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It's Not Easy To Be A Man After Travelling To The Future Chapter 557
After Ling Lan improved her hand speed, she worked on maintaining the speed. By the time she ended her meditation, her speed was stabilized at around 59.93 seconds to 59.98 seconds, which proved that her results were not based on luck. However, if she wanted to go lower than 59.90 seconds, it would still require some time.
Ling Lan was not dejected, as she had never expected herself to advance to imperial rank while she was still a third-year student. Now that she had overcome the hardest obstacle, she merely needed to practice her hand speed and find a suitable [S]-rank technique for herself. If everything went smoothly, she would be able to become an imperial operator before she graduated. Ling Lan was not worried about the upgrading of her techniques, as she had Little Four and Instructor Number Three; they could help her analyze and guide her whenever she needed them.
By the time Ling Lan came out of her mediation, Lingtian had almost completed all their battles. After Lingtian defeated the original eight powerful mecha clans, most of the other smaller mecha clans chose to avoid battle. Only a few of the mecha clans didn't want to give up and fought against them. The clans that avoided battle were given a three months grace period. After the three months passed, they would not be able to avoid battling Lingtian again.
The members of the Lingtian Mecha Clan were very happy at their decision, as the participants in the weekly battles had never managed to get any rest at all. The several months of battle had tired them out mentally. If all the mecha clans collaborated with one another and battled with them continuously for a few months, Lingtian might be defeated.
However, no one wanted to be the object of sacrifice. Lingtian had gotten the chance to stop fighting for a while and by the time the other mecha clans realized this, it was too late; Ling Lan had already come out of her meditation and this meant that they had no chances at all now.
By the end of the year, Lingtian had unified the mecha clans of the military academy. All the mecha clans merged into the Lingtian Mecha Clan and it became the only mecha clan in the military academy. As the first regiment commander, Ling Lan became the king of the military academy and the achievements of Lingtian were written into the school's history. Ling Lan became the first king of the military academy that received an acknowledgement by the school personally.
One year ago, the higher authorities of the school had thought of ways and means to create a god, but they had never expected that one year later, someone would become a god without their effort. The school's authorities had mixed emotions, while the principal and Tang Yu, on the other hand, were elated—Ling Lan belonged to their faction. However, in order to protect Ling Lan, they could not show their happiness on their face.
Even after becoming king, there were still challenges for Ling Lan. When the new year started, the second-years could apply to start a new mecha clan and a new round of battles would begin again.
As a super mecha clan, Lingtian suffered from many internal conflicts. The members that became merged into the clan didn't listen to the leaders of Lingtian, while the original leaders of the merged clans allowed their members to create troubles; they would always quarrel with the original Lingtian members. Many people even chose to leave Lingtian to become lone wolves.
The Lingtian Mecha Clan chose to kick out those leaders and members that created trouble for them, as there was no need for so many people to stay in Lingtian. To Ling Lan, her ideal mecha clan consisted of elite individuals. And even if these individuals sincerely wanted to join them, she would arrange tests for them. Only those who passed the test could enter their clan.
However, Ling Lan was not so heartless. For those who didn't want to pledge their allegiance to them but never provoked the members of Lingtian, Ling Lan placed them into sub-clans built especially for them so that they could govern themselves.
In actual fact, Ling Lan also didn't like to use members who came from other mecha clans. She always thought that the Lingtian Mecha Clan's elite members had to be brought up by herself. She liked to recruit freshmen and guide them personally. These members would have a sense of belonging to the Lingtian Mecha Clan.
Based on this set of criteria, Ling Yi was spotted very quickly. He was outstanding in all areas so Wu Jiong admired his talent and focused on training him. Ling Yi worked even harder. He knew that he was getting closer to his Master Lan.
Ling Lan became a fourth-year. That year, only a few freshmen set up new mecha clans. Ling Lan didn't send them a letter of challenge the moment they formed their clans, as that would be an action unbecoming of a powerful individual.
Most of the freshmen entered Lingtian, which became a real super mecha clan. Lingtian built a perfect upgrading system for its freshmen. In order to enter the elite team, they needed to go through many tests and missions, as this was the only way to achieve their dream position and have the king of the military academy guide them personally.
The Lingtian Mecha Clan grew very fast and operated efficiently. Ling Lan let go of the reins of the Lingtian Mecha Clan after the new upgrading system was put in place. Her main focus now was to train her comrades. She put all the things that she learned during her closed-door meditation to good use.
Ling Lan didn't ask her comrades to practice their mecha piloting; instead, she resumed the physical training that they went through when they were first-years. Her training was harder and fiercer than the military academy's training. All of her comrades had a hard time.
This was the special training grounds of the military academy, which was a few thousands of meters wide and had all kinds of physical training equipment present. There were also running tracks and obstacle courses…
At this moment, a person was sitting on a chair in the middle of the training grounds. The person placed her hand on her chin and looked at the people diagonally in front of her who were doing the obstacle course.
The people in front looked fine despite panting heavily, but the three people at the end of the group didn't seem good. They staggered and looked as if they would faint at any moment.
One of them couldn't lift his leg anymore and lost his balance when he kicked a small stone on the ground. He fell forward and slammed into the person in front of him, who couldn't dodge in time and also fell.
"I am going to die here today." Chang Xinyuan laid on the ground and stared hopelessly at Han Jijyun who had fallen because of him. His face was filled with tears and nasal mucus and he didn't look anything like a mecha engineer.
Even when this kind of incident had occurred, his boss, the regiment commander of the Lingtian Mecha Clan, Ling Lan, continued to look at them coldly and didn't stop the training.


text: My latest piece in the Economist (print/online) is about crowdfunding, a way for artists, writers, and others to raise money from friends, fans, and interested others in small increments. It's a fascinating notion. Tens of millions of dollars have been raised this way so far, pretty clearly; could it turn into hundreds of millions per year? Maybe. In any case, it's a great way to kickstart projects with seed funding--the reason that Kickstarter, the biggest enabler of crowdfunding, named itself that.I've also filed a couple more Economist Babbage blog entries as G.F., including one about password selection and another about Dropbox and cloud synced storage. And we did another episode of the podcast, The Incomparable; well, another one with me, at least! Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, and Steven Moffat. And I'm writing a book. Did I tell you that? It's a collection of hundreds of reviews of the best or most interesting apps for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Five-Star Apps. Pre-order it now. And I'm tired. Back to work! September will be crazy.

subset: commoncrawl


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From the author of the "thrilling" (The Christian Science Monitor) novel, The Other Typist, comes an evocative, multilayered story of ambition, success, and secrecy in 1950s New York.
In 1958, Greenwich Village buzzes with beatniks, jazz clubs, and new ideas—the ideal spot for three ambitious young people to meet. Cliff Nelson, the son of a successful book editor, is convinced he's the next Kerouac, if only his father would notice. Eden Katz dreams of being an editor but is shocked when she encounters roadblocks to that ambition. And Miles Tillman, a talented black writer from Harlem, seeks to learn the truth about his father's past, finding love in the process. Though different from one another, all three share a common goal: to succeed in the competitive and uncompromising world of book publishing. As they reach for what they want, they come to understand what they must sacrifice, conceal, and betray to achieve their goals, learning they must live with the consequences of their choices. In Three-Martini Lunch, Suzanne Rindell has written both a page-turning morality tale and a captivating look at a stylish, demanding era—and a world steeped in tradition that's poised for great upheaval.
"Think of it as the publishing industry's take on Mad Men: a gripping fictional dispatch from the world of talented writers and editors with big dreams, secrets, and booze bills." —ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"With its vivid historical setting and the narrators' distinct voices, this ambitious novel is both an homage to the beatnik generation and its literature, as well as an evocative story of the price one pays for going after one's dreams." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Suzanne Rindell's latest novel is a riveting account of three young adults struggling to define themselves against issues of family, race, and sexual identity in the intolerant world of the '50s. Three-Martini Lunch is a gripping study of the ways in which people betray others and themselves in an effort to carve out places for themselves in a competitive and unforgiving world."—SARA GRUEN, New York Times-bestselling author of Water for Elephants and At the Water's Edge
"Set in New York City's Beat Generation, a skillfully crafted story of three young professionals trying to make it big in publishing: This is Three-Martini Lunch. Their choices and sacrifices ripple out from the pages and shake our hearts. A gripping read."—SARAH McCOY, New York Times-bestselling author of The Mapmaker's Children
"Three-Martini Lunch does for publishing what Mad Men did for advertising. It takes you back in time and then proceeds to etch in a whole world, stroke by stroke. This fast-moving novel is rich with incident and wonderfully conflicted characters."—JAMES MAGNUSON, author of Famous Writers I Have Known
Thank you, Bookstagrammers!!!
Join in the fun by using #ThreeMartiniLunch. 🍸🍸🍸 This book loves to go to lunch, BTW. And will not steal your fries.


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Isn't this just the most adorable snack ever? I'd heard of dipping apple fries in peanut butter, but crafting them into this healthy little package is too much fun. This apple fries recipe is perfect for lunch boxes and a big hit for fall.
This apple fries recipe was a winner in the Jif Most Creative Sandwich Contest™, and is filled with wholesome ingredients and easy to customize to almost any diet.
Special Diet Notes & Options: Apple Fries Sandwich
This recipe is naturally dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, soy-free, and vegan, so long as you are selective with your ingredients! See my granola recipes post for ideas, and use Enjoy Life mini-chips for an allergen-free option. Also, double check the tortilla ingredients – any manufactured food can have a sneaky ingredient or two!
For Gluten-Free: Be sure to use a granola with certified gluten-free oats and no added gluten-containing ingredients. For store-bought, Enjoy Life, Udi's, and Bakery on Main have good options. And though I haven't tried either yet, I've heard good things about New Grains Gluten-Free Flour Tortillas and La Tortilla Factory Gluten-Free Tortillas.
For Peanut-Free and/or Nut-Free: Our peanut-free teen likes almond butter and WowButter, but you can opt for SunButter, PeaButter, or your favorite nut butter – whatever suits your diet and/or allergies best! All will work beautifully in place of the peanut butter in this recipe. Also, be sure to omit any nuts when making your granola, or if purchasing, look for nut-safe brands like Enjoy Life Granola.
- 1 8-inch tortilla (wheat or gluten-free - see post above for suggestions)
- 3 tablespoons all-natural creamy peanut butter, divided (see post above for nut-free options)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons dairy-free granola (broken into small chunks)
- 1 tablespoon dairy-free mini chocolate chips
- 1 large apple
- Lemon juice, optional
- Lay the tortilla flat on a plate. Spread 2 tablespoons of the peanut butter in a 4-inch circle in the top center of tortilla (start about 2 inches down from top).
- Sprinkle the granola and chocolate chips on top of the peanut butter and lightly press in.
- Cut the apple into French fry shapes (about ¼ to ½-inch wide, long pieces). If you won't be serving immediately, drizzle the apple slices with a squeeze of lemon juice and toss to coat.
- Lay the apple fries vertically on top of the peanut butter circle, stacking as necessary to fit them all in..
- Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to line the bottom edges of the tortilla.
- Fold up the bottom half of the tortilla to cover half of apple fries. Take the right side of tortilla and fold in. Take left side and fold in as well, overlapping the right side. Dab some peanut butter to "glue" the sides together.
- To eat, pull out the apple fries one by one and/or eat like a sandwich.


