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AppLovin Adds Instacart Chief Operating Officer Asha Sharma to Its Board of Directors
Asha Sharma (Photo: Business Wire)
August 16, 2021 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ: APP), a leading marketing software company, today announced the appointment of Instacart Chief Operating Officer Asha Sharma to its Board of Directors, effective August 10.
"Asha has built an incredible career revolutionizing mobile platforms, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our Board of Directors," said Adam Foroughi, co-founder and CEO of AppLovin. "At AppLovin, we are laser-focused on supporting the next generation of innovative developers, and Asha's proven track record for creating beloved product experiences used by millions of people, as well as her deep expertise scaling teams in high growth environments, will be critical in helping us realize the enormous opportunity ahead."
Sharma currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Instacart, where she oversees product, marketing and operations for the company, including the Instacart App, Instacart Logistics and Instacart Enterprise. Prior to joining Instacart, Sharma held senior roles at Facebook, including Vice President of Product for many of the company's private communications products across Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. During her time at Facebook, she also previously served as Vice President of Product for Messenger, and before that, as Head of Product for Social Impact. She was previously Chief Operating Officer at Porch Group, a home services software provider, and held marketing and operations roles at Microsoft. Sharma currently sits on the board of Porch Group and previously served on the boards of Help Scout and Virginia Mason Medical Center. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
"I'm inspired by AppLovin's mission to help developers scale their businesses and deliver meaningful value to customers around the world," said Sharma. "The customer should be at the forefront of every developer's product decisions, and I'm excited to join the Board and work with Adam and his team as they continue to find new ways to support their ecosystem on their product journeys. I believe AppLovin is well positioned to help grow the entire mobile app universe, and I'm looking forward to working alongside the team as they embark on this next chapter of growth."
For more information on AppLovin's leadership team, visit: https://www.applovin.com/leadership/.
About AppLovin
AppLovin's leading marketing software provides developers with a powerful, integrated set of solutions to grow their businesses. AppLovin enables developers to market, monetize, analyze and publish their apps. The company's first party content includes over 200+ popular, engaging apps and its technology brings that content to millions of users around the world. AppLovin is headquartered in Palo Alto, California with several offices globally.
ir@applovin.com
Emelyne Interior
press@applovin.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This is another one from a Stuart Robertson Reynolds photo. I love the personality of this little gal. Thank you again, Stuart!
As a bird lover I say: do more birds!!
I'm a follower of your blog for some years now and I once was so inspired by your style that I wanted to paint a black bird like you would do it. Don't ask about the result... it's not completely awful, actually it's hanging in my bedroom but has nothing in common with your wonderful loose style of painting.
Love this one (and yesterday's too)!


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You are here:	Lexxion > State Aid Blogs > State Aid Uncovered > Bank Recapitalisation that Conforms to the Market Economy Investor Principle
Bank Recapitalisation that Conforms to the Market Economy Investor Principle
29. August 2017 | State Aid Uncovered by Phedon Nicolaides
A public authority acts like a private investor when it injects capital in a stricken bank if there is a realistic prospect of sufficient return that compensates it for the risk it bears.
Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) is the largest bank in Portugal and is now fully owned by the State.
In June 2012, Portugal notified to the Commission a number of recapitalisation measures in favour of CGD so that the latter could meet its solvency requirements. The recapitalisation measures consisted of injection of public money in the form of share capital amounting to €750 million and the subscription of convertible instruments (CoCos) issued by CGD amounting to €900 million. The Commission authorised the recapitalisation measures in July 2012 and a related restructuring plan in 2013.
The 2013 restructuring plan aimed to reduce labour costs and non-performing loans. In addition, the Commission imposed "behavioural" restrictions such as a ban on advertising State support, a ban on aggressive commercial practices, an acquisition ban and a restriction on the remuneration of CGD managers.
In compliance with the banking guidelines in force at the time, the 2013 restructuring provided for burden-sharing in the form of no payment of dividends and interest to preferred shareholders and subordinate bondholders.
Because the 2013 restructuring plan did not achieve its expected targets, in December 2016 Portugal notified to the Commission additional recapitalisation measures. At the same time, the Portuguese government, acting in its capacity as shareholder, replaced the management team of CGD.
This article reviews the Commission's assessment of the new measures and restructuring plan in decision SA.47178.[1]
What makes this case unusual is that it is one of the few instances where injection of public money did not constitute State aid. The recapitalisation was expected to generate sufficient return that would satisfy a private investor and therefore it conformed to the market economy investor principle.
This case also raises the following question: Had the recapitalisation not conformed to the MEIP, how would burden-sharing apply? The State was the sole shareholder. It would have to be bailed-in and in the process it would have lost part or all of its capital. Would that qualify as State aid? As I explain at the end of this article, the lost capital would not be State aid. But the aim of the burden-sharing which is to prevent moral hazard and reduce the cost to taxpayers would have been defeated.
The 2016 Restructuring Plan
The new restructuring plan identified the weaknesses of the previous plan such as unrealistic assumptions about how market conditions would develop; insufficient reduction of costs; and slow adjustment of fees and rates to changing market conditions.
"(126) The main conclusions, supported by benchmarking against the performance of other banks, are that CGD's weaknesses are explained by unsatisfactory risk and non-performing loan [NPL] management, inadequate pricing, leading to a structurally too low net interest margin, and a lack of active restructuring measures when business environment deteriorates unexpectedly."
To address those weaknesses, the 2016 recapitalisation measures aimed to strengthen risk management (through centralised credit risk assessment and monitoring), adjust the domestic operational infrastructure (through reduction of branches and employees) and restructure the international operations of CGD (through divestment and focusing of the operations on particular products and areas). All these objectives were costed and specific quantitative targets were set. The total amount of the various new measures was estimated to be about €6 billion. The Portuguese State would remain the sole shareholder.
The restructuring plan included the following measures:
A: Transfer of shares of Parcaixa Holding SGPS [Parcaixa], which was owned by the State, to CGD (to reduce the capital needs of CGD).
B: Transfer of CoCos held by the State to CGD.
C: Issuing of €500 million of Tier 1 instruments to be subscribed by investors not related to the State.
D: Issuing of €2.5 billion of new ordinary shares to be subscribed by the State.
Market Economy Investor Principle
Portugal argued that the recapitalisation was free of State aid because it acted as a private shareholder would have done.
The Commission, first, noted that the EU is neutral with respect to the system of property ownership (Article 345 TFEU). Then it examined whether a private shareholder would have injected the same amount of money in the bank.
Measure A concerned the transfer of shares from a subsidiary to CGD. The Commission explained that "(118) due to the implementation of Basel III rules, […], minority shareholding from subsidiaries will be progressively excluded from regulatory capital. The implementation of this rule will, for Parcaixa alone (which is 51% owned by CGD and 49% owned by Parpública Holding), decrease the capital of CGD by EUR 0.5 billion."
"(119) In a similar situation, a private investor owning both 100% of a bank and the minority shareholding of a subsidiary of that bank would have a strong incentive to rationalise its investment and to transfer the shares of the subsidiary to the bank. In the absence of a transfer of such transfer, the investor would either have to inject additional capital in the bank, i.e. putting additional money at risk without increasing its return, or accept a dilution of its shareholding leading to a loss of control and the split of the profits of the bank. A private investor would therefore prefer transferring the shares of the subsidiary to the bank."
However, measures B and D resulted in increased risk for the State because they converted a hybrid capital instrument into equity and because they injected additional equity into CGD, respectively. The Commission considered that those measures would be acceptable to a private creditor or investor only if the additional risk was sufficiently remunerated. The calculations of expected remuneration would have to be based on "robust and prudent assumptions under which an investor would take a similar investment decision."
The Commission noted that "(137) as CGD did not restore its profitability despite implementing the Restructuring plan approved in 2013, a private investor would verify whether the [the new plan] is more solid and comprehensive than the Restructuring plan. In other words, a private investor would try to ensure that the [the new plan] has a much higher probability of restoring market-conform profitability of CGD."
After reviewing the new plan, the Commission concluded that the new plan "(140) correctly identifies the weaknesses in the operations of CGD and includes an ambitious and robust roadmap to address them. The operational restructuring envisaged in the [the new plan] appears to be in line with what would be required by a private investor."
