text:
Spirit prefers JetBlue over Frontier
by Richard Schuurman | Jul 28, 2022 | Airlines | 2 comments
The final call is on the regulators, but the fight for Spirit Airlines seems over. After Frontier Airlines' decision on Wednesday to terminate the merger agreement with Spirit, the ultra-low-cost airline announced on Thursday that the boards of directors of Spirit and JetBlue have approved a definitive merger agreement. Spirit prefers JetBlue over Frontier.
JetBlue will acquire Spirit for an aggregate fully diluted value of $3.8 billion/adjusted enterprise value of $7.6 billion or $33.50 per share, including a prepayment of $2.50 per share in cash once Spirit's stockholders have approved the agreement. This is identical to the offer JetBlue made on June 20.
Within days, Frontier Airlines and its parent Indigo Partners came up with an amended offer "that is well in excess of JetBlue's illusory proposal." In May, Spirit had raised many red flags against JetBlue. But the pro-Frontier mood that had persisted week after week since the first announcement in February started to shift when JetBlue made an unsolicited offer and continuously amended it. Spirit's stockholder's meeting, originally scheduled for June 10, had already been adjourned a number of times until a final date on July 27. Their support for the Frontier-Spirit agreement had waned and stockholders were ready to vote against the offer, which was the "last, best, and final" one, as Frontier said on July 10. Before they could, Frontier withdrew its offer. "Rather than overpay for Spirit, the Board had prioritized shareholders, employees, and customers", Frontier's Barry Biffle said in an earnings call.
"While we are disappointed that we had to terminate our proposed merger with Frontier, we are proud of the dedicated work of our Team Members on the transaction over the past many months," said Spirit CEO Ted Christie said on Wednesday in a media statement. "Moving forward, the Spirit Board of Directors will continue our ongoing discussions with JetBlue as we pursue the best path forward for Spirit and our stockholders."
Fruitful discussions
These discussions have been fruitful, as Spirit and JetBlue announced their agreement on Thursday morning. The acquisition gives JetBlue what it wanted for months: the assets, network, and order book of Spirit to "turbocharge" its growth instead of natural growth at a much slower rate. The Frontier-Spirit merger would have left JetBlue behind as the number six airline in the US, whereas it aspired to become a national low-cost alternative to the Big Three (American, Delta, United) and Southwest. It consistently stressed the 'JetBlue effect', in which fares go lower wherever JetBlue enters the market, something as consistently denied by the Spirit board in the past hectic months.
With an agreement now reached, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes says in a media statement: "We are excited to deliver this compelling combination that turbocharges our strategic growth, enabling JetBlue to bring our unique blend of low fares and exceptional service to more customers, on more routes. We look forward to welcoming Spirit's outstanding Team Members to JetBlue and together creating a customer-centric, fifth-largest carrier in the United States. Spirit and JetBlue will continue to advance our shared goal of disrupting the industry to bring down fares from the Big Four airlines. This combination is an exciting opportunity to diversify and expand our network, add jobs and new possibilities for crewmembers, and expand our platform for profitable growth."
Having fought so hard to fight off JetBlue, Ted Christie no changed his tone: "We are thrilled to unite with JetBlue through our improved agreement to create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers, and we look forward to working with JetBlue to complete the transaction. Bringing our two airlines together will be a game changer, and we are confident that JetBlue will deliver opportunities for our Guests and Team Members with JetBlue's unique blend of low fares and award-winning service. We especially appreciate the commitment of our Spirit Family throughout this process. Today's exciting announcement reflects JetBlue's admiration for Spirit and a shared belief in what the combined airline can bring for our Guests."
Fleet of 458 aircraft
Once finalized, the Spirit brand and its striking yellow aircraft will disappear from the US skies as the JetBlue brand takes over. The combined airline will have a fleet of 458 aircraft plus over 300 Airbus A220 and A320neo family on order, the neo slots being a major reason for JetBlue to buy Spirit. Together, Spirit and JetBlue fly around 77 million passengers a year on over 1.700 daily flights to over 125 destinations in thirty countries, the December 2022 schedule shows. The combined workforce will be around 34.000 and the two airlines should generate between $600 and $700 million in annual synergies.
Northeast-based JetBlue will get access to new markets that have been Spirit's for so long, including Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando), San Juan, and Los Angeles, plus to hubs where the 'Big Four' have a strong presence like Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and Miami. Spirit's current support center in Fort Lauderdale will be retained.
Approval not expected until mid-2024
Getting regulatory approval is expected to take up to two years but no later than the first half of 2024, the two airlines say. That's why the agreement includes a transaction price of $33.50 per share if the deal is concluded before December 2023 and a $34.50 per share price in the event approval takes longer than July 2024.
The focus of attention from the Department of Justice will be on how the acquisition will affect competition, notably in the Northeast around New York and Boston where JetBlue has its home base. And where it tries to get approval from the DoJ for the Northeast Alliance with American Airlines. During the relentless battle for Spirit, the yellow airline and Frontier stressed on multiple occasions that a Spirit-JetBlue combination would never get regulatory approval, especially with so many doubts and uncertainties surrounding the approval of the NEA.
The media statement says: "In connection with the agreement, JetBlue has made the upfront commitment to divest Spirit's holdings at the NEA airports to allow for allocation to other ultra-low-cost carriers. (…) JetBlue has committed to divesting Spirit assets up to a material adverse effect on the combined JetBlue-Spirit, with a limited carve-out to this divestiture obligation for actions that would be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect the anticipated benefits under JetBlue's NEA." The Spirit-JetBlue combination will have a nine percent market share in the Northeast.
It continues: "In the unlikely event the proposed agreement is not consummated for antitrust reasons, JetBlue will pay Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $70 million and stockholders of Spirit a reverse break-up fee of $400 million less any amounts paid to stockholders of Spirit prior to termination."
Robin Hayes adds: "We believe we can uniquely be a solution to the lack of competition in the U.S. airline industry and the continued dominance of the Big Four. By enabling JetBlue to grow faster, we can go head-to-head with the legacies in more places to lower fares and improve service for everyone. Even combined with Spirit, JetBlue will still be significantly smaller than the Big Four, but we'll be much better positioned to bring the proven JetBlue Effect to many more routes and locations."
Spirit has to pay Frontier
While Spirit and Frontier have parted ways, the end of the proposed agreement isn't over yet. In its 10-Q filing, Frontier says that it "expects to record in the third quarter of 2022 approximately $9 million of employee retention costs. (…) Further, Spirit is obligated to reimburse $25 million of the Company's incurred Merger-related expenses." Another $69 million has to be paid within twelve months if Spirit concludes an acquisition proposal with "another acquirer or enters into a definitive written agreement."
Floyd Vandyke on July 28, 2022 at 8:42 am
Can you make the case that Spirit isn't better off without Jetblue (or previously Frontier). Throughout the drama, few people have questioned the wisdom of why Spirit needs to merge at all.
Addison Schonland on July 28, 2022 at 10:00 am
This is a fair question. As the industry matures it constantly seeks better economies of scale. That is what drives every merger.


A worker was fatally injured Wednesday when an iron beam fell off a truck and struck him at an East County metal-fabrication yard.
The industrial accident at West Coast Iron in the 9300 block of Jamacha Road in Spring Valley was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m., according to the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA.
Cal/OSHA will investigate the fatality, a process that can take up to six months, to determine if any workplace violations contributed to the accident, agency spokeswoman Jeanne-Mairie Duval said.


text:
Q: Is there any way to set number of threads , number of blocks and grids for CuPy computation? How? I am using Cupy with following code,
import cupy as cp

vals, vecs = cp.linalg.eigh(Array)

For above code , I want to set number of threads in the code. How to do it. Let us say for 100 threads execute the code.

A: For high-level, NumPy-like APIs, there is currently no public interface to change the grid/block configuration. In addition, many linalg APIs (such as eigh in your example) delegate the job to the CUDA Math Libraries solvers, which do not allow users to set grid/block configuration either. I wonder what prompts to this need. It'd be nice if you could elaborate.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Ok, one mystery has been solved, and now life can go on. One time when I was walking into Epcot, I looked up at the geodesic sphere of spaceship earth (anyone who feels the need to point out that it's "actually" a geosphere is in dire need of something... something I simply can't provide) and wondered how big the golf club would have to be. That was a month or two ago. Just fifteen minutes ago, I managed to remember the question while I was near my computer, and thereby the infinite wisdom of Google. As it turns out, The golf club would have to be 4197 feet, 6 1/2 inches tall, or a bit over three-quarters of a mile. The person swinging this club would be 7321 feet, 5 inches tall, or just shy of a mile and a half. So I was inordinately pleased with myself at having solved such a profound mystery, but not for long. Within minutes, a new mystery, albeit of a different sort, had taken it's place, thanks to the fine and perhaps a bit left of center folks at the Learning Channel. Before tonight, I was a big fan of the Learning Channel. But just a few minutes ago, I was surprised, and pleasantly so, to find that they have exceeded themselves yet again. I was channel surfing around on my little tivo thingie for a few minutes between shamelessly stealing from the struggling and hard beset movie industry via my partner in crime, E-mule, and snatching the rear brake rotors out of my car. On my way past the learning channel, I caught the tail end of an ad for a new show they're putting on. At some point in the future, I'm sure I'll find out what this new show is actually about, but I hope it doesn't happen too soon, because I'm having a great time letting my imagination frolic and play with the possibilities inherent with a show called, "Honey, We're Killing the Kids". ... You know, there really isn't anywhere a post can go from there... hrmm.
hehehehe. i could be a total buzzkill and tell you what the show is about, since i've seen more than a few of the commercials. but instead, i'll take another toke and smile, as i imagine where YOUR imagination must be going.
it's lovely to hear from you again, Kires. every now and again i start to wonder where you've gone.
My height is five femtofortnights. I think you should be able to figure it out from there.
congratulations on another lap around the sun.