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Did you know that having a good posture is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body? Numerous experts are now stating that posture is not just about looking good, but could be the key to better health. According to an article in the American Journal of Pain Management, "Posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production."
Good Posture…just how important is it?
Posture ranks right up at the top of the list when you are talking about good health. It is as important as eating right, exercising, getting a good night's sleep and avoiding potentially harmful substances like alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Good posture is a way of doing things with more energy along with less stress and fatigue. Without good posture, you can't really be physically fit.
Surprised? Well, you're not alone. The importance of good posture in an overall fitness program is often overlooked by fitness advisers and fitness seekers alike. In fact, the benefits of good posture may be among the best kept secrets of the current fitness movement. The good news is that most everyone can avoid the problems caused by bad posture…and you can make improvements at any age.
Good Posture is Good Health
We're a health conscious society today and good posture is a part of it. Because good posture means your bones are properly aligned and your muscles, joints and ligaments can work as nature intended. It means your vital organs are in the right position and can function at peak efficiency. Good posture helps contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Without good posture, your overall health and total efficiency may be compromised. Because the long-term effects of poor posture can affect bodily systems (such as digestion, elimination, breathing, muscles, joints and ligaments), a person who has poor posture may often be tired or unable to work efficiently or move properly.
Even for younger people, how you carry yourself when working, relaxing or playing can have big effects. Did you know that just fifteen minutes reading or typing when using the wrong positions exhausts the muscles of your neck, shoulders and upper back?
Lifestyle Tips for Lifelong Good Posture
• Keep your weight down – excess weight, especially around the middle, pulls on the back, weakening stomach muscles.
• Develop a regular program of exercise – regular exercise keeps you flexible and helps tone your muscles to support proper posture.
• Buy good bedding – a medium to firm mattress will support the spine and help maintain the same shape as a person with good upright posture.
• Pay attention to injuries from bumps, falls and jars – injuries in youth may cause growth abnormalities or postural adaptations to the injury or pain that can show up later in life.
• Have your eyes examined – a vision problem can affect the way you carry yourself as well as cause eyestrain and neck fatigue.
• Be conscious of where you work – is your chair high enough to fit your desk? Do you need a footrest to keep pressure off your legs? Try a standing desk, it allows for movement and increased function.
• Straighten Up and Stay Healthy!
Wouldn't you love to have less pain and stiffness, more energy, and an increased ability to move about your surroundings? If you feel that you could benefit from improving you posture and movement, Chiropractic is what you need. Chiropractors are specifically trained and specialize in spinal alignment and proper posture. Their expertise can help guide you when setting up proper ergonomics at work or at home to reduce the stress on your body.
Holmes Lake Chiropractic offers a free consultation for those who may have a few more questions. Feel free to get a hold of us by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com or by phone at (402) 483-4409. We look forward to hearing from you and working toward your improved health!


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24-Jun-2016 @ 01:00
Reacting to today's referendum result Ashley Fox, Leader of the UK Conservatives in the European Parliament, said:
"The British people have spoken. Now we must carry out their wishes.
"I have two priorities over the coming weeks. Along with my Conservative colleagues I will work to bring our party back together after what has been a passionate and at times heated campaign.
"Secondly, whichever side of the debate we were on, we must now reunite and put all our efforts into helping negotiate a smooth departure from the
EU that safeguards Britain's interests and recognises that we remain friends, allies and trading partners with our European neighbours."


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30 | Travel Journalling and Other Ways to Savour Your Trip
Listen to Episode 30: Travel Planning and Packing Tips
Also Available on iTunes
Episode Summary
This week, Sophie joins me on the podcast for Part 2 of our travel discussion. We talk about the joys of travel journalling, sharing ideas for fun things to include in your journal, as well as other ways to make the most out of a trip. Sophie and I both love to experience the local cuisine and culture as much as possible, as well as shop for special mementos to bring back for friends, family and ourselves.
Listen to hear our best tips for travel journalling and other ideas for making the most of your holiday.
Episode Breakdown
- 01:08 - Jump for Joys! Find out what's been making Miranda and Sophie happy lately.
- 04:18 - From Our Listeners - Sophie and Miranda share feedback and interesting remarks from T&T listeners.
- 07:23 - Miranda introduces the main discussion.
- 08:00 - Ideas for keeping a travel journal.
- 13:53 - Experiencing the local cuisine and culture.
- 18:10 - Reading books set in the area in which you're holidaying.
- 19:40 - A suggestion for solo travelling.
- 22:14 - The types of mementos Sophie and Miranda like to buy.
- 24:30 - Tips for making the return from a trip as stress-free as possible.
- 26:50 - Culture Corner! Find out the recent Tea & Tattle cultural favourites.
Episode Links
- The Zetter Hotel, where Miranda is having her 'staycation.'
- Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler.
- New Boy by Tracy Chevalier.
- Part 1 of our Travel Tips.
- Geneva's video guide on travel journalling.
- Air BnB experiences.
- Daunt Books, a fabulous travel bookshop in London.
- CITIx60 series.
- Elizabeth Bard (you can read Miranda's interview with her here).
- Twin Peaks, The Return.
- Dancer.
- Find us on Instagram: Sophie (@sophie_perdita); Miranda (@mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase).
Tweet Me!
click on the Twitter icon to share our favourite quote from this episode
Travel journalling has a therapeutic quality.
- Miranda and Sophie
Your Thoughts
Thank you so much for listening and being a part of Tea & Tattle podcast. As always, we love to hear your thoughts, so please let us know:
Do you like to keep a travel journal? What do you include in yours? Do you have any tips for making the return home any less arduous?
Next Time...
I'm chatting with Rukmini Iyer, a food stylist and writer, about her career to date and her recently published cookbook, The Roasting Tin. Be sure to tune in again next Tuesday for some foodie inspiration!


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Indices: Writers: Stanley Morison
Temperamental typographical advisor to the Monotype corporation and opinionated type historian and theoretician. Designer of Times New Roman which, along with Helvetica and Univers, probably holds the honor of being the most well-known typeface of the 20th century. Times New Roman was his only type design, and the story of its development is told in Walter Tracy's Letters of Credit. His most well-known book is A Tally of Types, which is no longer an indispensable reference, but is still one of the most entertaining reads out there to the typographically inclined.
'Towards An Ideal Type', The Fleuron Number 2 (London: St. Stephen's House, 1924) pp. 57-75
'Towards An Ideal Italic', The Fleuron Number 5 (Cambridge: The University Press, 1926) pp. 93-129
'The Story of Gill Sans', The Monotype Recorder Volume 34, Number 4 (London: The Monotype Corporation Limited, Winter 1935-6) pp. i-viii


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Anyone with a family to feed knows that food costs add up.
But those costs are cheaper for some than others.
Diets in Review looked at the cost of chicken breasts, potatoes, apples, and milk in all 50 US states, using the Numbeo cost of living estimates, to answer the question of whether a family of four could eat a homemade, healthy meal for $15.
The answer: It depends largely on where you live.
In the most expensive state, Virginia, it would cost $27.48 to snag these groceries. In the least expensive state, Idaho, the bill would be $9.33.
Check out how your state ranks below:


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Our Sales Associate was top notch. He provided service professionally and was extremely friendly. We were new to the area and he made us feel so welome. He answered all questions thoroughly and provided us with updates frequently. I would highly recommend him and his team. I know who to call when we get ready to sell.
Bert and Halima Dumas
Scott did A great job with the negotiating process, and if he hadn't, I wouldn't be a homeowner today. As a first-time home buyer, I had little knowledge about the process. Also, for much of the process I was living in another city, so I had to rely on Scott's resources in Tallahassee to help me complete certain task. I couldn't be more happy with Scott's service, knowledge, communication, and professionalism. He is the reason I was able to buy this house and also the reason I was able to close by December 30th. I will recommend Scott and his Team to anyone I know who is looking buy a home.
Cole Hoopingarner


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This class is open to students as young as 6, if they are accompanied by an adult (or older sibling). Children 8 years old and up can come without an adult.
We will be diving into everyone's favorite fall food – pumpkins!
Our menu will be:
Pumpkin quick bread with honey butter
Pumpkin soup
Spinach and apple salad with homemade dressing
We will finish our class by sitting down together and enjoying our meal.
Please purchase one ticket per guest.Who: Adults, Young Chefs 8+ Years Old, Young Chefs 8-12 Years Old, Young Chefs 6-8 When: 27 Oct 2016 - 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM Where: Old Salt Marketplace, 5027 NE 42nd Ave, Portland - SEE MAP BELOW


