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Creamy, cheesy pasta, topped with breadcrumbs and fresh out of the oven? Yes, please! This guilt-free take on a fattening favorite will knock your socks off...
3 cups frozen cauliflower florets
4 1/2 oz. (about 1 1/4 cups) uncooked high-fiber elbow macaroni
5 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese
1/4 cup fat-free shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup fat-free milk
2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Optional seasonings: additional salt and black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8" X 8" baking pan with nonstick spray.
Place cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave for 3 minutes. Uncover and stir. Re-cover and microwave for 2 - 3 minutes, until hot. Drain excess liquid. Roughly chop cauliflower, return to the bowl, and cover to keep warm.
In a medium-large pot, cook pasta per package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta and stir into cauliflower. Cover to keep warm.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine cheese wedges, shredded cheese, milk, sour cream, and mustard. Mix well. Microwave for 1 minute, or until cheeses have melted. Whisk until smooth.
Add cheese mixture to the pasta and cauliflower. Stir to coat. Transfer contents to the baking pan.
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter for 20 seconds, or until melted. Add panko breadcrumbs and seasonings, and stir to coat. Evenly distribute mixture over the contents of the baking pan.
Bake until lightly browned, 25 - 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Serving Size: 1/4th of recipe (about 1 1/3 cups) Calories: 239 Fat: 4g Sodium: 615mg Carbs: 36g Fiber: 4.5g Sugars: 6g Protein: 12g PointsPlus® value 6*
It's not new for us to make over macaroni and cheese. We have many variations, from the beloved basic to burger-inspired and beyond. (Click for proof!) But until now, we didn't have a swap for classic baked mac 'n cheese with a buttery crumb topping. And you KNOW anything with "buttery crumb topping" in the description is bound to be a fat-tastrophe. On average, a serving of this comfort food has an alarming 530 calories and 29g fat. Lame! After some experimenting in the kitchen -- trying different cheeses, tweaking the seasonings, and getting the crumb topping just right -- we perfected our baked cheesy-mac makeover. And could we just take a moment to give props to the pasta-bulking powerhouse that is cauliflower? Without it, our guilt-free mac 'n cheeses wouldn't be nearly as large and in charge. And that veggie blends in soooo well... Okay, enough with the reading, and on with the eating!
Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1 cup) Calories: 530 Fat: 29g Sodium: 980mg Carbs: 53g Fiber: 2.5g Sugars: 4g Protein: 15g PointsPlus® value 14*
Time to share this ridiculously wonderful recipe. Click "Send to a Friend" now!
Do you think it's a coincidence that National Oatmeal Cookie Day and National Raisin Day both fall on today's date, April 30th? Naturally, we suggest our Oatmeal Raisin Softies!
SmartPoints® value not what you expected? Click here for more info on how the values are calculated, plus more FAQs about PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values on our website.


text: Darius Rucker has earned his first double-platinum single as a country artist with "Wagon Wheel." The RIAA certification marks a combination of sales and streaming representing 2 million units. The track comes from his True Believers album, released in May. Rucker earned his first platinum single in 2011 with "Alright." His upcoming tour dates include Davenport, Iowa, on Friday (July 19), as well as West Bend, Wis., on July 26 and Bowling Green, Ky., on July 27.

subset: commoncrawl


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All images copyrighted by designer
Photographed homes may have been modified from original design. Construction plans are provided as per renderings.
© copyright by designerFirst Floor Plan:
© copyright by designerSecond Floor Plan:
© copyright by designerWalk-out Basement Plan:
Stories: 1
Total Living Area: 1380 Sq. Ft.
First Floor: 1380 Sq. Ft.
Lower Floor: 852 Sq. Ft.
Bonus: 372 Sq. Ft.
Bedrooms: 3
Full Baths: 2
Width: 48 Ft. Depth: 43 Ft. 4 In.
Garage Size: 2
Foundation: Basement, Crawl Space, Slab Foundation, Walk-out Basement
Get Your House Plans In Minutes!NEW PDFs NOW!™ Plan packages available. Simply place your order, electronically sign the license agreement, and receive your PDFs within minutes in your inbox!
Plan Specifications
This designs relatively affordable size 1,380 square feet may be misleading. There's still plenty of living space for your family. The charming front porch leads inside to the versatile Great Room, which can host any gathering in comfort. A fireplace adds a warm feeling. Out back, a sheltering porch flows into a sunny deck. Invite the neighbors over for a barbecue! Most home plans of this size will not offer future expansion space upstairs. Would you like a secluded art studio for a quiet getaway space?


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The sugar mill ruins
Of the four colonial ruins that lie hidden among the rambling, semi-rural barrios west of the city (and nearly impossible to reach via public transport), a couple are particularly worth seeking out. West of barrio Manoguayabo, the ruins of the grand Palavé manor, a typical sixteenth-century sugar hacienda, are the best maintained of the bunch. Named Palais Bel during Haitian rule, its masonry and brick facade were restored in the 1970s and still boast bits of the old Andalucian whitewash and a prominent parapet. Three Romanesque portals lead into the large, central room; the beam above the doorways once supported a second-floor balcony. The easiest way to get there is to take the Autopista Duarte and turn left at the Manoguayabo turnoff. Just past the town, take the right-hand fork in the road and head 3km beyond Hato Nuevo to the village Buena Noche; a left at the kerosene station leads 100m to the ruins.
The extensive remains of another sugar mill, Engombe, on the Río Haina, are overgrown with weeds. Mentioned by Oviedo in his 1534 History of the Indies as the colony's leading mill, the manor and adjoining chapel are for the most part still intact. The mansion's militaristic, rectangular facade was originally fortified to protect against slave rebellion – here and there along the wall you'll see foundations of the spiked limestone barrier. The double Romanesque portals on both floors lead to the open main room, which is connected to two galleries and an interior staircase that now leads to nowhere. Beside the house is the large chapel with two frames – a polygonal apse and a leaning sacristy. A brief spate of renovation by Santo Domingo's Catholic University in 1963 restored its original Moorish tiled roof, but the buildings have since fallen back into neglect. Fifty metres further down the road you'll find the scattered ruins of the slave barracks and the mill in a family's garden. The easiest way to Engombe is to take the Carretera San Cristóbal west from Santo Domingo and make a right turn on an unmarked dirt turnoff just before the Río Haina (for which you'll have to keep a very careful eye out), then a left at the fork in the road.
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Faviana 7911
- Brand: Faviana
- Style #: 7911 - Quick Delivery*Quick Delivery*
- Availability: In Stock
Faviana style 7911 is a classic with a twist. This jersey dress features�a v-neck with a fit and flare skirt that drapes to accentuate all body types. The back is adorned with beaded straps and ruching that is architecturally placed to flatter your figure. Accessorize by adding crystal jewelry with golden accents. This is the perfect dress for a wedding guest and also makes for a great bridesmaid dress.
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- Wine: 0
*A style on our web site listed as in-stock can usually be shipped today or next day for immediate delivery or quick delivery. An item listed as "Ships Today" can be sent the same business day as long as the order is placed before the cutoff time.


