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Lessons from an unusual crisis
Speech by Isabel Schnabel, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York conference on "Implications of Federal Reserve Actions in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic"
1 October 2021
The economic developments caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have been highly unusual.[1] After the deepest decline in output in the post-war period, the recovery was also much steeper than in other sharp recessions, such as the one after the global financial crisis.[2]
The comparably swift brightening of the economic outlook is in large part due to the decisive policy responses by both fiscal and monetary authorities, which were in many respects as unusual as the crisis itself. Even though the pandemic is not yet over, I would like to use my remarks today as an opportunity to point out in what respect the policy response to the pandemic was indeed unusual, explain how it successfully averted an even more severe economic contraction in the euro area and ask what lessons we can draw for the future.
I will first describe the starting point of the euro area at the outset of the pandemic, which significantly affected the design of our policy response. Subsequently, I will explain how the ECB tailored its monetary policy response to this extraordinarily deep crisis by adapting its toolkit in an innovative way, and how monetary and fiscal policies complemented each other, unlike during previous crises. Finally, I will draw some tentative lessons from the crisis by highlighting three features that were crucial for the success of our response: first, our ability to design and implement forceful measures with the appropriate degree of flexibility based on the pre-existing blueprints of our extensive monetary policy toolkit; second, the complementarity and mutually reinforcing effects of our monetary policy instruments; and finally, the important role of fiscal policy in complementing monetary policy in counteracting the unprecedented economic fallout from the pandemic.
The euro area at the outset of the pandemic
Any policy response must be adapted to the prevailing economic and institutional environment. There are three specific conditions that are important for understanding the euro area policy response.
The first relates to the broad macroeconomic environment. Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, growth in the euro area had been relatively sluggish and inflation had been stubbornly low for many years. Staff projections suggested that inflation would continue to fall short of our medium-term inflation aim over the projection horizon (Chart 1, left-hand panel).
This macroeconomic environment implied that the ECB's monetary policy stance was already highly accommodative even before the pandemic struck. The ECB's deposit facility rate (DFR) – the key anchor for money market rates in the euro area in the present environment of excess liquidity – had been at an all-time low of -0.5 percent since September 2019 (Chart 1, right-hand panel). Hence, the conventional monetary policy space had already been exhausted to a large extent, implying that there was less scope to cut key policy rates than in other advanced economies like the United Kingdom or the United States.
Chart 1
Subdued inflation outlook in the euro area implied highly accommodative monetary policy already before the pandemic
Against this background, the ECB was already running a massive asset purchase programme of both public and private sector securities in order to bring inflation back to its medium-term aim (Chart 2). Only shortly before the pandemic, in September 2019, the ECB decided to restart net asset purchases at a volume of €20 billion per month. At the same time, the ECB also announced more favourable conditions on its targeted longer-term refinancing operations (TLTROs). This offered the advantage that a broad set of instruments was readily available when the crisis hit and could be adapted swiftly.
Chart 2
Eurosystem balance sheet expanded markedly before the pandemic with sharp acceleration due to pandemic crisis measures
The second specific feature of the euro area relates to the structure of the financial system. In spite of the recent rise in non-bank financial intermediation and market-based finance, bank loans remain the dominant source of debt financing for firms in the euro area economy (Chart 3). Since the global financial crisis, the share of non-financial corporate debt securities in total debt financing has more than doubled. However, the reliance of firms on bond markets remains significantly lower than in the United States, for example.[3] This implies that banks play a much larger role in monetary policy transmission in the euro area, which had to be reflected in our policy response.
Chart 3
Bank-based transmission remains highly relevant in the euro area in spite of the rise of non-banks and bond financing
A third feature of the euro area is the specific institutional set-up of the currency union: there is a single monetary policy but mainly national fiscal policies. The heterogeneity of the euro area and differences in fiscal space posed a particular challenge at a time when the pandemic threatened to reinforce the divergence among euro area countries, which could also give rise to self-fulfilling price spirals and destabilising flight-to-safety dynamics in sovereign bond markets.
These risks prompted European governments to rethink their approach to fiscal policy in the European Union. In the same vein, the ECB calibrated its monetary policy to avoid market fragmentation and ensure the effective transmission of our single monetary policy to the entire euro area.
An unusual policy response to an unusual crisis
This macroeconomic and institutional context was the backdrop for the policy response to the pandemic crisis. I would like to focus on three aspects that made our policy response unusual: the introduction of dual rates in our TLTROs; the size and flexibility of the pandemic emergency purchase programme (PEPP); and the first broad fiscal response at European level, complementing our monetary policy response.
Dual rates in the TLTROs
Our TLTROs, which were first launched in June 2014, support bank-based transmission and ensure continued credit intermediation through the banking system by offering particularly favourable lending conditions to banks meeting a pre-defined lending threshold.
The third series of TLTROs started in September 2019. The sudden collapse of revenues during the first wave of lockdowns implied a sharp rise in the demand for credit by corporates, making refinancing operations to banks one of our primary responses to the unfolding pandemic. However, given the severity of the impending crisis, it quickly became clear that the pre-pandemic conditions attached to our liquidity-providing operations would not be sufficient to accommodate the unprecedented surge in corporate credit demand.
The ECB therefore embarked on a major innovation in the design of our lending operations: we decided to offer longer-term funding under the TLTROs during the pandemic period at interest rates below the DFR, the rate at which banks can deposit liquidity overnight with the Eurosystem, conditional on participating banks meeting pre-defined lending thresholds. By disconnecting the lending rate from the DFR we were able to effectively reduce the funding costs of those banks that continued to support the real economy, without having to adjust our interest rate corridor, thereby preserving banks' lending margins and avoiding potential negative side effects from a further rate cut.
Banks' participation in these liquidity-providing operations has been substantial (Chart 4, left-hand panel): the overall TLTRO III take-up currently represents around one third of our total monetary policy assets. In comparison, the Federal Reserve's remaining outstanding loans and net portfolio holdings under the emergency facilities constitute less than two percent of total monetary policy assets.[4]
While the emergency lending facilities in the United States served mainly as a backstop to the market, the TLTROs became an essential source of funding for the European banking system. The sharp increase in lending to corporates at the beginning of the pandemic is testament to the success of the TLTRO in averting a credit crunch and safeguarding the monetary policy transmission mechanism (Chart 4, right-hand panel).
Chart 4
High take-up of TLTROs and sharp rise in bank lending to firms
ECB staff analysis confirms that outstanding eligible loans were growing significantly more for banks participating in the TLTROs than for non-participating banks (Chart 5, left-hand panel). And the ECB's bank lending survey confirms that a substantial part of the TLTRO III funds was expected to be used for lending to the non-financial private sector (Chart 5, right-hand panel).
Chart 5
TLTROs safeguarded bank-based transmission during the pandemic
But the TLTROs were just one element of the monetary policy measures that ensured continued credit intermediation to the real economy. The easing of collateral requirements in lending operations facilitated banks' strong participation in the TLTROs and supported the provision of bank credit to very small firms that are particularly reliant on bank financing.[5] The ratings freeze implemented as part of the collateral easing measures reduced the risk of a forced liquidation of assets and contributed to rapid market stabilisation.
Moreover, the pandemic emergency longer-term refinancing operations (PELTROs) complemented the TLTRO operations by providing a liquidity backstop at somewhat less favourable conditions but without conditionality with respect to the lending performance. Finally, the granting of swap and repo lines, including through the standing swap line facility with the Federal Reserve and the newly established Eurosystem repo facility for central banks (EUREP), supported the provision of US dollar liquidity for euro area banks and of euro liquidity for non-euro area banks.[6]
Collectively, these liquidity-providing measures ensured that credit provision to the private sector through the euro area's bank-based financial system never seized up.
The PEPP: large and flexible
The second main policy response was the announcement of additional private and public sector asset purchases.
While the first response to the pandemic on 12 March 2020 included the announcement of an additional envelope of €120 billion under our regular asset purchase programme (APP), it quickly became clear that the APP was not an adequate tool to deal with the sudden and severe dislocations in euro area bond markets when the crisis hit with full force.
Therefore, on 18 March 2020 the ECB's Governing Council announced a new asset purchase programme of unprecedented size, with an eventual overall envelope of €1,850 billion after two further expansions in June and December of the same year. The huge size of the programme reflected the unprecedented depth of the crisis. But it was not only its size that distinguished the programme from its predecessors, it was also its special design in the light of the dramatic market turbulence of March 2020.
In particular, the sudden divergence in sovereign borrowing rates – which form the basis for financing conditions across the euro area economy more broadly – implied serious risks of fragmentation, which threatened to impair the smooth transmission of our monetary policy stance to the entire euro area. This is why we equipped the PEPP with the flexibility to adjust the volume of purchases over time, across asset classes and among jurisdictions.
In retrospect, it turned out that, after we proved our determination to stabilise financial markets and stave off fragmentation risks at the beginning of the crisis, having the option of flexibility – with the clear commitment to use it as necessary – was largely sufficient to preserve the integrity of the monetary policy transmission mechanism.
The distribution of net purchases across asset classes is a case in point. Under the PEPP, we reduced the minimum maturity of eligible assets and expanded our support to the commercial paper market. This segment of the financial market is a crucial source of short-term funding for firms, which was at risk of freezing up at the height of the crisis as a result of the "dash for cash", set in motion by redemptions in money market funds. However, the bulk of interventions in this market segment were concentrated in the first two months of the PEPP (Chart 6, left-hand panel). By effectively and quickly restoring market functioning, the purchases gave the regular investor base for commercial paper the confidence to start investing again. Thereafter, the backstop provided by the PEPP's optionality was sufficient to support the continuous normalisation of market conditions, even in the context of renewed and stringent economic lockdowns.
The same observation applies to the role of flexibility in the distribution of purchases among jurisdictions. While the stock of cumulative net purchases of public sector bonds is guided by the Eurosystem capital key, just as under the public sector purchase programme (PSPP), the PEPP provides more flexibility to deviate from the capital key temporarily.
Chart 6
PEPP flexibility restored market functioning and countered risks of fragmentation
In response to the tangible risk of fragmentation in financing conditions, we allowed cumulative net asset purchases under the PEPP to deviate from the capital key-implied distribution at the beginning of the pandemic. However, these deviations declined shortly thereafter and have now reached relatively low levels (Chart 6, right-hand panel). Again, the option of flexibility is providing an effective backstop, while the actual capital key deviations self-stabilise when the situation calms down.
