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Out and About: Julie in NYC
There's no better place than New York for the casual wandering photog. And no better way to unwind between interviews than wandering casually. Tamara shared her observations from last week's trip; here are a few of mine.
An ambitious seeker-of-companionship slipped this onto the subway; an attempt at old-school social networking, ironic in its particular placement. It's author provides a few interesting and wholesome-sounding options (library, the zoo, coffee date) to entice people to respond to this rather salacious-seeming invitation. Who calls, I wonder? And don't they know that with Google Voice they can link those two numbers?
Surprisingly lifelike and expressive, for mini-robots cobbled out of plastic scraps.
A few of my pictures wound up revealing accidental compositional synchronicity. That's one of the joys of taking photos – along with being obvious documentations of what I ran across, I often discover something new when I get them back and reflect on them:
When I took this, I only saw the blue face. And yes, this is the correct orientation of the photo!
The colors in this juxtapostion of the utilitarian and the ephermeral echo each other.
I like taking pictures of poles for the way they can surprisingly and dramatically bisect a scene. And because people put stickers on them. The little face sticker here is obviously a product of the same person/people who slapped up a little sticker I snapped on the other side of the country, at Venice Beach, just two weeks prior – the LA one reads, "Enjoy You" rather than, "Gain You." Interstate sticker-art pattern! Theories?
Red, yellow and blue syncopate in a Brooklyn subway entrance, in a way that put me in the mind of Mondrian's Broadway Boogie Woogie. Jazzy patterns abound, waiting for us to notice them.


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It's fall and my Super Sister-in-Law Chef Sandy is back today with a hearty, beefy, autumny favorite that any beef lover will eat up. She always knows just the right thing to make to welcome the season. Enjoy!
I made a fabulous pot roast on Friday, because the weather was frightful and was just begging for it. It was tender and flavorful and everything you could hope for from a pot roast. And it was large enough for leftovers, because I always like to have enough for second helpings – we all know it is just as easy to cook a 4 pound piece of meat as a 2 pound one, it just takes a little longer. But, the question is, do we really want to eat the same thing twice? If you ask my daughter, the answer is an emphatic "No!" So this is where I have to get a little creative.
In this economic time of doomsday forecasts on all of the news media, it just feels right to be a little frugal in the way I run my kitchen. One of the best ways to do this is to do a great job managing our food budget by not being wasteful. But I still want to make mealtime delicious and enjoyable for everyone. So I use my leftovers, a little creativity and a little bribery to make everyone happy at the dinner table. I still shop for the best quality meats and vegetables, and we always get great bread.
Tonight we are going to have Stone Soup and salad for dinner. Did you ever read the Grimm Brothers fable Stone Soup to your kids? It is one that was read to me when I was probably in first or second grade, and it is a story that has stuck with me all of these years. The idea is simple – just a little bit of this and a little bit of that and you can have a nourishing meal.
The bribery comes in with the garlic bread to eat with it, and the cookies and milk for dessert. The soup will be vegetable soup, made with pot roast and gravy leftovers, plus some other goodies from the pantry, refrigerator and freezer.
Stone Soup, AKA
Quick and Easy Vegetable-Beef Soup
2 cups assorted vegetables, either frozen or leftover or fresh chopped
(I used 1 chopped carrot, 1 cup frozen green beans and peas, ½ cup of garbanzo beans, 1 leftover roasted potato)
½ cup spaghetti sauce, Bloody Mary mix or tomato juice
3 cups stock or water
1 cup diced leftover roast beef, plus gravy
Sauté any fresh vegetables in olive oil until they are tender, seasoning as necessary. Add frozen vegetables, stock/water, tomato product and gravy. The meat may be added at the very last minute, or right away, depending on your preference. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower to simmer and cook gently for about 5 minutes until all the vegetables are just tender.
Just before serving, check for seasoning, adding salt and pepper (maybe hot sauce) as desired. Maybe a little parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top.
Great Garlic Bread
6 slices day-old Italian bread
1 clove fresh garlic, peeled and cut in half
2 TB butter
Salt (if desired)
Toast the bread until golden in the toaster. When it comes out of the toaster, immediately rub it with the cut garlic clove. The more you rub the clove, the stronger the flavor. Then butter the toast and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, which will bring out the garlic flavor. Serve immediately.
For my chocolaty-chocolate chip cookies:
One recipe traditional chocolate chip cookies (from the back of any package of chocolate chips), with the following substitutions:
In place of 2 ¼ cups flour, just use 2 cups of flour, plus ¾ cup of best quality cocoa powder.
In place of 2 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips, use only 1 cup, plus one cup each white chocolate chips and bittersweet or milk chocolate chips.
When you have formed the teaspoonfuls of cookie dough, drop them into milk chocolate sprinkles and roll them around to coat. Then place on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes, or until you just can slide a spatula under a done cookie.
When you remove the cookie sheet from the oven, quickly place an assortment of 5 or so of the various chips in the center of the cookie. Allow them to melt slightly and then swirl the top of each if desired.
Or use a refrigerated roll of cookie dough, adding 1/3 to ½ cup of cocoa to the dough before shaping. Proceed as directed above.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Returning Your Item
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To enable us to process your return(s) as quickly as possible, please supply your correct Invoice Number and email address above. Your Invoice Number starts with CI and can be found in your order confirmation / dispatch emails. You can also find your Invoice Number on the yellow labels attached to each product ordered.
On entering your Invoice Number and email address above, please follow the further simple steps and we will then email you with instructions to send the product(s) back. Please read and follow them carefully to enable us to process your return(s) quickly.
The return(s) will be processed on receipt of the product(s). Once they have been checked to ensure that they are in good condition, refunds will then be processed using the original method of payment.
Further information and full terms and conditions can be found here.


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Northeast Passage soon free from ice again?
- Date:
- June 13, 2012
- Source:
- Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
- Summary:
- The Northeast Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia, is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was made by sea ice physicists based on a series of measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean.
- Share:
The Northeast Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia, is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was made by sea ice physicists of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association based on a series of measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean. Among experts the shelf sea is known as an "ice factory" of Arctic sea ice. At the end of last winter the researchers discovered large areas of thin ice not being thick enough to withstand the summer melt.
"These results were a great surprise to us," says expedition member Dr. Thomas Krumpen. In previous measurements in the winter of 2007/2008 the ice in the same area had been up to one metre thicker. In his opinion these clear differences are primarily attributable to the wind: "It behaves differently from year to year. If, as last winter, the wind blows from the mainland to the sea, it pushes the pack ice from the Laptev Sea towards the North. Open water areas, so-called polynyas, develop in this way before the coast. Their surface water naturally cools very quickly at an air temperature of minus 40 degrees. New thin ice forms and is then immediately swept away again by the wind. In view of this cycle, differently sized areas of thin ice then develop on the Laptev Sea depending on wind strength and continuity," explains Thomas Krumpen.
However, the expedition team was unaware of just how large these areas can actually become until they made the measurement flights in March and April of this year. In places the researchers flew over thin ice for around 400 kilometres. The "EM Bird," the torpedo-shaped, electromagnetic ice thickness sensor of the Alfred Wegener Institute, was hung on a cable beneath the helicopter. It constantly recorded the thickness of the floating ice. "We now have a unique data set which we primarily want to use to check the measurements of the Earth investigation satellite SMOS," says Thomas Krumpen.
The abbreviation SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) is actually a satellite mission to determine the soil moisture of the mainland and salinity of the oceans. However, the satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA) can also be used to survey the Arctic sea ice. "The satellite can be used above all to detect thin ice areas, as we have seen them, from space," explains Thomas Krumpen.
The SMOS satellite measurements from March and April of this year confirm that the thin ice areas discovered by the expedition team were no locally restricted phenomenon: "A large part of the Northeast Passage was characterised by surprisingly thin ice at the end of the winter," says Thomas Krumpen.
The new findings of the successful winter expedition give cause for concern to the scientists: "These huge new areas of thin ice will be the first to disappear when the ice melts in summer. And if the thin ice melts as quickly as we presume, the Laptev Sea and with it a part of the Northeast Passage will be free from ice comparatively early this summer," explains the sea ice physicist.
In the past the Laptev Sea was always covered with sea ice from October to the end of the following July and was navigable for a maximum of two summer months. In 2011 the ice had retracted so far by the third week of July that during the course of the summer 33 ships were able to navigate the Arctic waters of Russia for the first time. The Northeast Passage is viewed by shipping companies to be a time and fuel saving alternative to the conventional Europe-Asia route. The connection from Rotterdam to Japanese Yokohama via the Northeast Passage is some 3800 sea miles shorter than taking the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean route.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Cite This Page:


