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England win first Cricket World Cup after all-time classic
Loop Sports Created : 15 July 2019 Sport
England's captain Eoin Morgan is sprayed with champagne as he raises the trophy after winning the Cricket World Cup final match between England and New Zealand at Lord's cricket ground in London, Sunday, July 14, 2019. England won after a super over after the scores ended tied after 50 overs each. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Jos Buttler threw his gloves into the sky and wheeled away in celebration. Jofra Archer slid on his chest across the Lord's turf and beat the ground. Joe Root punched the air as he was lifted up by a teammate.
After more than nine stomach-churning hours, the first Super Over in Cricket World Cup history, and one of the most extraordinary overs ever played, England ended its agonizing 44-year wait to be world champion of the sport it invented.
"The most ridiculous game of cricket to have ever been played," was how Buttler, England's wicketkeeper, summed up a crazy World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday that had pretty much everything.
A sporting contest for the ages finished with England winning courtesy of a tiebreaker that few inside the home of cricket had likely ever heard of, or even understood: Boundaries countback.
That was because England and New Zealand — both bidding for a first Cricket World Cup title — couldn't be separated after the regulation 50 overs a side (each team scored 241) and then a nerve-shredding Super Over (both teams scored 15) played in early evening sunshine in northwest London.
In the end, England prevailed because it hit a total of 26 boundaries — fours and sixes scored across both the 50 overs and the Super Over — compared with New Zealand's 17.
"The guys are shattered," New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. "It's devastating. Tough to swallow."
It was a slow-burner of a final that reached an astonishing crescendo at Lord's.
Chasing 242 to win after New Zealand won the toss and posted 241-8, England slumped to 86-4 before a partnership of 110 between Buttler (59) and New Zealand-born Ben Stokes (84) ensured the match would go to the wire.
Needing 22 to win off the final nine balls, Stokes smashed the ball high from Jimmy Neesham toward long-on. Trent Boult took the catch but fell back and stood on the boundary cushion before he had time to release the ball to teammate Martin Guptill nearby. Guptill signaled a six should be awarded and the umpires obliged.
The target to win was 15 heading into the last over, bowled by Boult. After two dot balls, Stokes slogged a six over midwicket. Nine runs were needed off three balls.
Stokes smashed the next ball into the leg side and set off to run two. As he sprinted back to the striker's end, he dived and stretched his bat out in a desperate bid to reach the crease — only for the ball, thrown in by Guptill, to strike Stokes' bat and deflect all the way to the boundary.
Confusion reigned but England had just scored six runs — two run, along with a four. Three required off two balls.
"That was a bit of a shame, wasn't it?" Williamson said.
Stokes was still on strike and he pushed down the ground, setting off again for a two to ensure he kept the strike. Adil Rashid was running to the non-striker's end and was easily run out, but Stokes had the strike and England had an extra run.
In an almost exact replica of that next-to-last delivery, Stokes toed a yorker out to long-on and again attempted to run two. This time it was Mark Wood run out at the non-striker's end, but again England collected the single to take the match to the rare Super Over.
Fans had their hands around their heads in amazement. A rule explainer came up on the big screen.
After a 10-minute break, Stokes and Buttler — the first two of England's three designated batsmen — came back out and hit 3, 1, 4, 1, 2 and 4 between them.
The Black Caps had to score more than England because of their inferior boundary count. And thanks mainly to a six by Jimmy Neesham, they needed two off the final ball.
Guptill, who seemed to be involved in all of the match's defining moments, hit it into the legside. He scrambled back for a second run that would have earned the Black Caps their first world title but Buttler showed extraordinary composure to collect Jason Roy's throw from deep midwicket and remove the bails with his left hand.
England's players erupted in celebration — but still had an agonizing wait before the decision was confirmed by the TV umpire.
"OUT," read the message on the big screen after Guptill was shown to be three yards (meters) out of the crease.
"I can't believe what has happened," England allrounder Chris Woakes said. "I can't get my head around it."
There were so many players to be celebrated for their contributions, particularly Stokes.
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, he was involved in the final almost a year after he was cleared by a court of affray following a street brawl on a night out in September 2017.
That deflection for four off his bat will be replayed and replayed.
"I said to Kane Williamson," Stokes said, "that I'll be apologizing for that for the rest of my life."
Humiliated in a group-stage exit at the 2015 World Cup, England ripped up its ODI gameplan and started all over again with a new coach, a new director of cricket and a new mindset.
Four years later, they are on top of the world in the most unforgettable way.
England and New Zealand battle for Cricket World Cup trophy on Sunday
Finch admits Australia were 'totally outplayed' by England
New Zealand stun India to reach World Cup final


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Maximum penalties for train disruptions to increase
Royston Sim
Deputy News Editor
https://str.sg/39Kf
The Land Transport Authority intends to peg the maximum penalty for each train disruption to a percentage of operators' annual fare revenue from the affected MRT line.
It is aiming to complete the required legislative changes later this year. This change, when effected, means the maximum fine will increase from its current ceiling of $1 million per incident.
The authority is also revising the penalty framework to place greater emphasis on service reliability. It will adjust penalties for non-compliance of operating performance standards and codes of practices.
These were among the regulatory enhancements announced by Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew after he visited SMRT Bishan Depot Thursday morning. In July last year, the authority said it would strengthen its regulatory framework in accordance with recommendations by a high-level Committee of Inquiry. That probe came after two major disruptions on the North-South Line in December 2011.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Hi Fly outlines role as management platform for used A380s
Hi Fly chief executive Paulo Mirpuri sees the Portuguese ACMI operator playing an increasing role as a "platform" for management of Airbus A380s as they enter the secondary market over the coming decade.
"There will be a lot of A380s coming back into the market in the next 10 years," Mirpuri said at the UK Aviation Club in London on 12 June. "We believe that Hi Fly is a good platform to manage those assets for their owners and create value for their owners and for our clients."
Hi Fly became the first operator of a second-hand A380 when it took delivery of an ex-Singapore Airlines aircraft owned by Doric in mid-2018. Since then, Hi Fly has found a variety of customers for ad-hoc charters of the widebody, including Norwegian, Thomas Cook and Air Senegal.
Mirpuri says the Portuguese wet-lease provider will "definitely" take more of the widebodies as their original operators or owners begin phasing them out.
He describes the A380 as being "ahead of its time" and believes that the market for the jet will develop over the coming 10 to 15 years as air passenger volumes and demand outstrip airport capacity.
Hi Fly, he notes, operates with a model of having "zero debt" on its balance sheet, which makes the case for managing A380s owned by other operators.
The airline's strategy will involve introducing the jet to the "significant" number of airports that have not "seen the A380 before", says Mirpuri, noting that gateways that have limited slot availability but from which there is untapped demand for travel at peak times would typically make good candidates for the jet.
Hi Fly will seek to avoid deploying the type at airports where A380s are already operated, he adds.
Mirpuri says the introduction of the A380 to airports that are new to the type has not come without its "challenges", with "accessibility" proving to be a particular problem. But he says customer feedback on the jet has been good, and that passengers "love it".
In order to compete on price with other aircraft types, an operator would typically need to equip an A380 with close to 650 seats, he argues.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
Air India teases 'historic' aircraft order as airline marks first year under Tata ownership
Air India is expected to make an imminent aircraft order announcement, as new owners Tata Sons today marked a year since they took control of the carrier.
More Strategy
Cebu Pacific eyes profitable Q1
Cebu Pacific is hoping to rebound to profitability in the quarter to 31 March, though it remains wary of potential challenges including fuel costs.
Southwest end-year meltdown costs $800 million, leads to Q4 loss
Southwest Airlines lost $220 million during the fourth quarter of 2022 after it was battered by a system-wide meltdown during the busiest travel days of the end-of-year holiday season.
Alaska posts $58m full-year profit on record revenues
Alaska Air Group posted record full-year operating revenues of $9.65 billion in 2022 and a net profit of $58 million for the year.


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Home > Boost your pandemic protection
Boost your pandemic protection
Health is often on our minds as we start the new year. In 2022, that means considering the latest COVID-19 variants and the best ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones. For some that means a booster shot when it's time. (If you haven't yet gotten your primary vaccine series, jump to Why Now? on page 6.)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends booster shots for anyone aged 16 or older. (If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, talk to your doctor first.) Although the first coronavirus vaccines people got were highly effective at producing antibodies to fight against COVID-19, at a certain point protection starts to diminish, explains Dr. Paul Mayer, medical officer for the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. A booster shot aids in further 'boosting' the antibodies in the immune system. Early evidence also suggests a booster provides the best protection against the new Omicron variant.
"The first vaccine primes your immune system to make antibody producing cells," he says. "If you re-challenge the immune system, it produces a larger response."
In Colorado, you are eligible for a booster shot if you are 16 years or older and were fully vaccinated with a Pfizer vaccine series more than 6 months ago, or older than 18 and received the Moderna shots more than 6 months ago. If you got the single Johnson & Johnson (J&J) shot more than 2 months ago, you are also eligible. (These requirements are as of December 27, so check covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine for any updates.)
It's important to note that adults can choose any kind of booster regardless of what they got in the past. The CDC recommends that any of the available approved vaccines for COVID-19 can be given as a booster (except for 16 and 17 year olds, who are currently approved only for Pfizer shots). However, several studies have shown that mRNA booster vaccines—Pfizer and Moderna are the ones authorized for use in the U.S.—are more effective than the J&J booster, even if you received the J&J shot as your primary vaccination, Mayer points out. Also, in December the CDC recommended adults receive an mRNA vaccine over J&J due to concerns over rare side effects with J&J.
Mixing and matching vaccines
Medical providers report getting lots of questions about boosters. In particular, whether patients should stick with the same brand of vaccine or mix and match their primary vaccine and booster from different manufacturers.
It is really a personal preference, says Mayer, also a primary care doctor practicing at Columbine Health Systems. "If you got the Pfizer series and you know that in your immune system it did fine, then get that booster. The important thing is to get it as soon as you are eligible, so if the Moderna booster is the one available instead, do that."
No matter which booster you choose, be prepared for a possible reaction. Common side effects are headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, among others. Two-thirds of people who get a COVID-19 vaccine will have some side effects, but the side effects usually resolve within a day or two. That is preferable to getting COVID and potentially suffering worse symptoms, and for much longer, Mayer notes.
As we have seen with the Delta variant, and now with Omicron, the virus tends to mutate to forms that are more transmissible with higher viral loads. "The process of mutation is part of the natural process and will continue," Mayer says. "Our best defense at this point remains vaccination and boosters. Some of the newly approved medicines offer hope as well, though supplies are going to be limited for some months."
The unfortunate reality is that someone who is vaccinated can still get and spread COVID, but you are at a much lower risk of a poor outcome if you experience a breakthrough case. "The vaccine is very effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID—it's 90 percent protective that you won't die of COVID," Mayer says. "No vaccines are perfect. Sadly there are some breakthrough cases, but overall you are way better off getting the vaccine."
Locally, a very small fraction of patients treated for serious COVID-19-related illness at area UCHealth hospitals around Thanksgiving were fully vaccinated, according to Ryan Rohman, chief operating officer of UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies. "Across Colorado, more than 80 percent of adults are vaccinated against coronavirus (as of late December), but inside our hospitals we're seeing the other 20 percent who are unvaccinated making up the majority of our patients suffering from COVID-19."
Since the effectiveness of the vaccines wane over time, "we recommend getting a booster dose to get back to highly protective levels and prevent severe illness and hospitalizations amongst most people," Rohman says.
A booster not only protects those who have been vaccinated, but it can also add to the immunity generated from natural infection. That's because protection for those who have already had COVID can wane over time, and while studies are still being done to determine how long natural immunity typically lasts, even one vaccine shot can offer additional assurance that you are less likely to get severe COVID. And natural immunity does not appear to be very effective against the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
Another good reason for everyone to get a booster: It's no longer older adults with less robust immune systems filling up our ICUs. The average age of a COVID patient in Colorado hospitals is in their 50s as of mid-November. Yes, the parents of kids in school are the ones showing up at the hospital now, which can be traumatic for families.
For Rohman and his exhausted staff, the human toll of the virus is all too real. "A year ago when the very first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the state of Colorado were administered to health-care workers at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, we couldn't wait to get the vaccine out to everyone and put an end to the pandemic. It was like we could see a light at the end of the tunnel … but here we are, still fighting. Still seeing very sick patients in our hospitals who never thought they'd get this disease or that it would be this bad."
However, he has hope that with broader access and eligibility to vaccines and boosters, highly effective treatment options, and continued precautions like masking, distancing, and testing, there will be fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
"Simply put: Vaccines, including boosters, are our No. 1 defense in the fight against COVID-19, and our best tool to keep people out of the hospital."
Prompt COVID-19 testing and treatment can save lives
Several of the 61 people who died from COVID-19 in Larimer County hospitals during November might have lived if they'd sought treatment earlier. For that reason, county health officials are urging anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested promptly, and if positive, ask their health-care provider about treatment. When given early, some treatments can prevent serious illness and a hospital stay. More information can be found at larimer.org/covidtreatment.
Free drive-through COVID-19 testing
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; no appointment required but pre-registration is suggested.
FORT COLLINS – Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Rd.
Register at https://mako.exchange/scheduler/registration/?location=6056
LOVELAND – Foundations Church, 1380 N. Denver Ave.
Where to get your shots:
Larimer County – larimer.org/covidvaccine
Health District of Northern Larimer County – Moderna boosters and primary series available in January. Check website for options in future months. Appointment required. Call 970-221-7144 or register online at healthdistrict.org/covid-19-vaccination-health-district.
Locations statewide, including mobile vaccine clinics – covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine
All COVID-19 vaccine doses are free and insurance is not required. Wear a mask to the vaccination site and make sure you get your Colorado COVID Vaccination Record Card.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccine boosters:
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html


