text:
|Close up of some desert pavement. Notice how the rocks are closely interconnected, often like a puzzle. This results in rainwater not penetrating the soil and instead running off. Plant and other live are nearly absent to areas like this.
In our previous entry we discussed desert soil horizons, and if you were wondering, desert pavement is part of the A horizon. Soil horizons are extremely important in determining where water accumulates and therefore where and what types of plants grow. Desert pavement, as mentioned before, prevents water from penetrating deep into the soil due to its hard pavement like surface. Typically, desert pavement also indicates underlying thick layers of caliche, both of which can strongly impede water and plant roots from penetrating. Water may only penetrate a few centimeters deep, even after a good rain, and many years may pass between times where there is enough rainfall to penetrate to adequate depths to support plant life. Outside of the pavement though water penetrates more often and a lot deeper as evidenced by obviously thicker vegetation. Every five or so years through there is significant rainfall to penetrate deeper into desert pavement soils and short lived flowers can color the normally black desert ground yellow.
|Normally black and barren desert pavement covered with wildflowers after strong winter rainfall. Picture from:http://www.desertmuseum.org/programs/flw_mohave.php


text: Socioeconomic Status and Mortality in Swedish Women: Opposing Trends for Cardiovascular Disease and CancerCabrera, Claudia1,2; Helgesson, Östen2; Wedel, Hans1; Björkelund, Cecilia2; Bengtsson, Calle2; Lissner, Lauren1,2Epidemiology: September 2001 - Volume 12 - Issue 5 - p 532-536 ORIGINAL ARTICLES Free Abstract Author InformationAuthors Article OutlineOutline We examined relations between socioeconomic status and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes mellitus in a 24-year prospective study of 1,462 Swedish women. Two socioeconomic indicators were used: the husband's occupational category for married women and a composite indicator combining women's educational level with household income for all women. The husband's occupational category was strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality in opposite directions, independent of age and other potential confounders. Women with husbands of lower occupational categories had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality [relative risk (RR) = 1.60; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.09–2.33] while experiencing lower rates of all-site cancer mortality (RR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.50–0.96). A similar relation was seen with the composite variable: women with low socioeconomic status had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (RR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.01–1.84) but a somewhat lower risk for cancer of all sites (RR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.66–1.11). Finally, morbidity data (diabetes mellitus, stroke, and breast cancer) yielded results that were consistent with the mortality trends, and breast cancer appeared to account for a major part of the association between total cancer and high socioeconomic status. In summary, higher socioeconomic status was associated with decreased cardiovascular disease mortality and excess cancer mortality, in such a way that only a weak association was seen for all-cause mortality. From the 1Nordic School of Public Health 2Department of Primary Health Care, Göteborg University, Sweden. Address correspondence to: Lauren Lissner, Department of Primary Health Care, Institute for Community Medicine, Vasa Hospital, Pavilion 11, Level 3, S-411 33 Göteborg, Sweden. Submitted May 17, 2000; final version accepted December 4, 2000. Abstract Subjects and Methods Sample Measures of Socioeconomic Status Mortality and Morbidity Endpoints Statistical Methods Results Discussion References Social class differentials in mortality and morbidity persist in Europe, even though health care allocation in general has become more equitable in recent decades. 1 Such health differences may, in part, be due to behavioral and lifestyle aspects of socioeconomic status rather than a lack of universal health coverage. 2,3 The aim of this study is to examine whether a discrepancy between mortality in lower and higher socioeconomic groups continues to exist in Sweden, where health care has been made accessible to all. Much has been written about socioeconomic status and mortality in men, but relatively less is known about women, among whom these associations may be even more complex. 4–7 Therefore, we measured estimates of social class inequality using both conventional and composite indicators, to assess optimally socioeconomic status in 1968. We will describe the association between these social risk factors and women's health while also taking into account factors known to vary with socioeconomic status and survival, for example, smoking and obesity. Back to Top | Article Outline Subjects and Methods Sample A prospective population-based study of women from Gothenburg (approximately 450,000 inhabitants) in western Sweden began in 1968–1969, when a representative group of 1,622 women were randomly selected within the strata 38, 46, 50, 54, and 60 years of age; 1,462 of these women attended the primary health examination, resulting in a participation rate of 90%. This investigation consisted of detailed questionnaires describing medical history and socioeconomic variables together with physical examinations including anthropometric measures taken by a single investigator. 8 Three follow-up studies have been subsequently carried out in 1974/1975, 1980/1981, and 1992/1993. After 24 years, 265 (18%) of the original participants were deceased and fewer than 1% have been lost to follow-up. 9 Back to Top | Article Outline Measures of Socioeconomic Status Socioeconomic status was characterized in this analysis by two methods: husband's occupational category and a composite variable reflecting household income and women's education. Women's own occupational category could not be used as a socioeconomic indicator, because 39% described themselves as housewives, and of those who worked outside the home, many worked part-time. Husband's occupational category is a conventional socioeconomic indicator reflecting community status and financial earnings of the husband in each household, for married women. This variable comprised three levels of socioeconomic status: high (large-scale employers and officials of high or intermediate rank, including 14% of the 1,156 married women), medium (small-scale employers, officials of lower rank, foremen, including 43% of the sample), and low (skilled and unskilled workers, including 43% of the sample). 10,11 Seventy-nine per cent of the women were married and could be characterized in this way. In addition, we examined the variables household income and education so that we could include all women in the analysis. Self-reported household income at the time of the baseline study was calculated from a woman's own income plus that of her husband, if married; we used a cutpoint of 35,800 Swedish Crowns per year (median) to discriminate lower vs higher income groups. Educational group also included two categories that were based on a natural cutoff level; the majority of women had attended primary school grades 1 through 7 (70%), whereas only 30% had gone beyond this level, and fewer than 2% had attended university or college in 1968. Combining information on household income and education, a three-level composite indicator was created. High socioeconomic status consisted of high income with high education and included 20% of all 1,462 participants. Medium referred to high income with low education, comprising 29% of the sample. The remaining 51% were classified as low (low income with either high or low education). This type of composite approach, which has been used previously, 12 combines information concerning resources available to the household with individual social class information as reflected by educational level for each woman. The categorization scheme used here gives greater weight to income than education in the assessment of health risk in women, in accordance with previous research suggesting that income has a stronger relation to morbidity than education in women. 6,13,14 Back to Top | Article Outline Mortality and Morbidity Endpoints For each socioeconomic variable, we created statistical models for total mortality, cause-specific mortality, and selected morbidity endpoints. The total mortality model included 265 deaths. Cause-specific mortality included cardiovascular disease (104 deaths) and cancer of all sites (88 deaths). Specifically, mortality due to cardiovascular disease consisted of all deaths from myocardial infarction (40%), other heart diseases (34%), or stroke (26%). Death due to cancer at all sites included the following cancers: breast (21%), uterine (5%), ovarian (12%), lung (9%), blood/lymph (14%), gastrointestinal (22%), skin (1%), multiple site (1%), and other (15%). Two general types of cancer morbidity were studied separately, out of a total of 221 cases: breast cancer (22%) and non-breast cancer (78%). Morbidity from myocardial infarction (92), stroke (79), and diabetes mellitus (82) was also evaluated. Information on mortality was obtained from death certificates, and morbidity was ascertained from cancer registries, hospital registries, and medical examinations. Back to Top | Article Outline Statistical Methods The data were analyzed using the Cox proportional-hazards model to estimate time to mortality or morbidity. 15 Each socioeconomic factor was studied in an age-adjusted model and also with confounders potentially relevant to cardiovascular disease or cancer, in disease-specific regression models. These covariates (age, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, smoking, age at first birth, and parity) were selected because they had known associations with mortality, morbidity, and socioeconomic status in women. We used reduced models when the number of events was low. Results from the proportional-hazards models were presented with slope estimates, standard errors, hazard ratios [relative risk (RRs)], and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Back to Top | Article Outline Results Selected baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. These descriptive data are stratified according to the husband's occupational category, making it possible to document the relation between the husband's socioeconomic status and other variables used in this analysis. Table 1 Husband's occupational category was analyzed in relation to mortality and morbidity for married women in whom the low group was used as the reference. The following cumulative mortality proportions were observed for each category of the husband's occupation: high 20% (32 deaths), medium 16% (77 deaths), and low 17% (86 deaths). We found an almost flat association between husband's occupational group and total mortality, in age-adjusted and multivariate models (Table 2). Nevertheless, lower occupational category was associated with excess cardiovascular disease mortality. We saw a protective effect with respect to cardiovascular disease mortality when high occupational category was compared with low (RR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.04–0.84). In contrast, higher husband's occupational category indicated an increased risk in all-site cancer mortality relative to low (RR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.21–4.31). Both of these associations were independent of all covariates included in the respective multivariate models. Table 2 Considering the morbidity endpoints, high occupational category was associated with elevated breast cancer morbidity compared with low (RR = 2.92; 95% CI = 1.30–6.53), although differences were not observed between the medium and low occupational categories. Non-breast cancer morbidity also increased as a husband's occupational level increased, but only marginally. In contrast, we found inverse trends for stroke and diabetes mellitus morbidity, with the greatest contrast between the middle and low categories [RR = 0.53 (95% CI = 0.29–0.94), and RR = 0.39 (95% CI = 0.20–0.75), respectively]. These findings of excess stroke and diabetes mellitus risk in the lowest socioeconomic group persisted even after covariate adjustment. Compared to stroke and diabetes mellitus, the relation between spouse's occupational category and myocardial infarction was much weaker. To include all women in the analysis, regardless of marital status, we conducted separately analyses using household income or educational level. Although the magnitude and direction of these associations followed the same pattern as a husband's occupational category, the confidence intervals tended to be much wider (results available upon request). Therefore, in addition to the husband's occupational category, we are reporting results based on a composite socioeconomic indicator derived from income plus education, as described in Subjects and Methods. As in all previous analyses, high and medium socioeconomic status levels were compared with the reference category, low. The crude 24-year cumulative mortality risks in the three composite socioeconomic status levels were 16% (45 deaths), 16% (67 deaths), and 20% (153 deaths) for high, medium, and low categories, respectively. Consistent with results seen using the husband's occupation, total mortality in the lower composite socioeconomic group did not differ much from that in any of the other groups. Again, high socioeconomic status was associated with a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease [RR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.24–0.99 (Table 3)]. Although the composite variable was not strongly related to mortality from cancer, it did present a positive trend similar to that seen using the husband's occupational category. Table 3 The composite measure of socioeconomic status was also related to morbidity from breast cancer. Breast cancer morbidity increased as socioeconomic status increased, in a strong dose-response manner, and marked differences were seen when high socioeconomic status was compared with low (RR = 3.31; 95% CI = 1.74–6.31). Finally, using this measure of socioeconomic status, stroke and diabetes mellitus incidences were lower in the medium compared with low socioeconomic level [RR = 0.56 (95% CI = 0.32–0.99), and RR = 0.71 (95% CI = 0.53–0.96), respectively]. Stroke also showed an inverse trend with socioeconomic level, which became attenuated in the multivariate model. Consistent with the results in married women, we saw only a weak and uncertain association between socioeconomic status and incidence of myocardial infarction using the composite index. Back to Top | Article Outline Discussion This population-based study showed that low socioeconomic status as measured by two alternate socioeconomic indicators was related to increased cardiovascular mortality, in agreement with a short-term follow-up of the same women. 16 Although socioeconomic differentials in cardiovascular mortality among women, observed here, were similar to those previously reported in men, myocardial infarction morbidity in this investigation did not clearly follow the same pattern using either socioeconomic indicator. 