text:
New commercial satellite imagery shows that North Korea has begun dismantling its underground nuclear test site ahead of schedule – an apparent goodwill gesture offered by Pyongyang in advance of a summit next month between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea over the weekend pledged to begin destroying the Punggye-ri site in the country's northeast in a ceremony open to foreign journalists between May 23 and May 25. Punggye-ri has been the site of all six North Korean nuclear tests, including its most powerful, in September, which Pyongyang said was its first fusion device, or H-bomb.
North Korea said it would allow journalists from the U.S., South Korea, China, Russia and Britain "on-the-spot coverage" of the ceremony.
In a tweet on Saturday, President Trump called North Korea's decision to raze the site "a very smart and gracious gesture!"
The move comes amid a major thaw in relations between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington that witnessed a summit last month between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, where the two agreed in principle to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Trump and Kim are expected to meet for a historic summit in Singapore on June 12.
However, analysts writing for the North Korea monitoring blog 38 North report that moves to tear down the site are already underway.
Recent commercial satellite imagery has provided definitive evidence that the #DPRK has begun dismantling the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Sitehttps://t.co/ILVR1hpmlw
— 38 North (@38NorthNK) May 14, 2018
"Several key operational support buildings, located just outside the North, West and South Portals, have been razed" since April 24, write Frank V. Pabian, Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu.
"Some of the rails for the mining carts, which had led from the tunnels to their respective spoil piles, have apparently been removed. Additionally, some carts seem to have been tipped over and/or disassembled, and several small sheds/outbuildings around the site had been removed," the authors of the post say.
Earlier, the official Korean Central News Agency had said that tunnels would be collapsed, entrances blocked and research buildings, observation and security posts would be removed as part of the decommissioning process.
It was not immediately clear why the North Koreans would move to dismantle the site earlier than expected.
The decision to dismantle the test facility now may be politically expedient for Kim, but having perfected a crude nuclear deterrent and ballistic missiles thought capable of delivering it as far as the continental United States, the North Korean leader may no longer need the underground test facility.
In one of the first signs that Kim was willing to concede Punggye-ri, he announced last month that the site had "done its job."
In fact, several reports have emerged in recent months that September's massive underground test, the last conducted there, caused portions of the underground facility to collapse, rendering them unusable.
The same three authors who looked at the most recent satellite imagery for 38 North wrote after last year's test that imagery taken then appeared "to show numerous landslides throughout the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site and beyond."
Last month, two separate groups of Chinese scientists also concluded that the Punggye-ri site might be untenable.
"One group of researchers found that the most recent blast tore open a hole in the mountain, which then collapsed upon itself. A second group concluded that the breakdown created a "chimney" that could allow radioactive fallout from the blast zone below to rise into the air," according to The South China Morning Post.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With new CDC guidelines, concerts are starting to come back to Florida, but for at least one show, WFTS has learned your COVID-19 vaccination status will determine how much you pay to attend.
"These are all my tickets from over the years," said Brittney Wigen, showing framed displays containing hundreds of ticket stubs.
Wigen has been a fan of punk rock and has attended shows regularly since she was a teenager. The COVID-19 pandemic put all concerts on hold, but Wigen recently saw an announcement for a show to be held at St. Petersburg VFW Post #39 next month headlined by Teenage Bottlerocket and featuring the bands Make War and Rutterkin.
"I saw the announcement for the concert. And then you go to purchase the tickets; it says that you have to show proof of vaccination, which I do not have," Wigen said.
Discount tickets $18, full-price tickets $999.99
Tickets cost $18 in advance, or $20 at the door if you have a vaccination certificate, but the price increased by 50 fold if you don't.
"If I wanted to go to the concert without a vaccination, I would have to pay $999.99," Wigen said.
Promoter Paul Williams came up with the idea.
"We're just trying to do a show safely. And they should go out and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families and their community," Williams said.
He said he had less than a week to come up with a plan to book the show and thought giving a discount for people who were vaccinated would be a good incentive. Teenage Bottlerocket was at first skeptical of the approach but now fully supports the idea.
"We're all vaccinated. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated so we can see you in the pit," said Ray Carlisle, who sings and plays guitar in the band.
"I understand what they're doing. I think it's very nice of them, but it's just not fair," said Wigen.
Israel is using proof of vaccination, so-called vaccine passports, to determine who can attend concerts. But Williams says he didn't feel like he could legally ban people without vaccines here.
Vaccine passports not allowed in Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis first signed an executive order and then signed a bill into law earlier this month to ban vaccine passports in Florida.
"Under no circumstances will the state be asking you to show proof of vaccination, and I don't think private companies should be doing that either," said Gov. DeSantis. "If you want to go to an event, go to an event. If you don't, don't. But to be requiring people to provide all this proof, that's not how you get society back to normal."
University of South Florida Health Care Vice President Jay Wolfson says mandating people show medical records raises other concerns.
"It would be discriminatory if a business said show me your personal health information," Wolfson said.
Williams said he wouldn't keep anyone out who buys a full-price ticket.
"We're gonna let them in; we're not gonna out them," Williams said. "Nobody's gonna know that they're the person that bought the ticket, and they'll be treated just like everyone else."
Williams said he has not yet sold any full-price tickets to the show.
"I think they should trust us."
"I think it's terrible because not everyone can get the vaccine. I can't because I had COVID too recently," Wigen said.
She said she has antibodies that would prevent her from getting COVID or giving it to anyone else. Wigen said she offered to provide a doctor's note to the promoter, saying she doesn't pose a risk to anyone else. Williams says he's not a doctor, so he wouldn't know how to interpret her medical records. He said he wouldn't sell her a discount ticket this time, but he said he plans to hold shows later this summer without the different ticket prices.
"She can come to the next show, and I hope she does," Williams said.
Teenage Bottlerocket band members say Wigen can attend one of their other Florida concerts in Orlando or Jacksonville instead, with no vaccination stipulations. They say there is another option for Wigen.
"Perhaps put together a Go-Fund-Me, and all the other weirdo anti-vaxers can help support you going to Teenage Bottlerocket for a thousand dollars. That's always an option," Carlisle said.
"Most people who are avid concert-goers know the risks. There are other risks besides COVID. I think they should trust us a little bit more," Wigen said.
"I compare it to what we see right now with Dunkin Donuts giving you a free doughnut when you show your vaccine card," Williams said.
And just like some people don't like doughnuts, Williams said sweaty punk rock concerts aren't for everyone.
The show is scheduled for June 26.
Adam Walser at WFTS first reported this story.


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One Shoulder Premium Lace Midi Dress in Blush
Fit: Main Collection. Designed and crafted to ensure you feel beautiful, confident and desired, each piece in our Chi Chi collection is uniquely designed in-house to complement you and your style.
Length: Longline Midi. Size 8 wearing length from side neck point = 125cm. I sit at the lower shin of someone of average height.
Fabrication: Crochet. I am a premium product, made of delicate material, therefore please watch for sharp objects that could snag my material. I am a stretch fabric.
Fabric Composition: Shell: 100% Polyester Lining: 100% Polyester
Lining: I am lined.
Wash Care: Dry Clean Only. I am made from delicate fabrics that need a bit of extra care and are not suitable for the washing machine, so please Dry Clean me only.
Fabric Care: I am a delicate material, therefore please watch for sharp objects that could snag my material. I do not stretch.
Fastening: I fasten with a side zip.
Additional Benefits: I have been designed with special occasions in mind, with a premium crochet in a blush pink hue. My one-shoulder neckline is flattering and feminine, whilst crochet design adds some extra playfulness. Pair me with your favourite accessories to complete your look.
Perfect for: Special Occasions & Events
Model Details: Beth wears a size 12/ EU 40/ US 8 and is 5'5" tall
Product Code: MO0008BU
- UK 5 - 7 Day Service: £3.99
- UK Next Day Shipping (before 1pm): £6.99
All orders must be placed before 1pm. Orders placed after 1pm will be delivered the following working day (excl. Sat & Sun) (excl. out of Mainland postcodes) -
UK Next Day Shipping: £5.99
All orders must be placed before 10pm on Friday
See our FAQs page for full details
All customers have 28 days from the date of delivery to return any unwanted items back to us for a full refund.
Returns are simple. Just click the link to our online returns hub and follow the instructions to return via your preferred method. We offer both paperless and print at home solutions.
Please note we do not offer free returns. Please see our FAQs and Return Policy for full information and charges
Sample Sale goods are only eligible for a refund onto giftcard.


