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Signs & Symptoms of Lymphatic Filariasis
The adult worms live in the lymph – a body fluid. When the worms block the flow of lymph, a disease Elephantiasis results. This disease is characterised by severe swelling of the limbs, usually the legs. Sometimes it even can affect the breast or the scrotum.
This gross swelling in the legs and other parts of the body and the thickening of the skin due to blockage of the vessels of the lymphatic system called Elephantiasis.
Acute recurrent fever with ADL attacks.
Swelling of limbs, Genitalia and Breasts.
Who is Commonly Affected?
All age groups & both sexes are affected.
Poor People living in endemic areas.
Causative Agent of Lymphatic Filariasis
Filaria is a long, thread-like roundworm called Wuchereria Bancrofti that lives as a parasite in the bodies of human beings and animals. The male worm is shorter than the female and it has a curved tail. This is mainly found in Central Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific.
Filaria Agent
Adult Filarial Worms (Macrofilariae) inhabiting lymphatic system of man
In mainland India, Wuchereria bancrofti, the causative organism for filaria transmitted by the ubiquitous vector, Culex quinquefasciatus, has been the most predominant infection contributing to 99.4% of the problem in the country. Although the vector species breeds preferably in dirty and polluted water, it can also breed in clear water in the absence of polluted water. The infection is prevalent in both urban and rural areas. Brugia malayi infection is mainly restricted to rural areas due to peculiar breeding habits of the vector associated with floating vegitation. Mansonia (Mansonioides) annulifera is the principal vector while M.(M) uniformis is the secondary vector for transmission of B.malayi infection.
The breeding of these mosquitoes is associated with aquatic plants such as Pistia stratiotes. In the absence of these plants, the vectors cannot breed. The vectorial role of M.(M). indiana is very limited due to its low density. Both W.bancrofti and B. malayi infections in mainland India exhibit nocturnal periodicity of microfilaria.
Institute of Applied Dermatology
Incubation Period of Lymphatic Filariasis
Prevention & Control of Lymphatic Filariasis
Treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis
Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis
Clinical Features of Lymphatic Filariasis
Mode of Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis
Expert's Advice on Typhoid
Typhoid: Protection and purification of drinking water supplies, improvement of basic sanitation, and promotion of food hygiene are essential measures to interrupt transmission of typhoid fever. read more…
Records of published articles in the newspapers helps common people about precautions to be taken while seeking the services from health professionals and also helps health professionals to rectify the negligence.
Aarogya Network
aarogya.com aims to be India's leading comprehensive health information portal. The site has sections, which cover almost all the medical specialties and give useful information on various diseases. To enhance its reach, the content is available in Indian languages too. We were the first health website to introduce online support groups. Addiction support and Epilepsy support are examples of some very active and vibrant communities.
» Click here to see all our support groups
Get health related new information.
Digital Media Dedicated to Healthcare of Punekars
About Aarogya.com
aarogya.com aims to be India's leading comprehensive health information portal. The site has sections, which cover almost all the medical specialties
This is YOUR site, so if you have suggestions or feedback on how we can improve it for you, please let us know! We do our best to keep up!
"My name is Paulette Conners and I just had to send you an email thanking you since one of the pages on your site was very helpful!"
© 2017 www.aarogya.com. All Rights Reserved.


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As a thank you to loyal advertisers, all Yukon businesses who advertise in the Yukon News or take advantage of its digital options during January will be entered to win a full-colour back page ad to run Feb. 3, and one month of premium digital display advertising online.
Shop Local, Advertise Local…and Win!
The Yukon News would like to thank Yukon businesses for supporting community news coverage. Accurate, local, trusted news coverage is important to Yukoners and the Yukon News wants to thank Yukon businesses for choosing to spend their advertising dollars locally.
As a thank you to our loyal advertisers during the month of January, all Yukon businesses who advertise in the Yukon News or take advantage of our digital options will be entered to win a full-colour back page ad to run Feb. 3 as well as one month of premium digital display advertising on our website.
Yukon News offers online and print advertising solutions that are competitive with the huge international companies that do not reinvest in, or support, the Yukon.
Just like many organizations Yukon News has diversified. Yukon News is a newspaper-centric community paper, with a growing digital presence.What sets Yukon News apart from international digital and online companies, is that local advertisers deal with a local multimedia consultant who, with a quick call, a Zoom meeting or a visit to your doorstep, can help drive traffic to your business.www.yukon-news.com has 111,543 users with 346,042 page views and our social media footprint has grown to more than 32,000 followers.
Yukon News distributes newspapers throughout Yukon communities Wednesdays and Fridays. Advertising in the Yukon News supports Yukon companies like Watson Lake Shuttle Service, A-1 Delivery and Kluane Freightlines, and employs local journalists, multimedia consultants, designers and press workers who live and work in the Yukon. Your advertising dollar allows the Yukon News to support non-profit organizations such as the Humane Society, Kona's Coalition, the Food Bank Society, the Yukon Literacy Coalition, Alcoholics Anonymous and many arts and culture organizations across the territory.
Yukon News advertisers during the month of January 2021 do not need to enter to qualify.
The winner will be contacted directly on Jan. 29.
To discuss media solutions for your business and to run a campaign in January to become eligible for this giveaway, please contact Multimedia Sales Manager Stephanie Simpson at stephanie.simpson@yukon-news.com
BusinessRetailSmall Business
In addition to its community newspaper delivered Wednesdays and Fridays, the Yukon News offers a diverse array of digital opportunities.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Australia Katoomba Three Sisters photo & image | landscape, mountains, glaciers images at photo community Australia Katoomba Three Sisters Photo & image by Tom Koprowski ᐅ View and rate this photo free at fotocommunity.de. Discover more images here.
i have been here a few times, this is a great place for photos, and the sun setting in the blue mountains is so beautiful.
the light give this wonderful landscape a special touch - good shot.


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Gastromyzon katibasensis is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Gastromyzon.

Footnotes

Gastromyzon
Fish described in 2003

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Beautiful 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with full unfinished basement in Jordan Estates. Master Bedroom Suite on main level of home. Custom built by Mattingly. A Must See. Room for everyone. New total heat and air system installed on main level 2018. New air system installed upstairs 4-19. Security system. Irrigation system. Commercial refrigerator. Carpet allowance of $4500.
Remarks Beautiful 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with full unfinished basement in Jordan Estates. Master Bedroom Suite on main level of home. Custom built by Mattingly. A Must See. Room for everyone. New total heat and air system installed on main level 2018. New air system installed upstairs 4-19. Security system. Irrigation system. Commercial refrigerator. Carpet allowance of $4500.
Listing courtesy of DEBRA DEMPSEY from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.


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STIG Is Coming To Ocean Beach To Cook Up The Funk At Winstons
Zach Schwartz
SAN DIEGO, CA — 5-piece power funk conglomerate STIG is coming to Ocean Beach to party down at Winstons on Thursday, May 30th. Tickets will be $5 cash at the door. Forming at the Berkeley College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and growing into their own in their new hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, the band consists of Ryan Stigmon on saxophone, Thomson Knoles on keyboards, Artie Sadtler on bass, Jack McChesney on drums, and Riley Hoover on guitar.
STIG offers a unique perspective on how to push the boundaries of sound while staying true to the genre of funk. Their newest single titled Splugarn, which is accented by afrobeat style is an example of this. With hard work, dedication to their craft, and the help of Joel Scanlon at Scanhope Sound in Denver, Colorado, STIG plans on releasing another new single titled "Happy Ending" in June or July.
Sound-Fix had the opportunity to chat with STIG and aside from being talented musicians, realized how funny and genuine of a pack of dudes these guys really are.
Sound-Fix: "Is there anything you want to say to the people out there who will be reading this?"
What was the message?
STIG: "Be a good person, call your mother…"
But in all seriousness, since cementing their current line up 3 years ago, these guys have been putting a lot of hard work into perfecting their craft.
STIG: "What we're doing is creative and pure. A lot of love goes into the music, and we truly believe that what we're doing is radically positive. We're doing our thing and we're doing it as hard as possible."
STIG's first show in Asheville was at the One Stop located underneath the Asheville Music Hall. Outside there were blizzards, upstairs were the Desert Dwellers, and inside the One Stop it was packed shoulder-to-shoulder! This was the moment that would change everything for STIG. These guys love the outdoors, love music, and love Asheville for these reasons and more.
For all you local Ashevillian's, STIG will be performing local shows all weekend including an appearance at One Stop tonight (May 24th)! For all you San Dieagan's, hang tight. We're less than a week away from STIG's performance at Winstons!
Five Acts Not to Miss at Disc Jam 2019
7 Reasons We're Celebrating Independence Day at High Sierra Music Festival
Born and raised in Upstate New York, and residing in Southern California for the past 5 years, Zach has a vast taste and passion for live music. In 2018, Zach graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelors degree in Communication. Aside from music journalism, Zach is working hard at his blossoming career as a Lighting Designer. Feel free to contact Zach with any comments, questions, or concerns regarding anything music related!
Manic Focus, Jesus Coomes of Lettuce, and Artifakts Collaborate
Just yesterday, Manic Focus took to Soundcloud to unveil his latest collaboration with Jesus Coomes, bassist of Lettuce, and Artifakts. ...
Major Lazer Covers Frank Ocean
Following their mega-hit "Lean On" in March, Major Lazer and MØ have teamed up once again, this time with a ...
Follow Sound Fix
New Ground Up Single
For those of you who pride yourselves of knowing an artist or band before they blew up, then you should promptly make yourself familiar with ...
© Copyright Sound Fix. All rights reserved.


