text:
Money & Me: 'Spending on hair is a necessity'
Kate Darling says the motivation for founding her Dubai salon was to make sure prices are transparent and ethical products are used
Kate Darling, co-founder of That Hair Tho (THT) salon at Jumeirah Lakes Towers, moved to Dubai in 2015 and started her business in 2018. Anna Nielsen / The National
Kate Darling, 27, is a co-founder of Dubai salon THT – That Hair Tho – which promotes using sustainable and vegan products. The Australian started her career as a sales trainer with L'Oreal nearly a decade ago and is dedicated to understanding global and Middle East beauty trends. Ms Darling lives on Bluewaters Island in Dubai.
I've never had doubt that I'm going to be wealthy, even when younger.
Kate Darling, co-founder of Dubai salon THT
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
My parents have always worked really hard and done well for themselves. Mum's a midwife and dad's an engineer. They taught us good values in the sense that if we wanted something we'd have to work for it, so from 13 I started working if I wanted to buy something. I've an older brother and sister. We grew up 40 minutes from Adelaide in the country, a 24.28-hectare hobby farm. It was expected we'd help out, but we enjoyed it.
We got A$60 (Dh151) fortnightly pocket money. When I was eight, I opened my first bank account and I saved it all. I'm not sure if it was encouraged or I just developed that habit. Now and then I'd spend on a dress.
I then went to boarding school for a while. All my friends there were from wealthier families, it was the only time I wished I had more.
Do you still save?
Since starting the business I don't save more, but have always saved for a rainy day and some emergency money. If anything turns up, I know I'll still be fine.
What are your tools for saving?
I have a savings account in Dubai and one in Australia. I send money back now and then, save in chunks and set targets for myself. I stopped sending it back [recently] because the Australian dollar was really bad and I'd rather keep it in the UAE.
Originally I thought I'd want to move back to Australia and have a house there, but you have to be real with yourself, whether you're going back or not.
How much were you paid in your first job?
When I was 13, our neighbours had a cherry farm and I used to make boxes for them or sort cherries for A$5 an hour. I wanted the first LG flip phone so I saved A$250 for that. At 18, I was a make-up artist for Lancome, earning A$25 an hour, and then a sales trainer for L'Oreal.
Ms Darling says she was looking for somewhere tax free to start a business and visited to Dubai after winning a radio competition. Anna Nielsen / The National
What brought you to Dubai?
I'd lived overseas, went back to Australia and was looking for my next move, somewhere tax-free so it was easier to start a business.
In 2014, I won a competition and came over on this amazing race-style radio show, running around Dubai Mall and finding clues. It felt like a place with lots of opportunities and business concepts. I liked that it's always growing and people are bringing ideas from around the world, so I moved out here in 2015.
I started with an internship and bounced around jobs, trying to secure myself. I always wanted a business, I just didn't know how to get there and then met my business partner and came up with this. I was a salon manager for a year, grew their business, worked out it would never be as profitable as we wanted. So we developed the THT concept and opened in 2018.
Are you wise with money?
Yes. I live quite a balanced lifestyle and within my means. I don't live the 'Dubai lifestyle' – I did when I first got here and enjoyed it, but that phase has gone. I don't look at people who waste money on material things as impressive.
I save, but use it when I need it and spoil myself. When you are working really hard and want to enjoy something, I do because I appreciate it a lot more.
I have spreadsheets for everything - mostly the business. I have to be more careful of what I spend [since launching THT], understanding projection for profit and keep reinvesting. You need salaries there for six months, [money] for visas. You have to be prepared. For myself, I've worked out how much I need for the year. I budget.
Money & Me: 'I saved Dh500 by cutting out coffee and takeaway lunches for a month'
Money & Me: 'Fatherhood completely changed my lifestyle and my attitude to risk'
Money & Me: 'I was an orphan refugee — now I'm in the land of opportunity'
Do you view spending on hair as a luxury or necessity?
A necessity, especially in a place like Dubai. THT is a high-end service in a chilled atmosphere. You would be surprised how much people can spend, especially if they know it's a good service; for extensions, including colouring, we have customers who spend Dh8,000 in one go. We also have people in just when we have offers.
Our business is based on ethical products, vegan and guilt-free. To know products are ethically sourced, organic and have certifications is more expensive. I've always believed that's where the industry should go, that all businesses should look at sustainability, and felt THT would be a good benchmark.
What are your luxuries?
Vacations. I'm willing to splurge on a short trip, a spontaneous trip with my girlfriends, but if I know I'm going, I'll save up. Experiences are definitely worth spending on. Recently, I went sky-diving, which was so good.
Do you have a philosophy about money?
Since having the business I started giving myself really positive affirmation, believing deeply that we're going to make money and we've had really steady growth. I've never had doubt that I'm going to be wealthy, even when younger.
Money's partly a motivation, because I want to build other things, but it's more the achievement of building the business. Money's a measure of how you're doing.
What's been your best investment?
The business. It's been cool to see people like the concept. It's created joy for customers and staff; they're happy to work there and I love knowing we've given opportunity. I'd never trade having a job versus working for myself. Although you work seven days a week, you see instant results from the energy you put in.
Do you prefer paying by cash or credit card?
Visa debit. I don't have or need a credit card. I saw my sister had one at 18 and clocked up A$5,000 on it.
Money & Me: 'Investing in six properties is my biggest financial milestone'
Money & Me: 'I'm very good at making a little money go a long way'
Money & Me: 'Facebook helped me clear Dh500,000 of debt'
Do you plan for retirement?
I've never had a pension fund, so my plan is to build the foundation of this salon, open more, develop other business ideas, a global online business, everything under the umbrella of ethical and sustainable. That will hopefully provide for me in the future.
Is there anything you regret spending on?
Getting my hair coloured before I opened THT. I tried loads of salons and got ripped off by one for Dh2,500 – they completely ruined my hair. They did not tell you price until the end and were constantly upselling. I hated that, but that was part motivation for THT, to make sure everyone is highly skilled and prices are transparent.
If you won Dh1 million what would you spend it on?
A new business if I had one in mind. Or invest in property; the UAE would be a place I'm forever coming to. It would be nice to know somewhere is your own. People's biggest mistake is to think they're leaving after five years and stay for 20 and have then spent 20 years on rent.


The first installment of the Space Base "Saga Expansions" will be available starting April 12th. A strange new galactic body has emerged within the Milky Way. The greatest minds of The United Earth Services find themselves bewildered by the sudden appearance of Shy Pluto.
The Emergence of Shy Pluto is a collection of story-based scenarios that introduce new content to the game via a narrative structure. Once all content is unlocked the scenarios may be replayed or added to the Space Base base set.
Our first 18XX game! 18XX is a series of train based games that are very popular with the "heavy" game crowd for the lack of impact that luck has on the games.
1830, and 18XX games in general, is themed around building railroad companies and owning stock in those companies. 1830 is a great place to start your addition to 18XX games!
Chessplus is a fun and fast-paced strategy game, with greater risk, reward and more options than traditional chess.
Merge a rook and a bishop and the new piece moves just like a queen. Instead of a pawn crawling across the board one square at a time, merge it with a rook, then take it straight to the other side for a promotion!
Draw your own perfect valley! Create villages, link them with railroads, and breed happy sheep in this fun and cute roll n' write title!


The Learner's Pocketbook encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own learning, and explains how they can harness their brain power so as not to hinder the learning process. Can be used in preparation for any type of learning and makes ideal pre-course material. Covers brain power, learning theory, planning and committing, intelligence styles and techniques, all in the highly visual, approachable Pocketbook style.


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\section{Introduction}
\label{intro}
Success of algorithmic trading has as much to do with the market as with the nature of the algorithm.
While the field of adaptive algorithms has its own problems and methods related to machine learning,
 the phenomenology of just what the machines are ``learning'' can manifest itself and be captured
 in the N-dimensional  space enclosing the sets of observables (N-tuples) originating in the time series.
The simplest non-trivial case of such spaces is the two-dimensional space
of pairs of quantities, where the object of learning would be the two-point correlation function (lossy information-wise in a non-stationary problem).
We use discrete time series and this function is defined on a discrete set of time lag values.
Zero values of this function at non-zero time lags would justify calling the time series a martingale\cite{martingale}, failing to establish
a deviation of the market from the efficient market hypothesis (EMH). Curiously, absence of features at non-zero time lags leads to maximum possible symmetry of the pair space, allowing one to think of the EMH as a form of symmetry principle.

Financial regulators and public policy makers have to understand the effect of futures speculation on prices and volatility, especially with regard to quantitative trading.
One has to venture outside the EMH to address this question.
While successful speculation\footnote{We focus on futures markets where the term ``speculator'' has no negative connotation, unlike the stock market where one can discuss ``intelligent investors'' as opposed to speculators. To us, speculators are futures market participants with no commercial interests in the commodities being traded.} enhances market efficiency on a certain time scale, it may do so at the cost of changing the
market volatility on the same or different time scales. What happens with volatility when the inefficiency\footnote{In our language, the positive concept denoted by {\em market inefficiency} -- describing an information-rich state, the opposite of a trivial state of maximum symmetry -- is made to look negative, for inefficiency is a negation of {\em efficiency}. We will continue using these terms for lack of better ones.} is reduced, everything else being equal,
depends on the shape of the correlation function and that includes non-zero time lags.

Non-commercial market participants, in particular, quantitative hedge funds, their marketers, clients and their advisors,
lack standard yardsticks characterizing the level of market efficiency within certain geographical and thematic domains, on certain time scales.
Two-point autocorrelations and intermarket correlations, including non-zero time lags, suggest a solution which is transparent and expandable.
Our case study, naturally, is focused on the instruments available within our region.
We see this as the first step towards establishing a set of such benchmarks aiding in rational evaluation
of manager performance and informing selection of regions, markets and strategies.

