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that the guilty plea was not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily entered inasmuch as he failed to move to withdraw the plea or to vacate the judgment of conviction on that ground (see People v Zulian, 68 AD3d 1731, 1732, lv denied 14 NY3d 894) and, contrary to defendant's contention, this case does not fall within the rare exception to the preservation requirement set forth in People v Lopez (71 NY2d 662, 666). In any event, the record establishes that defendant's contention is without merit. Defendant's further contention that he was denied the opportunity to withdraw his plea is belied by the record and patently without merit.
With respect to the pleas in all three appeals, it is well settled that the only claims of ineffective assistance of counsel that survive a guilty plea are those where the plea was infected by the alleged ineffective assistance (see People v Collins, 129 AD3d 1676, 1676-1677, lv denied 26 NY3d 1038). To the extent that defendant contends that alleged ineffective assistance infected the pleas, we conclude that the contention is without merit, inasmuch as it is belied by his statements during the plea colloquies (see People v Garner, 86 AD3d 955, 956), or it involves matters that are outside the record and is not reviewable on direct appeal (see generally People v Davis, 119 AD3d 1383, 1384, lv denied 24 NY3d 960). We further note that, as part of the combined plea agreement, defendant waived any claim he had to specific performance of an alleged off-the-record plea agreement and that he allegedly complied with the conditions thereof in order to receive an allegedly more lenient sentence promise with respect to all three convictions at issue herein (see generally People v Pena, 7 AD3d 259, 260, lv denied 3 NY3d 645).
We reject defendant's further contention that County Court erred in failing to correct an error in the presentence report. The record establishes that the court ordered the appropriate [*2]correction and thus no corrective action is required by this Court.
Finally, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.
Entered: June 30, 2017
Frances E. Cafarell
Clerk of the Court
|
Australian Woman Faces Jail for Helping Sneak Mexican Fiancé Into US
An Australian woman faces five years in jail after she was caught helping her Mexican fiance sneak illegally into the United States over the U.S.-Canada border in July, officials said in a statement.
Sarah Louise Branch, 37, from Sydney, Australia, pleaded guilty “to encouraging and inducing the entry of an illegal alien into the United States” in a U.S. District Court on Aug. 14. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Branch’s plan to sneak her fiance, Benigno Godinez-Cortez, across the border was foiled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents after they searched her vehicle when she drove from Canada to the United States via the port of entry in Calais, Maine. During the search, the agents found a Mexican passport, male clothing, and photographs of her fiance.
Branch and Godinez-Cortez have been together for four years and the couple are engaged, according to court documents, reported The Australian.
“Ms. Branch initially claimed he had recently traveled by means of airline from Canada to Mexico,” the court documents said. However after border agents spotted someone crossing the border illegally, they started suspecting Branch was lying.
She eventually admitted that she had left her fiance in Canada near the U.S. border and was planning to reunite with him after he entered the country illegally.
“She then confessed she had told Mr. Godinez-Cortez that she would cross at the nearest port of entry and expected he would contact her with instructions of where to pick him up,” the court documents stated, reported the newspaper.
Border officers found Godinez-Cortez waiting in a Tim Horton’s restaurant in Calais, reported AAP.
Branch is expected to be sentenced after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigation report.
Fiancé Had 2 Prior Deportation Orders
Godinez-Cortez also pled guilty on Aug. 4 in a U.S. District Court to “unlawfully re-entering the United States.” He is also expected to be sentenced in due course.
The fiancé has also been the subject to two U.S. deportation orders, one in 1994 and another in 1996, reported The Australian. He had also been previously charged with battery and assault but it is unclear if the matter proceeded to prosecution.
Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
This case comes at a time when the Trump administration is pushing for stronger enforcement of border protection laws as thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly from Mexico and Central America, continue to unlawfully cross the southern border.
The U.S. Border Patrol was born in 1924 with around 450 agents, mostly on mounted patrols in Texas. In 2003, the agency became part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a division of Homeland Security. CBP takes care of the 328 ports of entry throughout the country (airports, international bridges, waterways), while Border Patrol polices the spaces in between for illegal activity.
Charlotte Cutherbertson contributed to this report
From NTD.tv |
Q:
Windows authentication failing in IIS 7.5
I'm building a simple internal application for my company, and it requires Windows Authentication for security. All other authentication modes are disabled. I'm stuck in a situation where internet explorer prompts for credentials 3 times, then fails with this error:
Not Authorized
HTTP Error 401. The requested resource requires user authentication.
I then created a bare-bones website to test this out. I created a new site in IIS, put it on its own port (:8111, chosen at random), put one static "default.htm" file in there, disabled anonymous authentication, then enabled windows authentication. Everything else was left at default settings. The port number was assigned because we have multiple sites on this machine all sharing the same IP.
Here are a few scenarios:
Browsing from the web server itself, to http://localhost:8111/ works
fine
Browsing from another computer, to http://ServerIPaddress:8111/
works fine
Browsing from another computer, to http://ServerName:8111/ FAILS
(asks for credentials 3 times, then gives 401 error)
I've been searching online and trying to find a solution with no luck thus far. Either I haven't found it, or I don't understand well enough what I'm reading. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
A:
Just worked out the solution with the help of a coworker after 2 days of fighting with this issue. Here is what he wrote:
There are 2 providers for Windows Authentication (Negotiate and NTLM).
When setting the Website Authentication to Windows Authentication,
while Windows Authentication is highlighted, click on the Providers
link on the right pane or IIS Manager and move NTLM to the top. By
default Negotiate is on top which is why you are getting an
authentication prompt.
A:
Error 401.1 when you browse a Web site that uses Integrated Authentication.
Solution
Disable the loopback check
* In Registry Editor, locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
* Right-click Lsa, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
* Type DisableLoopbackCheck, and then press ENTER.
* Right-click DisableLoopbackCheck, and then click Modify.
* In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896861
A:
If it still does not work after moving NTML to top in the list of providers try to remove Negotiate completely so there is only NTML left.
That fixed it for me - moving NTML to top did not help on Windows Server 2012 and IIS 8.5. I found the solution in the following stackoverflow issue: IIS 7.5 Windows Authentication Not Working in Chrome
|
Atlantic coastal plain upland longleaf pine woodland
The Atlantic coastal plain upland longleaf pine woodland is plant community found on the southern Atlantic coastal plain, in the states of southern Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida.
These woodlands are dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and occur on uplands and on the higher parts of upland-wetland mosaics. They are subject to frequent fires. Soils are well- to excessively drained. Scrub oaks such as turkey oak (Quercus laevis) and bluejack oak (Quercus incana) are often in the understory. The herbaceous layer is dominated by grasses, particularly wiregrass: (Aristida stricta) in the north and (Aristida beyrichiana) in the south. These woodlands may once have been the most widespread plant community within their range.
References
See also
Florida longleaf pine sandhill
Category:Plant communities of Florida
Category:Plant communities of Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Plant communities of North Carolina
Category:Plant communities of South Carolina
Category:Plant communities of Virginia |
Distributed Tracing
---
Both Helidon SE and Helidon MP use Opentracing API for tracing
events.
_Eclipse Microprofile Opentracing specification is not yet implemented_
# Usage
## Usage In Helidon MP
To use tracing in MP, simply depend on the `helidon-microprofile-tracing` module to automate
setup of tracing, and add your favorite tracer implementation to the classpath (currently Zipkin is the only
favorite tracer implemented, though SPI is available).
Example of pom.xml dependencies:
```xml
<dependency>
<!-- general support for tracing -->
<groupId>io.helidon.microprofile.tracing</groupId>
<artifactId>helidon-microprofile-tracing</artifactId>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<!-- Zipkin tracer implementation -->
<groupId>io.helidon.tracing</groupId>
<artifactId>helidon-tracing-zipkin</artifactId>
</dependency>
```
To customize configuration of zipkin, see `ZipkinTracerBuilder` javadoc. Basics:
```yaml
tracing:
# required
service: "service-name"
# default is "localhost"
host: "zipkin"
# default is 9411
port: 9411
```
## Usage in Helidon SE
To use tracing in SE, add a dependency on `helidon-tracing` and a tracer
implementation and register tracer with server configuration.
pom.xml:
```xml
<dependency>
<!-- to add tracer builder -->
<groupId>io.helidon.tracing</groupId>
<artifactId>helidon-tracing</artifactId>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<!-- to add zipkin support -->
<groupId>io.helidon.tracing</groupId>
<artifactId>helidon-tracing-zipkin</artifactId>
</dependency>
```
code using config:
```java
return ServerConfiguration.builder()
.config(config.get("webserver"))
.tracer(TracerBuilder.create(config.get("tracing"))
.buildAndRegister())
.build();
```
To customize configuration of zipkin, see `ZipkinTracerBuilder` javadoc. Basics:
```yaml
tracing:
# required
service: "service-name"
# default is "localhost"
host: "zipkin"
```
### Usage of Jersey client outside of Helidon MP
Jersey client can be used (maybe standalone, or in Helidon SE) and traced.
Simple add `helidon-tracing-jersey-client` as a dependency and correctly configure
the request properties. The client expects Tracer to be configured (see zipkin examples above)
Note that in Helidon MP, this would work automatically with no additional configuration if you
carry out the steps described in "Usage in Helidon MP".
```xml
<dependency>
<groupId>io.helidon.tracing</groupId>
<artifactId>helidon-tracing-jersey-client</artifactId>
</dependency>
```
And in code:
```java
response = webTarget
.request()
// tracer information - not required if global tracer should be used
.property(ClientTracingFilter.TRACER_PROPERTY_NAME, tracer)
// the current tracing span context to be used as a parent for outbound request
// if not provided a new span with no parent would be created
.property(ClientTracingFilter.CURRENT_SPAN_CONTEXT_PROPERTY_NAME, spanContext)
.get();
```
# Modules
## Module `helidon-tracing`
Contains an abstracted Builder for tracers and an SPI
to connect various tracer implementations.
Example:
```java
// create a tracer for service "myService"
Tracer tracer = TracerBuilder.create("myService")
// running on host "zipkin" - probably in docker or k8s
.collectorHost("zipkin")
// build the tracer and register as global tracer
.buildAndRegister();
```
Example using Config:
```java
// create a tracer from configuration
Tracer tracer = TracerBuilder.create(config.get("tracing"))
// build the tracer and register as global tracer
.buildAndRegister();
```
and associated configuration:
```yaml
tracing:
service: "myService"
host: "zipkin"
```
## Module `helidon-tracing-jersey-client`
Integration with Jersey client to add tracing support
for outbound requests.
The client is registered automatically with Jersey (e.g. no need to add any filter).
There are two modes of usage:
1. Use within a Jersey server (requires `helidon-tracing-jersey` with a registered filter, or `helidon-microprofile-tracing`)
2. Standalone use
### Use within Jersey server
The server filters create a context for the client, so as long as the client is invoked
within the same thread, no additional configuration is required - just use
client as usual and tracing will be propagated and added for outbound call.
### Standalone use
In case the Jersey client is used on its own, the tracing filter cannot obtain
information needed for outbound call and it has to be provided.
Example of use:
```java
response = webTarget
.request()
// tracer information - not required if global tracer should be used
.property(ClientTracingFilter.TRACER_PROPERTY_NAME, tracer)
// the current tracing span context to be used as a parent for outbound request
// if not provided a new span with no parent would be created
.property(ClientTracingFilter.CURRENT_SPAN_CONTEXT_PROPERTY_NAME, spanContext)
.get();
```
## Module `helidon-tracing-jersey`
Integration with "pure" Jersey server. This module should not be directly used when using
Helidon MP, use `helidon-microprofile-tracing` instead.
To configure tracing with Jersey, add `TracingFilter` to your application/resource configuration.
The tracing filter will start a new span for each jersey call and register context for client calls.
`helidon-tracing-jersey-client` is a transitive dependency of this module.
## Module `helidon-microprofile-tracing`
Provides automated integration with Helidon MP, including automated configuration of
tracer and of server-side filters that register context for client calls and trace each
request (unless explicitly disabled using configuration)
This module is located in /microprofile/tracing
## Module `helidon-tracing-zipkin`
Integration with Zipkin (https://zipkin.io/). Easiest approach is to use a docker image
`zipkin` that, by default, runs on the expected hostname and port.
When you add this module to classpath, the SPI is automatically picked up and Zipkin tracer
would be used.
See class `ZipkinTracerBuilder` for documentation of supported configuration options. The classes
in this module should not be used directly, use `helidon-tracing` module API instead (unless
you want to create a hard source code dependency on Zipkin tracer).
|
Q:
Issues with DNS target and routing
I've got myself a domain, I've set up the CNAME to point to the DNS target provided by HEROKU. But when I follow the url lewismorgans.uk I am being routed to a page saying "There is nothing here yet, build something amazing".
I've not experienced this before on HEROKU, was looking for some advice?
Thanks.
A:
Question resolved by @ceejayoz.
Must include "www." in the host name on HEROKU.
|
Big Red Barrelcast 48: The Old Patch And Brick
The Big Red Barrelcast returns to tickle your ear drums with their ramblings! On this week’s episode, Pacman and Kev blabber on about patching, South Park and guns. Don’t forget to visit our sponsor Insert Coin Clothing and cover up your nakedness by using discount code BIGREDSAVINGS15 for 15% off your order!
This time, they pontificate about:
Kev’s PS3 horror story
Dark Souls 2
South Park: Stick Of Truth
Layoffs
Is Titanfall a system seller?
Gabe Newell speaks again
Killzone Shadowfall
Fully loaded 360s
a crazy Minecraft build
Jack Tretton leaves Sony
Shout outs
Bonus content for our lovely podcast app owners
We’d love to give you all some sort of incredible hug immediately followed by a polite conversation about how cool you are, but frankly we can’t afford the travel expenses. So, while we save our pennies, cents, and whatever the heck Canadians use, we’ll offer you some download links to help bide the time. Subscribe here. Here’s the RSS feed. Leave an iTunes review here. Download the mp3 here.
The main reason that I got an Xbox One for Titanfall, was mainly because I feel PC gaming is a big hassle… I’m not the most gifted computer user, and I just don’t want to worry about, “will this game run on my system?” I know it can be upgraded, but that’s just asking for something to break, especially if I’m doing the fitting.
I prefer consoles just because I can just put the game in and it should run, if it doesn’t… It wasn’t my fault
good episode guys, not a Souls fan, takes too many hours to really crack for my liking, but enjoyable to listen to how the other half lives (views the game) and that the difficulty can actually be the selling point of the game.
struggling to find a place to buy the app, I have an HTC One, so I think I have the google store, any way to get the amazon apps that anyone knows?
Vocal opposition to Mass Effect 3's ending is making the gaming community look like a laughing stock to people who have more important things to worry about than the conclusion of Shepard's three-game story. |
Fracking is coming to my part of the world, but that’s not the cause of the seismic activity that may have been detected earlier this week. No, that was the resumption of my running career. A quarter of a stone heavier and two months older than last time, I pulled on the muddy running shoes and boldly went.
The allotments were still snuggling under their white duvets, laid neatly end to end as if in some giant dormitory. The lane was part mud, part compacted snow and part ice-rink. The fields and paddocks were pristine white. The gates to the big house were open, presumably to guard against snowdrifts.
Down the track to the picturesque neighbouring village I pounded, imagining the jellies in the houses of the elderly wobbling like something out of Jurassic Park as the seismic event unfolded outside.
Into the churchyard, scattering a flock of pigeons and rooks behind the ancient yew tree. Down to the still-frozen millpond, the boathouse looking lovely under its snowy roof. I wondered how the resident great-crested grebe had fared in the cold snap, but I didn’t stop to look for it.
Last time I ran this route I set a Personal Worst time (in my defence I was probably already in the early stages of the Deadly Virus). I would beat that today, surely? I couldn’t possibly run even more slowly, could I? Could I???
My original plan was to lose all the excess weight before resuming running, to save my long-suffering knees from possible further damage. In the end it became clear no significant weight loss was likely to occur UNLESS I started running.
Here are the horrid stats:
One month of illness and Christmas eating resulted in an extra quarter of a stone being piled on to an already well-nourished frame.
One month of vegetable stir fries and walking resulted in a single pound being scraped back off again.
Two months of non-running sent my resting heart rate from the low 50s to the low 60s.
Not that I was completely idle in my two month lay-off. There was a lot of walking, some cross-country skiing, one episode of Scout’s Pace, and a bit of jolking (a combination of jogging and walking, moving your arms like you’re running when you’re actually still walking). Other people may call this Power Walking but I prefer to think of it as Jolking. As in: “Did you say you were going out running?” “No I was only Jolking.”
I jog on.
Then the moment, the moment you hope for in running where everything suddenly comes together. I’m running uphill, heading home, and the next song on the playlist is Coldplay’s The Scientist (which includes the special jogger’s line “running in circles”). The rhythm fits perfectly with mine, and suddenly it’s as if the whole universe has clicked into place. It’s like picking up a comfortable old friendship with someone you haven’t seen in years: it feels as if you’ve never been away.
Running and rhythm, music and mood, scenery and senses. It’s all perfect.
And to add to the perfection: Dog count 0, People count 0, Temperature +2C.
And the time? Ah yes, the time. Well some negatively-inclined people might see 34 minutes and 55 seconds to run approx 2.5 miles as a new Personal Worst. Technically it could be viewed in this harsh way.
But given the ice, the snow, the two-month lay-off and the extra quarter of a stone, I’m not having that. No, I’ve invented a new category so that this return to running can count as the triumph it deserves to be. It’s a new Personal Best – Considering Current Circumstances (PB-CCC). I plan to beat it next time. |
Q:
Set zoom level on google map in android
I need to show my current and target locations on google map with max zoom level. Here is my code to show both locations with max zoom. But its zooming to center of both locations and my locations are going out of the sight. I want my both locations should be in view bounds and set the zoom as maximum as possible. Please help me. Thanks in advance.
mapView = (MapView) findViewById(R.id.mapview);
mapView.setBuiltInZoomControls(true);
mapMarker = getResources().getDrawable(R.drawable.map_marker);
overlayList = mapView.getOverlays();
myMap = new MyLocationOverlay(this, mapView);
myMap.enableMyLocation();
mapController = mapView.getController();
GeoPoint geoPoint = new GeoPoint((int) (targetLatitude * 1E6), (int) (targetLongitude * 1E6));
mapController.animateTo(new GeoPoint(((int) (targetLatitude * 1E6) + (int) (currentLatitude * 1E6))/2, ((int) (targetLongitude * 1E6) + (int) (curLongitude * 1E6))/2 ));
mapController.zoomToSpan((int)(targetLatitude - currentLatitude), (int)(targetLongitude - curLongitude));
mapController.setZoom(12);
OverlayItem overlayItem = new OverlayItem(geoPoint,"xxx", "yyyy");
CustomPinpoint customPinpoint = new CustomPinpoint(mapMarker, this);
customPinpoint.insertPinpoint(overlayItem);
overlayList.clear();
overlayList.add(myMap);
overlayList.add(customPinpoint);
A:
int minLat = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
int minLong = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
int maxLat = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
int maxLong = Integer.MIN_VALUE;
for (GeoPoint point : points) {
minLat = Math.min(point.getLatitudeE6(), minLat);
minLong = Math.min(point.getLongitudeE6(), minLong);
maxLat = Math.max(point.getLatitudeE6(), maxLat);
maxLong = Math.max(point.getLongitudeE6(), maxLong);
}
MapController controller = view.getController();
controller.zoomToSpan(
Math.abs(minLat - maxLat), Math.abs(minLong - maxLong));
controller.animateTo(new GeoPoint((maxLat + minLat) / 2,
(maxLong + minLong) / 2));
|
Indeed there have been reports Sony Bend’s in-development title is an open world horror game, which would align with Shinobi’s claims. The industry expert has been right in the past, of course, but it’s still worth taking this one with a grain of salt until we learn more from the horse’s mouth.
While a reveal appeared to be set for PlayStation Experience 2015, all signs now point to Sony Bend showcasing its PS4 debut during E3 2016. |
Background
==========
Psychological life satisfaction is an important and robust predictor of human health. However, little is understood about what life satisfaction comprises as a psychological concept. Studies have established that psychological life satisfaction is based on perceived satisfaction with a range of different life domains. Yet the mechanism by which these perceptions contribute to generalised psychological satisfaction has barely been examined. Consequently, it is difficult to affect psychological life satisfaction and this limits its practical utility when designing health promotion programs and preventative strategies. The current study examined and quantified the structure of psychological life satisfaction within two samples: farmers (a population at risk for mental health problems) and a general community sample of Australians. The results (i) reveal a simple architecture underpinning the way satisfaction on domains combines into psychological satisfaction and (ii) discuss how quantifying the structure of psychological life satisfaction provides practical insights for health promotion.
Life satisfaction
-----------------
Psychological life satisfaction is correlated with a range of health behaviours and outcomes, including smoking, harmful levels of drinking, anxiety, depression and suicide, and it can predict mental and physical health for up to twenty years \[[@B1]-[@B3]\]. Levels of psychological life satisfaction reflect people's assessment of their life as it is, compared to life as they wish it were. It is related to (but distinct from) happiness, which refers to transitory levels of affect across time \[[@B4]\].
Despite the complexity of the concept, psychological life satisfaction is often measured using a single item e.g. \[[@B5]\]. However, there is a general consensus that psychological satisfaction is formed from perceptions of satisfaction with multiple life domains \[[@B6]-[@B8]\]. A heterogeneous range of domains has been examined and some researchers have sought to develop a comprehensive set \[[@B9]\]. Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) is notable among these, because it has been iteratively developed over time \[[@B10]\] and, through the International Wellbeing network \[[@B11]\], it is now being used as the basis of an international effort to develop a standardised cross-cultural measure of life satisfaction. The PWI parsimoniously measures eight domains of satisfaction: achieving in life, future security, standard of living, health, safety, religion/spirituality, relationships and community connectedness \[[@B12]-[@B14]\]. Cummins and colleagues have shown these domains are inter-correlated, and correlated with overall psychological life satisfaction, while cross-cultural research has validated the scale in several countries including Algeria \[[@B15]\] and China \[[@B16]\].
Population satisfaction: farmers versus the general community
-------------------------------------------------------------
Farmers are a population that could particularly benefit from a better understanding of the dynamics of life satisfaction. With the advent of climate change, countries including Australia, China and the United States of America will face periods of prolonged and intense dryness, placing farmer populations at risk for greater incidence of health problems \[[@B17]\]. Farmers are not simply financially vulnerable to the effects of climate variability, remoteness limits their access to health services, and this problem is compounded by a traditional reluctance to acknowledge the health problems; especially mental health problems \[[@B18],[@B19]\]. However, farmers are willing to discuss level of psychological life satisfaction.
Unfortunately, existing research into domain and overall psychological life satisfaction for farmers versus the general community has yielded mixed results \[[@B20],[@B21]\] and ways to address low satisfaction are still under theorised. Recently, researchers have begun to examine ways to improve life satisfaction, rather than purely using it as an effective sentinel measure of health and wellbeing. Thus far, research has examined the relationship between satisfaction and several different factors including participation in multiple social groups \[[@B22]\], being in a relationship \[[@B23]\], employment \[[@B23]\] and public welfare spending \[[@B24]\]. However, as it is currently understood, psychological life satisfaction is not very informative about how farmers' distinct characteristics should be incorporated into health promotion programmes and policy.
The objective of our study was to identify key concepts and relationships that can be used to predict, affect and understand psychological life satisfaction in context, with a view to promoting life satisfaction, and thereby public health. As a population increasingly at risk from climate change, we examined Australian farmers and compared them to a general community sample of Australians using the PWI index. Our approach was to quantify the way that perceived satisfaction with different life domains combines into an overall sense of psychological life satisfaction.
Quantifying the structure of life satisfaction
----------------------------------------------
The process by which combined domain satisfaction forms overall psychological satisfaction is typically conceived in terms of simple addition \[[@B9]\]. However, a few studies have argued that some domains may have disproportionate influence on overall satisfaction. Mixed results have been found when asking individuals to explicitly weight the importance of different domains \[[@B25]-[@B27]\], but one study has demonstrated that the ratio by which different domains contribute to overall satisfaction can be determined statistically \[[@B9]\].
The novel approach we took to quantification was to consider how perceptions about satisfaction with life domains may conceptually overlap or co-vary in quantifiable ways *prior* to combining into psychological life satisfaction. Conceptual overlap in the perception of life domains is suggested by intersecting lines of research on social capital and personal efficacy. Social capital is a broad term capturing the concept of beneficial connection to others through social participation and social cohesion, and it is positively related to life satisfaction \[[@B28]\]. Three PWI domains: community connectedness, relationships and religious participation are all empirically established as components of social capital \[[@B29]\]. Personal efficacy refers to the perceived power to perform challenging tasks and achieve goals, and the PWI domains achieving in life and future security are elements of personal efficacy \[[@B30]\]. Consequently, we hypothesised that perceived domain satisfaction would combine into overarching 'supra-domains' that have distinct and separable relationships with psychological life satisfaction.
We did not make a firm prediction about the number of supra-domains that may occur since the role of perceived satisfaction with some PWI domains (standard of living, health and safety) was ambiguous. However we did expect that the eight discrete domains would combine into at least two supra-domains, "efficacy" and "connectedness". Once modelled, such supra-domains can be tested for unique relationships with each other and with psychological life satisfaction. We therefore tested the hypotheses that:
1\. *(i)* Satisfaction with domains will cohere into psychological life satisfaction. *(ii)* Some domains will be more influential than others.
2\. Before cohering into psychological life satisfaction, domains will first combine into supra-domains, like "efficacy" and "connectedness".
3\. Supra-domains will have unique relationships with each other and with psychological satisfaction.
Methods
=======
Study sample
------------
The data were originally collected to inform the National Review of Drought Policy, undertaken by the Drought Review Branch of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry \[[@B31]\]. In keeping with Australian Government regulations, the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Statistical Clearing House acted as an external ethics committee, reviewed the survey for ethical concerns, and granted approval for its conduct. In June of 2008, under the direction of the Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences, the polling firm Newspoll collected data from two different samples: drought-affected farmers (N=500) and Australian adults (N=1,203; for more detail, see Appendix A in Additional file [1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). Variables had 0--2 % missing data with the exception of household income and satisfaction with religion/spirituality (approximately 15-20% missing data in both samples). To avoid loss of power, missing data were imputed using Expectation Maximisation \[[@B32]\]; results for household income and satisfaction with religion/spirituality were treated with caution.
Measurements
------------
### Socio-demographics
In addition to measures of life satisfaction, the survey included some socio-demographic measures: age (ordinal scale: 18--19 , 20--24, 25--29, 30--34, 35--39, 40--44, 45--49, 50--54, 55--59, 60--64 and 65+), sex (male/female), relationship status (married/not married), location (major city with population \>1,000,000/remainder of State) employment (full-time/part-time/not in workforce), and household income (ordinal scale: under \$30,000, \$30,000-39,999, \$40,000-49,999, \$50,000-59,999, \$60,000-69,999, \$70,000-79,999, \$80,000-89,999, \$90,000-99,999, \$100,000+). For analytical purposes, the ordinal scales were treated as interval data; household income was equivalised using the OECD method \[[@B33]\].
### Personal well-being index
The PWI contains two parts: a single item measuring psychological life satisfaction ("How satisfied are you with your life as a whole"); and eight items, each measuring satisfaction with a different domain ("How satisfied are you with your...": standard of living, health, achieving in life, relationships, safety, community connectedness, future security and religion/spirituality). Participants were asked to respond to each item using an 11-point scale (0=completely dissatisfied, 10=completely satisfied). Following Cummins and Nistico \[[@B6]\], responses were then converted ((x/11)\*100) into scores ranging from 0--100, so that, for example, a score of "75" equates with "75% satisfied".
Statistical analysis
--------------------
Descriptive statistics were generated for both samples and regressions adjusted for demographic characteristics compared cross-sample mean differences. Then, separately for farmer and general community samples, we undertook: (i) unadjusted correlations to establish bivariate relationships between satisfaction domains; (ii) multiple regression analyses to assess the level of unique versus shared variance in psychological satisfaction explained by different domains; (iii) exploratory factor analysis with maximum likelihood factor extraction and oblimin rotation to explore the presence of correlated supra-domains; and (iv) multiple regression analysis to replicate mediation pathways identified by structural equation modelling (SEM). Note that multi-group analyses of the SEM models indicated that the factor weightings and/or conceptual structure of life satisfaction was different across the two populations, making separate modelling the appropriate method of analysis.
SEM was performed using asymptotic distribution-free analysis (to allow for non-normally distributed data) and the following fit statistics: Chi-squared test, CFI score and RMSEA score. Note that RMSEA \<=.05 was the core criterion used to assess models because it is less sensitive to sample size than the Chi-squared test and less sensitive to parameter number than CFI. SEM incorporates multiple techniques, including one-factor congeneric modelling (to confirm the factor structure of individual latent, or 'unitary', constructs), confirmatory factor analysis (to confirm relationships among latent constructs) and structural modelling (to show how multiple latent constructs may be causally related). We used these methods to test: (i) whether satisfaction was a unitary construct; (ii) whether supra-domains suggested by the exploratory factor analysis were unitary constructs; (iii) relationships between supra-domains; (iv) whether socio-economic variables could be helpfully summarised as latent constructs or should be used as separate variables; and then to (v) model multiple opposing pathways between supra-domains and overall psychological satisfaction, adjusting for socio-economic variables. In all modelling, non-significant items and pathways were deleted one-by-one and modification indices were used to add logically possible pathways until the final model reached best possible fit. Model fit was comprehensively re-evaluated after each deletion or modification and the Akaike Information Criterion was monitored to avoid over-fitting. Analyses were conducted using SPSS 17, AMOS (for SEM) and Stata 9IC (to adjust for data clustering in the regression models).
Results
=======
Descriptive characteristics
---------------------------
Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"} shows descriptive statistics. Unlike farmers, about 60% of the general community sample lived in a large metropolitan city. Australians in the general community sample were more likely than farmers to have a university education and farmers were more likely to be male, married and in full-time work. A substantial proportion of the general community sample were not in the workforce (unlike farmers, who were selected by occupation) probably because most were aged 50+ and likely retired. Consequently, the general community sample somewhat over-represents older Australians. Farmers also tended to be mature-aged, which is consistent with the profile of Australian farmers; in 2006, the median age of farmers was 52 and more than two-fifths were over 55 \[[@B34]\]. Although household income was similarly distributed across both samples, farmers clustered more tightly within a low-middle income bracket of \$30,000--\$79,999.
######
Descriptive statistics
**Item** **Farmers** **General community**
------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------
Age (%) 18-29 yrs 8.20 12.55
30-49 yrs 47.80 38.41
50+ yrs 44.00 49.05
Sex (%) Male 72.80 49.96
Female 27.20 50.04
Location (%) Major metropolitan 0 58.35
Remainder of State 100.00 41.65
Relationship status (%) Married 75.80 56.19
Single 24.20 43.81
Work status (%) Full-time 80.60 42.23
Part-time 19.40 19.12
Not in paid work \- 38.65
Level of education (%) Degree 14.20 31.75
Diploma 38.80 33.83
Year 11 20.60 16.38
Year 10 17.20 11.31
Year 9 or below 9.20 6.73
Household income (%) \< \$30,000 17.40 21.03
\$30,000--\$79,999 50.20 42.81
\$80,000+ 32.40 36.16
**Satisfaction**
Overall (M, SD) 74.55^b^ (17.83) **77.25** (16.64)
Domain (M, SD) Community connectedness 73.87^a^ (18.64) 69.57 (19.92)
Relationships **83.17**^**a**^ (17.63) 79.49 (22.79)
Safety 83.61^a^ (16.54) 78.94 (17.84)
Standard of living 74.46^b^ (16.91) **77.66**^**a**^ (16.65)
Future security 66.89^b^ (21.34) 71.39 (20.12)
Health 76.80^a^ (17.67) 74.33 (19.22)
Achieving in life 72.36 (18.34) **74.09**^**a**^ (18.54)
Religion/spirituality 65.34^b^ (26.24) 68.23^b^ (26.21)
Note. Bolded means for life satisfaction indicate the mean is significantly higher than in the comparison sample in the next column, when controlling for demographic characteristics, p \< .05.
^a^Mean value is higher than Australian norm, p \< .05.
^b^Mean value is lower than Australian norm, p \< .05.
The profile of satisfaction in the general community sample was very similar to 2008 Australian norms \[[@B35]\], however the current community sample was more satisfied with standard of living and achieving in life and was less satisfied with religion/spirituality. The farmer sample differed from Australian norms in a way that was also consistent with the pattern of mean differences between farmers and the general community sample. While adjusted comparisons indicated that many of the mean differences were due to demographic characteristics, it was notable that farmers' overall satisfaction was significantly lower than the general community sample even when adjusting for confounders (for more detail contact corresponding author).
Combining satisfaction domains into psychological life satisfaction
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Unadjusted correlations established that, for farmers and general community Australians, there were significant associations between all combinations of the eight domains, although some relationships were stronger than others (see Additional file [1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}, Appendix B, Tables B1---B2). However, for both samples, when psychological satisfaction was regressed on the eight domains, several domains failed to explain a significant amount of unique variance (Table [2](#T2){ref-type="table"}). There was also a sizeable discrepancy (.15---.41) between the size of domain-overall correlations and domain-overall semi-partial correlations, indicating a high level of covariance between different domain-overall satisfaction relationships. These results gave preliminary support for hypothesis 1; that different domains would cohere into overall psychological life satisfaction, with some domains being more influential.
######
Regression predicting psychological satisfaction by domain satisfaction for farmers and the general community sample
**Farmers (R**^**2\ =**^**.47)**
------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------ -------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -------
Relationships .13 .03 .06 .19 .13\*\*\* .38 .11
Community connectedness -.002 .04 -.09 .08 -.002 .29 -.002
Religion/ spirituality .01 .03 -.05 .07 .02 .17 .02
Health .05 .03 -.01 .11 .05 .35 .05
Safety .08 .06 -.04 .19 .07 .37 .06
Future security .09 .04 .02 .17 .11\* .48 .09
Standard of living .09 .07 -.06 .23 .08 .45 .06
Achieving in life .43 .06 .30 .55 .44\*\*\* .64 .33
**General community (R2=.54)**
***B*** ***SE B*** **95% CI B** ***β*** ***r*** ***sr***
**Lower** **Upper**
Relationships .15 .02 .11 .18 .20\*\*\* .49 .17
Community connectedness .05 .03 -.01 .10 .06 .38 .05
Religion/ spirituality -.002 .02 -.04 .04 -.002 .22 -.002
Health .12 .03 .06 .18 .14\*\*\* .46 .12
Safety -.01 .02 -.06 .04 -.01 .31 -.01
Future security .09 .03 .02 .16 .11\*\* .54 .08
Standard of living .19 .02 .15 .24 .19\*\*\* .55 .15
Achieving in life .28 .03 .21 .35 .31\*\*\* .64 .23
\*p ≤.05, \*\*p ≤.01, \*\*\*p ≤.001.