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Inoue Yasuji (Tankei)
Self-made Men Worthy of Emulation: no. 46, Reunion of Akiko and Kirino Toshiaki
(Kyodo Risshi no Moto: Akiko)
with karazuri (embossing) on the white brocade curtain draped across the top of the composition, the series title, Kyodo Risshi no Moto, in a banner above the composition framed by a decorative brocade border, signed Inoue Tankei ga with artist's seal Tankei, the stylized cartouche on the bottom margin with the design number, 46, the publication date to the right, on todoke Meiji jukyunen (registered Meiji 19 [1886]) and to the left, Gako ken shuppan Ryogoku Yoshikawacho 2-banchi Matsuki Heikichi ban, published by Matsuki Heikichi of Daikokuya, 1886
oban tate-e 14 3/8 by 9 1/2 in., 36.5 by 24 cm
Kirino Toshiaki (1838-1877) was a samurai and an Imperial Japanese Army general, and a senior commander during the Boshin War of 1868-1869 . He served as a brigadier general in the Imperial army, but then joined forces with Saigo Takamori (1828-1877) during the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, with whom he died at the conclusion of the war. The print celebrates not Kirino, but his charming and beautiful mistress, Akiko, who is portrayed bowing to greet her lover after a long separation.
The Lavenberg Collection of Japanese Prints (myjapanesehanga.com)
(inv. no. 10-3264w)


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Home NYC Teams New York Giants
NFL playoffs: Giants at Vikings analysis, preview, prediction
Ryan Honey
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants are in the playoffs for the first time in six years.
After a dreadful five seasons headlined by three failed head-coaching tenures and egregious mistakes made by the Dave Gettleman front office, postseason football is back in East Rutherford. At 9-7-1, the Giants are the 6-seed in the NFC.
Their opponent in the NFC Wild Card round: the third-seeded Vikings.
These teams faced each other back on Christmas Eve, a game in which Minnesota won on a 61-yard field goal as time expired. But the Giants are healthier this time around. Safety Xavier McKinney is back after a hand injury and so is cornerback Adoree' Jackson after a knee injury.
Numerous players are also well-rested — running back Saquon Barkley, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams, outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, and safety Julian Love were inactive for the meaningless Week 18 loss to Philly.
Head coach Brian Daboll's squad is in better shape than usual. With that said, can the Giants take care of the Vikings and reach the Divisional Round for the first time since the Super Bowl 46 run?
Giants at Vikings
When: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET.
TV: FOX.
Radio: WFAN.
Giants' keys to victory
Stop Jefferson. This is first and foremost. The Giants will need to limit the impact of Minnesota's Justin Jefferson, arguably the top wide receiver in the NFL.
In the Christmas Eve loss, the Giants let Jefferson reel in 12 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown. His 17-yard catch-and-run in the final seconds of regulation put the Vikings in position for the game-winning 61-yard field goal.
Minnesota runs its offense through him — the Giants must limit his effectiveness if they want to win this game.
Passing game success. The Vikings ended the regular season second-worst in defending the pass. The Giants must take advantage of this development to keep up on the scoreboard. Quarterback Daniel Jones will need to lock in with his receivers, regardless of who's out there.
DB on Hockenson. Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson torched the Giants in Week 16, catching 13 balls for 109 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Rookie linebacker Micah McFadden was the nearest defender on various occasions and was in coverage on one of Hockenson's scores.
The Giants need to put an extra safety or slot corner — someone with better coverage skills than a run-stopping rookie linebacker — on the talented tight end.
Daniel Jones.
It's the biggest game of the young quarterback's life.
In his fourth season, after struggling for much of his first three years in the NFL, Jones is in the playoffs for the first time. With his third different head coach and fourth different offensive coordinator (if you count Freddie Kitchens' 2021 interim tenure).
Jones has led an offense mainly lacking talent this entire season. Can he do it in the NFL Playoffs, a level of play he's never reached in the past?
How Jones performs against the Vikings should go a long way in determining whether the Giants advance to the next round.
The last time the Giants were in a playoff game…
Was Jan. 8, 2017.
Barack Obama was in the final days of an eight-year run as the President of the United States.
Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were in their memorable rookie seasons with the Cowboys.
The social media app "Vine" was still in existence.
Brian Daboll was the Patriots' tight ends coach, Mike Kafka was a graduate assistant at Northwestern, and Daniel Jones was 19.
The Vikings torched the Giants through the air during the regular-season meeting on Christmas Eve. Jefferson and Hockenson combined for 25 catches for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
But now, the Giants are healthier in the secondary. McKinney is back in the lineup and so is Jackson. Their returns are massive for New York — either defensive back should help contain the Vikings' weapons and ultimately propel the Giants to a huge victory.
With the team as healthy as it could be and various starters well rested after sitting out Week 18, the Giants should get their revenge just as long as they keep Minnesota's passing game in check. Giants 20, Vikings 16.
Follow ESNY on Twitter @elitesportsny
Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.
Mike Francesa gives Giants some Saquon Barkley free agency advice
Ex-Giants coach Joe Judge has not talked his way out of Foxborough yet
Giants contract extension candidates: Will Joe Schoen lock up Dexter Lawrence ASAP?
Giants' Daniel Jones in line for big payday, according to these predictions
Ex-Giants coach Joe Judge is taking fire for Patriots' offensive disaster
Giants can't keep crumbling when they face NFC East opponents
Here's all the proof Giants' Brian Daboll needs to be NFL Coach of the Year
NFL mock draft: Time for Giants to get Daniel Jones a weapon
Does Saquon Barkley want to reset the running back market or not?
Breaking down Giants' 2023 free agents: Who should stay, go?


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Q: Minimum Weighted Path Tree of an Undirected Graph Assume that we have an undirected graph G=(V,E) and we have two nodes S and X.

*

*Can we come up with an algorithm such that the largest weight of the edge on the path from S to X is minimized? Note that it is not the shortest path algorithm since we are not interested in minimizing their sum.

*What is the complexity of this algorithm?

*Is the minimum spanning tree algorithm (such as Prim) is a solution for the problem?

A: I don't know if minimum spanning tree will solve it or not, but it's certainly solvable by making some modifications to Dijkstra's algorithm.
Define the "length" of a path as the maximum edge in that path. Now find the shortest path from S to X using Dijkstra's algorithm. This is the path you are looking for.
Complexity is O((N+M)log N) if you use a binary heap and O(N * log N + M) with a Fibonacci heap.
Note that for this new definition of path length, if the length of a path is l, then adding an edge to the end of the path will not decrease it's length, since the maximum edge in that path can only increase. This property is necessary for Dijkstra's algorithm to work correctly.
For instance, if you were looking for the path with the shortest edge, then Dijkstra's algorithm will fail just like it fails when there are negative edges in the graph.

A: You can use minimum spanning tree (Prim's algorithm) to solve this problem. You will start with vertex S, then continue to build the tree using Prim's algorithm until you find X. Complexity will be O((V+E)*logV).
It will work because in the prim's algorithm you always choose the edge with minimum weight first.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: A fail concerning the expression @autoreleasepool I downloaded a sample code from developer.apple.com  called  SimpleGestureRecognizer and in the main.m the program send a fail, because the program does not know the expression @auoreleasepool
The fail is: Unexpected '@' in program.
I searched on the internet, if there is a same problem happens to someone, but there was nobody having the same problem.
Do you know, why this program does not know the expression @autoreleasepool?
My Xcode version is 3.2.6
Thank you for your help and presumptions in forward

A: @autoreleasepool was introduced in LLVM 3.0, the compiler available in Xcode 4.2. Since you're using Xcode 3.2.6, you have LLVM 1.6 and GCC, neither of which recognises that directive.
You can change the code to use NSAutoreleasePool instead of @autoreleasepool so that it builds with Xcode 3.2.6. For example, replace:
@autoreleasepool {
    …
}

with:
NSAutoreleasePool *pool = [NSAutoreleasePool new];
…
[pool drain];


Ask any Arizona resident what they know about Tempe and they will undoubtedly mention Arizona State University, Mill Avenue and the idea that Tempe is the local hot-spot for cutting-edge music, arts and entertainment. Thanks to a recent partnership between Downtown Tempe Community, Inc. (DTC) and Centerpoint on Mill, this reputation will remain intact for many years to come.
DTC, a private, non-profit organization that works in conjunction with the City of Tempe to increase awareness of the cultural, lifestyle and commerce experience in the Mill Avenue District, has partnered together to develop the Mill Avenue District Community Arts Project also known as MADCAP. Located at 730 S. Mill Avenue, MADCAP will provide a creative way to use the abandoned movie theater space to re-establish Mill Avenue as a destination for live entertainment and cultural activity.
DTC is working on a simple renovation of the empty theaters by converting them into raw alternative performance spaces. Each space will then be used to host a variety of performances and activities including; live music, comedy and dance performances, theatre productions as well as lectures, film screenings and corporate meetings.
Hormann added that MADCAP theaters would help assure that local musicians and artists had an affordable space to express themselves while helping Tempe continue to build its standing as an art-friendly community.
The location of the MADCAP theaters will also be beneficial for meeting planners and promoters as Mill is easy to get to whether walking or driving, there is ample parking and there are a plethora of diverse restaurants and bars in the area. Additionally the costs to rent out the theater spaces will still be significantly less expensive than most larger facilities in the area. "By day, corporations and businesses can have speaking engagements and meetings here and at night, it's a place for live music, dance performances and comedy acts," said Hormann.
Scheduled to open in early June, MADCAP is currently looking for volunteers and donations to help with the restoration process. For more information, go here.
Director, Marketing & Communications -Downtown Tempe Community, Inc.
President & Executive Director -Downtown Tempe Community, Inc.
This entry was posted in blog and tagged acting, arts, AZ, business, entertainment, non-profit, plays, TEMPE, theater, Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.


