HARARE - Finance minister Mthuli Ncube will present his maiden National Budget next week Thursday against a background of huge economic challenges and public expectation that he is the man to help Zimbabwe out of its current rut.
So far, Ncube has had an unflattering start to his tenure as evidenced by public anger to his stabilisation measures such as the introduction of the two percent tax per every dollar transaction.
The former banker has also had to navigate the choppy Zanu PF political waters as a result of his gung-ho approach to the current economic challenges which the party bigwigs view as being against the electorate.
In the eyes of neutrals, Ncube has flattered but only to deceive and are yet to see exactly how he intends to drive the economy. It is against these different opinions from relevant constituencies that the new Treasury chief needs to stamp his foot and have everyone on board if indeed Zimbabwe is to get itself out of the current economic problems.
One of the things that the Finance minister needs to do is to have consistency and the courage to break with the past which promoted profligacy on the part of government. It is unsettling that Ncube is going back on his word not to purchase vehicles for MPs and senators.
Last week, he promised members of the National Assembly who were meeting in Bulawayo that government will dole out money for their vehicles.
There is nothing wrong with government giving them loans for the purchase of the vehicles as long as it's done locally. The problem is that the SUVs and all-terrain vehicles should be imported at a time the country is experiencing acute foreign currency problems which we all know have contributed to shortages of basic medical drugs and consumer goods.
Ncube is now falling into a trap which could potentially militate against his economic recovery programme especially when one considers his unconvincing statement on giving bonuses to civil servants. If he gives civil servants bonuses and purchases vehicles for MPs, where will he get the money?
Will government go back to printing Treasury Bills knowing fully well that the $2,7 billion debt it is trying to service through the unpopular two percent tax per every dollar transaction is a result of its insatiable appetite for wasteful spending?


A high proportion of influenza infections are asymptomatic. Animal and human challenge studies and observational studies suggest T cells protect against disease among those infected, but the impact of T-cell immunity at the population level is unknown. To investigate whether naturally preexisting T-cell responses targeting highly conserved internal influenza proteins could provide cross-protective immunity against pandemic and seasonal influenza. We quantified influenza A(H3N2) virus-specific T cells in a population cohort during seasonal and pandemic periods between 2006 and 2010. Follow-up included paired serology, symptom reporting, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) investigation of symptomatic cases. A total of 1,414 unvaccinated individuals had baseline T-cell measurements (1,703 participant observation sets). T-cell responses to A(H3N2) virus nucleoprotein (NP) dominated and strongly cross-reacted with A(H1N1)pdm09 NP (P < 0.001) in participants lacking antibody to A(H1N1)pdm09. Comparison of paired preseason and post-season sera (1,431 sets) showed 205 (14%) had evidence of infection based on fourfold influenza antibody titer rises. The presence of NP-specific T cells before exposure to virus correlated with less symptomatic, PCR-positive influenza A (overall adjusted odds ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.68; P = 0.005, during pandemic [P = 0.047] and seasonal [P = 0.049] periods). Protection was independent of baseline antibodies. Influenza-specific T-cell responses were detected in 43%, indicating a substantial population impact. Naturally occurring cross-protective T-cell immunity protects against symptomatic PCR-confirmed disease in those with evidence of infection and helps to explain why many infections do not cause symptoms. Vaccines stimulating T cells may provide important cross-protective immunity.


