text:
\section{Introduction}
Balanced homodyne detection is a crucial detection technique for
continuous variable quantum technology and lies at the core of many
quantum optics experiments \cite{Lvovsky2009,Dariano2003,dgw99}.
From its first proposal for the measurement
of quadrature squeezing, to its current extensive use in the fields of
quantum tomography, quantum communication and quantum metrology
\cite{Vogel1989,Smithey1993,Dariano1994,ad02,por09,wit10,lvo11,hodi12,kumar12,
hcom13,Berni15,sb16},
this detection scheme has carved its place
into experimental quantum optics. Besides quantum optical systems, homodyne detection extends
its reach to the whole field of continuous variable quantum
technologies, spanning from atomic
systems \cite{ell07,Gross2011} to quantum optomechanics \cite{Verhagen2012}.
\par
Advances in technology promoted the spread of many different
configurations of this versatile apparatus, tailored to disparate
experimental needs. Such a wide range of applications calls for reliable
ways to fully characterize homodyne detectors. Each specific setup
relies on classical calibrations in order to gain the most general
description of the apparatus and of the relationship between the input
state and the measurement output. Recently, a characterisation of
homodyne detection, only used as a phase-insensitive photon counter, was
demonstrated \cite{Cooper2014}. However, a general and reliable model
for the description of the fully phase-sensitive homodyne
detection in the form of a Quantum Detector Tomography (QDT) is,
in fact, still lacking.
\par
The pioneering proposals for QDT
\cite{Luis1999, Fiurasek2001, Dariano2004,
Dariano2007} were followed by the experimental
characterization of an avalanche photodiode, in both single and
time-multiplexed configurations, for the detection of up to eight
photons \cite{Lundeen2009}. Subsequent works developed the idea,
including the effect of decoherence onto the operator description
\cite{Dauria2011}, or different detection devices, such as
superconducting nanowires \cite{Akhlaghi2011} and TES based systems
\cite{Brida2012, Brida2012a}. However, these are detectors devoted to
photon counting, whose description is entirely embedded in the
diagonal sector of the Fock
space. Only recently, a specific phase-sensitive hybrid scheme, in the
form of a weak homodyne detector based on photon counting, was the
object of an experimentally realized QDT \cite{Zhang2012}.
In this paper, we move several crucial steps forward, and present
a theoretical and experimental realization of QDT for
homodyne detector, i.e.  the most
commonly used form of a fully phase-sensitive detector, whose operators
are naturally described in phase space.
\par
The quantum description of any detector is given by a
positive operator-valued measure (POVM), i.e. a set of positive
operators $\left \{ \Pi_n \right \}$,
giving a resolution of identity $\sum_n \Pi_n = {\mathbb I}$.
The determination of these operators is, in turn, the main goal of
detector tomography. Given an input state $\rho$, the Born rule states
that $ p_n^\rho = \tr{\rho \, \Pi_n}$ is the probability of obtaining
the outcome $n$ when the generalized observable described by $\Pi$
is being measured. The inversion of this
formula allows the reconstruction of the operators $\Pi_n$ from the
experimentally sampled probability distribution $p_n^\rho$, over a
suitable set of known states $\rho$.
These must form a tomographically complete set, spanning the
Hilbert subspace where the POVM elements are
defined on \cite{DAriano2000}.
\par
The simplest
choice for a continuous variable system is a set of coherent states. They
provide an overcomplete basis for the Fock space, and it has already
been proved that even 1-dimensional discrete collections of coherent
states form a complete basis, and may be used to reconstruct classical
and non-classical states \cite{Janszky1990, Janszky1995}.
In fact, the experimental distributions of the outcomes
for a set of coherent states already provide a full representation of
the detector operators, in the form of a sample of their Q-functions
$$ Q_n (\alpha) = \frac{1}{\pi} \bra{\alpha} \Pi_n \ket{\alpha} =
\frac{1}{\pi} \mathcal{P}_n^\alpha\,,$$ where
$\{{\mathcal{P}^\alpha_n}\}$
represents the probability distribution for
a coherent state. However, this
representation is not suitable to provide a complete and
reliable {\em characterization} of the detector. In fact,
any subsequent use of this reconstruction scheme to {\em predict} the
outcome of the measurement for a different signal would involve the
(numerical) evaluation of the trace rule in the phase-space as
$$ \tr{\rho\, \Pi_n} = \int_{\mathbb C}\! d^2 \alpha\, P[\rho] (\alpha)\, Q_n
(\alpha)\,,$$
where the Glauber P-function $P[\rho] (\alpha)$ is singular for any
nonclassical state, and thus not suitable for sampling.
In order to overcome this problem we suggest an expansion in the quadrature basis of the operator measure
associated with the detector, using as probe
a set of coherent states. We then obtain the coefficients of the
expansion using a least squares
algorithm on a sufficiently large sample of data.
We also validate the experimentally obtained POVM by
reconstructing nonclassical known states.
Finally, we exploit results to estimate the
overall quantum efficiency of the detector.
\par
The paper is structured as follows. In Section \ref{s:hdm} we
review the description of homodyne detection and introduce
the algorithm employed for the reconstruction of its POVM.
In Section \ref{s:exp} we describe our experimental apparatus,
whereas in Section \ref{s:hdt} we present results of the
reconstruction, as well as their validation on nonclassical states.
Section \ref{s:out} closes the paper with some
concluding remarks.
\section{Homodyne Detection}\label{s:hdm}
A homodyne detector is a fully phase
sensitive apparatus that provides a complete characterization of any
given state of a single-mode radiation field \cite{Leonhardt1997}. This
state, the {\it signal}, is sent to a balanced beam splitter, where it
interferes with an intense coherent field, the {\it local oscillator},
usually coming from the same laser source. The phase of the signal has
then a precise value $\phi$ with respect to the local oscillator, and
can be adjusted by means of a piezo-actuated mirror. The two outputs of
the beam splitter are then focused on two photodiodes, and the resulting
photocurrents subtracted and analyzed. It can be shown that, in the
approximation of high amplitude $\abs{\beta}$ of the local oscillator, the
measurement
associated to this detector corresponds to
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:hom}
{X} = \frac{{a} {b}^\dagger + {a}^\dagger
{b}}{\sqrt{2} \left | \beta \right |} \underset{\left | \beta
\right | \gg 1} {\longrightarrow} \frac{{a}^\dagger
e^{\imath \phi} + {a}\, e^{-\imath \phi}}{2} = {x}_\phi
\end{equation}
where ${a}$ and ${b}$ are the mode operators for
the signal and the local oscillator, respectively. The operator
${b}$ was replaced by $\abs{\beta}e^{\imath \phi}$ in Eq.~(\ref{eq:hom})
 by considering its action onto the local oscillator, that
can be treated as a coherent state $\ket{\beta}$. The operation connected
to the working scheme of this detector is therefore the measurement of
the quadrature operator ${x}_\phi$ on the signal mode. Such a link
states the equivalence between the discrete spectrum of the operator
${X}$ and the continuous one of the quadrature, due to the high
intensity of the local oscillator, that can be
consequently treated classically. This equivalence can be extended
to the characteristic functions
\begin{equation}
\Tr{a,b}{e^{ \imath \lambda {X}} \rho \otimes \proj{\beta}{\beta} }
\underset{\left | \beta \right | \gg 1} {\longrightarrow}
\Tr{a}{e^{ \imath \lambda {x}_\phi} \rho }
\end{equation}
assuring the equivalence of all moments \cite{Paris2004}.
\par
The key feature of homodyne detection is its ability to
discern between different phase values of an input signal, setting
itself apart from the photon counting detectors that have been
characterized in the past. A straightforward choice for a basis in which
representing the POVM elements of a phase insensitive device is the
number basis, in the form
$\Pi_k = \sum_{n=0}^{+\infty} \pi_n ^{(k)}
\proj{n}{n}$, where $\proj{n}{n}$ is the projector onto the n-photon Fock state.
Such a description is no longer suitable for our apparatus, that hinges
on a phase-sensitive operation scheme. Off-diagonal elements in the
number-basis expansion could enclose phase-sensitive properties, as was
done in \cite{Zhang2012}, but reconstruction of the detector operators
would become increasingly difficult due to the high dimension of the
Hilbert space the POVM would be defined in.
\subsection{The reconstruction algorithm}
A suitable basis to expand the POVM $\Pi (x)$
of a phase-sensitive detector  for continuous
variable systems is the set
$\left \{ \proj{y}{y} \right \}_{y \in \mathbb{R}}$
of eigenstates of a quadrature operator
${x}_\phi$, e.g. setting $\phi=0$
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:model}
\Pi (x) = \int \! dy\, g^{(x)}_y \proj{y}{y}\,.
\end{equation}
The detector has now a Q-function representation given by
\begin{align}
\label{eq:qrep}
\mathcal{P}_\alpha (x) &= \bra{\alpha} \Pi (x)
\ket{\alpha} \nonumber \\ & = \int \! \!
dy\, g^{(x)}_y \sqrt{\frac{2}{\pi}}\,
\exp \left\{-2 ( y - \abs{\alpha}) ^2\right\}\,,
\end{align}
where the matrix $g^{(x)}_k$ contains all the information
needed to describe the response of the detector.
The
set of operators $\left \{ \Pi (x) \right \}$ can then be discretized,
reflecting the experimental sampling during the measurement process, and
be confined to a selected portion of the quadrature range, say
$\left [ x_{\min}, \,
x_{\max} \right ]$. The expansion on the quadrature basis $\left \{
\proj{y}{y} \right \}$ can be discretized as well,
reducing the number of POVM elements.
Equation (\ref{eq:qrep}) may be rewritten as
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:modeld}
\Pi_j \equiv \Pi(x_j) = \sum_k g^{j}_k \proj{y_k}{y_k}\,.
\end{equation}
The analogue of
Eq. (\ref{eq:qrep}), i.e. ${\mathcal P}_\alpha (x_j) = \langle \alpha|
\Pi (x_j)|\alpha\rangle$,
can now be compared to experimental results and
may be inverted to find the matrix
$\mathbf{g}$.  To this purpose, starting from a set of coherent states
with calibrated amplitudes $\left \{ \abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s} \right \}$,
we use a least-squares method:
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:algo}
g^{j}_k = \underset{ \left \{ g_k^j \right \} >0 }{
\mathtt{arg\, \, min}} \left \{ \sum_j \sum_s
\left [ p_{\tilde{\alpha}_s} (x_j) -
\mathcal{P}_{\tilde{\alpha}_s } (x_j) \right ] ^2 \right \} \,,
\end{equation}
where $p_{\tilde{\alpha}_s} (x_j)$ is the experimentally observed
distribution for the coherent state
with amplitude $\abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s}$.
A pictorial representation of the algorithm is presented in Fig.
\ref{fig1}(a).  The algorithm retrieves the matrix
$\mathbf{g}$ by comparing the experimentally sampled
distributions to the corresponding
Q~-~function representation.
Starting from a coherent state of amplitude $\abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s}$ and
a quadrature value $x_j$, the algorithm finds the set of
coefficients $g^j_k$ that minimises the difference between
$p_{\tilde{\alpha}_s} (x_{j})$ and $\mathcal{P}_{\tilde{\alpha}_s}
(x_{j})$. Experimental imperfections and fluctuations,
corresponding to the shaded blue area in Fig. \ref{fig1}(a),
degrade this relationship and ``switch on''
new coefficients in the expansion of Eq. (\ref{eq:qrep}).
At the same time, each calibrated amplitude $\abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s}$ is
associated to a rescaled value $\abs{\alpha_s}=\abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s}
\gamma_s$,
to explicitly include the detector finite efficiency.
The least squares algorithm of Eq.
(\ref{eq:algo}) performs this minimisation simultaneously for all the
quadrature values $x_j \in \left [ x_{\min}, \, x_{\max} \right ]$ and all
the coherent states in the set. The detector response is then fully
contained in the matrix $\mathbf{g}$.
\begin{figure}[h!]
\includegraphics[width=1\columnwidth]{f1}
\caption{(Color online)
Quantum tomography of a homodyne detector.
A pictorial representation of the least-squares
algorithm is reported in panel (a). The experimentally sampled
probability distributions $p_{\tilde{\alpha}} (x)$ (solid blue) are
compared to the Q~-~function representation
$\mathcal{P}_{\tilde{\alpha}} (x)$ (dashed yellow). This is shown
dashed
to visualise the discretisation of Eq. (\ref{eq:model}). Panel (b)
shows the efficiency of reconstruction as a function of increasing amplitude
spacing in the tomographic set. The
function $\Delta(\delta \alpha)$ is here normalized to the matrix
dimension $N$. A sharp transition can be seen as the spacing between the
states of the
set approaches the maximum for the overlap function of Eq.
(\ref{eq:Overlap}).
Panel (c) shows the phase space representation
of the full set of coherent states used for tomography.
Panel (d) shows the result of the reconstruction obtained
imposing $\abs{\alpha_s}=\abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s}$. Notice the
(expected) diagonal shape.}
\label{fig1}
\end{figure}
\par
If we look back at Eq. (\ref{eq:model}), it is quite natural to link
the characteristics of the matrix ${\mathbf g}$ to the features of
the detector reconstruction.  Each matrix row $g^j_k$
associates a quadrature value $x_{j}$ to a set of projectors on
quadrature eigenstates, with weights given by the coefficients in Eq.
(\ref{eq:modeld}). For an ideal detector, the matrix is diagonal
$g^j_k=\delta_{kj}$, i.e. the only nonzero coefficient
associates a quadrature value $x_j$ to its projector $\proj{x_j}{x_j}$.
As we have seen, experimental imperfections will degrade this one-to-one
relationship, spreading the coefficients around a central value.  At the
same time, the full array of coefficients $\gamma_s$ provides a unified
model for the response of the detector.  A detector tomography
devised in this way
is general enough for application to different configurations of
the homodyne detection.
\par
Let us now focus on the tomographic set, and in particular on the
characteristics required to perform a reliable reconstruction. To
this aim we have performed simulated
experiments with sets having an increasing number of equidistant
coherent states, with
amplitudes in a given range $\alpha \in [-3,\,3]$, and measured at the same
phase $\phi=0$. For each set the matrix representation of the detector
$g^{j}_k$ was retrieved, and associated to the amplitude spacing
$\delta \alpha$ between the coherent states in the set. Since the
identity matrix ${\mathbb I}$ is the
ideal-case solution of the reconstruction algorithm,
we consider the following function of the
amplitude spacing $\delta \alpha$
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:MinRef}
\Delta (\delta \alpha) = \tr{ \mathbb{I} \cdot
\left [ g^{j}_k \right ]_{{\delta \alpha}}}
\end{equation}
as a figure of merit to assess tomographic sets, e.g. to
find the minimal $\delta\alpha$ corresponding to
a reliable reconstruction.
\par
For a perfect reconstruction, the two matrices are
both the identity and $\Delta$ reduces to the dimension of the matrix
$\mathbf{g}$. In the opposite case, more and more elements on the
diagonal will be voided, and the trace will decrease. In Fig.
\ref{fig1}(b) we show the results: a steep transition, corresponding to
a deterioration of the reconstruction, appears for $\delta \alpha \simeq
0.7$. A similar conclusion may be obtained theoretically upon
considering the overlap of two Gaussian $p_\sigma(x,x_0)$ of
equal standard deviation $\sigma$ but
varying center $x_0$, i.e.
\begin{equation}
\label{eq:Overlap}
f(y) = \sqrt{\pi } \int_{-\infty }^{+\infty }
\!\!\!\!\!\!\!dx\, p_\sigma(x,x_0) \, p_\sigma(x,x_0 + y)\,.
\end{equation}
In particular, the function $y \cdot f(y)$ may be used to assess
the tomographic set of coherent states, as it captures, roughly speaking,
the trade-off between an increasing spacing and a
decreasing overlap. Upon substituting $\sigma=0.5$, as it is
for coherent states, we have that $y \cdot f \left (
y \right )$ has a maximum at $y_{\max} = 2^{-1/2}
\simeq 0.707$, in good agreement
with the value obtained by simulated experiments via
Eq. (\ref{eq:MinRef}). The reliability of this estimation has been
then confirmed experimentally (see below).
\section{Experimental apparatus}\label{s:exp}
A schematic diagram of the experimental setup is shown in
Fig. \ref{fig2}. The apparatus is based on a
mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser (Spectra-Physics Tsunami) providing,
after suitable splitting, both the local oscillator
(LO) beam for balanced homodyne
detection and the probe coherent states
for detector tomography.
The laser emits $2$ ps
pulses at a central wavelength of $78$5 nm, with a repetition rate of
$82$ MHz.
The detector characterized in this paper is an optical homodyne
apparatus, operating in the time domain at high sampling frequency
\cite{Zavatta2002,Zavatta2006}. Amplitudes of the probe coherent states
were selected by means of a reflective-coating glass attenuator.
Precise
calibration of each state is done by means of a Type I BBO crystal cut
for degenerate spontaneous down-conversion (SPDC), pumped by the frequency
doubled portion of the main laser beam.
The injection of the probe coherent states
into the signal path of the SPDC triggers the stimulated
emission of downconverted photon pairs in the same mode
(thus generating single-photon-added coherent states, SPACSs
\cite{Zavatta2004}) and in the idler mode,
at a rate proportional to
$1+\abss{\alpha}$, where $\alpha$ is the amplitude of the
incoming coherent state. Such a procedure provides a precise
standard-free calibration of the input amplitude \cite{Migdall1999}
by means of the ratio between the count rate of
stimulated and spontaneous events
pursuing the idea of a calibration-free characterization.
\par
\begin{figure}[h!]
\includegraphics[width=1\columnwidth]{f2}
\caption{(Color online) Schematic diagram of the experimental setup.
Picosecond-duration pulses at 785 nm are split
by two high-transmission beam splitters. A first beam serves as the
local oscillator (LO) for balanced homodyne detection (B.H.D.), while a
second provides the probe coherent states for detector tomography.
Optical delay lines provide synchronization, while the probe amplitude
is adjusted with the attenuator (A). The main portion of the beam is
frequency doubled in a LBO crystal, and then spatially and spectrally
filtered by means of a pin-hole and a Michelson interferometer (F). It
finally serves as the pump for a type-I BBO crystal for parametric down
conversion, whose idler mode is used for calibration means and, after
narrow Etalon spectral filtering (E), as a trigger signal.}
\label{fig2}
\end{figure}
\section{Detector Tomography}\label{s:hdt}
In our detector tomography
we have focused attention to the range
$x \in \left [ -2, \, 2 \right ]$ probed by a
 tomographic set of coherent states with amplitudes $\alpha_s \in \{
 -3,\,3 \}$. Our set is made of coherent states with $12$ different
 amplitudes, each one measured at $9$ different phase values
 between 0 and $\pi$. The full set is represented in
 Fig.~\ref{fig1}(c).
\par
 As a first step we have performed a preliminary validating step
 of our reconstructing algorithm, by neglecting the rescaling factors
 $\gamma_s$. The set of amplitudes $\left \{ \alpha_s \right \}$
 has been measured with the homodyne detector, as the mean
 value of the probability distributions, and the coefficient
 matrix $\mathbf{g}$ has been retrieved imposing
 $\abs{\tilde{\alpha}_s}=\abs{\alpha_s}$. The result,
 reported in Fig.~\ref{fig1}(d), presents the
 expected diagonal shape, partially blurred by fluctuations. The homodyne
 detection model obtained in this way may efficiently describe
 the detector behavior on several classical and non classical states.
\par
Upon
 confirmation of the effectiveness of our method, we selected a reduced
 collection of coherent states, concentrating on those with a null or
 $\pi$ phase difference between the signal and the local oscillator.
 This set of $25$ coherent states has been then inserted into the
 algorithm of Eq.~(\ref{eq:algo}) together with the set of calibrated
 amplitudes $\left \{\tilde \alpha_s \right \}$, and the results are
 shown in Fig.~\ref{fig3}(a). The
 retrieved matrix showed the expected diagonal shape, with an
 experimental spread around the central value. The array of coefficients
 $\gamma_s$ is reported in Fig.~\ref{fig3}(b).
 An estimate for the uncertainty is obtained from the inverse of the
 second derivative of the function minimized in the least-squares algorithm.
This uncertainty is increasing for decreasing values of $\alpha$,
since for the limiting case of $\alpha=0$ our model is not
defined. It was then used to weight the $\gamma_s$, and get a final mean
value of $\bar{\gamma}_0=0.90 \pm 0.03$.
\par