Note. These regressions are unadjusted for demographic characteristics; their purpose is to examine covariance between life satisfaction domains. The semi-partial coefficients (sr) report the unique variance that each predictor shares with overall life satisfaction, adjusting for covariance between different predictors.
To quantify how co-varying domains might cohere into a unitary construct of overall psychological satisfaction, we built one-factor congeneric models (Figure [1](#F1){ref-type="fig"}). Within both samples, standard of living, achieving in life and future security loaded strongly onto a unitary construct. Supporting hypothesis 1, adequate fit statistics were obtained for the general community sample (*χ*^2^=49.19,p\<.001,CFI=.90,RMSEA=.04), and for the farmer sample (*χ*^2^=40.84,p=.004,CFI=.81,RMSEA=.05).
{ref-type="supplementary-material"}, Appendix C). Note 2. Supplementary analyses confirmed that the unitary satisfaction constructs were strongly correlated with the explicit psychological satisfaction measure. Further details are available from the corresponding author.](1471-2458-12-976-1){#F1}
Supra-domains of satisfaction
-----------------------------
We then used exploratory factor analysis to investigate the presence of supra-domains (see Additional file [1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}, Appendix B, Table B3). The farmer sample returned a two-factor solution consistent with the hypothesised supra-domains of connectedness and effectiveness. The general community sample initially returned a single factor solution consistent with Figure [1b](#F1){ref-type="fig"}. However, when a 2-factor solution was requested, the returned factors closely resembled those found within the farmer sample. One-factor congeneric models were next used to confirm supra-domain structure; supra-domains were then correlated to produce the models shown in Figure [2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}.
{ref-type="supplementary-material"}, Appendix C). Note 2. Separate analyses confirmed that the supra-domain satisfaction factors were strongly correlated with the explicit psychological satisfaction measure.](1471-2458-12-976-2){#F2}
For farmers, the connectedness supra-domain comprised satisfaction with relationships, community connectedness, religion/spirituality, safety and health. It was strongly positively correlated with the efficacy supra-domain, which comprised satisfaction with future security, standard of living and achieving in life. Strong model fit statistics were obtained, *χ*^2^=19.14,p=.45,CFI=1.00,RMSEA=.004.
Supra-domain composition for general community Australians was very similar to that for farmers, except that satisfaction with health and with safety loaded onto efficacy, rather than onto connectedness. Again, the supra-domains were strongly positively correlated and the model fit the data well, *χ*^2^=41.77,p\<.001, CFI=.92,RMSEA=.04. Notably, these general community fit indices were slightly better for the two-factor model than the unitary model, and the farmer fit indices were markedly better.
Supra-domains predicting psychological life satisfaction
--------------------------------------------------------
To examine relationships between connectedness, efficacy and psychological life satisfaction, using SEM, we concurrently modelled reverse pathways between the supra-domains, and between each supra-domain and the measured overall satisfaction item (i.e. directional arrows were initially tested in both directions). Socioeconomic variables were included to control for their likely relationship with the supra-domains.
The final models for farmers and general community Australians produced identical underlying relationships (Figure [3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}). For both groups, connectedness predicted efficacy, which predicted overall satisfaction. Other pathways between these three became non-significant when modelled concurrently, despite connectedness having a strong bivariate association with the overall satisfaction item. To confirm the plausibility of the mediation pathway, we used factor weights derived from the SEM to construct weighted composite scores for each supra-domain which we regressed on overall satisfaction to test for the mediation pathways shown in Figure [3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}. Although the composite scores produced partial (\~50%) rather than full mediation, the replicated effects were similarly strong and significant (see Additional file [1](#S1){ref-type="supplementary-material"}, Appendix B, Table B4). It is worth noting that the regressions also showed no evidence of multi-colinearity, supporting the conceptually meaningful nature of the mediation.
{ref-type="supplementary-material"}, Appendix C). Note 2. Separate analyses confirmed that the supra-domain satisfaction factors were strongly correlated with the explicit psychological satisfaction measure.](1471-2458-12-976-3){#F3}
For both samples, the final SEM models were less parsimonious than those presented in Figure [2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}, which resulted in poorer, though still acceptable, model fit (farmers: *χ*^2^=195.06,p\<.001,CFI=.88,RMSEA=.05, general community: *χ*^2^=79.37, p\<.01,CFI=.87,RMSEA=.03). Consistent with other population health research, in the general community sample, education, paid employment and household income clustered together to form a single construct \[[@B36],[@B37]\], which positively predicted efficacy supra-domain satisfaction. In contrast, farmers' efficacy satisfaction was simply predicted by household income. For both groups, being married predicted greater satisfaction with relationships.
Discussion
==========
The aim of this study was to identify key concepts and relationships that can be used to understand, predict and affect psychological life satisfaction, for which we tested three hypotheses. The support these hypotheses received gave novel insight into life satisfaction, and in particular provided a way of quantifying differences and similarities between populations in terms of the way psychological life satisfaction is structured. The benefits of these findings for designing health promotion programs and preventative strategies are discussed.
Our test of Hypothesis 1 was, essentially, a test of the current academic view that discrete domains will cohere into overall psychological life satisfaction, although different domains may be more influential than others. This hypothesis was broadly supported by findings in the general community sample. However, in the farmer sample, although the model of unitary sense of psychological satisfaction received acceptable fit statistics, the exploratory factor analysis indicated that the domains did not simply combine into a unitary sense of psychological satisfaction.
Hypothesis 2 tested the novel idea that perceived satisfaction with different life domains will covary into a small number of supra-domains. In support of hypothesis 2, the same two supra-domains, encapsulating connectedness and efficacy, were evident in both the farmer and general community samples, showing good fit within both samples. The *consistency across* samples in the way that six of the eight domains loaded onto the same supra-domains supported the robustness of the supra-domain constructs, and highlighted that the needs and priorities of drought-affected farmers are similar to those of all Australians. However, the *differences between* supra-domains for the two samples were also instructive: farmers saw health and safety as a part of connectedness, while general community Australians saw these domains as part of efficacy.
Farmers in Australia typically work on large remote properties and rely heavily on their farming neighbours (i.e., on their connectedness) for health and safety information, training and emergencies \[[@B38]\]. Industry "field-days", trade shows and events are key times for farmers to meet and learn about the safe operation of new equipment. These community events are also a time when farmers engage with health providers, who frequently use field days and trade shows for opportunistic health interventions. For many farmers these field days are the only time that they interact with others besides the few people on their farm and a few suppliers in the township closest to their remote landholding. In contrast, most other Australians are more able to rely on systematised infrastructures providing access to services such as doctors, police, fire and ambulance services. The differences between the two models were congruent with contextual differences between the lives of Australian farmers, where health and safety are directly related to connectedness, versus the lives of most Australians, where they are not.
Being able to model the impact of contextual differences on the way psychological life satisfaction is structured is useful for understanding the nature of psychological life satisfaction in different populations. However, Hypothesis 3 went one step further to investigate whether there are also unique relationships between domain-specific perceptions of satisfaction and psychological life satisfaction. Understanding these patterns could give important general insights on how to promote (and hence better) health behaviours and mental health.
Hypothesis 3's prediction of unique relationships was supported. For farmers and general community Australians, using SEM to test reverse pathways showed that satisfaction with the connectedness supra-domain strongly predicted satisfaction with the efficacy supra-domain, while efficacy only weakly predicted connectedness. Further, when both were tested simultaneously, the pathway from efficacy to connectedness was not significant. Even more striking, efficacy directly predicted overall psychological satisfaction, while connectedness did not. Although the influence of connectedness on psychological satisfaction was strongly consistent with social capital theory: \[[@B28],[@B39]\], the pathway was entirely indirect, mediated by satisfaction with efficacy.
The result indicates that efficacy domains play a central and direct role in a person's wellbeing, which is consistent with Bandura's theory of self-efficacy \[[@B40]\]. The direction of the connectedness-to-efficacy path may be because connectedness provides resources and opportunities that can be used to achieve goals, improve standard of living and secure futures \[[@B39]\], but obtaining these outcomes does not necessarily lead to improved connectedness.
However, despite the proximal importance of people's sense of efficacy, health policy interventions may struggle to affect it (i.e. improve achievement satisfaction and future security etc.). Instead, our findings suggest an alternative, and perhaps more achievable, strategy by showing that both efficacy and psychological wellbeing are strongly associated with satisfaction with connectedness. Although the study is a cross-sectional one, the pattern of associations we found suggests that connectedness-building interventions may be able to increase efficacy and *indirectly* drive psychological satisfaction and the multiple wellbeing outcomes that satisfaction reliably predicts.
Further, modelling the composition of connectedness and efficacy supra-domains can potentially inform the tailoring of connectedness-building interventions for specific populations. For example, our results suggest that initiatives explicitly focussed on safety and health may be a good way to promote connectedness amongst Australian farmers because satisfaction in these domains is associated with satisfaction with relationships and community connectedness.
Limitations
-----------
Although the relationships reported here are consistent with existing theory, they may be limited to the Australian samples examined; as the results showed, contextual effects do occur. Consequently, establishing the findings' generaliseability to other countries would require similar research utilising a range of representative samples. It would also be beneficial to examine the modelled relationships longitudinally and test the models' predictive power across time. These issues are unavoidable limitations of the current work but are also important directions for future cross-contextual research on the structure of life satisfaction and wellbeing.
Conclusions
===========
Our findings indicate that while it is reasonable to examine life satisfaction as a unitary concept, there is also scope to examine supra-domains as a way of better understanding the architecture of life satisfaction. Our study of these supra-domains most clearly provides a novel insight about how to help protect the life satisfaction and wellbeing of people living in Australia. However, the scope of our contribution is potentially greater because the theory and methods applied in our research provide a way of analysing life satisfaction that can be tested and applied within any population, with benefits for health policy.
Competing interests
===================
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
======================
LVO designed and performed the analyses, and drafted the manuscript. HLB substantially contributed to the design and conduct of the analyses, and critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. AH substantially contributed in the design and coordination of the study and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Pre-publication history
=======================
The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:
<http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/976/prepub>
Supplementary Material
======================
###### Additional file 1
**Appendices A, B & C.** Supplementary material regarding (a) sampling procedure and missing data, (b) associations between measures, and (c) relationships in the SEM models that were \<.2 in strength.
######
Click here for file
Acknowledgements
================
The support of the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is gratefully acknowledged in providing the research team with access to the data analysed in this study.
|
Most UK workers are worse off than they were a decade ago but bankers are taking home more than £100 a week extra (Picture: PA)
The average UK worker is earning £17 less a week than they did a decade ago, with public servants being the worst hit, a new study has suggested.
But bankers and others working in the finance sector are earning a lot more – taking home an extra £120 a week than they were in 2009, said the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Meanwhile, nurses and teachers are among the hardest hit workers, with those employed in health, social work and education earning £36 a week less than they did 10 years ago, the research indicated.
The TUC said it wasn’t fair that bankers and the ‘architects of the financial crisis’ are earning more, while public servants are ‘struggling to get by’.
Average real pay in the financial sector has increased by 9.3 per cent – £119 per week – since 2009, reaching a record income average of £1,405, said the TUC.
Those working in the finance sector saw a huge increase while health and education workers have been the worst hit (Picture: Getty)
The organisation said it was a clear consequence of the Government’s decision to ‘hold back’ the pay of teachers, nurses and other public servants behind rising prices.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: ‘It’s not right that pay is racing ahead in the City when most working people are still worse off than a decade ago.
‘The architects of the financial crisis are earning record amounts while teachers and nurses struggle to get by.
‘Workers deserve a much fairer share of the wealth they create. That’s why unions need new rights to access workplaces and negotiate industry-wide rates.
‘Pay inequality helped drive the last financial crash. It can’t be left unaddressed.’
It was also found that wages are worth less than they were before the financial crisis a decade ago but a small number of industries have managed to buck that trend, added the union.
Other sectors such as retail and hospitality have seen wage growth, which the report said was likely to have been boosted by minimum wage increases.
Got a story for Metro.co.uk? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected]. For more stories like this, check our news page. |
Bonkyll Castle
Bonkyll Castle (also variously spelled Bonkyl, Boncle, Buncle, Bunkle or Bonkill) was a medieval fortress situated in the eastern Scottish Borders of which little remains. The site is protected as a scheduled monument.
Description
Excepting the motte on which it stood, and a small section of curtain wall there is little left of the structure of what was once a very powerful Castle of Enceinte.
History
The home of the wealthy barony of Bonkyll, the castle originally belonged to the eponymous Bonkyl family, passing by marriage in the late 13th century to Sir John Stewart, son of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland. The castle was slighted in the course of the First War of Independence.
Sir John's grandson, also Sir John Stewart married Margaret de Abernethy, the heiress of the Lordship of Abernethy in 1328 and the following year he was created Earl of Angus, thus combining broad territories in Berwickshire, Angus, and Kinross-shire. Sir John's granddaughter, Margaret Stewart, being his sole heiress inherited the Earldom of Angus and Lordship of Abernethy, and the honour of Bunkle. She had an illicit affair with William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, of which liaison, a child was produced, George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus. From the Countess Margaret's death in 1417 Bunkle remained under the ownership of the Douglas Earls of Angus until the late 18th century when it passed to the Earls of Home.
A popular Berwickshire rhyme refers to the medieval strengths of Bonkyll and the nearby fortresses of Billie Castle, and Blanerne Castle referring to their construction in the time of David I:
Bunkle, Billie and Blanerne
Three castles strong as airn
Built when Davie was a bairn
They'll all gang doon,
Wi' Scotland's Croon
And ilka ane shall be a cairn
See also
Bonkyl Kirk
Preston, Scottish Borders
Buncle
References
External links
1862 Ordnance Survey map of Bunkle Castle and Kirk - National Library of Scotland
Category:Berwickshire
Category:Ruined castles in the Scottish Borders
Category:Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the Scottish Borders |
The Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestins Intervention (PEPI-1) trial of 875 participants followed at 7 centers for three years is the largest and longest randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial of hormone treatment in postmenopausal women -- and the only long-term trial of estrogen-progestin regimens. It is the only long-term trial designed to compare the effects of Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) and combined (Estrogen-progestin) hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on heart disease risk factors. It is also unique for the number of women who began ERT or HRT more than 5 years after the menopause. Details of the study design, hormone replacement regimens and study populations are given in Project I, as are the major analyses of PEPI-1 data proposed for completion during the extended follow-up period. Project II, Studies of Repository Samples, was planned to utilize plasma, urine and other samples already collected but not analyzed by the close of PEPI-1. Both Project I and Project II, submitted by the Coordinating Center to reflect the centralized activity necessary for a multicenter project, will be conducted with the Clinical Investigators as a cooperative project. Project III, submitted in parallel from each of the 7 PEPI Clinical Centers, describes a three year prospective observational follow-up study designed to: ensure PEPI women's safety and learn more about possible delayed adverse hormone effects; study treatment choices, compliance and reasons related to these decisions; and monitor long-term effects on heart disease risk factors and bone density. All participants will be invited to an annual clinic visit, (conducted according to the established PEPI-1 protocol) which includes a medical history and limited examination, mammogram, endometrial biopsy, and standardized questions about quality of life, sexuality, symptomatology, and medication use. We will measure primary PEPI endpoints (HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin and fibrinogen and their covariates, and bone density at the hip and spine. |
Q:
data from nsmutable array are not visible in all methods
i know that this is basic objective C question but I have serious problems. I am having an NSMutable array which I fill with values in my connectionDidFinishLoading. i can see in NSLog that values are being assigned correctly. But when i am trying to fetch these values in DidSelectRow (as I am using a table view I get a BAD_ACESS error)
Here is my code:
@implementation MainMap
{
NSMutableArray *condition ;
}
..
- (void)viewDidLoad
{
[super viewDidLoad];
}
...
- (void)connectionDidFinishLoading:(NSURLConnection *)connection {
condition= [NSMutableArray array];
..adding objects..
}
- (void)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView didSelectRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath {
//app crashes in here
NSLog(@"Condition of pressed item is %@",[condition objectAtIndex:indexPath.row]);
}
If I place the condition= [NSMutableArray array]; inside ViewDidLoad I get a SIGBART.
Moreover I tried to place the declarations in .h file and have it as property and then synthesize it in .m but still nothing. Maybe I am missing something, so can you fix it?
A:
Just try [NSMutableArray new] instead [NSMutableArray array]. Then you should release condition in your dealloc-method.
Otherwise you can enable ARC (http://longweekendmobile.com/2011/09/07/objc-automatic-reference-counting-in-xcode-explained/). With ARC you must not handle reference counting by yourself.
|
Oryx Petroleum hits oil again in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Tuesday, 10 June 2014 05:08
BAN-2 is expected to reach targeted total depth and complete testing in Q4 2014. (Image source: blmurch/Flickr)Oryx Petroleum has spudded the Banan-2 appraisal well (BAN-2) in the Hawler Licence Area in Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Oryx Petroleum is the operator and has a 65 per cent participating and working interest in the area.
Henry Legarre, COO of Oryx Petroleum, said, “This is one of the most important wells we will drill in 2014 as it allows us to assess the multi-hundred million barrel potential up-dip of the Banan-1 exploration well that was successfully tested earlier this year. The drilling of BAN-2 and the acquisition of 3D seismic in the next few months should provide us with a better understanding of the full potential of the Banan discovery.”
The Sakson Hilong 10 rig spudded the BAN-2 appraisal well around five kilometres to the northwest of the Banan-1 exploration well (BAN-1).
In March 2014, oil was successfully flowed in two cased-hole drill stem tests on the BAN-1 exploration well, one in each of the Cretaceous (Shiranish and top Kometan formations) and the Lower Jurassic (Butmah formation), the company said. Additionally, the drilling and test results showed the development of additional reservoirs that will be further appraised and tested as part of the appraisal programme for Banan.
Prior to the start of the BAN-1 testing programme, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. estimated as of 31 December 2013 that the Banan discovery contains low, best and high estimates unrisked gross (100 per cent) contingent oil resources of five million barrels of oil, 40 million barrels of oil and 440 million barrels of oil respectively, all in the Cretaceous formations.
BAN-2 is targeting oil potential in Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic formations and is planned to be drilled to a total measured depth of 3,800 metres. The well is expected to reach targeted total depth and complete testing in Q4 2014. |
The job market hits a key milestone
The last recession ended in 2009, and it took until 2014 for the economy to add back all the jobs lost during the downturn. But accounting for population changes, the proportion of jobs remained below pre-recession levels.
Until now. Employers added 209,000 jobs in July, which pushed the economy past an important milestone: When adjusted for a growing and aging population, there are now more jobs than there were at the pre-recession peak in 2007. “Nearly a full decade after the start of the recession, employment has returned to its demographically adjusted pre-recession level,” according to a new report from the Hamilton Project, which is part of the Brookings Institution. “The economy has added enough jobs to make up for losses during the Great Recession.”
The economy lost about 8.5 million jobs on account of the recession. Since the U.S. population continued to grow during that time, and the age mix shifted, it took about 10 million new jobs to get back to the same level of labor-market health as in November of 2007, right before the recession began. There are still shortcomings in the labor market. But fully closing this “jobs gap” is an important sign of healing.
Source: Brookings Institution
Some segments remain troubled
The Brookings report points out that even back in 2007, there was slack in the labor market, with some people underemployed and others who might work if good jobs were available not even looking for work. So we’ve returned to a less-than-perfect baseline. And some significant slices of the labor market remain troubled.
Men suffered more during the recession, because male-dominated sectors including construction and manufacturing got hammered. As a consequence, men have not recovered as a bloc of the labor force as well as women have, with a sizable jobs gap for men, compared with 2007 levels.
Source: Brookings Institution
There are regional variations, too. Fifteen states (including the District of Columbia) have closed the jobs gap, including New England and Midwestern states such as Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. But 11 other states still have a sizable jobs gap, including southern ones such as North Carolina and Mississippi along with northern ones such as Montana and Wyoming. This reflects a variety of factors, including disruptions in the energy industry, the impact of technological change and the extent of damage done during the recession.
Blacks and Hispanics suffered more than whites in terms of job losses caused by the recession — but they’ve now recovered slightly better, compared with 2007. Those struggling most during the last 10 years are workers without a college education, who still face a large jobs gap compared with 2007. Many unskilled jobs have been replaced with automation and will probably never return.
Source: Brookings Institution
Source: Brookings Institution
President Trump has crowed about job gains during his first six months in office, even though job growth under Trump has continued at the same pace as during President Obama’s second term. The recovery of the last eight years has been the slowest since the end of World War II, but it is grudgingly moving along. Eventually, the labor market may be even healthier than it was in 2007. |
Introduction {#sec1}
============
Les facultés de médecine apparaissent comme étant des milieux très hiérarchisés avec les enseignants appelés «les maîtres» au sommet et les étudiants en bas de la pyramide. Dans ce milieu, l\'usage de la violence dans les relations interpersonnelles est de plus en plus préoccupant \[[@cit0001],[@cit0002]\]. En 2009, le Ministère de l\'Education, du Loisir et du Sport canadien a proposé une définition de la violence afin que les milieux scolaires se donnent un langage commun. La violence est donc définie dans le milieu éducatif comme étant: «toute manifestation de force, de forme verbale, écrite, physique, psychologique ou sexuelle, exercée intentionnellement, directement ou indirectement par un individu ou un groupe, et ayant comme effet de léser, de blesser ou d\'opprimer toute personne en s\'attaquant à son intégrité, à son bien-être psychologique ou physique, à ses droits ou à ses biens» \[[@cit0003]\]. Selon l\'Association des Collèges Américains de Médecine (AAMC), la maltraitance survient lorsque le comportement montre un manque de respect pour la dignité des autres et interfère de manière déraisonnable avec le processus d\'apprentissage. Cela peut prendre la forme d\'une discrimination fondée sur la race, la religion, l\'appartenance ethnique, le sexe, l\'âge ou l'orientation sexuelle, d\'un harcèlement sexuel, d\'une humiliation ou d\'une violence verbale \[[@cit0004]\]. Plusieurs études à travers le monde ont montré l\'importance de la prévalence des comportements de maltraitance au sein des facultés de médecine ainsi que leurs conséquences négatives sur l\'épanouissement des étudiants et sur leur devenir professionnel \[[@cit0001],[@cit0002],[@cit0005]-[@cit0007]\]. Aux États Unis en 2011, et au Nigéria en 2014 respectivement 64% \[[@cit0005]\] et 98,5% \[[@cit0008]\] des étudiants en médecine avaient été l\'objet d\'au moins un comportement de maltraitance. Les formes de violence subies étaient surtout la violence verbale et l\'humiliation \[[@cit0001],[@cit0002],[@cit0005]-[@cit0008]\] La maltraitance des étudiants en médecine est problématique à la fois dans ses effets sur l\'environnement d\'apprentissage et ses effets potentiellement nocifs sur le bien-être psychologique des étudiants. Les mauvais traitements sont en relation étroite avec des troubles de comportement tels que l\'alcoolisme, la baisse de l\'estime de soi et la dépression \[[@cit0007],[@cit0009]-[@cit0012]\]. Au Bénin, il n\'existe aucune donnée sur la maltraitance des étudiants en médecine par les encadrants et entre eux-mêmes. Compte tenu de l\'impact de cette maltraitance sur l\'apprentissage, l\'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence des comportements de maltraitance subis par les étudiants et les facteurs associés au sein de la Faculté de Médecine de Parakou (FM/UP) en 2018.
Méthodes {#sec2}
========
Cadre et méthodes d\'étude {#sec2.1}
--------------------------
### Cadre d\'étude {#s2a1}
Une étude multicentrique a été réalisée au Bénin, au Togo et au Burkina Faso. Elle a inclus cinq universités publiques: la Faculté des Sciences de la Santé de l\'Université d\'Abomey-Calavi et la FM/UP du Bénin; la Faculté des Sciences de la Santé de l\'Université de Lomé au Togo; l\'Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé de l\'Université de Ouagadougou/Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo et l\'Institut National des Sciences et de la Santé de l\'Université Nazi Boni de Bobo Dioulasso au Burkina-Faso. Il est présenté dans ce travail, l\'étude réalisée à la FM/UP située dans la région septentrionale du Bénin. Elle a été créée en septembre 2001 et est la deuxième Faculté de Médecine du Bénin après celle de Cotonou. La FM/UP dispose à ce jour de 45 enseignants permanents dont 15 de rang magistral. L\'effectif des étudiants inscrits pour l\'année universitaire 2016-2017 était de 1136.
### Méthodes d\'étude {#s2a2}
#### Type et période d\'étude {#s2a2a}
Une enquête transversale descriptive et analytique a été conduite du 1^er^ au 28 février 2018 chez les étudiants de la FM/UP.
#### Population d\'étude {#s2a2b}
Les participants étaient les étudiants en 2^ème^ année médecine (PCEM2), en 4^ème^ année de médecine (DCEM2) et en 6^ème^ année de médecine (DCEM4) inscrits au titre de l\'année universitaire 2017-2018.
#### Critère d\'inclusion {#s2a2c}
Le critère d\'inclusion était d\'appartenir à l\'une de ces années d\'étude; être présent dans l\'amphithéâtre ou le lieu de stage au moment de l\'enquête et d\'accepter de remplir le questionnaire.
#### Échantillonnage {#s2a2d}
Un échantillonnage aléatoire proportionnel à l\'effectif réel de chaque année d\'étude a été réalisé. Les effectifs des étudiants de PCEM2, DCEM2 et DCEM4 étaient respectivement de 184, 112 et 107.
La taille de l\'échantillon (n) a été calculée grâce à la formule de Schwartz.
(
n
=
pqZ
2
/i
2
)
Une prévalence p égale à 98,5% d\'étudiants ayant été victimes d\'au moins un comportement de maltraitance a été considérée. Cette prévalence est le résultat d\'une étude réalisée dans les universités du sud-ouest du Nigéria \[[@cit0008]\]; q était égal à 1-p, Z était égal à 1,96 correspondant à un risque d\'écart-réduit α égal à 0,05, et i représentait la précision souhaitée pour les résultats.
#### Outils et méthodes de collecte de données {#s2a2e}
Un questionnaire auto-administré a été utilisé pour collecter les données quantitatives. Ce questionnaire constitue une partie de celui utilisé par l\'AAMC pour évaluer la qualité de la formation dans les écoles de médecine américaines. Ce questionnaire a été traduit en français et adapté au cadre de l\'étude. L\'effectif des étudiants par année d\'étude a été obtenu auprès du service de scolarité de la Faculté de Médecine de Parakou et a permis d\'organiser au préalable le déroulement de la collecte des données. Un pré test du questionnaire a été réalisé chez les étudiants en 5^ème^ et 7^ème^ année de médecine qui n\'étaient pas concernés par l\'étude. Le remplissage du questionnaire a duré en moyenne vingt minutes. Les étudiants n\'ont pas été prévenus d\'avance de l\'enquête. Dans les amphithéâtres, les fiches ont été distribuées aux étudiants de PCEM2 et DCEM2 présents vingt minutes avant le démarrage d\'un enseignement et récupérées à la fin de l\'enseignement. Sur les lieux de stage, les fiches étaient distribuées dans la salle de staff aux étudiants en DCEM4 et récupérées vingt minutes plus tard. Les étudiants n\'ont pas été autorisés à discuter entre eux lors du remplissage des questionnaires, mais ont reçu la consigne de donner anonymement leurs réponses personnelles et honnêtes à chaque question. Les données collectées concernent les caractéristiques socio-démographiques, les comportements de maltraitance, leur fréquence de survenue, les auteurs et le rapportage de ces comportements de maltraitance à une autorité ou un responsable étudiant.
#### Variables dépendantes {#s2a2f}
Elles ont concerné les comportements de maltraitance subis par les étudiants en médecine et/ou dont ils ont été témoins au cours de leur cursus universitaire. Ces comportements de maltraitance ont été regroupés en dix catégories: l\'humiliation, la violence verbale, la violence physique, la violence liée au genre, la violence liée à l\'âge, la violence liée à l\'ethnie/la race/la religion, le harcèlement sexuel, être amené à effectuer des services personnels, être amené à poser un acte immoral ou non conforme à l\'éthique médicale.
#### Variables indépendantes {#s2a2g}
Les variables indépendantes ont concerné les étudiants et les personnes responsables des comportements de maltraitance: les données socio-démographiques des étudiants (sexe, âge, nationalité, ethnie, statut matrimonial, l\'année d\'étude, le financement des études, le lieu de résidence, le redoublement) et la qualification des auteurs de comportements de maltraitance (enseignant, praticien hospitalier, infirmier(ère), agents de laboratoire et paramédicaux, résidents/internes, personnels administrative de l\'université, personnel administrative de l\'hôpital, camarade étudiant).
#### Gestion et analyse des données {#s2a2h}
Les données ont été saisies et analysées à l\'aide du logiciel EPIINFO version 7. Les variables liées aux comportements de maltraitance ont été exprimées sous forme de prévalence. La moyenne et l\'écart-type ont été calculés pour l\'âge. La variable «âge» a ensuite été transformée en variable catégorielle (16-20 ans, 21-24 ans et ≥25 ans). Les autres variables socio-démographiques: sexe, nationalité, ethnie, statut matrimonial, l\'année d\'étude, le financement des études, le lieu de résidence, le redoublement ont été exprimées sous forme de pourcentage. Les associations entre les caractéristiques socio-démographiques et les différents comportements de maltraitance (violence verbale, humiliation, violence liée au genre, violence liée à la race/religion/ethnie, violence liée à l\'âge, violence physique, harcèlement sexuel, être amené à effectuer des services personnels, être amené à poser un acte immoral ou non conforme à l\'éthique médicale, et les autres violences) ont été testées. Nous avons effectué une analyse bi-variée. Le test de Chi carré a été utilisé pour mesurer l\'association entre deux variables. Le niveau de significativité du test a été de p\<0,05. La force des associations a été estimée grâce aux Odds Ratio (OR).
#### Aspects éthiques et déontologiques {#s2a2i}
L\'autorisation de mener l\'étude a été obtenue auprès du comité d\'éthique locale de la Faculté de Médecine de l\'Université de Parakou. Le consentement éclairé de tous les sujets a été obtenu. Une brève explication de l\'enquête et de son but a été donnée aux étudiants.
Résultats {#sec3}
=========
Au total 230 fiches ont été distribuées. Le nombre de fiches récupérées était de 207 soit un taux de réponse de 90%.
Caractéristiques socio-démographiques de la population d\'étude {#sec3.1}
---------------------------------------------------------------
L\'âge moyen des participants était de 21,77 ans ± 2,66 avec des extrêmes de 16 et 32 ans. Le groupe d\'âge le plus représenté était celui de 21 à 24 ans soit 48,79% de l\'échantillon. Le sexe ratio (H/F) était de 1,76 avec 63,77% des étudiants qui étaient de sexe masculin. La majorité des étudiants était célibataire (85,99%). Les étudiants de nationalité béninoise étaient majoritaires (87,92%). Parmi les 25 étrangers, on distinguait 20 camerounais, deux togolais, deux ivoiriens et un tchadien. La plupart des étudiants vivaient en location (80,68%) dont 4,83% en cité universitaire. Les étudiants étaient répartis respectivement en fonction de leur année d\'étude: 41,55% en PCEM2, 29,95% en DCEM2 et 28,50% en DCEM4. Plus de la moitié des étudiants avait redoublé au moins une fois (51,69%). Trente virgule quartre-vingt-deux pourcent des étudiants disposaient d\'une bourse d\'étude. Les langues maternelles dominantes étaient le Fon et dérivés (43,48%) ([Tableau 1](#t0001){ref-type="table"}).
######
Caractéristiques socio-démographiques de la population d'étude, Faculté de Médecine de Parakou, 2018
Sexe Effectif \%
--------------------------------- ---------- -------
Masculin 132 63,77
Féminin 75 36,23
**Classe d'âge**
16 -- 20 80 38,65
21 - 24 101 48,79
³ 25 26 12,56
**Nationalité\***
Béninoise 182 87,92
Autres 25 12,08
**Année d'étude**
PCEM2 86 41,55
DCEM2 62 29,95
DCEM4 59 28,50
**Statut matrimonial**
Célibataire 178 85,99
Autres 29 14,01
**Financement de leurs études**
Boursiers 64 30,92
Autres 143 69,08
**Lieu de résidence**
Location 157 75,85
Cité universitaire 10 4,83
Autres 40 19,32
Prévalence des comportements de maltraitance {#sec3.2}
--------------------------------------------
La totalité (100%) des enquêtés a subi au moins un comportement de maltraitance depuis son entrée à la FM/UP. Les comportements de maltraitance les plus subis par les étudiants étaient l\'humiliation (57%), la violence verbale (54,11%) et le fait d\'être amené à effectuer des services personnels (42,03%). Les comportements de maltraitance les moins subis étaient le harcèlement sexuel (10,63%) et le fait d\'être amené à poser un acte immoral ou non conforme à l\'éthique médicale (08,70%). La [Figure 1](#f0001){ref-type="fig"} montre la prévalence des comportements de maltraitance subis par les étudiants de la FM/UP.
{#f0001}
Fréquence de survenue des comportements de maltraitance {#sec3.3}
-------------------------------------------------------
Les étudiants subissaient fréquemment un comportement de maltraitance dans 34,34% des cas, parfois dans 57,83% des cas et rarement dans 7,83% des cas.
Les auteurs des comportements de maltraitance {#sec3.4}
---------------------------------------------
Les auteurs les plus fréquents d\'humiliation présentés dans le [Tableau 2](#t0002){ref-type="table"} étaient respectivement les médecins hospitaliers/enseignants (24,76%) et les infirmiers (22,86%). Les auteurs les plus fréquents de violence verbale étaient les médecins hospitaliers/enseignants (24,36%) et les infirmiers (22,49%). Le fait d\'être amené à effectuer des services personnels était dû en majorité aux internes/résidents (34,09%). Le harcèlement sexuel était pratiqué de façon équitable par les médecins/enseignants (25%), les infirmiers (25%), les internes (25%) et les camarades étudiants (25%). Les étudiants étaient, eux-mêmes, les principaux auteurs des autres formes de violence subies par leurs camarades à savoir: la violence physique (53,85%), la violence liée au genre (46,88%), la violence liée à l\'âge (43,48%), la violence liée à l\'ethnie et/ou la religion (46,58%).
