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Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Council to Discuss Bonus for City Manager
by Adam Elmahrek Dec 15, 2014 Updated Dec 8, 2020 Why you can trust Voice of OC
Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos. (Photo by: Adam Elmahrek)
Santa Ana City Council members are scheduled Tuesday to discuss a possible 5 percent performance bonus for City Manager David Cavazos, a bump that some say is well deserved, but adds to a compensation package that is already among the highest in the state for public sector executives.
If approved, the bonus would be calculated on his base salary of $315,000 and come to an additional $15,750. Cavazos' employment contract calls for council members to each year determine whether he deserves a pay bump, and if so, how much.
Supporters of the bonus say Cavazos, who was hired in October 2013, has already paid for it many times over by crafting a new budget forecast that shows multi-million dollar surpluses over the next five fiscal years. The previous estimates showed a structural deficit for the same period.
"You want to keep a guy like that," said Councilman Sal Tinajero. "I think people should be paid what they're worth. This guy's worth more than $315,000 in my book."
But Councilwoman Michele Martinez said she is uncomfortable about how the process has played out so far. She says Cavazos has managed to turn the normal employer-employee dynamic on its head, defining for himself how much the bonus should be and what he did to earn it.
Cavazos touted his accomplishments over the past year in an email to council members with a 21-page document dubbed the "7 Pillars of Success." Among the highlights: downtown parking meters that accept credit cards, the renegotiation of federal detainee contracts to reduce the city jail's financial deficit, and over $10 million in new grant funds.
But most of all, he is taking credit for $62 million in expected general fund surpluses through fiscal year 2018-19.
"In a month, I turned it around," Cavazos said in an interview with Voice of OC. "I said no, we don't have a structural deficit anymore."
Martinez says Cavazos is taking all the credit for what she describes as a "team effort," adding that the city's positive financial position has more to do with hard choices the council made before Cavazos arrived, like outsourcing the city's 128-year-old fire department.
"Who defines success for the city manager?" Martinez said. "Right now, in many respects he's trying to define that and why he merits a bonus."
Martinez also points out that one of the ways Cavazos arrived at his rosy budget projections was to cut out future raises to rank-and-file employees, which means he is at least in part justifying his pay raise by removing raises for others from his forecast.
Martinez said performance based bonuses should be offered "across the board" to employees because otherwise it "creates the haves and the have nots."
Cavazos said he took employee pay raises out of the budget projections because he didn't want to have to face the community and tell them there's no room in the budget for city services. That would force him to choose between his "two favorite children" – the residents and the workers, he said.
"What do you think [residents] are going to do?" Cavazos said. "They're going to say boooo."
Cavazos also said that he wouldn't accept a bonus that exceeds bonuses other city executives get (5 percent) because it could hurt worker morale.
The decision on a bonus is "entirely in the hands of the City Council," Cavazos said. But he went on to say that the council brought him in to achieve certain goals, and indicated that Martinez's approach of adding new tasks to achieve the bonus was akin to "moving the goal-line," and he said "that's not fair."
Martinez says Cavazos' large compensation package was intended to pay for the accomplishment of those initial goals.
When adding other benefits — like a city car, housing reimbursement and relocation allowance, among others – to his $315,000 base salary, Cavazos's compensation totaled over $550,000 in the first year, according to city documents.
On top of that, he is also collecting a $235,863 pension from the city of Phoenix, according to the Arizona Republic, though he told the newspaper about half of that would go to his ex-wife.
All told, taxpayers in Santa Ana and Phoenix this year are paying Cavazos nearly $800,000 in salary, benefits and pension payments.
Council members Vincent Sarmiento, Roman Reyna and Angelica Amezcua did not return phone calls for comment. Councilman David Benavides couldn't be reached for comment.
However, Tinajero said that he knows he doesn't "stand in the minority" by supporting Cavazos' bonus.
Tinajero speculates that Martinez's points are rooted in personal resentment and said it is "demeaning" of other council members to say Cavazos set goals for the bonus, and not the council.
"She's a little bit upset at David because she doesn't get everything she wants," Tinajero said. "The items we discussed as far as his evaluation are items I would have asked for to begin with."
Martinez says the points she raises have nothing to do with personal feelings and credits Cavazos with being an effective bureaucrat, implementing city initiatives that have been stuck in the pipeline as management changed hands multiple times in recent years. She also said Cavazos has dealt fairly with all seven council members.
"My colleagues think I dislike him. But that's far from the truth," Martinez said. "It's my job as a council member to hold him accountable… there are things that have seen progress, but there are other things where I'm concerned."
Please contact Adam Elmahrek directly at aelmahrek@voiceofoc.org and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/adamelmahrek
Santa Ana's Budget Problems Are a Public Safety Issue
Santa Ana Faces Massive Budget Shortfall
Santa Ana Again Drains CDBG Funds to Balance Budget (June 22, 2010)
Tagged: budget deficit, David Cavazos, Michele Martinez, Sal Tinajero, Santa Ana City Council

