New print shop in the community!
We are new in the community and would like to wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all members.
We offer a lot of print products and services, at the best price with flexible order minimums. We are glad to work with individual customers and small companies as well as huge corporates.
Re: New print shop in the community!
Welcome to the community, Alex!
Please feel free to peruse the discussion boards & articles. Feel free to comment where ever you feel comfortable. If you have any questions you think the community can help with, post them as well & we'll all do our best to help you.
Thank you very much for your warm welcoming!
We absolutely sure that we can be beneficial to the community and we'd happy to be!
We wish a great holidays to all members and their families!


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RCI London is the most musical institution on Belgrave Square! Classical music, jazz, electro, alternative and folk music are all popular features of our programme. We collaborate with St Martin-in-the Fields, Kings Place, Southbank Centre and London Jazz Festival. The Institute is the home of the Enescu Society, established in 2007. Together with the Institute, it organises the popular Enescu Concerts Series in its chamber music hall.
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Jurowski conducts Enescu
The Romanian Cultural Institute in London continues its partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra by supporting the concert "2018: Behind Night and Clouds", part of 2020 Vision series, featuring George Enescu's Decet Op. 14 and Chamber Symphony. Composer, conductor, violinist without equal: to those who knew him,...
The George Enescu Series' Wall of Goodwill Concert - a special tribute to the Romanian firstline workers in the UK
The Romanian Cultural Institute in London and the Romanian Embassy in the UK invite you to a special celebration of the extraordinary contribution of the Romanian community in the UK in the fight against the pandemic. The special concert on Thursday 4 June featuring violist Sascha Bota and pianist Cameron Roberts, the first in the George...
04/06/2020 @ online
Jazz Festivals & Presenters: What's Next?
In the fourth and last episode of our online conversation series about jazz, we will be joined by Pelin Opcin, EFG London Jazz Festival Director, Nadin Deventer, Artistic Director of JazzFest Berlin, Patricia Jochheim, Jazz Programmer at Opderschmelz Art Centre - Dudelange Luxembourg and Olivier Conan, Director Opera Underground - Opéra...
28/05/2020 @ RCI London's facebook page
Transylvanian Folk Songs: Karl Lippegaus interviews Lucian Ban & Mat Maneri
Renowned music journalist and radio presenter Karl Lippegaus will interview pianist Lucian Ban and violist Mat Maneri in a live conversation part of the "I soul ation" Series, on the occasion of the Transylvanian Folk Songs album release. The collection and preservation of Romanian Folk Music was a lifelong pursuit of the great...
Lucian Ban takes over "I soul a t i o n"
Celebrated pianist & composer Lucian Ban takes over "I soul a t i o n", the Romanian Cultural Institute in London's series of interviews with artists during the pandemic crisis. NYC based Lucian Ban will conduct two dialogues with jazz musicians, promoters and journalists from Romania, UK and the Netherlands:...
07/05/2020 @ ICR Londra
Cancelled: 'Cruel – The Rock Opera' premiers at Troxy, one of London's most iconic venues
We are delighted to support the UK premiere of 'Cruel – The Rock Opera', a performance created by musician Tibor Molnar and combining a church organ with a full rock band, a string quartet and four of Transylvania's top rock vocalists. 'Cruel' is a rock opera which presents four characters who must find...
29/03/2020 @ Troxy, 490 Commercial Rd, London
Enescu Series: Harp, Violin and Piano Concert with Clara Garde and Marie-Bénédicte Cohu
Our popular "Enescu Concerts" Series continues in March with a gala recital by violinist and harpist Clara Garde, together with pianist Marie-Bénédicte Cohu. The two are renowned for "their natural playing, their beautiful sound and their technical mastery" (Les Affiches de Grenoble) and will perform an...
05/03/2020 @ Romanian Cultural Institute , 1 Belgrave Square London, SW1X 8PH
Poetry and Belief: London Philharmonic Orchestra plays Enescu's Symphony No 1
The Romanian Cultural Institute in London is very proud to partner with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2020 Vision series. The concert 2005: Poetry and Belief will bring together symphonies by Beethoven, Enescu and Penderecki - a sublime retelling of some of classical music's greatest pieces. Programme: Beethoven: Piano...
28/02/2020 @ Royal Festival Hall
Madalina Paval Band: Album Launch and Concert
Join us for an evening with Madalina Paval, a rising star of fusion folk music whose distinctive style combines traditional Romanian tunes with modern influences. Madalina will perform songs from her new album 'Oamenii se fac dor / People turn into longing' together with Raluca Antonovici (piano), Gabriel Matei (percussion), Raluca...
21/02/2020 @ St Cyprian's, London
Illustrious Virtuosos Remus Azoiței and Eduard Stan in the 'Enescu Concerts' Series
This year's first concert in the 'Enescu Concerts' series offers an exceptional encounter with two brilliant Romanian musicians, Remus Azoiței (violin) and Eduard Stan (piano), the supreme experts in George Enescu's chamber work. With a programme that highlights the manifold connections between Romanian and German...
06/02/2020 @ ICR London, 1 Belgrave Square, SW1X 8PH
Pianist Botond Szocs at St Martin-in-the-Fields
We welcome back young pianist Botond Szöcs for a lunchtime recital in the Romanian Cultural Institute's series at St Martin-in-the-Fields. The programme, which includes Chopin's integral set of piano works alongside Ciprian Porumbescu's Ballade, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in our first concert of the New...
27/01/2020 @ St Martin-in-the-Fields
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Each year, the world invests billions of dollars into cancer research, but because cancer cells multiply rapidly and without limit, developing effective treatments for the disease is extremely difficult. Now, a new study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell may reveal a way we could create a cancer vaccine, essentially training our bodies to fight the disease before it even takes hold.
Instead of a generalized treatment, researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine propose using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to train the immune system to attack tumors or even prevent them from forming.
Like cancer cells, iPS cells can propagate indefinitely. They can be coaxed to assume many different kinds of cells, making them the perfect ingredient in regenerative medicine, and best of all, they can be generated from adult stem cells.
For their study, the researchers experimented with four groups of mice, each injected with a specific vaccine containing modified iPS cell once a week for a month. One group was given genetically matching iPS cells that had been irradiated to prevent the growth of teratomas — a kind of tumor containing various cell types. Another group received adjuvant, a generic immune-stimulating agent, while a third got a combination of irradiated iPS cells and adjuvant. The fourth group served as a control.
After four weeks, the researchers injected the mice with a mouse breast cancer cell line. In all four groups, the mice developed breast cancer tumor cells after a week. However, in seven of the 10 mice that received the iPS and adjuvant combination, the tumors shrank. Furthermore, two of the mice that got the iPS and adjuvant combo totally rejected the tumor cells, surviving for more than a year after transplantation. The researchers also managed to record similar results when tested on mouse melanoma and a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma.
This is hardly is the first proposal to create a cancer vaccine, but as lead author Nigel Kooreman explained in the press release, the group's approach is powerful as it would expose the patient's immune system to a variety of cancer-specific epitopes in one go. "Once activated, the immune system is on alert to target cancers as they develop throughout the body," he said.
Another study currently being prepped for human trials also stimulates the immune system to fight different kinds of cancer, but the iPS approach from Stanford presents a more personalized treatment. Each particular vaccine of iPS cells must be taken from the respective patients.
Kooreman and his colleagues still need to test this method using human cancer and immune cells in a lab setting, but if effective, it could present a new line of defense in the ongoing battle against cancer.


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Q: Using Windows DNS Server with AWS Lightsail I am newly using AWS and I am using first time AWS lightsail. I am in trouble about DNS Server Managing;

*

*I get a static ip but I can't see this static ip in IIS Bindings setting.

*I installed DNS Server feature from add roles and features widzard.

*I added a Forward Lookup Zone for my site, When I add ns records I can't use public(static ip) so I used private Ip.

I am using many vps providers (Vultr, Google etc.) but I am living first time problem like this.
I reach the site from public(static) ip but I can't reach from domain and I can't reach ns record.
What is I missed about that?

A: I understood AWS operation type so;

*

*I am using private/internal ip for IIS bindings and DNS records, AWS automatically mask it with public/static ip.