2,17,18 Incidence of stroke was weakly associated with low socioeconomic status using both socioeconomic variables. Diabetes mellitus was also related to both indices of low socioeconomic status, but the association was much attenuated after covariate adjustment, suggesting a likely explanatory role for obesity. In direct contrast to the cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus findings, higher occupational status of the husband was associated with high mortality from cancer, and the cancer morbidity data suggested that a large part of the association in women may be related to breast cancer. In contrast to the other endpoints, in the case of breast cancer morbidity, the composite socioeconomic indicator was stronger than the husband's occupational category. A number of factors, however, may limit the generalizability of the cancer findings. First, owing to the small numbers, it was not possible to study cancer mortality in a site-specific way. Regarding breast cancer morbidity, the low number of cases limited the number of simultaneously controlled covariates for this endpoint, increasing the likelihood of confounding by variables not included in the model. Individual adjustments for other covariates did not change our results, however. Finally, although the combination of high education and high income was strongly associated with breast cancer risk, there were insufficient data available to analyze the combination of high education and low income. There are multiple potential pathways by which socioeconomic status may relate to mortality and morbidity in women. 19–21 In this study, we controlled for risk factors measured at baseline (age, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, smoking, age at first birth, and parity) while testing two measurements of socioeconomic status. As expected, 22–24 waist-hip ratio and smoking were independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the multivariate model, in contrast to body mass index, which was not as strongly related (results not shown). Because these lifestyle-related variables often covary with socioeconomic status as well as mortality and morbidity, 25–28 it is important to highlight the fact that controlling for them did not alter the main findings of this study. Specifically, high socioeconomic status remained a strong correlate of less cardiovascular mortality but more cancer mortality, and these relations could not be attributed to class differences, for instance, in obesity, smoking behaviors, or reproductive history. Our knowledge of socioeconomic risk factors for mortality and morbidity in women has been limited for numerous reasons, including assumptions regarding equitable health care allocation, together with a greater historical focus on chronic disease epidemiology in men. 3,29–32 Furthermore, the interpretation of observed inequities in health is complicated by the fact that social differences may be related to early biological influences as well as biobehavioral and environmental exposures in later life. Theories involving the impact of reduced "volitional capability" on health status among women of different social classes also merit consideration. 5,20,33 In this study, the strongest socioeconomic correlate of health outcome was a husband's occupational category, which may reflect a woman's dependency on her husband's income, even if she was employed in 1968. Marital status per se did not alter the associations reported for the entire sample. Specifically, associations between the composite indicator and all endpoints studied were not affected when unmarried women were removed nor when marital status was considered as a confounder in the model. To summarize, in this representative cohort of Swedish women traced over 24 years, opposing monotonic trends were seen for mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease in relation to socioeconomic status. In particular, socioeconomic status correlated positively with cancer and negatively with cardiovascular disease. There was, however, some indication of U- or J-shaped associations for diabetes mellitus and stroke morbidity. Our findings confirm previous studies' indications that associations between socioeconomic status and health still exist in Swedish women and that these associations vary profoundly for different diseases.Back to Top | Article Outline References 1. Feinstein JS. The relationship between socio-economic status and health: a review of the literature. Milbank Q 1993; 71: 383–411. Cited Here... 2. Rosengren A, Wedel H, Wilhelmsen L. Coronary heart disease and mortality in middle-aged men from different occupational classes in Sweden. BMJ 1988; 297: 1497–1500. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 3. Vågerö D. Inequality in health: some theoretical and empirical problems. Soc Sci Med 1991; 32: 367–371. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 4. Marmot MG, Shipley MJ, Rose G. Inequalities in death: specific explanations of a general pattern? Lancet 1984; 1 (8384): 1003–1006. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 5. Kawachi I, Marmot MG. Commentary: what can we learn from studies of occupational class and cardiovascular disease? Am J Epidemiol 1998; 148: 160–163. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 6. Davey Smith G, Hart C, Hole D, MacKinnon P, Gillis C, Watt G, Blane D, Hawthorne V. Education and occupational social class: which is the more important indicator of mortality risk? J Epidemiol Community Health 1998; 52: 153–160. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 7. Abbot P, Sapsford R. Women and Social Class. London: Tavistock, 1987. Cited Here... 8. Bengtsson C, Blohmé G, Hallberg L, Hällström T, Isaksson B, Korsan-Bengtsen K, Rybo G, Tibblin E, Tibblin G, Westerberg H. The study of women in Gothenburg 1968–1969: a population study: general design, purpose, and sampling results. Acta Med Scand 1973; 193: 311–318. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 9. Bengtsson C, Ahlqwist M, Andersson K, Björkelund C, Lissner L, Söderström M. The Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg Sweden, 1968–69 to 1992–93: a 24-year follow-up study with special reference to participation, representativeness, and mortality. Scand J Prim Health Care 1997; 15: 214–219. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 10. Carlsson G. Socialgruppering: Social Mobility and Class Structure. Lund, Sweden: University of Lund, GWK Gleerup, 1958. Cited Here... 11. Halling A, Bengtsson C. Number of teeth and proximal periodontal bone height in relation to social factors. Swed Dent J 1984; 8: 183–191. Cited Here... | PubMed 12. Krieger N, Chen JT, Selby JV. Comparing individual-based and household-based measures of social class to assess class inequalities in women's health: a methodological study of 684 US women. J Epidemiol Community Health 1999; 53: 612–623. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 13. Arber S. Comparing inequalities in women's and men's health: Britain in the 1990s. Soc Sci Med 1997; 44: 773–787. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 14. Schrijvers CT, Stronks K, van de Mheen HD, Mackenbach JP. Explaining educational differences in mortality: the role of behavioral and material factors. Am J Public Health 1999; 89: 535–540. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 15. Parmar M, Machin D. Survival Analysis: A Practical Approach. Chichester, United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons, 1995. Cited Here... 16. Lapidus L, Bengtsson C. Socio-economic factors and physical activity in relation to cardiovascular disease and death: a 12 year follow up of participants in a population study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden. Br Heart J 1986; 55: 295–301. Cited Here... | PubMed 17. Marmot MG, Rose G, Shipley M, Hamilton PJS. Employment grade and coronary heart disease in British civil servants. J Epidemiol Commun Health 1978; 3: 244–249. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 18. Kaplan GA, Keil J. Socio-economic factors and cardiovascular disease: a review of the literature. Circulation 1993; 88 (4 pt 1):1973–1998. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 19. Gravelle H. How much of the relation between population mortality and unequal distribution of income is a statistical artefact? BMJ 1998; 316: 382–385. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 20. Marshall G, Roberts S, Burgoyne C, Swift A, Routh D. Class, gender, and the asymmetry hypothesis. Eur Sociol Rev 1995; 11: 1–15. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 21. Marmot MG, Kogevinas M, Elston MA. Social/economic status and disease. Annu Rev Public Health 1987; 8: 111–135. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 22. Björntorp P. The association between obesity adipose tissue distribution and disease. Acta Med Scand 1988; 723: 121–134. Cited Here... 23. Brunner E. Inequalities in diet and health. In: Shetty PS, McPherson K, eds. Diet Nutrition and Chronic Disease: Lessons from Contrasting Worlds. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1997. Cited Here... 24. Lapidus L, Bengtsson C, Larsson B, Pennert K, Rybo E, Sjöström L. Distribution of adipose tissue and risk of cardiovascular disease and death: 12 year follow-up of participants in the population study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden. BMJ 1984; 289: 1257–1261. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 25. Goldberg RJ, Gore JM, Gurwitz JH, Alpert JS, Brady P, Strohsnitter W, Chen ZY, Dalen JE. The impact of age on the incidence and prognosis of initial acute myocardial infarction: the Worcester Heart Attack Study. Am Heart J 1989; 117: 543–549. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 26. Thur L. Risk of breast cancer. J Lymphol 1989; 13: 74–82. Cited Here... 27. Franceschi S. Reproductive factors and cancers of the breast, ovary, and endometrium. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1989; 25: 1933–1943. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 28. Trichopoulos D, Hsieh CC, MacMahon B, Lin TM, Lowe CR, Mirra AP, Ravnihar B, Salber EJ, Valaoras VG, Yuasa S. Age at any birth and breast cancer risk. Int J Cancer 1983; 31: 701–704. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 29. Rosengren A, Wilhelmsen L. Are there socio-economic differences in survival after acute myocardial infarction? Eur Heart J 1996; 17: 1619–1623. Cited Here... | PubMed | CrossRef 30. Peltonen M, Rosén M, Lundberg V, Asplund K. Social patterning of myocardial infarction and stroke in Sweden: incidence and survival. Am J Epidemiol 2000; 151: 283–292. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 31. Davis DL, Dinse GE, Hoel DG. Decreasing cardiovascular disease and increasing cancer among whites in the United States from 1973 through 1987. J Am Med Assoc 1994; 271: 431–437. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 32. Anderson RT, Sorlie P, Backlund E, Johnson N, Kaplan GA. Mortality effects of community socio-economic status. Epidemiology 1997; 8: 42–47. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef 33. Wilkinson RG. Socio-economic determinants of health, health inequalities: relative or absolute material standards? BMJ 1997; 314: 591–595. Cited Here... | View Full Text | PubMed | CrossRef Keywords:socioeconomic status; education; income; cardiovascular disease; neoplasms; gender; marital status; mortality; morbidity © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
With Christmas just around the corner, four blocks down and across the river, we thought it would be a great time to look at HTC's top festive tech for under the tree this year.
HTC U11 in Solar Red, Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue and Brilliant Black*
Available for £649 from http://www.htc.com/uk/go/buy-htc-u11/
*Keep an eye on the website for offers, Solar Red available in Dual Sim only
HTC's stunning flagship smartphone, the HTC U11, makes the perfect gift. Give your friend, family or loved one a hug, kiss and a squeeze this Christmas with the U11's world first 'Edge Sense' technology, allowing you to open apps or take selfies with a simple squeeze! That Christmas Day family selfie will definitely be one for the photo albums. The HTC U11 is also compatible with the Amazon Alexa App.
It doesn't just offer high-spec technology either, the U11 boasts beautiful 3D liquid glass surface crafted using highly-refractive precious mineral. Across the phone's back cover the U11's brand new colour, Solar Red, changes from a festive red to a fireside orange depending on how the light strikes it, making it a gift they're sure to treasure.
From obligatory awkward family photos to Santa hat selfies, the U11 boasts the best smartphone camera on the market to help you capture all the festivities.
Perfect for blasting out those Christmas classics, the U11's audio is unparalleled and comes with HTC's most advanced headset ever build for personal audio, the HTC USonic which includes Active Noise Cancellation.
HTC USonic Headphones
Available for £34.90 from http://www.htc.com/uk/accessories/htc-usonic-earphones
The HTC USonic Earphones are the perfect stocking filler for those looking for something more inventive than socks or chocolate. The clever headset analyses the inner shape of your ears so that every note, nuance and tone can be tuned to your individual hearing*. The ideal gift for music loving family members and friends alike.
*Feature compatible with HTC devices only
HTC U Ultra in Brilliant Black and Sapphire Blue
£649 from http://www.htc.com/uk/go/buy-htc-u-ultra/
Treat someone to an extra-special gift this year with the HTC U Ultra. The luxury smartphone is made entirely out of glass, giving it a sleek and unique reflective appearance sure to impress even the most style-conscious.
Built to make life easier, the U Ultra is the perfect gift for busy people in your life as it has a helpful second screen which allows you to receive notifications without interrupting your browsing experience.
It also has a beautiful, large 5.7" 4K screen with a delightfully clear display, making it easy to watch those festive favourite movies on the go. Elf anyone?
The perfect personal assistant, the U Ultra comes with HTC Sense Companion, a clever feature designed to help day-to-day life when Christmas-brain kicks in – whether it's reminding you to dress warmly when it's forecast to snow to suggesting nearby restaurants when you've had enough turkey for one year.
Capture those memorable family moments with the U Ultra's excellent camera. Making it easier than ever to take the perfect photo, the U Ultra's rear camera has less blur, super-fast laser focus and new Phase Detection Auto Focus – a camera even the grandparents will be able to use!
HTC U Play in Brilliant Black, Sapphire Blue and Ice White
Available for £399 from http://www.htc.com/uk/go/buy-htc-u-play/
The stylish HTC U Play has an amazing claim to fame: the official smartphone of the hit reality show Love Island, making it the perfect gift for teenagers and Island-addicts. The smartphone is every bit as luxurious as the U Ultra but comes in a more compact package.
Perfect for music lovers, the U Play comes with intelligent earphones in-box that analyses your ears and tailors their sound perfectly to your needs. A real treat for those who love listening to their favourite tunes in crisp detail. For an extra-festive treat, the U Play is available in beautiful Ice White.
Of course, every teenager loves a selfie moment and the U Play's flawless 16MP front-facing camera makes capturing those Insta-worthy moments even easier.
You may also like
Toshiba adds 4TB and 6TB capacity drives to P300 Desktop PC Hard Drive Series
CORSAIR Launches iCUE QL RGB Fans for Spectacular Lighting from Any Angle
Sennheiser partners with Music at Work Week
HONOR 9X Launches with Extraordinary FullView Display and 48MP Triple Camera for Amazing Photos
New EDIFIER GM3SE In-Ear Gaming Headphones


