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Are you happy with your marketing results? Does your marketing feed into all levels of your sales funnel? Is it shortening the sales cycle, and making the sales process easier? Is it working on developing relationships with prospects and referral partners? Is it getting Read More ...
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Do-It-Yourselfer? If you're doing your own marketing, here are some services and tools you may find beneficial. Marketing courses are currently being developed! Check back in Summer 2019! Marketing Mentoring Perfect for those who want to up their marketing game, and Read More ...
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Marketing can sometimes be a confusing game with moving targets.
What works? How do you get people to respond?
Put yourself in your consumer's shoes. What does it take to get a sale from you? Probably things like trust, confidence that the problem will be solved, and an appreciation of the value of how that problem will be solved.
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"I also hired Connie to create my Newsletter template and train me on MailChimp, so that I could easily create my monthly Newsletters. This is something I had put off for about three years, and within a week, she had it complete! This has probably been the most effective sales tool I currently have and am so happy that Connie helped me to get the ball rolling!"
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"I have used several marketing specialists and have found Connie to be the best prepared to truly help me meet my goals. She is a great listener and knows the right questions to ask for a better end result. She is very efficient and delivers as promised. I would recommend anyone with marketing questions or plans to discuss it with Connie before you make that decision."
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"Connie did a wonderful job of listening and understanding my business in order to come up with marketing ideas. She is spot on about where and how to spend marketing money! She is a pleasure to work with."
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"Connie worked with me on my personal branding. She's a great listener and is able to take what you say and make the final product a reflection of your personality. She is insightful and gives you several ideas to work from when developing your brand. Connie is willing to make revisions based on give and take. I highly recommend her."
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"Connie IS my Branding Consultant. She has helped me with everything from concept to implementation. I now feel that everything about my branding represents me as a business owner, and also as a person. I am delighted with all we've done together and continue to think of ways Connie can help me market my business. 5 Gold Sparkly Stars for Connie!! Thank you for everything!"
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"Connie has the unique ability to combine creativity with purpose. Her vision is clearly designed around delivering tangible results, not simply making great graphics. I highly recommend Connie for your next marketing communications project."
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"Connie has a great eye for design and details. She is creative, strategic and smart, which make her a pleasure to work with."
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I highly recommend working with Connie. She helped me put a new Web site together and is a delight to work with -- kind and professional -- and smart and savvy. Both her Web site and marketing expertise were invaluable and I learned a lot. Connie also works faster than the speed of light! With just a few simple instructions, she was off and running! I look forward to working with her again on future projects.
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I have had the privilege of working with Connie for the last month. Connie is very organized and professional. Connie is a great listener, she has asked for my input and then has put together a very strong marketing plan to help achieve my sales goals.
I highly recommend Connie for all of your Marketing Strategy needs.
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"I've been working with Connie Kroskin for the better part of a year. She has revamped my website, redesigned my business cards, created a brochure and other handouts to give to my prospective and current clients. As a solopreneur, she created a comprehensive package of design, structure, and direction that symbolizes both my business and me.
She has provided a beautifully crafted visual design for my business and brand. Her one on one sessions has helped me tremendously in refining my focus with a stronger 'Call to Action'. Her warmth, expertise, and creativity have increased the visibility of my business, which in turn increased my customer base.
We continue to add more intellectual collateral to my product base as I work with my clients. I appreciate her depth of knowledge and proficiency of crafting a finely tuned marketing strategy for me to follow. Working with Connie is a huge yahoo for any business owner. Take advantage of her complimentary consultation, you will thank the heavens for having the opportunity to work with a well-seasoned and savvy marketing professional."
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"I have been fortunate enough to work with Connie over the past several years on several digital online strategies. She is a gifted visionary who constantly guides and inspires the people around her. She is always ready to solve problems and does so by drawing from her breadth of experience to approach projects, challenges, and opportunities in a mature and thoughtful way. Connie is a huge talent to have on any team. She excels at communication, collaboration, and strategic development of the creative process. Any business would be very lucky to have her consultation services."
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"All I can say is that my business was slow and I didn't know what to do. Connie assessed my business, had me do a rebranding with a new image, had me do an open house and do regular newsletters. Since then I have been busy. So for very little cost I have at least doubled my business. I'd recommend her to anyone who is ready to make important changes. And she is a delightful person to work with."
Warren King, Natural Healer


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Steven J. Ross, CISA, CISSP, MBCP
At the end of a previous article, I passed along a question asked by a correspondent with regard to the inhibitors to effective security: "Are there other explanations (to poor security) that we are not exploring?"1 In response, I received a message from Daniel Tan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tan made the point that "the key issue lies in the difficult task of quantifying the true cost of an information breach." As difficult as it may be, there have to be sources of information. The most widely quoted figures come from the Ponemon Institute. Its most recent survey on the cost of data breaches that I am aware of was released in 2011 with data gathered in 2010. The report states that:
Actual costs varied widely by country, but last year's relative rankings remained unchanged. The US had the most expensive average cost of US $7.2 million. Germany came in second with US $4.7 million. The United Kingdom and France had nearly identical average costs at US $3.1 million apiece. Australia had the cheapest average cost of US $2 million.2
Now, US $7.2 million is a lot of money and US $2 million is still a lot. But in the great scheme of things, any organization that had enough capital tied up in data to lose that much money could probably withstand the financial impact of a loss of that magnitude. However, I submit that considering the cost of an information breach on individual organizations misses the most frightening point: What would be the cost of an attack that targeted an entire economy?
Let me say right here that I have no specific answer. But I do not think that the issue is an idle or hypothetical one. Without delving into the question of who wrote and released the Stuxnet worm, it is clear that it was intended to cause damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities and that it was effective in doing so.3 Worse yet, an element of Stuxnet accidentally became public in the summer of 2010 because of a programming error that allowed it to escape Iran's Natanz plant and sent it around the world on the Internet.4
So, from a purely financial standpoint, what would a widespread cyberattack look like should it be broadly targeted on the economy of an entire nation?
In trying to anticipate the moves of economic cyberwarriors, I would expect them to start by cutting the sinews that hold together commerce. In a digital sense, that would mean taking down the Internet. The decentralized nature of the Internet makes this particularly difficult to achieve on a wide scale, although local outages could be quite devastating. However, the features of the Internet that make it useful are more vulnerable. I am referring specifically to a so-called Domain Name System (DNS)5 bomb, which evidently is not just a theoretical threat. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently announced action against a class of malicious software (malware) called DNSChanger, which changes a computer's DNS server settings to direct World Wide Web searches to rogue servers operated by an attacker. The FBI stated that it had, in fact, uncovered a network of rogue DNS servers and has taken steps to disable it.6
Were such a DNS bomb or other malware to become widespread, e-commerce would come to a halt. Even assuming that it could be cleared away in a day, it is quite likely that many more organizations would lose much more than the US $7.2 million reported by the Ponemon Institute. Just to give a hint of the potential economic impact, if only 1,000 organizations lost only(!) the Ponemon figure, the losses could be more than US $7 billion in just one day.
It is even more likely, to my mind, that cyberwarriors would attack the central nervous system of an economy, those institutions that enable the flow of money and goods that keep society running. These would include central banks, clearinghouses, centralized freight tracking systems and air traffic control systems. If banks could not transfer funds and transportation systems could not move merchandise, the cost would be incalculable.
To give some idea of the scale of the potential cost, just one institution, the New York Federal Reserve Bank, in just one of its fund transfer activities, the Commercial Automated Clearinghouse, has a daily volume of 41.2 million items totaling US $70.9 billion.7 It would be crippling if none of that money could move.
Even though cyberweapons have apparently been used, there is still time to protect a nation's critical infrastructure of systems and data. The first step is to accept the reality of the threat: Cyberweapons are real; cyberattacks are real; cyberwarfare is a distinct possibility. With that understood, information security in the commercial sector is a societal priority in all nations. And in fact, organizations have had countermeasures at hand for quite some time, so there is nothing really startling in my suggestions for protection:
There is one factor that may inhibit the use of cyberweapons. In the First World War, the Central Powers deployed mustard gas on the Western Front. It was deadly, but its effectiveness was limited by the fact that the gas could blow back on the attacker's own troops. In the same way, a cyberweapon once unleashed is very difficult to control. Just as Stuxnet replicated itself all around the world, so any entity that might use a cyberweapon might well find it turned on itself.
This is scant comfort, but this article was not intended to provide much comfort. To return to Mr. Tan's email, he also remarked that "cyberattacks are truly a serious topic that needs to be handled with the utmost priority. Like all other risk that has to be managed, every organization should integrate the risk of cyberattacks into its mainstream risk management program so that the issue will be handled with the appropriate gravity and sensible consideration. A more sober and rational approach devoid of hype will actually improve the information security posture of most organizations and should eventually lead to more robust defenses."
1 Dormer, Stan cited in Ross, Steven J.; "This Should Not Be Happening," ISACA Journal, USA, vol. 3, 2012, 2 Ponemon Institute, "2010 Annual Study: Global Cost of a Data Breach," 2011, Symantec Corporation, p. 23 The Independent, "Iran's Nuclear Agency Trying to Stop Computer Worm," UK, 25 September 2010, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/irans-nuclear-agency-trying-to-stop-computer-worm-2089447.html 4 Sanger, David E.; "Obama Order Sped Up Wave of Cyberattacks Against Iran," New York Times, 1 June 20125 US Federal Bureau of Investigation defines DNS as "an Internet service that converts user-friendly domain names into the numerical Internet Protocol (IP) addresses that computers use to talk to each other."6 Federal Bureau of Investigation, "DNSChanger Malware," USA, 2011, www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/november/malware_110911/DNS-changer-malware.pdf7 US Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Commercial Automated Clearinghouse Transactions Processed by the Federal Reserve—Annual Data," www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/fedach_yearlycomm.htm 8 Scarfone, Karen; Peter Mell; Guide to Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS), Special Publication 800-94, National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA, 2007, p. ES-19 Op cit, Sanger
Steven J. Ross, CISA, CISSP, MBCP, is executive principal of Risk Masters Inc. Ross has been writing one of the Journal's most popular columns since 1998. He can be reached at email@example.com.
Enjoying this article? To read the most current ISACA Journal articles, become a member or subscribe to the Journal.
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Opinions expressed in the ISACA Journal represent the views of the authors and advertisers. They may differ from policies and official statements of ISACA and/or the IT Governance Institute and their committees, and from opinions endorsed by authors' employers, or the editors of this Journal. ISACA Journal does not attest to the originality of authors' content.
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subset: commoncrawl


