text:
If You're Going To Complain, Be Funny—But Not Too Funny
By Nicholas Hune-Brown
Jokey complaints can make a wronged person more likable, and in turn, easier to support—provided their good humour doesn't undermine the seriousness of the problem.
Studies Show
Nicholas Hune-Brown
Nicholas Hune-Brown is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist who has written for Toronto Life, The Walrus, Reader's Digest, The...
Follow @nickhunebrown
Selling China by the Sleeve Dance
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Credit: Toms Baugis/Flickr
The Haribo Sugar Free Gummy Bear reign of terror was devastating and well-documented. On the German candy's Amazon page, the comments piled up—review after review, each with a more baroquely intricate description of gastrointestinal distress than the last.
"Like nothing I've ever imagined," warned the highest-rated review on the site. "What came out of me felt like someone tried to funnel Niagara Falls through a coffee straw."
One hapless candy eater warned of "gastrointestinal Armageddon." Others told tragic stories of dates gone wrong, of casual snacks that turned into hours-long ordeals—grown adults twisted into Hieronymus Bosch-esque contortions in the wreckage of their bathrooms, sweaty faces pressed against cool tile. "I'm a 280 pound man. I. Was. Sobbing," wrote one survivor. "Eat two at a time. Three if you're brave. But for the love of God and all things on this earth, DO NOT EAT ANY MORE."
The over-the-top comments—gross-out comedy under the guise of consumer review—quickly went viral. Publications from BuzzFeed to the Guardian devoted entire articles to rococo descriptions of violent bowel movements. The overwrought Amazon review, of course, is just one of the comedic genres born of the Internet—the digital equivalent of writing something witty next to the urinal or yelling jokes in a crowded movie theatre. The reviews were also a prime example of "humourous complaining," perhaps the dominant form of expression on the web, and the subject of a recent study by researchers from the University of Colorado and Texas A&M.
In an upcoming article to be published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the researchers use the Haribo epidemic as a case study in their look at the intersection between whining, with all of its negative associations, and humour. Are complaints funnier than praise? And does a jokey complaint achieve its goal?
As the researchers explain, people complain for a number of reasons: to vent, to make small talk, to gain moral support, to warn others of a product that might, say, "power wash your intestines," or just to show off their own refined taste. Jump on Twitter to rail against Ticketmaster or yell about manspreading and chances are you'll find a sympathetic audience.
But complaining comes with a price. Chronic whiners are tiresome—even chronic whiners with genuine complaints. There's only so much complaining you can do without people seeing you as grumpy and boring.
This is where being funny helps. "Being humorous offers vast interpersonal benefits," the researchers write, in the dry, deeply unfunny style that characterizes all academic writing about humour. The academics follow the theory that humour springs from "benign violation." Things are funny when they're wrong, but not distressingly so. Complaining about the time your parents embarrassed you in front of your high-school girlfriend gets a chuckle. Complaining about the time your parents were viciously murdered during a home invasion does not.
In six related studies, the researchers looked at the place where complaining and being funny meet online. In one study, they analyzed reviews on Yelp, which allows users to indicate whether or not they found a review funny. Unsurprisingly, people were far more likely to find one-star reviews humourous than five-star raves.
In another, researchers had undergraduate students post funny complaints (e.g. "Dear Italian men, Do you think cat-calling while riding on a Vespa with another man will make you more likely to get some? Sincerely, Confused American") as well as serious complaints on their Facebook walls. Jokey complaints generated far more "likes" than serious gripes.
But if joking around lets you complain without losing social capital, endearing you to your readers, it also runs the risk of trivializing real grievances. In the Haribo study, the researchers gathered one-star gummy reviews and had respondents rate them across a number of different categories: perceived humour, impression of the complainer, entertainment value, sympathy with the reviewer, and whether or not you believed the reviewer deserved some form of compensation.
As expected, funny commenters were seen as more likable. But they were also less likely to be taken seriously. No one thought, "This person describing flatulence 'like trumpets calling the demons back to Hell' is in need of sympathy and compensation!"
This is fine if we're just talking about gummies, but increasingly problematic when applied to more serious issues. Joking about foolish Italian men will likely make you seem more likable than bitterly complaining about cat-calling, but does it make casual sexual harassment seem like something that can just be laughed off? If humour is born of "benign violation," then joking around is an indication that a complaint shouldn't be taken seriously. "Consistent with the theory," the authors write, "laughter signals to others that a potentially threatening situation is safe or that an inappropriate act is not intended to be serious." It's the criticism that people like Jon Stewart sometimes get from the left: making jokes about genuine problems runs the risk of trivializing them, creating a strangely apathetic audience content to smirk at a problem rather than fight to change it.
The researchers' own case study, however, provides a counterexample to this theory. If your mockery is widespread enough—if the joking is so attention-grabbing that the eyes of the world turn to the object of your complaint—you truly can make a difference. Case in point: On Amazon, Haribo's Sugar Free Gummy Bears, the source of hundreds of uncomfortable evenings and countless cheap Internet jokes, are "currently unavailable."
Nicholas Hune-Brown is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist who has written for Toronto Life, The Walrus, Reader's Digest, The Be
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text:
Wild Week In Review
By Chris Kitching
Minnesota received a scare April 1 in Edmonton when Darby Hendrickson was
hit in the eye by a puck that defelected off his stick, ending his season.
Hendrickson left the game in the second period and was evaluated by two eye
specialists in Edmonton before boarding a flight back to Minneapolis.
The forward has little vision in his left eye, but doctors say he isn't
expected to have any permanent loss of sight.
"Right now, I can't really see anything, but I do see floating objects in my
eye," said Hendrickson. "It's unfortunate that I won't be able to play again
this season, but I'm fortunate considering what could have happened."
No structural damage was found and Hendrickson has been ordered to remain in
bed for two weeks to help control the bleeding in the eye.
The 29-year-old Minnesota native attempted to block a pass by Oilers forward
Marty Reasoner when it deflected up the shaft of his own stick and struck
his left eye.
"I dropped like a ton of bricks. I'm cut above my eye, too," Hendrickson
told the Pioneer Press. "When you get hit right in the eyeball, you know
it's serious."
As Hendrickson returned to Minnesota to recover, his teammates completed the
two remaining games of their Canadian road trip, thankful their teammate is
expected to make a full recovery.
Wild add Nebraska-Omaha prospect to the fold
The Minnesota Wild signed University of Nebraska-Omaha product Jeff Hoggan
to a contract on April 4, and have assigned him directly to the Houston
Aeros.
Hoggan, a native of Hope, B.C., was in talks with several teams, but signed
a deal with the Wild that included a $210,000 signing bonus.
The 24-year-old forward was named to the All-American Second Team last week,
and was an All-CCHA Team selection earlier this season, and is UNO's top
all-time scorer.
"Just by signing, I'm that much closer to reaching my dream," said Hoggan to
the Omaha World-Herald. "It's exciting."
The Week That Was (0-1-0-2)
Tue, Apr. 2: L 1-2 (OT) at Edmonton Oilers (25-32-11-8)
– Mike Grier's overtime winner sends Minnesota packing.
Edmonton blew a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the third
period when Richard Park banged home his ninth of the season at 15:01, from
Wes Walz and Andrew Brunette. That goal sent the Wild and Oilers into the
extra frame where Mike Grier won the game with 2:45 left in overtime. Manny
Fernandez stopped 30 shots for Minnesota while Tommy Salo got the win for
Edmonton. Minnesota picked up their 69th point in the loss, surpassing last
year's total of 68.
Wed, Mar. 27: L 3-4 at Calgary Flames (25-33-11-8)
– Jarome Iginla's three-point night propels Flames over the Wild.
If Minnesota was able to take any positive note out of Wednesday's loss, it
would be Tony Virta recording the first NHL goal and assist of his career.
Hnat Dominichelli and Sergei Zholtok scored the Wild's other goals, while
Jarome Iginla tormented Minnesota, scoring his 48th goal of the season and
adding two assists for the Flames. Fernandez made 32 saves in the loss while
Roman Turek picked up the win for Calgary.
Fri, Mar. 29: L 4-5 (OT) at Vancouver Canucks (25-33-11-9)
– Minnesota suffers second overtime loss in three games.
Brendan Morrison scored perhaps the biggest Vancouver goal this season,
dumping the Wild 5-4 in overtime, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Nick
Schultz, Virta, Antti Laaksonen and Aaron Gavey scored for Minnesota, Dwayne
Roloson had his personal five-game winning streak snapped, mading 22 saves
in the loss while Dan Cloutier got the win for the Canucks.
Mon, Apr. 8: vs. San Jose Sharks (42-25-8-3, 1st Pacific)
– Sharks coming off a huge 5-2 win over the Red Wings.
Wed, Apr. 10 at Dallas Stars (35-27-11-5, 4th Pacific)
– Desperately chasing Edmonton and Vancouver for eighth spot.
Fri, Apr. 12 at Phoenix Coyotes (37-26-9-6, 3rd Pacific)
– One of six teams in the chase for the final playoff spots.
Sun, Apr. 14 vs. Edmonton Oilers (36-27-12-4, 3rd Northwest)
– Tied with Canucks for eighth in Western Conference.
End of regular season.
Rookie Tony Virta scored the first NHL goal of his career in Wednesday's
loss to Calgary, and added an assist on Dominichelli's goal. Two nights
later, Virta put in a second two-point game, scoring a goal and an assist
against the Canucks, allowing GM Doug Risebrough and Wild fans to breathe a
sigh of relief.
Virta, last year's player of the year in Finland, was drafted by the Wild in
2001, their fifth pick, 103rd overall.
Virta had spent all season in the American Hockey League with the Houston
Aeros, recording 25 goals and 33 assists for 58 points in 67 games, before
Minnesota gave him his first crack at the NHL on March 21.
After missing eight games since March 12, C Sergei Zholtok returned to the
lineup April 1 in Edmonton. Zholtok has been out with a separated shoulder
that was injured when he was checked by Ottawa's Martin Havlat.
Wild Briefs: Wild prospect Frederic Cloutier has been named the
ECHL's Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
Cloutier had a 28-5-3 record with the Louisiana Ice Gators, including seven
shutouts and setting new league-records with a 1.84 goals-against-average
and a .945 save percentage.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon and Half-Marathon rolled through Ojai May 27 and close to 2,000 runners ran the 26.2-mile course which took runners to Ventura Beach before they crossed the finish line. Runners from all over California and a handful of runners from across the country took part in this year's event. The runners (above) stretched their legs out as they raced down Rice Road before heading towards the ocean. The event continues to grow in popularity and sells out every year.