Dawn to dark, day to day, the Handbag Tote is an elegant and eminently practical addition to your wardrobe. Sized to fit the essentials and more, the Tote features a zip-fastening inside pocket and comfortable straps for carrying by hand or over the shoulder.
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Designed in classic envelope shape this clutch fits the absolute essentials. The front flap with magnetic closure opens to reveal a smooth interior with a zipped pocket . Carry as a clutch or wear over the shoulder with the detachable chain strap. A sophisticated sidekick that's perfect for after-dark accessorising.
– H14cm x W27cm x D2cm approx.
Unique sustainable luxury seatbelt bags, handmade in Amsterdam.
All transactions are handled secure.


I have an article and a rough outline of what I wan...value in being vulnerable in small group settings and the strength of relationships formed through the intimacy of a small conference. Attaching the article. The outline is pretty much the three points mentioned above. This is not for academic research--just to have a conversation in an open forum.
So i have a application built on angular7 nodejs expr...the flow. Basically tutor me. Its not a development but a teaching work. But the person should be very well clear with all the logics of above mentioned technologies. App is pretty simple single page application. Person should be indian so i can understand easily. Should be good with Mean stack.


Tengnoupal (Manipur) [India], Feb 3 (ANI): In a major breakthrough, police rescued around 148 trafficked girls and arrested six suspected human traffickers in separate raids conducted here, said police on Saturday.
This has been the biggest rescue operation ever executed in Manipur's Tengnoupal.
In one of the raids, as many as 40 Nepali girls were rescued by a team of Tengnoupal police. A suspected trafficker who was accompanying the girls from Moreh town was also arrested on Friday morning.
The girls, who were rescued by police are said to be trafficked from cities of South Asian and Middle-east countries.
The Tengnoupal district police also carried out the drive in suspected vehicles and hotels located at Moreh town bases after being intimated by an NGO in Nepal to Delhi Women Commission regarding the illegal human trafficking of large number girls from Nepal for flesh trade.
Initially, the police team intercepted 16 girls at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Moreh when they were crossing Indian side of the border to enter Myanmar.
Tengnoupal SP, S Ibomcha said: "They were sent by a person named Rajiv Sharma from Nepal's Sunauli town with the assistance of some other unidentified traffickers."
The police team in their continued operation further rescued four more girls and arrested a suspected trafficker from a hotel. In the case, the arrested human trafficker has been identified as Asha Kali Tamang (42), a resident of Nepal.
Later in the evening, 20 more girls were rescued from Raj Cottage, Moreh.
A source told ANI that three Nepali girls were rescued by the Delhi Women's Commission. The rescued girls had disclosed that they were being sent to Iraq and Kuwait via Manipur and were promised job opportunities and better living conditions.
The source further informed that the rescued girls from Moreh will be sent to government-registered shelter home under the UJJAWALA scheme after proper verification.
In a separate incident, four other persons including two males, who are the prime suspect involved in illegal human trafficking were arrested from hotel Santosh located at Paona Bazar by a team of City police.


text:
Trudeau new tariffs absolutely unacceptable
TRUDEAU: ANY NEW TARIFFS ''ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE'
By Bob Komsic
Echoing the reaction of his foreign affairs minister, Justin Trudeau says Donald Trump's planned tariffs on steel and aluminum are "absolutely unacceptable".
(CP/Reuters)
Speaking at a post-budget event in Barrie, the prime minister added if the U.S. president proceeds, as he's expected to next week, that the trade restrictions will have "significant and serious" economic ramifications on both sides of the border.
Trudeau says he's brought the issue up directly with Trump before and will continue to do so but it's not clear if he's reached out since yesterday.
Meanwhile, Unifor, the union that represents 40,000 auto industry workers and thousands more in the steel and aluminum industries, says if Canada does not receive an exemption from the tariffs, Ottawa should withdraw from NAFTA.
European officials are mincing words.
German Social Democrat Bernd Lange, head of the European Parliament's trade committee, says the U.S. has a trade model that dates back 200 years.
"With this, the declaration of war has arrived," said Lange just before President Trump declared on Twitter that "trade wars are good and easy to win."
The head of the World Trade Organization says the agency's "clearly concerned," adding a "trade war's in no one's interests."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Each of these separate factors will provide you with tangible and immediate advantages in operational management. Used as an integrated system, you can benefit from greater profitability, more efficient egg production and a lower impact on the environment. You can gradually start working towards an "iFarm", while at the same time equipping yourself to answer the demands of the future for a license to produce.


i am going to look at Sunrise windows today with wife... I would now like to look at Simonton windows but how do I find a contractor in my area?
I did... One placed I called in Toledo told me the guy hasn't worked there for a couple of years... They sell wholesale only.
Not sure how you should proceed on finding a Simonton dealer, but some other top tier choices that should be available to you are Softlite and Gorell. They have locator functions as well, and will more than likely put you directly in touch with a dealer.
Thank you. I did call Simonton and asked if the installers for Simonton Windows still need to go through some sort of certification on their windows... They really did me a yes or a no, but did email me 3 recommended installers in the area.
Pay no attention to "factory certifications". Manufacturers hand those out like candy to their dealers with no training required.
Generally, the most highly regarded vinyl windows available are the top offerings of Sunrise, Softlite, HiMark/Okna, and Gorell. Simonton and Great Lakes/PlyGem are very solid choices as well. The only products that you won't be able to get are HiMark and Okna.
Softlite is about 50 miles away, Gorell is even farther.
Ida-Boy wrote: Softlite is about 50 miles away, Gorell is even farther.
I regularly go on sales calls at that distance.


text:
Divčići (en serbe cyrillique : ) est un village de Bosnie-Herzégovine. Il est situé sur le territoire de la Ville d'Istočno Sarajevo, dans la municipalité de Trnovo et dans la République serbe de Bosnie. Selon les premiers résultats du recensement bosnien de 2013, il ne compte aucun habitant.

Après la guerre de Bosnie-Herzégovine, le village a été divisé en deux parties, l'une rattachée à la municipalité de Trnovo dans la Fédération de Bosnie-et-Herzégovine, l'autre rattachée à la municipalité de Trnovo dans la République serbe de Bosnie.

Géographie

Histoire

Démographie

Évolution historique de la population dans la localité

Répartition de la population par nationalités (1991)
En 1991, les 3 habitants du village étaient tous serbes.

Notes et références

Voir aussi

Articles connexes
 Divčići (Trnovo, canton de Sarajevo)
 Villes de Bosnie-Herzégovine
 Municipalités de Bosnie-Herzégovine

