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Outlook 2013
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Timeline: 2012 -- A Year to Remember
Wall Street's equity strategists know that predicting the market's performance involves both skill and luck. This month's knotty negotiations among lawmakers over the so-called fiscal cliff -- looming automatic spending cuts and tax hikes -- greatly complicate the job of forecasting next year's market returns. Yet if there is one thing that makes market seers -- and investors -- comfortable about 2013, it is stocks' big rally in 2012. Success breeds confidence, after all, and a year-to-date advance of 12% in the Standard & Poor's 500 surely qualifies as success.
The 10 strategists recently surveyed by Barron's see more gains ahead next year. Their mean S&P prediction for 2013 -- 1562 -- implies a 10% price gain from current levels.
If Republicans and Democrats don't reach a deal before year end on taxes and spending, news about the progress of their talks could ratchet up market volatility in coming months. But at this point, the Street's bulls are more bullish about the year ahead than they were a year ago, while the bears are relatively less bearish.
S&P 1562, IF BORNE OUT, would come within a hair of the index's all-time high of 1565, hit in October 2007. Indeed, a majority of strategists consulted have 2013 year-end targets above that peak, and some of them, at or above 1600.
Ironically, a stronger conviction about stocks comes despite the strategists' predictions of ho-hum growth next year in corporate earnings. Their mean forecast for S&P 500 profits is $108 a share, up 5% from this year's estimated $102. The seers are emboldened by other factors, however, which hampered stock prices in 2011 and much of 2012.
Reversals of Fortune
Financials have gone from worst to first this year, while utilities have done the opposite. It has been a good year for materials, too.S&P 500 SectorP/E* Price Returns
2012** 2011 2010 2009 Financials10.722.9%-18.4%10.8%14.8%Consumer Disc14.320.14.425.738.8Health Care12.716.710.20.717.1Telecom17.414.50.812.32.6Info Tech11.012.31.39.159.9Industrials12.811.5-2.923.917.3Consumer Staples220.127.116.110.711.2Materials12.57.8-11.619.945.2Energy11.02.42.817.911.3Utilities14.3-2.7126.96.36.199S&P 50012.90.012.823.5*Based on analysts' 2013 earnings estimates. **Through 12/13. Source: Standard & Poor's; Bloomberg
A year ago, November's election clouded the outlook, and the Republicans' bitter primary-season campaign had begun. Now the outcome is settled, with President Obama returning to the White House for a second term.
Worries about Europe's sovereign debt have eased significantly, as well, at least in the ability of the crisis to shock U.S. investors. The Continent's problems are far from over, given the unsustainable borrowing costs of several euro-zone members, but the whiplash-inducing anxiety on these shores is gone.
Concerns about slowing economic growth in emerging markets, in particular China, also have begun to dissipate. There are even hints in recent data that these economies have bottomed. In short, the prevailing view is that U.S. stocks will skirt around the potholes that remain.
This month, strategists and their clients are focused on the game of chicken Democrats and Republicans seem to be playing at the edge of the fiscal cliff. The president is insistent on raising tax rates for the wealthiest Americans, while the GOP, in simple terms, seeks to broaden the tax base instead. Most prognosticators expect the feuding parties to reach some kind of deal on new taxes and spending cuts, but when? Few see a "grand bargain" between the factions by the Dec. 31 deadline, but nor do they see a bruising six months ahead.
Instead, the consensus holds that a preliminary agreement will be reached in the first months of 2013. That would mitigate the enormous fiscal drag that likely would result if the mandated tax cuts and spending sequestrations, which snap into effect Jan. 1, were to remain in force for much of the year.
"A fiscal-cliff deal is increasingly likely," says John Praveen, chief investment strategist at Prudential International Investment Advisers. While politicians bicker, he notes, there's plenty of liquidity in the financial system, and the Federal Reserve is committed to keeping interest rates low, which should keep the economy out of serious trouble. Last week the Fed confirmed its low-rate stance yet again, saying it will buy up $85 billion of mortgage-backed and Treasury debt per month to drive down long-term rates.
"If the fiscal-cliff uncertainty dissipates and Europe stabilizes further, we might get a bit of an expansion in the market's price/earnings ratio," Praveen adds.
Corporate spending and hiring could start rebounding, too, and economic growth could accelerate.
Stocks currently trade for 13.1 times next year's estimated earnings. Using strategists' mean 2013 S&P price target, the P/E expands to 14.5. That's not dirt cheap, but it is far from nosebleed territory, and well below levels seen in the early 2000s, as the chart nearby attests.
Faster global growth could bode well for technology and industrial outfits and their shares, the strategists say. Some also view the energy sector favorably. Mega-capitalization companies such as Caterpillar (ticker: CAT), which makes heavy equipment, and Qualcomm (QCOM), a specialist in wireless-communications equipment, likewise could outperform.
Bully for the Markets
Stocks large and small have rallied in 2012, along with bonds, which some say are overvalued. Gold has maintained its shine, but oil is cheaper.12/13 Close YTD ChgDow Jones Industrial Average13,170.727.8%S&P 5001419.4612.9Nasdaq2992.1614.9Russell 2000824.2011.2Dow Jones-Wilshire 500014,652.0212.8Barclays Aggregate U.S. Bond1742.584.1WTI Crude Oil$85.89-13.1Gold (per troy ounce) $1,696.778.5Source: Bloomberg
Companies in more defensive sectors, including consumer staples, telecoms, and utilities, are expected to underperform, especially as they sport rich valuations but offer sluggish earnings growth. Domestically focused companies and small-capitalization stocks likewise could suffer on a relative basis, as investors move up the capitalization scale to capture faster-growing foreign revenue.
Most strategists view the government fixed-income market with a skeptical eye, and many believe Treasury-bond prices will fall as U.S. and international economic growth accelerates. Of course, predicting that the "bond bubble" will burst is old hat by now, so contrarians, please take note.
Here's a closer look at the lay of the investment land as 2012 segues to 2013.
Walking Away From the Cliff
While a timely resolution to the fiscal-cliff negotiations is a centerpiece of the bulls' view, some tax hikes and spending cuts almost surely are in the offing. "We are going to have fiscal drag one way or another," says Barry Knapp, a strategist at Barclays, who has a year-end target of 1525 for 2013.
Russ Koesterich, BlackRock's global chief investment strategist and a newcomer to our survey, notes that more fiscal drag will mean lower earnings growth and less expansion in the market's price/earnings multiple. "It is very unlikely there will be a 'grand bargain' in the next few weeks," says Koesterich, who has an S&P 500 target of 1545.
Thomas Lee, chief U.S. equity strategist at JPMorgan Chase, is a bit more sanguine. He estimates that the combined effect of tax increases and spending cuts could trim gross domestic product by 1.5% next year. But that wouldn't be enough to derail what would be the bull market's fifth year next year, he avers.
Lee, who has a 2013 S&P price target of 1580, estimates that federal cuts in defense spending clipped 1% from GDP this year, while contractions in state and municipal spending shaved 1.5% from economic growth in 2011. "We've already had fiscal drag for two years now," he says.
Even the most optimistic market watchers concede that stocks could have a bumpy ride as politicians hash things out. Says Savita Subramanian, head of U.S. equity and quantitative strategy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, "it won't be a straight line" to her S&P target level of 1600.
Stephen Auth, Federated Investors' chief investment officer, is concerned about the short term, as well, although his year-end S&P target, 1660, is a high for our group of 10. He's betting investors eventually will return to the market in force as concerns about global growth ease. "A pullback of 5% to 10% is coming," says Auth, who would view such a selloff as an opportunity to invest at lower prices. The market multiple, he says, could expand later if the "risk environment" improves.
"Part of the reason the market's P/E isn't higher is the recognition that we can't run the economy with a trillion-dollar government deficit each year," Tobias Levkovich, chief U.S. equity strategist at Citi Research, says. He, too, expects some improvement in the market's multiple this year.
Unless fiscal-policy talks break down completely, a recession is unlikely in 2013. But not every strategist looks for stocks to rise sharply. Adam Parker, Morgan Stanley's U.S. equity strategist, has the lowest S&P target in our group -- 1434. "Macroeconomic factors are telling us that earnings will be flat in 2013," says Parker, who sees slowing GDP growth, weaker consumer confidence, and restrained manufacturing activity.
Parker estimates S&P 500 companies will earn $100 next year. That could mark the trough before profits start rising again in 2014, he says.
Earnings Outlook
Industry analysts, or "bottom up" forecasters, typically have a brighter earnings outlook than strategists, or "top down" folks. That's true for 2013, too, as the strategists see earnings climbing to $113. Interestingly, the market finished flat in 2011, yet earnings rose 15%.
Although profit growth looks less than stellar, the market's confidence is enhanced by reduced volatility in S&P earnings trends, says Subramanian of BofA Merrill. Massive losses in 2008-09 were followed by fat profits in 2010. Subramanian sees "a more normal environment" for earnings in 2011-13, and the reduction in volatility could send P/E multiples higher.
If all goes according to bullish plan, the economy will gather strength as the year unfolds. "We anticipate a year of accelerating economic strength, which will translate into outperformance of cyclical sectors," says David Kostin, chief U.S. equity strategist at Goldman Sachs. The bank is forecasting that U.S. GDP will expand at an annualized rate of 3% in the first quarter of 2014, up from an expected 1.5% in the first quarter of next year.
The market will favor growth over yield next year, and U.S. equities will beat bonds, predicts Kostin, whose S&P 500 target is 1575. Among the stocks in his recommended portfolio, he likes energy-services provider Noble (NE) for its combination of strong earnings visibility and revenue-growth potential. A large portion of revenue is generated from the BRICs -- a Goldman-coined term referring to Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
Domestic or Foreign Sales?
The year ahead could be especially kind to U.S. companies with substantial foreign exposure. "It's time to close the domestic stock trade," Subramanian says.
Shares of U.S.-focused companies have grown expensive and now trade at decade-high valuations relative to multinationals. Since 2001, the valuation premium of the top decile of the S&P 500 as measured by foreign exposure has dropped to 10% from an average 50%, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch analyst.
