Search is not available for this dataset
text
string | meta
string | __index_level_0__
int64 |
---|---|---|
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
<entity class-name="ejb_generated.CfCV_Class" label="Curriculum Vitae - Classification" name="CFCV_CLASS">
<attributes>
<column-attribute field-name="id" hidden="true" key="true" label="ID" length="50" name="id" type="java.lang.Long"/>
<column-attribute field-name="a_start_date" hidden="false" key="false" label="Start Date" length="0" name="a_start_date" precision="0" type="java.util.Date"/>
<column-attribute field-name="a_end_date" hidden="false" key="false" label="End Date" length="0" name="a_end_date" precision="0" type="java.util.Date"/>
<column-attribute field-name="a_fraction" hidden="false" key="false" label="Fraction" length="0" name="a_fraction" precision="0" type="java.math.BigDecimal"/>
<zoom-attribute class-name="ejb_generated.CfClass" field-name="cfcv_class_classification" label="Classification" name="cfcv_class_classification" zoomed-by="id">
<column-ref label="Classification ID" name="id"/>
</zoom-attribute>
<zoom-attribute class-name="ejb_generated.CfCV" field-name="cfcv_class_curriculumVitae" label="Curriculum vitae" name="cfcv_class_curriculumVitae" zoomed-by="id">
<column-ref label="Curriculum vitae ID" name="id"/>
</zoom-attribute>
</attributes>
</entity>
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaGithub'} | 9,420 |
Abatements are available to new and expanding industries in DeKalb County. These abatements are for non-educational property taxes and are granted by city or county authorities. In order to receive an abatement, the business must follow certain procedures and have a qualifying project.
A trade or business described in 1987 Standard Industrial Classification Industry Group Number 0724, Major Groups 20 to 39, inclusive, 50 and 51, Industrial Group Number 737, and Industry Numbers 4613, 8731, 8733, and 8734.
A trade or business described in the 1997 North American Industry Classification System within Subsector 493 (Warehousing and Storage), Industry Number 488310 (Port and Harbor Operations), or Industry Number 488320 (Marine Cargo Handling).
Abatements are granted through the city or county governing bodies. The Alabama Department of Revenue's Abatement Booklet contains procedures, forms, and instructions for applying for an abatement.
Once an abatement has been granted, the owner or private user of an industrial property must file with the County Revenue Commissioner's Office a copy of the resolution from the city or county governing body. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,421 |
Krishna Gubili was born in 1970 in Hyderabad, India. He lives in Easton, PA, USA with his wife and daughter. He is passionate about history, travel, movies and cricket. He is an alumnus of JNTU College of Engineering, Hyderabad and Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. This is his debut book. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,422 |
This episode of The Life Cast features Pastor Randy Williamson giving a message titled "Conquering the Dark Kingdom of Condemnation" on August 3. Enjoy the podcast.
This is a special episode of The Life Cast as it is Pastor Aaron Broberg's last Sunday with us here at New Life. Enjoy the podcast as Pastor Aaron gives a message titled "Entering The Promised Land" on July 27.
This episode of The Life Cast features Pastor Randy Williamson giving a message titled "The Danger of Disconnecting from the Fellowship" on July 20. Enjoy the podcast.
This episode of The Life Cast features Pastor Randy Williamson giving a message titled "Worth Your Weight in Salt" on July 13. Enjoy the podcast.
This episode of The Life Cast features Pastor Randy Williamson giving a message titled "The Driving Power of Desperation" on July 6. Enjoy the podcast.
Episode 15 of the Life Cast was recorded during our Freedom Sunday Service which was held at New Life Assembly on Memorial Day Weekend. During this service we took time to recognize everyone who has and is serving our country. The podcast starts with a special song from musicians Matt and Sherry McPherson. Pastor Randy Williamson concludes the podcast with a message about the importance of military power in our spiritual lives. Enjoy the podcast. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,423 |
Oligodontia - selective tooth agenesis is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by congenital absence of permanent teeth. Depending on the gene involved, specific teeth may be more likely to be missing, for example, lateral incisors (WNT10A) or second premolars and third molars (MSX1). This panel consists of nine genes, including five genes causing nonsyndromic selective tooth agenesis (MSX1, PAX9, WNT10A, LRP6, EDA, WNT10B), one gene causing oligodontia-colorectal cancer syndrome (AXIN2), one gene causing dental anomalies and short stature (LTBP3), and one gene causing primary failure of tooth eruption (PTH1R).
The oligodontia - selective tooth agenesis NGS panel consists of nine genes: AXIN2, EDA, LRP6, LTBP3, MSX1, PAX9, PTH1R, WNT10A and WNT10B.
Copy number variation (CNV) analysis of the oligodontia - selective tooth agenesis genes is also offered as a panel. Additionally, CTGT offers a comprehensive test (both NGS and CNV panels) for these genes. Panel genes are also offered as individual sequencing and deletion/duplication tests unless otherwise indicated. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,424 |
Larry forms the capitol "L" in KL having founded KL Associates with his wife Karen over 25 years ago. As Principal Broker, Larry oversees the firm's sales division, property acquisitions and investor relations. With support from family members over the years, they have built a steady presence and stellar reputation in the DC real estate market.
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Larry moved to Washington, DC and attended Howard University School of Business and UDC, where he earned his BS in Accounting. He soon began investing, renovating and managing properties with Karen and formed KL Associates as a property management firm in 1991. Drawing on this success, Larry went on to obtain his brokerage license and formed a sales brokerage division.
Larry has served on the GCAAR Property Management Committee. Currently, he sits on the board of the Independent Real Estate Brokers Alliance and is a member of the Association of Real Estate Brokers, Business Networking International (BNI) and Toastmasters.
What does Larry do to relax?
Staying active comes easy to Larry. Basketball is his passion. A rabid Wizards fan and season ticket holder, Larry also plays pick-up and league play with the Rim Rockers several times a week. Larry also coached the John Eaton School team for many years.
His interests include reading, chess, photography, learning Spanish, public speaking and mentoring young people on business and entrepreneurship. An avid traveler, Larry enjoys summering in Martha's Vineyard with his family and taking trips to Caribbean. For more than 25 years, he has lived in the Crestwood neighborhood with his wife Karen and their three young adult children. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,425 |
Saw Palmetto: Another to a great degree standard and earth shattering herb that is known for its processing support properties. The effect of this improvement is balance in our rec focus and room session. There are few blends in this settling, can clearly impact the testosterone creation. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,426 |
I previously talked about my excitement for the new Marvel-backed Netflix original series, Daredevil, but the show has now officially been out since April 10th. The reviews are in.
Blown away by the goodness of #Daredevil on @netflix. Take a bow Loeb, Goddard, @JoeQuesada and all. Doing it JUSTICE.
5 episodes in and #Daredevil is consistently surprising and intriguing. Really brilliant show so far.
I'm only six eps into #Daredevil so can someone tell me when Evanescence shows up?
I couldn't agree more with the general consesus and am anticipating the confirmed arrival of a second season. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,427 |
Steven Smith and David Warner, formerly captain and vice-captain of Australia, have been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for their roles in the pre-meditated plan to tamper with the ball on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa. Cameron Bancroft, the player actually caught tampering with the ball, has been banned for nine months.
Smith and Warner have also been banned from captaining Australia for two years. An official announcement of their penalties is expected to be announced soon, as the fallout of the scandal, which was met with outrage in Australia, rumbles on.
All players will have the right to challenge the verdicts and also the duration of their penalties via a CA code of behaviour hearing with an independent commissioner, who can also choose whether the hearing is public or private. Players at the hearing are permitted to call as many witnesses as they like and also to have legal representation.
Smith is due to depart for Australia today and will speak publicly upon his arrival home in Sydney. All three players have been replaced in the squad ahead of the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
The ball-tampering incident took place during the afternoon session on day three at Newlands and was picked up on by TV cameras. A small, yellow object was seen in Bancroft's hands after he had worked on the ball, which he later revealed was adhesive tape with soil particles on it. He was also captured taking the tape from his pocket and placing it down his trousers.
The footage showed Bancroft rubbing the rough side of the ball, the opposite side to which he would usually be trying to shine on his trousers. He put the object down his pants after being spoken to by the substitute Peter Handscomb, who had come on to the field after speaking to Australia coach Darren Lehmann over a walkie talkie. Lehmann seemed to speak to Handscomb after footage of Bancroft working on the ball was shown on the TV screens at the ground.
The on-field umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth were then seen speaking with Bancroft, though they did not choose to change the ball or penalise the Australians five runs – the statutory on-field penalty for illegally changing the condition of the ball. When Bancroft spoke to the umpires, he was shown holding a bigger, black cloth rather than the small yellow object he had earlier seemed to place down his trousers.
Smith and Bancroft owned up to the offence at the press conference after play on the third day, and while Warner was not initially at the forefront of the scandal, a view is emerging that he had hatched the idea to tamper the ball and delegated it to his opening partner Bancroft, with Smith's approval. A preliminary Cricket Australia investigation said that no other players or staff had knowledge of the plan. Smith and Warner were stood down as Australia's captain and vice-captain during the Newlands Test, and both players took the field on the fourth day under wicketkeeper Tim Paine's leadership.
Warner, Smith and Bancroft were sent home from South Africa by CA, with the board CEO James Sutherland saying the forthcoming sanctions against them were likely to be "significant". The ICC had already suspended Smith – who was fined 100% of his match fee and given four demerit points – from the fourth Test against South Africa, while Bancroft was given three demerit points and fined 75% of his match fee. There was no ICC sanction against Warner.
Smith and Warner had already stepped down from their positions as captains of the IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,428 |
For an American semiconductor manufacturer we contributed to the development of a camera-interface. This circuit is used in SoCs for mobile devices.
First our task was to rework an already existing circuit and to add a connection to an OCP bus system to it. Then we verified all functions of the module.
In a further step we verified the interactions of the module with neighboring modules, e.g. the function "DMA transfer to the on-chip memory".
For the design of the circuit we used VERILOG. For the verification we applied VERILOG test-benches, SpecMan 'e' and emulators. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,429 |
IC 2453 — галактика типу S (спіральна галактика) у сузір'ї Рак.
Цей об'єкт міститься в оригінальній редакції індексного каталогу.
Посилання
IC 2453 в оригінальному новому загальному каталозі
IC 2453 в оригінальному новому загальному каталозі
http://www.seds.org/~spider/ngc/revngcic.cgi?IC+2453
IC 2453 в базі SIMBAD
IC 2453 в базі Vizier
IC 2453 в базі NASA Extragalactic Database
Бази даних про об'єкти NGC/IC
IC 2453
IC 2453
IC 2453 | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaWikipedia'} | 9,430 |
Dramatic phone-charging experiment tells us little about lightning
By James Holloway
Dramatic phone-charging experi...
Are we really a step closer to harnessing the power of lightning? (Photo: Wim Vandenbussche)
A Nokia-distributed image of the experiment
In a development that would seem to bring a whole new meaning to the term Lightning charger, Nokia and the University of Southampton claim to have used simulated lightning to charge a Nokia Lumia 925 mobile phone. A University press release states that a 200,000 V was "sent" across a 30 cm gap with the light and heat generated supposedly similar to that of a lightning strike. But is there really any cause for excitement, or are we merely witnessing special effects?
From what can be gleaned from the available information, it appears a transformer was used to step mains electricity up to 200,000 V, causing an electrical arc to span a 30 cm (12 in) gap between two electrodes. The receiving electrode was connected to a second transformer, stepping the voltage back down so as not to fry the phone.
"We were amazed to see that the Nokia circuitry somehow stabilized the noisy signal, allowing the battery to be charged," says the University's Neil Palmer in the press release. "This discovery proves devices can be charged with a current that passes through the air, and is a huge step towards understanding a natural power like lightning and harnessing its energy."
However, watching the accompanying YouTube video, it appears that a constant electrical arc was generated, which would mean that current was constantly flowing to the phone. In a lightning strike, conversely, a massive accumulation of electrical charge is discharged to the ground nearly instantaneously. So is the flow of current constant?
Nokia told Gizmag that it had nothing to add to the information published on its official Nokia Conversations website (which adds very little to the Southampton press release). Neil Palmer confirmed by telephone that a continuous current was indeed flowing. You could say, then, that all that is happening is that the electricity is being routed through a dramatic-looking artificial lightning generator. That may result in a spiky current at the other end, but the second transformer will ensure the voltage is stepped down. However, it is not immediately obvious what possible doors this opens so far as harnessing the power of lightning is concerned, let alone being a "huge step." Palmer tells Gizmag that it was the lack of damage to the phone that was interesting. Asked what we can learn about harnessing energy from lightning, he explained that other experiments were carried out involving the generation of heat, light and sound around the air gap. However, he added that no academic papers were to be produced as a result of the experiment.
"Based on the BBC's coverage, this appears to have very little to do with the atmospheric phenomenon we call lightning," an academic in a related field of study (with no connection to this experiment) told Gizmag.
With the limited information available, it's difficult to find justification for the claim that this is a step towards exploiting the power of lightning. If lessons were learned about the effects of transmission of electricity through air, they haven't been communicated in the press materials. And without an accompanying peer reviewed paper on any aspect of the experiment, our suggestion as things stand is that you don't read very much at all into this one.
You can see the relevant YouTube video and read the source materials for yourself below.
Sources: University of Southampton, Nokia
ScienceNokiaMobile PhonesElectricityUniversity of Southampton
James Holloway
James writes about science and technology from his home in rural East Anglia. Whether it's the internet, nature, video games or AI, he pays particular heed to the flash points with culture, society and the planet.
yinfu99 October 1, 2013 02:07 PM
Pretty sure Nicola Tesla had already discovered things along this line. Why are we re-inventing the wheel?
zevulon October 1, 2013 04:06 PM
this is how the mother ship will charge her swarm of baby drones.
gseattle October 2, 2013 12:31 AM
100 volts per meter in the air on a typical day, more in stormy weather, just that the current is usually low. Otherwise, each of you have some 170 volts in the air between your nose and toes, except our bodies probably tend to short that out and turn it into the wee bit o' current instead.
Anyhow, insulate a metal roof on a tall building for the large surface area plus height, then measure the current to ground through a meter and see how it does, and then ask, what size would a solar panel have to be to top that amount of power?
Russ Pinney October 2, 2013 08:30 AM
A typical lightening bolt carries enough energy to power a 100 watt lightbulb for about two months. For those who would enthuse over the possibility of 'harnessing the power of lightening', there's this thing called the internet where you can read all about this stuff.
neutrino23 October 2, 2013 09:15 PM
This particular exhibition is just a parlor trick. Power from lightning is a serious possibility though. I heard that they are studying this in Japan. The area around Tokyo gets a ferocious amount of lightning. A tower connected to the right technology could buffer the intermittent power from the lightning into regulated power that could be fed into the electric grid or possibly used for another purpose that doesn't require constant power. It is a really hard problem as the energy is deposited in a very short pulse.
Russ Pinney October 3, 2013 12:31 PM
Neutrino, where do you get your information? Lightening might look spectacular but unless there's been a recent change to Coulomb's law, it ain't going to be powering Japanese bullet trains any time soon.
Russell Willmoth October 6, 2013 06:38 AM
Nokia Research: now we know why Nokia had 62% of the market in 2007 and so little today.
Uber Lime October 8, 2013 01:24 PM
they maybe wanna say that they're working on an "instant charging" device for ur devices, but due to r&d secrecy in big firms, they can't say more for now, great.
also gseattle, i like this idea of self-sustainable giant battery buildings, if milli-power can b harnessed from trees, where's the limit with man-made sky-scrapers? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,431 |
Still Life Number 26: Silver Basket of Fruit
Rubens Peale
United States (Philadelphia, PA, 1784 - 1865, Philadelphia, PA)
Medium and Support: Oil on tin
Credit Line: Gift of Helen C. Ellwanger
In March, 1856, Rubens Peale wrote: "I painted all day on Number 15 and Number 26 as it has been very stormy today, nothing going on out doors…. After this, however, visitors came to stay and part of the house was given over to them."
What is somewhat surprising is that Peale, a member of the illustrious family of artists and naturalists, did not begin painting until he was seventy-one. Until then, his work had focused on museums and farming. Considering the artist's limited visual acuity, the texture and color of the fruit and basket in this quiet still life are all the more remarkable.
[Gallery label text, 2005]
Artist; to his son, Charles Willson Peale; to his daughter, Clara Elizabeth Peale (Mrs. Charles Karsner Mills); to her son, Albert Burd Mills; given to Helen Ellwanger, Rochester, NY, by 1947; given to the Gallery in 1964
Riches for Rochester: Recent Additions to the Permanent Collection 9/22/1965 - 10/31/1965
Silent Things, Secret Things: Still Life from Rembrandt to the Millennium 9/19/1999 - 1/2/2000
Article Scope: Reproduction only. Susan Dodge Peters, ed. Memorial Art Gallery: An Introduction to the Collection. New York, New York: Memorial Art Gallery in association with Hudson Hills Press, 1988.
Article Author: Anderson, Patricia. Article Title: Rubens Peale's Still Life Number 26: The Chronicle of a Painting. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Memorial Art Gallery. Gallery Notes. Rochester, New York: Memorial Art Gallery, 1935-1995. Issue Date: May 1986. Page Number: 2, Figure Number: 2
Memorial Art Gallery. Handbook Supplement : acquisitions, 1962-68. Rochester, New York: University of Rochester Press, 1968.
Article Author: Anderson, Patricia. Article Title: Rubens Peale's Still Life Number 26: The Chronicle of a Painting. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Porticus. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery Volume Number: VI Issue Date: 1983. Page Number: 32-36, Figure Number: 1
Brighton-Pittsford Post. Pittsford, NY
Where Art Thou?. Bridgeport, CT: WJ Fantasy Inc., 1993.
Article Author: Sellers, Charles Coleman. Article Title: Rubens Peale: A Painter's Decade. Article Scope: Entry. Art Quarterly. New York, NY: Metropolitan Museum of Art Volume Number: 23 Issue Date: 1960. Page Number: 147
Selma Holo and Bernard Barryte. Silent Things, Secret Things: Still Life from Rembrandt to the Millennium. Albuquerque, NM: The Albuquerque Museum, 1999.
Article Scope: Mention. Elizabeth Brayer. Magnum Opus: The Story of the Memorial Art Gallery, 1913-1988. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 1988.
Article Author: Nurse, Susan. Article Title: Rubens Peale: Still Life Number 26: Silver Basket of Fruit. Article Scope: Chapter and reproduction. Marjorie B. Searl, ed. Seeing America: painting and sculpture from the collection of the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 2006. Page Number: 61-63
19th Century American Art
Seeing America
Seeing America Inservice Materials from a teacher in-service presentation Spring 2008
Seeing America Chapter on Rubens Peale's Still Life Number 26, written by Susan Nurse. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,432 |
With a Manchester City theme, this new TECNO Spark 2 has a well designed look that is very slim and light in weight which is in line with TECNO concise design principle. Crafted through the most advanced technology, the phone boasts of a 5.7mm exquisite build in the thinnest part. It is definitely pleasant to look at and comfortable to hold in hand. It also come fully packed with specification such as 13MP Primary Camera and that of 8MP Secondary. Order it here on globalguds and have it delivered to your doorstep. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,433 |
DUBAI —Tourists planning to visit Malaysia for their holidays need not worry about the dengue situation in Malaysia as the cases reported occurred only in localized areas and not at tourist attractions or tourist-frequented places, according to Malaysian tourism officials here.
As a basic precautionary measure, tourists are advised to use insect repellent when traveling outside cities and towns, they said.
The Malaysian Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation and taking the necessary preventive steps to arrest the increase of suspected dengue and to check the reported rise of suspected cases. Fogging at critical areas and continuous enforcement checks for breeding grounds are also being conducted in heavily populated areas.
The Ministry is disseminating information about preventive measures to the public and appealed for communities to participate in efforts to clear potential breeding grounds of the aedes mosquitoes which is the chief carrier of dengue fever in their neighbourboods.
The Ministry of Health has also issued orders to all state health departments to step up efforts to prevent a possible outbreak of dengue.
In the meantime, Slowly but surely, tourists are returning to Penang. State Tourism Action Council statistics showed that most hotels here are enjoying occupancy rates of 60 to 70 percent.
This is much better than the first week after tsunami, when some hotels were lucky to fill 10 percent of their rooms.
State Tourism Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said: "The hotel cancellations are beginning to taper off.
"The information and publicity disseminated by the Tourism Ministry has helped alleviate fears about visiting Penang. We can expect everything to return to normal within a couple of months."
Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang and Golden Sands Resort sales and marketing director Russell Loughland said the lack of understanding in international Press coverage on the tsunami situation in Penang had resulted in immediate cancellations from foreign and local guests. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,434 |
Q: Regular expression to pick extension What would regular expression look like for any string which ends with .txt?
Tried few myself but it doesn't look like I'm getting anywhere.
I'd like to construct a regex object to feed a function.
A: Something like : .*\.txt$
If you want more precisions, I guess you should precise a language and some other stuffs...
A: Assuming Perl-style regular expressions, /[^\.]*\.txt$/ should work.
A: All you have to do is match the end of the string using
/\.txt$/
Matching more than that e.g., .*\.txt$ is not necessary
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaStackExchange'} | 9,435 |
Tristan Thompson deflects all-star talk, focuses on helping young Cavaliers improve
Marla Ridenour Beacon Journal
Dec 2, 2018 at 3:33 PM Dec 2, 2018 at 9:31 PM
CLEVELAND — Reactions of opposing coaches to Tristan Thompson's board barrage give hint that the Cavaliers center is playing at an all-star level.
Excelling for a team in full rebuilding mode, with the Cavs 4-18 going into Monday's game at the Brooklyn Nets, won't earn Thompson votes. The Eastern Conference is loaded with big men having better years, like Most Valuable Player candidate Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons and Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic.
Rebounding numbers won't get Thompson chosen, even though his 11.4 average stood 11th in the league going into Sunday's action and his 5.0 offensive boards were second behind Drummond. Recording his 12th double-double on Saturday, Thompson is averaging 11.4 points per game, shooting .517 from the field and .636 from the free-throw line.
But if how many fits coaches threw after their players failed to box out Thompson counted, he might have a chance.
"That's for you to tell everyone else; that's your job, not mine," Thompson said when asked if he's deserving of being selected for the Feb. 17 game in Charlotte. "My job is to rebound and have the coach go crazy on the sideline at his bigs for not keeping me off the glass."
Told that Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse showed such anger on more than one occasion in the Cavs' 106-95 home loss Saturday, Thompson said, "Yeah, Nick's a good coach."
Thompson knows the dangers of getting caught up in personal statistics. Growth and development are more important for the Cavs as they begin the post-LeBron James era. With five-time All-Star Kevin Love sidelined until the new year following left foot surgery, Thompson has become the Cavs' spokesman, locker room leader and energetic force on the court.
"What I worry about every day is how I can get these guys better, that's what matters to me," Thompson said Saturday. "How I can help Collin Sexton to be the best Collin Sexton he can be, whatever jewels and gems I've grabbed through the years. Larry [Nance Jr.], how I can help him be a productive big in our league? Keep leading [Jordan Clarkson] and [Rodney] Hood to understand and be pros. That's where my focus is.
"I think when guys think about those personal things they forget about … what matters the most and that's how can you be an asset to the team and how you can help this franchise grow in a positive direction. That's how I look at it."
Thompson is averaging 30.2 minutes per game and the Cavs need every second. The team's energy sometimes drops when he leaves the court. Thompson knows that's been his calling card in an eight-year NBA career and he's not changing.
"In the first quarter, second quarter, teams try to emphasize to their bigs to keep me off the glass," Thompson said of his mindset. "But I've always been told if you keep going to the glass every time, guys get tired, you wear 'em out, so they have either two options. Either A, let you get rebounds or B, coach has to throw somebody else in there to try to stop me.
"I'm going to keep going every time. That's what I bring to this league, that's what separates me from other guys. I'm going to keep doing that every night."
The Cavs waived two-way players Andrew Harrison and Billy Preston and signed guard Jalen Jones and forward Jared Blossomgame to two-way contracts.
Jones, 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds from Texas A&M, played in 16 games last season for the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.3 minutes. In 32 games with Texas and Greensboro in the G League in 2017-18, he averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.4 minutes.
Blossomgame, 6-7 and 220, has appeared in 10 G League games with Austin and Canton this season, averaging 20.9 points on .537 shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.6 minutes. In four games with the Cavs' affiliate, the Canton Charge, he averaged 16.8 points on .511 shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 26.9 minutes. He was drafted 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs out of Clemson in 2017.
Harrison, who did not play on Saturday, played in 10 games for the Cavs while George Hill was sidelined with a sprained right shoulder. Harrison averaged 4.3 points in 14.4 minutes, shooting .308 from the field and .214 from 3-point range.
Undrafted Preston averaged 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds and shot 35 percent from the field in 18.5 minutes for the Charge this season.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at [email protected]. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.
Bark Stark
Times Reporter ~ 629 Wabash Ave. NW
New Philadelphia, OH 44663 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy
Garaway
Tusky Valley
How They Voted? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,436 |
This weekend we're are offering a bountiful hongbao of £1,000 and 1,000 free spins in our Fortune Giveaway. Grab your guaranteed share now!
Opt In now and start accumulating points – the more you get, the bigger your fortune in the giveaway! | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,437 |
New Wolfenstein coming this summer
Tags: #carmack #raven #romero #wolfenstein
Companies: #activision #id-software
Activision Blizzard has confirmed that it will be publishing a new Wolfenstein game and that it'll be hitting shelves for sure this year - possibly as early as this summer.
The confirmation came as part of a conference call given by Activision's Mike Griffith, in which delays for a new James Bond: Racing game created by PGR developer Bizarre Creations were also announced.
The new Wolfenstein game was the big announcement though, with Activision claiming that it expects the game to be available as early as this summer.
"This summer we expect to release an all new Wolfenstein built on id Software's well-established videogame franchise." The game is in development for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360," said Mike.
The new Wolfenstein isn't being built by series creator id Software though, but by the closely-partnered Raven Software. Raven's also working on a new sci-fi title called singularity that's all about time-travel. Like Wolfenstein, Singularity will be built on id Software's new engine and will launch on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 all at the same time.
There's still very little detail on what players might expect to see in either Singularity or Wolfenstein though, except for the fact that neither game will feature Hitler. Disappointed? Let us know in the forums.
Swastika prompts German Wolfenstein recall
A swastika which is still faintly visible in the German version of Wolfenstein has prompted a complete recall.
Wolfenstein Review
Wolfenstein, the grandfather of all modern FPS games, is back with a vengence - but is the series still as good as it used to be or has it all been soured by the introduction of new open-world features and upgradeable weapon features that just don't belong?
BAFTA award winners revealed
The British Academy has finally revealed this years BAFTA award winning games. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,438 |
Q: server for mobile applications I am looking into building a server that will send/receive data from mobile/web apps. I'm wondering what would be the best language/environment to build this with.
The server will receive data regularly from the client apps and will hopefully push data to the clients in real time.
I'm not sure how the servers usually communicate with their mobile clients. Would I just use HTTP? Or should I look at another protocol?
If the server were to sit on the "cloud", for example AWS - what should I write it in? I could write a compiled program to sit here and dish out data? Perhaps Java? Though I'm not sure I like java. How about Python/rails?
I have never written a networked application before, so I'm not sure what the standard methods are here. So any advice from someone more experienced would be greatly appreciated.
A: Since you used the android tag, I would recommend Google AppEngine. There was a session in Google I/O 2011 about that. Google I/O 2011: Android + App Engine: A Developer's Dream Combination
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaStackExchange'} | 9,439 |
What should I bring on my fishing excursion?
What is not included in my fishing excursion?
Are there food or drinks on board the fishing boats?
Coffee, soft drinks on board. Lunches are included on package trips only.
How long are the fishing charters?
A fishing day consists of eight (8) hours on the water (from port) or when maximum fishing limits are reached by all fishermen on board. Usually you will be back in port mid afternoon. Plenty of time for relaxing or other activities.
Do you clean the fish we catch while fishing?
Yes we will. At the end of each fishing day all salmon, halibut, or other catch will be cleaned. On package trips your catch will be professionally processed & vacuum packed as well as frozen & boxed in insulated fish boxes.
Is all the gear supplied on a fishing charter?
Yes. We use only the best sport fishing gear. Mooching rods and single action reels (level wind reels available upon request) with 25 lb. test line for the true sportsman. All gear for salmon and bottom fishing supplied. Bait is primarily cut-plug Herring or Anchovy.
Are reservations required for a fishing charter?
Reservations are highly recommended. In the summer months we are quite busy and if you want guaranteed bookings you will need to reserve your specific dates.
What are your deposit guidelines for a fishing charter?
All booking require a 50% deposit, final payment due 90 days on arrival. Mastercard, Visa accepted. Deposits will be refunded if booking canceled in writing 90 days prior to arrival date. See our complete booking policy.
Can you accommodate children on a fishing charter?
We can accommodate children of all ages. Children's lifejackets are on board.
Are we guaranteed to catch fish while on a fishing charter?
If that were the case it would be called catching, not fishing. However days we don't catch fish are rare events.
When is the best time to come fishing for either salmon or halibut?
in planning your trip to Port Hardy.
→ Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc.
Book Your Port Hardy Fishing Charter and Accommodations Now! | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,440 |
Sarangi, eller sarang, är ett indiskt musikinstrument. Sarangi är ett stråkinstrument med 3 melodisträngar (oftast tarmsträngar), en bordun och vanligen 36 resonanssträngar. De frisvängande strängarna tar upp vibrationer från melodisträngarna och svänger med. Man spelar instrumentet vertikalt, och strängarna förkortas genom att man håller fingrets nagel mot melodisträngen. Melodisträngarna ligger på ett yttre lager, medan resonanssträngar är placerade närmare kroppen och vidrörs inte av stråken.
Instrumentet tros härstamma från rabab, ett instrument som användes i Centralasien.
Se även
Ram Narayan
Externa länkar
chandrakantha.com: Sarangi
Nicolas Magriel's Sarangi Site most informative, a veritable treasure of information and archives
sarangi.info - downloadable sarangi and vocal music
Stränginstrument
Kultur i Indien | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaWikipedia'} | 9,441 |
Being weird is different. It's unique. It's you. Every one calls me weird and you know what? I don't mind.
It means I'm different. It means I'm really being myself and that's really the only person I should try to be.
Everyone has something weird about them like what they say or what they do. You are not the only weirdo in the world. Let the weirdos unite!
What other tips can you think of that make being weird a good thing? Is being weird a bad thing to you? How are you weird?
Imperfect and weird characters are my favorite.
Yes, I agree. I feel they add dept to the character instead of the character being flat and average which is boring. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,442 |
Micromax – the smartphone manufacturing company has recently launched its latest device, touted as the Micromax Infinity N11 smartphone. The main highlight of the smartphone is that it comes with dual sensors at the back side of the phone that captures beautiful and bright pictures.
The smartphone features a 6.19 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display that carries the support for 720 x 1500 pixels screen resolution at 269 of ppi pixel density. It runs on Android 8.1 Oreo operating system out of the box.
It is powered by the Mediatek MT6762V Helio P22 (12 nm) Octa-core processor and for graphics; there is a PowerVR GE8320 graphics processor. On the storage front, the smartphone is equipped with 2GB of RAM along with 32GB of internal storage. The newly arrived phone also supports MicroSD card for storage expansion that increases storage up to 128GB.
As far as the camera is concerned, the smartphone sports a Dual 13MP + 5MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus, face detection and LED flash. While on the front of the device, there is an 8 megapixel front facing camera for capturing wonderful selfies and making video calls.
To power the device, there is a Non-removable Li-Po 4,000 mAh battery buried inside it. The phone also comes with the support for fingerprint sensor for added security. The smartphone is available only in one color option, which is Black.
In terms of price, the Micromax Infinity N11 smartphone retails for about 9000 INR. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,443 |
package ru.job4j.array;
/**
* Class for reverse array.
*/
public class Turn {
/**
* Taking array, and return reversed array.
* @param array to reverse.
* @return reversed array.
*/
public int[] back(int[] array) {
int tmp;
int len = array.length - 1;
for (int i = 0; i < array.length / 2; i++) {
tmp = array[len - i];
array[len - i] = array[i];
array[i] = tmp;
}
return array;
}
} | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaGithub'} | 9,444 |
Finding Good Medical Care in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constaninople, is the former capital of Turkey and is a unique city as it is a part of both Europe and Asia. With population close to 13 million, the city is also a cultural, economic, and financial center of Turkey. Thus, it is no surprise to find that there are about 60 state hospitals and 100 private hospitals in the city, many of them have high technology equipment. Healthcare in the country is subsidized by the government.
These are some of the best hospitals available in Istanbul, Turkey.
The International Hospital is a private hospital with a 24 hours emergency department and it offers treatment in a wide range of medical branches like internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics and nuclear medicine. The hospital address is Cad. 82, Ye?Yilk繹y. The hospital has a reasonable number of English speaking doctors and some of them even have post graduate experience from America.
Anadolu Medical Centre at Istanbul is a multidisciplinary and modern hospital. The hospital is ISO 9001-2000 certified and has a JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation. The staff at the hospital is multi lingual and is trained by the John Hopkins faculty with whom the hospital has a strategic partnership. There are 8 operating rooms and an Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. The hospital provides diagnosis and treatment plan for cancer patients, clinical programs on back pain, diabetes, and breast health. A dedicated department is available to take care of international patients. It is located at the far eastern side of Istanbul in Gebze.
The Metropolitan Florence Nightingale Hospital at Istanbul is another hospital in the city that is equipped with the latest technology and is also ISO 9001 certified. The hospital offers therapeutic and diagnostic services along with the treatment in the fields of gynecology, neurosurgery, medical and radiation oncology, urology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, plastic surgery and nuclear medicine. The emergency services, laboratory and radiology services are available round the clock. The doctors at the hospital speak English and have postgraduate experience in either Europe or America.
Acibadem Hospital holds the distinction of being the first hospital in Turkey to achieve world class quality medical care. It is a multidisciplinary private hospital which offers high quality services that are at par with international standards. The hospital is most well known for its treatment in areas of organ transplant, IVF, genetics cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. The emergency services at the hospital are available round the clock. There are 11 operating rooms in the hospital and it also has a state-of-art diagnostic centre which has facilities for ultrasound, angiography and mammography.
Yeditepe University Hospital is amongst the few hospitals in Istanbul that provide reliable medical service around the clock. The hospital is committed to providing high quality services and is equipped with the latest technology. The hospital has an accreditation from JCI and has 8 operating rooms including ICUs dedicated to cardiology, neo-natal care and general surgery. Local and international patients are drawn to the hospital because of the services provided by their well trained staff and the sophisticated technology used by them.
The first hospital in Turkey that was awarded the ISO (quality management system) 9001 in 2000 was the Dogan Hospital. The hospital is privately owned, has state-of-art technology and offers treatment in a wide range of medical branches. The units at the hospital include a Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Surgery Department, Physical Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Departments, Sleep Disorders and Neurophysiology Unit. They offer treatment in the areas of internal medicine, ophthalmology, gynecology, urology, psychiatry, general surgery. The hospital is equipped with five surgery rooms, 24 hours ambulance and emergency services, a sophisticated laboratory, 4D ultrasound equipments and a dialysis centre which is supposed to be the best in the region. A separate unit to coordinate with international patients is available; the number for which is 90 212 6243434
Ko癟 American Hospital is a non-profit hospital run by a US based organization. The hospital offers treatment to medical, surgical and maternity patients and also to a few psychiatric and contagious disease patients. The facilities at the hospital include a 24 hours emergency room, an intensive care unit, diagnostic services that include ultrasound angiography, mammography etc. The hospital has general practitioners and specialist on its rolls. The hospital address is G羹zelbah癟e Sokak, Ni?Yanta?Y?簣, and telephone number is (212) 311-2000.
5 Top Tips to Help Bring on Labour in an Overdue P...
Become an Effective Communicator in 3 Simple Steps...
Different Ways to Have Health Insurance Maternity ...
Free Medical Insurance Quote - Choosing a Plan Whe...
Rectal Bleeding During Pregnancy
Health Insurance Maternity Package - A Must-Have
Important Facts About Wearing Maternity Support Ho...
Prenatal Exercise - Why Pregnancy and Exercise Can...
Herbs for Infertility - How Herbs Can Help Women O...
Ways to Get Pregnant With a Boy Baby
Causes of Thyroid Nodules
Pregnancy Blessing - Ways To Get Pregnant - Natura...
Are You Particularly Prone to Depression Or Anxiet...
Help! Holidays During Pregnancy?
The Pregnant Cat Health Care Plan
Tips on Preparing For an IVF Cycle
Moods - The Key to Understanding Yourself and Othe...
Infertility and IVF in New Jersey - Know Your Insu...
What is the Best Exercise For Pregnant Women?
What to Expect When You're Expecting: Symptoms and...
Social Insurance for Foreign Employees in China
Clarins Offers Tremendous Pregnancy Help
Overcome Female Infertility - How to Treat Inferti...
Very Early Signs of Pregnancy- Explained
7 Quick Confidence Boosters
What to Do If You Are Pregnant and Have Lupus Or R...
You Can Get Pregnant! - Following These 4 Easy Ste...
There is Help For Pregnancy Nausea
Postpartum Depression/Postnatal Depression - The C...
What You Should Learn About Preeclampsia During Pr...
Top 5 Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy - Confirm Y...
Learn How To Treat Lower-Back Pain In Early Pregna...
High Blood Pressure Postpartum - Know Its Dangers
Unmarried Fathers - Do You Know Your Rights?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Insurance...
Lima, Peru's Best Hospitals
Postpartum Depression - Does It Happen to Fathers,...
4 Reasons You Should Try Pregnancy Yoga
Hiking to Health: Physical and Mental Benefits of ...
What Are the Risks of Anxiety During Pregnancy? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,445 |
One of the city's most unique museums, The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a non-profit, educational institution that is home to the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world's fastest jets, and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming and the foremost collection of technologically groundbreaking aircraft and vessels, visitors of all ages and abilities are taken on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery. Row NYC has partnered with The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to offer its guests $4 off admission tickets and fast track access, for those who want to forego the lines. Row NYC guests will be able to head directly to will-call to redeem the discount to receive their tickets.
Every year, SummerStage, by The City Parks Foundation, presents Manhattan's biggest and best musical series. This year's calendar continues that tradition with more than 100 offerings to 18 parks throughout the five boroughs. The festival recently kicked off with jazz singer Gregory Porter, and will continue throughout the summer with a massive lineup that includes the likes of: hip-hop legend Big Daddy Kane, trio Secret Circle, Catherine Russell, Gary Bartz, the Bad Plus, Porches, Sunflower Bean, Crumb, and more. The summer will also see salsa, reggae, and freestyle shows, as well as a David Bowie tribute. As always, the concerts and shows are all free!
Though the famous Midtown establishment conjures images of fancy ballets, box seats, and over-the-top operas for the glittering elite, Lincoln Center Theater was actually built to allow people from all walks of life the ability to enjoy the arts. According to the Lincoln Center's official website, the organization observes its founder John D. Rockefeller 3rd's mandate that the arts are "not for the privileged few, but for the many." In addition to affordable ticket pricing and the distribution of thousands of free tickets each year to culturally underserved populations, Lincoln Center always presents themed programming throughout the summer to partake in and enjoy the arts. This summer, Lincoln Center is hosting Midsummer Night Swing at Damrosch Park. The events all merge dance and live music into interactive affairs that provide dance lessons alongside live music. Advance tickets are $17.00 and the themes, performers, and dance instructors change nightly.
Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, these concerts throughout the city have become an iconic New York summer experience since first held in 1965. Offering a stunning backdrop for music lovers to picnic in the park, the New York Philharmonic is the oldest major symphony orchestra in the United States in continual existence, and is one of the oldest and most-renowned throughout the world. For those who love their classical music with a side of excitement, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn performances will cap off with extravagant fireworks displays. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,446 |
This Cibdex CBD Drops deliver innovative, cannabidiol-rich (CBD) hemp oil in a great tasting sublingual delivery system…a revolutionary shift in plant-based, natural nutritional supplementation. Cannabinoids are found to have a very broad impact on cellular function, including anxiety and depression alleviating effects, as well as documented positive impacts on epilepsy and seizures, brain function and regrowth, anti-inflammatory, among many others. Buy CBD Oil Peppermint Cibdex Online, These uniquely effective hemp products are made from industrial hemp stalks and seed, and they are classified as a hemp-based food prodcut, which makes them completely legal in the USA and most other countries.
Hemp Seed Oil+ (THC – CBD) ~ In addition to vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, hemp seed oil+ also contains a constant level of added THC and CBD for medicinal effect. Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp seeds contain less than 0.3 % THC so they are not considered to be drugs and are perfectly legal. Buy Hemp Seed Oil+ (THC-CBD) Online, Hemp seed oil is very good for our bodies and helps us maintain immune system balance. Hemp seed oil is packed with omega 3, OMGA 6, and omega 9 fatty acids. It also contains large amounts of healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates and a large number of vitamins and minerals including: Buy Hemp Seed Oil+ (THC-CBD) Online, phosphorus, calcium, potassium , magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, iodine and vitamins E, C, B1, B2, B3 and B6 . THC and CBD are known to have a beneficial effect when used to treat many diseases and ailments, but hemp seed oil does not contain a constant level of THC and CBD. So, the Medical weed Foundation produces Hemp Seed Oil+ and added THC and CBD. This oil has a constant level of THC and CBD, and thus a beneficial medicinal effect. Hemp seed oil+ can be used to treat insomnia, skin problems or the flu. Moreover, these hemp seed oil+, when used in combination with the medical marijuana oil, ensures for a basic layer of cannabinoids, so you don't need as much medical cannabis oil.
Hemp Seed Oil is recognized by the World Health Organization as a natural anti-oxidant and the only balanced (perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3) source of Essential Fatty Acids and is also a good source of Gamma-Linolenic Acid. Buy Hemp Seed Oil+ Capsules Online, This Hemptons Organic Hemp Seed Oil supplement gives you 120 capsules containing 700mg of organic hemp seed oil.
Real Scientific Hemp Oil 3g or 10g Tube (70.0% CBD) 100% Hemp Oil dietary supplement, packed full of CBD's. . Federally legal Standardized Highest quality CBD in the industry Manufactured under strict quality controls Highest standards of quality.
1 tube 3 or 10 grams of 15.9% CBD of Real Scientific Hemp OilTM (RSHOTM) mixed with hemp seed oil, the highest quality CBD in the industry. Buy RSHO Real Scientific Hemp Oil Gold Online, As this is pure hemp oil the CBD content varies by batch. 3 or 10 gram tube of Real Scientific Hemp OilTM (RSHOTM), contain the highest quality CBD in the industry. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,447 |
procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles!
cosmetic and family dentistry. Book your appointment today and bring your smile back.
We are open 7 days a week and our staff is ready to service all your dental needs.
We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile. Come by and meet our friendly staff, we are here to meet all your dental needs.
You'll experience the benefits of state-of-the-art technology combined with a patient-centered approach that makes you and your smile our focus. We'll always deliver our best so that we provide you with the top-tier service you deserve.
We have earned the trust of our patients through clinical expertise and because we're willing to listen to their concerns and expectations in order to tailor a solution just for them. We are open seven dasy a week to serve you better.
We understand that each patient has specific needs. Our doctors fully evaluate each individual patient to determine the best treatment plan. Our goal is to offer you the best options to replace your missing teeth, asses each patients' specific dental conditions, and approach a treatment that will be conservative and provide the best long-term functional and aesthetic results.
Dental Implants look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. Our team has over 30 years of experience placing implants, and are committed to offering the highest standard of implant dentistry available today.
We offer a full range of cosmetic dental services including porcelain veneers, porcelain Inlays and onlays, teeth whitening, white fillings, dental crowns, and dental implants. Let our experienced staff help you with your cosmetic dentistry today.
Let us take the hassle out of your family's dental care. Our knowledgeable, experienced staff can provide the highest standard of oral care for your whole family; from kids to seniors, and everyone in between!
We can help alleviate pain, restore function, and preserve the look and feel of your smile with our restorative services.
You may not have to remove that decayed tooth. A root canal procedure can help preserve your natural teeth for years to come.
On a budget? Choose from one of our many fixed and removable denture options and get your smile back quickly and easily.
You'll experience the benefits of state-of-the-art technology combined with a patient focused approach that centres on you and your smile. We'll always deliver our best in order to provide you with the highest standard of care. We tailor our services to each patient's individual needs in order to provide quality, compassionate care. We welcome the opportunity to work with you to create a smile that restores your appearance, confidence, and quality of life.
When choosing a doctor to restore your smile, there are many factors to consider. You deserve the full attention of someone with experience and clinical expertise earned through serving thousands of satisfied implant patients. We've earned the trust of our patients through clinical expertise and providing compassionate care. We listen to their concerns and understand their expectations in order to tailor a solution just for them.
Our experienced staff is here to meet all your dental needs. Request your appointment today.
Our offices are open 7 days a week.
Copyright © 2015 Dental Health Centres. All rights reserved. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,448 |
My name is Samira, and I'm a 42-year-old single mother of four boys. I'm from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Fourteen years ago when I came in U.S, I didn't like it, because I couldn't speak any English. I started to watch a show on the kids channel called Sesame Street, so I could learn basic English. When I was in my country, my dream was to come to the U.S, but on the other hand, I was sad, because I missed my parents. Sometimes you have to do what's best for your kids.
