text:
VSG push for optional pass/fail grading meets resistance from administration
With the current pandemic, at least 1,173 petitioners have indicated interest for a pass or fail grading format to account for the circumstances of hybrid and online classes.
Alex Venero
Alumni Hall, photographed on Aug. 28, 2020. (Hustler Multimedia/Alex Venero)
Ryder Li, Staff Writer
A petition for pass/fail grading started on change.org by an account called Vanderbilt Student Body has 1,173 signatures. Consequently, VSG proposed optional pass/fail grading to the Vanderbilt administration.
Based on Vanderbilt's statement on July 25, regular grading policies will be in effect for undergraduates for the Fall 2020 semester.
The petition, started two months ago, calls for a pass/fail option for all undergraduate courses taken during the Fall 2020 semester. The petition cites the added stress on students caused by the current pandemic as a main reason for the proposal.
The Hustler was unable to get in touch with the creator of the petition.
"For a student, increased stress tied with noticeable declines in academic performance can deteriorate motivation and be severely detrimental to emotional and physical well being," the petition reads.
Many students have also shared their reasons for supporting pass/fail grading this semester, including junior Sarah Fishbein, who started the petition to extend the pass/fail deadline last semester.
"Last spring, Vanderbilt provided students with the option to take classes on a pass/fail basis in order to accommodate for the uncertainty and stress placed on students' lives as a result of COVID-19," Fishbein said in a Dec. 1 statement to The Hustler. "Unfortunately, not much has changed for students since last spring, and students continue to face unprecedented challenges that threaten their academic success."
Following the call for pass/fail grading among students, VSG took action to push for possible pass/fail grading for all undergraduate students.
On Nov 4, VSG sent out a survey in its weekly newsletter to collect data on student sentiments on the current grading scheme and the possible need for a pass or fail structure. According to the survey, all answers will be kept anonymous.
In an email sent to The Hustler, Senator Syed Rahman indicated that out of the 2,321 responses, the survey results showed that over 70 percent of students preferred an optional pass/fail grading option for the Fall 2020 semester. In addition, 94.5 percent of respondents indicated some sort of pass/fail is preferred. This data is consistent with the results that the VSG has collected from the Spring 2020 semester.
A VSG Senate survey concerning Fall 2020 grading policies was sent out to the student body. Screenshot taken on Nov 17. (Hustler Staff/Ryder Li)
A screenshot of the summary points from VSG's pass/fail initiative report. Screenshot taken on Nov 23. (Hustler Staff/Ryder Li)
Senators Aaron Hunt and Rahman created the survey on Nov 4. Following the collection of the survey results, they had a meeting with Dean of the School of Engineering Cynthia Paschal, Dean of Peabody College Anita Wager, Dean of Blair School of Music Mellissa Rose and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Science Roger Moore on Nov. 20.
In an email sent to The Hustler, Hunt expressed his concern with the current grading scheme's impact on students and how possible pass or fail grading may alleviate many students' circumstances.
"While we know admin has its hesitations, we feel a strong desire to get this done for the student body," Hunt said. "After all, one cannot go three steps without hearing how burnt out everyone is. We feel students need an option to potentially be more strategic about their semester. If all this is going to drastically affect them, they deserve a say in precisely how."
However, after the meeting with the deans, Hunt commented that pass/fail grading may be unlikely based on the administration's response.
"Unfortunately, it appears things did not go our way," Hunt said. "[The deans] are going to pass [the proposal for pass/fail] along to the provost, but they said they could not endorse the move. They said they 'felt it was not in the best interest of the students.' We have other initiatives on the way, including one for intermittent days off, but this one appears to have fallen a bit short. While disappointing, our data will hopefully convince the university to at least reevaluate some policies."
During the Spring 2020 semester, the Vanderbilt administration allowed students to change their enrollment from graded to pass/fail grading basis in light of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior policies that surrounded pass/fail enrollments were suspended for the Spring 2020 semester, and all undergraduate classes, regardless of prior status, were eligible for pass/fail grading.
Though time has passed since the spring semester, students like sophomore Hannah Grim still feel that the current circumstances remain unchanged. Grim detailed the hardship she faced this semester as she was unable to use her own private insurance to get medication for her health issues due to Vanderbilt's disorganization.
"I have personally also received unjust pressure as a direct result from Vanderbilt's disorganization," Grim said. "I went for a month without antidepressants and entered withdrawal which took a heavy toll on me mentally and physically."
Grim emphasized that those are just the issues she faced, while other students may be experiencing other difficulties.
"If Vanderbilt and its staff are going to treat its students like this and make them go through completely unneeded tribulations, they have the duty of at least lessening any stress by implementing mandatory pass/fail," Grim said. "I am just one student, and I can't imagine what other vastly different situations my peers are going through at this time."
A summary of the data presented in the VSG pass/fail initiative report. (Hustler Staff/Emery Little)
vsg senate
Ryder Li ('24) is a student in the School of Engineering planning to major in biomedical engineering. He enjoys exploring new food and watching YouTube. You can reach him at [email protected]
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As seen on WSJ:
https://www-wsj-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/is-remote-learning-an-easy-a-11608074549
Dore21
I think that students should be able to pick the grade that they deserve in order to combat grade inequality. I really like the progressive coffee shops where you can pay whatever you want and get same cup of coffee. I might pay $1 whereas another person might pay $5 but we get the same coffee and it is fair for everyone.
They said they 'felt it was not in the best interest of the students.'
Ah yes, thank you council of privileged white people for reminding me what's in my best interests.
VU Soph (She/Him/Zirs)
VSG needs to fight grade inequality. It isn't fair that the students who are the smartest or work the hardest end up with the best grades. The people who make A or B grades should be forced to give up some of their points to students who make Cs or below in order to level the playing field.


text:
Q: Paypal/Stripe to bank account Sorry, I am not good in english and I can't google a right answer, but I am developing an app where I transfer money from bank account to credit and then I need to make payment from paypal/stripe account to bank account.
Is it possible?
I am using Node JS with Stripe and Paypal package.
I found some answers that in Stripe it's possible only for US accounts.
I am from Slovakia, is it possible also for Slovakian accounts?
Can you please provide an example in Node JS?
I found out that payouts are something I should use for that problem.
But I always get this response from paypal api:
{ batch_header:
{ payout_batch_id: 'EMM899S342TTE',
 batch_status: 'DENIED',
 time_created: '2017-06-25T20:48:40Z',
 time_completed: '2017-06-25T20:48:41Z',
 sender_batch_header:
  { email_subject: 'You have a payment',
    sender_batch_id: 'q7g9i765b9lkvjkyb9' },
 amount: { currency: 'USD', value: '0.9' },
 fees: { currency: 'USD', value: '0.02' } },
 items:
  [ { payout_item_id: 'LJ7EQA952LBR2',
   transaction_status: 'FAILED',
   payout_item_fee: [Object],
   payout_batch_id: 'EMM899S342TTE',
   payout_item: [Object],
   errors: [Object],
   links: [Object] } ],
  links:
   [ { href: 'https://api.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/payments/payouts/EMM899S342TTE',
   rel: 'self',
   method: 'GET' } ],
  httpStatusCode: 201 }

So I found out that response.items[0].errors have this error:
{ name: 'INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS',
  message: 'Sender has insufficient funds',
  information_link:
'https://developer.paypal.com/docs/api/payments.payouts-batch/#errors'
}

So I will debug it more deeply...
So I found out that I have to do the Business account with some testing amount and now I get this error:
{ name: 'ACCOUNT_UNCONFIRMED_EMAIL ',
  message: 'Sender\'s email is not confirmed',
  information_link: 'https://developer.paypal.com/docs/api/payments.payouts-batch/#errors' }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Pastor David H. Lydick was physically born on November 11, 1948, in Wichita, Kansas, and spiritually born-again on June 9, 1957, in the same city. After graduating from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, he and his wife, Sandy, came to Bellevue in June, 1978, to establish an independent, fundamental Baptist church. Our pastor and his wife have three daughters, each born in Nebraska.
Pastor Lydick stands ready to serve anyone of any religious or philosophical persuasion at any time. He has a special desire to meet and help those who have not yet accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, and newcomers in the community who have no local church home.
Andrew Diorio was born on March 3, 1990, in Plattsburgh, New York. He grew up in Papillion, Nebraska, and has attended Midlands for most of his life. In December of 2007, through the ministry of Midlands, Andrew came to trust in Christ as his Saviour. It has been his desire to serve the Lord since that time.
After graduating high school, the Lord led Andrew to Heartland Baptist Bible College in Oklahoma City, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies. He also met his wife, Amanda, at the Oklahoma school. He and Amanda enjoy parenting their three young children, Peter, Amelia, and Emma and serving the Lord together at Midlands. Andrew has been on staff as the Associate Pastor since May of 2013. In February of 2019, the church voted to call Andrew as the next pastor to serve upon Pastor Lydick's retirement in June of 2019.