\begin{figure}[h!]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=1\columnwidth]{f3}
\caption{(Color online)
Quantum tomography of a homodyne detector.
Panel (a) shows the matrix $g_k^{j}$ representing the expansion
of the POVM elements in the quadrature basis. By comparison of this
matrix with that of Fig. \ref{fig1}(d) one notices the spread of the
coefficients around the diagonal, due to the additional parameters
$\gamma_s$. These are reported in blue in the plot of Fig.
\ref{fig3}(b), where the shaded area represents an estimate of the
uncertainty, obtained
through the second derivative of the function in Eq. (\ref{eq:algo}).
In a similar fashion, the mean value $\bar{\gamma}_0$ and its
uncertainty are indicated in solid and shaded yellow.
These results were then validated on the reconstruction of
nonclassical states. In panels (c) and (d) we report the
experimentally reconstructed Wigner
functions for the Fock state $|1\rangle$ and for a single photon-added
coherent state. The side plots in both panels
show the Wigner
marginal distributions (yellow), which are both very close to their
representations in the detector description (the uncertainty
due to the spread of $\bar{\gamma}_0$ is given by the
blue-shadowed areas).}
\label{fig3}
\end{figure}
\subsection{POVM validation}
The aim of quantum detector tomography is to fully characterize
a given detector by retrieving the set of operators that fully
describes its measurement process. In order to validate our technique
for QDT, we have employed the reconstructed POVM to reproduce
measurements performed on known states. In particular, we have tested
the POVM on two kinds of nonclassical states: a single-photon Fock state
and a SPACS with $\alpha=0.5$. These two states have been
first measured in our
setup, and the experimental results have been then compared to those
obtained for the same states using the reconstructed detector POVM.
The photon addition scheme of
our setup, fundamental for the generation of these
two states, had been previously characterised \cite{Zavatta2004a}, and
the operator $\hta$ had been found to apply
to a given input state with preparation
efficiency $\zeta \approx 0.91$. The measured quadrature
distributions for the Fock state and the SPACS,
reported in Fig. \ref{fig3}(c) and \ref{fig3}(d),
are in excellent agreement with the
expected Q-function representation based on the tomography of our
homodyne detector.
The robustness and reliability of our method has been
thus confirmed and
we proved that the specific
experimental realization of the detector, which depends
on several parameters (like the detrector quantum efficiency, the degree
of mode matching, the alignment, etc.), can be efficiently captured by
the tomographic procedure. We also proved that the results of subsequent
measurements can be effectively reproduced.
\par
\begin{figure}[h!]
\centering
\includegraphics[width=1\columnwidth]{f4}
\caption{(Color online) Changing the number of coherent states in the
tomographic set. Panels (a) and (b) show results of a
successful tomography for the limiting case of an amplitude spacing of
$0.7$, as predicted by the theoretical modeling. The limiting case of
oversampling was also tested, yielding another positive result.
Results of QDT using the full tomographic set of $109$ states are
reported in panels (c) and (d).}
\label{fig4}
\end{figure}
\par
The tomographic set of coherent states that we have used throughout the
paper has proved to be a good test for our detectors. In order to
improve the accuracy of the reconstruction we may extend the set to
cover a bigger portion of phase space, while to minimize the
experimental effort we may want to reduce the number of states in the
set. Proceeding as above, and following our predictions from Eq.
(\ref{eq:MinRef}), we found that a minimal set of nine coherent states may
be selected from the experimental data, all at phase zero.  The
amplitude spacing is three times larger than in the previous situation,
but the reduced set is still able to provide a quorum for the
tomography. Results are presented in Fig. \ref{fig4}(a) and (b). On the
other hand, even with the full set of $109$ coherent states we have been
able
to efficiently reconstruct the detector, despite the increased phase space
coverage and the increased fluctuations, due to oversampling. The
matrix $g^{j}_k$ and the coefficients $\gamma_s$ for this case
are shown in Fig. \ref{fig4}(c) and (d).
\par
On the basis of the previous analysis and considering the
large uncertainty of data in the area close to the origin,
we have assigned a fixed value $\gamma_s=1$ to probe
states with amplitudes smaller than 0.5. We found that the values of
$\bar{\gamma}$ for the smallest and the largest tomographic
set are given by $\bar{\gamma}_1=0.91 \pm 0.03$ and
$\bar{\gamma}_2=0.84 \pm 0.09$ respectively. In fact, all the values of
$\bar{\gamma}_0$, $\bar{\gamma}_1$ and $\bar{\gamma}_2$ are comparable
within the uncertainty. On the other hand, they
convey different information regarding the detector. The increased
coefficient spread of the matrices reported in Fig. \ref{fig3}(a) and Fig.
\ref{fig4}(a) can
be considered as an additional rescaling parameter, modeling the
experimental fluctuations, that is therefore directly included in the
tomography. Values for $\bar{\gamma}$ are then larger, with reduced
uncertainty. The matrix of Fig. \ref{fig4}(c) has instead a smaller
spread, and therefore the extra rescaling is conveyed in
$\bar{\gamma}_2$, lowering its value and making it more accurate, even
though less precise.  Thus $\bar{\gamma}_2$ is better suited to be
compared to the value of the quantum detection efficiency
that can be obtained by classical calibration. Indeed, we find that
$\gamma_2 \approx \sqrt \eta$, despite the fact that our model does not
involve any prior knowledge of the detector structure or implementation.
Different sets can therefore be used to highlight
specific properties of the detector, adding value to our technique.
\section{Conclusions}\label{s:out}
We have suggested and demonstrated a full quantum detector tomography
technique for a homodyne detector. In ideal conditions each detector
operator is associated to a single quadrature projector: our technique
suitably describes how experimental noise and specific physical
realizations of the detector affect this description and allows us to
quantify experimentally the spreading of the detector operators onto
adjacent quadrature states. The model is general enough to describe any
kind of homodyne setup, and it has proven capable of effectively
describing the detector response to different tomographic sets.
The reconstructed POVM have been then validated on different
nonclassical states, thus confirming the robustness and the
reliability of the method.
\par
Our results provide a general method to estimate the overall
detection efficiency in this class of detectors and may represent a
valuable resource to optimize homodyne detection in different
situations. Our model may be generalized to specifically treat
single parameters of homodyne detectors, as mode mismatch or
correlations between amplitude and phase noise.
Besides, a better understanding of the fundamental functioning
of this detector paves the way to an evolution of the same,
as well as a broader and more precise use in quantum optics
and quantum technology
with continuous variables.
\section*{Acknowledgments}
This work has been supported by UniMI through the H2020 Transition Grant
15-6-3008000-625 and by EU through the Collaborative Project H2020 QuProCS
(Grant Agreement 641277).
MB and AZ acknowledge the support of Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze
and of the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research
(MIUR), under the 'Progetto Premiale: Oltre i limiti classici di misura'

