text:
Monument record MDR5138 - Limekilns, Fall Hill and Hockley Quarry, Ashover
LIME KILN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
The remains of a group of limekilns at Fallgate, Ashover. They are arranged with another group just off Hockley Lane (SMR 532). They are of limestone construction, partially blocked with earth and masonry. (1) Two lime kilns at Hockley in a natural fissure in the cliff edge. Described in 1973 as being in poor condition. (4) Limekilns, Fallgate. At Fallgate stand the remains of several limekilns, in two groups, just off Hockley Lane. They are not accessible and are in poor condition. (5) Location is more accurately described as Hockley Quarry. Two kilns and a weighing machine here are marked on the plan accompanying the notice sale of Hockley House and adjoining property on July 13th 1892. The quarry was rented by Ashover Lime Co. at the time. A Twigg estate sale on January 12th 1835 included as lot No. 6 'five closes near the Town… including Lime Kiln Delph', the quarry and kilns at which 'are now in full work', but the plan is missing so it is not clear if this also was Hockley Quarry. (6)
<1> SDR10857 Index: North Derbyshire Archaeological Trust (NDAT). North Derbyshire Archaeological Trust Index: 0108. 0108.
<2> SDR19111 Index: Council for British Archaeology (CBA). CBA Industrial Archaeology Report Card. Limekilns, Ashover.
<3> SDR18789 Map: Ordnance Survey (OS). 1882. OS County Series, 1st edition, scale 1:2500 (c. 25" to one mile). Derbyshire XXX.9.
<4> SDR18918 Unpublished document: County Treasure Recording Form. 10(h).1; July 16 1973..
<5> SDR19367 Bibliographic reference: Fowkes, D. 2000. Derbyshire Industrial Archaeology. Part V. North East Derbyshire. P.26.
<6> SDR19745 Unpublished document: Edwards, D. 2006. Notes on various SMR entries compiled during research for the new Victoria County History.
Centred SK 35064 62712 (65m by 59m) (Approximate)
Nov 1 2017 4:44PM


Translated from the English (American) by Vincent Bergerat.
A young woman, (A. R.), has learnt that she will eventually develop Huntington's, a rare, incurable genetic disease. She tells about the ethical, psychological and existential issues linked to this kind of medical prediction. Inspired by William James, her Manifesto is devoted to find some alternative ways of transforming a tragic announcement into an existential adventure, related to creation and knowledge on HD. A vigorous act of disobedience in reaction to the medical certitudes.
On chorea (translated into French for the first time by Vincent Bergerat) is the first presentation in 1872 by a young physician, George Huntington, of a very rare hereditary disease, which provokes cognitive, muscular and psychiatric degeneration. After the publication of this incredibly precise and visionary text in the The Medical and Surgical Reporter, this disease has taken Huntington's name.
Represented by Emilie Hermant and Valérie Pihet, the project Dingdingdong implies Vincent Bergerat (artist), Liisa Cervières (artist), Anne Collod (choreographer), Alexandra Compain-Tissier (artist), Didier Debaise (philosopher), Vinciane Despret (psychologist and ethologist), Emilie Hache (philosopher), Emilie Hermant (writer), Bruno Latour (philosopher and sociologist), Anne Laure Morin (lawyer), Valérie Pihet (project curator), Fabien Siouffi (video game executive), Katrin Solhdju (historian), Stéphanie Soudrain (artist), Isabelle Stengers (philosopher), Fabrizio Terranova (artist), Sophie Toporkoff (art director), Katia Youssov (neurologist).


text:
Home Sports Fifa Ranking FIFA to take over the running of African football
FIFA to take over the running of African football
CAIRO (Reuters) – FIFA are to take over the running of African football in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it was announced on Thursday.
The CAF executive committee took the unprecedented decision to cede control and have FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura parachuted in as "FIFA General Delegate for Africa".
A joint statement was read out at a news conference held by beleaguered CAF president Ahmad Ahmad in Cairo on Thursday on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations but he refused questions on the subject.
Samoura will take over the running of CAF from August to January with the possibility of a renewal of her six-month stint.
Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea to colleagues on the executive committee at their meeting in Cairo on Wednesday. It was approved without dissent.
The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF vice president Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad's brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations.
Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters.
The statement said Samoura would be assisted by experts in a bid to oversee management of CAF, including governance and administrative procedures.
She would attempt to improve the professionalism of the organisation and support growth and development in all African countries.
FIFA are to also undertake a forensic audit of CAF, it added.
The controversy surrounding Ahmad, who was elected CAF president two years ago, has come as major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free FIFA.
Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice president.
African football has been rocked not only by the firing of CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy for whistle blowing, but also a walk off in the Champions League final and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF's vice presidents.
The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe.
Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Christian Radnedge
Previous articleSouth Africa's Vodacom to sell some operations in five African markets
Next articleZimbabwe's currency hits new low, firms demanding payment in U.S. dollars
http://Reuters
FIFA ban leads to cancellation of Sierra Leone's match against Ghana
Nigeria now 48 in the FIFA World Ranking , 4th in Africa
Ronaldo, Modric and Salah on FIFA player of the year shortlist
FA charges Pep Guardiola over Catalonia political symbol
Babatunde Akinsola - Feb 23, 2018
Neymar, Messi missing as Fifa shortlists Kane, Hazard, Salah & Ronaldo...
Anene Peters - Jul 24, 2018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Posted in: Older NewsOp-ed
February 2, 2019 5:55 PM UTC
Why Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Need to Stop the Billionaire Bashing
In a Thursday interview on CNBC show Mad Money with Jim Kramer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren came out swinging against billionaires, saying: "You know that top one-tenth of 1 percent this year, taxes all in, they're gonna pay about 3.2 percent of their total worth in…
Author: W. E. Messamore @thehuli
Economist Tyler Cowen says that the bitcoin price surge has one incredibly surprising catalyst: Progressive presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. | Source: Joseph Prezioso/AFP
In a Thursday interview on CNBC show Mad Money with Jim Kramer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren came out swinging against billionaires, saying:
"You know that top one-tenth of 1 percent this year, taxes all in, they're gonna pay about 3.2 percent of their total worth in taxes to help keep everything running around here. You know what the 99 percent is gonna pay this year? They're gonna pay about 7.2 percent of their wealth. That's more than twice as much."
But Elizabeth Warren's numbers are very misleading.
According to the available IRS tax data, the very richest people in America–– the top 0.001 percent–– have consistently paid an average federal tax rate of 23.93% over the last ten years. And all Americans making $2 million or more in annual income pay an average effective tax rate of 27%. So what Sen. Warren said simply isn't true.
Why the smaller percentage for the very richest Americans?
Because more of their income is dividends from capital gains, which is taxed at 20 percent. Warren might argue that it's unfair for billionaires to pay a lower tax on their capital gains than high-income earners pay on their salaries, but the income from capital gains is money that was already taxed once at the corporate level.
Elizabeth Warren: Billionaires Are Freeloaders
"I want these billionaires to stop being freeloaders. I want them to pick up their fair share. That's how we make a system that works not just for the rich and the powerful but works for all of us."
This characterization that Elizabeth Warren made of billionaires as freeloaders is wrong too. Billionaires are far from freeloaders. They made all of us wealthier on their way to earning three commas in their net worth, by being the creative force behind the ideas and commercial enterprises that create massive amounts of wealth.
Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, the late Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, the late Sam Walton– none of these great men ever got a single dollar in their pocket that someone didn't willingly give to them in exchange for something of greater value, according to each individual payor's own judgment, something that made them richer than keeping the money in their own pocket.
And even in your scrub budget. You can thank a billionaire. | Source: 9GAG
"Look, all I'm asking for is a little slice from the tippy-tippy-top. A slice that would raise—and this is the shocking part—about $2.75 trillion over the next 10 years. That's money we need so that every kid in this country has a decent childcare opportunity, has an opportunity for pre-K, has an opportunity for a decent school."
Look, all I'm asking for is the United States federal government to comply with its own charter document, the U.S. Constitution, and stop unconstitutionally (i.e., illegally) starting education businesses using tax dollars taken from people's earnings.
There's nothing in Article I Section 8 about Congress appropriating money for daycare centers, so Amendment X to the Bill of Rights guarantees that is not a prerogative within the scope of the government's powers.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls Billionaires Immoral
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wants to hike income taxes on the rich to 70%. | Source: Shutterstock
Sen. Warren's Mad Money interview was a pile on after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated a week ago that any system which allows billionaires to exist while anyone lives in poverty is immoral.
But her statement is more like the cartoon character off the Monopoly board game box than a serious analysis of the role billionaires play in America's society and economy.
It's not their fault that anyone is poor, and poverty doesn't exist because there are billionaires. We are all most certainly more wealthy because of the engines of economic productivity created by people who profited massively from them.
Howard Schultz Heckled For Being A Billionaire
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was very rudely heckled by a narcissistic attention seeker at Schultz's first talk after announcing he would run for president of the United States as a moderate independent in 2020:
"Go back to Davos with the other billionaire elite who think they know how to run the world! That's not what Democracy needs!"
Not what Democracy needs?
I'll take a billionaire businessman who made a billion dollars selling people coffee over a millionaire law professor who goes on national television as a U.S. senator and quotes blatantly misleading tax statistics while stirring up Marxist class envy. Or a millionaire cop who made a million dollars locking people up for selling weed.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not represent those of, nor should they be attributed to, CCN.
Elizabeth Warren Image from Joseph Prezioso/AFP
Last modified: February 2, 2019 11:27 AM UTC
W. E. Messamore @thehuli
Markets Contributor for CCN living in Nashville, Tennessee. Bachelor of Business Administration from Belmont University in 2009 (majored in Entrepreneurship). Organized Senator Rand Paul's first and second online fundraisers in 2009. Correctly predicted the bitcoin bull market of 2019. Roving editor for the Independent Voter Network since 2013. Email me | Follow Me on Twitter (followed by: fmr Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), fmr NM Gov. Gary Johnson, and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY))
More of: Alexandria Ocasio-CortezElizabeth Warrenhoward schultz
Elizabeth Warren Made A Fatal Error Attacking Bernie Sanders' Credibility
AOC's Justice Democrats Are Out for Scalps in 2020 Primary Challenges
5 Women Bernie Sanders Might Pick for V.P. if He's Nominated in 2020
Gaming's Big 'Crunch': Is the Industry's Big Taboo a Real Problem?


