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G2312, Reviewed November 2018
Editor's note: The following abstract describes a publication that is only available as a downloadable PDF. Please see the link to the PDF file on this page.
Artificial insemination (AI) in swine is not a new technique. There are reports as early as the 1930s of collecting semen for insemination. However, use of AI in the United States has skyrocketed in the past decade. It is important to remember that AI is a tool that will work for your operation only if you are willing to manage and use it properly.
One of the disadvantages of AI is that it may require a higher level of management than some natural-service mating systems. For example, there is a greater chance of human error associated with AI than with natural service. When a boar naturally mates a sow, the semen is not subjected to severe changes in environment and is generally deposited into the female more than once during a period that spans the optimal time for fertilization. In contrast, many environmental changes are possible when semen is collected, diluted, transported and then deposited artificially. The inseminations must be done correctly and at the optimal times. To obtain a high conception rate and litter size, estrous detection (heat checking) must be done carefully and without fail.
Sanitation of the equipment as an important consideration in all AI procedures. Today it is possible to handle semen using all disposable materials, which alleviates the need for rigorous sanitation of equipment. When a conscientious effort is made to consider and incorporate these practices, AI can work on any operation.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of AI is that it permits you to make greater use of new, superior genetics at a potentially lower cost than some natural-service systems and with less risk of disease transmission. Purchasing semen allows genetic diversity, which can be used to optimize crossbreeding systems on smaller farms, and increased genetic progress. This can be achieved without the expense of purchasing and maintaining a single, superior boar. Additionally, good boars can be used more extensively than those used for natural service, because AI increases the number of inseminations per ejaculate.
The estrous cycle in the pig averages 21 days but can range from 17 to 25 days. The first day of standing heat, when the female is receptive to the male and will stand to be mounted, is referred to as day 0. The two or three days that the female is sexually receptive is termed estrus. The standing reflex is stimulated by contact with a mature boar. The boar's submaxillary salivary glands produce pheromones that are secreted into the saliva. Direct physical contact is the best way to ensure that these stimulatory chemicals are transmitted to the female. The pheromones signal to the female that a mature boar is present and initiate the standing reflex if the female is in estrus. The female may or may not also exhibit other visible signs, including mounting or attempting to ride other females, a swollen, red vulva, mucus from the vulva, "popping" of the ears, and increased vocalization and activity. In gilts, estrus may last only a day or two, while a sow may be in estrus for three days. Although ovulation (release of the egg from the follicle on the ovary) usually occurs 23--48 hours after the onset of estrus, this event is extremely variable. In fact, a sow may ovulate before estrus occurs. It is for this reason that producers generally inseminate females more than once.
The importance of estrous detection in an AI system cannot be overemphasized. It is absolutely vital to the success of each breeding for the producer to be accurate in estimating the onset of estrus. Twice-daily estrous detection is more effective than once-daily detection, although it is also more time- and labor-consuming. The challenge with twice-daily estrous detection is that the benefits can be realized only if both checks are done properly and as close to 12 hours apart as possible. The frequency of estrous detection will determine the accuracy of estimating the onset of estrus. For greatest efficiency, estrous detection should be done first thing in the morning, before feeding or at least an hour after feeding. If this is not possible, the afternoon or early evening can work if the ambient temperature is not too high. The principle is to perform estrous detection when gilts and sows are not distracted or frustrated. Estrous detection should be conducted in a neutral pen with females in groups of 12 or less. By taking both the females and the boar to a novel pen, you will optimize the accuracy of estrous detection. This is an especially important aspect of estrous detection in gilts. With sows in gestation crates, a boar should be blocked in the aisle in front of four or five sows at a time for individual contact and to ensure that the technician is able to observe all sows for estrus before they become refractory. Pressure can be applied manually to the sow's back while in the presence of the boar to determine estrus. The boar will generally chant, salivate and attempt to mount most of the females. A female in estrus may seek out the boar and will stand to be mounted. Once a female is detected as being in estrus, she should be removed from the pen so the boar will circulate to the other females.
It is critical to mate the female within a few hours before ovulation. However, timing of ovulation varies. Gilts will generally ovulate sooner after the onset of estrus than sows. There is also variation among farms, genetic lines and individual females. Because sows stand longer than gilts and because ovulation in both sows and gilts occurs near the end of esturs, it is recommended that with twice-daily heat checks, gilts be inseminated 12 hours after detection of estrus and sows be inseminated 24 hours after detection of estrus. With once-daily heat checks, the accuracy of estimating the onset of estrus decreases; therefore gilts and sows are usually bred when they are found in estrus. As patterns of expression and duration of estrus are established for a given farm it may be possible to refine the timing and number of inseminations. Additionally, it is recommended that all females be mated once daily each day they stand. While this potentially results in some waste of semen, it is the best way to ensure that at least one mating is optimally timed relative to ovulation.
The reproductive system of female swine is more conducive to AI than that of cattle or sheep, and therefore AI is less time-consuming and easier to accomplish in swine. Still, the proper technique and an understanding of the system are important for best results. Figure 1 shows the reproductive organs of the female. The vulva is the visible portion of the female reproductive tract and may be red and swollen before or at the time of standing heat. The vulva leads to the vagina, which tapers into the cervix. The cervix consists of multiple ridges that act as a barrier to prevent bacteria, dirt and other foreign material from entering the uterus. During estrus, the cervix becomes swollen, which allows the AI spirette or catheter to be "locked" into it. ("Spirette" refers to a spiral-shaped, plastic-tipped insemination rod; "catheter" refers to a foam-tipped insemination rod.) This prevents some semen backflow and initiates uterine contractions, which are essential for sperm transport through the uterus to the oviduct, the site of fertilization. The ovary releases the eggs (oocytes) during ovulation and the oocytes enter the oviduct. In natural mating, the boar's penis (which is corkscrew-shaped) fits into the folds of the cervix, and the pressure causes the penis to begin ejaculation. The semen travels through the uterus with the help of uterine contractions signaled by the presence of the penis in the cervical folds and into the oviduct, where it combines with the egg (fertilization). Freshly ejaculated sperm are not capable of penetrating an egg and must be present in the female reproductive tract for two to three hours to undergo the biological changes necessary for fertilization. This process is referred to as sperm capacitation.
Figure 1
Reproductive anatomy of the sow. Source: After E. S. E. Hafez, editor, 1974. Reproduction in Farm Animals. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger
Figure 2
Insert the spirette or catheter at an upward angle to avoid coming in contact with the bladder.
Figure 3
Use a counterclockwise rotation to insert the spirette or catheter into the cervix.
Order publications online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/shop/ or call toll-free 800-292-0969.


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Chocofur Concrete Solid 04
Works with Chocofur Model Manager!
This product is released under CC0 1.0 license.
Chocofur concrete shader in 4096 x 4096 resolution, ready to use in your Blender and Cycles digital scenes.
Package Specification:
- 4096 x 4096 seamless texture
- Cycles Principled BSDF ready
- Blender 2.79

subset: commoncrawl


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Wizard Prints
Product: Wizard Prints
Price: Varies by order
Rating: Strong Recommend*
In part 3 of our in depth look at some of the printing services rounded up in the New York Times, we take a look at Wizard Prints. The online company can output supersized images onto a variety of materials. Basically, if you can think of it, they can do it. That includes floor adhesives, textured fabrics, as well as canvases and traditional prints on textured fine art paper. For our roundup we had Wizard Prints create three prints for us -- a wall mural, canvas, and glossy print. All three floored us when we unpacked them. Here's a breakdown of each.
Wall Mural
The company's wall mural fabric is made out of printable polyester that features a pressure-sensitive adhesive back. The material is put through a huge roll feed with as many as eight archival ink colors in place. Each ink is formulated to be fade and UV resistant. The result is a deep and rich enlargement that's still lightweight enough to stay in place with a low tack adhesive. That sticky back is gentle enough on walls that you won't have to worry about leaving marks or taking off paint should you want to reposition your mural. Prices truly vary, depending on your image and size, but we had the company produce a 42-by-56-inch mural for us, which cost $149.
The quality was quite impressive, with tons of detail despite some of the shadows in the photo we chose to blow up. The drawback was that colors were a bit off. If you notice in the images above, the starfish is a bit more magenta than orange in the original photo. The matte format of the print is a nice choice with such a large size, since it basically acts as a large mural or wallpaper. Glossy would have made it a bit overwhelming as well as hard to see due to glare.
The impressive results of this one test made us look around our apartment to figure out how we could integrate more wall murals in our home. A few ideas: to cover ugly sliding doors in a rental, to install in closet home offices.
Maybe it's the photo we chose (Pookie!) but our jaws dropped when we unpacked this print. The 24-by-32 inch canvas ($124) really captured the beauty of our lush green garden, along with the movement of our cat preying on some birds off frame. All of the details we were able to capture with our camera shine in this print -- from the Spanish moss to Pookie's stripes. The one problem we found was that when the canvas was wrapped around its frame, a few inkless creases were created, which you can see in the photo included in the gallery above.
Glossy Print
Again, it may be the subject of our photo, but this print job left us oohing and ahhing when we unrolled it from its packing tube. The 30-by-40 inch ($69) glossy print did our portrait, snapped by photographer Aubrey Edwards, justice and then some. Every morning, when we look at this print splashed across the wall, we can almost feel every hair of our beloved pup who passed away a year ago. We have to stop ourselves from nuzzling it.
One feature that's easily overlooked, but very appreciated is that the print includes a small border around it that makes it easier to frame without losing a single millimeter of photo.
Pros: Wizard Prints vast variety of materials, as well as its ability to accommodate almost any sized or shaped image makes it a great one stop shop for all your printing needs. It's unique materials allow you to experiment with different ways to display your photos.
Cons: Canvas prints had a few inkless creases where the material meets the frame and the colors on the wall mural didn't quite match up with the original photo.
Our Ratings:
Strong Recommend*
Weak Recommend
Don't Recommend
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.
More Photo Printing Services


