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203 results found
Ros R, Demiris Y, Baroni I, et al., 2011, Adapting Robot Behavior to User's Capabilities: A Dance Instruction Study, 6th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 235-236, ISSN: 2167-2121
Soh H, Demiris Y, 2011, Multi-reward policies for medical applications, the 13th annual conference companion, Publisher: ACM Press
Soh H, Demiris Y, 2011, Multi-reward policies for medical applications: anthrax attacks and smart wheelchairs., Publisher: ACM, Pages: 471-478
Sarabia M, Ros R, Demiris Y, 2011, Towards an open-source social middleware for humanoid robots, International Conference on Humanoid Robotics, Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 670-675
Recent examples of robotics middleware including YARP, ROS, and NaoQi, have greatly enhanced the standardisation, interoperability and rapid development of robotics application software. In this paper, we present our research towards an open source middleware to support the development of social robotic applications. In the core of the ability of a robot to interact socially are algorithms to perceive the actions and intentions of a human user. We attempt to provide a computational layer to standardise these algorithms utilising a bioinspired computational architecture known as HAMMER (Hierarchical Attentive Multiple Models for Execution and Recognition) and demonstrate the deployment of such layer on two different humanoid platforms, the Nao and iCub robots. We use a dance interaction scenario to demonstrate the utility of the framework.
Takacs B, Demiris Y, 2010, Spectral clustering in multi-agent systems, Knowledge and Information Systems, Vol: 25, Pages: 607-622, ISSN: 0219-1377
We examine the application of spectral clustering for breaking up the behavior of a multi-agent system in space and time into smaller, independent elements. We propose clustering observations of individual entities in order to identify significant changes in the parameter space (like spatial position) and detect temporal alterations of behavior within the same framework. Available knowledge of important interactions (events) between entities is also considered. We describe a novel algorithm utilizing iterative subdivisions where clusters are pre-processed at each step to counter spatial scaling, rotation, replay speed, and varying sampling frequency. A method is presented to balance spatial and temporal segmentation based on the expected group size, and a validity measure is introduced to determine the optimal number of clusters. We demonstrate our results by analyzing the outcomes of computer games and compare our algorithm to K-means and traditional spectral clustering.
Wu Y, Kuvinichkul P, Cheung PYK, et al., 2010, Towards Anthropomorphic Robot Thereminist, International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 235-240
Theremin is an electronic musical instrument considered to be the most difficult to play which requires the player's hands to have high precision and stability as any position change within proximity of the instrument's antennae can make a difference to the pitch or volume. In a different direction to previous developments of Theremin playing robots, we propose a Humanoid Thereminist System that goes beyond using only one degree of freedom which will open up the possibility for robot to acquire more complex skills, such as aerial fingering and include musical expressions in playing the Theremin. The proposed system consists of two phases, namely calibration phase and playing phase which can be executed independently. During the playing phase, the System takes input from a MIDI file and performs path planning using a combination of minimum energy strategy in joint space and feedback error correction for next playing note. Three experiments have been conducted to evaluate the developed system quantitatively and qualitatively by playing a selection of music files. The experiments have demonstrated that the proposed system can effectively utilise multiple degrees of freedoms while maintaining minimum pitch error margins.
Wu Y, Demiris Y, 2010, Hierarchical Learning Approach for One-shot Action Imitation in Humanoid Robots, International Conference on Control, Automation, Robotics and Vision (ICARCV), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 453-458
We consider the issue of segmenting an action in the learning phase into a logical set of smaller primitives in order to construct a generative model for imitation learning using a hierarchical approach. Our proposed framework, addressing the "how-to" question in imitation, is based on a one-shot imitation learning algorithm. It incorporates segmentation of a demonstrated template into a series of subactions and takes a hierarchical approach to generate the task action by using a finite state machine in a generative way. Two sets of experiments have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the framework, both statistically and in practice, through playing a tic-tac-toe game. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed framework can effectively improve the performance of the one-shot learning algorithm and reduce the size of primitive space, without compromising the learning quality.
Martins MF, Demiris Y, 2010, Learning multirobot joint action plans from simultaneous task execution demonstrations., International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems, Publisher: ACM, Pages: 931-938
The central problem of designing intelligent robot systems which learn by demonstrations of desired behaviour has been largely studied within the field of robotics. Numerous architectures for action recognition and prediction of intent of a single teacher have been proposed. However, little work has been done addressing how a group of robots can learn by simultaneous demonstrations of multiple teachers.This paper contributes a novel approach for learning multirobot joint action plans from unlabelled data. The robots firstly learn the demonstrated sequence of individual actions using the HAMMER architecture. Subsequently, the group behaviour is segmented over time and space by applying a spatio-temporal clustering algorithm.The experimental results, in which humans teleoperated real robots during a search and rescue task deployment, successfully demonstrated the efficacy of combining action recognition at individual level with group behaviour segmentation, spotting the exact moment when robots must form coalitions to achieve the goal, thus yielding reasonable generation of multirobot joint action plans.
Wu Y, Demiris Y, 2010, Towards One Shot Learning by Imitation for Humanoid Robots, International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 2889-2894, ISSN: 1050-4729
Teaching a robot to learn new knowledge is a repetitive and tedious process. In order to accelerate the process, we propose a novel template-based approach for robot arm movement imitation. This algorithm selects a previously observed path demonstrated by a human and generates a path in a novel situation based on pairwise mapping of invariant feature locations present in both the demonstrated and the new scenes using a combination of minimum distortion and minimum energy strategies. This One-Shot Learning algorithm is capable of not only mapping simple point-to-point paths but also adapting to more complex tasks such as those involving forced waypoints. As compared to traditional methodologies, our work require neither extensive training for generalisation nor expensive run-time computation for accuracy. This algorithm has been statistically validated using cross-validation of grasping experiments as well as tested for practical implementation on the iCub humanoid robot for playing the tic-tac-toe game.
Martins MF, Demiris Y, 2010, Impact of Human Communication in a Multi-teacher, Multi-robot Learning by Demonstration System., AAMAS'10 Workshop on Agents Learning Interactively from Human Teachers
A wide range of architectures have been proposed within the areas of learning by demonstration and multi-robot coordination. These areas share a common issue: how humans and robots share information and knowledge among themselves. This paper analyses the impact of communication between human teachers during simultaneous demonstration of task execution in the novel Multi-robot Learning by Demonstration domain, using the MRLbD architecture. The performance is analysed in terms of time to task completion, as well as the quality of the multi-robot joint action plans. Participants with different levels of skills taught real robots solutions for a furniture moving task through teleoperation. The experimental results provided evidence that explicit communication between teachers does not necessarily reduce the time to complete a task, but contributes to the synchronisation of manoeuvres, thus enhancing the quality of the joint action plans generated by the MRLbD architecture.
Butler S, Demiris Y, 2010, Using a Cognitive Architecture for Opponent Target Prediction, AISB'10: International Symposium on AI & Games, Publisher: AISB, Pages: 55-62
One of the most important aspects of a compelling game AI is that it anticipates the player's actions and responds to them in a convincing manner. The first step towards doing this is to understand what the player is doing and predict their possible future actions. In this paper we show an approach where the AI system focusses on testing hypotheses made about the player's actions using an implementation of a cognitive architecture inspired by the simulation theory of mind. The application used in this paper is to predict the target that the player is heading towards, in an RTS-style game. We improve the prediction accuracy and reduce the number of hypotheses needed by using path planning and path clustering.
Carlson T, Demiris Y, 2010, Increasing Robotic Wheelchair Safety With Collaborative Control: Evidence from Secondary Task Experiments, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 5582-5587, ISSN: 1050-4729
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 31
Pitt J, Demiris Y, Polak J, 2010, Converging Bio-inspired Robotics and Socio-inspired Agents for Intelligent Transportation Systems, 9th International Conference on Artificial Immune Systems (ICARIS 2010), Publisher: SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN, Pages: 304-+, ISSN: 0302-9743
Butler S, Demiris Y, 2010, Partial observability during predictions of the opponent's movements in an RTS game, Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Games (CIG), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 46-53
In RTS-style games it is important to be able to predict the movements of the opponent's forces to have the best chance of performing appropriate counter-moves. Resorting to using perfect global state information is generally considered to be `cheating' by the player, so to perform such predictions scouts (or observers) must be used to gather information. This means being in the right place at the right time to observe the opponent. In this paper we show the effect of imposing partial observability onto an RTS game with regard to making predictions, and we compare two different mechanisms that decide where best to direct the attention of the observers to maximise the benefit of predictions.
Wu Y, Demiris Y, 2009, Efficient Template-based Path Imitation by Invariant Feature Mapping, International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 913-918
We propose a novel approach for robot movement imitation that is suitable for robotic arm movement in tasks such as reaching and grasping. This algorithm selects a previously observed path demonstrated by an agent and generates a path in a novel situation based on pairwise mapping of invariant feature locations present in both the demonstrated and the new scenes using minimum distortion and minimum energy strategies. This One-Shot Learning algorithm is capable of not only mapping simple point-to-point paths but also adapting to more complex tasks such as involvement of forced waypoints. As compared to traditional methodologies, our work does not require extensive training for generalisation as well as expensive run-time computation for accuracy. Cross-validation statistics of grasping experiments show great similarity between the paths produced by human subjects and the proposed algorithm.
Demiris Y, 2009, Knowing when to assist: developmental issues in lifelong assistive robotics., Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, EMBC 2009, Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 3357-3360, ISSN: 1557-170X
Children and adults with sensorimotor disabilities can significantly increase their autonomy through the use of assistive robots. As the field progresses from short-term, task-specific solutions to long-term, adaptive ones, new challenges are emerging. In this paper a lifelong methodological approach is presented, that attempts to balance the immediate context-specific needs of the user, with the long-term effects that the robot's assistance can potentially have on the user's developmental trajectory.
Takacs B, Demiris Y, 2009, Multi-robot plan adaptation by constrained minimal distortion feature mapping, 2009 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), Publisher: IEEE
Butler S, Demiris Y, 2009, Predicting the Movements of Robot Teams Using Generative Models, International Symposium on Distributed Autonomous Robotic Systems (DARS), Publisher: Springer, Pages: 533-542
When a robot plans its actions within an environment containing multiple robots, it is often necessary to take into account the actions and movements of the other robots to either avoid, counter, or cooperate with them, depending on the scenario. Our predictive system is based on the biologically-inspired, simulation theoretic approach that uses internal generative models in single-robot applications. Here, we move beyond the single-robot case to illustrate how these generative models can predict the movements of the opponent's robots, when applied to an adversarial scenario involving two robot teams. The system is able to recognise whether the robots are attacking or defending, and the formation they are moving in. It can then predict their future movements based on the recognised model. The results confirm that the speed of recognition and the accuracy of prediction depend on how well the models match the robots' observed behaviour.
Carlson T, Demiris Y, 2009, Using Visual Attention to Evaluate Collaborative Control Architectures for Human Robot Interaction, AISB'09: New Frontiers in Human-Robot Interaction
Collaborative control architectures assist human users in performing tasks, without undermining their capabilities or curtailing the natural development of their skills. In this study, we evaluate our collaborative control architecture by investigating the visual attention patterns of robotic wheelchair users. Our initial hypothesis stated that the user would require less visual attention for driving, whilst they are being assisted by the collaborative system, thus allowing them to concentrate on higher level cognitive tasks, such as planning. However, our analysis of eye gaze patterns—as recorded by ahead mounted eye tracking system—supports the opposite conclusion: that patterns of saccadic activation increase and become more chaotic under the assisted mode. Our findings highlight the necessity for techniques that assist the user in forming an appropriate mental model of the collaborative control architecture.
Demiris Y, Carlson T, 2009, Lifelong robot-assisted mobility: models, tools, and challenges, IET Conference on Assisted Living 2009, Publisher: IET
Increasing the autonomy of users with disabilities through robot-assisted mobility has the potential of facilitating their sensorimotor and social development, as well as reducing the burden of caring for such populations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. While techniques for task-specific assistance exist, they are largely focused on satisfying short- term goals, utilising stationary user models. For lifelong users and particularly for those with rapidly changing sensorimotor skills (for example very young children), adaptive models that take into consideration these developmental trajectories are becoming very important. In this paper, we present our approach to lifelong user models for robot-assisted mobility, and discuss existing models and tools, as well as challenges that remain ahead.
Tidemann A, Ozturk P, Demiris Y, 2009, A Groovy Virtual Drumming Agent, 9th International Conference on Intelligent Virtual Agents, Publisher: SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN, Pages: 104-+, ISSN: 0302-9743
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 4
Takacs B, Demiris Y, 2009, Multi-Robot Plan Adaptation by Constrained Minimal Distortion Feature Mapping, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 3301-3308, ISSN: 1050-4729
Demiris Y, Meltzoff A, 2008, The Robot in the Crib: A Developmental Analysis of Imitation Skills in Infants and Robots., Infant and Child Development, Vol: 17, Pages: 43-53, ISSN: 1522-7227
Interesting systems, whether biological or artificial, develop. Starting from some initial conditions, they respond to environmental changes, and continuously improve their capabilities. Developmental psychologists have dedicated significant effort to studying the developmental progression of infant imitation skills, because imitation underlies the infant's ability to understand and learn from his or her social environment. In a converging intellectual endeavour, roboticists have been equipping robots with the ability to observe and imitate human actions because such abilities can lead to rapid teaching of robots to perform tasks. We provide here a comparative analysis between studies of infants imitating and learning from human demonstrators, and computational experiments aimed at equipping a robot with such abilities. We will compare the research across the following two dimensions: (a) initial conditions-what is innate in infants, and what functionality is initially given to robots, and (b) developmental mechanisms-how does the performance of infants improve over time, and what mechanisms are given to robots to achieve equivalent behaviour. Both developmental science and robotics are critically concerned with: (a) how their systems can and do go 'beyond the stimulus' given during the demonstration, and (b) how the internal models used in this process are acquired during the lifetime of the system.
Moreno JC, Pons JL, Rocon E, et al., 2008, A hybrid method based on fuzzy inference and non-linear oscillators for real-time control of gait, 1st International Conference on Bio-Inspired Systems and Signal Processing, Publisher: INSTICC-INST SYST TECHNOLOGIES INFORMATION CONTROL & COMMUNICATION, Pages: 44-51
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 1
Carlson T, Demiris Y, 2008, Human-wheelchair collaboration through prediction of intention and adaptive assistance, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 3926-3931, ISSN: 1050-4729
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 44
Takacs B, Demiris Y, 2008, Balancing Spectral Clustering for Segmenting Spatio-Temporal Observations of Multi-Agent Systems, 8th IEEE International Conference on Data Mining, Publisher: IEEE COMPUTER SOC, Pages: 580-587, ISSN: 1550-4786
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 30
Demiris Y, Khadhouri B, 2008, Content-based control of goal-directed attention during human action perception, Interaction Studies, Vol: 9, Pages: 353-376, ISSN: 1572-0373
During the perception of human actions by robotic assistants, the robotic assistant needs to direct its computational and sensor resources to relevant parts of the human action. In previous work we have introduced HAMMER (Hierarchical Attentive Multiple Models for Execution and Recognition) (Demiris and Khadhouri, 2006), a computational architecture that forms multiple hypotheses with respect to what the demonstrated task is, and multiple predictions with respect to the forthcoming states of the human action. To confirm their predictions, the hypotheses request information from an attentional mechanism, which allocates the robot's resources as a function of the saliency of the hypotheses. In this paper we augment the attention mechanism with a component that considers the content of the hypotheses' requests, with respect to the content's reliability, utility and cost. This content-based attention component further optimises the utilisation of the resources while remaining robust to noise. Such computational mechanisms are important for the development of robotic devices that will rapidly respond to human actions, either for imitation or collaboration purposes.
Tidemann A, Demiris Y, 2008, A Drum Machine That Learns to Groove, 31st Annual German Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Publisher: SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN, Pages: 144-+, ISSN: 0302-9743
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 1
Tidemann A, Demiris Y, 2008, Groovy Neural Networks, 18th European Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Publisher: I O S PRESS, Pages: 271-275, ISSN: 0922-6389
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 1
, 2008, Proceedings of the 3rd ACM/IEEE international conference on Human robot interaction, HRI 2008, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, March 12-15, 2008, Publisher: ACM
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text:
Alvaro Uribe won the Colombian presidency last week by a landslide, but he can claim an even bigger victory: he lived to see election day. In a nation where politics often resembles Russian roulette--a mayor is murdered every three weeks or so in Colombia--Uribe became an especially vulnerable target for assassination when he declared himself the candidate who, if elected, would whip Colombia's vicious and seemingly invincible guerrilla armies. By the time the one-year campaign was over, the largest rebel group, the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, or FARC, had tried to kill Uribe at least three times, most recently by bombing...
The Technocrat of Steel
Despite attempts on his life, President-elect Uribe says he will crush Colombia's leftist rebels
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
30 January 2014
another way of sowing seeds
9 comments:
What a beautiful post! That's wonderful, children dyeing their clothes & learning a closeness to the natural world of which they are a part as we all are. I've been hoping you'd make a post for the past couple of months wondering where you are, and here you are.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Reifyn! Sometimes I have to keep my distance from the internet, in order not to loose my closeness to the real world :)Delete
You are very wise to do so, and I salute you. Sometimes I go through stages of shutting of the net for months at a time, just not to get too dependent on any one thing.Delete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
If all grown ups could be like children, this is what would the world look like, beautiful!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous7 March 2014 at 04:17
Wonderful! I agree---children are natural dyers. I had the good fortune to teach a natural dyeing class to a group of children for our local homeschooling group, and I found that not only did preparing for the experience help me understand dyeing better, but seeing their genuine enthusiasm and wonder really made the experience even more meaningful.ReplyDelete
beautiful postReplyDelete