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In today's Gospel, one minute,
Jesus looked as he always looked—
the next minute, he is enveloped in glory.
Then, just as quickly, it's over.
The point, of course, is that the glory was always there—
hidden within the ordinary—
but unfortunately, we usually fail to see it.
These readings are not only about glory;
they are about commitment as well.
That strange first reading is confusing
until you know that a covenant was being formed.
Those making the covenant
would walk between the animals—and through the blood.
"May this happen to me if I break the covenant."
Notice who passed between the pieces?
It wasn't Abram: rather, it was God who made the vow!
That's commitment!
When we realize how committed God is to us,
We dare to risk such commitment in response.
Today, as you know, I invite you to consider
supporting the Archdiocesan Fund Drive.
You might wonder how that connects.
May I suggest it is connected to glory…
and to commitment.
Peter, James and John saw the ordinary Jesus—
for them to see that Jesus is a lot more than that,
they needed God's help.
You and I see ourselves—our local church—
and we see the ordinary, nuts-and-bolts—
and we, too, need God's help to see beyond that:
to see all the ways God is at work in it all.
Beyond our parish is a larger church—the Archdiocese,
which in turn is part of a worldwide Catholic Church.
The fund we give to, today, supports that larger effort.
For example, our seminary, in Cincinnati.
If I am any good at what I do, as a priest,
you can thank the seminary for training me,
and more than that, helping me hear God's call.
Who pays for our seminary? You do—with this fund.
Many parishioners come to me with problems,
and it becomes clear they need guidance
beyond what I can give.
That's when I refer them to Catholic Social Services,
which provides counseling.
Who pays for that? You do—through this fund.
This fund also helps pay
the pensions for our retired priests.
Father Caserta gets no salary from this parish.
All we give him is help with groceries and so forth.
The pension he gets from the Archdiocese—
who pays for that?
You do—with this fund.
Now, all that seems very ordinary:
Yet see beyond: the lives I influence, as priest,
I hope and pray, will be changed for eternity.
Do we need priests? Then we need a seminary.
Families in conflict find counseling and hope—
who can doubt the eternal value of that?
See how there's a lot more,
to this fund, than first meets the eye?
Giving to this Archdiocesan Fund
may not seem very "glorious"—but if it helps save souls?
What greater glory is there than that?
I also said it was about commitment.
God showed Abram his commitment:
God pledged his life to be faithful to his Covenant.
And on the Cross, God honored that commitment.
You and I are saved, for eternity, as a result!
We, in turn, show our commitment to God
by helping his people in their need.
And our gratitude enables us
to make that kind of commitment.
So back to "nuts-and-bolts":
Today, I invite you to make a commitment
regarding the Archdiocesan Fund.
Our parish goal is $12,000.
If every household gave $20 to this fund,
we will make that goal.
Of course, some cannot do that,
but others can do far more.
Our parish goal is $20,000.
If every household gave $30, we will make that goal.
Of course, some cannot do that, but others can do more.
There are forms and pencils in your pews.
In a moment, I'll stop talking,
So you can decide what you want to do.
If all we see is the ordinary…
then we don't see Jesus as anything more than a man;
the bread and wine never become anything more;
and you and I never become anything more than we are.
And there is little point in having hope to change things,
because we all see plenty of reason to be cyncial.
But you would not be here if that's all you saw!
You are here because you know who Jesus is:
He is glorious Son of God!
And he is here in our midst—
He will feed us with his own Body and Blood;
and through us, he can and will remake this world!
Just as Jesus helped his Apostles to see more;
So helps us see more.
The glory is always here, hidden in the ordinary.
Lord: help us to see!


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Sun Belt football had a good weekend, with two wins over C-USA opponents.
Blue Raiders Stage Thrilling Comeback over Memphis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Redshirt sophomore quarterback Logan Kilgore hit a wide-open Anthony Amos, a redshirt junior, with 11 seconds left in regulation to secure a Middle Tennessee come-from-behind victory over Memphis Saturday, 38-31, on Homecoming in front of 20,098 at Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Kilgore finished 27-of-41 for 277 yards and three touchdowns. D.D. Kyles finished as the game's leader on the ground, netting 105 yards on 15 carries, as MT reached the 200-yard rushing plateau. Malcolm Beyah hauled in a team-best six receptions for 82 yards and a pair of scores, while Benny Cunningham, Reggie Whatley and Tavarres Jefferson each registered three catches.
Craig Allen led the Blue Raider defense with 10 tackles, all solo stops, while Arness Ikner and Eric Russell each posted seven tackles to aid the cause.
Middle Tennessee returns to action in just five days, playing host to Western Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a nationally-televised contest on ESPNU.
Cajuns Overcome Sloppy Game to Defeat Owls
Brett Baer's 26-yard field goal as time expired lifted Louisiana to its first 4-1 start since 1988 as the Ragin' Cajuns fended off a late Florida Atlantic rally posting a 37-34 victory at Cajun Field. The Cajuns turned the ball over twice and lost over 100 yards on 10 penalties, many of them at critical points in the game.
Seven minutes earlier it seemed as though the Cajuns (4-1, 2-0 Sun Belt) wouldn't need such a frantic march to for the winning tally. Baer notched his second field goal of 40-plus yards at the 7:43 mark when he drilled a 46-yard attempt to give Louisiana a 14-point cushion.
Blaine Gautier completed 26-of-33 passes for 329 yards, career-bests for the senior from Paulina, La.
Harry Peoples accumulated 176 yards receiving marking the first 100-yard receiver for the Cajuns this season. His 12 receptions tied Brandon Stokley (11/4/95 vs. La. Tech) for the most by a UL receiver at Cajun Field.
Baer tied a career-high with three field goal makes and notched his first game with two from 40-plus.
After 14 consecutive field goals made to begin his career, Baer missed a pair of kicks in the third quarter, but redeemed himself on a 47-yard attempt to increase the UL advantage to 24-20 at the 6:35 mark in the third quarter.
The Cajuns continue their three-game homestand next Saturday hosting Troy at 6 p.m.
FAU 4th-Quarter Rally Falls Short in Football's SBC Opener
Lafayette, LA - The Florida Atlantic University football team lost its Sun Belt Conference opener on a game-ending 26-yard field goal 37-34 at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday evening. The Owls battled from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game with 1:48 remaining.
The Ragin' Cajuns drove 65 yards on 10 plays to set up Brett Baer's game-winning kick. FAU falls to 0-4 on the season and 0-1 in conference play while Louisiana-Lafayette improved to 2-0 in SBC play and 4-1 overall.
The Owls trailed 34-20 in the fourth quarter before redshirt junior quarterback Graham Wilbert connected with redshirt sophomore tight end Nexon Dorvilus for a five-yard touchdown pass. The pass was one of three on the evening and brought FAU within seven with 5:41 remaining.
Wilbert ended the game 20-of-38 with a career-best three touchdown passes. He also threw for 219 yards in the loss. Dorvilus and Stinson each had four catches to led the team while redshirt freshman wide out Marcus Cunningham had a team-high 65 yards receiving.
On the ground, Alfred Morris ended the night with 80 yards and one score on 19 carries.
The defense forced two first-half turnovers that led to 10 points. Freshman linebacker Andrae Kirk and Treon Howard each had 10 tackles. Howard's fumble recovery in the second quarter led to the first touchdown for FAU.
FAU continues its road swing against next Saturday against the University of North Texas. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be heard on ESPN760AM or at fausports.com. The game will be televised on CSS as part of the Sun Belt Network.
The Owls will christen their new on-campus football stadium on October 15th against Western Kentucky University at 4 p.m.
NT Owns Clock In 41-24 Loss At Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. – North Texas controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage, but a battle-tested Tulsa squad owned the air and ultimately the scoreboard in a 41-24 loss at H.A. Chapman Stadium on Saturday.
Mean Green (1-4, 0-1 Sun Belt) running back Lance Dunbar recorded his 18th career 100-yard rushing game against Tulsa (2-3, 1-0 C-USA), which helped North Texas control 40:53 of the game's 60 minutes as it racked up 391 yards of total offense.
The senior, who ranks third in school history in career yards, piled up 127 yards on a career-high 40 carries, which are the third most in school history for a single game.
The Mean Green returns home to face Sun Belt foe Florida Atlantic next Saturday at 6:30 p.m.


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PORTSMOUTH — A celebration of the volunteers at Sexual Assault Support Services served as a kickoff event to begin celebrating the agency's 30 years of service to victims of rape and domestic violence.
PORTSMOUTH — A celebration of the volunteers at Sexual Assault Support Services served as a kickoff event to begin celebrating the agency's 30 years of service to victims of rape and domestic violence.
Kathy Beebe, executive director of SASS, said the organization has had about 1,000 volunteers over the years since the agency was incorporated in November 1979.
"This is the first event, and over the year we hope to continue to acknowledge the work that has been done and then have a big celebration at the end," Beebe said. "Our goal, of course, is to put ourselves out of business, to put an end to sexual violence."
SASS provides services to sexual assault victims in Rockingham, Strafford and southern York counties. The program began with a 24-hour rape crisis hotline and one part-time staff member who trained volunteer advocates to accompany victims at hospital emergency rooms, police investigations and court appointments.
Today six full-time staffers, four part-time staffers and more than 30 volunteers contribute to the effort. The agency's work has expanded to serve adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, as well as their non-offending parents, partners and friends. As community demands increased, services grew to include support groups for partners and parents of survivors group, sexual assault support groups and a support group for teens that have been sexually victimized. In addition, the staff provided professional programs to educate the community about the issue of sexual violence.
Beebe said their volunteers are dedicated, caring people and are key to the success of SASS.
Dover resident Joyce Auger was named Volunteer of the Year at the event. She was given her award by Donna Ricker, a board member and the recipient of last year's award.
"The award is for a volunteer who goes above and beyond in her efforts," Beebe said. "Joyce always does shifts on out crisis hotline and she is active in other areas as well. She regularly attends our board meetings."
Beebe said Auger was going to receive an award from the a cappella group Sounds of the Seacoast. The group performed at the event and Auger is a member.
Auger, who lives in Dover, said she has been a volunteer for three years.
"I felt like I needed to give back to the community," Auger said. "I raised two daughters, and I decided I wanted to help women who were survivors of sexual assault."
Besides manning the hotline, Auger does hospital accompaniments and will stay with a victim who needs to go to the police.
"As a woman, I feel it's important help other women," she said. "It fulfills me and makes me feel like a better person. SASS trains us well to handle situations and if we don't have the answer, the support staff is there for us 24/7."
Stratham resident Lori Gagnon is president of the SASS board of directors.
"I want to be in the position to raise awareness of an issue that is commonly unrecognized," Gagnon said. "It's not the easiest subject to raise at a cocktail party, but besides being here for victims and survivors, we need to get our message out, to educate people so hopefully we can end sexual violence."
Getting the message out is extremely important now, with the economy in bad shape, Gagnon said.
"We follow the legislation because we need to know what's going on regarding funding," Gagnon said. "We are getting less funding and so we need to look at how we can raise unrestricted funds to keep SASS strong and healthy."


