Earlier, I shared an article on the best video players for Android, and almost all video players provide gesture control to adjust the controls quickly. Today I am going to show you how to get volume and brightness gesture in YouTube app for Android because the official YouTube app doesn't have gesture controls. Therefore, you need to do it manually in order to adjust the volume and brightness. Brightness control is available on the notification panel and for volume, you have to press the volume keys. I always wanted a feature on YouTube that I could adjust the brightness and volume by simply swiping on the screen as the other video players.
A gesture is a form of non-vocal communication which includes movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body to express something. Different apps on Android smartphone also work like this. You should check our list of innovative launchers to control your smartphone's activities with various gestures.
There are many apps on Play Store that can give you gesture controls on YouTube app for Android. But, they might affect system-wide. So, you need an app which can do the job but don't affect other parts of your system.
To get this on your smartphone, the first thing you'll need to do is install AppListo's Touch Controls for YouTube app. It is available in both free and paid versions. This app allows you to install touch controls on the official YouTube app.
Once you have installed the app on your smartphone, open it to configure some initial settings.
On a popup, you'll be asked to turn on the Accessibility Settings for the app.
Accessibility will track the details while playing a video on YouTube. So, turn it on.
Now, you are ready to use gesture in YouTube app for Android.
The free version has fewer customization settings. You can change the swipe sensitivity for the volume and brightness gestures, and also can display percentages instead of the regular increments. The pro version requires $1.5 (Rs.100) to unlock other gesture options.
The gestures only work in the full-screen mode, but that's where this feature comes handier. The left half controls the brightness, and the right half controls the volume. Just swipe up or down on the left or right portion to control brightness and volume respectively.
The free version shows a semi-transparent layer while controlling YouTube app via gesture. The free version of the app may annoy you. But, the full version is worth the buy which has advanced label of gestures and settings, like auto brightness, pause/start, tap to play and 360-degree video detection, etc.
This is how you can get volume and brightness gesture in YouTube app for Android. If you are very often like to watch online videos, then you should buy this app for advanced features. Well, if you find this tutorial interesting then don't forget to share with your friends.


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A Novel Compact Fractal UWB Antenna with Triple Reconfigurable Notch Reject Bands Applications.pdf (1.91 MB)
A novel compact fractal UWB antenna with triple reconfigurable notch reject bands applications
posted on 29.01.2019, 10:28 by Amir H. Nazeri, Abolfazl Falahati, Robert EdwardsRobert Edwards
A compact, circular UWB fractal antenna with triple reconfigurable notch rejection bands is proposed. It rejects the crowded frequency bands WiMAX, WLAN and X band interferences produced in UWB communication systems. The proposed fractal structure consists of a basic circular patch with circular fractal iterations. By employing this new structure of fractals, the overall size of antenna is reduced 53% to 21 × 25 mm, in comparison with traditional circular monopole antenna. The implemented antenna operates at 3.1–10 GHz. Re-configurability is realized by designing slots and split ring resonators in desired frequencies with the attached PIN diodes. WLAN band rejection was realized by creating a pair of optimized L-shaped slots in the ground plane. By etching a split ring resonator and a U-shaped slot, X and WiMAX bands were also rejected. Furthermore, by attaching diodes to aforementioned slots and designating the diodes on/off, different bands can be included or rejected. In time domain, the antenna properties are evaluated by a figure of merit called fidelity factor. Finally, the antenna properties are measured in anechoic chamber and the results agrees with simulation findings.
AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications
NAZERI, A.H., FALAHATI, A. and EDWARDS, R.M., 2019. A novel compact fractal UWB antenna with triple reconfigurable notch reject bands applications. AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications, 101, pp.1-8.
© Elsevier
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeue.2019.01.018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeue.2019.01.018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The release date of two of Ajay Devgn's forthcoming movies have been announced. Bhuj: The Pride of India, starring Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Parineeti Chopra, Rana Daggubati and Ammy Virk along with Devgn, has been booked for the Independence Day weekend next year. The film will hit screens on 14 August, 2020. On the other hand, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior has been postponed by 2 weeks. Initially slated for 27 December this year, the historical war film will now release on 10 January, 2020.
Kartik Aaryan, Bhumi Pednekar and Ananya Pandey's romantic comedy Pati Patni Aur Woh also received a release date. Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the remake of the 1978 Sanjaav Kumar classic will open in theatres on 6 December this year.
On the other hand, Anees Bazmee's madcap comedy Pagalpanti, which was supposed to hit the theatres on 6 December, has been pushed ahead by two weeks, and will now release on 22 November. The film boasts of a stellar ensemble cast, which includes Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Ileana D'Cruz, Arshad Warsi, Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda, Urvashi Rautela and Saurabh Shukla, among others.


Copure® HLB sorbent is composed of monodisperse N-vinylpyrrolidone-divinylbenzene copolymer resin particles, with specific mixture of hydrophilic hydrophobic groups, allowing for retention for a wide range of compounds with very high capacity.
HLB can be used as a general-purpose sorbent, especially for extracting analytes from complicated samples such as blood and urine.
The results suggest that recoveries of > 80% are obtained by using Biocomma HLB cartridges to extract the four Quinolones in foods, meeting the criteria of China official method GB/T 21312-2007.


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Home Innovation Security
Americans trust Google more than Apple to keep their data safe
A pungent new survey suggests that Apple may still have some work to do to gain trust. The survey also offers fascinating insights into whether people think the FBI should have an encryption backdoor.
Written by Chris Matyszczyk, Contributing Writer on Dec. 17, 2019
How does the Pixel 7 Pro stack up against the best Android phones?
Google's Pixel 7 cameras focus on 'accessible creativity' with impressive new features
Google makes massive commitment to support more languages using AI
Google announces Nest and Android devices are Matter-enabled
Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro review: Zooming past Samsung
Have you given up?
Do you feel that whatever you do, someone somewhere can sniff their way into your private information and use it for nefarious purposes? Or are you a repository of hope within the international despair?
I only ask because a new survey has descended upon me and rendered me rueful.
It aimed to ask 1,025 representative Americans -- who must have been more interesting than any number of Americans in the House of Representatives -- about security, encryption, and their own personal views and habits.
The questions elicited stimulating answers. For example, when asked where they first learned about encryption, a hearty 17.7% said: "On TV." Were they all watching Mr. Robot?
Then again, they were a piffling crowd when compared to the 18% percent who said they haven't learned about encryption at all.
As with all humans, there were contradictions. 55.5% believed that their data was safe if it was encrypted in the cloud. Oddly, 65.2% agreed that hackers could access confidential data even if it's encrypted.
Perhaps, though, you'll be most moved by the answers to the question: "Which company do you most trust to encrypt your data?"
You might imagine that Apple, with its hearty insistence on privacy and encryption, would be the Miss World of this category.
Instead, it was Google. Followed by Apple? No, it was followed by Amazon, and then Apple.
The numbers, because I know you like them, were 42.6% for Google, 38.3% for Amazon, and a mere 36.7% for Apple.
It's true that Apple's record on encryption hasn't exactly been perfect. Yet CEO Tim Cook has been sterling in his defense of Apple's encryptive penchant and made privacy a key selling point for the iPhone.
It must be a touch galling, therefore, that the greater populace believes that Google has greater privacy instincts than Apple -- the very Google whom Cook regularly excoriates for not having any privacy instincts at all.
This may be linked to these respondents' answer to another question -- as to which companies they believed use encryption at all. Here people claimed that Amazon is most likely to use encryption, followed by Google and Apple.
I should mention that this survey was performed on behalf of hardware security company nCipher. Its previous surveys have offered me a reason to wonder about my fellow Americans. The last of these mused that many IT professionals are deeply concerned about their connected toilets being hacked.
One more enticing snippet, though, emerged from this latest baring of the American soul. The question was this: "Should US law enforcement be able to break encryption to access data (also known as having 'backdoor' access) that may help them solve cases?"
Nearly 27% of these Americans were happy for the authorities to break encryption in all circumstances. Another 26% were happy to allow it only for criminal cases.
Never imagine that -- even if they support the same team, drink in the same bar and follow all the same reality TV stars on Instagram -- your fellow citizen necessarily thinks like you do.
Several of my British friends still won't talk to their parents after last week's Brexit-inspired election.
2019's tech, security, and authentication trends
Flipper Zero: Geeky toy or serious security tool?
How to find and remove spyware from your phone
The best VPN services: How do the top 5 compare?
How to find out if you are involved in a data breach -- and what to do next
The 5 best browsers for privacy: Secure web browsing
The Justice Department wants to break up Google's ad business
Australia, Singapore firms amongst most likely to halt digital transformation due to cyberwarfare risks
Microsoft: We are tracking these 100 active ransomware gangs using 50 types of malware