text:
Arbitration Panel Ruling Favours Occidental in Ecuador Tax Dispute
Occidental Petroleum Corporation stated on 13 July 2004 that a tribunal of international arbitrators formed under the US-Ecuador Bilateral Investment Treaty had issued its unanimous decision awarding approximately $75 million as compensation for value added tax (VAT) refunds from the company's Block 15 operations in Ecuador that were deemed wrongfully withheld by the Government of Ecuador through 31 December 2003. The tribunal's decision also indicates that similar VAT refunds should be paid going forward. An Occidental subsidiary is the operator of Block 15, with a 60 per cent net ...
"Arbitration Panel Ruling Favours Occidental in Ecuador Tax Dispute"


Below is a selection of recent research projects. Click on any project to learn more.
Please contact us for a full reference list of research projects.
Railway infrastructure optimisation and monitoring for further noise reduction.
Demonstration of methods and tools for the optimisation of operational reliability of large-scale industrial wind turbine.
Interoperable monitoring, diagnosis and maintenance strategies for axle bearings.
Virtual certification of acoustic performance for freight and passenger trains.
Reduction of railway induced vibrations by addressing the vibration generation at the vehicle level, the track level and in the transmission path.
Development and implementation of an advanced high-speed rail condition monitoring system based on the use of non-contact EMAT sensors, enabling the fast and reliable inspection of rail tracks at high speeds.
Development of new component designs and maintenance processes aimed at improving the integrity of urban rail transport infrastructure through the deployment of intelligent design and sensor technologies integrated in cost effective products and targeted non-intrusive monitoring processes.
Development of an integrated series of modular track infrastructure solutions at low cost, with no or little maintenance, high availability, constant comfort and ensuring great punctuality.
Development of an integrated system of methodologies and technologies for the efficient control of urban traffic noise.
Optimisation of special trackwork, especially in urban transports.
Acquisition of a deep understanding of rail corrugation phenomena, especially in urban transports.
Prediction and solution of squeal noise generated by tram and metro in tight curves.


text:
SURE, WHY NOT ROSES
The joy in sport comes from the process. Football games will matter in Bloomington, in mid-November. That's what made Saturday and the weeks to come so special for this Indiana football team.
By Kyle Robbins@kylerrobbins Oct 27, 2019, 2:37pm EDT
Share All sharing options for: SURE, WHY NOT ROSES
Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images
More prescient words will come at some point, maybe, I don't know.
This morning I woke up in some boutique Gramercy hotel and stared at the ceiling for some period lasting between several seconds and two hours. I don't know quite exactly how I, or we, ended up here. I sat in a Greenwich Village bar with strangers that became fast friends, moved somewhere between 2-7 flights to ensure I could watch my historically bad football team beat one of the sport's more storied programs in front of 90,000 people. These sorts of personality traits are bugs, not features, but whatever. Everything that happened yesterday happened, you can't take it away, and I could ride this high until Christmastime if I needed to. You should not get this level of personal fulfillment out of watching sports. It's stupid, none of it matters, but let me clear: I did, and Scott Frost please, well, [making WWE-like SUCK IT gesture].
The Indiana Hoosier football team is 6-2 entering November. Yes, that one. The same one of Sam Wyche, and Gerry DiNardo, and losing to Michigan for thirty years, and not cracking a top-25 poll since I was three, and so on. The one that has tried countless ploys and tricks and bullshit to get you to care. The one that requires the semiannual Ohio State game. The one that has spent the better part of a decade going Full Wile E. Coyote on ABC in every big moment for the past decade or so.
That program — yes, again, that one — has me dancing around the Superfund site that is Newark Terminal A on a Sunday afternoon.
Sport is distraction, sport is about hope. The joy comes not from the championship wins, but rather from the process. If Indiana wins a national championship in football tomorrow, after it all ends, my life goes right back to normal about a week later. The celebration will be great, sure. We'll write some blogs. We'll hawk some t-shirts for our friends at Homefield. But at the end of the day, we'll go right back to the same lives we're living today.
The fun is in the process. The ask of Indiana football, from me, has always been games that matter. Not dumpy, forgettable late season chances to maybe get to five or six wins. Real November games that matter. A chance to have INDIANA come up on the screen when those CFP rankings come out. And, maybe, who knows, if the cards fell right — a Rose Bowl bid.
Yes, seriously. That's what's on the line over the next four games. That's why you should care 3,000,000 times more about this than where some teen decides to go to college to play basketball.
Eight wins is on the table. #9WINDIANA's on the table. So's the Rose Bowl. Here's how it happens.
Sure, let's get this out here first: Any Rose Bowl pipe dream involves winning out for Indiana. Northwestern, at Penn State, Michigan, at Purdue. That's difficult — but SP+ projects Indiana as favored by multiple scores in two of those games, and an underdog by 4 and 14 in the others. Hardly impossible.
Then, you need some help.
Ohio State has to run the table, win the Big Ten, and go to the CFP.
This may be the easiest outcome to project here, by a long shot. That would give Penn State a second loss at 10-2, and drop Michigan to 8-4.
Then, the Big Ten West needs to cannabalize itself, which looks semi-likely.
Three teams have a semi-likely shot at winning the weaker West: Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Good news for Indiana: They all still have to play each other.
Minnesota has three games remaining against ranked opponents — and hasn't faced one yet year to date despite being 8-0. That means a home game against a better Penn State team, then trips to Wisconsin and Iowa. Let's assume best case scenario Minnesota comes out of that 10-2.
For extra measure, one of Wisconsin or Iowa could lose to Minnesota, then beat the other — and leave both at 9-3. That would hand the west to Minnesota.
Under that scenario, that might leave three options for Pasadena and it would come down to the CFP ranking to break the tie. Indiana might have a better case than you think.
Minnesota (10-3): Big Ten West champs. Best win: Iowa or Wisconsin
Indiana (10-2): 2nd in East on tiebreak. Best wins: at Penn State, Michigan
Penn State (10-2): 3rd in East on tiebreak. Best wins: at Michigan, at Minnesota
It might not happen. It could happen and Indiana might get snubbed because of a weaker early schedule and brand recognition. But it could. And that's why you should care about next Saturday's game at home, at night, in Bloomington, against a Northwestern team that hasn't scored a touchdown in damn-near a month.
Because it's a chance to play for something that matters. And it could set up a ranked vs. ranked matchup in Happy Valley with Rose Bowl implications. In mid-November.
That's all we've ever asked for.


0:10Skip to 0 minutes and 10 secondsHow do we remember our past? Do we all share the same memories? Is European history the sum of national histories or a distinctive way of feeling and remembering? The way Europeans remember the past has changed through time. In the 19th century, history became linked with the birth of the nation. Museums and galleries, libraries and monuments, commemorations and festivals all represented and created the national community. History remained throughout the 20th century a given, a specific body of knowledge. People were encouraged to learn and identify with the facts and adapt their personal and community memories to the grand narrative of the nation.
1:00Skip to 1 minute and 0 secondsAfter 1945, in the West, European history was understood as the sum of separate national histories. It was presented as a progressive and unitary march in history from antiquity to Renaissance and then modernisation. Social movements and critical ideas spread across Europe in the 1960s and '70s challenged this understanding of the past. What about all these minority groups whose stories were excluded, ignored, or hidden from the state accounts of the past? History is written by those in power who silence alternative identities in the past so as to control the present. Social historians started to discover the history from below, to rewrite the past from the perspective of those repressed-- women, the working class, colonised, and black people.
1:53Skip to 1 minute and 53 secondsDark sides of European history, such as imperialism and colonialism, challenged celebratory accounts and what was seen as a distinct and supreme European civilisation. Today, things have changed radically. Any understanding of European heritage has to balance diversity with unity, taking into account the diversity of regional and national cultures following the European integration process, the diversity of ethnic and religious cultures arising from the different traditions of migration and multiculturalism, the wider diversity of popular and digital culture due to globalisation. So what kind of past and heritage fit with this present?
2:42Skip to 2 minutes and 42 secondsThe classroom, the library, and the school textbook are no longer the only authorised spaces where we learn history in Europe today. It seems that the writing of history has become public and participatory. We can see history everywhere-- in movies, theatre plays, documentaries, and TV series, in literature, comics and children's books, in photographs, in landscapes, and in urban buildings, and nowadays, also on social media, where people share their experiences and views of the past. In an interconnected world, ordinary people can become agents of their own history.
3:27Skip to 3 minutes and 27 secondsThen what does history become if we understand it as public history? Its use is opened up in everyday life. History is no longer a given told by some experts and archived in museums. The past is constructed in a history and heritage through a practise that involves people, communities, and nations in the creation of their own histories. This is even more the case with European history and culture that cannot be reduced to the memories of a given people.
4:01Skip to 4 minutes and 1 secondEuropean cultural heritage can be imagined as a house with many rooms inhabited by people residing in Europe. This house offers a way to communicate with the others by visiting or even inhabiting more rooms. It can become an arena of struggles and emotions, while its many rooms provide different and conflicting ways to interpret the world around us.
The way Europeans remember the past has evolved over the last two centuries.
In the 19th century: cultural institutions representing national communities, proposing a grand narrative of the nation.
After 1945, Europe's representation of the past consisted of a set of national histories.
The social mobilization of 1968 resulted in calls to make space for alternative identities and to revisit history to tell about oppressed groups such as women and coloured people.
Today, spaces where we write and learn about history have increased and diversified. A participatory approach to history is on the rise.


text:
Q: Designing a table like structure for an array of array of strings HTML PAGE:

{{ClassificationTree}}

Above is the HTML template that I have. To give you a quick idea artifactClassification is an JSON. label is an object. I am passing this label in an function in JS that return ClassificationTree which is  an array of strings (of any size). What I am trying to do is create a table like structure that will display this array of array of string. The restriction is there could only be two columns. This should look something like:
xyz        xyz1
abc        abc1
pqr        pqr1

mno        dsh
asd        234
as3        ff4

as3
ass

The above represents an array( here we have 5 arrays of string). The number could be anything. I need  help design this structure. Not sure what to use or where to begin from
The output that i am getting right now :
xyz
abc
asd
asd
a1d
sad
sad

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Volvo showcases XC60 plug-in hybrid concept
The 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is poised for imminent kick off, with a number of new concept cars surfacing ahead of the big day.
One of the cars slated to be showcased comes from Volvo and is called the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. The car looks like a SUV to my eyes with four doors and a plug-in port on the driver side fender. The XC60 concept operates in three different modes: pure, hybrid, and power.
Pure mode is all EV and with the battery pack and electric motor alone, the car is good for 35 miles of during in urban traffic per charge.
Hybrid mode combines the battery power and the gasoline engine in a traditional hybrid system with a driving range of 600 miles and a rating of 50 mpg.
Meanwhile, power mode combines the power from the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and the electric motors for performance to drive the XC60 for 0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds.
"The technology in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is as ingenious as it is unique," says Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby.
"You can make really green progress on the road without compromising on any of the luxury car's renowned properties. No other manufacturer has succeeded in delivering fuel economy and electrical range on this level in a capable, spacious performance car with 350 horsepower on tap."
The 4-cylinder engine in Volvo's XC60 boasts 280hp with 280 lb.-ft. of torque, while the electric motor puts out 70hp and an additional 148 lb.-ft. of torque. Interestingly, the car has no traditional starter or alternator. Rather, it is equipped with integrated Starter motor and Generator (ISG) connected to the crankshaft between the engine and transmission. The ISG adds another 45hp that can be used during acceleration and charges the battery during braking.
The battery pack inside the car is a 12kWh unit located under the floor of the car. It can charge from a 12A 220V outlet in 3.5 hours – and from a normal 110V, 12A outlet, the battery needs 7.5 hours to charge. The car also includes an electric four-wheel drive system with the front wheels driven by the gasoline engine and the rear wheels by the electric system.
Another interesting feature is the "save mode" that claims to save 12 miles of range by using the generator to top the battery off if needed – all to keep 12 miles of pure electric range under foot.
We talked about Volvo's V60 plug-in diesel hybrid back in February of 2011, and clearly, the vehicle manufacturer is pushing green concepts in a big way.
Shane McGlaun -
3 Ways to Protect Your Business From Cyber Attacks
Draymond Green Joins Alex Fenkell for #SmilePowered Day in New York City
5 Ways Information Technology has Affected Business Operations
PrevPreviousApple threatens to sue Steve Jobs dollmaker
NextQualcomm touts Android GameCommand for Snapdragon devicesNext
How Does the Payment Processing Industry Work?
How to Choose the Right Trading Platform When Trading Cryptocurrencies


This elegant evening shirt cut from finest superior twill with a pleated front. The Plaza tuxedo shirt in model fitted body is designed for style and comfort with a slightly tailored waist. Finished with a pleated front, French cuffs and four open holes for studs. This shirt has extra long sleeves +4.5 cm, body-length +5 cm.


text:
Cipla Launches the World's First Generic Pirfenidone in India, Giving Hope to Sufferers of IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis)
Cipla Limited
MUMBAI, India, October 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cipla, among the world's leading generic pharmaceutical companies, has introduced Pirfenidone in India under the brand name Pirfenex, for the treatment of IPF. A chronic progressive form of lung disease, IPF has average survival rates as low as 3-5 years which is less than many cancers. Till now there is no approved treatment for IPF. Pirfenidone is a novel anti-fibrotic drug which through clinical trials has shown to slow down progression of this terminal disease and stabilize lung function.
Cipla's technical prowess along with leadership in terms of range of drugs and therapeutic categories in the respiratory segment, is leading the fight to provide world class affordable treatment for patients with orphan diseases. Commenting on the launch, Dr. J Gogtay, Medical Director, Cipla, said, "The launch of Pirfenex is a significant step forward. With increased availability and affordability, Pirfenex could now offer hope to those afflicted with this condition."
Pirfenex will be manufactured at Cipla's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Himachal Pradesh, India which is approved by WHO, MCC -South Africa and TGA - Australia.
In addition to the launch, Cipla will host and disseminate a series of lectures on IPF to physicians in India and across the world. Addressing the delegates Prof Luca Richeldi, Director, Center for Rare Lung Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy, said, "Patients affected by IPF have a distinctively poor prognosis, and until now no drugs have been approved to treat IPF. Pirfenidone represents the first concrete chance of slowing down disease progression. The effect on increasing progression free survival, as showed in three combined studies, coupled with an acceptable safety profile, opens up a new path for better management of IPF."
Last year Cipla launched the world's first generic Bosentan, for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. With the launch of Pirfenex, Cipla reaffirms its leadership in the respiratory arena with products and services in 8 therapeutic areas viz. asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, respiratory infections, pulmonary and critical care, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung cancer and IPF.
About Cipla:
Cipla laid foundations for the Indian pharmaceutical industry back in 1935 with the vision to make India self-reliant in healthcare. Over the years Cipla has emerged as one of the most respected names not just in India but worldwide. Its state of the art R&D centre has given the country and the world many firsts. This includes the revolutionary AIDS cocktail for less than a dollar a day. With over 40 manufacturing units across the country, Cipla manufactures over 1200 products in 80 therapies.
With a turnover of over US $ 1 billion, Cipla serves doctors and patients in over 180 countries. It has earned a name for maintaining one global standard across all its products and services. Cipla continues to support, improve and save millions of lives with its high-quality drugs and innovative devices. (http://www.cipla.com)
+91-99-67516441/+91-22-23025813
SOURCE Cipla Limited


The participants at the Council have reiterated their support and commitment to the sovereignty, the unity and the territorial integrity of Mali. They have welcomed the progress achieved in implementing the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali, a result of the Algiers process, under the authority of His Excellency Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of the Republic of Mali. They called on all the Malian signatory parties to continue their efforts in order to restore the authority of the State of Mali over the whole of its territory.
The participants have welcomed the adoption of resolution 2359 (2017) of 21 June 2017, regarding G5 Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S) to fight against terrorism, organised transnational crime and human trafficking. They have appealed to the international community to offer an urgent and concrete support in this respect, and they have insisted on the need to convene without delay the Conference for the planning of contributions from bilateral and multilateral partners of the region, in accordance with the resolution 2359 (2017), in order to ensure the coordination of the efforts of assistance by the donors to the FC-G5S.


text:
Roger Laouenan (28 August 1932 – 30 March 2022) was a French writer and historian.

Biography
Born into a family with a peasantry background, Laouenan became a journalist with Le Télégramme. He is a friend of  and published her biography. He was the author of the series Les Bretons dans la Grande guerre, a reference for the history of experiences by the Bretons in World War I.

Laouenan died in Lannion on 30 March 2022, at the age of 89.

Bibliography
La Nuit du pendu (1959)
Le Dernier Breton (1978)
Anjela Duval (1982)
Le Tocsin de la moisson (1994)
La Moisson rouge (1994)
Les Fiancés de la Toussaint (1996)
Nous les poilus (1998)
Les Coquelicots de la Marne (1994)
Les Semailles de guerre (2000)
Le Pays de Lannion dans la grande guerre (2002)
Le Moral de l'arrière, Le Trégor dans la Grande Guerre (2002)
Les Poilus : Dans les tranchées de la Grande Guerre (2003)
Ce soir d'août (2004)
Des Demoiselles au feu : L'épopée des fusiliers marins (2004)
Le pain bleu (2009)
Le repaire du papillon (2011)
Les Bretons sous les gaz (2014)

References

1932 births
2022 deaths
20th-century French writers
21st-century French writers
Writers from Brittany
Breton historians
People from Côtes-d'Armor

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Paypal, AT&T Add Fingerprint Login To Their Apps
Android Nougat OS Starts Rolling Out For Nexus Smartphones
Instagram Hits the 1 Billion Users Milestone on Play Store
Samsung Cloud Service Comes To Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7…
Samsung Confirms Plans To Launch Bigger Variant of Samsung Galaxy Note…
iPhone 7 Production Might Be Affected Due To Low Supply
iPhones Might Soon Be Able To Capture A Thief's Biometric Info…
Is Your iPhone Plagued By The Touch Disease Too?
Tim Cook Completes 5 Years As Apple CEO - A Retrospective…
Apple Takes Over Health Startup Gliimpse
Google Wallet Gets Major Update – Direct Transfer To Debit Card…
Google Duo Crosses 5 Million Downloads in a Week!
Google Allo To Feature Snapchat Like Conversations in Incognito Mode
Google Allo To Feature Ability To Delete Messages
Google Duo To Soon Feature Audio Calling – Google Exec Confirms
Facebook Trends No Longer Handpicked, Now A Numeric Approach
Twitter Working On a Keyword Blocking Tool To Keep The Hate…
Data Tariff War Begins - BSNL launches unlimited 3G plan for…
DEAL ALERT: Refurbished Samsung Gear S2 for Sale at $99.99 on…
Twitter For iOS Finally Gets Much Awaited Night Mode Update
Microsoft Announces Hololens Processor Specifications
Webcams Not Working After Windows 10 Anniversary Update
Microsoft Introduces XBOX Wireless
Windows 10 Mobile OS Smartphones Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL, Lumia…
Home Technology Xiaomi Loses $41 Billion in a Year – Now Evaluated at $4...
Xiaomi Loses $41 Billion in a Year – Now Evaluated at $4 Billion
Ishita Kothari
Having started off in 2010, Xiaomi is among some of the biggest names when it comes to the markets of smartphone technology. The company has been innovating a number of aspects of the way we know the markets to be. Up until last year they were considered to be the next big thing and an unstoppable force. By 2015, they had grown into a $45 Billion company. While this is a huge deal, what made it even bigger and have a bigger impact was the fact that they managed to achieve it in just 5 short years! However, 2016 has not been as kind to them. Based on the latest figures, it has come to light that Xiaomi is now evaluated at a little less than $4 Billion!
Xiaomi, despite all the projections of growth over the years, has lost out over $41 Billion in market valuation. Despite such a monumental loss in their valuation, Xiaomi is still ranked as some of the biggest names in the markets, and is the 5th most popular name in the markets of China. While Xiaomi was doing extremely well in the smartphone markets, it was their ambitions which lead to their fall!
The company, earlier last year, started expanding into a number of other businesses. They have been working on a number of new markets, including smart kitchenware as well as a smart umbrella! The company has introduced a number of new smartphones, as well as a large number of new gadgets. A while ago, they launched the Mi Air notebooks.
Xiaomi, despite losing out on major marketshare in China, has been doing well in the Indian smartphone markets. The company has broken several records in the markets, and has been innovating their way forward. They are also looking at tapping into the US markets. However, it does look like the company has learnt their lesson, and will now be again working on focusing on their core strength, which is the smartphone markets.
SOURCEAndroid Headlines
Previous articleAirtel's Drops 4G and 3G Data Prices Mega Saver Pack, Combats Reliance Jio
Next articleResident Evil 7 Details Accidentally Leaked By ESRB
Motorola to Launch the Moto G4 Play in India on 6th September
Blackberry to raise $605 Million from Fairfax and other shareholders
Resident Evil 7 Details Accidentally Leaked By ESRB
Motorola to Launch the Moto G4 Play in India on 6th...
Xiaomi Loses $41 Billion in a Year – Now Evaluated at...
Android August 27, 2016
HP Stream 14 Launched Running Windows 10 OS


