text:
Whitley Lectures 1996-2010 now online
ByRob June 8, 2018 June 8, 2018
What are the Whitley Lectures?
The Whitley Lecture was first established in 1949 in honour of W.T. Whitley (1861–1947), the Baptist minister and historian. Following a pastorate in Bridlington, during which he also taught at Rawdon College in Yorkshire, Whitley became the first Principal of the Baptist College of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, in 1891. This institution was later renamed Whitley College in his honour.
Whitley was a key figure in the formation of the Baptist Historical Society in 1908. He edited its journal, which soon gained an international reputation for the quality of its contents – a reputation it still enjoys nearly a century later as the Baptist Quarterly. His A History of British Baptists (London: Charles Griffin, 1923) remains an important source of information and comment for contemporary historians. Altogether he made an important contribution to Baptist life and self-understanding in Britain and Australia, providing a model of how a pastor-scholar might enrich the life and faith of others.
The establishment of the annual lecture in his name is designed as an encouragement to research and writing by Baptist scholars, and to enable the results of this work to be published. The giving of grants, advice and other forms of support by the Lectureship Committee serves the same purpose. The committee consists of representatives of the British Baptist Colleges, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, BMS World Mission, the Baptist Ministers' Fellowship and the Baptist Historical Society. These organizations also provide financial support for its work.
Why are Some of These Lectures On-line?
The Committee of the Whitley Trust have approached Theology on the Web and asked that the lectures given between 1996 and 2010 be made available for free access.
What Subjects Have the Lectures Covered?
The Whitley lectures have covered a broad range of subjects including Baptist ministry, mission, pluralism, women's ministry, worship, eschatology and the environment.
What About the Earlier Lectures?
There is no complete list of the lectures that took place between 1949 and 1995 that I know of. However, some of them are available as books, some of which are still in print:
1951-52. Harold Henry Rowley [1890-1969], The Unity of the Unity. Whitley lectures; 1951-52. London: Carey Kingsgate, 1953.
1952. Laurence Henry Marshall, Rivals of the Christian Faith. W. T. Whitley Lectures For 1952. London: Carey Newgate Press, 1952. pp.142.
1959-1960. George Raymond Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament, 2nd edn. Exeter: Paternoster Press, 1979.
1960. Douglas Galloway Stewart, The Ark of God. Studies in five modern novelists, James Joyce, Aldous Huxley, Graham Greene, Rose Macaulay, Joyce Cary. W. T. Whitley Lectures for 1960. London: Carey Kingsgate Press 1961. pp.158.
1961. Arthur Bamford Cardtree, The Restored Relationship. A study in justification and reconciliation. W. T. Whitley Lectures for 1961. London : Carey Kingsgate Press 1963. Pp.208.
1962. Joseph Bright Skemp, The Greeks and the Gospel. (Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1. 22-24). W.T. Whitley lectures for 1962. London: Carey Kingsgate Press, 1963.
1963. S.F. Winward, The Reformation of Our Worship. W.T. Whitley Lectures for 1963. London: Carey Kingsgate Press 1964 pp.126.
1970-71. William Donald Hudson, A philosophical Approach to Religion. Whitley lectures; 1970-1971. London: Macmillan, 1974. ISBN: 0333155599. pp.200.
Where can I download the lectures?
The Second Series of Whitley Lectures can be accessed here.
Do You Have Other Denominational Material Available?
Theology on the Web hosts a growing archive of United Kingdom denominational publications, much of it unavailable elsewhere. See the links below for details:
United Reformed Church
I am always happy to discuss the possibility of adding more journals to the archive. Contact me if you are interested.
Commentary on Philippians by Alfred Plummer
Open Access Digital Library launched
Biblical Studies | James | Series: Westminster Commentaries
Westminster Commentary on James – Richard John Knowling
This is an exegetical commentary on the Letter of James by Richard John Knowling, Professor of New Testament at King's College, London. My thanks to Book Aid for making a copy of this public domain book available for digitisation. Richard John Knowling [1851-1919], St James with an Introduction and Notes. Westminster Commentaries. London: Methuen &…
Biblical Studies | European Journal of Theology
European Journal of Theology Volume 21 (2012) on-line
ByRob November 10, 2017 November 8, 2017
The European Journal of Theology publishes bi-annually material in English, French and German. The majority of the articles from 2012 issues are now available on-line for free download. My thanks to editor Dr Pieter Lalleman and to all the authors for their permissions. To subscribe to this journal go here. Vol. 21.1 (2012) Pieter…
Biblical Studies | Daniel
Resources on the Book of Daniel
ByRob April 22, 2016 October 18, 2018
In addition to its extensive collection of theological journals BiblicalStudies.org.uk offers detailed bibliographies on every book of the Bible. These are usually divided into Introductions, Commentaries and other subjects – such as material on the book's background, authorship, historicity and dating. As well as providing links to Amazon listings, many of the resources are available for…
Journal of Theological Studies articles on-line
ByRob March 18, 2015 March 18, 2015
The biblicalstudies.org.uk website now hosts over 950 public domain articles from the old series of the Journal of Theological Studies. All of these are now available for free download in pdf. Digitising them has taken some time as it was first necessary to find the date of decease of each author. Those articles whose authors…
Life of St. Paul by James Stalker
ByRob July 29, 2020 July 13, 2020
James Stalker was Professor of Church History at the United Free Church College in Aberdeen. Keith Ives has a very helpful synopsis of Stalker's life on his blog. My thanks to Book Aid for making a copy of this public domain title available for digitisation. James Stalker [1848-1927], The Life of St. Paul. Handbooks for…
Commentary on Exodus by Frank Marshall
ByRob October 2, 2019 August 16, 2019
A commentary on Exodus in Frank Marshall's commentary series for English Schools. You can find a list of other volumes here. My thanks to Book Aid for providing a copy of this public domain work for digitisation. Frank Marshall [1848-1906], The Book of Exodus. London: George Gill & Sons Ltd., n.d. Hbk. pp.138. [Click here…


text:
ABORTIONISTS HAVE A VIVID IMAGINATION WHEN IT COMES TO JUSTIFYING
THEIR WORK - FOR MONEY!
"Unborn babies aren't human, but their organs are".
How does that make sense? Evil - pure evil!
Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood Federation of America's Senior Dir. of Medical Services
After the top doctor at the Planned Parenthood abortion business was exposed describing how the abortion business sells the body parts of aborted babies, she has deleted her twitter account to avoid criticism and investigation.
As LifeNews has reported, new undercover footage shows Planned Parenthood Federation of America's Senior Director of Medical Services, Dr. Deborah Nucatola, describing how Planned Parenthood sells the body parts of aborted unborn children and admitting she uses partial-birth abortions to supply intact body parts.
In the video, Nucatola is at a business lunch with actors posing as buyers from a human biologics company. As head of PPFA's Medical Services department, Nucatola has overseen medical practice at all Planned Parenthood locations since 2009. She also trains new Planned Parenthood abortion doctors and performs abortions herself at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles up to 24 weeks.
Nucatola talks about abortion doctors' prowess in harvesting organs intact: "We've been very good at getting heart, lung, liver, because we know that, so I'm not gonna crush that part, I'm gonna basically crush below, I'm gonna crush above, and I'm gonna see if I can get it all intact."
Nucatola has worked for Planned Parenthood since February 2005, ascending to the role of senior director in 2009. She got her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine.
Cecile Richards, former President & CEO of Planned Parenthood, will tell you a baby is not human until it is out of the womb. Richards is the daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards and was a former deputy chief of staff to Nancy Pelosi (see any connection here?). Her husband, is Kirk Adams, the head lanor organizer for the Union SEIU.
A recent report done by Life Dynamics found that pedophiles rely on the help from abortion clinics to ensure that their crimes never come to light. Reading all the incidences against children, it is self-evident that when a minor girl seeks an abortion, she represents a textbook example of why mandatory reporting laws were created in the first place.
Are you aware that 60-80% of girls 15 and under that get pregnant are impregnated by adult men?
The additional horror in all of this is the law enforcement community is functionally indifferent to the problem of abortion clinics not complying with mandatory reporting statutes even in the face of irrefutable evidence that violations are occurring. I guess they have bigger fish to fry. What if it was their daughter?
Mark Crutcher, President of Life Dynamics states, "Among all the cases we researched – whether they are included in this report or not – we never found one example in which criminal charges were brought against an abortion clinic employee for failing to comply with their state's mandatory reporting statutes. This was true even when this failure was (a) noted during the investigation and/or trial and (b) was a direct contributor to subsequent assaults on these children. In some cases, the abortion clinics flaunting of these laws even resulted in sexual assaults being committed against other underage girls".
The evidence is clear and the facts are laid out for you: a pedophile's best friend is his neighborhood abortion clinic. Yet, we do nothing. Our government and our justice system do nothing to prosecute the lawbreakers at the abortion clinics who allow these young girls to get raped and tortured over and over again.
DONORS TO NAME A FEW: Wal-Mart, Neiman Marcus, Adobe (software), Wachovia, Altria, Nike, Time Warner, Bank of America, Dallas Cowboys, CIGNA, Walt Disney, Cost Plus World Market, Johnson & Johnson, Wells Fargo, Whole Foods Market, The American Cancer Society, Camp Fire, The Dr. Phil Foundation, Girls Inc., Kiwanis Clubs, Girl Scouts, Rotary Clubs, March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, YWCA and Nationwide.
This one, who had been at her trade for 23 years, feels her work "abortion"
was for the good of the baby - a living, breathing baby!
For over past 23 years, Patricia Baird-Windle maintained a local, state and national profile as one of the stalwarts on the front lines of the abortion wars.
As owner of the Aware Woman Center for Choice in Melbourne, she faced pickets, threats and lawsuits — and even made law with a case that reached the Supreme Court — all the while providing 65,000 legal abortions to women who came to her Melbourne, Port St. Lucie and West Palm Beach clinics. Abortions counted for about a third of the clinics' services, which also included checkups and contraception. At the age of 64 she decided to quit with no apologies. READ MORE
Patricia Baird-Windle once said that abortion was part of her religion.
Patricia Baird-Windle once said, "I now consider abortion to be a major blessing, and to be a sacrament in the hands of women." and, "At the very crucible of the sacrament of abortion work is the sentence in a letter written to me by a woman when I retired, and that is some women have an abortion out of love for the baby."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
HomeentertainmentGolden Globes will not be streamed, event will be 'private' amid scandal
Golden Globes will not be streamed, event will be 'private' amid scandal
The Golden Globes will be a "private" affair this year.
Questions about the glitzy award ceremony have swirled since NBC announced that it would not air the awards in light of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's (HFPA) scandal that saw it surprisingly devoid of Black voters.
The controversy arose after a shocking lack of nominations in 2021 for Black talent.
Now, the HFPA has announced it will not be live-streamed when the winners are announced Sunday.
GOLDEN GLOBES 2022 STRUGGLE TO FIND CELEBRITY PRESENTERS AFTER BEING DROPPED BY NBC
"This year's event is going to be a private event and will not be live-streamed," the organization said on Twitter on Thursday. "We will be providing real-time updates on winners on the Golden Globes website and our social media."
The announcement of the nominees was live-streamed on YouTube on Dec. 13.
BEN AFFLECK ADDRESSES SNOOP DOGG MISPRONOUNCING HIS NAME AT GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS READING
Despite a lower profile this year, the nominations were packed with stars.
Lady Gaga, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence, Ben Affleck and more scored nominations.
The Golden Globes will not be live-streamed this year.
A handful of actors of color were nominated this year, including Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Ariana DeBose, Cynthia Erivo, Anthony Ramos, Lee Jung-jae and more.
Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé and Lin-Manuel Miranda each earned nominations for their musical contributions to film this season.
GOLDEN GLOBE 2022 NOMINATIONS: SNUBS AND SURPRISES
Several categories have no nominees of color, however, including best actress in a motion picture drama, best supporting actor in a motion picture, best supporting actress in television – and more.
Just days ago, news broke that there would be no celebrity presenters at the event, as is the norm.
Last year, the broadcast was hosted by Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler from separate coasts. No host has been announced for this year. (Getty Images)
This year's nominees of color include, from left: Will Smith, Lee Jung-jae and Ariana DeBose. (Getty Images)
Variety reported that no celebrities have taken up the HFPA on their offer to present at the ceremony, despite the organization reaching out to multiple publicity agencies to inquire about talent.
How the "private" in-person event will unfold remains to be seen, as does the attendance of nominees and winners.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Fox News has reached out to the Golden Globes for additional comment.
Previous articleLouisiana sheriff makes successful 'no shave' fundraiser yearlong: 'It's a win-win'
Next articleSidney Poitier's family releases statement following his death: 'He is our guiding light'


