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At 06:18 AM 1/30/2008, Robert Bruninga wrote:
The GLOBAL map of HAM radio activity is extremely diverse, with probably 95% of the HAM Radio population all sharing only 5% of the footprints of our satelites. Trying to make "rules" without accounting for this 400-to-1 diversity severly limits the utility of our satellites.
This is certainly a good point. I'm sure few, if any in the US or Europe have experienced what I have on many occasions - an FM bird to themselves, and I'm also sure they've never had a ragchew on such a satellite. Again, something you can do here, provided overs are kept short (30 sec or less), and decent breaks are left between them for others to break in and use the bird. When I was active, it was an unspoken rule that breaking stations had priority, and any ragchew in progress would stop, until either the breaking station joined the ragchew, or all other activity on the bird had ceased. I certainly don't recall issues with anyone hogging the satellites.
This sort of operation might sound strange to the more congested areas, but it did help newcomers, who hadn't trained themselves to recognise the subtle change in the background noise, to find the downlink - hearing voices is a dead giveaway! :D And of course, frequent invitations for stations to break in were given on air.
I propose that AMSAT endorse a global AMSAT map of "Operational Areas". There are 4 categories:
Good idea.
OA/0 - Isolated. Hawaii, Arctic, Antarctic, South Africa etc
Yep, anything east of New Zealand would certainly qualify here too.
OA/A - Area, Regional. (Australia, NZ, Japan? Etc) OA/B - Border (10% footprint overlap into OA/C areas OA/C - Congested. USA, Europe
Good idea.
Then if we ever need to make any flat statements about operations, then it can very clearly be designated as to what operating recommendations apply where.
Agree here.
Anyone want to take a crack at drawing the map?
I think this should be done as a collaborative project, since each of us has some idea of local satellite activity. I can certainly forward yor idea to the active local operators down here for comment, if yo like.
This same map can also overlay the "INTERFERENCE" areas which shows the footprint areas of HIGH QRM from pirates. These shaded areas would also help educate not only our users, but our regulatory bodies as well.
Again, agreed. :) Also the satellite designers, if the band affected is shown.
73 de VK3JED http://vkradio.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Major Philippines bank Union Bank is launching the country's first two-way cryptocurrency ATM, local media outlet Philstar reported Feb. 6.
The move will reportedly let customers buy and sell cryptocurrencies for cash via the ATM as part of the bank's "sandbox" — a framework for conducting experiments in a controlled environment.
The report did not specify which digital currencies will be supported in the experiment.
According to Philstar, the system complies with current regulations and is the result of a collaboration between Union Bank and the country's central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The article cites a statement released by the bank claiming that the ATM will provide "an alternative channel to convert their pesos to virtual currency and vice versa."
Philstar reports that Union Bank reported 7.32 billion Philippine pesos (about $140 million) in earnings last year. The bank is within the top ten largest banks in the country, in terms of assets.
The BSP has been officially regulating local Philippine crypto exchanges as remittance companies and recognizing virtual currencies as a legitimate payment method since it published Circular 944 in February 2017.
New regulations were released by the country's Cagayan Economic Zone Authority. The rules are reportedly designed to regulate the cryptocurrency industry and protect investors, affecting such issues as the acquisition of crypto assets, including utility and security tokens.
In January, United States Bitcoin ATM operator Coinme entered a partnership to sell Bitcoin (BTC) at coin counting kiosks owned by Coinstar.


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PLOS launches open access science award program
UncategorizedToday the Public Library of Science announced the Accelerating Science Award Program (ASAP). The award program seeks nominations of individuals who have used, applied, or remixed scientific research — published through open access — in order to realize innovations in science, medicine, and technology. The goal of ASAP is to build awareness of and encourage the use of scientific research published through open access. Major sponsors include the Wellcome Trust and Google.
Three winners will each receive $30,000. The nomination period opens today and runs through June 15, 2013. Potential nominees may include individuals, teams, or groups of collaborators -– such as scientists, researchers, educators, social services, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, policy makers, patient advocates, public health workers, and students -– who have used scientific research in transformative ways. The winners will be announced in Washington, DC, in October 2013 at an Open Access Week event hosted by SPARC and the World Bank.
Creative Commons is a supporter of ASAP, along with several other library organizations, publishers, and research organizations.
For more information, including the full details of the ASAP program, nomination process, and the award specifics, go to http://asap.plos.org/. For program rules visit http://asap.plos.org/nominate/rules/.
Posted 01 May 2013


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A few years ago, bullying may have occurred mainly in and around the schoolyard. But now it reaches into our homes via phones, emails and social networking. That can make it harder to deal with for both parents and teenagers.
To be in the best position to deal with potential issues, make sure you are available to your teen.
Don't panic and overreact by instantly removing access to what they see as something extremely important to them: their phone, their access to the internet or their computer.
Try to gauge what is happening and what the impacts are on your teen. Tune in carefully to how they are reacting emotionally.
If they don't seem too worried, just monitor how things go over the next few days. They may not be aware that these things can have a knock-on effect if embarrassing messages are passed to other people.
If your teenager is distressed and clearly upset, it's okay to provide support. Try to be with them emotionally so that they know you care and are there to help.
More than likely the bullying is coming from a fellow student or teenager. Inform the school. They should have policies in place about how to deal with episodes of bullying.


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This is a topic that is best not to enquire too closely. But someone has.
How often should you change your underwear? Or for that matter, your pyjamas and bed sheets and everything else at your home?
More importantly, does it really matter?
According to some studies, it does. Your underwear and clothing is a breeding ground for harmful microbes that can make us ill.
And we may be washing them far less often than we should.
So, how often should we change them? Here's a guide.
More than a quarter of men and seven per cent of women wear underwear for two days before giving them for a wash, according to a Kelkoo survey.
However, those used pants contain microbes that can cause a range of diseases such as urinary tract infections, blood infections, pneumonia, as well as thrush and E-coli, the Mirror has reported.
Change: Visiting professor of environmental health, University of Salford Dr Lisa Ackerley said after every single wear – with no exceptions.
She added: "And replace them every year."
Wash: You are best to machine wash them at 30-40C using a detergent with an AOB (activated oxygen bleach) product, advised professor Sally Bloomfield, consultant in Hygiene and Infectious Disease Prevention.
And if a family member is ill then you are best to wash them at 60C, or add an anti-bacterial product such as Napisan, or Dettol's Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser.
A recent survey has found that the average 18-30 year-old man wears the same pyjamas for almost two weeks (13 nights) and young women wear them for 17 nights before sticking them in the wash.
Another YouGov survey said young women are more likely to wear both PJs and underwear (50 percent) than older women, whereas only 20 percent of young men would do the same.
And wearing underwear with pyjamas could help some nasty bacteria thrive.
Professor Bloomfield added: "Pyjamas are worn right next to the skin – and we shed skin cells, filled with micro-organisms, at a vast rate.
"These organisms are usually harmless but if they get into the wrong place they can cause problems."
For example, E-coli bacteria transferring from the bowel to the urinary tract can cause cystitis.
Change: It's best to wear them only twice, or for no more than one week
Wash: Machine wash the same way as your underwear (above).
Nine out of 10 UK dishcloths were found to be heavily contaminated with bacteria, and more than half had E-Coli, according to a Dettol study.
Used dishcloths have been found to contain up to four billion living germs, which is six times as much bacteria as toilet handles.
Change: Dishcloths should be rinsed thoroughly and air-dried after every use.
They should not be draped over kitchen taps or left in bacteria-ridden kitchen sinks. And they should be replaced monthly.
Wash: It's best to wash them every night with an anti-bacterial laundry cleanser or at 60C or higher in a machine wash.
Tea Towels
The Science Daily reported tea towels could be one of the leading causes of cross contamination and the spreading of bacteria.
It said: "Cloth towels could quickly and easily become contaminated at significant levels, including microorganisms that can lead to food-borne illnesses."
Change: They should be changed every day and people are advised not to wipe their hands on them especially to dry the hands after washing them - the bacteria would come back on your hands.
Wash: Wash them at 60C or above, and separate from regular towels.
Bath towels absorb dead skin cells and natural bacteria from our skin and the warm and damp conditions help bacteria thrive.
It's best to avoid sharing towels as it can spread bacteria and viruses such as staphylococcus Aureus (which can cause skin infections), Athlete's Foot and cold sores.
Change: Bath towels should be washed after every three uses, according to Philip Tierno, a New York based microbiologist.
Wash: Towels should be washed at 60C or higher, ideally with an anti-bacterial product.
A recent YouGov poll said more than a third of Brits wash their bedsheets once a fortnight.
But warm, moist environments are ideal breeding grounds for dust mites, with the average bed containing 10 million of them. And their faeces can trigger allergic reactions.
"Beds can become reservoirs of human cells, bacteria and bodily excretions. Humans shed half an ounce of skin each week – and a lot of that will be in the bed," said Dr Ackerley of the University of Salford.
Change: Once a week. And every morning the duvet should be pulled back and windows opened to release moisture and humidity.
Wash: At 60C to kill mites.
Duvets and pillows
Reportedly, a third of the weight of a two-year-old pillow is made up of dust mite faeces and dead skin.
"Duvets can harbour live and dead dust mites, skin scales and fungus, which can lead to allergies such as rhinitis and infections such as conjunctivitis," according to Johnson Cleaners.
Change: "Duvets should be washed every few months – or at least twice a year," says Sara Wadsworth from The Fine Bedding Company.
They should be replaced every five years while pillows should be replaced every two or three years.
Wash: If the duvet is made up of synthetic filling, wash it at 60C to kill dust mites. Duvets and pillows with feather fillings need to be professionally dry cleaned.
Dr Uchenna Okoye, clinical director of London Smiling Dental Group, said: "The average toothbrush contains around 10 million germs – from bacteria to the flu virus.
"Even potentially fatal viruses, such as Hepatitis C, have been found on the humble brush, so sharing brushes is a big no-no."
Change: Toothbrush heads need to be changed every three months, or after you have been ill.
Wash: After every use, rinse the bristles thoroughly then shake dry. Then stand them upright so that they air dry.
Manual or electric toothbrush heads should be put in the dishwasher once a month or soaked for five minutes in boiling water.


