text:
- 26 Apr 2012
- Working Paper Summaries
What Makes a Critic Tick? Connected Authors and the Determinants of Book Reviews
Overview — The professional critic has long been heralded as the gold standard for evaluating products and services such as books, movies, and restaurants. Analyzing hundreds of book reviews from 40 different newspapers and magazines, Professor Michael Luca and coauthors Loretti Dobrescu and Alberto Motta investigate the determinants of professional reviews and then compare these to consumer reviews from Amazon.com. Key concepts include:
- The data suggest that media outlets do not simply seek to isolate high-quality books, but also to find books that are a good fit for their readers. This is a potential advantage for professional critics, one that cannot be easily replicated by consumer reviews.
- Expert ratings are correlated with Amazon ratings, suggesting that experts and consumers tend to agree in aggregate about the quality of a book. However, there are systematic differences between these sets of reviews.
- Relative to consumer reviews, professional critics are less favorable to first-time authors. This suggests that one potential advantage of consumer reviews is that they are quicker to identify new and unknown books.
- Relative to consumer reviews, professional critics are more favorable to authors who have garnered other attention in the press (as measured by number of media mentions outside of the review) and who have won book prizes.
Author Abstract
This paper investigates the determinants of expert reviews in the book industry. Reviews are determined not only by the quality of the product, but also by the incentives of the media outlet providing the review. For example, a media outlet may have the incentive to provide favorable coverage to certain authors or to slant reviews toward the horizontal preferences of certain readers. Empirically, we find that an author's connection to the media outlet is related to the outcome of the review decision. When a book's author also writes for a media outlet, that outlet is 25% more likely to review the book relative to other media outlets, and the resulting ratings are roughly 5% higher. Prima facie, it is unclear whether media outlets are favoring their own authors because these are the authors that their readers prefer or simply because they are trying to collude. We provide a test to distinguish between these two potential mechanisms, and present evidence that this is because of tastes rather than collusion -- the effect of connections is present both for authors who began writing for a media outlet before and after the book release. We then investigate other determinants of expert reviews. Relative to consumer reviews, we find that professional critics are less favorable to first time authors and more favorable to authors who have garnered other attention in the press (as measured by number of media mentions outside of the review) and who have won book prizes.
Paper Information
- Full Working Paper Text
- Working Paper Publication Date: March 2012
- HBS Working Paper Number: 12-080
- Faculty Unit(s): Negotiation, Organizations & Markets


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Roundup of Tweets from #RSNA15
John Lynn is the Founder of the HealthcareScene.com blog network which currently consists of 10 blogs containing over 8000 articles with John having written over 4000 of the articles himself. These EMR and Healthcare IT related articles have been viewed over 16 million times. John also manages Healthcare IT Central and Healthcare IT Today, the leading career Health IT job board and blog. John is co-founder of InfluentialNetworks.com and Physia.com. John is highly involved in social media, and in addition to his blogs can also be found on Twitter: @techguy and @ehrandhit and LinkedIn.
Equipo radiólogos de @HealthTime76 en #RSNA15. #esfuerzo# investigación #enhorabuena @luislunaalc pic.twitter.com/a2ao4FMmQa
— Health Time I+D+i (@HealthTime76) December 2, 2015
The number of international people at RSNA 2015 is impressive. It provides a unique mix of perspectives.
"I want my patients comfortable and safe." #RSNA15 #YourVoice #Selfie pic.twitter.com/ngF6U2H5YA
— Toshiba Medical (@ToshibaMedical) December 2, 2015
Like the rest of health care, radiologists care deeply about patients.
This year, we have at least 20 different ways to see the ❤ https://t.co/gNQGI1fhHK #RSNA15 pic.twitter.com/MWYUvAFyYF
— GE Healthcare (@GEHealthcare) December 2, 2015
The visualizations at RSNA were really extraordinary.
"The most common form of radiologist report has not changed…since the first radiology report in 1896." https://t.co/yxWCN04Vca #RSNA15
— Rich Duszak, MD (@RichDuszak) December 2, 2015
One thing I discovered about RSNA and radiology is that they have a really strong grip on history. In some cases that's good, but in other ways it's damaging to progress.
#PhilipsLumify, the future of faster diagnosis in your pocket! Try it at #RSNA15 https://t.co/6d3mNhz3r1 pic.twitter.com/azY4p9CV5h
— PhilipsLiveFrom (@PhilipsLiveFrom) November 29, 2015
This ultrasound is an example of how inexpensive and portable imaging and other health data collection has become. It's incredibly powerful!
#3DPrinting front¢er, concepts really taking shape. #RSNA15 #Informatics #Radiology pic.twitter.com/p8JECFCVWS
— Ichiro Ikuta, M.D. (@radiology_ninja) December 2, 2015
Outside of the various visualizations, the 3D printing was one of the most exciting things I saw at the conference. It was all over the place and has really become a reasonable option.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ECE designs and manufactures high-reliability electronics and software solutions. We specialize in Military and Aerospace Electronics, Automotive Electronics Design, and 972-634-3110
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Our in-house expertise allows you to realize the benefits of cost-effective, reliable electronic products and systems that your customers expect. Our Engineering staff consists of multi-disciplined, industry-experienced, licensed Professional and advanced degreed personnel. These experienced resources let you augment your in-house capabilities with precise skills in circuit design, system analysis, software development, printed circuit design, product qualification testing, manufacturing, system integration and more!
Electronic Concepts and Engineering, Inc. is a proven full-service electronic OEM product development and manufacturing supplier that has successfully developed solutions for numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as many smaller companies.
Our capabilities include:
Let our team of experienced engineers help make your project a success. Contact ECE at (419) 861-9000 x114 or email@example.com.
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ECE has developed products for companies across the US and around the world. However, many of our customers are located within a short drive from our Toledo, Ohio office in Ohio, 509-221-7202Indiana.


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Cardinals to start Hoyer at QB
The Arizona Cardinals will give Brian Hoyer his first NFL start, less than three weeks after the team claimed him off waivers from Pittsburgh.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday the former Michigan State quarterback and New England backup will start in the season finale Sunday at San Francisco.
"He's been in the league, he's a veteran guy," Whisenhunt said. "He did a nice job in last week's game and this is an opportunity to see what he can do with a week of practice and where he can go from there."
Hoyer, who spent three seasons as a backup to Tom Brady in New England and was out of a job for most of this season, will be the fourth starter at quarterback for the Cardinals this year. He'll be operating an offense that ranks last in the NFL.
Arizona also has gone with John Skelton, Kevin Kolb and rookie Ryan Lindley at the position. Kolb is out for the season with a rib injury. The other two were benched for poor play.
"It's no secret. We haven't gotten the production out of that position that we've needed," Whisenhunt said. "I think it's actually more than four if you consider back and forth, the way guys have started. We've got to get consistency at that position and this is an opportunity to see how Brian measures up."
After failing to make it on an NFL roster to start the season, Hoyer was signed by the Steelers when Ben Roethlisberger was injured, then waived after three weeks when Roethlisberger returned. The Cardinals signed him on Dec. 10, a day after losing 58-0 at Seattle. Hoyer has appeared in 14 NFL games, 13 with the Patriots, then last week in Arizona's 28-13 loss to Chicago.
"It's a crazy business, but to me it's the best job in the world," Hoyer said after Wednesday's practice. "I'm excited and going to work hard this week and try to put as much into it on the practice field and the film study and studying the books, and go from there."
Arizona (5-10) has lost 10 of 11. After Lindley's pass was intercepted by the Bears' Charles Tillman and returned 10 yards for a touchdown on Arizona's first series of the second half, Hoyer came in and completed 11 of 19 passes for 105 yards with one interception and no TDs.
"He has a good knowledge of the game, good timing on his throws," Whisenhunt said. "He did a good job in the game last week, making some accurate throws, some quick throws. Obviously the interception wasn't one of those, but it will be interesting to see how he stacks up with a week to prepare. I know he's going against a tough defense. It will be a tough situation, but it's a great time to evaluate him and see where he is."
Hoyer said that when the Cardinals picked him up so late in the season, he figured he would get a chance to play. He said he didn't practice with the Arizona offense at all before going into the game last Sunday. Now he will benefit from a full week of practice with the starters.
"Football is football and when you can read it off the wrist band it's not like you have to worry about making a mistake in the play call," he said. "Once I could read it off the wrist band, I could translate it and relate it to what I know and kind of just go from there – and play football."
Hoyer said he learned a lot as Brady's backup.
"The hard work that he puts in, that's not what people get to see on the field," Hoyer said. "What they see on the field is kind of the result of the time he puts in. Obviously being there, being experienced, being there for so many years, he knows everything that's going on out on the field. For me it's a little bit different situation, but I can still prepare the way that I learned from him and try to take all the guesswork out of it."
Whisenhunt said his decision was based on the combination of wanting to see what Hoyer can do and believing he gives the team its best chance to win.
"I wouldn't put him in there just to play him and see what he is," the coach said. "This isn't a tryout. I think he merited that based on the way he played last weekend. It is an opportunity to see how he handles that with a week of practice. There's no question about that, but I also think from what we saw last week, he did some nice things in the game and see if he can build off of that."


text:
In the existence of HTS many members of the staff in not just the moderation team but developers as well have noticed a trend of users from the forum sending Personal Messages (PMs) to staff expecting help on the missions. What may not be obvious is some of us get bombarded with these every week on a consistent basis.
So the official HTS staff policy is now this:
"For each of the HTS missions with the exception of the logic set there are a large amount of resources ranging from hints from moo on the HTS irc, a section in the forum dedicated to mission, and possible articles on the website and the greatest resource of all www.google.com. Sending PM's to Staff members asking help for missions is a discouraged practice that is frowned upon and is considered a sign of laziness. Therefore staff members are not expected nor required to reply to any messages involving this subject matter. For any HTS users who ever are considering in helping out with staff who partake in this action this will also reflect poorly in the future."