text:
tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post2368596416581815625..comments2019-09-16T14:38:54.944-05:00Comments on Deep South Dish: Homemade Chicken StewMary | Deep South Dishhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-42404749133218809462017-10-30T22:13:50.948-05:002017-10-30T22:13:50.948-05:00Hi Ralph! Yes, sorry that wasn't clear. The ba...Hi Ralph! Yes, sorry that wasn't clear. The bacon should be chopped and used as the fat to cook the onion and bell pepper in. It stays in for flavoring.Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-22087163791586834082017-10-28T14:21:24.960-05:002017-10-28T14:21:24.960-05:00Making this right now. Does the bacon get chopped,...Making this right now. Does the bacon get chopped, or removed? I'm subbing sweet taters to make it a little better for diabetics (me). Ralph Fiscushttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-71657166495696353172017-04-17T11:16:10.822-05:002017-04-17T11:16:10.822-05:00Glad you enjoyed it Mellie!Glad you enjoyed it Mellie!Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-47810950050962720952017-04-15T19:40:32.888-05:002017-04-15T19:40:32.888-05:00Is there anything Mimi's Rotisserie chicken wo...Is there anything Mimi's Rotisserie chicken won't go good with?? Well, I haven't found it yet! Because it was perfect in this stew. And the bacon flavor was just right. It thickened up just enough and is very hearty. I had the stock and chicken frozen in batches so this was literally a dump and go on with it meal. It really just became a waiting game after that, and well worth it too. I can't wait for leftovers tomorrow, it's gonna be even better.
Thank you another excellent dinner. It was very good! melliehttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-86946292198413039612016-02-13T14:21:14.865-06:002016-02-13T14:21:14.865-06:00Dang I should have tried this long ago Mary!!! It ...Dang I should have tried this long ago Mary!!! It was delicious!!! DonSmokin Donhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-79868077873969742962014-01-08T15:35:42.998-06:002014-01-08T15:35:42.998-06:00Hope y'all enjoy it Jennifer!Hope y'all enjoy it Jennifer!Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-38316933040771372612014-01-08T14:43:29.957-06:002014-01-08T14:43:29.957-06:00Yes, it's a from scratch recipe so it does tak...Yes, it's a from scratch recipe so it does take a little time! Glad you enjoyed it Nancy!Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-57337389288151014882014-01-08T12:58:20.279-06:002014-01-08T12:58:20.279-06:00Getting ready to make this recipe tonight while th...Getting ready to make this recipe tonight while the last of the bitter cold is still hanging on. I can't wait to try it out on my husband!Jenniferhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-41485668885382689402013-01-06T21:28:43.775-06:002013-01-06T21:28:43.775-06:00Yeah, it's definitely a weekend dish making it...Yeah, it's definitely a weekend dish making it from scratch, but I do think it's worth the wait too. Luckily it's mostly stove time and not hands-on time. Glad y'all enjoyed it Nancy & thanks for stopping by to let me know!Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-7366499423939008632013-01-06T17:19:59.491-06:002013-01-06T17:19:59.491-06:00I made this recipe today and it was great. It took...I made this recipe today and it was great. It took a long time to make it, but it was worth the waitNancy Starkweatherhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-82896731411100358852013-01-06T17:18:50.721-06:002013-01-06T17:18:50.721-06:00I made this today and it was great. It took a lon...I made this today and it was great. It took a long time , but it was worth the wait. Thank you for publishing this recipe.

Nancy SNancy Starkweatherhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-48234773210482264372012-12-12T11:44:47.585-06:002012-12-12T11:44:47.585-06:00Thank you Joy! I don't like to rush to put up ...Thank you Joy! I don't like to rush to put up recipes just to build daily content and I take a lot of time to perfect them before I publish them. The content is slower to come, but I feel pretty confident once a recipe makes it to the site. It really means a lot to get feedback & the picky daughter approval is always a sought after thumbs up!! Thanks so much.Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-686832914771084132012-12-12T09:08:15.210-06:002012-12-12T09:08:15.210-06:00This is the second recipe of yours that I tried an...This is the second recipe of yours that I tried and it was great. It's telling when my normally picky daughter complimented my stew. I added 3 serrano peppers for an extra kick. Thanks Mary!

Joy J.Jerk Chickenzhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-14021606312729565222012-12-12T09:04:47.087-06:002012-12-12T09:04:47.087-06:00This is the second recipe of yours that I've t...This is the second recipe of yours that I've tried and it is a raging success! I left out the bacon (too lazy to cook it) and the cornstarch and it still turned out delicious! Even my picky daughter liked it. Thanks Mary.