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There are reports that the New York Giants are not currently looking at QB Dwayne Haskins with the No. 6 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
With April 25 rapidly approaching, the New York Giants are already going against the grain.
The much-speculated Giants first-round draft pick has now become more confusing. Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State is the second best QB available in this upcoming draft. He could very well drop to the sixth position and be right there for the taking by the Giants.
However, according to Dianna Russini, who spoke on Jordan Raanan's Breaking Big Blue podcast for ESPN, Haskins isn't getting much of a look.
No Dwayne Haskins. A QB with their second first-round pick? A must-listen podcast with @diannaESPN yesterday dropping in. Don't miss it!
Quarterback Eli Manning will likely be the go-to guy once again next season, but it could very well be his last. The Giants have already stripped this roster into a rebuilding phase that will last years. They have lost star players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Landon Collins already this offseason, and there is still room for more moves.
Not giving a look to Haskins leaves that sixth overall selection wide open. After improving the vastly deteriorating QB position, there are still a lot of holes to fill. The defensive line could arguably be the second biggest problem for the Giants and then comes the O-Line.
Also, the Giants not being interested in Haskins leaves there second first-round pick, at No. 17 via Cleveland, up in the air. There is still the possibility of acquiring Drew Lock from Missouri with the mid-first-round pick.
The New York Giants front office is claiming to have a plan going into this upcoming season. What that plan could be is anyone's guess, but one thing is set in stone: the Giants are rebuilding. The severed ties and unexpected strategy going into the NFL Draft are just the beginning of bringing Big Blue back on top.