text:
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Daron Richardson would have turned 15 this past Feb. 8. Just three months after she took her own life, Daron's story has inspired an effort to raise awareness of youth mental health issues. Thanks to freshman forward Jenna Ciotti (Ottawa, Ont.) -- who played for Daron's father, former NHL player Luke Richardson, and with Daron's sister, Morgan -- the Yale women's ice hockey team has joined in the efforts to "Do it for Daron." The Bulldogs' support is symbolized by the purple wristbands they are now wearing.
The Richardson family -- including Luke Richardson, an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators, his wife, Stephanie, and their daughter, Morgan – went public with Daron's story in the hopes of preventing others from ending their own lives. Jenna Ciotti played for Luke for two years on the Ottawa Jr. Senators. She also played with Morgan for two years on the Senators. Luke spent 21 seasons playing in the NHL with Columbus, Edmonton, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Toronto.
"Daron's suicide has had a huge impact on me and my former Senator team," said Jenna. "Being able to spread the D.I.F.D. message to my Yale teammates is a way to keep Daron's spirit alive and support the Richardsons' initiatives."
The Richardsons have joined the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health in an effort to bring awareness and change to the stigma of suicide. To honor Daron and spread awareness, her family and friends declared Feb. 8 Do it For Daron Purple Pledge Day (D.I.F.D.), choosing Daron's favorite color to symbolize the cause. Purple D.I.F.D. wristbands, like the ones the Bulldogs have, and pins can be seen around hockey arenas and the NHL community.
Since Daron's passing $100,000 has been raised by the community, with the Richardson family matching these generous donations.
On Feb. 26 prior to an NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers, the Ottawa Senators Foundation will host an annual D.I.F.D. Youth Mental Health Awareness day at Scotiabank Place.
For more information:
- Do it for Daron
- Ottawa Senators Website: Thousands Celebrate Life of Daron Richardson
- www.yalebulldogs.com


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In these uncertain times, its essential that we plan for the worst-case scenario. Here's how.
Not long ago, a company I work with informed me that because of sudden and rather drastic budget cuts, I wouldn't be paid -- at all. I panicked. Several thousand dollars were at stake, and I'd been banking on that money to cover some of my family's upcoming expenses.
First I cursed the company, and then I kicked myself. I'd never had any problems handling life's little financial speed bumps, but this felt like something different. Clearly, in this economy, I needed a strategy for navigating the major detours.
For me, a financial fire drill was in order -- and given the uneasy realities of the moment, I think it's something everyone should do. Just as we install smoke alarms and identify the best way out in case of a fire, it's essential to envision a worst-case money scenario and prepare for it. To keep your fiscal house from going up in smoke, grab a notebook and pen and read on. Preparing a written, detailed plan will help you meet a crisis with calm, no matter what happens.
Examine Your Expenses
Imagine you or your partner losing a job. What bills could you swing on a single income? To find out, make a list of all your expenses, from the monthly payments (cable, mortgage, car loan) to the occasional conveniences (car wash, dry cleaning, manicures). Then figure out what could go, what you could pare down, and what needs to stay. For instance, if that second car payment is eating into your savings, could you survive with just one vehicle and use public transportation?
Here's the catch, though. It's not enough to say "yay" or "nay"; you have to get out there and do some actual legwork. Check out the public bus or train routes in your area to see if downsizing on cars is really doable. If it's not, investigate other possibilities -- test drive a Vespa, give a car-share service a try. Who knows? You may realize that you can easily make cost-cutting changes now instead of waiting for something bad to happen.
Ramp Up Your Savings
Now take a look at your cash stash. How long could you sustain yourself if you fell on hard times? A study last year conducted by Demos, a nonprofit public policy research group, found that 76 percent of middle-income households couldn't survive three months if they had to depend on what they'd stockpiled. So be aggressive.
Ideally, you should have at least three to six months of living expenses socked away in case of emergency. If you don't meet the mark, start saving today, setting aside 10 to 20 percent of your income each month. (For detailed saving and budgeting tips, visit wholeliving.com/easy-budgeting.) If that seems daunting, just imagine trying to cope without a savings cushion. That's what a fire drill is all about: imagining the possibilities so that you have a solid plan in place -- no matter what happens.
Preselect the Least-Terrible Options
What if you lost your job, your spouse did, too, and then the furnace broke -- in November? By rehearsing how you'd handle a crisis now, you'll be less likely to panic if something bad actually happens. Create a hierarchy of greater and lesser evils: Tapping your 401(k) for cash is worse, for example, than withdrawing contributions from a Roth IRA. (You won't pay taxes or penalties as long as you don't touch the gains.)
But why borrow from your future? Maybe putting the new furnace on a low-interest credit card for a few months would be your best option. Weigh as many complex personal and financial factors as you can -- and do all the math in advance.
List the Intangibles
As cliched as it sounds, money isn't everything. So finish your drill by acknowledging your support network, jotting down the names of friends and family members you could count on for a pep talk, resume advice, or a shoulder to cry on if the going gets rough. Also think about all the rich experiences in your life that don't cost a dime, from your two-mile morning walk to the library books you read in bed at night.
Taking stock of what you have will go a long way toward deepening your peace of mind about the future. That way, no matter what happens, you'll always know how to find all the emergency exits -- financial, emotional, and spiritual.


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Painter Middleton Manigault was born in Canada in 1887 and raised there, but was also associated with Charleston, South Carolina where his great-grandfather Joseph Manigault lived, building the Joseph Manigault House, which is still used by the Charleston Museum.Middleton Manigault moved to New York as an eighteen-year-old. Encouraged by his parents in his art pursuits, he studied with Robert Henri and Kenneth Hayes Miller, who became his friend, at the New York School of Art. Fellow students included Edward Hopper and George Bellows. Manigault used some of Bellows' old canvases which now have both artists' signatures on the back.He began exhibiting in 1906 at the age of nineteen. In 1912, he was i
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Sophomore Paul Graupner's 23-yard field goal with 1:21 to go snapped a tie and lifted No. 18-ranked St. Thomas to a 17-14 road win at Augsburg in Saturday's MIAC football action.
Josh Carey's end-zone interception in the final seconds sealed the victory and kept the Tommies' postseason hopes alive.
With the game tied 14-14 and the clock nearing 4:00 to go in the last quarter, Dan Noehring took a cross-field lateral pass from Sean Hamlin on a punt return and raced 40 yards to the Auggie 13 to set up the winning points.
The Tommies (6-2 overall, 4-2 MIAC), who rallied from a 14-7 fourth-quarter deficit, survived five turnovers and a season-low 231 yards of offense.
St. Thomas' defense slowed the Auggies' high-powered attack. UST allowed 348 total yards, had three interceptions, surrendured only 12 first downs and limited the Auggies to 2-of-15 on third downs.
Augsburg (4-4, 4-2) was hurt by nine penalties as it lost its third MIAC game by three or less points.
The Tommies had first-and-goal from the Auggie 2-yard line in the final 2:00 but three rushes were stopped. That did force the Auggies to burn all three of their time outs, and Graupner's clean kick put the Toms ahead.
Augsburg drove to the UST 31-yard line as the clock ticked under 25 seconds, but Carey's pickoff sealed the win.
In a close game when field position was important, Tommie senior punter Garrett Maloney averaged 44 yards on six punts and put three inside the 20.
Tommie sophomore Jack Kaiser had a 25-yard TD run and finished with 88 yards on 20 rushes. Nick Waldvogel had 92 all-purpose yards and scored the fifth TD of his freshman season. On defense, Carey, Matt Larson and Jeff Rada had interceptions for UST, and Harry Pitera had two tackles for loss and a QB hurry. Freshman LB Anthony King-Foreman had his first career sack.
The Tommies are home next Saturday to face No. 21 Concordia-Moorhead, a 35-27 winner at Carleton.


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Chances are, if you've visited a ShopRite this summer, you've noticed some big changes.
From expanded prepared-food sections, to sushi and oyster bars, and even in-store dietitians, Wakefern Food Corp.'s grocery stores have officially become one-stop shops for busy families.
That's largely because of the mantra that has helped sustain the success of the $14.1 billion supermarket cooperative: Know thy customer.
"I'm most proud of our ability to meet the changing needs of the consumer and our associates," said Joseph Colalillo, Wakefern's second-generation CEO. "As we go into each community, we take notice of what's different about them. … So a store in Newark may have different merchandise than one in Flemington."
Many of its competitors have fallen on hard times in recent years. But Wakefern — which is No. 1 on this year's NJBIZ Top 100 Privately Held Companies list — has actively met community demands to increase its revenue 4 percent over last year.
"Our short-term goal is to change with the marketplace," Colalillo said.
Founded in 1946, the retailer-owned cooperative is now comprised of 47 family businesses that individually own and operate more than 250 supermarkets under the ShopRite banner in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, and the PriceRite banner in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
As the merchandising and distribution arm of both ShopRite and PriceRite, Wakefern also distributes products to other supermarkets throughout the Northeast.
"There are different ways to connect with a community," Colalillo said.
Click here to see the list of companies No. 100 through No. 1.
"Being proactive on how we can connect with our communities differently has helped us to better understand the needs of our consumers and how they are changing."
What Wakefern does with this information is truly impressive: its ShopRite in Morristown, for example, includes a health and wellness center, a fitness studio, a European food hall, a liquor store, child care and even in-house cosmetologists for its beauty section.
"Reinvesting in and expanding the stores has allowed us to compete and remain No. 1," Colalillo said.
"Over the last three to five years, we've made a commitment to better learn the business and experiment with it," he said. "The Morristown location, for instance, is a vision for families that have said, 'This is what we need and this is how you should do it.' "
Colalillo said Wakefern will continue to experiment from member to member to see how different consumer needs can be met.
Its next frontier will be to perfect ShopRite's online presence — ShopRite at Home — now that "digital era" consumers who once came in to shop with their mothers are now all grown up with their own families.
A smooth online shopping experience and mobile app is key, Colalillo said, to competing in the online marketplace.
"We look to the future about how to strategically compete with chains and online retailers," Colalillo said.
"Part of our challenge is understanding which categories are going online in the first place, because we've got to keep that customer in our store."
#1 Wakefern Food Corp.
Headquarters: Keasbey
Founded: 1946
Leader: Joseph Colalillo
Industry: Retailer (food)
2013 revenue: $14.1 billion
Last year's ranking: Did not participate


