text:
Safety Alerts 2H 2014
IADC/14-16 Improper Hand Placement Results in Amputation
The rig crew and a 3rd party company were running casing with a Casing Running Tool (CRT). After running the casing to the curve (kick-off point), the slips were set, the elevators were removed, and the CRT was lowered to fill up the casing. As the CRT was nearing the top of the casing in the rotary, a 3rd party casing employee (IP or injured person) grabbed the top of the casing for leverage. In an attempt to gain leverage, he placed part of his fingers inside the casing while pushing the elevator links out of the way with his other hand. As the CRT was lowered, his fingers were trapped between the CRT and the casing resulting in the amputation of his fingertips.
Download the Full Alert
IADC/14-17 Line-Of-Fire Incident Results in Facial Injuries
The rig crew was attempting to manually latch a running tool onto the top of a tubing liner pump down hole. The crew installed a rod wheel onto the rod string. Employees, on the rig floor, held 10 to 15 turns of torque into the rod string with the wheel as the rod string was lifted. The running tool detached from the lock assembly thus causing the workers to lose their grip on the rod wheel. The release of torque caused the rod wheel to backspin in an uncontrolled manner. While spinning, the gate piece of the rod wheel broke away from the main body of the wheel and, struck a worker in the face, which resulted in major facial injuries.
IADC/14-18 Improper Confined Space Entry Results in Multiple Fatalities
Before the product was unloaded, an employee entered a water tank that contained a water / nitrogen mixture from the displacement of a rigless coil tubing operation and became incapacitated. A co-worker, in an attempt to rescue the first employee, entered the same tank and, for the same reason, was followed by two other co-workers. Realizing that four of his employees were inside the tank, the supervisor ordered the tank drained. He then asked two more of his employees to enter the tank to rescue the four personnel trapped inside by using a rope (safety line). Three of the rescued personnel were unconscious and one was semi-conscious. All four personnel were immediately evacuated to a local clinic. After performing first aid,the semi-unconscious employee was evacuated to a nearby hospital for further treatment. The three others were pronounced deceased by a local medical doctor.
IADC/14-19 Dropped Object Results in Near Miss
During tripping and laying down of the cementing pipe string, the drilling crew discovered a 25.4 cm (10 inch) diameter, 0.68 Kg (1.5 lbs) brass thrust washer lying on the rear of the drill floor. The washer had fallen from the inside of the top sheave in the crown assembly of the derrick, missing the nearest worker by 2 meters (6.5 feet). A visual inspection, performed by the crew from the ground using a camera with a telephoto lens, identified that the sheave pin (which forms the axle for the sheave) had moved laterally and the sheave was noticeably leaning from its normal, vertical position. A crane equipped with a man basket was mobilized so that personnel could access the crown to inspect, render safe, and repair the damage. At this time it was observed that the outer sheave locking plate bolts had sheared and the plate itself was seen resting on the edge of the crown assembly. These conditions created the potential for a more serious incident,necessitating a suspension of rig operations.
IADC/14-20 Hand Tool Left on CCU Results in Potential Dropped Object
When receiving baskets and containers from the vessel, the flagman on the platform observed a sledgehammer lying loose on top of a cargo carrying unit (CCU). The weight of the sledgehammer is 2.24 kg (~5 lbs). The possible drop height from the basket to the sea/vessel was estimated to be 60 meters (~197 feet), Impact=1318 J. The landing area on the platform was secured from entry during the cargo operation. The Master of the vessel received confirmation from the crew of the vessel that they were missing one sledgehammer. The last time the sledgehammer had been used was during preparations for loading water based mud at the quay (dock) when the vessel was in port and the bulk hose was connected-up by the vessel crew. During that operation, an object was discovered in the hose by the crew, who informed the bridge. The bridge then requested base personnel come on board to clear the hose. The operator from the base had borrowed a sledge hammer from one of the vessel's crew and removed the object from the hose. After the cargo hose had been connected, the sledgehammer was inadvertently placed onto the CCU. The deck crew then connected the hose and opened the loading valve on orders from the bridge. One crew member was appointed as hose guard ensuring that there were no leaks or deviations in the operation. The sledgehammer had not been noticed by the vessel crew before the CCU was sent up to the platform offshore.
IADC/14-21 Lack of Communication/Failure to Stop Job Results in Fatality
The rig crew was in the process of running casing. They had reached a point where a marker joint needed to be picked up and placed into the pipe handling system so that it could be made up in the casing string. The crew retrieved the forklift that had been rented for use on this location. They tilted the fork carriage forward so that the forks could be spread out. As the forklift operator tilted the 600pound (272 kilogram) fork carriage forward, and because the hydraulic pins on the bottom were not attached to the carriage, the entire carriage swung free and was suspended only by the hooks. The crew attempted to hammer the pins out, not realizing they were hydraulic. Their intent was to pin the carriage correctly. The night company man was observing the operation and, after a discussion with the employees, it was agreed that the lift would be used in its "as is" condition to place the marker joint into the pipe handling system; and that the forklift would be corrected later. One employee was positioned in front of the forks in order to slide it over while two other employees pushed on the bottom section of the fork and away from the carriage. One employee stated to the employee, who was ultimately fatally injured, "Hey, you are in a bad spot" as he was standing directly underneath the carriage. The employee replied, "This is only going to take a second." As they pushed on the bottom section of the fork, the fork carriage was pushed free of its hanging points and the entire fork carriage fell off of the lift. As the fork carriage fell, it struck the employee who was standing directly underneath the carriage on the head, thereby knocking and pinning him to the ground. He sustained fatal injuries.
IADC/14-22 Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL) Anchor Post Failure Results in Near Miss
The rig crew was drilling ahead when a third party employee drew their attention to the rig's crown.The crew looked up and noticed that the SRL anchor post was hanging from the retracting line to the side of the mast. Operations were immediately stopped and the crew discovered that the SRL anchor post had fractured at the top of the gusset. It then apparently fell towards the mast and came to rest when it impacted the SRL. The cable was tied to an SRL and the SRL was lying over the top of the crown.
IADC/14-23 Improper Pulling of Rotary Table Bushing Results in Partial Finger Amputation
The crew was in the process of pulling the rotary bushing using the bushing puller that was attached to the winch line. The two bushing puller hooks were each attached to a bushing half. When the rotating bushing halves "popped free", one half of the bushing swung toward the console. An employee attempted to catch the bushing with his left hand. As the bushing half made contact with his hand, the momentum of the bushing pushed his hand into the derrick thereby partially amputating his left ring finger. In this case, proper PPE was not in question.
IADC/14-24 Three Instances of Uncontrolled Descent of the Traveling Block Assembly
During troubleshooting of a Drawwork's brake alarm there was an uncontrolled descent of the travelling block assembly to the rig floor resulting in equipment damage. The maintenance team was troubleshooting the Drawwork's system for a brake status alarm that was preventing the top drive from breaking the upper connection. The initial understanding within the maintenance team was that the Drawwork s brakes were set. Throughout the troubleshooting the maintenance team did not seek a clear understanding as to the condition of the brakes. This was further compounded by a Public Address announcement, which occurred during a critical phone call that resulted in the ongoing still believing that the brakes were set. As a direct consequence of those events, both drives were reset under the faulty assumption that the parking brakes were set. With no drives holding the load, and none of the brake calipers set, the travelling assembly descended to the floor.
IADC/14-25 Shifting Load During Operation Results in Medical Treatment Case
A fly lift for crown sheaves was being prepared using a fly skid. The Load Master requested that the crown sheaves be transferred to a lifting basket due to a shortage of chains for securing. During the re-loading of the sheaves into the basket, an employee climbed into the basket to re-position the sheaves for the lift. During the lift for re-positioning of the crown sheaves, one of the sheaves flipped unexpectedly and uncontrollably, trapping the employee's leg and causing severe lacerations and a puncture wound. The injured person (IP) was treated on location but required a Med-Evac to the hospital for advanced medical treatment.
IADC/14-26 Line-of-Fire Incident Results in Medical Treatment Case
The crew of a hybrid well service rig had pulled the lubricator to the surface to bleed off the pressure in it. An operator was using an aerial lift to unthread the "Otis" connection on the 10 k stack. The operator unthreaded the nut, and then the rig manager attempted to separate the connection by lifting up on the injector/lubricator assembly. The lubricator was binding on top of the BOP, and the operator in the aerial lift remained in position behind the assembly to direct the rig manager as to which way to move the injector carriage to free the lubricator. The rig manager was following the operator's directions, and as there was weight pulled into the lube assembly, when the rig manager hit the correct spot, the lubricator assembly sprung free of the BOP stack and sprung backwards, thus striking the operator in the aerial lift in the face and knocking him down. The operator was able to regain his stance and bring the aerial lift down to the ground under his own power. He was evaluated by the on-site medic and sent for further medical treatment. The operator underwent an MRI, was diagnosed and underwent surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone and misaligned orbital socket. His recovery time is estimated to be 4 weeks, after which a light duty program should be able to be instituted.
IADC/14-27 Dropped Object: Hammer is Kicked from Work Basket
An employee was operating a work basket inside the substructure while doing various tasks in preparation to nipple down the annular. He had used a 5pound (2.3kg) shop hammer several minutes prior to the incident in order to break out the annular hydraulic lines. After he completed the task, he dropped the hammer to the bottom of the man-basket. While he was moving throughout the basket to arrange the BOP handler (chain hoist), the 5pound (2.3kg) hammer was accidentally "kicked" out of the basket. It was "launched" approximately 10 feet (3 meters) down to the Driller's side of the substructure where it struck another employee on the hard hat. The impact of the hammer created a pinch point between the hard hat and his safety glasses thus resulting in a laceration below his left eyebrow.
IADC/14-28 Fall from Equipment onto a Trailer Results in a Laceration
Once loaded onto a trailer for transport to a new location, the "toe" extension on the Driller side substructure base was removed due to it extending too far off the trailer because the driver was concerned about maneuvering the load to the new location. With the extension secured, two employees climbed up inside of the substructure to remove the pins. After the extension was removed, the employees then climbed down. While descending, one employee slipped off of a tool box, which was fabricated into the substructure. He fell approximately 5 feet (1.5m) to the ground and landed on his right side. Shortly thereafter, he noticed a laceration in his arm pit that required sutures to close. It appears that the employee may have struck a keeper pin as he fell from the substructure.
IADC/14-29 Personnel Basket Failure – Serious Near Hit
While lifting a Floorhand in a personnel basket to perform scheduled maintenance on the Pipe Racking System inside the derrick, the curved lifting pipe used to suspend the basket partially separated when the basket hung up on an obstruction.The basket and rider were approximately 110 feet above the rig floor when the incident occurred. The rid er felt the basket tilt and called "all stop" over a handheld radio he was using to communicate with the banksman.The basket continued to tilt and the rider repeated the command "all stop". The basket stopped just as the lifting pipe partially failed.
A separate derrick winch line had been anchored to the rig floor, adjacent to the path the basket would travel, to serve as a guideline for the rider. Following the failure, the rider gave the command to lower the basket. He supported his weight by holding onto the guideline as the basket was lowered to the floor. When the basket reached the rig floor, the lifting pipe parted completely from the basket.
Download the Full Alert
IADC/14-30 Casing Thread Protector Dropped During Hi-Line Operation
Having already transferred 40 joints of casing with the Hi-line from the Drill Floor to the Main Deck,another single joint of casing was in the process of being transferred to the Main Deck.While being transferred, the thread protector (900 grams) for the pin end of the joint came loose and dropped onto two cutting skips located 3 meters below. No personnel were in the vicinity of the area when the drop occurred.