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Common Dishwasher Faults Power Point Repair
Not Starting
Not Cleaning
Not Draining
Not Filling With Water
Not Dispensing Detergent
Not Drying Dishes
Making Noise
Dishwasher Repairs In Cheltenham, Cirencester, Dursley, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury
What did we do before dishwashers? Oh yes, washed them by hand – but no longer.
Unfortunately they can break down and need repair just as any other electrical domestic appliance can. Luckily we have been in business for 25 years and our expert dishwasher repair engineers can cope with most emergencies.
Common Dishwasher Problems
My dishwasher won't start – there are a number of reasons why this might happen. It could be a problem with the power supply, plug fuse, mains cable or mains terminal. Then again it could be a problem with the filters or timers. Whatever it is you can rest assured our dishwasher repair engineers will soon have it sorted.
My dishwasher is noisy – possible causes are the spray arm and mounts, main recirculation motor and drain pump. Alternatively it might be caused by something trapped in the recirculation housing.
My dishwasher gives poor results – this is definitely what you don't want. It could be caused by a problem with the filter or spray arms. Another possibility is it is the result of how you load your dishwasher. Try loading items in different positions.
My dishwasher is leaking – if you spot your dishwasher leaking then you should call us straight away. Generally it is not too serious a problem and could result from a faulty seal, problem with the pressure switch or sensor or simply over foaming caused by the wrong detergent. Our expert dishwasher repair engineers will have the answer for you.
If you are in need of dishwasher repairs contact us on 01452 730874 and we'll send one of our dishwasher repair engineers out at a time to suit you.
A brief message and thank you for your continued support and diligent reliable service over the last few years. We would strongly recommend your services to anyone in need of white good repair/replacement and speak from experience having used your services regularly for several years now.
Excellent Service! I would recommend Power Point to anyone looking for cost effective repairs, expert advice and a friendly, fast and reliable service. They are invaluable to our business needs.
As a lettings agency we use Power Point for our electrical appliance problems, they provide a high quality prompt and friendly service. If a repair is not viable they provide quotes for replacement appliances which are always good value. An efficient and professional service all round.
We have worked with Power Point for over 7 years. As a large local letting agency our reputation relies heavily on the suppliers we use. Power Point have always provided us and our clients with efficient and reliable service. It is great to work with a company that I know we can fully rely on from start to finish.
As a letting agent with a large portfolio of properties, we have used Power Point now for over 10 years, which only speaks volume of the top service they provide. The whole team are always on hand for all domestic appliance repairs and replacements. They are efficient, reliable, friendly and trustworthy - if you want a job done at a very competitive price, they are the team to contact.
As a busy letting agent with a number of managed properties, time is always of the essence! As the Property Manager, it is my responsibility to organise all maintenance works – this can be a real handful at times, and I have to rely on my team of contractors to sort out maintenance issues quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring that our landlords get good value for money. We ha
Absolutely amazing service both at time of purchase and after care when there was a complaint to the supplier. All was happily resolved thanks to the endeavours of Louise - I had given up on any resolution with the supplier. Well done and thank you very much, Louise!
Yes I would recommend Power Point! They came to the house at the time we arranged and worked efficiently.
Great service, very professional, clean and tidy job. All fixed in one visit as had parts with him, which were reasonably priced. What a relief. Thank you.
We couldn't have asked for a quicker and friendly service. Very impressed.
Excellent Service! I would recommend Power Point to anyone looking for cost effective repairs, expert advice and a friendly, fast and reliable service. They are invaluable to our business needs.
Excellent service. Engineer arrived shortly after 9am, before I had chance to call to see what slot we had been allocated, morning or afternoon. New washing machine required. At 10.30 new appliance in situ. Couldn't have asked for better service.
A brief message and thank you for your continued support and diligent reliable service over the last few years. We would strongly recommend your services to anyone in need of white good repair/replacement and speak from experience having used your services regularly for several years now.
We have been dealing with Power Point for a number of years and have always found their service to be second to none. Reasonable charges, exceptional administration back up and highly effective and efficient engineer support. I would have no hesitation in recommending their service.
Fantastic service - prompt, reasonable and fixed in 20 minutes. Couldn't ask for more!
We always use Power Point for all of our washing machine/dishwasher needs, they are always friendly and so helpful! Would highly recommend to everyone!
Fantastic service, repaired and fixed on the spot. Would highly recommend.
Quick to respond and quick to fix. Top marks! Thanks, Paul.
Really friendly, explained what was going on and very efficient. Would highly recommend.
Brilliant service from booking appointment until paying the bill. In fact the really best service I have ever received.
We have been customers of Power Point for a number of years - repairs and new equipment. Our latest visit from Power Point was a repair to a washing machine - as always, very high standard of customer care.
Power Point give a reliable, prompt and good service. A reasonable charge and always cheerful and pleasent. I would recommend Power Point to anyone.
We have been lucky enough to have used your company on several occasions and wanted to just say thank you to you, Paul & Tracy for all your help, your efficiency and rapid response to all issues that we have given you. You go above & beyond that of many other appliance companies and we would happily recommend you to our landlords, tenants & other agencies. Many thanks.
Very efficient, prompt, polite, punctual, smart. The lady on the phone was also very good.
Paul arrived at the exact time that we had been told. It was apparent straight away that he knew what he was doing. The defect was established quickly - the part was on the van and was fitted within an hour. Paul was efficient and caring and I will have not hesitation in recommending Power Point.
Paul has been our preferred domestic appliance repairer for over 30 years. Totally reliable, prices reasonable. In addition, he can order, deliver and install new machines at excellent prices, including disposal of old machine. He has just delivered new washing machine. Hooray!
Our dishwasher would not heat - Paul at Power Point came out and replaced a faulty wire in the door. Saved the cost of a new dishwasher. Very pleased with the service given - always friendly and efficient.
I would recommend Power Point without hesitation. For several years they have given a first class service whether it's repairing an old machine or installing and removing a washing machine.
I had a terrific service from Power Point. Fast, friendly and efficient. Perfect!
I was recommended Power Point by Belvoir Letting. I am a private landlady who does not live in Gloucestershire. I aim to provide a first class service to my tenants. The team at Power Point were professional and efficient from my initial call to the team, to Paul, the engineer calling round and then a replacement machine being sourced, ordered and installed - all in a few days. I have one happy te


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Please provide the information requested below to report a problem or concern to the Town. If you would like to speak directly with a staff member, you may call the Town Hall at 757-331-3259, Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Please understand that this service is not to be used to report an emergency situation. In the event of an emergency please dial 9-1-1.


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Use code Moos! to receive a 15% welcome discount
Regular price
This lightweight Straw Beach Tote is 100% Handmade and Handwoven from a strong yet soft straw material, the leather handles are firmly attached by stitching.Inside, the bag is fully lined with an off-white color cotton and I have added an extra pocket for your phone. You can close the bag using the magnetic strap closure..Approx. size;High 16 inch ( 40cm )Wide 19 inch ( 49 cm )Handle drop 9.1 inch ( 23cm )
Colour Hot Pink
Shipping is by Express and usually takes between 7-10 days worldwide. Shipping costs will be calculated upon check out depending on country and weight.


text: Dual-Band Wireless-N600 Repeater / Access Point Dual-band concurrent repeater Streaming music with ASUS AiPlayer app or AirPlay One-press setup and worry-free connectivity Full coverage with internal MIMO antennas Shop Modal header Lights up your Wi-Fi everywhere RP-N53 features internal MIMO antennas to ensure full coverage and no more signal dead zones. Its strong repeater functionality expands wireless home networking to every corner. Even the hard-to-reach spots get high-speed internet coverage for laptops, tablets, smartphones, game consoles, and smart TVs. With superior reception, you'll enjoy lag-free gaming and HD multimedia streaming everywhere. We recommend placing the RP-N53 between the router and the area where you want to extend wireless coverage. The RP-N53 works best when it is receiving a strong wireless signal from the router, and you can check this using the signal strength indicator on the front panel of the RP-N53. This shows the signal strength for both frequency bands — the longer the illuminated band, the stronger the signal. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal indicators Reactive LED lighting on the front of the RP-N53 offers at a glance signal strength indication for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Both frequency bands have good signal strength Both frequency bands are very weak. Move the RP-N53 closer to the router to increase signal strength The 2.4 GHz signal is very strong, but the 5 GHz indicator shows no signal. Check that the 5 GHz frequency is enabled in the router. Repeater and access point modes RP-N53 has two convenient modes to make it even more flexible. As well as a repeater, it can also work as a wireless access point (AP). In AP mode it can be connected to any wired LAN — for example, a hotel's internet connection — to create a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing the internet connection to be accessed from laptops, phones or other Wi-Fi devices. AP mode is also handy for adding wireless capability to a router with no built-in Wi-Fi. Dual-band concurrent repeater The RP-N53 gets you true dual-band networking even if you're on an older single-band router. Double your wireless performance with up to 300Mbps bandwidth in 2.4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously! 2.4GHz handles daily tasks like web browsing and social networking, while 5GHz is great for HD video streaming and online gaming. Streaming music with ASUS AiPlayer app or AirPlay Enjoy all your favorite music with wireless convenience using the RP-N53 and ASUS AiPlayer. Great compatibility with a complete range of multimedia formats means streaming is smooth and effortless, working every time to bring you plug n play enjoyment, to be shared with those that matter. You can also stream the music with AirPlay of Mac and iOS devices to RP-N53. *Free download ASUS AiPlayer from App Store and Google Play now. One-press setup and worry-free connectivity RP-N53 installation doesn't require a CD or even mouse and keyboard. One press of the WPS button and setup is complete. Optimized performance is assured, so internet experiences are seamless and smooth. For detailed management, you can simply connect the RP-N53 to a PC via Ethernet cable and go to the configuration page directly, or quickly set it up from tablet or smartphone wirelessly, with no disc or app needed. Internet radio Get your favorite stations via the internet with live streaming, or webcasting. Streams playable through the router's graphical user interface and dedicated app. Hands-on control for music and lighting Simply touch a sensor on the RP-N53 to start or stop music playback and turn the LED lighting on and off. All it takes is one touch, adding instant convenience to artistic beauty - plus you can personalize sensor settings via the user-friendly interface. Stylish power lights up your home The RP-N53 has an additional LED on the back, serving as a gentle nightlight for a very pleasing visual effect. Flexible and space saving placement options The RP-N53 uses a back power plug design to help you save space and give you more freedom when choosing device location. It can connect directly to wall sockets or power strips, promoting neater and less cluttered homes. Discover more Wireless N solutions Mac and AirPlay are trademarks of Apple Inc. IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. Roaming Assist for stable connections, everywhere! With our hassle-free Roaming Assist technology, you never have to switch connections manually between RP-N53 and your ASUS router as you move around the home. Once you enable this function, your device will connect automatically to the strongest Wi-Fi signal, whether it's from the router or the repeater. This ensures that you always get a reliable connection wherever you are in the house1. Keep Up to Date! Remember to always keep your device's firmware up to date so you can benefit from the very latest service and security enhancements — and get exciting new features! Learn more about updating new firmware. Disclaimer: 1. The effectiveness of the Roaming Assist function varies according to environmental factors.