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New lawsuit claims Warren County sheriff raped teen boy years before previously known allegations
Former Warren County sheriff Edward Bullock appears in court in 2015 for the start of his trial on charges he sexually assaulted a boy in the 1980s. The jury could not reach a verdict and Bullock has since died. But four lawsuits and a civil trial are pending against Warren County for alleged negligence.Sue Beyer | lehighvalleylive.com file photo
Jack Jeffress was a teenage hitchhiker on his way to New York City in 1979 when he says Warren County Undersheriff Edward Bullock picked him up in an official vehicle, brought him back to Bullock's home, drugged him and raped him with another man over before Jeffress was able to escape.
This week, he became the fourth accuser to come forward and sue the county over Bullock's alleged transgressions. Three prior lawsuits in recent years, which are now likely headed to a civil trial, claim officials knew of and ignored the now-dead sheriff's grooming and raping of young boys in the county's custody.
Jeffress's lawsuit was filed Monday in New Jersey Superior Court in Belvidere, where Bullock served as sheriff from 1982 to 1991. It levies four counts against the county, including negligence, and seeks unspecified damages.
Warren County counsel Joe Bell could not comment on the most recent lawsuit because he had not yet seen it. On the others and pending civil trial, however, he said the county will be vindicated.
"This occurred 36 years ago," he said. "There has been no smoking gun to this point" to indicate anyone was aware of wrongdoing.
Former Warren County Sheriff Edward Bullock pleaded guilty to official misconduct in April 1992. He served nine months in jail.lehighvalleylive.com file photo
Bullock died in 2015 at age 86, just a few months after a jury failed to reach a verdict in a criminal case against him. Bullock previously served nine months in jail in the early '90s – he abruptly resigned from office and pleaded guilty to official misconduct after reportedly soliciting sex from an undercover state trooper posing as a 17-year-old boy.
The latest lawsuit differs from the three earlier cases in a few ways.
First, Jeffress used his full name in the lawsuit. He is the first accuser to allow himself to be identified by name. Lehighvalleylive.com typically does not identify victims of sexual assault. But Jeffress, who is now 56 and living in Los Angeles, said he has been and will continue to be publicly outspoken about Bullock through rallies, websites and social media.
Second, it is the earliest accusation against Bullock known so far. The other three lawsuits, all filed between 2013 and 2016, deal with allegations between 1987 and 1989. Bullock would have been an undersheriff at the time that Jeffress says he was raped in August 1979.
Third, Jeffress was not actually in the county's custody. Other victims have said that Bullock used his office and authority to schedule trips with boys being transferred between juvenile facilities. Jeffress says he was a 15-year-old hitching rides from his home in Indiana to New York City when Bullock picked him up in Pennsylvania, as Jeffress sat in front of a building in Easton, just across the river from Bullock's jurisdiction.
The lawsuit says Bullock was wearing his badge and gun, driving an unmarked Warren County vehicle. Bullock allegedly took Jeffress into New Jersey and bought pizza and beer before going to a house in the Phillipsburg area, where Bullock lived. It was there that Jeffress was allegedly drugged and raped by Bullock and another unidentified man over a few days until Jeffress escaped through a bathroom window.
Edward Bullock was Warren County's sheriff from 1982 to 1991. Lawsuits claim the county turned a blind eye toward his alleged sexual abuse of children in the government's care.lehighvalleylive.com file photo
The timing of this case, years before previous allegations, shows the scope of harm that Bullock could have committed, said Hillary Nappi, a New York City attorney representing Jeffress.
"There were probably hundreds of people before the documented cases," Nappi told lehighvalleylive.com. "It's almost like a drug addiction. They just continue to abuse."
"A lot of this conduct doesn't happen in isolation," agreed Phillipsburg-area attorney Brad Russo, who represents the plaintiffs in three other, separate lawsuits, which are nearing civil trial:
The first lawsuit, filed in 2013, claims the victim, identified only as W.M., was a 10-year-old boy who was repeatedly abused and raped at least once in 1987 and '88, including while being transported by the employee to a county-run youth shelter in Oxford Township.
The second suit, filed in 2015, has much of the same claims. That victim, identified as C.C., was 14 and 15 years old and under the county's care during four alleged assaults by the sheriff, the lawsuit says. The alleged assaults include Bullock giving the boy back rubs in his office, and fondling the teen during a transport to the county youth shelter.
A third lawsuit was filed in 2016, just a couple months after Bullock died, claims a young boy in custody, identified as R.M., was "targeted and repeatedly abused" between 1987 and 1989, including "literally dozens of times" while being transported between county facilities. It also says that the boy was abused at Bullock's Lopatcong Township home and at the home of Bullock's friend, identified only as R.C.


Did you know that the remnants of our industrial heritage in Wales are of great value to wildlife? Have a read of this new report by Liam Olds (Colliery Spoil Biodiversity Initiative) on the importance of colliery spoil habitats for invertebrates. It's a very enlightening report and the results will perhaps be surprising to some people.
It is becoming clear that colliery spoil habitats are an important part of Wales' heritage and wildlife and conservationists across the country are now working to preserve these unique habitats.
In some cases, conservation grazing can be an important part of the habitat management. At Bryn Tip in Neath Port Talbot, NPT Wildlife have introduced highland cattle to help manage the habitat there.
If you manage coil spoil habitat and would like to introduce grazing there, get in touch with us for help and advice.
If you have meadow hay available or would like to find meadow hay, add a listing here.
If you have manure available or would like to find manure, add a listing here.


Image Title: Rain Chain Downspout Downspouts Dmr Gutters Pertaining To Plan 2. Post Title: Rain Chain Downspout. Filename: rain-chain-downspout-downspouts-dmr-gutters-pertaining-to-plan-2.jpg. Image Dimension: 1000 x 667 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: Colby Berge. Uploaded Date: Friday - September 14th. 2018 09:27:06 AM. Category: Architecture. Image Source: home-designing.com. Rainchain Network It Kit Chains At Org To Rain Downspout With Regard Spout Drain LTD Regarding Rainchains In Decor Up Pop Exterior And Instead Tile Ideas Chain Modern Down Singing 9. Moderndesign Decorative Plan 2. Dmr Gutter Prepare 19. For Eichler Drains Downspouts Lovely TN Within Discounted Buy Prices Week 3. Gutters 4. Updates Expressions Remodel 15. Garden 8. Direct The Throughout Of Sounds Bet Nashville Thing Design Alternatives Pertaining 1. 13. By 5.


Game day at home can be hectic, what with everyone jumping up and down and food and drinks flying everywhere. Protect your furniture from spills and stains while rooting for your team with this NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Sofa Protector. Displayed with the logo and name in team colors, they are a great way to show pride in your team and your decor. Reverse side features solid gold color and trim for use in off seasons. Machine Washable Polyester. Fits most sofas up to 96" wide.


2019 Audi Q1 Design, Release Date, Price – An additional new SUV emanates from the German firm Audi, the Audi Q1 2019. the most recent version receives lots of extensions and enhancements and expectations that the smaller sized quite the Q-range house is smaller sized and engaging to SUV supporters is lighter because the forerunner, which will increase the performance and fuel economy. This new model is foreseen being one in every of the foremost essential marketplace competitors among its category.
Yet another new SUV emanates from the German company Audi, the 2019 Audi Q1. The new model is given a full heap of extensions, and changes and expectations that the tiny model of the Q-series blue-eyed ones is tiny and enticing to SUV enthusiasts ar less serious As its precursor, which might increase the performance and energy economy. This new model is meant to be one in every of the foremost vital market competitors in its category.
The exterior of the new Audi 2019 Q1 can possible be obvious and stylish, is probably going to be the front aspect of the automotive very like the Q5 and therefore the grille newspaper, during which you'll be able to have all the known symptoms of the corporate, the front aspect fender can most likely be intense and should assist one much more gorgeous look of the front lights, we tend to receive modern-day LED systems we tend to. The rear of the new Audi Q1 2019 is additionally re-designed; thus it's speculated to use AN improved rear apron and up-to-date taillights with light-weight emitting diodes. it's anticipated that the new model goes to be lighter weight than its forerunner and therefore the augmented power and minimize energy intake, besides all of this, it's about to have a bearing on the new alloy tire.
The exterior from the new 2019 Audi Q1 can most likely be fascinating and classy, is foreseen to urge the highest of the automotive almost like the Q5 and therefore the grille magazine, wherever you may get every of the accepted warning signs of the organization, the front aspect bumper are hostile and can add a further beautiful visual attractiveness within the headlights, we tend to receive modern-day guided technologies that folks. The rear of your new Audi Q1 2019 is in addition remodeled; thus it's expected attempt employing a revised face apron and current taillights with light-weight emitting diodes. It are often expected that this new style goes to be lighter in weight than its precursor and therefore the higher strength minimizing fuel consumption, additionally to any or all of this, it might modify the new alloy tire.
Within the new Audi Q1 2019, there are a range of enhancements and changes and conjointly the anticipated smart quality chairs made of animal skin which will play a job with the best comfort of the travelers. The dash board of the automobile goes to be current, what are often within the center touchscreen, there ar many up to date technologies like navigation, gift day sound instrumentality, mechanical air cooling, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, automotive parking sensors, a back see the camera, airbags and far a lot of.
Beneath the bonnet of the 2019 Audi Q1 Crossover, you may discover many engine variants. the primary possibility is that the TSI fuel engine one. liter, that has 116 H.P. and a torsion of 199 Nm. an added model of the engine are often a petroleum engine 4-tube one.4-liter, that builds up regarding one hundred forty H.P. of power by employing a torsion of 250 Nm. Your third Benzy engine possibility is that the TFSI fuel engine of one.8 liters which has a hundred and eighty H.P. yet as a torsion of 277 Nm, and conjointly the most recent variation within the ICE have TFSI two. liter, that has 230 H.P. and a torsion of 370 Nm each single.
There are literally three changes from the ICE and conjointly the one.4-liter TDI to demonstrate the TDI engines of one.6 liters and a pair of.-liter TDI. All engines embody DSG automobile transmission 10-pace or maybe a standard intelligent transmission 7-velocity. The device is regular on the front rims, whereas the all-tire drive is obtainable to be a selection.
The variation of your new 2019 Audi Q1 Release has to be the commencing of 2019, whereas the beginning value may be regarding $25,000. Audi has already free a teaser image asserting a brand new entry-level crossover referred to as Q1 are get into 2016 and currently automotive is providing some preliminary details regarding the subcompact car crossover. It's being developed below the AU276 codename and it'll have near to constant size because of the three-door A3. Most of the hardware elements are transmitted from the Q3 however with a shorter distance and a distinct body.