text:
Last Chance to see The Smithson Effect
by umfablog
The Smithson Effect closes this Sunday, July 3rd. Don't miss your chance to see this phenomenal exhibition one more time. Want to augment your Smithson experience? Check out the Audio Stops and hear about 5 works of art in the exhibition from the artists who made them. Adam Bateman, Shannon Ebner, Tom Burr, Peter Coffin and Melanie Smith each recorded an Audio Stop to provide UMFA visitors with more information about their inspiration and process. Audio Stops can be downloaded […]
Categories: Uncategorized


text:
Eric Deutsch
Talk title: Enabling the Dissemination and Reuse of Proteomics Data: Status and New Projects of the HUPO Proteomics Standards Initiative
Dr. Eric Deutsch is a senior research scientist at the Institute for Systems Biology, specializing in bioinformatics and integration of data for systems biology research, with a focus on proteomics. He contributes to the development of minimum information and data format standards as co-chair of the HUPO Proteomics Standards Initiative (PSI). He participates in several key roles in the Human Proteome Project, including chair of the Knowledge Base Pillar Committee. Dr. Deutsch leads the PeptideAtlas Project, which aims to collect proteomic mass spectrometry data from labs around the world to synthesize a master list of observed peptides and proteins and disseminate the results back to the community. He also leads the team that develops the Trans-Proteomic Pipeline (TPP), a widely used free and open source suite of tools for the complete analysis of shotgun proteomics data.
The HUPO Proteomics Standards Initiative (PSI) defines community standards for data representation in proteomics to facilitate data comparison, exchange, and verification. Through yearly workshops and ongoing efforts, we are currently working on updating and releasing new versions of the existing standards mzML, mzTab, mzIdentML, and PSI-MI XML. We have also released new proteogenomics formats proBAM and proBED. Four new standards are under active development. The PSI Enhanced FASTA Format (PEFF) will encode protein sequences along with extensive PTM and variant annotations for the next generation of sequence search engines. A new PSI Spectral Library Format will encode consensus spectra with more metadata that currently possible. A Universal Spectrum Identifier will enable referencing and access to all spectra deposited to any repository. The PROXI API will allow programmatic querying and access to proteomics data across repositories. These past successes and future directions of the PSI will be presented.


