text:
Q: Indexing in equilateral triangle grid given simple 2D Cartesian coordinates I have an equilateral triangle grid constructed like this:

Now, given that 2D coordinate origin point is red dot at very bottom left of image, i need to find index into this triangle grid.
Given Input: X and Y coordinates of point (floating point) of interest, triangle side length and height
Need Output: X and Y index of triangle. (sample indexes seen in image)
Getting Y (row) coordinate of triangle is simple as it is just integer part of (GivenY / TRIANGLE_HEIGHT), but i cant get around to calculate Needed X coordinate without doing to much of operations.

A: Here is a more explicit answer, for people having issues (or too lazy) to figure out the geometry.
First scale your coordinates to a convenient basis
vec2 pos=(input-origin)/vec2(edge/2,median);

Split your coordinates in integer and fractional part
int x=pos.x, y=pos.y; float u=pos.x-x, v=pos.y-y;

Test for the diagonal (x,y of different parity) or anti-diagonal edge (x,y of same parity)
if(x%2 ^ y%2) { if(v+u<1) x--; } else { if(v-u>0) x--; }

That's it (x,y) is now your face index.
Finding vertex index for each face is a bit more involved.
You have four cases, Here is a list of CCW vertex indices for each face:
face  vertices
xy    xy xy xy
00 -> 00 10 01
10 -> 11 01 10
01 -> 01 12 02
11 -> 12 01 11

It's easier to see the pattern if you don't add 1 to the y vertex indices, So your final table is:
00 -> 00 10 01
10 -> 11 01 10
01 -> 00 11 01
11 -> 11 00 10

Each column is respectively: x, x, !x, x^y, x, !x. Alternatively, you can simply use a lookup table.
It works with arbitrary face indices, you just need to add (x/2, y) and do your lookup on (x%2, y%2).
In the end, the triangle vertex indices are:
x/2 + x%2, y + x%2; x/2 + !(x%2), y + (x%2^y%2); x/2 + (x%2), y + !(x%2)

with vertex coordinates in your original cartesian space:
origin+vec2(2*x+y%2),y)*vec2(edge/2,median)

A: More triangles
If you draw a line from the bottom left of 0,0, to the top right of 1,0, the shaded are of the two triangles is now made up of four right angled triangles. Drop a line down from the top right of 1,0 you end up with another right angled triangle and a triangle composed of three right angled triangles height is your original triangle height, width is 1.5 * triangle length, hypotenuse I leave for an exercise for the class.
So then whether it's in the left or right triangle is where your point intercepts that line.
You can precaclc most of this based on triangle length.
Another option is to work out the parallelogram, calc it's centre, move that to the origin, rotatee 30 degrees clockwise, move back, Precalc the transform, you have a diamond with a width of the above hypotenuse, Which side of the middle is which triangle, height of the diamond is triangle length, you'll still need to work or the parallegram as 1.0 and 2,0 will overlap.


it gives you the opportunity to practice your taekwondo techniques against an opponent in a dynamic, free-flowing environment.
for the more experienced exponent, taekwondo sparring also allows you to hone and refine your fighting strategy.
There are many variations of taekwondo sparring such as non-contact, semi-contact, and full-contact sparring. These different degrees of contact allow for different experience levels, and importantly also allows for the training taekwondo exponent to choose the level of contact that they are comfortable with. In all, the principles are the same and will in some way relate to most belt levels - That is, practicing general punching and kicking techniques, practicing competition specific fighting techniques, and working on basic and advanced taekwondo sparring strategy.
improves your reaction and reflexes.
gives you a degree of confidence when "facing off" against an opponent - in fact many people inexperienced in a martial arts environment report a breakdown of fear patterns.
quickly identifies strengths and weakness you may have in relation to your taekwondo sparring - for example does being taller/shorter/heavier/lighter/faster/older/stronger/more flexible/younger/slower...have any advantage/disadvantage to your sparring strategy, and how you use, or allow for these things.
improves your fitness and cardiovascular ability.
All taekwondo sparring is performed with safety and level of experience and training in mind, either by restricting the level of contact (non-contact or controlled, light contact), by adhering to very specific competition rules, and by using related taekwondo safety equipment.
Some taekwondo sparring is performed in a general taekwondo class environment, with all belt levels participating, as a part of their basic taekwondo training. Other taekwondo sparring might be performed in a sport specific class, where the participants are training in sport taekwondo or Olympic taekwondo sparring. Usually these classes are for the more advanced taekwondo exponents.
Taekwondo sparring can be a fun, exciting, and challenging way to put into practice what you have learned. If you are apprehensive about this part of your taekwondo training, trust your taekwondo instructor to not put you in a situation that you are not ready for...relax, learn, and use the sparring opportunity to become a better martial artist. The benefits are truly great.
Taekwondo sparring is an integral part of taekwondo training. It can be a fun, exciting, and challenging way to put into practice what you have learned.


text:
Q: Inconsistent behavior of data.table package (or its fread() function) with Chinese characters When wrangling my data with data.table, I always get an error like this:
Error in `[.data.table`(dt1, , sum(持续时间 < as.ITime("04:00:00")), by = 年月) :
  object '持续时间' not found

Finally, I find this may have something to do with the way how I use fread(). Here is the MWE:

Method 1 - load the data from script
dt1 <- fread("
活动类别,持续时间,开始时间,结束时间,备注,Tags
活动一,00:08:00,2019-11-0719:39:00,2019-11-0719:47:00,故人具鸡黍,
活动二,00:44:00,2019-08-2408:00:00,2019-08-2408:45:00,邀我至田家,
活动三,00:41:00,2019-07-2911:26:00,2019-07-2912:07:00,绿树村边合,
活动四,00:37:00,2019-12-2816:49:00,2019-12-2817:27:00,青山郭外斜,孟浩然
活动三,01:15:00,2019-12-2613:45:00,2019-12-2615:00:00,,
活动五,00:20:00,2019-10-3107:36:00,2019-10-3107:57:00,开轩面场圃,
活动六,00:31:00,2019-07-2018:24:00,2019-07-2018:55:00,把酒话桑麻,李白
活动四,00:31:00,2019-09-0109:09:00,2019-09-0109:41:00,待到重阳日,
活动七,01:23:00,2019-09-2121:06:00,2019-09-2122:30:00,,杜甫
活动三,00:54:00,2019-07-1018:09:00,2019-07-1019:04:00,还来就菊花,
")

dt1[, 持续时间 := as.ITime(持续时间)
   ][, 开始时间 := as.POSIXct(开始时间, format = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
   ][, 结束时间 := as.POSIXct(结束时间, format = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
   ][, 年月 := format(开始时间, "%Y年%m月")]

dt1[, sum(持续时间 < as.ITime("04:00:00")), by = 年月]

Everything works fine and the output is
##          年月 V1
## 1: 2019年11月  1
## 2: 2019年08月  1
## 3: 2019年07月  3
## 4: 2019年12月  2
## 5: 2019年10月  1
## 6: 2019年09月  2

Method 2 - load the data from a file
foo.csv is simply a copy-and-paste version of the script data.
dt2 <- fread(file = "foo.csv", encoding = "UTF-8")

dt2[, 持续时间 := as.ITime(持续时间)
   ][, 开始时间 := as.POSIXct(开始时间, format = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
   ][, 结束时间 := as.POSIXct(结束时间, format = "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M")
   ][, 年月 := format(开始时间, "%Y年%m月")]

dt2[, sum(持续时间 < as.ITime("04:00:00")), by = 年月]

However, this time I get an error mentioned above
Error in `[.data.table`(dt2, , sum(持续时间 < as.ITime("04:00:00")), by = 年月) :
  object '持续时间' not found

more weird
> identical(dt1, dt2)
[1] TRUE

BTW, if there are no Chinese characters in the data, both methods works. Feel free to try this
Type,duration,start,end,comment,Tags
Type1,00:08:00,2019-11-0719:39:00,2019-11-0719:47:00,buljflajfa,
Type2,00:44:00,2019-08-2408:00:00,2019-08-2408:45:00,jljdfajfla,
Type3,00:41:00,2019-07-2911:26:00,2019-07-2912:07:00,kjlfjaljflakjf,
Type4,00:37:00,2019-12-2816:49:00,2019-12-2817:27:00,sgsfgfsgfgs,fgcs
Type3,01:15:00,2019-12-2613:45:00,2019-12-2615:00:00,,
Type5,00:20:00,2019-10-3107:36:00,2019-10-3107:57:00,scgvrsf,
Type6,00:31:00,2019-07-2018:24:00,2019-07-2018:55:00,tbjfcc,
Type4,00:31:00,2019-09-0109:09:00,2019-09-0109:41:00,cgvsdhc,
Type7,01:23:00,2019-09-2121:06:00,2019-09-2122:30:00,,dgd
Type3,00:54:00,2019-07-1018:09:00,2019-07-1019:04:00,fcsdfdgc,

Thanks in advance~

> sessionInfo()
R version 3.6.0 (2019-04-26)
Platform: x86_64-w64-mingw32/x64 (64-bit)
Running under: Windows 10 x64 (build 18362)

Matrix products: default

locale:
[1] LC_COLLATE=Chinese (Simplified)_China.936  LC_CTYPE=Chinese (Simplified)_China.936
[3] LC_MONETARY=Chinese (Simplified)_China.936 LC_NUMERIC=C
[5] LC_TIME=Chinese (Simplified)_China.936

attached base packages:
[1] stats     graphics  grDevices utils     datasets  methods   base

other attached packages:
[1] data.table_1.12.8

loaded via a namespace (and not attached):
 [1] compiler_3.6.0   rsconnect_0.8.16 htmltools_0.4.0  tools_3.6.0      yaml_2.2.0       Rcpp_1.0.3
 [7] rmarkdown_2.1    knitr_1.27       digest_0.6.23    xfun_0.12        packrat_0.5.0    rlang_0.4.3
[13] evaluate_0.14