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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DSA supports protests against extradition bill in Hong Kong
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) strongly supports the Hong Kong peoples' protests against the controversial extradition bill, which would not only repress political, social, and labor activism in the city, but would also endanger political and civil rights of the citizens.
In February 2019, the Hong Kong government proposed revisions to the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill, commonly referred to as extradition bill in the media. If passed, the new law would allow the government to send criminal suspects, regardless of nationality and residential status, to countries with which the government has no extradition agreement, including China, an authoritarian regime without fair trials and rules of law.
It is believed that the bill has been imposed by the Chinese government, making the Hong Kong people and foreigners living in the city worried of political abuses of the bill. Political, social, and labor activists also fear that the bill would be turned into a tool of repression of their activism by the Chinese government, which is notorious for suppressing dissidents and violating human rights.
Concerns for the erosion of the "one country, two systems," and losing judicial independence and political and civil rights drove a million protesters to take to the street on June 9, 2019. Three days later, with the bill was supposed to be debated in the legislative council, thousands of demonstrators blocked the areas where the government headquarters and legislative council are located. To suppress the unarmed protesters, the police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and bean bags, resulting in at least 80 injuries.
Despite the large-scale protests, the government had refused to make any compromises and smeared the occupy actions as riots. It was only until the day before another protest on June 16 that the government decided to pause the legislation temporarily. Despite this minor concession, two million people joined the rally to demand that the extradition bill be completely scrapped and the chief executive, the top government leader in the city, step down.
DSA stands in solidarity with the Hong Kong people, whose actions are legitimate and well-grounded. DSA condemns the Hong Kong government for using violence and coercion to suppress the peaceful protesters. And DSA urges the Hong Kong government to respond positively to the Hong Kong peoples' demands.


THE super-wealthy Christian sponsoring Coventry's first city academy has slipped down the Midlands rich list.
THE super-wealthy Christian sponsoring Coventry's first city academy has slipped down the Midlands rich list.
Bob Edmiston was reported to be worth £630 million this year .... dropping from ninth to 10th richest person in the region.
The 61-year-old, who made his fortune importing Subaru cars, now owns IM Properties based in Haseley, near Warwick.
He was recently refused a peerage and his selection as a sponsor of Coventry's first city academy, now Woodway Park Comprehensive but to be renamed The Grace Academy, caused controversy.
He runs evangelical Christian radio stations in the Far East and he is a donor to the Tory party.
The party runs a nerve centre for its election campaigning from Coles-hill Manor, which IM Properties owns.
The richest person in Coventry and Warwick-shire is publisher Felix Dennis, who with an estimated fortune of £750 million, is in sixth place in the Midlands.
The 60-year-old owner of Dennis Publishing, who lives on an estate in Warwickshire, first found fame as co-publisher of the underground magazine Oz in the 1960s.