######
Facteurs associés à l'humiliation et aux services personnels, Faculté de Médecine de Parakou, 2018
Humiliation Services personnels
------------------- ------ --------------------- ------------ ------ ------------- ------------
16-20 1 1
21-24 3,11 1,69-5,73 0,0003\* 2,12 1,15-3,89 0,0157\*
25 5,27 1,9-14,57 0,0014\* 1,29 0,52-3,25 0,5777
**Année d'étude**
PCEM2 1 1
DCEM2 6,28 3,03-13,01 \<0,0001\* 5,63 2,75-11,51 \<0,0001\*
DCEM4 7,02 3,31-14,91 \<0,0001\* 2,44 1,19 - 4,97 0,0141\*
**Sexe**
Masculin 1 1
Féminin 0,61 0,34-1,08 0,0939 0,80 0,45-1,43 0,4604
**Bourse**
Oui 1 1
Non 1,15 0,63-2,09 0,6465 0,76 0,41-1,39 0,3777
**Redoublement**
Oui 1 1
Non 0,92 0,53-1,60 0,7799 0,85 0,49-1,48 0,5788
Rapportage des comportements de maltraitance {#sec3.5}
--------------------------------------------
Au total 202 étudiants soit 97,58% n\'ont pas rapporté les comportements de maltraitance dont ils ont été l\'objet. Les principales raisons de non signalement des comportements de maltraitance étaient: le fait que les étudiants n\'avaient pas jugé l\'incident important pour le dénoncer (38%), et la peur des représailles (24%). Parmi les cinq étudiants qui avaient dénoncé les mauvais comportements subis, deux l\'avaient rapporté à un responsable étudiant, deux autres à un enseignant de la faculté, et le dernier à un personnel administratif de la FM/UP.
Facteurs associés aux comportements de maltraitance {#sec3.6}
---------------------------------------------------
L\'humiliation, la violence verbale, le fait d\'être amené à effectuer des services personnels, la violence liée à l\'ethnie/la religion, et le fait de poser un acte immoral ou contraire à l\'éthique médicale étaient significativement associés à l\'âge et à l\'année d\'étude des étudiants ([Tableau 2](#t0002){ref-type="table"}, [Tableau 3](#t0003){ref-type="table"}, [Tableau 4](#t0004){ref-type="table"}). En référence les étudiants dont l\'âge était compris entre 16 et 20 ans, les étudiants âgés de 21 à 24 ans avaient trois fois plus de risque de se faire humilier (p=0,0003) et les étudiants âgés de 25 ans et plus avaient cinq fois plus de risque de se faire humilier (p=0,0014). En référence, les étudiants en PCEM2 et les étudiants en DCEM2 avaient six fois plus de risque de se faire humilier (p\<0,0001), et les étudiants en DCEM4 avaient sept fois plus de risque de se faire humilier (p\<0,0001). Plus les étudiants étaient âgés plus ils subissaient la violence verbale. Il en était de même pour l\'année d\'étude, plus leur niveau d\'étude était élevé plus ils étaient agressés verbalement. Ainsi en référence, les étudiants dont l\'âge étaient compris entre 16 et 20 ans, les étudiants âgés de 21 à 24 ans étaient trois fois plus violentés verbalement (p=0,0002) et ceux âgés de 25 et plus subissaient deux fois plus d\'agression verbale (p=0,0348). De même, les étudiants en DCEM2 et en DCEM4 subissaient respectivement trois fois plus (p= 0,0009) et cinq fois plus (p\<0,0001) de violence verbale que leurs camarades en PCEM2. Les étudiants âgés de 21 à 24 ans étaient plus sollicités pour accomplir des services personnels (deux fois plus) que leurs camarades dont l\'âge était compris entre 16 et 20 ans (p=0,0157). Les étudiants inscrits en DCEM2 étaient cinq fois plus sollicités pour effectuer des services personnels que les PCEM2 (p\<0,0001), ceux en DECM4 étaient deux fois plus sollicités pour les services personnels que leurs camarades inscrits en PCEM2 (p=0,0141). Les étudiants âgés de 21 à 24 ans avaient deux fois plus de risque de subir une violence liée à l\'ethnie ou à la religion que leurs camarades dont l\'âge était compris entre 16 et 20 ans (p=0,0360). Ceux âgés de 25 ans et plus avaient quatre fois plus de risque de subir le même type de violence (p=0,0083). Les étudiants en DCEM2 (p=0,0053) et DCEM4 (p=0,0033) subissaient trois fois plus de violence liée à l\'ethnie/religion que leurs camarades en PCEM2. Les étudiants âgés de 21 à 24 ans couraient cinq fois plus de risque d\'être contraints à poser un acte immoral ou contraire à la déontologie médicale que leurs camarades dont l\'âge était compris entre 16 et 20 ans (p=0,0239). Les étudiants en DCEM4 étaient sept fois plus contraints à poser un acte immoral ou contraire à l\'éthique médicale que leurs camarades en PCEM2 (p=0,0020). Le harcèlement sexuel était significativement associé au sexe. Les étudiantes avaient trois fois plus de risque de subir un harcèlement sexuel que leurs camarades du sexe opposé (p=0,0069) ([Tableau 4](#t0004){ref-type="table"}). La violence physique, la violence basée sur genre, la violence basée sur l\'âge et les autres formes de violence basée sur vos croyances personnelles ou caractéristiques personnelles autre que votre genre, votre race, votre origine ethnique ou votre âge, n\'étaient associées à aucune des caractéristiques socio-démographiques des étudiants.
######
Facteurs associés à la violence verbale et à la violence basée sur l'ethnie, la race et/ou la religion, Faculté de Médecine de Parakou, 2018
Violence verbale Violence basée sur l'ethnie/la race et /ou la religion
------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------------------------------------- ------- ------------ -----------------------------------------
**Âge** OR IC p OR IC p
16-20 1 1
21-24 3,14 1,71-5,78 0,0002[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"} 5,76 1,26-26,33 0,0239[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
25 2,66 1,07-6,63 0,0348[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"} 5, 08 0,80-32,30 0,0846[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
**Année d'étude**
PCEM2 1 1
DCEM2 3,16 1,60-6,24 0,0009[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"} 0,93 0,15-5,68 0,9310
DCEM4 5,01 2,42-10,35 \<0,0001[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"} 7,82 2,12-28,86 0,0020[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
**Sexe**
Masculin 1 1
Féminin 0,68 0,38-1,20 0,1847 0,09 0,01-0,70 0,0214[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
**Bourse**
Oui 1 1
Non 1,24 0,68-2,25 0,4744 0,61 0,19-1,94 0,4081
**Redoublement**
Oui 1 1
Non 0,54 0,31-0,93 0,0282[\*](#tf3-1){ref-type="table-fn"} 0,73 0,27-1,92 0,5210
p significatif
######
Facteurs associés au harcèlement sexuel et au fait d'être amené à poser un acte immoral ou contraire à l'éthique médicale, Faculté de Médecine de Parakou, 2018
Harcèlement sexuel Acte immoral
-------------------- -------------- ------------ ----------------------------------------- ------- ------------- -------------------------------------------
**Âge** OR IC p OR IC p
16-20 1 1
21-24 0,68 0,25-1,85 0,4479 5,76 1,26-26,33 0,0239[\*](#tf4-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
25 1,88 0,57-6,21 0,3018 5, 08 0,80-32,30 0,0846[\*](#tf4-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
**Année d'étude**
PCEM2 1 1
DCEM2 1,04 0 ,34-3,17 0,9387 5,63 2,75-11,51 \<0,0001[\*](#tf4-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
DCEM4 1,53 1,19-4,97 0,4236 2,44 1,19 - 4,97 0,0141[\*](#tf4-1){ref-type="table-fn"}
**Sexe**
Masculin 1 1
Féminin 3,56 1,41-8,94 0,0069[\*](#tf4-1){ref-type="table-fn"} 0,80 0,45-1,43 0,4604
**Bourse**
Oui 1 1
Non 0,82 0,30-2,21 0,6959 0,76 0,41-1,39 0,3777
**Redoublement**
Oui 1 1
Non 1,39 0,57-3,4 0,4641 0,85 0,49-1,48 0,5788
p significatif
Discussion {#sec4}
==========
L\'objectif principal de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence des comportements de maltraitance subis par les étudiants et les facteurs associés au sein de la FM/UP en 2018. Au terme de notre étude, il a été constaté que tous les étudiants en médecine ont subi au moins une fois un comportement de maltraitance. Les comportements de maltraitance qui prévalaient le plus sont l\'humiliation, la violence verbale et le fait d\'être amené à effectuer des services personnels. Cependant, environ 10,63% des étudiants de la FM/UP ont subi un harcèlement sexuel. Quatre-vingt-dix-sept virgule cinquante deux pourcent des étudiants n\'avaient pas dénoncé ces comportements. Les auteurs des comportements de maltraitance subis par les étudiants étaient les médecins/enseignants, et les infirmiers en ce qui concerne l\'humiliation et la violence verbale puis les internes pour le fait d\'être amené à effectuer des services personnels. Les autres formes de violence notamment la violence physique, la violence basée sur le genre, la violence basée sur la religion, l\'ethnie et/ou l\'âge étaient le fait des étudiants eux-mêmes. Les facteurs associés à ces comportements de maltraitance étaient l\'âge et l\'année d\'étude, pour l\'humiliation, la violence verbale et le fait d\'être amené à effectuer un service personnel. Les étudiants de sexe féminin étaient trois fois plus harcelés sexuellement que leurs camarades du sexe opposé. La prévalence de survenue d\'un comportement de maltraitance est égale à 100% dans notre étude. Ce taux relativement élevé est similaire à celui observé en 2008, par Owoaje et coll au Nigeria (98,5%) \[[@cit0008]\] et en 2010 par Al Shafaee et coll (96,6%) à Oman \[[@cit0013]\]. Quoiqu\'inférieur à notre taux, la prévalence de la maltraitance des étudiants en médecine est tout aussi élevée sur les autres continents. À Sao Paulo au Brésil en 2013, Peres et coll retrouvait un taux de 92,3% \[[@cit0014]\], aux Etats Unis en 2011, ce taux était de 64% \[[@cit0005]\], et de 62,5% au Pakistan en 2007 \[[@cit0014]\]. Dans notre étude, un comportement de maltraitance survenait fréquemment dans 34,34% des cas. Oku et coll, Peres et coll ont observé pratiquement le même pourcentage respectivement en 2010 (38,5%) au Nigeria \[[@cit0015]\] et en 2013 (30%) au Brésil \[[@cit0016]\]. Les comportements de maltraitance les plus subis par les étudiants de la FM/UP étaient l\'humiliation, la violence verbale et le fait d\'être amené à effectuer un service personnel. L\'humiliation et la violence verbale sont retrouvées comme les formes de violence les plus subies par les étudiants dans pratiquement toutes les facultés de médecine où une étude similaire a été conduite \[[@cit0001]-[@cit0002],[@cit0005]-[@cit0006],[@cit0008]-[@cit0016]\].
Par contre le harcèlement sexuel était retrouvé à un taux de 10,63% dans notre étude. Ce taux est relativement inférieur à celui de Rautio et coll en 2005, de Owoaje et coll en 2012 au Nigeria et de Al Shaafee et coll en 2010 qui étaient respectivement de 17% \[[@cit0017]\], 33,8% \[[@cit0008]\] et 24,1% \[[@cit0013]\]. Mais ces deux études n'ont inclus que les étudiants en dernière année des études médicales (c'est-à-dire les internes ou les résidents) et leur définition du harcèlement sexuel qui prenait aussi en compte la violence basée sur le genre. Notre taux est cependant plus élevé que celui de Oku et coll qui ont trouvé une prévalence de 1,8% pour le harcèlement sexuel, cette différence ici pourrait être attribuée au fait que cette étude n\'a pas inclus les internes car ces dernières sont plus âgées et susceptibles d\'être agressées \[[@cit0015]\]. Les principaux auteurs de comportements de maltraitance étaient les enseignants, les infirmiers et les internes. L\'humiliation et la violence verbale sont le fait des enseignants (maîtres de stage) et des infirmiers dans notre étude. C\'est le même constat dans pratiquement toutes les facultés de médecine \[[@cit0005],[@cit0008],[@cit0010]-[@cit0017]\]. Les internes étaient plus impliquées dans le fait de demander à leurs autres camarades des services personnels, car dans notre système hospitalier, les internes jouent un rôle prépondérant dans la prise en charge des patients et détiennent une certaine autorité tacitement reconnue après les médecins responsables de stage. Nous avons observé une association statistiquement significative entre l\'âge et l\'année d\'étude avec les formes de comportements de maltraitance tels que l\'humiliation, la violence verbale, la violence basée sur l\'ethnie/la race/la religion, le fait d\'être amené à effectuer un service personnel et de poser un acte immoral ou contraire à l\'éthique médicale. Les étudiants inscrits en deuxième cycle des études médicales et âgés de plus de 21 ans sont plus sujets à la maltraitance. Ceci s\'explique par le fait que les stages cliniques débutent généralement au cours de cette période, par conséquent le contact est plus fréquent entre les étudiants en médecine et leurs enseignants d\'une part et entre les étudiants en médecine et les infirmiers d\'autres part. Ce constat est le même dans la plupart des études \[[@cit0005],[@cit0008],[@cit0010]-[@cit0018]\]. Dans la présente étude, 97,52% des étudiants n\'ont pas rapporté les mauvais traitements dont ils ont été l\'objet. Ce taux est superposable à celui observé par Ahmadipour (92%) en Iran \[[@cit0019]\]. En effet la maltraitance est perçue par les étudiants comme faisant partie du processus d'apprentissage, elle est donc perpétuée de façon séculaire. Dans nos facultés, il n\'existe pas de structure permettant l\'écoute et la dénonciation de façon anonyme cet état de chose d\'où la peur des représailles.
Limites de l\'étude {#sec4.1}
-------------------
Le questionnaire utilisé est une partie de celui utilisé par l\'AAMC pour évaluer la qualité de la formation dans les écoles de médecine américaines. Ce questionnaire a été adapté au cadre de l\'étude. Nous avons donc assuré les conditions optimales dans la conception du protocole de cette recherche. Néanmoins, les questions posées étaient sensibles et remontaient à des évènements survenus dans le passé. Les biais d\'information ne pouvaient donc pas être entièrement écartés. Notre étude n\'a pas pris en compte les conséquences psychosociales de cette maltraitance subie par les étudiants de la FM/UP.
Conclusion {#sec5}
==========
La maltraitance des étudiants est une réalité à la FM/UP en 2018. Tous les étudiants inclus ont subi au moins un comportement de maltraitance. Les comportements de maltraitance les plus subis sont l\'humiliation, la violence verbale et le fait d\'être amené à effectuer des services personnels. Les auteurs de ces comportements de maltraitance sont les enseignants, les infirmiers et les étudiants entre eux-mêmes. La majorité des étudiants n\'ont pas dénoncé les mauvais comportements dont ils ont été l\'objet car cette maltraitance était perçue comme faisant partie intégrante de la formation et aussi à cause de la peur des représailles. Cette étude devrait permettre au conseil pédagogique de la FM/UP de prendre des mesures afin de faciliter la dénonciation des comportements de maltraitance subis par les étudiants.
Etat des connaissances actuelles sur le sujet {#sec5.1}
---------------------------------------------
- Maltraitance subie par les étudiants en médecine;
- Sa prévalence élevée;
- Les responsables des mauvais traitements infligés aux étudiants.
Contribution de notre étude à la connaissance {#sec5.2}
---------------------------------------------
- Prévalence de la maltraitance des étudiants à la Faculté de Médecine de Parakou (Bénin) en 2018;
- Les facteurs associés à la maltraitance des étudiants à la Faculté de Médecine de Parakou (Bénin) en 2018;
- Mise en œuvre d\'action préventive pour réduire le phénomène à la Faculté de Médecine de Parakou.
Conflits d'intérêts
===================
Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d\'intérêts.
Les auteurs remercient les étudiants et les autorités administratives de la Faculté de Médecine de l\'Université de Parakou.
Contributions des auteurs
=========================
Akanni Djivèdé a conçu l\'étude, a participé à la collecte des données, l\'analyse des données, la rédaction du manuscrit ainsi que la relecture. Aubrege Alain a conçu l\'étude, a relu et corrigé la version initiale. Damien Georgia a participé à l\'analyse des données, la rédaction du manuscrit ainsi que la relecture. Tognon-Tchégnonsi Francis a relu et corrigé la version initiale. Allodé Alexandre a relu et corrigé la version initiale. Adjadohoun Sonia a relu et corrigé la version initiale. Savi de Tovè Kofi-Mensa a relu et corrigé la version initiale.
|
An argument within the Federal Court, has of late, started involving a pair of major internet dating sites.
The dispute between Anastasiadate and EM Online has come up over illegal competition, illegal use of Anastasia’s brand, false advertisement and so on. The proceedings are being heard in the Manhattan Federal Court.
“The Complaintant offers an international online dating service which, for a small fee, matches guys in the USA with women situated in the Russian Federation and Ukraine. NYC has the most important market for Anastasia”, the plaintiff declares. “Thus, both web pages concentrate on the similar region, consequently both of these are competing for the same customers, with regards to the U.S Market. “Upon information and belief, Elena’s Models runs or sponsors webpages titled ‘anastasiadatefraud.com’ and ‘ruadventures.com.'”. Both these websites disguise the identity of their owners by using a proxy service. To make matters much more suspicious, these websites redirect whomever is viewing them to elenasmodels.com. These websites accuse Anastasiadate of thoroughly perpetuating frauds and deceitful deceptions upon its clients, and then recommend that the clients use Elena’s Models, which allegedly does not follow these practices. “The anastasiadatefraud.com website is intended to reveal and uncover emails composed by the girls who have accounts on Anastasiadate.com. The email messages are all recurring, and report that females shown on Anastasiadate.com aren’t really women searching for love, according to anastasiadatefraud.com they’re just ladies who are paid out to talk with men The emails from the women are plainly fake, making these claims false. Anastasiadate’s clients are guaranteed that the women they’re chatting with are 100% authentic women.”
Elena’s Models knows the claims it makes on anastasiadatefraud aren’t true, and had the emails written specifically to harm Anastasia’s business, the complaint states. As outlined by Anastasia, Elena’s Models is making use of its other site, ruadventures.com, to harm other businesses and promote its very own, in an exceedingly unfair manner. “While attempting to hide beneath the cover of an independent, impartial forum site, ruadventures.com actually selectively picks out the positive comments about Elena’s Models and promotes that, while trying to blast other competition aside. The site holds lots of false advertisement about Anastasiadate, which has ultimately been tinkered with by EM Online,” the complaint states.
According to Anastasia, ruadventures.com has also made illegal utilisation of the branded logo design to appeal to customers. “Through self referential tags, while using Anastasia’s trademarks, the websites are now linked to Anastasiadate, which has made them popular search engine results,” the accusation says. Anastasiadate are searching for a cease and desist charge for the actions of EM Online. Yeskoo Hogan & Tamlyn’s Richard C. Yeskoo is standing for the plaintiff.
Anastasiadate.com gives American men the ability to meet “some of the globe’s most desirable ladies!” “Anastasiadate offers the world’s ultimate dating service,” the site says. The internet site describes itself as “your quickest approach to a stack of responses, legitimate and affectionate ladies, 24/7 customer satisfaction and security.”
On anastasiadatefraud.com, an anon author states that he knows everything with regards to the web page. According to him, Anastasiadate hires girls who’re paid to speak with the clients. He knows this just because a Ukrainian woman that had been communicating with him actually revealed these secrets. For chatting and emailing men, these women are promised a high wage along with other benefits. The only listed qualifications are to be 18 or older, to understand English, and to know how to use a computer, according to the website.
The girl may have been working for Elena’s Models, as she actually advised the web page to him! |
Nocturnal Intermittent Hypoxia Is Associated With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Middle-Aged Men With Hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy are considered to be closely associated. However, the relationship has not yet been fully demonstrated and is hence still controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess in hypertensive male patients the relationship between OSA and cardiac structure using a new index, namely, integrated area of desaturation (IAD), in addition to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) that is currently the most frequently used index of sleep-disordered breathing. In our cross-sectional study, 223 hypertensive men younger than 65 years with sleep apnea and normal cardiac function were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated by fully attended polysomnography. Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by echocardiography. LV mass index significantly correlated with IAD (r = 0.203, P < 0.05), but not with AHI. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that IAD, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and age are independent variables affecting the LV mass index (β = 0.262, 0.237, and 0.173, respectively, P < 0.05). IAD was the one and only determinant among the indices of sleep-disordered breathing. Nocturnal intermittent hypoxia defined by IAD may be associated with LV hypertrophy in men with well-controlled hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. |
Latest News
Why Get a Professional to Demolish Your Swimming Pool
There are good reasons why a swimming pool is demolished or removed. First, there will come a time that the swimming pool will reach the end of its useful life. With old swimming pools, all sorts of problems crop up, including water leakage and tile cracking. At some point, the owner will have to decide whether to demolish or replace the swimming pool.
Second, a swimming pool is not simple to maintain. Regular repair and maintenance costs money. If a swimming pool is no longer being used as often as it used to, the homeowner may decide to just demolish the pool rather than spend on maintenance for something that is no longer being used.
The cost of demolishing a swimming pool is generally determined by the type of pool (above ground versus in-ground pool), the pool size and method of pool removal. There are two methods of swimming pool demolition: complete demolition and removal, and partial demolition and removal.
Complete Demolition and Removal
This method involves the complete removal of all the concrete and other materials, such as pipes and decking, from the swimming pool and the yard. The hole is filled with dirt and then compacted to bring the area back to its pre-pool state. This technique is ideal for a homeowner who has future plans to build on the area where the pool used to be. The cost will include the removal and hauling of the pool materials, as well as the amount of fill dirt.
Partial Demolition and Removal
This technique involves the demolition of the top few feet of the swimming pool and placing the soil in the bottom of the pool. The old concrete is not removed and is covered up with fill dirt. There are two types of partial demolition. In top layer swimming pool demolition, the top tiled layer of a pool’s wall is removed.
The holes dug into the pool’s floor and the entire swimming pool are filled in with dirt and compacted. Two-foot demolition involves the demolition and removal of the top two feet of the pool’s wall. The holes punched into the pool’s floor are filled in with dirt and gravel.
Whatever method is employed, earth excavation will be involved. It is best to employ the services of a professional earthmoving company to carry out the excavation aspect of the swimming pool demolition. A professional will meet with ou to discuss the process of removing your pool. All the excavation and removal work will be carried out by a reputable professional in accordance with environmental regulations. Lastly, a professional will have the required equipment to get the job done. Find out more information about swimming pool demolition services here. |
/**
* @license
* Copyright Google LLC All Rights Reserved.
*
* Use of this source code is governed by an MIT-style license that can be
* found in the LICENSE file at https://angular.io/license
*/
import {Component} from '@angular/core';
import {CommonModule} from '@angular/common';
import {TestBed, ComponentFixture, inject} from '@angular/core/testing';
import {Platform} from '@angular/cdk/platform';
import {
ɵMatchMedia as MatchMedia,
ɵMockMatchMedia as MockMatchMedia,
ɵMockMatchMediaProvider as MockMatchMediaProvider,
SERVER_TOKEN,
StyleUtils,
} from '@angular/flex-layout/core';
import {customMatchers} from '../../utils/testing/custom-matchers';
import {expectNativeEl, makeCreateTestComponent} from '../../utils/testing/helpers';
import {GridModule} from '../module';
describe('grid rows parent directive', () => {
let fixture: ComponentFixture<any>;
let styler: StyleUtils;
let mediaController: MockMatchMedia;
let platform: Platform;
let shouldRun = true;
let createTestComponent = (template: string, styles?: any) => {
shouldRun = true;
fixture = makeCreateTestComponent(() => TestGridRowsComponent)(template, styles);
inject([StyleUtils, MatchMedia, Platform],
(_styler: StyleUtils, _matchMedia: MockMatchMedia, _platform: Platform) => {
styler = _styler;
mediaController = _matchMedia;
platform = _platform;
// TODO(CaerusKaru): Grid tests won't work with Edge 14
if (_platform.EDGE) {
shouldRun = false;
}
})();
};
beforeEach(() => {
jasmine.addMatchers(customMatchers);
// Configure testbed to prepare services
TestBed.configureTestingModule({
imports: [CommonModule, GridModule],
declarations: [TestGridRowsComponent],
providers: [
MockMatchMediaProvider,
{provide: SERVER_TOKEN, useValue: true},
],
});
});
describe('with static features', () => {
it('should add row styles for parent', () => {
let template = `
<div gdRows="100px 1fr">
<div gdArea="header"></div>
<div gdArea="sidebar"></div>
<div gdArea="footer"></div>
</div>
`;
createTestComponent(template);
if (!shouldRun) {
return;
}
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-template-rows': '100px 1fr'
}, styler);
});
it('should add auto row styles for parent', () => {
let template = `
<div gdRows="100px 1fr auto!">
<div gdArea="header"></div>
<div gdArea="sidebar"></div>
<div gdArea="footer"></div>
</div>
`;
createTestComponent(template);
if (!shouldRun) {
return;
}
// TODO(CaerusKaru): Firefox has an issue with auto tracks,
// caused by rachelandrew/gridbugs#1
if (!platform.FIREFOX) {
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-auto-rows': '100px 1fr auto'
}, styler);
}
});
it('should work with inline grid', () => {
let template = `
<div gdRows="100px 1fr" gdInline>
<div gdArea="header"></div>
<div gdArea="sidebar"></div>
<div gdArea="footer"></div>
</div>
`;
createTestComponent(template);
if (!shouldRun) {
return;
}
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'inline-grid',
'grid-template-rows': '100px 1fr'
}, styler);
});
it('should add dynamic rows styles', () => {
let template = `
<div [gdRows]='cols'></div>
`;
createTestComponent(template);
if (!shouldRun) {
return;
}
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-template-rows': '50px 1fr'
}, styler);
fixture.componentInstance.cols = '100px 1fr';
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-template-rows': '100px 1fr'
}, styler);
});
});
describe('with responsive features', () => {
it('should add col styles for a parent', () => {
let template = `
<div gdRows="100px 1fr"
gdRows.xs="50px 1fr"></div>
`;
createTestComponent(template);
if (!shouldRun) {
return;
}
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-template-rows': '100px 1fr'
}, styler);
mediaController.activate('xs');
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-template-rows': '50px 1fr'
}, styler);
mediaController.activate('md');
expectNativeEl(fixture).toHaveStyle({
'display': 'grid',
'grid-template-rows': '100px 1fr'
}, styler);
});
});
});
// *****************************************************************
// Template Component
// *****************************************************************
@Component({
selector: 'test-layout',
template: `<span>PlaceHolder Template HTML</span>`
})
class TestGridRowsComponent {
cols = '50px 1fr';
}
|
Night at the fair
Hubby took me for a “fair date” tonight. Best date ever!! He won me a Kit-Kat and Starburst playing the candy spinner game, and then… I introduced him to the infamous Boxall’s I Got It… and I won!
I chose a very lovely new lasagna/roasting pan as my prize.
Other cool trivia: Among the other contestants/spectators were Congressman Todd Platts and his family. (And I’m happy to say someone in his family won a prize a few rounds before me, too.) Only in York County indeed!
About Joan
My name is Joan and I'm a lifelong Yorker. Throughout high school and college, I swore I was getting out of here as soon as possible. Now, a few years later, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I love my town, and I hear every day from readers who love their towns, too. So please, connect with me and let's share what makes life in York County great. I'm here to help you enjoy this place as much as I do!
One Response to Night at the fair
I was there this afternoon and was a lone winner. I got the 12-muffin pan which I needed to use to make the cupcakes for the Dover Township Fall Fest on Oct. 3rd. The Greater Dover Historical Society was once again asked to be a food vendor. Come out and enjoy our great food, including Smittie’s pretzels, hot dogs with or without sauerkraut, hamburgers, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water and maybe sodas.
BTW–the muffin pan is a good one, would have cost about $8 or more in a store. |
At the moment when most social networks flatline, Facebook is taking off. But for Mark Zuckerberg, 175 million users are just the beginning of his headaches. Money, spam, and crime are spoiling his online utopia.
A rule of thumb Valley insiders use is that adding a million users to a site like Facebook requires $1 million in capital. That means Facebook should be spending roughly $5 million a week on servers and other computing infrastructure. From what's understood about its finances, Facebook is not covering the cost of its operations, let alone generating enough profit to pay for capital investments. The $360 million it raised from Microsoft and Hong Kong telecom mogul Li Ka-Shing in 2007 and 2008 will not last forever, especially at this pace.
And now is a terrible time to try and raise money. The social-networking investment bubble has decidedly popped. Friends Reunited, a social network purchased by British TV network ITV in 2005 for $250 million, is now worth as little as $30 million, analysts estimate. Facebook, likewise, is today worth a fraction of the $15 billion value at which it last raised money. It could well find new backers, but they will drive a harder bargain than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
What's Facebook really worth? The fast-growing social network is adding to its 150 million…
Read more Read more
The second reality: Spam.
Because of its privacy controls, clever algorithms, and draconian customer service, Facebook has proven relatively resistant to the kind of fake-hot-girl spam that ruined Friendster and MySpace. And when Facebook apps started getting spammy — zombies and pirates, anyone? —- Zuckerberg's social-network cops cracked down on those, too.
But hucksterism seem to be part of human nature. To the extent that Facebook seeks to reflect the real world, it's going to get filled up by people with something to sell. That these are actual people just makes it worse.
HMP Holiday's a place where men can come for a nice relaxin break from their moanin women and crying kids. No stress just rest.
Perhaps he can make friends with Leon Craig Ramsden, the man who reportedly posted on Facebook that he felt like "killin some1" before going to a bar and doing exactly that. If Facebook really aims to connect everyone in the world, it's going to get the Grahams and Ramsdens, too. How will parents feel about Facebook when their kids start getting friend requests from prison?
None of these obstacles are insurmountable. But they serve as a useful reminder: As Facebook grows up, things are just going to get less and less pleasant. Facebook began in the collegiate dreamland of Harvard, where the world's most entitled people gather to have their feelings of self-importance validated. After you leave campus, you enter the real world. Welcome, Facebook. Need a friend? |
Q:
Is this algorithm reversible?
I have this algorithm written in PHP for my project:
<?php
$s = "abc"; //input -- string
$n = strlen($s);
$b = 0;
for ($i = 0; $i < $n; $i++)
{
$b += ord($s[$i]) * pow(31, ($n - ($i + 1)));
}
echo $b; //output -- int
?>
But now I have to reverse it to take the string from integer. I tried but it failed, is there any way to reverse it?
EDIT: By "any way" I meant that it doesn't have to reverse to the original text, but only to reverse to text that gives that value.
A:
IF the string can be guaranteed to only have lowercase letters on it, it can; you'll have to figure out the maths for it (I suggest you work out in paper the algorithm, leaving the letters as variables; solve the equations and you'll see how to reverse it).
If the string is arbitrary, then no; because you're converting each character to a base-31 representation of the number, shifting it and adding the results -- however, this addition has lots of carries, so you can't work out the original characters just from the digits (that is, the final number) of the result.
EDIT: given your edit, then yes, it is possible. It can be a bit complicated, though -- i'll leave you to work out the maths yourself. Try juggling a bit with the number 31.
|
White House immigration priorities call for strict regulation, wall funding The proposals would allow so-called Dreamers to remain in the U.S.
-- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called the White House’s list of demands on immigration over the weekend the most extreme policy proposals on the issue they had seen to date.
“These are the worst stated immigration proposals, certainly,” Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., told reporters on a call Monday afternoon. “Even before I got to Congress, [the worst] I have ever seen by any White House, ever.”
“This proposal is a Breitbart Christmas list of anti-immigrant policies,” Vice Chair of the caucus Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, added, referring to the far right media organization run by President Donald Trump's former White House adviser Steve Bannon.
Democrats cautiously took the president at his word when he said last month he was open to working across the aisle to extend protections to the nearly 700,000 young immigrants who currently enjoy legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Trump announced his administration was canceling the program in September but urged Congress to pass a bill to support the program recipients.
However, on Sunday night, the White House seemed to backtrack on a preliminary bipartisan deal, when it released a number of hardline agenda items it said it wanted included in any legislation on the issue.
“I want to know: who is in charge? Is it President Stephen Miller or the American people and their values?” Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., said on the call with the caucus and reporters. Miller, the president’s senior adviser for policy and one of the most extreme voices on immigration in the White House, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions were largely understood to have drafted and spearheaded the latest round ultimatums.
Castro described Miller as a “30-something-year-old zealot” and urged the president to get more involved personally in the fine print of the policy prescriptions. A majority of Americans support the idea of extending legal protections to the so-called Dreamers (86 percent, according to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll, including three-quarters of Republicans), and a number of leading Republicans have co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to do so.
“No one in America thinks the current immigration system works well. It hasn’t been updated in 30-plus years and the lack of action has led to a system that has incentivized illegal immigration. I appreciate the White House's input on reforming our immigration system. Congress must stop kicking the can down the road, and finally address our border security and immigration problems,” Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., wrote in response to the announcement from the White House Sunday evening.
Democrats on the call with reporters Monday would not rule out withholding their support of crucial spending and appropriation bills coming up later this year until legislation on DACA was brought to the floor for a vote, but they also said they may reserve that tactic until later and hoped Republicans would still work with them before it got to that point.
Here is a closer look at a few of the many policy priorities the White House announced it wanted included in a deal:
Close “legal loopholes” that allow unaccompanied minors who cross the border from Central American to stay until refugee or political asylum cases have been processed. White House officials said Sunday that any new legislation “must include reforms” that would ensure these children are returned to their country of origin quickly and safely.
Conservatives have long argued that allowed unaccompanied minors to stay in the U.S. encourages more dangerous border crossing. The far right-leaning think tank the Center of Immigration Studies posited a series of questions on the issue in 2014: “How much will it cost taxpayers to teach these children English and bring them up to grade level so they can eventually graduate from high school? How do public schools take thousands of poorly educated teens who don't speak English and prepare them to graduate from high school?"
On the other side of the debate, Senior Staff Attorney at the National Immigration Law Center Shiu-Ming Cheer argued that the issue was not a “legal loophole” but a constitutional requirement.
“They are legally entitled to remain the U.S,” Cheer told ABC News. “These unaccompanied minors are fleeing really extreme circumstances and often do qualify for asylum.
“People who are afraid to return to their home countries should be able to get a hearing to determine whether or not they can stay, especially when we are talking about kids who could be returning to extremely unsafe conditions and who really do need the resources and support in the U.S. to make their case before a judge.”
Pass legislation that would deny “sanctuary cities” federal grants. These are cities that have local laws on the books to provide funding for immigrants in court or keep local enforcement from automatically detaining immigrants on behalf of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Sessions has long advocated for punitive measures, such as a denial of federal grants, against cities that take up these sorts of policies. But he has faced steep push-back and legal battles from states.
“Cities and localities have the right to decide what kind of policies they want to put in place to protect their own residents as long as they do not conflict with federal laws,” Cheer said.
Cities cannot, for example, prohibit communicating with the federal government over immigration status law and Cheer said all of the “sanctuary city” policies her team has reviewed fall within federal law.
Republicans often celebrate and champion state rights over federal mandates.
Make the “E-Verify” system mandatory for U.S. businesses to prevent illegal immigrants from getting jobs. The system is a national database of visa records and Social Security numbers, which businesses can use to check if a person has current permissions to work in the country. A handful of states have mandates that businesses use the system, but even the right-leaning Cato Institute has written about holes in the records and issues those local governments have had getting business to comply.