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Other People Other Places
by Marzieh Gail
Lively, perceptive and witty observations of Bahá'ís and others in North America and Europe.
Here is a book from one of the foremost Bahá'í authors and translators, which is laden with the delightful, witty, profound, heart-searching distillation of a lifetime's dedication to one overmastering theme: the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh. 'What is it', she asks, 'that people have found in the Cause of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, from its birth until this hour? Why have they offered themselves either to live or die for it?' They are timely questions indeed, as the attention of the world is drawn to the tragic plight of the Bahá'ís of Irán.
Her own destiny has been a less violent one. She has travelled for the sake of her Faith in many countries, and has worked for it unflaggingly. But her observant humour has never been weighed down, and her book sparkles with amusing incidents described with the lightest of touches.
The author's historical studies and her personal acquaintance with great Bahá'ís are the source of many of the essays, while her own story and that of her family enhance the flavour of this attractive collection.
A Treasure-trove awaits the reader of this book. It ranges from witty observation during two extended periods of residence in Europe and travel in a dozen countries, to reminiscences of great Bahá'ís, portraits of persons drawn from earlier centuries and our own, and memorable essays on the nature of love.
Marzieh Gail's father was the diplomat and scholar Ali-Kuli Khan Nabil, Persia's chief diplomatic representative to the United States during the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson. Born in the United States of an American mother, Marzieh Gail accompanied her parents to various official posts, including Tehran.
Mrs Gail is well known to Bahá'ís for her translations from Persian and Arabic of works by Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is the fourth book of her own writing of particular interest to Bahá'í. Her historical publications include 'Persia and the Victorians', two studies of the medieval Papacy, 'Life in the Renaissance', her father's biography in two volumes 'Summon Up Remembrance' and 'Arches of the Years'.
20.9 x 13.8 cm (8.25 x 5.5 in)
Available for USA destinations only - Please do not add to your cart if you are outside of the USA. Please email sales@grbooks.com if you would like to be notified when it is available for shipping to the rest of the world.
Soft Cover - £8.95 / $16.95 - Add To Cart
More in: Bookstore > Heritage
Arches of the Years
Summon Up Remembrance
Dawn over Mount Hira

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
The Swingin' Cats
The Swingin' Cats 2
The Swingin' Cats
Reasons to Book The Swingin' Cats:
|| An entertainment band which combines energetic - skilful music performance and finesse outfits.
|| Their repertoire includes both Greek and international songs, swing,
rock n' roll classics and covers of famous rock and pop hits,
well-orchestrated with a delicate but powerful brass oriented sound.
|| They have extensive experience performing live for corporate events, weddings, private parties, etc
||The original band's formation is 7 members but can easily be adjusted starting at 4 members (acoustic formation) to 20 (big band formation).
More info: www.theswingincats.com
Our retro band, beloved and well-known to the Greek audience,
The Swingin' Cats is a seven-piece, high energy, gleeful band, which carries you away with crazy swing and rock n' roll melodies. This group of musicians is passionate about music in general and more particularly in the era of 'oldies'. They have the twisting energy and the good looks of the 50s and 60s but rest assured, they don't overlook their own time, covering modern songs with their big band, rockabilly sound. With a two-hour repertoire combining both Greek cinematic popular music and international hits, their live concerts appeal to multicultural audiences, filling the air with nostalgia every time they perform live.
The Swingin' Cats have had the privilege to share the stage with famous Greek artists:
|| Kostis Maraveyas (opening act for 10.000 strong crowd in the summer of 2019), Helena Paparizou (collaboration on a live tour and studio recording of "Crazy Girl" for her latest record), Dionisis Savvopoulos, Lavrentis Maxairitsas, Panos Mouzourakis, and more.
…as well as big names of the international music business, which include:
|| Royal Crown Revue, Thievery Corporation, Marc Almond, Jive Aces, Parov Stelar, Puppini Sisters, Imany.
They have also collaborated with composer/guitarist Adam Levy, a long-time collaborator of Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman and others.
Suitable for a wide range of celebrations, live swing music and vintage rock and roll, are popular live music entertainment options for themed events, festivals and private parties. The Swingin' Cats are happy to adapt to different performance spaces and types of audience, and always welcome the opportunity to introduce new generations to swing music and other oldies.


text:
The Finkel Foundation Eureka Prize for Long-Form Science Journalism is awarded to an Australian journalist or journalists whose work is judged as having expertly crafted a story from the wide world of science – including technological, engineering, mathematical or medical topics – into an engaging and accurate narrative for the public.
The Finkel Foundation Eureka Prize for Long Form Science Journalism seeks to reward creative, clear and accurate science writing.
Employing the tools of storytelling to create factually accurate scientific narratives is a powerful means of engaging the public and keeping them abreast of the changing landscape of science.
This landscape ranges from science to science policy and science history as well as work that presents the social or economic contributions of science and technology.
The prize is intended to encourage the continuing quality of science journalism in Australia, and editorial support for quality science journalism in our newspapers, magazines and online.
Judges will be examining entries against the following judging criteria:
Newsworthiness: timely work that encourages debate on, or adds to understanding of, current issues
Depth and detail: diverse coverage of issues or discoveries, and the quality of science explanation involved
Impact: work is noteworthy for illuminating scientific significance of a discovery or its potential benefit to society.
Scientific accuracy: work is factually correct, objective and well researched
Effectiveness: work makes a balanced and significant contribution to greater public understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues or developments in science
Creativity in communicating concepts and ideas: work engenders interest by using creative and clear communication
Appropriateness of content: material is pitched at the right level in terms of complexity and technical issues for the audience involved
The judges will give emphasis to work that informs and influences public and/or corporate attitudes to science or to significant issues in science.
The prize is open to single authors and co-authored work (maximum two individuals).
Material entered must be a single piece of work between 2,500 and 4,500 words in length.
Entry is open to journalists who have self-published, including blogs.
Work entered in this prize must have been published for the first time in the Australian media or online in the 12 months prior to the closing date of entries.
Entrants are required to declare and disclose any subsequent corrections or challenges to the accuracy of an entry or claims of plagiarism or defamation against the work submitted.
All entrants must be a) Australian citizens, b) Australian permanent residents, or c) New Zealand citizens who were resident in Australia at the time the work was undertaken. Where the entry is by multiple authors, all authors must satisfy these requirements.
Work entered must adhere to the highest ethical standard of investigative journalism – including the MEAA Code of Ethics.
Where content from other sources is incorporated for purposes of proper coverage of the topic, this must be attributed.
The following are NOT eligible for this prize:
multimedia packages
work which is only edited by, and not originally produced by, the entrant(s)
whole websites
bodies of work
Entry forms must be submitted online by 7pm AEST Friday 3 May 2019. Completed hard copy entries must be received by the Australian Museum no later than 5pm AEST Friday 10 May 2019. Entries delivered to the Australian Museum after this time will not be considered. Hard copy entries will not be considered until and unless an online entry form has been completed. Entries with incomplete sets of supporting documentation, as per the 'How to Enter' section, will not be considered. Submitted material will not be returned.
The activity entered for this prize may not be entered for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the same year.
Finalists will be asked to provide photos and a film outlining the entered work for promotional purposes.
Information provided by the entrants in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos and films), may be used by the Australian Museum for promotional and publicity purposes. This may include, and is not restricted to, the information being used on websites, social media, printed material, advertisements and press releases. Entrants may be asked to be involved in additional promotional activities.
Personal information provided to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes can be used by the Australian Museum however such use will only be in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
No entries will be received or considered after the close of entries. If you experience problems uploading your entry or have concerns about what has been uploaded, you must contact the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes on (02) 9320 6230 or eureka@austmus.gov.au before the close of entries. The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes cannot modify or add to an entry after the close of entries.
Failure to meet all conditions of entry will automatically disqualify an entry.
Complete an online entry form by 7pm AEST Friday 3 May 2019 and print a copy.
Prepare six sets of the entry, with each set consisting of:
a. a printed copy of the online entry form as submitted, which includes a statement of 200 words describing the circumstances behind the entry, e.g. the origin of the idea, effort in making it a reality, difficulties encountered or any other matter the entrant considers relevant for consideration by the judges.
b. the relevant material being entered (not necessarily originals).
Submit six complete and separate sets of the entry clipped together (not bound). Please DO NOT bother with elaborate presentation when submitting the entry. This will be removed before material is sent to judges.
The entry should be sent to:
Eureka Prize for Long-Form Science Journalism
The entry must be received at the Australian Museum by 5pm AEST Friday 10 May 2019. Entries received after this time will not be considered. We recommend that you use a trackable mail system (such as Express Post, registered mail or a courier) as proof of send date.
When you have successfully submitted your entry, you will receive confirmation via email. Receipt of hard copy entries will be confirmed by Friday 17 May 2019. If you do not receive confirmation, or if you require further information or assistance, contact the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes on (02) 9320 6230 or via email eureka@austmus.gov.au.
The Eureka Prize for Environmental Research is sponsored by NSW Environment, Energy and Science (DPIE).
Congratulations to the 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winners.
The Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology is sponsored by ANSTO.
Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Secondary
The Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize - Secondary School is sponsored by the University of Sydney.


Giphy and Instagram today announced they'd be teaming up again to let users insert GIFs into their Instagram Direct messages. Now you can spam your friends with reaction gifs instead of actually formulating your own thoughts — the natural endpoint for all app-based social interactions, at least as far as I'm concerned.
Starting today, Instagram Direct will have a GIF button on the composition bar. When you click on it, you'll be shown a library of the latest trending GIFs, as determined by Giphy itself. If "trending" doesn't really suit your needs, you can also search for the exact reaction you want. If you're feeling lucky, you can just type the general search term and hit "random," meaning Giphy will send your friend the GIF it deems most appropriate for the scenario.
It's already part of the Instagram toolkit by way of Story Stickers, which allow you to put moving images on top of your Story posts. So the inclusion of it in the DMs isn't too drastic of a change.
Giphy also revealed it'd include attribution for verified GIF creators, and users would be able to discover other GIFs by clicking on "More from creator." For example, this might mean finding new GIFs of your favorite show, though it'll only be available for verified creators.
The feature will be available for the latest version of Instagram on both Android and iOS.


The Dark Catalyst is the black anodized sister saber of the Ultrasabers Catalyst. The emitter, body, and pommel have all been anodized black, and the grooves on the body have been machined and polished back to a beautiful aluminum finish.
A Catalyst is the prime agent to any change; the name suits this lightsaber design perfectly. It is elegant and beautiful, yet retains a very menacing appeal. This saber is built with the highest quality MHS parts from TCSS. It will stand up to rigorous use time and again.