*I was living DNS reach problem and I solved the DNS reach problem with opening DNS ports from network security area.
So I missed open the DNS ports from AWS lightsail firewall.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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SkyHoroscope
+ Aries (Mar 21. - Apr 20.) a
+ Taurus (Apr 21. - May 21.) b
+ Gemini (May 22. - Jun 21.) c
+ Cancer (Jun 22. - Jul 22.) d
+ Leo (Jul 23. - Aug 22.) e
+ Virgo (Aug 23. - Sep 22.) f
+ Libra (Sep 23. - Oct 23.) g
+ Scorpio (Oct 24. - Nov 22.) h
+ Sagittarius (Nov 23. - Dec 21.) i
+ Capricorn (Dec 22. - Jan 20.) j
+ Aquarius (Jan 21. - Feb 20.) k
+ Pisces (Feb 21. - Mar 20.) l
Would you like to get more information?
Johannes Vehlow - the pioneer of scientific astrology
May 12. 2018
Do you know who Johaness Vehlow was? He was born on 21th of September 1890 in Poland, but from his youth, he lived and operated in Berlin. He started to focus on astrology when he was 25 and went through traditional teaching. Later, he was lecturing, attending discussions, publishing articles in various magazines and even operated his own astrological school. The core of Vehlow's interpretation is based on so-called house system, which is an equitable system. More about this topic can be read in our article Houses in astrology.
His work was very important for the field. Today, we consider him the pioneer of scientific astrology.
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Featured on this page are several inspiring blessings and prayers suitable for a baby blessing service or sending in a card or text message to the parents of the new child. There is an inspiring short prayer for a new baby boy or girl, a beautiful Irish blessing, and a traditional prayer used for blessing babies with. There is also a uplifting family prayer for parents to say which dedicates their new family to God.
Thank you for this beautiful little life that we hold. Please bless us with your love and protection as we learn how to care for this precious child. Draw us together to learn and grow as we share the joys and the cares. Thank you for the miracle of life, the wonder of creation and the privilege of nurturing a little one of your children as they grow. We love you Lord.
Heavenly Father, you sent your own Son into this world. We thank you for the life of this child, N., entrusted to our care. Help us to remember that we are all your children, and so to love and nurture him, that he may attain to that full stature intended for him in your eternal kingdom; for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


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'We've had enough Bushes' according to Barbara Bush
Posted: 4:29 PM, Apr 25, 2013
By: AA
(CNN) – While former President George W. Bush says he wants his brother Jeb to run for president in 2016, their always-blunt mother said Thursday she feels differently.
"He's by far the best qualified man, but no. I really don't," she said when asked if her son, the former Florida governor, will make a White House bid.
"I think it's a great country. There are a lot of great families, and it's not just four families or whatever. There are other people out there that are very qualified and we've had enough Bushes," she said.
Her comments came Thursday morning on NBC's "Today," as the former first lady sat alongside former first lady Laura Bush and Bush 43's twin daughters, Jenna Bush Hager (a correspondent for NBC) and Barbara Bush. The three generations were together for the George W. Bush Presidential Center dedication ceremony in Dallas.
Asked if the Bush matriarch had expressed her feelings to Jeb, Jenna Bush Hager jumped in.
"Well, now!" she said, looking somewhat shocked at her sister and mother. "Surprise!"
"He's the most qualified but I don't think he'll run," Barbara Bush added. "There are other families. He'll get all our enemies, half of our friends."
In a brief email exchange Thursday morning with Jeb Bush, CNN characterized his mother's comment as priceless. In a two-word response, Jeb wrote: "Priceless indeed!"
George W. Bush, who's stepping back into the spotlight with the opening of his presidential library, told CNN's John King in an interview that aired Wednesda y that he wants his brother to run.
"Well, big Jeb, you know, he's got a decision to make. And if I could make it for him, it'd be, 'run,' but I can't," he said.
"And I don't know what he's going to do," he added. "He'd be a great candidate and a great president."
Jeb Bush hasn't ruled out a possible GOP run and won't make a decision in the near future. Asked last month by CNN's Jake Tapper if he'll decide in 2014, Bush said, "the only thing I've decided is I'm not going to think about it for 2013. It's just too far out for me personally."
According to a CNN/ORC International poll released late last month, 56% of Republicans have a favorable opinion of the former governor, with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan being the only potential 2016 GOP contender with higher marks.
If he did win the nomination, Jeb Bush might face another family legacy on the Democratic ticket should former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wife of former President Bill Clinton, decide to run and ultimately become her party's nominee.


Fancy an unusual visit? Enjoy our atypical vehicles and a ride on a different theme.
January 17, 1934, Ferdinand Porsche presents the Reich Ministry of Transport plans to build popular German car. The Beetle will be born and be produced at 23 million copies. Volkswagen was born. V Volk (= people) and W Wagen (= car).
In 1902, in the city of Detroit, the United States, a small car company called Cadillac reborn from the ashes of the Detroit Automobile Company, which Henry Ford was the chief engineer. Within a few years, the exceptional quality of its production made her one of -First American firms. Remaining faithful to its primary objectives, it can still boast today to be among the most renowned manufacturers, despite all attempts to supplant it. BEFORE even boarding, Cadillac takes you into another world. Its width sign a record, weight ... everything is on a different scale: that of America.


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Bitcoin's 'privacy is going to be a big fight,' says Riccardo Spagni
Bitcoin's all-time high rally drew a lot of attention from the likes of mainstream media, governments, corporates, and even wall street. The cryptocurrency is slowly becoming the most discussed topic in the fin-tech space; in turn, addressing questions regarding its adoption. During the 32nd episode of Magical Crypto Friends, Riccardo Spagni, Charlie Lee, WhalePanda, and Samson Mow, spoke on the biggest hurdles Bitcoin has to overcome now. The list of hurdles includes privacy, ease of use, awareness, and scams.
Riccardo Spagni, the former lead developer of Monero, addressed the topic by stating that "privacy is going to be a big fight," albeit an interesting one. Subsequently, Blockstream's CSO Mow stated that there were some people with the perspective that Bitcoin would never have privacy protocol on the base layer, further adding that there hasn't been "any pushing hard for it or advocating it seriously."
Litecoin creator Charlie Lee stated that it is possible that Bitcoin would not be private on the base level. However, he highlighted that "people always want to move towards more financial privacy." Lee added that it is not a question of whether it will happen, but "where it happens." To this, Spagni responded, "maybe after people get burnt a bunch of times, they will. I think just people aren't getting burnt enough."
This was followed by WhalePanda asserting that the major concerns of privacy were about institutional players not dipping their feet in the Bitcoin market, and the cryptocurrency not being listed, in turn taking a hit on the adoption side. He went on to say,
"I actually still think the ease-of-use is one of the major issues […] Like wallets that you can use Bitcoin and Lightning at the same time […] the ease of use is really something I've seen improve a lot the last two years I think. But, that's really necessary as well in my opinion."
Spagni disagreed with this statement, however, stating that ease-of-use has seen an improvement for the people already "familiar with how things work," and not for newcomers, further adding that it is "improving very slowly." Mow said,
"I think we're getting better, it just takes a lot of time and UX is not something that engineers are particularly focused on, especially, I think, in this space. It's not just it's not engineer-driven, it's also engineer-and security-driven, which is kind of like a double whammy […]"
Agreeing with Spagni's comment, Lee said that despite its slow progress, the Bitcoin space is slowly solving concerns of ease-of-use. He added,
"But it's tough to like for example, lightning right. The custodial lightning wallets are so much simpler to use than the non-custodial ones. The user experience is so much better, but that's always the case right. So, it's a compromise right. Where is it actually okay for you to sacrifice a bit on like security but making it really easy to use and where is it not."
Related Topics:Charlie LeeRiccardo SpagniSamson MowWhalePanda
Bitcoin reported an average absolute daily move of 2.4% in 2019: Skew
Bitcoin, Ethereum registered highest transfer count, avg transfer value in 2019: CoinMetrics
Priya is a full-time cryptocurrency writer at AMBCrypto concentrating mostly on privacy coins. A graduate in economics, Priya focuses on developments on Ethereum and blockchain technology.
Is Litecoin really the 'silver' to Bitcoin's 'gold?'
Litecoin will fall, and that's the way the cookie crumbles
Bitcoin's layered solutions akin to water's three states: Samson Mow
Litecoin, Binance Coin continue on steep downtrend as Dogecoin follows suit
Litecoin's privacy upgrade: Hidden inflation a risk 'users will be willing to take'
Could Bitcoin's privacy upgrades wipe out competition from Monero, Zcash?


You can also use this CBD-infused oil to cook or bake with, but keep in mind that CBD will lose its potency at higher temperatures. If you do want to cook with the CBD isolate oil you created, make sure you're doing so at less than 350 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring you never go above 400 degrees. CBD isolate heated any higher will lose most of its benefits.
Because it's already been decarboxylated, there is no need to vape CBD isolate to recieve its benefits. You can simply ingest the isolate and let it go to work. Also keep in mind that consuming isolate (as opposed to smoking a high CBD strain of cannabis) yields you higher concentrations of CBD in smaller amounts, making it a great medicine for those who need it.
I worked about a decade for the Colorado State Dept of Health and Environment to modernize process such as the Drinking Water Compliance system. I automated the process of over 1 M certified samples from State Certified Water Samples each MONTH. If you expect it for your water (and many other services) why wouldn't anyone expect it for a product with "CBD" on the label?
Everybody has different medical needs, because of this Medix CBD hemp oil tinctures are available in different dosages ranging from 100mg – 4,500mg per bottle. The reason for such a large difference in CBD concentrations between the lowest strength bottle and the highest strength bottle is because we offer a vast and wide selection of CBD hemp oil tinctures to meet the needs of people with different medical goals.
The H. Hemp Company submits all of its products for laboratory testing by a third party for quality and safety, and its ingredients are sustainably farmed without pesticides. The CBD is infused into the hempseed or MCT oil to allow for slower, longer-lasting absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. All hemp is sourced from sustainable growers in Kentucky and Colorado.
A study published by the Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research, which aimed its focus on the effectiveness of CBD isolate compared to full-plant extract, supported this concept, stating in its summary that "in all of the tests, the isolated CBD was ineffective both before and after a certain dosage, while the effectiveness of the full-spectrum solution continued to increase as higher doses were administered. The results all indicate that CBD is only effective against swelling and pain at a certain dose, and that cannabis solutions containing a full range of cannabinoids will continue to provide corresponding effects as the dosage is increased."
Put simply, CBD isolate is CBD in its purest form. The process of making CBD isolate, which we'll discuss in more detail below, separates (or isolates) the CBD from all the other stuff that makes up the marijuana plant. Hence the name CBD isolate. It's very much akin to the almost-100-percent pure THC distillate that's making the rounds of the canna-community.