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The dream of many cleantech entrepreneurs to take their startup public is just that these days —a dream.
But innovation among companies in the business of renewable energy, alternative transportation, energy efficiency, water treatment and any other number of other green technologies nonetheless remains on a tear.
Many companies have matured to the point that they have products and services and in trying to grow that business further are now turning to mergers and acquisitions.
Investors, startups, corporations and market observers expect that trend to continue, especially among corporations seeking innovative technologies to leverage.
"You will likely see corporate M&A rather than IPOs," said Garrett Herbert, partner, M&A transactions services group at Deloitte & Touche.
Through the third quarter, 580 cleantech companies around the globe merged or were bought out in deals totaling about $27 billion, compared to the 64 companies that raised $5.27 billion in IPOs, according to the Cleantech Groupand Deloitte & Touche. Although M&A volumes slipped in the third quarter, Herbert expects volume to pick up in the fourth quarter.
Two-Way Street
Though the difficult market for IPOs for most of the year has been a factor, the cleantech M&A trend reflects the need of companies to incorporate clean technologies into their own business strategies. Sectors likely to be critical in the future, such as water management or the power grid, are attractive acquisition targets.
Corporations "care about cleantech in a meaningful way and they are looking for growth," said Shareez Haji, president of the Cleantech Group. "They see cleantech as one key area where they can play a big role."
Alan Salzman, CEO at VantagePoint Venture Partners—a venture capital firm, that has worked alongside corporations as an investor in cleantech startups—agrees.
"I think there is a fascinating dynamic that will unfold in the cleantech sector where you have lots of companies creating novel and very valuable technology and a lot of large companies watching these developments that have the potential to become quite acquisitive," says Salzman.
At the same time, many cleantech businesses need the deep pockets, alliances, marketing capabilities and reliability of a larger player to grow their businesses on a scale that can't be provided by the public markets.
Many of the firms acquiring cleantech firms in 2010 were energy, utility, and industrial companies, including General Electric (parent company of CNBC), Cisco , Exelon, and NRG Energy .
They bought companies that added or complemented their own capabilities, and in many cases they offered the small startups the capital and market access they needed to get to the next level.
Access to Capital
Such was the case with CPower, an energy management company, bought byConstellation Energyearlier this month. CPower works with retail and industrial customers, paying them to reduce their load on the power grid during peak times, so that other customers can have more power when they needed it, a strategy known as "demand response."
"Our ability to manage that and provide a variety of financial vehicles for maximizing that value is what's valuable to our customers," says Gary Fromer, CPower's former CEO, now a senior VP at Constellation. "It would have been a high risk proposition to take through an IPO process, and then we'd still be years away from the necessary and right balance sheet for being in this business."
For Constellation, the acquisition allows the energy giant to boost its demand-response capabilities from 650 megawatts to 1,500 megawatts and brings the company into new markets, including Texas and Ontario, Canada, according to Peter Kelly-Detwiler, senior VP of energy technology services at Constellation.
Constellation also gains access to CPower's technology for communicating with customers, which it is being married to the existing one.
Recurrent Energy, which develops solar projects that can be plugged into utilities for residential and commercial use, sought out a takeover in May when CEO Arno Harris realized Recurrent would need more money than its private equity funder,Hudson Clean Energy Partners, could provide.
"We realized we would really need to make a move to the next level of capitalization of the company and that our needs would outstrip Hudson's depth, and we decided a strategic sale was the best path for us," Harris said.
Recurrent hired Morgan Stanley as an adviser, and by September, Sharp, the Japanese electronics company, which makes solar modules and cells, acquired the firm for $305 million.
"What Sharp brings is a bigger balance sheet, deeper pockets, and strategic interest into getting into development," Harris said.
Solution-Based Deals
Cleantech startups are also likely M&A targets for corporations that haven't invested the research and development into emerging technologies that they'll need to be competitive, says Neil Suslak, managing partner at Braemar Energy Ventures.
A good example is companies that weren't prepared for state regulations requiring utilities and energy companies to boost the amount of power they get from renewable resources.
"Because they have to get in alternatives, they have to increase their investment by either investing in emerging companies with new solutions or buying them outright," says Suslak.
Still other companies are sizing up cleantech innovations and businesses through smaller investments and strategic partnerships that market participants expect will result in acquisitions.
One example of a potential deal: Stion Solar, a maker of high-efficiency thin-film solar photovoltaic modules, recently attracted the attention of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
"Word is it's great for TSMC," says Brian Goncher, director of the U.S. Clean Tech practiceat Deloitte, said. "It's likely they would buy it going forward."
Several other interesting partnerships came together in 2010. Unilever made a multi-million dollar investment in Solazyme, which is working on making soaps and lotions for Unilever out of algae. Chevron Technology Ventures, a unit of Chevron, has also invested in the company, as Solazyme's products can also replace petroleum.
In addition,Waste Management invested in Enerkem, a company that turns garbage into biofuels, and ABB and GE invested in Trillion, a company that provides utilities with wireless equipment and management software for Smart Grid networks.
"You are seeing a number of larger corporations being active," says Salzman at VantagePoint. "That is also very often a good indicator that you are likely to see M&A."


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The assignment
consists of two parts:
(1) adding delete to your implementation of B-Tree operations (14 points), and
(2) Amortized analysis exercises (6 points).
Part 1: Implementation of B-Tree Deletion
For the deletion operation, I followed the strategy of the text, using a non-recursive top-level routine B-Tree-Delete() that called a recursive routine B-Tree-Delete-Fullenuf() ( an abbreviation for B-Tree-Delete-Fullenough() ). This is a common strategy for dealing with recursive routines -- the top-level routine takes care of special initial boundary cases. Also, in general, I found that several routines could be designed by "reading" a related routine backward. This was somewhat true of B-Tree-Delete(), which I checked by reading B-Tree-Insert() backward; here is the pseudocode:
B-Tree-Delete(T,k) r = T.root if r.n == 0 print "Error: "Attempt to delete from empty tree." else B-Tree-Delete-Fullenuf(r,k) if r.n == 0 and !r.leaf T.root = r.c_1 deallocate r
For B-Tree-Delete-Fullenuf(), I followed the pseudocode given in the lab session. But note a couple of subtleties. First, in case 3b, there are two subcases: when x.ci is merged with x.ci-1 or with x.ci+1. These two cases can be handled by just decrementing i if needed and then calling B-Tree-Merge-Children() as follows:
if i == x.n + 1 // Then we need to merge from left, not from right i = i - 1 B-Tree-Merge-Children( x, i )(rather than having two separate calls to B-Tree-Merge-Children()).
k' = B-Tree-Minimum( x.c_(i+1) )and similarly, the predecessor of k is the right-most key in the subtree to its left. Here is pseudocode for B-Tree-Minimum()
B-Tree-Minimum(x) while not x.leaf x = x.c_1 return x.key_1
Overall strategy for B-Tree-Delete-Fullenuf()
My strategy to implement B-Tree-Delete-Fullenuf() was to implement and test case 1 (and "case 0") first, then the "find the predecessor/successor" cases 2a and 2b, then the "merge" of case 2c (also used in case 3b), then the "borrow-left" and "borrow-right" subcases of case 3a, and finally the "merge" case 3b.
As I have mentioned, the "borrow-left" operation is like the "rotate" operation in red-black trees (I think that the split-child and merge-children operations could be mostly performed by a sequence of "borrow" operations also, so in that sense split and merge are kinds of "super-rotates"). The pseudocode for B-Tree-Borrow-Left() is below; the steps in B-Tree-Borrow-Right() are similar.
B-Tree-Borrow-Left( x, i ) y = x.c_(i-1) // rename left child to simplify pseudocode z = x.c_i // rename child to simplify pseudocode shift all keys (and child pointers if not z.leaf) up one index // in z to make room for one more key & child pointer, and increment z.n z.key_1 = x.key_(i-1) // "rotate" keys key_(i-1) = y.key_(y.n) // z.c_1 = y.c_(y.n+1) // and move a child pointer into z decrement y.n
Implementation of B-Tree-Merge-Children()
The B-Tree-Merge-Children() operation is similar to B-Tree-Split-Child(). As in B-Tree-Split-Child(), to simplify the pseudocode, we let y = x.ci, and z = x.ci+1, where it is assumed that both y and z have t-1 keys. Here is the pseudocode:
B-Tree-Merge-Children( x, i ) y = x.c_i z = x.c_(i+1) copy the t-1 keys of z into the top t-1 key positions of y and if not y.leaf copy the t child pointers of z into the top t child pointer positions of y y.key_t = x.key_i // move the splitting key down to y y.n = 2t - 1 // y is now a full node shift the keys from index i+1 to x.n and the child pointers from index i+2 to x.n+1 down one index in node x, and decrement x.n deallocate z
Hints: In the previous assignment, near the end, there is some Helpful code, and some useful pseudocode.
Run your implementation on the test files:
treetest5, and
Note that treetest6 for this assignment was generated using random numbers, so there are a number of duplicate keys, both for insert and delete. The implementation discussed above and in the text can handle duplicates, so just insert any duplicate keys. That way when you delete any duplicate keys, each will be deleted and you won't generate any "search key not found" messages. The result of treetest6, should have the keys 133 and 357 in its root.
What To Hand In:


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Can a Child Age Twelve Decide Which Parent to Live With
I have been asked this question more times than I can count during my career. More often, it is stated to me as fact, as in "well my child is over twelve, so he/she gets to decide who he/she wants to live with." This belief is based on a misinterpretation of a very real Texas Family Code statute concerning the wishes of a child twelve or older.
Section 153.009
Here is what Texas Family Code Section 153.009 says Continue reading →


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Miranda Kerr: Mango Madrid Photo Call!
Miranda Kerr blows kisses to the camera at her Mango photo call held at the Villamagna Hotel on Tuesday (December 11) in Madrid, Spain.
The 29-year-old model was officially unveiled as the new face of the Spanish high street retailer.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Miranda Kerr
Miranda will star as the face of Mango's spring/summer 2013 campaign, replacing supermodel, Kate Moss.
"Mango is a brand that I love," Miranda expressed. "You always find the perfect garment for every occasion!"
10+ pictures inside of Miranda Kerr at her Mango photo call in Madrid…


text:
Perfect for the festive season!
Footstool Bench upholstered in snowflake printed fabric.
Sold as seen.
|Sizes cm (W x H x D)
|Price (including VAT)
|115 x 45
We are pleased to offer a delivery service to any UK mainland address, please contact us to get a quote. Overseas buyers are also very welcome, but please contact us before purchasing to discuss shipping and payment options.
Bank transfer immediate payments are preferred, however, we also acccpt card payments with a small handling charge added for using a credit cards only. All payments must be made within 7 days from the date of purchase.
To purchase this item contact us on 01738 551 600 or 0779 559 2497.


text:
Series 83863
Summit County (Utah). County Clerk Death registers
Dates: i 1898-1905.
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
These records contain death registers for the years 1898-1905. Each entry has the decedent' s name, date of death, occupation, age, marital status, sex, race, color, residence, term of residence, cause of death, the name of the informant making report, and an assigned number.
Beginning in 1898, each physician, clergyman, justice of the peace, and undertaker was required to keep a registry of the name, age, residence, and time of death of the decedent. Each person registering deaths filed quarterly with the county clerk or the local board of health in the case of incorporated cities. (Revised Statutes of Utah 1898, Title 57, p. 474-475)
In 1905, the state passed a law requiring each county to file a uniform certificate with the State Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Chronological by year but not by month. Entries were recorded in order of report, not by date of death.
Related Records
Death certificates from the Department of Health. Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Series 81448, These records contain death certificates filed with the Bureau of Vital Records beginning in 1904.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Gaps in Series
These registers contain no entries for the years 1902-1903.
Processing Note
This series was processed by M. Call in September 1998.
Finding Aids
Indexes: The first register is preceded by an alphabetical index based on the decedent's surname, covering from 1898 thru 1901.
Indexing Terms
- Death—Proof and certification—Summit County (Utah).
- Summit County (Utah)—Statistics, Vital.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.


text:
posted by Thom Holwerda on Fri 12th Oct 2012 12:03 UTC, submitted by MOS6510
"With the permission of IBM, the Computer History Museum is pleased to make available the source code to the 1969-1972 'XM6' version of APL for the System/360 for non-commercial use." This is great: we need to make sure material like this is preserved. We can learn from it.


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Cold sores can be rather unpleasant, especially if you are the person who suffers from them. They are very painful and irritating and can pop up at the most annoying moment, without any warning.
When it comes to cold sore treatment a lot of people think that there's nothing they can do about it, and cold sores are something they are going to have to deal with for the rest of their lives. One of the most negative effects of suffering from cold sores is low self-esteem as they can feel very embarrassing.
Cold sores lay dormant in your nerve cells and are a permanent infection. You can experience many cold sore outbreaks throughout your life.
Cold sores are also known as fever blisters and are caused by the virus herpes simplex one. The blisters can appear in your mouth, nose or lips. Cold sores usually take around two weeks to fully disappear. The virus will then lay dormant in your nerve cells, just waiting for the next breakout.
There really isn't a permanent cure for cold sores but you can help prevent them from appearing too often by having a strong immune system. Your immune system is at its strongest when toxins have been removed from the body and restored vitamins and minerals have been added by eating wholesome natural foods.
By having a strong immune system your body will be protected against infections and damage from bacteria, viruses, yeast, toxins and cancer cells. Your immune system includes your bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, adenoids and appendix.
A perfect cold sore treatment is taking a supplement that boosts your immune system, this should be taken in the winter time, when you are under extra pressure from life and when you are feeling under the weather. There are many cold sore treatments out there but a lot of them should really be avoided due the harsh chemicals they contain.


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Top-Selling Food Products of 2007
Last years top new products focused on low-sodium, probiotics and fiber to manage health problems, according to the annual IRI list.
An astonishing 95 percent of new products never catch on. Those innovative few that immediately connect with consumers by solving their problems and delivering multiple benefits create the kind of buzz and purchase loyalty that can make a CFO smile.
Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) has tracked consumer packaged goods (CPG) introductions for 13 years via its New Product Pacesetters report, ranking each year's most successful new brands.
Pacesetters are those products launched between February of one year and January of the next that reach two milestones: 30 percent national distribution and retail sales of at least $7.5 million, according to IRI's definition. When that is accomplished, IRI tracks them over the next 12 months to determine the most successful new products in their first year of "national" sales in food, drug and mass merchandising channels, excluding Wal-Mart.
It is intriguing that year-one sales for new products are declining. Less than one-quarter of new brands exceed sales of $7.5 million. Over the past decade, the proportion of brands earning $20 million or more has shrunk from 13 percent to 7 percent.
On last year's list, there were six new products with sales of more than $100 million; two had sales exceeding $200 million. This year there is only one $100 million product (Campbell's Reduced Sodium Soup).
According to IRI, part of this decline is due to a rise in the introduction of targeted solutions intended for a narrow audience, but there remains a dire need to improve the new product introduction process.
Virtually all of the 2007 Pacesetters are extensions of existing brands, rather than net-new brands. Historically, net-new Pacesetter brands have earned higher year-one sales than extensions. However, in food and beverages (IRI also tracks health & beauty aids and household cleaners), extensions were equally successful as new. Apparently, manufacturers are cracking the code on getting a larger return when leveraging existing brand equities by creating excitement and distinguishing the new items on the shelf.
This year, net-new brands Frito-Lay's Flat Earth fruit and vegetable chips, Stride gum and Vault beverages are experiencing great success.
Nutrition, weight and disease
There were 916 new food and beverage product introductions across food, drug, and mass channels (excluding Wal-Mart) in 2007, compared with 908 in 2006. While taste, variety, and convenience continue to be important to consumers, health and wellness is the current rage.
Food and beverage winners in 2007 offer high-demand nutrition, weight management and disease management solutions. Their success points to a fundamental shift in consumers' perceptions of food — not only a source of enjoyment and satisfaction, but a health solution with the potential to deliver very specific benefits, such as low sodium to manage high blood pressure, probiotics to boost immunity and whole grains for a healthy heart.
As aging baby boomers find their blood pressure rising, it's not surprising that salt reduction led the way in 2007. And lowering salt is perceived by consumers to be good for the entire family. The winner was Campbell's Reduced Sodium Soup, which consists of 85 SKUs, and was the top selling brand with sales of $101 million in the first year.
Birds Eye Steamfresh offers a quick and convenient way to cook frozen veggies while retaining taste, texture and nutrients and using a packaging technology that will change other frozen foods. Fiber One snack bars deliver 35 percent of the recommended daily fiber intake and they are ideal for on-the-go consumers. And Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious breads deliver both fiber and whole grains.
DanActive yogurt drinks give immunity a boost, and Dannon Activia Light aids digestion. Extending day parts, Gatorade A.M. (with sales of $70 million) sports drinks were introduced for morning routines and to replenish fluids lost during sleep. Vault soft drinks provide a boost for energy-impaired, overworked consumers.
"These brands are case studies in how to surpass abysmally low new product success rates in the CPG marketplace, where less than 5 percent of new brands reach $50 million in year-one sales," says Anne Berlack, executive vice president, IRI Business and Consumer Insights. "The New Product Pacesetters highlight not only the brands that won over consumers, but also what distinguishes them from the thousands of other products available on store shelves today."
Reward factor
Indulgence without calories was very appealing to consumers, as evidenced by the strong performance of Heineken Premium Light beer and Diet Pepsi Jazz, which comes in unique flavors such as Caramel Cream.
In fact, reduced calorie benefits in general were far more prevalent this year. Portion control is in high demand, as evidenced by Frito-Lay Mini Bites, Hershey's 100 calorie candy and Quaker Chewy 90 calorie granola bars.
Snack bars and cereal remain the most productive food and beverage categories in Pacesetter intros, but categories including salty snacks, beer, ready-to-drink coffee and tea and bottled water stepped up offerings.
Consumers expect convenience in new products, but it is notable that this benefit must be paired with other high-demand benefits, such as health and wellness. The proof in the pudding is that the percentage of food and beverage products offering extra convenience, added portability and ready-to-use attributes dropped slightly to 23 percent compared to 24 percent in the 1997-2007 timeframe.
Already, IRI is tracking next year's Pacesetters. The likely candidates are a mix of healthier and more indulgent products, sharing a common theme of offering multiple benefits. Healthy Choice Café Steamers deliver the convenience of microwave steaming with tasty low-calorie restaurant-inspired recipes. Progresso Light soup offers weight management benefits at only 60 calories per serving but also high fiber and a full serving of vegetables.
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text:
IndividualIndividual wrote:If you aren't looking for abiding happiness (or an even more deep, more profound sense of equanimous inner peace and clarity), why are you practicing Buddhism? Numbness to suffering? Numbness and death?
If one is free from suffering, how can one be numb to suffering or numb to death? When a mind is free from suffering, there is no suffering to be numb to. Further, there is no death. There is merely selfless change or impermanence.
Individual,Individual wrote:]Peter... An inference based on the Pali canon.
The Dhamma is eternal (SN 47.13), precisely the reason it's a secure refuge:
"But, Ananda, when he attained total Unbinding, did Sariputta take the aggregate of virtue along with him? Did he take the aggregate of concentration... discernment... release... the aggregate of knowledge & vision of release along with him?"
"No, lord, when he attained total Unbinding, Ven. Sariputta didn't take the aggregate of virtue... concentration... discernment... release... the aggregate of knowledge & vision of release along with him.
The passage you are referring to does not say Dhamma is eternal. Dhamma as truth or true nature of reality is eternal but human realisation of Dhamma is not eternal. I would suggest you consider the following part of the sutta:
It was as if my body were drugged, I lost my bearings, things weren't clear to me, on hearing that Ven. Sariputta had attained total Unbinding."
It's just that he was my instructor & counselor, one who exhorted, urged, roused, & encouraged me. He was tireless in teaching the Dhamma, a help to his companions in the holy life. We miss the nourishment of his Dhamma, the wealth of his Dhamma, his help in the Dhamma."
The above quote does not say the Dhamma is the Buddha's body. You are sounding like a Mahayanan muni, declaring the guru is the Dhamma.Individual wrote:The Buddha's body is the Dhamma (SN 22.87):Now, if the Dhamma is eternal... And the Buddha is the Dhamma... Then this logically means... hmmm? Could anyone here finish the inference for me?Enough, Vakkali. Why do you want to see this filthy body? Whoever sees the Dhamma sees me; whoever sees me sees the Dhamma.
I have been advised of a post you made on another site, about those who tirelessly taught you the Dhamma from the Buddha's lips, for your welfare and benefit. I recommend if you chant the following verse about those who tirelessly taught you the Dhamma from the Buddha's lips, you may regain your senses again, just like Ananda regained his senses. Remember what the Buddha said about relating to him as a friend and not as an enemy, that he will not treat you like soft clay.
With mettaKāyena vācāya va cetasā vā,
Saṅghe kukammaṃ pakataṃ mayā yaṃ,
Saṅgho paṭiggaṇhatu accayantaṃ,
Kālantare saṃvarituṃ va saṅghe.
Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Saṅgha
by body, by speech, or by mind,
may the Saṅgha accept my admission of it,
so that in the future I may show restraint toward the Saṅgha.