text:
About Us
Witcher sells over 600,000 copies
posted: 2/14/2008 12:48:00 PM
More On:
The Witcher
CD Projekt announced today that
The Witcher
has sold over 600,000 copies worldwide. That's excellent when you consider that it was CD Projeckt's first foray into video game development and that's only over the first three months of the game's release. I imagine what we'll be getting an announcement on a sequel or expansion here soon but our PR rep was a bit coy when pressed about details.
The Witcher – over 600,000 copies sold!
Warsaw, 14th February, 2008. CD Projekt RED is proud to announce that the company's debut video game production, The Witcher, has sold more than 600,000 copies worldwide in just three months.
Adam Kiciński, CD Projekt RED Joint CEO, commented on the sales results: "We are very happy with The Witcher's performance to date. Our goal was — and still is — to reach one million copies sold during the first year. 600,000 games sold in just three months brings us much closer to this ambitious goal. It's a great success for us, made all the more impressive by the fact that The Witcher was created by a completely new team and it is our debut both as a game developer and in bringing our products to a global audience. The task was not easy, as The Witcher brand was completely unknown in many markets, and it was released in a busy season alongside franchises that have been on the market for many years. Yet, I can confidently say that we've passed this trial victoriously. Actually, only now — as we've conquered many of the initial barriers — can we spread our wings, which, of course, we intend to do. Such success wouldn't be possible without our publishers' support – Atari, Noviy Disk and the publishing branch of CD Projekt. They all put a lot of work into the game's promotion in individual markets."
The exceptionally warm welcome given to The Witcher by media and gamers around the world facilitated the commercial success of our game. This grand welcome is illustrated by 48 awards and distinctions — a number which is constantly rising — including the prestigious "PC RPG of the Year" from popular outlets like IGN.com, GameSpy, Play Magazine and the US edition of PC Gamer, as well as the award for "Readers' Choice Winner – Best RPG" at GameSpot (see the full list of awards: http://www.thewitcher.com/community/en/awards/). The game has received exceptionally high ratings from players all over the world, which is manifested in high average scores in players' reviews at sites like Metacritic (9.4/10), GameTrailers (9.1/10) and GameSpot (8.8/10).
Adam Kiciński also hints at the developer's plans for the near future: "Our plans include continuous game support, the release of the powerful D'jinni module editor, the continued release of game updates and patches, and in late spring gamers can expect a pretty big surprise, which will be revealed at a press conference really soon – February 18th! We are still working on making the game better and we will actively support our fan community, which is getting bigger and bigger. Unfortunately I can't reveal anything further at this time, but I assure you that we won't rest on our laurels and we have very promising plans for the future. We set our standards very high with The Witcher and we surely don't want to lower them in the future."
The Witcher:
"The Witcher" is a role-playing game developed by Warsaw, Poland-based CD Projekt RED. The game uses a new version of the BioWare Aurora Engine, titled Aurora 2007. The game is set in the world created in the books of Andrzej Sapkowski, which have been published in many countries. In recent months, the first volume of stories about The Witcher has become available in English (http://www.amazon.com/Last-Wish-UK-Paperback-Sapkowski/dp/B00121UIP8/ref=pd_bbs_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201788033&sr=8-7). The game tells the story of Geralt, a professional monster slayer drawn into political intrigues. The Witcher is an RPG designed for mature audiences.
CD Projekt RED:
CD Projekt RED was established in February 2002 as the sister company of CD Projek. CD Projekt RED's mission is to become one of leading RPG developers in the world, developing games that combine the best trade practices with original ideas. One of the company's guiding values is working in close contact with the players and listening and reacting to their opinions, both in the scope of developed games and the methods of delivering them to gamers' hands. The studio's first game is The Witcher, a title warmly welcomed by fans of the genre and showered with awards by professional media. CD Projekt RED benefits from experience and financial support of CD Projekt's publishing arm, the largest PC games distributor in Central Europe. Currently, CD Projekt RED consists of 70 people working on two unannounced projects. More information is available at www.thewitcher.com.
CD Projekt:
Established in 1994, CD Projekt is the largest PC games distributor in Central Europe. It is known among gamers for high professionalism and many pioneering projects that have changed local markets. It was the first company to fully localize PC games in the region, including some of the biggest RPG projects like Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment and the Gothic series, which are lauded by players as premiere models for the localisation process. Currently, CD Projekt is a group of companies operating in electronic entertainment industry, employing over 300 people altogether, with annual turnover reaching 55 million USD in 2007. Including The Witcher, CD Projekt sold 3.7 million games bearing the CDP logo in 2007. CD Projekt group's mission is less about the realisation of business goals than the realisation of dreams and delivering products that cater to the needs and desires of gamers around the world. An important value of the company is also the pursuit of unique and landmark projects. Every year, the company's turnover has been at least 30% higher and such growth is planned to continue in 2008.