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Cruise finder will help you identify which ports your cruise visits and the tours available for those dates in each of the ports.
If your sailings Itinerary/date is not available through the "Search for your Excursions". You many continue to look for and purchase excursions by clicking on the "Destinations" tab above and select your ports and tours and check out. As you check out we will ask for the Cruise line/ship and sailing date and schedule your tours accordingly.
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Twelve questions only you can answer
Copyright © 1973 by A.A. World Services, Inc.
Only you can decide whether you want to give A.A. a try?? whether you think it can help you.
We who are in A.A. came because we finally gave up trying to control our drinking. We still hated to admit that we could never drink safely. Then we heard from other A.A. members that we were sick. (We thought so for years!) We found out that many people suffered from the same feelings of guilt and loneliness and hopelessness that we did. We found out that we had these feelings because we had the disease of alcoholism.
We decided to try and face up to what alcohol had done to us. Here are some of the questions we tried to answer honestly. If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking. See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a problem.
Answer YES or NO to the following questions.
Did you answer "YES" four or more times? If so, you are probably in trouble with alcohol. Why do we say this? Because thousands of people in A.A. have said so for many years. They found out the truth about themselves; the hard way. But again, only "you" can decide whether you think A.A. is for you. Try to keep an open mind on the subject. If the answer is "YES," we will be glad to show you how we stopped drinking ourselves. Just call. A.A. does not promise to solve your life's problems. But we can show you how we are learning to live without drinking "one day at a time." We stay away from that "first drink." If there is no first one, there cannot be a tenth one. And when we got rid of alcohol, we found that life became much more manageable.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
- The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
- A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
- Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Copyright © by The A.A. Grapevine, Inc.;
Reprinted with permission.


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Burning Popcorn!
I hear the kernels popping in the microwave.
I see yellow light in the microwave.
I smell the butter on the popcorn.
I feel spit falling down my chin.
I taste burning popcorn.
This is an example of an ADORABLE sensory poem written by one of my first graders a few years ago.
All year long it's about punctuation, sentence structure, capitalization, editing, revising, etc. This is the time of year where I let it all go and let my students just flyyyyy and enjoy writing poems. Poetry writing isn't a standard of ours, so I don't critique it the way I do other writing genres. Instead, I spend a couple weeks teaching all sorts of poem types and model how to write them. Then, I give my students plenty of paper, we brainstorm ideas... and boom! They write, write, write!
I love how excited they get about writing poems and it adds such a spark to our writing block!
Throughout the weeks we learn how to write:
Sensory poems
Feelings poems
Acrostic poems
Cinquain poems
Shape poems
Color poems
Haiku poems
All of the templates and teacher examples can be found in the unit I created a few years back:


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"10 December is a key date for human rights. On this day 70 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly, meeting in Paris, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 70 years on, I am pleased, in my capacity as Chair of the Committee of Ministers, to celebrate this anniversary.
The principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid the foundations for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights worldwide. The swift action of the Council of Europe has given these principles concrete legal backing, with the European Convention on Human Rights adopted in 1950, and the establishment of the European Court of Human Rights some years later.
In the course of its history, the Council of Europe has constructed and continues to develop a close-knit network of human rights mechanisms and standards, aiming at covering all the areas where human rights are challenged by existing and emerging threats. The Council's work of standard-setting continues at the present day. During its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, Finland will continue working tirelessly with the member States and all other partners, including with civil society, to reinforce and advance the safeguarding of human rights on our continent.
European countries have long been at the forefront in defending human rights but, today, these rights and liberties that we may have taken for granted are challenged. The promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights, which make up the Council of Europe's fundamental values, are our collective responsibility and more necessary than ever."


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It's been a confusing couple of weeks for lovers of red wine and longevity. On March 8, Science published a paper demonstrating the mechanism by which certain molecules activate a family of proteins called sirtuins, which are thought to be responsible for some of the benefits of caloric restriction. (Those would include improved metabolism, resistance to cancer, and possibly increased longevity.)
Since one of those molecules was resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, headline writers across the globe freaked out. " 'Red Wine Pill' Like Drinking 100 Glasses a Day Could Cure Major Diseases," blared Fox News. Even Pravda weighed in, with "Red Wine Pill Could Extend Human Life Expectancy to 150 Years."
Then, last Tuesday, GlaxoSmithKline suddenly announced that it was shutting down its Sirtris division, the Boston-based company that was actually supposed to be making the "red wine pills," and which GSK had bought for $720 million just five years ago. Wait, what?
The announcement marked a new, confusing phase in the long red-wine-pill saga, which kicked off with a front-page story in the New York Times on November 2, 2006. As the Times reported, Harvard researchers led by David Sinclair had found that resveratrol extended the lifespans of obese laboratory mice; that is, the mice pigged out on high-fat food, but their health did not seem to suffer. Thanks to the resveratrol, they lived just as long as normal mice. If anything, they did better: In videos, the chubby, resveratrol-treated mice jogged away happily on treadmills.
If ever there was a drug tailor-made for overweight Americans, this seemed to be it. Six months later, Sirtris—the company Sinclair cofounded to develop resveratrol-based drugs—had its IPO. Eleven months after that, in April 2008, GSK bought Sirtris outright for $720 million, or nearly double its stock-market valuation. Five years later, contra the headlines, there are still no red-wine longevity pills on the horizon. What happened?
Resveratrol itself is amazing stuff. It's produced in the skins of grapes, late in their maturation, as a kind of natural antifungal agent. In 2003, Sinclair had discovered that it seemed to activate a longevity-promoting gene in yeast called SIR2. Similar genes are present in nearly all animals, including humans; in mammals, they're called sirtuins, and they appear to be activated by caloric restriction. Resveratrol seemed to offer an easier, starvation-free route to sirtuin activation, and Sinclair and others then found that the stuff had similar effects on nematode worms, mice, and even fish. In a 2008 study, Sinclair even found that resveratrol helped turn normal mice into super-athletes with extraordinary endurance. (Paging Lance Armstrong…)
Beyond that, resveratrol also seemed to combat certain kinds of cancers, and it is a powerful antioxidant. It also has strong cardioprotective effects, and was thought to be responsible for the "French paradox," the mysterious French ability to remain (relatively) healthy despite pigging out on Camembert and confit de canard. And it has been shown to fight diabetes, inflammation, and even neurological disorders.
As a pharmaceutical, though, resveratrol has issues. Sinclair calls it "a dirty drug," meaning it has too many targets in the cell. But that may be moot, because it seems to have extremely low "bioavailability" in humans. (Translation: Most of it exits via your bladder.) That doesn't stop people from spending $30 million a year on resveratrol supplements, including Sinclair himself (as he told the Times in 2006). But relatively few human studies have been done on resveratrol, and the results are modestly positive, but far from overwhelming, particularly in healthy adults.
Finally, and fatally, as a natural compound, resveratrol itself cannot be patented and sold by a pharmaceutical company. It was Sirtris's job to try to make new, improved, and potentially profitable versions of resveratrol, as well as entirely new compounds that would target the sirtuins. The company launched several clinical trials of possible sirtuin-activating drugs. But then, one by one, those trials were halted, at least two of them due to unexpected side effects. That leaves only one Sirtris compound, SRT2104, still under active study, for psoriasis and ulcerative colitis.
In the labs, as well, the sirtuin theory of aging was taking heavy fire. In 2011, another group published a paper in Nature that challenged Sinclair's research directly: His results, it was claimed, were an artifact of the way he did his experiments. The Science paper, published earlier this month, was Sinclair's triumphant rebuttal, outlining in precise detail how resveratrol and friends actually work on the sirtuin pathway. Just four days later, GSK pulled the plug. A GSK spokeswoman says the company will continue to work on sirtuin activators, but says that aside from SRT2104, there are none in the pipeline. Also, she adds, "they don't have anything to do with red wine."
Says Sinclair, who is still a scientific adviser to GSK: "We know the science is real; the problem now is to push it over the goal line. If they don't end up as drugs in our lifetime, it's not the fault of scientists, and more of a business decision."
Which is too bad, but at least red wine itself is still good for you. And until that longevity pill comes along, it's all we've got. Just be sure you use a proper dose: In at least two major studies of wine and health, the greatest benefits were seen in people who consumed between three and five glasses of the red stuff.
Per day.