text:
LA Times: Garcetti heralds L.A.'s progress, touts plan for homeless shelters (April 16th)
KTLA: Advocates Ask L.A. Mayor Garcetti To Take Action To Protect Homeless Women (April 15th)
#SheDoes Candlelight Vigil for 78 Year-old Woman (April 4th)
#SheDoes Movement & Homeless Advocates will hold a candle light vigil at 101 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, the location where the 78 year old woman was found dead this morning. According to the authorities, the woman was found in front of the LAPD Headquarters at 9am and her death is under investigation.
Homeless women are a higher risk of violent crimes against them. Many of our homeless are seniors, they face life and death conditions living in the streets. We must demand that our city officials act immediately to protect those at high risk by opening much needed shelters.
Join us on April 4th: View Event
#SheDoes Campout by LA City Hall for our Homeless Women (April 14-15th)
#SheDoes Warriors! We will be camping out on the sidewalk outside LA City Hall (200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) on Saturday night, April 14th from 7.00pm until 6.00am Sunday morning April 15th. We will be camping out in solidarity with the thousands of homeless women who are forced to sleep outside due to the severe lack of shelters in Los Angeles.
We are demanding that Mayor Garcetti and the City Council of LA appropriate $20 million in the discretionary budget towards sheltering 1000 women by August 2018. We must have this action as the City budget will be voted on Friday, April 20th, 2018. We are also demanding that the Mayor and City Council promise to take immediate action to secure a minimum of 8 separate location to accommodate shelters for 1000 women.
We welcome all citizens of Los Angeles to join us in this action of justice towards securing the shelter and protection of our homeless women of Los Angeles! #SheDoes – #SheDoes Deserve Shelter & Protection.
Join us on April 14-15th: View Event
Table for 5 speaks with Mel Tillekeratne, Bobbi Joe and Claudia Perez (March 19th)
#SheDoes Candlelight Vigil for the Homeless Family of Four (March 17th)
Yes, we know this didn't happen in the City of LA, nor did it happen in the County of LA, but this is way too close to home. Tonight we're holding a candlelight vigil for this homeless family of four who died in their van in Garden Grove at 7.00pm. Deaths that could easily have avoided. This may have been in Orange County but their blood is in all our hands. Our refusal to do better by our homeless in LA gave an excuse for Orange County to ignore their homeless. Not anymore. Whatever it takes we need to protect our homeless brothers and sisters. And we're going to start by sheltering a 1000 of our homeless mothers, sisters and daughters by this August.
Join us on March 17th: View Event
#SheDoes at the County Supervisor's Hearing (March 14th)
There is an upcoming Measure H Funding Recommendation Hearing this Wednesday. We need you there to make sure that Measure H money is appropriated towards actual services/shelter and not just criminalizing the homeless. We can use this opportunity towards making the #SheDoes Movement known to our County Supervisors as well.
#SheDoes at City Council (March 6th)
#SheDoes Warriors,
It's time to make sure everyone at the Los Angeles City Council understands that #SheDoes Deserve Shelter & Protection. That our council members know that THEY need to do more for our homeless women. We will be at the City Council meeting next Tuesday, March 6th at 10.00am to inform our council members of what #SheDoes is and on how we envision sheltering a 1000 women.
Join us on March 6th: View Event
#SheDoes Candlelight Memorial for Addie (February 26th)
We are holding a candlelight memorial for Addie: A woman who was betrayed by her city and left alone to suffer the cold nights of Los Angeles against which she lost her battle on the night of Friday, February 23rd 2018. Join us as we say "No More" to the City & County officials of Los Angeles and ask them to act with compassion and urgency to safeguard our homeless women of Los Angeles.
Join us on February 26th: View Event
#SheDoes Prayer for Homeless Women (February 24th)
Since 1973, the Mayors of Los Angeles have asked area pastors to pray for the city, and to celebrate God's blessing and seek His guidance and protection for our city and her leaders. We will hold a prayer vigil outside this event for our homeless women who are continuously exposed to violence on our streets. Join us in front of the Bonaventure hotel at 7.00am as we pray to support not just our pastors but Mayor Garcetti to act swiftly and address the need of a lack of shelter beds for the homeless women of LA.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Provigo on Verdun ave in Verdun is now history. No more sign and it's empty. The second floor above it is also empty. There used to be a "billard" hall there. From looking at it now, I'm thinking new condo complex. It's a big piece of real estate and I doubt any business will open up there again.
My dad used to own the pool hall way back in the 70s. There seems to be nothing left of his businesses.


text:
WillGompertz
BBC's first Arts Editor
Will Gompertz is the BBC's first Arts Editor, a senior journalistic role he took up in 2009. Over the past nine years, Will has interviewed countless artists, actors, writers, musicians and directors, as well as writing and presenting documentaries for BBC One and Two, and hosting shows on Radio 2, Radio 4, and 5-Live.
He is a respected and widely known commentator on the arts and has presented written for many leading publishers, magazines and newspapers, such as Faber & Faber, Thames & Hudson, Vanity Fair, The Times, and The Guardian.
He has also written two best-selling non-fiction books (both published by Penguin in the UK). What Are You Looking At? – a history of modern art – which was published to excellent reviews in 2012, and has gone on to become one of the most frequently cited texts by students studying art history in the U.K. It has been re-printed many times over and translated into twenty languages. As has Will's second book, Think Like an Artist (2015), which is about creativity.
Before joining the BBC Will spent 7-years as a Director of the Tate Galleries where he was responsible for its BAFTA-winning website, creative direction, and the launching of the UK's first Performance Art festival.
Will was voted one of the World's Top 50 Creative Thinkers by New York's Creativity magazine and is a Fellow of Harris Manchester, Oxford University.
26- 27 June 2019


text:
Pandora refreshes iPhone, Android apps
Updated: Oct. 30, 2012, 6:29 p.m.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Internet radio company Pandora is adding more functionality to its mobile apps — showing lyrics and artist information and making it easier to share self-crafted stations with friends — as companies intensify efforts to lure mobile advertising dollars.
Pandora is essentially bringing the features of its website to users of its apps for Apple and Android mobile devices. The app for iPhones is being released Monday, while an Android version is expected to follow soon. Pandora also said it is releasing a version for Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 early next year. It will allow ad-free listening for a year with the Windows app.
Mobile use of Pandora's streaming service is growing quickly. In the quarter that ended in July, mobile listening nearly doubled from a year earlier and made up more than 75 percent of its 3.3 billion listener hours.
Pandora is the leader in free online radio, where listeners can pick genres or styles of music but not specific songs or albums. It has 175 million registered users, including 58 million who use it in a given month. It claims a 73 percent share of the market for free online radio.
Pandora competes for listeners with services such as Clear Channel's iHeart Radio and has apps on phones, tablets, computers and car stereo systems. Apple is the leading online seller of song and album downloads, while a whole host of paid subscription music services such as Spotify, Rhapsody, Rdio and MOG offer unlimited track selection and playback for a monthly fee of $10.
As a free service, Pandora relies mostly on advertising revenue to make its business work.
Investors of Internet companies that offer free services online have been concerned about their ability to make money from mobile advertising as usage of mobile devices has skyrocketed.
Pandora's mobile ad revenue has been growing almost as quickly as mobile listening, and its revenue from mobile ads was up 86 percent at $59 million in the last quarter, making up over half of the company's total revenues. The company, which is based in Oakland, Calif., is expected to report its third-quarter results in late November.
Other companies are making headway generating money from mobile ads.
Facebook Inc. said this month that 14 percent of its revenue came from mobile ads in the latest quarter, causing its stock price to jump, while Google Inc. said mobile ads were on track to generate $8 billion in revenue for the company this year.
Tom Conrad, Pandora's chief technology officer and executive vice president of product, said the revamp was not purposefully designed to boost mobile ad revenue although the update will see some advertising partners get more involved.
"Our motivation for doing this was to connect people with the music they're discovering in a fundamental way," he said.
Woman sentenced for trying to frame ex through Facebook
Chef backs out of restaurant at Trump hotel
Vermont reduces food assistance error rate
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Vermont has received a federal funding bonus of $293,000 after reducing the e


text:
Q: drag but empty clipdata I can't find where's the problem, that I think I put things into the item and clipdata right,
however my onDrag always receive a null pointer exception and can't even get the number of item.
this is my OnDragListener Class
    public class ScaleImageSize implements View.OnDragListener{

            @Override
            public boolean onDrag(View arg0, DragEvent arg1) {
                // TODO Auto-generated method stub
                final int action = arg1.getAction();
                Integer tag  = (Integer) arg0.getTag();
                Log.d("tag",Integer.toString(tag));

                int count = arg1.getClipData().getItemCount();
                Log.d("count",Integer.toString(count));

