The Brain Institute opened in 2016 and is focused on research, education and community outreach.
First proposed by a group of Neuroscience Program faculty members in 2014, the Brain Institute was conceived for the purpose of coordinating and advancing neuroscience research across Tulane's campuses.
Since it was first established on Oct. 7, 2016, the Brain Institute has continued to incorporate the highly valued principles of research, education and community outreach. According to Dr. Jill Daniel, director of the Tulane Brain Institute, these intrinsic principles represent the three pillars of the Institute.
Though neuroscience is a highly interdisciplinary field of study within the School of Science and Engineering and many different research groups are associated with the Brain Institute, most of the research currently being conducted focuses on four main themes: memory and cognition; neural disease, injury and repair; brain-body health; and hormone-brain interaction.
The Tulane Brain Institute focuses on research, education and engagement in the neuroscience community.
Each research group is led by a faculty member and employs postdoctoral researchers as well as research-seeking students from all academic levels. In addition to a variety of research opportunities, the Brain Institute seeks to engage interested students by other means as well.
Neuroscience has been a prominent area of research at Tulane since 1986, when the University established the PhD program in Neuroscience as the school's first interdisciplinary doctoral program. Since then, the Tulane University Neuroscience Program has come a long way in terms of education.
When the undergraduate program in neuroscience was introduced in 2000, it quickly grew to become one of the most popular majors offered at Tulane, indicating the rapidly growing interest in the field. In fact, the neuroscience major has already led many students to pursuing careers in medicine or brain research.
Dr. Wee believes the Brain Institute will further encourage students to pursue careers in neuroscience.
"The neuroscience major at Tulane lets students prepare for medical or graduate school, other careers in the health sciences, and has applications in biotechnology, computer science, philosophy, etc.," Wee said.
Community engagement is yet another fundamental aspect of the Brain Institute. Faculty and students associated with the Institute participate in outreach programs such as K-12 STEM educational programs, like the Tulane Science Scholars, Boys At Tulane in STEM and Girls In STEM at Tulane. The Brain Institute also supports the Tulane Stroke Survivors Support Group and provides resources to stroke survivors and their families.
The #Tulane Brain Institute is studying why males have more impulse-control issues than females, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective preventative and treatment strategies.
"The Tulane Brain Institute aims to be an integral part of the city and region by bringing neuroscience to New Orleans schools, promoting brain health in the community, and providing support to New Orleans families affected by brain injury and disease," Daniel said.
Daniel also said that all students pursuing Neuroscience as their major automatically become members of the Brain Institute, though it is not exclusively restricted to neuroscience majors. The Tulane Brain Institute, whose administrative offices are located in Flower Hall, is open to all students.
One way to get involved is to attend the Brain Awareness Week, an event which takes place on Tulane's campus every March. Students also have the opportunity to join the Tulane University Neuroscience Association, a student-run club that engages in social and scientific events at Tulane through the Brain Institute as well as throughout the New Orleans community.


text:
Passengers on India's 'cancer train' share stories of pain and hope
Kashmir Kaur, 55, inside the cancer-train. Every night, hundreds of cancer patients from the farming region of southern Punjab huddle together with their families in an overnight train journey to the nearest cancer hospital, 220 miles away. (Rama Lakshmi/THE WASHINGTON POST)
By Rama Lakshmi
Rama Lakshmi
The train crawls into the grimy station, and scores of anxious cancer patients scramble to find assigned berths, floor space, even corners. Wrapped in large woolen blankets against the wintry cold, the passengers prepare for an overnight journey to the nearest public hospital, 220 miles away.
Many call it India's "cancer train."
A woman is traveling with her family of six to be tested for cancer. A husband and wife are taking their teenage daughter for her third chemotherapy session. A man accompanies his wife to learn whether she has suffered a relapse in the past six months.
The patients travel from the fertile farming areas of the northern state of Punjab, a region that reports an alarmingly high use of pesticides. The train has become a magnet for cancer campaigners and groups fighting for laws to restrict the use of pesticides, and has been featured on posters and in promotional videos and publicized at international conferences.
In the past five years, the number of patients on the train has continued to grow, sending a wake-up call to the government.
Jasveer Singh shows her test results after a visit to the cancer hospital in Bikaner. (Rama Lakshmi/THE WASHINGTON POST)
Last month, Punjab's government launched its first door-to-door cancer census across the state to determine the number of people who have cancer or cancerlike symptoms. The public hospital to which the train ferries patients — in Bikaner, in the neighboring state of Rajasthan — reports 1,000 more cancer patients a year, on average, according to chief oncologist Ajay Sharma. But officials acknowledge that the reports on cancer in Punjab are mostly anecdotal.
"To tackle this head-on, we now need to get a sense of the scale of the problem," said Baldev Singh Sahota, the senior medical officer in the health department in Malwa, a cotton-growing region in Punjab where pesticides have been used heavily to battle a bollworm infestation.
India's Green Revolution of the 1960s and '70s — introduced with American help to promote modern farming methods using high-yield varieties of seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides — was meant to fight hunger and increase productivity. But over the years, that model has become medically and environmentally unsustainable, according to many anti-pesticide campaigners, who advocate organic farming and tougher laws.
A 2008 study found a possible link between pesticide use and reports of high cancer rates in Punjab's rural agricultural communities. Another big medical study is underway to ascertain the cause of the upsurge.
On the train, almost everyone — patients and regular passengers alike — agrees there is little doubt that pesticides are mainly to blame. But they say they cannot afford to stop using them.
"I spray pesticides 10 times in three months on my cotton crop, every week on the vegetables and a couple of times on the wheat crop," said Baldev Singh, a 63-year-old turbaned farmer. "I am told there is a link between pesticides and cancer. But it increases productivity."
Singh's wife, Jasveer, is a cancer patient.
"It is all because of poisoned water and my destiny," she said.
Most of the patients on the train are poor, and the government gives them a 50 percent discount on their fares plus a similar discount for an attendant. But patients do not like the name "cancer train."
"It is a dirty word that we are frightened of even uttering," said Vijay Kumar, 48, a watch repairman who was traveling with his daughter, a patient. "I have hidden it from my relatives. It is not fair that the train bears the stigma."
Sometimes, that stigma gets in the way of spreading cancer awareness.
"Cancer means death for the people here. They would rather not go for diagnosis or talk about it. That is why we conduct tests at their doorsteps," said A.P.S. Chawla, director of Roko Cancer, a nonprofit organization that operates mobile diagnostic labs in villages. "Our aim should be to ask the government to build more cancer hospitals all over the state and stop these trains. Why should patients have to travel such long distances?"
The journey is not a comfortable one. The toilet stinks, sinks are stained and the floor is covered with dirt and peanut shells.
"Can they make the train more patient-friendly by keeping it clean?" Kumar, the watch repairman, asked.
"Make it warm during winter nights like tonight," Jasveer Singh said. "All the seats and berths must have a mattress — many of us have to lie down on cold wooden benches."
A passenger offers his blanket to a patient. Another brings warm water, and a third gives space to a patient without a reserved seat.
Some nights, the train is a place to share stories about treatments, costs, pain and fear.
"We recognize other patients just by looking at the expressions on their faces, sometimes," Jasveer Singh said. "At times we feel sad, because some people who were traveling with us regularly suddenly stop coming. We realize they could not make it."
Some of the stories shared offer hope.
"I try to dispel others' fears and tell them about my own progress," said Kashmir Kaur, 55. "I show them my fresh crop of hair as proof."
She lifted the shawl from her head to reveal fuzzy gray sprouting in all directions. Cheers erupted.
"This is life. We just have to keep pulling on," Kaur said, laughing. "Just like this train."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Defi is changing the world - but for the better?
If your life even fleetingly intersects with crypto, you can't have failed to hear about decentralized finance (defi). The defi movement has been the industry's defining trend this year, breaking all records and attracting massive inflows of capital. Investors have flocked to purchase defi tokens and stablecoins before locking them into decentralised lending and liquidity protocols, earning them yield on their holdings.
This inflow of funds has been great for supplying liquidity and granting early adopters outsized returns. But has it done anything to advance the defi narrative, based around open access and universal adoption of P2P finance applications? Is defi really unbanking the unbanked and the hard to bank, or is it simply fuelling another Ethereum gold rush to rival the ICO boom of 2017?
We outline the current state of play within the burgeoning defi economy before considering the case for and against decentralised finance making the world a better, fairer place.
What's the deal with Defi?
Decentralised finance is an extension of the Ethereum ecosystem, based around using crypto networks to remove intermediaries and facilitate P2P lending, borrowing and trading. Defi builds upon the foundations of Ethereum and other smart contract-based networks. It's constructed from a series of base-layer protocols (Ethereum, Maker, Compound) which support decentralized applications (aka, dApps) for lending, social credit, derivatives trading, token swapping and much more.
At its core, defi is all about bringing products that are synonymous with the traditional financial world to crypto. But there are a few key differences.
With defi, anyone can participate – an internet-connected device and a basic knowledge of cryptocurrency are all that's required – without fear of discrimination, be it due to credit rating, location, or social status.
Defi has transformed crypto - but can it change the world?
Defi promises to create a more egalitarian system in which it's not your net worth that counts but what you do with it. So far, many of defi's early adopters have elected to lock their crypto assets, primarily ERC20 tokens such as ETH, DAI and BTC (represented as WBTC on Ethereum) into liquidity protocols. These enable traders to tap into a deep pool of liquidity and purchase assets with minimal slippage while earning liquidity providers (LPs) a portion of the fees.
With certain defi pools promising an annual yield of over 10%, the attraction for liquidity pools (LPs), at a time when many banks are providing negative interest on savings, is understandable. Two months ago, the total value of all assets locked into the defi ecosystem totalled less than $1 billion. It has now swelled to over $2.5 billion, while defi tokens such as Compound's COMP and BZRX have seen their value multiply by 10x or more. That last sentence is worth reading again.
Meanwhile, transactions on Ethereum have surpassed the value of those on Bitcoin, thanks in part to the Cambrian explosion in defi activity.
Total value locked in Defi (USD)
Source: https://defipulse.com
The case for Defi growth being good
Make no mistake, there's a defi gold rush underway as retail traders, high net-worth individuals, family funds and VCs allocate capital to crypto's hot new use case. And while the promise of large returns is undoubtedly driving much of this growth, that's not a bad thing.
For starters, defi needs liquidity if it is to offer a trading experience that can rival centralized exchanges. DEX trading in the past involved complex interfaces, slow order placement, low liquidity and high slippage. Today's DEX traders can execute orders across multiple exchanges using aggregators, enabling them to make large buys at market price. And that's thanks to "liquidity miners" - token-holders who lock their assets into defi protocols.
LINK, the native asset of Chainlink, whose oracles are used by multiple defi projects, is up 362% year to date.
LINK price chart, 2020 ytd
Source: Coincodex
Early investors might gain the greatest rewards if they're lucky, but they also assume the most risk. If they generate handsome returns, they're entitled to them. After all, it takes guts (at the very least) to entrust your funds to decentralized protocols in the knowledge that if there's a smart-contract bug you could lose everything. Should that happen, there is no consumer protection agency to run to.
Moreover, the high yield offered by certain defi protocols is simply smart growth hacking. High annualized percentage rates (APRs) provide a means of bootstrapping fledgling networks, providing the liquidity that will attract more users and grant them a superior user experience. Who wants to trade illiquid tokens in a veritable ghost town? For defi to change the world, first it must corner the cryptosphere – and it's doing a good job of that so far.
But what about the flip side? High yields and 10x-ing tokens are unsustainable. What happens when the music stops?
The case for Defi growth being bad
Boom and bust cycles are inevitable in emerging markets. But what's going on in defi right now isn't just growth - it's greed. Scammers sharing fake smart contract addresses for Uniswap tokens; gas wars where bots front-run DEX listings to snap up all the tokens like concert touts: it's hard to see how any of this is bringing open finance to the masses.
Importantly, it is not certain at this stage that the benefits of defi will "trickle down" to those who could benefit from it the most.
Right now, the most successful defi dApps are focused around trading, demonstrating that speculation remains crypto's primary use case. If defi's lasting legacy is merely to transport centralized trading to a decentralized environment, it will have fallen woefully short of the ethos it was founded on.
If the growth doesn't slow, the yields drop and the use cases expand, defi risks going the same way as ICOs - facilitating cash-grabs instead of game-changing crypto/blockchain projects.
The truth about the status of decentralised finance probably lies somewhere between the two camps: defi is delivering value, but it's also attracting the avaricious and the malevolent.
Where there's money, there's thieves and con artists, and right now defi has its share of both.
Thankfully, however, it isn't all doom and gloom. The current crop of defi dApps boast excellent UX, smooth onboarding and a clear value proposition. The innovation within the industry, from insurance products to derivatives, is staggering and there are user metrics to back the valuations. People are actually using defi for its intended purpose: as a global savings account and digital bank. That's quite an achievement for a movement built on a technology - blockchain - that's a little over a decade old.
On 15 July, research boutique dGen published a 56-page report on the defi landscape. Based on interviews with industry experts, the report makes a series of predictions for the next decade, including:
Stablecoins becoming a critical component of international payments in Europe and beyond.
Major audit firms, such as Deloitte and KPMG, joining the defi ecosystem.
Effective insurance making defi a trillion dollar industry.
Traditional financial institutions offering their first defi-enabled savings and pension accounts.
Defi will provide income for thousands of gamers, streamers and influencers.
If even a couple of these predictions come to pass, defi will have exceeded the expectations of its early developers.
Ignore the haters, skirt the scammers and refrain from fomo-ing in - but pay close attention to the defi space: for all its flaws, it's the real deal - and it's here to stay.
Opening an account with Cloudbet is an easy way in to the world of cryptocurrencies - all you need to get started is a credit or debit card.