Simple and stylish, this scarf from Get Wrapped will be a great choice for you. It boasts a refined finish as it is tailored with care using a superior quality viscose nylon blended fabric. Besides, it comes in a printed pattern that gets a nice elevation owing to the nice combination of shades.
This scarf is versatile enough to complement a wide range of kurtas and tops. It is easy to maintain as it is crafted from a good quality viscose nylon blended fabric.


Monchique / Foia Venture inland to explore it.
Monchique is a market town up in the Serra de Monchique, which is a thickly wooded mountain range separating the Algarve from Alentejo. The journey up (and down) to Monchique offers spectacular views and is totally different from coastal Algarve – Portugal. The houses in Monchique are typically Algarve with their white walls and bands of colour around the windows and doors, but their 'saia' (skirt) chimneys are quite unique and different from coastal homes. The centre of Monchique is characterised by lots of narrow cobbled streets criss-crossing up the hillside with a spattering of cafes and restaurants. The central square boasts an attractive paved area with benches, trees and a lovely water feature, including an example of a Moorish water wheel. Monchique is a very quiet and relaxed place, which is ideal for pottering around and appreciating the fantastic views.


THE EUROPEAN Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the Slovak telecommunications authority was wrong when it said it is unauthorised to check and fine the Skylink TV satellite operator, the Sme daily reported in its May 6 issue.
More than one and half years ago, Skylink imposed a monthly fee of €1.20 a month on its customers, even though it had originally promised 'good-quality TV-signal reception without fees'. The Czech telecommunications authority fined Skylink, explaining that it is a regular operator even though it does not run a network of transmitters, but only sells decoding cards for TVs to receive the satellite signals.
The Slovak Telecommunications Office (TÚ) at the time claimed that Skylink is not a regular operator, and that it therefore could not fine it. Thus, the TÚ did not scrutinise the firm's practices and moved the case to the authorities in Luxembourg, where Skylink's parent company, M7 Group, resides, Sme wrote.


text:
Q: how to check whether user input is double value or not? if user give other than double value like string/alphanumeric/alphabets/some illegal values (ex:1;2), it should not accept as double and give an error message.
how to write it in c++.
thanks in advance

A: You Usually want to do the conversion with strtod. That will set a pointer to the end of the input that it could convert to a double. After it returns, you can check that to see whether it converted none, part, of all of the input, and react accordingly.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Wolfe: why is he overweight and out of shape?
Dr.McDougall Disputes Major Medical Treatments- Aging Gracefully, Maybe to 100.
The Pleasure Trap – Douglas Lisle, Ph.D.
"The 7 Step Health Makeover" – Terry Shintani, M.D.
Confessions of a Low Class Vegan – Karl Seff Ph.D.
Be Your Own Nutritionist – William Harris, M.D.
What Happened When Whole Country Gave Up Meat?