Liens externes

Localité de Trnovo (république serbe de Bosnie)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Qureshi R, Nasir K, Imtiaz S, Dhrolia MF, Ahmad A, Salman B. Outcomes of Different Immunosuppressive Regimen in Adult Biopsy Proven Idiopathic Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Retrospective Analysis at a Single Center. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2022;33:111-21
Qureshi R, Nasir K, Imtiaz S, Dhrolia MF, Ahmad A, Salman B. Outcomes of Different Immunosuppressive Regimen in Adult Biopsy Proven Idiopathic Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis: A Retrospective Analysis at a Single Center. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl [serial online] 2022 [cited 2023 Jan 29];33:111-21. Available from: https://www.sjkdt.org/text.asp?2022/33/1/111/367804
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a type of glomerular disorder characterized by its peculiar histological patterns and recognized by its frustrating course and poor outcome.[1] FSGS is a principal cause of nephrotic syndrome (NS) not only in adults (around 10%–30%)[2] but also in pediatric patients. It is a frequent cause of glomerular injury which causes proteinuria or NS. This type of histopathological lesion is caused by either primary podocyte injury, which is a result of an unknown circulating toxin or caused by other secondary causes. A confirmed diagnosis can only be made by renal a biopsy, which shows focal and segmental sclerosis.
It is recognized as one of the most common cause of adult NS in this region. In an analysis of kidney biopsy from our region, Imtiaz et al[3] reported FSGS occurrence in about 20% of all biopsy lesions in adults and 25% in pediatric patients.[4] Similar data were reported from the other center of the same city.[5],[6] Even in diabetic patients who underwent kidney biopsy for other reasons, they found that FSGS is the most common nondiabetic glomerular disease.[7]
FSGS with nephrotic range proteinuria has a poor prognosis as compared to non-nephrotic range proteinuria and patients with nephrotic range proteinuria usually progressed to endstage renal disease (ESRD) in 50% of the cases within five years.[8] If this illness is left untreated, remission is rare and achieved in only 6% of the cases.[9]
Over the past 50 years, the treatment of FSGS had many ups and downs, once conceded as steroid nonresponsive entity, possibly due to inadequate dosing, is now recognized as steroid responsive with prolonged high dose steroid treatment.[10] Due to frequent relapses of the disease, despite steroid treatment, steroid dependence and steroid resistance emerge as an annoying problem. This has led to the introduction of other immunosuppressive agents in the treatment regimen of FSGS such as cyclosporine (CYA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), cyclophosphamide (CYP) and azathioprine.[11] These second line therapeutics have been proven beneficial even in cases in which patients were initially steroid resistant. This was the reason Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes also advocate same prolonged steroid treatment as a first-line therapy, and CYA and tacrolimus for those who showed intolerance or resistance to steroids.[12] The reason of this preference was its favorable results in randomized controlled trials, using CYA for six months, who already used a trial of steroids for eight weeks.[13]
Due to the profound toxicity of the steroids, reduction of corticosteroid exposure is one of the prime focus in the treatment of glomerular diseases, especially when prescribed for the prolonged period. The Kidney Center Post Graduate Training Institute (TKC-PGTI Karachi), Pakistan is one of the tertiary nephrology/urology facilities. In our institute, we evaluated biopsy-proven FSGS patients, who were treated with steroids with or without other immunosuppressive medications, and we assessed their various outcomes. Little data existed in this region of Asia so this article might add more information regarding the outcome of various drug treatments in the context of FSGS.
Subjects and Methods
The study was conducted in TKC-PGTI. This was a retrospective study of patients with the diagnosis of FSGS from March 2008 to April 2018. We included all adult patients, >18 years at the time of biopsy, with or without nephrotic range proteinuria.
Operational definition
NS was defined as proteinuria more than 3.5 g in 24 h or urinary protein creatinine ratio (uPCR) more than 3.5. Patients who consistently had systolic blood pressure (BP) above 140 mm Hg or diastolic above 90 mm Hg were considered as hypertensive. Renal insufficiency was defined as serum creatinine (SCr) more than 1.3 mg/dL and ESRD when, renal support started in the form of hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. In renal biopsy, tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) was also noted and categorized as mild if 5%–25% interstitial fibrosis, moderate 25%–50%, and labeled as severe if >50% of tubulointerstitial area was involved. The main end-point of FSGS recorded was achieving remission, ESRD, or death. The outcome was elucidated as complete remission (CR) when proteinuria <0.25 g in 24 h or protein creatinine ratio <0.25 g/g, partial remission (PR) was when proteinuria ranged between 0.26 g/g and <3 g in 24 h or >50% reduction in proteinuria from baseline. Relapse was defined as doubling of the previous uPCR to >3.5 g/g with or without appearance of the NS. Steroid resistance was categorized as no response or persistence of proteinuria. Persistence of proteinuria means as if it was at the beginning of the treatment, after at least eight weeks of full dose steroid of 1 mg/kg of body weight (some patients received 12 weeks of full dose steroid).
We have retrospectively collected the data from patient's medical records. Clinical and laboratory parameters such as age, comorbid, BP, degree of TIF, complete blood count, SCr, albumin, edema, frothy urine, hematuria, and spot uPCR were recorded.
There were a total of 297 patients who had a diagnosis of FSGS, we included 113 patients in the analysis. All patients treated initially with steroid at the dose of 1 mg/kg body weight for at least eight to 12 weeks before labeling them to steroid resistant. After that, patients were divided into four groups according to the treatment they received, as steroid alone, steroid + CYP, steroid + CYA and steroid + MMF [Figure 1]. Outcome variables were, proteinuria subsided or not and renal function recovered or not. Patient's survival was noted by the time difference from the date of biopsy to current date and event was recorded as patient's death or ESRD.
Figure 1: Flow chart showing distribution of patients according to treatment.
The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software SP version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Cleaning and coding of the data was done before analysis. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median with interquartile range were computed for the continuous data, while for categorical variables, frequency with percentages was measured. For paired data, Paired t-test or Wilcoxon sign-rank test was used, while for more than two observations of same patients, repeated-measures ANOVA test was applied. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The association of baseline parameters and outcome variables with four treatment groups were observed by Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Effect of different treatment on recovery of patients was computed by binary logistic regression analysis. In univariable analysis, regressors were analyzed individually for their effect on outcome. The variables, which had P ≤0.25 kept in multivariable analysis for adjustment of their effect. Log rank survival analysis was done to see time to ESRD or death in four treatment groups and median and mean survivals were computed.
We had a total of 113 patients in our study, in which males were 51.3% and females were 48.7%. The mean age was 34.4 ± 11.8 SD. Most of our patients had microscopic hematuria (53.1%). Mild TIF was present in more than one-third of the patients (38.1%) [Table 1].
Table 1: Demographic and clinical parameters of patients (n=113).
All four groups of treatment were similar in respect to gender, age, serum albumin, and spot uPCR (P >0.05), while SCr and degree of interstitial fibrosis were significantly different in these groups (P <0.05). The baseline mean SCr was lower in steroid + CYA group (0.87 ± 0.44) as compared to other groups; on the other hand, steroid + CYA group had maximum percentage of patients with mild fibrosis (50%) as compared to others, and minimum percentage with severe fibrosis (10.7%) [Table 2]
There was an overall good response with the immunosuppression at the end of six months and about 79% of the patients got either CR or PR. As all the patients received steroids as a first line treatment, 38(26%) of the patients got a CR while three (3.6) developed PR with steroid only. Those who did not get remission were subjected to other immunosuppressant. Those patients who received steroids + CYA were the second largest group and 19 (16.8%) of the patients got CR while five (4.4%) of the patients achieved PR. Similarly, with steroid + CYP and steroid +MMF showed CR in six (5.3%), six (5.3%) and PR in three (2.6%) and eight (7.0%), respectively. On the other hand, 21% did not show response to any of the treatment modality [Figure 2].
Figure 2: Effect of different treatment regimen causing complete or partial remission.
There was a significant improvement in BP, uPCR and serum albumin after the treatment (P 0.001). On the other hand, SCr and hemoglobin were also improved but not reached to a significant level [Table 3].
Table 3: Difference of clinical and laboratory parameters of patients before and after treatment.
In group analysis, we found highly significant association of outcome with treatments (P <0.001). Proteinuria was completely subsided in most of the patients who were treated with steroid alone 38 (82.6%). After steroid alone, steroid + CYA treated proteinuria completely in the majority of patients 19 (67.9%). Similarly, the number of patients with improvement in SCr was higher in steroid alone group. On the other hand, patients who received steroid + CYA treatment showed higher overall recovery (89.3%) as compared to other treatments [Table 4].
Table 4: Association of outcome with four treatment groups (n = 113).
The clinical variables of the patients were evaluated for their effect on recovery from the disease and presented in [Table 5]. Gender, age, BP, serum albumin, and spot uPCR had no effect on the outcome of patients both in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (P >0.05). We found that SCr, TIF, and treatment had significant effect on outcome (P <0.05) in univariate analysis. With 1 mg/dL increase in SCr, the recovery of patients was decreased by 82% in unadjusted analysis and by 56% when adjusted with other variables. The patients who did not have TIF, 80.75 times more recovered as compared to patients with severe TIF (P <0.001). Same as recovery in patients with mild and moderate degree of TIF were also 56.67 and 6.46 times respectively more than severe TIF (P <0.001). When TIF was adjusted with other variables, the odds ratio decreased from unadjusted analysis but remained higher and had a significant effect on outcome for mild and moderate fibrosis as compare to severe fibrosis (P ≤0.05) [Table 5]. When we took steroid alone as reference category we found that steroid+ CYP had 85% decreased effect on recovery as compared to steroid alone (P = 0.001), on the other hand steroid + CYA was 2.03 times more effective for treatment as compared to steroid alone, although the effect was not statistically significant. In multivariable analysis, the effect of SCr and TIF same but when treatment was adjusted for TIF all treatments were statistically same (P >0.05) [Table 5].
Table 5: Effect of different parameters on recovery of patients (n = 113).
Out of 113 patients, only seven patients developed ESRD while three died due to disease during the follow-up of 11 years. Survival curve showed that each treatment had almost same survival (median survival = 11 years) [Figure 3].
Figure 3: Survival analysis of patients treated with four regimen of immunosuppression.
Our study delineate that overall response of immunosuppression is favorable not only in terms of achieving remission but also their prognosis and long term survival. Eight of our patients were diabetic and they were chosen for the treatment due to very short history of DM with no other diabetic stigmata, and their biopsies very clearly showed FSGS without any evidence of diabetic kidney disease. Another important characteristic worth of mentioning is the degree of TIF, which has prognostic value. Severe fibrosis was found in 18% of the patients, but they were subjected for the immunosuppression due to their normal SCr and severity of proteinuria. The clinical feature most often used to predict the clinical course of FSGS such as age, gender, degree of proteinuria, and serum albumin were similar in all four groups. However, there was significant difference among the groups in terms of SCr and degree of interstitial fibrosis. The reason might be due to the toxic effects of CYA on tubules and interstitium, CYA was chosen for those who had better creatinine and TIF, and CYP and MMF was opted for those who had relatively moderate to severe derangement in these parameters.
Our result show that in general, majority of the patients responded with the immunosuppression (79%), as compared to 21.24% who did not respond to any of the treatment. As we mentioned above, all of the cohort received steroid alone as a first-line therapy, those who did not respond to the steroid was switched to any one of the three modalities. The effect of steroid alone was not as good in our population (33.63%) as reported by Banfi et al (61%), Miyata et al (44%), and Rydel et al (50%) in the literature.[14],[15],[16] Although it is comparable to the other studies such as Cattran and Rao (22% of adult patients of the study), Ponticelli et al (36%), and Alexopoulos et al (28%).[17],[18],[19]
The duration of the treatment is an important factor, which determine the outcome of steroid treatment in FSGS. Patients with FSGS were not considered for the treatment before 1980 due to poor response with steroids, less than 20% in almost all of the studies.[20] Later on, the experience after that changed the scenario and response rate was reportedly increased to 40%. Since the initial dose of steroid was similar, the most obvious difference in the studies attaining the higher remission rate was the duration of the therapy.[21] Concomitantly, prolonging the duration of steroid treatment brought in increased side effects. Therefore, adjuvant therapy in the form of CYP, chlorambucil, CYA, and MMF was included in the armamentarium of FSGS treatment to mitigate the steroid side effects by reducing the exposure and duration of steroids treatment.
Combination of CYA and steroid was the largest group, after steroid alone, which achieved CR (16.81%) followed by steroid + MMF (5.31%) and then by steroid + CYP (5.31%). If we include the partial response too, than the combination of MMF with steroids is better than (12.39%) CYP and steroids (7.96%). Steroid alone was taken by 46 (40.7%) patients out of which 38 (82.6%) got CR while three (6.5%) developed PR and five (10.9%) showed no effect of the steroid treatment.
Similarly, all three modalities of treatment other than steroid alone showed significant association with the outcome like achieving remission, recovery in renal functions, and overall recovery. We also found significant improvement in outcome in patients treated with CYA as compared with the other two. As we described earlier that, because of toxicity of CYA there were by default less patients with raised SCr and fibrosis in CYP group. The effect of CYA has been evaluated by Cattran et al and Ponticelli et al in prospective randomized placebo trial in steroid resistant FSGS and showed a remission rate of 70% and 60% respectively.[10],[22] In addition to this, CYA showed comparable result in improving proteinuria and renal functions with alkylating agent Chlorambucil in a prospective randomized study by Heering et al.[23] Recently Chávez-Mendoza et al showed its efficacy as a first line treatment with very low dose of steroid as compared with high dose steroid in their retrospective cohort.[24]
MMF also showed beneficial effect in the progression of FSGS after CYA. Among 18 patients who were treated with MMF 33% showed CR while 44% showed PR and 22% showed no effect. Similar results were reported by Segarra et al, he used MMF as a rescue therapy in 22 steroid resistant FSGS patients and reported a complete or PR in 54% of the patients.[25] On the other hand, Cattran et al in an open labeled trial in steroid-resistant FSGS, after a treatment of six months with 1 g twice daily dose of MMF showed that 44% of the patients showed improvement in proteinuria, and achieved PR or reduction in proteinuria by 50% from the baseline, but no patient achieved a CR.[26] In a prospective trial, Gipson et al compared CYA and MMF in steroid-resistant FSGS, after one year of the treatment 46% CYA patients and 33% MMF patients had a CR, they did not find a difference in rates of proteinuria remission in the two groups.[27]
CYP was found to be least effective in all three adjuvant treatment. Twenty-one (18.6%) of the patients were treated with CYP out of which 28% showed CR and 52% showed no remission. However, patients treated with CYP had more patients with severe fibrosis and raised Cr at baseline.
One of the interesting finding of our analysis is that, when we assessed clinical variables which have an effect on the outcome with the recovery of the patients, SCr, TIF and treatment showed significant effect on outcome in univariate analysis, but when the effect of TIF was adjusted with the treatment on multivariable analysis, this effect was lost and all treatment regimen showed the same outcome. Similarly, the survival analysis showed that each treatment had nearly the same survival of 11 years.
There are a few factors which increases the strength of our study. First, the long-term follow-up of nearly 11 years, which increases its power to determine the long-term prognosis, especially for the CYA group in whom prolonged CYA toxicity may be of concern. Second, the relatively good sample size of the study for determining hard renal endpoints due to sufficient number of patients in each group. The limitation of this study is the retrospective nature of the data, due to which, the effect of supportive treatment like control of hypertension, use of renin angiotensin and aldosterone blockers, and control of serum lipids were neither completely assessed nor were controlled.
In conclusion, FSGS showed good response with the treatment. There were significant improvements in the clinical and laboratory parameters such as control of BP, serum albumin and degree of proteinuria after the treatment as compared with baseline functions before the treatment. CYA is the most effective treatment in steroid-resistant cases followed by MMF and CYP. TIF and SCr were noted to be important factors that predict the outcome of the treatment. We can speculate from this study that long term use of CYA and even MMF with or without low dose steroid is justified in steroid resistant patients. Long-term outcome of all treatment modalities were the same. Therefore, before choosing the treatment regimen, one should consider the side effect profile of the drug, patient's preference after informing the side effects, cost of the treatment, TIF, and SCr level. These findings justify a randomized clinical trial to formally evaluate these results.
We acknowledged Anees Badar Soomro for his support in collecting and arranging the data and for his help in preparing and arranging the manuscript.
D'Agati V. The many masks of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Kidney Int 1994;46:1223-41.
Rosenberg AZ, Kopp JB. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2017;12:502-17.
Imtiaz S, Drohlia MF, Nasir K, Salman B, Ahmad A. Analysis of renal diseases detected in renal biopsies of adult patients: A single-center experience. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2017;28:368-78.
Imtiaz S, Nasir K, Drohlia MF, Salman B, Ahmad A. Frequency of kidney diseases and clinical indications of pediatric renal biopsy: A single center experience. Indian J Nephrol 2016;26:199-205.
Mubarak M, Kazi JI, Naqvi R, et al. Pattern of renal diseases observed in native renal biopsies in adults in a single centre in Pakistan. Nephrology (Carlton) 2011;16:87-92.
Lanewala A, Mubarak M, Akhter F, Aziz S, Bhatti S, Kazi JI. Pattern of pediatric renal disease observed in native renal biopsies in Pakistan. J Nephrol 2009;22:739-46.
Imtiaz S, Salman B, Nasir K, Drohlia MF, Ahmad A. Clinical variables differentiating diabetic from nondiabetic kidney disease in patients with diabetes: A single-center study. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2017;28:307-12.
Korbet SM. Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 1998;9: 1333-40.
Deegens JK, Assmann KJ, Steenbergen EJ, et al. Idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: A favourable prognosis in untreated patients? Neth J Med 2005;63:393-8.
Cattran DC, Appel GB, Hebert LA, et al. A randomized trial of cyclosporine in patients with steroid-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. North America Nephrotic Syndrome Study Group. Kidney Int 1999;56: 2220-6.
Korbet SM. Treatment of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Kidney Int 2002; 62:2301-10.
Eckardt KU, Kasiske BL. Kidney disease: Improving global outcomes. Nat Rev Nephrol 2009;5:650-7.
Ponticelli C, Villa M, Banfi G, et al. Can prolonged treatment improve the prognosis in adults with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis? Am J Kidney Dis 1999;34:618-25.
Goumenos DS, Tsagalis G, El Nahas AM, et al. Immunosuppressive treatment of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: A five-year follow-up study. Nephron Clin Pract 2006;104:c75-82.
Banfi G, Moriggi M, Sabadini E, Fellin G, D'Amico G, Ponticelli C. The impact of prolonged immunosuppression on the outcome of idiopathic focal-segmental glomerulo-sclerosis with nephrotic syndrome in adults. A collaborative retrospective study. Clin Nephrol 1991;36:53-9.
Miyata J, Takebayashi S, Taguchi T, Naito S, Harada T. Evaluation and correlation of clinical and histological features of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Nephron 1986; 44:115-20.
Rydel JJ, Korbet SM, Borok RZ, Schwartz MM. Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis in adults: Presentation, course, and response to treatment. Am J Kidney Dis 1995;25:534-42.
Cattran DC, Rao P. Long-term outcome in children and adults with classic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Am J Kidney Dis 1998;32:72-9.
Alexopoulos E, Stangou M, Papagianni A, Pantzaki A, Papadimitriou M. Factors influencing the course and the response to treatment in primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2000;15:1348-56.
Meyrier A. Focal segmental glomerulo-sclerosis: To treat or not to treat? 2. Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis is not a disease, but an untreatable lesion of unknown pathophysiology. Its treatment must not be uselessly hazardous. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1995;10:2355-9.
Pei Y, Cattran D, Delmore T, Katz A, Lang A, Rance P. Evidence suggesting under-treatment in adults with idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Regional Glomerulonephritis Registry Study. Am J Med 1987;82:938-44.
Ponticelli C, Rizzoni G, Edefonti A, et al. A randomized trial of cyclosporine in steroid-resistant idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Kidney Int 1993;43:1377-84.
Heering P, Braun N, Müllejans R, et al. Cyclosporine A and chlorambucil in the treatment of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Am J Kidney Dis 2004;43: 10-8.
Chávez-Mendoza CA, Niño-Cruz JA, Correa-Rotter R, Uribe-Uribe NO, Mejía-Vilet JM. Calcineurin inhibitors with reduced-dose steroids as first-line therapy for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Kidney Int Rep 2019;4:40-7.
Segarra A, Amoedo ML, Martinez Garcia JM, et al. Efficacy and safety of 'rescue therapy† with mycophenolate mofetil in resistant primary glomerulonephritis – A multicenter study. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2007;22:1351-60.
Cattran DC, Wang MM, Appel G, Matalon A, Briggs W. Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of focal segmental glomerulo-sclerosis. Clin Nephrol 2004;62:405-11.
Gipson DS, Trachtman H, Kaskel FJ, et al. Clinical trial of focal segmental glomerulo-sclerosis in children and young adults. Kidney Int 2011;80:868-78.
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5]