FORTS\footnote{An abbreviation for Futures and Options on RTS, Eastern Europe's largest derivatives exchange, based in Moscow.}, the Russian futures market,
 presents an interesting study case where, due to the emerging nature of the market, one can witness the emergence of market efficiency with contemporary electronic data, and even take part in exploiting the residual inefficiencies.
We believe that the insights gained thereby --- the subject of this article --- are of general interest.

\section{Data and methods}
\label{sec:data}

We have analyzed data on the following five of the FORTS futures contracts,
representing independent factors of macro-economic significance and offering highest liquidity.
The following abbreviations are used:
\begin{itemize}
\item RI: the nearest three-month contract on Russia's RTS stock market index
\item BR: the nearest one-month contract on Brent oil, representing a proxy for one of Russia's leading export commodities, crude oil
\item ED: the nearest three-month contract on EUR/USD
\item EU: the nearest three-month contract on EUR/RUB, an important hedging instrument for Russia's importers
\item SI: the nearest three-month contract on USD/RUB, an important hedging instrument for Russia's commodity exporters
\end{itemize}

The data are provided publicly by the FORTS exchange itself. FORTS is a modern electronic market of an auction type where all participants, including retail ones, enjoy direct market access via network. The original data are tick data which we aggregate to form hourly and daily bars. Both original and aggregated data are stored in MySQL databases. A custom API has been designed to interface our C++ analysis code with the databases.

\begin{figure}[t]
\epsfxsize=13cm
\epsfbox{tails2x2_v2.eps}
\caption{Differential probability density distribution of hourly logarithmic returns. Top: futures on the RTS index, bottom: futures on the USD/RUB exchange rate. Left: tail of negative returns, mirror-reflected around vertical axis. Right: tail of positive returns. Results of least-square fits are for the power law parameterization, with $p_1$ being the power law exponent. Here and in all other figures, vertical bars show the magnitude of one standard deviation.
}
\label{fig:tails2x2}
\end{figure}

The requirement that all five markets have data for intermarket correlation analysis leaves us with the data set starting in February 2009. Unless specified otherwise explicitly, the data set under study is that from February 2009 through April 2013. The data set used in the analysis consists of 13.5-15 thousand hourly data points for each of the instruments. The immediate object of this correlation analysis is the time series of logarithmic returns on the hourly time scale, constructed using the hourly close of price $p(t)$:
\begin{equation}
x(t|\Delta t) = \ln(p(t)/p(t-\Delta t)) = \ln(p(t)) - \ln(p(t-\Delta t)),
\end{equation}
where $\Delta t$ is the time interval from the close of the previous hour having data to the given hour, normally one hour.

At the expiration of the futures contract, a switch is done to the next one which at that point has three more months (one month in case of Brent)
till expiration.
Returns affected by the switch are always excluded from the analysis.

For a particular hour to be included into the intermarket analysis, we require that all five markets of interest have data within that hour. If data from
at least one market are missing during a certain hour, the return data from that hour for all markets do not take part in the intermarket studies.
This selection condition imposes a liquidity requirement on the data.

Fig. \ref{fig:tails2x2} presents data on the tail behavior of the differential probability density distribution of the logarithmic returns and
allows one to study tail asymptotics, to verify the convergence of quantities we are after.
Futures on the RTS index and the USD/RUB exchange rate are taken as typical examples.
The linearity of the tails on the log-log plot suggests a power law dependence.
Least-square fits with a power-law model
\begin{equation}
{\,dP}/{\,dx} = p_0 x^{p_1}
\end{equation}
yield parameters (shown in the insets) which indicate that one can safely rely on the convergence of first and second moments for these markets\footnote{The more negative is the power law exponent, the  thinner are the tails. For the $n$-th moment to exist, an integral $\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} x^n p(x) \,dx$ has to converge, so if $p(x)$ follows a power law on the tails, $p(x) \propto x^{\alpha}$, $n+\alpha<-1$ ensures convergence.}, as $p_1<-3$.

The power exponents are within the expectations based on recent reviews \cite{powerLaw}. These exponents place an upper bound on the asymptotic complexity of statistical
analyses possible on the data, and consequently, on the asymptotic complexity of any algorithms aimed at detecting and exploiting statistically significant features.
The fit parameters in Fig. \ref{fig:tails2x2} indicate that in the case of USD/RUB, this upper bound is higher and genuine three-point analyses are not precluded by lack of convergence the way they are in the case of the RTS index.

The correlation function we use,
\begin{equation}
c(t_d|x_1,x_2) = E_t[x_1(t+t_d)x_2(t)],
\label{eq:c}
\end{equation}
is such that a market trend (non-zero $E_t[x(t)]$) would be detected as a non-zero auto-correlation effect, in accord with our goals of detecting exploitable market dynamics. Here, $E_t$ is the time-averaging operator and
$t_d = t_1-t_2$
is the time lag variable, the argument of the correlation function.

\begin{figure}[t]
\epsfxsize=13cm
\epsfbox{SiBrCorrZoom.eps}
\caption{Intermarket correlation function between nearest USD/RUB futures (SI) and nearest Brent futures (BR). Vertical bars are one standard deviation long.
}
\label{fig:SiBrCorrZoom}
\end{figure}

For intermarket studies, a normalized version of Eq.\ref{eq:c} is more convenient:
\begin{equation}
C(t_d|x_1,x_2) = c(t_d|x_1,x_2)/\sqrt{\mbox{Var}[x_1]\mbox{Var}[x_2]}.
\label{eq:C}
\end{equation}

An example of such a correlation function can be seen in Fig.\ref{fig:SiBrCorrZoom}.
The zero time lag value of this function is around -0.47, highlighting the role of the oil price
as a positive driver for RUB value and therefore negative for USD/RUB,
a macroeconomics feature familiar to all economic agents with interests in Russia.
We note that the asymmetry of the correlation with respect to a change in the sign of
the time difference variable $t_d$, made statistically significant mostly by the presence of the non-zero
correlation at the $t_d=1$  time lag.
This asymmetry indicates a leader-follower relationship between the instruments.
Because $t_d$ is defined as $t(\mbox{SI})-t(\mbox{BR})$,
positive lags of one hour correspond to pairs of measurements where the SI datum is taken one hour after the BR.
We interpret the lagged correlation to mean that the macroeconomically driven relationship between the instruments works out over a finite
response time which is long enough to be visible with the data of hourly frequency.
Fig.\ref{fig:SiBrCorrZoom} provides information to constrain models of such response.

\section{Results and discussion}

The statement that past rates of market return have no effect on future rates\cite{Fama} is known as weak form of the EMH.
The leader-follower relationships, such as shown in Fig.\ref{fig:SiBrCorrZoom}, being a form of predictive inter-market dependency, falsify the weak form of the EMH and therefore, the stronger forms of it as well. Indeed, such effects can be exploited to shift the balance of profits and losses of informed market operators towards profit.

Based on our experience of interacting, in the course of our consultancy business, with real economy decision makers exposed to FX risks,  we believe it would be untrue to say that all market participants are
equally well informed about these effects. Nor are they equally well equipped to become informed.
The EMH describes an interesting, but idealized condition, closely related to the concept of equilibrium. The subject of our study is not the validity of the EMH, but rather, quantifying the degree of its {\em invalidity} and presenting that as a potentially interesting addition to the familiar sets of econometric data.

\subsection{Time-averaged picture of the leader-follower effects}
Fig.\ref{fig:SiBrCorrZoom} suggests that if one is interested in leader-follower effects on the hour time scale, then the correlation coefficient at a single-hour time lag might be the best single quantity to capture the effect. The rest of the correlation functions confirm this, therefore, to make presentation more economic, we will focus on this quantity.

\begin{table}
\label{tab:leader-follower}
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|ccccc|}
\hline
\multicolumn{2}{|c|}{}              & \multicolumn{5}{|c|}{follower} \\
\cline{3-7}
\multicolumn{2}{|c|}{}              & RTS & Brent & EUR/USD & EUR/RUB & USD/RUB \\
\hline
\multirow{2}{*}{leader} & RTS     &     &       &         &   -5.9  &   -4.3  \\
                        & Brent   &     &       &         &   -6.5  &   -5.6  \\
                        & EUR/USD &     &       &         &         &   -4.4   \\
                        & EUR/RUB &     &       &         &         &          \\
                        & USD/RUB &     &       &         &   4.2   &          \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\caption{Strength and direction of the leader-follower effect in the hourly futures data under study.
The number reported is the correlation strength at one hour lag, expressed in the units of standard deviation of the statistical precision of its measurement. Included here are all effects stronger than 3 standard deviations. The data are time-aggregated over the entire period of observation.}
\end{table}

Table 1 presents time-integrated data on the significance and direction of the leader-follower effect
for the period of observation. Only statistically significant effects are shown.
None of the signals is in the diagonal of the  table i.e. in the autocorrelation. The effects are strictly asymmetric: a leader is never also a follower and vice versa. RTS and Brent both are leaders for EUR/RUB and USD/RUB, while USD/RUB is a leader to EUR/RUB and EUR/USD is a leader to USD/RUB. EUR/USD does not pass the signal strength threshold as a leader to EUR/RUB.

As to the sign of the effects reported in Table 1, they are all of the ``tail'' type, that is,
the sign of the correlation coefficient at the non-zero time lag is the same as the sign of the zero-lag correlation, so that
the lagged correlation broadens the correlation peak.

