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Review - International Perspectives on Reminiscence, Life Review and Life Story Work
by Faith Gibson (Editor)
Jessica Kingsley, 2018
Review by Joshua Gidding
Feb 26th 2019 (Volume 23, Issue 9)
I may as well make my full disclosure at the outset of this review: I am getting old, I am a depressive, I am worried about getting Alzheimer's, I love reading and writing autobiography, I also love reading and writing about reading and writing autobiography, and I have always been a sucker for the meaning of life. So this book, a collection of articles mostly by and for clinicians about the use of reminiscence and life stories as therapy, was a big hit with me. It's based on what is now over five decades' worth of practice and research in "reminiscence work", pioneered by a seminal 1963 article in the journal Psychiatry by psychiatrist and gerontologist Robert N. Butler, titled "The Life Review: An Interpretation of Reminiscence in the Aged". Out of Butler's research came a new field of elder care, along with its official organ, The International Institute of Reminiscence and Life Review, founded in 1999 and headquartered at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
The purpose of "reminiscence work", in the words of the book's Foreword, is to use "a wide variety of creative arts to stimulate recall of the past as a means of enriching the present, decreasing isolation, increasing self-understanding and sustaining relationships." The clinicians who are the book's primary authors and audience serve a population that divides roughly into three groups: people with dementia, people with a mental illness (most often depression), and people suffering from a traumatic life event. As the IIRLR's full title suggests, researchers in the field differentiate between two different processes and styles of memory: "reminiscence", which tends to be episodic, relatively superficial, and focused on specific life events, and "life review", which is more evaluative, and concerned with deeper meaning and significance. In life review, "the aim is to achieve a sense of self-worth, coherence, and reconciliation with regard to one's past". One of the most informative chapters on life review (Chapter 17, "Life Review: Lifespan Development, Meaning Processes and Interventions", by Gerben J. Westerhof) refers to this kind of memory as "semantic", and distinguishes between "redemptive" and "contaminative" meaning: the former entails "an initially negative experience [that] is salvaged by the good that follows it", and the latter
a plot where an emotionally positive experience becomes negative, as it is ruined or spoiled: a marriage is followed by divorce, success in one's work by failure. These negative consequences often come to dominate the life story.
One of the results of such "contamination" would be what is called "narrative foreclosure" -- a term of art for what otherwise might simply be called despair: "the conviction that no new experiences and commitments from both the past and future are possible that can substantially change the meaning of one's life as it is told now."
It is this kind of "narrative foreclosure" that is explicitly – and one is tempted to say heroically – rejected in the centerpiece essay of the collection, "The Narrative Self in the Lived Experience of Dementia", by Christine Bryden, who herself suffers from the disease. Bryden's essay (Chapter 11) exemplifies what many of her co-authors emphasize: it is the search for meaning that characterizes the work of life review. (Here the classic work of Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, is recognized as central.) But because her recall is severely compromised by her dementia, Bryden notes that "narrative for me is a search for meaning in the present moment". She argues that recall is not essential to having a narrative, and that "being able to sequence events accurately over time is not essential to creating meaning." I was a little puzzled by her assertion that "my experience of each moment [is] a continuous narrative". What exactly makes for the "continuity" ascribed here to narrative, if not the connection of its separate "moments" in time? Bryden seems to be saying that a temporal sequencing of events is not the only way to make a narrative, since "people with dementia have and are a story". In other words, identity supersedes chronology, and we don't need to be able to remember the events that made us who we are in order to still know who we are. Bryden's concept of what constitutes narrative for someone suffering from dementia is perhaps best expressed in her reflections on parable, which seems especially appropriate given that she mentions her Christian faith several times in the essay:
My narrative quest can be regarded as a parable…. Parables have a context, plot, beginning, middle and end, but the end is unexpected and redirects us to reflect further to discover a sense of meaning beyond what would be found in the straightforward narrative of experience. Similarly, narratives need not be linear, consistent, coherent and realistic, and can be more like a patchwork allowing for "transcendence, mystery, and surprise".
(Here she is quoting a 2015 journal article by C. Baldwin and J. Estey, "The Self and Spirituality: Overcoming Narrative Loss in Aging".)
Bryden takes up the aforementioned idea of "narrative foreclosure", "where we believe that our story is now finished", to argue in fact for the contrary: that narrative for those who can't remember their past still exists, but it is oriented towards the future, not the past:
…We still have an evolving story, and our narrative is being formed and reformed within a larger set of narratives, which are like the threads of a tapestry being interwoven to create a picture within our sociocultural milieu.
Bryden repeats the weaving metaphor when she rightly credits the role of "care-partners" (the people to whom the life-stories are told) in narrative therapy: "In these relationships of listening and telling, care-partners are like weavers who help us to reweave 'a poorly woven portion of the tapestry into the new weaving'."
The quote this time is from a 2014 book by S.M. Coyle on "spiritual narrative", which is also the focus of the other standout chapter in the collection, Elizabeth MacKinlay's "Spiritual Reminiscence in Later Life" (Chapter 7). Like Bryden, MacKinlay is interested in the relationship between tellers and listeners, and in the crucial role of listening:
As I listened to the words of those who agreed to participate in my initial study…I found it a privilege to be the listener, and I realized that my listening was often being worked out in what could be best described as sacred space.
Teller and listener are engaged in a symbiotic relationship, and here MacKinlay aptly quotes a 2003 article by G.M. Kenyon: "The desire of the story listener calls forth the words of the storyteller."
But though MacKinlay's primary message, like that of many of her peers, is about the need to find meaning and hope in old age, she is also well aware of the presence of despair. Here is Yvonne, one of the frail elders she worked with:
The hardest thing for me now is being in the position I'm in with the sickness, I know it's not going to get any better, which I accept, but to be honest I wish to goodness I could just go like that, go to sleep and finish it because I'm fed up of being the way I am…. I've always been a hard worker and full of life but now, life it means nothing to me now, I've got nothing really. I mean I'll be in a nursing home for the rest of my life so that's not living….
Yvonne's honest and truthful assessment is a reminder that "gerotranscendence, where being rather than doing come to dominate the daily life", is a challenge that not everyone is equal to.
In an early chapter, one of the contributors remarks, "We believe it is fair and accurate to describe reminiscence and life review as primarily a data-driven rather than a theory-driven discipline." Those readers averse to theory may be thankful for this – but not so fast. A few of the chapters are so heavily data-driven that they end up mired in figures and charts – not to mention the scientistic verbiage that seems to be an occupational hazard of the field. Phrases such as "a lingering death trajectory" and "maladaptive post-loss attachment" only add insult to injury, and remind us that narrative is not only therapy, but art as well, and despite the very best of intentions, not all of its workers are equally endowed.
But intentions count for a lot, and despite a few passages of rough prose-sledding, I finished reading this book with the uplifting sense that the practitioners of "reminiscence work" – both tellers and listeners – are engaged in a group endeavor of the utmost value and importance: the work of giving hope and meaning to those who might otherwise have neither. Elizabeth MacKinlay, in "Spiritual Reminiscence in Later Life", perhaps puts it best:
Ultimately, finding meaning brings the ability to transcend and find transformation in life, moving from self-centeredness to other centeredness. It is through working with reminiscence that story can be articulated, refined and re-storied, particularly when facing the challenges of later life. This process enables the person to actually transcend and find hope and joy at the depths of their being, even when all outward signs seem to point otherwise.
© 2019 Josh Gidding
Josh Gidding, PhD, Seattle


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Q: Use jquery/ajax to call a c# (or any other .net) function in another project within the same solution Does anyone know if it's possible to use jquery/ajax to call a c# (or any other .net) function in another project within the same solution?
Let's say that the solution's name is ExampleSolution , the name of the project from which I call the target function is Project.Source and the name of the target project is Project.Target,
and the name of the target function is TargetFunction().
I've tried following in an .js file in the Project.Source:
    $.ajax({
            url: '/ExampleSolution/Project.Target/TargetFunction',
            type: 'get',
            success: function (data) {
                $(document.body).append(data);
            }
   });

Then I've modified the url-line in several ways but never succeed.
Do you have any advice?

