text:
How Cheney Cooked the Intelligence on Iran
By Gareth Porter
Global Research, November 10, 2007
Huffington Post 9 November 2007
Theme: Intelligence, US NATO War Agenda
In-depth Report: IRAN: THE NEXT WAR?
As I reported for Inter Press Service this week, Dick Cheney has been trying to pressure intelligence analysts who have not drunk the neocon kool-aid on Iran to go along with his line on the issues at stake in a National Intelligence Estimate on Iran that the White House has been holding up for more than a year. Think Progress immediately noted the parallel between the Cheney's effort to get an Iran NIE that is more to his liking and the way he pushed intelligence analysts to accept the fabrications the neocons were pushing in on Iraq in 2002.
The similarities between Cheney's efforts to cook the intelligence on Iraq and on Iran are worth noting, but so are the differences. Cheney may have had a bigger impact in shaping the intelligence estimate on Iran to fit the policy he is pursuing than was the case on Iraq in 2002.
The Washington Post reported in June 2003 that Cheney and his chief of staff Scooter Libby had visited CIA analysts several times in 2002 to get them to reexamine their skeptical analysis on the WMD issue. But equally important, the Post quoted a "senior agency official" as saying that speeches by Cheney in August 2002 charging Saddam with having a nuclear weapons program "sent signals, intended or otherwise, that a certain output was desired from here."
The effect was achieved despite the fact that the October 2002 NIE on Iraqi WMD was done very quickly, because it had been forced on the White House in September by the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Sen. Bob Graham. The White House had only just begun to roll out its propaganda campaign on the fictive Iraqi nuclear weapons program at that point.
Now flash forward to autumn 2006. Cheney had a draft NIE on Iraq that he didn't like. The intelligence community had already issued an NIE on Iran in spring 2005 that had concluded Iran's nuclear program would not progress to the point of having the capability to produce a nuclear weapon until sometime between 2010 and 2015. The new draft Iran estimate was still reportedly offering a similar analysis. Cheney wanted it to endorse the neocons' alarmist view that Iran could acquire the knowledge with which to make nuclear weapons much sooner than that.
Furthermore, Cheney needed an NIE that would support the policy of attacking Iran over its alleged role in Iraq and seizing supposed Iranian "Quds force" personnel there. He wanted it to endorse the charge that Iran is supplying armor-piercing weapons to Shiites in Iraq who were killing American troops. But the draft NIE didn't do that, according to former CIA analyst Philip Giraldi.
So part of Cheney's strategy was to keep sending the draft back for further work while he was creating a new political atmosphere on Iran's role in Iraq. He began in early 2007 to use the U.S. military command in Iraq to wage an intensive propaganda campaign on how the Iranians were supplying EFPs to anti-U.S. Shiite guerrillas through the Quds force. Ignoring intelligence available to the military that EFPs were being manufactured in machine shops in Iraq, Gen. Petraeus and his subordinates formulated a new narrative that would dominate media coverage and political discourse on the issue of Iran and Iraq.
That Iranian EFP narrative has now been repeated without any alternative view being reflected in the media for ten months. The complete dominance of that narrative in the society for so long has certainly had its effect on the NIE process. As a former CIA intelligence officer told me, "Look, most of the intelligence analysts are young guys with less than ten years of experience. A lot of them are willing to give the administration line on Iran the benefit of the doubt."
My sources suggest that the analysts ready to go along with the new narrative are now the majority. Nevertheless, some intelligence analysts on Iran are reportedly still refusing to say that there is concrete evidence to support the official line that the Iranian regime is exporting EFPs to Iraq. They are insisting on including their dissenting views on the issue in the NIE.
That is why the new Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell, under orders from Cheney, has refused to circulate the NIE until all dissenting views on the issue have been removed.
There has been no comparable administration propaganda campaign over Iran's nuclear program, so Cheney's tactics were more direct. Last April the chairman of the National Intelligence Council, Thomas Fingar, who presides over the NIEs, was made to go on National Public Radio and declare that the intelligence community was reevaluating whether its judgment on how soon Iran might produce a nuclear weapon needed to be revised. Fingar said the estimate "might change" and vowed that the analysts were "serious about reexamining old evidence". He even revealed the fact that the NIE on Iran was being delayed because of the reexamination.
Although he didn't say so explicitly, Fingar's statement left little doubt that the White House had forced the reexamination of the analysts' judgment on the Iranian nuclear program by holding the NIE hostage. How successful that hardball tactic has been in getting language more acceptable to Cheney is still not known, but there were still differences of view on the issue in the draft NIE as of last month, according to my sources.
These approaches to cooking the intelligence on Iran are even more nefarious than Cheney's direct approach on Iraq in 2002. They will certainly give Cheney language supporting his belligerent policy that he can leak to the press and use to keep Congress in line. Hopefully responsible officials with access to whatever dissenting views remain will leak those to anti-war Democrats,
The original source of this article is Huffington Post
Copyright © Gareth Porter, Huffington Post, 2007
Articles by: Gareth Porter


Nestled between pristine beaches and the gorgeous Lake Macquarie, less than 2 hours' drive from Sydney, and with all the delights of the Hunter Valley only a short hop away.
Belmont Bayview Park is the tranquil secluded base from which you can launch all kinds of fun family adventures, or simply kick back and let the serenity soak in.
With an affordable range of cabins and powered sites featuring free WiFi, a peaceful BBQ and outdoor dining area, its own private pool, and with shops and cafes just around the corner, it's no wonder we're a favourite destination for families, grey nomads and anyone travelling on a budget.


