text:
\section{Introduction}

VV Puppis is considered to be a typical magnetic cataclysmic
variable or ``polar''. It contains a highly magnetic white dwarf and a late-type
secondary star. VV Pup has an orbital period of 100 minutes,
and magnetic field strengths of 30.5 MG and 56 MG at the two white dwarf
poles. As with all polars, VV Pup shows large brightness
variations of a few magnitudes between what are termed
high and low states. These are times of normal and very low mass transfer
respectively for material accreted from the secondary star to the primary white dwarf.
VV Pup has been studied in detail in the optical
since the mid-1960's (Walker 1965; Liebert et al., 1978; Schneider \& Young,
1980; Cowley et al., 1982; Wickramasinghe et al., 1989)
and at high energy
(X-ray, FUV, and UV: see Patterson et al., 1984; Vennes et al., 1995, Imamura et al.,
2000; and Hoard et al., 2002).
Nearly all studies have occurred
during a high state when emission from the accretion stream, the accretion
column near the white
dwarf magnetic pole, and the accretion region at the pole itself
dominate its flux output.
One recent X-ray study of VV Pup (Pandel and Cordova 2005) was performed during a
low state. At this time, it was observed that the mass transfer occurred in an
irregular fashion and the X-ray flux from the accretion pole region
varied by more than an order of magnitude during orbital phases when the active pole
was in view.
These authors concluded that irregular accretion is common in
low-state polars, and that such flares are due to ``accretion rate fluctuations"
representing strongly varying mass transfer from the companion star.
The flares are likely to result either from
capture of coronal mass ejections from the secondary star by the white
dwarf's strong magnetic field, or from solar flares near the L1 point. This
indicates stellar activity in the secondary star in polars.

VV Pup has been in an extended low state much of the past three years.
Based on our stochastic
monitoring efforts, the current low state appears to have started near
December 2002 and continued througout most of 2005 (until October or November)
with a brief (2-3 weeks?) volley back
to an apparent normal high state in December 2003.
During these past few years, we
have undertaken extensive photometric and spectroscopic studies of VV Pup
in the optical and IR in order to
confidently identify the secondary star and assess its properties and to
study the non-accreting white dwarf surface Zeeman field and
low state cyclotron emission. Results of our optical low state
spectroscopy and photometry as well as our magnetic modeling effort
are presented
elsewhere (Mason, et al., 2005, 2006).
Here we concentrate on IR spectroscopy
and the secondary star.
We present the first low state, phase-resolved $K$-band spectroscopy of VV Pup
wherein we determine an orbital solution for the binary.
We find the true K$_2$,
the orbital phase of the secondary star at inferior conjunction, and the
spectral type of the secondary star. We are also able to provide robust mass
estimates for M$_1$ and M$_2$.

\section{Observations}
VV Pup was observed during a low state with the NIRSPEC
instrument\footnote{http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/inst/nirspec/nirspec.html}
on Keck II under photometric conditions on 17 Feb. 2005.
Table 1 presents a journal of the observations. NIRSPEC was used in low
resolution mode with the slit width set to 0.38". Our grating tilt was chosen
to cover the $K$-band spectral range of 2.04 to 2.46 microns with a dispersion of
4.27 \AA/pixel. This setting provided access to
secondary star absorption features such as Ca, Na, and CO. We used four minute
exposure times throughout and nodded the star along the slit using the standard
NIRSPEC 2-nod script, obtaining 22 individual exposures. Observations of bright A0V stars taken nearby in time and
location, were used for telluric correction. We reduced the Keck spectra using
the IDL routine
``REDSPEC"\footnote{http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/inst/nirspec/redspec/index.html}
especially developed for NIRSPEC reductions. REDSPEC averages the two spectra
obtained in the ``A'' and ``B'' slit positions, resulting in eleven processed
spectra with relative fluxes. A0V stars are nearly featureless
in the $K$-band except for a prominent HI Brackett line at 2.16 microns. The
REDSPEC software does not attempt to correct for this feature but can
interpolate across it thus reducing the impact of the line on the program
object spectrum. Because a weak telluric feature sits near the Brackett line,
the region very near the 2.16 micron Brackett feature is slightly compromised.

Figure 1 shows our final summed $K$-band Keck spectrum of VV Pup. We note it shows
what {\it appears} to be a very weak HI Brackett emission feature. We believe
that this emission is probably artificial and is caused by the patching-over of
the standard star absorption feature during data reduction as noted above.
We can not, however, completely rule out the
possibility of residual accretion causing some weak HI Brackett
emission during this extended low state.
While we obtained phase-resolved spectroscopy (see Table 1) we
noted no significant spectral differences during the single orbit
that we observed other
than radial velocity changes in the absorption lines.
Figure 1 was produced by correcting each of our 11 spectra for the
secondary star motion using the radial velocity result below.
The final summed spectrum reveals that the
secondary star in VV Pup appears to be a normal M7V star (also see Harrison et
al., 2005).

We also observed VV Pup using SPEX on the IRTF in ``Prism mode'', from 9:58 to
11:42 UT on 2005 February 7. The dispersion in this mode is 34 \AA/pix, and
the spectra cover the wavelength range 0.64 to 2.55 $\mu$m. The integration
times for all exposures were four minutes, and we obtained 20 spectra. The spectra were reduced using
SPEXTOOL (Vacca et al. 2003). A nearby A star was used to remove telluric
features from these spectra. Figure 2 presents our IRTF/SPEX phase-resolved
data for VV Pup covering the
$IJHK$ bands. Each spectrum plotted in this figure is the average of two
individual spectra (see Table 2). The S/N of these data are not high,
as VV Pup is a challenging
target for a 3-m telescope, even at the lowest resolution setting of SPEX and
the ``smoothed" appearance of the data is solely due to its limited
spectral resolution. It
is clear, however, that at least one cyclotron
hump is present (near 1.2 $\mu$ m), which appears to be the $n$ = 3 harmonic
from the 30.5 MG pole. The reality of the
features blueward of $\sim$0.9 $\mu$m are somewhat difficult to ascertain. There are
several telluric features in this region, and due to the target faintness,
they are difficult to properly remove. In addition, the Paschen
continuum occurs in this wavelength region
(terminating at 0.82 $\mu$m), as well as the likely contribution of the $n$ = 4
harmonic from the 30.5 MG pole (centered near 0.90 $\mu$m). The $H$ and $K$
bands appear to be completely dominated by photospheric flux
from the secondary star during
all orbital phases. Near phase 0.5, the $J$-band spectra is free of cyclotron
contributions and appears to be
consistent with a normal cool late M-type secondary star.

\section{Radial Velocity Fitting}

Using our Keck phase-resolved spectroscopy we measured the line centers of the Na
doublet (2.2062 \& 2.2090 microns), the Ca triplet (2.2614, 2.2631 \& 2.2657
microns) and the blue edge of the first CO band-head (2.2935 microns).
We fit each of the lines in all eleven spectra (see Table 1)
after first boxcar smoothing them by 5
to allow robust line fitting. Figure 3 shows an example of one of our Keck spectra,
the region around the Na line, and a smoothed version of this same region.
IRAF was used to
fit each spectral line of interest (the CO edge was fit by eye)
with a single Gaussian profile returning a line
center and fitting uncertainty. In most cases, the
Gaussian line fitting determined the line center to one-fifth of the (binned)
spectral resolution, or $\pm$5\AA.
The line center uncertainties were noted for each
measurement and these errors properly propagated through the
analysis discussed below.

The CO band-head edge fitting was attempted based on some success producing
a radial velocity
curve with this technique as seen in Howell et al. (2000). For VV Pup
these measurements proved to be consistent with, but much less precise than, those
described below for the Na I lines. Use of the CO measurements simply added noise to
the final fit of a RV solution so in the end we dropped their use.
Likewise, the Ca triplet line centers were measured but proved to be chaotic
in their velocity determinations. The cause is due to the redward
component of the unresolved triplet changing strength relative to the
other two components due to its location on the rapidly
falling continuum (caused by H$_2$O steam band absorption in the secondary)
and we again dropped these measurements from the final fitting.

Measurement of the strong Na I doublet produced highly reliable velocity
determinations with an essentially constant velocity uncertainty
of $\sim$0.005 microns (the resolution element), or
$\sim$50 km sec$^{-1}$. The use of this doublet was also seen to produce good
results for the polar ST LMi in Howell et al. (2000).
The Na I doublet is not resolved in our observations and we
fit the entire absorption line taking the Na I doublet line strength
weighted center to be 2.2076 microns. This line center value will
have only a negligible effect
on the radial velocity solution values for K$_2$ or the red-to-blue crossing
phase but could effect our measured systemic velocity determination.

We determined the orbital phase of each of the eleven
observations listed in Table 1 using the photometric ephemeris presented in
Walker (1965). Walker's ephemeris for the time of high state
maximum light is
$$ JD~~ 2427889.6474 +0^{d}.0697468256 E $$ and was based on a number of nights of
multi-color 1P21 PMT photometric data obtained at the Lick 120-inch telescope.
We note here that Walker (1965) lists his ephemeris as JD
but calculations using his published tables of data, confirm that it is
really HJD\footnote{A fact also noted by Schneider \& Young (1980).}.
Additionally, the listed ephemeris in Diaz \& Steiner (1994, their eq.
1) is incorrect while Patterson (1984) suggests a correction
of $\sim$0.03 cycles to
Walker's photometric value due to timing measurements that suggest
a small drift has occurred.
While Walker (1965) is a fairly old maximum light photometric ephemeris,
it has not only been used by all VV Pup
investigators to date and, as we will see, it remains highly accurate. The time
of high state optical maximum light (Walker's phase 0.0) should be the time
when the observer is looking
most directly at the active accretion region on the white dwarf.
In most polars, the active pole is thought to be locked
near an {\it orbital phase} of $\phi$ = 0.75 $- $ 0.85,
where phase 0.0 is defined as the secondary star inferior conjunction.