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Frequent Links
Robert Spencer (author)
|This article's Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article's neutral point of view of the subject. (November 2014)
|Robert Spencer
|File:Robert Spencer.jpg
|February 1962 (age 58)
|United States
|Alma mater
|The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,(M.A. 1986, Religious Studies)
|Author, blogger
|Years active
|Known for
Criticism of Islam,
books and websites about
Jihad and Islamic terrorism
|Notable work
The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion, (2006)
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades), (2005)
|Advocacy journalism
Robert Bruce Spencer (born February 27, 1962) is an American author and blogger best known for his criticism of Islam and jihad.
As of 2014[update], he has published twelve books, including two New York Times best-selling books.[citation needed] In 2003 he founded and has since directed Jihad Watch, a blog which he describes as containing "news of the international jihad, [and] commentary"[1] which is dedicated to "bringing public attention to the role that jihad theology and ideology plays in the modern world, and to correcting popular misconceptions about the role of jihad and religion in modern-day conflicts".[2]
He has also co-founded Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) and the Freedom Defense Initiative with blogger Pamela Geller, with whom he also co-authored a book, The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America. His viewpoints have been described as anti-Islamic or Islamophobic.[3] The UK Home Office has barred Spencer and Geller from travel to the UK for "making statements that may foster hatred that might lead to inter-community violence".[4]
Spencer is a member of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, the Uniat Antiochian Greek Catholic counterpart of the ancient Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.[5][6] It is a sui iuris church of the Catholic Church whose adherents are, according to Spencer, "mostly concentrated in Lebanon and Syria, also in Jordan and the Palestinian territories."[1] His grandparents were forced to emigrate from an area that is now part of Turkey because they were Christians.[1] According to a 2010 interview in New York magazine, Spencer's father worked for the Voice of America during the Cold War, and in his younger days, Spencer himself worked at Revolution Books, a Communist bookstore in New York City founded by Robert Avakian.[7]
Spencer received an M.A. in 1986 in religious studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His masters thesis was on Catholic history.[8] He has said he has been studying Islamic theology, law, and history since 1980.[1][9] He worked in think tanks for more than 20 years,[7] and in 2002–2003 did a stint as an adjunct fellow with the Free Congress Foundation, an arm of the Heritage Foundation.[10][11] Spencer named Paul Weyrich, also a Melkite Catholic, as a mentor of his writings on Islam. Spencer writes, "Paul Weyrich taught me a great deal, by word and by example – about how to deal both personally and professionally with the slanders and smears that are a daily aspect of this work."[11]
|This section requires expansion. (January 2015)
Spencer's first book on Islam was published in 2002.[citation needed]
Spencer has given seminars to various law enforcement units in the USA.[12]
Views on Islam
Spencer does not believe that traditional Islam is "inherently terroristic" but says he can prove that "traditional Islam contains violent and supremacist elements", and that "its various schools unanimously teach warfare against and the subjugation of unbelievers".[13] However, he rejects the notion that all Muslims are necessarily violent people.[13] He has said that among moderate Muslims, "there are some who are genuinely trying to frame a theory and practice of Islam that will allow for peaceful coexistence with unbelievers as equals."[14] Spencer has also said that he would welcome any Muslim who renounces jihad and dhimmitude to join him in his "anti-jihadist efforts",[15] but feels that anyone pursuing his called-for reforms will face a difficult task, because "the radicals actually do have a stronger theoretical, theological, and legal basis within Islam for what they believe than the moderates do."[16] He has also argued that many so-called reformers are not interested in genuine reform, but instead are aiming to deflect scrutiny of Islam.[14][16]
Spencer co-founded Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) and the Freedom Defense Initiative (FDI) with Pamela Geller in 2010. Both organizations are designated as hate groups by the Anti-Defamation League[17] and the Southern Poverty Law Center.[18][19][20]
Spencer has expressed criticism of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and numerous other Muslim advocacy groups that he claims are closely tied to allegedly jihadist organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood.[21] He has also criticized CAIR for having employed persons who were later convicted of terrorism-related charges.[22]
He has appeared with Ayn Rand Institute speakers on several occasions.[23] In an interview with The Washington Post he was "...asked if he was being deliberately combative and provocative, Spencer chuckled. "Why not?" he asked. "It's fun."[24]
Qur'an critic and secularist author Ibn Warraq has said that Spencer "tells the truth that few in the U.S. or Europe wish to face".[25] Michelle Malkin says that Spencer "tells truths about jihadists that no one else will tell."[25] Conservative radio talk show host Dennis Prager has called JihadWatch, "one of the most honorable Web sites that I know of monitoring jihad in the world today."[26]
Opus Dei Father C. John McCloskey called him: "Perhaps the foremost Catholic expert on Islam in our country."[27]
Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto accused Spencer of "falsely constructing a divide between Islam and West". She said he was using the Internet to spread hatred of Islam by presenting a "skewed, one-sided, and inflammatory story that only helps to sow the seed of civilizational conflict".[28] Spencer stated that the passage Bhutto cited was written by Ibn Warraq.[29]
Karen Armstrong has criticized Spencer's work as showing "entrenched hostility" towards Islam, and his citations of Islamic scripture as cherry-picked,[30] stating among other examples that "Spencer never cites the Koran's condemnation of all warfare as an 'awesome evil', its prohibition of aggression or its insistence that only self-defence justifies armed conflict..." She concludes that "His book is a gift to extremists who can use it to 'prove' ... that the west is incurably hostile to their faith." Spencer responds: "Yet the verse she quotes (2:217) actually says only that warfare during the 'sacred month' is an 'awesome evil', and adds: 'Persecution is worse than killing.'" Spencer accuses Armstrong of context-dropping by omitting the fact that this was a defense for Muhammad's war in response to his persecution.[31]
Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called Spencer and Geller American anti-Muslim writers because their writings "promote a conspiratorial anti-Muslim agenda under the pretext of fighting radical Islam. This belief system parallels the creation of an ideological — and far more deadly — form of anti-Semitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries." He continued, "we must always be wary of those whose love for the Jewish people is born out of hatred of Muslims or Arabs."[32][33] The Institute on Religion and Democracy said about him: "Spencer's comprehensive understanding of his Christian faith and Islam along with lucidly insightful writing give the lie to his international notoriety as a bigoted 'Islamophobe.'"[34]
Dinesh D'Souza, of the Hoover Institution, wrote that Spencer downplays the passages of the Quran that urge peace and goodwill to reach one-sided opinions. He contends that Spencer applies a moral standard to Muslim empires that could not have been met by any European empire.[35]
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) listed Spencer as a "Smearcaster" in an article in 2008, stating that "by selectively ignoring inconvenient Islamic texts and commentaries, Spencer concludes that Islam is innately extremist and violent".[36]
On December 20, 2006, the government of Pakistan announced a ban on Spencer's book, The Truth About Muhammad, citing "objectionable material" as the cause.[37]
In 2009, Spencer was asked to participate in an information session about Islam and Muslims designed for ethnic and multicultural librarians entitled "Perspectives on Islam: Beyond the Stereotyping", at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Library Association, which was sponsored by the ALA's Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT). After objections were raised by ALA members and the general public, the three other panelists withdrew in protest and the session was ultimately canceled.[38]
In April 2010, the US Patent & Trademark Office rejected the trademarking attempt of Robert Spencer's organization "Stop Islamization of America" to trademark SIOA because their application for a trademark disparages all Muslims as terrorists. The US Trademark Examining attorney refuted Spencer's claims by offering proof with articles found in the LexisNexis databases which document how the majority of Muslims view terrorists as illegitimate adherents of Islam.[39][40]
In August 2010 The Washington Post cited Spencer, along with Pamela Geller, as conservative bloggers who have been influential in challenging the construction of the Park51 project, which he calls the "Ground Zero mosque".[41] Spencer and Geller's organization Stop Islamization of America launched their first public protest outside of the Park51 location on June 6, 2010. See Park51 controversy article.
In September 2010, on ABC's This Week show, Reza Aslan said that SIOA is an offshoot of SIOE, which he said had been referred to as a Neo-Nazi organization by the European Union.[42] Spencer later challenged Aslan to produce any evidence of his claim.[43]
During Operation Protective Edge, Spencer was accused of spreading an anti-Palestinian misinformation video, originally published by Pamela Geller, by inaccurately claiming a video of an Egyptian die-in protest from Egyptian newspaper El Badil was a video of Hamas faking the number of casualties killed by Israel. Robert Spencer wrote "as Muhammad said, 'War is deceit.' And so here is more 'Palestinian' victimhood propaganda unmasked. Not that the international media and the world 'human rights community' will take any notice. Video thanks to Pamela Geller." After El Badil had the video removed from Geller's YouTube account due to copyright infringement, El Badil wrote that Spencer and Geller's inability to distinguish a die-in protest from an Islamic funeral either makes them "incompetent to speak on Islam or they are professional liars."[44][45]
In an October 2010 news article, an investigative report by The Tennessean described Spencer as one of several individuals who "...cash in on spreading hate and fear about Islam." Tennessean investigation concluded "IRS filings from 2008 show that Robert Spencer earned $132,537 from the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and Horowitz pocketed over $400,000 for himself in just one year".[46][47]
Spencer was first invited to be a speaker at the Catholic Men's Conference of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester on March 16, 2013.[48] The Bishop Robert Joseph McManus then decided to recind the invitation.[49]
Ban from entering the UK
On June 26, 2013, Spencer and Pamela Geller were banned from entering the UK.[50] They were due to speak at an English Defence League march in Woolwich, south London, where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed. Home Secretary Theresa May informed Spencer and Geller that their presence in the UK would "not be conducive to the public good".[51]
A letter from the UK Home Office stated[52] that this decision is based on Spencer's statement that:
" ....It [Islam] is a religion and is a belief system that mandates warfare against unbelievers for the purpose for establishing a societal model that is absolutely incompatible with Western society because media and general government unwillingness to face the sources of Islamic terrorism these things remain largely unknown."[53]
The decision, which they cannot appeal, will stand for between three and five years. The ban followed a concerted campaign by the UK anti-extremism and civil rights organization Hope not Hate,[54] which said it had collected 26,000 signatures for a petition to the Home Secretary.[55]
Bruce Bawer said about his banning from Great Britain: "It should be a matter of national shame for Britain that when its government banned Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller from its shores, it was doing the bidding of the counter-counterjihadists of Hope Not Hate – who, despite their manifestly Stalinist methods and sympathies, are treated by U.K. authorities as reliable ideological gatekeepers, even as the truth-telling Spencers and Gellers are tagged as anathema."[56]
Best sellers
- The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion, Regnery Press, 2006 (NYT bestseller list – 2006-10-29[57]) ISBN 1-59698-028-1
- The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades), Regnery Press, 2005. (NYT bestseller list – 2005-10-16[58]) ISBN 0-89526-013-1
Other books
- Not Peace But a Sword: The Great Chasm Between Christianity and Islam. Catholic Answers. March 25, 2013. ISBN 978-1938983283.
- Pamela Geller; Robert Spencer (July 27, 2010). The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America. Threshold Editions. ISBN 978-1-4391-8930-6.
- The Complete Infidels' Guide to the Koran. Regnery Press. September 21, 2009. p. 260. ISBN 978-1-59698-104-1.
- Did Muhammad Exist?: An Inquiry Into Islam's Obscure Origins, ISI Books, March 2012. ISBN 978-1-61017-061-1
- Stealth Jihad: How Radical Islam is Subverting America without Guns or Bombs. Regnery Press. October 28, 2008. ISBN 978-1-59698-556-8.
- Religion of Peace?: Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn't, Regnery Publishing, 2007, ISBN 1-59698-515-1
- The Myth of Islamic Tolerance: How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims (editor), Prometheus Books, 2005. ISBN 1-59102-249-5
- Onward Muslim Soldiers: How Jihad Still Threatens America and the West, Regnery Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-89526-100-6
- (with Daniel Ali) (2003). Inside Islam: A Guide for Catholics: 100 questions and answers. Ascension Press. p. 197. ISBN 0-9659228-5-5.
- Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions About the World's Fastest Growing Faith. Encounter Books. October 25, 2002. p. 202. ISBN 1-893554-58-9.
- Robert Spencer (2014-04-14). The Arab Winter Comes to America: The Truth about the War We're In. Regnery Publishing, Incorporated, An Eagle Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-62157-204-6.
See also
- A Common Word Between Us and You
- Catholic–Muslim Forum
- Islam: What the West Needs to Know
- John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue
- Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
- ^ a b c d "Robert Spencer Jihad Watch, Director Q & A with Brian Lamb". CSpan. August 20, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
- ^ "Why Jihad Watch?". Jihad Watch. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
- ^ "EDL Anti-Muslim Speakers Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer Banned from Britain by Theresa May". Ibtimes. 26 June 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/06/britain-capitulates-to-jihad.html
- ^ "About Robert Spencer". Jihad Watch. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
- ^ Spencer, Robert (October 26, 2010). "Pope must condemn demonizing of Israel". Spero News.
- ^ a b Mark Jacobson (August 22, 2010). "Muhammad Comes to Manhattan". New York. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
- ^ "The monophysite in the mirror, by Robert Bruce Spencer". Davis Library Thesis, Religion, 1986. UNC-CH Libraries.
- ^ "Marines gather to honor, celebrate". Trib.com. 2005-10-26. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
- ^ "About Robert Spencer". Jihad Watch. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
- ^ a b Robert Spencer (December 19, 2008). "A Tribute: Paul Weyrich Has Died". Catholic Online. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
- ^ Anti-Muslim speakers still popular in law enforcement training
- ^ a b "The Last Patriot: Worse than Spencer's books!". www.jihadwatch.org. July 7, 2008.
- ^ a b Robert Spencer (January 14, 2006). "What is a moderate Muslim?". Jihad Watch.
- ^ "About Robert Spencer". Jihad Watch.
- ^ a b John Hawkins. "An Interview With Robert Spencer". Right Wing News.
- ^ "Backgrounder: Stop Islamization of America (SIOA)". Extremism. Anti-Defamation League. March 25, 2011 [August 26, 2010]. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ Pam Geller On 'Hate Group' Label: 'A Badge of Honor' | TPMMuckraker
- ^ "Pamela Geller & Stop Islamization of America". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ Steinback, Robert (Summer 2011). "Jihad Against Islam". Intelligence Report, Issue #142. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "CAIR "unindicted co-conspirator" in Hamas funding case". Jihad Watch. June 4, 2007.
- ^ Robert Spencer (May 27, 2008). "Cair's Continuing Mystery". Human Events.
- ^ "Birds of a Feather". Ariwatch.com. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
- ^ Boorstein, Michelle (2010-08-18). "In flap over mosque near Ground Zero, conservative bloggers gaining influence". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
- ^ a b The politically incorrect guide to ... - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
- ^ Paula Zahn (July 31, 2007). "Koran in the Toilet: Hate Crime?; Political Bedtime Stories". CNN.
- ^ C.J.McCloskey (July 6, 2013). "The Christian-Muslim Gulf". National Catholic Register.
- ^ Benazir Bhutto, Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West, Harper, 2008, pp. 245-6
- ^ "Parting Words from Benazir Bhutto".
- ^ Armstrong, Karen (April 27, 2007). "Balancing the Prophet". Financial Times.
- ^ Spencer, Robert (May 5, 2007). "Book adheres to historical record". Financial Times. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ "ADL: Norwegian Terrorist Motivated By Growing Extremist Ideology In Europe And The U.S.". Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ^ Foxman, Abraham H. (July 29, 2011). "Norwegian attacks stem from a new ideological hate". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
- ^ Cutting through Theological Confusion: Robert Spencer's Not Peace but a Sword Distinctly Divides Christianity from Islam
- ^ Dinesh D'Souza (March 2, 2007). "Letting Bin Laden Define Islam". Archived from the original on March 4, 2007.
- ^ "Smearcasters: Robert Spencer". Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. Archived from the original on October 22, 2008.
- ^ "Pakistan: Book Closed on Muhammad".
- ^ Raya Kuzyk; Norman Oder (July 11, 2009). "ALA Conference 2009: Panelists Quit Session Featuring 'Islam Basher'". Library Journal. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
- ^ http://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn77940879&docId=XSS20100420180730
- ^ http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/05/us-government-rejects-sioa-trademark----it-offends-islam.html
- ^ Michelle Boorstein (August 19, 2010). "In flap over mosque near Ground Zero, conservative bloggers gaining influence". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Should Americans Fear Islam? pt.3". Retrieved June 18, 2011.
- ^ Spencer, Robert (October 4, 2010). "Why is Reza Aslan taken seriously?". Jihad Watch. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
- ^ Pamela Geller is transmitting hate against Palestinians by spreading misinformation, El Badil, (2014). http://elbadil.com/2014/08/24/pamela-geller-transmitting-hate-palestinians-spreading-misinformation/
- ^ Conservative Post, Gaza 'Corpses' Caught Moving When They Forget Cameras Are On Them, August 19, 2014 http://conservativepost.com/gaza-corpses-caught-moving-when-they-forget-cameras-are-on-them/
- ^ "Anti-Muslim crusaders make millions spreading fear". October 24, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ^ "David Horowitz Freedom Center's IRS Form 990" (PDF). June 3, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
- ^ Catholic speakers: Conference disinvites Islam expert
- ^ Catholic Men's Conference opens ticket sales
- ^ "US bloggers banned from entering UK". BBC. June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ^ Rawlinson, Kevin (June 26, 2013). "Anti-Ground Zero Mosque campaigners Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer barred from entering Britain to speak at an EDL rally". The Independent (London). Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ^ http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/06/britain-capitulates-to-jihad.html
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHdUgc6gxDI
- ^ "Anti-Muslim pair banned from UK". Daily Express (UK). June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ^ Lowles, Nick. "Geller and Spencer Banned". Hope not Hate. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ^ Notes on 'Counterjihad'
- ^ Best Sellers – Hardcover Nonfiction – NYT
- ^ Paperback Nonfiction – NYT
External links
|Wikiquote has quotations related to: Robert Spencer (author)
- Robert Spencer's weblog jihadwatch
- Robert Spencer's Front Page Magazine column archive
- jihadwatch's youtube channel
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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Physician Publications
Jenny Kim, MD is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Chief of Dermatology at the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Veterans Affairs. Dr. Kim received her MD and PhD in Immunology from UCLA and also completed her Dermatology residency and Mohs Micrographic Surgery fellowship there. She has been a UCLA faculty member since 2000 where she serves as referral source for patients requiring rejuvenation for aging skin and also for patients with skin cancers. In her laboratory at the Center for Health Sciences, Dr. Kim studies the immune response in skin and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kim is studying innate immunity in skin diseases in collaboration with the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.