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University of Louisville
Louisville gets first ranking of season
Duke was a unanimous No. 1 for a second straight week in the Associated Press college basketball poll Monday, and Louisville climbed into the Top 25 for the first time this season.
The Blue Devils (8-0) capped a tough two-week stretch by beating Michigan State and Butler, and that meant they again got all 65 first-place votes from the national media panel.
Louisville (6-0) came in at No. 24 after blowout victories over Florida International and South Alabama. The Cardinals' biggest win was over then-No. 16 Butler in the opening game at their new downtown arena. They were ranked for four weeks last season and in 2008-09 they were in the Top 25 all season, reaching No. 1 for the first time in school history in the final poll.
Kentucky (5-2) slipped seven spots to No. 17 after losing at North Carolina on Saturday. The Tar Heels remained unranked.
■ Tennessee (6-0) jumped two spots to No. 11.
■ Minnesota (7-1) fell seven spots to No. 22 after losing to Virginia.
■ Notre Dame (8-0), Kentucky's opponent on Wednesday night, jumped two places to No. 23.
■ Florida (6-2) lost to Central Florida and dropped out from 18th. The Gators, whose other loss was to Ohio State, were No. 9 in the pre-season poll and they are the first member of that top 10 to fall out of the rankings.
Around the nation
Louisiana Tech: Sophomore forward Darius Redding has been declared academically ineligible for the winter quarter. Redding, averaging 6.0 points and 3.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs (7-2), could become eligible to play Feb. 26 at San Jose State.
Baylor: Freshman guard Stargell Love could be out for up to two months with a stress fracture in his left foot. Love has played in all six games for the 10th-ranked Bears (6-0).
No. 5 Kansas St. 89, Alcorn St. 55: Jacob Pullen scored 24 points to lead host Kansas State over Alcorn State. Jamar Samuels had 16 points and Curtis Kelly added 16 for the Wildcats (8-1), who had 10 players see at least 12 minutes.
Marquiz Baker scored 17 points for the Braves (0-7), and Kendrick McDonald added 12.
The Wildcats played almost the entire second half with a lead of more than 20 points after Rodney McGruder's three-pointer capped a 6-0 run and made it 52-30 with 17:35 to play.
Alcorn State hit just one three-pointer and had one assist in the game.
Georgetown 117, Brescia 71: Host Georgetown showed why it's ranked No. 2 in the NAIA coaches' poll. The Tigers (11-0) shot 14-for-20 from three-point range (70 percent) and eclipsed 100 points for the third time this season.
Former Scott County star Rodney Haddix led the way with 24 points, including four three-pointers. Five others scored in double figures.
Former Madison Central standout Aaron Morris added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Tigers.
Aaron Tandy scored 19 points for Brescia (4-6).
No. 5 Duke 61, No. 7 Texas A&M 58: Jasmine Thomas scored 18 points, including the go-ahead basket with 55 seconds left, to lead the host Blue Devils past the Aggies (6-1).
Thomas saw time ticking away, so she made an aggressive move toward the lane, pump-faked once and tossed up an off-balance jumper.
Nothing but net.
"It was the end of the shot clock, I had to make a play, had to put the shot up — there was no time to pass it," Thomas said. "And it went in."
Karima Christmas had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Chelsea Gray added 11 points for Duke (9-0), which overcame 18 turnovers and 31 percent shooting to extend the best start of Coach Joanne P. McCallie's 19-year career.


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Hi Nia House Community. You can possibly double Nia House donations!
Did you know that the company you work for might match donations that you make to Nia House? It is true! Matching gifts are corporate giving programs that reward employees' charitable donations. Please check with your HR department or employee handbook to find out if your company participates.
Parents' Night Out, our largest annual fundraiser, is coming up soon- Saturday, September 23rd.
Silent Auction items are rolling in and they are amazing! Items that you bid on and win count as a donation to Nia House and can be matched by your employer. You may be able to multiply the effect your generosity has on Nia House simply with awareness of your employer's policies.
Here is a link to some common corporations that match. Many many are unlisted so ask to be sure.
Look into it and let us know! Thank you so much for your support.


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Californian beauty, Gigi Hadid, is the face of our favourite new brand on ZALORA — TOPSHOP! Having signed to IMG models in 2011, Hadid is part of the ultimate Instagirl group, along with best friends, Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner. With just under 6 million Instagram followers, Gigi's social media success has propelled her into a world of high-fashion commercials and appearances in several international issues of Vogue, Grazia and CR Fashion Book. TOPSHOP is not Hadid's first campaign either; she's previously landed campaigns with Guess, Tom Ford, Seafolly and Maybelline, and has even veered into runway territory, walking for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs and Chanel.
Launched in stores, online, and in print this month, TOPSHOP's Fall '15 campaign was shot by Tyrone Lebon and styled by TOPSHOP's creative director Kate Phelan. The photographs feature Hadid looking effortlessly cool in the latest threads by the leading fashion retailer. "Working with Gigi Hadid on this campaign continues to strengthen our international vision for the TOPSHOP brand," said Sir Philip Green. "We are continually developing our footprint across all markets with ambitious plans both in the UK and internationally, and I feel like Gigi is an ideal ambassador to underpin these efforts".
Hadid's Cali-cool, almost normcore, way of dressing during the day has made her somewhat of a casual style icon. Her chic pairings of high-waisted denim shorts and cute boyfriend tees paired with battered high-rise trainers and stacked midi rings make her laidback style even more lust-worthy. Hadid's dramatic red-carpet looks are often jaw droppingly fabulous and hot too! Floor-length numbers are roughened up with a side split or a super low V-neck front. Add some fierce bling and sharp stilettos and Hadid's rock chic ensemble is complete.
With her super covetable style, to-die-for wardrobe and high-profile friendships, TOPSHOP asks Hadid what it was like to star in Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' music video, be the face of TOPSHOP, plus her thoughts on supermodels making a comeback.
How does it feel to be TOPSHOP's campaign girl?
It's 100 per cent cool. I just love anything TOPSHOP. I really enjoyed the shoot because it didn't feel forced or posed — which I think is very much my style too.
Any favourite looks?
The Mom jeans with tie-up shirt and leather jacket are very me. With TOPSHOP, it's so easy to put pieces together and look effortlessly cool. You can find great basics but also really standout ones that make your outfit look better immediately. It's all about mixing the highs and lows.
How would you describe your everyday style?
I like to say casual chic because I have to be comfortable, but also like to stay on trend. My Met Ball after-party look was a Versace mini dress with adidas trainers. On a normal day, I'll usually start with a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt, then pick a cool pair of boots or a jacket to build more statement pieces on top.
What is it like having a sister in the same industry?
It's fun that we get to experience fame together without becoming competitive or weird. I'm also lucky that we don't look exactly the same. Bella's style is a lot more bad*ss than mine! I think that's what people like about us together — we're complete opposites but we complement each other as well. We're really close — she makes me laugh so hard.
What do you think it's like being a model in 2015, compared to the '90s supermodels?
I've heard from a lot of people in the industry that the 'supermodel' is coming back, which is really exciting for me. For a long time you would see a girl for one season and then you'd never really hear about her again. Now models are getting to create a fanbase that keeps them around.
Do you think social media has had a part to play in this?
I guess that's the biggest difference today. We live in a time where you're not just a fan of a model because you like her picture in the magazine but you like her sense of humour. Or you might have the same style or like the same pizza and were able to share those things through social media. That's what people want to follow — they want to see us hanging out outside of the studio, or backstage at the show. The whole 'squad goals' thing is a big part of our generation — I think that's what is helping us create a new supermodel crew.
You're also part of the Instagram generation — what do you love about it?
It's about being able to look inside at worlds that you wouldn't normally experience. It's not even about celebrity versus non-celebrity — one of my best friends' sister is travelling the world saving whales and she's posting underwater pictures every day. It's cool to work in a generation where we have that tool.
What makes the cut on your Instagram?
I just share my favourite pictures. I don't feel the need to post something just for the sake of it or for work. I normally lean towards more real, beautiful images — like street style photographers who are shooting on film instead of ones from image sites.
Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' video starred everyone from Cara Delevingne to Lena Dunham. What was it like being a part of that?
The Taylor video was absolutely epic. I've never been on a production that huge. What people don't understand about how massive it was is that none of those were green screens they're all real sets — so the effort that Taylor and Joseph put in to make it seem like a real bad*ss secret agent training camp is unreal. It was like the supermodel Hunger Games.
Any backstage stories?
Shooting with your friends is just amazing — it went by so quickly. We didn't stop shooting till midnight and ordered in over 50 burgers and fries meals and just sat around devouring everything. After walking around in huge heels through gravelly dirt all day, all we wanted were burgers.
Who would you ask to star in your own music video?
I'd just want all my friends to be in it. Our friendship group is really about supporting each other. It's something that Taylor and I have talked about a lot. That's what we want to leave behind and be known for — to be a generation where it was cool to be nice to each other.