However, this was not the end of the assessment. This is because, according to the Commission, "(141) a private investor, being either an existing shareholder of CGD or an external investor contemplating the purchase of the new shares to be issued by CGD, would find a capital plan credible if the capital needs of the Bank are correctly calculated and if the proposed way to cover them are appropriate. A private investor would notably try to minimise the amount of new equity to be raised, by generating capital through internal measures and by raising capital instruments other than equity, i.e. ordinary shares."
The Commission found that "(145) CGD's capital needs, as envisaged in the [new plan], seem to be calculated in a correct manner", and that "(148) no other internal measures seem immediately available to cover the residual capital needs of EUR 2.5 billion." "(149) Therefore, a private investor would also consider that CGD needs a capital injection of up to EUR 2.5 billion". "(150) It seems therefore that the proposed approach to cover the capital needs fulfils the requirements of a private investor, since it minimises the amount of new equity by first taking internal capital generating measures."
More importantly, the Commission also examined the likely return on investment. The Portuguese authorities estimated the yearly internal rate of return for a new investor at 10-20%. The Commission analysed the assumptions and calculations of Portugal.
Because some assumptions appeared to be too optimistic, the Commission calculated "(175) the expected return on the EUR 2.5 billion new money if one assumes that the value of CGD at end 2020 will correspond to the accounting equity at that time (i.e. price to book ratio of 1)". The Commission also assumed that CoCos, i.e. measure B, would be converted to equity.
It explained that "(177) using as assumptions that measure B and measure D are made based on a value of CGD pre-recapitalisation of [0-1] times its equity, a [0-5] year period and a final value of EUR [6000-10000] million in 2020, the internal rate of return on measures B and D is estimated between [10-15%] and [10-15%] per year." "(178) Returns on the market are currently very low with a risk-free interest rate close to 0 (10-year German government bonds). […] Therefore a yearly internal return on investment between [10-15%] and [10-15%] can be considered as satisfactory given the high risk premium offered by CGD and the premium offered to the equity investor compared to AT1 instrument to be issued on the market. An internal rate on return between [10-15%] and [10-15%] would be sufficient for a private investor. This conclusion is also consistent with the required rate of return, as estimated by Portugal, namely [10-20%]".
On the basis of the above analysis, the Commission concluded that "(180) the State as a shareholder of CGD appointed a new experienced management team which drafted the [new plan]. The latter ensures the return of CGD to long-term viability and projects a deep restructuring of the Bank, in line with actions a private investor would require after investing in the Bank".
"(181) However, to successfully implement the [new plan], CGD needs additional capital. […] the capital needs have been determined on the basis of income projections in the Industrial Plan and an assessment of asset value validated by an external auditor."
"(182) Therefore, a private investor would accept to participate in the capital increase necessary to implement the [new plan] provided that the terms of the recapitalisation, i.e. the terms of the measures, their sequencing and also their return on investment are satisfactory. Whilst measure B alone does not cover the capital needs of CGD, it is necessary for the successful implementation of measure D. A private creditor would accept the conversion of CoCos if it receives enough shares offering an attractive return. Finally, measure D is also in line with the MEIP provided that the return on investment of the new shares is satisfactory."
"(183) It would have been possible to offer a market conform return both to new investors and to the converted CoCos holders. The return on investment seems to have been overestimated in the simulations made by the State. However, after adjustments by the Commission, the expected return could still be in line with market requirements for similar transactions."
"(184) Therefore the Commission concludes, on the basis of the notified [new plan] […], that CGD could obtain the same measures from the market and therefore measures B and D are in line with, respectively, the private creditor test and the MEIP."
However, the Commission went on to consider the compatibility of the amendments that Portugal had notified concerning the 2013 restructuring plan.
In particular, it examined the impact on competition and burden-sharing. In relation to the latter, it should be pointed out that when the 2013 restructuring plan was approved, the 2013 Banking Communication had not come into force. While the Banking Communication requires bail-in of creditors, the earlier restructuring communication only sought to prevent banks from using State aid to remunerate own funds when their activities did not generate sufficient profits. The only restriction imposed was on the prohibition of bonuses to managers, the distribution of dividends to shareholders and the payment of coupons to bondholders.
The Commission found no significant distortion of competition, while the burden-sharing was sufficient.
A Concluding Speculative Thought
At the time of its recapitalisation, CGD was 100% State-owned. One wonders what would have happened, had the Commission concluded that the recapitalisation included State aid. The State as a shareholder would have to be bailed-in in compliance with the burden-sharing requirements of the 2013 Banking Communication.
The bailing-in would immediately raise the following question. Would the capital that would have been written-off be considered as State aid, since it belonged to the State? I do not think so. The State in this situation would be merely acting in accordance with the rules that apply to shareholders. It would have no option but to conform to EU rules. Therefore, the write-off could not be attributed to a decision of the State.
This is the legal situation. But the economic situation would be different. Whereas private shareholders would be resisting as much as possible any bail-in (as shown by the many legal challenges to recent bail-ins), the State would be indifferent. Whatever it would save from not being bailed-in, it would have to make up with additional State aid. For the already State-owned banks, the new rules of the banking union, that are supposed to sever the link between banks and sovereigns, are not really binding.
In the case of State-owned banks, the requirement for burden-sharing would not reduce the burden on tax payers. Perhaps, then, the banking union rules, in particular those of the Single Resolution Mechanism and the Banking Recovery and Resolution Directive, need to be revised so that the Single Resolution Fund or the national resolution funds always contribute first before any money is committed by the State either in its capacity as shareholder or as a public authority. The Single Resolution Fund and the corresponding national funds are capitalised with contributions by banks themselves. They are supposed to provide funds before State aid, but their regulations do not take into account the possibility that the State is now also a shareholder and can lose its capital. But when the State is bailed-in as a shareholder, it is taxpayers who are the ultimate losers. This was not the intention of the banking union.
[1] The full text of the Commission decision can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/cases/267912/267912_1899392_142_2.pdf
european commission market economy investor principle MEOP state recapitalisation
Evaluation of EU State Aid Rules: Need for Greater Transparency
On Friday, 30 November 2020, the European Commission published a Staff Working Document [SWD(2020) 257 final] presenting and assessing the results of the evaluation of the main State aid rules of the EU. The SWD explains the aims of the State Aid Modernisation [SAM] that was launched in 2012 and summarises the findings of the Fitness Check of the GBER, […]
MEIP-Compliant Bank Recapitalisation: CEC Bank
An investor who is already a shareholder would take into account not only the return on new investment but also the impact on the overall profitability of the company in which capital is injected. Update on Temporary Framework: Number of approved and published covid-19 measures, as of 14 August 2020: 252* Legal basis: Article 107(2)(b): 27; Article 107(3)(b): 211; Article […]
2019 Competition Report
The Annual Competition Report is a useful document, but it should provide more information on the results of the ex post evaluations and ex post monitoring. Update on Temporary Framework: Number of approved and published COVID-19 measures, as of 10 July 2020: 202* Legal basis: Article 107(2)(b): 20; Article 107(3)(b): 171; Article 107(3)(c): 17 Six Member States have implemented 11 […]
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Private Investor and Preferential Regulatory Treatment
The existence of an advantage has to be proven, not presumed just because its absence cannot be confirmed. Preferential treatment may distort competition but it is not necessarily State aid if there is no transfer of state resources. Temporary Framework: Number of approved covid-19 measures, as of 5 June 2020: 148* Legal basis: Article 107(2)(b): 13; Article 107(3)(b): 125; Article […]
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We are happy to share with you an update on the Covid-19 measures that are or will be adopted in Cyprus. Our guest auhor Michail Kamperis is a lawyer and partner at the law firm of Ierotheou, Kamperis & Co. LLC Nicosia, Cyprus. * Sign up for our free news alert Sign Up For Free Cyprus is one of […]


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The Oceanography of Grønfjorden and Billefjorden (GrønBille)
The circulation of warm and saline Atlantic Water (AW) around the Svalbard archipelago is regarded as a critical factor for the Svalbard climate and cryosphere (Årthun et al., 2012). The West Spitsbergen Current (WSC), which is the northernmost extension of the global thermohaline circulation, transports the warm and saline AW northward (Walczowski
oceans / coastal processes / fjords
The circulation of warm and saline Atlantic Water (AW) around the Svalbard archipelago is regarded as a critical factor for the Svalbard climate and cryosphere (Årthun et al., 2012). The West Spitsbergen Current (WSC), which is the northernmost extension of the global thermohaline circulation, transports the warm and saline AW northward (Walczowski et al. 2005, Schauer et al., 2008; Pavlov et al. 2012 in press). On its way around Svalbard, AW undergoes substantial cooling and subsequently releases most of its heat to the atmosphere. The heat fluxes between ocean and atmosphere, as well as the direct exchange of AW on the adjacent shelf are processes shaping the climate in this region. The amount of AW transported onto the shelf will have a large impact on sea ice conditions locally (Cottier et al. 2007; Nilsen et al., 2008; Tverberg and Nøst 2009; Pavlov et al., 2010; Pavlov et al., 2012 in press) and has implications for the exchange of key zooplankton components (Willis et al. 2006). Large-scale wind patterns can control the onshore/offshore transports through a variation of the AW core position over the continental slope (Cottier et al. 2006; Dmitrenko et al. 2006, , Pavlov et al. 2012 in press) Prime objective: •	To analyse long-term data on variability, patterns and trends in the physical environment affecting the timing of blooms in Billefjorden and Grønnfjorden Secondary objectives: •	Assemble data records of fjord and coastal measurements of physical and biological parameters extending over time periods to permit inter – annual to decadal assessment of change, including data from Billefjorden, Grønnfjorden and Isfjorden •	Elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the temporal variability of continental slope-shelf-fjord exchange processes
Ragnheid Skogseth
Stig Falk-Petersen
Jørgen Berge
Frank Nilsen
University of Tromsø (UiT)
Fac.for Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics
University St. Petersburg State (SPBU)


so it's not raining right now, which is great. but it's suppose to rain tomorrow and sunday.