text:
Lady Rangers upset No. 15 Trinity Valley, will play for R14 championship
JACKSONVILLE, TX -- The Lady Rangers got hot toward the end of the first half of play and continued their momentum throughout the second half in a huge upset of the No. 15 Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals March 9 in the Region XIV semifinals at John Alexander Gymnasium.
The Lady Rangers will face San Jacinto College 4 p.m. Saturday, March 10, for the Region XIV Championship and a trip to Lubbock for the women's national tournament.
KC trailed early by as many as 10 points in the first half but went ahead for the first time, 23-22, with one minute left in the first quarter with a layup by Jade Thurmon.
The Lady Rangers went into the fourth quarter ahead, 25-22. KC opened up the final period with layup by Patience Idoko to make the score 29-22.
After a defensive stop, KC's Tyra Cormier nailed a short-range jumper to give the Lady Rangers a 31-22 advantage.
TVCC then turned the ball over and KC capitalized with another short-range jumper, this time by Idoko, to put KC back up by 10 points, 33-23.
Danielle Meador stole the ball in the ensuing TVCC possession and KC drove the court with Mardis making a quick drive and layup assisted by Thurmon.
The Lady Cards then went on a 7-0 run to get within 6 points of KC, 35-29, with 4:42 left in the third quarter.
Mardis answered the TVCC run with a jump shot to put KC ahead by eight, 37-29 with 4:20 left in the third period.
TVCC answered with a short jump shot and Meador responded for KC by nailing a three-pointer to put KC ahead, 40-29.
KC then turned the ball over and TVCC scored to make the score 40-33 with three minutes left in the third period.
Thurmon scored on an impressive layup and TVCC scored twice after a KC turnover to get within five points of KC, 42-37, with 1:35 left in the third quarter.
At the end of the third period Meador banked a three-pointer at the buzzer to give KC a 45-39 edge over TVCC.
KC traded baskets at the beginning of the final quarter to make the score 50-43.
Moore hit another three-pointer to put KC up by nine points again, 53-44, with 6:30 left in the game.
TVCC then scored twice to get within 5 points of KC, 53-48 with 4:20 left.
Thurmon was fouled on the next possession and made both free throws to put KC ahead, 55-48 with 3:27 left.
After a defensive stop, Thurmon made a huge layup, was fouled and made the free throw to put KC ahead by 10 once again, 58-48, with 3 minutes left.
On TVCC's next possession, Mardis made a monster block on a Cardinal shot down low.
With two minutes left, TVCC cut the Lady Ranger lead to eight points, 58-50.
On the next possession, TVCC's Arleighshya McElroy made a layup, was fouled and hit the free throw to get the Lady Cards within five points, 58-53, with 1:14 left in the game.
KC's Idoko then made an impressive layup, was fouled and capitalized on the free throw to put KC out of reach with a 61-53 advantage with 48 seconds left.
TVCC scored once again and Idoko made one-of-two free throws on the next possession to make the score 62-53.
Mardis ended the game with a jump shot to make the final score 64-53.
KC was led in scoring by Thurmon with 16 points. Idoko scored 13 for KC and had seven rebounds and Alexus Moore scored 11 for KC. Meador earned a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
TVCC was led in scoring by Mercedes Brooks with 14 points, Michal Miller had 13 and Tra'Dayja Smith scored 11 points.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Fish farmers unclear where dead fish at Sungei Buloh are from
Kok Xing Hui Today Online 19 Apr 14;
SINGAPORE — Local fish farmers in the Western Johor Straits were puzzled as to where the scores of dead fish that had washed up at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on Thursday came from, saying they had not heard about fish deaths at other farms.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has said it did not detect a plankton bloom, which was cited as a possible reason for wiping out 160 tonnes of fish from local fish farms on both the Western and Eastern Johor Straits in February.
Yesterday, a fish farm owner who identified himself only as Mr Chia, said the deaths could be due to issues with the water. He explained that due to the nature of water flow, problems at one spot might not necessarily affect the entire area.
Responding to queries, the AVA said water near Singapore's coastal fish farms is regularly sampled as part of routine surveillance by the authority. "Currently, no abnormalities have been detected at our coastal fish farms. AVA will continue to monitor closely."
When TODAY visited the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve yesterday, a small number of dead fish were still spotted, although the National Parks Board had carried out a clean-up on Thursday. The waters were littered with styrofoam, plastic bottles and other debris — something birdwatcher Robin Sim said was not always the case. "Usually, there are just a few (pieces of rubbish)," he said. "But it's hard to control, (as the water) does lead to the open sea." KOK XING HUI
labels aquaculture, marine, marine-litter, mass-fish-deaths, shores, singapore
Kang Ting from RGS writes about her guiding experience at Venus Loop from Toddycats!
A Two Pierid Weekend
Morning Walk At Lower Pierce Reservoir (18 Apr 2014)
from Beetles@SG BLOG
Blue-crowned Hanging-parrot at the nesting hole
Indonesia: Satellite detects 44 hotspots in Sumatra
Antara 18 Apr 14;
Pekanbaru, Riau Province (ANTARA News) - The Terra and Aqua Satellites have detected 40 hotspots located in Sumatra Island, which were mostly found in Riau Province that had reached 20 areas.
According to the Riau Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency received here on Friday, the total hotspots that are found in Riau have increased 100 percent.
The agency noted that the hotspots are spread across eight districts and cities of Riau Province, which are mostly located in Dumai city and has reached five sites.
The satellite noted three of the five hotspots in Dumai city including Pelintung Village of Medang Kampai Sub-district, Basilam Baru Village of Sungai Sembilan Sub-district and Gurun Panjang VIllage of Bukit Kapur Sub-district.
The mitigation agency also discovered three hotspots located in Bengkalis District such as in Rupat, Bukit Batu and Siak Kecil. Hotspots were also found in Rokan Hilir District in two areas in Kubu Sub-districts and Rimba Melintang Sub-district.
The satellite also found two hotspots each in Pelalawan, Siak and Rokan Hulu area.
Meanwhile, the agency also found a hotspot in Kampar and Kuantan Singingi District.
The Chief of the agency in Riau Saiq Saqlul Amri stated that the increasing hotspots in Riau are due to the dry season in last several days.
However, the NOAA 18 Satellite of US on Thursday has noted two hotspots in Riau Province and six in other areas of Sumatra.
The agency reported that the hotspots are a trigger from forest fires in Sumatra during the last several months that had caused the haze disaster in Riau Province.
(UU.B019/INE/a014)
EDITED BY INE.
Editor: Suryanto
labels global, haze
Supply of bananas secure amid fears of disease: AVA
Grace Chua The Straits Times AsiaOne 19 Apr 14;
SINGAPORE - Singapore's fresh banana supply is stable, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has said in response to global concerns that a lethal banana-plant disease has spread from Asia to the Middle East and Africa.
A spokesman for the AVA said Singapore imports its fresh bananas from various places such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.
Worries about the supply of the popular fruit have risen after the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Monday that the Panama disease had spread from Asia to Mozambique and Jordan. FAO plant pathologist Fazil Dusunceli said countries had to act now to avoid the "massive destruction of much of the world's banana crop".
The fungal infection, which is lethal to banana plants, has caused losses to crops in Indonesia, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Australia since the 1990s.
It is transmitted through the soil, first attacking a plant's roots before spreading through the plant. The disease prevents an infected plant from transporting water and nutrients to its parts, which causes it to wilt and die.
Infected plants are either unable to grow and bear fruit, or bear low-quality bananas that are stunted and not marketable.
The TR4 strain of the disease is one of the world's most destructive, and the popular Cavendish variety of banana is particularly vulnerable. It can survive in the soil for a long time, and if banana plants are re-planted in that soil, they, too, could be infected.
Most of the fresh bananas sold here are of the Cavendish variety, the AVA said.
The Cavendish and many other commercial variants are seedless clones unable to evolve resistance against diseases, which evolve faster than new fungicides can be developed.
So researchers around the world are working to develop new varieties that can withstand the disease, and protect the genetic diversity of bananas for a reserve of genetic material.
Bananas are the fourth most important food crop for the world's least developed countries, said the FAO.
According to data from the United Nations Comtrade database, Singapore's imports of fresh and dried bananas including plantains have risen slightly over the last decade.
In 2012, the last year for which figures are available, Singapore imported 44,592 tonnes of bananas and exported about 263 tonnes. This was 7 per cent more than the 41,585 tonnes it imported in 2011, of which a smaller amount - 166 tonnes - was exported, meaning Singapore is keeping more bananas for its own consumption.
The 2012 figures also represented a 27 per cent rise from the 35,070 tonnes of bananas imported in 2004, of which 229 tonnes were exported.
- See more at: http://www.soshiok.com/content/supply-bananas-secure-amid-fears-disease-ava#sthash.Zw1mQClh.dpuf
labels diseases, food, singapore
'Johor won't budge on Friendship Bridge'
SIM BAK HENG New Straits Times 19 Apr 14;
LOOKING BEYOND: Current situation different compared to 10 years ago
JOHOR BARU: THE state government will not harp on the Causeway and crooked bridge issues when arriving to any decisions pertaining to the construction of the Malaysia-Singapore Friendship Bridge.
This was because things had changed in the past 10 years and developments along the Johor Straits were unlike what it was a decade ago when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had just retired as the country's prime minister, said state Public Works, Rural and Regional Development Committee chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
He said robust development had taken place along the Johor Straits, stretching from Danga Bay to Senibong, which had been earmarked as an international waterfront zone.
Hasni said with the zone, the state government would not only look at Singaporeans when making any decisions, but other nationalities, coming in droves into Iskandar Malaysia, such as the Chinese nationals and Middle Easterners, who owned properties there.
"We cannot simply ignore the presence of so many foreigners who are staying and investing in Iskandar Malaysia.
"As far as the construction of the Friendship Bridge is concerned, we have to look beyond the Causeway issue but (also) the interests of those staying along the zone," he told the New Straits Times.
Dr Mahathir told reporters on Wednesday that the Causeway had to be removed if the Friendship Bridge project was to go ahead.
Although the exact location of the bridge has yet to be finalised, he argued that there was no longer any need for a causeway if the bridge was built.
Using exactly the same argument he pointed out about a decade ago, Dr Mahathir had said the Causeway prevented water from flowing underneath and people from moving around.
The Friendship Bridge was proposed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after the annual Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in Putrajaya on April 7.
The New Straits Times had reported that the Friendship Bridge would compliment the role of the existing Causeway and not replace it.
It was also reported the bridge may not necessarily be above water, but could be in the form of an underwater tunnel as the concept was to link the two countries.
Hasni said the Friendship Bridge should be iconic enough to reflect the friendship between the two countries.
Read more: 'Johor won't budge on Friendship Bridge' - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/johor-won-t-budge-on-friendship-bridge-1.572345#ixzz2zIaVi9YC
labels shores, singapore, transport, urban-development
Malaysia: 'Dams will be depleted if water rationing ends'
BALQIS LIM New Straits Times 19 Apr 14;
RISKY: Consider repercussions of move, warns Awer president
KUALA LUMPUR: THE Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (Awer) said the water rationing exercise should not end, as it would deplete water levels in dams which are now almost at a critical level.
Association president S. Piarapakaran said water levels at dams in Selangor were slowly increasing, and if rationing was stopped now, the water levels could drop quite significantly and swiftly.
"Although we are not reducing much in terms of water consumption, if the authorities were to end water rationing, it would only use up more water from the dams.
"Any intention to stop water rationing would have a significant impact on consumers, especially when we are facing the possibility of a dry spell for the second round, beginning next month."
Piarapakaran was commenting on the Selangor state assembly's rejection on Thursday of an emergency motion to immediately end water rationing and start channelling water regularly to the people in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had said the state could not instruct the rationing to end yet as there was not enough water in several dams in the state.
The motion was tabled by state opposition leader Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias, who had said the rationing was causing much inconvenience and suffering.
Piarapakaran said those who urged for the tabling of the emergency motion should check on the repercussions of such a proposal.
"We should look at the matter in a practical manner, instead of placing political pressure on it. We cannot be emotional.
"We need to look at the right way to solve the problem and move forward from this entire situation.
"Instead of making public over anger and frustration, they have to be careful with such a suggestion because rationing is done so that whatever water that is left in the dam may be used for a little while longer."
He said even if the state government approved for rationing to end, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) would not agree to it as the situation at dams remained critical.
"The state government does not have power (to end the rationing) now because, eventually, it would have to go to SPAN first.
"As a technical regulator, SPAN will never give in to such pressure as it knows that to reverse the rationing, it will lead to a much worse scenario."
He added that focus should be on increasing water levels at dams.
Piarapakaran said the Sungai Selangor dam, which provides almost 60 per cent of raw water in the Klang Valley, recorded water levels of 37 per cent for the past two weeks, and it was now at 38 per cent capacity.
Meanwhile, Khalid's media officer, Tuan Nazuri Tuan Ismail, said the menteri besar's move to get a Thai company to conduct cloud seeding was made due to a lack of aircraft for the operation, starting next week,
He said a meeting on the matter would be held on Monday.
Read more: 'Dams will be depleted if water rationing ends' - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/dams-will-be-depleted-if-water-rationing-ends-1.572380#ixzz2zIarJP94
labels extreme-nature, global, water
Fish farmers unclear where dead fish at Sungei Bul...
Malaysia: 'Dams will be depleted if water rationin...