text:
Security researcher exposes Snapchat weakness that could crash phone
7:37 PM 2014
by VCPOST Staff Reporter 
Photo messaging app Snapchat has a weakness that makes it vulnerable to a denial-of-service attack. The said weakness was discovered and exposed by security researcher Jamie Sanchez, according to TechCrunch.
Hackers can overload a user's inbox with messages until the iPhone freezes and crashes, the Los Angeles Times reports. This would prompt the user to reset the mobile device. Android handsets, however, will not crash due to the said attack, but will become noticeable slower, the report explained.
Snapchat reacted to this news in a statement: "We are working to resolve the issue and will be reaching out to the security researcher who publicized the attack to learn more."
Sanchez said he told the Los Angeles Times about the vulnerability before letting Snapchat know about it. During the holiday season, security researchers told Snapchat that a glitch had opened the app to hackers who could expose user data. The chat firm ignored the notification. So, the hackers published to phone data of 4.6 million users to drive their point, TechCrunch reported.
Jamie Sanchez, snapchat, TechCrunch, iphone, Android, Los Angeles Times, California, US


text:
Morgan Ailis Webb (born October 5, 1978) is a former co-host and senior segment producer of the G4 show X-Play. She was previously the host of the podcast WebbAlert and a monthly columnist for the United States edition of FHM, where she contributed a monthly video game column titled "Tips from the Gaming Goddess". She began working at independent game studio Bonfire Studios in March 2017 in a production role.