text:
package ie.macinnes.tvheadend.player;

import android.content.Context;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.os.Build;
import android.os.Handler;
import android.util.Log;

import com.google.android.exoplayer2.DefaultRenderersFactory;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.Renderer;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.audio.AudioCapabilities;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.audio.AudioProcessor;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.audio.AudioRendererEventListener;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.audio.MediaCodecAudioRenderer;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.drm.DrmSessionManager;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.drm.FrameworkMediaCrypto;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.ext.ffmpeg.FfmpegAudioRenderer;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.mediacodec.MediaCodecInfo;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.mediacodec.MediaCodecSelector;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.mediacodec.MediaCodecUtil;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.video.MediaCodecVideoRenderer;
import com.google.android.exoplayer2.video.VideoRendererEventListener;

import java.util.ArrayList;

import ie.macinnes.tvheadend.Constants;
import ie.macinnes.tvheadend.R;

public class TvheadendRenderersFactory extends DefaultRenderersFactory {
    private static final String TAG = TvheadendRenderersFactory.class.getName();

    public TvheadendRenderersFactory(Context context) {
        super(context, null, EXTENSION_RENDERER_MODE_ON, DEFAULT_ALLOWED_VIDEO_JOINING_TIME_MS);
    }

    /**
     * Builds video renderers for use by the player.
     *
     * @param context The {@link Context} associated with the player.
     * @param drmSessionManager An optional {@link DrmSessionManager}. May be null if the player
     *     will not be used for DRM protected playbacks.
     * @param allowedVideoJoiningTimeMs The maximum duration in milliseconds for which video
     *     renderers can attempt to seamlessly join an ongoing playback.
     * @param eventHandler A handler associated with the main thread's looper.
     * @param eventListener An event listener.
     * @param extensionRendererMode The extension renderer mode.
     * @param out An array to which the built renderers should be appended.
     */
    protected void buildVideoRenderers(Context context,
                                       DrmSessionManager<FrameworkMediaCrypto> drmSessionManager, long allowedVideoJoiningTimeMs,
                                       Handler eventHandler, VideoRendererEventListener eventListener,
                                       @ExtensionRendererMode int extensionRendererMode, ArrayList<Renderer> out) {
        SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = context.getSharedPreferences(Constants.PREFERENCE_TVHEADEND, Context.MODE_PRIVATE);

        final boolean enableShieldWorkaround = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(
                Constants.KEY_SHIELD_WORKAROUND_ENABLED,
                context.getResources().getBoolean(R.bool.pref_default_shield_workaround_enabled)
        );

        if (Build.MODEL.equals("SHIELD Android TV") && enableShieldWorkaround) {
            Log.d(TAG, "Adding ShieldVideoRenderer");
            out.add(new ShieldVideoRenderer(
                    context,
                    MediaCodecSelector.DEFAULT,
                    allowedVideoJoiningTimeMs,
                    drmSessionManager,
                    false,
                    eventHandler,
                    eventListener,
                    MAX_DROPPED_VIDEO_FRAME_COUNT_TO_NOTIFY));
        } else {
            Log.d(TAG, "Adding MediaCodecVideoRenderer");
            out.add(new MediaCodecVideoRenderer(
                    context,
                    MediaCodecSelector.DEFAULT,
                    allowedVideoJoiningTimeMs,
                    drmSessionManager,
                    false,
                    eventHandler,
                    eventListener,
                    MAX_DROPPED_VIDEO_FRAME_COUNT_TO_NOTIFY));
        }
    }

    /**
     * Builds audio renderers for use by the player.
     *
     * @param context The {@link Context} associated with the player.
     * @param drmSessionManager An optional {@link DrmSessionManager}. May be null if the player
     *     will not be used for DRM protected playbacks.
     * @param audioProcessors An array of {@link AudioProcessor}s that will process PCM audio
     *     buffers before output. May be empty.
     * @param eventHandler A handler to use when invoking event listeners and outputs.
     * @param eventListener An event listener.
     * @param extensionRendererMode The extension renderer mode.
     * @param out An array to which the built renderers should be appended.
     */
    protected void buildAudioRenderers(Context context,
                                       DrmSessionManager<FrameworkMediaCrypto> drmSessionManager,
                                       AudioProcessor[] audioProcessors, Handler eventHandler,
                                       AudioRendererEventListener eventListener, @ExtensionRendererMode int extensionRendererMode,
                                       ArrayList<Renderer> out) {
        AudioCapabilities audioCapabilities = AudioCapabilities.getCapabilities(context);

        SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = context.getSharedPreferences(Constants.PREFERENCE_TVHEADEND, Context.MODE_PRIVATE);

        final boolean enablePassthroughDecoder = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(
                Constants.KEY_AUDIO_PASSTHROUGH_DECODER_ENABLED,
                context.getResources().getBoolean(R.bool.pref_default_audio_passthrough_decodeder_enabled));

        // Native Audio Decoders
        Log.d(TAG, "Adding MediaCodecAudioRenderer");
        MediaCodecSelector mediaCodecSelector = buildMediaCodecSelector(enablePassthroughDecoder);
        out.add(new MediaCodecAudioRenderer(mediaCodecSelector, drmSessionManager,
                true, eventHandler, eventListener, audioCapabilities));

        // FFMpeg Audio Decoder
        final boolean enableFfmpegAudioRenderer = sharedPreferences.getBoolean(
                Constants.KEY_FFMPEG_AUDIO_ENABLED,
                context.getResources().getBoolean(R.bool.pref_default_audio_ffmpeg_audio_enabled)
        );

        if (enableFfmpegAudioRenderer) {
            Log.d(TAG, "Adding FfmpegAudioRenderer");
            out.add(new FfmpegAudioRenderer(eventHandler, eventListener, audioProcessors));
        }
    }

    /**
     * Builds a MediaCodecSelector that can explicitly disable audio passthrough
     *
     * @param enablePassthroughDecoder
     * @return
     */
    private MediaCodecSelector buildMediaCodecSelector(final boolean enablePassthroughDecoder) {
        return new MediaCodecSelector() {
            @Override
            public MediaCodecInfo getDecoderInfo(String mimeType, boolean requiresSecureDecoder) throws MediaCodecUtil.DecoderQueryException {
                return MediaCodecUtil.getDecoderInfo(mimeType, requiresSecureDecoder);
            }

            @Override
            public MediaCodecInfo getPassthroughDecoderInfo() throws MediaCodecUtil.DecoderQueryException {
                if (enablePassthroughDecoder) {
                    return MediaCodecUtil.getPassthroughDecoderInfo();
                }
                return null;
            }
        };
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Габриел Бетлен или Габор Бетлен (; , ок. 1580, Иля, Княжество Трансилвания – 15 ноември 1629, Алба Юлия) е войвода на Трансилвания в периода 1613 – 1629. През 1619 г. е лидер на антихабсбургските действия в източна и южна Унгария, част от Тридесетгодишната война, правейки Трансилвания противник на Свещената Римска империя във войната.

Владетели на Трансилвания
Монарси на Унгария
История на Дунавските княжества през Средновековието

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Arrrrrrr is for reading in this seafaring tale!
"The Legend of Walter Weirdbeard" follows a crew of pirates on their search for buried treasure. After much tragedy and travail on the high seas, the pirates finally find their fabled treasure, only to discover that the chest holds no gold, no silver, and no jewels! The treasure chest is filled, it turns out, with musty old books! Mutiny and mayhem erupt on board the ship, and Captain Weirdbeard must think quickly to save his own life. He keeps his crew at bay by reading aloud the books from the treasure chest, leading his pirates into the world of the imagination and revealing to them, one story after the next, how valuable a treasure books can be.
"The Legend of Walter Weirdbeard" lasts approximately 45 minutes, including a behind-the-scenes look at Matt's puppets. This program--appropriate for K-5 audiences--uses a combination of shadow puppetry and digital projections.
Download Study Guide for "Weirdbeard" here!


text:
Home Reviews Action The Elder Scrolls Blades
The Elder Scrolls Blades gameplay
If you take a look at the gaming forums, you will notice that a lot of individuals are waiting for the release of this game. Hence, we thought of doing an analysis on The Elder Scrolls Blades release. In addition, we will be doing The Elder Scrolls Blades review as well, so that you can easily determine what factors have contributed towards the popularity of this game.
The Elder Scrolls Blades can be considered as a part of The Elder Scrolls series. In fact, the popularity of the Elder Scrolls series has created a tremendous impact on The Elder Scrolls Blades game as well. It was published by the Bethesda Softworks. This belongs into the category of free to play games. However, the game is not yet launched. Even The Elder Scrolls Blades beta version has not yet been released. Therefore, you will have to wait until the end of November for The Elder Scrolls Blades release.
In The Elder Scrolls Blades, it is important to pay special attention towards the gameplay experience offered to the players. That's because the gameplay experience offered by this game has contributed a lot towards its popularity.
As mentioned earlier, The Elder Scrolls Blades offers an action packed role playing experience to the players. You will have to play this game in the first person point of view. It is important to keep in mind that The Elder Scrolls Blades game has specifically been designed for the mobile devices. Therefore, you can discover a touch screen combat in the game. It involves swiping, tapping and using the virtual dual stick controls, which are offered by the game. When you are combatting in the game, you will need to use raged attacks, magical spells and melee weapons. Hence, you will never get bored while executing the same strategy in the game.
In The Elder Scrolls Blades game, you will also be able to find a large number of dungeons. These dungeons can be divided into two main categories. The first category of dungeons is hand crafted by the developers of the game. But if you take a look at the other collection of dungeons, you will notice that they are generated automatically within the game. While playing The Elder Scrolls Blades game, you will also be provided with the opportunity to customize the characters and level them up. When you are leveling up the characters, you will be able to improve the capabilities of the characters in a convenient manner. Hence, your chances of winning the games that you play would increase. Due to this reason, all players who play The Elder Scrolls Blades will need to pay special attention towards leveling up.
In The Elder Scrolls Blades game, it is possible to discover three different gaming modes. They are named as Abyss, Arena and Town. In the Abyss gaming mode, the gamers will be provided with rouge like experience. In here, the primary objective of the players is to try their best to reach far as much as possible. The dungeon will be an endless one and they will be able to travel as much as they want in it. However, only the player who can get to cover the most distance will be able to end up as the winner.
In the Arena gameplay, you will be able to find a player vs. another player battle. In fact, this is similar to the multiplayer mode. Two different players will be battling against each other in the area. The player who wins the battle will be able to walk away with the victory.
Town can be considered as the primary gaming mode that you will be able to discover in The Elder Scrolls Blades game. This is made out of a hub area. In here, the players can come together and proceed through the story offered. In addition, they will be able to interact with a large number of non-playable characters and receive quests.
The players hub that can be found in The Elder Scrolls Blades is a unique and a one of a kind concept. At the beginning, The Elder Scrolls Blades players hub looks destroyed. Hence, the players will need to go ahead and rebuilt it. It will be one of the challenges that the players of The Elder Scrolls Blades will have to play. Along with rebuilding the players hub, they will need to upgrade it as well. Along with these upgrades, more quests can be unlocked. In addition, more NPCs are also unlocked. Hence, players would love the process that they will have to go through in order to rebuild and upgrade the players hub. They will be able to end up with effective results out of their exercise.
Once installed in a mobile device, The Elder Scrolls Blades game can be played in both portrait modes as well as in the landscape mode. This is another plus point about the game. Hence, an enhanced experience will be offered to the gamers who play The Elder Scrolls Blades at the end of the day.
The Elder Scrolls Blades release
As mentioned earlier, The Elder Scrolls Blades is expected to take place in the end of November. Hence, players will need to wait for a couple of more months to get their hands on the game. The game was announced in 2018 as well and the developers have done a tremendous job by releasing it to the market within a short period of time. They will be able to take that to the next level along with the official release of The Elder Scrolls Blades game. Updates will also be introduced to the game in order to make it VR compatible.
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text:
Local | October 17, 2012
Carson City Health Department's food-service inspections for Oct. 11. All scores are on a 100-point scale, with points deducted depending on the severity of violations:• Carson City BBQ Co., 5110 S. Edmonds Drive, scored 97 points. This inspection was conducted at the chicken wing cook off in the Carson Station parking lot. There was no proof that a certified food handler was present.• Carson Horseshoe Club Bar 1, 402 N. Carson St., scored 98 points. Food contact surfaces of the speed gun and speed gun holster were not clean and continued a buildup of debris.• Carson Horseshoe Club Bar 2, 402 N. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Carson Middle School cafeteria, 1140 W. King St., scored 100 points.• Empire Elementary School cafeteria, 1260 Monte Rosa St., scored 100 points.• Fairview Food Mart, 1501 Fairview Drive #4, scored 100 points.• Grace Bordewich Elementary School cafeteria, 110 S. Thompson St., scored 100 points.• Mark Twain Elementary School cafeteria, 2111 Carriage Crest Drive, scored 100 points.• Pioneer High School cafeteria, 202 E. Corbett St., scored 100 points. • Plaza Hotel and Conference restaurant, 801 S. Carson St., scored 98 points. Milk and cream products were found stored in the walk-in cooler with expired date codes. Corrected on site.• Raleys Bakery, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 99 points. Found several dispensing utensils not stored properly. The bulk flour scoop and bulk sugar scoop were found in the food with the handles touching the food. Corrected on site.• Raleys Deli Department, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Raleys Hot Wok, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Raleys Meat Department, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Raleys Peet's Coffee & Tea, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Raleys Produce Department, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Raleys retail grocery, 3701 S. Carson St., scored 100 points.• Taco Bell #24, 3117 E. Highway 50, scored 100 points.• U.S. Submarine Base restaurant, 1894 E. Highway 50 #10, scored 100 points.