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Jennifer Shutt
Jennifer covers the nation's capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.
White House plans speedy delivery to states of COVID vaccine for littlest kids
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 2, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is preparing to ship COVID-19 vaccines to the states as quickly as possible, should the Food and Drug Administration approve an emergency use authorization for kids under 5. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients said Wednesday that approval of the specially formulated vaccine would make 18 million young children […]
U.S. sending 2,000 North Carolina-based troops to Europe amid Russia-Ukraine tensions
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is preparing to deploy thousands of soldiers to Europe in the coming days, though those troops aren't expected to fight in Ukraine should Russia attack that country. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Wednesday that 1,000 soldiers based in Germany will move to Romania and that 2,000 troops from Fort Bragg […]
Federal OK sought for two-dose COVID vaccine for kids under 5
WASHINGTON — Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday asked the federal government to begin the approval process for a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5. The companies said in a joint statement they began the rolling submission process for an emergency use authorization at the request of the Food and Drug Administration "in response to […]
Governors attempt to bridge deep political divides in big D.C. meeting
By: Jennifer Shutt, Ariana Figueroa and Jacob Fischler - January 31, 2022
WASHINGTON — Governors of both parties from throughout the United States met here over the weekend to try to speak on a unified front about what their states need from the federal government. But the waters were muddied by governors' clearly divided political views about two major issues of the moment — voting laws and […]
Jan. 6 congressional panel subpoenas bogus pro-Trump electors from 7 states
By: Jennifer Shutt - January 28, 2022
WASHINGTON — The congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol subpoenaed on Friday 14 people from seven states who participated as fake electors following the 2020 presidential election. Groups from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin all allegedly sent in lists of so-called alternate electors to the National Archives. The groups had met in December 2020 to […]
Biden vows to nominate first Black woman to Supreme Court by end of February
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer formally announced his retirement Thursday, giving President Joe Biden his first, and possibly only, opportunity to make a nomination for the lifetime appointment. At the White House, Biden said he will make his decision by the end of February and recommitted to nominating the court's first Black female […]
Fauci declines to predict COVID vaccine timetable for kids under 5
WASHINGTON — Parents hoping to vaccinate their young children against COVID-19 will need to be patient, Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned Wednesday. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said while he expects the vaccine regimen for children under 5 will be three doses, he couldn't provide a timeline on when the […]
Reports: Supreme Court Justice Breyer to step down
By: Jennifer Shutt, Jacob Fischler and Ariana Figueroa - January 26, 2022
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is planning to announce his retirement in the coming days, according to multiple press reports Wednesday. The decision by the 83-year-old justice, who was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1994, would give President Joe Biden his first chance to nominate a member of the Supreme Court, though the […]
Biden administration drops vaccine-or-test workplace rule
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced Tuesday it will withdraw an emergency mandate that would have required employees at large businesses to get the COVID-19 vaccine or test regularly for the virus. The decision from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which will take effect Wednesday, follows a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this […]


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thepumphandle
Study: Flavoring chemicals linked to occupational illness found in electronic cigarettes
By kkrisberg on December 16, 2015.
In a recent study, Harvard public health researchers decided to test a few dozen types of electronic cigarettes for diacetyl, a flavoring chemical associated with a severe respiratory disease known as "popcorn lung." The researchers found diacetyl in a majority of the e-cigarettes they tested. News outlets jumped on the findings, with some announcing that e-cigarettes could cause the often-debilitating respiratory disease.
But scientist Joseph Allen wants to be clear: His study doesn't make a definitive statement about the effect of diacetyl in e-cigarettes. Instead, Allen said his goal was to elevate concerns about potentially harmful flavoring chemicals within larger conversations about e-cigarette safety and regulation.
"The reality is that the research is so nascent that we don't know much about the risks of inhaling these flavoring chemicals," Allen, an assistant professor in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and director of the university's Healthy Buildings Program, told me. "Our goal is to help make sure that flavorings are now part of the discussion."
To conduct the study, which was published earlier this month in Environmental Health Perspectives, Allen and his research colleagues selected 51 types of flavored e-cigarettes sold by leading brands and which contained flavors that appeal to young people, such as cotton candy, tutti frutti and cupcake. They tested the products for diacetyl as well as flavoring chemicals acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione, which have also been tied to health risks in the workplace. In particular, diacetyl has been linked to severe respiratory disease in workers who inhale the flavoring chemical. Even more specifically, the chemical has been linked to severe bronchiolitis obliterans, an irreversible loss of respiratory function that can become so bad that its sufferers may require a lung transplant. The diacetyl-linked illness was first documented in workers who were exposed to the butter flavoring in popcorn processing factories, hence the term "popcorn lung." (A recent news investigation also found worrisome levels of diacetyl exposure in the coffee roasting industry.)
Study authors Allen, Skye Flanigan, Mallory LeBlanc, Jose Vallarino, Piers MacNaughton, James Stewart and David Christiani write:
The heating, vaporization and subsequent inhalation of these flavoring chemicals in e-cigarettes makes an exposure pathway for these flavorings that has significant similarities to those of the workers at the microwave popcorn facilities. …Based on the widespread use of these food flavors across many industries and knowledge that specific chemicals/artificial flavors were developed to mimic certain natural flavors commonly used in e-cigarettes, we hypothesized that these compounds are likely used in the manufacturing of flavored e-cigarettes. We sought to expand the state of knowledge on flavoring chemicals in e-cigarettes with a particular focus on e-cigarettes sold by the largest cigarette companies and also those flavors that we deem would be appealing to children, teenagers and young adults.
To analyze the 51 types of flavored e-cigarettes chosen for the study, the researchers inserted each one into a sealed chamber attached to a device that drew air from the e-cigarette for eight seconds at a time. Here's what they found: At least one of the three chemicals was found in 47 of the 51 flavors tested. Diacetyl was found in 39 flavors tested, while acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione were detected in 46 and 23 of the flavors, respectively. In addition to detecting diacetyl in e-cigarette flavors that may particularly appeal to young people, it was also found in flavors such as "tobacco" and "menthol."
Both the Flavoring and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States as well as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration recognize the risks of inhaling diacetyl, Allen noted. The association recommends that workers be warned about the potential risks of inhaling such flavoring chemicals, while OSHA has established a National Emphasis Program focused on popcorn processing workers, though the agency has not yet established a Permissible Exposure Limit for diacetyl. However, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists have issued recommended worker exposure limits for diacetyl.
And Allen said that's precisely what concerns him. In other words, if workers are being cautioned about exposures they may experience eight hours a day, five days a week, what does that mean for consumers of e-cigarettes who may be inhaling these chemicals for many more hours and with fewer breaks in between? Allen's study doesn't reveal the answer to this question, but he said knowing more about the chemical content of e-cigarettes will at least help consumers make more informed choices.
"These warnings are being given to workers, but not to consumers," Allen told me. "So we hope this kind of research will raise awareness about the potential hazard."
In conclusion, Allen and his study colleagues write that "urgent action is recommended to further evaluate the extent of this new exposure to diacetyl and related flavoring compounds in e-cigarettes." As for the next phase in Allen's research, he's received funding to expand the sample of e-cigarettes tested and study the effect of e-cigarette vapors on upper airway cells.
"We want to better understand the risk," he told me. "We just don't have enough information yet to determine a safe level of exposure…and yet we have more than 1 million kids trying e-cigarettes."
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate tobacco products does not extend to e-cigarettes. However, proposed regulations that would bring the products under FDA's authority are currently in review. Members of Congress recently rejected an attempt to include a provision in the budget agreement that would have curbed FDA's authority over e-cigarettes.
To download a full copy of the new e-cigarette and diacetyl study, visit Environmental Health Perspectives.
Kim Krisberg is a freelance public health writer living in Austin, Texas, and has been writing about public health for nearly 15 years.
chemicals policy
NIOSH
Public Health - General
flavoring chemicals
popcorn lung
CDC: American youth now use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product
In just a year, electronic cigarette use has tripled among American teens. And considering that no one really knows what the related health impacts are and any regulatory framework is lagging far behind the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, public health advocates say it's time for action.…
Jenny McCarthy and the selling of e-cigarettes
I've made no secret of my opinion of Jenny McCarthy. To put it mildly, I don't think that much of her, particularly her flaming stupid when it comes to her promotion of dangerous antivaccine nonsense. To her, vaccines are chock full of "toxins" and all sorts of evil humors that will turn your child…
Flavored java, coffee bean workers, and deadly lung disease
I take mine black, but millions of U.S. coffee drinkers love their java beans flavored to taste like hazelnut, buttered toffee, french toast and amaretto. One supplier in Florida boasts of 47 different flavors. Fans of flavored coffee beans pay a premium for them, but some workers in the bean…
While we're on vacation, we're re-posting content from last year. This post was originally published on April 30, 2013. By Celeste Monforton I take mine black, but millions of U.S. coffee drinkers love their java beans flavored to taste like hazelnut, buttered toffee, french toast and amaretto. …
CDC: Vaccination rates among kindergartners remain stable
In more encouraging public health news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that vaccination rates among kindergarteners have remained stable, with the median vaccine exemption rate at 2 percent. Some states even reported an increase in immunization rates. In a study published…
Occupational Health News Roundup
At Reveal, Amy Julia Harris and Shoshana Walter investigate an increasing criminal justice trend in which defendants are sent to rehab, instead of prison. On its face, the idea is a good one, especially for people struggling with addiction. However, the reporters find that many so-called rehab…
Gun control laws can impact death rates. But we need more research to find what works.
Guns are the third leading cause of injury-related death in the country. Every year, nearly 12,000 gun homicides happen in the U.S., and for every person killed, two more are injured. Whether Congress will do anything about this violence is a whole other (depressing) article. But there is evidence…
At the Toronto Star, reporter Sara Mojtehedzadeh went undercover as a temp worker at Fiera Foods, an industrial bakery, to investigate why temp workers are more likely to get hurt on the job. Earlier this year, Canadian occupational health and safety officials brought charges against the company,…
Graham-Cassidy isn't a health care solution. It's a blueprint for less access, less value and less coverage.
In yet another attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, much of the GOP justification boils down to one argument: that the ACA isn't working. Never mind that we don't really know what constitutes a "working" health care system for Republicans. For a while, Republicans said the ACA…


text:
Termenul "Agrement" se poate referi la:

Plăcere, petrecere plăcută a timpului, distracție .
Acord (aprobare, consimțământ) al unui stat cu privire la o persoană propusă ca reprezentant diplomatic al altui stat.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I did a little coloring today, sitting outside, while I waited for my daughter at her photo shoot. I keep a lot of pre-stamped images on hand for times like these. They are very easy for me to grab and go. I stamped my images with My Favorite Things Black Licorice Hybird Ink, so that I could color them with Copic markers or pencils. I decided to use my Prismacolor pencils today. And I didn't use any blending solution. I'm trying to embrace the look that is colored pencil...grainy, textured, not perfect. I added light layers of color until I achieved the look I desired.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these. I sent out a few Halloween cards last year and the recipients enjoyed them. I may do that again. Anyway...whatever I do with them, I'll share it right here!
Gosh, Barb! You are so smart, efficient and organized. I can see where you get so much done, even when you are on the go. Your little images look terrific colored with pencil and no blending solution. I think you have the technique mastered. I hope you have fun creating a wonderful card or two from these elements. Hope you have a terrific week! Hugs!


The assembly of layered (van der Waals, vdW) materials into novel heterostructures relaxes the requirements on crystallographic commensurability across interfaces and enables the creation of atomically precise superlattices that may be synthetically intractable by chemical growth. Inherently, these heterostructures possess artificial two-dimensional (2D) interlayer galleries not present in bulk materials, which may be electrochemically driven to accommodate atoms, ions, or molecules.
This property of acting as an intercalation host material when stacked together makes such vdW layers promising building blocks for innovative energy conversion/storage and electronic technologies.
In this talk, I will discuss the electrointercalation of lithium at the level of singular vdW heterostructures comprised of deterministically stacked 2D layers, enabling the direct resolution of intermediate stages in the intercalation of discrete heterointerfaces and the extent of charge transfer to individual layers.
I will discuss how these results reveal emergent effects distinct from the benefits conventionally associated with hybrid materials in conversion electrodes and how this methodology opens up new pathways to control and characterize charge density in 2D electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Kwabena Bediako completed his PhD in chemistry at Harvard in 2015 and then joined Philip Kim's physics lab for a postdoc. He joins the chemistry faculty here at UCB this July.