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London is a world class city on many levels, and attracts visitors for a wide variety of reasons, and none more so than for its business reputation, credentials and concentration of businesses. If you are looking for a big city experience with history, culture, transportation, shopping, diversity and most importantly, great internships, London is your answer! Read on to learn more about your internship in London!
Capital Placement has partnered with over 300 employers, both large and small, located in central London to let you experience the political, economic and cultural capital of Britain. If a real challenge is what you're looking for, London is the place for you. Popular industries include Marketing, Banking and Finance, Accounting and Audit, IT, Entrepreneurship, Startups and NGO.
Expect to be thrown straight into an environment that is constantly on the go. One minute you could be jumping onto a red bus and driving past the Houses of Parliament, and the next you might be under the modern grandeur of The Shard. No two days are ever the same, and you will find some of the most influential and important business people in the world in London.
This program has a 96% rating on Go Overseas
Check your eligibility for the programme
- You are 18 years or older
- You are a full-time degree level student or recent graduate (Graduated within the last 12 months at the start of your internship)
- Your degree was taught on campus and not online
- You are not a resident of the UK
- You have a valid IELTs certificate with a minimum score or 6.5 if you are not from native English speaking country.
- You must pass our Skype interview
Once you pass the Skype interview with our Recruitment Team, you will be guaranteed an internship in London with one of our 300+ partner companies. It's as easy as that!
Non-European citizens require a Tier 5 visa to intern in the UK. As part of the internship programme, we will take care of all the paperwork and guide you through the entire visa process.
Our bright and cosy rooms with en-suite bathrooms in London are fully furnished and have all bills included, 24/7 onsite security team and Free super-fast WiFi!
CV/ Resume Edit
BUNAC Visa Sponsorship Fees
Airport Pick Up & Drop Off
Induction to London
24/7 Local Emergency Support
Private Medical Insurance
Local SIM Card
Social Events
Unlimited London Travel Card
Travel Support
Post Internship Support
Food and Other Personal Expenses
Your Flight Tickets to and from London
Visa Application Fee
Program Dates
Enrolment Deadline
Price (USD/GBP)
6 Weeks (1st intake)
June 20th to August 15th, 2020
March 20th, 2020
6 Weeks (2nd intake)
July 4th to August 15th 2020
April 24th, 2020
6 Weeks (3rd intake)
August 1st to September 12th 2020
April 24th, 2020
8 Weeks Program (1st intake)
June 20th to August 15th, 2020
March 20th, 2020
8 Weeks Program (2nd intake)
July 4th to August 29th, 2020
March 20th, 2020
12 Weeks Program
June 6th to August 29th, 2020
February 28th, 2020
12 Weeks Program
June 20th to September 12th, 2020
March 20th, 2020
6 Weeks Program (1st intake)
- Program Dates: June 20th to August 15th
- Enrolment Deadline: March 20th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $5,600/ £4,350
6 Weeks Program (2nd intake)
- Program Dates: August 1st – September 12th, 2020
- Enrolment Deadline: April 24th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $5,600/ £4,350
6 Weeks Program (3rd intake)
- Program Dates: July 4th to August 15th, 2020
- Enrolment Deadline: April 24th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $5,600/ £4,350
8 Weeks Program (1st intake)
- Program Dates: June 20th to August 15th, 2020
- Enrolment Deadline: March 20th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $6,950/£5,400
8 Weeks Program (2nd intake)
- Program Dates: July 4th to August 29th, 2020
- Enrolment Deadline: March 20th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $6,950/£5,400
12 Weeks Program (1st intake)
- Program Dates: June 6th to August 29th, 2020
- Enrolment Deadline: February 28th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $8,950/£6,950
12 Weeks Program (2nd intake)
- Program Dates: June 20th to September 12th, 2020
- Enrolment Deadline: March 20th, 2020
- Price (USD/GBP): $8,950/£6,950
Apply now for our London Programme!
Accounting and Audit
Business Administration
Finance and Investment Banking
IT & Tech
Logistics and Supply Chain
Public Relations
We do not provide internship in Healthcare or Hospitality industries.
What kind of company will I be interning with?
There is no single answer that can be given to that question. It depends entirely on the strength of your application, your performance during the interview, industry preferences and the duration you have applied for. The companies we work with range from start-ups to large multinationals. The one thing that they all have in common is that your internship with them will be both challenging and rewarding.
With all of Capital Placement's programmes, you are in complete control. If you successfully pass our Skype interview, you will be provided a list of firms for you to choose from. if you are not satisfied with the company's you have been provided with, we can provide you with additional company options for you to choose from. If in the unlikely event that we are unable to find you a company that matches your preferences, a full refund will be provided to you.
What do you mean by guaranteed internship?
At Capital Placement, we take great pride in the fact that we guarantee an internship for you. Specifically, once you have been accepted on to one of our programmes, we guarantee that you will be placed in an internship in the city and the industry that you have requested.
To make this happen, we take the time to get to know you, which ensures that all of our internships are tailored to your individual preferences, needs, and professional and personal goals.
Can I change the company once I start my internship?
Once you have started your internship, it is not possible to change the company you are working for as your visa is tied to the company you are interning with.
Is it possible to apply for just an internship, I don't need any of the other inclusions of Capital Placement's programme.
Should your application be strong enough, we may be able to put you in contact with relevant companies and opportunities.
However, we are not able to guarantee you an internship unless you are enrolled on to one of our programmes. Additionally, we will be unable to assist with other aspects such as obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship, accommodation, etc.
I'm a UK resident, why I am not eligible for London Internship Programme?
Capital Placement's programmes are all about experiencing the rewards, excitement, and challenges that come with working in a foreign country. Interning abroad is much than just about the internship and this broad experience is something we are incredibly passionate about. It is, for this reason, we will not accept applications for programmes in a country from residents of the same country. We would like for you to build not only professional experience but a global experience that builds your international skill set as a global citizen.
If you are from the UK, why not intern in India or Singapore and challenge yourself?
Will I be paid during the internship in London?
Capital Placement guarantees to find you an unpaid internship, as part of our programme. However, we do have a number of paid internship opportunities in London. If you are looking for paid internships only, please get in touch with us before making an application.
What is the difference between Certificate of Sponsorship fee and Visa Application fee?
Applicants who do not hold a valid passport from one of the European Union countries' are required to have a Certificate of Sponsorship in order to apply for a visa to do an internship in the United Kingdom. At Capital Placement, the cost of the Certificate of Sponsorship is included in your programme fee. The Visa Application fee is something you pay directly to the British Embassy in your home country when you submit your passport and application for the visa to be stamped. This fee is not included in your programme fee.
Do you provide flight ticket with the programme?
The cost of your flight ticket is not included in the programme fee, both to ensure flexibility in price and timing for you in your travels. If you would like, we are more than happy to assist you with finding and booking your flights in order to ensure that you find the best price and itinerary for your needs.
Do you have any fast-track service?
We usually like to have applications at least 12 weeks prior to the start date of the internship.
However, we realize that sometimes your decision to apply for an internship abroad may be last minute. We are able to process the application for non-European candidates in six weeks and European applicants in as little two weeks prior to the internship start date. Please note: Capital Placement does not charge a fast track fee but we will require a deposit of £750, instead of the usual £350.