text:
National Ex-Guards To Get Lengthy Prison Sentences For Iraq Shootings
Ex-Guards To Get Lengthy Prison Sentences For Iraq Shootings
Monday, April 13, 2015 at 9:00 pm | כ"ד ניסן תשע"ה
A man carrying a poster that reads "approximate locations of victims around Nisoor Square" enters the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, Monday, for a sentencing hearing for four former Blackwater security guards in connection with a 2007 shooting of civilians in Nisoor Square, Baghdad. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A federal judge sentenced former Blackwater security guard Nicholas Slatten to life in prison and three others to 30-year terms for their roles in a 2007 shooting that killed 14 Iraqi civilians and wounded 17 others.
The carnage in Baghdad's Nisoor Square caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Slatten, who witnesses said was the first to fire shots in the incident, to life, on a charge of first-degree murder. The three other guards – Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard – were each sentenced to 30 years and one day in prison for charges that included manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and using firearms while committing a felony.
Lamberth announced the sentences after a daylong hearing at which defense lawyers had argued for leniency and presented character witnesses for their clients, and prosecutors asked that those sentences – the minimums mandatory under the law – be made even harsher. He rejected both requests.
"Based on the seriousness of the crimes, I find the penalty is not excessive," Lamberth said.
All four were convicted in October for their involvement in the killings in the crowded traffic circle in downtown Baghdad. The legal fight over the killings has spanned years.
This article appeared in print on page 3 of the April 14th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.
Appeals Court Upholds Injunction Halting Health Mandate
National Treasure: Plan for 'Flying Machine' Found After 36 Years
Hotel Cook With Arsenal Allegedly Threatened Mass Shooting
U.S. Lawmaker Defends Meeting With Iran FM in Munich
Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Bid to End 'Dreamers' Immigrant Program


Garden Wedding at Gerry Ranch!
This video captures some highlights from Kristin and Stephen's wedding at Gerry Ranch! I also give DJ & MC tips throughout the video! Keep watching till the very end to read my 5-star review from the happy couple!
On May 26, 2018, I DJed the wedding of Kristin & Stephen at the Gerry Ranch in Camarillo, CA. It was an all-outdoor wedding and I was in charge of the ceremony, cocktail, and reception. This venue was a hidden gem with great views and scenery. It was made for only weddings in mind with a section for the ceremony, a section for the cocktail hour, and a section for the reception.
As for entertainment goes, we kicked things off with a fun grand entrance and the first dance. We enjoyed the dinner provided by Command Performance Catering. We heard some great speeches and watched the parent dances. There was a twist with the Father & Daughter dance which started off with a slow song, then we transitioned it to "Barbara Ann" by the Beach Boys. This was the catalyst to start the dance party! I played some fun music that everybody could dance to. I even had them start a conga line to one of the songs, too!
Overall, this was a beautiful evening and Kristin & Stephen had an amazing time! I had a great time being their DJ and glad that everyone had a great time, too. Thanks Kristin & Stephen for having me!


text:
Reports average load for the past 1, 5, and 15 minutes.

# Portability

On linux hosts, reads '/proc/loadavg and reports extra jobs data.
Elsewhere, runs `uptime`.


In my Online Panel NET review today I will be asking: Is this just a scam, or a legitimate extra income site?
I recently got notified that there is a new survey panel opening up online.
As someone who regularly checks out survey-related sites and extra income opportunities, I thought I would go and check it out.
My initial impressions were, that it looks a lot like Swagbucks – which is my favourite site of this type.
So, I wondered if this could be a new worthy competitor?
This is still a really new site so, time will tell if it stays on my list. Let me know what you think!
Overall Rating: From my experience so far, I'm marking this site as legit and I have had a good experience with it so far.
However, I want to give this a little time and I want to reach the payout threshold, so that I can show you guys that it does pay out. The payout amount for this site is $10 and they pay via PayPal – Sign up here!
What Is Online Panel NET about?
Online Panel is an extra income site, where you can make a small amount of money in a variety of ways.
You initially make points for certain tasks and these points can then be exchanged for cash into your PayPal account.
Micro Jobs, (none available when I checked it out, but that could be my location).
Completing offers will tend to involve things like, free trials, entering sweepstakes and often joining other related sites, (other paid online survey sites).
If you do enter sweepstakes via sites like this, I'd recommend using a specific email account just for entering things like that, as you can get an increase in SPAM, (just my experience).
I prefer doing other offers, (both paid and free) – But do always check the T&Cs; before you sign up for a free trial/paid offer, or enter a sweepstake offer.
What offers are available to you will depend on your location. I'm in the UK and I was pleasantly surprised that there were still actually plenty of offers there for me, (sometimes this isn't the case!).
A free trial for the Gourmet Society.
Joining Beer52 for a free case.
All the offers you see will be worth a certain number of points but every single one will have unique instructions. It's important you follow these instructions if you want to receive points.
I decided to join Beer52. This was a paid offer, (not all offers are free, so make sure you double check that). I just needed to pay a postage fee and get a selection of 8 beers sent to me – for free.
This would automatically become a regular order, but I will be able to cancel within 24 hours if I no longer want to continue with the regular orders, (and you will still get your points).
This company had a 4 star rating on TrustPilot, so I felt confident giving them a go.
As I signed up for the trial, I saw a little confirmation on the website that my details had been tracked and my points tracked.
My points didn't show right away – I thought it could take up to 24 hours, but actually they showed up about 5 minutes later!
Update: I got my beer a few days later and it came with a nice snack too…. 8 beers in total. See below!
I noticed later that, when you go to an offer, it actually tells you how long you'll need to wait to get points in your account.
With some of the offers I tried, it said I wasn't eligible for them.
This could be based on location. I took another offer – free this time – which was to join rewards TV and complete 2 trivia games.
I was awarded more points within around 5 minutes.
This section is pretty good, as you can earn points simply by downloading some of these Apps.
Many of the instructions simply ask you to, download + install + open app, in order to receive points.
One difference is with some of the game apps, you'll need to play to a certain level. One of the first game apps I opened, said you had to play until level 6. Which is fine, if you enjoy game apps.
Click directly on the offer and a pop up appears that will give you the full details.
So, now on to my least favourite way to make money on these sites, (usually).
There are three main survey sections to check out here – including: Best opportunity, most popular and Plenty more.
I went to the "best opportunity," section.
I went to a survey that offered 420 points. Now, 500 points is 50 cents, so it's a little less than that in reality. Not a lot of money, but it depends on the length of the survey.
I kept being directed to various surveys on Global Test Market, (another well-established survey site). However, I constantly got thrown off for not qualifying.
Unfortunately, this happens with a majority of online surveys. It can take a long time just to manage to complete a single survey and then you may have only made 50 cents or less.
The only two survey sites I've found that don't seem to screen out, (at the time of writing) is YouGov Surveys. and Prolific.
In any case, after around 5 different surveys that I got chucked off, I was able to answer a survey.
The survey I finally got access to was actually really enjoyable – it involved shopping in an online store, which I'd not experienced before.
It made a change from the usual boring surveys I've taken in the past.
When I checked back to my main dashboard, I'd already been awarded my points.
It must have taken around half an hour to actually complete a survey though, as I kept being thrown off and sent to another one.
The actual survey I finally did say it would take around 20 minutes, but it actually only took around 10 – which was a bonus.
I also checked out the Micro Job section here, but there wasn't anything available to me at the time of writing – this could be my location, (as I've found this to be the case on other sites also).
You need 10,000 points to cash out at this point in time – this actually isn't all that bad. Because 1000 points equal 1 dollar and it shouldn't take long to make $10.
But it will depend how long you spend on the site and whether you go for things like; downloading Apps, or completing offers.
While some sites have a lower payout threshold, (which is preferable) there are many others which have much higher thresholds! So, $10 isn't bad.
Take a look at the site and check out which offers have the highest rewards; just be sure to check the T&Cs before you go ahead with it.
With most survey sites, you have to request a payment once you reach the threshold, (or longer, if you want to save up your points).
In this case though, you don't have to request payment. You will simply be paid $10 into your PayPal account when you reach 10,000 points.
Some people would rather keep saving their points until they had something more substantial, but it appears that you cannot do that at this point in time. You could just keep the cash in your PayPal account though.
That's the other thing, you do need a PayPal account to cash out and there are no alternative payouts available – for example; lots of sites like to give various gift card options.
However, – important to note: This site has a premium membership feature that automatically comes into play after your first initial payout.
I'm told by Opinion Panel that this will include: additional loyalty points, faster payments and additional reward options.
Free to join – simple to sign up.
Good clean site, easy to navigate.
A variety of different ways to earn – not just surveys.
A variety of offers/apps/survey offers.
Worldwide users welcome – although availability of offers and so forth will vary depending on location.
Premium membership – after your first cash out, you get extra perks, such as more points, additional rewards.
You need PayPal to get paid.
No gift card options, (once you cash out once, there are then meant to be additional options).
Nothing in micro jobs, when I checked it out, (this could be coming, as the site is brand new).
Online Panel NET Review: Or Legit Extra Income Site?
Having signed up and checked out this site, I found it easy to navigate and plenty of options available to make a small amount of money online.
If you're looking for another extra income site to join, this is a legitimate site with plenty of options to earn.
Once you've cashed out once, there will also be additional perks, as you automatically become a premium member.
Just remember, you're not going to make loads of money doing this, it's just a way to make a little extra money each month, by doing some things you may enjoy doing anyway.
If you're already interested in online surveys and getting paid for offers and trials online, then you may want to check it out.
If you came online actually looking to make more of a part-time, or even full-time income online; you're not going to get there from doing micro tasks, or online surveys!
For an extensive list of alternative options – check out my 40+ ways to make money online.
If you're interested in how I make money from running a blog – this is where I got started.
Do you have much experience with survey sites online? Let me know in the comments!
Good find! I like Swagbucks, but it is limited by location, so it's nice to see something that you can use elsewhere. Personally, I feel like $10 isn't terribly high, and it's enough to do something with once you get paid! I'll definitely be checking the new site out. Thanks!
Yeh $10 is pretty good for a pay out threshold I think! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Hi Nat. Thank you so much for the review on this site. I myself like surfing the net always on the look-out for sites like these so I will definitely be checking this one out. I am a member of Global Test Market and their surveys are pretty easy to fill. So the redirect to that site won't be an issue for me.
I will make sure to check out all the options on the site to see what would be the best fit for me. Once again, thank you!