The PEPP's flexibility probably contributed to lowering the spread of the euro area GDP-weighted yield over risk-free rates quickly after the announcement of the PEPP (Chart 7).
Chart 7
Spread of euro area GDP-weighted sovereign yields over risk-free rates declined after announcement of PEPP and EU recovery fund
As financial market turbulence receded gradually over the course of 2020, the PEPP's market stabilisation function became less relevant.[7] In turn, the PEPP's contribution to an appropriately calibrated monetary policy stance became more important with a view to countering the downward impact of the pandemic shock on the path of inflation. This shift made the PEPP more similar to our regular asset purchase programme, the APP, under which net asset purchases are likely to continue for some time once net purchases under the PEPP have come to an end.
The different ways of how asset purchases work under varying market conditions are also reflected in the relative importance of "flow" and "stock" effects. ECB staff analysis shows that, in stressed or illiquid market conditions, a higher volume of purchases per unit of time – the "flow" effect – was particularly relevant (Chart 8).[8] In contrast, the expected stock of cumulative purchases – the key transmission channel in many theoretical models of central bank asset purchases – is dominant in non-stressed market conditions.[9]
Chart 8
"Flow effect" of asset purchases matters more in stressed market conditions
Beyond the direct effects, our various crisis measures proved to mutually reinforce each other, thereby also amplifying the overall accommodative impact of our policy response.[10] For example, negative rates strengthen the portfolio rebalancing effect from asset purchases as investors aim to avoid negative interest rates. Asset purchases, in turn, signal the policymaker's intention to keep short rates low for an extended period of time, strengthening our forward guidance. Moreover, by increasing the relative returns of bank loans, asset purchases also indirectly support the bank loan creation that is further buttressed by the conditionality attached to our TLTROs.
Monetary and fiscal policy going hand in hand
The third, and possibly most important, unusual aspect of the policy response was the complementary action taken by the fiscal and monetary authorities. Our forceful monetary policy response announced in March 2020 was immediately followed by broad fiscal measures at national level, including, in particular, loan guarantee schemes for corporates and job retention schemes for workers. These measures were supported by the activation of the general escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact. Importantly, the national fiscal response was followed – for the first time – by a broad European fiscal response, including the SURE programme directed at the labour market, as well as the recovery plan for Europe, Next Generation EU (NGEU), providing not only loans but also grants to those EU Member States hit particularly hard by the pandemic.
It is indisputable that this combination of monetary and fiscal policy substantially strengthened the overall beneficial effect on the economy and may be the main factor explaining the surprisingly steep recovery.
Lessons for the future
Even if we are "not completely out of the woods", as President Lagarde said at the ECB Forum on Central Banking earlier this week, we may start thinking about what lessons we can draw from this unusual crisis for hopefully more usual times.
Overall, the policy response during the pandemic crisis appears to have been very successful. But what does this imply for the future?
First, the ability to successfully counter a rapidly evolving crisis depends on the scope for innovation and flexibility in the monetary policy toolkit. Before the pandemic, a number of observers were questioning whether the ECB still had sufficient "firepower" to address a major economic downturn. The substantial monetary easing that we delivered over the course of the crisis has put such concerns to rest. By adjusting our instruments in previously uncharted directions and by designing a purchase programme with considerable flexibility, the ECB has successfully addressed the specific challenges posed by the pandemic crisis.
Second, the mutually reinforcing effects of our instruments are likely to have strengthened the combined monetary stimulus. In particular, there are important complementarities between negative interest rates, targeted lending operations and asset purchases. Moreover, our recently revised forward guidance allows us to steer interest rate expectations even more effectively, thus reinforcing the impact of our other measures.[11] Importantly, the mutual amplification of our instruments allows us to do less on the intensive margin of any one of our tools. In line with our policy of continuously conducting thorough proportionality assessments, this also mitigates undesirable side effects associated with individual monetary policy instruments.
The final lesson from our policy interventions is that supportive fiscal policy, in particular at the European level, has played an important role in alleviating the pressure on monetary policy to be "the only game in town". While the announcement of the PEPP was crucial in averting self-reinforcing price spirals in government bond markets and thus a deterioration of financing conditions at the beginning of the crisis, the political agreement relating to a joint recovery fund and the NGEU initiative was instrumental in sustainably calming financial markets (Chart 7). The subsequent easing of financing conditions – and the investment that will be financed under NGEU – will continue to support economic activity in Europe, foster potential growth and ultimately help to bring inflation back towards our medium-term target.
Let me conclude.
As the global economy recovers from the unprecedented contraction caused by the pandemic, the gradual rebound in activity offers an opportune moment to take stock and evaluate the policy interventions that were implemented to mitigate the fallout from the pandemic.
Although it would be premature to claim that we have successfully overcome the crisis, the experience from the pandemic has illustrated the effectiveness of the ECB's monetary policy toolkit in stabilising financial markets and countering the negative impact of the pandemic on the inflation outlook. Our pre-existing instruments allowed us to swiftly calibrate and implement innovative policy measures that were tailored to the specific circumstances faced by the euro area. This toolkit appeared well suited to deal with the situation at hand and proved to be adaptable to the challenges we were facing. In particular, the flexibility and mutually reinforcing effects of these measures have been crucial in providing sufficient accommodation to counter the impact of the crisis.
Fiscal policymakers have entered new territory by providing a genuinely European response for the first time. While probably falling short of a true "Hamiltonian moment", this could provide the first step towards greater fiscal integration at European level. Further progress will critically depend on whether these measures will be able to lift countries onto a sustainable growth path. If successful, this could pave the way towards a more countercyclical and more European fiscal framework.
Unusual crises require unusual responses – this is the core of the proportionality principle, which underpins all our policies. This, in turn, implies that we will continue to adapt our tools as appropriate going forward, as the economy enters calmer waters.
Our commitment to act as necessary to fulfil our mandate should never be questioned – neither in crises nor in more usual times.
Thank you.
- I would like to thank Julian Schumacher for his support in preparing this speech.
- Lagarde, C. (2021), "Monetary policy during an atypical recovery," speech at the ECB Forum on Central Banking "Beyond the pandemic: the future of monetary policy", September.
- See also Schnabel, I. (2021), The rise of non-bank finance and its implications for monetary policy transmission, remarks given at the Annual Congress of the European Economic Association. The chart shown here displays data from the financial accounts to ensure comparability between the euro area and the US series. The US data encompass a broad category of the non-financial business sector, which also includes unincorporated firms such as sole proprietors, limited partnerships, etc. and, as such, is fairly similar to the definition of non-financial corporates in the euro area financial accounts.
- For the United States, based on the Federal Reserve's consolidated balance sheet released on 23 September and comprising the share of non-securities holdings relative to all monetary policy assets; for the euro area, based on the consolidated financial statement of the Eurosystem as at 24 September and comprising the share of lending to euro area credit institutions related to monetary policy operations denominated in euro relative to all monetary policy assets.
- See de Guindos, L. and Schnabel, I. (2020), "Improving funding conditions for the real economy during the COVID-19 crisis: the ECB's collateral easing measures", The ECB Blog, April.
- See Panetta, F. and Schnabel, I. (2020), "The provision of euro liquidity through the ECB's swap and repo operations", The ECB Blog, August.
- See Schnabel, I. (2021), "Asset purchases: from crisis to recovery," speech at the Annual Conference of Latvijas Banka on "Sustainable Economy in Times of Change," September.
- See also Bailey, A., Bridges, J., Harrison, R., Jones, J. and Mankodi, A. (2020), "The central bank balance sheet as a policy tool: past, present and future," Bank of England Staff Working Paper, No. 899.
- See, for instance, Vayanos, D. and Vila, J.-L. (2021), "A Preferred-Habitat Model of the Term Structure of Interest Rates", Econometrica, Vol. 89(1), pp. 77-112; Li, C. and Wei, M. (2013), "Term Structure Modeling with Supply Factors and the Federal Reserve's Large-Scale Asset purchase Programs", International Journal of Central Banking, Vol. 9(1), pp. 3-39; Eser, F., Lemke, W., Nyholm, K., Radde, S., and Vladu, A. (2019), "Tracing the impact of the ECB's asset purchase programme on the yield curve", ECB Working Paper Series, No 2293.
- See also Altavilla, C., Lemke, W., Linzert, T., Tapking, J. and von Landesberger, J. (2021), "Assessing the efficacy, efficiency and potential side effects of the ECB's monetary policy instruments since 2014," ECB Occasional Paper Series, No 278.
- Our revised forward guidance firmly anchors any policy tightening to inflation reaching two percent well ahead of the end of our projection horizon and durably for the rest of the projection horizon, and to realised progress in underlying inflation being sufficiently advanced to be consistent with inflation stabilising at two percent over the medium term.
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Games to train attention and concentration
Trains and strengthens essential cognitive abilities in a professional way. Comprehensive report of results, progress, and evolution.
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Games to train attention and concentration
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CogniFit: Leaders in attention and concentration training
CogniFit: Leaders in attention and concentration training
- Train with CogniFit games to help improve attention and boost cognitive skills
- Get access to this attention training
- Challenge your brain and strengthen adaptive potential with these concentration games
The brain training program for attention and concentration from CogniFit makes it possible to activate, stimulate, and rehabilitate the brain functions related to our ability to perceive and process information. Improving this important cognitive area can make it possible concentrate better for longer periods of time, be able to do more than one task at a time, avoid distractions, and be more efficient in your daily life.
This brain training and rehabilitation program for attention is made up of different online games that can be done from almost any computer or mobile device. The activities in the concentration programs combine different therapeutic exercises, and rehabilitation and learning techniques designed to re-train and help improve the attention skills that each person needs most. CogniFit is based on cognitive reserve and neuroplasticity.
The brain games and exercises for concentration from CogniFit automatically adapt to each user as they train. This scientific resource has been perfected to continuously measure the brain's attentional ability. The patented technology from CogniFit systematically modifies the difficulty and type of task to ensure that the brain games are appropriate for the user's unique characteristics (age, deficits, and/or cognitive alterations).
All of the stimulation and rehabilitation programs from CogniFit are made for children, teens, adults, seniors, and the elderly to activate and strengthen mental ability and compare their cognitive and state and attention skills with the rest of the world. The concentration games from CogniFit are designed for both the healthy population, as well as those with some kind of cognitive condition that affects concentration, like some type of attention deficit or cognitive decline.