Witch and Hero 3 Arrives On 3DS eShop In Europe This Week, North America "Very Soon"
One of the more surprising announcements from this week's Nintendo Direct was the reveal of a Luigi's Mansion remake for 3DS.
Atlus is finally bringing The Alliance Alive to North America and Europe this month.
Like with Wii U, the new Switch / 3DS boxarts for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker will be a bit different in Europe compared to North America.
Nintendo announced that a remake of the Gamecube classic, Luigi's Mansion will be coming to Nintendo 3DS.
With new Super Mario Odyssey themed courses!
Nintendo Wii U gem Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is getting a port for both Nintendo Switch and 3DS.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is heading to Switch and 3DS, Nintendo has announced.
Sushi Striker now has a release date.
A remake of Luigi's Mansion is coming to 3DS, Nintendo has announced.
A remake of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is coming to 3DS.
WarioWare Gold is coming to 3DS, Nintendo has announced.
Five new SKUs for Switch games have popped up in GameStop's database.
Nintendo has updated its maintenance schedule once again, showing that a bunch of additional maintenance is planned for tonight.
New year, new deals! Save up to 30% on select digital games for your Nintendo 3DS family system.
When it launched in Japan 17 years ago, Pokemon Crystal introduced many new and exciting elements to the beloved Pokemon franchise.


Organic Teas: Enhance Your Yoga Practice With Our Essential Oils, Too!
Have you heard about the connection between organic tea and yoga practice? If you haven't, now is the time to educate yourself! Why? If you drink tea before or after a yoga class, you can reap some serious benefits and surprising results. Whether you're practicing restorative or hot yoga, we've got some perfect tea pairings for your yoga practice.
If you practice restorative yoga, look into sipping some calm, rejuvenating, and soothing lavender or a mood-boosting chamomile.
More of a hot yoga fan? We suggest pairing your hot yoga practice with menthol-abundant peppermint that activates your cells' cold-sensitive receptors. This tea will create a mild cooling effect / sensation for up to an hour! We love a good Lemon Lavender Mint combination for the ultra calming and caffeine-free benefits.
Do you meditate on a regular basis? If so, trying pairing your meditation sessions with the polyphenols found in green tea to increase your cognitive functions. This is a go-to tea to drink before any meditation session! We love a good Jasmine Green Tea to help you wind down and feel centered.
More of an active, vinyasa flow yogi? Plenty of research points to the caffeine in black tea and how it benefits your circulation. Plus, it will help you from getting lightheaded after a power flow vinyasa class! Consider a lemon ginger tea iced with touch of honey. It's invigoratingly spicy, yet the ginger helps your stomach settled during active classes.
What tea do you love to infuse into your yoga practice with healing properties? Shop our organic teas today!


I have recently read an article claiming that a company is better than a freelancer, and that claim sounded like a universal truth. As both a freelancer and a company worker, I feel I need to counter some of the claims that article makes. Let's analyze their argument point by point before giving what I think is a more honest perspective. And the truth is, that sometimes you want to hire one freelancer, rather than a whole army.
Claim: A good freelancer is hard to find, and the result is unpredictable.
Response: False. A good freelancer is no harder to find than a company. Especially, a small company. In fact, every good freelancer has a website with a resume and a portfolio, and is registered as a one-man company in most countries. You will still want to talk to them of course, but you would want to talk to them anyway. Though, you will have less talk and less paperwork with a freelancer.
Claim: A team provides redundancy.
Response: True. The team provides redundancy. And who will pay for the redundancy? You will. In larger projects with lots of money to spare, you may want redundancy, though. So this is a viable option for larger and more expensive projects.
Claim: A team and separation of tasks is better and more time-efficient.
Response: True only for large projects. Absolutely false for small projects. Managing a group of people is never more time efficient than one specialist managing himself. A group of people that enter in and out at different stages of the project will need time for entry, and time to sync their work, which means, time spent for internal documentation, internal meetings, and internal discussions. For a small scope project, time spent by multiple members will easily blow 1.5x or even 2x compared to a freelancer handling the task alone. A team will outperform a freelancer in a larger projects, of course, with more than 150-200 hours of work required, where the benefits of paralelling out the work will outweight the cost of going so. Not in a small projects, however.
Claim: A team will deliver a better value.
Response: False, mostly. A value is basically is the amount of work beneficial to client that can be done within a specific set of time. It's true that the freelancer will need to spend time for emails and possibly a user guide. But it's nothing compared to having to pay salary to a group of clerks, managers, officers, marketers, testers and that redundancy provision factor from the previous claims. How much value efficient is that? Not very. In fact, most recruiter sites will tell that you will save around 20%-30% spendings by working with a freelancer, even when a freelancer requests a higher hourly rate, which is rare.
Claim: A freelancer won't know how to do things, and will not be able to complete the project.
Response: Who says that your freelancer needs to be less professional than a company worker? And seriously speaking, every developer is learning always. There is Google, StackOverflow, manuals and tutorials, APIs, and there are communities, especially with Drupal, which glories in its community that helps one another. "Come for the code, stay for the community", Drupal developers say.
When you REALLY need a company.
Your project is too large for a single freelancer.
Your budget is too large and you need to spend it.
You need long and stable business relationship that a business is more likely to provide that a single albeit talented developer.
So the truth is - in some cases, you want a company and not a freelancer. If your project is large. If you want constant value output stability (a freelancer may indeed get sick and pause the project), or if you have a rich budget, and the benefits of dealing with a company outweigh you larger expenses. Then you want a company.
However, if your project is small, below 200-150 hours of work, then the benefits of a freelancer will outweigh the benefits of a small company. Because in my experience, 200-150 hours of work is where paying for the separation of tasks in a project becomes largely inefficient, and you want one person to handle the project instead.


text:
Taylor Lee La Charite-Vaughan
— Sep 9th, 2004
Taylor Lee La Charite-Vaughan, 3, died Sept. 2 at Children's Hospital in Seattle. He was born on in Torrance, Calif., to Jared and Amber (La Charite) Vaughan.
He loved to talk, play outside, swim, ride his Powerwheel, try to play basketball, watch Sponge Bob on TV, and eat the cream filling out of Oreo cookies. He was a spiderman toy fan. He had a great smile, beautiful blue eyes and blond hair.
He is survived by his parents, Jared and Amber Vaughan of Port Orchard; a brother, Austin La Charite-Vaughan of Port Orchard; a sister, Jordan La Charite of Port Orchard; and his grandparents, Diana La Charite of Port Orchard, Ronald Vaughan of Greenwood, Wash.; and Vickie Castillo of Redondo Beach, Calif.
A memorial service was held Tuesday at Rill Chapel's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard. Because Taylor loved the outdoors, the memorial service will be held on the front lawn.
Memorial donations can be made at Pizza Hut, 1620 N. Riddell Rd., Bremerton, WA 98310. Taylor's parents are Pizza Hut employees.
Visit an online memorial at www.rill.com.
Clara Toepel Clara Toepel Clara J. Toepel, 72, of Bremerton died Saturday at Harrison Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 9, 1919, in Shamokin, Pa. to Frank and Sophia Fairobent. She moved from Pennsylvania to Detroit, Mich. as a child and graduated from Cass High School. ... [Read More...]
Taylor Lee La Charite-Vaughn
CHARITE-VAUGHN Taylor Lee La Charite-Vaughn, 3, died Thursday at Children's Hospital in Seattle. He was born on Aug. 11, 2001, in Torrance, Calif., to Jared and Amber (La Charite) Vaughn. He loved to play outside, swim, ride his Powerwheel and liked to try to play basketball. ... [Read More...]
Florence Wigington
Dec 9th, 2003
Florence E. Wigington, 90, of Port Orchard died Saturday at Ridgemont Terrace Convalescent Center in Port Orchard. She was born in Platte, S.D., to Henry and Gertrude (Gukeisen) Martens. She married Dewey Berscheid. He died in 1963. Her second husband was Gerald Wigington. He ... [Read More...]
Derick Lee Ingulsrud Jr.
Derick Lee Ingulsrud Jr., the infant son of Derick Lee Ingulsrud and Kristina Marie Strasser of Bremerton, was stillborn Jan. 7 at Harrison Hospital in Silverdale. He is survived by his parents and his brother, Brandon David Thompson of Bremerton. A memorial service will ... [Read More...]
Leta Marie Taylor Feb. 28, 1916 April 20, 2005 Leta Marie Taylor, 89, of Port Orchard died Wednesday at Good Samaritan Health Care Center in Yakima from complications of a stroke she suffered Dec. 21, 2004. Born in Freewater, Ore., to Charles and Hazel (Harshman) Whiting, she grew up in ... [Read More...]


We would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to EastWest Education Group.
EastWest is dedicated to promoting a cultural exchange experience between international countries and the West. We provide tailor-made solutions for the students who want to add overseas experience to their lives through study, and work and travel in Western countries.
Our services mainly cover overseas work and internship experience, short to long term study overseas, university entry, year-round short term English programmes and a parents visiting service. We have built good partnerships with various schools, colleges and organisations in the West and provide full services to our students, including flight arrangements, course booking, accommodation solutions and assistance for living abroad. We always regard our students as the first priority in our business and our objective is to help them achieve their goals and dreams. We believe, through our services, our students will not only learn native English in a relaxed and friendly environment, but that they will also broaden their horizons because they can learn a lot about different cultures. This experience will enable students to make better decisions in the future, after understanding of the education system, culture and lifestyle in the West during their stay.