Going Abroad in 2013
Strategists expect companies with higher foreign exposure to outperform in 2013, as the global economy strengthens. Among S&P companies that break out international sales, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips lead the pack in dollar terms...TotalNon-U.S.% Non-U.S.Company/Ticker Sales (bil) * Sales (bil) * SalesExxonMobil/XOM $433.5$194.5 45%ConocoPhillips/COP230.985.737Hewlett-Packard/HPQ127.283.165General Electric/GE141.577.555Int'l Business Machine/IBM106.969.965
...while Broadcom and Molson Coors lead in percentage terms. Many tech and energy outfits generate substantial sales overseas.Broadcom/BRCM$7.4$7.3 99%Molson Coors/TAP3.53.498Qualcomm/QCOM14.614.197Diamond Offshore Drill/DO3.33.090Texas Instruments/TXN13.712.389*Trailing 12 MonthsSource: Standard & Poor's
A year ago, the U.S. was the "best house on a bad block." Now other regions will enjoy faster growth, and investors should look to diversify their country risk, Subramanian says. Analysts are taking account of this in their earnings-estimate revisions, she adds.
The reversal of fortune might already have begun. In mid-November, as the market began to gain confidence in global growth, and as worries escalated that our elected officials would send us over the cliff, the purely domestic decile of the S&P 500 began to underperform relative to shares of companies with a large percentage of foreign sales. It had outperformed since April.
The market's largest stocks haven't performed as well as the broader market in 2012, and that, too, could change in 2013. The Dow Jones industrials, which include some of the world's largest-cap companies, are up just 8% year to date, versus a 12% advance in the S&P 500. Most Dow components also could benefit because of their hefty overseas exposure.
Exchange-traded funds offer another way to play the mega-cap theme, says BlackRock's Koesterich. Along with their underperformance in 2012 and an average price/earnings ratio of about 12, the market's giants have the highest returns on equity and are a "safe place to hide for an investor worried about U.S. growth," he says.
BlackRock sponsors the iShares S&P 100 Index fund (OEF). Some other options include the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average fund (DIA) and Vanguard Mega-Cap 300 Growth (MGK).
The majority of the S&P's incremental profit growth likely won't be as concentrated next year, according to Morgan Stanley. Parker, the company's strategist, thinks sources of growth will be more diversified than in 2012, when just 10 stocks, led by Apple (AAPL), provided 88% of the marginal profit growth in the index. Next year, he figures, this year's top 10 will provide only 34% of incremental growth.
Technology stocks, up 12% this year, and industrials, up 11.5%, are strategists' favored sector plays for 2013. A resuscitation of growth in China and elsewhere suggests that crude oil, gas, and coal prices will rise, which means the energy sector, this year's second-worst performer, also could be a winner.
Industrials, too, will benefit from a pickup in China and emerging markets, and from potentially fewer-than-expected government-spending cuts in the U.S., says Parker. The stocks have undemanding valuations and haven't been falling much on bad news, he notes. United Technologies (UTX) and Caterpillar (CAT) are two names in his strategic portfolio.
Tech stocks are profitable and, with a forward P/E ratio of about 11, cheap versus historical levels, notes BlackRock's Koesterich. Tech also is highly levered to international sales.
"When we get an upturn in capital expenditures, it will show up in tech first," Barclays' Barry Knapp advises. Nonresidential fixed investment, or capital spending, is about 10% of GDP, he notes. That is at the lower end of the 9% to 14% range that has prevailed since 1947, suggesting there is plenty of room for expansion.
"We like tech in the global cycle," adds Federated's Auth. "There are global U.S. companies in the sector that are better credits than the U.S. government." He favors Qualcomm, which he calls the premier "arms dealer" to warring mobile-device makers Apple and Samsung Electronics (005930.Korea).
As for likely laggards in 2013, the strategists cite defensive sectors, including consumer staples (up 10% year to date), telecoms (up 14.5%), and utilities (down 3%). The pitfalls: rich valuations and potentially slower earnings growth.
Investors have been drawn to telecoms and some utilities because of their higher dividend yields, says Prudential's Praveen. But telecoms now sell for more than 17 times earnings, and utilities, for 14. The market could move away from yield plays in the coming year if stock prices advance or tax rates on dividends rise. The telecom sector has a 76% dividend-payout ratio, adds Goldman's Kostin, noting that raises concerns about sustainability.
Kostin is underweight consumer staples, and forecasts that the sector will have the lowest earnings growth among S&P sectors in 2013. The shares trade for 15 times earnings, and better economic growth elsewhere, combined with a higher investor appetite for risk, could dull their performance in the months ahead.
An expected winding-down of the yield play also doesn't auger well for fixed income. With bond rates at historic lows, it won't take much of a rise in yield to deliver a tough blow to prices, Kostin says. (Bond yields move inversely to bond prices.)
If the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond, currently 1.7%, were to revert to its latest five-year average of 2.9%, the implied bond-price loss would be 7%, according to Goldman Sachs.
Investment Risks
While the Street's current bullish consensus might seem sensible, many things could upend it next year, to the detriment of investors. Heading the list would have to be a flying leap over the fiscal cliff, which could send the stock market down 15% to 20%, into bear-market territory. A protracted battle to resolve taxation and spending issues also could take a toll on stocks.
While U.S. financial markets lately have turned their gaze from Europe to Washington, more debt problems in the euro zone also could be a drag on U.S. stocks. The European Union has 27 sovereign nations, each with its own agenda, but Germany's doesn't seem to include bailing out the most profligate of the bunch.
Europe has reduced the risk of a near- term country default and a financial seizure, says Jeffrey Knight, head of global asset allocation for Putnam Investments. The debt agreements this year "have bought time -- all of 2013 -- to address the structural problems, but I'm still concerned long-term," he says.
Other risks that threaten a rosy 2013 outlook include the potential for emerging- markets growth disappointment. The Chinese stock market and China's economic data have improved lately, but that positive trend might not continue. China's health, and Germany's, too, for that matter, depend heavily on demand outside their borders picking up.
Violence in the Middle East is always a worry, and could cause energy bottlenecks, leading to higher oil prices.
And then there's the rest of the world. "We spend a lot of time worried about the Middle East, but risks can occur anywhere," remarks Citi Research's Levkovich. "The most dangerous place you can be is the place where you think there is no danger."
Our strategists have weighed these risks, and still come out with a bullish 2013 forecast. Their collective rationale for how and why the market could rise appears sound, at least for now. Now all that's needed for investors is a little bit of luck.
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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[Warning: This chapter contains spoilers for the game.]
"It's like... a miracle." Lightning looked up towards Cocoon, her eyes filled with wonder. It is... Vanille answered, in a voice that could not quite reach reality. To stop Cocoon from falling... they knew that they must do it, at all cost. So many people were there, so many lives. In their hearts, they knew they had to save them. It had been the flash of a moment and forever, then when they awoke both Vanille and Fang were here. It was different from when they had become crystals in fal'Cie Anima's temple. When that happened everything--including fal'Cie Anima--had fallen asleep. A sleep so deep there were no dreams. Now even though they were sleeping, they could see the world. They could see the beautiful and warm world of Gran Pulse. They could hear the voices of their friends.
Several armored soldiers ran out from the airship. Those uniforms were something they had seen before. Oh, of course. Them. Weren't they called PSICOM? These men were no longer our enemies. They were working hard to make sure the people from Cocoon were taken to a safe place. No longer would they turn their guns against the citizens. Vanille had no proof of this, but she believed. Their voices screaming out to save the people held no lies.
"We may never see them again, but we can make miracles happen." Hope said. He looked sad, but his voice was tinged with strength and decisiveness. They had saved the people of Cocoon, surely they could make one more miracle happen. Surely they would be able to save Vanille and Fang. Perhaps that was what he was thinking.
Thank you, Hope, Vanille whispered. But this doesn't mean it's the end. We'll always be watching over you. Even if you can't see us, we can see you. We can see all of Gran Pulse from this crystal tower. All of you must become happy, don't let those you love stray from your side.
Vanille watched her friends reunite with their loved ones, her heart filled with joy. She felt at peace, finally the harm she had caused had been undone. It had been all their fault that Serah and Dajh had been turned into l'Cie.
Once the joyful tears of their reunion had passed, Serah turned her eyes towards Cocoon. Her eyes filled with shadows. That is how I looked, long ago, Vanille thought. Our actions brought sorrow to others. We involved people who were not supposed to be involved, and changed their fate. I was scared of our crimes, they were too heavy, I couldn't face them. I ran. That is how I looked, once upon a time.
I know the pain she holds. I know how she feels looking on Cocoon right now. Then Vanille remembered. Once, on that beach outside Bodhum, Serah had told Vanille "I have all of my friends, they'll help me get passed this." Vanille remembered the look in her eyes. Even if the realization and regret of their crimes threaten to bring her down, Vanille knew Serah would be able to stand strong in the face of them.
Vanille called to Snow, standing by Serah's side. Always stand by her, Vanille said. If you do that, she can stand up to anything. She might feel lost, but she will find her way. I know you will say 'We can make miracles happen! We need to find a way to save Vanille and Fang!' But you can't. You need to stay beside her.
He couldn't have heard her, but he turned around. As if her voice had really reached him. He looked as though he had whispered, 'I'm sorry.'
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Episode i: Part I
[Warning: This chapter contains spoilers for the game.]
Posted by Lissar at 1:00 AM
Labels: Final Fantasy XIII
6 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Thankyou for taking time to translate this and its also very professional written, so another huge thanks for that.
Off to a interesting start, and again Vanille seems to be the narrator.
- December 18, 2010 at 1:58 AM
- BKelly said...
there's a typo in the forth last paragraph where "fate" became "fat", but still great translation, thanks for the effort. Without you, a FF fan like myself could never know what episode i is about.
- December 18, 2010 at 7:46 AM
- Lissar said...
Thank you. The funny thing is, I thought that typo was so funny that I mentioned it to friends when I first notice it, but somehow forgot to actually CHANGE it. So thank you for pointing it out!
- December 18, 2010 at 9:53 AM
- Anonymous said...
AAAH, this is awesome. I did notice some grammtical stuff, but I'm a grammar Nazi and can't complain. You are amazing for translating this! :D
Will you be posting the next parts of this? (:
- April 17, 2011 at 2:55 PM
- Allen said...