Knowing how women's bodies work best. Finding out what our bodies need to be able to access their innate ability to do their job is strongly recommended. Influences such as sound levels (quiet allows focus), obtrusive interruptions during contractions (avoid), lighting (low is best), privacy, and feeling safe and supported are often important factors in determining our body's optimal physiological ability to birth. "By knowing what our bodies need, we can ascertain if these needs will be met by purely following the hospital's flow. If not, we can take steps to ensure our needs are met," explains Debby. Dr. Sarah Buckley, an obstetric G.P. and mother of four, agrees. She writes, "We share almost all features of labor and birth with our fellow mammals. We have in common the complex orchestration of labor hormones, produced deep within our mammalian, or middle brain, to aid us and ultimately ensure the survival of our offspring." Her book, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth, outlines the way our bodies are designed to work. This information can support us when making decisions along any twists and turns of the path to birth.
Understanding how our health system works. "To birth in our system and emerge emotionally healthy, women may need to buoy themselves with knowledge in how decisions are made about their provision of care," says Debby. Knowing how and why the hospital usually arrives at their "flow" decisions can make it easier to negotiate (if necessary) to get your own needs met, often in a positive way for both you and your health carer.
Support, support, support. Most of us expect to have our partners at the birth of our child. It is worth considering the research that suggests the presence of another support person who understands birth can greatly enhance the experience for everyone. Some partners are reluctant to "share" the birth with an outsider, and worry they will be made redundant in the birthing room if there is someone else there in a support role. But in talking to couples after the baby is born, this doesn't seem to be the case. For many couples the actual experience of having extra support is usually described afterward as a blessing, and a part of their positive view of their birth and their role within it.
So who is going to provide this continuous presence throughout the labor if it is so beneficial? Usually not the obstetricians…they are generally only called in toward the end of the labor or if any concerns arise. Traditionally this support has been provided by midwives, but as we have seen, our healthcare system places many limitations on our health carers. And this is especially true of midwives. In our hospitals, midwives are generally unable to really get to know women prior to their birth. So they are unlikely to be aware of your particular needs, and the "flow" of birth you are looking for, and are often unable, due to hospital policies, to remain with a woman for her entire labor.
Many women are now seeking the services of models of care offering continual care from a known carer and/or a professional support person (known as a doula) who see their job as supporting both partners as they enter this new phase of life. A doula can stay with the woman at all times, as well as act as an advocate for her, to work with the midwife to ensure that, as much as possible, her birth is a positive event. Kay, 37, is a mum who experienced a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), and hired a doula to support her and husband Jake.
Being involved in decision-making. This final tip from Debby comes with an assurance that "we don't all need to be midwives and know every possible thing about birth to be able to birth well in our system." Rather, it means knowing which questions to ask so you can weigh up each situation. Many issues that arise during birth can be resolved a number of ways—there is often no set path that must be followed. The hospital may not volunteer the fact that you have choices—as they may have what they consider to be the best path to meet your needs (as they perceive them), as well as the needs of their establishment. Once you know there may be options, the trick is determining which option is right for you and your family in your situation. How do we choose, when we are not doctors or midwives ourselves? Debby says, "Once women have attained the information about how their bodies work, they will have a better idea of what will support them in birth. We suggest to begin by using the acronym of B.R.A.N. to help to get enough information from caregivers that will enable you to choose from different options to meet your individual needs." By asking "BRAN," (see sidebar) you can get a wealth of information to enhance your decision-making abilities.
Perhaps we should check back with Kelly, who we met at the beginning of this article, as she was about to undergo an unplanned caesarean. Kelly knew she couldn't control childbirth. She decided to go with the flow. But no one told her that in doing so she was potentially giving up her chance to be involved in one of the most amazing, empowering experiences life offers us.
While we can't control childbirth, we certainly can have a level of control over the environment we are birthing in, made possible by the knowledge we bring to the birth, the support we have around us, and the ability to ask the right questions. Once these things are in place, it becomes time to go with the flow—but with a different focus. Once a woman has this additional information and support, it becomes the flow of birth we are going with, not the flow of birth as dictated by an institution or a particular carer. It is then possible to surrender to the power of your birthing body, to follow the flow of this birth, knowing that you have set in place the people and the environment to support you in meeting your goal of "empowered healthy mother, and healthy baby," no matter what path your birth follows.