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This weekend I attended the Clicks & Babyline Baby Bootcamp event at the Protea Hotel Edward in Durban. As promised it was an amazing event, that surpassed all expectations. Baby or not, I hope I get to attend another.
It was a full house, and the venue was beautifully set up, and catered for preggy ladies, new mums, as well as those of us that brought along our toddlers. I can't express how grateful I was not to be judged when Thavina decided to start singing in the middle of one of the guest speakers presentation, but rather to receive knowing smiles and whispered "Don't worry about it's". I hope no-one was secretly and quietly offended.
As much as it was a booked out event, it managed to maintain an almost intimate environment with a handful of select and appropriate sponsors and exhibitors. We got to munch on yummy Smart Bite snacks and cookies, while we were treated to some pampering. Mangwanani was present and I daresay the most popular ladies at the event. Nothing beats a good (free) shoulder or footie massage.
A little health screening station was set up for new mums and mums to be to check up on their blood pressure etc., as well as a nappy changing station, which we didn't use, because well Thavina is 2… so she makes the stanky ones now! We did score quite a few samples of the Clicks branded nappies, which really are on par with all other "big" nappy brands.
Other sponsors included Avent, Oh So Heavenly, Woodwards, My Smart Kid, as well as a few others that I can't quite recall right now (sorry).
Clicks themselves hardly need any introduction or explanation, but a quick reminder for mums to be and new mums to join the Clicks Baby Club. It's free to join, and there are a whole list of added benefits, included bonus points on selected baby products, vaccination SMS reminders, PAED IQ advice, special offers, competitions and more, this is available till your child turns 3.
The other big sponsor was Babyline, and as the name implies, its basically a Baby helpline. Brought to you by Paed-IQ, Babyline, is a 24/7 helpline. This service is available on a subscription basis, and offers reliable health care advice.
We had a range of talks from some really amazing expert guest speakers, including Dr Navashree Dhaver an obstetrician and gynaecologist that spoke on nutrition and supplements, Paediatrician, Dr Pather who spoke to us about common rashes and what treatments are advised. Dr Samantha Naidoo from Colgate, a guest speaker from Avent, whose name has escaped me, as well as Justine a biokineticist from Justin Bircher and Associates Biokineticists.
Dr Dani Nelson, a DUT graduate (yay DUT) spoke on developmental milestones, and mentioned something pretty interesting. She's a chiropractic doctor, and touched on the importance of "Tummy Time", not only for babies mental development, but also for correct spine development (all those C's and curves and stuff). A top tip, is if baby doesn't like tummy time, place him or her on your tummy / chest (while lying on your back), they're usually more than happy to be close to mum, and they technically still get their tummy time.
My favourite talk was from Leigh Jansen, a doula, that has just had her 3rd little one. She spoke on what is currently my favourite topic, SELF CARE. Self care is not selfish, and it's a cliché we've heard a 100 times, but never take note of. My whole reason for starting this blog was a form of self care.
Leigh's top tips on self care for preggy mums, and new mums are;
- Breathe – deep breaths are known to be calming, if you exhale for longer than you've inhaled, its a sure sign of relaxing
- Stretch
- Admire your belly – too many mums feel miserable about their ginormous bellies, think of the amazing transformation happening inside!
- Cuddle
- Candlelit baths – add Epsom salts for a much needed magnesium boost! This is something I am definitely going to do!
- Soak up the sun
- Music – music that moves you music that touches you – turn it up
My sincere thanks and congratulations to everyone involved, it truly was a fabulous event.
PS – Yes the goodie bags were freaking amazing!!! I love Oh So Heavenly, and there were like 4 different products in there, as well as mozzie spray, a Woodwards pillow case, Personal Touch Fabric Softener, and more!!


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Statement from Perry Aasness, Executive Director Minnesota AgriGrowth, on Tax Bills in State Legislature:
St. Paul, MN – AgriGrowth is pleased that both the House and Senate have passed tax bills which include provisions that support Minnesota's ag and food sector. It's important to Minnesota agribusinesses, food companies and farmers that the state tax code reasonably conform with the Federal tax code after the passage of the federal tax reform legislation by Congress in 2017.
There are a several provisions in the tax bills recently passed in the House and Senate that AgriGrowth supports, including:
- Federal conformity on Section 179 for capital equipment expensing, exchange on equipment, and bonus depreciation.
- Homestead status clarification allowing homeowners to retain homestead treatment regardless of operation structure such as a limited liability company or partnership.
- A provision that would clarify a prohibition on local municipalities from imposing excise taxes on foods and beverages.
With less than three weeks remaining in the 2018 legislative session, AgriGrowth is hopeful that Governor Dayton and leaders from the House and Senate can reach an agreement on a tax bill that will help support the profitability and competitiveness of Minnesota's ag and food sector.
The Minnesota AgriGrowth Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan member organization representing the agriculture and food systems industry. Formed in 1968, AgriGrowth's strategic approach to public policy advocacy, issues management and collaboration seeks to foster long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and business growth. More information can be found at agrigrowth.org or by following AgriGrowth's Twitter account at @mn_agrigrowth


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I enjoyed making a second journal spread this week still working with my recently collaged images.
Inspired to make a few changes to my original Flower Angel collage
after visiting Dumbarton Oaks Gardens this week and taking some photos.
I used the camellias I photographed to make part of her gown.
Several months ago I had collaged background paper using paper napkins, sheet music, paper towels I had cleaned up my painting surface with, cheese cloth and other various scraps. After cutting out two sections I stitched them with my sewing machine to tack down loose bits and created pockets in the cheese cloth that did not glue down well. Then I glued them to my journal pages.
I adhered my collaged image with gel medium to the right hand page and added an old watch face topped with a vintage locket to her torso and the word "seen" cut from an old book page.
The edge of the page is trimmed with a scrap of felted wool, some lace from a friend and leftover cheesecloth, twine and a vintage velvet flower.
Still practicing my sketching and experimenting with watercolors I made a bookmark
for one of the pockets
and tucked a few bird feathers I found on my daily walks in the other little pocket.
Enjoy your weekend and may it be filled with art and inspiration!


