text:
\section{Introduction} \label{Sec1}

Several sporting competitions consist of a series of races. In each race, a certain number of points are assigned to the contestants based on their ranking, which are summed up across the races. Finally, the contestant with the highest score becomes the champion. This aggregation method is usually called \emph{points scoring system}. Examples include motorsport (e.g.\ \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One}{Formula One}), road bicycle racing (e.g.\ \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Points_classification_in_the_Tour_de_France}{Points classification in the Tour de France}), or winter sports (e.g.\ \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biathlon_World_Cup}{Biathlon World Cup}). Consequently, the choice of points scoring system is a fundamental question of tournament design \citep{Csato2021a}.

According to Arrow's impossibility theorem \citep{Arrow1950}, a celebrated result of social choice theory, no aggregation procedure can be considered fully satisfactory provided that the reasonable properties imposed by Arrow are accepted. For contest design, \emph{electoral consistency} seems to be a key axiom: if contestant $A$ is ranked higher or equal than contestant $B$ based on sets of races $P$ and $Q$, then $A$ should be ranked higher or equal than $B$ based on the set of races $P \cup Q$, furthermore, contestant $A$ needs to be ranked strictly higher if it is ranked strictly higher based on either $P$ or $Q$. In other words, the unique winner based on an arbitrary partition of the competition should win the whole competition. Electoral consistency can be guaranteed only by a generalised scoring rule \citep{Smith1973, Young1975}---at the price of sacrificing \emph{independence of irrelevant alternatives}, that is, the relative ranking of two contestants may depend on the performance of other contestants.

Therefore, the meticulous analysis of points scoring systems is vital not only for sports but for many other research fields like decision making, game theory, machine learning, market design, or political science.
There exist numerous axiomatic characterisations of scoring rules \citep{NitzanRubinstein1981, ChebotarevShamis1998a, Merlin2003, LlamazaresPena2015, KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022}. However, they usually result in extremities or a parametric family of rules.
Finally, it is worth noting that among all the scoring rules, the Borda rule is the least susceptible to certain
paradoxes \citep[p.~216]{BramsFishburn2002}, although it is not used in any sports competition.\footnote{~We are grateful to an anonymous referee for this remark.}

The academic literature extensively deals with the issue of aggregating individual rankings, too.
\citet{SteinMizziPfaffenberger1994} show how stochastic dominance can be applied to determine a candidate who would win using any convex scoring function and to obtain a partial ordering under a class of scoring functions.
\citet{ChurilovFlitman2006} aim to design an objective impartial system of analysing the Olympics results.
\citet{LlamazaresPena2013} propose a model to evaluate each candidate according to the most favourable weighting vector for him/her.
\citet{Sitarz2013} formulates a minimal set of conditions for points and finds the incenter of the derived convex cone.
\citet{Kaiser2019} investigates the stability of historical Formula One rankings when the parameters are slightly changed.
\citet{ZhaoWuChen2021} examine the sensitivities of weighted scoring rules via their weights and obtain some suggestions about their design.

We study the issue of assigning point values for different ranking places from a sporting perspective.
Inspired by real-world examples in Section~\ref{Sec2}, the current paper explores the trade-off between two risks:
(1) the threat of early clinch when the title has been clinched before the last contest(s) of the competition take place;
(2) the danger of winning the competition without finishing first in any contest.
Every decision-maker should find a compromise between these menaces since associating larger weights to the top ranks \emph{ceteris paribus} reduces the danger of winning without finishing first but increases the threat of early clinch.

The importance of avoiding early clinch is shown by the estimation of \citet{Garcia-del-BarrioReade2021}: around one-third of the interest in sport competitions (and the corresponding potential revenues) may be lost after the overall winner is determined. Winning at least one race can be crucial because it inspires risk-taking, which probably increases the interest of spectators and makes the competition more exciting as believed by \emph{Bernie Ecclestone}, the former head of the Formula One Group \citep{Henry2008}. In addition, lexicographic order is a standard way to rank the performance of contestants in similar competitions \citep{ChurilovFlitman2006}.

Some points scoring systems will be compared for these two criteria via simulations such that the probability of both events is quantified on the basis of Formula One World Championship results. The historical scoring systems are found to be competitive with the family of geometric scoring rules, proposed by \citet{KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022} using an axiomatic game theoretical approach.
In particular, the current points scoring system of Formula One turns out to be a good compromise for balancing the two threats.

It is worth noting that the points scoring system has serious implications for the strategy of the teams, which is also a highly relevant aspect of assigning values for different ranking positions. In order to get a tractable simulation model, these strategic decisions are neglected in our study but they have partially been discussed in the literature \citep{BekkerLotz2009, HeilmeierGrafLienkamp2018}.

Our main contribution resides in providing a useful way to choose an appropriate scoring rule for highly stochastic contests, especially where empirical evaluations based on cardinal performance are unreliable due to external factors such as wind, rain, temperature, unpredictable collisions, or mechanical breakdowns. Whereas \citet{KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022} axiomatically motivate a family of such systems, they do not study them with respect to the two unwanted scenarios considered here. Even though the data comes from one particular sport, the example may be worth attention in itself since the Formula One World Championship is widely recognised as the most prestigious motor racing competition and has a huge impact on the entire automotive industry. Hopefully, the current study will remind managers and sports governing bodies around the world that there are some inevitable trade-offs in setting the weights associated with different ranking places. We also want to foster interest in this important research question that has been addressed surprisingly rarely in social choice theory.

The paper is structured as follows.
Section~\ref{Sec2} presents two motivating examples. Section~\ref{Sec3} discusses the methodological background and underlying data. The results are provided in Section~\ref{Sec4}, while Section~\ref{Sec5} offers a concise summary and concluding remarks.

\section{Motivation} \label{Sec2}

Our starting point is an unavoidable trade-off between two objectives, illustrated by case studies from the history of sports.

\begin{table}[t]
\centering
\captionsetup{justification=centering}
\caption{The 2002 Formula One World Championship}
\label{Table1}

\begin{subtable}{\linewidth}
\centering
\caption{Points scoring system}
\label{Table1a}
    \begin{tabularx}{0.6\textwidth}{l CCC CCC} \toprule
    Position & 1     & 2     & 3     & 4     & 5     & 6 \\ \midrule
    Points & 10    & 6     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 1 \\ \bottomrule
    \end{tabularx}
\end{subtable}

\vspace{0.5cm}
\begin{subtable}{\linewidth}
\caption{Race results: ranks and total scores}
\label{Table1b}
\rowcolors{1}{gray!20}{}
\centerline{
    \begin{tabularx}{1.2\textwidth}{l CCCCC CCCCC CCCCC CC >{\bfseries}c} \toprule \hiderowcolors
    \multirow{2}{*}{Driver} & \multicolumn{17}{c}{Race}                                                                                & Total \\
          & 1     & 2     & 3     & 4     & 5     & 6     & 7     & 8     & 9     & 10    & 11    & 12    & 13    & 14    & 15    & 16    & 17    & score \\ \bottomrule \showrowcolors
    Schumacher, M. & 1     & 3     & 1     & 1     & 1     & 1     & 2     & 1     & 2     & 1     & 1     & 1     & 2     & 1     & 2     & 2     & 1     & 144 \\
    Barrichello & ---   & ---   & ---   & 2     & ---   & 2     & 7     & 3     & 1     & 2     & ---   & 4     & 1     & 2     & 1     & 1     & 2     & 77 \\
    Montoya & 2     & 2     & 5     & 4     & 2     & 3     & ---   & ---   & ---   & 3     & 4     & 2     & 11    & 3     & ---   & 4     & 4     & 50 \\
    Schumacher, R. & ---   & 1     & 2     & 3     & 11    & 4     & 3     & 7     & 4     & 8     & 5     & 3     & 3     & 5     & ---   & 16    & 11    & 42 \\
    Coulthard & ---   & ---   & 3     & 6     & 3     & 6     & 1     & 2     & ---   & 10    & 3     & 5     & 5     & 4     & 7     & 3     & ---   & 41 \\ \toprule
    \end{tabularx}
}
\end{subtable}
\end{table}

\begin{example} \label{Examp1}
In the \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_season}{2002 Formula One World Championship}, 17 races were organised where the top six drivers scored points according to Table~\ref{Table1a}.
The outcome of the World Drivers' Championship is provided in Table~\ref{Table1b}. \emph{Michael Schumacher} clinched the title after he scored 96 points in the first 11 races, while the actual runner-up \emph{Juan-Pablo Montoya} scored only 34 points. Consequently, Schumacher had an advantage of 62 points, more than the maximal prize in the remaining six races.
\end{example}

Obviously, Example~\ref{Examp1} presents an unfavourable situation: who will be interested in watching the last race(s) if the champion is already known? This risk is called the \emph{threat of early clinch}.

\begin{table}[t]
\centering
\captionsetup{justification=centering}
\caption{The 1999 Motorcycle Grand Prix---125cc}
\label{Table2}

\begin{subtable}{\linewidth}
\caption{Points scoring system}
\label{Table2a}
    \begin{tabularx}{\textwidth}{l CCCCC CCCCC CCCCC} \toprule
    Position & 1     & 2     & 3     & 4     & 5     & 6     & 7     & 8     & 9     & 10    & 11    & 12    & 13    & 14    & 15 \\ \midrule
    Points & 25    & 20    & 16    & 13    & 11    & 10    & 9     & 8     & 7     & 6     & 5     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 1 \\ \bottomrule
    \end{tabularx}
\end{subtable}