text:
Internet Dating Conference (Odessa) will be held May 24-25, 2018 at the Bristol Hotel:
The hotel which we recommend is the The Bristol Hotel. We have obtained a special single/double room rate of UAH. 3230 (~ $100 EUR) for a limited number of rooms. *The rate is valid through May 10, 2018.* Please email to email@example.com. Just call +380 487965500, ask for "In-House Reservations."
Bristol Hotel
15 Pushkinskaya str.
Telephone: +380 487965500
Fax: +380 487965503
Google Map
Driving Directions


text:
|2011-01-07, 23:04
|Link #21
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
Didn't 'moe' came to be when it described the act of 'inner passion being lit/growing', which is what the word actually meant in Japanese, the act of 'budding'.
To follow that logic, anything, girl/guy/thing that can provoke that feeling would be considered 'moe'. It doesn't have to be cute, weak or adorable. Boy's Love can be 'moe' to Female Otaku just as much as Tsunderes are 'moe' for me, or anyone who likes Tsunderes.
I do agree that moe is so overused nowadays, just like epic, legendary, hardcore to name a few.
|2011-01-08, 04:45
|Link #22
Onee-Chan Power~!
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: In this reality (A.K.A. Colorado, U.S.A.)
Is Tsukasa from Lucky Star a stereotypical moe (clumsy, short "cute" hair, big spirit)? Lucky Star has a lot of stereotype character types from animes and references.
|2011-01-08, 09:41
|Link #23
Me at work
And then there's the people that think moe has to be sexualised,just look something like this post , I havn't replied because I don't want to derail the original topic,it seems like an honest misconception more than anything.
|2011-01-08, 10:04
|Link #24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
*Used in the "proper" sense of the term.
|2011-01-08, 12:54
|Link #25
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
As for the drawstyle argument, a lot of eroge and galge nowadays are using the cuter, big eyes, borderline loli style of drawing, or the 'moe'-style. The style itself is not the 'moe', but the elements that make up the drawing style is.
|2011-01-08, 13:04
|Link #26
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
For an American/French version of 'moe', watch "Despicable Me" and observe the 3 girls. The smallest one in particular would have almost any viewer who called themselves human dripping moe. And then she layers it herself by going hyper 'moe' over a unicorn plushie at one point: "Its so fluffy I could just DIE!!!!" (high pitched squeak)
Last edited by Vexx; 2011-01-08 at 13:15.
|2011-01-08, 16:55
|Link #27
A novice to anime
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nor*Cal, Rokkenjima, Illusionary World
Okay so it's cuteness??? Or personal traits??? I'm still confused, the wikipedia definition is not clear, plus I only recently learned of this word.
(Btw why did someone tag my thread as "troll"? This is a serious question.)
|2011-01-08, 18:21
|Link #28
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
What OutFoxZero described above would be what is 'moe' to him, 'youthful' and 'feminine trap' are two traits that he would considered 'moe', and others that he did not mention. To me, 'youthful' would be one but not 'feminine trap'. Everyone's moe is different, but as long as it makes you warm and fuzzy inside it is considered 'moe'. IE, a matured seductive dressed character with a tsundere personality is still a 'moe' character because she has several 'moe'-traits: Tsundere and sexy. (One could even argue maturity can be 'moe' if she is quiet/refined)
I'm not saying feminine traps are not moe, it's just not moe to me. Remember, there are no definite requirements for a character to be 'moe' as long as it display some character traits/physical traits that would incite the feeling.
Last edited by HurricaneHige; 2011-01-08 at 18:41. Reason: Added stuff
|2011-01-08, 18:45
|Link #29
A novice to anime
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nor*Cal, Rokkenjima, Illusionary World
Okay thanks. I just didn't understand your definition of "budding" at first. I problem I guess is that I'm looking for a perfect english word that is a translation of the world "moe" but it appears such as word does not exist.
I've only just recently heard of this word and wanted to know what it meant as numerous people are telling me the anime contains "moe".
Thanks for your help. I think that last definition helped.
|2011-01-08, 18:55
|Link #30
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 27
The problem right now is that the term is thrown around at everything by the supposed people who know what "moe" is. IMO the broad use of the term has more to do so with the people involved in the moe community than it does with people berating shows for being moe because they have a cute girl here or there.
I think it is clear to me that people will never be satisfied with how the term is used, and they probably should discard it.
|2011-01-08, 21:41
|Link #31
A novice to anime
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nor*Cal, Rokkenjima, Illusionary World
I like your definition, it's easier than wikipedia's to understand.
|2011-01-09, 02:50
|Link #32
Pretentious moe scholar
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Age: 31
The "youthful" bit is (to me, at least) implied by the "blossoming" connotations of the word moe. I just brought it up to demonstrate the difference between youthful and young characters - Matsuri Shihou (Sola) and Sanae Furukawa (Clannad) are youthful but not young.
Otome Youkai Zakuro is actually a good example of a show that is moe without a moe artstyle - the major girls are all examples of major moe archetypes (very well executed ones, I might add), but the show uses a lot of shoujo style artwork and stylistic cues.
That said, I have gradually added associated characteristics to my definition of moe in an attempt to make it at least somewhat specific. As it stands, my definition is something like this:
"A passion for a youthful female character, not necessarily sexual in nature and usually stemming from her being adorable or charming."
|2011-01-09, 03:14
|Link #34
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
I understand your usage of the word youthful, but it is also why I disagree. A character does not have to be youthful to be moe. Meaning, she/he doesn't have to look like a young person (even if she's 100 years old) to be moe. Loli and youth are moe-traits and not definition, just like tsundere are moe-traits, but a non-tsundere can still be moe.
Best example I could think of would be Ryoko from Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo. She is beautiful but not young, she's 27 and looked 27. She's still moe because of she's beautiful and her tsundere behaviour.
The term 'moe' is so general hence the difficulty to properly define it. If I may, I would like to edit your definition just a little:
"An affectionate feeling for a character, but not necessarily sexual in nature."
|2011-01-09, 13:19
|Link #35
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 27
To me it comes off as an attempt to deflect any and all criticism to their brand since every time someone says something about moe, they either say "Well that's not really moe," or , "That's only a certain type of moe." It cannot both be a very strictly confined and broad definition at the same time.
When I discuss something like the genre of horror, we have a FAIRLY good idea of what we are talking about. Genres are already broad enough, and if people who promote the so called "moe" genre want to be taken seriously, they have to allow grounded criticisms stick to it, otherwise it is a useless term.
Sure each genre might have a little bit different spin on some areas, and there are nuances wherever you go, but the basic core idea is there. Right now, the moe community simply doesn't want to accept what exactly this core idea is, and as far as I can see, there is no reason to respect such an inadequate term.
IMO, it makes it a little hard to discuss the topic, and that's why the term I said should be discarded since one seemingly can't criticize it in any form. It might be better to just go back to the days before the word moe ever came about in mass popularity.
|2011-01-09, 13:20
|Link #36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
from what i undretsand:
if u like girls with glasses, then girls with glasses are moe for u
if u like girls in school uniform, then girls in school uniform are moe for u
if u like girls with bossy attitude, then girls with bossy attitude are moe for u
a moe character should be one that has the elements u like or attract u
|2011-01-09, 13:30
|Link #37
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
That is where many western fans, be they be pro-moe or anti-moe, fall off the wagon. It isn't an inherent attribute of the character - the character has traits that invoke moe in some viewers. Practical upshot in the industry: the viewers with the biggest wallets tend to drive the creation of characters that invoke moe in them and like any fad the producers go to the well too often.
|2011-01-09, 13:41
|Link #38
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canada
I also use the term 'moe anime' to dismiss anime often. The context though its because the creators/designer designed the story and characters that cater to the largest or most popular 'moe'-traits. For example, loli, cat ears, tsundere are some of the traits that are massively popular among anime otakus. If an anime is designing characters and story with that in mind, and the main selling point IS the two, then I classify that under 'moe-anime' and drop it before it hurts my brain.
You can have moe characters in an anime, but if it is the sole selling point then the anime becomes a waste of time. (i seem to have gone off on a tangent...)
|2011-01-09, 14:00
|Link #39
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
A large reason for a good deal of anime is that it appeals to the closet-otaku salaryman who just wants to relax and be nostalgic about simpler times (that may never have really existed but so what?). They're the ones with the wallets...
|2011-01-09, 15:52
|Link #40
Pretentious moe scholar
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Age: 31
So yes, there are moe varieties in which "mature" plays a role, and characters who look and act 27 still fit. I do think there's an upper bound on perceived age somewhere, though - IMO there's a certain "vitality" that a character has to have to be moe.
I still hold that moe is the result of adorable or charming (mature and playful is charming) traits though.
Here's my question: do we actually have a good idea what we're talking about when we talk about moe as a "genre"?
Let's take a look at three moe shows: K-On!, EF, and Ga-rei Zero. The first is a slice of life comedy, the second a romance drama, and the third an action-drama. All three contain recognizably moe characters and artwork.
Now, I rarely see criticisms of EF or Ga-rei. I do see two criticisms commonly leveled against K-On!: that it idolizes stupid and/or unassertive girls, and that the characters are essentially laser targeted at certain moe traits to their detriment as well rounded characters.
Those are valid criticisms of K-On!, and if I want to defend that show, I'd have to come up with some counter-points (which I can do if anyone is interested, but probably a bit off topic here). I do not think they're particularly valid criticisms of EF or Ga-rei Zero.
Truth be told, some criticisms of one show can be applied to the genre as a whole. For example, I believe that the preference many moe fans have for "weird and zany" girls leads many creators to create moe characters that are as much caricatures as characters. "Idolizes stupid and/or unassertive girls" I don't agree with as a criticism of the entire genre though - first, because there's a lot of Tohsakas, Senjougaharas, and Kurenekos out there, second, because I think a lot of moe fans appreciate the charm of characters like Yui or Ayu without idolizing them.
Basically, if you want me to allow a criticism to stick to the moe genre, you do have to show its pretty broad based. Arguments like "moe generally involves a sexual element because Key originally made porn games and Key is very popular" aren't really going to cut it because the evidence is too narrow (and debatable - what made Key popular?).
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Timberwolves Beat Kings Without Love
The Timberwolves beat Sacramento 86-84 Tuesday night at Target Center without their top scorer and rebounder, Kevin Love who is serving a 2-game suspension for stomping on the face of Houston forward Luis Scola. Derrick Williams started in place of Love and scored 14 points and added 8 rebounds. Nikola Pekovic led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds and Ricky Rubio added 14 assists.
The Wolves are 13-12 and will play at Memphis at 7pm tonight, hear the game on WJON.