I'M TIRED OF THE RAIN!
Philly area is supposed to get rain tomorrow and Sunday too... But beautiful Saturday. :) I dunno. I like the rain when I don't have to go anywhere.
i'll stop doing the rain dance.
has it been sunny all this time?
TOday was the first to have over 9 hours of sun light. The last day like this was maybe 2 months ago.
i'm going to tahoe. i'm hoping it won't rain to and from.
oh.. you're going with nicky and heather?
yeah i know! thank god!


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Isaiah's Pfizer Testimonial
By Dr Peter Munch…, 30 April, 2021
In an interview with The Defender, Isaiah Harris said he received his first dose of Pfizer on April 8 and second dose on April 30. Within 12 hours of the second dose, the teen developed a fever and chills. His father, Justin Harris, initially didn't think much about it because he got sick after both doses of the Moderna vaccine, although his symptoms weren't serious.
That wasn't the case for Isaiah. Within 48 hours of the second dose, Isaiah's heart started hurting "very very bad" and things started going downhill fast. Harris said they grew really concerned when their son started having trouble breathing.
"We took him to the hospital but they didn't take him seriously," Harris said. "We waited in the waiting room for over two hours and then they left him in a hallway for six hours. Things went from bad to worse while waiting in the hospital. That's when he had his heart attack and one of his lungs filled up with fluid."
Harris said it wasn't until his wife — who was the only one allowed with Isaiah in the hallway due to COVID restrictions — told the staff multiple times her son was having a heart attack that they put him in a room and ran the EKG.
Isaiah's EKG was abnormal and his numbers kept getting worse. At one point, 80% of Isaiah's heart was inflamed and only 40% was functioning. Isaiah's troponin levels were so high doctors said he had suffered a heart attack.
"Doctors kept denying it was the vaccine," Harris said. "They didn't want to say it was that. Then a nurse brought in a study showing the vaccine could cause myocarditis."
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle that can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and death. According to researchers at the National Organization for Rare Disorders, myocarditis can result from infections, but "more commonly the myocarditis is a result of the body's immune reaction to the initial heart damage."
Isaiah was hospitalized for four days for "acute myocarditis," Harris said.
"Doctors were saying six months of total bed rest with medications to numb his heart. That's when I got a hold of the surgeon general of Arkansas and he gave us the link to VAERS because the hospital didn't do anything."
VAERS is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Adverse Reaction Reporting System.
Harris said he is bothered that the CDC is "passing this off" and "isn't doing thorough research into this."
Facing long recovery,
Isaiah regrets getting the vaccine
Isaiah had a best friend with connections at the Cleveland Clinic who got him an appointment with Dr. Allan Klein, a heart specialist and director of the pericardial center at the Cleveland Clinic.
"The doctor at Cleveland is doing research on myocarditis. He's seen 100 patients personally with myocarditis from the vaccine, and did early research on this when there were just 77 cases," Harris said.
Isaiah, who graduated from community college as a senior in high school, said his condition right now is better than it was but he's still in a little bit of pain.
"The swelling has gone down," Isaiah said. "I used to lift every day but for three to six months I cannot do any physical activity. The most I can do is walk my dog. If I get my heart rate up, it can reoccur and I could have another heart attack."
Isaiah said he had no pre-existing conditions prior to suffering a heart attack. "I was fairly healthy. I lift quite a bit. I'm active. I used to play football. No history of viruses or myocarditis."
When asked if he would recommend the vaccine to other teens, Isaiah said, "I am not anti-vaccine, but I do not think anyone should get this vaccine. Even in Canada I was talking to someone and it was being lowered to one dose for teens and they're still having issues."
Isaiah's father said:
"I'll be honest with you. I used to think anti-vaxxers were different and my wife had already decided she wasn't going to get the vaccine. For my other two boys, it was an option for them, but they opted out. Isaiah decided because he's more social to get the vaccine and now I'm totally against it. The doctors said Isaiah cannot get the booster and vaccines are out for him."
Harris said he's totally against the vaccine, even though he got the Moderna shot, because the vaccines are causing myocarditis in older people, too. It's just too dangerous and there aren't enough studies, he said.
"Isaiah would have been better off to have COVID and be healthy than have a possible life-long issue with his heart, and now another possible heart attack if he over extends himself in the next three to six months," Harris said.
"To look at Isaiah on the outside, he looks normal, but once you look at his numbers and the heart scans, it shows the inflammation — it shows a true case of myocarditis," Harris said.
Harris said he thought he was doing the right thing and has an overwhelming feeling of guilt. He said:
"I think you know, I feel as a parent — there were two sides of it. My wife didn't want him to get vaccinated and as a dad, I wanted him to because Isaiah is very outgoing and he's getting ready to enter pharmaceutical school at UAMS and I wanted him to be safe.
"Hearing the government push it — no matter if it was a republican or democrat president — this is what you need to do. I had hesitation but I did okay with Moderna. But I have an overwhelming guilt that I set up the appointment for Isaiah and encouraged him to go get it, even though he made his own choice. I helped him get the vaccine. I think as parents, maybe we need to step back and help educate ourselves and others. That's why we finally shared his story — to educate people."
Isaiah said, "I believe President Biden said in a recent statement that if you aren't vaccinated, you'll end up paying the price or you'll have to wear a mask, but I'd rather have COVID than a heart attack."
According to the latest data from VAERS, there have been 1,117 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis (heart inflammation) in all age groups reported in the U.S. following COVID vaccination between Dec.14, 2020 and June 11, 2021. Of the 1,117 cases reported, 686 cases were attributed to Pfizer, 391 cases to Moderna and 36 cases to Johnson & Johnson's COVID vaccine.
Children's Health Defense asks anyone who has experienced an adverse reaction, to any vaccine, to file a report following these three steps.
[6-22-21] ©Children's Health Defense, Inc. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of Children's Health Defense, Inc. Want to learn more from Children's Health Defense? Sign up for free news and updates from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the Children's Health Defense. Your donation will help to support us in our efforts.
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2021-08-25 , by Dr Peter Munch…
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Rural and urban differences in treatment status among children with surgical conditions in Uganda.
In low and middle-income countries, approximately 85% of children have a surgically treatable condition before the age of 15. Within these countries, the burden of pediatric surgical conditions falls heaviest on those in rural areas. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between rurality, surgical condition and treatment status among a cohort of Ugandan children.
We identified 2176 children from 2315 households throughout Uganda using the Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) survey. Children were randomly selected and were included in the study if they were 18 years of age or younger and had a surgical condition. Location of residence, surgical condition, and treatment status was compared among children.