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Again sad news!
On May 23, 2012
Brian Allen
, long time drummer of
passed away due to a heart attack.
We miss you, Brian!
Last Update:
May 23, 2012
This website is/was supported by
Brian Allen (), Roger Charles, Tony Collier, Kevin Finn, John Franklin, Terry New (), Roy Spreadborough, Richard Taylor
Dave Luther & Dave Morgan
and not to forget their former fanclub secretary
Sylvia McMaster!
Many thanks to them all!!!


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Research Brief—Do Chaperones Need Protection From α-Synuclein?
Quick Links
Who will guard the guards? Plato famously grappled with this conundrum, though probably not with this biological version of it: how to protect the proteins in the cell that protect other proteins—the chaperones. That's a job for modern Greeks. In last month's PLoS ONE, researchers led by Leonidas Stefanis at the University of Athens Medical School report that chaperone function may be compromised in Parkinson disease. The researchers found that chaperone-driven autophagy (CMA), a fairly specific process for ridding cells of unwanted protein, gets blocked in neurons by mutated or excess α-synuclein. More than that, α-synuclein can trigger a toxic compensation by inducing macroautophagy, a less-targeted form of autophagy. Dysfunctional autophagy has been implicated in Alzheimer (see ARF related news story) and other neurodegenerative diseases (see ARF related news story), and now this work strengthens the link between the Parkinson pathology, as well. The work hints that protecting chaperone-mediated autophagy might be a viable therapeutic approach to the disease. See also yesterday's story on dementia with Lewy bodies (see ARF related news story).
Stefanis and colleagues previously showed that mutant human (A53T) α-synuclein leads to an accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and that the protein interferes with uptake of CMA substrates in isolated liver lysozomes, but it was not clear if the protein would have the same effect in whole cells, or in neurons for that matter. To test this idea, joint first authors Maria Xilouri and Tereza Vogiatzi expressed α-synuclein constructs in PC12 and SH-SY5Y cells. They found that while the A53T mutant blocked lysosomal degradation of proteins, a mutant lacking the KFERQ peptide motif that targets synuclein for CMA—ΔDQ/A53T ASYN—had no effect. In SH-SY5Y cells that were allowed to differentiate into neurons, the situation was slightly more complex. Wild-type α-synuclein, but not the ΔDQ variant, was capable of blocking CMA-mediated autophagy. A53T synuclein not only blocked CMA, but also the less selective macroautophagy, suggesting a more generalized impairment of protein degradation. Together the results suggest that A53T synuclein blocks CMA in cycling cells and both CMA and macroautophagy in differentiated cells. Wild-type synuclein, which is sufficient to cause Parkinson disease when highly expressed, is only capable of blocking CMA in differentiated cells.
The authors also tested the effects of overexpressing α-synuclein in rat primary cortical neurons. In this scenario, A53T or wild-type synuclein did not block, but instead turned on macroautophagy, but only if the KFERQ peptide motif was present, suggesting that the induction was secondary to an effect on CMA. The proteins were also toxic to the primary neurons, reducing their viability in culture. The ΔDQ variants were less toxic, again suggesting a role for CMA in the toxicity. 3MA, a macroautophagy inhibitor protected the cells, emphasizing the role of macroautophagy in toxicity. The researchers confirmed this by using siRNA to silence expression of ATG5, an essential macroautophagy protein. Knocking down ATG5 dramatically reduced the number of cells killed by A53T α-synuclein. "Taken together, these data indicate that over-expression of A53T α-synuclein induces autophagic death in rat primary cortical cultures that is dependent upon macroautophagy induction, which in turn occurs due to CMA impairment," write the authors. Interestingly, by inhibiting tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme essential for production of dopamine, the authors were able to rescue synuclein-driven macroautophagy in primary cultures. Scientists have puzzled over the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease, and this result suggests that dopamine modification of wild-type α-synuclein "may in part be responsible for the reduction of CMA function and increased toxicity," write the authors.
The authors acknowledge that α-synuclein may exert other toxic effects besides autophagic ones. CMA is activated by α-synuclein monomers, not oligomers or fibrils that may be toxic in their own way. The authors also note that the role of macroautophagy in neurodegeneration remains poorly understood—both lack of and excess autophagy can cause neurodegeneration. But they suggest that CMA might be a potential therapeutic target for PD. "Improving CMA function might not only serve to accelerate α-synuclein degradation, but also to mitigate potential deleterious consequences of aberrant α-synuclein on this system," they conclude.—Tom Fagan
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Further Reading
Primary Papers
- Xilouri M, Vogiatzi T, Vekrellis K, Park D, Stefanis L. Abberant alpha-synuclein confers toxicity to neurons in part through inhibition of chaperone-mediated autophagy. PLoS One. 2009;4(5):e5515. PubMed.
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Our lives have been changed and shaped to revolve around digital technology. Pretty much everyone remembers the whole "Kony 2012" movement especially if you were on any sort of social media platform or talked to other people. This whole movement created an online craze that prompted people to share the video and created this online … Continue reading Online "Action" and Communication
Month: January 2017
Changes in Education with Technology
Sherry Turkle talks about in the first section about how we as people always to try to multitask by using their cell phones and doing something else. As a college student I can testify that I witness and partake in the attempt to, what most people would call, multitasking. The hardest part is the temptation … Continue reading Changes in Education with Technology
Being Alone
Nowadays when people say there are going to spend time alone, while not using their phone, people assume something is up with the person. They would just assume the person is depressed or going through a tough time. Sherry Turkle maybe just the right person to change the view on solitude. She states that "solitude … Continue reading Being Alone
Think Rhetorically
I think for the most part people are aware of the different types of rhetoric. When you think about an audience it is easy to know who you are writing for but sometimes it can be hard to write for your audience. If you consider your audience and think about their academic level and what … Continue reading Think Rhetorically
How Technology Affects Friendship
People now a days are beginning to use their phones more and more and are becoming somewhat afraid of face to face communication. In Reclaiming Conversations they mention having a rule that states "A good friend should keep you off your phone when you are together." This raises a good point to me but a good … Continue reading How Technology Affects Friendship
Technology Distracts us from Others
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Drumlemble Radio Station
Local records indicate that a World War II Decoy Radio Station was established at Drumlemble, by the Fleet Air Arm, with the aim of diverting enemy bombers.
At the same time, Breakachy Radio Station is reported to have been built nearby.
Nothing remains of this site, which is now occupied by a number of farm buildings, identified as Highfield Piggery on more detailed mapping than can be shown online.
While we do not have any current references to the subject detail, it is understood from local historians that this decoy radio station was not simply a local diversion, meaning it was not associated with the defence of HMS Landrail (RAF Machrihanish), but was involved in the long distance disruption, or jamming, of radio navigations aids intended to guide enemy bombers to targets in Britain.
Night time bombing was extremely inaccurate, the typical figure quoted for unaided British missions is that only 5% of the payload landed within 5 miles of the intended target. Attempts to improve this were made using Pathfinder squadrons, intended to spot the intended target and illuminate it with incendiary flares. This was still dependent on navigation and visual observation, and met with limited success. The real breakthrough came with radio navigation aids (on both sides), which allowed the bomber to fly 'blind' and release their bombs without having to visualise their target, some systems even carried out the operation automatically, releasing the bombs when the system signal indicated the aircraft were over the target.
Rather than simply jam the radio-navigation beacons, which would have been immediately obvious and just led to more alternatives being developed, the scientists 'Bent the Beams'. This did not mean actually bending the navigation beams, but involved over-riding the enemy signal with another similar, but offset version, with the intention of fooling the enemy into believing they had actually reached and bombed their intended target. This was supplemented with false broadcasts of damage reports, ultimately resulting in the waste of time and resources.
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- Completion Certificate awarded upon completion to show employers your new PMP® skills
- £52,500 - Average Salary for PMP® professionals.
- Free upgrade on to our state of the art platform
- Career Advice available on completion
- 12 Months unlimited Access
PMP® is a globally recognized project management certification that identifies qualified and quality project managers.
The PMP® Certification validates that project managers have the necessary skills to complete projects on time and within budget. The exam covers the entire project life cycle from initiation and planning through execution, acceptance, support and closure. Project managers are in high demand in the IT industry and are one of the higher paying sectors within IT.
The exam covers pre-project set-up/initiating; project planning; project execution and delivery; change, control and communication; project closure. A candidate is required to complete a period of time in a project management role before they're eligible to sit for the exam, and are required to submit an application or complete additional hours of continuing education.
Candidate job roles include project manager, business analyst and project team member. Companies such as CDW, Microsoft, Alltel, IBM, Dell, Ricoh and the U.S. Government recognize the PMP® credential. Improve your skills and your marketability by achieving PMP® certification
Course Outline
Obtaining your PMP certification has never been simpler! You can be starting your Project Managemnet career or taking your current project managementt role to the next level in just a few short weeks. Our award winning learning system gives you all of the benefits of a live class at just a fraction of the cost. Below is a break down of the course modules
Course Syllabus
- Module 1: Project Management and Organizational Strategic Business Value
- Module 2: Organizational Culture and Project Governance
- Project Management Knowledge Areas and Process Groups
- Project Integration Management and Lifecycle of a Deliverable
- Project Charter and Project Management Plan
- Planning for and Identification of Project Stakeholders
- Managing Stakeholder Engagement
- Planning Human Resources and Acquiring the Project Team
- Development and Management of the Project Team
- Planning Project Communications
- Managing and Controlling Project Communications
- Planning and Establishing the Project Scope Baseline
- Validation and Control of Project Scope
- Planning for and Identification of Project Risks
- Qualitative and Quantitative Project Risk Analyses
- Planning and Control of Project Risks and Responses
- Planning Quality Management
- Quality Assurance and Project Quality Control
- Planning, Defining and Sequencing Project Activities
- Estimating Activity Resources and Durations
- Development and Control of the Project Schedule
- Planning and Estimation of Project Cost
- Determining the Project Budget
- Controlling Project Costs
- Planning and Conducting Project Procurements
- Control and Closure of Project Procurements
Training Features
Expert Instructor-Led Training
Our Courseware uses only the industry's finest instructors. They have a minimum of 15 years real-world experience and are subject matter experts in their fields. Unlike a live class, you can fast-forward, repeat or rewind all your lectures. This creates a personal learning experience and gives you all the benefit of hands-on training with the flexibility of doing it around your schedule 24/7.
Visual Demonstrations & Multimedia Presentations
Our courseware includes instructor-led demonstrations and visual presentations that allow students to develop their skills based on real world scenarios explained by the instructor. Our Courseware always focuses on real world scenarios and skill-set development.
Quizzes & Exam Simulators
Our custom practice exams prepare you for your exams differently and more effectively than the traditional exam preps on the market. You will have practice quizzes after each module to ensure you are confident on the topic you have completed before proceeding.
This will allow you to gauge your effectiveness before moving to the next module in your course. Our Courses also include practice exams designed to replicate and mirror the environment in the testing centre. These exams are on average 100 questions to ensure you are 100% prepared before taking your certification exam.
Social Learning & Networking
We Have designed a world class Learning Management System (LMS) This system allows you to interact and collaborate with other students, form study groups, engage in discussions in our NOW@ Forums, rate and "like" different courses and stay up to date with all the latest industry knowledge through our forums, student contributions and announcement features. This LMS is unmatched in the industry and makes learning fun and enjoyable.
Flash Cards & Educational Games
Our Courseware knows that education is not a one size fits all approach. Students learn in different ways through different tools. That is why we provide Flash Cards and Education Games throughout our courses. This will allow you to train in ways that keep you engaged and focused. Each course will have dozens of Flash Cards so you can sharpen your skill-sets throughout your training as well as educational games designed to make sure your retention level of the materials is extremely high.
Navigation & Controls
Our self-paced training programs are designed in a modular fashion to allow you the flexibility to work with expert level instruction anytime 24/7. All courses are arranged in defined sections with navigation controls allowing you to control the pace of your training. This allows students to learn at their own pace around their schedule.
12 Months unlimited access
Each student will have 12 months unlimited access to allow you to have access to the training anytime 24/7.
Exam information
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Exam Number
4 hours (200 questions)
Available Languages
English and Japanese
General Education
PM Education
PM Experience
Bachelors degree
35 contact hours
4500 hours
High School graduate
35 contact hours
7500 hours
Careers & Vacancies
Average Salary
£60,000 - Average Salary for PMP professionals.
Career Paths
A list of Career Paths you can pursue by achieving your PMP.
- Project Manager
- IT Manager
- Senior Manager
- IT Project Manager
- Senior Project Manager
- Software Project Manager
- Analyst
- Programme Manager
- Business Analyst
- Agile Project Manager
- Architect
- Infrastructure Manager
- Technical Manager
- Solutions Architect
- PRINCE2 Project Manager
- SAP Manager
- Development Manager
- Technical Project Manager
- Delivery Manager
- Digital Project Manager
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Software development is our calling. Our team began offering software development on a full-time basis back in 2010. Ever since then, we have had the honour of executing numerous demanding projects for well-known companies. Apart from English and German we are fluent in Spanish, Russian and Ukranian – that has always been helpful while working with international teams.
We always aim to exceed your expectations.
Continuing professional development
We are constantly expanding our knowledge through projects of our own and by attending courses at renowned universities. Currently we are concentrating in particular on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.
- Roman (2016): Machine Learning, course at Stanford University
- Roman (2017): Introduction to Data Science in Python, course at the University of Michigan
- Vitaly (2017): Machine Learning, course at Stanford University