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text:
Milan Turkovic es un Fagotista de origen austríaco conocido internacionalmente por su trayectoria como solista. Es miembro del ensamble "Wien-Berlin" (quinteto de vientos conformado por integrantes de las Orquestas filarmónicas de Berlín y Viena.
Como solista ha interpretado y grabado las obras más representativas del repertorio fagotístico como los conciertos de Vivaldi, Mozart, y Weber.

Bibliografía

Enlaces externos
Página oficial de Milan Turkovic

Fagotistas
Directores de orquesta de Austria
Intérpretes de música clásica de Austria
Músicos clásicos del siglo XX de Austria

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A guitar pedalboard is a flat board or panel that basically helps manage those effects units (reverb, chorus, delay, wah-wah's, and distortion/overdrive) of the guitar. These panels, which act as a convenient home for your pedals, is available in several shapes, sizes, materials, and designs. At the heart of each pedalboard, there is a well-designed printed circuit board (PCB). In other words, PCBs are the base of all the electronic guitars today. Guitar Pedalboard PCB assembly is thus must be executed with utmost precision with simple and clean wiring. At Sierra Assembly Technology, Inc., we possess unbeatable expertise in Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Testing (DFT), and Design for Assembly (DFA), which enable us delivering efficient and cost-effective PCB assembly services. Our mature engineering methodology ensures that your board gets the best treatment at every stage of production by strictly adhering to technical guidelines.
Solve your Guitar Pedalboard PCB assembly problems at Sierra Assembly, the leading one-stop PCB manufacturing services provider who offers end-to-end support for your electronics manufacturing needs. Association with the right electronics partner helps ensure that your device is good enough for release on time whether it is of faster turnaround, bulk production or complex assembly needs. With fast delivery and exceptional customer service, you can feel sure along the way with Sierra Assembly.


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text:
Jerica Tandiman (November 2, 1994) is an American speed skater.

Early life
Tandiman is from Kearns, Utah. She began skating in 2002 after the Utah Olympic Oval was built near her house.

Career
At the 2018 Winter Olympics United States speed skating trials, she finished 4th in the 1000 meters. While the top three normally qualify for the team, since Mia Manganello did not have the required qualifying time at that distance, Tandiman was one of the top three qualifiers for the event.  She had to wait to see the total number of qualified female athletes, but ultimately made the team. She currently practices at the Utah Olympic Oval.