Of the 305 children identified with surgical conditions, 81.9% lived in rural areas. The most prevalent causes of surgical conditions reported among rural and urban children were masses (24.0% and 25.5%, respectively), followed by wounds due to injury (19.6% and 16.4%, respectively). Among children with untreated surgical conditions, 79.1% reside in rural areas while 20.9% reside in urban areas. Among children with untreated surgical conditions, the leading reason for not seeking surgical care among children living in both rural and urban areas was a lack of money (40.6% and 31.4%, respectively), and the leading reason for not receiving care in both rural and urban settings was a lack of money (48.0% and 42.8%, respectively).
Our data suggest that over half of the children with a surgical condition surveyed are not receiving surgical care and a large majority of children with surgical needs were living in rural areas. Future interventions aimed at increasing surgical access in rural areas in low-income countries are needed.
Severe maternal outcomes in eastern Ethiopia: Application of the adapted maternal near miss tool.
With the reduction of maternal mortality, maternal near miss (MNM) has been used as a complementary indicator of maternal health. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of MNM in eastern Ethiopia using an adapted sub-Saharan Africa MNM tool and compare its applicability with the original WHO MNM tool.
We applied the sub-Saharan Africa and WHO MNM criteria to 1054 women admitted with potentially life-threatening conditions (including 28 deaths) in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital and Jugel Hospital between January 2016 and April 2017. Discharge records were examined to identify deaths or women who developed MNM according to the sub-Saharan or WHO criteria. We calculated and compared MNM and severe maternal outcome ratios. Mortality index (ratio of maternal deaths to SMO) was calculated as indicator of quality of care.
The sub-Saharan Africa criteria identified 594 cases of MNM and all the 28 deaths while the WHO criteria identified 128 cases of MNM and 26 deaths. There were 7404 livebirths during the same period. This gives MNM ratios of 80 versus 17 per 1000 live births for the adapted and original WHO criteria. Mortality index was 4.5% and 16.9% in the adapted and WHO criteria respectively. The major difference between the two criteria can be attributed to eclampsia, sepsis and differences in the threshold for transfusion of blood.
The sub-Saharan Africa criteria identified all the MNM cases identified by the WHO criteria and all the maternal deaths. Applying the WHO criteria alone will cause under reporting of MNM cases (including maternal deaths) in this low-resource setting. The mortality index of 4.5% among women who fulfilled the adapted MNM criteria justifies labeling these women as having 'life-threatening conditions'.
Provision of post-crash first aid by traffic police in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a cross-sectional survey.
The availability of prehospital trauma care is an important means of reducing serious injuries and fatalities associated with road traffic injuries (RTIs). Lay responders such as traffic police play an important role in the provision of prehospital trauma care to RTI victims, especially where there is no established prehospital care system. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate knowledge, self-reported practice, and attitudes toward post-crash first aid among traffic police officers in Tanzania.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between July-September 2017 to investigate knowledge, self-reported practice and attitude among traffic police officers during provision of post-crash care. We used simple random technique to recruit 340 traffic police officers, self -administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The researchers used descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square tests to analyze the data.
A total of 340 traffic police officers were surveyed. Nearly two thirds (65.3%) reported having had post-crash first aid on-the job training; a slightly larger proportion (70.9%) reported that they had cared for RTI victims in the previous year. The survey responses showed that, generally, traffic police officers' level of knowledge about post-crash first aid to RTI victims was low-about 3% of the surveyed officers possessed knowledge at a level considered good. Also, there was a statistically significant correlation between higher educational attainment and greater knowledgeability (p = 0.015). Almost all of the officers (96%) had a positive attitude toward providing post-crash first aid to RTI victims.
Improved training of Tanzania traffic police officers, by means of an updated post-crash first aid curriculum and updated resources is recommended. Also, user-friendly post-crash first aid leaflets should be provided to traffic police for their reference.
The lucky ones get cured: Health care seeking among women with pelvic organ prolapse in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
The majority of women suffering from maternal morbidities live in resource-constrained settings with diverse barriers preventing access to quality biomedical health care services. This study aims to highlight the dynamics between the public health system and alternative healing through an exploration of the experiences of health care seeking among women living with severe symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse in an impoverished setting.
The data were collected through ethnographic fieldwork at the hospital and community levels in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The fieldwork included participant observation, 42 semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions over a period of one year. A group of 24 women with severe symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse served as the study's main informants. Other central groups of informants included health care providers, local healers and actors from the health authorities and non-governmental organisations.
Three case stories were chosen to illustrate the key findings related to health care seeking among the informants. The women strove to find remedies for their aggravating ailment, and many navigated between and combined various available healing options both within and beyond the health care sector. Their choices were strongly influenced by poverty, by lack of knowledge about the condition, by their religious and spiritual beliefs and by the shame and embarrassment related to the condition. An ongoing health campaign in the study area providing free surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse enabled a study of the experiences related to the introduction of free health services targeting maternal morbidity.
This study highlights how structural barriers prevent women living in a resource-constrained setting from receiving health care for a highly prevalent and readily treatable maternal morbidity such as pelvic organ prolapse. Our results illustrate that the provision of free quality services may dramatically alter both health-and illness-related perceptions and conduct in an extremely vulnerable population.
Rosai‐Dorfman Disease (RDD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disease with limited cases reported in sub‐Saharan Africa, potentially due to a lack of pathological services throughout the region. RDD diagnosis can be difficult, especially in resource‐limited setting, as symptoms can be nearly identical to more common causes of lymphadenopathy.
Background: Sudan one of the largest countries in Africa. In recent survey by Sudan Ministry of Health, congenital heart disease (CHD) was found to be one of the top eight diseases that lead to death of children in Sudan. The cost of surgical operation, follow up and diagnosis are expensive and this may result some children present with complications. The aim of this study is to assess the role of diaspora and non-governmental organization (NGO) in helping Sudanese children with CHD.
Methods: We assess the 6 years' experience in charitable initiative established by Sudanese consultant pediatric intensivist and cardiologist working in Doha, Qatar in partnership with NGO in Gulf countries and Sudan. Examples of these organizations were Patient Helping Fund (PHF) the largest medical charity in Sudan, Eid Althani charity association in Qatar with collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH), Ministry of Health in Khartoum and Gazira states. We established the program of providing suitable care for in need children.
Result: A total of 104 out of the 222 complex defects were considered for surgery, 118 underwent cardiac catheter interventions. The 30-days post-operative mortality was 14/222 (6.3%). The most essential post-surgical complications were postpericardiotomy syndrome, bleeding, and sepsis. Malnutrition poor socioeconomic status is significant factors negatively impact the outcomes. All surviving patients (n=208) remain in good clinical condition, and most are asymptomatic without any medications.
Conclusions: The collaboration of Sudanese pediatrician living outside Sudan with local and international NGOs can significantly improve child health in Sudan.
Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was introduced in Europe, Asia and America over four decades ago, East Africa and Africa as a whole has been slow in taking up this very important minimally invasive procedure for the management of various hepatopancreaticobiliary conditions. This has led to reliance on open surgery for even simple benign biliary strictures, stones and malignant causes of biliary and pancreatic duct obstruction that can be treated endoscopically without a need for a morbid open surgical intervention. In Uganda, ERCP was introduced in January 2017 after obtaining training and equipment support from Senior Experten Service (SES), German. We therefore report the first six cases of ERCP performed at our endoscopy unit.
This is a case series report of six patients referred with yellowing of eyes and body itching as the main complaints. They predominantly had raised gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. They also had different imaging investigations demonstrating hepatic ducts dilatation.
Four out of the six patients had complete post ERCP symptom resolution. One patient had partial symptom resolution and the other patient recovered after conversion to open surgery.
Collaborative skills transfer made ERCP feasible in our institute and this marked the start of this specialised service in Uganda.
The objective of this study was to describe the experience of a volunteering neurosurgeon during an 18-week stay at the Neurosurgery Education and Development (NED) Institute and to report the general situation regarding the development of neurosurgery in Zanzibar, identifying the challenges and opportunities and explaining the NED Foundation's model for safe practice and sustainability.
The NED Foundation deployed the volunteer neurosurgeon coordinator (NC) for an 18-week stay at the NED Institute at the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Stonetown, Zanzibar. The main roles of the NC were as follows: management of patients, reinforcement of weekly academic activities, coordination of international surgical camps, and identification of opportunities for improvement. The improvement opportunities were categorized as clinical, administrative, and sociocultural and were based on observations made by the NC as well as on interviews with local doctors, administrators, and government officials.