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MARTIAL LAW REMEMBERED | Where did Marcos go wrong and when did we start forgetting?
by MLC | Jan 25, 2016 | Martial Law Stories | 0 comments
Source: InterAksyon.com
MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Francisco "Kit" Tatad still insists that President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972 because of the alarming "communist threat" in the country.
Ferdinand Marcos announcing the declaration of Martial Law on national TV
As he puts it, the communists, through armed struggle, were out to displace the democratic government. We were also in the midst of a "Cold War" and if we were to believe the "domino theory," communists were out to take over Southeast Asia.
Kit, as he was popularly known even then, was also Mr. Marcos' information minister during the martial law years. He says he learned that the President was serious in imposing martial law only a few days before Mr. Marcos indeed signed Proclamation 1081. The decision to proclaim martial law was then the sole authority of the commander-in-chief.
"It's not that Marcos was planning (martial law). It's the fact that the objective situation would require a solution and what was the solution available if you were studying the Constitution," he says.
For one, Mr. Marcos had already suspended the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus after the August 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing, which the regime blamed on the communists, although the grenade blasts targeted the opposition Liberal Party's political rally. Three months later, the opposition won a majority of the Senate seats. Only two Marcos candidates were elected.
In early June 1971, a Constitutional Convention, or "Con-con," was convened to replace the 1935 charter, which would have barred Mr. Marcos from seeking another four-year term.
Tatad is quite candid in his recollection.
"I was in the Cabinet, and who would oppose martial law — unless you are on the other side," says Tatad, a diplomatic reporter for the Manila Bulletin, who at 29, was asked by Mr. Marcos to be his press secretary in 1969, the year he won a second term.
Tatad eventually resigned in 1981, the year Mr. Marcos lifted martial law while retaining its extra-legal and arbitrary powers, including the unwarranted arrests and continued detention of persons suspected of subversion or rebellion.
Tatad confides that it was a decision made by the strongman shortly before the Pope visited the country. By that time, there was already international outrage against Mr. Marcos' strongman rule.
At first, Tatad maintained that being a journalist by training, he believed then that "we see things coming, so we write. " And that was his analysis of the situation then.
Yet when prodded on why he eventually resigned, despite being the face that announced the promulgation of martial law, he later conceded that he felt there was, indeed, an abuse of power, not only by Mr. Marcos but more so by his subalterns.
'Dramatic and sweeping' changes
If one were to believe Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, then Mr. Marcos' defense chief, martial law "brought sweeping and dramatic changes."
As he later wrote in his memoir, "as soon as it became clear to the general public that the country was under martial rule, law and order was restored to a great extent. People became more disciplined, peaceful and orderly. Their neighborhood and streets were safe. The citizenry worked together to clean their communities."
He added in his book: "Political noises and wrangling were dissipated. Rallies and demonstrations disappeared from the street. Congress was closed. Schools, colleges and universities were also initially closed right after the declaration of martial law but after a month, classes resumed except in a number of colleges and universities. The radio airlines and television broadcasts were cleared of the incendiary and bombastic attacks of commentators. They were silenced."
Not long after martial law was imposed, Enrile claimed that the economy had stabilized and flourished. The crime rate, he said, was almost zero. He even cited a US report — which obviously provided Mr. Marcos the much-needed backing from Washington — as Sen. Mike Mansfield submitted a report to the US Senate that despite media censorship, martial law was maintained "through the tradition of and training in civilian supremacy that the President maintains control over the military."
Indeed, the defense chief was a civilian and martial law was maintained by the regular armed services standing in reserve. The military was reportedly "directly and heavily engaged only in the southern islands against the Moros. These tribal Moslems provide the principal resistance to the edict calling for a turn-in of weapons."
'Ambush staged' version later denied
But it was also Enrile who would later claim that his ambush, which triggered the imposition of martial law, was a staged one. He made the confession to the nation when he defected along with Ramos on the night of Feb. 22, 1986, four days before the Marcoses fled the country and Corazon Aquino was swept to power.
However, Enrile, in his recent memoir, retracted this, saying this was the "ridiculous and preposterous" handiwork of his political enemies. "What would I have faked my ambush for? When it happened, the military operation to impose martial law was already going on," he wrote.
According to Enrile, Mr. Marcos waited for Congress to adjourn sine die on Friday, September 22 before he actually acted on his proclamation. He wanted to avoid any resistance from lawmakers.
On that day, Enrile had already delivered Proclamation 1081 and all the General Orders and Letters of Instructions to military leaders when, he claimed, unidentified gunmen fired at his convoy while driving through the posh Wack-Wack subdivision.
He also pointed out, "I honestly did not know why Marcos suddenly decided to cite my ambush in justifying the declaration of martial law when he made his public statement on September 23. There was absolutely no need for it."
RELATED: Lessons from Martial Law
The 'New Society'
While Enrile painted a rosy picture of the "New Society" in his memoir, retired Navy Captain Dan Vizmanos wrote in his "Martial Law Diary" that when he heard that the defense chief was ambushed, "it was already ominous and made me feel uneasy."
Before this incident, he said he had "already arrived at the conclusion that the rash of bombings and 'discovered bombs and explosives' in Greater Manila Area were all stage-managed by the Marcos regime as a prelude to martial law."
Vizmanos, one of the few military officers who later figured in mass anti-dictatorship rallies, noted how the police and military troops rounded up thousands of people — lawmakers, student activists, journalists and church personalities — "and just about anybody who had a mind of his own whose face was not particularly attractive to the martial law authorities."
By January of 1973, he said that the New Year had already brought about a new way of life for the people and Mr. Marcos' "New Society."
Never in the country's history, he recalled, "have there been so many decent Filipinos in confinement and behind bars." Likewise, "never in our history" have fugitives been hunted by the PC and AFP intelligence and special units all over the country. "They have become fugitives because they dared express their conviction (a crime under the New Society!) at the risk of their lives."
Vizmanos said he decided to publish his diary because today's generation hardly knows anything about the Marcos dictatorship and what really happened during the martial law years.
"While many of them are now active in people's organizations, the majority remains apolitical and concerned with an alarming revival of excesses and abuses of the 'New Society' that was supposed to have disappeared with the downfall of the 'conjugal dictatorship'," he said.
He also lamented how "acute amnesia" applied to former activists who had become active collaborators of a "decadent" system and establishment they struggled against once upon a time.
What communist threat?
Now looking back, veteran political activist Linggoy Alcuaz says he had doubted from the start that the communist threat was the reason behind Mr. Marcos' move.
True, in 1968 Jose Maria Sison, the founding chairman of the Kabataang Makabayan, a militant student group, organized the Communist Party of the Philippines or CPP, as a breakaway group from the old Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP), whose leaders were already mostly in prison.
A year later, the CPP forged an alliance with remnants of the old Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB), the military arm of the PKP and renamed it the New People's Army (NPA).
Mr. Marcos' 1969 victory was by then also already tainted with alleged fraud, and his administration was being branded as corrupt.
By January 1970, radical and moderate student groups began a series of mass actions protesting the inclusion of politicians in the forthcoming Constitutional Convention; and more telling, a constitutional provision that was then being considered that would allow the incumbent President to run a third term. The so-called "Battle of Mendiola" was fought when students overran a military blockade and rammed a commandeered fire truck against the gates of the Malacanang Palace. The bloody episode triggered a wave of student protests known as the "first Quarter Storm."
Alcuaz, who then belonged to the so-called "moderates," says the communist rebels were small in number then, and putting order in the country wasn't really the agenda of a President who was becoming unpopular to his people. Even if the Charter were amended to allow Mr. Marcos to seek another term, there was a strong possibility that he would lose.
In January 1972, Constitutional Convention delegate Eduardo Quintero exposed Mr. Marcos' alleged bribery attempt of delegates. He alleged that the President had been giving other "Con-con" delegates money to vote against a resolution which would bar him from running for a third term and his relatives from seeking the presidency.
In fact, Alcuaz recalls that shortly before martial law was declared, he resigned as chair of the Kapisanan ng mga Sandigan ng Pilipinas (Kasapi) to focus on his work with the Kapisanan ng mga Anakpawis ng Pilipinas, which was actually a political party and a possible "third force" that would field — or support — a presidential candidate.
According to Alcuaz, they believed then that even Mr. Marcos was convinced that it would be difficult to field his wife Imelda Marcos as his possible successor if elections were held in 1973. Mr. Marcos' arch nemesis then was the popular, but outspoken opposition Sen. Benigno Aquino, the one man who would remain a thorn in his side for years, even hounding him out of power three years after his assassination would unleash nonstop protests.
But while Mr. Marcos' martial law plot was already topping the headlines, Alcuaz says he was one of those activists who never really took it seriously. The President used the communist bogey for his political offensive and no one was persuaded by this argument.
Weeks before imposing martial law, Mr. Marcos had begun chiding Aquino for his alleged unholy alliance with communist leaders and he used this to justify the opposition leader's arrest during a crackdown on political dissenters.
'Marcos had lied from the start'
For veteran journalist-lawyer Manuel F. Almario, Marcos had lied to the people since the day he became president. As he puts it, "He was very ambitious, wanting to be president forever. That's how he went wrong. He had no idea on how to run this country and where he was going."
RELATED: Auction houses ready Philippines' Marcos jewels for possible sale
When Marcos defeated then President Diosdado Macapagal in the 1965 election, the country's foreign debt was merely US7 billion. But when he fled the country after 21 years in power, including 14 year of strongman rule, on widespread allegations of plundering the national coffers, the country's foreign debt had ballooned to US$25 billion.
"The economy appeared to have improved because he was borrowing from the World Bank so he had money to show, "says Almario, editor of the independent Philippine News Service when the strongman clamped down on all media networks in 1972. He was arrested after military authorities sequestered the PNS, which was later renamed Philippine News Agency to become part of the government information network.
In 1969, Mr. Marcos was the first Philippine president to win with a great majority of votes for a second term, but amid charges by the opposition that he was reelected because he spent government money for his campaign.
His inauguration in January the next year was marred by the first massive student demonstration in front of the old Congress building. As an emerging fiscal crisis cast a shadow on the country, Mr. Marcos was accused of having bankrupted the government. Prices were soaring and there was trouble in the streets.
Two months before the declaration of martial law in 1972, Almario wrote the cover story for the special edition of Weekly Graphic, a hard-hitting magazine, warning that if Marcos declared martial law he would be going against the Constitution.
The 1935 Constitution states that the President can declare martial law only in cases of rebellion, insurrection or invasion or imminent danger thereof.
But as early as February 1972, Manila Chronicle editor Amante Paredes had already come out with a front-page story quoting high-level sources on Marcos' plan to impose martial rule to perpetuate himself in power.
That was also the time when Marcos heightened his anti-communist propaganda, accusing his opponents of conniving with the underground rebels to oust his government.
"But he (Mr. Marcos) was a smart lawyer and he said the country is facing a communist rebellion and a Muslim armed secession in the south," says Almario. "When you want to impose dictatorship, you're going to lie to the people and tell them that they are going to get peace and order, justice, economic progress."
Marcos arrested alleged warlords, and Almario recalled having joined in his cell at Camp Crame, the strongman's influential provincemate Roque Ablan and Moises Espinosa of Masbate.
"But that's [arrest of warlords and strong local leaders] only for show, and he freed them afterwards when people believed that he was sincere," he says. The two men, Roque and Espinosa, became his trusted political allies in the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the monolithic party that he organized after the Charter was amended, allowing him to run in a new parliamentary system of government.
Martial law is gone, long live its legacy
What puzzles — and bothers — Almario is the way his successors continued to enforce Mr. Marcos' repressive decrees and order despite his "totally destructive" legacy to the country, and all the while denouncing martial law with vows of "Never again." How, indeed, can a proclamation be disowned yet its legacy and trappings embraced?
For instance, Almario notes that it was Mr. Marcos who organized the barangays so that he could launch a fake plebiscite to approve the new Constitution. "There was no more freedom at the [constitutional] convention to do what they wanted because Marcos had already declared martial law," says Almario.
Ironically, the convention was headed by Macapagal, the former president he defeated. Macapagal would later submit the newly approved charter to Mr. Marcos, who then called for the mandated plebiscite for its ratification in January 1973.
There was no secret balloting held. Instead Mr. Marcos organized assemblies that he called "barangays" to ratify the new charter.
Only 3 percent of the barangays reportedly opposed the new charter, which also contained a provision allowing Mr. Marcos to rule by decrees. It was a transitory provision Mr. Marcos enforced until 1981, the year he supposedly lifted martial law.
Apart from The barangay system, Almario notes how Mr. Marcos' Presidential Decree 1877 — or the Budget Reform Act of 1977, continues to hound the bureaucratic system.
From being mere line item budgeting under the old Commonwealth Act, PD 1877 included "lump sum allocation in the budget for the different branches of government. His successors maintained such system, which now justified the controversial practice of the "pork barrel" scheme in the national budget.
"It is already included there what would be given lump sum to each lawmaker. But if you are not doing what he wants you to do, he will withhold the lump sum," says Almario. In that way, the President held control over the country's lawmakers. It's a legacy continued, and refined by predecessors up until the present.
Besides controlling Congress by impounding budgets, Mr. Marcos could arrest anybody without any warrant.
'Oplan Sagittarius'
Ninoy Aquino exposed Oplan Sagittarius, the alleged master plan of a "multi-faceted" operation for the declaration of martial law. It allegedly provided the legal basis for Proclamation 1081 by enumerating the conditions and situations that made martial law necessary. That expose, which made the cover story of the Philippines Free Press, put Ninoy even more surely in the crosshairs of the dictator's minions.
RELATED: Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Redemption [Uncut]
Using the information leaked to him by friends in the senate, Aquino disclosed in a privilege speech on September 13, 1972 that he received a top-secret military plan given by Mr. Marcos himself to place Metro Manila and outlying areas under control of the Philippine Constabulary as a prelude to martial law.
Mr. Marcos was going to use the bombings, including the Plaza Miranda incident, as a justification for this takeover and eventual authoritarian rule.
Primitivo Mijares, a journalist and one-time trusted Marcos aide, later wrote in his book "The Conjugal Dictatorship" that when the plan to impose martial law was finalized he distributed copies to high ranking military officials and heads of the intelligence community in sealed envelopes. As a security precaution, he assigned different zodiac code-names to the copies he handed to each of the would-be martial law enforcers.
The copy code-named "Sagittarius" reportedly went to Gen. Marcos Soliman, the chief of the National Intelligence Agency. It turned out that the military officers were not aware of the zodiac codes so it was "easy and convenient" then to pinpoint Soliman as Aquino's source, he said.
Mijares also cited a tragic postscript to the leakage of Soliman's copy to the opposition senator. A few days after the declaration of martial law, Soliman was reported to the media as having died of a heart attack. But according to Mijares, "the truth is that he was shot dead by Metrocom troopers personally dispatched by President Marcos to arrest and detain him at Camp Crame for 'tactical interrogation' for the leakage of 'Oplan Sagittarius.'"
He said that Mr. Marcos never issued a message of condolence to the family of General Soliman, who was denied military honors.
Mijares himself later fled the country and sought political asylum in the United States after a falling out with the strongman. After writing his book, he disappeared and was believed killed by military agents, with one version saying he was thrown out from an airplane.
A logical conclusion
Today, it is not surprising that many political leaders continue to capitalize on or hype the political stigma of Mr. Marcos, even if they were never involved in the political struggle during the martial law years.
For instance, Senate President Franklin Drilon says that after he passed the Bar in 1970, he concentrated on his law practice all through the years the country was under martial law. He also never thought of entering politics under an authoritarian regime.
But after seeing the ills of martial law, he agrees that "never again" should political leaders impose it.
Tatad, on the other hand, doubts if martial law can still be imposed by a president, given that the 1987 Constitution, with its strong Bill of Rights, allows Congress to stop any authoritarian attempt at government by declaring martial law.
Satur Ocampo, a business journalist who went underground during martial law, was arrested and tortured, then became lawmaker post-EDSA, stresses that with its repressive character, martial law cannot be used as excuse for political changes.
He decries Marcos's failure to carry out long-term reforms, whether in economic policies or governance, as he had promised in his "New Society."
"[The] net effect [of this is that he gave] authority over life and death [to the] military and the police. They could pick up people, detain them, torture them and nobody was made to account for it," he says. Ocampo laments that military and police impunity exists until now that the government has restored our basic rights.
Like Alcuaz and Almario, Ocampo is certain the communist threat could not have been an excuse for declaring martial law, since the communist movement was still in the organizing stages in some areas in the country when martial law was declared.
Ocampo admits that he was already "semi-underground" after he quit his job as business editor of the Manila Bulletin and joined the underground movement with his wife, journalist Carolina Malay, right after Marcos suspended the Writ.
He says like most militant activists, they feared that Marcos would use the suspension of the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus to start cracking down on political dissenters. They were not mistaken.
He says that while there was a seeming political lull during the martial law years, it was the underground movement's network and the countryside resistance that sustained the anti-dictatorship struggle.
Ocampo asserts that it was the political Left that played a key role in the political resistance against Marcos's strongman rule even before the 1983 Benigno Aquino assassination which triggered public outrage that led to the strongman's downfall three years later.
Nevertheless, Ocampo says it remains on record that over 70,000 people experienced being arrested and the strongman regime was marked by unabated human rights abuses during the dark days of martial law. "So for those who have experienced martial law, I don't think they can forget what had happened," he says.
The brutal heel and the iron fist of martial law may indeed never be forgotten, but its other legacies, and its crucial lessons of governance are obviously very much around, seamlessly woven into the national fabric like some plague. One only has to recall how every branch of government can be easily corrupted, as seen in the pork barrel imbroglio, to know this to be true. Martial law as a proclamation is dead, but after 41 years, its legacy lives.
Xiao Time: Mabuting dulot ng batas militar