References

External links

Living people
Place of birth missing (living people)
American female speed skaters
Speed skaters at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Olympic speed skaters of the United States
People from Kearns, Utah
21st-century American women
1994 births


text:
The Cardinal Upset the Rattlers in Overtime Thriller
todayFebruary 2, 2022 88 4
By Justin Brown
The San Marcos High School Boys basketball team (24-8 overall, 7-3 26-6A) fell just short Tuesday night against the visiting Del Valle Cardinals (16-6 overall, 4-5 26-6A) in an overtime thriller 68-66.
This game was important to both ball clubs regarding the playoffs. Del Valle coming off a three-game losing streak put the Cardinals in a must-win situation to stay in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the San Marcos Rattlers pursued a win to show they are a team to be reckoned with after coming off two back-to-back blowout wins.
Energy running high in the Snake Pit before tip-off carried onto the court as both teams went back and forth early on. Junior Malik Presley set the tone after the tip with an aggressive drive to the rim resulting in free throws.
This fast-paced aggression from the Rattlers wasn't only on offense with, two minutes into the game Junior Kaden Gumbs already had two fouls putting him on the bench early.
With the offensive talent of Kaden Gumbs on the bench, Malik Presley delivered with a massive put-back dunk followed by a fadeaway sideline jumper to tie the game with two minutes left in the first quarter.
Presley, unsatisfied with being down two, gets the ball with seconds left to hit a baseline jumper beating the buzzer to end the first quarter.
Riding off the energy of the first quarter, Kaden Gumbs checks back in to join Malik Presley in combining for seven points to give the Rattlers a ten-point lead and fans some relief going into halftime 36-26. This lead and relief would end shortly in the third quarter as the Cardinals played stifling defense to force turnovers while getting threes to fall in the corner.
Del Valle guard Demareon Williams put the cherry on top for the Cardinal's third-quarter performance with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to tie the game going into the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with both teams playing their best basketball but not without the addition of fouls. This fourth quarter saw both teams at the free-throw line multiple times especially after Kaden Gumbs the crucial Rattler Guard fouled out, giving the Cardinals a chance to tie the game and go to overtime which is exactly what happened.
Overtime in the Snake Pit saw fans in purple and red on their feet, but those in purple would be the first to take a seat. Crucial Rattler free throws were missed and a tough jumper for the Cardinals with four seconds left sealed this Rattler loss final score 68-66.
When asking Head Coach Dan Miller about his thoughts on the loss he said, "We have to learn from this because that was a playoff atmosphere, and we have to make those plays down the stretch."
The next game for the Rattlers will be at home against Bowie High School on Feb. 4th at 8:00 p.m. Make sure to tune in on KTSW FM 89.9 San Marcos for live coverage in the Snake Pit.
Basketball Justin Brown Rattlers SMTX Sports TXST
Helpful Tools to Keep Track of Class Assignments
By Celeste Parler Web Content Contributor Classes have started up again and for some of us, they are kicking our behinds. Most of us know what it's like to miss a due date because we have trouble remembering all of our assigned work. Surely something is bound to slip through the cracks. Perhaps you have experienced so much stress to keep track of deadlines that you end up compromising your […]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Simulate HTTP server time out for HTTP client request In reference to:
HttpURLConnection timeout question
-> Any idea on how to automate the unit test case for the above?
More specifically, if the HTTP client has set 5 seconds as its timeout, I want the server to send the response after 10 seconds. This would ensure my client would fail due to time out and thus automating this scenario.
I would appreciate the psuedo code for the server side (any light weight http server such as jetty or any other is fine).

A: You don't want to actually connect to a real server in a unit test.  If you want to actually connect to a real server, that is technically an integration test.
Since you are testing the client code, you should use a unit test so you don't need to connect to a real server.  Instead you can use mock objects to simulate a connection to a server.  This is really great because you can simulate conditions that would be hard to achieve if you used a real server (like the connection failing in the middle of a session etc).
Unit testing with mocks will also make the tests run faster since you don't need to connect to anything so there is no I/O delay.
Since you linked to another question, I will use that code example (repasted here for clarity) I made a class called MyClass with a method foo() that connects to the URL and returns true or false if the connection succeeded.  As the linked question does:
public class MyClass {

private String url = "http://example.com";

public boolean foo(){
    try {
           HttpURLConnection.setFollowRedirects(false);
           HttpURLConnection con = (HttpURLConnection) new URL(url).openConnection();
           con.setRequestMethod("HEAD");

           con.setConnectTimeout(5000); //set timeout to 5 seconds

           return (con.getResponseCode() == HttpURLConnection.HTTP_OK);
        } catch (java.net.SocketTimeoutException e) {
           return false;
        } catch (java.io.IOException e) {
           return false;
        }

    }
}

I will use Mockito to make the mock objects since that is one of the more popular mock object libraries.  Also since the code creates a new URL object in the foo method (which isn't the best design) I will use the PowerMock library which can intercept calls to new.  In a real production code, I recommend using dependency injection or at least method extraction for creating the URL object to a factory method so you can override it to ease testing.  But since I am keeping with your example, I won't change anything.
Here is the test code using Mockito and Powermock to test timeouts:
import java.net.HttpURLConnection;
import java.net.SocketTimeoutException;
import java.net.URL;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.runner.RunWith;
import org.mockito.Mockito;
import org.powermock.api.mockito.PowerMockito;
import org.powermock.core.classloader.annotations.PrepareForTest;
import org.powermock.modules.junit4.PowerMockRunner;

import static org.junit.Assert.*;

@RunWith(PowerMockRunner.class)
//This tells powermock that we will modify MyClass.class in this test
//- needed for changing the call to new URL
@PrepareForTest(MyClass.class)
public class ConnectionTimeOutTest {

String url = "http://example.com";
@Test
public void timeout() throws Exception{
    //create a mock URL and mock HttpURLConnection objects
    //that will be our simulated server
    URL mockURL = PowerMockito.mock(URL.class);
    HttpURLConnection mockConnection = PowerMockito.mock(HttpURLConnection.class);

    //powermock will intercept our call to new URL( url)
    //and return our mockURL object instead!
    PowerMockito.whenNew(URL.class).withArguments(url).thenReturn(mockURL);
    //This tells our mockURL class to return our mockConnection object when our client
    //calls the open connection method
    PowerMockito.when(mockURL.openConnection()).thenReturn(mockConnection);

    //this is our exception to throw to simulate a timeout
    SocketTimeoutException expectedException = new SocketTimeoutException();

    //tells our mockConnection to throw the timeout exception instead of returnig a response code
    PowerMockito.when(mockConnection.getResponseCode()).thenThrow(expectedException);

    //now we are ready to actually call the client code
    // cut = Class Under Test
    MyClass cut = new MyClass();

    //our code should catch the timeoutexception and return false
    assertFalse(cut.foo());

   // tells mockito to expect the given void methods calls
   //this will fail the test if the method wasn't called with these arguments
   //(for example, if you set the timeout to a different value)
    Mockito.verify(mockConnection).setRequestMethod("HEAD");
    Mockito.verify(mockConnection).setConnectTimeout(5000);

}
}

This test runs in less than a second which is much faster than having to actually wait for over 5 seconds for a real timeout!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team and staff visited with children at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital on Jan. 15. This was the day after the Eagles defeated Western Michigan University 56-37 at home.
During this visit, the EMU basketball team spent time socializing with the children and their parents. They posed for photographs, signed autographs, and handed out EMU gift bags. Eagles' Head Coach Rob Murphy also mingled with the team and got to know some of the youngsters and their families.
This special visit was coordinated by EMU Director of Player Development and Video Coordinator, Jerome Robinson, and Mott Hospital Community Relations Specialist, Byron Meyer.
It was the Eagles' second visit in as many months to the hospital. Previously the Green and White had visited the children on Dec. 27 and in keeping with the holiday spirit they handed out posters, coloring books, key chains, and signed autographs.


I need to speak to you. Can you call me tonight?
If you give someone a call, it means that you call them.
Give me a call when you have time.
If you call, it can also mean that you speak loudly because you want someone to hear you. Usually the person isn't very near you.
"Dinner's on the table!" she called.
He called for help but nobody heard him.
If you call someone or something a name, it means that you use that name when you talk about them.
My name's Ronald, but everyone calls me Ron.
We call it a sweater, but in the UK they call it a jumper.
There are other meanings of call.


Tibetan medicine was brought to awareness in the West largely by the Badmaev family of physicians. They were the first to establish Tibetan pharmacies, clinics, and teaching facilities outside of Buddhist monasteries. They translated ancient texts into Western languages, began systematic basic and clinical research of the medical applications of Tibetan medicine and were the first to manufacture Tibetan formulas for commercial use.
The Badmaev family tradition has moved across the globe over the course of the last two centuries, largely due to geopolitical events and upheavals. Because of this, the Badmaev formulas have by necessity adapted to the conditions and available materials as the family relocated across continents.
The Dr. Badmaev Tradition in the 21st century continues to advance and adapt the use of multi-component botanical/mineral formulas while preserving the principles of Tibetan medicine. We are an innovative leader in developing natural compound formulas inspired by the latest scientific research in nutritional supplements such as Adaptrin®.