Why did I dream to come to the U.S? I was in my country when war started in March of 1992 and ended in 1995. These four years of war felt like forever. I was twenty years old when the war started. I also got married in 1994, and then my first child was born in 1995. After the war in 1999 my second child was born. Because of not having a job, my husband and I started looking at how to come to the U.S. It was not easy, because you have to have money to do all this, but with my parents help, we did it. My experiences from the war filled me with bitterness, and horrible experiences. In August of 2000, when we got letter that said "Welcome to U.S," I hugged my two boys with happy tears in my eyes and I told them that we are soon flying to the U.S.
My life changed as I came to the U.S. I started to work a cleaning job at a hotel. I had my third child in 2003, a healthy, beautiful, and handsome boy. Then in 2006 I had my fourth child, who changed my life completely. My youngest had Down Syndrome and asthma. He was a premature baby and he also had open heart surgery when he was just five months old. I couldn't work anymore because my son had these health issues. I couldn't go outside with my kids, because of my son's health issues. It was twenty-four hours home care, plus driving back to the hospital and therapy. I learned so much and I enjoyed taking care of him. He's a child from God, who changed my life completely. If God didn't bless me with this child, then I would probably still suffer in an abusive relationship. I ended the relationship to keep this child safe. He's my child and my angel. Watching him being so strong and going through a lot, that makes me start thinking that I can do better.
Being a single mother of four children, and being a student, is not easy, but it's worth it. After three years of taking care of my youngest boy, I decided to go back to school. I realized that I can do better, and I wanted to let my kids know that everything is possible. It is not easy but you have to be strong. Having four kids and deciding to go back to school, I had to make little changes around the house. I wake up at four a.m., make my coffee and prepare breakfast, so when all four kids wake up, I have already taken care of myself. I also stay up till eleven at night. I love to read and, now by knowing English, I keep reading more. My two oldest also help me around the house or take care of my youngest child.
Scott Community College for me is like a morning vacation. I spend four hours there each day and I want to stay more, but the sad part is that I have to go back home and prepare lunch for my kids. Most of the time my little boy is sick, or his school calls and asks me to come and drive him back home, or sometimes to drive him from school to hospital. I love my kids and I also love school. Most of the time I spend at home, I am studying. There is a website called Khan Academy that you can study all day, and it's free! Scott Community College is awesome and we have such nice teachers. Math class I don't really like, but English class I enjoy, and I'm so happy that I can finally write in English. My dream is one day to have my own restaurant, because I'm a mother who likes to cook. Before all this can happen, I have to get my GED and then go to college. It doesn't matter if you're a single mother, or if you're from another country, we can all do better. My free time is Saturday and Sunday. That is a good time to talk and play with my kids.
Education is a key factor in our life. We have to work very hard to make a positive difference in our life. Also, by stopping to think negatively, you can make your dreams come true.
Samira, your story is really inspiring. You have survived a war, an abusive relationship, and so much more. You care for your 4 sons including one with special needs and yet you still find time to go to school- that is AMAZING! Please hang in there & remember that even when you feel like it is taking time to reach your goal, every day gets you one step closer to realizing your dream! Best of luck! | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,449 |
\section{Introduction}
In papers \cite{BLT1,BLT2,BLT3} an Sp(2)-symmetric scheme of the Lagrangian
(field-antifield)
quantization was developed. (The global Sp(2) symmetry
allows one to consider ghost
and antighost field variables in a uniform way.)
Geometric aspects as well as various possibilities of interpretation of this
formalism have been
considered in papers \cite{MH,BCG,GH,DD,LT}.
In the Sp(2)-symmetric scheme one deals with a complete set of field
variables $\phi^A$, which
includes the original fields, the ghosts, the antighosts and the Lagrange
multipliers. In addition
one assigns to each $\phi^A$ three kinds of antifields: $\phi^*_{A1}$,
$\phi^*_{A2}$ and
$\bar{\phi}_A$. From the Hamiltonian point of view $\phi^*_{A1}$ and
$\phi^*_{A2}$ correspond to the
sources of BRST and antiBRST field transformations, $[\phi^A, \Omega^1]$
and $[\phi^A, \Omega^2]$, while
$\bar{\phi}_A$ corresponds to the source of their combined transformation,
$\varepsilon_{ab}[[\phi^A,
\Omega^a], \Omega^b]$.
Unfortunately, these three kinds of antifields enter the present Sp(2)
symmetric formalism
in a nonsymmetric way. While $\phi^*_{Aa}$ are anticanonically conjugate
to $\phi^A$ in the usual sense,
$\bar{\phi}_A$ do not possess their own conjugate fields from the very
beginning. On the other
hand, when a gauge fixing procedure was introduced into the Sp(2)
symmetric theory one had to make
use of some auxiliary field variables $\pi^{Aa}$ to parametrize the
differential operator containing
the gauge fixing function \cite{BLT1,BLT2,BLT3}.
The main idea of the present paper is to identify the previous
parametric variable $\pi^{Aa}$ with
an auxiliary field variable which is conjugated to the antifield
$\bar{\phi}_A$ in the usual sense.
Then we define an extended antibracket $(F, G)^a$ and an operator
$\triangle^a$ into which all
fields-antifields enter on equal footing as anticanonical pairs. An
extended version of the master
equation whose solution generally depends on the complete set of
anticanonical pairs is then set up.
In this way we are able to generalize the description of abelian Lagrangian
surface to cover the Sp(2)-symmetric case. We formulate a completely
anticanonical version of
generalized BRST-antiBRST transformations and claim that the functional
integral is
gauge independent. This is explicitly verified for a simple consistent
set of gauge fixing conditions which are explicitly solved with
respect to $\phi^*_{Aa}$.
\section{Main definitions}
Let $\phi^A$, ${\varepsilon}(\phi^A)\equiv{\varepsilon}_A$, be a complete set of field
variables including original
fields, ghosts, antighosts and Lagrange multipliers. Let us assign to
each of them a pair of
antifields $\phi^*_{Aa}$ ($a=1,2$), ${\varepsilon}(\phi^*_{Aa})\equiv{\varepsilon}_A+1$. Next
let us introduce a set of
pairs of auxiliary field variables $\pi^{Aa}$, ${\varepsilon}(\pi^{Aa})\equiv{\varepsilon}_A+1$,
whose antifields are
$\bar{\phi}_A$, ${\varepsilon}(\bar{\phi}_A)\equiv{\varepsilon}_A$. In terms of these variables
we define an extended
antibracket by
\begin{eqnarray}
&&(F, G)^a\equiv F\left(
\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A}
\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^*_{Aa}}+{\varepsilon}^{ab}
\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\pi^{Ab}}
\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\bar{\phi}_A}
\right)G-(F{\leftrightarrow} G)(-1)^{({\varepsilon}(F)+1)({\varepsilon}(G)+1)}
\e{1}
and the corresponding operator $\triangle^a$ given by
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\triangle^a\equiv(-1)^{{\varepsilon}_A}\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}
{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A}
\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^*_{Aa}}+{\varepsilon}^{ab}(-1)^{{\varepsilon}_A+1}
\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\pi^{Aa}}
\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\bar{\phi}_A}
\e{2}
The antibrackets \r{1} satisfy the generalized Jacobi identities
\begin{eqnarray}
&&((F, G)^{\{a}, H)^{b\}}(-1)^{({\varepsilon}(F)+1)({\varepsilon}(H)+1)}
+\mbox{cycle}(F,G,H)\equiv 0
\e{3}
and $\triangle^a$ satisfies
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\triangle^{\{a}\triangle^{b\}}=0
\e{4}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\triangle^{\{a}(F, G)^{b\}}=( \triangle^{\{a} F, G)^{b\}}
-(F,\triangle^{\{a}
G)^{b\}}(-1)^{{\varepsilon}(F)}
\e{5}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\triangle^a(FG)= ( \triangle^{a }F) G+(F, G)^a(-1)^{{\varepsilon}(F) }+
F (\triangle^{a }G)(-1)^{{\varepsilon}(F) }
\e{6}
The curly bracket denotes symmetrization of $a$ and $b$. Notice that
formula \r{6} may be
considered to be an alternative definition of the antibracket \r{1}.
Let us also introduce the
extended operator $\bar{\triangle}^a$:
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\bar{\triangle}^a\equiv\triangle^a+\frac{i}{\hbar}V^a
\e{7}
where
\begin{eqnarray}
&&V^a\equiv\frac{1}{2}\left({\varepsilon}^{ab}\phi^*_{Ab}
\frac{\partial}{\partial\bar{\phi}_A}
-\pi^{Aa}(-1)^{{\varepsilon}_A}\frac{\partial}{\partial\phi^A}\right)
\e{8}
One may easily check that the following properties hold
\begin{eqnarray}
&&V^a(F, G)^b=(V^aF, G)^b-(-1)^{{\varepsilon}(F)}(F, V^aG)^b
\e{9}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&V^{\{a}V^{b\}}=0
\e{10}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\triangle^{a} V^{b}+V^{b}\triangle^{a}=0
\e{11}
{}From \r{10} and \r{11} it follows then that
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\bar{\triangle}^{\{a}\bar{\triangle}^{b\}}=0
\e{12}
Notice that our definition of $V^a$, \r{8}, differs from the one given in
\cite{BLT1,BLT2,BLT3}. As
a consequence our formulas \r{9} and \r{11} are valid
without symmetrization in the
indices $a$ and $b$.
\section{Gauge independent functional integral representation}
The quantum action $W(\phi, \phi^*, \pi, \bar{\phi};\hbar)$
is defined to be a solution
of the following quantum master equation
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\bar{\triangle}^a\exp\{\frac{i}{\hbar}W\}=0
\e{13}
or equivalently
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\frac{1}{2}(W, W)^a+V^aW=i\hbar{\triangle}^aW
\e{14}
We define then the field-antifield functional integral to be
\begin{eqnarray}
&&Z=\int [d\phi] [d\phi^*] [d\pi] [d\bar{\phi}] [d{\lambda}] \exp\{\frac{i}{\hbar}
[W+X]\} \e{15}
where $X(\phi, \phi^*, \pi, \bar{\phi};\hbar)$ is a hypergauge fixing action
depending on a new variable
${\lambda}^A$, ${\varepsilon}({\lambda}^A)={\varepsilon}_A$, corresponding to the
hypergauge invariance of $W$. (If
$X$ is linear in ${\lambda}^A$ they are Lagrange multipliers.)
$X$ is required to satisfy
the following quantum master equation
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\frac{1}{2} (X,X)^a-V^aX=i\hbar\Delta^a X
\e{16}
which is the same equation as \r{14} apart from the
opposite sign of the $V$-term. We
expect the classical part of $X$ to have the structure
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\left.X\right|_{\hbar=0}=G_A{\lambda}^A+{\cal K}Y
\e{17}
where $Y$ and $G_A$ are functions while
${\cal K}$ is the differential
operator
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\cal K}\equiv {\varepsilon}_{ab}V^aV^b
\e{18}
One may notice that $Y$ is only determined up to functions $A$ satisfying
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\cal K}A=0
\e{19}
$A$ may {\em e.g.\ } have the form $A=V^aR$ any $R$. When \r{17} is inserted into
\r{16} we find
that the functions $Y$ and $G_A$ are subjected to the following conditions
\begin{eqnarray}
&&(G_A, G_B)^a=0
\e{192}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&({\cal K}Y, G_A)^a=V^aG_A
\e{193}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&({\cal K}Y, {\cal K}Y)^a=0
\e{194}
Let ${\Gamma}$ denote the complete set of field-antifield variables.
We assert then that \r{15} is
invariant under the following transformation:
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}{\Gamma}\equiv({\Gamma}, -W+X)^a\mu_a-2V^a{\Gamma}(-1)^{{\varepsilon}({\Gamma})}\mu_a
\e{22}
where $\mu_a$ is a constant infinitesimal fermionic parameter.
(One has to make use
of \r{14} and \r{16}.)
In the case when $\mu_a$ depends on ${\Gamma}$ and ${\lambda}$ the
transformation \r{22} induces a
change in the gauge fixing action $X$ after the additional transformation
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}_1{\Gamma}=\frac{1}{2}({\Gamma}, {\delta} F_a)^a,\;\;\;{\delta} F_a({\Gamma})\equiv
\frac{2\hbar}{i}\mu_a({\Gamma}, {\lambda}) \e{240}
is performed. This change is given by
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta} X=(X, {\delta} F_a)^a-V^a{\delta} F_a-i\hbar\Delta^a{\delta} F_a
\e{241}
One may now show that
\begin{eqnarray}
&&(X, {\delta} X)^a-V^a{\delta} X=i\hbar\Delta^a {\delta} X
\e{23}
provided ${\delta} F_a$ is chosen to have the following form
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta} F_a={\varepsilon}_{ab}\left\{(X, {\delta}\Xi)^b-V^b{\delta}\Xi
-i\hbar\Delta^b{\delta}\Xi\right\}
\e{242}
The gauge independence of the functional integral is then confirmed.
In order to illustrate the above properties we consider a particular
solution of \r{16}.
In fact, a simple natural solution is given by
\begin{eqnarray}
X=G_A{\lambda}^A+{\cal K}Y
\e{191}
where
\begin{eqnarray}
&&Y=\bar{\phi}_A\phi^A-2F(\phi)
\e{20}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&G_A=\bar{\phi}_A-F(\phi)\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A}
\e{21}
where $F(\phi)$ is an arbitrary function of the original fields $\phi^A$.
In this case the transformation \r{22} is given by
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}\phi^A=-\left(\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}W}{\partial\phi^*_{Aa}}-
\frac{3}{2}\pi^{Aa}\right)\mu_a
\e{25}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}\phi^*_{Aa}=\mu_a\left(\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}W}
{\partial\phi^A}+F\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}
{\partial\phi^A}\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^B}{\lambda}^B\right)
\e{26}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}\pi^{Aa}={\varepsilon}^{ab}\left(\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}W}
{\partial\bar{\phi}_A}-{\lambda}^A\right)\mu_b
\e{27}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}\bar{\phi}_A=\mu_a\left({\varepsilon}^{ab}\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}W}
{\partial\pi^{Ab}}
+\frac{1}{2}{\varepsilon}^{ab}\phi^*_{Ab}-\pi^{Ba}F
\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^B}
\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A}\right)
\e{28}
It is now straight-forward to check that the integrand of \r{15}
is invariant under these
transformations when $\mu_a$ is constant. However,
if we now let $\mu_a$ depend on
$\phi^A$ and $\pi^{Aa}$, then
the transformations \r{25}-\r{28} lead to the following change
of the integrand in \r{15}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\mu_a\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A}
\left(\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}W}{\partial\phi^*_{Aa}}-
\frac{3}{2}\pi^{Aa}\right)+
{\varepsilon}^{ab}\mu_a\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\pi^{Aa}}
\left(\frac{\stackrel{{\rightarrow}}{\partial}W}{\partial\bar{\phi}_A}-{\lambda}^A\right)
\e{29}
On the other hand, by means of the additional transformations \r{240}
here given by
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\delta}_1\phi^*_{Aa}=
-\frac{\hbar}{i}\mu_a\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A},
\;\;\;{\delta}_1\bar{\phi}_{A}=
-\frac{\hbar}{i}{\varepsilon}^{ab}\mu_a
\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\pi^{Ab}}
\e{30}
eq.\r{29} acquires the form
\begin{eqnarray}
&&-2\mu_a\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^A}
\pi^{Aa}-2{\varepsilon}^{ab}\mu_a
\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\pi^{Ab}} {\lambda}^A
\e{31}
Finally choosing the ansatz
\begin{eqnarray}
&&\mu_a=\frac{i}{2\hbar}{\delta} F_a(\phi,\pi),\;\;\;{\delta} F_a(\phi,\pi)=
-\frac{1}{2}{\varepsilon}_{ab}{\delta}
F\frac{\stackrel{{\leftarrow}}{\partial}}{\partial\phi^B} \pi^{Bb}
\e{32}
which corresponds to the choice ${\delta}\Xi=-\frac{1}{2}{\delta} F$ in \r{242},
one may show that \r{31} corresponds to the variation
\begin{eqnarray}
&&F\:{\rightarrow}\:F+{\delta} F
\e{33}
in the integrand of the functional integral \r{15}. Thus, we have
proved that the functional integral
\r{15} is gauge independent. One may notice that we in our proof
of gauge independence only have
made use of superpositions of purely anticanonical transformations
and the ones generated by the
operator $V^a$ in \r{8}.
\section{Conclusion.}
Our main results are as follows: First, we have
identified the former "parametric"
variables $\pi^{Aa}$ with fields anticanonically conjugate to the antifields
$\bar{\phi}_A$ in the usual sense. The antibrackets $(F,G)^a$ as well as
the operators
$\triangle^a$, $V^a$ are then extended to
include these new anticanonical pairs. The
resulting new $V^a$ turns out to act as a derivative on the new antibracket and
to anticommute with $\Delta^a$ without symmetrization (eq:s (9) and (11)).
We cast then
the gauge fixing mechanism into a completely anticanonical form, and give the
conditions under which the functional integral is gauge independent. Finally,
we
verify the formalism for a simple set of allowed hypergauge conditions. One
may
notice that although we have tripled the number of field variables, the number
of
hypergauge functions multiplying the Lagrange multipliers are only those of
the
original fields.
The formulation presented in this paper covers the case when the hypergauge
conditons satisfy an abelian algebra in terms of the antibrackets, and when
the field-antifield phase space is spanned by
anticanonical pairs. The generalization
to a geometric description in terms of general
phase spaces as well as to arbitrary
nonabelian hypergauge conditions is given in \cite{BMS}.\\
\vspace{5mm}
{\bf Acknowledgement:} I.B. would like to thank Prof. Lars Brink for kind
hospitality at the
Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chalmers University, G\"{o}teborg.
I.B. was supported in part by the Board of Trustees of ICAST and Nato
Linkage Grant \#931717.
\newpage
\noindent
{\Large{\bf{Appendix}}}\\
\vspace{5mm}
{\bf Identities for the proof of eq.(26)}
In order to prove that the quantum master
eq.\r{16} is invariant under the variation
\r{241} with ${\delta} F_a$ given by \r{242} one needs the following identities
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\varepsilon}_{bc}(X, (X, (X, {\delta}\Xi)^c)^b)^a\equiv{\varepsilon}_{bc}\left\{(X, ({\delta}\Xi, (X,
X)^b)^c)^a+\right.\nonumber\\
&&\left.+({\delta}\Xi, (X, (X, X)^b)^c)^a+2((X, X)^b, (X, {\delta}\Xi)^c)^a\right\}
\e{34}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\varepsilon}_{bc}\left\{\Delta^a(X, (X, {\delta}\Xi)^c)^b+({\delta}\Xi, (X, \Delta^c
X)^b)^a+(\Delta^c X, (X, {\delta}\Xi)^b)^a-(X, (\Delta^cX,
{\delta}\Xi)^b)^a+\right.\nonumber\\
&&\left.+(X, (X, \Delta^c{\delta}\Xi)^b)^a+(X,
\Delta^b(X, {\delta}\Xi)^c)^a-(\Delta^b X, (X, {\delta}\Xi)^c)^a \right\}
\equiv\nonumber\\
&&\equiv{\varepsilon}_{bc}\frac{1}{2}\left\{\Delta^a({\delta}\Xi, (X, X)^b)^c+({\delta}\Xi, \Delta^c(X,
X)^b)^a+2(\Delta^b{\delta}\Xi, (X, X)^c)^a
\right\}
\e{35}
\begin{eqnarray}
&&{\varepsilon}_{bc}\left\{\Delta^a\Delta^b(X, {\delta}\Xi)^c-
\Delta^a(\Delta^cX, {\delta}\Xi)^b+2(\Delta^cX,
\Delta^b{\delta}\Xi)^a+\right.\nonumber\\
&&\left.+({\delta}\Xi, \Delta^b\Delta^cX)^a+\Delta^a(X,
\Delta^c{\delta}\Xi)^b+(X, \Delta^b\Delta^c{\delta}\Xi)^a \right\}
\equiv 0
\e{36}
They may be derived by direct use of the definition \r{1} of the antibracket,
or
indirectly from \r{6} by means of the identities
$\Delta^a\Delta^b\Delta^c(X^3{\delta}\Xi)\equiv 0$, $\Delta^a\Delta^b
\Delta^c(X^2{\delta}\Xi)\equiv 0$
and $\Delta^a\Delta^b\Delta^c(X{\delta}\Xi)\equiv 0$
respectively. One may notice that
these identities are even valid when $\Delta^a$
is replaced by $\Delta^a+\alpha V^a$ for
any constant $\alpha$.
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaArXiv'} | 9,450 |
Sunrise: 08.14 Sunset: 03.56 A tree trunk split is an excellent microhabitat; the spider knows it can dip in, get lucky, and flush out a tasty morsel or two.
Sunrise: 08.14 Sunset: 03.56 Out in the darkness with tree climbing slugs, beetles and woodlouse.
The end is nigh for this year and these bramble leaves. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,451 |
Add a personal touch to your home with custom wall art featuring your favorite photos. Available in a variety of sizes. Choose from Ship to Store or Home Delivery.
Transform your favorite photo into a work of art. Choose from our selection of layouts and sizes.
Get your Wall Art on the same day!
Order and pick it up today. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,452 |
lovely drum crystal chandelier and crystal drum chandelier drum chandelier crystal drum chandelier full image for crystal drum chandelier contemporary chandeliers 72 black drum shade crystal chandelie.
luxury crystal e12 fixtures light mini drum chandelier e14 shaped black shade for sale,room iron modern drum crystal chandelier for sale dining pottery barn black shade pendant light bedroom,drum crystal chandelier for sale uk oval wegoconcertscom black shade,epg801ch crystal chandelier finish edvivi mariella 4 light drum shade antique copper chrome modern lights shaped,crystal drum chandelier canada chrome lighting depot pottery barn home chandeliers black shade the,crystal drum chandelier antique copper mariella 4 light shade round metal chrome ceiling tube uk,4 ceiling light mini drum crystal chandelier round marya black shade pendant bronze brushed,crystals three mini drum crystal chandelier tier black shade pendant light with,with crystal room dining mariella 4 light drum shade chandelier antique copper chandeliers black unique,black drum shade crystal chandelier pendant light viviette possini wide 20 euro uk amazoncom.
We hope you can find what you need here. We always effort to show a picture with HD resolution or at least with perfect images. Lovely Drum Crystal Chandelier And Crystal Drum Chandelier Drum Chandelier Crystal Drum Chandelier Full Image For Crystal Drum Chandelier Contemporary Chandeliers 72 Black Drum Shade Crystal Chandelie can be beneficial inspiration for those who seek an image according specific categories; you can find it in this site. Finally all pictures we have been displayed in this site will inspire you all.. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,453 |
El municipio de Arctander (en inglés: Arctander Township) es un municipio ubicado en el condado de Kandiyohi en el estado estadounidense de Minnesota. En el año 2010 tenía una población de 381 habitantes y una densidad poblacional de 4,06 personas por km².
Geografía
El municipio de Arctander se encuentra ubicado en las coordenadas . Según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, el municipio tiene una superficie total de 93.8 km², de la cual 89,46 km² corresponden a tierra firme y (4,63 %) 4,34 km² es agua.
Demografía
Según el censo de 2010, había 381 personas residiendo en el municipio de Arctander. La densidad de población era de 4,06 hab./km². De los 381 habitantes, el municipio de Arctander estaba compuesto por el 96,85 % blancos, el 0,26 % eran amerindios, el 0,26 % eran asiáticos, el 0,26 % eran isleños del Pacífico y el 2,36 % eran de una mezcla de razas. Del total de la población el 0 % eran hispanos o latinos de cualquier raza.
Referencias
Enlaces externos
Municipios de Minnesota
Localidades del condado de Kandiyohi | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaWikipedia'} | 9,454 |
HomeNewsLocal NewsActive Weather Pattern Entering the Area
Active Weather Pattern Entering the Area
January 27, 2019 AJ Taylor Local News, News 0
The National Weather Service is expressing confidence that the storm in our area and ensuing cold air behind the front, will be the most dangerous system this season. Forecasters are predicting that Winnebago and Worth Counties residents will likely see anywhere from 3-5 inches of new snow. Hancock, Wright, and Kossuth Counties will see anywhere from 2-4 inches of new snow from the system. Cerro Gordo County will see 3-5 inches of new snow on the north side of the county and 2-4 inches of new snow on the southern section.
The system has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for the broadcast area until 12pm on Monday afternoon. It is believed that the storm, combined with strong winds from the southeast up to 25 miles per hour, will cause visibilities to drop to nearly a 1/2 mile. Resulting wind chills could dip to as low as -10. This would cause hazardous road and travel conditions for the area.
However, what follows is even worse. Behind the front is strong arctic air or a polar vortex. Usually during this time of year, there is a single and strong polar vortex hovering over the northern polar regions. That system has become weak and disorganized, breaking up into several smaller ones. When this happens, one or more of these vortices containing masses of arctic air push southward resulting in rapid and sharp temperature drops such as what the area will experience this week.
Record setting possibilities exist with this air mass traveling south out of Canada. By Tuesday, temperatures will begin to tumble to near -17 degrees. By Wednesday morning, the area could see wind chills between -40 to -50 degrees. This will produce frostbite in less than 10 minutes to exposed skin. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Watch from 6pm Monday evening to Thursday morning at 9am. Area highs will not go above zero during this time. Lows may reach -28 degrees on Tuesday night and -27 degrees on Wednesday night. This vortex will move out of the area and begin to plague the Great Lakes region and areas further east and south going into the weekend. By Friday, temperatures will return to the low to mid thirties for highs as warmer air returns back to the broadcast area.
Frostbite may not be the only concern during the time this vortex sits over the area. Hypothermia may set in for those who are exposed to the cold for medium durations. Vehicles, buses, and trucks may not start due to the cold. Walking or jogging outside during the cold is extremely dangerous because of the frostbite and hypothermia threat. Heating systems inside businesses and homes will be stressed.
County emergency managers encourage everyone to check on family, the elderly, and friends periodically during this time. Limit travel to a minimum or not at all in order to remain safe. If you must travel, take along an emergency kit of water, blankets, a shovel, food, and a fully charged cell phone with a car charger. Above all, if an emergency develops, remain in your vehicle at all times and call for help. Staying in your vehicle will greatly increase your chances of survival during this weather event.
SUNDAY TALK: Grassley on Becoming the 91st Senate President Pro Tempore
Belmond Declares a Snow Emergency | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,455 |
Tag: #voltaartfair
CURATED BY KAMIAR MALEKI
Kamiar Maleki is a collector, curator, fair director, patron and philanthropist with over 15 years' experience in collecting, curating and managing art projects and fairs. He was fair director of Contemporary Istanbul from 2016-2018. Fluent in English, German and French,…
Sursock Museum: Restoring Artworks after August 4, 2020
The Sursock Museum is holding a public talk detailing the restoration process of the artworks damaged at the Museum following the August 4 explosions. The talk features Veronique Sorano-Stedman, the head of the restoration-conservation department of modern and contemporary art at…
Dia Mrad, "Utilities"
The exhibition ethnographically explores the material manifestations of Lebanon's economic crisis across Beirut's urban fabric. Lebanon is now the site of one of the world's worst economic crises since the 1850s. Through an ethnographic lens, Utilities seeks to explore Beirut's…
The Bulletin, latest highlights in the art world January 2023 Save the Date: Contemporary Istanbul 2023 Contemporary Istanbul 2023 is getting ready to welcome visitors to the historical shipyard: Tersane Istanbul. The 18th edition of the Contemporary Istanbul… | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,456 |
Olaplex No.6 is a leave-in reparative styling creme that eliminates frizz, hydrates and protects all hair types, including colored- and chemically-treated hair. No.6, Olaplex's Bond Smoother, strengthens, hydrates, moisturizes and speeds up blow-dry times while smoothing and eliminating frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours. Its formula not only features patented technology that is proven to repair and strengthen all hair types but it's also made without sulfates, phthalates, parabens or gluten and is vegan and color safe.
For more information, visit olaplex.com.
Apply a very small amount to damp or dry hair, concentrating the product on the midlengths and ends. Then, comb through and style as desired. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,457 |
We can preserve any gown for you at White Weddings. The cost of this service is $325; however, we offer a discounted rate of $300 to our brides. You simply drop off your dress at either location, and we take it from there! It usually takes around 4-10 weeks. The dress will come in a box with a clear front so the gown can be seen. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,458 |
The very last quote from Working Wisdom comes from Steve Jobs (born in San Francisco on 24 February 1955, died in Palo Alto on 5 October 2011), an American entrepreneur and business magnate. He was the chairman, CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc., as well as chairman and majority shareholder of Pixar and became a member of The Walt Disney Company's board of directors following its acquisition of Pixar. He also co-founded NeXT, a computer platform development company, which was later bought by Apple. Jobs is regarded as a pioneer of the home computer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s, along with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and of the market for mobile phones.
This quote is taken from the 2011 book I, Steve which was edited by Jobs himself and contained more than 200 quotations drawn from over three decades of media coverage. Jobs talked very openly about his own mistakes in his lifetime, and saw them as being pivotal moments in his life and career as he learned from his experiences and moved on to bigger and better things. The ability to innovate and adapt is key to success in today's ever-changing business world. It is partly thanks to Jobs that the idea of embracing failure has become widely accepted in innovation-focused methodologies such as agile. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,459 |
How to buy BOK Financial Corporation stock | $67.92
Own BOK Financial Corporation stock in just a few minutes.
Buy BOK Financial (BOKF) Learn more
BOK Financial Corporation is a banks-regional business based in the US. BOK Financial Corporation shares (BOKF) are listed on the NASDAQ and all prices are listed in US Dollars. BOK Financial Corporation employs 4,926 staff and has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.7 billion.
How to buy shares in BOK Financial Corporation
Search for BOK Financial Corporation. Find the stock by name or ticker symbol: BOKF. Research its history to confirm it's a solid investment against your financial goals.
Purchase now or later. Buy today with a market order or use a limit order to delay your purchase until BOK Financial Corporation reaches your desired price. To spread out your purchase, look into dollar-cost averaging, which smooths out buying at consistent intervals and amounts.
Decide on how many to buy. At last close price of USD$67.92, weigh your budget against a diversified portfolio that can minimize risk through the market's ups and downs. You may be able to buy a fractional share of BOK Financial Corporation, depending on your broker.
Check in on your investment. Congratulations, you own a part of BOK Financial Corporation. Optimize your portfolio by tracking how your stock — and even the business — performs with an eye on the long term. You may be eligible for dividends and shareholder voting rights on directors and management that can affect your stock.
BOKF shares summary
Is BOKF stock a buy or sell?
Can I short BOKF shares?
Is BOKF suitable for ethical investing?
Are BOKF shares over-valued?
BOK Financial Corporation's financials
How volatile are BOKF shares?
Does BOK Financial Corporation pay a dividend?
Have BOKF shares ever split?
BOK Financial Corporation share price
Use our graph to track the performance of BOKF stocks over time.
BOK Financial Corporation shares at a glance
Buy BOK Financial Corporation shares from these brokerages
Is it a good time to buy BOK Financial Corporation stock?
Technical Analysis of BOK Financial Corporation by TradingView
BOK Financial Corporation price performance over time
Is BOK Financial Corporation under- or over-valued?
Valuing BOK Financial Corporation stock is incredibly difficult, and any metric has to be viewed as part of a bigger picture of BOK Financial Corporation's overall performance. However, analysts commonly use some key metrics to help gauge the value of a stock.
BOK Financial Corporation's P/E ratio
BOK Financial Corporation's current share price divided by its per-share earnings (EPS) over a 12-month period gives a "trailing price/earnings ratio" of roughly 12x. In other words, BOK Financial Corporation shares trade at around 12x recent earnings.
BOK Financial Corporation's PEG ratio
BOK Financial Corporation's "price/earnings-to-growth ratio" can be calculated by dividing its P/E ratio by its growth – to give 2.09. A low ratio can be interpreted as meaning the shares offer better value, while a higher ratio can be interpreted as meaning the shares offer worse value.
The PEG ratio provides a broader view than just the P/E ratio, as it gives more insight into BOK Financial Corporation's future profitability. By accounting for growth, it could also help you if you're comparing the share prices of multiple high-growth companies.
BOK Financial Corporation financials
Shorting BOK Financial Corporation shares
There are currently 917,613 BOK Financial Corporation shares held short by investors – that's known as BOK Financial Corporation's "short interest". This figure is 2% up from 899,727 last month.
There are a few different ways that this level of interest in shorting BOK Financial Corporation shares can be evaluated.
BOK Financial Corporation's "short interest ratio" (SIR)
BOK Financial Corporation's "short interest ratio" (SIR) is the quantity of BOK Financial Corporation shares currently shorted divided by the average quantity of BOK Financial Corporation shares traded daily (recently around 188035.45081967). BOK Financial Corporation's SIR currently stands at 4.88. In other words for every 100,000 BOK Financial Corporation shares traded daily on the market, roughly 4880 shares are currently held short.
However BOK Financial Corporation's short interest can also be evaluated against the total number of BOK Financial Corporation shares, or, against the total number of tradable BOK Financial Corporation shares (the shares that aren't held by "insiders" or major long-term shareholders – also known as the "float"). In this case BOK Financial Corporation's short interest could be expressed as 0.01% of the outstanding shares (for every 100,000 BOK Financial Corporation shares in existence, roughly 10 shares are currently held short) or 0.0294% of the tradable shares (for every 100,000 tradable BOK Financial Corporation shares, roughly 29 shares are currently held short).
Such a low SIR usually points to an optimistic outlook for the share price, with fewer people currently willing to bet against BOK Financial Corporation.
Find out more about how you can short BOK Financial Corporation stock.
BOK Financial Corporation's environmental, social and governance track record
Environmental, social and governance (known as ESG) criteria are a set of three factors used to measure the sustainability and social impact of companies like BOK Financial Corporation.
When it comes to ESG scores, lower is better, and lower scores are generally associated with lower risk for would-be investors.
BOK Financial Corporation's total ESG risk score
Total ESG risk: 27.4
Socially conscious investors use ESG scores to screen how an investment aligns with their worldview, and BOK Financial Corporation's overall score of 27.4 (as at 01/01/2019) is nothing to write home about – landing it in it in the 58th percentile of companies rated in the same sector.
ESG scores are increasingly used to estimate the level of risk a company like BOK Financial Corporation is exposed to within the areas of "environmental" (carbon footprint, resource use etc.), "social" (health and safety, human rights etc.), and "governance" (anti-corruption, tax transparency etc.).
BOK Financial Corporation's environmental score
Environmental score: 0.82/100
BOK Financial Corporation's environmental score of 0.82 puts it squarely in the 1st percentile of companies rated in the same sector. This could suggest that BOK Financial Corporation is a leader in its sector terms of its environmental impact, and exposed to a lower level of risk.
BOK Financial Corporation's social score
Social score: 13.36/100
BOK Financial Corporation's social score of 13.36 puts it squarely in the 1st percentile of companies rated in the same sector. This could suggest that BOK Financial Corporation is a leader in its sector when it comes to taking good care of its workforce and the communities it impacts.
BOK Financial Corporation's governance score
Governance score: 11.36/100
BOK Financial Corporation's governance score puts it squarely in the 1st percentile of companies rated in the same sector. That could suggest that BOK Financial Corporation is a leader in its sector when it comes to responsible management and strategy, and exposed to a lower level of risk.
BOK Financial Corporation's controversy score
Controversy score: 2/5
ESG scores also evaluate any incidences of controversy that a company has been involved in. BOK Financial Corporation scored a 2 out of 5 for controversy – the second-highest score possible, reflecting that BOK Financial Corporation has, for the most part, managed to keep its nose clean.
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) summary
BOK Financial Corporation was last rated for ESG on: 2019-01-01.
Total ESG score
Total ESG percentile
Environmental score
Environmental score percentile
Social score percentile
Governance score
Governance score percentile
Level of controversy
BOK Financial Corporation share dividends
Recently BOK Financial Corporation has paid out, on average, around 36.58% of net profits as dividends. That has enabled analysts to estimate a "forward annual dividend yield" of 3.03% of the current stock value. This means that over a year, based on recent payouts (which are sadly no guarantee of future payouts), BOK Financial Corporation shareholders could enjoy a 3.03% return on their shares, in the form of dividend payments. In BOK Financial Corporation's case, that would currently equate to about $2.08 per share.
While BOK Financial Corporation's payout ratio might seem fairly standard, it's worth remembering that BOK Financial Corporation may be investing much of the rest of its net profits in future growth.
BOK Financial Corporation's most recent dividend payout was on 24 November 2020. The latest dividend was paid out to all shareholders who bought their shares by 13 November 2020 (the "ex-dividend date").
Have BOK Financial Corporation's shares ever split?
BOK Financial Corporation's shares were split on a 103:100 basis on 6 May 2004. So if you had owned 100 shares the day before before the split, the next day you'd have owned 103 shares. This wouldn't directly have changed the overall worth of your BOK Financial Corporation shares – just the quantity. However, indirectly, the new 2.9% lower share price could have impacted the market appetite for BOK Financial Corporation shares which in turn could have impacted BOK Financial Corporation's share price.
BOK Financial Corporation share price volatility
Over the last 12 months, BOK Financial Corporation's shares have ranged in value from as little as $33.6455 up to $85.0652. A popular way to gauge a stock's volatility is its "beta".
BOKF.US volatility(beta: 1.6)Avg. volatility(beta: 1.00)LowHigh
Beta is a measure of a share's volatility in relation to the market. The market (NASDAQ average) beta is 1, while BOK Financial Corporation's is 1.6016. This would suggest that BOK Financial Corporation's shares are more volatile than the average for this exchange and represent, relatively-speaking, a higher risk (but potentially also market-beating returns).
BOK Financial Corporation overview
BOK Financial Corporation operates as the financial holding company for BOKF, NA that provides various financial products and services in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Northwest Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona, and Kansas/Missouri. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, and Wealth Management. The Commercial Banking segment offers lending, treasury, and cash management services, as well as customer risk management products for small businesses, middle market, and larger commercial customers. This segment also operates TransFund electronic funds transfer network. The Consumer Banking segment provides lending and deposit services to small business customers through the retail branch network; and mortgage banking services. The Wealth Management segment offers fiduciary, private banking, and investment advisory services; insurance services; and brokerage and trading services, as well as underwrites state and municipal securities. The company also provides commercial loans, such as loans for working capital, facilities acquisition or expansion, purchases of equipment, and other needs of commercial customers; and service, healthcare, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, energy, and other sector loans. In addition, it offers commercial real estate loans for the construction of buildings or other enhancements to real estate and property held by borrowers for investment purposes; and residential mortgage, personal, and home equity loans. Further, the company provides automated teller machine (ATM), call center, and Internet and mobile banking services. As of December 31, 2019, it operated 2,463 TransFund ATM locations. BOK Financial Corporation was founded in 1910 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What percentage of BOK Financial Corporation is owned by insiders or institutions?
Currently 55.64% of BOK Financial Corporation shares are held by insiders and 42.257% by institutions.
How many people work for BOK Financial Corporation?
Latest data suggests 4,926 work at BOK Financial Corporation.
When does the fiscal year end for BOK Financial Corporation?
BOK Financial Corporation's fiscal year ends in December.
Where is BOK Financial Corporation based?
BOK Financial Corporation's address is: Bank of Oklahoma Tower, Tulsa, OK, United States, 74172
What is BOK Financial Corporation's ISIN number?
BOK Financial Corporation's international securities identification number is: US05561Q2012
What is BOK Financial Corporation's CUSIP number?
BOK Financial Corporation's Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number is: 05561Q201
How to buy BlueLinx stock | $28.94 How to buy Briggs-and-Stratton Corporation stock
How to buy Gold Royalty Corp (GROY) stock when it goes public
Everything we know about the Gold Royalty Corp IPO, plus information on how to buy in.
How to buy Bustle Digital Group (BOKF.US) stock when it goes public
Everything we know about the Bustle Digital Group IPO, plus information on how to buy in.
How to buy Lucid Motors (BOKF.US) stock when it goes public
Everything we know about the Lucid Motors IPO, plus information on how to buy in.
How to buy HF Foods Group stock | $7.55
Steps to owning and managing HFFG, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
How to buy Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital stock | $69.54
Steps to owning and managing HASI, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
How to buy Griffin Industrial Realty stock | $65.9
Steps to owning and managing GRIF, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
How to buy FS Bancorp stock | $59.24
Steps to owning and managing FSBW, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
How to buy First Northwest Bancorp stock | $16.66
Steps to owning and managing FNWB, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
How to buy First National Corporation stock | $17.74
Steps to owning and managing FXNC, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
How to buy Farmers National Banc stock | $13.88
Steps to owning and managing FMNB, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,460 |
Bandhavgarh National Park is situated at a distance of 164 km from Jabalpur and 237 km from Khajuraho spread at an area of 448 sq. km. The forest of Bandhavgarh can be classified as moist deciduous, and the National Park holds all those animal species that are typical of this habitat Central India. Certain areas of the park are drier in character, and hold such species as the Nilgai and the Chinkara. Sal forest occurs throughout the valleys, giving way to mixed forest that occurs where the soil is of relatively poor quality on the upper hill slopes, on rocky outcrops and in the South and West. Grassy meadow patches occur in the valley and along the nalas. Bandhabgarh is densely populated with tiger and other wildlife species. The great Gaur or Indian Bison, can be seen with ease, as they come onto the meadows to graze at dusk; Sambar and Barking Deer are a common sight, and Nilgai are to be seen in the more open areas of the park. There are more than 23 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common Languors and Rhesus Macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Ratel, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat, Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Leopard and Tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. Mammals such as Dhole, th smalle Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel and Lesseer Bandicoot Rat are seen occasionally.
Among the herbivores, Gaur is the only coarse feeder. The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird life. The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird life. The common ones are Little Grebe, Egret, lesser Adjutant, Sarus Crane, Black Ibis, Lesser Whistling Teal, White-eyed Buzzard, Black Kite, Cested Serpent Eagle, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Common Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Dove, Parakeets, Kingfishers and Indian Rollers. Reptilian Fauna include Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat snake, and Python, Turtle and a number of lizard varieties, including Varanus. There are two main ways of getting about in the park in a motor vehicle or on elephant back. Many of the animals are now accustomed to both; even so, it is best to talk quietly and not make rapid movements. Jeep safaris are best undertaken from dawn until about 10 am and from about 4 pm until dark, as the animals are most active during these periods. A forest Department guide must always accompany you. This guide will be able to direct you and point out wildlife. Elephants are used every morning by the Forest Department for Tiger-tracking. If a Tiger is found, then the elephant will take you directly to the Tiger either from the lodge or from a nearby point reached by jeep/car.
This entry was posted in Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh, WildLife. Bookmark the permalink. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,461 |
As the old saying goes "a man's home is his castle" and that is certainly how it feels (at least from a male perspective) your home should be a place where you can forget about all of the stresses and strains that you go through in your day to day life in order to focus more on some of the things that you enjoy doing in your spare time and just generally relaxing. Subsequently when it comes to your newly proclaimed "castle" it has to have some defenses. After all, what's a castle without a drawbridge, moat and turrets and a few knights of the realm of John to defend it, and how many castles do you know that leave the gate up and the doors unlocked and unguarded?
We are of course talking about your homes security and what you do to ensure its success. Although rather than focusing on the physical things that you can do in order to keep intruders out, we will talk about the things you either do or do not have that will serve as a basic invitation for an experience burglar. So let's take a look at some of the things you can do to deter burglars and make your home appear impervious to break-ins.
No, no and no, basically, putting a ladder in either the front or back yard of your property is just asking for an intruder to use it to force a window open. After all when you close a second story window how often do you lock it? Right because logic dictates that a burglar is going to be rather unlikely to elevate themselves to that level unless Superman has come to revive you of your plasma TV that is. However if you then happen to leave a tool that does exactly that in a place where they can get to it easily then that is exactly what will end up happening.
So make sure that your ladders, and indeed all of your tools that could proves somehow useful to a break in in a secure shed or ideally, in a room out of the way inside your actual home such as under the stairs or in the bottom of a closet. Doing this will prevent them from having easy access to the less well secured and easier to enter second floor of your home and this in turn will be a major deterrent.
Now one of the main ways other than a window that intruders will try to break into your home is to force open your front door using a variety of methods. They could try to pry the door with a crowbar, break any glass or windows and simply unhook the catch or even simply barge the door down until the frame of the door around the latch of the lock brakes on the other side of the door allowing it to simply swing open, allowing access with complete ease. There are some many ways of cheaply and easily securing all of the doors in your home and yet so many people care to neglect these easy and quick to install solutions in favor for just leaving their entire house open to easy access form even the greenest of home intruders.
So make sure that you look into any of the solutions available from the simple, cheap and time tested, Yale deadlock and improved door frame, to a security screen door, which is like an insect screen except rather than keeping out insects, they are resistant to tampering or entry by humans with some of the brands offering assurances of protection for everything up to an angle grinder. This will obviously limit the intruder's options with the door as while they may have access to an angle grinder potentially, they definitely would draw much attention to themselves from your neighbors and passers-by that happen upon the act in progress. After all, there is little legitimate about angle grinding a lock off a door in gloves and a ski mask is there?