text:
Loans and Credit
About Foresight Financial Group
Home About Who We Are
Serving the Community since 1902
The State Bank of Herscher was chartered in 1902 by a group of residents who understood what a local bank meant for the well-being of their community. The growth that we have experienced since that time has allowed us to move to our present location in Herscher as well as expand to Limestone.
State Bank of Herscher was acquired by Foresight Financial Group, Inc. in 2015. Foresight's motto is "Community Building through Community Banking". This acquisition allows State Bank of Herscher to offer products and services comparable to larger banks, while maintaining the authority to make decisions locally so our customers' needs can be better served.
Foresight Financial Group, headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, has twelve branch locations in Northwest Illinois and two branch locations and a loan production office in Kankakee County. In addition to State Bank of Herscher, Foresight has five other separately chartered subsidiary banks, namely: Northwest Bank of Rockford, State Bank in Freeport, State Bank of Davis, Lena State Bank and German-American State Bank in German Valley.
State Bank of Herscher is built on the principle of offering the best banking and lending products while providing superior customer service. Our experience and knowledge means you get the right solution for your needs, not one that is best for our bottom line. We are here to help you build a sound financial future. Serving you is our honor and pleasure.
Lost or Stolen Debit Cards?
Custom web solutions by VGM Forbin © 2023 State Bank of Herscher. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Patriot Act | Terms of Use | FDIC Information | Sitemap


text:
How Dan Houser turned Grand Theft Auto into a cultural phenomenon
Founded in 1998 by Dan Houser and his brother Sam, it has been responsible for some of the most fascinating, successful and controversial video games ever, including the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto series (120m sales and counting) and the vast wild ...
Gift guide 2012: Five ideas for video game fans
San Jose Mercury News
Razer Deathstalker Ultimate Elite Gaming Keyboard: For PC gamers, this is one of the fanciest keyboards money can buy. Fans of the Apple keyboard will like the keys' chiclet design, several gamer friendly modes and a touch-screen trackpad that can ...
Beyonce Video Game Lawsuit Must Continue, Rules New York Judge
The Inquisitr
The Beyonce video game lawsuit first emerged in April 2011, and alleges that the star unlawfully abandoned her contract on a motion-sensing dance game called Starpower: Beyonce. Game developer Gate Five says it was working on the game when ...
This Week in Geek: SEALs, Twitter, texting make waves
Anniston Star
Video game developer Electronic Arts has released a new war-themed game created with the help of some of the Navy's most elite SEAL troops. There's just one problem: The Navy didn't authorize them to help. Seven active members of SEAL Team Six, the ...
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge - Momiji Trailer
Video: Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge - Momiji Trailer. Her Razor's Edge incarnation is an updated version of her Sigma 2 self: she can charge her ultimate technique in mid air, much like she could in said game. It seems that this feature has been ...
Perfect World Announces Shareholder Resolutions Adopted At 2012 Annual ...
Sacramento Bee
18, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD) ("Perfect World" or the "Company"), a leading online game developer and operator based in China, today announced shareholder resolutions adopted at its annual general meeting of ...
Halo 4: The biggest star of 2012? So how did video games become bigger than ...
Dave Anthony, who now lives in Santa Monica, California, and drives a Lamborghini Murciélago, is behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 2; an earlier game in the Call of Duty series earned $1 billion in 16 days. ... And our influence could grow, as Chancellor ...
Google launches an awesome augmented reality game called 'Ingress' [video]
The Droid Guy
To kick-start it's Google Goggles Campaign, and to give people the much desired feel of 'augmented reality', Google has launched an awesome augmented reality game called 'Ingress'. Ingress is an inside project of the former Google director of geo- John ...
Destiny and FUSE: The Importance of Corporate Filters
How about the time Rockstar declined to give it's San Diego branch any more money until the game was finished and delivered? How about the time Activision forcefully removed Infinity Ward founders Jason West and Vince Zampella from their jobs with the...
Sunday Sidebar: Meet Pat Kemp of Spry Fox
Video Game Writers
My name is Pat Kemp, and I'm a game designer at Spry Fox. I've been with the company about ten months now, just less than a year, and before that I was working as a video game artist, so design is a recent professional transition for me. I've been...
Sequel To The Award-Winning 'Disney Epic Mickey' Is Now Available At ...
The Herald | HeraldOnline.com
Today Disney Interactive announces the availability of "Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two," the sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful "Disney Epic Mickey" video game.... In addition to the console titles, "Disney Epic ...
Build gamer commitment to better business, study says
Northumberland Today
"The graphics and technology behind the games have improved over the years, but developershaven't made much effort to understand what makes players really commit to one game over another," the study's co-author Lawrence Sanders said in a statement ...
Online Casino Takes Big Steps Forward
The new online slots - Octopays and Break Away - are the latest creations from Microgaming, the internet's champion casino game developer. ... This is combined with the modern sophistication one expects from a Microgaming video slot in the year 2012.
Wii U Review - The Next Generation Of Gaming Begins Now
MTV.com (blog)
Fast forward to today, where Nintendo is riding the wave of their most successful homegaming console, the Wii, by following it up with something they hope is an even more hit, the Wii U. It's the first video game console to offer a fully integrated ...
Freeze! You're Under Gravitational Arrest In This Upcoming Puzzle Game
Freeze! is the upcoming physics-based puzzle game from the up-and-coming indiedeveloper Frozen Gun Games. To its credit, while it's fairly new in the field, Frozen Gun Games has Andreas von Lepel, a self-proclaimed "old hand" in game development and ...
Green Throttle Games Atlas and Arena hands-on (video)
In game, the controllers worked fine, comfortably piloting us through a small collection of titles including a Space Invaders clone, a side-scrolling beat-em 'up dubbed Chrono Blade and a dual-analog shooter called Crystal Swarm. With the exception of ...
Hitman Absolution Review: This game Is Too Offensive to Even Review
PolicyMic
So, before buying a game, I make sure its trailers don't imply that it is insulting to women and, when it comes to Hitman: Absolution, it is insulting indeed. The trailer I'm referring to, titled "Attack of the Saints," is an early Hitman: Absolution ...
Wii U Review: New Nintendo is Filled With...
The Nintendo Wii turns six this month, making the video game system past its prime in console years. Nintendo and third-party developers have been slowly grinding Wii titles to a halt as all prepare for its successor, the $300 Wii U (say it with us, We ...
Nintendo seeks to shake up gaming
St. Augustine Record
FILE - In this June 5, 2012 file photo, Reggie Fils-Aime, president and CEO of Nintendo America, Inc., presents the Wii U as the next-generation game console at the Nintendo All-Access presentation at E3 2012 in Los Angeles. It can scan ... about it ...
Can the next Sony and Nintendo consoles break free of Japan's stifling ...
ITProPortal
After the video game crash in the 1980s, Japan really stepped up. Nintendo, Sega, and Sony were really the only companies with successful video game consoles from the late 80s until Microsoft launched the original Xbox in 2001. This current generation...
'Call of Duty: Black Ops 2' gets a weekend patch on the Playstation 3
While developer Treyarch doesn't currently have full patch notes up yet for the update seeing how they are busy with the launch of their widely popular game; they aren't too busy to fix issues with the title over the weekend. David Vonderharr, the Game ...
Wii U hardware review: Double the screens, double the fun?
There are a lot of things I'd love to tell you about the Wii U. I'd love to tell you how the Miiverse social networking service lets you play games and exchange messages with friends. I'd love to tell you how the GamePad's built-in camera works for ...
Find Out What Makes Mass Effect 3 on Wii U Special
RipTen
He's also an ace interviewer, with a great deal of experience coaxing interesting information out of developers and publishers as part of his Video Game Sophistry program. Andy recently had the opportunity to interview BioWare's Melanie Faulknor about ...
Nintendo's Wii U moves to head of console class, for now
The Wii U, which hits stores on Sunday, is the first new video game console in six years. With all the technology world's advances in processing power, graphics capabilities, online delivery and input breakthroughs in the intervening years, that's a ...
GTA V: 25 Radio Stations That Should Be Included
Beyond the gameplay, the graphics and the missions, the heart of a Grand Theft Auto game lies with its radio stations. As they have shown time and time again, Rockstar are a developer who understand the importance of a video game soundtrack: much of ...
Toys R Us Warns Of Wii U Shipment Delays On Eve Of Launch
Nintendo Co. Ltd. (Pink: NTDOY) may be on the eve of one of the most important product launches in the Japanese company's history as a video-game consoledeveloper, but it's already facing a major roadblock. Toys R Us Warns Of Wii U Shipment Delays ...
Microsoft's Xbox Live Turns 10
15, 2002 as "the first comprehensive, online game arena fully dedicated to fast-action broadbandgaming experiences," Microsoft said in a blog post commemorating a decade of supporting the service. Initially available only in the United States and ...
Calf in distress teaches kids about science
Clark the calf is having a seizure, and high school biology students are going to cure him — by playing video games. IS3D is a startup company ... Students start by playing a game called Osy Osmosis, which teaches students about osmosis — which is ...
10 Reasons To Buy A Nintendo Wii U Today
Nintendo's Vice President of Marketing Scott Moffit talks about the Wii U and TVii at the launch event in the video below. ... Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed – Sega offers the only racing game for launch with this arcade-style sequel that ...
Apps industry keeps developers in high demand
TheNewsTribune.com
Apps industry keeps developers in high demand. WASHINGTON — Ross Waycaster designed the first of his four mobile apps as a high school senior in Tupelo, Miss., a game called "Super Marrio Jump" that's been downloaded from the Apple store more than 20 ...
Game Developer « Altsune
Posts about Game Developer written by Altsune. ... All posts tagged Game Developer ... I mentioned to my co-workers, "hey, I should just make my own game.
New World Notes: Acclaimed Game Dev Scott Jennings Explains ...
"Sheri Graner Ray, a long-time MMO/video game developer (she was one of the lead developers on Star Wars Galaxies), had as her signature on various ...
Is it possible to work for a big game developer? - Yahoo! Answers
Is it possible to work for a big game developer? Hi. I from Malaysia and I want to get involved in the video game industry. Is it possible for a Malaysian to work for ...
Video Game Developer - NEW GRADS REQUIRED!!! | DRAKE ...
City, Markham. Province/State, Ontario [ON]. Post this job on Drake Mobile? Yes. Job ID, 30961. Title, Video Game Developer - NEW GRADS REQUIRED!
RIM sponsor event to encourage game developer to port to ...
Now they are targeting game developers with the newest promotion. ... The BlackBerry Got GamePort-a-Thon starting on November 16th is a 36-hour event ...
iPhone Game Development: A Challenge to Find Professional ...
iPhone Game Development has got the enormous rage after the ... The iPhone websitedevelopment and iPhone Application Development are pacing towards ...