text:
HomeActionJohn Carter (2012) -vs- Avatar (2009)
John Carter (2012) -vs- Avatar (2009)
March 8, 2012 Sarah Harding Action, Adventure, Alien/UFO, Fantasy, Sci-Fi 9
The Smackdown
In the genre of 3D outer space shoot-'em-ups, there are two ways to go: Either you've got your humans ruthlessly exploiting oddly shaped locals on some distant planet, or vice versa. John Carter chooses the less common scenario, an Earthling being used and abused by aliens for their own purposes, while the defending champion Avatar presents a classic story of corporate greed morphing into cultural affinity.
In both cases, the plots are well worn to the point of being hackneyed. Both films rely on visual thrills, special effects and a willing suspension of disbelief to create fantasy worlds in the same way that cheesy '50s matinees did back in the day before effects were so sophisticated. These are bigger than life stories with bigger than big budgets. Avatar, as we know, went on to take in more box office gross worldwide than any movie before or since. John Carter is clearly aiming for the same lofty territory.
Will it get close? Who knows? But this is about art, not commerce, and when two mammoth worlds collide, only one species can come out on top.
The Challenger
John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is a Civil War veteran from Virginia. A man who "never really came back from the war," he now spends his time hunting for treasure in the mountains of Arizona. While fleeing some Apaches and lawmen who are pursuing him, he comes across a sacred cave of gold. Before he has time to revel in his find, he is attacked by a strange, bald and slightly glowing man (we'll learn later, he's called a Thern). Carter manages to kill his attacker, but he is knocked out in the process.
When he wakes up, he finds himself of Mars, which is in the midst of its own civil war between two humanoid clans—the Zodangans, the bad guys in red; and the Heliumites, the good guys in blue (draw what political conclusions you will). Then there are the Tharks, led by Tar Tarkas (a severely motion-captured Willem Dafoe)—green-skinned, two-horned, four-armed, fifteen-foot-tall warriors who refuse to take part in the war. They capture Carter with the hope of using him as a weapon—because of the change in gravity, he is much stronger than he was on Earth and able to leap great distances in a single bound. After a chance encounter with the beautiful Helumite Princess Deja (Lynn Collins), Carter must choose between fighting alongside the Heliumites or finding a way back home.
The Defending Champion
After his twin brother dies, paraplegic former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) takes his place in a mission to the distant planet Pandora. Pandora is a planet rich in a rare fuel called Unobtainium (no, really), which the greedy Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi) is intent on finding. Jake learns that Parker plans on driving out the indigenous population of humanoids called the Na'vi in order to mine the material buried deep within their home turf.
The muscle-headed Colonel Quatrich (Stephen Lang) promises Jake that if he helps infiltrate the Na'vi and gather intel, he'll get his legs back when he gets home. By virtue of the Avatar technology, Jake is able to immerse himself in the the Na'vi's world, quickly falling in love with the beautiful Na'vi princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).
Meanwhile, the restless Parker and ruthless Colonel go ahead with their plans for destroying the Na'vi's home, forcing Jake to choose which side he's on.
The Scorecard
John Carter is based on a famous sci-fi series by Edgar Rice Burroughs and has all the necessary ingredients to be a huge blockbuster hit—Martian feuds, romance and thrilling action sequences. The problem is, we've seen it all before. In fact, if this film were to aim any lower, even the lead actor's name would have to be Kitsch. Oh wait, it is.
While Burroughs' work has inspired countless sci-fi writers and filmmakers (including, clearly, Avatar's James Cameron), it took nearly 80 years for it to make its big screen debut. Director Andrew Stanton, working from a script he wrote with Mark Andrews and novelist Michael Chabon, does a somewhat decent job navigating the dense plot, but it still feels quite convoluted in places. The pace is so fast that we're never really given a chance to catch up and figure out what's happening on screen, let alone who is who.
Avatar suffers from similarly dreadful plotting. There's no denying the impressive visual effects and technological advancements made in Avatar, but when it comes to plot, we're essentially back to Dances with Wolves or a live-action version of Fern Gully with heavy artillery.
When it comes down to it, neither film is about character or plot. Both boast a whole menagerie of exotic creatures and sweeping landscapes, though in John Carter, Mars is shown as a desolate wasteland, a far cry from the breathtaking and meticulously detailed visuals of the forests of Pandora. And how about that motion capture? Cameron uses it better than anyone by far, and that includes John Carter's Stanton. His Na'vi may not have the most depth of character, but at least you can tell them apart visually, which is often more than can be said about the Martians of John Carter—even when played by such actors as Willem Dafoe and Samantha Morton.
While the Edgar Rice Burroughs character of John Carter is widely acknowledged to be the forefather of our own generation's crop of space cowboy heroes, the film is held back by an overly convoluted plot and clunky dialogue. Avatar suffers from it's own structural deficiencies but despite being the earlier of the two films, it manages to better evoke an alien world of beauty and ultimate possibility. I wish the dialogue and characters were as imaginatively rendered as the world of Pandora, but even without that depth, Avatar remains our champion.
Giovanni Ribisi
A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas (2011) -vs- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
November 4, 2011 Sarah Harding 2
The Fountain (2006) -vs- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
May 19, 2007 Beau DeMayo 14
Clash of the Titans 3D (2010) -vs- Clash of the Titans (1981)
April 3, 2010 Mark Sanchez 7
8 Comments on John Carter (2012) -vs- Avatar (2009)
Longtail August 14, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I have a good action movie called Sherlock Holmes, And there is James Bond, and of course you know star wars, lord of the rings, Harry Potter and pirates of the Caribbean… Oh, and I just forgot what that good movie I watched called I have a bad memory sorry I am talking nonsense I am just bored and telling you all the ones I know i am going to sleep now so bored anyone else bored?
Hello August 14, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I still like John carter better
Justallmyfavoritemoviesanyway August 14, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Both avatar and John carter are my favorite movies. I just love action movies, that is all. Any other good action movies that I should see?
Zman March 27, 2012 at 6:38 pm
The Avatar train wreck only once or twice comes close the the magic that John Carter evokes in every frame. Carter is a superior movie in absolutely every way. Please stop writing these comparisons until you learn how to do it properly.
Bryce Zabel March 27, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Zman… Well, one thing we aren't going to do is close down the site and study how to do it properly based on your opinion.
We do, however, welcome you to write a longer, more detailed and passionate argument for your reasons for favoring "John Carter." Opposing views are always welcome, that's what the site is for.
And, if there is a "proper" way to do this, feel free to enlighten us about that, too!
Kevin Wohler March 18, 2012 at 5:47 pm
I disagree with this review. John Carter does not suffer because "we've seen it all before." The film has an amazing story filled with adventure and fantasy, and it's rich with a world that is wholly believable. The acting is great, and Lynn Collins is lovely as Dejah Thoris. The special effects add to the film instead of detracting from the storytelling. Is John Carter a better film than Avatar? Probably not, but it's a great film nonetheless.
Charles J March 10, 2012 at 6:48 am
I don't think anyone in their right mind would put this flop even in the same genre as Avatar, because Avatar IS it's own genre. If Avatar were the new WTC, John Carter would be the new Ground Zero. The only person that is going to top the biggest movie ever made is James Cameron himself, and that's still another 4 years away. No one has the technical understanding that James possesses, even watching T2 today feels like an event rather than a movie, the same feeling I got watching Avatar.
Bryce Zabel March 10, 2012 at 11:04 am
We don't put them in the Smackdown ring together because we've lost our minds (although some may argue that) but because that's our concept. In this case, the idea of humans at war on another planet. Please vote in the poll then, Charles, and get your friends so that John Carter doesn't get away with this victory!
Alien Contact @ Movie Smackdown | Movie Smackdown!®


text:
package models

import(
  "regexp"
  "strings"
  "fmt"
)

type StatsSet struct{
  Key     string
  Data    []Stat
}

type Stat struct{
  Key         string
  Timestamp   int64
  Value       string
}

func NewStatsSet(keys ...string) StatsSet{
  set := StatsSet{}
  set.Key = set.SanitizeName(keys)
  return set
}

func (self *StatsSet) SanitizeName(keys []string) string{
  // Make a string Graphite safe
  sanitizedKeys := []string{}
  re := regexp.MustCompile("[^a-zA-Z0-9]")

  for _,key := range keys{
    sanitizedKey := re.ReplaceAllString(key, "")
    sanitizedKeys = append(sanitizedKeys, sanitizedKey)
  }