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In February, Israel's Supreme Court voted the Tal Law discriminatory and unconstitutional in a vote of six to three. The law, which provides exemptions for young men studying in yeshiva full-time, has been the subject of much criticism and controversy.
Advocates of maintaining the status quo, argue that those studying Torah provide a spiritual protection to the State of Israel. They also believe that Jewish Law requires exemptions for yeshiva students.
But what does Jewish Law really require?
The Mishnah (Sotah 8:7) states: "…In a Milchemet Mitzvah, all go out [to war], even a groom from his room and a bride from her wedding canopy." While many explain that women are exempt from combat, they are to assist by "providing food and fixing roads" (Tiferet Yisrael, ad loc.), for example. By including bride and groom, based on Yoel 2:16, the Mishnah emphasizes that all are required to participate in the war effort, without exception.
Rambam defines a Milchemet Mitzvah as, "war [against] the Seven Nations, war [against] Amalek, and assisting Israel from the hand of the enemy who comes up against them" (Hil. Melachim 5:1). This last definition informs our discussion. With a nuclear threat from Iran looming, enemy States on our borders, and the constant threat of terrorism within, anyone who is intellectually honest must admit that we find ourselves today embroiled in a Milchemet Mitzvah, a national security situation that demands the help of all.
Those who advocate exemptions for students studying Torah full-time also find support in the Rambam's Mishneh Torah. Rambam writes at the end of Hilchot Shemitta v'Yovel, that the Tribe of Levi is exempt from going to war as they are the 'Army of Hashem,' so to speak. They are to fulfill their role as spiritual leaders of the Jewish People. They do not inherit a portion of he Land and their material needs are provided for. Rambam then continues and writes:
And not only the Tribe of Levi, but also each and every individual whose spirit moves him and whose knowledge gives him understanding to set himself apart in order to stand before the Lord, to serve Him, to worship Him and to know Him, and releases his neck from the yoke of the many considerations that men are wont to pursue – such an individual is consecrated as the Holy of Holies, and his portion and inheritance shall be in the Lord forever and ever. The Lord will grant him in this world whatsoever is sufficient for him, as He has granted the Kohanim and Levi'im (Hil. Shemitta v'Yovel 13:13).
With this addendum, Rambam allows for anyone "whose spirit moves him" to devote himself solely to Torah study, free from the burden of army service and divorced of all material concerns.
But this passage is problematic. Later commentaries struggle to find a Talmudic source for Rambam's ruling. Some suggest that this passage is based on Nedarim 32a, where our patriarch Avraham is criticized for drafting Torah scholars in the War of the Four Kings against the Five. Others point to Sotah 10a, which describes how King Asa was punished for mobilizing talmidei chachamim.
Rambam himself rules that even a bride and groom must assist in the war effort (Hil. Melachim 7:4). If bride and groom are not exempted, how can a yeshivah student, "whose spirit moves him," escape the draft? And by suggesting that Torah scholars can look to their brethren for financial support, Rambam also appears to contradict what he writes in his commentary to Avot 4:5 and in Hilchot Talmud Torah 3:10-11, where he decries the practice of relying upon others and emphasizes the importance of balancing Torah study with a livelihood.
What is clear is that Rambam's ruling here is not the rule, but the exception. His allowance is made for the elite, the select few individuals that are able to devote themselves wholly to avodat Hashem. Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein asks,
To how large a segment of the Torah community – or, a fortiori, of any community – does this lofty typology apply? To two percent? Five percent? Can anyone who negotiates the terms of salary, perhaps even naden or kest or both, confront a mirror and tell himself that he ought not go to the army because he is kodesh kodashim, sanctum sanctorum in the Rambam's terms? ("The Ideology of Hesder," Tradition, Fall 1981).
Exempting entire sectors of the Jewish Community from army service and from pursuing a parnassah, is not what the Rambam intended.


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HRX is an independent, family-owned Finnish company specialising in international groupage shipment deliveries. HRX logistics centres are located in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
Our mission is to provide clients with unique logistics solutions to help them succeed in their business. Our goal is to be the fastest, which means that our strategically located terminals are designed to provide the most efficient next day delivery for our customers. Our ordering system is designed to be as easy, convenient and user friendly as possible, and pickups and queries can be arranged by phone, online, fax or email. We are always willing to change according to your transportation needs.
We at HRX pride ourselves in being the most reliable logistics partner available, whatever it takes.
Need help in comparing alternatives and service providers?


text:
Lobo Lures 36" Skipjack UV Hybrid Silver Ghost Splash Spreader Bar
$ 17999
- Lobo Lures Premium Skipjack Hybrid UV Signature Series Splash Bar
- 36" Spreader Bar
- 9 Skipjack Hybrid Heads. 8-8" Skipjacks and a Stinger that is off colored and 9" Length.
- Rigged with 400lb Test Leader on the mainline and a Cable Rigged 12/0 Japanese Style Hook! Other lines are 200lb test!
- Available in custom options and our main color selection!
- The Skipjack Hybrid Lure is a unique lure that features inshore and offshore lure characteristics. Tuna cant get enough of these things. The body of the lure is a Urethane head that will last a lifetime! It is crack resistant and will hold up over time!
- Includes Premium Lobo Lures Embroidered Storage Bag with Handles and Velcro closure. Vinyl Front and Mesh Back for ease of washing Drying and storing!
- Built right here in the USA. Please allow up to 5 Business days to process as these are made to order!


text:
This was published 10 years ago
Vein-scanning technology may trump fingerprint scanning for payments
By Ben Grubb
Scanning veins in the human hand could become the biometric measure of choice for authentication when we pay for things or want to unlock devices such as smartphones, an Australian professor says.
Thanks to the iPhone 5s and Galaxy S5 smartphones, fingerprint scanners are going mainstream quickly. But how will they fare against vein scanning?
According to computer science Professor Willy Susilo of the University of Wollongong, fingerprint scanners are a "gimmick" and iris and vein scanners are likely to trump them.
"Using our fingerprint is not a secure way to do [authentication]," Professor Susilo said. "It's just like a gimmick."
One of the main benefits of vein and iris scanning is that you don't tend to leave behind iris or vein prints, he said.
As most vein scanner sensors coming out this year require no physical contact, it means there are no residual biometric patterns that could be copied, preventing fraudulent use.
Fingerprints are notoriously easy to lift from surfaces and are not secure, he said, which has been demonstrated by researchers for more than a decade.
In 2002, Japanese researchers showed that fingerprint scanners could be fooled with about $10 worth of household supplies. They also found many fingerprint systems did not detect if someone was "live and well".
"Gummy fingers, namely artificial fingers that are easily made of cheap and readily available gelatin, were accepted by extremely high rates by particular fingerprint devices with optical or capacitive sensors," their paper said.
At the time, renowned cryptographer Bruce Schneier called their research impressive.
"The results are enough to scrap the systems completely, and to send the various fingerprint biometric companies packing," he said. "Impressive is an understatement."
When the iPhone 5s came out in September last year, security researchers also managed to fool its fingerprint scanner within days. A fingerprint of a phone's user, photographed from a glass surface, was enough to create a fake finger that could unlock an iPhone 5s, said the Chaos Computer Club researchers.
"This demonstrates – again – that fingerprint biometrics is unsuitable as [an] access control method and should be avoided."
Despite this, many manufacturers continue to use fingerprint scanners.
Samsung's new Galaxy S5 lets consumers pay for things with their fingerprint using PayPal.
Fingerprints scanners continue to be used because they are cheap, Professor Susilo said, but ultimately iris- or vein-scanning technology could win out.
"[Vein scanning] seems to be the way forward," Professor Susilo said, noting that there have been concerns about iris scanners potentially causing cancer.
Already shops and cafes at Lund University in Sweden offer Quixter, a vein pattern payment system developed by student Fredrik Leifland. It has 1600 users and, according to Leifland, is believed to be the first in the word.
US company Biyo, which Fujitsu has partnered with, is the first to provide payment terminals that connect a vein scan to a credit card. According to Fujitsu, it will provide one false positive for every 1.25 million attempts, paving the way for a wallet-less future where in-store purchases are verified by veins.
with AAP


text:
Plötulopi - Bundle
Bundle approx. 2 kg (4.4 lb). Bundle contains about 18 plates and weight varies between 1,8 kg - 2,2 kg.
Plötulopi can be worked one, two or more ply at a time, depending on how bulky a yarn you want. Gently wind the required number of strands together into a ball by taking the end from the centre and the end from the outside of the plate, or plates. Plötulopi is very fragile to knit. We recommend the continental knitting technique as it permits control with very loose tension.
Since Plötulopi is an unspun yarn, it is fragile to knit; however, due to the length of its fibres, it knits into a sweater that is both sturdy and soft.
100% new wool. Unspun yarn, sold by weight as a one-ply, flat roll, called a "plate". Bundle approx. 2 kg (4.4 lb), plate approx. 110 g (3.85 oz). Also sold packed in 100 g (3.5 oz) plates approx. 300 m (328 yd).