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CRESTVIEW � The Rev. Paul Mixon, Central Baptist Church�s new head pastor, is pleased that the church is growing.
CRESTVIEW � The Rev. Paul Mixon, Central Baptist Church�s new head pastor, is pleased that the church is growing.
"The first Sunday I came here, we had 27 in church," he said. "The past few weeks, we have had 102 and 104."
Mixon, a Crestview Police Department chaplain who is three years into studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, credits God and church members for keeping the faith.
Learn more about the church at Central Baptist Church >>
"No matter how you look at it, the people make the church," he said. "You can't come through this church on Sunday morning and not have someone come and hug your neck and tell you that they love (you) and they are happy you are here. It's the love of Christ from these people that make it what it is. "
Helping believers strengthen their faith are upcoming programs like Sept. 21�s "Love Worth Fighting For� � featuring an inspirational message from "Growing Pains" and "Fireproof" star Kirk Cameron and music from Christian singer/songwriter Warren Barfield � and The Red Roots� Sept. 14 concert.
The church will boost fellowship opportunities by forming a chapter of Royal Ambassadors, a Boy Scouts alternative, and by adding a weekly women's Bible study group open to non-church members.
It will continue providing a soup kitchen at 11 p.m. every Monday at the Recreational Outreach Center behind the church.
"They are averaging 115 people every Monday," Mixon said.
The church also runs a food pantry.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or email@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.


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The new issue of the Corporate Social Responsibility Report reflects GEODIS' ambition to be a responsible leader in the transport and logistics industry and presents GEODIS as the sustainable growth partner for its clients.
With environmental responsibility being one of the major challenges of the supply chain industry, CSR has been placed at the heart of the Group's strategy.
The Report highlights GEODIS' major 2016 CSR achievements. It provides an overview of the main actions undertaken with its stakeholders, the continued efforts towards sustainable development and the results achieved. You will discover a variety of inspiring show-cases and read testimonies showing the passion and commitment of GEODIS teams for CSR. Additionally there is a supplement showing more visibility on the Group's CSR performance.


text: Just so people know, I'm a 15 year old high school student who just finished grade 10. I noticed that your advertising Deep Freeze under security products. Admins at my school are in love with deepfreeze and think its the answer to all their prayers. According to testimonials on their site, it is uncrackable and I've even heard tell that there have been competitions where computer experts try to crack the program. Now I know what I'm about to say probably won't go over well with some of you, and I hope I don't get banned or anything as a result. I just want you to know that it was never done with malicious intent and has never been used to do anything wrong. That said: a friend and I decided we wanted to try to crack deepfreeze, we took the program winhex and found the password hash located inside the deepfreeze program. Next, we found the version of deepfreeze that was being used on the school system and downloaded that same version at my friend's house. We then set the password on his computer to "a" and examined the password hash that resulted. We continued until the password hash on his computer matched that of the school's. Upon trying it at school the next day, we realized that we had indeed successfully obtained the password. Incidently, it was also the password for the school's admin account. I was just wondering, does anyone know if this is still possible on newer versions of deepfreeze and we only managed it because the school hasn't updated? The entire process took only a few hours and it seems to be a pretty big security flaw to me.


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Two men have been charged with burglary following a police investigation that resulted in a shooting on Monday.
Plain clothes police officers were investigating stolen cars at Etihad Stadium when they were allegedly threatened by a man, believed to be in his 30s, with a handgun.
Commander Rick Nugent on Monday said police shot the man after he moved towards one of the officers.
"He was threatening the policeman with the firearm and moving towards him and the policeman sought cover," Cmdr Nugent told reporters.
"Other police came to his aid, one of whom produced his firearm and shot this male person."
The wounded man was arrested along with three other men in their 20s in relation to the stolen cars.
Two have now been charged.
A 24-year-old Southbank man has been charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft and theft of a motor car.
A 23-year-old Docklands man has been charged with two counts of burglary.
The wounded man remains at Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
The charged men have both been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on April 30.
Cmdr Nugent said the incident would be investigated by the crime command area of Victoria Police and would be oversighted by the ethical standards department and the Office of Police Integrity.


text:
Anticonvulsants reduce excess electrical activity in the
Anticonvulsants are used to prevent or control seizures.
Anticonvulsants successfully control or prevent seizures in most
people with
cerebral palsy.
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you or your child has:
Call your doctor right away if you or your child has:
Call your doctor if you or your child has:
Common side effects of this medicine include:
Each medicine also has specific side effects. For example:
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
Many medicines for seizures can interact with other medicines you may be taking. This means that your seizure medicine may not work as well, or it may affect the way another medicine you are taking works. Some of these interactions can be dangerous. Make sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines, herbal pills, and dietary supplements you are taking.
This medicine may cause you to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert, which makes it harder for you to concentrate. If you are feeling sleepy, don't drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous to you or other people.
Some anticonvulsants make birth control pills
less effective. Ask your doctor if you need
other methods of birth control while taking this medicine.
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often.
If you take topiramate, drink plenty of fluids every day to help prevent kidney stones.
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
When taken during pregnancy, some anticonvulsants (such as oxcarbazepine and topiramate) are known to slightly increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects. If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you and your doctor must weigh the risks of using this medicine against the risks of not treating your seizures.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Last Revised:
September 20, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics & Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


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Are the FAA Cuts Mandatory or Political?
WASHINGTON—The debate over whether 1,500 air-traffic controllers need to be furloughed every day as part of $85 billion in federal spending cuts comes down to a gray area in the budget that might only be resolved in federal court.
Republicans and many airline executives have said the White House has flexibility to avoid the furloughs but has chosen to force travel delays to score political points.


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Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code and Author
Types: Author, Entrepreneur, Female, TED
Bio Info
Reshma Saujani is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, the nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech that has already reached 90,000 girls nationwide. Saujani was the first Indian American woman to run for Congress. She is the author of three books, including the forthcoming Brave, Not Perfect, Women Who Don't Wait In Line and the New York Times Bestseller Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World. Reshma Saujani is the proud daughter of refugees.
Bio Info
Bad bosses make people miserable. They also kill innovation, stifle growth, increase costs, and create instability. Well-meaning people become bad bosses without even realizing it. Radical Candor--Caring Personally while Challenging Directly--will help you be a great boss without losing your humanity.
Author, Director of Stanford University's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and Co-Director of the Yale College Emotional Intelligence Project
Bio Info
An inspiring and vivacious speaker, Yale and Stanford researcher and author uses science-backed evidence to show that happiness and success go hand in hand - and can be reached by anyone.
Anchor and Washington Bureau Chief, CNN (1984-2009) and Director, The George Washington University's School of Media & Public Affairs
Types: Male, Media, University Professor
Bio Info
A renowned journalist who has covered some of the world's biggest events and most consequential leaders, Frank Sesno has a reputation for fairness and integrity that few can match.
Topics: Achievement - Personal, American Politics, Change: Managing/Leading It, Communication Skills, Energy - Alternative & Technology, Energy - Policy , Inspiring Lives , Leadership, Media and Journalism, Overcoming Obstacles and Challenges, Patriotism, Personal Growth, Social Media/New Media, Sustainability
World-Renowned Harvard Expert and Best-Selling Author on Collaboration, Communication, and Teamwork; Author, Negotiating the Nonnegotiable; Co-Author, Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate
Types: Author, Male, University Professor
Bio Info
One of the world's most highly sought-after experts on human relationships, Harvard professor Daniel L. Shapiro empowers us with crucial tools to more effectively collaborate, communicate, and innovate.
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London and Current Visiting Professor at MIT
Types: Female, TED, University Professor
Bio Info
Professor Tali Sharot is a leading expert on human decision-making, optimism and emotion. She combines research in psychology, behavioral economics and neuroscience to reveal the forces that shape our decisions, beliefs and expectations of the future.
Founder of Because I Said I Would
Types: Entrepreneur, Male, TED
Bio Info
Because I said I would is a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. Their goal is to build a community of people who are driven to help others through the strength of determination.
Topics: Ethics, Inspiring Lives , Motivation, Personal Growth
Women's Leadership Expert; Longtime Television News Reporter; and New York Times Best-Selling Author, The Confidence Code and Womenomics
Bio Info
A newswoman with over a decade of experience covering the world's biggest stories, Claire Shipman takes audiences to the front lines of global events.
First Blind Active Duty Officer in Military History; Author, Hope Unseen
Types: Author, Male, Military Service, NEW Speaker
Bio Info
After losing his eyesight while serving in Iraq, Scotty Smiley's life is proof that hope in the face of adversity can conquer all obstacles. He went on to become the first blind active duty officer in the military, the author of the book Hope Unseen, receive an MBA from Duke, build a career in finance, win the Macarthur Leadership Award and the ESPN ESPY award, and become an IronMan.
Rice University Professor and Author of Stretch: Unlock the Power of Less - and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined
Types: Author, Male, NEW Speaker
Bio Info
Rooted in science, brought to life with powerful stories, and delivered in an informative and entertaining way, bestselling author and distinguished Rice University business school professor Scott Sonenshein teaches a powerful mindset for doing more with less to help companies succeed, enable professionals to achieve, and teach people to thrive.
Topics: Achievement - Business, Achievement - Personal, Black History Month, Business Growth/Strategy/Trends, Change: Managing/Leading It, Courage, Diversity, Education, Inspiring Lives , Leadership, Motivation, Olympics, Overcoming Obstacles and Challenges, Peak Performance, Personal Growth, Sports Related


text:
Austrian Dr. Friedrich 'Fritz' Paneth was a chemist by training but his career in Germany was abruptly ended by the accession of the Nazis and he left in 1933. Paneth moved to England and worked at Imperial College and Durham University in the chemistry faculties until 1953 when he returned to Germany. He practised photography all his life.
Image Details
Image Ref.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London