The currency calculator will convert exchange rate of Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN) to Mongolian tögrög (MNT).
The Mongolian tugrik (tögrög) (MNT) is the currency of Mongolia. The currency code is MNT and currency symbol is ₮. The Mongolian tugrik (tögrög) is subdivided into 100 möngö (not in circulation). Frequently used Mongolian tugrik (tögrög) coins are in denominations of 20 ₮, 50 ₮, 100 ₮, 200 ₮, 500 ₮. Frequently used Mongolian tugrik (tögrög) banknotes are in denominations of 10 ₮, 20 ₮, 100 ₮, 500 ₮, 1000 ₮, 5000 ₮, 10000 ₮, 20000 ₮.


text:
Q: Redirect after POST request initiated on button I made a registration form and depending on successful / unsuccessful registration want to redirect user to the page with notification about it after he clicks the button and receives the response from server. If the registration was successful, route is "register/success", otherwise it is "register/error".
I am sending the request via axios when the button is clicked:
<Button
 type="submit"
      onClick={() => {
            sendCreateAccountRequest(
              fullName,
              email,
              password,
              confirmingPassword
            );
          }}
>Create Account</Button>

The invoked function:
export const sendCreateAccountRequest = (fullName, email, password) => {
  const obj = { fullName, email, password }
  axios
    .post(url.registerUrl, obj)
    .then(response => {
      if (response.status === 200 || response.status === 204) {
        return true
      }
    })
    .catch(err => {
      if (err.response) {
        return err.message
      }
      if (err.request) {
        return "There are some server troubles"
      }
    })
}

I was thinking about using useHistory hook, but the invoked function is pure JS and non-react.
As well, I wanted to involve Redux in this, but didn't find a way to use it outside of component as well.
How can I redirect user after submitting the form on the corresponding route? What approach should I use for this purpose?

A: You may remove the catch block from sendCreateAccountRequest and handle errors on component level:

const history = useHistory();

const handleClick = async () => {
    try {
        await sendCreateAccountRequest(
              fullName,
              email,
              password,
              confirmingPassword
            );
        history.push('register/success');
     } catch (e) {
       // handle error here
       history.push('register/error');
     }
}
(...)

<Button type="submit"onClick={handleClick}>Create Account</Button>

However if you would like to delegate that logic outside component, you should have a look at https://redux-toolkit.js.org/ library and it examples.


text:
import os
import pkg_resources
import sys

from setuptools import setup

import chainerx_build_helper

if sys.version_info[:3] == (3, 5, 0):
    if not int(os.getenv('CHAINER_PYTHON_350_FORCE', '0')):
        msg = """
Chainer does not work with Python 3.5.0.

We strongly recommend to use another version of Python.
If you want to use Chainer with Python 3.5.0 at your own risk,
set CHAINER_PYTHON_350_FORCE environment variable to 1."""
        print(msg)
        sys.exit(1)

requirements = {
    'install': [
        'setuptools',
        'typing_extensions',
        'filelock',
        'numpy>=1.9.0',
        'protobuf>=3.0.0',
        'six>=1.9.0',
    ],
    'stylecheck': [
        'autopep8>=1.4.1,<1.5',
        'flake8>=3.7,<3.8',
        'pycodestyle>=2.5,<2.6',
    ],
    'test': [
        'pytest<4.2.0',  # 4.2.0 is slow collecting tests and times out on CI.
        'attrs<19.2.0',  # pytest 4.1.1 does not run with attrs==19.2.0
        'mock',
    ],
    'doctest': [
        'sphinx==1.8.2',
        'matplotlib',
        'theano',
    ],
    'docs': [
        'sphinx==1.8.2',
        'sphinx_rtd_theme',
        'onnx<1.7.0',
        'packaging',
    ],
    'appveyor': [
        '-r test',
        # pytest-timeout>=1.3.0 requires pytest>=3.6.
        # TODO(niboshi): Consider upgrading pytest to >=3.6
        'pytest-timeout<1.3.0',
    ],
    'jenkins': [
        '-r test',
        # pytest-timeout>=1.3.0 requires pytest>=3.6.
        # TODO(niboshi): Consider upgrading pytest to >=3.6
        'pytest-timeout<1.3.0',
        'pytest-cov<2.10',  # pytest-cov 2.10 requires pytest>=4.6
        'nose',
        'coveralls',
        'codecov',
        'coverage<5',  # Otherwise, Python must be built with sqlite
    ],
}

def reduce_requirements(key):
    # Resolve recursive requirements notation (-r)
    reqs = requirements[key]
    resolved_reqs = []
    for req in reqs:
        if req.startswith('-r'):
            depend_key = req[2:].lstrip()
            reduce_requirements(depend_key)
            resolved_reqs += requirements[depend_key]
        else:
            resolved_reqs.append(req)
    requirements[key] = resolved_reqs

for k in requirements.keys():
    reduce_requirements(k)

extras_require = {k: v for k, v in requirements.items() if k != 'install'}
setup_requires = []
install_requires = requirements['install']
tests_require = requirements['test']

def find_any_distribution(pkgs):
    for pkg in pkgs:
        try:
            return pkg_resources.get_distribution(pkg)
        except pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound:
            pass
    return None

for pkg_name in ('ChainerMN', 'ONNX-Chainer'):
    distribution_name = pkg_name.lower().replace('-', '_')
    found_error = find_any_distribution([distribution_name])
    if found_error is not None:
        msg = """
We detected that {name} is installed in your environment.
{name} has been integrated to Chainer and no separate installation
is necessary. Please uninstall the old {name} in advance.
"""
        print(msg.format(name=pkg_name))
        exit(1)

here = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__))
# Get __version__ variable
exec(open(os.path.join(here, 'chainer', '_version.py')).read())

setup_kwargs = dict(
    name='chainer',
    version=__version__,  # NOQA
    description='A flexible framework of neural networks',
    long_description=open('README.md').read(),
    long_description_content_type='text/markdown',
    author='Seiya Tokui',
    author_email='tokui@preferred.jp',
    url='https://chainer.org/',
    license='MIT License',
    packages=['chainer',
              'chainer.backends',
              'chainer.dataset',
              'chainer.dataset.tabular',
              'chainer.datasets',
              'chainer.distributions',
              'chainer.exporters',
              'chainer.functions',
              'chainer.functions.activation',
              'chainer.functions.array',
              'chainer.functions.connection',
              'chainer.functions.evaluation',
              'chainer.functions.loss',
              'chainer.functions.math',
              'chainer.functions.noise',
              'chainer.functions.normalization',
              'chainer.functions.pooling',
              'chainer.functions.rnn',
              'chainer.functions.theano',
              'chainer.functions.util',
              'chainer.function_hooks',
              'chainer.iterators',
              'chainer.initializers',
              'chainer.links',
              'chainer.links.activation',
              'chainer.links.caffe',
              'chainer.links.caffe.protobuf3',
              'chainer.links.connection',
              'chainer.links.loss',
              'chainer.links.model',
              'chainer.links.model.vision',
              'chainer.links.normalization',
              'chainer.links.rnn',
              'chainer.links.theano',
              'chainer.link_hooks',
              'chainer.graph_optimizations',
              'chainer.optimizers',
              'chainer.optimizer_hooks',
              'chainer.serializers',
              'chainer.testing',
              'chainer.training',
              'chainer.training.extensions',
              'chainer.training.triggers',
              'chainer.training.updaters',
              'chainer.utils',
              'chainermn',
              'chainermn.communicators',
              'chainermn.datasets',
              'chainermn.extensions',
              'chainermn.functions',
              'chainermn.iterators',
              'chainermn.links',
              'chainermn.testing',
              'onnx_chainer',
              'onnx_chainer.functions',
              'onnx_chainer.testing'],
    package_data={
        'chainer': ['py.typed'],
    },
    zip_safe=False,
    setup_requires=setup_requires,
    install_requires=install_requires,
    tests_require=tests_require,
    extras_require=extras_require,
    python_requires='>=3.5.0',
)

build_chainerx = 0 != int(os.getenv('CHAINER_BUILD_CHAINERX', '0'))
if (os.getenv('READTHEDOCS', None) == 'True'
        and os.getenv('READTHEDOCS_PROJECT', None) == 'chainer'):
    # ChainerX must be built in order to build the docs (on Read the Docs).
    build_chainerx = True