The SAFOD project recovered core samples from the Pacific-North America plate boundary and creeping patches of the San Andreas Fault, within about 100 m of a magnitude ~2 repeating earthquake patch. Data gathered on samples returned from depth have provided explanations for the weakness and aseismic behavior of the fault. Furthermore, samples collected from depth have shown the degree that fluid-rock interaction plays in the evolution of fault zone behavior. Finally, samples have also shown a past, seismic history for rock currently in the creeping section of the SAF. Borehole instruments has have subsequently obtained a substantial archive of seismic data for earthquakes, tremor, and low frequency earthquakes along the San Andreas fault zone, as well as years of interferometric vertical strainmeter data. Borehole measurement results have highlighted the structure of the fault zone, that evolution of the state of stress approaching a plate boundary fault, and the role of crustal fluids in fault zone behavior. Finally, surface and borehole seismology studies have resulted in the detailed characterization of repeating earthquake clusters, the observation of preseismic velocity changes, and a better understanding of the 3D crustal structure surrounding the fault.
Overall SAFOD sampling, down-hole measurements and instrumentation at seismogenic depths have produced significant advances in our understanding of fault zone evolution, structure, composition and behavior. The project provided critical information on fundamental science goals in 2001 Earthscope Project Plan. SAFOD provided "the first look at the inner workings of a portion deep within an active geosystem - the San Andreas fault," and measured "subsurface conditions that give rise to slip on faults and deformation in the crust." However, a series of critical unknowns still exist.
3) Develop a plan to apply SAFOD data to existing concerns surrounding earthquake hazard along creeping faults and the physics of earthquake nucleation. Such a development would also consider possible future research utilizing SAFOD data and the SAFOD facility.


See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Kids Cash Register Grocery.
Harbortouch offers this cashier register for small business online for free. The basic design of this business machine includes a cashbox, an adding machine to register transactions and a receipt printer.This award-winning cash register is the perfect addition to any pretend store. Click on the coins and bills in this cash register to answer each question.Color in this picture of an The Cash Register and others with our library of online coloring pages.
Introduce a sorting game with the cash register to familiarize kids with money and the cash register in general.Keep track of transactions and speed up checkouts by getting a cash register for your retail store.Barbie Cash Register Games - Free Online Barbie Cash Register Games for Kids and Girls - DressUp121.com.Once you register, you can choose to purchase the items or activities using a debit or credit card.
All content Copyright 2001-2002 The Center For Advanced Technologies.Teaching Cash Register Supermarket Cash Register with Checkout Scanner, Weight Scale, Microphone, Calculator, Play Money and Food Shopping Playset for. This type of game works well with early elementary age students in grades K through 2.
IKEA - DUKTIG, Toy cash register,, Your child will have fun pretending to shop with their friends, while they also learn about counting and money.Encourages role.
Choose from three mini-games, including finding missing objects, coloring and decorating your own room for a Independence Day party.After the talking and observing I drew a rudimentary cash register outline on the paper.


The Dinan Funeral Homes were established in 1890 by Frank T. Dinan an Irish immigrant who after arriving in Philadelphia quickly found out that there was a need for caring and compassionate funeral service. Shortly after, he opened the first Dinan location which was a modest row home on 19th street in Philadelphia. Frank's goal was to provide the best service possible at an affordable price to all he was priveledged to serve. After several years, his goal was realized and he became the trusted name in the neighborhood. Of course there were other funeral homes in the same area, however Frank's personal attention to each family is what made the Dinan name stand out. As the business grew, Frank realized that he needed to grow with it and moved the funeral home to Spring Garden Street. As time went on and his daughter Anna became involved, more and more families requested their services. It was finally decided to move once again to our present location.
Today, as in 1890, our family still operates the business every day and families can rest assured that they will meet with one of our family. Frank's grandson Francis Timothy (Tim) Dinan is the owner and President, and Frank's great grandson Christopher J. Dinan manages the day to day operations in Philadelphia. Another great grandson Francis Timothy (Tim) Dinan Jr. assists in the day to day operations at our suburban location Shelly-Dinan Funeral Home in Lansdale. Although we have grown and expanded, one thing remains the same as when Frank opened his doors over 120 years ago; and that is that our family will provide the best possible service at an affordable price to each and every family we are honored to serve. Let's face it, Frank wouldn't have it any other way!
Tim and his family moved to Lansdale after purchasing the former Shelly Funeral Home in 1978. He continues to be active in the day to day operations of the funeral homes where he serves as President.
Tim is a third generation funeral director and has been serving families for over 50 years. Born in Philadelphia, he is one of six children. Tim is very active in the community and is well known in both Philadelphia and Lansdale where he serves on many volunteer boards; most recently joining the Lansdale Volunteer Medical Corps. He has been married to Joan for over 45 years and also has four children. Tim and his family moved to Lansdale after purchasing the former Shelly Funeral Home in 1978. He continues to be active in the day to day operations of the funeral homes where he serves as President.
Chris is the manager of the Philadelphia location and is a fourth generation funeral director. He resides at the funeral home on Spring Garden St. with his wife Karen and three children. Chris is responsible for the day to day operations of the Philadelphia location and is also active in the community, including the Knights of Columbus and various church organizations.


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Middle schoolers trot to the finish line for food pantry
Thursday, December 8, 2016 by LINDA DEIBERT in School
Northwestern Middle School had its seventh annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 3.
Students brought in 510 canned goods to be donated to the Christ's Church at Lowhill Food Pantry as part of their registration.
Winners of the boys race were Sam Bower and Cayde Tostes.
Winners of the girls race were Lexi Vennera, Isabella Bradhead and Gracie Meyers.
Read more about Middle schoolers trot to the finish line for food pantry
There will be rehearsal for Kindergarten Grandparents Day on Dec. 13.
All kindergarten students are to attend school in the morning.
The show will take place 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14. Snow date is 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15.
All kindergarten students are asked to attend school during the morning session.
First-grade students will present "Singing in the Snow," 2 p.m. Dec. 16. Snow date is Dec. 19.
Giant A+ Rewards are once again being collected so the school can earn money through the program.
Twisted Reed open for the holidays
Thursday, December 8, 2016 by LINDA DEIBERT in Local News
Kim Borgman, along with her daughter, Emily Newman, invites various artisans from the area to display their items in her store, The Twisted Reed Gallery, 7998 Kings Highway, Lynnport.
Handcrafted items include jewelry, Santas, pottery, baskets and much more.
Twisted Reed is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends until Dec. 18.
Read more about Twisted Reed open for the holidays
Schools will be closed for Winter Break from Dec. 23 through Jan. 2, 2017. School offices will also be closed during this time.
The middle school holiday concert will be performed 7 p.m. Dec. 12 in the middle school auditorium.
Snow date for the concert is 7 p.m. Dec. 15.
The high school holiday concert will be presented 7 p.m. Dec. 14 in the middle school auditorium.
Snow date is 7 p.m. Dec. 15.
There is a Partners In Education meeting scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Dec. 1.
The Fifth Grade Winter Concert will take place 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in the gymnasium. Snow date is 2 p.m. Dec. 9.
A PTO meeting is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Dec. 2.
Don't forget the Holiday Shoppe runs from Dec. 5- 9.
Students are invited to do Christmas shopping for family and friends with PTO staff available to assist them.
The Winter Concert for parents will be presented 2 p.m. Dec. 6.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016 by LINDA DEIBERT in School
The Holiday Shoppe will be open Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Students are invited to bring some money and do Christmas shopping for family and friends.
There will be a Partners in Education meeting 6:45 p.m. Dec. 1.
The fifth grade winter concert will be performed 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Snow date is 2 p.m. Dec. 9.
Parents of children with missing clothing, lunchboxes or water bottles should check the lost and found box in the office lobby when attending the school's holiday shows.
Northwestern Elementary students perform special Veterans Day concert for Tiger Vision TV
Northwestern Elementary School fourth grade students recently sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Oh Shenandoah" for a recorded musical segment, which aired on Veterans Day, on Tiger Vision TV.
The students were under the direction of Brittany Baumeister.
Baumeister explained the importance of song "The Star Spangled Banner" to her students.
"It is a song that represents our freedoms that were fought for by our ancestors and perhaps people in our lives today and approached with respect," she said.
Read more about Northwestern Elementary students perform special Veterans Day concert for Tiger Vision TV
MS, High School Happenings
There will be no school Nov. 24-28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Congratulations to the boys varsity soccer team!! There are the 2016 Colonial League and PIAA District XI 3A Boys Soccer Champions and silver medalists at the State Championship in Hershey. Well done, gentlemen.
The high school drama department is presenting "Elf the Musical Jr."Dec.1-3 in the auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 7 p.m.
All tickets are general admission and may be purchased at the door.
Read more about MS, High School Happenings
Thursday, November 17, 2016 by LINDA DEIBERT in School
There is no school Nov. 24-28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday
Students will be dismissed noon Nov. 18-23 for parent-teacher conferences.
Morning kindergartners report to school Nov. 18 and 21. Afternoon kindergartners attend Nov. 22 and 23.
The fall book fair takes place Nov.17-23.
Students may visit the fair during school hours. Parents will be able to visit the fair during parent-teacher conferences.
Partners In Education will be having its annual clothing drive Nov. 18- 23 during parent-teacher conferences.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 by LINDA DEIBERT in School
All schools and offices will be closed Nov. 24, 25 and 28 for Thanksgiving break.
The National Honor Society's induction ceremony will be 6 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the high school auditorium.
Parent and teacher conferences will take place Nov. 18-23. There will be early dismissal for middle school students 10:50 a.m. on those dates.