Bielytskyi, Pavlo, Daniel Gräsing, Stefan Zahn, Kaustubh R. Mote, A. Alia, P.K. Madhu, and Jörg Matysik. "Assignment of NMR Resonances of Protons Covalently Bound to Photochemically Active Cofactors in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers by 13C–1H Photo-CIDNP MAS-J-HMQC Experiment." Journal of Magnetic Resonance 298 (January 2019): 64–76.
Modified versions of through-bond heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) experiments are presented to take advantage of the light-induced hyperpolarization that occurs on 13C nuclei due to the solid-state photochemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) effect. Such 13C–1H photoCIDNP MAS-J-HMQC and photo-CIDNP MAS-J-HSQC experiments are applied to acquire the 2D 13C–1H correlation spectra of selectively 13C-labeled photochemically active cofactors in the frozen quinoneblocked photosynthetic reaction center (RC) of the purple bacterium Rhodobacter (R.) sphaeroides wildtype (WT). Resulting spectra contain no correlation peaks arising from the protein backbone, which greatly simplifies the assignment of aliphatic region. Based on the photo-CIDNP MAS-J-HMQC NMR experiment, we obtained assignment of selective 1H NMR resonances of the cofactors involved in the electron transfer process in the RC and compared them with values theoretically predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculation as well as with the chemical shifts obtained from monomeric cofactors in the solution. We also compared proton chemical shifts obtained by photo-CIDNP MAS-J-HMQC experiment under continuous illumination with the ones obtained in dark by classical crosspolarization (CP) HETCOR. We expect that the proposed approach will become a method of choice for obtaining 1H chemical shift maps of the active cofactors in photosynthetic RCs and will aid the interpretation of heteronuclear spin-torch experiments.
The Associate will apply NMR crystallography methodology to characterise pharmaceutical systems exhibiting disorder in the solid state in this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project between the Solid-State NMR Group at the University of Warwick (Departments of Physics and Chemistry) and the global biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca (Macclesfield). The Associate will be expected to work mostly at AstraZeneca's Research & Development Campus in Macclesfield, U.K., making some visits to University of Warwick. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with Professor Steven P. Brown (University of Warwick, Physics) and Dr Jozef R. Lewandowski (University of Warwick, Chemistry) and Dr Leslie P. Hughes and Dr Helen Blade (AstraZeneca, Macclesfield).
In this project that is supported by Bruker, you will develop MAS NMR methods that make use of state-of-the-art fast MAS technology. The project will combine experimental solid-state NMR in the University of Warwick Magnetic Resonance Laboratory (a suite of solid-state NMR spectrometers up to 700 MHz, also hosting the UK 850 MHz Solid-State NMR Facility, with a 1 GHz system to be delivered in 2020) with simulation, e.g., using the SIMPSON software that implements the density operator quantum-mechanics description of the NMR experiment. The focus will be on developing solid-state NMR methods using model compounds, of relevance for application to moderately sized pharmaceutical molecules and biological systems.
The IES announces the NEW 2019 IES Best Paper Award. The IES looks forward to highlighting exciting advances and breakthrough development in the broad area of EPR and ESR. This award will be given to up 2 publications per year, and the first author recognized with this award. The expectation is that the first author is a young scientist. Nomination can be made by any IES member, faculty or student. If self-nomination is made, it can be made only by the first author or the corresponding author. Nomination by first author should be accompanied by letter from the corresponding author explaining the role of the first author. Deadline for this Award is April 1st 2019.
The application material that includes the following items should be packed into a single PDF document and emailed to the IES secretary ab359@technion.ac.il .
1) Cover letter not exceeding 1 page with your name, role and affiliation, full citation of the paper and explanation as to why this paper represents an exciting advance and breakthrough development in the broad area of EPR and ESR.
2) PDF of the nominated publication.
3) If applicable, letter from the corresponding author, not exceeding 1 page, explaining the role of the first author.
Screening of applications will continue until April 15th 2019.
Bridge12 is hiring. We have an open position for a scientist in the area of instrument development for magnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR, NMR, DNP).
As a scientist at Bridge12, you will work on multidisciplinary projects covering large aspects of magnetic resonance, instrumentation design, development of prototypes and conduct research. The position requires creativity in a wide range of areas of magnetic resonance spectroscopy including NMR and EPR spectroscopy, imaging, and instrument development. We are looking for a highly motivated, highly organized individual who enjoys an innovative, interdisciplinary environment and the challenges that come with manufacturing high-tech, scientific instrumentation. You will work out of the Bridge12 facilities in Framingham, MA with only occasional travel (conferences, tradeshows etc.).
Schrader, Alex M., Jacob I. Monroe, Ryan Sheil, Howard A. Dobbs, Timothy J. Keller, Yuanxin Li, Sheetal Jain, M. Scott Shell, Jacob N. Israelachvili, and Songi Han. "Surface Chemical Heterogeneity Modulates Silica Surface Hydration." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 115, no. 12 (March 20, 2018): 2890–95.
An in-depth knowledge of the interaction of water with amorphous silica is critical to fundamental studies of interfacial hydration water, as well as to industrial processes such as catalysis, nanofabrication, and chromatography. Silica has a tunable surface comprising hydrophilic silanol groups and moderately hydrophobic siloxane groups that can be interchanged through thermal and chemical treatments. Despite extensive studies of silica surfaces, the influence of surface hydrophilicity and chemical topology on the molecular properties of interfacial water is not well understood. In this work, we controllably altered the surface silanol density, and measured surface water diffusivity using Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) and complementary silica–silica interaction forces acrosswater using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). The results show that increased silanol density generally leads to slower water diffusivity and stronger silica– silica repulsion at short aqueous separations (less than ∼4 nm). Both techniques show sharp changes in hydration properties at intermediate silanol densities (2.0–2.9 nm−2). Molecular dynamics simulations of model silica–water interfaces corroborate the increase in water diffusivity with silanol density, and furthermore show that even on a smooth and crystalline surface at a fixed silanol density, adjusting the spatial distribution of silanols results in a range of surface water diffusivities spanning ∼10%. We speculate that a critical silanol cluster size or connectivity parameter could explain the sharp transition in our results, and can modulate wettability, colloidal interactions, and surface reactions, and thus is a phenomenon worth further investigation on silica and chemically heterogeneous surfaces.
Project description: All-solid-state microbatteries are promising devices for a broad range of applications pertaining to communication, consumer electronics, products and people identification, traceability, security (bank transaction) as well as to smart environment and the internet of things. Nevertheless, a limitation of these devices is the limited Li+conductivity of the lithium phosphorous oxinitride (LiPON). The conductivity of this the commercial standard electrolyte is 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of conventional Li-ion cells using liquid electrolytes. Recently innovative electrolytes with conductivity enhanced by one order of magnitude have been developed. In this project, we will develop and apply advanced solid-state NMR, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) techniques in order to elucidate the atomic-level structure and dynamics of these innovative electrolytes. For solid-state NMR characterization, Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP), small rotor diameters and high magnetic fields will notably been employed in order to improve the sensitivity and/or the resolution of this technique. The structural and dynamic information obtained in the project will be correlated to the electrical and electrochemical properties of the electrolytes, in order to improve in a rational way the performances of the microbatteries. This PhD grant is funded by ANR funding agency.
Contact: Applications (cover letter, CV, transcripts of grades and names for recommendation) and informal queries about the lab and research projects should be directed by email to olivier.lafon@univ-lille.fr and frederique.pourpoint@ensc-lille.fr.
(1) Wang, Z.; Jiang, Y.; Lafon, O.; Trébosc, J.; Kim, K. D.; Stampfl, C.; Baiker, A.; Amoureux, J.-P.; Huang, J. Brønsted Acid Sites Based on Penta-Coordinated Aluminum Species. Nat. Commun.2016, 7, 13820. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13820.
(2) Qi, G.; Wang, Q.; Xu, J.; Trébosc, J.; Lafon, O.; Wang, C.; Amoureux, J.-P.; Deng, F. Synergic Effect of Active Sites in Zinc-Modified ZSM-5 Zeolites as Revealed by High-Field Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2016, 55(51), 15826–15830. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201608322.
(3) Giovine Raynald; Volkringer Christophe; Ashbrook Sharon E.; Trébosc Julien; McKay David; Loiseau Thierry; Amoureux Jean‐Paul; Lafon Olivier; Pourpoint Frédérique. Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy Proves the Presence of Penta‐coordinated Sc Sites in MIL‐100(Sc). Chem. – Eur. J.2017, 23(40), 9525–9534. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201700584.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work under the supervision of Dr Mohammadali Foroozandeh on a research project funded by the Royal Society for up to 18 months. The project involves design and development of novel pulsed techniques to effectively manipulate quantum spin systems, and analyses of spectroscopic data, especially drawing on computer-assisted methodologies like optimal control and model-based estimation methods, with applications to magnetic resonance (NMR, ESR, MRI, and in vivo MRS) techniques. You should have a very good understanding of the theory of magnetic resonance and good programming skills. You should be able to develop and verify hypotheses and analyse data. You should be able to work and effectively communicate with collaborators with a verity of backgrounds and represent the research group at external meetings and scientific conferences.
You should have a PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science (or have submitted a PhD thesis prior to taking up the appointment). The post will be based in Chemistry Research Laboratory, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX13TA.
Only applications received before 12.00 midday on 21 March 2019 can be considered.
Candidates with a physics and engineering background are particularly encouraged to apply. The project is more experimental than theoretical. The salary is quite competitive (and the research is excellent!).
Kovtunov, Kirill V., Ekaterina V. Pokochueva, Oleg G. Salnikov, Samuel F. Cousin, Dennis Kurzbach, Basile Vuichoud, Sami Jannin, et al. "Hyperpolarized NMR Spectroscopy: D-DNP, PHIP, and SABRE Techniques." Chemistry - An Asian Journal 13, no. 15 (August 6, 2018): 1857–71.
The intensity of NMR signals can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude by using various techniques for the hyperpolarization of different molecules. Such approaches can overcome the main sensitivity challenges facing modern NMR/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, whilst hyperpolarized fluids can also be used in a variety of applications in material science and biomedicine. This Focus Review considers the fundamentals of the preparation of hyperpolarized liquids and gases by using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (d-DNP) and parahydrogen- based techniques, such as signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) and parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP), in both heterogeneous and homogeneous processes. The various new aspects in the formation and utilization of hyperpolarized fluids, along with the possibility of observing NMR signal enhancement, are described.
Gumann, P., H. Haas, S. Sheldon, L. Zhu, R. Deshpande, T. Alexander, M. L. W. Thewalt, D. G. Cory, and C. Ramanathan. "NMR Study of Optically Hyperpolarized Phosphorus Donor Nuclei in Silicon." Physical Review B 98, no. 18 (November 16, 2018).
We use above-band-gap optical excitation, via a 1047-nm laser, to hyperpolarize the 31P spins in low-doped (ND = 6x10^15 cm−3) natural abundance silicon at 4.2 K and 6.7 T, and inductively detect the resulting NMR signal. The 30-kHz spectral linewidth observed is dramatically larger than the 600-Hz linewidth observed from a 28Si-enriched silicon crystal. We show that the broadening is consistent with previous electron-nuclear double-resonance results showing discrete isotope mass effect contributions to the donor hyperfine coupling. A secondary source of broadening is likely due to variations in the local strain, induced by the random distribution of different isotopes in natural silicon. The nuclear spin T1 and the buildup time for the optically induced 31P hyperpolarization in the natural abundance silicon sample were observed to be 178 +/- 47 and 69 +/- 6 s, respectively, significantly shorter than the values previously measured in 28Si-enriched samples under the same conditions. We measured the T1 and hyperpolarization buildup time for the 31P signal in natural abundance silicon at 9.4 T to be 54 +/- 31 and 13 +/- 2 s, respectively. The shorter buildup and nuclear spin T1 times at high field are likely due to the shorter electron spin T1, which drives nuclear spin relaxation via nonsecular hyperfine interactions. At 6.7 T, the phosphorus nuclear spin T2 was 16.7 +/- 1.6 ms at 4.2 K, a factor of 4 shorter than in 28Si-enriched crystals. This was observed to shorten to 1.9 +/- 0.4 ms in the presence of the infrared laser.
The laboratory Membrane Biophysics and NMR at the University of Strasbourg has an opening for a postdoctoral position with experience in using solid-state NMR for the analysis of peptides and proteins. The aim of the project is to reveal the structural determinants that define the highly specific lipid recognition motif of a transmembrane protein and to characterize changes in structure, dynamics, oligomerization and topology of the protein as well as the lipids during recognition. Another ongoing project is the structural investigation of peptide fibers with strong nucleic acid and lentiviral transfection potential.
Candidates should have good experience in biomolecular solid-state NMR. Other techniques of the laboratory are solution NMR approaches, various types of biophysical methods, peptide synthesis and/or the biochemical production of proteins. Knowledge in some of these latter techniques are of advantage. S/he should have an interest in working in a highly interdisciplinary, international and collaborative environment. The project and position are funded by a three-year grant from the French National Agency for Research (ANR). The University of Strasbourg chemistry, life sciences and structural biology departments have excellent scientific records, with a multitude of collaborations world-wide.
Strasbourg is a very nice city on the French side of the Rhine river, at the border to Germany, with easy access to nearby mountains (Vosges, Black Forrest, Alps). Being in the heart of Europe it takes only short train rides to multiple destinations of scientific and/or touristic interest.
Funded by the German Research Council DFG, we are continuing our research on polymer melts and solutions with an emphasis on new methods for polymer dynamics. Among other approaches, the project involves 1H and 2H relaxation dispersion investigations of isotopically diluted polymers with our two Stelar Fast Field Cycling (FFC) Relaxometers [Lozovoi et al., Macromolecules 51, 10055 (2018)]. Additional experiments will be carried out on a homebuilt Halbach magnet and commercial equipment (Bruker, Magritek).
The second project involves application of the mentioned techniques to biomacromolecules, in particular to articular cartilage, with the aim of modelling molecular dynamics in biological tissue for which cartilage is a simple model system. Field-dependent relaxation times are well-known from medical MRI, but only empirically described in the literature; we want to establish a theoretical description of the frequency dependence as well as the width of relaxation times distributions in non-exponential signal decays [Petrov et al., Magn. Reson. Med., doi: 10.1002/mrm.27624 (2019)], and develop these findings into biomarkers for diseases such as osteoarthritis.
The third project focusses on the technical improvement or advanced application of DNP-FFC relaxometry studies. By combining DNP hardware with a FFC relaxometer, we have recently developed a novel platform to boost sensitivity and selectivity in complex fluids such as copolymers, porous media and multicomponent systems [Gizatullin et al., ChemPhysChem 18, 2347 (2017)], of which rocks and crude oil represent a naturally occurring example. Stable radicals are introduced and saturated by microwave irradiation, and subsequent magnetization transfer by either Overhauser or Solid Effect enhances the signal of nearby nuclei – including rare, insensitive and quadrupolar X nuclei – in the vicinity of the radical. Enhancement factors of several hundred have been achieved on our equipment. Depending on the skills and expertise of the candidate, the thesis can follow either a technical or an application focus.
We are seeking motivated individuals who are exploring applications of FFC and DNP-FFC within one of these projects. Requirements differ but typically involve sample preparation, modelling and potentially hardware or software development. Regular discussions and research stays with collaboration partners, mostly in Europe and USA, will be part of the project. This position requires skilled and enthusiastic persons, with an MSc degree in physics, chemistry or related disciplines, willing to work and actively participate in an international environment; a proven hands-on experience in ESR or NMR is a requirement, as are a strong background in NMR theory and programming skills.
The projects aim at obtaining a PhD level and are financed for an initial period of 3 years. The salary is according to the TV-L E13 scale of the German public sector (typically ¾ position depending on skills and experience). Under exceptional circumstances, a full salary postdoctoral position may be funded for a holder of a PhD title in one of these projects but with an initial contract period of 2 years.
The Technische Universität Ilmenau aims to establish gender equality and strongly encourages applications by female candidates. Handicapped applicants with identical qualification will be considered with priority. Special services are available concerning all social matters.
Ishikawa, Yuya, Kenta Ohya, Yutaka Fujii, Akira Fukuda, Shunsuke Miura, Seitaro Mitsudo, Hidetomo Yamamori, and Hikomitsu Kikuchi. "Development of Millimeter Wave Fabry-Pérot Resonator for Simultaneous Electron-Spin and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurement." Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves 39, no. 4 (April 2018): 387–98.
We report a Fabry-Pérot resonator with spherical and flat mirrors to allow simultaneous electron-spin resonance (ESR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements that could be used for double magnetic resonance (DoMR). In order to perform simultaneous ESR and NMR measurements, the flat mirror must reflect millimeter wavelength electromagnetic waves and the resonator must have a high Q value (Q > 3000) for ESR frequencies, while the mirror must simultaneously let NMR frequencies pass through. This requirement can be achieved by exploiting the difference of skin depth for the two frequencies, since skin depth is inversely proportional to the square root of the frequency. In consideration of the skin depth, the optimum conditions for conducting ESR and NMR using a gold thin film are explored by examining the relation between the Q value and the film thickness. A flat mirror with a gold thin film was fabricated by sputtering gold on an epoxy plate. We also installed a Helmholtz radio frequency coil for NMR and tested the system both at room and low temperatures with an optimally thick gold film. As a result, signals were obtained at 0.18 K for ESR and at 1.3 K for NMR. A flat-mirrored resonator with a thin gold film surface is an effective way to locate NMR coils closer to the sample being examined with DoMR.
Cho, Andrew, Roozbeh Eskandari, Vesselin Z. Miloushev, and Kayvan R. Keshari. "A Non-Synthetic Approach to Extending the Lifetime of Hyperpolarized Molecules Using D2O Solvation." Journal of Magnetic Resonance 295 (October 2018): 57–62.
Although dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization is a robust technique to significantly increase magnetic resonance signal, the short T1 relaxation time of most 13C-nuclei limits the timescale of hyperpolarized experiments. To address this issue, we have characterized a non-synthetic approach to extend the hyperpolarized lifetime of 13C-nuclei in close proximity to solvent-exchangeable protons. Protons exhibit stronger dipolar relaxation than deuterium, so dissolving these compounds in D2O to exchange labile protons with solvating deuterons results in longer-lived hyperpolarization of the 13C-nucleus 2-bonds away. 13C T1 and T2 times were longer in D2O versus H2O for all molecules in this study. This phenomenon can be utilized to improve hyperpolarized signal-to-noise ratio as a function of longer T1, and enhanced spectral and imaging resolution via longer T2.