During the 18-week period, the NC visited 460 patients and performed 85 surgical procedures. Four surgical camps were coordinated on-site. Academic activities were conducted weekly. The most significant challenges encountered were an intense workload, deficient infrastructure, lack of self-confidence among local physicians, deficiencies in technical support and repairs of broken equipment, and lack of guidelines. Through a series of interviews, the sociocultural factors influencing the NED Foundation's intervention were determined. Factors identified for success were the activity of neurosurgical societies in East Africa; structured pan-African neurosurgical training; the support of the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS) and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA); motivated personnel; and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar's willingness to collaborate with the NED Foundation.
International collaboration programs should balance local challenges and opportunities in order to effectively promote the development of neurosurgery in East Africa. Support and endorsement should be sought to harness shared resources and experience. Determining the caregiving and educational objectives within the logistic, administrative, social, and cultural framework of the target hospital is paramount to success.


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Dave Stachowiak Podcasts
Dave Stachowiak public [search 0]
Best Dave Stachowiak podcasts we could find (updated January&nbsp2020)
Best Dave Stachowiak podcasts we could find
Related podcasts: Podcasting Education Inspiration Business Leadership Careers Motivation Interviews Entrepreneurship Training Self-Improvement MBA Bonni Stachowiak
Coaching for Leaders
Leaders aren't born, they're made. This Monday show helps you discover leadership wisdom through insightful conversations. Independently produced weekly since 2011, Dr. Dave Stachowiak brings perspective from a thriving, global leadership academy, plus more than 15 years of leadership at Dale Carnegie. Bestselling authors, expert researchers, deep conversation, and regular dialogue with listeners have attracted 10 million downloads and the #1 search result for coaching on Apple Podcasts. Act ...
Ending Human Trafficking Podcast
This biweekly podcast will challenge you to study the issues related to human trafficking, become an educated voice in understanding this global problem, and ultimately make a difference in helping bring it to an end. Sandra Morgan, Director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University of Southern California and Dave Stachowiak, Board Member of the Center, explore issues in each episode that will help educate you to be a helpful voice in ending human trafficking.
Dose of Leadership
Interviews with Leadership Experts
Dose of Leadership with Richard Rierson | Authentic & Courageous Leadership Development
The Dose of Leadership Podcast is the ultimate leadership resource of inspiring and educational interviews with relevant and motivating leaders; real-life leadership & influence experts who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of the truth, common sense, and courageous leadership. The podcast interviews leaders from all aspects of life; business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, military heroes, faith based leaders—all are highlighted on the Dose of Leadership Podcast.
Coaching Matters - Podcasts
Greetings to you from International Coach Federation Hyderabad Chartered Chapter!You are listening to 'Coaching Matters' Podcast Series!!On this show we bring you thought provoking conversations with Masters from across the globe.These interviews are designed to bring out some unique aspects of coaching profession.We sincerely hope that you like and benefit from these interviews. Do share your views, suggestions or feedback on improving this further.
Newest Oldest Longest Shortest show series
Answering "Life's Great Question" with Tom Rath
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215 – Dr. Beth Grant and The Long Road to Restoration29:11
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448: The Value of Being Uncomfortable, with Neil Pasricha35:16
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213 – Ending Human Trafficking Takes the Whole Family29:07
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446: Four Steps to Get Training Results, with Jim Kirkpatrick38:31
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445: How to Support Other Leaders, with Mindy Pankoke, Jeff VandenHoek, and Andrew Mugford29:50
Mindy Pankoke, Jeff VandenHoek, and Andrew Mugford On this SaturdayCast, longtime listeners Mindy, Jeff, and Andrew join Dave to discuss how they've worked together to support each other in their leadership development. They share the importance of setting expectations in advance, getting external perspective, and celebrating key milestones. Key Po…
444: How to Have Learning Meetings, with Lisa Cummings39:21
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212 – Can We Really End Homelessness?27:30
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Discovering Leadership Wisdom with Dave Stachowiak from Coaching With Leaders42:01


Steven Kokkas, a musician from Canada wrote this lovely piece about Ikaria. It's enchanting. Kalo mina to everybody!
A joint Greek-American team of underwater archaeologists have found 22 ancient shipwrecks around Fourni, a small Greek archipelago.
Life expectancy in ...Paradise. Another great documentary about Ikaria. Beautiful footage, interesting interviews. We are waiting for it!


When you get a loan, it can fall into any of the two categories known as secured loan and unsecured loan. It is very important to know what type of loan you are applying or have acquired, so that you can better manage your debt portfolio and develop a plan to pay it faster or at a lower cost. In this post, I will discuss both types of the loans.
Secured Loan : It is granted with a guarantee or collateral backing, so that if the debt falls into arrears, the lender can repossess or take possession of the asset that you have designated as collateral. The same will later be sold, so that lender can recover the borrowed amount. In case the money raised from the sale does not repay the entire debt, the lender will invoice you the difference.
Mortgages are an example of this type of loan. In this case, home is the collateral of the loan and if you stop paying, the lender will start a foreclosure process.
Another loan that falls into this category is the loan for the purchase of car, in which the vehicle is the collateral of the loan. If you stop paying, the vehicle can be repossessed by the concerned party.
Business loans can also fall into this category. In the majority of cases, loans are backed by inventory, machinery, equipment or other business assets.
Another example is secured credit card, which uses money deposit as collateral. This is a good way to start establishing credit.
Because there is a collateral for payment, and the debtor has much to lose if he/she falls into arrears like home or car, these loans have a lower interest rate because they represent a lower risk for the lender.
Unsecured Loan : This type has no collateral for payment, therefore, in the case of default, the lender cannot take any asset to recover the borrowed amount. Failing that, the lender may take other options such as using the services of a collection agency, or go to court to order the attachment of borrower's salary or other assets until the debt is cleared.
Debts for medical bills and services such as gas, water, or electricity fall into this category. In addition, credit cards, personal loans and student loans also come in this category. The students can get this type of loan and learn more about essay help at QualityEssay.co.uk.
Because of the fact that you do not have any kind of asset as a payment guarantee, this type of loan represents a high risk for the lender, so the interest rate is higher. You can have a look at the interest rates of different credit cards offered in the market, especially those offered in department stores. While it is true that this type of debt can be extinguished if you file for bankruptcy, you will have trouble accessing a loan for the next 10 years.
Effects of Loan Type on Your Credit Score : Only 10% of your credit score is determined by the diversity of debt in your portfolio, that is, by a balanced combination of revolving credit cards (unsecured), and term loans such as car loans (secured). So this should not worry you since the most important thing in your credit score is the payment history and level of indebtedness and between them they represent 60% of your score.
Setting Priorities : If at any time you go through financial problems and you have to decide between paying the secured debt and the unsecured debt, it is better to prioritize the secured debt as many assets such as your home or car may be in play.


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How does the French military bunker Maginot Line
• How does the French military bunker Maginot Line
It forts were on a plan to become the creators of the impregnable wall designed to hold back the enemy offensive of the army at the time, until the border is not tightened, the French army. Forts located along the French border near the strategically important roads or settlements at a distance of a few dozen kilometers from each other.
The space between them is covered pillboxes and antitank and antipersonnel obstacles. Forts were divided into two types: small forts (Petit Ouvrage) and large forts (Gros Ouvrage). Today, I will introduce the reader to the device a small fort on the Maginot Line fort example Petit Ouvrage de Rohrbach (hereinafter simply PO Rohrbach).
PO Rohrbach ideal to illustrate the small fort device because of its excellent preservation. Fort completely restored to its original state before the war and all its mechanisms, components and tools are fully functional.
To date, the fort maintained by a group of enthusiasts of military history, and every year is open to visitors on certain days of the week. Wander through the dungeons of the fort can only be a guide as virtually all museum forts of the Maginot Line. This, of course, a minus, but the guide is very understanding responds to human backlog with a camera from the group, so that the photos do no interfere in the frame without the people.
Entrance into the fort through a combat unit №2, which is depicted in the photo. Tours are conducted in German and French, each group with its own guide, respectively. The duration of excursions is more than two hours.
Before proceeding to the description of the internal device of the fort at the beginning conventionally a bit of history. Fort fort Rohrbach is the second generation, its construction began in 1934 and ended in 1938. For the construction of the fort took 6,000 cubic meters of concrete and 500 tons of steel. Originally this place was planned to build a large fort, consisting of 13 warheads, but in the future due to the crisis and lack of money, these plans have been heavily reduced and as a result at the time of its completion in 1938, the fort consisted of three combat units. In this form it remained until the present time.