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75th "Twenty's plenty where people live" campaign launched
http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/local_campaigns.htm
Crown Estate plans £500m revamp of St James's
The Crown Estate plans to spend £500m on regenerating St James's in London following the success of its decade-long modernisation of Regent Street. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...
Adolescents may copy behaviour from unhelpful computer roll models
Queens University Belfast study finds high computer use in adolescents is associated with approximately 50 per cent increased engagement with a cluster of six MRB, including smoking, drunkenness, non...
Higher levels of social activity decrease the risk of cognitive decline
The study included 1,138 older adults with a mean age of 80. On average, those who reported the highest levels of social activity (the 90th percentile) experienced only one quarter of the rate of...
Higher Levels of Social Activity Decrease the Risk of Developing Disability in Old Age
The study included 954 older adults with a mean age of 82. Results showed that a person who reported a high level of social activity was about twice as likely to remain free of a disability involving...
Canada faces obesity crisis : 60 percent of adults overweight
The 2007–2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey revealed that 24% of adults were overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25.0–29.9) and 37% were obese (BMI > 30). Measures discussed...
People judge neighbourhood safety on the basis of appearance - and are accurate.
Strangers to a neighbourhood percieve signs of 'disorder' as indicators of a community that is vulnerable to criminal behaviour and lacking in safety. Such signs include: loose...
Masdar - City of the Future - Review Article
Masdar features solar power, 24 C air conditioning, electric golf buggy personal transport, and considerable electronic control gear to minimise energy use. However the population in 2015 will...
Concern grows over London air pollution
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/24/london-olympics-pollution-fine-ioc
Riots in Bristol against 18th Tesco
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379581/Riot-Bristol-Tesco-petrol-bombed-160-officers-swoop-arrest-4-squatters.html Given the difficulty the rioters in the video have in breaking the...
Economic downturn brings an end to current skyscraper boom
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/apr/20/gherkin-architect-london-skyscraper
Waitrose opens new virtual store
Waitrose's new and largest store is a virtual one that sells only via the internet. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/waitrose-turns-screws-on-ocado-with-virtual-store-2270216.html...
Herculaneum's Decumanus Maximus reopens for business - after 20 year gap
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/19/roman-high-street-reopens-visitors
Idea put forward to divide Istanbul into two
Istanbul has now reached a population of 17 million, placing extreme strain on the city's supporting infrastructure. The Turkish primeminister has put forward a plan to divide the city into...
Sounds of the city - Britsh Library sound clips from 1947 and 2010
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-sounds-of-the-suburbs-britain-is-a-quieter-place-2268438.html The suggestion is made in the article that modern Britain is a quiter place needs to...
Top 10 tall buildings - as chosen by Rowan Moore
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/gallery/2011/apr/17/ten-best-tall-buildings#/?picture=373665950&index=0 Unfortunately the photography includes some truly dreadful examples of converging...
Environmental tipping points are in part determined by how humans react
Environmental tipping points are, according to a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sometimes dependent on whether humans are indifferent, or prepared to accept the runaway...
Carbon Calculator published online by Berkeley University
Check out the calculator on.... http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu, It enables people to identify which changes to make to their lifestyles to have the greatest impact on reduce Carbon Dioxide...
Campaign grows over cyclist deaths
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/save-our-cyclists-clamour-for-flood-of-avoidable-road-deaths-to-be-stemmed-2268135.html
An ambitious future for urban design education..
In early May, the Urban Design Group supported by MADE is holding its first urban design education symposium. Course leaders from across the UK will be coming to discuss challenges and...
Book of 16th century town and city maps published
Cities of the world: Franz Hogenberg, annotated by Geog Braun http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1376557/The-historical-Rough-Guide-16th-century-book-mapping-major-cities-reprinted.html...
Animated world map of remaining natural vegetation shows how land-use has changed over the past 8500 years
Of note is change in South America up to the first contact with settlers from the old world leading to a dramatic reversal and revival of the natural environment, coinciding with the death of the...


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Federal Committee Votes to Terminate Troubled College Accreditor
The Education Department took the unprecedented step of calling on the government to revoke powers of for-profit college accreditor.
Annie Waldman ,
One of the nation's largest, and most criticized, accreditors of for-profit colleges was pushed a step closer to being shuttered last Thursday.
In a historic move, an Education Department advisory panel voted 10-3 to recommend that the government deauthorize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The committee came to its decision after nearly 11 hours of public testimony and deliberations, much of the time spent dissecting the numerous instances in which the accreditor failed to adequately monitor its colleges.
"When we see schools provide extremely poor outcomes for students 2014 or even commit fraud 2014 while maintaining accreditation, that is a black mark on the entire field," said Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell in the opening remarks of the advisory meeting, which began on Wednesday morning.
The federal committee hearing, also known as the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, or NACIQI, took place just a few days after Education Department staff released a report also recommending that the government cut ties with the accreditor.
The recommendations aren't binding but they are likely to carry significant weight and a clock is now ticking: A senior department official now has three months to make the ultimate decision on ACICS' fate.
For-Profit College Reform: How Democratic Power Lobbyists Helped Water It Down
The problems and pitfalls of for-profit colleges -including how their business plans took advantage of students and reaped billions of dollars in federal student loans, only to leave many …
Dina Rasor &
Charles M Smith ,
ACICS has faced growing scrutiny for the weak student outcomes of the colleges it accredits. A ProPublica analysis found that schools accredited by ACICS have the lowest graduation rates in the country and their graduates struggle the most to repay their student loans.
In the weeks leading up to Thursday's meeting, numerous critics have called on the Education Department to revoke recognition of the accreditor, including more than a dozen state attorneys general, over 20 consumer protection and student advocacy groups, and several members of Congress.
The Department of Education's recent report also found that ACICS came up short in monitoring potential conflicts of interest of its board members. As ProPublica reported, two-thirds of ACICS' commissioners, who are ultimately responsible for schools' accreditation, worked as executives at for-profit colleges.
Responding to the growing chorus of criticism, ACICS announced earlier this month that it would stop accrediting new schools while it undertook reforms, which included tougher review standards and the creation of a new committee to police conflicts of interest.
"ACICS takes seriously the concerns about the need for greater accountability and transparency in higher education," the agency's top executive, Anthony Bieda, said during Thursday's hearing.
But his agency's reforms proved too little too late.
"The new standards will not be able to make up for the damage that has been done," said Education Department staff member Chuck Mula during the meeting.
Accreditors are supposed to regulate college quality and their stamp of approval opens the spigot to billions in federal aid dollars. Losing accreditation can be a deathblow for colleges, particularly for the many for-profit schools that rely on federal aid programs for the majority of their income.
The ultimate decision on ACICS rests with Emma Vadehra, the chief of staff of the US Secretary of Education John King. Should she decide to terminate ACICS' authority, the hundreds of schools that ACICS accredits would have 18 months to find a new accreditor. ACICS oversees 240 institutions, which enroll hundreds of thousands of students.
Most ACICS schools will easily find new accreditation within the timeframe, but not all, said the Education Department's head of accreditation Herman Bounds.
"It's going to be those schools that are on the cuff, mediocre, may have performance issues," said Bounds at the hearing. "I think those schools will be looked at more closely by the accreditors."
Bounds said the department would try to assist schools during the new accreditation process.
But if a college still can't get accreditation, the flow of federal aid dollars would be effectively cut off.
One of the nation's largest for-profit schools, ITT Technical Institute, has suggested in recent regulatory filings that it may struggle to secure new accreditation should ACICS lose its recognition.
"We cannot assure you that our campuses could obtain accreditation by another recognized accrediting agency within that timeframe," a company filing says. ITT enrolls over 40,000 students and received nearly $800 million in federal aid in 2013 alone.
Annie Waldman
Annie Waldman is a reporting and data intern at ProPublica. She recently graduated with honors from the dual masters program at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs and the School of Journalism.
For-Profit Colleges Are Bankrolling Romney to Keep Student Loan Money Flowing
Unfortunately there is great pressure at this time to cut back on state educational funding. The for-profit schools have an incentive to lobby for these states'
Accreditor of For-Profit Colleges Agrees It Needs a Makeover
Embattled college accreditor ACICS announces that it will halt new applications for accreditation while it institutes reforms.
Minnesota Becomes First State to Pass Abortion Protections Bill After "Dobbs"
The bill protects pregnant people's right "to continue the pregnancy and give birth, or obtain an abortion."


text:
Q: Remove background image on filling the text box I have textBox by default it has got background image, now I am able to remove the image on focus using CSS, but once the focus is not there image appears, so how to remove this image when then the box is not empty. I prefer doing this using CSS rather than JavaScript or jQuery.

A: I know you said you wanted to use css only but I can't think of a way to do this without using either js or doing it serverside with PHP (which is probably not an option)
with jquery you can simply use this check:
if($('#id_of_box').html() == "") { change css here }

A: You have to combine special CSS Selectors.
CSS 3 includes a ":empty" selector.
http://www.w3schools.com/cssref/css_selectors.asp


∇Dress code : DO NOT wear tank, low collar top, shorts, short skirt and flip flop.
Take BTS to station Saphan Taksin then take a little walk to N1 pier.
∗Only the grey, orange and the blue lines stop by N8 pier.
3. N8 pier – Tha Tien here we go!!!
Here are some pics about river scene while taking the shuttle.
These architectures are varies by the areas…….
, get through some souvenir stores and stalls, you'll see some entrance across the street.
∇You'll be required to take off your shoes into a plastic bag that provided by staff.
∇Lady who wears shorts will asked to wear a green blouse to cover up.
The chapel and the reclining Buddha were built by Rama III in 1832.
The soles of the feet of the Buddha are 3 m high and 4.5 m long, and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They are divided into 108 arranged panels, displaying the auspicious symbols by which Buddha can be identified like flowers, dancers, white elephants, tigers and altar accessories.
Take you time here for the marvelous architectures and give yourself a professional massage in here.
Where to go next (close to Wat pho)?
∇On foot about 15 mins.