Our attention and concentration skills are constantly evolving. They have the ability to change and improve over time. Scientific evidence has shown that with an appropriate cognitive training program, it's possible to stimulate and strengthen this cognitive function. The attention training from CogniFit offers a battery of online games and activities that automatically adapts to the user's areas of improvement, ensuring that they get the best training possible and tailoring training to each individual. With CogniFit, anyone can put their attention and concentration skills to the test.
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Who is it for?
Who is it for?
The CogniFit program was designed for the healthy population looking to help improve attention and concentration, as well as patients with disorders or brain damage that are looking to recover and strengthen attention and concentration with one or more activities. The attention games from CogniFit are an excellent complementary tool to neuropsychological rehabilitation. Thanks to its easy-to-use design and interactive platform, the concentration and attention games from CogniFit can be used by almost anyone:
To exercise attention and concentration
Stimulate the attention and concentration of family members or other relatives.
To strengthen a patient's attention and concentration
Help students train and improve their attention
To study the effect of cognitive training on the attention of research participants.
Trained cognitive skills
Trained cognitive skills
Attention and concentration have a series of components with different degrees of complexity that we need in our daily lives. CogniFit attention and concentration training helps work these components through its exercises and games:
Ability to filter distractions and focus on relevant information. Attention accompanies every cognitive process and is in charge of assigning cognitive resources depending on the relevance of both internal and external stimuli. Good attention skills are necessary for other high-level processes, like memory or planning. Attention is an essential process that requires the use of different parts of the brain, from the brainstem or the parietal cortex, to the prefrontal cortex. However, it seems that the right hemisphere has a predominant role in controlling attention. This cognitive area makes it possible to stay alert and pay attention to the stimuli when other irrelevant distractors are present, concentration for long periods of time, alternating attention between different activities, or dividing attention when two events are happening at the same time.
459Your Score
Focused Attention
The brain's ability to concentrate its attention on a target stimulus for any period of time. Focused attention allows us to focus on the stimuli and words placed on the blackboard during a class.
524Your Score
Divided Attention
The brain's ability to attend to two different stimuli at the same time, and respond to the multiple demands of your surroundings. We put this cognitive function into action when we walk down the street as we write on our smartphone and manage not to hit any obstacles.
500Your Score
The ability to inhibit or control impulsive (or automatic) responses, and create responses by using attention and reasoning. Inhibition is the function that allows us to stop an action we have initiated, such as when we are going to change lanes with our vehicle, but we see another driver approaching that lane at high speed and we must stay in our lane.
422Your Score
The ability to oversee actions and behavior as you carry out a task to ensure that it is being completed according to the plan of action. It is essential for everyday activities such as cooking, to make sure that, for example, we boil the pasta for the right amount of time before serving it.
392Your Score
What will I achieve with CogniFit attention and concentration training?
What will I achieve with CogniFit attention and concentration training?
CogniFit attention and concentration training relies on the brain plasticity of our brain to enhance these cognitive skills. The goal is for users to:
- Help improve your attention and concentration: Attention is necessary for daily activities. A good attention skill will make us more efficient and activities will take less effort. For example, it will be easier for us to pay attention in class, to concentrate at work, to have a conversation, or follow the plot of a movie, etc.
- Reduce the impact of symptoms in different disorders : Attention is a very susceptible cognitive function, and can be altered with some frequency.
- Delay decline in attention and concentration: Older people may find it difficult to concentrate on one activity for a long time, or to do more than one activity at a time. This can be caused by a decline in attention due to normal aging of the brain.
- Prevent attention difficulties: Sometimes it is not even necessary to suffer from a disease in order for our cognitive skills to be affected. When we age, we are faced with fewer tasks and less demanding activities. By imposing less demands on our brains, our neurons "get used" to the lack of activity. Ultimately, this lack of activity can end up reducing the efficiency of cognitive abilities such as attention. However, with proper cognitive training, it is possible to keep our brain in shape and help prevent further deterioration of our abilities.
How does it strengthen cognitive function?
How does it strengthen cognitive function?
CogniFit is a leading intervention tool that uses online brain games. These online games help reinforce and strengthen the neural activation patterns used in attention and concentration. The repeated activation of these patterns may produce the creation of new synapses and the myelination of the neural circuits capable of recovering or improving attention.
CogniFit uses its online brain games for attention to help the nervous system promote the recovery of the brain after suffering from structural deficits, disorders, or injury, where attention and concentration are affected. These brain games are not only helpful for cognitive rehabilitation but are also perfect for anyone who wants to challenge and improve their cognitive skills.
Playing online games with no set training program won't help you improve your cognitive skills. In order for brain games to be effective, it must meet the following characteristics: An appropriate cognitive training requires a therapeutic goal, scientific validation, and regulated exercises, like the games that CogniFit offers. Following these requirements, the brain will be receiving the appropriate brain training that it needs.
1st WEEK
2nd WEEK
3rd WEEK
Graphic projection of neural networks after 3 weeks.
CogniFit is a leading platform in attention and concentration training with online brain games. All of the tasks and exercises were designed by experts in neuroplasticity and cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation. This online platform is based on scientific methodology to stimulate and rehabilitate attention and offers many different advantages:
Easy to use
The platforms for private and professional users are very simple and intuitive to use, so it can be used without having any special knowledge of neuroscience or computer science. CogniFit provides intuitive, agile and effective management of training tasks.
Highly attractive
The games have an attractive design, which encourages user motivation, particularly among children, easing their commitment to training.
Interactive and visual format
The interactive format of the instructions and the results of the attention games helps to clarify the tasks.
Complete results report
The results of the attention training give fast and accurate feedback. This lets us be updated about our evolution and cognitive state.
Progress and evolution
The data is collected and coded during training, so that we can focus only on executing the task correctly. CogniFit analyzes and compares these data automatically. In addition, the data is available for us to know if we are improving or if we need to reinforce our training.
Adapted to each user
The CogniFit tool uses our performance during each session to regulate the degree of difficulty and training automatically, allowing us to perform a personalized intervention.
CogniFit attention games can be accessed from anywhere with Internet access. This allows for remote rehabilitation or cognitive remote stimulation. Thus, professionals will be able to monitor from their computer the cognitive evolution of patients without the need to be present.
What happens if you don't train your cognitive skills?
What happens if you don't train your cognitive skills?
Attention is a cognitive function that we use in our daily lives. People are not able to process a lot of information at the same time. Attention is the mental process that makes it possible to focus and differentiate between relevant and irrelevant stimuli. Poor attention could significantly reduce the quality of life.
How much time should I spend with CogniFit?
How much time should I spend with CogniFit?
The games from CogniFit are exceptionally comfortable to use. Each of the automated training sessions for attention and concentration last about 10 to 15 minutes. We recommend training two or three times a week on non-consecutive days. In order to make this easier to remember, CogniFit can send reminders for each training session.
During each training session for attention and concentration, the CogniFit tool will automatically propose two brain stimulation games and a cognitive assessment task. This way, it's possible to easily measure the progress of attention and other subtypes: focused attention, divided attention, etc.
CogniFit is unique
CogniFit is unique
Multidisciplinary Exercises
Complete results report
Automatic task selection
Leading Instrument
Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment
Customized for each user
Scientifically validated
CogniFit is a leader in scientific brain games for attention. The training program for attention is made up of multi-dimensional exercises that combine different therapeutic activities. From classic rehabilitation tools to pedagogic activities designed for professionals to help re-train attention and other cognitive skills, CogniFit makes it possible to optimize efficiency and transform cognitive weaknesses into strengths.
Each of the activities that make up the brain training program for attention adapt to each user's needs as they train. This patented technology was designed by an international team of scientists, neurologists, and psychologists who are dedicated to studying the newest advances in neuroscience and attention.
The brain training programs to help improve attention from CogniFit are unique, as they continually measure user performance and automatically select the type and difficulty of the tasks that each individual needs to practice most. This makes it possible to keep the brain challenged and help the user improve cognitive skills.
The personalized training program from CogniFit stores the user's data during each session and provides a detailed report about the user's cognitive performance in each level. This makes it possible to see the user's initial cognitive level and compare it to current levels of attention and other cognitive skills.
Customer Service
Customer Service
If you have any questions about how CogniFit attention and concentration training works, data management or interpretation, you can contact us immediately. Our team of experts in neuroscience and developmental disorders will answer your questions and help you with everything you need.
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Shatil E (2013). Does combined cognitive training and physical activity training enhance cognitive abilities more than either alone? A four-condition randomized controlled trial among healthy older adults. Front. Aging Neurosci. 5:8. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2013.00008.Korczyn AD, Peretz C, Aharonson V, et al. - Computer based cognitive training with CogniFit improved cognitive performance above the effect of classic computer games: prospective, randomized, double blind intervention study in the elderly. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association 2007; 3(3):S171. Shatil E, Korczyn AD, Peretz C, et al. - Improving cognitive performance in elderly subjects using computerized cognitive training - Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association 2008; 4(4):T492, Lubrini, G., Periáñez, J.A., & Ríos-Lago, M. (2009). Introducción a la estimulación cognitiva y la rehabilitación neuropsicológica. En Estimulación cognitiva y rehabilitación neuropsicológica (p.13). Rambla del Poblenou 156, 08018 Barcelona: Editorial UOC.cuatro (4): T492. Verghese J, J Mahoney, Ambrosio AF, Wang C, Holtzer R. - Efecto de la rehabilitación cognitiva en la marcha en personas mayores sedentarias - J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2010 Dec;65(12):1338-43. Evelyn Shatil, Jaroslava Mikulecká, Francesco Bellotti, Vladimír Burěs - Novel Television-Based Cognitive Training Improves Working Memory and Executive Function - PLOS ONE July 03, 2014. 10.1371/journal.pone.0101472. Gard T, Hölzel BK, Lazar SW. The potential effects of meditation on age-related cognitive decline: a systematic review. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014 Jan; 1307:89-103. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12348. 2. Voss MW et al. Plasticity of brain networks in a randomized intervention trial of exercise training in older adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2010 Aug 26;2. pii: 32. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2010.00032.