An Activation to commemorate the third anniversary of the South Australian National and Conservation Parks award program for radio amateurs.
I chose to activate the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park in the Wottons Scrub section. The Park is in four sections: Filsell Hill, Wottons Scrub, White Scrub and Burdett Scrub. Filsell Hill is the largest of the four sections and some time ago I set to activate this section. The Park is only accessible though private property and as I had made no arrangements I abandoned my plans. However, Wottons Scrub is easy to find and is well sign-posted. My wife and I checked out access about a week ago and have resolved to return to Wottons Scrub for a walk. Much of the land for this Park has been acquired for the people of South Australia and the nation by the generosity of benefactors. The park is named in memory of Kenneth Stirling, one such benefactor and so was Wottons Scrub (a Mr Wotton).
I chose to set up in the park on the track which leaves the gate where I parked. I took my gear about 100 metres into the park within a small cleared area and set up my station there. I was probably invisible to motorists driving the road, but I could see back to the car park from my spot and I made sure I did not impede bushwalkers. However, there were no walkers: I had the Park to myself.
The photo shows the Yaesu 897, my LiFePo4 battery (8.4 amp hours), clock in UTC, and my log (with writing showing the end result of being a note taker for too long!).
This photo shows another view of my station. The ten metre squid pole is mounted on my tripod and the ends of the linked dipole are in trees at about two metres from the ground. It is a splendid location.
This photo shows the view looking down the track away from the gate.
This photo is taken from the track looking back to the Gate. My operating position was on the right hand side of the track heading away from the gate.
I was on the air at 23:45 UTC (2nd April 2016) and my first contact was with Peter, VK3PF/P in VKFF-0113, Coopracambra National Park, in East Gippsland. Signals were 5 and 7 both ways. A Park to Park contact over such a distance with two low power stations was a good omen. Thanks Peter for the excursion to East Gippsland.
23:17 VK4AAC/P3 Rob was in VKFF-0961 Cobram Regional Park. Signals were 5 and 9 both ways. A second Park to Park contact sequentially – this is really great. Thanks Rob, we appreciate your mammoth excursion. Then in succession I had contacts with: VK2BJP, VK3ZPF, VK3MCD, VK3FADM, VK4FW, VK2IO/p at 23:32. Gerard was in Belford National Park, VKFF-0023, 5 and 2 both ways. I had already worked Gerard in this park from home but it was great to have a Park to Park contact. Then followed VK3AFW, VK2XXM, VK3MRH and then VK6MB. I gave Mike 5 and 6 but he had noise and he gave me 3 and 2 However, it was great to have the contact on 40 metres. VK4RF and VK4HA were both 5 and 8 and I received 5 and 5. It was good to get Rick at such a good level. Then followed VK1MA, VK3DPG, VK3VWS/P, VK2NP and on the 3rd of April just after UTC rollover, Peter, VK3TKK and Tony, VK3AN, about to do a Foundation assessment for an aspiring amateur, Barry, with whom I had a discussion and wished him well and then VK7MBP near New Norfolk in Tasmania s5 and 8 and 4 and 5 received. At 02:22 Mick, VK3PMG, 5 and 7 and 5 and 5. There were no South Australians in the log at this stage. Perhaps they were all worn out and were sleeping in? I knew they were out and about and had received reports from other stations commenting on the number of VK5s in the field. There was no short skip. I saw the contact with Mick, VK3PMG as a sign conditions were beginning to change. The came VK3MCK, VK3ZMD, VK3FQSO, VK3AWG, VK3FAHP/P and VK3AN a second time.
At 00:40 I had a slightly longer contact with Tony, VK5ZAI/P3 who was camped at Laanecoorie Weir, about 30 kilometres from Bendigo, Signals were 5 and 8 and 5 and 9 received. At 00:50, VK3DBP, VK1AT/P3 at Raymond Island in Gippsland, VK5PAS/P, Paul, a Park to Park contact who was operating from VKFF-0940, Waitpinga Conservation Park. While we made a successful contact it was hard work for Paul, 5 and 7 and 5 and 1 received.
At 01:18 I had contacts with VK5GJ/P, Greg and VK5GI/P, Norm, who were operating from VKFF-0999, Bandon Conservation Park. At last a sure sign that propagation was beginning to open up locally. I then worked John, VK2YW, 5 and 9 both ways, VK3VTH/P5, Tony at VKFF-0792, Big Heath Conservation Park in the South East of South Australia and VK5ZGY/P, Greg in Billiatt Conservation Park, VKFF-0821. Then followed VK3EJS and VK5PL, David in the Marne Valley Conservation Park, VKFF-0906. Adrian, VK5FANA was in VKFF-0876, Carribie Conservation Park. I then worked Peter, VK3PF/P at Mount Raymond, in Mount Raymond Regional Park, VKFF-0975.
Then followed VK3AIG, VK5HSX/P, Stef in Beachport Conservation Park, VKFF-0791, VK5TN, VK3SIM, VK5AAH, David in the Fort Glanville Conservation Park, VKFF-1031, VK5PAS/P, Paul in Waitpinga Conservation Park, VKFF-0940, VK7CW, Steve in Tasmania, VK3MEG, VK5AV and finally, VK1AD, Andrew. This was a rare contact for Andrew and I. He is either QRP and propagation is not working in our favour or noise is an issue at his end.
In summary, I enjoyed 51 contacts and thus qualified the Park, with contacts from VKs 1 through to 7. The highlight for me was working 14 other Park operators, or Park to Park contacts. Thanks to all of the operators: at home or in the field who helped make this morning activation so successful.
On Friday morning we, myself and xyl, Jenny, decided to go for a walk in the Mylor Conservation Park, VKFF-0785 and 5CP-156. Mylor Conservation Park is 49 hectares and preserves remnant bushland in the Adelaide Hills. The walk though the Park is not strenuous and the bush is magnificent. The Park is near Mylor and is just over seven kilometres from my house. I previously activated this Park for the WWFF program two Friday afternoons previously, that is on the 12th February. On that occasion I brought the activation to an end as a result of being bitten by ants. I was aiming for 44 contacts. I did not reach that goal.
So we thought we would explore the Park thoroughly and we did. I was hoping to find an activation spot away from power lines, nearby houses and on gravel or some other hard surface to minimise the risk of ants. We entered the Park at the main gate and followed the sealed track to the end of the Park. Here we saw a wooden building which can be hired for camping.
There were also open areas nearby, which, if not for the high tension lines on Whitehead Road, would provide great activation spots. The Park is on the left hand side of the picture opposite Gate 2.
Private Road to Thai Monastery.
I explored another side track which took me to Gate 5 and we returned to the car park on the track which is also part of the famous Heysen Trail. The picture below shows that the unnumbered Gate was on the Hooper Road boundary. I did consider this previously (12th February) as an activation spot but thought the bundled power lines overhead would cause too much noise.
We also took coordinates where we found a very small patch of couch grass on the track in a low spot which was still damp. These coordinates will be sent to the Friends of Mylor Conservation Park. About half way along the sealed track (an old road) there is a cross road: this is roughly in the centre of the Park and there are posts in place for mounting squid poles. This would make a great QRP location away from the noise, reasonable elevation, probably 330 metres above sea level, but the only access is by hiking. You would have to be prepared to take a ground sheet and sit on the ground. This is not much fun for a Park activation!
My operating point was half way between 1 and 8 on the Centre Track.
I decided to compromise. I would walk into the Park carrying my gear. In preparation for the late afternoon activation, I loaded the large ruck sack with my Ipad and modem, three LiFePO4 batteries, two antennas, log book, water and jacket. The exercise required two trips to carry my gear. On the first I carried my tripod, squid pole, table and chair. The walk was about 300 metres uphill. On the second trip I carried the back pack and my FT897 in its black plastic case. I have learned the hard way: the gear is heavy but I have an FT857D on order which will help! All together with the walk in the morning and the afternoon return visit my pedometer reported I had walked 15,146 steps (my goal is 10,000 per day) or 12.25 kilometres and that I had burned 2990 calories. I have to report that on Thursday afternoon, VK5PAS, Paul, VK5KC, David and I had indulged in coffee, cake and cream! So I had extra motivation for the walk!
I set up my gear and was on the air at 05:52. I found 7.120 to be clear and called CQ. I was answered by VK5HDW, David in Ferner Conservation Park. I gave David 5 and 8 and received 5 and 9. I thought that 40 metres looked pretty good for a change! I saw that Rob, VK4AAC/P5 was operating on 7.100 from Danggali Conservation Park and secured a contact before going back to 7.120: 5 and 9 each way. VK3PMG/M, Mick, was driving west near Ararat and we had a contact 5 and 6 each way. Then I was called by VK3PF, Peter who gave me 5 and 8 and I gave him 5 and 6. Then Brian, VK5FMID, from Mount Gambier called: he was 5 and 8 and he gave me 5 and 7. At 06:03 Rick, VK4RF/VK4HA called: signals were 5 and 6 each way. Thus with six contacts around South Eastern Australia, I was able to determine that propagation on the 40 metre band was really quite good and it should be a fun activation.
Then in quick succession followed VK5NRG, Roy; VK5FANA, Adrian on Yorke Penninsular; VK5PAS/M, Paul on his way to Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park; VK5GJ, Greg; VK5YX, Hans; VK3TKK/M3, Peter 5 and 9 both ways; VK3DBP, Paul; VK5NFT/M, Tom; VK3FJBA, Joe near Melbourne; VK5PL, David; VK5AV, Tim; VK2HHA, Dennis from Albury 5 and 8 both ways; VK3FIRM, Mike; VK5EE, Tom; VK5ZGY, Greg from Mount Gambier. I them moved to 7.144 and listened before callling VK5HSX/P, Stef in Deep Creek Conservation Park. I decided to chase Stef, VK5HSX/ because DX stations, although weak, were on 7.110 and making the going a bit hard. I decided to stay on 7.110 for just a little longer to and worked VK5KLV/P, Les in Winninowie Conservation Park. At 06:45 I worked a succession of stations: VK5FPAC, Bob; VK3JK, Craig; VK5KKS, Kevin; VK3BNC, Bob; VK5KPR, Peter; and at 07:08, VK5PAS/P, Paul, at Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park, and on 7.085, VK1DI/P1, Ian in Pinnacle Nature Reserve, VKFF-0862, 5 and 7 and 5 and 8.
I thought I would try for some VK6s. I posted my intention to migrate to 14.312 which I found clear. I called CQ a few times to allow chasers to see my post on Parks and Peaks and was soon answered at 07:33 by VK4RF/VK4HA, Rick 5 and 9 each way: F1BBL, 5 and 5 and 5 and 3 received and finally, JA1QVR, Sam 5 and 8 both ways. I was using 40 watts and a linked dipole and Sam was transmitting with a kilowatt and a four element beam. He was chuffed and so was I.
I enjoyed myself making 36 contacts with one duplicate. Thanks to all of the chasers and, of course, the activators. I made five park to park contacts.
Today was a Parks and radio day. In the morning my wife Jenny and I went for a walk in the Scott Creek Conservation Park. This was my first walk in the Park for some months due to health issues. It was great. The day was warm and sunny, the kangaroos were out and about watching us and the birds were singing. I was living for the day! Jenny was identifying a weed for the authorities: an Ivy plant that grows on the indigenous eucalypts, the brown stringy bark trees. She found at least three examples. We also saw a mob of dorper sheep. When they spotted us they ran towards SA water land which adjoins the conservation park. They owe their freedom to private gates nearby which were left undone during the motor car rally held in November. The Ranger will be advised.
When we concluded our activities at Scott Creek Conservation Park we drove to Mylor Conservation Park which is also nearby in the Adelaide Hills. (I measured the distance in the car last evening when leaving Mylor Conservation Park and driving home the most direct way at 7.1 kilometres: thus I am in the fortunate position of having three parks within ten kilometres of my house). The purpose of the visit to Mylor was to check out possible operating locations. In the end I finished up going to the main gate off Whithead Road. This is not far from houses and a Buddhist Monastery and the noise was about S7. It was hard to tell how much of the background noise was simply that and how much was power-line noise. But at the end of the activation the noise had dropped to about S3. We also explored Hooper Road which runs along the Park boundary. We drove to the end of the road and the beginning of the fire trail. At this point the road branches into two private driveways. There is a Park gate about half way along this road but a glance over head showed bundled power lines. I did not even bother to try from that location! I decided I would return to the location of my first activation near the main gate off Whitehead Road.
This photo shows my operating position with the FT897 on the left hand side of the table and 8.4 amp hour LiFePO4 battery. Even after 30 contacts the battery voltage was 12.9 volts.
This photo shows a ten metre squid pole attached to my tripod. For this activation I did not guy the squid pole or use ten pegs to hold the tripod legs in place on the ground. There was only a light breeze.
Mylor Conservation Park is a small park in the Adelaide Hills. It conserves remnant bushland in an area largely cleared for agriculture and residential development on small holdings (four hectares mostly) except in townships. There is a Friends Group and flora and fauna lists are available on the State Government parks web site.
I began on 40 metres and after 17 contacts I decided to try 20 metres. I made five contacts on 20 including three DX qsos before moving back to 40 metres where a further ten contacts were made. Thanks to all who gave me a call, who posted my activation on Parks and Peaks as well as the DX cluster. I decided to end the activation because of the impact of my trespassing. While I gave my operating position a pretty good check for local inhabitants I decided to end the affair when I was bitten twice, simultaneously on the right hand pointer finger and left arm just above the wrist. The attackers were ants. I am not sure what species they were but they surely packed a punch. My arm is still swollen as I write this blog entry on Saturday morning. While ants have been attackers in the past on many occasions, these guys had the most impact on me. When I return to the park to try and secure 44 contacts I will set up in another location. The ants that can cause the most problems are hopper ants.
THIS is the angry little ant that's putting up to two South Australians a week into hospital emergency rooms, some with potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.
The native hopper ant (Myrmecia pilosula), also known as the jack jumper, packs a painful sting from its tail — but for a significant proportion of people the consequences can be much greater.
Last Sunday a 71-year-old Stirling man was taken to hospital by ambulance after being stung, a situation that has become common during summer, according to Professor Bob Heddle, SA Pathology's chief pathologist and head of Clinical Immunology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Prof Heddle said the aggressive ant, which moves with a distinctive hopping motion, has been responsible — along with its cousin, the inch ant — for a least six deaths in Tasmania and Victoria in recent years, although he believes deaths caused by the insects are probably under-reported.
So I cannot tell what bit me, except that the impact of bites from hopper ants are cumulative. So I will be careful in the future.
VK5FRCP 58 59 Rex at Piccadilly. There had been no propagation locally through the afternoon until VK5FRCP called. Rex is located in the Adelaide Hills, a kilometre or two from Mylor Conservation Park.
I decided to try 20 metres, but not before trying to contact VK5FANA, Adrian on the Yorke Peninsular. I called VK5PAS after he worked VK5FANA at 0552. I also listened for VK5FANA, operating just higher in frequency that me a few times while I was having a quiet moment between calls. I could not contact him.
At 0700 I checked 14.310. It was clear and I spotted myself.
I then listened for VK5FANA, who briefly popped up out of the noise and was not heard again by me. I could hear stations contacting Adrian and giving him great reports. Sorry Adrian, may be next time!
I was pleased to have a contact with Paul, VK5PAS, who was activating Cromer Conservation Park, VKFF-779, on the 31st July 2015. It was a real Winter's Day activation and only one month of Winter remaining. Roll on Spring! It was also World International Ranger Day. The shooting of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe is a reminder that in some countries the work of Rangers has added dangers.