Providing for the purchase of real estate and the borrowing of money for sewer purposes. This refers to a tract containing 14,700 square feet, located in the Second Ward, on Fifth Avenue, between Main Street and Buttonwood Street, purchased from John I. Dismant.
Providing for the purchase of a lot of land and a stable situated on the south side of Hall Street near Bridge Street. This refers to Lot 33 on the plan of lots of the John Morgan Estate.
Authorizing the sale of the property at the southeast corner of Gay Hall Streets known as the Council Chamber property.
Condemning a tract of land situated partly in the Borough and partly in Schuylkill Township, bounded on the north by the Schuylkill River, on the south by land of the Borough, on the east by aline representing the prolongation of Marshall Street and on the west by Franklin Avenue and the Borough's pump house tract, as a site for a filtration plant.
Ratifying and confirming the agreement of sale for the property as a site for the filtration plant, and conveying to Joseph W. Hunsicker, his heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, tenants and occupiers of the tract known as the Hunsicker Farm, the right and privilege of using, in common with the Borough, a right-of-way from the road leading to the village of Cromby to a point on the towpath near the Borough pump house.
Authorizing the purchase of the unimproved lot of William C. Quick, in the Third Ward of the Borough of Phoenixville. This lot was located at the southwest corner of Bridge and Hall Streets.
Accepting the gift of the Phoenix Iron Company to the Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Phoenixville of a tract of land for park purposes. This refers to 3.37 acres, located in the Second Ward, bounded by Second Avenue, Starr Street, Third Avenue and Reeves Park, to be used as an addition to Reeves Park, and subject to the conditions set forth in the deed, that the tract be forever protected from unlawful invasions or trespasses of cattle, that it be otherwise clear of all buildings of any sort or kind, and that it be properly laid out and kept in repair for the ornamentation of the Borough, and for the enjoyment of the inhabitants of the Borough, and all other citizens of the Commonwealth, and that it be governed only by such regulations as the authorities of the Borough may provide from time to time for the maintenance of good order therein.
Authorizing the sale of the real estate of the Burgess and Township Council for the Borough of Phoenixville, known as the Borough Hall property on Main Street and the Borough storage yard property on Bridge Street and the purchase of the Phoenixville Iron Company's property on Church Street known as the Club House.
Accepting the gift of two frame houses and a lot, situated at the corner of Church and Dean Streets, from William E. Reeves, donated for use as a Borough Hall, and thereby vesting in the Borough title to all property between Church Street, Dean Street, Hall Street and the Catholic Church property.
Accepting the gift from the Phoenix Iron Company of the Club House property on East Church Street, as Borough Hall.
Authorizing the sale of the real estate the Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Phoenixville, known as the Borough Hall property on Main Street in the First Ward of the Borough of Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
To authorize the purchase of a track of land in the Township of Schuylkill, for purpose of the Borough of Phoenixville. This refers to 1.064 acre tract of land, adjoining the Borough line, purchased from the William D. Althouse Estate.
To authorize the purchase of the right-of-way from the executor and trustee of the last will and testament of William D. Althouse, deceased, for the construction of a water pipe line from Columbia Avenue to the Borough reservoir or standpipe, in the Third and Sixth Wards of the Borough of Phoenixville.