  return strings.Join(sanitizedKeys, ".")
}

func (self *StatsSet) AddStat(key string, time float64, value float64){
  // Add a stat value
  s := Stat{}
  s.Key = self.SanitizeName([]string{key})
  s.Timestamp = int64(time)
  s.Value = fmt.Sprintf("%.1f", value)
  self.Data = append(self.Data, s)
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Textile Performance Guidelines (USA Only)
Posted8th July 2009
CategoryProduct Comments
Comments1 Comment
ACT is the acronym for Association for Contract Textiles, which is a not-for-profit trade organization made up primarily of the companies that supply textiles to the contract interior design industry.
The ACT Textile Performance Guidelines
In order to make textile specification easier, ACT member companies adopted a body of popular tests that measure important performance criteria for textiles in the contract interior textiles market. The results of these specific tests are represented by graphic symbols, which are used on ACT-member company textile sampling to indicate that a specific textile performs to contract standards for its recommended application.
The Guidelines are a selection of the numerous tests for textile performance that have been established (and are periodically reviewed) by standards organizations, such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials: www.astm.org) and AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists: www.aatcc.org).
ACT has developed the following voluntary Performance Guidelines to make textile specification easier. The 5 symbols give architects, designers, and end-users a vast amount of performance information in a succinct visual way. Look for these symbols on INSTYLE CONTRACT TEXTILE sampling to assure that the textiles you specify perform to contract standards and pass all applicable testing.
These categories describe a textile's performance features as measured by specified methods under standard laboratory conditions.'
The measurement of a fabric's performance when it is exposed to specific sources of ignition.
ACT Guidelines
California Technical Bulletin #117 Section E – Class 1 (Pass)
Direct Glue Wallcoverings
ASTM E 84-03 (Adhered Mounting Method) – Class A or Class 1
Wrapped Panels and Upholstered Walls
ASTM E 84-03 (Unadhered Mounting Method) – Class A or Class 1
NFPA 701-89 (Small Scale)* – Pass* NFPA 701-99 Test #1 is being phased in at this time, but is not yet cited in all relevant codes. Therefore, the small-scale test remains the ACT standard until further notice.
California Technical Bulletin #117
Section E* – Class 1 (Pass)
The California TB #117 Section E is a test method of the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation. It is a vertical flame test measuring the ease of ignition and the burning rate when a small open flame hits the surface of the test fabric for 1 second. A Class 1 (Pass) rating is assigned if:
1. A 5.0 inch section of the fabric is consumed in 3.5 or more seconds (less than 3.5 seconds is a failure). For raised surface fabric, the minimum burn time is increased to 4.0 seconds.
2. An average char length of less than 6.5 inches or an individual specimen over 7.5 inches.
* For complete technical details about California Bulletin #117 Section E:
http://www.bhfti.ca.gov/techbulletin/117.pdf
ASTM E 84-03* Tunnel Test
The ASTM E-84 test is a test method of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Commonly called the Tunnel Test, this test can be performed under two different methods adhered or non adhered where the only difference is in specimen preparation:
Adhered: The fabric is bonded to either a CA board substitute or gypsum board. This is the prescribed method for wall coverings whose actual use will be adhered .
Non adhered: If the fabric is a panel fabric or upholstered walls, it is tested in a frame without being bonded to any other material.
In each instance (adhered and non adhered), the fabric is placed in the ceiling of the test tunnel and subjected at one end to a high intensity flame which spreads over the first 4.5 feet of the 24 foot test specimen.
The distance of flame front progression and total burning time are used to calculate a flame spread index. Smoke monitors are used to calculate a smoke developed value. The flame spread index and smoke developed value are calculated from the results of the test fabric compared to the characteristics of cement board and red oak materials resulting in the indexes.
Typically, the code classes are as follows:
Class A: Flame Spread Index of 25 or less and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less
Class B: Flame Spread Index of 26 to 75 and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less
Class C: Flame Spread Index of 76 to 200 and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less
Caution: The ASTM E 84 test is only valid if the textile or vinyl wall covering is used in a sprinklered occupancy. If not, the Room Corner Test (NFPA 265 for textiles; and NFPA 286 for vinyl) is mandated in many jurisdictions.
* For complete technical details about ASTM E 84-03: http://www.astm.org
NFPA 701-89 (Small Scale)*
The NFPA 701-89 (Small Scale) is a test method of the National Fire Protection Agency. It measures the ignition resistance of a fabric after it is exposed to a flame for 12 seconds. The flame, char length and flaming residue are recorded. The fabric will pass the test if all samples meet the following criteria (if one sample fails the fabric fails):
1) an after flame of less then 2.0 seconds
2) a char length of less then 6.5
3) the specimen does not continue to flame after reaching the floor of the test chamber
Note: NFPA 701-99 Test #1 is being phased in at this time, but is not yet cited in all relevant codes. Therefore, the small-scale test remains the ACT standard until further notice.
* For complete technical details about NFPA 701: http://www.nfpa.org
Revised October 2003
Wet & Dry Crocking
AATCC 8-2001
Dry Crocking, Grade 4 minimum.
Wet Crocking, Grade 3 minimum.
Direct Glue Wallcovering
Wrapped Panels & Upholstered Walls
AATCC 8-2001 (Solids)
AATCC 16-2001 (Prints)
AATCC 8-2001*
The AATCC 8-2001 is a test method of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). This method uses a standard white cotton fabric that is rubbed against the surface of the test fabric. To test for wet crocking the standard fabric is wet before rubbing against the test fabric. After rubbing under controlled pressure for a specific number of times the amount of color transferred to the white test squares is compared to an AATCC color chart and a rating is established.
Grade 5 = no color transfer
Grade 1 = high degree of color transfer
* For complete technical details about AATCC 8: http://www.aatcc.org
AATCC 116-2001*
The AATCC 116-2001 is a test method of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). This test is specifically used for printed fabrics that do not lend themselves to the AATCC 8-2001 method. The test fabric is held at the base of a Rotary Vertical Crockmeter and rubbed with a standard cotton white fabric either dry or wet. After rubbing under controlled pressure for a specific number of times the amount of color transferred to the white test squares is compared to an AATCC color chart and a rating is established.
* For complete technical details about AATCC 116: http://www.aatcc.org
AATCC 16 Option 1 or 3-2003 Grade 4 minimum at 40 hours
AATCC 16 Option 1 or 3 – 2003*
The AATCC 16 Option 1 and 3 are test methods of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). ACT recognizes both methods where the only difference is the light source being used. In AATCC 16 Option 1 a Carbon-Arc lamp is used as the light source and in AATCC 16 Option 3 a Xenon-Arc lamp is used. Under both methods a strip of fabric (part of which is protected by a special paper card) is placed in a fadometer and exposed to 40 hours of accelerated fading units (AFU). After the exposure the difference in color between the exposed and protected parts of the fabric are compared to the AATCC gray scale and the degree of fading is rated.
Grade 5 = no fading
Grade 4 = slight fading
Grade 1 = high degree of fading
* For complete technical details about AATCC 16 Option 1 or 3 – 2003: http://www.aatcc.org
Physical property tests include: Brush Pill, Breaking Strength and Seam Slippage. Pilling is the formation of fuzzy balls of fiber on the surface of a fabric that remain attached to the fabric. Breaking strength is the measurement of stress exerted to pull a fabric apart under tension. Seam Slippage is the movement of yarns in a fabric that occurs when it is pulled apart at a seam.
Brush pill
ASTM D3511-02, Class 3 minimum
ASTM D5034-95 (2001) (Grab Test)
50 lbs. minimum in warp and weft
ASTM D3597-02-D434-95
for fabrics under 6 oz./sq. yard
for fabrics over 6 oz./sq. yard
ASTM D3511-02*
The ASTM D3511-02 is a test method of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). This test utilizes nylon bristles to rub the surface of the test fabric for a specific amount of time. The number of pill balls are counted and given a 1 – 5 rating.
Class 5 = no pilling
Class 1 = severe pilling
* For complete technical details about ASTM D3511: http://www.astm.org
ASTM D5034-95 (2001) (Grab Test)*
The ASTM D5034-95 (2001) (Grab Test) is a test method of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). To evaluate, the fabric being tested is put into a machine that grips the fabric with two clamps. One clamp is stationary and the other moves away applying tension until the fabric breaks or ruptures. This test is performed in both the warp and weft directions. The number of pounds required to cause a fabric to break or rupture determines the rating.
* For complete technical details about ASTM D5034-95 (2001) (Grab Test): http://www.astm.org
ASTM D3597-02-D434-95*
The ASTM D3597-02-D434 is a test method of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). To measure a fabric's ability to resist seam slippage, a seam is sewn in the test fabric using a standard thread, specific seam allowance and specific number of stitches per inch. The sewn fabric is then clamped at opposing side of the seam. One clamp is moved away from the other applying tension at the sewn seam. This test is performed in both the warp and filling directions. The tension is increased until the seam separates to a specific distance. The number of pounds required to cause separation due to yarn slippage determines the rating.
* For complete technical details about ASTM D3597-02-D434-95: http://www.astm.org
General Contract Upholstery
ASTM D4157-02 (ACT approved #10 Cotton Duck)
ASTM D4966-98 (12 KPa pressure)
End use examples of heavy-duty installations where upholstery fabrics rated at 30,000 double rubs should be appropriate are single shift corporate, hotel rooms/suites, conference rooms and dining area usage.
ACT acknowledges that there are extreme wear situations that may require higher levels of abrasion resistance. End use examples that may require higher than 30,000 double rubs include: 24 hours transportation terminals, 24 hour telemarketing, 24 hour healthcare emergency rooms, 24 hour casino gambling areas, and such public gathering places as theatres, stadiums, lecture halls and fast food restaurants.
It is strongly suggested that double rubs exceeding 100,000 are not meaningful in providing additional value in use. Higher abrasion resistance does not necessarily indicate a significant extension of the service life of the fabric.
The Wyzenbeek and Martindale tests are the two methods commonly used to predict wear-ability. Actual performance is determined by many factors such as fiber content, weaves, finishes, furniture design, maintenance, cleaning, and usage. Durability of an upholstery fabric is a complex interaction (combination) of a number of performance tests that, in addition to abrasion, includes seam slippage, pilling, tensile strength, and usage.
There is no correlation between the Wyzenbeek and Martindale tests so it is not possible to estimate the number of cycles that would be achieved on one test if the results from the other test were known.
ASTM D4157-02**
Oscillatory Cylinder (Wyzenbeek)
The ASTM D4157-02 is a test of the American Society of Testing and Materials. A Wyzenbeek machine is used for this test allowing samples of the test fabric to be pulled tight in a frame and held stationary. Individual test specimens cut from the warp and weft direction are then rubbed back and forth using an ACT approved #10 cotton duck fabric* as the abradant. The number of double rub cycles achieved before two yarn breaks occur or noticeable wear is observed is recorded as the fabric s abrasion rating.
** For complete technical details about ASTM D4157-02: http://www.astm.org
* The wire screen abradant is recommended by ACT for use with vinyl and polyurethane coated upholstery and may also be used for testing 100% olefin fabrics.
ASTM D4966-98* Martindale
The ASTM D4966-98 is a test method of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). This is an oscillating test. Fabric samples are mounted flat and rubbed in a figure eight like motion using a piece of worsted wool cloth as the abradant. The number of cycles that the fabric can endure before fabric shows objectionable change in appearance (yarn breaks, pilling, holes) is counted. Number of cycles determines abrasion rating.
Source: Association for Contract Textiles
How to Clean Mohair Velvet
How to maintain and clean mohair velvets. Mohair velvet can be notoriously difficult to clean. If you are…
Usage of Linen Velvet
KOTHEA was asked what linen velvet fabric could be used for. A: General uses. Upholstery, curtains, cushions. The…
Faux Leather Upholstery
Faux Leather offers a great alterantive to leather. With Martindale rubs of over 100,000 KOTHEA recommends this is a very safe choice for high use contract areas.
Faux Leather on doors and walls
Faux Leather covered wall and doors sounds great. KOTHEA look at some of the tecnical issues involved.


text:
ABC MD warns of job losses and content cuts
ABC could face $84m budget cut
"Our options are not great," says MD
Content cuts and staff losses likely
ABC faces two budget scenarios for future strategy plans
ABC managing director and editor in chief David Anderson is preparing for two different budget outcomes, with the result of the upcoming Australian federal elections to determine which is used by the public service broadcaster.
He said: "If the Coalition is returned we have an $84 million budget reduction over the next three years and having been through a number of budget reductions to this point, I don't see how we can avoid staff cuts and disruption to our content. It is inevitable."
Speaking in his first interview since securing the position last Friday, Anderson said: "Our options are not great, they're not in keeping with what we are trying to achieve, that is to be independent, innovation and invaluable over the coming years."
He told Radio National reporter Patricia Karvelas his first priority is to establish a new leadership team and continue to deliver independent and fierce journalism.
Anderson refused to speculate on whether the cuts would come from the front or back end of the organisation, he added: "We have looked across the board at similar scenarios…all options involve staff and services."
While the two budget scenarios are neither ideal for the public broadcasters, Anderson explained the Labor government has promised to pause the indexation.
Anderson said: "If the indexation is reversed that is obviously a lot better for us but we will still be looking to make efficiencies."
"The indexation is not enough to cover the rising costs and at the ABC and we are always looking for efficiencies."
Anderson has gone on the record in Parliament to push the case for the ABC to receive more funding and specifically the $84 million indexation is not financially enough to cover the rising costs to the broadcaster.
ABC's David Anderson and ABC chair Ita Buttrose
He said: "It's the size of what we are going to have to do and efficiencies aren't about not performing."
A five year funding cycle has been proposed by Anderson, in an attempt to separate the ABC from the three-year political cycle.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Anderson sent a letter to all ABC staff yesterday, he promised he would advance the case for funding and attempt to increase investment for its content and technology.
It said: "I give you this commitment: I will be a passionate champion for the ABC.
"I will work with stakeholders, policy makers and the creative sector to find creative responses to the thorny problems that affect our industry: the lack of a local content framework, the dearth of innovation, the hollowing out of regional media."
Anderson began his career at the ABC in 1989 and has worked his way into senior management, acting for the last seven months as interim managing director succeeding Michelle Guthrie.
In his previous role, Anderson was responsible for the TV networks including ABC TV, ABC Kids, ABC Comedy and ABC ME as well as its catch-up platform iview and the radio music networks.
He previously served as director of TV, director of digital networks and director of strategy and planning.
He told Karvelas he is a passionate champion for the independent and innovative national broadcaster but recognised the ABC needs to do more to look and sound like contemporary Australia and beyond the election that is his immediate priority.
Guthrie was fired halfway through her five-year term last September by the directors after they decided her decisions did not have the broadcaster's best interests at the forefront.
Anderson worked with Guthrie on its new content strategy role where he said its mission continues to empower teams to deliver objective journalism.
Under Guthrie, the ABC collapsed the tier based strategy and introduced a regional and geographical genre based structure.
Anderson said: "There has been a lot of success to the content reorganisation but there are some areas which have not worked.
"We got it 80% right and we are doing a formal review now."
Anderson said removing the overlapping of content and uniting teams together under a single editorial manager would be key and links to the budget restrictions.
He concluded the "silver lining" to the recent criticism and management reshuffle is the public support and the importance of a public broadcaster to contribute to a functioning democratic society.
Read more Broadcasters remain most trusted, says EBU report