text:
Home Finance Banks & Insurance EAPEF Invests in Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank, Nigeria
EAPEF Invests in Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank, Nigeria
Cyrille Nkontchou, Founder of Enko
Enko Capital Managers ("ECM"), managers of the Enko Africa Private Equity Fund ("EAPEF"), a private equity investor targeting mid-cap growth companies across Africa, has completed an investment to provide expansion capital to Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Ltd, a Nigeria-headquartered mortgage lender.
The deal marks the fifth investment for EAPEF and will support IHMB's expansion strategy in Nigeria. The investment will be used to increase IHMB's capital base for the purpose of growing its lending book as well as to improve IHMB's operational performance and efficiency through EAPEF's participation in the strategic direction of the company at board level. ECM's director, Ralph Gilchrist, who led the deal for the investor, said "EAPEF is delighted to team up with shareholders and management of such a well-established player in the Nigerian mortgage sector. Given IHMB's scale and reputation in the market, as well as the inherent growth potential of the Nigerian mortgage industry, we are convinced that IHMB is well positioned to take advantage of the vast potential of the untapped Nigerian mortgage market and we look forward to helping to grow the business in Nigeria."
Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited (www.imperialmortgagebank.com) is a mortgage bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to undertake mortgage banking and related services. It was incorporated in 1992 as Citizens Savings and Loans Limited and was acquired by Guaranty Trust Bank plc in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary, changing its name to GTHomes Limited in line with its other branded operations. In September 2010, CBN imposed new regulations on the financial services sector, which resulted in GTBank plc's divestment from GTHomes in 2012 to its current shareholders. Following the divestment, the Company changed its name to Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited. IHMB is licensed as one of 10 national mortgage banks and is widely regarded to be one of the leading Primary Mortgage Banks in Nigeria in terms of total assets and earnings.
Enko Africa Private Equity Fund is a US$64 million private equity fund established in April 2014 for the purpose of investing in growth companies in Africa across a broad range of economic sectors. EAPEF's investment focus is on entrepreneur-led, mid-sized companies backed by strong management. It is particularly interested in companies that have ambitions for a possible future stock market listing. Enko Capital Managers, investment manager of EAPEF, is part of the Enko Capital group, a dedicated African-focused asset management firm, with offices in London and Johannesburg, which also manages a top tier fund focusing on listed African equities as well as a listed debt fund. Founders and Partners of EAPEF, Cyrille Nkontchou and Ralph Gilchrist, have over 38 years of combined experience in African private equity and capital markets, and are supported by an extensive regional network of strategic alliances. They have invested, led and advised on over US$500 million of investments in Africa.
EAPEF
Previous articleAfrican Development Bank launches landmark US$500 million credit insurance deal with African Trade Insurance Agency and UK reinsurers
Next articleECA staff bid adieu to Abdalla Hamdok – "a brilliant, true Pan-Africanist"
Financial Afrik se propose de délivrer l'information financière stratégique aux cadres et dirigeants, à travers une newsletter quotidienne et un site web qui couvre toute la finance africaine.
SME area
NIGERIA: Microsoft and ICE Commercial Power partner to improve SMEs' access to solar energy
Hilda Kragha appointed as new CEO for Jobberman.com Nigeria
Nigeria: Olam launches takeover bid for Dangote Flour Mills
Exchange losses: Ecobank replenishes its subsidiary in Nigeria
Nigeria: Africa Re and IFC Join Forces to Support Smallholders
Nigeria-Cameroon: UN marks satisfaction with demarcation of border
Nigeria: Quantum Capital Partners Raises $ 5.5 Million for TeamApt
Nigeria: Commercial banks record higher foreign currency deposits

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


ASUS EEE PC 900HA is a one of the most popular netbooks. But still ASUS don't have drivers for Windows 7 on the official driver site.
There are only two drivers that after installation of Windows are missing. ASUS ATK Driver and Display driver. We have manage to find the drivers and share with our readers. The both drivers are packed in a single rar file that you can download from this link below.
Just to be clear the drivers are for Windows 7 32-bit. Because this laptop have a 32-bit processor you cannot install 64-bit OS even if you want.
The drivers are tested and work for sure. The Display driver have a setup, and you can install the usual way. The ACPI ATK driver need to e installed through Device Manager with Update Driver procedure. The whole procedure is explained in one text file inside the drivers folder.
This entry was posted in Drivers, Installation and tagged ASUS, Driver, installation by Tome Trajkov. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Rhyacophila pieli is een schietmot uit de familie Rhyacophilidae. De soort komt voor in China.