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Rep. Pete Sessions has made it known, he plans to run for House Majority Whip, the third-most powerful position in House leadership.
In an email to the GOP Conference titled "Working Together to Sell the Fight," Sessions (R-TX, 32nd District) said, "if given the opportunity, I plan to run for Majority Whip so we can work together and put our conference on the right path to fight for our conservative principles on behalf of the American people."
Sessions, who has been in Congress for 19 years, pointed to his current role as Chairman of the House Rules Committee and as former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.
The latest news from around North Texas.
"I know how to build a successful member-driven institution because that's exactly what we did at the NRCC and what we have done at the Rules Committee. Our next Whip needs to demonstrate bold leadership that pays attention to process and the people involved in that process. Our next Whip also needs to unite and strengthen our conference based upon the ideas of all of our members."
U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA, 1st District), the current GOP Whip, is giving up his seat to run for House Majority Leader, after U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH, 8th District) announced he'll give up his seat at the end of October.
North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry and Florida Rep. Dennis Ross have already thrown their hats in the ring for the Majority Whip job.
Congressmen Sessions tells NBC 5 that he has been making calls, lining up votes.
"I think we've got some bit of an advantage and some bit of a disadvantage. The advantage is that I have a vast background, more than anybody else in this race, of understanding how to put together teams and solve problems," said Sessions. "I've got a downside and that is that this guy that I am running against, the primary one Patrick McHenry existed as the chief deputy whip over the entire whip team. That is a lot of people that have a lot of influence. And he obviously got them very early on, and so I am not behind but I have a lot of ground to cover."
Sessions closed the email by saying "I humbly ask for your support for Majority Whip so that I can use my experiences and skills to best serve our conference."


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Free eye exams available to service animals
Guide dogs, assistance dogs, detection dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs rely on their eyes in their daily work. During the month of May, these service dogs are eligible for free eye examinations, courtesy of a program through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and Merial.
More than 180 veterinary ophthalmologists in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada are expected to participate in the fourth annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event.
Early detection and treatment of eye problems are vital to working animals. "Our hope is that by checking their vision, we will be able to help a large number of dogs better assist their human friends," said Stacee Daniel, ACVO executive director.
A sampling of groups served since the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event launched in 2008 include the Transportation Security Administration and military working dogs from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas; an organization providing psychiatric service dogs to soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan; Puppies Behind Bars; and local fire, rescue, and police agencies. Individual service dog owners and handlers have also been served.
To qualify for a free eye examination, dogs must be active working dogs with certification from a formal training program or be an enrollee in a training program. Other service animals, such as horses and cats, are welcome to participate as long as they meet the stated qualifications.
Owners or agents of service dogs must register via an online registration form. Then they may locate a participating veterinary ophthalmologist and schedule an appointment for May.
The website www.ACVOeyeexam.org provides additional details about the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event. The registration form will be available April 1-April 29.


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4 Responses to Alphabetical List of Essence
Barbara London says:
I recall an article regarding the recent duststorms, and the relevent flower essence to balance the toxic effect of the radioactive aluminium tailings. Is is pink orchid? Hope you can help me as I can no longer find my reference. Thanks, and thanks to the flowers, who are not just here to look pretty! xox Barbi
Sandy says:
@Barbara London: Hi Barbara – Pink Shamrock is the one you want 🙂 A gorgeous little flower that packs quite a punch! Not just a pretty face 😉
minority scholarships says:
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
anniemm says:
Thank you so much – the work is a passion born out of a deep love for the planet we live on and a desire to assist in raising the consciousness of people who inhabit her!
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Japan Times
August 6, 2010
Japan's Seto Inland Sea, known for its breathtaking vistas and art-filled island of Naoshima, is the site for the inaugural Setouchi International Art Festival until October 31. Also titled as a "100-Day Art and Sea Adventure," about 78 Japanese and internationally recognized artists and art groups are showing a cornucopia of contemporary artworks on seven islands — Naoshima, Teshima, Megijima, Ogijima, Shodoshima, Oshima, Inujima — and the port areas of Takamatsu (on Shikoku Island) and Uno (on Honshu, near Okayama).
For Asia, it's a unique, ambitious undertaking, spearheaded by Soichiro Fukutake, an avid art patron and head of Okayama-based Benesse Inc. The Naoshima Fukutake Art Museum Foundation is also involved, with additional backing from local and prefectural governments.
"The Seto Island Sea is like the womb of Japan," explains Fram Kitagawa, director of the festival. Until the 1920s the region was Japan's commercial center, its "cultural and historic crossroads," when the country's commerce was still based on the sea.
"The area attracted many different races and cultures," adds Kitagawa. "But as Japan modernized, its sea culture was abandoned. We're now trying to revitalize it into more than just a travel destination and into a place that visitors can experience on a deeper level through contemporary art and culture."
The festival's seven "art islands" are a small cluster tucked between Okayama Prefecture and Shikoku Island. They are among the nearly 3,000 that dot the narrow 450 km stretch of Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai) running between Kobe and Kyushu. But, like many rural parts of Japan, the islands are facing serious depopulation. At most of the inhabited islands participating, the average age of residents is 80.
Industrial pollution from modernization also damaged the area's once thriving fishing industry. Affected islands included Inujima, once the home of a copper refinery that fed Japan's military buildup in the early 1900s, and Teshima, the site of Japan's worst-case of illegal-waste dumping in the 1980s. But with generous funding and various cleanup programs, the two islands have become remarkably successful land-art reclamation sites.
Inujima is now a must-see. The crumbling copper refinery has been brilliantly transformed into an eco-sensitive underground museum by architect Hiroshi Sambuichi. Artist Yukinori Yanagi has added Yukio Mishima-themed installations, complete with the writer's nationalistic sentiments and wartime references.
For the island's art festival works, Yanagi teamed up with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kazuyo Sejima and Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo Chief Curator Yuko Hasegawa to create three installations placed in gallery/ house-like structures. While a militaristic theme echoes through two of the installations, Yanagi explains that there is much more.
"I've chosen subjects including 'light and shadow' and 'past and future' as part of my theme, which is based on Japan's mythological Sun Goddess and our present day," he clarifies. "These site-specific projects are meant to highlight the contrast between today's frenzied, urban consumption culture with this depopulated, isolated island community and the original Japanese way of life — standing in awe of the gods, while respecting ancestors and nature, with few wants."
One gallery installation contains a neon Hinomaru flag reflected in a shallow pool of water. Another gallery installation shows two videos — a large blinking eye revealing wartime images of Japanese soldiers watching citizens committing mass suicide from a cliff, and the eye of a young child reflecting the viewer and the garden behind. The third work is a long acrylic wall embedded with lacy material that appears like spider webs. The center contains an image of a dollar bill, symbolic of America's now fading financial dominance.
On Teshima Island, highlights include Olafur Eliasson's "Beauty," a play on his breathtaking rainbow works; Susumu Kinoshita's sensitive drawings of an elderly woman; and the water-drop-shaped Teshima Art Museum, opening on October 17, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Ryue Nishizawa in collaboration with artist Rei Naito. Osaka University of Arts, Art Project Laboratory offers a relaxing, floating sensation with its "Swaying with Laver" work set inside a former nori factory. Chiharu Shiota explores memory with a "time-tunnel" going into an old community center. Australian duo Claire Healy & Sean Cordeiro offer dinosaur delight with their "Luck Exists in the Leftovers." Mariko Mori's "Tom Na H-iu," inspired by a Celtic legend, is connected via the Internet with the Super Kamiokande Neutrino Observatory at the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research at the University of Tokyo. The 4.57-meter glass monolith is said to be well worth the long "jungle" trek to the site.
On Ogijima, a must-see is "Wall Work 5: Kamo Jima Kamo Jinja," by Australians James Darling and Lesley Forwood, curated by A.R.T. The couple imported 12 tons of fumigated Australian mallee gum root from the country's arid landscapes for the wavelike wall installation, placed along the steps leading to the island's sacred Shinto shrine, Kamo Jinja.
"The mallee root is a metaphor for the future of the planet," explains Darling, whose 7,486-hectare farm in the dry "mallee country" of South Australia has won awards for its environmental sensitivity. Over 2 million hectares of Australian land is now salinized and unusable after European settlers, since the 1800s, replaced the hearty, deep-drinking mallee root with surface crops. "We wanted to make a contemporary environmental statement linking the salinization problems of Ogijima (where the water is now undrinkable) and Australia, as well as bridge the animistic traditions of Shinto and the Aborigines," says Darling.
Naoshima remains a major attraction, with its Benesse House Museum and Chichu Art Museum, both designed by architect Tadao Ando. Ando also designed the newly opened Lee Ufan Museum nearby, a surprising showpiece for this veteran Korean-Japanese minimalist sculptor and painter.
The island's Honmura village houses converted into art installations have some new additions featured in the festival, including Yoshihiro Suda's superbly crafted wooden sculptures of camellia flowers titled "Gokaisho/Tree of Spring." Nearby is Hiroshi Senju's sublime "Ishibashi/The Garden of Ku/The Falls," created with spray paint, no less. Shinro Ohtake's humorous "Haisha" is not to be missed. The former office and family home of a dentist, it now houses a two-story look-alike Statue of Liberty and scattered collages of pictures and paint. Ohtake's healthy humor goes bubbly at a real sento (public bath) he designed last year near the island's Miyanoura Port, titled "I Love Yu" (the "Love" represented by a heart symbol and "Yu" in kanji form).
Original Post: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2010/08/06/arts/setouchi-the-art-of-island-hopping/#.U-oDNVZ8PfN