text:
Indonesian Muslims speak out against extremists, try to educate others
Daesh, aka the Islamic State, has become the most notorious religious extremist group in the world, even if they aren't the most deadly. They have carried out numerous terrorist attacks both at home and abroad, the most notorious being those in Beirut and Paris. This has led to a resurgence in Islamophobia in many western nations, up to and including some not-so-subtle Nazi rhetoric from American presidential candidates as well as fear leading to average citizens wanting to slam the doors shut on any and all Muslim refugees, even if those fears are completely unfounded. It has also led to many painting the vast majority of Muslims as extremist, if not in practice then by failing to speak out. This has not sat well with Muslims around the world, who are victimized by terrorist organizations then faced with hate crimes by ignorant people who can't (or won't) differentiate between them.
Now Muslims in Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic majority nation, are fed up with both Daesh and those who wish to utilize fear and racism to isolate and denigrate all Muslims. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), an organization boasting over 50 million Sunni members, is now pushing back in the public sphere, making statements and calling for awareness of Islamic opposition to groups such as Daesh.
"The spread of a shallow understanding of Islam renders this situation critical," says A. Mustofa Bisri, NU's leader, "as highly vocal elements within the Muslim population at large — extremist groups — justify their harsh and often savage behavior by claiming to act in accord with God's commands, although they are grievously mistaken."
NU aren't the only Indonesian Muslims speaking out, with the government chiming in with their own message of tolerance and combating the issue of Islamist extremism. They aren't pulling any punches either, explicitly stating that the wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East have directly contributed to the problem, exacerbating it rather than quelling it.
"The Indonesian government has a different attitude," says Security Coordinating Minister Binsar Panjaitan when asked about violent crackdowns during a press conference. "We promote religious and cultural approaches to addressing ISIL." He added that they "want all elements of society [to understand] that Islam is a peaceful religion" under normal practice.
This understanding has sadly not permeated all areas of society, least of all in the United States. American Muslims are saying that the current climate is as bad, or even worse, than in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The fact that several of the leading candidates for the highest office in the land are openly advocating hatred and intolerance and it leading to higher poll numbers rather than getting run out of town on a rail shows exactly how bad the perception problem is here. It's almost as though Christianity has a similar problem with supposed followers straying from the message of their own religion.
Still, with highly visible and large groups joining in the war of ideas and helping to educate those who don't understand their religion it should help to deligitimize Daesh even further, as well as to gain more sympathy for innocent Muslims worldwide, especially refugees who are literally dying to get into western nations. Indonesia is also leading the charge in de-radicalizing those who have returned after leaving the Middle East.
"According to the Sunni view of Islam," Bisri says, with a message that could be regarding any religion, "every aspect and expression of religion should be imbued with love and compassion, and foster the perfection of human nature."
Muslims condemn attacks: Muslims around the world rally against Paris attacks
'The Look of Silence' shows a different perspective on 1965 Indonesian genocide
Speak up for wildlife as they try to adapt to Climate Change
Macon-Bibb NAACP, local officials speak out against poll consolidation
Black church fires now 8: Hate crimes expert says 'perfect storm' for extremists
Fact: Democrats have already armed and funded Islamic extremists


text:
Supervised injection in Toronto will improve the health of people who inject drugs
April 5, 2016 • By Drs. Ahmed Bayoumi and Carol Strike
Over the past year, advocates or elected officials in Montreal, Ottawa, Victoria, Baltimore, New York City, Ithaca (NY), Seattle, San Francisco, Glasgow and four cities in Ireland have called for the implementation of supervised injection services. More recently, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown recommended that the Board of Health start a community consultation process toward establishing supervised injection services within three existing facilities in the city. The Board voted unanimously in favour. As the lead investigators of the TOSCA study (the Toronto and Ottawa Supervised Consumption Assessment), we support Dr. McKeown's proposal and look forward to the opening of these services in Toronto.
Hepatitis CHepatitis C treatment
We're all mad here: It's time to demand affordable Hep C treatment!
March 22, 2016 • By Patricia Bacon
My daughter has a smartphone cover that says: "We're all mad here". It's from Alice in Wonderland. I like it; and when it comes to hepatitis C treatment and pricing, it's quite on point.
PrEPWomen
5 ways that PrEP highlights gender inequities in HIV
March 8, 2016 • By San Patten
One of the most memorable moments in my 20 years working in the HIV field happened in a standing-room-only meeting hall in Vienna at the International AIDS Conference in 2010. This was the moment that the clinical trial CAPRISA 004 announced proof-of-concept for prevention of HIV among women using a vaginal microbicide (1% tenofivir gel). The entire room broke out in a standing ovation and tears of joy. Finally! A prevention tool that could allow a woman to protect herself in sexual encounters, regardless of the desires and wishes of her sexual partner.
Health Canada's statement on the status of naloxone is a welcome drug policy paradigm shift
March 4, 2016 • By Dr. Lynne Leonard
The administration of naloxone, a chemical compound that effectively temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, is recommended by the World Health Organization to be used in the case of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is currently available in Canada only in an injectable form and by prescription only; it can only be administered to the person named on the prescription, not to a third party.


text:
What's Next For The Sexy Russian Spy?
Anna North
When alleged Russian spy Anna Chapman's Facebook photos broke, she went from threat to national security to sexy "bombshell." If she plays her cards right, she can ride her "femme fatale" image right to the bank.
Chapman is accused of secretly passing information to Russian officials from various locations in Manhattan — and Now that her picture is all over the Internet, she's being painted as a sexy siren. In the Post she's "a flame-haired, 007-worthy beauty who flitted from high-profile parties to top-secret meetings around Manhattan." And in the AP she's a "striking redhead" and a "femme fatale" — watch out Natasha. So what's next for spying's newest starlet?
Hotness aside, Chapman allegedly committed a crime — and she'll probably have to serve time for it. Jeffrey Mankoff, Adjunct Fellow for Russia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told me her prospects for acquittal looked grim — she was "pretty well caught red-handed," he explained, and the evidence against her "seems pretty cut-and-dried." There's a silver lining, though — as the AP reports, Chapman and her associates are being charged with "failing to register as foreign agents," rather than with the more serious crime of espionage. Mankoff explains this is probably because they didn't actually get much useful information out of their cloak-and-dagger (and invisible ink!) escapades. So basically Anna Chapman kind of sucks at spying, and when she gets out of prison (she could get five years), she'll need a new career. Options abound!
Chapman could pull a Salahi and parlay her notoriety into reality TV fame. This also seems to be the path of Debrahlee Lorenzana, the fired Citibank employee also known for her hotness. Chapman's glamor shots are sort of reminiscent of Lorenzana's Village Voice photo shoot — and since Lorenzana first appeared on a reality show back in 2003 yet is still making headlines today, Chapman's five-year hiatus shouldn't hold her back too much.
Salahis To Crash Our TVs
This is how you make it in America: Noted White House party-crashers Tareq and Michaela Salahi will
Also notorious, sexy, and notoriously sexy, ex-escort Ashley Dupre now has an advice column in the Post. But it's not very good — maybe Chapman could do better. She could answer questions about pickup lines (apparently one of her team's code-phrases was "Excuse me, but haven't we met in California last summer"), trust issues, and how to rock a tiara.
Valerie Plame penned Fair Game after she was outed as a spy. And since Anna Chapman apparently enjoys hanging out in bookstores and coffee shops with her laptop open, she's already acting like a writer. Another plus of this approach: she could actually do it from prison.
Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House
1 purchased by readers
Of course, the true holy grail of media dominance is having a movie made about your life, something Plame will achieve when the film version of Fair Game comes out this year. Naomi Watt's performance as Plame is already generating Oscar buzz — so clearly it's time for Chapman to start thinking about who should play her. One Gawker commenter suggests Jennifer Aniston — but just to bring things full circle, what about Ashley Dupre?
Image via Gawker.
Anna Chapman - Photos [Gawker]
N.Y. Suspect Dubbed Femme Fatale Of Russian Spy Case [AP, via Chron.com]
Spy Ring's 'Femme Fatale' [NY Post]
Invisible Ink And Other Spy Details From Criminal Complaints [NYT Lede Blog]
Valerie Plame Spy Movie With Sean Penn Is "Fair Game" [Showbiz411]
Dave J.
Aniston? No way. I'm getting more a Sophie Marceau vibe from her.