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Until 2008, the curriculum of Montreal's (private) Catholic Loyola High School included a course called "Morals and World Religions" (MWR). MWR taught students the basic history and tenets of other major religions from the Catholic perspective, which is presumably what the students' parents were paying for.
In 2008, however, Quebec introduced a province-wide program called Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) running throughout elementary school, and all but one high school year. Every Quebec student — even the homeschooled — is obligated to take this state-composed program. And teachers, whatever their beliefs or religious affiliation, must teach it.
The ERC's mandate is to introduce students to Quebec's diversity of religions and cultures with "absolute respect for every religious position." As a short perusal of ERC's culturally relativistic texts makes clear, Wicca, Raëlism, aboriginal animism or even a student's own invented religion are all accorded equal spiritual standing with Christianity. This is an untenable intellectual perspective, and obviously one that stands in opposition to Catholic teachings. Yet no child may be exempted on grounds that the ERC might negatively impact confidence in his own religion.
Loyola sought an institutional exemption, arguing that the school taught the same substantive knowledge as ERC in their MWR course. The ministry denied the request. Loyola pursued a legal challenge on Charter grounds of religious freedom. At trial, the Quebec attorney general contended that the Charter applies to individuals; religious corporations, such as a Jesuit school, he argued, are not entitled to freedom of religion.
The presiding lower court judge, Justice Dugré, disagreed with Quebec's position. He ruled that the forced replacement of MRW would undermine Loyola's own sense of identity and religious character, even stating that Quebec's supersession of ERC over Loyola's teaching commitments was "totalitarian in nature."
But Quebec's Court of Appeal then overturned the lower court's ruling. Unless resolved otherwise by the Supreme Court, it means that a government can compel a faith community to jettison its driving beliefs in order to promote the state's secular religion of multiculturalism; or indeed, in the future, to compel promotion of any other theory or belief the state may wish to substitute for a faith community's convictions.
If the "Catholic perspective" mocked or refuted other routes to spiritual fulfilment, the Court of Appeal decision would be correct. On the contrary, though, the Catholic understanding of faith is far richer and more respectful of religion than that presented in the ERC, which comes at the subject from a secular perspective, and essentially ignores the whole concept of "faith" altogether.
To Quebec's education ministry, religion is a cultural preference, not a deeply held core belief. For Catholics, on the other hand, everyone who is a Catholic or a member of another religious faith —or even atheistic — is respected as a spiritual pilgrim on a profound journey in pursuit of truth.
In view of its raison d'être, Loyola finds itself caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. As Douglas Farrow, professor of Christian Thought at McGill University and an expert witness in the case, put it to me: "Were the Loyola community to accede to this demand, it would not only be violating its conscience, but also allowing that the Court stands above its conscience … This it cannot do and remain Catholic in any meaningful sense."
The stated objective of the ERC program is to "cultivate the recognition of others and pursuit of the common good." Must the "recognition of others" preclude a special attachment to one's own heritage?
As for "pursuit of the common good," it was a religion, not a state, after all, that gave all of mankind the Golden Rule to "do unto others as you would be done by." Surely that is the pursuit of the common good par excellence. The onus should therefore be on Quebec to prove Loyola's MWR was failing to meet objectives that were already Catholic objectives before they were Quebec's objectives.
The replacement of the Catholicism-friendly MWR with the Catholicism-banalizing ERC is not, as the Court of Appeal claims, the imposition of a pedagogical curriculum like any other. It is the abrogation of the Charter provision for freedom of religion, and sets a disquieting precedent for other faith-based corporations. The lower-court justice was correct: Quebec's position smacks of totalitarianism. The Court of Appeal ruling should not, and hopefully will not stand.


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FORT MYERS, FLA. — No place in Florida seemed to have suffered more damage from Hurricane Ian than the town of Fort Myers Beach, located on Estero Island along the state's southwest coast.
One official who flew over the community estimates that 80% of the structures will have to be rebuilt. Ian battered the barrier island with a 12-foot storm surge and winds near 150 miles per hour. The bridge to the island was damaged in the storm and has now been closed. Residents who evacuated and were briefly able to return to their homes are stunned by how little remains.
Susan and Jim Helton are in Fort Myers now, at a hotel where there's no power or water. But they feel lucky they got a room here after their home was demolished in the storm. It was Ian's storm surge that did the damage.
That, Jim Helton says, and the boat he found in the middle of his house. It demolished his sunroom and opened the house to the elements. He has no idea whose boat it is or what it will take to remove it and the rest of the rubble that used to be his home. "It will probably be there for six months or a year," he says, "because so many places have been hit."
The Heltons' home is on the back bay in Fort Myers Beach, part of a boating community that's now gone. They left the island before the storm and stayed with a friend. The next day, Jim returned, fearful about what he might find.
He tried to stay positive, but when he saw the boat inside his house and the damage done by the surge, his heart sank. "It was hard to get in there because the couches and everything floated up, all mixed together."
"And the washing machine," his wife Susan adds. The surge picked up everything in the house: furniture, heavy appliances, a golf cart, "and books," Susan says, "all my books."
Jim Helton has been in Florida more than 40 years. He built a successful business on Captiva, another nearby island devastated by the storm. He's 84, long since retired and now is not sure what to do next. Like the house, all the couple's plans were scrambled and destroyed by the hurricane.
"We were going to sell [the house] this winter," Jim says. "I got over there today and there was a note by the coffee machine, 'Call the sales lady.' And that hurt." It's a blow he's not sure he can recover from. "I'm hanging in," he says. "I'm fighting depression. I could cry right now but I'm not."
Tens of thousands in Florida were displaced
Throughout southwest Florida, there are tens of thousands of people displaced by Hurricane Ian with stories like the Heltons. In some communities, homes spared in the storm are now flooding from rain-swollen rivers. Some 10,000 people remain in shelters.
A catastrophe modeling company estimates that insured losses will be over $60 billion and total damages may exceed $100 billion. If those numbers hold up, Ian would be the fourth costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
On Fort Myers Beach, Jim believes it will be at least a decade before the island community is rebuilt. He doesn't expect to be around to see it. In the meantime, he and his wife are thinking about Texas. "I have a son over there," he says, "and he doesn't like Florida." Susan says, "Neither do I much now today."
Susan Helton has experienced trauma before. She's a former New Yorker and was in Manhattan on 9/11. "I thought, you gave me one disaster, don't push it. But guess what, a higher power came in and said, 'Go ahead, press that button one more time and see if she can take it.' "
Jim says he's also thought about God, the challenge he's been given and whether he's still up to it. "I've had a good life and he threw me this curve. I'm alive," Jim says, and then laughs. "We'll see what happens tomorrow. Because I'm just about out of gas."
The Heltons say they're staying in Florida just until they are able to make the necessary connections with FEMA. They say they'll dispose of a property they loved, but which, like so much else on Fort Myers Beach, is now gone forever.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Rocking my SCHEYDEN sunglasses!
March, already?! Time change, already?! 7 more weeks of school, already?! I guess it's a good thing when the time flies- you know you're enjoying yourself. Either that, or you're way too busy to notice! I'm excited to finish off most of my gen ed classes and Commercial Pilot Operations- it's been such an adventure so far. This Wednesday I will be leaving for the Women In Aviation Conference in Nashville, Tennessee! This will be my first time attending the WAI conference and I could not be more excited than to spend it with the Women In Aviation ERAU Chapter. Spring Break is also next week and I will be posting some photos and blogging about my adventures, so keep squawking the blog!
The best fuel I had this past week, found in this quote: "Fear and excitement. Two emotions that come hand in hand when you commit to the important work of flying blind and of doing something completely unique." In this process we call college, we're still finding our way; we're still ships exploring new horizons..but the cool thing is being able to live unbound during the process. When you realize how many opportunities you have, how limitless your boundaries truly are, let that fear and excitement motivate you.
Over the Atlantic Ocean
If dreaming is in your comfort zone, ask yourself why it is. A dream is only comfortable if we are sleeping in a warm, cozy bed, but the pursuits of a dream are, in fact, quite the opposite. They're tough. They're annoying. Difficult. After all, who wants to deal with the difficulties, right? You could stay in the holding pattern all day, but eventually your airplane will run out of fuel. You won't have that excitement coupled with fear. You'll stay comfortable, but you'll also stay in the same spot. Here's where the 'what if' comes in. 'What if' I could get out of this holding pattern and land this thing? See, when you're in an airplane, you have to think quick. You have to be in front of the airplane at all times and it's going to keep propelling regardless if you don't. Get rid of those 'what ifs' because a result is going to happen anyway- the question is, is it worth the result? I'll ask you.. would you rather stay in the holding pattern circling around contemplating the 'what ifs', or pick a destination and land? How long before we wave hello to the indulging and daring part of flying blind? If there's something I realized coming to college all the way from the other side of the country, regardless if you are taking a quiet leap or kicking and screaming all the way, you still have made the risk. And wow, has it been worth it.
So try and let your fear and excitement propel you. You may come to find that not only will it push you to places you have never been before, but also that it's a little fun. As for holding patterns.. eh, not so much.
See you at the Women In Aviation Conference.
Blue Skies ✈