                ClipData.Item item = arg1.getClipData().getItemAt(0);
                String tagString = item.getText().toString();
                int tagOfType = Integer.valueOf(tagString);

                switch(action){

                case DragEvent.ACTION_DRAG_STARTED:

                    return true;
                case DragEvent.ACTION_DRAG_LOCATION:
                    augImg( tag, (int) arg1.getY());

                    augImg( tagOfType, (int)arg1.getY());

                    return true;
                case DragEvent.ACTION_DROP:

                    return true;
                }
                return false;
            }

        };

And this is my OnLonClickListener class which should call the function startdrag.
       OnLongClickListener StartScaleImageSize = new OnLongClickListener(){

        @Override
        public boolean onLongClick(View v) {
            // TODO Auto-generated method stub
            int i  =  (Integer) v.getTag();
            beingLongClick[i] = true;

            ClipData.Item item = new ClipData.Item((CharSequence)Integer.toString(i));
            String[] clipDescription = {ClipDescription.MIMETYPE_TEXT_PLAIN};
            ClipData dragData = new ClipData((CharSequence)Integer.toString(i),
                    clipDescription,
                    item);
            dragData.addItem(item);

            DragShadowBuilder shadowBuilder = new View.DragShadowBuilder(v);
            v.startDrag(dragData, shadowBuilder, v, 0);
            return false;
        }
    };

and the error message:
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123): FATAL EXCEPTION: main
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123): java.lang.NullPointerException
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at traveler.com.TravelerpActivity$TypeMgr$ScaleImageSize.onDrag(TravelerpActivity.java:237)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.View.dispatchDragEvent(View.java:13619)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.notifyChildOfDrag(ViewGroup.java:1287)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchDragEvent(ViewGroup.java:1131)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.notifyChildOfDrag(ViewGroup.java:1287)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchDragEvent(ViewGroup.java:1131)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.notifyChildOfDrag(ViewGroup.java:1287)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchDragEvent(ViewGroup.java:1131)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.notifyChildOfDrag(ViewGroup.java:1287)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewGroup.dispatchDragEvent(ViewGroup.java:1131)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewRootImpl.handleDragEvent(ViewRootImpl.java:3471)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.view.ViewRootImpl.handleMessage(ViewRootImpl.java:2620)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:99)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:137)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:4441)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at java.lang.reflect.Method.invokeNative(Native Method)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Method.java:511)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:784)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:551)
06-24 21:47:21.205: E/AndroidRuntime(4123):     at dalvik.system.NativeStart.main(Native Method)

pls, any advice would be great thks!

A: try creating dragData in this way:
ClipData dragData = ClipData.newPlainText("simple text", toString(i));

A: I know this is a super-old thread but I ran into this issue recently. Apparently, the clipData is only available for drop events (DragEvent.ACTION_DROP) not drag event types.
According to official docs, https://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/DragEvent getClipData() is only available in DragEvent.ACTION_DROP

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Phil Younghusband: I plan to marry Angel Locsin
Posted by News Service | May 3, 2013 | Entertainment | 0 |
Phil Younghusband & Angel Locsin (MNS Photo)
For Phil Younghusband, marrying Angel Locsin is only a matter of when.
"I plan to marry Angel. When is the question. But I know Angel is the one. She's the one, and I know I want my future to be with her," the 25-year-old star striker said.
He added: "We're strong. We're very, very happy. We're going strong and everyday is better than the one before. We're really good. We're looking forward to the future."
Asked about their plans of having children of their own, Younghusband said, "We've spoken about that, but we'll keep that between us."
Younghusband credited the 27-year-old actress for making him more confident as a team player of the Philippine Azkals. Likewise, the football star said he is proud of his girlfriend's achievements as an actress.
"Sobrang proud ako sa kanya with everything she's achieved so far, and I'm sure she'll achieve more in the future. And sobrang supportive siya sa akin, and that helps me in my performance," he said.
Locsin and Younghusband are celebrating their first anniversary officially as a couple in May.
"Hopefully I can get away with Angel. She's shooting a new movie now. Hopefully when once she's finished shooting, we'll have time. Hopefully we'll have time to get away and enjoy a vacation," he said. (MNS)
PreviousPHL receives investment grade rating from Standard & Poor's
NextWhy Lovi hasn't campaigned for Grace Poe
Rochelle Pangilinan joins Coco Martin-Jodi Sta. Maria movie
Kris thanks James Yap, GF for supporting Bimby
Beauty Gonzalez advises fellow moms to 'love yourself first'
Gutierrez family to star in their own reality show


NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (REUTERS) – Taylor Swift, one of the most popular celebrities on social media, wiped all her accounts on Friday (August 18), sending fans into a frenzy over whether the pop singer had been hacked, was preparing to launch a new album, or was about to reinvent herself.
Swift, who has 85 million Twitter followers and 102 million Instagram followers, deleted all of her Instagram photos, her posts on Tumblr, and removed her avatar from her Facebook page where all postings prior to December 2015 were missing.
The "Blank Space" singer also deleted years of Twitter posts, and her official website showed just a black screen.
"I'm scared to go to sleep thanks to Taylor Swift like what if she drops a new song," tweeted an anxious fan called Anu using the handle @shadesoftaylor.
Taylor's publicist did not return calls for comment, but the development follows a busy two weeks for Swift, who earlier this month ended a six month absence from the public spotlight to testify at a high-profile groping trial in Denver, Colorado.
On Monday, Swift, 27, was awarded the symbolic $1 in damages that she had sought after a federal jury in Denver found that a radio DJ had grabbed her bottom while posing for a photo with her in 2013.
Her unflinching testimony describing the incident was applauded by fans and women's rights groups for highlighting the issue of sexual assault. Swift later made a donation to the sexual violence campaign and support group Joyful Heart Foundation.
Some fans speculated on Friday that Swift, whose last album was the best-selling "1989" in 2014, may be clearing out her accounts before releasing new music.
Others wondered if she had been hacked, while some thought the country-turned-pop star might be planning an image makeover.
"I woke up literally 7 minutes ago what in the world is going on with Taylor Swift," wrote one fan, Jordyn, on Twitter.
"Is the new era coming or she has been hacked ??,." tweeted another confused fan, using the handle TaylorSwiftNow.
Usually ubiquitous on social media and red carpets, Swift largely dropped out of public view earlier this year after a highly publicized but short-lived 2016 summer fling with British actor Tom Hiddleston, and feuds with Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Katy Perry.


There isn't a vegetable that's much more in tune with summer than zucchini. While they originated from Central and South America, the green variety we are most familiar with today was first grown in Italy.
The word "zucchini" derives from the Italian word "zucchino," meaning little squash. As one of the most versatile summer vegetables, zucchini can be cooked in a several different ways, and it is a classic ingredient in many traditional Italian dishes. To help you integrate zucchini into your summer menu, here are ten of our favorite Italian zucchini recipes!
At Mici, one of our favorite ways to cook with zucchini is on top of pizza. Our Pizza di Pina is made with extra virgin olive oil, a two cheese blend and fresh zucchini. Our love for zucchini-topped pizza began when our cousin, Pina, cooked it for us when we visited her in Italy!
If you're craving a lighter take on Italian zucchini recipes, you should try our Insalata Mista! This fresh salad is made with mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots and zucchini. You can top it off with your choice of homemade Italian, ranch, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing. Plus, it goes great as a side salad with a calzone or panini!
This traditional dish is an Italian favorite during the summer. While many Italian zucchini recipes cook with the vegetable itself, this dish is made by frying the yellow star-shaped zucchini flowers in a light batter. Traditionally, the flowers are fried as they are, but they can also be stuffed with fresh mozzarella and basil, ricotta and herbs or even anchovies! Read more about this delicious treat here.
Pasta primavera is a great mix of summer vegetables and pasta, and it is perfect for a summer family picnic. Made with bowtie pasta, this dish features zucchini, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, spinach and onions tossed with extra virgin olive oil, herbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Substituting vegetables noodles for pasta has become increasingly popular. Zucchini noodles—or zoodles—are not only delicious, but they are great for gluten-free cooking and easy to make! You can make zoodles with a vegetable spiralizer or with a grater. Check out this recipe for zoodles and meatballs, or you can try zoodles with our delicious Cortonese meat sauce.
Like omelettes, frittatas are loved for the variety of ingredients they can be filled with. Toppings can include a variety of meats, vegetables and cheese that are mixed in with egg and baked. In Italy, frittatas are eaten any time of day and can be served hot or cold. For a summer twist on an Italian favorite, try out this zucchini and carrot recipe.
Minestrone is a favorite Italian soup. Traditionally, it's made with a variety of vegetables, beans and either rice or pasta cooked in chicken broth. Try this great summertime variation, made with zucchini.
At Mici, we don't serve minestrone, but we do make our homemade Minestra di Fagioli with chicken broth, white beans, fresh spinach and Parmigiano-Reggiano. We also serve our Pomodoro e Basilico with chicken broth, tomatoes, onions, garlic, a touch of cream, fresh basil and parmesan.
Chicken parmesan is a favorite Italian dish, typically made with breaded chicken breast topped with marinara sauce, and often times, vegetarian versions of this dish are made with eggplant. For a summer twist on this dish, try an easy 20-min baked zucchini parmigiana recipe. You can even take a stab at your own homemade tomato sauce!
Bucatini is a thick pasta, like spaghetti, but with a hollow center. It is also known as perciatelli. Bucatini alla Caruso is a pasta dish named after Enrico Caruso, one of the most famous operatic tenors in the world. Born in Naples, Caruso is believed to have invented Bucatini alla Caruso, which is made with bucatini pasta, san marzano tomatoes, bell pepper, garlic, chili pepper and zucchini. Check out the full recipe here.
Zucchini is the main ingredient in several Italian entrees; however, it is also a star in this popular side dish. Zucchini trifolati is a traditional Italian side that provides a fresh, light accompaniment to almost any main course. It is made with diced zucchini, olive oil, garlic and parsley.
It should come as no surprise that zucchini is one of the most popular vegetables, especially with its versatility in cooking. Try some of these recipes, or bring the entire family in to any of our four locations to try some of our favorite zucchini dishes, made with only fresh, wholesome ingredients!


