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We have a range of reservoir options to suit all locations. Unless you are putting the feature in a pond you will probably need a reservoir. We can supply one to suit you.
We can supply either a stainless steel bowl designed to sit above ground or a 100% plastic circular reservoir designed to go into the ground. Our water feature will stand alone in the stainless steel bowl with mesh.
See options for reservoirs below.
Stainless Steel Reservoir - This is ideally suited for use inside to make the perfect indoor water feature.
With the stainless steel bowl, it can also be used as an outdoor water feature to add a stylish touch to a patio or garden. The water wall comes supplied with stainless steel sheet, making it very stable when standing in the reservoir.
If you are intending to place the water feature in a very windy location, you may want to go for the plastic reservoir option, as this uses bolts to secure the water feature in place.
The stainless steel bowl is simple, elegant and modern and can be used to make the most of your water feature. Comes complete with stainless steel mesh, this can be covered in pebbles or slate (not supplied) for a modern water wall with a natural edge.
Plastic Reservoir - This is for outdoor use only, with the plastic reservoir needing to be sunk into the ground.
Pebbles or slate can be placed on the cover of the grid when everything has been fixed into place, offering an attractive contrast between the sleek modern features of the wall and the natural world. It also serves the dual purpose of concealing the feet and the pump. Please see the link at the bottom of the page. In today's air conditioned environments, this feature helps to reach the medically recommended air humidity of 45-55%.
The instruction above show the straight vertical water wall feature (WF0701) but the fixings are similar to the Yin Yang.
Why not look at some of our other stainless steel water features?
"I think the instructions should be a little bit more with information Ours did not tell you a great deal"


Kzarka is a popular boss in Black Desert Online that drops a BIS (Best In Slot) main weapon. His loot table includes other valuables, like the Liverto Weapon Bundle, a nice blue grade mainhand weapon. This Kzarka guide will detail how to find and defeat this Lord of Corruption and destroy his vile evil once and for all! Even if you don't get a Weapon Box the first 100 times fighting him, you can obtain your Kzarka Weapon by turning in 100 Latent Auras with the Kzarka Quest.
Loot still drops on despawn but at a lower rate.
Kzarka's health is shared across all Channels. Spread out across channels for better chances.
Kzarka is located SE of Glish, within the tunnels of Serendia Shrine. The Serendia Shrine node is a danger node far South of Heidel in Serendia territory. The outside entrance is safe, and you can park your horse there. The mobs inside include level 50 Serendia Shrine humans.
Thank you to Youtuber, Density, for recording directions to Kzarka, including the path through the tunnels.
TLDR: Run through the Serendia Shrine tunnels, following the left door ways and into the final shrine room.
For additional help knowing when world or field bosses might spawn and which channels they are currently alive on, visit the World Boss Discord.
Kzarka does not spawn when a Channel is at war.
Possible war servers are: B1, S1, C1, M1, VA1.
If the in-game notification is within the 15 minute pre-war period (5:45PM to 6PM PST), it will not spawn on any war servers. Kzarka also will not spawn during a current war. At the bottom right of your map (M) you can see war information. If war is ended at time of notification, Kzarka will spawn.
Kzarka knowledge is obtained through Amity with an NPC named Hakkon.
Kzarka ranks will help you get that Kzarka weapon and other rare drops, but you will need the top rank of S. You obtain this by visiting the NPC, Hakkon and gaining Amity with him. After you have 50 Amity, you can spend 2 Energy to purchase a Knowledge rank chance. If you don't like the rank you get, you can unlearn it in Calpheon City at the Library in the SE section of the city.
Monster rank rewards are cumulative. For example, S rank also provides damage and defense benefits, as well as a detailed monster HP bar for that S ranked enemy.
The monster HP bar color will change depending on its HP, even when you don't have the monster's Knowledge yet.
Kzarka Knowledge Reset Tip: Put one or more alts next to Annolisa Rosie. Press KNowledge Management button and reset Kzarka Knowledge for 10 Energy. Once reset, you are able to obtain the knowledge from Hakkon again to try your luck at gaining a higher grade. Keep logging between characters until you gain Kzarka S Knowledge rank. This is so that you don't have to keep running your boss alt back and forth from Hakkon to Annolisa.
Note that there is no concrete proof or statistics on the benefits of S rank.
Elixir of Oblivion can be purchased with Loyalties to reset Kzarka Knowledge. But Loyalty is better spent elsewhere, unless you have already purchased weight limits, etc.
Kzarka loot is based upon damage dealt, with the highest damage dealers having a better loot table. The top damage dealers also get a higher chance of obtaining a Kzarka Sealed Weapon Box, at 4%. As long as you do some damage and there is not too many players, there is a slight chance of .3% that you will obtain a Kzarka weapon. Data source: bddatabase.net's Kzarka page.
You don't have to have the quest in order to obtain Kzarka's Latent Aura!
1 to 2 Kzarka's Latent Aura will drop if you do damage during a Kzarka battle.
Quest NPC: Delfinio is the Node Manager of Serendia Shrine, so if you right click the Node icon on the map, it will take you right to him.
Some players say spending Energy into the node Serendia Shrine increases your chances of obtaining rare loot around the node. This would be hard to prove and has not been proven for Kzarka, to my knowledge. It's tin foil, but if you have no other use for Energy, it might help.
Normal Level 10 Node Investment: +10% rare loot obtain chance.
Each node level gives +5% Item Drop Rate for 10% of monsters killed.
+20% Item Drop Rate via "Knowledge (Ecology) Effect"
I thought I should add this just in case it might help with Kzarka. I doubt it does, but you never know. Supposedly, this drop buff works for all enemies, no matter what rank of Knowledge you have on them. The more Ecology Points you obtain by gaining more and higher monster Knowledge ranks, the better your rare drop chances.
Knowledge Window (H): press H key to view Ecology Points and "Knowledge (Ecology) Effect"
Important Note: Item drop buff does not apply to junk loot and party drops!
Kzarka is a very busy boss and because of his ease of access and great loot, is always in high demand. Expect a high amount of fellow Black Desert players to be at the spawn location. This is good if you want some help, but bad for our graphics cards. Frame rates will drastically drop. With lag, it's more difficult to watch Kzarka's moves to know when you should move and evade.
For the most part, stay mobile in the battle, so that you are behind Kzarka, because he has frontal attacks. You do this by strafing left and right and using your class's mobility skills. Back attack damage also increases your damage and your chances at the best loot table.
Kzarka will spin around the room, but with some practice, you will learn his movement patterns.
Frontal AOE attack that does moderate damage. It will not kill you if you have enough DP. Make sure you have potions.
Watch for black smoke that will rise on all four sides. He will also become immune and untargetable. Immediately go behind one of the pillars in the four corners of the room.
Fire Breath: A large red cone will display on the ground in front of Kzarka. Stay out of the red area!
Many Small Red Circles: numerous small red circles appear on the ground. Stay out of the red areas!
1 Large Red Circle: one large circle covers almost the entire room. Go to the outside edge or hide behind pillars.
2nd Wave of Many Small Red Circles: numerous small red circles appear on the ground.
TIP #1: Do not make the common mistake of rushing back in until you see ALL red circles disappear.
TIP #2: If you do happen to die, congratulations! Just select "Resurrect at the closest Safe Zone", which will put you at the Serendia Shrine Node Manager and you can run back in.
TIP #3: Your pets will auto loot Kzarka if they are out, otherwise run up to the corpse and hit R key.
Kzarka, the Lord of Corruption is said to have the destructive might of a God. He was sealed centuries ago by an unknown sacred organization. Kzarka was safely sealed in a shrine in Serendia, but a suspicious group took over the Kzarka Shrine in the turmoil of the war and is now attempting his resurrection. Heidel has dispatched troops to retake the shrine several times, but each attempt has ended in failure.
Serendia Shrine is an offering altar used by the Kzarka-worshipping Cultists. Rumor has that Kzarka has actually manifested deep within the Shrine, but only halfway.


Makeup can make a big difference. With a couple of contour makeup tips, you are going to look awesome. Thanks to contouring, you can actually sculpt your face without going under the knife. All you need are a couple of contour makeup tips to highlight your best features.
By the looks of it, contouring takes a lot of time and makeup. You would have to really spend time putting on layers and layers of foundation and highlights. Aside from that, you would have to practice it to get it right. You simply won't be able to get it right at the start. As a matter of fact, you might even fail a couple of times.
There are a lot of contour makeup tips. If you follow each and every one of them, you're going to look ridiculous. If you really want to learn to sculpt your face, you need to choose the simplest contour makeup tips.
This video shows how simple it is with some great tips to make contouring your face easy. Watch closely and you're going to realize that you won't be needing too much makeup products to contour your face. As a matter of fact, the video is going to share some affordable makeup products that can help you contour your face.
If you think the fish-sucking face is the only way to define the area under your cheekbone, you're wrong. There's another way for you to contour that area. Watch the video and learn more about it.