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Growing up in a rich cultural center of Russia, St.-Petersburg, Elena Maque was always drawn to art. Whether it was dancing, painting or playing an instrument, she always felt like Art was the best way to express her soul and true feelings.
Upon graduating from Mussorgsky College of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia, Elena was already an established musician. For a few years she was a part of the city`s renowned jazz big band led by Gennady Golshtein, which toured Russia and other European countries. During that time she was also working on some of her own music projects. After moving to the US, Elena started searching for new ideas, learning a lot from the local musicians in Seattle.
Combining her knowledge in classical music, jazz and funk styles resulted in creation of Elena's unique and individual sound. As a composer she believes that every song has a story, an experience or a feeling that left it's footprint in the artist's soul. Her music is sincere and personal.
Currently Elena is leading Elena Maque Quartet.
In 2017 Elena and her partner D'Vonne Lewis founded an art project called SoulCanvas that features and promotes various artists in the North West America.
CD release coming soon.
Follow @elenamaque


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Trade 50 | Neoos Design
McDonalds Server, DJ, Flight attendant, Spain, England, Norway… the list went on. Marcos had spent his early career going with the wind bouncing around a variety of odd jobs and locations. Eventually discovering, studying and pursing design Marcos settled in Nuremberg with his family. He had clearly found his craft, I thought, as I watched him adjust and straighten every detail out of place as we visited the various locations he and Udo's agency Neoos Design had designed and built. Marcos was certainly a testament to not needing to have things figured out in your twenties. Not to mention a bank of miscellaneous knowledge as he explained the Big Mac Gherkin placement standards to me.
Neoos Design was responsible for the interior design of various cafes, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and even a dentist's surgery around Nuremberg including two earlier trades 44 & 45. Between Udo and Marcos they covered me to stay in Nuremberg longer with an abundance of warmth and generosity to photograph more of their projects during my second visit to the city.
British photographer moving between hosts and countries through a back-to-back series of creative trades. Exchanging my photography for all of my needs in a mission to reach every continent without needing money.


text: Despite What You May Think, Writing Doesn't Have to be Boring Inside: 3 Writer's Skills that Students should learn long before heading to college. Stealing is bad. Teaching kids to be thieves is worse. "But I would never do that!" the person next to you, says. … Read More »


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Mary MacGill Form Collection
Simple Light Aquamarine Floating Studs set in 14K gold wire. Earrings come with 14K backs. Derived from the Latin "aqua marinus" meaning "water of the sea," Aquamarine is said to increase clarity in communication, and tranquility. See our S T O N E G U I D E for more information on Aquamarine.
Entirely handmade in New York and Block Island, RI.


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Made from 80% copper, 20% zinc wire wrapped around hex shaped tin plated high carbon steel core wire. One of the most popular acoustic guitar strings as used by the Eagles, Elvis Costello and Joe Bonamassa. Ernie Ball 80/20 bronze acoustic strings provide a crisp, bright sound with pleasing overtones.
Ernie Ball Earthwood Acoustic 80/20 Bronze Guitar Strings Features
MSRP: $4.95 Save: $0.96 (19%)
MSRP: $54.98 Save: $19.99 (36%)
MSRP: $32.98 Save: $13.03 (40%)
MSRP: $24.95 Save: $14.00 (56%)
MSRP: $22.99 Save: $3.00 (13%)
What started as a simple string and pedal sales catalog has grown exponentially over the past thirty years. The early days were a time where catalogs didn't have much of a presence in the industry, but what began as a college dorm room operation grew rapidly. In 1986 we moved to a full product offering and 64-page catalog, which over the years has grown to 162 pages. Join the AMS family and get your free catalog now!
Copyright © 1996-2019 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. American Musical Supply reserves the right to correct pricing and/or product specifications in the event of typographical errors found in our print catalog or on our website. If a product is listed at an incorrect price due to such errors or because of inaccurate information received from a supplier, American Musical Supply shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed, whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, American Musical Supply will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.


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In this entry I want to showcase a look which has been inspired by the song the campus life and the song Can't Stop Now by Keane.
I also watched the movie The Social Network now, that includes many "students" and shows it could be in Harvard. Even it was just no real inspiration I still enjoyed the movie, I recommend it to everyone.
Yeah, so, the inspiration for a line I wanted to hold on, is my classic imagination of an school uniform: Blazer, shirt, tie. My goal was it to push that uniform up with some relaxed poses and skinny jeans, a skinny tie, bracelets and Chelsea boots. Let me show you what I mean: just look at the photos.


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There is much to be said on this topic but watch a 2.7 minute video to learn some of the why managers and staff are frustrated by the typical, once a year, let-me-tell-you how you did and wrap that up in a single, rating number. Want to learn what to do? Contact us to chat. (Hint: the answer is not stop doing performance development and management.)
Our founder, Scott Trossen, will be speaking on this topic to HR peers at the October 6th meeting of the Greater Ann Arbor Society of Human Resource Management.