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Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are two peas in a pod. Though they offered different over-arching storylines you're still a guy or gal wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The games came out two years apart, but certain areas of the Mojave Desert and the outskirts of Washington D.C. look eerily similar. Can you tell the difference between the two games?
Be sure to keep track of your score along the way. Good luck!


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Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Randomness in Raiding
1. Randomness has been disliked in the past.
Historically, fights featuring a high degree of randomness have been disliked by the playerbase. Prince Malchezzar and Faction Champions are the prime examples here. Both of them were fights which led to a high degree of grumbling.
I don't really see the point in adding more randomness, when the evidence shows that randomness is unpopular.
2. Randomness encourages "fishing".
Often, a fight with random elements contains one set of elements which is significantly easier or significantly harder than the others. This encourages guilds to reset the encounter until the "easy" combination shows up, or wipe it early if a hard combination appears.
My guild did this with Heroic Twin Valkyries back in Trial of the Grand Crusader. Twin Valks used one of four random abilities every minute or so. My guild used a very specific strategy that relied on rotating cooldowns to mitigate enough damage to survive. However, there was one combination of elements which that strategy could not handle because the cooldowns didn't line up correctly. For all other combinations, the strategy was easier to heal, but that one was a guaranteed wipe. So we fished. We just trusted in the odds, and took the wipe if it came up.
Honestly, though, it was kind of silly. We should have mastered a strategy that would allow us to always beat the fight, even if it took more time.
3. Execution is not trivial.
There is an unfortunate tendency in the geek subculture to regard thinking as hard, and execution as the easy part, the part to be left as a trivial exercise for the reader. I deeply disagree with this. Many times, execution is the hard part, and mastering the execution is the challenge.
It's like writing a novel. Sure, you can tell someone how to write a novel, come up with characters and a plot. But that's easy. The hard part is actually sitting down and writing out the novel, polishing page by page.
Mastering execution simply scratches a different itch for us. It's like learning to play a new song. Sure, one could say that it should be easy, because you've already got the music in front of you. But learning to play the song is still a challenge, still worth doing.
Joel Spolsky talks about trying to hire people who are smart and who get things done. In my view, smart people are a dime a dozen in our subculture. People who get things done, on the other hand, are exceedingly rare.
That's what raiding is aimed at. It's all about execution and getting things done. And it's still difficult, and still challenging. Just because you can't show off how smart you are, doesn't mean it is automatically an inferior activity.
8 comments:
- Anonymous10:50 PM, November 21, 2012
A lot of the execution in WoW these days depends on responding to random procs and boss abilities (ie. get out of the fire). So it isn't that there's no randomness.ReplyDelete
I could see an argument for putting more of the randomness on the boss/environment and less on the player. That kind of raid would be all about environmental awareness, and the rotation would be very straightforwards (which I personally think would be good since I'm not excited by watching multiple buffs/debuffs/ cooldowns/ trinkets/ procs/ etc.)
I understand the desire for more 'thinking' in MMOs. But I don't think randomness is the way to achieve it.ReplyDelete
To take the example of WoW raids, the execution phase is a high intensity, low margin of error stage, where muscle memory takes over and you hope that you can deliver the DPS/HPS to win the fight.
Strategising happens between pulls, or after the raid. You analyse the logs, consider your line-up and the various abilities of the classes.
This activity is rarely mentioned by bloggers such as Tobold, as few of them partake in it.
Yeah, I cannot possibly imagine Tobold et tal actually enjoying a raid boss with random behavior, as he suggested. These MMOs are action-oriented; when would you have time to "think" during a fight? Random abilities/behavior would either necessitate everyone memorizing every permutation, or essentially the raid leader calling out orders on the fly as usual when things go badly.ReplyDelete
"Thinking" can only occur when you have time to do so, e.g. in turn-based games or between pulls. In the heat of the moment, thinking/reaction is indistinguishable from execution.
I have to say I enjoyed the Faction Champions, I enjoy scenarios where there is no tank and each of us must use their wits, and my most memorable dungeon encounters have been when the tank dropped group. Those moments tingle! 'Rotation' goes out the window, and survival instincts rule.ReplyDelete
But in fact such encounters don't have to be random. They can simply require the mobs to take the view that if you're doing the most damage to it, it should target you. Or if you are doing the most healing to its target, it should target you. Threat mechanics that don't allow tanks to artificially increase their threat level by "taunting". What kind of stupid mobs care about taunting?
Technically Faction Champs wasn't truly random. They still had a (rather convoluted) set of aggro rules that you could use to your advantage, specifically they dog piled onto whoever had the least % health, so if you left your tank at 50% health, they'd keep the champs' attention quite well.ReplyDelete
Some randomness exists in encounters today as well. In 10 man, only 3 of the 4 Stone Guard are up, so each week you have a different combination of abilities. And it's random who gets hit with chains, mines, void zones, and so on.
Halfus in T11 had a different set of abilities each week. Omnotron activated in a random order.
It seems you could try and discuss randomness at the macro level (different abilities available during the fight) and the micro level (who said abilities target and when). I'm in favour of micro randomness, because otherwise it really is a completely scripted event (ie: Heigan dance). With micro randomness, you still need to think on your feet to get out of the bad, to save your teammate, to pick up the adds while still dealing with your job (healing,tanking, DPSing). Macro randomness, which is what I think Tobold is arguing for, runs into the issue that Rohan brings up. It frustrates people, as the rules change each week or each attempt, and while that may be "realistic", if taken beyond a pretty small point can demoralize people greatly. There's a lot of pride had in raid teams downing a boss and making progression, and when that progression gets blocked because a boss they already killed is suddenly different enough to wipe them over and over again, it feels like you slid back even though its basically a new boss at that point.
Also, I wanted to give props to your point about execution. I run a casual raid, we raid 3 hours a week, and the players not only don't play very much, they also aren't the best players around. We can discuss the plan, but often things fall flat over and over again once its time to put execution into practice. It takes exactly that, practice. And lots of it to make the concepts stick and build the muscle memory required to execute successfully. While a couple folks, myself included,, have a very short period between discussing e plan and executing it satisfactorily, not everyone can get there that fast.ReplyDelete
Understanding and executing your rotation AND dealing with new mechanics is hard, and takes a lot of mental throughput. And a lot of people forget that if you are capable of both with any sort of competence, you are in the elite of WoW players at that point, the upper echelon, the most skilled 20% of the player base, and just because its easy for YOU doesn't mean it's easy for everyone, hell, I forget that sometimes.
Yes, "random" is probably not the best word for Faction Champions.ReplyDelete
"Chaotic", in the mathematical sense, might be a better word. A small variation in conditions early in the fight can lead to the fight moving in a significantly different direction.
I.e. a mage moves too close to a champion, takes a bit too much damage, and suddenly several champions are chasing the mage rather than the tank.
But Faction Champs was still much more variable than many other fights.
I play in a mostly PvP environment so "randomness" is something that I'm used to, in a manner of speaking. When in a random BG I have no idea of what combo of opponents or teammates I'll get or what there specs will be, so usually I just end up responding to situations with a general purpose approach. I have to wonder though, would more variety in Bosses be more acceptable in Heroic Raiding see as how that's understood as the harder ball game?ReplyDelete