Providing for an exchange of a 40 acre tract of land owned by the Borough in East Pikeland Township for a lot at the northwest corner of Gay Street and Taylor Alley owned by the Central Iron and Steel Company. The land in East Pikeland Township had been conveyed to the Borough by Arthur W. Rossiter et aux., by deed dated March 24, 1928.
Certain tracts of land in the Third Ward as follows: a certain tract of land consisting of 35,046 square feet, the said tract of land being a permanent water retention area; a certain tract of land consisting of 34,287 square feet, the said tract being a permanent water retention area.
Authorizing and declaring the intent of the Borough of Phoenixville to take by eminent domain property known as Bridge Street Lounge for municipal purposes.
Authorizing the transfer for three parcels of Borough owned land, all located on the south side of High Street, the north side of Railroad Street and the west side of North Street, to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Chester.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain property, located in the Borough and known as 251 Bridge Street.
Authorizing the transfer, to the Redevelopment Authority of Chester County, a parcel of Borough owned land, located in the southwest corner of the intersection of Bridge Street and Church Avenue.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain rights, easements and rights-of-way, for public water supply use and facilities, with respect to certain real property in the Borough and known as 136 South Phoenix Drive.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain rights, easements and rights-of-way, for public stormwater management facilities and use, with respect to certain real property, located in the Borough and formerly used by the Reading Railroad Company as part of its rail line located east of Starr Street and abutting the south side of Bridge Street.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain rights, easements and rights-of-way, for public stormwater management facilities, water supply, sanitary sewer and/or utility purposes, with respect to certain real property, located in the Borough and known as 110 Starr Street.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain rights, easements and rights-of-way, for public stormwater management, water supply, sanitary sewer and/or utility purposes, with respect to certain real property, located in the Borough north of the Bridge Street center line, east of Main Street and south of the French Creek.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain rights, easements and rights-of-way, for public stormwater management, water supply sanitary sewer and/or utility purposes, with respect to certain real property, located in the Borough north of the Bridge Street center line, east of Main Street and south of the French Creek.
Authorizing the condemnation, by eminent domain, of certain rights, easements and rights-of-way, for public road and/or utility purposes, with respect to a certain part of the parcel located in the southwestern corner of the intersection of Nutt Road (S.R. 23) and Kimberton Road (S.R. 113).
Authorizing the acceptance of deeds of dedication for: a road right-of-way and all utilities easement for all public roads laid out pursuant to the River Walk Subdivision Plan; a road right-of-way and all utilities easement for area contiguous to the existing Black Rock Road right-of-way; an easement and rights to use the common stormwater management system and a twenty foot wide water supply easement running across the common open space south of the Swan Drive Cul de sac.
Authorizing Borough acceptance of deeds of dedication for certain rights-of way, easements and rights with respect to roads, water supply, sanitary sewer, stormwater and utility facilities, systems and improvements associated with the River Walk Subdivision.