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Download this article in .PDF format
This file type includes high-resolution graphics and schematics when applicable.
Power efficiency is a fundamental characteristic of any switch-mode power supply (SMPS), and its measure generally dictates the quality of the conversion device. High numbers bestow bragging rights upon the successful engineer, while low numbers usually denote the need for modification or redesign.
Maximum efficiency is a prime consideration for all SMPSs, but even more so for those found in portable devices, where battery life must be prolonged to offer consumers extended run time while using their favorite gadgets and toys. High efficiency is also a must for those designs that require improved thermal management, or where the cost of providing power is of concern.
To achieve the maximum conversion efficiency in an SMPS design, the engineer must understand the elementary power-loss mechanisms inherent in these converters, and what can be done to mitigate their effects. Additionally, familiarity with common SMPS IC features that facilitate higher efficiency enable the engineer to make better choices when confronted with switch-mode converter design.
In this two-part discussion, the basic factors affecting SMPS efficiency are explained and guidance is provided on how to start a new design. Introductory material and switching component power losses are covered in this first installment.
Efficiency Expectations
Energy losses are an intrinsic part of energy conversion systems. The non-idealities of the natural world prevent us from attaining that ultimate reward of 100% conversion efficiency. However, well-designed power supplies can achieve efficiencies that are quite remarkable, generally approaching percentages in the mid to high 90s.
For curious souls, benchmark efficiencies can be obtained by examining the typical operating characteristics found in datasheets available from power-supply IC manufacturers. For example, the stepdown converter circuit in Fig. 1 achieves up to 97% efficiency for certain output configurations, and yields high efficiency for very light loads.
How are such high efficiency numbers realized? Paying careful attention to the fundamental losses common to all SMPSs is a great start. These losses are found largely in the switching components (MOSFETs and diodes) and, to a lesser extent, in the inductors and capacitors of the generic SMPS circuit. Depending on the IC, special features can be selected that will combat efficiency losses, such as control architecture options and component integration. For example, the circuit in Fig. 1 employs several methods to combat intrinsic losses including synchronous rectification, integrated low-resistance MOSFETs, low quiescent-current consumption, and a pulse-skipping control architecture, the benefits of which will be discussed as this article unfolds.
Brief Stepdown SMPS Overview
Although the losses that will be discussed are applicable to all basic SMPS topologies, the following text is explained with reference to the generic stepdown or buck converter circuit in Fig. 2. The figure also highlights some of the circuit's switching waveforms that will be referred to in calculations presented later.
The stepdown converter reduces a higher dc-input voltage to a lower dc-output voltage. In doing so, a MOSFET is switched on and off at a constant modulation frequency (fS) by a pulse-width modulated (PWM) square wave signal. In a nutshell, when the MOSFET is on, the input supply charges the inductor and capacitor and delivers power to the load. During this time, the magnitude of the inductor current ramps up as it flows through Loop 1, as shown in Fig. 2.
When the MOSFET turns off, the input supply is disconnected from the output, and the inductor and output capacitor support the load. The magnitude of the inductor current ramps down as it flows through the diode, following the direction indicated in Loop 2. The fraction of the switching period in which the MOSFET is on is defined by the duty cycle (D) of the PWM signal. D divides each switching period (tS) into [D x tS] and [(1-D) x tS] intervals, which are associated with MOSFET conduction (Loop 1) and diode conduction (Loop 2), respectively.
All SMPS topologies use this division of the switching period to achieve output-voltage conversion. For the stepdown converter, the larger duty cycle is, the more energy is driven to the load, and average output voltage increases. Conversely, as duty cycle decreases, average output voltage decreases.
Due to this relationship, the conversion ratios for the stepdown SMPS are:
VOUT = D x VIN
IIN = D x IOUT.
It is important to note that the longer that any SMPS remains in a particular interval, the greater the relative losses are that coincide with that interval. For the stepdown converter, a low D signifies greater relative losses around Loop 2 since that loop dominates the switching period.
Switching Component Losses
The MOSFET and the diode depicted in Fig. 2 (and in most other basic converter topologies) tend to cause the largest degradation of efficiency due to the nature of these semiconductor devices. Both are victims of two varieties of power loss: conduction loss and switching loss.
The easier of the two to understand is conduction loss. Intuitively, where there is current flowing, there will naturally be an opposition to the current, and energy is expended as a result. Both the MOSFET and the diode act as switches that route current through the circuit when either device is on during each switching interval. Hence, a conduction loss will be generated when that particular device is on, due to the on-resistance of the MOSFET (RDSon) and the forward voltage of the diode.
Since MOSFET current flows only while it is on, MOSFET conduction loss (PCONDmosfet) is approximated by the product of RDSon, duty cycle and the square of on-state current:
PCONDmosfet = IMOSFETon(avg)2 x RDSon x D
where IMOSFETon(avg) is the average MOSFET current over the on-interval. Referring to the stepdown converter in Fig. 2, the MOSFET conducts output current (IOUT) while it is on, resulting in an estimated MOSFET conduction loss of:
PCONDmosfet = IOUT2 x RDSon x (VOUT / VIN)
While MOSFET conduction loss is proportional to the dissipation across its low RDSon, diode conduction loss is dependant on a comparatively larger forward voltage (VF). Thus, diodes usually have a larger conduction loss than MOSFETs. Diode conduction loss is proportional to forward current, VF and conduction time. Since the diode will conduct when the MOSFET is off, diode conduction loss (PCONDdiode) is approximated as:
PCONDdiode = IDIODEon(avg) x VF x (1-D)
where IDIODEon(avg) is the average diode current over the on-interval. In Fig. 2, average diode forward current is IOUT during its conduction interval. Therefore, PCONDdiode for a stepdown converter is estimated as:
PCONDdiode = IOUT x VF x (1 - VOUT / VIN)
By observing these equations, it is evident that the longer either device is on during each switching interval, the larger that device's relative conduction loss. For a stepdown converter, the lower the output voltage is set (for a constant input voltage), the more the diode contributes to power loss, since it conducts for more of the switching interval.
Perhaps a bit less intuitive are MOSFET and diode switching losses, which arise due to the non-ideality of their switching characteristics. Time is required for the devices to transition from fully off to fully on, and vice versa, and that translates into power consumption as the devices change state.
A simplified plot of drain-to-source voltage (VDS) and drain-to-source current (IDS) is usually given to explain the switching loss encountered in MOSFETs. The upper plot in Fig. 3 depicts such waveforms, where non-instantaneous voltage and current transitions occur during tSWon and tSWoff due to the charging and discharging of capacitances found in the MOSFET.
As indicated in the plots, full load current (ID) must be transferred to the MOSFET before its VDS decreases to its final on-state value (= ID x RDSon). Conversely, the turn-off transition demands that VDS increase to its final off-state value before current is transferred from the MOSFET. These transitions result in overlap of the voltage and current waveforms and lead to the power dissipation seen in the lower plot in Fig. 3.
Switching transition times are more or less constant over frequency, causing switching loss to increase as the frequency of the SMPS is raised. This can be understood by noting that the constant-transition periods consume more of the available switching period as that switching period shrinks.
A switching transition that requires only one-twentieth of the duty cycle will have much less of an effect on efficiency than one that consumes one-tenth of the duty cycle. Due to its frequency dependence, switching loss dominates conduction losses at high frequencies.
MOSFET switching loss (PSWmosfet) is estimated by applying triangular geometry to Fig. 3 to achieve following equation:
PSWmosfet 0.5 x VD x ID x (tSWon + tSWoff) x fs
where VD is the drain-source voltage of the MOSFET during off-time, ID is the channel current during on-time, and tSWon and tSWoff are the turn-on and turn-off transition times, respectively. For the stepdown converter, VIN is applied across the MOSFET during the off-state, and it carries IOUT while it is on.
To demonstrate the aforementioned MOSFET conduction and switching loss equations, an oscilloscope was used to capture the VDS and IDS waveforms of a typical integrated high-side MOSFET in a stepdown converter. The conditions of the circuit were as follows: VIN = 10 V, VOUT = 3.3 V, IOUT = 500 mA, RDSon = 0.1 Ω, fS = 1 MHz, and the switching transient (tON + tOFF) is 38 ns.
As can be seen in Fig. 4, switching is not instantaneous, and the overlap in the current and voltage waveforms results in a power loss indicated by the lower waveform. The current waveform is ramped since IDS follows inductor current for the "on" cycle (Fig. 2), resulting in more switching loss occurring during the "off" transient.
Using the previously mentioned approximations, the total average MOSFET loss is calculated:
PTmosfet = PCONDmosfet + PSWmosfet
= IOUT2 x RDSon x (VOUT/VIN) + 0.5 x VIN x IOUT x (tSWon + tSWoff) x fs
= 0.52 x 0.1 x 0.33 + 0.5 x 10 x 0.5 x (38 x 10-9) x 1 x 106
8.3 mW + 95 mW
PTmosfet = 103.3 mW
The result is consistent with the average value of 117.4 mW of the lower trace. Note that in this case, fS is high enough that PSWmosfet dominate conduction losses.
Like the MOSFET, the diode also exhibits switching loss. However, this loss depends to a large extent on the reverse-recovery time (tRR) of the diode used. Diode switching loss occurs during the transition of the diode from a forward- to reverse-biased condition.
Charge present in the diode due to forward current must be swept out of the junction as reverse voltage is applied to it, resulting in a current spike (IRRpeak) opposite of forward current. This action results in a V × I power loss, since reverse voltage is applied across the diode during this reverse-recovery event. Fig. 5 presents the simplified plot of a pn diode reverse-recovery period.
When the reverse-recovery characteristics of the diode are known, the following equation is used to estimate the switching power loss (PSWdiode) of the diode:
PSWdiode 0.5 x VREVERSE x IRRpeak x tRR2 x fs
where VREVERSE is the reverse-bias voltage across the MOSFET, IRRpeak is the peak reverse-recovery current, tRR2 is that portion of the reverse-recovery time after IRR peaks. For the stepdown converter, VIN reverse-biases the diode after the MOSFET turns on.
To demonstrate the diode equations, Fig. 6 displays the voltage and current waveforms observed for the pn switching diode in a typical stepdown converter. VIN = 10 V, VOUT = 3.3 V, measured IRRpeak = 250 mA, IOUT = 500 mA, fS = 1 MHz, tRR2 = 28 ns and VF = 0.9 V. Using these values:
PTOTALdiode = PSWdiode + PCONDdiode
(1 - VOUT / VIN ) x IOUT x VF + 0.5 x VIN x IRRpeak x tRR2 x fS
= (1 - 0.33) x 0.5 x 0.9 + 0.5 x 10 x 0.25 x 28 x 10-9 x 1 x 106
= 301.5 mW + 35 mW
= 336.5 mW
This result coincides with the average power loss of 358.7 mW indicated in the lower plot in Fig. 6. Due to the large value of VF and the lengthy diode conduction interval, and since tRR is relatively fast, conduction losses (PSWdiode) dominate the diode.
Given the previous discussion, what can be done to mitigate the losses presented by the switching components of the power supply? The simple answer — choose MOSFETs with low RDSon and fast switching transients, and diodes with low VF and fast recovery periods.
Several phenomena directly affect the MOSFET on-state resistance. Naturally, RDSon increases with die dimensions and drain-source breakdown voltage (VBRdss), due to an increased amount of semiconductor material in the device. So, oversizing a MOSFET may introduce efficiency penalties that a smaller, properly chosen device might not have.
Further, due to the positive temperature coefficient of the MOSFET, RDSon increases as die temperature increases. Thus, proper thermal management practices must be followed to keep junction temperatures cool and ensure RDSon does not grow excessively.
The on-resistance also varies inversely with gate-source bias, up to a point. Therefore, a maximum gate-drive voltage is recommended to achieve lowest RDSon, with consideration given to the increased gate-drive loss introduced by doing so. However, gate-drive voltage is often not adjustable in SMPS ICs. That is, unless an option allows the user to do so, such as bootstrapping the IC supply, or when an external gate driver is used for an SMPS design.
MOSFET switching losses depend on the capacitances found in the device. Larger capacitances are slower to charge, causing switching transitions to last longer and to dissipate more power. Miller capacitance, commonly termed reverse transfer capacitance (CRSS) or gate-drain capacitance (CGD) in MOSFET data sheets, is a major contributor to transition times during switching.
The charge required by the Miller capacitance is denoted QGD, and as with the Miller capacitance, should be minimal for faster switching. Since MOSFET capacitance also varies with die size, a compromise between conduction and switching losses is usually considered, with careful attention given to the switching frequency of the circuit.
For the diode, forward voltage must be minimized, as losses due to it can be large. Forward voltage typically ranges between 0.7 V to 1.5 V for small, lower-rated diodes. Again, dimensions, process and voltage rating affect forward voltage and reverse-recovery time, with higher ratings and larger sizes exhibiting higher VF and tRR, resulting in greater loss.
Switching diodes geared toward high-speed applications are often categorized by speed, namely fast, super fast and ultrafast recovery diodes, with reverse-recovery time diminishing as speed increases. Fast diodes tend to have tRR in the hundreds of nanoseconds, while ultrafast diodes tend to be in the few tens of nanoseconds.
While pn diodes tend to have large forward-voltage drops, they are also available with large voltage and current ratings, making them suitable for higher-power applications. But, even with optimized VF and tRR diodes, one will not typically see a high-speed recovery diode in a low-power or portable application since the energy penalties are just too great.
As a possible alternative to fast recovery diodes in low-power applications, Schottky diodes offer virtually non-existent recovery times and VF that is nearly half that of fast recovery diodes (often from 0.4 V to 1 V), but are not available with voltage ratings as high as those of fast recovery diodes. Because of the benefits, Schottky diodes are widely used in low-power applications to greatly reduce the power loss associated with the switching diode, especially in low duty-cycle applications.
However, even with a low forward-voltage drop, the Schottky diode can present unacceptable conduction losses in low-voltage applications. Consider a stepdown output of 1.5 V, where a typical 0.5-V Schottky diode is used. This is 33% of the output voltage during the diode conduction time!
This high-loss situation can be improved by taking advantage of the low RDSon of a MOSFET in a technique called synchronous rectification. Here, a MOSFET replaces the diode (compare Fig. 1 and Fig 2) and is synchronized with the other MOSFET so that both conduct alternately during their respective switching intervals. Now, the relatively high VF of the diode is replaced by a much lower RDSon voltage drop (depending on current) of the MOSFET, recouping efficiency lost to diode conduction.
However, synchronous rectification does have its tradeoffs, such as increased complexity and cost, and it may not prove considerable benefit for very high-current levels, since conduction loss of the MOSFET increases as the square of its current. Additionally, since power is expended while turning on the gate of the synchronous rectifier, the engineer must weigh the efficient penalty of the additional gate drive.
The Data Sheet
This far, power losses intrinsic to the two major components of the generic switch-mode power supply, the MOSFET and diode, have been discussed. Recalling the stepdown circuit in Fig. 1, a few important aspects of the controller IC that aid in its very efficient operation can be related by referring to its data sheet.
First, the switching components are integrated into the IC package, thus saving space and reducing parasitic losses. Second, low RDSon MOSFETs are used. These are specified at 0.27 Ω (typical) and 0.19 Ω (typical) for the NMOS and PMOS, respectively. Third, synchronous rectification is employed. For a 50% duty cycle and 500-mA load, this reduces lower switch conduction loss from 250 mW if a 1-V diode were used, to approximately 34 mW due to the low RDSon of the synchronous NMOS transistor.
While switching components greatly influence SMPS efficiency, there are more areas where the engineer can combat the invasive effects of power loss. In the second part of this article, passive component losses and important efficiency enhancing features of SMPS ICs will be reviewed.
Mohan, Ned; Undeland, Tore M.; and Robbins, William P. Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design, chapters 2, 7, 20 and 22, John Wiley & Sons, third edition, 2003.
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Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer could be on the cusp of her first big acquisition-like move.
The Wall Street Journal reports Yahoo is in talks to buy 75 percent of Dailymotion, a YouTube-esque video service that's popular in Europe.
Dailymotion is owned by a French Telecom. It's sort of a mess of different videos. Some are user generated, some are professional.
Yahoo would buy the stake at $300 million valuation with an option to buy the remaining 25 percent later, says the Journal.
Yahoo's HR leader Jackie Rees told employees recently Yahoo was working on two large acquisitions. A lot of names have been floated around since then.
We're not sure how Dailymotion fits Mayer's vision for Yahoo. It's never struck us as a great technology or media property. And, it's not a big mobile property as far as we can tell.
However, the Journal says it had 116 million unique visitors in January, making it the twelfth biggest site in the world. It's also popular outside of the U.S., which could be valuable to Yahoo since it's largely a U.S. based business.
Get the latest Yahoo stock price here.


