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Japan's airlines back Boeing, as battery probes make slow progress
Japan's leading airlines are firmly behind Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner, saying they have had no second thoughts on orders for several dozen more of the planes - even as they have $5 billion worth of the futuristic aircraft sitting idle pending a complex investigation into unexplained battery problems.
All Nippon Airways Co and Japan Airlines Co Ltd have been the biggest customers to date for the technologically advanced 787 jetliner, which has a list price of $207 million and is about one third made by Japanese companies - from fuselage and engine parts to batteries and toilets.
U.S. safety officials said on Thursday they were nowhere close to completing their probe into a battery fire on a JAL-operated 787 at Boston airport almost three weeks ago. And investigators in Japan, looking into a later incident that prompted an ANA 787 to make an emergency landing on a domestic flight, have made little headway in finding out what caused a lithium-ion battery to overheat, triggering alarms in the plane's cockpit.
All 50 Dreamliners in service were grounded on Jan. 17.
The painstaking reconstruction effort - which Japanese authorities are running in tandem with U.S safety officials - and the lack of key performance data, suggests it could be months before the 787 can return to commercial service - a potentially costly setback for both Boeing and the airlines banking on the plane for growth.
U.S., Japanese and Boeing representatives have spent time this week at the Kyoto headquarters of GS Yuasa Corp, which makes batteries for the Dreamliner, looking at everything from manufacturing quality to technical standards. The charred battery remains the focus of the probe.
Critical circuit boards that control and monitor the performance of the battery unit were so badly burnt in the Japan incident that they may yield little data to help investigators, said a person involved in the probe, who didn't want to be named as it is ongoing and findings are only preliminary.
As a result, investigators have been poring over other components in the plane's complex electronics systems for clues as to how the battery was performing at the crucial time it began to overheat, the person said.
"The circuit board (system) is badly damaged. We'll see how much we can learn from examining it, but we'll also have to look at other recording devices on the aircraft to try to find out what happened," the person told Reuters.
That relatively inexpensive circuit boards may be keeping $10 billion worth of high-tech aircraft idle underscores how dependent the Boeing jet is on advanced electronics rather than more traditional, but less fuel-efficient, parts, experts said.
The Japanese investigators have said it doesn't appear the damaged battery was overcharged, echoing similar findings in the Boston incident. And on Friday, another potential lead - that the batteries could just be part of a 'bad batch' - was ruled out when Japan's transport ministry said the two batteries were made on different dates.
After checks, investigators plan to send the damaged battery monitoring unit to its manufacturer, Fujisawa-based Kanto Aircraft Instrument, for further tests. The battery's charger will also at some stage be returned for detailed inspection by the firm that makes it, Arizona-based Securaplane Technologies Inc.
The investigation is proving more problematic as this is the first time many of the investigators have seen a 787, which is not just an unfamiliar new plane, but is full of new technology.
Japanese Transport Minister Akihiro Ota told reporters on Friday: "I feel we might have come to the stage where it is time to consider whether it is necessary or not to try to reinforce (the investigation) structure."
Both ANA and JAL said that comments from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. safety regulator - that the probe could be long and the concerns over air safety were "very serious" - would not affect their 787 orders.
"We have no plans at the moment to change our order," said Sze Hunn Yap, a spokeswoman for JAL, which has 7 Dreamliners with another 38 on order. Ryosei Nomura, a spokesman for ANA, which has 17 of the 787s and another 49 ordered, told Reuters: "We are currently not considering a change to our order. We are looking forward to seeing an even safer 787 back in the air."
ANA cancelled more flights scheduled to use the Dreamliner, bringing the carrier's total cancellations since the Jan. 16 emergency landing to 459. The carrier, which says it flies around 3.7 million passengers each month, said the cancellations so far - and it will announce more on Saturday - had affected more than 58,000 passengers. At this time of the year, ANA normally offers more than 780 domestic flights and over 170 international flights a day.
While Japan's airlines remain firmly committed to the Dreamliner, Poland's LOT has raised the prospect of seeking compensation for its losses. Another customer, China's Hainan Airlines Co Ltd, said it was disappointed in the 787 delays, which would impact its expansion plans.
Investors, for now, seem unfazed. Since the Jan. 7 fire at Boston, shares in Boeing have dropped 3 percent, while shares in ANA and JAL are down 2.7 percent and 2.5 percent respectively.


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Virtually every aspect of our lives is touched by information technology running a diverse range of software; from the way we listen to music, the phones we carry with us, the vehicles we drive, to the computers that support the information economy. The trend to embed software in everyday items is accelerating. Our daily lives and industrial processes are now heavily reliant on a wide range of underpinning software. Yet the root cause of many problems is untrustworthy software There is a pressing need to address the quality and robustness of our software – to establish its "trustworthiness". The TSFdn aims to collect, organise and share the wealth of knowledge, experience and capabilities that already exist in the UK public and private sectors and in academia about trustworthy software to give people a joined-up, curated view of the information that is available.
No software is perfect, and all software can fail or be hacked as a result of inherent bugs and vulnerabilities. Trustworthy software is software in which vulnerabilities have been reduced to an appropriate level. Trustworthy software is software that does what it should, when it should. Trustworthy Software is software which can be relied upon.
Software Trustworthiness has 5 facets. They are Safety, Reliability, Availability, Resilience and Security. All software needs these facets to be present, in varying amounts depending on its criticality and use, to be appropriately trustworthy. All business sectors have a growing need for Trustworthy Software, which has a direct impact upon the safety and security of our society.
Educational resources for those teaching Trustworthy Software principles
Material and resources for those learning the principles of Trustworthy Software and how to write it
Material to help those procuring and using Trustworthy Software in their lives and businesses

subset: commoncrawl


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Camp Bisco Tickets
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If you have any additional questions about how to sell your Camp Bisco Tickets, please visit our How to Sell Tickets FAQ page.


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Uganda Safari - Wildlife Safaris & Gorilla Tours
Africa is endowed with an immensely beautiful landscape, wildlife, people and lots of secrets for the world to discover. Africa's secrets among others include Mountain Gorillas tracking safaris, chimpanzee trekking tours, primate adventures, forest walks, bird watching tours, mountaineering, sport fishing, scuba diving, white water rafting, bungee jumping or cultural activities, wildlife, resorts, hotels, golf vacations, national parks and reserves.
Oscar Wilde once said, "Beauty is a form of genius - is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation". So for your Uganda safaris and Rwanda gorilla safari tours, birding, chimpanzee trekking tours, mountaineering and wildlife safaris contact ASL