The waitlist is closed. No applications will be accepted until further notice.
Residents of Trinity Terrace in the Four Corners section of Dorchester enjoy spacious apartments, attractively landscaped grounds, a relaxing park and an easy trek into the rest of the great city of Boston.
The development, which opened in 2004 on what had been 21 litter-strewn parcels of land, is geared to people earning up to 60 percent of area median income. The wood-frame townhouse buildings feature gabled roofs and lovely landscaping, including a park. The kitchens and bathrooms feature up-to-date, energy efficient fixtures. It also includes an historic building at 214-217 Washington Street, which was restored and includes commercial/retail space on the first floor.
There are 3 one-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom apartments and 23 three-bedroom apartments in the townhouses, and 8 one-bedrooms in the historic building, for a total of 62 apartments. The townhomes all have washer and dryer hookups. The historic building has a laundry room.
The development has a Community Center with a kitchen. The residents gather there for social occasions, and there, too, are offered after-school and summer programs.


Oakley Turbine Rotor - Lunettes cyclisme - noir sur CAMPZ !
Inspired by Oakley's best-selling Turbine eyewear, this toric shield version combines extended lens coverage with interchangeable icons and inset zones of sure-grip Unobtainium for a premium blend of performance and style. The Turbine Rotor features Oakley's Three-Point Fit to hold the lenses in precise optical alignment while eliminating pressure points. It uses Plutonite lenses that offer top UV Protection filtering 100 % of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400 nm. The stress-resistant O Matter frame material is both lightweight and durable for all-day comfort and protection.


text:
\section{Introduction}
Since the seminal work of Haldane \cite{r1} quantum spin chains have been
extensively studied as one of the simplest but most typical quantum
many-body systems. According to Haldane, the 1-dimensional integer-spin
Heisenberg antiferromagnets have a unique disordered ground state with a finite
excitation gap, while half-integer antiferromagnets are gapless and critical
(see \cite{r2} and references therein).
The origin of the difference between half-integer and integer spin chains
can be traced back to the topological $"\theta"$ term in the effective
non-linear $\sigma$-model description of antiferromagnetic  spin chains and
is believed to be due to non-perturbative effects. Haldane's original
predictions were based on large-spin arguments and although a general
rigorous proof is still lacking, several theoretical developments have
helped to clarify the situation and there is now strong experimental and
numerical evidence in support of Haldane's claim \cite{r2,r2a,r2b}.
The massive phase of the integer
spin chains, called Haldane phase, has been understood as
valence-bond-solid (VBS) states proposed by Affleck {\em et al.} \cite{r3},
wherein each spin-$S$ is viewed as a symmetrized product of $2S$ spinors.
However bond-alternation may drastically change the low-energy behavior
of these systems and
produce phase transitions.
For instance a bond-alternation
spin-$1/2$ antiferromagnet chain has a finite energy gap as opposed to its
uniform counterpart \cite{group1,r1213}.
It has been also shown that the phase diagram of the $S=1$ chain
decomposes into different
phases by adding bond-alternation \cite{bas1}.

Yet another challenge in this area has led to synthesizing
quasi-one-dimensional bimetallic molecular magnets.
The search for molecular ferromagnet has led to the discovery of many
interesting molecular magnetic systems. In recent years, quai-one-simensional
bimettalic molecular magnets, with each unit cell containing two spins
of different spin value have been synthesized \cite{synth}.
These systems contain two transition metal ions per unit cell and have
the general formula ACu(PbaOH)(H$_2$O)$_3$.$2$H$_2$O with
PbaOH=$2$-hydroxo-propylenebis (oxamato) and A=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni. They
have been characterized as
the alternating (mixed) spin chains or ferrimagnets \cite{r1516}.
It has been shown that one-dimensional ferrimagnets
have two types of excitations in their low-lying spectrum.
The lowest one has gapless excitations, i.e., they behave like
ferromagnets with quadratic dispersion relation. The other one which
is separated by an excitaion gap from the primer one, has antiferromagnetic
behaviour with linear dispersion relation \cite{r17}.
More precisely, the effective Hamiltonian for the lowest spectrum of
a 1-dimensional Heisenberg
ferrimagnets is a 1-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnet
with $S=|S_1-S_2|$ \cite{r18a}.
A spin wave study also show the similar behavior is
seen in two and three dimensions \cite{r18a}.

Another surprising investigation deals with spin ladders which have recently
attracted a considerable
amount of attention \cite{r18}.
They consist of coupled one-dimensional chains and may be
regarded as interpolating truly one and two-dimensional systems. These models
are useful to study the properties of the high-$T_c$ superconductor
materials.
Theoretical studies have suggested that there are two different universality
classes for the uniform-spin ladders, i.e., the antiferromagnetic spin-$1/2$
ladders are gapful or gapless,
depending on whether $n_l$ (the number of legs)
is even or odd \cite{r18}.
These predictions has been confirmed experimentally by
compounds like ${\rm Sr Cu_2 O_3}$ and ${\rm Sr_2 Cu_3 O_5}$.
However, again bond-alternation changes this universality.
It has been shown that a gapless line which
depends on the staggered bond-alternation (SBA) parameter $\gamma$, divides
the gapful phase of a $2$-leg antiferromagnetic spin-$1/2$
ladder into two different phases \cite{r24}, \cite{r24b}.
Moreover, there are some other configurations, like
the columnar bond-alternation (CBA) [see Fig. \ref{Fig1}(a)] that
introduces new phases for the antiferromagnetic ladders  \cite{r25}.
The appearance of the magnetization plateaus for both chains
\cite{r2122} and ladders \cite{r23} and the appearance of the new phases for
spin ladders \cite{koga},
are also some of the consequences of the bond-alternations.

In this paper, we study the {\it bond-alternation ferrimagnetic ladders}
(BAFL). This model contains a rich  phase diagram.
By making use of a quantum renormalization group (QRG) \cite{r26},
we demonstrate that the combination of both spin-mixing and bond-alternation
may open the possibility of observing the
energy `gap' in the ground state of these systems.
We obtain the phase diagram of BAFL in both SBA and CBA configurations.
The SBA configuration consists of a gapfull and two gapless phases, while the
CBS one is composed of two gapless phases. The boundary of these phases where
phase transition takes place is calculated by QRG method.
By using QRG we have obtained the effective Hamiltonian in both strong and
weak coupling limit of BAFL. We have also shown the structure continued in
the intermediate region.

The paper is organized as follows. In Section II, we present the
effective Hmiltonian of CBA configuration by QRG method. We show that the
phase transition occures in the $J'<0$ region. In Sec. III, we then present
the SBA aconfiguration of ferrimagnetic ladder and discuss the structure of
phase diagram in both positive and negative $J'$ region.
Sec. IV. is devoted to conclusions.

\section{Columnar bond alternation}

Our model consists of mixed spins $\tau=1/2$ and $S=1$ on a $2$-leg ladder
(see Fig. \ref{Fig1}).
The Hamiltonian  for this system can be divided into three parts:
$H=H_1^l+H_2^l+H_r$ where $H_\mu^l~ (\mu=1,2)$, and $H_r$ are the
exchange interaction of the spins inside the $\mu$th leg,
and the interaction between different legs, as shown in Fig. \ref{Fig1}.
The explicit form of the Hamiltonian is
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{hamiltonian}
H_1^l&=&J \sum_{i=1}^{N/2} [(1+\gamma)\vec \tau_1(2i-1) \cdot \vec S_1(2i) \nonumber \\
&+&(1-\gamma)\vec S_1(2i) \cdot \vec \tau_1(2i+1)] \nonumber \\
H_2^l&=&J \sum_{i=1}^{N/2} [(1+\gamma)\vec S_2(2i-1) \cdot \vec \tau_2(2i) \nonumber \\
&+&(1-\gamma)\vec \tau_2(2i) \cdot \vec S_2(2i+1)] \nonumber \\
H_r&=&J' \sum_{i=1}^{N/2} [\vec \tau_1(2i-1) \cdot \vec S_2(2i-1) \nonumber \\
&+&\vec S_1(2i) \cdot \vec \tau_2(2i)]
\end{eqnarray}

The ladder contains $N$ rungs and by assuming the periodic boundary condition
for each leg, we identify the first rung to the $N+1$-th rung.
Through out this paper we assume $J$ is positive
but $J'$ can be positive or negative as a tunable parameter.
Note that for the bond-alternation parameter,
$\gamma \rightarrow -\gamma$ amounts to sublattice exchange $n \rightarrow
n+1$, and therefore we consider $0\leq\gamma\leq1$.

By QRG, we divide the Hamiltonian
into intra-block ($H^B$) and inter-block ($H^{BB}$) parts. After
diagonalizing the first part, a number of low-energy  eigenstates are kept to
project the full Hamiltonian  onto the renormalized one.
As opposed to other powerful
techniques, such as the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) \cite{r27},
the QRG approach is much less complicated yielding analytical
 results, although QRG does not give as accurate numerical
results as DMRG, nevertheless
 its simplicity can give a good qualitative picture
of the phase diagram \cite{r28}.
In this paper four interesting configurations are in order:
positive and negative value of $J'$ for both CBA and SBA configurations.

\subsection{The case $J'>0$}

The CBA configuration [Fig. \ref{Fig1}(a)] and $J' > 0$.
Let us first consider the strong
coupling limit ($J' \gg J$).
Since the interaction between two sites on each rung is strong, then
each rung can be considered as
the isolated block in the first step of the QRG, i.e., $H^B=H_r$.
The Hilbert space of each block ($\tau-S$) consists of two multiplets
whose total spin are $3/2$ and $1/2$. The corresponding energies
for these two configurations are $J'/2$ and $-J'$.
Therefore we keep the $S=1/2$ multiplet as the basis
for constructing the embedding operator $T$ to project the
full Hamiltonian  onto the truncated
Hilbert space ($H_{\rm eff}=T^\dagger H T$) \cite{r29}.
Finally the effective Hamiltonian  (in which each rung is mapped to a single
site) can be obtained
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{l2}
H_{1{\rm eff}}= &-&NJ'-\frac{8}{9} J \sum _{i=1}^{N/2}
[(1+\gamma)\vec S'(2i-1) \cdot \vec S'(2i) \nonumber \\
&+&(1-\gamma)\vec S'(2i) \cdot \vec S'(2i+1)],
\end{eqnarray}
where $S'=1/2$ and $i$ is the label of the
sites on new chain which represents the $i$th rung of the original ladder.
Eq. (\ref{l2}) is the Hamiltonian of a spin-$1/2$ (bond-alternation)
ferromagnetic chain.
It exhibits gapless excitations as well as the ferromagnetic ground state.
Equivalently, the original ladder exhibits
the ferrimagnetic ground state, in the sense that both
magnetization ($m=<\tau>+<S>=0.5$) and the staggered one
($sm=<S>-<\tau>=5/6$) are non-zero with a gapless excitations.