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Microsoft Launches Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview - prepares IT professionals for launch day
Users have been enjoying Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Consumer Preview over the last few weeks and now enterprise users get their turn. Today Microsoft announced availability for their Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview. The new enterprise build adds premium features to the platform that improve mobility, security, management, and virtualization.
Added Enterprise Features
Windows to Go Creator will allow enterprise organizations to create manageable USB bootable Windows 8.1 desktops. Employees could boot a secure corporate operating system from their own machine at home, using the USB flash drive, without creating security risks for their company.
IT departments are also given control of the Start Screen's layout to make sure the correct apps are available easily, in addition to preventing users from pinning unwanted content. This new ability allows consistency across corporate machines.
Direct Access will also be included in the enterprise preview, allowing employees to access resources from company servers without the need to setup secure Virtual Private Networks each time. The technology also allows IT admins to push updates and policies to connected machines.
New enhancements in Microsoft RemoteFX and Windows Server 2012 will allow users to enjoy faster, latency free, remote desktop connections and the ability to use touch-enabled devices across LAN or WAN networks. The company claims that users would even be able to enjoy "the ability to play 3D graphics".
AppLocker also makes a reappearance, allowing IT organizations to restrict file and app usage to specific users or groups running on a PC.
New Enterprise Features
In addition to familiar features above, new enterprise features will also be added including Assigned Access, Inbox VPN Clients, Open MDM, Workplace join, and Remote business data removal.
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Assigned Access allows IT departments to enable single Windows Store application experiences while restricting users from other system files and applications.
Inbox VPN Client will allow third party VPN services to include versions of their inboxes. This functionality will work on both Windows 8.1 and Windows RT.
Open MDM enable mobile device management for devices for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT devices.
Finally, Workplace join and remote business data removal will allow trusted devices and personal to access, store, and manage company content.
For the full list of features, you can check out the TechNet post located here.
If you are ready to dive in and download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview you can find more information and guidance on Microsoft's Springboard Blog for IT professionals.
A Reminder
Although this is an official release from Microsoft, it is still a preview and should not be deployed fully through a corporate network. This new software release is for IT administrators to test upon a few machines to see how Windows 8.1 integrates with the latest version of Windows Server and current network policies that are set in place.
Microsoft reminds customers that they have two years to move to Windows 8.1. During that two year span, Windows 8 will still be supported.
Development tools and guidance are also available from Microsoft to make the update easier for the average consumer who might be bringing their Windows machine to work.
Enjoy the latest preview and let us know what you think.
Source: Windows Blog
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.


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May 21, 2009
Female mice prefer outbred males
Females prefer the scent of outbred males: good-genes-as-heterozygosity?
Ilmonen P, Stundner G, Thosz M, Penn DJ.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest to determine the relative importance of non-additive genetic benefits as opposed to additive ones for the evolution of mating preferences and maintenance of genetic variation in sexual ornaments. The 'good-genes-as-heterozygosity' hypothesis predicts that females should prefer to mate with more heterozygous males to gain more heterozygous (and less inbred) offspring. Heterozygosity increases males' sexual ornamentation, mating success and reproduction success, yet few experiments have tested whether females are preferentially attracted to heterozygous males, and none have tested whether females' own heterozygosity influences their preferences. Outbred females might have the luxury of being more choosey, but on the other hand, inbred females might have more to gain by mating with heterozygous males. We manipulated heterozygosity in wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus musculus) through inbreeding and tested whether the females are more attracted to the scent of outbred versus inbred males, and whether females' own inbreeding status affects their preferences. We also tested whether infecting both inbred and outbred males with Salmonella would magnify females' preferences for outbred males. RESULTS: Females showed a significant preference for outbred males, and this preference was slightly more pronounced among inbred females. We found no evidence that Salmonella infection increased the relative attractiveness of outbred versus inbred males; however, we found no evidence that inbreeding affected males' disease resistance in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the idea that females are more attracted to outbred males, and they suggest that such preferences may be stronger among inbred than outbred females, which is consistent with the 'good-genes-as-heterozygosity' hypothesis. It is unclear whether this odour preference reflects females' actual mating preferences, though it suggests that future studies should consider females' as well as males' heterozygosity. Our study has implications for efforts to understand how mate choice can provide genetic benefits without eroding genetic diversity (lek paradox), and also conservation efforts to determine the fitness consequences of inbreeding and the maintenance of genetic diversity in small, inbred populations.
9 comments:
- UncleTomRuckusInGoodWhiteWorld said...
we could test this:
Fine monoracial woman and see how attractive various types of Hispanics and Central Asians are compared to Monoracial men. Test for the level of admixture before hand... - Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:24:00 pm
- Jim Bowery said...
Has anyone bothered to test how aggressive inbred male mice are toward outbred male mice?
Female preference may be driven as much by a "let's you and him fight" dynamic where the female's genetic program's default is that if an outbred male is within pheromone distance, he must have won a bunch of fights. - Friday, May 22, 2009 12:53:00 am
- Dienekes said...
"Less inbred males won more encounters and tended to have higher scores of aggression level than more inbred males.
Link - Friday, May 22, 2009 1:59:00 am
- n/a said...
Definition of terms:
"We trapped wild house mice from a single population (Safaripark, Gänserndorf) near Vienna,
Austria and bred the F2 generation to produce full-sib inbred (sister-brother-mating; Wright's
inbreeding coefficient; f=0.25) and outbred mice (matings between unrelated individuals;
The "outbred" mice are "unrelated" members of a single population, while the inbred mice are products of brother/sister mating. - Friday, May 22, 2009 2:40:00 am
- Dienekes said...
Fine monoracial woman and see how attractive various types of Hispanics and Central Asians are compared to Monoracial men. Test for the level of admixture before hand...I don't see what race has to do with this particular study. That type of experiment would just introduce an unnecessary confounding variable. In your example, we would have to control for women's like/dislike of Hispanic or Central Asian men to isolate the effect of heterozygosity itself.
For humans, a good study would sample from several populations, and look -in each one- whether more heterozygous/homozygous individuals differed in their attractiveness. Heterozygosity could be estimated directly from the genome, as in this study. - Friday, May 22, 2009 3:33:00 am
- terryt said...
Although the term 'hybrid vigour', or 'heterosis', is usually used in relation to hybrids between two inbred lines it's presumably more widely applicable than just then. Heterozygosity implies heterosis, and so some level of hybrid vigour. This study is most likely to show the results of heterosis, nothing more complicated than that.
- Saturday, May 23, 2009 2:18:00 am
- Jim Bowery said...
Also from the Eklund paper: Paired encounters were staged between males of the three offspring groups, when the males reached maturity.The staging seems rather important to my question. It should be as close as possible to the likely natural gene-flow scenario: A group of relatively inbred mice in an established territory dominated by the urine markings of their males, invaded by an outbred male.
Also, I emphasize relatively because it seems there is a range of outbreeding up to and including the point at which hybrid sterility sets in. In other words: What is he likely gene flow rate in nature? - Sunday, May 24, 2009 5:38:00 pm
- John said...
Nice and interesting articles you have. Keep posting god bless you...
- Sunday, September 06, 2009 5:31:00 am
- Janice said...
I like this blog and I found better stuff here. Thanks.
- Monday, April 16, 2012 3:33:00 pm


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SpringHill Suites by Marriott Celebrates 500th Milestone Opening With Debut on Amelia Island
The Stylish All-Suite Brand Makes a Splash in Charming Coastal Beach Towns this Summer, From San Diego to Cocoa Beach
BETHESDA, MD, MAY 24, 2021 — SpringHill Suites by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, celebrates today the significant milestone of its 500th hotel opening with the debut of SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island. The oceanside property is ideally situated in a pristine coastal location on Amelia Island, known as Florida's jewel of the Sea Islands. As travelers continue to seek under-the-radar destinations to escape the crowds, SpringHill Suites has introduced a number of notable new properties across charming coastal towns, from San Diego to Cocoa Beach, to offer tranquility on secluded beaches for a memorable summer excursion.
"SpringHill Suites continues to delight travelers with unexpected style and space, and diverse locations in laidback destinations that are off the beaten path," said Diane Mayer, Vice President & Global Brand Manager for SpringHill Suites. "We've seen heightened interest for our National Parks hotels and now, for coastal beach town retreats as we strive to provide comfort and quality with small indulgences for guests to unwind."
The all-suite brand offers a fresh take on mixing business and leisure, providing more space and extras that surprise and delight guests throughout their stay. Its spacious suites feature contemporary design outfitted with upscale West Elm furnishings and is ideal for travelers looking for a chance to escape their everyday routine. Guests can look forward to a refreshing stay with SpringHill Suites, accented by popular amenities including outdoor firepits, complimentary hot breakfast, modern fitness centers, and free Wi-Fi to stay on top of it all.
SpringHill Suites Amelia Island
The new SpringHill Suites Amelia Island, connected under one roof with Courtyard by Marriott Amelia Island, beckons travelers to enjoy a quaint seaside getaway with 239 modern guest rooms featuring balcony and ocean views, a resort-style pool deck, and multiple dining venues including Tides Pool Bar & Grill. Equipped with 6,060 square feet of flexible meeting space, the property provides an idyllic backdrop for any special occasion. The hotel is in close proximity to Amelia Island's main attractions such as Main Beach Park, Fort Clinch State Park, and historic Fernandina Beach.
SpringHill Suites invites travelers to explore even more serene landscapes and breathtaking coastlines this summer with its newest hotels in relaxing beach town destinations:
SpringHill Suites San Diego Carlsbad
Newly opened in December 2020, this beachfront, all-suite property located in Carlsbad Village is a breath of fresh air within close distance to Carlsbad State Beach. The 104-room hotel offers ocean-view suites with plenty of natural light to give travelers a little extra California sunshine. Guests can take a leisurely stroll to upscale shops and restaurants downtown or relax on the Rooftop Lounge with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. With 4,245 square feet of event space including an outdoor venue, it is the perfect location to host inspiring meetings or events.
SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach Beachfront
The recently opened oceanfront hotel overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is steps away from the Emerald Coast's famous beaches and nearby family attractions such as Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Pier Park Panama City Beach, Shell Island and Frank Brown Park. The property includes 200 all-suite guest rooms and an outdoor pool and lazy river, offering something a little extra for kids and adults alike. The hotel is home to multiple dining venues including Compass Wine Bar and Latitudes Bar and Grill, featuring an expansive outdoor patio to watch the sun set over the ocean waves.
SpringHill Suites Cape Canaveral Cocoa Beach
Nestled just east of Orlando and located minutes away from Port Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach and more, the new hotel is ideal for sun-seekers looking for pristine beaches in an area rich with history on land, sea and space. Each of its 151 spacious suites seamlessly blends design and functionality, with modern amenities that help guests stay refreshed and focused, whether traveling for business or leisure. Guests can experience the laidback Cocoa Beach lifestyle in this legendary surf town graced by iconic astronauts and explore outer space adventures on Florida's Space Coast.
With the opening of Spring Hill Suites Amelia Island, the SpringHill Suites brand currently operates 500 properties across the U.S. and Canada with additional openings to come. For more information, visit www.springhillsuites.com.
About SpringHill Suites by Marriott
SpringHill Suites by Marriott is the largest all-suites hotel brand in the upscale segment that is refreshingly different. With stylish surroundings that are beyond the ordinary at 500 properties across the U.S. and Canada, guests are provided thoughtful, focused service in an uplifting atmosphere. Each spacious suite features an open, airy design that puts guests at ease, with separate living and sleeping areas. At SpringHill Suites, travelers can escape their routines and enjoy their time away. SpringHill Suites is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. For more information or reservations, visit www.springhillsuites.com.
SOURCE: Marriott International, Inc.