Preparing for the meeting with your lawyer is a wise move. It helps the lawyer give you the right advice and can save you money.
Think about who could be your executor and, in case of his or her death, a back-up. You can discuss the pros and cons of the proposed candidates with your lawyer.
Think about your family members. Will they all be treated equally? Is anyone under a disability? Are there children?
Find out the correct names of the people in your Will. Is it Ann or Anne? Bob or Robert?
Make a list of your assets and liabilities. Jot down account numbers and make a note of whether the asset (your house or a bank account, for example) is yours alone or jointly held.
Do you want to name beneficiaries for any of the assets? If so, who are they?
Don't forget any out-of-province property you may own. Special considerations may apply.
Make a list of your goals for your Will even if they appear contradictory. Your lawyer will help you sort everything out and set priorities.


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President's Note
Some Thoughts on Friendship
By Rev. David Reilander
One of the periodicals to which I subscribe recently featured the theme of 'friendship,' making me think about this in my life. I have friends whom I see only periodically, but when we meet up it's like carrying on from the last time because we feel so comfortable with each other. We hold each other in high priority and guard each other's welfare.
What of CMIC's relationship with our donors? CMIC has a fiduciary responsibility to donors so friendship does not apply, other than in the metaphorical sense of common interests, values, and respect for privacy. Donors give us sensitive personal details that are protected by our privacy policy. It is impossible to know over 12,000 donors, but the following photos are examples of me with a few. The first features 2 CWL members from the London Diocese and the second is with Paul Crawford.
As President, I am the face of CMIC, making the concept of friendship more relevant but still metaphorical, since I'm representing an organization. I meet folks at preaching weekends, presentations at meetings, and through phone calls and personal correspondence. I've met donors in the strangest places – most notably on cruise ships where I act as chaplain. "Say aren't you the guy in the magazine. Hey Charlie/Margaret it's the Father from Catholic Missions." On preaching weekends while handing out our Magazine I'll hear, "no thanks Father, I already get it in the mail."
Perhaps what I'm writing about is familiarity and mutuality, rather than friendship. Familiarity assumes a sense of friendliness. When I interact with donors, there is a connection that breaks through social barriers.
Donors expect me to be pleasant, welcoming and responsive, both as a priest and as a representative of CMIC. Being introverted, I'm not always sure that comes through, so I try to engage in conversation. It's a challenge in my life. In being human, contact is necessarily a spiritual connection, so often I'll ask a blessing upon the person(s) or promise prayers. My Roman collar gets me into many places but it can also put up walls. The collar signals trust for some individuals and suspicion for others. Fortunately, it's usually the former that I encounter.
Mutuality implies something held in common, which is often philanthropy or an interest in mission work. While CMIC is a charitable corporation, my staff make it work. We all want the same thing, as summed up in CMIC's mission statement: To keep the Catholic Faith in remote and poor mission communities across Canada. It's something we share in a common cause which our Catholic Faith tells us is good. What better thing can you do than support Jesus' commissioning of the Apostles to "go forth and proclaim the Gospel?"
The COVID experience has challenged our understanding of friendship. There are some relationships that haven't lasted or have been bruised. The experience made many of us rethink the nature of our relationships. During this difficult time, CMIC has tried to stay in touch with donors by communicating concern through the appeal letters that accompanied our publications. Each day we pray the Morning Office as a staff and I am offering Masses for our donors and their concerns.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Home / Industry / Media / Raj Nayak floats media and entertainment company House of Cheer
Raj Nayak floats media and entertainment company House of Cheer
2 min read . Updated: 02 Sep 2019, 07:00 PM IST Lata Jha
Raj Nayak (Mint file)
House of Cheer will help companies reimagine the future of their businesses and brands
Besides creating content for various platforms, House of Cheer will incubate and curate content and thereby work as a platform for young writers, directors and storytellers
New Delhi: Television industry veteran and former Viacom18 chief operating officer Raj Nayak has floated a new media and entertainment company called House of Cheer. On Monday he announced his new venture through a tweet: "On this auspicious day, I am happy to announce the arrival of my new baby. Hope to share happiness and & spread cheer as we go along. Please wish us good luck as we embark on our new exciting journey."
People familiar with the development said House of Cheer will be the country's first full-service media, entertainment and technology hub specialising in creation, curation and consultancy. Under the umbrella of Cheer, there will be various business extensions in the space of happiness and well-being, products and services.
Committed to building new capabilities through technology and collaboration with like-minded partners, House of Cheer will help companies reimagine the future of their businesses and brands. Besides creating content for various platforms, House of Cheer will incubate and curate content and thereby work as a platform for young writers, directors and storytellers, helping them navigate the complex media and entertainment landscape.
According to its filings with the Registrar of Companies, apart from Nayak, shareholders of the company include two other individuals, Radhika Ajay Palkar and Nivya Mandawat.
According to its memorandum, the objectives of the company include, "To own, undertake, carry on and operate directly or indirectly in India and overseas the business of communications, media and advertising, by any means including with the advanced techniques of computer technology, offering technology solutions, monetisation, content or branded solutions, consultancy to broadcasters, content creators, digital or social platforms, OTTs (over-the-top media services) and DPOs (distribution platform owners).
Nayak who quit Viacom18 last November had joined the network in 2011 as chief executive officer of its general entertainment channel Colors and was elevated to COO - Viacom18 in May 2017, after which his role was expanded to lead the revenue portfolio for the network's broadcast business. He has several years of experience in the media industry, having founded independent media consulting and sales and marketing company Aidem Ventures. Prior to that, he had served as chief executive officer of NDTV Media Ltd. Nayak was also executive vice president, sales and marketing for 10 years at STAR TV Group where he was responsible for strategy, packaging and marketing for all STAR channels as well as revenue for the group. He was also on the board of the network's Tamil GEC Vijay TV and online shopping site Indya.com.
Lata Jha
Lata Jha covers media and entertainment for Mint. She focuses on the film, television, video and audio streaming businesses. She is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism. She can be found at the movies, when not writing about them.


As a product manager, I receive information from different sources at all possible times of the day - emails, action items, random ideas/thoughts, meeting notes, telephonic discussions with various stakeholders, interesting nuggets of information from blogs and news sites, useful links for future references etc. Having made the shift from an engineering role to a product management role, the first challenge that I had to face was to manage this sudden pile of information. I initially made notes in a single text file and searched through this file whenever I need to refer. But this was proven to be a cumbersome task when I had to organize this information into clear groups. Then I shifted to a model of creating separate text files based on the categories - Project Ideas, Tasks, Meeting Notes, Conference call discussions etc. This was working well for a while until I realized it wasn't easy to transfer the information collected in this manner across different computers.
I stumbled upon this application "Evernote" while reading through one of the productivity blogs. I fell in love with this application instantly and it has been a constant companion for the past one year both in my professional and academic life. I can access my account across multiple computers and synchronize the contents. This had solved the immediate painpoint that I had faced in note taking using text files. The interface is very intuitive. I can create multiple notebooks to organize the different categories of information that I want to track. I have created a notebook named "Inbox" to capture every kind of input that I come across which has to be tracked for future reference. Then I just drag and drop the individual notes from this notebook to other notebooks depending on the category they belong to. I can clip images, web content (from Firefox) and emails (from Thunderbird) through the plugins that Evernote provides. Whenever I attend any meeting or conference call, I quickly jot down all the points being discussed and capture the action items. Checkboxes can also be added in front of the action items in case one wants to identify the tasks to be taken up after the meeting.
Before I have a discussion with either my manager or my peer, I note down the questions and points to be discussed. During the discussion, I capture the responses either in a different font or color. This helps me to quickly go over the points discussed and plan the next steps accordingly. Search feature is very useful given the humongous amount of information one has to deal with on a daily basis. Although many Evernote users find the tagging feature very useful, I still haven't found valid use cases for myself in order to use this feature. My current setup seems to work just fine.
The value provided by this free application is just tremendous. Definitely worth giving it a shot!


Need a custom replacement gear or sprockets fabricated for obsolete machinery? If you can give us a drawing, specs or type, we can help.
how to draw Spur gear tooth profile drawing in auto cad; ... I want to make the tooth profile of spur gear specially for sugar mill roller pinion which have big teeth.
High vibrations on a ball mill; ... rough drawing I have attached is simulation of ... then the pinion with the gearbox and finally the ball mill with the pinion.