text:
Sweden cuts aid to Uganda over anti-gay legislation
Joseph McCormick March 5, 2014
Following the lead of several countries last week, Sweden announced today that it would cut its planned aid to Uganda over recently introduced anti-gay legislation.
Sweden cut 6.5 million kronor's worth of aid (£600,000) to Uganda's government over the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which was signed into law last week by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Sebastian Tham, foreign ministry spokesman confirmed the cuts on Wednesday.
"The government reaffirms its strong condemnation of the Ugandan legislation that violates the fundamental rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people," Minister for International Development Cooperation Hillevi Engstroem said.
"Swedish aid is not unconditional. That's why the government has decided to withhold state-to-state payments," she went on.
The country will still send aid to NGOs, and organisations not linked to the Government.
"We want to support homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people in Uganda through Swedish aid via other channels," she continued.
In 2013, Swedish aid to Uganda totalled around 225 million kronor (£20 million).
New guidance was yesterday issued on how best to support Uganda's LGBT community following assent of the Anti-Homosexuality Law with campaigners warning that general aid cuts to Uganda should be avoided.
Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands become the first three countries this week to cut their aid to Uganda.
In response, Ugandan Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo tweeted: "The West can keep their 'aiid' [sic] to Uganda over homos, we shall still develop without it".
The UK Government confirmed to PinkNews on Tuesday that it only gives aid to NGOs in Uganda and not the country's government.
More: Africa, aid money, anti-gay law, anti-homosexuality act, Europe, krona, kronor, Sweden, Sweden, Uganda, Uganda, yoweri museveni


text:
Chris Mills (basketball)
For other people named Christopher Mills, see Christopher Mills (disambiguation).
Chris Mills
(1970-01-25) January 25, 1970 (age 49)
Fairfax (Los Angeles, California)
Kentucky (1988–1989)
Arizona (1989–1993)
1993 / Round: 1 / Pick: 22nd overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Third-team All-American – AP, NABC, UPI (1993)
Pac-10 Player of the Year (1993)
2× First-team All-Pac-10 (1992, 1993)
Second-team Parade All-American (1987)
Career NBA statistics
6,357 (11.2 ppg)
Christopher Lemonte Mills (born January 25, 1970) is a retired American professional basketball player who played ten seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
1 High school
3 Professional career
4 Outside basketball
Chris Mills attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, from 1986 to 1988. At 6 ft 7 in, he was the starting center for each of his three years playing varsity football there. In 1987 and 1988, he was awarded the City 4-A Player of the Year Award, as well as Mr. Football for the state of California. He was a 1988 McDonald's All-American in basketball.[1]
El Camino Real High School basketball coach, Mike McNulty said of Chris Mills, "He's one of the three best players ever to come out of Los Angeles—he's gotta be right there with John Williams and Marques Johnson." Taft High School basketball coach, Jim Woodard, echoed these sentiments when he said, "I've been watching city basketball for 33 years. Mills is the best I've ever seen. He can do it all."
Mills graduated from University of Arizona, having been kicked off the team at the University of Kentucky (UK) by the NCAA after the 1988–89 season. He was the center of a scandal involving receiving improper payments, allegedly from a UK booster. The scandal broke when a package addressed to Mills' father, Claud Mills, popped open while being sorted at Emery Worldwide, whose employees later testified that it contained a video cassette and fifty $20 bills. Claud Mills claims the package did not contain any cash when it was delivered.[2]
He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 22nd overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, for whom he played four seasons (1993-94 through 1997-98). Mills then played for the New York Knicks for the 1997–98 season. He played the next five seasons (1998-99 through 2002-03) for the Golden State Warriors.[3] He was listed as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks but never actually played a game for any of them.[citation needed] He was a solid defender on the wing and a decent shooter. Mills also had several problems with his health in his late career and was not a stellar athlete, ultimately being a solid back-up off the bench.[citation needed]
In 1999, in a game against the Dallas Mavericks, after a jump ball, Mills attempted to make a basket, but on the wrong side of the court. Amazingly, his shot was blocked by opposing player Samaki Walker.[4]
Outside basketball
Mills recorded a rap single entitled "Sumptin' to Groove To," along with several NBA players such as Jason Kidd, Cedric Ceballos and J.R. Rider on the album B-Ball's Best Kept Secret released in 1994.[5] He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[6]
He also had a role in the 1998 movie Da Game of Life as a basketball player named Scooter.
^ http://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/allamerican/pdfs/Player-Alumni-List-12-2013.pdf
^ Newswire (June 9, 1988). "Employees Reaffirm Story About Mills Package". Los Angeles Times.
^ "NBA.com/Stats _ Chris Mills".
^ "Double-oops". Seattle Times. April 21, 1999. p. E2.
^ Sumptin' to groove to - Chris Mills[permanent dead link]
^ Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc Archived September 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
NBA.com profile
ESPN.com profile
Basketball-Reference stats
LA Times story on Mills from 1988
UK stats
Shawn Bradley
Jamal Mashburn
Isaiah Rider
Calbert Cheaney
Rodney Rogers
Lindsey Hunter
Allan Houston
Terry Dehere
Scott Haskin
Doug Edwards
Rex Walters
Greg Graham
Luther Wright
Acie Earl
Ervin Johnson
Sam Cassell
Corie Blount
Geert Hammink
Malcolm Mackey
Lucious Harris
Sherron Mills
Gheorghe Mureșan
Evers Burns
Alphonso Ford
Eric Riley
Darnell Mee
Ed Stokes
John Best
Nick Van Exel
Conrad McRae
Rich Manning
Anthony Reed
Adonis Jordan
Josh Grant
Alex Holcombe
Richard Petruška
Chris Whitney
Kevin Thompson
Mark Buford
Marcelo Nicola
Spencer Dunkley
Mike Peplowski
Leonard White
Byron Wilson
Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
1976: Lee
1977: M. Johnson
1978: Greenwood
1980: Collins
1981: S. Johnson
1982: Conner
1983: Fields
1984: Green
1985: Carlander
1986: Welp
1987: Ortiz
1988: Elliott
1990: Payton
1991: Brandon
1992: Miner
1993: Mills
1995: O'Bannon & Stoudamire
1996: Abdur-Rahim
1997: Gray
1998: Bibby
1999: Terry
2000: House
2001: Lampley
2002: Clancy
2003: Ridnour
2004: Childress
2005: Diogu
2006: Roy
2007: Afflalo
2008: Love
2010: Randle
2011: Williams
2012: Gutiérrez
2013: Crabbe
2014: N. Johnson
2015: Young
2016: Pöltl
2017: Brooks
2018: Ayton
2019: Nowell
Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players
Basketball players from California
Cleveland Cavaliers draft picks
Cleveland Cavaliers players
Fairfax High School (Los Angeles) alumni
Golden State Warriors players
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball players
McDonald's High School All-Americans
Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)
Small forwards
Sportspeople from Los Angeles


text:
ACHARYA MANISH JI
HEALTH CARE CAMPS
BLOGS & MORE
CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease): A Serious Problem Taking Life of Many People Every Year
Ayurvedic and Herbal Treatment
Do Not Let Nervous Weaknesses Take Over Body, Try Ayurvedic Medicines
ayurvedic treatment for ckd
Chronic Kidney Disease Symptoms
Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment in Ayurveda
Treatment of CKD
CKD, serious health issues related to kidney, and it can cause death too. What is CKD? It is a chronic kidney disease in which there is a slow and gradual loss of kidney function that happens over long years. The symptoms do not develop quickly. But if not treated on time, it can cause kidney failure and death too.
The only way for the cure of the CKD problem is the Dialysis and Kidney transplant. But the Kidney transplant does not give a full guarantee of treatment because the kidney that is transplanted does not accept the new body very quickly. And if taken by the body, then again people will have to eat medicines regularly. Let's dig into the in-depth details of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) and its treatment in Allopathy and Ayurveda.
What is CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease)?
When the ability of the kidney to function slowly decreases for several years, it is called chronic kidney failure or Chronic Kidney Disease. The last stage of this disease is permanent kidney failure. The disease is also known by other names too such as Renal Failure.
Until this disease does not spread well in the body, no one knows about this disease or its symptoms. When the kidney works 75 percent less than its function, then people can sense that they have kidney disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a slow-growing disease. Even if one kidney stops working, the other kidney can work normally. Its symptoms do not appear until the disease reaches its peak stage. In this stage, the damage caused by the disease cannot be cured. People will have to choose a kidney transplant in Allopathy.
Kidney disease can also lead to heart and blood vessel disease. The early detection of the disease and its treatment can keep CKD from getting worse. And as said above, the disease if not cured properly or on an early stage then it can lead to kidney failure.
Ayurveda and Allopathy both have the cure for the CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease). But as the disease is very severe one must choose the best treatment for CKD. In Allopathy the treatment of CKD is Dialysis and Kidney Transplant. But sometimes after the Kidney transplant, the body tries to reject the new kidney. It does not accept the new kidney. And here the problems start. You will always go for regular blood tests to check whether the kidney is working properly or not. These chances of rejection of the kidney by the body are more right after the surgery.
But in Ayurveda, there is a perfect cure for CKD. Ayurveda finds the root cause of the diseases. Ayurvedic treatment of CKD does not include the Kidney transplant which means that the CKD patient does not need to transplant the kidney.
Ayurvedic products are free of any side effects and are not like allopathic solutions. Ayurveda cure the disease as well as have an overall effective outcome on the body. The impact of Ayurvedic treatment for kidneys is reliable and permanent. Natural Ayurveda is the best option to cure of all kidney issues.
Some Facts About the CKD
Detection of the disease on early stage can prevent its progression.
Heart Disease is the major cause of death for people with CKD.
Hypertension and CKD are interlinked. Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.
When protein in urea is present then it means CKD is there.
Role of Ayurveda in the Treatment for CKD
Pls advise regarding CKD problem
Sangeeta Jaiswal says:
My husband kidney is working 38 percent he is diabetes n suffering from dailoysis from 13 November please help us
Free Camps
© 2019. All Rights Reserved. Designed By - Digipanda Consulting
Fill the details below to register.
Fill in your contact details to book an appointment with us. Please allow 48 hours to ensure your booking can be confirmed. Bookings need to be placed within our opening hours.