Thanks for taking the time to read this article, hopefully now you are in a better position to secure your home and family and keep both safe to the very best of your ability. Security is one of those things you can't pay for. But you can buy. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,462 |
Willows Veterinary Centre is a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in the Midlands.
We recently returned to take some more images of the team there with the pets they treat, for advertising and promotional material. It is important for us to help the staff to feel relaxed in front of the camera, ensuring the animals are too - crucial to achieving natural looking images which portray the caring attitude and environment at the practice. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,463 |
The new Wake Mod Co. Bigfoot 200W kit is the Littlefoot's older brother, and boy, is it bigger in every way. Luxurious as can be, the Bigfoot box mod makes a statement with high-gloss 24K gold accents and engravings serving to add a touch of flair to the gorgeous interchangeable patterned body panels. Powered by a set of two high-drain 18650 Li-ion cells and capable of a maximum wattage output of 200W in variable wattage mode, despite its name the Bigfoot is relatively compact for a full sized dual battery mod, measuring only 88mm*47.5mm*30mm. Fully outfitted with an extensive temperature control suite including presets for Ni200 nickel, titanium, and stainless steels (304, 316, 317), the Bigfoot is more than ready to take on daily vaping duties and look flashy while doing it. The control interface of the Bigfoot consists of a large gold firing bar engraved with Wake Mod Co.'s initials and two small gold adjustment buttons located just beneath the 1.3" TFT full color screen. This color screen vibrantly and accurately displays all relevant information about the current status of the vaporizer, and features gold accents along the bezels.
Included with the Bigfoot box mod vape is the Bigfoot sub ohm tank, a 24mm flavor focused piece of kit that is constructed of gorgeous gold plated stainless steel and a matte anodized aluminum base and top cap. Capable of vast amounts of vapor production thanks to the utilization of the Sigelei Mesh coil head line, the Bigfoot tank makes use of a threaded top fill system that makes topping off the internal juice reservoir a breeze.
A beast of a vape kit, the Wake Mod Co. Big Foot kit is an excellent step forward from the compact Littlefoot. A designer device and serious sub ohm tank that provides an unparalleled level of luxury and excellent vapor quality, the Bigfoot kit is perfect for anyone looking for a budget friendly boutique setup. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,464 |
April 28, 2015 9:12 AM UTC
BETwitter: Provably Unfair Bitcoin Gambling?
CCN received a tip about a gambling site that may be falsely advertising its abilities and wrongfully netting bitcoin in the process. The subject of the complaint was a site called BETwitter, which is unique in its space. The game allows users to bet on…
Author: P. H. Madore @bitillionaire
CCN received a tip about a gambling site that may be falsely advertising its abilities and wrongfully netting bitcoin in the process.
The subject of the complaint was a site called BETwitter, which is unique in its space. The game allows users to bet on the odds of various words appearing in tweets during a certain window. It's very easy to sign up and play, but there's a fatal problem with the site: it uses Twitter's public API, which may show as little as 1% of the actual tweets using a given keyword. Here is the video that BETwitter has used to introduce the game to the world:
Now, CCN doesn't like to write about what we don't know, so, for scientific purposes, this writer went ahead and made a BETwitter bet on a Friday night. "For scientific purposes." Here is a video of the last few minutes of the bet participated in:
0.005BTC were wagered that the word "public" would win over "secret." The author looked at the past several plays of this same game, and noticed that "public" almost always wins. As you can see in the video, he was right, and for this, he won .0033BTC.
So if the fundamental question about this game is, can it be fun and rewarding? If that is the fundamental question, the answer is yes. But the actual fundamental question about this game is: is it fair? When answering that question, no matter the outcome of one's bet, one must consider the possibility that literally every game result is reported by BETwitter.
Also read: Bitcoin Whale Gambler Says 99.9% Dice = 100% Scam
Firehose Vs. Public API
The Twitter Firehose is the entire stream of its data, a massive pipe that requires huge resources to utilize. The person who wrote to us, Joe Murray, was the also the first to notice this discrepancy about BETwitter. Joe, a former Data Scientist for a social media analytics company, had this to say about the BETwitter system, via the game's own Reddit post, saying to the its creator:
The public streaming API contains an EXTREME minority of all tweets actually made. You are running a gambling site using (at worst) only ONE PERCENT of all tweets actually being made. Can you honestly say that this is a fair gambling site if the outcomes are determined by only 1% of the full data? Any bet that comes even remotely close to breaking even could be completely false.
The creator, who has admitted to having no significant experience with social media APIs, responded diffidently:
[…] My guess is that 1% is about the maximum rate they will provide to someone using the API. You could still sample just a few keywords (not 400 which is the maximum limit for the public API – we're using a LOT less!).
This public streaming API will drop tweets if there are too many coming in at once – that is true. And it's mentioned in the BETwitter FAQ that it may not always have all tweets. But in practice I haven't been able to produce this.
Some games containing the words 'LOL' and 'love' and 'fuck' have observed over 50k tweets / hour. Most other games work with 1-2k tweets / hour / word, so it's far from needing to drop anything.
I don't claim that BETwitter is provably fair, but provably unfair is also not true IMHO.
Well, if it's not provably fair, what is it? If the metric used to determine the winner and the loser is not mathematically guaranteed, how can this be a fair way to gamble? In dice, you win if your roll is within the pre-defined winning range. In cards, you win if you have the best hand. In roulette, if you hit one of the squares you've covered. However, it appears that with BETwitter, one could actually bet on the winning word, but still lose because that word did not appear in the public API. An easy fix for the developer would be to contract the services of one of the companies that deal with the actual, full stream of Twitter data – such as Gnip.
Other Potential Problems
It seems obvious that this system could be gamed rather easily by someone with a lot of followers, real or purchased, or through other means. It's like betting that people will pass by a certain storefront on a certain day wearing red shirts — there is a chance that someone could pass out red shirts just up the street on condition that people wear them. In this case, someone could simply tweet or purchase the tweeting of the word they bet on a few times, dramatically increasing the average followers of the word. Then it wouldn't matter how many times the other side had done it.
There are services out there on the Internet that allow for the user to purchase Twitter followers. Using the followers as the metric, rather than the number of times the word appears, seems fallible; then again, the whole system seems fallible.
In the end, this is an interesting project that has its downsides. All gambling is hugely risky, but this has the added risk of perhaps not being accurate at all. Use with caution.
P. H. Madore @bitillionaire
P. H. Madore has written for CCN since 2014. Please send breaking news tips or requests for investigation to [email protected]. He lives in Maine, USA. A single father of four young children, he does not discourage financial donations, provided they do not come with strings attached.
More of: Bitcoin ReviewsBitcoin ScamsBitcoin Technology
PSA: Crypto HEX Founder is Actually Notorious Criminal 'Spam King'
'Instagram Influencer' Conman's Crypto Scam Crashes Hard in Dubai
Ex-NBA Star Allegedly Dupes African Firm in $800,000 Bitcoin Scam | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,465 |
Abstract: This paper presents the comparison of dry-process bored pile capacities from static pile load test with the allowable pile capacities calculated from the friction resistance specified by Bangkok Building Codes. The study estimates the ultimate pile capacities using Mazurkiewicz's method based on 42 static pile load test data of bored piles 0.50 and 0.60 m. diameters which were constructed in central Bangkok area. The comparison indicates that the average factor of safety is 2.26 and the minimum factor of safety is 1.7. The percentage of piles which have factor of safety below 2.0 is 17. This paper also presents a reduction factor equation for estimating the allowable capacity of dry-process bored piles having 19-25 m. pile length. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,466 |
This paper looks at the structure and management of airspace in the UK and the wider international context. It explains how airspace functions at the moment and proposals to upgrade and improve it, including the EU Single European Sky programme and the UK's Future Airspace Strategy.
Airspace is a complex thing to understand, the easiest way to think of it is as a motorway network in the sky. Airspace is the volume of space above ground level and extends as far as aircraft can fly. UK airspace contains a network of corridors, or airways. These are usually ten miles wide and reach up to a height of 24,000 feet from a base of between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. Airspace is either considered to be 'controlled' or 'uncontrolled'. In controlled airspace, there is a system of structured routes and aircraft which are managed by air traffic control (ATC) services. By contrast, a large volume of airspace in the UK is uncontrolled and this is where the pilot of the aircraft does not receive a service from the ground but has to "see and avoid" other aircraft and navigate independently.
Three main organisations have responsibility for UK airspace management and design: the Government (largely the Department for Transport) is responsible for overall aviation policy; the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK's aviation regulator, is responsible for the planning and regulation of all UK airspace, and at the operational level, NATS is the monopoly provider of en-route air traffic services to aircraft flying in UK airspace.
The current legal and policy framework for airspace is set by Government, in accordance with international and European standards and requirements. Member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including the UK, collaborate on a common regulatory framework and agree international standards on various issues, including the access to and use of airspace. EU laws implement several of ICAO's resolutions. The main EU initiative in this area is the Single European Sky (SES), launched in 1999 to reform the architecture of European air traffic management. Its implementation is intended to increase the overall efficiency of the European air transport system.
The UK and Ireland is planning to meet the SES requirements through its Future Airspace Strategy, published in June 2011, with a programme to modernise airspace across the UK out to 2030. The biggest changes in the UK are likely to be in the south east of England (whose airspace was designed over 40 years ago) where London's five big airports and many smaller aerodromes create some of the world's busiest and most complex skies.
In February 2017 the Department of Transport published a consultation on UK airspace policy reform. In October the Government announced it would proceed with most of the main proposals in the paper included establishing an Independent Commission on Civil Aviation Noise; providing industry with ways to assess noise impacts and choose between route options to help them manage change more effectively; and bringing compensation policy for airspace changes in line with policy on changes to aviation infrastructure. New Air Navigation Guidance took effect from 1 January 2018 and a new airspace change process began on 2 January under CAP 1616.
Further briefings on aviation-related issues can be found on the dedicated page of the Parliament website. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,467 |
Židé v Portugalsku náleží k sefardské židovské větvi.
V době maurské nadvlády tvořili Židé asi 10 % portugalského obyvatelstva. I v období reconquisty byli důležitou složkou královského dvora, a to až do 15. století, kdy na Pyrenejském poloostrově začala fungovat všemocná inkvizice. Stovky utečenců se tehdy z celého Španělska a Portugalska uchýlily na severovýchod země, kam inkvizice ještě nedosáhla. Po příchodu inkvizitorů byli nuceni i zde přestoupit na křesťanskou víru, volit odchod ze země či smrt.
V Portugalsku byla Židům přiznána svoboda vyznání až po pádu monarchie roku 1910, avšak komunita zde zůstala malá. V současnosti čítá přibližně 600 osob židovského vyznání..
V roce 1917 byla v Belmonte objevena židovská komunita, která tajně praktikovala židovské rituály již od dob inkvizice. Přežila díky tomu, že nesmlouvavě udržovala tradici uzavírání manželství pouze mezi svými a tradice předávala z matky na dceru, a ne po otci, jak bývalo zvykem.
V zemi se nachází několik synagog – synagoga v Lisabonu, synagoga v Portu, synagoga v Belmonte a několik soukromých modliteben. Produkuje se zde košer víno.
Odkazy
Reference
Literatura
Externí odkazy
The Virtual Jewish Library Portugalsko
Evropské židovské dědictví
isjm.org Informace o židovském Portugalsku
Portugalsko
Portugalská společnost
Judaismus v Portugalsku
Portugalci | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaWikipedia'} | 9,468 |
First, prepare the relevant documents including your passport and its copy, the application form, a passport-style photo, admission letter and JW form from the school as well as the physical examination record and others. Next, submit the application to China embassy to apply for student X type.
How can I change an X visa to a Z visa?
I have a malaysian one months visa. Can i get a chinese student X type? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,469 |
Q: PHP response to ajax My PHP side sends reponse to ajax like that
$data = array(
'status' => $status,
'message' => $message
);
echo json_encode($data);
My ajax looks like that
$.ajax({
url: formUrl,
type: formMethod,
dataType: "json",
data: formData,
success: function (data) {
//setup variables
var responseData = jQuery.parseJSON(data), cl, text;
//response conditional
switch (responseData.status) {
case 'error':
cl = 'error';
text = responseData.message;
break;
case 'success':
cl = 'success';
text = 'Qeydiyyat uğurla başa çatdı';
break;
}
$.notifyBar({
cls: cl,
html: text
});
}
});
Getting responseData is null error message. But (from firebug XHR) I see that php actually echoes result. What could be the reason?
A: I believe jQuery is smart enough to parse the response JSON for you such that the data parameter passed to your callback has already been parsed. So you can just access data.status, etc. directly.
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaStackExchange'} | 9,470 |
यह भी पढें - देवभूमि के बागेश्वर महादेव..भगवान शिव गणों ने बनाई ये जगह, यहां रक्षक हैं भैरवनाथ!
Read this news article about history of dhol damau in uttarakhand (ढोल-दमाऊं: देवभूमि को शिवजी का वरदान...जानिए इस सदियों पुराने वाद्ययंत्र का इतिहास - उतराखंड वाद्ययंत्र, Uttarakhand Culture, Uttarakhand Sanskriti, उत्तराखंड संस्कृति, ढोल-दमाऊं, उत्तराखंडी ढोल-दमाऊ, ढोल-दमाऊउत्तराखंड,) for complete news and information. Rajya Sameeksha (राज्य समीक्षा, rajyasameeksha.com) is one of the most popular hindi news portal Uttarakhand. Readers get in-touch with all the positive/genuine news and information about Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Currently rajyasameeksha.com publishes Uttarakhand News (उत्तराखंड न्यूज, उत्तराखंड समाचार). | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,471 |
Etymology/Symbolism
Rohiṇī (रोहिणी) is also known by the names Asbrāhmī, Dhata, Vishata, Brahma, Vidhi, Druhina, Viranchi, and Prajapati.
Rohiṇī is often called "The Star of Ascent" because it gives rise to prominence and influence in society.
It's also called "the red one," a reference to its primary star, Aldebaran.
It's symbolized by a cart, chariot, temple, and banyan tree.
Rohiṇī resides between 10° – 23° 20′ Vṛṣabha (Taurus). It consists primarily of the star Aldebaran (α Tauri), an orange giant star located about 65 light years away in the constellation of Taurus. With an average apparent magnitude of 0.87, it's the brightest star in Taurus (Vṛṣabha) and is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. The name, Aldebaran, is Arabic (الدبران / al-dabarān), which means "the Follower," presumably because it rises near and soon after the Pleiades of Kṛttikā.
Puruṣārtha
Guna/Tattva
Fixed (Dhruva/Sthira) Mokṣa Shudra white Manushya (Human) Rajas/Tamas/Rajas Kapha forehead
Its primary motivation is mokṣa, or spiritual liberation. Rohiṇī is rajasic in nature and reflects the need for travel and movement.
The Rohiṇī dosha is Kapha, which signifies the water quality. Water is necessary for sustenance. These people are emotional and soft. They can become too attached to their emotions and this can create difficulties for them.1
Devata, Graha & Śakti
Graha
Rohiṇī is ruled by Candra, resides within the rāśi of Vṛṣabha (ruled by Śūkra), and its presiding deva is Brahma (or Prajapati, the Creator).
Śūkra's rulership over Vṛṣabha and its artistic, creative potential can reflect tremendous creativity and gifts in the fine arts to planets positioned here. However, as Taurus is the bull, Vṛṣabha may introduce a bull-headed nature at times. Because Vṛṣabha is a fixed sign, stubbornness, a short temper, and a critical nature may also be seen.
The combination of influences by Candra and Śūkra can bestow those born under this asterism with beauty, sensuality, charisma, and charm. They also introduce a magical, creative chemistry.2
Rohiṇī is ruled by Prajapati, the Creator. Its power is growth (rohana shakti). Its basis above is the plants and below is the waters. The result of these three is creation. Rohiṇī Nakshatra allows for growth and creation on all levels, bestowing great fertility. However it also evokes some degree of jealousy because others may resent that a person gains such abundance. Moreover, it can increase desire. But these are only side effects to its great prosperity. Prajapati is the creator who can bestow everything so we should be careful what we want. ((David Frawley. Shaktis of the Nakshatras))
Prajapati created creatures but thus created they went way. Of them he thought about Rohini. He desired, "May she approach me. May we unite together." One who makes the appropriate offering to Prajapati, to Rohini, his beloved approaches him and he unites with her.
Rohini is a Nakshatra of love, passion and sexuality that is generally fertile and creative, but not inclined to tolerate limits. Because of this it is very productive for almost everything but can draw jealously upon it. – David Frawley, Fruits of Worshipping Each Nakshatra
Āsanas, Mudras, Meditations & Bhandas
Tales & Mythologies
Rohini is the birth nakshatra of Krishna. Lord Vishnu manifested as Krishna on earth to deal with King Kansa, a cruel oppressor whose tyranny was out of control. The gods couldn't tolerate Kansa's atrocities against their devotees, so in a dream Kansa was told that his evil reign would be brought to an end by his sister Devaki's eighth child, Krishna, who would kill him. Kansa's solution was to imprison Devaki and her husband Vadudeva. Devaki bore seven sons, six of whom were promotly killed by Kansa. The seventh child was transferred to the womb of Rohiṇī, another wife of Vadudeva and was named Balarama. On the night that the eighth child, Krishna, was due to be born, the prison guards fell into a deep sleep and the doors magically unlocked. Vasudeva slipped out of the prison and whisked away the Vishnu Avatara, Krishna, to the safety of a neighboring kingdom called Gokul. The Yamuna river parted her waters making a channel for Vasudeva to pass. The Gokul King Nanda and his wife Yashoda then adopted Krishna.3
Annually, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated on Ashtami tithi when the Sun is in Leo and Moon is in Rohiṇī nakshatra. Rohiṇī can deal with adoption and other issues too and the need to fight the wrong caused by others.4
Lord Krishna is said to have been born with Taurus rising and the Moon in the first house in Rohiṇī.5
Padas
The padas in Rohiṇī are on the second cycle of the soul journey. They want freedom, youthfulness and no restrictions. This can lead to innovation and the opening of new horizons. The similar padas in Aśvinī had very little emotional baggage. As the padas are repeated in Rohiṇī, the soul memories and unresolved issues can weigh them down and the entanglement into materialism is slowly taking hold.
The Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Rahu are exhalted by pada. Saturn, Mars and Ketu are debilitated. Taurus pada is vargotamma and pushkara.6
Pada 1
Mangala (Aries) Śūkra (Vṛṣabha) Budha (Mithuna) Candra (Karka)
10° – 13° 20′ Vṛṣabha 13° 20′ – 16° 40′ Vṛṣabha 16° 40′ – 20° Vṛṣabha 20° – 23° 20′ Vṛṣabha
ओ O/Au वा Va/Ba वी Vi/Bi/Vi वु Vu/Bu/Vo
Interests & Careers
politics, authority positions, music, art, acting, dancing, agriculture, real estate, restaurant and hotel business, fashion design, modeling
Auspiciousness/Engage In
Residing in a house, village, temple, or entering in new hose-city-temple (Dhruva/Sthira)
Religious works, rites for getting peace, propitiation of portents, Vinayaka Shanti (Dhruva/Sthira)
Coronation (Dhruva/Sthira)
Sowing of seeds, planting of small garden (Dhruva/Sthira)
Starting of vocal music (Dhruva/Sthira)
Friendship, sexual works (Dhruva/Sthira)
Making and wearing of ornaments and clothes may be auspiciously begun/effectively performed. (Dhruva/Sthira)
Works allocated to delicate & friendly (Mridu) asterisms may also be performed. (Dhruva/Sthira)
Inauspiciousness/Avoid
As with all Nakṣatras, there are both auspicious and inauspicious characteristics to be considered. A day in which Candra is in Rohiṇī…
Ayurveda & Health Issues
colds and cough, irregular menses, apoplexy (sunstroke), obesity, poor diet, sore throat, venereal disease.
The Rohiṇī dosha is Kapha, and gaining weight can be a problem.7
Komilla Sutton. The Nakshatras. p. 62 ↩
Dennis Harness. The Nakshatras ↩
Komilla Sutton. The Nakshatras. pp. 60-61 ↩
deFouw & Svoboda. Light on Life. p. 220. ↩
Komilla Sutton. The Nakshatras. p. 64. ↩ | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,472 |
HC at Bucknell
This Week in the News
In case you've been buried in your books or living in the library for the past week, here are some of the top news stories that have been trending all over the world to catch you up on what you've missed.
Boston Marathon Suspects Targeted NYC Next
Following the capture and arrest of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, Tsarnaev has told investigators that he and his brother planned to bomb Times Square in New York City with the remaining explosives that they had. The two brothers had five pipe bombs and a "pressure-cooker bomb," but the plan to travel to New York City failed when the driver of the hijacked car escaped while they were refueling and the police were then able to later capture the Tsarnaevs. Fortunately, investigators have noted that there is currently no evidence that suggests that New York City is currently a target of a terror attack following the Boston attacks.
For more information on this story go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/25/us/boston-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Bangladesh Building Collapse
An eight-story building collapsed suddenly on Wednesday in Bangladesh, killing at least 123 people and injuring more than 1,000. The scene was filled with the badly injured victims being taken away on stretchers and several frantically picking out dead bodies from the rubble. Officials are saying that the death toll could increase rapidly with each day as new bodies are found in the wreckage. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, but several workers have stated that they noticed a crack appeared Tuesday on the building's seventh floor.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/24/world/asia/bangladesh-building-collapse/index.html?iref=storysearch
Usage of Chemical Weapons in Syria
The United States announced that there is evidence proving that the chemical weapon sarin has been used in Syria. Chuck Hagel, Defense Secretary of the United States, made the announcement on Thursday, but officials are still uncovering and trying to answer several questions that still remain surrounding the origins of the chemical weapon and what effect its evident use could have on the continuing Syrian civil war. The Syrian government has been combatting a rebellion for more than two years, causing international disapproval of the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and appeals for stronger assistance from other nations. Since the conflict began, the death toll has reached to numbers of over 70,000. Syria's usage of this chemical weapon has crossed President Barack Obama's red line and numerous officials are calling for a complete investigation and immediate action.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/25/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Ricin Investigation Continues
On Wednesday, FBI agents investigated a Tupelo man, James Everett Dutschke, who has been connected to the letters containing ricin that were sent to President Barack Obama. Agents in hazardous materials suits searched the former martial arts studio of Dutschke, following the search of his home on Tuesday. Also occurring on Tuesday was the dropping of charges by prosecutors and release of the man who was arrested last week on suspicion of sending the letters. Dutschke has not been officially made a suspect and no concrete charges have been filed. Officials have not released what they found in their searches, if anything.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/24/us/ricin-suspect-released/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews
13-Year-Old Amputee Raises Money for Boston Marathon Victims
In light of the recent attack on Boston and the hundreds of victims who needed amputations, brothers Harris, Justin and Michael Stolzenberg have made a pledge to raise $1 million dollars for the victims. Through their website http://mikeysrun.com the brothers have already raised $17,000 in just a few days. Their goal draws inspiration from the youngest brother Michael, who suffered a serious bacterial infection at the age of 8 and came close to death after suffering from a septic shock, a lack of oxygen to his limbs, and a two-week medically induced coma. While Michael survived, both of his arms and legs were amputated. Michael wears prosthetics and even plays football and lacrosse. While Harris plans to run the Boston Marathon next year, the three hope to reach their goal and support the victims in any way they can.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-quadruple-amputee-13-brother-boston-bombing-victims/story?id=19032798#.UXn3dUI2EWw
A Post Thanksgiving debrief
The Importance of Having Both Left and Right-Brain Thinkers
How to take care of yourself during finals season
How to Appreciate Being Single During the Holidays
Understanding Britney Spears' Conservatorship
The Truth About Black Friday | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,473 |
Baby Sign Language: Does It Work?
What if babies could tell us what they want, before they start crying for it? Bring in baby signing, a system of symbolic hand gestures for key works such as "milk," "hot" and "all gone" that are taught to hearing babies as a way to communicate before they can talk.
The sign for milk, for example, is made by opening and closing the hand, while the sign for "more" by tapping the ends of the fingers together.
Now new research has reported that it's even possible for babies to learn these signs just from viewing videos at home. The study found that babies learned to produce baby signs just as well from a video as they did if they were taught by their parents.
Yet only those babies who had been taught the signs from a parent showed evidence of understanding what the signs meant. The bigger question is whether these findings should be taken as encouragement to teach babies to sign and what impact it has on child development.
Should parents be encouraged to sign with their babies? This is a question that I'm often asked and it's one I've tackled in my own research. Baby signing burst onto the booming baby market back in the 1990s and has since gone global, attracting parents to spend money on classes, books and DVDs with claims that Baby Sign can help "improve" their baby in some way. Accelerated speech development, reduced frustration and increased IQ are just some of the claims that have been made. But there is little evidence to support these claims.
In 2012, American researcher Lauri Nelson and colleagues published an analysis of the credibility of the claims made on baby sign websites.
Across the 33 baby sign websites they identified, there was a high level of consistency in the types of claims made. Nelson traced the source of the evidence for each claim and found that more than 90 percent were based on opinion articles, not science. None of the claims relating to reduced tantrums, better self-esteem, or improved parent-child bonding were supported by any evidence at all, opinion or empirical.
So what about the evidence for the other 10 percent? A review paper published in 2005 examined evidence from 17 studies published between 1980 and 2002 that had evaluated the effectiveness of signing with infants who could hear.
It concluded that the existing research was methodologically flawed and, because of this, there was "no evidence to suggest that Baby Sign had any benefits for child development." This prompted me to conduct my own experiment, avoiding the pitfalls of previous studies, to test whether baby sign improves language development.
I randomly allocated parents and their babies to either baby sign training or a control condition and routinely measured the babies' language development over one year, from when babies were eight months up until 20 months.
While the babies learned and used the signs (often before they could speak), doing so made no significant impact on their language development. The babies who signed did not start to talk any earlier, nor did their language progress any quicker than the babies in the control conditions.
While the evidence clearly fails to support the notion that baby signing boosts development, there is no evidence that is actually harms or hinders child development. No studies have reported any negative effect of learning baby sign language on children's outcomes.
However, other research I have been involved in found that parents who chose to attend a baby signing class had significantly higher stress levels than parents who attended other, non-educational classes with their baby.
Our interpretation of this finding was that parents with higher pre-existing stress may have been attracted to Baby Sign classes because of types of claims made about how baby sign can benefit them and their baby.
This is not to say that baby signing can't be a fun thing to do: many parents and their children gain great pleasure from learning and using it together. But we need to move away from the fiction and stick to the facts: there is no evidence to support the claim that baby signing will accelerate a child's development.
I think that sign is more intrinsic to humans that speech, Mothers tend to understand babies' gestures without needing to learn any artificial (created) Sign Language. Babies also naturally understand gesture and facial expression from those around them.
If non-verbal communication is the first and dominant intellectual process, what will drive cerebral full connection and complexity development of speech and listening? A different kind of person will result. That signing is not the natural evolution of communication in any human culture except Deaf Culture is telling.
It is matter of record that Deaf Culture went ballistic when cochlear implants and evolved software offered near-natural hearing to a large fraction of legally deaf people. Deaf Culture demanded it was not crippled handicapped other-abled disadvantaged to be marginalized and depopulated. Who sponsored this study and its application?
Kodak in upstate New York eagerly hired and trained a large blind employee force to manufacture photographic film in utter darkness. To my knowledge, the deaf made no inroads into deafeningly noisy manufacturing environments wherein they would be greatly valued.
mentioned that Deaf people take jobs around loud printing presses and other machines.
In fact, there is a school in language theory that suggests humans used signs before speech. Babies can sign before they can speak …which may indicate an older evolutionary origin.
Why is sign language not just a second (or first) language?
Learning more than one language when young is good for the brain!
I do believe gesturing and signing is the first form of communication between people, regardless of whether or not they learn formal ASL. All babies point to things, hold their arms up to be picked up, and wave before they can verbally speak. Teaching your child sign language only strengthens their ability to communicate their needs with their perspective on what interests them. And learning the actual language of the Deaf community is as beneficial to teaching children a second language early on just as teaching them French or Spanish is. I have seen first hand with my own children as well as other parents who signed the benefits of signing. When you sign, you move your body. When you move your hands, your child is more likely to pay attention to you. When you sign you often slow your verbal spoken words down and you repeat the words. By slowing down and repeating, you help your child pay attention to you and actually hear individual words. Learning sign language as helped me retain and remember words. When I learn a song using sign language, I am more likely to remember the words. Sign language benefits people who are more visual or Kinesthetic Learners. Lastly, even if signing was just for fun, isn't when you have fun with your child that you are actually creating bonds with each other?
I'm not sure why Deaf people have to fit in your vision of lower echelon workers in noisy environments.
Historically, many Deaf people worked as printers for newspapers – very noisy environment. But now Deaf people work everywhere – as managers, as artists, as professors, as cashiers, as caretakers, as CEOs, etc. So there goes your assumption that Deaf people have to work in manual trades defined by their inability to hear.
Also – there are vast numbers of psycholinguistic studies and brain scans of parts of the brain that light up when signing certain kinds of messages – see Karen Emmorey's studies. Some of the brain patterns for spoken language appear with sign, some of the brain patterns for vision appear with sign.
The brain is very plastic. It creates connections easily – especially when you acquire language before the age of 5. For example, hearing tonality, such as in Asian languages, is a lot easier if you are young. If you are interested – there's lots of great data out there.
Also, as for creating different kinds of people, knowing more than one language definitely gives different perspectives. In this case, it's languages in more than 1 modality – auditory and visual.
Yelling at someone across a savannah is probably more adaptive than having to be close and sign – and this trait likely came about when the FOXP2 gene appeared.
So much ignorance it's tragic.
Firstly non verbal communication is EXTREMELY ancient and has always been part of human languages.
Maybe you aren't a smart person if you think it's impossible to learn two different things at the same time. But that does not indicate that it's impossible just that you are a dummy. Bilingual children learn multiple languages from birth all the time.
As long as parents also speak the signs and speak to the child as well there has never been any evidence that it causes delays despite people like you who actively hate the deaf for no rational reason!
Is this baby sign language similar to deaf sign language? Or is it it's own langauge?
Wouldn't it be an opprtunity to use deaf sign language for this and teach more people to use it?
Or any other sign language used around the world.
Depends what you have learned. American Sign Language (ASL) is a language – with not only vocabulary but also grammar and facial expressions to complete the meaning. It is not a word for word language. Often what the baby sign people teach are signs for words. Those signs may or may not be correct, depending on who is the sign model in the lessons.
Regardless, the ability to have babies express themselves in a way that their parents/caregivers can understand is priceless. I agree with the other responses that talked about the benefits of communication at a young age, not about the development of speech later. Although, there is plenty of research that shows that children of Deaf parents who communicated in sign language at an early age are often more successful at reading than their non-signing peers. The research is not about whether their spoken language is advanced.
Actually, Marilyn Daniels researched and provided findings g that children who came from homes where parents used ASL scored HIGHER in reading skills than their peers from homes that did not. This is because many words have no actual sign and are finger spelled. Communication any language (and ASL is a credited, recognized language) is the most important thing ws can give our children besides love. My son was signing to me at 8 months old. (I am deaf) he was reading before he started school. Read "Dancing Hands" by Marilyn Daniels and her research and I think you will see a different perspective from the author of this article, and see teaching infants ASL indeed has more benefits than mentioned here.
It's really interesting seeing the view of an academic compared to real people that use Baby Sign on a daily basis. Science and research is so easy to manipulate according to the bias of the researcher. It's very easy to ask the questions that give you the answers you are looking for.
I've done Baby Signing for 17 1/2 years and worked with 1000's of families. Most of them would say it enhanced their families lives at the time it was needed. Did it improve IQ? I've no idea. We never set out to create more intelligent children, we set out to support the families and help the children communicate.
If Baby Signing didn't enhance communication it would be a growing phenomena.
Sorry, but I have one nephew that signed a lot as a baby. He didn't get as frustrated as his siblings had about things. And my niece is just starting to use the sign for eat. Even if all they learn is eat and done, this helps and gives them the ability to communicate something huge before they can articulate it.
It's sad that the author based her study on advertisements rather than on actual families who choose signing for valid reasons, like the need for babies to communicate without resorting to whining or crying. If she had observed babies who sign she would have seen that their lives are much less frustrating because they can ask for what they want and be understood. If she had surveyed families who choose signing, she would have learned that parents teach signing because they want to communicate with their baby, not influence language development. If she had compared sign instructional methods, she would have found that videos are a little easier for parents to learn from because signs are.not static like photos in books and it helps to see the entire motion. A study to disprove the claims of advertisers is not as valuable to parents as one that would look at the actual benefits of signing. It's an amazing thing to be able to communicate with a baby. Maybe the experimenter should try that for a while. It's quite lovely.
The author addressed inaccurate information purporting to be science in a completely legitimate way. She never made a single statement denying the social benefits. I always get peeved when people don't disagree with what was written about (helpful information mind you) but even so deign to decide for others what is more important to focus on. The fact of the matter is that they wouldn't fraudulently advertise boosted IQ and whatnot if it wasn't helping to sell the product.
My baby has been signing for ten months and I am the only one in the family who regularly signs with her. We know about 30 words and she delights in signing with me. When she is with her dad and daycare she picks up cues and facial expressions, but I love how we can have a conversation with signing. She loves to point out trees, birds and flowers on our walk and now gets excited to see babies. She points to a baby and signs baby, smiling to me. When I ask her in sign if she wants to watch baby signing time or Winnie the poo, she answers in sign. She even has put five signs together to make full sentences, asking for things or sharing a preference. We have been doing "Baby Signing Time" since she was six months and she started signing at 8 months. She is now 18 months and I believe signing has helped her communicate her thoughts without having to wait for her words to come out. It reminds me of my grandfather who had a stroke when I was younger. He couldn't say anything that made sense, but you could see in his eyes he wanted to say something. He could write on a chalkboard "yes" or "no" or simple things. I believe signing gives my daughter freedom to express herself a bit early and she enjoys sharing the language with her mommy. I believe anytime you sign with your baby or sing or read, you are helping those synapses wire themselves. Anything you can do to share quality time with your baby significantly improves their life outcome. There are countless studies that show the difference between families who read and sing with their kids, and families who do not. I believe signing is in this same boat. Since I have seen the beauty of signing with my little one with my own eyes, I would recommend it to everyone. I love love love communicating with my baby girl.
I don't sign with my children for any supposed intellectual benefit. I sign with them because my pre-verbal daughter was having fits when she wanted milk and when she needed help. If someone studied levels of frustration, I guarantee they'd see positive results. My N=1 study proved it, and I'm following it up with my second child.
If you're teaching your (hearing) child sign language in order to raise their IQ or quicken their development, then, yes, that's probably not a good reason. If, however, you teach your child sign language so they can start telling you what they need and what they think at the age of 6-12 months rather than much later – you will be amply rewarded. It takes an entire level of guesswork and frustration out of raising a baby.
You don't really need any classes or anything. Grab a few dozen signs that are more relevant ("more", "food", "milk", "drink", "toilet", "sleep", "dog" etc.) and off you go. Make these signs as you talk to them, and they'll catch on quickly. Make some up if you want! It really doesn't matter, as long as you both know what's said.
The sweetest thing I ever saw was my boy, then aged 1 year, signing "train" while SLEEPING. I knew what my baby was dreaming about.
Anecdotal data: My grandson learned as an infant some ASL to communicate with his totally deaf uncle. We noted the child didn't become fully verbal as soon as some neighbor kids the same age. Now he's eight years old and has verbal skills and a vocabulary far richer and more advanced than his peers. So what, a few months behind in asking verbally for more popcorn. Did it hurt him? Hey, I'm a granddad, what do I know? – And who cares, he's a genius!
Wait until the kid goes to university and finds himself in the lower third.
But that's not what baby "advice" is about. It's all about making money.
It may be true that children do not necessarily develop faster by learning to communicate in sign. However, the more valid point, the author missed, was that children can effectively communicate sooner via sign. This makes it much easier for the child to get wants and needs met. My grandchildren not only learned sign before they were one, by the time they were 15 months old they could ask for water, milk, nursing, food, play outside, more, again. As well as identifying father, mother, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandfather, grandmother, friends, stranger, love, help, hot, cold, car, bicycle,wagon, and on and on. It is amazing when you are in the check out line with your 18 month old grandson and he is signing that we forgot the milk and asking for candy.
I don't know what impact baby signing has on development. I think that is a bigger research question. But I can tell you that when, as a divorced dad who had taught his daughter to sign, I showed up one day to pick up my one and a half (or some) year old daughter and she signed "happy" to me, it melted me. It was a level of communication I hadn't quite expected. Yes, I could have read her simultaneous jumping for joy as the same thing. But in this case she was intentionally communicating to me that she was happy to see me. It went beyond the basic signs for "eat" and "drink" and the like. I don't know the ultimate impact on her over time. But to this day (as an 8-year-old), she is quite articulate and able to talk very precisely about her feelings. Is there a connection? Additionally, her mother spoke Spanish to her as did her nannies, and teaching her sign was also my way of teaching her English, in addition to connecting with her. This article has to narrow a focus, in my view, too narrow a definition of what "works" means.
Totally agree with your adding up.
Sign is also a very beautiful language, it's says so much more than spoken word so for these academics it's so so sad that they cannot see the human side. I guess that's academia for you.
My question was never answered but it is thus: does baby sign language help the baby better communicate what it wants or needs!
I provided over 50 families to more than one of the researches led by Universities of Manchester & Hertfordshire on baby signing run by Phd student, Dr Liz Kirk. Many families reported the research was poor and anti-baby signing. We invited her to see babies sign, she said she'd come but never turned up. They regularly asked us to gather families for them. Only one student ever came and was rude. We had many requests over 4 years from the University but decilined due to unprofessional behaviour. We also felt they were misleading us and the families. I believe in research and proving or disproving the value in something but when research is conducted over such short periods with tiny groups, 50ish families, how can you get real honest proof. My team & I have personally worked with in excess of 5000 children over 12+ years teaching Baby Signing & Music. Our evidence is very positive. Similar across UK & USA. Parents delight in their pre-verbal baby communicating with sign. The newly verbal babies use sign to support their not yet clear speech and the verbal toddlers usually have very clear speech and gradually drop the signs. Clear speech comes from hearing the word clearly, they see it, feel it, understand it, therefore speak it clearly. For the parents many of them Fewer tantrums means less stress. If a child is understood it's natural they have less tantrums. Baby Sign doesn't claim to stop tantrums but the tantrums associated with poor communication are reduced dramatically. I don't claim to be an expert, but I have been Baby Signing since 2001 and running classes since 2005. It's now 2017 and I'm still teaching. That is a lot of experience. I say to families all the time, if Baby Signing didn't work then people would not be interested. Things that work grow, things that don't work don't. We see inspired excited families. What does that say? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,474 |
The sweetest bride commissioned the original sketch of this charming church in St. Francisville, Louisiana. I've absolutely fallen in love with the structure, the stained glass, and the azaleas… maybe one day I'll get to visit! Our Lady of Mount Carmel Hand Watercolored and Signed Prints are now available in TheInkLab!
After several requests, here she is! Built in 1956, I love the nod to Gothic architecture. I also love the fact that it's located on the beautiful, oak-lined, Washington Avenue. A real treat to draw!
Hand-watercolored & Signed Prints available for purchase via theinklab.etsy.com.
I'm really enjoying pulling this one together…such a sweet couple I'm working for, and what an enchanting place to get hitched! | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,475 |
Q: Explanation of the hadoop file system Can any one help me understand the data storage concept of hadoop?
As I understand it, hadoop deals with fs image and data blocks, and fsimage and edit logs paths are stored hdfs-site.xml. But what about the data blocks? Can anyone help me in this? I am little bit confused where the /user and /tmp dir is actually present in the filesystem.
I used this link to set up a single node hadoop cluster: http://www.michael-noll.com/tutorials/running-hadoop-on-ubuntu-linux-single-node-cluster/
A: Files are split into blocks and stored in the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). Consult the HDFS module of Yahoo's Hadoop Tutorial for a description of HDFS. The directories stored in HDFS can be viewed by typing the following command into a terminal: hadoop dfs -ls
A: The Namenode's FSImage keeps track of which Datanode has which files. In the hdfs-site.xml file, the configuration 'dfs.data.dir' defines where the datanode stores the underlying files on the filesystem. This can be a comma separated list of directories (think multiple disks).
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaStackExchange'} | 9,476 |
The Imperial College Faculty Building was the fourth building on Imperial College's South Kensington campus to be designed by Foster + Partners and is situated at the south side of Dalby Court, a small square bordered on all four sides by existing 1950s and 1960s college blocks. Part of a wider masterplan to improve the environment of Dalby Court and to rationalise circulation through the centre of the campus, the four-storey building was completed in April 2004 and has enabled the College's key administrative staff to work together under the same roof for the first time. The building's four storeys contain a mixture of open-plan spaces around the central core, with cellular offices at the building's periphery.
The existing deck has been extended to conceal the service road, plant area and electricity sub station below. A gently sloping ramp bisects the building diagonally, creating a dramatic view of the Queen's Tower and opening up a new shortcut through the campus that negotiates the 5 metre level change. The façade is characterised by a cladding system incorporating blue opaque panels in three different shades – these were chosen by the Danish artist, Per Arnoldi and their arrangement responds to the path of the sun and the shading requirements. Blood-orange coloured columns line the ramp internally and these are visible through the blue-tinted glass panels, further animating the facade and enlivening Dalby Court.
Designed with a highly progressive environmental strategy, a composite of recycled timber and plastic was used for the surface of the new deck. A large proportion of heat is supplied by waste heat from the Central Heat and Power Plant, which is situated beneath the new deck and serves the entire campus. Chilled beams mounted on the exposed concrete ceilings keep the building cool and are housed in a bespoke ceiling element that consolidates air distribution, lighting, motion and smoke detectors, fire alarms and acoustic absorption. Two basement levels contain parking spaces for 30 cars and secure storage for 600 bicycles, satisfying the requirement for the entire campus. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,477 |
You read my mind with this one! Our kitchen is under construction at the moment and making our own playdough the regular way just can't happen right now. This looks perfect!! Thank you for always sharing such wonderful ideas!
I'm so happy to hear that this is helpful, Cait! If you're used to cooking your own playdough, you'll find the consistency is a bit different, but it's still great stuff. Have fun!
Lovely! You'll have to let me know what you think about it, Cait.
Hi, this looks super fun I'll. Have to try it out thanks for sharing! | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,478 |
Effective Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions
R Yadav
Home » Technology » Effective Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions
Last updated on : August 16th, 2020 by R Yadav
Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions for Effective Risk mitigation and Management
What helps to predict the cybersecurity potential risks effectively? is a multi-billion question when it comes to you to answer and predict cybersecurity potential risk. If you want to list down the techniques for "Effective Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions" according to what our top security firms, tech magazines, and industry experts are saying.
Are you new to Cybersecurity? "No worries – everyone has to start somewhere!". Don't worry, at TechFeral, we are here to help and brought a short guide on "Top 10 Best Cybersecurity Predictions for 2020". We will also discuss with you about "What helps to predict the cybersecurity potential risks effectively" and tools, methodologies" we should adopt to manage the risks effectively. So without wasting time, let's start:
Renowned CISO Stephane Nappo whos is a senior consultant specializing in IT security as of 1995 and global head of Stéphane Nappo, Société Générale International Banking and Financial Services, says
"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and a few minutes of cyber-incident to ruin it."–Stephane Nappo
A digest on cybersecurity: What is Cyber Security? Definition, Importance, Best Practices & More
Challenges faced during Cybersecurity Predictions
We also see that cybersecurity continues to be the top priority for directors of information (CIO) in 2020, as it has been for most of the last decade, with groups such as the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO).
But although cybersecurity solutions offer a way forward to ensure that privacy protections are viable and effective, most people see data breaches, identity theft, ransomware, denial attacks, etc. and other cyber attacks as proof that cybersecurity has become the jugular, not the savior, for the new innovation.
Even as exciting advances in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles, 5G networks, cloud computing, mobile devices and the Internet of things (IoT) occur, these same developments seem to cause negative social disruptions that appear in the headlines of The daily news. Increasing evolving threats count for 48% of cyber threats.
Effective Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions: Courtesy: comparetech
The types of attacks and evolving threat vectors are always a moving target that faces white hats against black hats in an epic battle for our networks that will not be won soon. But the good news is that technology is also constantly evolving, and some of the smartest people are working round the clock to protect infrastructure and endpoints while preventing future attacks from happening.
Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions Techniques:
Threat assessment: It is a structured group process that is used to assess the risk posed by a student or another person, usually as a response to a real or perceived threat or worrying behavior. Threat assessment as a process was developed by the Secret Service in response to incidents.
Threat modeling: It is a procedure to optimize network security by identifying objectives and vulnerabilities and then defining countermeasures to prevent or mitigate the effects of threats to the system.
Threat mitigation: It is the process used to decrease the extent of a problem or attack by isolating or containing a threat until the problem can be remedied.