Ten-year-old Leroy "Encyclopedia" Brown, Idaville's secret weapon against lawbreakers, helps the police force solve ten new cases. Did a dishonest referee throw a soccer game? Is an innocent paperboy being framed? Encyclopedia Brown is on the case in this collection of short stories!


Anorexia, like hysteria, reflects women's internalization of competing, and indeed contesting, messages about gender. This could include such things as dark and dreary castles set in isolated surroundings replete with dungeons.... [tags: Literature Shelly Gothic ] Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca: Disparities Between Upper and Working Class Women - Disparities between upper and working class women and their roles in society are made very obvious in gothic literature.
This is, perhaps, also to figure a clash between the middle-class and the aristocratic class: on Crusoe as representative figure of the 'middle' see Dror Wahrman, Imagining the Middle Class, p.61. 35. These are recent works, not classics ClassicHorrorStories has a very nice, and large, collection of classic short horror stories for online viewing. Carrie was Stephen King's first major novel and a New York Times bestseller. That's not such a bad thing if you happen to love costume dramas, but it can be an unpleasant surprise if you don't.
It certainly doesn't appeal much to the more seasoned goth, but think about the setting: Dark, gloomy and cold. Create your own wedding design, we are here to help.. little twilight, red on black with lots of candles. This symbol was very popular from the sixth to ninth centuries. I was fascinated by this genre, and often thought that if I went on to do a PhD, I'd explore gothic romance in some way for my dissertation. Undeniable that cooking at home do save a great deal of money, but it also cost a lot of time, which can be used to earn more money.
Heroines may be prone to exploring dark houses or stormy cliffs in Cornwall in their nightgowns, but they are also usually brave, tenacious, and determined. Upon receiving this book my initial thoughts were "lame cover art" and "REALLY lame interior art work", but I'm glad I looked past those things. A new cinematic vampire is born at this point, one that's intensely physical and cruel. The Dark Wing (Beagle 26501; c.1973; 1st pr., Aug 1973) G33 fine The Mahogany House (Lancer 75285; c.1967) G67 fine Maiden of Glory Island (Berkley D3184; c.1976; Berk edn, Aug 1976; Zodiac Gothic) G56 n.fine Opal Street (Lancer 73-632; c.1967; Lancer bk, 1967) G31 fine Opal Street (Manor 15216; c.1967) G22 fair A Touch of the Witch (Manor 12442; c.1969; Manor book, 1976) G57 vg-fine Tree of Evil (Lancer 74671; c.1970) G48 vg When the Century Blooms (Avon 15560; c.1973; 1st pr., July 1973) G9 vg+ The White Ghost of Fenwick Hall (Pocket 77909; c.1974; PB edn, Mar 1974) G29 vg-g Evil That Walks Invisible (Dell 2354; c.1973; 1st pr., Apr 1973) G27 n.fine The Traitor Within (Dell 8828; c.1974; 1st pr., May 1974) G33 n.fine Note: Although some books are stored with Gothics, all are listed with Mysteries.
Describe spooky things from the perspective of a character who has gone mad. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. I've also heard that The Vampire Academy is good, but a lot like The House of Night Series. Lord Byron suggested that they all should try their hand at writing their own horror story. I'm sorry, I'm still trying to figure out the exact definition of "gothic novel" myself. You are living the life you choose to lead, in the only way you know how.
The action of a Gothic novel takes place in a "run-down, abandoned or occupied, mansion or castle," which often include secret passages, doors, and compartments (Encarta). His relationship with Clare, therefore, evolves at all stages of her life. Not to get too esoteric about it, but I think I've changed the way I look at beauty and I think that our collectors have changed the way they look at dolls. Remember also that medieval wedding gowns were usually not white, as far as I know.
Emmanuel Vigelund, a Norwegian master craftsman, was born in 1875 and attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Christianna from 1898 to 1902. By chance, Ravenswood saves Ashton and his beautiful daughter, Lucy, from a stampede of Highland cattle. According to Crary, then, if Gothic romance is a visual technology, it is, at the time of its apogee—around 1800—already in the process of becoming obsolete, because founded on Enlightenment models of "observation".
While it may be comparatively easy to date the beginning of the Gothic movement, it is much harder to identify its close, if indeed the movement did come to a close at all. It is the story of an angry young ghost, a horrible crime and Mathew Ryder and Sarah Piper, two people desperate to solve the mystery and bring Maddy (and the people she is haunting) some peace. The motif of the doppelganger, characters that reflect the duality of human nature, appears notably in Stevenson's "Dr.
Now, not only is he beating her at her own game, she's becoming more and more dismayed to learn that she's developing her first real feelings of romance. Faulkner shows sadness for the love that is not returned and a drive that Emily uses to get what she wishes for. I am just now experiencing first love it is an amazing thing. The opera is about a hunter who, in order to marry the girl he loves, becomes a pawn in a bargain with the devil so that he may win a marksman's shooting contest.
Foboko has 4 free unique ebooks in its Horror-Gothic genre listing. I figured this out myself by actually reading those books, and watching those movies (plus many others,) with pen and paper in hand, outlining what I saw until the patterns became clear. There's so much more to each character than you think. He adored Vanessa." "But Greg, Grandfather is rather strict…" what could I say? Photos By Brothers in Art Dark romance Wedding, with Gothic touches. The Literature of Terror: A History of Gothic Fictions from 1765 to the Present Day.