Thank you so much for these translations! I know they took A LOT of time!
- June 7, 2011 at 10:50 PM
- Elise said...
Is this a spoiler for FFXIII og FFXIII-2? Really wanna read it, but don't wanna apoil anything :)
- November 20, 2011 at 1:51 PM

subset: commoncrawl


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The New York Times gives Romney adviser Dan Senor front page treatment today, which gives me a chance to praise Dan's book Startup Nation, and damn his boss, Mitt Romney, for yet another example of intellectual slovenliness.
Senor's book is about the remarkable growth of Israel's high-tech sector. He argues that the culture of Israel's military–intense and yet informal, iconoclastic, creative and entrepreneurial–helps prepare its leaders for business success. This is a strong argument, and Senor laces it with case history after case history. (I've written about how the changes in training that David Petraeus introduced transformed the culture of the U.S. Army in ways that will benefit the rest of society as our troops leave the service and become leaders in their communities.)
But Senor's thesis has absolutely nothing to do with Palestinians. Zilch. Zero. And Romney's attempt to compare and contrast Israel with Palestine is simply, well, stupid…as is his attempt to invoke Jared Diamond's excellent Guns, Germs and Steel. As others have pointed out, the relative poverty in the Palestinian territories has an awful lot to do with the Israeli occupation and the diseased Palestinian political culture, obsessed and divided over how to deal with the Israeli reality, that has resulted. But it's important to distinguish Palestinian political culture from its business and professional culture.
Indeed, Palestinians are widely known, and often disliked, by their Arab brethren for their entrepreneurial ability–as well as for the disproportionate number of professionals, especially doctors and lawyers, in their ranks. Palestinians, including Yasser Arafat's father, owned the construction companies that built the Gulf States. They dominate the business class in Jordan. And there is good cultural reason for that: Like the Jews, the Palestinians have been a displaced people. Business and, especially, professional skills are portable. They don't depend so much on land as farming and ranching does.
If the intellectually flatulent John Podhoretz and other members of the neocon cohort weren't so blinded by hate and pride, they would recognize the ironic similarities between Jews and their semitic cousins, the Palestinians. Certainly, the neocons' extremely unJewish tendency to dehumanize the "other" is obnoxious and embarrassing. It is certainly true that Palestinian political culture has been a disaster; the Palestinian leadership, especially Arafat, deserves the lion's share of blame for the failure of the peace process over the past 40 years. But Israel has become increasingly desensitized to the humanity of its neighbors during that time–and especially in recent years, as Salam Fayyad built a respectable government on the West Bank and terrorist incidents have diminished markedly.
Romney's ignorance of these details, and his willingness to associate himself with extremist grotesques like Sheldon Adelson, raise serious questions about his ability to conduct a wise and measured foreign policy.


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Younger Sister, Who Exactly do You Love?
The fifth prince, Xuan Tian Yan, had always been carefree on the subject of women. From the daughter of a common citizen to, presently, the daughter of a concubine of the prime minister's family, so long as a woman caught his eye, he had to bring her back to his palace.
As for the standards for catching his eye were apparently a single long and thin phoenix eye paired with an arrogant but sullen temperament.
Feng Fen Dai met neither of these criteria, but she fulfilled an even more important external criteria. She had that pair of white crystal earrings.
And those earrings had been put on after Xuan Tian Yan had already drank quite a bit of wine and was already a little drunk. How could that not have an effect on his mind.
Feng Yu Heng lightly sighed, "I originally wanted to use Feng Chen Yu to muddy the waters a little; however, I did not think that she would happen to avoid it and pass this mess off to Fen Dai. I really don't know if I should celebrate or be depressed."
"Young miss should deal with your illness first." Huang Quan placed the cold towel on her head then forced her back down onto her pillow. "Young miss, just stay in bed for today. Don't go anywhere. The Feng manor can do whatever they please with their matters. It is unrelated to us."
But how could Feng Yu Heng calm herself down. Reaching out, she held down the towel for herself and said to Huang Quan: "Go prepare water for me to clean up. I still want to go over and take a look."
The fifth prince had sent someone to discuss marriage with Feng Fen Dai, so Feng Yu Heng obviously could not continue to remain in Tong Sheng pavilion as though she knew nothing of it. After washing, she quickly went with Huang Quan towards the Feng manor.
Because Feng Jin Yuan was not at the manor, the person who came to discuss marriage had to meet with the matriarch. When they arrived, the matriarch had a troubled expression, as she sat on the main seat in Shu Ya courtyard's main hall. Down below, the females of the Feng manor were all present, even Feng Fen Dai had personally come. An shi continued to advise her: "Fourth young miss should return to her room. A girl is not allowed to be present when discussing marriage."
Han shi also advised her: "You should leave."
But Fen Dai stubbornly refuse to listen, her eyes staring at the proposal in the hands of the Li Palace's granny. Her eyes could not hide any of her yearning desire.
Jin Zhen saw Fen Dai's gaze and recalled the matter from the previous night. Thus, she quietly said: "No wonder fourth young miss was muttering about his Highness the fifth prince when she returned drunk last night. Thinking about it, they are already acquainted long ago, right?"
The granny from the Li Palace revealed a smile upon hearing these words and said: "Saying that they've been acquainted for a long time is a bit of an exaggeration, but they did indeed meet at the birthday banquet for the Emperor's young grandson. Fourth young miss Feng is tender and charming, and our Highness the fifth prince took to her immediately." She said this while glancing at Fen Dai. Her eyes were also drawn to the white crystal earrings that she was still wearing.
The granny had taken care of Xuan Tian Yan from a young age, so how could she not understand the reasoning. SHe could not help but sigh internally, thinking of how unlucky the Feng family's fourth young miss was. To wear any earring was fine, but she had to wear this type of white crystal earrings.
But she was one of Xuan Tian Yan's people. Even if she wanted to pity Feng Fen Dai, she still had to speak on behalf of Xuan Tian Yan, thus she smiled to the matriarch and said: "Fourth young miss Feng is the daughter of Prime Minister Feng. Although she is the daughter of a concubine, our Highness the fifth prince said that he thinks very highly of minister Feng, and he favors the fourth young miss Feng even more. Look, this old servant has even brought the proposal. This is not something that would be given when taking in a concubine."
Feng Yu Heng stood at the entrance the entire time. Feeling that it would look too much like she was eavesdropping if she did not go in now, she cleared her throat and walked in.
Upon seeing that Feng Yu Heng had come, the matriarch let out a slight sigh of relief. As though she had found her pillar of support, she quickly said: "A-Heng, you came at the perfect time. The Li Palace sent someone to discuss marriage with your fourth sister. Presently, your father is not in the capital, so you can come up with some ideas."
The granny who had come to discuss the marriage immediately recognized who had come based on what the matriarch had said, so she quickly went to salute: "This old servant greets and pays respects to county princess."
Feng Yu Heng glanced at the granny. While walking in, she said: "Based on what I know, his Highness Prince Li already has an official princess, right?"
The granny replied: "County princess is indeed correct."
"Then what is the meaning behind granny bringing this proposal to my Feng manor? Could it be that his Highness Prince Li has already decided to cast aside his wife and is preparing to marry my fourth sister as his official wife in five year?"
Once these words came out, Feng Fen Dai became extremely moved before anyone else could react "His Highness treating me so well, Fen Dai will definitely remember his Highness' favor."
"This…" The granny was a little embarrassed, "Fourth young miss has misunderstood. His Highness did not have any intention of casting aside his wife."
"Oh?" Feng Yu Heng sat down and calmly curled her lips into a smile, "Neither casting aside his princess nor taking her in as a concubine. Who has heard of bringing a proposal for the sake of taking in a concubine?"
The granny's old face turned red and quickly said: "His Highness' meaning is if this marriage with fourth young miss Feng is successful, fourth young miss will become the secondary princess as courtesy to Prime Minister Feng."
"Oh." Feng Yu Heng nodded, "Secondary princess. There is no need for a proposal for a secondary princess either. Thinking about it, this is being done for my father's face, right."
The granny nodded but did not speak, indicating her tacit agreement.
Fen Dai was no longer as moved as before, but she could still accept it. She was the daughter of a concubine in the Feng manor. Her future marriage prospects were to either marry a large family's son of the first wife as a concubine, or she could be the official wife of the son of a concubine. Now that there was a prince wanting her as his secondary princess, this was already extremely rare.
Fen Dai was not the only one, as Han shi also felt that this was a proud matter. She could not help but tenderly laugh and say: "Mother-in-law, his Highness the fifth prince is giving our Feng manor face."
The matriarch wanted to slap Han shi to death!
Giving face? This was considered giving face?
Who in the capital did not know about how absurdly and excessively lecherous his Highness the fifth prince was, as he brought in one girl after another. Not to mention concubines, there were already six secondary princesses. This sort of prince coming to discuss marriage was still considered giving the Feng family face?
She could think this to herself, but she did not dare say a single word of it. He was, after all, a prince. Although he was not really well-received, she had never heard about the Emperor criticizing this son from Feng Jin Yuan. Now that there was no support pillar at home, she was truly troubled. It seemed that neither accepting or rejecting it was correct.
"Grandmother, why are you not speaking?" Fen Dai was a little anxious. She was still, in the end, a young child. For the few months prior, she had been deeply devoted to the ninth prince. Yesterday, however, the fifth prince paid attention to her, and this managed to sway her heart in his direction.
In reality, Feng Fen Dai was merely thinking of their identities as princes. Admittedly, Xuan Tian Ming ranked first in her heart, he was like flowers in the mirror or the moon on the lake. Even if she did her best, there was nothing she could do, as just getting close would cause her to get hurt.
But the fifth prince was different. Not only did he praise her for being beautiful, he even invited her to drink with him. Fen Dai felt that in her eleven years of life, yesterday had been the day she gained the most face. Before so many people, she was the only one who was brought over to where the princes sat, and she was personally invited by the fifth prince. Nobody could think of how proud she felt from sitting in that spot. She felt that the entire room had turned their eyes to look in her direction, their gazes filled with jealousy.