Dubai-based UMAYA Lighting Design is partnering with Gallegos Lighting Design, the internationally renowned lighting design consultancy led by the eminent lighting designer Patrick Gallegos.
With more than 35 years of experience coupled and well over 600 successfully illuminated projects across North America and beyond, the team at Gallegos holds a particular specialisation in lighting design for projects with an emphasis on experiential architecture – particularly for theme parks, museums, and aquariums.
The partnership fuses the combined teams, capabilities and experiences of two award-winning lighting practices with a vision to provide best-in-class global lighting design services – no matter where in the world projects and their design teams may be located.


Casetta in Giardino is an independent guestroom located in the garden of Casa Corsi B & B (also on our website). The owner of the B & B restored this separate little room (which was once the laundry area dedicated to the ground floor flat) to create an additional guestroom that feels more like a private studio apartment. The room is 5 meters by 4 meters and very cozy and welcoming. It has a typical sloping Florentine roof, with Tuscan terracotta and exposed wooden beams. A large window (with insulated glass) faces onto the garden, offering a lovely view. The room is decorated in a romantic style, with a queen-sized bed and the possibility of two additional single beds. Set off from the B & B in the back of the garden, there is a sense of privacy and intimacy, making it the perfect option for a couple or for a family with children. The room has a private ensuite bathroom, WiFi, air-conditioning, and independent heating (the room is insulated as well so it stays warm in the winter). Guests are welcome to use the facilities at Casa Corsi, such as the telephone (for incoming calls or for free phone calls within Florence), the kitchen, the TV in the common room, and the washing machine. Of course the highlight is the garden, which has tables outside so that guests can relax and enjoy the fresh air surrounded by laurel trees.
Price was very reasonable. It's close to the train station and the rest of Florence attractions. It was very clean. Bed was comfortable. Staff very helpful.
Great. We trust you and were happy to find this option.
The location was great and the staff was helpful with information.
We were very happy with our accommodations.
It was very easy to interact with Cross-Pollinate.
Great location and very helpful owner.
Excellent experience to stay in the place. I can also do laundry during my stay.
Nice terrace and garden within a bustling city. Serene and peaceful. Roberta Corsi, the owner was extremely pleasant and helpful and made us feel very much at home.
Cross-Pollinate could not have made the process of finding, reserving and retaining accommodations any easier!
Roberta is very very hospitable host who not only provided coffee and local Italian snacks, she also gave us useful tips in Florence. For instance, she introduced an excellent trattoria which is very near to Casetta in Giardino. We also loved the old furniture, the excellent plumbing system with hot water and, of course, the private garden.
Cross-Pollinate has been efficient, prompt and gave excellent instructions on how to get to Casetta in Giardino. We would gladly introduce Cross-Pollinate to our friends and will use it again!
Roberta was an extremely kind host! We felt very at home here. Because we only stayed for one night, however, we didn't have an opportunity to take advantage of being across the courtyard from the main bed and breakfast. We had full access to the kitchen there and would have used it if we had stayed longer. The bedroom and bathroom in the "Casetta" were comfortable, clean, and functional.
This was our second time using Cross-Pollinate. All went smoothly once agai.
Location! The room was nice... but we took three train trips from Florence to other cities and staying here made it an easy 5 minute walk to the station. We also loved Roberta. A wonderful and thoughtful hostess.
The wi-fi didn't work unless we went up to the main house. A light outside the guesthouse door would really help when arriving after dark.
We give Cross-Pollinate an A plus!
The place was so lovely, especially the garden and the big windows in our room overlooking it. Roberta, who owns it, is lovely and very helpful.
Not much! The garden means there are insects so a net on the window would be ideal. Also the wifi did not work in the room. We had to go into the main building to use it which was annoying.
Roberta is a wonderful host!
We were very happy with the Cassetta in Giardino. The location on a side street five minutes from the station by foot is excellent. The Cassetta is a simple little cottage at the back of the garden behind the Corsi house. It's very quiet and we were VERY grateful for the air conditioning as temperatures were in the mid 30s (centigrade). Last but not least, we were charmed by Signora Corsi (Roberta) who welcomed us at the door and was friendly and helpful.
Great. I somehow missed the instructions on how to make alternative or second choice bookings. Maybe a reminder next to the message box would help?
The hosts were incredibly friendly and helpful even when one member of our party was ill. It was a pleasure to get to know them a bit and to share their lovely garden. We hope to visit again someday.
My first time using this service. Could not have worked out better. Thank you.
Location, location, location! Close to the train station. Round the corner parking, the quiet garden, awesome organic vegetarian restaurant around the corner and cozy space. Love the welcome. Price.
Wifi! Extra keys. Too tight for four people but good for a couple or three.
Love their screening these locations and the value for the price...great way to book accommodations and travel without having to eat out all the time...their descriptions are accurate as ca be!
The hostess was wonderful and kind. The room and bathroom were very clean when we arrived, we were even able to check in 2 hours early. Had everything we needed. Such personable service. They saw us with all our bags and said "sit down first and catch your breath" and offerred us coffee and biscotti first before we did anything else. Lovely patio area. So tranquil and peaceful yet so close to the train station.
We had problems with mosquitos, must have been due to all the rain.
The room is comfortable and quiet. And the staff was extremely friendly and helpful.
The price was a bit higher than we hoped to pay, but it was still good value.
This was an excellent and helpful service, and the staff were very responsive and accommodating.
Large room, private bath, A/C & heat, clean, close to train station, quiet, washing machine, Roberta (and her daughter) are extremely nice (even made us coffee & gave us biscotti one morning), able to leave luggage after we checked out.
You have to walk through a communal hall, kitchen, and garden to even get to the room. The room is literally on the garden so privacy is lacking & has the potential to be noisy if guests were using the garden late at night. After checking out we realized there were shutters & blinds we could have closed to increase privacy and block morning light. There is no dryer for your clothes and the washer is shared (and takes a while). Wifi signal in the room was very weak.
The bed was extremely hard.
Cross-Pollinate made my job of travel planner super easy! As an american going to Europe for the first time, they made the language barrier SUPER EASY! We made reservations with another company (will remain unnamed) for a stay at a monastery. The reservations were vague and inaccurate with that company. Cross Pollinate is the way to go!
Roberta, her husband and daughter were very helpful and friendly. Our room in the garden was roomy and comfortable The B&B is in a good location--close to the station and the city center. As others have said, Roberta is warm and welcoming, offering us coffee and snacks, guiding us on our touring plans and helping us with a phone call we needed to make. The room in the garden is specious, with a up-dated private bath, and very comfortable. We would certainly recommend the Casetta in Giardino to anyone who wants to have a really friendly "Italian" experience.
I am so glad to have learned about Cross-Pollinate in Rick Steve's Italy guide. The two B&B experiences we booked through this service were most satisfactory. We did not have any problems which required additional assistance--which is good thing!
This place was amazing! We had the apartment across the courtyard. It was perfect! There was a washer and dryer and a kitchen we could use! We are anxious to return!
Within easy walking distance from the train station, quiet, owner was very helpful. LOVED having a washing machine and the garden. Florence fell in the middle of our trip so it was a perfect time to get all of our clothes clean. Close to a convenience store, so we could buy inexpensive water, snacks and keep them in the fridge in our room, or in the separate kitchen. Air conditioning worked well in the heat.
clean and comfortable room. The air conditioning was important to us in the heat of the summer.
We weren't sure who to pay for the room. We were shown the room when we checked in by a nice young man. We paid the girl who came to clean the rooms the following day, but had to explain that we were given the nicer room at the same rate as the other two rooms we booked. It wasn't a problem, but she probably should have been told this. Also we had trouble finding the location from the train station by following their own directions, so that should be reviewed and revised.
My three teen-age kids stayed in the Casetta in Giardino last summer. They absolutely loved the host and enjoyed their stay thoroughly. The location was ideal to walk from the train to the center of Florence. The room was pristine and extremely comfortable. Their only complaint was that they would've preferred to stay there longer.


MOLSHEIM (France): The French hyper sports car manufacturer is celebrating its 110th-year anniversary with a special edition of the Chiron Sport limited to 20 cars.
This new edition is not only extremely exclusive but also pays tribute to France.
The new Chiron Sport 110 ans Bugatti bears the French tricolour "Le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge", with its colours of blue, white and red, decorates the body and interiors at several points and harmonizes perfectly with the extraordinary Chiron Sport.
Hyper sports cars have been a Bugatti tradition since the establishment of the brand. When Ettore Bugatti designed his first model in 1909, the Type 10, he deliberately broke new ground in terms of design.
The Type 10 was light, small and nimble with an adequate power output – an agile racing car with function following form in an uncompromising way. At the beginning of the 20th century, this was a new approach and it has defined the mission of Ettore Bugatti's successors to the present day.
With the assistance of some partners, Ettore Bugatti set up in business at a disused dyeing plant in Molsheim at the end of 1909. Shortly afterwards, he continued the development of his Type 10 to create the Type 13 – the first official Bugatti model.
Up to 1956, about 7,950 vehicles of Types 10 to 252 were produced, of which an estimated 2,000 or so are still in existence. In 1987, Romano Artioli revived the brand and produced the EB 110, a super sports car with a top speed of over 340kph – the fastest production car in the world at the beginning of the 1990s.
The Chiron features a superlative powerplant: the 8.0-litre W16 engine with four turbochargers delivers 1,500PS and 1,600Nm of torque.
The car can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in less than 2.4 seconds, reaching 200kph in 6.1 seconds and 300kph in 13.1 seconds.
Even the magic figure of 400kph can be reached in only 32.6 seconds. The maximum speed is far higher, at 420kph.
"The ultimate hyper sports car from France is still the most powerful, highest-quality, fastest and most comfortable gran turismo in existence – a blend of elegance, quality, unique character and power," says Winkelmann.


