It is with immense pleasure that we announce the launch of Pupkewitz Megabuild's new branch in the beautiful town of Outjo. The new branch brings the number of Pupkewitz Megabuild's total branches to 17, creating a comprehensive footprint in Namibia. Taking our services and products closer to our people remain one of our priority areas as supported by the Pupkewitz Group's legacy of Customer Satisfaction through Service Excellence.
The launch of the new branch will take place on Friday, 26 October 2018, and will be graced by the presence of His Worship the Mayor of Outjo, Honourable Samuel !Oë-Amseb who will deliver a keynote address and officially open the branch.
Marcel Lamprecht, Managing Director of Pupkewitz Megabuild remarked, despite difficult economic times the Pupkewitz Group continues to innovate and create opportunities, to further grow the business and deliver value to all our stakeholders. He further commented, investing in our business and growing the Pupkewitz Megabuild footprint remains our priority whilst working closely with the local authorities to assist in creating job opportunities.
Pupkewitz Megabuild Outjo features a modern interior design with over 5 000 line items, aimed at offering our customers a choice of quality products as well as the Pupkewitz legendary and trusted expert advice. Furthermore, to enhance customers' experience the new branch will be offering a delivery service within the town and adjacent towns within the radius of 150 kilometre.
As a responsible corporate citizen, the Pupkewitz Group remains truly committed to ensure that we provide the right product at the right price in the right place. In support of our national development goals and living out our number one unifying principle of 'Commitment to People Development,' we are continually seeking opportunities to create exciting job opportunities for all Namibians.
As a Group, we recognise Outjo Municipality's vision of becoming a tourism and education hub towards economic growth and social progression.
The new branch is situated in Jack Frances Street, and will be open from Mondays to Wednesdays & Fridays, 07:30 – 17:00, Thursdays from 08:00 – 17:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 – 13:00.
Pupkewitz Megabuild, a subsidiary of the Pupkewitz Group, is a one-stop building and hardware material supplier, providing a wide range of high quality products to building contractors and the retail home improvement market.


text:
The Great PC Giveaway
Will computers and Internet access join health plans and 401(k)s as standard benefits?
Tim ReasonApril 1, 2000
A Better Way to Do Ecommerce
Learn how Precision Medical leveraged OneWorld to cut the cost of billing in half and added $2.5M in annual revenue.
Read the Case Study About Oracle NetSuite
In 1914, Henry Ford reduced employee turnover at his young company by doubling wages to an unprecedented $5 a day, a move other manufacturers were forced to follow. In February, Ford Motor Co. raised the stakes for employers again. The Dearborn, Mich.-based auto giant announced it would offer a powerful personal computer, a color printer, and unlimited Internet access for just $5 a month to each of its 350,000 employees worldwide. The next day, Delta Air Lines Inc. made a similar offer, for $12 a month, to its 72,000 employees.
Why the largess? "It is critical for the success of businesses in the future for employees to be Internet savvy," explains Ford chief information officer James Yost, noting that basic Web skills already are essential for salaried workers. "I won't say it's a job requirement [for hourly workers], but pretty soon it probably will be."
Ford wants its employees along for the ride as the Internet changes the way cars are made, bought, and sold, says Yost. The company has unveiled various cyberspace initiatives in recent months, including Web sites for buyers, owners, and dealers; and marketing alliances with Web heavyweights such as Yahoo and Microsoft CarPoint. AutoXchange–a site that links 30,000 suppliers to the car maker and to one another– conducted its first online auction the same week Ford announced the employee PC program. Ultimately, Ford, General Motors Corp., and DaimlerChrysler will share a version of this site for all parts purchasing.
Tangible Benefits
Ford executives emphasize the value of making employees comfortable in these types of Internet environments, and they encourage personal use of the PCs, whether for E-mail or schoolwork. But Yost is quick to identify more-tangible benefits of the program. The company hopes the computers will help improve communications with employees–particularly with plant workers who don't have office desktops–and lower the cost of providing human resources and other corporate services, he says.
Atlanta-based Delta views its $12 PCs as "simply an employee benefit," says spokesman John Kennedy, but is still keen to link up with its huge "absentee workforce" of 29,000 pilots and flight attendants who go home between duty rotations, he adds. Even on the job, "they don't go anywhere to work except to a moving piece of equipment," Kennedy points out.
The PCs will allow those Delta employees to arrange their flight schedules from anywhere and take care of HR issues that traditionally have been handled by phone or mail. Not surprisingly, Delta was the first of the two companies to specify that employees could upgrade to a laptop for a larger co-payment.
San Franciscobased PeoplePC, which offers similar packages to the public for $24.95 a month, will provide the PCs and Internet service for both Ford and Delta. CEO Nick Grouf won't say what sort of discount the vendor gave the companies. "I would characterize it as a great deal for PeoplePC and a great deal for Ford," he says. Based on the price of the basic model that PeoplePC offers to the public, Ford could spend anywhere from about $50 million a year to cover the 200,000 employees in North America, to $90 million for personnel worldwide. Delta, whose employees pick up a larger share of the cost, could pay up to $12 million a year.
Trendsetter?
Meta Group analyst Maria Schafer says the Ford and Delta programs mirror an informal trend at many high-tech firms. "Companies are giving away all types of gadgets," she says, and are paying for ISDN lines or cable modems in employees' homes. "The real news is that a bricks-and-mortar company–Ford–with a lot of unionized employees has taken [such] a dramatic step. In the long run, I expect to see a whole bunch of companies rushing in to offer this same type of perk."
Gartner Cuts 2023 IT Spend Growth Projection to 2.4%
A device spending reduction and minimal growth in data centers and communication services will cause IT spending to grow less than initially forecast.
70% of Financial Institutions Lost Over $500K to Fraud in 2022: Weekly Stat
"Rapid digitization and an influx of cash from pandemic relief scams have created the perfect conditions for fraudsters to thrive."
Only 14% of CFOs Will Prioritize IT Infrastructure in 2023
Financial executives' wariness of risk is resulting in a focus on more finance-centric duties in 2023, per recent data.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Fed Attempting To Prevent "Great Depression II"
Bernanke and the Fed have to be miffed over their lack of traction in addressing the credit bubble.
Of course if Bernanke understood simple economics as explained in Impossible To Get Something For Nothing , he would not be doing the silly things he is doing such as running out of letters in his alphabet soup of lending facilities.
Today we see yet another lending facility and fittingly enough it is called the MMIFF. Inquiring minds are reading the Fed's Press Release On the MMIFF .
If not here are the Terms and Conditions of the MMIFF .
The MMIFF is intended to help restore liquidity to the money markets. The MMIFF will be a credit facility provided by the Federal Reserve to a series of special purpose vehicles established by the private sector (PSPVs) in accordance with the terms described below. Each PSPV will purchase eligible money market instruments from eligible investors using financing from the MMIFF and from the issuance of asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP). The MMIFF is authorized under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act.
A PSPV will purchase from eligible investors at amortized cost U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit, bank notes, and commercial paper with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less. Each PSPV will only purchase debt instruments issued by ten financial institutions designated in its operational documents. Each of these financial institutions will have a short-term debt rating of at least A-1/P-1/F1 from two or more major nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs).
At the time of a PSPV's purchase of a debt instrument issued by a financial institution, the debt instruments of that financial institution may not constitute more than 15 percent of the assets of the PSPV.
Each PSPV will finance its purchase of an eligible asset by selling ABCP and by borrowing under the MMIFF. The PSPV will issue to the seller of the eligible asset ABCP equal to 10 percent of the asset's purchase price. The ABCP will have a maturity equal to the maturity of the asset and will be rated at least A-1/P-1/F1 by two or more major NRSROs. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) will commit to lend to each PSPV 90 percent of the purchase price of each eligible asset until the maturity of the asset. The FRBNY loans will be on an overnight basis and at the primary credit rate. The loans will be senior to the ABCP, with recourse to the PSPV, and secured by all the assets of the PSPV.
If the debt instruments of a financial institution held by a PSPV are no longer eligible assets due to a short-term debt rating downgrade, the PSPV must cease all asset purchases until all of the PSPV's assets issued by that financial institution have matured.
Upon a default of any asset held by a PSPV, the PSPV must cease all asset purchases and repayments on outstanding ABCP. Proceeds from maturation of the PSPV's assets will be used to repay the FRBNY and, upon maturation of all assets in the PSPV, any remaining available cash will then be used to repay principal and interest on the ABCP. Any excess spread will be allocated as described below.
If your head is not spinning, then please loosen the clamps on the vise your head is in. Once that is accomplished here is a translation of what is going on in English.
Bloomberg is reporting Fed to Provide Up to $540 Billion to Aid Money Funds .
The Federal Reserve will provide up to $540 billion in loans to help relieve pressure on money-market mutual funds beset by redemptions.
"Short-term debt markets have been under considerable strain in recent weeks" as it got tougher for funds to meet withdrawal requests, the Fed said today in a statement in Washington. A Fed official said that about $500 billion has flowed since August out of prime money-market funds, which with other money-market mutual funds control $3.45 trillion.
