The Trigon wiki last edited by J32 on 03/02/14 05:31PM View full history
Post-Flashpoint King Trigon
Trigon was originally born of celestial blasphemy, spreading viral like evil that would corrupt worlds and civilizations into self destruction. In an effort to cleanse his soul of evil, the Three Divine summoned the great Heart of Darkness to feast on his soul. However, Trigon was able to absorb the power of the Heart of Darkness (The collected evils of a hundred galaxies), becoming an supreme power that would destroy countless worlds. He killed his mother and fathers, the Divine, shredding them of their flesh and wearing their skin. Unable to cross the Divine's barrier, Trigon would summon women from other worlds, consummate with them, and send them back, spreading his evil to destroy countless universes.
New 52
In the New 52 he retains his imposing size but has six eyes and horns made of smoke. While he previously was the father of Raven and six later sons, he is now the father of three sons; Belial Ruskoff and Suge. All of whom are aware of the Phantom Strangers true identity.
Lately Trigon named Raven, his only one daughter, The Queen of the Under Realm provoking the envy of his sons because he always demonstrates a kind of preference on Raven. He also mentions he has a son from each world he's conquered.
Trigon had his debut in the pages of the Phantom Stranger, where he revealed he was poised to invade Earth in the search for Raven, who had escaped him in Azerath years ago. The Stranger handed him his daughter to stall the invasion that Trigon promised would come, regardless of what the Stranger and his master did and that they would ultimately regret giving him Raven.
Trigons current plans are later elaborated on in the pages of Teen Titans, where he reveals to his sons that needs Earth has his final staging ground before he intends to assault Heaven itself.
The origins of Trigon are later told during the Villains Month event accompanying Forever Evil. Ages ago, in another universe, a trio of beings known as the Divine have been attempting to purge all evil from several universes with the aid of a planet sized object called the Heart of Darkness, which sucks out evil from those it latches onto. They are mystified when they discover a world they previously purged having again descended into evil, with the inhabitants now attacking each other in a murderous rage. Discovering a trio of unknown beings, the Divinity brings them to them to let the Heart of Darkness feed on them. One of the three, considered the leader, reveals he allowed them to bring him to them for him to absorb the Heart while his companions perish. He reveals himself to be Trigon and that he is the reaction the Divinity caused when they purged so much evil. Having absorbed the Heart, containing the evils of universes, Trigon sets out to feed on the evils as the Heart did.
Trigons conquests prove unstoppable and world after world, universe after universe falls before his might and corrupting influence, turning each into its own vision of hell for him to feed on. On each world he intended to leave a son to rule after his departure, but only three survive; Belial, Ruskoff and Suge, whom disappoints Trigon with their weakness. His search for brides and conquests continue until he reaches a world where a single warrior stands against him dressed in the Silent Armor, being unable to defeat the warrior named Alazandria, Trigon promises to return one day at the head of an army of his children, each more powerful than her.
Ages pass before one of Trigon's hunters bring him a woman from Earth, called Arella. Together, they conceive a daugther named Raven. Recognizing the power of Raven as being what he had been looking for, Trigon now intends to invade the Earth in order to create the army of his children, having found the ideal mothers.
New 52 debut
Trigon came into being hundreds upon hundreds of years ago when a group of humans abandoned life on Earth and established a sect of pacifists on the inter-dimensional world of Azarath. Embracing the concept of peace, these humans exorcised the dark passions of their souls from their bodies and cast it beyond the Great Door of Azarath into the nether-realms. This leftover evil energy floated in space for years before finally coalescing into a single physical form. The last inhabitants of an alien world in an extre-dimnsional universe summoned this darkness from the ether and it impregnated a woman from the order. Nine months later Trigon was born.
As an infant, Trigon slaughtered the very cult responsible for his birth including his own mother. In less than a year, he had conquered the entire planet. By the time he was six-years-old, he destroyed his home world and began traveling across the cosmos in search of new planets to conquer. By the time he was thirty, Trigon had conquered his entire dimension and several million worlds.
Over the span of centuries, Trigon sired many children - all of whom he hoped would become extensions of his own great power. In many cases, the children of Trigon rebelled against him and were destroyed. Other times, their human mothers recognized the threat such spawn represented and killed them while they were infants or the nature of the children where discovered by others and subsequently slain. For all of the seeds he had spread across the dimensions, none of his offspring survived beyond infancy to become the heir of Trigon.
Over two decades ago on Earth, a young homeless woman named Angela Roth had fallen in with an occult circle. Though they were rank amateurs in the field of Satanic ritual, they nevertheless attempted to summon the Devil. What they succeeded in conjuring was far worse. Trigon emerged and took Angela Roth as his bride. He left her pregnant with child then abandoned her after burning the other cult members to cinders for their efforts, patiently awaiting the day when he could call his offspring to his side. Trigon manipulated the priests of Azarath to journey to Earth in search of Angela Roth. He knew that the mother of his soon-to-be child would be safe under the care of these pacifists as they would not raise a hand against her, even though they knew what she was. They found Angela and brought her to Azarath where she was renamed Arella so Trigon would not find her.
Not everyone in Azarath was pleased to know that the wife and child of Trigon was to live among them. But Azar and High Magistrate Coman realized that should the child of Trigon be allowed to grow on Earth, her existence would threaten all life on that planet, and indeed, the entire universe as well. Shortly thereafter, Arella gave birth to a daughter who was given the name - Raven.
The Magistrate of Food Production, Juris, felt that Raven's existence threatened the sanctity on all life on Azarath. To safeguard his people, he elected to break Azarath's most sacred law - the taking of a human life. Snatching Raven from her nursemaid, he attempted to hurl the child through the Great Door into the Limbo realm separating Azarath from other dimensions. Upon opening the door however, he exposed himself to the power of Trigon who disintegrated him with a blast of energy. Raven however, was left unharmed.
For seventeen years he waited as Raven grew, introducing himself to her on the day that Azar, Raven's teacher and leader of Azerath died due to old age. Trigon haunted Raven's dreams granting her visions of his arrival on Earth and the destruction of Azerath, promting Raven to leave Azerath in search of those who would stand against Trigon, resulting in the formation of the New Teen Titans.
Shortly after the formation, Trigon would first set foot upon the Earth. However his stay was short as he complied with the wishes of his daughter and took her with him to his own universe, with intentions of returning later. However the Teen Titans followed him, taking Arella with them to free Raven. In the end the Titans managed to combine Trigons own powers and weapons with their and banished him to an empty dimension, one Arealla followed him into, to prevent his escape.
Much later, after sundering his own dimension for nourishment and power, Trigon escaped his prison. Again he attempted to conquer the Earth, this time possesing his daughter in the process, her own continued exposure to the emotions of others broke down her defences against him, having resulted in visible changes in her appearance over time. This time Trigon was successful, the Earth was his in the blink of an eye and a ruin the next, the heroes of the world sharing the fates of all others and were turned to stone statues. The world was his, his daughter his willing servant and while he rested on Earth, he had his armies burn Azerath to the ground.
The Titans however had been spared as they had been transported to Azerath to witness it's demise by Lilith Clay. When they returned they were subjected to nightmare visions Raven implanted in them, forcing them to kill shadowy conterparts of themselves. This proved fatal for Raven, who wished to turn the Titans into Trigons servants, as Lilith revealed her to be housing the spirits of Azar and Azerath, took command of the evil Titans and used them to slay Raven, freeing the Titans as a result.
Trigon's anger at the death of his only child was great, and dropped Titans Tower on its inhabitants. Leaving Trigon to be alone when he wished to merge his dead universe


What Does Pull the Plug Mean?
Pull the Plug Meaning
Definition: To terminate a project, end support, or remove a person from medical life support.
Origin of Pull the Plug Meaning
The word plug in this idiom refers to the device at the end of a power cord that makes an electrical connection with an outlet. It usually has two or three metal prongs on the end, which go into the outlet holes.
Therefore, the literal meaning of pull the plug is simply to unplug something. For example, to pull the plug is to remove the power cord of an electronic device from the outlet.
The first figurative usage, meaning to terminate a project or to withdraw support, originated around the 1940s.
Another figurative usage, meaning to take a person off of life support, originated a little later, in the 1960s.
Both senses of the idiom show the clear connection between cutting off electrical power and cutting off support.
Using pull the plug to describe removing a person from life support is insensitive. For that reason, you should not use it if you are trying to be sympathetic. People often use it as a way to argue that a person should remain on life support, because in their opinion, pulling the plug would be cruel.
Examples of Pull the Plug Meaning
pull the plug offIn the following example, two friends are discussing a sick family member.
Kerry: I'm worried that Aunt Bessie will never come out of the coma.
Christine: Well, I think you might be right. The doctors said that if she were going to wake up, it would be sooner rather than later. It's been a week already. Her health is getting worse instead of better.
Kerry: Are you saying that we should just give up on her?
Christine: No, but she never wanted to be on life support. She had a DNR (do not resuscitate) order.
Kerry: So we should just pull the plug?
Christine: Don't think of it that way. Think of it as following her last wishes.
pull the plug onIn this dialogue, two friends are discussing the organization they both work for.
Arlena: I have bad news. The Environmental Defense Group might not exist for much longer.
Nyima: Why not?
Arlena: The group's biggest financial supporter is pulling the plug on funding. The group won't be able to afford to operate after that.
More Examples
The example below is about some people who provide funding for football teams and how they don't like the players to protest politically.
 - Many brokers and bankers — some of whom are also military veterans — have threatened to pull the plug on pro football for not reining in players who are using the American national anthem as an opportunity to protest by taking the knee. –New York Post
This excerpt is from an article about a woman who wrote a book about a magazine that she ran.
 - Brown ran Vanity Fair from 1983 to 1992. In the early days, the magazine struggled mightily, and she had to plead with S.I.Newhouse to give her a few more issues and not pull the plug. –New York Post
The phrase pull the plug means to suddenly stop supporting something, to end a project, or to allow someone who is being kept alive by machines to die.