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You are here: Home / Blog Article / The Growing Threat of Armed Banditry in North-West Nigeria
The Growing Threat of Armed Banditry in North-West Nigeria
January 8, 2021 by Strife Staff
by Adedeji Ademola
Nigerian authorities had earlier in April this year, deployed special forces in the country's northwest to combat kidnappers and bandits. Source: Reuters Archive
For some time now, Nigeria has been a hotbed of conflicts. Apart from the perennial conflict between the farmers and herdsmen, there are other notable security challenges, which includes the activities of the Biafra separatists, militant Islamists in the North-East, kidnappings in many parts of the country, the Niger Delta imbroglio, and so on. However, the Boko Haram group remains arguably Nigeria's biggest security threat. The group poses a significant threat to neighboring countries as well, especially Cameroon, Niger, and Chad resulting in grave economic, social, and humanitarian consequences. For example, the group recently gruesomely executed 40 rice farmers in Jere Local Government area of Borno State, Nigeria. The United Nations had claimed that the number of deaths were far more than reported.[1] But while the group is making lives unbearable for the people living in Northeast Nigeria, another organised group referred to as the armed bandits are increasingly making lives difficult for the people living in the Northwest area of Nigeria. Life is no longer sacred in these parts of the country and the overall impact will certainly last for generations. Government is clearly overwhelmed and the citizens helpless. It is therefore expedient to examine the dynamics of this recent surge in armed banditry, the challenges inhibiting the fight against banditry and how to prevent the total shutdown of the country by bandits and insurgents alike. But first, who are these bandits?
Banditry violence is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria. The history of banditry in Nigeria can be traced to pre-civil war period when government deteriorated in certain parts of the old Western region resulting in political violence, crime and organised insurgency.[2] Accordingly, during the civilian reign, local bandits were reportedly stealing domestic animals. [3] Recently, in the Northwest area of Nigeria particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, Kaduna and Kebbi States, the activities of Bandits have been particularly worrisome. The activities of these bandits' ranges from kidnapping to murder, robbery, rape, cattle-rustling, and the likes. Their modus operandi involves maiming and killing their victims when they least expect. Usually, they mobilized themselves through the forests into the neighborhood riding on fast motorcycles especially in the nights and shoot at will. Sometimes in the afternoon, once they were sure there were no security presence of the police or military around, they unleash terror in the communities. This growing threat is claiming victims in hundreds. Several children have been orphaned and women became widows overnight while the issue of food security as well as humanitarian tragedy will further make life unbearable for many Nigerians.
The facts are scary. While about "1,100 people were murdered in 2018 in the six states of North west Nigeria in 2018, over 2,200 were killed in 2019 and 1,600 killed between January and June 2020". [4] About 247,000 people had been displaced while their activities alone have led to the production of more than 41,000 refugees. [5] In Zamfara alone, over 8000 people have been murdered in the last decade, 200,000 displaced internally and others fleeing to neighbouring states. [6] The situation is so porous already that the religious leader and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa ad Abubakar opined that "Bandits now move in the North from house to house with AK47 and lamented that the region had become the worst place to live in Nigeria…"[7]In Sokoto, more than 250 people have been killed in about 20 attacks, [8] just to mention but few.
It is important to note that the newest Northwest conflict started because of fight over depleting lands and water resources between the farmers and the herdsmen with the farmers belonging mostly to the Hausa people and the herdsmen being predominantly Fulani.[9] As a consequence, there has been massive deforestation because of the impact of the Sahara Desert spreading south. [10]
Also, in an area where poverty is deeply rooted and illiteracy extremely high, rearing cattle is the preoccupation of many Fulani'. Thus, whenever this source of livelihood is threatened, whether by nature or human intervention, they are willing to do anything to survive. In addition, there is the problem of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the area, inequality and as John Campbell puts it, "weakened, stretched and demoralized security services.[11] There are also problems of failure of local justice and ethnic division [12] as well as uncoordinated and under policed borders. Indeed, in recent history, banditry also became the order of the day because of government's inability to protect lives and property as well as failure to put the welfare of the people first.
Government has responded at both state and federal level. The initial reaction was the bombardments of the various abodes of the bandits by the military and police under different code names, but this did not yield much significant result.[13] The state governments have also tried to negotiate and give amnesty to repentant bandits. While this initially worked, the result did not last.[14]
There are salient reasons why government interventions are not yielding fruit till date. A major factor is the topography of the area. The terrain is such that security presence is virtually unavailable for most people in the area particularly, those living in remote areas. It takes hours sometimes for security personnel to respond to distress calls of victims.[15] This is further propelled by the massive forests surrounding the areas which is shielding the bandits from being easily captured especially as they make use of forests such as the Falgore, Kamara, Kunduma, Subudu, Kamuku and Kiyanbana forests.[16] This makes it difficult for the military to secure the lives and property of the people residing in the areas especially without modern technology systems. So, what is the way forward?
The Nigerian government has complained about not having adequate modern equipment to give to her security personnel to work and had appealed to the international community to help in this regard. Fighting terrorism or banditry is not a tea party. Government must be proactive and partner with affected communities to bring a lasting solution to it. How do these bandits' source for guns and tools to fight with? Where are they hiding? How do they access finance? Do they have records that can be accessed? Is it possible to trace their roots and linkage? How can information leakage among security personnel's or civilians partnering with them be reduced? Answers to these questions will show that the threats of bandits can be reduced if not nullified.
Civil-military cooperation is a necessity and infrastructural development is a must even to rural dwellers as well as access to communication, police presence and protection. Not only these, the vigilantes that have been formed in the various communities in the north to combat the activities of these bandits must also be professionally trained and well organised by the government to work better and aid their communities. Movement of small arms and light ammunitions through the porous borders must be checked in cooperation with other countries in the region but ultimately, poverty must be drastically reduced, and providing good education to all citizens must become the priority of the government.
[1] The Punch, "Anger spreads as UN says 110 Borno farmers killed", 30 November 2020.
[2] Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, (December 27, 2018, "Banditry in Nigeria: A brief history of a long war", The Punch.
[3] Mustapha Umar Nadama, (2019) Armed banditry and Internal security in Zamfara State", International Journal of Scientific and Engineering research, 10 (8) : 1220.
[4] "Banditry violence and displacement in the Northwest", (2020), retrieved from https://www.acaps.org/sites/acaps/files/products/files/20200723_acaps_short_note_northwest_banditry_crisis_nwbc_nigeria.pdf 30/11/2020
[6] International Crisis Group Report (2020), "Violence in Nigeria's North West: Rolling Back the Mayhem", 288:3.
[7] Onyebuchi Ezigbo (2020), "Bandits now move in the north from house to house with AK47", ThisDayLive, retrieved from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/26/bandits-now-move-in-the-north-from-house-to-house-with-ak47-says-sultan, 11/26/2020
[8] Rakiya A. Mohammed (2020), "Sokoto: Over 250 persons killed in 20 Deadly attacks', Daily Trust, retrieved from https://dailytrust.com/how-bandits-killed-over-70-in-sokoto
[10] Nduka Orjiinmo, (2020), "Katsina: The motorcycle bandits terrorizing northern Nigeria", retrieved at https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53009704 11/26/2020
[11] John Campbell, "Not all violent problems require violent solutions: Banditry in Nigeria's North-West, retrieved at https://www.cfr.org/blog/not-all-violent-problems-require-violent-solutions-banditry-nigerias-north-west 11/26/2020
[12] Emmanuel Akinwotu, (2020) "Waves of bandit massacres rupture rural life in northwest Nigeria", The Guardian retrieved from https://theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/03/waves-of-bandit-massacres-rupture-rural-life-in-north-west-nigeria 11/26/2020
[13] John Campbell (2020), "Not all Violent Problems Require Violent Solutions: Banditry in Nigeria's North-West, retrieved from cfr.org/blog/not-all-violent-problems-require-violent-solutions-banditry-nigerias-north-west, 5/12/2020
[14] The Premium Times (2019), "Northwest governors grant amnesty to 'bandits', herders", retrieved from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/344330-north-west-governors-grant-amnesty-to-bandits-gerders.html
[15] International Crisis Group Report (2017), "Herders against Farmers: Nigeria's Expanding Deadly Conflict", 252
[16] WANEP (2020) "Addressing Armed Banditry in the North West Region of Nigeria: Exploring the potentials of a Multi-Dimensional Conflict Management Approach", 5.
Adedeji Ademola is an external representative for Strife Blog and a doctoral student at the Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. His main research interests include international relations, security, governance and development issues in West Africa, civilian casualties, and counterinsurgency.
Filed Under: Blog Article, Feature Tagged With: Adedeji Ademola, Banditry, Civil-Military Cooperation, Insecurity, Nigeria, Northwest Nigeria
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In the hope I find this post next time I'm trying to monitor a SmartArray drive controller, A fresh install of Ubuntu 10.04, installing package cciss-vol-status didn't seem to work. I couldn't even find the file on the system using 'locate'.
For some reason, it installed as cciss_vol_status (using underscores instead of hyphens).


The Home Federal Savings Bank Scholarship is created for students who have delcared a major in WSU's Nursing and Health Sciences program.
2. Each recipient must be classified as a junior and be in good standing at Winona State University with a minimum grade point average of 3.25.