Career
Raised in Los Angeles, Webb attended UC Berkeley from 1996 to 2000. She developed computer skills in her free time there, and after graduating from college worked for a dot-com company as a website administrator. After the company went under during the dot-com bubble burst of 2000, her friend Catherine Schwartz got her hired at TechTV in 2001, and Webb became employed as the associate producer and web researcher for The Screen Savers. Throughout 2002 and 2003, she also regularly co-hosted TechTV's Call for Help with Chris Pirillo. In April 2003, Webb left The Screen Savers to co-host X-Play with Adam Sessler.

Webb is one of the six TechTV personalities to survive the massive layoffs resulting from the May 2004 merger of G4 and TechTV. Only Adam Sessler and Webb remained with the network after G4's change in format. After Sessler's employment was terminated in April 2012, Webb was the only original TechTV personality remaining on the network.

In August 2005, Webb became a contributing game columnist for FHM, alongside her regular hosting duties on X-Play. Her monthly column was titled "Tips from the Gaming Goddess". Readers were encouraged to email Webb their video-game-related inquiries; she would then answer one question each month. In February 2007, Webb wrote her final column for the magazine, which discontinued its U.S. publication in March. She also hosted the short-lived Free Stuff on G4.

From August 2, 2007, to January 25, 2009, Webb had a daily video blogging initiative called WebbAlert. These videos were 5 to 6 minutes in length, and each consisted of a recap of popular technology news of the day. On occasion, Webb departed from the regular news format in favor of an episode on one particular topic of interest. Examples included a recap of the annual TED Conference, a viral video special showcasing "future 'Darwin Award' winners", and tech-centric "Holiday Buyer's Guides". In January 2009, Webb suspended WebbAlert indefinitely due to issues with maintaining it on a daily basis concurrently with her hosting duties on X-Play.

On February 25, 2009, G4 announced that Webb would be the host of their new show G4 Underground, a weekly series that profiles a wide range of people and topics that are of interest to the "internet generation". It premiered March 29, 2009.

After airing more than 1300 episodes, X-Play aired its final episode on January 23, 2013.

From June 11, 2013, through June 13, 2013, Morgan co-anchored Microsoft's nightly Xbox @ E3 Live streaming event coverage on Xbox Live, reuniting her with former G4 personalities Kevin Pereira, Blair Herter, Jessica Chobot, Blair Butler and Tina Summerford.

Morgan worked as a consultant and creative advisor for Activision Blizzard, where she also produced and hosted Blizzard's now-defunct monthly World of Warcraft discussion program WoW Source.

In September 2017, Morgan announced her employment at Bonfire Studios where she helps organize the community and other various functions.

Personal life
As an infant and small child, Webb appeared in advertisements for Gerber baby food, Kenner Toys, and an ad for McDonald's, where she recited the ingredients of the Big Mac to a game of Pat-a-cake. Though Webb's parents refused to let her watch television, she made up for it by playing video games. She began with an Atari, primarily the game Combat, but as technology progressed, The Legend of Zelda and Phantasy Star became two of her favorite games.

After Webb graduated from high school, she left home to attend UC Berkeley. There, she earned a bachelor's degree in rhetoric (with a minor in Italian) in 2000.

On August 19, 2006, Webb married Rob Reid in a service at City Hall in San Francisco, California.

Webb has joined the web-series Acquisitions Incorporated in playing several Dungeons & Dragons games at live events like PAX West.

Media appearances

Throughout 2004 and beyond, Webb was featured in numerous issues of print publications. Maxim magazine spotlighted her in their July 2004 issue. FHM featured a five-page article in their November 2004 issue, and also had her listed in three consecutive years for their annual The 100 Sexiest Women in the World article: #73 in 2005, #62 in 2006, and #51 in 2007. Other magazines have featured her as well, voted "Hottest Woman of the Year" in RTD's 2006 Top 10 countdown and in an article in the fall 2006 edition of Colleges.com U Magazine.

In April 2004, Webb was in "TechTV's Sexiest Techie" poll sponsored by Playboy magazine. TechTV viewers could vote for their favorite girl via the Playboy website. Webb won the poll and was offered a nude photo shoot, but she refused, despite being "very flattered", citing her own personal reasons and her parents' objection to the idea.

Webb appeared in the music video "Strange New Element" from the band Low Water. She makes her appearance near the end of the video alongside other fellow TechTV personalities, including Catherine Schwartz, Sarah Lane, Laura Swisher, Chi-Lan Lieu, and Sumi Das. In addition to appearing in Low Water's music video, Webb is featured in the artwork of the band's album Hard Words in a Speakeasy. She additionally provided her own vocals for X-Play: The Musical, which aired in February 2007.  She is a frequent guest on various talk shows, including The Tyra Banks Show (in February 2008), Chelsea Lately (in early 2009), and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (on April 15, 2009). She was also a frequent co-host on G4's Attack of the Show!.  On June 17, 2009, Webb appeared on KCRW Radio, as part of the station's Guest DJ Project.

On June 21, 2008, Webb along with her X-Play co-host Adam Sessler, participated in the 50th annual Hollywood Stars Celebrity Softball game at Dodger Stadium.

A YouTube video was posted on October 7, 2013, with Webb as the well-versed host of a "Patch 5.4 Developer Round Table" discussion with Blizzard Entertainment employees J. Allen Brack, Ion Hazzikostas, and Tom Chilton.

Webb played a minor role as Neely Lamm on the CBS TV Drama series Bull on an episode titled, "The Fall" which aired on February 7, 2017.

References

External links

 Morgan Webb's X-Play Bio

1978 births
Living people
TechTV people
X-Play
University of California, Berkeley alumni
American critics
Women video game critics
People from the San Francisco Bay Area
People from Los Angeles


text:
Pop Culture Paragraphs
Since I haven't blogged much in the past couple of weeks, I've been accumulating observations about stuff seen on the television and the interwebs. Too lazy to post about them in detail, I'll just collect them all here.
1. Finally saw Iron Man on DVD last week. I was very impressed, almost shocked at how well effectively Robert Downey Jr delivered his one-liners. I guess he's back on track to super-stardom.
2. Johnny Depp signs on for Pirates of the Carribean 4? Wonder if Trey Parker and Matt Stone will treat him with the same respect they had for George Lucas and Steven Spielberg . . .
3. The Office is back and I'm impressed. Even though some feared that the culmination of the Pam&Jim relationship would spell disaster for the show, thus far it is showing that the diversity of the characters are what really carries the story-lines. If you're not watching . . . why do you read my blog?
4. Speaking of things you should be watching, if you gave up on Saturday Night Live another chance. Even though the show is getting a lot of pub for Tina Fey's Sarah Palin imitation, there's much more going here. After a slow start [let's face it: Michael Phelps just isn't funny] the show has regained some of the ground lost since Will Ferrell's departure. This summer I was skeptical that the show would be able to keep it up once Amy Poehler leaves, but as things look now, this cast really is coming together and they should be OK. Kristen Wiig can fill her shoes.
5. How can Major League Baseball executives sleep at night when kids have to sleep instead of watching play-off games? Saturday night's Tampa Bay-Boston game ended near 1:30am. When an East Coast game, even one with a lot of scoring, goes that late, it's the future of the sport that loses. Say what you will about the NFL, but it's biggest game is usually concluded by 10pm. It's sad.
6. And since I'm talking sports, how far into the depths has Michigan football fallen? First there was last year's debacle losing at home to Appalachian State, and then they lose at home this past Saturday to 1-4 Toledo at home. As bad as the Buckeyes have been in national championship games, I'd much rather prefer those drubbings than what UM has gone through.
7. Not at all shocking: the fact that Howard Stern has become irrelevant. Sure, his move to satellite radio ensured that he has more money than he'll ever need, but nobody care. Even though the FCC limited what he said on the radio airwaves, it is what actually defined him as a "shock jock." So even though Stern most likely says even more controversial things now, there is nothing that prevents him from doing so and, therefore, the edge is gone. I think this ultimately proves that no matter how good satellite radio is, its popularity is limited to those hardcore business travelers/commuters. I doubt it will ever claim a preferred place among the many media options.
8. With the financial crisis, I've actually been watching CNBC. Yep, I'm a nerd.
9. Like the entire country, I'm eagerly anticipating November 5th when we'll be rid of the political commercials. While we're all sick of all these personal attacks, it's important to remember that McCain and Obama are actually upholding a time-honored political tradition in our country: mudslinging. My favorite: the journalist who called John Adams a hermaphrodite.
10. And finally, the best random quote I read recently: "I've gotten to the point where kittens and the internet have intertwined— you can't have one without the other."
Newer PostIt's Time
Older PostOn Persecution


The Melting Pot of Midtown-Atlanta location is conveniently located two blocks north of the Fox Theatre provides a casually elegant, intimate atmosphere. Fondue at The Melting Pot can be enjoyed in a number of ways. Choose what is right for your occasion. Combine delicious cheese fondues prepared table side, fresh salads, scrumptious fondue entrée, including your choice of seafood, steak, poultry, pasta and fresh local vegetables, and finish with a decadent chocolate fondue.