Endemisch dier uit China
Rhyacophilidae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Newland, Myrna C.
Existence: Born 1939
Myrna C. (Anderson) Newland, M.D., was born June 7, 1939, in Breckenridge, Minnesota. She graduated from Forman High School (salutatorian), Forman, North Dakota, and received a B.A. from the University of North Dakota in 1961. She received a B.S. in Medicine from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in 1962, and an M.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1964.
She did an internship and residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (mixed internship), 1964-1965; a residency at the University of Oregon Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, 1965-1966; a residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, 1966-1967; and a fellowship in Anesthesia at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, 1967-1968. She was an Instructor of Surgery (Anesthesia), 1968-1971; an Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, 1972-1988; an Associate Professor of Anesthesia, 1988-2001; and a Professor of Anesthesia, 2001-2013, all at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In 2013, she was appointed Professor Emeritus of Anesthesia. She served as interim chair of the Department of Anesthesia, December 1994-May 1996, and March-April, 1997.
She is a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners (1965), a Fellow of the American College of Anesthesiology (1969), a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology (1970), and received recertification from the American Board of Anesthesiology, with a Continuing Demonstration of Qualifications (	1993).
Dr. Newland's areas of interest included quality improvement in anesthesia, outcomes research, education and faculty development, quality assurance, and patient safety in anesthesia. Her teaching activities include facilitating problem-based learning cases for M1 students and coordinating the weekly mortality and morbidity conferences in the department of anesthesiology. She was responsible for compliance and safety issues in anesthesiology and was a member of the UNMC Physicians Compliance Committee and the Reporting Committee for the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety. She has served as a consulting physician for both the Omaha and Lincoln Veterans Administration Medical Centers.
She has also served as director of UNMC's Equity Office (1998-2013), chair of the Ombuds Team, member of the chancellor's commission and co-chair of the university-wide commission on gender, and the women's liaison for the College of Medicine to the Association of American Medical Colleges. She served 19 years in the Faculty Senate, 10 of those years on the executive committee, and one year as president, 1996-1997. She served as chair of the Faculty Development Steering Committee, 1999-2013. She was a member of the McGoogan Library of Medicine Advisory Committee, 2011-2013, and she has served as president of the Friends of the McGoogan Library of Medicine.
Myrna Newland Interview, 2018
Oral history interview: born-digital file of the recording and a transcript.
Found in: University of Nebraska Medical Center Special Collections / AV-002, Oral History Collection / McGoogan Library Interviews
More about 'Newland, Myrna C.'
Newland , James R. (Associative with Related)


it was simple to chop off some from the bottom of the small pot!
I'm LOVING having another size to use, simply by altering what we already have!
and that your 2016 will be the best E V E R!
tiger lily is another GOOD one!
just incase you NEED anything!
why do I always wait?
it's perfect for gift cards, small gifts or $$$!
its 's easy way to make a multicolored plaid!
I'll post another peek tomorrow!
I did that last year and ended up in Facebook jail!
they're on sale...so grab them!
their new location is fabulous!
mushroom alcohol ink does it!
the longest part is waiting for the paste to dry!
thanks so much for stopping by and thanks to Carolyn for the invite!
leave a comment and I'll send this tag plus a "little something" to a random commenter.


This topic contains 296 replies, has 88 voices, and was last updated by gevcen 11 hours, 36 minutes ago.
Thank you, I was able to configure it as needed now.
Showing more that 1 smartwatch on product listing.
Could you please provide some screenshot that illustrates what do you mean by more than 1 smartwatch?
5 – The option to display the price range at a specific product (for example: from 100$ to 200$) or to choose if to display the lower price or the highest one.
6 – The option to easily change "add to cart" or "add to wishlist" button text.
7 – The option to easily change "hot", "featured", "new" and other labels text.
I hope you will consider to implement this changes in future updates and make the best and most complete e-commerce theme ever!
This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by cristiand.
Thank you very much for the feature request. We will review it and consider adding some of them in our future updates.
First, thank you for good expirience with the theme and wonderful service.
My future requset is to add an ability define different style to each categoty.
For exemple: one categoty with masonry grid with all info on hover, and other category with regular grid and some other hover style.
This option can be define on category editing page.
Thank you, we will add your suggestion to our feature requests list.
I forgot about the measurement units after the price. It would be awesome if you can add this feature! And the possibility to choose a master unit and for each product a option to change or add something else. For example: 30$/L or 30$/m2 or 30$/box.
Thank you for your this feature request too!
Hi you, when there are slider products on the left like this, commenting on the right product looks great.
Thank you for your this feature request.
Hi, I want to make some request.
1. Add show product brand next to title.
2. Add last product gallery image hover instead 2nd image gallery.
This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by drkshdw.
Thank you for the feature request. We will consider them for our future updates.
Currently, we are working on other things for our updates. Unfortunately, we can't say exactly when your feature request will be implemented. In fact, we can't say it about any request here. We just collect customers suggestions and then decide what would be better to implement in the next update.
Can you add Quick View Compatibility with Woocommerce Extra Product Options Plugin?
If you press quick view button on a product with custom attributes from the above plug-in it doesn't show them in quick view. Only in product page.
Our quick view popup uses the same hooks as on the single product page. Seems that this plugin doesn't work inside AJAX requests. You can try to contact plugin's developers and ask what should we do to make our quick view compatible with it. Only if they can help, we will be able to add the compatibility in the future.
Can you make a Clear All Filters Button instead of deleting one by one the active filters in sidebar area?
OK, we will consider this option for the future. Thank you for the suggestion.
Thank you for adding a lot of new features. I hope that there will be more home page like this, it is a shopping market a lot of items.
Sure, we will release marketplace WoodMart demo soon.
Hello, This feature is very reasonable looking for you to add.
1) More display and smaller size photos.
2) The guide bar moves to the top.


From left to right: Lieneke, Paola, Jolien, Michelle, Merle, Katharina, Marco, Louise and Josha (upper row) and Marcelle, Diana and Annelieke.
From October 2015 to March 2016 Najuan Daadleh (project on return of Stateless Palestinians) and Emanuela Roman (project on Chinese Cooks) acted as our senior research associates.
From March 2016 to June 2016 Jaap Lameijer (project on requests for a preliminary ruling) and Sophie Gilliam (project on 1F and public order), both lawyers at DLA Piper, were associated to the Clinic as senior research associates.