The workers posing against the backdrop of the second unit is under construction.
September 1, 1939, Germany attacked Poland on September 3 and France declared war on Germany, from this day being mobilized and the fort is filled with soldiers who will leave it only in June 1940, after the capitulation of France. Until May 10, 1940 last period of "phony war", during which both sides of Germany and France sit behind their lines of fortifications and large-scale military action is underway.
After an industrious Germans Maginot line in the Saar region in the area of the region begin hostilities, but in spite of the powerful attacks of the Germans, supported by artillery, the fort was never able to capture and he remained undefeated. After the capitulation of France June 25, 1940 the soldiers of the fort were forced to surrender on honorable terms on the orders of the Supreme Command of the French. A few days later the fort PO Rohrbach was handed over to the Germans, and his lawyers sent to a camp for prisoners of war.
German soldiers near the second unit in 1940.
The second block in our time. The aperture grille with the foreground - the ventilation air intake system of iron armature with wire stretched between them - a radio antenna. Near the entrance loophole machine gun, which was supposed to prevent the approach of the enemy close to the unit. Before the walls of the unit is a so-called diamantovy moat, whose main goal was - to take concrete debris from the walls and the roof in the case of the bombing of the fort aircraft. Thus I avoid blockage exit fort concrete rubble. Bridge spanning the moat at Fort diamantovy closing retract. This door - the only entrance to the fort, with the exception of the emergency exit tunnel.
The German army has not used the fort nor in 1940, nor in the fight against the Allied forces in 1944-45. Because of this fort was injured and almost perfectly preserved in original condition. In 1951, many of the Maginot Line forts including Fort Rohrbach were upgraded and put on alert due to the emergence of a potential new enemy - the Warsaw Pact. But after the creation of the French of their nuclear weapons, the defenses of the Maginot Line completely lost its relevance in 1970 Rohrbach fort was dismissed from the army. In 1987, activists of the local residents with the support of the city of Rohrbach-les-Bitche set about the restoration of the fort, a 1989 established the association "Fort Casso", whose aim was to restore the fort to the pre-war status and opening it to the public.
US troops near the second unit in 1944.
That is all for the history of the fort. Now a few words about the structure of the fort. All forts Maginot line have the same structure and consist of a number of warheads (block 3-4 at small forts and up to twenty blocks in the largest forts defensive lines) interconnected underground tunnels (Poterna). In addition, the underground barracks are located to accommodate personnel, kitchen, electricity, hospital, command post, signalers premises, warehouses for provisions, fuel and ammunition. In fact the fort was a small underground city, able to keep the defense within two months, remaining completely self-contained. The depth of the underground part of the fort Rohrbach 25 meters. This is a safe depth to which the explosive method was impossible to get through, even if the bomb in the same place. The fact that the most powerful bomb at the time when the Maginot Line was built, left a crater six meters deep. The second bomb dropped into the funnel of the first, punching is not six meters, but much less. Thus, to break into the 25-meter depth was impossible to use the weapons of the time. The figure below, though not of this fort, but gives a great idea of how to look like a combat unit of the Maginot Line forts and its underground system.
Driving a small fort PO Rohrbach presented below. As can be seen from the scheme, it consists of a fort three warheads interconnected Poterna, slowness of several hundred meters. Fort has one main entrance, arranged in the second block. In addition, there is also the main emergency exit, which is located at the end of the gallery, originating near the third block. The length of this gallery can be a few hundred meters, and perhaps a kilometer or more. All underground part fort (barracks, kitchen, warehouse, power) is concentrated near the second input unit. In total, the fort served as a PO Rohrbach 182: 6 officers and 176 rank and file soldiers.
Well, let's go inside and see how it looks in reality.
Place the machine-gunner with a built-in machine gun embrasure MAS 24/29, guarding the entrance to the fort. If the front security door will be blown up, and the enemy will begin storming the fort, the first thing he comes across - the barrel of a machine gun.
In the next room there is a filter-ventilation unit. The filters can be seen year when they were installed in the fort - 1939 th.
The second unit is equipped with two cupola: first GFM-dome domes of this type, I wrote in the previous posts, dedicated structures of the Maginot Line. The second dome-type AM (Arme Mixte). So they look outside (in the foreground AM, in the background GFM):
Supervisory type GFM armored covers could be equipped with optics for observation, if necessary, in the recess was built machine gun MAC 24/29 or 50-mm mortar caponier. The thickness of the cover armor 300 mm armored covers GFM weight is 26 tons.
And this is mine armored covers type AM. There are already appears povnushitelney equipment.
type armored covers AM equipped with combined arms, consisting of machine guns and 25-mm anti-tank gun. This is the most impressive type of armored covers used on the Maginot Line sites. Weight armored covers reaching up to 50 tons.
The combination of weapons of armored covers exposed for clarity around.
In the next armored door is the elevator shaft and the envelope of its spiral staircase down. Elevator had the right to use only the officers or other high-ranking visitors of the fort, the soldiers walked. Besides officers transported products on the elevator and ammunition to the lower level. This is the only elevator fort. The elevator car is housed eight people or tonne of cargo, and was equipped with a stopper, in case of rupture of the suspension cable.
go underground stairs, envelope fenced grid elevator shaft. 145 steps lead to the ground.
The underground level of the fort PO Rohrbach lies at a depth of 25 meters in the limestone soil - is about the height of a nine homes.
Numerous communication between underground and surface part of the fort.
So we reached a depth of 25 meters, from this place, and my acquaintance begins with a fascinating underground world.
Immediately opposite the elevator is a small pantry with various household small things. This room served as an intermediate storage, where you can quickly unload a lift and send it for the new consignment. During hostilities premises also serve as a morgue. But in the history of the fort there died only one soldier patrolling the area around the fort and stumbled on a German reconnaissance.
To get the shots without people, I went to the end of the tour, so part of the picture was taken with an eye ago. Behind the door in the photo is the lifting mechanism of the elevator.
Let us return once more to the scheme of the fort. I red oval around the part of the fort, which I show in this post. Immediately next to the stairs and an elevator is the kitchen in front of her energy center, comprising current transformers for high voltage conversion obtained from the outside through the power cable and autonomous power plant consisting of two diesel-generators. Next come the barracks of soldiers and officers of the room, an infirmary, a command center and warehouse of the fort, which houses a small museum with a variety of weapons and equipment of the fort. In the diagram can be seen as an appendix of the unfinished inspection gallery, which was supposed to lead to another combat unit, but due to funding cuts in the block has not been built, and Poterna zabutovany was before the war.
Now, examine the entire underground portion of the fort in the listed sequence.
Near the room to the elevator shaft - the kitchen. Where people are seen in the photo - it's way out to where we started an underground walk. That is, the photo is made back to the footway leading further into the fort.
To live for months in a confined space hopper psychologically very difficult. Therefore, to maintain morale and vitality of staff nutrition soldiers assigned a special role. The bunkers of the Maginot line fed much better than on the surface. In the bunker by the best chefs and the kitchen was equipped with the latest technology of the time. A lot of kitchen equipment installed in the forts of the Maginot line, appeared in an ordinary apartment only decades later.
Fully all the equipment in the kitchen, including an oven, it was electric. A large silver box in the right part of the photo - coffee.
And this amazing device is peeling potatoes. Thus, the soldiers were exempted from the dress cleaning potatoes. All this fort was designed to make life easier underground.
Such is the high-tech kitchen mid 30s.
In the kitchen there are a few little rooms, one of them - hooks for meat carcasses.
In another - the equipment that purpose could not be established. Perhaps some sort of refrigeration system.
The window for delivery of food to the soldiers.
A characteristic feature of the forts of the Maginot Line was the lack of diners. Each soldier received their food and eat it either on your bed or behind such tables here, exposed directly to the postern of the fort. In the photo at the bottom of the tables are located right next to the kitchen.
This Poterna, leaving the other two warheads. Here we also see tables with benches along the underground passage.
Immediately opposite the kitchen is power backup diesel generators. Let's look back.
Then everywhere stylish diesel-punk. The door to the center of the frame is in the room with the huge fuel tanks.
In the event of damage to the power cable feeding the fort in one of the buildings was built a local power plant, consisting of SMIM (Paris) company's two engines.