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Company will demonstrate pioneering concept using new and established products
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 ─ Clear-Com® Communication Systems, a Vitec Group brand, will unveil at NAB 2009 the industry's first hybrid Time-Divisional Multiplexing (TDM) intercom/IP server network. The new solution combines the reliability of traditional TDM-based architecture with the flexibility and affordability of the company's groundbreaking I.V.Core technology. Designed to extend the reach of intercom systems to more users, the hybrid network will be demonstrated live with several new Clear-Com products.
At the heart of the network is Eclipse Version 5.1, which now includes IVC-32, a 32-channel IP matrix card offering more connections at a better value than any other card of its type on the market. Via the IVC-32, the Eclipse Median and Omega frames now link directly to users of Clear-Com's IP-enabled V-Series control panels and Clear-Com Concert™ 2.0. This type of intercom connectivity not only expands the intercom footprint in a broadcast facility, but can also be implemented on an existing IT network infrastructure ─ ideal for budget-conscious broadcasters.
The new Clear-Com Concert 2.0 software-based intercom system connects to the Eclipse matrix system via the IVC-32 high-density card, establishing a single communication environment for traditional and IP intercom users. The innovative and customizable user interface is now available in a "soft-panel" that emulates a traditional intercom station. When used as a stand-alone intercom system, the new soft-panel offers standard intercom functionalities such as push-to-talk, monitor and latch-to-talk keys for communication with other Concert users, as well as connection to predefined conferences.
The new IP-enabled V-Series panels provide an alternative mode of connecting the Eclipse V-Series user control panels to the Eclipse matrix frame over existing WAN or LAN Ethernet cabling infrastructure. To link with Eclipse matrix, all that is needed is an Ethernet switch or router linked to the IT network, making it very economical to deliver intercom access into local or remote locations.
The enhanced Eclipse Version 5.1 also introduces the new Logic Maestro™ and Production Maestro™ modules within the Eclipse Configuration Software (ECS). With Logic Maestro, users of ECS now access a powerful graphical object-oriented tool, ideal for rapid programming customization and simulation. Featuring simplified drag-and-drop configuration setups to program intercom control functions, Logic Maestro makes it easy to add combinational logic between general purpose inputs and crosspoints, along with general purpose outputs, such as relays.
Production Maestro, an add-on module for the ECS, offers a flexible and fast conference routing tool that can pre-set and manage live external lines in and out of a master control room to remote users' panels and their keys. It enables users to route 4-wire lines to panel users via conferences.
At NAB 2009, Clear-Com will showcase all these products as working parts of the hybrid TDM/IP network, giving broadcasters a glimpse into its visionary concept for the next step in intercom communications.
"Clear-Com envisions the future of intercoms as one of ubiquitous, affordable communication, accessible anytime and anywhere, whether within the broadcast facility or from remote locations," says Matt Danilowicz, Managing Director, Clear-Com Communication Systems. "The Hybrid Network, with the inherent strengths of TDM and the flexibility afforded by I.V.Core, is truly the best of both worlds."
I.V.Core is Clear-Com's revolutionary set of building blocks and engines enabling real-time, dynamic and non-blocking intercom capabilities over a standard IP network, making new and traditional intercom systems IP-compatible. I.V.Core's intelligent decision engine routes only the audio actually needed, rather than all IP streams, optimizing the use of bandwidth within a modern IP network. The technology allows wideband codecs to be used where they would previously be limited by bandwidth constraints, thereby enabling a given Internet connection to support much higher quality audio. With the addition of noise reduction and proprietary error-recovery algorithms, the I.V.Core achieves break-through audio quality over standard IP networks, with all the flexibility inherent to IP.
I.V.Core is capable of handling several voice communications simultaneously and can scale much more effectively to higher numbers of users while tolerating and optimizing poorer quality or traffic-laden IP networks.
Clear-Com®, a brand of the Vitec Group plc, is the global leader of professional communication solutions for broadcast, live performance, military, government and commercial markets. For more than 40 years, Clear-Com's signature products such as Encore Party-line, Eclipse Digital Matrix, CellCom®/FreeSpeak® Wireless and IP Communications systems have revolutionized broadcast stations, production trucks, houses of worship and performance venues. Recognizing Clear-Com for its history of intercom innovation, production teams around the world achieve ubiquitous communication with products to promote easy interoperability and global connectivity. More information can be found at www.clearcom.com.
The Vitec Group plc is acknowledged as a global leader in the supply of equipment and services to the broadcasting, entertainment and photographic industries and has established a reputation for technical excellence and superior engineering along with an astute business strategy which has seen it grow by acquisition. Innovation is a cornerstone of the Group's activities and the organization is committed to a policy of continuous product development. With revenues (2007) of £274m and over 2,200 employees world-wide, its products are distributed in almost 100 countries, through a strong, fully-resourced distribution network or direct to the end user or corporate customer. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.
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Virginia State Police say two people were taken to a hospital after a two-seat plane crashed into the living room of a third-story apartment outside Washington.
View: Photos of the Day: Plane Crashes into Apartment
Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says the plane crashed into the roof of the apartment building in Herndon, Va., early Friday after it had electrical problems and its engine cut off.
Geller says the men were taking infrared photographs for an aerial photography company. They were headed to Manassas from Philadelphia, but rerouted to Dulles when they ran low on fuel.
Geller says the pilot was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A woman who was in the apartment was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Red Cross is helping nine adults, seven children and pets who had to leave the building.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense


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A year ago, soon after the Tunisian uprising, I demonstrated my powers of prediction in a column about the democracy movement in the Arab world. The revolution in Tunisia, I wrote, "arose from local circumstances that don't foretell what will happen anywhere else." Three weeks later, Egypt's Hosni Mubarak fell, and the Arab Spring was in full bloom.
This brings me to the subject of today's column: a confession of my year's errors and omissions (along with a mention of one or two things I got right).
It was Rick Perry who led me astray in domestic politics. If it hadn't been for the Texas governor, I might have had a pretty good year. But I surrendered to the temptation to try to pick a winner early in the Republican presidential nomination saga — way back in August.
Back then, Mr. Perry looked as if he had it all. He was the nation's longest-serving governor, presiding over a state with enviable job growth. He was a fearsomely successful politician who had won many tough elections. Every Texas pundit I consulted agreed: Mr. Perry was the real deal.
"There's been a hole on the right-hand side of the Republican field, and Perry appears to fit right into it," I wrote confidently in August.
"His rawboned Texas rhetoric, railing against Washington's 'interference' in the affairs of small town America, may frighten voters in the center, but it's right in tune with the tea party. … If Rick Perry rises to the occasion, we might be looking at a two-man race."
I certainly got the "if" part right. Mr. Perry didn't rise to the occasion. The six debates from Sept. 7 to Nov. 9 were his undoing. First he called Social Security a Ponzi scheme; then, defending in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, he derided anyone who disagreed as "heartless"; and, in a fatal self-inflicted wound, he couldn't remember the name of one of the three federal Cabinet departments he wanted to abolish.
"Oops," the governor said in explaining his lapse.
That's my excuse too. How was I to know this savvy politician would show up at national debates so ill-prepared for the tough questions he would face?
And Mr. Perry wasn't the only object of my misguided enthusiasm. If you read my column back in March, you might have thought that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (remember him?) was the candidate to watch.
Mr. Pawlenty "has built a solid following among conservatives in Iowa," I wrote, only a few months before he bombed in the Iowa straw poll. (In my defense, I did note, presciently, that he was also "colorless and charisma-free.")
After Mr. Pawlenty faded, I placed a bet on another conservative hope, Rep. Michele Bachmann. "Don't underestimate her," I counseled in June. "She's hard-core, but she's no flake." That turned out to be only about half right.
I was wholly right about at least one thing: that Newt Gingrich would turn out to be one of the most interesting candidates in the race. "He'll make the debates sharper," I predicted in May. "He may force other candidates who seek safety in ambiguity into more clarity."
Still, I didn't expect him to be as big a challenge to Mitt Romney as he now appears to be.
Nor did I expect Rep. Ron Paul to hold a chance of winning in Iowa's caucuses. I'm still willing, however, to go out on a limb and say that Mr. Paul won't win the nomination.
Back in Washington, my home turf, I underestimated the determination of tea party Republicans to dig in their heels and resist compromises on the federal budget. And I overestimated House Speaker John A. Boehner's ability to bring his conservative members into line behind the deals he kept trying to cut.
"On the easy decisions — short-term spending and the debt ceiling — the freshmen are gradually being housebroken," I wrote in March. "Many of them now seem open to compromises, as long as they include sizable spending cuts. And they've largely accepted Boehner's argument that they shouldn't block an increase in the nation's borrowing power."
Wrong! As we now know, the tea party members rebelled against Mr. Boehner and held the debt ceiling hostage all the way until August.
What else did I get right? I forecast that Sarah Palin wouldn't run. And I bravely predicted that Donald Trump, if he ran, wouldn't win — a judgment that drew a scrawled warning from Trump, via fax, that I would soon eat my words.
That ought to count for something.
The lesson, for readers, is easy: Never believe predictions — especially about the future, especially from pundits, and especially about elections that are months away.
With that off my chest, here's this week's forecast: Mr. Romney's going to win the Republican nomination. He might even clinch it by the Florida primary on Jan. 31. Conservatives who grumbled about him in 2011 will unite behind him in 2012. And then, in November, either Mr. Romney or President Obama will win a very close election. You can take it to the bank.
Doyle McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, where this article originally appeared. His email is email@example.com.


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About the Film
Louise Anderson (1921-1994), the gifted African American storyteller who played Dark Sally in Tom Davenport's children's classic Ashpet: An American Cinderella, tells her family stories and folk tales, and recites poetry in this film taped in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the last years of her life. She presents a powerful portrait of courage, dignity, and lively humor in the face of serious illness. Her sisters Evelyn Anderson and Dorothy McLeod join Louise in recalling their experiences growing up in the South, working in restaurants and as domestics in white households, and struggling for civil rights in the early 1960s. Together they present a warm and engaging picture of an unsung generation of Southern black women.
When My Work Is Over is packaged on DVD with Tom Davenport's dramatic film Ashpet: An American Cinderella, in which Ms. Anderson starred as the fairy godmother figure Dark Sally. Her work in Ashpet has been described as "brilliant" and the film received major film festival awards including a first place at the Houston International Film Festival and "best feature film" at Rosebud Film Festival in Washington, DC.
More About This Film
For licensing, film rights and permissions, contact Tom Davenport, the distributor Davenport Films, or Folkstreams.