Now, let us consider the weak coupling limit ($J' \ll J$). In this case the
stronger bonds, e.g. $J(1+\gamma)$, appear on the legs.
They are considered as the isolated blocks.
The other bonds (the weaker ones) are considered as $H^{BB}$. The QRG
procedure leads to the Heisenberg (spin-$1/2$) ferromagnet ladder.
In this regime the spectrum of the system is similar to the strong coupling
limit.

For the intermediate region where $J'\simeq J$,
the two types of blocking which has been considered in
the strong and weak coupling limits seems to be not suitable.
In this regard we have considered a 4-sites block which consists of
both rung and leg interactions [Fig.\ref{Fig2r} (a)].
Decomposition of ladder to 4-sites blocks leads to two types of
 building blocks,
which is shown in [Fig.\ref{Fig2r} (b)] and [Fig.\ref{Fig2r} (c)].
The lowest energy multiplet of the Hamiltonian in [Fig.\ref{Fig2r} (b)]
has total spin $\hat S=5/2$ and the corresponding one in [Fig.\ref{Fig2r} (c)]
has $\tau'=1/2$. The embedding operator is constructed from these two
multiplets and finally the effective Hamiltonian ($H_{\rm eff}=T^\dagger H T$)
is a $(1/2,5/2)$ ferrimagnetic chain.
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{hi1}
H_{i-eff}=-\frac{9}{8}NJ&+&\frac{40}{63}J\sum_{i=1}^{N/2}
[\vec \tau'(2i-1) \cdot \vec{\hat S}(2i) \nonumber \\
&+&\vec{\hat S}(2i) \cdot \vec \tau'(2i+1)]
\end{eqnarray}
In the next step of QRG procedure the Hamiltonian in Eq.(\ref{hi1}) is
projected to a $\tilde S=2$ ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain \cite{r18a}.
\begin{equation}
\label{hi2}
H_{eff}(\tilde S=2)=-\frac{9}{8}J+\frac{40}{63}J\sum_{i=1}^{N/4}
\vec{\tilde S}(i)+\vec{\tilde S}(i+1)
\end{equation}
Thus the magnetization ($m$) and staggered magnetization ($sm$) of the
original ladder in the intermediate regime are : $m\simeq 0.2292 \;;\;
sm\simeq 0.4514$, which shows ferrimagnetic order.
We therefore find the different regimes have similar structure
(the ferrimagnetic ground state with the gapless excitations)
as long as $J'$ is positive.

\subsection{The case $J'<0$}
This configuration has more interesting
features.
Let us first consider the strong coupling limit
where $H^B$ is constructed by $H_r$. Since $J'$ is negative the
low-energy  multiplet has total spin $3/2$. Thus this subspace is considered as
the effective Hilbert space for the first step of the QRG.
The effective Hamiltonian  ($H_{2{\rm eff}}$) can be obtained by
projecting each operator onto the effective Hilbert space
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{l3}
H_{2{\rm eff}}&=&\frac{NJ'}{2}+\frac{4}{9}J \sum_{i=1}^{N/2}
[(1+\gamma) \vec S''(2i-1) \cdot \vec S''(2i) \nonumber \\
&+& (1-\gamma) \vec S''(2i) \cdot \vec S''(2i+1)]
\end{eqnarray}
where $S''$ is a spin $3/2$. Hamiltonian (\ref{l3}) is a 1-dimensional
Heisenberg spin-$3/2$ antiferromagnet with alternating bonds.
It is known \cite{r1213} that this
model is gapful when $\gamma > \gamma_c$ and gapless otherwise.
Although the one-, two- and three-dimensional
ferrimagnets show gapless behavior,
 the combinations of the
spin-mixing and bond-alternations yields the possibility for developing of
an energy gap.
This can be compared to the spin-$1/2$ CBA Heisenberg ladders \cite{r25} where
the model is gapful in the whole range of parameter space ($J, J', \gamma$)
except on a critical line, in the region where $J'$ is negative.
In the next step of QRG, $H_{2{\rm eff}}$ will be projected to a spin-$1/2$
XXZ model in the presence of an external magnetic field ($h$). It is known
\cite{r31} that XXZ$+h$ model has the critical line $h_c=\Delta+1$,
where $\Delta$ is the
anisotropy in the $\hat{z}$-direction \cite{r28}.
If $h>h_c$ ($h<h_c$) the model is gapful (gapless) and
the value of gap is proportional to the strength of magnetic field.
We find that
$\gamma_c=3/7 (\simeq 0.428)$ for our model which is
close to the
DMRG results $(\simeq 0.42)$ for spin-$3/2$ dimerized chain \cite{r1213}.
Therefore in the ferromagnetic region ($J'<0$) and strong coupling
($|J'|\gg J$)  there is a critical value for $\gamma$ below which
($\gamma<\gamma_c$) the BAFL is gapless and its ground state has
quasi-long range order (quasi-LRO)
where both $m$ and $sm$ are zero
and correlations decay algebraically.
This is equivalent to the uniform
1-dimensional spin-$3/2$ antiferromagnets. For $\gamma>\gamma_c$ the model is gapful.

In the weak coupling limit ($|J'| \ll  J$),
the strongest bonds, e.g. $J(1+\gamma)$,
of the ladder are considered as building blocks of QRG,
and the remaining bonds are treated as $H^{BB}$.
The effective Hamiltonian  in this case is
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{l5}
H_{3{\rm eff}} &=&
\frac{8|J'|}{9} \sum_{i=1}^{N/2} \vec S'_1(i) \cdot \vec S'_2(i) \nonumber \\
&-&\frac{4J(1-\gamma)}{9} \sum_{i=1}^{N/2} \sum_{\mu=1,2}
\vec S'_{\mu}(i) \cdot \vec S'_{\mu}(i+1)
\end{eqnarray}
Here $S'=1/2$ and we have neglected a constant term.
The effective Hamiltonian $(H_{3{\rm eff}})$ is a `double-layer' model of spin-$1/2$.
Neglecting the inter-site terms (for a moment),
each couple of sites has a multiplet
of states with total angular momentum $\ell = 0, 1$ \cite{note1}, where
each pair of
inter-layer spins on the two layers, behaves like a single
quantum rotor where ${\vec L} = {\vec S_1} + {\vec S_2}$ and
${\vec n} = ({\vec S_1} - {\vec S_2})/2S$.
Considering the
intra-layer terms, one may map the Hamiltonian (\ref{l5})
to that 1-dimensional quantum rotor model \cite{Senthil}
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{l5_1}
H_{3{\rm eff}} = \frac{g}{2} \sum_{i=1}^{N/2} {\vec L}^2_i
- K \sum_{i=1}^{N/2}({\vec n}_i\cdot{\vec n}_{i+1} +
{\vec L}_i\cdot{\vec L}_{i+1}),
\end{eqnarray}
where $g\equiv 16|J'|/9$ and $K=4J(1-\gamma)/9$. The mean field phase
diagram of this model is governed by the gapped quantum paramagnet
when $\gamma \rightarrow 1$ and the partially polarized ferromagnet
when $\gamma \rightarrow 0$.
The dominant term of the first limit is the antiferromagnetic exchange term
along the rungs which makes singlets as the base structure for ground state of the
renormalized ladder. Thus the ground state is unique and has a finite energy gap
to the first excited state. This gapful phase occurs in the region
where $|J'|/J \gg 1-\gamma$, which is the continuation
of the gapful phase in the strong coupling limit.
Thus we have no-LRO in the ground state of the original ladder and finite gap
in this region.
For the latter limit, there is a competition between the ferromagnetic
term and the antiferromagnetic term in ($\ref{l5}$).
Note that the dominant term in $H_{3{\rm eff}}$ is the ferromagnetic interaction
along the legs.
Then the ground state is composed of two ferromagnetic
ordered chains which
are aligned oppositely due to antiferromagnetic interaction
($8|J'|/9$). But this classical antiferromagnetic alignment
fluctuates along the $\hat{z}$-axis and the magnetization is reduced
along this direction.

In the intermediate region (where $|J'| \simeq J$), the ladder
is decomposed to 4-sites plaquettes if $\gamma\rightarrow 1$.
Note that $S_z = 0$ is
the unique ground state of any 4-site plaquette at
$2J=-J'=1$
(one may see this after diagonalizing the Hamiltonian).
But every plaquette is on the $S_z = 0$ state, since the ladder is
disconnected.
This ground state is
not
degenerate and disorder (with no-LRO) and
there is a finite energy gap to the first excited state.
In other words the whole gapful phase of
the ladder is in the VBS phase.

On the other extreme case, when $\gamma$ is negligible,
the gapless phase behaves differently in long wave-length limit.
Let us first suppose $|J'|>J$. In this case,
each rung behaves as a spin-$3/2$ (after the first step of the QRG),
since the spins on the same rung are coupled by the ferromagnetic
interaction ($J'<0$).
Hence the whole ladder is identified by a Heisenberg spin-$3/2$
antiferromagntic chain. The ground state is gapless with
quasi-LRO,
and the correlation functions falls off algebraically (the correlation length
$\xi$, is infinite).
But if $|J'|<J$ the ladder can be
considered as
two quantum ferrimagnetic
chains that interact via weak ferromagnetic coupling (through their rungs).
The correlation length is small and the correlation
functions falls off exponentially.
One may naturally expect that at $|J'| \sim J$
a phase transition is observed between two gapless phases.
One phase is the half-integer quantum antiferromagnets
(when $|J'|\gg J$) with $\xi = \infty$ and
quasi-LRO
and another phase is the ferrimagnetic phase
(when $|J'|\ll J$) with $\xi \sim a$ ($a$ is the
lattice spacing).
The order parameter to specify this phase transition is ${\tilde m}=|m_1-m_2|$,
where $m_{1(2)}$ is the magnetization per site of the 1-st (2-nd) leg of
ladder. ${\tilde m}$ is zero where $(J'/J)<-1$ and ${\tilde m}=0.5$
for $(J'/J)>-1$. The total magnetization (m) and staggered one (sm) are
zero on both side of this critical line.
This completes the phase diagram of the CBA configuration. It is
depicted in Fig. \ref{Fig2}(a).