text:
House Targaryen, Culture & Society, Medicine
Targaryen madness
What Drove Aerys Targaryen Mad?
Aerys II Targaryen at the height of his madness.
"Half the Targaryens went mad, didn't they?... What's the saying? 'Every time a Targaryen is born the gods flip a coin.'"
―Cersei Lannister[src]
House Targaryen carries the trait for insanity in its bloodline. Over three hundred years of heavy inbreeding, marrying brother to sister whenever possible to "keep the bloodline pure," resulted in many of the medical problems seen with incest, particularly mental instability.
The most prominent example of the Targaryen madness was the last Targaryen king, Aerys II, who subsequently became known as "the Mad King". In his youth, Aerys was initially perceived as charming and ambitious, but as he grew older, Aerys suffered from some sort of paranoid schizophrenia. He heard voices in his head that weren't real and these voices told him to burn people alive because they were all plotting against him.
Other Targaryens displayed highly bizarre personalities, though they were not strictly speaking "insane". They didn't experience hallucinations or hear voices, but some had aggressive, sociopathic personalities. Aerion Brightflame (despite not being a product of incest), the older brother of Maester Aemon and King Aegon V, eventually succumbed to the delusional belief that if he drank wildfire it would transform him into a dragon but instead, it killed him.
Aerion Brightflame sealed his fate by drinking wildfire, believing it would turn him into a dragon.
The effects worsened with each generation of compounded inbreeding. By the later centuries of their rule, it was joked that when a new Targaryen was born the gods would flip a coin to decide if they would be a brilliant statesman or insane. This does not mean that all Targaryens were as a rule mentally unstable, as seen with how Daenerys Targaryen's oldest brother Rhaegar was considered a great man by all who knew him, and Maester Aemon became a wise and revered adviser to the Night's Watch for many decades.
Generally, if a Targaryen had multiple sons and one of them was clearly mentally unstable, they would try to skip over him in the line of succession in favor of a more stable younger son. Therefore, fewer of the early Targaryen kings had mental problems, because if a king did have a mentally unstable son he wouldn't be allowed to succeed his father. However, during the last century of their rule the Targaryen madness became increasingly common, making it more and more difficult to avoid having a mentally unstable son inherit the throne.
Although not a Targaryen himself, Joffrey Baratheon's incestuous bloodline is speculated to have produced similarly severe defects in his sanity. Joffrey is the child of twin lovers, Jaime and Cersei Lannister, and did not have a drop of Baratheon blood in his veins. While he didn't suffer from hallucinations, Joffrey was a sadistic, megalomaniacal sociopath, with delusions of grandeur. However, his brother and sister - also the children of Jaime and Cersei - did not appear to suffer the same defects.
Known Mad Targaryens
Viserys Targaryen was prone to outbursts of rage and petty cruelty.
King Maegor the Cruel was the first original Targaryen King who displayed the infamous madness, he overthrew and murdered his nephew for the Iron Throne making him a kinslayer, and after construction of the Red Keep was completed, he had all of the masons and workers massacred so that only he would know the castle's secrets. His entire reign was engulfed in war in the Seven Kingdoms, he is particularly known for his devastating conflict with the Faith.
King Baelor the Blessed was overzealously obsessed with religion and purity, to the point that he starved himself into an early grave because he believed that food is of this world, and the material world is sinful.[1]
Prince Rhaegel, older brother of King Maekar, had massive delusions and was known to randomly take off his clothes and dance naked through the halls of the Red Keep.
Prince Aerion Brightflame, son of King Maekar and nephew of the Prince Rhaegel. Aerion killed himself drinking wildfire, believing it would turn him into a dragon.
King Aerys, the Mad King, son of King Aegon V and nephew of Aerion. The infamous Mad King. Had violent visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as a near-permanent feeling of persecution, which drove him to execute anyone who slighted him out of fear that they were conspiring against him. Tried to blow up King's Landing with wildfire, believing he would rise from the ashes as a dragon.[2]
Prince Viserys Targaryen, second son of Aerys II, had delusions of greatness and would have frequent, violent outbursts of jealous anger towards his sister, Daenerys. He ultimately sealed his own fate by drunkenly threatening Daenerys and her unborn son, prompting Drogo to pour molten gold on his head.
Queen Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of Aerys II and sister of Viserys, whose insanity peaked in the Battle of King's Landing, in which she razed the city with dragonfire (which also prompted caches of wildfire exploding), killing tens of thousands of civilians after the Lannister army had surrendered. Prior to this, she showed some signs of the disease, particularly in the form of megalomania (somewhat like her brother Viserys), including the crucifixion of 163 Great Masters in Meereen after the Siege of Meereen, regardless of their personal guilt or innocence, and burning her enemies for insubordination. The slaughter in King's Landing, in addition to her subsequently stated desire to "liberate" the entire world, led to her death at the hands of her nephew and lover, Jon Snow.
Status of current Targaryens
Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen)
"I still don't know how her coin has landed. But I am quite certain about yours."
―Varys to Jon Snow.[src]
As the last living son of Rhaegar Targaryen, Jon has the potential of inheriting the Targaryen madness as even less inbred Targaryens have been known to shown signs of it. So far, Jon has shown no such signs. Unlike his aunt, Daenerys, he shows disappointment or even remorse when he feels forced to kill. For example, he only executed Janos Slynt because he refused to obey a direct order, an intolerable act among the Night's Watch, and he slightly hesitated before letting the sword fall, implying even at that moment he wished he didn't have to behead Slynt. Later, he only executed Alliser Thorne, Othell Yarwyck, Bowen Marsh, and Olly after they betrayed and killed him, and even though it was Olly who led him into the trap and ultimately struck the fatal blow, Jon later expressed remorse for hanging him, as he was only a boy younger than Bran Stark. Arguably, however, his execution of the betrayers can be seen as hypocritical, as while he used his position as Lord Commander of the Night's Watch to order the execution, he then immediately argued that he was released from his vows upon death. He cannot reasonably argue that he was both released from his vows after death, and had authority as Lord Commander for a time after his resurrection.
He has expressed rage at least once, although it is difficult to attribute this to madness. He nearly murdered Ramsay Bolton with his bare hands, but stopped out of respect for his "sister", Sansa Stark. Although the sacking and burning of Winterfell and murder of Rickon Stark affected them both and he also saw his friend Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun slain in front of him, Sansa suffered severe abuse at Ramsay's hands, including rape. That said, Jon only managed to regain control and release his grip on Ramsay when he saw Sansa, suggesting that Ramsay's horrendous actions brought forth minor, residual madness; however, he has never shown such brutality since. He was horrified after hearing about the execution of the Tarlys and witnessing the burning of King's Landing, showing he is much more intolerant to needless violence than Daenerys. When Tyrion urged Jon to assassinate Daenerys for the threat she posed, Jon was resistant to the idea due to his love for her. He pleaded with Daenerys to opt for mercy over continued killing but when Daenerys showed she was resolved to destruction, Jon ultimately assassinated her by stabbing her through the heart, ensuring her death would be too quick for her to suffer. He was devastated after carrying it out and later admitted to Tyrion that he didn't feel it was right.
In short, while Jon is capable of brutality, it takes direct harm to his family and friends as part of an effort to provoke him to bring him to that stage, and the resulting extreme violence has solely been directed towards those provoking him. More likely, the death of anyone who forces Jon to resort to violence would be a standard form of execution or resulting from battle. By contrast, Daenerys was more willing to utilize violence and had been indiscriminate in its use even before succumbing to madness.
"The 'dragon spawn' were famous for losing their minds. It was the price they paid for centuries of keeping the bloodlines pure, and Aerys more than happily continued the 'noble' sister-fucking tradition of his forefathers."
―Robert Baratheon on the Targaryens.[src]
"Babies or no, theirs was the same cursed blood that flowed within the Mad King's veins. They were 'dragon-spawn', and couldn't be allowed to survive. What would they grow to be, loyal subjects?...Was it a crime to put an end to a family of lunatics born of incest?"
―Robert Baratheon on the deaths of the Targaryen children.[src]
In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, on a few occasions, Targaryens were born who had benign but nonetheless delusional personalities, such as Baelor "the Blessed". Baelor was admittedly a well-intentioned man but lost his grip on reality, becoming obsessed with religion - not in a puritanical way but by carrying altruism and pacifism to an absurd degree. An overzealous fool, he prayed more than he ruled, wore only a crown of flowers, and died without heirs because he never consummated his marriage for fear of sinning. He even locked his three sisters away in a tower (mockingly called the "Maidenvault") to avoid carnal temptations. He made a stonemason the new High Septon due to the beauty of the religious statues he carved - despite the fact that he was illiterate and knew no prayers - believing him the Smith in human form. After the stonemason died, Baelor replaced him by appointing an eight year old boy as High Septon.
There are also examples of Targaryen children who were born mentally disabled, but because they were never seriously considered in the line of succession, little was recorded about them and they are given only scant mentions in the royal histories. The daughter of Aerion and Aemon's oldest brother is recorded as being born "feeble-witted".
The generations of inbreeding practiced by the Targaryens usually resulted in mental health problems, though at times they also produced severe detriments to physical health. Some Targaryens were intellectually and emotionally normal, but possessed such fragile health that they suffered from numerous ailments and died young. A prominent example of this was the Mad King's father Jaehaerys II, a good and honorable ruler who possessed frail health and died after ruling for only three years (however, Jaehaerys II has been officially cut from the TV series continuity).
Aegon II Targaryen's children also had several health problems as a result of their incestuous bloodlines, their mother being Aegon II's own sister Helaena. Aegon II's son Jaehaerys was born with six fingers on his left hand, and six toes on each foot, but otherwise was a completely healthy, mentally stable, and happy young boy. Jaehaerys's twin sister Jaehaera, however, is described as possibly having some form of autism spectrum mental condition. Jaehaera did not smile or cry as a baby, or any of the normal reactions a baby has, and at the age of six was called "sweet and simple". Even so, due to the death of the rest of her immediate family, Jaehaera eventually became queen when she was wed to her cousin Aegon III Targaryen, to end the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Jaehaera never gave Aegon III any children, however, and after her death Aegon III later remarried to a lady of House Velaryon who gave him five children.
The heavy Targaryen inbreeding also caused severe health problems in the Mad King's own progeny with his sister-wife Queen Rhaella: Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys actually weren't their only children, just the only ones to survive infancy. Rhaegar was born in 259 AC and Viserys was born in 276 AC - in the intervening 17 years, Queen Rhaella had no less than two stillbirths, three miscarriages, and three infant sons who were born alive but were so sickly that none of them lived more than a year. It was speculated that the stress from all of these dead children is one of the factors that accelerated Aerys II's spiral into insanity (not the root cause, but it certainly didn't help).
The "Targaryen Madness" wasn't always initially present, and sometimes grew worse with age. Aerys II himself, while remembered as "the Mad King", was perfectly sane as a young adult. As the years passed, however, he had lapses into unstable behavior that gradually grew worse and worse, and longer in duration. Many were willing to ignore these eccentric episodes when they passed, but by his mid-40's Aerys had become completely unstable, hearing voices that weren't there, becoming irrationally paranoid, and burning men alive for his own amusement. At first, Daenerys wasn't willing to believe the tales of her father's madness as anything more than rumors spread by Robert Baratheon, but after Ser Barristan Selmy joins her service, at her request he gives her a frank report on the nature of Targaryen madness.
Daenerys becomes deeply concerned when she learns that Targaryen madness was often a late-onset condition: her own infamously insane father showed little sign of mental instability into his late-20's, thus there is no real guarantee that the apparently-sane teenaged Daenerys will not suddenly turn violently insane at some point in the future; either one year in the future or twenty years in the future.
House Baratheon in the current generation is closely related to the Targaryens, as Robert Baratheon's paternal grandmother was a Targaryen, thus making Robert's father the first cousin of King Aerys II. Every now and again when certain people disparage the three Baratheon brothers, they sometimes speculate that their "drop of dragon-blood" from their partial Targaryen descent made them a little odd. For example, Olenna Tyrell thought this was a contributing factor in what made Renly Baratheon so rash that he thought he could proclaim himself king, even though Robert had two sons and a middle brother (Stannis) before Renly in the line of succession.
Ironically, if Joffrey Baratheon was the actual son of Robert Baratheon, he would have had some Targaryen blood in him - and this may have been used to explain his erratic behavior. Secretly, however, Joffrey is actually the product of incest between twins Jaime and Cersei Lannister, whose own parents, Tywin and Joanna Lannister, were cousins, and has no relationship to the Targaryens.[3]
Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar and Elia), who is revealed to be alive in A Dance with Dragons, behaves on two occasions in such manner that perhaps implies he carries the Targaryen insanity strain: first, he becomes angry when Tyrion defeats him in Cyvasse, kicks the board and orders Tyrion to pick up the pieces; that makes Tyrion muse "He may well be a Targaryen after all". Second, a few days after he, his guardian Jon Connington and the Golden Company arrive at Westeros, he becomes domineering and arrogant, and overconfidently states that he intends to conquer Storm's End. It would be premature, though, to determine whether these are early signs of the Targaryen Madness; it can simply be a typical behavior of an adolescent.
Targaryen madness on A Wiki of Ice and Fire (MAJOR spoilers from the books)
↑ "Breaker of Chains"
↑ "Kissed by Fire"
↑ In the fifth novel, Ser Barristan Selmy tells Daenerys that her father lusted after Joanna Lannister and acted indecently at her bedding. Based on that, there is an unverified fan theory that Aerys slept with Joanna (with or without her consent), and he is the father of Jaime and Cersei. Joffrey's personality supports (but does not confirm) the theory: he could have inherited that strain via Cersei, who is also somewhat mentally unstable and capable of homicide and sadism, though in smaller scale.
Retrieved from "https://gameofthrones.fandom.com/wiki/Targaryen_madness?oldid=427498"