If a market agent, already present in the market and conducting random activity, comes into possession of information represented by Fig.\ref{fig:SiBrCorrZoom} and
adjusts their operations accordingly without changing the overall volume, we assume that the hour-time-frame volatility (zero lag peak) will remain unchanged
since the overall volume of operations has not changed.
The effect of that trader's operations will be to reduce the non-zero lag correlation coefficients, since one's buying pushes prices up and one's selling pushes them down, and thus one's actions to take advantage of an opportunity reduce the ``amount of opportunity'' available to all, the non-zero correlation at non-zero lag being a measure of that opportunity.

In the particular case of a hypothetic long RUB, long Brent portfolio -- a ``risk-on'' one -- the correlation features in Fig.\ref{fig:SiBrCorrZoom} would broaden
the auto-correlation function of the portfolio, compared to the EMH ideal,
 creating the phenomena known as market trends, e.g. creating predictability of future as a repetition of the past.
Since variance on a particular time scale is an integral of a correlation function with lags up to that time scale\cite{vanMarcke}, the narrowing of the correlation function
of the portfolio will result in a reduction of longer time scale variances (volatility).

Such arguments qualify speculation in markets with tail-type correlation as ``benign'' in a sense that it is possible, under such conditions,  to reduce predictability (increase ``efficiency'')
while at the same time reducing
longer time scale volatility, as if speculators, to be profitable, were injecting stabilizing oscillation into the otherwise trending markets. Had the correlation shape been oscillating instead, the conclusion would have been the opposite, with speculators ``rocking the boat''.

\subsection{Time evolution of the leader-follower effects}
\begin{figure}[th]
\begin{tabular}{cc}
\epsfxsize=6.8cm
\epsfbox{EuLag1CoarseScaleP0FitsNarrower.eps} &
\epsfxsize=6.8cm
\epsfbox{SiLag1CoarseScaleP0FitsNarrower.eps} \\
\end{tabular}
\caption{History of  the 1-hour-lag correlation coefficient, reported to be significant in Table
\ref{tab:leader-follower}. Left: correlation of EU, the EUR/RUB futures, with RTS, Brent, and USD/RUB. Right: correlation of SI, the USD/RUB futures,
with RTS, Brent, and EUR/USD.
Every data point represents a year. Solid horizontal lines show least-squares fits of the data sets with
constants ($p_0$), with $\chi^2$ per number of degrees of freedom shown in the plots. Vertical bars are one standard deviation long.
}
\label{fig:History}
\end{figure}

The natural next question is whether the effects reported in Table 1 are stable in time.
To answer that, we have aggregated the data into four equal periods, each one year long, starting in February 2009 and ending in February 2013.
As in Table 1, we report one correlation coefficient at a time, the one at the time lag found by inspection of the time-integrated correlation
functions to carry the most significant signal. This is the single hour time lag. Fig.\ref{fig:History} presents results and statistical accuracy of
the measurement.

Upon visual inspection, five out of six time dependencies in Fig.\ref{fig:History} can be said to show a decrease in signal
strength over time. The only exception is correlation of EUR/RUB with Brent.

Goodness-of-fit or $p$-value is the probability of obtaining, even for a correct model, of a $\chi^2$ value that exceeds the value actually observed. This depends both on the $\chi^2$ and on the number of degrees of freedom.
With 3 degrees of freedom, for a fit as bad as  $\chi^2=6.4$,  top left plot in Fig.\ref{fig:History}, this is 0.094, whereas for $\chi^2=10.7$, bottom right, it is 0.013. All plots except for the one characterizing the correlation of EUR/RUB with Brent, middle left, make the temporal constancy of the effect an unlikely hypothesis, with goodness of the fit varying between the two $p$-values just quoted.

In all six panels of Fig.\ref{fig:History}, whether or not the temporal non-constancy of data is judged as significant, the visual trend of the data points is invariably towards the dashed line representing the zero level of the effect, as the time goes on.

\subsection{Liquidity and the ordering of leader-follower pairs}

\begin{figure}[th]
\epsfxsize=15cm
\epsfbox{VolumesBigLetters.eps}
\caption{Volumes vs time. Hourly average number of contracts traded in a given year is shown as a function
of time.
}
\label{fig:Volumes}
\end{figure}

Liquidity for the five instruments under study is illustrated in Fig.\ref{fig:Volumes}.
Thousands of contracts per hour are traded for each instrument.

Does the volume have anything to do with who becomes the leader, and who -- the follower?
Not necessarily.
The most liquid instrument, USD/RUB, is a follower to RTS, Brent and EUR/USD.
EUR/USD and Brent have volume outside FORTS, but RTS does not, and yet the RTS leads USD/RUB.
More liquid USD/RUB leads EUR/RUB.

The steady decline in the volumes of futures linked to the Russian stock market index, RTS, mirrors years-long
decline of interest in Russia's stock market, allowing us to eliminate traditional asset managers from the list of
``suspects'' responsible for the efficiency growth in FORTS.

Moreover, we hypothesize that the decline in the strength of leader-follower correlations involving RTS as a leader
(Table 1) may be caused by
a peculiar decline in ``status'', previously enjoyed by the stock market, which may be losing ground in competition with  domestic real estate and RUB-denominated long-term bank deposits.

Along the same lines, one may suspect that crude oil and USD are similarly ``losing status'', relatively, of course
-- if so, that can be
interpreted as a sign of growing confidence of Russian economic decision makers and growing complexity of the economy.

\subsection{Towards an inefficiency yardstick}

\begin{figure}[th]
\epsfxsize=15cm
\epsfbox{CBPI.eps}
\caption{Monthly values of CBPI, the Correlation-Based Predictability Index for the FORTS markets under study, as a function of time, from
February 2009 to August 2013.}
\label{fig:CBPI}
\end{figure}

Correlation-Based Predictability Index (CBPI) is a measure of market inefficiency with a specified time frame (time scale) and measurement interval. The measurement interval is the temporal coverage over which data are averaged to obtain a single CBPI quantity.

CBPI is constructed from lagged autocorrelation and lagged intermarket correlation coefficients among the five futures contracts already introduced in section \ref{sec:data}. The lag equals one hour. The five time series form $5\times(5-1)/2 = 10$ unique intermarket pairs. However, due to permutations in the ordering of the pairs, the total number of intermarket combinations is 20. The permutations reveal new information since the correlation coefficient at positive time lag of one hour lag among time series A and B does not need to be the same as the negative one hour lag correlation coefficient of the same time series. To these 20 quantities, 5 one-hour lag autocorrelation coefficients are added to characterize self-predictability of the time series.

CBPI is defined as the average of the 25 above-described coefficients, each of which is taken by absolute value. Here is the general formula:

\begin{equation}
\mbox{CBPI} = \sum_{i,j}|C(1|x_i,x_j)|/\sum_{i,j}1,
\end{equation}
where $C(1|x_i,x_j)$ is defined according to Eq.\ref{eq:C}.
To the extent efficient markets are understood as lacking memory, CBPI is a measure of market inefficiency in the selected group of markets on a particular time scale.

As any random quantity, CBPI is subject to fluctuations. Moreover, while growth in CBPI from zero measures the degree of predictability, a perfectly random market will usually have non-zero CBPI. Therefore, before CBPI can be used as a helpful yardstick of inefficiency, it too needs a benchmark.

As a non-negative quantity, CBPI is an average value statistic of an asymmetric distribution, describing an absolute value of the correlation coefficient corresponding to the time lag of one hour. The correlation coefficient is a random quantity which is equally likely to take both positive and negative values.
The distribution of its absolute value can be approximately described as the right half of a Gaussian distribution, centered at zero, whose $\sigma$ parameter equals the measurement accuracy for a typical one-hour lag correlation.
Such a distribution has mean of $\sigma \sqrt{2/\pi}$. We take this quantity as a benchmark for CBPI and denote it
$\mbox{CBPI}_0$. It models a would-be CBPI for the hypothetical markets where correlation coefficients are measurable with the same accuracy as in reality, but without any predictability effects. Naturally, comparison of CBPI with $\mbox{CBPI}_0$ is only meaningful for sufficiently large statistical samples of such quantities.

Figure \ref{fig:CBPI} shows the history of CBPI for the FORTS markets under study. It is complementary to Figure \ref{fig:History} in that, while the latter aggregates data over time, showing a detailed view of specific market combinations, the former aggregates data over markets (in a particular way), showing a detailed view of time evolution.
The correlation effects already seen in Fig.\ref{fig:History} to be most pronounced in the first year of data, are also seen to leave a footprint in Figure \ref{fig:CBPI}.
 A study with a longer time span, covering 14 foreign exchange rate time series for the past 10 years, presented by one of us elsewhere\cite{ForexAutomaton}, paints a picture consistent with a long-term global decline of the inefficiency.

\section{Conclusions}
We observe statistical significant deviations of Russian futures markets from the conditions prescribed by the weak form of the Efficient Market Hypothesis.
The strongest predictive inter-market correlations have been, on  the hourly time scale chosen,
 of the ``broad'' (tail-like) type, rather than of the oscillating type.
Under these conditions, any trading activity successful at  exploiting the predictive features (and thus, contributing to their reduction)
also reduces, everything else being equal, the longer-range volatility.

We  observe a statistically significant trend toward disappearance of the predictive leader-follower features in the course of the past four years. Only time will show whether this does not end up being a swing into the opposite extreme, namely that of the oscillatory predictability.

Alternatively, if we view the disappearance of leader-follower effects as a form of a {\em leadership crisis},
we may expect a return of the effects, perhaps with new leaders, in due course.