text:
20+ Countries Where Pickleball Is Played (and Popular) – Worldwide
Categories Pickleball
Pickleball is getting popular by the minute. Tournaments, events, and friendly games are being held all over the world, and players are getting more and more involved. Although most of you know Pickleball is a popular sport in the U.S. and Canada, many may wonder what other countries Pickleball has a following.
These are 20+ countries where Pickleball is played:
This is where Pickleball was invented back in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, which is just a boat ride away from Seattle. It was first played by U.S. House of Representative Joel Pritchard and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum.
The most prestigious competition in the nation (and globally) is the U.S. Open Pickleball Championship which is usually held in April in Naples, Florida. Many spectators and Pickleball aficionados come to watch from all over the world.
In Canada, Pickleball started in the 1970s when snowbirds were returning home to share the beautiful sport they learned in the United States. One of the first Pickleball courts built in Canada was on the roof of the Doan Development building in Vancouver, BC.
Just like the United States, Canada holds many Pickleball tournaments throughout the year. The Canadian National Championship is one of the most known competitions. This tournament is exclusively for Canadian residents. If you are not Canadian, you can always participate in the Canadian Open Championship.
This is a country where racquet sports are quite popular. Two of them are Tennis and Padel (aka Platform tennis). And Pickleball is a sport trying to take place on the podium. Founded in 2012, the Pickleball Spain is the official Spanish Pickleball association responsible for all things Pickleball in the country.
All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) is a registered governing body with the goal to promote the sport of Pickleball in India. They conduct tournaments, demo events, and coaching camps for players who are interested in playing the game. This organization was established in 2008 by Sunil Valavalkar.
Pierre Obozinski, originally from Fayence, France, got introduced to Pickleball during a visit to Canada. A year later, in 2015, Pierre, with the help of some friends, will go into established Pickleball France, which is responsible for all things Pickleball in the country. The association organizes the French Open Pickleball Championship, which usually takes place in August.
6. England
The official Pickleball Association in England is called Pickleball England, and they are affiliated with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales to promote the sport. This association provides coaching to new players and to those who are interested in Pickleball. The English Open Pickleball Tournament is the biggest competition in the country.
7. Netherlands
Pickleball made its way to the Netherlands back in 2013. The sport has been growing since then. The country holds the Dutch Open Championship every year.
Founded in 2018, Pickleball Italy (Italian Pickleball Association) is the governing body of all things Pickleball in the country. The biggest Pickleball event in the country is the Italian Open Pickleball Championships.
Pickleball Australia Association came to be in 2020. Its main purpose is to grow and develop the sport across Australia by introducing Pickleball to as many people as possible. The country holds the Australian Pickleball Championships every year.
The sport was first introduced in Singapore back in 1990. Half a decade later, in 1995, the Singapore Pickleball Association (SPA), the national governing body for Pickleball, was founded. Their goal is to promote the growth and development of the sport in the country.
11. Scotland
Pickleball Scotland
12. Poland
Polski Pickleball
13. Denmark
Pickleball Denmark
14. Japan
Japan Pickleball Association
15. Turkey
Pickleball Turkey
16. Costa Rica
Pickleball Costa Rica
Pickleball Belgium
18. South Africa
Pickleball South Africa
Pickleball New Zealand Association
20. Norway
Pickleball Norge
21. Finland
Pickleball Finland
Pickleball is indeed a growing sport, and it's available throughout the world. The countries on this list offer different types of events, tournaments, and friendly places where you can play Pickleball.
Many associations are doing their best to spread the fantastic sport to the people in their country. Pickleball is indeed going to become a more popular sport in the coming years!
By no means is this list complete with each country where Pickleball is played, but we hope it helps you understand the growing popularity of this sport.
Cost of Playing Pickleball for Newcomers (Is It Expensive?)
Pickleball: Indoors vs. Outdoors | 10+ Things to Consider (Balls, Paddles,…)


New York, NY—The four baseball legends, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio, who are the newest elected members of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York were at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on Wednesday morning for the Hall's annual press conference for its newest members.
Four is the largest number newly elected members since 1955 when Joe DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance were chosen. The three pitchers were chosen in their first year on the ballot is a new record. It is obvious after evaluating each of the players' careers in its entirety, that each member of the Class of 2015 deserved the honor he has been given.
The press conference on January 7 was very upbeat as each of the elected was in high spirits and drew many laughs from those assembled in the Jade Room. Three of the four greats are connected to the New York metropolitan area.
Randy Johnson's accomplishments earned him a vote of 97.3%, the eighth highest total in HOF voting history. The lefty had a career mark of 303-166 and an ERA of 3.29 with 4,875 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan. During his lengthy big league career, 1988-2009, there were numerous impressive achievements in individual games and single seasons as well.
The 6'10" hurler was a 10-time All-Star, 9-time strikeout leader and 4-time ERA leader. He was a 5-time Cy Young winner, 4 years in succession (1999-2002). He is the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game.
Johnson also talked of the controversy of those two years, "I maybe didn't pitch as well as people wanted…Playing for the Yankees was at the end of my career [He began with NY at the age of 41.] I gave it everything I had [He pitched with a herniated disc in his back in 2006]." Johnson had a mark of 17-8 and 17-11 in his two seasons in the Bronx.
Johnson and Martínez played in New York, but Craig Biggio was born on Long Island. He told the media on Wednesday, "I grew up an hour and 20 minutes from here in Kings Park, New York." Biggio, whose entire career in the majors was in Houston, attended school in Kings Park, where he was a versatile and talented athlete. The high school football star was given a baseball scholarship to Seton Hall. At the college he was a teammate of future major leaguers Mo Vaughan and John Valentin.
Biggio was drafted by the Astros in 1987 and began his HOF career in the majors in 1988. Biggio's 3,060 base hits ranks 21st in major league history. He was the only player to be chosen an All-star as a catcher and as a second baseman. In his third year on the ballot, he was elected with 82.7% of the votes.
The quartet will be inducted in Cooperstown, New York on July 26.