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Olympian Steve Mesler shares his gold medal with TED-Ed
By Stephanie Lo on November 1, 2012 in News + Updates
In celebration of the summer Olympics, TED-Ed got the chance to work with Olympic gold-medalist, Steve Mesler, on a personal TED-Ed Lesson about two decisions that put him on the path to Olympic glory. The lesson, which was visualized by Augenblick Studios, was designed to complement Steve's work at Classroom Champions — an inspiring program created by Steve and his fellow Olympians to connect students in high-need schools with top performing athletes. The athletes work with individual classes around the world, in person and via Skype, to support students in recognizing their potential, setting goals and dreaming big.
A huge bonus in spending a day creating a lesson with an Olympian is the opportunity to try on a gold medal!
[Pictured: Jordan, Logan, Steve, & Bedirhan. Steve is the one who looks like he has competed in the Olympics.]
Tags: 2012, Olympics, Skype, Sports, Steve Mesler
Deconstructing the first live-action TED-Ed Lesson (featuring Victor Wooten)
How one AP Biology teacher uses TED-Ed Lessons
From Earth Day to every day: 4 TED-Ed Lessons to help you save the world
Create a lesson around these three videos: Heroes and villains
A bold step for womankind: Meet the young women behind Kyrgyzstan's satellite program


Do you feel the need? The need for "Top Gun" Sequel? 30 years ago after the release of Tom Cruise career define movie. The sequel is now confirmed the producer David Ellison and Cruise himself will reprise his role as Maverick in Top Gun 2. Co-producer Jerry Bruckheimer has drop hints that the sequel will feature today's military aircraft technology. Tom Cruise will prove that drones are still no match for real pilots.


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A family of four are about to die in a car crash when the mother, father, and son become travelers. Charlotte, the daughter, retains her identity when the team's historian's transfer misfires, so MacLaren sends her to stay with her grandparents until the others complete their mission. Trevor, Carly, Marcy, and Philip are abducted and interrogated about the future until Carly kills their guard. David alerts MacLaren when Marcy does not come home, who is able to find and rescue the team with Officer Boyd. MacLaren was forced to cancel the team's mission with the family team, and Carly speculates this was their unidentified captor's goal.
In November 2010, Travelers entered into a joint venture agreement under which the company would invest in J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A., the market leader in the surety insurance business in Brazil. The transaction closed in June 2011 with Travelers acquiring a 43.4 percent interest. Travelers' investment in newly issued shares significantly increased J. Malucelli's capital level, positioning it for substantial growth in Brazil. At the time, Travelers had the option to increase its investment to retain a 49.5 percent interest, which the company later did in 2012.[23]


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2018 marked the centenary of the armistice which brought to an end hostilities in the First World War, referred to for many years afterwards as "The Great War".
The spark that triggered the conflict was the assassination at Sarajevo of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb, on 28 June 1914. Hostilities broke out shortly afterwards and the British Empire formally entered the war on 4 August 1914 following the German invasion of neutral Belgium. Hostilities continued for four years, finally ceasing on the Western Front at 11.00 a.m. on 11 November 1918 when an armistice came into effect. The war officially came to an end with the signing of a peace treaty at Versailles on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination.
In Britain the armistice is commemorated in November each year by a remembrance service at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. The images below show (L-R) the Archduke Ferdinand and the apprehension of his assassin (though modern historians maintain that this was an innocent bystander named Ferdinand Behr) in 1914, celebrations in Westminster, London at the moment of the armistice, 11.00 a.m. 11 November 1918, and the temporary wood and plaster Cenotaph, (which was replaced by the present Portland stone structure erected in 1920), at the first Armistice Day in 1919.
We previously showed on this page images of Blacketts who served in the Great War, but sadly these were lost due to a computer failure. Instead we have now included a list of Blackett casualties in both World Wars with links to their places in the tree, which you can see by clicking here.
The family of Rev. John Blacket (image above) lost two sons in the Great War, but he was not the only one to suffer more than one family casualty. Howard "Ted" Blackett, the youngest son of William Alexander Blackett (c1832-1895) of Tasmania, a Private in the Australian Infantry Force, was killed in Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915. William Alexander Blackett's grandson, Horace Raymond Blackett, a driver with the Australian Field Artillery, was killed in the Somme in 1918. Other members of this family to serve in the First World War were Horace's elder brother William Alexander "Alec" Blackett, who was blinded for life in 1916 at Ypres, his uncle Cephas Augustus (known as Mortimer Charles) Blackett MBE (Mil), who had previously served in the Boer War, and Horace's aunt, Alice Maude Blackett, who served in France as a nurse and was invalided home in 1918 after suffering the effects of gas.
On 4 October 1917 Private Pierre Ludwig Blackett (1894-1917) of the 3rd Bn., Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, was killed at Passchendaele, Belgium. There is a fascinating collection of photographs, letters etc covering him and other members of his family at Paul Dobson's 100 Years of ANZAC site.
Many other Blacketts also served in the armed services during World War I. Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett (see A Nobel Prize for a Blackett) served as a midshipman on HMS Carnarvon at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914 and on HMS Barham at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. Also at the Battle of Jutland was Captain, and later Admiral, Henry Blackett, who commanded the cruiser HMS Duke of Edinburgh.
Lieutenant Basil John Blackett (see Sporting Blacketts), a former race horse trainer and jockey, became a flying ace, being credited with five aerial victories as an observer and rear gunner.


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est un téléfilm américain réalisée par Robin Schiff et diffusé le  sur .

C'est une préquelle de Romy et Michelle, 10 ans après, film sorti en 1997. Les deux héroïnes ne sont pas interprétées par les mêmes actrices.

Synopsis
Romy et Michele, fraîchement diplômées, tentent de quitter Tucson pour rejoindre la Californie, afin d'y réaliser leurs rêves…

Fiche technique

Distribution
 Katherine Heigl (VF : Charlotte Marin) : Romy White
 Alex Breckenridge (VF : Vanina Pradier) : Michele Weinberger
 Nat Faxon (VF : Adrien Antoine) : Chad
 Kelly Brook (VF : Julie Turin) : Linda
 Scott Vickaryous (VF : Sébastien Desjours) : Taylor
 Rhea Seehorn (VF : Anne Dolan) : Ashley
 Alexandra Billings (VF : Isabelle Leprince) : Donna
 Dania Ramirez (VF : Caroline Lallau) : Elena

À savoir
 Le nom « Michele » (version originale en anglais et diverses autres versions) est francisé en « Michelle » dans la version en langue française du film Romy et Michelle, 10 ans après. Le téléfilm sorti en 2005 n'ayant apparemment pas été doublé en français, son titre reste le titre original.

Références

Liens externes

Téléfilm américain des années 2000
Téléfilm diffusé en 2005
Film original d'ABC Family
Téléfilm de comédie
Téléfilm de ABC Signature
Téléfilm se déroulant dans les années 1990
Téléfilm tourné à Los Angeles