Australians was significant. With a population of just seven million over one million donned a uniform.
During the war years the Central Deborah managed to continue slowly forward. With very limited manpower the mine had continued its preparatory path and by 1945 the mine had 30 employees working underground. During these years several experimental shafts were cut and the results of the subsequent crushings showed promise. In fact the gold retrieved was overtaking the costs in monetary terms of operating the mine and in 1945 a dividend was paid to shareholders.
The end of the war brought further difficulties. The government had placed a bureaucratic nightmare of applications and impediments in deciding which industries would receive quantities of materials for developments, due to shortages. Approvals were required from at least three government departments, each working independently of the other. Needless to say progress was somewhat slow. Eventually all approvals were in place for the Central Deborah to install further plant improvements, including air compressors, a chimney stack, and a pair of winding engines for attachment to the poppet head. To give some idea of the absurdity of the difficulties experienced, corrugated iron could only be used on roofs and not side walls, and at least two government departments were required to check the validity of requests for materials.
Although the Central Deborah Gold Mine took about 5 years to ready it for production the results were rather meagre. In fact at the peak of employment only about 40 men in total were employed. The production of gold from the mine was as follows. Figures are approximate.
Year Weight (oz.)
It could therefore be said that the great hopes and enthusiasm of those promoting the Central Deborah Mine fell rather short of expectations. For the last two years Tributors - contractors who worked for a share of the gold, worked the mine. Forty percent for the digger, and sixty percent for the company. In November 1954 the mine closed.
After the mine closed several prominent citizens who were keen to preserve the historical significance of the region put forward propositions for the preservations of the Central Deborah Mine without success. Eventually with heavy lobbying the Bendigo Council purchased the mine in 1970 for $6,000. From that time, community groups moved forward with securing the mine as a major tourist attraction, and today the Central Deborah remains as a major tourist attraction for visitors to Bendigo.
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Colson rushed towards the overturned plane. Petrol from the aircraft was leaking profusely, and the pilot Coote was motionless slumped forward and bleeding profusely. Colson, released him and pulled him away from the damaged craft, fearing fire. His leg was broken. Colson hastily made a crude splint and strapped the damaged leg, and as best he could stopped the bleeding. Strapping Coote to the truck, he left a note near the aircraft explaining what had happened and drove non-stop for the next 22 hours to Alice Springs, where medical help would be at hand.
The party at Ilbilba was nonchalant in their activities, and a relaxed atmosphere was evident, although a watchful eye was kept on the blacks. Three days passed, with the realization becoming more evident with each hour that something was amiss. Blakeley decided to return to Taylor's Creek leaving Lasseter and Mickey to guard the stores. It took the large truck 5 days to make that journey. Late in the afternoon the truck came over a rise and there was the wrecked aircraft, still on its back.
Clearly the plane had to be recovered and returned to Alice Springs where it could be railed to Adelaide for the necessary repairs. They set about dismantling the plane, and a day or two later, Colson arrived back at the crash site from Alice Springs in the smaller truck. After the customary greetings and a cuppa (cup of tea) they loaded the damaged aircraft onto the smaller truck and after farewells, Colson again set out for Alice Springs. The larger truck dubbed the "Thornycroft", set off for Ilbilba once again. The three occupants fully aware that a quick expedition was now out of the question, without the assistance of the airborne platform.
In their absence, Lasseter took the time to study the indigenous inhabitants. He noted that they were incredibly black, with black hair. They never washed and were all totally naked. He was fascinated by the way they could track. They could'read' sign on the ground that a white man simply could not see. Young children could easily identify members of the tribe from their footprints, although somewhat obscured in loose sand. A white man could see where the sand had been disturbed, but could "see" nothing more, where an aboriginal could tell who made the track, how long ago it was made, direction of travel, and a host of other information, hidden to white eyes but obvious to black eyes. He was fascinated by this ability to track. Ironically, he found that the blacks could not count beyond 4. After that figure they would describe numbers as "big feller mob", meaning a large number. Cultural differences were stark and obvious. Lasseter was enthralled and began to learn their language, writing down in his diary what different words meant. As time went by, communication between the two groups improved.
The Thornycroft reached Ilbilba without incident, and after preparations the regrouped expedition headed west once again. They were soon in sand hills and the going was tough, slow and laborious. Averaging just 10 miles a day after ten days the realization that this adventure was going to be hard on all was obvious. As they broke free from the ever-present sand dunes one morning, they noticed a wisp of smoke in the hills nearby. Another was seen off to the right, and soon small fires in the distant hills surrounded them. No sign of a living being was detected, but they were there. Mickey was strangely quiet. When asked, he declared that if discovered the "Myall" would spear him.
Later that afternoon Mount Marjory rose before them. It was an imposing obstacle, rising bout 3,000 feet from the plain, and with iron stone rises almost sheer for 1,000 feet in some places. The abundance of large rocks blocked the trucks further passage, and after spending the night camped there next morning Blakeley and Lasseter set out to climb the monolith before them. It was hard going, and when they eventually reached the top, Lasseter's eyes searched the horizon for familiar landmarks. There were none. Lasseter pored over his navigational aids, and after some time, declared. "We are 150 miles too far north. The watches were wrong". The return down the mountain was slow and silent, both men considering the options available.
Central Australia - Escarpment - Click to enlarge Blakeley made the decision to return to Ilbilba. The immediate route to the south appeared impenetrable, and replenishment at Ilbilba, coupled with the second truck as a back up vehicle seemed the most appropriate option. Return to Ilbilba they did, and were surprised to find that Colson had not arrived in the second truck from Alice Springs. There were however 5 camels grazing on the air strip and a white man with them. He was tall and a fine strapping young specimen of manhood. Paul Johns introduced himself. He had been shooting dingoes in the district on behalf of local pastoralists, and took the opportunity to visit. Blakeley viewed him with suspicion.
Colson's non-arrival was of concern. He should have been at Ilbilba by now. Blakeley decided to retrace his tracks to Taylor's Creek in the hope that Colson would be found there. Lasseter and Mickey remained with the stores, as once more the Thornycroft, headed back through the bush. There was no sign of Colson at Taylor's Creek, and the decision was made to continue towards Alice Springs, lest he was lying injured further east, and in need of help.
Many miles further back the second truck was sighted, moving slowly westward towards them. Colson brought great news. The directors of the expedition had arranged for another plane piloted by Pat Hall to join the expedition. Coote, the original pilot, had recovered from his injuries except for a limp, and he would fly with Hall to Ilbilba. The stores on the smaller truck were transferred to the Thornycroft, and Colson's orders were to again return to Alice Springs, and bring the rest of the supplies forward to Ilbilba, and advise a definite date that the aircraft would arrive.
Ten days later the sound of a motor approaching roused the camp, and when Colson arrived he brought the news that the plane was due the next morning. Late in the afternoon of the next day, the drone of a plane was heard. As it swooped low over the camp, the natives took off into the bush in all directions. Nothing like this "great bird" had been seen by the natives before. With the exodus of the natives the aircraft landed safely, and


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The timing and synchrony of male and female flowering in wheat is a crucial determinant of seed set and may be an important factor affecting gene flow and resilience to climate change. Lukac et al. assess the anther and stigma activity of each floret on developing ears of wheat, Triticum aestivum, and find that synchrony between pollen dehiscence and stigma collapse within a flower is dependent on its relative position in a spike and within a floret. Modelling the observations indicates that the temporal and spatial variability of anther activity within and between spikes may influence the relative resilience of wheat to sudden, extreme climatic events.
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source: openbmb/Ultra-FineWeb