Caddick Construction, the family-run Yorkshire-based construction company, are aiming to become a single-use plastic free workforce, by shifting to reusable water bottles across the company.
The construction firm is giving reusable 500ml aluminium drinks bottles to all of its employees, as well as removing all plastic cups next to water coolers. It will also be encouraging sub-contractors on its sites to similarly focus on reducing plastic waste.
This move comes as the government is weighing up a number of initiatives to reduce the use of single-use plastics, and as public awareness of the issue has increased. In January, the Environmental Audit Committee found that the UK throws away 2.5 billion plastic cups every year. The country also uses over 3 billion plastic bottles a year, with 40% of those ending up in landfill.
Staying hydrated and focused is especially important in construction, and Caddick Construction wants to ensure that its whole workforce can replenish fluids throughout the day whilst supporting a sustainable environmental model for the entire industry.


RP Dwivedi, Bharat Shah, held on charges of corrupt practices were remanded to judicial custody till April 4, by a special court.
RP Dwivedi, deputy legal advisor of CBI and a financial consultant Bharat Shah, held on charges of corrupt practices following raids on their premises, were on Thursday remanded to judicial custody till April four by a special court.
Co-accused, BS Prabhu, a constable in anti-corruption branch, was remanded to police custody till March 27.
Dwivedi's lawyer urged for judicial custody saying the accused was a cancer patient. The prosecution did not object, following which the court remanded him to judicial custody.
CBI had registered a case against the trio under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) early this month.
After registering the case, the CBI carried out searches at places including two offices of Dwivedi, his home, residential and official premises of Prabhu and Shah.
The CBI claimed to have recovered documents showing investments of Rs 31.34 lakh in shares and post office and a bank balance of Rs three lakh from Dwivedi, who was placed under arrest after he failed to explain the sources of the wealth.
The official premises of the office superintendent of the designated CBI court in Mumbai was also searched.
Dwivedi had been working with the CBI since 1987. He and co-accused have been charged with taking bribes to weaken the CBI cases and help arrested persons in getting bail from the courts.


text:
Veranstaltungen & Ausstellungen
Besucher Bewertungen
Die Uffizien entdecken
Die Kunstwerke
Die Säle
Neuen Säle
Andere Museen
Bargello Museum
Galleria Accademia
Palatina Galerie
Medici Kapelle
San Marco Museum
Opificio delle Pietre Dure
Museo Galileo
Eine Geführte Tour buchen
Geboren: January 11, 1503 - Gestorben: August 24, 1540 Standort: Saal Parmigiano,
Parmigianino is an acclaimed painter of the Italian Mannerists, who also worked in printmaking and Alchemy later in life. Born Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, he retained his artistic name from his birthplace of Parma, Italy. Taken under the care of his uncles, Michele and Pier Ilario, he learned painting from them at a young age. Parmigianino collaborated with them and even completed commissions his uncles did not fulfill later in life.
In just his early twenties, Parmigianino had already executed frescos in the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Parma. He was a daring artist who liked to experiment with unorthodox compositions, but also praised for his archetypal mannerism, as Giorgio Vasari noted, he was "celebrated as a Raphael reborn." A fitting piece that displays this young talent is his Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror. The round portrait shows the young artist, barely over twenty years of age, in a wonderfully angelic self-depiction, executed with exquisite attention to the effects of the mirror.
His other famous work of unconventional methods is the Madonna and Child with Angels, painted after 1534, which now hangs in the Uffizi Gallery. The piece became known as the Madonna dal Collo Lungo, or Madonna with the Long Neck, because of the unusual, yet elegant, depiction of the virgin. It shows that Parmigianino was an artist who strove towards a sophisticated style, willing to break from convention, while still executing a masterful technique. It is sometimes said that Parmigianino had dug the roots, among other daring artists, for what would be called modern art centuries later.
His earlier work showed indications of this elegant, expressive style, which in many ways was the quintessence of Mannerism. This is seen in his altarpiece painted for the church of San Salvatore in Lauro, Rome, The Vision of Saint Jerome. This was about the time many in Rome had seen Parmigianino as an incarnation of Raphael, as claimed by Vasari. Along with Raphael and other artists such as Pontormo (1494 – 1557) and Rosso Fiorentino (1494 – 1540), Parmigianino was an artist whose exaggerated forms and unnatural features became known as anti classical mannerism.
The artist himself was influenced greatly by another painter who strove for something different in his work, Correggio (1489 – 1534). The two had actually meet in San Giovanni, while both working on frescos. Parmigianino also worked in Bologna and Rome. The artist painted several religious works, which have landscape backgrounds of unusual, yet beautiful, features. His also painted some erotic works, such as Cupid Carving his Bow, and was a well respected portrait painter. His etchings and woodcuts, especially of his own work were noted as some of the finest in Italy.
In his later years, he became quite taken with the study of Alchemy, which even caused a breach of contract on a commission, imprisoning him for some time. Some scholars say he became sidetracked by Alchemy in search of evolving his etching into new mediums.
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The U.S. Decennial Census
Decennial Census Overview
A guide to the U.S. Census that is done every 10 years (Decennial)
Why Take a Census?
How has the U.S. Census changed over the years?
Publications About the History of the Census
Census Geography
Census Questions
Decennial Census vs. ACS
Historical Census Data
What is the Decennial Census?
The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years.
Why is the Decennial Census Important?
The data collected by the decennial census is used to:
determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives
distribute billions in federal funds for education, transportation, social services, etc., to local communities.
View the video "The Census in the Constitution."
View the video "How Do We Know About Our Nation?"
Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790-2000
The History and Growth of the United States Census, 1790-1890
The Story of the Census, 1790-1916
Next: Census Geography >>
Last Updated: Aug 14, 2019 3:43 PM
URL: https://guides.stetson.edu/decennialcensus
Subjects: Africana Studies, American Studies, Government Information, History, Statistics
Tags: demographics, government information, u.s. census bureau