text:
The Village Beacon Record
The Port Times Record
The Village Times Herald
The Times of Middle Country
The Times of Smithtown
The Times of Huntington-Northport
Arts & Lifestyles
Between You and Me
Medical Compass
The Culper Spy Adventure
The Abridged Works of Charles Dickens
Publishing LLC Notices
Home Education Stanley touches on SBU history, diversity, deficit during annual address
Stanley touches on SBU history, diversity, deficit during annual address
Village Times Herald
by Rita J. Egan - September 28, 2017
SBU President Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr. delivered his annual address to the university community Sept. 27. File photo from Stony Brook University
During his annual address, Stony Brook University's president celebrated the past and looked forward to the future.
President Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., delivered his State of the University Address to the Stony Brook campus community Sept. 27.
He said the first graduating class of 1961 consisted of approximately 40 students. In 2017, the university granted 7,313 degrees and certificates, including master's and doctoral degrees that did not exist the first year.
The number of buildings has also changed on campus from a few to 136 structures.
Stanley said the students attending the university come from more diverse backgrounds compared to bygone decades. Diversity he said is something Stony Brook is committed to.
"We hope to reflect the diversity of the state we live in as well as the country we live in," he said.
Stanley said while the number of international students has increased since 1957, this is the first year the amount of freshmen from other countries has decreased. He said he has received feedback that a number of international students are hesitant to study in the United States due to changes in immigration policies. The president is a supporter of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals plan instituted by former President Barack Obama (D). He said students protected by DACA at the university come from tough economic backgrounds yet succeed academically and epitomize the American Dream. He said SBU is committed to working with legislators to create a pathway for the students.
Stony Brook University President Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr. File photo
"Stony Brook University I hope has communicated to the campus and the world our support for these students," he said.
Stanley said the university is trying to change the way it recruits in order to create more diversity within the crop of faculty members, as well.
Another development at Stony Brook through the years has been the change in athletic success. The president said most teams originally operated as club sports, then developed into Division 3 and eventually Division 1 teams.
Stanley touched on the addition of Southampton Hospital as part of the Stony Brook University medicine family, which occurred this past summer.
"It's really going to improve service at both hospitals," he said.
The president said with a $1.7 billion budget, Stony Brook University Hospital serves 400,000 patients and offers a Level I trauma center, while the newly dubbed Stony Brook Southampton Hospital serves 100,000 with a $175 million budget.
He said the university is currently working on the Medicine and Research Translation Building and construction is scheduled to be completed in spring of 2018. The eight-level 240,000-square-foot building and 225,000-square-foot new Bed Tower will create opportunities for scientists and physicians to work side by side in the hopes of advancing cancer research and imaging diagnostics.
Stanley also addressed the university's $24 million deficit, and he said he knows SBU can overcome it. The president said the biggest issue was the failure of the state as the university has not been included in state allocations in recent years
"I absolutely support faculty and staff getting raises, they are completely appropriate," he said.
Despite the deficit, hundreds of faculty members and students have been welcomed to Stony Brook University while the number of administration positions has decreased. The president said administrators are "working harder than they ever been before to help the university."
Stanley has asked department heads to look at their needs when an instructor leaves, and to consider if the workflow can be adjusted if the position cannot be filled. The goal, he said, is to have the least amount of impact on students.
The president said The Campaign for Stony Brook to raise funds for scholarships and research is $559.2 million toward a $600 million goal. It strives to reach the goal by June 30, 2018.
Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr.
Rita J. Egan
State of the University Address
Third annual Culper Spy Day celebrates local history
PJSD holds walk-throughs to enlighten voters on $30M bond proposal
LIM hosts Mount House Summer Soirée
Local golfers aim for U.S. Amateur Championship qualifier
One Life to Give – NEW TRAILER!
Port Jefferson Village Map
DeLIcious Dining: Elegant Eating
This Weeks Health Video
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: desk@tbrnewspapers.com
East Wind, culinary community, come together for chef with cancer
Fighting on Independence Day, 1944
Theater Review: Shuffle off to Smithtown for a fabulous '42nd Street'
Rocky Point Mount Sinai Centereach Suffolk County Lacrosse Miller Place Ward Melville Daniel Dunaief Port Jefferson Bill Landon Smithtown Port Jefferson Village Kevin Redding Setauket Police Rita J. Egan Kings Park Desiree Keegan Port Jefferson Station Huntington Stony Brook Stony Brook University Northport Huntington Station Suffolk County Police Department


text:
My Toys
CONCEPT SUVS
SUV-VAN
Audi RS6 Avant : 2020
Filed under: Wagons
MSRP Engine PS Manufactured
n/a V8 600.0 n/a
View all cars for: Audi
Search for Audi RS6 Avant : 2020 on:
On August 20, 2019, Audi of America announced that the all-new high-performance wagon, the RS 6 Avant, is coming to the U.S. market. It will make its U.S. debut on Sunday, November 10th in Malibu, California at the bi-weekly Cars & Coffee event.
2020 Audi RS6 Avant.
Representing the next chapter in the highly successful history of Audi Sport, the RS 6 Avant offers visceral design, exhilarating driving dynamics and everyday functionality for the driving enthusiast.
"Throughout our 25-year RS history, the Audi RS 6 Avant is one of our absolute icons with a large global fan base," says Oliver Hoffmann, managing director of Audi Sport GmbH. "We will also be offering the RS 6 Avant in North America for the very first time. As such, we will be tapping into a new market with huge potential and generating further growth."
Performance.<?b>
The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine in the new Audi RS 6 Avant delivers 441 kW (600 PS) and 800 Nm (590.0 lb-ft) of torque. The RS 6 Avant sprints from 0-100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.6 seconds and achieves a top track speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). U.S. power and performance specifications will become available closer to market introduction.
The standard eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission with optimized shift times and new launch control function transmits the power of the 4.0-liter engine to the quattro® permanent all-wheel drive. Wheel-selective torque control can help enhance handling by ensuring additional traction across each axle through individual-wheel braking application. The quattro® sport differential offers a dynamic driving experience and helps enhance cornering agility by actively splitting torque between each of the rear wheels, with the ability to direct nearly all torque to one wheel.
Suspension.
The RS adaptive air suspension with controlled damping was tuned specifically for the RS 6 Avant. It can be set to several modes, including an automatic level control. The wide spread of the RS adaptive air suspension offers drivers a choice between long-distance comfort and high performance.
A RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control, is also available. These single-tube dampers have a variable characteristic that the driver can adjust in three stages. Hydraulic lines and a central valve link the diagonally opposed pairs of shock absorbers. When cornering at speed, the valves regulate the oil flow in the shock absorber of the spring-deflected front wheel at the outside of the curve, which helps reduces pitch and roll movement, and improves handling.
Drivers can customize their driving experience through the standard Audi drive select system, which offers six drive modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and the individually configurable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes, which can be activated directly using the "RS MODE" steering wheel button. The Audi drive select setting influences the engine and transmission management, the power steering, the suspension, the dynamic all-wheel steering, the quattro® sport differential and the engine sound. The RS2 mode exists specifically to influence the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) directly at the push of a button.
The RS 6 Avant with progressive steering develops significantly higher return forces as steering angle increases, to provide precise steering feedback. Its newly developed power assist directly connects the driver and road. Dynamic all-wheel steering can provide increased handling and stability.
The exterior design of the all-new RS 6 Avant is made solely of RS-specific parts. The body, which has been widened around 1.6 inches (40 mm) on each side with broad flared wheel arches, underscores the athleticism of the high-performance Avant. The RS 6 Avant features the new RS design language. The three-dimensional RS-specific honeycomb structure within the Singleframe grille is finished in gloss black. Below the LED headlights, side air inlets open on the striking new RS bumper and extend into the lower edge of the headlights.
The characteristic Avant silhouette dominates the side profile, elongated front section, long, straight roofline and flat D pillars. Dramatically flared fenders provide cues to the standard quattro® all-wheel drive. The rear of the vehicle consists of the roof edge spoiler and a RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser and design elements in gloss black. In hallmark RS style, the RS exhaust system flows on both sides into oval chrome-colored tailpipes.
The refined interior of the RS 6 Avant includes impressive RS accents and driver-focused technologies. The brand's new MMI touch response® system, with its black-panel design, fuses together the interior architecture and user interface in a modern and sophisticated manner. In the Audi virtual cockpit, special RS displays provide information on tire pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration measurements and g forces.
The highly anticipated Audi RS 6 Avant will arrive in the U.S. in 2020 and will be available for customer orders, subject to a later announcement.
2020 Audi RS6 Avant interior.
New 2009 Audi logo.
(source: Audi)
Audi Official site.