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Drug Law
Five Reasons Why the U.S. Must Reform Drug War
The United States has spent hundreds of billions of dollars waging its 40-year "war on drugs," responsible for the imprisonment of 500,000 of our fellow American citizens. Despite this enormous waste of money and lives, drugs are as easily available and cheap as ever. The drug-warmongers say it is all for the safety and protection of our children, yet high schoolers all over the country can easily obtain just about any illegal drug they are seeking in this unregulated market. Half of all high-school seniors will have tried marijuana before graduating. The government's latest Monitoring the Future report, indicates that more young people are now choosing to smoke pot rather than cigarettes.
Despite these disheartening facts, there is reason for optimism and hope. More and more people are joining the movement to end the failed war on drugs. Passionate people in every neighborhood and from every walk of life, liberals and conservatives, are joining this fast-growing movement. Though there are some compelling reasons drugs should remain illegal, we should at least begin an honest discussion about the root causes of the violence and the range of options to deal with the harms associated with prohibition. It is clear that the strategy of the past 40 years is not working. Below are five opportunities to engage our fellow citizens, discuss the enormous challenges we face, and come up with solutions to reduce the harms of both drug misuse and drug prohibition.
Below are five opportunities to engage our fellow citizens, discuss the enormous challenges we face, and come up with solutions to reduce the harms of both drug misuse and drug prohibition.
1. Drug Prohibition is Creating a Bloodbath Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Thanks to the drug war, a bloody war is raging in Mexico right now -- spilling into otherwise low-crime U.S. cities along the border! Over 5,000 Mexicans have been killed this year alone as a direct result of drug prohibition -- more deaths than all the fallen American service members since the Iraq War began. Whole towns and communities are living in fear with no one -- neither politicians, judges, journalists nor pop stars -- immune from the violence.
Classrooms are half empty because children are afraid to go to school; decapitated heads are left in the streets; and there are even murders occurring in hospitals where gunmen go to "complete" the job. Nothing in the coca or marijuana plant causes these deaths. Rather, it is prohibition that creates a profit motive people are willing to kill for. Remember, when alcohol consumption was illegal in this country we had Al Capone and shootouts in the streets. Today, no one dies over the sale of a beer.
This week, the border town of El Paso, Texas, passed a resolution suggesting an open and honest dialogue on ending drug prohibition. The nonbinding resolution suggested that legalizing drugs in the U.S. could help curb a volatile and bloody drug war that last year claimed nearly 1,600 lives in the city of Juarez, just across the Rio Grande. In Arizona, State Attorney General Terry Goddard said we should consider legalizing marijuana, observing that marijuana sales are responsible for up to 75 percent of the money that cartels use for smuggling other drugs and for combating the army and police in Mexico. Goddard contends these profits could be significantly reduced if marijuana possession were to be legalized.
2. Economic Crisis: We Can No Longer Afford an Ineffective Drug War
States from New York to California and in between are facing billion-dollar budget deficits. Governors and mayors are being forced to cut spending on everything from education to heath care, and are even shutting down popular prevention programs. Fortunately, a win-win solution for governors facing a budget crunch is apparent: Reform the drug laws and offer treatment instead of jail for nonviolent drug offenders. States could save hundreds of millions of dollars by doing away with these wasteful laws that lock up nonviolent people with drug convictions at a hefty price tag of $40,000 per year. We can't afford these ineffective and inhumane laws anymore!
3. Obama and Drugs: Personal and Political
President-elect Obama has been refreshingly honest about his current and past drug use. Obama has been making news recently because of his struggles to give up cigarettes. He has written and talked about his marijuana and cocaine use when he was younger. He has never run from or made excuses about his drug use or habits. Like Obama, tens of millions of Americans have tried marijuana and so far they seem not to be holding his past drug use against him. Having someone in the White House who continues to grapple with relapses from his nicotine addiction will hopefully create more empathy between the executive branch and others trying to give up drug addictions.
On the policy front, President-elect Obama has made some good commitments during the campaign: He supports repealing the harshest drug sentences, removing federal funding bans on needle-exchange programs to reduce AIDS, ending federal raids on marijuana dispensaries in states where medical marijuana is legal, and supporting treatment alternatives for low-level drug offenses.?President Obama will also have some key allies in the Democrat-controlled Senate and House.?Sen. Webb of Virgina has made our country's prison overcrowding crisis -- fueled by the drug war -- a top priority.?
4. Our Veterans Are Self-medicating from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
People use drugs for both pleasure and pain; there is no doubt that much drug use is self-medication. One group that will be dealing with self-medication for a long time is U.S. soldiers returning from war. How does one deal with the pain of having friends die in one's arms? What does killing other human beings do to one's emotional stability? What is it like being away from family for a year or more? It's not hard to imagine how such experiences could lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, which in turn can lead to drug addiction, homelessness and even suicide.
It's easy to demand that everyone "support the troops." But if we're going to talk the talk, we had better be ready to offer compassion and treatment to our brothers and sisters who need to heal from the damages of war. And once more people realize that incarceration for petty drug law violations is not an appropriate response to veterans' suffering from addiction and depression, then hopefully people will question the logic of giving long jail sentences to others in our society who also could be self-medicating for pain and trauma in their own lives.
5. Incarceration Nation: When Being #1 is Not a Good Thing
America likes to promote its self as the "home of the free" but, unfortunately, we have the embarrassing honor of being known as the incarceration nation. The U.S. has less than five percent of the world's population but almost 25 percent of the world's prison population, incarcerating more of its citizens per capita than any other country in the world. We lock up more people on drug charges than Western Europe locks up for EVERYTHING and they have 100 million more people than we do. A government report released last month by the U.S. Justice Department found that 1 in 31 Americans was in prison or jail or on parole or probation last year.
The Time for Change Has Arrived
The world is in an intense time right now! We have wars raging in Iraq and Afghanistan; millions of people are out of work; and a growing economic crisis is on everyone's minds. We have a bloody war in Mexico and states across this country struggling to pay for the overcrowded prisons. But, in my heart, I truly believe there are many reasons to be optimistic and hopeful. We have a new president and millions of activated citizens who helped put him there. The pro-war idealogues have less credibility then ever before. This is a time to put big ideas on the table. We have to learn how to coexist with drugs. They have been around for thousands of years and will be around for thousands more. We are smart and compassionate people and we can figure out how to reduce the harms from both drugs and drug prohibition.
-- Tony Newman, AlterNet


Nicosia City also known as Lefkosa is another excellent place to visit during your stay in North Cyprus. This city is undergoing some dramatic changes and a visit is something that you really must do.
Nicosia is the capital city of North Cyprus and also South Cyprus. The border between the two countries can be found running right through the middle of the old city in a west to east direction. During the Venetian times large stone walls were built around Nicosia to protect the city from Ottoman invaders. The current border as it stands today looks rather dismal in comparison to these stone walls but it is protected by barbed wire which is referred to as the Green Line and is the main symbol of the divisions that lie between the north and south of this island.
In 1979 the master plan for Nicosia began even though work really only started in 2001. This UN sponsored plan is to help restore all the important areas that are located in both North and South Nicosia.
North Nicosia is now emerging from years of being covered in scaffolding. The results are magnificent and you will now find some amazing architecture and some ancients buildings too. The gothic churches have been preserved and their towers have been augmented. Inns are once again opening their gates to welcome visitors. Once for wealthy merchants these inns have now been restored and reopened as centres for all the local artists. The colonial houses that once stood have been redeveloped and are now being used for commercial offices and fine restaurants. Best of all, the dry moat that was located outside the cities walls has been transformed into parks for all citizens to enjoy.
This historic walled city is a wonderful place to shop and eat and no holiday to North Cyprus would be complete without a visit. Be sure to bring your rental car if you plan on shopping though as you may find it very hard to get home with all those bags otherwise. The major commercial centre of this city is located outside the walls but once you wander into the old city you will find bazaars and markets where you will find everything you could need. There is food, clothes, and numerous souvenirs for you to choose from.
Restaurants here have everything you could possibly eat from traditional meze to local beers and wines. Nicosia also has traditional bath houses where you can relax and take a break after your day of shopping.
There are not that many hotels in North Nicosia at present but this will probably change as time goes on. Most holiday makers that arrive in North Cyprus choose to stay in Kyrenia or Famagusta but a day or night trip here is definitely one that will be memorable. At night time the city comes alive and if you have a rental car you really must be sure to see this. Bus services don't run at night time in North Cyprus so a rental car or taxi is the only way to see this fantastic city come to life at night.
Book your car and get on the border!


Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. This holiday has since moved away from its religious roots.In the United States, Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada it is celebrated on the second Monday in October.The precise historical origin of the holiday is disputed. Although Americans commonly believe that the first Thanksgiving happened in 1621, at Plymouth Plantation, inMassachusetts, there is strong evidence for earlier celebrations in Canada (1578) and by Spanish explorers in Florida (1565).Thanksgiving Day is also celebrated in the Netherlands. A different holiday which uses the same name is celebrated at a similar time of year in the island of Grenada.


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At Skid Steer Solutions, we're proud to store, pack and ship a large selection of inventory from our physical warehouse. Keep an eye on this page for Inventory Closeouts as well as Used Skid Steer Attachments and Accessories. Most used attachments are demo units that have been used only a handful of times (sometimes only once), or they've been used for a product demonstration video. Our Inventory Closeouts are the same exceptional Skid Steer, Excavator and Mini Skid Steer Attachments and Accessories, offered at a new, lower price to make room for the most recent additions to our catalog. Please refer to the product pages for additional product details and comments on condition. Shop these great deals and be sure and check back often, as this page will be continually updated.
CM 3 Skid Steer Vacuum Lifting Attachment | Vacuworx - SALE!
SL 2 Skid Steer Vacuum Lifting Attachment | Vacuworx - SALE!


Washington Park Library: All ages are invited to watch a movie and munch on some popcorn. The movie is "How to Train Your Dragon," rated PG, 98 minutes, 2010.
For more information, contact Washington Park Library at 232-2052.