Our soft touch snake fabric display stands are a visually impressive addition to your exhibition, event or trade show. The full colour fabric print simply pulls down over the lightweight tubular frame, creating a vibrant stand which is bound to draw attention. Lightweight and portable, the Snake is easy to assemble and disassemble and it comes complete with its own fabric carry bag.


Happy New Year! We hope the club will continue to be as successful as we were last year. Many thanks to everyone for all the help and activity in 2016. A reminder that there is no swim training on Sunday 01.01.2017.


text:
package vrpsim.core.model.util.uncertainty;

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;

import vrpsim.core.model.structure.storage.impl.StorableParameters;

public class UncertainParameterContainer {

	private final StorableParameters storableParameters;

	private final IDistributionFunction startDistributionFunction;
	private Double startInstance;
	private List<Double> startInstances = new ArrayList<>();

	private final IDistributionFunction numberDistributionFunction;
	private Double numberInstance;
	private List<Double> numberInstances = new ArrayList<>();

	private final IDistributionFunction cycleDistributionFunction;
	private Double cycleInstance;
	private List<Double> cycleInstances = new ArrayList<>();

	private final IDistributionFunction earliestDueDateDistributionFunction;
	private Double earliestDueDateInstance;
	private List<Double> earliestDueDateInstances = new ArrayList<>();

	private final IDistributionFunction latestDueDateDistributionFunction;
	private Double latestDueDateInstance;
	private List<Double> latestDueDateInstances = new ArrayList<>();

	private final boolean adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime;

	/**
	 * @param storableParameters
	 *            - defining the storable which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param number
	 *            - amount of storables which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param start
	 *            - the start when the defined amount the first time are
	 *            consumed/ordered/...
	 */
	public UncertainParameterContainer(final StorableParameters storableParameters, final IDistributionFunction number, final IDistributionFunction start) {
		this(storableParameters, number, start, null, null, null, false);
	}

	/**
	 * @param storableParameters
	 *            - defining the storable which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param number
	 *            - amount of storables which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param start
	 *            - the start when the defined amount the first time are
	 *            consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param cycle
	 *            - cycle where defined amount of defined storables are
	 *            consumed/ordered/...
	 */
	public UncertainParameterContainer(final StorableParameters storableParameters, final IDistributionFunction number, final IDistributionFunction start,
			final IDistributionFunction cycle) {
		this(storableParameters, number, start, cycle, null, null, false);
	}

	/**
	 *
	 * @param storableParameters
	 *            - defining the storable which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param number
	 *            - amount of storables which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param earliestDueDate
	 *            - earliest delivery of the order, after order is created,
	 *            see {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()}
	 * @param latestDueDate
	 *            - latest delivery of the order, after order is created,
	 *            see {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()}
	 * @param adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime
	 *            - define if the due dates have to be adapted to simulation
	 *            time.
	 */
	public UncertainParameterContainer(final StorableParameters storableParameters, final IDistributionFunction number, final IDistributionFunction earliestDueDate,
			final IDistributionFunction latestDueDate, final boolean adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime) {
		this(storableParameters, number, null, null, earliestDueDate, latestDueDate, adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime);
	}

	/**
	 *
	 * @param storableParameters
	 *            - defining the storable which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param number
	 *            - amount of storables which are consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param start
	 *            - the start when the defined amount the first time are
	 *            consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param cycle
	 *            - cycle where defined amount of defined storables are
	 *            consumed/ordered/...
	 * @param earliestDueDate
	 *            - earliest delivery of the order, after order is created,
	 *            see {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()}
	 * @param latestDueDate
	 *            - latest delivery of the order, after order is created,
	 *            see {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()}
	 * @param adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime
	 *            - define if the due dates have to be adapted to simulation
	 *            time.
	 */
	public UncertainParameterContainer(final StorableParameters storableParameters, final IDistributionFunction number, final IDistributionFunction start,
			final IDistributionFunction cycle, final IDistributionFunction earliestDueDate, final IDistributionFunction latestDueDate,
			final boolean adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime) {
		this.startDistributionFunction = start;
		this.numberDistributionFunction = number;
		this.cycleDistributionFunction = cycle;
		this.storableParameters = storableParameters;
		this.earliestDueDateDistributionFunction = earliestDueDate;
		this.latestDueDateDistributionFunction = latestDueDate;
		this.adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime = adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns {@link StorableParameters}, which defines the storables
	 * consumed/ordered/..
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public StorableParameters getStorableParameters() {
		return storableParameters;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns true if the container is cyclic, means if a value for
	 * {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()} is defined.
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public boolean isCyclic() {
		return this.cycleDistributionFunction != null;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns true, if you have to adapt the due dates to the current
	 * simulation time (the current simulation time is the time where you
	 * would like to create something dependent on this container).
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public boolean isAdaptDueDatesToSimulationTime() {
		return adaptDueDatesToSimulationTime;
	}

	/**
	 * Returns earliest delivery of the order, after order is created, see
	 * {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()}. Theoretical
	 * background are time windows in the context of VRP.
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public Double getNewRealizationFromEarliestDueDateDistributionFunction() {
		if (this.earliestDueDateDistributionFunction != null) {
			this.earliestDueDateInstance = this.earliestDueDateDistributionFunction.getNumber();
			this.earliestDueDateInstances.add(this.earliestDueDateInstance);
			return this.earliestDueDateInstance;
		} else {
			return null;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Returns latest delivery of the order, after order is created, see
	 * {@link UncertainParameterContainer#getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction()}. Theoretical
	 * background are time windows in the context of VRP.
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public Double getNewRealizationFromLatestDueDateDistributionFunction() {
		if (this.latestDueDateDistributionFunction != null) {
			this.latestDueDateInstance = this.latestDueDateDistributionFunction.getNumber();
			this.latestDueDateInstances.add(this.latestDueDateInstance);
			return this.latestDueDateInstance;
		} else {
			return null;
		}

	}

	/**
	 * Returns the number of storables which are consumed/ordered/...
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public Double getNewRealizationFromNumberDistributionFunction() {
		if (this.numberDistributionFunction != null) {
			this.numberInstance = this.numberDistributionFunction.getNumber();
			this.numberInstances.add(this.numberInstance);
			return this.numberInstance;
		} else {
			return null;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the cycle when defined amount of defined storables are
	 * consumed/ordered/...
	 *
	 * Can return null.
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public Double getNewRealizationOfCycleDistributionFunction() {
		if (this.cycleDistributionFunction != null) {
			this.cycleInstance = this.cycleDistributionFunction.getNumber();
			this.cycleInstances.add(this.cycleInstance);
			return this.cycleInstance;
		} else {
			return null;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Returns the start when the defined amount the first time are
	 * consumed/ordered/...
	 *
	 * @return
	 */
	public Double getNewRealizationFromStartDistributionFunction() {

		if (this.startDistributionFunction != null) {
			this.startInstance = this.startDistributionFunction.getNumber();
			this.startInstances.add(this.startInstance);
			return this.startInstance;
		} else {
			return null;
		}
	}

	public Double getStartInstance() {
		return startInstance;
	}

	public List<Double> getStartInstances() {
		return startInstances;
	}

	public Double getNumberInstance() {
		return numberInstance;
	}

	public List<Double> getNumberInstances() {
		return numberInstances;
	}

	public Double getCycleInstance() {
		return cycleInstance;
	}

	public List<Double> getCycleInstances() {
		return cycleInstances;
	}

	public Double getEarliestDueDateInstance() {
		return earliestDueDateInstance;
	}

	public List<Double> getEarliestDueDateInstances() {
		return earliestDueDateInstances;
	}

	public Double getLatestDueDateInstance() {
		return latestDueDateInstance;
	}

	public List<Double> getLatestDueDateInstances() {
		return latestDueDateInstances;
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


High quality made to order. AFPRO Filter panels are available in metal, plastic or cardboard frame and come standard with a filter medium of superior quality for the highest possible dust collection performance.
What is a panel filter?
What is a panel filter? This short video from the AFPRO Filters Academy explains it to you!