\vspace{0.5cm}
\begin{subtable}{\linewidth}
\caption{Race results: ranks and total scores}
\label{Table2b}
\rowcolors{1}{gray!20}{}
\centerline{
    \begin{tabularx}{1.1\textwidth}{l CCCCC CCCCC CCC CCC >{\bfseries}c} \toprule \hiderowcolors
    \multirow{2}{*}{Rider} & \multicolumn{16}{c}{Race}                                                                                & Total \\
          & 1     & 2     & 3     & 4     & 5     & 6     & 7     & 8     & 9     & 10    & 11    & 12    & 13    & 14    & 15    & 16    & score \\ \bottomrule \showrowcolors
    Alzamora & 2     & 3     & 3     & 3     & 6     & 2     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 6     & 4     & 2     & 15    & ---   & 3     & 2     & 227 \\
    Melandri & ---   & ---   & ---   & 6     & 2     & 3     & 8     & 5     & 1     & 1     & 1     & ---   & 1     & 3     & 2     & 1     & 226 \\
    Azuma & 1     & 1     & 1     & 4     & 7     & ---   & 1     & 1     & 6     & 12    & 10    & ---   & 5     & 14    & 6     & ---   & 190 \\
    Locatelli & 18    & ---   & 5     & 1     & 1     & 6     & 3     & 4     & 4     & ---   & 11    & 8     & 6     & 4     & 8     & 3     & 173 \\
    Ueda  & ---   & ---   & 8     & 5     & 3     & 4     & 2     & 2     & 5     & 2     & 5     & 3     & ---   & ---   & 1     & ---   & 171 \\
    Scalvini & 3     & 12    & 4     & 7     & ---   & 10    & 5     & 6     & 7     & 4     & 19    & 1     & 4     & 1     & ---   & 7     & 163 \\
    Vincent & 4     & ---   & 10    & 2     & 5     & 1     & 7     & 9     & 10    & 10    & 3     & 4     & ---   & 2     & 13    & ---   & 155 \\ \toprule
    \end{tabularx}
}
\end{subtable}
\end{table}

\begin{example} \label{Examp2}
In the \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_season}{1999 Grand Prix motorcycle racing}, 16 races took place such that the top fifteen riders scored points according to Table~\ref{Table2a}.
The outcome of the 125cc category is provided in Table~\ref{Table2b}. \emph{Emilio Alzamora} was declared the champion despite not winning any race. Contrarily, both the second and the third contestants won five races.
\end{example}

Example~\ref{Examp2} outlines another situation that rule-makers probably do not like. The spectator of any sporting event wants to see a dramatic struggle for the first spot instead of risk avoidance by the runner-up. The possible situation of being the champion without winning a single race is called the \emph{danger of winning without finishing first}.

Example~\ref{Examp2} has not inspired any reform, the Motorcycle Grand Prix applies the same points scoring system since 1993.
On the other hand, Formula One has introduced a new rule from 2003 to 2009 by giving 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 point(s) for the first eight drivers in each race, respectively. Under the latter scheme, Michael Schumacher would have scored 102 points in the first 11 races, and Montoya would have scored 50. Therefore, the runner-up still would have had some (albeit marginal) chance to grab the championship in the last six races: Michael Schumacher would have clinched the title only after 12 races.

Compared to the 2002 scoring rule, the 2003 system never provides fewer but sometimes gives more points to all drivers except for the first. Thus it has reduced the threat of early clinch---and has simultaneously enhanced the danger of winning without being first. Clearly, there exists a bargain between excitement at the level of individual races and over the whole season, which could be a potential explanation for the continuous changes in the Formula One points scoring systems \citep{Haigh2009, Kaiser2019, KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022}.

\section{Data and methodology} \label{Sec3}

\begin{table}[t!]
  \centering
  \captionsetup{justification=centering}
  \caption{The characteristics of Formula One seasons in our dataset}
  \label{Table3}
\begin{threeparttable}
\rowcolors{1}{}{gray!20}
    \begin{tabularx}{0.8\textwidth}{CCCCC} \toprule
    Season & Drivers & Races & Clinched & Margin \\ \bottomrule
    2007  & 20    & 17    & 17    & 1 \\
    2008  & 19    & 18    & 18    & 1 \\
    2009  & 20    & 17    & 16    & 11 \\
    2010  & 18    & 19    & 19    & 4 \\
    2011  & 18    & 19    & 15    & 122 \\
    2012  & 18    & 20    & 20    & 3 \\
    2013  & 18    & 19    & 16    & 155 \\
    2014  & 17    & 19    & 19    & 67 \\
    2015  & 18    & 19    & 16    & 59 \\
    2016  & 19    & 21    & 21    & 5 \\
    2017  & 19    & 20    & 18    & 46 \\
    2018  & 20    & 21    & 19    & 88 \\
    2019  & 19    & 21    & 19    & 87 \\ \toprule
    \end{tabularx}
\begin{tablenotes} \footnotesize
\item
Drivers: Number of drivers who finished in the top ten positions at the end of at least one race.
\item
Races: Number of races in the season.
\item
Clinched: Number of races after which the title of the Drivers' Championship was secured.
\item
Margin: The advantage of the world champion over the runner-up at the end of the season.
\end{tablenotes}
\end{threeparttable}
\end{table}

In order to evaluate different points scoring systems concerning the threat of early clinch and the danger of winning without finishing first, one needs hypothetical individual rankings to be aggregated. For this purpose, we start from the race results of thirteen Formula One seasons between 2007 and 2019.
Their main features are summarised in Table~\ref{Table3}.\footnote{~Some remarks on the dataset:

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2007}: The records of \emph{Robert Kubica} and \emph{Sebastian Vettel} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the seventh race); the records of \emph{Scott Speed} and \emph{Sebastian Vettel} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the last seven races); the records of \emph{Alexander Wurz} and \emph{Kazuki Nakajima} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the last race).

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2009}: The records of \emph{Timo Glock} and \emph{Kamui Kobayashi} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the last two races). \\
At the second race of the Malaysian Grand Prix, half points were awarded because less than 75\% of the scheduled distance was completed due to heavy rain.

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2010}: The records of \emph{Pedro de la Rosa} and \emph{Nick Heidfeld} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the last five races).

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2011}: The records of \emph{Nick Heidfeld} and \emph{Bruno Senna} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the last eight races).

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2014}: Double points were awarded in the \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Abu_Dhabi_Grand_Prix}{final race of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix}. Hence 50 points could have been collected by winning here, which explains the seemingly high margin even though the title was clinched only in the last race.

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2016}: The records of \emph{Fernando Alonso} and \emph{Stoffel Vandoorne} were merged (the latter driver substituted the former in the second race).

\href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Formula_One_World_Championship}{2019}: One additional point was awarded for the fastest lap if the driver was classified in the top ten.
}

The drivers are ranked by the number of points scored at the end of a season. Ties are broken according to the greater number of first places, followed by the greater number of second places, and so on until a winner emerges. If the procedure fails to produce a result, the organiser nominates the winner according to such criteria as it thinks fit \citep[Article~7.2]{FIA2019}. In our simulations, only the two main ranking criteria (first: greater number of points scored; second: greater number of race wins) are implemented, with the remaining ties resolved through a drawing of lots.

The outcome of a season is described as follows.
Each driver is identified by its final standing in the World Drivers' Championship. Every race is represented by the positions of the drivers in this order. For instance, the vector $\left[ 2,\, 3,\, 1 \right]$ for a race means that the later world champion finished as the second, the later runner-up obtained the third spot, and the race was won by the driver who earned third place at the end of the season.

A race is simulated in two ways:
\begin{itemize}
\item
\emph{Method 1}: One race is drawn randomly with replacement from the set of all races included in the underlying dataset.
\item
\emph{Method 2}: Two races are drawn randomly with replacement from the set of all races included in the underlying dataset. Provisional spots are chosen by a coin toss from one of these two races, independently for each driver. This procedure is analogous to uniform crossover in genetic algorithms \citep{Syswerda1989}.
However, the provisional spots will usually not provide an appropriate ranking of the drivers. The final positions are obtained by ordering the drivers according to their provisional spots such that all ties are broken randomly.
\end{itemize}

The motivation behind Method 1 is straightforward. Method 2 can be justified by the following reasoning. An observed race represents only a single realisation of several stochastic variables, therefore using only historical results might miss some reasonable scenarios. For instance, if a driver has finished either in the first or the third position based on the data, Method 1 will never generate an outcome where this driver is the second, even though that seems to be a potential ``state of nature''.

\begin{table}[t]
\centering
\captionsetup{justification=centering}
\caption{Possible race results in Example~\ref{Examp3} under Method 2}
\label{Table4}

\begin{subtable}{\linewidth}
\centering
\caption{Provisional spots and the corresponding race results}
\label{Table4a}
\rowcolors{1}{}{gray!20}
    \begin{tabularx}{0.6\textwidth}{cCC} \toprule
    Provisional spots & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Possible race results} \\ \bottomrule
    $\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ & \multicolumn{2}{c}{$\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$} \\
    $\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 2,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ \\
    $\left[ 1,\, 1,\, 2 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 2,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$ \\
    $\left[ 2,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ & $\left[ 2,\, 3,\, 1 \right]$ \\
    $\left[ 1,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 2,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$ \\
    $\left[ 2,\, 3,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 2,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ \\
    $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 2 \right]$ & $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$ & $\left[ 3,\, 1,\, 2 \right]$ \\
    $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$ & \multicolumn{2}{c}{$\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$} \\ \bottomrule
    \end{tabularx}
\end{subtable}

\vspace{0.5cm}
\begin{subtable}{\linewidth}
\centering
\caption{Race results and their probabilities}
\label{Table4b}
\rowcolors{1}{}{gray!20}
    \begin{tabularx}{0.8\textwidth}{cC} \toprule
    Race result & Probability \\ \bottomrule
    $\left[ 1,\, 2,\, 3 \right]$ & $1/16+1/16+1/16+1/16=4/16=1/4$ \\
    $\left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ & $1/8+1/16+1/16+1/16=5/16$ \\
    $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$ & $1/16+1/16+1/16+1/8=5/16$ \\
    $\left[ 2,\, 3,\, 1 \right]$ & $1/16$ \\
    $\left[ 3,\, 1,\, 2 \right]$ & $1/16$ \\
    $\left[ 3,\, 2,\, 1 \right]$ & $0$ \\ \bottomrule
    \end{tabularx}
\end{subtable}
\end{table}

\begin{example} \label{Examp3}
Assume that there are three drivers and two races in the underlying dataset, $A = \left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ and $B = \left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$. Consequently, the champion has one first and one second place, the runner-up has one first and one third place, while the remaining contestant has one second and one third place in the races, which is possible under any monotonic scoring rule that does not give fewer points for a better finishing spot.
The result of a race simulated according to Method 1 can be either $A$ or $B$.
In the case of Method 2, there are eight ($2^3$) possible lists of provisional spots because the number of drivers is three, each of them occurring with a probability of $1/8$. Table~\ref{Table4a} details them together with the corresponding race results. The probabilities of feasible race results are reported in Table~\ref{Table4b}.