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Seed Group Announces Partnership with DeepDive Technology to Increase Blockchain Adoption in the UAE Through the ASTERI Platform.
technology | July 7, 2020
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 07 July 2020 – Seed Group, a company of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum today announced its partnership with DeepDive Technology, an innovation-driven development provider that specializes in distributed ledger technology, identity management systems, artificial intelligence, digital business models and smart analytics. DeepDive Technology is the latest company to join Seed Group's portfolio of innovative companies after being selected by The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to boost blockchain technology adoption in the UAE and help the city race to become the world's first blockchain city.
DeepDive Technology is a member of the DeepDive Group, a top-tier consortium that has been delivering successful high-end technology solutions to businesses for nearly three decades now. DeepDive Technology specializes in custom blockchain development, security, infrastructure, and cloud technology, all while leveraging technological disruption and innovation through its platform, ASTERI. This blockchain platform is based on an open API that boasts sidechain connectors, making it possible for a company not to think about the complexity of integration into current business processes. It also facilitates the democratization and development of smart contracts and lowers the barrier to blockchain adoption for government services, healthcare, supply chain management, smart cities, cybersecurity, and IoT deployments.
13 MIN 39 SECS
About DeepDive Technology: Interview with CEO Misha Hanin
Misha Hanin, CEO and Co-Founder of DeepDive Technology said, "I believe that the UAE is the hub of innovation for the world; for a country that's less than 50 years old, achieving more than nations with hundreds and thousands of years behind them, that's a remarkable achievement. DeepDive Group understands the success of SEED Group is based on choosing the right partners that bring the greatest value to the community, which makes us incredibly grateful to have been selected. Because the UAE is the blockchain innovation capital, it's important to have this application and integration of blockchain technology done right. Our 25-year history combines a track record of new technology deployment with legacy systems and enterprise connectivity. In partnership with Seed Group, we're thrilled to bring value to the community together."
The UAE continues to be at the forefront when it comes to adopting blockchain technologies to promote the creation of smart cities. As this partnership is crucial for the success of Dubai's quest to be the world's first blockchain-powered city, Seed Group joins DeepDive in its mission.
"With that in mind, there was no question that a partnership with DeepDive Technology was essential to support our government entities and private companies in implementing emerging technologies and creating value-added blockchain networks. DeepDive Technology ticks all the boxes that this city needs to deliver a superior technological experience, and I am very excited that this partnership has taken place", said Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum.
As part of DeepDive's blockchain readiness framework, the company is also working closely with its clients to contextualize digital transformation by exploring benefits and challenges, identifying reality and hype, and co-innovating on use cases and applicability. They provide one or multi-day workshops tailored to the level of experience of the organization as a form of education and training that they consider to be very important in the acquisition of blockchain technology.
DeepDive Technology operates and assists business giants globally through its offices in Canada, Dubai, and the United States of America.
About DeepDive Technology
DeepDive Technology is a professional service firm focused on digital transformation in the enterprise. With offices in Canada, the United States, Germany, Ukraine, and Dubai, our team works with industry leaders to bring true business value through blockchain technology. For large companies, organizations & governments seeking deeper, more collaborative, more trust-worthy ways of doing better business with data, the ASTERI blockchain platform provides digital transformation leaders full control of any amounts of data, at any scale. Combining our 25-year history of new technology deployment with legacy systems & enterprise connectivity, the new digital era has arrived…and we're ready for it! For more information, visit deepdive.tech.
About Seed Group
Over the past 16 years, Seed Group has formed strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions and industries. These companies have propelled their business interests and goals in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region through the support and strong base of regional connections of the Seed Group. The Group's goal is to create mutually beneficial partnerships with multinational organizations and to accelerate their sustainable market entry and presence within the MENA region. Seed Group has been a key point in the success of all its partners in the region helping them reach their target customers and accelerate their businesses. The Private Office was established by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to directly invest in or assist potential business opportunities in the region, which meet The Private Office's criteria. For more information, visit www.seedgroup.com.
DeepDive Media Contact
Luc Bohunicky
+1(855)33847687
info@deepdive.tech
Seed Group Media Contact
Nomarie Jean Lacsamana
jean@seedgroup.com
Nanofixit Ventures and Seed Group Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Nanotechnology Solutions to the UAE
Seed Group Announces Partnership with X0PA AI in the UAE


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Home / Uncategorized / The Kevin Love Complex | A Buyout in Cleveland
The Kevin Love Complex | A Buyout in Cleveland
By Stevie Ray
Recent reports out of Cleveland have indicated that buyout discussions between the Cavaliers and Kevin Love are currently on the table. Love is owed 60 million over the next two years, and with Cleveland situated at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, a buyout would be a mutually beneficial outcome. After the failed experiment of ownership hastily giving Love a near max 4-year extension in an emotional response to Lebron James' departure to California, the delusional hopes of resurrecting Minnesota K-Love were short-lived. Love has been constantly sidelined with injuries and when on the floor, has shown open discontent with his young teammates and the situation of the franchise. He has also openly expressed his struggles with anxiety and panic attacks which have been an additional variable in his on-court availability.
His impact and production simply do not match the salary his name is currently attached to, and with his interpersonal issues over the last two years, his 30-million-dollar contract has been seen as a toxic asset and simply untradeable. To cut their losses and create cap space, the Cavs and Love are attempting to find a middle ground, where Love returns a portion of Dan Gilbert's money, and in return, Kevin gets a fresh start elsewhere.
Along with the reports of a possible buyout, the assumption is Love will sign a vet-minimum with a contender with the intention to revamp his value and perception around the league. Multiple reports have rumored the Golden State Warriors as a frontrunner for Love as they have had interests in adding him to the roster for years. A Klay Thompson & Kevin Love trade has even been discussed some years back and the fit next to Draymond at the 5 could help solve the spacing issues they have dealt with in Durant's absence. The Heat and Celtics have also expressed strong interest in signing Love if the buyout were to occur.
At 32 years old, a defensive liability, and injury-prone, no team in basketball wants Kevin on the books for 30 million…but for a 1-year-3-million-dollar deal? When healthy, Love is a walking double-double, with one of the purest strokes from distance for a frontcourt-sized player. If he were to be bought out, this opportunity may manifest the steal of the offseason. Not only for this year but by signing Love on a vet minimum, it would give teams over the salary cap his bird rights and the ability to retain him even if his play exceeded expectations. We saw in the playoffs how impactful a change of scenery was for the injury-worn Blake Griffin in his move from Detroit to Brooklyn. Imagine what moving from Cleveland and Sexton to wide-open corner jumpers next to the Splash Brothers in the Bay could do for Love.


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

The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics provides a fantastic description of a plethora of low energy observations.
That said, it remains incomplete, and experimental probes to date have been largely limited to low energies and temperatures.
As a result, it is an intriguing possibility that there could be new physics operating at early cosmological times when the Universe
was much hotter than it is today.

The SM predicts that QCD deconfines at temperatures $T\gtrsim$~GeV
and the electroweak symmetry is restored at temperatures $T\gtrsim$~100~GeV.  But our precise understanding of the cosmological
history becomes fuzzy for temperatures $T \gtrsim 10~{\rm MeV}$ when big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) begins \cite{Tanabashi:2018oca}.
It is thus entirely possible that
there is physics beyond the SM which produces a radical departure from the standard cosmological picture at earlier times.

Given this blind spot, we ask the question: what if the scale of QCD confinement was itself varying in the early Universe, settling down to the $\sim$~GeV value
we observe today sometime before BBN?  We introduce dynamics which allow us to explore this possibility, and map out the consequences for
cosmology, the electroweak phase transition, and an opportunity to explain the baryon asymmetry of the Universe.

\section{Dynamical QCD Coupling}
\label{sec:dynamicalQCD}

In order to promote the QCD coupling to a dynamical quantity, we introduce a scalar field $\phi$, taken to be a SM singlet, coupled to the gluon
field strength $G^{\mu\nu}$ via,
\begin{align}
 \mathcal{L}\supset -\frac14 \left( \frac{1}{g_{s0}^2}+\frac{\phi}{M_*} \right)G_{\mu\nu}G^{\mu\nu},  ~~

 \label{eq:gsphi}
\end{align}
where $g_{s0}$ is the QCD coupling for $\langle \phi \rangle = 0$,
and $M_*$ encodes the short distance physics mediating the interaction.
$\phi$ could represent fluctuations in a radion or a dilaton, or could represent a generic scalar field
which couples to gluons via a triangle diagram containing heavy vector-like colored particles.
In that case $M_* \sim {4\pi M_Q} / {n_Q y_Q \alpha_s}$, where $n_Q$ is the number of colored fermions with mass $M_Q$
and Yukawa coupling $y_Q$.
It would be interesting to explore the details of the UV dynamics in more detail, but we leave that for future work.

\subsection{Strong Coupling and the QCD Scale}

When $\phi$ acquires a vacuum expectation value (VEV), it renormalizes the wave function of the gluons, modifying the
effective strong coupling.  In addition, the coupling $g_{s0}$ runs with the renormalization scale $\mu$ in the usual way.  At one loop,
\begin{align}
\frac{1}{\alpha_s(\mu,\langle\phi\rangle)}=\frac{33-2 n_f}{12\pi}\ln\left(\frac{\mu^2}{\Lambda_0^2}\right)+4\pi\frac{\langle\phi\rangle}{M_*},
\end{align}
where $n_f$ is the number of quark flavors with masses $m_f \ll \mu$, and the scale
$\Lambda_0$ encodes the value of $g_{s0}$ at some UV reference scale.

Confinement is triggered at the scale $\Lambda$ for which ${\alpha^{-1}_s(\Lambda,\langle\phi\rangle)}\simeq 0$,
\begin{align}
\Lambda(\langle\phi\rangle) = \Lambda_0 ~{\rm Exp} \left( \frac{24\pi^2}{2n_f-33}\frac{\langle\phi\rangle}{M_*} \right).
\label{eq:newQCDscale}
\end{align}
For $n_f=6$, $\Lambda_0\sim$~GeV and
$\langle\phi\rangle/M_*=-0.62$, QCD confines at $\Lambda\sim1$~TeV, well above the temperature of the usual electroweak phase transition.

\subsection{$\phi$ Potential}

We consider a generic potential for $\phi$ at zero temperature,
\begin{align}
V(\phi)=\alpha_1 \phi +\alpha_2 \phi^2 +\alpha_3 \phi^3 +\alpha_4 \phi^4 + \beta_1 \phi h^\dagger h+\beta_2 \phi^2 h^\dagger h,
\end{align}
where $\alpha_i$ and $\beta_i$ are couplings with appropriate mass dimension.
We have included a trilinear and mixed quartic with the SM
Higgs doublet $h$, which would modify the $\phi$ dynamics, and lead to
mixing between $\phi$ and the SM Higgs, and are bounded by LHC measurements \cite{Khachatryan:2016vau}.  Since such
interactions do not change the qualitative picture, we simplify the analysis by assuming that they are negligibly small.

When QCD confines, the interaction in Eq.~(\ref{eq:gsphi}) further induces a non-perturbative contribution to $V(\phi)$ via the gluon
condensate, $\langle GG\rangle \propto \Lambda^4 (\langle\phi\rangle)$ \cite{vonHarling:2017yew}.
For potentials with a sizable $\alpha_1$, this effect is typically unimportant.
For example, a benchmark point with $\alpha_1={\rm TeV}^3,~\alpha_2={\rm TeV}^2,~\alpha_3={\rm TeV}$, $\alpha_4=0.1$, and
$M_* \sim 13$~TeV results in $\langle\phi\rangle \sim -7$~TeV and $m_\phi\sim$~4~TeV, with a
negligible contribution from the gluon condensate.

\subsection{Temperature Dependence}

In order to restore ordinary QCD with $\Lambda \sim 1$~GeV at low temperatures, $\langle\phi\rangle$ must shift by an amount of
order $\sim 1/2 M_*$.  The details of how this occurs depend sensitively on both the
zero temperature $V(\phi)$ and the finite temperature corrections to it.   Whatever the mechanism, it
is clear that successfully realizing the BBN
predictions for the primordial abundances of the light elements
requires that the temperature at which $\Lambda$ reaches $\Lambda_{\rm QCD}$ satisfy $T_{\rm res} \gtrsim 10$~MeV.