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You can't pick up a magazine, turn on the television, or go online without seeing something about keeping your heart healthy, your brain active, your gastrointestinal system functioning smoothly, and your reproductive organs doing – shall we say – what they were designed to do. But feet? Well, aside from the occasional story where an A-list celebrity is seen on the red carpet in a stunning pair of Jimmy Choo's, feet don't get much press.
Until now.
April is National Foot Health Awareness Month. We spoke with Cortez podiatrist Terry Cook, DPM, about what people can do to keep their feet healthy. It all starts, he says, with good foot hygiene.
"Washing your feet every day is important," said Cook. "If you have dry skin, use a foot cream. People sometimes ask me about the best moisturizer to use on their feet, but it's different for everyone. You have to experiment and see what works for you. I personally like one of the cheaper brands, but some people have to buy a more expensive one to get the results they need."
If a lotion-type moisturizer doesn't seem to be doing a good job keeping your feel reasonably soft and supple, try a heavier cream or ointment that's specifically for feet. In addition, always wear a fresh pair of socks each day.
Healthy feet need good shoes
Give your feet a once-over inspection each day when you're putting on your socks and shoes or when going to bed at night.
"Look for red areas or irritations," said Cook. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, try to pinpoint what might be causing it, such as a shoe that's rubbing an area, and make corrections to resolve the problem. If it looks like anything serious is going on with your feet, talk to your primary care provider or podiatrist.
"Use common sense and wear the right shoes for the activity you're doing," said Cook.
Shoes in the correct size is also important.
"Sometimes people will say they wore a 9½ when they were 20 and think they should still wear that size," he said.
In reality, as we age, the ligaments in our feet loosen and, while our feet don't grow in terms of length, they may flatten out and get wider. When this happens, it may be necessary to go up a size. Shoes that are too tight may result in bunions, ingrown toenails and painful neuromas.
"High heels especially can cause these kinds of problems," said Cook.
Ingrown toenails are one of the most common foot problems people have. This painful condition can be avoided not only by wearing shoes that fit well, but also by trimming the nails properly.
"Trim the nail straight across rather than curved," said Cook. "When you take out the corners of the nails the soft tissue has nothing to buttress up against and the nail starts to grow into the skin. This starts a course of chronic or periodic ingrown toenails."
If you get an ingrown nail, you can try treating it at home by soaking your feet in Epsom salt and wedging a tiny piece of cotton soaked in antibiotic ointment into the painful area. Cover this with a Band-Aid. If the pain continues, see a podiatrist.
Watch for fungus
Fungus is the cause of two common foot problems that many people experience. Tinea pedis – more commonly known as "athlete's feet" is one. The main symptom of this condition is itching.
"Fungus is in the environment. You can pick it up at a gym, pool, hotel, or even if someone visits you and uses your shower when they have the virus," said Cook.
Over-the-counter medication will take care of most cases of athlete's feet. Cook also recommends a home remedy that involves soaking the feet in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Occasionally, a stronger prescription medication is needed to cure athlete's foot.
Fungus under toenails is much more challenging to treat, said Cook.
Thick, discolored nails are an indication that a fungal infection might be present. Topical treatments work only about half the time, and that's when a patient is diligent and follows a daily protocol for a full year. Most people can't stick with that routine.
"A three-month course of oral medication is usually what's required," said Cook. "These can be hard on the liver, however, so patients need to get a blood test to make sure they can tolerate the drug."
What to do about sweat
Another foot-related challenge for people who tend to sweat a lot is foot odor caused by bacteria that grows in a moist environment.
"I sometimes recommend astringent agents that people can soak their feet in, and there are also products on the market for feet that are similar to underarm antiperspirants," said Cook.
For his patients who have severe sweating of the feet, Cook recommends changing socks frequently throughout the day and even changing shoes mid-day.
"It's important to let the feet cool down and dry out for a bit," he said.
While pretty feet and healthy feet are not one in the same, some people – mostly women – enjoy getting pedicures. If you are in this group, make sure the technician who pampers your feet is well-qualified and that the shop you go to is sanitary.
"If you were to go to get a tattoo, you'd want to ask if they're using new needles. With pedicures, you should ask how they sterilize their instruments," said Cook.
Likewise, you do your own pedicures at home, make sure that your clippers, scissors, and files are clean and sharp for the best results.
Southwest Health Notes is a public service feature provided by Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Colo. The information provided herein is not intended as patient-specific medical advice or as a substitute for consultation with your personal health-care provider.


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Parallel Merge and Parallel In-Place Merge algorithms merge two already sorted arrays (blocks) into a single sorted array using a similar divide-and-conquer strategy. The strategy picks the mid-element (X) within the larger of the two sorted blocks and uses binary search to split the smaller block into two sections: one with elements that are all smaller than (X), and the other with elements larger or equal to X, as shown in Figure 1:
Figure 1: Merging two already sorted arrays.
The block on the left (between l and m indexes) is sorted and has 13 elements, with indexes 0 to 12. The mid-element X is at index 6. The block on the right (between m+1 and r indexes) has 7 elements. The value of X is used in the binary search to find an index where all elements to the left are smaller than X.
In the above example, there are 9 elements that are smaller or equal to X: 6 from the left block, 2 from the right block, and X itself. Also, 11 elements are larger or equal to X: 6 from the left block and 5 from the right block. Thus, using the mid-element X of the left block as the partition resulted in an uneven split: 9 elements smaller and 11 elements larger.
In the worst case, this "uneven-ness" of the split can be significantly worse, with one quarter of the elements being smaller and three quarters being larger, or vice versa. The worst case occurs when the two blocks are of equal size, and the split is such that either all elements of the right block are smaller than X, or all elements are larger or equal to X. For instance, if both blocks have M elements, and M is odd, then within the left block, M/2 elements will be smaller than or equal to X, and M/2 elements will be greater than or equal X. If the split is such that all elements of the right block are smaller than X, then overall we have M + M/2 elements that are smaller or equal to X and M/2 elements that are larger or equal to X. The opposite worst case split would occur if all elements of the right array are larger than or equal to X.
If one of these two worst cases occurred every time, then one side of the divide-and-conquer algorithm would be working on M/2 elements, while the other side would be working on M + M/2 elements that is, one quarter of all elements and three quarters of overall elements, respectively. This uneven split will result in an unbalanced recursive binary tree during divide-and-conquer, performing deeper recursion than with an even split.
In this article, a better strategy is developed that always splits the two sorted blocks in a more optimal way by finding an overall median of the two blocks. Using this median in the same divide-and-conquer algorithm creates a more balanced recursive binary tree (as suggested in [1]).
Searching for the Median
The median of a single sorted array is trivial to find and is O(1) constant time. For example, a sorted array A = [5, 7, 9, 11, 15], which has an odd number of elements, has a unique median element 9 at index 2. Elements [5, 7] to the left are smaller than or equal to the median. Elements [11, 15] to the right are bigger than or equal to the median. The array has 5 elements with indexes in the range of 0 to 4, and the median element is at index (5-1)/2 = 2. In general, the median is at index (n-1)/2 if the number of elements in an array (n) is odd.
For a sorted array with an even number of elements, two elements in the middle are medians. For example, A = [5, 7, 9, 11] has medians of 7 and 9 at indexes of 1 and 2. In general, the medians are at index
floor((n-1)/2) and at n/2. We could just pick the lower median, which leads to a single index computation no matter whether the array has an odd or an even number of elements, to wit,
Finding a median of two sorted arrays is more difficult and is no longer constant time. For example, two sorted arrays A = [5, 7, 9, 11, 15] and B = [1, 8] could be merged into a single sorted array in O(N) time to produce C = [1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15]. This resulting array has 7 elements, with a median of 8 at index
floor((7-1)/2) = 3. It's possible to do better than O(N), by using a modified binary search leading to O(lgN) performance.
Modified Binary Search
In the case above, the median of value 8 came from the smaller of the two arrays. If we use different array values, A = [1, 2, 3, 4, 7] and B = [0, 5, 6, 9], then the combined sorted array C = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9] has a median of 4 at index 4. In this case, the median came from the larger array. This shows that the median can come from either array, no matter the size of either. Even if one of the arrays has a single element, that element could be the overall median. Thus, when we search for the median, both arrays must be involved in the search, otherwise we could potentially miss the true overall median.
Because both arrays are sorted, binary search can be used to search each of the arrays quickly, in O(lgN) time. The trick is to develop a test to determine quickly whether the selected element is the median or not ideally, in constant time. Using a binary search, the mid-element of the sorted array A is selected, which is 3 at index 2. Is this element an overall median? What kind of a test is necessary?