As mentioned in a companion article in this newsletter, the best time to overseed cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass is September because the turf has more time to mature before crabgrass germination in the spring and the heat stress of summer. However, dormant seeding of turfgrass is sometimes used to help fill in bare spots of lawns that weren't overseeded in the fall. Dormant seeding is normally not used to seed large areas because of the possibility of erosion before the seed emerges and becomes mature enough to hold the soil.
Dormant overseeding is usually done during the winter (December through February) when it is too cold for germination to take place. Spring seedings done in March can be just as successful as dormant seeding, but spring rains may delay plantings. As with any seeding program, it is vital that good seed-soil contact is achieved. There are several methods that are commonly used in dormant seeding.
One method is to seed when there has been a light snowfall of up to an inch over unfrozen soil. This is shallow enough that bare spots can still be seen. Spread seed by hand on areas that need thickening up. As the snow melts it brings the seed into good contact with the soil where it will germinate in the spring.
Another method is dependent on the surface of the soil being moist followed by some freezing weather. As moist soil freezes and thaws, small pockets are formed on the wet, bare soil which are perfect for catching and holding seed. As the soil dries, the pockets collapse and cover the seed. Slit seeding can also be used as long as the soil is unfrozen.
Buffalograss has become more popular in recent years due to its reputation as a low-maintenance grass. Buffalograss does require less water and fertilizer than our other turfgrasses but often has problems competing with weeds in eastern Kansas.
Buffalograss is an open growing grass that will not shade the soil as well as most of our other turfgrasses. Weeds are often the result. A regular mowing schedule can reduce broadleaf weed problems as most broadleaves cannot survive consistent mowing. Those that do either have a rosette growing pattern (dandelions, shepherds purse) or are "creepers" (henbit, chickweed, spurge). Annual grasses such as crabgrass or foxtail can also be a problem. A good weed preventer (prodiamine, pendimethalin or dithiopyr) may be needed prevent problems.
Spot treat broadleaf weeds if necessary. The most important treatment for broadleaf weeds should be in late October to early November well after the buffalograss is dormant. Treatments are much more effective then than in the spring as the weeds are smaller and the weeds are sending energy, as well as the herbicide, to the roots. Treatments in March are to take care of any "escapes" missed in the fall spraying. Spray early enough in March that the buffalograss is still dormant. Look at the base of the plants to make sure there is no green. Treat on a day that is 50 degrees F or warmer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness. Use a combination product such as Trimec, Weed-B-Gon or Weed-Out. Weed Free Zone is also good and will give quicker results under cool conditions.
Apply crabgrass preventer between April 1 and April 15, or apply preventer when the eastern redbud is in full bloom. If using a product with prodiamine (Barricade), apply two weeks earlier.
Crabgrass preventers must be watered in before they will work. Avoid using broadleaf herbicides as the buffalograss is greening up as injury can result. The buffalograss will not be killed but growth will slow making the buffalograss less competitive with weeds.
Fertilize with 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet during June. More applications will give a deeper green color, but will encourage weeds. If it is felt that a second application is needed, apply in July. If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid by mid July.
Imidacloprid can be applied as early as mid May if there are problems with billbugs or May beetle grubs. These products kill the grubs before they cause damage. They are effective and safe but must be watered in before they become active. Again, I would only treat if grubs have been a problem in the past. Note that the whole area may not need to be treated. The beetles that lay the eggs for the grubs are attracted to lights and moist soil and those areas are most likely to be infested.
If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer. If imidacloprid has been applied or if grubs have not been a problem in the past, this should not be necessary. Grub killers must be watered in immediately.
Following is a lawn calendar for Zoysiagrass and Bermudagrass. Buffalograss, also a warm-season grass, is covered in a separate article.
24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness.
Apply crabgrass preventer between April 1 and April 15, or apply preventer when the eastern redbud is in full bloom. If using a product with prodiamine (Barricade), apply two weeks earlier. Crabgrass preventers must be watered in before they will start to work.
Fertilize with 1 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application. Follow the recommendations on the bag. More applications will give a deeper green color, but will increase mowing and lead to thatch buildup with zoysiagrass. Bermudagrass can also have problems with thatch buildup but thatch is less likely with Bermuda than zoysia.
Bermudagrass – Use two to four applications.
Zoysiagrass – Use one to two applications. Too much nitrogen leads to thatch buildup.
One Application: Apply in June.
Two Applications: Apply May and July.
Three Applications: Apply May, June, and early August.
Four Applications: Apply May, June, July, and early August.
If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid by mid July. Imidacloprid can be applied as early as mid May if there are problems with billbugs or May beetle grubs. These products kill the grubs before they cause damage. They are effective and safe but must be watered in before they become active. June is a good time to core aerate a warm-season lawn. Core aeration will help alleviate compaction, increase the rate of water infiltration, improve soil air exchange and help control thatch.
If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer. If Imidacloprid has been applied, this should not be necessary. Grub killers must be watered in immediately.
People often wonder why we recommend seeding cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass in the fall. It would seem that the spring would be the more natural time for seeding because you have the entire growing season for the grass to become established before the turf has to deal with winter. Actually there are a number of reasons that tend to make fall seedings more successful.
The soils are warmer in the fall. Warm soils mean less time required for germination and growth so the grass becomes established more quickly. I have seen tall fescue seeded in the last week of August come up in four days. Now, you had to be on your hands and knees to see it but it was up. Tall fescue seeded in the spring may take well over a week to come up and the time required to become established is much longer.
Weeds are less of a problem in the fall. The major weed problems in the fall tend to be the broadleaves such as chickweed, henbit or dandelion. Turf seeded in early September is usually thick enough by the time these broadleaves germinate that often there is not much weed invasion. Even if there is some invasion by broadleaves, the turf is usually mature enough by early November that mild broadleaf herbicides can be applied.
In the spring, our major weed problems are the annual grasses such as crabgrass. The number of chemicals that can be used on young turf is limited, and so these grasses become more of a problem. Also, since the spring-seeded turf is slow to mature, there are often thin areas that are easily invaded by these grassy weeds. If this invasion occurs, the weeds are better adapted to our summer conditions than our cool-season grasses and so the weeds tend to take over.
Summer is the hardest time of the year for cool-season grasses; not the winter. Summertime is very difficult because our cool-season grasses do not have the heat or moisture stress tolerance that our warm-season grasses such as buffalo, zoysia and bermuda have. Therefore they tend to become weakened in the summer which makes them more susceptible to disease and other stresses. Spring-seeded cool-season grasses are less mature and therefore less able to tolerate these stresses.
in large quantities in soil mixes for acid-loving plants. In fact, blueberries can be grown in peat moss alone if nutrients are provided but that is an involved process. A 50/50 mix of peat moss and potting soil is recommended. This will provide nutrients and weight so the plant is less likely to blow over in wind.
Container size: Though containers as small as 2 gallons can be used for half-high blueberries, a larger container will be more stable in the wind and provide a larger moisture reserve during hot, dry weather.
Watering: Blueberries do not have root hairs, so they are not efficient in picking up water. Potting soil should be kept moist. This will likely be the most challenging aspect of growing blueberries in containers. A large container will not need to be watered as frequently as a small one.
Winter care: Though plants are winter hardy, the roots are not. Move pots into an unheated, attached garage or bury them in the soil or mulch enough to bury the pot in early November.
Water them periodically during the winter. Use your finger to determine if the soil is moist one inch deep. If not, then water until some flows out the bottom of the pot.
Varieties: Though blueberries will produce some fruit if only a single variety is grown, two varieties will increase the potential fruit crop. Suggested varieties include Top Hat and Northsky. Each should reach about 18 inches high, though Northsky will likely grow wider than Top Hat. Northblue is another choice that should produce more fruit than either Top Hat or Northsky but should reach 2 to 3 feet high. North Country is intermediate in size at 18 to 24 inches high and should produce a moderate amount of fruit.
Wind protection: Wind protection will decrease the amount of water these plants need and reduce the chances of leaf scorch.
Blueberries are not native to Kansas but will grow in the eastern half of the state with good preparation. They are related to azaleas and rhododendrons and require an acid pH, preferably 4.8 to 5.2. Blueberries do not have root hairs, so watering and mulching are important.
It is best to start planting preparations a year ahead of time to allow for pH adjustment, weed control, and the addition of organic matter. The first step is a soil test to determine how much the pH needs to be reduced. For a pH up to 5.5, the addition of sphagnum peat moss at the rate of 2 cubic feet per 100 square feet will be adequate. For a pH 5.5 to 6.0, add 1 pound of sulfur per 100 square feet of bed in addition to the peat moss. For a pH 6.0 to 6.5, add 1.5 pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet of bed. For pH levels above 6.5, use 2 pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet of bed and double the amount of sphagnum peat moss suggested earlier. Do not use aluminum sulfate to correct a high pH because excessive levels of aluminum can be toxic to blueberries. For each 0.5 movement up the pH scale from 6.5, add an additional pound of sulfur. Sulfur can be applied as a dust, but pelletized sulfur is much easier to spread.
Treat only the row. Row width should be 8 feet. Blueberries are normally spaced about 5 feet within the row. Sulfur takes time to react, so allow as much time as possible between sulfur application and planting. Blueberries will bear more if you plant more than one variety.
Recommended varieties vary, but you may want to try Bluecrop because it is adaptable. Patriot also seems to do well. You may want to try some other varieties. Blueberries should be mulched. Sawdust is the traditional material, but straw and wood chips will work as well. Mulch to a depth of about 3 inches.
Now is a good time to begin control measures for iris leaf spot by removing old, dead leaves. Iris leaf spot is a fungus disease that attacks the leaves and occasionally the flower stalks and buds of iris. Infection is favored by wet periods during the spring, and emerging leaves eventually show small (1/8- to 1/4-inch diameter) spots. The borders of these spots are reddish, and surrounding tissue first appears water-soaked, and then yellows. Spots enlarge after flowering and may coalesce. The disease tends to be worse in wet weather and may kill individual leaves. Though the disease will not kill the plant directly, repeated attacks can reduce plant vigor so that the iris may die from other stresses. Spores are passed to nearby plants by wind or splashing water.
Recommended varieties vary, but you may want to try Bluecrop because it is adaptable. Patriot also seems to do well. You may want to try some other varieties.
Blueberries should be mulched. Sawdust is the traditional material, but straw and wood chips will work as well. Mulch to a depth of about 3 inches.
Acid soil pH: Blueberries need an acid pH between 4.8 and 5.2. Sphagnum peat moss is very acid and often used in large quantities in soil mixes for acid-loving plants. In fact, blueberries can be grown in peat moss alone if nutrients are provided but that is an involved process. A 50/50 mix of peat moss and potting soil is recommended. This will provide nutrients and weight so the plant is less likely to blow over in wind.
Winter care: Though plants are winter hardy, the roots are not. Move pots into an unheated, attached garage or bury them in the soil or mulch enough to bury the pot in early November. Water them periodically during the winter. Use your finger to determine if the soil is moist one inch deep. If not, then water until some flows out the bottom of the pot.
Varieties: Though blueberries will produce some fruit if only a single variety is grown, two varieties will increase the potential fruit crop. Suggested varieties include Top Hat and Northsky. Each should reach about 18 inches high, though Northsky will likely grow wider than Top Hat.
Northblue is another choice that should produce more fruit than either Top Hat or Northsky but should reach 2 to 3 feet high. North Country is intermediate in size at 18 to 24 inches high and should produce a moderate amount of fruit.
Though lettuce is most often planted directly from seed in late March to early April, it can be started from transplants. Transplants allow lettuce to mature earlier so that it escapes the excessive heat that can lead to a strong flavor and bitterness.
germination. A soil media temperature of 60 to 68 degrees will encourage germination. Watch the media temperature carefully, as seed can enter a thermal dormancy if germination temperatures are excessive. Also, a cooler temperature of 55 to 60 degrees should be used once the plants emerge.
Time to maturity varies depending on the type of lettuce, with leaf lettuce being the quickest, followed by bibb, romaine, and buttercrunch lettuce. Head or crisphead lettuce is the slowest and is least likely to mature before becoming bitter.
Spacing also varies with type. Leaf lettuce plants are spaced 4 to 6 inches apart, buttercrunch, bibb, and romaine are set at 6 to 8 inches and head lettuce should be at least 8 inches apart in the row. Lettuce does not have an extensive root system and requires regular watering if rainfall is lacking.
Following is a lawn calendar for Zoysia-grass and Bermudagrass. Buffalograss, also a warm-season grass, is covered in a separate article.
Spot treat broadleaf weeds if necessary. Treat on a day that is 50 degrees F or warmer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce effectiveness.
Apply crabgrass preventer between April 1 and April 15, or apply preventer when the eastern redbud is in full bloom. If using a product with prodiamine (Barricade), apply two weeks earlier. Crabgrass preventers must be watered in before they will work. Avoid using broadleaf herbicides as the buffalograss is greening up as injury can result. The buffalograss will not be killed but growth will slow making the buffalograss less competitive with weeds.