text:
courage on the front-lines
Rekindling hearts in a world that grows chill.
New Music Finds
Manuscript Snapshots
The Castlewood Saga
The Vesper Incident
The Refiner's Fire
Hearts of Thunder
Telassar
Songs of Deliverance
The Fellowship of the Unashamed
Excerpt from Chapter Four — Secrets and Lies — | Part Two of The Castlewood Saga |Draft One of this manuscript is finished and I am currently in the editing stages and working on Draft Two!!! Just a sneak preview of something coming soon 🙂
Castlewood High School
Castlewood PA
Lisa leaned against her locker, waiting for Mason to meet her. Their schedules managed to align in such a way that they shared a Chemistry class. Grateful for her brother's presence in a class which was not her strong suit, Lisa enjoyed their walk across the high school each afternoon. Prior to Chemistry, Mason had a study hall with some of his fellow Seniors and Lisa hoped Courtney had shown up. She wanted to talk to her in person but hearing second-hand from Mason would have to suffice. Court still avoided the gang, now spending all of her time with Jared Prentice and the Bryant twins. To crown it all, Colton and Diane Vaughn joined the group and their growing popularity swelled its ranks. Lisa's face fell as she watched the sea of students pushing against one another, each person fighting to make it to class on time. The Vaughns had only attended Castlewood High for a week but they had already stolen the show. It was if two gangs jockeyed for power, without the violence but with all the same fervour and hatred. The Untouchables and Kingdom Vaughn. The peasants and the rich kids. The saints and the sinners. Sadness welled in Lisa's heart. She knew the whispered slander floating through the hallways and she knew the list of names went on and on.
She recognized Mason's brown beanie, brown leather jacket, and trademark Timberlands and waved as he swaggered her way. Her brother always walked with a bit of a sway but it had intensified since the Vaughns arrived. Only a week since their arrival and they had already begun to bring out the worst in everyone.
Mason headed her way, noticing his sister appeared tired and worn. His eyebrows dipped low and a frown settled over his features. If Colton had so much as looked her direction today…. He paused when he reached her, hoping his eyes conveyed the concern in his heart. "Hey. You okay?"
"I guess." Lisa sent him half a smile and led the way as they merged with the crush of students. "How was study hall? Was Court there?"
Mason shrugged. "Yeah. She was there." He really was in no mood to pursue this line of inquiry with his sister. Courtney had chosen her own path and he wished Lisa and the rest of the gang would just let her go.
"Did you talk to her?" Lisa pushed harder, refusing to allow her brother to win.
He made a face at her. "Of course not, Sunshine. She was sitting with Colton and Jared so of course I didn't talk to her. Vickie, Gavin, and Jimmy tried but Jonas and I knew better so we stayed put." Mason chuckled. "Plus the rest of the Seniors were having a water-bottle-chugging contest which was way more interesting." Gesturing with his hands, he relayed the incident. "Kyle Sanders was on his third one when that kid, what's his name? Oh yeah, Brian something. Brian pulled a fast one and downed his in like two gulps and started on his fourth bottle. We all thought Emily Jenkins was gonna get it 'cause she chugged her first two like lightning but she kept saying she got water-logged or something after the second bottle. But Jonas surprised everyone and drank five whole water bottles in fifteen minutes!" Mason's eyes grew wide as he glanced over at Lisa. "Five! Can you believe it? The guy's gonna be running to the bathroom for the rest of the day." He doubled over with laughter, hardly noticing Lisa's irritation.
"Really, Mason?" Nudging him in the ribs, Lisa struggled to figure out why her brother could be so heartless and uncaring at times. He had so many good qualities but lately, his darker side kept rearing its ugly head more and more. "Watching people make fools of themselves was higher on your priority list than checking up on a friend?"
Mason rolled his eyes. "Oh please, she's not a friend. School's rough anyway so I needed a few laughs. Stop making a big deal out of it, Lisa. Let her go and just move on. Don't waste your time." He shoved both hands into his jeans' pockets, his mood returning.
His sister's mouth nearly dropped open in disbelief. Pausing mid-step, she gripped his arm and pulled him around to face her, ignoring the angry protests from those who now had to maneuver around them. "What has gotten into you? You're acting like one of them."
Lisa didn't need to elaborate on whom "them" was; Mason knew. He shook his head slowly, his eyes narrowed. "Don't go there, sis. Just don't. I don't have time for people who waste mine. Apparently we weren't good enough for Courtney and she dropped us as soon as something better came along. I don't have time for that, Lisa, okay?" He crossed his arms over his chest and spread his feet apart. "I don't have time for lies and betrayal."
Growling with annoyance, Lisa marched off as quickly as her short legs would carry her. "Nobody's lied to anyone. Court's hurting and she just won't tell us why and I, for one, am determined to find out why. Also, you should try patience some time 'cause you could use the practice." Even as the words left her mouth, the blonde-haired girl felt a twinge in her conscience. You shouldn't have said that, Lisa, however true it might be. With a sigh, she turned to face her brother as he strode behind her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it like that."
Mason's face softened as he drew alongside her and they walked together once more. "It's fine. Hey, I'm not trying to be a pain. What she's doing just really ticks me off." His sister's kindness and ability to forgive never ceased to baffle him. Perhaps it was because forgiveness wasn't his strong suit or perhaps because Lisa's sunny disposition sometimes seemed too good to be true. Whatever the reason, Mason secretly felt less-than-adequate in his sister's presence and the more he tried to smother the emotion, the less it went away.
"I know it's bothering you, bro, I get that. It's bothering me too but you can't treat her like that. I mean talk about her like she's the enemy or something. It's not about sides." Sadness filtered through Lisa's blue eyes and her voice quieted as she noticed Colton, Jared, and Courtney headed their way. "There's enough of that going on at the moment as it is." Feeling Mason tense beside her, Lisa knew he had seen the others as well. "Hey," she whispered. "Get a grip, okay? We're just gonna keep walking right on by. I really want to talk to Court but I don't think you can handle it right now so we're just gonna keep walking." She desperately prayed that God would keep Mason's anger at bay and prevent Colton from flirting with her or in any other way making the situation more uncomfortable than it already was.
A path cleared as the tall, muscular, strikingly-good-looking young man swaggered down the hallway, his minions in tow. And it was then that Lisa knew God had chosen not to answer her prayer in the affirmative and to instead give herself and Mason the opportunity to reflect His light. She heaved a deep sigh. Okay, Lord. I see what You're doing. Please give me courage.
Colton's black leather jacket hung open, revealing his black T-shirt underneath. Black designer jeans and a black snapback rounded out his outfit. The dark colour's overwhelming nature only served to highlight his green eyes and add to his rather thug-like appearance. He relished the awe-struck looks the other students sent his way as they quickly shifted, allowing him space to walk by. Nothing like this had ever happened in California when they lived outside of Hollywood. He and Diane were on the bottom of the totem pole there but here, in Castlewood, the tables had finally turned and they'd risen to the top. The rulers of Kingdom Vaughn. It felt good, really good.
He caught Lisa's eye and winked broadly, not caring that her perpetually irate brother hovered close by. Colton smirked with pleasure. The little fireball needed to take a chill pill. But if he was this angry now, he was going to be raging mad later because Colton Vaughn was just getting started.
As Colton stopped in front of her, his annoyingly attractive smirk plastered on his lips, Lisa struggled to keep her emotions under control. She wished for a spark of Chloe's fire, just a little flame of wit and bravery but she felt so small and ill-equipped. All she had to offer was kindness and right now, it didn't seem like very much at all. Firming her shoulders, she tried to make herself larger and stared up at Colton's green eyes. You're not going to wilt! Come on. Fear nothing and rise.
Lisa forced a smile across her lips and tried to prevent her voice from coming out in an undignified squeak. "Hey Colton. How's your day going?"
Moving closer, Colton touched her lightly on the arm. "Lot better now that I've run into you, beautiful." Oh how it delighted him to see her squirm! Red tinged the tips of her ears and suffused her face. Her rectangular-rimmed glasses made her look cute, there was no denying that but her discomfort brought him real pleasure. All the girls in the ridiculously-named Untouchables' group seemed to have never received attention from a guy before and their confusion every time he flirted with them never failed to crack him up.
Unsure how to respond, Lisa turned her attention to Courtney and waved awkwardly. "Hey Court. I feel like we haven't spoken in forever! How are things?" Noticing something different about the girl's appearance, Lisa gestured to Courtney's face. "Hey. You cut your hair. It looks really nice." God, I feel like I'm fishing for things to say! Please help me to not come across as fake 'cause I'm trying to be nice but this is all just so weird. Interacting with her definitely isn't the same as it used to be. She smiled warmly at the taller girl, waiting for a response.
Courtney stepped closer to Jared Prentice and away from Lisa and Mason. She fingered the ends of her chin-length brown hair as her eyes flitted between Lisa's eyes and the tile hallway beneath her feet. "Hey, yeah, thanks," she mumbled.
Nudging her glasses higher on her nose with one hand, Lisa clutched her books tightly with the other. What was going on? One-word answers stumped Lisa, especially when coming from someone like Courtney. Normally, Court would gush about how nice the lady at the hair salon was and how she wanted a pedicure when her next paycheck came in. She was the most girly-girl out of all the females in the gang. Nail polish, make-up, glitter, jewelry, and clothes all spiked her enthusiasm.
"Where've you been, Courtney, huh?" Mason's voice was hard and jolted Lisa out of her thoughts. He stood with his feet apart and arms crossed over his chest, a scowl twisting his features. "What's happened to you?"
Jared Prentice shifted so his body was in front of Courtney and held out his hands. "Whoa, Newcastle. Lay off the interrogation, kay? None of your business."
"I didn't ask you to defend her, Prentice," Mason snarled, his eyes burning. "This is between her and us so move."
Enjoying the confrontation with every inch of his being, Colton bent his head slightly and whispered in Lisa's ear. "What's with your brother, beautiful? What's he got to prove? What do any of you have to prove? You're all like sensitive jumpy cats."
"Keep out of it," Lisa muttered fiercely, surprised at her sudden fire. Mason's behaviour embarrassed her and that was the only time she got angry; when she was embarrassed. Plus, she had specifically asked him to keep his cool and he was determined to stubbornly make a fool of himself and of the rest of the gang by default.
Colton chuckled and his husky voice grated against Lisa's eardrums. "Oh so you do have a raging spirit underneath all that kindness garbage. Just like your brother."
Her face flushed down to her neck and she felt herself shaking ever so slightly. It wasn't until Colton showed up, bringing his irritating, arrogant personality with him that she began to notice how easily she angered given certain circumstances. More often than not, she controlled her emotions but lately, her grip had begun to slip and yes, she found herself acting like Mason inwardly though she would never admit it outwardly.
Forcing herself not to respond, Lisa focused on keeping Mason's temper in check. She moved back half a step, leaning against him. Since his feet were planted, he didn't lose his balance and instead shifted to accommodate her weight. Feeling his physical presence cleared Lisa's head and she took another deep breath. Okay, Sunshine. You can do this. Just keep everyone civil and end the conversation as quickly as possible.
Jared Prentice lowered his hands but refused to back down. "I ain't moving, Newcastle."
Lisa reached to nudge her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose in an automatic gesture even though they hadn't fallen down. "Cool, Jared. We're on our way to Chem anyway. Bye Court. If you wanna talk, you know where to find us." Her blue eyes took on a pleading light and she held out a hand as if reaching for her friend, not caring that they weren't alone. "Please. We want to help."
Courtney shook her head, the ends of her hair brushing her chin. "It's okay, Lisa. Have a nice rest of your day."
As the group walked on down the hallway, Colton nodded to Mason and Lisa. "Catchya later, losers, and loosen up, Mason. Seriously man." He laughed and sauntered out of sight as the sea of students closed in behind him.
The muscles in Mason's jaw jumped and he hiked his backpack higher on his shoulders. "Are you still confused about why I didn't talk to her in study hall?" He barely looked at his sister as they continued their journey across the building. He knew he needed to work on keeping his mouth shut but people just had a way of worming underneath his skin and refusing to budge. Perhaps after seeing Courtney in action, Lisa would now understand his earlier sentiments.
Clutching the Chemistry book to her chest, Lisa stared at the tile. "I was never confused," she said quietly. "I couldn't understand why you acted the way you did but I wasn't confused. I know who you are, Mason, but that doesn't mean you don't still shock me some times."
Lisa's words sent arrows of chagrin into his soul. He'd let her down…again. For some stupid reason, his behaviour never measured up to her standards. He'd take a bullet for his little sister and he'd definitely sock a guy for her too but something was missing in their relationship. Something he could not pin down. Remaining silent for the rest of the trek to their class, Mason allowed myriads of thoughts to swirl through his brain. Everything he said always seemed to come out wrong. Not wrong as in not what he intended because he very much intended to establish his footing with Colton and the rest. But wrong in the sense that hurting Lisa was not anywhere on his list of projected outcomes. Growing up as the only two kids in the Newcastle home had cemented a deep bond between them and Mason didn't want to lose what they had built. If only he could learn to forgive like she did.
He scratched the back of his neck and allowed Lisa to enter the classroom first. Forgiveness seemed like a good idea but it went against everything in him. He'd work on it eventually…just not right now.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Colton sat inside his swanky car, relishing the darkness in the school parking lot. Nighttime sent shivers up and down his spine. It was like the blackness mirrored his temperament and soul. Dramatic perhaps, but painfully accurate. Cold began to seep in through the Ferrari's doors as the chill Autumn air sent a soft breeze across the town. His eyelids fluttered shut and he reclined his seat as far as it would go. The colour black just spoke to him, like met him on a deep soul-level. Black Ferrari, black wardrobe, black hair, black accents and décor in his section of the mansion's second floor. It was a trademark, a way to announce himself without having to ever say a word. Making a name for himself back in California was next to if not impossible and honestly, it hadn't really crossed his mind until Paris Visconti and her loser friends had decided to make his life a living hell.
A frown slipped over his almost-unnaturally-handsome features. As if his family situation wasn't difficult enough. Neither of his parents really showed any interest in him as a human being and preferred the hands-off approach to parenting. At first, Colton used Xavier and Sandra's laissez-faire attitude as a badge of honour, bragging about it to what friends he had. As the years passed, however, he started to wish the man and woman who birthed him would also treat him with respect and….care. After the abuse and betrayal at the hands of Paris Visconti, he and Diane grew closer than ever. His younger sister irritated him much of the time but he had her back when it mattered most and they both knew it. These days, he was hardly on speaking terms with either of his parents despite the fact that all four Vaughns lived in the same house. In a way, he was thankful for the palatial home since it afforded privacy galore. He practically had the whole second floor to himself since Diane spent most of her time in her enormous room and its adjoining living room suite.
The loneliness was real, though. Colton hooked his iPhone into the auxiliary port and twisted the dial, hoping Zack Hemsey's "Don't Get in My Way" would drown out his brain. Erecting walls proved the best way to deal with his emotional trauma and he didn't plan on stopping his self-destructive habit any time soon.
So if you want to push, Imma shove / If you want to spar, we can do it no gloves / And if you're gonna run at me, you better do it hard / 'Cause I fear no fall, no brawl, no scars.
Colton's face hardened as his eyes remained shut. The song lyrics raked against his soul like a poker raking coals in a fire. They stoked the bitterness and anger he kept bottled up inside, feeding the pain and the arrogant egotistical façade he had erected to cope with it all. The Untouchables could resist him all they wanted, they could try to keep up that irritating pristine image of perfection but in the end he would break them all. Especially Mason Newcastle. He challenged him silently and verbally and Colton had had enough. Here he was King.
A man with a grudge and a case / A man with intent on his face / And if a man walks into place / Let it be known that I won't hesitate.
A bit dramatic but he'd earned that right after everything he'd been through. His trademark smirk spread across his face, the one that curved his lips upwards and had all the Castlewood High girls falling at his feet…all except for the Untouchables. Colton clenched his hand into a fist. Olivia, Chloe, Michelle, Vickie, and Lisa. They were stubborn but he liked a challenge.
The quiet hum of a car engine pushed through the smouldering fog of his dark thoughts. Jared Prentice had finally arrived and the night's work could begin.
Colton unplugged his phone, stuffed it in his jeans' pocket, and exited his Ferrari. The outside chill washed over his body and he welcomed it. The cold sent shock-waves of adrenaline through his veins and made him come alive.
He nodded to Jared as his dark-haired friend emerged from his car, cigarette in hand. "You ready, Prentice?"
"You betcha." Dropping his cigarette, Jared crushed the paper cylinder beneath his feet. "Where are we starting first?"
Colton twisted the snapback backwards on his head and the two young men strode towards the school's front entrance. "The office. I want all the info on them we can get and then we'll move on to the vandalism bit. You've got the computer password?"
"Yup. That and the flashlight." Jared laughed. "Perks to having your mom working in the office."
As they reached the front door, Colton pulled a paperclip from his snapback and uncoiled it. Kneeling before the keyhole, he inserted the instrument and wiggled it around, listening intently. Upon hearing the desired click, he pushed the door open.
Jared whistled, following close behind. "Ten seconds flat. Nice going, bro."
Colton shrugged. "I've had lots of practice." He gestured to the ceiling as they walked in and let the door swing shut behind them. "No cameras? I can't believe this place. Your security around here is ridiculous. No alarm system and no cameras. Every thief's dream come to life."
"Sad, I know." Jared flicked on the flashlight and found himself whispering due to the darkness. It just seemed natural to whisper instead of to speak at normal volume. "Nothing's ever happened in Castlewood and no one expects anything ever will."
Colton snorted. "Naïve way of thinking but it makes my job easier." He rubbed his hands together and cracked his knuckles. "Man, I wanted to make waves in this town but I didn't know you guys would practically hand me the keys to the kingdom. It's like you're asking for trouble." He paused at the school office and performed the same trick on the door-lock as he did in the front. "Pass me the flash light while you get into the computer. I'll rummage through the filing cabinets."
Jared obliged and powered on the computer. "So class schedules, birthdates, addresses, phone numbers, locker combinations? You know, I could probably ask Courtney about all this. Easier."
"Not the right time." Colton swiveled the flash light beam around the room until it landed on the metal cabinets sitting next to the copier. "I'll use her relationship with them later when it comes to their weaknesses. Right now, I'm starting off slow." He pulled open a drawer with one hand while angling the flash light beam with the other.
They worked in silence for several minutes; Jared pecking around on the computer while Colton made his way through the filing cabinet. Moonlight slanted between the blinds bathing their faces in odd patterns. The overwhelming quiet wrapped around Colton like an old friend as he discovered that the silence did not bother him. His thoughts generally ate away at his soul and he craved music to shut off his brain but at the moment, his purpose was clear and all other distressing and self-effacing thoughts fled his brain.
Setting the flash light upright on the nearby copy machine with one hand, Colton powered the copier on with the other. Duplicating the files erased any evidence of his night-time visit since he would take the duplicates with him and leave the originals in their folders. Colton unconsciously worked the muscles in his jaw as he perused the cabinet files. The Untouchables were easy to find but he wasn't learning anything interesting about them. No dark secrets, just allergies and addresses. He chuckled. Allergies were good; not interesting but good.
Hearing his friend's laugh, Jared glanced up from the computer, moonlight slanting across his face like a luminous scar. "Find anything?"
"Allergies." Colton kept his back to Jared and flipped through the Newcastle's folder. "Mason's got an Epi pen. Bee stings'll send him into kingdom come. Blondie's perfect except for her vision and even then it's not like she's blind without her glasses so nothing good there." He tapped a finger against his chin. "But Mason, though. We'll have to find some bees, Prentice, and get 'em in his locker or something." His lips curled into a smirk. "Would love to see the idiot freak out with fear the minute he saw them. Yeah, we'll have to put a camera in there too in case we miss the action."
Jared focused on the screen, browsing through documents as he searched for locker combinations. "You don't play around, Vaughn. Cameras too?"
"No half-measures." Colton shrugged as he moved on to the Astaires' folder. "Why stop when you can go all the way? You find anything yet?"
"Bingo!" Pumping a fist in the air, Jared pushed off the floor with his feet, sending the swivel chair into a spin. "Locker combinations at last! Way better than asking Court. There's a rush that comes with breaking and entering and I'm liking it."
"Oh come off it, Prentice." Colton frowned in response to Jared's exuberance. The guy was acting like he'd never done this before, like "being bad" was some sort of club into which he'd just been initiated. "Being bad" had nothing to do with it. Colton had something to prove and this was the way he was going to do it; that was all. You did what you had to do to get what you wanted; that was the mistake he and Diane had made in California. They hadn't understood the real world. Paris Visconti woke them up faster than either of them would have liked but the betrayal taught them a lesson Colton would never forget. The world was lousy and in order to survive, you had to be lousy too. It was the law of life and "being bad" didn't factor in one bit.
With a shrug, Jared pulled himself back to the office desk. "Chill, dude." He highlighted the combination list with his cursor and allowed the icon to hover for a minute. "Want me to copy and paste into a new document and print?"
"Do it." Colton kept his eyes on the Astaires' file. Nothing interesting there either. The family was wealthy and Colton was almost jealous. Almost. They didn't make it into his family's tier by a long-shot. He doubted any of the guys could afford a Ferrari. Then again, neither could he but that wasn't common knowledge. A frown twisted his handsome features for what seemed like the tenth time that night. He was behind on his monthly payments and the bank was on the edge of impounding his swanky ride. But again, none of this was common knowledge and he intended to keep it that way.
He paged through the remaining Untouchable files, his frown deepening. Nothing. He didn't know what exactly he expected to find but everything he saw proved un-helpful. None of the jerks had kryptonite of any kind save Mason. Perhaps they really were perfect. Without thinking, he crushed Vickie Diamond's file in his fist. He'd find something. He had to find something. No one was perfect. No one was immune from troubles. They all had a weak spot. He just had to find it.
Colton chuckled as the truth suddenly hit him like a lightning bolt. "Each other," he whispered.
"What?" Jared moved to the printer as the locker combinations began to spill from the machine. "You say something?"
Turning, Colton locked eyes with Jared, moonlight bathing his face. "Their weak spot is each other." He snapped his fingers. "Why didn't I see it before? The thing that makes them strong and untouchable is also the thing that makes them weak and vulnerable. I'll rip them apart from the inside and that's where Courtney will come in handy. Her knowledge of their ins and outs will be all the information I need and then I just have to give it all a little push." He could hardly contain his delight and tapped the flashlight erratically against the copier. "This is gonna be so much better than I had hoped."
"Whoa, that's deep, man." Jared collected the sheets of paper, half-wondering what madness he had managed to rope himself into. When Colton had mentioned messing with the Untouchables, Jared pictured things like putting bees in Mason's locker and spray-painting their cars, not doing serious damage by pulling relationships apart at the seams. Expressing his misgivings to Colton wasn't an option since he was kind of trying to impress the new guy and show him that he was "bad" enough to run with the big boys.
Jared stacked the papers together and powered off the printer. "As long as Court doesn't get hurt, I'm all in. The Untouchables have hurt her enough already. Here's your first bit of useful info: Vickie and Court are best friends. Well, they were. Something happened and I'm still getting Court to open up to me about it but you saw how Mason acted in the hallway Friday. Interrogated her like she was on the witness stand for a murder. That ain't friendship."
Colton smiled, a slow smile that held danger in every curve of his lips. "We'll start there. Vickie and Courtney. The first ship to go down."
Catch Me Here