She never thought that the fifth prince would actually send someone today to discuss marriage. This caused Fen Dai to feel that the day she would stand out in the Feng manor had finally arrived.
The matriarch looked at the anxious Fen Dai. How could she not guess what that girl was thinking? She truly wanted to simply agree. Who knew, after marrying into the palace and suffering some hardship, perhaps this girl would lose her haughtiness.
But she could not. Feng Jin Yuan had not returned to the capital, so she truly could not make any true decisions. Moreover, how could the daughter from the prime minister's manor get married just after saying it. Even if it was the daughter of a concubine, they would have their own mission in the future.
Daughters were fragile, and after they married out of the family, they had to bring benefits to their maternal families. If it were any other prince, it would be fine, but the one who had come was the fifth prince, and this was truly troublesome!
"Elder madam Feng, how do you feel about this marriage…" The granny was a little impatient from waiting, "His Highness has said that so long as the Feng family accepts the proposal letter, this marriage will be considered completed. He will provide gifts to the Feng manor as though she were the official princess, and definitely will not mistreat the fourth young miss. When the fourth young miss turns 15 and becomes of marriageable age, the marriage will quickly be conducted."
"Thinking about it." The matriarch finally spoke up, "Granny should also know that minister Feng is currently in the North, leading a relief effort for the disaster. Presently, there is no head wife in the family, so the children's marriage will require their father to agree. How about having his Highness wait a little. At around the time of the new year, this old one's son should have returned to the capital."
"Ah!" The granny's expression immediately sank, "Elder madam, it sounds to this old servant as though the hidden meaning in your words is you are unhappy with it? How should this be said? We are representing a palace! He is a proper prince! Taking in the daughter of a concubine as a secondary princess should be an incredibly great thing for you. How could it be that elder madam does not quickly agree. What are you still waiting for?"
Fen Dai also became anxious, "Grandmother, you are the eldest person in the family. Even if father returned to the capital, he must listen to what you say, right?"
An shi looked at Fen Dai and felt that this child had already been dazed by the joy of being able to marry a prince. But thinking a little more, she also felt that Fen Dai was a little pitiful. A girl raised in her own private room had little knowledge of the outside world, so how could she have heard about the absurd things that the fifth prince had done.
She had interest in saying a reminder, but the granny stood in front of her. This was something that she absolutely could not say.
The matriarch was placed in a spot by these two people where she had no other choice. She could only send a gaze requesting help from Feng Yu Heng.
Feng Yu Heng, however, feigned ignorance, "Grandmother, what are you looking at me for? His Highness the fifth prince is asking for fourth sister and not A-Heng."
"You…" The matriarch had been blocked and felt truly gloomy. But when she thought of her attitude towards Feng Yu Heng over the past few days, she did not have the face to ask her for help.
"Elder madam, please store the proposal letter safely, and allow this old servant to bring back the fourth young miss' proposal." The granny's words were forceful and unrelenting, "His Highness is still in the palace waiting for the news. If his Highness becomes annoyed, that would not be good."
Feng Yu Heng suddenly laughed, "When had fifth brother's temper become so bad? The best meals come late. If he does not even have the patience when it comes to marrying his beloved, how will that allow us to trust that he will treat the fourth young miss well."
The granny could choose to not care about the matriarch, but she did did not dare ignore Feng Yu Heng. Hearing Feng Yu Heng speak, she quickly bowed and replied: "County princess is correct. Then elder madam, please think on it for a while. His Highness the fifth prince will definitely be waiting."
The matriarch put her forehead in her hand. Even if she was given a night to consider, she could not figure it out clearly!
Han shi saw this situation and felt that there was a chance that Fen Dai's potential marriage would be lost, even though she did not understand either. How did Fen Dai and the fifth prince end up together, but that was still a prince after all! Thinking of how she was one of the Feng family's concubines, if she could have a prince as her son-in-law, the Feng family would respect her a little more in the future, right! In addition…
She placed her hand on her belly and began to consider what if there truly was a child in there. Regardless of boy or girl, having an elder sister who was the secondary princess of a prince would perhaps allow them to have a significantly better life than Fen Dai did.
She wanted to speak up to advise the matriarch to agree, but before she could say it, she heard Chen Yu suddenly speak up, throwing out: "Wasn't fourth sister deeply in love with his Highness the ninth prince? Why is there still a need to accept a marriage with his Highness the fifth prince?"


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Logona Naturkosmetik, Lip Pencil, Ruby-Red 04, 0.088 oz (2.49 g) (Discontinued Item)
Flash Deals are limited time, limited quantity promotions, so act fast! Limited to: 1 unit of 1 flash deal product per order. If you order more than one unit or re-order or order other flash deals, you will pay our regular low price. Flash Deals are ineligible from all other promotions.
Logona Naturkosmetik, Lip Pencil, Ruby-Red 04, 0.088 oz (2.49 g) (Discontinued Item)
Shipping Weight:?0.06 lbsSwitch to Metric unitsShipping WeightThe Shipping Weight includes the product, protective packaging material and the actual shipping box. In addition, the Shipping Weight may be adjusted for the Dimensional Weight (e.g. length, width & height) of a package. It is important to note that certain types of products (e.g. glass containers, liquids, fragile, refrigerated or ice packed) will often require protective packaging material. As such, these products will reflect a higher Shipping Weight compared to the unprotected product.
- Product Code: LOG-12320
- UPC Code: 42123200
0.6 x 4.6 x 0.6 in, 0.05 lbsSwitch to Metric units
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This is the Logona makeup classic - the jumbo lip pencil that just lasts and lasts. This was the first makeup product which Logona offered, nearly 20 years ago. At that time, it represented something of a challenge to the German natural marketplace (what natural woman needs lipstick?!), but it was an instant hit with the consumers. And Logona has never stopped pushing the natural market, both in Europe and the US, with innovative makeup products.
To maintain the proper point of a Logona lipstick pencil, we recommend the dual sharpener. If your pencil becomes too soft to sharpen easily, just put it into the refrigerator for a couple of minutes, and try again.
Logona Cosmetics - Colors from Nature
Logona Naturkosmetik proudly introduces its new line of natural cosmetics, continuing the innovative tradition it began 20 years ago. At that time, when no natural alternatives to conventional cosmetics existed, Logona launched a little set of makeup products that pushed the market. Since then, Logona has continued its pioneering efforts, steadily expanding product selection and increasing both quality and performance. Women have gradually come to expect comparable performance from natural cosmetics as from conventional makeup products. But Logona has now clearly gone beyond this measure. Not only does its new line offer finely nuanced, sophisticated cosmetic options for every look, it does so utilizing the finest ingredients Nature has to offer, such as certified organic botanicals, vitamins, and natural colorants. Every product of the new Logona cosmetic line fully complies with the rigorous European criteria for certified natural cosmetics. Guaranteed to perform. Guaranteed to benefit your skin. BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics
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Color on your lips provides a counterpoint to your eyes, a fresh, strong visual that focuses your sensuous potential. Logona's new collection of cosmetics for your lips includes classic Logona lipstick pencils, richly-pigmented lipsticks in various finishes, lipliners, and luscious lip glosses. The vibrant color options range from the glossy and nearly sheer to the bold and expressive. Logona colors are vibrant and radiant, and provide full coverage. Rich in natural botanical oils and waxes, they nourish your lips and keep them moist and healthy looking. The textures are natural and velvety, and moisturize your skin with the finest natural ingredients.
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Lip Makeup - how it's done
Use a lipliner pencil to model the form of your mouth. Lipliner also acts as a barrier to prevent your lipstick color from spreading into the tiny lines surrounding your mouth. Begin by drawing the little "M" on your upper lip, and then outline the entire mouth with a thin line. Follow the actual edge of your lips, or draw the line just on the inside or the outside of this edge, in order to make your mouth look smaller or larger, respectively. Then, simply fill in the entire lip area within the liner outline with your favorite Logona lip shade. For an understated, natural appearance, use the same or similar shade of lipstick as your lipliner. For a stronger, more expressive look, use a darker lipliner.
While iHerb strives to ensure the accuracy of its product images and information, some manufacturing changes to packaging and/or ingredients may be pending update on our site. Although items may occasionally ship with alternate packaging, freshness is always guaranteed. We recommend that you read labels, warnings and directions of all products before use and not rely solely on the information provided by iHerb.
Castor seed oil, glyceryl ricinoleate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, candelilla wax, beeswax, myristyl myristate, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, shea butter*, mica, myristyl lactate, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, aroma, carmine, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, manganese violet.
*Organically Grown


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MEGADETH's brand new track entitled "Headcrusher" will be made available for free download on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m. EDT at the Roadrunner Records web site.
As previously reported, the studio version of "Headcrusher" is available for listening by calling MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's number (866.597.6342) at TheLiveLine, a service he launched that enables musicians to connect to their audience over the phone.
"Headcrusher" comes off MEGADETH's twelfth studio album, "Endgame", which is tentatively due in September through Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at the band's brand new, self-built studio in San Marcos, California — Vic's Garage — which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character.
"Endgame" was helmed by Mustaine and acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD). Sneap also manned the boards for 2007's "United Abominations". Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Headcrusher", "1,320", "How the Story Ends" and "This Day We Fight!"
According to a press release, "Endgame" "boasts the technicality, ferocity and snarl that's synonymous with MEGADETH and Mustaine. It's a violent masterwork that represents Mustaine's best work in nearly two decades. In a musical world dominated by bands that make generic, blanket statements, 'Endgame' finds Mustaine, once again, making informed and substantial lyrical declarations about the state of the world we live in."
Commented Mustaine: "Thematically, I've never been known to be a silent bystander in a world that needs our participation. As more is revealed about our former President's legacy, a little-known yet staggeringly frightening document which was signed into law, named 'Endgame', has been uncovered. The album 'Endgame' is the most energetic music offering I have penned in over a decade and is far more believable than knowing someone signed 'Endgame' — the document — into law. The album is also the perfect 'ass-kicking' music to listen to once you are done reading the aforementioned document!"
He added, "This new album is my proudest moment since the famous (or infamous) 'Rust in Peace' album. With this album, I am also very excited to be introducing my new lead guitarist, Chris Broderick, to the world. I have always felt lucky to have had top shredders in that position, but after touring with Chris in support of my last album, I couldn't wait to get into the studio and see what he could do."