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War (US - DVD R1)
Troy wants to see who America will ignore first: Jet Li or Jason Statham?
Jack Crawford (Jason Statham) has just had to deal with the murder of his partner. If that wasn't enough, someone took it to the next level by whacking the partner's family. During all of this, Rogue (Jet Li) works as a sidewinder within the Triads, as he attempts to start a mob war between the Yakuza and the Triads. But, he can't seem to get anything done due to the fact that Agent Crawford is riding his ass the entire time. If you think that you've seen it before, you're probably right.
War falls apart due to its desire to stay generic enough for the mouth breathers and fast-paced enough for the action junkies. What I can't understand is why a project that was created for Jet Li to star alongside anyone of his choosing turned out to be so mediocre. Maybe you can blame it on this decade long funk that Jet Li has found himself since going Hollywood, but there's got to be something more to it than just making shitty movies with Joel Silver.
Does anyone really care about a gang war over control for a mysterious object? Then, there's the revenge story which was clichéd back in the days of Cagney and Bogart. It's not fair to put the blame for War on the backs of the stars. All they did was cash a check and do what the script asked them to do. No amount of kicking or hitting can make anyone sound smart.
Lionsgate has delivered a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that shows off every inch of the frame in pristine detail. I did notice that evening exteriors showed a lot of shimmer off automobile lights and bright objects. Also, the scenes with the Triad at first showed a great deal of sheen on flesh. This allowed for several instances of visible digital noise that left me wondering why I wasn't watching the film's Blu-ray version.
War contains the first truly exceptionable Dolby 5.1 EX surround track of the new year. The soundstage was set within the first five minutes, as the opening credits took us through the front channel salvo. Then, the first attack with the Rogue opened up the back channels without dropping one piece of dialogue. When uncompressed audio is dominating the next-generation field, it's nice to see that a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX track can still be mixed to impress even the hardened home theatre enthusiast.
Most of the special features on this disc seem to be typical of major action releases. 'The Action of War' is a nine-part behind-the-scenes look at the production, where many of my questions about where the film went wrong were answered. Sure, they were never spoken by the creative crew, but the answers are there. Hell, you can hear it in the audio commentary by Director Philip G. Atwell. Atwell never tried to take control of the shoot and make all of the personalities blend together to produce a solid film.
There's no cohesive vision and the end result looks like a couple of nerds cribbing notes from their favourite Eastern films. That brings us to the commentary by the screenwriters which is nothing more than what I just said. Where Atwell wouldn't talk about his direction, you had Writers Lee Anthony Smith and Gregory J. Bradley gabbing on and on about what they thought the film should've been. I had to turn off around the hour marker, as I've had to listen to another writing team spend some time telling me how and why they were going to save the film industry. The rest of the features include a gag reel, a featurette about the original score and some deleted/extended scenes.
The only feature that stood out to me as being odd was the inclusion of the Audio Trivia Track. I guess they had to come up with the dumbed down version of the audio commentary for people that couldn't be bothered to watch a movie and keep up with a conversation. I'm not sure whether to be pissed by the inclusion of such a thing or to warmly embrace it. It's as though Lionsgate said that they don't expect much of the people trying to watch this film, so they probably won't be able to understand what the director and writers are trying to say. So, here's a track that screams at you what is going on and what everything meant. If you pick up this disc, I recommend giving this feature a spin after your first viewing.
Jet Li was right when he said that this wasn't a Martial Arts film. It's nothing more than a lukewarm attempt at trying to capture what Johnnie To and several other directors have been doing for decades in Asian cinema. But, everything that's old hat in Asia seems to be new to American eyes. There's an audience out there for this material, it's just that it needs a little more time to become refined and work as great cinematic feats. Right now, we've just got the kung-fu version of Abbott and Costello meets That Wacky Asian Underworld.
Review by Troy Anderson
rebel-scum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,101
Great review, sums the movie up nicely.
Dunny Member Join Date: October 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 347
The lack of action was my dissapointment.
I thouroughly enjoy watching both actors, Statham has been on a role lately and even Jet Li managed his first good US movie (Danny the Dog), sadly War failed to capatilise on having two good action stars at the helm.
I thouroughly enjoy watching both actors, Statham has been on a role lately and even Jet Li managed his first good US movie (Danny the Dog), sadly War failed to capatilise on having two good action stars at the helm.
Chris Gould Editor Join Date: May 2001 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 7,171
Danny the Dog is French as much as it's anything else.
rebel-scum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,101
The worst thing in this movie is Devon Aoki, and that's saying something.
David Blackwell Senior Member Join Date: February 2004 Location: United States Posts: 2,831
not a bad review. I liked War except the ending did suck. Are the deleted scenes worth viewing?
manuel87 Member Join Date: January 2008 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 85
The movie is pretty good, but having such a team-up a good fight scene was due and never served.
brekinapez Member Join Date: October 2006 Location: United States Posts: 42
Rented it because my wife wanted to see it. It really felt like something I had seen so many times before, and in fact I made my wife a bit mad by telling her what was about to happen before it actually did.
We watched Shoot'em Up the night before and ridiculous as it was I enjoyed that much more.
We watched Shoot'em Up the night before and ridiculous as it was I enjoyed that much more.
Yankeescf04 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: United States Posts: 86
Wow. I read the reviews, ratings, and critisism, and I thought, it can't really be THAT bad. It has Statham AND Li. I was wrong, as the movie really did suck. It didn't have good action at all, and the little action it did have was poorly done.
Luckily, it was one of the few movies I decided to rent. These days I tend to buy the movies I want and not rent them. The only reason I rented this one was because it didn't look that good and it wasn't a movie I really was pumped about.
I'll spend my time watching good movies like No Country or Assassination of Jesse James.
Luckily, it was one of the few movies I decided to rent. These days I tend to buy the movies I want and not rent them. The only reason I rented this one was because it didn't look that good and it wasn't a movie I really was pumped about.
I'll spend my time watching good movies like No Country or Assassination of Jesse James.
Worst Nightmare Senior Member Join Date: July 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 6,716
A common formula that is definatly flogged to death now. So predictable....all so sad.
Ta for the review anyway!
Ta for the review anyway!
Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian
Disc Details
Release Date: 1st January 2008
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: Yes
Video: NTSC
Aspect: 2.40:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Extras: 'The Action of War' - 9 Behind-the-Scenes Vignettes, Audio Commentary with Director Philip G. Atwell, Audio Commentary with Writers Lee Anthony Smith and Gregory J. Bradley, 'Scoring War' Featurette, Gag Reel, Audio Trivia Track, Deleted/Extended Scenes
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Philip G. Atwell
Cast: Jason Statham, Jet Li, Devon Aoki, John Lone, Saul Rubinek, Luis Guzman, Nadine Velazquez
Genre: Action
Length: 103 minutes
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Taylor Swift and Zac Efron are falling in love -- but before you get too excited, it's just for the movies!
Coming Soon has the news that the two musicians/actors are set to star in the upcoming Universal adaptation of Dr. Seuss's "The Lorax." Efron will play the film's lead, a boy named Ted who is searching for the one thing that will allow him to win the girl of his dreams. Swift will play the girl, named Audrey. In addition to the two of them, Danny Devito will voice the titular Lorax, Ed Helms is the the Once-let, Rob Riggle is financial king O'Hare, and Betty White is Ted's Grammy Norma. The flick is set for release on March 2, 2012.
After the jump, find out which two major actors have joined Keira Knightly in the adaptation of "Anna Karenina" and who will be playing Clark Kent's father in Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel."
Jude Law And Aaron Johnson To Join "Anna Karenina"
Keira Knightly is returning to work with director Joe Wright for a third time, and this time she's bringing in some new meat. According to Variety, Jude Law and Aaron Johnson are nearing completion on their negotiations for major roles in the film, which should begin production in the fall.
Kevin Costner Joins "Man Of Steel"
Teaming up with the previously announced Momma Kent, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner has agreed to come on board as Superman's adoptive father Jonathan Kent in Zack Snyder's adaptation of "Superman." Costner joins Lane and Henry Cavill, who will be playing the titular man of steel.
Tripp Vinson Defends "Red Dawn"
In response to the recent news about "Red Dawn's" Chinese baddies being nixed for North Koreans, the film's producer phoned up Ain't It Cool News to explain their decision-making. "'Red Dawn' isn't for everyone. So, if you are interested in seeing a movie filled with preachy political discussions - 'Red Dawn' ain't for you. If you love movies in which Americans are the bad guys - 'Red Dawn' ain't for you. If you get emotional watching daytime television - 'Red Dawn' ain't for you. If you're a vegetarian - 'Red Dawn' probably ain't for you. But! If you like meat with your potatoes, muscle cars that roar, tanks, guns and things blowing the [f---] up by American's kicking some Commie ass – then we have something special coming your way," Vinson said.
Kevin Smith Shares How To "Hit Somebody"
Kevin Smith took a break from his tour of the country promoting "Red State" to post a scene from his next (and allegedly last) film, "Hit Somebody." Posting it on his blog, the scene follows 11-year-old main character Buddy McCracken and his hockey coach Blue Jay Jennings, a role that was written for John Goodman.
Santa's Back And He's Badder Than Ever
There's plenty of time before the holidays, but Christmas has come early for "Bad Santa" fans. The Wrap reports that Billy Bob Thornton is officially coming back for a sequel to the R-rated holiday comedy, and representatives from The Weinstein Company confirm the news: "Everyone loves the character and Billy Bob's excited to be in talks with us."
Tell us what you think in the comments section below or on Twitter!


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Reviewed By William L (TRAVERSE CITY, MI) Reviewed for a 2011 Chevy Camaro —4/18/2016 10:29 AM
The Green Filter seems to be a well made product. Assembly was a bit difficult, but I believe this was due to the air box being I little out of shape. I purchased the filter because of the advertisements claiming better air flow to the intake which may lead to better fuel mileage and throttle response. I've driven the car about 300 miles since installation. Hard to feel seat of the pants improvements.