subset: commoncrawl


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I found this frame at the Goodwill for $2.99. It was such a great deal and I just love oval frames, you hardly ever see them. I knew I had to have it but didn't have a clue what I was going to do with it. I stumbled upon a roll of cork I had in my closet from another project and figured since I already had it, I might as well make a corkboard out of it! You can buy the cork on a roll at Target, Walmart, craft stores, etc.
and After!
and After!
The little birdcage was also a Goodwill find ($3.99) I just thought it was so charming. I'm not sure why I have always liked those things but I'm glad I finally have one!
And you get a sneak preview of the desk...(this is the top of it) The knobs were on sale 50% off this week so it is finally finished! Will share pics tomorrow!


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In Brief
Opera in three parts, in three acts, in Italian, with Hungarian, English, and Italian subtitles
The subject of this work sparked Verdi's fiercest battle with the censor of Naples and, later on, of Rome. The original libretto treated an actual historical event: the 1792 regicide of a Swedish king. However, this proved too delicate a matter given the political situation of the day, and so in order to curry favour with the censor, the king was converted into an earl and the plot transplanted from Europe to the English North American colonies. After a few more minor alterations, the Roman censor allowed the staging of the work, which when the layer of political assassination is peeled away the plot, reveals a love story. Apart from the political discontent, the real stakes are over a marriage in need of saving. Lurking in the story's background are visceral emotions of unrequited love and blind jealousy that move the plot along.
Un ballo in maschera is presented as part of the Opera's repertoire – in accordance with the composer's original intention – as the story of the Swedish king Gustavo III in a production created by the young Italian director and competition-winner Fabio Ceresa.
Act 1
Scene one
Both supporters and opponents of King Gustavo (Gustav III) of Sweden are gathering for the morning royal audience. Oscar, the king's page, hands over to his master a paper listing the guests for a masked ball. Gustavo discovers that the list includes Amelia, the woman with whom he is secretly love, even though she is the wife of his loyal old friend, Renato, the count of Anckarström. When Renato enters, Gustavo suddenly gets the feeling that his secret has been discovered, but Renato has no inkling of his lord's feelings. He has come in order to warn the king that there is a conspiracy afoot against him. Gustavo is so relieved that he does not even want to know who the conspirators are. The chief judge hands the king a writ calling for the banishment of the fortune-teller Ulrica Arvedon. After Oscar comes to the woman's defence, Gustavo decides to pay a visit to Ulrica in disguise.
Scene two
Surrounded by women, Ulrica invokes Lucifer; Gustavo, dressed as a fisherman, blends into the audience. A sailor named Christiano pushes his way to the front of the crowd to have Ulrica tell his future: after 15 years, he has not received the recognition he deserves. Ulrica reads Christiano's palm and finds that he will soon be promoted and become rich. Gustavo secretly places a few gold coins and a letter of promotion into the sailor's pocket. Ulrica's prophecy has immediately proved accurate.
Through her servant, Amelia asks Ulrica for a private consultation. The seer sends off her visitors; only Gustavo, having hidden himself, is left to listen in as Ulrica speaks with the despairing woman. Amelia wants the seer to use her magical powers to help her overcome her love for the king. The magic substance that Ulrica recommends is a plant that grows in an abandoned field outside the city, and which must be picked at midnight.
After Amelia departs, Gustavo also wishes to hear his fortune. Ulrica foresees his impending death: whichever friend of his extends his hand to him first will turn out to be his murderer. When the completely unsuspecting Renato enters and greets his lord with a handshake before addressing him by name, nobody believes that Ulrica's prediction will come true. With Gustavo's true identity now revealed, Christiano gathers the people together to greet their king with proper respect.
Act 2
After conquering her fear, Amelia arrives at the field. Gustavo has followed her in secret, and he two now confess their love for each other. Suddenly Renato arrives to warn his friend that his life is in danger. Gustavo asks him to accompany the veiled - and thus unrecognised by her husband - Amelia back to the city.
The conspirators intercept Renato and provoke him into drawing his sword. Amelia's veil falls off, revealing her identity. In his deep distress, Renato decides to exact vengeance on the king and asks the conspirators to his house the next day.
Act 3
Scene one
Believing that Gustavo and Amelia have betrayed him and deaf to his wife's attempt to convince him of her innocence, Renato resolves to kill her. Amelia prepares to die, but first asks her husband to let her see their son one last time. Renato realises that it is really Gustavo on whom he must take revenge.
The conspirators - the counts Horn and Ribbing - arrive at Renato's house, where their host informs them that he too wishes to join them. However, as each of them would like to be the one to deliver the fatal stab, Renato asks te unsuspecting Amelia to draw the name of the murderer from a pot - and he himself is the one selected. Oscar arrives to deliver the invitations to the masked ball. The conspirators decide to carry out their plan during the festivities.
Scene two
Gustavo decides to give up on his love for Amelia. Oscar hands the king an anonymus letter warning him that somebody intends to kill him during the ball. Gustavo resolves to attend the ball anyway, so that nobody can accuse him of cowardice.
At the masked ball, Renato elicits from Oscar what costume the king will be wearing. The amorous couple say farewell to each other. Anckarström kills the king. With his last remaining strength, Gustavo assures his friend of his wife's innocence and forgives his enemies
"Fabio Ceresa offered up a stage production that was for the most part compatible with the audience's expectations. On display were theatrically showy costumes (by costume designer Giuseppe Palella) and mostly traditional-looking sets that proved effective (by set designer Tiziano Santi)."
Ferenc László, Magyar Narancs


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Allow's discuss 30-40% of your power expense. That's what does it cost? it sets you back the ordinary house owner or business structure proprietor to give appropriate home heating, aerating, as well as air-conditioning (HEATING AND COOLING). A great HEATING AND COOLING system is the vital to preserving a comfy, healthy and balanced and also indoor atmosphere. Via the years, I have actually been asked by numerous proprietors for a technique to minimize their price of power and also A/C. They do not intend to give up the indoor ecological problems, yet they do desire a point-by-point strategy to adhere to. The fascinating point that frequently occurs is that power expenses are reduced considerably as well as the HEATING AND COOLING system efficiency is boosted. This is a conventional feature of any kind of mechanical designer focusing on power and also A/C.
The details on this web page will certainly assist house owners, structure proprietors as well as structure drivers make educated choices concerning existing HEATING AND COOLING systems or future upgrades.
– Tons Decrease
– HVAC Equipments
– Control Equipment
– Procedure and also Upkeep
Huges Decreases
The initial step to attain power as well as HEATING AND COOLING system optimization is tons decrease. This action usually contains a lengthy array strategy which makes a list of the activities to be taken based upon finest roi. Minimizing your structure lots enables the existing A/C system to run extra successfully. If a brand-new system or systems are being thought about, it will certainly be much more affordable to develop for the decreased tons rather than the existing lots. A couple of typical lots decrease approaches consist of:
– Tighten up the structure covering and also include added insulation. Including insulation in existing structures might not be attainable in some circumstances, so extra factor to consider ought to be targeted at the outside covering, particularly doors and windows.
– Mounting energy-efficient home windows. This is a huge product on some structures that still have solitary pane home windows. The installment of dual pane home windows with a thermal break is a fantastic roi. Make certain they are POWER CELEBRITY certified home windows. Tinting or Low-E finishings will certainly also be much better.
– Updating illumination systems. The typical industrial structure has an illumination thickness of 2-3 watts each square foot which keeps appropriate lights degrees. This is a substantial component of the COOLING AND HEATING tons as well as nearly any type of initiatives here will certainly reduce the air conditioning demand for the structure. Accent illumination (often called building illumination) are not constantly power effective and also needs to not be taken into consideration if you intend to lower power and also COOLING AND HEATING prices. Energy-efficient illumination systems release much less warmth right into conditioned area compared to older incandescent modern technology. If you have a return air plenum rather than return air ductwork, take into consideration light troffers to ensure that several of the warm from the lights is gone back to the HEATING AND COOLING system as opposed to entering into the busy location. Atlas Air
– Picking reliable tools as well as digital gadgets that have a power saver choice will certainly decrease the practical warmth gain in the area. Products to think about consist of photocopier, cooking area tools, computer systems as well as fridges.
– Control air flow by having your outdoors air well balanced. Many structure proprietors have illustrations of the initial COOLING AND HEATING system installment. Have actually the illustrations assessed by a mechanical designer to validate your outdoors air circulation prices satisfy the most recent code demands. If no illustrations are offered, your mechanical designer must still have the ability to make referrals for renovation.
Attending to these things is your initial step to minimizing power and also COOLING AND HEATING prices.
A/C Equipments
The 2nd action to attain power as well as HEATING AND COOLING system optimization is understanding your system. Your COOLING AND HEATING system is essential to your indoor atmosphere, however it likewise stands for a huge part of your energy costs. While it is past the extent of this short article to review every system, a couple of suggestions could be dealt with. Every COOLING AND HEATING system element has actually enhanced in performance for many years. If your system is greater than 13 years of ages, it's time to start preparing for an upgrade to brand-new devices. Well preserved domestic systems have a life span of around 15 years or two yet appear to fall short at the even worse times. Have a substitute strategy prepared for the day your devices stops working.
Industrial systems differ, however if your structure is making use of packaged devices or split systems, the very same life time could be anticipated. For bigger business systems as well as commercial applications, the COOLING AND HEATING system could be a lot more intricate and also call for a specific evaluation by a mechanical designer. As I claimed, A/C systems differ as well as no one-size-fits-all evaluation benefits bigger systems. What all these systems share is they are usually sustained by electrical energy. Power set you back loan, so any kind of initiatives towards raised effectiveness is an and also.