There are a number of constructions which could accomplish this temperature dependence.
\textbf{(i)} There may be species (which could be SM singlets) in the plasma with significant coupling to $\phi$, contributing to its effective mass $\propto g^2 T^2$. Such species could play an important role in $\phi$ phenomenology. \textbf{(ii)} If Eq.~(\ref{eq:gsphi}) is generated by vector-like quarks, there may be additional temperature-dependent contributions to their masses, suppressing the interaction at low temperatures. \textbf{(iii)} There could be a scalar field $\psi$ with its own coupling $(\psi / M_*) GG$, but whose potential induces a positive VEV with parameters tuned to partially cancel the $\phi$ contribution. \textbf{(iv)} Additional scalar fields could couple to $\phi$, and themselves undergo symmetry-breaking at low temperatures, triggering a shift in the effective $V(\phi)$ (see, \emph{e.g.}, \cite{Baker:2016xzo}). For example,
one could introduce two real singlet scalar fields $\phi$ and $\psi$ with the zero-temperature potential
\begin{align}
V(\phi,\psi)=~ &\alpha_1 \phi +\alpha_2 \phi^2 +\alpha_3 \phi^3 +\alpha_4 \phi^4 \notag\\
& + \beta_1 \psi^2 +\beta_2\psi^4 + \gamma_1 \phi\psi^2+\gamma_2\phi^2\psi^2, \label{eq:SBpotential}
\end{align}
which is invariant under $Z_2$ symmetry $\psi \to -\psi$.
For an appropriate choice of parameters, at high temperatures the fields $\phi$ and $\psi$ have zero VEVs.
As the universe cools down, first $\phi$ acquires a VEV, and then at a lower temperature, $\psi$ acquires a VEV, which triggers
the transition $\langle \phi \rangle \to 0$.

In the remainder of this work, we remain agnostic concerning the nature of the physics which provides the necessary temperature dependence in $V(\phi)$,
simply assuming that some mechanism restores standard QCD somewhere in the range GeV~$\lesssim T_{\rm res }\lesssim 100$~GeV.

\section{Phase Transition and Electroweak Symmetry Breaking}
\label{sec:qcdtransition}

If $SU(3)$ confines before the electroweak phase transition,
it triggers electroweak symmetry breaking via chiral symmetry breaking.
For $n_f = 6$ massless quark flavors, the chiral phase transition is expected to be strongly first order \cite{PhysRevD.29.338, 1742-6596-432-1-012027},
and proceeds by nucleating bubbles of confined phase with $\langle \bar{q} q \rangle \neq 0$, which expand
to fill the Universe.
The chiral condensate also couples to the Higgs via the quark Yukawa interactions, appearing as a tadpole which
induces a Higgs VEV inside the bubbles.  This picture is illustrated in cartoon form in Figure~\ref{fig:QCDbubbles}.

\begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[width=.45\textwidth]{QCDbubbles.pdf}
\caption{Bubbles of confined QCD phase are generated and expand. Inside the bubble, the Higgs
acquires a VEV due to the tadpole term induced via the quark condensate.} \label{fig:QCDbubbles}
\end{figure}

The precise details of the QCD phase transition, bubble nucleation, bubble profile, and expansion,
are non-perturbative and beyond the scope of this work \cite{KAJANTIE1992331, Bai:2018dxf}.
Here, we model the dynamics
by a linear sigma model reflecting the approximate
$SU(6)_L \times SU(6)_R$ flavor symmetry of QCD,
which is explicitly broken by the SM Yukawa interactions.
The field $\Pi (x)$ is a $6 \times 6$ complex scalar containing the pions,
scalar mesons, and chiral symmetry-breaking VEVs which is taken
to transform under $SU(6)_L \times SU(6)_R$ as
\begin{eqnarray}
\Pi (x) \rightarrow L ~\Pi(x) ~R^\dagger
\end{eqnarray}
where $L$ and $R$ are $SU(6)_{L,R}$ transformations, respectively\footnote{Note that the
electroweak $SU(2)_W$ is a subgroup of $SU(6)_L$.}.  Below the confinement scale,
the dynamics of QCD can be described by an effective field theory
containing $\Pi (x)$ and the baryons (which are not important for this discussion),
\begin{align}
{\cal L}_\Pi  = ~ &{\rm Tr} \left[ \partial^\mu \Pi^\dagger \partial_\mu \Pi \right] + \mu^2 ~{\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi^\dagger \Pi \right]
- \lambda_2 ~{\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi^\dagger \Pi \right]^2  \nonumber \\
&- \lambda_1 ~{\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi^\dagger \Pi \Pi^\dagger \Pi \right]  + \frac{1}{M^2} ~{\rm Det}\, \Pi + H.c.
\end{align}
Naive dimensional analysis (NDA) \cite{Cohen:1997rt} suggests that up to ${\cal O}(1)$ numbers,
$\mu^2 \sim \bar{\Lambda}^2$, $M \sim \bar{\Lambda} / g^2$, and $\lambda_1 \sim \lambda_2 \sim g^2$, where $g \sim 4 \pi$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$
is the cut-off of the chiral effective theory (typically of the order of the $\rho$-meson mass.)
Neglecting the SM Yukawa interactions, this would result in a VEV for $\Pi$, breaking $SU(6)_L \times SU(6)_R \rightarrow SU(6)_D$, of the form
$\langle \Pi^i_j \rangle = f_\pi \delta^i_j$ where $f_\pi^2 \sim \bar{\Lambda}^2 / g^2$.

The explicit $SU(6)_L \times SU(6)_R$ breaking from the quark Yukawa interactions can be included by treating $Y = y h$ as a spurion,
where $h$ is the neutral CP even component of the Higgs doublet, and
in the diagonal quark mass basis $y$ is the $6 \times 6$ diagonal matrix whose entries are the quark Yukawa interactions.
The corresponding terms containing the spurion $Y$ read,
\begin{align}
{\cal L}_Y  =~ & (\tilde{m}^2 \,{\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi^\dagger Y \right] + {\rm h.c.})- \tilde{\lambda}_1 {\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi^\dagger Y \Pi^\dagger Y \right] \notag \\
& - \tilde{\lambda}_2 {\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi^\dagger Y Y^\dagger \Pi \right]
 - \tilde{\lambda}_3 {\rm Tr} \left[ \Pi Y^\dagger Y \Pi^\dagger \right]
\end{align}
with NDA estimates $\tilde{m}^2 \sim \bar{\Lambda}^2 /g$, $\tilde{\lambda}_1 \sim \tilde{\lambda}_2 \sim \tilde{\lambda}_3 \sim 1$.
The first term expands into a tadpole for $h$ induced by the non-zero $\langle \bar{q} q \rangle$ condensate.  The remaining terms
induce masses\footnote{The pion masses in a given epoch scale with both $\Lambda$ and $\langle h \rangle$.}
for the 35 pions and
induce a back-reaction where the Higgs VEV reduces the corresponding chiral condensate by producing a mass for the SM quarks.
In principle, this results in a complicated set of coupled equations, however a simple estimate provides a heuristic picture.

The most important entry in $Y$ is the 66 entry corresponding to the top quark with $y_{66} = y_t \sim 1$.
Including the tadpole generated by $\langle \Pi_{66}\rangle$ in the finite temperature Higgs potential gives
\begin{align}
 V_{\rm eff}(h, T)\simeq& -\frac{\bar{\Lambda}^2}{4\pi}y_t \langle \Pi_{66}\rangle \, h
+\left(\frac{\alpha}{24}(T^2-T_c^2)\right)h^2\notag \\
& -\gamma T h^3 +\lambda h^4, \label{eq:Vheff}
\end{align}
where
\begin{align*}
&\alpha = \sum_{\rm bosons}g_i\left(\frac{m_i}{v}\right)^2 + \frac12 \sum_{\rm fermions}g_i\left(\frac{m_i}{v}\right)^2, \\
&T_c=2v\sqrt{\frac{6\lambda}{\alpha}},~~~
\gamma=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{6\pi}\sum_{\rm bosons}g_i\left(\frac{m_i}{v}\right)^3,
\end{align*}
and the sums go through all massive bosons and fermions in the SM.
Taking $\langle \Pi_{66}\rangle \sim {\bar{\Lambda}}/{4\pi}$, the Higgs vev can be well approximated by
\begin{align}
v \simeq\frac{\bar{\Lambda}}{4}\left( \frac{y_t}{\pi^2\lambda} \right)^{1/3}.
\end{align}
For $\Lambda \sim 1$~TeV and taking $\bar{\Lambda}=4~$TeV, the resulting Higgs VEV
is $v\simeq 0.9~$TeV, as can be seen in Fig.~\ref{fig:finiteThiggs}.

\begin{figure}[t]
\includegraphics[width=.4\textwidth]{finiteThiggs.pdf}
\caption{Finite-temperature Higgs potential at $T= 1,5$~TeV,
where the chiral effective theory cut-off is taken to be $\bar{\Lambda}=4$~TeV.} \label{fig:finiteThiggs}
\end{figure}

\section{Applications}

An early period of QCD confinement can have profound implications
for the history of the early universe.  We flesh out one particularly exciting possibility to generate the observed baryon asymmetry
of the Universe, and sketch several more which would be worth following up in future work below.

\subsection{Baryogenesis}

QCD confining at $\sim$~TeV temperatures combined with the axion as a solution to the strong CP problem allows for a novel mechanism
to explain the baryon asymmetry of the Universe.  As mentioned above, since confinement at a TeV scale takes place when all six of the
SM quarks are massless, the phase transition is expected to be first order \cite{PhysRevD.29.338, 1742-6596-432-1-012027} and proceeds through bubble nucleation.
Inside the bubble QCD is confined and the EW symmetry is broken (and thus baryon-number violation through the weak interaction
is inoperative) whereas outside remains in the unbroken and unconfined phases.
Furthermore, if there exists an axion field that addresses the strong CP problem, there can be
large CP violation from the uncancelled strong phase
during this phase transition \cite{Kuzmin:1992up, Servant:2014bla}.

The axion couples to the baryon current through the interactions of the pseudoscalar $\eta'$ meson,
whose mass scales like $m_{\eta'} \sim \Lambda$.
At energies lower than the $\eta'$ mass, its residual effects are described by the effective Lagrangian:
\begin{align}
\mathcal{L}_{\rm eff} \simeq \frac{10}{f_{\pi}^2 m_{\eta'}^2}\frac{\alpha_s}{8\pi} G\widetilde{G} \frac{\alpha_w}{8\pi}  W\widetilde{W},
\end{align}
where $W$ ($\widetilde{W}$) is the $SU(2)_W$ (dual) field strength.
As the axion rolls to its minimum, there is an uncancelled $\bar{\theta}$
which induces a $G\tilde{G}$ condensate \cite{Kuzmin:1992up},
\begin{align}
\frac{\alpha_s}{8\pi} \langle G\tilde{G}\rangle = m_a^2(T) f_a^2 \sin\bar{\theta}(T).
\end{align}
Through the anomaly equation, $\partial_\mu j_B^\mu = \alpha_W / 8 \pi W \widetilde{W}$, $W \widetilde{W}$
is related to the baryon current density $j_B^\mu$.  Integrating by parts produces an effective
chemical potential $\mu$ for baryons:
\begin{align}
\mu=\frac{d}{dt}\left[ \frac{10}{f_\pi^2 m_{e\eta'}^2}m_a^2(T)f_a^2 \sin\bar{\theta}(T)\right].
\end{align}