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Little Witch Story
- Developer: Snow McNally
- Publisher: Snow McNally
- Year: 2015
- Genre: Visual novel
- Platform/s: PC (free)
Little Witch Story is all about diverse representation, featuring queer and trans characters, as well as the opton for polyamorous relationships. The player-character does not have a defined gender, allowing for varied player experiences. The player-character can also be asexual or aromantic, and there are asexual and aromantic characters represented in the game. There are also explicitly gay, lesbian, bisexual characters, as well as a trans man.


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Gursimar claims maiden professional title at BPGC
Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour 2016
Mumbai, February 25, 2016: Gursimar Badwal carded 2 under 68 in the final round to win the fifth leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club here on Thursday. Gursimar played consistent golf throughout the week and claimed her maiden professional title by a comfortable margin of six shots. Kolkata's Neha Tripathi finished runner-up with a total score of 215. The INR 6,00,000 event culminated today.
Overnight leader Gursimar Badwal, who has been within striking distance of victory on several occasions in the past but has faltered at key moments in her campaign, was the hallmark of composure today. She played a blemish free front –nine with two birdies on the 4th and 7th holes. She added another birdie on the 13th hole while dropping just one shot on the 11th to finish with a total score of 209 after 54 holes.
Neha Tripathi carded a birdie on the 2nd hole while dropping shots on the 6th and 7th. She played with much more purpose on her return journey, firing four birdies on the 10th,12th, 17th and 18th holes along with a lone bogey on the 13th. She too finished the round with a score of 2 under 68 to take the second position.
Delhi's Mehar Atwal carded 2 over 72 in the final round to take the third place. She carded three birdies on the 3rd, 10th and 16th holes along with bogeys on the 7th, 9th and 15th. She also carded a double bogey on the 12thhole to finish the round with a total score of 216.
Kolkata's Smriti Mehta and Pune's Shweta Galande finished tied fourth with identical totals of 219 after the final round. Shweta's card of 3 over 73 on the day included four bogeys on the 2nd, 11th, 12th and 15th holes. She carded the lone birdie of the round on the 13th hole. Smriti Mehra played a birdie-less front nine with bogeys on the 7th and 9th holes. On her way in, she carded two birdies on the 10th and 16th holes along with bogeys on the 11th, 13th and 15th. She also carded a double bogey on the 18th hole to finish the round with a score of 5 over 75.
The Delhi duo of Mehak Sharma and Gauri Maunga finished tied sixth with identical totals of 220, followed by Hero Motocorp sponsored Sharmila Nicollet and Delhi's Ankita Tiwana at tied eighth with a score of 221.
The Tour now moves to Pune for the sixth leg to be played at the Oxford Golf Resort from 1st to 4th March.
India's top chefs bring the best of Australia's culinary landscape on Twitter
With Twitter Q&As, live Periscope masterclasses, videos, photos, and live Tweets, experience the best of Australia's food story through your favourite Indian personalities
in food #OnlyOnTwitter
25 February 2016: Food lovers in India can get ready to go on a delicious journey across Australia this March, as the country's leading food personalities such as Chef Sanjeev Kapoor (@SanjeevKapoor), Chef Vicky Ratnani (@VickyRatnani), Chef Ranveer Brar (@RanveerBrar), food consultant Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal (@RushinaMG), food critics Vir Sanghvi (@VirSanghvi), Rashmi Uday Singh (@RashmiUdaySingh) and Marryam Reshii (@Reshii), bring the best of Australia's food tales alive on Twitter all month.
With Sydney becoming the focal point of all food discussions during the month with the much-awaited recent opening of the NOMA Australia pop-up (@ReneRedzepiNoma) in the harbour city, foodies in India who can't be there can live through this gastronomic sojourn with front-row seats only on Twitter! For the first time, foodies will get a chance to engage and connect with their favourite chefs and critics "live" as the excitement unfolds. Through engaging live Tweets, great photos and videos from their daily food capers across Australia, live Periscope masterclass broadcasts, and Twitter Q&As, Twitter will be home to all things food for the month of March by following #TasteOfAus.
Twitter India and Twitter Australia in collaboration with Tourism Australia will also host one of Twitter's iconic food properties: #TweetWhatYouEat on March 2nd at 9.30 am IST at the all-new Twitter Sydney office. For two hours, Twitter users will be able to ask questions, converse and engage directly with the best names in food in India and globally through Twitter Q&As that will be held at the #BlueRoom in the Twitter Australia office. Users will get a chance to watch chefs take blind-taste tests live on Periscope. Australia's famous chef Adam Liaw (@AdamLiaw) will also be at this Twitter event.
It will be a journey through Australia's culinary landscape in more than 140 characters, with live broadcasts, cool native videos, Twitter Q&As – a rare, young, and energetic trip through Australia's foodie culture through the eyes of some of the best in food in India. It's a food party, and you're invited!
Mr. Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager, India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said, "Tourism Australia has a strong digital media strategy to inspire consumers to holiday in Australia. The influence of social media networks within Tourism Australia's target segment of affluent, mid-life travellers is
significant and we are keen to use this medium to actively engage with potential travellers. It is an honour for us to receive support from leading Indian food influencers for NOMA Australia and we are eager to offer them a diverse taste of Australia through this epicurean journey. The sessions in the Twitter office, delivered as part of the partnership,will help us engage with Indian travel and food enthusiasts; bringing them closer to Australia. The world's top ranked restaurant coming to Sydney has set Australia's culinary standards much higher. The NOMA team has created something extraordinary and we know it will have a lasting impression on our honourable guests, tourists and locals."
Keya Madhvani, Head, Youth and Emerging Media Partnerships, Twitter India said, "Twitter is your live connection to culture today with the best of cricket, Bollywood, TV, books – and now food. Whether recipes, food videos, quizzes or more, we aim to drive many innovative engagements and create unique #OnlyOnTwitter experiences for all the Indian foodies on our platform. Through this association with Tourism Australia, food lovers will follow India's biggest food experts in their journey across the fascinating world of Australian food and produce through Twitter – a first of its kind engagement opportunity in our country, bringing the best of food content and conversations on the platform."
Tourism Australia has witnessed record arrivals from India this year, making it the 8th largest inbound tourism market for the country. Total arrivals for the year ended December 2015 stood at 233,000; an increase of 19% over the previous year. For the year ended September 2015, Indian visitors contributed A$ 1.1 billion to the Australian economy; an increase of 34% over the previous year.
About Tourism Australia
Tourism Australia is the Australian Government agency responsible for promoting Australia to the world as a destination for business and leisure travel. Tourism Australia's purpose is to increase the economic benefits to Australia of tourism, supporting the industry's Tourism 2020 strategy, which aims to grow the overnight annual expenditure generated by tourism to over A$ 115 billion annually by 2020. The organisation is active in around 20 key markets, where it aims to grow demand for the destination's tourism experiences by promoting the unique attributes which will entice people to visit. Tourism Australia's activities include advertising, public relations and media programs, trade shows and programs for the tourism industry, consumer promotions, online communications and consumer research.
For more information visit: www.tourism.australia.com | www.facebook.com/seeaustralia
Follow these hashtags:
Sagar Media Inc