Both the four-cylinder engine, developing 100 hp. from. 600 rev / min. Thanks to the work at low revs the engines were very reliable.
Dash appliances.
In this corner of the power plant is located under the floor of the well, the depth of 250 meters, of which the whole fort is supplied with water by means of an electric pump located under the floor. In the photo on the right shows a part of pumping equipment for the transport of water from the well in the fort tanks.
It looks like the whole room station.
The engines are very impressive in their appearance and size.
In the corner of the room there is a small power plant workshop, which had everything we needed for repairing the malfunction light technology.
Each of the motors is connected to a generator of alternating electric current. Huge engine is started by means of compressed air which is fed to the two of the four cylinders to drive the propeller shaft with huge and heavy flywheel. After acceleration of the engine, comprising a stationary mode with fuel injection. Reservoirs of compressed air necessary for starting diesel engines, are visible on the left side.
The output is another single-cylinder engine with a small generator, possibly a backup. power inspection is over and we are back to the main footway.
Next for the power station building - transformer. Take a look and there.
As I mentioned, the fort is powered via the power cable from the outside. The transformer current obtained from the outside, converted into an intranet 110 volts fort. So look transformers and associated electrical equipment. All this is working so far.
In the transformer is a room with huge tanks. They provide water for cooling power plants equipment.
to photograph them is very difficult, because they occupy most of the volume of the room.
The network found an excellent plan inspected us part of the fort. It's all very clearly shown. And we go further into the barracks of the fort.
In the technical area end Poterna makes a slight bend, it is also seen in the picture above.
Security doors on the left side of the photo led to the barracks of the fort, Poterna on the right side of the fort - the other two warheads.
The extent of the underground labyrinths are very impressive.
A bathroom. All Fort Lighting was duplicated ordinary candles or gas lamps in the case of failure of electricity. candle can be seen on the left in the photo. Closed door in a photo - a toilet for the officers and commanders, toilets with half-open doors - for ordinary soldiers.
The sewage collected in special tanks with chemical solvents - prototypes of modern composting toilets. Tanks were placed under the toilet, classical sewage was in the fort.
Next to the toilet is a small room with a washbasin.
Next shower rooms. Of the three shower cubicles, one intended for disinfecting affected by toxic gases, the other two were conventional showers. Each soldier had the right to bathe in the shower once a week.
filter-ventilation system, designed for the decontamination of victims of the gas attack.
In twenty meters from the showers and toilets are located directly own barracks.
One of the two rooms with iron beds to ten seats was designed for professional fort workers: mechanics, nurses, cooks, electricians.
Simple as the soldiers were sleeping in hammocks, which hung in two levels. This room housed 26 hammocks. A feature of this room was that the metal structures are easily disassembled, allowing for a very short time to turn the room into a festive hall. In 1939, the fort soldiers celebrated Christmas there with songs, wine and fun.
Next, another room with hammocks, but smaller.
Double room non-commissioned officers.
Comandante room fort, the only single room in the fort.
The room in which the lieutenants lived.
The fort also has a small medical unit, consisting of a dressing room ...
... and wards for two patients.
At the barracks inspection is over, move to the next location, situated next to the barracks - the command center, from where the fort control.
The command center is located behind the next turn (on the left).
The main hall of the command center. Pay attention to the radiator. Heating fort was carried out by heaters, which are served warm air in all the fort premises. Installation of the central hot water heating has been in the process of installation but the work was interrupted by the outbreak of war. Therefore, in different rooms of the fort can be found radiators, which never worked.
In the command center received information about the situation inside and outside the fort. Then analyzes the situation and hence the orders were given various warheads and is in communication with the neighboring forts.
The main sources of information were five observation armored covers of the fort, the information from which the call to report to the command center. Also thanks to a telephone connection with the neighboring forts fort Command was well informed about the situation in dozens of kilometers around.
Message from General de Gaulle to the French nation.
Telephone cables between the forts were built at a depth of three meters in the vicinity of the fort, and at a depth of two meters in the fields. In addition to direct telephone communication between the forts, each of forts was connected to a single telephone network, installed in line potential near the front. In the event of failure of the telephone line has been a fallback communication between the forts by flares.
Telephone exchange. Closest to the command center at the fort were settled officers and telephonists. Thus, when declaring an alarm command center started to function almost immediately. The telephone records all the information it receives from the outside in special documents, which were immediately investigated by officers, analyzed maps and decide whether the firings, which were passed away in combat casemates of the fort. The downside of the forts of the Maginot line was that they were blinded by nightfall or heavy fog. After laying all the instruments at that time it was exclusively visual.
At this point we leave the command center, and moved into the final underground location of the fort - a warehouse.
In the warehouse, in order to fill the empty warehouses, organized a small museum with a good collection of various techniques used in the forts of the Maginot Line, ranging from weapons and ending periscope observation cupola and various electrical appliances.
Engine Telegraph, similar to the ship. With the help of these devices from the command center of the fort sent teams into fighting units, and back came the confirmation of their implementation.
Tandem caponier gun installation which usually set fort in embrasures combat units. If necessary, this machine gun mount was removed away and in its place grew a 47-mm anti-tank gun.
This installation with combined arms, which was placed inside the cupola type AM which was higher (photo 10, 12, 13). Combined arms are themselves two weapons in one: a machine gun and a 25 mm anti-tank gun. Armored covers type AM system equipped with removal of powder gases and ventilation in the cap feed system and ammunition cooling water weapons.
Despite the fact that the very cupola was not rotated, by means of supporting brackets heavy gun can be quickly reinstalled in one of two embrasures armored covers. All the settings and configuration tools by rotating the handle, which greatly simplifies its operation.
On the way to the first combat unit, found such a appendix zabutovany inspection gallery (see. Map at the beginning of Lent). During the construction of the fort was planned much larger number of warheads, but after funding cuts had to limit the construction of three blocks. By that time it had to pass an inspection gallery to the intended fourth block, which zabutovany soon. How far away zabutovany Poterna - is still unknown. Employees of the museum of the fort there was erected a monument André Maginot - Minister of the French military, which had initiated the construction of the line military fortifications on the border with Germany.
Another small room next to the zabutovany footway. Initially it was a room vertical shaft through which was excavation when drilling underground tunnels. When construction was completed, the barrel top filled, and thus the fort formed another extra room. Without thinking twice, then made another barracks for soldiers.
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Panera buys Au Bon Pain
Panera Bread Co. has agreed to acquire the Au Bon Pain bakery-cafe chain, a business it sold 26 years ago, to ease the buyer's entry into nontraditional locations.
Terms were not disclosed.
"This acquisition offers the strategic opportunity for us to grow in several new real estate channels, including hospitals, universities, transportation centers and urban locations, among others," Ron Shaich, CEO of Panera, said in a prepared statement.
The 300-unit Au Bon Pain chain has a large presence in hospitals, colleges and so-called business-and-industry settings.
Panera operates or franchisees about 2,050 bakery-cafes, virtually all of them in strip centers or parking lot pads.
The deal deepens the involvement of Panera's parent company, JAB Holdings, in the bakery-cafe market, a sector dominated by Panera. In addition to that brand, JAB's restaurant portfolio includes Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Einstein Bros., Noah's Bagels, Caribou Coffee, Peet's Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Intelligentsia and Mighty Leaf tea parlors.
Few of those brands, however, have a presence in nontraditional locations.
The purchase came amid rumors that JAB was looking at Dunkin' Donuts as an acquisition target.
acquisitions Fast Casual


text:
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Full Text Obama Presidency September 24, 2014: President Barack Obama's Speech at U.N. Security Council Summit on Foreign Terrorist Fighters for ISIS — Transcript
Remarks by the President at U.N. Security Council Summit on Foreign Terrorist Fighters
President Obama Opens the U.N. Security Council Summit
President Obama Closes the U.N. Security Council Summit
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you, His Excellency, the Secretary-General, for his statement. I'll now make a statement in my capacity as President of the United States.
Mr. Secretary-General, heads of state and government distinguished representatives, thank you for being here today.
In the nearly 70 years of the United Nations, this is only the sixth time that the Security Council has met at a level like this. We convene such sessions to address the most urgent threats to peace and security. And I called this meeting because we must come together — as nations and an international community — to confront the real and growing threat of foreign terrorist fighters.