text:
Bristol Fashion: To Blenheim, by Blenheim
I'll tell you who'd drive this car: John Steed of 'The Avengers'. As 'handbuilt cars for individuals', the four-seaters from Bristol are highly distinctive, futuristic in a certain way and yet old-fashioned, too.
I'm at the famous West London showrooms of the company to meet its owner, Toby Silverton, and test-drive a Blenheim 3S (with LPG conversion, so it's a '3SG', really).
It's something of a coup, as for years – under the ownership of ex-fighter pilot and racing driver Tony Crook – the company famously denied the press access to its product range.
Silverton, who has owned Bristol outright since Crook's departure some time ago, is more relaxed in his attitude to journalists and is proud of the marque: a car company almost unique in the world, stocking spares for every car made in its history and the world's only official sales outlet for new Bristols. It sells, services and restores used cars, too.
"It's the level of service we like to give our customers," he states. "We love the older cars and go to great lengths to ensure their survival." The 'lengths' include running the service and parts departments at 'cost plus'. While it might be an expensive car to buy (£179,951.21 including VAT for a new Blenheim, such as the one you see here), it will not be like a multi-cylinder Italian or British GT to run. The fixed labour cost for the 10,000-mile service (10 hours) is just £395 + VAT, for example. That's VW main dealer territory in London.
And the rugged, tried-and-tested, bespoke-to-Bristol Chrysler V8s can do the miles: one example known to the factory had covered almost 500,000 miles before a rebuild.
The cars are sold everywhere in the world apart from the USA, and Silverton is proud of a list of present and former owners that includes Peter Sellers, the designer Paul Smith and rock star Liam Gallagher. "How old would you say the average owner was?" he asks.
It's 43, apparently - considerably younger than that of the average Bentley customer. Am I surprised? No, I suppose not, but then the cars have a certain raffish charm that would appeal to a more modish man from the world of fashion or popular entertainment. Someone who could most definitely afford a Bentley, Ferrari or Aston, but chooses 'satisfaction' over 'sex' or 'excitement'.
They are already likely to have the latter, in abundance, one assumes.
Well, raffish and modish as they come, I was soon keen to hit the road in the silver Blenheim 3S, sitting just a few metres below in the underground car park. Blenheim Palace here we come.
Let's face it, it might not have the running costs, but neither does it have the looks of a high-octane, modern exotic. There, I've said it. Get over it; it's not an Aston Martin Rapide, so please refer to my 'satisfaction', 'sex' and 'excitement' argument above.
But you will find that the styling is born from necessity. It will seat four; indeed one car has been converted into a chauffeur-driven example by radically altering the passenger seat. Its turning circle is almost London cab-like. As with the famous black taxis of the capital, it's also narrow, so you can thread it through heavy traffic. The boot is capacious, and the lower part of the rear bodywork has been subtly widened to disguise the two-inch increase in track of the 'S' model. You can see out of every corner of the airy 'greenhouse'.
At the wheel, a Bristol driver is confronted by a multiplicity of rocker switches bought in bulk, no doubt, a while ago; but they perform their functions well. The airbag-less steering wheel is mounted some way off vertical, but proves comfortable nonetheless.
One does feel ever-so-slightly raised-up, but this aids in placing the silver car accurately on the road. I really wasn't sure what to expect once underway. The 5.9-litre Chrysler V8, mated to the same company's Torqueflite automatic gearbox, pulls very strongly. With a 3.06:1 rear axle ratio, the Blenheim S will sprint from 0-60mph in 5.4sec. It also has a 'hill climb capability top gear, 1 in 4', so the website quaintly tells me.
The whole car feels very 'useable'. Yes, that's the word. Everything works nicely and you can steer, stop and accelerate for mile after mile, all the while at peace with the world (and quite possibly wearing a hat, as the generous headroom will allow all manner of headgear). Compared with what, oh, a 1980s Aston Martin V8, what's it like? A much better drive, by far.
You do notice a number of Bristols parked kerbside in London's snazzier areas. They are clearly suitable machines for daily driving as my short experience with the silver Blenheim bore out. Easy for a long run, stress-free in town.
Outside the capital, the make is a rare sight. In a world overrun by Bond wannabes, this is a car for the John Steed in every man: individualistic and quirky, stylish and confident. As a bonus, you could wear a bowler while driving it, too.
For further information, see www.bristolcars.co.uk. This car is for sale at £84,950. Please contact Richard Hackett at the Bristol Cars showroom on +44(0)207 603 5554, or email richard.hackett@bristolcars.co.uk.
Text: Steve Wakefield
Photos: Classic Driver


The instructions below will install a basic dial-up connection for the Iridium Extreme and Iridium 9555 phones on Windows 10. This connection method is only recommended for advanced users that are comfortable with creating dial-up networking connections. Roadpost strongly recommends using third party tools to make the connection easier to create and manage.
1. Download and install the Iridium Extreme/Iridium 9555 driver for Window 7, 8.1, and 10: CLICK TO DOWNLOAD.
2. Power on your Iridium Extreme or Iridium 9555 phone.
3. Plug your Iridium Extreme or Iridium 9555 phone into your computer.
1. Click the search box and seach for "Phone and Modem".
3. The "Phone and Modem" window will open (if you are prompted to enter your dialing details, use the country code 1).
4. Click on the "Modems" tab.
6. Click on "Don't detect my modem; I will select it from a list."
8. Under "Manufacturer" click on "(Standard Modem Types), under "Models" click on "Standard 19200 bps Modem".
11. Click on the "Next" button.
12. You modem is now installed, click the "Finish" button.
13. The "Phones and Modems" window will still be open and it will display your new modem.
14. Click on the "Stanadard 19200 bps Modem" and then click on the "Properties" button.
15. Click on the "Change Settings" button.
16. Click on the "Advaced" tab.
18. Click on the "OK" button to save the change.
19. Click on the "OK" button on the "Phone and Modems" window to close it.
1. Click the search box and type in "Settings".
2. Click on the "Settings" icon in the search results.
3. The "Windows Settings" window will open.
4. Click on the "Network & Internet" option.
5. Click on "Dial-up" on the left hand side of the window.
6. Click on "Set up a new connection".
7. Click on "Connect to the Internet".
8. Click on the "Next" button.
9. The message "You are already connected to the Internet" may appear, click on "Set up a new connection anyway."
10. Click on "Dial-up" followed by the "Next" button.
11. In the "Dial-up phone number" field enter 008816000025.
12. Leave the "User name" and "Password" fields blank.
13. Enter any name you like for the "Connection name" field.
14. Click on the "Connect" button.
15. The connection may fail, click on "Set up the connection anyway" option.
1. Disconnect your computer from Wi-Fi and then go outside with the phone connected with your computer.
2. Click on the network icon on your computer's system tray.
3. Click on the dial-up connection you created.
4. Click on the "Connect" button.


text:
La rue Victor-Hugo est une voie située dans le quartier des Coutures à Bagnolet dans le département de la Seine-Saint-Denis en France.

Situation et accès
Débutant à la rue Édouard-Vaillant, la rue Victor-Hugo est orientée d'ouest en est et croise successivement la rue Jules-Ferry, la rue Gustave-Nickles, le passage Victor-Hugo, la rue de l'Égalité, la rue Étienne-Dolet et la rue Robespierre pour finir à la rue de la Fraternité (partagée entre les communes de Bagnolet, numéros pairs, et de Montreuil, numéros impairs) et se prolonger par la rue des Sorins à Montreuil.

Elle est desservie par la station de métro Robespierre, sur la ligne 9 du métro de Paris.

Origine du nom

Elle porte le nom du poète, dramaturge, écrivain et homme politique français Victor Hugo (1802-1885).

Historique

Au fil du temps, des logements étaient devenus insalubres, une certaine délinquance s'était installée, des personnes y vivaient dans une certaine précarité. Pour y mettre fin, la municipalité préempta un certain nombre de logements. Dans les années 2010, cette rue subit une transformation complète, accompagnée de l'expulsion d'habitants et de la destruction d'anciens bâtis. Des squats sont vidés dans des conditions prêtant à controverse.

Le quartier, à partir de cette période, tend à s'améliorer, des bâtiments sont réhabilités et des travaux importants entamés.

Bâtiments remarquables et lieux de mémoire

 L'immeuble du  de la rue est au centre de l'intrigue de la mini-série franco-belge L'Agent immobilier réalisée par les auteurs israéliens Etgar Keret et Shira Geffen, avec Mathieu Amalric et Eddy Mitchell dans les rôles principaux, et diffusée sur Arte en .

Notes et références

Transport routier en Île-de-France
Victor-Hugo
Bagnolet

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Please call me for a free consultation regarding your tax problem. I have been representing Hawaii taxpayers since 1993 in civil and criminal tax matters. I am also available to assist out-of-state landlords and vacation rental operators get into compliance with Hawaii's GE and TA tax laws. Look me up on www.JDSupra.com or see my website at www.taxsolutionslawyer.com for more information.


Can't slip away to the pool hall? No problem! This pint-size, felt-lined billiards table comes complete with a miniature cue, rack, balls, ball return—and even a tiny bridge for those tricky, hard-to-hit shots. An accompanying 48-page booklet includes a colorful history of the sport, sections on pool lingo and the anatomy of a pool table, and how-to instructions and tips for playing Eight Ball, Cowboy Pool, Baseball Billiards, Killer, Cutthroat and more than 25 other games. Rack 'em up!


text: Q: Which overload would match the call when using a ref? I am faced with a TS error I do not understand with the following code:


text:
douglas-ames
Posted on February 21, 2004 November 5, 2019 by Arthur Newmark
Douglas Ames
197 Cal. App. 4th 1411; 2011 Cal. App. LEXIS 1019 (July 6, 2011)
The Court of Appeal (Fourth District Division 3) affirmed a Commission decision excluding petitioner's proposed "thermal energy storage" project from eligibility for customer incentives provided by energy utilities. The Court, citing Greyhound (Para. 71, infra) , concluded that the Commission had correctly construed Section 454.5 of the Public Utilities Code. The Court held that while Section 454.5 governs the utility's development of overall procurement plans, it did not constrain the Commission in any fashion with respect to its approval of specific demand response proposals. The Court also concluded that while there was an "abundance of evidence submitted by Ames demonstrating the merits of thermal energy storage, the Commission was entitled to conclude that questions remained about the desirability of implementing Ames' proposal- questions which required further analysis before imposing a change in policy." The Court's opinion reminds practitioners that there is no fixed outcome under the "substantial evidence" standard of Section 1757(a)(4). (Nor, indeed, has a court or statute ever fixed a general burden of proof in non-adjudicatory matters before the Commission.) (But see, Section 854(e).) Complex proceedings such as that under review in this decision posit myriad outcomes and there is likely more than one that can be deemed to be "supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record." The Court initially decided not to publish this decision but subsequently granted the Commission's request for publication. The Court denied the Commission's request that a companion decision (related to rate design) be published. Mr. Ames sought review in the California Supreme Court but review was denied.