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National Geographic Articles
As National Geographic Fellow, Paul has produced 20 stories for the National Geographic Magazine. His work focuses on the delicate relationship between healthy ecosystems and marine wildlife and his preferred working niche are polar environments. In addition to his collaboration with National Geographic, his work has been featured in hundreds of other publications around the world and he has given public presentations in over 20 countries.Read More


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SEOUL, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- North Korea may conduct a nuclear test before South Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye takes office Feb. 25, an official in Seoul suggested Monday.
North Korea in December launched a satellite using a long-range rocket. Similar launches in 2006 and 2009 coincided with the country's first nuclear tests.
A senior official in Seoul said a third test is likely before Park takes office Feb. 25.
"There is a possibility of the North conducting a test before the current administration's term ends, considering its relationship with the incoming government," the senior official said on condition of anonymity. "The North has come too far to step back at this point. It has already finished preparations for a test and is only awaiting a political decision."
Satellite imagery in mid-January of a North Korean nuclear facility indicates signs a third nuclear test may be imminent.
Yonhap reports the test date could be Tuesday, the scheduled date for U.S. President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, or Saturday, the birthday of late North Korean leader Jim Jong Il.


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Leonardo DiCaprio: 'Wolf of Wall Street' Night Shoot!
Leonardo DiCaprio looks dapper in a suit on the set of his film The Wolf of Wall Street on Friday (September 28) in New York City.
The 37-year-old actor got into character as he filmed a night scene in front of Trump Tower.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Leonardo DiCaprio
Earlier in the week, Leo was joined on set by his co-star Margot Robbie, who previously starred on the short-lived ABC series Pan Am.
The Wolf of Wall Street is about a New York stockbroker (DiCaprio), who refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, corporate banking world and mob infiltration.


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Professor Emeritus, Department of Anatomy & Structural Biology
Prof. Olson has been the director of Einstein's anatomy and embryology course since 1989 and has taught over 3,500 its students. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees in paleontology from the University of California at Berkeley and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1970. He completed his Ph.D. in human anatomy and morphology at St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School in London. Prior to 1989, Prof. Olson taught anatomy at University College London and the School of Biomedical Education at the CCNY. He is the President-Elect of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists, the Chair from 1994-2008 of the statewide Anatomical Committee of the Associated Medical Schools of New York, and a founder and the first Treasurer of the International Association of Medical Science Educators.
More Information About Dr. Todd Olson
Material in this section is provided by individual faculty members who are solely responsible for its accuracy and content.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus
1300 Morris Park Avenue
Forchheimer Building, Room 620SC
Bronx, NY 10461
NBCNews.com interviews Drs. Todd Olson and Sherry Downie and several residents about why the anatomy lab remains important in medical education.
Time interviews Dr. Todd Olson about the ethical and practical concerns about medical students contacting families of their gross anatomy cadavers.


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Sheep Gang
Juuso HD
Regular price £15.00
Sheep Gang.
Exclusive photography by Juuso HD.
- A4 prints, printed onto high quality A4 (8.27" x 11.69") 220gsm conqueror white paper. All A4 prints are signed by the artist.
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Please note: Frame is not included.
All images are copyrighted © by Juuso Hamalainen. The use or reprinting of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission from the artist is obtained.
Delivery Information
We provide international posting on all products! We are based in the UK so rates vary.
Please make sure your delivery address is correct when you order, if you wish to change it please get in touch as soon as possible via the "contact us" page.
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If you live outside the UK, delivery time can be anything from 2-5 weeks, depending on how far your order has to travel. If it doesn't arrive within a month of your order please get in touch.
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text: 01/11/2011 (10:00PM - 11:00PM) (Tuesday) : ADAM HAS AN INTERESTING ENCOUNTER WITH HIS NEW BOSS WHILE AMBER, HADDIE, AND CROSBY DEAL WITH ISSUES OF THEIR OWN - Adam (Peter Krause) tries to cope with the idea of a new boss and is concerned about the stability of his job. Kristina (Monica Potter) tries winning Haddie (Sarah Ramos) over as she seeks comfort in Amber (Mae Whitman) when she realizes her parents refuse to accept her decision. Meanwhile, Crosby (Dax Shepard) is attempting to overcome a few obstacles of his own as a coordinator of a kindergarten performance at Jabbar's (Tyree Brown) school. Amber is taking on the challenge of performing at an open mic night, but she is surprised by who her biggest critic is. Lauren Graham, Miles Heizer, Erika Christensen, Savannah Rae Page, Max Burkholder, Sam Jaeger, Tyree Brown, Joy Bryant, Bonnie Bedelia and Craig T. Nelson.