The initiative is the third government effort to aid the funds, which usually provide a key source of financing for banks and companies.
"The problem was much worse than we thought," Jim Bianco, president of Chicago-based Bianco Research LLC, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. Policy makers are trying to prevent "Great Depression II" by stemming the financial industry's contraction, he said.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. will run five special units that will buy up to $600 billion of certificates of deposit, bank notes and commercial paper with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less. The Fed will provide up to $540 billion, with the remaining $60 billion coming from commercial paper issued by the five units to the money-market funds selling their assets, central bank officials told reporters on a conference call.
The new program is called the Money Market Investor Funding Facility, and officials said it's intended as a backstop for money-market mutual funds to use as needed to meet redemptions.
Here is the deal in even simpler terms. In order to prevent the "Great Depression II", the Fed and the Treasury have embarked on a series of measures similar in nature to those that caused the great depression.
The root cause of the great depression was the unsound lending patterns leading up to it. Those same unsound lending practices, now carried to the very limits of legality via Bernanke's alphabet soup of facilities, cannot possibly be the cure.
In retrospect, the title of this post is inaccurate. It really should read Fed is Attempting to Cause "Great Depression II".
Don't let politicians, particularly the next President-wanna-be implement legislation that will deconstruct the system at the core of American society.


This year we've gone all out on our decorations and have installed a 14ft Koster fir tree, complete with 2000 silver, gold and burgundy baubles (500 of which are Art Deco), 20 gold garlands and 100 glitter birds!
The pillars are festooned with gold branches and have been lit in amber to give the whole space a warm glow.
I'm sure you'll agree that it looks very special. Thanks to TBR Floral Design for another wonderful install.


The Okuma Aventa VT-1002 Centerpin Reel is a great entry level centerpin reel that offers quality construction at an affordable price. The Aventa features a 4.5" spool diameter making it the perfect size for trout and steelhead applications.
Okuma has entered the centerpin market with its Aventa series reel. This quality reel is sure to once again set the standard for a quality reel at an affordable price. Long fishing rods provide excellent control when float fishing, allowing longer drifts and better hook sets. The Okuma Aventa 13' 6" float rod is an ideal choice for the first time float angler looking for a longer rod at an economical price.
The Okuma Sheffield S-1002 Centerpin Reel raises the bar for a quality centerpin reel at an affordable price. This reel has a 4 1/2 inch spool diameter, is made from CNC machine-cut aluminum and has a one-piece frame and spool. It has a stainless steel shaft and two German precision HPB stainless steel ball bearings. The manufacturer rates the capacity of this reel at 275 yards of eight pound line with 50 yards of 20 pound backing.
Comments: Excellent, budget friendly, tracks, casts, reels very effortlessly. Smooth operator! Also, take care of your gear, when I get back from fishing I always separate the two sections and let it air dry, wipe out the sand and add a bit of plumbing grease and I'm ready for next time!
Comments: I don't have much experience with pins but I've fished this reel for a few weeks now and I am in love. I was able to pick up the wallis cast my second time out. I know the general consensus is this is a starter reel, but I am satisfied so far. I'm sure at some point I'll upgrade. If your looking to get into pinning and don't want to spend a ton of money, this is a good set up.
Comments: A great centerpin for fishing small streams . Smooth bearings.
Comments: I have become interested in center pinning. I researched and chose the Okuma Aventa as my beginner's reel. I feel I made a very good choice. The machining is excellent and appears up to the task. Biggest fish so far about 15 #.. The reel spins smoothly and is above my newbie skill level, but also, in my pre -purchase research, I found out that very advanced upgrade bearings are available, inexpensive and easily, user- installable . Fish USA has the best prices and FAST delivery.
Comments: Very smooth. Easy to handle. Not so expensive that you feel scared to use.
Comments: after all my reserch on purchasing my first center pin reel, i determined that the okuma aventa vt-1002 was the best "bang for the buck" and fishusa.com was the lowest price. i have been using this reel at the local pond for carp in preperation for steelhead and it's a blast to use.
Comments: This is my first center pin equipment, its a great starter reel.
Comments: I just started to center pin last fall and came across this real at a good price. Used it in the spring for steelheadand loved it. Hooked approximately 12 steelhead the first good day of the run and landed 10. Great reel for the beginner to start.
Comments: This is my first centerpin and have loved it so far. The casting takes some getting used to as with all centerpins, but its second nature after you learn it. The startup is good, very durable and spins for days.
Comments: I'm a Flyfisherman,but being a guide you need to know not just the river,and what it takes to get your client on a fish but aslo it's very helpul to know all fishing methods. Thanks to my good friend Bob from Ohio, who got me into center pin-float fishing,he recomemded the Aventa and about two weeks later i hooked just not one fish but ended up hooking four in a day and landed all four, two 10 pounders and two at 12 lbs. It's a great reel if you starting out or have been fishing for years.
Comments: As my first center pinning reel, it has worked exceptionally well. It's constructed well and I've never lost a fish because of the reel. Sometimes the line gets a little tangled up when casting or reeling in quick but besides that it's a good purchase and a great way to become a better pinner.
For the Aventa Center Pin Reel, do you sell and if so were are the advance upgrade bearings located?
Unfortunately, we do not sell the bearing upgrade kit.
Long fishing rods provide control when float fishing, allowing longer drifts and better hook sets. The Okuma Aventa float rods are an ideal choice for the first time float angler looking for a longer rod at an economical price. These Okuma float rods have cork handles with Pac Bay sliding rings (Model: VT-S-1363FR-2) or Fuji fixed reel seats (Models: VT-S-1363FR and VT-S-1563FR). Additional features include Pac Bay high frame guides with Aluminum Oxide inserts, hook keepers, and cloth rod socks.
Raven Main Line Monofilament Line features excellent abrasion resistance and high breaking strength. The supple formulation and high buoyancy make it ideal for float fishing applications. This line comes on 1/8 pound spools, with the yardage of each size listed below. We stock Raven Main Line in 6 through 20 pound tests in Fluorescent Pink, Fluorescent Yellow, Low-Vis Green and Low-Vis Grey.
RIO Dacron Fly Line Backing is a traditional Dacron braided backing that features high strength and low stretch and is unsurpassed in quality. This backing is a good compromise between thinness and the ability to make blind splice loops. RIO Dacron Fly Line Backing is easier to to knot that other brands that are very thin but have too tight a weave for blind spice looping. RIO Dacron Fly Line Backing is made in the U.S.A.
Raven Split Shot Dispensers offer the angler a great assortment of small shot sizes in one convenient dispenser. Raven shot is round and non-removable and sticks to leaders and line well. This split shot is popular for use when center pin and float fishing but will also work great for fly fishing and ultralight to light spin fishing.


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Reshaping the Philippines' Tech-Voc Education
Technical Vocational Education has been around in the Philippines for many years, enabling individuals to gain knowledge in many different industries in a specific amount of time. Individuals such as stay-at-home moms, out-of-school youths, drug dependants, seniors/retirees, unemployed people, and surrenderees are specifically targeted.
It is also the first choice for people who have completed secondary school because some cannot afford the expenses related to obtaining a degree.
However, there is still a stigma in the Philippines for graduates of technical vocational courses when it comes to job opportunities. That is something I believe the government should pay close attention to. Providing a higher level of skill and education comparable to that of a degree holder. So that they both have the same opportunity, treatment, honor, and recognition.
But if only our technical-vocational institutes (TVI) are managed and monitored well, they will be able to produce world-class and skilled graduates who can compete strongly against our neighboring countries. Because tech-voc graduates can fill an important role in different industries in the country and overseas. And if our tech-voc graduates become job-ready and globally competitive, they could contribute a lot to the national income and economy.
Like the highly-industrialized countries Japan, Singapore, and Korea have made necessary advancements in their educational system, focusing on academic excellence and technological innovation. These progressive countries teach their citizens to become productive, income-generating, and contribute to the national coffers. They emphasize the quality of products and services and invested in technical training. These countries believe in the strength of their manpower and their role in the national economy.
"Philippine TVET ang pag-asa para sa kinabukasan ng mamamayan at ng bayan, kung maayos at maganda ang programa."
Tony Galvez, an expert in the technical and vocational education and training industry in the country once said.
Existing Philippine Qualification Framework and Ladderized Program Law A Need for Framework Revision
A Need for Framework Revision
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, CEO of Ayala Corporation, one of the country's top corporations, and a staunch advocate for the importance of technical skills in our society, once expressed that a vocational or technical degree should be given a prominent position in our country's educational framework. The curriculum should be wider and the accreditation status should be improved significantly so that it will produce young graduates with specific skills that match the market needs.
The TVET PQF NC's needs a specific title for learners' perspectives to the industry or employers for clear and better recognition
In the Philippines, the two main agencies tasked with providing basic education in the country are DepEd, or Department of Education for the academics, and TESDA which stands for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, which is mandated to provide direction, policies, programs, and standards towards quality technical education and skills development.