text:
Enos Emmanuel Campbell
The Life Of Enos Campbell
Enos Emmanuel Campbell was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland. He was the son of Archibald Campbell (1766-1857) and Ellen Carr (1788-1858). Archibald was the younger brother of Thomas Campbell (1763-1854), and therefore, the first cousin of Alexander Campbell (1788-1866).
Enos was educated at Queens College in Dublin and the University of Belfast in Northern Ireland. At the age of seventeen, he boarded a ship headed for the new world. Arriving in Bethany, Virginia, in 1832, he moved in with his cousin's family. As the Campbell household rang loudly with children, it quickly became Enos' work to tutor and educate them, while the parents were busy with other tasks.
One story of those days survives concerning Enos' great love for music. He was a most capable violin player, and he owned a good quality instrument. He would often play for the children when times called for a break from their daily drills. As the Campbell mansion was located on the main road between the Alleghanies and the west, an unexpected problem ensued. Travelers were distracted by the music. When Enos played for the children, passers-by would enter the yard and stand at the schoolhouse that stood beside the mansion to enjoy the entertainment. Finally, the lady of the house, Mrs. Selina Campbell, put a stop to daily playing, suggesting that he go and play somewhere else so as not to cause people to think that the Campbells were operating a society hall.
The Campbell Home was a working farm. Not only so, but Enos' cousin was a great debater, writer, and editor of the Millennial Harbinger. In 1838, Enos went into business with Robert H. Forrester to open a retail bookstore in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, only a short distance away, where they sold all the writings of Alexander Campbell.
However, his stay in the east was short-lived. The call to the west pulled him to go to Kentucky. Not long after he arrived there, he met and married Mary Elizabeth Ball of Versailles in Woodford County. The date of their marriage was August 10, 1844. By this time, Enos was preaching regularly for the church in Versailles, assisting P.S. Fall at Frankfort, and preaching some in nearby Lexington.
In August 1846, Enos Campbell opened a Ladies' Boarding School at Versailles (The Disciples Of Kentucky, Fortune, p.356). In this effort, Alexander Campbell describing Enos' work, said, "We can say from long acquaintance with our old friend, the Principal, that he is an accomplished gentleman and an excellent scholar. Enthusiastically devoted to the profession of teaching, he devotes all his energies to the improvement of his pupils, and knowing the superiority of his intellect and talents, we confidently predict distinguished success for his new institution. Under the signature of E., he is known as one of the best of the present writers for the Millennial Harbinger: his essays on Popular Literature having been deemed worthy of republication in the London Christian Messenger. We feel assured that the fine and gifted intellect of our young brother only needs to be known to be appreciated by the people of Kentucky, and to insure for him extensive usefulness." (MH, 1846, pgs. 430,431)
On June 29, 1847, Enos and Mary had their first child, a son named Ernest Louis. Within a couple of years, the family moved to Lexington, where they held membership with the Main Street Christian Church (the old Hill Street church), where Enos served as an elder in the congregation.
In 1850, the family moved southwest of Lexington about200 miles, where they settled in Hopkinsville in Christian County. John M. Barnes, the preacher for the church there and director of South Kentucky College, had recently died suddenly, leaving the work in much need for a reliable minister and school administrator. Having the Campbells involved in the work was most pleasant and deeply appreciated by the congregation. Growth followed in a significant way.
Enos Campbell was a vigorous supporter of the American Christian Missionary Society, organized in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849. Soon after its organization, there was a great desire to evangelize in Africa. In the interest of sending a black missionary to Liberia to preach, Enos and the Hopkinsville church purchased a slave by the name of Alexander Cross. He was taught for six months by Enos and the elders of the church. Then, in 1853, with his wife and son, Alexander was sent to evangelize under for the American Christian Missionary Society's flag as its second missionary. Sadly, after two years, news arrived that Cross died of sunstroke on the mission field. (Captives of the Word: A Narrative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Christian Churches (Independent), and the Churches of Christ. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Co., 1969, p,127.)
His lifelong commitment to evangelism caused Enos to never give up on an organized plan to evangelize the world. He, along with W.T. Moore, W.K. Pendleton, and others, came together in 1869 to adopt a formal method of raising money for missions in Louisville, Kentucky. Called theLouisville Plan, it did not enjoy a following in the south as much as in the northern churches.
In 1855 Enos and Mary were running a seminary for young ladies called Hopkinsville Female Institute. The following year, they had their second child, Susan Alexine, born on September 19, 1856.
During the Civil war, the challenges of the work in Kentucky were like most places, dire at times. The authors of two biographies on David Lipscomb preserve a story during the war when Lipscomb made a trip to Hopkinsville. The year was 1861. Apparently, at the time, southern troops held the town. It meant that many "volunteered" their food and personal items to feed soldiers. The story centers around how the soldiers began disassembling a building on the campus of Southern Kentucky College for firewood. Knowing the Nashville visitor's clout, Enos asked brother Lipscomb, who was staying in his home, to go to the authorities to request that the destruction cease. (A Voice Crying In The Wilderness, Hooper, p.71 /Life And Times Of David Lipscomb, West, p.77). Lipscomb was able to intercede for Campbell and the school building was saved.
One young man influenced by Enos Campbell, who served for a while as a teacher in his Southern Kentucky College, came to know him after having served in the Confederate Army. When captured by northern troops, he signed a non-combatant oath and left the army. Being from southern Tennessee, he, his mother, who was already a New Testament Christian, and his siblings, then moved to Hopkinsville. Adjoining themselves to the local church of Christ in that city, this former soldier was exposed to the teachings of Enos Campbell and others in the church. Later, it was reported that another one of the elders, B.C. Campbell, led him to see the need to be baptized for the remission of his sins. Another elder, E.H. Hopper, baptized the young man into Christ on his twenty-first birthday, July 10, 1864. In the years to come, this promising young brother became known from coast to coast as one of the greatest evangelists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His name—Theophilus Brown Larimore.
In 1866, the Campbells moved to Jacksonville, Illinois. B.W. Stone had lived his last years there and had died 22 years prior to Enos' arrival. The church had just gone through a split over some false teachings of a preacher by the name of W.S. Russel. Very quickly, Enos was called upon to play the role of healer. In the end, the factions were dispelled, and unity in the congregation was regained.
Enos had a way of inspiring young people. It was around February of 1867, while at Jacksonville, he had the opportunity to teach an up-and-coming young man by the name of Benjamin Cassel Deweese. Ben would later devote his life to preaching the gospel and educating young people for the cause of Christ. In 1880 B.C. Deweese was appointed the Bible Department head at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. He later moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of his life connected with the College of the Bible.
As has been noted, Enos Campbell was a great lover of music. When churches began to add the instrument to their public worship services, he was an avid supporter of it, seemingly without hesitation. He wrote an article on the subject that appeared in the January 1870 issue of theMillennial Harbinger. The title of the piece was "Musical Culture." Beginning on page 22, he set out evidence of the nature of music, the basic tones of which are creations of God. He further explained that of all creation, only man can produce harmony and that such harmony is God's gift to man to be used, in all its forms, to enhance the emotive spirit. He wrote of how some men are so created that they can sing, while others had no understanding of it, calling them "songless." In any case, music should be seen as a blessing from God to be used to enhance our awareness of Him, whether at home around the fireplace or in the public worship assembly.
Campbell's views were not met with ready acceptance by all. The loudest voice seemed to come from his cousin by marriage, Selina Huntingdon Campbell. In an open letter that appeared inThe Apostolic Times, in the July 1870 issue, on page 99, she sternly rejected the January article. She emphasized that her late husband decried the use of instrumental music in worship and that she strongly disagreed with the conclusions she read in the article by her cousin. Read these articles here.
In 1873, the Enos Campbells moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he began preaching for the Central Christian Church. The congregation had become known as such as of 1867 when the Vine Street church of Christ divided over the instrument. Central was the instrumental group.
In 1883, the Campbells moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Enos began preaching for the church in that city. After four years, he retired from local work. The family moved back to Versailles, the home of his wife, Mary.
While on a preaching trip to Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, Enos was stricken suddenly with what appeared to be a heart attack while walking down a city street. It was there that he breathed his last, on December 27, 1890. His body was returned to Versailles, where he was laid to rest in the City Cemetery. In less than a year, his wife, Mary, while on a visit to Boston, Massachusetts, died suddenly, October 5, 1891. Her body also was returned to Versailles to be buried beside her husband.
As somewhat of a side note, heart problems appeared to pass on genetically. Briefly, their son, Ernest, would ultimately grow up to marry Mary Grafton (02.1847-11.19.1913) in 1871. His life's work was that of an attorney. He lived for a time in Colorado, and in 1882 ran for governor, but lost. Then, he moved to California and had a law practice there. Ernest died of a heart attack in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, on the way home from a business trip in Washington, DC, in May 1903. His body was returned to Versailes for burial in the family plot.
The family and work of Enos Campbell are not as well known as that of his uncle and cousin, but for certain, his place in history deserves to be researched and remembered. The story of the American Restoration Movement would be lacking without the contributions by Enos Campbell.
-Scott Harp, July 13, 2020
Minneapolis Minister
The Saint Paul Globe, Minn. Monday, November 9, 1885, page 3
Enos Campbell At Hopkinsville in 1850
Churches Of Christ, John T. Brown, page 554.
Central Christian Church, Jacksonville, Illinois
Where Enos Campbell preached in 1869
church building dedicated July 4, 1869
Source: The Christian Evangelist, May 3, 1906, p.569
Chronology Of The Life Of Enos Emmanuel Campbell
Enos Campbell (EC) was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland. His was the son of Archibald Campbell (1766-1857) and Ellen Carr (1788-1858). Archibald was the younger brother of Thomas Campbell (1763-1854), and therefore, first cousin of Alexander Campbell (1788-1866).
Attended Queens College in Dublin and University of Belfast in Northern Ireland
At 17 yrs old, EC came from Ireland to Bethany, Va. Begins tutoring the Campbell children. EC is a lover of music and a capable violin player (Home Life And Reminiscences of Alexander Campbell By His Wife, Selina Huntingdon Campbell, p.471) Lives with family for 10 years.
EC, with Robert H. Forrester, begin a retail Bookstore at No. 117 Wood Street, Pittsburg, PA, that will sell all of Alexander Campbell's writings. (MH. 1838, p.335)
Marriage To Mary Elizabeth Ball, in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky
EC fills the pulpit at Frankfort, KY, but most of the preaching there was still done by P.S. Fall. (FF, 11.30.1976, p.11[763])
EC Conducts Ladies' Boarding School at Versailles (The Disciples Of Kentucky, Fortune, p.356) Alexander Campbell, in this effort, describing EC said, "We can say from long acquaintance with our old friend, the Principal, that he is an accomplished gentleman and an excellent scholar. Enthusiastically devoted to the profession of teaching, he devotes all his energies to the improvement of his pupils, and knowing the superiority of his intellect and talents, we confidently predict distinguished success for his new institution. Over the signature of E., he is known as one of the best of the present writers for the Millennial Harbinger: his essays on Popular Literature having been deemed worthy of republication in the London Christian Messenger. We feel assured that the fine and gifted intellect of our young brother only needs to be known to be appreciated by the people of Kentucky, and to insure for him extensive usefulness." (MH, 1846, pgs. 430,431)
At Versailles, KY – hosts John T. Johnson for a 10-day meeting.
Birth of son, Ernest Louis Campbell, Versailles, Woodford Co., Ky. Marries Mary Grafton (02.1847-11.19.1913) in 1871. His life work was an attorney. He lived in Colorado, and in 1882 ran for governor, but lost. Moved to California and had a law practice there. Ernest dies in Piqua, Miami, Ohio on the way home from a business trip in Washington, DC in May, 1903.
EC lives in Lexington, KY, and is one of the elders of the Main Street Christian Church there with William Poindexter, John G. Allen, Jos. Warson [Wasson] (Central Christian Church (DOC) 175 Years In Lexington, Dunnavant, p.27)
Alexander Campbell visits his cousin EC in Lexington on a trip to the south, enjoying a "comfortable repose." (Adventures In Freedom, Wrather, v.3, p.184)
Minister of Hopkinsville Christian Church, Hopkinsville, Ky – Becomes director of South Kentucky College (SKC)
In the interest of sending a black missionary to Liberia to preach, EC and the Hopkinsville church purchase a slave by the name of Alexander Cross. He is taught for six months by EC & Elders of the church. Then, he was sent in 1853 with his wife and son to evangelize under for the flag of the American Christian Missionary Society as its second missionary. Two years, (1855) Cross died of sunstroke on the field. (Captives of the Word: A Narrative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Christian Churches (Independent), and the Churches of Christ. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Co., 1969, p,127.)
Runs a Seminary for Young Ladies called Hopkinsville Female Institute (MH, 1855, p.146)
Birth of daughter, Susan Alexine Campbell, Hopkinsville, Christian County, Ky. (She married Walter Lenoir Church (1847-1931) on December 28, 1876. She died Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, September 26, 1932
Hosts David Lipscomb, while on a visit to Hopkinsville duringime the war. EC entreats Lipscomb to intervene on behalf of SKC, as southern troops are dismantling buildings for firewood. (A Voice Crying In The Wilderness, Hooper, p.71 /Life And Times Of David Lipscomb, West, p.77)
EC is superintendent of Hopkinsville Female Institute with J.C. Campbell. T.B. Larimore is one of his teachers. (The Man From Mars Hill, J.M. Powell, p.40)
EC assisted in uniting a splintered group in Jacksonville, Illinois after being divided over false teachings by W.S. Russel (Hist. of the Disciples In Illinois, Haynes p.338)
Baptizes B.C. Deweese (1851-1924) (Eureka College, p.197)
EC's daughter Ellen marries – Ceremony at Mammoth Cave, Ky
Living in Jacksonville, Illinois – Preaches for new church at Indiana and 21st Street, Chicago (The Cause In Chicago, p.20)
EC participates W. T. Moore, W. K. Pendleton, and others to put together a formal plan of raising money for missions. Became known as The Louisville Plan. (Deep In The Heart Of Texas, The Life of J.D. Tant, v.2, p.132 / Christian Missions, F.M. Green, p.94 / History of the Disciples of Christ, W.T. Moore, p.562)
EC preaches at Davenport, Iowa at Christian Chapel (Quad-City Times, Davenport, IA, (12.30.1869, p.1) Assist brethren who were divided (Quad-City Times, Davenport, IA 01.04.1870, p.1)
EC writes an article entitled, "Muscial Culture," in favor of Instrumental Music in Worship. Appears in the Millennial Harbinger in the January, 1870 issue, pages 15-22 See link.
W.H. Hopson, co-editor of The Apostolic Times, writes a rebuttal to EC's January article in the MH. His article appears in the March 10, 1770 issue of The Apostolic Times on page 382. It is copied by W.K. Pendleton, editor of MH and placed in the March issue on pages 164-171. See link.
S.H. Campbell (Selina Huntingdon), wife of Alexander, writes an open letter to cousin EC that appears in the July issues of The Apostolic Times, p.99, under the title "Letter From Sister Campbell." This letter was a refutation and stern rebuke of EC for his January article on Instrumental Music in worship on page 9. See link.
EC serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mound City Mutual Life Insurance Company, St. Louis, MO (The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss. 07.21.1870, p.3)
Serves as Illinois State Convention President (Hist. of the Disciples In Illinois, Haynes p.102)
EC is president of the Illinois Missionary Board. (AT, 08.17.1871, p151)
Vine Street Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO divides over Instrumental Music in 1867. D. Pat Henderson first minister. Then in 1873 EC becomes minister of Central Christian Church, the instrumental congregation. (FF, 02.08.1944, p.5/ Hist. of Oldest Churches In Missouri, Gordon, p.53)
EC preaches at the Preacher's Institute in Moberly, Missouri. (AT, 06.11.1874, p.3)
EC leaves Central in St. Louis and moves to St. Paul, Minnesota to preach for the church of Christ.
EC retires the work of preacher for the Church of Christ in St. Paul, Minnesota
From St. Louis, EC attends California State Meeting, Irvington, Alameda County. (Hist. of the Disciples of Christ in California, E.B. Ware, p.239)
While in Wilmington, Clinton Co., Ohio, EC dies suddenly in the streets of the city. He was 75 years old. Body returned to Versailles, Ky for burial in City Cemetery.
Mary Elizabeth Ball dies at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Burial by her husband in Versailles Cemetery.
Advertisement for "The Witness of the Spirits" by James W. Zachary – containing two sermons, a diagram and two essays by EC (GA,12.16.1897.p792)
Sallie W. Campbell Warren, sister of EC, died suddenly in Sedalia, Ky. Buried in Dover, Ky. Obit in (CE, 01.05.1899 p.30)
AT = Apostolic Times
CE = The Christian Evangelist
FF = Firm Foundation
GA = Gospel Advocate
MH = Millennial Harbinger
Controversy Over Enos Campbell's Support Of Musical Instruments In Worship In 1870
Enos and Mary Campbell are buried in the Versailles Cemetery at Versailles, Kentucky. The plot is on Ball Drive in Section C-3 South. Enter the cemetery from South Main Street and take the second drive that bears to the left (Ball Dr.) and easy up the drive past the mausoleum. Heading toward the rear of the cemetery look to your right for a pink marble gravestone. It will be easy to find, as most all markers in the cemetery are white/gray in color. The plot closest to the drive is the grave of Enos Campbell.
Take second drive to left and begin looking for pink marble plot.
Ernest Louis Campbell
John Marion Campbell
Born September 24, 1853
Died July 20, 1854
ELC - Ernest Louis Campbell
Garry L. Hill at the grave of Enos Campbell
Scott Harp at the grave of Enos Campbell
Enos Campbell
Born December 23, 1815
Died December 26, 1890
Wife of
Died October 5, 1891
Special Recognition: Special thanks to Garry L. Hill who assisted me in the location of the grave of Dr. Absalom Adams. We took a day trip to north central Kentucky, visiting several graves of gospel preachers of yesteryear.
History Home
History Index Page