Specially designed for drilling blind holes when fitting concealed (Blum) hinges in kitchen, bedroom and bathroom cabinet doors. Available in two sizes.
Suitable for use on all natural woods and man-made materials such as blockboard, melamine faced boards, chipboard and MDF.
High carbon steel (HCS) hinge bits are not recommended for repetitive work in man-made boards.
These bits should always be used with a stand-mounted drill.


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La centrale nucleare di San Onofre è una centrale nucleare americana, situata a San Clemente nella Contea di Orange in California.

Problemi ai generatori di vapore e chiusura dell'impianto

La SCE ha deciso alla fine degli anni 2000 di sostituire i generatori di vapore dopo uno studio costi-benefici. I generatori sono stati sostituiti, ma dopo circa 1 anno di funzionamento, sono state riscontrate piccole perdite di vapore da un certo numeri di tubi in pressione. I due reattori sono stati quindi spenti per fare maggiori indagini, riscontrando che le perdite erano dovute ad una eccessiva usura dei tubi dovute a vibrazioni.

Dopo mesi di analisi e test, nell'ottobre 2012 la SCE ha presentato alla Nuclear Regulatory Commission un progetto per riavviare almeno il secondo reattore, anche a potenza ridotta. Sono iniziate allora le procedure di valutazione del progetto, che hanno compreso anche vari dibattiti pubblici, ma non essendoci state sicurezze sulla data di un riavvio, la società ha scelto di spegnere la centrale. In questa situazione, tenere l'impianto pronto per essere riavviato è una spesa a fondo perduto per la SCE, che deve sobbarcarsi altri costi per produrre l'elettricità in modi alternativi e per le operazioni di riparazione. Così la società ha deciso che è più conveniente rinunciare a riavviare i due reattori: «La centrale ha servito la regione per oltre 40 anni, ma siamo arrivati alla conclusione che le continue incertezze sul quando e sul se potrà riprendere l'attività non sono buone per i nostri clienti, i nostri investitori e la necessità di fare una programmazione per il fabbisogno a lungo termine della regione», ha dichiarato Ted Craver, amministratore delegato della Edison International, che controlla la SCE.

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Kewaunee


When your garage door stops working as it ought to, let us be the very first contact you make. We're a committed team of professionals with years of experience installing, repairing and replacing garage doors in Apple Valley of each and every shape and size.
Your garage doors can cease functioning as they should for any number of causes. At Insta Garage Doors, we'll quickly diagnose the problem and work to get your Apple Valley garage door back to normal as quickly as possible.
Although we realize that garage repairs could happen when you least expect them, and we are available for 24/7 emergency calls, it's also crucial to make sure your garage doors are continuously maintained, to stop these emergencies. Schedule a maintenance near your Apple Valley residency now.
The true mark of knowledge is not necessarily in the display of awards and certifications, but instead it really is the public acknowledgement of their customers' satisfaction. Here's what our Apple Valley customers have to say.
Insta Garage Door is an amazing company, from our phone call, to the completion of our project, they did a terrific job. They came on time as we agreed, they were quite professional and answered all my inquiries. I'd extremely recommend their solutions again and again, thanks!
We called Insta Garage Doors for a problem we had, given that we live within the South their speedy response surprised us, two experts showed up within 1.5 hours and fixed it within no time, I purchased an extra maintenance service as well, Now I am extremely contained whenever i open my garage door.
Garage doors are extremely strong to the level that you cannot picture of any possible damages to the cables. They are flexible adequate to be rolled up and down as the door opens or closes every time you get into your Apple Valley garage. However, the cables might end up being faulty and break at any moment depending on the tension they have actually been subjected to or how old they have actually ended up being. The garage door lift cables are accountable for raising the door, making sure that the springs do not recoil and therefore lessening on possible injuries in case they were to snap. Unlike the past garage door cables, the current ones have actually been incorporated with a safety mechanism to prevent it from snapping under tension.
A malfunctioning garage door cable is very unsafe and needs instant attention. You can fix it by yourself though it is much suggested to look for aid from an expert due to the risk associated with this sort of job. If the circumstance is not well handled, the door might not work properly or would just remain non-functional and eventually calling for the entire door replacement. More so, the springs may snap, leading to damages that would even kill someone.
A smaller cable on a heavier door would be under so much pressure that it would weaken and break. Furthermore, the taller the door, the bigger a drum should be in order that it may accommodate a longer cable.
A garage door that has lasted more than 5 years requires to be constantly examined for any wear and tear. cables that have actually remained in use for this duration are likely to weaken and snap.
If you have actually become aware of a scenario where a garage door cable came off, then it's probably been brought on by a tight spring. In the contrast, weak springs result to the loosening up of the cable.
Many people in Apple Valley would always prefer to repair and do the household repair work on their own. This is quite reasonable because you'll be reducing the expenses. The garage door cable replacement package is around $30 while the labor is $150, and so you will be saving up to $100 by DIY.
However, this sort of repair work is really technical and requires overall attention. You cannot just stroll into a random shop, purchase the replacement set and then go on fixing the door by yourself. You may have checked out all the tutorials about how you can go about it but trust me, that's simply running the risk of. Blame it on yourself when the garage door cable snapped on your face, or the door entirely squashes on you or your property as a result of the huge tension it holds. You will have to come out with a testament of how it went since that's what the majority of people end up doing. If you are not prepared for the obstacle, take a deep breath and seek aid from a garage door repair company. Additionally, if yours is an old door that was not constructed with a spring security mechanism, just call an experienced pro to work it out.
Make certain that you have correct training, enough methods and required repair work tools.
You require to comprehend the cause of the issue that led to the cable being defective. Often, it may have been disconnected, from balance or loosened up, thus easy to repair.
Whether you are fixing, maintenance, replacing or repairing a broken garage door cable, you require to observe maximum caution. In as much as it's responsible for avoiding possible damages in case the spring snaps, the garage door security cable on itself may end up being faulty and stop working to perform its function.
A non-functioning garage door does not necessarily mean a broken cable. There might be an underlying problem. In some cases, the cable may simply require some lubrication on the springs, tightening, reconnecting or changing the balance.
Security must constantly precede, and therefore you have to place on protective wear. In addition, other needed tools should be in place. The security cable need to be of the right size in relation to that of the door. For a much heavier door, the cable needs to be big enough lest it weakens due to the much stress it has actually undergone.
The tension developed by the spring is constantly the mom of all damages. It is advised that you unwind the springs before installing any new cables.
Get the old cables out of the brackets by loosening up the bolts holding the wires in location, using a wrench. After eliminating the wire, you can then replace it with the brand-new one, protect it on the bracket, wind over the drum and tighten up the bolts to ensure the wire is completely in location.
After setup, guarantee that the issue has been fixed and the garage door is working appropriately. You can ascertain this by closing or opening the door several times, as you feel the tension created by the wire.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Garage Door Cable in Apple Valley CA?
If your garage door falls faster than it previously did, or bounces around when in use, it is likely due to broken chains or cables. This is a repair work best done by an expert. The cables or chains are relatively affordable, however installation takes a while. While the cable might appear a basic thing, it can keep the garage door from slamming shut on you or your cars and truck should the spring break. The cable itself isn't extremely expensive, however the installation can spend some time. Average expenses may be $150 to $200.
Most property owners would always prefer the do it yourself' sort of home maintenance rather than calling an expert to assist them. After all, you can simply find the stepwise tutorials readily available on the web, YouTube and DIY sites, follow the standards and tackle the workout. It's that simple, right?
However, there are some technical jobs that you cannot just deal with despite the fact that you go through all available tutorials. You just require to be an expert to handle them. Replacing, fixing, fixing or servicing a garage door cable needs more than the basic understanding of a video tutorial. You either look for the assistance of a skilled pro or risk your life and whole residential or commercial property by saving $150.
This repair is very hazardous and harmful. The cable is accountable for lifting the heavy door when it opens or closes. It prevents the recoiling of the springs when securely under tension which might eventually lead to snapping and more injuries to people and damages to property.
When yours is an old garage door, it could not have actually been built with a spring safety system which ensures that the spring remains in location even when it breaks. When you run such a door and something fails; make certain to collect your spring in the next space, on the car or most likely inside your head or your loved one.
Typically, the professionals have adequate experience since they have actually dealt with comparable cases, and understand the consequences.
Although it is wise to keep lubricating the springs, you must make sure that the cables are kept from grease as they easily attract dirt and particles which might hinder the working of the door.
Point to remember: Due to the fact that your garage door is a significant entryway to your Apple Valley home, it is very important to keep it in good working order for your very own safety, security, and convenience. Choosing the right design and suitable materials, such as cables will minimize the amount of repairs that may arise. Additionally, investing in routine upkeep can be affordable in the long run. If your garage door cable is in requirement of major repair work, it is best to call an expert garage door repair company near Apple Valley for support. Typically, the company will charge for at least one hour for making a service call. Nevertheless, the benefits of a professional repair work task can well surpass any expenses, as a professional can make sure the security, security, and correct operation of your garage door.