Taking our velocity measurements for the Na line listed in Table 1 and using the
orbital phases calculated from the Walker photometric ephemeris, we produce the radial
velocity curve shown in Figure 4. Our best fit sine-curve solution is also plotted
and the parameters of this fit are listed in Table 3. We note that this is the
first unambiguous spectroscopic orbital solution for VV Pup.
The radial
velocity curve shows a {\it blue-to-red} crossing at orbital phase 0.48
placing the
{\it red-to-blue} crossing of the secondary star inferior conjunction at
orbital phase $-$0.02 or
very near Walker's photometric phase 0.0. Hoard et al. (2002)
also use Walker's ephemeris and,
based on high state FUV observations, conclude that the inferior
conjunction should
occur near phase 0.1. Allen and Cherepashchuck (1982) suggest that true orbital
phase zero should occur at Walker's phase 0.05$\pm$0.03 based on $J$-band photometric
observations of
secondary star ellipsoidal variations made during a low state (J$\sim$15).
However, we note above (and will detail in the Discussion)
the fact that during a low state, the
$J$-band flux for VV Pup is highly modulated by cyclotron emission. The
assignment of low state polar
light curve modulations caused by cyclotron emission
to ellipsoidal variations has occurred before (see Howell et al., 2001).
We believe that the Allen and Cherepashchuck
results are such a case and the modulation they observed was entirely due to
orbitally modulated $J$-band cyclotron emission and not ellipsoidal variations.
Given the previous work using high state
optical emission line decomposition and high energy observations, as well as
the time since Walker's
determination, we take these literature values to agree
within the uncertainty of the
original ephemeris. Our uncontaminated view of the secondary star provides the
best yet determination of the true orbital ephemeris and we use our
best fit to to
determine a spectroscopic {\it red-to-blue} crossing ephemeris for VV Pup
of
$$ HJD~~ 2453418.93818(\pm0.00005) +0^{d}.0697468256 E $$
where orbital phase 0.0 is the secondary star inferior conjunction.
Our solution has an uncertainty of about
$\pm$0.01 in phase for the time of zero crossing.

\section{Discussion}

\subsection{Low-Resolution Spectroscopy and other Low State Polars}

Our phase-resolved, low-resolution spectroscopy of VV Pup is presented in
Fig. 2. The data are fairly noisy due to the extreme faintness of VV Pup. For
most of the orbit, the $JHK$ data are consistent with the spectrum of a
late-type star. However, during the orbital phase
interval $\sim$0.8 to 0.1, two broad humps,
centered near 0.9 and 1.2 $\mu$m, develop in the $J$ band. These humps are
strongest and most easily seen in our phase 0.00 and 0.09 spectra.
and are caused by cyclotron radiation from one of
the magnetic poles of the white dwarf in VV Pup.
As described above, the feature at 1.2 $\mu$m is consistent
with the $n$ = 3 harmonic from the 30.5 MG pole.
The cyclotron ``continuum" consists of an optically thick Rayleigh-Jeans
tail at the low harmonics (long wavelengths) and a cyclotron hump modulated power law
for higher harmonics (shorter wavelengths).
As the harmonic number increases, the harmonic structure becomes
optically thin causing the discernible ``cyclotron humps"
that modulate the continuum flux.
The $n$ = 2 harmonic from this same pole would be located at
1.78 $\mu$m, but this region is compromised by telluric water vapor absorption
and early
cyclotron harmonics are generally optically thick providing only
a possible weak
continuum contribution (Wickramasinghe \& Ferrario 2000).
We see no evidence for the $n$=2 harmonic in our data.

The development of
the 0.90 $\mu$m ($n$=4) feature is quite rapid, and
appears in the spectrum at the same time as the 1.2 $\mu$m feature.
Mason et al., (2005, 2006) present high S/N optical spectroscopy of VV
Pup during this same low
state, and their results show unambiguous evidence for the 30.5 MG pole to
produce strong
cyclotron harmonics ($n$=5,6) in the red (having widths near 800-1000 \AA)
which rapidly appear during approximate orbital phases 0.8 through 0.1
and disappear during the remainder of the orbit. Their results are in
general accord
with ours. Furthermore, Mason et al. note no cyclotron emission
from the 56 MG pole, which we do not see as well, revealing that
any residual mass accretion
during the low state only occurs at the lower strength (30.5 MG)
white dwarf magnetic pole that is
energetically closer to the secondary star.

The cyclotron harmonics observed in VV Pup are weak compared with
other low state polars we have observed using SPEX (Campbell et al. 2005;
also see Harrison et al., 2004).
Figure 5 shows a single IRTF/SPEX spectrum of the star EQ Cet.
EQ Cet was studied in the optical by Schwope et al. (1999)
and assigned a magnetic field strength (for the active pole)
of B$\sim$45 MG based on the single large cyclotron hump ($n$=4)
observed in the near-IR.
Due to this single dominant cyclotron hump seen in the optical, EQ Cet
was called a LARP (low accretion rate polar)\footnote{A more recent definition
of the LARPs is provided by Schmidt et al. (2005).}.
Our SPEX observation shows the presence of three
cyclotron humps in the $J$-band region
that can be assigned to the $n$=2,3,4 (blue hump edges
at 1.4, 0.96, and 0.73 $\mu$m) harmonics
of a B=37 MG magnetic field. Thus, the once ``exotic" one hump
LARP, EQ Cet, appears to be a normal looking low state polar when observed
in the near-IR; the spectral
region for which EQ Cet's magnetic field strength produces more
than one cyclotron feature.
A detailed discussion of our phase-resolved EQ Cet spectroscopy will be presented in
Campbell et al. (2005).

EF Eri, a polar with a magnetic field strength of B=16-21 MG, also shows stronger low state
cyclotron humps in the $J$-band than does VV Pup.
We note that EF Eri has a weaker magnetic field strength than VV Pup
while EQ Cet is comparable. Cyclotron hump emission strength
mainly depends on the electron temperature (i.e., $\propto$ M$_{WD}^{\sim0.66}$),
the magnetic field strength ({\bf B}), and the
(instantaneous) mass accretion rate with lower dependence on which cyclotron
harmonic and viewing angle
(Lamb and Masters 1979; Wickramasinghe \& Ferrario 2000 ).
VV Pup is believed to have the most massive white dwarf of the
three systems discussed here (0.65 M$_{\odot}$ compared with 0.6 M$_{\odot}$ for
EF Eri and EQ Cet), while its magnetic field strength lies between the other two stars.
How can we account for the relative low state cyclotron emission strengths observed in these
three stars?  Considering the differences in white dwarf mass and {\bf B}
between these three stars and the fact that Pandel and
Cordova (2005) determined that VV Pup has a low state mass accretion rate of 9.4
$\times$ 10$^{-13}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, we can simplistically argue that EQ Cet must
have a low state mass accretion rate of less than or equal to that of VV Pup while
EF Eri's low state \.M must be nearly twice as high.
Schwope et al. (1999) calculated
that EQ Cet has a low state \.M of 1.5 $\times$ 10$^{-13}$ M$_{\odot}$
yr$^{-1}$, in
agreement with our simple model. EF Eri, on the other hand, seems to have low states
where H$\alpha$ is present and lower states where no emission is observed and the
Zeeman split hydrogen absorption lines are observable (Beuermann, et al., 2000; Howell 2004).
Additionally, EF Eri's X-ray luminosity (in the lower state) is 7 $\times$ 10$^{28}$
ergs sec$^{-1}$, far below the value of 1 $\times$ 10$^{30-31}$ ergs sec$^{-1}$
observed for VV Pup's low state (Pandel and Cordova 2005) suggesting a very low mass
accretion rate. Thus, the level of cyclotron hump strength during a low state may not
be a simple proxy allowing an estimate of the mass accretion rate.

These low state mass accretion rates are 2--3 orders of magnitude below
that expected for
short-period (below the period gap) cataclysmic variables, polars in a high
state, and disk accreting dwarf novae. We note that during what appear to be
normal polar low states,
the \.M values agree with the value proposed
as the mass accretion rate in a LARP.
We note here for interest that the mass loss rate of the sun via the
solar wind, is
$3\times$10$^{-14}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ and that of a chromospherically
active late-type main sequence star
can be $\sim$10$^{-13}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$.
LARPs were originally taken to be polars with very low \.M values during their
low states. A newer definition places them as detached binaries with very cool
white dwarfs believed to be pre-polars (Schmidt et al., 2005).
Cyclotron emission in LARPs is assigned to accretion by the white dwarf of stellar wind
material or flaring events on the secondary. If the same process provides low state
cyclotron emission in normal polars\footnote{Roche lobe overflow is believed to stop
during a low state.}, then the secondary stars must be
chromospherically active. This includes the cool
(T$_{eff}\sim$1400K), sub-stellar (0.045 M$_{\odot}$) donor object in EF Eri.

\subsection{K-Band Spectroscopy}

Our K$_2$ value, 414 km sec$^{-1}$, is the first value directly measured for
the secondary star in VV Pup. Previous attempts (see Table 4)
were performed during high states and used the fact that the narrow
or sharp component of optical H and He emission lines form on or near the
secondary star.
Schneider \& Young (1980) separately measured the broad and narrow
components of hydrogen
emission lines and used the narrow component velocities to estimate K$_2$.
Cowley et al., (1982) applied a similar technique, producing a rather complex
narrow line radial velocity curve.
Using new optical spectroscopy, Diaz and Steiner (1994) applied Doppler mapping
techniques to estimate K$_2$. These authors realized that due to the location
of the formation site of the narrow hydrogen emission line components, near L1,
an inverse K correction (Wade \& Horne 1988) would be needed to convert
the observed K$_2$ value to
the true K$_2$ value for the secondary star center of mass.
Diaz and Steiner applied this correction (assuming values
for $i$, M$_1$, and M$_2$,where M$_2$ was taken to be a
M4-5V star of mass 0.2M$_{\odot}$) as well as averaged their value with previous
estimates to produce their final best estimate for K$_2$.
Table 4 summarizes the K$_2$ history for VV Pup.

All of these studies were undertaken in the optical and during a high state and
thus none of them detected the secondary star directly. The narrow component of
the optical emission lines are formed near L1 and are highly contaminated by
the broader, more variable emission from the accretion stream and column.
Additionally, the secondary star spectral type was assumed to be M4 to M5 based
on seeing apparent TiO bands in the less than ideal low state, low resolution optical spectrum of VV
Pup presented in Liebert et al. (1978). This secondary star type became
widely accepted as it generally agreed with the JHK color of VV Pup
and the spectral type expected based on the (fallacious) idea that
cataclysmic variables have a
``Spectral Type (mass) - Roche lobe radius" relation. Our data eliminate
this shortcoming via our direct determination of the secondary star spectral
type
(see Harrison et al., 2005) and our direct measurement of absorption features from
the secondary that provide the proper K$_2$.