text:
September 23, 2004
Ms. Haley Haynes Montgomery Deputy Secretary of State
N.C. Department of the Secretary of State Post Office Box 29622 Raleigh, N.C. 27626-0622
Subject: Advisory Opinion; Notary Public commission and effective date of the oath;
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 10A-3, 10A-8, 11-7, and 11-11
Dear Ms. Montgomery:
You inquired whether it was legal for a notary public to take the oath of office prior to the effective date of his or her commission.1 You stated that this is not a problem for initial appointees since they receive the transmittal letter after their commission's effective date. However, you note that the problem occurs with the reappointment of a notary public because the reappointed notary, upon receipt of the transmittal letter,2 may go to the appropriate Register of Deeds to take the oath of office prior to the effective date of the new commission. It is our opinion that, as the law is currently written, a notary may take the oath of office anytime "within 90 days of commissioning . . .." N.C. Gen. Stat. §10A-8. There is no requirement that a notary seeking recommissioning take the oath after the commission date. See N.C. Gen. Stat. §10A-6.
It appears that the confusion has arisen due to conflicts between the current statute, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 10A-8, Oath of office, and a 1965 "Notary Public Guidebook" published by the Institute of Government. Relying upon the 24 April 1939 Institute of Government Special Bulletin, Recent Attorney General's Rulings Affecting Powers and Duties of City and County
1 "Commission" is defined at N.C. Gen. Stat. §10A-3(2) as the written authority to perform a notarial act.
2 The "transmittal letter" is a three part form. The Notary Division sends two parts of the form to the applicable Register of Deeds and one part to the notary public notifying him or her of the disposition of commission. See also 18 NCAC 07.0204.
Ms. Haley H. Montgomery September 23, 2004 Page 2
Officials, that Guidebook states "[t]he appointee must qualify by taking the oath of office before that clerk and he may not so qualify until the effective date of the commission." However, the 1965 Guidebook is no longer current3 because in 1991 the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Notary Public Act, Chapter 10A of the General Statutes. Under current law, there is no statutory mandate as to when the notary public appointee or re-appointee must take the required oath. North Carolina General Statutes § 10A-8 only requires the appointee to become qualified by taking the oath before the register of deeds "within 90 days of commissioning."
N.C. General Statutes § 10A-8, Oath of office, references two additional statutes, N.C. Gen. Stat. §11-7, Oath or affirmation to support Constitutions; all officers to take, and N.C. Gen. Stat. §1111, Oaths of sundry persons; forms. N.C. General Statutes § 11-7 sets out the oath required of every member of the General Assembly and every person elected or appointed to an office in the State. That oath is administered to the person "before taking office or entering upon the execution of the office . . .. " N.C. General Statutes § 11-11 sets out the "General Oath" required of notaries public.
Currently, the General Assembly authorizes a notary public to take the oath of office anytime within ninety days of the date of the notary public commission.
Reginald L. Watkins Senior Deputy Attorney General
Jill F. Cramer Assistant Attorney General
3Note that the most current Guidebook, Eighth Ed. (2000), does not include this quote.


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Made of Stainless Steel (316L)
Adjustable 16-20″ in length
Comes with detachable 1.75″ wide stainless steel pendant
This soulful piece represents timeless elegance. A modern design, infinity symbols surround this eye catching necklace. Customize your necklace by choosing one of our detachable pendant options engraved with your Sorority's symbols.
Made of 316L hypo-allergenic stainless steel material. Stainless steel jewelry is strong, durable and resistant to tarnish and rust making it a great, low maintenance, long lasting jewelry option.


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Currency Displayed in
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1. Select the titles of the Digital Download versions of the videos you want, add them to your cart, and check out and pay like with any other product purchase. If you check out and make an account (recommended) then your PDF download containing your video links will be available instantly in a window on our site once your payment is approved. If you check out as a guest, your PDF file link will be included in your order confirmation e-mail that you will get in a few minutes or so. IMPORTANT: Make sure your e-mail address is correct and check your SPAM folder if you do not receive your order confirmation in a few minutes.
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Views for Ninja Forms lets you display Ninja Forms submissions in frontend of your site using drag & drop View builder.
You can create table view, list view or datatable view (Pro feature).
It allows you add content before & after the View.
You can set number of ninja forms submissions to display per page inside View.
Here is step by step guide to display entries from your Ninja Forms
Table View
List View
DataTable View
Top Features
- Intuitive user interface!
- Easy to use – drag and drop!
- Option to select Form fields to display in View.
- Option to set custom label for table headings.
- Option to set number of entries to show on each page.
- Add pagination before or after the table.
- Show Pagination Information.
- Add custom HTML within View.
Get more features in Pro version
* List View Format
* DataTable View Format
* Display only approved submissions
* Edit submissions
* Single Entry View – Display Ninja Forms Entry details on Single Page.
* Display user only their submissions
* Add Search Form above or at View bottom to filter/search submissions by field values.
* Filter submissions by field values
* Sort Ninja Forms submissions via field values
Get Ninja Forms Views PRO!
Pro Features
= List & DataTable View Format =
Display Ninja Forms Entries in multicolumn layout on your site frontend. Display data using dataTables including features like responsive layout, print, pdf, csv download entries options.
Edit Ninja Forms Entries
Allow logged-in users to edit their entries from site frontend using the same form that they used to create an entry. Edit Entry works by prefilling Form fields with entry data. After user submits Form entry is updated. Administrators can edit all entries.
Delete Ninja Forms Entries
Allow users to delete their submitted entries from the site frontend. Logged-in users can delete their entries, administrators can delete any entry.
Search Ninja Forms Entries
Display Search Form in your View to allow users to filter view data by any field value. Options also include searching by Entry Submission Date or Date Range e.g. Display entries submitted between two dates.
Advanced Filters
Set Filters to Filter Entries before displaying on site frontend by using any Form field value, logged-in user meta, custom dates, etc.
E.g. Display all entries where the user selected Male as the Gender field value while submitting the form.
Advance Sorting
Sort by any Field value in Ascending or Descending order. Allows you to add multiple sort conditions.
Entries Approval
Display only those entries that are approved by the admin from the backend.
Display the Ninja Forms field total or average in the table footer column.
Custom HTML
Add custom HTML within View data. Support Ninja Forms Smart Tags so you can display data by combining multiple field values.
To install Views for Ninja Forms, follow these steps:
- Download and unzip the plugin
- Upload the entire views-for-ninja-forms/ directory to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory
- Activate the plugin through the Plugins menu in WordPress
How to Display Ninja Forms Submissions on your site frontend?
- Download and unzip the plugin
- Upload the entire views-for-ninja-forms/ directory to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory.
- Activate the plugin through the Plugins menu in WordPress.
- Create a New View from the Views menu in the admin sidebar.
- Save the View & copy the shortcode.
- Use the shortcode to show it on the page.
From which Ninja Form Fields I can display data in my view?
You can display data for any valid Ninja Form Fields.
How do I display the view on my site frontend?
You can insert the shortcode to any page on site to display the view.
Is there any restriction on how many views I can create?
No, you can create as many views as you like & use it anywhere on your site using shortcode.
Contributors & Developers
"Ninja Forms Views – Display & Edit Ninja Forms Submissions on your site frontend" is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
ContributorsInterested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
3.0.2 (8th June 2024)
New: Changing the View Source will keep the Before and After Entry List Fields in View.
Fix: If there are notices in dashboard View Editor was pushed down making it hard to add fields.
3.0.1 (30th May 2024)
New: Added field id to nfviews-field-value filter.
3.0 (20th May 2024)
New: Ninja Form Views has a new & better UI/UX. Please backup before update!
New: Added option to set Column Width for Table Columns.
2.9 (7th May 2024)
Tweak: Code Optimizations and addons info update.
2.8 (7th Dec 2023)
New: Added "No records found" message if there are no records in View.
2.7 (12nd July 2023)
Fix: Fixed PHP warning in elementor.
2.6.8 (22nd June 2023)
New: Added Elementor Widget for Ninja Forms Views.
2.6.8 (18th Jan 2023)
New: Added Help page.
2.6.7 (17th Dec 2022)
Fix: Upload file links were broken if the file is other then image.
2.6.6 (30th Nov 2022)
New: Added field type details to field settings modal.
2.6.5 (12th Oct 2022)
Tweak: Field Setting model cleaned up.
22.214.171.124 (22nd Aug 2022)
Fix: Load plugin files on plugins_loaded hook.
Fix: Fatal error if the lite version is activated and the pro version is installed.
2.6.4 (28th May 2022)
Fix: General bug fixes.
2.6.3 (16th May 2022)
Tweak: Updated WordPress-compatible version.
Fix: Made pagination text translatable.
2.6.2 (21st April 2022)
Fix: Sequence Number not displaying.
2.6.1 (6th April 2022)
Fix: Sanitized pagination variable in query string.
2.6 (24th Jan 2022)
Tweaks: Added more info on features available in pro license.
2.5.9 (20th Dec 2021)
New: UI/UX updated for edit view page.
2.5.8 (29th Nov 2021)
Fix: Value for Ninja Forms time only field was displaying comma separated in view.
2.5.7 (12th Nov 2021)
Tweak: ListCheckbox, and ListRadio Ninja Forms fields will display Labels instead of Value in View.
2.5.6 (7th Nov 2021)
New: Moved Settings icon to the left side after label.
New: Custom Label input box will only display if the Use Custom label checkbox is checked.
2.5.5 (1st Nov 2021)
New: Rows can now be reordered in view builder.
2.5.4 (29th Sep 2021)
New: Updated information about pro features.
2.5.3 (30th July 2021)
Fix: Icons in admin not displaying.
2.5.2 (2nd July 2021)
Fix: Sequence number not working correctly if there are multiple views on page.
2.5.1 (29th May 2021)
New: UI/UX improvements.
2.5 (10th May 2021)
New: Added support for Repeater fields.
2.4 (19th April 2021)
New: Added Entry ID field.
2.3 (13th March 2021)
New: Added Field types in Add new field modal.
2.2 (19th Feb 2021)
Fix: Optimized Database queries to speed up Views data loading.
2.1 (26th Jan 2021)
Fix: UI fixes
2.0 (7th Jan 2021)
Fix: When adding Rows you will be asked for row layout selection first.
Fix: Minor design fixes
1.12 (2nd Dec 2020)
New: Added translation support using po/mo files.
1.11 (9th Nov 2020)
Fixed: Star rating not showing in Views.
1.10 (26th Oct 2020)
Fixed: Table will be scrollable if too many columns
New: Added "nf_views_query_args" filter to filter query args to fetch Ninja Forms Submissions before displaying View.
1.9 (17th Oct 2020)
Fixed: Minor bug fixes
1.8 (23rd Sep 2020)
Fixed: Minor design updates
1.7 (14th Sep 2020)
Fixed: Calculations not displaying in HTML field text
1.6 (3rd Sep 2020)
Fixed: Form Field values not showing in the table view
1.5.2 (31th Aug 2020)
New: Added filter "nfviews-field-value" to filter ninja forms field value before displaying in view
1.5.1 (24th Aug 2020)
Fixed: List of fields not scrollable if ninja form has too many fields.
1.5 (24th July 2020)
Fixed: Pagination links are now working fine.
Fixed: Pagination design.
1.4 (24th June 2019)
Fixed: Minor tweaks & bug fixes.
1.3 (19th June 2019)
Fixed: Multiple Views can be added now.
Fixed: Pagination info bugs.
Fixed: Checkbox & Radio field values will now show up properly.
1.2 (10th June 2019)
Fixed: Error when using special chars in the backend.
1.1 (31st May 2019)
Added: Metabox for shortcode on view edit page.
Fixed: Updated name to Ninja views in the menu.
Initial launch