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A 25mm welded rim made for the demands of AM.
Lightweight rims as wide as most downhill rims were just a couple of years ago? State-of-the-art materials and extensive testing make it possible. DT Swiss knows exactly how light it can design a product to fulfill its purpose to perfection. This is why the XM 421 is as light as an All Mountain rim can get, yet still fears no trail, no matter what rock gardens it has on the menu.
Part Numbers
Option | UPC | MPN | Store SKU |
Black / 28 / 27.5-inch | 07630033852043 | RDXM4265028S011455 | DTS30919620H |


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Passing Under Bridges
Most states have laws requiring that you pass under bridges at a slow speed. You should always reduce your speed and proceed with caution near any bridge or man-made structure that decreases visibility and passage.
- Many bridges are high enough to allow normal boat passage. However, some bridges provide only low clearance during normal conditions or periods of high water.
- Many drawbridges open and close when a boat arrives. To request passage, contact the bridge operator using sound signals or a VHF marine radio.
- Be aware that debris can collect around pilings of bridges and create dangerous obstructions.


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5 Things That Can Be Making Your Insurance Cost Skyrocket
When shopping for a new home, some of the same features that lure you in could end up costing you extra in insurance premiums.
If you're like the many buyers who wait until after going into contract to get insurance quotes on a property, says Local Records Office, you could be faced with some serious sticker shock.
Check out these five seemingly desirable home features that might end up costing you more than you realize in the long run:
1. Having a Swimming Pool
The high rate of drowning and the harshness of water-related injuries, insurance companies consider swimming pools one of their biggest liabilities. Consider the possibility of a young student accidentally falling into your pool and injuring himself.
You could be held responsible for the high cost of their hospital bills, and if they choose to sue you, you could also see expensive court fees and lawyer cost.
Some standard homeowners insurance policies include a minimum liability coverage limit of $100,000 in order to help protect you financially in the event of such a lawsuit.
However, if your home includes a swimming pool, the Insurance Information Institute recommends increasing your limit to at least $300,000 or even investing in some sort of an umbrella policy to increase your liability coverage.
Your insurer will also likely require you to build and maintain a self-locking fence around the pool to keep kids from drowning. Additionally, if the pool itself is expensive, you may need to increase coverage limits on your policy in the event it's damaged by a storm or other covered peril.
2. Trampolines
Approximately 200,000 trampoline-related incidents are reported every two year. While the kids may love it, a new trampoline almost certainly won't get along with your insurance company. Depending on your area and your specific carrier, trampoline-related claims may be banned from your policy.
That means if someone is hurt on a trampoline on your property and decides to sue, you might be paying the legal costs out of your own pocket.
Even if there are no specific exclusions from your carrier or in your state, it's still important to notify your agent any time you introduce a "high-risk" item – such as a trampoline, tree house or a swimming pool – to your property to make sure you'll be properly covered in the event of an accident.
3. Ocean or Lake View
The value of a waterfront property can be higher than comparable inner city properties, whether you live by an ocean, lake, river or some other body of water. However, a beautiful water view often comes with a higher risk for flooding and therefore more costly insurance coverage.
Although most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage against water damage, they exclude any damage resulting from flood/rising water.
For that reason, most residents who live in high-risk flood zones with a water view typically need to invest in separate flood policies in order to protect their properties from the elements. If you have a mortgage on your home, a flood insurance policy will likely be required by your lender.
You can check the flood risk of any property by visiting the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program.
4. Vintage Look
Older homes have maintained original features for years, and discovering a well-preserved historical property can be a real estate dream come true. Unfortunately, if key features such as the home's plumbing system, electrical system or the roof haven't been updated since poodle skirts were in style, it's likely an insurance nightmare.
If your electrical system hasn't been updated in more than 10 years, it's more likely to malfunction and contribute to a damaging fire than one that's brand new.
Similarly, out-of-date plumbing systems could lead to devastating water damage and an older roof is more susceptible to storm damage and other costly damages.
With the combined average cost of claims topping $40,000 for these perils, according to the Insurance Information Institute, it's not surprising insurance carriers charge more to insure these properties.
5. Large Square Footage
The larger your house, the more it will likely cost to replace if it's ever damaged or destroyed in a covered peril. That means you'll require a higher amount of repair coverage, which is the coverage provided under your homeowners policy to rebuild the structural elements of your home in the event of a claim.
To get a rough idea of how much repair coverage you'd need to completely rebuild your home from the ground up after a complete loss, insurance companies multiply the total square footage of the property by local construction costs.
Keep in mind, building with more expensive construction materials will impact your coverage needs, so upgrades such as granite countertops also should be reported to your insurance company.
Of course, none of this should dissuade you from buying a waterfront home or installing a swimming pool. Just be sure you enter into the home buying experience with some knowledge about which types of homes carry higher risk — and therefore larger insurance price tags — than others.


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What is the sizing guide for jackets and coats?
To find the perfect fit for your girl's jacket or coat, we recommend referring to our sizing guide. You can find detailed measurements and size charts on the product page to ensure you select the right size.
Are the jackets and coats waterproof?
Yes, we offer a range of waterproof jackets and coats for girls. These are designed to keep your child dry and protected even in rainy weather. Look for the waterproof feature in the product description.
Do you have winter jackets with insulation?
Absolutely! Our winter jackets and coats are specifically designed to provide insulation and keep your child warm during the colder months. Look for features like down or synthetic insulation for maximum warmth.
What are the different types of jackets available?
We offer a wide variety of jacket styles for girls. Some popular options include denim jackets, bomber jackets, puffer jackets, parkas, and raincoats. Explore our collection to find the perfect style for your girl's wardrobe.
Are the jackets and coats machine washable?
Yes, most of our jackets and coats are machine washable. However, it's always best to check the care instructions on the product tag and follow the recommended washing guidelines to maintain the garment's quality.
Can I find jackets and coats for different age groups?
Yes, our collection includes jackets and coats for various age groups, ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Use the available filters or check the product description to find the appropriate age range for each item.