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Depression is a serious affliction. The persistent sense of sadness or loss of interest that defines major depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical conditions. This article in no way seeks to minimize the characteristics of depression, or to put a "happy face" on the condition. It's simply an attempt to help those with depression to understand and deal with it in a way that may prove helpful.
Sleeping Too Little
Most people don't actually lie awake staring at the ceiling. That's just a saying. (But just in case, here's a little tip -- a good start to getting to sleep might be to close your eyes.)
The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep to function properly. Getting less sleep than that is worrisome. Worry is one of the main reasons that people can't sleep. Combined with depression it's a cycle of anxiety and fatigue. Attacking your insomnia is a giant step toward beating depression. Your doctor will likely recommend one of a number of antidepressants that are known to effectively treat both sleep disorders and depression.
Sleeping Too Much
Credit: Twitter @JonnyRotten
So, if sleeping for 7 to 9 hours is good for your physical and emotional health, then getting 10 hours or more must be even better, right? Not so fast.
Like many things relating to the human body, simple logic does not prevail here. Research shows that sleeping for that longer period of time can increase the risk of depression by nearly double. So, our advice is simple to say but difficult to do for you if you're feeling this symptom of depression … wake up! Firmly resolve to leave your bed and face the world within the recommended limits, and you may find the veil of depression slowly lifting. (Free advice: You may want to disable your "snooze" button.)
Loss of Energy
There is "good tired" and "bad tired." Good tired is when you have just washed your car or painted the dining room walls. Bad tired is when you can't muster up the energy to take a shower or dress yourself. Feeling a lack of energy to go about the simplest tasks of life is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Your first step to getting back into the groove of life should be to make sure you're getting the right amount of sleep (not too much or too little as mentioned earlier). Other steps to bolster your energy include:
- Resolve to eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Drink plenty of water
- "Force" yourself to exercise regularly (even if you have to start very slowly)
- Yoga or meditation helps some people
- Keep a manageable workload and daily schedule
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs
Most of all -- stay active! Resolve that no matter how lethargic you feel you will go out and meet friends, do the housework, or cut the lawn.
Credit: Twitter @dapwearer
Little excitements are a large part of what makes for a pleasurable life (and the occasional big excitements don't hurt, either.) When your passion for the people, places or activities that once brought you those exciting moments is gone – you may ask yourself, "What's the point?" Well, you can't will yourself to feel. Pretending won't help you, and (unless you have Academy Award-winning acting skills) you won't fool those who are closest to you.
The best advice we know of is to stop beating yourself up about your apathy. Feeling bad about feeling nothing seems like a contradiction, but it's a common occurrence. Most people try to "ride out" their apathy. Sometimes that works, and the "colors" come back into their lives. Medically speaking, some people have responded to meds that activate dopamine or enhance cholinergic function, which is vital to cognition. You may try asking your doctor about those.
Trouble Concentrating
When you're clinically depressed, your mind is swirling with thoughts – predominantly negative ones. That directly impacts your ability to focus, concentrate, or make decisions. Bad choices just build on depression. You may also have memory problems and become easily distracted. Of course, you find that it is possible to focus on one set of memories --- your regrets. Bad thinking leads to bad decisions which leads to regrets. It's just one more wild ride that the roller coaster of depression has you on. Aside from the usual remedies like antidepressants, you will certainly want to avoid multitasking. Try to complete one job or assignment entirely. That will not be easy. Also, some people have seen improvement in focusing by trying meditation or a craft, like woodcarving.
Credit: Twitter @TrulyRoo
A certain amount of guilt over a wrongdoing is probably a good thing. Total lack of guilt is the sign of several mental disorders that may result in anything from bad friendships to serial killings. But once again, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Obsessive guilt about things like not dusting properly or wearing the wrong shoes can be debilitating. Fear of doing the wrong thing can result in doing nothing. And doing nothing is certainly a sign of depression. Among the remedies that experts have found helpful for an overbearing sense of guilt: Physical exercise, using positive imagery (like floating in a pool on a sunny day), and laughter – rent a funny movie or check out your local comedy club.
Weight Fluctuation (Up or Down)
It may seem odd that opposite effects like weight loss and weight gain can result from the same condition, but it's a fact. Depression can lead to eating disorders of different kinds. We tend to associate symptoms of depression -- lack of interest in food or cooking or general socializing -- with weight loss, but that isn't always the case. Many people seek comfort in food, and those with that state of mind, combined with depression, often find themselves buying wardrobes in several larger sizes. Again, these fluctuations, themselves, add to the cycle of depression. So, what can you do? You can probably guess, but for the record: Lots of activity, walking, running, swimming – whatever you can do to keep your body moving; and a sane, consistent diet plan you can stick to every day. Remember, depression related weight problems don't go away overnight. Consistency and persistence are the keys.
"This will never work." One of the ironies of pessimism brought on by depression is that it can become a self-fulfilling prophesy. All of these recommendations will very likely be right for some people, and ineffective for others. Some of the success of any action you take to beat depression will hinge on your confidence in that action. It's been estimated that we have anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 thoughts a day. Think about your percentage of thoughts that are negative and you can see the battle going on in your brain. Most pessimistic people generate negative thoughts so automatically they're not aware that it's really a choice they're making. The best way to change how you feel is to change how you think. Keep track of your negative thoughts (about work, people, sports, institutions, etc.) in a list. Try to find a more optimistic approach to each one. With some sincere effort that is almost always possible.
Social Withdrawal
Remember when socializing with your friends and family was something you never even thought about? Whatever your degree of enjoyment in a social situation, you just did it. As your depression began to take hold you slowly withdrew. It turns out that was the exact opposite of what you should have done. That's right – 180 degrees wrong. Researchers have determined that social withdrawal pushes all your brain's stress buttons. Lack of social contact leaves your mind alone to play tricks like paranoia, regret (and all the other symptoms detailed here). Contact with other people is more than vital – it's essential – in fighting depression.
Preoccupation with Death
Most of us very conveniently put the certainty of our death deep into the recesses of our awareness. That allows us to strive, love, achieve and do the rest of the things that make life worth living. In clinical depression, there is often a focus on the idea that life is useless -- mainly fixating on that aforementioned certainty of death. Thoughts of suicide are very common when this symptom is present. The idea may not be brought on by an actual desire to die, but by a inclination to surrender in the face of what seem like overwhelming obstacles. Thoughts of suicide should never be kept to yourself. You must find someone (doctor, clergy, mental health professional, friend or co-worker) who you can tell. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among people aged 15-44. It is never the best solution.
Changes in Appetite
As mentioned earlier, it's an odd part of depression that appetite can be so dramatically affected in opposite ways. The predominant change is to eat less. This is often associated with a melancholic type of depression. The very thought of preparing a meal may require too much energy, or the thought of eating any meal at all may be repulsive to you. People who eat more when they're depressed are associated with an atypical type of depression. If this sounds like you, you may crave certain types of food such as sweets or carbohydrates. If you have seasonal affective disorder (SAD) you probably find yourself eating foods that are high in carbohydrates such as pasta, bread, and potatoes. The solution here is simple, but difficult to maintain – a balanced diet that you may have to force yourself to adopt at first, but which may become a habit over time.
Irritability, Anger
Do you find yourself experiencing "road rage" while sitting at home when there is no road in sight? Most of us can relate to the (usually senseless) feelings of fury that well up inside us when we're cut off on the highway. Righteous anger certainly has its place. But when the paperboy being late or that silly detergent commercial throws you into fits of outrage, it's time to evaluate the shortness of your fuse. Your periods of explosive anger are probably followed by periods of deep depression. Talk therapy has been a help to many people who experience anger associated with depression. And although "anger management" courses have gotten short shrift in some media, many people have benefitted from those, as well.
Loss of Interest in Hobbies
What did you used to love to do? It may be hard to remember when you're in the deep hole of depression. The condition is filled with cycles of behavior and consequences, and this is yet another: When you stop doing the things that make you happy (usually due to lack of energy or motivation), your sense of darkness gets even worse. To try to recover your zest for the hobbies you once loved, you may want to try to incorporate any or all of these new activities:
- Exercise to release the healing powers of endorphins
- Take care of a living thing – like a pet or a vegetable garden
- Create something – paint, bake, craft, sew, write
- Join a group – volunteer, join a book club, sign up for a sports team
Loss of Interest in Sex
Besides the obvious allure of it, sex is a mood-enhancing activity for most of us. Unfortunately, loss of sexual appetite is a very common effect from depression. To make matters worse, some depression medications, themselves, are known to curb your libido. Men and women struggle equally with sexual problems during periods of depression.
Getting over the fear and embarrassment that can accompany any aspect of our sex lives is a good start in easing this. Just talking with your partner about what you want sexually often reduces the negative feelings that are folded into the depression. Remember, no matter what TV, movies or novels have led you to believe -- there is no standard of normalcy for frequency or particular activity of your sex life.
Digestive Problems, Cramps
Can your digestive system be at the root of your depression? Research has shown that the bacteria in your gut can influence your emotional health. In a way, you probably already know this. When you get upset, it can make you feel physically nauseated, or lose your appetite – or go in the opposite direction and make a mad dash for your favorite comfort food. Your mental outlook can also be a contributing factor for diarrhea, cramps and any number of gastric problems. To find out if your digestive problems may be caused by depression, try keeping a symptom diary, which can help you identify patterns of mood and physical discomfort. Show it to your doctor and he or she can talk to you about what may be causing your symptoms.
The emotional pain that you feel with depression is bad enough, but if you're among the many who get the double shot of included headaches (at no extra charge) the misery feels unending. Sometimes it's hard to know if your depressed state caused your head to ache or the other way around. Pain and mood are regulated by the same area of the brain, so it makes sense that they are often close companions. All kinds of headaches can be related to depression, but migraines are the most common. Antidepressants may work for both your depression and your pain because they act in that common part of the brain. Non-drug solutions could include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and relaxation therapy. And don't overlook the value of sharing your pain (and hopefully some solutions to the pain) in a support group.
Feelings of Helplessness
There may be no more frustrating effect of depression than that of utter helplessness. Where pessimism is a negative look at the past and present, helplessness and hopelessness reflect a lack of confidence in the future. Things seem to happen to you with no regard to how you behave or actions you might take. You're life's eternal victim, so -- "Why even try?" Here's why: This attitude further ignites already existing feelings of stress, depression and anxiety. The primary solution is – control. You need to feel that you have some control over what happens to you. A helpless attitude is a learned attitude and so it can be changed. The bottom line is to believe the simple truth that only you control your own behaviors. No one else.
The symptoms of depression can vary greatly between the sexes. For instance, men are less likely to display the prototypical sadness, and more likely to see their depression display itself in acts of aggression. Men are also more likely to ignore these symptoms, and/or see them as signs of weakness. Coping mechanisms often include drugs and alcohol and the results are likely to be violent and abusive behavior. An aggressive attitude makes it difficult to ask for help, but your behavior will likely just become worse without it. Seek out support from friends and family. Learn ways to manage stress, such as meditation and mindfulness. Develop problem-solving skills. In short, don't try to "tough it out" macho-style. Depression is tougher than you are.
Increased Alcohol Consumption
As mentioned earlier, alcohol is often the go-to solution for the problems that depression brings us. And so here we're faced with another of the condition's horrible cycles. Two theories exist on the relationship between alcohol and depression: 1) Regular overdrinking leads to depression; 2) Depression leads to regular overdrinking. The time-honored tradition of "drowning your sorrows" will more likely give them a nice warm home where they can thrive and multiply. Whether you are technically an alcoholic or not, the first thing you need to do is get sober for an extended period of time. Once away from the effects of the booze you can rationally assess your relationship with alcohol – moderation or total abstinence.
Reckless Behavior
"If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?" Your mom's loaded question wasn't really meant for a response, but for someone in the throes of depression, that response could well be, "Yeah, probably." It's said that heroism is reckless behavior in a good cause. Although veterans of combat often display the reckless symptom of depression, we're not talking about that kind here. This is about irresponsible or dangerous actions for no reason other than doing them.
Maybe it's driving without a license or trying drugs. It might be staying out for days at a time -- or meeting an online stranger in person. In younger people, reckless behavior can be a sign of suicidal intentions, either conscious or subsconscious. What can you do? A few ideas: Plan ahead. Avoid situations that might lead to reckless behavior -- for instance, leave early or late to avoid the temptation to drive erratically during rush-hour traffic. Arrange for a ride home before you go out if you know you'll be drinking. Generally, find ways to get that adrenaline rush you crave in safer activities.