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Matchmaking gets an update in the Summer Scrub
Dota 2 8/7/19, 7:20 PM Cristy "Pandoradota2" Ramadani
Valve has responded to the complaints of their MMR system, making an overhaul to promote more teamplay and enjoyment.
Through the year multiple pro and casual players have complained about the MMR experience. Overwhelmingly they criticized the amount of 'game ruiners' that would cause players to lose their rank and rating.
A core problem was that MMR promoted individuals instead of teams. A person's individual rank only held value in the Dota 2 culture - as opposed to their rank within a group, or party. Therefore if a player wanted to grind up the ranks or boast about their level, they were forced to endure negative experiences alone. It didn't matter if you were rank 1 in your region in Party, your efforts went unrecognized or celebrated.
Because of such, that left players fighting for specific roles and behaving in toxic ways if they were denied such role or hero, or forcing players into roles or heroes that they might not be as comfortable on in order to fill in any gaps. Playing under such circumstances not only affected how enjoyable the game was but created a false ranking not based on actual ability and created imbalance in the games.
Now, Valve has decided to make a few changes to the overall game experience, starting now with adjustments to group/individual ranking and the value of MMR.
There are two major aspects with this change: 1) the teamplay and social aspect and 2) the value and correctness of the MMR value.
For the teamplay aspect: We think it is really crucial for you to not have a disincentive to play with your friends. The game currently overly emphasizes playing solo and establishes a strong social reward mechanism for this, which causes many players to prefer playing alone than with friends. We believe that bias has over time caused more negativity and unhappiness when playing Dota. Furthermore, Dota is a very teamplay heavy game and we want to consider that aspect a bit more strongly in the hierarchy of matchmaking values. We've considered other approaches to the friend and teamplay incentives, but they tended to do a poor job at making it feel actually rewarding to play with friends and only papered over the issue.
For the correctness of the MMR aspect: (...)We are adding a new concept of Core and Support MMR numbers. In order to achieve this, we need to know what role you want to play in advance of the match being formed. So for this experimental update, we are moving the Ranked Roles feature to the base Ranked matchmaking and expanding on its capabilities. Now when you matchmake, you will have the option of selecting roles from position 1 through 5 (Safe Lane Core through Hard Support), including multiple selections. So if you like playing Mid or Offlane, you can select those two, or if you like playing Hard Support and Mid, you'll be able to do that as well. You will be matched based on either your Core or Support MMR.
So what does that mean exactly?
Well for starters, players now have the option of selecting their role in advance so that they are paired up with complementing roles. That means everyone in the game is already set for their task and role, playing positions or heroes they are comfortable with. In addition, this gives individual players of certain roles a chance to gain exposure to those in teams by continuously playing the same role.
Secondly, by removing the concept of solo and party, both manners of queuing will result in the same end MMR rank. This provides more incentive to playing with friends. Teams searching for a player to fill a specific role can all group up and test the pub field as they search for a new star to recruit.
Last, each MMR type will also have its own leaderboard applied initially as Core and Support. Support players can play in their preferred role and still attain the higher ranks that seemed to apply mostly to those in core positions.
The differences will only be effective until the end of the season, at which time Valve will seek out feedback based on player experience as well as from collected data.
This change is just the beginning according to Valve.
Over the next year, we'll be spending more time focusing on various aspects of matchmaking such as intra-team balance, player conduct, new player experience, abusive behaviors, account buying, friend and teamplay aspects, high mmr matchmaking dynamics, and other issues in an effort to make the overall experience of playing Dota more fun for players of all levels.
The changes are already in place and Valve has voiced they do expect that there may be a few bugs, so be sure to report those promptly to get them fixed.
QUICKPOLL
What do you think of these changes to MMR?
Cristy "Pandoradota2" Ramadani
Pandora is a behind the scenes Dota 2 professional Jack of All Trades. When not busy with Dota 2 work, she is out trying to save the world or baking cupcakes. Follow her on Twitter @pandoradota2
257 people reacted to this post
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With the currents of life pulling The Rusty Datsuns in different directions, their upcoming album tour may possibly be the last time they will play together... at least for the foreseeable future.
They're not breaking up or anything like that; Fern is taking off overseas for some time to follow long held dreams, Chocolate Strings is gaining momentum for Al and Sain is discovering yet new ways to express her talent while honing her skills and collaborating with other artists.
Despite this the band is super stoked to be able to release and tour the 'Riverbank' album!
To win one of two double passes to the Brisbane launch at The Old Museum Sunday September 15 This competition has closed.


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136.57, -33.92: 10 Treatments
Diptera sp. nov. Pont, Adrian C., 2019, Studies on the Australian Muscidae (Diptera). VIII. The genus Lispe Latreille, 1797, Zootaxa 4557 (1), pp. 1-232: 135-138 135-138
Diptera sp. nov. Pont, Adrian C., 2019, Studies on the Australian Muscidae (Diptera). VIII. The genus Lispe Latreille, 1797, Zootaxa 4557 (1), pp. 1-232: 90-96 90-96
Sipyloidea whitei spec. nov. Brock, Paul D. & Hasenpusch, Jack, 2007, Studies on the Australian stick insects (Phasmida), including a checklist of species and bibliography, Zootaxa 1570 (1), pp. 1-81: 39-42 39-42
Gymnochthebius benesculptus new species Perkins, Philip D., 2005, A revision of the water beetle genus Gymnochthebius Orchymont (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) for Australia and Papua New Guinea, Zootaxa 1024 (1), pp. 1-161: 1-161 1-161
Ctenophorus fionni McLean, Claire A., Moussalli, Adnan, Sass, Steve & Stuart-Fox, Devi, 2013, Taxonomic Assessment of the Ctenophorus decresii Complex (Reptilia: Agamidae) Reveals a New Species of Dragon Lizard from Western New South Wales, Records of the Australian Museum 65 (3), pp. 51-63: 61 61
Dolichogenidea franklinharbourensis sp. nov. Fagan-Jeffries, Erinn P., Austin, Andrew D. & Investigators, Citizen Science Participants Of Insect, 2021, Four new species of parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) described through a citizen science partnership with schools in regional South Australia, Zootaxa 4949 (1), pp. 79-101: 87-89 87-89
Protorchestia ceduna n.sp. Serejo, C. S. & Lowry, J. K., 2008, The Coastal Talitridae (Amphipoda: Talitroidea) of Southern and Western Australia, with Comments on Platorchestia platensis (Krøyer, 1845), Records of the Australian Museum 60 (2), pp. 161-206: 196-199 196-199
Eupsenella Ramos, Magno S. & Azevedo, Celso O., 2012, Revision of Eupsenella Westwood, 1874 (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), Zootaxa 3539 (1), pp. 1-80: 30-31 30-31


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Series: Disposable Army
AIG, KBR and CNA Face New Questions About Insurance for Injured Civilian Contractors
by T. Christian Miller
June 18, 2009, 9:26 a.m. EDT
Civilian Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan
Unlike insurance giant AIG, which promised to cease lobbying after receiving billions in bailout money, Chicago-based carrier CNA still works hard to influence lawmakers. The company has spent more than $6 million in lobbying since 2001, including more than $300,000 in the first quarter of this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The spending continued last week, when the company sent a lobbyist to visit members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The company was trying to convince lawmakers to excuse the firm's executives from having to testify at a hearing today over whether insurance carriers have routinely denied benefits to civilian workers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Hill staffers who attended the meetings. The argument: CNA was too small a fish to fry since AIG dominates the market for such coverage, required by a federal law known as the Defense Base Act.
The argument failed to impress, and CNA's Executive Vice President, George Fay, will be seated alongside AIG's Kristian P. Moor today to explain the industry's position. "I don't know what they were thinking," one Hill staff member said. "It was a total waste of effort."
During the last two weeks, the committee's Domestic Policy panel asked CNA to provide case files for injured workers after investigations by ProPublica, ABC News and the Los Angeles Times showed that AIG, CNA and other carriers were battling civilian contractors over paying for items like prosthetic legs. But it wasn't until Tuesday that CNA sent out notices to the workers asking permission to share the files.
CNA spokeswoman Katrina Parker said the company was not seeking to avoid the hearing, but instead wanted all insurance carriers that sold policies to appear. Bermuda-based ACE Group, New Jersey-based Chubb Group and Switzerland's Zurich Financial Services also sell insurance to defense contractors to cover civilian workers. "It wasn't so much that we were trying to be removed. We were trying to make sure that everyone was invited," Parker said. She also said that CNA had continuously cooperated with committee requests, while at the same time seeking to protect the privacy of its clients. There was no intent to slow things down, she said. "We were just following the process," Parker said.
As CNA scrambled to answer questions, questions continued to arise about the insurance program. Bloomberg News' Tony Capaccio revealed that the Defense Contract Audit Agency had recently recommended that contracting giant KBR pay back $27.6 million for war zone workers' compensation insurance purchased from AIG in 2003. The reason? KBR could not show that it had shopped to get the best price. Of course, that might be because AIG holds a near monopoly on the market, handling almost 90 percent of the claims from war zones. In a statement, KBR officials said the firm was "not aware" of the recommendation but had provided information to the audit agency when requested. AIG declined to comment.
The issue of the high costs of the insurance is almost certain to surface at the hearing. Despite years of warnings, nobody has really figured out how much the government is paying for the insurance or whether premiums are too high. In 2007, a U.S. Army audit found (PDF) that KBR paid "unreasonably high" premiums to AIG on one contract. Last year, the House reform committee conducted a study (PDF) that found that taxpayers had paid AIG more than $1.3 billion in premiums for the insurance, which is included in the price of federal contracts. And yet the company had paid out only about $500 million in benefits -- almost a 40 percent profit margin. While profit margins are believed to have declined since then, both AIG and CNA make far more money on war zone workers' compensation insurance than stateside workers' compensation policies, which typically return single digit gains.
For more on this story, read ABC News' coverage on The Blotter.
T. Christian Miller
T. Christian Miller is a senior reporter for ProPublica.
@txtianmiller