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There's no better place to experience classical drama than the ancient theatre at Epidavros, just outside the pretty harbour town of Nafplio in the Greek Peloponnese. Dating back to the fourth century BC, it seats 14,000 people and is known above all for its extraordinary acoustics – as guides regularly demonstrate, you can hear a pin drop in its circular orchestra (the most complete in existence) even if you're sitting on the highest of the theatre's 54 tiers. It's a venue for regular performances of the plays of Sophocles and Euripedes between June and September every year. Occasionally these are in English, but whether you understand the modern Greek in which they are usually performed or not, the setting is utterly unforgettable, carved into the hill behind and with the brooding mountains beyond.
Epidavros is open daily 8am–7pm (winter until 5pm). Entrance costs €6. Plays are performed on Fri & Sat eve June–Aug.
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Top image © Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock


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Iron Woman
Karen Smyers won the first triathlon she entered in 1984 and has been hooked ever since. In those days, she was working full-time, training during lunch, and often getting passed during the bike portions of races. A few years later, she had sponsors like Trek and Nike and was crushing her competitors. In 1995, she won Hawaii Ironman and followed up with a third place finish in 1996. Then, in 1997, her real challenges began.
After a string of painful and life-threatening accidents and a bout with thyroid cancer, triathlete Karen Smyers is back in training and thinking about her next Ironman. But racing comes second to the most important thing in her life: her family.
Tell us about some of the obstacles you've had to face in recent years.
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the fall of 1999. But I'd had a string of mishaps before that.
What else happened?
In June of 1997, the day before I was supposed to fly out to races in Monte Carlo and Germany, I took down a storm window and it shattered. A big piece of glass went through my hamstring. I went into the emergency room and they repaired the hamstring, and I woke up with a giant cast on.
So no racing for a while?
I needed four to six months of rehab. But there was a silver lining—[my husband] Michael and I wanted to start a family and this seemed like a good opportunity. We went right to plan B, despite the cast!
Did plan B work?
Jenna was born in May of 1998. While I was pregnant I was able to rehab my leg completely. I went back to training during the pregnancy, and swam up until the day she was born. The labor took 48 hours and ended in a C-section—another surgery. But my pain threshold went up after that labor.
Did you get back into serious training?
I did a few races that summer. But in August, I was out on a training [bike] ride and was hit from behind by an 18-wheeler. I broke six ribs, separated my shoulder, had lung contusions, and a lot of road rash. That was scary—it occurred to me how close we came to not having a mom for Jenna. She was only three months old, and I was still nursing.
The physical recovery from the accident must have been difficult.
The ribs and the separated shoulder just healed eventually, but it was very painful for a few weeks. Poor Michael had to take care of both Jenna and me. I had a really good physical therapist, and we started working with the shoulder right away. I wanted to get back as soon as I could.
What kept you motivated?
Our sport got into the Olympics for the first time in 2000, and I wanted a shot at making the team. I was having a great season. But in September, about a month before Ironman, I got bronchitis and had some swollen glands around my throat—so I had an ultrasound. They found a lot of nodules and thought it might be cancer.
Did you have to skip Ironman?
I needed to get a biopsy before we could be sure it was cancer. Thyroid cancer is very slow growing and fairly treatable, so my doctor told me it was fine to put off the biopsy until after Ironman.
So you did the race. How did it go?
I finished second. I was leading until eight miles into the run. But that was my first time back after two surgeries and the truck accident, and I was very happy. After the race, I knew I had to deal with the biopsy. It was scheduled for three weeks after Ironman.
How did you spend the weeks leading up to it?
I decided to go to one more race, in Mexico. The race was draft-legal, which means you ride in a pack. A girl crashed right in front of me, and I went head-over-heels and broke my collarbone.
And then you had to get the biopsy.
I got back, and I had to go to my biopsy the next day, and the result showed thyroid cancer. And the Olympic trials were now four months away and I had a broken collarbone.
What was the treatment for the cancer?
I had surgery to remove my thyroid right away. There was cancer in six lymph nodes, and they removed those, too. Then they recommended radioactive iodine treatment. But since the iodine treatment really zaps your strength, I decided to wait and do the treatment after the Olympic trials.
Did you have time to get back into shape?
I rehabilitated the collarbone and got back into training. It was good to have an impending goal. I didn't have time to sit around and mope. I got in pretty good shape for the Olympic trials—just not good enough. My swimming held me back. But it was still worth the journey—and it was great to be part of our first Olympic trials.
Did you get the radioactive treatment after that?
I went in June. I had very high absorption of the preliminary radioactive iodine, and they saw that I had a few more lymph nodes that needed to be removed. I raced all summer between treatments, but I was having a hard time training, and I didn't do very well.
How did the treatment affect your body?
I was low on energy, I felt very sluggish and kind of sleepy. My savior, absolutely, was exercise. I kept making myself go out and swim or run and if I kept going, after ten or fifteen minutes I would wake up. My metabolism would kick in and I'd feel good the rest of the day. But overall, I didn't feel good for a long time.
Since then, have you gotten back into training and racing?
I came back in 2001. I had a pretty good year. I won our national championships, just a couple weeks before my fortieth birthday. Then I went back to Ironman last year and got fifth, which wasn't too bad, all things considered.
Are you in training for Ironman 2002?
I am training and racing but the primary goal right now is to try to have another child. I think my child-bearing years will run out before my competitive years do. I'm taking it month by month.
Are you thinking about the 2004 Olympics?
I'd be lying if I said it doesn't pop into my head now and again. The way I'm swimming, it's just not an option. But it could eventually come back. It's already much better than it was last year.
What are your other goals now?
I want to see how long I can keep going. I'm much more careful and conservative, but I think I can get a lot out of myself athletically and keep my life in balance. And someday I'd love to break the 80-84 age group record at the Ironman.
Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association
Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Research Page
USA Triathlon
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.