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HomeWord - November 18, 2011
- Sign Up for Email?
- 2011 Nov 18
The Test of Time
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. —Jude 20 (NLT)
In numerous towns throughout the New England states you can find big, beautiful old homes that were built in the 1700's and 1800's. Thanks to historical committees and the hard work of their owners, many of these homes look virtually the same as they did two hundred years ago.
The seasons come and go with the summer sun beating down on these homes year after year. Wind, rain, snow and ice batter them winter after winter. The homes have weathered repeated blizzards and hurricanes. Yet, they have stood the test of time.
During the years that I lived in New England I found it fascinating that these old homes not only retained their value, but often surpassed the value of newer homes. It has been said that imitation is the highest form of flattery, and in this region when new homes are built, many are constructed to resemble the old ones.
Similarly, our faith is designed to last. Our life of following Christ is not without its seasons or its struggles. Doubts, life circumstances and even crises of faith batter us season after season. Yet, like an antique house, these seasons provide us with an opportunity to strengthen and build value to our lives as we, by faith, invite God's partnership with us step by step along the way. And, faith that stands the test of time is beautiful to behold. Believers should look to more "seasoned" Christ-followers as role models. In them, we see the value of long-term faith and we can seek to imitate their lives.
Today, remember that God is in the business of building your faith – a faith that will stand the test of time. Invite Him to build your faith whatever experiences this day brings.
1. In what ways does God want to use your current circumstances or challenges to build your faith?
2. Do you have a role model of long-term faith in your life? If not, who could be this kind of mentor to you? If you do have this kind of role model in your life, thank that person today.
James 1:12, Romans 14:4; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Sign up here for Parenting Resources and other HomeWord publications.


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Xtend, The Original 7G BCAA, Strawberry Kiwi Splash, 14.8 oz (420 g)
Best By: July 2025
- Date First Available: December 2010
Shipping Weight:
0.52 kg
- Product Code: SCI-00031
- UPC Code: 181030000311
- Package Quantity: 419.57 g
- Dimensions: 17.3 x 9.7 x 9.7 cm , 0.52 kg
Product rank:
Frequently purchased together
Product overview
- Naturally & Artificially Flavored
- 0 Calories*
- 0 g Carb*
- 0 g Sugar*
- Muscle Recovery + Electrolytes
- Dietary Supplement
- NSF- Contents Tested & Certified
- Informed Choice.Org - Trusted by Sport
- The World's #1 BCAA Brand‡
The Official Recovery Brand of Champions.
Faster recovery is the key to better results. For over 10 years, XTEND® has been making the best recovery products in the world. Powered by 7 grams of branched-chain amino acids [BCAAs], which have been clinically shown to support muscle recovery and growth, XTEND® Original also contains hydrating electrolytes and additional performance ingredients to help you refuel, repair, and recover. Try all the sugar-free, mouthwatering flavors of XTEND® to support your fitness goals.
When to Take XTEND® for Best Results:
- Pre Workout - XTEND® Energy
- Intra Workout - XTEND® Original
- Post Workout - XTEND® Pro
Combine with any XTEND® branded product every day, even on rest days, to help maximize your recovery.
*Per Serving
‡Based upon cumulative global sales of all XTEND® branded BCAA products from 2004 to present.
Suggested use
As a dietary supplement, mix each scoop in 10-14 fl. oz. of water (adjust for taste preference) and shake well. On training days, consume 1 scoop during exercise and 1 scoop after exercise. On non-training days, consume 2 scoops throughout the day. For best results, use two scoops per day.
Other ingredients
Citric acid, silicon dioxide, natural & artificial flavors, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, fd&c red lake #40.
This product is only intended for healthy adults, 18 years of age or older. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Consult with a licensed, qualified healthcare professional before taking this or any dietary supplement product, especially if you are taking medication or have a medical condition. Discontinue 2 weeks prior to surgery. Use only as directed. Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing. Store in a cool dry place. Keep out of reach of children. This product is sold by weight, not volume. Some settling of powder may occur during shipping and handling, which may affect density of powder. This product contains the servings indicated when measured exactly by weight.
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.
|Supplement Facts
|Serving Size: 1 Level Scoop (14 g)
|Servings Per Container: 30
|Amount Per Serving:
|Total Carbohydrate
|0 g
|0 g
|Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)
|640 mcg
|220 mg
|190 mg
|3500 mg
|2500 mg
|1750 mg
|1750 mg
|Electrolyte Blend:
Sodium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride
|1140 mg
|Citrulline Malate (1:1)
|1000 mg
|*Percent Daily Values (%DV) based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
**Daily Value (DV) not established.


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MONDAY, Aug. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Chronic diseases that can increase a person's risk of heart attack or stroke appear to hit women and blacks the hardest, a new population-based study found.
Diabetes and high blood pressure in particular, contribute to an ongoing gender and race gap in heart disease risk, researchers report online on Aug. 11 in the journal Circulation.
"These findings could support the idea that when a woman or a black patient has these risk factors, they tend to be not as recognized or well-controlled, because they aren't as aggressively treated," said Dr. Susan Cheng, a specialist in cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Researchers studied more than 13,500 Americans between 1987 and 1998 to determine their population attributable risk -- a measure that considers how common a risk factor is and by how much that factor raises the chance of future heart disease.
The study evaluated the combined and individual impact of five major risk factors for heart disease -- high cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
The combined risk from all five factors remained the same in blacks over a 10-year period, causing a steady 67 percent increased risk of heart disease. At the same time, the combined risk fell for whites, dropping from 56 percent to 48 percent.
Combined heart disease risk fell for women during the same 10 years, decreasing from 68 percent increased risk to 58 percent.
But their risk still remained higher than that of men, whose combined risk decreased from 51 percent to 48 percent during the study period.
This difference in risk could be due to the fact that heart disease has typically been considered a disease of white men, and doctors have not tackled contributing factors as much when they crop up in women or blacks, Cheng said.
Biology also may play a role, said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director of the Women's Heart Program at NYU Langone Medical Center.
"It may mean that these certain risk factors confer a greater risk in these people, for different reasons," said Goldberg. For example, studies have shown that women's heart health is more dramatically affected by prediabetes than that of men.
Diabetes and high blood pressure emerged as the two factors that continue to drive up the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly in women and blacks.
Diabetes more than doubles blacks' risk of heart disease compared to whites -- 28 percent versus 13 percent. The chronic illness also increases women's overall risk of heart disease -- 21 percent compared to 14 percent for men.
"The overall impact of diabetes is pretty major, and it's more significant as a major contributor as time goes on, the obesity epidemic continues, and we get better at controlling other risk factors," Cheng said. "We are concerned it's going to be the risk factor that explodes over the next few decades."
High blood pressure also persists as a major risk factor that disproportionately affects women and blacks. It increases women's risk of heart disease 32 percent compared with 19 percent for men, and increases blacks' heart health risk by 36 percent versus 21 percent for whites.
"The relative contribution of high blood pressure to overall risk for heart disease is much higher in blacks than whites, and has historically been higher in women than men," Cheng said. "This is something we should be able to get under control, but for some reason we haven't been able to make the sort of impact we've made with cholesterol."
Both smoking and high cholesterol have decreased as risk factors for heart disease.
Smoking risk dropped slightly from 15 percent to 13 percent for all Americans. Fewer people are smoking, Cheng said, but those who still smoke face a higher average risk of heart disease than smokers did 20 years ago.
"One theory is that the people who still smoke are genetically more predisposed to being addicted to nicotine, and so they smoke more cigarettes on hand than smokers did 20 years ago," she said.
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs have allowed huge inroads against high cholesterol as a heart risk factor, chopping the risk in half for all Americans. High cholesterol now causes 9 percent increased risk, compared with 18 percent a decade earlier.
Obesity contributes a relatively low amount of increased risk, around 6 percent. The researchers said that obesity's effects may grow in later life, and also might boost the risk of other factors like diabetes.
These findings should prompt doctors to treat risk factors more aggressively for heart disease that appear in women and blacks, Goldberg said.
"It's really important for us to address all the risk factors, but also be aware that women and African-Americans are really susceptible for high risk of heart disease with the presence of diabetes or high blood pressure," she said.
More information
For more information on heart disease, visit the National Institutes of Health.
This article: Copyright © 2014 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