This Reagle audience favorite tells the delightfully funny story of a charismatic con artist who sells hope to a small Iowa town in the form of musical instruments and fictional promises of a boys' band. Starring IRNE Award nominee Mark Linehan (Reagle's Hairspray, Thoroughly Modern Millie) and Elliot Norton Award winner Jennifer Ellis (Reagle's Carousel, Wonderful Town).
Featuring "76 Trombones," "Till There Was You," "Goodnight My Someone," "Ya Got Trouble," "Shipoopi," and other memorable songs!
SUSAN M. CHEBOOKJIAN (Director, Choreographer) has choreographed and staged countless productions over her long tenure at Reagle. She received the IRNE Award for Best Choreography for last season's 42nd Street, and nominations for Hello, Dolly! and The Music Man. She is the co-founder of the RMT Youth program and is Artistic Director for Waltham's own Dancing with the Stars. Other projects include corporate entertainment and branding solutions, A Valentine for Boston Flash Mob, NSMT's Youth Performance Academy, Waltham School Department, Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant, and Partners HealthCare, as well as a variety of programs at regional theaters and dance studios.
ELIZABETH YVETTE RAMIREZ* (Production Stage Manager) most recently seen with Israeli Stage (SM). Regional credits include work with New Repertory Theatre, Wheelock Family Theatre, and Central Square Theatre. She's a regular collaborator with Flat Earth Theatre. She directs with Ministry of Theater and The Calliope Project.
LAUREN J. BURKE* (Assistant Stage Manager) RMT: Anything Goes (sub). Other credits: American Repertory Theatre, Central Square Theatre, Brandeis University, Lyric Stage Company, Boston Opera Collaborative, NSMT, Harvard University, Suffolk University, Poets' Theatre, Israeli Stage, Boston Ballet, Actors' Shakespeare Project. B.A.: Suffolk University. Proud member of AEA.


On Wednesday, former Price Is Right host and animal activist Bob Barker appeared on Capitol Hill alongside Virginia Representative James P. Moran, CSI actress Jorja Fox and animal rights groups to show support for new legislation that would ban exotic animals from traveling circuses.
The proposed Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, which was introduced in Congress on Wednesday by Rep. Moran, would amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of non-domesticated animals, such as Asian elephants, lions, bears and tigers, in traveling circuses and exhibitions — lives in which animals are often subjected to a number of hardships, according to animal rights advocates.
Animal Defenders International (ADI) and the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) have gathered substantial evidence of animal abuse in circuses, which was included in the legislation's findings. In documents issued to NewsFeed, ADI states that the welfare of these exotic animals are compromised by their severe confinement, lack of exercise, limited space and coercive training techniques. Not to mention that the animals can become stressed and ill from the constant travel, where they often remain in their trailers for much longer than the length of the journey.
The plight of circus animals has been well-documented over the years by media organizations, advocacy groups and even in books and movies (remember Water for Elephants?). Most recently, Mother Jones published a lengthy exposé following a year-long investigation into Ringling Bros. Circus, where author Deborah Nelson outlines harrowing tales of abuse, along with details on how federal regulations are failing the animals.
As for the other side of the issue, statements show that representatives think the proposed legislation is just, well, a circus.
While animal circuses remain popular in the United States — Ringling Bros. annual revenues are estimated between $500 million and $1 billion, according to Mother Jones — many countries around the world have already banned exotic animals from traveling circuses in recent years. Will the U.S. be next?


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UCB reports 7% growth in 2012 due to key medicines
UCB has announced that its core medicines were key to the company's growth in 2012. Revenue increased by 7% to €462 million, driven by Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol), Vimpat® (lacosamide) and Neupro® (rotigotine). Together, these three products had a combined net sales total of €934 million.
2012 was an important year for UCB, as the company reached a number of key milestones for the company in the UK. It also launched a series of innovative new partnerships with the European Union, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and the University of Oxford, to name a few.
Some of the company's R&amp,D highlights include the approval of Cimzia and Neupro in Japan, the file for PsA and axSpA for Cimzia in the US and the EU and the start of phase 3 clinical trials for anti-epileptic drug, Vimpat, in Asia.
"In 2012 we completed UCB's transformation into a patient-centric biopharmaceutical company. We now expect company growth for many years, driven by UCB core medicines, emerging markets and new breakthrough solutions for patients. During 2012, UCB reached the 'crossover point' where the net sales of our new core medicines Cimzia®, Vimpat® and Neupro® achieved combined net sales of EUR 934 million, up 49%, and exceeding those of Keppra®, UCB's leading medicine for many years."
Roch Doliveux, Chief Executive Officer of UCB.
For 2013, UCB has given its financial expectations: for revenue, the company believes it will grow by a low-single-digit percentage, excluding exchange rate impacts. It also expects its corresponding core earnings per share to be in the range of €1.90 – €2.05.
UCB press release