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Arecibo (ärəsēˈbō) [key], city (1990 pop. 93,385), N Puerto Rico, a port on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Rio Grande de Arecibo. It has rum distilleries and is the commercial and industrial center of a region that produces coffee, tobacco, sugarcane, and pineapples. The Arecibo Observatory, an important radio-astronomy facility, is nearby. Arecibo was founded in 1616.
More on Arecibo from Fact Monster:
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Caribbean Political Geography

source: HuggingFaceFW/fineweb-edu


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The enamelware manufacturing craft is actually a complex process combining enamel process and metal process. It is prepared by first grinding quartz, silicon, feldspar, borax and some metal minerals into powder and then melting, and then applying on metal utensils to form a surface after baking. Sometimes polishing or gold-plating is needed. Enamelware which has the sturdiness of metal, the smoothness and corrosion-resistance of glass, is practical and beautiful. To date the earliest enamel object made in China is the Tang-dynasty gold-inlaid silver-base enamel mirror now kept in the Shosoin Repository of Nara, Japan. But no other enamelware was found in the three or four hundred years afterwards. In the late years of the Yuan Dynasty, Chinese enamelware became less influenced by Arabian culture and more and more nationalized.
Enamelware includes gold-inlay enamel, coating enamel, painting enamel in terms of processing methods, and gold-base enamel, copper-base enamel, porcelain-base enamel, glass-base enamel, purple-clay enamel, etc. in terms of bases. Among them the copper-base enamel is the most popular, because the copper price is relatively lower, and enamel is easier to adhere to the copper surface. The distinguished traditional Chinese handicraft Jingtailan (cloisonné enamel), its scientific name being copper background wire-inlay enamel, got its name from being made in large quantities in Beijing during the Jingtai Reign of the Ming Dynasty, and the enamel used was mostly of a blue color. The procedure of Jingtailan includes chiefly base-making, wire-inlaying, firing and soldering, blue enamel coating, enamel-baking, polishing, and gold-plating. Coating is done by using small iron spade or glass tube to apply glaze of different colors first on the background, then on the designs and ten finally to apply the blue glaze and add some shiny white substance. Glazing and baking procedure is done repeatedly, one blazing followed by one baking, often three times are needed for quality cloisonné.
Promoted and propped up by the Qing government, the enamel handicraft grew fast in the Qing Dynasty based on the achievements attained during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. In the reign of Emperor Kangxi, and enamel factory was set up in the court, making wire-inlay enamel and base-engraving enamel at first, and then making painted enamel successfully on a tentative basis. Painted enamel which often applies on small objects is heavy and thick in color, similar to the mixed glaze in earlier time. Porcelain-base enamel, also called enameled color porcelain, is to apply enamel paint on porcelain base. It is a perfect combination of porcelain and painted enamel craft. In the reign of Emperor Qianlong, painted enamel craft was booming. Aside from the court, Guangzhou was the major place of painted enamel making. The painted enamel works made in court featured neat design, meticulous painting, and elevated style, using mostly bright yellow color that is rich in royal flavor. Painted enamel works make in Guangzhou have bold and unstrained lines, decorated with European-style roll-up leaves design using glaze material imported from western countries that is gorgeous in color and sparkling in luster. At that time, snuff bottles of diversified types meticulously produced showed up. They were produced combining enamel, jade, agate, crystal, and porcelain with calligraphic and drawing art. Even western subject matters such as European women and babies, westerns styled pavilions and towers, etc. were adopted for designs, which were rarely seen in previous dynasties.
source: Chinese Arts & Crafts, published by China International Press
By Explore Cultural China


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Hypercubes Could Be Building Blocks of NanocomputersApril 1st, 2008 in Technology / Computer Sciences
Hypercubes in two, three, four, and five dimensions. (Images from Wikipedia)
Multi-dimensional structures called hypercubes may act as the building blocks for tomorrow's nanocomputers – machines made of such tiny elements that they are dominated not by forces that we're familiar with every day, but by quantum properties.
As Samuel Lee and Loyd Hook from the University of Oklahoma explain, microelectronic devices are continually getting smaller and faster, in accordance with Moore's Law. Already, integrated circuits and transistors are reaching the nanometer scale, although they still operate based on the physical properties on the macro-scale. True nanoelectronics, the researchers explain, are not just scaled down microelectronics, but devices that will be dominated by quantum properties, and will therefore require new architectures and novel structures.
"Compared to today's microcomputers, the main advantages of future nanocomputers are higher circuit density, lower power consumption, faster computation speed and more parallel and distributed computing capabilities," Lee told PhysOrg.com.
For example, today's integrated circuits process information in the form of a continual flow of electrons. Nano integrated circuits, however, may process individual electrons, reducing the scale and power consumption. Such circuits would require that nano logic devices be able to count single electrons, as well as the ability for parallel computing, reversibility, locality, and a three-dimensional architecture.
To address these challenges, Lee and Hook have investigated hypercubes, which researchers have previously considered as elements of nanocomputers. In their study, which will be published in a future issue of IEEE Transactions on Computers, Lee and Hook propose a variant of the classic hypercube called the "M-hypercube" that could provide a higher-dimensional layout to support the three-dimensional integrated circuits in nanocomputers.
The M-hypercube has a structure similar to a classic hypercube, which basically extends from a square to a cube to increasingly complex M-dimensional shapes. M-hypercubes (of any dimension) are composed of nodes and links. The nodes act as gates, receiving and passing electrons through, while the links act as the paths that electrons travel along.
"The unique structure of hypercubes, including M-hypercubes, has been shown to be effective in parallel computing and communication networks and provides a unique ideal intrinsic structure which fulfills many of the needs of future nanocomputing systems," Lee said. "These needs include massively parallel and distributed processing architecture with simple and robust communication linkages."
Unlike in classic hypercubes, M-hypercubes contain two types of nodes: state nodes, which are embedded on the "joints" of the M-hypercubes; and transmission nodes, which are embedded in the middle of the links between state nodes. In one arrangement, the researchers embedded two state nodes on each joint, both representing a single state. Each node can be turned on or off, with the transmission nodes having the ability to isolate parts of the cube from other parts when in the off state.
Depending on the number of states required by an operation, the M-hypercube can be expanded by adding extra dimensions (which contain more nodes) or constricted by reducing its dimensions. For example, if only four states are required, the logic architecture would be a 2-D hypercube (a square), which has four state nodes. In general, the number of state nodes in a hypercube is 2m, with m being the M-hypercube's dimensionality.
"We might construct M-hypercubes of dimensions greater than three in three-dimensional space if we allow the communication linkages at the nodes of M-hypercubes to not be mutually perpendicular," Lee explained.
For logic operations that require many states, the researchers propose a method that could reduce the dimensions of the M-hypercube by essentially decomposing the hypercube into two lower-dimensional M-hypercubes, connected in parallel. If needed, these two M-hypercubes could themselves be decomposed into still less complex M-hypercubes, reducing the number of state nodes required per state.
In another arrangement, Lee and Hook combined an M-hypercube with an N-hypercube, resulting in what they call an "MN-cell." Due to its versatility, the device could serve as a building block for designing sequential nano logic gates of any size and complexity.
More information: Lee, Samuel C. and Loyd R. Hook IV. "Logic and Computer Design in Nanospace." IEEE Transactions on Computers, TC-0156-0406. To be published.
Copyright 2008 PhysOrg.com.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of PhysOrg.com.
"Hypercubes Could Be Building Blocks of Nanocomputers." April 1st, 2008. _URL_


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Food and nutrition are vital to health. Kiama Municipal Council is committed to creating supportive and sustainable environments where local community members can develop skills and knowledge about food and nutrition. Council has implemented several initiatives such as community gardens, cooking workshops, breast feeding friendly establishments and living classrooms that allow residents to access or produce safe and nutritional food sources.
Information regarding such food and nutrition initiatives is listed below:
Kiama Community Garden and Kiama Public School
Cheese, Vegetarian Cooking, Pickling and Preserving, Backyard Chook Keeping, No Dig Gardening, Starting a Backyard Veggie Patch, Introduction to Permaculture
Green Box Regional Food Co-Operative, South Coast Farm Gate Trail
Last updated: Thursday 16 August, 2012


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Stress Management: "The Turn of the Tide"
Worry arises when we start to let doubts creep in about what could happen to us if things should go wrong in trying to reach our goals. Some people use a simple technique at the first sign of worry by switching on an imaginary "Cancel" button in their heads. Others with big worries may need a more structured approach such as the following one told by Stephen Covey in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". It is based on a story written by Arthur Gordon called "The Turn of the Tide".
Washing Away Your Worries: "The Turn of the Tide"
In "The Turn of the Tide", Arthur Gordon recalls a time when he was overcome by negativism and worry. In the end, he went to see a physician who told him to spend the following day in the place where he had been happiest as a child. Then he gave him four prescriptions in sealed envelopes, to be opened at 9, 12, 3 and 6 o'clock the next day.
Gordon duly went back to his favourite retreat beside the sea. At 9 o'clock, he opened the first prescription. It read: "Listen carefully." Gordon sat back and did as instructed. For the rest of the morning he tuned in to the sounds of the birds and the sea and felt a growing peace.
At noon he opened the second prescription. It read: "Try Reaching Back." Gordon thought about the meaning of this phrase and allowed the many memories of his past to come flooding back to him. Reaching back, he recalled times of happiness, achievement and fulfilment.
When 3 o'clock came, he opened prescription number three and read: "Examine Your Motives". Gordon thought of the work he was engaged on at present. Slowly it dawned on him that all his present endeavours were aimed at satisfying his own needs. He changed his thoughts and motives so that they were aimed at satisfying the needs of others.
Finally, at 6 o'clock, Gordon opened the last prescription and read: "Write your worries in the sand." He did as instructed, writing the few remaining worries he had and turned homeward, knowing that the lapping waves would soon wash all his worries away.
(Re-printed with permission)
Lessons for Stress Management from "The Turn of the Tide"
Here are 6 lessons from the story of Arthur Gordon and "The Turn of the Tide" that can help you in your own stress management:
- turn worrying thoughts inside out. Instead of thinking about the worst that could happen, think about the best that could happen. Worry in positives.
- keep so busy that you have no time for worrying
- live in daytight compartments where you can take one step at a time
- don't let a small niggle or failure cloud the rest of what you've achieved.
- don't over-react to worries. The chances are that what you fear won't happen anyway.
- write your worries in the sand and let the tide carry them away. Then forget them.