She is the very model of a modern soloist, but more importantly, her work is part of a big step in the evolution of Western classical music. Thanks to her, the pipa is no longer an exotic curiosity, let alone a complete mystery.
Surely the best measure of Wu Man's accomplishment is that for many concertgoers today, her instrument—the pipa, a Chinese lute that dates back some 2,000 years—is no longer an exotic curiosity, let alone a complete mystery.
Symphony audiences have heard her perform concertos by Lou Harrison and Tan Dun, both of which she has recorded (the Harrison twice). New-music fans run into her regularly as a frequent collaborator with the Kronos Quartet, as a soloist at the annual Bang on a Can marathons, and as a member of chamber groups and orchestras giving the premieres of scores by Terry Riley, Philip Glass, Chen Yi, and Bright Sheng, who have written pipa parts into their works, with her sound and dexterity in mind. When Glass's friends invited his favorite musicians to perform at an invitation-only concert at New York's Le Poisson Rouge to celebrate the composer's 75th birthday, in January 2012, Wu Man was among the players on the stage.
And, yes, she allows room for a measure of exoticism too: Since 1996, she has been a mainstay of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, which explores both ancient and new music from the old trade routes connecting Asia and Europe, and she has lately undertaken forays into Asian classical and folk music, both as part of Carnegie Hall's 2009 festival of Chinese music, which she helped curate, and for her own "Return to the East" recording and performance project.
There was a time when Musical America's Instrumentalist of the Year would almost invariably have been a pianist, a violinist, a cellist, or possibly a flutist, oboist, or trumpeter. But the last century has seen players on instruments of all kinds—from Andrés Segovia and his guitar, to Evelyn Glennie and her vast array of percussion instruments—building careers by commissioning new works, reviving long-forgotten music, grafting other instruments' repertories onto their own, and seducing audiences with their virtuosity.
In that regard, Wu (her family name; she has retained the traditional Chinese order) is the very model of a modern soloist, but more importantly, her work is part of a big step in the evolution of Western classical music. Yes, east is east and west is west, but not only have the twain met and embraced, Kipling's famous refrain notwithstanding, but they have produced a vigorous musical hybrid that is enriching both cultures.
Westerners who cotton on to world music are finding, in fact, that the instruments of other cultures share considerable DNA—because of the Silk Road, perhaps—with familiar orchestral instruments. Most cultures have flutes of some kind, as well as drums and various string instruments, bowed and plucked. The pipa is a plucked, pear-shaped cousin to the lute—and, for that matter, to the Arabic oud, the Italian mandolin, the Greek bouzouki, the Russian balalaika, and the Indian sitar, to simply skim the surface. It has four strings and a fretted neck, and though in ancient times it was held horizontally and played with a plectrum, it is now held vertically and played with the fingers and nails, often using a flexible tremolo technique that, depending on the speed and intensity of the plucking, can evoke anything from a martial scene to a graceful love song.
Once you hear the pipa, you don't mistake it for anything else: Its tone is rounded but with a slight twang, and players often bend its pitches to imitate the voice—specifically, the voice that speaks Chinese, an inflected language in which the melody of a word conveys nearly as much as its phonetics.
Wu was born in Hangzhou, near Shanghai, in 1965, and began studying the pipa when she was nine, after a neighbor heard her sing and told her parents that she should be given music lessons. Her father chose the pipa for her, for a simple, entirely extra-musical reason: He felt that a young lady holding a pipa looked elegant. That, at least, is the official story: A less cheerful version is that as a child of the Cultural Revolution, she would not have been allowed to study a Western instrument, like the violin or the piano, except in secret.
By the time she was 13, Wu had made her way through the gauntlet of local and national auditions that lead to the Central Conservatory of Music, in Beijing, which was just reopening after having been closed for a decade during the Cultural Revolution. With that terror ended, she was able to study the piano and Western harmony along with a starry roster of classmates that included the composers Tan Dun, Chen Yi, Guo Wenjing, and Bright Sheng. When the Boston Symphony visited China in 1979, Wu was among the spellbound listeners; and when Isaac Stern turned up to give master classes in 1980, she was a participant.
When she completed her studies, Wu began a career as a soloist, adhering at first to the strict approach to the repertory expected of performers on traditional instruments. She soon chafed against that restriction, and noting that many of her classmates had gone abroad for further study, and in search of greater opportunities, Wu left too, in 1990. Settling in New Haven, she studied English, was accepted as a Bunting Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study, at Harvard—and became so worried about her future that she considered giving up music and studying computers.
But that proved unnecessary. Through her former classmate, the composer Chen Yi, who was completing her doctorate at Columbia University, she was introduced to Susan Cheng, one of the founders of Music from China, a New York ensemble that specializes in Chinese music. She began performing with the group, and arranging solo concerts as well. One of those—a concert in Pittsburgh, in 1992—brought her to the attention of David Harrington, the first violinist of the Kronos Quartet, who invited her to work with Kronos on a handful of projects, including Tan Dun's Ghost Opera. And in 1996, Yo-Yo Ma invited her to join his Silk Road Ensemble. He also performed with her at the White House, in 1999, at a state dinner for Zhu Rongji, China's prime minister.
I first heard Wu Man at a Bang on a Can marathon in the mid-1990s, and was astounded by her sound, technique, and interpretive inventiveness. Since then, her appearances, on her own or with larger ensembles, have always been delightful surprises, as have her recordings, which suggest the expanse of her musical inquisitiveness.
For her 2003 CD Pipa—From a Distance (Naxos World), for example, she assembled an ensemble that included the composer and instrumentalist Stuart Dempster on didjeridu, trombone, plumbing pipes, and slide whistle; Abel sounds oddly like the Chinese erhu), banjos, and electronic samples, and DJ Tamara on turntables. The result was an album of improvisations and original compositions that draw on everything from traditional Chinese melodies to the influences of rock. On one track, "Hangzhou Blues"—named for her hometown—she plays an electric pipa, with a wah-wah pedal. Contrast that with her 2011 Borderlands (Smithsonian Folkways), for which she assembled a group of musicians from Central Asia for a focused, lively exploration of that region's sounds and styles.
Given the musical gratification her journey has yielded so far, one can only await her new adventures with a sense of excitement and curiosity.
Allan Kozinn is a Culture reporter for the New York Times.


text:
package org.apache.airavata.gfac.bes.utils;

import org.apache.commons.httpclient.URI;
import org.apache.commons.httpclient.URIException;
import org.apache.commons.httpclient.util.URIUtil;

import java.net.URISyntaxException;

public class URIUtils {

	public static String encodeAll(String uri) throws URIException
	{
		String result = encodeAuthority(uri);
		result = encodePath(uri);
		result = encodeQuery(result );
		result  = encodeFragment(result );
		return result;
	}

	public static String encodeAuthority(String uri) throws URIException
	{
		int start = uri.indexOf("//");
		if(start == -1) return uri;
		start++;
		int end = uri.indexOf("/",start+1);
		if(end == -1) end = uri.indexOf("?",start+1);
		if(end == -1) end = uri.indexOf("#",start+1);
		if(end == -1) end = uri.length();
		String before = uri.substring(0, start+1);
		String authority= uri.substring(start+1,end);
		String after = uri.substring(end);
		authority = URIUtil.encode(authority, URI.allowed_authority);

		return before+authority+after;
	}

	public static String encodePath(String uri) throws URIException
	{
		int doubleSlashIndex = uri.indexOf("//");
		boolean hasAuthority =  doubleSlashIndex >= 0;
		int start = -1;
		if(hasAuthority)
		{
			start = uri.indexOf("/",doubleSlashIndex+2);
		}
		else
		{
			start = uri.indexOf(":");
		}
		if(start == -1) return uri;

		int end = uri.indexOf("?",start+1);
		if(end == -1) end = uri.indexOf("#",start+1);
		if(end == -1) end = uri.length();
		String before = uri.substring(0, start+1);
		String path= uri.substring(start+1,end);
		String after = uri.substring(end);
		path = URIUtil.encode(path, URI.allowed_abs_path);
		return before+path+after;
	}

	public static String encodeQuery(String uri) throws URIException
	{
		int queryStart = uri.indexOf("?");
		if(queryStart == -1) return uri;
		int queryEnd = uri.indexOf("#");
		if(queryEnd == -1) queryEnd = uri.length();

		String beforeQuery = uri.substring(0, queryStart+1);
		String query = uri.substring(queryStart+1,queryEnd);
		String afterQuery = uri.substring(queryEnd);
		query = URIUtil.encode(query, URI.allowed_query);
		return beforeQuery+query+afterQuery;
	}

	public static String encodeFragment(String uri) throws URIException
	{
		int fragmentStart = uri.indexOf("#");
		if(fragmentStart == -1) return uri;

		String beforeFragment = uri.substring(0, fragmentStart+1);
		String fragment = uri.substring(fragmentStart+1);
		fragment = URIUtil.encode(fragment, URI.allowed_fragment);
		return beforeFragment+fragment;
	}
    public static java.net.URI createGsiftpURI(String host, String localPath) throws URISyntaxException {
        StringBuffer buf = new StringBuffer();
        if (!host.startsWith("gsiftp://"))
            buf.append("gsiftp://");
        buf.append(host);
        if (!host.endsWith("/"))
            buf.append("/");
        buf.append(localPath);
        return new java.net.URI(buf.toString());
    }
}


text:
The Many Dimensions of Mastry
2010s Artists Chicago Exhibitions Global
Martin H. Nesbitt
Martin H. Nesbitt reflects on the growth of his artistic and personal relationships.
For me, personally, about the Kerry James Marshall show, which was so meaningful, was that I have had a relationship with Kerry for a long time—my wife and I have had a relationship with Kerry for a long time. And to be involved in the institution in my role as a trustee for 17 years and to watch his career evolve and grow over that same period of time has been remarkable. And to see that manifest itself into a show for Kerry, originated and conceptualized by the MCA, that was of worldwide acclaim, was just a powerful moment—and a powerful sort of juxtaposition of sort of all the degrees and dimensions of my relationship with the MCA into a single moment.
And to walk through that exhibition and see his interpretation of art history, and the African American community's position in that art history—or absence thereof—and think about that as it sort of is juxtaposed against my own engagement and involvement into an institution that I've grown to love, it's just kind of a powerful kind of intersection of events and friendships and relationships and history and everything. And then to go to New York and see that show, and see people rave about it, and then go to LA and see that show, gives you a sense that maybe what I've been doing isn't just about Chicago. Maybe the people I know aren't just having a powerful impact on Chicago, but actually a really powerful impact around the rest of the world. So that's just an awesome culmination of a lot of dynamics that is one of the reasons why I feel so fondly about the MCA.
Installation view, Kerry James Marshall: Mastry, MCA Chicago, Apr 23–Sep 25, 2016. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.
The Future of Art
Kerry James Marshall ruminates on the dynamics of adding a contemporary art museum to a city.
Artists Chicago Exhibitions
Always Making New Friends
Exhibitions can lead to friendships, and those friendships can inform collections.
Artists Board Community
Like A World That I Was From
Naomi Beckwith recalls seeing Kerry James Marshall's Souvenir at the MCA before she was a curator.
Artists Collection Exhibitions Staff
The Story of Stories
MCA Design, Publishing, and New Media
Video trailer for the museum's 50th anniversary MCA Stories project, containing video and images from five decades and the voices of friends, staff, and patrons.
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Chicago Founders