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HomeNHLTrade Rumors in the NHL from 11 Feb 14
Trade Rumors in the NHL from 11 Feb 14
February 11, 2014 Trade NHL, Uncategorized Comments Off on Trade Rumors in the NHL from 11 Feb 14
Although the "Olympic trade freeze" is now in effect in the NHL until the 23rd February 2014, many trade rumors will still go on as this time is excellent for general managers to continue negotiations. We look at what the Rangers may be up to and what's in store with Colorado leading to the trade deadline of March 5th.
Sather must make a decision: Dan Girardi or Ryan Callahan
It's obvious Glen Sather will need to make a decision concerning his two unrestricted free agents. He will need to get a contract signed up with both prior to the trade deadline of March 5th or risk losing both assets during the off-season. Sather can always come up with an agreement between the season's end and July 1st, when the free agency season starts.
Courtesy of Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News
In the case of Callahan, Sather must sign his captain. He plays with heart every game and love s to play in New York. This year Callahan has cumulated 24 points in 42 games for the Blue Shirts. Now with Team USA in Sochi, Callahan brings grit to his game despite his size at 5'11 and 190lbs. Negotiations between Callahan's agent, Steve Bartlett and the Rangers management staff have broken down last week when neither side could agree to a deal labeled as: 6.5 to 7 million for a duration of seven years. Bartlett has expressed the desire to continue negotiations during the NHL Olympic break with Sather but nothing has been scheduled so far.
As for defenseman Dan Girardi, the issue is very similar. Girardi will be an unrestricted free agent and is looking for a long term deal. At 29 years-old, Girardi has been one of the Rangers top defenseman with Ryan McDonaugh. The Welland, Ontario native has played 59 games and has totaled 17 points with a plus -2 rating. Girardi is looking for five-year contract in the range of 5 million plus a season. Girardi's negotiations with the Rangers have toned down lately and like Callahan, if a deal is not reached soon, Girardi will be offered to other teams after the trade freeze.
Teams on the lookout for Ryan Callahan where apparently an offer was made by the St-Louis Blues involving Chris Stewart and a prospect is known to be on the table. Also the Blue Jackets are very interested in Callahan should he become available. Dan Girardi may be a target of interest for the Bruins who are looking for a defenseman which may be unlikely since they are in the same conference, the San Jose Sharks to help Dan Boyle, and even the Ottawa Senators.
What are the Colorado needs?
With the Colorado Avalanche sitting in third place of the Central Division and a record of 37 wins, 16 losses and 5 overtime losses, Patrick Roy's roster looks like they don't have any needs at this point prior to the trade deadline. Colorado is playing sound defense because of Roy's system and the players are buying into it. They have offense with Matt Duchesne, Gabriel Landeskog and rookie Nathan McKinnon leading the way.
Colorado may be in to get some defense help. Andre Benoit, Tyson Barrie and Erik Johnson lead the way but a top-four defenseman such as New York Islanders Andrew McDonald who can log many minutes and be effective on their power play may be the defenseman they are looking for. Other notables who could be wearing the Avs jersey come March 5th are: Dan Girardi from the Rangers or a Chris Phillips from the Senators.
Dan Girardi
Glen Sater
Matt Duchesne
Nathan McKinnon
Steve Bartlett
NHL Trade Rumors from the 12 Feb 14
Friedman's Trade Rumors – 21 Jun 15
June 22, 2015 Trade FEATURED, HOME Comments Off on Friedman's Trade Rumors – 21 Jun 15
In this article we look at some of Sportsnet.ca Insider Elliott Friedman brings us in his weekly 30 thoughts. This one has an off-season flavor to it with plenty of trade rumors and roster moves. […]
February 25, 2014 Trade NHL, Uncategorized Comments Off on NHL Trade Rumors from 24 Feb 14
Is Martin St-Louis heading to New York? – An interesting trade rumor made swirled around the medias today. It came from New York and Larry Brooks from the NY Post who stated that the New […]
NHL Trade Rumors and Signings – 20 Oct 14
October 21, 2014 Trade Carolina Hurricanes, HOME, NHL Comments Off on NHL Trade Rumors and Signings – 20 Oct 14
Andrej Sekera could be on the move The Carolina Hurricanes have some serious issues coming into the 2014-2015 season. At 0-2-2 for the season and sitting at the bottom of the East Metropolitan standings, the […]


text:
Le  était une charge militaire au temps du shogunat Tokugawa, lors de la période d'Edo. Avec le koshōgumi-ban (le corps des serviteurs chargés de l'entretien des costumes, des armes, etc.), le shoin-ban formait le ryōban (« les deux gardes »). Le shoin-ban avait pour mission la garde des châteaux d'Edo et de Sunpu, ainsi que l'escorte du shōgun.

Ce corps prestigieux fut créé en 1605, et organisé en 4 compagnies (kumi) placées sous les commandements de Mizuno Tadakiyo, Aoyama Tadatoshi, Matsudaira Sadatsuna et Naitō Kiyotsugu. Le commandant de chaque compagnie était placé sous la supervision des wakadoshiyori. Chaque compagnie était composée de 50 gardes du corps (les banshi), de 20 yoriki, et de 10 dōshin.

Bibliographie

 Iwao Seiichi, Iyanaga Teizō, Ishii Susumu, Yoshida Shōichirō, Fujimura Jun'ichirō, Fujimura Michio, Yoshikawa Itsuji, Akiyama Terukazu, Iyanaga Shōkichi, Matsubara Hideichi. 473. Shoin-ban. In: Dictionnaire historique du Japon, volume 18, 1992. Lettre S (2) . (www.persee.fr/doc/dhjap_0000-0000_1992_dic_18_1_943_t1_0080_0000_4)

Noblesse japonaise

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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nice pics and plants (and homes). the unknown BLE is POSSIBLY a photinia (aka "redtip"). agree with Ken on the i.d. on the rhododendron (r. maximum)---a hardy native evergreen large shrub that (very) occasionally under the right conditions can become a small tree (to 40'!!!!) add the native mt. laurel (kalmia latifolia---state flower of New Jersey I think)which can (sometimes) grow to 30' and throw in a holly (ilex opauca) and you can have a beautiful and hardy native "jungle" up there.


Top of the world property with potential for spectacular views. Approximately 10 minutes from downtown Guerneville. Two parcels included for an approximate 25.71 acres. Serene natural setting among the Redwoods, Firs and Madrones. Well and water tank is set up and shared with 5 properties.


There are no restrictions for those who have the new Wize 3418 4G from Prestigio. Super fast 4G LTE Internet connection, powerful 4200 mAh battery and multiple features for travelling make it the perfect tablet for people with an active lifestyle.
The highlight of the new tablet is ultra fast 4G LTE connection. Customers can enjoy high speed Internet (up to 150 Mbit/sec) and the best quality of calls. The next outstanding feature is a bright 8.0" IPS display with WXGA (800 x 1280) resolution. It is essential for everyday needs – from comfortable web surfing to watching movies and gaming. Importantly, the tablet remains compact to be taken everywhere even in a small bag.
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People that have an active lifestyle will love the powerful 4200mAh battery which allows the tablet to work all day long without charging. Together with GPS, Bluetooth & FM this makes the Wize 3418 4G the perfect device for travellers.
Microsoft introduced Smartbook 133S at the exhibition in Taipei.


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Latest 'Bin Laden' tape urges suicide attacks
Staff and agencies
Tue 8 Apr 2003 06.44 EDT
A new cassette tape purported to be from Osama bin Laden surfaced today, urging suicide attacks and calling on Muslims to rise up against Arab governments that support the US-led attack on Iraq.
On the tape, the alleged voice of Bin Laden tells the faithful to attack governments in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
"All of them have been imposed upon you and jihad against them is your duty," the voice on the Arabic language tape says.
The tape was obtained yesterday by the Associated Press from an Algerian national, identified only as "Aadil", in remote north-western Pakistan. He said he had slipped across the border from Afghanistan, where the tape was apparently recorded.
There was no way to independently confirm that the voice on the tape is Bin Laden's. It was translated by an Arabic speaking Afghan who met with the terrorist leader years ago and claims the voice is Bin Laden's.
There was also no clear indication precisely when the tape was recorded, but from the message it appeared to have been made after the outbreak of war in Iraq last month.
"The United States has attacked Iraq and soon he will also attack Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sudan. The attacks in Saudi Arabia and Egypt will be against Islamic movements there," says the voice on the tape.
Peppered with verses from the Koran, the tape makes repeated promises of heaven for those who carry out suicide attacks.
"I ask the Muslim women to join jihad by providing food to mojahedin [holy warriors]. Elders should pray for us. I am proud of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam.
"Do not be afraid of their tanks and armoured personnel carriers. These are artificial things," the voice on the tape says.
"If you started suicide attacks you will see the fear of Americans all over the world. Those people who cannot join forces in jihad should give financial help to those mojahedin who are fighting against US aggression."
"Aadil" was in Pakistan to locate two colleagues arrested last week in north-west Peshawar at the foot of the Khyber Pass, which links Pakistan and Afghanistan. The two men were wanted for the killing of a Pakistani intelligence officer a month earlier in the border town of Wana, 180 miles south of Peshawar. They were arrested after FBI agents intercepted calls made from a mobile phone.
Bin Laden was given sanctuary in Sudan until 1996 when he fled to Afghanistan, where he was welcomed during the rule of the western-backed government of Burhanuddin Rabbani. President Rabbani's feuding government was later ousted by the fundamentalist Taliban.
He stayed on in Afghanistan and forged close ties with the Taliban leadership, which refused to hand him over to the US after the September 11 attacks. The Taliban's refusal resulted in the US assault on Afghanistan in October 2001.