The two bodies should complement each other so that there will be no overlapping of roles that could create conflicts in the implementation of their programs.
However, it seems that the curriculum of these two bodies has created some challenges for both of them. Ever since the K-12 curriculum has been implemented, DepEd has gotten some resources from TESDA because the tech-voc curriculum should be handled by experts in the technical field and not by a regular teacher. So this phenomenon, which was unseen as the would-be effect of the K-12, needs to be resolved.
Give TESDA Free Rein
TESDA should be given complete responsibility by the government for technical and vocational training, a separate agency from DOLE, DTI, and DepEd. However, TESDA needs to go beyond providing instructions and training. Skills assessment should be thorough and must meet globally-competitive criteria.
And lastly, granting professional licenses to successful graduates would give them the recognition that would elevate their status from merely a tech-voc graduate into a professional practitioner of their chosen skill. Possessing a license gives graduates a sense of pride and
Licensing should be the goal that each tech-voc graduate must aim for because acquiring a license would give them a right to demand a higher salary and compensation for their services. And most of all, they can be on par with the technical graduates of progressive countries.
The licensure tests is the final ''quality control'' check before tech-voc graduates are allowed to practice a profession which depends on the lives of people or safety of buildings like carpenters, cosmetology and culinary graduates among many other service-oriented fields.
Licensure examination is but one wheel in the big cog of the Philippine Qualifications Framework. The said framework supposedly sets multiple criteria that measure quality assurance principles and standards of the Filipino professional, technician, and craftsman.
The trifocal education system with the implementation of K-12 has totally diminished the quality skills training for TVET
Performing this mandate would mean for TESDA to do a much-needed review of its services and offers. What could TESDA offer to their future enrollees to attract more of them in the future and for TESDA to be an effective arm of the government for manpower development?
Reshaping Tech-Voc
It is proposed that the tech-voc curriculum is on two tracks: meaning the courses offered will be either service-oriented or product-oriented.
These two classifications will serve different purposes and will be monitored differently as well;
Product-Oriented Tracks
No prequisite
Only product quality control
Do not require higher academic achievement
This is measured only through quality contril
Service-Oriented Tracks
Pre-requisite: HS graduate
Customer and Pratitioner's Protection Service
Service-Oriented professions are measure by quality of service thru customer satisfaction
It promotes respect, prestige, and protection to the client and also the practitioner
Product-oriented tracks are designed to alleviate poverty and provide income-generating projects to barangay folks like stay-at-home moms, out-of-school youths, drug dependents, seniors/retirees, jobless folks, and surrenderees. Some of these product-oriented tracks are called cottage industries and can be done in the backyard or a factory for SMEs. Some of these are:
Livelihood tracks aim to provide skills training to their target beneficiaries and to engage them in income-generating livelihood projects
The training package for this track must include:
Salesmanship/Entrepreneurship, managerial, marketing and bookkeeping. These livelihood trainings are best for barangays and provincial training through Barangay Kasanayan para sa kabuhayan at kapayapaan (BKKK) set by TESDA. TESDA will also provide the necessary tools and materials as well as equipment for this skill training.
The Service-Oriented Sectors/industries are the following:
Only by professionalizing all Service-Oriented Tech-Voc Courses will uplift the image of techvoc students, graduates, and practitioners in the country
The above mentioned are all professional tracks and require a high school diploma as a basic requirement. Tech-voc service-oriented profession is not just a simple trade and all service-oriented tracks will be identified by specific specialization based on the industry qualification.
"Kaya ang Build, Build, Build, medyo atrasado ng konti. Walang trabahante. We are lacking in experts in carpentry, welding, and other technical skills. We have a lot of jobless because they are not qualified even in vocational, especially construction."
President Rodrigo expressed in one of his speeches.
As of now, joblessness and lack of experts in vocational and technical skills is a big concern, but if TESDA will be given free rein, TESDA can perform its main mandate faster and more efficiently.
In the COVID-19 recovery phase, there are opportunities for smart investment in tech-voc education and training to "build back better" programs and systems. Tech-voc may be able to cater to students who dropped out during school closures and reskilling or upskilling those who have become unemployed.
Tech-voc can also facilitate the development of skills necessary for the adjustment to structural changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued focus on ensuring the acquisition and development of foundational cognitive and socioemotional skills, such as empathy and resilience, which have become increasingly valued in the current circumstances, will improve employability and other human development outcomes for tech-voc students.
Moreover, investment in learning technology and digital skills of tech-voc instructors and students can ensure lifelong access to learning opportunities and future workforce adaptability.
A cycle of how a TVET graduate can be a big help in the economy
To conclude, if our TVETs follow global standards and are just competitive with that our Asian neighbors, there will be fewer OFWs because TVET graduates can establish their businesses and can get better-paying jobs locally.
The state of tech-voc in the Philippines must be reshaped in such a way that the skills and training competencies are given priority to attain job readiness of workers as well as uplift our skilled workers as licensed professional
TESDA should be independent of other government agencies in terms of providing technical-vocational training and education. However, other agencies can complement because agencies like DepEd, help in the basic education of children, while DOLE and DTI assist in the employment and livelihood programs respectively.
Good, high-paying jobs await qualified tech-voc grads. If only they're given proper incentives, multisectoral support, and a supportive policy environment, the tech-voc track can also be a viable alternative for young Filipinos who wish to lead productive lives.
We may still have a long way toward strengthening our tech-voc ecosystem in the country, but with a little help and support from the government, industry, and academe, we are making crucial inroads that lay the foundation for the future. As we promote tech-voc to the youth to undergo tech-voc training, we hope that tech-voc professionalism and licensing will soon be implemented as well.
And hopefully, in the coming years and decades, the state of tech-voc education in the Philippines would further be improved so that when we ask Filipino children what they want to be when they grow up, we hope many of them will also answer that they would want to take the tech-voc path and become a carpenter, a forklift driver or a farming technician. And by then, these children would no longer be laughed at or looked down with the career choices they've made.
Tech-Voc
Lumina Homes to host Grand Open House this Easter Sunday
Public Launching of Asia Leaders Awards 2021


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The giant green tractor that resided in the Monticello City Park for over 40 years fascinated thousands of tourists.
The Big-4 has a rich history in San Juan County, as the workhorse of early farming. Because agriculture has been an integral part of the economy of this area, and because the huge machine is the most conspicuous symbol of that rich history, it becomes our "giant" in San Juan this week.
With thousands of hours of donated labor and additional thousands of dollars spent to get it back into working order, this behemoth will once again chug proudly under its own power down Main Street (hopefully at this year's Pioneer Day parade).
The Big-4 was built in 1912 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was purchased that same year by the San Juan Arid Farm Company for $4,500. It was shipped by rail to Dolores, and then "walked" (driven slowly) 60 miles from the railhead to Monticello.
Owners of the San Juan Arid Farm Company were Hanson Bayles, Walter C. Lyman, William J. Nix, D. John Rogers, E. F. Thompson, Fred Lyman, Emil Gammeter and Robert K. Havlicek. They used it on 3,200 acres dry farm at Piute Knoll and Piute Springs, east of Monticello. Many descendents of these original pioneers still live and farm in San Juan County.
The tractor was used successfully from 1912 to l915. In 1916, the crops failed due to drought and the company went bankrupt. It was used sporadically in later years. It sat for several years and was sold to Bill Barry for $100 in 1958.
Shortly thereafter, Wes McDonald of Monticello became interested in the tractor and urged the Monticello City Council to buy it to use as a tourist attraction. In 1962, the tractor came to Monticello with a price tag of $1,600.
Mr. McDonald drove it in the Pioneer Day Parade that year, and then it was placed in the Monticello City Park. It sat there in the elements for over 40 years, and became inoperable. Boy Scouts gave it a coat of paint every few years, which helped preserve the metal.
In 2003, a group of local tractor buffs made it a goal to restore the Big-4 to running condition and build a suitable home for it and a large assortment of antique tractors and farm implements at the Frontier Museum on Main Street in Monticello.
Project coordinators began fund raising in 2003. A successful grant was written and by 2006 the Foundation had raised more than $14,000 in cash. Young's Machine Co. provided space in their shop with large hoists to work on the massive machine.
The tractor was completely taken apart and all the parts cleaned. The crank shaft was re-ground and polished, the pistons refurbished, new rings made, the old cylinders re-sleeved, the rods have new babbet bearings, and the transmission has had the bearings replaced.
The radiator was taken apart, cleaned and reconditioned. The carburetor and governor have been rebuilt and the clutch relined.
Some of this work was done locally. Specialized work was also done by firms across the nation. Paul's Rod and Bearing company in Missouri donated 1,200 hours of labor. Love Machine Company in Salt Lake City donated $4,000 worth of labor. There were no parts available for this repair job, and new ones had to be made from scratch if the old ones could not be used. This would have made the project prohibitively expensive, were it not for the generosity of those who donated labor.