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Modelling in Physical Geography
UNIVIE 290.044 PS3 WS2016 2015
In geomorphology, computer models are often employed to analyze or to predict spatial patterns, to improve process understanding, or even to anticipate the occurrence and characteristics of possible future processes. This course introduces to the key aspects of computer modelling. It builds on examples related to mass movement processes and fluvial geomorphology. The modelling techniques are strongly related to the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The course largely follows a concept of learning by doing. Specific real-world problems are taken as examples. The various aspects of modelling are elaborated by introducing step-by-step solutions of those problems. Even though the course is coupled to specific software packages, it introduces general skills which can be applied with various tools. It also attempts to convey a feeling for which methods are appropriate for which types of tasks. At the end of the course the participants will
- be able to critically evaluate model results;
- be able to apply computer models in an independent and responsible way;
- know the most important software packages for modelling of mass movements and their scope of application;
- know about the possibilities to develop their own model applications;
- be able to design simple model applications by themselves.
Some basic knowledge of GIS (in particular, raster analyses with ArcGIS) is expected from the participants.
The course takes place in the GIS laboratory on the 1st floor of the NIG Building (Universitätsstr. 7). It builds on eight lessons of introductory lectures and code development. Seven more lessons are dedicated to practice and to the final exam. Each lesson has a duration of three teaching units.
Further information on the course on u:find
All models are wrong, but some are usefulComputer modelling has become an extensive field with a variety of aspects. Some of the key concepts of modelling will be exemplified on the example of GIS-based landslide susceptibility modelling. The purpose of this type of modelling is to identify those areas in a certain region (ranging from the small catchment scale to the global scale) more likely to be directly affected by landslides than others. In the first lesson you will
- learn about the key aspects of modelling
- be introduced to modelling of landslide susceptibility
- implement a simple slope stability model with standard GIS functions
- write your own script for executing the infinite slope stability model
Learn how to program your own slope stability modelling toolWhilst ready-to-use software packages are available for complex tasks, it may be useful for simple applications or for very specialized tasks to design your own model code. Building on the code developed in the first lesson, you will use the Python programming language to develop a software tool for running the infinite slope stability model, making use of GIS functions. You will
- learn how to efficiently combine ArcGIS with the Python programming language
- learn how to automatically run an R script from your python code to produce a map
Parameters are uncertainModels have to be fed with input parameters. However, these parameters ar sometimes hard to determine and are most often highly variable in space. This means that they are uncertain, and these uncertainties reflect themselves in the model results. Appropriate strategies are needed to deal with uncertain parameters. In this lesson you will
- be introduced to the general aspects of parameter uncertainty
- extend your python script to account for the uncertainties of the key parameters of the infinite slope stability model
Model results have to be validatedUsing GIS, one may produce nice colourful maps with any type of model. However, in order to explore to which extent the model results are useful to make predictions they have to be validated against observations. In the case of landslide susceptibility models, these observations most commonly consist in a landslide inventory. You will
- learn about the key concepts and issues of model validation, back calculation and forward calculation
- apply ROC plots to validate your model results
Modelling needs practiceIn this lesson you will have the chance to finish up those calculations which have caused troubles in the previous lessons. You are further encouraged to practice everything learned until now. For example, you might try to further extend your python scripts in order to add more functionalities to your program codes.
Mass movements are more complexIn the previous lessons you have become familiar with the infinite slope stability model. However, this type of model - as all models - is suitable for a limited range of applications. More complex models are needed (i) to anticipate where deep-seated rotational slides are likely to happen; (ii) for modelling the propagation of mass movements; or (iii) for coupling slope stability to the hydraulic conditions of the soil or rock. Whilst (i) and (ii) will be introduced on a theoretical basis, you will use the open source software TRIGRS to couple the infinite slope stability model to a hydraulic model. In this lesson you will:
- learn about sliding surface models
- see what can be done for anticipating the propagation of mass movements
- gain an overview on GIS-based coupled hydraulic-slope stability models
- use the software TRIGRS to perform your own coupled hydraulic-slope stability model calculations
Rainfall and landslidesThe software TRIGRS offers a broad range of functionalities to explore the susceptibility of landslides as a response to rainfall events. Building on the previous lesson, you will
- learn more about the functionalities of TRIGRS
- explore these functionalities on your own
- use the Python programming language to automatize the execution of TRIGRS as well as the validation and visualization of the results
More practiceIn this lesson you will have the chance to finish up those calculations which have caused troubles in the previous lessons. You are further encouraged to practice everything learned until now. For example, you may try to find out how different rainfall scenarios and parameter combinations influence the model results.
More practice... and a little testYou are encouraged to practice everything learned until now. There will further be a small mid-term exam (duration: 60 minutes) concerning the content of the presentations and the general understanding of the possibilities and limitations of modelling gained up to this point. There will be no modelling tasks to be performed, the outcome of the exam will contribute 35 per cent to the final mark.
Evolution of river profilesRivers shape their valleys in various ways. Whilst they tend to equilibrate the longitudinal profile by retrogressive erosion and sedimentation, the transverse profile is influenced by factors such as the rate of incision or sedimentation and by the local geology. In this lesson you will
- hear about some general aspects of fluvial valley evolution
- write your own script for predicting the future evolution of river longitudinal profiles by incision into the bedrock, using Python
- create profile plots with R
The exciting life of a fluvial valleyThe development of river longitudinal profiles is influenced by a variety of factors such as the supply of sediment in the headwaters, blocking of the valley by natural or artifical dams, changes in the sea level, tectonic uplift or coastal erosion. Focusing on the effects of the latter two processes you will
- use and extend the scripts designed in the previous lesson to explore the response of the river longitudinal profile to changes in the key governing parameters
- produce profile plots illustrating the outcomes of certain scenarios
Recapitulation: programming with PythonWe will repeat the key aspects of Python programming, putting the pieces of code produced in the previous lessons into a broader context.
Recapitulation: spatial modellingWe will repeat the key aspects of spatial modelling, putting the exercises performed in the previous lessons into a broader context.
Prepare for the final exerciseIn this lesson you are encouraged to practice everything learned until now. A particular focus is put on preparation for the final exam.


Perlite is actually an expanded stone (just like pop-corn). The raw material comes from Greece and this stone is volcanic. This material is sieved in several gradations and is shipped that way to Holland or Germany.
The Perlite producer will take this sand and heat it up to 1.000 oC and so it will expand and after cooling down you have perlite.
This sounds easy but you can imagine that the temperature is very important, also the speed of heating will have its influence on the quality of the perlite. For example if you heat it up too much or too fast, the perlite will be too weak and can be destroyed easily. If you heat it up too little, the perlite will probably be sturdier but also less airily.
The reasons for using perlite are:
 1. Perlite will bring air in the potting soil. If you take a seedling substrate, for example you know that the peat should be fine (otherwise machines will refuse or trays will not be filled properly) but that means that there is less air in the potting soil. By adding Perlite, you bring air in the potting soil and still it is very well possible to handle the potting soil in/on the machine.
 2. However, if you have a coarse mix, it does not bring air (the Perlite will "take its place" in the "air-holes" made by the coarse nuggets). In fact, if I take 10 m³ of course peat and 1 m³ of Perlite, totally it will have 10 + 1 = 10 m³. But there is another advance of Perlite: it does not absorb much water (only 2,5 times its own weight) but it does absorb the water very easily and fast. So if you want to add water in a dry potting soil, it will go a lot faster with Perlite.
 3. This only holds true if water is added from the top. The other way around will have the opposite effect, the capillarity will be less if perlite is mixed in the substrate.


text:
A typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills, and a large part of that energy is wasted. Beyond your pocketbook to the environment, electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars.
Yes, there are 29 Miele canister and upright vacuum cleaner models, and each has clear differences from the others. But there are only five basic vacuum cleaners used to build them. There are four basic canisters, the S2, the S5, the S6 and the S8, and one basic upright, the S7.
Different sets of features or accessories, unique to each model within the basic type, are used to create the vacuums that make up the series. Keep this in mind and it's much easier to choose the best Miele vacuum for your home or office. Continue reading
The Vatican Museums will construct a special vacuum cleaner and ventilation system to tidy up visitors before they can see the Sistine Chapel. Each visitor will be "dusted, cleaned and chilled" before they can enter.
As reported by The Guardian, the system, to be operational by the end of the year, is intended to help preserve the 500-year-old Michelangelo frescoes that are the Chapel's primary attraction. Continue reading


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Do you know about, how to connect two PCs with Serial Cable? Have you any idea about this connection. A direct cable connection is a link between the input/output (I/O) ports of two computers by using a single cable rather than a modem or other interfacing device. You can use this kind of network to share files, a printer or another peripheral device, and even an Internet connection.
If you have to transfer huge files from one PC to another, using a flash disk or burning a CD-ROM ROM can seem like a waste of time. One wise way to move these files speedily between two computers would be to use a USB-USB cable.
When you connect 2 pc with direct cable you will need 2 computers with network cards and serial ports and 1 crossover cable (yellow category 5 or CAT5 cable).
How to connect 2 PCs with Direct cable:
- First turn off computers and connect end of the cable into the both computer's network card. Then turn both computers on.
- Then decide which computer will play host when using Windows XP. Go to control panel on the host computer, click on network connections. Look in network tasks to discover, "Create new connection" Click "Next."
- Click "Set up advanced connection and next and click "connect directly to another computer" and "next", click on "host".
- Select the "serial port" to use for the connection. Click on next to decide who will have contact and check the corresponding boxes. Click "Next," and then "Finish."
- Turn to computer number 2, which needs information from the main computer. Type name for the connection and click "Next."
- Repeat third step on the second computer and complete the setup process.
Source : B4tea.com