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An archive containing nearly 5 million Gmail addresses and plain text passwords was posted Tuesday on an online forum, but the data is old and likely sourced from multiple data breaches according to one security firm.
A user with the online alias "tvskit" posted the archive file on a Bitcoin security forum called btcsec.com and claimed that over 60 percent of credentials found inside are valid.
"We can't confirm that it is indeed as much as 60 percent, but a great amount of the leaked data is legitimate," said Peter Kruse, the chief technology officer of CSIS Security Group, a Danish security company that provides cybercrime intelligence to financial institutions and law enforcement.
CSIS researchers analyzed the data and concluded that it is up to 3 years old based on correlations with past leaks.
"We believe the data doesn't originate from Google directly," Kruse said via email. "Instead it's likely it comes from various sources that have been compromised."
This means that many of the leaked passwords do not correspond to Gmail or Google accounts, but to accounts on other sites where users have used their Gmail addresses as the user name.
CSIS has confirmation that at least five of the leaked user name and password pairs were never used as log-in credentials for Gmail or Google accounts. This enforces the idea that the data comes from compromises outside Google, though it's possible that they were all perpetrated by a single individual or group, Kruse said.
"The security of our users is of paramount importance to us," a Google representative said Wednesday via email. "We have no evidence that our systems have been compromised, but whenever we become aware that an account has been compromised, we take steps to help our users secure their accounts."
Even if many of the leaked credentials turn out not to be from Google, affected users might still want to change their passwords on websites where they used their Gmail address as the user name. A website called isleaked.com allows users to check if their email address is among those leaked.


text: The ancient Greek philosopher Plato (428–348 BC) was said to possess a large water clock with an unspecified alarm signal similar to the sound of a water organ; he used it at night, possibly for signalling the beginning of his lectures at dawn (Athenaeus 4.174c).[1] The Hellenistic engineer and inventor Ctesibius (fl 285–222 BC) fitted his clepsydras with dial and pointer for indicating the time, and added elaborate "alarm systems, which could be made to drop pebbles on a gong, or blow trumpets (by forcing bell-jars down into water and taking the compressed air through a beating reed) at pre-set times" (Vitruv 11.11).[2] The late Roman senator Cassiodorus (c 485–585) advocated in his rulebook for monastic life the water clock as a useful alarm for the 'soldiers of Christ' (Cassiod 30.4 f.).[3] The Christian rhetorician Procopius described in detail prior to 529 a complex public striking clock in his home town Gaza which featured an hourly gong and figures moving mechanically day and night.[3] In China, a striking clock was devised by the Buddhist monk and inventor Yi Xing (683–727). The Chinese engineers Zhang Sixun and Su Song integrated striking clock mechanisms in astronomical clocks in the 10th and 11th centuries, respectively.[5] A striking clock outside of China was the water-powered clock tower near the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, which struck once every hour It was constructed by the Arab engineer al-Kaysarani in 1154 In 1235, an early monumental water-powered alarm clock that "announced the appointed hours of prayer and the time both by day and by night" was completed in the entrance hall of the Mustansiriya Madrasah in Baghdad.[6] From the 14th century, some clock towers in Western Europe were also capable of chiming at a fixed time everyday, the earliest of which was described by the Florentine writer Dante Alighieri in 1319.[7] The most famous original striking clock tower still standing is possibly the one in St Mark's Clocktower in St Mark's Square, Venice The St Mark's Clock was assembled in 1493, by the famous clockmaker Gian Carlo Rainieri from Reggio Emilia, where his father Gian Paolo Rainieri had already constructed another famous device in 1481 In 1497, Simone Campanato moulded the great bell (h 1,56 m., diameter m 1,27), which was put on the top of the tower where it's alternatively beaten by the Due Mori (Two Moors), two bronze statues (h 2,60) handling a hammer. User-settable mechanical alarm clocks date back at least to 15th-century Europe These early alarm clocks had a ring of holes in the clock dial and were set by placing a pin in the appropriate hole.[8][9] Another mechanical alarm clock was created by Levi Hutchins, of New Hampshire in the United States, in 1787 This device he made only for himself however, and it only rang at 4 AM, in order to wake him for his job.[10] The French inventor Antoine Redier was the first to patent an adjustable mechanical alarm clock, in 1847. Alarm clocks, like almost all other consumer goods in the United States of America, ceased production in the spring of 1942, as the factories which made them were converted over to war work during World War II, but they were one of the first consumer items to resume manufacture for civilian use, in November 1944 By that time, a critical shortage of alarm clocks had developed due to older clocks wearing out or breaking down


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The Pressure Bomb: A Managment Tool
Introduction | Using the Pressure Bomb | Use in Prunes
Kenneth Shackel
Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis
There are different types of pressure chambers, some using a tank of high pressure gas, some using a hand-pump, but all work on the same basic principle and in most cases the operation and use of the different types of pressure chambers is identical. This introduction gives examples using a hand-pump device that was developed here at UCD. Differing operational details will be noted in brackets [ ] for the pressurized tank style. All devices involve a potentially hazardous level of pressure however, and safety precautions related to the handling of the pressure chamber must be observed by the operator.
Simply put, the pressure chamber is just a device for applying air pressure to a leaf (or small shoot), where most of the leaf is inside the chamber but a small part of the leaf stem (the petiole) is exposed to the outside of the chamber through a seal. The amount of pressure that it takes to cause water to appear at the petiole tells you how much tension the leaf is experiencing on its water: a high value of pressure means a high value of tension and a high degree of water stress. The units of pressure most commonly used are the Bar (1 Bar = 14.5 pounds per square inch) and the Mega Pascal (1 MPa = 10 bars).
Because tension is measured, negative values are typically reported. An easy way to remember this is to think of water stress as a "deficit:" the more the stress, the more the plant is experiencing a deficit of water. The scientific name given to this deficit is the "water potential" of the plant. The actual physics of how the water moves from the leaf within the pressure chamber to the cut surface just outside the chamber is more complex than just "squeezing" water out of a leaf, or just bringing water back to where it was when the leaf was cut. In practice, however, the only important factor is for the operator to recognize when water just begins to appear at the cut end of the petiole.
Factors that influence the measurement of water potential
The most important leaf factor is the rate of water loss from the leaf at the moment of sampling. During the daytime, fully exposed, outer canopy leaves will lose water at a faster rate than shaded inner canopy leaves. A faster rate of water loss causes a more negative water potential. This factor can be eliminated, however, by covering the leaf for a minimum of about ten minutes prior to sampling, which is the recommended procedure. Covering stops the process of water loss. The water potential then equals the water potential in the stem where the leaf is attached. Water potential measured this way is called stem water potential.
The major advantage of stem water potential in trees is measurement uniformity: the type of leaf (spur leaf, shoot leaf), size or shape of leaf, and physiological condition of the leaf (nutritional status) has no influence on stem water potential. Leaf position within the canopy has a small effect, showing a slightly more negative stem water potential with increasing distance from the root system. For this reason the recommended leaf position in trees is from the lower canopy interior, close to the main trunk or scaffold branches.
The most important plant factors are: weather conditions at the time of sampling, soil dryness,and root health.
For a fully irrigated tree with a healthy root system, we have found that weather conditions can be taken into account using a table of expected, or baseline values corresponding to weather conditions of air temperature and relative humidity. Baseline tables have been established and confirmed for prunes and almonds (which have the same baseline values), and tables based on preliminary data are available for walnuts and pears. In all cases, hotter and dryer conditions cause a more negative stem water potential. For midsummer conditions in California the values of stem water potential measured on a fully irrigated prune or almond tree, for instance, will typically be between -6.0 bars and -10.0 bars.
The relationship of soil dryness to stem water potential is straightforward: as the soil becomes dryer, stem water potential will become more negative. The pressure chamber measures effective soil dryness throughout the root system as a whole. This is very different from soil-based monitoring methods, which only measure the soil in part of the root zone. Just after a full coverage irrigation (sprinkler or flood) stem water potential should correspond to the baseline value, and as the soil dries, stem water potential will become more negative than the baseline value. For drip or micro-sprinkler systems that do not wet the entire soil, stem water potential may always be somewhat more negative than the baseline values, even after a full irrigation. This is probably due to the fact that some roots are in non-irrigated, dry areas of soil.
Root health will cause stem water potential to be more negative than the baseline, even under wet soil conditions. The process of root water uptake is not well understood, but any factor that influences root health, such as physical damage, damage by pests, infections by disease organisms, or poor soil aeration, will probably reduce the ability of roots to absorb water, and will cause stem water potential to be more negative than the baseline.