text:
Q: Google Assistant Custom Commands in Mobile Application I've got an simple question: Is it possible to create customs commands with Google Assistant for specific actions in your own written mobile application?
Example actions such as:

*

*Navigate to that page

*call the helpdesk

In my research a found already IFTTT. With that you can create custom commands but i see only options as:

*

*Add new Google contact

*Turn on TV

but none specific actions for applications not written by Google. Is this even possible or you guys have any other ideas?
Thanks for Help!

A: Right now this is not possible. Eventually though, you will be able to use App Actions and Slices for that.
For that reason it's best to have a look at them and prepare your app for them.


One of my favorite things of living in California is how many romantic weekend rendezvous there are nearby that Tom and I can head to for a weekend away. With both beaches and mountains close by and amazing wine countries, there are a plethora of fun romantic weekend getaways in California. Here are my top five favorite romantic getaways in California.
Wine country scenery in San Luis Obispo.
I adore this little Danish-inspired town. It has traditional Danish architecture and feels more like a village than a town. Kitschy but cute shops selling everything from wine stoppers to cuckoo clocks line the little lanes of Solvang and are fun to browse through together. In addition, you can add wine tasting to your romantic day walking around Solvang as many of the nearby Santa Ynez wineries have tasting rooms in Solvang. Lucas and Lewellen on Copenhagen Drive has some great wines and a Tuscan ambiance. The wine trails of Santa Ynez valley, like Foxen Canyon, are also quick to get to from Solvang. For a romantic meal in Solvang, head to Root 246. If romance for the two of you isn't complete without your four-legged friend by your side, Solvang is also a good option — here's a dog friendly Solvang guide.
Pretty windmills and Dutch architecture in Solvang.
The village area of downtown La Jolla oozes luxury and has many romantic restaurants, bars, and cafes ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway, but La Jolla's main romance factor can be found at the La Jolla Cove.
Curving around the Pacific Ocean, the La Jolla Cove is one of the most spectacularly stunning stretches of coastline in California. With a wide grassy area ideal for a picnic and a meandering walking trail along the perimeter of the cove, its an ideal place to spend a leisurely romantic afternoon. When the tide is out, the rocky area next the ocean is fun to walk around on together to peer in the tide pools and see what sealife you can spot. In addition, there are usually lots of seals frolicking in the waters of the La Jolla Cove. At night, it doesn't get much more romantic than dining in the Marine Room in La Jolla and watching the surf hit the restaurants massive (and secure) windows.
The grassy area of the La Jolla Cove is a relaxing place for a romantic picnic or midday nap under the San Diego sun.
Monterey and Carmel are two small California coastal towns located right next to each other and are ideal for a romantic vacation as they provide a perfect balance for a weekend away: Carmel is a sleepy, artsy town that is ideal for an afternoon of wandering and stopping in wine bars for a romantic drink, while Monterey has many activities to do like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and sea kayaking, while rugged Big Sur and its famous 17-mile drive provides incredible scenery for a romantic drive. At night, both Carmel and Monterey offer romantic restaurants to dine in. Try Casanova in Carmel or the Sardine Factory in Monterey (much more romantic inside than it sounds!).
On the 17-Mile Drive in Big Sur.
Ok, there's obviously a wine theme going on here, but what can I say? Wine regions are conducive to romance with gorgeous scenes of vines stretching across the countryside and usually a surplus of romantic restaurants, plus…well…wine itself can make you feel quite amorous.
Wine tasting – and the smiling face of your sweetie – will put you in the mood for romance in Napa.
Of all the wine regions in California, there's none more famous than Napa. For couples looking for a romantic getaway, that fame means a luxurious getaway, too, as there are a surplus of spa accommodations and top-notch restaurants (French Laundry, widely considered to be the best restaurant in the world, is even located in Napa Valley, though good luck getting a reservation.) For a romantic stay in Napa, try the aptly named Wine Country Inn, which is located right in the middle of wine country and and has a pool and hot tub onsite, plus a patio with gorgeous views and rooms decorated in country chic.
Where's your favorite romantic getaway in California or beyond?
Great list! I loved Napa and would to visit the rest on this list!
Oh, Napa is so wonderful! I'm going back this spring and can't wait. Although, I can't wait to go back to all the places on this list. 😉 You would especially love the California central coast I bet (Santa Ynez Valley region)!
A lovely, relaxing and romantic Farmstay in Northern San Diego County is yours at the Morning Song Farm. Nearby wineries along with goats, chickens, ducks and organic produce combine for a wonderful change from the hectic city or resort.


text:
Q: How do i create a webservice that recieves XML? I need to build a web service that accepts XML data.
The XML will send as the below example :
<Person>
<LegalName>
  <FirstName>Ralph</FirstName>
  <LastName>Anderson</LastName>
  <PhoneticFirstName>rah-lf</PhoneticFirstName>
</LegalName>
<SSN>122-34-1232</SSN>
<Demographics>
  <Sex>male</Sex>
  <Height>502</Height>
</Demographics>
<DriversLicense>
  <DriversLicenseNumber>1234</DriversLicenseNumber>
  <IssuingState>CA</IssuingState>
</DriversLicense>

My understanding is I need to write something like this:
public Service () {

    [WebMethod]
    public void CreateRecord(XmlDocument newRecord)
    {
        // do stuff
    }
}

How I can do that?

A: You could try to understand how it works and find a nice artical here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh534080.aspx