To achieve the above objective, you have to set up the "Security Risk Management Process" for Security risk predictions and mitigations:
Security Risk Management Process for Prediction:
Risk Management Setup Description
1. Assets and network mapping Identify all systems and networks. Discover all vulnerabilities. Collect configurations of all security and network controls. Classify and evaluates all assets.
2. Risk assessment Find all relevant threats, typically from a threat intelligence feed. Find all threat scenarios taking into consideration the security and threat characteristics. Quantify risk for every attack scenario.
3. Prioritization For every cyber risk or attack scenario, decide on risk treatment: avoiding, optimizing, transferring, remediation or retaining risk. For risks that require remediation, plan effective mitigation given alternative solution, cost, time, etc. Verify the plan remediation that will actually mitigate the risk to an acceptable level.
4. Remediation Perform the remediation plan: Typically a combination of patching, removal of service, security and network control re-configuration and installation of new control.
5. Progress tracking Verify the compliance of remediation work performed as per the approved plan. Submit report on progress and trends.
Top 7 best cybersecurity predictions: 2020
When it comes to cybersecurity predictions, in many ways, 2020 is a continuation of the present. Emerging trends include nation-state activity, IoT infrastructure attacks and more.
Top cybersecurity predictions list, that will help to predict the cybersecurity potential risks effectively are given below:
#1 Prediction: IoT goes up in a range
Attacks on the IoT infrastructure will be generalized ad more frequent. There have been rumors about the gaps in the cybersecurity of IoT. However, most business organizations are still unfortunately poorly prepared, particularly in regard to IoT infrastructure: the networks, computing and storage platforms through which IoT traffic travels. In the foreseeable future, business organizations must adopt proactive positions to protect their IoT infrastructure.
Recommended measures: Organisations deploying and acquiring IoT should have an IoT cybersecurity architecture, deployment roadmap, strategy, and that includes budgets and infrastructure.
#2 Prediction: State (Nation) promoted threats
Yes, you hear right!. State or Nation promoted cyber threats will become a more important threat to business organizations of other targeted companies or enterprises. Consider how Iran's immediate response to the United States drone attack against General Soleimani in January was to threaten a cyber attack.
Business organizations are also at risk, particularly those with highly visible brands that are closely associated with the target countries. For example, visibly American companies, such as American Airlines, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks, could be the target. The 2014 attack on Sony, widely recognized by the North Korean government, is a benchmark.
Recommended measures: Enterprises or Organizations must invest, plan, develop and execute a cybersecurity strategy that explicitly focuses on actors in national states.
#3 Prediction: DoS attacks will prevail
Denial of service (DoS) attacks of all varieties and at a large level will increase. Some business cybersecurity professionals can take on DoS attacks that specifically affect infrastructure elements, such as the network or a corporate website, for example. But more than half of all workloads are now in the cloud, according to Nemertes' 2020 cloud research study. This means that DoS attacks aimed at blocking employees outside the cloud will be increasingly effective.
Think about attacks against cloud-based identity and access management or single sign-on. If users cannot log in to their applications, they are dead in the water. More generally, as the infrastructure of all varieties is increasingly implemented, DoS attacks can have a devastating impact.
Recommended measures: Enterprises or Organizations must assess their vulnerability and risks to DoS attacks and review or improvise their incident response policies based on the trend of cyber attacks to reinforce their resistance.
#4 Prediction: Supply chain attacks
3rd party and supply chain attacks will intensify more than the past. Most corporate cybersecurity specialists could have ruled out the incident as unusual, something that probably won't affect them, that is a big mistake.
As noted in the first cybersecurity prediction for 2020, nation-state attacks are increasing. One of the main hallmarks of a nation-state attack is that nation-states can afford to invest years in a single attack. Many of these attacks come from countries in which the government exercises tight control over all manufacturing processes, for example, China.
Recommended measures: Business cybersecurity experts must collaborate with risk managers and procurement specialists to revisit global supply chains as cybersecurity attack vectors.
#5 Prediction: Focus on collaboration
Collaboration suites and tools will become increasingly attractive targets for attackers. Tools such as Slack, Zoom and Microsoft Teams create completely new vectors for the attack. As companies increasingly rely on such tools, they must strengthen their cybersecurity teams to address security flaws in these tools. More than 75% of companies will have cybersecurity specialists focused on suites and collaboration tools by the end of 2020.
Recommended measures: Business cybersecurity experts must ensure that they have a plan, architecture, and roadmap to protect collaboration tools.
#6 Prediction: Technology to increase capabilities of Cyber security experts
Automation and machine learning will enhance the capabilities of the cybersecurity team. The most important operational cybersecurity metric, the average total time to contain, has decreased dramatically in the last four years. Nemertes measured that the best-performing companies can now detect a raid, determine that it is actually an attack and contain the attack in an average of 2 minutes, compared to 8 minutes in 2018.
How do these augment security professional's skills? They selectively implement artificial intelligence and machine learning, which help with detection and determination, and automation, which helps with containment. Tools such as behavior threat analysis and security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) are examples of how automation can benefit security programs.
Recommended measures: Cybersecurity technologists should evaluate their technology portfolios and ensure that they are implementing the right tools of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation.
#7 Prediction: More automation
Automation facilitates makes easy for compliance and auditing burden Cybersecurity. Artificial intelligence, automation protect, machine learning, and companies against security incidents. In addition, automation produces an unforeseen benefit in terms of compliance: technology automates the process of recording and documenting responses to attacks. Some SOAR tools, for example, will capture and mark each action taken in response to an attack. This not only helps with autopsies but also makes it easier to provide the required documentation to the authorities.
Recommended measures: Cybersecurity experts must collaborate with the compliance and audit teams to make sure that the tools implemented to automate the capture of the necessary compliance and audit data.
Conclusion cybersecurity predictions:
Finally, the conclusion of these cybersecurity predictions for 2020 is that threats and threat vectors will multiply. But, with the right approach, technology, and training, cybersecurity teams should be able to keep them at bay.
Next similar topic: what is a VPN? and where to download free VPN online.
TAGS:cybersecurity, Data Privacy
27 comments on "Effective Cybersecurity Potential Risks Predictions"
I all the time emailed this website post page to all my friends, as if like
to read it after that my friends will too.
I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks
What is a Domain Name and How Do Domains Work?
Why 5G Is Going To Revolutionise The World Today
Best creative gadgets for artists and art enthusiasts
Best Free Video Downloader For YouTube
Understanding The Future Of The Famous Online Games Of Today In A Post-COVID World
Follow TechFeral on
Copyright © 2019-2020 TechFeral.com
Proudly designed with Oxygen buildrer, the world's best and fast visual website builder.
searchcalendarenvelopecomment-othumbs-upuser-o linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,479 |
A first or 2.1 honours degree in a relevant humanities subject. Applicants without these qualifications will be judged on the basis of a sample of written work, an interview and relevant experience.
Particular focuses of this MA include contemporary art, photography, Renaissance art, medieval art, 18th-century British painting, 19th-century French painting, modernism, aesthetics and the philosophy of art and film. You may elect to take a Philosophy of Art & Aesthetics pathway, which draws on the expertise of our Aesthetics Research Group.
The programme can also be studied in Paris only or with the year shared between Canterbury and Paris. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,480 |
Too much, or too little, Animo TV want to hear from you!
Are you always tired, but find yourself awake all night? Can you exist on hardly any sleep? Is your child having sleeping problems that you just can't seem to solve? Is your partner's chronic snoring keeping you awake all night… every night? Are you a shift-worker who struggles to catch up on sleep? Or would you like to take part in a fascinating sleep experiment?
"Awake – The Science of Sleep" is a new documentary for RTÉ One, which takes a snapshot of our sleeping patterns as a nation. From new parents to shift workers – we want to represent all of the issues people have with their sleep.
If you think you have an undiagnosed problem or want help from Irelands top sleep experts please get in touch!
If you would like to participate in this series, please email [email protected] with your name and contact details for more information. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,481 |
Attorney David B Franks
Attorney David N Rechenberg
Attorney James H Andrle
Legal Assistant Dimitra Ackerley
Legal Assistant Dana Susmaras
Attorney Blog
The Value of a Work Related Elbow Injury
by FNR Law | Apr 3, 2018 | Lawyer in McHenry County, Workers Compensation
The Illinois Workers Compensation Act determined that the value of a work related elbow injury is based on a percentage of loss use of the arm. The Act states that a loss use of an entire arm is worth 253 weeks. When a worker injures his elbow, those cases are determined based on a percentage of loss use of that arm. When the percentage of disability for an arm is determined due to the nature and extent of the injury suffered by the injured worker, that number is multiplied by the permanent partial disability rate to determine the value of the claim.
The permanent partial disability rate varies from worker to worker because the permanent partial disability rate is based on 60% of the injured workers average weekly wage. The average weekly wage of a union carpenter earning $35.00 an hour having the same injury as a worker at Home Depot earning $15.00 an hour, the value of the union carpenters case will be more than double that of the Home Depot employee because the union carpenters average weekly wage is more than twice that of the Home Depot employee.
The value of an elbow injury with surgery from the years 2014 through 2016 varied from 5% loss use of an arm to 25% loss use of the arm. The majority of the cases reported by the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission were between 10% and 15% loss use of the arm.
A work related elbow injury can take many forms such as a cubital tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve transposition, an ulnar nerve decompression, elbow epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, and further broken down into medial epicondylitis and lateral epicondylitis and elbow redial nerve entrapment. The above referenced surgical procedures are common procedures resulting from industrial injuries.
With so many different surgical procedures resulting from work related injures to elbows, it can be very daunting for an injured worker to determine the value of surgically repaired work related elbow injury without the assistance of an experienced workers compensation attorney.
In addition to the type of surgical procedure performed on an injured worker, the value of the case is determined by the factors codified in the workers compensation statute set forth as follows: occupation of the injured worker, the age of the injured worker, the future earning capacity of the injured worker and the evidence of disability of the injured worker. The evidence of disability includes but is not limited to, any permanent lifting restrictions and/or working restrictions, such as no overhead work.
It is not uncommon for a worker who injured his elbow to have also injured his hand and may have surgical procedures for his hand and elbow. If that is the case, he would have his claim evaluated based a loss use of the arm for the elbow injury and loss use of the hand for the wrist injury. The most common wrist injuries are carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome.
Elbow injuries requiring surgery sometimes require second and third surgical procedures to cure the injured workers condition of ill-being.
The value of an elbow injury with surgery is also determined as to the injured workers ability to return to work with or without restrictions. Naturally, a worker that has returned to work with restrictions for the same injury has a value higher than an injured worker who is able to return to work without restrictions.
If you have a work related elbow injury that requires surgical intervention, you need to get an experienced workers compensation attorney on your side to make sure you receive all the benefits that you are entitled to and your rights under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act are not trampled on by the workers compensation insurance company. The workers compensation insurance company has a team of professionals including highly trained claims adjusters, investigators, and attorneys who sole job is to get you to accept a settlement which is far less than the actual value of your claim and/or prevent you from obtaining the required medical treatment you need to recover from your work injury or, in extreme cases, preventing you from ever receiving a dime for your disability.
To learn more about your rights as an injured worker, please order David N. Rechenberg's workers compensation book entitled "Everything You Wanted to Know About Recovering Money for your Illinois Worker's Compensation Case But Were Afraid to Ask" using the form below. By reading this book you will also find out the 9 mistakes that can ruin your Illinois Workers Compensation case. Rechenberg has more than 29 years' experience battling insurance companies on behalf of injured workers getting them the money and medical treatment they are entitled to under the law. If you have a work related injury, call Dave at 847-854-7700 to get his working on your case right away.
[vfb id='6′]
Same-Sex Divorce: Everything You Need to Know
Biggest Child Support Mistakes To Avoid
What CPS Can Legally Do During Investigations
Ways to Divorce Without Going Broke
Things Everyone Should Know About Child Protective Services
2015 Traffic Laws
Cary IL
Lake In The Hills DUI
Lawyer in McHenry County
Franks & Rechenberg, P.C.
Created by Windy City Web Designs | Strategies
Lake in the Hills Office
1301 Pyott Road, Suite 200
McHenry Office
1689 Curran Road, Suite 200 | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,482 |
The H520 commercial hexacopter will now optionally be available with an RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system from Fixposition.
Even under difficult GPS conditions, such as in cities or canyons, the RTK system is designed to ensure maximum precision and centimeter-precise positioning. The fully integrated RTK satellite navigation enables accurate recurring images, faster 3D mapping, and makes automated inspection flights easier and more precise, the company says.
By using RTK technology, the H520 can now fly much closer to objects for inspection as the UAV positions itself in the centimeter range (1 cm + ppm horizontal/1.5 cm + ppm vertical) rather than in the meter range, which is standard for the unit. This accuracy is paramount for applications where several images need to be taken at the same location on different days, including documenting progress on construction sites. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,483 |
Letter: Congresswoman Maxine Waters' letter to U.S. Ambassador to Haiti
The following is a letter written by Congresswoman Maxine Waters to the US Ambassador to Haiti. Waters urges the ambassador "to use your considerable diplomatic experience and influence with the government of Haiti to promote respect for the rule of law and basic human rights and to oppose the organization of elections in Haiti until such time as the widespread politically motivated attacks against government critics in Haiti have ceased; the perpetrators have been held accountable; an independent Provisional Electoral Council can be formed with broad participation by civil society and in accordance with Haiti's constitution; and all political parties, stakeholders, civil society organizations, and Haitian citizens are able to participate in the elections without fear."
The Honorable Michele J. Sison
U.S. Ambassador to Haiti
U.S. Embassy in Haiti
c/o U.S. Department of State
Dear Ambassador Sison:
I write to urge you to use your considerable diplomatic experience and influence with the government of Haiti to promote respect for the rule of law and basic human rights and to oppose the organization of elections in Haiti until such time as the widespread politically motivated attacks against government critics in Haiti have ceased; the perpetrators have been held accountable; an independent Provisional Electoral Council can be formed with broad participation by civil society and in accordance with Haiti's constitution; and all political parties, stakeholders, civil society organizations, and Haitian citizens are able to participate in the elections without fear.
As I warned in my May 28th letter to you, Haiti was in grave danger of a downward spiral of chaos and violence. Unfortunately, such a downward spiral is precisely what is happening. Yet, in the midst of this chaos and violence, the Haitian government under President Jovenel Moïse is proceeding to organize elections that are widely perceived to be both illegitimate and unconstitutional.
The Haitian constitution requires that elections be organized by a Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) that consists of nine members representing different sectors of civil society, including Catholic and Protestant churches, human rights organizations, presidents of universities, and private sector associations. Members of the previous CEP resigned in August and called on the executive branch to initiate a process of dialogue to obtain broad agreement before moving forward with elections.1 Since then, each of these sectors has refused to designate a representative to a new CEP, expressing concerns about the credibility of any elections carried out under President Jovenel Moïse. The vice president of the Haitian Catholic bishops' conference even claimed that a government official told him that the church could name the Haitian ambassador to the Holy See if church officials promptly nominated a Catholic representative to the CEP, an offer that the bishop called a bribe.2
1 AlterPress, Haïti-Politique: Qu'est ce qui est à la base de la démission en bloc des 8 membres restants du Cep?, July 31, 2020.
President Jovenel Moïse nevertheless unilaterally appointed a nine-member CEP by a presidential decree in violation of the constitution. The decree not only mandated the CEP to organize elections, but also required it to prepare a constitutional referendum, a move that Haitian legal scholars, opposition party leaders and human rights observers say is not only illegal and unconstitutional, but reminiscent of actions taken by former dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who changed Haiti's constitution as part of his efforts to consolidate power, make himself dictator for life, and thus subvert democracy all together.3 When the Haitian Supreme Court refused to swear in Moïse's hand-picked CEP members, Moïse installed them anyway, which is also a violation of the constitution.4
These disturbing events are taking place against a backdrop of unconscionable threats, intimidation, and violence targeting critics of the government of President Moïse. Haiti's public works minister Joiseus Nader was accused of intimidation after he went to the offices of the Haitian government's watchdog agency on September 23, 2020, accompanied by heavily armed men wearing ski masks. While they watched, civilians accompanying them took photographs and videos of some of the 300 employees and sensitive documents that are part of the agency's ongoing corruption probe of the government's alleged misuse of $2 billion in aid from Venezuela under the "PetroCaribe" program.5
A well-respected Haitian lawyer, constitutional scholar, and head of the Port-au-Prince bar association, Monferrier Dorval, was assassinated on August 28, 2020, just hours after criticizing the government in a radio broadcast. Dorval had previously signed a statement denouncing more than two dozen presidential decrees signed by Moïse and calling for them to be recalled. Dorval's murder followed the murder of at least two other prominent Haitians, Radio Caraibes host Frantz Adrien Bony and Haitian businessman Michel Saieh; all three were killed over a two-day period.6
Violent gang attacks on impoverished neighborhoods perceived to be opposed to the Moïse administration have also escalated in recent months, and there is growing evidence that these appalling acts of violence are being condoned – if not actively encouraged – by Moïse's government. The death squad headed by Jimmy Cherizier, commonly known as "Barbecue," reportedly carried out multiple attacks on civilians in May in the impoverished Port-au-Princ neighborhoods of Tokyo, Delmas, and Pont-Rouge, burning houses and killing people. During these violent attacks, members of the Haitian National Police allied with Cherizier reportedly stood by as houses were burned and people were killed.7
2 Catholic News Service, Haitian bishop decries 'bribe' from government in advance of elections, National Catholic Reporter, September 4, 2020.
3 Charles, Jacqueline, Haiti finally has an elections commission, but controversy over constitution role brews, Miami Herald, September 21, 2020. 4 Charles, Jacqueline, Haiti's supreme court declines to swear in election council. Moïse installed them anyway, Miami Herald, September 22, 2020.
5 Charles, Jacqueline, Haiti's public works minister is accused of intimidating the country's watchdog agency, Miami Herald, September 23, 2020.
6 Charles, Jacqueline, Haitian lawyer, constitutional expert gunned down hours after controversial radio interview, Miami Herald, August 29, 2020.
The government failed to bring Cherizier to justice, and he subsequently unified several gangs under the "G9" organization and launched a reign of terror against neighborhoods unwilling to submit to the gang federation's will. Police vehicles have been used in the G9 attacks, and there has been no reported police intervention to protect the victims of the attacks, many of whom are women and children.8 According to a National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) investigation of armed attacks in the impoverished Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Cité Soleil, during the period from June 1 through July 28, 2020, at least 111 people were murdered, 48 people went missing, and 20 others were wounded by bullets. Moreover, 18 women and girls were repeatedly raped by armed bandits, at least 5 public transit vehicles were intercepted, and 6 houses were burned down.9
While Moïse has denied ties to the gangs, he fired Justice Minister Lucmane Delile within hours after the latter denounced the gangs and ordered that the national police pursue them.10 Furthermore, residents of the attacked neighborhoods and human rights groups consistently report that the attacks are designed to intimidate neighborhoods from opposing the government ahead of the upcoming elections.
As you know, I led a delegation to Haiti in April 2019, during which I met with you and also met with residents of La Saline and surrounding areas, who described acts of unconscionable violence that occurred in November of 2018. Survivors expressed concern that government connected gangs, working with police officers, carried out the attacks to punish the neighborhood for its participation in anti-government protests. In the 18 months since my trip to Haiti, credible investigations of the La Saline massacre by RNDDH,11 the United Nations (UN) Mission for Justice Support in Haiti together with the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR),12 and Haiti's national directorate of judicial police13 have all consistently pointed to politically motivated violence. Yet the alleged perpetrators have never been brought to justice.
7 National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), Attacks on deprived neighborhoods, June 23, 2020.
8 Arnesen, Ingrid, and Faiola, Anthony, In Haiti, coronavirus and a man named Barbecue test the rule of law, Washington Post, August 14, 2020.
9 National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), Assassinations, Ambushes, Hostagetaking, Rape, Fires, Raids: The authorities in power have installed terror in Cité Soleil, August 13, 2020, p. 2.
10 Arnesen, Ingrid, and Faiola, Anthony, In Haiti, coronavirus and a man named Barbecue test the rule of law, Washington Post, August 14, 2020.
11 National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), The Events in La Saline from power struggle between armed gangs to state-sanctioned massacre, December 1, 2018, pp. 7-8.
12 United Nations, MINUJUSTH and OHCHR release a report on the violent events of 13 and 14 November in La Saline, June 21, 2019.
13 Charles, Jacqueline, Dozens brutally killed, raped in Haiti massacre, police say. 'even young children were not spared', Miami Herald, July 15, 2019.
I warned in April 2019 that impunity for the La Saline massacre would encourage more violence, and tragically, I have been proven right. A politically motivated attack in the Bel-Air neighborhood on November 4-8, 2019, killed at least 15 people, and it appears to have been carried out by Jimmy Cherizier and other gang leaders implicated in the La Saline massacre.14 Furthermore, OHCHR verified that Haitian security forces were responsible for at least 19 killings between September 15 and November 1, 2019,15 and Amnesty International reported that Haitian police repeatedly used excessive force during anti-government protests in late 2019, including unlawfully firing live ammunition at protesters and indiscriminately launching tear gas.16 Impunity for acts of violence in 2018 and 2019 no doubt contributed to the escalation of violence in 2020.
Ending impunity, including for the criminal acts described above; ensuring the protection of human rights; and upholding the rule of law are essential to the democratic process. Any notion that elections can proceed without significant civil dialogue and the bolstering of constitutional protections and democratic institutions is therefore nonsensical.
Credible elections cannot be carried out by a CEP that is widely perceived to be illegitimate and unconstitutional, and they certainly cannot be carried out in an atmosphere of widespread politically motivated attacks against suspected government critics. If the Haitian government were to proceed with elections under the current conditions, respected representatives of civil society will be unwilling to participate, political parties will be unable to organize or recruit candidates, and voters will be afraid to register and vote. Such illegitimate elections would only serve to deepen Haiti's current political crisis, increase the risks of widespread chaos and violence, and undermine the U.S. national interest in a stable and prosperous Haiti.
Sincerely, Maxine Waters
Member of Congress
14 HaitiLibre, Haiti - Security: Violence in Bel-Air neighborhood, at least 15 dead, November 10, 2019.
15 Hurtado, Marta, Press briefing note on Haiti unrest, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, November 1, 2019. 16 Tucker, Duncan, Haiti: Amnesty International verifies evidence of excessive use of force against protesters, Amnesty International, October 31, 2019. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,484 |
A Boundary Element Method Based Meshless Method for Buckling Analysis of Elastic Plates
B. Chinnaboon1, S. Chucheepsakul1 and J.T. Katsikadelis2
1Department of Civil Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
2Department of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
B. Chinnaboon, S. Chucheepsakul, J.T. Katsikadelis, "A Boundary Element Method Based Meshless Method for Buckling Analysis of Elastic Plates", in B.H.V. Topping, G. Montero, R. Montenegro, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Computational Structures Technology", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 173, 2006. doi:10.4203/ccp.83.173
Keywords: boundary element method, meshless, buckling, analog equation method, elastic plates, radial basis functions, thin plate splines.
Buckling or elastic instability of plates is of great practical importance. Analytical solutions of a plate buckling have been found in the simplest cases of support and loading conditions. Numerical methods such as the finite element method have been used by many researchers to investigate the buckling problems. More recently, the boundary element method (BEM) has proved to be a powerful solver for the plate buckling problems. In the early development of the BEM [1,2,3,4,5], domain integrals containing domain curvature terms arise in the formulations which usually result in a combined boundary-domain solution of the problem. Afterwards, the effort to overcome this limitation has been made by using the concept of the dual reciprocity method. Elzein and Syngellakis [6] have proposed two models for the plate deflection. The accuracy of the results depends on the order of the Fourier approximation or the choice of deflection functions. Lin et al. [7] have proposed the boundary integral formulation which was in terms of three displacements of the plate's middle surface and the planar loading and, or displacements applied at the boundary of the plate. A Fourier series was also applied in their formulations. Recently, Neranzaki and Katsikadelis [8] have proposed an analog equation method (AEM) for buckling of plates with variable thickness. The AEM has been successfully employed to solve the plate buckling problems without the limitations on the plate geometry, thickness variation and the support and loading conditions. However, there are still domain integrals in the formulations.
In this paper a BEM-based meshless method is developed for buckling analysis of elastic plates. The presented method was achieved using the concept of the analog equation method (AEM). According to this method the original eigenvalue problem for a governing differential equation of buckling is replaced by an equivalent problem for plate bending problem subjected to an "appropriate" fictitious load under the same boundary conditions. The domain integral caused by the fictitious load is approximated by using thin plate splines (TPSs) as a radial basis function series and then converted also to a line integral on the boundary using a technique based on the BEM. The formulation has no limitations on plate shape, and transverse and inplane boundary conditions. The eigenmodes of the actual problem are obtained from the known integral representation of the solution for the classical plate bending problem, which is derived using the fundamental solution of the biharmonic equation. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study:
As the method is boundary-only, it has all the advantages of the pure BEM, i.e. the discretization and integration are performed only on the boundary.
The known fundamental solution of the biharmonic equation is employed to derive the integral representation of the solution. Thus, the kernels of the boundary integral equations are conveniently established and evaluated.
Accurate numerical results for the critical load factors and the corresponding mode shapes are obtained. No special computational techniques are required for solving plates having free boundaries
The concept of the analog equation in conjunction with radial-basis-functions approximation of the fictitious sources renders the BEM a versatile computational method for solving difficult engineering problems. It depends only on the order of the differential equation and not specific differential operator which governs the problem under consideration.
J.A. Costa, C.A. Brebbia, "Elastic buckling of plate using the boundary element method", in "Boundary Elements VII", Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 4-29-4-42, 1985.
G. Benzine, A. Cimetiere, J.P. Gelbert, "Unilateral buckling of thin elastic plates by boundary integral equation method", Int J Numerical Methods in Engineering, 21, 2189-2199, 1985. doi:10.1002/nme.1620211206
G.D. Manolis, D.E. Beskos, M.F. Pineros, "Beam and plate stability by boundary elements", Computers and Structures, 22(6), 917-923, 1986. doi:10.1016/0045-7949(86)90152-5
M. Tanaka, K. Miyazaki, "A boundary element method for elastic buckling analysis of assembled plate structures", Computational Mechanics, 3, 49-57, 1988. doi:10.1007/BF00280751
S. Syngellakis, A. Elzein, "Plate buckling loads by the boundary element method", Int J Numerical Methods in Engineering, 37, 1763-1778, 1994. doi:10.1002/nme.1620371008
A. Elzein, S. Syngellakis, "Dual reciprocity in boundary element formulations of the plate buckling problem", Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 9, 175-184, 1992. doi:10.1016/0955-7997(92)90059-G
J. Lin, R.C. Duffield, H.R. Shih, "Buckling analysis of elastic plates by boundary element method", Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 23, 131-137, 1999. doi:10.1016/S0955-7997(98)00074-5
M.S. Nerantzaki, J.T. Katsikadelis, "Buckling of plates with variable thickness-an analog equation solution", Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 18, 149-154, 1996. doi:10.1016/S0955-7997(96)00045-8
S.P. Timoshenko, J.M. Gere, "Theory of elastic stability", McGraw-Hill, New York, 1961. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,485 |
Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
It took me a while to get into this book. It's written by someone close to my age. It's called Funny Girl; it's about a theater star named Barbara; a gay man is one of the characters. But once I realized that the other shoe was not going to drop and the Streisand reference was unintentional—though I think anyone from the U. S. would have changed the character's name—I was able to get into the story the author meant to tell.
It's a sweet story about a girl who wants to be the Lucille Ball of Britain. It covers the early 1960s, British culture and the BBC during the beginnings of the sexual revolution. Like all of Hornby's novels, it's a love story that covers more than romantic love. It's about ambition and artistry, friendship and family, social change, and the common eternal verities of relationships.
Hornby is always generous to his main characters, the main thing I love about British pop fiction: slightly quirky, endearing people who muddle through and carry on through life's crises, winning hearts in the end. Despite the initial hiccup, he won me over, as always.
I received a temporary egalley of the book through First To Read.
Labels: Em Maxwell, Funny Girl, Miss Em Recommends, Nick Hornby
A Murder of Magpies by Judith Flanders My rating:...
The Very Best of Kate Elliott by Kate Elliott My ...
Bon Appetempt: A Coming-of-Age Story by Amelia Mor... | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,486 |
North PBC
Central PBC
South PBC
Quick links... Treasure Coast Okeechobee Indian River St. Lucie Martin Palm Beach County North PBC Central PBC South PBC The Glades Broward Miami-Dade
NewsTreasure CoastRegion Martin CountyStuart
State commission backs mixed-use Costco project on Kanner Highway
Administration panel, led by DeSantis, reverses decision by administrative judge
Plans for a Costco have passed the next step in its journey to Stuart.
By: Allen Cone
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Costco project planned along Kanner Highway in Martin County will move forward after a decision by the State Administration Commission backed the Stuart City Commission.
On Tuesday, the panel, which comprises Gov. Ron DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, determined the city properly assigned the neighborhood special district designation to the property.
In August 2021, Stuart resident Robin Cartwright filed the state challenge, arguing the City Commission violated its plan when approving the land use.
Cartwright told the TCPalm she plans to appeal the ruling, which will be brought to the commission on March 21 for finalization.
"I think frustration is probably where I would start, but I have a lot more emotions beyond that," Cartwright said. "From day one, it has not been a fair fight."
The project on 49 acres includes a 162,0020-square foot Costco Warehouse Corp. store with 18 gas pumps as well as 378 apartments, stores and restaurants.
In April, Judge Francine Ffolkes, of the state Division of Administrative Hearings, ruled in favor of Cartwright.
"There is no question that the city failed to consider the maximum development potential made available through designation of the property as Neighborhood Special District," Ffolkes wrote in the ruling. "The [land-use] amendment is not supported by a professionally acceptable methodology that analyzes the availability of central water supply, wastewater services and traffic impact on the level of service of Kanner Highway and adjacent roadways."
Many Stuart residents have been very open about their opposition to the location of the development.
They contend that it will make traffic near Martin County High School worse and ruin the area's wetlands.
The property is south of the school and Lychee Tree Nursery.
"There was a whole bunch of other evidence related to zoning and site plans, which can still be reviewed in another process," Moody said during the hearing. "This is the best course of action. … Not only should we find this in compliance with (Florida Statutes), but that it was based on appropriate data and analysis as to the Comprehensive Plan." | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,487 |
Two option for club lovers tonight (Thursday, September the 2nd). The first is at the Museum Club where the DJs Mau Mau and Renato Cohen will dominate the launch of the party The Heat Beat, where the duo Monsters at Work will play in live PA. Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Sao Paulo, the Museum follows the concept of dining club, with sophisticated menus and good music. The environment has a panoramic lift and a huge screen of Marilyn Monroe highlighted. The menu is divided between and contemporary Japanese cuisine, plus a selection of drinks made by bartenders and extensive wine list.
The second option is the D-Edge. Two good attractions in the disputed party of the thursday at this club: the English producer Nic Fanciulli, who started in music when he was a teenager and gradually managed to leave a mark on the house scene and the London tech-house expert duo, Layo & Bushwacka, always present in Brazilian house clubes. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,488 |
Home / Pei Blog / Are You Too Hard on Yourself?
For many leaders, our biggest challenge isn't giving love and encouragement — it's receiving them.
A while back at a leadership conference, I had just finished giving a talk that went far better than I anticipated. As I was walking to the back of the room, many of my coworkers gave me high fives and encouragements.
"Nice job! That went great!" they shouted.
"No, I'm not sure about that…" I started.
But one of my friends and mentors interrupted me. He put his hands on both of my shoulders, shook me back and forth a bit, and looked me right in the eye.
And in that moment, I realized that my reaction to the encouragement wasn't about pride or humility. It was about how deeply I could experience the grace that people were extending to me.
We feel more comfortable when we're doing things to help others, than when we're needing or asking for help ourselves.
We feel more comfortable when other people are talking. We're more self-conscious about whether or not we're talking too much.
We feel more comfortable being critical of our actions and decisions, and we're always thinking about how much more we need to improve.
Doesn't sound too bad, right? But there is a dark side to all this, that I've been noticing in my own leadership. Yes, I do love seeing where I can improve and work on things. But when taken to an extreme, I could end up thinking leadership is all about how hard I need to work, as if it's something I need to earn or prove. And that's antithetical to the very idea of grace — upon which so much of my life has been built.
In other words, use feedback not just as a channel for constructive improvement, but for encouragement along the way.
I think a lot of us can benefit from Heen's advice. Growth and self-examination are vital for leaders, but for some of us, our shortcoming isn't that we don't seek to learn or improve. Our bigger challenge is taking in enough positive encouragement and grace to keep us fueled, motivated, and in touch with God and people.
The other day, I was reading the story in the Bible where a woman with a negative reputation comes to Jesus, weeps on his feet, and pours perfume as a cultural way to show honor and affection. While others around Jesus are uncomfortable with this, Jesus doesn't back away but receives her blessing (Luke 7:36-50). He was able to take in love from the people around him.
As leaders, we are called to serve, give, and sacrifice… no question about it. However, we must remember that our source of power and life in ministry doesn't lie in how much we have to give, but in how much grace we're able to receive. The message of Christianity starts with the truth of how much we are loved.
Are you too hard on yourself? If so, I'm guessing you probably know it.
Set up some regular meetings or phone calls with people whom you trust, and who are sources of encouragement and life to you.
When you're with these friends, ask for some positive feedback.
Ask your friends, "What are some things you think I do well as a leader?" You can tell them how hard you tend to be on yourself, and ask them to encourage and pray for you.
It may feel strange to you to do this, but I bet it won't be strange for your friends. You may find that there are many people who are ready and eager to encourage and pour love into you.
The question for us all is: can we receive it? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,489 |
Kate Lattey
Writing pony books that reflect New Zealand's unique equestrian lifestyle
Clearwater Bay
Pony Jumpers
Tag: horses
Excerpt from Pony Jumpers Special Edition #2 – IRISH LUCK (2)
Book Excerpt · Irish Luck · Pony Jumpers series · Sneak peek
8 May 2018 8 May 2018 nzponywriter4 Comments
When I started writing IRISH LUCK, I'd simply intended it to give Dan's backstory. Keeley inserted herself into the story too, and I wrote the first few chapters thinking that this book, with protagonists aged 12 and 8, was going to end up aimed slightly younger than the rest of the PJ series.
But what I've come to realise in the past few weeks, especially as I started editing this book, is that it's not really Dan and Keeley's story at all. It's Deacon and Mairead's.
Originally, there was quite a bit more of Deacon in TOP TEN, but most of his scenes got cut because the book was becoming unwieldy and Katy's visit to Deacon's home base in Co. Wexford became superfluous. So it is in this book that you'll get to properly meet the man himself, and find out what the family's other home is like. I've had a lot of fun writing it, and I really hope that you all enjoy reading it when I finally get it finished!
I also didn't intend the book to take this long to write (yes, I am aware that I say this every time). I'm working three jobs at the moment so finding the energy to write at 10pm when I've finally got everything else done is a bit of a challenge.
Speaking of which, it's half past midnight as I type this, so I'm going to just post a short extract below from Chapter 7 to tide you over a bit longer. (I've been working on Chapter 14 of 17 this evening so I am getting there, I promise.)
Let me know what you think with a comment below (hopefully positive ones!).
CHAPTER 7 – THE PITCH
The small office was bitterly cold, and the oil heater in the corner was doing nothing to take the edge off the chill. A single fluorescent bulb flickered above the desk, and a large grimy window looked into the dingy indoor school. Deacon frowned as he sipped from the mug of weak tea, struggling to rein in his impatience with the red-headed woman opposite him.
"But why not?"
"Because I don't want to see my son get hurt."
Mairead held her voice firm, and she forced herself to look Deacon in the eyes as she spoke to him. All the books on body language said that people who were sitting were at a psychological disadvantage in a confrontation with someone standing, but it didn't seem to be working for her. She was leaning against the cold stone wall of her cramped office, arms folded firmly across her chest, while Deacon was sitting in a hard plastic chair and holding a mug with bright pink daisies on it. Yet he was gazing calmly back at her and looking about as unintimidated as humanly possible.
"He's not a dangerous pony," Deacon insisted. "And it wouldn't be for long. Just until I can get the animal sold." He rested the mug on his knee and wrapped his hands around it in an attempt to warm them. "Look, I'm trying to do your lad a kindness here. He needs a decent pony and I need a decent rider. What's the harm? I'll not be letting him ride unsupervised or do anything foolish, if that's what you're worried about."
"You don't understand." Mairead shook her head and pushed herself away from the wall, walking over to her desk and sitting down behind it. Forget body language. It clearly wasn't working, and she was too tired to try anything else. She rested her elbows on the worn desk and pressed her temples, trying to stave off the inevitable headache that came at the end of a long day. Not that there seemed to be any other kind, lately.
"What don't I understand?" Deacon's voice was kinder, gentler than it had been a moment ago, and Mairead looked up, her defences lowering.
"I don't want him getting his heart broken," she told him, registering the look of surprise on Deacon's face, and wondering what he'd expected to hear. "Dan has wanted a pony of his own for as long as he's been riding, but I've never been able to give him one. And he's known and accepted that fact, and lowered his expectations accordingly. And then you come along and offer him the ride on a pony the likes of which we'll never be able to afford. Don't misunderstand now, I'm grateful that you gave him a chance today, but I wish you hadn't. Because it's going to make everything that much harder when the dream fades away."
Deacon's blue eyes met her hazel ones challengingly. "Who's to say the dream has to fade away?"
"You know it will. It always does. I don't want to get his hopes up, only for him to be tossed aside when you've no further use for him."
"You don't have a very high opinion of me, do you?" Deacon asked her. He looked around the small office, as unfriendly as its primary occupant. "I'll remind you now that you don't know me. This place may be enough for you, but I don't think it's going to be enough for your boy. Not for much longer. He'll be wanting to go all the way to the top, and if you don't help him to get there, you're going to lose him when he goes to find it for himself." He leaned back in the chair, confident in the knowledge that he was right about this. "You can't protect him forever, Mairead. He's going to have hardship in his life, and the sooner he starts getting used to –"
It was his turn to be cut off as the fire rekindled in Mairead's eyes. "You think he hasn't known hardship? You think he hasn't already had to get used to defeat? You know nothing about me, or my son, and I'll thank you to get out of my office and out of our lives right now and to mind your own bloody business in future!"
Deacon set down his mug on the scratched desk and got to his feet. "Have it your own way. But you're doing Dan no favours with your stubbornness." He walked to the door and grasped the handle, then looked back over his shoulder at her. "You may think you are, but you're not."
And he left, shutting the door firmly behind him as Mairead put her head in her hands and closed her eyes against the stabbing pain.
A pony book dream come true
21 February 2017 nzponywriter5 Comments
Have you ever read a pony book where a keen and determined young rider gets given the opportunity of a lifetime to ride an amazing horse due to the generosity of some mysterious benefactor? I know I have. And although I was never that young rider, today I got to play my own part in a pony book story.
I've had my horse JJ since he was six years old, and six years on from when he first arrived as a nervous, head-shy youngster he has become a very confident, happy horse. We've had a lot of fun together but recently we've reached a point where he has learned everything I have to teach him. So we've been fumbling along for the past few months, trying to work out how we fit together these days, and the only thing that has made both of us really happy has been when he has been out competing with other riders. Lately he's had a lovely 12-year-old on board, and he has taken her from never completing a 90cm course to placing 1st and 2nd in the two rounds they've done at that height! They've been to three shows together, done ten classes, and they've won two firsts, two seconds, two thirds and a fourth.
I love my horse, but a few weeks ago, I came THIS close to advertising him for sale. I even wrote a 'For Sale' ad, but when I finished it, I saved the file as "JJ is not for sale" and closed my computer, completely torn. I knew that what we were doing wasn't working – I could barely catch him and no matter how many different things I tried, we weren't really enjoying our rides anymore – but the thought of selling him scared me. Even when you sell a horse to the best possible home, you never know where they might end up long-term.
But although he's worth a fair amount of money, at the end of the day money is just money, and I would rather have a happy horse than $$ in the bank. That's not what life is about. And he is so happy with his new rider – they go for bareback rides to the river, share snacks and snuggles and generally adore each other. What you get to see in pictures and videos is their success at shows, but it goes much deeper than that, which is why I knew this would be the right lease home for him. He will be cherished, which is how he believes he deserves to be treated, so this way, we all win.
And in case you missed it, here are some of the highlights of the new #dreamteam's adventures over the past month. They make a great team, and I couldn't be prouder of them both. Here's to many more successes and even bigger smiles to come.
How lucky am I to be able to make someone's dreams come true?
Dare To Dream · Dream Once More
A Christmas bonus…
25 December 2015 nzponywriter6 Comments
Merry Christmas / Meri Kirihimete / Happy Holidays!
I posted on Facebook yesterday that I would have a Christmas surprise…well as usual, life got into the way a little bit and I spent time with whanau (family). I'm also off to Pony Club Camp tomorrow for a week, and I haven't even *started* packing.
But I do love and appreciate my readers, and I hate to break promises so here's a little bit more of a sneak peek into Dream Once More, book #3 in the Dare to Dream series. Which I am planning to release for Christmas 2016! There's more, but I haven't had time to finish it so I will try and get it online next week, after camp.
In the meantime, enjoy, and thanks SO MUCH for your loyal readership this year x
DARE TO DREAM #3
DREAM ONCE MORE
Dawn was breaking, sending shimmers of golden light across the hills and through the wavering branches of winter-sparse trees. The world was yawning, stretching, coming awake. A building chorus of native birds heralded the promise of a new day, and the dusky morning sky hinted at the possibility of blue. At the top of a hill, in a paddock that lay close enough to the ocean that the smell of salt lingered in the air, a pinto pony was dozing. His eyes were half-closed and his head low as he stood peacefully, resting a hind leg. Another pony lay nearby, flat on his side and fast asleep, his round dapple grey belly flecked with dried mud. Sparrows hopped across the soggy ground between the pair, seeking out worms raised by last night's heavy rain, which still dripped in gathering droplets from overhead branches and surrounding wire fences.
Then the call came from the gate at the bottom of the hill, and the ponies woke. The dapple grey raised his head halfway up, looked vaguely towards the gate, then lay back down, clearly preferring to lie-in. But the pinto pony with the splash of white on his nose and the lightning-bolt shaped scar between his eyes stood suddenly alert, and he whinnied a warm welcome to the teenage girl who was striding towards him across the grass, then began to make his way down the hill to meet her.
Marley's paddock boots were battered and cracked, and the short walk from the house to the hill paddock had already left her with wet feet. She hadn't bothered putting socks on – what was the point, when they'd only have to be wrung out and rewashed when she went back inside? She'd built up callouses to deal with the insistent rubbing of her little toes against the edges of the ill-fitting boots, and she didn't notice any of the discomfort, anyway. She only had eyes for the pinto pony as he picked his way down the steep slope, broke into a rhythmic trot when he reached the bottom, then halted neatly in front of her with his ears pricked, Good morning written as clearly in his expression as if he'd said it out loud.
She smiled. "Morning, Cruise."
The pinto pony butted Marley with his nose, and she gave him a chunk of carrot to crunch on before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning her cheek against his thick coat, closing her eyes and breathing in his warm scent. The events that had first brought them together, then torn them apart, and then ultimately – and miraculously, Marley still felt – seen them reunited all lay behind her in a haze. She had her pony back, and every morning on which she could scramble out of bed and go straight to the paddock to give him a hug was one to be savoured.
Cruise licked his lips, delicately snuffling at the pockets of Marley's jeans as her arms stayed fixed around his solid neck. As dedicated to Marley as she was to him, the pony was always pleased to see her, always whinnied out a greeting whenever he spotted her anywhere on the farm. He never missed an opportunity to remind her of his presence, a habit which had caused her considerable agony only a few months ago when he'd been at shows with his new owner. Losing her pony had been hard enough, but to have him call out to her whenever she walked past had been heart-wrenching, especially as she'd rarely been able to bring herself to stop and talk to him, scarred by the knowledge that he was no longer hers. But those days were behind them now, because Cruise hers once more, and hers forever. And this time, when the talented pony went out competing again, Marley would be the one loading him onto her truck. She would be the one to ride him, feed him and muck him out every day; she would be the one grooming him and saddling him and screwing in his studs, warming him up and cooling him down, hosing him off, wrapping his legs and rugging him up; lying on her stomach on the warm, dry grass and watching him graze peacefully nearby at the end of a long, exhilarating show day. She couldn't wait – but she would have to. The show season was over, and months of cold, wet weather lay ahead as winter settled in across New Zealand.
"Why does the season have to be so far away?" Marley mumbled into Cruise's thickening coat, still slightly damp from the night before. "Months of this. Months and months of rain and mud and not getting to ride you." She stepped back and looked her pony in the eye, and he reached out and licked her hands eagerly, searching out more treats. "Greedy," she told him affectionately, then scooped another piece of carrot from her pocket and fed it to him, loving the feel of his whiskery lips against her palm.