text:
BROKEN RECORD
The market thinks Bank of America's mortgage nightmare is almost over
So, we're done here, right?
Image: Reuters/Gary Cameron (L) and Bobby Yip (R)
Mark DeCambre
Is the worst behind Bank of America? Its shareholders seem to think so. The bank's stock is up nearly 2% today, after it announced a long-awaited settlement over a US government probe into its mortgage practices. The $16.65 billion settlement is the US's largest ever civil penalty leveled against a single corporation. It eclipses a similar $13 billion mortgage-related settlement JPMorgan Chase struck with the Justice Department last year.
The fine breaks down as follows: BoA will pay $7 billion in relief for homeowners struggling with mortgage payments and a $9.65 billion penalty to the Department of Justice. BofA said the settlement would shrink its pre-tax earnings by $5.3 billion—nearly half of its $11.4 billion reported profit last year.
Here's a look the bank's share performance so far today:
no-caption
So why are investors shrugging off one the biggest fines in US corporate history? Because it could have been worse. BofA had been haggling for weeks with regulators over a potential $20 billion settlement.
Regulators agreed to credit BoA for the billions it has already paid under a broader bank settlement for consumer relief. So most of what remains to be paid is the $9.65 billion fine. Of that, bank analyst Dick Bove of Rafferty Capital Markets estimates that BoA's after-tax hit will only come to $4 billion. Meanwhile, the bank is on pace to outdo last year's $11.4 billion profit.