The woman painting my nails, several miles to the north of the National Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, told me she had never been to the museum. But she thought it was a good idea. She was Black. I had no words to tell her what visiting the museum had meant to me. I did want to scold her for living a stone's throw from the building but never having been there. Then I thought it inappropriate for many reasons, not least of which was because there I was on my Memorial Day weekend, celebrating my freedom by getting a $40 manicure. Who was I to scold. So I said nothing. She asked me how much it was to get in. I told her I could not recall, but that children and seniors get in for a reduced rate.
I chose A Ouibit of Red for my nails.
Did anyone visiting that day catch the symbolism of this view from the museum's grand hall? Across the vast, open space I could see the Ohio River, and beyond that, Kentucky. Once, a river separated enslavement from freedom. A few generations separated me from feeling the relief ancestors must have felt looking back from the Ohio side. Behind me as I was getting this shot a group of field tripping high school students—Black, White and Hispanic—were relating to their museum guide what they learned about the major cash crops the enslaved Africans harvested. They recited words by rote memory and the guide, a young Black woman, praised each answer—even the incorrect ones.
I went through the museum reading the posted plaques. I opted against the recorded self-tour after being somewhat put off by the actors' voices portraying US slavery-era Blacks. They sounded like cartoon characters. The woman who took our money and gave us our tickets (reduced price for children and seniors) had given us the children's tour. I wondered if the voices on the adult self guided tour sounded any different.
I was somewhat annoyed by the juxtapositions of new and shiny and gleaming, and old (or, in many cases, replications of old). I walked inside the slave pen. Inside the pen was myself and (I am assuming by their dress) an Amish family. There were seven of us inside the log walls of the pen. I tried to imagine the pen filled with three, four, five times that number for days, weeks, months at a time. I could not imagine.
I was cataloging my reactions—for later retelling to friends and family back home and to visitors to this blog. "Antiseptic" was a word I kept using in my head. The actual artifacts were walled away in protective glass in a protective enclosed atmosphere in order to preserve them for future generations. The replicas were made to look old, but I have seen enough episodes of home shows on HGTV to know how they were likely artificially aged. Everything was clean. Antiseptic.
This time line marched history along a curved wall in perfect, orderly, well-lit fashion. The years in between were lost. The vastness of those years was also lost.
I imagined a walk outside the grounds of the museum and throughout the city's downtown. Each decade would be a half mile or so on the path, with markers all the way telling of the key events and figures and laws and battles and speeches. People would walk along the path, hopefully growing tired before they even reached the Civil War.
Yet… That would probably still be fairly antiseptic. There would probably be several Dippin Dots kiosks along the time line path.
I thought a lot about the field trip groups making their way through the museum. Several of the exhibits were life sized. This allowed the children to literally place themselves into the exhibits.
One of the boys decided that he would have hidden a knife in his pants. Then another boy became enthralled by a long machete depicted in another exhibit and decided he would rather wield that weapon.
I longed to tell them all to STFU, but their chaperon was only steps behind me. She, a White woman, was listening to the self-guided tour. She appeared to be crying.
The boy stood up, glancing at me as he did. I suppose I gave him a look, or perhaps it was his rebuke by the girl (who he had probably been trying to impress). But he stopped smiling and laughing and walked quickly away from the exhibit.
But at least she had words. Apparently I just had a look.
I sat next to one of the life-sized seated men and took my shot.
One of the exhibits appeared at first to just be a darkened room with a large clear center column containing what looked like thousands of colored glass beads. I walked through quickly, in search of my children who I thought had gone on ahead of me. I found one with her grandfather, then returned through the room to search for my other child. I found her looking at the time line with her father.
I walked back through the darkened room. I stopped this time to look. The plaque said that the room was dedicated to all the Africans who did not make the Middle Passage with their lives. The colored beads were meant to represent them, because their names have—like their lives—been lost. I walked back through the room and suddenly burst into tears. I stood in a corner and silently cried for a few moments before catching up with my daughter and my father-in-law.
I amended my mental blog post to remove the word antiseptic.
My children also cried. One cried while reading the account of Margaret Garner, the woman on whose account Toni Morrison's Beloved is based. She told me through her tears…it was so terrible…why would a mother do something like that?
I tried to explain that this shows how horrible slavery was, that a mother would rather her children be dead than return to be slaves. Could she imagine how horrible that must have been? She told me she hated slavery, and I was glad.
Both cried during a short film that used actors to portray a mother, her young daughter, and teenaged son about to be separated as the young man prepared to run away from his family and the plantation.
I almost did not go into the little theater, prepared to be annoyed at the actors. But I, too, cried. We hugged each other and remained seated for a few moments after the film credits ended. I asked my daughters if they wanted to ask me anything about the film. One said, "It was all just so sad." I was happy that she was sad. All I said was that I agreed.
My other daughter wondered if the young man in the film made it. I reminded her that this was just a reenactment, but that some Blacks made it and some did not.
They wanted to go upstairs to the fourth floor to the genealogy center to "look up all of Paw-Paw's brothers and sisters." But it was nearly time for us to leave. We went through one other exhibit, then headed for the gift shop.
One daughter chose as her souvenir a fair trade beaded bracelet made somewhere in South America. She opted for no bag, immediately put it on her wrist, and remembered without me telling her to say "thank you" to her grandparents for buying it for her.
One daughter chose a finger puppet of Harriet Tubman. She picked Tubman over the finger puppet of Frederick Douglass, someone who I think was supposed to be Che Guevara, and several other figures I could not readily identify. The puppet was affixed with a magnet so that, I suppose, after you are finished putting your finger up through Black Moses's skirt and lodging it into her head, you can use her to put your shopping list up on the refrigerator.
I was troubled by this thought and tried to convince my daughter to look at the free trade bracelets that her sister had already chosen from. But she was having none of it. She wanted the Harriet Tubman finger puppet with a passion.
Although…her finger puppet Harriet Tubman's words sounded much like Professor Minerva McGonagal talking to Harry Potter about the adequacy of his incantations at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before I could become annoyed, I told myself that at least my daughter knew the words. That's a start.
I was captivated by your account of the experience, and wondering if I might be a little like your nail tech – knowing that it existed, but not quite committed to going. As a mother of three I haven't had that experience, but I remember my daughter reading from American Girls about Addy's story and telling me that "all of this just couldn't be true." I hadn't read the story, didn't know the depth of the material, and was caught off guard when I had to sit down with a six year old and explain a whip, the breaking of families, Addy's run from slavery with her mother, and the origins of my own name which means Beloved. My mother, so taken by the story and so clearly connected with the choices a mother – especially a young mother – might make, named me with the meaning she struggled to find. Giving voice to this experience, and others, serves to remind us all, of the real lessons we must teach. and learn.
I don't know what adjective to use to explain the ambivalence most of us feel about the true horrors of slavery starting with the middle passage. Can you just imagine laying on the bottom of a darkened ship until your skin rubbed off. How about smelling death for hundreds of days …feces dripping on you?
Yeah, sterile, I bet it was. Even in the movies told about our journey to this new land and our lives as slaves, we have given the responsibilty of preserving our history to those that shaped it.
Another nice post, pprscribe. Well, 40 dollars for nails is way too much. I bet that finger puppet didn't cost nearly that much.
Thanks you, Aimee and CareyCarey, for your comments.
Aimee, my girls were the same age as yours when we read the Addy series. I was glad that the books did not sugar coat slavery or the struggles after freedom. But you are right—it was a difficult thing to process myself while at the same time helping them process it.
What a wonderful connection with your own name. That is something I never knew about you!
Carey, "horrors" is right—and that probably still does not adequately describe it. You're right: I cannot imagine. In the end, I guess the museum was not as sterile as I thought at first since it did affect me. I am now interested to read up on the planning of the exhibits. I am sure it was a very painstaking process to get the right balance between facts, emotions, interactivity, and aesthetics.