text:
Art Nichols/Inker
This is our collection of Comic issues inked by Art Nichols.
If you find an issue in the database that is not shown here, please edit that issue adding "Art Nichols" as one of the inkers.
Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol 1 18
The Ray Vol 1 1
Green Lantern Vol 3 19
Justice League America Vol 1 37
Mister Miracle Vol 2 12
Demon Vol 2 1
Showcase '93 Vol 1 11
Category:Art Nichols/Inker Images
Astro City: Life in the Big City (Collected)
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Vol 1 1
Justice League International: Volume Six (Collected)
L.E.G.I.O.N. Vol 1 36
Sachs & Violens (Collected)
Team Titans Annual Vol 1 1
Who's Who in the DC Universe Update 1993 Vol 1 2
WildC.A.T.s Adventures Sourcebook Vol 1 1
WildC.A.T.s Adventures Vol 1 1
Worlds Collide Vol 1 1
Retrieved from "https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Art_Nichols/Inker?oldid=1910166"


text:
LCI Industries: A Major Catalyst Could Face Headwinds Next Year (NYSE:LCII)
Home Financial news LCI Industries: A Major Catalyst Could Face Headwinds Next Year (NYSE:LCII)
COVID-19 practically brought business activity to a halt in the early part of the year. The temporary shutdown of manufacturing plants was particularly harmful to the RV industry. The RV sector has roared back. RVs have given consumers a chance to travel while controlling their environment amid the pandemic. That has benefited RV-related companies like LCII Industries (LCII). In its most recent quarter, the company reported revenue of $828 million, up 41% Y/Y.
Each of the company's major product categories experienced double-digit revenue increases. RV-related revenue (travel, trailer, fifth wheel and motorhomes) grew 32% on the strength of robust RV shipments:
RV OEM sales increased 32% year-over-year to $451million for the third quarter, primarily driven by the significant sales increase and retail demand and continuing historical momentum we saw in the second quarter.
Based on preliminary results October trends have remained very strong, with sales on track to grow by 25% over the prior year period. What is even more exciting is RVIAs most recent report on 2021 demand shows 508,000 to 520,000 unit range for wholesale, which would be a record year for the RV industry.
Management implied retail sales and new buyers drove RV sales. The sector is known to attract baby boomers. If younger buyers come into the market, then it could be a secular shift that could last years. October shipments were also strong, implying the RV segment could drive the narrative next quarter as well. The RV segment represented 56% of revenue, up from 60% in the year earlier period.
READ ALSO The Hottest Oil Basin In The World
Aftermarket sales more than doubled to $186 million. Aftermarket benefited from the rise in RV demand, particularly, the used RV market where the company supplied replacement items like furniture and mattresses. Pfizer (PFE) recently announced it had a highly-effective vaccine pursuant to COVID-19. A vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna (MRNA) could allow the economy to reopen and millions of Americans to return to the office. That could dampen RV shipments and aftermarket sales next year.
Margins Swelled
The rapid increase in scale helped LCII markedly improve margins. Gross margin was 26.8%, up 370 basis points versus that of the year earlier period. Gross profit on a dollar basis was $221 million, up 63% Y/Y. SG&A costs were $127 million, up 47% Y/Y. Transportation costs and performance-based compensation drove the rise in SG&A costs. The fallout was that EBITDA of $119 million was up 75% Y/Y. EBITDA margin was 14.4%, up 280 basis points versus the year earlier period. If management can keep SG&A costs from growing less gross profit, then EBITDA margin will likely expand further. I foresee an explosive growth in revenue in EBITDA next quarter. By the first half of 2021, RV shipments and LCII's revenue could cool as the economy reopens.
Solid Liquidity
Cyclical businesses like LCII must maintain liquidity in order to stave off a potential downturn in the economy. The global economy was slowing prior to the pandemic. Liquidity is particularly important for smaller companies like LCII. The company ended the quarter with $68 million in cash, up from $35 million at year-end. Working capital was $395 million, slightly down from $400 million at year-end. However, working capital appeared robust enough to support LCII for several quarters.
READ ALSO Is This The Hottest Oil Play Of The Year?
Free cash flow ("FCF") through the first nine months of the fiscal year was $183 million, up from $162 million in the year earlier period. Positive FCF portends the company's liquidity should grow over time. Capital expenditures were $29 million through the first nine months of the year, down from $48 million in the year earlier period. Cutting capital expenditures amid rising revenue and EBITDA is another way to increase cash flow. LCII recently acquired a majority stake in Challenger Door, a leading supplier of branded doors to the RV industry. LCII remains well-positioned to benefit from consolidation in the RV sector without compromising liquidity.
LCII has an enterprise value of $3.9 billion and trades at 11.8x run-rate EBITDA (last two quarters annualized). RV shipments could face headwinds after the economy reopens next year. I rate LCII a hold.
I also run the Shocking The Street investment service as part of the Seeking Alpha Marketplace. You will get access to exclusive ideas from Shocking The Street, and stay abreast of opportunities months before the market becomes aware of them. I am currently offering a two-week free trial period for subscribers to enjoy. Check out the service and find out first-hand why other subscribers appear to be two steps ahead of the market.
Pricing for Shocking The Street is $35 per month. Those who sign up for the yearly plan will enjoy a price of $280 per year – a 33% discount.
Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
READ ALSO After long journey, Fiat Chrysler and PSA to seal merger to become Stellantis
Via SeekingAlpha.com
Previous PostSE: Will Lumber Prices Continue to Surge? Signs Point to YesNext PostAfter This New Wave Of Lockdowns, Most People Will Accept Any "Solution" Because They'll Be So Desperate
Friday Humor: Here Is The Democrats' Complete Legislative Agenda For The Next 2 Years 2021-01-15


text:
The Headlines US/World News
LedgerOnline / October 13, 2016 / No Comment
Darfur genocide resumes, Jewish groups slow to respond
By Rafael Medoff/JNS.org
WASHINGTON – Progressive Jewish groups that were previously outspoken on Darfur are refraining from calling on the Obama administration to respond to the resumption of the African genocide.
Amnesty International reported Sept. 29 that Sudan's Arab government has destroyed or severely damaged 171 non-Arab villages in Darfur's Jebel Marra region in recent months. The attacks have included "the systematic bombing of civilians" with poison gas and other chemical weapons, the slaughter of more than 300 civilians, "the abduction and rape of women," and "forced displacement" of villagers, according to Amnesty International.
The Obama administration has said it doesn't favor regime change in Sudan, and it hasn't sought to bring about the arrest of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2009 for genocide. Neither the White House nor the U.S. State Department have issued a statement on the latest atrocities. State Department spokesman John Kirby, when asked about Amnesty's report at his daily press briefing on Sept. 29, said officials are "looking through it very carefully." He did not mention any possible U.S. responses.
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, which has been outspoken on Darfur in the past, was asked by JNS.org if it will now urge the administration to take a stronger line in view of the Amnesty report. Associate Director Barbara Weinstein responded in a statement calling on the "international community" to take action.
Once vocal, now silent
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, likewise, declined to call on the Obama administration to take steps. Instead, it issued a statement, saying the JCPA "supports the International Criminal Court's efforts to prosecute President Omar Hassan al-Bashir."
The ICC has no police force of its own and must rely on governments to enforce its arrest warrants.
The American Jewish World Service was, in the past, among the most active groups on the Darfur issue. In April 2006, its executive director, Ruth Messinger, went so far as to get arrested at a Washington protest to call the Bush administration's attention to the issue. And in 2008, the AJWS urged rabbis around the country to devote their High Holiday sermons to Darfur.
Today, the group is not calling for U.S. action in response to the resumption of the Darfur genocide. AJWS spokesman Tim Lessick told JNS.org the area is too unsafe to station personnel on the ground, and therefore, they will not make policy statements on regions where they don't have representatives.
As for High Holidays sermons, Lessick said this year AJWS is "urging [rabbis] to speak out about a multitude of pressing issues," such as the rights of Dominicans of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic.
The AJWS's 2008 call to rabbis was issued in the name of Rabbi Rick Jacobs, who was an AJWS board member. Jacobs is now president of the Union for Reform Judaism. He did not respond to inquiries from JNS.org regarding whether he will urge rabbis to speak about Darfur this year.
Charles Jacobs, head of the American Anti-Slavery Group, suspects that the reticence of some Darfur advocates may be politically or ideologically motivated. "When I spoke to AJWS Executive Director Ruth Messinger in the early days of the Save Darfur campaign, she refused to acknowledge that the Darfur genocide is Arabs slaughtering non-Arab blacks – she actually referred to the mass murder as 'something akin to the Hatfields and the McCoys,'" Jacobs told JNS.org. "Characterizing non-Westerners, especially Arab or Muslims, as oppressors is a sensitive issue for many progressives."
Jacobs, the recipient of the 1993 Boston Freedom Award for his work to liberate slaves from Sudan, added that "some Darfur activists prefer to speak in general humanitarian terms rather than specific action that the U.S. government should take. It's easier for them to say, 'It's raining, send raincoats,' than 'there is a jihad against Sudanese blacks–some of whom are Muslims–and we need to protect them.'" Jacobs said, "the volume of Darfur protests was much louder when Bush was president than during the years Obama has been president–and that tells you something."
A few organizations are calling for a stronger U.S. approach. Eric Cohen, leader of Investors Against Genocide, said the U.S. government long ago should have been "actively seeking to change the regime in Sudan." Cohen told JNS.org, "Despite Senator Obama's strong criticism of the weak response from President Bush to the genocide in Darfur, President Obama has failed to address the crises in Sudan that continue in Darfur."
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, is urging the Obama administration "to directly assist the International Criminal Court and our African allies to arrest Bashir." Cooper told JNS.org that putting Bashir on trial will both stop the genocide in Darfur and serve as a warning to other would-be perpetrators of genocide around the world.
A number of prominent Holocaust and genocide scholars are also calling on the Obama administration to get involved. Professor Samuel Totten, who served on the U.S. government's Atrocities Documentation Project in Darfur, told JNS.org that the administration "needs to be bold" in response to the latest atrocities. He urged the introduction of a U.N. Security Council resolution intensifying economic sanctions against Bashir and the dispatching of a "significant" number of international police personnel to the region.
Professor Israel W. Charny, director of Jerusalem's Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide, said, "I believe the U.S. and other nations must stop mass gassing of children [in Darfur] even by force."
Israeli Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer, of Yad Vashem and Hebrew University, weighed in saying that he's appalled "Americans, Europeans, not to speak of Russians, just watch the ongoing genocide in Darfur."
The perpetrators of the Darfur genocide believe that "all Sudanese blacks" deserve to be persecuted because they are the descendants of blacks enslaved by Mohammed's tribe in ancient times, Bauer added.
CAP: Sudanese refugees, who arrived in Israel in the wake of Darfur genocide, visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust history museum in Jerusalem in 2009. Credit: Kobi Gideon/FLASH90.
Israeli father dies of injuries from West Bank attack
George Pataki, possible presidential candidate, has deep ties to Jewish community
Jewish group joins IsraAID's Ebola relief effort in West Africa