JoyJerk Chickenzhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-77271991402822457772012-11-15T18:11:52.785-06:002012-11-15T18:11:52.785-06:00Thanks so much Joe! That BTB really gives commerci...Thanks so much Joe! That BTB really gives commercial broth a great boost. I love that stuff!! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the stew & thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know. I really appreciate that!Mary | Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-79753148235363289402012-11-15T16:28:56.793-06:002012-11-15T16:28:56.793-06:00I made this today and it was fabulous. I took the...I made this today and it was fabulous. I took the shortcut and used a rotisserie chicken and commercial broth plus 1T of BTB. I left out the cornstarch as I like a juicy stew. Thanks for this great recipe which is pure southern comfort.

Joe M.
Joehttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-48063031869487096022012-11-15T16:27:59.481-06:002012-11-15T16:27:59.481-06:00I made this today and it was fabulous. I took the...I made this today and it was fabulous. I took the shortcut and used a rotisserie chicken and commercial broth plus 1T of BTB. I left out the cornstarch as I like a juicy stew. Thanks for this great recipe which is pure southern comfort.

Joe M.
Joehttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-76452347852435971932012-01-16T02:48:08.454-06:002012-01-16T02:48:08.454-06:00I hope you enjoyed the stew!I hope you enjoyed the stew!Mary at Deep South Dishhttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-59529849708280653612012-01-15T11:55:06.708-06:002012-01-15T11:55:06.708-06:00Making this now. It smells so good. Should taste e...Making this now. It smells so good. Should taste even better.Unknownhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-7334018100641762782011-12-12T23:21:19.856-06:002011-12-12T23:21:19.856-06:00Thanks so much Judy - glad you enjoyed them!!Thanks so much Judy - glad you enjoyed them!!Mary at Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-78192478266092266222011-12-12T21:34:13.545-06:002011-12-12T21:34:13.545-06:00Made your hamburger steaks in creamy onion gravy t...Made your hamburger steaks in creamy onion gravy tonight - they were delicious. I have never tried dusting them in flour before, I think that is what sealed in the juices so they weren't dry - brilliant! Thanks for the recipe that will become a part of my go to group.
Judy email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-24545315251179749132011-12-12T11:03:24.773-06:002011-12-12T11:03:24.773-06:00Thanks so much Angie - glad you enjoyed it!!Thanks so much Angie - glad you enjoyed it!!Mary at Deep South Dishhttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-56206241596034421352011-12-11T22:13:37.902-06:002011-12-11T22:13:37.902-06:00I have never made a chicken stew before until now ...I have never made a chicken stew before until now and this was a great recipe!

The bacon added a lot of great flavor and the milk was great as well.

Delicious recipe! Thanks for sharing it.angiehttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-18766757325275573672011-11-30T20:29:08.492-06:002011-11-30T20:29:08.492-06:00It's dang cold here....I could use a pot..err....It's dang cold here....I could use a pot..err...bowl of this right now:)

I've done chicken gumbo and stuff like that but never a stew. I really like the looks of this.Chrishttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-7695338129494842494.post-20349636318495014312011-11-29T16:02:47.515-06:002011-11-29T16:02:47.515-06:00Looks like a real winner, especially with the mate...Looks like a real winner, especially with the maters for Bev. Had the weather kept us from going up I-59, and staying south further east, I was going to invite you to lunch, but it did not so maybe next time.Big Dudehttps://firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Instagram posts where I promoted the business you see below.
Ultimate Ears
1,347 25
trekking italy
1,067 32
Protest Women
1,412 40
2,799 62
Kura Nutrition
1,293 21
8848 Altitude
1,650 36
1,120 20
Determined, creative and dedicated are probably the best words to describe me. I'm Veroniqi Hanssen, Born on August 17th 1992 in the Netherlands.
Snowboarding has brought me to a variety of amazing places and allowed me to discover my passion for travelling, adventure and the outdoors.
I love exploring new places, hiking out to waterfalls, camping and waking up to a beautiful sunset.
This appreciation for nature also inspired me to reduce my carbon footprint and embrace a plant-based diet.
Female, 27 years old
Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
Please contact me for specific pricing
Instagram posts where I promoted the business you see below.
1,347 25
1,067 32
1,412 40
2,799 62
1,293 21
1,650 36
1,120 20
Videos I've shared where I promoted the business you see below.
Links to press and other media related to my influencer work.
Add this influencer's influence.co widget to your website or blog to showcase your their profile. We keep it updated with their most recent content and stats.
Paste this code into your page's HTML where you want the widget to go.
Copy embed code Close
You are welcome to send a message to yourself to see how the system works. If you're trying to contact the influence.co team, please email [email protected] with any questions. We're always here to help!
Forgot password? Click here.
Need an account? Sign up.
Please enter your email address to get started.
Already have an account? Sign in.
We've revoked your access to use our messaging system. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
This has been reported to our team. Thanks for helping keep influence.co an awesome place for influencers and brands!
Loading your Facebook Pages...
To do that, you need an influence.co PRO account. With influence.co you can:
Additionally, PRO members get the noticable PRO badge on their profile and appear higher in many search results. You should go PRO today!
Click the button below to login or create a free account. We use Instagram to verify your identity. We never post anything to your Instagram account.
There is so much more you can do for free just by signing up.
Discover the best influencers for your brand
Build your own influencer marketing community
Post campaign openings and have influencers apply to you
Give your whole team access to build lists, message and run campaigns
Access unparalleled data, collaboration histories, and audience demographics.
influence.co is the world's largest professional community for the influencer industry. We enable influencers, businesses, and service providers to connect with their peers, learn from each other, and find people to work with.


text:
One of the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books with a mission to encourage the intellectual and personal growth of all children, used a homegrown master data management (MDM) solution to manage their customer data. However, they had no single, reliable view of schools and teachers – their primary customers. Their school data was scattered across disparate systems and hindered their ability to up-sell and cross-sell. They needed to create a unified view of schools and school districts to support their digital transformation initiative.
Reltio Cloud delivered an Account 360 solution to build, manage and maintain a 360 view of schools and teachers with more than 25 million aggregated profiles. Reltio Self-Learning Graph helped them uncover relationships among teachers & schools and link teachers to schools & school systems. As a result, they were able to drive personal and direct relationship with teachers in school districts through targeted campaigns and accelerate their revenue growth.


text:
Brief History
In as early as the 1920s, Fudan started to teach education courses. In 1924, Then-President Li Denghui suggested Mr. Zhang Yi, an excellent Fudan graduate who would pursue a higher degree in the US to choose the field of education. And in 1929, Zhang became the founding chair of the Department of Education. In more than two decades since then, the department had struggled to survive and kept developing despite the hardships of wartime It once attracted a group of renowned scholars such as Mr. Shu Xincheng, Aiwei, Shao Heting and Xiao Xiaorong to be faculty members while President Li Denghui and his successors, Wu Nanxuan and Zhang Yi all delivered courses there. The department was such a success that many of the alumni like Mr. Caofu, Zhang Ruifan, Qu Baokui and Mrs. Yu Yi later became influential educators in China. In July 1951, the whole department was merged into the newly established East China Normal University.
Present Situation
After Reform and Opening-up, Fudan began to resume its education discipline. In 1986, the Research Institute for Higher Education (RIHE) was established. And in 1996, RIHE was ratified to offer a master's degree program in Higher Education. Over the past two decades, it has grown to be a multi-functional institutive encompassing a research hub of educational theories and practices, a consultant for the major policy decisions of Fudan and the governments of different levels and an academic unit that provides three Master programs.
Currently, the institute has 13 full-time members in total: 11 faculties and 2 editorial staffs. Ten out of the eleven faculties are doctoral degree holders. Our institute also recruits 8 adjunct professors who are from administrative divisions of Fudan and Shanghai Academy of educational Sciences to co-supervise students and delivery courses. They, together with the full-time faculties have constituted a multidisciplinaryteam, that researches both macro and micro issues and engages in relating the research findings to the educational practices.


text:
Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies will remind you of your first oven-baked cookie, so smile knowing that goodness makes a difference.
For definitions of diet and ingredient claims, please read our Terms & Definitions page. Manufacturing facilities and production lines are subject to change. Please check back often.
Product formulation and packaging may change. Please refer to the product label for the most accurate information.
Ingredients: Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, And Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Grape Juice, Rice Dextrin, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Sugar; Unsweetened Chocolate; Dextrose; Cocoa Butter; Soy Lecithin (An Emulsifier); Natural Vanilla Extract), Date Paste, Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Invert Cane Sugar, Baking Soda, Salt.
Contains: Wheat, Soy, and Milk.
Made on the same equipment that processes peanuts, tree nuts and egg.


text:
In case you are using the Web out of your cellphone, you could think about placing in software program to guard you against viruses. Many individuals do not know this, nevertheless you may have hackers entry your phone the equivalent method they may do to a computer. Yow will discover plenty of free downloadable software program on-line that may make it easier to battle this downside.
To extend the battery lifetime of your cellphone, guantee that apps often aren't working within the background at all times. Some apps will proceed to run besides you disable them, and this will drain your battery rapidly. Look at your settings to see what you may wish to do as a method to flip these apps off and make your battery last longer.
Attempt to avoid using any type of animated background as your telephone's wallpaper. For those who're involved about your phone's battery … Read More


text: The caring personnel at Werry Funeral Homes Incorporated provide beautiful and well-maintained grounds created to meet the needs of each family and to commemorate the lives of people buried on the grounds. Trust is their top concern and they specialize in custom funerals, basic cremation, grief support, urn selection, and military memorial services including offering veteran burial flags. The professional, dedicated staff can help you in making burial service agreements, funeral preparation, and assist you through cremation choices. The funeral service director will certainly guide you through all aspects of the service; including funeral service flowers, casket choices, appropriate music selection, and local accommodations.