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Further Education
LGBT students entering college may have experienced bullying at school previously. The School Report (2017) found that more than half of LGBT young people who were bullied feel that homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying has had a negative effect on their plans for future education, for instance by deciding not to go to university or college.
Colleges often include students of different ages and cultures, with different levels of understanding. Students may be taking full or part-time courses on site, visiting the college for short or one-off courses, undertaking work placements or learning remotely. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to promoting diversity in a college and that the approach needed is often different to that used in secondary schools and sixth forms.
Why does it matter?
The School Report (2017) found that more one in five LGBT FE college students and one in six LGBT sixth form college students had experienced homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic bullying in the last year. 52 per cent hear homophobic language such as 'poof' or 'lezza' and the vast majority (86 per cent) hear the phrases 'that's so gay' or 'you're so gay' in college.
The Skills Funding Agency's research into sexual orientation and gender identity in adult learning, conducted in 2011, surveyed the experiences of lesbian, gay and bi learners aged over 19. A quarter of 19-21-year-olds had experienced bullying and/or harassment in adult learning because of their sexual orientation. Only two in five gay learners were fully open about their sexual orientation.
In particular, students reported higher rates of bullying during practical work, or tasks involving work based learning. Only a third of lesbian, gay and bi students thought that college equality policies were actually making a meaningful difference to their learning experience.
At one point it really got to me with all the stuff that was going on, and to be honest I really couldn't take it any more. So I had to change my phone, and be taken from some of my lessons because it got so bad.
Jay, 18
Unchallenged, bullying has severely negative consequences for students. Three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people say homophobic bullying directly affects their work, and a third change their future educational plans as a result.
Bullying directly affects young people's health and well-being. Almost a quarter of lesbian, gay and bi young people have tried to take their own life at some point and more than half have self-harmed.
What the law says
Colleges have a duty to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying, including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, and they cannot discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity against a student, teacher or other members of staff.
The Public Sector Equality Duty requires all public bodies, including colleges, to eradicate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations - this means preventing and tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and language and talking about difference in college.
Challenging bullying
It needn't be difficult to prevent and challenge homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. Stonewall has produced a number of resources to support staff in FE colleges to create a welcoming environment, including FIT, a feature-length film designed to help schools and colleges tackle issues related to homophobic bullying.
The School Report (2017) provides a series of recommendations to help schools and colleges tackle bullying, as well as outlining the scale of the problem. The law also empowers you to tackle bullying, by placing a duty on schools and colleges to prevent prejudice based bullying.
Supporting all students
The School Report (2017) found that more than half (53 per cent) of LGBT school and college students feel that there isn't an adult at school or college who they can talk to. An Introduction to Supporting LGBT Young People: A Guide for Schools (2015) provides many suggestions and good practice case studies, as well as top ten recommendations for school and college staff and anyone working with young people.
An inclusive curriculum
Three in five lesbian, gay and bi college students are never taught anything about lesbian, gay and bi people at college. The Skills Funding Agency found that the greatest barrier to learning for LGB students was 'insensitive curriculum content', particularly on vocational or professional courses which suffer from gender stereotyping.
Making sure your courses are sensitive to and reflective of lesbian, gay, bi and trans issues goes a long way towards making sure that all students feel more accepted in the student community. An inclusive curriculum helps prevent bullying and better prepares students for life in 21st century Britain.
When lesbian, gay, bi and trans issues are integrated into the curriculum, LGBT students feel happier and more included in their learning. Unchecked, homophobic, biphobic and transphobic attitudes can have profoundly negative consequences.
There are many opportunities to include LGBT people in the curriculum. It isn't about doing anything special or different but to acknowledge that LGBT people exist, that same-sex relationships and diverse gender identities are a reality, and to challenge stereotypes. In vocational courses, it's about making sure all students are prepared for working alongside a diverse group of people when they leave college and are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the law.
FIT, Stonewall's groundbreaking film about friendship, coming out and fitting in, is a teaching resource for secondary schools and colleges and provides a good starting point for discussion of these issues. There are also a number of books you could use or make available in the college library.
View information on FIT and related resources
College Diversity Champions
Stonewall currently works with over 90 further and higher education institutions as part of the Diversity Champions Programme – Britain's leading best-practice employers' forum for sexual orientation and gender identity equality, diversity and inclusion. Further Education providers work with us to create inclusive and accepting environments for their LGBT staff and students.


text: The Indian government in recent years has made free primary education a right for all children. But millions are still not being dealt with by the educational system. To reach some of the neediest students, one group is now taking classrooms to the streets of Mumbai. VOA correspondent Aru Pande talks to volunteers and the young students they teach.


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With smartphones becoming commonplace, many retailers are plowing resources into various mobile marketing, loyalty and payment applications as a way to reach their customers.
But what about internal organizational uses for mobile technology? Seems obvious. And yet, by all accounts, the capabilities of electronics at the consumer level have far outpaced what employees can take advantage of on the job. "The challenge to why mobile isn't used more inside each organization is deciding who pays for the device or service—the business or the employee?" says Chip Stadjuhar, president and CEO of Skyline Products, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Alluding to a chain that took back cellphones it gave employees because of prohibitive costs, he says, "Instead of it being a cost issue, [retailers] should be evaluating it on what operations could be run [using mobile technology] and then who in the organization should have it."
Murphy Oil USA, El Dorado, Ark., found a return on investment from all of its field managers using tablets. "If you want your district manager to use information to target specific tasks, you need to put it in their hands," says Melissa Lindsey, manager of internal communications and business programs for the 1,100-store chain. "If you have 10 to 15 stores, you have the information right there."
Among the benefits tied to mobility include:
- Real-time information.
- Flexibility on the road, especially for traveling managers.
- Nimbleness in the store, so visiting district managers don't interrupt store operations.
- More customer face time for store managers, in that they can access information while on the sales floor.
- Ability to act. With some solutions, managers can electronically deal with issues such as changing street postings.
Soon the industry won't be able to ignore the benefits of internal mobile solutions, according to Stadjuhar. "The world has changed," he says. "For the c-store industry, there's the corporate office and site level, with much of the workforce out in the field."
"Mobile is inevitable. Just like when PCs came out—everyone would eventually use them," says Greg Gilkerson, president of PDI, Temple, Texas. "Smartphones are devices we've had for a long time. It's logical in a time-compressed world. … People want to set up shop at home or Starbucks or on the road."
Murphy's Solution
For Murphy Oil, using mobile devices internally was a secondary step. What it needed initially wasn't a mobile solution but an application that would help coordinate and prioritize what employees do at the store level.
In the past, employees would get calls or e-mails from marketing, human resources, loss prevention or operations, each wanting the store manager to do something. Such tasks varied in importance and by deadline, but no one was prioritizing if a new display arrival took precedence over an equipment alert or cleaning the restrooms. It was common to see a dozen yellow sticky notes around the computer screen with to-do items scrawled on them, Lindsey says.
"Tasks were getting lost, and there would be no priority," she says. "We needed to have the information compiled, prioritized and in one spot."
"Everyone in corporate thought their project was more important and they could send anything to the c-stores at any time," says David Andrews, director of marketing and communications for Reflexis Systems Inc., Dedham, Mass., a company that offers time-management solutions. "But it's more intense at c-stores; with few employees, it puts more pressure on them."
About a year and a half ago, Murphy rolled out the Reflexis solution, which consolidated tasks from across corporate departments and prioritized them. Everything from promotion changes to product recalls fell into the process, eventually streamlining communication and allowing for more precision in the field.
For example, with a hurricane wreaking havoc on its markets last summer, Murphy stayed on top of the storm's movement, allowing the company to selectively communicate to affected stores.
For Murphy, the mobility piece came as data from the task-management solution bubbled up to the district-manager (DM) level. DMs could monitor how successfully store managers get through daily and weekly tasks, helping in the audit process. With reports at their fingertips, district managers could instantly address concerns store by store without bumping employees off their back-office computers.
"We're able to get a lot more information and have a quicker turnaround to recover information," Lindsey says. "It helps with accountability … and gives division mangers a follow-up tool that can directly impact stores that haven't complied."
Murphy is now working with Reflexis to add a program that will boost the amount of data managers receive, as well as improve report quality. "We're constantly evolving," she says. "If we need more functionality, we'll be able to … make those enhancements."
The larger goal is to expand mobility throughout the company to include consumer applications. Murphy is reviewing ways store staff can reward customers via mobile devices with a code or gift card sent directly to their tablet or phone. "It's all about instant gratification," Lindsey says.
Mobile Potential
Though internal uses for mobile technology are in the distant future for many c-store chains, Stadjuhar of Skyline says certain parameters exist. Smartphones and tablets have obvious differences in screen size and thus will differ in reporting format and in how much data the device can show.
"The general idea with the mobile offering is to enable a similar level of clarity that you get sitting on a computer onto a smartphone," Stadjuhar says, citing the difficulties involved because of how a phone is smaller and far less functional than a computer. "A mobile phone is more action-oriented. … It's not going to give you a giant report, but it will do specific functions."
For example, a retailer can cruise through e-mails or make a quick choice on an app, then follow up with a larger report later. "It's always a light and fast capability," Stadjuhar says. "But because people are so mobile, it allows for real-time notification of problems and subsequently action."
He cites companies having to adhere to below-cost-selling laws. To receive a real-time alert about non-compliance is "tremendous," he says. In the past, retailers would get fined before they even found out they were potentially selling below cost. They'd have to backtrack and figure out what their cost and prices were. Software today combined with the mobile aspect can react and set aside crucial information needed for follow-up reports.
"There is all kinds of clarity you get when you're carrying a [mini] computer in your back pocket," Stadjuhar says.
Essentially, the mobility can cut through steps. Take a district manager who receives an alert that a store is mistakenly selling gas 19 cents below what it ought to be selling. For many businesses, the manager will have to call a help desk, which would engage corporate, which would then initiate action.
With proper authorization, pricing software and smartphone technology in hand, the manager can change the store's electronic price sign with a few keystrokes.
Such changes can occur at a single unit or swath of stores. "It's a real-time course correction," Stadjuhar says. "Most devices can trickle up the bad [alerts], but this is the ability to fix it quickly."
Shrinking Workforce
Yet another advantage comes with a workforce that already holds personal smartphones. Andrews of Reflexis says labor-scheduling software today can put store schedules online. If an employee texts that he or she is sick, a manager can post the shift availability to his staff. Those employees can log on, see the opening and decide whether to take the shift.
"So instead of a store manager going back into the office to look at a paper on the wall saying who's available, he can do that right from the floor—send out an instant message, text or e-mail, 'Hey guys, there's a shift available,' " Andrews says. "And he's doing all that from inside the store instead of inside an office."
The importance grows as companies strive to do more with less. The c-store model already has cashiers, store managers and area supervisors in the field at a 10-1 ratio over those at corporate, Stadjuhar says. Mobility becomes an advantage to managing that business correctly.
As companies seek leaner business models, the back-office PC will disappear, Stadjuhar says. That's because companies won't be able to afford an employee in the back office, and they'll use mobile devices to allow reporting to get done on the sales floor. "The store manager will have a tablet or smartphone as the primary mechanism to communicate and report back to corporate," he says. "It doesn't make sense for people to be in the back room, even for a time clock."