text:
Home > The Pacific Rim and International Economic Law: Opportunities and Risks of the Pacific Century > TDM 1 (2015)
The Pacific Rim and International Economic Law: Opportunities and Risks of the Pacific Century
Introductory comments "The Pacific Rim and International Economic Law: Opportunities and Risks of the Pacific Century."
J.C. Thomas QC, National University of Singapore Centre for International Law
Introduction - "The Pacific Rim and International Economic Law: Opportunities and Risks of the Pacific Century"
M. Feldman, Peking University School of Transnational Law
W. Shan, Xi'an Jiaotong University. Supreme People's Court, PR China
The Case against China's joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
M. Du, Surrey University School of Law
Japan in the Pacific Century: Opportunities and Challenges arising from the TPP
C. Hunt, Herbert Smith Freehills GJBJ
C. Trehearne, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
Disentangling the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Noodle Bowl: Analysis of Legal and Policy Challenges
T. Wongkaew, Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand
A U.S.-China BIT - Resolution of Investment Disputes in the Context of Transparency Issues
K. Andelic, University of Niš, Faculty of Law
Political Economy of China-U.S. BIT Negotiation: Whose Decisive Pursuit of Leadership in Institutional Transformation?
P. Wang, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Law
Investor-State Dispute Resolution in Australia: A Changing Landscape for Investors
L. Chung, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
D. Robertson, Dentons
K. Lindeman, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
A. Hoffmann, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Do Many of Australia's Bilateral Treaties Really Not Provide Full Advance Consent to Investor-State Arbitration? Analysis of Planet Mining v Indonesia and Regional Implications
L. Nottage, Sydney Law School
Locating Australia on the Pacific Rim: Trade, Investment and the Asian Century
L.E. Trakman, Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales
K. Sharma
Pacific Rim Investment Treaty Practice: Regional Considerations - Reflective or Reactionary? Indonesia's Approaches to International Investment Agreements and Recommendations for the Future
J.J. Losari, Centre for International Law (CIL)
M. Ewing-Chow, Centre for International Law (CIL)
Canada - China FIPA & Canada - Korea FTA: Recent Canadian Pieces in the Pacific-Rim Investment Treaty Jig-Saw
M. Levine, Castleview Advisory
Investor Protection in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
C.S. Shang, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pending Issues in China's BITs: National Treatment, MFN Treatment, Environmental Protection and Enforcement of Award
L. Li, King & Wood Mallesons
Japan's Ambitious International Investment Agreement Policy - Laying the Groundwork for Future Disputes?
J.T. Stoel, Hogan Lovells
T. Ishikawa, Nagoya University
M.G. Jacobson, Hogan Lovells
Key Issues to Consider for (Japanese) Investors Before Commencing an Investment Arbitration
Expanding or contracting exceptions?: coordinating exceptions in international investment treaties and domestic investment instruments in China
Q. Ren, School of Law, University of Liverpool
The Pacific Islands and Trade in Services: One Step Back to Take Two Steps Forward
B. Natens, Sidley Austin LLP
R. Kumar, National Trade Adviser/Phd Candidate
Competitive Neutrality in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Negotiations on International Investment
B. Jin, School of Law, Xiamen University, PRC.
State Controlled Entities as Qualified "Investors": Implications for the Pacific Region Investment Treaty Making
L. Wang, University of New South Wales Faculty of Law
Drafting the Fair and Equitable Treatment Standard Clause in the TPP and the RCEP: Lessons Learned from the NAFTA Article 1105 Experience
P. Dumberry, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
Will Greater Specificity with Respect to the Fair and Equitable Treatment Obligation Lead to Greater Predictability in Investment Treaty Cases?
W. Zhang, Uber
Anti-Corruption Legislations in Asia-Pacific: Disparate Extraterritorial Measures
C.A.S. Nasarre, McGill University, Faculty of Law
Canada's Anti-Corruption Framework and the Relevance to the Pacific Rim and TPP Negotiations
N. Gal-Or, ngal-or.com
The Institutional Fragmentation of International Intellectual Property Law in Pacific Rim: Authority and Legitimacy, Regime Interaction and Future Institutional Development in a "World Society"
A. Zuo, Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong


text:
Review and Assessment of Performance of Genomic Inference Methods based on the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent
Stephan Schiffels based on reviews by 3 anonymous reviewers
Limits and Convergence properties of the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent
Thibaut Sellinger, Diala Abu Awad, Aurélien Tellier (2020), bioRxiv, 2020.07.23.217091, ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Evolutionary Biology https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.23.217091
Read preprint in preprint server Now published in a journal
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.23.217091v2.supplementary-material
https://github.com/TPPSellinger/eSMC2
Many methods based on the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent (SMC) have been and are being developed. These methods make use of genome sequence data to uncover population demographic history. More recently, new methods have extended the original theoretical framework, allowing the simultaneous estimation of the demographic history and other biological variables. These methods can be applied to many different species, under different model assumptions, in hopes of unlocking the population/species evolutionary history. Although convergence proofs in particular cases have been given using simulated data, a clear outline of the performance limits of these methods is lacking. We here explore the limits of this methodology, as well as present a tool that can be used to help users quantify what information can be confidently retrieved from given datasets. In addition, we study the consequences for inference accuracy violating the hypotheses and the assumptions of SMC approaches, such as the presence of transposable elements, variable recombination and mutation rates along the sequence and SNP call errors. We also provide a new interpretation of the SMC through the use of the estimated transition matrix and offer recommendations for the most efficient use of these methods under budget constraints, notably through the building of data sets that would be better adapted for the biological question at hand.
Recommendation: posted 03 November 2020, validated 12 November 2020
The human genome not only encodes for biological functions and for what makes us human, it also encodes the population history of our ancestors. Changes in past population sizes, for example, affect the distribution of times to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of genomic segments, which in turn can be inferred by sophisticated modelling along the genome.
A key framework for such modelling of local tMRCA tracts along genomes is the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent (SMC) (McVean and Cardin 2005, Marjoram and Wall 2006) . The problem that the SMC solves is that the mosaic of local tMRCAs along the genome is unknown, both in their actual ages and in their positions along the genome. The SMC allows to effectively sum across all possibilities and handle the uncertainty probabilistically. Several important tools for inferring the demographic history of a population have been developed built on top of the SMC, including PSMC (Li and Durbin 2011), diCal (Sheehan et al 2013), MSMC (Schiffels and Durbin 2014), SMC++ (Terhorst et al 2017), eSMC (Sellinger et al. 2020) and others.
In this paper, Sellinger, Abu Awad and Tellier (2020) review these SMC-based methods and provide a coherent simulation design to comparatively assess their strengths and weaknesses in a variety of demographic scenarios (Sellinger, Abu Awad and Tellier 2020). In addition, they used these simulations to test how breaking various key assumptions in SMC methods affects estimates, such as constant recombination rates, or absence of false positive SNP calls.
As a result of this assessment, the authors not only provide practical guidance for researchers who want to use these methods, but also insights into how these methods work. For example, the paper carefully separates sources of error in these methods by observing what they call "Best-case convergence" of each method if the data behaves perfectly and separating that from how the method applies with actual data. This approach provides a deeper insight into the methods than what we could learn from application to genomic data alone.
In the age of genomics, computational tools and their development are key for researchers in this field. All the more important is it to provide the community with overviews, reviews and independent assessments of such tools. This is particularly important as sometimes the development of new methods lacks primary visibility due to relevant testing material being pushed to Supplementary Sections in papers due to space constraints. As SMC-based methods have become so widely used tools in genomics, I think the detailed assessment by Sellinger et al. (2020) is timely and relevant.
In conclusion, I recommend this paper because it bridges from a mere review of the different methods to an in-depth assessment of performance, thereby addressing both beginners in the field who just seek an initial overview, as well as experienced researchers who are interested in theoretical boundaries and assumptions of the different methods.
[1] Li, H., and Durbin, R. (2011). Inference of human population history from individual whole-genome sequences. Nature, 475(7357), 493-496. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10231
[2] Marjoram, P., and Wall, J. D. (2006). Fast"" coalescent"" simulation. BMC genetics, 7(1), 16. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2156-7-16
[3] McVean, G. A., and Cardin, N. J. (2005). Approximating the coalescent with recombination. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 360(1459), 1387-1393. doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2005.1673
[4] Schiffels, S., and Durbin, R. (2014). Inferring human population size and separation history from multiple genome sequences. Nature genetics, 46(8), 919-925. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.3015
[5] Sellinger, T. P. P., Awad, D. A., Moest, M., and Tellier, A. (2020). Inference of past demography, dormancy and self-fertilization rates from whole genome sequence data. PLoS Genetics, 16(4), e1008698. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008698
[6] Sellinger, T. P. P., Awad, D. A. and Tellier, A. (2020) Limits and Convergence properties of the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent. bioRxiv, 2020.07.23.217091, ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by PCI Evolutionary Biology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.23.217091
[7] Sheehan, S., Harris, K., and Song, Y. S. (2013). Estimating variable effective population sizes from multiple genomes: a sequentially Markov conditional sampling distribution approach. Genetics, 194(3), 647-662. doi: https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.112.149096
[8] Terhorst, J., Kamm, J. A., and Song, Y. S. (2017). Robust and scalable inference of population history from hundreds of unphased whole genomes. Nature genetics, 49(2), 303-309. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.3748
Stephan Schiffels (2020) Review and Assessment of Performance of Genomic Inference Methods based on the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent. Peer Community in Evolutionary Biology, 100115. 10.24072/pci.evolbiol.100115
Reviewed by anonymous reviewer, 02 Nov 2020
I am satisfied with the authors' revisions.
Author's Reply, 22 Sep 2020
Dear Recommender,
Please find attached our revised manuscript entitled "Limits and Convergence properties of the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent" by Thibaut Sellinger, Diala Abu Awad and Aurélien Tellier, which we would like to be considered for recommendation in PCI Evolutionary Biology.
First, we would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to resubmit this manuscript and your positive comments. We would also like to thank all reviewers for appreciating the importance of our work and for their useful comments.
We paid close attention to answering all the reviewers' comments and have modified the manuscript accordingly. We believe that we have improved its readability, as we rewrote some sections of the manuscript that the reviewers felt were unclear. We have also included new Supplementary Figures (seven in total) corresponding to the requested analyses and six Supplementary Tables, containing the mean square error of past demographic inferences of all the figures in the manuscript. These measures have helped us, and hopefully will help the readers, to better understand our results. However we found that the MSE alone cannot precisely measure the performances of the methods (see the reply to the reviewers' comments for more detail).
In addition to what reviewers requested we made some additional corrections. First, we realised that the time window of the theoretical convergence analyses (now called best-case convergence) was ill-defined by a factor 2. All analyses were therefore run again to fix this. Secondly, there were minor errors in the msprime command lines when simulating data for SMC++, which required that we re-simulate all data using msprime and have re-run all analysis of SMC++. Slightly different results are observed for Figure 4 and for Supplementary Figure 14 compared to the first version of the manuscript, but all other SMC++ results are identical. We noticed that the section concerning transposable elements was confusing, and thus rewrote the section while adding two supplementary Figures (35 and 36). We hope our motivations and our results now appear in a clearer way. Lastly, we fixed a plotting issue in Supplementary Figures 15 and 22.
We hope that this revised version fulfils the criteria for recommendation in PCI,
Many thanks in advance,
On behalf of the authors, Thibaut Sellinger.
Decision by Stephan Schiffels, posted 25 Aug 2020
This preprint by Sellinger et al. describes several analyses around the Sequentially Markovian Coalescent, a methodological framework used heavily in the field of demographic inference from genomic data.
The preprint has now been read by three anonymous reviewers. I have also read the paper carefully, and I agree with the reviewers' generally positive assessment. As reviewer #3 noted, while some of these results are probably already scattered around in the literature (also in Supplements), a systematically conducted and concisely summarised analysis of these various important caveats for SMC methods is still missing. So I definitely think this will be a useful and relevant contribution.
As you can see, all three reviewers have some comments for improving clarity, and possibly expanding the study a bit. I personally find two suggestions for adding analysis to be particularly worth considering: First, reviewer #1 proposed to add a constant population size scenario as a "basic" model to supplement the more complex demographic scenarios you currently have. Second, reviewer #3 suggests to add error quantification in small tables in all analyses using the mean square error.
I'm in principle happy to recommend this paper after a revision addressing the raised points by the reviewers. Please give good reasons if you believe some suggestions should not be followed.
Thanks again for submitting this interesting paper and I look forward to receiving the revised version.
As indicated in the 'How does it work?' section and in the code of conduct, please make sure (if appropriate) that:
The authors conducted a simulation study of the strengths and weaknesses of some demographic inference packages based on the sequentially Markov coalescent, under various data and parameter regimes. SMC methods are now widely used, in an increasingly diverse array of settings, and it is important to understand what causes them to succeed and fail. Although several of the conclusions reached here are scattered about in the literature, this is a more systematic attempt to organize them into a coherent set of recommendations for practitioners. So, it seems like a useful contribution.
I don't have any major concerns or objections, but I think the paper could be improved a bit, and perhaps expanded in a few related directions.
Major comments
Error quantification: The performance of a statistical estimator is generally measured in terms of mean-squared error. The results shown in Figures 1-7 are qualitatively useful for building intuition about how each of the scenarios affects inference, but it is impossible to quantify the difference in performance between (or even within) different figures. Consequently, the discussion is entirely qualitative. Each figure should have an accompanying table with the MSE for the corresponding methods and scenarios, and those could be used to argue more rigorously about the strengths and weaknesses of various methods.
Regularization: in several of the scenarios analyzed, the results seem like they could be improved by adding a penalty term. SMC++ supports regularization natively, and it could be easily added to the authors' eSMC package, but regularization is not really explored in the paper except briefly in Table 2. A thorough study of how regularization affects demographic inference, both in terms of what form of regularization to use as well as how to tune the hyperparameters, is currently missing from the literature to the best of my knowledge (but see the recent preprint from Kelley Harris' lab on their method mushi). I realize that one could easily write a whole other paper on this, and am not advocating for major additions along these lines. Still, another subsection or two on this topic would be very useful in applications.
There are various other confounders that could be taken into consideration. I think ascertainment bias in particular would be interesting to look at. The ASMC paper delved into this a bit, but there is more that could be done. How badly does ascertainment bias (potentially in a related population) and SNP sparsity affect PSMC? This could have important practical consequences since a lot of fields still rely on microarrays. It could be incorporated into the present paper by running msprime on a large sample size and only keeping SNPs above a certain MAF threshold.
I don't quite get the focus on estimating rho/theta (though I understand its effects on inference). I tend to think of this as a nuisance parameter when running SMC methods. It is not reasonable to assume that rho is constant over the whole chromosome anyways, nor should we expect this to be a good estimate of the chromosome-wide average rho when the true underlying rates are heterogeneous.
Minor comments
This sawtooth demography is slightly different from one in the original MSMC paper. The final nadir at 10^1 generations occurs too recently, and the population size should be constant with Ne=14312 from 33 generations ago to present. This isn't such a big deal since the model was pulled from thin air in the first place, but since the community has coalesced around this model as a benchmark, it's better if the paper used the same version of it as everyone else. The stdpopsim package can simulate directly from this demography in a few lines of code.
Sections 2.1.4 and 3.1 / Fig. 1: The titles give a somewhat misleading impression. A theoretical convergence result would be very nice, but that's not what is offered. I would prefer to call this something like "Best-case convergence".
381: "SMC++ seems especially sensitive" -- I don't see this reflected in Figure 4. If anything, it looks less sensitive than the other three methods. This makes sense to me since for high values of rho, the frequency spectrum is a better estimator of demography than methods which use only linkage information.
565f: "Could be used in more complex scenarios". Recent theoretical work (see the article 'How Many Subpopulations Is Too Many? Exponential Lower Bounds for Inferring Population Histories' by Kim et al, JCB 2020) strongly suggests that this is not possible. The IICR is not useful for recovering complex demographic histories.
Various spelling or grammar errors:
35: ecologist
44: estimations/interpretations
47: state-of-the-art
50: well-known, Pairewise
101: simulates
149: discretized
287: I think it should be "whose dynamics"