Taking
M$_2$ to be a normal M7V star as discussed above, we can estimate its mass
to be 0.08 M$_{\odot}$ (Golimowski et al.,
1995; Cox 2000). A spectral type of M8V is ruled out, as shown in
Harrison et al. (2005), by a comparison of the Na to CO absorption depths:
Na decreases in depth while CO becomes
far deeper in later type stars. It is harder to completely rule out an M6V type
(M = 0.12 M$_{\odot}$) for the secondary star in VV Pup,
while  a M5V has far to weak CO absorption.
The dynamic mass, spectral type relationship found by Kirkpatrick \&
McCarthy (1994) places M6.5V as the spectrally defined boundary between
normal M dwarfs and brown dwarfs. Spectral types later than this boundary value
are confused and may be normal main sequence stars or brown dwarfs (the latter
being objects
that are degenerate in temperature, mass, and radius). However, only the youngest
brown dwarfs appear similar to late M stars and it is unlikely the secondary star
in VV Pup is young.

A number of researchers have estimated the binary inclination for VV Pup.
Schneider \& Young (1980) use $i$=66$^{\circ}$ as a best fit value in order to keep
the white dwarf mass within reason. However, they assumed a 0.2 M$_{\odot}$ secondary,
and if their mass function is corrected for our new mass estimate, $i$ becomes
76$^{\circ}$. Cowley et al. (1982) only set a lower limit on K$_2$ and in order to
keep their white dwarf mass near 1.0 M$_{\odot}$, they were forced to set $i$ to
55$^{\circ}$. Their solution produced a secondary star with a mass of $\ge$0.25
M$_{\odot}$, far to massive to be consistent with our K-band determination. If we
correct their analysis with our low mass secondary, $i$ becomes 75 degrees.
Using polarimetry, Cropper (1988) measured the system geometry for the white dwarf,
solving simultaneously for the location of the magnetic pole and the inclination of
the binary system. He found a value for $i$ of 76$\pm$6$^{\circ}$.
Sirk \& Howell (1998) used EUV observations of VV Pup during a high state
and fit their observations with a 3-D accretion region model. Their best fit
binary inclination was 73$\pm$2$^{\circ}$. Finally, Vennes et al. (1995)
modeled the white dwarf flux distribution in an EUV spectrum and found a best fit by
using a corrected Cowley et al. inclination value of $i$=76$^{\circ}$.
Taking the Cropper and Sirk \& Howell results (and the consistent value found by
correcting the older results for the secondary mass plus the value used by
Vennes et al.), we take the inclination of VV Pup's orbit as 75$\pm$6$^{\circ}$.

Taking M$_2$ to be 0.10$\pm$0.02 M$_{\odot}$ and M$_1$=0.65$\pm$0.5
M$_{\odot}$ (Vennes et al., 1995, Pandel \& Cordova 2005),
we find $q$ = $\frac{M_2}{M_1}$ = 0.15 (not far from
0.18 found by Szkody et al., 1983) and would therefore predict a K$_1$
of $\sim$64 km sec$^{-1}$. Taking our $q$ value to be correct and solving the mass
function for M$_1$ (a function with only a weak dependence on $q$), we find
$$ M_1 = (1+q)^2~~  sin^{-3}i~~ P_{orb}~~ {K_2}^3~~ {2 \pi G}^{-1} $$
yields M$_1$=0.73$\pm$0.05M$_{\odot}$ where essentially all of the
uncertainty is due to our poor knowledge of the binary inclination.
The value is
in agreement with that used in Vennes et al., and in Pandel \& Cordova as well
as the mass functions presented in
both of the detailed optical spectroscopic studies of Schneider \& Young (1980)
and Cowley et al., (1982), if M$_2$ is taken to be $\sim$0.10 M$_{\odot}$.

Examination of Fig. 1 shows that during this low state, all of the $K$-band flux is
due to the secondary star. Bailey (1981) used his $K$-band flux
and, well, ``Bailey's method"
to determine VV Pup's distance while Vennes et al., (1995)
modeled EUV observations
of the accretion region on the white dwarf. Both of these authors determined
that VV Pup is about 145 pc away. For a normal M7V star, with
M$_K$ $\sim$ 10.0, the observed magnitude for this distance should be $K$ =
15.9 for the secondary star alone. It is difficult to extract precise
photometry from either our Keck or IRTF data due to the small slits used, but
both give $K ~ \approx$ 15.5. Szkody \& Capps (1980) obtained a photometric value of
$K$= 15.1$\pm$0.2 during the
1978 May low state. Using these K magnitude values and
if the secondary star is ``normal'', the implied distance is $\approx$ 120 pc.

\section{Conclusions}

We present the first K-band, low state radial velocity solution for
VV Pup. These observations allow, for the first time, a true orbital phasing for the
binary to be determined.
We note that during the low state, all the $H$ and $K$ band
flux is from the secondary star and
we can use the secondary star's spectral appearance and sodium absorption features
in its photosphere to derive mass estimates for both components of the
binary.
The secondary star in this system seems to have a mass
(M$_2$=0.10$\pm$0.02 M$_{\odot}$) and luminosity
which are consistent with a normal, late-type
M7V star. We determine a white dwarf mass of M$_1$=0.73$\pm$0.05 M$_{\odot}$.
Normal secondary stars seem to be the rule for polars but the
exception for the
remainder of the cataclysmic variables (Harrison et al., 2005).
We also provide an improved orbital ephemeris. Table 5 summarizes our determined
parameters for VV Pup.

During this low state, the cyclotron harmonics in VV Pup were very weak, much
weaker than in the LARP EQ Cet (Campbell \& Harrison 2004), or EF
Eri during its extended (8+ year) low state (Harrison et al., 2004).
It seems that
during low states, the accretion rates in polars can be just
as low as those observed for LARPs ($\sim$10$^{-13}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$),
values in agreement with single, highly active M stars..
Our findings suggest that low state polar
white dwarfs can remain at a low activity level by accreting material from
the secondary star stellar wind and/or flare or star-spot activity.
The tidally locked, spun-up secondaries in CVs should be enhanced in activity and capable of easily
providing the needed mass loss levels.
For VV Pup, low state observations indicate that a
stellar wind and/or chromospheric activity is
still on-going in a M7V star. For the secondary object in EF Eri,
similar processes need to
be present even though it is a cool, sub-stellar brown dwarf-like star.

\acknowledgments
We wish to thank John Thorstensen for providing us with his preliminary
distance determination of VV Pup. The anonymous referee is also thanked
for suggestions and comments that led to a much improved paper.
Data presented herein were obtained at the W.M. Keck Observatory, which is
operated
as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the
University of
California and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory
was made
possible by the generous financial support of the W.M. Keck Foundation.
The authors wish to recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role
and
reverence that the summit of Mauna Kea has always had within the indigenous
Hawaiian
community.  We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct
observations from this mountain.

{\bf Note added in proof:}
Thorstensen (2005, private communication) has measured a preliminary
parallax $\pi_abs = 8.6 \pm 1.5$ mas for VV Pup. A Bayesian distance
estimate taking the proper motion and Lutz-Kelker bias into account
gives 129(+29,-21) pc, in close agreement with the distance found
here.

\newpage

\begin{deluxetable}{cccc}
\tablenum{1}
\tablewidth{5.4in}
\tablecaption{Keck Spectra of VV Pup}
\tablehead{
 \colhead{Spectrum}
 & \colhead{HJD of mid-exposure}
 & \colhead{Orbital phase\tablenotemark{a}}
 & \colhead{Velocity (km sec$^{-1}$)}
}
\startdata
\hline
1 & 2453418.85622 & 0.8205812 & -460.7 \\
2 & 2453418.86238 & 0.9089006 & -298.9 \\
3 & 2453418.86958 & 0.0121311 & 8.2 \\
4 & 2453418.87587 & 0.1023145 & 146.8 \\
5 & 2453418.88265 & 0.1995232 & 266.4 \\
6 & 2453418.88875 & 0.2869824 & 294.9 \\
7 & 2453418.89555 & 0.3844778 & 28.5 \\
8 & 2453418.90158 & 0.4709334 & -82.9 \\
9 & 2453418.90816 & 0.5652746 & -322.9 \\
10 & 2453418.91423 & 0.6523036 & -478.3 \\
11 & 2453418.92842 & 0.8557538 & -496.0 \\
\hline
\enddata
\tablenotetext{a}{Determined using the photometric ephemeris given
in Walker (1965).}
\end{deluxetable}{}

\begin{deluxetable}{ccc}
\tablenum{2}
\tablewidth{3.5in}
\tablecaption{IRTF Spectra of VV Pup}
\tablehead{
 \colhead{Spectrum}
 & \colhead{UT of mid-exposure}
 & \colhead{Orbital phase\tablenotemark{a}}
}
\startdata
\hline
1 & 10:02:38 & 0.37 \\
2 & 10:13:01 & 0.47 \\
3 & 10:21:56 & 0.56 \\
4 & 10:30:47 & 0.65 \\
5 & 10:39:36 & 0.74 \\
6 & 10:48:28 & 0.83 \\
7 & 10:57:18 & 0.92 \\
8 & 11:06:05 & 0.00 \\
9 & 11:14:53 & 0.09 \\
10 & 11:23:40 & 0.18 \\
\hline
\enddata
\tablenotetext{a}{Determined using the photometric ephemeris given
in Walker (1965).}
\end{deluxetable}{}

\begin{deluxetable}{ccc}
\tablenum{3}
\tablewidth{4.8in}
\tablecaption{VV Pup Radial Velocity Solution}
\tablehead{
  \colhead{Red-to-Blue phase}
 & \colhead{$\gamma$ velocity (km sec$^{-1}$)}
 & \colhead{K$_2$ (km sec$^{-1}$)}
}
\startdata
\hline
-0.02$\pm0.006$ & -130$\pm18$ & 414$\pm27$ \\
\hline
\enddata
\end{deluxetable}{}

\begin{deluxetable}{cc}
\tablenum{4}
\tablewidth{3.2in}
\tablecaption{Previous High State, Optical K$_2$ Determinations}
\tablehead{
  \colhead{K$_2$ (km sec$^{-1}$)}
 & \colhead{Reference}
}
\startdata
\hline
437\tablenotemark{a} & Schneider \& Young (1980) \\
357$\pm$31 & Cowley et al., (1982) \\
321$\pm$21      & Diaz \& Steiner (1994) \\
467$\pm$40\tablenotemark{b}      & Diaz \& Steiner (1994) \\
\hline
\enddata
\tablenotetext{a}{No uncertainty on this value is given by the authors. They assume
M$_2$ = 0.2 M$_{\odot}$.}
\tablenotetext{b}{Diaz \& Steiner produced this value for K$_2$ by
applying a K correction to their measured value of 321 km sec$^{-1}$) and
averaging the result with the previous values found by
Schneider \& Young (1980) and Cowley et al., (1982).}
\end{deluxetable}{}

\begin{deluxetable}{cc}
\tablenum{5}
\tablewidth{2.5in}
\tablecaption{Determined Parameters for VV Pup}
\tablehead{
  \colhead{Parameter}
& \colhead{Value}
}
\startdata
\hline
M$_1$ (M$_{\odot}$) & 0.73$\pm$0.05 \\
M$_2$ (M$_{\odot}$) & 0.10$\pm$0.02 \\
M$_2$ Sp. Type & M6-7V \\
M$_2$ K mag & 15.3$\pm$0.3 \\
M$_2$ M$_K$ & $\sim$10 \\
$i$ & 75$\pm$6$^{\circ}$ \\
Distance & $\sim$120 pc \\
\hline
\enddata
\end{deluxetable}{}