As Hurricane Florence batters the east coast, my memories of the 2017 hurricane season are brought up. I remember experiencing intense weather during Hurricane Harvey even though I wasn't in a heavily affected area. I remember people crowding the supermarkets and gas stations in a panic. I remember constantly checking social media to see if my relatives who had chosen not to evacuate their homes were okay. Even though I wasn't in the direct path of the hurricane, this still felt close to home for me and for my family and friends.
We've always had hurricanes, but the summer of 2017 is set apart by its multiple destructive hurricanes. Between Harvey, Irma, and Maria, so much destruction was caused that it'll take years to recover. And the worst part is that such storms are likely about to become more common.
Over the past century, our planet's temperatures have risen ten times faster than they had 5000 years ago after the last ice age, mostly due to our carbon emissions. As ocean temperatures warm as well, hurricane formation, which happens in warm water, is affected.
As a child, I remember hearing about how global warming was melting the polar ice caps and harming arctic wildlife. While this upset me, it also felt far from home because it wasn't visible to me and it wasn't, as far as I knew at the time, impacting people that much. It's easier for some to distance themselves from the problem if it's not affecting anything near them and since it used to seem to be happening strictly on the other side of the world, it might not feel as real to some people.
Climate change, however, can't be ignored forever. If the fact that it's harming arctic ecosystems isn't bad enough, global warming is starting to have a greater effect on the rest of the world as well. With these increasingly violent storms, the problem of climate change is being brought to us where we can feel its effects. And it's only gonna get worse if we keep ignoring it. Politicians and people in power can deny it all they want, but despite our advances as a society, we are still very much at the mercy of our environment and we should be doing what we can to take care of it. It's only a matter of time before it can't be ignored anymore and unless we all start acknowledging it and taking action to mitigate it, increasingly violent storms could become the new norm.
Clara Grosenbacher, who also goes by Maggie, is a junior English major at the University of Texas. Her interests include fitness, film theory, music, reading, cat pictures, art, writing, and memes.


The rest of these are from my own kids. Which, honestly, is making me question whether or not they need to be on some type of medication.
It's painfully obvious to me that my daughter has never actually seen a moose.
Or she's only seen moose that come from Chernobyl.
Luckily my daughter was at my house so I was able to ask her what this was.
It got to the point with my son that he would just start writing the things down because he knew in his heart of hearts that there was no way I was gonna be able to guess what he was drawing.
I'm glad he wrote 'goat' on the 'goat' because I was going to guess "Brontosaurus" and then got stumped at the 4-letter limit.
Which is appropriate because as far as my kids' artistic talents at "Draw Something," I'd say they've moved to the dark side.
HAHAHA I say those are some creative kids!
As a crack berry user and addict. I am unable to participate in the Draw Something bonanza! I have to admit I would love to as I figure I could get some really great words and draw some really inappropriate things.
However I totally got the napkin I can't believe you missed that! It even has food drippings on it!
Draw Something has taught me that I can't draw ANYTHING. And like your son, I often cheat and write the word!
So funny! My daughter has me addicted to this game. If I must say so myself, my rendition of TACO was spot-on.
You are like the Picasso of Draw Something.... either that or you have parkinsons... really a coin flip?
Rodney, I just had a ridiculous coughing fit by the time I got down to Yoda. I was laughing so hard and then inhaled Pepsi because I thought I was done, but wasn't. Thanks, my eyes are still watering.


A roof is a fundamental component of our house and it is directly responsible for our safety and security. As a homeowner, it's our core responsibility to check the condition of our roof for the safety of our family.
Roof repairing is not at all a facile job. A person who is into this profession must be competent about the tools that are used for the repairing services and should possess a good knowledge about the repairing process and technique.
We can get some good contractors through our references. In this regards, we can take the referral from our friends, relatives, and acquaintances especially who did a roof repairing job within in the recent time. We may also get some good and experienced contractors from various sources available. But simultaneously, there are multitudes of roof repairing service providers or contractors are available in the markets that have inadequate knowledge of the repairing process and its intricacies. So, before employing a contractor for the roof repairing job, we need to focus on certain criteria that the contractor must have. If we go for an efficient and knowledgeable contractor, then only we will get a good and standard service from him. There are many companies in Melbourne which provides roof repairs in Melbourne and its surrounding areas.
Below, we are mentioning certain criteria that a contractor should possess in order to execute a roof repairing job successfully.
1.License: In these days, most of the contractor own a valid license. So, before employing a contractor, we need to verify whether the contractor has the proper license or not. And if we find any fault in licensing, then it would be a prudent decision for us if we discard such contractor and go for other options.
2.Acquire insurance: Before allowing any contractor to step on our roof for repairing process, we need to make sure that he is properly insured. If any accident happened, then we don't need to pay any amount as compensation. So, if we want to stay safe, then we should go with such a contractor who has an insurance policy.
3.Pricing: Price is another deciding factor while we are in the process of selecting an efficient contractor. We should take a quotation from more than two service providers. Depending on the best quotation, we can choose the final one with whom we want to proceed further. But if we assume that the best contractor is the cheapest then we might do a devastating mistake. So, it's better that we should try to avoid such roof repairing service providers who quote a comparatively lower price. Because it has often found that the low price tarnishes the quality of work. Apart from the price, we also need to take care of the quality, safety, and reliability.
4.Experience: Experience is certainly a game changer when it comes to the selection of a contractor for our roof repairing process. Experienced contractors are accustomed to any critical challenge and can easily deal with any unfavourable situations. With their expertise and knowledge, they can accomplish a repairing process accurately within the stipulated time. So, while looking for a contractor, we need to check how long he is into this profession and depending on that we can take our final call.
5.Terms and conditions are clearly mentioned: Usually, most of the contractors are clearly mentioned all terms and conditions of their job like work progression period, manpower requirement, pay terms etc. So, before signing an agreement, we should check all those terms and conditions so that our work goes smoothly without any interruption. If we have any doubt, then we should clear it with the service provider or contractor as soon as possible. Many dishonest and fraudulent contractors often include some hidden clauses in their agreement smartly, so before signing the contract, we should read all the clauses carefully in order to avoid any complication in future.
6.After service support: It won't be a prudent decision to go for a contractor who does not have good records in after service support and customer services. We may hardly want to continue with such a repairing contractor who does not show any courtesy to the customers. So, before employing a contractor we should check these two parameters.
7.The reputation of the company: In order to execute the job properly and timely, it's our foremost duty to check all previous works and portfolio of the contractor. This is the most paramount factor while hiring a contractor for our roof repairing service. Simultaneously, we also need to check the market reputation of the contractor. If the contractor has a questionable reputation or is an unscrupulous person, then it won't be a wise decision to go with such a contractor.
TLG roofing is an eminent company in Melbourne which embraces their customers with several repairing and restoration services like roof repairs in Melbourne. So, if anyone is looking for a roof repairing , then they should get in touch with TLG roofing and take their opinion.
The painting and cleaning is usually done at regular intervals, complete restoration is something which needs time, planning and skilled labour. The common types of best roof restoration Adelaide can be discussed as follows.
Yet, in the event that you need to minimize upkeep expenses, and keep the building roof restoration services looking great, it is unavoidable. It ought to be recalled that rooftops do create issues after some time.
Brisbane roofers are best roofers in Australia. If you are living in this country and facing some issues with your home roof then you can contact Brisbane roofers.
Roof replacement is sometimes the only suitable option for roofing systems. However, roof overlays are another option, and can be quite beneficial under the right circumstances. Learn more about both options and who to talk to for trusted advice.