“If Arizona, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina cannot assure better than 73.6 percent compliance with E-Verify -- all states with large political constituencies that demand immigration enforcement -- how well will a nationwide mandate fare in states that don’t have such constituencies? Not well,” Cato immigration policy analyst Alex Nowrasteh wrote this month. He concluded the system was too burdensome and risky for employers.
Immigrants who have been accused of gang activity, drunk driving, identity theft or certain firearm offenses should be inadmissible. In most instances, a criminal record does already disqualify visa or work permit application. Cheer argued, however, that this item on the White House list would go further and deny anyone suspected of or allegedly involved in criminal activity from being considered.
“We have done quite a bit of work around gang databases and they are rife with errors,” she said. “In California, a state auditor report found that the state gang database had 24 1-year-olds entered into it … they are relying on inaccurate systems that rely on racial profiling.”
Funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border needs to be included in any immigration legislation. Democrats have said that is a non-starter for them and even several Republicans have argued it would be too expensive and that other border security technologies might be more effective. |
dianping-api-samples
=============================
<p>Welcome to Dianping Open SDK Samples!</p>
<p>These open-source samples help you use Dianping API, including Java/Python/Php/JavaScript/iOS.</p>
<h3>Samples</h3>
<ul>
<li> dianping-android-samples
<li> dianping-javascript-samples
<li> dianping-java-samples
<li> dianping-ios-samples
<li> dianping-php-samples
<li> dianping-python-samples
<li> dianping-.net-samples
<li> oauth2-android-samples
</ul>
<h3>How to get samples:</h3>
git clone git://github.com/dianping/dianping-open-sdk.git
<h4>Java Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-java-samples
<li> change App Key and secret in DemoApiToolTest.java
<li> run mvn test
</ul>
<h4>Javascript Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-javascript-samples
<li> open DemoApiRequest.html in browser
<li> <b>IMPORTANT</b>: make sure DemoApiRequest.html is <b>"UTF-8"</b>
</ul>
<h4>Php Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-php-samples
<li> launch a Web application server, eg. Apache http server
<li> browse DemoApiRequest.php (Make sure that your php is configured!)
<li> <b>IMPORTANT</b>: make sure DemoApiRequest.php is <b>"UTF-8"</b>
</ul>
<h4>Python Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-python-samples
<li> Run DemoApiRequest.py
</ul>
<h4>iOS Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-ios-samples
<li> Open project with XCode (version 4.5 or above)
</ul>
<h4>Android Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-android-samples
<li> import as Eclipse Android Project
<li> run As Android Application
<li> this project is based on Android 4.0.3
</ul>
<h4>.NET Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd dianping-.net-samples
<li> Open dianping-.net-samples.sln with Visual Studio 2010
<li> this project is based on .NET Framework 4.0
</ul>
<h4>OAuth2 Android Samples:</h4>
<ul>
<li> cd oauth2-android-samples
<li> Import project into Eclipse and run as Android Project
<li> this project is based on Android 4.2
</ul>
---------------------------------------------------------------
<p><b>If you have any suggestion, please send mails to us.</b></p>
<p>Dianping Developer Portal Site: http://developer.dianping.com</p>
<p>Contact us:[email protected]</h>
|
Q:
Arduino + MAX232 + Pharos GPS360
I'm working on getting an ATMega168 to talk to my GPS that I ripped out of the casing from Microsoft Streets and Trips. I know it talks RS232 @ 5v (according to this post) and I just need to listen on pin 3 and apply 5v to pin 5 and ground to pin 2. I'm having a hard time finding good info on how to use the MAX232 and I just followed a diagram from somewhere but I omitted all capacitors as I need to get some. I'm using the FTDI from an Arduino to forward any TTL to my computer and I get a special "y" symbol coming in when I unplug the data out from the GPS and I get the initial "Hello World" serial message I have in there, so I think the MCU side is all good. Do I really need these caps that I ommitted on the MAX232 chip? Why? Is there some other issue? How do I troubleshoot? I've got no scope.
Here's my pinout for the MAX232:
2 -> +5v
6 -> GND
8 -> GPS RX (pin 3)
9 -> MCU Digital in (software UART)
15 -> GND
16 -> +5v
A:
The MAX232 is a charge pump. It fills a cap with charge, then moves it to the other side of the supply rail. For example, if you charge a cap on the 5V rail, then disconnect it and connect the low side of the cap to +5V, the high side will now be at +10V.
In short, the capacitors are how the MAX232 makes its high voltages from the lower supply voltage. It will not function without caps.
|
Ravil Umyarov
Ravil Fatekovich Umyarov (; born 9 January 1962) is a Russian professional football coach and a former player. He works as a coach for youth teams of FC Tyumen.
Club career
He made his debut in the Soviet Second League in 1982 for FC Fakel Tyumen.
References
Category:1962 births
Category:Sportspeople from Moscow
Category:Living people
Category:Soviet footballers
Category:Russian footballers
Category:Association football forwards
Category:FC Tyumen players
Category:Russian Premier League players
Category:Russian football managers
Category:FC Tyumen managers |
They seem to be saying, 'I told you
Thursday
Sep 11, 1997 at 12:01 AM
They seem to be saying, 'I told you so.'
A few weeks ago, some were ready to write off the Indians, who played well below their potential for most of the season. Now, after a three-game sweep of the White Sox and a two-game split with AL East-leading Baltimore, the magic-number count has begun: 16.
"A whole lot has been said and written about this ballclub, and I think it was undeserved in a lot of cases," said manager Mike Hargrove, whose team is 18-9 since Aug. 12.
Thome, a throwback in many respects, wears knee-high socks the way the old-timers did. On Aug. 27, his 27th birthday, someone on the team suggested to Vizquel that everyone wear his socks like Thome that night.
"OK," Vizquel said, rallying the troops with the biggest battle cry since the Alamo. "Socks up."
The Indians scored 10 runs in an inning and hammered the Anaheim Angels 10-4. They are 9-3 since hiking up the hose and lead the Milwaukee Brewers by a modest but season-high six games.
While their impact on the quality of baseball played by their inhabitants is questionable, the socks must say something about team unity. Everyone should get a chance to watch grown men dicker about the proper way to wear baseball socks.
Just when Alomar thought he could keep a straight face when talking about it, Manny Ramirez sauntered by. Alomar lost it when he saw Ramirez, a free-spirit often with an agenda unknown even to him, was walking around with cowboy boots over his uniform socks.
"The guy's nuts, dude," Alomar explained.
Cleveland's turnaround is more than just a fashion statement. The Indians are looking like a dangerous postseason team because their bullpen has come around _ and so have longtime National Leaguers Matt Williams and Marquis Grissom.
Jose Mesa, who struggled in the first half after being acquitted of a rape charge, has 10 saves in his last 13 appearances and hasn't allowed an earned run in 17 1/3 innings.
"I think Jose is throwing as well right now as all of 1995," said Hargrove, referring to the year Mesa had 46 saves in 48 chances and Cleveland finished a utopian 100-44.
Williams had his career-high 24-game hitting streak snapped Tuesday night in a 9-3 loss to the Orioles. The third baseman batted .357 with six homers and 27 RBIs during the streak, giving him a respectable 31 homers and 96 RBIs.
Grissom was 1-for-3 Tuesday night and has hit in 14 of 16 games (.426) to raise his average from .245 to .265.
"I don't want to say it's a relief," said general manager John Hart, who took a risk by filling Cleveland's lineup with ex-National Leaguers in trades that included the blockbuster deal with Atlanta for Kenny Lofton. "I think it's just reality."
The Indians will need more than superstition to get through the home stretch of 21 games in 18 days, including at least three doubleheaders.
But they are winning, and they are relaxed. Are the socks and the chemistry just a coincidence, or cause and effect? |
Nicholas Whitlam
Nicholas Richard Whitlam (born 6 December 1945) is an Australian businessman and corporate director. He is the son of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and Margaret Whitlam.
Career
Whitlam first became publicly prominent in 1981 when he was appointed chief executive of the State Bank of New South Wales. Subsequent roles include Whitlam Turnbull & Co (an investment banking partnership with future Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and former Premier of New South Wales Neville Wran), and the chairmanship of the NRMA Group. Whitlam was the key figure in the 2000 demutualization and listing of NRMA Insurance Limited, the country's largest insurance company, now known as Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG).
In 2002, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), a corporate regulator, initiated controversial civil proceedings against Whitlam alleging breaches of his NRMA director's duties in relation to his not signing a proxy vote, containing of 3793 votes, directing him to vote against a motion about the remuneration of directors. A single judge ruled that he had breached his duties as a director and banned him from being a director of any company for five years. Whitlam appealed the judgement. Three senior judges, sitting as the New South Wales Court of Appeal, unanimously found that he had not breached his duties as a director, reversed the ruling and exonerated him. ASIC sought but was denied special leave to appeal by the High Court of Australia .
Whitlam is a graduate of Harvard College (AB cum laude, 1967) and the London Business School (MSc, 1969).
He has served as Chairman of the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales, and has an honorary doctorate (Hon.DUniv) from that university and from Western Sydney University (Hon.DLitt).
Personal
Whitlam has been married to Judy (née Frye) since 1973; she was a publicist for Vidal Sassoon and the Savoy Hotel. Believing they were unable to conceive children of their own, they adopted a girl (Alice) from Thailand and a boy (Edward) from Colombia. Then Judy became pregnant, and their son (Peter) was born in 1982; he has severe mental and physical disabilities.
References
External links
Whitlam's website
Category:1945 births
Category:Living people
Category:Australian chief executives
Category:Australian investment bankers
Category:Alumni of the London Business School
Category:Australian corporate directors
Category:Children of Prime Ministers of Australia
Category:Gough Whitlam
Category:Harvard College alumni |
Q:
¿Sumar columnas de una base de datos Eloquent Laravel?
Tengo una base de datos con las siguientes columnas
id categoría cantidad
1 Venta 100
2 Viaje 200
3 Venta 200
4 Viaje 50
Como puedo hacer la suma de "cantidad" de las filas que su nombre de categoría sea el mismo y regresar el total.
Quiero que me regrese por decir lo siguiente en una consulta:
{
"results": [
{
"Categoría": "Venta",
"Total": "300"
},
{
"Categoría": "Viaje",
"Total": 250
}
]
}
A:
Puedes hacer lo siguente
$categorias = Categoria::sum('cantidad')->groupBy('categoria')->get();
O también puedes hacer uso del Query Builder de Laravel
$categorias = DB::table('categorias')
->select(DB::raw('sum('cantidad') as Total, nombre as Categoria'))
->groupBy('nombre')
->get();
Solo recuerda hacer uso de la libreria DB, use DB; si usas el Query Builder
La idea es hacer una sumatoria del campo y agruparlo por el nombre
|
Attorney avoids jail time for hiding assistant’s thefts
A Lee County lawyer will not have to go to prison for trying to help his office assistant avoid prosecution after she stole money from accounts under his control.
Joseph W. Rasnic of Jonesville was sentenced to a year of probation by U.S. District Judge James P. Jones Thursday.
Rasnic, 62, pleaded guilty in January to a federal felony charge with a potential three-year sentence. His sentencing guideline range was 0-6 months.
Rasnic admitted that, after he discovered his assistant had been stealing from his accounts, he failed to cut off her access to the accounts and tried to conceal the extent of her crimes.
Rasnic also acknowledged lying to federal investigators about his personal relationship with the assistant, Mandie Bishop.
Bishop was sentenced to two years in prison for bank fraud.
Rasnic’s sentence included $183,726 in restitution, which he had already paid. He also surrendered his license to practice law, which was revoked in February.
“The theft at issue was committed by Mr. Rasnic’s legal assistant and perpetrated by her primarily to support her and her husband’s drug addictions. It is undisputed that Mr. Rasnic did not commit this theft himself, nor did he benefit financially from it,” wrote Thomas T. Cullen of Roanoke, Rasnic’s lawyer, in a sentencing brief.
The brief was accompanied by 41 letters of support from other lawyers and professionals, local officials and family members, urging leniency. Most of the letters said Rasnic had acknowledged and accepted responsibility for his misdeeds.
“Joe has already suffered immensely for his mistakes in this matter. We’re very grateful the court took that into consideration and sentenced him to probation,” Cullen said after the sentencing. |
you are not quite the bane of my existence although equally consuming. we know that this is problematic because i am so extradorinarly good at feeling bad. you should ravage me in return. make me so unable to close my eyes in ecstasy that i have to stare at you and laugh and shake uncontrolably until i am in so much bearable pain and too sensitive to take it anymore that you again clutch my hand until it is so warm that it has melted to mine and i cant tell whose is whose that it feels as if they have literally melted together. sometimes this makes me nervous because my imagination shows them literally melted together. |
Wilson's disease presenting as respiratory failure.
Wilson's disease in an 11-year-old girl with generalized weakness and respiratory failure is reported. The child succumbed to severe hypokalemia refractory to therapy progressing to acute renal failure and death. This atypical presentation and course prompted this clinical brief. |
// ------------------------------------------------------------
// Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation.
// Licensed under the MIT License.
// ------------------------------------------------------------
package v1alpha1
import (
"github.com/dapr/dapr/pkg/apis/subscriptions"
metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime/schema"
)
// SchemeGroupVersion is group version used to register these objects
var SchemeGroupVersion = schema.GroupVersion{Group: subscriptions.GroupName, Version: "v1alpha1"}
// Kind takes an unqualified kind and returns back a Group qualified GroupKind
func Kind(kind string) schema.GroupKind {
return SchemeGroupVersion.WithKind(kind).GroupKind()
}
// Resource takes an unqualified resource and returns a Group qualified GroupResource
func Resource(resource string) schema.GroupResource {
return SchemeGroupVersion.WithResource(resource).GroupResource()
}
var (
SchemeBuilder = runtime.NewSchemeBuilder(addKnownTypes)
AddToScheme = SchemeBuilder.AddToScheme
)
// Adds the list of known types to Scheme.
func addKnownTypes(scheme *runtime.Scheme) error {
scheme.AddKnownTypes(
SchemeGroupVersion,
&Subscription{},
&SubscriptionList{},
)
scheme.AddKnownTypes(SchemeGroupVersion)
metav1.AddToGroupVersion(scheme, SchemeGroupVersion)
return nil
}
|
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Retail Sales And Inventories Increase
The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for August, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $363.7 billion, an increase of 0.4 percent (±0.5%)* from the previous month, and 3.6 percent (±0.5%) above August 2009. Total sales for the June through August 2010 period were up 4.7 percent (±0.3%) from the same period a year ago. The June to July 2010 percent change was revised from +0.4 percent (±0.5%)* to +0.3 percent (±0.2%).
Let's take a look at the underlying data:
Click for a larger image.
I've blocked out the areas that decreased, which fall in three primary categories: autos, furniture and electronic stores. In other words -- anything related to big durable goods purchases.
The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that the combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers' shipments for July, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,090.0 billion, up 0.7 percent (±0.2%) from June 2010, and up 9.2 percent (±0.5%) from July 2009.
Inventories. Manufacturers' and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,375.7 billion, up 1.0 percent (±0.1%) from June 2010 and up 2.4 percent (±0.4%) from July 2009.
A big inventory build may be underway in what is a new and uncertain factor for the economy. Business inventories, up 1.0 percent in July, rose significantly for a second month and outpaced sales for a second month. The build is broad: up 1.3 percent at wholesalers, up 1.0 percent at manufacturers, up 0.7 percent at retailers. The build for retailers is skewed by a second straight giant build at auto dealers. Full lots at dealers are probably going to become a big problem given the weakness in auto sales in today's retail sales report for August.
Bloated inventories are not yet a problem for the economy but could become a problem if economic growth fizzles out. Outside of car dealers, today's retail sales report was mostly upbeat for August meaning that excess inventory isn't a risk right now for that sector. Note however that early indications on September retail sales, including in today's Redbook report, point to no better than flat sales for September. Inventories do appear to be heavy in the wholesale sector where sales are flat. Data in the ISM report for August hint at the risk of unwanted build in the manufacturing sector. |
MG
Donna,
We only do night classes. Most of our group works full time so we do have a
harder time getting work done in the day. We work on projects on the
weekend, holidays, and anywhere in between.
I too hate it when people act like it can't happen if it doesn't happen
during the day. It just cuts into TV time for most people. Our group meets
on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 or 7 depending on what we are
doing.
T
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 8:48 AM
Subject: RE: [CHAT] OT - Wonderful web tribute to the Armed forces
Well I should keep my mouth shut, but you know that is just not in me...
so.
I understand your point now... didn't realize your group was small.
Here, I can't even get into a MG program! I could (?maybe) pass the
entrance exam, but they offer no night classes. I work... lotsa of
hours... so can not take 13 weeks off on a certain day... boss would
never stand for that!
I know some say, well if you can't do day classes, then you can't help
the cause. I tend to get aggravated with that statement... who says
everything needs to be done between the hours of 9-5//M-F.... I am
available for weekends and even nights in the summer. I can run a
greenhouse for the county in-between my work schedule that is 45 min
from my house, I could surely have enough time to help out. Sorry, this
really gets to me!
Anyways.... might want to consider night class for those in your area...
to
get people to go to the meetings. I am trying to explain why it would
be
great if they would count travel hours so that we could get a better
participation. I was one of 4 women that pushed to get our MG
started.
We
don't have enough people that want in that we need to interview them
to
get
in. We didn't have a class this fall because we didn't think we could
get
enough to really stay with the program. We are hoping that as time
goes
by
everyone will see the benefit of being a MG. I can already see so
many
things that the county has benefited so much in the short time we have
had
a
program. This is only the 6th year since we had our first class. I
had
taken the class in MO before moving here so I knew that it would work.
We
just had to show the extension agent that we could get it going.
Tricia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 7:11 AM
Subject: RE: [CHAT] OT - Wonderful web tribute to the Armed forces
> You can't look at it that way.. if the seminar/workshop is something
> that you will enjoy or want to see/do.. it is worth the travel time.
> IMHO Can you ride with a friend and share the gas expense?
>
> Donna
> Who is always traveling... its 15 miles to the grocery store if I
need
> some last minute oops for dinner.. one way.
>
>> It is just hard to spend 6 hours driving somewhere then go to a 2
> hour
>> class and only get to count 2 out of an 8 hour day.
>> Tricia
>
> |
Q:
What is the Guava equivalent to StringUtils.removeEnd?
I struggle to find a Guava equivalent for commons-lang StringUtils.removeEnd. Is there such a method or do I have to use a Joiner and a Splitter in some way?
A:
I don't think Guava provides such a method, but it's a trivial one-liner:
s = s.endsWith(suffix) ? s.substring(0, s.length() - suffix.length()) : s;
|
Introduction
============
In his book "The improvising mind. Cognition and creativity in the musical moment," [@B15], explores the field of ability to improvise through an interdisciplinary approach (i.e., musical analysis, neuroscience, historical pedagogical methods on improvisation, interviews with musicians), showing the complexity of the phenomenon of improvisation and, at the same time, the complexity of studying music improvisation. In the field of music education, several scholars approached the problem from different perspectives and by means of different methodologies, giving rise to discussion about the definition of improvisation in children's musical experience, the relationships between improvisation and creativity, learning/teaching theories and social/familial contexts. [@B11] describes several examples of children's improvisation in the context of expressive activities in a classroom setting (kindergarten and primary school); [@B16] carried out a longitudinal study of selected characteristics of children's melodic improvisation; [@B25] used the concept of "conduct" to observe the musical improvisation of children on the basis of the Piagetian concepts of sensory-motor, symbolic and rules games; [@B42] also offer a model of assessment of children's creative musical thinking; [@B50] established several levels of improvisation: exploration, process-oriented improvisation with the presence of some micro-structures, product-orientated with four more levels of relationship between micro and macro-structures; [@B58], [@B60]) elaborates a grid to assess the student's ability to improvise; [@B62] proposes a model to classify children's instrumental musical explorations; [@B86] describes several models of musical improvisation with children; [@B99], introduces the interpersonal perspective on childrens' music improvisation together with the teacher; [@B93] studies children as creative thinkers in music and proposes a model of creative thinking in music.
In our study, we investigated this issue through the "reflexive interaction paradigm." This paradigm describes a particular kind of human--machine interaction where the users can interact with a virtual copies of themselves, through specific software called interactive reflexive musical systems (IRMS). The first prototype of IRMS, the Continuator ([@B68]) was originally conceived for adult musicians. However, we decided to experiment it with children and the exploratory study (e.g., [@B5], [@B6]) immediately showed that these systems can have a strong impact on the development of children's creative musical experiences, introducing a new perspective in the field of technology-enhanced learning In this field, most studies deal with internet devices, teaching strategies, composition, performance, and music therapy: the new technology opens new scenarios on musical learning and teaching (e.g., [@B26]; [@B17]; [@B94]; [@B98]; [@B34]; [@B29]; [@B12]). However, new technology can be considered not only as a "tool" to aid teaching, but also as providing languages and "brainframes" ([@B90]; [@B24]) that deeply influence the processes of musical learning and the musical creativity of children. Recently, several studies have been realized to analyze human--machine interaction and the evaluation and design of interfaces for collaborative music making, focused on user experience, and affective and emotional behavior: these studies were mainly focused on adults and adolescents (cfr. [@B64]).
Our study aims to investigate whether the reflexive interaction using the IRMS influences the children's skillfulness to improvise, at the beginner stage of musical learning. We used a particular IRMS, the MIROR-Impro, implemented in the MIROR project (EC-FP7), which is able to reply to the child playing a keyboard by mirroring (with repetitions and variations) her/his inputs ([@B71]; [@B3]). During a session with the MIROR-Impro, the user plays a (Midi) keyboard and, when she/he stops, the system immediately answers with a musical phrase similar to the input played by the user. A dialog then takes place between the user and the machine, in which the two partners repeat and vary the musical ideas. The user's inputs are analyzed by the MIROR-Impro to gradually build a model of the user. **Figures [1A,B](#F1){ref-type="fig"}** show how a simple musical input played by a child (**Figure [1A](#F1){ref-type="fig"}**) is continued by the MIROR-Impro (**Figure [1B](#F1){ref-type="fig"}**) with repetition and variation.
{#F1}
The Interactive Reflexive Musical Systems
-----------------------------------------
[@B68], [@B69], [@B70]) considers reflexive interactive systems as a particular "class of interactive systems in which users can interact with virtual copies of themselves, or at least with agents that have a mimetic capacity and can evolve in an organic fashion" (2006, 360). He identified several features that characterized reflexivity but were to be considered "by no means exhaustive" (2006, p. 360):
1. *Similarity or mirroring effect:* The IRMS "produces musical sounds similar to what the user is (...) able to produce. This similarity must be easily recognizable by the user, who must experience the sensation of interacting with a copy of her/himself" (2006, p. 360).
2. *Agnosticism:* "The system's ability to reproduce the user's personality is learned automatically and agnostically, -i.e., without human intervention." In the case of the Continuator, "for instance, no pre-programmed musical information is given to the system" (2006, p. 360).
3. *Scaffolding of complexity.* "Incremental learning ensures that the (IRMS) keeps evolving and consequently that the user will interact with it for a long time.... Incremental learning is a way to endow the system with an organic feel, typical of open, natural systems (as opposed to pre-programmed, closed-world systems)" (2006, p. 361).
4. The turn-taking between the user and the system is the *basic playing mode* of the IRMS. It is organized on the basis of three principles: (1) "Automatic detection of phrase endings"; (2) Setting the duration of the phrase generated by the IRMS "to be the same as the duration of the last input phrase"; (3) Giving "priority to the user" ([@B69]).
The principle of "similarity and mirroring" is particularly important for the definition of the IRMS: "the musical output must typically lie in between two extreme forms of musical production: Repetition and Randomness. Repetition is obtained by echoing musical elements of the user, without any reorganization. Repetition creates a sense of mirroring, but does not exhibit any increase in complexity. Randomness can exhibit complexity but is not related to the user's personality (2006, p. 362)". The system's output is generated by means of the Markov probabilities calculated during the analysis of the musical input. In the framework of the MIROR project, [@B71] recently proposed using the Markov probabilities to generate musical sequences satisfying several constraints, such as the starting and the ending notes. According to this perspective, the system output does not imitate exactly what the musician is doing, but rather imitates her/his musical style. The notion of style of IRMS consists "of the statistical distribution of notes, chords and musical elements in general as well as their ordering" ([@B69], p. 3).
Observations and Theoretical Framework of Reflexive Interaction
---------------------------------------------------------------
In our previous work, we tried to explain the human behaviors during the interaction with a reflexive system, starting from the observation of the interaction between children and the IRMS ([@B1]). Our aim was to examine the human reflexive behavior, both in human--machine and human--human interaction, to understand how reflexive interaction can support and enhance creativity and the learning/teaching processes. We suggested that the idea of mirroring originated in ancient Western culture and now resonates with contemporary theory of musical embodiments and the mirror system.
An example of micro-analysis featuring this mechanism and how it develops is provided by the interaction between the MIROR-Impro and a 7-year-old girl, video-recorded during the experiment introduced in this article:
> *The little girl plays two consecutive notes, C2 and A2, and then stops to wait for the response of the system. The system responds by repeating the same notes. The child then plays a single note, G2, and the system responds with a single note but this time introduces a variation: she plays C3, thus introducing a higher register. The girl, following the change introduced by the system, moves toward the higher register and plays a variant of the initial pattern, namely: D2-A2-E2-C3, and introduces a particular rhythm pattern. This "reflexive" event marks the beginning of a dialog based on repetition and variation: the rhythmic-melodic pattern will be repeated and varied by both the system and the child in consecutive exchanges, until acquiring the form of a complete musical phrase. At some point in the dialog, the child begins to accompany the system's response with arm movements synchronized with the rhythmic-melodic patterns, creating a kind of music-motor composition*.
In this example, as well as several examples reported in our previous works (e.g., [@B5]; [@B1]), it is possible to observe how:
1. The attention of the young girl increases when the system imitates her musical sentences and decreases when the system's output become more varied;
2. The interaction between the child and the machine is not predetermined by the machine, nor realized only by the child, but is co-constructed by the child along with the machine;
3. The *co-regulation* ([@B36]) is based on a continuous *repetition* and *variation* mechanism between input and output data from the child and the system;
4. The partners are able to imitate each other and the child recognizes being imitated;
5. The interaction is based on *turn-taking*: the child plays, then stops, waiting for the response of the system and when it comes she listens to it carefully, perceives its reflexive qualities and in turn the child responds by imitating and varying the system's response;
6. The response of the system takes up the last input played by the child, giving rise to a *regular timing of turns*.
7. The child dialogs with the system by means of sounds, which is an evident manifestation of *thinking in sound* ([@B60]).
What it is interesting in this kind of child--machine interaction, is the creation of a dialog between the child and the system, which shows some *biological constraints* as described in [@B44]: physical fatigue, sensory error, and, above all, balancing between repetition and novelty. The repetition and variation mechanism is, in fact, the fundamental characteristic of reflexive interaction: the girl in the microanalysis starts to show an absolute attraction toward the system's reply precisely when she recognizes the system's repetition of her input. It is interesting to note that it is not merely a repetition, but rather a repetition that is constantly varied. The co-presence of repetition along with something different seems to attract and stimulate the user to become involved in the interaction. The topics of *mirror* and *sound mirror* are very ancient in Western culture: from the myth of Echo and Narcissus (Ovid, 43 B.C.-18, *Metamorphoseon libri XV*), to the antiphonal *echo* effects of renaissance and baroque music, to the power of music to reflect the human affects of the *Teoria degli affetti* and the *Affektenlehre* ([@B37]; [@B48]), More recently, the mechanism of repetition and variation is at the heart of the semiological paradigmatic analysis ([@B80]) and the theory of similarity perception in listening to music ([@B27]; [@B88]). The imitation of the behavior of others seems to be grounded on the non-conscious processing known as the *chameleon effect* ([@B51]). Studies in neuroscience root these non-conscious mechanisms in the mirror neuron system (MNS), a network of neurons that becomes active during the execution and observation of actions, on the basis of a "resonance mechanism" ([@B78]). Recent studies in psychology and neurosciences increasingly suggest that the mechanisms of repetition and variation, imitation, recognition, and self-imitation, play an important role in infant musicality development and in the ontological fundamentals of human musicality (e.g., [@B18]; [@B28]; [@B61]; [@B84]; [@B43]; [@B72]; [@B39]; [@B56]). The majority of this research refers to the ability of children to imitate, described by Meltzoff as the *like-me* mechanism: "persons are like-me entities in so far as they can do like me, and I can do like them" ([@B65], p. 46). [@B9] introduced the concept of *musical wrapping* of the Self, to describe the original infant-mother relationship, characterized by the presence of the most archaic forms of repetition: the *echo*. For this raison, reflexive interaction can also be described as a "*dynamic process*" ([@B1], p. 219): the experience of repetition and variation that the infant experiences during the vocal interaction with the adult in the 1st months of life, is realized in the framework of affective and emotional valence, that is the *amodal* experience that [@B84] calls *affective contours*. The fundamental role of the body in human musical activities is underlined also by the recent studies carried out in the field of embodied music cognition, which can explain the relationship between reflexive interaction and body perception. In particular way, it is important to underline the nearness of the reflexive interaction paradigm with the acoustic metaphor of "resonance mechanism," used by [@B78], p. 253) to describe the correspondence between "observed and executed biological motion" in the framework of the mirror neurons system. [@B52], p. 91), underlines that "mirror neurons are amodal, in the sense that they can encode the mirroring of multiple sensory channels." Therefore, "reflexive interaction would stimulate a resonance mechanism in the child interacting with an IRMS. This resonance could have a neural basis in the MNS" ([@B1], p. 220). At the same time, interactive learning and the development of individual musical expressivity has been investigated in various studies that highlight the complex multi-modal character of these processes. [@B76] described a *common coding* theory, which posits a shared representational domain for perception and action among individuals based on a mirroring mechanism, which can explain the neurobiological fundamental of reflexive interaction.
Is Reflexive Interaction Necessary and/or Sufficient to Improve Children's Ability to Improvise?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The basic hypothesis of our study is that reflexive interaction (in short RI) can "enhance music learning and musical creativity in young children (...). The pedagogical potential of reflexive interaction is based on the fact that it stimulates the subject to undertake a dialog during which the repetitions and variations enhance cognitive conflict that the child resolves during the course of the interaction, giving rise to a learning by problem finding and problem solving" ([@B1], p. 223). It was observed that the reflexive interaction using IRMS stimulated and reinforced children's exploratory conducts, characterized by the use of variations, in a variety of elements: melody, rhythms, gestures, registers, speed, dynamics, phrasing. The discovery that the system replies by imitating them, motivates the children to undertake a musical dialog with the system, which is the basis for the elaboration of particular sounds and musical ideas. It was possible to observe that each child expressed her/his individual musical style, in producing the sounds, handling the keyboard and the other equipment, and her/his style was supported and reinforced by the mirroring effect of the system's output. It is possible to affirm that, during the reflexive interaction, the musical invention is a collaborative experience of playing: the child/ren and the system, in a pair, improvise together like two musicians. It was observed that reflexive interaction using the IRMS increases the attention span, stimulates attentive listening, intrinsic motivation, musical creativity, and ability in collaborative improvisation (e.g., [@B5], [@B6]; [@B3]; [@B32]; [@B79]). The dialog with a "virtual" musician stimulates children to "think in sound," which is considered one of the main aims of music education ([@B60]). IRMS establish an interaction between pairs, which exploits the Vygotskian concept of zone of proximal development (ZPD) ([@B91]). The mirroring mechanism creates a balance between challenges and skills, which enables the MIROR application to create children's flow experiences and creative processes ([@B22]; [@B69]; [@B4]).
The pedagogical potential of IRMS was fully exploited in the framework of the MIROR project, to enhance children's collaborative playing, self-regulation, self-initiated activities, and a learner-centered approach. These pedagogical strategies are already used in some educational contexts, including music education (e.g., [@B23]). But we underline that in the case of the MIROR applications, these strategies and behaviors occur between the children and the machine, a mechanism that is not very usual in the field of child--machine interaction and in the field of technology-enhanced learning. **Figure [2](#F2){ref-type="fig"}** shows the theoretical framework of reflexive interaction with implications for child--computer interaction.
![**Theoretical framework of reflexive interaction with implication for child--computer interaction (as from [@B1])**.](fpsyg-08-00065-g002){#F2}
The questions that lie at the basis of our study are as follows: does the reflexive interaction by means of the MIROR-Impro affect children's ability to improvise? In particular, does it affect the ability to improvise a musical dialog with a partner? Can the MIROR-Impro be used as a teaching device at the beginner stage of learning musical improvisation? In our pilot studies and investigations on children and IRMS, we observed several features of child--machine interaction, based on reflexive interaction, which led the children to improvise musical duets with the system (cfr. [@B5]). These "musical conversations" were based on the mechanism of repetition-variation, which is "at the heart of reflexive interaction" ([@B1], p. 2017). We observed and measured the flow emotional state ([@B22]) of children playing with the MIROR-Impro ([@B4]). We showed that the flow experience increases when children play with the system and, in particular, when the system's reply is more reflexive. The experience of flow is often used to describe the sense of complete absorption in the act of improvising, in which the improviser seems to merge with the music and transcend everyday consciousness ([@B15], p. 127) and has been used as a tool to investigate human--machine interaction ([@B53]; [@B67]). Therefore, we could argue that reflexive interaction is able to enhance the experience of musical creativity and improvisation. Further studies conducted in the framework of the MIROR project highlight the children's perspective on their own improvisation (e.g., [@B89]; [@B21]; [@B79]) and some musical patterns evident in their improvisations with the MIROR-Impro ([@B7]). Nevertheless, there are still no studies that show in a controlled experimental design that IRMS positively influence in a particular way the ability to improvise.
The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the use of reflexive interaction with the MIROR-Impro is "necessary" and/or "sufficient" to improve children's abilities to improvise, and, consequently, whether it could be useful to include the MIROR-Impro in a program of teaching improvisation. Moreover, in our study, we studied two specific conditions of improvisation: solo and duet performance.
Materials and Methods {#s1}
=====================
Participants
------------
The study sample consisted of 47 children, aged 6--7, distributed in two natural classroom groups in the 1st year of a primary school. Participants were randomly divided into three sample groups: 16 children for the Control group (CG), 15 children for the Experimental Group 1, and 16 children for the Experimental Group 2. The children had not attended any formal course of instrumental education. They were used to carrying out general classroom activities in music education with the teachers.
Equipment
---------
The software MIROR-Impro, a component of the MIROR Platform (v.3.14). Three different setups of the system's output were used: setup Nothing, the system did not reply; setup Similar, the system's outputs were similar to the input of the child; setup Very Different, the system's outputs were totally different from the child's input. As can be seen, only the setup Similar used reflexive interaction. In addition: music synthesizers KORG X50; notebooks; headphones; amplifiers M-AUDIO AV30; USB cables for the connection between the synthesizer and the notebook; video cameras (recording in HD).