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This image has format transparent PNG with resolution 512x105.
You can download this image in best resolution from this page and use it for design and web design.
Train PNG with transparent background you can download for free, just click on download button.
A train is a form of rail transport consisting of a series of connected vehicles that generally run along a railroad (or railway) track to transport passengers or cargo (also known as "freight" or "goods"). The word "train" comes from the Old French trahiner, derived from the Latin trahere meaning "to pull" or "to draw".
Motive power for a train is provided by a separate locomotive or individual motors in a self-propelled multiple unit. The term "engine" is often used as an alternative to locomotive. Although historically steam propulsion dominated, the most common types of locomotive are diesel and electric, the latter supplied by overhead wires or additional rails. Trains can also be hauled by horses, pulled by engine or water-driven cable or wire winch, run downhill using gravity, or powered by pneumatics, gas turbines or electric batteries.
The track usually consists of two running rails with a fixed spacing, which may be supplemented by additional rails such as electric conducting rails ("third rail") and rack rails. Monorails and maglev guideways are also occasionally used.
Passenger trains include passenger-carrying vehicles and can often be very long and fast. High-speed rail systems began expanding rapidly in the late 20th century, and this remains a major subject of further development. The term "light rail" is sometimes used to refer to a modern tram system, but it may also mean an intermediate form between a tram and a train, similar to a heavy rail rapid transit system.
Freight (goods) trains use freight cars (or wagons/trucks) to transport goods or materials (cargo). It is possible to carry passengers and freight in the same train using a mixed consist.
Rail cars and machinery that are used for the maintenance and repair of tracks, are termed "maintenance of way" equipment; these may be assembled into maintenance of way trains. Similarly, dedicated trains may be used to provide support services to stations along a train line, such as garbage or revenue collection.
There are various types of trains that are designed for particular purposes. A train can consist of a combination of one or more locomotives and attached railroad cars, or a self-propelled multiple unit, or occasionally a single or articulated powered coach called a railcar. Special kinds of train running on corresponding purpose-built "railways" are monorails, high-speed railways, maglev, atmospheric railways, rubber-tired underground, funicular and cog railways.
A passenger train consists of one or more locomotives and (usually) several coaches. Alternatively, a train may consist entirely of passenger-carrying coaches, some or all of which are powered; this is known as a "multiple unit". In many parts of the world, particularly the Far East and Europe, high-speed rail is used extensively for passenger travel. Freight trains consist of cars, wagons or trucks rather than carriages, though some parcel and mail trains (especially Travelling Post Offices) appear outwardly to be more like passenger trains. Trains can also have mixed consist, with both passenger accommodation and freight vehicles. These mixed trains are most likely to be used for services that run infrequently, where the provision of separate passenger and freight trains would not be cost-effective, but the disparate needs of passengers and freight means that this is avoided where possible. Special trains are also used for track maintenance; in some places, this is called "maintenance of way".
In the United Kingdom, a train hauled using two locomotives is known as a "double-headed" train. In Canada and the United States, it is quite common for a long freight train to be headed by three or more locomotives. A train with a locomotive attached at both ends is described as "top and tailed", this practice typically being used when there are no reversing facilities available. Where a second locomotive is attached temporarily to assist a train when ascending steep banks or gradients (or to provide braking power for a descent), this is referred to as "banking" in the UK. Many loaded trains in the US are assembled using one or more locomotives in the middle or at the rear of the train, which are then operated remotely from the lead cab. This is referred to as "DP" or "Distributed Power."
In this page you can download free PNG images: Train PNG images free download


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Commercial-Grade Plastic Makes Providence a Durable Outdoor Furniture Collection for all Seasons
Here at KirbyBuilt, we manufacture durable outdoor furniture products made of multiple material types including commercial-grade plastic that is crafted using the latest technologies and processes. One of our most popular plastic outdoor furniture collections is Providence, a line of highly durable picnic tables and benches that stand up to all weather conditions while remaining attractive. So, what makes the plastic on our Providence Collection superior to other materials on the market? Read actual inquiries we get from customers regarding our Providence Collection in the FAQ below.
How is the plastic on Providence made and why is it so durable?
The seats, tabletops and backs on our Providence Collection products are outdoor furniture solutions not only because of the plastic they are made of, but also because of the process used to make them. First, Providence is produced using premium plastic that is injection molded, ribbed and fortified. This makes the products extremely durable, ensuring they endure all outdoor conditions and the constant use by those who visit your facilities or spaces. Also, Providence's plastic lumber is supported underneath by a honeycomb mold which adds strength without the addition of unnecessary weight. However, that doesn't mean the products are any less strong than the other plastic outdoor furniture we produce. In fact, our Providence products are backed by a 50-year guarantee against breakage.
I see the photos, but what does it look like up close?
Another advantage of our Providence plastic outdoor furniture is its appearance. Although many plastic furniture selections on the market look like cheaply made products, our Providence plastic has a wood-like appearance and wood-grain texture making it attractive on top of being highly durable. In addition, our Providence products are available in multiple nature-inspired colors so you can pick the product to perfectly match your environment. In fact, we have color swatches that we can mail to customers upon request.
How does it perform outside?
Although it does have a wood-like appearance, our Providence plastic lumber does not have the problems that are often associated with outdoor wood products. That means it will not split, crack, peel or break. If it does, we will simply replace it. Our 50-year guarantee promises that. It's also easy to clean. Just use soap and water to clean the products and your Providence plastic outdoor furniture will maintain its attractive appearance well beyond your expectations.
Where can it go?
Providence Collection products can go practically anywhere. Our plastic picnic tables, plastic park benches and plastic outdoor tables can add an aesthetic appeal in all spaces. However, due to their extreme durability and nature-inspired appearance, Providence products are designed to be placed outdoors at locations such as campgrounds, resorts, schools, parks and recreational areas, malls, corporate campuses, city walk-ways and other outdoor environments. As we mentioned, these products are guaranteed not to split, crack, chip or break, or we will replace them.
Where are Providence Collection products manufactured?
Our Providence Collection is proudly manufactured in the United States.


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The Jetpack team is happy to announce the immediate availability of SDK 1.10. You can download the SDK directly in either zip or tarball format. This latest release improves the SDK's compatibility with Firefox Aurora and Nightly, fixes a ton of bugs, and also includes a few new bits you should check out:
- bug 764866: Avoid leaking all modules when one is leaking. This is a major step in the right direction for avoiding leaks when using SDK modules.
- bug 775067: Start using Cu.nukeSandbox. 'Cu.nukeSandbox' is a feature we added to Firefox to allow us the ability to not just 'clean up' JS sandboxes, but nuke them from low orbit once we are done with them.
- bug 775606: add a 'tab.contentType' property to the tab object. This is a new property added to the tab object provided by the tabs api that we think will give add-on authors some interesting new insights to content being loaded in Firefox.
For more new features and a list of the bug fixes that are shipping in this release, please see the Release Notes.
The complete documentation for the SDK is located here:
If you happen to be off-line or on an airplane you can always generate a full copy of the docs locally by running cfx docs
on the command-line.
If you are interested in perusing working code examples to use with the SDK, Will Bamberg has published a large number of them on the Add-on Builder under the 'Jetpack Examples' user account:
Some interesting stats about this release ( from the github history between the 1.9 & 1.10 tags ):
- 110 changes in 40 pull requests between tags 1.9 and 1.10
- Community contributors:
- David Creswick
- Mark A. Hershberger
- Robert Pankowecki
As always, we'd love to hear from you about your experiences with this release. You can contact us in a variety of ways:
post to our discussion group
chat with us on irc.mozilla.org #jetpack
report a bug
check out the source and contribute bug fixes, enhancements, or documentation
For more information on the Jetpack Project check out our wiki.