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Order booklets with information about cancer treatments, side effects and what you could expect after treatment. You can come back to these whenever they're helpful.
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Order booklets with information about cancer treatments, side effects and what you could expect after treatment. You can come back to these whenever they're helpful.
Cancer treatments can affect people differently. But it can help to read about what's likely to happen and possible side effects. Being prepared can help you stay on track.
Meeting new people is one of the best things about volunteering. Browse our volunteering opportunities and see if it could open doors for you.
What's happening near you? Find out about support groups, where to get information and how to get involved with Macmillan where you are.
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The concept of a well defined business identity is blurring and this is causing a complex reaction in the area of identity and access management. Internal, enterprise class identity and access management (IAM) has been long defined, as the managing of user access as defined by approval workflows, authoritative source integration and well defined system connectivity.
Historical Business Structures
Historical business identity management has been defined by several well defined structures and assumptions. An organisational workforce that was managed by an IAM programme, was often permanent, static and assigned into a set business function or department. This helped define multiple aspects of the IAM approach, from the way access request approvals were developed (default of line manager as first line of approval), to how roles based access control implementations were started (use of business units or job titles to define functional groupings for example). IAM is complex enough, but these assumptions helped to at least create a level of stability and framing. IAM was seen as an internal process, focused solely within the perimeter of the 'corporate' network. Corporate is this sense is indeed quoted, as the boundary between public and private internal networks are becoming increasingly ill-defined.
Changing Information Flows
If IAM can be viewed as data and not just a security concern, any change to the data or information flows within an organisation, will have a profound impact on the flow of IAM data too. One of the key assumptions of IAM is that of the underlying business structures. They are often used for implementation roll out prioritization, application on-boarding prioritization, workflow approval design, data owner and approver identification and service accountability. This works fine if you have highly-cohesive and loosely coupled business functions such as 'finance', 'design' and 'component packaging'. However, many organisations are now facing numerous and rapidly evolving changes to their business information lines. It's no longer common for just the 'finance' team to own data relating customer transactions. Flows of data are often temporary too, or perhaps only existing in order to fulfill part of a particular process or primary flow. Organisational structures are littered with 'dotted-lines' reports and overarching project teams, that require temporary access, or access to out sourced applications and services.
Technical Challenges
The introduction of a continued raft of out sourced services and applications (Salesforce.com, Dropbox etc) adds another layer to the complexity, of not only information in general, but IAM information and it's implementation. Accounts need to be created on external directories, with areas such as federation and SSO helping to make 'cloud' based applications become closer to the organisations core. However, those those technical challenges often give way to larger process and management issues too. Issues surrounding ownership, process re-design and accountability need to be accounted for and require effective business buy-in and understanding.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) brings another dimension. The data control issues are widely described, but there is an IAM issue here too. How do you manage application provisioning on those devices, and the accounts required to either federate into them or natively authenticate and gain authorisation?
The Answer?
Well like most things, there isn't a quick, technical answer to this evolving area. IAM has long been about business focus and not just security technology. Successful IAM is about enabling the business to do the things they do they best, namely make revenue. Nothing from a technical or operational perspective should interfere with that main aim. As businesses evolve ever more rapidly to utilize out sourced services, 'cloud' based applications and an increasingly reliance on federation and partnerships, IAM must evolve and help to manage the blurring of information flows and structures that underpin the businesses main functions.
Cross posted from Infosec Professional


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Design by Conran Cairns Bench
With pieces like the Design by Conran Cairns Bench – which is joined without fasteners – J.C. Penney has become part of the affordable-high-design revolution (current financial troubles aside). Design legend Sir Terence Conran says this bench reflects his passion for traditional carpentry. It's priced at a fraction of what it could cost. [$359; jcpenney.com]
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!Back to top


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EYE and Il Cinema Ritrovato
EYE and Il Cinema Ritrovato
[Official poster Il Cinema Ritrovato 2016]
It has been over two weeks since this year's Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna, Italy, came to an end. The screenings of films from EYE's collection were a great success, with the whole festival welcoming over 100.000 visitors, both with the enchanting screenings on the Piazza Maggiore as in the cinemas throughout the day. The setting for the festival and its well-known classics might lure one in at first, but the rich and varied program is what keeps both professionals and cinephiles coming back year after year.
The program 'Cento Anni Fa' (Hundred Years Ago 1916) is a yearly returning program that focuses on films that were released a century ago. With titles from the EYE archive such as Artiestenzomerfeest (NL) and Staalfabrieken Krupp (DE), the program with short films from the silent era not only portrays filmmaking during that time, but moreover life during WWI throughout the world.
In the program celebrating the 100th birthday of the Dada Movement, Bankroet Jazz (NL, 2006) was shown. This film – a co-production of EYE – is based on a film script that came to be known as the first script written in Dutch. It was written by Flemish poet Paul van Ostaijen between 1919 and 1921. Writing from Antwerp and Berlin about a worldwide crisis, the Dadaistic script combines both the chaotic Spartacist revolts in post-war Berlin as well as other tumultuous happenings of the time. The script filmed by Leo van Maaren in 2006, as a found-footage film of 45 minutes, using exclusively material from EYE's archive. In the light of the global political and financial crisis and particularly the Brexit, the film proved to be surprisingly topical.
[Piazetta Pier Paolo Pasolini, Bologna, photo by Lorenzo Burlando]
The carbon projections on the Piazetta Pier Paolo Pasolini, where the Cineteca's library is situated, were another noteworthy part of the program. In this projector type, a carbon arc (Dutch: booglamp) provides the light for the projection, which was a common practice between roughly 1900 and 1960. The true cinephile could often be found sitting on the cobbles (still smoldering from the Italian summer heat), enjoying not only what happens on screen, but maybe even more so the purring projector behind him.
[Lumière exhibition entrance, Palazzo Ronzani on background. Photo by me]
As Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi (EYE's Silent Film curator) mentioned in her blog before the festival started, the opening of the Lumière Brothers exhibition coincided with the festival. This elaborate exhibition can be visited until January 2017, and is housed below the main street of Bologna, right next to Piazza Maggiore. This exhibition is not only full of the Lumière brothers' inventions, but gives a peek into their family history as well as that of their family business.
Right next to this underground exhibition space stands a building with grandeur: Palazzo Ronzani. Facing the famous Gothic Palazzo Re Renzo, Palazzo Ronzani was constructed between 1913-1915. The basement of this building is currently being restored to its previous function: a theatre that seats 2000 people. Scheduled to open at Il Cinema Ritrovato's 2017 festival, this Cinema Modernissimo will mean an immense expansion of capacity. The underground exhibition space will be connected to this new cinema, being on the same level.
[Source (3x)]
As you can tell, the city of Bologna, though moderate in size, is interwoven with the festival and its visitors. This can be seen as remarkable since Bologna does not hold a special place in Italian film history. We have to explore the past 30 editions of the festival to understand how the city by now has become synonymous with presentation of archival films.
Starting out as one of several festivals focusing on archival discoveries and film preservation worldwide, Il Cinema Ritrovato was not immediately among the biggest players. Over the years, not only the festival but also its organizer, the Cineteca de Bologna, has become known throughout the world of film preservation. Starting out as a humble city archive, this is certainly praiseworthy. In this, Bologna's film lab L'Immagine Ritrovata has been of great influence too. Being one of the most acclaimed film labs worldwide, it has worked as a key player in restoring several films for Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Foundation. This non-profit foundation, founded by Scorsese in 2007, makes it its mission to "preserve and restore films from around the world, particularly those from countries which lack the financial or technical means to do so themselves" (source).
[Scan of 1998 program cover, EYE Collection]
For many years, EYE Filmmuseum (then the Netherlands Filmmuseum) was a major partner of the Cineteca in organizing the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival each year. This program book from the 1998 edition is an example of that. Both institutes benefited from their joint work on this project and gained international recognition during these years. EYE continues to be of great importance to the festival and vice versa, with Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi on its artistic committee, and many films from the EYE collection that are part of form the festival's program each year. To stay on top of what is going on in the field and meet with international colleagues, EYE's curators, archivists, restorers and other staff members attend Il Cinema Ritrovato yearly.
[Taken from Il Cinema Ritrovato program – 1995 edition, EYE Collection]
Peter von Bagh (artistic director of the festival from 2001 until his death in 2014) also played a defining role in the growth of the festival. As a Finnish filmmaker and critic, he worked almost exclusively with archival material (for more about this, see Olaf Müller's hommage). The 2015 edition of the festival opened officially with a grand gesture: a dedication to Von Bagh's memory by many friends from the field. Under the title of 'The 1000 eyes of Dr Von Bagh', they celebrated his life by exchanging personal memories. Also, Aki Kaurismäki, a friend of Von Bagh's, introduced his own film Le Mains as a tribute. In previous years, Von Bagh had unsuccessfully tried to get the film for the festival, giving the tribute a personal touch. Being witty though merciless when critiquing films, as an artistic director Von Bagh was first and foremost a cinephile who attracted other cinephiles to the festival. During this year's festival, a documentary by Tapio Piirainen about the man himself was shown, introducing Von Bagh as "the festival's forever best friend."
Another important influence on the festival and the Cineteca was Vittorio Martinelli (1926-2008). As a collector of Italian silent film and film historian, he worked tirelessly researching the Italian silect film history for his 21 volumes of Il cinema muto italiano (co-edited by Aldo Bernardini). Martinelli inspected many archives around Europe as well as in South America, Mexico and Russia and thereby contributing to the recovery and repatriation of hundreds of both Italian and other films. As a Napoletano, one of his ongoing projects was to find and preserve Naples' silent films. For EYE, Martinelli's help was particularly essential during the identification of the Desmet collection.
In his name, a fund within the Cineteca library has been set up to protect his rich collection of films, scripts, essays, stills, postcards and festival catalogs. More information on Martinelli, his work for Il Cinema Ritrovato and future projects carried out in his name, see this Cineteca page in Italian.
Based on these firm fundaments, today, Il Cinema Ritrovato has become perhaps the most important yearly event for the curators, archivists, preservationists, critics, historians, students and other film aficionados to come together. They attend the festival not only to discuss possible new projects that transcend local or national collaborations, but most importantly to celebrate cinema.
Many thanks to Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi for helping me with the research for this blog.