\section*{Acknowledgement}

This research has been supported by Maraging Partners LLC,  a Moscow-based consultancy which creates value for real economy businesses by developing efficient currency risk hedging strategies and by exploiting opportunities for excessive risk-adjusted returns, timing portfolio allocation on a quantitative, algorithmic and discretionary basis.
We are grateful to Felix Savchenkov for critical remarks which helped improve the presentation.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaArXiv


text:
Link your website to ResourceWorks.com!
#ThinkAgain
Top 10 reasons BC stands to gain from LNG
It is highly advantageous for the province to sell its liquefied natural gas to Asia. Here's why
10. We have a lot of gas to sell
Two of BC's biggest natural gas reserves (the Montney reserve and the Horn River Basin) were recently assessed as having 11.3 trillion cubic metres of marketable natural gas. For perspective, Canada's total natural gas demand in 2012 was 88 billion cubic metres, suggesting that these two reserves could supply the whole country with LNG for more than 100 years. In short, BC has extra gas to sell.
9. BC's well-established energy sector
BC has a sophisticated private energy sector with a long history of extracting natural gas. This chart shows BC natural gas production between 1966 and 2003. (Source material here)
8. Our strong institutions
Canada is recognized for having stable and responsible systems for resource development. A global review of resource economies by the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. in 2013 ranked Canada highest on a range of measures.
7. Asia is willing to pay more for gas than North America
Thanks largely to a revolution in mining gas from shale formations, the price for natural gas in North America has dropped dramatically. Meanwhile, prices in Asia have climbed steadily. (Data from BP's Review of World Energy)
6. We can easily ship to Asia
BC's position on Canada's West coast puts us in an ideal position to bring North America's abundant natural-gas supplies to Asian customers.
5. The demand for natural gas is set to grow
The International Energy Agency predicts the use of natural gas in Asia will almost triple between 2012 and 2040. Almost two-thirds of this growth is expected from China.
4. Sellers will enjoy long-term contracts - but only those who survive
An analysis of the LNG sector produced recently by Ernst & Young notes that LNG sellers will insist on long-term sales contracts at good prices to make up for the enormous cost of building, supplying and maintaining LNG terminals. But who will win these nice contracts? Certainly not everyone. That's because there are currently more LNG projects being proposed around the world now than will actually be needed. The Ernst & Young report finds that if all of them were built, there would be an oversupply of LNG. So the race is on to see which LNG projects make it big, and which fall off the map.
3. We can put some of those profits to public use
If private companies can profit from selling cheap BC gas into high-priced markets in Asia, then the people of BC deserve a cut. After all, it's our gas to begin with. One estimate produced by Ernst & Young for the BC government in 2013 shows that the LNG industry is expected to contribute between $80 billion and $160 billion to government revenue over 25 years. To illustrate what those numbers mean, if we averaged those revenues out, it would come out to about $5 billion per year, which is roughly what BC spends funding post-secondary education.
2. The private sector is investing
The fact that private-sector investors are mobilizing behind BC's LNG projects is an important sign that the economic fundamentals are sound. As summarized recently by the Business Council of BC, there are 13 LNG proponents currently on the books that have spent an estimated $2 billion so far on their projects. It will take far more than that to actually build the LNG terminals and their support systems, and we're still waiting to see those large investments. And as with most large, long-term resource projects, there's a lot of uncertainty about what will happen. And that leads us to the number-one point:
1. Industry is taking the risks
It would be one thing if the BC government were spending billions of dollars out of current budgets to subsidize the LNG sector, or spending huge amounts today assuming that the LNG sector will provide revenues tomorrow. The prospects for a BC LNG industry are still too uncertain to make those kinds of rash decisions. But that's not what's happening.
Certainly the BC government is spending something to facilitate the development of the sector, hosting conferences and putting on trade missions and the like. But it falls on industry to make the truly big, risky investments – which is just as it should be. As the Business Council of BC points out: "Ultimately, it will be private capital, not taxpayer funds that are exposed to the investment risks associated with major LNG projects."
There's no denying the fundamental uncertainties surrounding this idea of selling BC LNG to Asia. But so long as industry proponents are assuming the risks they're supposed to, that's no compelling economic reasons for BC not to pursue the opportunity.
Peter Severinson is the research director for Resource Works.
Do you like this?
Swapping dirty cooking fuels for natural gas & LNG shows life-saving results
LNG offers massive advantages for the evolving global energy mix
Anti-LNG campaign funding linked to 'serial mine discoverer'
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Since its origin in 1980 Bahamas Marine has designed and built an extensive variety of public and private marine facilities throughout the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands.
Recently the Company has diversified into earthworks and currently operates the largest fleet of dump trucks and earthmoving equipment in the Bahamas.
Dedicated to problem-solving and achievement, Bahamas Marine has markedly become the leading marine and earthworks construction company in the Islands, executing mass excavation, piling, bulkhead, dock, bridge, dredging, and salvaging operations.
Some of the Company's major construction accomplishments include, but are not limited to, the earthworks of the Atlantis Phase II marina and tunnel, the enclosed marine environment for the recreational facilities at Blue Lagoon of Salt Cay, and the marina for the Ocean Club Residences and Marina Development.


text:
Q: angular navigation bar issue I work on a project in angular and I have a problem with the navigation bar.
I am posting two screenshots, the first shows the status before login while the second shows the status when Login The administrator.
In the 1st I would like the format of "Sign Up", "Login" to be like the letters on the left and to be in the same row.
In the 2nd I would like the "Admin Panel" to go in the same rowas above.
1

2

Here is the code:

      Auction App

Home

MyAuctions

MyOffers

Messages

 Admin Panel

 Sign Up

 Login

      <ng-template #elseBlock>

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      </ng-template>

CSS
.ul {
    list-style-type: none;
    margin: 0;
    padding: 0;
  }

A: You have your Admin panel thing inside your left side in your navbar. You have to put it on your right, like this, and it should work.

          Auction App

Home

MyAuctions

MyOffers

Messages

 Sign Up

 Login

 Admin Panel

          <ng-template #elseBlock>

 Logout

          </ng-template>

In order to remove the blue color (and purple when visited) you have to do this:
a, a:hover, a:focus, a:active {
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
}

Adapt that CSS to anything that best fits to you.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Aggressive Kingsville, TX Military Defense Attorneys
When You Need a Court Martial Lawyer in Kingsville, TX
Our military defense lawyers have successfully represented military members around the world.
The experienced court martial lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington have earned a reputation for defending military service members at military installations worldwide. If you are stationed in Kingsville, TX and are under investigation for a military crime, then having the most experienced military criminal defense lawyer can be the difference between getting convicted versus winning your case or saving your career. Our military attorneys represent Kingsville, TX military personnel in both UCMJ and administrative matters to include representing military service members suspect of sex assault, rape, and other crimes under military law.
This film is an excellent example of why you must select the best court martial lawyers possible.
Unlike the majority of civilian court martial defense lawyers or your free military lawyer, pleading guilty is not something we commonly do. Our firm compel the military to prove their case. We take almost every criminal case to trial and fight the allegations in front of a panel.
Our military court martial outcomes speak for themselves. The accused service member and his or her future is our chief concern. Our military defense lawyers keep smaller caseloads than the average free military lawyer so that we can concentrate on each case on an individual basis. Your case will not be outsourced to a third party and we will not coerce you into pleading guilty at the eleventh hour. Our court martial attorneys have successfully fought military court martial and administrative separation cases in the United States and worldwide.
Kingsville, TX Court Martial Attorneys
Our aggressive court martial defense attorneys will use our history to fight your court martial or administrative separation case in Kingsville, TX.
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If you or a family member are stationed in Kingsville, TX and are suspected of a military offense such as sexual assault or if you are facing an admin separation, Article 15, show cause board, letter of reprimand, then contact our court martial attorneys right away.
Click here for legal resources: Air Force CCA – JAGINST 5803.1E: Prof. Conduct of Attys
Kingsville, TX
Kingsville, a town located in the state of Texas, is a
place where you can find the surprising combination of modern industry and the atmosphere of the American Wild West. The city itself is surrounded by gorgeous nature, and home to many famous sites, such as Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and the King Ranch. Although it is a town with growing industry, it provides its inhabitants with a small-town atmosphere that makes it the perfect place for raising a family. According to the 2010 Census, the city of Kingsville has a population of just over 25 thousand people. It is also the seat of the county in which it is situated – Kleberg County.
The city of Kingsville is the main city of the metropolitan area that is named after it. It occupies a total area of almost 14 square miles, only 0.04 square miles of which is water. The elevation of the area is approximately 59 feet above sea level. When it comes to climate, the city of Kingsville is categorized as having humid subtropical weather. This type of weather is characterized by relatively mild winters and hot summers. Although winters can be quite cool, the summer heats are easier to bear because of the high levels of humidity. July is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures that usually rise to 93 degrees. The lowest average temperatures are measured during January, and can drop to 43 degrees.
The city of Kingsville was established on July 4th, 1904, right after the railroad was built. It is situated on the part of land which was bought by Richard King in 1852, but it was actually founded by Henrietta King. The downtown area of Kingsville stands witness to its long and rich history, since it is where most of the historical sites are located, including Harrel's Kingsville Pharmacy, King Ranch Saddle Shop and Seller's Market. There are three museums that hold most of the remnants from the earliest period of the city, the most famous of them being the King Ranch Museum. The city of Kingsville has undergone many transformations during the decades that followed its establishment, and is now becoming a center of trade, technology and ranching.
Among the top ten employers in Kingsville, there is the Naval Air station, a military base that employs around 1,800 people. It has a large influence on the local economy, but it is not the only factor in play. Apart from the industry related to the military base, there are also those closely connected to public education, ranching and healthcare. One of the biggest companies in the area, however, is Integrity Industries. This company is in the business of manufacturing chemicals. Although its headquarters are situated in Kingsville, it also has several remote locations. They specialize in manufacturing drilling fluid, but that is not all there is to it, of course. They also produce other specialty chemicals, which are then distributed to all parts of the US.
The military base called Naval Air Station Kingsville is located not very far from Kingsville itself, specifically only three miles east of it. Along with one other – NAS Corpus Christi, the base is part of the so-called Navy Region Southeast. The main activities performed within the base include operating aircrafts of higher performance. This is, however, generally done over land, and not because of any special safety concerns, but because of the distance from the nearest overwater areas. Apart from this, it is the obligation of the NAS Kingsville employees to organize and host a show called Wings Over South Texas. This is done once each year.