text: CUCUMBER RINGS This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Hood Estate in Malakoff, Texas in 1990 1 large cucumber 3 large eggs 3 tablespoons half and half 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup chopped cooed ham 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley Remove rounded ends from cucumber and cut into thick slices. Scoop out some of the cucumber seed area with a rounded teaspoon leaving shells and other side intact. Chop scooped part and save. Drain slices well on paper towels. Beat eggs together with chopped cucumber scooping then stir in half and half, salt, pepper and paprika. Melt butter in a saucepan and cook egg mixture gently until set. Stir in ham and parsley. Spoon egg mixture into holes in cucumber slices. Arrange on serving platter and serve.


text:
CD Projekt Red Discusses Gender Identity Elements in Cyberpunk 2077
It's hard to imagine a video game news day without the mention of Cyberpunk 2077. August 27, 2018 has been teeming with tidbits already. For example, we got to see the E3 2018 footage for the first time. We also have a better idea of how CD Projekt Red will handle gender and gender fluidity in Cyberpunk 2077.
In a recent interview with Philipp Weber, Cyberpunk 2077's Senior Quest Designer, he talks about how gender might be handled within the game. The name of the lead character is one of the things mentioned. People will be stepping into V's shoes, which is a rather neutral moniker. Weber pointed out, "That's why we chose that name, because V works for male, works for female and we thought it would be a good option…" He went on to confirm that it would also work well for people choosing to play V as a gender neutral character.
As far as pronouns go, Weber did not specify if he/she/they will be present as options. However, he did reference how Cyberpunk 2020 handled the topic. When it came to how Cyberpunk 2077 will handle the possible option, he stated, "What I can say was that it was a part of Cyberpunk 2020 but how exactly we'll do it in Cyberpunk 2077 I don't know yet. But it is definitely a thing we are aware of."
The concept of body type came up as well. While talking about how someone would be able to portray a gender fluid character, the idea of character creation and selecting a body type came up. When asked if Cyberpunk 2077 will refer to types by male or female labels, Weber said, "I think the way it is right now, we're not saying either. We're basically showing it to you and you choose which of the bodies you have as the basis to then go on and make the character."
CD Projekt Red seems to be working hard to build hype and perhaps attempt to make the game more inclusive. Especially since the developer has also been talking about the transhumanism elements in the game. How do you feel about Cyberpunk 2077, based on what we know so far?
[Source: Eurogamer.net]


text:
Hello sweeties!
Illamasqua launched yesterday 7 new shades of Skin Base Foundation which makes it now available in 26 shades so everyone can find the perfect shade for their skintone.
Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market. Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, is undetectable in a professional HD environment. Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.
Now @illamasqua.com and Illamasqua counters
Illamasqua celebrates the launching of the new shades by offering 50% off your choice of a Powder Blusher, Cream Blusher or Bronzing Duo on Illamasqua.com… your basket will automatically update.
Meet me after the jump for more info and photos.
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation – £25.00
- SB 3.5 Yellow Undertone
- SB 4.5 Yellow Undertone
- SB 5.5 Yellow / Pink Undertone
- SB 6.5 Yellow Undertone
- SB 7.5 Yellow Undertone
- SB 8.5 Yellow Undertone
- SB 10.5 Yellow / Pink Undertone
Don't forget that very soon I will post info about Illamasqua Naked Strangers new summer 2012 collection. Are you excited? Honestly I can't wait to see what Illamasqua came up with this time and I bet with will be a wonderful and colorful collection.
Enjoy more photos…
If you would like to use this information and photos on your website or blog, please link back to this post!


text:
Lower Cost and Faster Product Approval Through Proper Software Design Controls2013-02-21 22:05:55
The market success of a medical device depends in large part on how well its software is programmed. Focusing heavily on the device while treating the software as an afterthought can lead to costly recalls and liability concerns.
Medical devices have become a vital part of the global healthcare market, with more than 2,000 premarket notifications, or 510(k)s, approved for marketing in the first three quarters of 2007 (CBER 2007). Of these, 39 are biological devices such as diagnostic assays, rapid tests, and cell separation systems.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must ensure a device is safe and effective while determining whether it is either legally equivalent to a previously approved device or represents a new category. Whether applying for a 510(k) or a premarket authorization (PMA), the burden falls on the manufacturer to ensure the entire product suite meets FDA standards. All too often, manufacturers, particularly startups and companies new to software development, focus on the device to be submitted for approval while paying little attention to the accompanying software required for analysis and quality control. This proves to be a costly and time-consuming mistake, as software rework, patching, and even complete rewrites often result.
Given that most medical devices contain software, successful submission of a 510(k) rests heavily on the manufacturer's ability to demonstrate that the software will perform as required. The FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has developed guidance to help manufacturers clear this regulatory hurdle, but because of the wide range of devices that fall under CDRH purview, the guidance is necessarily vague (CDRH 2002). This gives a great deal of discretion to a 510(k) reviewer or an onsite auditor in deciding whether the device and software will perform as they should.


text:
December 5, 2011: F is for Forgiveness
"And then there was that time when in love I started to fall, Worry said, "What if you get dumped? Doubt said, "Don't give it your all." (From New Best Fiend – A Little Book of Faith by Vera Jones)
He carried on an extended affair with a co-worker and had casually slept around with a few others. He lied to me repeatedly about everything. He purposely used psychological tactics to try to convince me that I was paranoid and over-sensitive. He verbally degraded me, emotionally derailed me, and physically exhausted me while also placing me at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Yet here he stood, his eyes pleading with mine, hitting me with the lowest of the low relational requests. He had the audacity to ask for Forgiveness! "Are you out of your mind or do you just think I am?" I screamed. I had given this man all of my heart and soul. What made him think I had anything left to even think about forgiving him let alone to actually do it?
For years of countless nights I wrestled with this tremendously unreasonable, dare say psychotic request to forgive someone who had hurt me so badly that I barely recognized myself anymore. Yet as defiant as I wanted to be in honoring his plea for forgiveness, I just could not escape the realization that I, too, had made mistakes. I, too, had hurt someone before. I, too, was human and therefore destined to sin and do things that were less than loving and pure. I, too, required forgiveness. How could I expect to ever receive it if I was unwilling to concede it? Oh I tried to justify with defenses of, "Yeah, but I never hurt anyone this badly." But I could not deny that I was not perfect and even if I believed I hadn't in the past, there surely may come a time in the future when I would indeed say or do something that may cause someone pain or harm, and I may be very sorry for it. So it was undeniable. I had to forgive just as I would pray to be forgiven. Fair is fair.
When you are deeply, emotionally scarred, forgiveness may seem an impossible task. Forgetting is out of the question. But faith is a greatly overlooked and powerful part of the forgiveness process. When you walk in faith, you sense that everything will work out for the good, even the deep and dark pain that has been inflicted by another. Faith also allows you to forgive yourself as you realize God still loves you despite your faults and shortcomings. You need only ask with a sincere heart to be forgiven and the healing process begins (even though I admit it sometimes takes a while to actually feel healed.) I have learned it is very difficult to reap the rewards of faith when you are holding tightly to the penalties of an unforgiving spirit. During your most vulnerable moments worry and doubt will try to convince you things will never get better and your pain will never end. But if you stop to listen closely, faith is whispering, "You are already healed. Just let go and believe better things, better people and better times are on their way into your life." Will you listen and trust that whisper?
Faith is the key to the ignition that drives forgiveness. The man that hurt me deeply just didn't deserve the loyal and true love I had to offer. Quite honestly, he had not learned to love and be loyal to himself. Why on earth would I expect him to give that which he did not have? Are you expecting someone to give something they don't have? Do you lack faith that you are bigger than the pain someone caused you? Do you no longer believe your life will improve and therefore carry an unforgiving spirit? Maybe it's time you find a New Best Friend named Faith. Believe better things, kinder people, happier times are ahead. Then start that engine of faith and drive forgiveness to your destination of peace and joy. That place does exist. I am proof. It took some time but today I live a life of complete forgiveness. I am both loving and lovable and happy
beyond measure. I'm beginning to fall in love again. Imagine that! Faith told me I could be, that I should be, and that I would be happy again. I'm so glad I listened! I wrote this because I know of so many people in pain and bondage because they don't know how or they just don't want to forgive. I'm tossing you the key of faith. Breakout! Be happy! Be faith-filled and free!
Get your autographed copy of New Best Friend – A Little Book of Faith today at http://www.verasvoiceworks.com/products.html. Be sure to purchase one for a friend, or anyone in need of a little Faith!


text:
This growth equation is brilliant in it's simplicity. I love that it forces the focus on a magic moment and core product value. Both are essential. Read more about this in First Round Capital's latest article.
This entry was posted on Friday, July 14th, 2017 at 10:01 am and is filed under The Equity Kicker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Comments are closed.
Copyright © 2008-2019 — Finance Geek. All Rights Reserved.
Proud to be a part of the Cedar Valley at CedarValley.com.


text:
AUGUSTA, GA. (WJBF)- Shopping from your couch on your phone or tablet makes Christmas shopping easier, but if a deal on an app seems too good to be true, you may want to take a second look.
"Mobile malware is on the rise today," said Jon Creekmore of the Cyber Discovery Group.
Mobile shopping hit record numbers this holiday weekend, and the Monday after Thanksgiving was even bigger. Cyber Monday 2016 was the largest yet.
"Which of course makes it a feeding frenzy time for cyber crime as well as just hackers," Creekmore said.
He says there are two main things to be wary of when shopping via apps:the information you give out and apps masquerading as legitimate retailers or coupon sites that are really looking to steal your identity or credit card info.
"They're looking to lie to you and create something that's not there," Creekmore said. "Or they're looking to hide something or distract you from something that they're
actually doing in the application."
Apple's marketplace has around two million apps, but you shouldn't trust all of them.
"There are a lot of fake applications,"Creekmore said. "They're pretty common every day on the marketplaces."
But you can take precautions to protect yourself. Some of them are obvious.
"One thing that you can notice is grammatical errors a lot of the times in the description of the application," he said.
You can also check out the company that produces the app on the marketplace to make sure the company is legitimate.
"Don't shy away from using applications, but do your research," Creekmore said. "Ensure that the application is somehow legitimate."