Experimental Design
-------------------
The convergence procedure ([@B19]; [@B35]) was used, based on three sample groups (one control group - CG - and two experimental groups -EG1 and EG2), allowing us to verify not only if the reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro affects the children's musical improvisation but also, more precisely, if it is "necessary" and/or "sufficient" to improve the children's abilities to improvise, in solos and in duets. This procedure is based on the comparison of three different experimental conditions, represented by three groups of participants: CG, Experimental Group number 1, and Experimental Group number 2. Each experimental condition represents a possible combination of different independent variables, one of which is reflexive interaction.
In our protocol the following three independent variables were considered:
1. Playing the keyboard (v1): in this case, we used the MIROR-Impro system with the setup Nothing and, as a consequence, the system did not produce any output;
2. Playing the keyboard with the MIROR-Impro but with not-reflexive reply (v2). In this case we used the MIROR-Impro system with the setup Very Different: in this setup the system's reply is very different from the input played by the children and there is no reflexive interaction. For example: the child plays a long cluster, loud, with the palms of the hands in the higher register, and the system replies with three short single notes in the low register.
3. Playing the keyboard with reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro (v3): in this case we used the setup Similar in which the system repeats the child's input with variations and a reflexive interaction is thus started between child and system. For example: the child plays a long cluster, loud, with the palms of the hands, and the system replies with a short cluster in the same register followed by an ascending *arpeggio.*
The convergence procedure focuses the attention on one of these variables, which is manipulated in order to determine if the variable is *necessary* to enhance the dependent variables, and *sufficient* to enhance the dependent variables. In our protocol the independent variable to be controlled is variable no 3: playing the keyboard with the MIROR-Impro with reflexive reply. The aim is to observe if the reflexive interaction using MIROR-Impro is *necessary* and/or *sufficient* to improve the dependent variables.
The dependent variables are as follows: (1) the children's ability to improvise in solos, and (2) the children's ability to improvise in duets.
Procedure
---------
The activities were carried out in a primary school. Several preliminary meetings were held with the teachers in order to introduce the MIROR Project, to discuss and share any issues, and to introduce and clarify the roles of the researchers and operators and the role of the teachers. A preliminary meeting was held with the children in order to assure a good relationship and positive attunement between researchers and children. The children were invited to participate freely. The observations were carried out in the school setting and the experimental activities were introduced in the daily routines of the children. The activities were carried out in a space in front of the class, so that the teacher could be present. Each child carried out a preliminary individual session to familiarize her/himself with the keyboard, the equipment, and the setting. This preliminary session lasted about 10 min for each child. After that, each child carried out the training activities (see the package of activities below), and then the Solo and the Duet tests. All sessions were video recorded.
Setting: for the training activities, three locations were prepared, one for each child. The children were accompanied two or three at a time to their personal location. Each location included a keyboard connected to a computer and provided with headphones. Each location was equipped with a video camera for video recording. The camera was attached to the keyboard in order to record the audio while the child listened through headphones. The child had the headphones in order to listen to her/his own productions, the productions of the system and, in the Duet task, those of the companion. In the Duet task, the setting included two keyboards and only one camera video-recorded both children. An assistant researcher managed the cameras and took note of the participants (names, ID number); the music teacher managed the keyboards and computers, and gave instructions to the children.
### Package of Activities
Each child carried out a training program consisting of 5 weekly individual 12 min sessions. The CG played the complete package of independent variables (v1+v2+v3); EG1 played the keyboard and the keyboard with the MIROR-Impro with not-reflexive reply (v1+v2); EG2 played only the keyboard with the MIROR-Impro with the reflexive reply (v3).
The package of activities was organized as follows:
1. *Control Group* (Complete package of activities): task 1- the child plays the keyboard (v1) (4 min); task 2 -- the child plays the keyboard using the MIROR-Impro without reflexive reply (v2) (4 min); task 3 -- the child plays the keyboard using MIROR-Impro with reflexive reply (v3) (4 min).
2. *Experimental Group 1* (Package minus independent variable): task 1 -- the child plays the keyboard (v1 = 6 min); task 2 -- the child plays the keyboard using the MIROR-Impro without reflexive reply (v2) (6 min).
3. *Experimental Group 2* (Independent variable minus Package): task 3 -- the child plays the keyboard using MIROR-Impro with reflexive reply (v3) (12 min).
The different amount of time for each variable in each group is due to the fact that the convergence procedure is not used to verify which of the three independent variables considered is more effective, but rather to focus on only one variable which is manipulated in order to verify if the focused variable is sufficient and/or necessary for improving the dependent variable.
At each session, the child was asked to carry out the following tasks/games:
*Control Group*: "You can play three different games. One game is to play just the keyboard, another game is to play the keyboard with the system that will reply differently, another game is to play the keyboard with the system that will reply similarly. Each game lasts 4 min. After every 4 min we will ask you to change game. After 12 min we will ask you to stop. If you are tired you can stop and re-start when you want."
*Experimental Group 1*: "You can play two different games. One game is to play just the keyboard; another game is to play the keyboard with the system that will reply differently. Each game lasts 6 min. After every 6 min we will ask you to change game. After 12 min we will ask you to stop. If you are tired you can stop and re-start when you want."
*Experimental Group 2*: "You can play one game. You can play the keyboard with the system that will reply similarly. The game lasts 12 min. After 12 min we will ask you to stop. If you are tired you can stop and re-start when you want."
In the first session the task order was chosen by the child. In the following sessions, the music teacher set the task order in a balanced manner. All sessions were video recorded.
### Test
After doing the package activities, all participants of the three groups were submitted to a test. The test consisted of two tasks: the Solo task (the child improvises alone) and the Duet task (the children improvise in pairs).
Each participant received the same instructions as follows:
*Solo Task*: "Create a short piece of music with a beginning, a development, and an end (like a story). You have 5 min to explore and invent the piece. After 5 min we will stop you and you will play your musical piece." Before starting the performance, the music teacher repeats: "Now you play the musical piece that you invented. It should have a beginning, a development, and an end. When you finish, you stop and I understand that the piece is finished." See **Figure [3](#F3){ref-type="fig"}** for an example of the Solo task setting.
{#F3}
During the 5 min available, the children had the possibility to explore some musical ideas, but did not write what they had created. Then, during the test, they performed their improvisation, in the sense that they elaborated in real-time the musical ideas previously explored ([@B50]; [@B60]; [@B86]). In the words of [@B60], p. 10) they created "music aurally without the aid of notation".
*Duet task*: "You can play the keyboards like in a dialog. In this dialog you can only use sounds, and not words. You have 10 min. At the end of the time, we will stop you." See **Figure [4](#F4){ref-type="fig"}** for an example of the Duet task setting.
{#F4}
All sessions were video recorded.
In accordance with [@B19], and [@B35], we then compared:
1. The results of the CG ("complete package" condition, v1+v2+v3) with the results of the Experimental Group 1 ("package minus" condition, v1+v2) to verify if the independent variable 3 (reflexive interaction using MIROR-Impro) is *necessary* to improve the dependent variables, that is the ability to improvise alone and in a duet: if CG \> EG1 = independent variable 3 is *necessary* to improve dependent variables;
2. The results of the CG ("complete package" condition"(v1+v2+v3) with the results of the Experimental Group 2 ("v2 minus package" condition, v3) to verify if the independent variable 3 (reflexive interaction using MIROR-Impro) is *sufficient* to improve the dependent variables, that is the ability to improvise alone and in a duet: if CG \< EG2 = independent variable 3 is *sufficient* to improve dependent variables.
**Table [1](#T1){ref-type="table"}** shows a synthesis of the experimental design.
######
The convergence procedure ([@B19]; [@B35]), based on three sample groups (Control Group, Experimental Groups 1 and 2), allowing to verify if the reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro is *necessary* and/or *sufficient* to improve the children's abilities to improvise, in solo and in duet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timeline Control Group activity (complete package) Experimental Group 1 activity (package minus v3) Experimental Group 2 activity (v3 minus package)
------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
5 weekly 12-min individual sessions v1: playing only keyboard (4 min.)\ v1: playing only keyboard (6 min.)\ v3: playing keyboard with MIROR reflexive reply (12 min.)
v2: keyboard with not reflexive reply (4 min.)\ v2: keyboard with not reflexive reply (6 min.)
v3: keyboard with MIROR reflexive reply (4 min.)
1 week after: Test Solo task\ Solo task\ Solo task\
Duet task Duet task Duet task
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test results: if CG \> EG1 = independent variable 3 (reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro) is necessary to improve dependent variables; if CG \< EG2 = independent variable 3 is sufficient to improve dependent variables.
### Interview with the Children and Questionnaire to the Teacher
Each child was interviewed in order to collect data about their musical activities (e.g., playing an instrument). Moreover, a questionnaire was given to the teacher in order to collect information about the classroom activities done during music education lessons.
Data Collected
--------------
The following data were collected:
1. 47 individual preliminary sessions
2. 47 × 5 individual sessions of the package activities
3. Solo task: 47 individual improvisations lasting about 2 min each.
4. Duet task: 23 duet improvisations lasting about 10 min each. Three cases were missed because of technical problems with the audio recordings and the setting. The following total number of duets were analyzed: eight duets with CG, six duets with Experimental Group number 1, six duets with Experimental Group number 2.
Data Analysis
-------------
### Assessment of Solo and Duet Tasks
Three independent judges assessed the Solo and Duet task improvisations by means of a grid based on the TAI (Test for Ability to Improvise, by [@B58], [@B59], [@B60]) rating scale. The TAI is one of the three measures implemented by McPherson to assess high school instrumentalists' ability to perform music (the other areas are the TAPFM-Test for Ability to Play From Memory, and the TAPE-Test for Ability to Play by Ear). In order to assess the ability to improvise (TAI), the students are asked to continue and conclude a musical sentence ("stylistically conceived" task) and to improvise a piece on their own that has a beginning, a middle, and an end ("freely conceived" task). The TAI includes four evaluative criteria: Instrumental Fluency (including Technical skill, Musical expression, and Musical fluency), Creativity (including Musical flexibility and Musical originality), Musical Syntax (including Ability to define style and Conception of logical response), and Musical Quality (see also [@B58]).
Because the TAI was designed for high school instrumentalists, whereas in our study the participants were musically untrained children aged 6--7, it was necessary to introduce several modifications in order to adapt the TAI to the age and training level of the participants. Firstly, we only used the "freely conceived" task because the children were musically untrained and were at the beginner stage of musical learning, so they would not have been able to improvise on the basis of a particular musical style, as requested by the "stylistically conceived" task; for the same reason, the "Ability to define style" was excluded from the evaluative criteria of Musical Syntax: only the "Conception and logical response" was used, and we called this criterion Musical Organization. In conclusion, the evaluation grid of the study introduced in this article used the following four evaluative criteria: Instrumental Fluency, Creativity, Musical Organization, and Musical Quality. Some musical details were added for each criterion.
One other difference concerns the Duet task, because the TAI only foresees a solo improvisation task. Three new evaluative criteria were therefore added for the assessment of the Duet task, dealing with the ability of children to improvise in pairs: Musical Dialog, dealing with the children's ability to dialog with a friend by means of sounds; Reflexive Interaction, dealing with the children's ability to use reflexive interaction (repetition/variation, turn-taking, and co-regulation); and Attention Span, which is the duration of the dialog between the two children. In fact, some children stopped playing together and continued to play alone. Therefore, the judges were asked to indicate the time when the dialog between the children ended.
Finally, because the judges were asked to evaluate video recordings, instead of audio recordings as in the original TAI, they were also asked to consider the children's bodily movement and expression. In accordance with several experts in children's musical improvisation (for example: [@B25]; [@B50]; [@B62]; [@B85]; [@B43]), we considered the children's musical improvisation as an experience of production/listening in which the gesture is fundamental, for both the sound quality of the product, and the child's musical experience. In our specific case, for example, if the improvisation presented a repeated note, it was important for the judges to observe if the child was playing always with the same finger, or with several fingers, or with a lighter or harder touch, and observe the child's facial expressions, her/his tension of the arms, the body position, and so on. The observation of the motor behaviors was also crucial in the evaluation of the Duet test, particularly, but not exclusively, for the Quality of Musical Dialog: the children's motor behavior, for example, helped the judges to evaluate whether the child was stopping because she/he wanted to give the turn to her/his partner, or if she/he was tired of playing. In our study, the musical improvisation was considered an act of "production," including motor and bodily gestures, which is not the same as in the tradition of music theory studies, where the object of analysis is primarily the sound or the scores.
The judges of our study were three professors of music education at an Italian university and/or conservatory, all experts in children's music education. They worked together over several sessions. They first evaluated the Solo task and then the Duet Task. The Solo and the Duet tasks assigned to the children were communicated to the judges. The judges were required to watch the videos and to evaluate the children's musical performances using a 5-point scale (the same as used by [@B58], [@B60]). For the Attention Span, the judges were asked to indicate when the dialog between the children ended (time in seconds). The judges were given an observation grid with the definitions of each category to be evaluated. They received the following written instructions: "Circle a number from 1 to 5 that indicates your rating for each of the assessed categories. Use the *Flow Chart of Evaluative Dimensions* (as in [@B58]) in order to define the assessment criteria. You may use the observation of the child's body movements, expressions, and gestures in order to better assess each category. Judgments should be made relative to one another and not according to absolute criteria. You may go back to the items already assessed and change your assessment. The videos can be watched as often as necessary, until each judge is satisfied with her/his assessment. Where appropriate, the videos can be stopped and re-watched if any of the judges want to re-hear/watch any performance. Generally the first 5--7 examples of the total performances should be used as consensus items, and to become familiar with the scoring methods for that particular item. The normal procedure then involves alternating between scoring up to five items in a row independently, followed by using another three or four items as consensus items. Where there is a break in the scoring, the judges again use the consensus approach adopted for the first three items at the commencement of the next session." The consensus items were used to become familiar with the evaluative criteria and to check that, during the procedure (which lasted several sessions of 5/4 h each), the evaluative criteria were always clear and applied by all the judges in a coherent way. The consensus items were therefore used by the judges in order to discuss and clarify any conflicts of interpretation and application of the criteria. Having reached a consensus on the evaluative criteria, each judge gave her/his individual score to the item. For the Duet task, the following sentence was added at the beginning of the Instructions: "In this questionnaire you will be asked to assess the ability to improvise of two children who are each playing a keyboard."
The judges received the following evaluative criteria used for both Solo and Duet tasks (see [@B58], pp. 139--141):
*Instrumental Fluency*: Ability to execute musical ideas clearly and accurately. This includes the ability of the child (children) to respond freely to musical ideas and to perform with technical skill and musical expression. The ability is demonstrated in the extent to which the child (children) can perform in a spontaneous manner, moving easily from one musical idea to another.^[1](#fn01){ref-type="fn"}^
*Musical Organization*: Ability to organize musical material in a freely conceived idiom. The task of the child (children) is to provide a performance that is inherently logical and which makes musical sense. Musical organization is demonstrated in the degree to which the improvisation demonstrates one or more organizational principles such as: imitation, repetition, variation, contrast, alternation, question/answer, beginning/development/closing, phrasing, etc.
*Creativity*: Ability to think divergently, as demonstrated in an original and imaginative product. This is evaluated through an analysis of: (1) *Musical flexibility*: the extent to which the child (children) can generate differing musical ideas, and manipulate/elaborate these ideas during the course of the improvisation. (2) *Musical originality*: the extent to which the child (children) can provide a musically unique or unusual response. A unique or unusual response may result from the manipulation and/or elaboration of pitch (e.g., use of sequence, etc.), or rhythm (e.g., diminution, augmentation, dotted vs. no dotted, metric vs. syncopated, etc.), or other musical elements (e.g., timbre, articulation, dynamics, etc.).
*Musical Quality*: (Overall Musical Appeal): Ability to fluently perform creatively conceived material in a freely conceived idiom. This is a global rating indicating your assessment of the overall musical appeal of the improvisation. It should indicate the extent to which a committed performance played expressively and in a musically meaningful and creative manner, was achieved.
*Free comments*: After completing the assessment, please write your free comment about the performance: write everything you found interesting and meaningful.
Furthermore, for the Duet task the judges also received the following three categories (which are not included in McPherson's TAI test):
*Quality of Musical Dialog*: Ability to dialog and interact with the partner by using the sounds: paying attention to the musical proposal (listening), the ability to reply in a way correlated to the friend's musical proposal (e.g., by repetition, variation, contrast, etc.), the presence of symmetries, co-regulation, sharing and co-production of musical ideas, the ability to show a global intentionality to dialog with the friend.
*Reflexive Interaction*: Ability to interact using repetition and variation, turn taking, and co-regulation.
*Attention Span*: The subjects' tendency to persist in their contact with the activities, in this case the musical dialog with the other child, irrespective of any underlying aim. In fact, in some performances you can observe that after a while, the children start to play by themselves. This implies that their attention toward the musical dialog with the friend has ended. In this case, indicate the duration (in seconds) of the dialog, from the beginning of the performance to the moment when the children start to play by themselves.
In accordance with [@B60], the evaluative criteria of Instrumental Fluency, Musical Organization, Creativity, and Musical Quality were considered equally important. In the case of the Duet Task, we also considered Quality of Musical Dialog equally important, on the basis of various perspectives on musical improvisation, which focused on the ability of the performers to dialog together (cfr. [@B81]; [@B38]). The Reflexive Interaction was measured in order to verify if the use of the reflexive system "teaches" the children to use reflexive interaction during their improvised musical dialogs, and if there is some correlation with the ability to improvise.
**Table [2](#T2){ref-type="table"}** shows the evaluation grid used by the judges.
######
Evaluation grid used by the judges to assess the children's musical performance.
--------------------------- ---------------------- --- --- --- ---------------------------
Hesitant and Labored Spontaneous and Confident
Instrumental Fluency 1 2 3 4 5
Illogical Logical
**Musical Organization** 1 2 3 4 5
No Uniqueness Marked Uniqueness
**Creativity** 1 2 3 4 5
Unappealing Appealing
**Musical Quality** 1 2 3 4 5
Little Dialog Much Dialog
**Musical Dialog** 1 2 3 4 5
Poor Reflexivity Much Reflexivity
**Reflexive Interaction** 1 2 3 4 5
--------------------------- ---------------------- --- --- --- ---------------------------
To evaluate the SOLO task the judges only used Instrumental Fluency, Musical Organization, Creativity and Musical Quality. To evaluate the Duet task the judges used all criteria.
### Data Analysis
After the scoring, one score for each of the behaviors was calculated for each child for each task (Solo and Duet). First, each final score of each behavior was obtained by averaging the three scores registered by the three judges for each behavior. Then the level of ability to improvise was obtained by averaging the means of the behaviors, that is, for the Solo task, Instrumental Fluency, Musical Organization, Creativity, and Musical Quality, and for the Duet task, also the Quality of Musical Dialog. The Attention Span was calculated by averaging the duration of the dialog between the children of each duet and the correlation with each behavior was calculated. We calculated the correlation between Reflexive Interaction and each group, and between Reflexive Interaction and the overall ability to improvise. The final scores were considered for the statistical analyses. In order to evaluate the effect of the different conditions we performed planned pair-wise comparisons between the CG and Experimental Group 1 (EG1); and between the CG and Experimental Group 2 (EG2). Furthermore, we performed the same comparisons between EG1 and EG2. This was done separately for all behaviors including the overall ability to improvise, the Reflexive Interaction, and the Attention Span in the Duet task. We used independent-samples *t*-test assuming equal variances, which were computed using the SPSS software. Considering the relatively large number of independent comparisons (10 in the Solo task, 16 in the Duet task) it may have been appropriate to compensate for family wise error. However, in this case, the different behaviors were not considered independent. This was also confirmed in the measurements. Therefore, a compensation for family wise error, for example using Bonferroni correction, was considered to be a too conservative estimation. The reliability of the mean estimation across judges was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. The judges' agreement was estimated by the average Pearson's correlation between all pairs of judges.
Results
=======
Below we report the results of the Solo and Duet tasks.
Solo Task
---------
### Agreement of the Judges
Both Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation between all pairs of judges indicate high agreement, as shown in **Table [3](#T3){ref-type="table"}**. The Cronbach's alpha was around 0.95, which is considered excellent according to a common rule-of-thumb. Thus, it indicates that the calibration procedure among the judges was efficient.
######
Solo task: Agreement of the judges.
Cronbach's alpha pairwise corr
---------------------- ------------------ ---------------
Instrumental Fluency 0.93 0.83
Musical Organization 0.96 0.88
Creativity 0.95 0.86
Musical Quality 0.95 0.86
**Mean** **0.95** **0.86**
### Total Score of the Solo Task
The total score of the Solo task (see **Table [4](#T4){ref-type="table"}**; **Figure [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}**) shows that the CG (3.39), which trained with the complete package of variables, that is to play only with the keyboard, with the reflexive system, and with the not reflexive system, obtained a slightly lower score compared to the EG1 (3.46), which did not play with the reflexive system. Following the experimental design, this result indicates that the independent variable of reflexive interaction (v3) may *not be necessary* to improve the dependent variable of ability to improvise (CG \> EG1). The results also show that the CG obtained a lower score compared to the EG2 (3.86), which only played with the reflexive system. In this case, it could be said that the reflexive interaction could be *sufficient* to improve the ability to improvise (CG \< EG2). However, it is not possible to generalize these results because the differences were not statistically significant (*t*-test, comparing CG and EG1, *p* = 0.854; CG and EG2, *p* = 0.198).
######
Solo task: Score for each evaluative criteria (Instrumental Fluency, Musical Organization, Creativity, and Musical Quality), and the Total score of Ability to Improvise (means).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instrumental Fluency Musical Organization Creativity Musical Quality Total score of Ability to Improvise
---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------- ----------------- -------------------------------------
Control Group 3.48 (±0.50) 3.13 (±0.53) 3.44 (±0.53) 3.52 (±0.53) 3.39 (±0.47)
Experimental Group 1 3.47 (±0.51) 3.38 (±0.54) 3.47 (±0.55) 3.51 (±0.55) 3.46 (±0.49)
Experimental Group 2 3.71 (±0.53) 4.00 (±0.56) 3.74 (±0.57) 4.00 (±0.57) 3.86 (±0.51)
*CG^∗^EG1*\ *p* = 0.970\ *p* = 0.527\ *p* = 0.942\ *p* = 0.981\ *p* = 0.854\
*CG^∗^EG2* *p* = 0.547 *p* = 0.039 *p* = 0.452 *p* = 0.221 *p* = 0.198
*EG1^∗^EG2* *p* = 0.499 *p* = 0.080 *p* = 0.453 *p* = 0.184 *p* = 0.207
*CG* \> *EG1*\ *CG* \< *EG1*\ *CG* \< *EG1*\ *CG* \> *EG1*\ *CG* \< *EG1*\
*necessary* *not necessary* *not necessary* *necessary* *not necessary*
*CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\
*sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numbers in parenthesis are 95% confidence intervals (means). According to the experimental design if the score of the Control Group is higher than the Experimental Group 1, then the independent variable of reflexive interaction with MIROR-Impro (v3) is
necessary
to improve the ability to improvise in solo performance; if the score of the Control Group is lower than the Experimental Group 2, then the independent variable reflexive interaction with MIROR-Impro (v3) is
sufficient
to improve ability to improvise in solo performance.
{#F5}
### Results for Each Evaluative Criterion of the Solo Task
The analyses on each evaluative criterion confirm the overall trend (**Table [4](#T4){ref-type="table"}**; **Figure [5](#F5){ref-type="fig"}**). Regarding the condition of "sufficiency," the comparison between EG2, which only played with the reflexive system, and the CG, which also played with the not-reflexive system and only with the keyboard, shows that EG2 reaches higher scores in all evaluative criteria. This result shows, therefore, that the use of the reflexive system alone could be *sufficient* to improve both Instrumental Fluency, Musical Organization, Creativity, and Musical Quality. Regarding the condition of "necessity," the comparison between EG1, which never played with the reflexive system, and the CG, which also played with the reflexive system, shows that the score of EG1 is slightly lower in Instrumental Fluency and Musical Quality and slightly higher in Musical Organization and Creativity. These results show that, for the sample of participants, the use of the reflexive system could be *necessary* to improve Instrumental Fluency and Musical Quality in solo improvisation, but *not necessary* to improve Musical Organization and Creativity. However, as indicated by the *p*-values in **Table [4](#T4){ref-type="table"}**, the differences between the CG and the Experimental Groups 1 and 2 are rarely significant and thus it is problematic to generalize these results. The only exception was Musical Organization that was significant and received a *p*-value of 0.039 comparing CG with EG2.
Moreover, it is worth noting that EG2, the group that trained only with the reflexive system, showed a higher score in all criteria.
In order to examine the differences between the groups in more detail we plotted each child rank-ordered within each group, see **Figure [6](#F6){ref-type="fig"}**. It is clear from the figure that the variation within each group is comparatively large but also that there is a (smaller) difference between the groups, in particular between CG and EG2.
{#F6}
Duet Task
---------
### Agreement of the Judges
Both Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation between all pairs of judges indicate high agreement, as shown in **Table [5](#T5){ref-type="table"}**. The Cronbach's alphas were in this case also excellent and even higher than for the solo task, and for two behaviors reached 0.99.
######
Duet task: agreement of the judges.
Cronbach's alpha pairwise corr
----------------------- ------------------ ---------------
Instrumental Fluency 0.94 0,84
Musical Organization 0.97 0.91
Creativity 0.98 0.94
Musical Quality 0.96 0.91
Musical Dialog 0.99 0.97
Reflexive Interaction 0.99 0.97
**Mean** **0.97** **0.92**
### Total Score of the Duet Task
The total score of the Duet task shows that the CG (3.31), which played the complete package of variables including the reflexive system, obtained a higher score compared to the EG1 (3.05), which did not play with the reflexive system (**Table [6](#T6){ref-type="table"}**; **Figure [7](#F7){ref-type="fig"}**). Therefore, the total trend indicates that for the sample of participant the reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro (variable 3) could be *necessary* to improve children's ability to improvise. Comparing the CG with the EG2 (4.32), which only played with the reflexive system, the CG obtained a lower score. Therefore, the total trend indicates that for the sample of participants the reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro (variable 3) could be *sufficient* to improve children's ability to improvise. However, it is not possible to generalize these results because the differences are not statistically significant (t-test, comparing CG and EG1, *p* = 0.707; CG and EG2, *p* = 0.124).
######
Duet task: Score for each evaluative criteria (Instrumental Fluency, Musical Organization, Creativity, Musical Quality, and Musical Dialog), the Total score of Ability to Improvise, and the score of Reflexive Interaction (means).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group Instrumental Fluency Musical Organization Creativity Musical Quality Musical Dialog Total score of Ability to Improvise Reflexive Interaction
------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ---------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------------------------- -----------------------
CG 3.75 (±0.64) 3.21 (±0.85) 2.96 (±0.96) 3.08 (±0.80) 3.54 (±1.03) 3.31 (±0.82) 3.33 (±1.02)
EG1 3.56 (±0.74) 3.28 (±0.98) 2.83 (±1.10) 3.17 (±0.93) 2.83 (±1.19) 3.13 (±0.95) 2.61 (±1.17)
EG2 4.50 (±0.74) 4.11 (±0.98) 4.22 (±1.11) 4.33 (±0.93) 4.56 (±1.19) 4.34 (±0.95) 4.17 (±1.18)
*CG^∗^EG1*\ *p* = 0.702\ *p* = 0.922\ *p* = 0.877\ *p* = 0.898\ *p* = 0.427\ *p* = 0.799\ *p* = 0.388\
*CG^∗^EG2* *p* = 0.135 *p* = 0.164 *p* = 0.087 *p* = 0.063 *p* = 0.126 *p* = 0.101 *p* = 0.285
*EG1^∗^EG2* *p* = 0.059 *p* = 0.152 *p* = 0.046 *p* = 0.039 *p* = 0.043 *p* = 0.047 *p* = 0.043
*CG* \> *EG1*\ *EG1* \> *CG*\ *CG* \> *EG1*\ *CG* \> *EG1*\ *CG* \> *EG1*\ *CG* \> *EG1*\ *CG* \> *EG1*\
*necessary* *not necessary* *necessary* *necessary* *necessary* *necessary* *necessary*
*CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\ *CG* \< *EG2*\
*sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient* *sufficient*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numbers in parenthesis are 95% confidence intervals. According to the experimental design if the score of the Control Group is higher than the Experimental Group 1, then the independent variable of reflexive interaction with MIROR-Impro (v3) is
necessary
to improve the ability to improvise in duet; if the score of the Control Group is lower than the Experimental Group 2, then the independent variable reflexive interaction with MIROR-Impro (v3) is
sufficient
to improve ability to improvise in duet.
{#F7}
### Results for Each Evaluative Criterion of the Duet Task
The analyses on each criterion of the Duet task confirm the total trend, with few exceptions; see **Table [6](#T6){ref-type="table"}** and **Figure [7](#F7){ref-type="fig"}**. Regarding the condition of "sufficiency," the comparison between EG2, which only played with the reflexive system, and the CG, which also played with the not reflexive system and only the keyboard, shows that the EG2 reaches higher scores in all evaluative criteria. This trend shows, therefore, that the use of the reflexive system alone could be *sufficient* to improve all behaviors. Regarding the condition of "necessity," the comparison between EG1, which never played with the reflexive system, and the CG, which also played with the reflexive system, shows that the score of EG1 is lower in all criteria, excluding Musical Organization and Musical Quality. This trend shows that the use of the reflexive system could be *necessary* to improve Instrumental Fluency, Creativity, and Musical Dialog. Also in this case it is not possible to generalize these results because the *p-*values are not significant. However, note that the trend is close to significance with Musical Quality, in the *necessity* condition, (CG = 3.08; EG2 = 4.33; *p* = 0.063). It is important to note that, also in the Duet Task, EG2, which played just with the reflexive system, shows a higher score in all criteria in comparison with both CG and EG1. The difference between EG1 and EG2 is statistically significant (*p* \< 0.05) for Creativity, Musical Quality, Musical Dialog, and for the overall ability to improvise, and close to the significance for Instrumental Fluency (*p* = 0.059).
**Figure [8](#F8){ref-type="fig"}** gives the mean values rank-ordered for each group with Musical Quality, showing that the EG2 score is always above that of the other two groups. Note that the variation within groups is rather large and represents a possible source for the non-significant results between EG2 and CG.
{#F8}
#### Reflexive Interaction
The data of Reflexive Interaction show that the EG2 obtained the highest score (4.17), followed by the CG (3.33) and the EG1 (2.61); see **Table [6](#T6){ref-type="table"}** and **Figure [7](#F7){ref-type="fig"}**. The difference between EG1, which only use the system with reflexive interaction, and EG2, which did not use the system with reflexive interaction, is significant (*p* = 0.043). Therefore, it could be said that the use of MIROR-Impro can enhance the use of the reflexive behaviors: mirroring, turn-taking, and co-regulation. We observed a statistically significant correlation between the Reflexive Interaction and the total score (*r* = 0.937; *p* \< 0.01), and all other evaluative criteria, with correlations ranging from *r* = 0.87 (*p* \< 0.01) for Musical Quality to *r* = 0.92 (*p* \< 0.01) for Musical Organization. Thus, the higher the children's use of reflexive interaction, the better their results in each criterion and in the ability to improvise. This result can support the hypothesis that reflexive interaction is a fundamental component of musical improvised dialog. Instead, although the differences between the CG and the Experimental Groups 1 and 2 indicate that the use of the MIROR-Impro appears to be "necessary" (CG \> EG1) and "sufficient" (CG \< EG2) to improve the ability to improvise, we cannot generalize these results because the results are not statistically significant (*t*-test, comparing CG and EG1: *p* = 0.388; CG and EG2: *p* = 0.285).
#### Attention Span
The Attention Span indicates the subjects' tendency to persist in their contact with the activities, in this case the musical dialog with the other child, irrespective of any underlying aim. In fact, in some performances, after a while, the children started to play by themselves. This means that their attention for the musical dialog with the friend had ended. The judges were asked to indicate the duration (in seconds) of the dialog, from the beginning of the performance to the moment when the children start to play by themselves. The results show that the EG2 (585 s), which trained only with the reflexive system, reaches the highest Attention Span, compared with the CG (428 s) and the EG1 (510 s) (see **Figure [9](#F9){ref-type="fig"}**). In particular, we observed a statistically significant correlation between the Attention Span and all other evaluative criteria, with correlations ranging from *r* = 0.52 (*p* \< 0.05) for Instrumental Fluency to *r* = 0.63 (*p* \< 0.01) for Musical Quality. Thus, the longer their attention span, the better their results in all criteria.
{#F9}
Discussion
==========
In this article, we introduced a study about the effects of reflexive interaction with the software MIROR-Impro on the musical improvisation ability of children playing a keyboard. In the framework of the MIROR project and, more in general, in the field of studies on reflexive technology and children, this is the first study which assesses in a controlled way the effects of reflexive technologies on the children's ability to improvise. The study was conducted with 47 children aged 7 and 8 years, and used the experimental design of convergence procedure and the TAI-Test of Ability to Improvise ([@B60]), partially adapted to the purposes of this study. Two conditions were observed: the condition of "sufficiency" (RI with MIROR-Impro is sufficient to develop the ability to improvise) and the condition of "necessity" (RI with the MIROR-impro is necessary to develop improvisational skills). The trend of the results with the sample of participants indicates that RI with MIROR-Impro alone can be *sufficient*, compared to the remaining two observed variables (playing only with the keyboard and playing with the same software but programmed with a non-reflexive response), to increase the improvisational skills of the subjects who participated in the study, both when improvising alone and in a duet. The trend also shows that RI using MIROR-Impro can be *necessary*, compared to the remaining two variables considered, to develop the ability to improvise in duets. However, the results of necessity and sufficiency are in general not statistically significant and they cannot be generalized. A greater number of subjects (to control the internal variance of subjects) and a longer training period (6 months rather than 5 weeks, and 1 h per session rather than 12 min), could have strengthened the experimental design, and then given a greater statistical significance. It is interesting to note that the trend is more evident in the Duet task, where some results and the correlation between Reflexive interaction and the ability to improvise are statistically significant or closer to the significance. The EG2, which trained only with the reflexive system, reached always the highest average results, both when the children improvise alone and in a duet. The difference between EG2 and EG1, which did not use the reflexive system, is statistically significant in the Duet task. Even though it was not part of the experimental design to test this, it indicates that the training with reflexive system was effective for the ability to improvise in pair. In conclusion, the results of the study are interesting and worth exploring the reflexive interaction paradigm further in the field of children's musical improvisation, creativity and education.