Andrew Friedman in "The SantaLand Diaries."
Back in 1992, David Sedaris wrote and talked about working as a Macy's Christmas elf (name: Crumpet) on National Public Radio, which is reason enough to support National Public Radio ad infinitum. Director Joe Mantello adapted the diary entries for the stage. In recent years, "The SantaLand Diaries" has popped up more frequently around the holidays.
It is getting a nice airing at the moment at Sacred Fools, courtesy of Andrew Freidman's Crumpet, as one half of a seasonal double bill. The other half is Thornton Wilder's "The Long Christmas Dinner." And the two writers' sensibilities make sense together on the same stage.
Wilder's 1931 one-act telescopes several generations of Christmas dinners at one family's table, so that characters are born, live and die in the time it takes to pass the cranberries. Its central point relates to Wilder's later "Our Town." Life goes by with ruthless haste, even when it doesn't; we are all, to some extent, blind, passing through our rituals and relationships like tourists. How to become, in the best sense, natives of our own lives?
Wilder's viewpoint isn't radical, but the form of "The Long Christmas Dinner" fascinates still. Sedaris' form isn't anything special, but his viewpoint--hilariously sour and whiny, in an observant way--makes the piece a tasty little arsenic cookie.
Sedaris and Wilder acknowledge the tough aspects of Christmas. Working in Macy's SantaLand, nursing a crush on a good-looking colleague, Crumpet sees his share of miserable, misery-inducing parents on the job. "SantaLand Diaries" is a rebuke to lousy parents everywhere and grinding commercialism in all forms. Wilder takes the rueful long view.
David P. Moore directs both one-acts for Sacred Fools, and though the scenic design is awfully drab, the stagings are light-handed and clever. Freidman's elf gets an assist from various prop-carrying auxiliary elves and, valuably, Freidman doesn't oversell "SantaLand" or try to turn it into stand-up comedy.
Overall the Wilder piece fares less well, with some cast members harrumphing and play-acting their way through various stages of old age. But Blythe Baten's Leonora and Barbara Kerr Condon's Mother Bayard (and later, Ermengarde) keep their scenes honest and sharp.