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This rear wing design was sent to me by a young budding engineer from Spain named Mr Bernat Carreras. The model was cleaned by Keith Young and further cleaned in CFX. This was his first attempt at wing design and he had limited CAD experience. However, it was agreed to run a CFD analysis on the rear wing design. I believe the airfoils are not based on published designs. There were clearly a number of design issues with the rear wings, including the severity of the camber designed in to the airfoils, which was believed to lead to early flow separation.
Image 1 shows the rear wing geometry after geometry cleaning.
A mesh picture is currently not available, but will try and post one if anyone wants to see one. The mesh parameters applied to the model included refined inflation layers for more accurate boundary layer analysis. The mesh engine used was the default AFI mesher using triangular surface mesh elements. The mesh data, after volume meshing, is given below:
|Mesh Modes: Volume = AFI, Surface = Delaunay
Total Number of Elements: 1,045,075
Total Number of Tetrahedrons: 851,941
Total Number of Prisms: 191,520
Total Number of Pyramids: 1614
Total Number of Faces: 54,828
A simple analysis of the rear wing was carried out, ignoring any body interactions with the Formula 1 vehicle. The results from analysis can therefore only be used for initial design of the wing system, and all body interactions must be included and analyzed in further design modifications. The flow velocity at inlet was set at 62.22 m/s (140 mph, 224 KPH) and this was also applied as an global initialisation velocity. All walls of the fluid domain were set to free slip and a no-slip condition applied to the bodies surface.Fluid Properties:
- Material: Air Ideal Gas (constant Cp)
- Molar Mass = 28.96 Kg Kmol -1
- Dynamic Viscosity = 1.79e-5 Kg m-1 s -1
- Domain Motion: Stationary
- Reference Pressure = 1e5 Pa
- Fluid Temperature = 288 K (this can be changed and re-run to suit a specific circuit the wing will be run on)
- Turbulence Model = SST
- Turbulence = Medium Intensity and Eddy Viscosity Ratio
The residual target for convergence was set to e-4 at an RMS type. This was achieved during solution. Total Run times was 1 hour, 39 Minutes, 18.468 Seconds.
It can be seen from the results (image 2 and 3) that the initial concern of wing stall is clearly apparent. The small flap has completely stalled as has the trailing edge of the main top element. This, obviously greatly reducing the negative lift (downforce) also brings the penalty of increased form drag. It is also clearly visible from images 3, 4 and 5 that with the top front element of the wing system only the upper surface is experience downforce producing effects (positive pressure), however, at the lower surface of the element positive pressure is also present (thus canceling out the positive pressure of the top surface). This lower surface positive pressure is caused by the bi-plane phenomenon, in that the wing elements are vertically to close to each other. There is also noticeably early separation of the thin aerofoil profile of the top front wing element (separation occurs around half the chord)
The poor design of the end plates and positioning of the wing elements has led to large vortex production, the effects of these vortices is to produce a downwash in the area between the them, which results in reduced negative lift (this is high for low aspect ratio wings, since the vortices are closer to the wing) and small for high aspect ratio wings).
Downforce = 1285.26 N, Drag = 374.543 N, Pitching moment = 122.388 Nm


text:
Biodiversity Heritage Library
Browse Our Collection by:
Subject "Burrowing animals"
The importance of catfish burrows in maintaining fish populations of tropical freshwater streams in western Ecuador / Garrett S. Glodek.
By: Glodek, Garrett S.
Publication info: [Chicago] :Field Museum of Natural History,1978.
Contributed by: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Subjects: Burrowing animals Catfishes Ecology Ecuador Effect of water levels on Fishes Habitations Palenque River


text:
. A global object system ID (RFC 4122 type UUID, 16 bytes) is generated and stored in the superblock (for example: 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-4466.55440000).
When the file system eng1673 is mounted on a file server, for example prima-donna: 1. The superblock is read and the file system's name and global object system ID are retrieved. 2. The provider locator service is queried (using LDAP or equiv) to ensure that the file system is not currently mounted. If the file system is already mounted, the mount operation terminates and reports this error condition. (This error may be the result of the file system being cloned for backup purposes and then an attempt is made to mount the backup copy of the file system while the primary is mounted.) 3. The mount point directory is read. This directory, which is specified in the mount request, preferably has the same name as the file system that is being mounted. For example, the mount point directory for eng1673 would preferably be a pathname with the last component being 'eng1673' (such as /remote/eng1673). A. If a file named 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 exists within the /remote/eng1673 directory, the file system has been mounted here before. B. If a file named 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 does not exist, the file system has not been mounted here before. The file '550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000' is created at this time, and then a second name eng1673' is created for the file (using a Unix hard link). The file contents may include, for example, the file system's: a. Name, i.e., eng1673, b. global object system ID, i.e., 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000, c. time_of_last_mount, i.e., current time, d. time_of_last_unmount, i.e., -1, and e. forwarding_action, i.e., REFERRAL. 4. The mount operation is performed, thereby "covering" the file named 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 (also named eng1673) that was possibly just created. 5. The provider locator service entry for prima-donna is updated using LDAP or the equivalent: A. the eng1673 value is added to theft name attribute, and B. the 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 value is added to the fs_uuid attribute.
In one method, to unmount the file system eng1673 on file server prima-donna: 1. The network directory service entry for prima-donna is updated: A. the eng1673 value is deleted from the fs_name attribute, and B. the 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 value is deleted from the fs_uuid attribute. 2. The file system is unmounted using normal procedures for this type of file server. (Unmounting the file system "uncovers" the file eng1673.) 3. The file 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-946655440000 is updated with the time_of_last_unmount, i.e., current time.
In a corresponding embodiment, when a file system migrates: 1. The file system is unmounted using the procedure outlined above. 2. The file system is then mounted on a new server (which may be geographically remote) using the procedure outlined above. During the mount operation the file system's new location is registered with the provider locator service.
Later, when a remote client attempts to access a file within the migrated file system using a pre-migration pathname: 1. The DDS service running on prima-donna receives a DDS_CONNECT request targeting a file or directory within the root directory of eng1673. 2. The migration of file system 'eng1673' is detected when: A. the DDS service fails to establish a connection to the targeted file or directory within eng1673 because it does not exist; and B. the file 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 is discovered within the /remote/eng1673 mount point directory. 3. The file 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 (now uncovered) is read and the name is verified to be 'eng1673' and then the forwarding_action and global object system ID values are retrieved. 4. Depending on the forwarding_action, several events may occur: A. REPORT ERROR: The system may return an error message, such as ERROR_FILE_SYSTEM_NOT_MOUNTED. B. REFERRAL: a. The provider locator service may be queried and the IP address (or name) of the server now hosting file system 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-946655440000 is retrieved. b. If the host server's name was retrieved, DNS (or equivalent) may be called to convert the name into an IP address. c. A referral response is dispatched back to the client system and the client transparently redirects the file access request towards to file server currently exporting 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000. C. TUNNEL: a. The provider locator service may be queried and the IP address (or name) of the server now hosting file system 550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000 is retrieved. b. If the host server's name was retrieved, DNS (or equivalent) is called to convert the name into an IP address. c. The request is forwarded to IP address. d. Any received response is passed back to the client.
Searching Using an Existing File System's API
The preferred method incorporates a search capability in a way that enables unmodified application programs to employ the new capability. The following example illustrates how this is accomplished: 1. On a hal workstation 132, a Windows 2000 workstation, an application program executes the system call: CreateDirectory(lpPathName, lpSecurityAttributes); where lpPathName is a pointer to the string: "X:\Internet\com\inca\!_Search_Results_!(computer OR PDA) AND network", and lpSecurityAttributes is a pointer to a SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES structure. Both the PathName and the SecurityAttributes parameters conform to the Windows 2000 conventions. 2. The hal workstation 132's X: drive is mapped to a DDS portal (a DDS node on the same LAN segment). Therefore, the Windows 2000 Redirector on the hal workstation 132 generates a CIFS CREATE_DIRECTORY request and dispatches it to the DDS portal. The request contains the lpPathName string as the CIFS DirectoryName request parameter. 3. The request arrives at the DDS portal and is processed by DDS's create directory CIFS CIR. Request processing initially proceeds as normal: a. The Internet directory is opened. b. The com directory is opened. c. The inca directory is opened. 4. However, when the!_Search_Results_! pathname component is encountered, the character string is recognized as a special directory name where the roots of parallel namespaces created by searches of the inca domain 102 are anchored (see Navigable Namespaces for Search Results--Parallel Namespaces below).
5. An attempt is made to open the!_Search_Results_! directory, which will exist if prior searches of the inca domain 102 have been performed. 6. The!_Search_Results_! directory is created if it does not already exist. 7. The pathname component following "!_Search_Results_!" is interpreted as a search specification string. The integrated content search mechanism is invoked by an inca domain 102 manager (either inca or aztec) at this point by DDS's CIFS client intercept routine to search the \Internet\com\inca domain according to the search specification. 8. A directory with the name "(computer OR PDA) AND network" is created within the!_Search_Results_! directory. This directory, the root of the parallel namespace created by the search, contains links to the content within the inca domain 102 that satisfy the search criteria. 9. When a search is performed and no content matches the search specification, an error (NON_EXISTENT_DIRECTORY) may be returned or the search root directory may be created. However, it will be empty; indicating that there were no matches for the query.
Extending the Current File System API
Another method of extending standard file system APIs is to define a new function: the search function. The search function's first parameter is a search specification text string, and the remaining parameters are the same as those of the CreateDirectory function. One of those remaining parameters is the pathname of the domain to be searched.
When a search produces results, a directory is created and it is immediately populated with links to the results. The caller opens the new directory and follows the links within to establish connections to objects that satisfied the search criteria.
Content Retrieval Scalability
An integrated content search capability gives file system clients a powerful new tool for locating content. However, placing this tool within easy reach of users (and there are many users