Investors in Safety Insurance Group who expected a reprieve from the winter snowstorms may want to think again. The company reported losses for the second quarter of 2015, as its results were negatively affected by another $45 million in catastrophe loss and loss-adjustment expenses related to the more than 9 feet of snow that blanketed its core Massachusetts markets in the first quarter of 2015.
The company reported a net loss of $1.1 million for the second quarter, or $0.07 per diluted share. Because of the aforementioned losses and the payment of a $0.70-per-share dividend, book value fell to $42.82 per share, down from $44.19 per share last quarter and $46.89 per share a year ago.
Charting Safety's performanceSafety Insurance has a record as an above-average underwriter, generating consistent underwriting profits in an industry where very few can make that claim. But the one-off snowstorms of early 2015 are proving to be costly.
Note in the following chart the increase in Safety's combined ratio compared with prior periods. Losses and expenses consumed 109.2% of premiums in the second quarter, down from 142.6% of premiums in the first quarter, but losses are still well above its historical average.
When Safety Insurance reported its first-quarter 2015 results, it was quick to note that it was the first time in its history that its losses pierced through its reinsurance program. The company has now recorded $156.7 million in direct catastrophe losses and expects to receive $65 million in reinsurance recoveries. That's up from $111.7 in catastrophe losses and $49.9 million in recoveries expected in the first quarter.
Though losses have proved challenging, the company may have renewed pricing power going forward. The company reported that its average written premium per exposure jumped 5.1% and 1.7% for its commercial automobile and homeowners lines of business, respectively, during the first half of 2015. It's also underwriting more risks, with written exposures growing more than 4% in both commercial automobile and homeowners lines.
Its investment portfolio remains in position to capitalize on any interest rate increases. This quarter, Safety Insurance reported that its investments generated $10.3 million in net investment income, with a duration of only four years and an average yield of 3.4%.
Keep in mind that Boston hit a new record snowfall for a single season on March 15, just 16 days before the end of the fiscal 2015 quarter. With three additional months to tally the damage in the second quarter, one would expect that Safety Insurance, normally conservative with its assumptions, now has a firm grasp on its total losses. Let's hope warmer weather can help thaw out its cold first-half results.
The article Record Snow Strikes Safety Insurance Group Again originally appeared on Fool.com.
Jordan Wathen has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Safety Insurance Group. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Home / Game History / 9-9-09
9-9-09 September 9, 2009	Anthony Salter
Today is the tenth anniversary of the release of the Sega Dreamcast in the United States.
In the end, I think there was one thing and one thing only that killed the Dreamcast: it didn't play DVDs. Sony's hype machine for the PS2 was absolutely incredible. If the Dreamcast had played DVDs it would have probably lasted until Sony's hype wore off and people realized that the PS2's "Emotion Engine" didn't produce graphics significantly better than the Dreamcast's. (Plus Shenmue II wouldn't have had to come on four CDs.)
A lot of people don't recall that the Dreamcast offered the first real console online multiplayer experience…unfortunately using 56k modems. Now, it's not impossible to write online mulitplayer games that can run over a 56k modem…but it is hard, and "lag" wasn't something console players back then were used to. Xbox Live's success came from their willingness to explicitly state, "If you don't have broadband, go away."
So the poor thing was simultaneously ahead and behind its time. If it had played DVDs and been easily upgradeable to use broadband, we might still be playing it (or a backwards-compatible successor) today.
And now I'm off to play Jet Set Radio all day.
2 Responses to 9-9-09
modem multiplayer and lag? not really.. modems had a bandwidth problem, not a lag problem as such. So if you managed to make your update "packets" small enough, you were fine.
Internet, however, has a serious lag problem. =)
I thought the Atari Jaguar did multiplayer first. Although that may have never made it past the prototype stage.
Anywho, my buddy had a Dreamcast and I fondly recall playing House of the Dead 2 and Gem Fighter back in the day.


So I got the OMSA service working on my 64-bit Debian server. THATS all fine and dandy.
Yesterday, I spent hours getting the nuances setup correctly to just get this thing to be "managed" by the central Dell OpenManage server, hopefully my hard work will help someone out there.
First, in terms of server monitoring, Dell has their "client" OpenManage Server Administrator(OMSA), and their "server" IT Assistant.
My IT Assistant is installed on windows and is pretty self-explanatory to get that part done, and I already explained how to install OMSA.
Now, in order for IT Assistant to manage an OMSA client, it must have SNMP read-only access to it, and in Linux, this is done through snmpd via SMUX and in Debian, SMUX is disabled by default(but isn't immediately obvious).
First of all, you need to enable SNMP read-only access to your server.
As I said, by default Debian has SMUX turned off. You need to re-enable it by deleting the -I -smux in the startup options line in the /etc/default/snmpd file.
Now add a 'range' in IT Assistant with the IP of your server and community string you setup for your server. Then run a discovery job and it should appear in your devices list. The icon next to the device signifies if there are any current alerts applicable to this server.
Congratulations, you can now "manage" your server.
My current problem is that it appears that I cannot have IT Assistant generate alerts for my server since it can only do so if it receives a trap from the server. I find this pretty silly, it should support alerting me based on its polling, not just by waiting for an alert.
Anyone have any idea what the issue could be?
Hello, I am trying to set up OMSA & IT Assistant to manage Dell PowerEdge 1950 servers. I have OMSA installed, but I am having two problems getting everything running - 1) I cannot change the root password for the login and 2) I can't seem to find/install IT Assistant.
Hello, I was just wondering if you ever got IT Assistant working with Debain. I have OMSA working but it sure would be nice if it would work with IT Assistant.


Home / Jio / How to Check Jio Data, SMS & Call Balance Through SMS?
How to Check Jio Data, SMS & Call Balance Through SMS?
Most of the Internet users are Jio Users because of the cheaper price plans with high validity. Did you know? You can also know your Jio Data, SMS & Call Balance just by sending a simple SMS to the number given below.
So here in the post we are going to tell, How to Check Jio Data, SMS & Call Balance Through SMS.
• Go to Messages and Create a New Message.
• Type BAL in text field & Enter "To" number as "199".
• Once you have typed the message "BAL" in the capital letters, click on the Send button.
• As soon as your SMS delivers to 199, You will receive a SMS showing your Balance validity, and Data Remaining for the day.


This building was originally a factory of nails.
Bordered by a creek it used water to drive a impeller.
We bought it in September 2004 to transform it into a family home for the living area and cottages in the barn.
And then four years of work to complete all.
Thank you to family and friends and all workers that have made this great achievement.