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373LM 3-Button Remote Control
The LM basic 3-button remote control isn't so basic. It can operate up to 3 garage doors or gates, and/or turn your garage door opener lights on/off. You can also use it as an extra remote control to turn on lights or small appliances inside your home – all from the comfort of your car. It features Security+® rolling code technology that sends a brand new code every time it is used. One 5-year 3-volt battery is included. The MHz frequency of your garage door opener will determine what remote controls will work with your system. See below to find out which remote to order. Order the 373LM if:
- Your garage door opener motorhead has a purple learn button, or
- Your garage door opener motorhead has a purple antenna, or
- Your original remote has silver buttons with glowing blue lights, or
- Your original remote has black buttons and this logo:


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Need Help Understanding Medicare? Here Are Tips and Resources for Assistance
For those interested in information on Medicare, understand that applying for the benefit sometimes seems like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, Medicare is obviously a good resource because it provides medical benefits to seniors who are often on a fixed income. On the other hand, however, navigating the ins and outs of Medicare can be seriously confusing, causing many to give up in exasperation. If you are a senior and in need of medical care do not despair—there are numerous resources available to help you navigate the complicated details and minutiae of Medicare.
- Consider hiring a qualified local elder law attorney sooner than later. Their professional knowledge of the ins and outs of the Medicare system combined with their experience working with senior citizens allows you to get the help and coverage you need as quickly as possible.
- There are multiple websites you should check out. Medicare.gov, the official site of Medicare should be a starting point, as it provides numerous facts on the program and allows you to search for providers. The Social Security Administration website also has information on Medicare eligibility and enrollment. These are just two, but you can perform an Internet search on Medicare information and you will receive a list of several sites to review.
- If you are uncomfortable working with computers it would be in your best interests to ask a friend or relative to help you because some of the information on the internet is very valuable. However, for those who would rather talk to a person, you may call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) for more information.
- Another great resource is the American Association for Retired Persons, commonly known as AARP. AARP is a well-established advocate for senior citizens in the United States. The organization offers helpful, reliable resources such as Information-packed webinars featuring experts who can break down some of the Medicare facts that applicants need to know.
- There also may be support available at the state level like State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, or SHIPs. These programs offer free counseling for seniors who receive Medicare. Medicare applicants and their loved ones should visit shiptacenter.org for more information.
But if you want to save yourself hours of confusing computer research and potential headaches, the best idea is to speak with an experienced local Elder Law attorney before the Medicare application process even begins. A good Elder law attorney can assist you with the complex process, ensuring that you get the benefits you are entitled to more quickly. If you have questions, contact the Law Office of Kathleen Flammia, P.A. today or call 407-478-8700 for more information.


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There's been a lot of huffing and puffing by cycling bloggers, campaigners and politicians recently over TfL's road layout plans for Blackfriars Bridge. But try as they collectively might, they cannot blow over the new plans. TfL is sticking to its guns. Like a dictator, clinging on to their seat of power.
However, I for one, can't wait to try out the new Blackfriars Bridge layout. I mean, let's be honest, in which other European city do you get a motorway right in the middle of the city centre? I'll tell you: Nowhere! What an incredible feat of engineering and city planning. To squeeze, right in the heart of the city, a 3 lane motorway. Yet, all we can do is moan about it.
Cycling campaigners should get off their high horse and get behind TfL's plans. After all, they are the experts. Their recommendations are all based on sound economic principles by trustworthy leaders. Who are we to tell them how to do their job?
One such sound economic principle is that a bicycle is worth 20% of a car. Quite how TfL reached that conclusion isn't really something we should occupy our minds with too much. However, I like to imagine they looked at a picture of a bicycle and compared it to a picture of a car. Someone leaned their head to the left, raised their shoulders and stated it's a 1/5 of the size of a car.
As such, even if during rush hour there are more bicycles than cars, because of the 20% rule, there aren't. Fact.
Anyway, less talk of statistics because all that stuff is boring. Instead, let's dream for a moment how cool riding across Blackfriars Bridge will be when the work is complete.
I can clearly picture my maiden ride across. I'm going to cling to the corner of the road in the shrunken cycle lane. I'll almost be able to reach out and touch the pedestrians. My hair will be blowing gracefully in the wind as lorries zoom, inches past me, at 30mph. Bringing with them a vacuum of warm polluted air. I'll be able to marvel at how many cars it's possible to cram in such a small space. Almost like watching a circus.
However, the real challenge will have yet to begin.
I'll be wanting to turn right so of course that means I need to cross three lanes of traffic. Fortunately, I've already planned out how I'm going to achieve this. I'll be using my road bike and I'm going to pedal like I'm in the Tour de France. I'll reach 30 mph, which is the speed my fellow road users will be travelling at. Then, skilfully, I'll overcome the deadly challenge and be on my way.
What an experience it will be. My only fear is it will be over too soon. However, I'm happy in the knowledge that so many of my fellow cyclists will be having the same experience. From beginners simply wanting to get to work cheaply and under their own steam to more advanced cyclists.
I'm proud to live in a city where despite the Mayor saying "more needs to be done on cycling over Blackfriars Bridge", despite unanimous support from all the political parties of the London Assembly, despite expert recommendations for 20mph speed limits on all of London's central bridges, despite growing pollution levels and despite mass protests by cyclists, we have a transportation authority that can override them and do what it knows is right for London.


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Fortuna WordPress Theme features a fully customizable Image Gallery Grid Element integrated within Visual Composer that you can use to display various images & create fancy image galleries. Check some of this useful element's features as well as some examples below.
Total Grid Column number
Item Spacing (3 Presets available)
Manage Image Sizes (Equal or Natural proportions)
Hover Effects (4 Presets)
Fading Logos on Hover option
CSS animation of the items
Set Custom/Lightbox links for your grid images
Set Dark Overlay on Hover Toggle


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This is Member only content. Please login or start your 14 day trial for $1 then $37/ month Cancel anytime.
About Instructor
Master Instructor Michael Leone
Master Teacher Michael Leone has over 34 years of martial and healing art experience. He is the Head Medical Qigong director and Co-Founder of the Zen Wellness organization. He is the author of the highly acclaimed book "Zen Wellness Self-Care Solutions" along with numerous DVDs on Qigong, Tai Chi and Martial Arts... read more.


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With each new football season, you may consider methods turn your Sunday passion into a proper moneymaking experience. Of course, the only technique to profit at the season, next to entering the draft and collecting a crucial contract with your favorite sports team via the act of football betting. Football betting allows armchair quarterbacks the opportunity to become big-time players.
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The second type of odds may be the decimal likelihood. Decimal format odds are widely used by bookmakers all around the world. This type of football betting odds is simple and clear and understandable. By reading decimal football odds, you will be able to determine the total amount of cash that you get from making a 1 unit bet. The boss bv9990 player of stake may differ and can signify either, ten a treadmill hundred. To be positive about the unit of stake, it very best to ask the bookmaker first selection your side bet. Commonly, decimal football odds are adjusted to two decimal places to become a success more actual.
And of course, make sure have fun when you play, you could that gambling online or in the down to earth is as reported by luck, don't play for much more money than you are able to to fail.


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Our cupcake toppers are handcrafted using a combination of 65 lb. and 110 lb. card stock PAPER
~Size made to fit a standard cupcake
~One sided toppers- food pick exposed on back
~Attached to a wooden 2.5" tall toothpick
~One set includes 12 cupcake toppers - 6 of each
~All items are shipped via USPS first class mail unless an expedited profile is purchased by the buyer. First class mail normally takes 5-8 business days to arrive but because it is not a guaranteed profile, it can hit delays and take longer than that.
~Item is ready to ship within 1-2 business days from purchase. We are happy to ship the same day if you need an item urgently only if we have enough time in the day to create the item and drop off at the postal office before cut off (5:00 pm). Please reach out and let us know this is the case and we can see if we can make an exception.
Reach out if you have any questions/concerns.
2-3 business days
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
We can personalized most items. Please reach out prior to ordering to make sure your request is possible and whether or not there will be an increase in price. Please include a note to seller in the chance that personalization is not turned on for any given Listing.
All cake toppers are made from 110 lb card stock paper. They come attacked to one or two clear acrylic sticks to insert into cake.
No. Cake toppers are one sided but can be made double sided for an additional $3 fee. Please Keep in mind that all sparkle finish paper has a white backing while all matte paper has the same color on the back as the front.
We do our best to ship items out either the same business day or the following day depending on the time of the day the order is placed. Standard shipping is USPS first class shipping which can take between 5-8 business days in transit. Delays can add extra days to the transit time.
Absolutely! Once you place your item in the cart, you will have an option to select an expedited shipping option. Only FedEx express options come with a guaranteed arrival. The rest of the options are only estimated.
Please message us and we will do all in our power to make you the perfect item.
I don't offer returns on items for late arrival. If you purchase a "guaranteed" shipping profile (after discussing with me first), there is a money back guarantee with only one of them. Please discuss prior to purchasing or assuming a shipping profile comes with a guarantee.