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Lyo-Works™ OS on freeze dryer provides remote notification and data collection. Compatible with optional End-Zone™ end point detection. Suitable for lyophilizing aqueous samples.
FreeZone 6 Liter Console Freeze Dryers are designed for lyophilizing moderate to large sample loads or numerous small container batches. The console features a front viewing window, interior space for a vacuum pump, and accommodation for a large tray dryer such as the FreeZone Stoppering Tray Dryers (pump and tray dryer sold separately). These models offer the broadest range of built-in options including a shell freezer.
The upright stainless steel collector coil holds 6 liters of ice before defrosting. A single 3/4 hp HCFC/CFC-free refrigeration system cools the collector to -50° C (-58° F), suitable for aqueous samples.
Lyo-Works™ OS provides a real time display of collector temperature, vacuum level and optional End-Zone™ end point detection system, shown on a 5" full color, capacitive touchscreen. Models with PTFE-coated collectors that can withstand corrosive compounds are available.
Vacuum pump, drying accessory and freeze dry glassware (if not bulk freeze drying) are required (not included).
A simple way to design a complete lab freeze dry system that fits your needs.
Lyo-Works™ OS on freeze dryer provides remote notification and data collection. Compatible with optional End-Zone™ end point detection. Suitable for lyophilizing aqueous samples.
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When she visited Kelly at Labconco, Gail's struggle led to an epiphany that would change how laboratory freeze drying is done. With the creation of Lyo-Works OS, samples can now be monitored from anywhere. And with End-Zone™ End Point Detection, now FreeZone Freeze Dryers can even send you an alert when your samples are completely lyophilized.
Know as soon as your samples reach dryness. Set up your End-Zone™ End Point Detection System to alert you when the primary drying phase is complete for up to 5 samples in 600ml or larger flasks. This video shows how to install and operate the system.
The Lyo-Works Operating System makes freeze drying easy. The large, full color touchscreen display offers clear, intuitive interactions. Learn to use these features that help you get the lyophilization results you want every time.
Take these steps to set up your new FreeZone Freeze Dryer Console. The video includes instructions for installing a multi-port manifold or a chamber with valve ports. A separate video shows how to install the benchtop version, and other videos and instruction manuals will help when installing other accessories.
Learn to troublesoot vacuum leaks in Labconco FreeZone Freeze Dry Systems
Here are some simple tips to get the best results when freeze drying. These tips can also help you avoid breaking glassware, and help you select the best method of freeze dry preparation.
Contains a selection guide, features and benefits, specifications and ordering information on the complete line of FreeZone Freeze Dry Systems, with collector capacities from 2.5 to 18 liters; FreeZone Triad Freeze Dryers; FreeZone Stoppering Tray Dryers; FreeZone Bulk Tray Dryers; drying accessories; glassware and vacuum pumps.
Industry service publication on the principles of freeze drying, preparation techniques and methods.
This French-language catalog contains an overview, features, benefits, specifications and ordering information on FreeZone Freeze Dryers. Ordering information on accessories is also included. En français.
For catalog numbers in the following series: 70061xxxx, 71061xxxx, 70121xxxx, 71121xxxx, 70181xxxx, 70062xxxx, 71062xxxx, 70122xxxx, 71122xxxx, and 70182xxxx. These are 6L -50° C and -84° C, 12L -50° C and -84° C, and 18L -50° C FreeZone Console Freeze Dryers with Lyo-Works™ OS and FreeZone Console Freeze Dryers with Stoppering Tray Dryer and Lyo-Works™ OS manufactured in August 2017 or later.
The installation guide for FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufactured August 2017 or later.
The installation guide in French for FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufactured August 2017 or later.
Le guide d'installation pour les FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufacturés en août 2017 ou ultérieurement.
The installation guide in German for FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufactured August 2017 or later.
The installation guide in Spanish for FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufactured August 2017 or later.
Guía de Instalación para FreeZone Freeze Dryers fabricadas en Agosto del 2017 en adelante.
For validation of predetermined FreeZone Freeze Dryers specifications. Provides a checklist of installation and operation qualifications to complete when beginning operation on new or used FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufactured in August 2017 or later. These systems have Lyo-Works™ OS, blue control panel labels and stainless steel fronts.
Declaration of Conformity for applicable models of FreeZone Freeze Dryers manufactured August 2017 to present.
This .zip file contains the firmware and installation instructions for FreeZone Freeze Dryers, FreeZone Bulk Tray Dryers, FreeZone Stoppering Tray Dryers, Small Tray Dryers and Heated Product Shelf Chambers manufactured in 2017 and later.
This is the Lyo-Works application software for your FreeZone Freeze Dryer's touchscreen Android interface. The .zip file includes installation instructions. Extract the files in order to install.


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Did you ever wonder what happens to your digital footprint when you pass away? Well you should, particularly if you are part of the 77 percent of Americans who go online every day. As the internet has become more of an integral part of our lives, our information -- pictures, videos, financial, emails, social media accounts, and other personal information -- is constantly being stored online. All of this information is known as your "digital assets." While the internet has made our lives easier by allowing us to access our information with the simple push of a button, it may be difficult for our loved ones to do the same once we are gone.
Digital assets encompass any of your information that you store or use online -- this includes social media accounts such as Facebook. While you may not consider these digital assets as having much monetary value, they store critical information or have sentimental value. Consequently, when you plan for your estate you should include your digital assets because they are an asset owned by you. Indeed, when it comes to your digital assets you will have to make special advanced arrangements so your executor -- the person in charge of your estate when you pass away -- can access them upon your passing. Many online providers, such as Facebook, Google, and Yahoo!, have specific procedures for handling your account upon your passing. In order to ensure that your wishes are carried out, you must follow their rules. Strictly speaking, providing usernames and passwords to another person, even your executor or successor trustee, may be a violation of the terms of service for many online accounts, and could cause trouble for your executor or successor trustee. You should also consider access to your computer and back-up hard drives, tablets, and smartphones. Being proactive is key when it comes to your digital assets so that they may be accessed when needed. And, as with any estate plan, regularly revisiting your plan for your digital assets is key.
Depending on where you live your digital estate plan may need to be formalized into a legal document. You can then name an executor specifically for your digital assets or, alternatively, name someone with whom your traditional executor can work with in order to settle your digital estate. Make sure to instruct your executor as to the location of your digital asset inventory for easy access. Keep in mind that because your will becomes a public document upon your death due to probate, you should never put any of your username or password information in your will. Instead, have your will refer to an outside document that contains all the needed information regarding your digital assets.
Under Nevada law, in accordance with recent laws passed in 2017, you should specifically grant authority to your Trustee under a Living Trust, your Agent under a Power of Attorney, and an executor under a Last Will and Testament in order to ensure all digital information can be accessed in the event of an incapacity or death.
Attend a FREE Webinar to learn more about estate planning, dealing with digital assets, and all the important aspects of protecting your loved ones! If you have questions regarding digital assets, or any other estate planning issues, please contact Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. for a consultation, either online or by calling us at (775) 823-9455.


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Mike Resnick said of Nancy Kress, "No one teaches writing basics better." Here she gives us the basics on POVs. When to use one and not the other, why one works and another doesn't.
First person, second person, third person, alternating person, third person subjective, third person objective, third person omniscient, multiple third person, epistolary. Did I miss any?
I'm not even familiar with all the ones you listed! I think in terms of: first person, multiple first, third person, multiple third, second person (rare), omniscient, objective.
When do we use them and why, when do we not use them and why not?
That's a big topic; entire books have been written on the advantages and disadvantages of each. Briefly: First person allows for a very tight reader identification with the narrator, as well as a more distinctive voice,which means it's a good choice if your character has a distinctive voice. Its disadvantage is that you are limited to only what that character knows and observes. Third person allows more description and observation of the characters. Multiple third "opens up" a book to more settings, action in different places, more characters' internal lives. It can, however, feel more fragmented if each POV character is not fully developed. Omniscient is hard to do well; it's more than just going into anybody's mind whenever you feel like it. Omniscient implies the presence of a strong authorial POV (the "all-knowing" presence of "omniscience.") Objective goes into no character's thoughts, recording only what a camera would see and hear. It works best for short stories, and even then can feel cold in less-than-skillful hands.
When is it a hard and fast rule to use/not use a certain POV, and when is one OK but another is better?
There are no hard and fast rules in writing. Everything is a trade-off: are you gaining more than you are losing with a particular point of view? What overall effect are you trying to achieve, and how much reader identification are you aiming for in this story?
Is there such a thing as a story that is more effectively told with several POVs, each chapter or scene with its appropriate POV, omniscient in one chapter, second person in the another chapter, epistolary in another?
That actually sounds like a mess. Unless you are aiming at a deliberate confusion of identity (as in Alfred Bester's classic "Fondly Farenheit"), don't mix first, second, and third. With multiple third, I usually keep to one POV per scene. Epistolary, as in inclusion of a letter or diary entry, works in any POV.
Suppose an author's fan base has come to expect a certain storytelling style that involves certain POVs, whereas a different POV strategy might appeal to a broader audience but alienate the established readers.
This sort of thing is always a problem, if what you mean by a change of POV is "a different protagonist doing different things and written in a style different from previous books." Then it's not really a POV question but, rather, a content question. Readers will easily accept one book written in first and then another written in third, if the story being told is the same kind of story usually associated with that author. J. K. Rowlings's Harry Potter books are all multiple third; so is her novel CASUAL VACANCY, but their audiences are entirely different.
I'm working on a short story with every character in every scene. One is dominating the situation, one is trying to moderate the situation with mixed success, one is trying to take control of the situation with no success, 2 are asking a lot questions and seeking a lot of assurance, 2 are preoccupied with each other and neutral toward the others. There's lots of rapid fire, heated dialog; lots of action; lots of choreography. Everything about the plot and the characters is revealed in real time through the interaction of the characters; no info dumps, no flashbacks, no descriptions, no body language, no inner narrative; strictly the words and activity of the characters. Which POV/POVs do I use?
It's hard to be sure from that description, but if this were my story, I'd probably tell it in either first-person or limited third. In both cases, I would give the internal reactions and thoughts of only one character, whose story it would then become, and that choice would be the character who either has the most at stake or is the most capable of change. The events of a story should affect the protagonist,if they don't, why should I, the reader, be affected?
Is POV a standard part of the curriculum in most workshops?
Yes, either through direct lecture or, if not addressed directly, it inevitably comes out in critique sessions, as in "You are switching POV on page 6,why?" or "You cannot describe a character's appearance in first person unless he's thinking about his own looks" or "This story might be better told from the wife's POV and not the husband's." By the end of the first paragraph an author has usually committed to a POV, so it's a good idea to consider your options before you begin.
Nancy Kress' writing craft books:
Meet up with Nancy Kress at the Hugo House workshop in Seattle, Washington and at Taos Toolbox workshop in Taos, New Mexico.
Carl Slaughter is a man of the world. For the last decade, he has traveled the globe as an ESL teacher in 17 countries on 3 continents, collecting souvenir paintings from China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Egypt, as well as dresses from Egypt, and masks from Kenya, along the way. He spends a ridiculous amount of time and an alarming amount of money in bookstores. He has a large ESL book review website, an exhaustive FAQ about teaching English in China, and a collection of 75 English language newspapers from 15 countries.