text:
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Movie review of A Good Day to Die Hard
A good day to die hard - 3/10
Directed by John Moore
Cast - Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch
Plot Summary
John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces.
I love the Die Hard series, every single one. I am a big fan of John McClane and I always watch the Die Hard series once a year. That's how much I love Die Hard. Now when I got to know they were making a fifth one and this time it involves his estranged son, I was excited. But when I saw the trailer, somehow it didn't convince or excite me in the least bit. And true enough after watching the movie,I was disgusted with A good day to die hard.
First I do not know who's bright idea it was (MDA or distributors) to censor this movie. This is by far the worst form of censorship I have seen. What are they trying to prove here. You censor out all the profanities and then use a word like "Cheap Pet" which Willis says to cover it? I cant believe I paid money to watch this.Fuck you very fucking much! you can cut out the profanities but leave kill scenes alone? are we living in fucking Iraq or the Soviet? this clearly shows how far up their asses they have been. You seriously think its ok for a child to see blood and exploding heads and shit but you must never ever say the word Fuck? Well... FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING FUCK AND GO FUCK YOURSELF! We, the paying audience are not imbeciles, the very fucking least you could do is at least open up one cinema with an uncensored cut and adults can watch it.
Its bad enough about the shitty cuts and to make it worse the movie doesn't really justify the Die Hard title. The only good thing about A good day to die hard was the car chase scene. That was well shot and the stunts were fantastic. All my 3 points goes to this scene. Other than that the whole movie was shit. What little of the script that can be heard, I'm pretty sure was written by a constipated monkey. The acting is horrendous. Jai Courtney who is McClane's son is fuckall and has zero fucking chemistry with Bruce Willis. Mr Bruce Willis, please stop ruining the Die Hard series instead go do Hudson Hawk 2 or something. You can clearly see that Bruce Willis was bored and just sort of tagged along in this movie.
Also the pathetic attempts of doing classic DIe Hard shots were very laughable...in a bad way. Direction was absolute shit and John Moore should go fuck himself...Plain and simple. Editing was shit as well, the cuts were so fucking horrible and cringe worthy. I also suspect that the constipated monkey who wrote the script had a brother and that monkey was addicted to crack cocaine definitely must have been the cameraman. The zooming ins were all so sudden and irregular. And boy does he love zooming in. Every fuck thing also zoom in.
All in all I urge every Die Hard and Bruce Willis fans in Singapore to avoid this movie at all cost. The censors fucked this already fucked up movie. Go download or rent the DVD when its out. Just do not give your hard earned money to these fucks who obviously doesn't care about avid movie fans like us.
The bastards even cut out Yippee Ki Yay...... Shame on them!
Best Quotes
Recommended movies done by the director
Behind enemy lines
Posted by Subash Ramone at 4:34:00 PM 1 comment:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Description :
Are you looking for laptop battery that lasts longer than normal single cell laptop battery? Then you are in the right place, i have a HP DV2000, DV6000 & DV6500 12cells laptop battery that gives your laptop 5 hours plus backup power when fully charged, save money you spend on fuel and work longer hours without electricity supply. It can also work for some other HP brands.


text:
So where's the Viewer for iOS? The short version is that it's temporarily withdrawn from iTunes. Since then, we've had a healthy conversation with Apple, and are currently working together with them to augment the Evothings Viewer so it conforms well with their current regulations and expectations on the user's app experience.
In practice, that means that our own viewer for iOS will be missing for another weeks, and we're really sorry about this. On the bright side, we'll rid ourselves from the hurdles of using expiring Cloud Tokens and Connect Key paradigm as an effect of the necessary changes, and hence resort to a more standard login method for both desktop Workbench and Viewer clients. We'll also add a tab bar allowing users to go "back" and "home" even if the UI built traditionally doesn't offer such functionality. This will not affect the resulting apps made with Evothings, but can be used by including an optional native UI Cordova plugin which can be bundled when building.
Again, we're sorry that we could give very little heads-up or notice prior to this occurrence, and we're working hard for a resolution for the Studio product line and thousands of mobile IoT developers out there. In the meantime, you can use the Android version on Google Play, you can build your own iOS client from source (an Apache Cordova/Phonegap compatible project) and find other viewer apps within the developer community who have built their offerings using our code sources, often enhanced with additional functionality and methods they needed or that they felt were otherwise missing.
The Evothings team


text:
Today's green news: How many kWh/m2/yr does your house do?
1,200 new coal-fired power plants proposed across the globe, here.
George Monbiot argues the importance of children's connection with nature in fighting climate change, on The Guardian.
Dow Corning develops smart window technology to decrease energy usage, on BusinessGreen.
And finally… Alex Morris unveils 5 steps to finding the fuel efficiency of our homes, here.
Should RIBA have an annual sustainability award?
Subscribe to Footprint by email and follow Hattie Hartman on twitter.
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
Links may be included in your comments but HTML is not permitted.


text:
HEIDENHAIN to Offer Daily Motion Control Presentations at IMTS Booth
August 22, 2016
Kathleen Stoneski, Public Relations Manager, 847-519-4702
SCHAUMBURG, IL (August 2016) – Bringing its international expertise in the area of motion control to the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago's McCormick Place (September 12 – 17), HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION will offer five different concise presentations covering the latest in manufacturing technology at their booth (#E-5226) each day of the show. Each presentation will last a maximum of 10 minutes.
TNC 640 Control for Mill-Turn Machines
- 10:00 a.m.
- 1:00 p.m.
This is HEIDENHAIN's answer to incorporating a complete set of turning functions on advanced milling controls. Previously only available on HEIDENHAIN's lathe controls, this demo will simulate the now available turning functions via HEIDENHAIN's TNC 640, offering users more benefits and options than ever.
Dynamic Precision & 3D-Machining
- 11:00 a.m.
- 2:00 p.m.
This presentation promises to cover the ins & outs of HEIDENHAIN's 5-axis machining concept and the explanation of what Dynamic Precision means to the user of HEIDENHAIN's TNC controls. Features such as path control concept, better processing of CAM, dynamic error compensation and smoothing functions will be shown.
Connected Machining
- 12:00 p.m.
- 3:00 p.m.
This important presentation will highlight HEIDENHAIN's use of machine connectivity via the TNC controls, and the value it has to automation, production data management and machine intelligence. Control features such as Remo Tools SDK and Remote Desktop Manager are just two that widen the horizon of machining over distance.
The Latest Metrology Evaluation Electronics: QUADRA-CHEK 3000
- 10:30 a.m.
- 12:30 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m.
This live demonstration will discuss the many features of this metrology evaluation electronics system designed for measuring 2D geometrical features quickly and easily. By utilizing technology that has previously only been available on PC systems, measurement procedures, feature construction and data handling will be highlighted.
Advantages & Benefits of ETEL's New TMB+ Torque Motors
- 11:30 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m.
This overview will offer a look at the new features and technical advantages provided by ETEL's newest torque motor, the TMB+. These new advantages involve a greater force density with a lower current draw, along with a greater range of sizes and options for many applications, including 5-axes machining centers, rotary tables, gear grinders and various machine tools.
Besides this year's booth presentations, HEIDENHAIN will also have on display the standard-setting position feedback/motion control components that influence the world's most accurate and efficient machines, including encoders (linear, angular and rotary), digital readouts, touch probes, and CNC controls. HEIDENHAIN brands ACU-RITE and ETEL will also host portions of the booth.
HEIDENHAIN CORPORATION is the North American subsidiary of DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH, a leading international manufacturer of precision measurement and control equipment. Our product line includes linear scales, rotary and angular encoders, digital readouts, digital length gauges, CNC controls, and machine inspection equipment.


text:
David Butler
David is a Presenter at Nova FM.
Online contacts
|Possible email:
|firstname.lastname@example.com from their employer entry - info
Can you help update this entry?
Do you know David's Twitter name? Please add it to our directory.
This is a user-edited website.
Thank you to Graham K for their edits on this page. Edit this page yourself. See the changelog.