Other sources of funding came from the City of Monticello ($6,500) and tractor pulls in Moab and Cortez ($3,000), along with uncounted hours by volunteers interested in seeing this landmark reinstated for the enjoyment of all.
In April, the motor was put back together and started. When the noise of those giant pistons nearly took the roof of the Young's Machine Building, it was said grown men cried. The excitement was palpable.
The goal to have this agrarian icon leading the parade at this year's Pioneer Day Celebration, under its own power, looks doable, and after years of effort, those who have made it happen are thrilled.
There are only a handful of Big-4's left in the world and fewer than 10 still run on their own power. When this tractor is placed with its smaller antique counterparts in the museum compound on Main Street in Monticello, the city will have a unique tourist attraction.
The goal is to keep the tractor under roof, maintain it, and keep it running for future occasion. Perhaps, like the "little engine that could", it can become a headliner in parades and agricultural gatherings across the country.
The names of all those who have contributed to this project have, by request, been withheld until the project is completed. At that time, a complete list of all contributors will be made public. The entire County thanks those who have worked for years to resurrect this wonderful reminder of our rich agricultural history.


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K Ganesh Kumar
Nonlinear Radiative Heat Transfer of Cu-Water Nanoparticles over an Unsteady Rotating Flow under the Influence of Particle Shape
By K. Ganesh Kumar, B.J. Gireesha and S. Manjunatha
A 3D study on Cu-water-rotating nanofluid over a permeable surface in the presence of nonlinear radiation is presented. Particle shape and thermophysical properties are considered in this study. The governing equations in partial forms are reduced to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using suitable similarity transformations. An effective Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth-fifth order method along with shooting technique is applied to attain the solution. The effects of flow parameters on the flow field and heat transfer characteristics were obtained and are tabulated. Useful discussions were carried out with the help of plotted graphs and tables. It is found that the rate of heat transfer is more enhanced in column-shaped nanoparticles when compared to tetrahedron- and sphere-shaped nanoparticles. Higher values of rotating parameter enhance the velocity profile and corresponding boundary layer thickness. It has quite the opposite behavior in angular velocity profile. Further, unsteady parameter increases the velocity profile and corresponding boundary layer thickness.
Part of the book: Impact of Thermal Conductivity on Energy Technologies
Thermal Conductivity in the Boundary Layer of Non-Newtonian Fluid with Particle Suspension
By Rudraswamy N.G., Ganeshkumar K., Krishnamurthy M.R., Gireesha B.J. and Venkatesh P.
The present chapter is focused on studies concerned with three-dimensional flow and heat transfer analysis of Carreau fluid with nanoparticle suspension. The heat transfer analysis in the boundary was carried out with the fluid flow over a stretching surface under the influence of nonlinear thermal radiation, mixed convection and convective boundary condition. Suitable similarity transformations are employed to reduce the governing partial differential equations into coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The equations in non-linear form are then solved numerically using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg fourth fifth-order method with the help of symbolic algebraic software MAPLE. The results so extracted are well tabulated and adequate discussions on the parameters affecting flow and heat transfer analysis were carried out with the help of plotted graphs.
Saim Memon
Evgeny Chuvilin
Boris Bukhanov
S Manjunatha
Maogang He
Syed Irfan Haider Rizwi
B J Gireesha
Viktor Cheverev
Rimma Motenko
Aamir Shahzad
Government College University Faisalabad


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AO cannot made addition under section 68 despite furnishing of confirmations on flimsy Grounds
Case Name : Nirja Khatuwala Vs ITO (ITAT Gauhati)
Appeal Number : I.T.A. No. 41/Gau/2019
Related Assessment Year : 2014-15
Courts : All ITAT (7609) ITAT Guwahati (12)
Nirja Khatuwala Vs ITO (ITAT Gauhati)
I note that the out of total outstanding credits of Rs. 2,23,89,337/-[total number of sundry creditors were eleven (11)], the Assessing Officer was not satisfied about the genuinity in respect of credit worth Rs. 34,35,509/- i.e. only in respect of three sundry creditors which comes to 16% of total sundry creditors. In other words, the Assessing Officer was satisfied about the genuineness in respect of 84% of sundry creditor as claimed by the assessee. And the reason he was not satisfied with these three sundry creditors was that he did not get reply from two of the creditors situated at Bhutan and as far as the one situated at Guwahati is concerned the notice had returned back to him un-served.
It has been discussed (supra) that the sundry creditor at Gauhati proprietor Shri Sougata Bhowal of M/s Bajrang Traders had confirmed that he has shut down the proprietary concern due to financial constraints. It is noted that this party has filed the confirmation of receiving Rs. 7,68,250/- in FY 2015-16 by letter dated 10.12.2016 (page 22 of paper book) and though the assessee has given confirmation of receiving the amount, the AO rejected the same on the flimsy reason that assessee was furnishing this document before him and not the sundry creditor proprietor Shri Sougata Bhowal of M/s Bajrang Traders, which action of AO cannot be countenanced, because, when the assessee produced the confirmation from the said party, if the AO doubts the veracity of the document then he was duty bound to cross-verify the veracity of the same. It is noted that in respect of M/s Bajrang Traders the assessee has placed on record the copy of the invoice raised by the said supplier which inter alia comprised of the details of purchases, name , address, PAN, VAT details of the supplier. The quantity and value of purchases formed part of the audited accounts, quantitative details, gross profit margin and also various accounting ratios of the appellant. In the report furnished by the tax auditor in Form 3CA, no adverse comments or qualifications have been given in this regard. Further no specific infirmity or defect has been pointed out by the AO in respect of the books of accounts of the appellant. In the confirmation letter placed at Page 22 of PB, it has also been clarified by Shri Saugata Bhowal, proprietor of M/s Bajrang Traders that his proprietorship concern had been closed down due to financial problems so it can be presumed that it was the reason why the AO's notice u/s 133(6) could not be served upon it, so no adverse view was warranted against this sundry creditor.
And as I have already noted (supra) the other two sundry creditors M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. Bhutan Rolling Mills were non-residents and had been duly served the notice issued by AO u/s 133(6) of the Act, and they both have already furnished their confirmation to have received the balance amount from assessee by RTGS/NEFT. The details have already been discussed supra after referring Page 19 (M/s. Bhutan Rolling Mills Ltd as well as page 17 M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd.) and copy of confirmation has been reproduced supra. And I not that these details and facts were filed before the AO/Ld. CIT(A) and no infirmities could be pointed out by the lower authorities, so in the light of aforesaid facts and circumstances, I am of the view that no addition was warranted u/s 68 of the Act and therefore, I direct the deletion of addition of Rs 35,34,509/-.
FULL TEXT OF THE ITAT JUDGEMENT
This appeal is preferred by the assessee against the order of Ld. CIT(A)-Guwahati-1, Guwahati dated 12.11.2018 for A.Y. 2014-15.
2. The sole issue is against the action of ld. CIT(A) confirming the addition of Rs. 35,34,509/- u/s 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ( herein after, 'the Act').
3. Brief facts of the case as noted by the authorities below is that the assessee had filed return of income declaring total income of Rs. 8,64,800/-. The case was selected for scrutiny through CASS for limited scrutiny with the points of identification being large sundry creditors in comparison to low net profit. The Assessing Officer while examining the case of all the sundry creditors whose balance were outstanding as of the end of the previous year, found following three parties did not respond to his Section 133(6) notice, therefore he drew adverse inference against the assessee against these three creditors.
Sl. No. Creditors Amount added
(in Rs.)
M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd., 1st Floor,
RICBL Complex, Phuentsholing, Bhutan, P. B. No. 252 7,18,920/-
2. Bhutan Rolling Mills, Flat No. 8, Samdrupling
House, Pelkhil Lam, Phuensholing, Bhutan, P.O. 114 20,47,374/-
3. Bajrang Traders, Golapi Market, NH-37, Lalmati,
Beltola, Guwahati-781029 7,68,215/-
Total 35,34,509/-
According to the Assessing Officer, even though he confronted the assessee about non service/response of notice u/s 133(6) of the Act to these sundry creditors, no satisfactory replies were received from the assessee, therefore he made an addition of Rs. 35,34,509/-.
4. Aggrieved the assessee preferred an appeal before the ld. CIT(A) who confirmed the action of Assessing Officer by holding that even though the assessee discharged the initial onus on her to furnish the details of the sundry creditors, however when the AO verified the claim of assessee, and sent notice to these three parties either it could not be served or it did not elicit any response, therefore Assessing Officer after confronting the assessee about this adverse fact and couldn't receive any satisfactory replies from the assessee, he drew adverse inference against the genuineness of the three sundry creditors. According to Ld. CIT(A) even though assessee had discharged its initial onus in respect of these three sundry creditors by furnishing details, address etc, however, when the verification was done by the AO it failed, and when this adverse fact was confronted by AO to assessee, burden/onus shifted from the AO to assessee to prove the genuineness of the sundry creditors and in that process when he confronted the assessee with the information of non-response from the three sundry creditors, the assessee failed to give any satisfactory replies to prove the genuineness of the sundry creditors. Therefore, according to Ld. CIT(A), the Assessing Officer rightly drew adverse inference against the assessee, therefore, he confirmed the addition.