    # Try to prevent Read the Docs build timeouts.
    os.environ['MAKEFLAGS'] = '-j2'

chainerx_build_helper.config_setup_kwargs(setup_kwargs, build_chainerx)

setup(**setup_kwargs)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Learn More About Research at Volgenau
Discover Faculty Research Interests
Working to be Stewards of the Earth
As a part of the White House's "Grand Challenge" initiative, Volgenau is among U.S. engineering schools focusing on complex yet critical goals such making solar energy cost-competitive with coal. Researchers also specialize in sustainable energy systems, and environmental and water resources problems.
Quantifying Resilience of Critical Infrastructure
Healthcare systems, school districts, university campuses, government buildings, residential buildings, and business districts are comprised of interdependent buildings that together serve a community function. They rely upon a network of critical lifelines, including water, power, cyber, transportation, and wastewater. A $2.5M National Science Foundation grant (nearly $1.1 million moved to Mason) is aimed at determining how these critical infrastructure-based societal systems (CISSs) withstand and recover from disasters. What the researchers learn from developed complex analysis and modeling techniques will help improve, build, and maintain resilient communities.
Elise Miller-Hooks, the Bill and Eleanor Hazel Endowed Chair in Infrastructure Engineering who joined Mason last year, is the Principal Investigator. Her team is looking specifically at how disasters would impact a healthcare system. What makes this project different from other disaster resilience work, beyond its focus on CISSs, is that it looks at multiple hazard types and incorporates public policy, organizational policy, emergent organizational behaviors and risk communication into a broader quantitative assessment. Areas of study include: how organizational behaviors emerge and evolve as a disaster unfolds and how cyber systems become more vulnerable to follow-on attacks and how to prevent them.
Miller-Hooks brought the collaborative project with her from the University of Maryland. Miller-Hooks worked with PI Judy Mitrani-Reiser at Johns Hopkins who has since moved to NIST. The grant also includes education and outreach aimed at strengthening the pipelines of women in STEM fields. The grant wraps up in August 2018.
Researcher Profile: Viviana Maggioni, Remote Sensing Techniques
Viviana Maggioni
Viviana Maggioni's research interests lie at the intersection of hydrometeorology and remote sensing. In particular, she is interested in the application of remote sensing techniques to estimate and monitor hydrological variables.
Maggioni studies how to improve those retrieval techniques and to enhance estimates of their associated uncertainties.
This work has direct applications in water resources management, weather and climate prediction, as well as agriculture and irrigation practices.
Maggioni is also a Visiting Research Associate at the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the University of Maryland, which was initiated under a cooperative agreement with the Earth Sciences Directorate at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center.
She teaches such classes as Coastal Flood Hazards and Stochastic Hydrology.
Departments Active in Sustainable Infrastructure Research
The Sid and Reva Dewberry Department for Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering
CEIE attracts and educates Virginia's best performing students as well as national and international undergraduate and graduate students. Our students are opportunity seekers who are prepared to develop and implement innovative and successful solutions to today's complex and multi-disciplinary engineering challenges.
Researchers in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department work on the foundations on which computer engineering and computer science rest. Electrical engineers design and build the equipment that most of us take for granted—computers, cell phones, televisions, rockets, satellites, communications and computer networks, mobile radios, environmental control systems, robots, weapons, and medical devices. With a proud history as one of the school's founding departments, ECE also the distinction of being closely allied with the recently established Department of Bioengineering.


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text:
Dark Sky to Release Curtis Harrington's "The Killing Kind" on DVD
Nate Yapp
0 (Add comment)
the killing kind
Curtis Harrington's 1973 crime-horror-thriller The Killing Kind will be making its DVD debut courtesy of Dark Sky Films, DVD Drive-In reports. The disc will also contain the last on-camera interview with Harrington, who died earlier this year. In the film, Terry Lambert (John Savage) is released from prison and moves into a boarding house run by his overbearing mother (Ann Sothern). While spying on one of the tenants (Cindy Williams) gives Terry some pleasure, things are not all well. He's developed a taste for rough sex and violence while in prison. When the judge (Ruth Roman) and key witness (Sue Bernard) who put Terry behind bars meet terrible fates, how long will it be before things turn badly for the other women in his life?
The disc is due out November 20th with a suggested retail price of $19.98 (pre-order it on Amazon.com).
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Andrew McManus was the owner and promoter of the short lived World Wrestling All-Stars promotion. The WWA toured Australia, Europe and New Zealand airing their shows on USA pay-per-view.  McManus appeared on air a few times  to make some announcements, but mainly ran things from behind the scenes. Andrew has since founded McManus Entertainment, a music promotion company.

McManus' company, McManus Entertainment had been the promoter of Raggamuffin since its launch in 2008.

In 2014, McManus Entertainment partnered with Dawn Raid Entertainment to move Raggamuffin from Rotorua to Auckland.

Andrew McManus has been a prominent concert promoter in the Australian live music landscape and has been promoting tours across, rock, pop, reggae, opera, classical and indie genres for over twenty years.  Notable and high profile tours of Australia by international acts, promoted by his company include Fleetwood Mac, Motley Crue and Aerosmith.

In August 2022 One World Entertainment in partnership with TEG Live presented the Australian End Of The Road Tour by rock band KISS to sold out shows throughout the country.  Founding KISS member and bass player, Gene Simmons said of promoter Andrew McManus, 'He's family, and the best promoter in the world.  We wouldn't be here without him.'