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Heartfelt worship. Powerful faith. Passionate service.
Experience a community of faith-filled people helping God to make a difference in you, in Middletown, CT, and the world.
First UMC Middletown brings God's transforming and healing message in the Bible to life through worship, service, spiritual growth, and fellowship in a growing community filled with open minds and hearts.
Our worship services are temporarily being held on Sundays, 9:30AM, at South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant St. Middletown. Come and praise God with us through prayer, Bible messages, and song! You are invited to our fellowship time immediately following Worship, with coffee and refreshments. Sunday school for children during worship. Convenient handicap access.
First UMC Middletown is a safe and supportive place to grow in faith, no matter what your background. People new to exploring faith or reconsidering faith will find an environment in which they can encounter faith in Christian fellowship without pressure or judgment. Our Methodist traditions offer you a powerful way to grow in God with open minds and hearts.
First UMC Middletown expresses our gratitude for God's love through service that helps us to share that love, and that teaches us how it grows in everyone's hearts. Our volunteer activities address very real needs at a personal, local and global level. We encourage people to find new ways to express their passions through joyful, faith-filled service.
Let's connect!
We look forward to you visiting and contacting us, and getting to know you! Contact us now or stop by one of our worship or fellowship events.


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A grounding mat is typically placed on top of a bed on which it is used for sleeping. The mat plugs into the grounding slot on a wall electrical outlet to provide a source of contact between a person and the Earth. When not being slept on it can be used for a foot rest while seated anywhere or under your arms. Grounding mats claim to induce improved sleeping while reducing stress through a process called Earthing.
Earthing sleep systems including mats, sheets and recovery bags can also be purchased with grounding rods for use in homes without electrical grounds or to provide a superior direct ground source. The grounding rod is installed into the earth outside of a bedroom window or wall that is nearest to the bed. A grounding wire is connected from the ground rod to the grounding mat, or other sleep system, to complete the circuit.
The Earthing concept is based on a belief that increased isolation from contact with the earth by the non-conductive materials that people wear, walk and live on such as rubber and plastic shoe soles as well as wood, plastic, laminate and asphalt surfaces is detrimental to their overall health. The proposed concept is that the electrical field of the human body needs to interact with the electrical field of the earth to provide energy and vitality.


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Committee Volunteers
Contact Linda Warren to get involved in a Habitat for Humanity Committee!
Linda Warren, Volunteer Coordinator
(740) 363-9950 ext. 2004
Swinging a hammer is not the only way to volunteer at Habitat!
Due to the tremendous amount of planning and management required to build just one home, we have a constant need for committee members and volunteers to help with various other tasks.
Habitat Committee Members are a vital part of our organization, working directly with affiliate staff and volunteers to help further our mission of building simple, decent, affordable housing.
As a committee member, you will:
Attend monthly meetings
Interact with like-minded individuals
See real change happening as a result of your contributions!
Consider joining one of the following committees:
Family Support
Work in partnership with families throughout the Habitat program. This opportunity can include becoming a Habitat PAL (Partner/Advocate/Liaison), a rewarding experience that requires a longer commitment.
Family Selection
Help attract, review and choose partner families, read and evaluate credit reports, perform home visits and assist in the application process.
Help develop ways to promote the Restore to the public, contractors, and organizations.
Faith Outreach
Work to get the word out to potential partner families, volunteers, donors and the general community about the mission of Habitat for Humanity.
Grant Writing
Research available grants which could benefit the Delaware County Habitat affiliate and our families.
Work to plan and execute various fundraising events along with Habitat staff.
Our office offers flexible scheduling opportunities. Duties vary and include stuffing envelopes and general office duties.


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A judge is to open a hearing in June to decide whether Mr Berlusconi and his former legal adviser, Mr Mills, should be sent for trial. Prosecutors claim the British lawyer took $600,000 (£345,000) from Italy's billionaire leader for witholding evidence in two trials involving Mr Berlusconi. Both men have denied the charges. The prosecutors received a letter written by Mr Mills two years ago in which he said he accepted the money after giving testimony that "kept Mr B out of a great deal of trouble". Mr Mills initially confirmed this in a statement to the prosecutors that he has since retracted.
Court papers show the prosecutors claim the money was wrapped into a bigger payment of $2,050,000 made in 1997 to an account in Mr Mills's name. However, the payment did not come from Mr Berlusconi, but from a trust of which the beneficiary was another of Mr Mills's Italian clients, a Neapolitan shipowner, Diego Attanasio.
Prosecutors have not produced evidence so far to show the money received by Mr Mills was paid by Mr Berlsuconi and appear to be relying on his retracted statement.
Ever since changing his story in November 2004, Mr Jowell's husband has argued that Mr Attanasio ordered the transfer and was the sole source of the funds. The latest documents help support that claim.
One is a fax sent to Mr Mills last Friday by Mr Attanasio's former trustees in the Bahamas. The fax states that they had been unable to find any credits to the trust's accounts "in the amount of or close to $600,000" - the sum prosecutors said Mr Mills was paid by Mr Berlusconi.
A second document was among those flourished by Mr Berlusconi last week at a press conference in Rome at which he accused the prosecutors of conspiring to bring down his government. It is a letter written on July 17 1997 and signed by Mr Attanasio notifying his trustees in the Bahamas of the imminent arrival of $10m and instructing them to forward $2,050,000 of the money to Mr Mills's account.
Beneath the ship owner's signature is a written note from Mr Mills: "I confirm that the above is the signature of Mr Diego Attanasio".
The letter is dated just a few days before Mr Attanasio was jailed as part of an unconnected corruption investigation. A warrant was issued for his arrest on July 18 1997, and executed three or four days later, according to Italian media reports.
Mr Mills told the Guardian he had prepared the letter for Mr Attanasio's signature. He said: "I have no recollection of how or where it was signed, but it is unquestionably his genuine signature."
The new document is at odds with statements given by Mr Attanasio to the prosecutors last December and in February in which he said he ruled out "even indirectly having given orders" for the payment. Mr Attanasio acknowledged he had given Mr Mills a "large sum of money" before his arrest. But he said he had left it to his British lawyer to manage.
The Italian daily La Repubblica reported on Saturday that prosecutors had "serious doubts" about the authenticity of Mr Attanasio's signed instructions. But Mr Mills told the Guardian he would also be producing notes of the instructions he received from the shipowner.
This is the "clinching evidence" he referred to in an interview last week. The undated page of notes, which the Guardian has seen, sets out the flow of money in the way it was made. Mr Mills said it was written down in a book in which previous and subsequent entries were for July 15 and 21.
Mr Mills said: "I have always maintained my total innocence."


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Yesterday I posted some of my thoughts related to the desire to enter the pastorate. Some have asked me (and others balked) about this idea of being "called" by God to the ministry. I will clarify a bit here and point you to some good resources along the way. First let me say that all Christians are commanded by God to "proclaim his excellencies" and be his "witnesses" to the world. All Christians are called by God to serve the church. The topic here is the divine call to the ministry of the pastorate. This is not a "fuzzy feeling," nor any punctiliar experience where one initially becomes aware of their place in ministry. That may or may not happen to people who are called by God to serve as pastor. By divine calling I do mean that God internally convicts men to give their lives to serving and leading the church as pastor. Charles Bridges pointed out that it is the combination of the internal call (God working in a man's spirit, making him aware of what God has made him to do/be) and the external call (the church's affirmation of God's call) that finally sets a man apart for the ministry. You can read this in Chapter 6 "The Want of a Divine Call a Main Cause of Failure in the Christian Ministry" in his classic work, The Christian Ministry.
Charles Spurgeon also believed that only those men who have sense of divine calling should enter the ministry, and that without it we find our way into danger.
When I think upon the all but infinite mischief which may result from a mistake as to our vocation for the Christian pastorate, I feel overwhelmed with fear lest any of us should be slack in examining our credentials; and I had rather that we stood too much in doubt, and examined too frequently, than that we should become cumberers of the ground. There are not lacking many exact methods by which a man may test his call to the ministry if he earnestly desires to do so. It is imperative upon him not to enter the ministry until he has made solemn quest and trial of himself as to this point. His own personal salvation being secure, he must investigate as to the further matter of his call to office; the first is vital to himself as a Christian, the second equally vital to him as pastor. As well be a professor without conversion, as a pastor without a calling. In both cases there is a name and nothing more. Lectures to My Students, pg. 23.
In the same chapter, "The Call to The Ministry," Spurgeon goes on to explain how a man can determine if he is called by God to the ministry. He explains that such a man will have an "intense, all-absorbing desire for the work," the ability to do the work, bear fruit in the work, and receive the affirmation of the local church.
Sure the internal call is subjective and experiential, but I am okay with that because 1) I am no deist; I believe God convicts and leads his people, and 2) the inward call works in tandem with the local church's recognition.
I agree with Spurgeon who believed it wise to say, "Do not enter the ministry if you can help it." But if you are called you cannot help but "aspire to the office."
For a concise and very good treatment of this topic check out Al Mohler's article Consider Your Calling.