text:
Voters' Choice
How Japan's music playing, water-spraying TOTO toilets took over the world
Posted November 15, 2017 8:37 p.m. EST
By Amanda Sealy, Jenni Marsh, Junko Ogura (CNN)
(CNN) — I will always remember the first time I walked into a Tokyo bathroom and, with the automatic lift of its lid, a Japanese "smart toilet" happily greeted me.
It didn't end there.
Mounted to the wall was a panel of buttons, illustrated by stick men and symbols open to wild interpretation. It transpired that they controlled functions such as toilet seat heating, the water pressure level of the electronic bidet, and music to cover, er, embarrassing noises.
I had just one question: Which one was for the flush?
Japan is now so notorious for its complicated "smart toilets" that earlier this year the Japan Sanitary Equipment Industry Association standardized the pictograms on such controls to prevent foreign visitors, in particular, being accidentally squirted in the face when groping for the flush.
So how did Japan become the world's most sophisticated innovator in lavatories?
It's all down to one company: TOTO, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
In 1903, Japanese inventor Kazuchika Okura made a journey to the West.
Dazzled by the gleaming white ceramic toilet bowls of Europe, he returned home determined to modernize Japanese bathrooms, which still consisted of outdoors squat toilets with no sewerage system.
By 1914, he had produced the first Western-style flush toilet in Japan, and in 1917 he founded the Toyo Toki Company -- to be renamed TOTO in 1970.
In the decades that followed, TOTO became a household name for quality toilets. But it wasn't until the end of the 20th century that the company really started to innovate.
In 1980, TOTO created the Washlet. It sold for 149,000 yen.
The idea was simple: to integrate functions of the European bidet -- a type of sink intended for the washing the buttocks -- into an electric toilet seat. Customers could attach the Washlet to their existing toilets, or a TOTO unit. The company was already distributing in Japan a similar product produced by an American manufacturer, but their plan was to refine it.
"We always say: 'This can be better,' and try to commercialize the idea," says Madoka Kitamura, the current TOTO president.
To improve the concept, engineers perfected the temperature of the water until it was pleasantly warm -- never too hot or cold. Next, they worked tireless to find the ideal angle at which water should spray from the wand that extends from the beneath the seat.
After asking 300 of TOTO employees to test various positions for optimum comfort and cleanliness, they found what is now called the "golden angle."
It turns out, 43 degrees is just right.
The TOTO takeover
The Washlet wasn't an overnight sensation, but it found a high-end clientele.
By initially focusing on selling Washlets to golf courses, TOTO targeted businessmen who, before long, were hooked. Flush executives installed Washlets in their homes, and when traveling on business demanded accommodation with a TOTO.
"When you look at hotel brochures from that time ... there is a column showing whether or not the hotel has a Washlet," says Nariko Yamashita, a TOTO public relations representative. "Nowadays, it's a standard fixture in Japanese hotels."
By 1998, 10 million Washlets had been sold and, by 2000, TOTO toilets were becoming common in public places -- restaurants, shopping centers, schools.
Shihohiko Takahashi, an urban designer and professor emeritus of Kanagawa University, explains that department stores and supermarkets used Washlets to entice shoppers.
"Customers, especially female customers, go to places with nice and comfortable toilets," he says.
You'll never encounter a nicer highway restroom than in Japan.
In 2015, TOTO hit the 40 million Washlet sales mark, globally, helping to solidify Japan's cult toilet status.
In the fiscal year ending in March 2017, TOTO made 33.8 billion yen ($311 million).
Today, you can find TOTO Washlets at the five-star Shangri-la hotel at the top of the Shard in London, aboard Boeing 777 business class bathrooms, and even in washrooms at the Louvre museum in Paris.
In short, the Washlet has become the ultimate washroom status symbol.
A shrine to the lavatory
Just as the vacuum cleaner became known as a Hoover and the hot tub a Jacuzzi, the "smart toilet" is now often simply referred to as a TOTO.
Not that other brands haven't tried to muscle in. Rivals from Panasonic to Toshiba produce toilets with more controls than your average TV remote, with LIXIL emerging as the closest rival with 24% of the Japanese toilet market, according to industry researcher Japan Journal of Remodeling.
But only TOTO has the cult status to warrant its own toilet museum.
Located in Kitakyushu, southern Japan, the TOTO Museum has been visited more than 180,000 times since opening two years ago, far exceeding its operators' expectations.
As you'd expect, some of the exhibits are slightly tongue-in-cheek, such as The Neo, a poop-powered toilet motorcycle, which TOTO used as a marketing device as it traveled Japan a few years ago to promote its green agenda.
Takahashi explains that TOTO has become so special to Japanese people -- to the point where they will travel to a museum that pays homage to it --- because it both addressed the nation's "shame culture" while also promoting Japan as a high-tech innovator.
"Japanese people could not (in the past) say the word 'toilet.' They were shy... there are (the awkward) issues of sound and smell regarding the toilet," he says.
With the Washlet, "these problems are solved" as TOTO developed the "equipment to remove the smell" and cover the sound.
Japan embraced the toilet.
Potted history
The main goal of the museum is to give a potted history of toilets. There is, after all, no better way to make people appreciate modern plumbing than to confront them with an old wooden squat toilet.
The museum also hammers home TOTO's technological accomplishments over the past century.
It's not all about fancy buttons.
TOTO, for example, has developed a special coating that leaves each toilet bowl ultra smooth, preventing debris from sticking to its surface. Its rimless bowls give germs fewer places to hide.
After every flush, the Washlet sprays what TOTO calls ewater+ onto the bowl -- this regular water has been electrolyzed to give it a slightly acidic pH value that kills bacteria, preventing nasty "toilet ring" stains.
"It would be good if they didn't have to be cleaned at all. If the toilets didn't smell bad or it the sound they made would be quieter," says Kitamura, adding that all of those ideas are being pursued.
In the late 1990s, TOTO embarked on a quest to make the world's most efficient flush.
"It used to take about 13 liters (for a single flush) when I joined (TOTO), but then it became six liters, and people thought it was impossible to go lower," says Shinichi Arita, a TOTO engineer.
In 2002, TOTO launched the Tornado Flush. Instead of water coming from above, it is released from the side of the bowl, causing it to swirl around the bowl naturally, meaning less water is required.
During the following decade, engineers worked to reduce the amount of water the Tornado required. By 2012, a single flush was down to 3.8 liters.
"We didn't think that was possible at all when I joined. I believe it was a great turning point," says Arita.
World's most expensive toilet?
This year, TOTO released its newest, shiniest toilet: the Neorest NX.
With a price-tag of $6,000, it is thought to be the world's most expensive toilet (barring those encrusted with diamonds, or made from gold). For comparison, the standard Washlet goes for $2,500.
And while its price tag may seem absurd, the Neorest NX is already on back order.
Hand-sculpted into a futuristic form and then fired in a kiln, this toilet is created like a work of art rather than a bathroom fixture. And from the Tornado Flush to the Washlet bidet, it incorporates every piece of technology TOTO has to offer.
When asked about the company's future, Kitamura says lower costs toilets are also in the works.
"There are many countries where toilets are yet to spread and sewage systems are yet to be developed. For those countries to develop, it's critical to save water and use less water," he says. "In India, for example, if one billion people use a 4-liter TOTO flush instead of 10 liter (flush), they can enjoy richer lives."
TOTO is also eying foreign markets such as China, and branching out into high-tech bathing, having unveiled its cradle-shaped Flotation Tub at an industry fair in Germany earlier this year. Expected to go on sale in April, the circular tub is inspired by flotation therapy and promises to put users in a trance-like state.
But perhaps the biggest opportunity on TOTO's horizon is the Olympic Games coming to Tokyo in 2020, which will expose toilet-users from across the globe to its washroom wonders.
"We are planning to install the latest models to various places such as airports to increase people's chances of using a TOTO," says Kitamura.
When it comes to the magic of a TOTO toilet, he explains, seeing is believing. Or perhaps that should be spraying.
Copyright 2017 by Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
Police: NC man arrested after killing his 13-year-old son, mother and sister
Witness saw truck's 'nosedive,' spoke to driver after crash
Missing your Amazon package? It could have been stolen by thieves looting trains in LA