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In response to Dave Gregg's letter (2/13), "Where do I sign," regarding ranked choice voting, I'll start by citing the Maine League of Women Voters:
"Maine voters will be voting for the offices of President of the United States, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Maine State Senate, and Maine State House. We will be using ranked choice voting in all of the federal elections, including the choice of presidential electors* for the office of President of the United States. We will not be using ranked choice voting in the elections for Maine State Senate or Maine State House." *(electors in our electoral college elect the actual president after the state votes are tallied)
Ranked choice voting is entirely of the people and by the people. It ensures that in races with three or more candidates the one with the most support from a majority of voters is the winner. If this November's general election for president has an independent candidate in addition to candidates from the two major parties, then ranked choice voting would apply if none of the candidates receive a majority of first choice votes. It means that people can vote their hopes for the candidate they like best, without worrying that it will result in electing the candidate they like least with a small plurality. Because majority wins, every vote counted. High voter participation and inclusion increases citizen self-determination, our most coveted American value. Ranked choice voting ensures that what a majority of voters fully support prevails. It also fosters greater voter knowledge of all candidates, resulting in more personalized and informed voting.
Sadly, our current divisiveness results in this focus on fabricating falsehoods, and inciting fear, wasting the time and resources of our governing bodies better engaged with addressing our immediate and serious constituent needs. This election season let's turn down the hyperbole, and turn up the facts, the truth, and the desire for being a well-reasoned and engaged electorate.
Paula Arsenault


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Salmon Eaters to Sagebrushers: Washington's Lost Literary Legacy
by Brian Charles Clark
Peter Donahue
WSU Press: 2019
In the introduction to his marvelous collection of biographical essays, Peter Donahue writes that he thought he could produce a dozen or so vignettes on "lost" writers of Washington state. Writing a "Retrospective Review "column for Columbia Magazine for 13 years, he ended up writing 55. He "kept finding more"—in used bookstores, archives, old newspapers. If the book met his basic criteria (a Washington writer, working in a "basic literary genre," and of literary merit), he'd track down a copy and read it—and another essay would join the pile.
Salmon Eaters to Sagebrushers collects these essays, and they are wonderful. Donahue's measure of "literary merit" is broad and generous, and includes ballad (Mary J. Elmendorf) and historical romance (Zola Ross), on the grounds that their "quality of expression transcends" the "sentimental or romantic value" of the particular genre in which the writer worked. He especially credits representations of the Pacific Northwest that go beyond mere description to explore a "mentally bounded place…that rest[s] at the border…between geography and history."
While the place of Washington and the rest of the Pacific Northwest is secure because of "big L" literati such as Theodore Roethke and Ken Kesey, Donahue dives deeper to recover women writers who, he writes, dominated memoir during the mid-twentieth century, as well as genre writing that was rated second class when originally published. This is not only a great act of preservation, but a fascinating read that adds historical depth to our experience of the Northwest.
Order Salmon Eaters to Sagebrushers from WSU Press


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The Epic Games Vs. Apple Trial Has Begun. Here's What You Need To Know
Published May 4, 2021 at 5:29 AM EDT
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds
Epic Games, creator of the popular game "Fortnite," accuses Apple of running its App Store as an illegal monopoly because it only allows in-app purchases on iPhones to be processed by Apple's own payment system. The trial outcome could have far-reaching consequences for Silicon Valley and the future of how money moves on smartphones and other devices.
Epic Games, the maker of the hit video game Fortnite, brought Apple to federal court Monday for the start of what is expected to be a weeks-long blockbuster trial centered on Apple's iron grip of a major slice of the mobile economy.
The lawsuit that prompted the trial is about one app developer, Epic, a $29 billion company based in Cary, N.C., but the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for companies in Silicon Valley and the future of how money moves on smartphones and other devices.
If Epic wins, Apple, a $2 trillion company, could be forced to reshape the policies of its highly lucrative app store, which has been the target of growing pressure from Washington and the European Union.
The court battle represents the most high-profile antitrust trial in the technology world in decades and also marks the most threatening legal case against Apple in years.
What exactly is the case about?
Epic accuses Apple of running its App Store as an illegal monopoly because it only allows in-app purchases on iPhones to be processed by Apple's own payment system on its more than 1 billion iPhones around the world — and it typically tacks on a 30% commission on every purchase.
Epic says that fee, which critics call "the Apple tax," is applied unfairly and falls heavily on smaller app developers, who then are at a disadvantage trying to compete with Apple's own apps that avoid the fee.
The money made from the commission is an important and growing revenue stream for Apple, part of the fees and subscriptions that generated $54 billion in the last fiscal year. Analysts say sales in this segment are especially important, considering how iPhone sales peaked years ago.
The 30% cut is necessary, according to Apple, to safeguard the privacy and safety of apps on Apple devices.
Epic estimates Apple's profit from its App Store's fees is nearly 80% — a stunning figure that Apple calls "simply wrong."
Where is the trial happening?
The trial is taking place in a mostly empty federal courthouse in Oakland, Calif. An audio livestream of the proceedings is publicly available, but there are strict limitations on who is allowed into the trial because of pandemic-related health concerns. The judge addressed lawyers on Monday from a bench surrounded by plexiglass.
Where else has Apple's App Store come under fire?
Lawmakers in Washington held a hearing last month focused on the power of tech giant app stores.
Justice Department investigators are reportedly probing Apple's App Store rules.
And last week, European Union regulators brought charges against Apple for allegedly breaking European antitrust laws by abusing its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps. The decision follows a complaint against Apple made by Sweden-based Spotify.
How strong is Epic's case, and who will decide who wins?
Epic was able to clear enough procedural hurdles to advance this far, so federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers believes Epic's case at least warrants a full trial.
Under U.S. law, however, plaintiffs face an uphill battle in winning antitrust cases, since courts have long interpreted the country's century-old competition laws in ways that tend to favor large corporations.
In a pretrial decision, the judge hinted that she was skeptical about Epic's argument that Apple is violating the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 by acting like an illegal monopoly.
Even still, proving that Apple is a monopoly will not be enough, since that alone is not illegal under U.S. law. Instead, Epic must show that Apple abuses that alleged monopoly power to hurt competitors and distort an entire market in its favor. Experts say that is a high bar to clear.
Both sides waived their right to a jury trial, meaning that it is a bench trial decided by Gonzalez Rogers.
Whatever her ruling, a drawn-out appeals process is all but guaranteed.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney enters the Ronald v. Dellums building in Oakland, Calif., to attend his company's federal court case against Apple.
What happened in court on Monday?
Lawyers for Epic tried to convince Gonzalez Rogers that Apple designed its App Store in a way that gives it a leg up over other developers: There are no other payment processing choices. Either use Apple's payment system, or don't pay for an app or an item in an app. That, Epic's lawyers argued, is illegal.
"When they pick up their iPhones, users enter a different world. Each and every time they make an in-app purchase, a 30% tax is imposed," said Epic lawyer Katherine Forrest. "The most prevalent flower in the walled garden is the Venus flytrap."
In its own opening statement, lawyers for Apple said the 30% fee helps ensure the company's privacy and security standards. It is not an abuse of power, Apple attorneys argued, but a quality check on Apple's operating system, known as iOS.
"Epic demands that this court force Apple to allow in any and all third-party app stores so that they can distribute unreviewed and untested apps on all iOS devices," said Apple lawyer Karen Dunn.
Dunn said Apple did not create the 30% out of thin air. Rather, she argued that at the time the App Store was introduced, in 2008, it had become an industry standard for digital transactions on things like gaming platforms.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney took the stand on Monday. Wearing a blue suit and tie instead of his usual T-shirt and cargo pants, Sweeney told the judge that when it comes to Apple's mobile ecosystem, he "loved it in the early days," but over time its policies have become increasingly restrictive.
And that has made it more costly to support apps on Apple devices. For its popular game Fortnite, for instance, Epic could have more than 100 developers working on the mobile version of the game.
By taking a 30% cut of every in-app purchase, Sweeney estimated Apple made more money from some apps than the developers who created them.
But the goal of Epic's suit, Sweeney said, was not monetary damages, but to convince a judge to order Apple to change its behavior in the marketplace for iPhone apps.
"Epic is solely seeking changes to Apple's future behavior," Sweeney said.
In Apple's line of questioning, Apple attorney Richard Doren pointed to Sweeney's decision last year to allow Fortnite players to pay for the game's currency using Epic's own payment processing system at a rate lower than Apple's, a violation of Apple's terms of service.
"In August 2020, you as the shot caller at Epic chose to intentionally breach your contract with Apple?" Doren asked Sweeney.
"Yes," Sweeney replied, noting that he knew Apple kicking Fortnite out of the app store was a possibility, yet he hoped it would make Apple "seriously reconsider its policy."
When Apple refused, Sweeney sued Apple, published a video parodying an old Apple advertisement and urged Fortnite gamers to rally around the #FreeFortnite hashtag.
Epic officials dubbed the campaign "Project Liberty."
On Monday, Apple lawyer Doren asked Sweeney if the whole thing was a public relations stunt with the real aim of cutting costs for Epic at the expense of Apple's reputation.
"Our goal was to demonstrate to smartphone owners that removing the platform fees would result in savings for them," Sweeney said.
Cross-examination of Sweeney will continue Tuesday.
The trial is set to stretch on for three weeks.
The most anticipated testimony is expected to be from Apple CEO Tim Cook, but an exact date for Cook's testimony has not yet been set.
In addition to company executives, dueling economists will be called by each side to testify about market issues related to the case.