QUAD Musikwiedergabe considered the ESL57 QA as the contemporary version of the original ESL57.
The ESL57 QA keeps all the benefits of an original ESL57 plus some add ons. We spend them a second inner frame to hold the electrostatic panels more solid. As the frame is a bit more tall , we do have the space to get all electronics installed below the panels instead of behind. Means the panels can work as real dipoles. A flat rear grill make them more elegant. It is your choice in which color we produce the front grilles and what wood we make the siderails and feet from.


text:
New Austin Public Health Test Site Opening in 78741
Symptoms and Care
Orders & Rules
Release Date: Sep. 16, 2020
Contact: Austin-Travis County Joint Information System
Pflugerville test site location changes; test result turnaround time consistently reduced to two days
Austin, Texas – Austin Public Health (APH) will be opening an additional neighborhood testing site on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
The test site will be located at 1416 Montopolis Drive in the 78741 zip code. This site is the former Montopolis neighborhood center; the new Montopolis Recreation Center (located at 1200 Montopolis Drive) is NOT a test site.
Similar to the other neighborhood test sites, individuals are not required to arrive to the test site in a vehicle, and there are a limited number of slots available to individuals without an appointment. While there is more than enough capacity, we encourage people to sign up for an appointment to limit wait times at the site.
The hours of operation will be Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"The 78741 zip code is among the hardest hit by COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County, and Austin Public Health continues to work to reduce disparities in health outcomes for our community," said Stephanie Hayden, APH Director.
Hayden added: "This testing site is another opportunity to reach people where they are and to ensure we are making testing available for all community members. Equity and public health were foremost considerations when planning the location, organization, and hours for this test site."
Pflugerville Test Site Location Change
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 26, the Pflugerville test site, which is managed by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), will be moving from the Pfield to 103 North Railroad Avenue, Pflugerville, Texas. This will be the Pflugerville testing location for the remainder of the year.
Test Result Turnaround Time
As the demand for testing has decreased, the turnaround time for test results has dropped to two days on average. Additionally, APH has signed contracts with additional labs to diversify and maintain a lower turnaround time for testing, even if the number of tests performed by APH increases.
For more information about COVID-19, visit AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Eisler Capital, the hedge fund of star trader Edward Eisler, has just made its first front office hire in years.
This star hedge fund manager has just made a big trading hire
Finding a hedge fund job in London now often means working being drawn into the orbit of a star trader. Chris Rokos is hiring for his massive hedge fund Rokos Capital Management, so too is Ben Melkman's Light Sky Macro, which recently brought in Jérôme Saragoussi from Deutsche Bank as director of trading strategy.
Another macro hedge fund with star appeal is Eisler Capital, which bares the name of its founder Edward Eisler, its chief investment officer and former co-head of equities and fixed income currencies and commodities at Goldman Sachs.
The fund has around $1bn in assets under management, but has so far headcount has remained relatively small since its 2015 launch. After an initial flurry of hiring in former senior Goldman and Credit Suisse traders, few people have joined. The last significant recruit was Eleanor Franchitti, who joined in an investor relations role.
That hiring hiatus now seems to have stopped. Filippo Fiori just joined in a trading role. Fiori was a former senior trader at Credit Suisse who focused on hybrids and equity derivatives trading. He left in September to join Capula Investment Management as a portfolio manager, has now re-emerged at Eisler nine months later.
It has also just brought in technologist Kieran Wadia, who spent the last ten years at Goldman Sachs, latterly working on its equities platform. He joined earlier this month.
The vast majority of money managers at Eisler Capital came from either Goldman Sachs or Credit Suisse. Portfolio manager Jonathan Hall was a partner and head of North American interest rate products at Goldman Sachs and COO Carey Nemeth, is a former Goldman managing director who spent 14 years at the bank until leaving in 2015. Andrew Deeley, a former prop CTA trader at Goldman Sachs and British army captain, Dominic Steel, who was also a systematic prop trader at Goldman until 2013 and Adrian Smaus, the former head of rates options and exotics trading at Credit Suisse all joined as portfolio managers in early 2016.
Investor Relations Associate, Large-Cap Private Equity Firm, Stockholm, Sweden
Customer Success Manager, Well-Established FinTech, Stockholm, Competitive
Skillfinder International
Software Engineer - Senior


text:
Home › Autoclave - S/T - Used LP
Autoclave - S/T - Used LP
VG+/VG+
AUTOCLAVE's discography on a single LP for the first time ever. This 12-inch combines the band's 7-inch and 10-inch singles as well as two extra demo tracks. The music has been remastered from the original tapes by TJ LIPPLE and cut for vinyl by BOB WESTON. at CMS. CHRISTINA BILLOTTE and MELISSA BERKOFF initially began playing together in a Washington, D.C. band called HAZMAT in 1989, but then joined up with NIKKI CHAPMAN and MARY TIMONY to form Autoclave. The group lasted for one year and played only a handful of shows. In 1991, the quartet released a three-song 7-inch on the "DisKord" label—a joint effort between Dischord and Olympia, Washington's K Records. The band's second release was a posthumous 10-inch that came out via Billotte's label, Mira Records. Following Autoclave's dissolution, Billotte would go on to perform in SLANT 6, QUIX-O-TIC, and THE CASUAL DOTS. Timony formed the bands HELIUM and EX HEX in addition to releasing four records under her own name.
Christina Billotte - bass, vocals, drums
Mary Timony - guitar, vocals
Nikki Chapman - guitar, vocals
Melissa Berkoff - drums
Tek, Deniz – Collection Vol. 2: Take it to the Vertical [IMPORT Limited Edition GREEN VINYL: Green Noise Exclusive] – New LP
Deniz Tek & the Mortmen -- San Francisco Girls b/w Hot Smoke & Sassafras [GREEN NOISE EXCLUSIVE ORANGE VINYL– New 7"
Dead Moon - Nervous Sooner Changes - New LP


text:
Гео́ргий Алекса́ндрович Балл (,  — , ) — русский советский писатель. Член Международного Пен-центра.

Биография
Родился в семье врача-психиатра.

Окончил Московский государственный институт международных отношений. Работал в международном отделе Московского радио (1948-53), собкором Всесоюзного радио в Свердловской области (1953-1954), редактором в журнале «Советские профсоюзы» (1954-58). Он пешком обошёл множество областей России, был в иркутской тайге, на Горном Алтае, ходил по лесам Севера.