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Warning:: Moms of boys may experience uncomfortable, unexplainable side effects while reading this post. Side effects are treatable with a prompt visit here to sponsor a teenage boy. In order to alleviate the discomfort, take one or two of those and email me in the morning–for real, you should email me after you do this.
Flashback about four weeks ago. I get in bed at my normal bed time one Sunday night (yes, it is actually still in the 8's have I told you I am 97 years old?) and I happen to remember to bring my phone upstairs with me and I see a text from Caroline.
What luck! So I watch and I learn one thing about Tanzania; I learn what CBS decides to tell me about the Maasai Tribe. I mean, I didn't even realize that Tanzanite comes from Tanzania–I really should have researched this country I was going to visit. I must have doubled up on art class and skipped Geography in school or something. But now I'm armed with a tiny bit of knowledge about Tanzania and it feels good. Note to self:: Maasai Tribe.
Flash forward to today. It's the day I get to meet our sponsored child, Topiwo. We just started sponsoring him right before this trip so all I have is a photo of him and a name I'm not sure how to pronounce so I call him "Topo" to myself and the initial information that Compassion sends, but we hadn't corresponded through letters yet so, you know, we didn't really know each other.
I was lucky enough to get to be there when Amy met her sponsored child and it was breathtaking. And I knew every meeting is different and I am a 97, I mean 38-year-old mom who has Wynonna Judd on her iPod meeting a 15-year-old boy in Africa. Worlds are colliding people. I was prepared for lots of awkwardness and maybe not even a hug or anything, maybe a thumbs up or something or a rock throwing contest at lizards or whatever. I've been around 15-year-old boys before at my own house, they are their own special people and I'm good with that.
So we leave the city of Arusha, and we drive an hour and twenty minutes into the most beautiful land I've ever laid eyes on–sorry North Carolina.
Vast green grasslands with big huge-attention stealing, Mt. Kilimanjaro quietly watching over the entire last 45 minutes of driving. Mt. Kilimanjaro is an introvert but one you can't help but notice. It was breathtaking. And on the way, our guide, Mary tells us that many of the children at this Compassion location are Maasai. Wait, what? Maasai? I know that word! The ONE thing I actually kind of heard of about Tanzania? I have to put on my sunglasses on the bus and make Maggie tell me funny stories because how do I explain that I'm already tearing up that Topo might be Maasai?
So we pull up to the site and they sing to us because they want to make us cry.
And we get out and we start shaking hands and laughing and introducing ourselves and I make my way around scanning the crowd for a boy that looks like this …
our youngest holding our photo of Topo
And finally, I make my way around to a group of boys and a sassy girl with some kind of transition lenses glasses…
and they are all circled around and pointing to a boy standing in the middle of the group with his head down….and he is smiling. And I ask him his name and it starts with "Top" which is the only part of his name I know how to pronounce.
And there he is. Wearing the same clothes as in the picture.
I hope he could tell I was happy to meet him?
And I am so happy that I didn't cry (Maggie was praying for that specifically) because who wants to meet a 38-year-old mom with Wynonna on her iPod who is also CRYING? No one! Everyone would much rather meet a 38-year-old mom with Wynonna on her iPod who is making a face like they are going to eat them.
So he is absolutely adorable (15-year-old boys everywhere now hate me but whatevs, they are not my demographic anyway and he was TOTALLY adorable, people!). I pulled out a little photo book we made for him and showed him pictures of my family.
He loved this one…
Then it was time for them to sing another song because they wanted to see me cry again here's a 25 second clip if you want to hear.
back row, right corner, a little off rhythm, purple sweater, yellow shirt–oh wait they all have that on
Then we went into the Compassion office and, y'all, he grabbed MY HAND. I promise I did not in any way try to hint for him to hold my hand, I wanted to make sure I gave him space to be his own personality (clearly, I held back all of my emotions which you can tell by the stoic look on my face in the photos) but oh my word he held my hand and sat by me in the office and he looked at the photos about 23 times while running his finger over parts of them and asking me what that thing was (a street light) and then he raised up the book and kissed it–right on the photo of our dog!
Next we got to go to Topiwo's home. And this part needs its own series, people and I'm going to do my best to cram it into one long, everwordy post. So grab a coffee, run to the bathroom and get ready to be astonished…. this is gonna be worth it, as long as I don't wreck it all up. I will never forget this as long as I shall live…
And for the record, I've always said, you never really know a person until you've been in their home or at least I'm saying it starting today.
After four days of walking over urban dirt roads and paths littered with trash, visiting children in concrete homes crammed close together we found ourselves in this pristine, pure, open plain at the foot of some mountains…
here's a few seconds of our walk – it's shaky but you get the idea::
And then we get to his home.
A handmade home.
And it is breathtaking. He LIVES here. And it's a simple hut made of stuff of the earth and it is humble and glorious all at the same time. OH my goodness this child lives in a mud hut! A real one!
And we meet his aunt (I think?) who he lives with. Topiwo's mother died when he was young. His aunt is absolutely wonderful and we do not speak the same language in words but we do have an interpreter and I can tell by how she speaks and her eyes and her face that she is nothing but maternal and I am in love with her. And disclaimer: they do not smile when they pose for photos so even though she looks a little stern as soon as she started speaking and the camera was down she came alive.
So Topiwo had a sponsor since 2005 (before our family) but for some reason they cancelled so now we get to be his sponsor.
She talked and talked and told us how Compassion has helped their family over the last seven years, and oh my goodness this is the part where I tried to hold back tears. That area of Tanzania has experienced drought so Compassion has supplied the family with food. Maasai live off the land so they are immediately affected by drought. Even though Topiwo is the one sponsored, Compassion visits the home of all their children (his last home visit was in April) and they assess any needs of the family because they want to make sure that no one goes without food and basic health care.
Because of Compassion, now Topiwo can go to school, have a uniform and a pair of shoes and even get tutoring for his studies. I ask her what she hopes for Topiwo's future and she says for him to do well in school and succeed in life. And Compassion gives him that chance.
Meanwhile all the neighbors and family have gathered. There are babies and children and men and women and they all seem to know that Topiwo's sponsor is here and they want to meet us all and shake our hands and they are so gracious and mild mannered. I am so grateful for the community that Topiwo is surrounded with–there are so many people here that know him and love him! Such a different feel from the home yesterday.
We went inside the circular mud hut, it had a fire pit in the middle, a damp dirt floor, no windows at all–just a small hole and it's really, really dark. There were two rooms and you could see thick branches like pillars holding up the structure from the inside and twigs and grass on the roof. This is where they live.
he tried to look stern but this man was a sweetheart, patting Topiwo on the back from time to time
And we walked outside and you know what? As we were getting ready to leave I didn't feel sad about where Topiwo lives. I actually was incredibly happy for him because he is rich with love and community and joy and gracefulness. Richer than a lot of people that I know.
Now if you have read this far this is where it gets worth it. On the outside of the home Topiwo had painted Psalm 23 and then his name and the names of others who live there.
Topiwo lives in a mud hut.
Do you remember how the 23rd Psalm starts?
Did I happen to mention that Topiwo lives in a mud hut? And that his family lives in Tanzania and didn't have any food until Compassion stepped in? This young man quietly declares his faith and I wondered about what message I am sending people when they walk through my front door? Do I really believe that I have everything I need, or do I immediately launch into declaring what I don't have and what isn't good enough as soon as someone walks into my home?
This 15-year-old Tanzanian boy who lives in a mud hut is teaching me about how I think about my home and my life.
So I might get in trouble with Shaun Groves for doing this, I don't know if we are allowed to be partial to a certain group of children but, I remember that Shaun said teenage boys are always the last to get picked for sponsorship. So, as a mom of 3 boys in tween and teendom I stand on my soap box on behalf of the teenage boys who don't currently have a sponsor and ask my fellow moms of boys :: will you and your boy sponsor a teenage boy today?
They are the near future of their community and are patiently waiting for us to release them from poverty.
And they also might teach you a thing or two about decorating.
**Photos by the fun and quirky and photogenic Keely Marie who does a great Kip voice.


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Nikita 3×21 Promo "Invisible Hand"
Nikita 3×21 "Invisible Hand" – Before becoming engaged, Nikita (Maggie Q) said, 'There's always gonna be another mission.' Now, after barely surviving harrowing recent events, Michael (Shane West) questions his fiance's commitment to a life beyond Division's web of deceit, double-crosses and murder – and he's not the only one with doubts. Still, the remaining threat of Amanda (Melinda Clarke) looms large over the team, particularly since she's now allied herself with mysterious new partners that furnish her with a terrifying new weapon. Meanwhile, Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) considers an intriguing offer from the Nobel Prize winner (guest star Raven Dauda) she's defending. Aaron Stanford, Noah Bean, Dillon Casey and Devon Sawa also star. Dwight Little directed the episode written by Carlos Coto (#321).


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Contrary to what you may have heard, the rumor of the collapse of Reactor 4 is, for now, just a rumor. What you have instead is the result of a planned cleanup/demolition by TEPCO.
Several readers of my blog sent me the link that shows photographs of Reactor 4 at different times in December and links to a post that claims Reactor 4 is falling apart.
Alarmed, I started looking for information. There was absolutely no news or rumor of that in Japan, not even in the Internet message boards on the Fuku-I disaster. I looked at the photos again. I noticed that part of the ceiling trusses were gone, and it looked they were removed systematically.
Then I remembered the tweets a few months ago by the worker who tweets from Fuku-I, saying the debris clearing in Reactor 3 and Reactor 4 upper floors were ongoing. On checking his recent tweets, sure enough, it was a planned take-down of part of walls and ceiling in Reactor 4:
From December 13 tweet:
3号機はオペフロの瓦礫をクレーンを使って撤去してるよ。まだまだ先は長いでし。4号機はオペフロ南側の落ちそうな梁と柱と天井トラスを撤去してスッ キリしたよ。オペフロ南側の東西の壁もはなくなったから東側最上階の壁にあった4号機の「4」と書いてあった壁もなくなっちゃった。
In Reactor 3, they are removing the debris on the operation floor using a crane. It will take a long time still. In Reactor 4, they removed the failing beams, columns and ceiling trusses from the south side of the operation floor. It looks cleaner now. They also removed the wall panels on the east and west side of the southern end of the operation floor, so there is no more wall panel that had the letter "4" for Reactor 4 on the top floor on the east side.
Then one of my readers just posted TEPCO's Progress Status report on November 17, 2011 in the comment section. On pages 26 and 27, TEPCO shows the cleanup/demolition work in Reactor 4 in details:
So the long story short, no it is not falling apart.
(H/T anon reader)