\clearpage


SKELLY, Thomas (Ted) – 2nd February 2019, peacefully at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen. Late of Imeroo, Tempo. Dearly loved husband of Edith and a devoted father of James (Barbara) and Hope (Chris), also a very much loved grandfather of Jemma, Roger, Ben & Megan.
Very sadly missed by his loving wife Edith and family and all the family circle.


text:
Page last updated at 13:05 GMT, Monday, 16 June 2008 14:05 UK
Pc was 'maliciously prosecuted'
A policeman who was accused of dangerous driving after a pursuit in which a passenger died was "maliciously prosecuted", a court has heard.
Michael Alford, of Lincolnshire Police, was charged after Gareth Moore, 21, from Peterborough, died when his car was pursued by a patrol car in 2004.
Pc Alford was cleared of the charge and began civil proceedings against the investigators Cambridgeshire Police.
Cambridge County Court heard the Pc also claims false imprisonment.
The court was shown footage from the 20-minute chase and crash, in December 2004, which started in the police officer's home town of Spalding.
'Lethal weapons'
Mr Moore was a passenger in a Vauxhall Cavalier which was seen weaving in and out of traffic before leaving the road near Peterborough.
The Cavalier's driver, Ambrose Farrell, 19, was convicted of dangerous driving and jailed after the incident.
Stephen Cragg, representing Pc Alford, said the claimant's arrest four months after the incident was intended to make an example of him.
Initially handled by Lincolnshire Police, the case was transferred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Cambridgeshire Police, the court head.
Publicity at the time about deaths involving police officers included a newspaper cutting with the headline "Police drivers killed 30 people a year" in which police cars were described as "lethal weapons".
Mr Cragg said: "We say that this prosecution was a misguided attempt by the IPCC managing the investigation to essentially make an example of a case which came up around about this time."
The case against Pc Alford was dropped in September 2005 after expert evidence suggested he had done nothing wrong.
The case continues.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Supporting higher education is at the heart of the Broward International Women's Club. Each and every member of our organization believes that education has a multiplying effect that goes beyond attaining a degree, as not only does it have a positive impact in those who get an education, but also on their children and family, their communities and beyond. We believe that education is the answer to most, if not all, of the major world troubles today.
Just during the 2014-2015 academic year, nearly one million young adults came to US to study, and almost 40 thousand came to Florida; making it the 7th state in the country to receive the most international students. Over 1200 of those students chose to pursue their degrees at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, and this group represents over 114 countries, making this university one of the most diverse campus in the Southeastern United States.
Out of that population of 1200 students, more than half are young women who, given the very nature of their international status and their inability to receive federal financial aid, may risk not being able to complete their studies should they run into financial difficulties.
The Broward International Women's Club has been providing the source of relief that some of these students have needed at certain points in their academic programs for the last 40 years. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of its members, this organization has been able to help over 200 students throughout this time.
The BIWC Scholarship recipients are selected yearly by a group of Board members who conduct a very thorough selection process and decide on the best candidates for these awards. The scholarship recipients become part of the BIWC family and are invited to participate in all the fundraising events where all the members are able to meet them and learn about their stories, plans, and how the scholarships have changed the course of their destiny when they most needed them.
"Changing the world one woman at a time"; and the intention of every single BIWC member is to proudly continue working for this objective for many years to come.
For full information, please access this link: NSU International Scholarships and click on Broward International Women's Club Grant.
You can also access the BIWC Scholarship Application Form and follow instructions.
Please note that we do not process applications or requests directly, the application process is handled through the University.
Only complete applications will be considered.


text:
HomeArcher NewsCyber CrimeSurviving the new global ransomware attack
Surviving the new global ransomware attack
Categories: Archer News, Cyber Crime, Cyberattack, Health Care Security, Posts with image
A quick look at what you need to know.
You probably remember the news about WannaCry, a ransomware that hit the world in May and shut down hospitals and companies across the globe.
Now, a new global ransomware attack is on the move.
Some call it Petya. Some call it NotPetya.
"Wannacry – I am a ransomware to end all hyperbolic descriptions!" tweeted security researcher Bryan Campbell. "Petya/notpetya – hold my beer."
Computers systems at two U.S. hospitals — and possibly more — went down, and the ransomware held big company hostage, like the drug company Merck and the company that owns Oreo and Nabisco, the Washington Post reported.
The malware hit Ukraine the hardest, said cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, with Russia next in line. Other countries are reporting attacks as well.
Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear plant fell victim, as did a Danish shipping company, the Post said.
"How long do you think it will last?" asked a Twitter user going by the name Velly. "My company just shut down."
"This thing is bad," replied user Jack Halon. "Expect it to last a few weeks."
The attack reportedly started Tuesday morning in Ukraine.
The ransomware wormed its way in through an update for tax software, said cybersecurity researcher Kevin Beaumont.
Some people were hit with poisoned e-mails, said the Ukrainian cyber police.
"The second and most widespread way of distributing the present-day virus-extortion has been confirmed. These are phishing e-mails," the agency said in a tweet.
Ransomware in the Petya family will crash your computer, and when you reboot, you'll get a red and black screen demanding money to get your computer back, said Rick Howard Palo Alto Networks.
Petya ransom note. Image: Palo Alto Networks
In the current ransomware attack, you may need to pay up $300 in the digital currency bitcoin.
People have already started paying, according to Howard's post.
However, some researchers, including Beaumont, have said the payments did not work.
Not again!
For some, this new attack is frustrating.
"This stuff is getting really old," wrote a commenter on the Federal Trade Commission's website. "Not being a IT [sic] I don't understand why it can't be stopped."
Researchers say the new attack may be using the same security hole as the WannaCry attack in May.
WannaCry ransom note. Image credit: Avast
In that case, people and companies who did not update their computers left open a door for attackers to creep through.
"The WannaCry attacks in May 2017 demonstrated that many Windows systems had not been patched for this vulnerability," said Howard.
"The spread of Petya using this vulnerability indicates that many organizations may still be vulnerable, despite the attention WannaCry received," he added.
They may be vulnerable because they still have not updated their systems, even after the May ransomware crisis — or because someone else did not patch, and the infection spread.
Save yourself — and everyone else
Some cybersecurity experts are urging people and companies to take steps to protect themselves, because one vulnerable system can hurt others.
"On the heels of WannaCry, we yet again see the vulnerability of connected systems across the globe. Today's attack hit critical infrastructure — finance, transportation, manufacturing and more," said Michael Kaiser with the National Cyber Security Alliance in Washington, D.C.
"It is much more than an inconvenience," he added. "We are more dependent than ever on the data stored across our computer systems. It is our shared responsibility to do our part in keeping devices secure. It all starts with basic cyber hygiene around software updates and locking down logins."
The WannaCry ransomware attack in May affected hospitals in England.
First step — update!
"It's crucial to keep operating systems and other software up to date," said the FTC.
Next?
"Back up your files!" recommended the FTC, with a video for encouragement.
Also, do not click on attachments from untrusted sources, said Kaspersky Lab.
Companies should also segment their networks to protect from the new Petya, said Arbor Networks.
Here is more info for companies and organizations from the National Cyber Security Alliance:
—Keep clean machines: Prevent infections by updating critical software as soon as patches or new operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other internet-connected devices.
—Lock down your login: Strong authentication — requiring more than a username and password to access accounts — should be deployed on critical networks to prevent access through stolen or hacked credentials.
—Conduct regular backups of systems: Systems can be restored in cases of ransomware and having current backup of all data speeds the recovery process.
—Make better passwords: In cases where passwords are still used, require long, strong and unique passwords to better harden accounts against intrusions.
—Check with your software vendors: In the wake of an attack of this nature, software vendors may issue patches or other solutions to eliminate specific vulnerabilities discovered during the attack. Implement those fixes as soon as possible.
Main image: Ransomware demand note. Image credit: Kaspersky Lab
cyber attack cyber crime cyber extortion cybersecurity malware ransomware Ukraine


text:
Q: Error trying to diff '[object Object]'. Only arrays and iterables are allowed when I call get I have my servers.service.ts that does a GET REQUEST this:
  getServers(){
     return this.http.get('https://*******.firebaseio.com/data.json').map((response: Response)=>{const data=response.json();console.log(data);return data;});
}

And in my app.component.ts I do this:
onGet(){
    this.serverService.getServers().subscribe(
      (servers: any[])=> this.servers=servers,
      (error)=>console.log(error)
    );
  }

I use like db firebase and it throws this exception

Error trying to diff '[object Object]'. Only arrays and iterables are
  allowed

when I call  onGet(). Anyone can help me?

A:
ngFor only accept array format data. But your service returning non array object.that's the reason for why you are getting this error.