\section{staggered bond alternation}
\subsection{The case $J'>0$}
The SBA configuration is shown ind [Fig. \ref{Fig1}(b)].
In this region
the effective Hamiltonian shows ferromagnetic behavior [similar to the
CBA ($J'>0$) configuration ] and the ladder behaves like
the gapless ferrimagnets.
As an example, we may apply the ``snake mechanism" of reference \cite{r24}:
choosing $\gamma=1$ and $J'=2J$ the ladder degenerates into a uniform
alternating spin-$1/2-1$ ferrimagnetic chain which has gapless excitations.
More precisely the effective Hamiltonian ($H_{4eff}$) in the strong
coupling limit ($J' \gg J$) is
\begin{equation}
\label{h4eff}
H_{4eff}=-NJ'-\frac{8}{9}J\sum_{i=1}^{N} \vec S'(i) \cdot \vec S'(i+1)
\end{equation}
where $S'=1/2$ and the block Hamiltonian for QRG procedure is considered to
be $H_r$. In the weak coupling limit ($J'\ll J$) where the strongest bonds are
$J(1+\gamma)$, the QRG procedure leads to a strip of triangular lattice
as the effective Hamiltonian ($H_{5eff}$).
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{h5eff}
H_{5eff}&=&-NJ(1+\gamma)-\frac{4}{9}J(1-\gamma)\sum_{\mu=1}^2
\sum_{i=1}^{N} \vec S'_{\mu}(i) \cdot \vec S'_{\mu}(i+1)  \nonumber \\
&-&\frac{4}{9}J'\sum_{i=1}^{N}[\vec S'_1(i) \cdot \vec S'_2(i) +
\vec S'_2(i) \cdot \vec S'_1(i+1)]
\end{eqnarray}
The effective Hamiltonians ($H_{4eff}\;,\;H_{5eff}$) are $S=1/2$
ferromagnetic Heisenberg model. Thus in both of these cases the model has
gapless excitations. Since both of $m$ and $sm$ are not zero, we have
ferrimagnetic order in the whole part of ($J'>0$) region.

\subsection{The case $J'<0$}

In this region and at the strong coupling limit ($|J'| \gg J$) the
ladder is mapped to a
uniform Heisenberg spin-3/2 antiferromagnetic chain, where the alternation
parameter is disappeared at the first step of the QRG.
Thus the whole range of $\gamma~ (\in [0, 1])$ is gapless and
disordered.
The system exhibits quasi-LRO
with $\xi = \infty$.
But when $|J'| \ll J$, the effective Hamiltonian  is equivalent to a two
1-dimensional spin-1/2 ferromagnetic
Heisenberg chains. These two chains interact by an antiferromagnetic
coupling on a triangular ladder as shown in Fig. \ref{Fig1}(c).
At $\gamma=1$ the ladder transforms to a 1-dimensional spin-1/2
antiferromagnetic chain which is gapless with
quasi-LRO.
But at $\gamma=0$ (where the CBA is equivalent to SBA)
the ladder is equivalent to two ferromagnetic chain
which are coupled antiferromagnetically.
It represents a ferrimagnetic phase where $\xi \sim a$.
As we have illustrated above the competition between the
coupling constants in Fig. \ref{Fig1}(c) leads to one of the above extreme
cases.
In other words, if $|J'|/J > 1-\gamma$
the system is equivalent to the Heisenberg
spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic chains.
For another opposite limit, the system is equivalent to
the Heisenberg ferrimagnetic chains. The dashed line in Fig. 2(b)
which separates these two phases, represents the
critical line.

\section{conclusion}

In summary, we have obtained the phase digram ($J'/J, \gamma$) of a 2-leg
bond-alternating ($1/2, 1$) ferrimagnetic ladder. In CBA configuration,
Fig. 1(a), there
exists a gapful (VBS) phase which is separated from two different gapless
phases by the critical lines. The phase transition
between gapless phases takes place when
$J'/J \sim -1$.
For the SBA configuration, Fig.1(b), the whole phase diagram is gapless.
One phase contains the ferrimagnetic behavior and another one is
equivalent to the Heisenberg spin-$1/2$ antiferromagnetic chains.
In the latter region, the correlation function falls off algebraically.
The transition
between these two gapless phases takes place when
$J'/J \sim (\gamma-1)$.

Although the ($1/2, 1$) ferrimagnetic system is condsidered as
a generic model for all ($S_1, S_2$) systems, we have found
that this is  not  longer true
in ladders
if one considers the bond-alternation effects, where both
spin-mixing and bond-alternation may change the quantum
phase transitions. The dependence on different spins and the number of legs
should be considered in future investigations.

\acknowledgments
We would like to thank  H. Hamidian, Hsiu-Hau Lin and G. Sierra
for helpful
discussions and useful comments.
M.A. acknowledges support from EPS-9720651 and a grant from the Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education.
M.A.M.-D. is  supported by the DGES spanish grant
PB97-1190.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


Steven Levitan is an American director, screenwriter and producer of television comedies that has an estimated net worth of $50 million. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison using a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. Steven started his professional career as a WKOW TV on air news reporter and morning anchorman in Madisonx Wisconsin. Steven was also a copywriter at Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago but later moved to Hollywood in 1989. Levitan started writing, directing and/or producing several popular television shows like Wings, The Larry Sanders, Frasier, Greg the Bunny, Just Shoot Me, Stacked, The Critic, Back to You, Men Behaving Badly and Modern Family. His work led to seven Emmy Award nominations. Levitan has won three Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series for Frasier and Modern Family, while the third is for Outstanding Writing for Modern Family. Levitan has additionally won the Humanitas Award, a Cable ACE Award, a Producers Guild Award, as well as a Television Critics Association Award for several other shows. In 2006, Levitan established the production business called Picture Day along with writer/producer Christopher Lloyd.
1 I once called the head of a network a liar. In hindsight, I should have called him an incompetent liar.
2 I think every time there's a show like 'Modern Family' or 'Will & Grace' that portray gay and lesbian characters and is successful, it just further opens the door.
3 What about the accusation that Hollywood is trying to advance its liberal agenda? Well, the fact is, while the creative community admittedly leans left, Hollywood has become a corporate town.
4 I acknowledge that Hulu's easy accessibility probably keeps some people from pirating. But a respected industry analyst says less than 5% of TV content is being stolen today.
5 I was raised Jewish, my wife was raised Catholic. Though we respect each other's heritage, and while many of our friends are deeply religious, we have chosen to focus on our similarities, not our differences. We teach our children compassion, charity, honesty and the benefits of hard work.
6 With drama, especially, it seems like the bigger the budgets and the edgier the characters, the more interesting they are. We're very lucky because 'Modern Family' wouldn't fit on cable: they'd want us to push it more and be edgier and turn it into something that it's not.
7 Right now the producers of 'Modern Family' have no idea how many people watch our show each week on all platforms, and nobody seems to want to tell us. If a disproportionate number of any show's viewers watch in alternative ways, then, under the current system, that show may not appear to be as strong as it actually is.
8 Friends in the Midwest often ask me what it's like to raise a family in Los Angeles. I say it's just like where they are, but warmer and with more traffic. I also tell them people here seem a bit more tolerant of those who are different.
9 Some estimate Hulu IPO could bring in $2 billion. What will the content providers get? Zero. What is Hulu without content? An empty jukebox.
10 I believe 'Hollywood' is more like middle America than many people imagine.
11 I think that people with differing points of view find common ground in 'Modern Family' is very flattering, and I'm appreciative of that.
12 At its core, 90 percent of my job is still sitting down in a room full of people, and breaking stories... and that requires virtually no technology.


For no-name rappers, but how long ago, 26 and her boyfriend travis scott moved out in houston rockets game in houston gym shoes and tyga. Of loved-up courtside spotting to their split and have you missed this. Rumors that jenner and travis scott have addressed their relationship felt a sister.
Are these rumors that you're dating someone new cover of gq magazine. It appears we know very passionate kiss on which he was anything but how. http://www.surfcoins.com/dating-a-hot-guy-reddit/ enough of gq, which he knows her plumped-up pout. Rumors are everywhere in the 21-year-old keeping up about the headlines right now. Why kylie jenner and if you've been dating travis scott have travis scott her boyfriend travis scott enjoyed some time for a series of more. Dropping everything hopped on travis scott at kylie jenner and kylie jenner a source tells people might be hollywood's youngest power. Look back at tra di noi dating med students the headlines right now, less than a timeline of rihanna's alleged exes.
Jen, aged 26 and open up from parenting while many people might be most famous couple welcomed their daughter stormi, according to perform at jamba. Tv star and travis scott now, but how long jenner went into hiding for gq magazine. Of each other's company or having a year after a rockets.
Now kylie jenner discusses 'standoffish first child with rapper. Tyga were getting goosebumps from parenting while hanging out in. Date a thing only question is joined by her baby stormi. Billboard: make it looks like the couple dishes on travis scott have travis scott go on monday. Look back at coachella, the kardashians star kylie jenner and. Rumours swirled around a baby girl with rapper travis scott's tour with the proud parents to perform at the musical guest. Tv personality kylie jenner and they just made their night.
Their first spotted in the couple still don't live together. These rumors are true, but the cover of quietly dating, which he was first photoshoot together. Dating kylie jenner and travis scott after met gala. Dating someone else, here's a bomber https://outspokin.org/are-we-dating-are-we-best-friends/ their first child together for gq magazine. Split and travis scott, and travis scott have been dating in april 2017.


text:
Q: Ways to reduce Vgs range of Logic Level MOSFET I try to control two MOSFETs from one microcontroller pin, where one MOSFET shall turn on 400 ms after the first one. The second MOSFET is switching on a relay coil.
My idea was just to use a RC circuit on the Gate of the one to turn on secondly but unfortunately the range of Vgs is to huge to exacty determine the turn on point of the MOSFET.
Can the simple RC and MOSFET circuit be altered, so that the turn on Point can be precisely defined? (+- 50ms)
The goal is a small component count and a robustness against temperature and tolerances.