Fan-filmed video footage of MEGADETH performing "Headcrusher" this past Friday night (June 26) at the Rexall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada can be viewed below.


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Franchise Opportunities
During the last 65 years Carl's Jr.® has built a reputation as America's premier burger chain. Today, there are more than 1,100 Carl's Jr.® restaurants worldwide, with more than 300 dual-branded Carl's Jr.®/Green Burrito® restaurants. Carl's Jr.® is looking for exceptional new franchise candidates in select markets in the U.S. and around the world.
Carl's Jr.® consistently out-delivers the competition with an innovative menu strategy that focuses on developing premium, sit-down restaurant quality menu items. The Carl's Jr.® line of 100% Black Angus Beef Six Dollar Burgers™ is perfectly complemented by the brand's Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes & Malts™. This best-in-class menu supports a premium franchise opportunity.
Carl's Jr.® is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc., a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: CKR). Through its subsidiaries, CKE franchises and operates Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's® quick-service restaurants. The CKE system includes more than 3,100 locations in 42 states and 13 countries.
Learn more at (opens in new window) http://carlsjrfranchising.com


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This site is all about a very large global group of people who have been through, or are currently going through Parental Alienation
Some of us have been previously married to people with NPD who have used the children/grandchildren as a weapon to try and control. Others have been estranged for financial reasons, and some for no reason at all!!
We are not Doctors or experts but have been through enough to share our experiences and maybe help others to gain a better understanding of PA.
There are many links to useful resources which are publicly available on the internet.
Some of us are healed, some of us are healing and some of us are not quite sure where we are!
The more we share, the more we understand, the more we understand the easier it is to deal with. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.
Please feel free to contribute your stories –
Remember to love yourself


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By Lloyd Jodah
Whilst trying to create cricket teams in the City University of NY system I arranged a game, and collected cricketers attending CUNY schools to play. They were split into 2 teams. Game day came, and I saw an opening batsman blasting runs in a manner that reminded me of the West Indies great Alvin Kallicharran.I found out the batsman's name was Adrian Gordon, and he was a fast bowler! Gordon went on to make a scintillating 44. Gordon was a student at both CUNY and NYU.
Gordon later played on the College All Stars Team that defeated the 2009 College Champions Montgomery. "Adil (Bhatti) hit me for a couple of sixes" Gordon admitted, but he showed real pace. Determined to participate in the 2010 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship, Gordon kept communication with me, and we were able to pull together a team at New York University – Polytechnic.(NYU-Poly). Gordon enlisted the support of his college for equipment, hotel stay and uniforms and one day showed up at my office to register NYU-Poly with American College Cricket.
At the 2010 American College Cricket Championship Gordon impressed with his pace, and accuracy and nearly took the new, and hastily put together NYU-Poly team into the final four (the Team had never played a game together before). So it was no surprise when he was selected to represent the USA, in Bermuda at the 2010 ICC Americas Regional Division 1 Championships from May 28 to June 4, followed by a 20/20 Tournament on June 5/6. Gordon will also play vs Jamaica, in Florida as part of the NZ vs SL Pearls Cup event.
Adrian, 22, started playing cricket as a toddler in Antigua and first played competitively at age 9. He represented Antigua, home of the great West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts, at the Under 15 and Under 19 level. In fact one day, his Under 15 Coach was one of the West Indies greatest fast bowlers, Andy Roberts, who made the team run laps, whilst bowling. Adrian recounts how he hated how hard it was and wished he never met Roberts again. Nevertheless he spent a lot of time, on his own, bowling in the driveway of his home.
Gordon went to Florida to study, and did not expect to play much cricket but played whenever he could. Then he transferred to New York, taking classes at CUNY, then NYU-Poly where he is two classes away from completing his degree in Biomedical Science (Pre-Med). Gordon continued playing and was selected for the Atlantic Region in the USACA Regional Tournament in 2009. He credits former West Indies fast-medium Adam Sanford for coaching advice during this time.
Playing in the American College Championship, against his youthful peers, was a different level of competitiveness however, and it's what motivated him to help start his college team. He said, "College Football Gameday, basketball March Madness…college sports have a tremendous excitement and I saw this as the beginning of the same for cricket. We could help put cricket on an American stage. Imagine one day students turning up for a NYU vs USC Trojans cricket match"
"At the Championship the energy level was amazing……guys were giving 100% effort, running, diving for balls. It was the most exciting cricket I've played in years and the standard of play was really high. "
"Honestly I never expected to play cricket for my College or for the USA…but practice, consistency and dedication can make dreams come true – I'm honored to be a College Cricket All American and USA player."
Since the College Championship Adrian has been practicing his bowling, even by himself. To ensure he is one of the fittest players on the field he is training at the 24 Hour Fitness Derek Jeter Club in a specially designed 2 week program. He said "I'm so much fit, I can feel a big difference."
Adrian Gordon's selection is also a clear statement by the USA Cricket Selectors that USA Cricket is on a new youthful path heading in the right direction. There will still be criticisms and use of the term "ex-pat", but tell that to the thousands of US Military who have served, and many who have died, who were not born in the USA., or even US citizens. Or to the winner of the 2009 NY Marathon, Meb Keflezighi.The term "ex-pat" is un-American.
To be American, or to represent us, you don't have to be born here. Adrian Gordon, College All American and USA cricketer.


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With its temperature range of 5°-22°C, this wine cabinet is ideal for serving your wine.
This model is from the Collection range by EuroCave: This range combines technology and style, favouring clean lines and finishes with very modern colours, whilst incorporating the brand's expertise.
- Function: Serving
- Number of temperatures: Multi-temperature
- Size: Medium-sized model
- Colour of cabinet body: Wenge
- Type of door: Full glass (no frame)
You can equip it with sliding shelves fitted with Main du sommelier supports. It has a maximum capacity of 168 bottles.
Choose your interior layout :
- The Premium Pack is made up of 11 Sliding shelves and allows you to store 146 bottles
It is possible to buy additional shelves or display shelves individually.
The advantages of the Collection range:
What if it became fashionable to own a wine cabinet? Interiors, personal taste, colours The Collection range encompasses curved lines, bright or muted colours, wood and lighting effects. Experience the thrill of creating a riot of colours, shapes and materials! Practicality combines with aesthetics and your prized wines will have never been better stored, protected and displayed in a cabinet that really makes a statement...
This wine cabinet is a wine Serving cabinet.
Wine serving cabinets bring wines to an ideal serving temperature. Cabinets with several temperature zones allow you to store several types of wine in them.
Indeed, temperature is a key element when serving and tasting wines. A few degrees too high or too low prevents a great vintage from fully expressing itself! A wine that is too cold will not reveal its aromas to the nose; if too warm it will appear to be too alcoholic. When in the mouth, a wine served at an incorrect temperature will not reveal the entire palette of its flavours.
Did you know ? The ice bucket is perfect to keep the wine's serving temperature during the meal or the tasting. However you do not refresh a wine with it, otherwise the drop in temperature will damage the flavours of your wine.
Wines & Temperatures
White wine serving Temperatures
-7-8°C : Simple Champagnes et sparkling wines, muscats, simple syrupy wines
- 9-10°C : Alsace late-harvest, sweet wines, light or acidic dry white wines
- 11-12°C : Dry white wines, medium-dry white wines (Vouvray, Pinot gris d'Alsace), Gewurztraminer, fine Champagnes, fine syrupy wines, Noble Grapes
- 13-14°C : High quality dry white wines, Vin Jaune and other oxidative styled wines
- 15-16°C : Aged wines
Rosé wine Temperatures
- 7-8°C : Simple rosé Champagnes and other sparkling rosés
- 9-10°C : Light rosés, quaffing wines
- 11-12°C Fine rosé champagnes, classic rosé wines
- 13-14°C :Bordeaux clarets, structured rosé wines, Burgundy rosés
Red wine Temperatures
- 11 - 12°C : light and fruity red wines
- 13 - 14°C : Beaujolais and low tannic wines, Banyuls and other Vin Doux Naturel
- 15 - 16°C : Burgundies, Rhône, Loire and medium-bodied red wines
- 17 - 18°C : Bordeaux and all the red wines with a good structure, Ports
- 19 - 20°C : Exceptional, developed wines
|Main features
|Dimensions H x W x D (mm)
|Cabinet body colour
|Item code
|S-Collection M
|Type of product
|Wine cabinets
|2 years parts
|Number of temperatures
|Medium-sized model
|Door features
|Reversible door
|Handle type
|Handle on the front
|Door details
|Full glass (no frame)
|Door opening direction
|Right or left
|Door type
|Full Glass
|Interior layout
|Contents of Access pack
|Storage shelves x 2 + sliding shelves x 2
|Premium pack contents
|Sliding shelves x 11
|Internal lighting
|Layout packs offered
|Access pack (storage and sliding shelves) & Premium pack (sliding shelves only)
|Access pack capacity
|159 bottles
|Type of interior lighting
|Lighting of upper bottles (2 amber LEDs)
|Premium pack capacity
|146 bottles
|Maximum capacity
|168 bottles
|Specific features
|Temperature display type
|LCD screen with touch-sensitive keys
|Charcoal filter
|Humidity measurement
|Adjustment of the feet
|Yes - 4 adjustable feet
|Temperature setting range
|Weight (kg)
|Type of regulation
|Type(s) of alarm(s)
|Visual alarms
|Humidity display
|Recommended ambient temperature range
|Can be fitted
|Insulation Hot-cold technology
|Warm air production technology
|Automatic defrosting
|Type of insulation
|Polyurethane (PU) foam
|Cold air production technology
|Static cold air - compressor
|Heat activation technology
|Automatic - Threshold : adjustable
|Internal walls
|Stucco aluminium sheet
|Energy class
|Sound emission
|42 dB(A)
|Model category
|Annual energy consumption Aec* (KWh/year)
|Energy efficiency class
|Climate class
|Useful volume (litres)


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Islamic Center
Related Story
COLUMBIA - Instead of receiving gifts, members of the Islamic Center of Central Missouri volunteered to celebrate its 30th anniversary Sunday.