Try this below code
const data=response.json().results;

instead of
 const data=response.json()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The rumour is that the whole block on Soi 11 which once included Cheap Charlie's will be developed as an annex of Bumrumgrad Hospital catering mainly to Arabs. Soi 11 is not what it used to be, or am I just getting very old?
Hitch hikers, of course. It's still pretty much in use in Europe and some other parts of the Western world, where public transportation costs a fortune. It was extremely popular for college kids once. Often you met people who not only gave you a ride, but were hospitable in many ways. But once you looked beyond that age most people expected you to pay for your rides, take the train or bus or organize a shared ride over the local newspaper etc. The share-a-ride traveling became popular. The internet helped that with social media like https://www.couchsurfing.com/, a way of traveling considered much safer than hitch hiking.
In Thailand hitch hiking isn't only in conflict with the image of the rich foreigner. For college kids over here it might be dangerous; for adults inappropriate.
So what would you call these guys wandering round different countries, begging lifts, beg packers, back packers or hitch hikers cheap charlies or scroungers even. the question being, have they really got no money or are they saving their money to buy other things. does it make the farang/expat look good in the eyes of some people. foreigners trying to get money to pay for their travels have been in the news a lot lately. I hitch hiked when i was a teen in my country, nobody seemed to think it was wrong, although i don't think i would of done it here. But people will video anything nowadays, who knows they might get 5 minutes of fame.
The famous Cheap Charlies bar which was loved by so many is making a comeback after it's farewell in march, to reopen at a new location.
My SUPER CHEAP $80 Apartment in Thailand!
of course someones got to foot the bill - but i can't believe some pay up to 5k as in stickboys article below.
I'm not even mentioning that 5k madness from some Cowboy bars. That's stupid money.
This reminds me when car dealers have promotions where they give a rebate on the purchase of a new car...say 1,500 dollars, but then increase the invoice cost of the car by 2,500 dollars. The customer thinks he's getting a good deal. No bar fine, but the cost for short time and long time will increase. Just watch.
WOW! will all the cheap charlies be on the move to nana as Stickboy reports there is no bar fines at Bangkok bunnies at nana, is this a sign of the times, is this saying something The article states. From this Monday, July 10, Bangkok Bunnies on the ground floor of Nana Plaza will not be charging customers a bar fine to take a dancer out the bar.
RIP Cheap Charlie's, Shame to see it go, been there about 34 years, The legendary dive bar is being closed down for urban development. Very popular with expats was cheap charlies, the patrons of the bar have been 80 percent foreign and 20 percent Thai. A humble little bar that people were happy to go, condo here we come.
What is a cheap charlie, if you don't think whatever is on offer is worth the value to what's being asked, then you don't buy it, yes you might get called a cheap charlie, better than getting mugged off.
You often hear thai people speak, Farang good or Cheap charlie, the good farang is the one that hands over his money on demand but the cheap charlie is the one that refuses to do so. Maybe he has worked hard all his life and is not throwing his money away on people he doesn't really know. So he avoids being taken to the cleaners, does that make him a bad guy, a cheap charlie, or a sensible guy. not a mug.
The saying came from vietnam from the war days and was usually directed at the GIs that would try and get laid for a chewing gum. you hear it in pattya and the likes of.
why are some called cheap charlies,are they mean or maybe they just no have.in an attempt to define the term "Cheap Charlie" which sounds a bit of an insult,but is it,just opposite to a big spender. many times the farang will call other farangs Cheap Charlie.a cheap Charlie does not want a good deal but want two times the value for nothing. a bar girl might call you a Cheap Charlie as one last attempt make you pay too much.


Back to School Cavity Prevention..
While a visit to the dentist may not seem as important as a physical examination at the doctor, your child's oral health is in fact crucial to his or her overall health. Dr. William Harper understands that back-to-school preparations can be stressful on both parents and children and would like to offer some tips on how to ace that dental checkup and stay cavity-free for the whole school year!
You can prevent your child from becoming a part of this statistic simply by encouraging them to brush for 2 minutes twice daily (2 X 2) and floss once daily. During routine dental visits to our Poquoson, VA office, we take the time to show our young patients how to effectively brush and floss to maintain tooth enamel and oral health.
If your child is especially prone to cavities or if a low-sugar diet is not entirely realistic, you may want to talk to Dr. Harper about preventative sealants. This dental procedure uses a resin to fill in the pits and grooves on your molar teeth and makes them a less favorable environment for bacterial invasion.
We hope that you found these suggestions helpful and Dr. Harper and his staff would like to wish you a happy and healthy new school year!


text:
PAHO celebrates 120 years and honors Ministry of Health for efforts to improve SUS — Português (Brasil)
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) celebrates, this Friday (2), 120 years of existence. It is the oldest international public health organization in the world, which acts as a regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO), working with the countries of the Americas to improve the quality of life of their populations.
This Friday is also the Pan American Health Day, a date that marks joint actions by the countries of the Americas in promoting health and fighting to eliminate diseases such as polio, last recorded in Brazil in 1989.
During the anniversary ceremony, held at the organization's headquarters in Brazil, in Brasília (DF), the Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, said that PAHO is in the heart of every citizen of the American continent. "PAHO has undisputed leadership. And its performance is in line with what the SUS has done for Brazil. Where there is Brazil, there is SUS. And where there is an American country, there is PAHO lending a helping hand".
"The foundation of PAHO's work is technical cooperation. And cooperation is nothing more than a way for us to grow together, to work towards the same objective, building relationships and always collaborating to save and transform lives, in Brazil and throughout the Americas region", said the PAHO/WHO representative in Brazil, Socorro Gross.
At the ceremony, Pasta was honored with a plaque in which PAHO recognizes the Ministry's contribution to the constitutional guarantee of the right to health, working with states and municipalities to improve the SUS.
The PAHO/WHO Office in Brazil works directly with the Ministry of Health, other ministries, state and municipal health departments. Joint action is promoted through technical cooperation.
Among the agreements is the Term of Cooperation 140, which provides for actions to qualify health management to improve equity and efficiency in the allocation of resources in the SUS. Terms were also signed that work in the field of strengthening pharmaceutical care and expanding epidemiological knowledge in the public health system.
Nathan Victor
Official content – Fact Check – Verified
Brazil has second month with fewer weekly records of severe acute respiratory syndrome since the beginning of the pandemic — Português (Brasil)
Brazilian Natural Medicine / 7 de October de 2022 7 de October de 2022 / Brazil, health, latam, south america
Women's Health Care is the subject of a free course for professionals in the area — Portuguese (Brazil)
Doctors for Brazil Program extends applications for fellows until Monday (10) — Portuguese (Brazil)
workshops in the states clarify doubts of managers — Portuguese (Brazil)
Prevention of cervical cancer in indigenous women will be the topic of a webinar — Português (Brasil)
Leprosy will be the subject of the next SVS Study Cycle, this Wednesday (5) — Portuguese (Brazil)
Webinar on Rocky Mountain spotted fever takes place this Wednesday (5) — CMIO(Brazil)
public call for educational actions in epidemiology and biostatistics for HTA — CMIO()
Chinese government says deaths from covid-19 dropped by 97.6%
Police officers will be investigated in Peru for arbitrary arrests | News
The death toll in Türkiye and Syria due to earthquakes rises to more than 12,000 | News
Forest fires in Chile advance and destroy hundreds of homes
Turkey continues to extinguish the fire in the port of Iskenderun


Displaying 71-80 of 2442 entries for Keyword: love.
A mad kinde of wooing, / Or, a Dialogue betweene Will the simple, and Nan the subtill, / With their louing agreement.
To the tune of new dance at the Red Bull Play-house.
A mad kinde of wooing. / Or, a Dialogue betweene Will the simple, and Nan the subtill, / With their louing agreement.
To the tune of the new dance at the Red Bull Play-house.
A man cannot lose his money, but he shall be mockt too, / OR, / Suttle Mals loue to simple Coney, / To make him an Asse to spend his money.
To the Tune of Oh no, no, no, not yet.
Tune of, Jenny come tye my bonny Cravat.
A Maydens Lamentation for a Bedfellovv. / Or, I can, nor will no longer lye alone. / As it hath been often sung at the Court.
To the tune of, I will giue thee kisses one, two, or three.
A Maydens Lamentation for a Bedfellovv. / Or, I can, nor will no longer lye alone. As it hath beene / sung at the Court.
To the tune of, hoop do me no harme good man.
A Merry Wedding: / OR, / O Brave ARTHUR of BRADLY.
To a pleasant new Tune, &c.


By clicking the button, you will be raising SensualSara to the first position on the main page for 60 seconds. During this time the model's chat room will become much more visible and incredibly popular! A notification about your action will appear in the chat, visible to the model and the other chat users. SensualSara will be sure to appreciate this gesture and be immeasurably grateful to you!
Men who understand that a woman doesnt need to be naked to please him.
Im a non-naked model but a pure tease!!
Has to be the most beautiful model on here.


text:
Black Walnut is a historic plantation house and farm located near Clover, Halifax County, Virginia. The main house was built in at least three sections beginning about 1774 to 1790. In the 1840s and 1850s, a substantial two-story frame addition was built in two stages parallel to the existing house, along with a connecting hyphen, altogether giving the house an H-shape. The interior features Greek Revival style details.

Also on the property are the contributing brick kitchen, a dairy, a wash-house, two smokehouses, two sheds, a cool-storage building, a privy, a stable, a barn, a slave cabin, a corncrib, two machine sheds, a toolshed, a garage, a late 18th-century schoolhouse, and the family cemetery.

At its peak, Black Walnut Plantation was one of the largest and most successful plantations in Halifax County. The only Civil War battle fought in Halifax County, the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, took place on Black Walnut Plantation in Summer 1864. Confederate troops maintained encampment there during the war alongside up to 800 Confederate slave laborers.

During the September 1939 National Tobacco Festival, Academy Award Winner Mary Pickford visited Black Walnut as Queen of the festival.

Early history
The Staunton River Battlefield Project is a collaboration between the Dr. James W. Jordan Archaeology Field School and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Division of State Parks. This research is being undertaken at Staunton River Battlefield State Park. Originally the focus was on the Civil War battle that took place on this site in 1864. Following the work on the Civil War site, the focus shifted to the prehistoric past when the remnants of a Saponi Indian village dating back to the Late Woodland period were discovered at the Randy K. Wade Archeological Site.

To date, more than 100,000 artifacts have been recovered from this site and radiocarbon dating has demonstrated that the site was occupied from approximately A.D. 950 to 1425. Paleo-environmental data has indicated that the site was occupied year-round, rather than seasonally, and it is currently estimated that around 200 people lived at the Wade Site. This research has focused on a variety of questions including subsistence strategy and horticultural development, social organization, mortuary practices, and environment reconstruction.

Some of the more intriguing evidence at the site relates to the variability in the burial practices that may indicate social stratification and a shift from Big Man to Chiefdom social organization. Also of interest is whether the site was actually an island in the Staunton River and whether it may have been one at the time the site was occupied. Future fieldwork will continue to seek answers to these and other questions.

Initial survey and settlement, 1700s
In 1741, Richard Randolph of Henrico County was granted a land patent of 10,300 acres situated along both shores of the Staunton [Roanoke] River, Licking Hole [Little Roanoke] Creek, and Black Walnut Creek, in what was then Lunenburg County. With the creation of Halifax County in 1752, 3,100 acres of Randolph's original land patent was cut off and annexed to the newly established county. In 1748, Richard devised this parcel to his son, John Randolph. Randolph never resided on this property since the family's primary residence was Henrico County where they owned several plantations along the James River. During this early period, however, the property was referred to as the "Black Walnut Plantation" indicating some type of improvement on the site.