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text:
Westminster Bridge, London, UK
Listing Type : Landmarks / Monuments / Towers
Location : London
Country : United Kingdom
Address : Parliament Square, Westminster, St Margaret Street, SW1A 0AA
Creator Ethereum Address : 0xCD4b7b3902811EC0fB67326639d2638d33149cA4
Land ID Decentralized Data Google My Maps Pictures Video Map Description
Easily seen as one of the most recognizable landmarks of London, Big Ben is an architectural and engineering marvel of the English culture. It is situated at the northern end of the Palace of Westminster, most commonly referred to as the House of Parliament. Often identified by its nickname, the construction's original name was simply the Clock Tower. Big Ben is, in reality, the name of its greater bell from a set of 5. It is not clear if it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was in charge of its installation, or after the heavyweight-boxing champion, Benjamin "Big Ben" Caunt. However, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee, the Clock Tower was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, following the footsteps of the Victoria Tower.
After a fire destroyed most of the Westminster Palace during the tragic night of October 16th 1834, a plan to rebuild the place from the ground up was brought up by Charles Barry. The new design came from a neo-gothic, or Victorian gothic inspiration, a new architectural movement that gained popularity starting in the late 1740s in England. Even though many specialists worked on the project, the architect Augustus Pugin was put in charge of the Clock Tower. He designed many churches in England, Ireland and Australia, and the Alton Castle in Staffordshire; all in his signature Gothic Revival style. His work on the Clock Tower part of Westminster was his last one before his descent into madness and death in 1852. The clock tower was completed in 1859 and was at the time the largest and most accurate of its kind.
The Tower hosts a set of 5 bells, Big Ben being the largest and weighing 13.5 tons. It held the title of the largest bell in the United Kingdom for 23 years, until the St Paul's Cathedral received its own, weighing 16.75 tons. Though Big Ben is already an impressive 7 feet 6 inches (2,29m) tall and 9 feet (2.74m) wide, it is a replacement bell. In fact, the original bell weighed an impressive 16 tons but broke due to the excessive weight of the bell hammer. Big Ben also suffered from the hammer and was cracked after only two months of use, in September 1859. However, the bell was not replaced. It was instead fixed with a square piece of metal, which gave it its unique sound.
Renowned for its reliability, the original Victorian mechanism of the clock is still in use. At first an experiment from Edmund Becket Denison, its double three-legged gravity escapement was so reliable that it became the standard of all high-quality clock towers. The workers responsible for the maintenance can make micro-adjustments using pennies as small counterweights to readjust the time.
In terms of numbers, each face of the clock is made of 312 pieces of glass, enclosed in a metal frame of 6.9 meters (22.5 feet) in diameter. The hour hands are 2.7 meters (8.75 ft) long and the minute hands 4.3 meters (14 feet). Reaching 96 meters (316 ft) high, visitors need to climb 334 stairs to get to the top. However, after a complete renovation began in 2017 and bound to end in 2021, a lift will be available.
According to a survey conducted in 2008, participants chose Big Ben as the most iconic landmark of the United Kingdom. It has in fact became such an iconic landmark of London and the United Kingdom that many movies featured it, feeding its reputation. Used either as a reference to set the action in London or more widely as a cultural marvel, Big Ben is definitely deeply engraved in human history and culture.
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The soundtrack for Dolce & Gabbana's presentation was Timbaland, but the inspiration looked like purest Timberlake: the shaved-headed models, the young urban take on dressing up, the overall edge. Domenico and Stefano smartly acknowledged the way that contemporary menswear merges day and night by running their show back to front. They opened with a formal look—tuxedo-striped pants, shawl-collared jackets, contrast lapels—and closed (finale aside) with a blouson and combats in linen all scrunched up in the curious twenty-first-century Stone Age effect they used in their last women's collection. In between came a typically catholic collection of items that covered the ever-widening Dolce & Gabbana waterfront: from a white linen jacket that offered one of the season's more appealing takes on menswear's evolving see-through kick, to a pair of denim clamdiggers that, teamed with a floral shirt, hinted at one half of the design duo's long-standing affection for hippie chic.
The final march-past of mannequins all sported white orchids in the breast pockets of their evening suits, but that romantic flourish was less intriguing than the show's use of technology. Screens suspended over the catwalk featured a Minority Report-style forensic look at the proceedings, and one passage of combat-inspired clothing was illuminated by LED-like hardware, an arresting way for the modern attention junkie to feed his habit.


text:
After Wildfires Seismometers Listen For Signs Of Debris Flows
After wildfires, seismometers listen for signs of debris flows
By Alka Tripathy-Lang and Wendy Bohon
Wildfires will become more frequent—especially in the western United States—because of a combination of forest mismanagement and climate change, the latter of which lengthens fire season. As wildfires raze anything in their paths, they also leave behind additional hazards. In steep terrain, post-wildfire debris flows—fast moving, dangerous landslides—pose a substantial threat to life, property and infrastructure because fire turns stabilizing vegetation to soot and creates soil conditions that repel water.
On July 21, 2019, north of Flagstaff, Arizona, the Museum Fire burned about eight square kilometers of mountainous terrane previously blanketed in ponderosa pine forests. To explore what might trigger dangerous debris flows after fires blazed through, as well as ways to monitor such flows of rock in action, researchers from Northern Arizona University, led by Ryan Porter, deployed university-owned Nanometrics Meridian Post hole systems along with geophones from IRIS PASSCAL. Their initial findings, published in Frontiers in Earth Science, highlight how seismic signals, along with cameras and rainfall information, can assist scientists in post-wildfire debris flow monitoring and management. The data are publicly available from the IRIS DMC for further analysis.
Rain brings hazard
In early August of 2019, as soon as the smoldering fire cooled enough for scientists to safely access the burn area, Porter and his team deployed the first batch of instruments. The deployment lasted until November 2019, designed to overlap with Arizona's monsoon season that annually brings intense rains to the otherwise parched region between July and September. The 2019 monsoon season, however, was the driest on record for Flagstaff, and only a few debris flows pitched and plummeted through the burn area.
The lack of rain—and large debris flows—meant that significant amounts of sediment still resided in the charred channels, so Porter and his team deployed another thirteen seismometers to the same area the following year, beginning in June and July of 2020. The second deployment lasted until October of 2020, with the 2020 monsoon season overtaking the previous year as the driest on record. Nevertheless, at least three small-magnitude debris flows occurred during a single storm on July 24, 2020, which dropped about 18 millimeters of water in just one hour.
In total, the two deployments caught eight debris flows during three rainfall events in the 2019 and 2020 monsoon seasons.
Sensing seismic waves from tumbling rocks
As debris flows fall downhill, tumbling rocks can generate seismic energy with each collision of rock with ground. Such flows tend to follow channels floored by either hard, solid bedrock or soft, unconsolidated sediments. Unsurprisingly, bedrock channels produce greater seismic energy when a debris flow clangs by.
By combining seismic data from several stations distributed relatively close to a debris flow, scientists can track the slides as they move. But installing seismic stations in appropriate locations can be tricky. Too close, and the instrumentation might be swept away in the cacophony. Too far, and the seismometers might not pick up the banging rocks. To protect the instruments from becoming entrained in a debris flow, Porter and his team installed seismometers in shallow holes near steep drainages, anchoring the digitizer boxes to trees to keep them from sliding downhill. The trees also provided protection to the instruments from errant downhill-directed debris and heli-mulching, where a helicopter drops mulch into regions at risk of erosion.
The trees, though useful for stability, posed a different problem related to power. Branches and leaves sheltered the solar panels from the sun, causing the stations to lose power in 2019. In 2020, the deployment included larger solar panels to account for the shade.
Catching flows
During the July 24, 2020 storm that occurred more than a year after the initial fire, rainfall concentrated in the northern portion of the burn area. The debris flows produced by the storm, later examined by Porter and his colleagues, contained meter-sized boulders and cobbles in the upper reaches and gravel-to-sand-sized material further downstream. Photographic evidence from one of the flows—caught on a wildlife camera—saw this grain size change in near-real-time, says Porter.
Turning to the seismic data, Porter's team had to disentangle three components that, together, yield a seismogram. The first component, the source-time function, is the signal of interest, which, in this case, was caused by the debris flows as they crashed downward. Source-time functions, explains Porter, include any source of energy. This can include lightning, planes overhead, or even earthquakes, he says.
The second component is the Green's function. "If I yell in a canyon," says Porter, "my voice is the [source-time function, but] the echoes that come back are the result of the canyon's shape and size." Similarly, the Green's function accounts for how the earth's structure beneath the surface of a seismic station modifies the signal.
The third component to any seismogram, says Porter, "is how the instrument converts ground motion into a signal we can record and see." This component is removed early during data processing, leaving the first two components to be disentangled from one another. Both the source-time function and Green's function can also change as sediment is removed or deposited during a debris flow, making this a difficult problem to solve, and the subject of future work.
Porter's team also noted that different frequencies recorded in the seismic signal pertain to different sources of seismicity. For example, high frequency noise prior to debris flows most likely resulted from the patter of rain. Impulsive signals that caused vibrations at many frequencies and correlated with lightning strikes most likely record crashes of thunder. Debris flows themselves excited a wide range of frequencies, and the 10 to 40 Hertz range appears to indicate whether giant boulders or murky mud is coursing by. Future work will need to confirm this.
The 2021 monsoon season was wetter than the previous two years, and results from that are forthcoming, says Porter.
Figure 1. (A) Ground velocity from seismic station BOC2 and rain gauge data from Museum Fire North and Museum Fire East gauges for debris flow on July 24, 2020. (B) Signal power. (C) Power spectral density plot. (D) Motion-activated game camera image of the mudflow arriving at camera location at 15:07, or 3:07 p.m. (E) Photo of upper-basin debris flow deposits from this event
Citation: Porter R, Joyal T, Beers R, Loverich J, LaPlante A, Spruell J, Youberg A, Schenk E, Robichaud PR and Springer AE (2021) Seismic Monitoring of Post-wildfire Debris Flows Following the 2019 Museum Fire, Arizona. Front. Earth Sci. 9:649938. doi: 10.3389/feart.2021.649938
Published on Nov 29th, 2021 Archived Stories