Microsoft is notifying Windows 10 users that the Anniversary Update may take three months to roll out. Here's why.
If you still haven't gotten the Windows 10 Anniversary Update pushed to your device yet, there may be some valid reasons why.
Microsoft began rolling out the latest version of Windows 10, the Anniversary Update, on August 2. At that time, Microsoft officials said the rollout would be staggered, but didn't get too explicit as to how -- or how long it might take the company to push Windows 10 Anniversary to consumers and business users who are on the so-called Current Branch of Windows 10.
I received a Microsoft blast email just over a week ago that included a footnote that mentioned it might take up to three months for Microsoft to push the Anniversary Update to those set up to get it. That means those currently waiting may still have another month and a half to wait.
"The Anniversary Update will download and install via Windows Update. The download is automatically available to you. It will begin rolling out on 2 August 2016 and may take up to 3 months to reach all users. Internet access fees may apply," said the footnote to the email I received on September 1.
Some who've seen headlines about various problems introduced by the Anniversary Update and subsequent cumulative update patches to it may be in no hurry to get the latest feature update to Windows 10. There have been reports of compatibility issues with the Anniversary Update and McAfee security software, webcams, Kindles, PowerShell Desired State Configuration feature and more.
Microsoft is throttling delivery of Windows 10 Anniversary Update, and, presumably, future updates, so company officials can keep tabs on what's working and not as the update rolls out to the many, many permutations and combinations of Windows machines where it's qualified to run. This is part of the reason why Microsoft is obsessed with telemetry and has been for the past few years.
I've seen lots of rumors percolating lately that Microsoft no longer does its own Windows testing and doesn't have any Windows testers left since the company cut a bunch of them a couple years ago as part of one of the waves of layoffs Microsoft has had. Microsoft changed the way it handled the testing function in Windows in 2014 to shift more of the testing to the Windows developers working on certain features, which resulted in the company cutting a number of its existing dedicated testers.
I've asked my contacts about this and have been told there definitely are hundreds, if not thousands, of Windows testers working for Microsoft. Windows Insider testers are providing testing help through bug reporting during the development process, too, but they are not the only Windows testers. There are also corporations doing their own internal Windows 10 testing, plus hardware and software partners doing the same (hopefully) in advance of Microsoft's release of Windows 10 feature updates.
"Ensuring our customers have a positive experience with our products and services is incredibly important to us and we take the quality and reliability of our software seriously. When we deliver updates to more than 350 million devices, those builds have gone through extensive internal and external testing. The vast majority of our customers have a high-quality, positive experience with our updates and our goal is an issue-free experience for everyone. For those who don't, we want to hear from them so we can fix any issues as quickly as possible. We encourage our customers to contact Customer Support."
With unhappy users having an ever-increasing number of ways to make their complaints known through social channels and forums, I'm hoping that Microsoft will take steps to let users know the potential impact of Windows 10 issues and be upfront about when they can expect workarounds and fixes. More blog posts like this one with resources for checking and improving application compatibility would be welcome (especially ahead of new Windows 10 feature updates), as well.


text:
package com.mana.innovative.utilities.date;

import com.mana.innovative.constants.TestConstants;
import junit.framework.Assert;
import org.junit.After;
import org.junit.Before;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.runner.RunWith;
import org.junit.runners.BlockJUnit4ClassRunner;
import org.slf4j.Logger;
import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;

@RunWith( BlockJUnit4ClassRunner.class )
public class WhenStringCommonsThenTestItsMethods {

	private static final Logger logger = LoggerFactory.getLogger( WhenStringCommonsThenTestItsMethods.class );

	@Before
	public void setUp( ) throws Exception {

		logger.debug( TestConstants.setUpMethodLoggerMsg );
	}

	@After
	public void tearDown( ) throws Exception {

		logger.debug( TestConstants.tearDownMethodLoggerMsg );
	}

	@Test
	public void testAdjustKeyWithProperKey( ) throws Exception {

		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemType", StringCommons.adjustKey( "item_type" ) );
		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemType_", StringCommons.adjustKey( "item_type_" ) );
		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemType12", StringCommons.adjustKey( "item_type_12" ) );
		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemType", StringCommons.adjustKey( "item_type" ) );
		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemTypeT1T2T3T", StringCommons.adjustKey(
				"item_Type_t1_t2_t3_t"
		) );
		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemTypeT1T2T3T2", StringCommons.adjustKey(
				"item_Type_t1_t2_t3_t_2"
		) );
	}

	@Test
	public void testAdjustKeyWithAdjustedKey( ) throws Exception {

		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "itemType", StringCommons.adjustKey( "itemType" ) );
	}

	@Test
	public void testAlterKeyAccToHibMappingWithKey( ) throws Exception {

		logger.debug( "Starting test for AlterKeyAccToHibMappingWithKey" );

		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "gemstone.gemstone_name", StringCommons
				.alterKeyAccToHibMapping( "gemstone_name" ) );
		logger.debug( "Completing test for AlterKeyAccToHibMappingWithKey" );
	}

	@Test
	public void testAlterKeyAccToHibMappingWithInvalidKey( ) throws Exception {

		logger.debug( "Starting test for AlterKeyAccToHibMappingWithInvalidKey" );

		Assert.assertEquals( TestConstants.notEqualsMessage, "gemstone.gemstoneName", StringCommons
				.alterKeyAccToHibMapping( "gemstoneName" ) );
		logger.debug( "Completing test for AlterKeyAccToHibMappingWithInvalidKey" );
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Lace petti rompers are versatile items that can be dressed up for a variety of occasions. Available in a variety of styles and colors, our selection pairs perfectly with our vibrant head bands, hair bows, and accessories. A customer favorite for photo shoots, these adorable rompers are available in an assortment of colors. As always, we bring this apparel directly to you at wholesale prices, so you can build out your girls' wardrobes without breaking the bank!
Our selection includes wholesale boutique clothing for girls ranging from infants to teens. The fun designs, brilliant colors, and comfy styles make them popular additions to countless wardrobes and the low prices mean you'll be able to stock up and save! We offer free shipping on orders of $150.00 and provide fast, reliable delivery.


A recurring theme among our most beloved accessories tends to be that they possess certain animalistic qualities—of the print variety, to be exact! Topping our list of fit-for-fall splurges is an ultra-luxe leopard bucket bag by French designer Jérôme Dreyfuss.
A stunning satchel with the perfect amount of slouch, we love this bag as an option to instantly elevate our daily ensembles come cooler weather—its smooth calf hair construction and leather details are undeniably chic! Sport this printed purse during the daytime or with gold earrings, a strappy dress and d'Orsay pumps for a glamorous evening on the town. Meow!
Availability: Jérôme Dreyfuss Alain Bucket Bag ($1,815). For additional information, visit Jerome-Dreyfuss.com.


Could your organisation benefit from hiring an intern? Support international Master of Commerce or Master of Professional Accounting students and leverage their skills for your organisation through UNSW's Global Workplace Practice Internship.
What is the Global Workplace Practice Course?
Global Workplace Practice is a for-credit graduate level course for selected international Master of Commerce or Master of Professional Accounting students. It is designed to prepare international students to enter the workplace by providing a deeper understanding of workplace contexts, cultures, recruitment practices and expectations of professionals across a range of industries. Learning takes place in class, on-line, and through a 70-100 hour workplace internship.
Internships take place during Semester 2, 2017 (August- October) and are for 70-100 hours. Scheduling can be arranged directly with the student and internships can be unpaid as they are part of an accredited university course. Students require a direct supervisor and the internship will incorporate goal setting, development of a placement plan, assignments, and a mid-placement review and final review.


Cosopt is used to lower raised pressure in the eye and to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure of fluid in the eye may be high. However, some people with glaucoma may have normal eye pressure. Also, some people with raised eye pressure may not have glaucoma.
Although Cosopt helps control your glaucoma it does not cure it.
For more information about glaucoma, contact the Glaucoma Australia (PO Box 420, Crows Nest 1585, telephone 1800 500 880).
Cosopt contains two active ingredients, dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate. Both of these active ingredients lower pressure in the eye by reducing the production of fluid, but they do this in different ways.
Dorzolamide hydrochloride belongs to a family of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Timolol maleate belongs to a family of medicines called beta-blockers.