text:
The Sky This Week, 2010 September 7 - 14
|Waiting for Andromeda
Savage Farm, near Bluemont, VA
September 2005
The Moon spends the last two weeks of astronomical summer waxing in the evening sky. New Moon occurs on the 8th at 6:30 am Eastern Daylight Time. This is an important date in two of the world's major religions. For Jews it marks Rosh Hashanah, the traditional beginning of the new year. For Muslims, the sighting of the first crescent Moon on the following evening marks the end of the fast of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr. Luna's crescent waxes as she passes the planetary duo of Mars and Venus during twilight on the 10th and 11th. On the evening of the 13th she will be just west of the ruddy star Antares in the constellation of Scorpius. She ends the week crossing the dense heart of the Milky Way among the stars of Sagittarius.
I had the rare treat this past holiday weekend to not only benefit from the season's first spate of wonderfully clear weather, but also an unfettered calendar for the evenings. I took the opportunity to head off to a relatively dark site in Virginia's northern Blue Ridge Mountains with my trusty 14.5-inch telescope to take in views of some summertime and rising autumnal favorite "deep sky" objects as well as the thrill of the chase in hunting down more distant celestial quarry. For several hours I had an open meadow to myself, the crickets, katydids, and the stars and alternated between staring through the eyepiece at some far-off smudge of intergalactic light and kicking back in my observing chair and taking in the sight of the arching Milky Way with my slightly-corrected normal vision. Such nights are as close to perfect as skywatching can get. Moderate temperatures and transparent skies highlight the change of the seasons from the brighter star patterns and dense starfields of the summer to the relatively sparse constellations of fall. On several occasions I pointed the big telescope at a random knot of naked-eye brightness in the Milky Way to be rewarded with an eyepiece full of a riot of distant stars too numerous to count. However, the evening's highlight came just before packing up the car for the drive back to civilization. In the wee hours, high in the eastern sky, you'll find a square-shaped asterism of second magnitude stars, part of the constellation of Pegasus. Diverging from the northeastern corner of the square are two "chains" of stars, the lower one brighter than the upper, marking the constellation Andromeda. Just north of the two stars that form the second 'links" in the chains is an object that looks like a small detached part of the Milky Way, although the plane of the galaxy itself is several degrees distant. This is the famous "Great Nebula" in Andromeda, first noted by the Persian astronomer al-Sufi in the 10th Century, and now known to be our closest intergalactic neighbor in space. Some 400 billion stars comprise the Andromeda galaxy, and I spent about 20 minutes in rapt attention as I scanned the glow of those distant suns. Simon Marius, the astronomer generally believed to be the first to view the object through a telescope around the year 1612, described the nature of its light as "that of a candle shining through [a ram's] horn". I can think of no better description myself. The light is airy and diffuse, stubbornly refusing to resolve into any kind of point source. Subtle shadings and mottlings betray the presence of star clouds and dark rifts similar to those we see in our home galaxy, and the intensity of the light builds to a nearly stellar spot in the galaxy's center. Two satellite galaxies, both of which would be showpiece objects if they were isolated in the sky, accompany the great galaxy as it marches across the vault of night. While the Andromeda galaxy is a wonderful treat for binoculars and small telescopes, it is simply magnificent in a large instrument at a dark site.
From the distant reaches of deep space to the more familiar confines of our solar system, the early evening twilight sky still offers views of the Earth's two closest planetary companions as they race each other ahead of the advancing Sun. Venus and Mars are now forging eastward away from the bright star Spica, which they both passed in the last two weeks. This week the two worlds are briefly joined by the slender crescent Moon. On the evening of the 10th Luna lies just south of Spica, with Mars and Venus to the left. On the 11th she is east of Venus, with Mars just above and to the left of Spica. This will be the last good opportunity to see the Moon and Venus together in the evening sky this year.
Giant Jupiter is inching closer to opposition on September 21st. He now rises at around 8:00 pm, and his bright glow will command your attention shortly afterward. Jupiter is about as bright as he can get since he is close to the perihelion point in his 12-year orbit around the Sun. This also means that his disc is about as large as can be seen from Earth, almost 50 arcseconds across. If you own a small or modest telescope, this will be the best year to seek fine detail on his surface markings since 1951!


text:
Razors, Supernatural Horror Based on Jack The Ripper
Razors Film Details
Ian Powell
Karl Ward
Ian Powell
Karl Ward
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Release Format: DVD VOD
Running Time: 1h 28min
MPAA Rating: N/A
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
The first installment in an exciting new horror franchise. A young writer believes she has discovered the holy grail of terror, the knives used by Jack the Ripper for his notorious murders.
The Legend of Jack the Ripper will be brought back to life in the film titled; Razors. Ian Powell and Karl Ward collaborated on directorial and writing obligations. The film offers elements of the supernatural Thriller and weaves a spin on the nefarious serial killer.
Actress Kelby Keenan portrays the role of young writer Ruth Walker. In her quest to write a horror film, Ruth discovers a set of antique knives. Yet, the knives go missing and the killings begin. The Legend of Jack The Ripper manifests as a sinister phantasm that haunts Ruth and her collogues.
The partial list of the cast includes:
and Andrew Shire as Jack The Ripper
"The legend of Jack the Ripper is the stuff of nightmares…."
"….Razors is a great introduction to a new horror franchise…."
Rich Wolff, CEO of Breaking Glass.
Razors will release on DVD and Video on Demand on the 18th of October 2016. The film will be available just in time for Halloween. Breaking Glass Pictures is set to release the first installment in a new horror franchise. VOD Platforms will be set for iTunes, Amazon Instant, Google Play, Xbox, Playstation, Vudu, Direct TV and On Demand through participating cable providers.
Stay tuned to DecayMag for our upcoming review for Razors and an exclusive interview with a special guest.


text:
- This event has passed.
Cambodian Bible School, 2017
December 27, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Event Navigation
We cordially invite you to be transformed and to learn about the restoration of all things.
- "The Inner Man – be Transformed" — Darren Tappouras, Gosford, Australia
- "The Restoration of all Things" — David Zammit, Moorebank, Australia
Venue: Lucky Star Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact: Bro Raju Devis (Australia) – email@example.com
Page Last Updated: October, 2017


text:
23632 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
50 Bellefontaine St Ste 204(626) 440-9095
1 person is looking at this business
8500 Wilshire Blvd # 601(310) 652-8877
3 people are looking at this business
15725 Whittier Blvd # D(562) 947-0304
3 people are looking at this business
This profile is powered by BirdEye. Over 50,000 businesses use BirdEye everyday to get more reviews and manage all customer feedback. BirdEye helps millions of local businesses to be found online with all their reviews and accurate business information. Learn more about BirdEye
a month ago
a month ago
Tips for Dentists: Getting the Competitive Edge Online
6 ways dentists can improve the response rate on a patient satisfaction survey
2 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago


text:
How about your cabinet? What colors have you got on your cabinet? Would you like to repaint your cabinet now? This article about 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs is hoped to allow you to opt for the perfect color for your cabinet.
Cupboard is widely applied for cooking area and cabinet and it has multiple functions that is for storage and also decorate the room too. Whether the cabinet is little or big, cabinetry will remain important point to be put in at cabinet. Then, just how about 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs? It is going to be a good solution for cabinet storage.
Quartz is a non-toxic natural rock that's very resistant to scratch, heat resistant, and stains, even since it's the most challenging natural stone among the other organic stones. Because of its hardness, quartz 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs does not need to be sealed often and lasting for ages. Thus you do not will need to give top upkeep for granite cabinet counter-tops. Moreover, quartz includes rich colors that is effective with any kind of completing.
Give you the tubes to the faucet through the gap in which you eliminate the older 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs. Subsequently place the faucet onto the sink. Get a person to put on it then you twist the plate. Wrap with pipes tape on the faucet tubes and then screw the supply hoses. Make the connections tight using this adhesive. Lastly, Switch to the water and replace the P-trap. Turn on about ten seconds the coldwater then hot water 10 minutes too.
Taupe could be your next popular coloring for cabinet. This brings the high-end feeling and it can likewise be paired using soda tones. Since the sensation is really tender, such a thing could go high-end with tender taupe. Along with is kind of marble colour. Glamour and luxury cannot be denied afterward. Sterile white is your other choice you are able to try for cabinet. However, you should pair it together with profound color such as grey or even black. Brown is going to be ideal for the snowy pair or 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs.
Whether it's small space or significant area, furniture and appliance that has multiple purposes is crucial choose. It is precisely the exact same for your own cabinet. Much cabinet appear to possess little quantity of furniture and appliance, still the multifunction furniture and appliance will be better choice to pick. On the list of appliance and furniture that's ordinarily implemented at cabinet is 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs.
Limited distance will not really be a problem when you have great 1950s italian dry bar or cabinet for sale at 1stdibs. You can find some easy a few ideas that you can bring to your cabinet. No-matter ow small your cabinet is, there'll continually be corner regions which aren't effectively used. Rather than leaving the corner vacant, it's going to be perfect for you to place a large part cabinet on your cabinet. Pick an easy and small cabinet with decent organizer. It will definitely leave extra space to other household furniture.
This 1950s Italian Dry Bar Or Cabinet For Sale At 1stdibs the gallery form Dry Bar Cabinet. Hopefully you can find the best inspiration from our gallery here.


text:
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Many schools across Ireland are taking part in activities in preparation for this important occasion.
In our school, children from 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class are taking part in a drama called 'Triumph of All Sorts'.
We are all getting involved in the play and many of us have received roles. We enjoy spending time rehearsing our lines and learning how to act. There will be lots of music and dance involved in the play. Everybody will be dressing up in old fashioned clothes that were worn by the people in these times.
The teachers in our school are putting a lot of hard work into the drama to make sure that it is enjoyable for everyone. We have learned a lot about life back in 1916. We can't wait to perform and we hope to see you all there for a great night.


text:
Posted on
November 9, 2018
2019 Michigan Statistics Poster Competition
This competition is sponsored by the Department of Statistics and the Regional Math and Science Center at Grand Valley State University with support from the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics. All students in grades K-12 residing in Michigan are eligible to participate. Entries will be judged in four different grade level categories. Posters must be postmarked by March 1, 2019. For more information and competition rules, please visit the poster competition information page


text:
Our Gaard Eyewear Original sunglasses are designed specifically for sun safety and for fun. They are best suited to kids aged 4-12 years. The wrap around style ensures maximum coverage from the sun's harmful UV rays. Polycarbonate, polarized lenses reach Australian safety standards to provide protection from shattering and the sun, while the soft rubber frames mean they are flexible and hardy - fantastic for kids on the go. The arms of the sunglasses can bend back to almost parallel with the lenses. The extra printed area provides space to write your child's name.
Your Gaard Eyewear Original sunglasses will come in a sturdy case, with a specially printed area to write your child's name.
- Complies with current Australian standard ASNZS1067:2003
- Polarized lenses
- Polycarbonate lenses
- Flexible TPEE (soft rubber) frames
- Room to write child's name
- Sturdy case included
For more information on GAARD Eyewear, click here