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U.S.-Backed Syrian Fighters Begin Assault To Take Back Raqqa From ISIS
The Islamic State, as it calls itself, is claiming responsibility for attacks in Iran today, including one on Iran's Parliament. ISIS enemies have started an assault on the ISIS capital in Syria, Raqqa. Jennifer Cafarella is an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War, a think tank here in Washington. She's in our studios. Good morning.
JENNIFER CAFARELLA: Good morning.
INSKEEP: Did the attack on Iran take you by surprise? It's not a place that we associate with - we associate Iran with sponsoring terror attacks but not being the victim of terror attacks.
CAFARELLA: Sure, it's definitely interesting and certainly a dangerous sign that ISIS has been able to generate this kind of a complex attack in Tehran, which actually requires a lot of advanced planning. And if the reports are true that there are suicide bombers, we also then, of course, have an ISIS bomb-maker somewhere in Tehran or nearby that was able to get those kinds of explosive materials into the capital.
INSKEEP: And I guess we should tell people who may just be waking up the one assault on Iran's Parliament seems to involve gunmen, perhaps with AK-47's, going in, killing people, maybe taking hostages - details are unclear. And there also is a report of a suicide vest used at a different location in Tehran.
So that's happening this morning. And this assault on Raqqa is said to be happening in the last day or so. Can you just walk me through the basics - basics? Who's attacking Raqqa?
CAFARELLA: Sure, well, the assault on Raqqa is led by the United States and the anti-ISIS coalition with a local coalition of anti-ISIS forces that are Syrian. The intent with the operation is, of course, to retake the terrain - the defacto ISIS capital inside of Syria - but also to disrupt this - the exact kind of ISIS global attack that we just saw in Tehran, which had historically been planned from Raqqa.
Now, some of that attack cell has actually moved to a different part of Syria as the anti-ISIS forces have encroached upon Raqqa. So the assault on Raqqa will not prevent attacks like Tehran from happening. But, ideally, they will add some pressure on ISIS and decrease its ability to conduct this kind of attack.
INSKEEP: So the principle, at least, is keep them on the defensive, and maybe they don't have quite the time and space to be on the offensive.
CAFARELLA: Indeed, although the attack in Tehran would seem to invalidate the assumption that we really have them on the defensive, strategically.
INSKEEP: So you said that there are Syrian anti-ISIS forces who are on the ground leading the attack. It's not primarily American forces on the ground. Can we define them a little better? They're Syrian Kurds. Is that right?
CAFARELLA: Sure, so the force that is assaulting Raqqa is led by Syrian Kurds, with a component of local Sunni-Arab forces that the Kurds are leading in this attack.
INSKEEP: Are they all really on the same side?
CAFARELLA: Well, that's a good question, and it's - it's hotly debated. The key issue is actually the question of what the post-ISIS governance of Raqqa looks like. So while these forces are united in their hatred for ISIS and desire to defeat it, there are many different opinions, locally inside of Syria, about what form of governance should replace ISIS. And that debate is actually the one that threatens to fracture this Kurdish-Arab coalition - but also potentially to alienate the civilian population inside of Raqqa that this U.S. partner seeks to liberate.
INSKEEP: Oh, maybe they don't want to be governed by the same ethnic group that ends up governing them.
CAFARELLA: Indeed - well, the same political orientation.
INSKEEP: Political orientation, thank you very much. What is the U.S. role in this offensive on Raqqa?
CAFARELLA: Well, we are enabling the offensive. These local forces, of course, have been equipped, and in many cases trained, by the United States. We're also providing artillery support and the air power, which is really the decisive military element on this battlefield.
INSKEEP: How much of a difference will it make if the U.S. side wins and captures the ISIS capital?
CAFARELLA: Well, look, the recapture of any terrain against ISIS, or from ISIS, is an important win, but it's a tactical win. And I think we do need to ask the questions about whether we are defeating this enemy strategically. If ISIS continues to be able to conduct attacks like the one we just saw in Tehran, their narrative will endure even if we retake their capital.
INSKEEP: They could be like al-Qaida and launch attacks from random, distant places without holding much territory at all.
CAFARELLA: Indeed, especially if they still dominate the narrative.
INSKEEP: Jennifer Cafarella, thanks for coming by. I really appreciate it.
CAFARELLA: Thank you.
INSKEEP: She's an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


Blood borne dissemination of pathogens permits microbes to spread from the initial site of infection (the site of a tick bite for Lyme disease) to more distant organs and tissues via the vasculature. Disseminated, invasive disease is responsible for most of the mortality associated with bacterial infections, and dissemination is a critical stage of many infectious diseases. However, the mechanisms which permit microbe dissemination are not yet well understood for many pathogens, including the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
Until recently, dissemination was studied using non-dynamic observation methods and static in vitro models of endothelial interaction which do not replicate key environmental factors found in living hosts, such as fluid shear forces and a functioning immune system. We study the biological and physical features of dissemination by multiple methods, including single cell imaging in the blood vessels of living mice and in flow chamber and microfluidics systems which mimic the vasculature.
The Moriarty lab studies multiple features of dissemination, using a wide range of techniques from genetics, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics and physiology, as well as powerful live cell imaging approaches for investigating the molecular basis of dissemination in vivo. We are a multidisciplinary lab, and collaborate with researchers from the fields of infectious diseases, microbiology, cell biology, structural biology, bioengineering and biophysics, computer modelling, rheumatology and cardiovascular biology, as well as labs studying diabetes and periodontal disease.
Many of the consequences of blood borne infection are dependent on the ability of microbes to exit the bloodstream and establish secondary sites of infection in extravascular tissues. In Lyme disease, affected tissues and organs include the joints, skin, heart and nervous system. In order to exit the bloodstream, circulating pathogens must be able to adhere to the inner surfaces of blood vessels under the fluid shear stress caused by blood flow. The mechanisms permitting adhesion of many bacterial pathogens to vascular surfaces under physiological shear stress remain largely uncharacterized.
We have determined that vascular adhesion of Borrelia burgdorferi is a multistep process initiated by tethering interactions permitting deceleration of circulating bacteria, and dragging interactions which enable more stable association with the vessel wall. Tethering and dragging are dependent on host fibronectin (Fn) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Our studies have identified the first bacterial molecule known to mediate vascular adhesion in vivo. This molecule, BBK32, is similar to Fn-binding proteins from genetically distant bacterial pathogens, including staphylococcal and streptococcal species. BBK32 independently binds both Fn and GAGs. Its Fn-binding site plays a key role in tethering, and GAG-binding residues are critical for dragging.
Vascular adhesion projects in the lab focus on characterizing the mechanism of BBK32-dependent vascular adhesion, on deciphering the role of Fn in the deceleration tethering step of adhesion, and on identifying the glycosylated endothelial receptors targeted by disseminating Borrelia. To study the biochemical and biophysical basis of the BBK32 adhesion mechanism, we use approaches including bacterial genetics, BBK32 structure-function mapping, competitive inhibition, and quantitative in vitro and in vivo live cell imaging methods.
Borrelia motility plays an important role in dissemination and extravasation. Circulating Borrelia drag and/or crawl along vessel surfaces during dissemination, which may facilitate migration of bacteria to intercellular endothelial junctions and subsequent extravasation. However, Borrelia must be able to simultaneously adhere to vessel walls as they move along them, since loss of adhesion results in detachment of bacteria from the vessel surface due to the shear forces generated by blood flow. Like other spirochete bacteria, Borrelia are thought to have a highly fluid outer membrane. One hypothesis to explain coordinated adhesion and motility in Borrelia is that adhesive outer membrane proteins such as BBK32 can freely diffuse from one end of the spirochete to the other, simultaneously permitting adhesion and net displacement on vessel surfaces. We are examining the mechanisms coordinating vascular adhesion and motility of Borrelia using a library of fluorescent Borrelia strains in which motility and adhesive functions are systematically altered, and powerful in vitro and in vivo live cell imaging approaches.
Spirochete bacteria such as Borrelia are extraordinarily motile organisms. It is thought that motility is critical for their ability to cause invasive disease. In living hosts, Borrelia can penetrate the endothelial lining of postcapillary venules in less than 100 ms, and motility plays an important role in extravasation. We have found thatBorrelia strains deficient in chemotaxis and motility exhibit defects in vascular adhesion and extravasation. We are investigating the mechanistic roles of chemotaxis and motility in Borrelia dissemination using high speed in vivo and in vitro 3D imaging, and microfluidic transmembrane devices which may be used for screening of libraries of potential dissemination and extravasation inhibitors.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere, and its incidence is increasing rapidly throughout the industrialized world (nearly a three-fold increase over the last twenty years). One of the major groups affected by Lyme disease is the middle-aged, in whom obesity and associated conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are now widely prevalent. We have found that obesity-independent hyperglycemia impairs host clearance of B. burgdorferi from many tissues, and are investigating the effects of obesity on immune clearance of this bacterium.
Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with atherosclerosis, diabetes and a number of other chronic diseases. Oral microbes, including Porphyromonas gingivalis and the spirochete Treponema denticola can contribute to PD. We are developing intravital microscopy methods to study PD progression and its relationship to cardiovascular disease.
In collaboration with the microfluidics and mechanobiology lab of biomedical engineer Craig Simmons (cml.mie.utoronto.ca), we are developing transmembrane microfluidic devices for studying B. burgdorferi extravasation mechanisms and identifying extravasation inhibitors using medium throughput and high content screening approaches.