A: Thank you all for your fast answers.
I found a solution for the problem and I'd like to share it just in case anybody faces the same problem in the future.
In the .js file before I call the $.ajax function I create a variable with help of window.location which points to the url to the targetfunction of the running target-project and use the variable in the ajax-function. So you don't point to another project. You point to url of running project.
Just as easy as it sounds.
Below follows the solution:
    var url = window.location = 'http://localhost:13105/TargetFunction';

    $.ajax({
        url: url,
        type: 'get',
        success: function (data) {
            $(document.body).append(data);
        }
    });
});

A: You can only call functions in the Code Behind because they're being registered by the web server.
If you want to have a function accessible outside the Code Behind it needs to be registered as a ASMX or WCF service.
See Creating and Consuming Your First WCF Service for setting up a WCF Service.
Once it is setup and running you can use Ajax to call the methods just like you would in the Code Behind.
$.ajax({
        //Path to WCF Server and Target Method
        url: "http://localhost:PORT/wcfsvc/FooService.svc/Foo",
        type: 'get',
        contentType: 'application/json; charset=utf-8',
        success: function (data) {
            $(document.body).append(data);
        }
});

See also: Consuming WCF from jQuery as JSON

A: The short answer is "No, it isn't possible."  Front-end code (like jQuery and AJAX) run on the client's machine, but C# functions are back-end and run on the server.  There's no direct connection between them.

The longer answer is "Not directly, but there are ways to do something similar."  Your easiest option is to use AJAX to POST to another controller/action on your server and then process the response.  This is close to what you were doing, but you were slightly off.  Rather than the url being a function, the url has to be an actual url on your website.  Using /Functions/CallTargetFunction as an example, you would then create a controller like this:
public class FunctionsController : Controller
{
    public ActionResult CallTargetFunction()
    {
        return Content(TargetFunction());
    }
}

Note that doing this means anyone who visits http://yoursite.com/Functions/CallTargetFunction will get the result of that function.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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County Line
Photos/ Galleries
Audio/ Podcasts
' Everything Has Changed': Swift impresses with "Red"
Gabrielle Deckelman, Features Editor
Taylor Swift released her fourth album titled "Red", on Monday, Oct 22. Known for her bitter love songs aimed towards the hearts of ex-boyfriends, Swift's album hit number one on iTunes in 31 countries after being released for only one day.
"Red" reclassifies Swift. Previously known for her country style, Swift turns this album into a sixteen-song series of both dancing-around-the-room, pop oriented tracks and coffee house inspired acoustics – and she does it well.
Swift starts her streak with the release of single "We Are Never Getting Back Together". This edgy and up-beat anthem had the ears of millions listening for more as this song accumulated the most digital downloads ever. Weeks later Swift released another track titled "I Knew You Were Trouble", a stereotypical masterpiece on the side effects of heartbreak.
Starting track "State of Grace" sets the tone with a mixture of electric guitar and drums in the introduction reflecting the rest of the album, revolving around the unexpected moments of love and heartbreak.
Named after the title of the album, "Red" begins with the simile "loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead end street", immediately making you question her word choice, wondering if this song is worth listening too, or just another one of Swift's rants. Describing the stages of a relationship: blue, dark grey and red, Swift's numerous similes paired up with her beat-oriented tone of voice make you want to hit the replay button.
"22" is fun, is catchy although she is starting to sound like pop artist Ke$ha. This is a perfect example of Swift's new tendency to veer towards the more pop genre of the music industry, although she can pull it off with her catchy lyrics. The beat of the background music with the vocal emphasis on the number, 22, makes this song work.
In a song titled "Everything Has Changed", Swift duets with British singer Ed Sheeran.It is brilliant. Swift could not have chosen a better partner to harmonize with in this feel-good, first-love melody. With both voices completely in sync, the rhythm of the acoustic guitar brings the song together.
Swift returns with another album mixed with the highs and lows of falling in love.Swift sticks to her classic storybook acoustics but also shows off her vocal range with the addition of promising new tracks.
Her ability to switch from upbeat pop to slow acoustic tracks have given her the ability to attract more listeners than any album before.
Senior Gabrielle Deckelman, is also known as the future Editor of Vogue. When she's not jetting off to Paris to attend an upcoming fashion show or writing...
Cinco Ranch Fine Arts Department Presents "Big Fish"
Meme Review 2: The Woman and Cat Meme
Review (Spoiler Free): Little Women
Satire: Up-N-Over Opens Scenic Drive-Thru Tour
Meme Review: The Blue Button Meme
Review: Fall Out Boy Releases Second Greatest Hits Album
20 Years of Spongebob
The student media of Cinco Ranch High School

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Neu-Ner has traditionally been vocal with his price predictions, remaining bullish for the most part. In a recent interview with hedge fund owner Michael Arrington, the expert said that he thinks Bitcoin will reach $25,000 by year-end.
The reason why I say that is because I think we're gonna get an ETF, and I think the ETF is gonna come sometime between August and October and that's going to send us to 25,000.
Last year, around this time, BTC went from $6691 (Nov 11) to $20000 (Dec 17) in 5 weeks. This on the back of the expectation and launch of a cash settlement BTC futures contract. An ETF is a way bigger deal & requires actual purchase of BTC.2 looming SEC decision deadlines ahead.
It's also worth noting that some think a Bitcoin ETF will be made redundant by the digital asset platform of the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Bakkt. According to its CEO, Bakkt will trade pre-funded Bitcoin and not just paper claims. Industry experts are already optimistic that this will pave the way for institutional investors.
What do you think of Ran Neu-Ner's latest position on Bitcoin? Let us know in the comments below!


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Boy am I a lucky duck or what?!
Hubby woke me up with another breakfast in bed. Isn't breakfast in bed the best?!
Gingerbread coffee with whipped cream.
Sampler plate: Morningstar "sausage", organic strawberries, apple, and donuts holes (from our fave local baker, of course).
Plus a whole donut. Ahh…fresh-baked goodness!
Bailey did a nice job begging to get up on the bed, but I resisted. Isn't he a good little beggar?
Hubby and I spent the morning being productive in the house.
I unpacked several boxes from the upstairs and basement area. I spotted a spider in the basement though, which really grossed me out. I did some research online and learned that spiders love cardboard. This is great since most of our unpacked stuff is currently stored in the basement in cardboard boxes. Ugh! I decided to continue my unpacking – with rubber gloves on. No spider bites for me, please!
Hubby was productive, too, and fixed our sink which has been clogged with butternut squash peel since a couple days ago. He thought he fixed it the first time, but didn't quite get everything out. Today he was successful, though! Go hubby!
…I decided to turn my leftover organic roasted butternut squash into soup for lunch!
Place leftover roasted butternut squash in a food processor.
Add a bit of chicken broth (I used Earthfare organic broth) and pulse.
Repeat until mixture reaches consistency you'd like for your soup. Remember to add a little at a time – you can always add more, but you can't take it back out.
Once mixture reaches consistency you want, add to a pot over medium/medium-low and cook until warmed through. Add about 1/4 cup milk to soup and stir in. Heat till warmed through.
Ta-dah! Butternut squash soup! So simple and easy but so good.
Serve with good hearty bread. I used Great Harvest Oat Bran oven-broiled with real organic butter.
What a great use for that leftover roasted butternut squash!
I'm wrapping up watching Nutcracker on Ice, which I randomly found on TV. Then it's time for Christmas activities and then getting ready for a holiday party with friends!
Breakfast in bed – how lovely!
aww that was so nice of your hubby!
bfast in bed is divine…mmmm fresh baked donuts … so good!


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LIRR Expansion Project Team Meets with Executive Director of Girls, Inc. of Long Island to Support Mentoring Opportunities
By MTA Construction & DevelopmentJanuary 17, 2019Project Update
On January 17th the LIRR Expansion Project team met with Renee Flagler, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Long Island, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing young women and girls with the skills they need to be leaders in their communities. Girls, Inc. combines long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and research-based programming to equip girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and to grow up healthy, educated, and independent; the organization also advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities and rights for all girls. The Expansion Project team shared an overview of the project with Ms. Flagler and discussed opportunities for members of the organization to interact with and learn from women leaders on the Expansion Project.
The meeting was held at the LIRR Expansion Project Community Information Center (CIC) in Mineola. The CIC provides visitors with information on the LIRR Expansion Project components, its benefits, and key project updates – visitors can ask questions and talk directly to project staff. The CIC also features exciting LIRR memorabilia, including historical photos and retired signal equipment, as well as displays on the broader LIRR Modernization Program.
The construction of a third track from Floral Park to Hicksville will reduce train congestion and delays and enable true bi-directional service during peak hours with a more reliable rail network. This transformative work includes several related projects, including the construction of up to five parking garages, retaining walls, improvements to rail bridges and the removal of seven street-level grade crossings. Construction has begun and is being handled in a way to minimize the impact on daily routines, with extensive mitigation and public outreach efforts being planned in conjunction with local communities. The overall project is expected to be completed by late 2022.
For more information, please visit the LIRR Expansion Project Floral Park to Hicksville project page – http://www.amodernli.com/project/thirdtrack/.