С 1960 года и до последних лет публиковал сказки, рассказы и пьесы для детей (в том числе в соавторстве с женой, Галиной Демыкиной). Детская литература Г. А. Балла трогательной теплотой и образной насыщенностью стремится пробудить в каждом маленьком читателе сокровенное творческое саморазвитие и веру в силу добра. Произведения для взрослых печатались с начала 1980-х годов: роман «Болевые точки» (1983), «Смеюсь и плачу вместе с тобой. Повести и рассказы» (1988), сборник рассказов «Вверх за тишиной» (1999) и другие. Публиковался во многих периодических изданиях.

Его проза двух последних десятилетий была проникнута мотивом преодоления смерти и боли, пониманием любой беды, мистерией надежды и доброты, любовью к каждому, даже потерянному человеку, высокой терпимостью к различным человеческим проявлениям. Это содержание было во многом связано с безвременным уходом из жизни сына — художника Андрея Демыкина и жены — поэтессы Галины Демыкиной. Один из разделов сборника «Вверх за тишиной» так и назван «Смерть — Рождение». Драматические судьбы его любимых персонажей, обычных людей, неотделимы от дыхания вечности. Название одного из рассказов — «Трагедии нет» — прямо говорит о том, что смерть — всего лишь веха неиссякаемой жизни. Его произведениям свойственно естественное сочетание печали, гротеска, почёрпнутого из самой жизни и просветлённости.

Прозу Г. А. Балла отличает пристальное внимание писателя к своему художественному слову, скрупулезная работа над каждой деталью, неповторимая узнаваемость, колоритное сочетание классического содержания с новаторством формы. Гуманная проникновенность, сюжетная острота и упругость, стилевая отточенность присущи рассказам «Дорога в Егорьевск», «Сара», «Я с тобой, Джо», «Катерина замесила тесто ветра» и другим. Писатель, самосознавая себя представителем и носителем преемственности русской культуры, причудливо, но очень органично и самобытно развивал разнообразные литературные традиции — от Андрея Платонова до Франца Кафки.

Лауреат Всесоюзного конкурса на лучшую детскую книгу (1989), премии радиостанции «Немецкая волна» (Кёльн, 1992), Фестиваля малой прозы имени И. С. Тургенева (1998) и Сетевого литературного конкурса «Улов» (осень 2000).

Похоронен в Москве на Ваганьковском кладбище.

Библиография
 Дорога в лето. М.: Детская литература, 1962.
 Жук-кривая горка. М.: Детская литература, 1968.
 Малышка. М.: Детская Литература, 1971.
 Торопун-Карапун и тайны моего детства. М.: Детская литература, 1974.
 Зобенька и серебряный колокольчик. М.: Детская литература, 1977.
 Болевые точки. М.: Советский писатель, 1983.
 Солнечные прятки. Повесть-сказка. М.: Детская литература, 1985.
 Смеюсь и плачу вместе с тобой. Повести и рассказы. М.: Советский писатель, 1988.
 Городок Жур-Жур. М.: Детская литература, 1988.
 Разноцветный мост. М.: Детская литература, 1990.
 Каляка-маляка ищет домик. М.: Золотой ключик, 1992.
 Вверх за тишиной. М.: Новое литературное обозрение, 1999.
 Приключения Старого Башмака, рассказанные им самим. М.: Новое литературное обозрение, 2003.
 Круги и треугольники. Книга рассказов. М.: «Русский Гулливер» («Центр современной литературы»), 2010.

Примечания

Литература
 Московская энциклопедия. Том 1: Лица Москвы. Книга 6: А–Я. Дополнения. — М.: ОАО «Московские учебники», 2014

Ссылки
 Публикации Георгия Балла на сайте журнала «Кукумбер» и статья Ольги Корф о писателе
 Страница Георгия Балла на сайте «Вавилон»
 Изображения Георгия Балла в галерее «Лица русской литературы»

Выпускники МГИМО
Писатели России XX века
Русские писатели XX века
Детские писатели по алфавиту
Детские писатели СССР
Детские писатели России
Персоналии по алфавиту
Похороненные на Ваганьковском кладбище

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Browse through our range of indoor and outdoor school bag racks. We stock heavy-duty steel outdoor racks and mobile indoor bag racks perfect for classroom use. You can even customise the storage space with tote tray options. Explore our whole range of Smart Storage.


questions and updated all fanlistings, and Wisdom is totally updated new look and a lot of new forums.
I also emailed all hostees so make sure to check your OSN email and respond.
Ohhhh night skies, my absolute favorite!
Your layout is very different from others I've seen. Good job.
I like the layout, it really reflects the domain name!


text:
Incline Press
Home Shop Unbound About Diary Blog
HomeShopUnboundAboutDiaryBlog
For the reader who collects and the collector who reads
Designing a uniform series
I remember when Anthony Burgess first caught my attention. What age must I have been? Fourteen or fifteen I should think - everything influential happened around then - and ready dressed to go out for the evening. My parents were watching something on television when his voice caught me, stopped me, turned me round and kept me listening, standing behind the couch, halfway to the door, until the programme had finished. All that cigarette smoke! Then there were the reviews he wrote in the Sunday paper and me scanning the tv guide to see when he would be on again. That was pretty much it. I read some of his novels from the library from the mid-60s onwards, never buying any, missed the film of Clockwork Orange, though I was aware of the furore it caused. I kept a weather-eye out for his work, but there are so many like that, reviewers, writers, personalities in the best sense of the word.
Burgess was a Manchester man, and so we are blessed to have the International Anthony Burgess Foundation in the city for the interesting architecture (Manchester's oldest fireproof mill), the cafe bar and the meeting space as well as for the holdings of Burgess's rich archive. Incline Press have the delightful job over the next few years to publish a uniform series of Burgess material from those archives. Andrew Biswell, director of the foundation and author of The Real Life of Anthony Burgess (Picador paperback, 2006), is responsible for selecting the texts, and then we do the rest. The first is An Elegy for X, to be followed by an unpublished epic, Essay on Censorship, and then four essays around the topic of James Joyce.
I have never designed a uniform series, but I determined from the start of discussions with Andrew Biswell that this was my challenge. The immediate question was simply 'what makes a series uniform?', and the answer, as with all questions related to book design, was to trawl the memory. Size of page was an obvious start, and determined nine and a half by six and a half inches would give decent margins and comfortable line length between 26 and 30 ems as the text and type size might demand. And the paper used, (as long as they keep making it!) the amenable Zerkall, which takes printing of illustration and type equally well. I decided on the heavier 170 gram weight which is always handsome in the hand and pleasing to the eye.
But a uniform series should have some unifying typographic element beyond the size of the page and paper used. What visual connexion should define the different text? Who, I wondered, has done this before? E R Weiss of course, consummate book designer, subject of our book The Typography of an Artist by Jerry Cinamon. This photo shows our inspiration, an elegant set of six volumes, each with an unchanging series title page to the left, and facing that, the title page of each individual volume.
Weiss did his own calligraphy. For our book we were able to call on the skill of Stephen Raw who has created this for us, translated to a magnesium plate for printing. Our series title page will remain in each volume, the title page changing on the right. The colour ink used will be drawn from or reflect the binding. To honour the source of the inspiration, the type used for titling will be Weiss roman, and in this case the X is one of the Weiss Initial Series. That leaves us free to vary the typeface used for the text, and this Elegy is set in Baskerville.
While still considering the series we were sent the final lines of Burgess's Essay on Censorship to print for the hundredth anniversary of his birth, and commissioned Edinburgh printmaker and lecturer John Watson to produce a linocut portrait for the broadsheet. John has a remarkable ability to capture portraits, and this, as you see above, is no exception. It will now serve as a half-title frontispiece for the series, and in this book careful mixing of the silver ink of the front cover title with transparent white and a little black has made it possible to print this showing in what amounts to graphite, though digital photography barely does it justice. Similarly the silver on the front cover and the title page are not shown here in their best light, but the book, the book is fine!
Graham Moss March 2, 2018
Now Westlin Wind
Graham Moss March 16, 2018
A Gallimaufry of Ephemera
Graham Moss February 21, 2018
(161) 627 1966 graham.moss@inclinepress.com
Workshop and office at
36 Bow Street, Oldham OL1 1SJ England
Give us a call (+44) (0)161 627 1966
Our thanks to illustrator and designer
Alice Smith for help with this website
Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyTerms and ConditionsGDPR
For the collector who reads and the reader who collects


text:
<?php
namespace mrdao\mysql;
use mrdao\Dao;
use mrdao\DataModel;
use mrdao\Document;
use mrdao\InvalidPropertyValue;