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Download Your Coupon
Get $100 off your purchase or 12 Months Special Financing. Complete the form below to print your coupon. Coupon may not be combined with other offers.
- Locally owned and operated business.
- Highly recommended by our customers.
- Huge selection of over 17,000 flooring options.
- Flooring experts to help you find the perfect floor.
- 500-store buying power ensures the best prices.
- Products are backed by industry-leading warranties.


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Due to extensive damage from the Japanese tsunami, Kona Village decided to close for an extended period of time. This has left many of their customers looking for a place to stay elsewhere on the Big Island of Hawaii.
"We are very sad to close Kona Village Resort for an extended period of time, but the damage to the property from this natural disaster is severe enough to render it inoperable," said Patrick Fitzgerald, CEO of Hualalai Resort/Kona Village Resort. "We are fortunate that our guests and employees were evacuated safely. Our hearts are heavy with this decision's impact on employees and loyal guests who have visited us over the years. Our thoughts also are with the people of Japan during this difficult time."
Kona Village has offered full refunds to all of their guests that were planning to stay in 2011. Due to the unique nature of Kona Village, many of their guests are repeat visitors every year. For the first time many of the guests have had to find a new place to stay. Many of them are looking to Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort and Mauna Lani Terrace, which are both beachfront vacation rental communities. Rob Dalton of Waikoloa Vacation Rentals stated, "Within the last week we received five reservations from guests that were scheduled to stay at Kona Village. All of them were bummed to not get to stay at Kona Village, but excited to try something new."
It appears that a fair amount of guests that typically stay at Kona Village prefer vacation rentals to hotels. Given that most guests of Kona Village come to the Big Island annually, not only will the closure have a positive impact on vacation rentals short term, but also long term as the guests look to return to Hawaii for their annual vacation.
We wish for a speedy recovery for Kona Village and will keep you informed as the repairs begin.


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Facts about the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.
February 26, 2019
Social Security has been a pillar of retirement life for several decades, but how much do you really know about it? Here are some facts that might surprise you:
The Social Security trust fund exceeds the gross domestic product of every major economy in the world, except the nine largest: China, the European Union, the United States, India, Japan, Germany, Russia, Indonesia, and Brazil.1
For 61% of retirees, Social Security is a major source of income.1
Benefits are subject to federal income taxes, but it wasn't always so. Amendments to the Social Security Act made benefits potentially taxable beginning in 1984.1
Benefits are determined by your average earnings during a lifetime of work, based on your 35 highest-earning years.1
If you receive Social Security, you no doubt welcome cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs) to your benefits. Did you know that Social Security COLAs once required an act of Congress? That was the case before 1975, when they were finally pegged to advances in the Consumer Price Index.1
In the middle of 2018, more than 1 in 6 Americans were collecting Social Security benefits. Older Americans constitute about 80% of Social Security recipients, and their average monthly benefit in June 2018 was $1,413.2
When should you begin taking Social Security? That may depend on several factors, but many people choose to claim benefits as soon as they are eligible. You can receive benefits beginning at age 62, but you may choose to delay taking them. You can wait until age 70 to claim them, and if you take them before reaching Social Security's Full Retirement Age (67 for those born in 1960 or later), your monthly benefit will be fractionally reduced. You may receive over one million dollars total in benefits across your retirement, so when and how you decide to take that income may be critical.1,3
Kent Butcher, MBA, Lea Ann Nunley, and Amy Prentice are Registered Investment Advisor Representatives at UPAL. They can be reached at 918-747-5585 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.
1 – https://www.waddell.com/explore-insights/market-news-and-guidance/planning/9-facts-about-social-security [2/13/19]
2 – https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/policy-basics-top-ten-facts-about-social-security [8/14/18]
3 – https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/agereduction.html [12/13/18]


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Advisory Board As Facilitators
Advisory Board As Facilitators
The Facilitators Program is a program that was launched to help improve the Department of Real Estate's responsiveness to the public. Facilitators act as another avenue of information that the public can access in addition to Department staff.
What Facilitators CAN Do...
- Open the lines of communication between the Department and the public.
- Facilitate discussion for parties who feel their needs are not being met.
- Clarify constituent concerns to the Department.
- Help direct parties to proper staff for filing a complaint.
- Help direct parties to proper staff for professional education requirements.
What Facilitators CANNOT Do...
- Give information to the media or act as a Department spokesperson.
- Give legal advice or provide legal mediation to parties.
- Become involved in any pending disciplinary action case in the Administrative Actions Division.
- Become involved in any pending disciplinary action case at the Attorney General's Office.
- Influence the outcome of any complaint or issue.


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AUSTIN – How old are the oldest stars? An international team of astronomers led by Dr. Anna Frebel of The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory recently measured the age of an ancient star in our Milky Way galaxy at an extraordinary 13.2 billion years. This measurement provides a lower limit to the age of the universe and will help to disentangle the chemical history of our galaxy. Frebel's results are published in today's edition of The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
The team used radioactive decay dating techniques to date the star, called HE 1523-0901. This is close to the age of the universe of 13.7 billion years. "This guy was born very shortly after the Big Bang," Frebel said.
"Surprisingly, it is very hard to pin down the age of a star," she said, "although we can generally infer that chemically primitive stars have to be very old." Such stars must have been born before many generations of stars had chemically enriched our galaxy.
Astronomers can only accurately measure the ages of very rare old stars that contain huge amounts of certain types of chemical elements, including radioactive elements like thorium and uranium.
Similar to the way archaeologists use carbon-14 and other elements to date Earth relics thousands of years old, astronomers use radioactive elements found in stars to deduce these stars' ages, which may be millions or billions of years.
"Very few stars display radioactive elements," Frebel said. "I'm looking at a very rare subgroup of these already rare stars. I'm looking for a needle in a haystack, really."
Frebel made the extremely difficult measurement of the amount of uranium in the star HE 1523-0901 using the UVES spectrograph on the Kueyen Telescope, one of four 8.2-meter telescopes that comprise The Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
"This star is the best uranium detection so far," she said, explaining that while uranium has been discovered in two other stars previously, only one could be used to get a good age for the star. HE 1523-0901 also contains thorium, another radioactive element that is useful in age-dating of stars. Uranium, with a half-life of 4.5 billion years, is a better clock than thorium, Frebel says. Thorium's half-life of 14 billion years is actually longer than the age of the universe.
But astronomers need more than just radioactive elements like uranium and thorium to age-date a star. For each radioactive element, "you have to anchor it to another element within the star," Frebel said. Because she detected so many of these anchor elements in HE 1523-0901, she can come up with an extremely accurate age. In this case, the anchor elements are europium, osmium, and iridium.
The combination of two radioactive elements with three anchor elements discovered in this one star provided Frebel six so-called "cosmic clocks."
"So far, for no other star was it possible to employ more than one cosmic clock," she said. "Now we are suddenly provided with six measurements in just one star!"
How did she find this amazing star? Frebel says it was a case of "informed serendipity." She was researching a sample of old stars for her PhD thesis while a graduate student at The Australian National University, and recognized the consequences of this star's extraordinary spectrum after she measured it with ESO's Very Large Telescope.
"When you do discovery work, you never know what you¹re going to find," Frebel said. "You hope to find interesting objects. Depending on what you find, you then move in that direction."
The new result will be used by Frebel and her team to gain important clues to the creation and evolution of the chemical elements shortly after the Big Bang. It will also provide theorists with new, important experimental data. "Stars such as HE 1523-0901 are ideal cosmic laboratories to study nucleosynthesis," she said.
Frebel is now working with her colleagues Chris Sneden, Volker Bromm, Carlos Allende Prieto, Matthew Shetrone, and graduate student Ian Roederer at The University of Texas at Austin to further research extremely old stars with the 9.2-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory.
The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is a joint project of The University of Texas at Austin, The Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Georg-August-Unversität Göttingen.
Note to editors: High-resolution artwork to accompany this release is available for download online. Please see: http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/news/releases/2007/0510.html
Dr. Anna Frebel, McDonald Observatory
The University of Texas at Austin
1-512-461-7907; email@example.com
Dr. Henri Boffin, Deputy Head of Public Affairs
European Southern Observatory
+49-89-3200-6222; email@example.com