text:
CRE reveals dossier of race-hate letters
By Will Woodward
@WHWoodward
Staff at the Commission for Racial Equality have been hit by a new wave of racist hate mail in the aftermath of the report on Stephen Lawrence's murder.
The commission chairman, Sir Herman Ouseley, has given the Guardian access to its 'hate file' of abusive letters the first time it has been made public.
One envelope enclosed a release from a fascist group accusing Stephen of being 'the real racist'.
It says: 'Celebrity QC and various race relations pressure groups are falling over themselves to be aliegned [sic] to the Lawrence cause (even the South African ambassador is involved) but what about five white men branded murderers despite being cleared by TWO trials. No liberals willing to fight their injustice.'
On the back, a handwritten note says: 'This nigger got what he deserved. We'll make sure his parents get one of these to put them right.'
On the back of a 'Deport Niggers' card, a note in the same handwriting says: 'If the mud people keep getting preferential treatment over the white race, they'll be taken off the streets, and they will end up like this.'
The CRE has passed the envelope on to the South Wales police, who cover the area it was sent from. Other mail has been passed to the Metropolitan police's racial and violent crime task force.
The CRE and police believe handwriting studies and new techniques including DNA testing can be used to track down the senders, and may result in prosecutions for incitement of racial hatred or under the malicious communications laws. The CRE said yesterday people or organisations who receive such mail should pass it on to police.
Most of the material is addressed to Sir Herman. A man in Ealing tells him: 'If you truly believe the fatuous nonsense you spew out, then why do you not return to your ancestral homeland with your British education and improve life there?'
Another writes: 'Why don't you piss off and let a non-racist do your job properly? I'm always telling Jack Straw that the black he has in charge of the CRE is one of the biggest racists we have.'
A letter with a south London postmark says: 'We have had white people murdered, and many a time 'racisim' [sic] has been suggested, BUT ther [sic] was no publicity like this. I trust that Mr and Mrs Lawrence will now repay the ratepayers of Greenwich Council with the money they have received from TV, the press etc, and if they get compensation, likewise, after all it is the ratepayers of Greenwich that has funded it.'
Many of the files are from regular writers. About half of them give their full address. A man from Salford, Greater Manchester, sends a letter about once a month. One member of the British National Party has rung up every few weeks for the past six years. Frequently, cuttings from newspapers are sent in to make a particular racist point scrawled with handwriting around them.
Other organisations pass on racist material sent to them. One of the most unpleasant leaflets since the Lawrence case has a cartoon violently depicting the CRE, Jewish Board of Deputies, West Indian and Indian groups and the police. The caption reads: 'Sir Paul Condon at yet another Jewish function an AJEX meeting, Autumn 1995. Note his nervous smile and the scowl on the chief Jew trying to drum up a round of applause.'
Ordinarily, CRE staff handle about six racist letters and a similar number of abusive phone calls each week. Since the Lawrence report was published last month, the CRE has received about 50 of each. Most of the letters are stored in the 'hate file' by Chris Myant, a CRE press officer.
Mr Myant said: 'This is the tip of an iceberg of quite large size, in which those older members of a family, or the older guy in a place of work or in a pub, will have an influence on younger people. You don't go down the street and assault someone like that without thinking someone is going to say 'good on you'.'
He said the number of racist letters had declined since he joined the CRE six years ago, but he added: 'They show that, despite 30 years of effort, there are still people who hold these ideas. You can't talk about British society without recognising there is this undercurrent within it, and it has not gone away.'