As I said earlier today, the tactic of terrorism is not new. So many nations represented here today, including my own, have seen our citizens killed by terrorists who target innocents. And today, the people of the world have been horrified by another brutal murder, of Herve Gourdel, by terrorists in Algeria. President Hollande, we stand with you and the French people not only as you grieve this terrible loss, but as you show resolve against terror and in defense of liberty.
What brings us together today, what is new is the unprecedented flow of fighters in recent years to and from conflict zones, including Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, Yemen, Libya, and most recently, Syria and Iraq.
Our intelligence agencies estimate that more than 15,000 foreign fighters from more than 80 nations have traveled to Syria in recent years. Many have joined terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda's affiliate, the Nusrah Front, and ISIL, which now threatens people across Syria and Iraq. And I want to acknowledge and thank Prime Minister Abadi of Iraq for being here today.
In the Middle East and elsewhere, these terrorists exacerbate conflicts; they pose an immediate threat to people in these regions; and as we've already seen in several cases, they may try to return to their home countries to carry out deadly attacks. In the face of this threat, many of our nations — working together and through the United Nations — have increased our cooperation. Around the world, foreign terrorist fighters have been arrested, plots have been disrupted and lives have been saved.
Earlier this year at West Point, I called for a new Partnership to help nations build their capacity to meet the evolving threat of terrorism, including foreign terrorist fighters. And preventing these individuals from reaching Syria and then slipping back across our borders is a critical element of our strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.
The historic resolution that we just adopted enshrines our commitment to meet this challenge. It is legally binding. It establishes new obligations that nations must meet. Specifically, nations are required to "prevent and suppress the recruiting, organizing, transporting or equipping" of foreign terrorist fighters, as well as the financing of their travel or activities. Nations must "prevent the movement of terrorists or terrorist groups" through their territory, and ensure that their domestic laws allow for the prosecution of those who attempt to do so.
The resolution we passed today calls on nations to help build the capacity of states on the front lines of this fight — including with the best practices that many of our nations approved yesterday, and which the United States will work to advance through our Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund. This resolution will strengthen cooperation between nations, including sharing more information about the travel and activities of foreign terrorist fighters. And it makes clear that respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law is not optional — it is an essential part of successful counterterrorism efforts. Indeed, history teaches us that the failure to uphold these rights and freedoms can actually fuel violent extremism.
Finally, this resolution recognizes that there is no military solution to the problem of misguided individuals seeking to join terrorist organizations, and it, therefore, calls on nations to work together to counter the violent extremism that can radicalize, recruit, and mobilize individuals to engage in terrorism. Potential recruits must hear the words of former terrorist fighters who have seen the truth — that groups like ISIL betray Islam by killing innocent men, women and children, the majority of whom are Muslim.
Often it is local communities — family, friends, neighbors, and faith leaders — that are best able to identify and help disillusioned individuals before they succumb to extremist ideologies and engage in violence. That's why the United States government is committed to working with communities in America and around the world to build partnerships of trust, respect and cooperation.
Likewise, even as we are unrelenting against terrorists who threaten our people, we must redouble our work to address the conditions — the repression, the lack of opportunity, too often the hopelessness that can make some individuals more susceptible to appeals to extremism and violence. And this includes continuing to pursue a political solution in Syria that allows all Syrians to live in security, dignity, and peace.
This is the work that we must do as nations. These are the partnerships we must forge as an international community. And these are the standards that we now must meet. Yet even as we're guided by the commitments that we make here today, let me close by stating the obvious. Resolutions alone will not be enough. Promises on paper cannot keep us safe. Lofty rhetoric and good intentions will not stop a single terrorist attack.
The words spoken here today must be matched and translated into action, into deeds — concrete action, within nations and between them, not just in the days ahead, but for years to come. For if there was ever a challenge in our interconnected world that cannot be met by any one nation alone, it is this: terrorists crossing borders and threatening to unleash unspeakable violence. These terrorists believe our countries will be unable to stop them. The safety of our citizens demand that we do. And I'm here today to say that all of you who are committed to this urgent work will find a strong and steady partner in the United States of America.
I now would like to resume my function as President of the Council. And I will now give the floor to the other members of the Security Council.
by bonniekgoodman on September 28, 2014 • Permalink
Posted in International Headlines, International Politics, International Politics, Obama Administration, Political Speeches & Documents, President Barack Obama, Syria, Terror Fight, Terrorist Organizations, United Nations
Tagged Barack Obama, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Iraq, ISIS, Military Intervention, Syria, Terrorist Organizations, UN General Assembly, UN Security Council Summit, United Nations
Posted by bonniekgoodman on September 28, 2014
https://historymusings.wordpress.com/2014/09/28/full-text-obama-presidency-september-24-2014-president-barack-obamas-speech-at-u-n-security-council-summit-on-foreign-terrorist-fighters-for-isis-transcript/
Political Musings September 24, 2014: In UN speech Obama issues call to destroy ISIS the "cancer of violent extremism"
Full Text Obama Presidency September 25, 2014: President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder's Statement on Holder's Resignation — Transcript


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59006 Colleges worldwide » Colleges in United States » Savannah College of Art and Design
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The Ripple – She's Finished!
You might remember when I started another project – a wonderful, rainbow-colored afghan – at the beginning of the year. This time, it was a ripple. Based off Attic 24's crochet ripple blanket pattern, this blanket was to be comprised of over 17 different colors.
I watched as the blanket grew weekly–during late night crochet sessions, a movie, a phone call with a friend, or while watching some episodes of Arrested Development.
A pink ripple here, a purple ripple there. And now some orange. Stop. Look at the colors. What's missing? Ooh… maybe some cobalt blue to make the colors pop.
The ripple is larger than the hexagon afghan I crocheted last year and when she's spread out, she takes up quite some space. As usual, I took way too many pictures of the finished product, but the colors make it hard not to enjoy. I hope you, blog reader–even though you can't touch the ripple, can't feel how soft the baby cashmerino yarn makes her waves–can enjoy her, too through my humble pictures.
This blanket is ready to go to its new home where I know it will bring happiness and warmth. It's been a real treat finishing her the past couple months and I know she'll be in good hands. Hope you enjoyed!
I can't believe I've only posted about the crochet ripple blanket ONCE since I began. I'm ashamed, really. Currently, there are 29 colored stripes (116 rows) of this beautiful rainbow afghan.
Just like any large crochet project, I've noticed ebbs and flows in my desire to work on it. Some months, it's 20 rows, other times, it's 2. But that's all part of crocheting. I"ve already covered the details behind this blanket so I won't bore you with more text. Onto pictures!
If, after viewing these pictures, you don't want it to instantly be summer, there is something wrong with you. Please seek help. Happy Monday, everyone!
New Year – New Afghan!
With the advent of a new year comes a new treat!
A few days before Christmas, I was commissioned to make a new afghan – this time a ripple. This blanket was ordered by the same wonderful lady who ordered the crochet hexagon blanket a couple months ago. Remember that beauty – it's probably the nicest thing I've ever crocheted.
Up until I crocheted "hexy", I wasn't much of an afghan crocheter. I used to tend towards quick, instant-gratification projects. A number of you have called me out on my new-found affinity for afghans, and I must agree. I seem to be an afghan convert!
So now to introduce my new project for the first part of 2011: The Crocheted Ripple Afghan, inspired by Attic 24's lovely ripple blanket.
The yarn for this afghan arrived the day I was leaving for Christmas so I was able to have it over the little break I had. Let me tell you, friend, there was lots of crocheting over the holidays! This pattern is so relaxing, so simple, so theraputic and the colors – oh the colors. The way they blend together and flow so perfectly. It's quite the treat.
I'm excited to work on this project throughout the winter (especially since they're calling for 8 inches of snow tomorrow) and am excited to blog about my progress. I guarantee there will be an over-abundance of pictures, so much so that you'll probably be sick of ripples by the time the afghan's finished. I apologize in advance.
So far, I'm 45 rows into the afghan. Wow – that sounds like a lot. I promise I spent time with my family and did more than crochet over Christmas!
I'd like to come up with a creative name for this blanket – something more original than "the ripple afghan". Anyone have a suggestion?
But Happy New Year to you, dear friend- Here's to a great, ripple-filled 2012!


This White and Dark Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn is addictive! It's salty, sweet, crunchy and totally irresistible! You're either going to love me or hate me for this. But it's high time I documented how to make white and dark chocolate drizzled popcorn, since we've been helplessly addicted to Mom's version for years. It. Is. Irresistible….