1. NAME OR DESIGNATION OF PROGRAM: SYVAC.
The simulation program SYVAC A/C (System Variability Analysis Code for deep (A) and shallow (C) burial of radioactive waste) has been developed by the UK Department of the Environment (DOE). The acronym SYVAC comes from the name of an assessment code originally obtained from Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) in 1982. (The AECL code was found to be inappropriate for geological conditions in the UK).
The SYVAC program simulates the ground water mediated movement of radionuclides from underground facilities for the disposal of low and intermediate level wastes to the accessible environment, and provides an estimate of the subsequent radiological risk to man. The simulated timescales are usually within the range 1.0E+03 to 1.0E+07 years.
SYVAC is capable of modelling both shallow disposal facilities (located in argillaceous media and overlaying an aquifer) and deep disposal facilities (in a saturated environment). It is not suitable for considering high level wastes as it does not allow for the heat produced by such wastes.
SYVAC has been developed for use within the DOE Radioactive Waste Management Programme, as one tool in the DOE Assessment Methodology.
A simplistic description of the physical simulated by SYVAC is given below.
Low and intermediate level radioactive waste is stored in a repository or "vault". For shallow disposals, the "vault" is an engineered trench at depths of 20-30mm; for deep disposals a modified mine or purpose built structure at depths of 150-300m. Over a long period of time, groundwater penetrates the vault structure and the canisters containing the waste corrode. The radionuclides migrate in the groundwater flow through the vault structure into the ground - the "geosphere" - surrounding the vault.
The processes are represented in the code by a set of modules known as the Vault submodel.
The radionuclides from the vault migrate through the geosphere to the surface and into the "biosphere" where they become accessible to man, through drinking water, crops etc. The migration takes place through the groundwater flows in aquifer structure for both the shallow and deep disposal sites; for the shallow sites, the radionuclides can also migrate directly to the surface and, where appropriate, this latter process is simulated in SYVAC as part of the Vault submodel.
The process of migration through the Geosphere (with the exception noted above for the shallow site direct path) is represented in the code by the set of modules known as the Geosphere submodel.
The Vault and Geosphere submodels are controlled within the program by the Executive, a set of management modules. Generally, the Executive modules are concerned with data handling and data input/output to the submodels. The Vault and Geosphere submodels are principally concerned with the numerical calculations needed to simulate radionuclide migration from the vault through the geosphere into the biosphere.
The final output from the Geosphere submodel is in the form of a radionuclide flux over time. To estimate the subsequent radiological risk to man from this flux, the SYVAC program applies a series of dose conversion factors (these are different for each nuclide). The dose rate is calculated by multiplying the nuclide flux by the dose conversion factors, and applies to maximally exposed individuals.
These dose conversion factors are supplied to SYVAC as input data, in the form of biosphere data files. The files are currently produced from a structurally separate biosphere model called ECOS.
The previous section has briefly described the simulation of radionuclide migration carried out by the Vault and Geosphere submodels. This simulation requires data to describe the physical structure and transport characteristics of the vault and geosphere.
The necessary data is supplied to SYVAC in the form of parameters that represent hydraulic conductivities, diffusion coefficients, porosities etc for the vault and geosphere. Thirteen basic vault parameters are used to model deep disposal sites, and fifteen for shallow disposals. For both types of site, an additional six parameters are needed for each geological layer modelled in the geosphere.
The values of some of the parameters are not precisely known, and will vary over the timescale of the transport to the biosphere. SYVAC allows for this with a probabilistic approach; the parameter values are sampled from distributions chosen to cover the expected range of values that may be encountred during the post-closure phase of a vault. For each parameter, SYVAC allows the user to select one of five distributions: constant, uniform, log uniform, normal and log normal. Usually, for each parameter, the user will select the distribution that best fits the observed parameter values.
The calculation of risk to man requires knowledge of both the dose from a particular run, and the probability of that run.
Clearly, the dose to man calculated for a particular simulation run will depend on the parameter values chosen for that run. The probability of a particular run - i.e. the probability of choosing a particular set of parameter values - also depends on the parameter value chosen, and can be calculated from the parameter distributions selected by the user when setting up the input data.
The probabilistic nature of these calculations means that to obtain statistically valid estimates of risk (etc), SYVAC must be run a large number of times with different parameter values. The user chooses the number of runs when setting up the input data. The user also chooses the type of sampling used to select the parameter values for each run. SYVAC stores the results of each run for later analysis.
Two different sampling methods can be chosen for SYVAC; Random Sampling and Deterministic Generator Sampling. Random Sampling chooses values (randomly) from the entire range of the distribution chosen for each parameter. Deterministic Generator sampling selects one of 11 possible (discrete) sample points for each parameter for a run; the method of sampling is such that all eleven points are chosen in the course of 11 consecutive runs. The eleven points span the range of the distribution chosen for each parameter.
Level 0 : No dose expected within the time of study.
Level 1 : A non-zero dose expected. This is an accepted run. The actual dose of course may turn out to be zero.
Level 2 : Physically unreal data. An infeasible combination of sampled parameters has been selected.
Level 3 : The data is outside the validated range of one of the submodels and there is an expectation of a high dose. Note that the Vault and Geosphere submodel calculations are only performed for accepted (level 1) runs.
To arrive at the classification for a particular run a series of tests (of different levels of severity) is performed. Each test checks whether a sampled parameter value or value calculated from several parameters is within a specified range.
The Executive is the framework that controls the simulation program as a whole, and specifically calls the Vault and Geosphere submodels.
(i) Input and validation of user defined data.
(ii) Generation of sampled values for data defined by probability distributions.
(iii) Verification and classification of each complete set of sampled data.
(iv) Invocation and control of the submodels which represent the stages of the nuclide transportation process.
(v) Generation of reports and other output.
The Vault submodel simulates the release of radionuclides from non heat-producing radioactive waste placed within an engineered vault in either deep or shallow land disposal facilities. The model includes representations of the waste matrix, waste canister, vault liner, the vault backfill material and the region of host rock around the vault disturbed during construction.
This submodel consists of a hydrogeological model, representing the groundwater flow through the different engineered barriers, and a radionuclide migration model. In the hydrogeological model,the different structural features of the vault are represented by a series of compartments. The hydrogeological model uses an electrical resistance analogy to represent flow within each of these compartments.
The migration model includes the processes of solubility-limited or mass-limited leaching of radionuclides from the waste matrix, linear equilibrium sorption of radionuclides onto the barrier materials, radioactive chain decay, dispersion and advection. Migration of radionuclides in groundwaters is predicted using a numerical solution to the transport equation. The leaching of radionuclides from the waste matrix is simulated using a diffusion model and gives the source term for the transport equation. In solving the transport equation, the radionuclide concentration at the vault/geosphere interface is taken to be zero.
The Geosphere submodel is a 1-dimensional model that deals with the migration of radionuclides from the vault to the biosphere through the geosphere. This is through the calculation of a response function for each geosphere layer. The response function describes the output from each geosphere layer at a given time for unit input to the geosphere layer at a start time The convolution of this response function with the time-varying input to the layer gives the total output from the geosphere layer at any time. Up to five distinct layers can be modelled. This submodel includes the effects of linear equilibrium sorption (for porous or fractured media), linear dispersion and chain decay. Up to 8 member chains can be considered. A semi-finite analytical Laplace transform solution technique is used to solve the geosphere partial differential transport equation.
The biosphere code ECOS calculates the rate of accumulation of committed effective dose equivalent (dose) arising from the flux of radionuclides entering the biosphere. Dose to a maximally exposed individual and collective dose are calculated deterministically.
ECOS is an equilibrium-type compartmental model. The contents of parent and daughter radionuclides at equilibrium in nine activity reservoirs are computed by solving a set of linear simultaneous equations which represent the equilibrium solution of a general differential equation description.
The transfer processes modelled are: percolation and leaching in soils, erosion by wind and water, irrigation, cropping, water phase and sediment phase transport, sedimentation and resuspension in aquatic environments, equilibrium radionuclide sorption and radioactive decay. The dose pathways to man modelled are: drinking water, foodstuffs, external exposure and inhalation. Consumption of aquatic foodstuffs, terrestrial crops and animal products are included. For both drinking water and foodstuff pathways, intakes by man are reduced if the contaminated suply is insufficient to meet total annual needs. The model database includes parameters (e.g. foodchain parameters and sorption coefficients) for 53 radionuclides.
ECOS can be used in two different ways. It can be used in isolation, in order to investigate the relation between dose and biosphere state and in order to identify biosphere scenarios that should be considered in radiological assessment. It can also be used, as part of the overall SYVAC simulation, to produce dose conversion factors that are applied to the activity flux from the geosphere in order to estimate dose to man.
Chemical processes are incorporated in the Vault and Geosphere submodels, not in a separate chemistry submodel.
Chemical parameters are obtained from expert judgement, basic research and site data, together with the use of more detailed models to examine scenarios and hence estimate ranges of values. At present, probability distributions are obtained judgementally for most cases.
The detailed models include simulation of the near-field, which provides direct input to SYVAC in the form of limiting solubilities, and coupled geochemical transport programs which are intended to provide verification for SYVAC runs. The principal programs used are based on ion-association models and solve for mass balance and mass action iteratively using a form of the Newton-Raphson technique and/or a continued fraction approach.
(a) The vault submodel allows 5 "boxes" for the internal construction of the vault and 2 barriers (liner and clay). These cannot be changed by the user.
(b) The model includes representations of 2-dimensional diffusion, and 1-dimensional advection for shallow sites/2-dimensional advection for deep sites. The flow is approximated by Darcy's Law.
(c) Time invariant chemistry; elemental (not isotopic) solubilities; diffuse leaching; nuclide independent retardation. For the case of shallow land disposal, retardation in the damaged region around the Vault structure is incorporated for the direct pathway to the biosphere but not for the pathway through the biosphere.
(d) The equations for flow and transport are uncoupled. solubility, leaching, sorption, diffusion and permeability are all time independent.
(e) There is no allowance for man made or natural (e.g.) tree roots) intrusion into the Vault.
(f) The Vault structure is below the water table (saturated) after a certain period.
(g) There is no interaction between adjacent Vault structures if these were present.
(h) There are a number of limitations on number of canisters, nuclides per chain, etc built into the program.
(a) The Geosphere submodel contains stated limitations on the parameter values. The range of allowed values corresponds to physically admissible values for the parameters.
(b) The timesteps in the model are of fixed duration, which limits the minimum pore water transit times across each geosphere layer.
(c) Although the number of nuclides in each chain is theoretically without limit, practical restrictions on CPU suggest that chains with more than 4 members use secular equilibrium for short lived members and chain truncationfor long lived members.
(d) SYVAC can model up to 5 geosphere layers but for practical computations it is advisable not to exceed 3.
(e) The physical approximations incorporated in the submodel are those normally used in one dimensional, continuum models of transport in homogeneous porous media.
ECOS calculates estimates of activity and dose to man for a constant radionuclide flux into the biosphere. It cannot be used to estimate doses from rapidly changing input fluxes or "spike" inputs. The model does not simulate the production or transport of gaseous radionuclide species nor estimate the dose from such species. This may lead to inaccurate estimates (usually over- estimates) of doses from potentially gaseous radionuclides such as H-3, C-14, I-129. The model includes 53 radionuclides and up to 7 member chains. The allowed list has been found to be more than adequate in the studies to date.
- the number of nuclides in each run.
0.6) x 0.2 CPU minutes (2 hours) to complete execution on the MicroVAX2.
The system was implemented by NEADB on a VAX 8810 computer. The sample case for LAND 2 required 35 seconds, and the case for LAND 3 required 127 seconds of execution time.
The biosphere model, ECOS, has already been described in Section 4. There are a number of other auxiliary programs concerned with graphical analysis and sensitivity analysis. They are not integral to SYVAC, and access the output data files created by SYVAC in the course of execution. These programs are discussed briefly for completeness.
- the efficiency of sampling.
Importance sampling, a recent inclusion, uses the results of sensitivity analysis studies to significantly increase sampling efficiency. Several techniques have been investigated for quantifying expert judgement and also for incorporating measured data using a Bayesian approach.
At present, case study work is carried out by SCICON Limited (Section 15) on a DEC MicroVAX 1 and a DEC MicroVAX 2. Short term storage is via 10MByte discs for the MicroVAX 1, and a 700MByte disc for the MicroVAX 2. Tapes are used for long term storage. A printer is needed for producing physical output.
SYVAC A/C allows a case study to be restarted to increase the number of runs. This is necessary to test for convergence of results and also to work within the limitations on storage, by deleting unwanted files. Typically 18000 blocks are needed for 600 simulation runs.
A system clock is needed to continue case studies in this way. A clock is also needed for the analysis of CPU usage that is carried out by the program.
software modification from DEC to correct an error with double precision exponentials. The program runs under version 4.3 which does not need the modification. SYVAC uses the VAX standard mathematical library but also requires the NAG (Numerical Algorithms Group) library or an equivalent for certain numerical routines not provided in standard FORTRAN libraries.
The MicroVax 1 and 2 are virtual memory machines and so there is no overlaying or similar restrictions due to storage. The only changes required to run SYVAC on another machine (apart from the operating system) would be any that resulted from differences in the implementation of FORTRAN 77 on the two systems.
Converting SYVAC to run in another programming language would be a major undertaking and is unlikely to be effective; it would be preferable to start with the design documents, if it was intended to modify SYVAC in this manner.
The development of SYVAC has been undertaken by private contractors under DOE contracts.
Development radionuclides through host rock.
calculation of dose to man.
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House, 16 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex RH12, England.
Keywords: geologic strata, ground water, radioactive waste storage, risk assessment, underground storage.