References

Further reading

External links

Music promoters
Australian company founders
Professional wrestling promoters

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home / The Dragon Blog /
Meanings & Dragons · Nov 09, 2021
MEANING OF THE JAPANESE DRAGON
In the land of the rising sun, the figure of the dragon is intimately linked to history and popular culture. Politics, religion, daily life : the Japanese dragon is present in all aspects of Japanese society. Let's retrace together its appearance in Japanese mythology and identify its impact on daily life.
The origins of Japanese dragons
A myth inspired by dinosaurs ?
This (admittedly controversial) hypothesis is not exclusive to Japanese culture. Some archaeologists and historians agree that the discovery of dinosaur bones by the first civilizations inspired the myth of dragons. It is interesting to note that this fact is also valid for China since, as we will see later, Chinese dragons have directly influenced Japanese dragons. One example in particular attests to the assimilation of dinosaur bones to the remains of a dragon by the Chinese people : it is the testimony of the historian Chang Qu who asserts, around 300 B.C., that bones found in Sichuan (a province of the People's Republic of China) are indeed the remains of a dragon.
Another hypothesis proposes that the universal symbol of the dragon was born in Africa in prehistoric times and then spread to all continents over the millennia. This hypothesis is based, among other things, on the similarities found among dragons throughout the world (including in Japanese culture) : a partly serpentine appearance, a presence at watering holes, the ability to fly, etc. It should be noted that, unlike their European cousins, many Asian dragons are not fire-breathing. Also, they are a bit more exotic since in the East we find red, blue, green and even multicolored dragons !
A Chinese heritage
The history of Japanese dragons is inseparable from that of Chinese dragons. It would be in the 8th century that Japanese people who went to study in China would have introduced, on their return, the mythology of the dragon in Japan. In fact, it is striking to see how much the Japanese style dragon resembles its Chinese counterpart. Except for the number of claws (three in Japan, five in China), one can even say that the two mythological animals are almost similar. They have in common: a camel's head, a serpentine body covered with carp scales, deer antlers and tiger legs ending in eagle talons. The Japanese name, on the other hand, is unique: dragons are called Ryu or Tatsu throughout the archipelago.
Some famous dragons from Japanese mythology
The meaning of the Japanese dragon, although the styles of the latter are varied, always revolves around the same elements : it symbolizes in turn the forces of nature, water, wisdom, power, abundance... Let's see some examples among the most outstanding legendary creatures of the Japanese mythology.
Yamata no Orichi
Generally, Japanese dragons are rather benevolent towards humans. But not Yamata ! This demon with eight heads and eight tails, as long as eight valleys, regularly devoured young women. It was Susanoo, the god of the storm, who put an end to his cruel actions. He used trickery to make the dragon drink eight barrels of sake. Once the monster was asleep, he cut off the eight heads one by one.
The Wani dragons
They have the usual characteristics of dragons found in Japanese folklore, except that they are underwater creatures. Their empire, organized in a real society, is located under the sea. Among their magical powers is the ability to transform into a human.
Ryujin
Also called the dragon king, he is closely associated with rain. He has the power to decide whether to make it rain or to cause drought.
Dragons and daily life in Japan
The Religion
Whether in Buddhism or Shintoism (two very important religions in the Japanese archipelago), the figure of the dragon has been used many times. For example, statues and paintings of dragons can be found on the facade and inside many temples (for example, Zen Buddhist dojos have the custom of painting dragons on the ceiling of their main room). Statues of this mythical animal can also be found in temple gardens.
In these religions, the dragon is often associated with a protective role. It protects the spirit and faith of the followers and at the same time keeps away demons and negative emotions. In the religious field, as in other fields, the figure of the dragon is also synonymous with wisdom and benevolence.
As in any religious cult, the dragon also has its festivals. We can quote among others the kinryu no mai which is a ceremony which is held every spring in Tokyo. This Buddhist festival consists of a parade during which a golden dragon of about twenty meters goes through the city.
The popular beliefs
Many Japanese people, beyond the simple symbolic aspect, address directly to the dragon deities to obtain their favors. In the past, and even today, peasants used to ask these mythological animals to intercede for abundant rain for good harvests. Even in contemporary cities, some city dwellers still pray to dragons for protection or good luck in their finances.
Dragons : An omnipresence in all areas of Japanese society
When you walk through the streets of Japan, whether in the countryside or in the big cities, you will notice that the dragon figure is absolutely everywhere. It can be found as a painting or sculpture in parks and gardens, in stores, in temples, in bars and restaurants, on the front of buildings, and even in official places !
If there is another place where this mythical animal is recurrent, it is the one of popular culture, namely mangas and anime. Who hasn't heard of the manga Dragon Ball and its famous dragon Sheron who appears once the seven crystal balls are gathered ? We could also mention Chihiro's Journey, a major work of Japanese cinema, in which appears Haku, a white dragon whose power consists in transforming into a human.
The dragon in Japan : A marker of social belonging
A symbol of the established order
Whether in politics or religion, the dragon symbol serves to cement the foundations of society. As we have seen, it is an essential figure in Shintoism and Buddhism. The religious dragons present everywhere in the country remind us that these two religions dominate the Japanese archipelago.
As far as politics is concerned, successive emperors have been considered until recently as living gods. They derived this legitimacy to receive a divine treatment from the fact that the first emperor of Japan would have been a descendant... of a dragon.
A mythical animal tattooed in the world of organized crime
But if it is at the service of the power and order that govern Japanese society, the figure of the dragon is also paradoxically a means of recognition for a very particular category of marginal people : the Yakuzas, the Japanese "mafia". To understand how the dragon entered the confidential culture of these night lords, it is necessary to understand the status of tattooing in Japan.
Even today, and although it may be incomprehensible to a westerner, getting a tattoo is very much frowned upon in Japan. Only people who challenge the power in place or who practice illegal activities get their skin inked. The Yakuzas are part of it and many movies have already featured their fabulous tattoos that cover absolutely their whole body, except for their face and hands. In this graphic counterculture, the dragon has naturally found its place. A symbol of power and luck, it quickly became one of the favorite motifs that members of organized crime get tattooed. On the skin, the fantastic creature finds its place alongside the Koi carp, the snake and the skull.
Back to The Dragon Blog