text:
Eliminating the photographer
Photographing artwork is a subjective business. The photographer has to make aesthetic decisions on lighting and the angle from which the picture is taken, based on his or her aesthetic instincts. But accurate representations of paintings and sculptures are important for scholars, collectors and other art lovers who view them in books, museum archives and on websites.
To get around the problem of subjective photography, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a grant of $855,000 to the Rochester Institute of Technology and the colour scientist Roy Berns. The scientists will use maths to build a system that photographers can use in situ to eliminate subjective decisions.
The main part of the project will be to build an instrument that can capture information about an object's geometry and colour and measure how these depend on lighting. This involves reducing the painting or sculpture to its most basic optical blueprint, and stripping it of any attributes that are down to subjective perception. Additional instruments that can gather information on the gallery's shape will also be developed later on in the project. Using mathematical models from computer graphics software, the piece of art can then be rendered as it is when viewed in real life, bypassing any input of the photographer.
You can find out more in the RIT press release.
posted by Plus @ 1:29 PM


A Quick Glance at Direct and Indirect Remuneration, Is Your Plan Compliant?
Five insights into understanding DIR
Although DIR is typically a finance and analytical responsibility within a Part D organization, the compliance department also needs to be engaged in this effort. Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) typically involves external vendors and therefore should be part of a comprehensive Compliance Effectiveness Program. Here's a brief overview to gauge your preparedness.
1. What is the definition of DIR when related to Medicare Part D?
The actual definition of DIR can be found in 42 CFR 423.308, in short: DIR is the total dollars in which the Part D sponsor received or an entity in which they are affiliated with (e.g., PBM) received that ultimately would reduce the incurred drug cost experienced by the plan after the transaction at point-of-sale; principally the net amount.
2. How do Medicare Part D Plan sponsors use DIR?
Each year a plan sponsor is required to submit a bid to CMS for the upcoming plan year. This bid estimates expenditures such as drug costs, administrative fees, operational costs, formulary and plan design, and DIR amounts. In the end, it calculates the premium in which the plan will charge beneficiaries to be a member of their Part D plan. DIR is a key component of this calculation as it helps reduce the premium amount in which a beneficiary will pay.
3. Isn't DIR just rebates received from the drug manufacturers?
DIR can include several other components. Part D sponsors are also to report any other sources of remuneration that would have decreased the cost of the drug incurred by the plan. A few examples include generic dispensing incentive payments and adjustments between the plan and the pharmacy, legal settlements that were in relation to the drugs dispensed, free/reduced-price goods or services received, and performance guarantees.
4. What happens to these DIR payments received by the Plan sponsor?
At the end of every plan year, a Plan sponsor is required to report to CMS DIR amounts incurred by the plan during the previous plan year. These amounts are to be used for the plan to reconcile with CMS and calculate reinsurance amounts and risk-sharing arrangements.
5. DIR seems to be a finance component, what other departments should be involved with DIR?
Although DIR focuses primarily on financial aspects of the Part D benefit there are several other departments within a Plan Sponsor's organization that should be involved. Notably the compliance team should be heavily involved. For most plans, majority of DIR is received through delegated relationships with Pharmacy Benefit Managers and/or third party rebate aggregators. These vendors will all serve as First Tier, Downstream, or Related Entity and part of an effective compliance program.
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text:
Get started with log queries in Azure Monitor
You can work through this exercise in your own environment if you are collecting data from at least one virtual machine. If not then use our Demo environment, which includes plenty of sample data.
In this tutorial you will learn to write log queries in Azure Monitor. It will teach you how to:
- Understand query structure
- Sort query results
- Filter query results
- Specify a time range
- Select which fields to include in the results
- Define and use custom fields
- Aggregate and group results
For a tutorial on using Log Analytics in the Azure portal, see Get started with Azure Monitor Log Analytics.
For more details on log queries in Azure Monitor, see Overview of log queries in Azure Monitor.
Follow along with a video version of this tutorial below:
Writing a new query
Queries can start with either a table name or the search command. You should start with a table name, since it defines a clear scope for the query and improves both query performance and relevance of the results.
The Kusto query language used by Azure Monitor is case-sensitive. Language keywords are typically written in lower-case. When using names of tables or columns in a query, make sure to use the correct case, as shown on the schema pane.
Azure Monitor organizes log data in tables, each composed of multiple columns. All tables and columns are shown on the schema pane in Log Analytics in the Analytics portal. Identify a table that you're interested in and then take a look at a bit of data:
SecurityEvent | take 10
The query shown above returns 10 results from the SecurityEvent table, in no specific order. This is a very common way to take a glance at a table and understand its structure and content. Let's examine how it's built:
- The query starts with the table name SecurityEvent - this part defines the scope of the query.
- The pipe (|) character separates commands, so the output of the first one in the input of the following command. You can add any number of piped elements.
- Following the pipe is the take command, which returns a specific number of arbitrary records from the table.
We could actually run the query even without adding
| take 10 - that would still be valid, but it could return up to 10,000 results.
Search queries are less structured, and generally more suited for finding records that include a specific value in any of their columns:
search in (SecurityEvent) "Cryptographic" | take 10
This query searches the SecurityEvent table for records that contain the phrase "Cryptographic". Of those records, 10 records will be returned and displayed. If we omit the
in (SecurityEvent) part and just run
search "Cryptographic", the search will go over all tables, which would take longer and be less efficient.
Search queries are typically slower than table-based queries because they have to process more data.
Sort and top
While take is useful to get a few records, the results are selected and displayed in no particular order. To get an ordered view, you could sort by the preferred column:
SecurityEvent | sort by TimeGenerated desc
That could return too many results though and might also take some time. The above query sorts the entire SecurityEvent table by the TimeGenerated column. The Analytics portal then limits the display to show only 10,000 records. This approach is of course not optimal.
The best way to get only the latest 10 records is to use top, which sorts the entire table on the server side and then returns the top records:
SecurityEvent | top 10 by TimeGenerated
Descending is the default sorting order, so we typically omit the desc argument.The output will look like this:
Where: filtering on a condition
Filters, as indicated by their name, filter the data by a specific condition. This is the most common way to limit query results to relevant information.
To add a filter to a query, use the where operator followed by one or more conditions. For example, the following query returns only SecurityEvent records where Level equals 8:
SecurityEvent | where Level == 8
When writing filter conditions, you can use the following expressions:
|!=, <>||Check inequality
(both expressions are identical)
|and, or||Required between conditions||
To filter by multiple conditions, you can either use and:
SecurityEvent | where Level == 8 and EventID == 4672
or pipe multiple where elements one after the other:
SecurityEvent | where Level == 8 | where EventID == 4672
Values can have different types, so you might need to cast them to perform comparison on the correct type. For example, SecurityEvent Level column is of type String, so you must cast it to a numerical type such as int or long, before you can use numerical operators on it:
SecurityEvent | where toint(Level) >= 10
Specify a time range
The time picker is next to the Run button and indicates we're querying only records from the last 24 hours. This is the default time range applied to all queries. To get only records from the last hour, select Last hour and run the query again.
Time filter in query
You can also define your own time range by adding a time filter to the query. It's best to place the time filter immediately after the table name:
SecurityEvent | where TimeGenerated > ago(30m) | where toint(Level) >= 10
In the above time filter
ago(30m) means "30 minutes ago" so this query only returns records from the last 30 minutes. Other units of time include days (2d), minutes (25m), and seconds (10s).
Project and Extend: select and compute columns
Use project to select specific columns to include in the results:
SecurityEvent | top 10 by TimeGenerated | project TimeGenerated, Computer, Activity
The preceding example generates this output:
You can also use project to rename columns and define new ones. The following example uses project to do the following:
- Select only the Computer and TimeGenerated original columns.
- Rename the Activity column to EventDetails.
- Create a new column named EventCode. The substring() function is used to get only the first four characters from the Activity field.
SecurityEvent | top 10 by TimeGenerated | project Computer, TimeGenerated, EventDetails=Activity, EventCode=substring(Activity, 0, 4)
extend keeps all original columns in the result set and defines additional ones. The following query uses extend to add the EventCode column. Note that this column may not display at the end of the table results in which case you would need to expand the details of a record to view it.
SecurityEvent | top 10 by TimeGenerated | extend EventCode=substring(Activity, 0, 4)
Summarize: aggregate groups of rows
Use summarize to identify groups of records, according to one or more columns, and apply aggregations to them. The most common use of summarize is count, which returns the number of results in each group.
The following query reviews all Perf records from the last hour, groups them by ObjectName, and counts the records in each group:
Perf | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | summarize count() by ObjectName
Sometimes it makes sense to define groups by multiple dimensions. Each unique combination of these values defines a separate group:
Perf | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | summarize count() by ObjectName, CounterName
Another common use is to perform mathematical or statistical calculations on each group. For example, the following calculates the average CounterValue for each computer:
Perf | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | summarize avg(CounterValue) by Computer
Unfortunately, the results of this query are meaningless since we mixed together different performance counters. To make this more meaningful, we should calculate the average separately for each combination of CounterName and Computer:
Perf | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | summarize avg(CounterValue) by Computer, CounterName
Summarize by a time column
Grouping results can also be based on a time column, or another continuous value. Simply summarizing
by TimeGenerated though would create groups for every single millisecond over the time range, since these are unique values.
To create groups based on continuous values, it is best to break the range into manageable units using bin. The following query analyzes Perf records that measure free memory (Available MBytes) on a specific computer. It calculates the average value of each 1 hour period over the last 7 days:
Perf | where TimeGenerated > ago(7d) | where Computer == "ContosoAzADDS2" | where CounterName == "Available MBytes" | summarize avg(CounterValue) by bin(TimeGenerated, 1h)
To make the output clearer, you select to display it as a time-chart, showing the available memory over time:
- Learn about writing search queries