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Round 20 preview, plus all the latest footy news on the In The Clear NRL Podcast
There is no need to go to the NRL Bunker for this one – In the Clear NRL Podcast co-host Chris Boulous thinks technology needs to be removed from rugby league.
In the wake of the calamitous Sharks and Raiders clash last Friday night, Boulous has called on stripping back technology in the game.
"Has the game really improved with the increased technology? I think players and fans would be happy for a bad call every now and then if it meant the flow of the game improved," he said.
"The current system is not working. Technology and rugby league don't mix"
St George & Sutherland Shire Leader sports editor Andrew Parkinson witnessed the infamous flag raising incident live and called for the introduction of a captain's challenge.
"I think it would solve a lot of problems. Rugby league is not black and white so I am not sure why they are trying to referee it like that," he said.
Also on this week's show, Group Digital Journalist Mitch Vleeskens dropped by to preview all the games for round 20 with the Sharks, Panthers, Warriors and Storm the most fancied to notch wins.
NRL round 20 tips
- Sharks
- Knights
- Wests Tigers
- Panthers
- Rabbitohs
- Storm
- Warriors
- Roosters
WANT MORE: anchor.fm/in-the-clear-nrl-podcast.
Discuss "PODCAST: 'Technology and rugby league don't mix'"
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There's a new Dixie chick in town.
Broadway star and country singer Laura Bell Bundy will appear in at least two episodes of Hart of Dixie, the Huffington Post reports.
Bundy will play Shelby, a potential love interest for Scott Porter's character, George. Shelby will first be introduced in the third episode of the second season, which airs Oct. 16. Her presence will likely only increase the sexual tension between George and Zoe (Rachel Bilson). Which girl will win his heart?
Bundy's Broadway resume includes playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical. She has also guest-starred on How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family, and recurred as Marah Lewis on Guiding Light.
Hart of Dixie kicks off Season 2 on Oct. 2 at 8/7c.


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A thorough defence of C.S. Lewis' Argument from Desire that expands and updates an often neglected argument for the existence of God.
Trade Information: LPOD
Available as: Paperback, PDF
Specifications: 229x153mm (9x6in), 178pp
Published: May 2013
Specifications: 174pp
Published: November 2013
Throughout human history the question of God's existence has been highly contentious. In his impassioned work, Joe Puckett Jr considers C.S. Lewis' Argument from Desire to explore the relationship between mankind and God at a profound level of human experience.
Puckett explains that belief in God is a natural urge, in the same way as are hunger, love and need for security. Although most human needs can be fulfilled in this material world, the inexplicable longing for something that is beyond this earth can only find satisfaction in a figure who belongs to a transcendent world. Puckett asks: why do we desire God? Nietzsche and Freud see Him as the projection of the human quest for safety. Puckett argues that this explanation trivializes human souls, and fails to take into account the human craving for something deeper than security, something more than anything this earth has already provided for.
In an academic discussion of the many poets and philosophers who have faced this unresolved dogmatic issue, Puckett addresses his work to anyone seeking to explore the roots of their faith by considering the defence of God's existence.
Foreword by Mark D. Linville
Part 1: C.S. Lewis and the Argument from Desire
1. The Argument as Presented in Selected Works of C.S. Lewis
2. Defining "Joy" as Sehnsucht
3. Plantinga and Lewis: Balancing the Mystical and the Natural in Sehnsucht
4. A Word on the Different Forms that the Argument Can Take
Part 2: Examining Beversluis's Objections to the Argument
5. Does Lewis "Beg the Question"?
6. Does the Quality of Sehnsucht Lack Innateness?
7. If "Joy" Is So Natural and Desirable Then Why Did Lewis Run Away from It?
8. Does the Concept of Sehnsucht Contradict the Bible?
9. Why Do Some People Never Experience what C.S. Lewis Calls "Joy"? 66
Part 3: Haunted by Desire
10. Echoes and Evidences of the Second Premise
11. Imagination and the Heart's Deep Need for a Happy Ending
12. In the Defense of Beauty
13. Lewis, Leisure, and Sehnsucht
Part 4: Concerning the Conclusion of the Argument from Desire
14. The Evolutionary Objection
15. Is there a Human Gene for Sehnsucht?
Appendix: The End of Human Desire
Subject/Name Index
Joe Puckett Jr. (MLitt , Faulkner University) is pulpit minister for the 16th Ave. Church of Christ in Sterling, Illinois. He is currently working toward his PhD in Humanities from Salve Regina University in the area of the philosophy of mind.
Among the various arguments for the existence of God through the centuries, perhaps the most neglected and unknown is the argument from human desire. ... Puckett presents the salient elements of the argument and engages the key contributors and critics. He does so with a fervency and deftness that serves to re-present this important argument for the existence of God to our age. Michael R. Young, co-editor of The Journal of Faith and the Academy
C. S. Lewis ... argues that the best explanation for the human experience of joy and the accompanying longing for the transcendent and permanent is found in the Judeo-Christian creation narrative. ... Until now, Lewis's interesting argument has largely been neglected by apologists making a case for Christian theism. But I believe the argument from desire has a rightful place within a comprehensive, cumulative-case argument for theism, and I am delighted that Joe Puckett's The Apologetics of Joy fills this gap by developing the argument and defending it against its detractors. The Apologetics of Joy is, to my knowledge, the first book-length treatment on Lewis's argument, and I am happy to commend it to its readers. Mark Linville, co-author and co-editor of Philosophy and the Christian Worldview
This is a unique piece of scholarship, the only book I know of that is wholly devoted to the most interesting argument in the world. It's clear and persuasive, and I strongly recommend it. Peter Kreeft, author of Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing
An enjoyable read that is suitable for anyone interested in learning a bit more about this specific aspect of Lewis' apologetics. Kris Hiuser, University of Chester, in Theological Book Review, Vol 25, No 2