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The history of Vantage IT started in 1990 when it was discovered how many small and medium sized organisations were receiving poor advice from their IT providers and were struggling with failing systems.
Most organisations are totally reliant on the guidance given to them by IT support companies and when those companies are not solely focused on offering the customer the best service and solution, the customer can suffer greatly. Having witnessed the service provided by others we set out to create a company that had ethics and integrity at its core.
Since 1990, we have provided many small and medium sized businesses, charities and schools with trustworthy, high quality support and advice, enabling them to concentrate on their businesses while ensuring their IT systems run smoothly. Everything we do is focused on providing the best possible service and solution for our customers.
During the past three decades the IT world has changed dramatically and continues to do so. As a result we are constantly updating and evolving our services. We have introduced cloud solutions such as Hosted Exchange, DataSafe Cloud Backup and PatchSafe Software Updates and started a dedicated software development company called Vantage Softech, offering unique products and tailor-made, custom software, all following the company ethos of high quality.
In 2013 we moved to Vantage-designed, purpose-built offices which gave us the opportunity to create the ideal working environment for many years to come. Our internal systems are fully fault tolerant and the entire building benefits from generator backup, so in the event of a power failure, we can continue to provide support and services to our customers.
With the time and money that has been invested in our business, Vantage IT is in an excellent position to provide you with the help you need.
For more information about how Vantage IT can help you, please contact us now.


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iRobot's share of the global robot floor cleaning market is estimated to 60+% of units. The new product category Wet Floor Cleaning Robots (WFCR) could be larger than RVC in Asia, the company expects and the company will take direct control of the brand in China.
iRobots future vision is now strongly based on the IOT & Smart Home concept with robots working together to deliver unique benefits. With cloud technology from Amazon to enable scale, robot control apps and cost effective breakthrough NAV performance iRobot will be recognized as an Emerging Player in IoT/Smart Home Market.
|iRobot Analyst Day Presentation


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Joel Allen Schroeder's documentary Dear Mr. Watterson: An Exploration of Calvin & Hobbes introduces us to numerous people who were profoundly influenced by the philosophical and very warmhearted comic strip created and written by Bill Watterson, who has studiously avoided the spotlight since ending the strip in 1995. Nearly two decades later, the film showcases how the collected works of Watterson still speak to readers everywhere.
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Gloss Is Back~ Peachy Keen Lips/
Gloss is back and while I love matte lip colours nothing get's me more into Spring mood than a peachy shiny lip. I just created a peachy keen lip look for The Lane! Check out my favorite product pick's and tips on how to achieve the look. I can't wait for Spring to arrive in Sydney and am feeling the busy season ahead already.
I hope you enjoy! Feel free to comment if you have any questions regarding the look or the products.


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#LiveAvantur Guest Editor: Roxy Dinh
By Roxy Dinh | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
"Are you sure that's what you want?"
"That's not how you do it!"
"Don't do THAT!"
We grow up listening to these phrases again and again. Sometimes we accept the prescribed way to do things; it's the path of least resistance. But other times, we fight back.
Since first grade, I've been the girl dressed like a boy, wearing thick round glasses (before Normcore made them cool), ignoring my math teacher's lecture and going out of my way to teach myself new equations or shortcuts.
Has the way I've handled things made my life easier? Not really.
Is it satisfying to take a different path and figure things out in my own way? Hell yes.
When I turned 17, of course I picked a university 9,000 miles away from my hometown and from the comfort of all my family and friends. I wasn't going to settle for what was easy or what was safe. Instead, I chose to live in the busiest, craziest, and most hellish city in the world – New York City.
The unexpected choice has brought with it some unexpected (and meaningful) experiences. I saw snow for the first time (and then got sick of it). I worked one job and two internships while overloading courses and serving as president of an organization in college. I got into intense catfights… but also made true friendships with people from different backgrounds and different worlds. I couch surfed, on my own, from one city to another. I traveled to 16 different states and 13 countries. I fell in love—and then fell out of love. I finally ate chicken and waffles on the same plate. I added, changed, and dropped my majors multiple times until I graduated with honors. I chose to be part of the media industry—not finance—because I wanted to follow my passions, even though job prospects in media in the U.S. would ultimately be tougher for my work visa requirement.
And now here I am: 22, living in Queens and commuting to Flatiron every day to work with a group of sharp, kind, and clever people at my social agency. Yes, I will still curse someone out if they touch my butt on the crowded subway. Yes, I refuse to look at my rent each month, knowing that it's draining my bank account. But these are the small things. I step back, and I know that I'm truly happy: I'm doing what I love, and nothing can stop me.
Taking the unusual path can be damn scary. But if you never step outside your comfort zone, then how will you find the unexpected moments, people, and places that will shape you into a newer, stronger self?


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Today, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced their first round of BRAIN Initiative award recipients. Six teams and 15 researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were recipients.
Mriganka Sur, principal investigator at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and the Paul E. Newton Professor of Neuroscience in MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) leads a team studying cortical circuits and information flow during memory-guided perceptual decisions. Co-principal investigators include Emery Brown, BCS professor of computational neuroscience and the Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Medical Engineering; Kwanghun Chung, Picower Institute principal investigator and assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES); and Ian Wickersham, research scientist at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research and head of MIT's Genetic Neuroengineering Group.


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WASHINGTON - The economy is expected to have grown at a dismal pace in the April-June quarter, weighed down by large tax increases and steep government-spending cuts.
WASHINGTON � The economy is expected to have grown at a dismal pace in the April-June quarter, weighed down by large tax increases and steep government-spending cuts.
But the second quarter should be the low point for the year, economists say. The fiscal drag is expected to fade. At the same time, steady hiring, more business spending and a solid recovery in housing should push growth higher in the second half of the year.
Economists forecast that growth slowed in the April-June quarter to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of just 1 percent, according to a survey by FactSet. That�s below the tepid rate of 1.8 percent in the January-March quarter.
The Commerce Department will release the first estimate of gross domestic product for the second quarter this morning. GDP is the broadest measure of the output of goods and services, including everything from manicures to industrial machinery.
Most economists say growth is already starting to pick up. And many are predicting annual growth rates of between 2 percent and 3 percent in the third and fourth quarters.
There are threats to the better outlook. Unemployment is still high at 7.6 percent, limiting consumer spending. And budget fights in Washington could lead to a government shutdown this fall, potentially disrupting the economy.
Still, recent data have been encouraging.
Home construction, sales and prices have been growing since early last year. Americans purchased newly built homes in June at the fastest pace in five years. That�s raised builder confidence to a seven-year high, which should lead to increases in construction and more jobs.
Overall hiring has accelerated this year. Employers added an average of 202,000 jobs a month from January through June. That�s up from 180,000 in the previous six months.
And business spending has started to increase. Companies have ordered more industrial machinery and other equipment for four months in a row. As those orders are filled, factory production should increase.
Manufacturing also is benefiting from strong auto sales, which topped 7.8 million in the first six months of 2013, the best first-half total since 2007. Analysts expect sales will stay strong for the rest of the year.
Federal Reserve officials have forecast better growth in the second half of the year. And Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has said that the central bank could begin to scale back its bond purchases if the economy strengthens. But Fed officials typically put greater weight on employment and inflation data than the GDP figures.
When the Fed concludes a two-day policy meeting today, few think it will telegraph the one thing investors have been most eager to know: when it will slow its bond purchases, which have kept long-term borrowing rates low.
The Fed might choose to clarify a separate issue: when it might raise its key short-term rate. The Fed has kept that rate near zero since 2008 and has said it plans to keep it there at least as long as unemployment remains above 6.5 percent and the inflation outlook below 2.5 percent.
Unemployment is now 7.6 percent; the inflation rate is roughly 1 percent.
Bernanke has stressed that the Fed could decide to keep its short-term rate ultra-low even after unemployment reaches 6.5 percent.
Testifying to Congress this month, Bernanke noted that a key reason unemployment has declined is that many Americans have stopped looking for jobs. When people stop looking for work, they�re no longer counted as unemployed.


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Four 'New York Times' Journalists Go Missing in Libya
The paper calls for government officials to ascertain the whereabouts of its reporting team.
Four New York Times journalists reporting on the conflict in Libya have gone missing, editors at the paper said Wednesday.
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Shadid, the Beirut bureau chief; Stephen Farrell, who was kidnapped by the Taliban in 2009 and rescued by British commandos; and two photographers, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario, were last in contact Tuesday morning New York time.
The paper said it has received second-hand reports that they had been swept up by Libyan government forces after reporting on the ground in the port city of Ajdabiya.
Said Executive editor, Bill Keller: "We have talked with officials of the Libyan government in Tripoli, and they tell us they are attempting to ascertain the whereabouts of our journalists. We are grateful to the Libyan government for their assurance that if our journalists were captured they would be released promptly and unharmed. Their families and their colleagues at The Times are anxiously seeking information about their situation, and praying that they are safe."
The news comes days after the BBC reported that four of its journalists were detained by Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's security forces and beaten with rifles and subject to mock executions.


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Lianne La Havas - Live in LA [Free EP] + Lost & Found EP
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Welcome to the future. I would bet my life this woman will be a legend, simply because it's not really worth being here if the rest of the world doesn't agree on that. After agonizing waiting, we have a free EP and an EP on iTunes on the same day - you're a fool if you only grab the freebie, a damn fool. Perfect's not a word to be used lightly but...
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Lianne La Havas - Lost and Found
Purchase: Lost & Found | Free D/L: Live in LA
Connect: @liannelahavas


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Want to spend more time outside with your family, but don't want to be at the mercy of the weather? A brand new sunroom is the perfect way to add additional square footage to your home, but it will also allow you to enjoy the outdoors without the need to put up with uncomfortable temperatures.
If you're shopping around for Albuquerque sunrooms, your final stop should be Sandia Sunrooms & Windows. Since 1999, our dedicated team of installers has been working with homeowners to create a space that their family will love for decades to come. We're so confident in the quality of our TEMO brand sunrooms that they all come with a limited lifetime warranty.
When it comes to sunrooms, not all installations are created equal. Some contractors offer certain styles that are then modified to fit your home. That's not how we do things here at Sandia Sunrooms & Windows.
Instead, you choose from a wide variety of styles that include:
We take what you like about a style and completely customize it to fit the exterior and interior architecture of your home. We can enclose an existing porch or build a brand new design from the ground up. We can even create a custom space for a hot tub!
Sunroom costs can quickly get out of hand if you're not careful. At Sandia Sunrooms & Windows, we offer many different sunroom options so you can find one that fits your budget. To learn more about our financing options, or to schedule your free in-home estimate, give us a call today!
Need some home help? Our team is ready to get you started on your remodel!
From patio covers to sunrooms to pergolas, we have the options and the PRICING!