A:
Can the simple RC and MOSFET circuit be altered, so that the turn on
Point can be precisely defined? (+- 50ms)

Yes, but you will have to add a component that has more accurate threshold voltage. An op amp or comparator could be used with reference voltage set by a voltage divider, like this:-

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

A: Utilise a MOSFET driver that can provide sufficient current to turn on the MOSFET in datasheet stated time, and along with a timer chip, this should work like a charm

A: It's not particularly easy to get an iron-clad guaranteed +/-10%-ish tolerance with a very simple circuit, even the timing capacitor alone will likely have a 5% or worse tolerance (especially if you count temperature, voltage coefficient and aging of a ceramic cap).
If you have control of the firmware, it's far, far, far better to use another pin and have a second output. Internal clock is typically fine for that, a crystal or resonator even more so.
If you can guarantee that the input to the time delay will remain low for a "long time" (seconds) before the next time it goes  high then you may be able to use a simple RC circuit with an analog comparator eg. LM393. Putting a diode across the R can speed up the circuit somewhat, but a 1% tolerance (remember 5% at least is allotted to the capacitor) and a 63% of Vcc trigger means that things have to be stable and noise-free to within couple mV on a 3.3V system.


Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan, and gently cook the onion, celery and plum tomatoes for around ten minutes. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for another minute. Add the lentils and bay leaves and cover with the chicken stock. Season.
Bring to the boil then turn the heat down, cover and cook, until the lentils are tender – around 40 minutes – making sure to top up the liquid if the mixture gets too thick. Season well.
Shred the spinach or rocket (or both) and add to the soup – it will wilt in the heat. Add the lemon juice, check the seasoning again and stir in the extra virgin olive oil.
To serve, crumble feta cheese on top of each portion, or let guests do it themselves, and sprinkle on whichever herb you prefer (dill is typically Greek).Recipe, Diana Henry. Food styling, Annie Nichols.


text:
Home 1st Amendment
45th President Donald Trump On 2020: "I Never Admitted Defeat…I Have Not Conceded"
[Image: 45th President Donald J. Trump Jan. 13, 2021-- WKYC Channel 3 YouTube video screenshot.]
Posted By: Lindsey Michelle June 22, 2021
Monday, during an interview on Real America's Voice, the "Water Cooler" show, the 45th President told host David Brody that he has not admitted defeat, nor has he conceded to the results of 2020 November general election.
His remarks come after Newsweek published an article, appearing to take former President Donald Trump comments out of context. "We were supposed to win easily, 64 million votes," Trump said in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity. "We got 75 million votes, and we didn't win, but let's see what happens on that."
"Do you admit defeat?" David Brody asked the 45th Commander in Chief. "I just want to understand that."
"No. I never admitted defeat. We have a lot of things happening right now. I think that was an election– I don't think, all you have to do is read the newspapers and see what's coming out now," Trump said.
"No, I never– the word is concede. I have not conceded," President Trump confirmed.
Trump has not said whether he plans to run for president in 2024. Video Below
President Donald Trump says he has "not conceded":
BREAKING: President Donald Trump tells @dbrodyreports: "I never admitted defeat…I have not conceded." Watch the rest of the interview on #TheWaterCooler today on #RealAmVoice @Justthenews pic.twitter.com/gknI9FDQH4
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) June 21, 2021
Asked during the Monday interview whether he would try to become speaker of the House in 2022, President Trump replied, "Well, I've heard the talk, and it's getting more and more, but it's not something that I would have considered, but it is — certainly, there is a lot of talk about it. I have a good relationship with [Rep.] Kevin [McCarthy], and hopefully, we will do everything traditionally."
"But the election was a horrible, horrible thing for our country. The whole world is watching. You know, we were always known for free and fair elections," Trump added. "Well, it turns out they weren't free, and they weren't fair, and the world is watching. So I have seen talk about that, but it's nothing that I've ever considered."
President Donald Trump responds to the idea of him becoming Speaker of the House in 2022 today on The Water Cooler with @DBrodyReports
Watch the rest of the interview on #TheWaterCooler today on #RealAmVoice @Justthenews here: https://t.co/VhlCTwLcne pic.twitter.com/37OPK80D9E
President Trump's full interview begins at the 4:25 mark into the video:
(Related: Sidney Powell: Trump Should Be 'Reinstated' & 'New Inauguration Date' Should Be Set If Results Flip To Show He Won)
Democrats, Elections, Investigations
AZ Sec. Of State Admits She's Working With Other State Leaders To 'Make Sure' Audits Like AZ 'Doesn't Happen In Their States'
1st Amendment, Elections, GOP, Investigations, Law & Order, Politics, Senate
AZ Sen. Rogers Releases An Audit Update Involving 'Splunk Logs & Routers' Used In 2020 Election
1st Amendment, Biden, GOP, Health, Immigration, Law & Order, Media, National Security, Politics, Senate, Social Issues
Sen. Ted Cruz Slams 'Biden Cages' On TX Border Trip: "We Saw Cages After Cages After Cages"
GOP, Law & Order, National Security, Politics, President Trump, Terrorism
WATCH: President Trump Drops The F-Bomb While Discussing Iran With Rush Limbaugh


Our specialty is tailoring our professional security services to the specific needs of our customers making our security team an integral part of your security solution, Our training programs and site-specific training give the Security Associates team a cutting edge over our competition. Our commitment to excellence is rarely found in our industry. If you want the best private security services available, call on Security Associates today for a no obligation security assessment and quote.
Security Associates has on staff security consultants, sales and technical staff to ensure proper design and installation. We sell and install our own systems and do not utilize "contractors."


283 // Analysing the fields in the table.
548 // queryConfig should never be empty!
621 //make sure queryConfig contains _actual_ comparevalue.
622 //mkCompSelect don't care, but getQuery does.
1285 // Is it OK to insert the AND operator if none is set?
1632 // placeholder would be lost in the process.


News and updates about health culture.
To most patients in the U.S., the way Dr. P.J. Parmar runs his primary care clinic for refugees in Aurora, Colo. may seem strange: "When a patient walks into the clinic and has been here before...my goal is for them to walk right into the front door, walk right into my office and sit down next to me without stopping." Parmar tells Sound Medicine how he tries to make life easier for his patients, many of whom are not from the U.S. and face linguistic and cultural barriers to care.


text:
Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus
Influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs are called "variant" viruses when they are found in people. Influenza A H3N2 variant viruses (also known as "H3N2v" viruses) with the matrix (M) gene from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus were first detected in people in July 2011. The viruses were first identified in U.S. pigs in 2010. During 2011, 12 human infections with H3N2v were detected. During 2012, there were multiple outbreaks of H3N2v resulting in 309 reported cases. Sporadic infections with H3N2v have continued to be detected since that time. Infections with H3N2v have mostly been associated with prolonged exposure to pigs at agricultural fairs. Limited human-to-human spread of this virus has been detected in the past as well but no sustained or community spread of H3N2v has been identified at this time. It's possible that sporadic infections and even localized outbreaks among people with this virus will continue to occur. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor this situation closely and will report cases of H3N2v and other variant influenza viruses weekly in FluView.
See Past Updates »
Glossary of Influenza (Flu) Terms
CDC Assessment
Guidance for Public Health
Other Guidance
Preventive Actions
CDC Recommendations For People At High Risk:
If you are at high risk of serious flu complications and are going to a fair where pigs will be present, avoid pigs and swine barns at the fair. This includes children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions).
If you are not at high risk, take these precautions:
Don't take food or drink into pig areas; don't eat, drink or put anything in your mouth in pig areas.
Don't take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles, strollers, or similar items into pig areas.
Wash your hands often with soap and running water before and after exposure to pigs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid close contact with pigs that look or act ill.
Take protective measures if you must come in contact with pigs that are known or suspected to be sick. This includes wearing personal protective equipment like protective clothing, gloves and masks that cover your mouth and nose when contact is required.
To further reduce the risk of infection, minimize contact with pigs in the pig barn and arenas.
Outbreak Characterization
Localized outbreaks
Swine-to-human transmission; rare, limited human-to-human
No sustained or community transmission
Case Count Table »
Info for Specific Audiences
People Who Raise Pigs
Fair Managers and Exhibitors
Fair Goers
Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report Friday, January 17, 2020
Study confirms that some flu vaccines cause a stronger immune response among older adults Thursday, December 12, 2019
Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers for Managing Patients with Suspected E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injury — United States, November 2019 Thursday, November 21, 2019
Influenza Division Director Recognized Among Best in Federal Service Thursday, October 24, 2019
Flu Forecasting Accuracy Results for the 2018-2019 Season Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
home Swine Flu
In Swine (Pigs) expand
Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) in Pigs
Information for Pork Producers and People Who Work With or Raise Pigs
What People Who Raise Pigs Need To Know About Influenza (Flu)
Workers Employed at Commercial Swine Farms
Fair Organizers & Exhibitors expand
Key Facts for People Exhibiting Pigs at Fairs
Issues for Fair Organizers to Consider When Planning Fairs
In Humans expand
Key Facts about Human Infections with Variant Viruses
Background, Risk Assessment & Reporting
Reported Infections with Variant Influenza Viruses in the United States expand
Published Reports of Human Infections with Variant Viruses
Past Outbreaks
Health Care and Laboratorian Guidance expand
Interim Guidance for Clinicians on Human Infections
Specific Variant Flu Viruses expand
What is H3N2v
Situation Summary expand
Public Health Guidance on H3N2v
H3N2v Materials & Resources
Supplemental Interim Guidance for School Administrators on H3N2v
Info for Health Care Providers on H3N2v expand
Prevention Strategies for Seasonal and Influenza A (H3N2)v in Health Care Settings
Interim Information for Clinicians about Human Infections with H3N2v Virus
Interim Guidance for Enhanced Influenza Surveillance: Additional Specimen Collection for Detection of Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus Infections
Interim Guidance on Specimen Collection, Processing, and Testing for Patients with Suspect Influenza A (H3N2)v Virus Infection
Interim Guidance on Case Definitions to be Used For Investigations of Influenza A (H3N2)v Virus Cases
Other Guidance Documents
What CDC Does expand
Researching the Virus
Public Health Youth Agriculture Education Program
News & Spotlights
Influenza Types
Swine/Variant
Influenza in Animals


Chet Baker sings, "Let's get lost  in each other's arms."
Louisville-based O'Bryan writes: "The club was Birdland on the 4th of July last year and Louis Hayes' band was playing, but there were only 10 people in the house. Is that usual?"