/**
 * @author Roman Ozana <ozana@omdesign.cz>
 */
class MysqlDao extends Dao {

	/** @var \mrdao\mysql\IMysqlProvider */
	public $provider;

	/**
	 * @param IMysqlProvider $provider
	 */
	public function __construct(IMysqlProvider $provider) {
		$this->provider = $provider;
	}

	/**
	 * @param MysqlDocument $document
	 * @return bool
	 */
	public function save(MysqlDocument $document) {
		return $document->exists() ? $this->update($document) : $this->insert($document);
	}

	/**
	 * @param int|string|mixed $id
	 * @return bool|null
	 */
	public function findById($id) {
		$documentClass = $this->getDocumentClass();
		$array = $this->getByValue($id, $documentClass::getIdName());
		return $array ? $this->fromArray($array) : null;
	}

	/**
	 * @param mixed $value
	 * @param string $column
	 * @internal param \mrdao\mysql\MysqlDocument $document
	 * @return mixed|array
	 */
	public function getByValue($value, $column) {
		$query = sprintf('SELECT * FROM `%s` WHERE `%s` = :%s LIMIT 1', $this->getStorageName(), $column, $column);
		return $this->query($query, array(':' . $column => $value))->fetch(\PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
	}

	/**
	 * @param MysqlDocument $document
	 * @return bool
	 */
	public function insert(MysqlDocument $document) {
		$data = $document->toDataArray(true);
		$columns = array_keys($data);

		// prepare INSERT query
		$query = sprintf(
			'INSERT INTO `%s` (`%s`) VALUES (%s)',
			$this->getStorageName(),
			implode('`, `', $columns), ':' . implode(', :', $columns)
		);

		$statement = $this->provider->getMaster()->prepare($query);

		foreach ($data as $property => $value) {
			$statement->bindValue(':' . $property, $value, Helper::getPdoType($value));
		}

		if ($result = $statement->execute()) {
			$document->setId($this->provider->getMaster()->lastInsertId());
			$document->exists($result);
		}

		return $result;
	}

	/**
	 * @param MysqlDocument $document
	 * @throws \mrdao\InvalidPropertyValue
	 * @return bool
	 */
	public function update(MysqlDocument $document) {
		if (!$document->getId()) {
			throw new InvalidPropertyValue('ID value missing in MysqlDocument'); // check ID value
		}

		$data = $document->toDataArray(true);
		$columns = array_keys($data);

		$query = sprintf(
			'UPDATE `%s` SET %s WHERE `%s` = :%s LIMIT 1',
			$this->getStorageName(),
			Helper::getUpdateParis($columns),
			$document->getIdName(),
			$document->getIdName()
		);

		$data[$document->getIdName()] = $document->getId();

		$statement = $this->provider->getMaster()->prepare($query);

		foreach ($data as $property => $value) {
			$statement->bindValue(':' . $property, $value, Helper::getPdoType($value));
		}

		return $statement->execute();
	}

	/**
	 * @param MysqlDocument|string|int $object
	 * @param null $idName
	 * @return string
	 */
	public function delete($object, $idName = null) {
		if ($object instanceof MysqlDocument) {
			$idName = ($idName) ? : $object->getIdName();
			$id = $object->getId();
		} else {
			$idName = ($idName) ? : 'id'; // default ID name
			$id = $object;
		}

		$query = 'DELETE FROM `' . $this->getStorageName() . '` WHERE `' . $idName . '` = :id LIMIT 1';
		return (bool)$this->query($query, array(':id' => $id));
	}

	/**
	 * Counts all records in table
	 *
	 * @return int
	 */
	public function count() {
		$query = sprintf('SELECT COUNT(*) AS count FROM `%s`', $this->getStorageName());
		$row = $this->query($query)->fetch(\PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
		return ($row) ? (int)$row['count'] : false;
	}

	/**
	 * @param string $query
	 * @param array $params
	 * @return \PDOStatement
	 */
	public function query($query, array $params = null) {
		$pdo = preg_match('/^\s*select|\s*show/i', $query) ? $this->provider->getSlave() : $this->provider->getMaster();
		/** @var $pdo \PDO */
		$statement = $pdo->prepare($query);
		$statement->execute($params);
		return $statement;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
InspirationalQuick BytesWomen
This Amazing 53-Year-Old From J&K Is India's Oldest Woman to Conquer Mt Everest!
"Age is just a number. Everything falls in place if you pursue your dreams at any age," she said.
An American motivational speaker Denis Waitley has an interesting take on the nature of success and failure. He once said, "Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing,"
For 53-year-old Sangeeta Sindhi Bahl from Jammu, who became the oldest Indian woman to scale Mount Everest on May 19, these words ring true.
She narrowly missed out on conquering the highest peak in the world, standing at 29,035 feet last year. She was with six other climbers who suffered from high-altitude sickness. All of them had to be evacuated.
But determination, persistence and courage took her over the line this time. In the process, she not only became the oldest Indian woman to scale the peak, but also the first woman from her state.
(Source: Facebook/Sangeeta S Bahl)
In doing so, Sangeeta beat fellow climber Premlata Agarwal who scaled Everest at the age of 48, on May 20, 2011.
Born and raised in Jammu, Sangeeta was a former Miss India contestant in 1985, who reached the finals. She talked to The Tribune, from the Mount Everest base camp. She said, "I feel on top of the world after scaling the world's highest peak." On Tuesday, she landed in Kathmandu.
Speaking to the Chandigarh-based publication, Sangeeta spoke about the expedition. "There was no fear at all. Life is too short to keep thinking," she said.
Also Read: 16-YO From Haryana Breaks Record, Becomes Youngest Woman to Scale Everest!
More pertinently, when the question of her age came up, she dismissed the notion that it had anything to with scaling Mount Everest. "Age is just a number. Everything falls in place if you pursue your dreams at any age," she said.
In her regular life, Sangeeta is the Founder-Director of Impact Image Consultants, based in Gurgaon.
Also Read: Meet India's First Father-Daughter Duo to Conquer Mt Everest Together!
Tamae Watanabe from Japan currently holds the record for being the oldest woman to scale Mount Everest. She reached the summit in May 2012 at the ripe old age of 73.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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The Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni is one of the suburbicarian dioceses, Catholic dioceses in Italy close to Rome with a special status and a Cardinal Bishop, the bishop of Velletri-Segni. Historically, the see of Velletri was combined with the see of Ostia from 1060 to 1914.
In 1981, the diocese of Velletri was combined with the diocese of Segni. The Cardinal-Bishop is now the titular bishop of the diocese, while the diocesan bishop administers the diocese.
↑ Sources for the period 1057-1130: Hans-Walter Klewitz, Reformpapsttum und Kardinalkolleg, Darmstadt 1957; and Rudolf Hüls, Kardinäle, Klerus und Kirchen Roms: 1049-1130, Tübingen 1977.
"Velletri-Segni (Cardinal Titular Church)". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2007-01-02.