Reflexive Interaction, Musical Improvisation, and Creativity
------------------------------------------------------------
In the Duet task, the behaviors characteristic of the Reflexive Interaction (mirroring, turn-taking, and co-regulation) were statistically correlated with the ability to improvise; furthermore, the children that used the interactive system alone during the training program showed the highest results for these behaviors. It seems that reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro enhances some processes of music dialog that the child learns during the interaction with the system and then uses even when the interaction occurs with a partner. Repetition in music takes on particular importance, both in improvisation and composition, as well as in listening, and concerns all aspects, from music analysis to the cognitive and neurobiological processes (cfr. [@B57]). In the specific field of children's musical experience, it was observed how the repetition-variation action during the explorations of sound objects in early childhood allow the child to know a sound, to share it with others, to invent music and express emotions ([@B25]; [@B50]; [@B11]); in children's musical improvisation with instruments, repetition and mirroring becomes the fundamental principle of invention (cfr. [@B99]; [@B86]). In the practice of improvisation, the repetition and variation mechanism can structure the musical discourse over time, establishing the basic pillars for exploration and transformation, thereby paving the way for the creation of new musical ideas. Recent studies in neuroscience underline the neural and cognitive mechanisms that allow us to transform and manipulate existing musical representations. [@B100] suggests that the dorsal pathway of auditory processing performs equivalent operations on musical inputs. The results allow new hypotheses about how novel musical ideas may emerge from pre-existing musical images, by means of the mechanism of repetition and variation. This finding highlights the close link between improvisation, repetition and variation, and creative processes. [@B49] points out that musical improvisation increases creativity. The link between improvisation and creativity was also emphasized in neurobiology, where it was found that the greater connectivity between brain regions sharing functional properties observed in professional improvisers may be due to a more efficient working of the associative networks of musical creativity ([@B74]; see also [@B13]). In our study, the Experimental Group 2, which only use the MIROR reflexive system, shows the highest score not only in Reflexive Interaction behaviors but also in the Creativity criterion. This result also reinforces our previous study, which showed the effectiveness of RI with MIROR-Impro in the development of creative processes, as described in the flow theory ([@B4]).
Turn-taking is fundamental in reflexive interaction. Neurobiological studies have highlighted the close link between turn-taking and the processes of imitation and suggest that "simulation is a foundational mechanism underlying the temporal dynamics of joint action" ([@B41], p. 19516. Cfr. also [@B40]). Another important mechanism of reflexive interaction is immediate feedback, which allows the child to have a perception of the relevance of its intervention in relation to that of the virtual partner. The importance of improvisation feedback is highlighted by Pressing when he writes "Feedback is a vital component in improvisation for it enables error correction and adaptation -- a narrowing of the gap between intended and actual motor and musical effects" [@B75].
Therefore, the rules of reflexive interaction (turn-taking, listening to the partner, repetition and variation, co-regulation), become musical rules. These rules help the children to listen to and invent musical improvisation based on turn-taking (musical phrasing), repetition, variation, contrast, dialog, etc. Some of these mechanisms are indicated by several scholars to be the basis of creativity and improvisation: e.g., [@B81] introduces improvisation in everyday discourse; [@B15] describes various kinds of variations, recombination and combinatory procedures as pedagogical strategies for teaching music improvisation. Since reflexive interaction develops rules of interaction, the results of our study also support the idea that the collective performance cannot only be studied from a purely musical point of view but also on the basis of the interactive and communicative context between the partners ([@B82]), and on the basis of social interaction characteristics (e.g., [@B81]; [@B54]; [@B73]; [@B45]). In this regard, [@B63] highlighted that the back-channeling cues during a free improvisation do not dependent on specific music skills but rather on a general human ability to communicate. In particular, the results of the Duet task in our study could be an efficient index of the effects of reflexive interaction, thanks to the presence of several characteristics of the co-performer interaction (e.g., [@B96]; [@B83]; [@B38]; [@B63]).
Child--Machine Interaction in a Reflexive Environment
-----------------------------------------------------
In the field of child--machine interaction, the results of this study can acquire a particular interest for two reasons: the first is by presenting a new scientific paradigm, reflexive interaction, which proves to be empirically effective in developing creative and improvisational skills in children; the second concerns the type of methodology used, which started not from theoretical assumptions on child--machine interaction, but from the observation of the concrete and naturalistic context of such interaction. Our observation has given rise to hypotheses, empirical studies and theoretical explanations in the scientific literature. It has been possible to observe the child--machine interaction and note how RI develops between the child and the system without adult mediation. This issue is particularly important in the field of technology and children's education, because the presence of the adult as mediator between child and machine is generally considered fundamental. This is not to say that reflexive systems should replace the teacher (although they could do so when the teacher does not want or is not able to teach improvisation), but rather that they can have an important role in learning to improvise and, in general, in enhancing children's musical creativity. In the reflexive setting, the role of the teacher would be to create the context where the children, alone or in groups, can interact with the system, and to re-launch the more creative musical ideas of the children: in other words, to use the reflexive system as a "device," in the meaning that [@B25] gave to it, that is a tool to motivate and reinforce the musical creativity of children (see [@B2]).
Implication in Music Education
------------------------------
The results of this study contributes to the research on children's musical improvisation, highlighting new details about children's processes of musical improvisation. An important aspect of the results of this study is that they show how the reflexive interaction with the system also affects the intrinsic motivation of the child while playing. The results show in fact that the attention spans of children of Experimental Group 2, who have training only with MIROR-Impro, are higher than the Experimental Group 1 (which never played with MIROR-Impro) and the CG (which trained with MIROR-Impro with and without reflexive reply, and only the keyboard). This result, which confirms those of a previous study ([@B6]), shows that RI with MIROR-Impro develops intrinsic motivation, which is considered one of the most important conditions for learning (cfr. [@B10]). We consider it important to emphasize that the effectiveness of IR on the ability of improvisation derives from the fact that this develops an intrinsic motivation to participate in a musical dialog: children can express themselves by means of sounds, which is a fundamental need of children. As Baroni writes: "We believe it is possible to maintain a rigid position of principal, that is, the absolute necessity for the pre-eminence of expression over learning: and this is not only because the construction of expressive objects can be considered the principal goal, but also because it constitutes the only valid and persuasive motivation for learning activities" (1997, p. 141).
From a pedagogical point of view, we suggest that the child and the teacher can use the MIROR-Impro in order to support an improvisation teaching program by means of individual and collective "deliberate practice" ([@B30]; [@B46]; [@B60]) with the system. It is important in fact to emphasize that the training activities of our experiment were carried out as "deliberate practice": the children trained by themselves, out of their own choice, during normal educational activities. Such systems may have a use in basic schooling as a means of expression, to dialog through sounds, to invent music and build relationships among peers ([@B20]; [@B33]), as well as helping music improvisation classes to learn/teach techniques of improvisation (exploration, imitation, invention, dialog with sounds, listening) (cfr. [@B14]; [@B66]). As the interaction is based mainly on sound, this interaction could be very important for the development of the child's *thinking in sound*, which has been identified as one of the most important aims for music education and music improvisation (cfr. [@B92]; [@B97]; [@B60]). They can also be used for teacher education to develop teachers' basic musical competences (making music, improvisation and composition, listening), teachers' professional competences related to child--machine interaction, children's musical development, children's musical creativity, and reflection about the role of teacher in reflexive environments. Finally, reflexive interaction can itself become a teaching technique, and the teachers can learn how to teach music improvisation: dialoguing with children by means of sounds, mirroring the musical ideas of children, using a repetition and variation approach, respecting turn-taking, co-regulating the dialog, etc.
Future Directions
-----------------
The results of this study, and the video analysis of the training activities, will contribute to create a list of technical and pedagogical requirements to improve the reflexive technology to support children's ability to improvise: for example, the possibility to use special rhythmic-melodic patterns, or alternative setups (cfr. [@B77]). The results can also contribute to better understand the reflexive interaction mechanism in human interactions, in particular in infant-adult interaction based on turn-taking and the mechanism of repetition-variation: with this aim, further studies are planned to observe the presence of reflexivity in infant-adult interaction. In the field of neurobiology, the reflexive technologies could represent an efficient tool to investigate the "resonance" ([@B78]) mechanism related to sound perception, and the neural and cognitive processes that allow us to transform and manipulate existing musical representations ([@B15]; [@B100]). The midi data collected during sessions with the system could allow computational analysis of improvisation based on reflexive interaction. Some tentative steps have already been made ([@B8]; [@B7]) and this could also offer future perspectives on the basis of some positive experiences of computational analysis of musical dialog between therapist and patient ([@B55]; [@B31]; [@B95]). As we wrote, "the musical analysis of reflexive dialog should allow us to capture the aspects that characterize the presence of structural variation in repeated patterns, and to hypothesize how these variations are produced" ([@B1], p. 222). At this moment, the methodology of observation seems to be the most effective tool to study reflexive interaction in children's musical improvisation, as it captures aspects of improvisational behavior linked to the gestures, body communication, and intentionality of the subjects, which cover the full experience of musical improvisation, as also underlined by a recent study in music performance ([@B47]). In this regard, the TAI-Test of Ability to Improvise ([@B58], [@B60]), including the changes made for this study, has proved to be an effective and flexible research tool (cfr. [@B87]) for the assessment of children's ability to improvise, not only for audio data, as in the original Test, but also for the video performance assessment. We are working in order to implement an observational grid for a more detailed analysis of the musical dialogs of the duets, also in collaboration with experts in computational video analysis and motion capture systems.
The reflexive interaction paradigm and reflexive technologies are relatively new in the field of music education and teaching improvisation. The MIROR project aimed to exploit this paradigm in the field of children's music and movement creativity and education, in terms of technology (three applications were implemented: MIROR-Impro, MIROR-Compo and MIROR-Body Gesture), empirical and theoretical research, and pedagogical practices. The process of spiral implementation of this kind of technology has not yet finished: the MIROR applications can be perfected on the basis of the empirical experiences that will continue to be carried out by children, teachers, researchers, and therapists. In this context, the study introduced in this paper indicated that reflexive interaction and the reflexive technologies can have a positive effect on children's ability to improvise and we suggest introducing this device in the program of teaching to improvise and as an exciting tool for children's "deliberate practice." A new longitudinal case-study has been planned to analyze the effects of reflexive interaction using the MIROR-Impro in deliberate practice, over a longer period of activities. The future challenge is to implement a new MIROR application based on reflexive interaction, called MIROR-MultiModal, which will also involve the visual perception of children, and to design and implement the MIROR platform, a learning/teaching environment with related architecture and technological tools, for children, teachers, and researchers.
Ethics Statement
================
The study has been approved by the Legal Office of Research Department of the University of Bologna, which took care of the legal and ethical aspects related to the Consent form, and by the Primary School of Casalecchio di Reno (Italy). All the children's parents gave their written informed consent in accordance with the relevant national, European and international data protection laws and regulations and personal data treatment obligations. Each judge signed a confidentiality undertaking. Specifically the consent form complied with the following laws and regulations:
1. EC Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.
2. Council of Europe Recommendation 83/10 Protection of personal data used for scientific research and statistics.
3. Council of Europe Recommendation 97/18 Concerning the protection of personal data collected and processed for statistical purposes.
4. Italian Legislative Decree No 196/2003.
5. Attachment A4 to the Italian Legislative Decree No 196/2003 "Code of conduct and professional practice applying to processing of personal data for statistical and scientific purposes" (Published in the Official Journal no. 190 of August 14, 2004).
Author Contributions
====================
AA wrote the paper and is the principal investigator. AF collaborated in carrying out the experiment and in the statistical analysis. DB collaborated in the data collection. AF elaborated the statistical analyses and contributed in the corresponding text, figures, and tables. The final manuscript was supervised by all authors.
Conflict of Interest Statement
==============================
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
This work was partially supported by the EU-ICT Project MIROR-Musical Interaction Relying On Reflexion (FP7, Grant agreement n^∘^ 258338, [www.mirorproject.eu](http://www.mirorproject.eu)). We thank Prof. Gary McPherson for giving us access to his doctoral thesis (1993).
In accordance with the perspective of children's spontaneous improvisation ([@B25]; [@B50]; [@B11]; [@B93]; [@B86]), the term technical skills was not intended as indicating the ability to perform particular instructions, but rather the ability of the children to control the keyboard in a spontaneous way, for example to play in different registers, to use different gestures and combination of gestures (with one finger, with all fingers, one hand, two hands, symmetrically or with alternation of the gestures). According to this perspective in children's improvisation a musical idea is, for example, a rhythmical pattern, or a sequence of sounds, preconceived or initially generated randomly, which is repeated and elaborated with variations.
[^1]: Edited by: *Aaron Williamon, Royal College of Music and Imperial College London, UK*
[^2]: Reviewed by: *André Klostermann, University of Bern, Switzerland; Rafael Ramirez, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain*
[^3]: This article was submitted to Performance Science, a section of the journal Frontiers in Psychology
|
Orin S. Kerr, a law professor at George Washington University who is an expert on digital searches and seizures, said Facebook was trying to do something unusual in establishing a right for service providers to challenge a warrant. “The real question is, ‘Can they challenge warrants for their customers?’ And I think the answer is probably not, under current law,” Mr. Kerr said.
Chris Sonderby, deputy general counsel for Facebook, said that if Facebook could not challenge the warrants and the users remained in the dark, no one would ever get the chance to object to the possible invasion of privacy. “It appeared to us from the outset that there would be a large number of people who were never charged in this case,” he said. “The district attorney’s response was that those people would have their day in court. There are more than 300 people that will never have that chance.”
Mr. Sonderby said that the district attorney’s demand for data was far larger than anything it had ever received from any other prosecutor. And Mr. Vance’s office was unwilling to discuss narrowing the scope of its requests to be more directly relevant to its investigation.
The relationship was so chilly, said Mr. Sonderby, that when Facebook pressed its challenge to the warrants, one of the prosecutors called and threatened to press criminal contempt of court charges against the company and throw its officials in jail. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.
The district attorney’s office said that about 600 possible suspects have been identified, and the investigation was continuing. Prosecutors said they had provided Supreme Court Justice Melissa C. Jackson with a 93-page affidavit with evidence to support each of the individual warrants, including information from wiretaps and documents filed with the Social Security Administration. They also maintain almost everything in the Facebook pages was relevant, since the people targeted in the investigation were faking mental illnesses to obtain benefits and had claimed to be too sick to leave the house, travel or work.
Justice Jackson, in denying Facebook’s effort to quash the warrants, said that the government must be granted some latitude. “In the course of a long-term criminal investigation, the relevance or irrelevance of items seized within the scope of a search warrant may be unclear and require further investigatory steps,” she wrote. |
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When plans were announced to revitalize a 4.3-mile stretch of Plank Road, many local residents thought things might finally be looking up for one of the city's majority-black, low-income areas.
They envisioned a grocery store, quality homes and thriving businesses cropping up along a thoroughfare that has deteriorated over years of disinvestment.
But now, not even two months after Build Baton Rouge's ambitious Plank Road Master Plan was released, the community is fiercely opposing a developer's plans to build a new convenience store near the intersection of Plank and Choctaw Drive. Residents and city-parish officials who represent them say yet another packaged liquor store is a slap in the face to their hopes for the area.
The message from them is clear: they want new development for Plank Road, but aren't going to settle for just anything.
"We want high-quality development; why put a liquor store there?" said Nicole Scott, who grew up in a neighborhood off Plank Road. "That doesn't foster hope in the community. It just further adds to the stigma that already exists there."
Myra Richardson, a 21-year-old Southern University student and young community advocate, says the children in the area deserve more than liquor stores and tire shops, which have oversaturated Plank Road her entire life.
"It's important we get some diverse economic opportunities there," Richardson said. "Things that will give the community the opportunity to improve their quality of life. There are so many different levels of barriers that prevent families from having a good quality of life in the neighborhood, like the oversaturation of liquor stores."
Scott and Richardson are not alone. The city-parish's Planning Commission has already gotten over 130 comment cards in opposition of the re-zoning request.
For years, North Baton Rouge residents say they have been forced to sit back and watch the city-parish invest time and dollars into economic development in downtown Baton Rouge and the southeastern parts of the parish, which are whiter and more affluent.
That's why they saw the Plank Road Master Plan as the first real, tangible, step to addressing blight and disinvestment in their neighborhoods.
"A lot of children, like myself, had to burst out of that community to get quality opportunities," Richardson said. "But so many children are still there suffering."
Michael Petty, a landscape architect and project manager, has asked the city-parish's Planning Commission to rezone several undeveloped lots in the 2500 block of Plank Road from "limited residential" to "heavy commercial" — a designation allowing his client Bluefin Development to build the controversial convenience store/gas station.
Within the 1.5-mile stretch of Plank Road between Huron and Foss streets, there are at least six similar businesses that sell packaged alcohol. Four are are within a seven-block radius of the proposed site, with two of them a mere two blocks apart from one another.
The re-zoning request was up for a vote at last week's Planning Commission meeting, but was yanked off the agenda at the last minute by Metro Councilwoman Tara Wicker.
The developers reached out to Wicker, asking she defer the item until next month, giving them time to meet with the residents in the community who had already voiced their vehement opposition to their project.
"We do plan on meeting with her and (Build Baton Rouge), as well as members of community, to sit down and see if we can come to some kind of middle ground," Petty said. "I'd like to listen to what they have to say with open ears."
Petty declined to comment further on the issue.
The Planning Commission is set to revisit the topic at its Feb. 17 meeting.
Build Baton Rouge, the parish's redevelopment authority, is leading the charge to stop the new development. The agency's master plan for Plank Road has already marked the spot in question as a potential site for a mixed-use development and transit hub for the rapid bus line along parts of Plank Road and Airline Highway to LSU.
Plank Road redevelopment: Grocery store, civic space, offices, more detailed in master plan A food hub anchored by a grocery store, a civic space for community meetings and events, a pocket park and a building that will house Build Ba…
The bus rapid transit plan, which would cost between $40 million and $50 million to establish, is the anchor for establishing other segments of the comprehensive plan, according to previous reports.
Other projects outlined in the plan include a mixed-use development near Plank and Mohican Street featuring a 15,000-square-foot grocery store; a pharmacy; residential units and space for food entrepreneurs; a 22,000-square-foot civic center across from the grocery store, a 30,000-square-foot mixed use development on Plank, between Oswego and Calumet streets, which would house the offices of Build Baton Rouge; a YWCA child care center and 15-16 mixed income housing units; an essential human services development near Choctaw Drive done in conjunction with St. Vincent de Paul; and a pocket park and pop-up retail space at Plank and Navajo Street.
"If we're serious about being intentional with the city's development, taking an equitable approach to make sure certain neighborhoods aren't overburdened, we felt it was important to speak out," said Chris Tyson, president and chief executive officer for Build Baton Rouge. "(A liquor store) is exactly what residents said they don't want to see any more along Plank Road during our master plan process. We didn't spend a quarter-of-a-million dollars to just come up with a booklet that would get ignored."
Tyson said research shows there can be direct correlations between alcohol establishment density and violent crime.
A 2012 study by John Hopkins University's Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth found that most of the disadvantaged and low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore had the greatest concentration of liquor/beer/wine stores. That research also showed that violent crime rates often spiked with every 10% increase in the number of packaged liquor stores in an area.
Given Baton Rouge's high crime rate and the negative impact it can have not only on those in the neighborhoods most affected, but on the economic development prospects for the capital region, Tyson argued that another package liquor-serving store on Plank Road would have grave implications for the health of the community.
Councilwoman Wicker sees meetings between the community, city-parish officials and the developer of the project as an opportunity to build a conversation around thoughtful, beneficial and methodical development along Plank Road and the rest of the North Baton Rouge area.
As it has been with the ongoing revitalization in old south Baton Rouge, also in her district, Wicker said there must be a "delicate balance" to development going forward in north Baton Rouge.
"This idea that any development is good in a community where there is not much development is not going to work," she said. |
[INTRACHOLECYSTIC PAPILLARY-TUBULAR NEOPLASM: A NEW PATHOLOGY OF THE GALLBLADDER?]
The clinicopathologic characterization of tumoral intra-epithelial neoplasms of the gallbladder is fairly limited compared to that of similar tumors of the pancreatobiliary system. Until recently, pre-malignant lesions of the gallbladder were mostly reported as adenomas, which were microscopic and therefore regarded as benign and clinically inconsequential, whereas papillary lesions have been largely regarded as a papillary subtype of gallbladder invasive adenocarcinoma. In an attempt to create a unified terminology for these tumors, the term Intracholecystic papillary-tubular neoplasm (ICPN) was proposed to include all exophytic intra-epithelial tumors of the gallbladder measuring ≥1 cm under one category. A few studies which have retrospectively analyzed tumors fulfilling this category found them to be remarkable analogous to the more well-characterized intra-epithelial tumors of the pancreato-biliary system such as IPMN of the pancreas and IPNB of the bile ducts and as such they also represent an 'adenoma-carcinoma' sequence in the gallbladder. Since then a number of case series have been published which attempted to characterize the clinical and pathological features of these tumors and their relationship with invasive carcinoma. In this paper we report three cases of ICPN which represent different stages of the 'adenoma-carcinoma' sequence. |
Rawls College News
Study: Renewables, Nuclear Power Gets Outsized Federal Subsidies
January 17, 2019 |
By: CoalZoom
RAWLS COLLEGE IN THE NEWS
Jan. 13, 2019
CoalZoom - The Institute for Energy Research on Friday announced a report showing
that renewables and nuclear power received 93% of federal subsidies in 2016, but produced
only about 22% of the nation's energy, which drew mixed reactions from industry observers.
READ THE FULL STORY. |
Kansas City mayoral candidate and Democratic rising star Jason Kander, a former Army intelligence officer and Afghanistan veteran, announced Tuesday that he will be suspending his campaign to focus on his mental health, he wrote in a letter posted to his website.
“About four months ago, I contacted the VA [Department of Veterans Affairs] to get help. It had been about 11 years since I left Afghanistan as an Army Intelligence Officer, and my tour over there still impacted me every day,” the statement read. “So many men and women who served our country did so much more than me and were in so much more danger than I was on my four-month tour. I can’t have PTSD, I told myself, because I didn’t earn it.”
Still, he said, he knew something was deeply wrong. Kander wrote that, after 11 years of symptoms, he finally took a step toward dealing with his PTSD earlier this year, but, when he filled out VA forms, he left some boxes unchecked because he was scared to acknowledge some of his symptoms.
I suffer from depression and have PTSD symptoms. After 11 years, I'm finally ready to do something about it: https://t.co/tfi8XaLcBj — Jason Kander (@JasonKander) October 2, 2018
“I was afraid of the stigma. I was thinking about what it could mean for my political future if someone found out,” Kander said. “That was stupid, and things have gotten even worse since.”
Kander shared in the letter that he’d had suicidal thoughts on more than one occasion in the years since his deployment, and said he has nightmares and depression.
“I’m done hiding this from myself and from the world. When I wrote in my book that I was lucky to not have PTSD, I was just trying to convince myself,” he wrote. “After 11 years of trying to outrun depression and PTSD symptoms, I have finally concluded that it’s faster than me. That I have to stop running, turn around, and confront it.”
Kander went to the VA in Kansas City on Monday. He said he will be receiving help there regularly, and has decided to suspend his campaign to focus on his health. In the statement, Kander said he had originally hoped returning to his hometown and running for mayor would “fill the hole” inside of him, but instead his condition had only grown worse.
Kander’s letter comes one week after news broke that his mayoral campaign was set to raise more money than any other Kansas City mayoral campaign ever, in a single quarter. Instead of celebrating, Kander said he found himself on the phone with the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line, admitting he had suicidal thoughts.
“I can’t work on myself and run a campaign the way I want to at the same time, so I’m choosing to work on my depression,” he wrote, adding that he decided to be public about his reason for not running because he believed it would help him through it. He said he also hoped to send a message to other people with mental health issues.
“I hope it helps veterans and everyone else across the country working through mental health issues realize that you don’t have to try to solve it on your own,” he wrote. “Most people probably didn’t see me as someone that could be depressed and have had PTSD symptoms for over decade, but I am and I have. If you’re struggling with something similar, it’s OK. That doesn’t make you less of a person.”
Kander’s letter on Tuesday attracted so much attention in the minutes after it was posted that his website crashed.
Kander rose to national prominence during his run for Senate in Missouri in 2016, which he lost to incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). During the campaign, an ad showing Kander putting together a rifle while blindfolded, talking about why he supports background checks, went viral.
According to the VA, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in missions in Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD. About 12 percent of Desert Storm veterans have PTSD, as do about 30 percent of Vietnam veterans.
One of the other populations most likely to experience PTSD is women who have been sexually assaulted. According to RAINN, 94 percent of women who are raped experience symptoms of PTSD in the two weeks following the attack, and 30 percent report symptoms of PTSD nine months after the rape.
Kander’s letter about his own experiences with PTSD comes just days after Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, testified she had experienced PTSD symptoms in the years since her attack.
“For me personally, anxiety, phobia, and PTSD-like symptoms are the types of things I’ve been coping with,” she said during sworn testimony before the Senate Judiciary committee last Thursday. “More specifically, claustrophobia, panic and that type of thing.”
The VA Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255. As Kander noted in his letter Tuesday, non-veterans can use the number, as well. |
With the election cycle coming to an end, Americans are now eager to begin on a new path forward for the country. The Work of Hope, a new book written by Rich Harwood, renowned civic engagement expert and president of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, looks at a post-election society and discusses what it will take for our country to come together and start on a new trajectory.
Rich wrote the book as a result of his travels throughout the country, speaking to individuals and organizations in a variety of communities around their hopes and aspirations for public life and politics. What he found is that fixing politics or even the economy won’t fix what is broken in the country. His other findings include:
The endless acrimony, division and noise of our politics and public life make people feel like they live in the Tower of Babel.
An endless push for instant gratification now drives our daily behaviors and our unwillingness to make the investments we need.
We must get back to basics – to ignite more compassion, openness, humility and concern for the common good in daily life.
Americans must kick-start a new trajectory for the country through actions that start small and locally – where we can rebuild trust, relationships and confidence.
The central task is to restore belief in ourselves and one another that we can get things done, together. |
FOXBORO, Mass. — Based on early practice returns, it appears wide receiver Josh Gordon won’t be available Monday night when the New England Patriots take on the New York Jets.
Gordon (knee) was among three players absent in the portion of Thursday’s practice open to the media. Tight end Matt LaCosse (knee) and defensive end Michael Bennett (suspension) also weren’t present.
Wide receiver N’Keal Harry took part in his second session of the week as he returns off of injured reserve. Here are some clips of the 2019 first-round pick practicing:
And more from the WRs pic.twitter.com/7plA8OL8vu — Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 17, 2019
If Gordon can’t play Monday night, then the Patriots will be left with Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and Matthew Slater at wide receiver. Harry can’t return to a game until Week 9.
Thumbnail photo via Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports Images |
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Fifth and sixth grade students will use digital textbooks in English, math and an elective of the school's choice.
Some 100 elementary schools across Israel will be using digital schoolbooks this
year as part of a new pilot project, the Education Ministry announced this
week.
The project, led by Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar, is part of a
national program aimed at “adapting the education system to the 21st century,”
which has been in place for two years.
The schools were selected for the
project according to their available technological and pedagogical
infrastructure and were provided with Internet, a laptop for each teacher and
projectors.
Pupils in the fifth and sixth grades in the participating
establishments will use digital textbooks in three subjects: English, math and
an elective of the school’s choice. The textbooks are presented in a PDF format
which the teachers can update and insert material into.
In class, some
schools will have students use the book on their personal computers, while
others will make use of the classroom projector.
Educators also committed
to 30 hours of digital textbook training and another 30 hours at a course
dealing with the use of the technology in the specific subjects they
teach.
“It really brings a fun atmosphere into the classroom,” Ilana
Vagman, principal of Alon elementary school in Haifa, told The Jerusalem Post on
Tuesday.
Vagman’s school, which is participating in the pilot this year,
had already been using the method prior to it.
“[The students] are
excited to work with the computers, it opens a whole interactive world, which
for them, this is their world. They were born into this,” she added, “this
method appeals to them much more because of that.”
Vagman, who also
teaches math, explained that besides allowing kids not to have to carry heavy
books, or forget them at home, the project also facilitates their
learning.
“The lesson becomes more attractive to them, they are more
focused,” she explained. “Not only are they learning the digital skills, they
are also learning the content at the same time. They think they are playing but
they are actually learning.
“I very much believe in this project,” she
added.
Sa’ar stated that the transition to learning through digital books
is “a necessity, and the education system must adapt itself to the changing
reality and advance learning.”
He explained that the pilot’s success will
then be empirically measured with the aim of expanding it to all schools in the
country. |
None out when winning run scored.
a-Walked for Durbin in the 7th. b-Flied out for Contreras in the 8th.
a-Walked for Durbin in the 7th. b-Flied out for Contreras in the 8th.
a-Singled for Sherrill in the 9th.
a-Singled for Sherrill in the 9th.
BATTING
HR: Kemp, M (19, 7th inning off Durbin, 1 on, 1 out).
TB: Ausmus; Belliard; Blake; Carroll 2; Ethier 2; Gibbons; Kemp, M 6; Loney; Podsednik 2; Theriot.
RBI: Belliard 2 (18); Blake (47); Carroll 2 (18); Kemp, M 4 (67).
2-out RBI: Carroll 2; Belliard; Kemp, M 2; Blake.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ausmus 2; Kershaw 3; Ethier 2.
SAC: Kershaw.
SF: Belliard.
GIDP: Podsednik.
Team RISP: 6-for-14.
Team LOB: 11.
BASERUNNING
SB: Carroll (8, 2nd base off Durbin/Ruiz, C).
FIELDING
E: Blake (14, fielding).
|
Application of the forensic Luminol for blood in infection control.
Transmission of hepatitis C virus occurs frequently in haemodialysis units. A possible route of transmission is indirectly via the hospital environment although this has never been recorded. We investigated the haemodialysis unit in Deventer Hospital, Deventer, The Netherlands, with the forensic Luminol test. With this test, invisible traces of blood can be visualised based on the principle of biochemiluminescence. We demonstrated extensive contamination of the environment with traces of blood. The aim of this article is to introduce this method to infection control professionals, so it can be used to monitor cleaning and disinfection procedures, and alert healthcare workers to the possibility of contamination of the hospital environment with blood. |
CT fluoroscopy-guided preoperative short hook wire placement for small pulmonary lesions: evaluation of safety and identification of risk factors for pneumothorax.
To retrospectively evaluate the safety of computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided short hook wire placement for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and the risk factors for pneumothorax associated with this procedure. We analyzed 267 short hook wire placements for 267 pulmonary lesions (mean diameter, 9.9 mm). Multiple variables related to the patients, lesions, and procedures were assessed to determine the risk factors for pneumothorax. Complications (219 grade 1 and 4 grade 2 adverse events) occurred in 196 procedures. No grade 3 or above adverse events were observed. Univariate analysis revealed increased vital capacity (odds ratio [OR], 1.518; P = 0.021), lower lobe lesion (OR, 2.343; P =0.001), solid lesion (OR, 1.845; P = 0.014), prone positioning (OR, 1.793; P = 0.021), transfissural approach (OR, 11.941; P = 0.017), and longer procedure time (OR, 1.036; P = 0.038) were significant predictors of pneumothorax. Multivariate analysis revealed only the transfissural approach (OR, 12.171; P = 0.018) and a longer procedure time (OR, 1.048; P = 0.012) as significant independent predictors. Complications related to CT fluoroscopy-guided preoperative short hook wire placement often occurred, but all complications were minor. A transfissural approach and longer procedure time were significant independent predictors of pneumothorax. Complications related to CT fluoroscopy-guided preoperative short hook wire placement often occur. Complications are usually minor and asymptomatic. A transfissural approach and longer procedure time are significant independent predictors of pneumothorax. |
Digitising death: Can Griefbots help us manage bereavement?
Griefbots, as they are called, are an almost perfect simulation of a departed loved one, which imitates the tone of voice, the gestures, idiosyncrasies, and even laughter will be ready to interact with the bereaved whenever they reach out.
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Griefbots have become possible because most of the details of a personality can be accessed today from smartphone data and the uncountable apps that we use to record our lives. (Illustration: Vishnu PP)
The Black Mirror episode of Be Right Back does give you the heebie-jeebies when a woman’s dead husband returns to her as a simulated android in a box that she orders. Yet, if simulated chatbots are helping customers past initial hurdles in sales, teaching students, reaching out to patients in medical organisations, then why can’t a simulated version of a loved one comfort us with the familiar gestures and discussions that we were used to when they were alive?
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Griefbots, as they are called, have made their appearance. An almost perfect simulation of a departed loved one, which imitates the tone of voice, the gestures, idiosyncrasies, and even laughter will be ready to interact with the bereaved whenever they reach out.
Watch: Japanese humanoid robots
Griefbots have become possible because most of the details of a personality can be accessed today from smartphone data and the uncountable apps that we use to record our lives.
Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad, principal data scientist at KenSci, has conversations with a simulation of his father, who passed away a few years ago with the help of a chat-style program that he created. Reflecting on his experiences, Ahmad has written two books, How the Dearly Departed Could Come Back to Life — Digitally and After Death: Big Data and the Promise of Resurrection by Proxy.
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Ahmad agreed to answer a few questions regarding the issue, which while being sensitive, could well become a part of our future generations. His motive to start the project, he says, was personal.
“The project is, of course, very personal to me, but I think, at the end of the day, it is less about me and more about how I want my children to connect with their past, specifically with their grandfather, whom they can never meet in this life,” he says.
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Is it real?
One of the often argued point here is, ‘It won’t be the real thing’. Most people, when told about the idea of virtual simulated interaction with deceased loved ones, argue that it can never be the same thing. Ahmad says that outside of the realm of science fiction, no one is actually claiming that a simulation of a deceased person would have the fidelity and experience as the real thing.
“What we are hoping to create with these technologies is to get as closer to the experience of simulated interaction as possible, while acknowledging that there may always be some limitations. That said, in certain contexts it may actually be possible to create simulations that are very close to the real deal; although creating a perfect replica may be impossible, at least with the given current technology,” he says.
What the tech?
The technologies and the methods that Ahmad is using continues to evolve as he upgrades the simulation. He says that he started off with some techniques from NLP (Natural Language Processing) using Markov Models and then moved on to other generative models in NLP rooted in deep learning.
Hossein Rahnama, of Ryerson University and the MIT Media Lab, is also working on chatbots made from personal data. His AI programme builds a simulation from the digital history that a person leaves behind in digital social media networking, such as emails, texts, tweets, and even snaps.
Inserting these into artificial neural networks, which resemble model brains that have the ability to comprehend language patterns and process new information, he enables the digital being of the person to continue living even after the physical being is gone. Since the neural network possesses the ability to “think” for itself, the digital being keeps evolving. Hence, an augmented-eternity bot would learn and evolve by keeping itself updated regarding current events, developing new opinions.
What Ahmad has created is an online text-based interaction. Will the next step be android based physical bots, whom we can see and touch? If so, how soon is that likely to happen? If at all.
More Explained
Ahmad explains, “I am taking an iterative approach to create simulations. Currently, I am looking at voice synthesis, which has proven to be a challenge. The eventual goal of this project would be to integrate Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) into the system.”