The Indian market losing their momentum in the final hours made a soft closing in last trading session, today again the start is weak and amid disappointing global cues and extended their somberness for yet another day.
Traders seems negative today to the hawkish tone of the US Fed, while on the domestic front, traders will be concerned with global rating agency Standard and Poor's statement that demonetization has cast a shadow over the RBI's competence and independence, it further said the slow replacement of the abolished bills has sparked a shortage of cash that has hit large part of economy .
Further experts have an opinion that market in December around Christmas will remain range bound due to lack of cues as well as FIIs support.
FMCG , private , healthcare and Telecom stocks were under pressure while technology stocks continued to support the market.


text:
Advertise on InYourArea Advertise »
Environmental activists protest against banks in Reading town centre
The protesters gathered on Saturday, March 30
By InYourArea Community
Written by Adam Daum
Protesters gathered in the streets of Reading town centre over the weekend to demonstrate against Barclays Bank and HSBC.
The group Extinction Rebellion Reading, took to Broad Street to protest against big banks' increasing investment in fossil fuels when the world's top scientists have declared a climate emergency.
The demonstration was spurred by outrage from the group following a recent report by Bank Track stated that Barclays was the top European banker of fracking and coal, with $85 billion poured into fossil fuels and $24 billion into expansion projects.
The report alleged that HSBC was the second worst offender in Europe, with $58 billion going to fossil fuels and $19 billion to expansion work.
This allegation combined with the recent report from United Nations (IPCC) that concluded that we only have 12 years in which to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to below 1.5°C and thereby avoid a climate catastrophe.
To achieve this, we need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. We need banks to be investing in renewable energy sources, rather than expanding investment in fossil fuels.
People read every day about climate change, air pollution and single-use plastics; and consumers want an ethical choice. Showing which banks are behaving badly helps us make the switch.
Kate Cameron-Daum of XR Reading, Berkshire said: "Extinction Rebellion Reading demands that Barclays and HSBC end their investment in fossil fuels.
"If they refuse to do so, we encourage their customers to move their accounts to more ethical banks."
After holding demonstrations with placards outside the banks, the activists then entered the branches, and spent about 45 minutes in each, handing out leaflets and discussing climate change with staff and customers.
Available for both iPhone and Android
The 30 best things to do with your kids in Somerset
Plastic found in Iceland's Crispy Chicken Dippers
London hosts Fiesta de Mexico in spectacular fashion
Introducing Cheadle Hulme the quaint village haven of Greater Manchester
Students delight at opening new store in Whitby
Free summer camp launched to build self-belief and career confidence
The 30 best things to do with your kids in Cumbria
Top six places to live in Sussex
Interactive soft play adventure coming to Somerset and it's huge
Top 5 photographed locations in Tyne and Wear that you can visit
Couple reunited with cat Norman who went missing while they travelled
Urgent Recall Alert: Britvic recalls Robinson's Fruit Shoot because of a packaging fault
This is just some of the recent news, for all updates click here
InYourArea.co.uk
Go to Live Feed
See news and info near you
UK Cities
© 2018 InYourArea


text:
MUGABE MOCKS SOLDIERS
Former President, Robert Mugabe has mocked soldiers describing them as uneducated people who are jealous of intelligence operatives who were paid more than them.
He told guests at his private party yesterday the military had sided with Emmerson Mnangagwa in a purely Zanu PF issue.
"They said to me people have marched, they want you to go. They said they have filled the stadium demanding that I should go. I said, which people, MDC people.
What about those in Kadoma, what about those in Mutare, did you go and ask them. People were beaten, the soldiers were beating up our intelligence guys saying you are paid higher than us. You wear good suits, hence you are protecting Mugabe. Ahh they didn't know that you do not to be educated to be a soldier, nornally soldiers are recruited from Grade 7 or Form Two while the intelligence team is recruited from those who are educated.
It should follow that when one is educated with a degree or A Level you should be paid higher than those who are just recruited as long as they are trained," he was quoted by The Standard as saying.
He added :"They said Mugabe is a legend, what legend are you talking about when you are busy taking away the vehicles. They said they want to protect my legacy, which legacy are they talking about. What legacy when they have expelled me from the party. This girl here, my wife, is no longer a member of Zanu PF, so what legacy are you talking about."
What Hope for Zimbabwe Now?
MUGABE MOCKS SOLDIERS Former President, Robert Mu...
By Kingstone Jambawo London - 22 February 2018 -...


text:
Alton är en stad och civil parish i grevskapet Hampshire i England. Staden ligger i distriktet East Hampshire, 26 kilometer nordost om Winchester. Tätorten (built-up area) hade 18 261 invånare vid folkräkningen år 2011.

Referenser

Externa länkar

Orter i Hampshire
Civil parishes i Hampshire


Today we release another display shield for our VFD Modular Clock: The much-requested , that we showed a prototype of over a year ago.
IV-22 are top-view single-digit Russian VFD Tubes. They have excellent brightness and large easy-to-read segments.
We decided to go for a 6-digit shield, which makes it wider than the IV-4/17 and IV-6 shields. We're working on a case too, but it is not quite ready yet. In other words, you are on your own when it comes to the case.