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Expect country, rock, and soul when Johnny Reid plays Budweiser Gardens Sunday.
There's a story Johnny Reid likes to tell when the topic of genre comes up.
The Scottish-born musician has always blurred lines: He's the country gentleman with rock 'n' roll leanings who can belt out soul and R&B tunes with the best of them.
But it was super-producer Bob Ezrin who put some perspective on the question of genre when it comes to Reid.
While they were in the studio recording 2015's What Love Is All About, a friend of Ezrin asked him what sort of album they were making.
"He said 'What is it? Is it rock 'n' roll? Country? Soul? What is it?' " says Reid, in an interview from a tour stop in Kelowna, B.C. ahead of Reid's concert at London's Budweiser Gardens Sunday.
Still, it could be argued that Reid's ninth record, Revival, is the most realized of the artist's continued drift from straight-ahead country since breaking onto the scene in the late 1990s.
The album isn't completely free of twang.
Whiskey Kisses, for instance, is a fairly straightforward country-swing ode to drinking.
But the song that started Reid down this track, so to speak, was the jubilant opener Soul Train.
It was an attempt by Reid to create his own Land of 1,000 Dances and pay tribute to the soul music his mother favoured when he was growing up in Scotland.
Only a teenager herself when Reid was born in the 1970s, she filled the house with a soundtrack of Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Ray Charles.
Soul Train is not the only song that finds Reid looking back at his influences.
Memphis was inspired by Reid's boyhood dream of one day wandering down Beale Street in the home of the blues and Graceland and the birthplace of rock 'n' roll. It comes complete with some B.B. King-worthy guitar licks.
The album's bonus track is a cover of the Pickett obscurity Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You.
"I'm at a bit of reflective stage, taking a look back at myself and thinking of all the music that led me down this path," Reid says.
Reid has plenty of help to bring these songs to life as he tours across the country.
He is backed by the 13-piece Soul Providers, which helps bring a genuine R&B vibe to the proceedings.
It means Reid can replicate the ambitious sounds he created for the album, which was also co-produced by Ezrin.
The aforementioned Memphis and Soul Train certainly sound custom made for the stage, but so does Reid's revved-up cover of Keb'Mo's She Just Wants to Dance, the smoky blues of Never Love Another and the exuberant gospel of Shoulders.
Speaking of musical influences, Reid's Canadian tour also features guest appearances by three members of 1980s CanCon popsters Glass Tiger.
London native Jessica Mitchell will open Sunday's show.
While Reid has been living and recording in Nashville for the past couple of years, he lived in Brampton as a teenager with his family.
One of his first introductions to Canadian music was the 1991 Glass Tiger single My Town, which featured guest vocals by none other than Rod Stewart. The Celtic-leaning single reminded Reid of home.
More than 25 years later, Glass Tiger enlisted Reid to produce the album 31, which takes their biggest hits and reimagines them as stripped down Celtic tunes played with acoustic instruments.
"Before I knew it, it was six months of my life with these guys producing this new Glass Tiger album," Reid says.
What: Johnny Reid's Revival Tour, featuring his band The Soul Providers and special appearances by Glass Tiger with opening performance by London native Jessica Mitchell.
Where: Budweiser Gardens, 99 Dundas St.
Tickets: Ranging from $45 to $80 (plus fees), available at the box office, online at budweisergardens.com, or by calling 1-866-455-2849.


text:
Win a Xbox One from Doritos and Mt. Dew every 2 minutes later this year
by: Dan - posted: 10/6/2013 7:28:00 PM
More On: PlayStation 4 Xbox One
Just about 8 years ago, Microsoft teamed up with Mountain Dew to run one of the best gaming tie-ins ever with the Every10Minutes.com promotion. The premise was simple, key in codes and then enter them into auctions that would take place every 10 minutes. If you were a winner, you took home a brand new Xbox 360 Pro console and a launch titles. Initially, it was supposed to be the Madden game (which actually came later), but instead the winners all received copies of the underrated Kameo. I was one of those lucky enough to win and was enjoying Kameo on the Saturday before the console was released.
Fast forward 8 years, and with the launch of the Xbox One on November 22nd, Microsoft is once again teaming with Mountain Dew, but also adding in Doritos as a partner as well. This time around, the promotion is called Everey2Minutes with the design being somewhat similar to the original, with the sweepstakes giving away a new Xbox One prize package away every 2 minutes. However, the overall sweepstakes has been beefed up with a Marketplace and three tiers of prizes. Also, it doesn't look like the Xbox One will be delivered before release (unlike Sony's Taco Bell promo), so it may take several weeks to come in once winners have been fully verified.
The promotion kicks off in a little over 29 days on November 5th and runs through December 9th, so start banking your codes and set a reminder to key them into the auctions starting on November 5th. For all the details, including the prize tiers, rules and FAQ, head over to Every2Minutes.com and get registered.