5. Aggrieved the assessee is before me.
6. I have heard both the parties and perused the records. Before me, the ld. A.R Shri Akkal Dudhwewala submitted that these are routine trade credits while doing business and since assessee is a trader and has purchased tradable material/goods i.e. equipments from the three sundry creditors to whom the assessee was indebted to pay for this trading liability was duly reflected which according to him, could not have been added u/s. 68 of the Act. Further, according to ld. AR, these tradable materials were purchased by the assessee in respect of two sundry creditors to the tune of Rs.27,66,294/- emanates out of balances brought forward from the earlier years in the previous year (not in this F.Y.) and the assessee had later squared up this credit in the subsequent assessment year. According to ld. A.R, these are trade credits and not a sum of money credited in the books of the assessee and therefore Section 68 addition is not attracted. According to him since no sum of money was credited in the books of the assessee from these three sundry creditors, addition cannot be made u/s Section 68 of the Act and it will come into play only when sum of money is credited in the books of assessee. The Ld. A.R wondered as to how section 68 of the Act can be applied on the facts of this case because according to him, the assessee had received goods from these three creditors who are suppliers of goods and consideration (purchase price of goods) has to be made by assessee to these creditors/suppliers, so when the assessee makes the payments to them, consideration/amount/sum of money will be credited in their books (suppliers) and not that of the assessee's and therefore according to him, no addition could have been made legally u/s 68 of the Act as held by Hon'ble Delhi High Court in CIT vs. Ritu Anurag Agarwal (2 DTL online 134).
7. Coming to the merits of the addition, the Ld. A.R. submitted that out of total outstanding sundry creditors, the AO issued notices to all the eleven (11) sundry creditors, and pursuant to which eight (8) responded to the AO's notice u/s 133(6), so he accepted their genuineness. However, since three sundry creditors could not respond to the notice, the AO drew adverse inference against them. Thereafter the ld. A.R drew our attention to the details in respect of each sundry creditors namely (i) M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd ii) Bhutan Rolling Mills and iii) Bajrang Traders and pointed out that among these sundry creditors first two sundry creditors who supplied goods to the assessee are foreign entities and non-residents of India which fact is discernible from their postal address and they are both residents of Bhutan. In respect of M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd. (sl. No.1) (supra) the Ld. AR drew our attention to page no. 15 of the Paper book from which I note that the assessee has purchased goods worth Rs. 7,18,920/- on 30.09.2012 i.e. previous assessment year (AY 2013-14) and this amount had been debited in M/s Lhaki Steels account (supplier / creditor's account) i.e. AY 2013-14 and assessee has squared up the payments on 27.03.2015 & 31.03.2015 through bank RTGS a sum of Rs. 5,00,000/- and Rs. 2,18,920/- respectively (i.e. AY 2015-16) and then this amount was credited in the account of M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd. and the A.R drew our attention to page 16 wherein the confirmation has been received from the Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd. which is found placed at page 17 of paper book which is reproduced as under:
8. Likewise in respect of sundry creditor shown in Sl. No. 2, he drew our attention to page 18 of PB from which I note that the assessee had purchased goods worth Rs. 30,47,374/- in the previous assessment year i.e AY 2013-14 [on various data dated 13.09.2012, 14.09.2012, 24. 09.2012, 25.09.2012 (AY 2013-14)] and the assessee had made payment in this assessment year 2014 –15 to the tune of Rs. 10,00,000/– through banking channel Rs. 5,00,000/ – each on 20.09.2013 and 22.03.2014 and taking note of this fact the Assessing Officer has added only Rs. 20,47,374/- . And it was brought to my notice that the assessee had squared up the balance payment to this sundry creditor in the subsequent assessment year i.e. AY 2015 -16 on 09.09.2014, 23.02.2015, 10.03.2015, 14.03.2015 , 14.03.2015 and thus the total amount of Rs. 30,47,374/– was credited to this sundry creditor. The Ld. A.R drew my attention to the confirmation from the party placed at page 19 of paper book, which is as under:
9. Thereafter the Ld A.R drew our attention to the sundry debtor shown at Sl. No. 3. He drew my attention to page 21 and 22 of the PB from where I note that the assessee has squared up the sum of Rs. 7,68,215/- on 31.03.2014 (i.e. in AY 2016-17). According to Ld. A.R this sundry creditor was a proprietary concern from inception and it had to be closed down due to financial constraints which fact is evident from a perusal of copy of letter which is found at page 22 of the PB. Since the business of this sundry creditor M/s Bajrang Traders, Gauhati was closed down, the AO's notice u/s 133(6) could not be served upon it and this was the reason why the AO drew adverse inference against the genuineness of this sundry creditor.
10. Thus from the facts and circumstances discussed supra, I note that the out of total outstanding credits of Rs. 2,23,89,337/-[total number of sundry creditors were eleven (11)], the Assessing Officer was not satisfied about the genuinity in respect of credit worth Rs. 34,35,509/- i.e. only in respect of three sundry creditors which comes to 16% of total sundry creditors. In other words, the Assessing Officer was satisfied about the genuineness in respect of 84% of sundry creditor as claimed by the assessee. And the reason he was not satisfied with these three sundry creditors was that he did not get reply from two of the creditors situated at Bhutan and as far as the one situated at Guwahati is concerned the notice had returned back to him un-served. It has been discussed (supra) that the sundry creditor at Gauhati proprietor Shri Sougata Bhowal of M/s Bajrang Traders had confirmed that he has shut down the proprietary concern due to financial constraints. It is noted that this party has filed the confirmation of receiving Rs. 7,68,250/- in FY 2015-16 by letter dated 10.12.2016 (page 22 of paper book) and though the assessee has given confirmation of receiving the amount, the AO rejected the same on the flimsy reason that assessee was furnishing this document before him and not the sundry creditor proprietor Shri Sougata Bhowal of M/s Bajrang Traders, which action of AO cannot be countenanced, because, when the assessee produced the confirmation from the said party, if the AO doubts the veracity of the document then he was duty bound to cross-verify the veracity of the same. It is noted that in respect of M/s Bajrang Traders the assessee has placed on record the copy of the invoice raised by the said supplier which inter alia comprised of the details of purchases, name , address, PAN, VAT details of the supplier. The quantity and value of purchases formed part of the audited accounts, quantitative details, gross profit margin and also various accounting ratios of the appellant. In the report furnished by the tax auditor in Form 3CA, no adverse comments or qualifications have been given in this regard. Further no specific infirmity or defect has been pointed out by the AO in respect of the books of accounts of the appellant. In the confirmation letter placed at Page 22 of PB, it has also been clarified by Shri Saugata Bhowal, proprietor of M/s Bajrang Traders that his proprietorship concern had been closed down due to financial problems so it can be presumed that it was the reason why the AO's notice u/s 133(6) could not be served upon it, so no adverse view was warranted against this sundry creditor. And as I have already noted (supra) the other two sundry creditors M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. Bhutan Rolling Mills were non-residents and had been duly served the notice issued by AO u/s 133(6) of the Act, and they both have already furnished their confirmation to have received the balance amount from assessee by RTGS/NEFT. The details have already been discussed supra after referring Page 19 (M/s. Bhutan Rolling Mills Ltd as well as page 17 M/s Lhaki Steels and Rolling Pvt. Ltd.) and copy of confirmation has been reproduced supra. And I not that these details and facts were filed before the AO/Ld. CIT(A) and no infirmities could be pointed out by the lower authorities, so in the light of aforesaid facts and circumstances, I am of the view that no addition was warranted u/s 68 of the Act and therefore, I direct the deletion of addition of Rs 35,34,509/-.
11. In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed.
Order is pronounced in the open court on 27.11.2020.
Tags: ITAT Judgments, Section 68
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Alexander Hamilton wasn't just one of America's Founding Fathers. He was one of America's Founding bootstrappers.
If you're not sure you can bring your idea life, love it and see what happens.
How are entrepreneurs able to convince themselves they can succeed against Goliath-like odds? Knowledge? Ability? Money? Of course they're important. But sometimes you won't have enough of any of them. Then what?
Be willing to embarrass yourself with any fantasy you may have. You never know where it might lead.
The answers were as amazing as the people who answered.
Virtual holiday party? Get out! No really, get out.
Remote holiday parties are fine if you're an entrepreneur and you work remotely. But when you're done, run out the door and find some folks to clink glasses, share chicken wings, and high-five something high-five-worthy.
There can be desperation to what we do as UDOTs. But there can also be exhilaration. And sometimes fearlessness is the only way to get there.
Entrepreneurs have to deal with the double whammy of the hassle of getting their own insurance, and the massive premiums. Put it all together and it's still a small price to pay for the freedom of entrepreneur-ing.