What about ethics?
However, this is an invention that begs the question of ethics. So far, what we have learnt of death is that it is the cessation of a being, the time for that ultimate rest, and the time for loved ones to move on. While most cultures advise that the ultimate step in dealing with grief is to move on, it can be argued that the use of simulated memories could hinder that process from completing.
Ahmad argues that while moving on is a part of dealing with grief, not everyone has closure when it comes to dealing with death. “Technologies like these can help people get a sense of closure when there is none,” he says.
So, if this practice became commercialised, the kind of ethical arguments we would have to take care of seem complicated. Ahmad says that not only are there multiple ethical conundrums with respect to proliferation of such technologies, but also, there are risks.
The ability to customise simulations gives us a chance of preserving aspects of our loved ones as we like them, or even creating aspects, and adding to their personality. Aspects we do not like can be expunged from the simulations, and we can end up creating unrealistic portrayals of the deceased.
“In the real world, we have to live with the positive and the negative aspects of people’s personalities, but if we can edit out the negative aspects, then we lose fidelity. In the commercial sector, there would be great temptation to edit and curate the personalities of the deceased. There is also the problem that we risk turning aspects of human personality into a commodity,” he explains.
Every culture has their own way of remembering their dead, whether it’s through a photograph with a garland hung around it or a tombstone built in the honour of the person. Simulating the dead to remember them could be seen as a new culture born of the digital generation. However, at the same time, we must tread with caution into this world where technology and psychology amalgamate.
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Navanwita Bora Sachdev is a freelance contributor and a senior writer for The Tech Panda |
Restaurants. Dining out.
At Age 110, Schulein's Is One For The Books
The restaurant game is a tough one. Staying in business for 10 years is remarkable. Sticking around for 25 is a conspicuous achievement.
Schulien's recently celebrated its 110th anniversary. That's a number that goes beyond remarkable; I'm not sure what to call that level of longevity.
As it happens, neither does owner Charles Schulien. "That and 30 cents will get you a cup of coffee in Alabama," he says in a good-natured growl.
By way of comparison, the Como Inn is a mere pup of 72. Eli's the Place for Steak is 30. R.J. Grunt's, Rich Melman's first restaurant, is 25.
What keeps a place going for 110 years?
It helps, no doubt, that Schulien's doesn't look its age. The venerable dining room, which stretches along a vintage bar and ends with a couple of squared-off spaces in back, is old-fashioned but spotless. The wood-paneled walls are polished, and the hanging pictures and displayed mementos look dust-free. The fixtures in the restrooms are dated, but they gleam.
And, of course, there are the magicians, which have been part of the Schulien's experience for 80 years, give or take. Magicians work the room, performing a trick here and there; if you wish, notify your waitress and your table will get a 10-minute show at the end of your meal. (There's no charge, but plan on kicking in a $5 or $10 tip if you don't want to look like a piker.)
"That burns the waitresses up," offers Schulien. "They knock themselves out for an hour and a half for a $10 tip, then the magician gets $10 for 10 minutes of magic." Hey, that's show biz.
Schulien's is generally regarded as a German restaurant, but a glance through the menu demonstrates that this is not so. There are plenty of German dishes, certainly, but the bulk of the menu is beef and seafood, and the Schulien's appetizer assortment includes, of all things, an eggroll. This is an American restaurant with German accents.
The meal starts with a welcome old-fashioned touch: a simple relish tray of crispy carrots, celery and radishes is brought to the table, along with a basket of seedless rye bread.
There aren't many appetizers on the menu, and probably that's just as well; entrees are large and include soup or salad, so not much is needed in the way of starters. Perhaps in recognition of this, several appetizers, such as oysters and shrimp, are sold by the piece.
Frankly, we'd skip the oysters and shrimp -- though the oysters Rockefeller isn't half bad, even if the kitchen tops it with bearnaise sauce instead of hollandaise. A far better bet is the hackepeter, ground raw sirloin mixed with chopped onions and capers, spread thickly over rye bread.
Bacon-wrapped scallops are pretty good, though the portion is skimpy (again, you don't need much). Deep-fried calamari is OK.
Another star is the smoked pork chop, a juicy double chop served with red cabbage, sauerkraut and potato salad; one of our friends passed this dish around the table and was lucky to get any back.
Traditional weiner schnitzel is done capably; there's good-quality veal under that fried-batter crust. Thickish spatzel and sweet-sour red cabbage fill out the plate, and there's a fried egg atop the schnitzel, for those of us feeling cholesterol-deprived at this point. Another decent traditional dish is the half-duck, slow-cooked and moist, glazed with orange sauce and served with wild rice.
Prime rib is offered on Saturdays and Sundays only, and it's worth trying. Our order was well trimmed and cooked precisely to order, served with a thickish horseradish sauce and a hefty baked potato.
The choice between soup and salad is an easy one. Soups are hearty and flavorful, judging by the onion, beef barley and split pea versions we tried. The salad is perfunctory by comparison, though the bleu cheese dressing is loaded with cheese and rather good.
None of the desserts is homemade. But the strudel comes from Lutz's Bakery, the ice cream is Homer's and Cheesecakes by JR supplies the cheesecakes, so nothing is likely to be disappointing. The strudel in particular, bursting with juicy apple nuggets, is worth trying.
Schulien's serves eight beers on tap, all of them German imports or American microbrews. Some mass-produced beers are available by the bottle. The wine list is sparse; I expected more than three German wines. But prices are low.
Service is pleasant, though our waitress one night followed an apparent cue from the magicians and pulled a disappearing act for a good portion of the evening. On the whole, though, efficiency reigns here.
History, familiarity, consistency -- all of this goes into the Schulien's formula, and it's a tough formula to quibble with. Factor in that little bit of magic, and it's easy to imagine this place hanging around for, oh, maybe another 110 years. |
Hearing set for man in Nev. crash that killed 5
By MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press
Monday, April 1, 2013
An 18-year-old man is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Monday on suspicion of driving under the influence after authorities say he rear-ended a van in southern Nevada, causing a crash that killed five Southern California family members and injured two others.
Jean Soriano of California was being held without bail Sunday in the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas pending the hearing. He also was booked Saturday on charges of failure to decrease speed or use due care, and driving without a driver’s license.
The Clark County coroner’s office said the five victims were three men, a woman and a girl. They were identified as Genaro Fernandez, 41, of Norwalk, Calif.; Raudel Fernandez-Avila, 49, and Belen Fernandez, 53, both of Lynwood, Calif.; and Angela Sandoval, 13, and Leonardo Fernandez-Avila, 45, both of Los Angeles.
Family members told KABC-TV in Los Angeles that the three men were brothers who were returning from visiting their ailing father in Denver.
“It’s very difficult. I didn’t expect this at all. I’m still shocked,” Genaro Fernandez’s son Genaro Fernandez Jr. told the TV station.” I just hope the guy that did this, during time, he learns his lesson in jail.”
The victims were among seven family members who were in the van, authorities said. The other two were taken to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas with non-life-threatening injuries. Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Loy Hixson said Sunday that both people had been upgraded from critical to serious condition.
According to the patrol, Soriano’s sport utility vehicle struck the van from behind early Saturday, causing both vehicles to roll on Interstate 15 near the Arizona line, some 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
Soriano and his 23-year-old passenger were treated at the medical center and released Saturday.
Authorities believe Soriano was returning from a visit with family in St. George, Utah, to his home in California at the time of the wreck, Hixson said. They had not released his hometown or any other names as of late Sunday afternoon, and it was not immediately clear whether Soriano had an attorney.
While talking to authorities at the scene, neither the suspect nor his passenger initially admitted to being the SUV driver, Hixson said. But Soriano eventually said he was behind the wheel when the crash occurred.
A truck driver told authorities that he saw the suspect and his passenger initially walk away from the scene but eventually return.
At least a couple of beer bottles were found in the SUV, Hixson said, and troopers performed a blood-alcohol test on Soriano at the hospital. The results won’t be known for a couple of weeks, he said.
The van was carrying a couple, their children and some aunts and uncles, Hixson said. Only two of the seven people in the van were wearing seatbelts. The five who were not buckled in were ejected, but one survived.
“Going on my experience, there should have been seven seatbelts in the van, one for every occupant,” Hixson said, adding the wreck demonstrates the importance of buckling up. |
Quote of the day
“I just could not bring myself to tell an entire group of our community they were less important, less worthy or less deserving of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than anyone else, simply because of their sexual orientation.” |
using Coypu.Actions;
namespace Coypu.Tests.When_making_browser_interactions_robust
{
public class CountTriesAction : BrowserAction
{
public CountTriesAction(Options options) : base(null, options)
{
}
public int Tries { get; private set; }
public override void Act()
{
Tries++;
}
}
} |
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel EGFR/HER2 dual inhibitors bearing a oxazolo[4,5-g]quinazolin-2(1H)-one scaffold.
For the purpose of developing novel EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinases inhibitors with high inhibition activity and low toxicity, two novel series of oxazolo[4,5-g]quinazolin-2(1H)-one derivatives as EGFR/HER2 dual inhibitors introducing two electrophiles 2-(2-bromoacetyl)ethyl and 2-(2-chloroacetoxy)ethyl group as side-chain at 1-position respectively and evaluated their EGFR and HER2 inhibition activity and toxicity comparing with Lapatinib. All these compounds were evaluated by EGFR and HER2 kinase inhibition and two anti-proliferation assays in vitro. Most of the designed compounds exhibited moderate to high inhibition activity against EGFR and HER2. Especially, compounds 11o, 11p, 12e and 12f presented high inhibition against EGFR and HER2. Furthermore, compounds 11p and 12f also had well exhibition to excellent anti-proliferation activity against human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and human breast cancer cell line (SK-Br3), and 12f also exhibited the lowest toxicity against human embryonic lung fibroblast cell line (HELF) cell. Finally, compound 12f presented remarkably higher inhibition efficacy towards tumour growth than Lapatinib in a mouse lewis lung cancer (LLC) xenograft model. |
Q:
Meaning: "waiting for 6 hours" vs. "6 hours since I was waiting"
Do the following sentences denote the same thing?
I have been waiting for you for 6 hours.
It's been 6 hours since I was waiting for you.
A:
No.
I have been waiting for you for 6 hours.
It is now 7:00, and I have been waiting for you since 1:00.
It's been 6 hours since I was waiting for you.
I was waiting for you until 5:00, but gave up and went home. That was 6 hours ago; now it is 11:00.
(This does not indicate how long you waited for me.)
A:
No, in general they don't mean the same thing.
The first sentence means what it says...
I have been waiting for you.
The duration of that wait has been 6 hours.
So, to be more precise, if it is noon now, I have been waiting since 6 am - the person is 6 hours late.
This is probably what you mean when you constructed the sentence.
Sentence two means something very different, it means
I stopped waiting for you six hours ago.
This is an unusual phrase and wouldn't be used all that often.
So, to use a similar example as before,
We were supposed to meet up at 6 am. You didn't show up.
I waited for some period of time (unspecified) and then I stopped waiting for you.
It has been six hours since I stopped waiting.
|
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he speaks with retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn during a town hall in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Sept. 6, 2016.Evan Vucci / AP
Breaking News Emails
Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.
Dec. 11, 2017, 10:56 AM GMT / Updated Dec. 11, 2017, 1:58 PM GMT
By Carol E. Lee and Julia Ainsley
WASHINGTON — Special counsel Robert Mueller is trying to piece together what happened inside the White House over a critical 18-day period that began when senior officials were told that National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was susceptible to blackmail by Russia, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
The questions about what happened between Jan. 26 and Flynn's firing on Feb. 13 appear to relate to possible obstruction of justice by President Donald Trump, say two people familiar with Mueller's investigation into Russia's election meddling and potential collusion with the Trump campaign.
Multiple sources say that during interviews, Mueller's investigators have asked witnesses, including White House Counsel Don McGahn and others who have worked in the West Wing, to go through each day that Flynn remained as national security adviser and describe in detail what they knew was happening inside the White House as it related to Flynn.
Some of those interviewed by Mueller's team believe the goal is in part to determine if there was a deliberate effort by President Trump or top officials in the West Wing to cover up the information about Flynn that Sally Yates, then the acting attorney general, conveyed to McGahn on Jan. 26. In addition to Flynn, McGahn is also expected to be critical in federal investigators' attempts to piece together a timeline of those 18 days.
Neither McGahn's lawyer nor the White House responded to requests for comment. A spokesman for the special counsel's office declined to comment.
When did Trump learn Flynn lied to the FBI?
The obstruction of justice question could hinge on when Trump knew about the content of Flynn's conversations with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. during the transition, which were at the crux of Yates's warning, and when the president learned Flynn had lied about those conversations to the FBI, according to two people familiar with the Mueller probe.
Flynn pleaded guilty earlier this month to lying to the FBI on Jan. 24, an interview that took place the day after he was sworn in as national security adviser.
Yates has testified to Congress that she informed McGahn on Jan. 26 that Flynn had not been truthful in statements to senior members of the Trump team, including Vice President Mike Pence, when he said he did not discuss U.S. sanctions with Russia's ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. Yates said Flynn was susceptible to blackmail by the Russians because he had lied about the contents of a phone call with Kislyak.
Flynn's timeline from Dec. 29 to Feb. 13.MSNBC
Trump's legal team and senior White House aides are refusing to say when and how the president first learned that Flynn had lied to the FBI. Yates testified that in her Jan. 26 meeting with McGahn he asked her about the content of Flynn's FBI interview.
"Mr. McGahn asked me how he did and I declined to give him an answer to that," Yates testified in May. She told Congress that it would have been inappropriate for her to tell McGahn whether Flynn had been truthful.
That same day, Jan. 26, McGahn also briefed Trump and some of his senior advisers on his conversation with Yates, according to then-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
"Immediately after the Department of Justice notified the White House counsel of the situation, the White House counsel briefed the president and a small group of senior advisers," Spicer told reporters on Feb. 14.
Two former federal prosecutors who spoke to NBC News on the condition of anonymity said most lawyers in McGahn's position would have immediately gone to Flynn and asked him whether he had lied to the FBI.
Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on Capitol Hill on May 8, 2017.Eric Thayer / Getty Images
President Trump told NBC's Lester Holt in an interview on May 11 that he didn't ask for Flynn's resignation after Yates's warning because once McGahn looked into it, he "came back to me and [it] did not sound like an emergency."
The conversation with Kislyak that Flynn misled Pence and other officials about took place on Dec. 29, the same day the Obama administration announced new sanctions against Russia in retaliation for Moscow's interference in the U.S. presidential election.
On Jan. 12, The Washington Post reported that Flynn had spoken on the phone with Kislyak on Dec. 29. The timing of the call raised questions about whether the two had discussed sanctions. Three days after the Post report, Pence publicly said he had been assured by Flynn that sanctions were not discussed.
Other senior Trump officials, including Spicer, also said publicly during the transition that Flynn did not discuss sanctions with Kislyak. Spicer repeated that line from the White House podium on Jan. 23, saying he had asked Flynn about it again the night before.
Don McGahn, general counsel for the Trump transition team, gets into an elevator in the lobby at Trump Tower in New York, on Nov.15, 2016.Drew Angerer / Getty Images
In the second week of February, Flynn again told senior White House officials he had not discussed sanctions with Kislyak. Fresh questions arose at that time because Washington Post reporters had multiple sources saying the two men had discussed sanctions. Under repeated questioning by the senior officials, Flynn shifted his story, according to White House officials familiar with the matter.
Pence said he first learned that Flynn had misled him when the Post story was published on Feb. 9. Four days later, Yates's warning to McGahn became public in another Post story.
Only then, on Feb. 13, did Trump fire Flynn, saying he did so because he had misled Pence.
Sergey Kislyak, right, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov meets with President Donald Trump at the White House on May 10. Kislyak served as Russia's ambassador to the U.S. until July.Russian Foreign Ministry Photo / via AP, file
Justice Department officials who spoke to NBC News on the condition of anonymity said they had expected the White House to fire Flynn on Jan. 26 upon learning that he had lied to the vice president.
Instead, Trump fired Yates on Jan. 30, citing her refusal to enforce his executive order banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from travelling to the U.S. Before she left, however, she made available, at McGahn's request, evidence she had that Flynn had not been truthful about his conversations with Kislyak, according to her congressional testimony.
Mueller is trying to determine why Flynn remained in his post for 18 days after Trump learned of Yates' warning, according to two people familiar with the probe. He appears to be interested in whether Trump directed him to lie to senior officials, including Pence, or the FBI, and if so why, the sources said.
If Trump knew his national security adviser lied to the FBI in the early days of his administration it would raise serious questions about why Flynn was not fired until Feb. 13, and whether Trump was attempting to obstruct justice when FBI Director James Comey says the president pressured him to drop his investigation into Flynn. Trump fired Comey on May 9.
Trump denies pressuring Comey to drop the Flynn investigation, and his legal team has disputed any notion of the president obstructing justice.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos listens at left as Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland speaks at the Women's Empowerment Panel, Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at the White House in Washington.Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
Trump raised new questions about possible obstruction of justice on Dec. 2 when he wrote on Twitter that he fired Flynn because he had lied to Pence and the FBI, suggesting he already knew Flynn was in legal jeopardy for lying to federal investigators at the time he fired Comey.
"I had to fire General Flynn because he lied to the Vice President and the FBI," Trump wrote. "He has pled guilty to those lies. It is a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. There was nothing to hide!"
Trump lawyer John Dowd later took responsibility for the tweet, saying he had drafted it for the White House social media director to post.
During her testimony before a Senate subcommittee in May, Yates testified that she didn't tell McGahn in their Jan. 26 meeting what Flynn told the FBI because that was under investigation. She said, "He asked me how he had done in the interview, and I specifically declined to answer that."
Based on Yates's testimony, McGahn's tone appears to have hardened in his second meeting with Yates the following day, Jan. 27, which took place after he spoke with Trump and other advisers. Yates testified that during that Jan. 27 meeting he questioned her about why it mattered if Flynn misled Pence. "Essentially: 'What's it to the Justice Department if one White House official is lying to another?'" she said McGahn asked her.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has repeatedly referred questions to Dowd about when Trump knew Flynn had lied to the FBI. Dowd has declined multiple requests to answer that question. |
Source function description of metal-metal bonding in d-block organometallic compounds.
The Source Function (SF) analysis is applied to a set of saturated [M2(CO)x, M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, x = 10, 9, 8, 7] and unsaturated [Co2(CO)x, x = 8-5] binuclear 3d metal carbonyls, and to the M2(formamidinate)4 (M = Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, and Pd) binuclear 4d metal complexes, using ab initio electron densities. A description of the metal-metal (M-M) bonding closely related to that provided by the localization/delocalization indices is afforded. The agreement persists even when the M-M bond is lacking and the internuclear M-M midpoint is taken as a reference point for evaluating the SF contributions. However, use of the local form of the SF unveils interesting differences in how the charge density originates at the M-M midpoint when the system is metal-metal bonded or not. Most of the topological indices conventionally adopted to describe M-M bonds fail in reproducing the expected chemical trends for the set of investigated systems, with the adimensional [ V(b)]/G(b) ratio and the delta2rhob value being particularly inadequate. |
I. The wording of Article 114(1) EPC does not mean that the Boards of Appeal have to conduct rehearings of the first instance proceedings, with unfettered right, and indeed obligation, to look at all fresh matter regardless of how late it was submitted. Article 114(2) as well as Article 111(1) EPC set a clear limit to the scope of any new matter that may be introduced into an appeal by the parties so that cases on appeal must be, and remain, identical or closely similar to those on which first instance decisions have been rendered (following T 26/88, OJ EPO 1991, 30; T 326/87, OJ EPO 1992, 522; T 611/90, OJ EPO 3/1992).
II. Where fresh evidence, arguments or other matter filed late in the appeal raise a case substantially different from that decided by a first instance, that case should be referred back to the first instance where this is demanded by fairness to the parties - with an award of costs against the party responsible for the tardy introduction into the appeal proceedings (cf. point 2 of the Reasons for the Decision).
III. Cases where a new ground of objection is raised late in the appeal should only be referred back to the first instance where the admittance of the new ground would result in the revocation of the patent (following T 416/87, OJ EPO 1990, 415). Where the maintenance of the patent would not be put at risk the Board can either refuse to admit the fresh ground of objection, or admit it into the appeal proceedings, and decide it against the opponent. The latter can be preferable, leading, as it does, to detailed written reasons being made available for possible further use in litigation before national courts (cf. point 2, last paragraph, of the Reasons for the Decision).
I. The grant of European patent No. 0 145 150 in respect of European patent application No. 84 306 559.0 was announced on 13 January 1988 (cf. Bulletin 88/02). The patent was based on six claims, Claim 1 reading as follows:
"A lubricating agent for processing synthetic yarns, said lubricating agent comprising as a base oil thereof a lubricant comprising the following 3 constituents (A) 0.05 to 10 weight % of a polyalkylene oxide modified polysiloxane which is shown by the general formula (1) and has average molecular weight greater than 2500:
(FORMULA)
(where n is an integer from 20 to 100; m is an integer from 1 to 9; R1 is an alkylene group with 3 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is hydrogen, an alkyl group with 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an acyl group with 2 to 8 carbon atoms; a and b are integers satisfying 15 < a + b < 80 and 2/8 < b/a < 8/2, and the polymer repetition is either block or random repetition); (B) 0.5 to 8 weight % of an anionic surface active ingredient agent; and (C) 82-99.45 weight % of a polyether lubricant having a molecular weight of greater than 700 derived from an alkylene oxide with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or of an admixture thereof with a mineral oil and/or a lubricant ester."
II. A Notice of Opposition was filed on 15 October 1988 requesting revocation of the patent on the ground of lack of an inventive step and on no other ground. The opposition was supported by the following documents:
(1) Derwent Abstract 26 384 W/16, based on JP-A-48 053 093,
(1a) Translation of Table 1 of JP-A-48 053 093,
(2) US-A-3 234 252,
(3) DE-B-2 149 715,
(4) DE-A-2 502 155, and
(5) GB-A-1 371 956
which are relevant to the present decision.
III. By a decision dated 18 December 1989, the Opposition Division rejected the opposition, holding that the subject-matter of Claim 1 was novel since the lubricating agent according to Claim 1 differed from that of document (1) in that component (A) was a polysiloxane specified in formula (1). It also held that the subject-matter of Claim 1 involved an inventive step. Although the polysiloxanes represented by formula (1) were known from documents (2) and (5) there was no suggestion in documents (1), (2) and (5) that by using these compounds in the present lubricating compositions, a reduction of the electrostatic charge on the yarn, a reduction of fuzz on the surface of the cheese of false twisted yarn and a reduction of heater deposits as shown by comparative examples 1 to 5 could be obtained.
In addition, documents (3) and (4), which relate to fibre lubricants containing silicones, do not suggest that the present polysiloxanes could provide such advantages.
IV. A Notice of Appeal was filed against this decision on 6 February 1990 and the appeal fee was paid on the same date.
A Statement of Grounds of Appeal was submitted on 26 April 1990.
V. The Appellant argued that it would be obvious to the skilled person to replace the polysiloxanes of the compositions according to document (1) by the present polysiloxanes of formula (1), because it was known to the skilled person, e.g. from:
that such compounds were only stable in aqueous compositions if the polyoxyalkylene moieties were linked to the silicon atoms of the polysiloxane moieties by an alkylene group. Moreover, it was disclosed in document (2) that such polysiloxane compounds could be used in lubricating compositions containing polyoxyalkylene compounds and optionally a phosphate, which were suitable as anti-static agents for organic textiles. Furthermore, it was known from document (5) that such compounds in compositions containing polyoxyalkylene compounds provided very stable band ply lubricants in the manufacture of tyres.
Additionally, it was pointed out by the Appellant that lubricating agents for processing of yarns on the basis of polyoxyalkylene compounds, polysiloxanes and surface active compounds were known from documents (3) and (4) and that a certain improvement by the replacement of the polysiloxanes with those of formula (1) could be expected.
VI. The Respondent defended the presence of the requisite inventive step by referring to his letter of 19 April 1989. In this letter he submitted that the modified polysiloxane referred to in Table 1 of the Japanese patent publication (document 1a) did not contain any propylenoxy modifying groups and, presumably, was a conventional material in which the polyethylenoxy groups were attached to the silicon atoms of the polysiloxane chain via oxygen atoms instead of alkylene groups. Furthermore, he drew attention to the test results indicated in the opposed patent of the comparative composition containing polysiloxane A'-12 which only contained ethylenoxy units, and to further comparative tests provided in Annex B of the above-mentioned letter.
VII. During oral proceedings held on 13 November 1991 the Appellant introduced lack of novelty as a new ground of opposition (cf. point
II. above), pointing out that the claimed compositions were made available to the public by means of the disclosure of document (2) cited by the Appellant in his Notice of Opposition.
Despite its strong disapproval of the Appellant's conduct in raising a new ground of opposition and mindful of its discretionary power to disregard all late-filed matter (cf. "General principles for opposition procedure in the EPO", OJ EPO 1989, 417, particularly paragraphs 2 and 13; and T 182/89 OJ EPO 1991, 391, as well as T 326/87, Headnote published OJ 1991, 09; and T 611/90 (to be published), the Board decided to admit the late-submitted matter, largely because the Board and the Respondent were clearly in the position to deal with it, as well as for the reasons set out in paragraph 2 of this decision.
In relation to the novelty objection, the Respondent admitted that document (2) disclosed constituents in amounts falling within the scope of the claimed components A, B and C, but he nevertheless argued that the specific claimed compositions could only be deduced from this document by ex post facto analysis.
Furthermore, the Appellant argued that the claimed compositions did not involve an inventive step because, starting from document (1) as the closest state of the art, it would be obvious to replace the polysiloxanes of (1) by a polysiloxane disclosed in document (2) having anti-static properties, particularly, because it was common general knowledge (as evidenced by document (6)), that such polysiloxanes were more stable in water.
The Respondent argued that the skilled person, trying to improve heater deposit properties of lubricants for processing synthetic yarns, had no reason to take the disclosure of document (2) into account. Moreover, document (2) disclosed a large number of polysiloxanes, so that the selection of the specific claimed polysiloxanes would not have been obvious.
VIII. The Appellant requested the impugned decision to be set aside and that the patent be revoked.
The Respondent requested the appeal be dismissed and that the patent be maintained as granted, save the deletion of the words "preferably anionic" on page 5, line 18 of the published specification, and the insertion of the word "anionic" before the words "surface active agent" on the same page at the same line.
IX. At the conclusion of the oral proceedings, the Board's decision to dismiss the appeal was announced but subject to the Respondent's above request.
2. At the start of the oral proceedings the appellant sought to introduce a totally new ground of objection, namely that of prior publication. He freely admitted that this ground could well have been submitted and argued by him before the Opposition Division, but was unable to offer any explanation why he had not done this.
This late submittal of a new ground of objection, amounting to the raising of a totally fresh case, raises the question of the function of appeals under the EPC.
It is sometimes argued in this connection that the peremptory wording of Article 114(1) EPC:
"In proceedings before it the European Patent Office shall examine the facts of its own motion ..." means that the Boards of Appeal have to conduct what, in effect, are re- hearings of the first instance proceedings, with unfettered right, and indeed an obligation, to look at all fresh matter regardless of how late it was submitted. In the Board's judgment such an interpretation of Article 114(1) is out of the context not only of the remainder of the Article, namely Article 114(2), but also of the context of Article 111(1) EPC. When Article 114(1) is construed within its proper context, it becomes evident that there is a clear limit to the scope of any new matter that may be introduced into an appeal by the parties or by the Board itself, because cases on appeal must be, and remain, identical or closely similar to those on which first instance decisions have been rendered.
There is clear support for the above interpretation in the Board's jurisprudence, in cases such as T 26/88, OJ EPO 1991, 030; T 326/87, Headnote published in OJ EPO 1991, 09; and T 611/90 (to be published), as well as in a number of unpublished cases e.g. T 137/90, T 38/89 and T 153/85. It follows that regardless of what arguments, facts, evidence or requests the Boards, in their judicial discretion, choose to admit into their proceedings, these proceedings must always remain appeal proceedings. A valid description of what appeal proceedings are is set out in paragraph 12 of the reasons of T 26/88 where it is stated: "... the essential function of an appeal is to consider whether a decision which has been issued by a first instance department is correct on its merits ... it is not normally the function of a Board of Appeal ... to examine and decide upon issues in the case which have been raised for the first time during appeal proceedings". This narrow interpretation of Article 114, and in particular of Article 114(1), finds further support in the wording of Article 111(1) EPC, last sentence, which clearly envisages that there will be cases which will need to be referred back by a Board of Appeal to the first instance, which reference would be totally nugatory were the Boards of Appeal enjoined to investigate all new matter, regardless of its time of introduction into their proceedings, or even to conduct a roving and exhaustive enquiry into matters not submitted at all to them by the parties. In other words, such a blanket obligation to look at all matter, however late filed, would render the function of the first instance departments either superfluous, or delegate their role to merely providing a preliminary opinion for subsequent judicial review and decision by the Boards of Appeal.
Nevertheless, the course of action to be followed by the Boards of Appeal in dealing with late-filed matter is seldom clear cut. For example, in the above-mentioned case of T 326/87, the Board held that where fresh evidence, arguments or other matter filed late in the appeal raised a case substantially different from that decided by a first instance, that case should normally be referred back to the first instance in order to allow the parties two levels of jurisdiction. However, in its decision of T 611/90, also previously referred to, the Board of Appeal interpreted the criterion "normally" as meaning that such a reference back should be made only where this was demanded by fairness to the parties. In that case, the Board did decide to refer a totally new issue, never before argued, supported, let alone pleaded (one of prior public use) to the first instance, with an award of costs against the party responsible for its tardy introduction into the appeal proceedings. The reason for this decision is, of course, that the raising of a totally fresh ground of appeal, as is the case in the matter here under appeal, is the most extreme way of presenting a fresh case: late filed facts, evidence, requests and arguments may or may not erect such a new case, but the raising on appeal of a totally new ground of appeal must, of necessity, have this effect.
It does not, however, follow from T 611/90 that all cases where a new ground of objection is raised late in the appeal must be referred back to the first instance. On the contrary, in the Board's judgment such reference should be made only where the admittance of the new ground, into the appeal proceedings would result in the revocation of the patent.
This approach is clearly consonant with the reasoning of decision T 416/87, OJ EPO 1990, 415, see paragraph 9 of the Reasons, where the Board stated "... a document which is relied upon by the Opponent for the first time during the appeal stage should ... normally be referred back to the first instance ... where the Board considers that a newly introduced document is so relevant that the maintenance of the patent is at risk." The reason for this approach, clearly, is that the Board's decision to revoke a patent would be final.
In cases where the maintenance of the patent would not be put at risk, the Board has two courses of action open to it: (a) refuse to admit the fresh ground of objection; (b) admit the fresh ground into the appeal proceedings, and decide it against the Opponent. In the Board's view, the latter course of action is generally preferable, because it leads to detailed reasons being made available (in the written decision), which may be of assistance in any subsequent litigation before the national courts. There may of course, as was the case in T 611/90, be situations where the very nature of the late-raised ground of objection is such as to make it impossible for the Board to arrive at even a preliminary decision, because the issue hinges totally on the credibility of evidence which the Patentee has had no time to consider, let alone attempt to rebut. In the present case, the fresh ground is one of prior publication, and although the Patentee was able to express only a preliminary view, and lead only outline arguments in response to those put forward by the Opponent, the Board has been able to come to a decision on the matter on the basis of those arguments, as well as of its motion pursuant to Article 114(1) EPC.
3. The issues to be dealt with are, therefore, whether the subject-matter of Claim 1 is novel and involves an inventive step.
4. The novelty of the subject-matter of Claim 1 has been disputed by the Appellant on the basis of document (2).
This document relates to lubricant compositions composed of a base fluid, which can be a mixture of water and a silicon-free polyoxyalkylene compound in an amount from 10 to 200 parts by weight (per 100 parts by weight of the water in the mixture), and a siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymer composed of a siloxane moiety linked to a polyoxyalkylene moiety by a silicon to carbon bond in an amount from 0.05 to 10.0 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the base fluid (cf. column 1, lines 51 to 67). Furthermore, the compositions can, if desired, contain various other additional additives in amounts from 0.1 to 5 parts per weight (per 100 parts per weight of the base fluid) (cf. column 11, lines 42 to 64).
The subject-matter of Claim 1 of the disputed patent concerns a composition which comprises three essential components:
(C) a polyether lubricant having a molecular weight of greater than 700 derived from an alkylene oxide with 2 to 4 carbon atoms.
4.1 The question is whether such a composition already forms part of the state of the art, having regard to the disclosure in document (2).
As to component (A) of the claimed composition, document (2) discloses as an essential lubricant constituent a siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymer wherein the siloxane moiety is linked to the polyoxyalkylene moiety by a silicon to carbon bond (cf. column 1, lines 63 to 66). Thus, this constituent comprises an unlimited group of siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymers. The disclosure that useful block copolymers contain at least one unit represented by the general formulae (3), (4) and (5) (cf. column 5, line 57 to column 6, line 73) neither restricts this unlimited group of copolymers, nor gives any hint in the direction of compounds falling under the scope of component (A) of the compositions claimed in the opposed patent, because these formulae are silent on how these units are bound to the rest of the molecule. These facts are not changed by the further disclosure that the copolymers can also contain at least one of the units represented by the formulae (6) to (12) (cf. column 6, line 74 to column 7, line 55), because these units do not introduce any delimitation of the disclosed polysiloxanes. Clearly defined block copolymers are shown in columns 7 and 8, wherein 16 copolymers are listed. Only one copolymer, namely copolymer XIV, falls under the definition of component (A) of the opposed patent. The only indication that these clearly defined block copolymers are representative for the unlimited group of useful copolymers - in the Board's judgment - does not disclose to the skilled person the relatively small group of compounds, represented by formula (1) in the opposed patent and having specific values for n, m, a, b, a + b and b/a, as suitable constituents of the claimed compositions.
As to claimed component (B), document (2) discloses as optional additional constituents of the lubricant composition an extensive range of additives, such as corrosion inhibitors, anti-oxidants, blooming agents, oiliness agents, anti-wear agents, solubilisers, metal deactivators, extreme pressure additives, viscosity index improvers, pour point depressants, viscosity modifiers, anti-foam agents, wetting agents, adhesive agents, cohesive agents, emulsifying agents, deemulsifying agents, break-in agents, sludge dispersants, anti-sludge agents, anti-coking agents, detergents and swelling agents (cf. column 11, lines 42 to 55). Furthermore, it is indicated that this list of additives is not an exhaustive list, and that other constituents such as bases and anti- microbacterial agents may also be present (cf. column 17, lines 31 to 48). For some of these additives fairly long lists of suitable compounds are indicated (cf. column 11, line 64 to column 13, line 39) and only a few compounds from these lists fall within the scope of component B now being claimed, namely the dibutylamine and diamylamine salts of lauric acid and alkali metal salts of alkenyl succinic acids, alkenyl succinic acid anhydrides and dialkyl acid phosphates (cf. column 12, lines 6 to 9 and lines 61 to 63). Therefore, the group of anionic surface active compounds of claimed component B, which is, contrary to the additional constituent of the compositions disclosed in document (2), an essential component of the lubricant composition, forms a very small group within the disclosed variety of additives. Moreover, the claimed anionic surface active compounds are, as a group, not indicated in document (2).