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Have they moved to 16 bit processing yet?
DxO is slowly, but surely, taking an increasingly important place in my worflow as well.Once you have gotten used to having perfectly straight lines in your images the slighest amount of distorsion becomes painful to the eye does it not?We are close to a level where using a camera/lens combo that is not supported by DxO becomes a serious liability.
What makes you think they were not 16 bits?They have been able to generate 16 bits tiffs for many generations.Cheers,Bernard
Ive just compared dxo7 to c1: dxo is remarkably worse on demosaicing. Ok, straight lines, thats a different game. Dxo is even worse in most situations than raw developer 193, especially regarding skin (compared to both c1 and rdev). V7 is really much more faster than v6, cut in half, though.
It would be possible for you to post any sample images (or crops) from your tests to show the difference?Thank you in advance.(I use LR3, RD 1.9 and DxO, just starting with the last one)
There appears to be a lot more noise reduction applied to the DxO 7 image, right?Cheers,Bernard
Raw developer is in my book the best raw software on OSX in terms of conversion quality so I am not that surprised. I do indeed prefer the demosaicing of C1 Pro that I use as my main converter, but the gap between C1 Pro and DxO has been closing I find.I will probably keep using C1 Pro for landscape images that I intend to include in a large pano... and will use DxO for most other images since the one click result is excellent most of the time.Cheers,Bernard


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Found 27 results
Filters: Keyword is paper and Author is Matteo Gatti [Clear All Filters]
"Direct observation of the band structure in bulk hexagonal boron nitride", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 95. American Physical Society, p. 085410, 2017.
, "Excitons in van der Waals materials: From monolayer to bulk hexagonal boron nitride", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 95. American Physical Society, p. 035125, 2017.
, "Exciton Band Structure in Two-Dimensional Materials", Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 116. American Physical Society, p. 066803, 2016.
, "Dynamical effects in electron spectroscopy", The Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 143. p. 184109, 2015.
, "Electron-hole interactions in correlated electron materials: Optical properties of vanadium dioxide from first principles", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 91. American Physical Society, p. 195137, 2015.
, "Exciton dispersion in molecular solids", Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, vol. 27. p. 113204, 2015.
, "Exciton energy-momentum map of hexagonal boron nitride", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 92. American Physical Society, p. 165122, 2015.
, "Quasiparticle Self-Consistent GW Method for the Spectral Properties of Co mplex Materials", Topics in Current Chemistry, vol. 347. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 99-135, 2014.
, "Dynamical screening in correlated metals: Spectral properties of SrVO3 in the GW approximation and beyond", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 87. American Physical Society, p. 155147, 2013.
, "Exciton dispersion from first principles", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 88. American Physical Society, p. 155113, 2013.
, "Frenkel versus charge-transfer exciton dispersion in molecular crystals", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 88. American Physical Society, p. 195152, 2013.
, "Local-field effects on the plasmon dispersion of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides", New Journal of Physics, vol. 15. p. 125005, 2013.
, "Loss spectroscopy of molecular solids: combining experiment and theory", New Journal of Physics, vol. 15. p. 125024, 2013.
, "Electronic and magnetic properties of NiS2, NiSSe and NiSe2 by a combination of theoretical methods", EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL B, vol. 85, 2012.
, "Excitons in molecular crystals from first-principles many-body perturbation theory: Picene versus pentacene", PHYSICAL REVIEW B, vol. 86, 2012.
, "Low-energy excitations in strongly correlated materials: A theoretical and experimental study of the dynamic structure factor in V2O3", Phys. Rev. B, vol. 86. American Physical Society, p. 205132, 2012.
, "Plasmon dispersion in layered transition-metal dichalcogenides", PHYSICAL REVIEW B, vol. 86, 2012.
, "Role of nonlocal exchange in the electronic structure of correlated oxides", PHYSICAL REVIEW B, vol. 85, 2012.
, "Design of effective kernels for spectroscopy and molecular transport: Time-dependent current-density-functional theory", JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS, vol. 134, 2011.
, "Design of effective kernels for spectroscopy and molecular transport: Time-dependent current–density-functional theory", The Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 134. AIP, p. 084102, 2011.
, "Plasmon dispersion in molecular solids: Picene and potassium-doped picene", Physical Review B, vol. 84, p. 155118, 2011.
, "Valence Electron Photoemission Spectrum of Semiconductors: Ab Initio Description of Multiple Satellites", Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 107. American Physical Society, p. 166401, 2011.
, "Sodium: A Charge-Transfer Insulator at High Pressures", Physical Review Letters, vol. 104, p. 216404, 2010.
, "Valence-band electronic structure of V[sub 2]O[sub 3]: Identification of V and O bands", Physical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics), vol. 80. APS, p. 155115, 2009.
, "First-principles study of silicon nanocrystals: Structural and electronic properties, absorption, emission, and doping", JOURNAL OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY, vol. 8. pp. 479-492, 2008.


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When inclement weather threatens play, BRYC officials walk the fields early game day morning to assess playing conditions. If adverse conditions at a field--usually, substantial amounts of standing water--are determined to pose a threat of injury to the players or damage to the field, all games scheduled at the field for the entire day are canceled and an announcement is placed on the BRYC Rainout Line ((571-701-2782) and it will be updated at 7:00 a.m. Note that BRYC officials may cancel games at certain fields, while allowing games at other fields to proceed.
When BRYC officials determine fields are playable despite inclement weather conditions, a message that games will be played as scheduled is placed on the hotline. If inclement weather continues, the trainers, in consultation with the league director decides whether to proceed with the scheduled game. Games terminated after half of the game has been played are considered complete.
Thunder and Lightning Policy:
IN CASE OF THUNDER OR LIGHTNING IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA, PLAY WILL BE SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY!! Everyone (no exceptions) must immediately leave the field, seek shelter in their vehicles, and wait 30 minutes. The 30-minute waiting period starts again if additional thunder/lightning is observed. If inclement weather persists, your trainers will terminate the session.


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ST. LOUIS – An Islamic cab driver in St. Louis is challenging the regional taxi commission's wardrobe rules in court after receiving dozens of tickets for wearing traditional religious clothing.
Raja Naeem, 50, is a native of Pakistan who immigrated to the United States two decades ago and now lives in the St. Louis suburb of Manchester. He says his religious beliefs require him to wear a traditional head covering known as a kufi, a billowy shirt called a kurta and loose-fitting pants rather than the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission's mandated uniform of black slacks and a white, button-down shirt.
He sued the taxi commission in St. Louis Circuit Court, alleging harassment and retaliation based on his religious views — including an arrest at Lambert-St Louis International Airport. On Monday, the two sides squared off in a case Circuit Judge Robert Dierker Jr. took under advisement without issuing a ruling.
"I want to practice my religion as well as provide for my family," Naeem, a father of four daughters, said in an interview after the hearing.
Attorney Neil Bruntrager, who represents the taxi commission, said the regulatory agency has tried to accommodate Naeem's ideology while still enforcing its wardrobe rules, which he said were created to help passengers clearly identify approved taxi drivers.
Bruntrager noted that the commission offered a compromise that would have allowed Naeem to wear a kurta as long as it was white and didn't extend below thigh length. The commission agreed that he could wear the kufi on his head but said his pants must be black rather than the white leg coverings Naeem favors in tribute to the prophet Muhammad.
"All the tickets had nothing to do with him wearing (religious) clothing," Bruntrager said in court. "It was the color requirements ... Inherent in all this is the idea of easy recognition."
Drew Baebler, Naeem's attorney, said the taxi commission overstepped its authority when it interviewed Naeem's imam about his religious views in an effort to resolve the dispute. He also noted that the commission allows drivers to wear sports jerseys when teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues make the playoffs.
Follow Alan Scher Zagier on Twitter at http://twitter.com/azagier


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Purpose of this Web Site The purpose of this Web site is to define copyright, provide an explanation of what constitutes piracy, and to outline the rights you gain (and do not gain) when you use a legally obtained professional quality production music or sound effects product. Why a Production Music Publishing Company Exists It takes a significant amount of time, effort and money for a publishing company to create production music or sound effects and produce high quality digital audio files for its customers. Production music and sound effects products are created for use in a wide variety of applications and industries, including
This is the reason publishing companies exist - and they take pride in their work. When you lease or purchase the rights to use a production music or sound effects library, you obtain professional audio files that are:
These Products are Not Offered for Free Most customers understand why these products are not offered for free, why using them according to the terms and conditions of an End User License Agreement like this one is fair, and why having a legally obtained version of their production music and sound effects is good for their business. These customers are to be respected and thanked for their efforts to keep publishing companies successful. Piracy Takes Many Forms Some individuals and companies commit copyright infringement by pirating (illegally copying) production music and sound effects libraries. They may copy someone else's legally acquired files and use them without paying for them, and sometimes they share those illegally obtained files with others. Some people sell pirated material for their own monetary gain. It doesn't matter which of these actions are taken - they are all forms of theft - and they are all illegal. Be Aware of the Risks Associated with Using Pirated Products Be aware that if you use pirated production music or sound effects and are discovered to have done so, you will be held liable. A claim will be made against the producers and production companies that benefitted from your pirated content. The use of stolen material for production of movies, television broadcasts, software and all forms of originally created work is unacceptable. You should also know that modifying a published music or sound effects track does not make the content yours. The modified file is a derivative work, created from a copyrighted source, and it is still legally owned by the original publisher. Other Pages on this Web Site:
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TNA -- $6,000 Championship Belt JACKED from Under Stagehand's Nose
TNA $6,000 Belt JACKED From Under Stagehand's Nose
TNA's heavyweight championship belt -- valued at roughly $6,000 -- was stolen earlier this month from right under a stagehand's nose ... but thankfully, the suspected thieves have been caught ... with the help of TECHNOLOGY.
TNA sources tell TMZ, the alleged belt-snatching took place on August 18th in Ottumwa, Iowa before a non-televised event while a stagehand was unloading props from his truck.
We're told the stagehand turned away for a split second, and one of the suspects grabbed the $6,000 belt -- along with a $400 replica -- and took off.
The two suspects were later identified by police using surveillance footage.
33-year-old Joel Luke and 39-year-old Forrest Jamison were arrested Wednesday before posting bail and being released. Luke was charged with 2nd-degree theft and Jamison was charged with accessory.
The belts have since been returned to TNA -- and somehow, the stagehand still has his job.