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Would you like to have in your repertoire some killer mentalism effects that you can perform anytime, any place and without any props?
Well good news! Conversation As Mentalism contains tried an tested material that you can start to use immediately.
The Participant's experience of what occurs during these casual performance pieces is this: during the course of an interesting conversation, things take an odd turn and something strange and completely inexplicable happens.
All the effects have been designed with one outcome in mind - to amaze whoever you are talking to without the aid of any gadgets, gizmos or gimmicks.
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Alternative Community Training, Inc.
Alternative Community Training, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that has met internationally recognized standards of quality in the provision of outcomes-driven programs and services to individuals with disabilities. Services include community living, employment, in-home and day services.
Board of Health
The Board of Health acts as an advisory board to the City Manager, health officer, and the Council on matters pertaining to public health and animal control. The City Council makes seven appointments to this eleven member board. Membership must include a physician, veterinarian, nurse, dentist, and health care worker. The remaining members must have an interest in public health. The length of terms is three years, with openings occurring in August for the City appointments.
Boone County Family Resources
Boone County Family Resources supports individuals with developmental disabilities for over 35 years.
Columbia Housing Authority
The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) is dedicated to providing affordable rental housing to families who are struggling financially, for whatever reason. Our own properties are well-maintained and managed by trained and certified property managers. If you are looking in a different area of Columbia or Boone County, our team of Housing Choice Voucher Specialists will help qualified applicants with support for rent and utilities. CHA's policies are based on Housing and Urban Development regulations and designed with input from a Resident Advisory Board and the public.
The Heart of Missouri United Way
The Heart of Missouri United Way works to improve lives of people in need by mobilizing and coordinating the caring power of community resources in Mid-Missouri.


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Source: World Bank
Release: Global Financial Development
Percentage of the number of foreign owned banks to the number of the total banks in an economy. A foreign bank is a bank where 50 percent or more of its shares are owned by foreigners.
Source Code: GFDD.OI.15
World Bank, Percentage of Foreign Banks Among Total Banks for Republic of Moldova [DDOI13MDA156NWDB], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DDOI13MDA156NWDB, September 28, 2023.


text:
Show all 10 Result
If You Have Any Questions
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Finding Aid for the Documents concerning the Investigation Dispute between Bishop Bernardino de Cardenas and the Jesuits of Paraguay, 1664-1665
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
1r Cover page for the transcript of meetings held between the Jesuits of Paraguay and the Bishop of the province, Don Frai Bernardino de Cardenas. n.d.
1r-2v Copy of the briefing provided by the Crown for Don Fernando Ysabedra de Paz in 1661, in the preparation of his reports as oidor of Buenos Aires. 1664/10/23
3r-4v Copy of the instructions sent in 1661 from Madrid to Don Fernando Ysabedra de Paz, includes list of questions to be asked to primary witnesses. 1664/10/23
5r Auto issued to Don Pablo de Roxas y Luna orders him to refer back to the original instructions given to Fernando Ysabedra de Paz in 1661. 1664/10/23
5r-7r Testimony of General Diego de Vega y Frias, alleges to have been absent at the time of the disturbances. Taken in Santa Fe de la Veracruz. 1664/10/25
7r-11r Testimony of Manuel Cabral de Alpoín, colonel (maestre de campo) in San Juan de Vera, discloses information on Jesuits' extensive ranches. 1664/12/16
11v-14r Testimony of Captain Pedro Gomez de Aguilar, "correxidor y theniente de governador y capitan a guerra" only knows rumors through hearsay. 1664/12/18
15r-15v Estimated census of the number of Indians found in the provinces under the jurisdiction of the Jesuits of Buenos Aires, total of 2600 families. n.d.
16r-16v Don Pedro de Rojas informs Doctor Adrian Cornejo, governor of the bishopric of Buenos Aires, of his obligation to respond to his "exortatorio." 1665/01/22
16r-20v Doctor Adrian Cornejo submits a written declaration, explaining his actions and involvement in the dispute between the Jesuits and Cardenas. 1665/01/23
21r-36r Testimony of Lazaro de Ortega Vallejo (Ballejo), encomendero and mestre de campo, taken in the city of Asumpcion in the province of Paraguay. 1665/02/18
36r-43r Testimony of Captain Antonio Correadera, thirty-seven year old vecino of Asumpcion affirms having been present during most of the disturbances. 1665/02/23
43r-49v Testimony of Captain Diego de Yedros, thirty-two years old, names the owners whose houses were burned and/or sacked when he was only 16. 1665/03/02
49v-52r Testimony of Captain Francisco Pesoa de Figueroa, native of Chile, allegedly visited the Jesuit "reducciones" nineteen years before this statement. 1665/03/03
52r-56v Testimony of Alonso Fernandez Ruano's, public notary and alferez, native of Extremadura, eyewitness of Jesuit disputes while living in Asumpcion. 1665/03/04
57v-60r The archdeacon (arcediano) of Asumpcion, Licenciado Don Pedro de Mendoza, responds to exhortation with description of disturbances in 1644. 1665/03/04
61r-66r Testimony of Captain Francisco Sanchez de Cabrera, witness to the death of many Indians in their forced relocation from Guayra to Parana. 1665/03/04
66r-75r Testimony of General Christobal de Balbuena, alcalde provincial of Asumpcion, testifies in relation to the house burnings in the San Roque barrio. 1665/03/09
76r-86r Testimony of Rodrigo de Rojas Aranda, colonel (maestre de campo), describes the military actions taken by Sebastian de Leon in great detail. 1665/03/23
86r-88r Testimony of Lucas Melgarejo, encomienda holder of Villa Rica and grandson of one of Paraguay's conquistadores, Ruy Diaz de Melgarejo. 1665/03/26
88r-90r Testimony of Don Fernando Corrilla del Valle, maestre de campo, provides a list of the prominent individuals present at Ytapua, in the Parana. 1665/03/27
90r-93v Testimony of General Pedro Gamarra y Mendoza, discusses the behavior of the indigenous people of Guayra after the arrival of the portuguese. 1665/03/29
93r-100r Testimony of Antonio Roberto Coronel, sargento mayor, provides key information on the activities of a "portuguese spaniard" Domingo Fartto. 1665/04/13
100r-104r Testimony of Captain Garcia Moreno, recounts encounter with portuguese vagabond, "Carlos el desdichado," who found gold in the Piquiri river. 1665/04/25
104r-106r Testimony of Captain Juan Delgado, relates that he had already been previously interrogated by Don Andres Garavito de Leon own investigation. 1665/04/25
106r-107r Testimony of Joseph Cervin, maestre de campo, who explains his role in taking bishop Cardenas under his custody from Asumpcion to Santa Fe. 1665/05/16
107r-111r Testimony of Don Pedro de Valdivia (Baldibia) Chriçuela, captain and alcalde ordinario of Asumpcion, describes the nature of the Jesuits' dispute. 1665/05/27
111r-115r Testimony of Captain Melchor Marecos Pollito (?), relates the origins of the disagreement between bishop Cardenas and governor Hinestrosa. 1665/06/02
115r-117v Declaration provided by the maestre de campo Sebastian de Leon, made in reference to a letter taken from the Asumpcion cabildo archives. 1665/07/03
117v-127v Testimony of Francisco de Aranda Rojas Castellano del Castillo de Tapua, attests that many houses were burned in Asumpcion during the dispute. 1665/07/17
128r-128v Testimony of Francisco Sanchez de Vera, presents his view of the proceedings as legitimate brother of the Licenciado Cristobal Sanchez de Vera. 1665/08/16
128v-130r Testimony of Captain Juan Delgado, explains his encounter with Spanish soldiers and Fabio de Moya, who led him back to Delgado's "chacra". 1665/08/16


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Anne Schwartz
Environmental Writer
Reviving the Filtration Plant Under Van Cortlandt Park
The Bloomberg administration has been quietly working to resuscitate the controversial plan to build a water filtration plant under the Mosholu Golf Course in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. That plan was declared dead a year ago, when the State Supreme Court ruled that building in the park was an "alienation" requiring approval by the state legislature. By tradition, the legislature almost never approves the taking of parkland over the objection of the legislators from the district where park is located.
The city needs to build the facility in order to comply with an order from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to filter and treat the part of the city's water that comes from the Croton watershed. The city is under a court order to come up with a plan by April 30th.
The New York Observer reported that the administration has been lobbying Bronx elected officials for months, and has gained the support of two key politicians, Assembly member Jose Rivera, the Bronx Democratic county leader, and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. According to the local Bronx papers, Christopher Ward, commissioner of the city Department of Environmental Protection, met with Bronx members of the Assembly at the Bronx Democratic Party headquarters in March to present his department's case for putting the plant in Van Cortlandt Park. He said that it would save the city between $200 and $500 million over the alternative sites, and keep jobs in the Bronx.
The agency has scaled back the original plan, reducing its size and putting it completely underground, with the golf course's driving range rebuilt on top. The original design called for the plant to rise to a height of 30 feet at one end. Originally, the Mosholu Golf Course was to be closed during the four years of construction, but the new plan would keep it open, although the driving range would still be closed. The department has also made promises of greater funding for Bronx park projects.
The city says that the plant could be built more quickly at the Van Cortlandt site because all the environmental reviews have been completed. Park advocates dispute that, saying that because of the changes in the plan a new Environmental Impact Statement is required. They also note that new security issues have arisen since September 11, and want to know how the city would be able to allow recreational use on top of and next to a potential terrorist target.
Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz, who represents the district, and local residents are outraged at the Bloomberg administration's efforts to fast-track alienation legislation, and are organizing to fight the project all over again. Park advocates are concerned that putting the filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park could set a dangerous precedent. "We can't take parkland because it's the cheapest option – it's always going to be the cheapest option for the city," said Christian DePalermo, executive director of New Yorkers for Parks, a citywide parks advocacy group. "It's land held in the public trust."