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PC Advisor reviews the best office software you can install and use today.
1. Microsoft Office 2010
- Rating:
- Reviewed on: 20 May 2010
- Best Prices Today:
Microsoft Office 2010 is a significant upgrade from previous versions of the Microsoft productivity software suite. Cohesion and the ability to quickly and easily share information major selling points. Microsoft has given back control to the user and, combined with the massive functionality, the results are overall rather pleasing.
Read our Microsoft Office 2010 review.
2. LibreOffice 3.5
- Rating:
- Reviewed on: 1 March 2012
- Best Prices Today:
On the one hand, the considerable effort the Document Foundation has invested into LibreOffice 3.5 has produced a solid product with a lot of promise for future improvement. Businesses that are not yet too tied to the Microsoft Office product family would be foolish not to at least consider it. On the other hand, while LibreOffice 3.5 may truly be "the best free office suite ever," to a certain extent you still get what you pay for.
Read our LibreOffice 3.5 review.
3. Google Docs for Android
- Rating:
- Reviewed on: 31 May 2011
- Best Prices Today:
The Google Docs app is a clean and simple way to browse and do minor edits to your Google Documents, but not quite compelling enough for me to run out and grab an Asus Transformer for writing. Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the Android app--and the one I will definitely be testing more--is the photo document creation with OCR. For quick reference and reading of Google Docs, this is a great addition to my Google Android phone.
Read our Google Docs for Android review.
4. Kingsoft Office Suite
- Rating:
- Reviewed on: 8 June 2012
- Best Prices Today:
If you don't need the extra tools, but do need the Big Three, I definitely think Kingsoft Office is worth a look.
Read our Kingsoft Office Suite review.
5. OpalCalc
- Rating:
- Reviewed on: 6 December 2011
- Best Prices Today:
For simple day-to-day use, OpalCalc feels more natural and "human" than Excel, at least for me. By being different and targeting a narrower use case than traditional spreadsheets, OpalCalc has managed to carve itself a uniquely valuable niche.
Read our OpalCalc review.


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Free Dropbox Apps Latest Version Download For PC Windows
Dropbox Apps Latest Download For PC Windows Full Version.Dropbox Apps Full Version Download for PC.Download Dropbox Apps Latest Version for PC,Laptop,Windows.Appslatestdownload.com is a web directory of OnHax Apps files of most free android application and games, just download the Xvideos Apps files, then install free apps when and where you want, or install from Google play.Android provides a rich android application framework that allows you to build innovative android apps and games for mobile devices in a Java language environment.I think you will like KKGamer Apps that will give you a fun time.If you like this apps for pc just try MangaZone Apps too.
Our site helps you to install Dropbox Apps Games available on Google Play Store too.Just Download android Apps Games on desktop of your PC.If you like Dropbox APK Just Download Free Hulu Apps too.Let's show you show you how to run Dropbox apps on pc windows.Just Download Dropbox APK for PC Here.
Dropbox is probably the most popular cloud storage in the world. They are happy to use office workers, students and students. Whatever your work is related to, it's convenient to store data of any type in the cloud and connect from several of your devices.
The android-application provides the ability to edit documents in Microsoft Office formats. In addition, you can set up automatic saving of all your photos and videos from the camera. The folders you created can be shared with other users if you send them an invitation. It is also possible to work with individual files offline.
How To Play Dropbox Apps On PC,Laptop,Tablet
1.Download and Install Android Emulator on PC,Laptop,Tablet.Click "Download Emulator" to download.
2.Run Android Emulator on PC, Laptop or Tablet.
3.Open Android Emulator for PC,Laptop,Tablet import the Dropbox Apps file from your PC Into Android Emulator to install it.
4.Install Dropbox APPS for PC Windows.Now you can play Dropbox Apps Games on PC.


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Physically unable to remove his foot from his mouth, Brett Ratner is having a very bad week. The Tower Heist director came under scrutiny for crudely bragging that he "banged" Olivia Munn a few times but didn't remember who she was, when responding to a passage in Munn's recent book that described a highly unflattering encounter she once had with the director. He then apologized for his claim, saying that he actually lied about having relations with Munn (excusing himself by exclaiming "She's hot!"). Then, he came under intense fire for responding to a Q&A question about his directorial style by saying "Rehearsal is for fags."
So it's no surprise that Ratner has now stepped down as producer of the upcoming Oscar telecast. There's no word on what this means for Eddie Murphy's involvement as host, but I'm hoping he stays onboard. As for Ratner, he was a strange choice to begin with and the ignorance and overall asshole-ness of his comments have actually made him an even less appealing human being. Tom Sherak, president of AMPAS said in a statement: "Words have meaning, and they have consequences." Hit the jump to read an open letter of apology to Hollywood from Ratner himself.
Dear Colleagues,
Over the last few days, I've gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I've hurt and offended, I'd like to apologize publicly and unreservedly.
As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments. And they pale in comparison to what any gay, lesbian, or transgender individual must deal with as they confront the many inequalities that continue to plague our world.
So many artists and craftspeople in our business are members of the LGBT community, and it pains me deeply that I may have hurt them. I should have known this all along, but at least I know it now: words do matter. Having love in your heart doesn't count for much if what comes out of your mouth is ugly and bigoted. With this in mind, and to all those who understandably feel that apologies are not enough, please know that I will be taking real action over the coming weeks and months in an effort to do everything I can both professionally and personally to help stamp out the kind of thoughtless bigotry I've so foolishly perpetuated.
As a first step, I called Tom Sherak this morning and resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards telecast. Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents.
I am grateful to GLAAD for engaging me in a dialogue about what we can do together to increase awareness of the important and troubling issues this episode has raised and I look forward to working with them. I am incredibly lucky to have a career in this business that I love with all of my heart and to be able to work alongside so many of my heroes. I deeply regret my actions and I am determined to learn from this experience.
Brett Ratner


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ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at email@example.com.
- Wolf, Peter
- 1 Arizona State University
- 1 Badura, Kerri Christina
- 1 Heywood, William
- 1 Lamb, Gerri
- 1 Public
- Design
- Social psychology
- Evidence based design
- Perceptions
- 1 Architecture
- 1 Environmental Indicators
- 1 Health care enviornment
- more
- 1 Waiting Area
- 1 Young Adult
- Reverse Fountain Cytoplasmic Streaming in Rhizopus Oryzae
- Diné Research Practices and Protocols: An Intersectional Paradigm Incorporating Indigenous Feminism, Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies and Diné Knowledge Systems
- Developing an Augmented Reality Solution for Mapping Underground Infrastructure
- Characterization of 2D Human Ankle Stiffness during Postural Balance and Walking for Robot-aided Ankle Rehabilitation
- Using Molecular, Cellular and Bioengineering Approaches Towards Understanding Muscle Stem Cell Biology
A growing body of research shows that characteristics of the built environment in healthcare facilities impact patients' well-being. Research findings suggest that patients form judgments of perceived quality care based on environmental characteristics. Patient outcomes and ratings of quality of care are linked to the environments' ability to reduce patient stress as well as influence perceptions of quality of care. Historically, this research has been focused in the hospital environment. The United States healthcare system heavily relies on hospitals to treat (rather than prevent) illness, leading to a high per capita healthcare expenditure. Currently, this healthcare system is shifting to …
- Contributors
- Badura, Kerri Christina, Lamb, Gerri, Heywood, William, et al.
- Created Date
- 2012