Jeff Duntemann's Contrapositive Diary Rotating Header Image
September 22nd, 2009:
Tell Me What "Junk Food" Is
Much opprobrium has been heaped on junk food in recent years. I'm willing to listen–but if we're going to eliminate it from our diets, we first have to know what it is.
So…give me a definition.
The definition must be precise; that is, terms like "empty calories" or "having no nutritional value" are subjective judgments and thus not useful. Specify ingredients, and proportions (as percentages) if necessary. Furthermore, the definition must be about the food itself. Where it's prepared or served is a separate issue and cannot be part of the definition. If an ingredient is junk, it's junk whether it's served at Mickey D's or at Olive Garden or at the $75-a-plate fancy dinner joint of your choice. (Or at home.)
Methods of preparation may be cited, but again, such citations have to apply across the board, no matter who does it or where. Expensive junk is still junk.
Finally, "the term is meaningless" is a legitimate answer. However, if that's the case, let's make it meaningful, by creating a clear definition.
Let's hear from you.


text:
Search The Library's Lexicon
The Common Law of France.
The name of a code of laws so called from the Salians, a people of Germany, who settled in Gaul under their king Phararaond.
The most remarkable law of this code is that which regards succession. De terra vero salica nulla portio haereditatis transit in mulierem, sed hoc viriles sextus acquirit, hoc est filii in ipsa haereditate succedunt; no part of the salique land passes to females, but the males alone are capable of taking, that is the sons succeed to the inheritance. This rule has ever excluded females from the throne of France.


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Article dans une revue
The Western Mediterranean Islands and the Various Uses of Independentism
Abstract : Since they promote separation from national frameworks, independentist parties are easily labelled as anti-system parties. This contribution shows how a study of party dynamics in three Western Mediterranean island jurisdictions (Sardinia, Balearic Islands, and Corsica) leads to a rather different conceptualisation of their nature and influence. Political parties favouring independence are still likely to influence other political parties and the political system as a whole. They do so mainly by adopting various, often ambiguous, accommodative strategies, which relate to their difficulty in attaining and/or maintaining a significant party status and electoral presence. Above all, the independentist parties' influence is highly variable, especially in relation to their closest rivals, and can only be evaluated by taking into consideration external factors, such as state organisation. Thus, one needs to examine the independentist parties' political interactions and influence on policies, and not just their teleological and ideological positioning.
Type de document :
Article dans une revue
Liste complète des métadonnées
Contributeur : Corinne Idda <>
Soumis le : lundi 3 juin 2013 - 14:29:38
Dernière modification le : jeudi 11 janvier 2018 - 06:23:04
 - HAL Id : hal-00829531, version 1
André Fazi. The Western Mediterranean Islands and the Various Uses of Independentism. Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, Taylor & Francis, 2012, 50 (n° 4), pp. 508-527. ⟨hal-00829531⟩
Consultations de la notice


Why do some people think french people are cold?
Are French people cold? Why Are French People so Rude? Why are French people often described as arrogant?
 1. 1 They're hostile
 A recent international survey showed that the french capital was one of the most hostile touristic destination in the world.
 2. 2 They're rude to tourists
 French people are not open to speaking to strangers, they also don't speak very good English that's why tourists get the wrong idea that they're being rude.
 3. 3 They lack sense of humor
 At early times, the word humor was not allowed in the french language. Not until 1932 did the french academy allow the word l'humor in their language.
 4. 4 They're arrogant
 French people are arrogant and they're used to criticizing a lot.Which give the wrong idea that they're rude, however some other people think that it's just something that they're used to.
 5. 5 They don't smile a lot
 French people don't smile a lot and they tend to be more hostile than friendly. They don't usually smile or to talk to strangers in the street. (See Why some people never smile?)
 6. 6 They avoid speaking English
 The french government put a rule that 50% of the music played on radios should be in french, almost every document, every business communication, everything is in french, this rule limited their access to English knowledge.
 7. 7 They're shy
 French people are not used to showing off their feelings exaggeratedly to strangers. This usually seems rude or cold behavior to some people, when it's actually shyness.
 8. 8 They're not random
 Some Americans tend to believe that french people are cold because they don't make random comments like they do, however other people think that french people are just used to keeping their mouth sealed if they don't have something important to say.
 9. 9 They're formal
 In France, formality and etiquette are rules to people. They dont usually aquentance with someone unless they were introduced to them. For instance, if someone goes up to a french guy and say' hi, I'm Jaques' the french guy would find it unacceptable. (See How to be assertive without being rude?)
 10. 10 They complain a lot
 French people are usually honest, they like to say what ever they want and always complain about whatever bugs them.
 11. 11 They like people to say "Bonjour" first
 Shop sellers usually tend to be rude if you don't say "bonjour" before you ask for what you want.
 12. 12 The have a lot of misconceptions
 Many french people have a lot of misconceptions about foreigners. For instance if you're a Romanian they'll immediately think that you're a thief.
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text:
ThinkFirst For Youth is for students in grades four through eight - an important time to help students learn the importance of protecting themselves, as they are increasingly faced with decision-making challenges involving their safety. Anatomy lessons and classroom activities help students develop a practical understanding of their body's abilities, limitations and vulnerablilty for injuries. Exercises build communication and conflict resolution skills, increasing self confidence and the ability to make safe choices when on their own or in the face of peer pressure.
Two separate curricula packed with lessons and handouts are available: one for grades four and five, and one for grades six through eight. Various levels of difficulty within each curriculum allow for flexibility in teaching students with different academic abilities and learning methods. Curricula include lessons on the brain and spinal cord, vehicle and pedestrian safety, bicycle and sports safety, water safety, creative problem solving, violence prevention, conflict resolution, and choking and suffocation hazards. Each lesson comes with fun, thought-provoking, hands-on activities, Messages from "Dr. A," and resources for further information.
A ThinkFirst assembly or classroom presentation offers compelling guest speakers to augment the curricula activities with first-hand testimony. Health educators utilize brain and spine models and other visuals in their discussion, followed by a ThinkFirst VIP speaker - Voices for Injury Prevention - who shares their personal story of how one decision changed their life forever. Students have the rare opportunity to hear from someone who has actually dealt with a brain or spinal cord injury, helping them to gain a better appreciation for the need to "use your mind to protect your body."
Schools may schedule ThinkFirst presentations through a local ThinkFirst chapter; curricula is available to schools through our chapters or you may contact the ThinkFirst national office for information.
Read the Messages from Dr. A