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Bespoke Fal Twin Decks retro Coffee table
By Vyconic
£799.00Bespoke Fal Twin Decks retro Coffee table
This is a retro twin DJ turntable decks which has been upcycled to this amazing one of a kind coffee table.
The tables in the pictures are examples, they are produced bespoke to order so no 2 are the same. Contact me to discuss preferences colours etc,
This is a super funky fashionably retro piece of living / bar / games room furniture. Who wouldn't want to own one


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The notion, repeated in the Quran, of Paradise as a garden (al-janna, "The Garden") is symbolized in the form of Andalusi gardens, a few of which survive physically and some of which are described in literary sources.
"Surely the God-fearing shall be among gardens and fountains."
(Sura 51: 15)
"And those on the right hand;
what of those on the right hand?
Among thornless lote trees,
And clustered plantains,
And spreading shade,
And water gushing,
And fruit in plenty.
Neither out of reach nor yet forbidden,
And raised couches."
(Sura 56: 27-34)
Quotes from I.R.and L.L. Al-Faruqi in The Cultural Atlas of Islam; Mc Millan Publishing Company; New York; 1986 p.322:
For the Muslim, nature is a ni'mah, a blessed gift of God's bounty, granted to man to use and to enjoy, to transform in any way with the aim of achieving ethical value. Nature is not man's to possess or to destroy, or to use in any way detrimental to himself and to humanity, or to itself as God's creation. Since nature is God's work, his ayah, or sign, and the instrument of His purpose which is the absolute good, nature enjoys in the Muslim's eye a tremendous dignity. The Muslim treats nature with respect and deep gratitude to its beneficial Creator and Bestower. Any transformation of it must have a purpose clearly beneficial to all before it can be declared legitimate.
Quotes from T. Glick in Islamic and Christian Spain in the early Middle Ages, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 1979. p. 54:
The notion, repeated in the Koran, of Paradise as a garden (al-janna, "The Garden") is symbolized in the form of Andalusi gardens, a few of which survive physically and some of which are described in literary sources.
The form of these gardens, quadripartite rectangles with fruit trees arranged in rows parallel to an axial watercourse, was of direct Persian (though ultimately, perhaps, of Roman) inspiration. Such an arrangement is apparent in an eleventh-century description of the Hair al-Zajjali, a renowned Cordoban garden, and is confirmed by the pattern of gardens, such as the Generalife of Granada, surviving from a later era. The symbolic value of the formal Islamic garden was as an earthly anticipation of paradise. In this sense, its contents of water, shade trees, and flowers were dictated by a generalized reaction to the desert environment, the traditional environment of Arabs, one that is dominated, of course, by aridity and conditioned by associations of the desert with fear and evil.
It is striking, indeed, that desert images, a traditional theme in Arabic poetry, are almost completely lacking in Andalusi poetry, except as a device to introduce, for example, the paradisiacal, watery freshness of a place like Valencia, and this in spite of the fact that wide stretches of the southern peninsula (e.g., the Almerian hinterland) already resembled the face of the moon, having been deforested by the Romans.
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Please ping me if someone is interesting to study for the CCSP exam, saludos
I am planning to do it in next 6 to 9 Months...
@laracissp wrote:Please ping me if someone is interesting to study for the CCSP exam, saludos
I have been studying for this exam for a while now, but have put it off due to fear of failure. How were you planning on setting up the study group? I have taken the official (ISC)2 course about a year ago and have passed the CCSK certificate exam 6 months ago (first try - but it was much easier than an ISC2 exam). I think a study group would help reassure me that I am looking at the same information as others.
Thank you!
I have started the reading of the CCSP All-in-One book and I will continue reading the Wiley CCSP official study book and doding mock test with app (wiley test bank) on my phone on daily basis and www.cybrary.it free training courses (I did CISSP, SSCP and CCSP training course for free in Cybrary).
I have passed successfully CISSP and SSCP doing so.
CISSP - 6 months self study dedication. Pass in first attempt.
SSCP - 2 months self study dedication. Pass in first attempt.
I am intrested and already started so I would liketo join the group
I would like to join the group.
Done SSCP , have an experinece of 2.7 yrs and used that just to clear the exam dint have to study much . 🙂
Keen to do Cloud security , would be good step for my career i believe.
I am intrested to do CCSP , already have CISSP
I just booked my CCSP exam for late Nov in Hong Kong, love to join any online groups for study. Anybody from this neck of the woods also studying CCSP?
Having recently passed the CCSP, I would chime in that the Security Guidance provided by the Cloud Security Alliance is an excellent read. The PDF is about 150 pages. I would strongly encourage a review of it before taking the exam.
yes me
I would like to share with you the knowledge


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These Are the Ridiculous Things Only Parents Say
Having kids changes your life in ways you can't even imagine. Watching over Junior is a job that runs 24/7 with no breaks, so it's no surprise that parents have stock phrases to deal with their youngsters.
YouTubers Tripp and Tyler have returned with this new video that will really hit home with parents. They go through all the things you say once you have kids. They're all here:
- "You need to go potty?"
- "Do not jump off that."
- "Because I said so."
- "I will turn this car around."
And that's just scratching the surface of all the great and stereotypical comments/questions/exhilarated comebacks all moms and dads make when looking after their little ones. No parent is immune from the total wave of craziness that is raising children.
If you don't have kids, you'll certainly take a nice walk down memory lane remembering how your folks said these things to you.
If you do have kids, there's no question this video will speak to you because you are all in this exhausting, but ultimately rewarding, gig known as parenthood together.


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Aug 29, 2019
Aug 26, 2019
Aug 22, 2019
Aug 19, 2019
People call Brad "The Real Brad Lea" because he keeps it real no matter what. In fact, he's dropping bombs on a wide-range of topics that educate, inspire and makes you laugh. Brad's bombs are explosive strategies discovered through conversation with various guests discussing life that you can leverage to annihilate any obstacle getting in the way of your personal or business success. Listen to Drooping Bombs for exclusive content, success strategies rooted in real-life experiences and stories from the front lines. Dropping Bombs. Listen up or run for cover!
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One moment please
Rio de Janeiro
Flight & Hotel
Car rental
*Return fares per person, including taxes, excluding € 29,90 booking fee.
Portuguese settlers founded Rio de Janeiro in the sixteenth century and its expansion ever since means that today, it is a world city. Its location is superb, that is, on the Atlantic coast. It has temperate weather, between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, all the year round. Near its famous beach, the Copacabana, you will find the Churrascaria Palace restaurant, renowned for Brazilian food. The city has long been a location for cultural events and is the birthplace of the very popular bossa nova music.
Once you arrive in Rio de Janeiro, you will have a wide range of activities to choose from, including swimming and sunbathing, shopping and eating out, and enjoying the city's parks and gardens. At night, you can dine out, go to the theatre or go dancing and clubbing.
More to do in Rio de Janeiro>>
The city has a colourful history and its population is made up of many nationalities with different customs and cultures. This has created many unique events rich in diversity.
The year begins on December 31, when Brazilians dressed in white flock to Copacabana beach for the annual party. At night, fireworks light the sky. In town, restaurants and hotels stay open, offering meals and buffets to revellers.
See all events in Rio de Janeiro>>
Looking for great deals for flights to Rio de Janeiro? CheapTickets.nl offers you the best fares and an unparalleled booking experience. Book from your laptop, tablet or smartphone and be assured of the best deals and a easy booking process. Did you know you can save some money by traveling on different days or fly from other airports? Use the filters on the search result page to find the best deals.
Complete your trip and book a hotel and / or rental car directly with us. Handy! And make sure you don't forget to buy a travel and / or -cancellation insurance. In some cases it could help you save a lot of money.
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To the ultimate and beyond
With its two time zones and its annual calendar, the Sky-Dweller is an elegant and trusted companion for world travellers. The range has been updated with numerous enhancements proving that, for Rolex, excellence plays out even in the tiniest details.
Aesthetic embellishments are introduced with new versions joining the range. And, the watch sees technical evolutions with the introduction of a movement equipped with the latest advances in Rolex technology.
Oyster, 42 mm, Oystersteel and yellow gold