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- You are here:
- FAOL Home >>
- Fly Of The Week
This caddis pattern is a great guide fly because it's fast and easy to tie and if it's fished properly very effective. I fish it as a trailing fly tied about 12-18 inches behind a dry fly like a; Korn's CDC Spent-wing Parachute Caddis, X-Caddis or a hopper. This is my go to fly and it works just as well in the East or West.
- Hook: MFC 7000 #14
- Thread: Uni-8/0 Camel
- Body: tan CDC Type 4 feather wrapped forward
- Wing: 2 hen pheasant feathers tied flat and notched at tip, with a drop of head cement spread on top
- Thorax: fox squirrel dubbing
Step 1 - Start thread at the eye of the hook. Wind in touching turns back to mid shank.
Step 2 - Tie in a Type 4 (as per CDC feather chart by Hans Weilenmann*) tan CDC feather by the tip at this point.
* see CDC feather chart here: http://www.danica.com/flytier/articles/cdc_types/cdc_types.htm
Step 3 - Cover the CDC feather with close turns of thread back to the barb of the hook and then return to cover the small tip of the CDC feather and stop 1/3 of the shank from the eye. This will be your body length and the tie in point for the wings.
Step 4 - Attach your hackle pliers to the butt of the feather and wind it forward towards the eye in touching turns. The first few turns of the CDC feather will not have any long filaments, but as you advance you need to fold those back as you wind. When you get to the thread secure the CDC with some tight wraps and remove the waste piece.
Step 5 - Prepare two hen pheasant feathers as pictured, the notch in the tip is optional. Measure these at the tie in point. They need to be one hook gap longer than the bend of the hook when tied in. Leave the stems on.
Step 6 - Align the two pheasant feathers tip-to-tip on top of one another. Place them carefully on the hook shank at the tie in point and tie them in making sure that they do not roll on the hook. Wrap your thread towards the eye with touching turns, stop at the eye. Fold the two feather butts back and tie them down with close turns of thread moving back to the tie in point. Remove the waste butts.
Step 7 - Add a small drop of head cement at a point just behind the tie in point and smooth this out back to notch or 2/3 of the feather. This small drop of head cement helps to keep the feather shape. Note: use a small drop and do not overdo it or you will bleed glue into the CDC and render it useless. Let it dry for a minute.
Step 8 - After glue is dry, dub the thread with squirrel dubbing. I cut a chunk right off the hide, mix it by hand and offer it to the thread in a semi-course dubbing noodle.
Step 9 - Wind the dubbing forward to the eye and double whip finish to complete the fly.
Completed Korn's CDC Spent-wing Caddis
Part 2 - SBS variation for Korn's CDC Spent-wing Parachute Caddis
Using tying thread that can be split, tie the fly the same as above through Step 7.
Step 8 - Attach a white CDC Type 3 (as per CDC feather chart by Hans Weilenmann*) feather to the top of the hook shank just in front of the feathers. Secure with several tight wraps and then fold it in half, upright and post it up as shown. Leave it long, we will trim it later.
Step 9 - Prepare one natural colored Type 1 or 4 (as per CDC feather chart by Hans Weilenmann*) CDC feather using the Marc Petitjean Magic Tool.
Step 10 - Insert the prepared CDC feather in the split thread and spin to create CDC hackle. Note: if you forgot or do not have thread that can be split then use a dubbing loop. It will work but can be bulky.
Step 11 - Wind the CDC hackle on the hook shank, not around the post. Wind behind post then in front of post while lifting fibers up, repeat, wrapping the CDC hackle to the eye. Tie it off with a double whip finish and trim thread. Trim parachute post.
Step 12 - Complete fly by trimming the underside of the fly flat. Remember this is what the fish see so cut away any unwanted CDC.
The completed Korn's CDC Spent-wing Parachute Caddis
About me:
The great outdoors has always been a driving force in my life. I stumbled into fly fishing by going to a fly tying demonstration and was totally captivated by it. It wasn't long before I was casting and presenting my own hand tied flies to the local brown trout. These days you'll find me fly fishing our inland trout streams and tributaries in my home state of New York or in Yellowstone Country. I enjoy both the artistic skills of fly tying as well as the technical challenges of bringing the fish to hand. Fly fishing Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding waters has long been a dream of mine, not wanting to just visit the area but to find a way to truly participate and experience it through fly fishing. As a past fly fishing guide and current fly-tyer for Parks' Fly Shop in Gardiner Montana, I have found the pathway to realize my dream.
For more great info, check out:
Beginning Fly Tying | Intermediate Fly Tying | Advanced Fly Tying.


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Thu, Sep 12 2013
LeTourneau University President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford was recently published as a guest contributor in The Christian Post, the nation's premier Christian news website. His opinion piece titled "Missing Your College Freshman? Maybe This Helps" appeared Sept. 11 and encouraged parents with some reminders of the positive growth their students would experience in college.
"Early every fall on college campuses large and small, family vehicles line up near dorms and a new class of freshmen steps out into the big intersection of freedom and responsibilities. Parents are stepping, too, of course, but stepping back – away from the college, out of their child's daily life, and to a long drive home. Read more.


text: Send us your favorite memories from 2012. Memories should be related in 100 words or less and can be accompanied by photos. Items can be brought to The Sentinel office, mailed to P.O. Box 926, McPherson, KS 67460 or emailed to Cristina Janney at firstname.lastname@example.com. Submissions are due Dec. 28. Submissions may appear in The Sentinel print edition or online at www.mcphersonsentinel.com.


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Fraser Lundie, Co-Head of Credit at Hermes Investment Management, explains how the 16.8% return of Hermes Multi Strategy Credit since its May 2013 inception has been achieved by implementing the team's global, unconstrained approach.
Hermes Credit aim to generate strong gains from our best credit ideas while dedicating part of our portfolio to defensive, short-biased strategies to minimise downside risk1. Importantly, our return incurred far less volatility than the global high-yield market in a period characterised by economic and market shocks.
Figure 1. Ahead from the start: Hermes Multi Strategy Credit v the global high-yield market
Inception date: 31 May 2013. Performance as at 31 May 2016, cumulative, in USD and gross of fees. Source: Hermes Credit Team. Benchmark: Merrill Lynch Global High Yield Index (hedged USD).
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and targets are not guaranteed. The value of investments and income from them may go down as well as up, and you may not get back the original amount invested.
Hitting the mark
The aim of Hermes Multi Strategy Credit is to deliver high-yield-like returns with lower volatility throughout market cycles. Seeking this outcome, we combine high-conviction investments with defensive trades by searching throughout the capital structures of issuers worldwide to identify which bonds, derivatives and loans offer superior return prospects or can be used to effectively mitigate risk. Since the launch of the strategy, we have invested throughout the taper tantrum, China slowdown, global high-yield sell-offs and the recent rise in corporate debt defaults to achieve our performance target. Our flexible approach has enabled us to capture opportunities while preserving capital throughout market shocks.
The taper test
In Q2 2013, when the Federal Reserve first indicated that it would reduce quantitative easing after almost five years of running the bond-buying programme, the market's acute sensitivity to changes in US interest rates became clear. Fear of a rate hike had already caused overcrowding in short-duration bonds, and this strong demand allowed issuers to introduce looser covenants and shorter non-call periods. We were unwilling to accept the consequent risks – high valuations, weaker investor protections and diminished upside – and invested in credit default swaps of the companies instead to gain a similar short-duration exposure. We avoided two-thirds of the drawdown, returning -0.95% compared to the high-yield market's -2.76%2 in June 2013, the first month that the strategy was live.
Tapping the good oil
In October 2014, oil prices began to fall precipitously after OPEC refused to halt production despite global oversupply. This adverse impact on the US shale market, where many producers were highly leveraged due to higher operational costs, would soon be felt in the high-yield market. Two months before oil prices began to slide, we cautioned that investors should be particularly selective in the North America shale oil and gas market as it featured many entrants with uncertain long-term prospects. We avoided these stressed companies and exploited the breadth of our universe by investing in more mature commodity businesses with proven operations and reserves, and in undervalued but robust oil companies in the politically-beleaguered Russian market.
Figure 2. Smooth delivery: portfolio exhibits less volatility than the high-yield market
Source: Hermes Credit Team as at June 2016.
Avoiding the lows of high yield
In Q4 2015, amid growing certainty that the Fed would raise rates for the first time in almost a decade, liquidity fears spurred a global high-yield sell off that drove the market -0.7% lower for the quarter. It ultimately returned -2.0% by the end of the year3. In the preceding months, we increased our combined investment-grade credit and leveraged loan allocation to 30% of the portfolio, and this exposure to higher quality and more secure assets preserved capital during the drawdown and drove our 1% return for 20154.
Focus on fundamentals
Through intensive bottom-up research, we have executed contrarian trades such as our investments in the global mining sector in Q1 this year, which was still experiencing a cyclical downturn. Anticipating creditor-friendly moves by stronger companies to bolster their balance sheets through cutting dividends, reducing capital expenditure and selling assets, we increased our exposure to the sector from 12.8% to 19.1% between Q3 2015 and Q1 this year5. Among the issuers we invested in were Vale and BHP Billiton, which benefited from strong asset quality and conservative financial policies. In the year to date, our exposure to mining companies contributed 1% to our overall return, showing the benefit of favouring fundamentals instead of prevailing sentiment6.
Maintaining momentum
Our flexible investment approach has driven the strong risk-adjusted returns of Hermes Multi Strategy Credit in its first three years, as evidenced by its Sharpe Ratio of 1.5 per annum for the period, despite macroeconomic and technical market shocks7. Amid the current risks – from Brexit, a potential US rate hike to the political turmoil in Brazil – we continue to find opportunities to generate attractive returns and preserve capital.
- 1 Source: Hermes as at June 2016. Performance shown is gross of fees and on a cumulative basis and denominated in US dollars.
- 2 Source: Hermes as at June 2016.
- 3 Source: Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global High Yield Index as at June 2016.
- 4 Source: Hermes as at June 2016.
- 5 Source: Hermes as at June 2016.
- 6 Source: Hermes as at June 2016.
- 7 Source: Hermes as at June 2016.
Style-agnostic Greenberg gains in tough markets through quality bias
Hermes appoints Director of Engagement
Press contacts
Jeannie Dumas
Head of Corporate Communications & Shareholder Relations email@example.com +44 (0)20 7680 2152 +44 (0)7841 324061
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Head of Investment & Stewardship Communications email@example.com +44 (0)20 7680 2218 + 44 (0)7767 162 317
Rachael Dowers
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications email@example.com + 44 (0)20 7680 4698