Note that the second driver has finished as second neither in race $A$ nor in race $B$ but this event has a 25\% chance to happen under Method 2.
\end{example}

A season that contains a given number of races is attained by generating the appropriate number of individual race results independently from each other.

\begin{table}[t]
  \centering
  \caption{The points scoring systems of the analysis}
  \label{Table5}
\rowcolors{1}{gray!20}{}
\centerline{
    \begin{tabularx}{1.05\textwidth}{c CCCCC CCCCC} \toprule \hiderowcolors
    \multirow{2}{*}{Rule} & \multicolumn{10}{c}{Position} \\
         & 1     & 2     & 3     & 4     & 5     & 6     & 7     & 8     & 9     & 10 \\ \bottomrule \showrowcolors
    $S1$ & 9     & 6     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 1     & 0     & 0     & 0     & 0 \\
    $S2$ & 10    & 6     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 1     & 0     & 0     & 0     & 0 \\
    $S3$ & 10    & 8     & 6     & 5     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 1     & 0     & 0 \\
    $S4$ & 25    & 18    & 15    & 12    & 10    & 8     & 6     & 4     & 2     & 1 \\
    $G1$ & 10    & 9     & 8     & 7     & 6     & 5     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 1 \\
    $G2$ & 12.58 & 11.03 & 9.55  & 8.14  & 6.80  & 5.53  & 4.310 & 3.1525 & 2.05  & 1 \\
    $G3$ & 42.62 & 32.01 & 23.86 & 17.58 & 12.76 & 9.04  & 6.187 & 3.99  & 2.3   & 1 \\
    $G4$ & 181.59 & 112.87 & 69.92 & 43.07 & 26.30 & 15.81 & 9.256 & 5.16  & 2.6   & 1 \\ \bottomrule
    \end{tabularx}
}
\end{table}

Eight points scoring rules, shown in Table~\ref{Table5}, are considered:
\begin{itemize}
\item
\emph{System $S1$}: the official Formula One points scoring system between 1961 and 1990.
Although not all results counted in the drivers' championship \citep{Kaiser2019}, this restriction is not implemented in our simulations.
\item
\emph{System $S2$}: the official points scoring system of Formula One between 1991 and 2002.
\item
\emph{System $S3$}: the official points scoring system of Formula One between 2003 and 2009.
\item
\emph{System $S4$}: the official Formula One points scoring system since 2010.
Two complications were the double points awarded in the \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Abu_Dhabi_Grand_Prix}{last race of the 2014 season} and one additional point for the fastest lap in 2019 if the driver was classified in the top ten. However, they do not appear in our simulations.
\item
\emph{Systems $G1$--$G4$}: according to \citet[Theorem~2]{KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022}, consistency for adding or removing a unanimous winner or loser pins down the one-parameter family \emph{geometric scoring rules} with the set of scores $1$, $1+p$, $1+p+p^2$, \dots \\
Again, points are awarded to the top ten spots, thus the score $s_j$ of the $j$th position is $\left( p^{11-j} - 1 \right) / (p-1)$ for all $1 \leq j \leq 10$ if $p > 1$, which---because the scores are not distinguished up to scaling and translation---is equivalent to $\hat{s_j} = p^{11-j}$. Four different values of the parameter have been chosen. $G1$ is a relatively ``flat'', linearly increasing scoring scheme with $p=1$. $G2$ denotes the case $p = 1.05$, $G3$ denotes the case $p = 1.3$, and $G4$ denotes the case $p = 1.6$.
\end{itemize}

\input{Figure1_normalised_scoring_systems}

The eight points scoring systems are plotted in Figure~\ref{Fig1} such that the scores for the first spot are scaled to 100.

Two sets of years are studied:
\begin{itemize}
\item
\emph{Standard dataset}: all races of every season between 2010 and 2019.
\item
\emph{Small margin dataset}: all races of the seasons 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2016.
\end{itemize}
The standard dataset contains ten recent seasons, where the rules were almost the same (scoring system $S4$). Hence, it can be reasonably assumed that the incentives of the drivers did not change substantially during these years.
As the column entitled ``Margin'' in Table~\ref{Table3} uncovers, the small margin dataset consists of the seasons when the difference between the first two drivers was marginal at the end, thus the competition was balanced and open until the last race(s). Note that in 2014, the championship was open in the last race despite the seemingly high margin of $67$ points as the winner got $50$ points there and \emph{Lewis Hamilton} led by $17$ points over \emph{Nico Rosberg} before this race.

According to preliminary simulations, winning without finishing first in any race rarely occurs if a season of reasonable length is generated on the basis of the above data. It is probably caused by the steep points scoring systems used between 2007 and 2019 ($S3$ and $S4$) that provide powerful incentives for taking risks in order to win a race. However, this motivation is not so strong if a relatively flat scoring rule is applied to mitigate the threat of early clinch. In addition, even a completely risk averse contestant may win a race out of many merely by chance as the following example shows.\footnote{~We are grateful to an anonymous referee for providing us with this excellent real-world illustration.}

\begin{table}[t]
\centering
\captionsetup{justification=centering}
\caption{The 2020 MotoGP World Championship: ranks and total scores}
\label{Table6}
\begin{threeparttable}
\rowcolors{1}{gray!20}{}
\centerline{
    \begin{tabularx}{1\textwidth}{l CCCCC CCCCC CCCC >{\bfseries}c} \toprule \hiderowcolors
    \multirow{2}{*}{Rider} & \multicolumn{14}{c}{Race}                                                                                & Total \\
          & 1     & 2     & 3     & 4     & 5     & 6     & 7     & 8     & 9     & 10    & 11    & 12    & 13    & 14    & score \\ \bottomrule \showrowcolors
    Mir   & ---   & 5     & ---   & 2     & 4     & 3     & 2     & 2     & 11    & 3     & 3     & 1     & 7     & ---   & 171 \\
    Morbidelli & 5     & ---   & 2     & ---   & 15    & 1     & 9     & 4     & ---   & 6     & 1     & 11    & 1     & 3     & 158 \\
    Rins  & ---   & 10    & 4     & ---   & 6     & 5     & 12    & 3     & ---   & 1     & 2     & 2     & 4     & 15    & 139 \\
    Dovizioso & 3     & 6     & 11    & 1     & 5     & 7     & 8     & ---   & 4     & 7     & 13    & 8     & 8     & 6     & 135 \\
    Espargar\'o & 6     & 7     & ---   & ---   & 3     & 10    & 3     & ---   & 3     & 12    & 4     & 3     & 3     & 4     & 135 \\
    Vi{\~ n}ales & 2     & 2     & 14    & 10    & ---   & 6     & 1     & 9     & 10    & 4     & 7     & 13    & 10    & 11    & 132 \\
    Miller & 4     & ---   & 9     & 3     & 2     & 8     & ---   & 5     & ---   & 9     & ---   & 6     & 2     & 2     & 132 \\ \toprule
    \end{tabularx}
}
\begin{tablenotes} \footnotesize
\item
See Table~\ref{Table2a} for the points scoring system used in the season.
\end{tablenotes}
\end{threeparttable}
\end{table}

\begin{example} \label{Examp4}
In the \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_MotoGP_World_Championship}{2020 MotoGP World Championship}, there were 14 races and the top fifteen riders scored points according to Table~\ref{Table2a}.
The final standing is given in Table~\ref{Table6}. \emph{Joan Mir} secured the title at the penultimate round with 29 points ahead of \emph{Franco Morbidelli}. Although he won the 12th race, he would have remained the champion even if he would have finished fourth in that particular race.
\end{example}

Consequently, the real data does not necessarily reflect the threat of winning without finishing first in an appropriate way. Hence an alternative set of season results is generated: after a whole season is simulated, all first spots of the world champion---who is determined by the current points scoring system $S4$---are turned into a second spot and the corresponding runner-up of each affected race becomes the winner.

\begin{example} \label{Examp5}
Assume that a season consists of two races, $A = \left[ 1,\, 3,\, 2 \right]$ and $B = \left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$. The first driver obtains the championship due to having a first and a second position.
The risk averse season result is $\left[ 2,\, 3,\, 1 \right]$ and $\left[ 2,\, 1,\, 3 \right]$, namely, the winner and the runner-up in race $A$ are reversed but the outcome of race $B$ does not change because the first driver is only the runner-up there. The first driver could not remain the champion without finishing first in any race under any points scoring system of Table~\ref{Table5} since the prize for a first and a third position is never less than the prize for two second spots, and the tie-breaking rule is the number of races won.
\end{example}
The algorithm above aims to maximise the probability of winning without finishing first in a greedy way by assuming that the original world champion does not take any risk to win a race.