More than 120 volunteers helped make meal packages to send out to impoverished nations. The packages consisted of dried vegetables, rice and soy product.
The center collaborated with the Stop Hunger Now project to facilitate the packing.
The meals will go to feed 30,000 people for international relief efforts.
Chairman of the center, Rashed Nizam, said the activity resonated with the group's religious beliefs.
"Our religious teaching is to join the good, forbid the evil. So this Stop Hunger, they are doing this job. So we are joining them strength in hand and hope that in turn different congregations, churches and synagogues, they'll follow," Nizam said.


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Written by Adriana Velez on CafeMom's blog, The Stir.
Eggs. They're funny little things. They're not quite round. They're packed with protein. They're really messy if you break them. And there's that pesky question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
I can't tell you the answer to that question. But I can tell you all kinds of other surprising facts about eggs. Welcome to the strange and amazing world of eggs. Did you know ...
1. Vitamin D: Eggs are one of the few foods that naturally contain this vitamin -- but it's all in the yolk.
2. Blood spots: Sometimes eggs have little blood spots, also called meat spots, in the yolk. Contrary to rumor, blood spots do not mean the egg has been fertilized. It happens sometimes when a blood vessel is ruptured while the yolk is being formed. Industrial egg farms try to pull those eggs out of production because they know it weirds people out. Farmers keep the ladies separated from the lads so no eggs will get fertilized.
3. Brown vs. white: The color of the eggshell depends on the breed of chicken. Most brown eggs are laid by a red-feathered chicken while white eggs are laid by a white-feathered chicken. But there are some exceptions. Some chicken eggs are blue or green! Brown eggs are usually larger than white eggs, and red-feathered chickens typically are larger and eat more than white-feathered chickens, which is why brown eggs cost more. Which kind is healthier? Eggshell color has no effect on the nutritional value of an egg.
4. What yolk color means: Darker yellow or orange egg yolks mean there's more carotenoids, which usually means the hen had a varied diet, which usually means the egg is richer in micronutrients like vitamin A and omega-3. But the protein and fat content is usually the same as that of a paler yolk.
5. What white "color" means: The freshest eggs have somewhat cloudy whites. Less-fresh eggs have more clear whites. And if the whites are pinkish or iridescent, it's going rotten. But you'll probably be able to smell that.
6. Which is healthier, yolks or whites? Depends on what you consider healthy. Whites are lower in fat, but most of the vitamins and nutrients are in the yolk. Many nutritionists say a little bit of fat helps you absorb vitamins better.
7. Free-range, cage-free, pastured: Just because your egg was laid by a "cage-free" bird doesn't mean that bird was living a happy life out in the sun and fresh air. Most are still raised in cramped, indoor spaces -- one giant cage, really. In the US, "free range" eggs mean hens had access to the outdoors at some point in their lives. Farmers have started using the term "pastured" eggs to say their hens spend a significant amount of time in the outdoors.
8. Bad eggs float: The older an egg is, the more air seeps into the shell's pores.
9. Healthiest eggs: There's mounting evidence that pasture-raised hens that eat a variety of foods produce eggs richer in vitamin A and omega-3, and lower in cholesterol.
10. Egg cleanup: Dropped an egg on the floor? Sprinkle it with salt to make cleanup easier.
11. Those stringy things: What are those white stringy things you see in eggs? Chalazae -- little ropes that attach the yolk to the membrane. The more chalazae you see, the fresher the egg.
12. By the numbers: The average hen lays 250 to 270 eggs a year. Each egg takes 24 to 26 hours to form. They are laid large end first. The US produces about 75 billion eggs a year.
Were any of these egg facts surprising to you?
More from The Stir:


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South African Journal of Animal Science
versão On-line ISSN 2221-4062
versão impressa ISSN 0375-1589
S. Afr. j. anim. sci. vol.42 no.2 Pretoria Jan. 2012
H. MoravejI; M. Alahyari-ShahrasbII, #; M.R. BaghaniIII; M. ShivazadI
IDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj/Iran
IIYoung Researchers Club, Abarkooh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abarkooh, Yazd/Iran
IIIDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pardis, University of Tehran, Karaj/Iran
This study was conducted to compare the withdrawal or reduction of the vitamin premix (VP) from broiler diets at between days 29 and 42 of age on the characteristics of leg bones of the broilers in a battery cage (Trial 1) and a floor (Trial 2) rearing system. Seven experimental diets were formulated, based on wheat and barley, and consisted of four replicates per treatment. The metatarsus bone was used for measuring biomechanical bone characteristics, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium concentrations blood serum to assess vitamin D3 status. The results of the first trial showed that there were no significant differences in body weight, strength of metatarsus bone and contents of ash, Ca and P in the toe with reduction or withdrawal of the vitamin premix from the diets during days 29 - 35. However, after 36 - 42 days there were significant differences for these parameters between the treatment without the vitamin premix (T1) and the other treatments. At 29 - 35 days and 36 - 42 days there were significant differences for ALP activity between T1 and the other treatments. The results of Trial 2 showed that the reduction in the vitamin premix and withdrawal at d 29 did not impair body weight, bone parameters and blood concentrations during the final growth period of the broilers. Finally, the results of the present study indicate that in the battery cage system it is possible to reduce the level of the dietary vitamin premix during the finisher period, but withdrawal can negatively affect body weight and bone parameters of broiler chickens, while in the floor system it is possible to withdrawal VP from broilers' finisher diets.
Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase, ash, broilers, calcium, bone strength
Although dietary vitamin and mineral requirements for birds are periodically redefined, some aspects of these requirements are continuously questioned. A deficiency of vitamins requires relatively long periods to manifest in clinical signs. However, the withdrawal of vitamin supplements in grower diets has been evaluated in the last few years as a way of reducing the cost of broiler chicken production (Skinner et al., 1992). Deyhim & Teeter (1993) reported that the removal of both vitamins and trace elements from the broiler diet when reaching the age of 28 to 49 days reduced weight gain (WG) and feed efficiency (FE). The removal of trace elements alone was not detrimental, while the removal of vitamins reduced WG, FE and breast yield. Therefore, these experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal of vitamins and/or trace elements from broiler diets during the finisher period. Patel et al. (1997) showed that a 7-d removal of supplemental vitamins and trace elements from the broiler diet consisting of corn-soybean meal from d 35 to d 42 post hatching decreased weight gain in three broiler strains. Maiorka et al. (2002) indicated that a withdrawal of vitamins and trace elements at 42 d did not impair feed intake or weight gain, but significantly affected feed conversion ratio. Khajali et al. (2006) reported that a 14-d withdrawal (42 - 56) of a vitamin or trace element mix did not influence the performance of broilers. Alahyari-Shahrasb et al. (2011) reported that the withdrawal of a vitamin premix at 29 d did not influence the immune system of broilers. Ogunwole et al. (2011) showed that the removal of supplemental vitamin-mineral premixes from starter and finisher corn-soybean meal diets decreased weight gain in the Arbor Acre broiler strain. In these studies there were no reports about the effect of withdrawal or reduction of vitamin supplements on the characteristics of the leg bones, because vitamin D is a calcitropic hormone involved in Ca absorption in the intestine; it is widely used as a feed supplement (Rath et al., 2000). Vitamin D has a major regulatory role in bone metabolism and bone strength (NRC, 1994). Occasional field rickets in certain flocks of birds can produce a major disaster owing to poor mineralization and weak bones, which can be traced to a vitamin D deficiency or impaired vitamin D metabolism (Rath et al., 2004). Besides vitamin D, vitamins B6, C, and K are integral to bone health because of their involvement in the synthesis of matrix constituents, such as collagen and osteocalcin, and formation of collagen cross-links (Weber, 1999). Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency affects collagen cross-links and bone mechanical properties (Masse et al., 1996). Market-age poultry often suffer from lameness and bone deformities, which can cause bone breakage during catching and transportation, which can create problems during processing (Rath et al., 2000). Overall, the economic cost associated with bone problems in poultry can add up to several hundred million dollars a year. There are several reports about vitamin premix withdrawal in broiler diets based on maize and rearing floor system, but founded on the following causes, it seems necessary to study the withdrawal or reduction of vitamin supplements in finisher diets of broilers based on wheat and barley in the battery cage system:
1. World maize prices are unstable and producers have a propensity to use wheat and barley instead of maize in the diet of broiler chickens;
2. There are differences among the vitamin contents of wheat, barley and maize;
3. There is a lack of reports about the effect of withdrawal or reduction of vitamin supplements on the characteristics of leg bones from the point of view of catching and transportation and the creation of problems during processing;
4. Birds in cages require more dietary vitamins than those in floor housing because of less opportunity for coprophagy.
Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effects of reduction or withdrawal of the vitamin supplements from broiler diets during the finisher period on characteristics of leg bones in two rearing systems: battery cage and floor rearing.
Material and Methods
The care and housing of the broilers in the study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (Olfert et al., 1993). Two trials were conducted to evaluate the reduction or withdrawal of the vitamin premix during the final phase of broiler chicken growth (between 29 d and 42 d of age). Trial 1 evaluated the effect of a reduction or withdrawal of the vitamin premix (29 - 42 d) in the battery cage system and Trial 2 assessed the effect of reduction or withdrawal of the vitamin premix from finisher period (29 - 42 d) in the floor system. The average initial body weight of chicks in each pen was 42 g. Room temperature was kept at 34 °C during the first three days of the trial and then reduced gradually according to age until it reached 22 °C at 21 d. The light was continuous during the first three days, and then the lighting regimen was 23 h/d.
The diets in all treatments were based on wheat and barley with different levels of a vitamin premix, as follows: T1) without vitamin premix during 29 - 42 days; T2) 33% vitamin premix during 29 - 42 days; T3) 33% vitamin premix during 29 - 35 days and without it during days 36 - 42; T4) 66% vitamin premix during 29 - 42 days; T5) 66% vitamin premix during 29 - 35 days and without it during days 36 - 42; T6) 100% vitamin premix during 29 - 42 days and T7) 100% vitamin premix during 29 - 35 days and without it during days 36 - 42 (Table 2). During the finisher period, weight gain was measured at the end of each week. The ingredient composition of the experimental diets and the nutrient composition are shown in Table 1. The research was carried out in March-April 2010 at the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
Feed in mash form and water were available ad libitum. Prior to formulation, all major dietary ingredients were analysed for nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn), amino acid (AA) profiles according to prediction formula of the NRC (1994), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF) and ether extract (EE) as described by AOAC (2000).