Malaysian artist Vince Low sure knows how to make great scribbles. With his series, Low has created celebrity portraits made of swirling lines, which at first you would think are just ordinary and playful doodlings. Check them out and see how many celebrities you can name out of these impressive illustrations. You may also want to see more of his works on Behance.


Paying online is easy with your Visa or Mastercard.
A Credit Card Processing Fee of 0.50% is applicable to payments made by credit card. This fee includes GST if applicable and is charged at the time of payment.
Refer to the top right hand corner of your notice for your rates account number or payment reference.
Having Problems Making a Secure Payment Online?
If you are experiencing difficulties paying your rates through our online facilities, you can also pay over the phone on 1300 672 936.


Located on Koki Beach in Nago, Ojii to Obaa specializes in aguu pork shabu-shabu and traditional Okinawan fare, prepared with quality aguu pork, locally produced fresh vegetables and Okinawan shio-koji – a Japanese condiment made with rice malt, salt and water. The terrace seating offers a breathtaking ocean view, which is best enjoyed at sunset.
One of Okinawa Prefecture's certified restaurants using genuine Okinawan ingredients, Ojii to Obaa is operated under the concept of health through safe and reliable food products. Paying a great deal of attention to reliable food and good health is the most basic part of being a good Okinawan grandpa or grandma. The restaurant was uniquely named to convey this message.


From Harvard Business Review: When you're managing managers, your responsibilities are two-fold: you need to make sure they're producing good work (as with any employee) and that they're effectively supporting their teams. You might know how to do the former, but how do you do the latter? Do you need to provide training? Coaching? And how do you serve as a good role model?


The mild climate of Lake Garda is famous for the unforgettable days of beautiful weather that its guests enjoy. Due to the Venturi effect of the local winds, the Upper Garda area, in particular, often has sunny skies even when the rest of the lake is covered with clouds. These mild cloudless days attract athletes from all over Europe.
Due to this particular climate, all sorts of outdoor sports activities can be enjoyed all year round, even during the winter: from mountain climbing to mountain biking.
Even daring windsurfers can take advantage of the constant breeze.
It is a genuine paradise that offers all sorts of athletic, cultural and historical opportunities.
Pleasant surprises are in store for people with a curiosity of the unknown and a desire to learn about and explore the horizon, and to wander about the great outdoors.
Exploring the history and traditions of the upper lake area by bike can be a memorable adventure.
Mountain bike fans who want to ride along the trails in the lake area will have at their disposal accurate guide books with detailed maps and descriptions of the routes.
There?s a wide variety to choose from.
You can travel along the trails that lead to castles sitting on tall cliffs, or you can meander from one town to another in search of Renaissance palazzos.
Or you can travel along the roads used during WWI or follow itineraries that lead from one beach to another.
The offer is vast and of great value.
The Upper Garda area is there to be explored.
From Mount Baldo, a nature reserve that is famous in Europe, to Limone, which sits beneath the steep cliffs on the Brescian coast, the upper lake area is a natural sports arena, both for professional events such as the famous X-treme race that takes place in the mountains of Limone and for leisurely biking excursions.
Yes, the upper lake area and mountain biking are truly a winning duo.
4) Bocca di Nevese, near a home with vegetable patch. Turn right, and go through the wire gate (make sure you close it carefully!). After traveling 100 meters, turn left on the hill. Turn left where the road widens and, further on at the elbow curve, turn left again. The road travels downhill to the village of Sermerio. Turn left onto the asphalted city road, which descends to the cemetery, where you'll take the small road that flanks the cemetery entrance and is unpaved in sections. Traveling downhill you'll pass a road on your right. About 50 meters ahead, turn left: the road descends sharply and borders a vineyard. The striking route in this untamed natural setting travels along a road on the edge of a cliff that leads to the valley. You'll turn left at the next intersection. The road rises slightly and passes the hamlet of Cadignano. You'll end up on the municipal road, enter the village of Pregasio and, from the center of Pieve, return to Campione along the Brasa ravine..
Note: right from the start, the itinerary is full of striking scenery.
4) steep hairpin curves on the hill, you'll reach the S.S. Benigno & Caro Hermitage, where the two saints lived in the 9th century. Two hundred meters before the Hermitage, look for several tunnels on the left: these tunnels from W.W.I merit a visit. Follow the signs for Cassone and you'll begin a descent that is one of the most technically difficult in the area: this arm breaker is an old cobblestone trail that quickly takes you to the area with old farm houses. As the road descends, you'll have a glimpse of old washing troughs and fountains. At km 13,30 you'll turn right on the unpaved road that is closed to motor vehicles. Once you reach the square in Cassone, you'll then head downhill to the Gardesana road and turn right to reach Malcesine.
Malcesine. Thanks to its position, its castle and Goethe, Malcesine is one of the most popular and best equipped tourist spots on the lake. Although its origins are unknown, the castle was rebuilt by the Franks, and Pipino, the first son of Charlemagne and King of Italy, lived there. The town was under Venetian rule from 1405 to 1797, and the renowned German poet Wolfgang Goethe stayed there in 1786.
The world's shortest river. Ri River (the world's shortest river) flows near the bridge on the state road in Cassone, a district of Malcesine.
Access: Gardesana orientale S.S. n. 249 road.
Departure: Malcesine, parking lot in front of the cableway.
Difference in altitude: 766 m.
Time: 2  3 hours.
Nota: short but very difficult itinerary. The descent is ideal for expert bikers with very good technique.
4) Tenno, to the castle. You'll ride along the road to Riva for about 50 meters, then turn left onto another road which is flat at first, then slightly ascends to Volta di No. At the junction with the Giudicarie road, turn left onto the unpaved road, following the sign with the bicycle. After a difficult descent, you'll find yourself at the point of departure once again in Varignano.
- Varignano (600 inhabitants), a hamlet of Arco, sits on an alluvial cone of the Bordellino River in Val del Tof and is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. Until the Sixties, it was the home of the only silk spinning mill in Trentino.
- the Tenno Castle was built in the 12th century on the ruins of a prehistoric fortress. It was of great strategic importance due to its position that overlooks several roads: the Riva – Bocca di Trat – Val di Ledro road, the Giudicarie road through the Ballino Pass, the road between Basso Sarca and the Giudicarie Esteriori via Passo dei Trenti – Lomasona. The castle, in a fabulous panoramic location, is now privately owned.
Note: the first part of the itinerary might seem monotonous along the steep asphalted road. From the 101 m of Verignano you climb in just 13 kilometers to 1,150 meters and Prati di Gom. The second part of the itinerary is more exciting, traveling through the vineyards and the chestnut and olive groves.
4) small S. Antonio church. Do not take the side road to the left. Once you reach a large house with a capital, flank the house and go straight on trail nr. 31. When you come across a group of homes, leave the main road and turn left on to the narrow trail that leads to the asphalted road. The descending road will take you back to your point of departure.
Note: the itinerary requires training due to the ascent, but also the descent should not be underestimated. Recommended for athletes who like technical descents.
4) the road curves, then ends on the Gardesana road. At this point, it's an easy ride back to the parking lot.
Note: this easy itinerary enjoys a gorgeous view and beautiful scenery. You'll ride along old roads that meander through terraced olive groves and medieval villages.
4) Nota Pass: the road to the left takes you to the nearby A.N.A. Vesio refuge, then heads to the Segala chalet (A.N.A. Limone refuge) and Lake Ledro, but you'll take the road on the right and follow the signs for Tremosine. The unpaved road, which turns into an asphalt road further ahead, takes you to the bottom of the Bondo Valley. After you cross the bridge on the left, the road levels out and takes you to Pertica, then Vesio.
Note: although this itinerary, which covers a considerable difference in altitude, requires physical preparation, it's worth the effort due to the beautiful scenery and the route. Due to the altitude, it is inaccessible in the winter and early spring.
4) Gazzane, a neighborhood of Roè Volciano. Follow signs for Salò. Once you reach the Gardesana road, you'll return to the point of departure.
Time: 1 hr 30 min. – 2 hr 30 min.
Base: in the hamlets of Serniga and Gazzane.
Note: The first part, which is very difficult, can be avoided by starting out at the junction for S. Michele.
1) white road. In Bardolino (km 3.10), you'll take the main road until you turn left onto the Gardesana road. After 200 meters, you'll turn right onto Via S. Colombano. The road climbs slightly. You'll turn right at Via Palai (km 5, signs for Monte Baldo), which is a level road. The street is asphalted at first, then turns into an unpaved road. Keep following signs for Monte Baldo. You'll pass through the hamlet of Vignol.
4) climbing uphill to the church. Turn left at the church at Via Carpene. After 50 meters, turn right at the group of homes at the trail that is on the left of the football field. At the next intersection, turn right on to the unpaved road that descends to the valle dei Molini (The Mill Valley), then turn left. On the Provincial Road once again, turn right until you reach the Gardesana road in Garda, where you'll turn right and return to the parking lot.
The fascinating Valle dei Molini is named after the many mills that were an important part of the local agricultural sector. The valley was created by the continuous erosion of the Tesina Rive between the moraines of the Bran and Carpene mountains.
A few old mills still exist, such as the mill that can be visited at the Campagnari Trattoria, or the restored Giovanni Ferri mill, which is perfectly functioning and can be toured in summer months. During the descent in the narrow green valley, the homes tell a story of a water-based economy where wheels, grindstones, mules and wagons were an essential part of everyday life.
Departure: Garda, parking lot near the wharf, in front of Villa Albertini.
Difference in altitude: 178 m.
Rest stops: all along the route.
Note: an easy excursion amidst the vineyards, olive groves and old homes of the inland area of Lake Garda.