The non-zero chemical potential drives production of a non-zero baryon asymmetry by the electroweak sphalerons,
\begin{align}
n_B =\int_{T_i}^{T_f} dt  \frac{\Gamma_{\rm sph}(T)}{T} \mu,
\end{align}
where $\Gamma_{\rm sph}(T) \sim 25\, \alpha_w^5\,T^4$ is the thermal sphaleron rate outside the bubble where $\langle h\rangle=0$.
We assume that inside the bubble the sphalerons are sharply switched off.
Making use of the temperature-dependent axion mass
\cite{PhysRevD.33.889}
\begin{align}
&m_a^2(T)\simeq m_a^2(T=0) \times \left(\frac{\Lambda}{T}\right)^7, \\
&{\rm where}~~~m_a^2(T=0) \sim m_\pi^2 ~\frac{f_\pi^2}{f_a^2}, \notag
\end{align}
assuming $\sin\bar{\theta}$ is varying slowly,
and $\Delta m_a^2(T_{\rm PT})\simeq m_a^2(T_{\rm PT})$ around $T_{\rm PT}$, the temperature at which the EW transition happens, the resulting baryon-to-entropy ratio is
\begin{align}
\eta =\frac{n_B}{s}\simeq \frac{45\times 125}{2\pi^2 g_*(T_{\rm reh})}\frac{m_\pi^2}{m_{\eta'}^2} \alpha_w^5\sin\bar{\theta} \left(\frac{T_{\rm PT}}{T_{\rm reh}}\right)^3 \left(\frac{\Lambda}{T_{\rm PT}}\right)^7,
\end{align}
where $T_{\rm reh}$ is the reheat temperature at the end of the EW phase transition and $g_*$ counts
the relativistic degrees of freedom at that time. This picture has all of the dynamics naturally occurring concurrently, resulting in
$T_{\rm reh}\simeq T_{\rm PT}\simeq \Lambda$ and in the baryon asymmetry being
roughly independent of the temperature at which QCD confines provided this happens above the electroweak scale.
The baryon-to-entropy ratio is
\begin{align}
\eta \simeq 1.8\times 10^{-9}\times \sin\bar{\theta},
\end{align}
to be compared with the Planck measurement \cite{Ade:2015xua},
\begin{align}
\eta_{\rm exp}=(8.59\pm 0.11)\times 10^{-11}.
\end{align}
Achieving the observed baryon asymmetry requires a very modest tuning of $\sin \bar{\theta} \sim 1/10$
or a small amount of dilution after the baryon asymmetry is generated.  It is remarkable that the baryon asymmetry is naturally close to the observed value for $\bar{\theta}$ of order one, despite the relative dearth of adjustable parameters.

\subsection{Other Applications}

The baryon asymmetry is just one application of an early period of QCD confinement out of many that could be imagined.  We leave detailed follow up for future work, but a few others would be:

\emph{BBN and Early universe.} Early QCD confinement could leave an imprint on BBN if the transition to $\Lambda \sim 1$~GeV occurs late enough, implying bounds on the dynamics of $\phi$. Furthermore, while confined the SM plasma degrees of freedom are different, influencing the evolution of the Universe.

\emph{Dark Matter Freeze-out.} If dark matter freezes out during a period in which QCD is confined, the relevant degrees of freedom both for annihilation and in the plasma correspond to the confined phase, in contrast with usual WIMP scenarios.

\emph{Axion Dark Matter.} For theories invoking a QCD axion, the early period of confinement switches on the axion
potential earlier and generates a larger axion mass (of order $10^4$ the usual mass for $\Lambda\sim$~TeV).
For very large $\Lambda$, the axion could decay on cosmological time scales, erasing its density.  Even for more modest $\Lambda$, the transition to
 $\Lambda \sim 1$~GeV would induce a novel temperature-dependence on the axion mass, and could e.g. result in an early period of matter domination.

\emph{Gravitational Waves.} As with other first order cosmological phase transitions, the early period of QCD confinement is expected to generate gravitational waves \cite{Caprini:2015zlo, Cutting:2018tjt}. The detailed predictions will depend sensitively on the dynamics of the bubble nucleation, expansion, and collision,
which themselves take place in a background of the strongly interacting plasma (which could, for example, provide friction slowing down the bubble expansion rate).
A careful investigation of the properties of the phase transition and its impact on gravitational wave production is
currently under investigation \cite{GRwaves}.

\emph{Collider searches.}  The most model-independent prediction is the existence of the neutral scalar field $\phi$ which couples to gluons, and could contribute
to dijet signatures at high energy colliders.  If it mixes with the Higgs, it will pick up other couplings to SM fields, and induce deviations in the Higgs couplings.
There may be additional neutral or colored particles coupled to $\phi$ as well.

\emph{Heavy Ion Collisions.} If the dynamics restoring $\Lambda \sim 1$~GeV occur at low energies, there are likely to be indications visible in high temperature
environments such as heavy ion collisions.

\emph{$SU(2)_W$ Confinement.} A similar mechanism could be employed, e.g. to trigger $SU(2)_W$ confinement in the early Universe, with interesting consequences for electroweak symmetry breaking and potentially opening more new avenues for baryogenesis.

\section{Conclusions and Outlook}
\label{sec:conclusions}

Given our lack of knowledge about QCD at high temperatures, it is natural to ask whether there may be surprising dynamics which
were important in the early Universe, but remain hidden at low temperatures.  If QCD confines at a high scale,
returning to $\Lambda \sim 1$~GeV at later times, it may shed light on some of the
mysteries of our Universe, including the fact that it is made out of matter and not anti-matter.
We have sketched the basic properties of such a scenario, and demonstrated that baryogenesis can work if there is an axion
which solves the strong CP problem.
Many open questions remain open, and many avenues remain to be explored in this framework.

\section*{Acknowledgements}

We are grateful for discussions with Djuna Croon, Anna Hasenfratz, Christopher T. Hill, Ciaran Hughes,
David B. Kaplan, David McKeen, Michael Ramsey-Musolf, and Geraldine Servant. This work is supported in part by NSF Grant No.~PHY-1620638.
SI acknowledges support from the UC Office of the President via a
UC Presidential Postdoctoral fellowship. This work was performed in part at Aspen Center for Physics,
which is supported by National Science Foundation grant PHY-1607611.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