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Upgrade Notes:
- This is a beta release. We recommend testing this version out in developement, and not running it in production yet.
- Upgrading from 0.20 requires a full cluster restart.
Breaking changes:
- Refactoring accessors using only getters and setters (#2657)
- Fail when updating non dynamic index setting for an open index. (#2647)
- Remove scope support in query and facet dsl. (#2606)
- Remove settings option for index store compression, compression is always enabled (#2577)
- Deprecate Experimental Snappy Support (#2459)
- Deprecate Shared Gateway (#2458)
- Sometimes MapperParsingException and sometimes not (#2354)
- Binary Mapped Fields: Allow to not store them by default, and return BytesReference (#2523)
- Mapping: string mapping to automatically set omit_norms to true and index_options to docs when setting index to not_analyzed (#2349)
- Plugins Installer: Allow to download plugins from download.elasticsearch.org (#2507)
- Shard Allocation: add index.routing.allocation.require…. and cluster.routing.allocation.require…. setting (#2404)
- Field Data in Node Stats now in its own element within indices (#2697)
New features:
- Add support for sorting by fields inside one or more nested objects (#2662)
- Add a way to randomly select which data directory to store on when using multiple data directories. (#2650)
- Add ability to re-score Top-K query results with a secondary query, (#2640)
- Add suggest api (#2585)
- Add new ShardsAllocator that takes indices into account when allocating and balancing shards (#2555)
- Indexing Slow Log (#2457)
- Expose Lucene's new Similarities per-field (#2424)
- Expose Lucene's codec api (#2411)
- Allow highlighting on wildcard fields.. ie, comment_* (#2396)
- Query DSL: Terms filter to allow for terms lookup from another document (#2674)
- Display list of all available site plugins on /_plugin/ end point (#2664)
- Expose CJKBigram and Width TokenFilters in ElasticSearch (#2660)
- Simplified range syntax when using a query string (#2655)
- Support trailing slashes on plugin _site URLs (#2654)
- Allow sorting by multi-valued fields (#2634)
- Allow
search_analyzerto be updated at runtime (#2604)
- Support filter inside has_parent and has_child filter (#2588)
- Make script cache configurable and bounded (#2539)
- Nested query should support explain. (#2503)
- Add scoring support to
has_parentqueries (#2502)
- match_all filter with empty array (instead of obj) fires exception when used with facets (#2493)
- Upgrade to Netty 3.5.11 (#2456)
- Add types and stats to search slow log (#2455)
- Expose Lucenes KeepWordTokenFilter in ElasticSearch (#2436)
- Use Lucene's native encoding of numeric stored values (#2433)
- Cannot change MatchQuery behaviour with 0 terms (#2429)
- Reuse TokenStreams for not_analyzed Strings (#2425)
- Upgrade to netty 3.5.10 (#2399)
- Upgrade to Netty 3.5.9 (#2377)
- Upsert doesn't return fields (#2362)
- Comments are not allowed in mapping (#1394)
- why no RegexQueryBuilder? (#988)
- Clear cache: allow to invalidate specific filter cache keys (#2653)
- Id Cache: Allow to configure if ids should be reused (memory wise) or not, default to false (#2605)
- Node Stats: Add largest thread pool count per thread pool stats (#2382)
- Terms/Ids filter: Support empty list of values, resulting in no match for it (#2687)
- Update settings: Allow to dynamically update thread pool settings (#2509)
Bug fixes:
- Master node operations might be executed twice (#2658)
- Cached script filter is not used in consecutive searches (#2651)
- Warmers do not load field data cache for sorting on new segments (#2649)
- possibly incorrect use of Lucene OneMerge.totalBytesSize (#2643)
- Bulk execution while a shard is replication might send erroneous version conflict failures for certain items (#2642)
- Index with no replicas might loose on going documents while relocating a shard (#2641)
- GeoShape intersects filter omits matching docs. (#2626)
- Filter cache stats may report incorrect values when index is recreated (#2609)
- NullPointerException (#2608)
- Support MultiPhrasePrefix (MatchQuery.Type.PHRASE_PREFIX) in Highlighters (#2596)
- Indexes created from index request might not replica initial doc to replica (#2594)
- Primary shard failure with initializing replica shards can cause the replica shard to cause allocation failures (#2592)
- o.e.index.analysis.CustomAnalyzer doesn't handle properly char filters (lucene 4) (#2543)
- Parent & child queries can fail if a segment doesn't have documents with the targeted type or associated parent type (#2537)
- NullPointerException during parent/child query (ES 0.20.2) (#2536)
- Update request with upsert may fail. (#2530)
- Incompatible mapping upgrade from
nestedignored and "acknowledged" (#2518)
- top_children query fails with dfs_query_* searchtype and some queries (#2501)
- ArrayOutOfBoundException when using top_children in a must not clause. (#2500)
- Search failures are not serialized correctly in MultiSearchResponse (#2498)
- ShardSearchFailure handling of exception does not take actual into account for status (#2495)
- First indexing of a dynamic boolean field can cause it not to be indexed correctly (#2487)
- : query not working (#2486)
- Failure to download plugins from github (#2470)
- Wildcard query on non existent field matches all documents. (#2461)
- The relevancy score in explanation of custom_filters_query doesn't match the actual score (#2441)
- Match query should fail when trying to provide several fields in its simplified form (#2432)
- Setting logger levels using cluster update settings does not work (#2428)
- NullPointerException with prefix query (#2408)
- Deriving the REST status code from a failure can, very rarely, cause an infinite loop (#2402)
- Terms filter doesn't understand _id (#2395)
- Adding a type with _source or _all enabled fails, when these are disabled in index (#2394)
- MapperParsingException on percolation with _size enabled (#2352)
- Multi Match: tie_breaker should allow for floating point value (#2397)
- With cache turned off I'm getting the following error: nested: ClassCastException[org.apache.lucene.util.FixedBitSet cannot be cast to org.elasticsearch.common.lucene.docset.FixedBitDocSet] (#2340)


text:
Hi All,
I would like to ask you for following help. I'm trying to make a GPU terrain rendering (algorithm from NVIDIA Gems). Currently now I'm just porting code from OpenGL to WebGL and I'm having following issue:
- VBO is loaded
- IBO is also loaded
but nothing is drew.
I'm using 2D arrays to store VBO and IBO (this everything worked well in OpenGL) + when I check the values they are correct.
I think that the problem can be in: - is the size in bufferData set correctly?
gl.bufferData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, new WebGLFloatArray(vboBuffer), gl.STATIC_DRAW);
gl.bufferData(gl.ELEMENT_ARRAY_BUFFER, new WebGLUnsignedShortArray(iboBuffer), gl.STATIC_DRAW);
or here: - value 8193 is used in OpenGL
gl.drawElements(gl.TRIANGLE_STRIP, 8193, gl.UNSIGNED_SHORT, 0);
The code is here: http://eisbergstudio.com/dev/
any help more than welcome…


text:
Outfit Details:
vintage cowboy sweater - Etsy (from their Holiday Shop - if this was yours, please let me know and I will credit! I lost the tag)
shirt - Topman (I seem to shop on the men's floor a lot)
boyfriend jeans - c/o 7 for all Mankind
flats - c/o Tieks
While I was in Florida, I found myself wearing these jeans - and quite honestly, this humongous vintage sweater - on a regular basis. With a suitcase full of clothes, I just couldn't bring myself to put on a dress or heels for more than an hour or so. Then, it was back to jeans, cut-offs, and a t-shirt. Florida can bring out the ultra casual side of me. When I lived there, I wasn't really like that, but when I go to visit, I fall into the laid-back atmosphere. It's a nice change of pace, now and then. Romeo was also in his casual attire, with his winter coat having grown in, and wearing his mismatched halter and lead rope (I should have switched him into his nice one for pictures - he was so embarrassed).
My friend Helena flew in to West Palm, so I picked her up and brought her a little further south to meet my family and Romeo. In one day, Helena met two of my sisters, my niece and two nephews, my mom, my brother-in-law, his sister, and their nephew. Quite an overwhelming introduction, but she fit right in. It was pretty nice to give one of my New Yorker friends a little peek into my life back home.
And speaking of giving my friends a peek at Florida life, my friend Andi in New Orleans is one of the finalists in the running to represent the South (Katy's region) for Cotton's 24 Hour Runway Show! Go, Andi! I can't think of anyone I know who deserves it more.
Thank you to all of the readers who showed us their regional cotton style. Let me know if you're a finalist! I'm looking forward to seeing who will represent my region. We're now in the voting period, so pick your favorite style finalists to represent your region at Cotton's 24 Hour Runway Show in South Beach. All you have to do is click to vote for your favorites, but if you fill out your information, you have a chance to win $1,440 each week. Go, vote, support. We have a great group of stylish people in the running.


text:
|Chubby Loving
Click here to visit site
|Short review: Big is enticing and these femmes are strutting their meaty proportions to prove it. With rolls and wrinkles they are showing their young stud lovers why size does matter, and the bigger the young lady the bigger the lay. Pride by the poundage on Chubby Loving, clothes are trickling faster than you can pull your prick free from your blue blue jeans. Watch them spread their fleshy thighs just to let you in!