text:
316 F. 2d 70 - Laskin
316 F2d 70 Laskin
1 UCC Rep.Serv. 262
In the Matter of Harold LASKIN, Bankrupt. Harold Laskin,
Appellant, Industrial Rayon Corporation, Appellee.
United States Court of Appeals Third Circuit.
Argued Dec. 13, 1962.
Decided April 5, 1963, Rehearing Denied May 6, 1963.
Sidney Schulman, Philadelphia, Pa. (Herman N. Silver, Philadelphia, Pa., on the brief), for appellant.
Charles C. Hileman, III, Philadelphia, Pa. (Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis, Philadelphia, Pa., on the brief), for appellee Industrial Rayon Corporation.
Before KALODNER and FORMAN, Circuit Judges, and ROSENBERG, District judge.
KALODNER, Circuit Judge.
Harold Laskin, the appellant, filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy on August 4, 1960, listing unsecured claims of $61,030.93 and declaring the he had no assets. Among the scheduled claims was that of the appellee, Industrial Rayon Corporation ('Industrial') in the amount of $10,284.33. Industrial subsequently filed a Proof of Claim in the amount of $12,803.99 to which was attached a negotiable promissory note dated March 31, 1959, in the amount of $15,426.50, payable with interest at 6% In sixty days.
On November 29, 1960, following a 21-A examination of the bankrupt on November 23, 1960, Industrial filed Specification of Objections to Discharge asserting that the bankrupt had (1) knowingly and fraudulently concealed assets belonging to the bankrupt estate from the trustee and creditors; (2) falsified books of accounts and records; and (3) transferred property within one year preceding the filing of his bankruptcy petition with intent to hinder, delay or defraud his creditors. On December 1, 1960 the bankrupt filed Exception to the Specification of Objections on the ground that Industrial was not a creditor of the estate and thus was not qualified to be heard in opposition to the bankrupt's discharge.
On June 8, 1961, at an adjourned meeting on Industrial's Objections, the bankrupt asked, and was granted, (1) leave to amend his Schedule A-3 to delete Industrial as a listed creditor; and (2) to file objections to Industrial's Proof of Claim. At the close of the June 8th hearing, which was limited to the issue as to Industrial's status as a creditor, the Referee granted the bankrupt's application to amend his Schedule A-3 so to delete Industrial as a creditor and sustained the bankrupt's objections to Industrial's Proof of Claim and his exceptions to Industrial's Objections to Discharge. In each instance the Referee's action was grounded on his view that Industrial was not a creditor of the bankrupt by virtue of his signing of the March 31, 1959 promissory note, subsequently to be discussed in detail. On August 11, 1961 the Referee filed Orders giving effect to the rulings above stated and granting the bankrupt his discharge.
Industrial petitioned for Review of the Referee's Orders and following hearing thereon the District Court on April 17, 1962 entered its Order vacating all of the Referee's Orders. This appeal followed.
It must immediately be stated that the District Court, as evidenced by its Opinion, reported at 204 F.Supp. 106 (E.D.Pa.1962), directed its attention only to the issue as to whether Industrial did or did not enjoy the status of a creditor by virtue of the March 31, 1959 note and the parties have likewise done so on this appeal.
The note in controversy reads as follows:
'$15,426.50 March 31, 1959.
'Sixty days after date promise to pay to the order of INDUSTRIAL RAYON CORPORATION Fifteen Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-six and 50/100 Dollars Payable at Cleveland, Ohio with interest at 6% Per annum Value Received
'Laskin Bros. of Phila. Inc.
'Harold Laskin
'No. K-71730 Due May 30, 1959'
The names 'Laskin Bros. of Paila. Inc.' and 'Harold Laskin' were in the bankrupts' handwriting-- the other portions of the note were printed and typewritten.
At the time the bankrupt was president of Laskin Brothers of Philadelphia, Inc.
The District Court held that under the provisions of Section 3-403(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code, as enacted by Pennsylvania,1 which prevailed when the note was executed, the bankrupt became individually liable on the note when he signed it after writing in the firm name without any indication that his name was affixed in a representative capacity, and that evidence outside the note was not admissible to show that the bankrupt was not personally liable.
It was for that reason that the District Court held that the Referee had erred in going beyond the contents of the note itself in determining whether or not the bankrupt had become personally liable when he signed it without indicating that his signature was in his capacity as president of Laskin Brothers of Philadelphia, Inc. ('Laskin, Inc.').
The record of the proceedings before the Referee evidences that he was of the view that the Bankruptcy Act and not the Uniform Commercial Code controlled and that under the Bankruptcy Act he was empowered to go beyond the borders of the note to ascertain the capacity in which the bankrupt signed it.
We are of the opinion that the Referee was correct in this respect and for reasons which will subsequently appear we hold that he properly held that the bankrupt's signature on the note did not result in the creation of a debtor-creditor status between the bankrupt and Industrial.
One of the primary purposes of the Bankruptcy Act is the equitable distribution of the bankrupt's estate among its creditors.
These principles are well-settled: '* * * Courts of bankruptcy are essentially courts of equity, and their proceedings inherently proceedings in equity.'2
The bankruptcy court in passing on claims 'sits as a court of equity', and 'In the exercise of its equitable jurisdiction the bankruptcy court has the power to sift the circumstances surrounding any claim to see that injustice or unfairness is not done in the administration of the bankrupt estate.'3
To the foregoing must be added the specific provision of Section 57, sub. k of the Bankruptcy Act that 'Claims which have been allowed may be reconsidered for cause and reallowed or rejected in whole or in part according to the equities of the case, before * * * the estate has been closed.'
Applying the principles stated it is clear that the Referee properly sifted the circumstances attending the execution of the March 31, 1959 note in the exercise of the equitable jurisdiction vested in him, and that his fact-finding that it was the intention of Industrial and the bankrupt to make only Laskin, Inc. liable on the obligation is amply supported by the evidence.
On this score it must be stated parenthetically that the District Court did not consider the question as to whether the evidence supported the Referee's fact-finding and that it premised its reversal of his Order with respect to it only on its view that the Referee was precluded by Pennsylvania law from considering anything but the note itself.
These facts are undisputed:
On March 31, 1959 Laskin, Inc. was indebted to Industrial in the amount of $15,246.50 for merchandise. On the same date Industrial sent the following letter:
'Mr. Harold Laskin, President Laskin Bros. of Philadelphia, Inc. Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania
'Dear Mr. Laskin:
'Thank you for your call on March 20, 1959 and your check for $1,678.93 received on March 25, 1959 which cleaned up the balance owing for January and February and leaves open our November 25, 1958 invoice for $15,426.50. In reviewing correspondence with you, I find that we extended an extra 30 days dating on this invoice, which would have meant it was due for payment on January 25, 1959 and on this basis it is now approximately 60 days past due.
'I well understand the problems which you mentioned to me when we talked together and I trust that they will shortly resolve themselves to enable you to pay our invoice in full. I am enclosing a 60-day promissory note bearing interest at 6% Per annum from January 25, 1959 which I will appreciate your signing and returning by return mail. Should you be able to pay our invoice in full by the end of April 1959, we will waive the interest charges.
'In any event, please sign and promptly return the note to me and rest assured of our sincere desire to be of help to you.
'Very truly yours, 'Industrial Rayon Corporation 'L. H. Needham, Jr. 'L. H. Needham, Jr. Credit Manager'
On April 17, 1959 Industrial sent the following letter:
'Mr. Harold Laskin, President 'Laskin Bros. of Philadephia, Inc. '232 North 11th Street 'Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania'Dear Mr. Laskin:
'Congratulations and Best Wishes on your recent membership in the New York Credit and Financial Management Association. I am certain that you will find your time and money well spent with this credit and financial group. Industrial Rayon has held membership with them for many years now and the many services performed by this group have been most helpful.
'Thank you for your letter of April 7, 1959 in which you enclosed the signed promissory note I had mailed to you on March 31, 1959. I have no doubt of your intentions to clear the balance as quickly as possible. In this connection, I should like to suggest that you send a check for as large an amount as possible as often as your cash position will permit. This method should ease the burden of making one large payment as well as provide the additional benefit of interest savings to you.
'Again my very Best Wishes to you and your new membership in the largest local Credit and Financial Association in the world.
'Very truly yours, 'Industrial Rayon Corporation L. H. Needham, Jr. 'L. H. Needham, Jr. 'Credit Manager'
The note was unpaid when Laskin, Inc., on November 17, 1959, more than seven months after its execution, filed a petition for an arrangement under Chapter XI of the Bankruptcy Act and scheduled it as a claim of Industrial.4 Under the arrangements subsequently consummated Industrial received a payment of $2,622.51, reducing the amount due on the note to $12,803.99.
The Referee based his fact-finding that the bankrupt had signed the note only as president of Laskin, Inc. and not as a co-maker or guarantor on the fact that the letter of March 31, 1959 transmitting the note for signature was addressed to the bankrupt as president of Laskin, Inc.; that the contents of the letter made it clear that the note was to be the obligation of Laskin only and that Industrial looked to Laskin, Inc. for its payment; and that Industrial's letter of April 17, 1959 acknowledging receipt of the signed note further evidenced that the transaction was solely between Industrial and Laskin, Inc.
As was earlier said, the District Court reversed on the ground that under the then prevailing provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code5 'evidence outside of the note is not admissible to show that Laskin (the appellant bankrupt) was not liable personally on the note * * *.' 204 F.Supp. 106, 108.
The District Court erred in its view that the Pennsylvania law estopped the Referee from looking to all the circumstances attending the presentation and execution of the note in the exercise of the equitable jurisdiction vested in him as a bankruptcy court, and his specific authority under Section 57, sub. k of the Bankruptcy Act to reject claims already allowed 'according to the equities of the case.'
In Vanston Bondholders Protective Committee v. Green et al., 329 U.S. 156, 67 S.Ct. 237, 91 L.Ed. 162 (1946), it was held that in determining whether a claim was allowable the Bankruptcy Court was not bound to apply state law.
In doing so the Court stated (pp. 162-163, 67 S.Ct. pp. 239-240, 91 L.Ed. 162):
'In determining what claims are allowable and how a debtor's assets shall be distributed, a bankruptcy court does not apply the law of the state where it sits. Erie R.R. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188), has no such implication. That case decided that a federal district court acquiring jurisdiction because of diversity of citizenship should adjudicate controversies as if it were only another state court. See Holmberg v. Armbrecht, 327 U.S. 392 (66 S.Ct. 582, 90 L.Ed. 743). But bankruptcy courts must administer and enforce the Bankruptcy Act as interpreted by this Court in accordance with authority granted by Congress to determine how and what claims shall be allowed under equitable principles.'
To the same effect see Heiser v. Woodruff, 327 U.S. 726, 732, 66 S.Ct. 853, 90 L.Ed. 970 (1946).
In Prudence Realization Corp. v. Geist, Trustee, 316 U.S. 89, 62 S.Ct. 978, 86 L.Ed. 1293 (1942) where a state rule established legal consequences to a written undertaking on the ground of 'presumed intention' (just as the Pennsylvania statute here involved did) it was held that a bankruptcy court is not bound by the state rule but can apply equitable principles to determine the actual intent of the parties.
Said the Court at page 95, 62 S.Ct. at page 982, 86 L.Ed. 1293:
'We are unable to say that the rule laid down is other than one of state law governing the relative rights of claimants in a state liquidation. Nothing decided in Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188), requires a court of bankruptcy to apply such a local rule governing the liquidation of insolvent estates. The bankruptcy act prescribes its own criteria for distribution to creditors. In the Interpretation and application of federal statutes, federal not local law applies.'
The Bankruptcy Act's 'own criteria for distribution to creditors' was spelled out in Pepper v. Litton, 308 U.S. 295 pp. 304, 305, 60 S.Ct. 238 pp. 244-245, 84 L.Ed. 281 (1939) as follows:
'By virtue of 2 bankruptcy court is a court of equity at least in the sense that in the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred upon it by the Act, it applies the principles and rules of equity jurisprudence. * * * Among the granted powers are the allowance and disallowance of claims; the collection and distribution of the estates of bankrupts and the determination of controversies in relation thereto; the rejection in whole or in part 'according to the equities of the case' of claims previously allowed; and the entering of such judgments 'as may be necessary for the enforcement of the provisions' of the Act. * * * 'The bankruptcy courts have exercised these equitable powers in passing on a wide range of problems arising out of the administration of bankrupt estates. They have been invoked to the end that fraud will not prevail, that substance will not give way to form, that technical considerations will not prevent substantial justice from being done.'
It must be here observed that even under the 1953 provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code parol evidence was admissible to effect a reformation of a note so as to show that it was signed in a representative capacity where an 'injustice' resulted because of the Code proviso that 'an authorized representative who signs his own name to an instrument is also personally obligated unless the instrument names the person represented and shows that the signature is made in a representative capacity.' Section 3-403(2).
In the Uniform Commercial Code Comment, paragraph 3 (12A P.S. 3-403. p. 582) it is said:
'Subsection (2) is intended to provide a rule of law for the determination of the effect of the representative's signature from the face of the instrument. It excludes parol evidence for any purpose except reformation. * * * 'The rule here stated is that the representative is liable personally unless the instrument itself clearly shows that he has signed only on behalf of another named on the paper. If he does not sign in such a way as to make that clear the responsibility is his. If there is injustice to him he may have the remedy of reformation, subject to the rules of the particular jurisdiction; * * *.'
It is necessary that we direct our attention to the problem presented by the circumstance that the District Court's Order, from which this appeal was taken, not only vacated separate Orders of the Referee amending the appellant's Schedule A-3 by deleting the name of Industrial as a creditor of the estate and disalllowing Industrial's claim, but also vacated the Referee's third Order which not only sustained the appellant's exceptions to the Specification of Discharge filed by Industrial and dismissed the Objections, but also granted the appellant his discharge.
The record of the proceedings before the Referee discloses that there was a 21-A examination of the appellant. In Industrial's Specification of Objections to Discharge it was alleged that the 21-A examination established 'that the bankrupt (appellant) knowingly and fraudulently concealed from the trustee and creditors * * * property belonging to the estate of the bankrupt, and knowingly and fraudulently made a false oath or account in relation to a bankruptcy.'
The Referee apparently was of the view that the sustaining of the appellant's exceptions to the Specification of Objections on the ground that Industrial had no standing to object to the appellant's discharge in view of its lack of creditor status obviated the necessity of his further consideration or disposition of the serious charges of misconduct made in the Specification. The Referee erred in this respect. He was duty bound to inquire into the merit of the charges of fraud made in the Objections although he had properly sustained exceptions to them by reason of his correct holding that Industrial lacked the status to make the Objections. The allegations of fraudulent conduct made in the Objections were not lost to the bankruptcy court by reason of their having been struck down under the circumstances here existing.
A charge of fraud is not an issue merely between the bankrupt and a given creditor '* * * but involves the integrity of the law itself; only such bankrupts are entitled to procure a discharge as have not offended against certain provisions of the Act, and in the administration of the discharge sections, the courts rest under a duty of inquiry.' In re Povill, 30 F.Supp. 161 (E.D.N.Y.1939). In In re Sims, 26 F.Supp. 933 (N.D.W.Va.1939) it was held that it was the duty of a bankruptcy ocurt to require an investigation where Objections disclose acts of fraud even though the objecting creditor withdraws them. In that case the District Court ordered that the United States Attorney be requested to investigate the conduct of the bankrupt even though the Referee had granted the bankrupt his discharge after Objections had been withdrawn and no creditor had opposed confirmation of the discharge.
The appellant contends 'that the issue of fraud is properly before this Appellate Court and that on the evidence this court should reverse the District Court and reinstate the order granting the discharge.'
The issue of fraud was not before the District Court inasmuch as the Referee in his certification to it did not include the Notes of Testimony of the 21-A proceeding and for that reason we cannot dispose of it on this appeal.
Accordingly, upon remand the District Court should direct that the Referee supplement his certification by the inclusion of the Notes of Testimony of the 21-A proceeding. When the record is so supplemented the District Court will be in a position to make an evaluation of the charges of fraudulent conduct on the part of the appellant bankrupt and to take such action as it may deem requisite under the circumstances.
If it finds the charges sufficiently serious it may instruct the trustee in bankruptcy or the United States Attorney to proceed with them in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Act.6
The Order of the District Court will be vacated and the cause will be remanded with directions to proceed in accordance with this Opinion.
The Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code of April 6, 1953, P.L. 3, 3-403; 12A P.S. 3-403(2)
The 1959 amendment to the Code, Act of October 2, 1959, P.L. 1023, 3; 12A P.S. pkt. 3-403(2)(3) did not become effective until January 1, 1960.
Local Loan Co. v. Hunt, 292 U.S. 234, 240, 54 S.Ct. 695, 697, 78 L.Ed. 1230 (1934)
Pepper v. Litton, 308 U.S. 295, 307-308, 60 S.Ct. 238, 245-246, 84 L.Ed. 281 (1939)
In re Laskin Brothers of Philadelphia, Inc., D.C.E.D.Pa., Bankruptcy No. 26052
The Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code was amended in 1959, Act of October 2, 1959, 12A pkt. pt., effective January 1, 1960, to permit parol evidence. P.L. 1023, 3
'Sec. 47(a). Trustees shall * * * (9) oppose at the expense of the estates the discharges of bankrupts when they deem it advisable to do so * * *.' (11 U.S.C. 75)
'Sec. 14(d). When requested by the court, the United States attorney, located in the judicial district in which the bankruptcy proceeding is pending, or such other attorney as the Attorney General may designate, shall examine into the acts and conduct of the bankrupt and, if satisfied that probable grounds exist for the denial of the discharge and that the public interest so warrants, he shall oppose the discharge of such bankrupt in like manner as provided in the case of a trustee.' (11 U.S.C. 32).