There's something strange about buying a perfume from the same people who manufacture your toilet bowl and bathroom sink. Imagine Kohler or American Standard coming out with a line of luxury perfumes in the United States — would anyone buy them? U.K. bath/kitchen fittings maker Czech & Speake has had great success with its home and personal fragrances, and today I'm reviewing three of Czech & Speake's nine perfumes.
Citrus Paradisi starts with intense grapefruit (smooth and rich) and spices (accent on the coriander); a 'polite' patchouli note and some sheer moss comprise the base notes. This is a pleasant, "warm" citrus cologne (and a great replacement for dime-a-dozen sport-type fragrances for men). Citrus Paradisi dries down to talc-y citrus and smells clean without bringing to mind "laundry room." Citrus Paradisi's grapefruit note does not become unpleasant on my skin (there is no sulphur, no urine de chat), and the fragrance has good lasting power (for a cologne). Citrus Paradisi is 'seasonless' — it can be worn year-round (it's not too lightweight for winter).
No. 88 smells like an old-fashioned English-made lozenge Nancy Astor might have sucked on as she pondered her next public pronouncement on — women, men, politics, old age ("I refuse to admit that I am more than 52, even if that makes my children illegitimate"1). Like myself, Nancy was a native Virginian, and she felt that birthright put her on higher social footing than anyone in the world, past or present — Adam and Eve included.
No. 88 begins with the scent of citrus oil infused with (rose) geranium leaf (Pelargonium graveolens) and sweet flowers (frangipani); there are hints of rose and menthol too. No. 88 smells rich, and the longer you wear it the more you detect roses — "rose" from the pelargonium and rose from rosa. If you love the delicious scent of rose geranium leaves, try this perfume. No. 88 was Czech & Speake's first fragrance and remains the company's best-seller. Lasting power: very good.
I wore Frankincense & Myrrh in college; it was one of my first "English perfumes." I liked it then; I like it now. From the start, you smell sharp, vibrant frankincense and pungent cedar wood, followed by a lovely, almost powdery, myrrh note. Though it is not mentioned in the ingredients list, I smell a note very similar to "ashy" benzoin. The fragrance mellows over the hours but never becomes insipid or dull. If you liked Eau d'Italie Baume du Doge but found it too "spicy," give Frankincense and Myrrh a try (both fragrances produce "buoyant" wood notes). This fragrance is wonderful from start to finish and has very good tenacity.
If you live in the U.K. you can get 100 ml of Czech & Speake Eau de Cologne for £57 ($94 U.S.) — very reasonable. In the US, prices range from $115 to $185; at the moment, the cheaper prices can be found at Cambridge Chemists. For buying information, see the listing for Czech & Speake under Perfume Houses.
Note: top right image is Grapefruit Splash by Steven Fernandez at flickr; some rights reserved. Second image is Image of Nancy Astor via Wikimedia Commons. Last image is Mosque Hassan II, Casablanca by amerune at flickr; some rights reserved.
Thanks for the reviews, Kevin! Have you mentioned C&S's very generous sample program? I've long been a fan of No. 88 and have a bottle. But I recently got samples of all their other frags and was impressed with nearly all of them, including both of the others reviewed in this post.
Thanks for letting us know about the sample program. I can't wait to get mine!
I like the 88 bottle quite a lot, but it sounds like the Citrus Paradisi is going to be more my thing — I've been obsessed with grapefruit lately.
Phinclio: generous…but inept! I requested samples ages ago and never received a one!
My sense is that they were flooded by requests from American Basenoters. I wouldn't be surprised if their operation became a little overwhelmed!
I'm such a sample ho – I just ordered a bunch too!
Love getting packages from overseas….
Ah…so I see it is Czech and Speake week at NST! I really like the F&M. I ordered samples from their website this morning, and was happy to see this review today.
C: which samples did you request?
88, Cuba, F&M, and Dark Rose…sorry I didnt get the Citrus Paradisi.
I remember an article about Ozzy Osbourne in which the interviewer said Ozzy was walking around in a cloud of No. 88 lol I'll have to give that one a try.
Czech & Speake week at NST! Kevin, all of these sound fantastic, but especially 88 and CitrusP. I must get some samples (the only C&S I've tried and own a decant of is Dark Rose).
Could you compare CP to Balle de Match? I'm an absolute grapefruit fiend.
Also, 88 sounds like a great geranium alternative to FM Geranium Pour Monsieur, which I need to sample a bit more, but which I disappointingly found lacking in complexity.
Joe: it's been awhile since I tried BdM…maybe someone with more recent "experience" with it will comment. G pour Monsieur was not about geranium to me…but I only sniffed it in the store…have not worn it yet.
Funny: to me there was a minty edge, but all about *very* strong geranium accord.
Just ordered a passel of C&S samples myself. Coincidentally, PST/Marina wrote about Cuba last week.
Joe: not a fan of Cuba.
Wha? There's no lavender in F&M? What is that horrible monster doppleganger then that I get after a quick flash of incense? Is it the cedarwood? The basil? The combination? I am so confused. Does anyone else get Grandma's drawer sachet of lavender? Maybe I should try ordering another sample. Hmmm.
Anyway, as always, Kevin, lovely review(s). You really take your time to examine the fragrance, give us a chuckle or two and then include some inspiring imagery to match. Love that last mosaic pic!
I tried most of the line, and they all came across as too masculine for me to wear (I'm a female). Citrus was quite 'pissy' (sorry to say), and 88 was all about the soap to me (like a freshly showered guy — not a bad thought, but not something I'd wear). F&M was the most wearable to me, but still quite on the masculine side.
Kess: I agree about the masculine vibe…even Paradisi…but do think women can wear them all. Now, Dark Rose…tis a ladylike thing to me!
That is marginally better than someone just saying "yo mama" I suppose! When I lived in Virginia the worst was missing church on Sunday….it wouldn't take the Flowered Hat Brigade very long to round up a plate of cookies and be on your doorstep to "inquire after your absence"…..hmmmm….we were probably off cavorting with SATAN! can there be any other reason for missing Sunday service??
Rappleyea: I'm from the Tidewater area…it's even worse there. "Did your people arrive in JAMESTOWN!?" HAHA!
While I was the proverbially hated yankee in their midst, my husband's family were very early settlers in the Suffolk area, so they tolerated me!
Krok: I can only imagine you run with the wrong crowd then!
about C&S……if you sign up for their notices etc. they happily send you a sample of every fragrance…at least they did several months ago. With the exception of the 2 rose fragrances, the C&S line is really really really masculine on me. Too much so, and I usually like "shared" fragrances. Not unpleasant, mind you, just too guyish.
Daisy: Apparently, I'm on their blacklist; I signed up for notices and requested my samples at sign-up…and have received nada.
Maybe it's actually your mail carrier blacklisting you. Or "protecting you from yourself". HA.
I've filled out the Frederic Malle questionnaire thing several times hoping they'd send me samples but they haven't yet.
Bond No. 9 is the same way. Stingy, stingy, stingy!
I found all but Rose (boooooring) and Dark Rose (really nice, but pricey for the lasting power) very masculine. Having said that, I thought they all smelled really nice – especially No. 88, which made me all swoony. (Insert fluttering-eyelashes emoticon here.) I keep leaving the sample on my husband's dresser, but will he try it on? Nooooooo, he's sticking with the Acqua di Gio.
ok, seriously, sign up again. Maybe it got lost somewhere.
well hopefully they send some to me because I have to pay for them to ship lol but $6 CAD isn't that bad. Don't know where I'd find them around here… maybe Holt Renfrew?
Bunny: the HR in Vancouver didn't have them when I was there…and you certainly won't be getting samples if they do!
LOL! I suppose if Van. doesn't have them Bloor st. doesn't either… I'm at a loss to where they'd be otherwise so internet for me!
I'm sure that my husband will be sure that I've gone certifable now – because I just ordered the sampler set. I haven't used a credit card to buy stuff from overseas since the Great Amazon UK Fiasco of 1999, but my obsession must be fed.
Of course, now I've read all of the comments and I'm worried that they'll all be to masculine for me. I wear Dirty English on occasion – as well as Mitsouko and Jicky (I know, those two are actually feminines), so I'm hoping that these will be wearable.
If not, I'll add them to the pile of things to be swapped – if I ever get up the energy to actually initiate any swaps.
Yay! Now I'm excited again – thanks!
Hi Kevin – thanks for the focus on C&S this week. I've decided to take a break from sampling for a while, but these reviews have persuaded me to visit their store and try to pick-up some freebies soon!!!
How does F&M compare to Andy Tauer's Incense Extreme, ou tof interest? That's quite heavy on the Frankincense and woods, and I love it!
Blimunda: there is a similarity, but the Andy Tauer is STRONGER, and dare I say a tad "harsher" than F&M. But I like both fragrances…I'm not adverse to harsh in incense fragrances.
As discussed on basenotes, C&S frags have gone through some serious reformulation – as so often, not for the better. Some of this may have to do with a change of manufacturers (formerly Forester in Milan, Italy, now a London firm), but not all. The rose note in No.88 has changed significantly from its former "gothic" intensity to a soapier feel, the strong pure frankincense not IN F&M has given way to more conventional woody notes. Dark Rose used to be very distinctive and now smells like one of the lighter (to me, less interesting) Montsales (e.g. Damascus). I do not know vintage versions of the others, though the current Néroli seems to me to be compromised by a synthetic off-note. It's still a very good line, but it used to be better.
The Good Life: I noticed a change in intensity with No. 88…but it's character is still "intact" to me. F&M is very similar to how I remember it AGES, and I mean AGES, ago. I'm with you on the Neroli and Dark Rose though.
A few months ago I received samples of everything C&S from them, very nicely packaged, a real treat. I don't know if it's me or them (or both), but every single one of their scents has, for me, an off note in it, something very "fake" smelling, and seemingly the same thing, though I haven't enough knowledge to tell you what it is.I remember thinking they should stick to bathroom fixtures, which are very nice.
Frankincense & Myrrh is wonderful, not unlike Grossmith's Phul-Nana. When I win the lottery I shall bathe in C&S Frankincense & Myrrh lol! I want to get the Room Spray for my house at Christmastime.
I agree with "the good life" that 88 is not what it once was, to its tragic detriment. Proust notwithstanding, you can't trust what you remember "from ages ago", sir. With all due respect: Test the old and new side by side!
I feel there can be no discussion of F&M without speaking of lavender of which there's a generous dollup, to be sure! The "vintage" version isn't all that different from the more recently available product.
too bad 88 has been reformulated – ruined! you'd be hard pressed to find any rose whatsoever, aside from in the printed literature accompanying the bottle. a tragedy! 88 has become a band without a stone, a frame without a picture. a joke, in short, and not a good one!
how can you miss the lavender in F&M? there is tons!


text:
We are open but due to high demand and courier delays, delivery times are expected to be longer.
Men Without Women
Philip Gabriel
Ted Goossen
Format: Paperback / softback
Availability: Available to order, ships in 7-10 business days
$15.99 AUD, inc. GST
RRP $19.99 | 20% OFF | SAVE $4.00
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Description - Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
A dazzling new collection of short stories from the international phenomenon, Haruki Murakami
A dazzling Sunday Times bestselling collection of short stories from the beloved internationally acclaimed Haruki Murakami.
Across seven tales, Haruki Murakami brings his powers of observation to bear on the lives of men who, in their own ways, find themselves alone. Here are vanishing cats and smoky bars, lonely hearts and mysterious women, baseball and the Beatles, woven together to tell stories that speak to us all.
Marked by the same wry humour that has defined his entire body of work, in this collection Murakami has crafted another contemporary classic.
'Supremely enjoyable, philosophical and pitch-perfect new collection of short stories.Murakami has a marvelous understanding of youth and age' Observer
'Murakami at his whimsical, romantic best' Financial Times
Buy Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, Boomerang Books.
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(198mm x 129mm x 15mm)
Imprint: Vintage
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Publish Date: 17-May-2018
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Other Editions - Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
(May 2017)
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Author Biography - Haruki Murakami
In 1978, Haruki Murakami was 29 and running a jazz bar in downtown Tokyo. One April day, the impulse to write a novel came to him suddenly while watching a baseball game. That first novel, Hear the Wind Sing, won a new writers' award and was published the following year. More followed, including A Wild Sheep Chase and Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, but it was Norwegian Wood, published in 1987, which turned Murakami from a writer into a phenomenon. His books became bestsellers, were translated into many languages, including English, and the door was thrown wide open to Murakami's unique and addictive fictional universe. Murakami writes with admirable discipline, producing ten pages a day, after which he runs ten kilometres (he began long-distance running in 1982 and has participated in numerous marathons and races), works on translations, and then reads, listens to records and cooks. His passions colour his non-fiction output, from What I Talk About When I Talk About Running to Absolutely On Music, and they also seep into his novels and short stories, providing quotidian moments in his otherwise freewheeling flights of imaginative inquiry. In works such as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, 1Q84 and Men Without Women, his distinctive blend of the mysterious and the everyday, of melancholy and humour, continues to enchant readers, ensuring Murakami's place as one of the world's most acclaimed and well-loved writers.
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More Books By Haruki Murakami
A Wild Sheep Chase
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (Vintage Classics Japanese Series): Haruki Murakami
The Strange Library
Murakami 2020 Diary
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
1Q84: The Complete Trilogy
First Person Singular: Stories
Killing Commendatore
The Elephant Vanishes
South of the Border, West of the Sun
Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa
Dance Dance Dance
After the Quake
Absolutely on Music
Wind-up Bird Chronicle
Wild Sheep Chase
Wind/Pinball


text:
John Phillips/Getty Images + Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester
It's Official: Ariana Grande And Troye Sivan Are Collaborating!
The rumours are, indeed, 'truemours'
Hilary Hughes hilmonstah 02/23/2018
Just before the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, Ariana Grande teased some mysterious murmurs out of the studio and told us, plain and simple, that we can expect new music from her in 2018.
We can also expect new dynamic duets, it turns out: Troye Sivan has confirmed that he and Ariana have put their heads and voices together for a new collaboration, and the internet freaked out accordingly.
https://twitter.com/troyesivan/status/966969441987817474
Troye — who dropped an acoustic version of "My! My! My!" mere hours ago — is thrilled to be teaming up with the pop star, and it appears that he isn't the only one to be doing so in the first few weeks of 2018.
Dua Lipa recently shared a selfie that featured her getting up close and personal with the "Problem" singer.
Though she didn't say anything about teaming up in the studio, one thing's for sure: We all get by with a little help from our friends, but Ariana is definitely taking that to a new level, and we can't wait to hear her new track with Troye.


text:
#28 Garrett Devine career statistics
Windsor, Colo.
2019‑20 Providence 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 0
2020‑21 Providence 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 -1
Career Totals 16 1 0 1 0 0 0 14 8 -1
Career Totals 13 1 0 1 0 0 0 12 4 0
Dec. 6 UMass Lowell	 0 0 0 0
Feb. 8 Massachusetts	 0 0 0 4
Feb. 15 at Vermont	 0 0 0 4
Feb. 22 at Merrimack	 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 0 0 0 8
Dec. 19 at Northeastern	 0 0 0 0
Dec. 20 Northeastern	 0 0 0 0
Dec. 28 at UConn	 0 0 0 0
Jan. 1 Vermont	 0 0 0 2
Mar. 5 at UConn	 0 0 0 0
Nov. 27 at Brown	 0 0 0 0
Dec. 3 Northeastern	 0 0 0 0
Dec. 4 at Northeastern	 1 0 1 0
Dec. 10 Princeton	 0 0 0 2
Dec. 28 Bowling Green	 0 0 0 0
Jan. 15 Merrimack	 0 0 0 0


Hi thank you for visiting my website.
My name is Caroline Hyland and I am an illustrator based in Dublin, Ireland.
I really enjoy the challenge and process of creating visuals that entice people to read an article in a newspaper or pick up a book. I have experience working with newspaper and book publishers, as well as marketing companies. I am also available for commissions.
It is important to me that my work is used to make information more accessible for people. I currently illustrate and design visual supports for people with intellectual disability to enable them to participate in meetings and advocate for themselves.
My first solo exhibition entitled "Can You See What I See?" can be viewed in Tallaght Hospital until March 18th 2018. This series of twelve hand painted illustrations with accompanying text explores and promotes living well with Dementia. It is important that everyone in society feels informed as Dementia touches many lives. The exhibition invites the public to engage with the text and images and aims to empower people to use what they may learn to help themselves and others to live well and feel included in society.
I hope to tour this exhibition and I am looking to make contact with anyone that has an interest in exhibiting /funding it.
This website will be updated in the following months.
Please refer to my Facebook page for further updates on my exhibition.