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In the tearful wake of Paula Deen's "Today" show appearance Wednesday morning, Caesars Entertainment Corporation released a statement saying that their relationship with the embattled celebrity chef has come to an end.
Mere hours after that revelation Wal-mart, the world's largest retailer, announced it too would no longer continue to do business with Deen. Home Depot joined the exodus later that same day.
"We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed," said Wal-mart spokesperson Danit Marquardt in a statement, adding that the retailer would "work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements."
Wal-Mart has been carrying Paula Deen-branded products in all of its U.S. stores since 2011.
Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for Home Depot confirmed to NBC News that the company will stop carrying Deen-branded items under their kitchen and cookware category as a result of the scandal.
Caesars Entertainment, which operates Paula Deen-themed restaurants at four of its properties, was forthright in explaining their reasoning behind dropping the folksy Southern cook.
"While we appreciate Paula's sincere apologies for statements she made in her past that she recently disclosed during a deposition given in response to a lawsuit, after thoughtful consideration of their impact, we have mutually decided that it is in the best interests of both parties to part ways at this time," said Jan Jones Blackhurst, executive vice president of communications and government affairs for Caesars Entertainment.
The casino-entertainment company was the third business partner to sever ties with Deen, who professed to not being racist during the interview with Matt Lauer on "Today."
The Food Network announced Friday that it would no longer host the self-proclaimed queen of Southern cooking on its channel and on Monday Smithfield Foods, a pork goods company that produced a line of Deen-branded hams, followed suit by ending that partnership.
Deen has been under fire since a former manager of a Savannah, Ga., restaurant owned by Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against the pair. The employee, Lisa Jackson, claimed she was sexually harassed by Hiers and that Deen used the N-word around her.
"Yes, of course," Deen said in the May 17 deposition of having used the slur, adding, "It's been a very long time."
But she told Lauer Wednesday that she had only used the N-word once in reference to a robber who held a gun to her head.
Other businesses who have partnerships with Deen including home shopping giant QVC, Sears Corporation and Random House have so far stuck by her, but have all released statements saying that they are monitoring the situation as it continues to unfold.


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With system-ready instruments, open software, and PC-standard I/O (LXI/USB/VXI/PXI), you´re getting the best tools for your greatest designs.
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Japanese Multi-Notebook
Like a bunch of notebooks all smashed into one.
- One notebook to rule them all.
- Six types of notebooks all smashed into one.
- Why? Because it's neato.
So there we were, plotting and planning our next round of awesome for you. It was a nice day, so our various notebooks, notepads, sticky notes, graph paper, and note cards were all spread out on the grass. Having finally finished, we stacked up our paper products and were about to go inside. When lo, from the sky a sperm whale did drop. It landed right on our notebook stack. There was a lot of confusion and days of clean up, but there was one good thing that happened. All the notebooks had been compressed and fused into one. Not really. But if that had happened, we're pretty sure we'd have had something similar to this Japanese Multi-Notebook.
The Japanese Multi-Notebook is, actually, straight from Japan. It's like six notebooks of differing paper types and sizes were stacked on top of each other and then pressed into one. Each page has 6 distinct types of writing areas, and they differ from front to back - exactly as if you were looking at two sides of a pile. It's really pretty neato and great to take notes in because you'll have all sorts of spots for just the right type of note. The Japanese Multi-Notebook is fun, crazy, and a novel way to organize your thoughts or doodles.
Japanese Multi-Notebook
- Six types of notebooks, all pressed into one.
- Each page is a mélange of different paper styles: blank, lined, graph, etc.
- Great for "taking notes" in meetings, as it has so many different sections to doodle on.
- Each spiral-bound notebook has 30 sheets (60 pages) of ready-to-hold-your-words-and-doodles action!
- Imported from Japan (just for you).
- Dimensions: approx. 7.2" x 10.2" x 0.2"


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Phone tapping rings alarm bells for Dhumal
After an audio cassette was recovered that projected chief minister Virbhadra Singh in bad light, the mass phone tapping in Himachal Pradesh has sent alarm bells ringing for his predecessor, Prem Kumar Dhumal.india Updated: Mar 09, 2013 13:19 IST
After an audio cassette was recovered that projected chief minister Virbhadra Singh in bad light, the mass phone tapping in Himachal Pradesh has sent alarm bells ringing for his predecessor, Prem Kumar Dhumal.
For almost three years, Virbhadra Singh remained on tenterhooks. It was only a day before his swearing-in for the sixth time as chief minister last December that he was acquitted by a Shimla court.
Political observers now say the tapping of phones of politicians and government functionaries during the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given a lever to the chief minister against his predecessor.
"A corruption case was registered against Virbhadra Singh and his wife on the basis of an audio cassette purportedly containing their telephonic conversations regarding monetary transactions. Ultimately he came out clean. Now he has got the chance to pay his adversaries back in their own coin," an observer said.
The chief minister has already said action will be initiated against all those, including mobile companies, who were involved in the surveillance of phones during the BJP regime.
"As many as 1,371 phones were tapped. Out of these, the home department gave permission to tap only 170 phones. If the director general of police and former chief minister (Dhumal) are found involved, the government would initiate action against them," Virbhadra Singh told reporters in Chandigarh earlier this week.
On being asked about the names of the people whose phones were tapped, he replied: "My phones had been tapped and rooms bugged."
The government last week handed over phone tapping investigation to the vigilance bureau.
Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy said here Thursday that the government would register a case after investigations are completed.
"As phone tapping is a sensitive issue, violating the right to privacy of an individual, the state government would lodge an FIR (first information report) after thorough investigations," Roy said.
He said the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) and the vigilance department had unauthorisedly and illegally tapped certain phones.
Conversations of some BJP dissidents and journalists were also recorded.
Director General of Police I.D. Bhandari, who was heading the CID when the illegal phone tapping took place, was removed last month.
An eerie silence prevails in the corridors of power here: From top functionary to peon, everybody is guessing whose phones were tapped.
"The talk in the secretariat these days is only on the phone tapping issue. Officials are guessing about the conversations, ranging from the official to the romantic," an official said.
Journalists too are baffled and curious, and many have been asking the chief minister who among them feature on the list of people whose phones were tapped.
The chief minister has already clarified that most of the conversations tapped were private ones.
Virbhadra Singh said the names of people under surveillance would be made public after the probe.
Dhumal has avoided talking to the media on this issue and has maintained that the government should conduct a probe through a sitting high court judge.
The computers in the CID and vigilance bureau offices were seized on the night of December 24-25 last year, hours before Virbhadra Singh assumed charge as chief minister.
First Published: Mar 09, 2013 13:17 IST


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posted by Amjith Ramanujam on Sat 27th Sep 2008 01:16 UTC, submitted by J
SqueakNOS is an old idea that has gotten the kiss of life again. Squeak is a Smalltalk system built by Alan Kay and SqueakNOS is an attempt to remove the OS underneath Squeak. You can download a VMWare playable image from their sourceforge website or you can get an iso and more details about SqueakNOS from here.


text:
By Army Reserve 1st Lt. Olivia Cobiskey/Special to American Forces Press Service
DENVER, March 27, 2009 - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. signed on to the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative at a March 20 ceremony here that also drew 11 private-sector employers.
The governor is the first to commit all state agencies to working with the Army Reserve to fill critical shortages, officials said.
"It is my pleasure to add Colorado to the list of employers who will proactively seek to hire and retain Army Reserve soldiers when they return home," Ritter said. "This partnership with the Army Reserve expands the opportunities for the men and women who have made great sacrifices on our behalf. It is one more step towards attempting to repay the debt we owe our brave troops and veterans."
In the end, 11 Denver employers and the state of Colorado agreed to work collaboratively with the Army Reserve to enhance job opportunities for America's soldiers and veterans. The Denver-area employers that signed on include Adecco, BC Services, City of Denver, Cicsco, Front Range Airport, Loomis, NorthGlenn Dodge, Pennica Financial Group, Pepsi Bottling Group and Western Freightways.
The alliances launched under the initiative will help to strengthen the community, support Army Reserve soldiers and their families, and maintain a strong economy, Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, said.
The excitement over the program's success, especially at the height of an economic recession, was clear on the faces of Army Reserve Sgt. Gregory S. Ruske and others who attended the event.
"It just demonstrates how much the public supports the military," said Ruske, who serves with the 96th Regional Readiness Command and received the Silver Star, the Army's second-highest award, for valor while deployed in Afghanistan. "You can't help but smile each time a business signs the agreement. Here we are in a struggling economy, and they're willing to put their support in writing and hire Army Reserve soldiers."
Ruske, a juvenile corrections officer at the Mount View Youth Service Center in Denver, said he has found the tools offered by the EPI invaluable.
"I want to find something in law enforcement, security," said Ruske, 29, the fourth Army Reserve soldier to earn the Silver Star for heroic service since Sept. 11, 2001. "I think it's more suited to my personality, and I like to be more active, not confined to a cubicle."
It's also more suited to the skills he learned while an infantry soldier and complements the bachelor's degree in sociology he earned from Colorado State University.
Employers at the ceremony in Denver seemed to agree as Ruske collected a stack of business cards. But that's not the only help he has received from the initiative. Carl Blum from Tip of the Arrow Foundation has been helping Ruske with his resume and networking.
"There are tools out there to help you in your job search, but EPI is like a power tool -- most of the grunt work is done for you, and you can concentrate on the details," Ruske said.
"It's not like the old days where you had to know someone, or play golf, to get a job," Ruske said. "EPI has created this symbiotic relationship that benefits both the Army Reserve and the employers."
Since its inception in April 2008, nearly 300 public and private employers have joined the initiative, including Fortune 500 corporations, hospitals, industry associations, state agencies and local police departments.
"I'm pleased to officially begin an enduring, strategic partnership with so many of Denver's leading employers and the state of Colorado," Army Maj. Gen. Mari K. Eder, deputy chief of the Army Reserve, said during the ceremony. "I look forward to collaborating with our newest valued partners to achieve mutual goals to attract, develop and retain a quality workforce."