text:
Top 100 Manufacturers of 2014: $100 Million to $200 Million
SPECIAL FEATURES | Markets & Trends
All Weather Windows*
Product lines: Wood, metal-clad, and PVC windows and doors
Headquarters: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Manufacturing locations: Edmonton, Alberta, and Mississauga, Ontario
Employees: 1,200
Website: www.allweatherwindows.com
General information: All Weather Windows is a Canadian window and door manufacturer with operations coast to coast and branches in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. It has 1,000 dealer locations across Canada, and recently celebrated its 35th anniversary.
Four Seasons Solar Products LLC*
Product lines: Sunrooms, conservatories, and patio covers; replacement windows and doors
Headquarters: Holbrook, N.Y.
Website: www.fourseasonssunrooms.com
General information: In addition to its 220,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Holbrook, N.Y., Four Seasons operates a distribution facility on the West Coast, as well as 14 corporate retail outlets.
Kinro Inc.*
Product lines: Windows and doors for the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries
Headquarters: Arlington, Texas
Manufacturing locations: Double Springs, Ala.; Cairo, Ga.; Nampa, Idaho; Goshen, Ind.; Pendleton, Ore.; and Chester, S.C.
Website: www.kinro.com
General information: Kinro, a manufacturer of vinyl and aluminum windows and doors, serves the manufactured housing industry. In addition to windows and doors, it produces bathtubs, showers and other parts for recreational vehicles.
Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Inc.
Product lines: Wood windows and doors; vinyl windows and doors; fiberglass doors
Brands: Kolbe & Kolbe, Point Five Windows
Headquarters: Wausau, Wis.
Loading a VistaLuxe Collection custom mull unit onto a truck at Kolbe & Kolbe
Manufacturing locations: Wausau and Manawa, Wis.
Website: www.kolbe-kolbe.com
General information: Kolbe & Kolbe produces wood and clad-wood products at facilities occupying more than 1 million square feet of space in Wausau, Wis. It also has a plant in Manawa, Wis., where it manufactures vinyl windows and patio doors. Kolbe & Kolbe is the parent company of Point Five Windows, a Fort Collins, Colo., manufacturer of custom wood windows and doors for the ultra-high-end residential market.
Larson Manufacturing Co.*
Product lines: Aluminum and wood-core storm doors; storm windows and retractable screen doors
Headquarters: Brookings, S.D.
Manufacturing locations: Brookings, S.D.; Lake Mills, Iowa; and Mocksville, N.C.
Website: www.larsondoors.com
General information: Larson reports it is the largest manufacturer of storm doors and windows in the United States. The company distributes its products through 10 distribution centers across the country.
The Novatech Group
Product lines: Steel and fiberglass doors, patio doors; doorglass; retractable screens
Headquarters: Sainte Julie, Quebec, Canada
Novatech's steel door plant in Sainte Julie
Manufacturing locations: Five in Quebec
Website: www.novatechgroup.com
General information: Selling exclusively to window manufacturers and door pre-hangers, the Novatech Group is a vertically integrated company that fabricates glass, makes doorlites, manufactures steel and fiberglass doors, and extrudes and fabricates PVC at its Quebec facilities. It also operates distribution facilities in Toronto and Calgary. It is the parent company of Novatech Patio Doors Inc., a specialty manufacturer of patio doors, including sliding and hinged PVC, wood, aluminum and hybrid products.
Return to full Top 100 list.


Greetings all! I have created this simple site to show anyone interested a little bit about my LDS Mission to Caracas, Venezuela, to both members of the Church and non-members alike. For more information regarding Venezuela, click here.
I wore it on my shirt pocket every day during my two year mission.
Look at all those ranchitos Even more ranchitos Caracas A yucky sea-food dish called "cervichi"
People swimming in the sea monster filled reservoir The beach in La Guaira, which a HUGE land slide destroyed in '99 My companion, myself, a little Venezuelan kid In the jungle!
More pelicans Me caught in deep thought... Some hoodlums getting busted right outside one of the apartments A snowman I made in the freezer!
Now that you've had a small taste as to what Venezuela was like, some might ask, "Why did you do it?" The answer's simple really...It was what God wanted me to do. He has a great and marvelous work prepared for these last days, part of which is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to every soul. My mission was the greatest experience of my life and I am pleased I was able to share the happiness, joy, and blessings that only come through the gospel of Christ to others and see the miraculous change that it wrought upon their lives. I went because I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church, the only church that Christ presides over. I know that it was restored in these last days through a prophet named Joseph Smith, who was called and chosen directly by God for that great work and that through Joseph Smith, God brought forth a set of sacred scripture written by ancient inhabitants of the American continent, known today as the Book of Mormon. And that through that book we can grow closer to God than through any other book. I know all this not because someone told me and I believed them, I know this of a surety because God himself has revealed it to me. And I invite all that may visit here, to find out for themselves, and visit http://www.mormon.org for more information.


text:
Eduard Perez-Pelaez
College: Bucknell
Conference: Patriot League
Top 100 Ranking: N/A
Conference Top 20 Ranking:: N/A - Patriot League
@ North Carolina 1 0 66 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.0
@ Wake Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Saint Peter's 1 1 96 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.0
@ Mount St. Mary's 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
vs St. Bonaventure 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ St. Francis (Pa.) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Lafayette* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
vs Army* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Lehigh* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
vs American* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Binghamton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Colgate* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
vs Syracuse 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Holy Cross* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
vs Boston University* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
@ Navy* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
vs Loyola (MD)* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0


text:
PAST ENGAGEMENTS
2017 - lecture at Columbia for Women's History Month
2016 - lectures at MIT, Harvard, Berklee, Babson, Boston U, New England School of Law
2015 - New Music Seminar: moderated "Can Derivative Works Double Music Revenues" panel
2014 - American Express Open CEO Bootcamp: lectures on Networking/Owning the Room
2013-14 - Babson College Centre for Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Entrepreneur in Residence
2013 - Babson College: "Women Redefining Fashion" lecture
2012 - Asian American Writers' Workshop: "After 1989: Race After Multiculturalism"
2009 - Vassar College Asian Students' Alliance: "Exploring (Post) Racism: Locating Asian America between Black & White" panel
MIT LECTURE ANNOUNCEMENT
REVOLT TV INTERVIEW
NPR INTERVIEW
"We invited Sophia because we had heard her speak on the NPR podcast Microphone Check, and were impressed by her passion, articulateness and willingness to speak about issues that were important to our communities, including race, gender issues, mental health and entrepreneurship. Sophia was incredible. She drew the largest audience we'd ever seen for a Hip Hop Speakers Series event, with over 200 people registered. She is captivating onstage, and kept the audience engaged through a two-hour session which consisted of a lecture and Q&A. We received tremendous feedback from our attendees, many of whom said that it was the best lecture they had attended while at MIT. Sophia has lived an incredible life, and the way she tells her stories is uniquely engaging.
Sophia was a pleasure to work with throughout the process; she was responsive, professional and seemed to genuinely care about connecting with her audience. After the session, she could have left immediately, but spent over 30 minutes meeting and taking pictures with students, which was greatly appreciated."
— MIT Management Sloan School
"Sophia Chang worked with three Asian-American student organizations...on Harvard College's campus...marking the first time these groups have collaborated together on an event. Through the process of planning the event, Sophia was very responsive and professional. She was very concerned about making her presentation reflect the needs of the students.
Sophia has an arresting, undeniable presence, made immediately obvious once she walks into the room. She is fearless, direct, and unfiltered in the way she speaks. We traditionally invite professors and scholars to our "teach-ins" exploring racial identity, but Sophia spoke most effectively to the heart of our experiences by speaking unapologetically from her heart, discussing topics such as friendships, parents, and her career path. It is very rare to attend a talk with such a powerful level of emotionality, vulnerability, and generosity. She completely captivated an audience of over 60 students for over two hours and met with students for conversation and pictures after the talk. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, many students saying that she was their new role model and she was the most "badass" speaker they'd seen at an event on campus. One person said that in the two hours of her talk she created a distinctly yellow-American space in composition and in spirit. She is an icon of our community."
— Harvard University
"We keep bringing back Sophia Chang for a simple reason; as one of my students put it, 'hearing Sophia speak is a life changing experience.' This is a sentiment expressed by many young people who attend Sophia's talks. In particular, Sophia serves as a much needed role model for young women,especially women of color, who are seeking real world guidance for how to live and succeed in a society that rarely reflects their experiences. Sophia does just that, and so much more.
With every word and gesture Sophia Chang conveys her passion, experience, wit, and furious intelligence. Sophia offers unique and important insights on entrepreneurialism, the business world, music and the music business, being a women of color in business, the second generation immigrant experience and Asian identity. One rarely comes across a speaker who can, with such a deft and confident voice, connect with and inspire people from all walks of life, from the classroom to the boardroom."
— Babson College
"Sophia Chang's impact on students cannot possibly be overstated. Neither can her popularity amongst the students who had the pleasure to listen to her share her insights, experiences, beliefs and values. Aside from addressing topics on entrepreneurship, she also spoke truthfully and critically to several key issues in the music industry such as, but not limited to, race, substance abuse, mental health, and gender issues...During the entire event, the audience was filled with students who were captivated by her realness and courageous attitude...She will unapologetically uncover the truth. And because of all that, she connects deeply to the audience."
— Berklee College of Music