text:
March News and Upcoming Events
The calendar says it's February. But anyone outdoors wouldn't be held at fault thinking it's June as the mercury hits 18ºc (64ºF) today. We hope you're able to take advantage of the sunshine (as we're sure it won't last much longer).
We still have tickets remaining for this tomorrow's lecture with Columbia Professor Matthew McKelway on Nagasawa Rosetsu's painting of five hundred disciples of the Buddha (arhats) on a piece of paper approximately one-inch square.
We also have planned a Young Alumni Happy Hour, a CVC event, and an afternoon out for a viewing of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On The Basis Of Sex. Also scroll down for a limited number of VIP Passes for the fifth edition of Photo London at the Somerset House—these will go quickly!
Make sure you book for our events on the website and be follow us on Facebook and Instagram for new announcements.
Please also keep in touch. Reach out at [email protected] if you need anything.
— Courtney (President) & Stephen (Vice President)
Upcoming CUCL Events for March:
Professor Matthew McKelway | Thursday February 28th, 18:30
Professor McKelway specializes in the history of Japanese painting and will be discussing Nagasawa Rosetsu's paiting of five hundred disciples of the Buddha (arhats) on a piece of paper approximately one-inch square.
Born into the family of a low-ranking samurai, Nagasawa Rosetsu (1754-1799) is renowned today as one of the most imaginative artists of early modern Japan.
CUCL is proud to host in partnership with the Japan Society.
On The Basis Of Sex Screening | Saturday March 2nd, 16:30
Set to be one of the year's most inspiring and entertaining films, this is the powerful and timely true story of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg LAW'59 (Felicity Jones) who led the fight against gender discrimination and blazed an unprecedented trail for equality.
Join us for informal gathering to screen the film at Cineworld at The O2 followed by a bite nearby.
Young Alumni Happy Hour | Thursday March 21st, 18:30
Our Young Alumni Committee will be hosting our March happy hour in Soho at Basement Sate on the 21st from 6:30 - 10:30pm
Special Event:
Arts Access Photo London VIP
Photo London, the world-class photography fair and catalyst for London's dynamic photography community, is back for its 5th season! And thanks to CAA Arts Access, the CUCL VIP Weekend Pass (unlimited access for 2 people, incl. Preview Days and to the VIP Lounge) at Photo London gives you unlimited access and entries to all sections of the fair for £75.
There is a limited amount of VIP passes available on a first come, first serve basis.
CVC Pitch & Mix | Date TBD
CVC London will be hosting a Pitch & Mix event where members can quickly pitch anything related to entrepreneurship (e.g. what they need, what they're working on, how can they help, pitch themselves, etc.) It will help to lead into networking and drinks to follow.
Stay tuned for more details. And be sure to register your interest by taking the survey HERE.
Stephane Cojot-Goldberg at the Battersea Art Fair | March 8-10
Stephane Cojot-Goldberg (BUS'05) created an aesthetic and sensual approach to geography inspired by his favorite painters, from Rothko to Pollock to Nicolas de Staël and Zao Wou-Ki. Please come to the Battersea Art Fair from 8th to 10th of March to discover among other, the first ever Abstract Atlas of the World without borders nor countries. In this Atlas, you will enjoy a borderless journey on all six continents.
Represented by VC-Art
Booth B7
Discount code for Columbia Alumni: VCHP
Columbia Venture Community (CVC) 2019 Survey
Your CVC committee is excited to help make this a productive year for you by bringing you opportunities to network and learn. First though, we need some input from you! Please tell us who you are and what you're most interested.
Seeking your partnership – Columbia's CEO Summer Internship Program
The Columbia Experience Overseas (CEO) program offers Columbia students high quality internship experiences in a diverse array of industries in London through alumni and employer partnerships.
Have a 2019 summer internship you'd like to promote to Columbia students? Contact Kate McCormick, Employer & Alumni Relations: [email protected].
CUCL Mentorship — Mentors Needed
The Columbia University Club of London is looking for mentors... and we hope one of those mentors will be you!
Being a mentor means giving back to the Columbia community on your own terms and doesn't require any specific background or time commitments. All backgrounds are more than welcome—it's simply about being open to connecting with a fellow Columbia alum with similar interests, and potentially acting as a sounding board or sharing your own experience depending on your future mentees objectives. To participate, click here to sign-up with a 2 minute survey, specify your background and whether you're interested in a lighter-touch relationship (phone call, emails) or building a longer lasting relationship. We'll then be able to match you with a mentee that could benefit from your experience and shares similar objectives.