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'Korea Inc.' Faces Big-Bang Reform
Posting of a 'worst firms' list June 20 marks beginning of retooling - and an effort to win back investors.
By Michael Baker Special to The Christian Science Monitor
After a week in America wooing Congress and investors, the new president of South Korea, Kim Dae Jung, goes home to face economic Judgment Day.
The days of sluggish reform in this former "tiger" economy are over after six months on the dole of the International Monetary Fund.
To win back wary investors, South Korea is about to restructure with gusto - through massive bankruptcies and layoffs. On June 20, banks will make public a list of the worst managed, most indebted companies that will lose their credit lines.
"They want to demonstrate to the international community that they can get out there and wield a knife," says Henry Morris, an analyst at Industrial Research and Consulting Ltd. in Seoul.
The country already has a taste of mass unemployment. Hundreds of homeless crowd the Seoul train station every night. Scarier for the government is if the jobless start marching in the streets.
Unions have asked for job-sharing and wage cuts to save jobs, but Korea has an overcapacity in manufacturing and a shortage in service sectors like finance and telecommunications. "These people have to be retooled," says Richard Samuelson, a securities analyst at SBC Warburg Dillon Reed in Seoul.
But excessive regulations, high interest rates, and a nonentrepreneurial culture are big barriers for businesses. Korea is "too hierarchical, oligarchical," says Mr. Samuelson. In the 1970s and '80s, the US economy went through a similar shift to service-sector jobs. Samuelson expects Korea's transition to take five to 10 years.
The complexity of "Korea Inc." - an entrenched bureaucracy accustomed to controling the economy and giant conglomerates that expect special treatment - hinders reform, analysts say. Some fear a new crisis as lumbering government officials and entrenched interests delay recovery. The US could feel the effects if Japan sells US Treasury Bonds to buoy its economy. That could force up US interest rates, depress the stock market, and slow the economy.
Korean banks with too many nonperforming loans will have their own day of reckoning. A special body, the Financial Supervisory Commission, is charged with merging and recapitalizing faltering banks.
South Korea's president-elect promises 'new era of change'
South Korea to North Korea: Learn from Myanmar
South Korea to mark Japan's defeat amid disquiet over Abe's reforms


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Destination: Lesotho
Kingdom of the Sky
This is the land of the "blanket people", who ride their sturdy ponies, build picturesque houses and greet visitors with a dignified salute.
Lesotho, the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1000m, is a tiny mountain kingdom surrounded by South Africa and is roughly the same size as Belgium, covering 30 355 sq km's.
Lesotho is dominated by the rugged mountains of the Maluti mountain range and is famous for its pony trekking and hiking trails, the best ways to explore its scenic mountains. It is also known for its friendly people and their distinct Basotho culture.
Lesotho, known as the Mountain Kingdom or Kingdom in the Sky, holds a wealth of different experiences in store for those who visit there. Mountains, valleys and rivers present unforgettable panoramas for tourists.
In the mountains is the source of Lesotho's crystal-clear water, which also waters the green pastures for livestock. Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Tucked away in the heart of South Africa sits the Kingdom of Lesotho, known to locals as the Kingdom of the Sky and to travelers as the Switzerland of Africa.
As the nicknames suggest, Lesotho is mostly made up of the rolling highlands and dramatic, rugged peaks of the Maluti Mountains, the tallest of which stands at a shade under 3,500m (11,482ft) above sea level.
The high altitude and mountainous geography lend a spectacularly scenic backdrop to the numerous outdoor activities on offer, including pony trekking, rock climbing, fishing, abseiling, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking and even skiing on the snow-covered slopes below the Mahlasela Pass. The existence of valuable mineral and water resources led developers to build roads through some areas of Lesotho, but much of the kingdom and its villages remain remote and can only be reached on foot, by horseback or by light aircraft.
But Lesotho's remoteness is a large part of its appeal, and this also helps preserve the rich traditional culture of the Basotho people, which you can experience at a number of cultural villages dotted across the kingdom. Lesotho also boasts some prominent examples of ancient rock paintings made by the nomadic San people that once inhabited this area.
But while Lesotho might not be able to boast the wealth and infrastructure of its much larger neighbor, when it comes to raw adventure and natural beauty it can certainly hold its own.
Sani Pass was originally a pack-animals trail and was only opened to traffic in 1955 and is the only access from Kwazulu Natal to the Lesotho Highlands, the domain of the endangered Bearded Vulture, Basotho shepherds and their animals.
This steep zigzagging pass climbs the face of the Drakensberg escarpment to an altitude of 2874m. It's generally not a difficult drive in any modern 4×4 vehicle and is a wonderfully scenic drive, if the weather plays its part, most of our safaris make use of this, the most spectacular mountain pass in South Africa. It's one of the famous hair pinned roads in the world.
Key things to see and do in Lesotho
Tse'hlanyane National Park
Over 5600 hectares of extremely rugged mountains terrain is protected within this park, which includes one of the very few indigenous woodlands in Lesotho. The reserve also encompasses a reasonable proportion of mountain fynbos with a high degree of endemism.
Sani Pass is the mother of all South African mountain passes. Statistically and in every sense, it out distances, out climbs, and out performs all its competitors with consummate ease to have become the most iconic gravel pass in SA.
Katse Dam
The Katse Dam, built high in the Maluti Mountains and named after a revered man who once lived at the site, is at the heart of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Pictures from previous safaris in Lesotho
Be inspired by our Trip Dossier/s below (PDF format ).
Lesotho TD 5200(a).pdf
Book your Lesotho holiday now
Lesotho: Location
Book a Lesotho safari now
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Travel Tips for Lesotho
Temperate climate with well-marked seasons
Medical facilities are ready to meet most minor ailments, more serious are referred to other institutions in the Republic of South Africa
Ask before you photograph any person or personal items
Photographs must not be taken of the following: the palace, police establishments, government offices, the airport or monetary authority buildings.
More travel info on Lesotho
Cape Town (South Africa)
Ken Smith (Director/Owner):
Email: ken@barefoot-safaris.co.za
Skype: Barefootsafaris18
Barefoot Office (South Africa):
Marina Booysen (Operations Manager)
+27 82 921 1703 (After hours assistance)
Email: enquiries@barefoot-safaris.co.za
Skype: barefootadventureconsultant
Barefoot Lodge Office (Malawi):
Elywin Kambani +265 999 387 740
Prisca Kayuza +265 997 272 858