text:
using OKHOSTING.UI.Net4.Ajax.Controls;
using System.Linq;
using System.Web.Services;

namespace OKHOSTING.UI.Net4.Ajax.Services
{
	/// <summary>
	/// Service that returns a list of DataObjects when performing searchs on AutoComplete ajax controls
	/// </summary>
	[WebService(Namespace = "https://okhosting.com/Services/")]
	[WebServiceBinding(ConformsTo = WsiProfiles.BasicProfile1_1)]
	[System.Web.Script.Services.ScriptService]
	public class AutocompleteService : WebService
	{
		/// <summary>
		/// String that will be considered as a "Show All" filter
		/// </summary>
		public const string ShowAllText = "***";

		/// <summary>
		/// Performs a searchs on an Autocomplete control
		/// </summary>
		/// <param name="prefixText">String that defines the search criteria</param>
		/// <param name="count">Max number of results to return</param>
		/// <param name="contextKey">UniqueId of the Autocomplete that isn invoking this method</param>
		/// <returns>A array of strings containing the result of Searching event</returns>
		[WebMethod(EnableSession = true)]
		public string[] Search(string prefixText, int count, string contextKey)
		{
			//set default count, if no count is defined
			if (count == 0) count = 20;

			Autocomplete autocomplete = (Autocomplete)OKHOSTING.UI.Session.Current[contextKey];
			var e = ((UI.Controls.IAutocomplete)autocomplete).OnSearching(prefixText);

			return e.SearchResult.ToArray();
		}
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
At Gränges we use cookies to process, protect and develop our website, and to follow up and evaluate the use of our website for an improved experience. By using our website you accept the use of cookies. You can control the use of cookies in your browser's settings. - Read more
About Gränges
Gränges is a leading global supplier of rolled aluminium products for heat exchanger applications and other niche markets. Every second car produced in the world today contains material manufactured by Gränges.
Gränges at a glance
By focusing on developing and strengthening our leading, global position in advanced aluminium materials, Gränges expects to achieve growth in all geographical regions, with sustained and sustainable profitability.
Gränges focus on rolled aluminium products for heat exchangers and selected niche applications. Gränges' advanced aluminium products are the result of a long-term commitment to research and innovation, and of close development work with customers.
End-customers
Why choose Gränges?
Gränges' end-customers are in the automotive industry, the stationary heat exchanger industry, and niche markets such as transformers and food packaging.
Other end-customer markets
Competence areas
Application centre
Sustainability is an essential element of Gränges' strategy and operations. The company strives to minimize the environmental impacts of its operations, uphold ethical business practices and provide a safe and good work environment.
Creating sustainable business value
Framework and targets
Responsible and sustainable sourcing
Diverse and high-performing teams
Sustainable product offerings
Efficient management of energy and materials offer opportunities to improve profitability, competitiveness, and environmental performance and is critical to Gränges and its stakeholders.
Contributions to UN SDGs
Targets and target fulfilment
Supply chain and materials sourced
Sourced recycled aluminium
Emissions and climate impact
Career and leadership development
The main task of Gränges' Investor Relations is to ensure that the capital markets are continuously informed about Gränges' development, operations and financials in order to determine the value of the Gränges share.
The Gränges share
Share price development
Share capital & history
We believe in the individual's contribution to the success of the company. Committed, action oriented, innovative and accessible represent our core values. As an employee of Gränges you will therefore have a high level of responsibility combined with distinct demands from the company.
Working at Gränges
There is always a need for competent co-workers in Gränges's organisation and you will find our vacancies here.
Here we have brought together our press releases, financial reports and images. Gränges aims to provide open and clear information disclosure. You are very welcome to contact us if you have questions.
Image & film archive
FAQs & press contact
Magnus Lindahl
magnus.lindahl@granges.com
Brazing and processing
Lubrication, chemistry and surfaces
Back to the news archive
A faster shift to aluminium
Top (from left): Zhan Ge, an engineer at the Gränges Application Centre in Shanghai, with Zhu Song and Wu Haibo.
Claudi Martin Callizo discusses the new heat exchangers' design with House Xu and Zhu Song.
Claudi Martin Callizo in Finspång.
Gränges is poised to take a major step forward in the field of stationary heat exchangers, with a new machine for folded tubes soon to come online in Shanghai. The company hopes the new product line will increase the speed at which customers shift from copper to aluminium, and increase sales.
After several months of preparations in Finspång, Sweden, and Shanghai, China, Gränges' new folded tube machine is now being completed in Germany. Once finished, the machine will be shipped to the Gränges factory in Shanghai where it is expected to be up and running by December or January.
"Gränges has been early to market with rolled aluminium materials for microchannel heat exchangers," says Claudi Martin Callizo, the Finspång-based Technical Manager for HVAC&R. "But with the new machine, we're taking the next step and will also be able to deliver ready-made folded tubes for our customers to test in a variety of applications."
For heating and cooling
Stationary heat exchangers are found in systems for heating and cooling and in locations ranging from private houses and commercial premises to industrial buildings. A common use is air conditioning within homes, an application where Gränges hopes that folded tubes in aluminium will become increasingly common.
Aluminium to replace copper in heat exchangers
Gränges is optimistic about the future use of aluminium in stationary heat exchangers. One of the key reasons for this are predictions that investment in the global construction sector will grow by four percent annually over the coming years. Another is increased levels of interest from customers in using brazed aluminium heat exchangers rather than the traditional round copper tube plate fin design.
Zhu Song is Project Manager for the folded tube machine and globally responsible for HVAC&R within Gränges. "The benefits of using folded tubes are great for our customers and end-users," he says. "With this product, you will get even stronger, lighter and more corrosion-resistant condensers."
Decreased environmental impact
Zhu adds that the service lifetime of the new products will be double that of existing, conventional MPE condensers. Previously, service lifetimes of this length were only possible by using a chemical coating – a costly and environmentally unfriendly solution. "With this folded tube technology combined with Gränges' patented MULTICLAD alloy, we will eliminate the need for this chemical process and help our customers to reduce costs and decrease overall environmental impacts," he says.
Increased market share within HVACR
Zhu believes the stationary heat exchanger market holds great potential for Gränges, with many large manufacturers located in China and North America and a few smaller operations in Europe.
"We expect our new machine to help us to increase our market share within HVAC&R and to contribute to a faster transition to brazed aluminium heat exchangers," Zhu says. "Today, stationary heat exchangers account for about five percent of Gränges' total sales. Our hope is to increase that share in the coming years."
Big potential for stationary heat exchangers
Up until now, the dominant design for stationary heat exchangers has been round tube plate fin (RTPF) systems using copper tubes.
There is now a shift to aluminium, with the most common technology being multiport extrusion (MPE) systems.
The next step is for the construction industry to follow the vehicle industry and shift to the next generation of microchannel tube designs featuring folded aluminium tubes. This will bring added benefits to customers, including stronger, lighter and more corrosion-resistant condensers, as well as greater efficiency and decreased total environmental impacts.
The transition from copper to brazed aluminium heat exchangers is expected to accelerate over the coming years. This is why Gränges sees major potential in the new product.
We expect our new machine to help us to increase our market share within HVAC&R.
- Zhu Song, globally responsible for HVAC&R within Gränges
Find direct
Sweden, Finspång
China, Shanghai
USA, Franklin
© 2020 Gränges All Rights Reserved
Gränges Europe Terms of Delivery
Gränges Americas Terms and Conditions of Sale