text:
Planescape Torment
Review by Scout
What can change the nature of a man?
That's a loaded question if ever there was one. It's timeless and timely, a question meant to make you pause and reflect. It's as important today as it was, say, in Aristotle's time, and it will no doubt occupy a few of the better minds of generations to come. It also just happens to be the central conceit of Black Isle's 1999 CRPG Planescape Torment. It's not the only question you'll confront while wandering the streets, alleys, halls and crypts of this game, but it's the central one, the big kahuna, and there is a scene later on where you will be forced to answer it. Which of the many possible replies you choose will say as much about your worldview as all the actions you have taken prior to this point. This is pretty heady stuff for a computer game, more an issue for a philosophy class than an electronic entertainment, but since one of the game's creators was a philosophy major, this is also the stuff of Planescape Torment.
Don't approach this CRPG too lightly. It's the gaming equivalent of War and Peace, slow to start, frustratingly obscure at times, yet once that great narrative engine finally revs up, it moves the player along with breathtaking authority. I've only played it once so far. Usually I play a game twice before sitting down to review it, but I'm not ready to reenter the world of Planescape Torment just yet. There's something about this game. It's disturbing, haunting and heavy. I've never seen anything quite like it.
The game begins in one of the great settings of all time, a grisly mortuary reminiscent of the abattoir in Sanitarium but 10 times worse. Moaning zombies shuffle about, odd chaps in gray robes watch as other odd chaps vivisect corpses on bloodstained slabs, the dead bodies split open from crotch to jugular, the flesh and muscle pinned back to expose the rotting insides. You awake, blessedly intact, on one of those slabs. Floating next to you is a yammering skull. The skull seems to be talking to you.
Meet Morte, the disembodied, fleshless head who is your first and most steadfast companion throughout the game. Morte is a master of the wisecrack; a leering, lustful orb of bone with the nastiest set of chompers this side of the Styx. As he attempts to debrief you, you realize that you have no idea how or why you ended up dead on a slab. In fact, you have no memories at all. It's the oldest trick in the storyteller's book, starting out with an amnesia-afflicted protagonist. As trite as that might seem, it's not a crutch but the main thread that holds this wildly phantasmagoric narrative together. Since you have zilch, nada, no memory, you are called the Nameless One. You're little more than a hulking, wild-eyed savage in a loincloth, covered head to toe with scar tissue, trapped in a prison mortuary. Fun for the whole family, Planescape is.
Black Isle, developers of the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series, know their CRPGs as well as anyone, but in this game things are a little different. First of all, you don't create a character; you are the Nameless One, end of story. You still have the usual ability to assign your character statistics and attributes at start up. You can pile up points in Strength to make a fighter, load up on Dexterity to make a thief and boost your Armor class or choose Intelligence if you lean toward a mage and are keen to recover your memories. But, unlike most role-playing games, there's no choice of race or gender, no elves, fairies, ogres or haughty mandarins to choose from. You are the Nameless One and you start out as a level three Fighter, period. To make up for the lack of an open character generation system, once you begin to collect your party, Black Isle lets the Nameless One shift between classes at will, moving easily from Fighter to Mage to Thief and back depending on the story's needs. As you advance in the game and start to level up, you will find yourself intuitively specializing. I spent most of my time switching back and forth from Mage to Fighter, sharpening my weapons skills and gathering cool pyrotechnical spells. About those spells ... While wading into a fight with your axe swinging is always therapeutic, there is little to compare to launching a ball of pulsing light into the air, watching it rise, rise and then plummet, pounding your foe flat into the cobblestones. In fact, except for a latecomer to the party, these missile-type spells are pretty much the only ranged attacks available.
A good tip, at least for your first play-through, is to load up on as much Intelligence as you dare. While this will automatically boost your spell-casting skills and push you toward all things mage-like, it also opens up the maximum amount of dialogue choices, which in turn speed the return of your lost memories. Normally, dialogue choices aren't such a big deal, but in Planescape Torment the word is a mighty thing. It's spoiling nothing at this late date to say that the Nameless One can as easily vanquish an enemy with a few well-chosen phrases as a quick thrust of a dagger. Later in the game, this comes into play in ways hard to imagine. Don't ignore Strength and Dexterity, as you will need them, but they will tend to build up as you progress. High Intelligence will help pave the way for the thinking player, and this is a thinking (and reading) player's game. Feargus Urquhart, Black Isle's division director for Planescape, hinted as much in a June 11, 2001 interview with Gamasutra when describing "the differences between the Baldur's Gate series, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment. All of the products use the same engine (the Bioware Infinity Engine), but all of them are seen as very distinctly different products. The way we think about them is along a line from adventure to hack-and-slash. Torment is almost an adventure game, Icewind Dale is almost a true hack-and-slash like Diablo, and Baldur's Gate is somewhere right in the middle."
Torment is almost an adventure game. While everyone and his grandmother likes to claim that his blood-soaked shoot-'em-up is really just a misunderstood adventure game, for once, there is some truth to this claim.
Indeed, one of the driving ideas behind Planescape is the opportunity to consistently use brains over brawn. You can react by force at the first sign of trouble, or you can puzzle your way through the dialogue, reading between the lines, divining the character's motivations, trying to persuade instead of pummel. To this end, there's a lot of extremely well-written dialogue to wade through and even more if you tilt your gameplay to exploit the game's adventure flavor. Many of the quests have a puzzle quality to them; there is a lot, lot, lot of reading and yet if you pay attention and listen carefully and act on your hunches, you'll be surprised how much combat you can avoid. NPCs will engage you in surprisingly deep discussions, especially those associated with the main quest. Even the one cathouse in the game is called the Brothel of Slaking Intellectual Lusts. The maidens therein engage their patrons in philosophical discussion and debate instead of sweaty, impersonal boot-knocking. Your own party is a gabby bunch, quickly falling into witty repartee if you ignore them too long. Some of the conversations are serious, some lascivious, especially those featuring the beautiful Fall-from-Grace as the topic.
Choices abound, and they're all yours to make. Your good/bad alignment is set to neutral at the beginning and, depending on your responses and reactions, shifts toward the light or the dark. A tip to the player wanting to play nice: Sigil, the Planescape city you start out in, is a tough neighborhood. Don't be afraid to practice some prudent self-interest, especially at the beginning. Grab what you need when you need it. The alignment needle moves slowly off its default slot, and you can get away with a lot of mischief before you start to register as a selfish rogue. You'll have plenty of opportunities to burnish your reputation later.
The interface is a bit complex but well thought out. For instance, when you enter combat, you can manually right-click anywhere on the playing screen to summon up a game-pausing World Screen Interface, basically a movable menu of action choices of which weapon to wield, spells to load, or special powers to implement. Also included are inventories, maps, journals, talk icon, stats, and portraits to allow you to move from member to member and assign tasks before launching your attack. Once the bookkeeping is finished, return to the main screen and then click on the enemy. All of these options are also permanently available at the lower left corner of your screen. The choice is yours, though I found myself using the World Screen since I didn't have to cursor down off the playing area to set up my attacks. Movement is strictly point-and-click and reminiscent of Baldur's Gate's navigation scheme, though when you depart a building, your party automatically follows instead of remaining behind.
Many of your encounters, if handled wisely, will trigger flashbacks for the Nameless One. As well as filling in the blanks about his enigmatic past, these flashbacks give him skill points. What is different in this game is you are retrieving skills, not building or learning them. The Nameless One has lived countless lives, fought countless battles and has been-there-done-that times ten. What the player is doing is tracking down and uncovering a mystery instead of building a character to save the world.
Also unique to Planescape is the small fact that the main character cannot die. Your party members can snuff it permanently, but the Nameless One suffers no such fate. When he falls in combat, he returns immediately to the game, inventory intact, first back in the Mortuary and later on at particular points depending on where he is in the game world. This is a stroke of brilliance on the part of the developers, an organic solution to one of the central paradoxes of gaming, reloading after the main character dies. This is something I've resented since I met my first grue in Zork, the sudden dump to the menu so that you can reload your last save. Developers are aware this is a sore point, and many automatically return the main character to a prior load point, but still there's something inherently cheesy about using the die/reload strategy to get through a game. It's become such a tradition that most gamers barely notice it. But in Planescape Torment the Nameless One cannot die. He can only be temporarily put down. No matter the damage, no matter the foe (with one very special exception), he will revive. In fact, death often works to the Nameless One's advantage, advancing the story at some points and even functioning as a fast mode of travel at others.
All of this merriment runs on the same engine used in the original Baldur's Gate, Bioware's now-dated Infinity Engine. Unlike Fallout, with its strictly tile-based engine, the Infinity Engine allowed (forced?) the artists to deliver fully rendered backgrounds onto which maps could be laid and then the whole thing tweaked and retweaked for maximum effect. In Planescape, the artists really gave their imaginations free rein, conjuring up one beautifully deranged area after another. Buildings jut out at crazed angles, carved stone pillars that serve no possible purpose rise high out of sight, web works of cables stretch from roof to roof, stairs are built of rotted boards or carved from living stone, underground crypts glow with jewel tones, pathetic creatures hide out in gigantic skulls, robot-savants tinker endlessly with a viciously lethal maze.
As gorgeous and fitting to the concept of the Planes as all this is, for the player it's a little like moving half-inch high people through the world's most psychedelic carpet. Due to this strict 2D, isometric viewpoint, the amount of detail can be disorienting at times, and it takes a while to get a feel for how to get around in this lavishly rendered multiverse. You need to keep a sharp eye on the screen just to get from point A to point B. Later, when the maps open up, it gets less tedious to move around. There's a reason the developers didn't let you utilize the maps at the outset, though. It's important for you to physically accompany the party as it cruises Sigil, engaging in a hundred minibattles and chatting up the denizens, running their quests so that you can uncover and utilize the skills you'll need for the later, more challenging parts of the game. There are countless nooks and crannies in this game, and exploring the different areas is half the fun. You would be cheating yourself by skipping across maps too early. Mind-melding rats, a pregnant alley, weeping stones, riddling skeletons, a prostitute who specializes in heaping foul insults upon her tricks, a madman mourning his lost fork, a crazed hag who will literally thrust her claw into your guts and rummage around inside ... these are only a few of the encounters that await the thoroughly snoopy player.
Your own party is hardly the picture of normality, either. There is Morte, of course, who is with you from the start. His mouth is his weapon, his curse and his gift. Much like Grumpos in Anachronox, Morte has the ability to befuddle a foe with a burst of taunts. This is especially useful against powerful mages who cast devastating missile spells. Turn Morte loose on one and watch the enemy's spells fizz and misfire time and time again. Almost as powerful are Morte's chompers. He can often chew through a small gang of lesser foes all by himself while the Nameless One stands aside and watches. Dak'kon, an ancient Githzreal warrior, is a bit deceiving. Mysterious and hypermoral, he is trained in the martial arts and yet is oddly vulnerable to attack. I often found myself healing Dak'kon in the heat of battle while sturdy little Morte battled on unfazed. Still, Dak'kon is valuable if only for the fact that merely talking to him allows you to shift from Fighter to Mage and back at a moment's notice. There's much more to Dak'kon than that, much more to all of the party members than can be covered here. Spend as much time as possible talking to and interacting with them, and you'll be rewarded.
The third indispensable party member is Fall-from-Grace, a winged succubus of one of the feuding demon classes responsible for the endless war raging beyond Sigil out on the Planes. Fall-from-Grace, sold into sexual slavery by her own fiendish mum, subsequently freed herself through her wits and went on to operate the Brothel of Slaking Intellectual Lusts. She's a stunning if ultimately platonic beauty with a cool aristocratic bearing, a heart of gold and an unerring judge of character. The Nameless One could do worse than to listen to her wise and compassionate advice. She rarely steers him wrong. She's also a powerful healer and a decent warrior. I kept her near at all times and came to depend on her feedback, savvy and healing powers. Having her with you at the last part of the game results in some surprising revelations as well.
Other, lesser (at least for me) party members were Annah, a young Tiefling, half-human, half-demon with a bad crush on the Nameless One. A thief by trade, she is handy at the onset but tends to be a liability in the tougher battles. Of course, I chose to leave her behind a lot, so she had little chance to build her stats. I've read of other players successfully building her into a formidable opponent. In Planescape Torment, it's the choices you make as a player that shape how game unfolds, not the game shaping how you play. Ignus, a mad mage literally consumed by a fire fetish, can toss a mean fireball, but he was too unstable and unlikable for my tastes. There's funny, cool, geeky Nordom, a rogue computer/robot you find at the end of a grueling quest. He's a delight to talk to, and his stats will rise just by interaction with other party members. He is the only one who can use ranged weapons, so if you feel especially in need of a talking, crossbow-wielding box on legs, make it a priority to find and use Nordom. His hyperlogical observations on the effects of Fall-from-Grace's sexuality on adjacent males are priceless. Finally, there is Vhailor (who I confess I missed altogether), a dead Mercykiller who is haunting his old armor. Apparently, he's a tank and a half with a rigid moral code, and though he is worth his weight in a battle, be sure you don't commit a crime while he is around or you'll quickly find yourself fighting for your life.
As in any CRPG, there's a vast arsenal of spells and weapons at your disposal. You can earn them through quests or by stealing them, buying them or finding them. Armor doesn't play a large part in this game, though. In fact, my main character spent most of the game in a ragged loincloth, only once donning a robe and only then as a disguise in the Mortuary and not as a protection. I think there was a cracked breastplate available to the Nameless One, but all of the rest of the armor was for other party members only. Fall-from-Grace, due to her healer status, and Annah, a vulnerable thief, had the most armor available to them. The Nameless One gains some protection through rings and bracers and tattoos (more on those later), but mostly he survives by his wits and his wisdom. If your idea of role-playing is to create a creaking tank of metal with which to plow through ranks of enemies, you'll have to do some rethinking for Planescape Torment.
Not to say that cultivating fighting skills isn't essential. But fighting is merely one tool among many. This is one of the few games where magic is as attractive to the general player like me as melee action. Some of the spells are just dang cool. Work your mage abilities up to level 8, then stand back and watch Mechanus's Cannon in action. I won't spoil it for you, but this spell is to opponents what Sherman was to Atlanta. There is the lethal Deathbolt, the dazzling Meteor Bombardment, and the crème de le crème, the Rune of Torment itself. Sure, you can kill foes with weapons, but with some of the higher-level spells, you can level every creature on your screen, serving up 100 points of damage with no chance of the baddies making a Saving Throw. This makes taking the path of the mage more attractive than usual.
I found I used magic more and melee less in this game than in any other CRPG I've played, mostly because of the fireworks associated with casting a spell. The shield and protection spells work so well that I found myself casting every one my party had before entering the bigger battles. Due to the underlying intricacies of the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons system of gameplay, I lacked a firm grasp of the nuts and bolts of exactly what was happening with saving throws and such, but the head designer, Chris Avelone, and his staff did such an excellent job of converting this system to compelling gameplay that I didn't feel the need to address the finer nuances. It was the characters I was interested in, them and the epic story in which they moved.
There are factions to join in Planescape Torment. Before you can join up, you have to fulfill a series of quests to prove yourself and in doing so prove to the faction recruiter your worth and belief in their system. Dustmen, those robed figures you meet at the beginning of the game, are dedicated to the True Death, the final cessation of all emotion and attachment. Sort of like a cross between Goth and Buddhist, they strive toward peace through death of self and death of body. Then there are the Godsmen, super Dale Carnegie types, believing in the power of positive striving. Stoic, good-hearted workaholics, they hole up in a big foundry, which is like moving to Pittsburgh for the air, but it seems to work for them. By the way, you can get a lot of goodies if you are a Godsman. The Sensates were more my style, though. They believe that life is best experienced by ... well, by experiencing it. They throw themselves into the raging sea of sensation and build their bodies and spirits by interacting with the multiverse around them. The Anarchists are sort of the unfaction, dedicated solely to doing away with all factions. They are attractive in that they have the ability to infiltrate any other faction. Become an Anarchist and you have access to several factions at once, though you don't get the special abilities, just the lesser perks. Finally, there are the Xaositects or Chaosmen. As the name suggests, they aren't much for Robert's Rules of Order. They drift through the Planes doing whatever occurs to them. I imagine them skateboarding around Sigil at night, tagging walls with runic symbols.
A device unique to Planescape Torment is the use of tattoos. Tattoos come in two flavors, Stat Tattoos that make you tougher or faster or smarter and Event Tattoos that do all that as well as document your journey through the Planes. You can buy Stat Tattoos anytime if you have the cash, but you can only purchase an Event tattoo after you have completed a specific quest. For example, you get access to the Tattoo of the Joining, which brings you more friends, only after you have completed a quest to bring two would-be lovers together. You get the Tattoo of Trist's Savior, a tattoo that protects you against paralyzing attacks, when you help a slave gain his freedom. All but one tattoo can be purchased from Fell's tattoo parlor in the heart of the Hive. Fell is a fallen Dabus with a bit of history of his own and, depending on which party member is with you when you go to him, your visit will be either uneventful or tension-ridden. A Dabus, by the way, is a supplicant of the Lady of Pain, the invisible, statless goddess who rules Sigil and keeps it separated from the rest of the Planes. Cross her once too often and no matter how powerful you think you are, you will pay the price. The robed, floating Dabus do her illogical bidding, moving buildings and streets at her whim. Fell has left her service and gone into business on his own and for some reason escapes the Lady's famous wrath.
Only the Nameless One, Dak'kon and Annah can wear tattoos. Since there is little to no armor in this game, tattoos act as a substitute, imparting myriad abilities and some weaknesses to the wearers. It's especially compelling to return to Fell's shop after several completed quests and see his inventory stocked with new tattoos reflecting your actions during the interim. It would have been easy to just use generic armor in an RPGs-R-Us approach, but the developers put in the extra work and creative muscle-flexing it takes to rise above the pack and in doing so created something special.
Planescape is very, very special. Some might say it's too bizarre and weird, but I found it a refreshingly deep and thoughtful interlude in an otherwise cookie-cutter world of Samegaming™. There's much more to this game than I have described, so many locations and creatures, quests and odd dialogues that it would take 10 reviews to cover them all. There's the sound design, the writing, the cutscenes, the voice acting, all of it top-notch, first-rate. For the hardcore AD&D gamer who loves nothing more than to carefully gauge each move based on that famously complex system, there is plenty to chew on. For those, like me, who just want a great gaming experience, there is little to compare to this game. Fallout 2. Morrowind. Even those towering achievements don't approach the sheer imaginative scope and depth of Planescape Torment. If computer games developers ever hope to stake their claim in the mature artistic mainstream alongside painting, music and literature, it won't happen by coming up with ever more capable engines, sweeter eye candy or addictive gameplay, though it won't happen without them either. It will happen by drafting all of the above into the service of compelling characters such as these, characters who make you care about them, characters who send you pawing for the reload command because you simply cannot possibly conceive of moving another inch without them. Planescape Torment accomplishes all this and more, capturing the player's heart and intellect, taking him on a long, fraught journey through one of the most unique settings I've experienced in any medium and wrapping it up in a stunning, jaw-dropping finale.
So. What can change the nature of a man? The answer to that is for each of us to discover on our own, but by the end of this game you'll have a good idea where to look. Yeah. It's really that good.
Developer: Black Isle
Publisher: Interplay
Four Fat Chicks Links
Pentium 200 MHz with MMX (Pentium 266 MHz with MMX recommended)
Windows 95 or 98
32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
650 MB free hard drive space
8X CD-ROM
DirectX 6 or higher
DirectX certified sound and video card
4 MB SVGA video card
Links provided for informational purposes only. FFC makes no warranty with regard to any transaction entered into by any party(ies).
Copyright © Electric Eye Productions. All rights reserved.
No reproduction in whole or in part without express written permission.