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Whole life we are taught to think about middle and put the "I" far behind the collective "we". And all anything, but in some situations, this approach just doesn't work. Why not just allow themselves to sit on the neck and how to learn to set the right priorities — all the answers in this material.
You have a very lot of cases. More precisely, so: you have too much to do. More precisely, this: so many cases that you have long for them not visible. Sometimes even the feeling that your true purpose is to respond to e-mails marked "urgent" and always leave last. And now add to that social "weighting", such as Facebook, various chat rooms and emails and you will get a person who doesn't know what he would eat for lunch, but always knows what you ate for Breakfast, his friends.
You are the one whom colleagues and friends called a superhero. You someone you can call at three in the morning to vent. You are the one who will always help, prompt, will cover and if necessary — correct (and have always). You are the one who solves the problem — often, of course, wrong, because to create takes time, and you do not. In General, you no longer ask yourself about what you want to do, and only do what others want. Of course, these others never demand they ask for.
Calmly and very politely. Well how here to refuse?
The ability to balance between what you need and what others need from you — not an easy task. Step right and that your neck is already sitting a dozen polite people that every five minutes we need your help. Step to the left — and here you are immersed in the abyss of your rich inner world and wanted to spit on everything that is happening around. The output (and exit) from this one only: find the very middle, which will help you understand where you need to drop everything and help your fellow man, and where you need to answer: "No, you go ahead". Of course, exactly how to behave, it depends on each individual case, but nevertheless there are situations (we counted six) that you should (Yes, should) mute all external noise and to pursue their own desires and needs. Here they are in front of you.
And now a little bit about Murphy's law: the cold never comes alone. Usually the increase in temperature is accompanied not only by a cough and sore throat, but super important new project at work, moving friends and off the hot water. And now, instead of lying and quietly doze off in bed, you go from one meeting to another, until three in the morning are presentations, and weekend help friends carry things. According to statistics, only 45% of all people who got the flu last year, took sick leave — the remaining 55% continued to go to work. To go and spread the virus still healthy colleagues. So for your own safety (not to mention the safety of others) don't come to the office if ill. There is no job that would be more important than your health. Your and your colleagues. Besides rest and proper treatment can work wonders — you will be back much faster if you allow the body to focus on fighting the disease. But the report still is not going anywhere.
No, we do not encourage you to run out of the negotiation during a meeting and shouting "disperse!" to race to the vending machine just because you have a growling stomach. But if you are experiencing hunger, and for ten minutes I can't think of anything but chocolate cake and sandwich, it's time to press an imaginary button "pause" and get out of the bag, a home-cooked lunch box. Besides, an empty stomach and productive workflow — incompatible: hunger-not only provides focus, but also makes people more distracted and irritable. So if you want to always be in good shape and fully operational, no missed meals and speech can not be. Plan your diet and always keep healthy snacks.
It's hard to be a superhero when tired. It's hard to be the best of the best, just be yourself. It's hard to rejoice in each new day, when every night is marked by insomnia. Scientists never tire of repeating: lack of sleep not only makes people distracted and irritable but also weakens the entire immune system of the body. Work is work, friends of friends, and the eight-hour sleep is one of the priorities in the life of any person who wants to be successful and healthy. After all, how you spent the night, depends on how productive your day will be. So the need to go to bed on time should outweigh the desire to respond to work emails, a report to finish and test the tape Facebook.
Career of each person is an alternating really hot seasons and dull seasons — stability is replaced by crisis, and crisis, in turn, becomes the new steps forward and new opportunities for growth. And if the moments of calm perfect for finding new Hobbies and meeting friends, crisis stages, on the contrary, is intended to mobilize all your strength for work. Alas, not always and not all friends can understand and accept this turn of events. They don't know what it is, and therefore continue to call you to meetings and you persistently continue to refuse. The result of this misunderstanding becomes a mutual resentment — you resent your friends because of their unwillingness to understand your position, and they, in turn, are offended because of your unwillingness to share the hardships of your situation. In order not to create additional problems, speak with your loved ones be honest and explain to them that your disappearance from all your social radar — a forced, but necessary measure. Yes, you'd love to swap the office Desk to the bar, but now we need to concentrate on work.
But remember: if you feel that the fuse that's out, and the same trait is near, then drop everything, take the day off and call friends. No matter how tight your schedule is, if you need support, find a couple of hours for a meeting is quite real. Communication with those whom you love will not only avoid burnout, but also will be a great "recharge" before the next powerful jerk at work.
How often we have to deal with people who sincerely believe that everything around them owe something. Yes, you should be spending your time on them, you must come to their aid at the first call and always answer the phone when they call. You have to, and they, of course, no. And these people love to manipulate — they are, on the one hand, I appeal to you for help, but on the other, from the very beginning make it clear that you, in fact, the choice then and there: you will help, otherwise the feeling of guilt that flashed 25 overs in the speech of the manipulators, with the head will absorb you. It's certainly fine, but your neck is still not the best vehicle. So when you say things like "If you don't go with me / don't do it for me, then you betray me" or "If you don't help me, then I will die / I'll be fired", do not rush to postpone their case to the side. Analyze the situation — if you really has such a crucial importance, then, of course, act. But if this is another attempt to ride at your expense, then the answer should be an unequivocal "no seats".
What do you snow that you heat you party until the morning and blockages at work, if you decide to swim the Bosphorus this summer and next fall to run his first new York city marathon? That's right, nothing! If you have a goal, then the whole life will be built in such a way that each day was a step in her direction. We should not think that once you gave a promise to myself to exercise, you should now spit to work to erase the phone numbers of friends and move to the nearest fitness center. Not at all, is the purpose of making the life more orderly and deliberate — you become a more organized person who values their time and does not allow important things go by the wayside. Let's just say you become an experienced conductor, which allows one instrument to the soloist, while still maintaining a unified sound of the entire orchestra. In this case the main thing — to choose the right goal. A goal that will not wear you, and will do even more.
21 shocking facts that will change your mind!


Description: This apartment has a dining area, microwave and balcony.
Set in Dubai, Kennedy Towers - Al Anbara has well-equipped accommodation boasting free WiFi, 6 km from Aquaventure Waterpark.
The units have a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge. Some units have a dining area and/or a balcony.
The Walk at JBR is 8 km from the apartment, while Burj Al Arab Tower is 8 km away. The nearest airport is Dubai International Airport, 32 km from the property.
This property is a licensed holiday home. It is not part of a hotel resort. The property requires passport copies for each guest at least 72 hours before arrival to allow time to coordinate access approval from the community security office. If we don't receive passport copies before this period we cannot guarantee the check-in. If your arrival is on Friday or Saturday, please send your passport copies on the Wednesday before you arrive to ensure a smooth entrance process. Access to the Nakheel shoreline beach clubs is not included in the price of the property. If you would like to use the beach club during your stay, daily passes can be purchased from shoreline clubhouse between buildings 3 and 4. The property is also located close to the free public beach, Jumeirah Beach Residences. For your security and to protect against credit card fraud, the property requires a credit card authorization letter to be signed before arrival. Guests are also required to show a photo identification and the credit card the booking was made with upon check-in. A damage deposit of AED 3000 is required. The host charges this 14 days before arrival. This will be collected by credit card. You should be reimbursed within 7 days of check-out. Your deposit will be refunded in full via credit card, subject to an inspection of the property.
This page presents full information about the hotel Kennedy Towers - Al Anbara located in Dubai: photo of rooms, rates, amenities, etc. On the website you can choose and book favourite room of Kennedy Towers - Al Anbara without a fee.