A simulation run contains the following phases:
\begin{enumerate}
\item
Choice of the underlying dataset: standard or small margin.
\item
Choice of the race generation procedure: method 1 or method 2.
\item \label{Step3}
Calculating the alternative season result on the basis of the original season result: generating $n$ races independently, and reversing the race winner and the runner-up in each race if the former is the champion under scoring rule $S4$.
\item \label{Step4}
Identification of the champion under the eight scoring rules listed in Table~\ref{Table5}.
\item \label{Step5}
Checking whether the champion has won at least one race.
\item \label{Step6}
Determining the last race when the title has not already been secured, that is, checking whether the difference between the scores of the champion and the actual runner-up (who is not necessarily the final runner-up) after $m$ races is smaller than the product of $n-m$ and the score awarded to the first spot, or they are equal but the difference between the number of race wins for the champion and for the actual runner-up is at most $n-m$. One of these conditions holds if and only if the title is still not clinched after $m$ races.
\end{enumerate}
The process is carried out 100 thousand times independently in each simulation.

Naturally, our approach to simulate individual rankings has several limitations. However, it should be kept in mind that---in contrast to some statistical studies \citep{GravesReeseFitzgerald2003, HendersonKirrane2018}---we do not aim to predict Formula One results and estimate the chance of a driver to win. For the evaluation of different points scoring systems, essentially any reasonable model can be taken to determine the rankings \citep{Appleton1995, Csato2021b}. Nonetheless, the qualitative findings would be more reliable than the exact numerical values, and the calculations below are mainly for comparative purposes.

\section{Results} \label{Sec4}

\input{Figure2_tradeoff_curve_risk_averse}

A race can be called \emph{uninteresting} if the title has already been clinched by a contestant.
Figure~\Ref{Fig2} plots the probability that the champion did not win any race during a season consisting of 20 races as a function of the average number of these uninteresting races. Since there is essentially no difference between methods 1 and 2, only the latter will be considered in the following.

According to Figure~\ref{Fig2}, the two goals can be optimised only at the expense of each other.
While schemes $S1$ and $S2$ are very similar at first sight because only the number of points awarded to the first spot is modified (see Table~\ref{Table5}), this has a significant effect on both of our measures. For example, $S1$ doubles the danger of winning without finishing first compared to $S2$.
Even though geometric scoring rules have strong theoretical foundations and are not vulnerable to removing unanimous winners or losers \citep{KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022}, they do not outperform the historical points scoring systems.

It is worth evoking the ``evolution'' of the official points scoring system from $S1$ to $S4$. The change from $S2$ to $S3$ was probably inspired by Example~\ref{Examp1} because the title was clinched by Michael Schumacher after 11 races out of the total 17 in 2002 (and after 13 races out of 17 in the previous year). Understandably, the organisers chose option $S3$ to decrease the threat of early clinch. However, it was a kind of overreaction by remarkably reducing the role of winning. The designers finally reached the compromise $S4$, which is about halfway between $S1$ and $S3$ from the aspect of winning without finishing first. There are further interesting findings in Figure~\ref{Fig2}:
\begin{itemize}
\item
Scoring rule $S4$ outperforms $S3$ on the basis of small margin seasons (2007--2010, 2012, 2016), and $S3$ was changed to $S4$, effective from 2010. Perhaps the administrators recognised that the danger of winning without finishing first can be substantially decreased at a small sacrifice in the threat of early clinch.
\item
Compared to $S4$, system $S1$ yields only a small reduction in the probability that the champion did not win any race, while the average number of uninteresting races significantly increases. This can explain why $S1$ did not return as the official rule in the 2000s.
\item
The average number of uninteresting races has perhaps a natural minimum as this measure cannot be effectively decreased by making the scores flatter.
\item
System $S4$ is probably closer to the Pareto frontier than all other schemes, especially on the basis of the small margin dataset, that is, in the most competitive seasons.
\end{itemize}
To conclude, the current points scoring rule $S4$ seems to perform well with respect to both objectives.

\input{Figure3_championship_clinched}

Figure~\ref{Fig3} quantifies the threat of early clinch by the average number of races when the title has already been secured and the probability that the champion is decided before the last three races out of the total 20. It reinforces the previous findings, the geometric scoring rule $G4$ is similar to $S1$ and $S2$, while $G3$ might be a good alternative to $S3$ or $S4$ from the viewpoint of early clinches. The threat of early clinch cannot be eliminated, schemes $G1$ is at most marginally better than $G2$ according to both measures---naturally, by facilitating the risk that the title is grabbed without finishing first in any race.

\input{Figure4_variable_number_of_races}

Finally, the connection between the two dangers and the number of races is uncovered in Figure~\ref{Fig4}. The average number of uninteresting races grows almost linearly with the length of the season. In addition, Figure~\ref{Fig4} reinforces our conjecture based on Figure~\ref{Fig2} that there exists a natural ``lower bound'' for this measure. On the other hand, the danger of winning without finishing first decreases when there are more races, with the possible exception of the ``flat'' scoring rules $G1$ and $G2$. The relative performance of geometric scoring schemes $G3$ and $G4$ improves as the number of races grows but the current rule $S4$ pursues them well.
However, since even a completely risk averse contestant may win a race out of many merely by chance, our risk averse scenario may be farther from reality if the season contains more races.

\section{Conclusions} \label{Sec5}

This research has attempted to help to understand the properties of scoring rules, extensively applied to derive an aggregate ranking from individual rankings, from a sporting perspective. In particular, we have focused on the trade-off between two risks in a championship composed of multiple contests: the threat of early clinch (when the title is secured before all contests are over, therefore the last contest(s) become uninteresting) and the danger of winning without finishing first (when the overall winner does not win any contest). The probability of both events has been measured using Formula One World Championship results. The historical points scoring systems are found to be competitive with the family of geometric scoring rules, recommended by \citet{KondratevIanovskiNesterov2022} based on an axiomatic game theoretical approach. In particular, the current points scoring system of Formula One is shown to be a good compromise for balancing the two perils.

There are straightforward directions for future research.
The robustness of the simulations can be improved by considering other datasets. The danger of winning without finishing first can be quantified in alternative ways. Other aspects of adopting a points scoring system can be built into the framework. For instance, our focus has been limited to winning without finishing first, while geometric rules with a high parameter $p$ encourage risk taking at \emph{any} position.

In some competitions with a similar format, the ranking is decided by totalling the time the contestants take on each race with possible bonuses and penalties for winning races and infractions of the rules, see e.g.\ \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_classification_in_the_Tour_de_France}{General classification in the Tour de France}. Then the two risks addressed above are hard to interpret. However, there will likely be debates on the ``value'' of the races, the tradeoff between a one-minute lead in one race and a one-minute lead in another race. For example, the importance of Tour de France stages varies greatly \citep{Wilcockson2022}. Therefore, a simulation methodology can be used to determine the decisiveness of the races, which is somewhat analogous to measuring the role of individual games in a tournament consisting of several matches \citep{Geenens2014, CoronaHorrilloWiper2017}.

Hopefully, this work will turn out to be only the first step in the comparison of scoring rules via simulations and will serve to foster interest in a significant research question that has been addressed surprisingly rarely.

\section*{Acknowledgements}
\addcontentsline{toc}{section}{Acknowledgements}
\noindent
This paper could not have been written without \emph{my father} (also called \emph{L\'aszl\'o Csat\'o}), who has coded the simulations in Python. \\
We are grateful to \emph{Aleksei Y.~Kondratev} and \emph{Josep Freixas} for inspiration. \\
\emph{Aleksei Y. Kondratev}, \emph{D\'ora Gr\'eta Petr\'oczy}, and \emph{Mike Yearworth} provided valuable comments and suggestions on earlier drafts. \\
\emph{D\'ora Gr\'eta Petr\'oczy} and \emph{Gerg{\H o} T\'ov\'ari} helped in data collection. \\
Nine anonymous reviewer gave useful remarks on earlier drafts. \\
We are indebted to the \href{https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_community}{Wikipedia community} for contributing to our research by summarising important details of the sports competitions discussed in the paper. \\
The research was supported by the MTA Premium Postdoctoral Research Program grant PPD2019-9/2019.

\bibliographystyle{apalike}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Q: How to install the Wolfram Workbench plugin into Eclipse Kepler or Neon? Trying to install the Wolfram Workbench plugin into Eclipse Juno fails. How is it possible to install in into Eclipse Kepler ? Or Eclipse Neon?

A: Update October 2016: As mentioned here it is officially documented how to install WWB into Eclipse Neon (64 bit)! Great! Thanx WRI.
This is tested on Windows and Linux:

*

*Download and install a 32bit version of Eclipse Kepler from http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

*On Linux x86_64 make sure to have 32bit Java installed and configured,
and, e.g. on Fedora do:  yum install glibc.i686  libgcc.i686 gtk2.i686 libXtst.i686

*Start Eclipse and go to Help/Install New Software

*Click Add

*Enter http://download.eclipse.org/releases/indigo for Location, Indigo for Name

*Click OK and again Add and enter  http://workbench.wolfram.com/update

*Wait a bit until you see

*Install WWB core (and possibly WWB webMathematica), hit ok a couple of times

*Don't forget to eventually adjust your location of Mathematica:

*Here the About Eclipse box

*And here the proof that it works:

*One big productivity boost for me to use Eclipse is that there
 are various vi plugins.
 One free possibility to use is vrapper , another one (non-free)  is viplugin
I also personally like this plugin which enables font-size changing by Crl++ and Ctrl+-