text:
War of clones: Native cocoa breaks the mould in Pangoa
High quality Peruvian cocoa for fine chocolates
Sustainable cocoa
Natalia Palomino
Comunicaciones | Latinoamérica
natalia.palomino [at] rikolto.org
For some years now, the Peruvian region of Junín has seen a revival of interest in native cocoa. Although ancestral communities such as the Asháninka, Nomatsiguenga and Kakínte domesticated the local crop and were the first to use it hundreds of years ago in San Martín de Pangoa, later, in this same area, productive initiatives introduced some varieties of cocoa as an alternative to the illicit coca economy.
In recent decades, this divided the producers into two: those who used and conserved the mountain or "fine aroma native" cocoa native to the area, and those who used the Trinitario hybrid or "introduced clone". Supporters of the Trinidadian hybrids praised its yield, but those who preferred the native cocoa highlighted its remarkable organoleptic qualities and its fruity, citrus and nutty notes, which were preferred by the fine chocolate industry.
The Pangoa cooperative is promoting the cultivation of "fine aroma native" cocoa because of the improved income it promises, and in view of the popularity of the "introduced clones" decided to fight fire with fire. So they have been working with a selection of the best native trees in the area to create their own "native cocoa clones". How is Pangoa's native cocoa winning the battle? We tell you about it in this article.
True to the native variety. In Pangoa the predominant crop is the cocoa native to the area. For its exceptional qualities, the chocolate derived from it has been given an award 4 times by the Academy of Chocolate Awards in London.
For decades, the area around the VRAEM has concentrated a dangerous mix of coca and drug trafficking in the country:. But today more and more producers are choosing cocoa as a profitable and sustainable alternative.
Most of the cocoa plantations in the central jungle are made of the CCN-51 variety because of its yield.
Genetic conservation: Pangoa's "native clones" strategy
When talking about clones in Pangoa, nobody thinks of foreign (introduced) varieties any more, because the cooperative has found in genetic science an ally to conserve the best of the native cocoa and multiply it via grafting in clonal gardens. The Pangoa cooperative has been working with thirteen 'native clones' from the area, giving preference to these cocoa varieties over other introduced varieties such as CCN-51," says José Luis Arroyo, the cooperative's extension technician.
The clones to which José Luis refers are a selection of the best native cocoa trees in Pangoa: those in the area that are the most productive and with the best sweetness, aroma, colour, flavour, fragrance and resistance to pests.
Each garden is located in a strategic area, which will provide as many neighbouring plots as possible with the precious gene of the "Pangoa super trees".
Since their identification in 2018, the cooperative's so-called "elite trees" or "super trees" are part of a long-term plan that will benefit members from 2024 onwards, increasing access to a profitable crop that is an ally of conservation in the area.
The process of identifying 42 native trees and the final selection of 13, the propagation of varieties and the installation of clonal gardens in agroforestry systems was advised by Rikolto and co-financed by Pangoa and the Belgian cooperation.
Super trees: Success is in the genes... or diversification?
Marcelo Ramos, a member of the cocoa cooperative, owns the land where one of the first four clonal gardens in Pangoa was established. He describes how, alongside fine and flavour cocoa, he maintains a diversified production system that provides him with income. The varied product basket is sold at the local market and as food for the producers themselves.
Marcelo Ramos, a member of the cooperative in the clonal garden at the Palestine base. In addition to cocoa, he grows coffee, papaya, banana, mandarin, guanabana and forest species.
For the cooperative, this collection of 13 promising trees (genotypes) is important because of the relationship between diversified systems and the goodness of cocoa in the area.
Pangoa and Rikolto have been working on this relationship between diversification, quality cocoa and the implementation of agroforestry models since 2017 to ensure and increase members' income. For Virgilio García, producer and taster, a chocolate made from native cocoa grown in agroforestry systems breaks the mould. From his laboratory in Pangoa, he explains.
The diversification of cocoa plots with fruit trees or timber forest (species) does have an influence on the taste. Cocoa already has basic flavours that are characteristic of each area, but diversifying has an impact on a broader, more varied and more complex flavour
Virgilio García Head of the chocolate plant at the Pangoa cooperative.
Growing in an agroforestry and diversified production system improves the organoleptic characteristics of the cocoa beans, as well as the resilience of the trees by allowing them to better adapt to the climatic conditions of the area.
Virgilio leads Pangoa's team of cocoa and chocolate tasters, whose work has been recognised by the Academy of Chocolate Awards (London) and by the International Cocoa of Excellence competition (Paris).
This is how Pangoa cocoa, which has been growing under these conditions, has become more tolerant to pests that can affect up to 40% of production in the area.
This tolerance is an advantage for producers in a context of climate change, as it reduces the costs of cultivation. Therefore, in the short term, the cooperative plans to renew and rehabilitate unproductive plots with genetic material from the clonal gardens with elite trees.
Diversification and agroforestry systems for the present and future of Pangoa
Pangoa is an organisation with a coffee-growing tradition that has managed to carve out a path in the cocoa and chocolate business and to go further with a crop diversification strategy to guarantee its sustainability. Today 56% of the producers' income comes from cocoa and 44% of the families' annual income comes from the sale of fruit and vegetables, among other foodstuffs. Together with its associates, the cooperative manages 780 hectares of cocoa with organic certification, fair trade standards and in agroforestry systems.
By 2021, Pangoa expects to have installed 3,000 super cocoa trees with the best attributes of quality, flavour and resistance to the onslaught of climate change. By the sixth year of installation (2024), it is projected to produce more than 3,000 kg/ha per year, renew and rehabilitate 100 hectares with 70,000 grafts from the clonal gardens and selected super cocoa trees. The dream is that this will benefit the whole region. José Luis explains:
The impact on cocoa-producing families will be progressive. The families in the Junín region will have access to high-value genetic material to establish new sustainable and resilient cocoa plantations, ensuring productivity, profitability and quality
Pangoa went from generating 420 kg/ha annually in 2017 to 650 kg/ha in 2019, thanks to the implementation of good agricultural practices in agroforestry systems, as well as integrated pest management and organic cocoa nutrition.
The four clonal gardens installed in Pangoa during 2019, together with Rikolto, will be the basis for success in the Junín region.
This change has already meant a 54% increase in income and an improvement in the living conditions of the cooperative's member families, located in the Central Peruvian jungle, today one of the areas most affected by Covid-19.
The case of the Pangoa cooperative demonstrates that thanks to the agroforestry model in combination with genetic science it is possible to bet on biodiversity and sustainability by improving indicators of productivity, resilience and profitability for the cocoa business.
Meet the protagonists of the Pangoa case. Watch the video of the initiative: (in Spanish)
Based on this experience, Rikolto is currently promoting, together with members of the Regional Technical Committee of cocoa in Satipo, the selection of native cocoa trees to install clonal gardens in the province. This new initiative will help to recover the local genetic biodiversity and will inspire a model of action for other regions.
Want to know more? contact me:
Teófilo Beingolea
Coordinador del Programa Cacao y Café Sostenibles | Perú
teofilo.beingolea [at] rikolto.org