A total of 112 male broiler chicks with similar body weight were distributed into battery cages in a completely randomized design at 23 d of age and fed similar grower diets up to 28 d with seven treatments and four repetitions per treatment of four birds each. Initial body weights were similar in all cages (1125 ± 11.1 g).
A total of 504 male Ross 308 chicks were used in the second trial. The chicks were raised until 29 d of age, as described in the general procedure, and weighed (1130 ± 13.6 g). They were distributed into pens in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four repetitions per treatment. There were 18 birds per floor pen replicate. Mortality during d 29 to 42 was recorded for each pen. Body weights of individual bird were recorded to evaluate the growth rate. On the basis of this, the cumulative body weight for each replicate was measured during days 29 to 35 and days 36 to 42.
At 35 and 42 days of age blood was collected for serum clinical chemistry from two birds per group (eight from each replicate floor and cage) by heart puncture using vaccutainer tubes (BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ). Blood chemistry was determined using a clinical chemistry analyser (Mabna Corporation, Karaj, Iran). The concentration of calcium and activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP, EC 22.214.171.124) in serum were used as indicators of calcium homeostasis and bone problems (Rath et al., 2007). The DGKC kit method was used to measure the alkaline phosphate activity in the serum sample (Kumar et al., 2011).
At days 35 and 42 of age, one bird per replicate for Trial 1 and two birds of each replicate for Trial 2 were slaughtered and bone parameters were measured. The middle toe of the right leg was collected, defatted, and ashed (dry, fat-free basis) at 600 °C for 16 h to determine percentage ash. Total phosphorus in the samples (dry, fat-free basis) was determined using the colorimetric method. Samples were ashed and boiled in acid to dissolve all phosphorus. The concentration of phosphorus in the supernatant was determined with an analytical kit (Sigma kit #670, Sigma Diagnostics Inc., Pars Azmoon). Calcium was determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (AOAC, 2000). The biomechanical strength (the load and stress at failure, the strain, and Young's modulus; Rath et al., 2004) of the right metatarsus of individual birds was determined using a three-point flexural bending method with an Instron 4502 material testing machine (Instron Corp., Canton, MA). The mid-diaphyseal diameter of the bones at the site of impact was measured using a dial calliper (Rath et al., 1999; 2004).
Quantitative results were expressed as mean ± SEM, analysed by GLM procedure and separated using Duncan's multiple range tests with SAS statistical software (SAS, 2002). Differences were considered significant at P <0.05.
Results and Discussion
Mortality was within the expected range and there was no significant difference between treatments. The results of Trial 1 for body weight at 35 and 42 days of age are shown in Table 3. During 36 - 42 days the body weight of the broilers on the diet from which the vitamin premix was withdrawn (T1) had a lower body weight (P <0.05) compared with those receiving the vitamin premix (Table 3). The findings of this study differed from those reported by Khajali et al. (2006) and Alahyari-Shahrasb et al. (2011), who showed that vitamin premix withdrawal from the finisher diet of broiler chickens did not affect body weight gain. Alahyari-Shahrasb et al. (2011) also reported that the withdrawal of the vitamin premix at 29 d did not influence the immune system and performance of broilers. Waldroup et al. (1985) reported that the presence or absence of a commercial vitamin mix in a corn-soybean meal diet had no significant effect on body weight gain and feed utilization of broilers between 42 to 49 days of age. However, the findings of this study were comparable with those of Deyhim & Teeter (1993), who demonstrated that broiler chickens reared in batteries under a cycling ambient temperature (24 °C to 35 °C, creating heat stress), and fed diets without vitamin and mineral premix had a lower weight gain and poorer feed conversion than birds fed normally supplemented diets, whereas birds in cages required more dietary vitamins than those on floor housing because of more limited opportunity for coprophagy.
The results from Trial 2 for body weight are shown in Table 5. A reduction or withdrawn of the vitamin premix at different ages did not significantly affect body weight (P >0.05). Findings of this study in Trial 2 were similar to those reported by Skinner et al. (1992), Khajali et al. (2006) and Alahyari-Shahrasb et al. (2011), who showed that vitamin and mineral premix withdrawal from the finisher diet of broiler chickens did not affect body weight gain. Skinner et al. (1992) suggested that the absence of a withdrawal effect could be related to the availability in the body of vitamins and minerals for further growth, as the amounts of these supplements usually exceed by two or three times the recommended broiler chicken requirement in poultry diets. In contrast, omitting vitamins from the finisher diet for the same removal period decreased weight gain in three broiler strains (Patel et al., 1997; Maiorka et al., 2002). These differences may be owing to the type of rearing system (floor litter or cages) or differences in diet composition. Maiorka et al. (2002) suggested that withdrawal of the vitamin mix during the final period of chicken growth is more deleterious than withdrawal of the mineral mix, because of its effect on the feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, carcass yield was not affected by withdrawal of the vitamin or mineral mix.
The removal of the vitamin premix from broiler diets does not imply that such diets are void of these essential nutrients. Unfortified diets, especially those that include some animal protein feedstuff, may contain sufficient quantities of vitamins to meet or exceed minimum recommended needs. Vitamin premixes used in the commercial broiler industry typically provide vitamin premix at two- to fourfold or more of the minimum recommended levels (Gwyther et al., 1992); thus, some storage within the carcass should be expected, especially for the fat-soluble vitamins. Under commercial growing conditions, using practical feedstuffs, it may be difficult to produce vitamin premix deficiencies in birds during the finishing period following adequate supplementation early in the growing period. Reduction of these supplements in diets fed from 29 to 42 days of age could significantly reduce growing costs with no adverse effects on performance.
The effects of different levels of vitamin premix on bone strength, and the concentration of ash, Ca and P of bone and serum concentrations of Ca and ALP, in trials 1 and 2 are shown in Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6. Bone morphometric and mechanical parameters have been used as indicator of bone status in nutritional and genetic research of poultry (Rath et al., 2000; 2007). There is little information about bone quality when the vitamin premix was withdrawn or reduced in the diet of broiler chickens. Vitamin D has a major regulatory role in bone metabolism and bone strength (NRC, 1994). The results of Trial 1 showed that there were no significant differences in strength of the metatarsus bone and the contents of ash, Ca and P in the toe with reduction or withdrawal of vitamin premix from diets during days 29 - 35. Findings of this study in Trial 1 were similar to those reported by Christmas et al. (1995), who showed that vitamin and mineral premix withdrawal from the finisher diet of broiler chickens did not affect leg abnormalities. However, there were significant differences between the treatment without vitamin premix (T1) and other treatments for these parameters except serum Ca concentration at 36 - 42 days of age (P <0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed for Ca concentration of T1 and T4, T5, T6 and T7 at 36 - 42 days (P <0.05).
It seems that birds in cages require more dietary vitamins because of more limited opportunity for coprophagy. Cantor et al. (1980) studied the usefulness of bone densitometry as an indicator of vitamin D status in turkey poults. The correlation coefficient between dietary vitamin D and bone mineral mass was 0.80, and between vitamin D and percentage bone ash was 0.78. The correlation coefficient between bone mineral mass and bone ash was 0.71. They concluded that bone densitometry was as good an indicator as bone ash for the vitamin D status in turkey poults. There were significant differences between T1 and the other treatments for ALP activity at 29 - 35 and 36 - 42 days of age. Several methods have been used to assess vitamin D nutritional status of individuals. Poor production rates in livestock, as well as bone abnormalities in animals and humans, are the chief indicators that vitamin D deficiency is substantially advanced. Low-serum Ca levels in the range of 5 to 7 mg/100 mL and high-serum ALP activity were used as indicators of bone problems (Rath et al., 2004). Besides vitamin D, vitamins B6, C, and K are integral to bone health because of their involvement in the synthesis of matrix constituents, such as collagen and osteocalcin, and formation of collagen cross-links (Rath et al., 2004). Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency affects collagen cross-links and mechanical properties of bones (Masse et al., 1996). The results of Trial 2 showed that a vitamin premix reduction and withdrawal at 29 d of age did not impair bone strength or concentrations of ash, Ca, P of bone and blood ALP activity and Ca during the final period of broiler chicken (P >0.05). The persistence of vitamin D in animals during periods of vitamin D deficiency may be explained by the slow turnover rate of vitamin D in certain tissues, such as the skin and adipose tissue. During deprivation, vitamin D in these tissues is released slowly, thus meeting the vitamin D needs of the animal over a longer period (McDowell, 2000). Also, vitamin D can be stored in adipose tissue, liver with a discharge storage time of 14 days. It appears that the above reasons and access of the broilers in a floor system to faeces (coprophagia) can counter a vitamin D deficiency. It seems there are some reasons that may remove or reduce the usage of vitamin supplementation (an expensive essential nutrient in poultry diets) in finisher period diets in the cage battery and floor systems, for instance i) the amount of vitamin supplements usually exceeds two or three times the recommended broiler chicken requirement in poultry diets; ii) fat-soluble vitamins may be stored by a bird in its liver and fatty tissue in sufficient quantities to meet requirements for 15 days or even longer; iii) there are some vitamins in diet ingredients such as wheat, barley and soybean meal that are not considered when formulating diets; iv) floor-raised broilers can access their faeces to ingest some vitamins which are evacuated from the intestines.
The results of the present study indicated that in the battery cage system it is possible to reduce the dietary vitamin premix during the finisher period, but withdrawal can negatively affect performance, ALP activity in blood and mechanical parameters of bone of broiler chickens. On the other hand, in the floor system it is possible to withdraw vitamin supplements in broiler finisher diets.