Acquisition by William Sims, 1768
Twenty years later, in June 1768, John Randolph sold the entire 3,100-acre parcel to William Sims of Cornwall Parish, Charlotte County. The deed from John Randolph to William Sims described the tract as being part of a larger tract known as "Black Walnut Plantation" and a small plantation opposite to the mouth of the Little Roanoke River. William Sims and his brothers, David and Matthew, moved to Halifax County from Charlotte around 1770. During William Sims' brief tenure, tobacco was cultivated as the main crop, along with other crops and livestock. After five years of ownership, William Sims sold his 3,100-acre property to Matthew Sims for five shillings. Matthew Sims settled on part of the property and, in February 1774, surveyed off 1,750 acres and sold it to his brother, David Sims.

Early settlement and land-use, 1770s–1800s

Matthew Sims (1773–1790)
The lands retained by Matthew Sims were established as his homestead, where he built his manor house. The main house, which dates to the 1770s, probably stood as a 1-story or -story single-pile, four-room house with interior end chimneys. The earliest documented outbuilding associated with the Black Walnut plantation was constructed southeast of the main house and consisted of a -story, wood-frame building (Figure 9). This building terminates in a steeply pitched roof that is sheathed in standing-seam metal. The late-eighteenth-century structure was used as a schoolhouse; the building is still extant on the Black Walnut property.

Matthew took an active role in the Episcopal church, as did many of Halifax County's leading citizens. The boundaries of Halifax County and the Episcopal parish, Antrim, coincided. In 1783 Matthew and several other leading citizens were designated to collect tithes in the western section of the county.

Matthew married Amey (Oney) May of Charlotte County in 1774. Matthew died in 1790 and left behind his wife and nine children. An inventory dated November 1790 shows his estate as including 40 slaves, personal belongings, crops, and livestock. Agricultural crops listed in this inventory included "200 barrels corn, crop of tobo. 1790 supposed 15000" pounds. Livestock included 45 cattle and horses, and 13 hogs. Amey May Sims acquired title to a 325-acre tract of land, including "the mansion house". According to Matthew Sims' inventory, the remaining twenty slaves were divided among his children. His son, Matthew, received "1 Negro man slave, Taylor, 1 Negro woman slave, Page, 2 Negro girls, Julia and Hannah". His daughter, Lettie Sims, was bequeathed "1 Negro man slave, Daniel, 1 boy slave, Lott, 1 girl slave, Dorcas". Charles Sims was left "l Negro man slave, Easop, 1 Negro slave girl, Tamer". Nancey Sims was bequeathed "1 Negro man slave, Davie, 1 Negro girl slave, Jeanney". Martricia received "1 Negro man Slave, Toney, 1 Negro woman Slave, Elie, and child, Visay". Oney was bequeathed "1 Negro boy Slave, Harry; 1 Negro girl Slave, Little Nanney; 1 Negro boy Slave, Ceasar". Elizabeth Sims received three slaves, including "l Negro man Slave, Antony, 1 Negro boy Slave, Emanuel, 1 Negro girl Slave, Unity".

David Sims (1774-1783)
David Sims settled on the 1,750-acre portion of the original Randolph land grant that he purchased from Matthew in 1774. David operated the plantation for a decade, from 1774 until his death in 1783. In January 1774, he married Lettice May from Charlotte County. David established himself as a prominent planter and served as vestryman for Antrim Parish beginning in 1782. When David died in 1783, he left behind his widow and four children, Betsy, Priscilla, Patty, and John. His inventory at the time of his death was quite substantial and included 30 slaves, 70 cows, three oxen, 57 sheep, 59 hogs, 11 horses, household furniture, and farming equipment. Most of his real estate was bequeathed to his son, John, and held in trust until 1803, when he became old enough to operate the plantation. During this period, the plantation continued to produce tobacco, in addition to corn, beef, and pork. A 1797 inventory listed 27 slaves, 39 head of cattle, 90 hogs, 45 young pigs, 35 geese, and several horses.

Land-use and development, 1800s-1890s

John Sims (1803-1852)
John Sims, David Sims' son, was largely responsible for Black Walnut's success as one of the most prosperous farms in Halifax County. John Sims received his inheritance in 1803, which included the 1,500-acre tract of land and 29 slaves. John Sims acquired additional landholdings in the county throughout the 1800s, becoming one of the largest landowners in the area. Only three other landowners, William Logan, Richard Logan, and John Coleman, held more land by 1850. John Sims operated the Black Walnut plantation for the next five decades, until his death in 1852.

John Sims received his formal education at Hampden-Sydney. In 1809, he had acquired the 325-acre tract and mansion from his uncle Matthew's heirs. The following year, John Sims married Maria Wilson Clark. During their marriage, they resided at the Black Walnut plantation house. John and Maria Sims had four children: Mary Elizabeth, Phebe Ann, Mary Wilson, and William Howson. In 1815, their residence was valued at $2,000.00.Interior appointments included 8 calico window curtains; 1 carpet; 12 chairs with gold leaf; 1 piano; 1 sideboard; 1 mahogany bureau; 1 bureau; 1 chest of drawers; 1 clock; and 2 silver salvers. Maria Sims died in July 1822, and John Sims devoted the rest of his life to rearing his four children and managing the large estate.

The Black Walnut Plantation reached its heyday by the mid-nineteenth century under the careful management of John Sims. The plantation in 1850 was described as consisting of 1,000 acres of improved land and 1,200 acres of unimproved land. His prosperity also was illustrated by the significant increase in slaveholdings. Between 1820 and 1840, John Sims increased his slaveholdings from 77 slaves to 137 slaves. By 1850, his labor force included 150 slaves.

Tobacco was cultivated as the main cash crop, however, the plantation was diversified and raised such commercial commodities as grain, livestock, and dairy product. A second farm in the county that was operated by John Sims encompassed 337 acres and raised a variety of crops, including corn, oats, tobacco, cotton, and butter.

The Black Walnut plantation complex grew to encompass a variety of domestic and agricultural outbuildings; the main house served as the focal point. Domestic outbuildings, including a smokehouse, dairy, kitchen, and icehouse, were placed in a U-shaped cluster to the rear, or west, of the main house. Slave quarters and agricultural outbuildings were more isolated from the main living area. A formal boxwood garden was laid out south of the main house, and a terraced vegetable garden was situated to the northwest. A variety of native and ornamental trees and shrubs landscaped the grounds, and the entire complex was enclosed by woodland. A family cemetery was situated northwest of the house.

John Sims' prosperity was illustrated by the substantial modifications made to the manor house during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, at which time the central section of the house was raised to a full two-story height. The house was altered again with the construction of a substantial two-story frame addition connected by a central hyphen, resulting in its present H-shaped configuration. The 1848 tax assessment for this property shows an increase in valuation due to "improvements". The plan of the house consisted of two center-hall, single-pile units joined by a center hyphen. The exterior walls were sheathed in beaded wood siding. The building's massing terminated in a gable roof sheathed in metal standing-seam panels. Wooden block modillions ornamented the front and rear eaves and partially returned cornices. Central brick exterior-end chimneys were located on each gable-end. Small attic vents punctuated the gable ends. The three-bay main facade was characterized by its symmetrical composition. A one-story hipped roof portico was centered on the facade and delineated the front entrance. Nine-over-nine-light, double-hung, wooden sash windows were aligned across this facade. The window openings were framed by louvered wood blinds. One-room units flanked the rear two-story section, and a one-story porch extended across the rear elevation.

Only a few of the plantation's outbuildings are extant from this period of development, and include a wash house/cool storage, a smokehouse, a slave cabin, a corn house, and a two-room brick kitchen situated directly behind the main house. All of these buildings were constructed of wood-frame and terminated in steeply-pitched gable roofs.

Two tobacco barns and another slave quarter still survive and are situated southeast of the main house. These outbuildings were isolated from the main domestic complex and were characterized by their log construction. As of 1996, all of these buildings existed in a ruinous state.

William Howson Sims (1852-1890)
At the time of John Sims' death in 1852, the estate had increased substantially in value and grown to encompass roughly 2,500 acres. Other real estate included 245 sheep, 12 oxen, 300 hogs, and 100 head of cattle. John Sims bequeathed the majority of his real estate, including the mansion house, to his son, William Howson Sims. Smaller landholdings were distributed between Maria Garrett, his only surviving daughter, and his grandchildren. Maria Garrett received 47 slaves and small properties, while his granddaughter, Elizabeth Coleman, daughter of Mary Elizabeth, received 46 slaves.

William Howson Sims managed the substantial Black Walnut plantation between 1852 until his death in 1890. William Howson was educated at Hampden-Sydney and passed the bar. "However, innovative farming techniques were more attractive to him than the practice of law, and his time was devoted to the running of his plantation". During his tenure, he acquired title to the additional portions of the Black Walnut tract, as well as purchasing other landholdings in Halifax County. William Howson also assisted his aunt, Phoebe Howson Clark Bailey, with the operation of her plantation, "Oak Hill". According to correspondence on file in the Bailey Family Papers, Phoebe Bailey's nephew, W.H. Sims, would mount his horse and spent the night at her plantation to assist her with affairs.

In 1844, prior to inheriting the Black Walnut property, William Howson brought his wife, Sallie J. Wilson, and their four children, Eliza Broadnax, Maria Clark, John, and William Bailey, to reside at the manor house. During the 1860s, both of his daughters were sent to Richmond to attend private school. John Sims attended Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1867, while William Bailey was educated at "Creek Side". William S. later graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

In 1857, roughly 22 acres were sold to the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company. By this period, William Howson Sims owned 16 tracts of land in Halifax County, along with 116 slaves. He employed four overseers to manage his extensive landholdings. The 1860 Census identifies William Howson Sims as a "planter" owning $57,000.00 worth of real estate and $238,270.00 worth of personal property.

The Civil War
With the commencement of the Civil War, William H. Sims did not join the Confederate army and, instead, continued to operate his plantation. It is likely that William Sims concurred with the general opinion that the war would be short and successful because as the war progressed, Sims' efforts for the Confederate cause increased. In March 1862, Sims was conscripted and was slated to serve as a private in Captain Moore's Company of the 84th Virginia Infantry. William appealed his case to the Halifax County Conscription Exemption Board and was allowed to hire a substitute. Sims was required to pay $30.00 to provide his substitute with a uniform. Sims wrote to his uncle about the news. In the same letter, he also noted that Governor Letcher had mobilized the Richmond militia to fight. At that time Union troops were landing at Fort Monroe in Hampton Roads to begin a march upon Richmond. Sims was conscripted again the following year and was exempted. Joseph H. Lambeth served as his substitute.

After the Confederate government ceased the practice of substitution, William Sims applied for an exemption. While approval of his exemption was pending, he prepared to join the army as part of the Black Walnut Cavalry Company. Sims did not join the cavalry company but, instead, remained at Black Walnut.