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Queen's Birthday Honours List 2020
They said: "We are truly honoured to have received a CBE and would like to thank the many people that have helped us along the way, including colleagues, partners, the people of Lancashire and our family. When we bought our first petrol forecourt in Bury almost 20 years ago, we could never have dreamed that we would be collecting such a prestigious award today. We plan to step up our contribution to good causes through our charitable foundations and this award will inspire us to do even more to support people in the communities that we operate, particularly the North of England."
Lomondgate site awarded Forecourt Retailer of the year at the Scottish Grocer Awards 2017 09/03/2017
Euro Garages Lomondgate, Dumbarton has been awarded Forecourt Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Grocer Awards 2017. Retailers from across Scotland were honoured ...


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Basic Co Brokerage Power is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Marlow Marine Sales, Inc..
She has been owned by lifetime yacht enthusiasts with a passion for performance, quality, and class. With redundant systems throughout, she is capable of long-range and remote cruising. She is equally at home cruising fast or slow up the east coast to the Canadian Maritimes, to the outer islands of the Bahamas, or out for a last-minute sunset cruise. Powered by the powerful and efficient twin CAT C32 engines,she has a range of over 4000 miles at 8 knots and can cruise over 25 knots when the schedule is tight or bad weather is on the way allowing avoidance by superior speed and seakeeping ability. She will cruise happily at 23 knots at under 70% load factor continuously and tops out at over 30 knots at moderate loads.
The owners have spared no expense in maintaining this yacht which shows in her overall appearance, cleanliness, performance, and maintenance history. She has been used exclusively as a pleasure yacht by the owners' family, friends, and corporate guests.
As you board this 88E onto the large aft deck, you are greeted by an elegant outdoor living area, complete with a day head. There is a large teak inlaid table with comfortable seating for 8. On the forward starboard area of this cockpit you will find a day head offering guests easy access from the swim platform when enjoying a day of water sports. A covered stairway on the port side leads to the flybridge.
The Salon is accessed from the aft through a set of sturdy double doors with double windows. Upon entry, you will notice the classic teak and ebony flooring that ties in with the teak walls and cabinetry with ebony accents throughout. The large salon windows provide you excellent 360 degree views as well as ample natural light to brighten the room. A comfortable L-shaped settee graces the starboard side while the port side houses the entertainment system including a 52" retractable TV and two custom American Leather recliners. Also found here you will notice a desk/office area. Forward of the seating area to port is a practical wet bar with hidden sink, beverage refrigerator, wine cooler, upgraded quartzite counter and bar. The custom Master Suite has a private entrance which is accessed from the forward starboard corner of the salon. The full beam Master Suite is spacious featuring a king size bed, ample storage, safe, full entertainment system, combo Miele washer and dryer, and an ensuite head with shower.
Moving forward from the salon and up three steps you come up to the abundant Galley that is perfectly set up to serve the finest gourmet meals and satisfy the most demanding of chef's. The Galley is large, open, and very well equipped with upgraded state of the art appliances. Forward of the Galley is the Pilothouse helm station with two STIDD chairs (one single, one double) well equipped with an array of electronics typically found on much larger yachts. This Pilothouse area houses a large seating area with dining table to port.
A set of stairs on the starboard side of the Pilothouse lead down to the additional luxurious three Guest Staterooms. There are twin staterooms with ensuite heads to the port and starboard side of the hallway with the spacious VIP located forward. This VIP sleeps 4 with its king size bed and twin angled bunks above the bed on either side. Also found on this guest hallway there are full-sized Whirlpool washer and dryer with additional storage. All staterooms are finished to the highest level with designer fabrics and the teak and ebony satin finish woodwork seen throughout the yacht. Below this deck, accessed through an easy to lift hatch, you will find the "basement" of the yacht that houses a water closet, abundant storage, and additional machinery.
The flybridge can be accessed from a set of steps to port of the Galley or from the covered Aft Deck. Setting foot on the flybridge you step onto one of the extravagant features of this 88E Marlow Explorer. Its full bar and Air Conditioned entertaining area are the centerpiece of this large open space. Forward of the bar is the well-equipped helm with single and double STIDD chairs. This flybridge has twin dining areas, one being a large custom teak table perfect for al-fresco dining and enough room that will comfortably seat 10 to 12 people. This Air Conditioned flybridge is enclosed with an EZ2CY hard plastic enclosure.
The entertaining area has a six stool complete bar to starboard with a professional Wolf electric grill, sink, refrigerator, ice maker, and storage drawers. To port is a large double sun bed with generous storage underneath.
Moving further aft is the large non-skid deck bridge area that accommodates the 15' Novourania RIB with a Mercury 60hp four-stroke engine and a 2200 lb davit. This versatile area can be set up to accommodate several tables and chairs for entertaining a large party or several lounge chairs to enjoy the sunshine. There is even additional room for 2 Jetskis and other watersport toys like paddleboards or kayaks!
The Crew Quarters can be entered from either the 8' swim platform or separate stairs from the port side of the covered aft deck. From the swim platform you step down into the large lazarette area which provides you access to the steering systems, tool boxes, storage, and third laundry area with sink. Moving forward you step into the crew area that sleep up to 4 crew with two twin beds to starboard and a single double bed to port, all which are partitioned off for privacy. There are two large closets, and 5 other compact storage areas. The Crew has a spacious head and shower forward to starboard. This space has a Uline refrigerator/freezer with ice maker, room for a microwave and 22" Samsung LED TV on latch system for all crew viewing capabilities.
Forward, through a watertight door, is the large, well-laid out Engine Room with full easy access to all components. With nearly 7 feet of headroom and ample walk-around space, Marlow is able to build this magnificent room to house, access, and maintain all necessary equipment including the twin Caterpillar C-32 Acert engines and twin 32kW Kohler generators.
The salon includes beautiful teak and ebony woodwork. To starboard is a large built in L-shape settee with storage underneath and paired with a custom coffee table. The office area offers abundant desk space as well as storage for paperwork and office supplies. Forward of that is a reading nook with two comfortable arm chairs followed by a private entrance to the master stateroom starboard. To port is a built-in teak entertainment center that houses an upgraded large flat screen TV (which lowers into the cabinet when not in use) and an upgraded Bose and Crestron surround sound system. Forward to port is a substantial wet bar with Subzero wine cooler, Subzero refrigerator/freezer with ice maker, and bottle storage perfectly set up for entertaining.
Located forward in the bow, is the VIP Stateroom with King island berth, twin bunk beds lining each wall, a Samsung 26" flat screen TV and two cedar lined closets (port and starboard). Double drawers beneath the berth provide plenty of storage space. Above are two skylight hatches allowing natural light, with privacy and bug screens, for sleeping or enjoying the fresh air. A sizable head is located in the VIP Stateroom that includes an upgraded Vacuflush head, teak cabinetry, upgraded azul makauba quartzite countertops, a separate walk-in shower.
Located to port and starboard are two guest staterooms with two single berths, Samsung 22" LED flat screen TV and cedar lined hanging closet. In addition, each berth has a set of drawers located underneath. Each room features an ensuite head with an upgraded Vacuflush head, teak cabinetry, azul makauba quartzite countertops, and a separate walk-in shower.


Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias's own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.
When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb." -Mark 6:14-29.