text:
The Defence System
Around 250 years ago, scientists discovered,
after the invention of microscope, that we live together with many tiny
creatures, which we cannot see with the naked eye. These creatures are
present everywhere - from the air we inhale, to the water we drink, to
any object which comes in contact with the surface of our body. It was
also discovered that these creatures penetrate the human body.
Although the existence of this enemy was discovered
two and a half centuries ago, most of the secrets of the "defence system"
that fights a vigorous war against it have not yet been uncovered. This
molecular system in the body is activated automatically according to an
exquisite plan the minute a stranger makes its way in, declaring an all-out
war against it. When we take a quick look at how the system works, we
see that every phase takes place according to a meticulous plan.
This intense activity occurs in periods of time
which from our viewpoint are very short. There is a significant difference
between the notion of time in our daily lives and the biological time
of our body. The span of one second that represents a very short time
period in our daily life would pass for a very long time for many working
systems and organs in our bodies. If all the activities performed by all
the organs, tissues and cells of our body in one second were written down,
the result would be so inconceivable as to push the limits of the human
One vital system, which is involved in constant
activity, never shirking its duty, is the defence system. This system
protects the body from all kinds of invaders day and night and works with
great assiduity, just like a fully-equipped army for the host body, which
it serves.
Each system, organ, or group of cells within the
body represents a whole within a perfect labour distribution. Any defect
in the system ruins the order. And the defence system is indispensable.
Would we be able to survive in the absence of the
defence system? Or what sort of life would we have if this system failed
to fulfill some of its functions?
It is not hard to make a guess. Some examples in
the world of medicine make clear how vital the immune system is. The story
of a patient cited in many related sources shows how difficult life would
be in case of any defect in the defence system.
This patient was placed immediately after his birth
in a sterile plastic tent, which nothing was allowed to penetrate. The
patient was forbidden to touch any other human being. As he grew up, he
was placed in a larger plastic tent. He had to wear a specially designed
outfit similar to an astronaut's to get out of this tent. What prevented
this patient from living a normal life like other people?
Following his birth, the patient's defence system
had not developed normally. There was no army in his body to protect him
from the enemies.
The boy's doctors were well aware of what could
happen if he entered normal surroundings. He would immediately catch a
cold, causing diseases to develop in his throat; he would suffer from
one infection after another, despite being given antibiotics and other
medical treatments. Before long, medical treatment would lose its effect,
resulting in the death of the boy.
At best, he would be able to live only for a few
months or a few years out of this safe environment. So the boy's entire
world was forever bounded by the walls of his plastic tent.
sometime, the doctors and his family placed the boy in a completely germfree
room which had been specially prepared in his house. However, all these
efforts were useless. In his early teens, when a bone transplant failed.
The boy's family, doctors, the staff of the hospital
where he had earlier stayed, and pharmaceutical companies did their best
to keep him alive. Although absolutely everything was tried, and the boy's
place of residence was continuously disinfected, his death could not be
This end clearly shows that it is impossible for
a human being to survive without a defence system to protect him from
microbes. This is evidence that the immune system must have existed complete
and intact since the advent of the first man. Therefore, it is out of
question that such a system could have developed gradually over a long
lapse of time as the theory of evolution claims. A human being without
a defence system, or with a malfunctioning one, would shortly die as seen
in this example.
1- Edward Edelson The Immune System,
Chelsea House Publisher, 1989, p. 13-14
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text:
Mark Thiessen / AP
This photo taken Monday, June 17, 2013, shows people sunning at Goose Lake in Anchorage, Alaska. Parts of Alaska are setting high temperature records as a heat wave continues across Alaska. Temperatures are nothing like what Phoenix or Las Vegas gets, but temperatures in the 80s and 90s are hot for Alaska, where few buildings have air conditioning. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Famed for its biting cold, Alaska is now sweating through a brutal heat wave that has gone from an oddball curiosity to a worrisome danger.
Spring never happened for many parts of the state, as a never-ending winter until mid-May gave way to record-breaking heat in June.
"It was an incredibly rapid transition," Michael Lawson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service based in Alaska, told NBC. "Literally, our spring was about five days before we jumped into summer-type weather."
Temperatures in the 90s -- an extreme rarity -- were preceded by a record-breaking cold snap. That caused rapid snow melts in parts of the state and localized flooding. Now, the above-normal heat has led to parts of Alaska to be placed under a red-flag warning for wildfires.
The National Weather Service issued the warning, in effect until Wednesday, because of the dry, windy conditions that could cause wildfires. Melissa Kreller, a meteorologist in Fairbanks for The Weather Channel, said people should be extremely careful about lighting matches or throwing cigarettes on the ground over the next few days. In many areas, firework sales for the Fourth of July are banned.
The blast of heat started last week with temperatures in the mid-to-high 80s for most of Alaska. South-central Alaska had four all-time highs on June 17, with temperatures in Talkeetna reaching 94 degrees. In Fairbanks, the "near-record temperatures" are expected Wednesday and Thursday to clock in at 91 degrees.
Temperatures above 90 are extremely rare in Alaska. Fairbanks has only experienced 90 or above 14 times since in 109 years. The record in Fairbanks is 95 degrees set back in 1915.
A large northward bulge in the jet stream is to blame, consensus shows. Why that has occurred is more hotly debated. Some scientists tie the jet stream's odd behavior on climate change. Others don't make the connections directly, instead seeing random weather or long-term cycles at work. And even more scientists are taking a wait-and-see approach.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


text:
1. Re: The "Why" part of trailblazermarius.bogoevici Mar 15, 2012 2:22 AM (in response to lightguard)1 of 1 people found this helpful
I think Dan has provided a good summary in his introductory article: in short, we would like to respond the challenges that developers face when approaching JBoss technologies by threading paths and handing out maps in the jungle of innovation.
However, I'd like to go a bit Inception on this. A vision of a simple-to-complex set of examples and tutorials that would cover the entire landscape of JBoss technologies, always up-to-date, always evolving, pooling in the collective experience of the JBoss community at large. That's not necessarily a 'why'. More like the 'what' and 'how'.
But. Why ? Here are some thoughts I recently had on this topic:
Because we want to eventually put an end to bad code, ours included. Every time a good example is downloaded, a hundred bugs don't get to see the light of the day. But there's more to that. Often, we'll find even amongst ourselves that we don't see eye to eye on the best thing to do - maybe what we individually think as the best course of action ends in: 'dude, seriously'? I think it's a great opportunity to learn a bit more every day just by taking part in this group's discussions and improve our craft as ambassadors of JBoss technology. Finally, sometimes even the best written example sucks horribly and we all know the way back to the drawing board.
Also, the best code is to be written yet - in middleware and frameworks, but also in the applications that are using them. Writing an example can be a very challenging and creative task, and a venue for discovering the greatest thing since sliced bread. We're all swordsmiths and swordmasters, in varying degrees - and forging the best blade needs the knowledge of both arts.
My last 'why' is because it would be foolish not to. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge pooled between all members of the community - JBossians and non-JBossians alike - and we all know that publish-subscribe can reach more listeners than point-to-point. So, here we are.
2. Re: The "Why" part of trailblazerdan.j.allen Apr 24, 2012 9:49 PM (in response to marius.bogoevici)
Marius, truly inspirational.
What I like, in particular, is that you shine the spotlight on the importance, the value, of the application writer's code base, rather than just ours (the middleware). We tend to think when documenting that we need to explain to readers how the middleware code works, when in fact what matters most to them is how their code is going to work running on our middleware. As you said, they copy a bad example and it sets off a chain reaction of bugs and frustrations.
The better we can frame the middleware in the context of how it can be used, how it should be used, the smoother this engine runs.
3. Re: The "Why" part of trailblazerjbalunas Apr 25, 2012 7:52 AM (in response to dan.j.allen)
Agreed, nice write up Marius!!


text:
Homeland star Claire Danes, 33, and husband Hugh Dancy, 37, welcomed their first child this week, People reports.
What are the top TV shows of 2012?
The Emmy-winning actress gave birth to son Cyrus Michael Christopher Dancy on Monday. The couple, who wed in 2009, met on the set of the 2007 drama Evening.


text:
You Are My Sunshine Owls
10 designs by kbexquisites
All designs by Kristin Bradford
I am a crafter/sewer by heart and trade. I LOVE sewing... and so I fill my etsy shop with my creations. I design this fabric when I can't find what I am looking for in the fabric world. All designs are available for licensing if interested.