text:
The A Cappella Blog
MIX Edifice
I first heard MIX, a compact, co-ed group out of the University of Colorado Denver, at 2012 SoJam college competition. I was expecting great things from that show—what with competitors including the eventual ICCA champion Nor'easters, and southern stars The Melodores.
But then there was MIX.
MIX electrified the crowd with a Latin beat just as easily as they brought it to tears with their original song, "Water." They started a party and they broke it all down. In a single night, on one of a cappella's biggest stages, they made a statement that they belonged among the world's elite.
It's with this background that I came to Edifice, the new album from MIX. And I'm pleased to say that they more than lived up to my memories.
The album opened with "Come On-A My House," a track that cleverly starts with a slow jam sample of Ray Charles's "I Got a Woman" (more familiar to contemporary fans as the hook of Kanye West's "Gold Digger") before easing into its groove, shifting to a female lead for the main track, spiced with what I believe was an original rap. It's a track that intrinsically sounds like what I had come to expect from MIX, and as such a brilliant bridge between the group's previous work and this new album.
The rhythm section is good on the opening track, but comes to full realization on the following number, "Barton Hollow." While I won't deny that this song has been done too death on the collegiate circle the last two years, I nonetheless appreciated MIX's take on it and the shrewd infusion of train sounds, rooted in the breathy perc to establish a wonderfully intense opening, then revisited more overtly on the on the outro. The song is an excellent set up for Delta Rae's "Bottom of the River." This song is a bit over-exposed, too, but fit with "Barton Hollow" nicely for a down-home segment of the album the group's slick vocals distinctive approach to perc went a long way toward making the songs distinctively MIX's own.
Indeed, I feel this disc is strongest when the group sounds it's most distinctive—the aforementioned tracks for sure, a cool high-pitched vocal effect on "Ramalama (Bang Bang)," a buzzing electric undercurrent to "Daddy," the brilliant simulation of a gospel choir on "'Til the End of the Time." These are the moments when a smart group with a lot of talent, collaborators with a masterful production team (in this case, predominantly David Longo, plus Ted Trembinski and Bri Holland from the Vocal Company) to achieve some thing that is not only magic, but genuinely unique in a recording.
But then there's the point at which Mix ascended to a whole new level on this album for me. Smart groups find ways sampling other songs or cutting to resolve repetitive patches of songs or long instrumental breaks. Truly phenomenal groups find ways to reinvent the music. On Sam Smith's "Latch," Mix introduced an original spoken word sample (written and performed by Michelle Rocqet), delivered with brilliant intensity, but also crafted to up the stakes of this song from a cool love song to one of obsession and need. It was followed by a very well-done original rap courtesy of Chris Kimmel. Simply sensational stuff.
The flaws in the album were few, but my one nitpicky comment would for MIX, like many scholastic groups, would be to steer clear of moments that call attention themselves. There were two particular moments like that that stood out to me here. First, the repeated use of "pomegranate apricot" syllables late in "Come On-A My House, which, while executed, felt contrived in my ear. Then the "ooh wee" from Renee Davis singing the Melanie Fiona part. I actually loved Davis's vocal on this part, and the way its more classical sound turned the hip hop sound on its ear in this case, but the "ooh wee," which matches the original lyrics, felt forced from her, and I felt subbing in a guttural growl or moan could have gone a long way toward synergizing her sound with the vibe of the sound and making it the group's own. There are moments when the original lyrics, dynamics, rhythm or whatnot doesn't quite click with a group's natural talent and it's incumbent on the group to make creative choices to make the most of the music for themselves. As may have guessed from my focus on a total of about six seconds off a 33-minute album, I don't have many complaints, though. There's always room for a bit more polish, but this is, all around, a pretty sterling effort.
Mix called this album Edifice. The album cover, picturing white boards and a red door suggest the meaning of the word that is simply a building. Given the range of musical styles and influences brought together on this album, though, under the unifying umbrella of the Mix sound, I get more of a sensation of the edifice that is a scheme of beliefs and principles that form a greater whole.
Regardless of your interpretation, the bottom line remains that Edifice is a distinctive and compelling listening experience—brief, vital, and stirring. You don't want to miss out on this.
By Mike Chin on September 1, 2014 in CD Reviews • Permalink
Mike Chin
Mike Chin co-founded The A Cappella Blog in 2007. He continues to share leadership responsibility for the site, overseeing columns, reviews and features as the content manager. He currently lives in Georgia.
Email Website @miketchin
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text:
\section*{Abstract}

Using density functional theory calculations and the Greens's function formalism, we report the existence of magnetic edge states with a non-collinear spin texture present on different edges of the 1T' phase of the three monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs): MoS$_2$, MoTe$_2$ and WTe$_2$. The magnetic states are gapless and accompanied by a spontaneous breaking of the time-reversal symmetry. This may have an impact on the prospects of utilizing WTe$_2$ as a quantum spin Hall insulator. It has previously been suggested that the topologically protected edge states of the 1T' TMDs could be switched off by applying a perpendicular electric field\cite{Qian2014}. We confirm with fully self-consistent DFT calculations, that the topological edge states can be switched off. The investigated magnetic edge states are seen to be robust and remains gapless when applying a field.

\section{\label{sec:intro}Introduction}

\input{intro}

\section{\label{sec:methos}Method}

\input{method}

\section{Materials}

\input{system}

\section{\label{sec:MoS2results} The edges of 1T' MoS$_2$}

\input{mos2_results}

\section{\label{sec:Wresults} Magnetic edges on 1T' TMDs}

\input{materials}

\section{The effect of gating}

\input{gating}

\section{\label{sec:conclusion}Conclusion}

\input{conc}

\vspace*{0.1cm}

\begin{acknowledgments}
This work is partly funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD) under File No. 5189-00082B. The authors acknowledge Julian Schneider and Troels Markussen for technical help with the calculations and interpretation of the results.
\end{acknowledgments}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Amgen's Kyprolis fails to outperform Velcade in first-line multiple myeloma PhIII
Sep 27, 2016 5:26am
Amgen's ($AMGN) Kyprolis has come up short against Takeda's Velcade in a Phase III trial in patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The data undermine Amgen's attempts to justify the $10.4 billion it paid for Onyx Pharmaceuticals by establishing Kyprolis as a cornerstone of first-line multiple myeloma treatment.
For the Phase III trial, Amgen enrolled 995 patients and randomized them to receive one of two regimens, which paired either Kyprolis or Velcade with melphalan and prednisone. After 54 weeks, there was next to nothing between the two cohorts in terms of progression-free survival, resulting in the trial missing its primary endpoint. Median PFS in the Kyprolis arm was 22.3 months, compared to 22.1 months for the Velcade cohort.
"The Clarion results … are disappointing, especially given the robust data we've seen in the second-line setting," Sean Harper, head of R&D at Amgen, said in a statement.
Second-line data posted last year associated a Kyprolis-based regimen with a PFS of 18.7 months, compared to 9.4 months for the Velcade cohort, an outcome that prompted Harper to tell Forbes the Amgen drug "really looks like it's got quite a bit more oomph to it."
The first-line results tell a different story, leaving Amgen without the data to argue for the use of Kyprolis over Velcade in a first-line setting, an indication that would help it to grow sales past the $512 million it achieved last year and toward the sorts of blockbuster numbers analysts discussed at the time of the Onyx acquisition.
Since Amgen bought Onyx, new drugs from AbbVie ($ABBV), Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY), and Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) have crowded into the multiple myeloma space. But with Kyprolis seemingly on track to outperform Velcade prior to the first-line readout, Amgen had hoped its drug would become the foundation for all multiple myeloma treatment regimens.
Speaking in July, Amgen CEO Robert Bradway said: "We expect [Kyprolis] to be a backbone of multiple myeloma therapy for the foreseeable future, and as such, for it to be used in combination with many of the new agents that are emerging in the field."
With the first-line trial failing to deliver data to support the use of Kyprolis over Velcade, that hypothesis appears shakier than it did at the time. Amgen is now left looking to a Phase III trial in which newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients are receiving either Kyprolis or Velcade plus Celgene's ($CELG) Revlimid and dexamethasone to revitalize the prospects of its product.
multiple myeloma Amgen