text:
Daily Uplift
Eagles' Malcolm Jenkins is committed to teaching others about Black Lives Matter
The NFL player joined the Caucus of Working Educators in Philly to share his views on a Black Lives Matter curriculum for kids
Up Next From The Uplift
OJ Spivey for The Undefeated
By OJ Spivey	@OJPhilly
Continuing the conversation toward healing in the community and moving forward with the Black Lives Matter movement is a major priority for Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins. So it was no big surprise when Jenkins joined members of the Caucus of Working Educators, who share those same priorities.
The New Jersey native is best known for his play on the gridiron, his well-groomed beard and those signature bow ties off the field. But Jenkins should also be as well-known for his social consciousness and dedication to solutions of numerous issues in communities across America. On Jan. 28, Jenkins was part of a five-person panel discussion held at Temple University that concluded Black Lives Matter Week in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) as cornerback Jalen Mills (31) looks on in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
The event was organized by the Caucus of Working Educators (WE), which consists of teachers, counselors, nurses and other support staff who work daily with Philadelphia students. WE's mission is not only to defend public education, but to transform it. The caucus exists within the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), the school district's largest union.
In the days leading up to the panel, discussion focused on lesson plans intended to teach the 13 different principles of the Black Lives Matter movement to both youth and parent organizations. The lesson plans also add diversity to WE's largely white membership.
Along with Jenkins, the panel included a grade-school teacher, a college professor, a parent advocate and two high school students. As Jenkins introduced himself to the audience of mostly WE and PFT members in the large lecture hall, he honored the student panelists for their consciousness and education. "I'm learning stuff at 29 that they're learning at 16 and 17 that I had no clue of … my generation was left out," Jenkins said.
Not that Jenkins is a stranger to giving back. He serves as chairman of the aptly named Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. Launched in 2010, its mission is "Effectuating Positive Change in the Lives of Youth." The foundation has four locations: his home state of New Jersey; Columbus, Ohio, where he played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes; New Orleans, where he played five seasons for the Saints and was a Super Bowl XLIV champion; and Philadelphia.
While the panel spoke candidly about methods to continue the conversation surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement in Philadelphia's classrooms and communities, Jenkins spoke most highly about collaboration.
"What we don't do enough is collaborate … a lot of times you have three different organizations supporting the same cause but not working together," Jenkins said. "They want to be the reason why they were successful. Whether it's in the gay community, teachers, or athletes, everybody working together can help the cause."
Jenkins also stressed collaboration with people you may not agree with. Last summer, Jenkins and fellow Eagles players rode the beat with Philadelphia police officers to get a window into a cop's perspective. He added, "I believe you have to talk to the majority about the minority."
The eight-year veteran safety is also eager to learn government policy. He teamed up with four other NFL players (Anquan Boldin, Andrew Hawkins, Josh McCown and Glover Quin) and traveled to Washington, D.C., in November 2016 to discuss police brutality and race with members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin).
As with many athletes, particularly black ones, Jenkins also deals with craziness via social media, thanks to his political stances. "It's always stick to football. I got that all year, but not one person has told me that face to face. Ignorance is a teachable moment. They're just waiting to get educated."
Perhaps the most compelling part of the panel discussion was a question asked by a teacher who believed she was all alone in educating others about Black Lives Matter. Jenkins referred to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the national anthem before preseason and regular games in 2016.
"He didn't tell anyone … he just did it. Obviously, that caused an uproar … but it caused players around the league to want to do something. With us [Philadelphia Eagles] we sat in a room, kicked the coaches out. Leaguewide, we're trying to do something … if you don't want to, that's fine … probably half the room left out. The rest of the room wanted to do something that wasn't so controversial. 'Can we lock arms or hold hands?' I said, no, it doesn't identify what we're talking about."
A locker room of 25 dwindled down to three, including Jenkins. Even though Jenkins was left with just two other teammates — Ron Brooks and Steve Means — he still believed that something had to be done. Three fists were raised on that autumn Monday night in Chicago against the Bears for the entire world to witness during the pregame. Question answered.
According to Jenkins via the Caucus of Working Educators' website, "If you ever want to change your environment or a system, you first have to be educated on how that system works. That's why I am on the journey where I am learning the inner workings of systems that have been set up to disadvantage minorities, especially black people. That's why I am vigilant in my efforts to support and empower people of color."
According the organization's website, "More than 100 schools throughout the Philadelphia region have so participated in Black Lives Matter week of action — and momentum behind the campaign is still growing."
OJ Spivey covers sports, culture, and city life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This Story Tagged: Black Lives Matter Caucus of Working Educators Daily Uplift Malcolm Jenkins NFL … View All Philadelphia Philadelphia Eagles


text:
eso9730 — Organisation Release
Final Tests of the VLT Main Telescope Structure in Milan
The main structure of the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) has been designed, produced and assembled by an Italian consortium composed of Ansaldo Energia (Genova), European Industrial Engineering (Venice) and SOIMI (Milan). A total of four identical structures have been built, one for each of the four VLT 8.2-m Unit Telescopes.
The first of these has been assembled and thoroughly tested in Milan, while the second is now being integrated at the Paranal site (for some recent images illustrating the rapid progress there. Additional information about the VLT structure is available in eso9518 that was published in connection with a visit by the members of the ESO Council to the Ansaldo Factory in Milan in December 1995.
The tests in Milan are carried out by a team of ESO engineers. They aim at optimizing ('fine-tuning') the control system of the telescope structure so that it will be able to track with superior precision the astronomical objects being observed (as the sky turns above the Paranal observatory). This will ensure the best possible (sharpest) images and also that the VLT can be exploited in the most efficient way.
During the past months, much valuable experience has been gained. As expected, the work in Milan has not been simple, but the problems encountered have all been effectively overcome. The current installation of Unit Telescope no. 1 (UT1) at Paranal profits greatly from this parallel operation and is now advancing rapidly.
The movable part of the telescope structure weighs 430 tonnes. It is composed of an azimuthal structure (the telescope fork) which moves on two concentric tracks on oil pads, and of an altitude structure (the telescope tube) also moving on oil pads. The stability of the oil film has been measured to be better than 100 nm (0.0001 millimetre) over 1 minute. This is an excellent value, well within the specifications and an very good basis for the optimization of the telescope's tracking performance.
The telescope structure moves around the azimuth and altitude axis by means of segmented motors that are directly coupled to the axes. They develop a peak torque of 125 and 72 kNm respectively. The residual torque disturbance, known as ripple and cogging and caused by the magnetic circuit finite distribution, has been kept smaller than 0.2 percent of the instantaneous torque by skewing the magnets and developing a special copper winding scheme. Again, this corresponds to an excellent performance of the system.
The rotational speed of the axes is measured by two segmented, directly coupled tachometers on each axis. The first tests have shown that a further optimisation of the phasing must be carried out in order to reduce somewhat the ripple of the speed measurements.
Legacy ID: Photo 32/97
Name: Very Large Telescope
VLT mechanical structure