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


We are all looking for ways to be healthier. We make hundreds of decisions daily that can add up to healthier or not lifestyles. Swapping out a few items here and there for healthier alternatives can really add up to improve our overall health. Below are a few items I've discovered this year that are easy swaps with healthier benefits. Check them out to see if you could benefit from swapping out with them as well.
We all enjoy our coffee, or the caffeine from it! Swap your cup for a naturally caffeinated snack made with the healthy goodness of organic dates, oats, and roasted coffee beans!
This is a sponsored post. Some links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I earn from qualifying purchases.
There are benefits of caffeine found in coffee like mental clarity, focus, and even energy stimulation that can help sustain intensity while working out. DRINKING coffee is soooo last year, eating your coffee is the way to go this year if you are looking for healthier alternatives to improve your health. With Eat Your Coffee! you get the benefits of a caffeine boost but you also get a satisfying organic snack to keep your body fueled for the day ahead.
Each healthy snack equals the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. Let's compare Eat Your Coffee to other 'energy' products because they are not all the same!
Eat Your Coffee has more caffeine, more nutrition, and less sugar than competitors! Buy Eat Your Coffee on the Eat Your Coffee website or Amazon.com.
Living healthy doesn't mean saying no to sweets, especially chocolate. ChocZero makes it perfectly ok to say yes to chocolate with their low carb, sugar free chocolate Keto bark!!
Each bar is a decadent chocolate treat without being loaded with sugar. Their Keto bark is made up of premium cocoa beans, sea salt and a monk fruit fiber blend that is perfect for a healthier snack. There is no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. This is one healthy swap that your whole family will agree on! My kids love it and I like that it is low carb since they are Type One Diabetics.
This is much healthier than snacking on ordinary chocolate. It is the perfect snacking size to pack for lunch or afternoon treat! Purchase in a variety of flavors on the ChocZero website and on Amazon.com.
I don't know about you but with I love baking when it is cold outside. This Better Body Food's Organic Coconut Flour is a healthier alternative to ordinary flour. Use it in your muffins, brownies, quick breads and other bakery to add dietary fiber! Each 16 gram serving adds 23% dietary fiber to any recipe! If you are on a low-car or paleo diet, you'll love the benefits of fiber. It helps balance out the carbs and helps maintain a more steady blood glucose level which is key for healthier living. Plus, you'll receive benefits of coconut oil in every bite.
It is easy to turn any recipe into a gluten-free recipe with this coconut flour. When swapping out flour for Organic Coconut Flour, you can substitute coconut flour for 20%-100% of wheat flour. You'll want to add 2-3 eggs and 1/4 cup of extra liquid for every ½ cup of coconut flour used for the best results. Some recipes may require a binding agent like as chia, flax, tapioca starch or xanthan gum to keep your end product from crumbling.
Food should be enjoyed, not smell up the fridge! Let's face it, some of the healthier foods are smelly like fish and strong cheeses! Smelly Proof bags allow you to enjoy those foods without adding lingering smells in your fridge! These super-tough bags come in a variety of sizes and are made with special medical grade material to keep the smells locked in. The tight locking seal keeps it securely closed.Switch to these bags to make your healthier lifestyle less smelly!
Smelly Proof is perfect for your home for foods as well as other uses! Toss your dirty gym clothes in after you workout, store fish bait in the bags or your day's catch when fishing, store food while camping so bears can't smell it (they have been bear tested!) and more.
Think of any smelling situation, if it can fit into of of their variety of sizes, it will keep those nasty smells sealed away until you can take care of it. Purchase Smelly Proof bags on their website or Amazon.com.
This entry was posted in Food, Nutrition, Product Reviews, Reviews & Shopping and tagged gluten-free, low calories, low carb.


text:
The Federation of British Cremation Authorities
Code of Cremation Practice
The cremation of a human body is a highly emotional occasion for those taking part in the service. This must never be forgotten by the staff of the Crematorium, who must combine to create and maintain an atmosphere of reverence throughout the entire proceedings.
The greatest care must be taken in the appointment of members of the Crematorium staff, any of whom may, by conduct or demeanour, detract from the atmosphere of reverence which it is endeavoured to create. All staff employed in the operation of cremators must be suitably trained in the technical and ethical procedures and certificated as specified in the Secretary of State's Guidance Notes of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or any subsequent legislation made thereunder.
3. After Committal
(a) A body shall not be removed from the crematorium after the service of committal except for a lawful purpose.
(b) Subject to receiving the necessary authority to cremate, the coffin and its contents shall be put into the cremator, as soon as practicable, exactly as they have been received on the catafalque. A body not cremated on the same day as the coffin is received at the crematorium may only be retained overnight on the written consent of the Applicant for cremation and in circumstances deemed necessary by the Cremation Authority, including impacts on the environment. All bodies retained at the crematorium will be accommodated in secure and sanitary conditions within the building.
(c) Once the coffin with its contents has been placed in the cremator, it shall not be interfered with until the process of cremation is completed. On completion, the whole of the cremated remains shall be collected and shall be disposed of in accordance with the instruction received.
4. Correct Identity
(a) No coffin shall be accepted at any crematorium unless it bears adequate particulars of the identity of the deceased person contained therein. If a coffin is encased, the cover and the coffin must bear adequate identity of the deceased person.
(b) Every care must be taken to ensure correct identification throughout the whole proceedings from the moment the coffin is received on the catafalque until the final disposal of the cremated remains.
5. Separately Cremated
Each coffin given to the care of the Cremation Authority shall be cremated separately.
6. Coffin Covers
When a re-useable cover is used to encase a coffin, a signed authority must be given by the Applicant for the cremation authorising its use and consenting to its subsequent removal from the crematorium.
7. Metal Residues
Any metal found amongst the cremated remains shall be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Cremation Authority or higher authority.
8. Cremated Remains
The utmost care shall be taken to ensure that the cremated remains, following their removal from the cremator, shall be kept separate and suitably identified. The cremated remains shall be reduced and placed in a separate container. If the cremated remains are to be disposed of in a Garden of Remembrance, this shall be conducted with reverence and respect. Cremated Remains to be conveyed by a carrier service shall be placed in a suitably labelled robust container and dealt with according to recommendations laid down by the Federation of British Cremation Authorities.
9. Cremators and Ancillary Equipment
Cremators and all ancillary equipment used in the crematorium shall be kept in good repair and maintained in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and the requirements of the current Guidance Notes issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or subsequent legislation.
10. Statutory Regulations
All cremations shall be carried out according to the provisions of the Cremation Acts and the Regulations made thereunder and any subsequent legislation.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Bring nature inside with this amazing handmade fused glass panel. This beautiful piece has an amazing background in a blue and green. The trees And snow give incredible depth and texture. It would be a conversation piece in any room.


How to make a small half moon patio?
Is that a picture of what you would like to build, or what you have. If you want to build one like the picture, do you have a picture of the area you want to use?
Buy flat flagstones and lay them out in a circle and add your firepit and chairs, etc.


text:
Archive for June 3, 2015
A new view of Ceres, taken by NASA's Dawn spacecraft on May 23, shows finer detail is becoming visible on the dwarf planet. The spacecraft snapped the image at a distance of 3,200 miles (5,100 kilometers) with a resolution of 1,600 feet (480 meters) per pixel. The image is part of a sequence taken for navigational purposes.
After transmitting these images to Earth on May 23, Dawn resumed ion-thrusting toward its second mapping orbit. On June 3, Dawn will enter this orbit and spend the rest of the month observing Ceres from 2,700 miles (4,400 kilometers) above the surface. Each orbit during this time will be about three days, allowing the spacecraft to conduct an intensive study of Ceres.
Categories: Agencies & Organisations, Astronomy, Dawn, NASA (National Aeronautics & Space Administration), Solar System, Spaceflight, Unmanned Spaceflight Tags: astronomy, Ceres, dawn spacecraft, NASA, Nature, news, science, space
June 3, 2015 George Arnold	1 comment
Artist's illustrations. Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Showalter (SETI Institute), and G. Bacon (STScI)
If you lived on one of Pluto's moons Nix or Hydra, you'd have a hard time setting your alarm clock. That's because you could not know for sure when, or even in which direction, the sun would rise.
A comprehensive analysis of all available Hubble Space Telescope data shows that two of Pluto's moons, Nix and Hydra, are wobbling unpredictably. Scientists believe the other two small moons, Kerberos and Styx, are likely in a similar situation, pending further study.
"Hubble has provided a new view of Pluto and its moons revealing a cosmic dance with a chaotic rhythm," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C. "When the New Horizons spacecraft flies through the Pluto system in July we'll get a chance to see what these moons look like up close and personal."
Why the chaos? Because the moons are embedded inside a dynamically shifting gravitational field caused by the system's two central bodies, Pluto and Charon, whirling about each other. The variable gravitational field induces torques that send the smaller moons tumbling in unpredictable ways. This torque is strengthened by the fact the moons are football shaped rather than spherical.
Link To Another Story
Categories: Astronomy, Pluto, Solar System Tags: astronomy, Hubble Space Telescope, Nature, news, Pluto, science, space


text:
Neymar expected to train again with Brazil
Netherlands' fans before the match. Reuters
Neymar is expected to train with Brazil again tomorrow while left back Alex Telles and forward Gabriel Jesus have been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup after getting injured in the match against Cameroon.
Brazilian fans show support for Pele, who was hospitalised. AP/PTI
Card game is England's best friend
For a nation that has frequently flattered to deceive at football's major tournaments, a card game that relies on the art of deception is strengthening the bond among England's players ahead of their match against Senegal in the Round of 16. Werewolf, a game of roleplay and deduction, has become a popular pastime for the squad between games. "It's about being the best liar," said midfielder Declan Rice. "The villagers have got to snuff out the wolves and the wolves have got to lie and tell everyone why they are not a wolf. There is a lot of teamwork, ganging up."
All continents in knockouts shows growth
The Qatar World Cup will set a record as teams from all continents have advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time ever, FIFA said on today. The tournament, which concluded its group stage on Friday saw a record for the Asian Football Confederation, with three teams (Australia, Japan and South Korea) reaching the knockout stages. Two African teams, Senegal and Morocco, are also represented in the knockout stages for the second time. In the 2014 Brazil World Cup Algeria and Nigeria reached the Round of 16. "The outcome of the group stage shows the extent to which more countries have acquired the tools to compete at the highest level," FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger said. Agencies