text:
Web24 News
Home Breaking News "We are pleased with the lack of visible impact of the deconfinement...
"We are pleased with the lack of visible impact of the deconfinement measures"
Yves Van Laethem reacted to the encouraging figures of this Saturday.
Yves Van Laethem, infectious disease specialist: "We are pleased with the lack of visible impact of the deconfinement measures"
The figures released by Sciensano on Saturday are reassuring: 34 new hospitalizations for people suffering from coronavirus were recorded in 24 hours, while 32 people were discharged from the hospital. The trend for new hospitalizations is currently decreasing by 2 to 8% per day. There are also 25 new deaths, with a downward trend of 7 to 9% per day.
The number of people hospitalized in intensive care is 259, a decrease of 9 units in 24 hours. The trend for intensive care patients is down 5% per day. Among them are 149 patients requiring respiratory assistance. A total of 1,388 patients are currently hospitalized.
Yves Van Laethem's reaction
Yves Van Laethem, inter-federal spokesperson, is satisfied with this assessment. He expressed himself on the RTBF microphone: "We are happy with the development, we are happy with the lack of visible impact of the deconfinement measures, because that means that the Belgians have observed what 'we told them so that there is no rebound, rejoices the expert. Now, as long as we are not on the track, we have not arrived at our destination. "
"We still have days to go before we measure the impact of May 18 and 11. We still have other phases ahead of us before returning to normal life. Until all of this has happened, the second wave can still happen. "
Previous articleFor WHO, the new epicenter of the coronavirus is in South America
Next articleLouise Monot and Samir Boitard … These actors as a couple in the city as on the screen (PHOTOS)
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"You have not seen anything yet !"
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As an Internet user, it is essential to secure your identity. So, here I have shared some best VPN for Android 2018 to stay anonymous from the online world. Android users are increasing day by day all over the world. Every day we are searching lots of things using the Internet. A lot of work is done on the Internet like online transaction, downloading movies and music, sharing personal details by a sign in into different websites, watching videos on YouTube etc. But sharing our personal details on the internet is very risky. The online world is filled with threats to our security and privacy. Hackers and snoopers are always ready with the wrong intention to found a chance to steal our sensitive data. But we are lucky that we have an easier way to overcome the risk which is associated with the online work, the name of that way is VPN. It is available for both computer and smartphone. You can easily use best VPN for Android smartphone to hide your identity. I have also shared an article to bypass Cyberoam on Android phone.
3 Which Android VPN App You should use?
The full form of VPN is Virtual Private Network. VPN is a method used to add security and privacy to a public network (internet) and private network (Wi-Fi). VPNs are an excellent way to secure your network and protect your information. VPN service is mostly used by the online entrepreneurs, businesses and corporation to protect their data from the unauthorized user. VPN keep all the data secure. The naive user can also use personal VPN apps to protect privacy and security while browsing on the internet. The main advantage of using best VPN apps for android devices is that it is helpful in unblocking the blocked website, which means we can easily access the website which is blocked in our region or in our country.
Android devices face greater risks now a day because of the increasing cyber attacks. Best VPN for Android is very powerful and popular tool to safeguard our identity over the Internet and protect us from the hackers. But there is always a little bit confusion at the time of choosing the VPN apps that which will be best compatible with your device.
Here I am providing you a list of free and paid 10 best VPN apps for Android which will surely help you at the time of installing or purchasing VPN apps. So let's start with first five best free VPN apps for Android.
OpenVPN Connect is a free open source software application for Android devices, which means everyone can use it freely and it is available on the play store. This app implements VPN techniques for creating a secure connection over the internet and it uses SSL library to provide encryption of both the data and control channels to keep your browsing safe and secure. It is the best free VPN app for Android to protect your internet identity from the snoopers and can do transactions more securely.
Hola free VPN is one more best free android VPN app that allows you to access previously blocked websites and contents. It enables users to browse the web faster, privately, freely and more securely. Hola is distributed as a client-side browser-based application. It is available for all major browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera mini etc. Hola can also be installed as an app on Android device.
SuperVPN is completely free VPN for Android user to surf the web while connected to a public Wi-Fi. It secures your precious data by covering it in a thick protective layer of 128-bit encryption. It is very easy to use and required no registration and you do not need to root your android device to take the full advantage of using this app. It helps you to protect your privacy and keep you safe from 3rd party tracking. This app enables you to unblock geographically restricted websites so that you can easily access the blocked websites and its contents. It is another best VPN for Android free download.
Supernet is free and fast VPN app for Android that allows you to browse anonymously and it hide your IP and protect online activity and secure data on your device from the hackers and snoopers. It is free, unlimited, fast and easy to use and requires no registration. It is very easy to install and can be easily activated by clicking on the shield which will be shown in your browser. This app will encrypt all your personal data when you are using the web and allow you to bank securely, send e-mail privately and many more.
CyberGhost VPN is a personal VPN app for Android that provides free services for android users using the 256 bit AES encryption. It is the best VPN for Android phones and tablets. It is also easy to use and hides your online activity from the hackers and keeps your identity secret online. Just like all other free version VPN apps, CyberGhost app also not requires their device to be rooted and requires no complex configuration, the app is ready to go as soon as it is installed on an Android device. This app is compatible with various devices and operating system. It is compatible with an operating system like Linux, Android, Windows, iOS etc.
All the above mention details are of free best VPN for Android 2018. Now let's gain some knowledge about the rest five best paid VPN apps for Android.
SurfEasy VPN is fast, reliable and one of the lowest price apps among other paid version of VPN apps. It offers the strongest encryption of 256-bit that protects your personal data and encrypts all of your transmissions. This app allows you to browse anonymously and access blocked websites from anywhere in the world. It offers free privacy protection for up to 500 MB of data for each month, however, you can increase your free data by more than 1 GB by rating the app on play store and by referring friends. Instead of free version if you want to use premium (paid) version then you will get unlimited data.
VYPR VPN is provided by Golden Frog Company that secures your web traffic and does not share your data with anyone. It is one of the best VPN for Android 2018. This app uses a 256-bit encryption that always monitors your device and to prevent attacks from happening VYPR VPN lets your data pass through an encrypted channel, all the packets travel through a protected tunnel between your device and the VPN's servers. The free version of this VPN app provides you 500MB data per month; it can also be extended up to 2 GB by inviting friends. Basic VYPR VPN comes with a price tag of $9.99 per month and it offers unlimited data usage.
Express VPN is very popular and one of the most trusted secure brands VPN service that offers VPN connections that are fast, secure and reliable. It is the another best VPN for Android devices. It uses a 256-bit encryption that supports SSL technology to send and receive data safely over the internet. It has over 1000 servers across 78 countries worldwide. It does not offer a free trial like other VPN's does. It comes with a price tag of $12.95 per month and delivers unlimited bandwidth and speed.
TunnelBear VPN is easier and user-friendly software that offers security at a great price and knows as the best Android VPN app. This app also allows you to unblock websites that might be blocked due to the firewall. It provides 256-bit OpenVPN connection that will hide your IP address so that you are able to browse the web without being tracked. The best thing about this app is its simple pricing plan. It offers free plan services with limited bandwidth. You can also use paid version of this app which comes with a price tag of $5 per month which gives unlimited bandwidth.
PureVPN offers outstanding features at the amazingly low price range. Pure VPN allows you to access more than 500+ servers in 140+ countries worldwide. It provides easy to install the application on your device to connect all VPN servers with just one click. Pure VPN supports PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and OpenVPN tunneling protocol so that you can take advantage of the highly secured data encryption and complex protocol which will protect you from cyber criminal and data thieves. Its package plan starting from $4.16 per month which offers you unlimited VPN for Android and unblock the blocked website so you can browse through all your favorite websites.
Which Android VPN App You should use?
This is the list of best VPN for Android devices. If you are confused among the best free VPN for Android or the paid ones, then first think about your usability. If you are using your smartphone for the daily online transaction, the paid VPN apps are better for you. Otherwise, you can go with the free VPN apps.
No doubt that purevpn is the best. You should have to move it up.
I found PureVPN to be the best, both easy to use and fastest. I have used it to stream BBC iPlayer and Hulu.
I'm using PIA (private Internet Access) and it also good. One of the best imho.


text:
require "webrat/core/locators/locator"

module Webrat
  module Locators

    class ButtonLocator < Locator # :nodoc:

      def locate
        ButtonField.load(@session, button_element)
      end

      def button_element
        button_elements.detect do |element|
          @value.nil?             ||
          matches_id?(element)    ||
          matches_value?(element) ||
          matches_html?(element)  ||
          matches_alt?(element)
        end
      end

      def matches_id?(element)
        (@value.is_a?(Regexp) && element["id"] =~ @value) ||
        (!@value.is_a?(Regexp) && element["id"] == @value.to_s)
      end

      def matches_value?(element)
        element["value"] =~ /^\W*#{Regexp.escape(@value.to_s)}/i
      end

      def matches_html?(element)
        element.inner_html =~ /#{Regexp.escape(@value.to_s)}/i
      end

      def matches_alt?(element)
        element["alt"] =~ /^\W*#{Regexp.escape(@value.to_s)}/i
      end

      def button_elements
        @dom.xpath(*ButtonField.xpath_search)
      end

      def error_message
        "Could not find button #{@value.inspect}"
      end

    end

    def find_button(value) #:nodoc:
      ButtonLocator.new(@session, dom, value).locate!
    end

  end
end


> users etc. But block logins to the particular user id.
>>> But wouldn't your brute hacker then also block genuine access?
>> specific IP addresses after X attempts.
>>>> But why should this matter?
>>>> block logins to that user after say 10 attempts for half an hour.
>>>> How long would it take to brute force then?


text:
from functools import wraps

from flask import abort
from flask_login import current_user

def admin_required(f):
    @wraps(f)
    def decorated_function(*args, **kwargs):
        if not current_user.is_admin():
            abort(403)
        return f(*args, **kwargs)
    return decorated_function


With some of the longest, most scenic groomed trails in the nation, Montana offers the perfect destination for snowmobilers.
of groomed trails. This impressive network is the result of years of hard work and dedication on the part of the Montana Snowmobile Association (MSA), a group of individuals, snowmobile clubs and businesses dedicated to ensuring that snowmobiling in Montana remains a fun, safe and enriching experience for everyone.
MSA volunteers educate other riders about safety, outdoor survival and avalanche awareness. Others host fun rides, charity rides and special events throughout the season. In short, these snowmobile enthusiasts work hard so snowmobilers can play hard! So explore our snowy mountains and meadows, backcountry lakes, steaming hot springs and legendary ghost towns. Or catch a glimpse of Montana's varied wildlife… at a distance, please.
The Montana snowmobiling season is from mid-December to April, with some variation, of course, due to yearly snow fluctuations and location. Snow conditions are powdery early in the season, with hardpack developing as the season progresses. Temperatures vary widely, but generally average in the 20s to 30s range, although it's common for the mercury to dip below zero. Snow depths range from one to three feet at lower elevations and from six to 15 feet in the mountains. Snowmobiles on public land must be registered and display a decal. Snowmobiles currently registered in other states are not required to display a Montana registration decal. For snowmobiles not currently registered, a non-resident, temporary-use permit is required and can be obtained by calling Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department headquarters at (406) 444-2535.
Snowmobilers riding on plowed streets that are open to snowmobile traffic must have a driver's license or possess a snowmobile safety certificate and travel with an adult.


text:
Maryland Solar Action Team wraps up first successful legislative session
By Lauren Barchi on May 10, 2019
As Solar United Neighbors continues to grow the solar movement in Maryland, we are continuing to grow our advocacy work, which now includes our Solar Action Team. During the 2019 legislative session, the team successfully pushed for a clean and equitable energy system in Maryland that directs control and benefits back to local communities, with solar on every roof and money in every pocket.
The team's first primary legislative focus this year was helping to pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which will increase renewable energy production in Maryland to 50% by 2030 and increase local solar power by 600%. This work included contacting key legislators by phone and email, supporting and participating in rallies, and a lobby day in early in the session. The bill eventually passed in a dramatic fashion on the last day of the legislative session, and is now waiting to be signed by Governor Larry Hogan.
John McNamara was a member of the 2016 Montgomery County Solar Co-op before joining the Maryland Solar Action Team. He commented on our lobby day, stating: "I went to my first info session with Solar United Neighbors of Maryland thinking I would learn about reducing my carbon footprint. I did, but more intriguingly, it was the best FINANCIAL advice I'd gotten in a long time," McNamara said. "My solar panels generate a better return than the rest of my retirement portfolio. I'd like us to tell that story more, maybe to professional financial planners, who would then recommend it to their clients."
It's comments like this that help us explain to legislators and Maryland citizens just how important solar power is and just how helpful it can be to both our state's residents and its environment.
The Maryland Solar Action Team is led by our most active volunteers and Maryland Program Director Lauren Barchi with support from our national policy and communications staff. Through online and in-person outreach, we continue to encourage Solar United Neighbors of Maryland members and supporters to join the team. Ultimately, the team seeks to empower its members to be strong solar advocates in their communities and throughout the state.
One of the Maryland Solar Action Team's long-term goals is to increase the number of solar supporters in the state who are motivated to engage with their elected and appointed officials via email, phone, in-person meetings, public hearing testimonies, direct lobbying, and any other channel we can use to get our message through. A large part of this initiative is training our Solar Action Team members how to be confident in their work and messaging. The team engages solar homeowner advocates on priority legislative and regulatory issues both at the state and local levels.
Through the Maryland Solar Action Team program, we aim to build a more powerful grassroots network of empowered solar advocates across our state and provide a model for the Solar United Neighbors network in other states.
If you are interested in joining the Maryland Solar Action Team, please e-mail Lauren Barchi at [email protected].
Posted in: Energy democracy, Go solar, Join together, Maryland, Solar United Neighbors
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The Action Team will be led by active volunteers and our Maryland Program Director Lauren Barchi, who will empower its members to be strong solar advocates in their communities throughout the state.


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