In June 1864, the Battle of Staunton River Bridge took place. The Union objective was the destruction of the R&D railroad bridge over the Staunton River. Confederate forces prepared defenses on the Sims' side of the river, and on the eastern bank. Following the battle, a permanent Confederate garrison was established on Sims' property that was manned by both troops and 800 slave laborers.

William Sims was conscripted again in August 1864, at which time he was officially assigned to the Danville Division of the Confederate Subsistence Department, under the command of Col. A. H. McCleish. His duty was to collect foodstuffs in the Halifax region and forward them to the army.

According to the 1860 Agricultural Census, William Howson Sims had 1,800 acres under cultivation and 2,000 unimproved acres. During the Civil War, William Howson responded to the state's dire food shortages by practicing agricultural diversification, harvesting crops such as tobacco, wheat, Indian corn, oats, peas and beans, potatoes, grass seed, and hops. Horses, cows, oxen, sheep, and pigs also were raised on the plantation. Other products included 260 pounds of wool, 300 pounds of butter, and three pounds of beeswax.

Throughout 1863, Sims continued to transport agricultural goods to the Clover Depot of the Richmond and Danville (R&D) Railroad. By the following year, William Howson was forced to discontinue shipping agricultural goods from the Clover Depot due to a lack of available railroad cars for storage or transport. William Howson also lost several of his male slaves after they were requisitioned by the Confederate army. In October, Sims' overseers were also conscripted.

To exacerbate the situation, the region experienced a drought during the summer of 1864. Sims' efforts to purchase wheat for the army met with little success. In October, Sims collected 14 bushels and 25 pounds of wheat for the Quartermaster Department. In November 1864 Sims provided the Army Quartermaster with 1,948 pounds of baled oats; 2,093 pounds of fodder; and 1,242 pounds of corn. On March 9, 1865, he provided 11,284 pounds of straw.

Sims also sold beef to the Confederate troops and slave laborers stationed at the garrison. Sims signed a pardon on August 2, 1865. Union troops continued to occupy the Black Walnut Plantation following the conclusion of the war, however, this did not halt commercial activity. On April 17, 1865, Sims sold 1,500 pounds of oats, one barrel of flour, and three and one-half barrels of corn.

Reconstruction - Present
Following the Civil War, William H. Sims reduced his landholdings. By 1870, the amount of acreage under cultivation dropped to 225 acres, with 1,000 unimproved acres. William H. most likely rented land to tenant farmers; in addition, many of the former slaves continued to live on the plantation, serving either as tenant farmers or paid laborers. Tobacco continued as the primary cash crop during this period. Although tobacco production was less than half of the amount produced during the previous decade, William Howson remained one of the top five tobacco producers in the Roanoke District. Other agricultural crops included wheat, corn, and oats. A variety of livestock was raised during this period, including horses, mules, oxen, cattle, sheep, and pigs.

By 1880, William H. had 245 acres of tilled land, 150 acres of meadow and pasture, and 1,000 acres of wooded land. His livestock was reduced slightly to include seven horses, four mules, seven oxen, 40 sheep, and 35 pigs. Agricultural products were diverse and included eggs, butter, honey, and fruit. For the next 98 years, the heirs of William H. continued to operate various sections of the plantation. In 1978, Dr. William Randolph Watkins, grandson of Maria Sims Garrett, took over ownership of the property. Upon his death in 1997, his son Tucker Carrington Watkins IV occupied the plantation and made various improvements. After Tucker died on 6 October 2012, his nephew John Payne Thrift III decided to auction off the contents of the house and sell the  property for $2,050,000 in 2014, as no-one in the family had an interest in living there. This marked the first time the house had been on the market since 1768.

References

Further reading
Historical monograph on the Black Walnut Plantation Historic District
Virginia Landmarks Register: 041-0006 Black Walnut Plantation

Plantations in Virginia
Plantation houses in Virginia
Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
Farms on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
Greek Revival houses in Virginia
Houses completed in 1848
Houses in Halifax County, Virginia
National Register of Historic Places in Halifax County, Virginia
Slave cabins and quarters in the United States

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Spring @Transactional in H2 for insert statement I want to insert data in my table, but insert only that doesn't exist in my DB. I'm using Spring 5, jdbcTemplate and in-memory H2.
I need something like that below, but H2 doesn't have PL.
How can I write a right java method with @Transactional annotation to reach atomic operation. Something very like putIfAbsent() in ConcurrentHashMap.
What I need if H2 has PL:
    @Transactional
    public void create(String city, Double temperature) {
    String query = "BEGIN\n" +
            "   IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM weather \n" +
            "                   WHERE city = :city)\n" +
            "   BEGIN\n" +
            "       INSERT INTO weather (city, temperature, time_stamp)\n" +
            "       VALUES (:city, :temperature, :time_stamp)\n" +
            "   END\n" +
            "END";
MapSqlParameterSource paramMap = new MapSqlParameterSource();
    paramMap.addValue("city", city);
    paramMap.addValue("temperature", temperature);
    paramMap.addValue("time_stamp", new Date());
    jdbcTemplate.update(query, paramMap);
    System.out.println("Inserted into Weather Table Successfully");
    }


To use this coupon for discounted admission, please present it on your mobile device or click on the image to print it and bring it in with you. One coupon per party. To use the coupon for your on-line ticket purchases, use code: webcoupon.


You can be on the list. All you have to do is donate PtokaX project by sending some money (read the Donations thread or go here and donate via PayPal).
Contributors will gain a special privileges, such as the right to test pre-release versions, the right to get personalised PtokaX builds and more.


On April 26th the National Memorial for Peace and Justice opens in Montgomery, Alabama commemorating Brooks and over 4400 Black victims of lynching. In preparation for its opening, 60 Minutes' Oprah Winfrey reported on the museum and the heritage of lynching, and the report included examples of the scores of lynching images that were taken during the racial terror killings of people like Tom Brooks. 60 Minutes chose to show images of lynching in prime time, even as they acknowledged that these pictures are enormously unsettling things: contemporary White audiences are perhaps ashamed to acknowledge the social tolerance for (if not acceptance of) vigilante mob murders; many people are repulsed by the images' ghastly materiality of torture; and a few consider lynching an anomaly safely lodged in the past, if not a misrepresentation of objective history (compare David Horowitz's argument that the museum is a "racist project" and suggestion that "many" lynching victims "were guilty of heinous crimes").
A designer's illustration of the Memorial for Peace and Justice.
The NAACP's The Crisis regularly published lynching pictures, convinced that the undisguised barbarity of lynching photographs would fuel public sentiment against lynching. However, most White newspapers and even a few readers of The Crisis considered the images counter-productive. In February, 1937, for instance, The Crisis responded to a complaint from a reader who objected to an image of Lint Shaw, who had been murdered in Royston, Georgia in April, 1936. A reader suggested that "the printing of such pictures did not aid the fight against lynching, but served only to create racial hatred." The Crisis responded that they felt "the sheer horror of lynching serves to rouse ordinarily lethargic people to action." In 1930 the Indianapolis News rejected The Crisis' argument when it lamented the widespread circulation of an image of two men lynched in Marion, Indiana (which appeared on the front page of Indianapolis' African-American The Indianapolis Recorder). The News argued that "a revolting photograph is nothing else, no matter how much a newspaper may urge that its use may teach an object lesson." However, several days after the murder the paper did publish pictures of curious crowds milling about the tree, and the city's other White newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, published images of people inspecting the damaged jail from which the prisoners were taken.
Wichita's The Weekly Eagle ran this ad for two months in 1911 selling images of Laura and L.D. Nelson's lynching in Oklahoma.
Despite the 1908 edict, there is little evidence the Postal Service genuinely attempted to restrict the mailing of lynching photographs, which continued to be distributed long after the Post Office's ruling. In June and July, 1911, for instance, Wichita, Kansas' The Weekly Eagle ran advertisements selling "those famous lynching pictures from Ofuskee County" Oklahoma for $1 a dozen. On May 25, 1911 an African-American mother and her son, Laura and L. D. Nelson, had been seized from a jail where L.D. was being held for suspected murder and hung from a railroad bridge, and local photographer George Henry Farnum captured individual close-ups of each body and two scenes of the crowds gathered on the bridge (image here).
Lynching photography provided a visual rhetoric for mob violence that shaped the process, performance, and staging of lynchings. For instance, perhaps the most unsettling feature of lynching images is their depiction of orderly White perpetrators casually gathered around a corpse or somebody they are preparing to murder. Amy Louise Wood argues that lynching images legitimized collective White violence by portraying these "orderly, respectable mobs" untroubled by the horrific details of hanging, burning, or torture. Sandy Alexandre argues that the visual convention of a victim suspended from an anonymous tree or pole in an unidentifiable place separated from the ground confirmed Black landlessness and material dispossession.
Oprah Winfrey tours the Memorial for Peace and Justice with Bryan Stevenson.
The viewers of 60 Minutes may well be unsettled by the images that were part of Winfrey's report (compare Executive Producer Jeff Fager's interview on the decision to use the images), and some viewers may find the images traumatizing records of racist violence. Nevertheless, viewing lynching images in mute horror risks ignoring that their visual rhetoric frames how we view images like Michael Brown's body lying on Canfield Drive. 60 Minutes aspired to compel audiences to look at and experience distress, but historical apologists risk reducing such images to macabre anomalies at odds with America's otherwise democratic ideals. Beyond their capacity to publicly acknowledge the history of racist violence, the real power of lynching images may be to face up to the ways the visual rhetoric and rationalizations for lynching continue to shape life along and across the contemporary color line.
2012 The Properties of Violence: Claims to Ownership in Representations of Lynching. University Press of Mississippi, Jackson.
2000 Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America. Twin Palms Publishers, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
2004 Imagery of Lynching: Black Men, White Women, and the Mob. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
2015 Lynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror.
2001 A Lynching in the Heartland: Race and Memory in America. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
2008 Exhibiting Racism: The Cultural Politics of Lynching Photography Re-Presentations. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
2009 Lynching and Spectacle: Witnessing Racial Violence in America, 1890-1940. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
Posted on April 14, 2018, in Uncategorized and tagged lynching, Memorial for Peace and Justice, photography. Bookmark the permalink.	1 Comment.
I am a resident of Fayette County TN who has spent the last 4 years working on a book about the area's extensive history concerning racism. I have searched high and low for a photo of Thomas Brooks or the horrific night. I can tell you that I have visited the exact location where Mr. Brooks perished, photographed it, and paid my respects. While the rail bridge is gone, and there is no marker identifying what happened that infamous evening, the two berms and footings that supported the bridge remain. Any assistance in locating said photo would be appreciated.