Spencer St. Botanicals-Facial Oils.. I LOVE them!
Facial Oils.. I LOVE them!
Have you ever tried a facial oil? If not, you are missing out! They are super nourishing for the skin and can offer amazing results that can be seen right away. They are packed with nutrients that our skin desperately wants and needs.
For anyone who has not tried a facial oil, thinking that it may break them out, don't worry, it doesn't. It may seem strange at first that using an oil can be helpful for the skin, but wow is it ever! Facial oils have been used since the Egyptian times with amazing results.
But like anything, they need to be used correctly to see the benefits.
If you just use an oil on dry skin, you are going to get a bit oily. But, if you apply a facial oil onto skin that is damp, the oil will soak right in. Think about it, lotions and creams are simply water and oil that have been mixed together in some way. So, if you have damp skin and then use a facial oil, you get the water and the oil together, thus instant moisture. By using a facial oil, you get to skip the harsh preservatives, emulsifiers and other chemicals that are used in lotions/creams to keep them in solution and shelf stable. The water portion of the lotion/cream is why these additives are used in the first place. You don't need any of that with oils. So not only are facial oils wonderful to use, they are also a much cleaner option for the skin than creams or lotions. Personally I love oils and butters for the body as well, but that is another blog..
Facial oils can be wonderful for anyone with dry, flaky, mature, or dehydrated skin. They can be used on their own or as an addiontal step in your normal routine for added skin nourishing benefits.
They are great for reducing signs of fine lines and wrinkles as they can fill microscopic indentations in the skin. Facial oils are packed with antioxidants, omegas, fatty acids, phytonutrients, vitamins C, E and A, just to name a few of the beneficial components found in oils. Not all facial oils are the same, so make sure you are using quality, organic oils. There are so many to choose from like: argon oil, camellia oil, prickly pear oil, raspberry oil, black cumin oil, baobab oil, rosehip seed oil, tamanu oil… the list goes on and on. Essential oils can also be added for their many benefits as well, which can enhance the therapeutic properties of a facial oil. Facial oils can literally be used as food for the face.
Facial oils can benefit dry skin and can also offer some protection from a harsh environment. Facial oils can penetrate deep into the skin. They are lipophilic so they support the lipid layer in the skin which helps to trap in moisture and reduce dehydration of the skin. It also helps to keep toxins out by enhancing the natural barrier of the skin. This can be extremely beneficial if living in a smoggy or polluted area and you don't want those toxins penetrating the skin. They also offer protection in the winter from the dry, cold air that can be so harsh. Some oils even offer some light UV protection as well.
Just remember, ALWAYS make sure your skin is moist before applying any facial (or body) oil. Personally, I love spritzing with a great organic hydrosol before I use my facial oil, but even water will work. Just make sure to be damp! The goal is to trap in that moisture, increasing the benefits of the oils themselves.
Let me know what you think once you try them!
Extra dry skin this winter? Maybe you are dehydrated..
Why are scrubs so good for the skin?
Jan 8, 2018 Extra dry skin this winter? Maybe you are dehydrated..
Dec 13, 2017 Facial Oils.. I LOVE them!
Oct 1, 2017 Why are scrubs so good for the skin?
Jan 19, 2017 Body Brushing? Why is it so important?
Dec 17, 2016 Why use a Body Butter? The real question is - Why wouldn't you?
Oct 8, 2016 Why use hand crafted soaps?
Jul 27, 2016 We are officially open!!


text:
Q: What is the idiomatic way of casting to float using `astype(...)` in Pandas DataFrame/Series (and how about NumPy)? I've tested the following:
df = pd.DataFrame({'x': ['1.0','2.0','3.0']})
print(df['x'].astype(float).dtype)
print(df['x'].astype('float').dtype)
print(df['x'].astype('float64').dtype)
print(df['x'].astype(np.float).dtype)
print(df['x'].astype(np.float64).dtype)
print(df['x'].astype('double').dtype)
print(df['x'].astype('single').dtype)
print(df['x'].astype('f').dtype)

All produce Pandas Series of dtype float64 except the last two which produces float32:
float64
float64
float64
float64
float64
float64
float32
float32

Seeing as Python is supposed to have one "pythonic" way of doing things, what is the idiomatic way to create a float Series in Pandas (given that I don't really care what flavor of float it is)? Is this the same with NumPy?
I'm using Pandas 0.19.2 with a new-ish version of Python 3.

A: IMO the most Pandaic way of casting series to numeric dtypes would be using of pd.to_numeric method, which can take care of those elements, that can't be casted to float:
In [13]: df = pd.DataFrame({'x': ['1.0','2.0','3.0', 'blah']})

In [14]: df
Out[14]:
      x
0   1.0
1   2.0
2   3.0
3  blah

In [15]: df.dtypes
Out[15]:
x    object
dtype: object

In [16]: df['x'] = pd.to_numeric(df['x'], errors='coerce')

In [17]: df
Out[17]:
     x
0  1.0
1  2.0
2  3.0
3  NaN

In [18]: df.dtypes
Out[18]:
x    float64
dtype: object

Beside that we can make use of explicit downcasting:
In [21]: df = pd.DataFrame({'x': ['1.0','2.0','3.0']})

In [22]: pd.to_numeric(df['x'], errors='coerce', downcast='integer')
Out[22]:
0    1
1    2
2    3
Name: x, dtype: int8

NOTE: pd.to_numeric was added in Pandas 0.17.0. If you have older version you can use df.convert_objects which is deprecated in modern Pandas versions

A:
There should be one-- and preferably only one --obvious way to do it.

From here
This is an opinion and philosophy. It is not set in stone. I wouldn't get hung up about it if there appears to be several viable options.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Nathan and Caleb have a few guests this week Kerry "basketball" Boren and Blair Kiel. These four discuss the big games this week in college football and Caleb goes in depth on this upcoming weekned in the NFL. Nathan and Blair talk about the World Series and how baseball can improve the ratings by speeding up the game. Kerry "basketball" Boren talks about the upcoming season in the NBA and who he thinks plays in the championship game. Please fill out this survey http://survey.libsyn.com/fueledbysports it is greatly appreciated.