text:
Page:Origin of Species 1872.djvu/160
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
portions of a strictly continuous area, intermediate varieties will, it is probable, at first have been formed in the intermediate zones, but they will generally have had a short duration. For these intermediate varieties will, from reasons already assigned (namely from what we know of the actual distribution of closely allied or representative species, and likewise of acknowledged varieties), exist in the intermediate zones in lesser numbers than the varieties which they tend to connect. From this cause alone the intermediate varieties will be liable to accidental extermination; and during the process of further modification through natural selection, they will almost certainly be beaten and supplanted by the forms which they connect; for these, from existing in greater numbers will, in the aggregate, present more varieties, and thus be further improved through natural selection and gain further advantages.
Lastly, looking not to any one time, but at all time, if my theory be true, numberless intermediate varieties, linking closely together all the species of the same group, must assuredly have existed; but the very process of natural selection constantly tends, as has been so often remarked, to exterminate the parent forms and the intermediate links. Consequently evidence of their former existence could be found only among fossil remains, which are preserved, as we shall attempt to show in a future chapter, in an extremely imperfect and intermittent record.
On the Origin and Transition of Organic Beings with peculiar Habits and Structure.— It has been asked by the opponents of such views as I hold, how, for instance, could a land carnivorous animal have been converted into one with aquatic habits; for how could the animal in its transitional state have subsisted? It would be easy to show that there now exist carnivorous animals presenting close intermediate grades from strictly terrestrial to aquatic habits; and as each exists by a struggle for life, it is clear that each must be well adapted to its place in nature. Look at the Mustela vison of North America, which has webbed feet, and which resembles an otter in its fur, short legs, and form of tail; during summer this animal dives for and preys on fish, but during the long winter it leaves the frozen waters, and preys, like other polecats on mice and land animals. If a different case had been taken, and it had been asked how an insectivorous quadruped could possibly have been converted into a flying bat, the question would have been far more difficult to answer. Yet I think such difficulties have little weight.
Here, as on other occasions, I lie under a heavy disadvantage, for, out of the many striking cases which I have collected, I can give only one or two instances of transitional habits and structures in
Retrieved from "https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Page:Origin_of_Species_1872.djvu/160&oldid=8035867"


The term diet comes from ancient Greek δίαιτα díaita and was originally used in the sense of lifestyle and the way of life itself. Dietetics is still scientifically concerned with the "right" diet and lifestyle. In the German-speaking world, the term refers to certain diets and diets that are intended either to weight loss or increase or to treat diseases. In the English-speaking world, diet is understood as the everyday diet of an obese person, regardless of weight-related or illness-related diets. Colloquially, the term in Germany is often equated with a reduction diet for weight loss. It is thus a synonym for slimming diet.
Since Hippocrates diet is a special diet of humans, in the longer term or permanently a special selection of food is consumed. The diet is either a short-term change in the diet for weight loss, for example to fight obesity or to remove belly fat, in some cases also to gain weight like anorexia or a longer-term to permanent dietary change to supportive treatment of a disease (like in celiac disease, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance. Fasting, on the other hand, means the temporary abandonment of food from religious (in Ramadan Islam, pre-Easter Lent in the Christian church) or health motivation for fasting.
Any form of diet, whether for weight loss or supportive disease treatment, is based on a reduction or increase in the relative proportion of a nutritional component (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and preservatives) over the others and / or a reduction or increase in the intake total energy and, if necessary, a balanced change in fluid intake.
A more holistic approach is cognitive behavioral therapy used by psychologists in clinics to treat obesity. In this method, dysfunctional behavioral routines and eating habits are identified and retrained. In case of severe obesity and eating disorders, it is the most sensible method of weight loss in the long term.
A reduction diet aims at losing body weight. There are numerous reduction diets, some of which differ considerably in their methods. Only a few diets have been scientifically tested. The development and promotion of the reduction diets is not only subject to changes in scientific knowledge but also to fashions and worldviews. Some forms of diet are even considered harmful to health in medicine.
Reduction diets should be given only for a short time (and for extreme forms only under medical supervision). The general consensus is that a reduction diet can only be successful if it is followed by a permanent change in diet in which the energy balance of the body is balanced, d. H. in which no more energy is supplied via food than the body needs. A change of life towards a full-fledged diet and increased physical activity is recommended. When relapsing into old eating habits and habits, it usually comes back to a rise in body weight, the so-called yo-yo effect, because you fall into old eating habits that are not adapted to the new lower body weight.
There are numerous diets with different concepts. These are for example low-carb, low-fat, food combining or glyx diet. In a study of mice conducted by the Institute for Nutritional Research, there is a connection between the consumption of fructose and obesity, which is not based on the increased energy intake, but on the fact that fructose affects the metabolic activity and thus the accumulation favored by body fat. The selfish brain theory, which also includes an approach to explain obesity, does not question the short-term effects of reduction diets, but their long-term success in principle.
Does fast weight loss with a reduction diet work?
In short it pretty much depends if the person really wants it. There is no wonder pill. The person has to work on it. The own will needs to be strong enough to go through it. Otherwise there is no weight loss, only losing the fight.


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Starring: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins
Release Date: July 1999
Genres: Suspense, Thriller
*Also starring: Joan Cusack, Hope Davis, Mason Gamble
1. Susan Granger review follows
2. Dustin Putman read the review
3. Walter Frith read the review
4. Harvey Karten read the review ---
5. Greg King read the review
Review by Susan Granger
This contemporary thriller stars Jeff Bridges as a college professor whose FBI-agent wife was killed in a botched raid on an alleged right-wing cult. The film was scheduled to open in May, shortly after the Columbine High School massacre in Littleton, Colorado. With its tagline, "Fear thy neighbor," its release was understandably postponed. The theme revolves around how everyday appearances can be deceiving. This concept is personified by a seemingly normal, all-American couple - Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack - who move with their three children into a suburban Washington, D.C. neighborhood. Gradually, Bridges, who teaches a course in terrorism, senses something suspicious about them. Is he just paranoid or are they part of a lethal, para-military conspiracy? "There's no gratuitous violence," Bridges says, "but it does deal with a violent subject, with militia groups - and how some people express unhappiness toward the government and their own lives. Certainly, I would hope it doesn't lead to copycat crimes. However, it's a tough subject: whether the arts reflect society or lead society. I don't know if we want to put restrictions on creativity, but, at the same time, we certainly do not want to inspire people to do violence." Writer Ehren Kruger and director Mark Pellington are obviously manipulative as they explore this volatile subject with a stylish scenario that leads to a grim, uncompromising, over-the-top conclusion. Both Cusack and Robbins seem to relish their intriguing, intimidating roles with an evil glee, and Jeff Bridges delivers a solid performance as the tormented widower who becomes a pawn in their plot to dismantle American society. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Arlington Road" is a sinister, scary 6, making you skeptical about anyone's safety. It delivers a chilling shiver on a hot summer's night.
Copyright � 2000 Susan Granger
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Q: How to configure 'qsub' to use a scheduling system like LSF or SGE? There are several scheduling system (workload management system). Like SGE(Sun Grid Engine), LSF, PBS. Usually on a workstation, using 'qsub' command can put a job in a queue, then the scheduling system will take over from there. I got some questions:

*

*Is 'qsub' a Unix command?

*How does qsub associate with a scheduling system? What does the system admin have to configure?

*Which scheduling system is more popular?

A: * Is 'qsub' a Unix command?

    qsub is the binary used to submit jobs in SUN GRID ENGINE. Just like bsub in LSF

* How does qsub associate with a scheduling system? What does the system admin have to configure?

    qsub associate 100% with the scheduling system. The system admin can configure from nothing "basic installation" to server resource, policies, esub, elims to define the rules on job launching.

* Which scheduling system is more popular?

    Depends. When we tried SGE couple of years ago it had issues taking more than 10K jobs but now SGE improved a log. At that point we had to opt for Platform LSF, which is a paid scheduling system but works great for large clusters with good monitoring solutions.


Pepper jam is the not-so-secret ingredient in making sticky, slightly spicy chicken wings. I used a homemade pineapple-habanero jam for this recipe, though you can easily vary it to suit your own tastes. Just don't forget the chopped habaneros. The sweet counterbalances the habanero heat, but it's still plenty spicy.
1. Make the wings: Pat dry, then add to a large bowl. Add the baking powder and seasonings and toss to coat.
2. Preheat the oven to 250°F. Set the wings on a greased baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Flip the wings.
3. Increase the heat to 425°F and bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy. Place under the broiler for a few minutes if you like things extra crispy.
4. When the wings are nearly done, warm the pepper jam, agave nectar, butter, 2 habaneros and salt in a small pot, just until it becomes easy to pour.
5. Add the wings to a large bowl and pour in the jam mixture. Toss to coat.
6. Top with the remaining habanero and serve.


The George Washington University School of Business (GWSB) has named Liesl Riddle as associate dean of graduate programs. She is currently an associate professor of international business and international affairs in the Department of International Business. In her new role, she will oversee the school's five M.B.A. programs – the Global M.B.A., Professional M.B.A., Accelerated M.B.A., World Executive M.B.A. and Healthcare M.B.A.
"Dr. Riddle has the global expertise, research experience and vision necessary to lead our graduate programs and help our students engage the world from the nation's capital," said GWSB Dean Doug Guthrie, professor of international business and professor of management.
Dr. Riddle's areas of expertise include international entrepreneurship and national trade and investment promotion, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. She has written extensively about the roles that diasporas – migrants and their descendants – play in the economic development of emerging markets and is considered a leading expert on the topic.


In early 1913, a committee of Winnipeg's City Planning Commission recommended that a new civic centre be built, and a contest for a design for a new city hall was announced. Thirty-nine designs were submitted in competition and even though a winner was selected, construction never proceeded. Eventually a new City Hall was built in the 1960s.