text:
Most of the time photographers opt for composites for creative purposes, but sometimes they're a necessity. Whatever the case may be, when shooting for a composite image, it's essential that the different scenes have consistent lighting. Photographer Robert Hall explains the process of photographing a composite using flash to easily execute the post-production process in Photoshop:
Hall needed to take an image of nine students standing separately in a wide-open space. If he'd used nine separate lights, it would've been really hard on the subjects. Further, the light spillage would have made the light stands appear all over the photo. He chose to use the composite technique to photograph the following image:
Steps to Create Composites
Align the Images
Working with composites can get tiring if you have to correct everything in post. It's a good idea to have as many things correct in-camera as possible. One variable to consider is the alignment of the images. Hall suggests the following tips to ensure proper alignment:
- Keep your camera still. Use a tripod and do not change it's position. It alsl helps to use a remote shutter release to fire the camera without shaking it.
- Turn off any in-body stabilization in the camera and optical stabilization in the lens. Otherwise, the system will try to compensate for shake that doesn't exist. This can cause the images to be misaligned.
- To make sure the camera doesn't hunt for focus after every frame, use manual focus mode. Hall focuses the images once on the closest subject and sets the camera to manual focus mode.
The room in which Hall was supposed to photograph had a lot of distracting elements. To prevent them from appearing in the final image, he underexposed the image and made the students pop using flash. Here's how he did it:
- To cut out most of the ambient light while still maintaining a greater depth of field, he set the aperture to f/8.
- A shutter speed of 1/250 second allowed him to cut out all of the ambient light.
- An ISO setting of 400 made the image bright enough without making the distractions visible.
Photographing the Group
Once Hall was happy with the settings, he positioned the students, making sure each was unobstructed. To light the subjects, he used a Glow EZ Lock Deep Parabolic soft-box with a grid. This ensured that he got a tight beam of light on the subjects without any spillage. He also used another eVOLV 200 with a honeycomb grid and a snoot for the rear light. Two assistants helped to carry these lights around from student to student after every shot.
"I always make sure to have the light above the subjects and pointing downward. That way, I keep the light consistent on every subject as well as cast all downward shadows. This means the shadows are going to hit the ground rather than all over the background."
He then photographed all the students individually in the position they were assigned. In the process, he made sure to take multiple images of every student with different poses and lighting setups. Once done with each student, he instructed them to move to the side so that he didn't have to work around them.
After Hall was done photographing the students, he used the key light to illuminate the other important aspects of the space, like the mascot and the sign at the top.
To make the image appear more natural, Hall placed his rear lights up at the ledge and took some shots to make the viewers feel comfortable about the rear lighting that the students had in their images.
And finally, Hall took an image of the empty space just to have an empty slate to work with during post-production.
Post Processing a Composite Image
Hall used Lightroom to adjust the exposure settings on his images them moved to Photoshop to blend them together. Here's how he did it:
- To make sure the ambience of the space looked the same in all the images, he adjusted the global adjustments uniformly. This made the exposure and the colors appear the same in all the images.
- When it came to adjusting the exposure on the individual students, he did it locally by using the brush tool. In the process, he made sure that all the students were illuminated uniformly.
- In Photoshop, he brought in all the images of the individual students to his empty slate (the picture of the empty room). For each layer, he retained the image of the students and some area around them. He did the same for the golden grizzly, the sign, and the four rear lights at the ledge.
- Once all the elements were in place and he was happy with the result, he did some final global adjustments like contrast and sharpening.
This technique comes in handy when you need to completely change the look of a space.
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mission-critical systems. Thus they build and infrastructures that are able to keep working without interruptions in cases when the network is under attack, some server crashes, database crases, there is a power shortage, or some hardware issue. There are usually more locations with servers and databases in such infrastructures. When some location is completely cut off for any reason the other is able to take over the service. Users do not notice anything.
In the context of blockchain, we talk about the public network for people maintained by people. Cryptocurrencies want to gradually replace the current financial system, give freedom to people, and allow them to rely on blockchain technologies. If blockchain would fail and some data would be permanently lost then some people could lose everything. In some cases, people could be fully reliable on blockchain and if their possessions are kept in a blockchain then we can consider it as a mission-critical system.
So public blockchain cannot be interrupted under any circumstance and must be able to come to a consensus at regular intervals. Any interruption might result in situations when people will not be able to pay for something, prove something, get somewhere, do something, etc.
Cardano is to be a world financial operating system so it deserves to be built as a mission-critical system from scratch. The project strives for billion users so it must be reliable from the beginning. It makes no sense to create a blockchain quickly, wait for adoption, and if it comes then try to improve the protocol.
Formal method development
Formal method development is a way how to build software with a focus on its reliability. It is a method helping to build mission-critical systems. Using the formal method is not usual in business nowadays since the development of such systems is very slow in comparison with the usual approach of commercial IT companies. They often need to deliver something, try it and after that improve it. It is mostly due to high competition in the market.
The formal methods approach is also very expensive. Not only due to the time needed for delivery but also due to the scientific and mathematical nature that requires hiring experts with appropriate education or experience. Moreover, there is a lack of support tools for formal method development and verification.
To put it simply, formal method development is a particular kind of mathematically based techniques for writing specification, development, and verification of the result — the created software. The motivation to use the formal method is the expectation that mathematical analysis or modeling can significantly contribute to the reliability, and robustness of a design and specifications that are later used for writing software. In case that the design, based on math and modeling, is correct and the software is written strictly following the design then there is a high probability that the software behaves as it is expected by authors and also by users.
In other words, formal methods are used to provide a precise and detailed description of the system that is to be developed. The description or design is often prepared by researches or scientists and it is used by software architects and programmers for guiding further software development. Additionally, it is used for the verification process. When the software is created it must be verifiable that it fulfills all requirements completely and accurately. The design must be written in a way that programmers are able to understand it, write the code by that, and finally verify it. For that, a formal language with a precise and unambiguously defined syntax and semantics can be used. Scientists and programmers must understand each other and there cannot be much space for communication noise.
Example of formal specification of Ouroboros protocol (just a simple epoch helper function).
If we simplify it there are three major steps in the process:
 1. Preparing a specification for developers mostly by researches, mathematicians, and/or scientists. In this step, a formal description of the system must be prepared. This step should also contain a validation of the specification. A review from other experts is highly welcomed.
 2. Once the formal specification or design is prepared programmers can take it, study it, and start to create software strictly following the specification.
 3. Once the software is developed it is time to verify that it really behaves in all possible scenarios as the formal specification dictates. Many different methods might be used to verify that. However, the software should work correctly in the real environment.
IOHK uses formal specifications that allow them to verify that the final code is in line with what the researchers initially envisaged in their publications. By creating implementation-independent specifications, they can build components of the system using different languages and be confident that they will work together.
It is worth noting that IOHK decided to use programming language Haskell what is a great pick for the project driven by the formal methods since it can be easily verified that the code does what is expected by specifications.
In the past, IOHK released many design specifications or formal specifications. For example:
There are many other specifications for every part of the project, for example, Ouroboros PoS, wallet, UTXO model, etc. The team, as the first one, formalized Bitcoin PoW to ensure that it is really secure. After that, it was easy to mathematically prove that Ouroboros PoS is as secure as Bitcoin PoW.
Building a mission-critical project takes time and criticism for waiting too long for delivery is not appropriate. Building high-quality software takes time and Cardano put the level even higher and the IOHK team decided to use the formal methods. All that had to be done from scratch and Charles managed to find many great scientists and experts.
Cardano will be ready for real business in 2020. It will be secure, decentralized, and much better scalable than competitors. In 2021 we can expect even better scalability (Basho phase) and governance (Voltaire phase). However, if everything goes well there should not be a need to improve or fix what is already delivered. Thanks to that, Cardano can have a competitive edge.
Source: Cardano is the first mission-critical blockchain project
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Eurostat poll: adults that do not speak a foreign language most common in Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, and France
Saturday, September 26, 2009
An article here in French has a blur of statistics from a recent Eurostat survey on foreign languages, which can be seen here (PDF). Some of the numbers the article references:
The French are among the back of the class in Europe in terms of knowledge of foreign language, but the future is darker in Great Britain, where one half of students in upper secondary education haven't learned a single foreign language, according to Eurostat on Thursday.
According to the office of statistics of the European Union, France, where 41.2% of adults from age 25 to 64 speak no foreign language. This is sixth from the back, and this number increases to 43% for Greece, 44% for Bulgaria, 47% in Spain, 51% in Portugal, and 74.8% (!) for Hungary.
In average, 36% of Europeans between ages 25 and 64 have not learned a foreign language, 36% speak one foreign language, and 28% say they know two or more.
The best in this class is Norway where 74.7% of adults say they have learned two or more foreign languages, followed by Slovenians (71.8%) and Belgians (51.5%). Only 22.9% of those in France say they have learned two or more foreign languages, and 35.9% say that they know one.
In most European countries, an increasing majority of students in upper secondary education (almost 100% in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland) learn at least two foreign languages. In the UK this is only 6.1%.
The article doesn't mention that the survey was incomplete though, which is why it says that Norway is the top country for adults that speak two or more foreign languages - that's because Luxembourg wasn't included in the part of the survey that featured adults. But it was in the part focusing on students which is why Luxembourg is at the top (along with some other countries) there. It would probably be best to take a look at the PDF then.
The interesting part would probably be Hungary with 74.8% of adults not speaking a foreign language, as this would seem to fly in the face of the idea that speakers of smaller languages necessarily feel the need to learn others. France, Spain and Portugal make perfect sense given their large geographic distribution, but Hungary only has 15 million speakers and official in but a single country. And even among students, Hungary is only at 41.8% in terms of those learning two or more. Perhaps the answer is just that Hungarian happens to be so awesome that you just aren't interested in other languages after knowing it. Yes, we'll go with that as the explanation.
That's also good news for those that want to learn Hungarian, since often the biggest barrier to learning a language for English speakers is the fact that it's so easy to find an English speaker. With 74.8% of adults only knowing Hungarian in Hungary that means the vast majority of the time you're likely to stumble upon someone that doesn't know English, and that's great for those that want to immerse themselves in a language.
Anonymous said...
I'm a Hungarian. shame on us!:)) the truth is that Hungarians are lazy as shit.. and belonging absolutely to no other bigger language family as latin or slavic does'nt help either...
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