Failure is only a part of a story. It's not an ending, it's a transition; a plot twist, a way to move the story forward.


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HomeUncategorizedBest NCAA College Football Player of All Time
Best NCAA College Football Player of All Time
admin Leave a Comment on Best NCAA College Football Player of All Time
Herschel Walker is the best school football player ever. Why? Since nobody at any point changed a school football program the manner in which Herschel accomplished for the Georgia Bulldogs. Furthermore, he did it in just three years of school play. In that generally brief time frame, Walker acquired yards than some other player ever at the University of Georgia – or at most different schools besides.
Herschel Walker was brought into the world in Georgia, where he would in this manner rule the school football world, on March third, 1962. From the outset, you would not have believed that Walker would transform into a creature on the football field since, when he was youthful, he didn't show any longing to play sports. All things considered, Walker was a fervent peruser, and he composed verse a ton of the time as well. Notwithstanding, when Herschel was 12, something happened that made him take on a staggering activity program. All through the next year, Walker ran a great many miles, and scored up 100,000 sit-ups, and 100,000 push-ups.
In 1979, a long time before Walker graced the field for the Georgia Bulldogs, he drove Johnson County High School to the state title game, where he was perceived by Parade magazine as the public "Secondary School Back-of-the-Year". เว็บรีวิวการ์ตูน The University of Georgia was at that point checking his advancement behind the scenes, and they would receive the rewards of a National Championship, in 1980, with Walker as their main first year recruit star. A portion of Herschel's other school accomplishments remembered winning the Heisman Trophy for 1982, and three All-American honors.
Onlookers respected Walker's actual presence and football ability. When he was 18, he previously had the body of a NFL star. At the point when he left the Bulldogs, in 1983, to turn into an expert football player, and joined the USFL group the New Jersey Generals, he had established 141 standards for the University of Georgia, 6 SEC records, and 11 NCAA records.
At the point when the USFL was disbanded, Herschel turned into the 114th pick in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL draft. During the 1988 season, while he was with the Dallas Cowboys, he drove the class (NFL association) in hurrying.
Herschel Walker's fantastic athletic capacities went a long ways past the football field. He ran track at UGA. He was in the 1992 Olympics – in the Bobsled group.
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Microscopy Devices Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth By 2022 | Industry Analysis with Global Companies Like Meiji Techno, Nikon Metrology NV, Olympus Co. Etc.
The Global Microscopy Devices Market is estimated to attain a market valuation of USD 10.5 Bn at a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period of 2016-2022, asserts Market Research Future (MRFR) in a detailed study. Microscopy Devices are garnering a huge prominence, finding a range of applications in Bio-engineering and electronics. Extensive uptake of electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in electron micrographs methods are driving the market growth.
Factors substantiating the market growth include the increased funding by the public and private sector for life science research studies and the expansion of the semiconductor industries in most of the emerging nations. Increasing research and development activities initiated by governments, schools, universities and research institutions across the developing regions have fueled the growth of the market.
The growth of the Global Microscopy Devices Market stems from its wide-ranging applications across diverse industries. Industries such as semiconductor, nanotechnology, and various branches of science are increasingly leveraging microscopy devices for research purposes which are fostering the growth of the market. The expansion of the inter-related industries such as semiconductor in the developing countries is driving the growth of the global microscopy devices market.
Some of the key players in this market are: FEI, Meiji Techno, Nikon Metrology NV, Woodley Equipment Company Ltd, Radical Scientific Equipments Pvt Ltd, Bruker, Mauna Kea Technologies SA, Icon Analytical Equipment Pvt. Ltd, Olympus Corporation, NIDEK Inc., Sonix, Inc., Konan Medical USA Inc., Carl Zeiss, Leica Microsystems and others.
Key strategic approaches undertaken by the major players in the Microscopy Devices market are merger, acquisition, partnership, collaborations, new product launches. This strategy determines the growth of the companies, thus strengthening their position in the market. Other strategies are geographical expansion, help the key players to enhance their geographical presence, and serve customers across the globe.
December 2018 – Brookhaven National Lab announced housing of two advanced electron microscopes that is capable of imaging of biological structures with unmatched detail. The same is being financed by Empire State Development's Transformative Investment Program for $15 million.
November 2017 – Researchers of Germany and Portugal collaboratively developed the first microscope to concurrently monitor movement and neuron activity in zebrafish larvae without interfering with their behavior. To enable wider use in the research community, the neurobehavioral tracking microscope uses off-the-shelf components and is open source.
October 2017 – Researchers at Keio University, Japan developed a single-step, laser-based method to produce small, precise hybrid microstructures of silver and flexible silicone that could enable factories to mass-produce customized devices that combine soft materials, like engineered tissue, with hard materials that add functions, like glucose sensing.
October 2017 – Researchers at Brown University (US) innovated a laser terahertz emission microscopy (LTEM), a powerful technique to characterize the performance of solar cells and study a wide variety of materials to the Nano level.
October 2017 – company M Squared (Glasgow, UK) developed the Aurora laser microscope that accurately images large biological structures at a cellular level, with the cutting-edge microscope capable of capturing 3D images 500-times faster than conventional technology. Creating images of neural connections with this level of detail could lead to breakthroughs in understanding neurodegenerative disorders.
As per Market Research Future analysis, the global microscopy devices market has grown tremendously in Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe and Middle East & Africa region. Geographically, Asia-Pacific holds the largest share of more than 40% of microscopy devices market and is expected to be the leading market during 2016-2022. Asia-Pacific market for microscopy devices is growing due to increasing investment in the research and development in these regions by the governments. Such as, China is the world's second largest investor in research and development programs according to World Bank data. Furthermore, new development in semiconductors industry in the emerging nations has derived the growth of this market.
After Asia-pacific region, North American market is the second largest market in the global microscopy devices market. Increasing focus on R&D in nanotechnology and life sciences industries coupled with large federal and corporate funding serves as a significant driver for this region.
By Types: Comprises Optical Microscopes, Electron Microscope, and Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), among others.
By Applications: Life Science, Material Science, Pathology, and Nanotechnology among others.
By End-Users: Comprises Hospitals & Clinics, Academic & Research Institutes, and Diagnostics Centers among others.


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Financial Services - Regulatory & Risk >
Supreme Court widens scope of 'client money'
The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that client money held in un-segregated accounts should be treated the same as client money held in segregated accounts, ...
… enabling un-segregated account holders to share in the client money pool on the insolvency of a firm with whom the account is held.
This decision, which is also likely to have a significant impact on how firms hold client money, means that segregated account holders, who may previously have believed their money to be safe, may not be able to reclaim the full value of their accounts due to the greater number of claimants against the client money pool. Conversely, clients whose money was not segregated gain protection.
The decision comes from the latest in a long line of cases relating to the insolvency of Lehman Brothers International (Europe), the principal European trading subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc, which collapsed in September 2008. The point in question was whether the client money pool should be used to pay out the claims solely of those clients whose money was held in segregated accounts, or whether participation in this pool should also be available for those clients whose money had not been segregated by Lehmans.
The Supreme Court, on a majority decision (3:2), affirmed the previous decision of the Court of Appeal on each of the three appeal questions concerning the scope of the statutory trust over client money under CASS 7. The Court held:
A statutory trust over client monies arose at the time Lehmans received monies from a client, as opposed to when those monies were segregated from Lehmans' own assets (this part of the decision was unanimous)
The client money pool includes client money held in Lehmans' 'house accounts', as well as in segregated client accounts
A claimant with a contractual claim for client money has a right to share in the client money pool on the basis of the amount which should have been segregated at the time of a Lehmans' insolvency (the "claims basis" for participation), as opposed to how much had actually been segregated at the time of the insolvency (the "contribution basis" for participation)
The Court took a purposive approach to the interpretation of the CASS rules, rather than making the decision on the basis of the general principles of the law of trusts. The decision of the majority focuses on the purpose of CASS 7, which is to provide a high level of protection to clients' money. This is contrasted to the dissenting judgments, which focus on the trust law issues underpinning CASS. Lord Walker's dissenting judgment noted that, immediately before the insolvency (the "primary pooling event"), many of the un-segregated account holders would have had no beneficial interest in any identifiable trust property, although by the majority's decision these un-segregated account holders will now have the same entitlement as segregated account holders.
This wide-ranging decision will have important implications from both a regulatory and insolvency perspective, not all of which will be immediately clear. It appears likely that there will be further litigation on this and similar points, as insolvency practitioners and claimants in high profile insolvencies seek further clarification as to who is entitled to participate in the client money pool.
The decision broadens the scope for protection of clients' money, as it protects clients from the failure of firms properly to segregate client monies, although this means that more diligent investors, who ensure that their monies are segregated, will receive no greater protection than those who do not carry out such checks. It is debateable whether this decision provides greater clarity in the short term, as those who previously expected the return of all their money will now likely not recover in full. Lord Walker commented in his judgment that the majority decision "makes investment banking more of a lottery than even its fiercest critics have supposed".