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Regenerating a national treasure
Royal Haslar is one of Britain's landmark buildings, part of the very fabric of our nation. We were proud to create a brand and website for this luxury waterfront development.
The Royal Hospital Haslar is an iconic waterfront estate in Portsmouth which served the Royal Navy for over 250 years. Purchased by Harcourt Developments in 2009, grand plans are transforming the historic buildings into stunning residential and retirement properties.
Brand positioning & strategy
Respect the past, look to the future
Royal Haslar Hospital has a rich history. It had been the heart of the local community, providing, jobs, healthcare and education.
The brand and website needed to respect and reflect the grandeur of this historic building, whilst reflecting the commercial regeneration plans and generating leads from prospective investors & homeowners.
A proud tradition
This was a project about pride.
Pride in Royal Haslar's distinguished military past. Pride in the illustrious history of the British Navy in Portsmouth. Pride in the local people who staffed the NHS hospital.
We looked to preserve and build on this immense feeling of pride. By representing the new development in a positive, celebratory context - and with historical integrity - we galvanised support in the local community and created a compelling commercial proposition.
Grand in conception, magnificent in design
The Royal Haslar development will provide homes to a wide audience, from young professionals and families to empty nesters and retirees. The appeal is also diverse: historical architecture, waterfront living, green space, urban transport links - potential customers will have different motivations.
We analysed the market and profiled customers to define clear brand positioning and develop a strategy that informs all design and marketing.
A piece of British history
The visual identity takes inspiration from the unique history and architecture that make Royal Haslar such an iconic building. It communicates an elegance that appeals to potential buyers, but is also versatile for digital use.
The logo references the elegant wrought ironwork on the main gates, while the round insignia is inspired by a Royal Naval Surgeon's button from the early 19th century.
Our rigorous research produced a visual identity with real integrity, essential in gaining support for the development plans from the local and historical communities.
An epic introduction
To introduce this landmark regeneration project, we needed to impress people from the moment they landed on the site.
Epic aerial footage of the development makes an instant impact, while well-crafted content and bespoke property management software allow potential residents to experience life at Royal Haslar while construction is completed.
Searching for perfection
We built a a custom property management system to list, manage and sell the 270+ units.
Potential residents can use the 'Property Search' to browse and search properties, then view floor plans, unit specifications and imagery of each apartment, helping them to find their perfect home.
Bringing the area to life
There's more to Royal Haslar than the development itself. We produced content to tell the story of the surrounding area's marine facilities, fantastic transport links and diverse culture. The breadth and depth of the content paints a detailed picture of what it will actually be like to live there, helping to drive purchase enquiries.
Engaging customers, driving leads
An engaging brand and informative content combine to ensure website visitors are engaged, exploring the development and using the excellent 'Property Search' to browse apartments. The high number of leads generated is a testament to success.
www.royalhaslar.com


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In finance, recovery swaps, recovery locks, or recovery default swaps (RDS) are derivative contracts related to credit default swaps, and reference a bond issuance as its underlying.  They are designed to provide a hedge against the uncertainty of recovery in default.

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association does not keep records on the size of the recovery swap market because there has not yet been sufficient member demand.

Terms
A recovery swap is an agreement between two parties to swap a real recovery rate (whenever it is ascertained) with a fixed recovery rate that can be locked in today. The parties are speculating on whether a company that is no longer liquid will pay out more or less than a certain percentage for each bond.  The reference price is set to the fixed recovery rate rather than 100, chosen such that the RDS prices at zero on issue. Since the swap is issued at a price of zero, if the reference entity does not default in the term of the swap, then the swap expires with no cashflows having taken place.

Because the swap only has value (to either counterparty) during a default, the main market in RDS involves bonds that pose a high risk of default, when the reference entity (company) is in financial difficulty.

Connection to fixed recovery CDS
A related instrument is a fixed recovery CDS.  In theory an RDS protection (receive fixed recovery) can be approximated by buying protection with fixed CDS (binary CDS) and selling the ordinary CDS (writing protection).  In reality there may be a slight difference in the terms of the swaps, particularly relating to settlement.  It is usually the case that fixed recovery CDS are settled immediately, since there is no need to wait for recovery to be determined, whereas a recovery swap will wait until the ordinary CDS is settled before paying out.

References

Swaps (finance)
Credit risk

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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A New Book Series: Renewing the World
A Tribute to Frank P. Davidson
Annual Voices of the Future Award
Voice of the Future 2013: Angela J. Newton
Voice of the Future 2014: Erik Andrus, Vermont Sail Freight Project
Voice of the Future 2015: Dr. Manuel G. Chavez-Angeles
Voice of the Future 2019: Nature
Voice of the Future 2020: You
Voice of the Future 2021: Makoto Murase
Voices of the Future 2016: Jean Louis Bobin and Lucien Deschamps
Voice of the Future 2017: Ali Saeed "Water"
Voice of the Future 2018: Stephen Hawking
Better World Travel Scholarship
Building a Better World 2017: Mariely Guerrero
Brooklyn Bridge, United States
London Bridge, England
High Dam at Aswan, Egypt
Hoover Dam and the Colorado River Compact, United States
Itaipú Hydroelectric Power Project, Brazil and Paraguay
Manhattan Project and Atomic Energy Act, United States
Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Power Project, Australia
Tennessee Valley Authority, United States
Iconic Monuments
Solomon's Temple, Israel
The Founding of Abuja, Nigeria
The Founding of Baghdad, Iraq
The Founding of Brasilia, Brazil
The Founding of Cyrene, Libya
The Founding of Singapore, Singapore
The Founding of St. Petersburg, Russia
The Founding of Washington D.C., United States
Canadian-Pacific Railway, Canada
Shinkansen, Japan
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Transcontinental Railroad, United States
Alaska Highway, United States and Canada
Central Artery, United States
Charlemagne's Works, Western Europe
Federal Highway System, United States
National Trails System, United States
COMSAT: United States
NASA and the Apollo Program, United States
Channel Tunnel, England and France
Mont Blanc Tunnel, France, Italy, and Switzerland
Trans-Alaska Pipeline, United States
Voice of the Future 2022: Senator Sherry Rehman
Aqueducts of Rome, Italy
Canal des Deux Mers, France
Erie Canal, United States
Grand Canal, China
New River, England
Panama Canal, Panama
Protective Dikes and Land Reclamation, The Netherlands
Suez Canal, Egypt
Year 2014: After Nafta
Year 2015: Water
Year 2016: Energy
Year 2017: Cities
Year 2018: Transport
Year 2019: Space
Year 2020: Climate Conservation Corps
Year 2021: Are Regions the New Nations?
Year 2022: Renewing the World
Building the World
"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice"
-T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
Building the World brings to the University of Massachusetts Boston something truly special. We are evolving and we take our intergenerational responsibilities seriously. Those works memorialized here are for unending generations.
– Dr. Winston E. Langley, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Voices of the Future is an award honoring emerging leaders whose vision will help to create a better future for the world. Inaugurated at the University of Massachusetts Boston, the award offers leaders the opportunity to give voice to ideas and policies by writing a series of posts for the blog, "Building the World," as well as speaking to interested groups including University of Massachusetts Boston, Harvard University, MIT, and partner universities and institutes worldwide. Winners are chosen for power of vision, actions supporting ideas, and commitment to engage others in beneficial change for the world.
Building the World Blog by Kathleen Lusk Brooke and Zoe G. Quinn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Charlemagne's Works: Western Europe (12)
London Bridge: England (21)
NASA and the Apollo Program: United States (87)
Protective Dikes and Land Reclamation, The Netherlands (24)
Protective Dikes and Land Reclamation: The Netherlands (4)
SEMATECH: United States (1)
Shinkansen – National High-Speed Railways: Japan (21)
Solomon's Temple: Israel (7)
The Alaska Highway: United States and Canada (12)
The Aqueducts of Rome: Italy (41)
The Brooklyn Bridge: The United States (11)
The Canadian Pacific Railway: Canada (22)
The Canal des Deux Mers: France (17)
The Central Artery/Tunnel Project ("Big Dig"): United States (32)
The Channel Tunnel: England and France (24)
The Colorado River and Hoover Dam: United States (46)
The Communications Satellite (COMSAT): United States (39)
The Eiffel Tower: France (39)
The Erie Canal: United States (16)
The Federal Highway System: United States (27)
The Founding of Abuja: Nigeria (12)
The Founding of Baghdad: Iraq (13)
The Founding of Brasilia: Brasil (16)
The Founding of Cyrene: Libya (15)
The Founding of Singapore, Singapore (25)
The Founding of St. Petersburg: Russia (6)
The Founding of Washington D.C.: United States (12)
The Grand Canal: China (39)
The Great Wall of China, China (2)
The High Dam at Aswan: Egypt (11)
The Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Project: Brasil and Paraguay (13)
The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Energy Act: United States (30)
The Mont Blanc Tunnel: Italy, France, and Switzerland (6)
The National Trails System: United States (14)
The New River: England (40)
The Panama Canal: Panama (17)
The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Power Project: Australia (34)
The Suez Canal: Egypt (19)
The Taj Mahal: India (14)
The Tennesee Valley Authority: United States (17)
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline: United States and Canada (12)
The Trans-Siberian Railway: Russia (12)
The Transcontinental Railroad: United States (23)


Terence Rattigans compelling drama The Winslow Boy comes to The Old Vic stage following the success of Cause Clbre.
Driven by a passionate belief in justice whatever the personal cost, Arthur Winslow sets out to prove his sons innocence when he is accused of theft. This moving story puts the rights of the individual against the will of the stage. A fight for truth, played out under the media spotlight, tests one family to its very limit.
Terence Rattigan is one of Englands greatest playwrights. His many plays include French Without Tears, After the Dance, Flare Path, The Browning Version, The Deep Blue Sea, Man and Boy and Cause Clbre.
Directed by Olivier Award-winner Lindsay Posner whose credits include Noises Off (The Old Vic, West End and UK tour) Abigails Party, A View from the Bridge, Butley and Carousel (West End).