text:
Jia Gao, Catherine Ingram, Pookong Kee
Published August 2, 2016
Reference - 204 Pages
Series: Rethinking Asia and International Relations
Published July 22, 2016
Reference - 204 Pages
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July 22, 2016
by Routledge
Reference - 204 Pages
Series: Rethinking Asia and International Relations
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Many researchers and China observers would agree that understanding how China pursues global communication is critical for assessing its growing soft power. While soft power as a concept has, in many ways, become almost inextricably linked with the PRC's (People's Republic of China) international diplomacy of the twenty-first century, the specific role of global media within soft power diplomacy and the corresponding influence of Western mediated public diplomacy within China is a lacuna that has remained largely unexplored. Moreover, the different Chinese and Western perspectives on the influence of global media and public diplomacy on Sino-Western relations, and the changing role of global media on this crucial aspect of international politics, have not yet been critically examined.
This volume presents a broad social science audience with recent innovative scholarship and research findings on global media and public diplomacy concerning Sino-Western relations. It focuses on the implicit nexus between global media and public diplomacy, and their actual utilisation in and impact on the shifting relationships between China and the West. Special attention is given to the changing nature of globalised media in both China and Western nations, and how globalised media is influencing, shaping and changing international politics. The contributions delve deeply into both theory and practice, and focus especially upon the analysis of several key aspects of the issue from both Chinese and Western perspectives.
This combination of approaches distinguishes the volume from most other published works on the topic, and greatly enriches our knowledge base in this important contemporary field.
1. Transforming Sino-Western Relations through Global Media and Public Diplomacy
[Jia Gao, Catherine Ingram and Pookong Kee]
2. China's Soft Power: A Mid-Term Assessment
[Gary Rawnsley]
3. Towards Increased Diversification and Sophistication: Trends and Issues in China's Public Diplomacy
[Juyan Zhang]
4. Exercising Public Diplomacy in Domestic Dispute: The Frames of Cross-Strait Relations by the Taiwan Affairs Office during the Chen Shui-bian Administration
[Sow Keat Tok andTianru Guan]
5. Foreign Capital in the Chinese Media Market after Joining the World Trade Organisation: Co-produced Films in Public Diplomacy and Investment Polices
[Claire Seungeun Lee]
6. The Impact of China's Foreign Policy on War Reporting
[Shixin Ivy Zhang]
7. Chinese State-Owned Media Going Abroad: A Case Study of Australia
[Peter Cai]
8. When a Rising Giant Tries to Smile: Explaining the Quixotic Quest of China's Media Diplomacy in Australia and Beyond
[Yi Wang]
9. Conservative Popular Journalism, Public Diplomacy, and the Search for an Alternative Chinese Modernity: Revisiting the Global Times
[Chengju Huang]
10. In the Name of the Nation: The Development of China's International Propaganda from the Late-Qing to the End of World War II
[Shuge Wei]
11. Communication and Understanding: A Chinese Perspective on Information Flows in a Converged World
[Jianguo Deng and Shaode Qin]