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Barbecue restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Burger restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Sushi restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Pizza restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Dietary requirements
Organic food restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Halal restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Vegetarian dishes restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Vegan restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
TheFork selections
Valentine's Day restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Christmas restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
New year's eve restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Christmas and New Year restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Wheelchair Accessible restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Dog-Friendly restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Karaoke restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Setting and ambience
Good for families restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
With friends restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Good for a business lunch restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
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Wine bar restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Terrace restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Brasserie restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Trendy restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Traditional restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Fine Dining restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Contemporary cuisine restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Brunch restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Asian restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Japanese restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
European restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
French restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Italian restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Indian restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
American restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Middle Eastern restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Pizzeria restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
Insider selections
INSIDER restaurant La Frette-sur-Seine
La-frette-sur-seine restaurants
The Best Restaurants with Deals in La Frette-sur-Seine
15 restaurants
L' AUBERGE DU QUAI
65 Quai de Seine, 95530, La Frette-sur-Seine
YUMS x2 PAY Indian
10 Rue Maurice Dalesme, 95130, Franconville
YUMS x2 PAY Pizzeria
L'Inside
Rue Théroigne de Méricourt, 95150, Taverny
21 Route Stratégique, 95240, Cormeilles-en-Parisis
Valentine's Day menu €50
PAY International food
Volfoni
2 All. des Coudrées, 95240, Cormeilles-en-Parisis
112 Avenue de Général Leclerc, 95480, Pierrelaye
INSIDER Middle Eastern
146 Boulevard Victor Bordier, 95370, Montigny-lès-Cormeilles
3-15 Rue Denis Papin, 95250, Beauchamp
5 Av. de l'Égalité, 95250, Beauchamp
Le Cinq
5 Pl. de la Halle, 95220, Herblay-sur-Seine
PAY Asian
Nouveau Tokyo Sakura
92 Rue du Général Leclerc, 95130, Franconville
Le Cormeilles
3 Pl. Niépce, 95240, Cormeilles-en-Parisis
Au Bureau Franconville
3 Rue André Citroën, 95130, Franconville
PAY American
Hippopotamus Cormeilles en Parisis
1 Bd du Parisis, 95240, Cormeilles-en-Parisis
Zebra Rue de Paris
33 Rue de Paris, 78600, Maisons-Laffitte
What is the best restaurant with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine?
L' AUBERGE DU QUAI is a favorite place for TheFork users. This 8.8 rated restaurant is located in La Frette-sur-Seine, and would be an excellent choice for your next meal. Hunza and L'Inside are also some of the more popular restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine according to reviews from our users.
What are the best french restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine?
Some of the more popular french restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine according to TheFork users include:
L' AUBERGE DU QUAI, with a 8.8 rating
La Montagne, with a 9 rating
L'Inside, with a 8.4 rating
What are the best asian restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine?
Some of the more popular asian restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine according to TheFork users include:
Hunza, with a 9.6 rating
Miso, with a 9.3 rating
Himalaya, with a 6.6 rating
Do any restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine have vegetarian options on their menu?
Some of the more popular restaurants with deals that offer vegetarian options on their menu in La Frette-sur-Seine according to TheFork users include:
Le Palmier, with a 9.2 rating
Do any restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine have halal options on their menu?
Some of the more popular restaurants with deals that offer halal options on their menu in La Frette-sur-Seine according to TheFork users include:
What are the best restaurants with deals with a terrace in La Frette-sur-Seine?
Some of the more popular restaurants with deals with a terrace in La Frette-sur-Seine according to TheFork users include:
Hippopotamus Cormeilles en Parisis, with a 8.6 rating
Are any restaurants with deals in La Frette-sur-Seine good for families?
Some of the more popular restaurants with deals to visit with your family in La Frette-sur-Seine according to TheFork users include:
Let TheFork help you discover a new way to eat out. Make a reservation with us and benefit from our unprecedented deals. More affordable prices for the same great quality. Knowing this, you can enjoy your meal even more!


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Carlo C
Florida Law Professor Names Cryptocurrencies "Super Tax Havens"
A University of Florida law professor, Omri Marian says that while cryptocurrencies are already considered taxable assets (under US tax law), the inability of the gov. to monitor blockchain transactions could mean a lot more people opting out of the tax system.
A University of Florida law professor, Omri Marian, who believes that cryptocurrencies are "super tax havens," says that while cryptocurrencies are already considered taxable assets (under US tax law), the inability of the government to monitor blockchain transactions could mean a lot more people opting out of the tax system.
- Omri Marian, a professor of tax law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law
When we hear that the government wants to "regulate" cryptocurrencies the reason given is always to protect consumers from fraud and money laundering. The fact is, however, that while these may in fact be legitimate government concerns they certainly are not the only concerns, or even the most important.
Under the current system employers are required to report employee earnings as well as company profits. Unless the employer pays in cash there are electronic records of payments which tax agencies like the Internal Revenue Service use to monitor transactions for tax purposes. The United States government lost US$3.09 trillion between 2001 and 2010 to tax evaders under the current tightly controlled system. These losses do not all come from individuals either. In July, Credit Suisse was forced to pay US$779 million in tax evasion cases.
Professor Marian makes the point in his report that the anonymity aspect of cryptocurrencies might soon cause many current tax evaders to move their resources into a more secure location, i.e. the blockchain. He also suggests that not only will individuals become interested but businesses as well as government reporting requirements can be extremely cost intensive. Businesses that are able to cut or even reduce these expenses will not hesitate due to the financial incentive at hand.
Marian also points out that cryptocurrencies already have many of the features of current tax havens with one huge difference: Cryptocurrencies are not reliant on the existence of financial institutions.
Professor Marian also suggests that the government has failed to identify how acute this problem might eventually become. While they have been active in stemming the money tide to offshore tax havens, the government appears to be scratching its head with how to approach cryptocurrencies, which seem to be immune to conventional measures and current legislative activity (or lack thereof) reflects this confusion. The indecision seems to be coming from a lack of a clear definition of what exactly Bitcoin is: property or money.
Currently Bitcoin is considered property for tax purposes which is actually good for Bitcoin investors because it allows them to pay taxes on Capital Gains instead on earnings, which are taxed at a higher rate. If Bitcoin becomes a state-recognized however, the tax rate will probably increase as well.
Interestingly enough, the Swiss government has announced not too long ago that it will be sharing the identities of foreign account holders with their home countries. The fact is, however, that savvy investors already steer clear of European "tax havens" because in most cases privacy laws do not apply to funds that are either obtained illegally or that are being used in an illegal manner.
Until the recent announcement, this caveat did not apply to tax agencies but now that has changed making Swiss accounts no more private than any other bank. As a result, the great majority of tax evaders are moving their accounts to the Caribbean and Central America where banking laws are much more account holder friendly.
If Professor Marian is correct and investors begin moving money out of fiat currencies and into cryptocurrencies, the effect can be devastating to the tax base. According to experts like Trace Mayer, if only 1% of funds that are currently sitting in offshore accounts were transferred to Bitcoin, for instance, it would increase the value of Bitcoin to $2.8 million per coin, greatly increasing its value while at the same time devaluing the US dollar significantly.
- Trace Mayer
Australia Offers Slightly More Clarity on BTC Taxation
Sweden Asks EU to Rule on Bitcoin Taxation
#Taxes
#Florida
Blockchain to Disrupt Music Industry and Make It Change Tune
Miami commissioner wants to let residents pay taxes in Bitcoin
Crypto can erode tax base, Russia's tax boss says