The August 2013 ISSA Journal includes an excellent read from Ken Dunham: A Fuzzy Future in Malware Research. Ken is a SANS veteran (GCFA Gold, GREM Gold, GCIH Gold, GSEC, GCIA) who spends a good bit of his time researching, writing and presenting on malware-related topics.
"Traditional static analysis and identification measures for malware are changing, including the use of fuzzy hashes which offers a new way to find possible related malware samples on a computer or network. Fuzzy hashes were born out of anti-spam research and offer another avenue of promise for malware researchers and first responders. The focus of this article is on malware research and response."
No discussion on fuzzy hashes is complete without including SANS Instructor Jesse Kornblum's SSDEEP, as Ken does in depth. Consider it a requirement to familiarize (pg. 22) yourself with SSDEEP if conducting research of this kind interests you.
Enjoy this great read and happy fuzzy hashing!


GDImpact are a property marketing company based in Brighton, East Sussex offering an extremely wide range of services to the residential, new build and commercial property industry. Services include professional photography, floor plans, EPCs, drone photography, videography, CGIs, virtual staging, virtual tours, SAP assessments, lease plans, fire risk surveys, asbestos reports, brochure & microsite design, social media management and marketing strategy.
Our expertise in property marketing is what we owe our success to. We cover all aspects of residential property marketing from professional interiors photography, RICS compliant floor plans, energy performance certificates (EPC), drone photography, virtual staging, CGI production and high definition 3D virtual tours. Professional interiors photography is now a key aspect in presenting your home to its highest capacity to achieve the best price possible for the sale. By using a combination of our extensive technical knowledge, eye for composition, vast experience and professional grade camera equipment, our marketing packs are sure to make your home stand out from the crowd.
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GDImpact was formed in 2015 after an extensive collaboration and subsequent partnership of two of Sussex's leading property marketing companies Aurora and Eye-360. Based in Brighton, the team at GDImpact have a collective experience of over 60 years in the residential and commercial property industry and have been instructed to complete marketing on thousands of residential properties and hundreds of large scale commercial projects. Working with a close panel of estate agents, investors, developers and property professionals, we consider our knowledge and connections within the industry to be particularly strong.


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Hf Re Zr Ti W V Ta Nb Co Mo Cr Pt Ru Rh Ir Ca Ge Te Tl Sb In Ga Sc Y Dy Gd Nd Tb Ho CuZr FeZr FeTi MgCl₂ Co-alloys Ni-alloys
Metals Traded
Post Carbon
Metal Matters
Metal Life
Metal Science
Zambian Matters
The Trouble with VW was that their Porkies were Green not White
Wouldn't it be great if the VW crisis (which was essentially caused by the pretence of greenness, and therefore a green lie not a white one) was not just another great corporate scandal and cover up but the moment the world embraced the one sure way to cut emissions – the electric vehicle? It is a subject that minor metal merchants have an interest in for the lithium and, to some extent, cobalt, used in the cathodes.
I think we know that big oil and big automotive, locked in their deathly embrace, aren't going to go down without a fight; but perhaps September 3rd 2015 will mark the day they finally un-clutched.
When a VW was a VW in the good old days
For months, I had been booked to go to the mother of all battery conferences, the Avicenne Batteries Event in Nice, on the Cote d'Azur. A bit like the Cannes Film Festival, but only for batteries. That Sunday the heavens opened and 19 people lost their lives, either swept away or trapped in underground car-parks or tunnels. Our young taxi driver who drove us in a hire car from the airport to the hotel had had to save himself by climbing from his car window as the waters rose. Was it a sign?
The battery conference is appropriately sited in France because, thanks to its faith in nuclear power from the time of General de Gaulle, this has to be the place where the electric vehicle has most chance of penetration. Unlike the UK, if you buy an EV in France you are not going to end up a farm track with a flat battery wondering where the next charging point is – over here they're everywhere. That's why France has drawn battery heads from round the world to talk anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, separators, polymers, potential difference, voltages, watts per hour output and about the differing merits of a thousand different configurations of materials and solutions.
Technological Development
Here in the room was Mr Yoshio Nishi, Sony Executive Alumnus, who is credited with inventing the first lithium ion battery in the 1970s, as Sony led the world in personal music provision via the Walkman. He identified the need for a small battery that would be re-chargeable. There were rumours in the hall that he was somewhere on a list for a Nobel prize.
What was it about lithium ion batteries that made them so different? Essentially, it was their weight to power ratio. And what made them difficult to develop? Their safety. But now they have matured and more than shown their potential, powering the equipment on the Rosetta Spacecraft that landed just over 10 years later and a billion miles from Earth on Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko on 12th November 2014 with all batteries in working order and – Mr Nishi reminded us – made by Sony!
Listening to the scientists, touching on their battles with conflicting material properties, balancing advances in energy output with safety, shaving off inefficiencies with tweaks to separator coatings or anode/cathode formulations, was humbling in the extreme.
Amongst the exhibits, was the Bluesummer, a vehicle created by the Bolloré company, with a top speed of 110 km/h and range of 200 km in town and 100 km outside. Costing a snip at €17,000, this small and in some ways ugly vehicle has something to tell us both about the problems and opportunities facing the electric vehicle.
Ownership…or Sharing?
Rather like a Gallic Elon Musk, the Bluesummer is backed by one man's vision, someone prepared to put his personal wealth behind the EV without any prospect of short term profit. That man is Mr Bolloré and, unlike Musk, his business model is focused on overturning the anthropology of car 'ownership' and replacing it with car 'sharing'. Together with the support of the Mayor, Bolloré Bluesummer cars are located all round Paris lined up like Boris-bikes ready for hire. It is as simple to hire a Bluesummer as a Vélo Bleu. You register, you answer some questions via a Skype-like video link and you pay per hour. According to the talk I heard, your first 20 mins will cost less than a ride on the Paris Metro for the same duration. Apparently one Bolloré vehicle was used 19 times by 19 separate people in a 24 hour period. Shopkeepers, who once chained themselves to lamp-posts to prevent the siting of electric refuelling and parking points near their shops, now compete for them.
The psychological shift is from 'car ownership' to 'car sharing'. The sharing economy is one that means you are content to pay and go. In other words you purchase the function of a car but do not need to polish or worship it on a Sunday morning.
The only question is, can the petrol-heads and diesel-heads who watch Top Gear be turned into battery-heads? Or will they just have to die out along with the now fraudulently advertised vehicles that were the icons of their religion. (N.B. correct use of the word Icon.)
Generational Change
Meantime, the Airbnb, Uber, Zipcar, Boris-bike generation does not appear to have the same urge to own things as we once did. This group, remember, has not just been defrauded of its clean air but of a fair-priced home in which to live. What car-sharing, Boris-biking and the above offer, is fair use at a fair price of things that most modern City dwellers need, yet contain less of the waste.
The Bolloré is not a vehicle idling on the drive, and your flat need not be empty while you are on holiday. The X factor is that these are social changes that are now sexy. That means, if you decide to be the person in your street to live by Airbnb, Uber, Zipcar, Boris-Bike, Bolloré rules you are making a statement. And it might just catalyse a whole generation to give up on big oil.
VW will no doubt recall the vehicles fraudulently fitted with emission defeat devices, try to compensate dealers and re-assure owners. But, if it really wants to make a break with the past and clean up its image it could not do better than to state that as of Sept 3rd 2015 it will enter a programme to abandon combustion completely and join the race to obtain the only market share that will matter in the next 25 years – that of the reliable electric vehicle. While some will say that EVs are not emission-free as it merely shifts the emission to power stations, I would argue that such emissions are concentrated and controlled, not sited in towns, and will be a vast improvement on the kettled particulates hanging over all modern towns and cities.
And Metal Traders?
As for metal people, I suggest they get in on the supply train before the industry accelerates from 0-60 mph in three seconds without them. As for sharing, there are limits. In London in the 19th century ice-cream vendors invented the 'penny lick' ice-cream – an ice-cream in re-usable glass containers which, when licked clean, were refilled and passed to the next customer but efficiently passed on TB at the same time.
Published October 28th 2015 on www.lord-copper.com
What hope for minor metals?
I have a friend in Minsk...
Why are the bankers getting out of commodities?
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McCain to dial up potato fry production in Canada
The company behind about a quarter of the world's frozen french fries plans to ramp up demand from Canada's New Brunswick potato growers with a line capacity upgrade at its recently expanded plant there, according to a report by GFM Staff.
McCain Foods announced Aug. 27 it will put up another $12 million to add capacity to its Florenceville, N.B. plant's French fry line dedicated to food service and retail customers.
The line upgrade is be be done in two phases, one starting in August and a second to complete the project in early 2020, the company said in a release.
The resulting capacity boost will call for an another 1,000 acres of potatoes from local growers, McCain said.
Operations at Florenceville, near the Maine-New Brunswick border about 115 km northwest of Fredericton, have been a fixture for the potato processing company since it got its start there in 1957.
In the midst of major upgrades at plants elsewhere in its network, McCain budgeted $65 million in 2017 for a 35,000 square foot specialty production line at the Florenceville plant.
The company at the time described that development as its largest capacity expansion investment in Canada in nearly 10 years.
"McCain French fries continue to be in high demand, and we are investing in a strong and sustainable future," said Danielle Barran, president of McCain Foods Canada.
Read the original full report on Canadian Cattlemen here
Categories: North America, Pressreleases, Processing/Chips/Fries, Promotion/Marketing, Retail, Trends
Canada: Less than 1 percent of Prince Edward Island potato crop harvested as hurricane Dorian blows through
Brexit deadline pressures UK farmers to export surpluses


President Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen filed a defamation lawsuit against Buzzfeed and Fusion GPS regarding the Russian dossier published about him last January.
The 35-page document, which was written by a former British spy, Christopher Steele, and paid for by Fusion GPS, accuses Michael Cohen of colluding with the Russian government during the 2016 election campaign. It also said Cohen's wife is Russian and that her father is a well-known property developer in Russia, letting Cohen have an illegal relationship with the Russian government.
"Even though defendant BuzzFeed expressly acknowledged the unverified (and potentially unverifiable) nature of the dossier's allegations, defendant BuzzFeed published the un-redacted dossier and the article anyway — without attempting to determine the veracity of these reports with plaintiff himself," Cohen wrote in the lawsuit filed Tuesday night in New York state court.
Cohen is the closest person to Trump to challenge the dossier's accusations in court. He told CNN that the allegations against him are based on misinformation and unverifiable sources.
"Their actions are so malicious, despicable and reckless, one can only presume that their motives were intentional," he said.
Cohen's attorney, David Schwartz, said they will be seeking the maximum amount of damages for the lies in the dossier.
"We believe in our courts and our system of justice and that when all the facts are in, justice will prevail and Mr. Cohen will be awarded damages against the defendants," he explained.
Matt Mittenthal, a spokesman for BuzzFeed News, said the company will fight the lawsuit and that the dossier included important information that news organizations should release to the public. He added that this isn't the only time Cohen has attacked the free press and that the company is eager to defend its First Amendment rights in court.
For more interesting legal news stories, like how McKayla Maroney sued the Olympic Committee, read more on Cohen & Cohen.


The home of the Open Championship courses at Turnberry and Royal Troon. Other hidden gems in the area include Western Gailes and Dundonald Links, two excellent Links Golf Courses.
Golf Vacations UK have a variety of accommodations available in this area ranging from 2 to 5 star hotels, including the 5 star resort at Turnberry Hotel Golf Resort & Spa.
Situated on a magnificent stretch of the Atlantic coastline, with the gently rolling Scottish countryside at its back Trump Turnberry is unquestionably one of the great resorts of the world.
Set in 800 acres of one of the most beautiful corners of Scotland, Turnberry's fascinating provenance and idyllic natural position render any stay a memorable experience. At its heart is an internationally renowned hotel, a five star experience of superb accommodation, fine dining, relaxing lounges and friendly Scottish hospitality.
Here luxury and beauty go hand in hand, providing the perfect backdrop to a range of unrivalled sporting, leisure and business facilities. Above all else, the one thing that really makes a stay at Turnberry so enjoyable is the staff. Looking after the world's great and good is a finely tuned art here, an art that has been perfected since the Hotel opened in 1906.
To make guests truly at ease requires dedicated staff, staff who have an intuitive understanding of Turnberry's traditions of hospitality and service – a commodity Trump Turnberry prides itself on.
Guests can enjoy the delightful conservatory which faces the beach. In the summer months, the garden is the ideal spot in which to enjoy a favourite drink. In addition to the popular Miller's Bar, the South Beach has an attractive lounge bar offering an outstanding Bar Lunch and Supper Menu.
Adjacent to the conservatory, the main restaurant offers the best of Scottish and Continental cuisine, complemented by a comprehensive wine list. The South Beach has 32 superbly furnished bedrooms, many of which enjoy outstanding sea views. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, and are fully equipped with TV, Radio, Tea/Coffee making facilities and direct dial telephone.
With peerless views over the Firth of Clyde and overlooking the famous championship fairways of Royal Troon, the Marine Hotel represents an unparalleled base from which to explore Scotland's finest links. Dating back to 1897, the combination of a warm welcome, excellent facilities and superb service, ensures that the Marine Hotel deserves the reputation it has gained.
Many of the 74 en-suite guest bedrooms offer beautiful vistas over the golf course, while each combine individual characteristics with the highest standards of modern comfort. Ranging from cosy standard guestrooms to spacious suites complete with private dining room and mini-bar, that little extra touch of luxury can be found in the Platinum Club bedrooms. The Arran lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a light afternoon tea or a malt whisky from an extensive collection, while guests may also choose the candlelit refinement, elegance and creative cuisine of Fairways Restaurant.
There is plenty for both the over-golfed and non-golfer to do and see at the Highland Hotel. The peace and quiet of Burns Country, the impressive Culzean Castle and the varied attractions of Glasgow City are well-worth inspecting, while the Marine Club provides for everyone from the really energetic to the more leisurely in outlook. Here, guests can enjoy swimming, squash or gymnasium facilities and relax in the sauna, steam-room and solarium.
The 4-star Gailes Hotel offers modern accommodation and a contemporary restaurant only a 10-minute drive from Prestwick Airport and close to the top Links Golf courses at Royal Troon, Western Gailes and Dundonald Links. Leisure facilities include a fitness centre, hot tub and sauna. All of the spacious rooms come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and facilities for making tea and coffee. The en suite bathrooms include both shower and bath, as well as Scottish toiletries. The surrounding area offers golfing, rolling countryside and unspoiled beach walks. The Zest Restaurant at The Gailes provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a wide range of dishes created with the finest locally sourced ingredients. When the sun is shining, guests can take advantage of the outside terrace with comfortable, soft seating.
Situated in Troon, this hotel is within 6 miles (10 km) of Royal Troon Golf Club, Western Gailes Golf Club and Dundonald Links. The hotel has a restaurant, 2 bars / lounges and offers 24 hour room service. Full breakfast and free parking are also provided Full breakfast and free self parking are also provided. Additionally dry cleaning, 24 hour front desk and free newspapers are on site. All 20 rooms provide conveniences such as sitting areas and coffee makers, plus free WiFi and 24-hour room service. Guests will also find plasma TVs, ironing boards and desks.
Cameron House stands on the peaceful southern shores of Loch Lomond looking across its shimmering waters to the majestic hills beyond. Occupying over 100 acres of magnificent woodland, it provides an inspirational setting, yet is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Glasgow International Airport.
This exclusive 5 star 96-bedroom resort provides an inspirational setting offering deluxe accommodation, award winning cuisine and superb sporting and leisure facilities. The addition of a world class golf course "The Carrick" and exclusive spa completed this premier location in summer 2007.
Outside, another sporting world unfolds, with professional tennis coaching, clay pigeon shooting, and archery, off road driving, sailing, cruising and windsurfing. Available to guests is a challenging 9-hole golf course " The Wee Demon " and a magnificent marina housing the hotels own motor cruiser " Celtic Warrior " enabling guests to cruise on the Loch and experience first hand the spectacular views and surrounding hills.
Lochgreen House is set amidst thirty acres of woodland and landscaped gardens adjacent to the famous fairways of Royal Troon and stands as a perfect reminder of a bygone era. Built by the Morton family in 1905, the house features fine wood panelling throughout with light oak in the hall and study and cherry in the dining room. Meticulous attention to detail remains the hallmark of Lochgreen House, which has developed into one of Scotland's finest country houses.
There are two sumptuously decorated sitting rooms, one of which contains a dispense bar. Fine furnishings, paintings and glowing log fires during the colder months enhance both areas. When not golfing, the more energetic guests can avail of the tennis court or enjoy a stroll around the surrounding gardens. One of the highlights of any visit to Lochgreen is the innovative cuisine offered in the classic setting of the dining room.
22 bedrooms, all ensuite, with In-house Video, Colour TV., Hairdryer, Radio-Alarm, Direct Dial Telephone and Hospitality Tray. All with ocean or garden views. Room and laundry service available and also full night porter service allowing for late arrivals and early departures with breakfast.
The Hotel has a 3 Star grading with the Automobile Association and Scottish Tourist Board. The restaurant offers a wide choice of fresh, local produce and has been awarded an AA Rosette and Scottish Tourist Board 3 Medallions for the quality of food, service and ambience.
The breakfast room overlooks the Hotel sunken garden; the lounge bar and restaurant have magnificent views over the Firth of Clyde and Isle of Arran.
Overlooking Royal Troon, Piersland Lodge as it was known, was built in 1899 by renowned Scottish architect, William Leiper as the home for Sir Alexander Walker, grandson of Johnnie Walker, founder of the Scotch whiskey firm. Having remained in the Walker family until 1956, Piersland House is now a Grade A listed building with all the original features remaining, including wood panelling, stone fireplaces and woodcarvings.
Set in an acre of beautifully landscaped gardens, this fine hotel has been much extended over the years and overlooks Royal Troon, which has hosted seven British Opens in all, the last one in 1997, when Justin Leonard triumphed. The wood-panelled lounge bar offers an extensive menu for less formal dining, while fine cuisine is par for the course in the elegant restaurant and adjoining cocktail lounge.
Keeping to the whiskey theme, each of the 28 en-suite guestrooms at Piersland House is based upon a malt whiskey distillery or family. All bedrooms, though they have been fully updated regarding facilities and comfort, retain their original charm. Residents can choose from three styles of room — cottage suites, large superior rooms or smaller standard rooms but whatever the choice, each is extremely well equipped.