Great news Warren! Very glad to hear it. Foley after the surgery is way easier than Foley prior to the surgery.
Just a quick follow up! I think I'm doing great. Can't wait to get my suprapubic tube and drain out so I can shower, but I have found a way to wash my hair over the tub with a handheld shower and the rest of me by wash cloth. Gotten the morning routine of bathing, changing to leg bags, changing dressings, emptying the drain, and flushing the catheters down to 1.5 hours and it no longer exhausts me. Believe it or not, the Foley in the neobladder as compared to the native bladder is barely noticible.
Thanks for the update and the good news. You have surpassed all expectations in the "Walking" Dept. I guess there has to be a hiccup now and then, so as you have far exceeded the walking part; you have to backtrack on the "leaking part.
All in all it appears as though you are in command of your recovery and your attitude is positive. Well done!
Keep up the good work! We are listening.
Warren that is good news. Hope your recovery is smooth as it can be.
6 years 1 month ago	#44298 by Flamenco.


text:
Q: How to retain column headings when using cbind() with matrices in R Say one is trying to paste two matrices together, both of which have been given column labels using a list() with colnames().  Using cbind() in R works as expected for the data, but the column labels seem to get lost after the cbind() operation (the column labels become V1, V2, etc...).  This would be part of a function and each matrix would be an input to the function so one or both of the matrices being appended would usually contain a different number of columns (but always the same number of rows).
Is there a way to retain the column names when binding the two matrices using cbind(), or is there an alternative way to append one matrix to the other that will retain the column labels?
Thanks in advance!

A: It's not totally clear what you mean by " given column labels using a list() with colnames()"
Using the following code retains the column names previously assigned to the matrices:
B = matrix(  c(2, 4, 3, 1, 5, 7),    nrow=3,  ncol=2)
C = matrix(  c(12, 34, 33, 11, 35, 27),    nrow=3,  ncol=2)

colnames(B)<-list("red","blue")
colnames(C)<-list("green","black")

D<-cbind(B,C)
colnames(D)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Trade analysis: One month later after the Ridnour and Neal for Sessions and Adrien deal
It's been over a month since the deadline trade that saw the Bobcats acquire Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour for Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien. How has the deal worked out for the Bobcats?
By Tucker Warner Mar 27, 2014, 10:45am EDT
Share All sharing options for: Trade analysis: One month later after the Ridnour and Neal for Sessions and Adrien deal
When the Bobcats acquired Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour from the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline in February, they had some sort of idea as to what the two veterans would bring back to the team. Neal was added to provide some much-needed scoring off the bench, while Ridnour would fill in for Ramon Sessions as the backup point guard, and provide a three-point threat, a skill that Sessions never brought to the Bobcats.
A month later, the results have been a little mixed. Neal's inconsistent play has been frustrating to some, and Ridnour's poor shooting has resulted in unmet expectations. Alternatively, Neal is shooting better than most thought he would, and Ridnour's assist rate is pretty close to where it should be. There's more than one way to look at how they've played so far, especially within the context of the players they replaced.
First of all, while it's easy to look at the current terrific play of Sessions and Jeff Adrien in Milwaukee right now and say the Bobcats made a mistake, I think it would be difficult to say that they would have done the same for the Bobcats. That being said, we do have to consider the gaps they've left in terms of analyzing how Neal and Ridnour have impacted the team. With Adrien, this is easy; although he played well when he was on the floor, Steve Clifford didn't always want him in the game, as he saw the floor in only 25 matches with the Bobcats. Sessions, meanwhile, was a very capable sixth man in the backup point guard role, though he was not playing as well this season, compared to his 2012-13 campaign.
So if we look at it that way, I would say Gary Neal has been an upgrade over Sessions, in the grand scheme of the offense. Although Neal is not tasked with facilitating an offense the way Sessions was, Neal has been considerably better in terms of scoring, posting a .541 effective field goal percentage to Sessions' .409 mark before he was dealt. Neal doesn't have nearly the passing ability that Sessions had, but they have roughly comparable usage rates, and Neal both makes more shots and commits slightly fewer turnovers. Having a good shooter from long range that's capable of playing up with the starting unit is also a plus, as Neal is hitting his threes at a .488 rate.
But while Neal, in a vacuum, is a better option for the Bobcats than Sessions was, it was Luke Ridnour who took over Sessions' role as the second point guard. Ridnour has been less than good since coming to Charlotte, shooting .321 from the floor and .150 from beyond the arc. He was brought in for his shooting ability, and he has yet to be a success in that area of the game. He's not succeeding in other areas you would hope for either; his assist rate is below that of Josh McRoberts, who is a good passer, but his assist rate is not one of a quality point guard. Ridnour is a defensive liability, lacing the athleticism to keep up with many younger guards, and not having the size to create matchup issues for the opposition. It's possible that Ridnour would be playing differently -- especially defensively -- if he had started the season under Clifford's tutelage, but he has to improve a lot at other ends of the game if he is going to be a net positive. Luckily, his shooting is considerably lower than his usual rate, which would suggest that he will progress to his typical shooting numbers soon.
As of writing this article (before Wednesday's game against the Nets), I'd say the Bobcats gained a lot more than it lost from that trade. The step up from the best scorer in the pre-trade second unit to Neal is a bigger step up than Sessions to Ridnour was a step down. Ridnour will return to form soon, I would imagine, and he will not be the quality of player that Sessions was, but he will be a fine asset in due time. Neal, meanwhile, has been a great shooter off the bench, and it's an area that the Bobcats desperately needed to improve at the deadline. At this point, I think we can mark this as another trade victory for Rich Cho.


text:
Q: "`TypeError`: `[0,1]` is not a function" is thrown when using an IIFE Here is the code

var numberArray = [0, 1]

(function() {
  numberArray.push(2)

  function nestedFunction() {
    numberArray.push(3)

    function anotherNestedFunction() {
      numberArray.push(4)
    }

    console.log(numberArray)
  }
})()

I am expecting numberArray with value [0,1,2,3,4] but it is giving this error:

TypeError: [0,1] is not a function

A: var numberArray = [0, 1]
(function() {

is equivalent to
var numberArray = [0, 1] (function() {

That is where the error rise.
To resolve the issue place ; after the array declaration which JavaScript engine will consider both the line as separate statement:

var numberArray = [0, 1];

(function() {
  numberArray.push(2);

  function nestedFunction() {
    numberArray.push(3);

    function anotherNestedFunction() {
      numberArray.push(4);
    }

    anotherNestedFunction();
    console.log(numberArray);
  }
  nestedFunction();
})();

To ignore all these unexpected issue, it is always good practice to use semicolons (;) after every statement in JavaScript.

A: Here is a working snippet

const numberArray = [0, 1];

(function() {
  numberArray.push(2);

  (function nestedFunction() {
    numberArray.push(3);

    (function anotherNestedFunction() {
      numberArray.push(4);
    })();

    console.log(numberArray);
  })();
})();

If you remove the ; after numberArray this is where you got a problem. You also have to use IIFE with your inner declared functions.

const numberArray = [0, 1]

(function() {
  numberArray.push(2);

  (function nestedFunction() {
    numberArray.push(3);

    (function anotherNestedFunction() {
      numberArray.push(4);
    })();

    console.log(numberArray);
  })();
})();


I have a philosophical and an ethical background at the master's level and taught several different kinds of classes on these subjects at the college level. I just don't write on these topics much. So in order to get these juices flowing again I'm going to deal with some relevant issues: the problem of suffering for the theistic God, the issue of free will (which is one answer to it), and the issue of atheist morality (where it's argued we have no basis for being good).
I have them. I adjure you to get them if you wish to follow along. When it comes to the problem of suffering, as most of you know, I don't think theistic explanations work at exonerating an omni-God from the massive amount of suffering in the world. I haven't dealt with the problem of free will much before though, only to say that even if human beings have it we don't have enough for God to harshly judge us. When it comes to morality I have weighed in before.
I have not read them yet, although I have read the first few chapters of Jonathan Pearce's excellent book on free will. So I suspect I'll learn quite a bit as I go. I plan on utilizing my philosophical mind on these issues as best as I can. I also hope to learn from my commenters.
So stay tuned. Subscribe by email. Be a follower of this blog. If you do then you won't miss a thing.
First up is the book, God and Evil. I plan on going through it chapter by chapter.