All Passport Acceptance Facilities only handle DS-11 Application forms, which are used for first-time applicants and minor renewals, or applications whose passport has been expired for over 15 years. DS-11 forms are also to reapply if a passport has been lost or stolen.
It is recommended to arrive with your paperwork complete to ensure swift service. It takes an Acceptance Agent an average of 30 minutes to review and confirm completeness of the application and documentation.
You will check into the Reception Area located in RM 113A, of Cousins Hall on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus. Passport services are available, for walk-in services, Tuesday - Thursday, 9 am - 3:30 pm and by appointment only on Monday and Friday, 9 am - 12 pm.
If arriving with incomplete paperwork, documentation, or forms of payment, please expect longer service times. If arriving with all documentation in order, shorter service time may be expected.
To calculate the total costs of your passport application fees, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website, here.
If applying as a group or family, each individual will need a separate form of payment, i.e. a family of four are applying, please bring five forms of payment, one for each applicant, and one for the combined second payment.
No credit or debit cards, temporary, counter, or business checks, or cash are accepted on behalf of the US Department of State as stated on their website.
The $35 execution fee and the express mail option can be paid online here. Acceptable payments through the online store are credit/debit cards or personal check.
No cash or check payments will be accepted.
An acceptance facility cannot deny your ability to apply based on evidence submitted that seems insufficient. You will be notified if something appears to be missing or inaccurate at the time of application, and you can decide whether or not to provide or correct based on the agent's suggestion.
The final decision on passport issuance is ultimately up to the US Department of State. In the event that your application is rejected or delayed by the US Department of State, you will receive a letter or email giving you instructions n how to correct the situation, and you will typically have 90 days to provide requested proof. Generally, you can do this on your own and do not need to return to the acceptance facility.


SPEEDY GO is a Loading... luxury yacht, built by MAG France and delivered in 1984. Her top speed is 11.5kn and her power comes from a 260.0hp MTU diesel engine. She can accommodate up to 6 people with 3 crew members waiting on their every need.


text:
Keir Starmer 'games with democracy' prompt walkout
Denis Staunton
Left-wingers on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) staged a virtual walkout on Tuesday, accusing Keir Starmer of promoting factional d(...)
Tony Abbott 'the wrong appointment on every level' as trade adviser
Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott says he is looking forward to contributing his "expertise" in global commerce to help Britain in his new (...)
BBC under siege as government threatens to scrap licence fee
March 5, 2020, 20:00
Before she was eliminated from the Labour leadership contest last month, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said it was a measure of her devoti(...)
Parliament facilitates Withdrawal Agreement Bill to become law
Boris Johnson's Brexit deal is set to become law on Thursday after both houses of parliament approved the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on Wednesday after(...)
Key GMB union backs Lisa Nandy for Labour Party leadership
Lisa Nandy received a major boost in her attempt to become the next leader of the UK's opposition Labour party after securing the support of the GMB u(...)
Corbyn faces party backlash over peerage for close aide
Jeremy Corbyn faced a backlash from within Labour on Sunday for nominating his former chief of staff Karie Murphy for a peerage while the party is und(...)
UK Labour Party leadership race: The five contenders
The five candidates to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader will face off on Saturday in the first hustings of a three-month campaign that will prod(...)
Labour poll puts Rebecca Long-Bailey out in front in leadership race
The five candidates to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader have begun seeking the support of unions, other affiliated bodies and constituency(...)
Five make it through to next round of Labour leadership contest
Five candidates have won enough support from Labour MPs to enter the second round in a three-stage contest to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as party leader. (...)
Keir Starmer gains initiative in race to be UK Labour party leader
January 8, 2020, 17:31
Keir Starmer has gained the initiative in the race to become the next leader of the UK's main opposition Labour Party after he was endorsed by Unison,(...)


text:
Gas Loads from Elastomer and Metal Seals
Although metal seals are inherently better than elastomer seals in terms of cleanliness, bakeability, outgassing rate, and atmospheric permeation, they have disadvantages in terms of both ease of use and cost. This disparity fosters a tendency to want to make compromises that are driven more by human needs than by process requirements. The correct choice is often the difference between a system that fulfills process requirements or one that does not. The major performance difference between the two often comes down to a consideration of gas loads from each, so a rational decision requires an understanding of the gas loads that are inherent with elastomer seals.
There are two major gas load considerations:
Bulk outgassing, and
Atmospheric permeation.
Bulk Outgassing
Gas emanating from within the bulk of the elastomer material itself can be a major residual gas constituent. This is especially true from new material that has not been vacuum treated by previous use or special treatment. If a new O-ring is used to seal a flange on a vacuum chamber, it is usually obvious, from observing either pumpdown performance or ultimate pressure, that the new seal is adding a greater gas load to the system than had been observed by the older O-ring it had replaced. This gas load will decline slowly over hours, days, or weeks. Initial gas loads from fresh materials are usually from water vapor emanating from within the bulk and contamination from either surface handling (finger grease and oils) or trapped and unreacted volatiles from the manufacturing process.
Cleaning the O-rings with solvents should be scrupulously avoided because the material will absorb large amounts of solvent that will need to be slowly pumped away after the O-ring is installed. If the material is suspected to be contaminated with hydrocarbons already, it will have to be cleaned. One way of handling this is to bake the O-ring in a vacuum oven. Vacuum baked O-rings are commercially available.
If a vacuum oven isn't available, an air bake is a reasonable compromise, but baking times of days are usually required as opposed to hours under vacuum. Either of two thermal treatments will drive off a good deal of the water or other volatile vapors from within the bulk. A simple air bake with an infrared bulb works well and is economical, but beware of placing the O-rings on, or within a wrapping of, household aluminum foil. The foil usually has a thin residual coating of manufacturing lubricants such as peanut oil which puts contamination right back on the O-ring. Aluminum foil that has been cleaned to UHV standards is commercially available. Handle the material with gloved fingers. Thermally treated O-rings should be immediately installed or stored in a desiccator to prevent them from re-absorbing large amounts of water vapor from the atmosphere.
Pre-conditioning the O-ring will help a great deal in removing gases that will otherwise require extended pumping to remove them and "outgas" the material, but always remember that they will continue to emanate small quantities of gas ad infinitum. There is no such thing as a totally gas-free elastomer when compared to the cleanliness of a metal gasket.
Permeation
All vacuum materials are permeable to atmospheric gases to some extent. A commonly observed example of permeation occurs during long-term helium probing or bagging during leak detection where the leak detector's helium signal slowly increases due to helium permeation instead of the sharp signal increase expected from a real leak. Most O-ring materials are more permeable to helium than they are to air.
Elastomers are, in general, much more permeable than metals. The degree of permeability and the effect of the permeating gases to the process have to be carefully considered before making an elastomer or metal decision. Additionally, a decision on the elastomer material is required since permeation rates vary. The effects of O-ring permeation become increasingly important as the material becomes "outgassed" by extended pumping time or baking.
The two most common materials in present use are Buna-N and Viton.1 Although Viton is the most commonly used today due to its lower permeability and higher temperature tolerance, Buna-N is still used and available in most catalogs. It's almost impossible to tell the difference between Viton and Buna-N by looking at them, but they can be identified by tapping them gently with something like a wrench or screwdriver handle. If it bounces, it's buna-N, but if it goes thunk, it's Viton.
Both of these materials are permeable to gases. Although the permeation rates are small compared to a leak, they can have an effect upon the ultimate pressure that can be achieved in a system. In a dynamically pumped system such as a process system, it is intended that the high vacuum pump will deal with the amount of gas permeating from atmosphere into the chamber through the elastomer seals. In a sealed-off system where no pumping is provided, the gas permeating into the system will allow a slow, but steady, increase in pressure. To gain an appreciation for permeation, consider this pressure rise. A single ISO/KF-16 Viton O-ring on a one liter chamber will rise, if the pump valve is closed, at 1 x 10-6 torr to 1 x 10-3 torr in 222 minutes (3.7 hours) by air permeation alone.
Permeation Rates for Air
BUNA-N 2.5 X 10-7 torr liters/sec./linear inch
VITON 2.5 X 10-8 torr liters/sec./linear inch
The fact that Viton has an air permeation rate that is one order of magnitude lower than Buna-N shows one reason why it is used more and more often in high vacuum systems even though Buna-N's resiliency, as evidenced by the bounce test, makes it easier to achieve a leak-free seal. The rates given above are averages since permeation rates will vary from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, these average rates are repeatable enough to allow performance calculations to be made that are reliable enough for most applications
Note that the permeation rates are given in terms of linear inches. This is because the relative thickness of the O-rings in most vacuum systems have little effect on the total permeation rate compared to the total exposed length. The permeating air flows slowly and continuously through the bulk of the O-ring in an equilibrium fashion so there is no real depletion gradient through the cross-section that would have much effect.
The fundamental relationship,
Q=SP
Gas Load = Pumping Speed x Pressure,
can be used to calculate performance expectations when elastomer seals
are used or not used.
Q= total linear inches of O-ring x permeation rate/linear inch = Total torr liters/sec. gas load from elastomer permeation alone. In a practical sense, consider a small system with a 50 liter/sec. effective pumping speed and six, 2-3/4 in od Conflat2 flanges with a gasket length of 6 inches/gasket. The figure shows the performance effects as each Viton gasket is replaced with copper. As shown in the figure, the inclusion or exclusion of each elastomer gasket's permeation gas load can have a dramatic effect on a system's performance.
These effects help explain why many modern systems use a combination of copper and elastomer gaskets where the ratio of copper-to-elastomer is a well thought out compromise. If, for example, a flange is to be installed and left in place for long periods, the extra trouble of using copper with its requirement of a lot of bolts, high bolt torque, and installation time is negligible. If, though, a flange is to be opened and closed frequently, the ease and speed of using an elastomer gasket is often a good trade-off against the higher permeation rate.
In cases where a large seal must be used such as on a sputtering target or a fully opening system door, it is usually impractical to use a metal gasket, but the high permeation rate of an O-ring gasket must be avoided. A simple way to solve this is to use two concentric elastomer O-rings with a channel between them that can be pumped down to a medium pressure (10 torr) with an auxiliary pump. This technique limits the amount of gas available for permeation through the inner O-ring.
1Viton, du Pont Trademark
2Conflat, Varian Trademark