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Complaints Procedure
Complaints Contact Details
Name: Craig Woods – Director
Telephone: 0121 2855802 Extension 200
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Our Procedures
Any complaint verbal or written will be referred to our complaint's manager at the earliest opportunity or to a member of the senior management if the complaints manager is unavailable. We will also
- Acknowledge the complaint in writing promptly
- Record details on the firm's system
- Make contact to seek clarification on any points where necessary
- Fully investigate the complaint
- Keep you informed of our progress
- Discuss with you our findings and proposed response
- Ensure that our firm partners have a compliant complaints procedure and are communicating with their customer using this
- Provide clear deadlines to respond
You will receive contact from us advising on progress if we cannot respond immediately. We will let you have our final response as soon as possible and not later than eight weeks
Online Home Improvements Ltd
Customers may express dissatisfaction to us about our products and services. We will need to establish whether the complaint relates to the information given, the firm or the service and installation. If unclear, this must not delay investigation and we will proceed with our own investigation. The complaints manager will review this matter and take the complaint to the firm for them to investigate and provide a written explanation and any supporting information. This may include photos, checklists or remedial satisfaction notes.
The complaints manager will establish the nature and scope of the complaint having due regards to the Financial Conduct Authority's direction:
- Deal with complaints promptly and fairly
- Give complainants clear replies and, where appropriate, fair redress
- We may take up to 8-weeks to provide a response
Eligible Complainants
It is the firm's policy to treat all complainants the same, however, eligible complainants, customers that have purchased goods and services using a lenders finance, are legally defined and have additional rights in law that we must acknowledge and adhere to.
The Financial Conduct Authority complaints rules apply to complaints:
- Made by, or on behalf of an eligible complainant.
- Relating to regulated activity.
- Involving an allegation that the complainant has suffered, or may suffer, financial loss, material distress or material inconvenience.
Final response
This will set out clearly our decision and the reasons for it. If any compensation is offered a clear method of calculation will be shown.
The firm must include details of the Financial Ombudsman Service in the final response if dealing with an eligible complainant and a regulated activity, we will:
- Explain that the complainant must refer the matter to the ombudsman within six months of the date of the final response letter or the right to use this service is lost
- Indicate whether or not we consent to waive the relevant time limits.
Complaints Settled within 3 business days
Complaints that can be settled to the customer's satisfaction within 3 business days can be recorded and communicated differently.
Where we consider a complaint to be resolved to the customer's satisfaction under this section, the firm will promptly send a 'Summary Resolution Communication', being a written communication from them which:
- refers to the fact that the customer has made a complaint and informs them that they now consider the complaint to have been resolved to the customers satisfaction.
- The firm will tell the customer that if they subsequently decide that they are dissatisfied with the resolution of the complaint they may be able to refer the complaint back to the firm for further consideration or alternatively refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service;
- Provide the website address of the Financial Ombudsman Service; and
- Refer to the availability of further information on the website of the Financial Ombudsman Service.
In addition to sending you a Summary Resolution Communication, the firm may also use other methods to communicate the information where:
- We consider that doing so may better meet the customer's needs; or
- They have already been using another method to communicate about the complaint. This may include recorded calls, emails or text messages.
Closing a complaint
We will consider a complaint closed when we have made our final response to the customer. This does not prevent a customer from exercising any rights they may have to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Financial Ombudsman Service
We will co-operate fully with the Ombudsman in resolving any complaints made against us and agree to be bound by any awards made by the Ombudsman. The firm undertakes to pay promptly any fees levied by the Ombudsman.
How Long You Have to Complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service
You have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, free of charge – but you must do so within six months of the date the final response letter.
If you do not refer your complaint in time, the Ombudsman will not have our permission to consider your complaint and so will only be able to do so in very limited circumstances. For example, if the Ombudsman believes that the delay was as a result of exceptional circumstances.
The Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR
Tel: 0800 023 4567 (free for most people ringing from a fixed line) or 0300 123 9123 (cheaper for those calling using a mobile) or 020 7964 0500 (if calling from abroad)
Email: email@example.com
Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk


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Happy 2009 from The FN Dish!
It's 2009 and the entire FN Dish staff wants to wish you a bright, prosperous, healthy and tasty new year. (!!)
Planning to tackle more challenging cooking techniques this year? ( Julia would be so proud.) Perhaps you plan to get reacquainted with your old friend, the gym. We'd love to hear your resolutions.
If they DO involve living healthier in '09, check out our new blog for the latest and tastiest in healthy food, HEALTHY EATS. I've just tried the Chicken Sate with Peanut Sauce recipe this week. Not only could I knock it out without issue but it sure didn't taste healthy. YUM!
On the flipside, if you're struggling today from a little too much champers, Food Network's got you covered.
Try the handy Hangover Guide, or Jamie Oliver's Breakfast Pizza which he swears can cure most hangovers. Need more help? Paula Deen recipes are always a good bet. Get them all here.


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The biggest and most destructive of the windblown fires raking Southern California shut down one of the region's busiest freeways Thursday and threatened Ojai, a scenic mountain town dubbed "Shangri-La" and known for its boutique hotels and New Age spiritual retreats.
Most of Ojai's 7,000 residents were warned to clear out late Wednesday and patients unable to walk were moved from the Ojai Valley Community Hospital because of unprecedented, hurricane-force Santa Ana winds in the overnight forecast.
The winds turned out to be less fierce than expected, but firefighters still had to contend with gusts that fanned the fire to 150 square miles and put thousands of homes in jeopardy.
As firefighters tried to corral the Ventura fire and at least three other fires in the Los Angeles area, a blaze in rural San Diego County expanded to 4 square miles in just a matter of hours.
The fire tore through the tightly packed Rancho Monserate Country Club community in the small city of Fallbrook, known for its avocado orchards and horse ranches. At least two people were hospitalized with burns. Dozens of trailer homes in a retirement community were destroyed, and multiple race horses at an elite training facility died in the blaze.
Along the coast between Ventura and Santa Barbara, tiny beach communities were under siege as fire leapt from steep hillsides across U.S. Highway 101.
"We drove through a wall of flames," Wendy Frank said, describing her ordeal after evacuating her horses from Ojai on Wednesday night. "I didn't know if we'd make it. I just put the accelerator down. I know we were going over 100 mph, we could have been going much more, and just hoped for the best."
U.S. & World
Fires flared up Thursday along the highway, forcing an evacuation of the dozens of homes at Faria Beach.
"Anyone in your homes still, you need to leave now," a California Highway Patrol officer said through a loudspeaker while driving down a smoke-shrouded street. "The fire is here, you need to leave."
Joseph Ruffner had left earlier in the week but returned and said he was staying put this time.
"This morning there was a wall of fire back right over here," he said. "I didn't think it was no big deal, but it's coming back to burn what it didn't burn yesterday."
The 101 highway, which runs the length of the state and is a major commuter corridor to Los Angeles, was closed intermittently along the 28-mile stretch between Ventura and Santa Barbara.
The Ventura and LA-area fires have put tens of thousands of people under evacuation orders and destroyed more than 400 homes and buildings, a figure officials say is still likely to rise.
A woman was found dead in a wrecked car in an evacuation zone near the city of Santa Paula, where the Ventura County blaze began Monday night, but officials could not immediately say whether the accident was fire-related.
A vegetation fire broke out in an unincorporated area of Murrieta Thursday afternoon, prompting a response from 140 firefighters.
The blaze was reported around 1:14 p.m. PST in the area of Los Alamos and Liberty roads and was burning at "moderate to rapid" speeds, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. By around 2:30 p.m., the fire had erupted to 100 acres.
Firefighters from Huntington Beach and Orange County were battling a brush fire in Huntington Beach on Thursday morning. The size of the fire was not immediately clear, but officials' said firefighters' water drops had the fire "under control" by 10:45 a.m.
In Ojai, the normally bustling town was practically vacant as an ominous dark plume hovered high above and flames glowed in the hills. Known as "Shangri-La," both for its role as the stand-in for a Himalayan utopia in the 1937 Frank Capra movie "Lost Horizon" and for the magical vibe it is said to have, the town has attracted artists, hippies and spiritual thinkers for generations.
Ash fell like snowflakes on citrus orchards scattered around town and on Spanish-style architecture as firefighters parked their trucks around houses in anticipation of winds picking back up.
Some businesses were closed, but staples could be found at Pat's Liquor, where Hank Cheyne-Garcia loaded up with supplies to fuel through another edgy night keeping sentry on the fire.
"It got a little too intense yesterday with the wind kicking up," he said. "There was just so much smoke. Yesterday you couldn't see the street."
Ojai is a popular getaway some 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles for visitors looking for tranquil hikes, farm-to-table dining and spa treatments that include aromatherapy and a modern-day sweat lodge.
Like many of the places that have seen repeated catastrophic fires, such as Malibu or Bel-Air, which continued to smolder from a fire that destroyed four homes Wednesday, it is an alluring place to live but one that is also prone to wildfires.
"Part of it is the natural beauty of the area," said Ventura County Fire Capt. Brendan Ripley. "The brush-covered hills, the rock formations, the steep terrain ... all of that helps to promote very active fire behavior."
Ojai's downtown burned 100 years ago, and it has been skirted by two of the biggest fires in California history: one in 1932 and another in 1985.
The town is typically sheltered from the strong Santa Ana winds that blow in from the desert, Ripley said. But it is surrounded by dry brush that has not burned in years.
Myers reported from Ventura. Associated Press writers Brian Melley, Chris Weber and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.