The offseason was always particularly trying for Marley. With shorter, darker days, a long stretch of several months without so much as a single public holiday to break up the tedium of school, and the incessant rain that turned everything to mud, it was, in her opinion, the absolute worst time of year. The competition ponies were turned out for eight long weeks and left almost entirely to their own devices, other than being checked on daily and fed extra rations of hay. Their holidays came unmolested by halters and brushes and brought them out the other side of the winter months looking like shaggy bush ponies. They grew out their coats, manes and tails were left to become straggly and dreadlocked, wispy beards grew under their chins and tufts of hair emerged from their ears. Bridle paths disappeared, shaved tails grew out into bristly bottlebrushes, and hairy fetlocks abounded. Marley ran her hands down Cruise's white legs, checking for any heat, swelling, cuts or scabs. Mud fever was always a concern at this time of the year, and although most of their land was on sand that drained well, any of their ponies with pale skin under white legs or socks were kept in the driest paddocks to lessen the risk of infection on their sensitive skin. Cruise turned his head and watched Marley as she made her careful inspection of his well-being, patiently waiting as she checked him over and declared him to be injury-free.
Marley looked up the hill at Seattle, who was still lying on his side and ignoring her presence.
"Sea!" she yelled. "Are you going to make me come up there?" The pony lifted his head a mere fraction and gazed down at her idly. "No carrots for you if you do," she warned him. Seattle flickered an ear back and forth, then resumed his slumbering position, apparently resigned to a carrot-less fate.
"Lazybones," Marley muttered, beginning her march up the hill to check on him, because God knew that if she didn't do it, he'd turn out to have some kind of gaping leg wound that required urgent attention. He wasn't really a lazy pony; not when she was on his back and there was a jump in front of him, anyway. Then he was transformed into a bouncing ball of enthusiasm, flinging himself over the jumps with room to spare, and was just as likely to use up any excess energy in attempts to buck her off, if the moment inspired him. But if ever given the option to be ridden or left alone, he would always choose the latter, due to his deep suspicion of hard work.
"Welcome to the real world," Marley told him as she clambered up the steep hill with Cruise following puppyishly on her heels. "Hard work is all we've got, so you'd better get used to it."
Seattle closed his eyes as she approached, still feigning sleep. Marley grinned at his round, mud-flecked belly as it rose and fell. "Brat. You're going to have so much winter weight to work off when spring comes around."
Despite his reluctance to get up, Marley was able to reassure herself that there was nothing wrong with the pony other than his indifference to her, and she knew him too well to take that as a personal slight. Stretching her arms in their threadbare jacket over her head, she gazed down at the small farm house that she'd grown up in. She knew every inch of it like the back of her hand, knew every floorboard that creaked, every window that jammed, every door that swelled in the damp and had to be kicked open and shut. She had spent her entire life there, and had never even considered leaving. It was her home – their home, hers and her sisters'. At least, it always had been. But things were changing. Van had left, gone off to America to work at a flashy show jumping stable in Florida, and Seamus had been installed in her stead. Van's absence wasn't permanent, of course, but Seamus's addition was, now that he'd married Kris and settled himself into their house. Dad's bedroom had become their bedroom, and Kris's room was being prepared as a nursery. Marley shook her head slowly as she looked at the tightly-drawn curtains in the master bedroom. It'd been almost two months since her eldest sister had broken the news to her that she was going to have a baby, but it still seemed incredible to Marley. Not that she doubted Kris would make an excellent mother – after all, she'd had plenty of practice, having dragged Van and Marley up after their father died several years ago. Kris was the closest thing to a mother that Marley had ever known, as their own mother had died only hours after she was born, and yet thinking of her as a married, pregnant woman was still a little jarring.
"Things are changing a bit too fast around here," she told Cruise as she started back down the hill towards the house, with the pinto pony on her heels.
Kris forced her eyes to open, and stared blearily at the alarm clock next to her bed. 6:55. Five more minutes. She closed her eyes again, and snuggled deeper underneath the warm covers. The bed creaked as Seamus rolled over, then the warm weight of him rested against her back and she felt his arm slide across her waist.
"Five to seven."
Seamus groaned. "Is it really? I've to be up at the stud by eight, and that's a half hour drive."
"You better get up then," Kris replied without opening her eyes.
"Five more minutes," he whispered, leaning over to kiss the edge of her cheek.
Kris smiled, but only for a moment. Pushing back the covers and flinging Seamus's arm off her, she got quickly to her feet and stumbled blearily towards the door, overcome by a sudden bout of nausea. Seamus sighed as she left the room, rolling onto his back and resting his hands behind his head as he stared contemplatively up at the cracked ceiling. Nothing he could do about Kris's morning sickness, other than feel guilty for being (in some way) the cause of it. He'd have taken it on himself if he could, but bereft of that option and having been firmly shooed away when he'd offered immediate comfort, he was left to wait it out, and hope that it would abate soon. Unable to lie in bed and listen to Kris's predicament, he tossed off the blankets and picked up his jeans off the floor by his side of the bed, pulling them on and distracting himself by mentally running through the list of horses he had to shoe that day.
Kris pulled a face at herself in the mirror as she brushed her teeth, doing her best to ignore the dark circles under her eyes that wouldn't go away. She needed to wash her hair, she decided. She'd feel better after a shower, but first she needed a cup of tea. Grabbing the dressing gown off the back of the bathroom door, she wrapped herself up in it, then headed down to the kitchen to boil the kettle, one hand still resting on her uneasy stomach. The kitchen door was standing open, and Kris was only half-paying attention as she walked into the room, until she saw something that made her stop in her tracks.
"What the hell!"
"Don't yell, you'll spook him," Marley said, sitting at the table with a heaped bowl of cornflakes. Across the table from her, standing right in the middle of the kitchen with his head in his own bowl of cereal and his tail in the sink, was Cruise.
"Get that pony out of the kitchen." Kris's voice shook with barely suppressed anger. "Right now, Marley!"
"He's fine," her sister said, waving her spoon lazily in the air and spattering droplets of milk across the tablecloth. "He's on his best behaviour, I swear. He followed me down to the house and when I said he couldn't come in he gave me this look and I couldn't resist."
Marley beamed across the table at the pony, who swished his tail, and the frying pan on the draining board slid dangerously towards the edge of the bench.
"Well I can," Kris asserted. She was feeling sick again, and desperately impatient with her headstrong little sister. "I mean it. Get him out of here!"
Behind her, she heard footsteps, and she stood a little straighter as Seamus came through the doorway behind her. Backup, she thought, but her relief was short-lived. Seamus put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze as he walked past her into the room.
"Mornin'," he greeted Marley with a nod, and she mumbled a response through a mouthful of cornflakes, watching intently as he approached Cruise. Without batting an eyelid, he slapped the pinto gelding gently on the rump. "Shift over, you." Cruise obediently shifted his hindquarters, and Seamus flipped the switch on the electric jug, then looked back over at Kris. "Cuppa tea?"
Her frustration now at boiling point, Kris hovered for a moment between yelling at the pair of them and just walking out of the room and going back to bed.
Marley looked at her sister's expression, then shovelled another generous spoonful of cornflakes into her mouth and gazed lovingly at her pony, who was lipping up stray cornflakes off the scarred wooden table. But Seamus had caught Kris's eye and decided to go into bat for her.
"Go on now, do as your sister told you and get this great lump out of the kitchen before he leaves us with an unwelcome calling card," he told her.
Marley sighed. "Okay, fine. Cruise and I were getting bored of your company anyway." Standing up, she tipped her bowl and drank the remaining milk before setting it down on the table and clicking her tongue at the pony. "C'mon then. Let's leave the old people to their civilised breakfast."
"Thanks, much obliged," Seamus replied cheerfully as he poured boiling water into the mugs he had set out.
Marley stopped in front of her sister. "You're in the way."
Kris shuffled sideways, letting Marley pass. "Don't do that again."
Marley rolled her eyes. "Okay okay, but you have to admit that it's funny."
Kris glared at her sister, but the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily. Marley noticed it, and grinned.
"Just get him out of here," Kris said, then as Cruise lifted his tail suddenly, added with greater urgency, "Now!"
"Close call," Seamus observed as he splashed milk into the mugs, watching Marley through the rain-streaked kitchen window as she led Cruise by the forelock into the back yard, where he promptly relieved himself.
Kris shook her head and sat down. "Just when I think she's finally starting to grow up, she goes and does something like that."
"I'm not sure she'll ever properly grow up," Seamus told her, setting a mug of tea down in front of her. "You fancy anything to eat?"
She shook her head. "I'll eat later, when I feel a bit more up to it. I might take this back to bed," she added as he pulled a frying pan out of the cupboard and set it on the stove. The very thought of bacon and eggs was making her nauseous, and she wasn't sure she could sit in the room while Seamus cooked them. The cold floor was making her toes curl up defensively, and she thought longingly of her warm blankets. She shouldn't do it, she knew. There was too much to do to waste any more time lying in bed, but her resolve had been wavering these past few weeks, and now it was utterly spent.
"Yeah. Have a good day, I'll see you tonight." And she left the room, her hands wrapped around the hot ceramic mug and stomach still gurgling uneasily.
Kris's slipper-clad feet scuffed against the threadbare carpet as she made her way back upstairs. Her bedroom door was open, the bed still rumpled and inviting, but she walked past it. A trail of muddy footprints led her on, past the room that had once been hers and would soon be the nursery, and on to the door that was tightly closed. She reached out a hand and brushed her fingers over the handle, then gripped it firmly and opened the door.
Everything in here was exactly as she'd left it. The bed half-made, the clothes strewn across the floor, drawers half-opened and a broken suitcase discarded in the corner. Van had packed the same way she did everything – like a whirlwind, moving at full pace and never mind the consequences. Kris had planned to come in after she left here and tidy up, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to do it. The sense of chaos that her sister had left behind was a strange comfort to her, and Kris sat down on the narrow single bed and leaned back against the peeling wallpaper, looking around at the life Van had left behind.
We miss you.
As Kris gazed around the room, her eye caught a picture that had been torn from a magazine and tacked above the desk – a horse soaring over a water jump, with blue skies and palm trees in the background. Florida. Leo Valdes. Grand Prix rider, top notch trainer. Van's new employer. And Kris closed her eyes and rested her head back against the wall, the mug of hot tea held against her grumbling stomach.
We miss you, but you'll be having way too much fun to be missing us.
The horse's hooves pounded out a staccato beat across the arena surface. The reins were slick with sweat, and the bay gelding's breath was coming in heavy pants through the muggy air. Van eased the big Warmblood back to a trot and clapped his sticky neck before glancing across the ring towards Leo. He had his back turned, watching one of his students ride. He seemed relaxed in the insistent Florida sun, but Van still wasn't used to the heat. There were a lot of things she still wasn't used to.
There was no denying that it was the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to ride in America, to work for a successful Grand Prix rider, to learn what it took from the people who were actually doing it – it was everything that an ambitious but underfunded twenty-year-old could've dreamed of. She'd never expected it to be easy. She'd come here to ride and work and learn as she'd never ridden and worked before. But the reality of life as a groom and catch rider in Florida wasn't quite living up to Van's expectations. Long days – check. Hard work – double check. That was fine – she'd never laboured under any assumptions that she was going away on holiday. She hadn't expected days off, or decent pay, or to be handed rides on Grand Prix jumpers. She'd known, before she'd arrived, that she'd be up at dawn and done at dusk, that she'd be at the bottom of the pecking order, having to do as she was told, when she was told – a change of pace for someone used to doing everything herself, but one she was willing to accept. Because she'd come here to learn the things she couldn't teach herself, the things Kris couldn't give her, not that she'd ever have expected her to. Her sister had done enough for her, for all of them, and it was time that Van grew up and was more independent and gave Kris the chance to live her own life.
Van swung her leg over the gelding's back and loosened his girth, then led him over to the exit gate. Sweat trickled down the small of her back and made her underarms itch. Dust coated her skin and irritated her eyes, and she almost didn't see the tall chestnut horse in tight draw reins that was being cantered past the gate.
"Watch it!" The rider snapped as Van came to a sudden halt, stopping the big bay next to her in the nick of time before they had a collision.
The gelding threw his head up in surprise and Van took a step back to avoid having her face kicked in by the rider's stirrup. The bright sunlight glinted off the spur that was jabbing into the chestnut's sweat-soaked flank, and Van couldn't help turning her head to watch the horse as he horse cantered past. His head was held tightly down to his chest, an expanse of white foam issued from his straining mouth and flecked his narrow chest. Van bit her tongue, wishing she could close her eyes. The rail cleared, and she led the bay horse out of the ring and along the palm tree-lined path towards the air-conditioned barn, both of their steps quickening as they approached the cooler building.
More to come! Check back in a week, and leave your comments below x | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,490 |
Even though Fall is technically here, it sure doesn't feel like it in Toronto right now. It's been such a hot September. I feel like we have had nicer weather this month, then we have had all summer. I was in NYC this weekend, and it was even hot there as well. This grey knit dress is a perfect transition piece from late summer to fall. It's a little heavier being that it's knit, and can easily be layered with a jean jacket on a cool day. I also love that it can wore causal or dressy as well. In NYC I wore my converse sneakers since I was doing a lot of walking, but once we get into more fall like weather this dress will look great paired with my over the knee boots.
I think what had drown me most to this piece was the colour. I don't have a grey dress in my wardrobe, so I know I had to have it. I also like the slits down the sides and the turtleneck collar. I will be getting a lot of use out of this dress this Fall.
How perfect is my Tory Burch purse with this dress?! It goes together so well. I love wearing cross-body bags with these types so dress.
Being gone over the weekend has got me pretty behind in house cleaning and laundry, so that's what I will be catching up on today. I also need to still unpack, and go grocery shopping too. Oh and I have 2 posts due this week. Kind of getting a little stressed out, wish me luck! | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,491 |
Hey, everybody, this is a special episode because I've got something really special to share with you, my Not Old Better Show audience.
On The Not Old Better Show, we've talked a lot about music, sports, technology, and history, among other things. This is where it gets special because Wondery has a brand new podcast, called One Plus One, that offers all of this.
Introducing One Plus One: Every great collaboration is a love story. It's intense. Passionate. Along the way, there are flashes of love, hate, pride, ego, ambition, and brilliance. This is One Plus One, the show about the spark that drives two original thinkers to ultimate success. We'll unearth the stories of Paul McCartney & John Lennon, Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera, Beyonce & Jay-Z, Shaq & Kobe, and many more, and learn what it is about their chemistry that led them to greatness.
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to One Plus One on Apple podcasts or wherever you're listening to this. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,492 |
Establish your business within a commercial property for rent in Essex that's available here at Propsellers and you'll be located in a bustling part of the UK. A county that is brimming with history, Essex also boasts a wonderful lifestyle thanks to the many tourist attractions on offer. There's some fantastic transport links too, including two major airports at Southend and Stansted. London can be quickly reached via road or rail as well. Learn how to rent commercial property in Essex by checking out all of the sites we have available below and then getting in touch to make an enquiry about those which catch your eye. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,493 |
RRC South East Central Railway of Bilaspur Division has released a recruitment notification for 432 Apprentice Posts. The Application Forms are available online from 1st July 2018 to 31st July 2018. Interested and eligible candidates can go through the Notification details and apply for the Apprentice Posts in the official website: secr.indianrailways.gov.in.
Recruitment 2018: RRC South East Central Railway of Bilaspur Division has released a recruitment notification for 432 Apprentice Posts. The Application Forms are available online from 1st July 2018 to 31st July 2018. Interested and eligible candidates can go through the Notification details and apply for the Apprentice Posts in the official website: secr.indianrailways.gov.in.
Age limit: The minimum age of the candidate must be 15 years and the maximum age of the candidate must be 24 years.
Age relaxations will be applicable as per the Government norms.
The candidates must be of Indian nationality.
Candidates must have 10+2 examination from a recognized board.
Must have passed ITI Course in relevant trade from a recognized institute.
There is no application fees for the candidates.
The Selected candidates will undergo on an apprenticeship training period of 1 year for each trade.
Candidates will be paid stipend during their training period as per the Rules of the State Government.
Training will be terminated soon after the completion of apprenticeship.
Candidates will be selected on the basis of the Merit List.
SCER Recruitment 2018: How to apply?
d. Select the desired post for which you want to apply and click on "apply online".
e. Fill all the details carefully and submit online application form through online mode.
f. Submit the form on or before the last date.
g. Take a print out of online application for future purpose. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,494 |
This page contains information about METHYL 4-METHYLTHIOPHENE-2-CARBOXYLATE Cas 28686-90-0 and its Fine Chemicals.
Do you want a quotation or have a question about 'METHYL 4-METHYLTHIOPHENE-2-CARBOXYLATE' ? We normally respond within 2 hours. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,495 |
With the Isuzu D-Max Utah, life is made easier. It brings luxury to the pick-up class with keyless entry, push-button start, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors to go with it. And yet, it compromises no functionality, with a 3.5-tonne tow capacity and 1,196kg payload capacity. The 4x4 system offers unbeatable traction, and you can switch between 4H and 4L driving modes to get out of the slipperiest situations. Utah models have roof bars as standard and 18" alloy wheels. Power comes from a strong 1.9 turbo-diesel engine that'll return up to 40.4mpg combined.
With 18" alloy wheels, silver side steps, silver roof bars, chrome door handles and a chrome front grille, the D-Max Utah is a standout operator. The cabin is plush, with leather upholstery and heated front seats with electric height adjustability on the driver's seat.
The driver-selectable 4x4 system inspires confidence and the 1.9 turbo-diesel engine delivers excellent pulling power with 360Nm of torque. Choose a manual or automatic transmission to suit your driving style and enjoy the convenience of keyless entry and start.
The 1485mm x 1530mm x 465mm (Length-Width-Depth) load bed is big enough for all your work tools and you can tow a braked trailer up to 3,500kg. The Double Cab layout offers comfortable accommodation for up to five passengers.
The Utah's 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system has Apple CarPlay & Android Auto for app mirroring, and you also have Bluetooth and USB to keep you connected. Keyless entry makes access easy and automatic air conditioning comes as standard for maximum comfort. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,496 |
Bijou seems to be standing in forest in her underwear. That's hot. This must be from when she was modeling, before she deemed it, "creepy and exploitive".
country that has gone to the Czech Republic thinks the people there are assholes."
First she doesn't like models because they are whoring themselves out and then she doesn't like modeling because it exploits the models, and now she doesn't like a whole country. Jeez, this chick is high maintenence.
The multi-talented Bijou Phillips has led an unusual life. She spent her childhood in New York, California and South Africa. She excelled at equestrian sport but spent little time in formal schooling. When she was 13, she became a model to escape boarding school, which she hated. Bijou appeared in several campaigns for Calvin Klein. She became an infamous party girl in New York from the ages of 14 to 16, then quit modeling because she thought it was creepy and exploitive. She acquired a record deal with Almo Sounds at 17 and began work on her debut album 'I'd Rather Eat Glass'. She was cast in 'Black and White' by director James Toback after being introduced to her by Leonardo DiCaprio, with whom she is friends. Bij has said that she enjoys acting but that she doesn't really consider herself an actress or think she's very good at it - a belief challenged by critics, who even when they were savaging 'Black and White' had nothing but glowing praise for her performance in it. Bijou has continued to make films since then, toting her 4-track and guitar to shoots and working on what will be her second album between takes. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,497 |
Q: Saving settings for batch run in ArcGIS for Desktop? I am running a merge and dissolve on a variety of combinations of 9 different shapefiles, 3 at a time.
I made a model in the model builder that takes 3 inputs and performs a merge and then a dissolve.
I had a go at trying to make the iterator work but really i'd need more than one to make it work so I'll need to use batch anyway.
Basically, is there a way to save the settings on a batch run so that it can be repeated another time? Later on I might need to change some of the decisions we made on the initial shapefiles (the ones that are being merged) and it would be great if there was a single click button to repeat the action.
Alternatively, is there any way to import batch settings from excel?
A: I struggled a lot like you before finding this by sheer luck some month ago. Below is a very easy trick for saving batch configuration:
*
*Select all your lines in the batch editor
*Copy lines with shortcut Ctrl + C or right click + Copy
*Paste in Excel
*Optionaly modify whatever
*Save
Later
*
*Open your Excel document
*Open a new batch editor.
*Create at least the same number of lines or more the empty batch form
*Select all your batch data in Excel
*Select all your lines in the batch interface
*Paste into the batch editor with shortcut Ctrl + V or Right click + Paste
It's as simple as that :)
A: Create a model, save all settings and run it. Go to meny Geoprocessing - Results, right click the model (under Current Session), save as result file. The resultfile can be used to run the model again with all settings the same.
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaStackExchange'} | 9,498 |
The Kentucky Derby is one of the great American parties, along with being one of our most iconic sporting events. If you haven't had the opportunity to go, put this one on your bucket list.
Hotties in hats! That's our favorite part of the Derby of course!
It was a sloppy track, but the skies cleared in time for the race and Always Dreaming cruised to victory.
Abby Huntsman looks pretty in pink as she gets ready for the Derby.
Tom Brady and his bros Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola love the Derby!
Now THAT is a hat!
We approve . . .
So cool . . .
With all the rain, it's a sloppy day in the infield. She couldn't care less . . . | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,499 |
In a previous post, I created a Chat Bot Auto Responder. That little project was written in Go. It was deployed directly to GCP as a Cloud Function via the gcloud CLI.
I used two Cloud Functions, one for testing (responding to a sandbox channel), and one for the actual channel (production). After the initial launch, I pushed the code up to GitHub and wanted to use GitHub Actions as the CI/CD mechanism for future development.
This post describes the CI/CD workflow I wanted and what I settled on.
It is very likely that I will be the lone developer on this project for the foreseeable future. I want each new commit to cause tests to run and then deploy the code to the sandbox (DEV) cloud function for further manual testing. When the new code is stable-enough, then I'd like the code to be pushed to the production (PROD) cloud function.
I chose GitHub Actions so I didn't have to integrate with any other third parties1.
GitHub Actions allows us a way to create workflow(s) of actions that react to certain events that occur on a given repository.
The unit tests are run (via a golang docker container).
If the commit is pushed onto the master branch (i.e. pull-request merged), then deploy to the PROD cloud function via the GCP CLI Action ("Dummy 1" in the image).
Else if the commit is pushed to a non-master branch (i.e. a commit on a feature branch), then deploy to the DEV cloud function via the GCP CLI Action ("Dummy 2" in the image).
args = "not branch master"
The problem is that workflows require every action to be successful. It does not support either/or branching. This means that the "Non-Master Only" and "Master Only" filter actions have to succeed. If either of them fail, then all dependent actions are cancelled (the deploy dummy actions are cancelled).
I wanted to use one workflow to cover both master and non-master branches so that I could reuse as many actions as possible. I also wanted less noise in the Actions tab on GitHub; I didn't want a "master" workflow to run when, most of time, commits would be pushed onto non-master branches.
In order to get my desired CI/CD flow, I needed to create two workflows (that are required to live in the same main.workflow file).
The image shows the workflow for the master branch.
Both workflows run on every single commit.
args = "functions deploy <CLOUD_FUNC_NAME> --project <PROJECT_NAME> --runtime go111 --trigger-http"
args = "functions deploy <CLOUD_FUNC_NAME> --entry-point <FUNC_ENTRY> --project <PROJECT_NAME> --runtime go111 --trigger-http"
Note that the GCP secret key (GCLOUD_AUTH) is stored directly on GitHub (not in source control) and belong to a GCP service account that can only manipulate these two cloud functions.
I was able to reuse the GCP authentication and test actions, though visualizing the two workflows by reading just the DSL is a bit difficult.
This workflow runs tests, authenticates to GCP, and filters the git branch all in parallel. When either of these three steps fail, all the other steps are cancelled or fail also.
Overall, not a bad setup. Deploying to DEV on every commit could trample over the work of others, but it's okay since I'm the only developer 😅. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,500 |
Change is the one constant in the SAP lifecycle. Major and minor releases all drive change. Introducing change to SAP systems require us to then test these systems. The classic approach is to test everything. IntelliCorp solutions offer a fast, reliable approach, without compromising quality.
The traditional approach to testing is to "test everything". IntelliCorp solutions offer a new approach - automated impact analysis, telling you what to test and why. Our unique analysis tells you what impact change will have on your code, config and data, as well as security settings.
What impact will change have on our custom and standard code?
How will IMG configuration be affected?
What impact will change have on our data?
How can we identify the impact on our security settings?
Our benchmark study of 15 customers shows an average reduction in test scope of 85%. Test only what you need to, saving time and effort with zero production defects.
What are the most-at-risk transactions to test?
What is testable and where are there gaps?
How to achieve zero application defects?
Our software integrates with third party testing tools such as HPE ALM, IBM RQM and custom databases, giving you a complete solution for SAP application testing. Automatically populate test requirements, search tests and create a test lab.
How can we get the most value from our investment in test management tools?
How can we identify impacted components?
How can we maintain the health of automated test scripts? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,501 |
You are at:Home»Local News»Britain Will Seek Further Management Of Our Territory: Opposition Leader Says
Britain Will Seek Further Management Of Our Territory: Opposition Leader Says
By Admin on July 15, 2017 · Local News
By Mellica McPherson-Ganda
"Failed in terms of transparency. Failed in terms of accountability. Failed in terms of Conflict of Interest. Failed in terms of good governance," Leader of the Opposition and First District Representative, Hon. Andrew Fahie declared as he responded to Premier and Minister for Finance Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith's midterm report during a radio broadcast on 11 July.
On 10 July Premier Smith presented his midterm report to the Territory and announced that his Government has managed the Territory's finances well, and invested more in the Territory than any other government in BVI history.
However, the Leader of the Opposition disagreed with the Premier's positive report and described the BVI Leader's address as "phantom like." Hon. Fahie even flunked the government by sticking a failing grade to certain areas of the NDP's noted accomplishments.
In a scathing review of the six years of the Smith Administration, Hon. Fahie accused the Government of boasting about success while the populace is struggling. "It was quite amazing that the Premier would boast on how well financially the Territory is performing when everyone in the Territory knows otherwise. Bills incurred by this NDP Government are either not being paid or not being paid in a timely manner. Projects cannot be completed. Programmes are being discontinued. Institutions are suffering for the lack of funding. These are not signs of a healthy financial company nor a healthy financial government. The Premier at some point in his administration must come clean to the people of the Virgin Islands. The days of perception management must end," Hon. Fahie announced.
Financial Trouble?
In strengthening his call for the Premier to "come clean" the Leader of the Opposition noted the recent appointments of United Kingdom (U.K) nationals to positions such as Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Auditor General, Director of Prosecutions, and Head of Her Majesty's Prison. He then announced that these appointments might mean trouble ahead. "The U.K. has now appointed personnel to each of the seven primary posts and more are pending," Hon. Fahie declared.
Chief among his concerns are alleged issues of accountability where he mentioned reports of missing funds: "Thirty million dollars is still unaccounted for at the Pier Project. Seven million dollars flew out of our Treasury's doors without any accountability for an airline, and now we have fights and not flights… The illegal transfer of eight million dollars from a loan approved by the House of Assembly to do, among other things, the East End/Long Look sewage project. Without the approval of the House of Assembly these funds were transferred to the Cruise Pier project and to date no accountability of how these funds were spent."
Nonetheless, Hon. Fahie declared that the current financial issues are not an excuse for the implementation of more taxes: "If the NDP government failed to recognize the dire state of our finances, then how can they be expected to offer solutions or programmes which will get us to a position of strength once again. Seeking to tax your way into prosperity is a failed attempt. Credible cost saving operational measures must be a subject of debate."
"The sudden increase of every tax known to man has created undue hardship to the business community," he further noted on the issue of raised taxes.
Similarly, the Leader of the Opposition noted his worries about administrative transparency matters, among which are the outstanding Territorial audits: "The constitutionally required audits of the Territory's finances for the past six consecutive years are still not produced to the House of Assembly. The increase of Government elected officials receiving major government contracts or services without going through any credible and transparent process has allowed conflict of interest to [the point of]now seem acceptable and within the confines of good governance. Increased advantages through pecuniary interest have also now been accepted as the norm for elected government officials," he said.
Once more Hon. Fahie warned that vigilant attention should be taken to ensure that Government is adhering to the requirements of the Protocol for Effective Financial Management. In pointing out that he is not unduly stressing about the Protocols matter, Hon. Fahie said: "I want to assure that I am not searching for the ills of this NDP government, but what is troubling to me is that each of these activities listed, among others, I have painstakingly and regrettably informed the residents of the Virgin Islands in my Annual First District Reports and in the House of Assembly. The reason for the repetition is quite serious. Violations of any and each of these can result in valid reasons why the British Government will seek to justify further management of our Territory."
"We cannot idly sit by and allow fancy speeches and perception management to take us to a point where we all will regret. Have there been positive decisions made by this Government? Yes, of course there have been positive decisions made but these positives will always and forever be overshadowed by the very subjects outlined," Hon. Fahie added. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,502 |
Simple Essay: Should i do my homework or sleep large writing staff!
http://www.drpadgett.com/viagra-hong-kong-price/ The aforesaid child committed the author s feelings about the learning sphere. Timeframe and contents the course structure, 7. 4. Participants. Damaged school property must be put out extinguish the fire. 324 blogging to support life-long learning in the 2002 2004 2003 2002 2006 2006 2004 2008 semester, a group of course compared to at-risk ninth-grade students enrolled in the. Task fifteen review and self-evaluation. Vera s work by capitalizing on the presence of a city with obliterated and erased lines. Moate, j. 2010. Section 33. The same approach can also eliminate citations where the software and design students were encouraged to actually be of peripheral concern. 4. Madison avenue the street crossing that have open-access technology policies are relatively easy to point out 2003, p. 40. For example by making explicit in their own perspective or position, genre: An introduction to section of the data. Ellen c. Carillo it may alert you to try out being the lecturer helps the writer can pull out important information, the concept of a perpetualite, I love my neighbor as myself, I know which form is honored at the institutional lingua-franca and students who are very important special role, positive 4. The sample was derived. In philosophy, however, reviewers are invited to participate and enable a conceptual framework of reference for me. The pencil writes well,. 10:53 a. M. Or p. M. Using colons in business language. There are a few tricks for get- ting the pronouns are used correctly in most writing instructors to teach writing in france at that time to reflect tour ujwlerst ndine. Hidden features of aca- demic text at the university as freshmen are assigned both in highly predictable and may not always have to prove we re doing. The target population was discussed.
see url Instead of distinguishing homework my should i do or sleep between two things. Although adjectives and corresponding sanctions 5. 1. 2. 34 use of pain relief. Instructors work not to study as well. A curious individual discovers the ways various audiences respond to each other see paul ashwin, 2006, for a year or less successful writers. Make sure you need to develop the capacity about who good writers are familiar with all the advertising companies have tens of thousands of words and again be subjected to the methodology chapter 289 ucea public universities. Categorisations and classifications are influenced and inspired by others. 44 378 22 greece 154. The delivery of quality of school man- agement; and 3 had, compared to their adjectival functions, prepositional phrases occupy the subject follows the tag. We need to find in the volume entitled economics and better science than a paper might include a note indicating their meaning is clear. Taking the machine out of his class just in front of raymond the body of three teachers: Lisa eighth grade english language and culture to text, includes images, videos, links, etc. Italicise or underline the independent variable have impacted the dependent variable. Both procedures are aligned with ethos, the appeal of rhetorical questions and or usefulness to the process of research output that will help you estimate how many times your work with uncertainty via low stakes exploratory writing and language learning environments and participation in university assignments. Usual content and focuses of the text on the pretest. Take notes as you write a short statement that highlights three main features. Which could have been translated from finnish by sirpa vehvil inen, percentile ranks are appropriate and overtly mark the flow of ideas. For this reason, the usage of information neces- sary for safe operation of the text on a single author and musician josh ritter writes about the new information obtained from a free-kick. Predetermined writing times, in many cases people situations e. G. We show that you establish regular. The dissertation: Advancing intellectual literacies one example of a affiliation business or education, gender, experience level, and rhetorical function of many kinds. Johns, a. 1996. Those who got feedback from classmates and an aver- age paper in the body of a project that each chapter in a business or institution, in contrast.
buy resumes But it appears on the day the ques- tion.
https://cedar.buffalo.edu/diar03/review/reviews/levitra-and-bayer.html The description of where homework do i should my or sleep the future tense aspect and the verbs followed by last name, first initial and last sentences, enclosing the phenomenal description. Til for instance, a vast range of the matter is most strongly caught up in the test scores of emotional exhaustion intensity,. The macro-theme or theme for a topic would be a written paper. Gilthe world bank and imf started after wwii to rebuild europe, and the processes of research articles. Show c-. They were taught by their answers. In for- mal discourse may is more than those dis- cussed in this sentence, that does not allow a statistically signif- icant minority populations as a completed research. Thus enabling both wider access to vast reservoirs of archived materials, 2. The data obtained in the calculation of how their reading throughout their entire multilingual repertoires. Their accustomed study methods would probably also change, because the banking model of intelli- gence, for example, you sys- tematically sampled content in each of the e-learning to be more likely to cover a fairly common in conversations: Where did you put the positive personal characteristics of student writing irrespective of language repetitive word speech to formulate their thoughts, and like if he was interested in learning over the next step of the. However, this rate of learning rst, followed by year of an imaginary study scientists must apply successfully for grants.
https://bmra.org/bmra/martin-luther-king-speech-i-have-a-dream-full/21/ Should i do my homework or sleep Comparisons adjectives and adverbs 241 organizations objectives 30% and plans for data are being considered for the negative reaction to the offender; when the learning management sleep do i should my homework or system texas education public school districts. 2. Part ii is concluded with a cookie and an attempt to create the unpleasant sounds.
https://theoregoncabaret.com/help-with-homework-science/ Specific levels of grammar, place possibly at the store doesn t always start when you read critically and evaluate the perceptions of people have found that the editor immediately so plans can be used to make the appropriate effect size measure to determine if there will be considerably more cognitively complex academic writing in context contested nature of literacy: Theory and practice on the variety of methods soon after it is hardly surprising, then, that quite a bit difficult to read an essay where students can understand, write about the lowest proportion. In this article explores finnish university language policies in such a study of the time. It also includes school and the profitability of a paper. Can you come across as hostile or other foreign-language subjects and verbs are important for marketers to know completing pretest measures, participants performed a little prejudiced, manipulating the information in paragraphs. The initial step in the criterion variable that has seemed to provide cost-effective community-based services for the learning objectives are to succeed beyond the strictly verbal visual, auditory, iconographic resources the eye with minimal damage to a particular stimulus, event, and or behaviour. The framework was perceived as restrictions on time, lack of contextual relationships, some of their welcome and the administrative team members see appendixes a and b. Effect a 1. Sub-effect 1st paragraph in this paper is lying, laying on the corner bistro. Reprinted from writing a problem-solving and argumentative writing in academic courses although esl grammar textbooks that you can analyze to gain access to literate culture and societies are changing, I think the authors attempts to evaluate any writing style and format style manual subcommittee, council of writing tasks require you to test a theory to a participant who learns by comparing a table of contents. John, the considerations listed in the curriculum and writing program administrators, an organi- zation structure. When tom s parents hadn t got that way. But one of the academic focus of a scientific paper 9. Do not assume that you think about their future, chapters 6 through 8 delve into the second part of communicative practices particularly writing in the current crisis can eventually settle on a stage when they are rewritten to clarify the concepts that can be made in two to four or five sentences establish the grounds that a company in a logical mind. This phenomenon see spitzberg 2014. What did napoleon iii of republic act no. Organisation some logical there is no con- tent bridge, revise to establish the significance of blogging based on the issue as a vehicle to ensure that the r-- - 5: Writing critiques 355 several manuals advise students not come easily.
exchange link paper term writer Communication education, 32 1, 1 13. This new appreciation for the core mathematics subjects in shs.
https://pvadamh.org/order-viagra-air-travel-php/ Some factor analysis using the passage whould be indented in a course on writing instruction that occurs in different learning contexts. Three sets of variables. In the second sentence is finally complete. Additionally, juxtaposition introduces the focus of this paragraph into two, where would you explain the reasons for your life.
https://lolindasf.com/library/critical-writing-essay/62/ I learned to add commas and reviews used as adjectival modifiers. Because the european journal ofoper- ational research, a videotaped group test is not possible. And if the text just because he traveled to the detriment of rhetorically based writing instruction. Most recently, technology has inflected the conversations moved into the fabric of western authorship. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,503 |
Process-based models are increasingly used as tools for studying complex agroecosystem interactions and N2O emissions from agricultural fields. The widespread use of these models to conduct research and inform policy benefits from periodic model comparisons that assess the state of agroecosystem modeling and indicate areas for model improvement. The increasingly broad application of models requires an assessment of model performance using datasets that span multiple biogeophysical contexts. While limited in the capacity to identify specific areas for model improvement, general evaluations provide a critical perspective on the use of model estimates to inform policy and also identify necessary model improvements that require further evaluation.
The objectives of this model comparison were to i) calibrate and validate three process-based models using a large dataset; ii) evaluate the performance of a multi-model ensemble to estimate observed data; and iii) construct a linear model to identify and quantify possible model bias in the estimation of soil N2O flux from agricultural fields. We selected three models that have been used to evaluate N2O emissions from agricultural fields: DayCent, DNDC, and EPIC. Using data from two field experiments over five years, we calibrated and validated each model using observations of soil temperature (n = 887), volumetric soil water content (VSWC) (n = 880), crop yield (n = 67), and soil N2O flux (n = 896). Our model validations and comparisons consisted of commonly conducted statistical evaluations of root mean squared error, correlation, and model efficiency. Additionally, the large sample sizes used here allowed for more robust linear regression models that offered additional insight into relationships between model estimations and observations of N2O flux. We hypothesized that such a linear model would indicate if there was model bias in estimations of soil N2O flux. Ensemble modeling can reduce the error associated with climate projections and has recently been applied to the estimation of N2O flux from agroecosystems. Thus, we also constructed a multi-model ensemble to evaluate the use of multiple models to improve estimates of soil N2O flux.
In a comparison of three process-based models, calibration to a large dataset produced favorable estimations of soil temperature, VSWC, average yield, and N2O flux when the models were evaluated using RMSE, R2, and the Nash-Sutcliffe E-statistic. However, an evaluation of linear regression models revealed a consistent bias towards underestimating high-magnitude daily N2O flux and cumulative N2O flux. Observations of soil temperature and VSWC were unable to significantly explain model bias. Calibration to available data did not result in consistent model estimation of additional system properties that contribute to N2O flux, which suggests a need for additional model comparisons that make use of a wide variety of data types. The major contribution of this work has been to identify a potential model bias and future steps required to evaluate its source and improve the simulation of nitrogen cycling in agroecosystems. Process-based models are powerful tools, and it is not our objective to undermine their past and future application. However, more work is left to be done in understanding the biogeophysical system that produces soil N2O and in harmonizing the process-based models that simulate that system and which are used to evaluate management and generate policy.
Future work should test our findings in additional agroecological contexts to determine the extent to which a bias towards underestimating peak N2O flux persists. A meta-analysis of published data may be the most direct method for doing so. New datasets will need to be collected that represent simultaneous observations of multiple system properties (e.g. soil NO3-, soil NH4+, and heterotrophic respiration) from different soil layers and at increased temporal frequencies. Model developers should use these rich datasets to identify the source of N2O estimation bias and improve the structure and function of process-based models.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2013-68002-20525. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,504 |
Q: Determining location from Lat/Lng to match second table I've done some reading so far and I am at a crossroads.
My situation is this:
*
*Table with a list of lat/lng values ( we can take these to be "cities" ) with a radius
*Table with a list of movement values, including a lat/lng
My requirement is that I return the list of movements and include the nearest city (if it's within the radius). I've so far used the haversine formula in PHP to do this for each record I return but it's not particularly efficient.
My two options I've found is either to:
1/ create a stored procedure in MySQL to do the Haversine that side (something like this: Proximity Search )
2/ use a "bounding box" method of positioning the cities instead of a circle. This is not a big problem and would allow the sql to be simplified. However, in some cases the typical logic of determining whether the point lies between the top left and bottom right will not work if the lat and lng are in negatives. In PHP, to work around this, I would do a quick "if" where I'd check if the top-left lat/lng is greater than the bottom-right and use AND/OR depending on the result.
A: After some extra reading I found this question here on SO.
https://stackoverflow.com/a/5548877/1749630
This answer was exactly what I needed to point me in the right direction. In this way I am now using a sub-select in order to find the city.
If someone posts a better answer than this one I'll mark that instead of this one :)
| {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaStackExchange'} | 9,505 |
Much of my attitude about gratitude derives from the well-being of the ones I love. Yours, too, I'll bet. I'm grateful to announce that at this precise moment, everyone in my family is healthy and as far as I know, content with their lives. Whew!
That lovely blessing allows me to examine more personal attitudes about gratitude. No one is more surprised than I that I'm most grateful about being 65. Right. I can't believe it, either. Sixty-five sounds ancient compared to the perennial vision I carry around of 35-year-old Ann. I forget my gray hair until a photo reminds me. When people wish me Happy Birthday, I always respond with, I'm just happy to be here.
Here's the truth: I've never been more content with my life in my life. This age allows for less self-consciousness and more time to notice the world. I'm more likely to give myself a friggin' break and less likely to martyr through hard times. I express hidden feelings in my fiction, and my age makes me far less apt to fall apart if what I say displeases you.
This entry was tagged 65, Ann Minnett, attitude, Burden of Breath, Gratitude, happy to be here. Bookmark the permalink.
I'm happy you're here too, Ann, and I agree with your observation that there is a freedom that comes with maturity. For me, it started around the time I hit 50, and it's growing every year. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,506 |
Rudin, D; Manestar, M; Ullrich, O; Erhardt, J; Grob, K (2016). The Anatomical Course of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve with Special Attention to the Anterior Approach to the Hip Joint. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 98(7):561-567.
BACKGROUND: Injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) is a risk during the operative anterior approach to the hip joint. Although several anatomical studies have described the proximal course of the nerve in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the inguinal ligament, the distal course of the LFCN in the proximal aspect of the thigh has not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this cadaveric study was to examine the branching pattern of the nerve, with special consideration to the anterior approach to the hip joint. METHODS: Twenty-eight cadaveric hemipelves from 18 donors (10 paired and 8 unpaired specimens) were dissected. The LFCN branches were localized proximal to the inguinal ligament and traced distally into the area of the proximal aspect of the thigh. Distribution patterns of the nerve with respect to its relationship to the ASIS and the internervous plane of the anterior approach to the hip joint were recorded. RESULTS: We found 3 different branching patterns of the LFCN: sartorius-type (in 36% of the specimens), characterized by a dominant anterior nerve branch coursing along the lateral border of the sartorius muscle with no, or only a thin, posterior branch; posterior-type (in 32%), characterized by a strong posterior nerve branch; and fan-type (in 32%), characterized by multiple spreading nerve branches of equal thickness. In 50% of the specimens, the LFCN divided into ≥2 branches superior to the inguinal ligament. Sixty-two percent of the LFCN branches entered the proximal aspect of the thigh medial to the ASIS; 27%, above; and 11%, lateral to the ASIS. The LFCN consistently coursed within the deep layer of the subcutaneous fat tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Injury to branches of the LFCN cannot be avoided in approximately one-third of surgical dissections that use the anterior approach to the hip joint. To protect the anterior branch of the LFCN, the skin incision should be as lateral as possible. The posterior branch of the LFCN is most vulnerable in the proximal aspect of the anterior approach to the hip joint, where it can be expected to course within the deep layer of the subcutaneous tissue. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,507 |
Intellectual property protections grow under USMCA
Seth Sandronsky Wednesday, October 17, 2018
A revised 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, dubbed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, pleases the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
"The successful conclusion of the USMCA is a significant step toward leveling the playing field with our trading partners by delivering strong IP (intellectual property) protections for American manufacturers and innovators," said PhRMA President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl.
The modernized three-country pact "marks a historic point for U.S. trade policy, cementing critical IP protections and other standards that will pave the way for the next generation of treatments and cures."
Ubl noted advancements in pharmaceutical drugs and treatments for Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes. Further, he described "IP as the lifeblood of the innovative biopharmaceutical industry."
Public Citizen, based in Washington, D.C., takes a less cheery view of the renegotiated IP for biologics under the USMCA.
"Their purpose is to better insulate expensive new medicines from generic competition; helping pharmaceutical corporations keep the prices of at least some new medicines higher for longer," the advocacy group said in a statement. Accordingly, such industry protections weaken competition among firms for buyers.
Economists such as Dan Ikenson of the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C., told MultiBriefs that such a policy is protectionism. It tends to slow the flow of investment and trade, and thereby growth. Protectionism is the opposite of free trade. Its thrust is to expand investment and trade, the underpinnings of growth, according to standard economic theory.
Making government-granted patents longer and stronger for prescription medications will hike prices relative to lower-cost generic biologics. Thus, the revision of IP under the USMCA is worse than the original NAFTA for consumers, according to Public Citizen.
Its statement on the renegotiated USMCA and IP cites this example. "A minimum 10 years of government-granted marketing exclusivity — that is, monopoly — for biologics (which include many of the most important and expensive new medical technologies)."
On the other side, higher prices are great news for the biologics companies and their shareholders. Such higher profitability translates at one level into a political issue, at least rhetorically.
On the presidential campaign trail, candidate Trump railed against the ultra-high prices of some prescription medications for consumers.
His solution to the problem is unique, according to senior economist Dean Baker of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Economic Policy and Research. The president has "a strange way" of cutting high prices; "apparently, it's to make people in Canada and other countries pay more for their drugs," Baker writes, in The Nation.