The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) today opened the 2013 APSA Children's Film Fund for submissions. The fund, which offers two AU$20,000 grants annually, was established in 2011 by APSA and their Academy member Butch Jimenez's Manila-based 4 Boys Films.
As submissions open for their third year, APSA is also very pleased to release a 'first look' image (above) from the 2011 APSA Children's Film Fund supported feature The Stone With Three Eyes by Chinese Tibetan filmmaker Songtaijia.
The fund aims to provide script development support to children's feature films that carry positive, life affirming messages specifically for and about children of Asia Pacific. The grants are exclusively offered to APSA Academy members with the intention of stimulating the development of their, and their Asia Pacific colleagues', feature film projects.
The APSA Academy comprises some 600 of the region's most respected filmmakers, growing by approximately 100 new members each year with the induction of APSA nominees, international jury and nominations council members.
This year's submissions close on Friday 15 November, offering 2013 APSA nominees (to be announced in early November) the opportunity to submit their new film projects for consideration. The successful grant recipients will be determined by a distinguished three-member panel with the winners announced at the 2013 APSA ceremony on 12 December in Brisbane, Australia.
4 Boys Films founder Butch Jimenez was inducted into the APSA Academy in its inaugural year as the producer of 2007 Best Children's Feature Film nominee The Bicycle. The fund was established in honour of his four sons: Miguel, Benjamin, Joaquin and Mateo.
"I've always believed that children's films have a unique power to influence young hearts and minds," he said.
Songtaijia was granted AU$20,000 in 2011 for The Stone With Three Eyes which is now nearing completion. The film is a moving tale of redemption and a quietly powerful contemplation on the Buddhist concepts of attachment and impermanence. It is the story of three generations of a Tibetan family whose relationships have been distorted by historical, ethical and cultural wounds as seen through the eyes of a little girl. Songtaijia was inducted into the Academy in 2011 when he was nominated for Achievement in Cinematography for Old Dog.
"My gratitude to the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for infusing new vigour and dreams into Asia Pacific children's films with sincerity," he said.
Other Academy members to receive past APSA Children's Film Fund grants are renowned Indonesian director Garin Nugroho for The Seen and The Unseen, Indonesian producer/director Nan Achnas for Beautiful Shadows and New Zealand producer Ainsley Gardiner for The Song Jar.
APSA is managed by economic development board Brisbane Marketing in a unique collaboration with Paris-based UNESCO and FIAPF-International Federation of Film Producers Associations.
The awards are the region's highest accolade in film, recognising and promoting the cinematic excellence and cultural diversity of the world's fastest growing film region: comprising 70 countries and areas, 4.5 billion people, and responsible for half of the world's film output.


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Home / Ceramic Tech Today / Basic science / Novel MXene–ZnO composites made with cold sintering process
Novel MXene–ZnO composites made with cold sintering process
July 31, 2018|Eileen De Guire
[Image above] The schematic illustration showing the co-sintering of ceramics and 2D materials using cold sintering processing, and TEM image and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) map of cold sintered 99ZnO-1Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite. The MXene nanosheets are distributed homogeneously along the ZnO grain boundaries, as seen in the TEM image and EDS map. Credit: MRI/Penn State
Materials scientists invented composites to marry dissimilar materials and gain a new material whose sum is greater than the parts. It's a smart strategy that has proven effective with many materials and many applications. Familiar examples are everywhere—SiC–SiC composites, cemented carbide cutting tools, fiberglass reinforced polymers, etc.
But, composites aren't always so easy to make. Like a good marriage, there has to be enough contrast to make the union interesting and useful, but enough compatibility for the materials to work together. When it comes to composites with ceramic constituents, compatibility during processing can limit the types of materials that can be joined together, especially if synthesis involves heat.
A new paper published in Advanced Materials shows that thermal processing may cease to be a barrier thanks to recent advances in cold sintering processing (CSP). And, the paper reports success making composites with wildly dissimilar materials. Each constituent brings functional properties, and the composite's properties are better than either constituent alone—a hallmark of a good marriage.
The research collaboration between Clive Randall's group at Pennsylvania State University and Yury Gogotsi's group at Drexel University demonstrated the feasibility of using cold sintering to densify a composite of zinc oxide and the MXene compound, Ti3C2Tx. The collaboration sprouted from an NSF-sponsored workshop on the role of ceramics and glass on meeting society's grand challenges, which both researchers attended.
MXenes are 2-D transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides made by selectively etching MAX phases. Their properties can be tuned with selection of the metallic elements—transition metal M (Ti, V, Cr, Ta, Mo, Nb, etc.,) and group A element (Al, Si, Sn, In, etc.). The etchant leaves surface functional groups, which can be engineered for desired surface reactivity. In the chemical formula, Tx designates the surface-terminating functional group: oxygen, hydroxyl, or fluorine.
MXenes have near-metallic conductivity, but are susceptible to oxidation, especially at elevated temperatures. Zinc oxide is semiconducting, but susceptible to uneven grain growth during sintering, typically at temperatures approaching 1,000°C.
Cold sintering densifies ceramics at temperatures up to 300°C by balancing mass transport driven by temperature, pressure, time, and water content. At those temperatures, materials scientists can think of composites made with unexpected constituent pairings.
Graduate students from the two groups made continuous-matrix composites by combining 0.5–5 wt% MXene with ZnO nanoparticles. Interestingly, the composite performed better than either constituent alone. That is, the two materials worked together to make a composite with better properties than either material alone has.
The press release summarizes the impressive results: "The metallic MXene coated the ceramic powder and formed continuous two-dimensional grain boundaries, which prevented grain growth, increased the conductivity by two orders of magnitude, transforming semiconducting zinc oxide into a metallic ceramic, and doubled hardness of the final product. The addition of MXene also improved the ability of zinc oxide to transform heat to electricity."
"This is one of a series of examples showing the ability to design grain boundaries in ways we previously couldn't do," Randall says in an interview. "Now we can be proactive, adding unusual phases not even in the phase diagram and dissimilar phases."
"This is the first ceramic composite containing MXene," Gogotsi says in the release. "Taking into account that about thirty MXenes with diverse properties are already available, we are opening a new chapter in research on ceramic matrix composites, with potential applications ranging from electronics to batteries and thermoelectrics."
The paper is "Cold sintered ceramic nanocomposites of 2D MXene and zinc oxide," by Jing Guo, et al., Advanced Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801846
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Hot Air Ballooning Over Cappadocia's Incredible Landscape
by Kaushik Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Cappadocia is an area in Central Anatolia in Turkey with the most dramatic landscape in Europe. Over thousands of years, wind and rain eroded layers of sandstone and consolidated volcanic ash to form the lunar-like landscape with fairy chimneys rock formations. During the 4th to 13th century AD, occupants of the area dug tunnels into the exposed rock face to build residences, stores, and churches which are home to irreplaceable Byzantine art. Because of the unique geological, historic, and cultural features, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination, and hot-air ballooning is a favorite sport.
The Cappadocia region was formed as a result of volcanic eruption approximately 9 to 3 million years ago. Over hundreds and thousands of years, the sedimentary rocks and deposits from volcanoes were eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms, that reach heights of 40 meters. Within these rock formations people have excavated a network of caves which served as refuges, residences, storage and places of worship dating from the 4th century. The tunnel complexes formed entire towns with as many as eight different stories hidden underground, making it one of the world's largest cave dwelling complexes.
Cappadocia was inhabited as early as the Hittite era, circa 1800 to 1200 B.C. and later sat uncomfortably on the boundary between rival empires; first the Greeks and Persians and later the Byzantine Greeks and a host of rivals. This precarious political position meant that residents needed hiding places—and found them by tunneling into the rock itself.
During the early days of Christianity, the caves of Cappadocia gave refugee to Christians fleeing Rome's persecution who arrived in some numbers and established monastic communities here. The monks excavated extensive dwellings and monasteries and created Byzantine frescoed paintings in cave chapels beginning in the seventh century, which endure in well-preserved isolation to this day.
Not all of Cappadocia's troglodyte dwellings are museums. Some still serve as homes and others as hotels, which offer a truly unique hospitality experience.
Sources: 1, 2, 3
Hot Air Ballooning Over Cappadocia's Incredible Landscape Reviewed by Kaushik on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Rating: 5
Tags : Caves Landmarks Towns Turkey