SHANGANI Secondary School in Insiza was a hive of activity on Friday when schools battled it out for supremacy in the inter-schools track and field competition.
Shangani Secondary School came first with 1 025 points with Filabusi High School second on 637 points.
Nkankezi were third with 578 points and Tshazi fourth on 423 points.
The competitions were quite lively although the host school was dominant in most events and the occasion even drew Insiza Senator Naison Ndlovu and Ward 23 councillor Felince Sikhosana.
Although there were no time keepers, the likes of Sithandekile Ngwenya who is a Form One pupil at Shangani made a good account of herself as a promising unpolished gem in the short distances as she dominated the 100, 200, 400m and relay races.
Brenda Nkomo who throws the discus, Lillian who is into shot putt and her brother Michael Mbangwa who does long distances, also gave stellar performances ahead of the provincial finals.
Standing out was the slick baton exchange of the Shangani teams that lost only one relay race with all their first and second teams coming tops in all their events.
Shangani sports director Thembelihle Masango credited the great performance to intense training that had seen the school securing the services of Sparrows and Nust athletics guru Bhekuzulu Khumalo to coach and help teachers with officiating.
She also hailed the impact of headmaster Njabulo Nkomazana.
"Our performance was so good thanks to Bhekuzulu and the headmaster who coached the athletes well and helped me out. I am satisfied with the performance of my athletes and I am also happy that the head Nkomazana is so passionate about sports and he doubles as part-time coach to help out the school," she said.
"I am happy with the athletes' performances not only from my school but all the schools that came but I am worried about the dominance of Shangani and this is not good for the zonal competitions since we will be dealing with other top schools like JZ Moyo."
Nkomazana also thanked Delta Beverages and Shangani Ranches for sponsoring the event. Khumalo in the meantime was worried about athletes being overworked.
"We have situations where athletes do short and long distances, do jumps and throws, honestly they suffer burnouts and they cannot perform to their best ability in the last races they compete in," he said.
Senator Ndlovu officially opened the ceremony and hailed sports saying they were an integral part of learning echoing the old adage of all work and no play makes John a dull boy.
"I am priviledged to be part of this wonderful spectacle and I will tell all you athletes competing today that sport is important and the girls competing here remind me of Samukeliso Moyo and I know there are future Samukelisos among you and some of you will go far because of athletics, so take it seriously and do well my grandchildren," said Senator Ndlovu.
The Senator pledged to fund the team for the district finals. He presented diaries to all participating schools.
2. Patience Ncube (Tshazi) 21.22m.
1. Charles Mpofu (Fort Rixon) 27.60m.
1. Brenda Moyo (Fort Rixon) 24.70m.
2. Nonhlanhla Ndlovu (Filabusi) 17.95m.
1. Lillian Mbangwa (Fort Rixon) 7.55m.
2. Belinda Sibanda (Tshazi) 6.69m.
1. Trust Mavhurume (Fort Rixon) 7.81m.
2. Evious Maphosa (Fort Rixon) 7.66m.


Request a meeting with the Arcules Team at ISC West 2019 - Booth 31079!
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Based in Irvine, Calif., Arcules is a Canon group (NYSE: CAJ) company powered by technology from Milestone Systems.


text:
Claudia Esparza
Founder, Nanas & Amas
Claudia Esparza is the founder and CEO of 'Nanas & Amas', the first Peruvian social franchise that has helped more than 3,000 women find decent work as domestic workers. Claudia is an engineer by profession, social entrepreneur by vocation and a domestic worker's advocator and partner. Claudia is also the founder of 'Emprendedoras del Hogar', an NGO which promotes domestic work with dignity, as a tool to build better life opportunities for women. She is the creator of the Student Domestic Worker concept, through which domestic work is transforming into the new worldwide powerful platform that will allow millions of women to work and simultaneously study a career, becoming professional women, and achieving the prosperous and fulfilling life they all deserve.


text:
namespace pepper {

	bool debugMode;
	#define DBG(...) if (debugMode) { printf(__VA_ARGS__); printf("\n"); }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The NissanConnect® EV & Services** app is designed especially for owners and drivers of the Nissan LEAF®. The NissanConnect EV & Services** app lets you manage the unique features of your LEAF like charging the battery, adjusting climate controls and checking the battery status, all from your mobile device. You can also personalize the app dashboard with the features that you use the most.
LEAF drivers require an active subscription to access the features of NissanConnect EV**, but it is complimentary for the first three years of ownership.
Model year 2018-2019 LEAF owners require an active subscription to NissanConnect EV with Services** powered by SiriusXM®. As an added security measure, a PIN is required before the Remote Door Lock/Unlock feature can be used. This PIN is established when enrolling in NissanConnect EV with Services**. If you have not yet enrolled in NissanConnect EV with Services** or need to reset your PIN, download the NissanConnect EV & Services app or visit www.owners.nissanusa.com.
For more information on set up and using the NissanConnect EV & Services** app visit www.owners.nissanusa.com or contact a NissanConnect EV Customer Support Specialist at (877) NO GAS EV , Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Central Time.
* Feature availability is dependent on vehicle model, trim level, packaging and options.
** Available services/features may be shown. Compatible connected device may be required. Only use services/features and device when safe and legal to do so. Subject to GPS and wireless network availability and connection, and system/technology limitations. Text rates/data usage/subscription may apply. Some services/features provided by companies not within Nissan or its partners' or agents' control and may be discontinued at any time. For more information, see dealer, owner's manual, or www.NissanUSA.com/connect/important-information.
- For questions regarding NissanConnect EV & Services, please contact a NissanConnect EV Customer Support Specialist at (877) NO GAS EV.
🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑 - Sadly Nissan is failing to update its customers about an unscheduled outage for this app. Logging onto the Nissan owner's portal you can still retrieve updates, but the app is not updating at present. I spoke to a representative and they are unsure about when it will be resolved.
Nissan! If you're listening... please listen to and connect with your customers. Let us know there is an issue so we know what to expect. You're not selling this EV green wave driving experience to the best of your ability.
Original review: ⭐⭐🌑🌑🌑 - Depending on how the cellular radio or signal for getting vehicle info actually works, it could be understandable for the slow updates: Update request leaves the app and reaches EV&S servers, dials in to the car, polls for information, receives the information, sends to app... that could understandably take a minute, particularly depending on cell service or signal strength in the area.
Problem is, the app should(could?) be anticipating that and try to preemptively update, but doesn't. Can there be a setting to automatically update all data upon opening the app? Or maybe on a schedule?
Additionally... please let us change the car's color!
While I applaud the attempt, this app falls well short of what it should be. The app takes way too long to update with location information or anything else for that matter. There's not ability to refresh the app in the background on a periodic basis so you always have to manually update. I've attempted to update the location and had it fail many times.
Sadly I was excited about this feature when I was buying the Leaf. I should have had more faith in the bad reviews and poor overall rating.
For a company that supposedly values innovation and reliability, Nissan missed the mark (and an opportunity to be at the forefront) with this app.
It's been stuck on the same date for 2 weeks now. Each time it hit refresh, it behaves as though it's refreshing and then spits out the same 2 week old information. Even the owner's portal on a browser will update, so I know it's not a problem with my car. I doubt anyone from Nissan even reads these reviews or is aware how truly awful this tech is. The Leaf is an amazing car and I'm especially loving my new one, but come on! I'd rather have no app than this.
© 2019 Nissan North America Inc.


text:
Water-based fuel cell converts carbon emissions to electricity
By Georgina Torbet January 20, 2019
Carbon emissions are one of the big concerns impacting climate change, with projects from the development of carbon dioxide-scrubbing plants to businesses pledging to offset their carbon emissions being suggested as ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Now scientists from South Korea have come up with a breakthrough concept which can turn carbon emissions into usable energy.
Scientists from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) developed a system which can continuously produce electrical energy and hydrogen by dissolving carbon dioxide in an aqueous solution. The inspiration came from the fact that much of the carbon dioxide produced by humans is absorbed by the oceans, where it raises the level of acidity in the water. Researchers used this concept to "melt" carbon dioxide in water in order to induce an electrochemical reaction. When acidity rises, the number of protons increases, and these protons attract electrons at a high rate. This can be used to create a battery system where electricity is produced by removing carbon dioxide.
This is a schematic illustration of Hybrid Na-CO2 System and its reaction mechanism. UNIST
The elements of the battery system are similar to a fuel cell, and include a cathode (sodium metal), a separator (NASICON), and an anode (catalyst). In this case, the catalysts are contained in the water and are connected to the cathode through a lead wire. The reaction begins when carbon dioxide is injected into the water and begins to break down into electricity and hydrogen. Not only is the electricity generated obviously useful, but the produced hydrogen could be used to fuel vehicles as well. The current efficiency of the system is up to 50 percent of the carbon dioxide being converted, which is impressive, although the system only operates on a small scale.
"Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies have recently received a great deal of attention for providing a pathway in dealing with global climate change," Professor Guntae Kim of the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST said in a statement. "The key to that technology is the easy conversion of chemically stable CO2 molecules to other materials. Our new system has solved this problem with [the] CO2 dissolution mechanism."
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New nail-on solar shingles offer an affordable alternative to Tesla's solar roof
Victrola's Re-Spin is a sustainable take on the suitcase record player
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The most influential women in tech history


Codemasters released the first gameplay footage for F1 2018, the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, with Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team's Charles Leclerc driving a lap of his home track, the iconic Circuit de Monaco. Check it out.
Rockstar Games third official trailer of highly anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2 that will release worldwide in 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Unfortunately it won´t be released on PC.
Most of the times we come across with big games releases full of bugs. We have to wait weeks until developers fix them and make the game playable. Well, Far Cry 5 is the way we expect top games to be released. Optimization is excellent and bugs hard to find. Good work by Ubisoft after big failures like Assassin´s Creed Unity at its release.
Yesterday, Ubisoft released the latest installment of the critically acclaimed Far Cry franchise, available on the PlayStation 4, the Xbox One and Windows PC. Set in America, a first for the franchise, Far Cry 5 offers players total freedom to navigate a serene-looking yet deeply twisted world as the new junior deputy of fictional Hope County, Montana. Check out launch trailer.