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SRINAGAR, India, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Shiite Muslims and police clashed in India-controlled Kashmir Sunday, leaving at least 70 injured, officials said.
Health officials said the clashes, which erupted in Srinagar during processions marking the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed, left 17 police injured, the state-run Chinese news service Xinhua reported.
Indian officials have banned such processions since 1989 when an insurgency against New Delhi broke out. But Shiite mourners attempted to stage the processions anyway, during which Indian police first fired warning shots, then tear gas and finally resorted to baton charges, Xinhua reported.
The mourners, meanwhile, reportedly threw stones at police while chanting religious slogans and sometimes whipping themselves with steel chains and knifes.
The Press Trust of India quoted unnamed sources as saying the trouble began when a Shiite procession led by Nissar Hussain Rather of Tehreek-e-Wahadat-e-Islami party was stopped by police and asked to disperse.
"The protesters tried to violate the law and police had to intervene to restore order," a senior police officer told the Indo-Asian News Service.


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Home > News & Events > Wayland Press Release Archives > 2005 News Releases > March 2005 > Trustees help dedicate new scholarships plaques
Trustees help dedicate new scholarships plaques
PLAINVIEW – Two members of the Board of Trustees at Wayland Baptist University presented endowed scholarships created for the university at the board's meeting on Thursday.
The dedication of the scholarship plaques was held during the board luncheon on the Wayland campus, with board members and spouses, WBU administrators and staff present.
Terri Jesko, who has served on the board for several years, and her husband Joe dedicated the Joe and Terri (Brown) Jesko Endowed Scholarship. The Jeskos graduated from Wayland in 1968, each with a profound sense of gratitude for the university's influence on their lives. The couple now lives in Arlington, where Terri is retired from a career in education and Joe does consulting in the counseling field.
"Having received financial assistance which enabled each of them to attend the university, Joe and Terri are grateful for the privilege of now helping others experience Wayland through this scholarship," the plaque reads. "Their desire is that each recipient will benefit academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually… just as they did by attending Wayland."
C.C. Kelly, a member of the board from White Deer, dedicated the Shirley Evans Kelly Endowed Scholarship in memory of his late wife. Shirley was born in Canadian in October 1928 and was a lifelong resident of the Texas Panhandle, primarily in White Deer. She was a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she was president of the Royal Academia National Honor Society and state president of the Home Economics Student Association.
For more than 50 years, Mrs. Kelly served at First Baptist Church as the leader and director of the Girls' Auxiliary, as a member of the Woman's Missionary Union for Baptist women and as a Vacation Bible School teacher. She was also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional honorary society for educators, and the Venada Blanco Study Club.
"She touched all who knew her through her kindness, generosity, caring spirit and her extraordinary baking skills," the plaque notes.
The scholarships are two of more than 15 that have been dedicated within the year, representing an increase in scholarship giving. Scholarships are formed by gifts from donors and their families and friends, and they become endowed after gifts reach $25,000. Funds are invested with the Baptist Foundation of Texas, and interest is pulled off each year to create scholarships for students in need. For more information on endowed scholarships, contact Martha Cross at (806) 291-3427.


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A common cold, or something more serious? iMedix helps users diagnose their ailments with an online medical portal that combines health information with practical advice.Got a cough? Must be pneumonia. That large mole on your leg? Cancer, for sure. Among the many clever tools the Internet has given us, one of the most double-edged must be our new ability to diagnose any ailment on our own, without the need of a doctor.
While the wealth of information has introduced us to the secret world of medicine once jealously guarded by physicians, the sheer breadth of detail out there makes it frighteningly easy to declare your own case terminal – faster than you can say 'cyberchondria'.
Thanks to a new Israeli start-up, though, relief is not far away. Two months ago, Herzliya-based company iMedix launched a beta version of its online medical portal and community based search engine, which combines health information with a generous dose of common sense.
The site uses a traditional search function with a ranking system to rate content according to its usefulness to users. Search for "sore throat," and you'll not only be met with information from reputable sources such as the Mayo Clinic and Merck, but also matched with users who can provide a bit of sympathy, advice, and possibly even a recipe for grandma's chicken soup.
"It's all about empowerment," explains co-founder Iri Amirav. "iMedix is about harnessing the collective intelligence of users to help them make better health related decisions."
And with 10 million ordinary Americans performing virtual self-diagnosis every day, anything that improves the decision-making is a big step forward.
Amir Leitersdorf, CEO of iMedix, admits that today patients no longer turn up at their doctor's doorstop in a state of graceful ignorance. Instead many have virtually researched every prognosis, even before a diagnosis has been made. iMedix taps into this trend. "We see it as a complementary source of information to what medical professionals can provide," he told ISRAEL21c.
Of course, that's nothing new in the brave new world of Health 2.0, which for a number of years has opened the gates to patients brave – or foolish – enough to work their way through the morass of information. But unlike existing information sources such as WebMD, iMedix operates on the principle of user-moderation, allowing surfers to communicate with each other through a real-time chat portal, dispensing advice to counteract the symptoms of information overload.
It's an approach that the team's resident medical adviser, Professor Yuval Shachar of Stanford University, applauds. "He is excited," notes Amirav, "about the way technology can actually improve the decision making of a doctor and a patient by enhancing knowledge."
For Amirav and Leitersdorf, the democratic possibilities of the Internet are nothing new. With extensive experience in companies such as cell phone media firm Movota and online video sharing site Metacafe, the pair had noted the lack of useful health information online and, says Amirav, "just decided to fix it."
Just over a year ago, iMedix was launched on a restricted basis, and has since logged more than 100,000 users who can search more than 16 million health articles. Recently renovated as a beta version, the site is now open to everyone.
Barely two months after its launch, iMedix has been named one of five finalists in the first ever "Crunchie Awards" – an initiative of four popular tech blogs, led by TechCrunch.com, designed as the online equivalent of the Oscars. The awards, which will name a Start-up of the Year after an online vote, are to be announced on January 18 at a ceremony in San Francisco – and Amirav and Leitersdorf wouldn't miss it for the world.
"We feel as if we're representing Israel in this," Amirav explained to ISRAEL21c. "I really believe in the site – I feel as if iMedix can change peoples' lives for the better."
And, he stresses, he is not just speaking theoretically. "I think I was the first user of the site" he explains. "Using it, I managed to get in touch with an ergonomics professional who helped me out."
And the problem?
"Strained wrist. I was using my computer too much."
Welcome to the world of Web 2.0.
Slashdot It!