What happened this weekend makes out that fact the feeling of being utterly Lost – like apathetic, insomniac, suffocated and totally buzzed out.
Who made that mixture is the headliners at Mixed Munich arts – an establishment that really stands out in so many ways. What can be clarified is that the staff are really nice – and do not own the tough Berlin attitude they are mellow. That attitude are just on the dot exactly what the staff should own – because a tormented person should not be excused from the healing process that the music own. Who took the throne is Etapp Kyle! So the facebook vote stand correct!
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text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using Windows.UI.Xaml.Controls;
using Storm.Mvvm.Services;

namespace Storm.Mvvm.Inject
{
	public class WindowsContainer : ContainerBase
	{
		#region Static members

		private static WindowsContainer _instance = null;

		public static T CreateInstance<T>(Frame rootFrame, Dictionary<string, Type> views, Dictionary<string, Type> dialogs = null) where T : WindowsContainer, new()
		{
			if (_instance != null)
			{
				throw new Exception("Can not create two instance of the container !");
			}
			T container = new T();
			_instance = container;

			container.Initialize(rootFrame, views ?? new Dictionary<string, Type>(), dialogs ?? new Dictionary<string, Type>());
			return container;
		}

		public static WindowsContainer GetInstance()
		{
			if (_instance == null)
			{
				throw new Exception("WindowsContainer has not been created");
			}
			return _instance;
		}

		#endregion

		private Frame _rootFrame;

		protected virtual void Initialize(Frame rootFrame, Dictionary<string, Type> views, Dictionary<string, Type> dialogs)
		{
			_rootFrame = rootFrame;

			RegisterInstance<ILocalizationService>(new LocalizationService());
			RegisterInstance<INavigationService>(new NavigationService(_rootFrame, views));
			RegisterInstance<IMessageDialogService>(new MessageDialogService(dialogs));
			RegisterInstance<IDispatcherService>(new DispatcherService(_rootFrame));
			RegisterInstance<ILoggerService>(new LoggerService());

			Initialize();
		}
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Semtech Expands LinkCharge™ Wireless Charging Platform to High-Power Industrial Applications
The LinkCharge 20 Series is the only inductive wireless charging system beyond 15 watts that is currently available
Camarillo, California - December 13, 2016 -
Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, today announced the availability of the new LinkCharge 20 Series, including two high-power wireless charging transmitter and receiver evaluation platforms for industrial applications supporting up to 20 watts of power. LinkCharge 20 evaluation platforms are available immediately through Semtech's distribution channel.
The LinkCharge 20 Series offers two evaluation modules: a transmitter and receiver that utilize magnetic, inductive-based wireless charging technology. LinkCharge 20 is the only currently available inductive wireless charging system that supports up to 20 watts of power output by using a proprietary protocol for communication between the transmitter and the receiver. Industrial equipment manufacturers can use the LinkCharge 20 to test wireless power in next-generation applications such as power tools, appliances, medical instruments and automation systems.
"LinkCharge 20 is specifically tailored to industrial applications, a sub-segment of the wireless charging market that requires high power transmission and receiving," said Ruwanga Dassanayake, Product Line Manager for Semtech's Power and High Reliability Products Group. "Semtech's broad portfolio of wireless charging products includes the only available inductive solution beyond 15 watts, making Semtech solutions scalable from low- to medium- to high-power applications."
Key Features of the LinkCharge 20 Series:
Only inductive wireless charging technology currently available that supports up to 20 watts of output power using proprietary communication protocol
High DC-DC efficiency at 85 percent
Flexible, programmable firmware-based solution for quicker time-to-market and to accommodate the evolution of industry standards
About Semtech's Innovative LinkCharge Platform
Semtech's LinkCharge wireless charging platform provides a range of solutions to enable wireless power in next-generation products for consumers, infrastructure and industrial applications. It includes the LinkCharge 20 Series and the recently announced LinkCharge CT (counter top), an out-of-box-ready infrastructure wireless charging system for use in public, enterprise and consumer settings. The LinkCharge platform is compatible with all major industry standards ensuring end products can quickly charge any wireless charging-equipped device even as the industry adoption continues to grow and evolve. More information about LinkCharge 20, LinkCharge CT and the rest of Semtech's wireless charging solutions is available at www.semtech.com/wireless-charging.
The LinkCharge 20 Series, TSDMTX-19V2-EVM and TSDMRX-19V/20W-EVM, is available through Semtech's distribution channel. Contact a Semtech sales representative for volume pricing and lead times at www.semtech.com/info.
Learn more about Semtech Wireless Charging Technology: www.semtech.com/wireless-charging
Contact Semtech's support team for technical support.
Sign up for Semtech's e-newsletter Inside Circuit for quarterly product updates
Follow Semtech on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+.
Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for high-end consumer, enterprise computing, communications, and industrial equipment. Products are designed to benefit the engineering community as well as the global community. The Company is dedicated to reducing the impact it, and its products, have on the environment. Internal green programs seek to reduce waste through material and manufacturing control, use of green technology and designing for resource reduction. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, visit www.semtech.com.
All statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that use the words "designed to," or other similar words or expressions, that describe Semtech Corporation's or its management's future plans, objectives or goals are "forward-looking statements" and are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of Semtech Corporation to be materially different from the historical results and/or from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors are further addressed in Semtech Corporation's annual and quarterly reports, and in other documents or reports, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov) including, without limitation, information under the captions "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors." Semtech Corporation assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Semtech and the Semtech logo are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation and/or its affiliates.


Can IAB clear shipments in LA (or any other port)?
Yes. IAB is a full RLF participant, enabling us to file entries in any port that has RLF capabilities.
Our charges vary from situation to situation as we try to match our fees to the service needs of the particular customer. We are very competitive and are confident you will find our fees to be very fair.
What freight company or Mexican Broker does IAB use?
Although we have a close relationship with certain freight carriers and Mexican brokers, we do not work with them exclusively. We have worked successfully with all of the freight carriers and Mexican Brokers in Otay Mesa and allow our clients to choose the partners they would like to work with.
Does IAB have a bonded warehouse?
Yes. A large section of our warehouse reserved for bonded merchandise.
What is IAB's SVI number for C-TPAT?
Can IAB assist with our NAFTA verification?
Yes. We have assisted with many NAFTA verifications over the years.
Can IAB classify our products?
Yes, we can. We require pictures and technical data to provide the accurate classification.


For many years I didn't think about dreams or goals. It was an effective strategy to ward off the disappointment that comes from failing to reach them, but it led me to a type of flatline existence. Brene Brown says that you can't numb selectively; I avoided disappointment and in the process diminished my capacity for joy. It's only in the last few years that I have developed any tolerance to be with what is uncomfortable, and that has lead me directly to the expanded capacity to grow, to contribute and to dream. There is something utterly magical about being in a state that is wide open to possibility, where the future is not framed only to keep out disappointment. There is risk in dreaming, yes, but there is also a sense of untapped potential and an aliveness that comes with knowing there is the possibility of something more than what is now.
I've learned something about allowing myself to dream over these past years. I learned that if I start from a place of fear, the dream dies before it is born. I learned that if I imagine only what can definitely happen, the hope is too small and will not hold me. I learned that when I grab hold of something that seems at best improbable and at worst impossible, something that flickers in me with the faint but resonant hope of what if … then I may have found a dream worth fighting for.
Dreams are not for the faint of heart or for those unwilling to do battle with the shadows that emerge when one challenges the status quo. If the Smaug-like inner critics raise their thunderous voices, we dreamers raise our defiant cries in return and pursue the dream with even more tenacity. Holding a vision takes fierceness, courage, persistence, dedication, focus and faith. When we dream we expand our capacity not only for what will be but also for what we will become.
Posted in Inspiration, Personal Growth.Tagged Contribution, CTI, dreams, George R.R. Martin, Goals, Heros, Inspiration, Jon Flobrant, Robin S. Sharma, Vision.


Hudson NY is the place to live! We have great Music, Antiques, renowned art galleries and elegant restaurants. These key industries have made Hudson the 4th busiest train destination in the north east corridor. In the heart of Hudson is The Warehouse 300,000 sq' of divisible unique spaces for lease, (Minimal space for lease 1000sq') Incubate or expand your business on the waterfront in Hudson NY, seconds from the Amtrak rail station. The Warehouse has 20 foot ceilings, dock and over head door access with 2500 amps of power. Now your business can become a part of a unique community of businesses like Digifabshop, Amtrak, and The Warehouse antique center. The Warehouse is your solution. Located in Hudson, NY. seconds from the Amtrak Hudson Train/Rail Station plus the Hudson River. Less than 10 mins from the NYS Thruway Exit 21/with access to many major highways.


Stir-fry usuage on butter until crunchy. If you're using regular tofu, cut it thinly and deep fry (or stir-fry in relatively generous amount of oil) until crunchy. Remove from pan and set aside.
On the same pan, stir-fry pak choi in butter then add 1:1:1 soy sauce, mirin, sake.
Serve pakchoi on a plate or saucer, top with crunchy tofu, and enjoy!
If you don't have or if you don't like mirin and sake, maybe you can use Sprite or 7-Up or any sparkling, clear but lightly flavored water instead. I would suggest a mix of oyster mushroom sauce, soysauce, sprite, sugar and black pepper in replacement for sake-mirin-soy sauce. I've used this mix once for my tasty stir-fried onigiri (long time ago; unfortunately, I didn't have any camera then).
I honestly don't use sake when I cook for myself, so I'm not sure how this dish tastes but my husband just loves it very much.