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Ulster American Folk Park
The majority of the museum buildings are accessible to wheelchair users, in most cases without assistance.
We regret that it is not possible to provide physical access to the upper floors of some buildings without compromising the accuracy of the historical experience. In such cases, visitors should ask to be provided with an alternative form of access, such as photographs.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available in the reception area for use in the museum. We also have a mobility scooter available on a first come first served basis.
The museum experience for all visitors to the Ulster American Folk Park places a major emphasis on the sensory experiences of touch, smell, sight and hearing. Persons with sensory impairment will find much that is appropriate to their particular needs.
Assistance Dogs are welcome.


text: A fiber optic laser encoder system introduced by Renishaw Inc. offers picometer resolution, differential measurement and parts-per-billion laser frequency stability. The RLE20 uses fiber optics to deliver the laser light directly to the measurement axes, eliminating the need for remote beamsplitters, benders and adjustable mounts. The interferometer system and components achieve subnanometer nonlinearity and 38-pm resolution. The laser is connected to the detector head by a 3-m fiber optic cable. Positional output signals are provided in differential digital RS-422 and/or 1 Vpp sine/cosine formats.


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A clinical trial is a research study in which volunteers receive investigational treatments under the supervision of a physician and other research professionals. These treatments are developed by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies who select qualified physicians, also known as investigators, to conduct clinical trials to determine the benefits of investigational drugs.
Clinical trials are usually conducted in three phases (I, II, III). Only a small number of people participate in phase I trials while the later phases involve a larger number of volunteers.
To get involved in MS research in the US, please click here.
© Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2017. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.


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Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs is inviting online applications from eligible candidates for the recruitment of Junior Intelligence Officers Grade - II posts. The selection process will consist of written test and trade test.
Junior Intelligence Officers Grade - II (Technical) : 320 posts.
Qualification : Applicants must have passed in Intermediate with Maths and Physics and have Diploma in Radio Technician / Electronics / Electronics and Communication Engineering or ITI.
Age : Minimum 18 years and maximum 27 years.
1. The written examination will comprises of two papers (Paper - I and Paper - II).
2. Paper - I (Objective type multiple choice test) consist of following subjects - General Studies / Awareness, Numerical Ability, Science, Reasoning, etc.
3. Paper - II (Descriptive) consist of following subjects - English comprehension, Test of English language(antonyms, synonyms, one word substitution, etc) and Test of elementary mathematics and science.
4. Duration of examination is two hours and total marks for 200 (written test for 160 marks and 40 marks for trade test).
Candidates are required to apply online through website : www.mha.nic.in. Opening date for online registration is 3rd September, 2016. Closing date for the submission of online application is 24th September, 2016.


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text: 04.12.13 Messagemaker integrates Twitter into LED display AUTHOR: Paul Milligan DISPLAYS Messagemaker has added a level of interactivity to its digital LED signs and displays with new TwittLED, a range of moving message displays that can now stream live Twitter feeds. The LED displays are aimed to help venues connect with staff, visitors, prospective customers, event attendees to an event by broadcasting a Twitter stream to bring them breaking news and offers. The displays can also be used as an in-house communications channel to disseminate important information widely and quickly. Now available for indoor or outdoor use, Messagemaker's new TwittLED Twitter displays are available in a range of sizes and colours or can be custom-made to suit individual requirements.Managing the Twitter feed is done from a PC or mobile phone, with access to your group restricted as required. Users can Tweet, retweet or moderate messages from anywhere at any time. DISPLAYS


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Take Two
Steven Orlando (W), Ivan Reis (P), Oclair Albert, Julio Ferreira (I),
Marcelo Maiolo (C)
Cover by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and Marcelo Maiolo
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $2.99
I have discovered that some of the Rebirth issues of comic books are light on story and heavy on exposition and characterization. Justice League of America: Rebirth certainly reinforced that expectation from me. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, Green Arrow, and, most recently, Batwoman all had really fantastic Rebirth issues that used those tools to really hype me up for the series to follow.
While JLA: Rebirth wasn't a bad comic, it didn't really give me anything that I wasn't expecting or didn't already figure out. Of course Lobo was going to antagonize everyone else on the team. Of course everyone was going to be really suspicious of Killer Frost. I would expect Ryan Choi and the new Ray to be really uncomfortable in this lineup.
I'm not excusing that first lackluster issue here, but, I've been so excited for this series and wouldn't shut up about it. As a result, I'm bringing it back to court to try to defend itself one last time. As such, we're going to revisit this book with Justice League of America: #1
Really quick, can we briefly discuss how confusing the naming conventions for the Rebirth titles are? You have the Rebirth: #1, and then you have the actual #1. That's confusing by design. Are you trying to sell the same comic twice to perplexed customers? And I've talked to the people who run my local comic shop (formerly Randyland, now Archaic, anyone living in the Douglasville, Georgia area should go check it out), and they have been confused by this numbering. I've been fine with it, but that's because I'm obsessive-compulsive about my comics, hence the existence of this site. It just seems a bit dumb.
Anyway, on with the show.
The comic opens with Batman further explaining to Vixen why he has established this new Justice League. She's suspicious of it due to Batman's history with fighting his own Justice Leagues. However, the Dark Knight is stalwart about the necessity of this team.
We cut to the Ray and Black Canary trying to put out a fire in the City of Vanity and save everyone within the burning building. Then the comic goes to the Pacific Ocean, and Lobo is fighting off an attack by some sort of lava creatures. Back at the Sanctuary in Rhode Island, Atom and Frost (now dropping the "Killer") are trying to establish this League's crisis alert system called "Troubalert" (that name…is pretty bad).
In Saratoga, a church is just being let out. Suddenly, a bright green portal opens up outside the church, and the Extremists step through. Lord Havok explains why he is here: he wants to save our world. His world had fallen, and he does not want the same to happen to Earth. The police attempt to pacify the extradimensional team.
Frost manages to get the Troubalert working, and the situation in Saratoga is shown on the screen. Frost and Atom get ready to mobilize. Batman is notified of the situation and tells the team to get ready to teleport on-site with their JLA tokens.
Saratoga is burning as Lord Havok espouses his totalitarian ideas, blaming the fall of his world, Angor, on people being too free. Meanwhile, the Extremists have massacred the responding police officers. After he proclaims himself the new ruler, the Justice League of America arrives on scene.
Vixen and Batman move on Havok, but he knocks them back with ease. The Detective tells Ray to evacuate the civilians, which he is able to do instantaneously. Then the full League takes the fight to the Extremists. Things don't look too great in the start, with the Atom and the Ray panicking under the pressure.
The Atom attempts to shrink into Havok's armor, but some sort of security measure electrocutes him. Havok grabs him and threatens to kill him as an example. Batman offers himself as a sacrifice instead, and the comic ends.
Now this, this is what I was waiting for. This wacky and wild team coming together to fight off a massive and imposing threat. We get to see how the team is gonna work and…well, it needs some work. They don't cooperate well, and the new heroes are very unsure of themselves. Plus, well, Lobo can't stop insulting everyone because he's the Main Man.
I forgot to mention it in my review of the Rebirth issue, but Reis' artwork is phenomenal. He is easily one of the best artists currently working at DC, and I'm so glad they put him on this book. He brings these legendary figures to life in a way that few others can. His command of shape and shadow is frankly astonishing.
I actually kind of dug the way Batman behaved in this comic. He's working from a weird point of both anger and optimism. He knows the way the main Justice League has gone about things isn't going to work. He knows they need to get closer to the people they're trying to protect. Also, as shown in his interaction with Lord Havok, Batman is tired of despots and madmen trying to dominate the people. A line of his really stuck with me, "You hurt my people—and they're all my people. You want to know who I am? Time to find out." I really liked that line, and I've written multiple long-winded articles about how and why Batman in his modern form often does not work. So you know that he must really be good in this to have caught my attention.
Lobo is Lobo, and that will always appeal to me, especially when he talks about not being able to stand to "see a dolphin cry" while fighting ocean-based lava creatures. Canary and Frost are good too, but Vixen is the one who really stood out for me. The way in which she takes charge, even with Batman's imposing ego present, is really cool. I like her as the leader of this squad, and I hope she gets to bloom in more issues.
There is the inevitable question of "Where is the other Justice League team in all this?" A New York state city is burning after extradimensional beings invade. Heck, the Titans work out of Manhattan, you'd think they'd see this too. I feel like a meeting between the two Leagues is inevitable, especially since this one was formed in spite of the other team. It's sort of like the Marvel Initiative-era Mighty Avengers versus the New Avengers dichotomy.
That being said, Cyborg, the Flash, Simon Baz, and Jessica Cruz are not what I would think of as out-of-touch godlike figures. They are often very human, so it is a little weird that Batman is so wary of their personalities. That being said, the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and, well, Batman himself are also on that team, and I guess their massive egos do balance out the well-meaning humility of the other four.
I'm sold on this comic now. I was excited for it, and it's delivering. It's a weird and wild team that's fighting weird and wild threats. The characters are good, the pacing works, and the art is fantastic. I definitely recommend it.
Final Score: 9/10