Investment firms will likely also have to review how they hold client money, particularly concerning the use of 'house accounts', although the judgment does not provide any practical insight as to what changes will need to be made. It might well not be until the FSA's anticipated review of the client money rules that these issues are resolved. In any event, the decision is unlikely to reduce the FSA's enthusiasm for enforcement action against firms whose CASS book-keeping is inadequate or which fail to segregate client monies.
For insurance intermediaries, the case is of less obvious relevance because CASS 7 is based largely on MiFID, whilst they are subject to CASS 5. Whether the purposive approach would be applied to the interpretation of CASS 5 remains to be seen.
The decision will also add further weight to existing questions over London's status as an international trading centre, which have arisen in part due to complaints over the speed of the return of client monies to investors with funds in the high profile Lehmans and MF Global UK insolvencies. This decision is likely further to draw out the timescale for distributions to clients, alongside the issues raised by this decision over the safeguarding of client money in the UK. Insolvency practitioners will now need to trace monies held in un-segregated client accounts in order to increase the client money pool, increasing the timeframe for final distributions to be made to clients and drawing out administrations as a whole.


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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1972830-Embraced-By-Darkness--Chapter-2
Embraced By Darkness ~ Chapter 2
by Norswede
Rated: ASR · Chapter · Young Adult · #1972830
Who is the dark figure haunting Emily's dreams?
Created: January 20th, 2014 at 4:42am
Modified: February 8th, 2015 at 8:41pm
Location: Embraced By Darkness
Genres: Young Adult, Thriller/Suspense, Supernatural
The sun shone through Emily's window, and birds sang sweetly in the big oak tree in front of her house. It was 9:00 Saturday morning, and her brother, Josh, would be there in an hour to pick her up. They had always spent Saturdays together since they were kids, but today, Emily didn't feel like going anywhere. She groaned and pulled her comforter over her head when she heard Cathy knock gently on her door.
"Sweetheart, Josh will be here soon, and we need to talk first. I got a call from your Physics teacher, and he told me you had a breakdown in class yesterday."
Emily groaned again and pulled the comforter from her face. "It wasn't a breakdown," she snapped. I wasn't feeling well so I ran to the washroom. Why does everyone have to constantly blow everything out of proportion?"
Emily's door opened to reveal Cathy with her arms crossed over her chest, and a stern look on her pretty face. She was dressed in a pink bathrobe and matching fuzzy slippers. Her short blonde hair, still wet from her shower, was brushed back behind her ears. "I don't care for the tone you are using with me. This isn't like you. Is something bothering you?"
Emily and Cathy had always been close. People always said how much they looked like sisters. Although they weren't related by blood, Cathy had the same honey blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and similar delicate features as Emily. Emily hated lying to Cathy, but she just couldn't bring herself to tell her about the terrible nightmares.
She sighed and sat up in bed. She felt silly for the childish way she had reacted. The nightmares and lack of sleep had made her irritable and on edge. "No, Mom, I'm fine. I'm sorry. I guess school is just getting to me. I'll be okay."
Cathy didn't look convinced, but she smiled, walked over, and sat down next to Emily on the bed. "Okay, I'll let it go, but if you need to talk about anything, you know your father and I are here for you anytime, and you know you can always talk to Josh too."
Sure, I just can't wait to tell you all about my demon stalker. You won't think I'm crazy at all.
Forcing a smile, Emily kissed her mother on the forehead. "I know mom. Thank you" and she headed over to the washroom to quickly shower for the day.
Emily dressed in a pair of white jean shorts and a black tank top. It was a hot, humid day, and Josh wanted to take her to the amusement park. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and ran downstairs where Josh was already waiting, scarfing down a plate of bacon and eggs like it was his last meal. "Hey Joshikins! You know you do have teeth. They are really good for chewing."
"Ha Ha," Josh said sarcastically, giving Emily a playful punch in the arm as she sat down next to him at the breakfast nook.
"Looking particularly evil today," she teased. "Get into Jen's makeup again?" Josh was nineteen and had a style that often made people cringe when they first met him. His spiked black hair, tattoos, piercings and gothic makeup intimidated many an old woman or young child, yet as wild as his style appeared to be, Emily knew him better than anyone else. She knew the scared little boy underneath who was hiding behind a mask to protect himself from the world that had been so cruel to him. She sensed that he was only trying to look tough so people would fear him and not hurt him again.
"Vy, thank you my lady," Josh said in what had to be the worst Transylvanian accent Emily had ever heard. "Exactly the look I vas going for."
"Oh wow, seriously!" Emily laughed, waving her hand in front of her face. "Is that the breath you are going for? I thought vampires were allergic to garlic?"
Josh wrapped one arm around her neck and rubbed his fist roughly against the top of her head messing up her ponytail. "Josh!" Emily squealed. "Now I have to redo my hair!
"Okay you two," Cathy scolded, as she placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Emily. Act your age, not your shoe size."
Emily fixed her hair and stuck her tongue out at Josh.
"So what do you two have planned for today?" Cathy asked, as she sat down with them at the table. She had changed into a pair of tan capris pants and a white, short sleeved blouse.
"We're going to try out the Twister today, aren't we Em?" Josh answered with a wink.
Emily almost choked on her breakfast. "I don't think so! That ride should be banned!"
The Twister was a roller coaster that had so many twists and loops that it took an iron stomach to make it through without losing your lunch, and Emily couldn't even stand watching people ride it. "Where is Jen today anyway? Why can't she ride it with you?"
"Jen had to work. It's just you and me kid," he replied, putting his arm around her and giving her a peck on the head.
Emily looked up at her brother and smiled. There was no one in the world she loved or trusted more than Josh, and she knew he felt the same way about her.
It pained her when she thought about how Josh hadn't been as fortunate as she had been. He had been abused and neglected more than once by foster parents, and had lashed out by committing a variety of petty crimes. Emily at one time had been afraid that he would turn out like their biological father, who was serving a twenty year sentence for a series of armed robberies, but when he met his girlfriend Jen, he changed his life around and now he was using his talent for drawing, working at a local tattoo studio.
After breakfast, Josh and Emily climbed in his black 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, and headed towards the amusement park.
When they arrived, Emily felt that sense of awe and excitement she felt the first time she visited the amusement park when she was a little girl. It was like passing from the real world into a land of magic and adventure, where none of her problems were permitted beyond the tall gates. She felt like a child again, grabbing Josh's hand and pulling him this way and that towards one ride or another or scarfing down corndogs, milkshakes and cotton candy until they felt sick to their stomachs. After almost losing their dinner on the tilt a whirl, they decided it was time to head home. As they headed back towards the parking lot, a sign caught Emily's attention.
STAGE HYPNOTIST 8:00PM
Obviously, Josh had seen it too because the next thing she knew, she was being dragged by the arm into the large tent.
"No Josh! Hypnotists freak me out!," Emily pleaded.
"Oh come on you big baby," Josh laughed. "There's nothing to worry about. It's hilarious watching what these guys can make people do."
Emily followed reluctantly. The tent was packed with people. Josh and Emily had a difficult time finding seats. Eventually they found a spot to sit close to the back. Josh and Emily could barely see above the heads of the ridiculously tall couple in front of them.
"Seriously!" Emily whispered in Josh's ear. "When a woman is that tall, does she really need to add two feet of hair on top?" Josh almost spit his milkshake right into the overly teased mane in front of him.
The hypnotist started by picking random people from the audience, and having them sit up on stage. He then proceeded to tell each person to relax, and listen to the sound of his voice. The hypnotist's voice was deep and calming. Emily was exhausted from walking all day, and began to feel herself drift off to the sound of the man's voice.
She was in the dreaded forest of dead trees. It was frigidly cold, causing goosebumps to pop up on her bare arms and legs. She hugged her body with her arms trying to warm herself. She looked in all directions but could see nothing but the gnarled white branches reaching out for her in all directions. They seemed to glow faintly in the darkness, lightly illuminating her surroundings. Her heart pounded loudly in the eerie silence. It felt entirely void of all life.
Hearing rustling behind her, she spun around, her body trembling with fear. No one was there. Then she heard a deep voice whisper her name. She tried to scream but no sound came out.
She started to run, dead leaves crunching under her feet. She felt something catch on her foot and she fell to the ground. She shrieked as her ankle twisted under her causing a sharp pain to shoot up her leg.
How am I feeling this? You can't feel pain in dreams can you?
Before she could get up on her own, she felt icy cold hands reach under her arms and pull her up. "NOOO" she sobbed, Squeezing her eyes shut to avoid seeing the dreaded figure in front of her. "Let me go please!"
"Don't cry my love," the all too familiar voice soothed, "It pains me to hear you cry. I just want us to be together. It can be like it used to be. The two of us, sitting and talking for hours about all our thoughts and dreams!"
"What are you talking about!," she cried, pounding on the figure's chest with her small fists. "I don't know you! Leave me alone, please!"
"Emily! Are you Ok?"
The ominous forest and the dark figure disappeared and in it's place was the tent full of people, many of which were staring at her. Josh was holding her close and rubbing her back.