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Dice Bag: Small Black Velvet with Green Satin Lining
- Bag Color: Black
- String Color: Black
- Lining: Green
- Width: 3 ¾ inches (9.5cm)
- Depth: 4 inches (10cm)
- Useable Depth: 3 inches (7.5cm)
- Capacity: 15 (Standard16mm Dice)
This small black velvet dice bag is lined with green satin. It is made by Koplow Games. The bag closes with two heavy drawstrings. It measures 3 3/4 inches across by 4 inches deep (roughly 3 inches of the depth is useable beneath the drawstring).
This is a small bag made for one full set of RPG dice and a little more. It can comfortably hold 15 standard sized 16mm square edge dice (the rough equivalent of about 1.5 sets of RPG dice).


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Apple Desktops
Abacus has been renting apple computers for 20 years. From the latest MacBook Pros to iMacs to Mac Pros to Cinema Displays - Abacus Rent I.T. have everything Mac. We have the largest fleet at the cheapest rates in the country if you can find a cheaper price, we guarantee to beat it by 20%*. Our models range from MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros all the way up to the top-of-the-range Mac Pros. We pride ourselves on keeping our fleet up-to-date with all the latest Mac computer hardware and if we don't have it, well get it!
As with all our hire computers, we are very flexible when it comes to options. Whether its networking a hub or upgrading the RAM we've got you covered. If you require a large number for a corporate event or training, we can literally provide a hundred units from anywhere for a day onwards. Abacus Rent IT has a proud tradition of exceeding our clients expectations, even if you need equipment same day just give us a call and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
If you need more than just the Mac, we also hire computer data projectors, printers and scanners at extremely competitive rates. If you require an external keyboard or mouse for a MacBook we can provide these items upon request. We also offer PC rental - for more information please see our PC rental page. Please take the time to fill out the enquiry form on this page detailing exactly what you are looking for and we will rapidly respond with an official email quote. Conversely, please feel free to call us on 1300 55 24 24 and find out how easy it is to rent with Abacus Rent I.T. and why our service is second to none!
* 20% guarantee subject to availability on comparable product. Competitors quote must be in writing.
Didn't see what you needed then call us on 1300 55 24 24. Abacus Rent It are the leaders at finding what you want when you want it.
BUSINESS USE ONLY! Guaranteed to be the cheapest rental rate*
20 minute response from your enquiry within business hours.
Sales persons knowledge and explanation of products
Equipment delivered/collected on the day time required
Overall quality and cleanliness of equipment provided
Configuration and functionality of equipment met specified requirements
Installation of equipment met specified requirements (if applicable)


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Greetings from DNR Secretary Scott Angelle and the Department of Natural Resources Atchafalaya Basin Program
Proposed FY2013 Atchafalaya Basin Program Plan:The Atchafalaya Basin Program Research and Promotion Board met on Thursday, December 1, 2011 to review public comments that had been received for the Draft FY2013 Annual Basin Plan. As a result of that meeting, the Draft FY2013 Annual Basin Plan has been updated to reflect the changes which were accepted at that meeting. The revised Draft FY2013 Annual Basin Plan can be found at http://dnr.louisiana.gov/assets/OCM/ABP/2013DRAFTPLAN_DEC.pdf. The plan will be presented at the next CPRA meeting scheduled for January 18, 2012.
Public Meeting information can also be viewed on the Atchafalaya Basin calendar here: http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=490&pnid=273&nid=277 or the DNR calendar here: http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=calendar&tmp=home.
Atchafalaya Basin Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment System: The Atchafalaya Basin Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment System (ABNRIAS) is now available online at http://abp.cr.usgs.gov/
FY2011-2012 Atchafalaya Basin Program Annual Plan: To view the FY2011-2012 Atchafalaya Basin Program Annual Plan, go to www.basin.louisiana.gov.
Checking the water:The information below is obtained from the USGS and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and has been compiled by DNR into this format to allow a quick look at information pertinent to the Atchafalaya Basin.
Data is for 12/6/2011
Mississippi River at CairoLocation: Southernmost gauge on the Ohio River in Illinois Reading significance - used to forecast rises on the Mississippi. Lag time, 4 to 6 days.Flood Stage: 40'Stage: 43.1'Forecast: expect to RISE to 44.0' by 12/08
Mississippi River, just south of ORCS, at Red River LandingReading: Mississippi River south of ORCS, after the diversion into the Atchafalaya Flood Stage: 48'Stage: 39.0'Forecast: expect to RISE to 48.0' by 12/08
Atchafalaya River, just south of ORCS, at SimmesportReading: The combined latitudinal flows of the Red, Black, Ouachita, and ORCS flow from the Mississippi Flood Stage: 47'Stage: 21.97'Forecast: expect to RISE to 23.0' by 12/10
Atchafalaya River at MelvilleFlood Stage: 41'Stage: 16.07'Forecast: expect to RISE to 16.8' by 12/10
Atchafalaya River at Krotz SpringsFlood Stage: 37'Stage: 14.47'Forecast: expect to RISE to 15.1' by 12/10
Atchafalaya River above Butte LaroseFlood Stage: 25'Stage: 10.44'Forecast: expect to RISE to 10.9' by 12/10
Atchafalaya River at Bayou Sorrell Locks on the GIWWFlood Stage: 12'Stage: 5'Forecast: expect to RISE to 5.5' by 12/10
Atchafalaya at Millet (Myette) PointFlood Stage: 15'Stage: 5.93'Forecast: expect to RISE to 6.2' by 12/10
Atchafalaya River at Morgan CityFlood Stage: 4'Stage: 3.41'Forecast: expect to RISE to 3.6' by 12/10NOTE: Gauge reading affected by ocean tides.
Murphy Lake near Bayou SorrelStage: 10.07'
Lower Grand River at Bayou SorrelStage: 5.55'
Bayou CourtableauStage: 17.23'
Buffalo Cove at Round IslandStage: 6.90'
Arm of Grand Lake near Crook CheneStage: 8.08'
Middle Fork, Bayou LongStage: 3.69'
Pontoon Bridge at Butte LaroseStage: 5.57'
Bayou Darby at Fausse Pt. CutStage: 13.36'
Beau Bayou SwampNA - Equipment malfunction
Lake Pelba at I-10, HendersonStage: 10.26'