text:
System thermal management has become more critical as two trends work against each other in modern electronic systems: driving higher performance in smaller form factors. Historically, systems have managed this by measuring the system's temperature. However, temperature typically is a lagging indicator. The increase in system temperature normally is a result of increased current flow. Measuring the current allows the system integrator to manage the thermals in their systems more efficiently and anticipate problems instead of reacting to potential issues.
Download this article in .PDF format
This file type includes high resolution graphics and schematics when applicable.
System Thermal Management
System thermal performance management is critical in today's electronic systems. As systems grow more powerful and in many cases smaller in size, managing the thermal profile to prevent system damage has become an ever-increasing challenge. Whether we consider the newest high-performance smartphone or a large industrial controller, it is important to keep the temperature within the recommended operating conditions to maximize performance and user experience.
Related Articles
- When Heat Is On, Thermal Characterization Keeps Things Cool
- Thermal-Management Design Banks On Advanced Materials/Adhesives
- Manage Your MCM's Thermal Issues
Many systems use thermistors or temperature sensors to monitor the temperature at key locations in the system. While this works fine, measuring the temperature means that we are monitoring a secondary or lagging indicator. Temperature increase is due to an increase of the system current flow. To stay ahead of any potential thermal problems, it is preferable to monitor a leading indicator rather than a lagging one. Since the temperature rise most likely is due to an increase in the system current, monitoring the current enables early detection. There are many reasons to measure the current for system monitoring and protection.
System Reliability
The amount of current flow in the system greatly impacts system reliability. An increase in current correspondingly increases the IC's junction temperature. As the junction temperature increases, the performance (such as bandwidth, offset voltage, and gain accuracy) of the IC could be impacted (Fig. 1).
In an extreme case, junction temperatures can exceed the maximum operating conditions. This can permanently damage the IC and lead to system damage. Even if permanent damage is not a result, long-term exposure to elevated operating conditions can degrade IC performance, which can result in system reliability issues.
Characterizing the system to understand the current load profile can provide valuable insight into the areas of concern in the system. Enabling distributed-current monitoring instead of a single-system current also can allow issues to be identified earlier. Many newer digital power monitors have integrated an ALERT function. These ALERTs can free up the system management controller from having to continuously monitor each of the currents and only respond to areas of concern. Once an alert is triggered, the system management controller implements corrections immediately, if the threshold is set close to the danger point.
Conversely, setting the threshold at a lower, less dangerous level triggers the system management controller to start monitoring the current and make decisions based on the current level activity (continuously increasing, versus a spike). Whether it takes immediate action or responds based on current level trends, the system management controller can affect system operating conditions by such means as turning on cooling systems or slowing down clock speeds, all to reduce the current consumption.
Monitoring for safety is not just about preventing catastrophic failures, such as the system catching fire. The issues to avoid can range from preventing permanent harm to system components to burning the user.
As discussed, all components have maximum operating conditions. If left unchecked, increasing load current eventually causes the IC to exceed the absolute maximum junction temperature ratings. In the most severe case, the IC can ignite from the heat. This type of catastrophic failure is rare. But the consequences can be costly in terms of system damage and potentially could lead to bodily injury.
Monitoring the current can enable the management system to identify possible issues well before they become dangerous. It then can take preventive actions as discussed and, in the most adverse of conditions, simply shut down the system to reduce current flow to below dangerous levels.
User safety has become a bigger concern with personal electronics. Many of us have felt the burn when we use our laptop computers sitting in our laps for extended periods. According to WebMD, temperatures as low as 109.4°F (43°C) can burn human skin.1 In the lab we measured a maximum temperature of 61.1°C on the bottom surface of a laptop plugged into the wall and running a PC performance test software utility (Fig. 2).
As smartphones and tablets continue to offer greater performance in ever-smaller form factors, there just isn't any room to add a cooling system to help minimize a unit's surface temperature. Characterizing the system to understand how the surface temperature is directly proportional to the load current again allows for managing the system to prevent the current from reaching dangerous levels.
System Performance
Here, we aren't discussing chip-level performance degradation, as was covered above. Rather, this is about how monitoring load currents can help maximize system performance. To help explain this, let's look at a central office scenario.
With the focus on greener systems, minimizing power consumption is critical. By monitoring the load current in large communication systems, power consumption and performance can be balanced. In a blade server, there are multiple communication cards. During off-peak hours, enabling only a single card minimizes system power consumption. But if you monitor the current being consumed by the communications processor, you can detect when the load (number of "users") is increasing and bring additional cards on line. By monitoring the load current you can optimize the user access experience by bringing on the appropriate number of communication cards while minimizing the active power consumption.
Fault Protection
If a system has a fault such as a short to power or ground, serious system failures and damage are possible. Therefore, it is critical to detect faults as early as possible to prevent the damage. Clearly waiting for the corresponding increase in temperature related to the sudden increase in current that results from a short may be too late to prevent damage.
In the case of fault detection, actually knowing the current level most likely is not needed. Simply detecting when the current has exceeded a pre-defined threshold may be all that is required. In many systems this is accomplished by a fairly low-performance current detection amplifier, followed by a comparator that trips when the load current causes the voltage output to exceed the comparator's threshold.
Many of the newer digital output current shunts, such as the INA230, have a built-in ALERT functionality. It allows for the current shunt monitor to act as a simple over-current detector, similar to the output of the two-stage approach of an amplifier and comparator. In either situation, this alert can immediately trip a fuse or relay (without the system management controller needing to process the current level) to remove the load from the supply voltage and prevent any additional damage to the system.
Monitoring the current in the system provides a leading indicator of potential issues. Whether the concern is system performance, system reliability, or basic safety concerns, knowing as early as possible of a potential issue can minimize system downtime or prevent even worse problems.
1. WebMD, Laptop Risk: Toasted Skin Syndrome, Oct. 4, 2010
2. Download this datasheet: www.ti.com/ina230-ca.
Dan Harmon is the sensing business development manager for Texas Instruments' sensing group. In his more than 27 years at TI, he has supported a wide variety of technologies and products including interface products, imaging analog front-ends (AFEs), and charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors. He also has served as TI's USB-IF Representative and USB 3.0 Promoter's Group Chair. He earned a BSEE from the University of Dayton and a MSEE from the University of Texas in Arlington. He can be reached at [email protected].


text:
By D.E.Levine
Director: Kenny Ortega
Producers: Paul Gongaware, Kenny Ortega and Randy Phillips
Producer (film and video content): Robin Wagner
Co-producer: Chantal Feghali
Associate Producer: Michael Beaarden
Cast: Michael Jackson, Alex Al, Nick Bass, Michael Bearden, Daniel Celebre, Mekia Cox, Misha Gabriel, Chris Grant, Judith Hill, Dorian Holley, Shannon Holtzapffel, Devin Jamieson, Bashiri Johnson, Charles Klapow, Jonathan Moffett, Tommy Organ, Orianthi, Darryl Phinnessee, Mo Pleasure, Dres Reid, Ken Stacey, Tyne Stecklein, Timor Steffens, Joe Giles and Grady Holder
Original Music: Michael Bearden
Editors: Don Brochu, Brandon Key, Tim Patterson and Kevin Stitt
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Country of Origin: United States
Language: English
Genre: Musical, Autobiographical
One has to wonder if this film, pieced together from rehearsal footage made during preparation for Michael Jackson's last planned tour, is so good, how good would the the actual show have been?
From this film, which follows Jackson and his team from the initial selection of backup dancers through rehearsals, until his death at the age of 50 in June 2009, it's possible to see that his planned London show would have been one of the greatest comebacks in pop music history.voc
There's some very excellent editing as seamlessly, pieces from the same numbers performed on different days and in different attire, are spliced together.
According to Director Kenny Ortega, Jackson wasn't performing at 100% during rehearsals, holding back to save his voice and energy. If that's so, since the rehearsals convey such energy, precision and professionalism, his actual performances would have been superb.
There's little documentation of Jackson's working procedures so this film provides an intense look at the breathtaking perfectionism that he applied to his work. Jackson is seen reviewing video footage, correcting his backup dancers while posing himself, giving his band instructions and working with a vocal coach.
There are fascinating verbal exchanges with musicians, dancers, and stagers which show how deeply aware Jackson was of everything that was happening and impacting his show and performance.
However, because of his obsession with perfection, we have to wonder if Jackson would have wanted his fans and audiences to see a rough, unfinished performance.
Regardless, his talent shines as he sings and dances. The fact that the editing of different days performances could have been combined so flawlessly speaks to this ability to repeat endlessly the same movements, dance steps, poses and vocals, without alteration.
Viewers are also given the treat of seeing the special video and CG effects (i.e. multiplying his 11 backup dancers into thousands performing) that were planned and incorporated into the show and which without the film would never be seen. The film runs almost two hours and still feels short.
Much credit has to be given to the excellent editors whose work made a coherent and entertaining film out of unedited rehearsal footage.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
By D.E.Levine
Posted by D.E.Levine at 11:21 AM
Labels: auditions, conversations, dancers, directions, editing, perfectionism, rehearsal, spliced, vocals


text:
- Industry's most powerful oil stain lifting formula
- Penetrates concrete, pavers and asphalt deeper for superior oil stain cleaning
- Now - faster drying formula
- Super easy. Pour on, let dry, brush away
- Ideal for concrete coating prep
- Remove oil and grease from driveway, garage and patio
CHOMP Advanced Pull It Out Concrete Oil Stain Remover brings improved stain lifting ability to our original formula – takes the best and makes it better! Selling direct to you, our customer, lets us put more into the product giving you even better oil stain removing performance. While our original Pull It Out product is very good, Advanced Pull It Out is even better – penetrates concrete deeper, dries faster, cleans stain more completely!
Q. Why are oil stains so difficult to remove from concrete?
A. Concrete is like a hard sponge. Depending on porosity, time and type of hydrocarbon, oil stains can penetrate deep into the pores of concrete and become hard to reach to clean.
Q. After using Pull It Out I have a slight white residue remaining - why?
A. Occasionally a white residue may be evident after use, particularly on rough, very porous surfaces. This will fade over time. It is recommended to always test in an inconspicuous area for desired results. The Advanced formulation is far less likely to leave any residue, we've seen little to none in our tests.
Q. Can I use Pull It Out indoors?
A. It is designed primarily for outdoor use as it can become dusty after drying and brushed to remove.
Q. How long does it take to dry?
A. Depending on heat and humidity, it can range from 1-12 hours.