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ColumbusFreepress.com
Election Issues
Concert Review -- Hot Pursuit at St. John Arena 1988
by Ed Forman
Hot Pursuit in a 1991 publicity photo
In my capacity as music writer, I have been asked by Editor-in-Chief Bob Fitrakis to write a review of the police band Hot Pursuit's 1988 D.A.R.E graduation concert at St. John Arena. This has presented some difficulty -- first, I wasn't at the concert, and second, I'm not entirely sure the event occurred. Although I'm not necessarily averse to stretching the truth in the service of a good story, outright fabrication of an entire concert seems a bit much. I try, however, to be accommodating to Bob. Therefore, I have collected before me a 1988 AP piece on the band which somehow ended up in the Los Angeles Times, some slightly terrifying pictures, a YouTube clip of the band performing "The D.A.R.E. Song," a 2013 Dispatch article in which the members of the band are crying about having their funding cut off, and my own vague memories of 1988. I also watched some videos of people playing volleyball in the arena to get a feel for the space. It's weak, but what am I supposed to do? Anyway... It's a brisk windy day in April, and Hot Pursuit is about to take the stage at St. John Arena for the D.A.R.E. graduation, whatever that is. I personally missed out on the D.A.R.E. program, with the minor exception of high school friends wearing its T-Shirts ironically. I know that it has something to do with convincing children that drugs are bad. I also know that the U.S. General Accountability Office has found that it doesn't do this and might actually make children more likely to do drugs. This is what I know. I comment on the weather because I'm outside, watching as 6th graders arrive by the busload and are herded into the arena. I'm here to see the band, not to be harangued on the perils of angel dust, so I wait to hear guitars before heading inside. When I finally hear the unmistakable sound of an electric guitar through a taxpayer-funded Marshall, I go inside where my press credentials are accepted (again, this is fiction). I walk in and see five uniformed police officers and some douche on keyboards and OH MY GOD ARE THOSE REAL GUNS ON STAGE!?!?! I make a quick calculation as to where the bullet is headed if the drummer left his safety off, and hurriedly change my seat. As I re-situate, the band kicks into a high energy version of the loathsome Tommy James and the Shondells tune "Mony Mony," followed by an unnecessary cover of "Twist and Shout." The band then plays their theme song, "Jailhouse Rock." I have a soft spot for "Jailhouse Rock," mostly because its writers, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, always seemed like nice guys. Presumably Jerry and Mike receive performance royalties every time Hot Pursuit plays it publicly -- because to not do so would be like, you know, illegal. Anyway, it's a little discomfiting; it's three songs in and they are already threatening imprisonment. The bands goes on to churn out 60's and 70's rock tunes which satisfy the criteria of being (1) not about drugs and (2) mediocre. What they were I can't really say, because after the band plays "Wipeout" I stop taking notes. I just don't give a shit anymore -- I have no patience for "Wipeout." The 6th graders, however, are digging it. I wouldn't say they are dancing in the aisles (a maiming risk in St. John's if the volleyball videos are accurate), but the band is a competent wedding/Mexican restaurant act. The drummer has chops, it's loud enough, and there is a good quality light show. Rock and roll at high volume is primal, sexual music, and even I can't resist a backbeat. I certainly don't advocate children using drugs -- I'm not a monster. It does seem curious, however, teaching drug abstinence with sex music. I mean, when Tommy James sings "[b]ut don't stop now / come on Mony / come on yeah" he isn't reminding Mony that it's her move in checkers. The guys playing this music are in uniform, carrying pistols and sporting guitars shaped like M-80 machine guns. So sex, deadly force, and illegal firearms. But this is a music column (albeit this week a fictitious one), not a political screed. I flip on my tape recorder to catch the closer, "D.A.R.E. Song." The lyrics are: "[a]nd they hide their pain and tears / and they waste their youthful years / by giving up on love and hugs / and escaping into drugs." It goes on…."DARE! / To keep a kid off drugs / DARE! / to give a kid a hug" and so forth. You can draw your own conclusions. As for me, I magically fast forward to 1999, bop across Lane Avenue to the Varsity Club and order some nachos.
Appears in Issue:
Columbus Free Press Feb 27 2014
More Artices to Read
2020: The year-end review by Wes Flexner
Album review – Linden Hollow's Dark Magic
The Return of The Coffee House Rebels! Live @ the Doo Dah Parade Party


1. if oil is really cold it is hard to pass through fuel line may make pump work harder 2. if oil filter is dirty or pump screen it may make pump work harder 3. fuel line plugged it may make pump work harder any of these will cause a whinning noise.
Oil-fired combination boilers are also available, providing hot water on demand without the need for a hot water tank. However, it is fair to say that they are a bit slower to provide hot water than some gas combi boilers, and that they are not always recommended except for smaller s.
Oil-fired burners are used in many parts of the country as the basic heat source for warm air and hot water heating systems. Most of the home oil systems in use today are called pressure burners.
2.Safety and steady.Vacuum hot water boiler working under negative pressure,and it has six kinds protection founctions: 1)Low water level control 2)pressure control Our 2 ton Oil fired Boiler in Nigeria. Fully automatic 8 ton steam boiler natural gas fired boilers in Tanzania.


Steam Hammer is a sandbox RPG set in a steampunk universe in which players harvest resources, construct a Victorian-era industrial city, craft items, build airships, and wage war against other players with both melee and ranged weapons.
Pros: +Steampunk setting. +Extensive Crafting. +Airships, Jetpacks, Victorian city building.
Cons: -Clunky combat. -Confusing UI.
Steam Hammer is a sandbox RPG set in a steampunk universe, in which players harvest resources and build a Victorian-era industrial civilization. Create a character with distinct combat and crafting skills, specializing into professions such as explorer, architect, industrialist, or conqueror. Harvest resources from the environment either solo or with others; work as a team to create a guild and transform the landscape into a thriving industrious town. If you don't like your immediate environment, terraform it however you choose. Combine over 250 different resources to create new items. Item quality is determined by the resources used. Build airships and take to the skies to wage war on enemy players, using cannons, rifles, and tesla weapons to combat enemies. Use jetpacks to hop over barriers and quickly eliminate foes.
Steampunk - a true steampunk sandbox RPG, set in an alternative 19th Century universe.
Terraform - shape the world in your own image: chisel away at the environment to mold the perfect landscape.
Open Class System - build your character with an RPG ruleset, with specializations within both combat and crafting.
Crafting - combine over 250 different resources, where the end result depends on the quality of the resources used.
PvP - wreck havoc on your foes in an intense non-targeting PvP system, wielding both melee and ranged weapons.
Steam Hammer is developed by SF Team and published by Big Way. Steam Hammer sought crowdfunding through KickStarter with the goal of raising $50,000. The team raised $51,538 by the campaign's conclusion on December 15, 2016. Steam Hammer had already been posted to Steam Greenlight on August 05, 2016, and was subsequently approved on October 20, 2016. On Monday, May 8th all Beta test servers were wiped. Steam Hammer was released as an Early Access title through Steam on May 12, 2017.