text:
HomeTennis
French Open Tennis Wimbledon Championships
Is Naomi Osaka Playing in the Australian Open 2022?
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 14: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after winning match point in her Women's Singles fourth round match against Garbine Muguruza of Spain during day seven of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 14, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
By Rohan Kollare
The past few months have been rough for Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka. After revealing her mental struggles back in June, things have gone downhill for the 24-year-old player.
Post the US Open loss, she was unable to focus on her game and her mind space was not in order. Osaka had mentioned that she would need to take a break from the sport in order to rejuvenate and get back to winning ways.
Naomi Osaka has been focusing on the practice courts
However, now that the focus is on the new season, players are beginning to arrive in Australia for the first Grand Slam event of the season. A couple of days ago, Naomi Osaka landed in Melbourne and she will compete in the Australian Open 2022. This comes as great news since it has been a while since we have seen her compete on the Tour.
🇦🇺🎾☺✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/pftYJkjR0P
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) December 29, 2021
Ever since she landed, she has been posting pictures of her activities on the tennis courts. She was even spotted practicing in the Rod Laver Arena. Osaka has been one of the most successful players competing in the Australian Open, winning the title previously on two out of three seasons.
'Who Are You Again?': Jokes Run About in Serena Williams' House Between Between Alexis Ohanian and Daughter Olympia
Downhill since the French Open 2021
Coming to tennis played by Osaka in 2021, she began the year on a great note, winning her fourth Grand Slam title. After that, she revealed her mental struggles during the French Open and pulled out of the tournament before the second-round match.
The 24-year-old player then skipped the Wimbledon Championships and was unable to create an impact at the Tokyo Olympics while representing Japan.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 03: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts against Leylah Fernandez of Canada during her Women's Singles third round match on Day Five of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Later, she failed to defend her title at the US Open and crashed out to teenager Leylah Fernandez. She was not feeling up to the best of her abilities and felt a break was needed in order to compete in her best winning ways.
Well, now that she is settling herself to the Melbourne conditions, it will be interesting to see how she performs at the Australian Open 2022.
Watch this story: The Journey of Roger Federer to the Elite Billionaire's Club
Rohan Kollare
Rohan Kollare is a Tennis author at EssentiallySports. Rohan has studied Sports Management and has a trophy cabinet adorned with accolades won in district and state-level tennis competitions. He has previously worked in Content Operations for Disney's Hotstar for over a year, covering Tennis and Formula One.


Legislation to support working parents who choose to run for public office reached a significant milestone this week with a favorable report form the Legislature's Joint Committee on Election Laws.
H.2898, was co-filed by Representatives Mike Connolly of Cambridge and Joan Meschino of Hull and co-sponsored by Somerville Reps. Christine Barber and Denise Provost, Senator Pat Jehlen, Cambridge Rep. Dave Rogers, and several others.
This Bill would simply allow a parent running for public office to use campaign funds they have raised for childcare during the specific instance of doing campaign related activities such as canvassing.
The inspiration for this Bill came from Somerville School Committee member Lee Erica Palmer. When Palmer was first running for office as a single mother she came across a puzzling inequity. While men could legally use their campaign funds to pay for such personal items such as tuxes for special campaign events, working parents could not expend funds for childcare while they campaigned. This meant Palmer had to spend thousands of dollars out of her own pocket to cover childcare so she could knock on voters' doors and attend other campaign events.
"Essentially, childcare is so expensive that it can limit citizens' involvement in their own democracy. Allowing parents to use campaign funds for childcare specifically during campaign-related activities and events could offer vital flexibility that would enable these parents to more fully participate in their own democracy." Palmer remarked.
The Bill is now with the House Clerk and will be moved to either the House Committee on Steering, Policy, and Scheduling, or the House Committee on Ways and Means, where it will be reviewed further, and then hopefully, will proceed to the floor of the House for a vote, and then the Senate.
"Running for office can be an unthinkable task for many parents due to childcare needs; I am excited to continue working on this Bill so that more working moms and dads can consider running for public office," Rep. Connolly concluded.


A one-of-a-kind dartboard cabinet built with reclaimed wood.
This cork-backed dartboard cabinet with an American-Style dart board is part of our functional game room decor line built with reclaimed wood. The dartboard cabinet with corks is crafted right here, by the craftsmen at Royal Billiard & Recreation. Since this cabinet is hand-crafted, every unit is individually unique. Your new game room unit will be one-of-a-kind!
Available for purchase in store or online.
Please note that if you order online, due to the uniqueness of this product and the fact that it is not mass produced, the item you receive will most definitely have minor difference from the images here.
These items are usually in stock, but there may be a lead time of up to 3 weeks before shipping to build your one-of-a-kind cabinet. Please feel free to contact us to check availability.


text:
Het Erosi Manjgaladzestadion is een voetbalstadion in de Georgische stad Samtredia. In het stadion speelt FC Samtredia haar thuiswedstrijden.

Zie ook
 Lijst van voetbalstadions in Georgië

Voetbalstadion in Georgië
Imereti


text:
Liberty Hill PD identifies officer in deadly Wednesday shooting
by: Erica Pauda
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Liberty Hill Police Department on Thursday identified the officer involved in a deadly shooting that left one man dead Wednesday, according to a news release from LHPD.
Officer Esteban Gomez-Sanchez responded to 750 Ranch Road 1869 at approximately 3 p.m. to assist the Williamson County Sheriff's Office with a priority call, the news release said.
DPS said the Williamson County Sheriff's Department got a call around 3 p.m. about the man, who was later identified as 21-year-old Jackson Lieber, trespassing on the property.
On Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said the man suspected of trespassing died Wednesday after he was shot by Gomez-Sanchez. According to the release, the officer was not injured.
DPS investigates deadly Bastrop County crash
DPS looking for suspect of fatal SE Austin hit-and-run
DPS debuts commercial vehicle safety stops at border
According to DPS Sgt. Deon Cockrell, the man had been in a crash and wandered onto a property where he got into a fight with the people who lived there.
According to DPS, an 'altercation' then broke out between the officer and the man and the officer shot him.
The investigation is ongoing with the WCSO, with the Texas Rangers assisting.
Previously, WCSO said heavy police presence in Liberty Hill Wednesday shut down certain intersections shortly after 4 p.m., according to a tweet from WCSO.
The location of the incident is in Williamson County's jurisdiction. The Texas Rangers were investigating, with WCSO assisting. Officer Gomez-Sanchez has been placed on administrative leave, which is normal protocol.
The incident remained under investigation Thursday.
Coronavirus / 1 day ago


How he believed he killed Pluto alone, and why it had it coming.
Is wild capitalism the best humanity has to offer to the Solar System ?
Observations from April 16th 2010.
Then the comet was only known through a temporary denomination 4F0011.
That night, the sky was not photometric (I could not observe for microfun). A second series of images not shown here was partially covered (cirruses).
C14 F/1.96 (hyperstar focus), QHY9 unfiltered camera, 1.6" per pixel scale.
The full moon has passed.
This is a normal rendition of the image. There are several asteroids in the field.
Here is a false color rendition of a gaussian histogram equalization.
This is an image made with a rotational gradient filtering (20°) showing 4 jets around the nucleus. Unfortunately during the exposures a faint star crossed the comet nucleus.


text:
Fear of seeming weird putting people off cycling
The fear or seeming "weird" is putting people off cycling to work, an academic study has found.
By David Millward and Davidmillward 08 September 2011 • 7:00am
Successive Governments have invested £150 million to promote cycling as an environmentally friendly way of travelling Credit: Photo: REX
A three year research project has discovered that not fitting in, alongside "squashed helmet hair" and turning up "hot and sweaty" for meetings are the biggest deterrents for using a bike to commute.
Successive Governments have invested £150 million to promote cycling as an environmentally friendly way of travelling.
But there appears to be a long way to go before the public is convinced, according to the study funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
"I get called the bag lady, because I walk everywhere and I have quite a lot of stuff with me," said Steph, a respondent from Leeds.
Lara, also from Leeds, complained: The helmet is a problem for me, because I just think it would make my hair a little squashed."
Meanwhile Joe from Leicester added: "I probably would cycle if I didn't worry so much about image and public opinion – me arriving at a meeting hot and sweaty."
Sally from Worcester observed: "You do get a sense of some people thinking oh, you're a bit weird because you're going up on the bike you know. A bit odd."
The study approached 15,000 people and received just over 1,400 replies. Some of the respondents were interviewed in person and accompanied on their usual journeys to work.
"Most people prefer not to stand out as different, but tend to adopt norms of behaviour that fit in and reflect the majority experience," said Prof Colin Pooley of Lancaster University, who led the study.
"In Britain, travelling by car is the default position for most people – over 60% of all trips are by car- and car ownership and use is seen as normal.
"The significance of such issues in influencing people's everyday travel decisions should not be underestimated."
"Campaigns to promote walking and cycling as normal and something accessible to all and not dominated by super-fit or unusually committed specialists should also be adopted."
However Norman Baker, the local transport minister, was sceptical about the would-be cyclists' concerns.
"Cycling is absolutely mainstream and it is quite old fashioned to suggest otherwise," he said.


text:
Q: FallbackResource doesn't rewrite php files I'm just using the following .htaccess config. But when I try to access a non-existent .php file, eg. xyz.php, the server returns a 404 instead of rewriting to index.php. What am I missing?
RewriteEngine on
FallbackResource /index.php


Really though, I'm currently in Japan and for the trip I brought the portable setup described below. I checked in the pelican case at the airline counter thinking that it's content should be well protected by the hard case and the inline foam.
When I picked it up again at the baggage claim in Tokyo there were some serious dents in the case. One of the corners had been shaved down by about 3mm and there were some deep indentations in the protective risings on the lid.
At first I was worried that it might have fallen from some high up place, like the top of a stack of suitcases on a carrier truck, but then again this is exactly the kind of scenario I was imagining when I decided to go with a pelican case.
Once I arrived at the place we are staying I got all the gear set up and connected and it turns out that nothing was damaged and everything sounds and works just fine. I have to say I'm impressed with the fantastic quality of the case and I highly recommend it to anyone planning on traveling with sensitive musical instruments.
This entry was posted in Controllerism, DIY, Hardware, Travelling and tagged Analog, DIY, Hakusan Project, Japan, meeblip, Music, Review, Synth, Synthesizer, Tips, TipTop Audio by HKJ. Bookmark the permalink.