For many workers, driving to and from the office is a way of life. In view of this, many have commuted for so long that they can't imagine life without this daily drive. Despite commuting being the norm, employers and employees alike will gain substantial benefits by ditching the practice altogether. Today's technology puts this goal within reach.
To give you an idea of just how much time workers spend on the road, consider this statistic from the U.S. Census Bureau; in the United States, the average commute is around 25 minutes each way. This equates to almost a full hour each work day being lost to fighting traffic. It's also worth noting that 50 minutes of drive time is just the average commute–you shouldn't have to look too far around the office to find employees that spend significantly more time than this getting to and from work.
There are some fairly significant disadvantages to commuting, and when you compare them, you begin to see how this accepted practice may actually be holding your business back from reaching its full potential.
Every productivity-minded person understands how each person has a limited amount of energy that they're able to give each workday. Having to spend a significant amount of this energy doing something stress-filled like fighting traffic can be frustrating, especially when one finds themselves lacking the energy to do more important things, like spending time with their family. It can also be equally frustrating when you start the day on a good note, only to have a bad traffic experience on the way to work that puts you in a bad mood for the rest of the workday.
Not only can spending so much time behind the wheel be exhausting, but it can also cut into precious sleep time. A lack of sleep can be devastating when it comes to two important areas. In the workplace environment, a sleep-deprived worker is prone to making costly mistakes. Also, during the commute itself, a sleep-deprived driver is at a higher risk of falling asleep behind the wheel, which can have some disastrous consequences. By finding ways to give your staff more time to rest, like removing the commute, you'll help negate these risks.
Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about remote workers is that implementing the practice will cost your business too much money. However, the reality of remote work is that it actually improves your bottom line by decreasing operational costs. For example, consider the resources around the office that you won't have to spend money on if an employee worked from home; a move like this will save on electricity, computer hardware, and even having to rent office space altogether.
One CEO who has found this to be the case is Sara Sutton Fell of Flexjobs. She states in an interview with Inc that 47 percent of her staff works remotely, saving her organization around $78 million. As you can see, even a small business stands to gain some level of cost savings from having a remote workforce.
All of these points considered, making the decision to ditch the commute is an easy one to make, which means that the next step is to make sure that your remote workers and your office are utilizing the right technology that allows for a smooth and secure remote work experience. To make sure that your company is fully equipped to enjoy the benefits of never having to commute again, give Think Tank NTG a call today at 800-501-DATA.


When you face the fact that your marriage isn't working any longer, filing for divorce is the next logical step. While that may be a rational decision and best for all concerned, what follows will be an emotionally charged battle. You'll have to deal with things like the division of property, establishing support payments, and determining child custody. This can make your divorce a complex, lengthy, and adversarial process.
Often, people assume they can handle this type of situation without hiring a Tampa divorce lawyer , but that's usually a mistake. First of all, your spouse will likely be hiring an attorney of their own, so, if you don't do the same, you'll be going to court at a great disadvantage. Additionally, an attorney can keep you from making statements and decisions in the heat of the moment. As a professional legal advocate, your lawyer will remain calm and rational throughout the process.
When it comes to the division of property, there may be certain items that you want to retain for sentimental reasons. Your attorney can help you make a compromise that will enable you to keep items of importance. He can also help ensure the division of property is fair and that you're not forced to give up items that are protected by state divorce laws. For instance, items in your possession, before you were married, may not be considered as marital property in some cases.
There may also be issues of support raised, whether that's spousal or child support. The courts have a system for determining when support is necessary and how much should be paid, but they must rely on records provided by both parties. If your spouse is withholding financial information, that can affect the judge's decision. Your lawyer can ensure all of the relevant information is being reported, so the court can make a fair determination.
Child custody is another issue that can be decided against you, if you don't have an experienced family lawyer working for you. If your spouse wants to obtain full custody, they may try to paint you in a bad light in court. However, a lawyer will know how to respond to those claims and can protect your parental rights.
While divorce is complicated, a lawyer can ease the situation considerably. When you trust a legal advocate to represent you in court, you'll be benefiting from the expertise needed to improve your outcome. This can help you protect your assets and ensure you remain a stable force in your child's life.