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Healthcare Professionals
AIRvance System
for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Healthcare Professionals
for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Medtronic offers a variety of surgical solutions for sleep disorders that can be used in conjunction with the AIRvance System* for obstructive sleep apnea.
Select a video below to view animated surgical techniques for our AIRvance™ System, which enables surgical treatment of tongue- and hyoid-based obstructive sleep apnea.
AIRvance Tongue Suspension for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (3:35, 21.7 MB)
AIRvance Hyoid Suspension for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (4:10, 25.0 MB)
*As of August 2011 the Repose® brand was changed to AIRvance.


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Polenta and Marinara sauce are like an Italian marriage made in the kitchen and it usually requires a lot of watching and stirring and, oh yeah, tasting!
And here's the surprising part … in the interest of time and temptation, I veered off the totally made from scratch, no packaged or jarred food routine I usually adhere to and bought a tube of polenta and a jar of marinara sauce. ::::::GASP:::::: !!
Ok, I'll admit it, I always keep a small jar of Rao's Marinara in the fridge. It's my emergency stash. I often make Rao's Marinara Sauce using this recipe, but scaling it back. I'm not feeding the neighborhood, after all, but I am not wonder woman and sometimes need help during the week.
This meal takes no more than 10 minutes to get from package to table and while you spend those 10 minutes hovering over a hot stove, it's easy work and the results are well worth it for your 3 points, the effort is minimal and the taste and texture are just what you desire. Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
|Polenta Cakes with Marinara Recipe
- 6 pumps of Olive Oil spray
- 2 Polenta slices cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons Marinara Sauce
- Grated fresh Parmesan Cheese
- Heat 6 pumps of olive oil spray in a skillet over medium heat.
- While oil is heating, slice polenta into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Place the polenta slices in the pan and cook over medium high heat.
- In the meantime, spoon the marinara sauce into a microwave proof bowl and heat to take the chill off, about 45 seconds or heat in the other side of the skillet on top of the stove.
- When brown and crispy, using a flexible spatula, turn and cook on the other side until also brown and crispy.
- Remove to a plate and serve.
This is a quick and easy side dish that can be cooked and on the table in 10 minutes. I don't make a habit of using prepared food, but there are times when products like these — Polenta Tubes and a Jar of Marinara Sauce are the perfect answer to a weeknight dinner.
I use the tube of polenta found in the vegetable aisle of my local grocery store. It's quick and while I sometimes make it from scratch, for a last minute pan-fried polenta treat, I find the tube works well.
Remove to a plate and spoon a tablespoon of marinara sauce over each cake.
Grate cheese over and serve.
This side dish is worth 2 Weight Watchers Points Plus Values


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Diedre Johnson, a contributor to Vogue Italy and NRPR Group's very own in-house editor, joins Nicole Rodrigues, founder and CEO of NRPR Group, for another great episode of PRfect Pitch!
Get to know Diedre:
After completing five years as a staff writer for Star magazine, Diedre began a freelance career that included journalism, proofreading, press release and content writing for individual clients. In 2007, she returned to Star magazine for five more years covering movie premieres, award shows, press junkets and other events as their freelance event reporter while continuing to do other editorial projects. She has reported and/or written for The New York Daily News, Japanese Vogue, Japanese Harper's Bazaar, Variety, Las Vegas Magazine, tvguide.com, TV Soap, (an Australian glossy monthly covering primetime/daytime shows and actors), and was an on-contract content writer for the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE). She currently writes about fashion, beauty, TV and celebrity for Vogue Italy Online (Vogue.it) and is NRPR Group's in-house editor.
Connect with Diedre:
Vogue Italy
About Me
Connect with NRPR Group:


text: Some buyers of Asheville Luxury Homes visit the Asheville area originally on a sightseeing trip and while here fall in love with the area. It is then many times that we will get calls relative to helping clients find those special Asheville Luxury Homes in some of our finest communities. Asheville has been compared to […]Read More


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A partnership with a Taiwanese company is bringing robotic engineering to Boise State University.
It's All About Diversity and Inclusion
Solar Hub Prototype
Three engineering students are working on a senior design project on the Solar Dok located outside the library. Morgan Brimstein, Chris Covert, and Mike Keith are Electrical & Computer Engineering seniors that have partnered with the university to develop an end product that Boise State students we will be able to use on future solar charging stations moving forward. Go Broncos!
Micron donates $25 million to Boise State for materials research center
October 22, 2015
April 1, 2015: M.A.G.I.C.K. learning technology announced at Boise State. Visit http://bit.ly/BoiseStateMagic for more information. MAGICK is an Anodal Generator of Intrinsic Content Knowledge.
CNET video highlights Boise State research with Honda on how to capture the heat of your car engine to save energy
March 12, 2015
An interdisciplinary group of Engineering students from Boise State University built and launched a 13 foot tall rocket. Involving Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering students.