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Communicate Free of Big Brothers Eyes, with Encrypted Pidgin Chat Client
Our friend Michael W. Dean recently put on our radar his thorough write-up about Pidgin, which bills itself as "the universal chat client". If you follow the steps he outlines, you'll have not just another chat client, but one that is encrypted.
As you'll see, his instructions below are for those using Windows. I use a Mac so I attempted to get Pidgin working on my machine via this link. The initial set-up was pretty much the same as that for Windows, but, try as I might, I was unable to get my account authenticated. If you have a Mac, attempt this set-up, and get it working correctly, I'd be interested to hear from you just so I know it's possible. It should be – I think my issue is attributed to user error.
How to Do Encrypted, Off-The-Record Instant Messenger With Pidgin
by Michael W Dean, FreedomFeens.com, Dec. 27th, 2012
Written by Michael W. Dean, Freedom Feen. Most screenshots by Aida_Aida. Tech testing and proofreading by Link Porterfield/QPG, amifreetogo, feendaveoh, Adam Witthauer and Skippy.
The Freedom Feens recently wrote and published an extensive and kick-ass tutorial on setting up encrypted e-mail, here. However, e-mail isn't always the best tool, especially if you're going back and forth in a conversational manner. But there is a way to set up encrypted instant messenger, OTR (off-the-record) Pidgin. OTR Pidgin is more instant than e-mail, better for back-and-forth conversations, keeps no record and leaves no trace. It provides actual Plausible deniability (to borrow a phrase from the CIA). I don't use OTR Pidgin for everyone, only like eight people I trust and know really well, but it's even better than PGP mail because there is no record, the only record of the conversation is in the heads of both people involved.
A lot of serious hard-core white-hat hacker computer security experts don't even use e-mail, EVER. They use OTR Pidgin for all Internet communications.
With e-mail and a public key, if someone can get your passphrase, they can read any saved e-mails. But with the OTR Pidgin, NOTHING IS SAVED. Again: The only record is IN THE BRAINS of the two people talking. And it's even better if you're using it over a VPN or Tor.
The OTR plugin was created by Cypherpunks. More on them and OTR is here. I showed this tutorial to Cypherpunk Ian Goldberg, who invented the OTR Pidgin plugin. He made a few suggestions for changes, and I made those changes. He added: "If you use OTR and also something like Tor, you can break the link between the username and your physical identity, but *only* if you _always_ use Tor with that IM account, even when creating it….If you need to break the link between the username and your identity, you need to use an anonymous communications network such as Tor in addition to OTR (they're designed to work well together!)."
Setting up OTR Pidgin is a lot of steps, but each step is simple. The problem with getting more people to use encryption is there's no way to do it that's as easy as picking up a phone or using Skype (both of which are uber NOT secure). And so far, the really easy ways of doing encryption (like Hushmail) are not secure. The problem is human stupidity and State evil. Most people say "I have nothing to hide", and governments don't want people using encryption. In a real LibPar (without governments, and with all "power" removed from idiots and returned to each honest, smart person), encryption would be in all Internet programs by default.
Instead we get shit like Facebook, where if you're one of their
marks users, they add a chat bar EVEN IF YOU DON'T WANT one. And if you set it to go away, it randomly comes back from time to time like a stalker ex. They WANT you chatting on their un-secure chat program, and they're a company that will give any information to any law enforcement entity without a warrant. I recently left Facebook, and if you're interested in security, you should too. You should also use Internet security programs like PGP e-mail and OTR Pidgin, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE. Because these days, not matter how "legal" or "ethical" your conversations, intentions and actions are, governments around the world (as well as some individuals, and almost all corporations) will try to use what you say against you. The repercussions of this can run the gamut from being spammed to being imprisoned….even if you think you're not breaking any laws. We're in a post-Patriot Act world, where doing things that one branch of the government tells you to do (like having a stockpile of food) can get you targeted as a suspect by another part of the government.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a lot of "fake security" these days. For instance, the "Off The Record" option in the Google Talk client is *not* OTR. (They explain that here.) And as I said in our PGP tutorial, using BAD encryption or no encryption when you THINK you're using encryption is far WORSE than using NO encryption and knowing it, because it only gives you an illusion of security. The way the world is headed, that's like going into a war zone with a "magic" protection amulet instead of bullet-resistant body armor. Screw web-based encryption. Do it all on your end. No one should have your private keys and passwords but you. OTR Pidgin is secure. It is not fake security.
So, let's set up OTR Pidgin….
The first step (on Windows, though you can also do this on Linux from the same link) is to download Pidgin (here) and the OTR plugin (latest Windows version, 4.0.0-1, is here. If you want to check for a newer version, check here, where it says "OTR plugin for Pidgin."
Many flavors of GNU/Linux actually ship with Pidgin AND the OTR plugin installed. But if you're using Linux, you probably already write encryption software to relax, and wouldn't need this tutorial. And if you're on Mac, you're out of luck, but as Richard Stallman said "Steve Jobs made jail cool."
But if you're on Windows (the PC jail – see Footnote 1):
Install Pidgin:
Accept the license. Then accept all the default installs:
Pick your destination folder. The default should be fine:
You will get this screen when it's done installing:
Install the Pidgin OTR plugin:
Accept the license, let it install, and when you're done you'll see this screen:
Now you need to configure your Pidgin Account. You may notice that Pidgin looks almost exactly like the old AOL instant messenger. Well, it was branched off of that project by the guys who wrote it for AOL, but they didn't like working at AOL, so they went off on their own and made it into Pidgin.
Also notice that while Pidgin comes up as a program in your program list and/or task bar, the OTR plugin does not. That's normal. the OTR plugin is not a stand-alone program, it's a behind-the-scene add-on for Pidgin. We'll configure it later, from within Pidgin. But first you need a Pidgin account. Click Add Account:
There are three tabs. The first we'll configure is the Basic Tab:
^ (I've blurred out all contact info and keyprints in these screenshots, for security reasons.)
Under protocol, pick XMPP. This is very important. None of the other protocols will work in a truly secure manner, and many of them (like Google and Facebook) will send your info through servers of companies that gladly bend over for "The Man" without so much as a warrant. So use XMPP. Do NOT use "Facebook XMPP", it's not secure. Use the one near the bottom that just says XMPP:
You can use a gMail address, if you must, breaking the user name and domain up into the two boxes (username, and @gmail.com), but I prefer to use Rayservers. Rayservers is a VPN run by a cool security-minded guy named Ray (more on his VPN is here), and Ray allows cool people to set up free jabber accounts for OTR messaging. You can set up an account right through the Pidgin interface.
Pick a user name that is unique, and somewhat anonymous. Don't use your real full name, or a nickname that can be absolutely tied to you. Pick something your friends would recognize, but not something that can be proven to be you. Enter it in the username field. For domain, enter
Leave "Resource" blank. Enter a password. (Info on picking a good password is here.) Make sure "Remember Password" is checked. (Might be best to NOT check this if for use on a laptop that you travel with frequently, where physical access to your computer could easily be denied to you, and someone could log on and pretend to be you. But if you do not have it set up to remember password, you'll have to manually enter it each time you start your computer. Remember, computer security is always a tradeoff between privacy and ease of use.)
Leave Local Alias blank, keep New Mail Notifications unchecked, and you can either accept the default buddy icon, or add your own. For this example, we've added our own.
Make sure "Create this new account on the server" is checked. Do NOT yet click "Add", we've got a few more things to set up. Go to the Advanced tab:
Setting for Connection Security should be "Require Encryption." "Allow Plaintext auth over unencrypted streams" should NOT be checked. Connect Port should be 5222. Leave Connect Server blank. File Transfer Proxy should be left as
BOSH URL should be blank. Show Custom Smileys should be checked. Now go to the Proxy tab:
Proxy Type should be "Use Global Proxy Settings."
Make sure "Create this new account on the server" is checked, then click the "Add" button in the bottom right. You will get this window:
Go ahead and accept the jabber certificate, even if you get a message saying it's out of date or cannot be trusted. Trust me on this. SSL certificate issuance is controlled by government monopolies, and if you issue your own without paying The Man, the SSL cert is still valid, but SSL cert notifications try to scare you. Ray's Cert is self-issued, but solid. After you click "Accept", you will get a window with these certificate details :
SHA1 Fingerprint=20:A8:54:9E:BA:60:93:5C:2A:0F:CE:6E:43:B5:FB:13:E7:D6:20:1B
(That certificate is good to year 2020. After that, if this stuff isn't either freely included everywhere automatically already, or punishable by death, there should be a new cert on Ray's site when this one stops working, and you should get a notification from Pidgin when it is no longer any good.)
Hit "Close" and you will get this window:
go ahead and click Register, and you will get this:
You now have an account. But we're not done yet. Go to your Buddy List window and click on Tools/Plugins:
Scroll down to "Windows Pidgin Options", Single click on it, then click "Configure Plugin" at the bottom:
Make sure "Start Pidgin on Windows Startup" is checked. (It's fine to leave Pidgin running all the time. It takes very little memory and will not affect your computing performance. It's about as memory intensive as having Notepad running.)
Do not check anything else, then click "Close." Now go back to your Buddy List window and click on Tools/Plugins. This time, single click "Off-The-Record Messaging" and click "Configure Plugin" at the bottom:
You'll get this window:
It should automatically generate a key. If it doesn't, it will say "No Key Present." In that case, under where is says "No Key Present", click the "Generate" button. When it's done generating a key, you will get this message:
Under "Default OTR Settings", make sure these are checked: "Enable Private Messaging", "Automatically Initiate Private Messaging", "Require Private Messaging" and "Don't log OTR conversations." In other words, check EVERYTHING. Also check at the bottom under OTR UI Options where it says "Show OTR button in toolbar."
(Do not check "Require Private Messaging" if you plan to be chatting with any people who are not using the OTR plugin, but in my opinion, you should not be chatting with those people. lol.)
Hit Close. Then in the Plugins window hit Close. Then on your Buddy List window, go to Tools/Preferences:
UN-CHECK "Log All Instant Messages", "Log All Chats" and "Log all status changes to system log." THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, even though you've already set this in "Default OTR Settings" . For some reason, you have to do it both places.
Then hit Close. You are now set up for OTR encrypted instant messaging.
On your Buddy List window, go to Buddies/Add Buddy:
Add the Buddy's user name under "Buddy's Username." This will be info you get from the person you're trying to contact. It will be in the form of email@example.com (or .net or whatever.) If they're on Rayservers, it will be email@example.com
We've actually got a few volunteers who have set up TEMPORARY THROW-AWAY TEST ADDRESS FOR YOU TO TEST THIS WITH US. For a limited time, when we're online, we'll accept requests, type a little with you to confirm that it's working, and then delete you as a contact. We do this for free, because we're the Feens, and we care about Freedom.
You can try any of these test address, one of us should be online:
And you're welcome. Please note, we will not accept file transfer tests, just text chat tests.
So, add your buddy's username (with domain) or our test address. You can add an alias if you'd like, but it's optional (like a person's nickname if their username is a bunch of random letters and numbers). Then click "Add."
If they're offline, they will appear grayed out:
It will also be grayed out if they are online, but if they are online, within about 30-60 seconds, the gray dot will turn green to show that they are available.
You can ONLY communicate using OTR when both parties are online. If the other party is online, and have their status set to "Available" (which is the default), they will appear as a green dot:
To initiate chatting with them, double click on their green dot in your Buddy List. This will open up a chat window:
You're still not chatting securely. Note that it says "Not Private" in the bottom right, above the chat area. You need to click on the OTR icon near the top right, and click "Start Private Conversation":
It will say "attempting to start conversation", and then within several seconds, you'll be secure, and it will say "Private" in the bottom right.
(If it already says Private, then click on the OTR icon near the top right, and click "Refresh Private Conversation")
Note that you are now OTR and encrypted, but not yet Authenticated (verified). Authenticating is proving that you are talking to who you think you're talking to. You only have to verify a user once. You both authenticate each other. This is done by typing a text request with a question/answer response that only the other person would know. This is best done while in the same room in person, or on the phone, so you know by the voice that you're talking to who you think you're talking to. Even better is doing it with a person you know in real life, where you both share a secret that only you each would be able to answer.
To Authenticate, click on OTR/Authenticate Buddy:
You'll get this window where you are to type a question and an answer. The answers are case sensitive:
Your buddy will get this message, and should choose "Authorize":
You'll get this message while you're waiting for your buddy to answer your secret question:
And this message once they've successfully answered:
Hit "OK", and you'll be prompted to do the same process in the other direction:
You should. Authentication is a two-way street.
If set up properly, as in this tutorial, Pidgin OTR is secure if you do a few things:
1. Refresh your conversation every half-hour or so. Do this by clicking on OTR in the top right of a chat window, and click on "Refresh Private Conversation."
In addition to the OTR menu in the chat window, you can click the "Not Private" button to initiate private chat, refresh private conversation, authenticate buddy, etc.
2. Keep your computer free of spyware and key-logging bullshit. This is obvious, but even though the conversation over the Internet is encrypted, if someone is logging your keystrokes on your computer (or over your network, if you're in a corporate environment), they're going to see what you're typing. Same is true if they are taking screenshots of what you're seeing on the screen. The best way to avoid this is to use Linux and never click on anything you don't need or understand. Second best is using Windows with anti-spyware, anti-virus software, keeping up to date and running scans, and never click on anything you don't need or understand.
It can be useful to have hidden motion-sensing cameras in your computer area, uploading encrypted to a non-public web folder. This is not only useful if you're robbed, it's also useful if someone does a "sneak and peak" where they break in while you're gone, and without leaving a trace, physically add keylogging software to your computer. Most virus programs have deals with governments to NOT detect government keylogging software and backdoors, so cameras could be the only way you'd know that this had happened. The Feens will be doing a tutorial on security cameras in the future.
True Freedom Feens never click on anything we don't need or understand. Many people will, but that's not how or why we use computers. We use computers for communication, real communication, two-way with people we know, and one-way to the world. But this is not the way most people use computers. The way most people use computers is more like running naked through the town square yelling "LOOK AT ME! INTERACT WITH ME! TOUCH ME! LOOK AT THIS CUTE CAT PHOTO! LOOK HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS HARMING YOU, BUT DON'T TAKE ANY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF! AND LOOK AT THIS OTHER CUTE CAT PHOTO!"
Doing this is not wise, but most people do it. If you do, please re-think it, you're putting yourself in constant danger of everything from spam to blackmail to arrest.
3. Have an anti-rubber hose decryption "I'm in trouble" secret phrase with people you know, and establish this phrase when you know you're secure, that is, you know there's no one holding a (literal or figurative) gun to either of your heads. What this means: With Pidgin OTR, you can be absolutely sure you're talking to the COMPUTER of the person you think you're talking to. But if that computer is seized by authorities, they could log in and chat as your friend and try to trick you into giving up information. Or, authorities or some other criminal gang could kidnap your good childhood friend, and threaten him/her with incarceration or torture and make them chat with you via Pidgin OTR and trick you into giving up some detail you would only give that friend.
You should have a pre-planned innocuous-sounding crypto-safeword to use if you're typing under duress. Like calling the person "bro" if you never do, or saying "what up?" or using the world "indubitably"….basically anything you would never normally say. Don't use those examples, find your own. Protecting your friends against being tricked by someone typing on your computer would be harder, but perhaps you could also have some pre-planned innocuous-sounding phrase you ALWAYS use.
For total safety, you should have a different phrase with each person you do OTR with. This could get complicated to remember, which is one more reason to not have a lot of people you do OTR with, keep OTR for real friends, and use PGP e-mail for everyone else.
4. CLOSE YOUR CONVERSATION WHEN YOU'RE DONE. And if you're talking about particularly sensitive information, do that anyway every half-hour or so and start a new conversation. OTR Pidgin does not log chats internally when set up as above. But as long as you have a chat window open, if someone kicked in your door and your computer was still on with a Pidgin conversation open, they could scroll up and see both sides of the conversation. Close a conversation by going to Conversation/Close in the chat window. Once that is gone, the only record of what you've said is in your head and in the head of the other person.
Note: BOTH sides have to close the conversation to have it fully gone. Closing it on your end still leaves a record of it on the other person's side until they close it too!
You can have two or more secure conversations with two or more different people at the same time, but there is no way to have a three-way or more-way secure conversation in Pidgin.
When you add a second conversation, it will open up in a second tab, like this:
You will have to close each one separately to leave no record.
Sending Files
While in a conversation, you can send a file to another authorized Pidgin buddy, but this is NOT secure, per the readme, so we do not recommend it. Lines 237 & 238 of the README file in the current source code says:
"This plugin only attempts to protect instant messages, not multi-party chats, file transfers, etc."
Pidgin, by default, makes a lot of notification sounds. It lets you know things like when a buddy goes online, when someone changes their availability status, when they try to start a conversation with you, and when they send you a new message. The noises are useful, and they're rather pretty sounds. I got used to it really fast. But if you'd rather not hear them, you can turn them off. In your Buddy List, go to Tools/Preferences/Sounds, and turn off what you don't want to hear:
Sometimes having people constantly pinging you with Pidgin can interpret your work flow, or your life flow. lol. But you can set yourself as "not available" by clicking on the green "Available" button at the bottom of your Buddy List window and changing the status:
As white-hat hacker god Smuggler said in his interview on Anarchy Gumbo, "Security is a process, not an event." It's something you need to constantly work toward improving and perfecting. But using Pidgin OTR is a great start, and it's kind of neat to be able to install something in under an hour that the biggest governments in the world cannot crack. Using Pidgin OTR gives you security that was only available to the CIA, MI6 and KGB not that long ago, and it's free.
There's really no reason NOT to use OTR. And get your friends to use it. Encryption used to be considered "munitions", and it really is like guns in a few ways. One way is that the more people using encryption, the harder it is to stop, and the less "odd" casual use seems.
Footnote 1: regarding my use of the phrase "the PC jail" for Windows, Richard Stallman, the inventor of the GNU part of GNU/Linux, said when Steve Jobs died "I'm not glad he's dead, but I'm glad he's gone. Steve Jobs made jail cool."
My feeling is this: I know PCs are a jail too, but I get really irked with people who are religious about Macs but hate PCs. One is not "freer" than the other. They're both jails because they have too many rules, try to keep you in their "pen", and actually cooperate with governments in a way that can LITERALLY get you put in real jail for doing things that do not aggress against anyone. I look at it that Apple is like tyrannical Democrats, Microsoft is like tyrannical Republicans, and GNU/Linux is freedom-loving libertarians/anarchists. That is, anyone who is arguing the value of the Apple jail over the PC jail is a total sheepish statist. And the only real argument is for GNU/Linux. Though I tend to write tutorials for PC, because of the large installed user base. And Linux users are smart enough that they don't need my help. lol.