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Resolutions Don't Work. Here's What To Do Instead
If nothing else, resolutions are resilient. Despite the fact that surveys suggest up to 80% of resolutions fail after just 1 month, people continue to go back to them year after year. It's not that having goals or wanting to improve is a bad thing. It's just that the low likelihood of success is not an accident.
The idea of a resolution is fundamentally flawed. They are hopes and dreams. Not plans and systems.
It's time for you to draw the line if you want to stop settling for less than your best. Over the last 20 years, I've watched far too many people make resolutions want to lose a few pounds in the New Year and come out frustrated and angry at themselves.
Instead of resolutions, it's time you try something different. If you're pushing for results and aren't willing to be dragged down by a broken process, it's time to rebel.
If you choose this approach, you won't return next January with the same frustration.
Why Most Resolutions Fail
Most resolutions depend on motivation and inspiration. And for a few weeks, those 2 traits can take you surprisingly far. Unfortunately, motivation, inspiration, and willpower are all in limited supply. Much like a gas tank, eventually, you hit empty, and that's why so many people watch their resolutions fall apart at the same time.
If you were to break it down farther, there are 4 reasons why most resolutions have such a low likelihood of success.
Big Dreams Crash Fast
Most people shoot for the moon with their resolutions. It's great to dream big, but, if you're serious about achieving your goals, psychology research shows that these "moonshots" are the least likely to succeed.
Confidence is An Issue
When you aim for something you really want but have yet to achieve (like most resolutions), there's a part of you (and, really, anyone) that doubts whether it can happen. And self-doubt triggers self-protective strategies and self-destructive behaviors that prevent you from succeeding prematurely so it's easier to process and understand how you fell short of your goal.
Think about it: if pursuit stops after 1-month, it's much easier to rationalize if you work hard for 12 months and still don't achieve your goals. The fear of failure is powerful and becomes more prominent the bigger (and more unrealistic) the goal feels.
Focus Is Underappreciated
A great goal needs to be backed-up by extreme focus. If you're going to set an unspecific goal — I want to lose 20 pounds — then, you're setting the stage for disappointment. Goals are outcomes. Better goals focus on processes, and, more importantly, a plan of action.
When you lack clarity, it's harder to know when your seemingly innocent daily behaviors are actually undercutting your goals.
Goals Are Prioritized Over Systems
As you'll see in a moment, a focused ritual is much more powerful than an unfocused (but appealing) goal. The rituals will build habits, and habits inherently have a system that makes them more doable.
To gain focus, steal a tactic from James Clear, bestselling author of Atomic Habits. He suggests completing the following sentence:
I will [FILL IN BEHAVIOR] at [FILL IN TIME] in [FILL IN LOCATION].
You can't say "I will lose 20 pounds in 3 months in my home" and feel confident that it's a blueprint for success.
Setting up several smaller rituals will build habits that will be easier to process and help you achieve the bigger picture goal you desire.
Not to mention, there's another risk associated with failing year-after-year. At some point, you start to no longer trust your ability to succeed at goals and tasks. You can only fall short so many times before you erode your confidence.
So, the next time you want to tackle a big goal, it's time to approach it in a completely different way.
The Power of Rituals
The most successful people in the world create rituals that make it easier to have a higher rate of success on their goals. That's because they trust systems that make it more likely for them to learn a new skill, overcome a bad habit, or turn a dream into reality.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is well-known for his obsessive habits, which helped him in bodybuilding, as a movie star, and when he was governor of California.
"[Rituals] are the blueprint for success because the more things you can do automatically the more you can achieve every day," says Schwarzenegger. "You don't think about breathing or eating, you just do it. You don't think about putting on clothes before you go out. You don't think about recharging your car when it's low. I make as many things in my life as automatic as possible."
The key with rituals is having a very specific vision of what you want to achieve
(our bigger picture vision) and then all the steps you see needing to make the vision coming to life.
"No matter what you are doing, if you don't envision the end result, the work is going to feel very hard," adds Schwarzenegger. "If you know where you want the work to get you in the end, you feel good doing it. Spend the time to figure out that vision. And after that, everything is reps, reps, reps."
The Power of Simplicity
Most people love checklists because it feels awesome to cross off items and feel accomplished. The accomplishment part is great. The long list? Not so much. Whether or not you realize it, you're laying the foundation for failure.
Success depends on consistency more than anything. So instead of asking, "What do I want to accomplish?" ask, "What's the easiest thing I can do every day that will help me toward my goal?"
The "every day" part is important because you're shifting your mindset away from nuanced, difficult tasks to practical, doable ones. When you do good, you feel good. Success breeds success, and that creates a habit. And habit makes everything easier. That's the real goal: making the change feel almost too easy.
If you swear off alcohol and then go out with your friends the first weekend in January, you might feel torn: Stay with your goal or break it? Do what you love or do what you feel is necessary to succeed?
Those are not questions you want to be faced with. At least, not initially. Instead, you want to create a different construct. Start with simpler tasks you can master. For example:
I will eat vegetables twice per day.
I will sleep at least seven hours per night.
I will drink two glasses of water with every meal.
I will go to the gym three times during the week.
Then, build rituals that make these behaviors automatic. (Here's how you can build a ritual that sticks.)
You could list endless habits that are designed to build behaviors. But, start with one or two rituals. And then when those feel easy, you can add more.
Go slow to go fast. The narrow focus will make it surprisingly easy to take on new tasks rather than drinking from a fire hose.
Trust me on this one. You'll be glad you did when it's June and you're still kicking ass, instead of jumping off the wagon before January is even over.
Making change is hard. So don't make it harder by creating too many goals at once or by focusing on goals that seem like scaling a mountain instead of going for a walk. You'll get to the mountain, but it's better to build up momentum.
Unlock the Advantage of Easy
The other key is to leave room for imperfection. Let's say your goal is: "I will go to the gym three times during the week." Setting a goal of three times should not be your goal if you think that's the maximum amount you'll be able to go per week. Because if you're slammed at work and only make it to the gym once, you'll feel like you've failed.
Since you want to create behaviors that are easy, seamless, and become habitual, you might want to set a goal of two times per week. Declare that it will happen and then make sure you hit your two sessions every week without fail.
You want to make it as easy as possible to succeed.
We all are susceptible to a psychological concept called "learned helplessness": Fail enough, and you come to expect failure. This is the foundation of bad fitness. Yet, all too often we set goals that increase the likelihood of failure. If you make your goals easy, you're on the right track. Small successes will create positive reinforcement.
Give yourself two or three weeks to crush each mini-goal. Once you're consistently hitting the gym twice per week (or whatever makes sense for you), then add another goal. Then another.
Each opportunity will give you the chance to build a habit you can master. As time goes on, you can make the goals much more specific and difficult. But when you do, you'll be building on a solid foundation of habits that will make it very difficult to slide back to the old you.
Think of it as a classroom test. Focusing on getting an A doesn't make it more likely that you'll earn that grade. Instead, if you focus on learning the material, that's when you'll see the high scores. "Don't focus on the grade you want in a class; put all your energy into learning the material."
Whatever you do, as you take on new rituals, don't paint the picture of a life you wouldn't want to live. Too many goals and habits are supported by things that you hate. There are many ways to achieve the goals you desire. If you're not a morning person, don't make your success revolve around winning the moment. That itself is a separate goal.
There is no one way to build a plan that works. When you play to your strengths, stay small, remain focused, and move fast, you will pave a road of success on any challenge you want to conquer.
Written by Adam Bornstein
Adam Bornstein is the chief nutrition officer, head of content, and health advisor at Ladder. He led the team that formulated all Ladder products and has been a long-time fitness advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Adam is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning health editor, a certified trainer and nutrition coach, and was named one of the most influential people in health. Previously, he was editorial director of LIVESTRONG.COM and fitness editor for Men's Health magazine. He is also the founder of Born Fitness and Pen Name Consulting and has appeared on Good Morning America, E! News, ABC, and NBC.


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Leitrim es un poblado en el condado de Leitrim, Irlanda. Hacia el 2006 contaba con una población de unos 1,100 habitantes.

Se encuentra sobre el río Shannon donde se cruzan las carreteras R280 y R284 y está conectado con el río Erne mediante el canal Shannon-Erne. El poblado se encuentra a 5 km de Carrick-on-Shannon y 155 km de Dublín.

Historia
El poblado de Leitrim fue una plaza fuerte O'Rourke en épocas medievales y fue un sitio de importancia estratégica dado que el río en su vecindad es relativamente poco profundo y fácil de atravesar.

En 1540 Brian O'Rourke construye el castillo de Leitrim mientras se libra una gran guerra en su contra con varios frentes abiertos: en Moylurg, Muintir-Eolais, y Breifney. El castillo fue construido en un tiempo breve.

Localidades del Condado de Leitrim


Message: Kindermusik Classes in Kingston and Red Hook are cancelled today Tuesday 2/12. This will be one of our allotted snow days but if you wish you are welcome to schedule a make up class with another class for your child's age group. Stay Safe and warm.


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Q: Huge Array from config file or in .java I have a quick question; What is more efficient? Storing huge arrays and other data in a config file or just in your java code?
My current project has a 200+ array in it and its code is triggered often, does it matter that theres a huge array in it?
Or is there another solution to this?
Thanks

A: You probably want to store large amounts of data in a database.
Having said this, a 200+ length array is not a very large array unless the size of the elements is particularly large.  Still, it seems a mouthful to write in the code—I might go with a config file or a database.
Another possibility is that the operations which are being performed on the array elements are time-consuming.  You may want to check that and possibly even post the operations on codereview.stackexchange.com, or post the code here with specific questions about its optimization.

A: All large arrays are 200+, but not all 200+ arrays are large.

*

*if you use the array all the time, a config file seems the most feasible

*if you do not use it all the time, then a file, with initializing the array would be nice

*if you have to link a lot of data to the array elements and you already have a database, a new table would suffice


The MRINetwork Charitable Foundation is proud to host the sixth annual Pacesetter Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament at the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Proceeds from the tournament go directly to Shriners Hospital for Children.
The Cinnamon Hill Golf Course has been ranked one of the "Top Courses in Jamaica" by Golf Digest Magazine and listed as one of the "Best Tour Courses" by Golf Week magazine! Shotgun start at 8am and awards luncheon immediately following the tournament.