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Greece, the southernmost of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Geography has greatly influenced the country's development. Mountains historically restricted internal communications, but the sea opened up wider horizons. The total land area of Greece (one-fifth of which is made up of the Greek islands) is comparable in size to England or the U.S. state of Alabama.
Greece has more than 2,000 islands, of which about 170 are inhabited; some of the easternmost Aegean islands lie just a few miles off the Turkish coast. The country's capital is Athens, which expanded rapidly in the second half of the 20th century. Attikí (ancient Greek: Attica), the area around the capital, is now home to about one-third of the country's entire population.
Recent News
A Greek legend has it that God distributed soil through a sieve and used the stones that remained to build Greece. The country's barren landscape historically caused the people to migrate. The Greeks, like the Jews and the Armenians, traditionally have been a people of diaspora, and several million people of Greek descent live in various parts of the world. Xeniteia, or sojourning in foreign lands, with its strong overtones of nostalgia for the faraway homeland, has been a central element in the historical experience of the Greek people.
Greece is a country that is at once European, Balkan, Mediterranean, and Near Eastern. It lies at the juncture of Europe, Asia, and Africa and is heir to the heritages of Classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and nearly four centuries of Ottoman Turkish rule.
Greece is bordered to the east by the Aegean Sea, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the west by the Ionian Sea. Only to the north and northeast does it have land borders (totaling some 735 miles [1,180 km]), with, from west to east, Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia (see Researcher's Note: Macedonia: the provenance of the name), Bulgaria, and Turkey. The Greek landscape is conspicuous not only for its rugged beauty but also for its complexity and variety. Three elements dominate: the sea, the mountains, and the lowland. The Greek mainland is sharply indented; arms and inlets of the sea penetrate so deeply that only a small, wedge-shaped portion of the interior is more than 50 miles (80 km) from the coast. The rocky headlands and peninsulas extend outward to the sea where there are many island arcs and archipelagoes. The southernmost part of mainland Greece, the Pelopónnisos (ancient Greek: Peloponnese) peninsula, connects to the mainland only by the narrow isthmus at the head of the Gulf of Korinthiakós (Corinth). Greece's mountainous terrain covers some four-fifths of the country, much of which is deeply dissected. A series of mainland mountain chains running northwest-southeast enclose narrow parallel valleys and numerous small basins that once held lakes. With riverine plains and thin, discontinuous strips of coastal plain, these interior valleys and basins constitute the lowland. Although it accounts for only about one-fifth of the country's land area, the lowland has played an important role in the life of the country.
Three characteristics of geology and structure underlie these landscape elements. First, northeastern Greece is occupied by a stable block of ancient (Hercynian) hard rock. Second, younger and weaker rocks, the majority of which are of limestone origin, make up western and southern Greece. These were heavily folded during the Alp-building phase of the Paleogene and Neogene periods (about 66 to 2.6 million years ago), when Earth movements thrust the softer sediments east-northeast against the unyielding Hercynian block and produced a series of roughly parallel tectonic zones that gave rise to the mountain-and-valley relief. Third, both the Hercynian block and the Hellenidic (Alpine) ranges were subsequently raised and fractured by tectonic movements. These dislocations created the sunken basins of the Ionian and Aegean seas as well as the jagged edges so typical of Greece's landscape. Earthquakes are frequent reminders that similar earth movements continue, particularly along the major fault lines. One result of the region's geologic instability is the widespread presence of marble, which is limestone that has been altered by pressure and heat. Seismic disturbances are sometimes associated with volcanic explosions, especially those involving the island of Thíra (ancient Greek: Thera; also called Santoríni), which was virtually destroyed by a major eruption in the 2nd millennium bce. The vents of the Kaméni islands in the sea-filled explosion crater of Thíra remain active. The island of Mílos (Melos), which rises to 2,465 feet (751 metres) above sea level, is composed of young volcanic rocks.
Relief and geology provide the basis for describing the Greek landscape in terms of six major regions: central, northeastern, eastern, southern, and western mainland Greece, along with the islands.
Central Greece: the Píndos Mountains
The central mountain range, the Píndos (ancient Greek: Pindus) Mountains, forms the core of mainland Greece. Following the general northwest-southeast trend of the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula, the Píndos sweep down from the Albanian and North Macedonian frontiers, creating a powerful barrier. The two passes of Métsovon and Mount Timfristós divide the range into three units: a fairly open segment in the north where impervious shales and sandstones have weathered and formed into extensive upland valleys and gently inclining hills; the Píndos proper in the centre, some 20 miles (32 km) wide and predominantly limestone; and an almost uncrossable zone in the south, about 50 miles (80 km) wide, deeply cut by winding rivers and composed of a mixture of limestone, slates, and sandstones. The range's highest point, Mount Smólikas, 8,652 feet (2,637 metres) high, is found in the north.
Northeastern Greece: Makedonía and Thráki
Several topographic regions surround the main mountainous core and are often penetrated by extensions of it. The northernmost part, roughly the regions of Greek Makedonía (Macedonia) and Thráki (Thrace), extends in a long, narrow, east-west band between the Aegean coast and the frontier with the countries of North Macedonia and Bulgaria. It consists of forest-clad, crystalline mountain massifs and plateaus created by the fracturing of the Hercynian block and separated from each other by the alluvial deposits of the five great rivers of northern Greece: the Maritsa (Évros), Néstos, Strymónas (Struma), Vardaráis (Vardar; Axiós;), and Aliákmonos (Aliákmon). The fracturing of the Hercynian also accounts for the odd three-pronged shape of the Chalkidikí (Chalcidice) Peninsula, on whose easternmost prong is located Mount Athos (Holy Mountain), which is the famous site of Greek Orthodox monastic communities. Along and beyond the Bulgarian border rise the Rodópi (Rhodope) Mountains, mainly composed of sharp-edged and sloping plateaus, reaching 7,260 feet (2,213 metres) at Mount Órvilos. The Maritsa River, in its low-lying, marshy valley, marks the Turkish border. From there to the lower Strymónas River extends a succession of plains, some of which are often swampy, such as the deltaic plain of the lower Néstos, and others have been turned into fertile agricultural land, as is the case in the former Lake Akhinós. Inland there are basins of structural origin, such as the Plain of Drámas (Drama). Lakes Koróneia (Korónia) and Vólvi, which separate the Chalkidikí Peninsula from the rest of the coastal region, also occupy structural depressions. Farther west, the large plain drained by the Vardaráis and lower Aliákmonos rivers is being continually extended as the river deltas push out into the Gulf of Thermaïkós (Thérmai). The forested Vérmion (Vérmio) Mountains and, beyond them, the barren inland basins around Lakes Vegorítida (Vegorrítis) and Kardítsa mark the boundary with the Píndos Mountains.


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Steps To Making Arrangements
We understand the gravity of loss, and we want you to know you aren't alone. Your search has lead you to the right place.
1. We're here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (808) 657-3257.
We'll start our conversation by asking you a few questions so that we can begin caring for your loved one. We'll need to know:
- The full legal name of the person who has passed away
- Location of the death
- Whether the loved one was under the care of a doctor or hospice (if so, please have that information available)
- Name of next of kin
- Relationship of next of kin
- Whether the loved one is ready to be transferred into our care
- Birthday of the person who has passed away
- Social Security Number of the person who has passed away
If family members are still with their loved one, we'll give you an approximate time of our arrival. We'll also set up a time to meet and discuss the arrangements.
2. Expect a call back from one of our licensed experts
He or she will carefully walk you through every step of this difficult time. Immediately after our call, you'll receive an email with valuable information and reminders of important steps to come.
Helpful Link - Immediate Arrangements
3. Preparing for the arrangement conference
This is a time to review all the options available to you. Our goal is to help you create a meaningful event that honors and celebrates the life of your loved one by capturing the essence of who they were. We commit to limiting our time with you so you can spend more time with family. Please view the following arrangement conference checklist that'll help you prepare.
Helpful Link - Notification Checklist


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IEC 60870-6 TASE.2 compliance and verification
Prove the quality and interoperability of your TASE.2 systems
Utilities are increasingly demanding equipment that conforms to open and secure standards. This ensures interoperability in multi-vendor environments and reduces risk in critical infrastructure. These factors are especially important in communication between control centres. When it comes to their reliability and security, utilities can't afford to take risks; a single mishap can have far-reaching consequences.
A skilled partner you can rely on
As part of a broad portfolio of data communication protocol services, DNV offers independent IEC60870-6 TASE.2 / Inter-Control Centre Communications Protocol (ICCP) verification and conformance testing. This helps you prove the quality and interoperability of components and solve any compliance issues during development. So that network operators can implement TASE.2-based systems without additional risk.
To ensure your products are effectively and efficiently tested, we work with you to prepare a tailored test plan that can include any additional technical specifications you might require. Afterwards, our highly skilled engineers perform the agreed services at a location of your choosing, or at our state-of-the-art laboratories.
Upon completion, we provide you with a complete test report. Failed tests include extra information to clarify the cause of the error, and to help you take the right steps to reach a conformant implementation.
Years of experience support your goals
We have deep knowledge of the TASE.2 standard, gathered over years of participation in international user and standardisation groups, as well as ample experience from real-life implementations at end-users. This allows us to offer you unrivalled support in adopting best practices and overcoming the challenges associated with reaching a compliant product or implementation.


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Could testing people for coronavirus at UK airports replace quarantine?
Since June it has been necessary for travellers returning to or visiting the UK to quarantine for 14 days.
A series of travel corridors between the UK and other countries was introduced in July, but has since shrunk, with travellers returning from Spain, France and Croatia, among many others, now asked to self-isolate for two weeks on arrival in the UK.
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Hide AdSome countries have instead adopted a test-on-arrival system which exempts travellers from quarantining if they return a negative test.
Many have questioned why the UK government hasn't adopted a similar system.
Why isn't the UK testing travellers on arrival?
The UK has been studying the benefits of testing at airports since international travel reopened, but have no plans to introduce these measures at the moment.
As well as being a logistical nightmare they also suggest that some cases could slip through the net as testing isn't 100% reliable.
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Hide AdInstead by keeping travellers under a 14-day quarantine, the government can reduce the risk to public health.
Oliver Dowden explained the approach when he claimed testing was "not a silver bullet".
Refusing to rule out a future adoption, the Culture Secretary said: "It's not the case that you can simply test somebody and be sure that they don't have the disease.
"It can incubate over a period of time so there's not a silver bullet of just testing immediately at the border ... We are not at the point where there is a viable alternative to the 14-day quarantine."
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Hide AdWhat does the science say?
Nose and throat swab tests are currently used to detect if someone has Covid-19.
Though these tests are safe and accurate, they are capable of delivering a false negative, meaning someone with the virus could return a negative test and go on to infect others.
False negatives occur when people have only just been infected with coronavirus and don't have a sufficient amount of the virus in their body for the test to pick it up.
It can take days for the virus to be detectable.
Could testing be used to reduce the length of quarantine?
Not for profit organisation Institute For Global Change have suggested testing travellers five days into their quarantine.
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Hide AdIt is hoped that this would reduce the self-isolation period and reduce the risk of conducting a false negative.
A study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine suggested that testing travellers later could be effective in reducing the spread of the infectious virus.
"Testing immediately on arrival is likely to prevent about only 50% of infectious persons entering the community," says study author Dr Sam Clifford. "By seven days, a majority of people who will ever show symptoms will have noticed their symptoms and will self-isolate or seek medical attention.
"Also by that time, PCR testing should detect most of those infections with a long incubation period or … asymptomatic infections."
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Hide AdWhat would testing at airports look like?
Private companies have floated the idea of travellers booking a test which would be conducted at the airport on arrival.
This would be conducted by a trained nurse and processed in the next 24 hours.
Travellers who receive a negative result would then be able to forego quarantine and would only be required to self-isolate if they developed symptoms.