text:
Harwich in Essex has some lovely lobsters.
This design is a print of a handstitched original on an old navigation chart. This greetings card is blank inside for your own message. A6 300gsm card with a white envelope and individually wrapped in a cello bag. Printed on FSC Certified card in the UK.
Optionally you could choose an envelope made from an original chart. They are an extra 50p, they may be coloured or predominately white, you will be sent one at random but do let me know if you have a preference. If using one of these envelopes to send by post I recommend adding the postal address on a white label.
I also offer a "Send Direct" service, where I will write the card of your choice and post it on to the recipient on your behalf. Great if you are running short on time and saves a trip to the post office too. Simply purchase your choice of card along with Send Direct - make sure you change the delivery address to that of the recipient, and you include your personal message.
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text:
According to the Mapping Sculpture site, Hancock, a Londoner born in Fulham who died on Grafton Street, off Tottenham Court Road, studied briefly at the Royal Academy when he was 17 and associated with members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, helping with the periodical that became The Germ and also serving as "local commissioner to the Great Exhibition." His uncle and guardian, Thomas Hancock, invented "process of vulcanisation of rubber." One would certainly like to know more about this sculptor's brief life.
Sculpture in the Round
Archictectural Sculpture
"John Hancock." Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951. University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011. Web. 26 April 2021.
Ward-Jackson, Philip. Public Sculpture of the City of London. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2003.
Last modified 26 April 2021