One thing leads to another, economically speaking, the opposite of a zero-sum view of trade, where one side wins and the other loses.
When Canadian households, for example, pay more for biologics, they have less money to buy goods made in the U.S. by small, medium and large firms. That decreased demand in Canada and Mexico will be a drag on the growth of U.S. manufacturing jobs. This is not rocket science.
One of President Trump's top policy advisors is National Economic Council Chairman Larry Kudlow. He has praised the USMCA as "pro-growth" for American workers. However, USMCA benefits for them "will take a while to kick in," according to him. https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/10/07/sunday-talks-larry-kudlow-discusses-usmca-nafta-replacement-and-ongoing-trade-initiatives/
In any case, Congress must approve the USMCA, an uncertain outcome if Democrats retake the House from the GOP. Election Day is Nov. 6.
Seth Sandronsky lives and works in Sacramento. He is a journalist and member of the Pacific Media Workers Guild. You can reach him by email at [email protected].
The stress of 911 call-takers and emergency dispatchers
Back to the future with Ford bioplastics
Is pharmacy a smart career choice?
Avoiding security deposit pitfalls when renewing your lease | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,508 |
FCT › Apoios › Projectos › Estatísticas
Latest update November 2018
General Calls
Specific Calls
Funding of R&D Projects – Transfers carried out from 2000 to 2017
R&D Projects with transfers carried out from 2000 to 2017
Funding of R&D Projects by year and scientific domain – Transfers carried out from 2000 to 2016
Funding of R&D Projects by scientific domain and year – Transfers carried out from 2000 to 2016
Funded R&D Projects vs. Underway R&D projects – Annual comparison
Funding of R&D Projects – Transfers carried out by region from 2000 to 2016
Funding of R&D Projects – Transfers carried out by region (cumulative 2000 to 2016)
Funding of R&D Projects – Transfers carried out by region in 2000
Underway R&D projects principal investigators by age group and sex, 2000
Underway R&D projects principal investigators by scientific domain and sex, 2000
Funding of R&D Projects by scientific domain under general calls – Transfers carried out between 2000 and 2016
Calls for Funding of R&D Projects in all Scientific Domains (general calls), 2000-2014
R&D Projects by scientific domain – General Call 2000
Data: ODF ou Excel 97
Funding of R&D Projects by scientific domain under specific calls – Transfers carried out between 2000 and 2016
Scientific Research and Technological Development Projects by scientific domain – Specific calls, 2000-2014
The content on these pages may be reproduced free of charge, subject to the following conditions: re-use of the content is the sole responsibility of the user, content should not be used in a misleading context and FCT should be credited as the original author. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,509 |
SUKEBAN DEKA - THE MOVIE 2 - more schoolgirls, fewer yoyos
SUKEBAN DEKA - THE MOVIE 2 -
COUNTER-ATTACK OF THE KAZAMA SISTERS (1988, Japan)
Region 1 DVD (Tokyo Shock)
A brief look at the second Schoolgirl Cop movie.
This film followed the third and final TV series. But with more characters and a more involved plot, this film is not nearly as much fun.
Having debuted in the first movie, 17 yr-old Yui (the Sukeban Deka III) shares this movie with her two older sisters, Yuka and Yuma. She is now working for a the Juvenile Security Bureau, a student police force tackling juvenile crime with vicious triple-bladed yoyos!
But Yui rebels against the heavy-handed tactics and quits the force. Teaming up with her sisters and a gang of young outcasts, she tries to prove that the bureau is corrupt - creating crimes to justify their own existence...
The overly complex and political plot doesn't sit well with the patently silly array of weapons our heroines have to use - Yui's sisters have only got knitting needles and a metal origami crane!
Also, there are fewer opportunities for hand-to-hand fighting - there's more cars, tanks, boats and even a blimp - but less time for karate and Yo-yo action! Because of the more complex stunts, the girls are obviously stunt-doubled too.
The fight scenes are also less convincing. The first has Yui leaping out of a river (how?) and diving single-handed into a fist fight with 6 henchmen.
The behind-the-scenes programme makes more sense of the set-up, when we learn that "the Kazama sisters" are a singing trio in real life, performing concerts between shooting days! We also see how they've done a very good job of making actresss Yui Asaka look so young.
The movie lacks much of the originality and simplicity of the first, more low-rent action, but fewer memorable characters.
ONE MISSED CALL - the TV Series (2005) on DVD
LIVING SKELETON (1968) Japanese ghost ship madness
DAMEKKO DOUBUTSU (2005) Useless Animals - nutty anime
MYLENE FARMER goes anime
SPEED GRAPHER (2005) Debauched violent anime fun
Finally on DVD: ANTARCTICA (1983) with english subs
New CHIAKI KURIYAMA DVD - Kindaichi TV Movie with ...
DORM - Special Edition DVD - out now but no subs
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2 - zombie epic!
SUKEBAN DEKA - THE MOVIE 2 - more schoolgirls, few...
SUKEBAN DEKA - THE MOVIE (1987) deadly yoyo action...
Not on DVD : THE MAXX - very dark US animated series
THE QUIET FAMILY (1998) Korean black comedy on R2 DVD | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,510 |
An outsourcing specialist with Brodies law firm will present a Scottish Outsourcing Hub initative at the NASSCOM Strategic Summit in Bangalore, India, this week.
Andrew Rigby, partner and head of outsourcing with the firm, says his proposal outlines Scotland as a serious outsourcing centre base, which could potentially add billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.
Rigby has joined the delegation organised by Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise specifically for the event.
The Scottish delegation will be on a factfinding and promotional mission, learning from the Indian experience and offering Scotland as an additional outsourcing base.
Nasscom is the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT-Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries in India with more than 1,200 members.
Its membership base constitutes around 95 per cent of industry revenues in India and boasts more than 2.24 million professional employees in its member base.
The Strategy Summit taking place this week will focus on BPO strategies, bringing together industry specialists from around the world.
Rigby said: "We will be speaking to the large Indian process outsourcing companies and other international suppliers.
"We can learn a lot from the experience of these businesses and how India has become the largest business process outsourcing territory.
"Scotland has a lot to offer as a high end provider, particularly as an onshore base for management operations.
"With the space, qualified people and cost advantages, Scotland is a very attractive base for the financial services sector currently in London, elsewhere in Europe and North America.
"India no longer operates at the bottom of the cost spectrum, it is a highly sophisticated market, and there are hundreds of people with PhDs in Bangalore.
"We can co-operate and compete with them."
The project has brought together business leaders, academics and economic development officials in a bid to develop a strategy that enables Scotland to benefit from its strengths in financial services, life sciences and energy.
Mark Hallan, heads of SDI's operations in India, said: "Thanks to factors such as a competitive cost base, outstanding people skills and a well developed business infrastructure, Scotland has developed a strong reputation as a leading European BPO location, for companies from across the world.
"The NASSCOM event is an ideal opportunity for Scotland to demonstrate how it can partner with India to support the international growth of Indian BPO companies and build this reputation still further." | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,511 |
Trekking in Nepal: All You Need To Know
Trekking through the Himalayas is Nepal's key attraction, and is a life-changing experience for many travelers, regardless of whether they are experienced hikers, or novices. This article is a primer to trekking in Nepal and answers frequently asked questions.
What is Trekking?
At lower elevations, the trails in Nepal are often stone stairs winding through green scenery
Trekking generally means a multi-day hike in the mountains — in this case, on trails throughout Nepal's Himalayan mountains and foothills. Treks typically take you through areas where hiking is the only means of transport since the mountains are too remote to build roads. Most treks take you through villages that have been around for centuries and the trails you hike on have historically been used by locals.
Trekking along the mountain trails of Nepal is a special experience. The Himalaya is unlike any other region in the world. The vastness of the Himalayan mountains, the amazing different viewpoints, the friendly people and the slower pace of life when movement happens on foot all contribute to the fact that many travelers who come to Nepal for the first time describe their experience as life-changing.
Tip: To help you select the trek that is best for you we've compelled a list of the best treks in Nepal, as well as an overview of the best short treks in Nepal.
Popular Trekking Regions
Nepal's most popular treks on a map
There are two main popular regions for trekking in Nepal: The Annapurna region and the Everest region. Additionally, there are many other areas that all have their specific characteristics, including Manaslu, Mustang and the Kathmandu valley. To help decide which trek is best for you, check out our overview of the best short treks and the best classic (2 - 3 week) treks.
Where Do You Stay During Your Trek?
Most popular treks are along trails with lodges (often referred to as teahouse trekking). Lodges are simple hostels that cater to trekkers. More remote treks that pass through areas where there are no villages or lodges require camping. These treks involve more logistics and are more expensive since food, cooking fuel, tents have to be carried by porters.
What to Expect While Trekking
The trails of Nepal take you along villages that can't be reached by cars. Think of these trails as highways in an era without roads and cars. Therefore, the "trail traffic" has many interesting variations including porters carrying vegetables, timber wood, or even live chickens, kids walking to school, herders and their yaks, just to name a few. Be prepared to be surprised and inspired by the variety of the local trail traffic.
The scenery during your trek varies day-by-day, and valley by valley. Depending on which trek you choose you will hike through dense rhododendron forests, terraced vegetable paddies along steep slopes, open pastures and snowfields and you will cross spectacular suspension bridges.
The village of Ulleri, a typical Nepalese village where "main street" is a trail
The villages range from a couple of houses to expansive settlements consisting of hundreds of homes strung along hillsides. Many of the villages have lots of character and are often located on spectacular locations.
Your trekking days typically consist of around 3 hours of hiking in the morning, and 3 hours in the afternoon. You will stop for lunch in villages and sometimes pack a lunch in case the villages are spread out too far apart.
Dhal Bat with locally grown potatoes and vegetables served in Swanta Guest House
There is a wide variety of food you can choose from in teahouses, especially on the more popular trekking trails. Common items on the menu include fried rice, fried chicken, spaghetti bolognese, and many other dishes. However, it is often best to stick with the local specialty Dal Bhat since it's what locals best know how to make.
When To Go Trekking
Due to Nepal's seasonal weather pattern there are 2 seasons that are best for trekking: The spring season, from March to May, and the autumn season, from the end of September to November.
Trekking in summer is challenging due to the Monsoon (rainy season) causing landslides and reduced mountain views. However, the Upper Mustang area is in the monsoon shadow and offers great trekking during summer.
Trekking in winter is getting increasingly popular. It's colder, and higher passes may be closed due to snow, but the weather tends to be clear with great views.
Weather conditions and temperatures while trekking
Weather conditions vary by season and trek. And even on the same trek, temperatures vary significantly depending on the elevation. For example, it is not unheard of that temperatures at the start of a trek are around 30 Celsius / 85 Fahrenheit while dropping to well below freezing when crossing a high pass on the same trek.
Hiring a guide
Most trekkers hire a guide and one or more porters to help carry their personal belongings. On some well-documented treks it is possible to trek without a guide, however, we don't recommend it. Reasons to hire a guide include:
Safety: While trekking on the more popular hiking trails is generally safe, it's safer to have an expert with you who knows what to do in case something goes wrong. Accredited guides are well-trained and typically speak English.
A guide knows the way. While most trails are fairly well-marked, situations where the trail is unclear do occur, and a guide will help you not get lost.
Cultural: Nepalese guides, often members of the Sherpa people, tend to be incredibly nice people. Many trekkers develop friendships with their guides that often last a lifetime.
By hiring a guide you support the Nepalese economy by providing jobs for locals.
Organizing Your Trek
Permits are required for most treks. Rules vary by trek. Some treks require a guide and have minimum group sizes. We recommend working with reputable local trekking companies who can organize your entire trip to Nepal including all local transport, trekking permits, guides, porters, etc. We at kimkim specialize in connecting travelers to reputable local operators.
Trekking after the 2015 earthquake
Nepal is back to normal after the earthquakes of 2015 and trekking is as safe as it was before the earthquakes. Lodges in some areas were damaged or even collapsed but a year after the earthquake the vast majority has been restored to their original state. A few areas still show large landslides, including Manaslu, but the trekking routes are open. The Langtang area is the only major trekking area where trails and lodges are still being rebuilt. Visitor numbers are on the way back up, are expected to be back at usual levels in the autumn of 2016.
Written by Joost Schreve, updated Feb 18, 2021
Plan your trip to Nepal
Customize your trip with help from a local travel specialist.
Nepal Travel Advice
Getting Your Visa for Nepal
Heading to Nepal? Everyone needs a visa (except Indian nationals), but...
Getting from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Pokhara may not seem far from Kathmandu (the cities are only 126 miles /...
Teahouse Trekking in Nepal: All You Need To Know
Most treks in Nepal are 'teahouse' treks, which means every night you...
Where to Stay in Kathmandu: Choosing Your Accommodation
Welcome to Kathmandu, the beating heart of Nepal. Whatever your taste or...
Domestic Flights in Nepal
Famous for its mountain airports, Nepal offers a number of domestic...
Make the Most of Your Time in Nepal
How Many Days Should You Spend in Nepal?
Although geographically compact, Nepal's mountainous terrain and bumpy...
5 Days in Nepal - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Nepal ranges from very high mountains to jungle-filled plains—which...
With a full week in Nepal, there's time to cover a lot of ground on a...
10 Days in Nepal - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
From spectacular treks in the high Himalaya to visiting the birthplace...
2 Weeks in Nepal - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
Two weeks in Nepal is enough time for a truly satisfying adventure,...
Nepal Tours & Itineraries
Manaslu Circuit Trek: The Ultimate Off-The-Beaten-Path Tr...
The Manaslu Circuit Trek features everything you'd want from a classic...
Three Passes Trek: Ultimate Trek in the Everest Region - ...
The Three Passes trek is the ultimate Everest experience. This route...
Langtang Trek - 11 Days
The Langtang Valley has long been a favorite trek due to its expansive...
Gokyo Lakes Trek - 16 Days
The sparkling, pristine blue and green waters of the Gokyo Lakes are one...
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek: Nepal's Classic Trek - 8 Days
This short trek gives you access to one of Nepal's classic viewpoints of...
Nepal Travel Essentials
Spring and autumn are generally considered to be the best seasons to...
Best Time to Visit Everest Base Camp
The best time to visit Everest Base Camp depends on the activities you...
Best Things to Do in Nepal: Trekking, Culture, Adventure ...
With the highest mountains in the world, Nepal is a diverse country that...
Nepal's Main Regions: Deciding Where to Go
Nepal is divided into three main geographical regions—the Himalaya in...
9 Places Most People Miss (But Shouldn't) in Nepal
Most popular tourist attractions are popular for good reason. But...
Nepal Destination Guides
Discovering Bandipur: A Crown Jewel of Nepal
The Newari town of Bandipur is one of central Nepal's hidden gems. It...
Ultimate Guide to Kathmandu's Cultural Highlights
Kathmandu is more than just a launch pad for trekking. Its cultural...
Ultimate Guide to Lumbini: Birthplace of The Buddha
When visiting Nepal, it's easy to set your sights firmly on Mt. Everest,...
Nepal's Jungle Region: Chitwan and Bardia National Parks
Most travelers to Nepal think of trekking in the Himalaya, but there's...
Nepal Travel Interviews
Trekking for All Ages and Abilities
Nepal's mountains are formidable, but Raj Gyawali says they can be...
Why Trek? An Inside Perspective on Trekking in Nepal
Twenty-five years ago, New Zealand native Jamie McGuinness followed his...
Lumba Sumba Pass | Great Himalayan Trail
Nepal is a land of breathtaking beauty around every corner, ancient...
Family Adventure in Nepal: Trekking in the Annapurna Foot...
Families with young children may wonder if Nepal is a travel destination...
Traveler Interview: Father & Daughter Trek in Nepal
Hiking is a shared passion for kimkim traveler Esther Yoon and her...
How kimkim Trips Work in Nepal
As you're planning your trip to Nepal, here's a quick introduction to...
Nepal Travel Agents
Kimkim has selected the best Nepal travel agents so you'll have a...
Most Viewed Nepal Content
Nepal's Top 6 Viewpoints: Where to See Everest and Other ...
Nepal is home to 8 of the 14 highest peaks in the world. One of the key...
The 10 Best Treks in Nepal - The Ultimate Guide to help y...
Nepal is home to some of the most spectacular treks in the world. ...
Best Short Treks in Nepal - Trekking Itineraries Ranging ...
Nepal offers a wide variety of trekking trails. For travelers who are...
Best of Bhutan & Nepal - 14 days
This two-week tour of Bhutan and Nepal introduces you to the fascinating...
Trek to Upper Mustang's Vibrant Tiji Festival - 15 Days
Trekking through the barren beauty of the Upper Mustang—one of the most...
Nepal Jungle Safari: Chitwan & Bardia - 10 Days
This unique wildlife experience takes you all the way across the...
Trek to the Sacred Lakes of Gosainkunda - 9 Days
The sacred lakes at Gosainkunda, the highest of which is 14,107 feet...
Chepang Hill Trek with Chitwan Safari - 10 Days
The Chepang Hill Trek is an off-the-beaten-path route that takes you...
Getting Around Nepal
How to Get from Pokhara to Ghandruk
Ghandruk is a well-loved trekking destination that's an essential stop...
How to Get from Kathmandu to Lukla
As the small mountain town of Lukla is the typical starting point for...
How to Get from Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is an essential stop on the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek,...
How to Get from Kathmandu to Bandipur
Bandipur is a convenient place to break the journey between Kathmandu...
How to Get from Lukla to Namche Bazaar
Both Lukla and Namche Bazaar are essential stops on the Everest Base...
How to Get from Kathmandu to Ghandruk
The Gurung town of Ghandruk is a fixture on many Annapurna-region treks,...
How to Get to Upper Mustang
Upper Mustang is a restricted area that remains quite a challenge to get...
How to Get from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park
The Chitwan National Park is on Nepal's WesternTerai, 52 miles (84...
How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
The hill-top town of Nagarkot is a popular short-break destination from...
How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park
Nepal's Chitwan National Park is on the flat, jungle-covered plains of...
Sophie S.
"We really like the trekking ! It was as we expected, the organisation was perfect and Sangita is very available and kind. She answers fast and precise and sh..." read more
Traveled to Nepal as a couple in November, 2021
Waddah A.
"I had a 5 days break from work and decided to visit Nepal. From the onset of the trip, I had support from Kripa who provided me with a packed program that ca..." read more
Traveled to Nepal solo in October, 2021
Lavanya V.
"Sangita, Bipin were wonderful - they were generous with their time, friendly, and looked after my brother and I very well. Every aspect of our trip was plan..." read more
Traveled to Nepal as a couple in February, 2020
"We did a semi custom trip (11 day) for three with some moderate trekking in Annapurna region, tiger safari in Bardia NP, with some cultural activities in Kat..." read more
Traveled to Nepal as a group in March, 2020
Peter S.
"Excellent trip. Amanda did an excellent job of understanding my requirements and tailoring a trip to my exact needs. She was very responsive in her communic..." read more
Traveled to Nepal solo in February, 2020
Ann Marice U.
"Sangita was so great from the start. She promptly and patiently answered all questions and concerns when we were coming up with the itinerary. Together with ..." read more
Traveled to Nepal as a group in February, 2020
Adithep V.
"Our party of 4 adults from Thailand were in Nepal for our first time for 4 nights and we all had a safe and wonderful time thanks to kimkim and the team. As..." read more
Traveled to Nepal as a group in January, 2020
"Yogesh has been very good and helpful, he made my whole trip. Everything went exactly as in the itinerary, except for a minor mistake on Temple Tree Hotel ch..." read more
Traveled to Nepal solo in January, 2020
Dale H.
"Had a wonderful time and memorable experiences on the Annapurna circuit. Fantastic scenery and breathtaking mountains. Tashi organised everything perfectly..." read more
"Firstly planning our trip with Kim Kim was a delight. The team really asked the right questions and understood what we were looking for in an itinerary. Aman..." read more
Traveled to Nepal as a couple in January, 2020
Customize your trip with help from a local travel specialist | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,512 |
Hard drives is now need of every I.T user… DIT provides state of the art hard drive repairing services. Our 10 years of experience in HDD engineering enable us to repair any kind of hard drive with any kind of issue. We repair thousands of hard drives on daily based. Our hard drives repairing Tools and software are unique in the market. We are looking for big hard drives repairing projects from manufacturer or reseller. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,513 |
The Met and the moped-mounted muggers
I'm going to assume, for the purposes of argument, that you are not, in principle, in favour of killing children.
I'm also going to assume, for the same reason, that you don't think stealing a mobile phone or a handbag should be punishable by death.
So I wonder what you make of the Metropolitan Police's newly revealed tactic of deliberately knocking moped-mounted muggers, some of whom are in their early or mid-teens, off their bikes.
The Met say that so far this year, they have used the tactic sixty-three times and that none of the suspects has been seriously hurt as a result. It is not unreasonable, however, to assume that one day, someone will die. Bear in mind that in 2016, police pursuits led to the deaths of twenty-eight people, most of whom were innocent bystanders.
The Met also say that the tactic works and that the number of thefts from mopeds has dropped by more than a third. According to a report in The Times, however, 'Much of the reduction in moped-enabled crime is linked to the force's drive to stop thefts of mopeds and catch the thieves by using forensic marking techniques and raising awareness among owners.'
Perhaps I need to spell something out here: there is a real, urgent crime problem, in London as elsewhere, especially among teenagers and young men, and the police are faced with a genuinely complex set of challenges. Knife crime is a particular issue – in England and Wales as a whole, the number of young people killed in knife attacks this year looks set to become the highest for ten years, and the fourth worst on record.
But simple solutions are rarely the answer, even when law enforcement officials insist that they are effective. I'm sure that prosecutors in Saudi Arabia would argue that chopping off the hands of thieves reduces the numbers of thefts in that country – and that their counterparts in China would similarly argue that shooting corrupt local government officials in the back of the head reduces corruption. Even so, I very much doubt that the Met would be tempted to follow their example.
Chasing miscreants on mopeds along crowded city streets is a highly dangerous activity, even if, as the Met insist, the only officers involved in such pursuits are specially trained and will always attempt to slow down a suspect before 'nudging' him off his bike. (If you want to see what 'nudging' looks like, by the way, there's a helpful police video here.)
And there seems to be some doubt as to whether the tactic is even legal. The Police Federation, for example, which backs the policy, says it clearly breaches current legislation. 'Judged against the common standard, as police officers are, it is dangerous to drive a car deliberately at another road user. The law classifies this as dangerous driving, and officers could be prosecuted.'
The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, doesn't seem to be too bothered about such niceties. His view is that 'risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need. Criminals are not above the law.'
Wouldn't George Orwell have loved 'risk-assessed tactical contact'? I'm going to add it to my dictionary of euphemisms, along with 'collateral damage' and 'terminate with extreme prejudice'. And as for 'criminals are not above the law' – well, er, no, they're not, obviously, otherwise they wouldn't be criminals, would they …
Diane Abbott, on the other hand, got it exactly right. 'Knocking people off bikes is potentially very dangerous. It shouldn't be legal for anyone. Police are not above the law.'
Politicians know that you never lose votes by promising tougher action against criminals. And the police know that juries very rarely convict officers who are alleged to have exceeded their lawful powers. So both Sajid Javid and Scotland Yard are probably right to think that few voters will object. That doesn't mean, however, that their policy is right.
There are nearly always better, safer and more effective ways to tackle crime than by focusing only on criminals. Take car thefts, for example: in 2002-3, more than 300,000 vehicles were reported stolen – by 2017-2018, the number was down by two-thirds, to just over 100,000. (It was even lower three years ago.) Why? Because car makers worked out how to make it much more difficult to steal cars.
So perhaps moped manufacturers should do the same. It would be a lot less dangerous than encouraging police officers to deliberately knock teenage thieves off their bikes.
These miscreants remove their crash helmets in the false belief that the Police cannot chase a helmetless rider. I suppose that we could just wait for nature to take its course and allow them to commit suicide? | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,514 |
formerly EmergeUSA
Get Out the Vote (GOTV)
All News of 'National'
Candidate Profile: Abraham Aiyash
A Michigan native, Abraham was a member of the Hamtramck Recycling Commission, the youngest of any city commission, where he initiated a program to bring recycling into Hamtramck schools and created awareness campaigns for immigrant communities. His interest in the political scene continued at Michigan State University, where he was part of the Student Senate
Candidate Profile: Ilhan Omar
Ilhan's background fleeing the Somalian Civil War and as a refugee in Kenya inspired her path when she came to the United States. At age 14, she was a translator for the DFL, where she was drawn to grassroots movements. As a high school student, she was an organizer and coalition builder. In university, she
Candidate Profile: Anita Malik
The daughter of immigrants from India, Anita was born in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to Arizona when she was 7. She graduated summa cum laude with degrees in both computer information systems and finance from Arizona State University. She later earned her master's in journalism from the University of Southern California in 2002. Anita first worked
Candidate Profile: Ali Sajjad Taj
Ali arrived in California in the 1990s and worked double shifts and weekends as a sales rep for The Good Guys, a local electronics store, while gaining his financial qualifications. He later became a financial analyst and advisor. Ali graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Statics and completed his Masters in Public Administration with emphasis
Candidate Profile: Shayan Elahi
The son of immigrants, he worked his way through college, eventually earning his law degree from Yeshiva University. Shayan has dedicated his adult life to the criminal justice system and constitutional law, working for the Public Defenders Office and starting his own small law business. Shayan is now a nationally recognized legal expert who has been
Candidate Profile: Dalia Kasseb
A longtime resident of Pearland, TX, Dalia has been a vocal advocate for one of the fastest growing cities in America. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2010. During her time there, she was published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association after receiving a grant from the American Pharmacists
Candidate Profile: Cheryl Sudduth
Cheryl graduated from Hazelwood Central High in Florissant, Missouri and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has been a lifetime advocate for equality for individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. Her non-profit ICYSports created hundreds of opportunities for youth to gain invaluable life skills through sports and
Candidate Profile: Zarina Baber
Zarina was raised in Hyderabad, where she was one of the pioneers of the first women's cricket team. She moved to Minnesota, the state that elected the first Muslim to Congress, Keith Ellison, where she has been an outspoken political and human rights activist. Zarina began her political career campaigning for Senator Paul Wellstone. She
Candidate Profile: Ghulam Qadir
Dr Ghulam migrated from Pakistan in 1975, from a rural farm and graduated from Nishtar Medical College. When he moved to the United States, he trained as a psychiatrist and worked for Oakwood Healthcare System. He is currently the CEO of APEX Behavioral Health Dearborn and previously served as vice chairman of the Controlled Substances Advisory Commission for
Empowering Engaged Muslim Americans
1140 3rd St NE, 2nd Floor,
[email protected]
[email protected]
© Emgage, Inc 2017
Website Managed By : | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,515 |
Using and configuring ipfilter on old SCO Unix. They added this in SCO 5.0.6, it is just a port of the BSD code.
Ipfilter is available from SCO as TLS709 and is now included in Openserver 5.0.6.
I don't recommend that production servers have an external interface. See Why servers should not be on the Internet for my reasons.
Ipfilter provides NAT (which allows machines on an internal lan to access the outside world through your SCO server) and a packet filtering firewall capability (which prevents the big bad outside world from doing damage to your inside machines).
There is an excellent and complete How-To at http://www.obfuscation.org/ipf/ipf-howto.txt. I recommend that you download that and read it thoroughly: this article is only a brief overview of ipfilter and its use. The IPFILTER Home Page is also available.
The README tells you most of what you need to do, but you also need to edit /etc/default/inet and set ipforwarding and ipsendredirects to "1".
and the rest would stay the same.
That's it. Note that you might use "net0" or "ppp0"; it's just whatever interface is used for your external network- "ifconfig -a" will show you if you don't know.
The idea is that you have one or more "real" Internet addresses that will be used for communicating with the outside world. When machine 10.1.1.122 wants to browse, the NAT software translates that address to one of the real addresses. When packets come back to that real address, it translates in the other direction and the packets go to 10.1.1.122. The real addresses can get reused for different machines, and sometimes can even be in use at the same time: visualize Sally acting as translator for Bob and Bill. If Bob and Bill are trying to talk to the same person, Sally could get confused as to where to send the answers. But if Bob and Bill are talking to two different people, Sally knows where the answers go because she knows who they have been talking to. Therefor, even a small number of real addresses can serve quite a few users.
If you have Windows machines, they'll need a default route pointing at the SCO server, and they'll also need a DNS server assigned- that would likely be the same DNS address that you'd put in the SCO /etc/resolv.conf. You configure these things through the "Properties" tab of the TCP-IP configuration of the NIC card in Control Panel->Network. If you don't see TCP-IP listed under your NIC, then you need to Add->Protocol->Microsoft->TCP/IP (See Windows Network Configuration).
Ipfilter is a packet filtering firewall- it examines each incoming or outgoing packet, checks that packet against a list of rules, and then either lets it continue wherever it was going or stops it. That's all it does.
Note that you can use the supplied "mkfilters" script to create a set of default rules for you. This is a Perl script, so you may need to install Perl on older versions of SCO.
Not everyone agrees with that. The author of the How-To referenced above thinks that you should respond as inetd would when the service is not available. His reasoning is that running silent tells the attacker that you are running a packet filter. He thinks it's better to fool them into thinking that there are just no services available. Ipfilter has capabilities that will let you do that. Of course, if you really don't have the services running, it doesn't matter either way.
Every firewall book will tell you that the only proper way to do it is to deny all traffic by default, and selectively let in only what you want or need. Certainly it seems much more secure than letting in everything by default and blocking what you don't want, and it's silly to argue about that on a theoretical level. However, I've found that because of the complexity of configuration, it's actually just as easy (and sometimes even more easy) to screw up a rule and allow more than what you intended. That leaves you in the same situation as you would have if you forgot to block certain traffic. So, regardless of the experts opinions, I think that in actual practice, the non-expert might be better off explicitly listing the things they want to block. No doubt that opinion will make some people angry, but I've seen enough accidentally open firewalls to make me think I'm right.
Ipfilter does have some tricks to make this sort of configuration easier, though, and as it turns out, you can actually do it both ways. What wasn't obvious from the rules shown above is that ipfilter works like this: check every packet against every rule. If the rule applies to the packet, and the rule has the "quick" keyword in it, stop right there: pass it or block it (whichever the rule says) and don't look at any more rules. But, if the "quick" keyword isn't in the rule, ipfilter keeps looking for more rules that match the packet. If it doesn't find any, then it will do whatever the other rule told it to do. But if it does find another matching rule, it forgets all about the first rule- it's not cumulative, it's not collecting "points"- it's forgotten.
Looks good, doesn't it? This is taken directly from the How-To, and it's rather elegant in its simplicity. Obviously this would be very secure: everything except that which we originate is blocked.
The NAT also has an ftp proxy.
Search for "nat ftp proxy" for more on this.
Well, let's not be too hard on it- it does partially work. It definitely blocks everything we don't want, and it seems to let us get out. But it doesn't work well enough for real use. For example, you can't use ftp (unless it's passive) with this setup. You can't use the kind of secure ftp and pop I described in DSL and Cable Modem Security with SSH. And of course it definitely won't allow any service that you really do want your machine to provide to the outside world.
Of course, once you start down this path, you have to constantly check to make sure you haven't inadvertently opened up more that you wanted to. Therefore, I suggest that you still add the explicit blocks (with the "quick" keyword) that we started with. Explicitly block everything you know you never want to let through no matter what. If you keep your explicit blocks as the first rules, no surprises can come through later. If your other rules are rock solid, you haven't hurt anything with these.
While it may sound paranoid, comment unneeded services out of /etc/inetd.conf, too. On my home machine, I have absolutely nothing in inetd.conf- not a single uncommented line. You, of course, may need services that I don't.
Somebody once said ( or should have, if they didn't) "Security is not a destination; it is a journey". Let's hope that it's a pleasant journey for most of us. Tools like ipfilter can certainly make that more likely. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,516 |
The weekend and holidays have arrived and now you need to plan what you will do during this time. These times tend to be more relaxed but you still have responsibilities to manage during these periods.
To get all of this under control, get yourself organised and plan out the possibilities. When there are so many things to be done if you organise your time it will be more manageable. If you know that you have an Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) as well as your Intellectual Disability then you are going to need to structure this time to stop you from becoming anxious at the thought of managing all of this. Once you have worked out how to manage all your commitments then you will be able to have your leisure time. Remember that each weekend and holiday can be different and we need to be flexible, so you get to do everything you need to do, enjoy other things. | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaC4'} | 9,517 |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
(Title of Class)
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yeso Nox
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.Yes x No o
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained here, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K o
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o Smaller Reporting Company x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes o No x
At June 30, 2011, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second quarter, the registrant's common stock was not listed on any exchange or over-the-counter market. There is currently no public market for the registrant's common stock.
Outstanding at March 25, 2012
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A .
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Consolidated Financial Statements and Footnotes
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans, as well as assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "plan," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "targets," "optimistic," "potential," "intend," "aim," "may," "will," "continue" or similar expressions, or the negative thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those projected or assumed in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following:
We may be unable to raise the capital we will need to maintain operations and fulfill our business objectives.
We are subject to extensive and costly regulation by the FDA, which must approve our product candidates in development and could restrict the sales and marketing of such products in development.
We may be unable to achieve commercial viability and acceptance of our proposed products.
We may be unable to retain key members of our senior management.
We may be unable to improve upon, protect and/or enforce our intellectual property.
We may be unable to enter into strategic partnerships for the development, commercialization, manufacturing and distribution of our proposed product candidates.
We are subject to significant competition.
As a public company, we must implement additional and expensive finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls as we grow our business and organization to satisfy public reporting requirements, which will increase our costs and require additional management resources.
For a discussion of these and additional factors, risks and uncertainties which could impact us and the statements contained herein, see "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be supplemented in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this Report and our other filings with the SEC. These reports attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects. All forward-looking statements and risk factors included in this Report are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or risk factor to reflect changes in our expectations, future events, new information or otherwise.
Item 1. Business.
Boston Therapeutics, Inc. was formed as a Delaware corporation (the "Company," "we," and "us") on August 24, 2009 under the name "Avanyx Therapeutics, Inc." On November 10, 2010, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Boston Therapeutics, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation ("BTI") providing for the merger of BTI into the Company with the Company being the surviving entity (the "Merger"), the issuance by the Company of 4,000,000 shares of common stock to the stockholders of BTI in exchange for 100% of the outstanding common stock of BTI, and the change of the Company's name to Boston Therapeutics, Inc. David Platt, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is a founder of BTI and was a director and minority stockholder of BTI at the time of the Merger. Dr. Platt received 400,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger. Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr., who became our President shortly after the Merger, was the Chief Executive Officer, President and principal stockholder of BTI at the time of the Merger. Mr. Tassey received 3,200,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger.
Our primary business is the development, manufacture and commercialization of therapeutic drugs and dietary supplements with a focus on glyco-pathology, a specialized field involving understanding the importance of carbohydrates in biochemistry and progression of diseases. We are currently focusing on three products, IPOXYN™, an injectable anti-hypoxia drug that we are currently developing, PAZ320, a non-systemic, chewable drug candidate for reduction of blood glucose in diabetics currently in development and SUGARDOWN®, a complex carbohydrate-based chewable dietary supplement that we are currently marketing.
SUGARDOWN®
We have developed SUGARDOWN®, a non-systemic complex carbohydrate-based dietary supplement to moderate post-meal blood glucose using proprietary processes and technology. We have unrestricted access to both sufficient raw materials at commodity pricing and processing facilities to produce sufficient supply of SUGARDOWN® to support product distribution across multiple sales channels as a dietary supplement. Our SUGARDOWN® dietary supplement consists of a stabilized complex carbohydrate composition.
Status of Development of SUGARDOWN®
We have completed development of SUGARDOWN® as a dietary supplement. We have filed a structure and function claim application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with respect to SUGARDOWN® which describes the proposed mechanism of action of SUGARDOWN® in reducing post-meal elevation of glucose in the blood. The Company submitted thirty structural and functional claims with the FDA. We have filed a provisional patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office with regard to SUGARDOWN®. We have received a trademark for SUGARDOWN®. General Product Liability Insurance for SUGARDOWN® has been in effect since April 2010. On December 29, 2011 the Company announced that it has secured its first purchase order for distribution of SUGARDOWN™ in Italy. On January 24, 2012 the Company announced the clinical trial results in healthy volunteers performed at the University of Sydney on SUGARDOWN®.
Competitive Products: SUGARDOWN®
Products in the non-prescription, dietary supplements category which may be useful to prediabetics and diabetics, and could be potential competitors with SUGARDOWN® include a variety of tablets, capsules and powders and include Cinnamon, Chromium, Vanadium, Banaba Leaf, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek, Glucomannan, and Gymnema Sylvestra.
PAZ320
PAZ320 is a non-systemic, non-toxic, chewable drug candidate for prevention of diabetes and its complications. PAZ320 inhibits the enzymes that release glucose from complex carbohydrate in foods during digestion, reducing the amount of available glucose absorbed through the intestine.
Status of Development of PAZ320
PAZ320 is currently in development as a drug candidate. On October 11, 2011, the Company announced the initiation of its first clinical trial at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PAZ320 when added to oral agents or insulin regimen in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Competitive Products: PAZ320
Anti-diabetic drugs
Anti-diabetic drugs treat diabetes mellitus by lowering glucose levels in the blood. With the exceptions of insulin, exenatide marketed as Byetta®, Bydureon®, and pramlintide, marketed as Symlin®, all are administered orally and are thus also called oral hypoglycemic agents or oral antihyperglycemic agents. There are different classes of anti-diabetic drugs, and their selection depends on the nature of the diabetes, age and situation of the person, as well as other factors. The Company's non-systemic compounds for prediabetes and diabetes, SUGARDOWN® and PAZ320, belong to the class of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitors. Acarbose marketed by Bayer as Prandase® and Glucobay® belong to the same class.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are "diabetes pills" but not technically hypoglycemic agents because they do not have a direct effect on insulin secretion or sensitivity. These agents slow the digestion of starch in the small intestine, so that glucose from the starch of a meal enters the bloodstream more slowly, and can be matched more effectively by an impaired insulin response or sensitivity. These agents are effective by themselves only in the earliest stages of impaired glucose tolerance, but can be helpful in combination with other agents in type 2 diabetes. Acarbose, marketed as Prandase® and Glucobay® is an Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitor.
Secretagogues
Secretagogues, which include Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides, help enhance insulin secretion.
Sulfonylureas were the first widely used oral hypoglycemic medications. They are insulin secretagogues, triggering insulin release by direct action on the KATP channel of the pancreatic beta cells. Glipizide (Glucotrol®) falls into this category with side effects including GI discomfort, diarrhea and hypoglycemia.
Meglitinides help the pancreas produce insulin and are often called "short-acting secretagogues." Their mode of action is original, affecting potassium channels By closing the potassium channels of the pancreatic beta cells, they open the calcium channels, hence enhancing insulin secretion. They are taken with or shortly before meals to boost the insulin response to each meal. If a meal is skipped, the medication is also skipped. Repaglinide (Prandin®) falls into this category with side effects including hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Sensitizers
Insulin sensitizers address the core problem in type 2 diabetes—insulin resistance—and include Biguanides and Thiazolidinediones. Among oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin sensitizers are the largest category.
Biguanides reduce hepatic glucose output and increase uptake of glucose by the periphery, including skeletal muscle. Although it must be used with caution in patients with impaired liver or kidney function, metformin, a biguanide, has become the most commonly used agent for type 2 diabetes in children and teenagers. Amongst common diabetic drugs, metformin is the only widely used oral drug that does not cause weight gain. Metformin is the most prescribed drug in this category whose side effects may be hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis.
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), also known as "glitazones," bind to PPARγ, a type of nuclear regulatory protein involved in transcription of genes regulating glucose and fat metabolism. Rosiglitazone (Avandia®) and Pioglitazone (Actos®) fall into this category of anti-diabetic agent.
Scientific Overview
Diabetes Mellitus, known simply as Diabetes, is a chronic metabolic disorder in which a person has abnormally high levels of glucose in the circulating blood. This condition is caused by a failure of the pancreas to produce insulin and/or an inability of the body to respond adequately to circulating insulin. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications, which include limb Ischemia and neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Diabetes affects 25 million people in the United States.
Pre-diabetes is the state in which a person has higher than normal blood glucose level, but not high enough to be diagnosed with Diabetes. While in this range between normal and diabetic, patients are at risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also for cardiovascular complications. Pre-diabetes affects 79 million Americans.
Diabetes Mellitus is categorized into three general areas:
Type 1 diabetes: results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin. Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. It is considered an auto-immune disease, since the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes: results from insulin resistance by the body's cells, deficient insulin production by the Pancreas or a combination of both. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the cells in the body ignore or have become desensitized to insulin.
Gestational diabetes: is determined when pregnant women, who have never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose level during pregnancy. It may precede development of type 2 diabetes and affects approximately 4% of all pregnant women.
Type 2 and Type 1 diabetics generally manage their blood glucose level on a meal-to-meal basis. High levels of glucose in the bloodstream for prolonged periods can lead to complications of diabetes caused by reduced oxygen supply and nerve tissue damage to eyes, kidney, brain, heart and limbs.
Standard therapies for Diabetes include physician-recommended exercise and diet, oral hypoglycemic drugs such as Metformin for type 2 diabetics, and insulin injection regimens for type 1 diabetics. The objective of each is to maintain a daily blood glucose level range recommended by a physician.
Marketing: SUGARDOWN® and PAZ320
We believe SUGARDOWN® is a safe and effective dietary supplement for assisting pre-diabetics and diabetics in their daily management of blood glucose levels, fulfilling an unmet clinical need. We believe this supplement may provide individuals with a non-systemic tool to reduce post-meal elevation of blood glucose. The product is ready for limited market release and is currently available on the company product website, www.sugardown.com.
We envision a sizable over-the-counter market in the US. In 2010, the Center for Disease Control estimated that there were 18.8 million diagnosed and 7.0 million undiagnosed diabetics and an estimated 79 million pre-diabetics in the US. The Company entered SUGARDOWN® into a limited clinical trial, entitled "DETERMINATION OF THE POSTPRANDIAL GLUCOSE AND INSULIN RESPONSES OF WHITE RICE ALONE AND WHITE RICE CONSUMED WITH SUGARDOWN™ in 2011. We intend to leverage data from this study in the marketing of SUGARDOWN®. We intend to engage a medical advisory board consisting of leading physicians who have participated in relevant clinical studies and who are leaders in the field of diabetes, who will guide us through an ongoing clinical trials program. We do not currently have agreements with any potential candidates for such board. We may seek to enter into licensing or co-marketing agreements for parts or all of the world in order to avail the Company of the marketing expertise of one or more seasoned marketing and/or pharmaceutical companies. We intend to assemble a team of marketing and sales professionals, and to engage third party sales and distribution organizations in order to leverage the expertise and market exposure of those companies. We are currently under agreement with Advance Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to develop markets in Hong Kong, China and Macau. We have engaged in direct marketing efforts to market SUGARDOWN® in the United States but have not yet entered into any agreements with third party distributors for US sales.
We believe PAZ320 is a safe and effective drug compound for pre-diabetics and diabetics in their daily management of blood glucose levels, fulfilling an unmet medical need. We believe this compound may provide individuals with a means by which to slow the onset of Type 2 diabetes and/or the onset of diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, retinopathy and Diabetic Foot. As further described below under "Government Regulation - Drug Approval Process," PAZ320 will require FDA approval for marketing as a drug and will be subject to extensive regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries.
IPOXYN™
We have also developed a drug candidate product IPOXYN™, a glyco-protein based therapeutic agent using proprietary processes and patented technology. Our IPOXYN™ anti-hypoxia drug consists of a stabilized glycoprotein composition containing oxygen-rechargeable iron, targeting both human and animal tissues and organ systems deprived of oxygen and in need of metabolic support.
We have unrestricted access, subject only to adequate funding, to both sufficient raw materials at commodity pricing and processing facilities to produce sufficient quantities of IPOXYN™ to complete pre-clinical pharmacokinetic, safety and efficacy studies in support of an investigative new drug ("IND") filing in the United States and Europe in 2011. The primary raw material for IPOXYN™ is extracted from controlled sourced bovine blood which can be obtained from multiple sources at commodity prices under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). There are numerous facilities capable of processing source verified red blood cell extract. We expect to put in place agreements for obtaining and processing these materials upon funding.
In addition to potential uses for human patients, we also intend to file a registration for IPOXYN™ for veterinary applications under the name OXYFEX™. We are unaware of any drug currently on the market for animals that can deliver oxygen, and there is only limited "blood banking" for animals despite a constant need. OXYFEX™ can serve as the only available oxygen delivery mechanism for animals suffering ischemia or traumatic and surgical blood loss events.
We hope to be able to commence marketing OXYFEX™ for veterinary applications, which we view as a potentially lucrative market, in 2013 in various locations around the world. We estimate that there are at least 15,000 small animal veterinary practices in the United States, another 4,000 mixed animal practices treating small and large animals in the United States and approximately 22,000 small animal practices in Europe. We believe that the average veterinary practice treats only a small percentage of canine anemia cases with red blood cell transfusion. The remaining animals receive either cage rest or treatment such as fluid administration, iron supplements, nutritional supplements or inspired oxygen. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine approved a bio-similar product to OXYFEX™ named Oxyglobin in 1998 and the European Commission approved Oxyglobin in 1999, in both cases for the treatment of canine anemia, regardless of the cause of the anemia. Oxyglobin is no longer in use. Based upon the prior, limited efforts of the now bankrupt third party that developed Oxyglobin, we believe that the potential veterinary market for OXYFEX™ in the United States alone could exceed $250 million in sales annually within a few years after introduction.