text:
World of ZENTRONIQUE
Digital Music Store
An American New Age composer, possessing deep roots in Classical Music as well as a solid history in Classic Rock and Hard Rock.
"Zentronique embraces an orchestral otherworldliness proving Michael Regina to be a true navigator in a sea of sound."
— Entropy Magazine
"Zentronique by Michael Regina is a thoroughly enjoyable album packed with chilled tracks and crafted electronic performances, the melodies flow like an abundant musical river, and this is without doubt one of those releases that is utterly timeless in its presentation."
— Steve Sheppard Music Reviews
"It seems only a matter of time before Michael Regina becomes a household name."
— The Faulkner Review
"Michael Regina has an incredible ear for sound and a master's grip on how to make his instrumental music on Zentronique genuinely move you."
— Sleeping Bag Studios
Michael Regina is an American New Age composer, possessing deep roots in Classical Music as well as a solid history in Classic Rock and Hard Rock. His STARGAZER album placed 3rd in the BEST ELECTRONIC ALBUM category in the 2019 ONE WORLD MUSIC RADIO AWARDS. In the mid-1980s, Michael performed with glam metal band WHITEFOXX, one of the pioneers of the Philadelphia-based Metal scene. He enjoys experimenting in the New Age genre, creating sweeping compositions on the keyboard. His musical goal these days is to capture the depth and raw emotion of New Age and Electronic Music, structuring it in a way that will guide listeners on a transcendent journey. Through his music, Michael sets out to tell a story, creating musical moods and tapping emotions that extend all the way to the soul.
Zentronique 4:11
All Good Things 4:21
The Gates 3:43


text:
Home > About Us >
Weston Forest & Trail Association:
In 1955, twelve founders, who understood that the sprawl of suburban development after World War II would put immense pressures on semi-rural towns like Weston, founded Weston Forest & Trail Association. For many years, the heart of the organization was the late Dr. William Elliston, physician, gentleman farmer and amateur naturalist. A part of the conservation land and Elliston Woods is named in his honor.
The legacy of the organization's leaders is greater awareness of and education on the value of preserving open space and woodland, as well as implementation of creative methods for saving open space and more ecologically sound development practices. In the 1961 Annual Report of the Weston Forest & Trail Association, the organization stated:
Dr. William Elliston
A retired surgeon, Dr. Elliston and his wife were ardent conservationists. From his historic farmhouse on South Avenue, they were instrumental in founding the Weston Town Forest, and were key to the formation of the Weston Forest and Trail Association.
"In spite of tremendous developments west of Boston, there seems a reasonable prospect that the town will be able to preserve some of the characteristics of a green area as an attractive section in which to live."
Since then the organization has been involved in negotiations and solicitation of conservation easements on more than 50 parcels of land. WFTA volunteer leaders, particularly George Bates, have personally shepherded gifts and below-market purchases of easements and grants of land to link up the various larger parcels of the Town forest. They also have assumed responsibility for assuring the observance of conservation restrictions and easements. Today the Weston Forest & Trail Association owns more than 125 acres, the Town owns more than 2000 additional acres of public open land, and there are more than 65 miles of trails.
As a prudent steward of the Association's finances, George Bates initiated an Endowment Fund about 20 years ago which has now grown to more than $1 million, assuring the continued survival and operation of the Association far into the future.
There are approximately 800 acres of undeveloped land in Weston. Weston Forest & Trail Association takes an active role in monitoring the status of this land – following building proposals and negotiating preservation tracts and easements. WFTA's continued work is to maintain the rural character and natural beauty of the Town and promote the recreational value, active and passive, of the trails and open space.
Another account of WFTA's history,
courtesy of the late George P. Bates, longtime Treasurer and Trustee:
The Weston Forest and Trail Association, Inc. was organized in 1955 by the following persons:
Marie E. Lewis, president
Ellen A. Lempereur, vice president
Henrietta N. Paine, Treasurer
William A. Elliston, clerk
Florence E. Freeman, director
Francis G. Goodale, director
Stanley G. French, director
Victor C. Harnish, director
The Bylaws and Articles of Organization of the Association were modeled on those of the Sudbury Valley Trustees, which was formed in 1953.
A meeting of the Weston Forest and Trail Association in the 1970s, George Bates presiding. Dr. William Elliston and Harriet Elliston are in the front row.
It was formed as a charitable, nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation to help the Town of Weston acquire conservation land and trail easements, which were not otherwise achievable at the time. At that time, trail easements were not acceptable to town authorities, and the Town could not pay more than $6,000 per acre to acquire conservation land. Several times the Association has been able to raise funds to help the Town acquire conservation land when the sale price exceeded $6,000 per acre. In another situation, the Association arranged for the gift of land to the Town which had frontage on a Town road so that the Town could acquire an abutting land-locked parcel of land. The Association has been able to help the Town in many cases because it has more flexibility and can work in a more timely way to accomplish its objectives.
Since 1955 the Association has acquired 152 parcels of land and trail easements consisting of 189 acres and over 18 miles of trail easements.* In addition, the Association has received nine Conservation Restrictions and two Preservation Restrictions on historic homes.
Over the years, the Association has done much to educate the residents of Weston concerning the value of conservation land. Every year the Association has mailed its annual report and newsletter to the entire town. Members and non-members have been invited to attend our annual meeting, which has always included a speaker to present a topic related to the mission of the Association. Also, we have conducted trail walks on the first Sunday of every month from October through May which are open to the public. The Association has also published a book entitled Walks on Weston Conservation Land and prepares trail maps, which are updated periodically and are available for purchase at the Conservation Commission office in the Town Hall. As the Town acquired a great deal of conservation land in the 1970s, Weston Forest and Trail took over the maintenance of the trail system, which now consists of nearly 100 miles of trails.* The Association also helps maintain several hilltop outlooks and assists in the maintenance of many fields.
In December 2011, Weston Forest and Trail merged with the Weston Land Trust to strengthen the shared mission of protecting and promoting Weston's open space resources.
*Note: The acreage and number of land parcels acquired by WFTA, and the miles of trail easements and trails, have increased since this article was written.


text:
Home > Philosophy > News > Bob Hale Memorial Lecture
Department of Philosophy home
Prospective Postgraduates
Funding available for PhD study in Philosophy
arrowDepartment of Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy is pleased to announce that Professor Crispin Wright will deliver the
Bob Hale Memorial Lecture
3.30pm, in the Diamond LT6, University of Sheffield
Crispin Wright will deliver a paper entitled "The Basic A Priori: Simple Arithmetic as a Case Study." This is a paper that began life as joint work between Bob and Crispin and the abstract is below.
The talk is open to all and will be followed by a reception. To help with numbers for seating and catering, please email s.romare@sheffield.ac.uk if you intend to come to the event.
Bob Hale was Emeritus Professor in the Philosophy Department in Sheffield.
Memorial notices:
3am Magazine
Abstract for "The Basic A Priori: Simple Arithmetic as a Case Study"
Following Kant and like many since, Frege took the idea that we have bona fide a priori knowledge of a large range of necessary propositions for granted. This view, once orthodoxy, is now increasingly regarded as problematic. However it is fair to say that most recent scepticism about the a priori has been driven either by abstract background theoretical commitments — for instance, by a thoroughgoing empiricism, as in Quine, or by epistemological externalism —or by the conviction that the extension of the a priori allows of no stable, interesting characterisation. The paper develops and explores a different, relatively neglected but equally important kind of sceptical challenge. Elementary arithmetical judgements are normally taken to be justifiable a priori if any are. Yet scrutiny of the kind of methods—simple informal cognitive routines involving counting and pictures— whereby such judgements are characteristically taken to be justified a priori serves to make it puzzling how they can justify what they are supposed to at all: how such procedures can merit either the very high levels of confidence we standardly place in the judgements they lead to, or the modal (counterfactual) significance we standardly attach to those judgements. The lecture will elaborate these apparent shortfalls and review four proposals for redressing them. Each is argued to be ineffective. The upshot is a deepened understanding of an important aspect of Wittgenstein's later philosophy and a major intellectual challenge to those —still perhaps the majority— who incline to side with Frege.
Tags: Bob Hale, philosophy, lectures


text:
Q: how to create OSLC docs using Jena? I need to create RDF/XML documents containing objects in the OSLC namespace.
e.g.
<oslc_disc:ServiceProviderCatalog
    xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
    xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"
    xmlns:oslc_disc="http://open-services.net/xmlns/discovery/1.0/"
 rdf:about="{self}">

  <dc:title>{catalog title}</dc:title>
  <oslc_disc:details rdf:resource="{catalog details uri}" />

what is the simplest way to create this doc using the Jena API ?
( I know about Lyo, they use a JSP for this doc :-)
Thanks, Carsten

A: Here's a complete example to start you off. Be aware that this will be equivalent to XML output you want, but may not be identical. The order of properties, for example, may vary, and there are other ways to write the same content.
import com.hp.hpl.jena.rdf.model.*
import com.hp.hpl.jena.vocabulary.DCTerms;

public class Jena {

    // Vocab items -- could use schemagen to generate a class for this
    final static String OSLC_DISC_NS = "http://open-services.net/xmlns/discovery/1.0/";
    final static Resource ServiceProviderCatalog =
        ResourceFactory.createResource(OSLC_DISC_NS + "ServiceProviderCatalog");
    final static Property details =
        ResourceFactory.createProperty(OSLC_DISC_NS, "details");

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        // Inputs
        String selfURI = "http://example.com/self";
        String catalogTitle = "Catalog title";
        String catalogDetailsURI = "http://example.com/catalogDetailsURI";

        // Create in memory model
        Model model = ModelFactory.createDefaultModel();
        // Set prefixes
        model.setNsPrefix("dc", DCTerms.NS);
        model.setNsPrefix("oslc_disc", OSLC_DISC_NS);

        // Add item of type spcatalog
        Resource self = model.createResource(selfURI, ServiceProviderCatalog);
        // Add the title
        self.addProperty(DCTerms.title, catalogTitle);
        // Add details, which points to a resource
        self.addProperty(details, model.createResource(catalogDetailsURI));

        // Write pretty RDF/XML
        model.write(System.out, "RDF/XML-ABBREV");
    }

}


Our remanufactured master cylinders are precisely engineered to restore braking performance. Our units match the fluid capacity of your vehicle's braking system to deliver the proper amount of brake fluid to all four corners of your vehicle. We include a high quality bleeder kit to properly bleed the braking system to complete the job.
Need help? get free tech support @ 800 to 228 - 9672.