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How to Choose a Soft Shell Jacket
There's often much confusion when it comes to defining a soft shell. Typically you may hear it's a cross between a hard shell and a fleece, but that still leaves several questions as to what exactly it is, and why it is so important for many outdoor activities.
Soft Shell vs. Hard Shell
The biggest difference between hard shell and soft shell jackets is the outer texture, which, in a hard shell, is usually smooth and shiny, compared to a soft shell jacket, which is much more akin to a sweatshirt with a very tight weave. This subtle difference, however, makes one jacket much more ideal for certain activities than the other, depending on the amount of precipitation expected, the level of exertion expected, and the need for breathability.
A soft shell is an article of cold-weather clothing that should be used any time a hard shell isn't necessary, but you need added protection from the elements that a highly breathable fleece can't give you. Soft shells are much more breathable than hard shells, and more wind and water resistant than fleece, making them ideal for high-activity outdoor sports like skiing, snowshoeing, biking, climbing, or running. Because they're most often used for these activities, most soft shells come in a trim, athletic fit.
Water Resistance
Keep in mind, however, that soft shells are water resistant, not waterproof. The fabric, which is made of tightly woven materials, provides the added breathability that hard shells lack, but in turn keeps soft shells from being 100% waterproof. Still, these jackets are great for staying dry in drizzle or even light rain. A huge draw to soft shell jackets is their price. Most of the time, these garments are less expensive than waterproof, breathable fabrics, which also may not be suitable for an athlete exerting large amounts of energy. Soft shells with membranes are more water resistant than other soft shells; however, like waterproof, breathable clothing, it comes at the expense of breathability.
Choosing the Right Soft Shell
Soft shells vary in their wind resistance, stretch, and insulation as well, so it's important to determine which will be best for you. If you plan to use your soft shell in cold climates, it may be best to go with a jacket that features a thin layer of polyester fleece, but keep in mind that this added layer could affect mobility. Soft shells come in varying thicknesses, with those designed for spring, summer, and fall activities offering less insulation than their winter-weather counterparts.
When to Wear
You'll likely find dozens of different uses for your soft shell jacket, with its versatility and athletic fit making it perfect for everything from a light backpacking trip to intense mountaineering. The most common uses for soft shell jackets include hiking and backpacking, ice climbing and mountaineering, and winter trail running and snowshoeing. They also make great SKI CLOTHING for downhill or cross-country skiing. Soft shell jackets are the best choice for these activities, namely for their extreme weather resistance and mobility.
Can Soft Shells Ever Be Waterproof?
Some soft shells can be, essentially, waterproof jackets that offer all the benefits of stretch, breathability, and warmth. Take one of Mountain Hardwear's soft shells, for example. It's made with the same tightly woven fabric as soft shells, but is coated in a laminate, and its seams are covered as well.
Before setting out to take advantage of winter weather, be sure to take the time to explore the differences in soft shell jackets and choose the right outdoor gear, which will help ensure that you have a fun and pleasant experience in the outdoors.


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When planning for new floor installation, one of the very first steps you should take as a homeowner is to accurately calculate the square footage of the rooms in question. Your budget will thank you in advance! By having the total square footage handy, you can more quickly determine if the stylish flooring that has caught your eye is a realistic option for your home, or will put you over-budget. Of course, there is more to determining your flooring cost than simply measuring the length and width of a room. And don't be afraid if you don't consider yourself a 'math person', here are some tips on how to calculate flooring sq footage like a pro and accurately assess your project:
Once you have determined your actual square footage, it's wise to allow for at least a 5%-10% overage in flooring material to cover any possible installing mishaps or defects noticed during installation. This overage could also be higher depending on the size and shape of the area you're working with, such as rooms with any tricky inlets or areas with odd dimensions. Laminate flooring, or another type of flooring that can be cut, is an excellent choice to consider if you will need extra material to customize to fit odd dimensions. For carpet installation, it's best to plan for a 20% overage in flooring material. Add the appropriate overage figure to your square footage and now you are ready to estimate flooring cost.
For example: If your total square footage is 119.54 sq ft., you can determine that 10% overage is close to 12 sq ft. (120 sq ft. x .10 = 12 sq ft.). Add the overage figure of 12 sq ft. to 119.54 sq ft. to arrive at a total of 131.54 sq ft., which easily rounds up to 132 sq ft. needed for your project.
What's your new floor going to be: Gorgeous hardwood? Timeless stone? Versatile vinyl? Once you've selected your favorite flooring product, you can use a flooring calculator tool such as the one featured on this page to estimate your total flooring material cost for that specific product. We suggest picking your top 5-10 favorite flooring products in advance, and making a chart that compares the total flooring material cost for each, side by side, as you calculate each of your favorite styles.
Now that you have your total flooring material, take a moment to add in any other costs, or factors that must be considered, to your total project budget. These can include whether you will need professional installation, new underlayment or padding, or purchasing a warranty. In addition to flooring material costs, our Associated Costs guide can also help you to think of these other factors with your project.
Sometimes it can help to get additional opinions if you feel overwhelmed or experience doubts in your calculations. To receive a total project cost estimate, you can always submit a Free Estimate Request Form to your local Carpet One Floor & Home store or work directly with one of our helpful flooring experts in-store.