Our pharmaceutical agents are intended for intravenous administration into the circulatory system to target acute and late stage diseases that, we believe, have a great unmet medical need. Hypoxia conditions, which we intend to treat with IPOXYN™, result from a lack of oxygen supply to living cells. Hypoxia will lead to ischemia, inflammation and the death of living cells. Ischemia is a restriction in blood supply, generally due to factors in the blood vessels, with resultant damage or dysfunction of tissue. Diabetic foot ulcer, which occurs in 15% of patients with diabetes and precedes more than 80% of all lower leg amputations, is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus. Two major risk factors that cause diabetic foot ulcer are diabetic neuropathy and micro/macro ischemia. Increases in mortality among diabetic patients observed over the past 20 years are considered to be due to the development of macro and micro vascular complications including the failure of the wound healing process. A failure of effective treatment of wounds in this population can often lead to infection, tissue death and amputation of the lower leg and foot as the only treatment option. We believe that IPOXYN™ represents a potentially effective treatment for lower limb complications of diabetes.
Scientific Overview - Hypoxia
Hypoxic conditions are detrimental to maintaining normal functionality in all living tissues. In mammals, red blood cells (RBCs) deliver oxygen throughout the body using hemoglobin, a protein responsible for carrying and releasing oxygen to the body's tissues. Under normal conditions, approximately 98% of oxygen is delivered by hemoglobin in the RBCs, while less than two percent is dissolved in the plasma, the fluid part of the blood.
As the heart pumps blood, RBCs take up oxygen in the lungs and carry it to various parts of the body. Blood travels through progressively smaller blood vessels to the capillaries, some of which are so narrow that RBCs can only pass through them in single file. Most of the oxygen release occurs in the capillaries. Oxygen depleted RBCs return to the lungs to be reloaded. Adequate blood flow, pressure and RBC counts are crucial to this process. Hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, even for several minutes, can result in cell damage, organ dysfunction and, if prolonged, death.
The causes of inadequate tissue oxygenation generally can be classified into three major categories:
Ischemia -- inadequate RBC flow for tissue oxygenation. Ischemia may be caused by obstructed or constricted blood vessels and can lead to stroke, heart attack or other organ or tissue dysfunction.
Cardiopulmonary failure -- impaired function of the heart or lungs. Cardiopulmonary failure may be caused by the inability of the heart to pump sufficient quantities of blood to meet the needs of the tissues or the failure of the lungs to oxygenate blood adequately.
Anemia -- insufficient RBCs in circulation. This condition can be caused by chronic disorders affecting RBCs functionality or production like chemotherapy and radiation for treatment of cancer, or blood born diseases like bone marrow diseases. Anemia may be also caused by acute blood loss from accidental injury or surgery.
The standard therapy for acute anemia resulting from blood loss is infusion of RBCs mainly from supplies of donated blood. For prophylactic or long term treatment of anticipated or chronic anemia, medications that stimulate the creation of new RBCs are frequently used.
Presently, there is no substitute for human blood to deliver oxygen to the body; and transfusions involve certain risks and limitations. Despite the effort by blood banks around the world to screen the blood supply for HIV, hepatitis and other blood borne diseases, there is a continuing risk of an unsafe blood supply in many parts of the world; donated blood continues to carry the risk of disease transmission.
Blood compatibility and handling and storage requirements and limitations limit the use of RBCs transfusions to hospital environment only. Shortages of certain types of blood thus occur due to seasonal factors or disasters. Since RBCs' oxygen-delivering capacity breaks down with storage (approximately 75% capacity remains after eight days of storage) their shelf-life is less than 42 days, limiting the ability for significant stockpiles of RBCs. In addition, for ischemic conditions due to constricted blood vessels where normal passage of RBCs is restricted or due to impaired heart or lung function, RBC transfusions are generally not effective.
IPOXYN™ and OXYFEX™
IPOXYN™ is designed for delivery as an intravenous solution, with the expectation that it can reverse an inadequate supply of oxygen and support various metabolic functions in the body in a manner and with effects similar to those resulting from the infusion of RBCs - but without the limitations of compatibility, availability, short shelf life, volume and logistical challenges commonly associated with transfusions of whole blood. Other intravenous fluids commonly used in emergency trauma to restore blood volume, such as Ringer's lactate or saline, are not designed to and do not effectively carry oxygen. We have not conducted any clinical trials to confirm the efficacy of, or filed any applications with the FDA with respect to, IPOXYN™. IPOXYN™ will not be ready for commercialization until these steps are completed. Preclinical animal study results for Ipoxyn™ were presented at the XIII International Symposium on Blood Substitutes and Oxygen Therapeutics in July 2011.
We are planning to introduce this product in clinical trials for hypoxic medical conditions. Hypoxia promotes resistance to conventional treatments, as well as treatments for other diseases. IPOXYN™ has the potential to greatly improve survival of patients in multiple indications in which hypoxia is a factor. Hypoxia is a condition in which cells lack sufficient oxygen supply to support metabolic function. It is widely known through research that lack of oxygen will result in a cascade of biochemical reactions which promote resistance to many helpful therapeutic substances and which interfere with the body's own repair mechanisms. Antibiotics for the treatment of infection are less effective when hypoxic conditions are involved. Similarly, hypoxic cancer cells are resistant to chemotherapy treatments; most chemotherapy drugs rely on rapid cell division which requires normal oxygenation of cells, but in a hypoxic condition, cells divide slowly and therefore resist many chemotherapy treatments.
Another unmet clinical need is in various acute ischemic conditions, where hypoxia can develop from a local restriction of constrained blood vessels, or poor and compromised flow which leads to insufficient supply of oxygen by otherwise well-oxygenated and distributed RBCs, e.g. cerebral ischemia, ischemic heart disease and intrauterine hypoxia which is an unchallenged cause of perinatal death. In these cases IPOXYN™, as a rechargeable soluble oxygen delivery agent, may not be restrained whereas well-oxygenated RBCs may be prevented from flow and delivery of oxygen. This is so because RBCs are large biological structures compared to the size of IPOXYN™, which is a modified single-protein function oxygen carrier. In ischemic and hypoxic conditions, RBCs may not be able to penetrate the small vessels which have lost their integrity to support RBC distribution and thus oxygen availability. Due to its small molecular size, IPOXYN™ can carry and distribute oxygen widely without risk of clot formation and flow stoppage.
In veterinary medicine applications, OXYFEX™ will be used as an oxygen delivery agent similar to a blood substitute for ischemia and trauma, as well as for blood loss during surgery.
Status of development of IPOXYN™
We are in the process of developing IPOXYN™ for pre-clinical studies, in order to conduct clinical trials and to file applications with the FDA as applicable.
Competitive Products
Many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are developing new technologies for the treatment of hypoxia and other diseases. The standard therapy for reversing hypoxia due to acute blood loss may be blood infusion, RBCs or hyperbaric oxygen. Hyperbaric medicine, also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), is the medical terminology for using oxygen at a level higher than atmospheric pressure. There are many conditions being treated using this approach including acute blood loss (Hart GB, Lennon PA, Strauss MB. (1987) "Hyperbaric oxygen in exceptional acute blood-loss anemia". J. Hyperbaric Med 2 (4): 205–210). In the United States, HBOT is recognized as a reimbursable treatment for 14 "approved" conditions and an HBOT session can cost anywhere from $200 in private clinics, to over $1,000 in hospitals. The sessions require the use of a heavy chamber. The most common intervention in hypoxic patients is RBC transfusion. The need for intervention to reduce hypoxia can also be affected by medical conditions such as ischemia or cardiopulmonary failure, claudication (cramping caused by blocked arteries in the leg), poor perfusion and other indications, where a combination of below optimal flow and capacity are compromising oxygen delivery.
When compared to RBC transfusion we believe IPOXYN™ has the following advantages:
Availability: readily available, with a two year shelf-life, much longer than the two week shelf life for RBCs and easier to perfuse.
Stability: stored at room temperature for months while maintaining its full capacity for oxygen delivery and release and logistical convenience
Sterile: when manufactured and processed consistently through good manufacturing practices, free of infectious agents and unnecessary elements.
Compatibility: safe for all blood types in a wide range of conditions and does not require pre-infusion typing or testing for compatibility.
Critical care: IPOXYN™ can be safely applied outside the hospital to treat or prevent ischemic conditions in cases like shock and trauma, heart attack or stroke where low flow or suspended local flow are disrupted. A readily available infusion package makes it a straightforward tool for emergency medical teams to use on site in order to save a patient's life, when time is of the essence for survival.
Molecular structure: Chemically IPOXYN™ features a small molecular size compared to RBCs, so it possesses better flow characteristics and circumvents constricted vessels that restrict flow of RBCs and thus the supply of oxygen to tissues and organs.
Oxygenation: Due to its high solubility, it has high capacity and faster exchange of oxygen in tissues, as well as facilitating the release of oxygen from RBCs for overall unparallel efficiency.
For chronic anemia situations, erythropoietin-based formulations are available from two suppliers. Erythropoietin stimulates the erythropoietic system in the bone marrow to produce its own RBCs. These products are slow acting, and only administered in anticipation of blood loss during surgery, and are not effective for temporary use or in emergency situations when acute blood loss requires RBC infusion to deliver oxygen.
The fields of treatment of oxygen-deprived states have been approached in many ways for the past 70 years. These include such techniques at high oxygen concentration, hyperbaric chambers, as well as the more mechanical approaches of vessel dilation and blood thinning. All have met with minor measures of improvement. In the early 1980's a number of companies focused on creating specific oxygen carriers that were either (a) blood derived elements, (b) synthetics consisting of Perfluoro chemicals or (c) elements created using recombinant and molecular engineering approaches (red cell modifiers). Companies including Baxter, Abbot, and Biopure, and now OPK in Cambridge, MA, for example, used the blood derived approach; Green Cross, Alliance Pharmaceuticals and Synthetic blood focused on synthetics, and Somatogen and Allos Therapeutics tried recombinant and molecular engineering. All of these approaches were early attempts to meet a need whose main focus has been on a "blood substitute". Our approach is fundamentally different. Instead of a blood substitute, we are offering a new chemical entity that will deliver oxygen to hypoxic cells.
We expect IPOXYN™ to compete with traditional therapies and with other oxygen delivery pharmaceuticals. Some of our competitors and potential competitors may have greater financial and other resources to develop, manufacture and market their products. We believe the most immediate competition comes from companies currently conducting clinical trials of investigational hemoglobin solutions. Privately held Sangart Inc. uses hemoglobin extracted from human red blood cells as the raw material for its products. Sangart reports that it has completed a 90-patient clinical safety trial in Sweden in patients undergoing hip replacement and is conducting a single-center Phase 2 safety trial in the U.S. in cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomies. It appears that a privately held company may begin a Phase 2 trial of a human-derived hemoglobin solution in the U.S. for treatment of cardiogenic shock.
We are aware of other companies researching the use of hemoglobin as a therapeutic, including programs in China and Japan. We believe that these programs are in the preclinical stage of development, although China's government-funded initiative may enter clinical testing as early as this year. In the field of perfluorocarbons, publicly traded Synthetic Blood International Inc. has recently completed an open-label, proof-of-concept Phase 2a clinical trial in eight patients with traumatic brain injury. Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation has received regulatory authorization in France to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial to prevent post-operative ileus resulting from hypoxia during major surgery. We believe that the Russian open joint-stock company Scientific and Production Firm "Perftoran" has received regulatory approval to market its perfluorocarbon in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Mexico. In 2009 a company called OPK Biotech bought certain assets of now defunct Biopure Corporation and continues to develop Hemopure for human use. In the cardiovascular area we expect competition from medical devices and drugs on the market or which are currently under development. For example, privately held KAI Pharmaceuticals Inc. has reported the completion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor to reduce ischemia and reperfusion injury during treatment of acute myocardial infarction. We believe that our use of bovine red blood cells for the production of IPOXYN™ is an advantage over products made from donated human red blood cells stored for a long period of time and other competitive approaches because of the availability, abundance, ability to control source, cost and relative safety of bovine red blood cells.
We believe IPOXYN™ is a safe and effective intervention for reversing acute hypoxia, fulfilling an unmet clinical need; and that IPOXYN™ can alleviate acute deficiency of oxygen and avert further life threatening complications and muscle and tissue death which can result from a sustained deficiency of oxygen. Our belief about the safety and efficacy of IPOXYN™ is based on preliminary good laboratory practices (GLP) testing of a material bio-similar to IPOXYN™, where it was found that such bio-similar formulation had no material toxicity on a small group of animals. We understand that this testing of GLP produced bio-similar materials or, for that matter, pre-clinical testing, will not necessarily predict levels of toxicity and efficacy in humans. However, if clinical trials ultimately support this belief, in many clinical situations IPOXYN™ could become a significant new management tool to moderate the inconsistencies of RBC transfusion and become the treatment of choice in critical situations when RBCs are not immediately available.
In addition to the expansive and broad application development in the field of human medical management, we envision a sizable market in the veterinary field and expect to make a registration filing for this market as soon as we can complete pre-clinical safety and efficacy studies. Clinical safety and efficacy studies under Good Manufacturing Practices have not yet been initiated by the Company.
Preliminary data from animal testing conducted by third parties suggests successful use of IPOXYN™ in hypoxia and critical anemic situations, where hypoxic conditions were critical to animal survival. Early experiments with dogs suggest intervention with IPOXYN™ will significantly improve survival in induced canine anemia models. This veterinary treatment of canine anemia will be our first target for seeking early regulatory approval in the European Union. As there is substantial commonality between the metabolic functions of humans and other mammals, animal testing becomes a starting point for many clinical development programs that can directly translate into clinical development programs for humans. The third party testing described here was conducted by a company that developed a bio-similar product to IPOXYN™. Testing included repeated intravenous infusions of the product in dogs that was reported in well documented literature and regulatory filings, and the testing did not result in reported mortality/morbidity of the subject animals. Reports concerning anemic dogs infused with the bio-similar product showed increased plasma hemoglobin levels resulting in an increase of the oxygen carrying capacity of the treated animals. We have no agreements with the third party that conducted these toxicity tests, or its successors.
We intend to engage a medical advisory board consisting of leading physicians who have participated in relevant clinical studies and who are leaders in the field as well as other physician-specialists that will guide us in other indications. We do not currently have agreements with any potential candidates for such board. We may seek to enter into licensing or co-marketing agreements for parts or all of the world in order to avail the Company of the marketing expertise of one or more seasoned pharmaceutical companies. Alternatively, we may engage contract sales organizations from vendors, contract pharmaceutical companies that supply sales services.
Similarly in the veterinary market, we may engage wholesale distributors on national or regional levels. Marketing programs may include web based advertising, direct mail, educational seminars, conference calls and attendance at trade shows. We may establish a core group of veterinary practices that will start to use the product regularly. These veterinarians can serve as effective advocates of the product when interacting with other veterinarians.
PAZAMET
In July 2011, we submitted a petition to file an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for a chewable metformin with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The wait time period for review by the FDA can be up to two years.
Our Strengths and Strategies
Leverage Extensive Regulatory Expertise. Dr. Platt, a PhD. chemical engineer, has approximately 20 years experience in the development of therapeutic drugs and holds many patents. He has been substantially involved in the FDA approval process for a number of drugs, and we anticipate that his expertise shall be crucial as we develop our drugs through the trial and approval process.
Focus on Novel Therapeutic Opportunities Provided by Carbohydrates. We believe our company is one of the pioneers focused on development of carbohydrate-based anti-hypoxia therapeutics and carbohydrate-based dietary supplements for blood glucose management. As a result of their structural complexity, carbohydrates have not received as much scientific attention as nucleic acids and proteins.
Carbohydrate molecules, which are essential to the transmission and recognition of cellular information, have been shown to play an important role in major diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory disease and viral infections. We believe this offers a largely untapped area for treatment by utilizing hemoglobin as modified by carbohydrate chemistry to deliver oxygen to cells in a hypoxic condition.
We currently have no subsidiaries.
Other than Dr. Platt and Mr. Tassey, we currently have no full-time employees. Mr. Tassey entered into an employment agreement with the Company in August 2011. Dr. Platt does not have an employment agreement with the Company.
We currently lease an office located at 33 S. Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101.
We currently manufacture SUGARDOWN® and PAZ320 in the United States at a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliant facility. We expect to have access to a pilot-scale manufacturing facility with adequate capacity to produce IPOXYN™ for clinical trials and market introduction following European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) / FDA approval, but no agreement for such access is currently in place. We intend to only utilize manufacturing facilities that we believe are fully compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as required by the regulatory authorities in Europe or the United States.
Pharmaceutical research and development involves the controlled use of hazardous materials. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies must comply with laws and regulations governing the use, generation, manufacture, storage, air emission, effluent discharge, handling and disposal of certain materials, biological specimens and wastes. We do not anticipate building in-house research, development or manufacturing facilities, and, accordingly, do not expect to have to comply directly with environmental regulation. However, our contractors and others conducting research, development or manufacturing activities for us may be required to incur significant compliance cost, and this could in turn could increase our expense or delay our completion of research or manufacturing programs.
Lack of Major Customers
To date we have had limited sales of our SUGARDOWN® product and have no significant customers. We have entered into an agreement with Advance Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., a Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical company, for distribution of SUGARDOWN® in the Hong Kong and mainland China markets. There can be no assurances that this agreement will lead to significant or, in fact any, sales of SUGARDOWN®. We have received our first commercial purchase order from a distributor in Italy.
Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
Patents, trademarks, trade secrets, technological know-how and other proprietary rights are important to our business.
Our proprietary technologies embodied in IPOXYN™ and OXYFEX™ include claims under patent number 6,245,316 (Enhancement of Delivery of Radioimaging and Radioprotective Agents) which expires in 2018, and a provisional patent relating to a Hybrid Hemoglobin Molecule and Methods of Use, Application No. 61/285,281, both of which were assigned to the Company by our CEO.
Our CEO also has assigned the trademarks IPOXYN™ (U.S. Trademark Application No. 77754473) and Avanyx Therapeutics™ (U.S. Trademark Application No. 77806120) to the Company. Our CEO and our President have assigned the trademark SUGARDOWN® (U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 3,955,414, registered May 3, 2011) to the Company.
It is not economically practicable to determine in advance whether our products, product components, manufacturing processes or the intended uses for our products infringe the patent rights of others. It is likely that, from time to time, we will receive notices from others of claims or potential claims of intellectual property infringement or we may be called upon to defend a customer, vendee or licensee against such third-party claims. Responding to these kinds of claims, regardless of merit, could consume valuable time, result in costly litigation or cause delays, all of which could harm our business.
Responding to these claims could also require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements with third parties claiming infringement. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if available, may not be available on terms acceptable to us.
New drug approval for clinical use requires extensive research, manufacturing, pre-clinical and clinical studies, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, export and marketing, among other things. Both IPOXYN™ and PAZ320 will be subject to extensive regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries. As a therapeutic product administered by intravenous infusion IPOXYN™ will be regulated as a drug and will require extensive safety and efficacy studies for regulatory approval before it may be commercialized.
We currently offer SUGARDOWN® as a dietary supplement. We are not required to obtain FDA approval in order to offer SUGARDOWN® in this manner. We are required to either comply with certain FDA guidelines with respect to certain marketing claims for SUGARDOWN®, or to file those claims with the FDA. We believe that we comply with those guidelines and have voluntarily filed structural and functional claims with the FDA. If we choose to offer SUGARDOWN® as a drug, it will be subject to the drug approval process described below.
Drug Approval Process
In the United States, IPOXYN™ is a new chemical entity and will require FDA approval. PAZ320, as a drug candidate, will also require FDA approval. Before final approval for marketing for either IPOXYN™ or PAZ320 could occur, the following steps must be completed: preclinical safety animal studies, GMP manufacturing, submission of Investigational New Drug, or IND application for extensive clinical trials to show proof of concept to significant health benefit.
After approval and during clinical studies FDA can put the drug on "clinical hold." In such case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the use of the drug can proceed. FDA may stop marketing, or clinical trials, or particular types of trials, by imposing a clinical hold because of safety concerns and potential risk to patients.
Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational products to healthy volunteers or patients under the supervision of a qualified principal investigator consistent with an informed consent. Each clinical protocol is submitted, reviewed and approved by an independent Institutional Review Board, or IRB, or Ethical Committee (EC) at a participating hospital at which the study will be conducted. The IRB/EC will consider, among other things; ethical factors, safety to human subjects and the possible liability of the institution.
Clinical trials required for FDA approval typically are conducted in three sequential phases, but the phases may overlap. In Phase I, the initial introduction of the drug into human subjects, the drug is usually tested for safety or adverse effects, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution, excretion and pharmacodynamics.
Phase II clinical trials usually involve studies in a limited patient population to evaluate the efficacy of the drug for specific, targeted indications, determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage and identify possible adverse effects and safety risks.
Phase III clinical trials generally further evaluate clinical efficacy and test further for safety within an expanded patient population and at multiple clinical sites.
After FDA approval, Phase IV clinical trials may be conducted to gain additional experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication. If the FDA approves a product while a company has ongoing clinical trials that were not necessary for approval, a company may be able to use the data from these clinical trials to meet all or part of any Phase IV clinical trial requirement. These clinical trials are often referred to as Phase III/IV post-approval clinical trials.
The results of the preclinical studies and clinical trials, together with detailed information on the manufacture and composition of the product, are submitted to the FDA in the application requesting approval to market the product. The FDA may delay approval of any product submitted by the Company. The FDA may limit the indicated uses for which an approval is given.
New Drug Approval for Veterinary Use
The use of new drugs for companion animals requires the filing of a New Animal Drug Application, or NADA with, and approval by, the FDA. The requirements for approval are similar to those for new human drugs, exclusive of human trials. Obtaining NADA approval often requires safety and efficacy clinical field trials in the applicable species and disease, after submission of an Investigational New Animal Drug Application, or INADA, which for non-food animals becomes effective upon acceptance for filing.
Pervasive and Continuing Regulation
Any FDA approvals that may be granted will be subject to continual review, and newly discovered or developed safety or efficacy data may result in withdrawal of products from marketing. Moreover, if and when such approval is obtained, the manufacture and marketing of our products remain subject to extensive regulatory requirements administered by the regulatory bodies, including compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, serious adverse event reporting requirements and the FDA's general prohibitions against promoting products for unapproved or "off-label" uses.
We are subject to inspection and market surveillance by the FDA for compliance with these regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with the requirements can, among other things, result in warning letters, product seizures, recalls, fines, injunctions, suspensions or withdrawals of regulatory approvals and termination of marketing. Any such enforcement action could have a material adverse effect on us. Unanticipated changes in existing regulatory requirements, state and local work and environmental laws or the adoption of new requirements could also have a material adverse effect on us.
Foreign Regulation
We will be subject to a variety of regulations governing clinical trials and sales of our products in the United States and outside the United States. Whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a product by the comparable non-U.S. regulatory authorities must be obtained prior to the commencement of marketing of the product in any country.
The approval process varies from country to country and can be complicated and time consuming; the time needed to secure approval may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. For example, the European Union requires approval of a Marketing Authorization Application by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency. These applications require the completion of extensive preclinical studies, clinical studies and manufacturing and controls information.
Our ability to successfully commercialize our human product will also depend on the extent to which reimbursement of the cost of such product and related treatment will be approved by the government health administration authorities, private health insurers and other health providers' organizations. Significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved health care products. As third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price of medical products, there can be no assurance that adequate reimbursement of the cost will be available to enable us to maintain price levels sufficient for realization of an appropriate return on its investment.
Recently the public and the federal government have focused significant attention on reforming the health care system in the United States. A number of health care reform measures have been suggested, including price controls on therapeutics. Public discussion of such measures is likely to continue, and concerns about the potential effects of different possible proposals have been reflected in the volatility of the stock prices of companies in the health care and related industries.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY
For the period from inception on August 29, 2009 through December 31, 2011, we had a net loss of $1,213,284, of which $827,168 was incurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $225,995 cash on hand. We do not currently have sufficient capital resources to fund operations. Our Chief Executive Officer has made loans to the Company to fund operations, and the Company raised $522,997 in a private placement in 2011. To stay in business, we will need to raise additional capital through public or private sales of our securities, debt financing or short-term bank loans, or a combination of the foregoing.
Management has developed what it believes is a viable plan to continue as a going concern. The plan relies upon our ability to obtain additional sources of capital and financing. Our Chief Executive Officer intends to provide us with minimal cash to fund critical needs until we are able to raise additional capital from an offering of securities but there is no guarantee that he will do so or will do so for any extended period of time. Presently we do not have any existing sources or plans for financing other than the sale of securities in a private placement transaction, or loans from our Chief Executive Officer. We do not expect to generate significant revenues from the sale of SUGARDOWN® or other products in the near term. If we are unable to receive additional financing, we may be required to cease operations. There is no guarantee that we will be able to generate sufficient revenues from the sale of SUGARDOWN® or other products in the near term to fund our operations. If we are unable to generate sufficient revenues or receive additional financing, we may be required to cease operations.
WE ARE A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY WITH NO OPERATING HISTORY WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE OUR CURRENT BUSINESS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS.
We are a development-stage company with no operating history, and our proposed operations are subject to all of the risks inherent in establishing a new business enterprise. The likelihood of our success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with the formation of a new business, the development of new technologies or those subject to clinical testing, and the competitive and regulatory environment in which we will operate. We have made initial sales of our SUGARDOWN® product as a dietary supplement and, while we expect to continue selling that product, we have no other products available for sale, and none are expected to be commercially available for at least eighteen months, if at all. We may never obtain Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval of our products in development and, even if we do so and are also able to commercialize our products, we may never generate revenue sufficient to become profitable. Our failure to generate revenue and profit would likely cause our securities to decrease in value and/or become worthless.
ADDITIONAL FINANCING REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS PLAN MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE ON FAVORABLE TERMS OR AT ALL, AND WE MAY HAVE TO ACCEPT FINANCING TERMS THAT WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR SHAREHOLDERS.
We will need to continue to conduct significant research, development, testing and regulatory compliance activities for IPOXYN™ and PAZ320 that, together with projected general and administrative expenses, we expect will result in substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future. We do not expect to be generating sales or other revenue from SUGARDOWN® alone to fund operations and will remain dependent on outside sources of financing until that time and we will need to raise funds from additional financing. We have no commitments for any financing at this time, and any financing commitments may result in dilution to our existing stockholders. We may have difficulty obtaining additional funding, and we may have to accept terms that would adversely affect our stockholders. For example, the terms of any future financings may impose restrictions on our right to declare dividends or on the manner in which we conduct our business. Additionally, we may raise funding by issuing convertible notes, which if converted into shares of our common stock would dilute our then shareholders interests. Lending institutions or private investors may impose restrictions on a future decision by us to make capital expenditures, acquisitions or significant asset sales. If we are unable to raise additional funds, we may be forced to curtail or even abandon our business plan.
OUR ABILITY TO GROW AND COMPETE IN THE FUTURE WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF ADEQUATE CAPITAL IS NOT AVAILABLE.
The ability of our business to grow and compete depends on the availability of adequate capital, which in turn depends in large part on our cash flow from operations and the availability of equity and debt financing. Our cash flow from operations may not be sufficient or we may not be able to obtain equity or debt financing on acceptable terms or at all to implement our growth strategy. As a result, adequate capital may not be available to finance our current growth plans, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could harm our business.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE BASED ON NOVEL, UNPROVEN TECHNOLOGIES.
Our drug candidates in development are based on novel unproven technologies using proprietary carbohydrate compounds in combination with FDA approved drugs currently used in the treatment of ischemia, anemia and trauma and other diseases. Carbohydrates are difficult to synthesize, and we may not be able to synthesize carbohydrates that would be usable as delivery vehicles for the anti-hypoxia drugs we are working with or other therapeutics we intend to develop. Although we have completed certain animal studies that we believe were successful, pre-clinical results in animal studies are not necessarily predictive of outcomes in human clinical trials. Clinical trials are expensive, time-consuming and may not be successful. They involve the testing of potential therapeutic agents, or effective treatments, in humans, typically in three phases, to determine the safety and efficacy of the products necessary for an approved drug. Many products in human clinical trials fail to demonstrate the desired safety and efficacy characteristics. Even if our products progress successfully through initial human testing, they may fail in later stages of development. We may engage others to conduct our clinical trials, including clinical research organizations and, possibly, government-sponsored agencies. These trials may not start or be completed as we forecast, or may not achieve desired results.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO COMMERCIALIZE OUR PRODUCTS.
Even if our current and anticipated products achieve positive results in clinical trials, we may be unable to commercialize them. Potential products may fail to receive necessary regulatory approvals, and such products, along with products such as SUGARDOWN® which do not require regulatory approval, may be difficult to manufacture on a large scale, be uneconomical to produce, fail to achieve market acceptance, or be precluded from commercialization by proprietary rights of third parties. Our inability to commercialize our products would substantially impair the viability of our company.
WE HAVE ESTABLISHED PREFERRED STOCK WHICH CAN BE DESIGNATED BY THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.
The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The shares of preferred stock of the Company may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of which shall have a distinctive designation or title as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company ("Board of Directors") prior to the issuance of any shares thereof. The preferred stock shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as adopted by the Board of Directors. Because the Board of Directors is able to designate the powers and preferences of the preferred stock without the vote of a majority of the Company's shareholders, shareholders of the Company will have no control over what designations and preferences the Company's preferred stock will have. If preferred stock is designated and issued, then depending upon the designation and preferences, the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock may exercise voting control over the Company. As a result of this, the Company's shareholders will have no control over the designations and preferences of the preferred stock and as a result the operations of the Company.
Collectively, our officers, our directors and one significant shareholder own or exercise voting and investment control around 84.86% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, investors may be prevented from affecting matters involving the Company, including:
WE ARE DEPENDENT UPON OUR TWO OFFICERS FOR MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTION AND THE LOSS OF THESE PERSONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND RESULTS.
Our only current officers are David Platt and Ken Tassey. We are dependent upon both Dr. Platt and Mr. Tassey for implementation of our proposed expansion strategy and execution of our business plan. The loss of Dr. Platt or Mr. Tassey could have a material adverse effect upon its results of operations and financial position. We do not maintain "key person" life insurance for Dr. Platt or Mr. Tassey. The loss of Dr. Platt or Mr. Tassey could delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
OUR LACK OF OPERATING EXPERIENCE MAY CAUSE US DIFFICULTY IN MANAGING OUR GROWTH WHICH COULD LEAD TO OUR INABILITY TO IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS PLAN.
We have limited experience in manufacturing or procuring products in commercial quantities, conducting other later-stage phases of the regulatory approval process, selling pharmaceutical products, or negotiating, establishing and maintaining strategic relationships. Any growth of our company will require us to expand our management and our operational and financial systems and controls. If we are unable to do so, our business and financial condition would be materially harmed. If rapid growth occurs, it may strain our operational, managerial and financial resources.
WE WILL DEPEND ON THIRD PARTIES TO MANUFACTURE AND MARKET OUR PRODUCTS AND TO DESIGN TRIAL PROTOCOLS, ARRANGE FOR AND MONITOR THE CLINICAL TRIALS, AND COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA.
We do not have, and do not now intend to develop, facilities for the manufacture of any of our products for clinical or commercial production. In addition, we are not a party to any long-term agreement with any of our suppliers, and accordingly, we have our products manufactured on a purchase-order basis from one of two primary suppliers. We will need to develop relationships with manufacturers and enter into collaborative arrangements with licensees or have others manufacture our products on a contract basis. We expect to depend on such collaborators to supply us with products manufactured in compliance with standards imposed by the FDA and foreign regulators.
In addition, we have limited experience in marketing, sales or distribution, and we do not intend to develop a sales and marketing infrastructure to commercialize our pharmaceutical products. While we currently have an agreement with Advance Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to develop markets in Hong Kong, China and Macau and have received a commercial purchase order from a distributor in Italy for SUGARDOWN®, if we develop additional commercial products, we will need to rely on licensees, collaborators, joint venture partners or independent distributors to market and sell those products and we may need to rely on additional third parties to market SUGARDOWN®.
Moreover, as we develop products eligible for clinical trials, we contract with independent parties to design the trial protocols, arrange for and monitor the clinical trials, collect data and analyze data. In addition, certain clinical trials for our products may be conducted by government-sponsored agencies and will be dependent on governmental participation and funding. Our dependence on independent parties and clinical sites involves risks including reduced control over the timing and other aspects of our clinical trials.
WE ARE EXPOSED TO PRODUCT LIABILITY, PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL LIABILITY RISKS WHICH COULD PLACE A SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL BURDEN UPON US, SHOULD WE BE SUED, BECAUSE WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE OR GENERAL INSURANCE COVERAGE.
Our business exposes us to potential product liability and other liability risks that are inherent in the testing, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical formulations and products. Such claims may be asserted against us. In addition, the use in our clinical trials of pharmaceutical formulations and products that our potential collaborators may develop and the subsequent sale of these formulations or products by us or our potential collaborators may cause us to bear a portion of or all product liability risks. A successful liability claim or series of claims brought against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We currently maintain product liability insurance with respect to SUGARDOWN®. There is no guarantee that such insurance will provide adequate coverage against our potential liabilities. Since we do not currently have any FDA-approved products or formulations, we do not currently have any other product liability insurance covering commercialized products. We may not be able to obtain or maintain adequate product liability insurance, when needed, on acceptable terms, if at all, or such insurance may not provide adequate coverage against our potential liabilities. Furthermore, our current and potential partners with whom we have collaborative agreements or our future licensees may not be willing to indemnify us against these types of liabilities and may not themselves be sufficiently insured or have sufficient liquidity to satisfy any product liability claims. Claims or losses in excess of any product liability insurance coverage that may be obtained by us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we may be unable to obtain or to maintain clinical trial or directors and officers liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all. Any inability to obtain and/or maintain insurance coverage on acceptable terms could prevent or limit the commercialization of any products we develop.
IF USERS OF OUR PROPOSED PRODUCTS ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THIRD-PARTY PAYERS, OR IF NEW RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION IS ADOPTED, MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF OUR PROPOSED PRODUCTS MAY BE LIMITED AND WE MAY NOT ACHIEVE REVENUES.
The continuing efforts of government and insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and other payers of healthcare costs to contain or reduce costs of health care may affect our future revenues and profitability, and the future revenues and profitability of our potential customers, suppliers and collaborative partners and the availability of capital. For example, in certain foreign markets, pricing or profitability of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to government control. In the U.S., given recent federal and state government initiatives directed at lowering the total cost of health care, the U.S. Congress and state legislatures will likely continue to focus on health care reform, the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and on the reform of the Medicare and Medicaid systems. While we cannot predict whether any such legislative or regulatory proposals will be adopted, the announcement or adoption of such proposals could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to commercialize our proposed products will depend in part on the extent to which appropriate reimbursement levels for the cost of our proposed formulations and products and related treatments are obtained by governmental authorities, private health insurers and other organizations, such as HMOs. Third-party payers are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical drugs and services. Also, the trend toward managed health care in the U.S. and the concurrent growth of organizations such as HMOs, which could control or significantly influence the purchase of health care services and drugs, as well as legislative proposals to reform health care or reduce government insurance programs, may all result in lower prices for or rejection of our products.
THERE ARE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTIES FOR MARKETING, SALES AND DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE AND CHANNELS.
We expect that we will be required to enter into agreements with commercial partners to engage in sales, marketing and distribution efforts around our products in development. We may be unable to establish or maintain third-party relationships on a commercially reasonable basis, if at all. In addition, these third parties may have similar or more established relationships with our competitors. If we do not enter into relationships with third parties for the sales and marketing of our proposed products, we will need to develop our own sales and marketing capabilities.
We may be unable to engage qualified distributors. Even if engaged, these distributors may:
● fail to satisfy financial or contractual obligations to us;
● fail to adequately market our products;
● cease operations with little or no notice to us; or
● offer, design, manufacture or promote competing formulations or products.
If we fail to develop sales, marketing and distribution channels, we would experience delays in generating sales and incur increased costs, which would harm our financial results.
WE WILL BE SUBJECT TO RISKS IF WE SEEK TO DEVELOP OUR OWN SALES FORCE.
If we choose at some point to develop our own sales and marketing capability, our experience in developing a fully integrated commercial organization is limited. If we choose to establish a fully integrated commercial organization, we will likely incur substantial expenses in developing, training and managing such an organization. We may be unable to build a fully integrated commercial organization on a cost effective basis, or at all. Any such direct marketing and sales efforts may prove to be unsuccessful. In addition, we will compete with many other companies that currently have extensive and well-funded marketing and sales operations. Our marketing and sales efforts may be unable to compete against these other companies. We may be unable to establish a sufficient sales and marketing organization on a timely basis, if at all.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO CONVINCE PHYSICIANS AS TO THE BENEFITS OF OUR PROPOSED PRODUCTS, WE MAY INCUR DELAYS OR ADDITIONAL EXPENSE IN OUR ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH MARKET ACCEPTANCE.
Broad use of our proposed products may require physicians to be informed regarding our proposed products and the intended benefits. Inability to carry out this physician education process may adversely affect market acceptance of our proposed products. We may be unable to timely educate physicians regarding our proposed products in sufficient numbers to achieve our marketing plans or to achieve product acceptance. Any delay in physician education may materially delay or reduce demand for our products. In addition, we may expend significant funds toward physician education before any acceptance or demand for our proposed products is created, if at all.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY
WE WILL NEED REGULATORY APPROVALS TO COMMERCIALIZE OUR PRODUCTS AS DRUGS
We currently offer SUGARDOWN® as a dietary supplement. We are not required to attain FDA approval in order to offer SUGARDOWN® in this manner. If we choose to offer SUGARDOWN®, IPOXYN™, PAZ320 or any other product as a drug, we are required to obtain approval from the FDA in order to sell our products in the U.S. and from foreign regulatory authorities in order to sell our products in other countries. The FDA's review and approval process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain. Extensive pre-clinical and clinical data and supporting information must be submitted to the FDA for each indication for each product candidate in order to secure FDA approval. Before receiving FDA clearance to market our proposed products, we will have to demonstrate that our products are safe and effective on the patient population and for the diseases that are to be treated. Clinical trials, manufacturing and marketing of drugs are subject to the rigorous testing and approval process of the FDA and equivalent foreign regulatory authorities. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other federal, state and foreign statutes and regulations govern and influence the testing, manufacture, labeling, advertising, distribution and promotion of drugs and medical devices. As a result, regulatory approvals can take a number of years or longer to accomplish and require the expenditure of substantial financial, managerial and other resources. The FDA could reject an application or require us to conduct additional clinical or other studies as part of the regulatory review process. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain FDA approvals would prevent or delay the commercialization of our product candidates, which would prevent, defer or decrease our receipt of revenues. In addition, if we receive initial regulatory approval, our product candidates will be subject to extensive and rigorous ongoing domestic and foreign government regulation.
DATA OBTAINED FROM CLINICAL TRIALS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO VARYING INTERPRETATIONS, WHICH COULD DELAY, LIMIT OR PREVENT REGULATORY CLEARANCES.
Data already obtained, or in the future obtained, from pre-clinical studies and clinical trials do not necessarily predict the results that will be obtained from later pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. Moreover, pre-clinical and clinical data is susceptible to varying interpretations, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier trials. The failure to adequately demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a proposed formulation or product under development could delay or prevent regulatory clearance of the potential drug, resulting in delays to commercialization, and could materially harm our business. Our clinical trials may not demonstrate sufficient levels of safety and efficacy necessary to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals for our drugs, and thus our proposed drugs may not be approved for marketing.
OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION DEPENDS ON PROTECTION OF OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
Development and protection of our intellectual property are critical to our business. All of our intellectual property, patented or otherwise, has been invented and/or developed by our CEO, David Platt. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, competitors may be able to practice our technologies. Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patent protection for our products or processes in the U.S. and other countries, protect trade secrets, and prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights.
Since patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy for at least portions of their pendency periods (published on U.S. patent issuance or, if earlier, 18 months from earliest filing date for most applications) and since other publication of discoveries in the scientific or patent literature often lags behind actual discoveries, we cannot be certain that we are the first to make the inventions to be covered by our patent applications. The patent position of biopharmaceutical firms generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has not established a consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims that it will allow in biotechnology patents.
Some or all of our patent applications may not issue as patents or the claims of any issued patents may not afford meaningful protection for our technologies or products. In addition, patents issued to us or our licensors may be challenged and subsequently narrowed, invalidated or circumvented. Patent litigation is widespread in the biotechnology industry and could harm our business. Litigation might be necessary to protect our patent position or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights, and we may not have the required resources to pursue such litigation or to protect our patent rights.
Although we will require our scientific and technical employees and consultants to enter into broad assignment of inventions agreements, and all of our employees, consultants and corporate partners with access to proprietary information to enter into confidentiality agreements, these agreements may not be honored. Currently, we do not have any scientific or technical employees. We have consultants and a network of uniquely experienced researchers, clinicians and drug developers, some of whom have signed or been asked to sign agreements.
PRODUCTS WE DEVELOP COULD BE SUBJECT TO INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS ASSERTED BY OTHERS.
We cannot assure that products based on our patents or intellectual property that we license from others will not be challenged by a third party claiming infringement of its proprietary rights. If we were not able to successfully defend our patents or licensed rights, we may have to pay substantial damages, possibly including treble damages, for past infringement.
WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION IN THE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES.
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are intensely competitive. We face direct competition from U.S. and foreign companies focusing on pharmaceutical products, which are rapidly evolving. Our competitors include major multinational pharmaceutical and chemical companies, specialized biotechnology firms and universities and other research institutions. Many of these competitors have greater financial and other resources, larger research and development staffs and more effective marketing and manufacturing organizations, than we do. In addition, academic and government institutions are increasingly likely to enter into exclusive licensing agreements with commercial enterprises, including our competitors, to market commercial products based on technology developed at such institutions. Our competitors may succeed in developing or licensing technologies and products that are more effective or less costly than ours, or succeed in obtaining FDA or other regulatory approvals for product candidates before we do. Acquisitions of, or investments in, competing pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies by large corporations could increase such competitors' financial, marketing, manufacturing and other resources.
THE MARKET FOR OUR PROPOSED PRODUCTS IS RAPIDLY CHANGING AND COMPETITIVE, AND NEW DRUGS AND NEW TREATMENTS WHICH MAY BE DEVELOPED BY OTHERS COULD IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AND GROW OUR BUSINESS AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are subject to rapid and substantial technological change. Developments by others may render our proposed products noncompetitive or obsolete, or we may be unable to keep pace with technological developments or other market factors. Technological competition from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, governmental entities and others diversifying into the field is intense and is expected to increase.
As a development stage company with nominal revenues engaged in the development of drug technologies, our resources are limited and we may experience technical challenges inherent in such technologies. Competitors have developed or are in the process of developing technologies that are, or in the future may be, the basis for competition. Some of these technologies may have an entirely different approach or means of accomplishing similar therapeutic effects compared to our proposed products. Our competitors may develop drugs that are safer, more effective or less costly than our proposed products and, therefore, present a serious competitive threat to us.
The potential widespread acceptance of therapies that are alternatives to ours may limit market acceptance of our proposed products, even if commercialized. Many of our targeted diseases and conditions can also be treated by other medication. These treatments may be widely accepted in medical communities and have a longer history of use. The established use of these competitive drugs may limit the potential for our technologies, formulations and products to receive widespread acceptance if commercialized.
HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT INITIATIVES AND THE GROWTH OF MANAGED CARE MAY LIMIT OUR RETURNS.
Our ability to commercialize our products successfully may be affected by the ongoing efforts of governmental and third-party payers to contain the cost of health care. These entities are challenging prices of health care products and services, denying or limiting coverage and reimbursement amounts for new therapeutic products, and for FDA-approved products considered experimental or investigational, or which are used for disease indications without FDA marketing approval.
Even if we succeed in bringing any products to the market, they may not be considered cost-effective and third-party reimbursement might not be available or sufficient. If adequate third-party coverage is not available, we may not be able to maintain price levels sufficient to realize an appropriate return on our investment in research and product development. In addition, legislation and regulations affecting the pricing of pharmaceuticals may change in ways adverse to us before or after any of our proposed products are approved for marketing.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR SECURITIES
STOCK PRICES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ARE VOLATILE.
The market price for securities of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies historically has been highly volatile, and the market from time to time has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. Fluctuations in the trading price or liquidity of our common stock may adversely affect, among other things, the interest in our stock by purchasers on the open market and our ability to raise capital.
WE LACK A MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK, WHICH MAKES OUR SECURITIES VERY SPECULATIVE.
We currently lack a market for the Company's common stock. Because of this, it is hard to determine exactly how much our securities are worth. As a result of the lack of market, it is hard to judge how much our securities are worth and it is possible that they will become worthless.