text:
The Chalkboard
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About St. John's College
A Week in the Life: Skylar Dash, Office of Personal and Professional Development
This blog post was written by Skylar Dash, Systems Manager of the Office of Personal & Professional Development on our Santa Fe campus, to give you a picture of a week in his life and work here at St. John's. Skylar started it on Thursday, because he is not afraid to break with convention and…
A Week in Career Services
A sampling from Jaime Dunn, Director of Career Services Tuesday Good morning! This morning I met with a sophomore who's applying to the Pathways program for the AIP Language Institute in Valencia, Spain. We reviewed his letter of intent and resume and talked about finalizing his application for the deadline next week. I then met…
Why attend St. John's? Top 9 Reasons
On behalf of Eric Poppele St. John's tutor, Santa Fe The faculty of St. John's College are not called professors. The job of a professor is to profess, that is, to tell what they know. We don't lecture here. As tutors our job is to elicit thoughtfulness and inquiry. We ask questions not because we…
What should I be doing during the summer—interning in a field that interests me or working a shift job to earn more money? How do you choose a graduate program? When should I create a LinkedIn profile? How do I evaluate a job offer for non-salary benefits like health insurance and retirement savings? Should I…
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Pillars of Prosperity for All Entrepreneurs - SME Digest!
Business, yes, entrepreneurship is life, real life. To enjoy life you have to enjoy what you do and that is real success, yes, real prosperity. The pillars of success and prosperity are your foundation for living a harmonious life in contrast to one in which you're attempting to cobble together pieces from four different puzzles.
Without you, there is no business, so you have to put the pillar of health first. You can only achieve your best productivity and vision for your business when your wellness score is close to 100 percent. At one point, Joshua says, he was spending so much time on his business that he ballooned to more than 40 pounds overweight. And that weight gain had a toll: He felt he was operating at about 60 percent.
One cause of this was convenience foods. These may be "convenient" in terms of time and price, but they make you look tired. They hamper your creativity. Eating energy-rich foods, in contrast, makes you look and feel good. Your energy "pops," and people notice. They feel confident doing business with you because most view staying healthy while running your own business as a Herculean feat they themselves want to emulate.
So, how do you achieve good health? One simple change is to make a habit of moving your body the first five minutes at the top of each hour.
Vision is next on the list because of the morning ritual it involves and the importance of launching your day in the right way. It's about tapping into universal creativity so you can solve the problems that arise.
Here's a brief overview of a useful four-phase, 20-minute meditation we learned from life coach Jesse Elder. You can set up iTunes to change music at the end of each five-minute segment so you know to move into the next phase.
Phase 1 entails concentrating on your breath. Breathe in power. Breathe out energy. Phase 2 is about feeling full of gratitude because of what you've accomplished. Visualize an event or time when you felt overjoyed. Phase 3 is "pre-paving" where you project getting to in the future.
The one rule is that this vision should make you feel good. Go to this future point where you have what you desire, then move backwards step-by-step to understand how you got there.
Phase 4 is allowing all the information and experience from phases 2 and 3 to sink in. Then write those ideas down on a legal pad or in your idea journal so you have a road map for the rest of your day.
Relationships are your support system. They can include your family and/or spouse and/or a peer group(s) you choose. These are the people who pick you up when you fall. They hold you accountable to be better today than you were yesterday.
Relationships are mandatory for success because so many entrepreneurs take on the woes of the world along with their businesses. They feel the need to protect those around them.
That's a fine objective, but so is disclosure. Disclosure is usually the best policy with those closest to you. These are people who may well have insights that help you solve problems.
Having social interactions with no business agenda is key to creating harmony in your life. After all, you schedule business meetings, right? So, why not schedule personal meetings so your relationships don't slip through the cracks?
Why is business the fourth pillar? Nobody we know wants his or her business to be a "favorite child." The other three pillars provide a stable foundation and fuel for ideas and business breakthroughs.


Plastic reduction and recyclability are two of the main trends that dominated the first half of 2018.
The year barely begun and news headlines started to fill with eco-friendly messages. First, the government announced its 25-year environmental plan to reduce plastic waste, then we heard about the proposal to introduce a 25p charge on disposable coffee cups.
Modern customers are growing more eco-conscious too as TV series, including Blue Planet II, Eat Well for Less? and Jamie's Quick & Easy Food put more emphasis on healthy living and environmental protection.
Below are a few ideas to help your business grow greener with eco-friendly packaging.
Packaging offering the optimum fit for your products reduces your pack dimensions, allowing you to transport more parcels in your delivery vehicles. This means you could save on fuel and courier costs while minimising your CO2 emissions.
Smaller, compact packages also require less filling material therefore minimising packaging waste.
Provide recycling information on the pack to help customers responsibly dispose of packaging. This will make life easier for them and ensure all materials are recycled properly.
Using packaging made of recycled or recyclable materials also shows you care about the environment not only on paper but, above all, through your actions!
Parcels containing similar packaging materials, e.g. a cardboard box filled with paper cushioning, can usually be placed in to the same recycling container, making recycling even simpler for customers.
If you use tape to seal your boxes, gummed paper tape (also known as water-activated tape) could be a great, eco-friendly alternative for you. It is made from natural, sustainable materials and does not need to be removed from boxes before recycling!
You can read more about the benefits of gummed paper tape here.
At Macfarlane Packaging, we work closely with our customers to help them build sustainable, eco-friendly packaging operations.
These are really helpful tips for packaging business. Your article description is so good mainly the recycling process is so beneficial and time-saving according to me. And this can reduce the cost to make packaging. Anyway, you did a great job. Keep it up!
Great Work folk, I just read your blog and I must say these tips are really helpful. The idea of Recycling and Eco-friendly solutions are amazing. And with these techniques it'll be easy to make attractive and cost effective packaging. Appreciate your work!
Hi John, thank you very much for your nice comments, we are delighted to hear you enjoyed reading our blog post!


text:
package org.brunel.maps.projection;

import org.brunel.geom.Point;
import org.brunel.geom.Rect;

/**
 * Standard Mercator Projection
 */

class Mercator extends Projection {
    public String d3Definition(Rect bounds) {
        Rect ext = transform(bounds);

        // We find the center in projected space, and then invert the projection
        Point c = inverse(ext.center());
        String center = ".center([" + F.format(c.x) + ", " + F.format(c.y) + "])";

        return "d3.geoMercator()"
                + LN + translateDefinition()
                + LN + scaleDefinition(ext)
                + LN + center;
    }

    public Point transform(Point p) {
        double a = Math.toRadians(p.x);
        double lon = Math.min(89.5, Math.max(p.y, -89.5));
        double b = Math.toRadians(lon);
        return new Point(a, Math.log(Math.tan(Math.PI / 4 + b / 2)));
    }

    public Point inverse(Point p) {
        double a = Math.toDegrees(p.x);
        double b = Math.toDegrees(2 * Math.atan(Math.exp(p.y)) - Math.PI / 2);
        return new Point(a, b);
    }

}


text:
Герге Ловренчич (,  1 вересня 1988, Сольнок) — угорський футболіст, правий захисник хорватського «Хайдука» (Спліт) та збірної Угорщини.

Клубна кар'єра
У дорослому футболі дебютував 2006 року виступами за команду «Будафок МТЕ», звідки за півтора роки приєднався до «Печа», в якому провів три з половиною сезони, взявши участь у 83 матчах чемпіонату.  Більшість часу, проведеного у складі «Печа», був основним гравцем команди і одним з її головних бомбардирів, маючи середню результативність на рівні 0,42 голу за гру першості.

Своєю грою за цю команду привернув увагу представників тренерського штабу клубу «Ломбард», до складу якого приєднався 2011 року. Відіграв за клуб з міста Папа наступні два сезони своєї ігрової кар'єри.

2012 року був на один сезон орендований польським клубом «Лех». За результатами виступів орендованого Ловренчича керівництво «Леха» прийняло рішення викупити його контракт і 13 липня 2013 року він уклав з польським клубом повноцінний трирічний контракт.

По завершенні контракту з польським клубом повернувся на батьківщину, де 5 липня 2016 року узгодив деталі угоди з «Ференцварошом». Відразу став стабільним гравцем основного складу нової команди, а згодом її капітаном. Тричі поспіль, в сезонах 2018/19, 2019/20 і 2020/21, допомагав «Ференцварошу» виборювати титул чемпіона Угорщини.

У липні 2021 року на правах вільного агента став гравцем хорватського «Хайдука» (Спліт).

Виступи за збірну
2013 року дебютував в офіційних матчах у складі національної збірної Угорщини. Був у складі команди учасником Євро-2016, на якому виходив на поле у двох матчах. А на континентальній першості 2020 взяв участь у всіх трьох іграх своєї команди на груповому етарі.

Наразі провів у формі головної команди країни 44 матчі, забивши 1 гол.

Статистика виступів

Статистика клубних виступів

Статистика виступів за збірну

Титули і досягнення
  Чемпіон Польщі (1):
«Лех»:  2014-15
  Володар Суперкубка Польщі (1):
«Лех»:  2015
  Володар Кубка Угорщини (1):
«Ференцварош»:  2016-17
  Чемпіон Угорщини (3):
«Ференцварош»:  2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
 Володар Кубка Хорватії (1):
 «Хайдук»: 2021-22

Примітки

Посилання

Угорські футболісти
Гравці збірної Угорщини з футболу
Футболісти «Будафок МТЕ»
Футболісти «Печа»
Футболісти «Ломбарда»
Футболісти «Леха»
Футболісти «Ференцвароша»
Футболісти «Хайдука» (Спліт)
угорські футбольні легіонери
Футбольні легіонери в Польщі
Футбольні легіонери в Хорватії
Уродженці Сольнока

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


EasyPro offers a line of high quality, affordable UV clarifiers... an Industry first protective device built inside sleeve turns off power when top cover is opened. Dual outlets choose which side of the UV is easiest for your plumbing layout! Outlet can be on same side as inlet or opposite side.