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India blocks broadcast of BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching a slew of infrastructure projects from MMRDA Grounds, in the Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) on January 19, 2023 in Mumbai, India.
Satish Bate | Hindu times | Getty Images
India has blocked the broadcast of a BBC documentary questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Directions to prevent the clips from being shared were issued using emergency powers available to the government under the country's information technology rules, Kanchan Gupta, a government adviser, said on his Twitter account on Saturday.
While the BBC has not aired the documentary in India, the video has been uploaded to some YouTube channels, Gupta said.
The government has ordered Twitter to block more than 50 tweets linking to the documentary's video, and YouTube has been ordered to block all uploads of the video, Gupta said. Both YouTube and Twitter followed directions, he added.
Modi was the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat when it was gripped by communal riots that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people – most of them Muslims. Violence erupted after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims caught fire, killing 59.
Human rights activists estimate that at least double that number died in the riots.
Modi denied allegations that he had failed to stop the riots. A special investigative team appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate the role of Modi and others in the violence said in a 541-page report in 2012 that it could find no evidence to prosecute the then prime minister.
Modi was declared the prime minister candidate of his party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, in 2013 and led her to power in general elections in 2014 and then in 2019.
Last week, a spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry called the BBC documentary a "propaganda piece" designed to promote a "discredited narrative".
Categories world Tags Business news, Media, technology
Julian Sands – live: Fellow climber shares a touching tribute as the search for the missing actor enters its 10th day
Eagles-49ers NFC Championship Game line changed soon after opening


text:
package org.haybale.random;

import java.util.Random;

import org.apache.commons.math3.distribution.BetaDistribution;

public class RandomBetaGenerator {

	final private long seed;
	final private double xmin;
	final private double xmax;
	final private double alpha;
	final private double beta;

	Random generator;

	final private BetaDistribution betaDistribution;

	public RandomBetaGenerator(long seed, double xmin, double xmax, double alpha, double beta) {
		this.seed = seed;
		this.xmin = xmin;
		this.xmax = xmax;
		this.alpha = alpha;
		this.beta = beta;

		generator = new Random(this.seed);

		betaDistribution = new BetaDistribution(alpha, beta);
	}

	public long nextBetaValue() {
            double x = generator.nextDouble();
            double betaValue = betaDistribution.inverseCumulativeProbability(x);
            double y = xmin + (xmax-xmin)*betaValue;
            return Math.round(y);
	}

	public long getSeed() {
		return(seed);
	}

	public double getAlpha() {
		return(alpha);
	}

	public double getBeta() {
		return(beta);
	}

	public double getXmin() {
		return(xmin);
	}

	public double getXmax() {
		return(xmax);
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: How to empty the data using jQuery? I'm trying to empty the data(img) when someone clicks in another button.
%div(class="backend-unit")
%h2 Delete cars
%small Select the make then the year to see all the cars that belong to it
%br
=   select_tag("year", options_for_select(Car.all.order(year: 'asc').pluck(:year).uniq))
- @makes.each do |make|
    %button(class="get-cars" id="#{make.id}") #{make.name}
%div(id="render-cars")

So when clicks in another make, which is a button the it will empty the previous data and show the new one.
    $('button#car-model').click(function(){
                var modelData = $(this).text()
                $.ajax({
                    method: 'GET',
                    url: '/cars/' + year + '/' + make_id + '/' + modelData,
                    dataType: 'html',
                    success: function(data){
                        $('div#render-cars').empty();
                        $('div#render-cars').html(data);
                    }
                });

However the previous data is still there and when you click in another button is just keeps adding. Any idea why?


Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified in Colorado? Are you interested in teaching English in Arapahoe County, Colorado? Check out our opportunities in Arapahoe County, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English in your community or abroad! Teflonline.net offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.
This chapter tackles about the books and materials that are needed inside the classroom. Course books usually consist of a set of materials like student's book, workbook, cassettes, teacher's book, and etc. Course books has also its advantages and disadvantages for the teachers as well as the students. Moreover, teachers often has to create his/her own materials – authentic materials and created materials – to either supplement the course book, or replace sections that are not suitable for the class.


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Home » Country Music » Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Perform "Islands In The Stream" Live For The Final Time
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Perform "Islands In The Stream" Live For The Final Time
Lisa Konicki
It was a star-studded celebration to top all celebrations as country's finest said goodbye to Kenny Rogers during the "All for the Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration" at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena Wednesday night (Oct. 25).
Kenny, who has notched numerous hits in his six decades of music, including "The Gambler," "Lady," "Islands In The Stream," "Lucille," "Coward of the County," "She Believes In Me," "We've Got Tonight," "Through The Years," and "You Decorated My Life" to name a few, announced his retirement from music in 2015 before embarking on a farewell tour.
One Country's Kelly Sutton hit the red carpet for the big night to talk with both Kenny and Dolly prior to the highly-anticipated event.
It was inside that artists like Jamey Johnson, Elle King, Alison Krauss, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Idina Menzel, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton and Wynonna Judd, performed some of Kenny's biggest hits in a farewell tribute to The Gambler.
But it was Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers that were the highlight of the night. Their big moment came at the end of the show as they took the stage for their final live performance together. As the lights dimmed, a video of the famous pair throughout the years played on the big screen. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as the Grammy award winners on to the stage arm in arm for one last time.
"This is amazing being here with this great guy," Dolly said of Kenny, as they took the stage together. "I never heard so much good music and as much good singing. How about a hand for this guy right here, is he not something. Mr. Kenny Rogers everybody."
"I just wanted to say I'm really really proud of you. I just hope that many, many years from now—when I'm older—that I'll know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em," Dolly laughed. "Anyway, we've been accused of it all through the years, you are retiring you want to hold them now," she joked, referring to her ample breasts.
And the special moments between friends didn't stop there. Kenny and Dolly sat center stage telling stories of days gone by and reminiscing about the fun times they've had. "Good lord, you're just retiring we're not dying," Dolly said to cut through the emotional moments. The two friends then broke into a touching version of "You Can't Make Old Friends."
"I like to think my heart's real, it's probably the only thing that's real about me. But I've got a spot for you that's never ever going to be touched by anybody else and I'm gonna hold you there," Dolly said choking back tears. "And I'm going to sing this song for you. I guess you guys know "I Will Always Love You." I'm gonna sing this song just for you. So you just sit there and take it."
Dolly surprised her friend with the most loving rendition of "I Will Always Love You."
"Thank you so much for being here tonight to help me say goodbye," Kenny said to the sold out crowd. "You guys have been wonderful and the talent on this show, wow. It's really been fun for me and tonight is as much about me saying thank you as it is goodbye."
With that, Dolly and Kenny performed their 1983 mega-hit, "Islands in the Stream." The crowd was on their feet for every note, as the pair said goodbye. "Kenny, how about we go out like rock stars," Dolly said. They turned to the audience and without missing a beat, they simultaneously dropped their mics.
And that, my friends, is how a true artist goes out.
country music news, dolly parton, kenny rogers, mainstream country music, news