text:
2/11/2020 | 3 MINUTE READ
ATL/AFP
Rolls-Royce starts manufacture of world's largest fan blades, made with composites, for UltraFan demonstrator
CFRP blades and fan case cut weight for twin-engine aircraft by 700 kilograms
#nextgenaerospace #cleansky #autoclave
Ginger Gardiner
Senior Editor, CompositesWorld
What is the role of composites in electric vehicles?
Bespoke process produces composite brake pedal every minute
Composite fan blade in production at the Rolls-Royce composite technology center in Bristol, U.K. SOURCE for all images | Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.) has started manufacture of the world's largest fan blades, for its UltraFan demonstrator engine that will set new standards in efficiency and sustainability. This milestone marks the official start of parts production for the demonstrator.
Artist rendering of the UltraFan featuring a 140-inch-diameter set of 18 composite fan blades.
CFRP blades
The UltraFan engine will reportedly set new standards in efficiency and sustainability, offering a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions compared to the first generation of Trent engines. Part of that efficiency improvement comes from UltraFan's composite fan blades and fan case, which cut weight on a twin-engine aircraft by 700 kilograms, the equivalent of seven people with luggage.
As a set, the composite blades have a 140-inch diameter, which is almost the size of a current narrowbody aircraft fuselage. They are being made at the company's technology hub in Bristol, U.K.
The fan blades are made from 500 plies of Hexcel's (Stamford, Conn. U.S.) HexPly M91 carbon fiber-reinforced, high-toughness and impact-resistant epoxy prepreg. Hexcel supplies the slit tape for automated layup. The blades are autoclave cured using heat and pressure, precision machined and then coated before a thin titanium sheath is bonded to the leading edge, which protects against erosion, foreign objects and bird strikes. The composite titanium (CTi) blades are inspected and measured using metrology and ultrasound testing.
Composite fan blade being scanned at Rolls Royce composites technology center using a GOM Metrology system.
Bristol composites facility
The Bristol composites facility dates back to Composite Technology and Applications Ltd (CTAL), a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.) established in 2008. CTAL brought together Rolls-Royce's expertise in advanced engine technologies with GKN Aerospace's capabilities in composite research and automated manufacturing. U.K. Government funding to support Rolls-Royce's composite technology research and development also began in 2008 and was used to establish a CTAL facility on the Isle of Wight in 2012. Rolls-Royce announced in 2015 that it would move the CTAL capability, including equipment and 30-40 personnel, to Bristol in 2017.
Rolls-Royce reported in 2015 that the pre-production composite facility would be developed within an existing building alongside its new facility for carbon-fiber composite electrical harness rafts, which was then in the process of being built on the Bristol site. Both facilities benefit from manufacturing techniques developed in partnership with the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol, as well as research conducted at the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre at the University of Bristol.
Key element in sustainability strategy
Rolls-Royce carbon fiber composite titanium (CTi) fan blade for the Advanced Low Pressure System (ALPS) demonstrator.
Composite blades have already been extensively tested on an Advanced Low Pressure System (ALPS) development engine, including in-flight testing on the Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed. ALPS is a partnership between Rolls-Royce, Clean Sky, Innovate UK, BEIS, ATI, ITP Aero and GKN. The portfolio of technologies being developed to enable UltraFan is supported by ATI, Innovate UK, LuFo and Clean Sky 2.
UltraFan is a key element of Rolls-Royce's sustainability strategy, which involves continual research to improve gas turbine performance as well as pioneering electrification and working with industrial partners to accelerate the incorporation of sustainable aviation fuels. It is also part of the Rolls-Royce IntelligentEngine vision, which brings together its products, services and digital technology.
UltraFan, which will start ground tests in 2021 and be available towards the end of this decade, is a scalable design from 25,000 to 100,000 pounds of thrust. It also features:
A new engine core architecture – to deliver maximum fuel burn efficiency and low emissions
Advanced ceramic matrix composites – heat resistant components that operate more effectively in high turbine temperatures
A geared design to maximize high-thrust, high-bypass ratio engine efficiency.
"This is the decade of UltraFan and it's exciting to enter the 2020s with the start of production of the demonstrator engine," said Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce president for civil aerospace. "We have got all the building blocks in place, the design, the technologies, a brand-new testbed, and now we are actually seeing the engine come together."
Microspheres: Fillers filled with possibilities
For composite applications, these hollow microstructures displace a lot of volume at low weight and add an abundance of processing and product enhancements.
Recycled carbon fiber update: Closing the CFRP lifecycle loop
Commercial production of recycled carbon fiber currently outpaces applications for it, but materials characterization and new technology demonstrations promise to close the gap.
Boeing 787 Update
Approaching rollout and first flight, the 787 relies on innovations in composite materials and processes to hit its targets
Download the Recycled Composites Content Collection


text:
Moss: Hamilton still in pole position
metrowebukmetroMonday 8 Oct 2007 11:45 am
Formula One great Sir Stirling Moss believes Lewis Hamilton will have put his Shanghai disappointment firmly behind him when he lines up for the Brazilian Grand Prix in just under two weeks' time.
Hamilton blew his first opportunity to seal the World Championship at the Chinese Grand Prix when he slithered off the pit-lane entrance and into a gravel trap as he came in for his second pitstop.
But Moss told BBC Sport: "His preparation will not be any different for the next race, he will do exactly the same as he did in the first race – he is that brilliant."
He added: "The good news is that even though a world title hangs on the Brazil race, I'll bet it doesn't change his outlook at all.
"He will just go out there and do what he can, and he does it better than anyone else, let's face it."
Lewis HamiltonShanghaiStirling Moss
Lewis Hamilton to start world title defence in Bahrain after Australia and China postponed
Lewis Hamilton knighted in New Year's Honours list
Lewis Hamilton wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year award
Danny Ings wants move to Champions League club as Southampton exit looms


text:
Out For The Win
More OFTW
About OFTW
OFTW team
I think it helped that I was one of the strongest players on the field and I felt comfortable in the team. There will always be some jokes about my sexuality, but I have absolutely no problem with those.
As a child I was immediately fascinated by soccer. I started playing soccer in the youth team of SKL Doorslaar at the age of 6. I love this sport because it combines power, technique and tactics. There is so much more to it than the cliché that many people think: "it's just kicking a ball!" Currently I play at FC Eksaarde, which is in third provincial league in Belgium. I also play tennis at TC Reinaert and play mini-soccer on a recreational basis.
I came out when I was 21 years old; simultaneously to my family and friends. My best friends also played soccer and they knew it straight away. Not long after, I told my other teammates during a locker room conversation. Everyone responded very positively. To them I was still the same Matthias, I can't remember any negative responses. But I think it helped that I was one of the strongest players on the field and I felt comfortable in the team. There will always be some jokes about my sexuality, but I have absolutely no problem with those.
FINALIST MISTER GAY BELGIUM
That's why I'm telling my story now. I want to show other athletes that your coming out can also be welcomed, even in soccer. And that – once you feel at peace with your sexuality – there is no reason anymore to be closeted. That is also why I participate in the Mister Gay Belgium contest. It is more than a beauty contest; each year, people choose an ambassador who works on a social theme.
I am now one of the twelve finalists and the award ceremony will take place on the first of June. Forty people of my soccer club will be there at the final to support me. It's heartwarming and it also shows how well they accept me in the club. I hope I can win because as Mister Gay Belgium I will have much more power to lower the thresholds for young athletes in sports. I am committed to create more visibility. Top athletes can play a major role in this, because even though they are not gay or trans themselves, just by speaking up and telling that they are okay with it, that helps tremendously.
DON'T PUNISH, SENSIBILIZE
I don't believe in penalizing clubs when players or supporters make homophobic statements. Shutting down matches or imposing fines; it will only trigger them. Therefore, raising awareness and talking with clubs seems much more useful to me. Coaches can also play a big role: they can talk about the subject or must at least be tolerant. But young people are becoming more assertive, so the coach is sometimes less in control. That's why fellow players are the most important thing. If they stand up for you, you know you're not not alone. Their support is very important. That's why I think it's more difficult if you practice an individual sport such as tennis. You don't have a team that can defend you, you have to do it yourself. And it's also somewhat difficult to know how supporters or opponents will respond. Yet, there are also advantages, since you have to take few others into account.
When I was younger, I looked up to Robbie Rogers, the American soccer player who came out of the closet in 2013. Unfortunately, he came out rather late in his career, but his story helped me enormously. At the moment I don't know any other soccer players who are open about it. So even if I don't win the Mister Belgium title, I would be very happy if my story could help someone to come out. Especially to young athletes I would say that you first have to make the click and that you simply have to do what you feel comfortable with. The rest will come naturally! Believe in yourself and be proud of who you are.
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Categories: Football, Verhalen May 15, 2019
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