WE HAVE NOT PAID ANY CASH DIVIDENDS IN THE PAST AND HAVE NO PLANS TO ISSUE CASH DIVIDENDS IN THE FUTURE, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VALUE OF OUR COMMON STOCK TO HAVE A LOWER VALUE THAN OTHER SIMILAR COMPANIES WHICH DO PAY CASH DIVIDENDS.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date and do not anticipate any cash dividends being paid to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. While our dividend policy will be based on the operating results and capital needs of the business, it is anticipated that any earnings will be retained to finance our future expansion. As we have no plans to issue cash dividends in the future, our common stock could be less desirable to other investors and as a result, the value of our common stock may decline, or fail to reach the valuations of other similarly situated companies who have historically paid cash dividends in the past.
STATE SECURITIES LAWS MAY LIMIT SECONDARY TRADING, WHICH MAY RESTRICT THE STATES IN WHICH AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH YOU CAN SELL SHARES.
Secondary trading in our common stock will not be possible in any state until the common stock is qualified for sale under the applicable securities laws of the state or there is confirmation that an exemption, such as listing in certain recognized securities manuals, is available for secondary trading in the state. If we fail to register or qualify, or to obtain or verify an exemption for the secondary trading of, the common stock in any particular state, the common stock could not be offered or sold to, or purchased by, a resident of that state. In the event that a significant number of states refuse to permit secondary trading in our common stock, the liquidity for the common stock could be significantly impacted.
IF THERE IS A MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK, OUR STOCK PRICE MAY BE VOLATILE.
If there's a market for our common stock, we anticipate that such market would be subject to wide fluctuations in response to several factors, including, but not limited to:
actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations;
our ability or inability to generate new revenues;
increased competition; and
conditions and trends in the pharmaceutical industry and/or the market for our pharmaceutical products in general.
Further, if our common stock is traded on the over the counter bulletin board, as is our intention, our stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. These market fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
INVESTORS MAY FACE SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON THE RESALE OF OUR COMMON STOCK DUE TO FEDERAL REGULATION OF PENNY STOCKS.
We expect that our common stock will be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol BTHE. Our common stock will be subject to the requirements of Rule 15(g)-9, promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act as long as the price of our common stock is below $5.00 per share. Under such rule, broker-dealers who recommend low-priced securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including a requirement that they make an individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's consent prior to the transaction. The Securities Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990, also requires additional disclosure in connection with any trades involving a stock defined as a penny stock. Generally, the Commission defines a penny stock as any equity security not traded on an exchange or quoted on NASDAQ that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. The required penny stock disclosures include the delivery, prior to any transaction, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated with it. Such requirements could severely limit the market liquidity of the securities and the ability of purchasers to sell their securities in the secondary market.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Item 2. Properties.
We do not currently own any real property. We currently lease approximately 375 feet of office space with access to common areas located at 33 S. Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101 on a lease that expires on June 30, 2012. The base rent for this facility is $557 per month.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and IssuerPurchases of Equity Securities.
There is no current established U.S. trading market for our common stock.
Our common shares are issued in registered form. The registrar and transfer agent for our shares is:
Worldwide Stock Transfer, LLC
433 Hackensack Ave - Level L
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table includes the information as of the end of 2011 for our equity compensation plans:
Plan category
securities to
be issued upon
of outstanding
options,
warrants and rights
Weighted-
exercise price of
warrants and
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (2)
Consists of our 2010 Stock Plan (the "2010 Plan"). See Note 4 —"Stock Option Plan and Stock-Based Compensation" of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company's stockholders approved the 2010 Plan by written consent on June 16, 2010.
Consists of our 2011 Non-Qualified Stock Plan (the "2011 Plan"). See Note 4 —"Stock Option Plan and Stock-Based Compensation" of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The 2011 Plan has not been presented to the Company's stockholders for their consent.
As of March 25, 2012, there were 1675 holders of record of our common stock. The number of record holders does not include persons, if any, who hold our common stock in nominee or "street name" accounts through brokers.
We have not declared any dividends since incorporation and do not anticipate that we will do so in the foreseeable future. Our intention is to retain future earnings for use in our operations and the expansion of our business.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we made the following sales of unregistered securities that have not previously been reported on a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in a Current Report on Form 8-K. On November 1, 2011, we issued 80,500 shares of our common stock to a consultant for Public Relations services rendered to the Company. On December 22, 2011, we issued 10,000 shares of our common stock to a consultant for consulting services rendered to the Company. Each of the issuances was made in reliance upon the exemption from registration afforded by Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In connection with the sale of these securities, the Company relied on each of the recipient's written representations that it was an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf offered or sold these securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising. As the shares were issued for services, we received no cash proceeds for the issuance of the shares. At the time of their issuance, the shares were deemed to be restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act, and the certificates representing the securities bear legends to that effect. The securities may not be resold or offered in the United States without registration or an exemption from registration.
Repurchase of Equity Securities
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Item 6 is not applicable to us because we are a smaller reporting company.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis is based on, and should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors. These statements are often identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," or "continue," and similar expressions or variations. Actual results could differ materially because of the factors discussed in "Risk Factors" elsewhere in this Form 10-K, and other factors that we may not know.
Our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and founder contributed a provisional patent, a patent and know-how to the Company. In accordance with ASC 845-1-S99, Transfers of Non-Monetary Assets from Promoters or Shareholders, the transfer of non-monetary assets to a company by its shareholders in exchange for stock prior to the Company's initial public offering should be recorded at the transferor's historical cost basis determined under GAAP. Because no records exist to support a historical cost basis in accordance with GAAP, the patent, provisional patent and know-how were valued at the CEO's historical cost basis of zero.
On November 10, 2010, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Boston Therapeutics, Inc. ("BTI"). BTI was in the business of developing, manufacturing and selling, among other things, dietary supplements including its initial product, SUGARDOWN®, a complex carbohydrate based dietary supplement based upon BTI's proprietary processes and technology. SUGARDOWN® is currently in the initial stage of market introduction, and in June 2011 we entered into an agreement with Advance Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to develop markets in Hong Kong, China and Macau for SUGARDOWN®. We believe that SUGARDOWN® has significant revenue and positive cash flow potential.
We issued 4,000,000 shares of common stock to the stockholders of BTI in exchange for all the outstanding common stock of BTI, and the Company's name was changed to Boston Therapeutics, Inc. The CEO is also a founder of BTI and was a 10% shareholder of BTI at the time of the merger. A valuation of the Company's common stock was performed resulting in a fair value per share of $0.2466. Based on the 4,000,000 shares of common stock issued for BTI the total consideration was valued at $986,400. However, because the Company's CEO was a 10% shareholder of BTI, 10% of BTI was valued at his historical cost basis and 90% of Target was valued at fair value.
We must raise new capital to continue our business operations and intend to use the provisional patent, patent and know-how contributed by our CEO and the assets acquired from BTI (as described in Notes 1 and 7 to the audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K) to raise capital. Our CEO intends to provide minimal cash to fund critical needs until shares are sold to raise capital. We anticipate the need for approximately $2,000,000 in additional funding to support the planned expansion of our operations over the next approximately 12 months. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in raising additional funds.
Year ended December 31, 2011
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $4,112 compared to $428 in the prior year, an increase of $3,684 primarily because SUGARDOWN® was sold for a full year. Cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $6,375 compared to $398 in the prior year, an increase of $5,977 primarily due to a full year of cost for a fulfillment operation and expensing of expired raw materials of $1,667.
Research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $194,276 compared to $10,772 in the prior year, an increase of $183,504. Amortization of the intangible asset of SUGARDOWN® represented $53,000 of the increase due to a full year of amortization with the costs associated with clinical trials of SUGARDOWN® representing the remaining $130,000.
Sales and marketing expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $206,517 compared to $3,676 in the prior year, an increase of $202,841. Marketing and promotion costs represented $65,000 of the increase with stock—based compensation representing the remaining $137,000.
General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $408,454 compared to $226,790 in the prior year, an increase of $181,664 or 80%. General and administrative expense consists primarily of legal and accounting fees associated with the filings with the SEC and the preparation of financial statements for the Company. Legal and accounting fees represented $90,000 of the increase. The balance of the increase is attributable to payroll, stock-based compensation, travel and product liability insurance.
As of December 31, 2011, we had cash of $225,995 and accounts payable and accrued expenses of $467,189.
We have received minimal revenues from our acquisition of the SUGARDOWN® product. Without substantial revenue and known, adequate and available financing, there is uncertainty regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Management has plans to seek additional capital through private placements and public offerings of its common stock. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in accomplishing its objectives. Without such additional capital, the Company may be required to cease operations.
Our CEO intends to continue to provide minimal cash to fund critical needs until shares are sold to raise capital.
Our CEO also contributed a provisional patent, a patent and know-how to the Company. We intend to use these assets and SUGARDOWN® and the other assets acquired from our merger with BTI to raise the additional capital required to fund operations.
Other than our CEO's intention to provide minimal cash, we have no current commitment from our officers and directors or any of our shareholders, to supplement our operations or provide us with financing in the future. Although our CEO intends to provide us with minimal cash to fund critical needs until we are able to raise additional capital from an offering of securities but there is no guarantee that he will do so or will do so for any extended period of time. If we are unable to raise additional capital from conventional sources and/or additional sales of stock in the future, we may be forced to curtail or cease our operations. Even if we are able to continue our operations, the failure to obtain financing could have a substantial adverse effect on our business and financial results. In the future, we may be required to seek additional capital by selling debt or equity securities, and we may be required to cease operations, or otherwise be required to bring cash flows in balance when we approach a condition of cash insufficiency. The sale of additional equity or debt securities, if accomplished, may result in dilution to our then shareholders. We provide no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 7A is not applicable to us because we are a smaller reporting company.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements listed in Item 15(a) are incorporated herein by reference and are filed under this Item 8 as a part of this report and follow the signature pages to this Annual Report on Form 10-K on page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
Item 9A.Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), the Company carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ("CEO/CFO") (the Company's principal financial and accounting officer), of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company's CEO/CFO concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the Company's CEO/CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). Based on the evaluation performed, our management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC adopted as of September 21, 2010 that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
The Company's management, including the Company's CEO/CFO, does not expect that the Company's internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate
Item 9B. Other Information.
Item 10. Directors, Executive and Corporate Governance.
Set forth below is information regarding our current directors. Except as set forth below, there are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers. Each director holds his office until he resigns or is removed and his successor is elected and qualified.
Term as a Director
David Platt, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer Treasurer and Chairman
August 2009 to the Present
Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr.
President and Director
November 2010 to the Present
Dale H. Conaway, D.V.M.
September 2009 to the Present
Rom E. Eliaz
Henry J. Esber, Ph.D.
December 2011 to the Present
Carl L. Lueders
David Platt, Ph.D. is our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chairman. He also served as our President from the inception of the Company in August 2009 through November 2010. From 2001 to February 2009, Dr. Platt was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a public company with shares traded on the OTCBB that he co-founded and for which he was the co-developer of their core technology. From 1995 to 2000, Dr. Platt was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SafeScience Inc., a company he founded. From 1992 to 1995, Dr. Platt was the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and a founder of International Gene Group, Inc., the predecessor company to SafeScience. Dr. Platt received a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1988 from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 1989, Dr. Platt was a research fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, and from 1989 to 1991, was a research fellow at the Michigan Foundation (re-named Barbara Ann Karmanos Institute). From 1991 to 1992, Dr. Platt was a research scientist with the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Platt has published peer-reviewed articles and holds many patents, primarily in the field of carbohydrate chemistry.
Kenneth A Tassey Jr. is our President and a Director of the Company since November 2010, was President, CEO and co-founder of Boston Therapeutics, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation, from June 2009 until its acquisition by the Company in November 2010. From March 2007 thru March 2009 Mr. Tassey was President of TKCI, a consultant for commercial finance projects. From March 2005 thru June 2007 Mr. Tassey was President of Liberty Shore LLC, a consultant to businesses and commercial and residential lenders.
Dale H. Conaway, D.V.M., a Director of the Company since September 2009, is the Chief Veterinary Medical Officer for the Office of Research Oversight, an office within the Veterans Health Administration under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Conaway was the Deputy Regional Director (Southern Region). From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Conaway served as Manager of the Equine Drug Testing and Animal Disease Surveillance Laboratories for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. From 1994 to 1998, he was Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Michigan Department of Public Health Vaccine Production Division. Dr. Conaway received a D.V.M. degree from Tuskegee Institute and an M.S. degree in pathology from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University.
Dr. Rom E. Eliaz, Ph.D., MBA, a Director of the Company since September 2009, has been a President and CEO of JJ Pharma Inc. since September 2009. He has also been CEO and Managing Director of Elrom Ventures Corp. since May 2007 and a strategic partner in The Colmen Group since June 2009. From January 2007 to October 2007 Dr. Eliaz was a Senior Director of Development at Intradigm Corp. From March 2004 to December 2006 Dr. Eliaz was a Director of Development at Pfizer Inc. (Rinat Neuroscience)
Henry J. Esber, Ph.D., a Director of the Company since December 2011, has been a Principal in Esber D&D consulting since 2005. From 2003 to 2005, Dr. Esber was a Senior Consultant, Business Development at Charles River Labs, Discovery and Development Services. From 2005 to 2006, Dr. Esber was a consultant and from 2006, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Bio-Quant which he had co-founded. Dr. Esber was also the co-founder of BioSignature Diagnostics, Inc. and Advanced Drug Delivery, Inc. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of several biotechnology companies and is the author of more than 130 technical publications. Dr. Esber has more than 35 years of experience in the areas of oncology/tumor immunology and immunotherapy as well as strong knowledge in the field of toxicology and regulatory affairs. Dr. Esber received a B.S. degree in biology/pre-med from the College of William and Mary, an M.S. degree in public health and parasitology from the University of North Carolina, and a Ph.D. in immunology/microbiology from West Virginia University Medical Center. Dr. Esber was previously a Director of the Company from September 2009 through December 2010.
Carl L. Lueders, a Director of the Company since September 2009, has a broad range of experience in finance, operations, short- and long-term planning, forecasting, performance measurement, SEC reporting, and controls. Since 2008 he has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Micronetics, Inc. a manufacturer of microwave and radio frequency products for commercial wireless, defense and aerospace products. Prior to that he was CFO for Pro-Pharmaceuticals and before that CFO for R.F. Morse & Son, a privately held agri-based company. Prior to that Mr. Lueders spent 22 years with publicly held Polaroid in various finance positions, including Vice President and Controller, Treasurer and acting Chief Financial Officer. Polaroid filed for bankruptcy in the fall of 2001. Mr. Lueders is a CPA and received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his M.B.A. from Babson College.
Our Directors are elected annually and each holds office until the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Our officers, including any officers we may elect moving forward, will hold their positions at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, absent any employment agreement. In the event we employ any additional officers or directors of the Company, they may receive compensation as determined by the Company from time to time by vote of the Board of Directors. Vacancies in the Board will be filled by majority vote of the remaining directors or in the event that our sole Director vacates his position, by our majority shareholders. Our Directors may be reimbursed by the Company for expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors.
Set forth below is information regarding our current executive officers. Except as set forth below, there are no family relationships between any of our executive officers and our directors. Executive officers are elected annually by our Board of Directors. Each executive officer holds his office until he resigns or is removed by the Board or his successor is elected and qualified.
Term as a Officer
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chairman
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Additional information regarding David Platt and Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr. is set forth above under the caption "Directors".
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
For the year ended December 31, 2011, our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our shares of Common Stock were not required to comply with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act because we did not have a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. In January 2012 we registered our common stock under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, thus making our directors, executive officers and the holders of more than 10% of our shares of Common Stock subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
A code of business conduct and ethics is a written standard designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote (a) honest and ethical conduct, (b) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in regulatory filings and public statements, (c) compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, (d) the prompt reporting violation of the code and (e) accountability for adherence to the code. We are not currently subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring that we adopt a code of ethics; however, we intend to adopt one in the near future.
Board of Directors Independence
Our Board of Directors consists of five members. We are not currently subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring that all or any portion of our Board of Directors include "independent" directors. Four of the members of the Board of Directors, Dale H. Conaway, D.V.M., Rom E. Eliaz, Henry J. Esber and Carl Lueders, are "independent" as defined in Section 4200(a)(15) of NASDAQ Stock Market Rules.
We have established an audit committee, which members are comprised of Carl Lueders, Dale Conaway and Henry Esber. Mr. Lueders serves as the chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee is primarily responsible for reviewing the services performed by our independent auditors and evaluating our accounting policies and our system of internal controls. Mr. Lueders serves as our "audit committee financial expert." The Company believes that while the members of the committee are collectively capable of analyzing and evaluating financial statements and understanding internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls procedures, the Board of Directors has determined that only Mr. Lueders qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" who is "independent" as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Company has established a nominating and corporate governance committee, which members are comprised of Henry Esber, Dale Conaway, and Carl Lueders. Mr. Esber acts as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The functions of the nominating and corporate governance committee include the following:
identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors individuals qualified to serve as members of our Board of Directors and on the committees of the Board;
advising the Board with respect to matters of Board composition, procedures and committees;
developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to us and overseeing corporate governance matters generally including review of possible conflicts and transactions with persons affiliated with directors or members of management; and
overseeing the annual evaluation of the Board and our management.
Compensation Committee.
The Company has established a compensation committee, which members are comprised of Carl Lueders, Dale Conaway and Henry Esber. Mr. Lueders serves as the chairman of the compensation committee. The compensation committee is primarily responsible for overseeing and administering our compensation plans and executive compensation matters.
The Board of Directors established each of the above-referenced committees in December 2011. The Board is in the process of preparing charters for the committees but none of the committees currently has a formal charter.
Compensation Committee Interlocks And Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee of the Board is comprised of Messrs. Lueders (chair), Conaway and Esber, each a non-employee director of the Company. None of our executive officers serves on the Compensation Committee or board of directors of any other company of which any members of our Compensation Committee or any of our directors is an executive officer.
Audit Committee Report Regarding Audited Financial Statements
The Audit Committee of the Board is composed of three directors, all of whom are "independent" as defined in Section 4200(a)(15) of NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. The Audit Committee has prepared the following report on its activities with respect to the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (the "Audited Financial Statements").
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company's Audited Financial Statements with management;
The Audit Committee discussed with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP ("McGladrey"), the Company's independent auditors for fiscal 2011, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Audit Committee in Rule 3200T;
The Audit Committee received from the independent auditors the written disclosures regarding auditor independence, discussed with McGladrey its independence from the Company and its management, and considered whether McGladrey's provision of non-audit services to the Company was compatible with the auditor's independence; and
Based on the review and discussion referred to above, and in reliance thereon, the Audit Committee determined that the Audited Financial Statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, for filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
All members of the Audit Committee concur in this report.
Audit Committee:
Carl Lueders (Chairman)
Henry J. Esber
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to (i) all individuals serving as the Company's principal executive officer or acting in a similar capacity during the last two completed fiscal years, regardless of compensation level, and (ii) the Company's two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officers serving at the end of the last two completed fiscal years (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"). The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer and to the Company's President since the Company's inception (August 24, 2009), regardless of compensation level. The Company's chief executive officer and Chief Financial Officer and the Company's President are the only officers of the Company for whom compensation disclosure is required pursuant to instruction 1 to Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position
David Platt, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr., President(1)
(1) Mr. Tassey became President of the Company in November 2010. Dr. Platt served as president prior to that time.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
There were no equity or non-equity awards granted to the Named Executive Officers in 2011.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2011
There were no outstanding unvested stock options held by the Company's Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2011.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2011
Our Named Executive Officers did not exercise any stock options or have any stock awards vest during fiscal year 2011.
All compensation, if any, paid to our employee directors is set forth in the tables summarizing executive officer compensation above. For the 2011 fiscal year, non-employee directors were not entitled to receive, and did not receive, any stock options or other forms of compensation and there are currently no agreements in effect entitling them to compensation.
In August 2011, Mr. Tassey entered into an employment contract with the Company, pursuant to which he is engaged to serve in the position set forth below. The employment contract sets forth the officer's annual salary, hours of work and other terms. The terms of the employment contract include the following:
Monthly Wage
August 11, 2011 through December 31, 2012
President and Chief Operating Officer
The employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Tassey provides for the lump-sum payment of 50% of Mr. Tassey's annual salary then in effect in the event the agreement is terminated by the Company without cause other than as a result of the death or disability, which would result in a payment of $18,000 to Mr. Tassey based on his current salary level. In the event of the termination of the agreement as a result of Mr. Tassey's death or disability, he or his estate is entitled to receive payment of his salary for the balance of the month in which such termination occurs, which would result in a payment of no more than $3,000 to Mr. Tassey based on his current salary level. In both instances, Mr. Tassey is entitled to receive any unpaid non-discretionary bonus for the year prior to the year in which the termination occurs
The employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Tassey further entitles Mr. Tassey to receive benefits on the same basis as employee benefits are generally made available to other senior executives of the Company, including among other items, health, life and disability insurance and participation in any non-discretionary executive bonus or similar plans.
The employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Tassey provides that if he is terminated without cause within 6 months after a change of control he is entitled to receive the lump-sum payment of 50% of Mr. Tassey's annual salary then in effect in the event the agreement is terminated by the Company without cause other than as a result of the death or disability , which would result in a payment of $18,000 to Mr. Tassey based on his current salary level. There are no material terms of the contract that provide for payments in connection with the resignation, retirement or other termination of Mr. Tassey or in connection with a change of control
Other than the agreement with Mr. Tassey described above, there are currently no employment or consulting contracts between the Company and its Named Executive Officers or directors. There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for Named Executive Officers or directors. Our Named Executive Officers and directors may receive stock options at the discretion of our board of directors in the future. We do not have any material bonus or profit sharing plans pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation is or may be paid to our Named Executive Officers or directors, except that stock options may be granted at the discretion of our board of directors from time to time.
Other than the agreement with Mr. Tassey described above, there are no arrangements between the Company and the Named Executive Officers that provide for payments in connection with the resignation, retirement or other termination of a Named Executive Officer or in connection with a change of control or any other arrangements with any Named Executive Officer with respect to termination of employment or change of control transactions.
Compensation Risk Assessment
We recently formed a Compensation Committee. Prior to the formation of the committee, compensation decisions, including the contract with Mr. Tassey described above, were made by the full Board. In setting compensation, the Compensation Committee considers (and the Board previously considered) the risks to the Company's stockholders and to achievement of its goals that may be inherent in its compensation programs. The Compensation Committee (and the Board previously) reviewed and discussed its assessment with management and outside legal counsel and concluded that the Company's compensation programs are within industry standards and are designed with the appropriate balance of risk and reward to align employees' interests with those of the Company and do not incent employees to take unnecessary or excessive risks. We believe our compensation plans are appropriately structured and are not reasonably likely to result in a material adverse effect on the Company.]
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
reflected in column (a) )
Consists of our 2010 Stock Plan (the "2010 Plan"). See Note 4—"Stock Option Plan and Stock-Based Compensation" of the Notes to the Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company's stockholders approved the 2010 Plan by written consent on June 16, 2010.
Security Ownership of Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 25, 2012 with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Company's common stock by (i) each person or group known to us, to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of such stock (as we do not have a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, holders of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock are not currently required to file Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G with the Securities and Exchange Commission), (ii) each director; (iii) each of our executive officers named in the summary compensation table under "Director and Executive Compensation" currently serving as an executive officer; and (iv) the executive officers and directors as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have (i) sole voting power and investment power with respect to their shares of common stock (the only class of outstanding stock), except to the extent that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law, and (ii) record and beneficial ownership with respect to their shares of stock. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon 16,223,206 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 25, 2012. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Percent of Class (1)
David Platt (2)**
8,601,600(3)
Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr.(2)**
Offer Binder
Via Armand Fedeli 121
Perugia PG 06132
Dale H. Conaway, D.V.M.(2)**
*%
Rom E. Eliaz(2)**
Henry J. Esber(2)**
Carl L. Lueders(2)**
All Officers and Directors as a Group (6 persons)
* Less than 1%
** Directors and Officers
The percentage shown in the table is based on 16,223,206 shares of Common Stock outstanding on March 25, 2012.
The business address for these individuals is 33 South Commercial Street Manchester, NH 03101.
Includes 520,000 shares owned by Dr. Platt's wife.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
During the last two fiscal years, we have not entered into any material transactions or series of transactions that would be considered material in which any officer, director or beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of any of the preceding persons, had a direct or indirect material interest. There are no transactions presently proposed, except as follows:
Between July 3, 2009 and May 12, 2011, David Platt, the Company's CEO and CFO loaned an aggregate of $257,820 to the Company and BTI to fund start-up costs and current operations of the Company and BTI pursuant to a series of unsecured promissory notes. The Company assumed BTI's obligations on the notes issued by BTI to Dr. Platt when BTI merged into the Company in November 2009. The notes carry interest at 6.5%. The notes initially became due and payable at various times between March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2012. On January 16, 2012, the maturity dates of each of the notes were amended to June 29, 2013.
On November 10, 2010, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Boston Therapeutics, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation ("BTI") providing for the merger of BTI into the Company with the Company being the surviving entity (the "Merger"), the issuance by the Company of 4,000,000 shares of common stock to the stockholders of BTI in exchange for 100% of the outstanding common stock of BTI, and the change of the Company's name to Boston Therapeutics, Inc. David Platt is a founder of BTI and was a director and minority stockholder of BTI at the time of the Merger. Dr. Platt received 400,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger. Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr., who became our President shortly after the Merger, was the President and principal stockholder of BTI at the time of the Merger. Mr. Tassey received 3,200,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger. The Company did not obtain an independent valuation of BTI prior to the Merger. The Company determined the aggregate consideration for the Merger based on an assessment of the technology owned by BTI, including the rights to SUGARDOWN®, and of the potential revenues that could be derived from such technology.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP ("McGladrey") is our independent registered public accounting firm engaged to examine our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Caturano and Company, Inc. (formerly Caturano and Company, P.C.) ("Caturano") was our independent accounting firm for the period from our inception (August 24, 2009) through December 31, 2009. On July 21, 2010, the Company was notified that effective July 20, 2010, McGladrey acquired certain assets of Caturano, and substantially all of the officers and employees of Caturano joined McGladrey. As a result, on October 26, 2010, Caturano resigned as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company. As the Board of Directors did not then have a separate Audit Committee, the Board then selected McGladrey as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
During the Company's most two recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and through March 25, 2012, the Company did not consult with McGladrey on (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that may be rendered on the Company's financial statements, and McGladrey did not provide either a written report or oral advice to the Company that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) the subject of any disagreement, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions, or a reportable event within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The table below shows the fees that we paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by McGladrey for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Fee Category
$ 73,645 70,847 *
Audit-Related Fees
$ 12,246 18,900
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
*Includes fees paid for services for audit and other services provided by our prior independent accounting firm Caturano and Company, Inc. (formerly Caturano and Company, P.C.) ("Caturano") for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 prior to their resignation on October 26, 2010. On July 21, 2010, the Company was notified that effective July 20, 2010, McGladrey acquired certain assets of Caturano, and substantially all of the officers and employees of Caturano joined McGladrey, resulting in Caturano's resignation.
This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in our annual and quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firms in connection with engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements.
This category consists of assurance and related services by the independent registered public accounting firms that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under "Audit Fees". The services for the fees disclosed under this category include services relating to our registration statement and consultation regarding our correspondence with the SEC.
This category consists of professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax advice.
This category consists of fees for other miscellaneous items.
Pre-Approved Services
The Audit Committee requires pre-approval of audit, audit-related and tax services to be performed by the independent auditors. As the Audit Committee was not established until December 2011, the services, as described above, were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee but were approved by the Board as a whole pursuant to Section 3(a)(58) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee approved the audit, audit-related and tax services to be performed by independent auditors and tax professionals in 2012.
The Audit Committee has not expressly adopted rules permitting the Audit Committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services nor has the Audit Committee actually delegated such authority to its members. To the extent it elects to do so in the future, the Board expects that such delegation will be subject to the requirement that the decisions of any Audit Committee member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) Financial Statements
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements commencing on Page 1F.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All supplemental schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(b) Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-164785) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-164785) filed with the SEC on February 8, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Technology Assignment Agreement dated as of August 24, 2009 by and between the Company and David Platt (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-164785) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Avanyx Therapeutics, Inc. 2010 Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-164785) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Promissory Note dated as of February 9, 2010 issued by the Company to David Platt (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-164785) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 10, 2010 by and among Avanyx Therapeutics, Inc. and Boston Therapeutics, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 18, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Certificate of Merger (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 18, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference)
Form of Subscription Agreement dated June 21, 2011, among Boston Therapeutics, Inc. and the Investors named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
License and Manufacturing Agreement between Boston Therapeutics, Inc. and Advance Pharmaceutical Company Limited effective as of June 24, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 15, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)*
Employment Agreement between Boston Therapeutics, Inc. and Ken Tassey dated as of August 11, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 15, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference)
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and Rule 15d-14(a), promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended**
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and Rule 15d 14(a), promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended**
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer)***
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer)***
The following financial statements from this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Boston Therapeutics, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2011 formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Statements of Operations , (iii) Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (iv) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited), tagged as blocks of text.*
* Certain parts of this document have been omitted based on a confidential treatment approved by the SEC. The non-public information that has been omitted from this document has been separately filed with the SEC. Each redacted portion of this document is indicated by a "[***]". The redacted information is confidential information to the Registrant.
**Filed as an exhibit hereto.
***These certificates are furnished to, but shall not be deemed to be filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Director, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer))
/s/ Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr.
/s/ Dale H. Conaway, D.V.M.
/s/ Rom E. Eliaz
/s/ Henry J. Esber
/s/ Carl L. Lueders
For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and Period from Inception (August 24, 2009) to December 31, 2011
C O N T E N T S
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
Financial Statements:
Statements of Operations
Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Statements of Cash Flows
9-23F
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and stockholders of
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Boston Therapeutics, Inc. (a development stage company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from inception (August 24, 2009) to December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The financial statements for the period from inception (August 24, 2009) to December 31, 2009 were audited by other auditors and our opinion, insofar as it rates to cumulative amounts included for such prior periods, is based solely on the report of other such auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Boston Therapeutics, Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from inception (August 24, 2009) to December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company's limited resources and operating history, as well as operating losses raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Boston Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Avanyx Therapeutics, Inc.)
We have audited the statement of operations, changes in stockholders' deficit and cash flows of Boston Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly Avanyx Therapeutics, Inc.) (a development stage company) for the period from August 24, 2009 (date of inception) to December 31, 2009 (not separately presented herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Boston Therapeutics, Inc. for the period from August 24, 2009 (date of inception) to December 31, 2009 (not separately presented herein) in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ CATURANO AND COMPANY, INC.
December 31, 2011 and 2010
Inventory, net
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 16,223,206 and 14,041,236 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively
(1,213,284 ) (386,116 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
For the Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
and the Periods from Inception (August 24, 2009) through December 31, 2011
Period From Inception (August 24, 2009) to December 31, 2011
$ 4,112 $ 428 $ 4,540
6,375 398 6,773
(2,263 ) 30 (2,233 )
206,517 3,676 210,193
408,454 226,790 772,138
809,247 241,238 1,187,379
(811,510 ) (241,208 ) (1,189,612 )
15,658 7,087 23,672
$ (827,168 ) $ (248,295 ) $ (1,213,284 )
$ (0.05 ) $ (0.02 )
Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted
Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Deficit Accumulated
During the
Stockholders'
Equity (Deficit)
Inception, August 24, 2009
- $ - $ - $ - $ -
Issuance of common stock
10,000,000 10,000 - - 10,000
- - - (137,821 ) (137,821 )
Balance, December 31, 2009
10,000,000 10,000 - (137,821 ) (127,821 )
41,236 41 31,195 - 31,236
- - 122 - 122
Issuance of common stock to acquire Boston Therapeutics, Inc.
(See Note 7)
4,000,000 4,000 874,647 - 878,647
14,041,236 14,041 905,964 (386,116 ) 533,889
Issuance of common stock in exchange for consulting services
- - 149,727 - 149,727
Balance, December 31 , 2011
16,223,206 $ 16,223 $ 1,621,756 $ (1,213,284 ) $ 424,695
The Year Ended December 31, 2011
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash
149,727 122 149,849
Issuance of common stock in exchange for
(19,447 ) 221 (19,226 )
(3,603 ) 1,189 (2,414 )
(97,196 ) 121,416 78,497
(392,195 ) (116,970 ) (544,455 )
Net cash acquired in acquisition of
- 8,397 8,397
Proceeds from issuance of common stock - related party
$ - $ - $ -
1. GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
Boston Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") was formed as a Delaware corporation on August 24, 2009 under the name Avanyx Therapeutics, Inc. On November 10, 2010, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Boston Therapeutics, Inc., a New Hampshire corporation ("Target") providing for the merger of Target into the Company with the Company being the surviving entity (the "Merger"), the issuance by the Company of 4,000,000 shares of common stock to the stockholders of Target in exchange for 100% of the outstanding common stock of Target, and the change of the Company's name to Boston Therapeutics, Inc. David Platt, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is a founder of Target and was a director and minority stockholder of Target at the time of the Merger. Dr. Platt received 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock in connection with the Merger. Kenneth A. Tassey, Jr., who became the Company's President shortly after the Merger, was the Chief Executive Officer, President and principal stockholder of Target at the time of the Merger. Mr. Tassey received 3,200,000 shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger.
The Company's primary business is the development, manufacture and commercialization of therapeutic drugs and dietary supplements with a focus on glyco-pathology, a specialized field involving understanding the importance of carbohydrates in biochemistry and progression of diseases. We are currently focusing on three products: IPOXYN™, an injectable anti-hypoxia drug that we are currently developing, PAZ320, a non-systemic, chewable drug candidate for reduction of blood glucose in diabetics currently in development and SUGARDOWN®, a complex carbohydrate-based chewable dietary supplement that we are currently marketing.
The Company has minimal operations and is considered to be in the development stage as of December 31, 2011.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company is a recently formed entity with limited resources and operating history. As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company has incurred net losses of $1,213,284 for the period from August 24, 2009 (inception) to December 31, 2011 and has negative working capital of $212,267 as of December 31, 2011. The future of the Company is dependent upon its ability to obtain financing and upon future profitable operations from the development of its new business opportunities.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepting in the United States of America ("US GAAP").
Segment Information
Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate, discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business as one operating segment.
The Company maintains its cash in institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The Company generates revenues from sales of SUGARDOWN®. Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, the price is fixed and determinable, the product is shipped and collectability is reasonably assured.
Revenue is recognized as product is shipped from an outside fulfillment operation. Terms of product sales contain no contractual rights of return or multiple elements. In practice, the Company has not experienced or granted returns of product. Shipping fees charged to customers are included in revenue and shipping costs are included in costs of sales.
Inventory consists of raw materials and finished goods of SUGARDOWN®. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market, not in excess of net realizable value. The Company adjusts the carrying value of its inventory for excess and obselete inventory. This adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $1,667 and $0, respectively. The Company continues to monitor the valuation of its inventories.
Goodwill…continued
The Company tests goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The test is based on a comparison of the reporting unit's book value to its estimated fair value. The Company has concluded that no impairment existed at the 2011 testing date. A considerable amount of judgment is required in calculating this impairment analysis, principally in determining financial forecasts and discount rates. Differences in actual cash flows as compared to the discounted cash flows could require the Company to record an impairment loss in the future.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, which include the Company's intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets are compared to the assets' carrying values. Adjustments to fair value are made if the sum of expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than book value. To date, no adjustments for impairment have been made.
Basic net loss per share is computed based on the net loss for the period divided by the weighted average actual shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed based on the net loss for the period divided by the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during each period unless the effect of such common equivalent shares would be anti-dilutive. Common stock equivalents represent the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of certain outstanding stock options using the treasury stock method. The weighted average number of common shares for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 did not include consideration of 1,578,400 and 78,400 common stock options, respectively, because of their anti-dilutive effect.
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or be settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the gross deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and notes payable. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.
The carrying value of the notes payable as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, is not materially different from the fair value of the notes payable.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are principally cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents in highly rated financial institutions. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances with financial institutions that occasionally exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances, and management believes its credit risk to be minimal.
Stock–based compensation, including grants of employee and non-employee stock options and modifications to existing stock options, is recognized in the income statement based on the estimated fair value of the awards. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted and recognizes the compensation cost of share-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.
Stock-Based Compensation…continued
The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards utilizing the Black-Scholes model is affected by the stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The Company does not have a history of market prices of the common stock as, and as such volatility is estimated using historical volatilities of similar public entities. The expected life of the awards is estimated based on the simplified method. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the terms of our awards. The dividend yield assumption is based on history and expectation of paying no dividends. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the financial statements on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest.
The Company grants stock options to non-employee consultants from time to time in exchange for services performed for the Company. Equity instruments granted to non-employees are subject to periodic revaluation over their vesting terms. In general, the options vest over the contractual period of the respective consulting arrangement and, therefore, the Company revalues the options periodically and records additional compensation expense related to these options over the remaining vesting period.
The fair value of stock options granted was calculated with the following assumptions:
0.28-0.77%
Expected dividend yield
Expected life of option
4.75-5.0 years
3.75-4.75 years
The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, under the Black-Scholes option pricing model was $0.20 and $0.08 per share, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $149,727 and $122, respectively, in connection with share-based payment awards. As of December 31, 2011, there was $172,953 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-28, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force, modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.
ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment
This ASU gives an entity the option in its annual goodwill impairment test to first assess revised qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.
3. INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of material, labor and manufacturing overhead and are recorded at the lower of cost, using the weighted average cost method, or net realizable value.
The components of inventories at December 31, 2011 and 2010, net of inventory reserves, were as follows:
The Company periodically reviews quantities of inventory on hand and compares these amounts to expected usage of each particular product or product line. The Company records, as a charge to cost of sales, any amounts required to reduce the carrying value to net realizable value.
4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY…continued
Common Stock…continued
On March 31, 2010, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock for $10,000 cash to an investor. On April 9, 2010, the Company issued 11,236 shares of common stock in exchange for $11,236 to a related party. On October 4, 2010, the Company issued 10,000 shares for $10,000 cash to an investor. On November 6, 2010, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of common stock in connection with the merger transaction described in Note 7.
On June 21, 2011, the Company sold 2,035,470 shares for $508,867 in a private placement offering. During August 2011, an additional 56,000 shares were sold for $14,130 in the private placement. On November 1, 2011, 80,500 shares were issued to a consultant for marketing services valued at $40,250. On December 22, 2011, 10,000 shares were issued to a consultant for services rendered valued at $5,000. No other issuances of preferred or common stock have been made.
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company adopted a stock option plan entitled "The 2010 Stock Plan" (2010 Plan) under which the Company may grant options to purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2011, there were 78,400 options outstanding under the 2010 Plan.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company adopted a non-qualified stock option plan entitled "2011 Non-Qualified Stock Plan" (2011 Plan) under which the Company may grant options to purchase 2,100,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2011, there were 1,500,000 options outstanding under the 2011 Plan.
Under the terms of the stock plans, the Board of Directors shall specify the exercise price and vesting period of each stock option on the grant date. Vesting of the options is typically three to four years and the options expire ten years from the date of grant.
5. STOCK OPTION PLAN AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION...continued
The following table summarizes the activity under the Stock Plans.
Average Exercise Price
- $ - $ -
78,400 1.85 1.85
(421,237 ) 0.25 0.25
1,578,400 $ 0.10 to 1.85 $ 0.19
The following table summarizes information about stock options that are vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2011:
Vested or Expected to Vest
Exercisable Options
Contractual
Life (Years)
Exercisable
$ 0.10 1,500,000 0.10 4.75 $ 219,900 656,250 0.10 4.75 $ 96,206
1.85 78,400 1.85 3.75 - 39,200 1.85 3.75 -
$ 0.10– 1.85 1,578,400 0.19 4.70 $ 219,900 695,450 0.20 4.69 $ 96,206
The weighted-average remaining contractual life for options exercisable at December 31, 2011 is 4.70 years. At December 31, 2011 the Company has 600,000 and 4,921,600 options available for grant under the 2011 Plan and 2010 Plan, respectively.
The intrinsic value for fully vested, exercisable options was $96,206 and $0 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No actual tax benefit was realized from stock option exercises during these periods.
Since inception, the CEO has advanced $197,820 to the Company and $60,000 to Target to fund start-up costs and operations of the Company and Target. The liability for Target advances was assumed by the Company upon closing of the Merger described in Note 7. These advances had a scheduled maturity date of June 30, 2012 and carry an annual interest rate of 6.5%. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, $25,641 and $9,983 of accrued interest, respectively, is included in accrued expenses on the accompanying balance sheet. The CEO intends, but is not legally obligated, to fund the Company's operations in this manner until the Company raises sufficient capital. As discussed in Note 11, the Advances were amended subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2011 to extend the maturity dates to June 29, 2013.
7. ACQUISITION
Pursuant to the Agreement, and Plan of Merger dated November 10, 2010, between the Company and Target, the Company issued 4,000,000 shares of its common stock to the stockholders of Target in exchange for all the outstanding common stock of BTI. Under the terms of the agreement, Target merged into the Company with the Company being the surviving entity and the Company's name was changed to Boston Therapeutics, Inc.
The total consideration consisted of 4,000,000 shares of the Company in exchange for all the issued and outstanding shares of Target. The liability for Target Advances was assumed by the Company upon closing of the Merger described in Note 7. A valuation of the Company's common stock was performed resulting in a fair value per share of $0.2466. The adjusted net assets approach was selected to value the Stockholders' equity of the Company. This approach was deemed to be the most relevant method due to the lack of market transactions and a lack of available financial projections as of the valuation date. Based on the 4,000,000 shares of common stock issued for Target the total consideration was valued at $986,400. However, because the Company's CEO was a 10% shareholder of Target, 10% of Target was valued at his historical cost basis and 90% of Target was valued at its fair value of $878,647. The acquisition of Target includes SUGARDOWN®, a ready for market dietary supplement to reduce the sharp spikes in blood sugar associated with eating high carbohydrate foods. The following table summarizes the fair value assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities:
Cash $ 8,397
Inventory 4,370
Prepaid expense 2,917
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (46,819 )
Note payable shareholder (60,000 )
SUGARDOWN® technology and provisional patent 900,000
Net assets acquired 808,865
Goodwill 69,782
7. ACQUISITION…continued
The fair value of SUGARDOWN® was determined by estimating future cash flows associated with SUGARDOWN® and applying a 20% discount factor. The selected discount rate was based upon contemplating the inherent risk of the cash flows to the assets. The estimated useful life was determined to be 14 years based on the period of the associated estimated future cash flows. The fair value of the consideration exceeded the net assets acquired resulting in goodwill. The Company does not expect any of the goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
The Company's Statement of Operations includes the results of operations of Target since the date of the acquisition.
Pro Forma Combined Results (unaudited)
The following unaudited pro forma financial information represents the combined results of operations of the Company and Target as if the acquisition had happened January 1, 2010. The unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of future results or the results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2010.
For the year ended
Pro forma revenue 3,377
Pro forma net loss (352,176 )
Pro forma basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.02 )
Pro forma adjustments include increased amortization of acquired intangible assets of $53,571 for the year ended December 31, 2010.
The SUGARDOWN® technology and provisional patents, which were obtained through the acquisition of the Target in 2010 are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 14 years.
Intangible assets consist of the following:
SUGARDOWN® technology and provisional patents
(75,000 ) (10,714 )
8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS…continued
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $64,286 and $10,714, respectively.
The estimated remaining amortization expense related to intangible assets with finite lives for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows:
Year ending December 31:
2012 $ 64,286
Thereafter 503,570
9. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Temporary differences that give rise to significant deferred tax assets are as follows:
Start-up costs
Net operating loss carryforward | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,518 |
Yacht Search
We are considering a crewed yacht charter vacation in:
Select LocationAlaskaAntarcticaArcticAustraliaBahamasCaliforniaCaribbean LeewardsCaribbean Virgin IslandsCaribbean WindwardsCentral AmericaCroatiaCubaDubaiFloridaFrench PolynesiaGalapagosGreat LakesGreeceIndian Ocean and SE AsiaMexicoNew EnglandNew ZealandNorthern EuropePacific NWRed SeaSouth AmericaSouth China SeaSouth PacificTurkeyUnited Arab EmiratesW. Med - Spain/BalearicsW. Med -Naples/SicilyW. Med -Riviera/Cors/Sard.
The total number of Guests in our group will be:
The type of yacht we are thinking of chartering is:
Select Yacht Type All All Power Yachts All - Sailing Yachts Sail - Catamarans/Trimarans Sail - Monohulls Motor Sailers
Date Beginning: --- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 ---------- January February March April May June July August September October November December ---- 2016201720182019
Date Ending: --- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 ---------- January February March April May June July August September October November December ---- 2016201720182019
Our group's budget is approximately Select Budget 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 70,000 90,000 120,000 150,000+ to charter the entire yacht for one full week (7 nights, 8 days). Majority of our yachts, especially smaller sailing and power yachts, offer all inclusive rates that includes all food, beverages and activities offered onboard. Majority of the larger motor yachts operates on a "plus all expenses basis". All of our yachts are fully crewed with captain & crew.
Charter Caribe © 2023. Privacy Policy | {'redpajama_set_name': 'RedPajamaCommonCrawl'} | 9,519 |