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Gold Jewelry
Why Is Gold So Valuable?
For the entire history of civilized man, gold has been a status of wealth, luxury and beauty. It is the king of precious metals – and the precious metal of kings!
Although jewelry stores seem to have plenty of gold, mining it is a difficult process. It is formed up to 2 1/2 miles below the earth's surface. It takes sifting through three tons of rock to recover one ounce of gold.
Gold is an excellent metal for jewelry because of its superior malleability, permanence, color and luster. One ounce of gold can be drawn into a single wire that is finer than a human hair and thirty-five miles long!
How Is Gold Purity Measured?
Gold is an international commodity and has international value and so has to conform to certain standards. Reputable jewelers only purchase gold stamped with either United States or European gold purity markings. In the U.S. and Canada, karat marks are used. European marks are three-digit numbers that tell the percentage of pure gold in the gold. Purity markings can easily be seen by examining the piece with a jeweler's loupe.
24K gold is pure gold, 18K gold is 75% gold, 14K is 58.3% gold and 10K is 41.6% gold. Gold less than 24K is mixed with other metals (usually copper, zinc, silver, nickel, steel or iron) to make a gold alloy. If someone says they're allergic to gold, they're probably allergic to one of the other metals in the gold alloy. They should only wear 14K or even 18K gold.
Why Is Most Of The Gold Jewelry I See Either 14K Or 10K?
At Samuels stores, most of our gold is either 10K or 14K gold, although we do have a limited amount of jewelry in 18K gold. 10K and 14K gold offer many advantages.
10K is the U.S. government standard for gold; 14K exceeds the standard by four karats. It has a high pure gold content but is still strong and durable for jewelry designed for everyday wear. 18K and 24K gold is softer and more prone to scratches and other damage.
It is affordable.
It maintains its beauty over longer periods of time with less maintenance.
How Is Gold Formed Into Jewelry?
There are three main manufacturing processes used in gold jewelry. The process used often affects the value of the finished piece.
Die Striking involves putting the gold between two metal forms and then squeezing them together with high pressure. This creates a dense, strong piece. It is a very expensive process to set up and is typically used for large-scale production.
Casting is the most common method of crafting jewelry designs. In the first step of the process, a wax model of the piece is created. The model is surrounded by a plaster-type material which is placed in an oven. The oven's heat burns away the wax, leaving a hollow shape in the plaster. Molten gold is forced into the hollow shape, the plaster mold is placed in water and the hot plaster falls away. What's left is the gold in the shape of the original wax model.
How Do I Care For My Gold Jewelry?
Gold jewelry should be rubbed with a soft cloth after handling. Periodically, it should be professionally cleaned and polished.
You might have heard people say they clean their wedding set with jewelry cleaner and a toothbrush. This is not recommended. That might be fine for the diamond, but excessive brushing from even a toothbrush can put small scratches in gold.
Store each piece of gold jewelry separately to avoid scratching. If you use a jewelry box, put each piece in its own compartment or jewelry bag.


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When we first moved into this house, the former dining room became a "study". Since my front entry hall opens into it, I kept it neat and clean most of the time. However, I soon learned that nobody, other than sales people, ever rings my front doorbell, and the "study" slowly became my "girl cave". (Can you believe I still refer to myself as a "girl"? I don't know why I never think of myself as being an
I love my "Mark Twain" plate I picked up at an estate sale years ago.
Some day I plan to do something to these old drawers to disguise how beat up they are. They corral some of the books I enjoy having around.
Yikes! Yes, this junky table is where I blog! As you can see, I kept it real. This is the way it looks most of the time (except that my laptop is normally open).
As you can see, I am surrounded by junk. I love junk. Junk inspires me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
This antique file cabinet was another estate sale purchase.
My grandchildren inspire me, so their pictures, along with my children's pictures, march across the top of the piano in my girl cave.
Now I will show you the real horror of the room (Just when you thought you'd already seen all the horrors in this room). This is something else that I intend to paint – some day. I also intend to straighten up the inside of it – some day. But, today wasn't that day, and I am revealing it in all of its horrifying glory. It is filled with craft supplies. I know, you didn't know I craft. That's another one of those "some day" things I'm going to do, and I keep collecting supplies for when that day comes!
This is my favorite section of this case. I have two extension rods in it, and they are filled with spools of ribbon. Even though I don't craft, I DO use ribbon frequently, and I love being able to see it all.
Yep! That's my front door to the right of this messy card table. When a sales person comes to the door, they see this dilapidated card table piled with junk. I suspect they know immediately that this poor lady can't buy anything from them.
Aren't floor-length tablecloths wonderful? When I host a party and need to use this room, a lot of the junk hides under the tables. I have also put a decorative screen in front of my "craft cabinet". The card table and its contents also slide under the cloth. This room ALMOST looks neat after I do all of that.
Thank you for coming to see the real me! Remember, if you ever come for a real visit, don't ring the front doorbell. laurie


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to ask if Dion was really overrated,
Phil was just too intimidated.
First up to the plate was Sports Illustrated, which has been releasing individual questions from its survey over the course of the season. This weekend saw a new survey released, with the CBC and NHLPA revealing the results of their Hockey Night in Canada Player Poll.
Well, Sports Illustrated and Hockey Night in Canada may be well-respected within the hockey world, but I don't see why they should have all the fun. And since NHL players apparently can't turn down an opportunity to anonymously offer up their thoughts on the state of the game, I figured I'd send out my own survey. Here's what the players had to tell me.
Which player has the hardest slapshot?
Shea Weber – 28%
Sheldon Souray - 15%
Zdeno Chara – 57%
Which player is the fastest skater?
Marion Gaborik – 33%
Michael Grabner – 10%
Zdeno Chara – 57%
Which player is the best goalie?
Henrik Lundqvist – 31%
Pekka Rinne – 12%
Zdeno Chara – 57%
Um, is Zdeno Chara standing right behind you as you fill out this survey?
No – 43%
He just cracked his knuckles. Next question! – 57%
Many experts claim that the NHL has a significant crisis of head injuries. In light of this, what do you think players should be doing with their heads?
Using them to make smarter plays in dangerous situations – 27%
Protecting them with high-tech helmets that do a better job of absorbing impact – 31%
Firmly placing them in the sand and keeping them there until everyone agrees to just stops talking about this – 42%
The NHL has made several changes this year to try to protect against head injuries. Which single change do you think has been the most effective?
Replacing Rule 48 with a more comprehensive and easy-to-understand version of the rule – 29%
Replacing the various team concussions tests with a standardized league-wide version – 25%
Replacing Matt Cooke with an actor who kind of looks like him but doesn't immediately elbow everyone he sees in the temple – 46%
Speaking of rule changes: Do you think the trapezoid behind the net has achieved its purpose?
Yes – 43%
Obviously – 24%
Sure – 20%
Indubitably! – 13%
You have absolutely no idea what the trapezoid was supposed to accomplish, do you?
None whatsoever, no – 100%
What changes would you like to see the league make when it comes to goaltender equipment?
Adjust their leg pads so there is more room to shoot five-hole – 49%
Adjust their shoulder pads so there is more room to shoot high – 46%
Adjust their laptop so that they can no longer connect to Facebook – 5%
Should the NHL abolish the instigator rule?
Yes – 3%
No – 4%
No, unless we're playing the Sabres that night and Patrick Kaleta is in the lineup, in which case yes – 93%
Should fighting be banished completely?
Yes – 2%
No – 98%
Will the overwhelming response to the previous question ever be mentioned in any of the media's anti-fighting articles?
Yes – 2%
No – 98%
While we encourage fans to be passionate, sometimes they can go too far. What was your first thought when you heard that somebody painted an obscene image and wrote "Go Canuks" on the side of Milan Lucic's church in Vancouver?
This was a disgusting act that has no place in the world of sports – 67%
While the incident was unfortunate, it should not reflect poorly on all Vancouver Canuck fans – 30%
Since the perpetrator apparently likes to draw and can't spell, we should probably arrest Brad Marchand's tattoo artist. – 3%
Hey, just curious, but you don't mind picking a Maple Leaf player for all the negative questions so that our survey will get more web hits, right?
No – 34%
Yes – 25%
Um, why is there a five dollar bill taped next to this question? - 41%
Cool. So, who is the most overrated player in the league?
Dion Phaneuf – 22%
Phil Kessel – 17%
James Reimer – 4%
Anyone who has ever made Zdeno Chara look bad – 57%
He's still there, isn't he?
No – 43%
Oh god, I think I made eye contact, he's coming over here please tell my family that I… – 57%


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This week we will be delivering a sneak peak of some of the Business Applications Summit content!:
Text Analysis in Power BI with Cognitive services with Leila Etaati
Data that we collected always is not about numbers and structured data. In any organization, there is a need to analyze the text data such as customer comments, extract the primary purpose of a call from its scripts, detect the language of customer feedback and translate it and so forth. To address this issue, Microsoft Cognitive Services provides a set of APIs, SDKs, and services available to developers to do text analysis without writing R or Python codes. In this session, I will explain what is text analysis such as sentiment analysis, key phrase extraction, Language detection and so forth. Next, the process of text analysis in Power BI using cognitive services will be demonstrated.
When: July 12, 2018 10:00 AM PST
Where: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWod8ETS7J8
About Leila Etaati
Leila is Data Scientist, PhD, MVP, and BI Consultant, and Speaker. She has over 10 years' experience working with databases and software systems. She was involved in many large-scale projects for big sized companies. Leila has PhD of Information System department, University of Auckland, MS and BS in computer science.
She worked in Industries including banking financial, power and utility, manufacturing … She is a lecturer and trainer in Business intelligence and data base design course in University of Auckland.
Leila speaks in international SQL Server and BI conferences such as Microsoft Ignite, PASS Summit, PASS Business Analytics, PASS Rally, and many SQL Saturdays in USA, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand on Machine Learning and Analytics topics.
Ask Leila about these technologies and areas;
- Machine Learning
- Advanced Analytics
- Predictive, Prescriptive, and Descriptive Analytics
- Azure Machine Learning
- Python
- On-Prem Machine Learning with SQL Server, R and Python
- Power BI and R
- Power BI
- Stunning Visualization with R
- Microsoft BI Suite in SQL Server
- Azure Stream Analytics
- Real-time Streaming
When Leila is not doing data related work, his hobbies are;
- Playing Game Boards!
- Watching all type of movies!
- Swimming if it is not too cold!


text: We are asking folks for submissions to help put together a video for Ani DiFranco's song "Mariachi" from Which Side Are You On? Film yourself singing along, dancing, playing, anything that the song inspires you to do and we'll take the footage and put it together to make a video starring you! Submissions also enter you to win a vinyl test pressing autographed by Ani or other prize packs of Righteous Babe stuff (t-shirts, cds, and more!). Click here to find out more and become part of the fun!