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How American cinema has changed since the 1980s, I'll use the action film as the conduit to make this point. Back then we had ridiculously over the top, jingoistic, star vehicles centred around a handful of names. Now, those films are shot and financed exclusively in European, the quality of the star is incomparable and they are far more disposable than ever. With all that considered, the action film is substantially worse off. In their stead, the American industry has thrown its weight behind established franchises. But I'm not here to chastise what has come to be or wear rose tinted glasses, no, for there is a new CineAsia film in cinemas in Wu Jing's Wolf Warrior 2 that makes all this relevant.
Wu Jing both stars and directs the sequel to 2015's Wolf Warrior, in this iteration those uniquely 1980s action tropes are rescued from irrelevance and infused with Chinese jingoism instead of American and the choreography of a modern day martial arts. This is more an energetically choreographed Expendables (with a cast who wants to be there) than Eastern Condors (Sammo Hung). Hence, it may be on release from a martial arts label, but to call it a martial arts film wouldn't be entirely accurate.
Whether it be martial arts or unabashed western action, plot and narrative have never been on top of the list of priorities and Wolf Warrior 2 is no different. The film starts with Wu Jing preventing a deceased friend's home being plowed over and redeveloped by a local gang by kicking the leader clean through the windshield of an adjacent police car. The aforementioned friend featured heavily in the first film as presented through flashbacks and the first of many heavy waves of overstated melodrama. It'd be hilarious if it wasn't so sincere. Expelled from the wolf warrior corps and serving a prison sentence, we meet him on the other side in Africa and subject to some of the most ostentatious hero worship this side of a [Christopher Reeve] Superman movie. He even has an African god son. From there, a rebellion kicks off and in the violence a key Chinese doctor [and Wu Jing's godson's mother] are trapped behind enemy lines, a development which sees the former wolf warrior head off to save these people from the rebel forces and the power hunger of a private militia fronted by Frank Grillo's 'Big Daddy'. Stuck in the middle are a plague-like illness, a potential cure and a mysterious bullet that killed another character from the first film.
This may well be the first Chinese martial arts of action film set in Africa, unfortunately, it's not the subtlest depiction of the largest hospitable continent on the planet. Wolf Warrior 2 operates by stereotypes; the mother of the god son is a sassy overweight black woman that has become one of the unavoidable tropes of modern pop culture. Here, she slaps an elbow drop on one of the enemies Wu Jing beat. All of the other African characters are fodder for either the heroes of Frank Grillo's private military force, rather shallowly. Subtlety is nowhere to be seen.
However, like I have previously mentioned, all this is of little importance when it comes to the enjoyment of the film. The very first scene sees a boat off the African Gulf attacked by pirates and instead of succumbing to gun fire or retaliating in like, the film does something very different. Wu Jing beats all the pirates up underwater. While the resistance of water does negate the impact of the action, it does look incredibly striking and does a great job at building up the legend of Wu Jing's Leng Feng. Towards the business end of the film, there is another occurrence that I, as a long time genre fan, have never seen and that is a tank fight. While the plot is much of a muchness when placed in the spiritual likeness to those 1980s action films, its director and action and fight choreographers (Aaron Toney & Jack Wai-Leung Wong) are trying to innovate, doing things that fans have never seen before.
With that in mind, Frank Grillo is an interesting inclusion. Not only is his presence a further example of the allure and power the Chinese film industry is accruing – it will be the biggest film industry in the world, sooner rather than later. While his character is bad because he wants to be and little is required of him beyond looking evil and menacing, there is a clever narrative to the action. Just like a horror film has to build up to a final act that is scarier than everything that preceded it, action needs the hero to face harder and harder odds before finally saving the day (or dying horribly if you look at films from the turn of the 21st century).
Between the fluidity of the military precision shared between Jing and military veteran turned security guard (Gang Wu) or straight Wushu, every fight is an increasing struggle. There is the challenge of the sniper Athena (Heidi Moneymaker) and the obvious implied qualities of Bear (Oleg Prudius), but where else is there to go after all the bullets have been fired? All the fight training and choreography in the world won't prevent the audience failing to believe that Frank Grillo could be more impressive than those he leads and be realistically able to defeat the hero. CQC and a vicious streak found only in Gareth Evan's film (The Raid) are the answer, through this military martial art Grillo becomes a credible threat in both performance and dramatic weight whereby the hero could easily die. Of course, this is another vehicle through which the wailing melodrama can move, but as a peak to an action film, it's almost flawless.
Wolf Warrior 2 is never subtle, it's drowned in honking, flag-waving Chinese melodrama and its representation of Africa is hollow beyond its photographic beauty. As weak as that sounds, there is a major caveat here – this film is as wonderfully over-the-top as it constantly entertaining. Another way to phrase it would be the perfect antidote to the state of modern western action cinema if a little on the long side. It's great to have big action like this back with us especially with talent both behind and in front of the camera.
CMC Pictures & CineAsia – Screening at:
Odeon London Panton St
Vue London Westfield Stratford
Vue Manchester Printworks
Odeon Liverpool Switch Island
Odeon Sheffield
2 thoughts on "Wolf Warrior II"
You say, and I quote: "This may well be the first Chinese martial arts of action film set in Africa".
How about the classic "Armour of God II: Operation Condor" with Jackie Chan??? It is set in the Sahara desert… that desert comprises much of North Africa.


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Selling Covered Calls
There is a way. By selling a call when you also own 100 shares of the underlying stock, you cover your position. If the option is called away by the buyer, you can meet the obligation simply by delivering shares that you already own.
You enjoy several advantages through the covered call.
- You are paid a premium for each call that you sell, and the cash is placed in your account at the time you sell.
- The actual net price of your 100 shares of stock is reduced by the value of the option premium. The covered call discounts your basis because you receive cash when you sell the call. This gives you flexibility and downside protection, as well as greater versatility in selling calls with high time value.
A Premium Deal: You owned 100 shares of Merck that you had originally bought at $38 per share. You sold a covered call shortly after buying the stock at 40 and were paid 3 ($300). However, when the stock rose to $42 per share shortly before expiration, your covered call was exercised. Your stock was called away at the striking price of $40 per share. During the period you owned the stock, you received four quarterly dividends at $38 each. Your total profit on this transaction was:
Profit on stock ($40 less original cost of $38) $200 Call premium received 300 Dividends received 152 Total $652
Discounted Basis: You owned 100 shares of Merck you had originally bought at $38 per share, as in the previous example. You waited a few months until the stock's market value had risen to $42 per share. At that time you sold a covered call with a striking price of 45 and received a premium of 2 ($200). Your <i>net basis</i> is reduced to $36 per share (original cost less premium on the option). While you continue to face the possibility of exercise at $45, that would be nine points higher than your net basis in the stock.
- Selling covered calls provides you with the freedom to accept moderate interim price declines, because the premium you receive reduces your basis in the stock. Simply owning the stock without the discount means that declines in the stock's market value represent paper losses.
ExampleRiding the Price Waves: You own stock originally purchased at $38 per share. Since the purchase date, the price has moved between $38 and $44 per share. When the price was on the high side, you sold covered calls, closing out those positions when the stock's price retreated. You have made a series of modest but consistent profits on the movement in the stock, without having to take profits. The sum of your profits has also reduced your net basis in the stock.
- By selling calls against appreciated stock, you are able to augment profits and, in the case of exercise, build in a capital gain as well.
ExampleTax and Profit Planning: You employ a strategy of buying stock and waiting for price appreciation, and then selling covered calls. If the calls are exercised, you achieve a capital gain on the stock as well as dividend income and option premium. If the calls are not exercised, you augment your current income by closing out those calls at a lower price, or waiting until expiration.
Smart Investor TipThe major risk associated with covered call writing is the possibility of lost income from rising stock prices. But that might not happen at all; when you sell a call, you accept the possibility of lost capital gains income in exchange for the certainty of call premium income.
ExampleProfit Alternatives, a Nice Dilemma: You own 100 shares of stock, which you bought last year at $50 per share. Current market value is $54 per share. You are willing to sell this stock at a profit. You write a November 55 call and receive a premium of 5. Now your net basis in the stock is $45 per share (original price of $50 per share, discounted five points by the option premium). If the stock's market value remains between the range of $45 and $55 between the date you sell the call and expiration, the short call will expire worthless. It would not be exercised within that price range, since striking price is 55. You can wait out expiration or buy the call, closing it out at a profit. However, if the stock's value does rise above $55 per share and the call were exercised, you would not receive any gain above $55 per share. While exercise would still produce a profit of $1,000 ($500 stock profit plus $500 option premium), you would lose any profits above the striking price level.
Comparing Strategies
|Owning Stock and Writing Calls
|Owning Stock Only
|Stock goes up in value.
|Call is exercised; profits are limited to striking price and call premium.
|Stock can be sold at a profit.
|Stock remains at or below the striking price.
|Time value declines; the call can be closed out at a profit or allowed to expire worthless.
|No profit or loss until sold.
|Stock declines in value.
|Stock price is discounted by call premium; the call is closed or allowed to expire worthless.
|Loss on the stock.
|Earned while stock is held.
|Earned while stock is held.
Before you undertake any strategy, assess the benefits or consequences in the event of all possible outcomes, including the potential for lost future profits that might or might not occur in the stock. To ensure a profit in the outcome of writing covered calls, it is wise to select those calls with striking prices above your original basis, or above original basis when discounted by the call premium you receive.