In programs spanning three continents, PfD works with poor and underserved communities, and with communities in severe stress due to natural or human-made disaster including climate change, to re-establish their economic, health, and social systems. Click on the countries below to see our past and current programs.
In Africa, PfD currently has offices in Benin and Nigeria.
PfDs' first programs in Africa were in Somalia (1993 to 1997) and Rwanda (1994 to 1996), where we managed multi-sectoral recovery and rebuilding initiatives. Since 2000, PfD has been active in Nigeria, where current programs address micro-credit, business development and training, reproductive and child health, HIV/AIDs. In 2012, PfD began operations in Benin to support small holder farmers and their communities.
In Asia, PfD has worked in Cambodia since 1992. Our early work in reproductive health and HIV/AIDS evolved into a current focus on malaria prevention and treatment within a larger context of supporting innovative technologies that allow remote communities to access health services and commodities.
In Eastern Europe, PfD's work in Bosnia & Herzegovina began in 1993 when we supported growth and re-building of the veterinary sector and promoted agriculture-based livelihoods. Today, PfD and partners provide credit to farmers to increase agricultural production and market access.


text:
Why Apple Has the Most to Lose From Google's Fight With the Justice Department
Google is paying a lot of money to make its search engine the default on Apple's devices.
Photo: Getty Images. Illustration: Inc. Magazine
Maybe the most revealing thing to come of the Justice Department's lawsuit against Google is just how much of the search giant's traffic comes from the deals it makes to be the default option for various devices. That's not necessarily a surprise, but the sheer volume of search traffic that comes directly as a result of those arrangements has never been made clear before now.
For example, Apple devices account for almost half of all Google search volume. Let that sink in, because it's really quite extraordinary.
It's also why Apple might be the company with the most to lose here.
Apple has never revealed exactly how much money it generates by making Google the default search engine for Safari on the iPhone and in macOS. Most analysts believe it could be as much as $8 billion to $12 billion a year. That would represent a reasonable chunk of the total revenue generated by Apple's services division, which Tim Cook has publicly said is an intense focus for the company.
The DOJ lawsuit backs that up that number, estimating it accounts for as much as 15 to 20 percent of Apple's annual profit. That deal is easily the largest in both scope and pure dollar amount.
It isn't hard to see why Google would want to be sure people are using its search engine since its advertising platform, the largest in the world, is built on serving ads based on people's queries. Spending money to make sure that Google, as opposed to Microsoft's Bing, is the default option seems like smart business sense.
There's probably a comparison to be made with the fact that Internet Explorer was the default web browser for Microsoft Windows, a fact that led to the most recent example of the government's taking on big tech in a big way. That case, of course, didn't do much to hold back Microsoft, now one of four companies worth more than a trillion dollars--the others, of course, being Google, Apple, and Amazon.
There's some irony in the fact that the most lasting outcome of that previous attempt to rein in big tech is that Google's Chrome, and not Microsoft's Internet Explorer, became the dominant web browser, with around 70 percent market share.
Now, however, the question is whether those deals made by Google reflect anticompetitive arrangements that have illegally thwarted competition. Google's chief legal officer, Kent Walker, says that the arrangement with Apple is "no different from the agreements that many other companies have traditionally used to distribute software."
The fact that Google and Apple made such a deal in the first place is noteworthy on its own. The two companies haven't exactly been friendly in the recent past. Steve Jobs was famously unhappy with Google after it released Android, which is a direct competitor to Apple's iOS software.
Apple also takes every opportunity it can to remind users that it treats their information differently. Every time you hear Tim Cook say "we believe privacy is a fundamental human right," it's a direct dig at its competitors, especially Google and Facebook.
Of course, sometimes money can make us change the way we feel about our competition. Sometimes enough money can even turn those competitors into partners.
As the Justice Department points out: "By paying Apple a portion of the monopoly rents extracted from advertisers, Google has aligned Apple's financial incentives with its own and set the price of bidding for distribution extremely high."
As iPhone growth has slowed over the past four years, the company is increasingly counting on services revenue to fill in the gap. It turns out, much of that comes from a deal that is now facing a very real threat from the U.S. government. As a result, Apple, more than any other company, could have the most to lose if the Justice Department is able to force the companies to change--or break--those arrangements.


text:
Over 300 Organizations Agree To Jointly Work Together With Governments On Building A More Sustainable Coffee Sector
The newly formed Global Coffee Platform presented today at the 4th World Coffee Conference in Addis Ababa, a plan that marks a new era of sustainability for the entire coffee sector. It is a public-private action agenda to bundle resources and reduce fragmentation in order to improve the livelihoods of millions of coffee farmers and reduce environmental impact.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8th March, 2016:Today, at the 4th World Coffee Conference, the Global Coffee Platform presented Vision 2020, an inclusive public-private approach to achieve large scale sustainable impact. Sustainability has been on the radar of the coffee sector for the last 25 years. Building on the successes and experiences from the past, companies and other organizations now see a strong need for a more coordinated, pre-competitive approach. An approach that enables stakeholders to move beyond fragmented project by project investments towards greater impact, through more efficient use of resources. As a first step, over 30 of the biggest coffee organizations have already signed on to the Vision 2020 Call for Collective Action, an ongoing public commitment to demonstrate leadership by contributing to the common agenda of Vision 2020.
The newly formed Global Coffee Platform will drive this coordinated approach by aligning different initiatives and jointly setting a common agenda to address the sustainability challenges that undermine the coffee sector's long-term prosperity. In close cooperation with the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the Global Coffee Platform with over 300 small and large coffee stakeholders will act as a Secretariat of Vision 2020 and coordinate the farmer-centric public-private alliance towards achieving collective impact.
The Global Coffee Platform merges the strengths and expertise of the 4C Association's (4CA) multi-stakeholder membership platform and the successful pre-competitive (inter-)national programs of The Sustainable Trade Initiative's (IDH) Sustainable Coffee Program (SCP). The Executive Director of the 4C Association, Melanie Rutten-Sülz, states that "through coordinated collaboration of the private sector, civil society, producer organizations, governments and donor agencies, where sustainability is viewed as a shared responsibility, the Global Coffee Platform will enable a collective and systemic focus rather than individual short-term action – which will ultimately improve the resilience and livelihoods of coffee farmers around the world".
The open and inclusive new organization will continue to lead the coffee sector towards long-term sustainability by facilitating three core functions:
A dynamic platform servicing and enabling members to define a shared vision and commitment, act on priority agendas and align themselves with sector-wide strategies such as Vision 2020
A Global Progress Framework to enable the sector to continually measure, report on and improve sustainability performance
A baseline reference code to underpin National Sustainability Strategies (NSCs) and act as a global reference in order to reach 100% of coffee production and touch more farming communities
According to Ted van der Put, Program Director at IDH, "with so many critical challenges such as low productivity, climate adaptation, GAP training, access to finance and inputs, and gender and youth issues, the Global Coffee Platform offers a unique opportunity for the coffee sector to work in a truly collaborative manner and jointly invest in programs that will achieve a greater impact than we currently have seen". All relevant stakeholders are therefore invited to sign on to the Vision 2020 Call for Collective Action and join the journey towards a truly sustainable coffee world.
Additionally, under the umbrella of Vision 2020, the Sustainable Coffee Challenge and the Global Coffee Platform are in close collaboration to find alignment and common ground to scale impact on sustainability in the coffee sector.
Background information on the Global Coffee Platform
With overwhelming support by its membership at its 5th General Assembly, the 4C Association together with the Sustainable Coffee Program joined forces to build on their achievements and scale their impact, co-creating the Global Coffee Platform, an inclusive multi-stakeholder and pre-competitive collaborative initiative which will comprehensively work towards a thriving, sustainable coffee sector.
To preserve the pre-competitive and non-commercial nature of the Global Coffee Platform, the verification operations, which were previously part of the 4C Association's functions, will be assumed by an independent new company, Coffee Assurance Services as of April 2016. The Global Coffee Platform will operate from 1st April, 2016 out of two satellite Secretariats in Bonn, Germany and Utrecht, the Netherlands. By 2017, the Global Coffee Platform will be fully operational to deliver vital and innovative services to its members and the coffee sector as a whole.
For more information about the Global Coffee Platform or the Vision 2020 Call for Collective Action, please contact:
Josh Edwards | Communications Manager | 4C Association |+49 228 850 5015 | josh.edwards@4c-coffeeassociation.org
Gillian Evans | Communication Manager | The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) |+31 302 305 652 | evans@idhsustainabletrade.com


"The more I learn about bees, the more motivated I become. I have also learned a lot about myself and my role in society from working with these amazing animals," says Judy Wu-Smart, who became an assistant professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln's entomology department just a few days after defending her dissertation in CFANS last fall.
Her graduate research focused on assessing the non-target effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on bee pollinators, specifically on honey bee and bumble bee queen survival and behavior, to explain how environmental toxins affect bee colony decline.


Whatever the question, Cloud is now the answer. Businesses are turning to cloud for scalability, flexibility, and to deliver better value. We can show you exactly what cloud can do for you and how to start your cloud journey.
If you've moved some or all of your IT into the cloud, then your journey has only just begun. IAXS can show you all of the exciting cloud possibilities at your disposal, and how to manage these as they expand throughout your business.
It's time to turbo-charge your cloud. We'll bring in automation and orchestration tools that will streamline your business processes, reduce your time to market, and reach new heights of efficiency to stand out from your competitors.
We're here to help. Our experts are only a click or call away.
We're not tied to any one cloud, with us you can have them all! Azure evangelist? No problem. Google guru? Thats fine too. The only way is AWS? Got you covered.
We have private connections to all major cloud suppliers and accredited partnerships that allow us to offer you an unbiased picture of the cloud market and access to whichever supplier your business needs.


Crypto ransom rose by 90% in Q1 of 2019 According to Coveware's Q1 Ransomware Marketplace report - Dharma, Ryuk, and GandCrab are top three ransomwares. Bitcoin accounts for 98% ransomware payments. If ransom paid- in 96% cases, decryption tool is delivered which resulted in 93% data recovery. Avg incident duration 7.3 days & avg. downtime cost is $64, 645.
According to a blog post uploaded today by Red Pulse (PHX), the project will add up to Mithril (MITH) in being some of the pioneers in switching over to the newly launched Binance Chain.


I would like to cache a result from a long computation in bash, so I set a variable with this value, for my surprise I got everything in one line, instead of the desired multi-line output.
This behavior of echo command drove me crazy for a while.
The correct syntax is really subtle, involving double quotes "".


It's Time to Get Out of Our Cages and Be Set FREE!
How Bad Is Too Bad For God?
Revival 4 Women builds authentic community & connection to Restore Women through Conferences, Radio Podcasts, & Intimate Seminars. Our vision is for Women to be equipped to live a Restored, Empowered, & Revived life.
Revival 4 Women is a 501 c 3 non- profit organization. We believe that a healthy spiritual soul empowers women's purpose, marriage, & relationships.
When God Restores us, We Live Revived!


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