New Leeds United signing Laurens De Bock spoke exclusively to LUTV after becoming United's third signing of the January transfer window.
The Belgian left-back, who has played in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League completed his move from Club Brugge on Thursday for an undisclosed fee.
De Bock, 25, who has also won caps at youth level for Belgium, is excited about his new chapter at Elland Road.
"I'm very happy to be here and it feels like the next step in my career," said De Bock.
"I'm really looking forward to playing at this beautiful club in front of the beautiful fans at the stadium and atmosphere.
"I've heard a lot about Leeds United, I've spoken to players who play in England and I asked a few questions and everyone says the same thing- that it is a beautiful club and when I was younger I remember Leeds playing in the Premier League.
"It was a big decision I had to make, because I also have my wife and little boy, but when you have the chance come to England and being 25 now, I had to make the decision and I'm looking forward to playing in the most beautiful football country in the world.
"I think my strength is my tackling, so hopefully the defence likes it here and I also like rough football.


text:
Written by Lucasbarstow November 3, 2021 November 3, 2021
Arkham Asylum – Great – The first in the Arkham series was the one to popularise a now common hit and counter combat style, it used plenty of villains while also leaning on Batman's stealth and detective roots.
There are times when this game has such a brilliant amount of atmosphere, from the intro with Joker to the genuinely creepy morgue with Scarecrow, it works well to make the player tense and invested. Small corridors and closed in environments keep the tension high with an almost claustrophobic feel to a lot of the game.
The story is all about Joker taking over the asylum as he tries to get Batman killed. It revolves around the science of Bane's strength boosting Venom liquid and an improved version called Titan. Along the way Batman must face a variety of supervillain's who keep the game interesting and atmospheric. Scarecrow even changes up the gameplay sometimes by making it more like a 2.5D platformer, which is nice.
The combat is occasionally annoying as it's in a fairly unrefined state with no way to cancel animations making it easy to get hit, but generally the fights are well done. Bosses are big on visual spectacle but tedious to actually deal with, many of them dragging on a bit too long and not engaging with the player's brain enough.
The Riddler gives us a few hundred collectibles to find. These come in the form of trophies, actual riddles, perspective puzzles, doctor recordings and Arkham symbols. Plenty to do and the amount doesn't feel too excessive.
The game also has bonus challenge missions to unlock and play, plus Joker is playable in some of them. There's also artwork and character bios to view.
My main problem with this one is that Batman quite often got stuck on a corner or a piece of scenery, other than that there were no real gameplay issues.
Overall, it's a well made game that's packed with stuff in an area that requires a lot of backtracking. It's little flaws make it frustrating but the atmosphere is incredible, add in the combat and puzzles which gives us a truly great game about Batman that dances along the line between tanky fighter and stealthy detective.
Arkham City – Great – The follow up to Asylum that just upgrades almost everything.
The story is a direct follow from Joker's abuse of Titan. We encounter truly iconic villains such as Two-Face, Penguin and Ra's Al Ghul as they try to hinder the Batman on his journey. An uneasy alliance with Mr Freeze is formed.
Side missions treat us to confrontations with Deadshot, Hush, Azrael, Mad Hatter, Szasz and Riddler. Arkham City also introduces Catwoman as a playable campaign character with some main story content and collectibles of her own.
The game is packed with Riddler trophies and puzzles, collecting these award unlockable artwork, lore, extra levels and extra challenges. The Riddler stuff can get a bit boring after a while as it's double what Asylum had.
Challenges in the challenge mode allows Batman to test his skills. We also get to play as Tim Drake's Robin, Catwoman and Nightwing in these challenges. Plus there's an extra, short campaign where Batman and Robin go up against Harley Quinn.
Arkham City is quite open and doesn't have Scarecrow as a main feature so loses a lot of the atmosphere that made Asylum great. However, through the strength of story, the inclusion of so many villains and gadgets, plus the improved feel of both traversal and combat in a game packed with content, this may be one of the greatest superhero games that it's possible to make. Fantastic.
Posted in PS4.Tagged Arkham, Batman, game, Gaming, Review, Reviews, Superheroes.
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text:
Die Burg Kirchberg, heute auch als Schloss Kirchberg bei Hohenthann bezeichnet, ist eine Burganlage in Kirchberg in der Gemeinde Hohenthann im Landkreis Landshut in Niederbayern. Die Anlage wird als Bodendenkmal unter der Aktennummer D-2-7338-0193 im BayernAtlas als "untertägige mittelalterliche und frühneuzeitliche Befunde im Bereich des Schlosses und der teilweise abgegangenen Burganlage von Kirchberg mit Schlosskapelle, ehem. Nebengebäuden und Gartenanlagen" geführt. Ebenso ist das Schloss unter der Aktennummer D-2-74-141-20 ein denkmalgeschütztes Baudenkmal von Hohenthann.

Geschichte
In einer Urkunde des Klosters Mallersdorf wird ein Graf Arterius I. bereits im Jahr 812 in Kirchberg erwähnt. Die Burg soll jedoch bereits 292 als Römerfeste gegründet worden sein – in einer Zeit, aus der es keine Urkunden und andere schriftliche Zeugnisse gibt. Nach dem Aussterben der Grafen von Kirchberg im Jahr 1234 wurde die Grafschaft zu einem Pflegegerichtsbezirk des Herzogtums Bayern-Landshut. Der herzogliche Pfleger residierte auf der Burg von Kirchberg und war für Verwaltung und Justiz in seinem Bezirk zuständig. Die heutige Anlage wurde im 14. Jahrhundert von den Herren von Kirchberg erbaut und verfügt über eine kreisrunde Zwingermauer aus Backstein. Der Bergfried hat eine Grundfläche von 10 mal 10,5 Meter und eine Mauerstärke von drei Meter. Die Schlosskapelle St. Leonhard befindet sich im Bergfried-Untergeschoss. Für die Restaurierung der Burg in den 1990er Jahren erhielten die Besitzer den Denkmalpreis der Hypo-Kulturstiftung München.

Literatur
 Friedrich-Wilhelm Krahe: Burgen des deutschen Mittelalters – Grundriss-Lexikon. Sonderausgabe. Flechsig Verlag, Würzburg 2000, ISBN 3-88189-360-1, S. 326.

Einzelnachweise

Weblinks

Kirchberg
Bauwerk in Hohenthann
Baudenkmal in Hohenthann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Institute, US Firm Allies on Data Analytics...
Institute, US Firm Allies on Data Analytics
The government has partnered with a foreign tech firm to work on capacity building of local data analysis. The Technology & Innovation Institute signed the memorandum of understanding with Zenysis Technologies last week to build local capacity in processing big data and advanced data analysis capabilities. Sandokan Debebe, director of the Institute, and Bernard Laurendeau, regional director for Zenysis Technologies, signed the agreement at the premises of the Ministry of Innovation & Technology on July 25, 2019. "The agreement helps to bring reliable and timely information to decision makers and analysts and enables them to make evidence-based decisions," said Sandokan. "We have to digitalise our documentation system." Zenysis Technologies is a data and artificial intelligence company based in Silicon Valley. The company was established in 2015, and it is led by software engineers and data scientists from Google, Amazon and NASA.
HOLY REFRESHMENTS
A young deacon baptises an eager crowd at Timket festivities around Janmeda field. Immersion in water represents a rebirth in initiation ceremonies in history. It symbolises the breaking of amniotic fluid (a liquid that surrounds the fetus) during birth, hinting towards a second birth on the planet. Water has had deep sociopolitical significance for Ethiopia as the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been proceeding under three Prime Ministers. Exeeding the initial bud...
BARKING SPOT
On a scorching hot afternoon, a pack of stray dogs take shade under a tree on Debrezeit road. A third of Ethiopia's landmass was reported to be covered in trees in the 19th century, deforestation has put that number at around 10pc. Emperor Minelik II was the first leader of Ethiopia to engage in reforestation as he imported the Australian Eucalyptus in 1895. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) also is enamoured by lush greenery to the degree he launched the Green Legacy Initiative three years ago...
GREEN GLAZE
A street vendor sells fresh-cut grass around Kera for the holiday season. Most households embellish the holiday atmosphere at home, by spraying 'Qetema' in the house. A green glaze is expanding across the capital, with a new public park being announced every few months. Lemi Park in the recently formed Lemi Kura sub-city is the latest of these projects scheduled for a 10 months construction period. Friendship and Entoto parks, with the Prime Minister Office overseeing the construction, have beco...