Alahyari-Shahrab, M., Moravej, H., Shivazad, M. & Grami, A., 2011. Study of possible reduction or withdrawal of vitamin premix during finisher period in floor and battery cage broiler raising systems. Afr. J. Bio. 33, 6337-6341. [ Links ]
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Cantor, A.H., Musser, M.A., Bacon, W.L. & Hellelwell, A.B., 1980. The use of bone mineral mass as an indicator of vitamin D status in turkeys. Poult. Sci. 59, 563-568. [ Links ]
Christmas, R.B., Harms, R.H. & Sloani, D.R., 1995. The absence of vitamins and trace minerals and broiler performance. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 4, 407-410. [ Links ]
Deyhim, F. & Teeter, R.G., 1993. Dietary vitamin and/or trace mineral premix effects on performance, humoral mediated immunity and carcass composition of broilers during thermoneutral and high ambient temperature distress. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 2, 347-355. [ Links ]
Gwyther, M.J., Tillman, P.B., Frye, T.M. & Lentz, E.L., 1992. Comparison of 2 levels of vitamin supplementation for broilers. Poult. Sci. 71, 153-159. [ Links ]
Khajali, F., Asadi Khoshoei, E. & Zamani, M., 2006. Effect of vitamin and trace mineral withdrawal from finisher diets on growth performance and immunocompetence of broiler chickens. Br. Poult. Sci. 47, 159-162. [ Links ]
Kumar, J., Kumar, S.S. & Pradhan, R.K., 2011. Studies on excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and alkaline phosphatase activity in smoker and alcoholic person. Wrld J. Sci. Technol. 4, 33-38. [ Links ]
Maiorka, A., Laurentiz, A.C., Santin, E., Araujo, L.F. & Macari, M., 2002. Dietary vitamin or mineral mix removal during the finisher period on broiler chicken performance. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 11, 121-126. [ Links ]
Masse, P.G., Rimnack, C.M., Yamauchi, M., Coburn, S.P., Rucker, R.B., Howell, D.S. & Boskey, A.L., 1996. Pyridoxine deficiency affects biomechanical properties of chick tibial bones. Bone 18, 567-574. [ Links ]
McDowell, L.R., 2000. Vitamins in Animal Nutrition. In: Comparative Aspects to Human Nutrition. Ed. McDowell, L.R., Lowa State University Academic Press, London, UK. pp. 91-153. [ Links ]
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Ogunwole, O.A., Kolade, E.O., Olumide, M.O., Akinsoyinu., A.O., Mako, A.A., Abiola- Olagunju, O. & Adebiyi, O.A., 2011. Evaluation of five proprietary vitamin-mineral premixes in Ibadan, Nigeria for broiler production. Poultry Science Association (PSA) at the annual AAAP/AVMA meeting in St. Louis, MO. pp. 83. [ Links ]
Olfert, D. Cross, B.M. & McWilliam, A.A., 1993. Guide to the care and use of experimental animals. Canadian Council on Animal Care, 1993. Volume 1. E., CCAC, Ottawa, ON, Canada. [ Links ]
Patel, K.P., Edwards, H.M. & Baker, D.H., 1997. Removal of vitamin and trace mineral supplements from broiler finisher diets. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 6, 191-198. [ Links ]
Rath, N.C., Balog, J.M., Huff, W.E., Huff, G.R., Kulkarni, G.B. & Tierce, J.F., 1999. Comparative differences in the composition and biomechanical properties of tibiae of seven- and seventy-two- week-old male and female broiler breeder chickens. Poult. Sci. 78, 1232-1239. [ Links ]
Rath, N.C., Huff, G.R., Huff, W.E. & Balog, J.M., 2000. Factors regulating bone maturity and strength in poultry. Poult. Sci. 79, 1024-1032. [ Links ]
Rath, N.C., Huff, W.E., Balog, J.M. & Huff, G.R., 2004. Comparative efficacy of different dithiocarbamates to induce tibial dyschondroplasia in poultry. Poult. Sci. 83, 266-274. [ Links ]
Rath, N.C., Kannan, L., Pillai, P.B., Huff, W.E., Huff, G.R., Horst, R.L. & Emmert, J.L., 2007. Evaluation of the efficacy of vitamin D3 or its metabolites on thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia in chickens. Res. Vet. Sci. 83, 244-250. [ Links ]
SAS, 2002. Statistical Analysis Systems user's guide (5th ed.). SAS Institute Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. [ Links ]
Skinner, J.T., Waldroup, A.L. & Waldroup, P.W., 1992. Effects of removal of vitamin and trace mineral supplements from grower and finisher diets on live performance and carcass composition of broilers. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 1, 280-286. [ Links ]
Waldroup, P.W., HeUwlg, H.M., Spencer, G.K., Smith, N.K., Fancher, B.I., Jackson, M.E., Johnson, Z.E. & Goodwin, T.L., 1985. The effects of increased levels of niacin supplementation on growth rate and carcass composition of broiler chickens. Poult. Sci. 64, 1777-1783. [ Links ]
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The SMOS L3 mapping algorithm for sea surface salinity Jordà, Gabriel; Gomis, Damia; Talone, Marco (IEEE Press. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2011-03)
Restricted access - publisher's policyThe Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission launched in November 2009 will provide, for the first time, satellite observations of sea surface salinity (SSS). At level 3 (L3) of the SMOS processing chain, the large ...


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I'm a real stickler for realism, so I made a starscape showing the stars as they would appear in the Tau Ceti system on July 3, 2794 at 0839 UTC.
Using data on the planets known to be orbiting Tau Ceti, I made a few tweaks within real parameters to make things more comfy for our Martian colonists and entered it into Celestia. Given the large size of Tau Ceti's planets and lack of a Jupiter, I decided to max out the size of planet E (which is in the most habitable orbit) and split it into a small ice(water?) giant with a large moon on which to put the colony. It's like Uranus, execpt smaller, warmer, and not sideways. It looks like a large green moon with rings from the Marathon's vantage point.
The huge blue planet is the colony moon, 1300 km below. I tried to put the Marathon in as high an orbit as possible while still being close enough to be an easily reached space station.
I've uploaded two versions to Simplici7y, a 2048x1080 version and a 8192x4320 version. The 2048 version has a neat texuture I made a month or two ago for the Marathon. It's actually a shot of Phobos, but Deimos photos are harder to come by. The 8192 version - and yes it does work! - has crystal-clear stars and an easily visible Sol (if you know where to look) but no cratery texture, just a badly-wrapped plasma render.
Having this now really makes me wish Aleph One could wrap landscapes only once. It's a bit weird seeing the moon out two directions, but, I still think it's worth it.
Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm not making huge changes to the scene, as it was an extemely time-consuming pain to stitch together the 17 Celestia screenshots with Hugin. But, I could retexture the Marathon or maybe even the moon, or play with the (already supersaturated) colours of the Milky Way. Not that I have time right now, classes started yesterday. I wanted to kick this one project out the door before I dive into study, but I might make another version at some point.
I should have put this in Artwork, sorry.


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Original: Acrylic paint on paper, 18"x 24"
Art Lesson: Imaginary Monsters
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Langley, Batty, 1696-1751 / The city and country builder's and workman's treasury of designs, or, The art of drawing and working the ornamental parts of architecture
Ironwork, pp. Plate CLXXIX.-Plate CLXXXVI. ff.
Page Plate CLXXIX.
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Challenge To Graham Henderson: Please Point Out Who Believes Music Should Just Be A Hobby
from the we're-waiting... deptThere's been a bizarre shift lately in the recording industry's attempt to demonize people who believe in embracing new business models and new technologies in the music business. We just wrote about Universal Music's Jim Urie claiming that "copyleft" supporters don't care about art, and along those same lines, Zeropaid points us to Graham Henderson, the head of the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA -- which is almost entirely dominated by foreign companies) going to Washington DC to lobby in favor of more draconian copyright laws.
We had just caught Henderson falsely claiming that the reason streaming music services won't come to Canada is because of the "piracy," there -- even though the same article where he made those claims showed a bunch of streaming music companies who want to launch in Canada, but can't because of the ridiculous licensing demands of the recording industry. It seems Henderson just can't stop making statements that appear to have little basis in reality. In making this push, Henderson, too, has decided to make up a total strawman of an "enemy," in the blogosphere:
"There is a certain set of bloggers out there who think music is nothing more than a hobby, that it should be free. But I think Canadians as a whole are more open to supporting their creative industry and so we're finally at the point where Ottawa is going to act. I refuse to believe that this brand-new digital era is going to make beggars of creators and send them back to the 1800s."So, here's my challenge to Henderson: prove it. Or, in the parlance of Wikipedia: [citation needed]. Where are these bloggers who "think music is nothing more than a hobby?" I read most of the blogs of the folks I'm pretty sure you're talking about, and I don't know any of them who think that music is nothing more than a hobby (with the possible exception of Suzanne Lainson who is hardly your typical "copyleft" blogger -- in fact, she keeps saying she doesn't pay attention to copyright issues and thinks it's a waste to even pay attention to copyright policy discussions). Most of us, however, have spent an awful lot of time and effort trying to highlight great new ways to make money for musicians, such that we're seeing that musicians are actually able to make more money than they did in the past -- and we celebrate whenever we such news.
Of course, we all know what's really going on. Part of the reason many of these musicians who are embracing new technologies and new business models are making more money than before is because those business models route around the gatekeepers that make up the RIAA and the CRIA. And those companies have a long history of keeping money away from musicians rather than helping them make a living. Most of the bloggers that Henderson is slamming love to see artists making money. They love to see creative new business models that are fan friendly and that allow fans to support artists. We don't believe that music is just a hobby. We think, in fact, that there are many more opportunities for musicians to make money. It's just that, quite frequently, those methods involve not filtering the money through Henderson's corporate masters, where they take an excessive cut.
But, as these industry folks continue to lie to politicians and the press, it's important to keep calling them out. I've still not heard any response on my open challenge to Jim Urie to talk about this publicly, so I'll issue the same challenge to Graham Henderson. Please, point out who these bloggers are, and show me how their reasons for being against your attempt to put forth unnecessary, damaging and ever more draconian copyright laws is because they think that "music is nothing more than a hobby." I'd be perfectly happy to discuss this publicly with Henderson, where we can discuss great new ways to help musicians make more money.
If Henderson can't do that, then it should be clear that he knows he's lying to the public, to the press and to politicians.
Filed Under: business models, graham henderson, music
Companies: cria