text:
#include "stdafx.h"
#include "Frustum.h"
#include "Math.h"
#include "BoundingVolume.h"
using namespace fb;

Frustum::Frustum()
	: mOrigin(0, 0, 0)
	, mOrthogonal(false)
{

}

Frustum::Frustum(const Plane& left, const Plane& right, const Plane& bottom, const Plane& top,
	const Plane& near, const Plane& far)
{
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT] = left;
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT] = right;
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM] = bottom;
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP] = top;
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR] = near;
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR] = far;
	mNear = near.mConstant;
	mFar = far.mConstant;
	mOrthogonal  = IsEqual(left.mNormal.Dot(near.mNormal), 0.f, 0.0001f);

	auto angle = top.mNormal.AngleBetween(near.mNormal);
	auto topHalfFov = PI - HALF_PI - angle;
	mTopSlope = tan(topHalfFov);
	mBottomSlope = -mTopSlope;

	angle = right.mNormal.AngleBetween(near.mNormal);
	auto rightHalfFov = PI - HALF_PI - angle;
	mRightSlope = tan(rightHalfFov);
	mLeftSlope = -mRightSlope;
}

void Frustum::SetData(float near, float far, float fov, float aspectRatio, bool orthogonal){
	mNear = near;
	mFar = far;
	mTopSlope = tan(fov*.5f);
	mBottomSlope = -mTopSlope;
	mRightSlope = mTopSlope * aspectRatio;
	mLeftSlope = -mRightSlope;
	mOrthogonal = orthogonal;
}

void Frustum::UpdatePlaneWithViewProjMat(const Mat44& viewProjMat) {
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT].mNormal.x = viewProjMat[3][0] + viewProjMat[0][0];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT].mNormal.y = viewProjMat[3][1] + viewProjMat[0][1];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT].mNormal.z = viewProjMat[3][2] + viewProjMat[0][2];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT].mConstant = -(viewProjMat[3][3] + viewProjMat[0][3]);

	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT].mNormal.x = viewProjMat[3][0] - viewProjMat[0][0];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT].mNormal.y = viewProjMat[3][1] - viewProjMat[0][1];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT].mNormal.z = viewProjMat[3][2] - viewProjMat[0][2];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT].mConstant = -(viewProjMat[3][3] - viewProjMat[0][3]);

	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP].mNormal.x = viewProjMat[3][0] - viewProjMat[1][0];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP].mNormal.y = viewProjMat[3][1] - viewProjMat[1][1];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP].mNormal.z = viewProjMat[3][2] - viewProjMat[1][2];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP].mConstant = -(viewProjMat[3][3] - viewProjMat[1][3]);

	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM].mNormal.x = viewProjMat[3][0] + viewProjMat[1][0];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM].mNormal.y = viewProjMat[3][1] + viewProjMat[1][1];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM].mNormal.z = viewProjMat[3][2] + viewProjMat[1][2];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM].mConstant = -(viewProjMat[3][3] + viewProjMat[1][3]);

	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mNormal.x = viewProjMat[3][0] + viewProjMat[2][0];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mNormal.y = viewProjMat[3][1] + viewProjMat[2][1];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mNormal.z = viewProjMat[3][2] + viewProjMat[2][2];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mConstant = -(viewProjMat[3][3] + viewProjMat[2][3]);

	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR].mNormal.x = viewProjMat[3][0] - viewProjMat[2][0];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR].mNormal.y = viewProjMat[3][1] - viewProjMat[2][1];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR].mNormal.z = viewProjMat[3][2] - viewProjMat[2][2];
	mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR].mConstant = -(viewProjMat[3][3] - viewProjMat[2][3]);

	// Renormalise any normals which were not unit length
	for (int i = 0; i<6; i++)
	{
		Real length = mPlanes[i].mNormal.Normalize();
		mPlanes[i].mConstant /= length;
	}

	mCenter = mOrigin +
		mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mNormal * mNear +
		mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mNormal * ((mFar - mNear)*.5f);

	// debug code
	//_Validate();
}

void Frustum::_Validate() {
	if (mOrthogonal)
		return;

	Mat33 rot;
	mOrientation.ToRotationMatrix(rot);
	auto dir = rot.Column(1);
	auto up = rot.Column(2);
	if (!IsEqual(mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].mNormal, dir, 0.01f)) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Near plane normal is wrong");
	}
	if (!IsEqual(mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR].mNormal, -dir, 0.01f)) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Far plane normal is wrong");
	}

	Vec3 lefttopn = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mNear, mNear, mTopSlope * mNear);
	Vec3 leftbottomn = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mNear, mNear, mBottomSlope * mNear);
	Vec3 leftbottomf = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mFar, mFar, mBottomSlope * mFar);
	Vec3 leftNormal = (leftbottomf - leftbottomn).Cross(lefttopn - leftbottomn).NormalizeCopy();
	if (!IsEqual(mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT].mNormal, leftNormal, 0.01f)) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Left plane normal is wrong");
	}

	Vec3 righttopn = mOrientation * Vec3(mRightSlope * mNear, mNear, mTopSlope * mNear);
	Vec3 rightbottomn = mOrientation * Vec3(mRightSlope * mNear, mNear, mBottomSlope * mNear);
	Vec3 rightbottomf = mOrientation * Vec3(mRightSlope * mFar, mFar, mBottomSlope * mFar);
	Vec3 rightNormal = (righttopn - rightbottomn).Cross(rightbottomf - rightbottomn).NormalizeCopy();
	if (!IsEqual(mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT].mNormal, rightNormal, 0.01f)) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Left plane normal is wrong");
	}

	Vec3 rightn = mOrientation * Vec3(mRightSlope * mNear, mNear, mTopSlope * mNear);
	Vec3 leftn = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mNear, mNear, mTopSlope * mNear);
	Vec3 leftf = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mFar, mFar, mTopSlope * mFar);
	Vec3 topNormal = (leftf - leftn).Cross(rightn - leftn).NormalizeCopy();
	if (!IsEqual(mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP].mNormal, topNormal, 0.01f)) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Top plane normal is wrong");
	}

	 rightn = mOrientation * Vec3(mRightSlope * mNear, mNear, mBottomSlope * mNear);
	 leftn = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mNear, mNear, mBottomSlope * mNear);
	 leftf = mOrientation * Vec3(mLeftSlope * mFar, mFar, mBottomSlope * mFar);
	Vec3 bottomNormal = (rightn - leftn).Cross(leftf - leftn).NormalizeCopy();
	if (!IsEqual(mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM].mNormal, bottomNormal, 0.01f)) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Bottom plane normal is wrong");
	}

}

bool Frustum::IsCulled(BoundingVolume* pBV) const {
	for (int i = 0; i<6; i++)
	{
		if (pBV->WhichSide(mPlanes[i])<0)
			return true;
	}

	return false;
}

bool Frustum::Contains(const Vec3& point) const {
	for (int i = 0; i < 6; ++i) {
		if (mPlanes[i].Dot(Vec4(point)) <= 0)
			return false;
	}

	return true;
}

Frustum Frustum::TransformBy(const Mat44& mat)
{
	Plane left(mat * mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT].GetVec4());
	Plane right(mat * mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT].GetVec4());
	Plane bottom(mat * mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM].GetVec4());
	Plane top(mat * mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP].GetVec4());
	Plane near(mat * mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR].GetVec4());
	Plane far(mat * mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR].GetVec4());
	return Frustum(left, right, bottom, top, near, far);
}

const Plane& Frustum::GetPlane(FRUSTUM_PLANE p) const {
	if (p <FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR || p > FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM) {
		Logger::Log(FB_ERROR_LOG_ARG, "Invalid arg.");
		return mPlanes[0];
	}

	return mPlanes[p];
}

const Plane& Frustum::GetNear() const {
	return mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_NEAR];
}
const Plane& Frustum::GetFar() const {
	return mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_FAR];
}
const Plane& Frustum::GetLeft() const {
	return mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_LEFT];
}
const Plane& Frustum::GetRight() const {
	return mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_RIGHT];
}
const Plane& Frustum::GetTop() const {
	return mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_TOP];
}
const Plane& Frustum::GetBottom() const {
	return mPlanes[FRUSTUM_PLANE_BOTTOM];
}

/// near (left, bottom), (left, top), (right, bottom), (right, top)
/// far (left, bottom), (left, top), (right, bottom), (right, top)
std::vector<Vec3> Frustum::ToPoints() const
{
	std::vector<Vec3> ret(8);
	auto nleft = mLeftSlope * mNear;
	auto nright = mRightSlope * mNear;
	auto ntop = mTopSlope * mNear;
	auto nbottom = mBottomSlope * mNear;
	ret[0] = Vec3(nleft, mNear, nbottom);
	ret[1] = Vec3(nleft, mNear, ntop);
	ret[2] = Vec3(nright, mNear, nbottom);
	ret[3] = Vec3(nright, mNear, ntop);
	auto fleft = mLeftSlope * mFar;
	auto fright = mRightSlope * mFar;
	auto ftop = mTopSlope * mFar;
	auto fbottom = mBottomSlope * mFar;
	ret[4] = Vec3(fleft, mFar, fbottom);
	ret[5] = Vec3(fleft, mFar, ftop);
	ret[6] = Vec3(fright, mFar, fbottom);
	ret[7] = Vec3(fright, mFar, ftop);
	for (auto i = 0; i < 8; ++i) {
		ret[i] = mOrientation * ret[i] + mOrigin;
	}
	return ret;
}

void Frustum::SetOrthogonal(bool ortho)
{
	mOrthogonal = ortho;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Donald Trump's new insult for Megyn Kelly bodes well for Hillary Clinton.
Say this for the Donald, he has a rare talent for emasculation. Jeb "Low Energy" Bush. "Lying Ted" Cruz. "Little Marco" Rubio. Each of these derisions stuck because they worked, simultaneously, on two levels: at once bolstering Trump's own virile image and identifying real weaknesses in his opponents. Jeb Bush was boring. Ted Cruz does lie—constantly. And Marco Rubio is, well, little.
—only works on the first of those levels. Kelly may be "a woman who plays a racist on TV," as Gawker called her, but she's fairly moderate by Fox's standards. "Crazy" is just a slightly nicer way of saying Kelly is PMS-ing.