Tributosaurus Signature Series: One Hit Wonders of the 80s tickets are on sale now and they are going fast. Be there for a stop on the 2019 Tributosaurus Signature Series: One Hit Wonders of the 80s concert tour and get ready for an unforgettable night. Browse concert tickets for Tributosaurus Signature Series: One Hit Wonders of the 80s and get ready for the show of a lifetime!


text:
Home Buyer's Guide Best Gaming Steering Wheel for PS5
Best Gaming Steering Wheel for PS5
by Isa Muhammad April 4, 2022
Finding the best gaming steering wheel for PS5 can be a difficult task since there are so many available out there. You'll find wheels with different price points, features, and compatibilities. You don't need a gaming steering wheel for every game, but they can take your gaming experience to a whole new level when you switch to a racing game – immersing you in the action.
So if you're on the hunt for a new gaming steering wheel for your PlayStation 5 console, we've put together the best to pick from. Our list consists of steering wheels that'll put you above opponents in challenging racing games like Gran Turismo and Forza. So without further ado, here are the best gaming steering wheel for PS5.
G920 Driving Force by Logitech
The G920 is an impressive steering wheel that supports not only PlayStation 5 but Xbox Series X and PC as well. It is designed to take you through the latest racing titles and help you emerge victoriously. This wheel can add a driving force to your controller selection that you might detest racing with a controller afterward.
It is engineered with dual-motor force feedback that's designed to realistically simulate the feel of your car and tires after every turn. The terrain types can also lead to oversteer, drifting, and more. It also has helical gears that are modeled after the gearing used in car transmissions. With this steering wheel, you'll get an exceptionally smooth, quiet, and precise steering experience on PS5.
Why we recommend:
Realistic force feedback
Dual-motor force
Helical gears
T248 Racing Wheel by Thrustmaster
The T248 racing wheel comes with a premium design with leather wrapping on its outer-facing portion. It has a versatile wheel shape and is well suited for all sorts of racing game styles. There are up to 25 action buttons as well as two dual-position encoders. Enjoy an interactive race dashboard with a selection of over 20 different displays on the wheel's screen.
It also has dynamic force feedback that provides on-the-fly level adjustment with three preset modes included. Option one is 100% proportional to the force requested by the game. Option two is enhanced for better skid control. And lastly, option three is boosted to allow users to clearly feel all the racing effects including skidding off track and curves. It has a magnetic pedal set that offers a truly exceptional split-second precision with smooth motion as well.
Up to 25 action buttons
Dynamic force feedback
PXN-V3II Racing Wheel by PXN
This steering wheel has a wide range of compatibility as it supports PS5, Xbox One, PC, PS3, PS4, and even Nintendo Switch. It offers a realistic simulation driving experience with a shift accelerator level and a shift paddle. The PXN is also equipped with an adjustable length foot pedal that provides brake and acceleration functions.
There's also a dual motors vibration function that automatically adjusts the vibration amplitude according to various driving scenarios. The double fixation feature has up to seven suction cups for fixing with a C-shaped set as well. If you shake from simulated driving, the racing wheels can be easily fixed without moving.
Wide compatibility range
Adjustable length foot pedal
Gaming Racing Wheel by DOYO
DOYO's gaming steering wheel for PS5 comes with a wide range of compatibility and supports various racing games. It comes with a built-in dual-motor drive as well as a 270-degree swivel design. Some of its finest features include sensitivity adjustment, button programming, and can even be adjusted to meet the need of the racing game.
It also comes with a responsive gear and an ergonomically designed pedal/accelerator with progressive resistance braking. This is coupled with adjustable tilt angles to simplify the use of the gaming steering wheel for PS5. It is easy to install and use as you can simply connect to your controller. The lightweight and portable size makes it easy to move from different spots.
Button programming
Racing Wheel Apex by HORI
HORI's racing steering wheel comes with the best build quality and customization options, making it an authentic racing experience. It has a ton of features with a massive 270-degree turn ratio that gives you an appropriate racing experience. The vibration feedback is coupled with secure clamps to your racing wheel stand and steel parts.
Its fully-sized pedals are built to last with a 270 to 180-degree turn ratio and fine-tune other settings you prefer. This steering wheel comes with the all-new RWA: Racing Wheel Apex for PS4, PS3, PC and works on PlayStation 5 as well. It's officially licensed by Sony, giving you compatibility support with various types of racing games.
Vibration feedback
Full sized pedals
Up to 270 degree turn
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The Auditor and the Hitmen
By Corruption Watch 06 Nov 2013, 12:10
Source: Sacsis
Recently Corruption Watch celebrated the late Lawrence Moepi as a hero in the fight against corruption. The forensic auditor was shot and killed in broad daylight as he arrived at his office in Houghton, and his murder has sparked condemnation and anxiety in auditing circles, as practitioners speak out about their fears of suffering the same fate.
Prof Jane Duncan, the Highway Africa Chair of Media and Information Society in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, has written a thought-provoking piece that delves into the culture of killing to cover up corruption, and compares the developing South African situation to that of countries such as Colombia. What will stop us from going down that same road, Duncan asks, and then says that there is much that can and should be done.
"People like Moepi and others who are resisting South Africa's descent into a predatory state should be celebrated publicly, and these celebrations may give others courage to continue speaking out.
"Solidarity work, including support for grieving families, is also important, as are campaigns to keep cases in the public eye, and to remind the state that their progress is being monitored."
Her article was first published on the website of the South African Civil Society Information Service, a non-profit news agency that provides quality social justice commentary, and serves as a platform where important issues such as the Moepi killing can be explored.
We republish it below in full:
By Jane Duncan
Last month, forensic auditor Lawrence Moepi was killed in a suspected hit, which happened as he arrived for work at his Johannesburg office. Apparently, Moepi was working on some big cases involving suspected corruption. The auditor-general had also appointed him to the investigations team on the now-notorious arms deal.
Moepi had earned a reputation of being a fraudster's worst nightmare: a fearless, principled, incorruptible auditor. It is widely suspected that he was killed to shut him up. Other auditors have spoken up, alleging that his killing is the tip of the iceberg, and that many other auditors who expose corruption or mismanagement of funds are at risk.
Unfortunately, Moepi's killing is the latest in what has become a firmly-established trend where whistleblowers, activists and other people of principle are killed to prevent them from exposing fraud and corruption.
Speaking at a Rhodes University public meeting, Abahlali baseMjondolo's S'bu Zikode said, "…there's a new profession in town: hitman. It's very lucrative, like being a consultant. People walk around the township and point to different hitmen, naming who they hit. This is what our children are growing up with."
He made these remarks after two of the movement's activists were gunned down, reputedly for their activism around housing allocations in Durban. One of these activists, Nkululeko Gwala, was killed on the same day that a senior ANC government official made sinister statements about him.
Since 2009, the year that Jacob Zuma came to office, the body count has grown rapidly, which suggests that he presides over a much more predatory political order than Thabo Mbeki or Nelson Mandela did, notwithstanding commitments to a more redistributive state. These murders are most apparent in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, followed by Mpumalanga. They remain largely unsolved, the exception being the killing of ANC councillor and trade unionist Moss Phakoe, who was killed after he found evidence of fraud in a drought relief projects. Yet even this victory remains precarious.
The growing number of assassination raises inevitable but chilling parallels with the assassination capital of the world, Colombia, and there are important lessons to learn from that country. Whistleblowers exposing the activities of druglords have been targeted, as have social movement activists; in fact, anyone who seeks to organise the poor to resist oppression and exploitation remains a potential target. As Janet Hristov has observed, the death squads enable that country's highly unequal political and economic status quo to be maintained: to this extent, targeted violence has become essential to capital accumulation. Attempts to demilitarise society have been largely cosmetic.
Latin America's path to neoliberalism was much more violent than countries like the US and Britain, where consent was obtained from influential social groups. South Africa is located between these two extremes, as a complex mix of consent and coercive measures allowed this shift to take place locally.
In the 1980's, the neoliberalising Colombian state found itself in a quandary. It could engage in overt repression, but risked losing legitimacy: as a result, shifting from a nominally democratic to an authoritarian state was simply not an option.
Alternatively, the state could allow internal opposition to inequality to grow into a powerful redistributive movement against the druglords, landlords, and the like. Given its patronage relations with these very criminals, the state could not risk that happening. As international condemnation of state repression increased, the state was forced to make tactical adjustments in its use of violence.
As a result, state officials began to enter into alliances with illegal groups to advance their mutual interests, leading to the informalisation of repression. According to Hristov, while officially claiming to abhor the death squads, covertly the state supported them by, for instance, encouraging the part-privatisation of military and policing functions, and relaxing gun control. In the process, Columbia became a de-facto 'democratatorship', or a dictatorship that pretended to be a democracy.
In the early phases of the phenomenon, the US supported the criminalisation of various Latin American national security states, to maximise profit extraction in the name of foreign investment. However, once the squads took hold, they gained a life of their own with their own independent sources of finance.
Obviously, South Africa's assassination problem is not nearly as pronounced as Colombia's, but the problem is growing. What stops South Africa from becoming Colombia? Is Colombia's present South Africa's future?
It is extremely difficult to understand the forces at work in South Africa, and in this regard, the paucity of serious analytical work has added to the problem. There is no evidence yet, though, of systematic collusion between the state and hit squads, or that assassinations have become unofficial national state policy.
But information thrown up in the course of official investigations suggests that, in some cases, individuals in the state are colluding with businesspeople to assassinate those who stand in their way. These collaborations appear to be taking on a more systematic character in the provinces.
This is hardly surprising as this tier of government is more open to capture by corrupt elites than the national tier, as the latter is under constant scrutiny, yet is less exposed to direct, bottom-up accountability than the local state. However, as policing researcher David Bruce has noted, with the exception of the convictions in Phakoe's case, the courts appear to be reluctant to test the many allegations in this regard.
To the extent that it is taking place, the coming together of these individuals could lead to a creeping criminalisation of the state. In this regard, it is important to recognise that the state is not a neutral entity; it is a key site of wealth accumulation and, in fact, for some, the only site of wealth accumulation. As a result, the temptation to resort to informal repressive tactics is high.
Much depends on whether assassins will be held to account, and in this regard, it is also premature to argue that an outright culture of impunity exists in South Africa. Yet, worryingly, the lack of prosecutions and convictions is making assassinations an increasingly attractive prospect for powerful people with something to hide.
Furthermore, while there is little evidence yet of the assassinations being an organised national phenomenon, they are clearly not random and fuelled by individual factors only. In fact, echoing Colombia, they are becoming increasingly important to the maintenance of unequal social relations, and this systemic nature of the assassination could well make the problem more intractable.
Class struggle is at an all-time high in South Africa, making the future uncertain for local neoliberalism's beneficiaries. Auditors like Moepi increase this uncertainty, as they threaten to expose its more corrupt manifestations. However, their middle-class status still shields them from the worst of the problem, which is more pronounced in working-class communities, as successful convictions of these crimes are less likely.
Already, there are indications that assassinations involving political leaders, especially ANC leaders, are more likely to result in convictions than those involving rank and file activists. This means that Moepi's assassination is more likely to be solved than Gwala's.
If such convictions are not forthcoming, then the hit-men could well become organised into paramilitary outfits to do the ruling elite's dirty work for it in more systematic ways. This possibility is also strengthened by the criminal justice system's systemic weaknesses, as well as the current ANC leadership's obvious lack of political will to confront the problem.
It is easy to feel powerless in the face of this growing problem, but there is much that can and should be done. People like Moepi and others who are resisting South Africa's descent into a predatory state should be celebrated publicly, and these celebrations may give others courage to continue speaking out.
Solidarity work, including support for grieving families, is also important, as are campaigns to keep cases in the public eye, and to remind the state that its progress is being monitored. In this regard, South African civil society has much to learn from the campaigns for justice against the 'forced disappearances' in Latin America.
But solidarity alone is not enough; organisation is necessary too. In the wake of the Marikana massacre and the Abahlali assassinations, the Workers and Socialist Party called for the establishment of self-defence committees, and this call should be supported. Historically, such committees have defended workers from physical attack.
South Africa's mutation into a Colombia-style 'democratatorship' is not inevitable, and premature, dramatic overstatements in this regard should be guarded against. But unless every right-minded person recognises the dangers for what they are, then these dangers remain both real and present.
The killing of forensic auditor Lawrence Moepi may be part of a trend to prevent the uncovering of corruption, says Prof Jane Duncan, and letting perpetrators get away with their crimes will prove unwise in the long run.
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text:
Q: When a semigroup extension $S \times A$ of a semigroup $S$ with a commutative group $A$ contains a copy of $S$? Maybe is a trivial question, but I don't know how to handle it.
Setting: Let $S$ be a semigroup (i.e. has an associative operation with neutral element $e$) and let $(A,+)$ be a commutative group (with neutral element $0$).
A semigroup extension of $S$ with $A$ is any operation on $S \times A$, of the form
$(s,a)(s',a') = (s s' , a+a'+ \lambda(s,s')$
where $\lambda: S \times S \rightarrow A$ is a function such that $S \times A$ with the mentioned operation is a semigroup with neutral element $(e,0)$. Obviously, the  operation is encoded by the function $\lambda$, which satisfies  certain equations.
Problem: Describe the class of functions $\lambda$ with the property: there is an injective morphism of semigroups from $S$ to $S \times A$ (with the semigroup extension operation induced by $\lambda$). Is there an elegant way to describe this class?
Motivation: I am puzzled by the following two examples, I cannot put the finger on the essential difference between those.
Let $X$ and $Y$ be topological, locally convex, real vector spaces of dual
variables $x \in X$ and $y \in Y$, with the duality product
$\langle \cdot , \cdot \rangle : X \times Y \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$.
The spaces  $X, Y$ have topologies compatible with the duality
product, in the sense that for any  continuous linear functional on $X$
there is an $y \in Y$ which puts the functional into the form $x \mapsto \langle x,y\rangle$  (respectively  any  continuous linear functional on $Y$ has the form $y \mapsto \langle x,y\rangle$, for a $x \in X$).
Example 1: (Heisenberg group) Let $S = X \times Y$ with the operation of addition of pairs of vectors and let $A = \mathbb{R}$ with addition. We may define a Heisenberg group over the pair $(X,Y)$ as $H(X,Y) = S \times A$ with the operation
$(x,y,a)(x',y',b) = (x+x', y+y', a+a'+ \langle x, y'\rangle - \langle x', y \rangle)$
There is no injective morphism from $(X\times Y, +)$ to $H(X,Y)$.
Example 2: Let this time $S = (X \times Y)^{*}$, the free semigroup generated by $X \times Y$, i.e. the collection of all finite words with letters from $X \times Y$, together with the empty word $e$, with the operation of concatenation of words.
Let $A$ be the set of bi-affine real functions on $X \times Y$, i.e. the collection of all functions $a: X \times Y \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ which are affine and continuous in each argument. $A$ is a commutative group with the addition of real valued functions operation.
We define the function $\lambda: S \times S \rightarrow A$ by:

*

*$\lambda(e, c)(x,y) = \lambda(c,e)(x,y)=0$ for any $c \in S$ and any $(x,y) \in X \times Y$.

*if $c, h \in S$ are words $c = (x_{1},y_{1})...(x_{n}, y_{n})$ and
$h = (u_{1},v_{1})...(u_{m}, v_{m})$, with $m,n \geq 1$, then

$\lambda(c,h)(x,y) = \langle u_{1} - x , y_{n} - y \rangle$
for any $(x,y) \in X \times Y$.
This $\lambda$ induces a semigroup extension operation on $S \times A$ and there is an injective morphism $F: S \rightarrow S \times A$, with the expression $F(c) = (c, E(c))$. Here, for any $c = (x_{1},y_{1})...(x_{n}, y_{n})$
the expression  $E(c)(x,y)$ is the well known circular sum associated to the "discrete cycle" $(x_{1},y_{1})...(x_{n}, y_{n})(x,y)$, namely:
$E(c)(x,y) = \langle x_{1},y\rangle + \langle x,y_{n}\rangle - \langle x,y \rangle + \sum_{k=1}^{n-1}\langle x_{k+1}, y_{k}\rangle - \sum_{k=1}^{n} \langle x_{k},y_{k} \rangle $
dear to convex analysis.

A: First of all I would not call what you write a semidirect product.  It will be such in your setting precisely when the natural maps to $S$ splits, in which case it will actually be isomorphic to a direct product.
More precisely, you are viewing $A$ here as a trivial module over $\mathbb ZS$.  Then $\lambda$ is a 2-cocycle and you want it to be equivalent in $H^2(S,A)$ with the trivial cocycle.