As to claimed component (C), document (2) discloses inter alia a mixture of a silicon-free polyoxyalkylene compound in general and water as one of five suitable base fluids (cf. column 1, lines 53 to 61). This unlimited group is illustrated in column 10 by the formula G'''(OG'')nOG'''. In respect of the definition of the three variables, reference is made to "the above defined meanings". In column 6, lines 13 to 14, n is defined as "at least 2" and specified in lines 17/18 as preferably "3 to 30". In view of this broad disclosure it can hardly be said that the group specified in Claim 1 under (C) of the patent in suit being clearly defined by its minimal molecular weight and by the narrow scope of the basic alkylene oxide, is disclosed in document (2). It is true that the three silicon-free polyoxyalkylene compounds indicated in column 10, lines 39 to 41, fall within the scope of claimed component (c). This, however, and the fact that, in contrast to the patent in suit, the silicon free polyether of document (2) is an optional component, which has to be selected from five alternative groups, makes it doubtful whether the skilled reader would consider component (C) of the patent in suit to be a mandatory component.
In these circumstances the Board holds that document (2) does not disclose the specific combination of the three mandatory components defined in Claim 1 of the opposed patent.
In this connection it is observed by the Board, that it must be borne in mind that document (2), and the particular constituents disclosed therein, have been mentioned by the Appellant with hindsight of the claimed compositions, and that the presence of the constituents mentioned in document (2) which fall within the scope of the claimed compositions, does not necessarily rule out a patentable selection from the vast range of possible combinations of these disclosed constituents.
4.2 The subject-matter of Claim 1 is, therefore, novel.
5. The remaining issue to be dealt with is whether the subject-matter of the claims involves an inventive step.
However, it was argued by the Respondent that these known compositions have an insufficient heater deposit resistance on heaters used in heating processes. Moreover, the generation of static charge and of fuzz in processes using these lubricants was unsatisfactory.
5.2 Therefore, in the light of this closest prior art, the technical problem underlying the subject patent can be seen in providing a lubricating composition for processing synthetic yarns which is, in particular, capable of exhibiting higher levels of heater-deposit resistance and, moreover, shows improved properties in relation to the generation of static electricity and of fuzz (cf. also page 2, lines 4 to 8 and lines 21 to 26 and page 3, lines 7 to 17 and lines 24 to 32 of the printed patent specification).
5.3 According to Claim 1, this technical problem is solved by a lubricating agent comprising three components as defined under (A), (B) and (C).
In view of the undisputed test results indicated in the examples and the comparative examples, particularly comparative examples A'-1 and A'-12, the Board is satisfied that the above technical problem is credibly solved.
5.4 It remains to be decided whether, in view of the technical problem to be solved, the requirement of inventive step is met by the claimed lubricating agent.
5.5 As already indicated in section 5.1 above, paragraph 2, document (1) discloses a lubricant composition for the treatment of synthetic yarns comprising a polydimethyl- siloxane, an anionic surfactant and a mixture of polyether and polyester lubricants, whereas it can be deduced from document (1a) that the polydimethylsiloxane can be replaced by a methyl(polyethylene oxide) polysiloxane. These documents (1) and (1a), which are based on the same Japanese patent publication, do not provide any indication that would lead a skilled person to believe that lubricant agents containing the specific polyalkylene oxide modified polysiloxanes defined in Claim 1 under (A) would provide improvements regarding heater deposit and generation of static charge and fuzz. On the contrary, these documents lead away from the use of polyalkylene oxide modified polysiloxanes because document (1), being the Derwent Abstract and disclosing the preferred composition, suggests instead the use of a polydimethylsiloxane instead of a polyalkylene oxide modified polysiloxane.
5.6 Document (2) discloses - as set out above - lubricant compositions containing a siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymer composed of a siloxane moiety linked to a polyoxyalkylene moiety by a silicon to carbon bond, a lubricating base fluid and, optionally, various additional additives. They are particularly suitable as lubricants for metal in cutting, forming and machining operations because of their improved carrying and anti-wear properties (cf. column 1, lines 40 to 45, column 13, lines 47 to 50 and the Examples I, II and III wherein tests are conducted to evaluate the compositions). Therefore, the skilled person faced with the existing problem to improve the properties of lubricants for the treatment of yarns would have disregarded the teaching of this document.
However, even if the skilled person would have taken the teaching of document (2) into consideration, it would not have provided him with the incentive to use the polysiloxanes as defined in Claim 1 under (A), let alone the combination of the constituents (A), (B) and (C). It is true that Copolymer XIV falls within the scope of the claimed polysiloxanes defined under (A), but the skilled person would have had no reason to select this copolymer or other closely related compounds falling under the claimed definition because, in the light of the examples showing the lubricating activity of the copolymers and their preparation, such a copolymer would have already appeared less interesting than other Copolymers I to XVI listed in columns 7 and 8, because none of the examples is concerned with such a copolymer. Moreover, the list of Copolymers I to XVI, including Copolymer XIV, is disclosed in particular connection with their properties in lubricant compositions for metals, whereas the statement in this document that the siloxane- polyoxyalkylene copolymers are useful for other purposes, e.g. as anti-static agents for organic textiles, clearly relates to the whole large group of polysiloxanes per se and, particularly, to those copolymers containing organofunctional groups e.g. nitro, amino, halogen, amido and cyano groups (cf. column 13, lines 55 to 73).
5.7 Document (6), only mentioned by the Appellant in order to support that it was common general knowledge that siloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymers according to document (2) containing silicon to carbon bonds between the siloxane moieties and the polyoxyalkylene moieties are more stable in water than analogous copolymers containing silicon to oxygen bonds between these moieties, also does not hold out any prospect that the envisaged technical problem could be solved by the specific siloxane- polyoxyalkylene copolymers defined in Claim 1 under (A), because no technically meaningful link can be seen between increased hydrolyic stability and improved heater-deposit resistance and the other improvements aimed at according to the existing problem (cf. point 5.2).
5.8 Documents (3) and (4) relate to fibre lubricants containing polysiloxanes and lubricating polyethers, but they do not suggest the use of the particular polysiloxanes defined in Claim 1 of the opposed patent. Actually, document (3) discloses the use of a mixture of an ethyleneoxide/propyleneoxide-copolymer and a poly- methylphenylsiloxane having a phenyl content of at least 15 mol % in order to obtain aqueous compositions having improved heater deposit properties (cf. Claim 1, column 3, lines 45 to 55 and column 4, lines 21 to 42). This document leads away from the use of polyoxyalkylene modified polysiloxanes because these compounds showed in comparative tests insufficient properties (cf. column 12, line 64 to column 13, line 7). Document (4) refers to the possibility to use polyoxyethylene modified silicons in fibre lubricants (cf. page 5, line 7 from below) and is, therefore, not more relevant than document (1a).
5.9 Document (5) is related to a wholly different art, namely to band ply lubricants which are used in the manufacture of tyres, namely, as parting agents between the tyre carcas and the rubber bag (cf. column 1, lines 11 to 29). Whilst disclosing compositions which might contain polysiloxanes falling within the scope of Claim 1 under (A) (cf. page 1, lines 49 to 77, particularly lines 60 to 70, and the formula on page 2, line 85) it does not suggest their use in lubricants for the treatment of synthetic yarns.
5.10 Consequently, in the Board's judgment, the proposed solution to the technical problem underlying the patent in suit is inventive. Thus Claim 1 and independent Claim 4, related to a method of processing a synthetic yarn by using a lubricating agent as defined in Claim 1, which is based on the same inventive concept as Claim 1, are allowable.
Dependent Claims 2, 3, 5 and 6, which relate to preferred embodiments of the matter claimed in the independent claims, are likewise allowable.
ORDER
For these reasons, it is decided that:
1. The appeal is dismissed.
2. The Opposition Division's decision is set aside.
3. The case is remitted to the Opposition Division with the order to maintain the patent as granted but subject to the amendments contained in the Respondent's request. |
// Copyright 2014 The Chromium Authors. All rights reserved.
// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style license that can be
// found in the LICENSE file.
/**
* @fileoverview A class for speaking navigation information.
*/
goog.provide('cvox.NavigationSpeaker');
goog.require('cvox.NavDescription');
/**
* @constructor
*/
cvox.NavigationSpeaker = function() {
/**
* This member indicates to this speaker to cancel any pending callbacks.
* This is needed primarily to support cancelling a chain of callbacks by an
* outside caller. There's currently no way to cancel a chain of callbacks in
* any other way. Consider removing this if we ever get silence at the tts
* layer.
* @type {boolean}
*/
this.stopReading = false;
/**
* An identifier that tracks the calls to speakDescriptionArray. Used to
* cancel a chain of callbacks that is stale.
* @type {number}
* @private
*/
this.id_ = 1;
};
/**
* Speak all of the NavDescriptions in the given array (as returned by
* getDescription), including playing earcons.
*
* @param {Array<cvox.NavDescription>} descriptionArray The array of
* NavDescriptions to speak.
* @param {number} initialQueueMode The initial queue mode.
* @param {Function} completionFunction Function to call when finished speaking.
*/
cvox.NavigationSpeaker.prototype.speakDescriptionArray = function(
descriptionArray, initialQueueMode, completionFunction) {
descriptionArray = this.reorderAnnotations(descriptionArray);
this.stopReading = false;
this.id_ = (this.id_ + 1) % 10000;
// Using self rather than goog.bind in order to get debug symbols.
var self = this;
var speakDescriptionChain = function(i, queueMode, id) {
var description = descriptionArray[i];
if (!description || self.stopReading || self.id_ != id) {
return;
}
var startCallback = function() {
for (var j = 0; j < description.earcons.length; j++) {
cvox.ChromeVox.earcons.playEarcon(description.earcons[j]);
}
};
var endCallbackHelper = function() {
speakDescriptionChain(i + 1, cvox.QueueMode.QUEUE, id);
};
var endCallback = function() {
// We process content-script specific properties here for now.
if (description.personality &&
description.personality[cvox.AbstractTts.PAUSE] &&
typeof(description.personality[cvox.AbstractTts.PAUSE]) == 'number') {
setTimeout(
endCallbackHelper, description.personality[cvox.AbstractTts.PAUSE]);
} else {
endCallbackHelper();
}
if ((i == descriptionArray.length - 1) && completionFunction) {
completionFunction();
}
};
if (!description.isEmpty()) {
description.speak(queueMode, startCallback, endCallback);
} else {
startCallback();
endCallback();
return;
}
if (!cvox.ChromeVox.host.hasTtsCallback()) {
startCallback();
endCallback();
}
};
speakDescriptionChain(0, initialQueueMode, this.id_);
if ((descriptionArray.length == 0) && completionFunction) {
completionFunction();
}
};
/**
* Checks for an annotation of a structured elements.
* @param {string} annon The annotation.
* @return {boolean} True if annotating a structured element.
*/
cvox.NavigationSpeaker.structuredElement = function(annon) {
// TODO(dtseng, sorge): This doesn't work for languages other than English.
switch (annon) {
case 'table':
case 'Math':
return true;
}
return false;
};
/**
* Reorder special annotations for structured elements to be spoken first.
* @param {Array<cvox.NavDescription>} descriptionArray The array of
* NavDescriptions to speak.
* @return {Array<cvox.NavDescription>} The reordered array.
*/
cvox.NavigationSpeaker.prototype.reorderAnnotations = function(
descriptionArray) {
var descs = new Array;
for (var i = 0; i < descriptionArray.length; i++) {
var descr = descriptionArray[i];
if (cvox.NavigationSpeaker.structuredElement(descr.annotation)) {
descs.push(new cvox.NavDescription({
text: '',
annotation: descr.annotation
}));
descr.annotation = '';
}
descs.push(descr);
}
return descs;
};
|
White House: We're fine with term 'Obamacare'
David Jackson | USA TODAY
The White House says there is no ban on the term "Obamacare."
Republicans and other critics note that President Obama and aides have tended recently to use the new law's formal name -- the Affordable Care Act -- amid criticism of the website and other aspects of the new health care law
But the shorthand term, "Obamacare," can still be heard at the White House, aides said.
"I know I'm fine with calling it 'Obamacare.'" said press secretary Jay Carney. "The president's fine with it."
Carney added: "We're focused on making sure that the 'care' part is delivered to the Americans who want it. And whether it's the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare or anything else, what matters to the president is that the benefits available to every American who gets covered, either through the exchanges or has coverage already, are delivered." |
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sulfur-vulcanizable rubber mixture without aromatic process oils, in particular for the tread rubber of vehicle pneumatic tires, containing at least one diene rubber, carbon black, mineral oil plasticizer, and resin. The invention also relates to a vehicle pneumatic tire with a tread rubber that is composed at least partially of a rubber mixture of this type vulcanized with sulfur.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Since the driving properties of a tire, in particular a vehicle pneumatic tire, are dependent to a large extent on the rubber composition of the tread rubber, particularly high demands are made on the composition of the tread rubber mixture. Thus various tests have been undertaken to affect the properties of the tire favorably by varying the polymer components, the fillers, and the other additives in the tread rubber mixture. It must be taken into consideration thereby that an improvement in the one tire property often entails a deterioration in another property. For tread rubber mixtures for automobile and van tires, for example, maximum demands are made with respect to the ABS dry braking and ABS wet braking, abrasion resistance, rolling resistance, handling, and durability.
Resins are additives for rubber mixtures for tire tread rubbers that have been known for a long time. They serve above all as processing aids and effect the necessary green tackiness of the rubber mixtures. Moreover, vulcanizate properties determined by the resins, such as hardness, modulus, and swelling behavior, can be affected. They can also be used as vulcanization resins or coupling agents. Adhesive resins typically used in the rubber industry are, e.g., coumarone-indene resins, petroleum resins, terpene resins, colophony resins, and phenol-formaldehyde resins.
It is known from EP-A 1 589 068, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, for example, that for a higher flexibility with a simultaneously high stiffness, a rubber mixture for the tread rubber base contains cis-1,4-polyisoprene, polybutadiene with a high cis percentage, mineral oil plasticizers with a low content of polycyclic aromatic compounds, and carbon black, e.g., of the N121 type. The rubber mixture can also contain adhesive resins, which are not specified in more detail.
EP-B-0 899 297 and its family member U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,766, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, disclose rubber mixtures for tire tread rubbers that are intended to provide an improved abrasion resistance and improvements in the traction and handling. The mixtures contain a rubber with a glass transition temperature of −80° C. to −110° C., another rubber with a higher glass transition temperature, carbon black, e.g., of the N220 type, aromatic plasticizer oil, and 15 to 50 phr of a resin. This resin can be for example coumarone-indene resins with an average molecular weight of 420 to 700 g/mol.
WO 02/072688 A1 and its family member U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0092644 A1, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, also describe rubber mixtures that in addition to rubbers with different glass transition temperatures, aromatic plasticizer oils, and carbon black, also have resins with an average molecular weight of 400 to 2000 g/mol, e.g., coumarone-indene resins.
An important aspect in the area of durability is the chipping and chunking behavior of tread rubber mixtures. Chipping denotes thereby the flake-like detachment at the tire tread (thin peeling-off of rubber material) while driving over bad roads, while chunking denotes the breaking-out of large-volume pieces (e.g., tread lugs). The chipping and chunking behavior is further intensified by bad road conditions above all in countries with dry and hot climatic conditions—a critical tire property that is to be improved. |
Remote controlled, self-propelled toy vehicles such as cars or trucks have been in use for years. In many designs, a control module having a joy stick or other steering device is coupled to a circuit that includes an RF transmitter capable of producing control signals in response to input from the steering device. These signals are transmitted to an RF receiver in the vehicle coupled to a circuit that controls movement of the wheels of the vehicle and the motor that propels it. More sophisticated designs have modules with controls for braking, acceleration and other functions of the vehicle.
Manipulation of a number of controls on a module requires a degree of skill and manual dexterity that younger children may not possess. Further, the more sophisticated the vehicle system the more expensive. Many parents are unwilling to entrust a younger child with a plaything that is relatively expensive and may be readily easily damaged. |
Notes
After watching Wicked last Wednesday with Wayne Young, I realized that
I'd been missing out on so much by not watching more musicals in this
city.
I love showtunes. There's just something magical about the way people
sing and dance and tell stories. I love the way songs foreshadow each
other and are reprised. I love the structure of the songs, building to
a crescendo or thrilling me with their depths.
And watching the musical was so much better than just listening to the
music on Internet radio! Now, listening to the music, I can see the
production in my mind's eye. I get goosebumps remembering Elphaba's
songs "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed".
I can't wait for the next musical. Maybe I'll pick up an appreciation
for opera along the way...
Are you passionate about technology? Do you thrive on making a
difference in people's lives with your passion for technology? Do you
get confused sideways looks with raised eyebrows when telling people
that you are a Technology Evangelist? If so, GNoTECon is the event for
you. It is the industry's first conference to discuss technology
evangelism!
It would be *SO* wonderful to meet all of these evangelists. Guy Kawasaki! *The* Guy Kawasaki! Squeeeeeeeee...
I've e-mailed my supervisor to ask if I can take the final exam early. I'll move heaven and earth to be there. And you know me, I'll make a splash somehow.
I feel a little like Peter Pan. If you believe in my technology
evangelism, clap your hands and help me make this happen!
So, does anyone know anyone in Santa Clara with whom I can stay?
Random Emacs symbol: prin1-char - Function: Return a string representing CHAR as a character rather than as an integer.
I'd love to hear about any questions, comments, suggestions or links that you might have. Your comments will not be posted on this website immediately, but will be e-mailed to me first. You can use this form to get in touch with me, or e-mail me at [email protected] .
Page: 2006.11.25
Updated: 2006-11-2923:48:0423:48:04-0500
NOTE: ANTI-SPAM MEASURE NOW IN PLACE. Please answer the following question with the right number in order to send me your comment. |
France Bans Veils
France will no longer allow Muslim women to wear veils which has some calling the ban "racist".
This is what I don't understand. Immigrants come to a country, then claim they aren't being treated fairly by that country. The answer is simple to me-GO HOME. France has every right to enact a law banning anyone from being "masked" in public. Those caught have to pay a fine or go to citizenship classes. More importantly anyone who forces anyone else to wear a mask or veil is up for a huge fine ($43,000.oo) and up to a year in jail. Here's a little bit more from USA Today:
French President Nicolas Sarkozy set the wheels in motion for the ban nearly two years ago, saying the veils imprison women and contradict this secular nation's values of dignity and equality.
France has become the first country to enact a ban and I give them a high five. If you immigrate to a country it's up to you to assimilate with that culture, it is not up to that culture to change for you. If the rules, culture and ways of your home country are THAT important to you, then see you! I thought most people moved to other places to better their situations. You're welcome to celebrate your culture all you want as long as it does not go contradictory to the customs of the home country.
Let's use an analogy. If it was "customary" in your country to keep women chained in your basement, your new country has every right to say "we don't find this acceptable". Now, what if the woman said, "I like being chained"? The country still has the right to say that that type of behavior is contrary to values on which their law is based on.
Here's where things get extra janky. Protesters are not only calling for the ban to be lifted, they want Islamic law in France! You have got to be kidding me. |
-3). Suppose 2*k + 0*k - d*q = 81, 4*k - 151 = -5*q. What is the remainder when k is divided by 21?
18
Suppose o + 43 = 3*i, 34 = 2*i - 2*o + 4*o. What is the remainder when i is divided by 4?
3
Let k(s) = 4*s + 9. Calculate the remainder when 41 is divided by k(3).
20
Suppose 0 = 7*n - 2*n - g - 44, -2*g = -n + 7. What is the remainder when 26 is divided by n?
8
Suppose 0 = -5*q - 13 - 17. What is the remainder when ((-15)/q + -2)*178 is divided by 23?
20
Let i(v) = 13*v**2 + 4*v + 1. Let y be i(-3). Suppose y = -u + 3*u. Suppose 4*k + 14 = -4*d + 82, -4*d = 2*k - 70. What is the remainder when u is divided by d?
17
Suppose 3*g = -c + 60, c - 5*g - 60 = -2*g. Calculate the remainder when 179 is divided by c.
59
Suppose h - 21 = -3*d, -4*h - d - 2*d = -111. Calculate the remainder when h is divided by 11.
8
Let g(w) = -w**2 + 2*w + 42. What is the remainder when g(0) is divided by 22?
20
Let p = 39 + 2. What is the remainder when p is divided by 12?
5
Let n(i) = i**3 - 13*i**2 + 5*i - 11. What is the remainder when n(13) is divided by 28?
26
Suppose -6 = -3*k, -2*n + 3*k = 2*n + 90. Suppose -4*y + 6 + 6 = 0. Calculate the remainder when ((-15)/(-2))/(n/(-28)) is divided by y.
1
Suppose -4*t + 0*t = -232. Suppose 4*s - 5*r + 1 = 51, 0 = -5*s + 4*r + t. Calculate the remainder when 19 is divided by s.
9
Let o(b) = -12*b - 3. Suppose 0 = x + 4*x - 60. Calculate the remainder when o(-4) is divided by x.
9
Let y(m) = -m + 6. Let w be y(4). Suppose 0 = -3*s - w*j + 17, -j - 15 = -s + 3*j. Calculate the remainder when s is divided by 2.
1
Let s(g) = -3*g**3 - 3*g**2 - 4*g - 3. Calculate the remainder when 48 is divided by s(-2).
14
Let r = 14 + -3. What is the remainder when 41 is divided by r?
8
What is the remainder when (49 - 3 - 1) + -5 is divided by 12?
4
Suppose 0 = d + 3*y - 14, -3*d + 2*d + 10 = -y. What is the remainder when 32 is divided by d?
10
Let b(f) = f**2 + 4*f - 10. Suppose 4*j = -5*o - 29 - 22, -5*o = 2*j + 33. Calculate the remainder when b(j) is divided by 19.
16
Let f = 10 + -7. Suppose 0 = -p, -f*l - p + 53 = -133. Suppose -5*o - 12 = -l. What is the remainder when 18 is divided by o?
8
Suppose -5*h = -4*g, 7 + 4 = h - 3*g. Calculate the remainder when 53 is divided by (6/h)/((-27)/252).
11
Let t = 10 - 8. Suppose 0 = -7*z + t*z + 20. Calculate the remainder when 5 is divided by z.
1
Let m = -31 - -47. Suppose 203 + 107 = 5*o. What is the remainder when o is divided by m?
14
What is the remainder when 26 is divided by ((-36)/3)/(-4) + 4?
5
Suppose 3*y = -16 + 31, 2*m - 4*y - 58 = 0. Calculate the remainder when m is divided by 23.
16
Suppose 5*g - 2*g - 6 = -f, 5*f - 5*g + 30 = 0. Calculate the remainder when 119 is divided by (-91)/f - 1/3.
29
Let f(y) = y**2 + 10*y + 17. What is the remainder when 13 is divided by f(-9)?
5
Suppose -355 = -3*v - 0*c + 2*c, -5*c = 2*v - 262. Suppose 3*s + 4*u - v = 0, s + 0*u + 2*u = 39. What is the remainder when s is divided by 15?
13
Let b(w) = -w**2 - 8*w - 4. Let k be b(-7). Suppose -10 = -k*s - 3*q + 11, 5*q + 55 = 4*s. What is the remainder when 29 is divided by s?
9
Let n be 264/56 + (-4)/(-14). Suppose -8 = -n*f + 3*f. Suppose 55 = c + f*c. Calculate the remainder when c is divided by 6.
5
Let y(h) = -h**2 - 11*h + 1. Calculate the remainder when y(-7) is divided by 4.
1
What is the remainder when 13 is divided by (-2)/4 + (-126)/(-28)?
1
Let k = 12 - 5. Let w(r) = r**3 - 6*r**2 + 7*r - 6. Calculate the remainder when k is divided by w(5).
3
Let w = 94 + -50. Calculate the remainder when w is divided by 2/4 - (-58)/4.
14
Let h(z) be the third derivative of 2*z**5/15 - z**4/8 - z**3/2 - 2*z**2. What is the remainder when h(-2) is divided by 12?
11
Let i(k) = 2*k**2 - 4*k - 1. Let g be i(3). Suppose 20 = -q + g*q. What is the remainder when q is divided by 2?
1
Let r = 10 + -4. Let g be 0 - (-24)/((-3)/(-1)). Let p = g - r. What is the remainder when 4 is divided by p?
0
Suppose c = -4, 5*c + 4 + 26 = 5*o. Suppose -2 - 4 = -o*d, 5*d - 33 = -3*f. Suppose 100 - 80 = 2*r. Calculate the remainder when r is divided by f.
4
Let k be (12/(-10))/((-9)/60). Suppose -k - 1 = -3*h. What is the remainder when 7 is divided by h?
1
Suppose -b + 26 + 12 = 0. Calculate the remainder when b is divided by 13.
12
Suppose 0 = -8*u + 6*u + 312. Suppose -88 - u = -4*p. Calculate the remainder when p is divided by 21.
19
Suppose 3*y = 9, -3*l - 3*y = -2*l + 3. Let q = 20 + l. Calculate the remainder when 22 is divided by q.
6
Suppose 2*z = -3*s + 17, 3*s = 3*z - s. Calculate the remainder when 14 is divided by z.
2
Suppose l - 32 = -l. Let q = 2 + 1. Suppose q*v + 315 = 8*v. Calculate the remainder when v is divided by l.
15
Let m be (-8)/1*10/(-8). Suppose 3*i = 2*i + m. Calculate the remainder when 28 is divided by i.
8
Calculate the remainder when 35 is divided by (2/5)/(5/125).
5
Let i(o) = -2*o**3 + 50*o**2 + 11. Let z(f) = -f + 7. Let q be z(7). Suppose -v + q*v = -20. What is the remainder when v is divided by i(25)?
9
Suppose -3*r - 40 = -5*r + 3*g, -r + 4*g + 10 = 0. What is the remainder when r is divided by 10?
6
Suppose 2*h + 174 = 5*h. Calculate the remainder when h is divided by 12.
10
Suppose -2*y + 32 + 34 = 0. Let s = 241 - 112. Calculate the remainder when s is divided by y.
30
Let w(l) = 3*l - 1. Let i(o) = -10*o + 4. Let b(t) = -2*i(t) - 7*w(t). What is the remainder when 11 is divided by b(-7)?
5
Let t(q) = -16*q - 13. What is the remainder when t(-9) is divided by 15?
11
Let t be 0/(0 - 6/2). Suppose t = -4*m + 3*m + 10. Calculate the remainder when 18 is divided by m.
8
Calculate the remainder when (4 - 8)/(-1) + 25 is divided by 16.
13
Let q = -92 - -104. Let x(p) = -203*p - 1. Let v be x(-3). What is the remainder when 2/9 + v/18 is divided by q?
10
Let g = -1 - -11. What is the remainder when 16 is divided by g?
6
Suppose -5*t = -y + 6, -2*t = -t - 2*y + 3. Calculate the remainder when t/2 - (-172)/8 is divided by 6.
3
Let l(m) = -2*m - 8. Let d(x) = x - 7. Let t be d(0). Suppose 7*q - 20 = 2*q. What is the remainder when l(t) is divided by q?
2
Suppose -3*j = 3*i + 39, -4*j - j = -2*i - 12. Let l(m) = -2*m + 5. What is the remainder when l(i) is divided by 7?
6
What is the remainder when 74 is divided by 14 + (-4 - -6) + -1?
14
Let c(k) = k**3 + 4*k**2 + 2*k. Let f(b) = b**2 + b - 1. Let s(w) = c(w) - 2*f(w). Let p(l) = -l - 3. What is the remainder when p(-6) is divided by s(-2)?
1
Suppose n + 342 = -2*n. What is the remainder when 8 is divided by n/(-21) - 6/14?
3
Suppose 2*o - 96 = o. What is the remainder when o is divided by 14?
12
Let q(r) = 5*r**2 - 3*r - 5. What is the remainder when q(5) is divided by 36?
33
Let s(f) = -3*f - 1. Let j be s(-2). Calculate the remainder when 26 is divided by 168/20 + 3/j.
8
Suppose 7*y + u + 2 = 4*y, 3*u = -2*y - 13. Let s be ((-1)/y)/(2/(-4)). Suppose 4*f = s*f + 22. What is the remainder when f is divided by 4?
3
What is the remainder when 45/4 + (-21)/84 is divided by (8/(-6))/((-1)/3)?
3
Let b(n) be the second derivative of -n**5/20 - n**4/12 + n**3/6 + 3*n. What is the remainder when 27 is divided by b(-3)?
12
Let l(f) = f**3 + 4*f**2 - 10*f - 17. What is the remainder when 54 is divided by l(-5)?
6
Let a(c) = -c**2 + 5*c + 8. Let b be a(6). Suppose -58 = -2*j - 3*j + m, -b*j + 14 = -5*m. Calculate the remainder when 21 is divided by j.
9
Let b(v) = v**2 - 11*v + 18. What is the remainder when 87 is divided by b(12)?
27
Let y(a) = 6*a + 2. What is the remainder when 1 + -1 + (31 - 0) is divided by y(1)?
7
Calculate the remainder when 58 is divided by (-1)/2 + (-305)/(-10).
28
Suppose -2*c - 158 = -5*l, -3*l + 5*c + 98 = 3*c. Calculate the remainder when 87 is divided by l.
27
Suppose 0 = -3*i - 5 + 17. Let p be (-4 + -8)*(-2)/i. Calculate the remainder when (-121)/(-7) + p/(-21) is divided by 9.
8
Let r(v) = -v**2 + 5*v + 8. Let u be r(6). Suppose -s - 5 = -4*g, s - 15 = -3*g - u*s. What is the remainder when g is divided by 2?
0
Let n(f) = f**2 + 10*f + 35. What is the remainder when 15 is divided by n(-6)?
4
Suppose -i - 1 = b, -5*b + 4*i - 5*i = -3. Let p = -4 + b. Calculate the remainder when 4 is divided by 3*((-8)/p + -2).
0
Suppose 0*u - 3*u = -6. Calculate the remainder when ((-2)/7)/(2/(-14)) is divided by u.
0
Let n(s) = 7* |
New commander nominated for 7th Fleet
May. 17, 2013 - 05:04PM
|
Rear Adm. Robert Thomas Jr. (Navy)
A submarine officer is in line to become the next commander of 7th Fleet, the Defense Department announced Friday.
Navy Rear Adm. Robert Thomas Jr., has been nominated for his third star and to head 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. Thomas is serving as chief of staff, J5, Joint Staff, Pentagon, in Washington. He would replace Vice Adm. Scott Swift.
Thomas has previously served in Yokosuka as commander of Submarine Group 7, and has commanded Task Force 74 and Task Force 54. He is a career submarine officer and has served on fast-attack submarines in U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. He received a Master of Science in National Security Studies from the National War College in Newport, R.I.
Swift attended San Diego State University and was commissioned in 1979 through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program. He has served in combat Operations Praying Mantis, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. |
Q:
How view data that comes from a .GZ File Format on ORACLE SQL?
EXPLANATION OF MY CONDITION AND PROBLEM I AM FIGURING
I find this a bit too complicated, maybe because I am new to this event and the world of LINUX.
So I am here on my PC (WINDOWS 7) then I need to make a sql based reporting site but the data I need is not in oracle yet.
I need to view the data in oracle sql that comes from many files from another controller -> another PC (UNIX).
The format of the file is originally .gz but physically its FILE FORMAT is like this machinedump.log.gz05052012 (Its still .gz -> inside is a .log but still a .txt content)
Note: that controller/personal computer that I am connecting has a username, password and port number.
Inside each .log.gz data it has a data like:
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 0
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 1
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 2
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 3
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 4
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 5
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 6
20120806_161944: 08.06 16:17:29.574 t_cm_03 C3011099140000 at_sts = 7
But there is a more bigger problem too that I see:
The MACHINEDUMP.LOG.GZ files are many like:
machinedump.log.gz05052012
machinedump.log.gz05062012
machinedump.log.gz05072012
machinedump.log.gz05082012
etc.
So here is QUESTION and HELP NEED to my problem:
I wanna ask you guys what is the best way to store these file contents into a single table?
from those .LOG.GZ files to a single Table?
Regarding on the 1st question, is it too possible to make the data fetching based on the "date" automated?
Meaning if there is a file that match the present date, it would execute and save those data to desired table?
Is there a way you guys could show me what to do?
In addition guys, is there anything here that I must study deeply?
I need to make these data a usefull and readable report on using atleast SQL(oracle or is there any better way) and NETBEANS to do the rest of the job(These I know).
MODERATORS
Is it possible to have my previous failed Question DELETED? Thanks...
A:
You don't say which version of Oracle you're using. This matters because Oracle adds new capabilities to its arsenal with each release. The following solution will work on 11.0.1.7 (i.e. the last patch release of 11gR1) or later; earlier versions require more wrangling.
But first:
Do you need to stiore this information in a table? Will it be sufficient to read it once? Because a relational database like Oracle is not the best fit for storing machine logs. There are plenty of free (or free-ish) document DBs which might be much better suited - MongoDB, Cassandra, etc. Or there's Splunk which is intended for just that.
Anyway, the first way to read files inthe database is to build an external table over the file. This is just like a reguilar table except the data is in an OS file rather than tablespace. In 11gR2 Oracle introduced the preprocessor clause, which allows us to associate a shell script with the table, which is run before the SELECT statement executes. This is particularly pertinent in your case, because you can use the preprocessor script to uncompress your file.
So the basic workflow is:
A script which locates a GZ file in one directory, unzips it to a file with a standard name.
An external table whioch reads from the standard name file and which has that script as its preprocess script
An INSERT statement which selects from the external table and writes to your target table
A more precise version of this will require more details than you have given regarding your business rules, but you should be able to figure it out for yourself.
Find out more on External Tables in the documentation.
Read Adrian Billington's excellent articles on preprocessor scripts here and here.
|
The secret menu item is a novel way to order your burger: Tomato Wrap Style. It's similar to getting any burger protein style, but instead of lettuce serving as your buns, tomato slices are used instead. The result is what can only be described as the juiciest, messiest burger experience possible. |
Protein inhibitors of calcium salt crystal growth in saliva, bile and pancreatic juice.
The control of the formation of crystals in biological fluids is one of the most exciting field of research involving both organic and biochemical areas. Many organisms have evolved mechanisms which minimize or avoid the effects of nucleation and crystal growth formation. One of the most important mechanism is the interaction of specific proteins, called inhibitors, with crystals which alters their habits and leads to their elimination. This article, focused on saliva, pancreatic juice and bile, reviews our present knowledge on the structure-function relationships existing between these proteins and their ability to inhibit the growth of different calcium salt crystals. |
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