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Judge strikes Florida's same-sex marriage ban, no weddings yet
(CNN) -- Gay and lesbian rights advocates continued their undefeated run Thursday when a federal judge ruled Florida's same-sex marriage ban to be unconstitutional -- though he didn't go so far to allow such marriages to take place right away.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle noted in his ruling that his is now one of 19 federal courts that have struck down state laws that bar gay and lesbian couples from marrying. While most of the time those decisions were put on hold as appeals work their way through the system, they have all reached the conclusion.
Like those other judges, Hinkle said the Florida ban -- first put into law in 1977 and written into the state's constitution after a 2008 referendum -- violates the "due process" and "equal protection" provisions in the U.S. Constitution.
His ruling applies both to whether same-sex couples can marry in Florida as well as whether their marriages elsewhere should be recognized in the Sunshine State.
"The Florida provisions that prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages lawfully entered elsewhere, like the federal provision, are unconstitutional," Hinkle writes. "So is the Florida ban on entering same-sex marriages."
Yet his decision, while firmly in support of allowing same-sex marriage, won't take effect immediately.
Hinkle's reasoning: It doesn't make sense to open up and allow such unions, only to have higher courts later reverse his decision -- thus leaving some couples potentially in legal limbo.
Earlier this summer, state Circuit Court Judge Sarah Zabel wrote a similar ruling, based on a similar rationale. She, too, immediately stayed her own order "pending the outcome of the expected appeal."
™ & © 2014 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


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Sponsored By
Amazon Halts Seattle Construction Project Ahead Of Tax VoteAmazon has halted construction planning on a new high-rise building near its headquarters while it awaits the outcome of a Seattle city proposal to tax worker hours.
Suit Filed Over New Income Tax For Wealthy Seattle ResidentsAs expected, attorneys have filed a lawsuit challenging Seattle's new ordinance to tax high-income earners.
Group Gathers Signature For Carbon Tax InitiativeA group called Carbon Washington says it is gathering signatures for an initiative to tax carbon pollution.
3 Mistakes To Avoid On Your 2014 Tax ReturnIf you haven't already begun, now's the time to prepare for filing your 2014 tax returns.
Pick-A-Side: Who Is Your Favorite Celebrity Tax Dodger?
A Look At The Craziest Tax Write-OffsIt's hard to think there's anything funny about taxes when you're under a mountain of paperwork, but CBS News contributor and analyst Mellody Hobson has a little comic relief for taxpayers.
How (Not) To Get AuditedIt's time to talk taxes: 1099 forms have gone out and you should be organizing your paperwork and getting ready to pay the taxman.
What Triggers an IRS Tax Audit?The odds of an audit can increase substantially depending on your income, types of income, deduction amount and changes you have made since filing your last tax return.
Where's My Refund? IRS Tool Answers That QuestionThe Internal Revenue Service has a message for taxpayers eager to learn the status of their tax refund: Please don't check the IRS website every five minutes — once a day is enough.
What To Do With Your Tax RefundMost tax filers are getting a refund after they file their 2012 return. With the average refund running about $3,000, a lot of people will be thinking about what to do with the extra cash.
Tax Prep: Don't Miss These Juicy Credits and DeductionsThe IRS expects that 75 percent of all 2012 returns will be entitled to a refund, so if you haven't started preparing your taxes yet, do it: There's no reason to wait for April 15 to roll around to get that money back from Uncle Sam.
Prepare Taxes Online Like A ProIf you're preparing your own taxes you should definitely do what the professionals do: use tax preparation software.


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TRACK & FIELD: Minster boys 4-by-400 meter relay team captures Division III title
COLUMBUS — Derek Collins just couldn't help it.
The Minster senior broke into a grin as wide as the lead he had over the next closest competitor with 50 meters left to go on the final leg of the boys 4-by-400 meter relay team.
Minster's championship relay team could savor closing out the Division III state track and field meet with a victory even before the race was over.
The team of Collins, Troy Kauffman, Paul Dues and Korey Schultz captured the Division III state championship with a 3:21.3 time, grabbing the lead late in the third leg and then pulling away with ease on Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
It's the second straight year that the Minster boys 1600 meter relay team has won the crown. Collins, Kauffman and Schultz all ran on that 2011 title team.
"It's just a great feeling to come back here my senior year and it's wonderful to win back-to-back state titles," Collins said.
Collins ran the anchor leg and put on the afterburners.
"I run on pure adrenaline," Collins said. "I get so pumped beforehand and I just take off like a wild man."
Minster trailed Gahanna Columbus Academy in the race as Schultz took the baton for the third leg. Schultz made up ground in a hurry and was able to give the Wildcats the lead heading into Collins' blazing final lap.
"Going along the backstrech, (the Columbus Academy) kid was going at a pretty fast pace," Schultz said. "I tried my best to stick with him and I didn't think he could keep that pace up the whole way around. And I was right. On that final turn, I just decided to kick it."
"Winning two of these is an honor, especially winning it with your best friends," Kauffman said. "It couldn't be any better."
Dues, who was an alternate for the relay team a season ago, was able to join and help deliver another state title.
"Last year as an alternate, I just kept thinking about what it would be like to be in it, and running with these guys with us being best friends, it wasn't hard at all to step in," Dues said.
The relay title was the second part of an exciting finish to the meet for the Wildcats. The Minster girls 4-by-400 meter relay team of Gabrielle Barga, Hannah Barga, Natalie Fausey and Samantha Hoelscher finished second with a 3:57.9 time.
New Bremen's Ben Chaney capped his senior season early in the day with a third-place finish in the boys 110-meter hurdles with a 15.14-second time.
"I was looking to just make podium," Chaney said. "I was sitting sixth, but I got onto the blocks and told myself it was time to turn it up a notch."
Minster's Francis Slonkosky finished seventh in the boys 1600 meter run with a 4:18.97 time.
The Minster girls 4-by-100 meter relay team of Hannah Barga, Kayla Wuebker, Chelsea Stewart and Sara Dahlinghaus finished seventh (50.71 seconds).
Waynesfield-Goshen's Ivy Horn captured the 100 meter hurdles state title. It's her first individual state championship.
"I"ve been dreaming of getting an individual title since I was a freshman and I can't even tell you how amazing it is," Horn said.
Ivy and her sister Megan powered the Tigers to a Division III runner-up finish despite having no other teammates at state.
Look for complete coverage of Saturday's state track championships in Monday's Evening Leader.


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Witchin' in the Kitchen
Added Dec 13, 2013
by sweetharte
Toronto, Canada
Mod indie-goth meets vintage italian velvet. When it comes to a large corporate Christmas party I'm always game for pushing the envelope. I wanted something hardcore with a soft touch, goth but not depressing, flattering but jarring.
I'm no pattern drafter, I'm a frankenstein sewer. I used a basic long sleeve tshirt pattern with a low neckline and a simple six panelled skirt, attached by a separate covered elastic waist band. Essentially, it's a 2" wide elastic sewn flush to a 3" wide band of the velvet fabric. Then you sew the skirt and bodice to the top and bottom of the elastic (right sides of the velvet together with a zigzag stitch for added stretch) leaving approximately a 1/4" seam allowance. Ideally if you own a serger you can run it through slightly stretching it without cutting the elastic edges.
Voila, a slit up to there, an open back, some clunker shoes and you're good to go.
Material Notes
Italian stretch velvet with a tone on tone floral. This one has been washed and acquired a slight crushed texture as well.
1 Comment Sign in to add a post
Jul 28, 2014, 12.01 PMby Lidia Esther
i loooooved how you called yourself a Frankenstein sewer! It turned out gorgeous.
Add to Favorites 1 person added it


text: Sebastian always seems to be a reasonable guy. I second what he said, and will add our minds tend to cloud over the past making it better as time goes on. LEO, HEO it doesn't really matter much when rare DX gets on the bird. It will get a little wild, maybe not as bad as 20 meters, but still a little wild. Remember VU7 on AO-13? That was wild. 73, Joe kk0sd -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of Sebastian Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2009 10:15 AM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: What a shame! While I certainly agree with the intent of the QRP transponder on AO-51; you might want to consider the possibility that the station calling CQ may not be aware of it. Not all the hams who work, or attempt to work the satellites are active on this reflector, or even read up on how to properly work a satellite. I always try to send an email to the person who can't hear anything, and 9 times out of 10 I receive an email back thanking me for letting them know they were heard, and asking me why they can't seem to hear anything. It then translates into a bit of Elmering to get them to put up either better antennas or just send them towards some of the articles on the Amsat web page. A number of those hams are now active 'new' hams on the birds. If you have his call, why not send them a nice email, saying they were heard, and it's not proper etiquette to call CQ on an FM satellite continuously; and point them to this reflector or the AMSAT web. Recently on this reflector there have been several posts about the over abundance of activity, abuse and interference on AO-51; even one that surprised the heck out of me from one of the AMSAT officers. Seems to me that we might need another LEO or 2 to tied us over since the loss of AO-27 and AO-16. While it seems that most of the posts on here eventually go on a tangent towards the lack of a HEO, the use of the LEOS are exponentially going up. Just my .02 worth. 73 de W4AS Sebastian On Feb 20, 2009, at 9:51 PM, John Price wrote: > During the over head pass this evening of AO-51 on the QRP transponder > there was a station that called QC from AOS to LOS. He obviously could > not hear himself or anyone else. A couple of stations > tried to call him and got no answer. I wont give the call but I am > sure he it was him. What a shame! Hard to believe anyone would be that > inconsiderate. I don't know if the DX was on or not but they sure > would have had no chance if they were. Then someone started sending > music towards the end of the pass. How bad is ham radio going to get > before we all get feed up and find another hobby? Sure > is causing me to rethink my opinion. > > -- > N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb


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The tenant-in-common industry is facing a painful contraction marked by a sharp decline in deal flow and a dwindling pool of sponsors. TIC transaction volume has slowed considerably in the wake of the economic and financial crisis that has made accessing both debt and equity sources extremely difficult.
Even sponsors that are successful in securing financing to buy quality properties are stymied because far fewer TIC investors are willing to commit to new deals, a stark contrast from two years ago.
The TIC industry is fueled predominantly by investors who are pursuing replacement properties as part of a tax-deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The investment vehicle enables investors to own a fractional interest in institutional-quality real estate while deferring capital gains by exchanging one property for another.
But activity in this investment niche of commercial real estate has stalled. Many property owners have opted to hold onto their real estate assets in a volatile economy. Others are opting to pay the taxes on what capital gains — if any — they are able to realize in a sale.
The TIC industry raised nearly $1.4 billion in equity last year — half the $2.8 billion raised in 2007 and less than 40% of the $3.7 billion raised in 2006, according to data from Omni Consulting & Research in Salt Lake City. Omni tracks data from sponsors that structure TICs as securities. Fourth-quarter numbers saw the biggest drop with just $256 million in new equity raised — about 25% of the quarterly volume the industry was generating in its heyday in 2006.
"The paralysis in the capital markets has caused the decline in transaction volume in the TIC industry as it has throughout the commercial real estate industry," says Patricia DelRosso, president of Inland Real Estate Exchange (IREX), a TIC sponsor based in Oak Brook, Ill. "Once credit starts to flow again, it will have a direct impact on boosting TIC activity."
When the capital markets will recover and what the shape of recovery will look like is anyone's guess. In the meantime, the drop in deal flow has caused some sponsors to exit the business, while the remaining firms are focused on survival in what many anticipate will be another rough year. "I would venture to say that in 2009 the equity raise could be as low as $500 million if things don't change," says Greg Paul, CEO of Omni Brokerage, a broker-dealer firm that specializes in TIC sales.
Survival of the fittest
The field of TIC sponsors has already narrowed considerably. Among firms that sell TICs as securities, 50 sponsors reportedly raised at least $1 million in investor equity in 2008 compared with 63 sponsors who had raised at least that amount the previous year, according to Omni.
At the end of January, there were 63 available TIC properties issued by 37 sponsors. "Going forward in 2009, I expect that there won't be more than 15 to 20 sponsors that will put a deal on the street," Paul says.
The TIC industry has traditionally been split into two sectors. On one side are sponsors that sell TICs as securities, and subsequently follow Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules for the marketing and sale of those securities. On the other side are those sponsors that follow a traditional real estate model in which they package and sell TICs as fractional ownership.
Real estate-based TICs have been able to avoid SEC oversight, thereby giving them greater flexibility in marketing real estate to potential investors. But the future of real estate-based sponsors is now in doubt.
The SEC recently issued a letter that effectively reinforced its opinion that TICs are securities. That letter is giving many real estate sponsors pause because continuing to sell TICs under the real estate model could leave them vulnerable to legal action for not following SEC rules and regulations.
That letter, coupled with lawsuits filed against Idaho-based sponsor DBSI Inc. and its entities for alleged securities fraud among other charges, will likely force real estate sponsors to curb their activity — at least in the short term.
"You're going to see a lot of consolidation at many levels in terms of who is syndicating new equity, who remains in business, and who is still maintaining the asset management function over the portfolio of assets they currently have," says Jeff Hanson, president and chief investment officer of Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors in Santa Ana, Calif. Grubb & Ellis is one of the top TIC sponsors in the industry. The firm raised $181 million in equity in 2008.
TIC sponsors will face a tough road just to survive in 2009. "Those sponsors that have the staying power are going to take whatever steps they feel are necessary to ride out the downturn in the market," says Robert Johnson, president of St. Paul-based AEI Fund Management.
"It looks like it could be a three- to five-year situation with the national economy, and sponsors are going to do what they can so they will be around in the future," adds Johnson.
One factor that bodes well for the staying power of the TIC industry is that a number of sponsors are not dependent on TIC sales. AEI, for example, is a net-lease investment fund manager with about $500 million in net-lease properties under management.
AEI offers TIC deals as an exit strategy for properties it is selling from its portfolio of net-lease real estate. The firm has completed some 82 TIC transactions valued at $215.8 million since 1992.
Large sponsors gain edge
A short list of sponsors will dominate transaction volume in the coming months. The top 10 most active securities-based sponsors in 2008 were responsible for raising nearly $884 million — 65% of the equity that was placed.
That figure is up from 56% in 2007, according to Omni. The disparity is likely to widen even more in 2009 as the big firms take advantage of the loss of key competitors such as DBSI.
DBSI had been one of the industry giants until its business model began to unravel in late 2008. The sponsor reportedly raised about $120 million in equity in 2007. The firm filed for bankruptcy protection in November and is facing civil lawsuits from investors, as well as the state of Idaho.
However, TIC industry observers emphasize that the woes of DBSI stem from a unique situation due to the company's master lease structure, and not an indication of problems with the TIC structure itself.
"What is going to differentiate those who survive and continue to thrive and those who do not is their fundamental business model," says Hanson.
Sponsors need to have other services or business units to fall back on, and they need to have a top-notch asset and property management program to keep properties performing amid challenging market conditions, he adds.
Grubb & Ellis, for example, has a number of other business lines to draw from — including its involvement in the publicly registered, non-traded REIT sector where it is currently raising an average of about $3 million per business day for its healthcare and multifamily REITs.
The Tenant-in-Common Association (TICA) plans to diversify its member base to survive the downturn. The organization says that it will widen its focus to include the broader real estate investment securities sector, including publicly registered, non-traded REITs and funds.
Targeting low-risk deals
TIC sponsors are focused on deals that are attractive to wary investors. For the most part, that means focusing on Class-A real estate in major metros. "There is a lot of trepidation in the minds of investors today, and absolutely they are opting toward more conservative investment strategies," Hanson says.
As an example, Grubb & Ellis recently closed on a 109,000 sq. ft. industrial building in Costa Mesa, Calif. Federal Express occupies the building on a 10-year net lease basis, and the property is generating an annual return of 6.5%.
The deal was attractive to investors because of the lengthy lease term, the strong creditworthiness of the tenant, and a favorable location near the John Wayne Airport. "Many investors are less concerned with yield and more concerned with preservation of principal," Hanson says.
Inland Real Estate Exchange hopes its new strategy of targeting apartment properties will help the firm boost market share in 2009. The firm successfully raised nearly $180 million in 2008, and has a goal of $300 million in 2009 as the pool of competing sponsors shrinks.
"It appears that the tenant-in-common investor definitely has an appetite for apartments," DelRosso says. "We think it's a good time to buy apartments. With economic conditions the way they are, we expect occupancies to go up."
A rise in capitalization rates, the initial returns for investors based on the purchase price, may help to spark investor interest in TICs. Depending on the tenant credit and location, cap rates range from 7.25% to 8.5%. Once fees are factored into the mix, investor returns today range from 7% to 8%, about 50 to 100 basis points higher than two years ago when premium property pricing kept yields low. "Those are attractive returns in this market," DelRosso says.
More hurdles ahead
Many TIC sponsors, along with individual TIC property owners, are preparing for major operational challenges in the coming year related to refinancing and tenant retention issues. What that means for TIC owners is that there will be a greater risk of capital calls, lower yields or suspended yields as cash flow disappears.
Real estate owners with maturing debt face major hurdles in the refinancing arena due to the severely constrained capital markets. Traditionally, the majority of TICs were financed with commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) — a capital source that is virtually non-existent today.
"There will be a significant number of CMBS loans coming due in 2009, and the ability to refinance those loans will be a big challenge," says Duke Runnels, CEO of Fort Properties Inc., a Los Angeles-based TIC sponsor.
An estimated $171 billion of commercial and multifamily mortgages held by non-bank lenders and investors are expected to mature in 2009, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Although Fort Properties does not have any loans coming due in its portfolio, Runnels estimates that the TIC industry will need to refinance up to $3 billion in maturing loans in 2009.
Given the fact that traditional lenders such as banks have tightened their purse strings, which in effect means higher equity commitments and tighter underwriting standards, difficult questions remain as to where that refinance money will come from, and how much it will cost.
In addition, it will become increasingly difficult to retain tenants as more corporations battle to stay afloat in this deep recession. One of the vulnerabilities of TIC properties is that they are typically leased to a single tenant.
"In a market like this, we have redoubled our efforts just on tenant relations — staying in front of tenants and helping them with their issues," says Runnels. "The last thing we want to happen is for a tenant to leave."
Last year, Fort renewed many of its leases early to avoid any potential vacancies. The company is now reaping the benefit of that action with a 98% occupancy rate across its portfolio.
Clearly, sponsors will continue to face a number of challenges in the year ahead as they struggle to retain tenants and maintain yields at existing TIC properties, as well as put new TIC deals together that appeal to wary investors.
"It's survival of the fittest," Hanson says. "In a market environment that is this volatile and unpredictable, whether you're talking about the TIC industry or any other sector, you're going to have consolidation. Those [sponsors] with the better business models will win out."
Beth Mattson-Teig is a Minneapolis writer.
In 2008, the top 10 sponsors in the tenant-in-common (TIC) investment arena raised $883.7 million in equity, nearly two-thirds of all TIC capital raised. Meanwhile, the weakening economy continues to force smaller sponsors out of the business.
|TIC Equity Raised in 2008
|Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors
|$181 million
|Inland Real Estate Exchange
|$178.5 million
|$131.8 million
|Bluerock Real Estate
|$91.2 million
|Moody National Realty Co.
|$67.7 million
|Dividend Capital Exchange
|$64.7 million
|Eliason 1031 Exchange Corp.
|$50.3 million
|Cottonwood Capital Corp.
|$44.8 million
|CORE Realty Holdings
|$40.6 million
|Gemini Real Estate Advisors
|$33.1 million
|Source: Omni Consulting & Research