September 5, 2014--For such a powerful animal, a horse can certainly be vulnerable to illness and injury, and every horse owner needs to know how to recognize and respond to problems.
So EquiSearch and Zoetis are sponsoring a free online webinar, "Equine First Aid: How to Handle Common Emergencies" featuring veterinarian Jeff Hall of Equine Technical Services, on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern. To sign up, visit: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/182038710.
During this hour-long webinar, Dr. Hall will explain how to deal with common and unexpected horse health problems including lacerations, bandaging, colic and more. It's a must for horse owners and horse fans alike, and there will be time reserved at the end for questions.
More about Dr. Hall: Jeff Hall is an Area Veterinarian on the Equine Technical Services team for Zoetis. Dr. Hall earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at North Carolina State University in 2001. He completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at North Carolina State University in 2002.
Dr. Hall joined Pfizer Animal Health in 2012 following a 10-year career as an associate veterinarian at Equus Veterinary Service in Oregon City, OR. Equus is a large, exclusively equine practice with a full service hospital and ambulatory division. Dr. Hall focused on many aspects of veterinary service including preventative care, critical care, internal medicine and surgery.
An active leader in both his profession and community, Dr. Hall served as a board member on the Northwest Equine Practitioners Association. He is an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners as well as the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Hall lives in San Luis Obispo, California with his wife Chea, a small animal veterinarian, and his two children.
You're on a trail ride and your horse gets hurt. What do you do? Dr. Judith Marteniuk of Michigan State University discusses equine first aid in a webinar produced by My Horse University.
GlobalVetLINK? (GVL), the leader in digital solutions for animal health, is proud to announce the upcoming CE webinar, Equine Digital Best Practices Panel on February 5th.
Join EQUUS for a free webinar with with David Frisbie, DVM, PhD, on November 21 at 7 p.m. EST.


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Mormugao is the main port of the Indian state of Goa, located on the tip of a peninsula in the Indian Ocean. Panjim, which is located 25 mi/40 km from the port, is the capital of Goa and is a pleasant and friendly city. Vasco is a smaller town closer to the port that includes railway lines into other parts of Goa.


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Links To Click: Kate Upton Poses In An Unlikely Place, Cher's Concert Tour, More!
byValeria Nekhim 6 years ago
End your day with some eye-grabbing Internet news!
1. Kate Upton will appear in, get this — Golf Digest's December issue. In this exclusive behind-the-scenes video, the supermodel wears mis-matched patterns and helps gold legend Arnold Palmer with his swing. [Golf Digest]
2. Social media's favorite early adapter, and all-around PR genius, Aliza Licht, aka DKNY PR Girl, announced via her Instagram feed she's received a book deal. No word on the title or when it will be released, but we're hoping for some good fashion industry scoop. [Fashionista]
3. Emmy's 2013: The Best and Worst Beauty Of The Night. [Beauty High]
4. Some people are terrible at goodbyes, namely Cher, who announced today she'll be going on a 49 city North American tour called 'Dressed To Kill ' starting March 2014.
5. As the artistic director of Condé Nast since March, Anna Wintour has been busy revamping Lucky and Traveler, both of which were flailing, and now it's being reported she's taking on Glamour, a publication with a large print circulation that's experiencing a drop in ad pages. [New York Times]
6. We're hardly surprised Ivanka Trump's bedroom is as glam as it gets, in this week's featured room. [The Vivant]
7. Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, wrote an open letter announcing she's going on a hunger strike to protest the dismal prison conditions she's forced to endure. [The Guardian]
8. Here's how to get Zooey Deschanel's checkered nails from the Emmys. [Daily Makeover]
MORE: Selena Gomez Lunches With Anna Wintour: 5 Things They Could've Been Talking About


The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of World War II. The battle lasted from 23 October to 5 November 1942.
The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery took command of the British Eighth Army from General Claude Auchinleck in August 1942.
The Allied victory turned the tide in the North African Campaign. It ended Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, taking control of the Suez Canal, and gaining access to the Middle Eastern oil fields.
The Battle of El Alamein, from 23 October to 5 November 1942, was one of the largest battles involving the western allies in the whole of the war with Germany. El Alamein was part of the series of battles that saw the British Commonwealth forces advancing and retreating across the coastal plain and desert hinterland of North Africa from 1940 to 1943. The prize for the Axis (German and Italian forces under the command of the German general, Erwin Rommel) was Egypt and the Suez Canal. The destruction of the Axis forces in the Theatre was the focus of Allied operations. El Alamein was, in effect the closest the Axis came to achieving their goal. Once that battle was over, the Axis forces were in continual retreat until finally destroyed, in Tunisia on 11 May 1943, by the westward advancing 8th Army and the Allied Forces coming east from the Torch Landings.


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SN 2009lo – supernowa typu II-P odkryta 20 listopada 2009 roku w galaktyce UGC 717. W momencie odkrycia miała maksymalną jasność 18,20.

Przypisy

Supernowe zaobserwowane w 2009 roku