text:
What Causes a Cold Sensation in the Legs?
Multiple sclerosis can cause a cold sensation in the legs, explains The New York Times. A cold sensation in the legs can also occur after a stroke, says the National Institute on Aging.
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that causes tingling, numbness, and hot or cold sensations in the limbs, according to the New York Times. With MS, the feeling of cold starts at the ends of the limbs and slowly works its way up toward the top of the limbs. Sometimes the arms and legs merely tingle or feel numb. Muscle weakness and spasms sometimes follow the cold sensation in the legs. Other symptoms of MS include muscle pain, spasms and cramps, coordination problems, fatigue, memory loss and mood swings. An individual can control MS flare-ups by avoiding sudden temperature changes, minimizing stress and quickly treating infections.
A cold sensation in the legs can also follow a stroke, a condition called central pain syndrome, states the National Institute on Aging. A stroke affects the brain, which can then affect the rest of the body. If a stroke damages the thalamus portion of the brain, pain in the limbs results, manifesting in hot and cold sensations, tingling, numbness, burning and stabbing pain. Patients should avoid cold temperatures because they exacerbate central pain syndrome.
Why Is My Lower Leg and Foot Numb?
What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Cancer?
Why Do My Legs Fall Asleep All the Time?
What Are the First Symptoms of ALS?
Cold Sensation in Chest
Cold Sensation in Legs
Heat Sensation in Lower Leg
Warm Sensation in Right Leg
Cold Sensation in Head
A Burning Sensation in my Leg
Cold Sensation in Throat


text:
Painfully Hopeful
Gazing at the irony
About Wezlo
Painfully Hopeful Press
Penny Gnomes
Pastoring
Unpacking New Town
by wezloPosted on February 1, 2017 January 31, 2017
Given what's going on in the United States these days, it felt eerily contemporary to write this passage. Still, it points out some of the problems with The Realm. Let's unpack.
The Harbor
As I mentioned in "unpacking" last week, The Harbor is a section of No Entry in which non-gnomes are allowed to enter, and even live. Space in the neighborhood is limited, so there is an extensive 1 visa system in order to obtain a permit of residence. Most are passed on down through generations, so there are very few of these available to the general population. Regional governments pay handsomely to secure one of the permits, and associated benefits, for their constituents.
Visiting The Harbor is not impossible, but does require an entry visa. Ever since refugees began moving toward the Fifty Peaks Mountains, however, these visas are almost never given out. But more on that in a bit.
The Wizard's Firecracker
Wizard's do, indeed, have their own private language, which randomly discharges magical energy when spoken. This is the "Wizard's firecracker." Aside from warning the general population to not trifle with those who have firecrackers lit, it's a handy way to hide one's conversation from prying ears. The cracks of energy can be quite loud.
Boarsblemish is an interesting place.
The Refugee Crisis
I did not decide to write about The Realm's refugee crisis, and New Town, because of the current refugee ban in the US. Of course the current refugee crisis which the world faces was an influence on this becoming an important part of the story, but given the nature of war the idea of refugees made sense.
When I created my map of The Realm several years ago, "No Entry" was the name I'd given to the gnome's border town, because I'd already decided they'd be a rather closed society. They also happen to have the safest territory in case The Horde manages to renew their invasion, so it makes sense a mass of frightened people would make for their territory.
And then last Friday and Saturday happened and I thought, "Oh, wow." But all the plot points from this scene were set in stone weeks ago, and have been forming over the course of years.
The throne really is empty, which has removed an important cog of The Realm's system of government. While the King is far from an absolute ruler, only the King is able to over-turn a harmful law, or break a deadlock in the governor's council. Only the King is allowed to set a common rule for all peoples, ratified by the council. Without the king, gridlock is the order of the day.
And no one knows how long the throne has been empty.
Exploding Chips
I love how Nobody doesn't seem to understand how he probably shouldn't be offering dangerous snack chips to his companions. It honestly hadn't occurred to him, he thought if any of his current batch exploded he'd be present to record the results 2
New Town is not a happy place, and the gnomes have no intention of letting any of it's denizens into their borders.
The gnomes don't like outsiders, but neither are they cruel. They bear no animosity for the refugees, but they really feel they've suffered enough on their behalf. Really sentiment toward the war, and all it's effects, is extremely low.
And expensive. ↩
Most of which include a dead test subject and a hole in the side of the railcar. "Cheese Casserole," would have instead blown a whole out of the roof. ↩
Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Penny GnomesTagged Author Notes, Fantasy, Fiction
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Home » Uncategorized » Possible carbon fullerene advance to spintronics, molecular electronics and quantum computing
Possible carbon fullerene advance to spintronics, molecular electronics and quantum computing
April 7, 2017 September 8, 2008 by Brian Wang
Stable carbon-80 fullerene (C79B) would be an electron short, instead of having an extra electron. There would be the components of a molecular semiconductor. C79N (carbon 80 with one carbon changed to a nitrogen) would have an extra electron.
"No one has done anything like this," said Harry Dorn of Virginia Tech. "Since the article was published, we now know that we can take the electron back out of the fullerene cage."
He says the discovery could be important to the new fields of spintronics, molecular electronics, and micro to nanoscale electronics, as well as the new field of quantum computing.
"The single electron bonded-diatomic yttrium has unique spin properties that can be altered. Increasing the polarization of this spin, could be important for improving the sensitivity of MRI and NMR, he said.
Blacksburg, Va. – Virginia Tech chemistry Professor Harry Dorn has developed a new area of fullerene chemistry that may be the backbone for development of molecular semiconductors and quantum computing applications.
Dorn plays with the hollow carbon molecules known as fullerenes as if they are tinker toys. First, in 1999, he figured out how to put atoms inside the 80-atom molecule, then how to do it reliably, how to change the number of atoms forming the carbon cage, and how to change the number and kinds of atoms inside the cage, resulting in a new, more sensitive MRI material and a vehicle to deliver radioactive atoms for applications in nuclear medicine.
As part of the research to place gadolinium atoms inside the carbon cage for MRI applications, Dorn created 80-atom carbon molecule with two yttrium ions inside. Then he began to fool with the materials of the cage itself. He replaced one of the 80 atoms of carbon with an atom of nitrogen (providing Y2@C79N). This change leaves the nitrogen atom with an extra electron. Dorn discovered that the extra electron, instead of being on the nitrogen atom on the fullerene cage surface, ducks inside between the yttrium ions, forming a one-electron bond. "Basically, a very unusual one electron bond between two yttrium atoms," he said.
Discovery of this new class of stable molecules (M2@C79N ) was supported by computational studies by Daniel Crawford, associate professor of chemistry at Virginia Tech, and the structure was confirmed by x-ray crystallographic studies by Alan Balch , professor of chemistry at the University of California, Davis.
This research is reported in the September 6, 2008, online issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), in an article by Dorn and his colleagues at Virginia Tech and UC Davis.
The JACS article is "M2@C79N (M ) Y, Tb): Isolation and Characterization of Stable Endohedral Metallofullerenes Exhibiting M-M Bonding Interactions inside Aza[80]fullerene Cages," by Tianming Zuo, Liaosa Xu, Christine M. Beavers, Marilyn M. Olmstead, Wujun Fu, Crawford, Balch, and Dorn
Categories Uncategorized Tags bootstrapping nanotechnology, energy, future, futurist, medicine, space, technology Post navigation
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Q: Optimization of query I have written below stored procedure which uses cursor to find and select id and maximum hire date.Then i updated the emp_hire_date column of employee table with maximum hire date on the basis of id.But,whenever my application uses this procedure,then table employee getting locked.So,is it possible to update emp_hire_date column of employee table with maximum hire date on the basis of id  without using cursor?How can i optimize this query so that my table will not get locked.Any help would be appreciated.
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE updatehiredatefield
(
p_empno number
)
AS
BEGIN
CURSOR new_cursor IS
SELECT  emp.ID,MAX (act.hire_date) AS hire_date FROM employee emp LEFT JOIN department dept
               ON  dept.col1 = rec.col2 LEFT JOIN salary act ON act.sal_id = dept.id
               WHERE rec.col3 = p_empno GROUP BY emp.ID ;
    TYPE t_row_new IS TABLE OF new_cursor%rowtype;
    t_new t_row_new;
   BEGIN
            OPEN new_cursor ;
              LOOP
              FETCH new_cursor  BULK COLLECT
                INTO t_new LIMIT 10000;
              FORALL i IN 1 .. t_new.COUNT
               UPDATE employee
               SET employee.emp_hire_date = t_new(i).hire_date
                 WHERE
                 employee.ID = t_new(i).ID ;
              COMMIT;
              EXIT WHEN new_cursor%NOTFOUND;
            END LOOP;
            close new_cursor ;
            COMMIT;
    END;
END;

A: I just reformat your query:
SELECT emp.ID, MAX(act.hire_date) AS hire_date
FROM employee emp
    LEFT OUTER JOIN department dept ON dept.col1 = rec.col2
    LEFT OUTER JOIN salary act ON act.sal_id = dept.ID
WHERE rec.col3 = p_empno
GROUP BY emp.ID ;

Where is table rec?
This query does not work, please post entire query, then we can help you.

A: First replace the procedural code with a single SQL statement.  Declarative code in Oracle is usually simpler and faster than the equivalent procedural code.  There will still be some row locks but hopefully they will be held for much less time.
create or replace procedure update_hire_date_field(p_empno number) is
begin
    merge into employee
    using
    (
        select emp.id, max(act.hire_date) as hire_date
          from employee emp
          left join department dept
            on dept.col1 = rec.col2
          left join salary act
            on act.sal_id = dept.id
         where rec.col3 = p_empno --As Wernfried pointed out, this seems wrong
         group by emp.id;
    ) new_values
        on (employee.id = new_values.id)
    when matched then update set emp_hire_date = new_values.hire_date;
end;
/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


PEC inspection is possible at high temperatures.
By placing a ceramic block in between probe and hot wall, the probe can be shielded from the heat and readings can be taken as normal. In this way, PEC is able to produce accurate measurement at temperatures up to 550°C.
An example of a high-temperature inspection involved a refinery where two heat exchanger shells had been mistakenly exposed to hydrogen chloride attack, resulting in suspected wall loss at the top of the shells. Insulation material was removed from the heat exchangers to take ultra sound wall thickness readings.
The high temperature of the heat exchangers hampered the ultrasound measurements and reliable data could only be obtained at a limited number of points. PEC performed more successfully. PEC data, collected along the circumference of the heat exchanger at several points, proved consistent with the ultrasound data at those points producing reliable ultrasound readings.
The worst case of wall loss detected by PEC at the refinery is displayed in the figure opposite, showing about 3 mm wall loss. As this was acceptable from the integrity point of view, the asset owner decided not to replace the shells.


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"Let 'Er Buck!" by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
The true tale of a cowboy's epic rodeo ride from acclaimed author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Caldecott Honoree Gordon C. James.
In 1911, three men were in the finals of the famed Pendleton Round-Up saddle bronc competition. One was white, one was Indian, and one was black. When the judges declared the white man the winner, the audience was outraged. They named black cowboy George Fletcher the "people's champion" and took up a collection, ultimately awarding Fletcher far more than the value of the prize that went to the official winner. Award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson tells the story of Fletcher's extraordinary triumph with a western flair that will delight kids—and adults—who love true stories, unlikely heroes, and cowboy tales.
"[E]nthralling. . . . A distinguished depiction of men and horses, and an under-told piece of history from the Old West."
"James' painterly oils swirl with energy, visible daubs creating the dusty, monumental landscape and equally monumental horses and humans. . . . A champion indeed."
"An excellent choice for most biography collections. The rollicking language and gorgeous art make this a terrific read-aloud and conversation starter for older elementary students."
"[A] triumphant tale of fairness trumping prejudice for a wrangler extraordinaire."