"Wha…What happened?," Emily stuttered.
"You must have gone under." Josh replied with a deep look of concern on his face. "You just started screaming and hitting me! You're tougher than you look! I think I'm going to have some good bruises tomorrow."
"I'm so sorry Josh!," Emily cried. "I warned you that these guys freak me out. Take me home please."
"Of course kid," Josh said, helping her up and walking her out of the tent with his arm protectively around her. A sharp pain shot through Emily's ankle as she put her weight on it. "Oww!" she cried.
Josh stopped "What's wrong?"
"My ankle, it really hurts."
"It didn't hurt when we went in there did it?"
Emily didn't answer. She was too horrified to speak.
"What was that all about anyway?, he asked. "What did you see while you were under?"
"I can't remember," Emily lied, but she remembered all too clearly. How could she ever forget?
He stormed through the forest, ripping branches from the dead trees as he ran. Tears stung his eyes. How could she be so cruel? He was only trying to comfort her. He loved her and was literally going through hell for her! Why couldn't she see that? He couldn't lose her. He needed her! He ran until he came to the end of the forest. As far as he could see was nothing but dry, rocky desert glowing faintly beneath a starless black sky. He fell down on his knees and sobbed on the cold hard ground, but there was no one to hear his cries.
© Copyright 2014 Norswede (norswede at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.


THE Sonning Common and Peppard B team lost their Division 2 top-of-the-table Reading and District League clash with Curzon Club A 8-2.
Nigel Maltby managed both wins with good victories over Pete Bradley and John Willcocks but team mates Brian Meheux and Andy Robertson both failed to find their best on the night as well as not having the best of luck.
The C team suffered a 7-3 defeat at Tilehurst Methodists A with Denise Weller's early loss to Catherine Venning 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 9-11 proving crucial. The D team enjoyed better fortune as a maximum from new recruit Andy Wang saw them win 7-3 against Kingfisher F, Carole Chard contributing with an 11-7, 11-7, 14-12 win against Alan Bruton.
In Division 4 the F team continue to struggle after losing 7-3 at Springfield C. Simon Blake and Jamie Legg battled hard for no reward while Oliver Sayer continued to impress with wins over Rob Wilkie and Aidan Simmons.


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When compared with the throughout the nation bank averages, these kind of service have the propensity to utilize automobile loans that are one to 2 part points lower.
For the lots of part, a trucks and vehicles and truck loan rate through a trucks and cars and trucks and trucks and truck funding professional are a lot lower when compared to the rates that you would get from an off line cars and truck dealer, bank, of even moneying organisation. Various truck loans through cars and truck financing professionals are accredited in truth rapidly, some even within an hour throughout service days. When you cars and trucks and truck loan is accredited you would then get a check from the loan organisation by strategies of mail. If you selected, you might make use of for a truck loan today and be able to drive your brand-new truck house as quickly as tomorrow.


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January 2, 2018 Annuity News No comments Views: 843
What 2018 Could Bring To the Life/Annuity Industry
By Cyril Tuohy
As 2017 gives way to 2018, forecasters and pundits released their crystal balls and offered glimpses of what life and annuity advisors can expect when it comes to product development, distribution and insurance company performance.
Consulting firms Deloitte, McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) focused more on the digital distribution aspect of the industry.
Ratings agencies, meanwhile, preferred to talk about rates and regulation.
A snapshot of some outlook 2018 reports, edited for length, appear below.
Consulting Firms: Deloitte
Insurers can capitalize on connectivity and digitization to overcome reluctance to buy life and annuity products, wrote Gary Shaw, vice chairman, U.S. insurance leader at Deloitte, and Jim Eckenrode, managing director, Deloitte Center for Financial Services, Deloitte Services.
Insurers are experimenting with connectivity and advanced analytics to narrow the life application-to-closing process from weeks to minutes. This is lowering costs and minimizing the consumer dropout rate, the experts wrote.
Accelerated underwriting metrics - based on medical data, drug prescription information and even facial analytics technology - can be used to estimate an applicant's life expectancy and eliminate traditional medical tests.
Digitization of underwriting also can speed up online distribution. This allows insurers to cast their nets wider and embrace younger buyers who prefer a more virtual experience.
The likelihood of prospects buying a policy once they apply increases from about 70 percent to nearly 90 percent as the underwriting and application process gets closer to real time, Deloitte research has found.
Distribution also seems ripe for digitization. Additional details about the insurance technology landscape are available here.
Consulting Firms: McKinsey
Serving mass-market and middle-market consumers more efficiently could add $10 billion in annual premiums, wrote consultants Jon Godsall, Aditi Jain, Kia Javanmardian, and Fritz Nauck.
Expect life and annuity insurers to push further into that market segment in 2018 as competition from other financial services sectors eats into insurer market share.
Products sold to mass-market consumers are less profitable but these segments are growing faster than other segments, and often doing so with less competition, the consultants wrote.
Insurers, therefore, need to build distribution with traditional advisors and remote capabilities around trigger events.
Financial-advisor outreach at the time of a trigger event is up to 14 times more likely to generate a sale than outreach outside of trigger events, the consultants wrote.
Consumer engagement is a necessity that can yield big profitability benefits, the researchers found. Customers have a higher probability of buying more products within 12 months of their initial purchase.
To make this transition to the mass market, insurers should invest in four areas:
*Lead with advice and redefine products as "living" insurance, emphasizing the benefits of life insurance while the policyholder is alive.
*Move demand through targeted outreach during trigger events.
*Create a seamless consumer experience, including multichannel distribution and engagement that does not rely solely on a human advisor.
Consulting Firms: BCG
When it comes to customer service, it's no longer enough for insurers to aspire to outperform the companies within their own industry, according to consultants with Boston Consulting Group.
Customers expect insurers to deliver service standards set by Amazon, Google and Apple. This means shorter response times and seamless interaction, as well as simple, understandable and personalized service, and greater transparency.
To guard against losing customers to competitors and to attract new buyers, insurers must improve their service standards and become truly customer-centric.
The key is to focus on three dimensions of customer satisfaction: speed, quality and transparency.
Speed. Customer concerns don't necessarily need to be processed in real time, but companies must meet customer-defined expectations, which typically measure turnaround time in hours, not days, researchers wrote.
Quality. Today's consumers won't settle for a processing rate that is less than 95 percent error-free. That's well beyond the 70 percent to 80 percent error-free rate that most insurers deliver today.
Transparency. Customers need to understand exactly where in the process their application or claim is at any given time. Transparency into these processes affects customer satisfaction scores at least as much as speed and quality do.
Ratings Agencies: A.M. Best
A.M. Best maintained its negative outlook for the U.S. life and annuity industry in 2018, citing volatility across economic and regulatory fronts and the potential for stock or credit market corrections, the ratings agency said.
Despite earnings headwinds, due in part to low interest rates, the industry has been able to grow overall capital, according to Best's "Market Segment Outlook: Life/Annuity" briefing.
The lower-for-longer interest rate environment continues to move insurers into potentially less liquid asset classes.
Other factors accounting for the negative 2018 outlook include:
*A flattening yield curve, which can continue to pressure insurers' operating earnings.
*Declining annuity sales, which hit a 15-year record low in third-quarter 2017 despite an improving U.S. economy.
*Lack of heavy investment in insurance technology to modernize business models.
*Evolving regulatory issues. These include the proposed update to risk-based capital bond factors, which could affect asset allocation strategies, and new ways of calculating reserves under principle-based reserving, which has not improved operating margins as some insurers have deferred adoption.
The decline in corporate tax rates under tax reform and a cap on the corporate tax deduction may make corporate bond issuance less attractive. This would be a negative for an industry that relies heavily on corporate bond issuance, the analysts wrote.
Ratings Agencies: Fitch
The 2018 outlook for the U.S. life insurance sector was upgraded to "stable" from "negative" as better-than-expected operating performance and a benign credit environment are likely to continue into next year, Fitch reported.
Fitch's base case scenario calls for a modest increase in rates in 2018, said Douglas Meyer, managing director, Fitch Ratings.
More declines in portfolio investment yields, interest margins and reserve adequacy are expected in 2018. These declines are due to low reinvestment rates and limited crediting rate flexibility on in-force business, Fitch analysts also wrote.
Low interest rates will continue to factor into additional life insurance industry restructuring and mergers and acquisitions.
Credit-related investment losses are expected to remain modest. Although concerns have shifted to insurance company portfolio exposures to the retail sector, the exposure is manageable, Fitch experts wrote.
Near-term sales of variable annuities and fixed indexed annuities will continue to lag due to delays with implementing key portions of the Department of Labor fiduciary rule, Fitch wrote.
InsuranceNewsNet Senior Writer Cyril Tuohy has covered the financial services industry for more than 15 years. Cyril may be reached at [email protected].
© Entire contents copyright 2017 by InsuranceNewsNet.com Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without the expressed written consent from InsuranceNewsNet.com.
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