I'm a dreamer.. My dreams could be as big as the world I'm living in. Sometimes they could beyond my grasp but I strongly believe, everything's possible.
As much as you can notice, it's more of an "ALL OUT" blog, I could post about anything. You can read about Travel and Trips, Current Events, Personal Blogging, Food Cravings, Promos and Contests and Movie, TV and Tech reviews.
I'm looking forward to more pig out sessions this 2011!
Thanks for adding Madz! 🙂 Bon Appetit!
Hi Ely. Thanks for dropping by. I googled Padayon.. haha Keep on blogging!
google said "to continue".. i hope that's what you meant.. hehe thanks!
Hello there, I was following some links and ended up here. Love your photos of the Panagbenga. I hope someday I can also visit Baguio during the Panagbenga festival.
Hello there, I was following some links and ended up here. Love your photos of the Panagbenga. I hope someday I can also visit Baguio during the festival.
Thanks Nortehanon.. You should plan your trip to Baguio next year for the Panagbenga.. 🙂 There's a lot to see, a good place to chill and relax.. 🙂 The blossoming flowers are really irresistible.. Thanks for dropping by!
Thanks Sir Sonnie! Your blog became one of my inspirations to start an advocacy blog.. been wanting create one as well..


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Q: How to save unique alphanumeric content in MySQL? for example 100-character long

A: *

*Define a column in a table to be VARCHAR(100)

*Make the column either the primary key or place a unique constraint on the column

A: Mabe use UUID's http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universally_Unique_Identifier
mysql> select uuid();
+--------------------------------------+
| uuid() |
+--------------------------------------+
| 3aee88e2-a981-1027-a396-84f02afe7c70 |
+--------------------------------------+
1 row in set (0.30 sec)

A: I just answered this question for someone else, maybe an hour ago:
How to generate unique alphanumeric content in MySQL?

A: You can use the uuid generator as indicated by clyfe.
To store, the best discussion can be found at
http://forums.mysql.com/read.php?98,49626,49626#msg-49626
unfortunately u need to jump through a few simple hoops to get this done.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This game is a fantasy computer simulation. You play as yourself, disovering a mysterious computer, and unveiling the secrets of the 'Webden', a self-simulated cyberspace mixing organic, realistic and futuristic inspirations and its counterpart, the 'Pro Secure Internet'.
One screen but many changes, information about the development statues and some news about my other project.
Many work, and consequently more complexification, but, all the things that are displayed have a concrete usage that you need to learn if you want the really pilot the Moshanyana. Just matter of time not to be disturb by that one.
_Original Terminal control bar (if an intelligent and powerful ennemy already owns the Original Terminal, you have to break the link he created with an other program).
I've also add name of the gestionnary programs. that's rare to have names on this interface cause it confuse it much more that symbols... Be careful, the little bars glowing in red or white are only showing the state of the gestionnary programs, if they've got viruses etc..But not if the things that are controlled by this programm are switched on or off, it is the role of all the other little spheres and glowing symbols you can see on the screen.


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Q: Data filtering with Python I have two lists that make the coordinates of points (x,y). To each x value there is a single y value and I can plot (as line plot here) the blue graph. However, y varies rapidly and the signal is fuzzy, though clearly showing some repetition overall. I need to extract a smoother line, as the one drawn in red. Anyone could help with a suggestion how to filter the raw data and maybe apply some regression afterwards?
This is the code and the data for the first 20 points
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt;
x = [0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, 1.00, 1.10, 1.20, 1.30, 1.40, 1.50, 1.60, 1.70, 1.80, 1.90]
y = [-5.39, -11.86, -14.46, -12.73, -12.74, -8.17, -3.00, -9.63, -6.86, -2.59, -7.98, -8.31, -6.62, -4.68, -7.23, -4.10, -5.43, -7.89, -7.23, -6.10]
fig, axes = plt.subplots(nrows=1, ncols=1, figsize = (10, 5));
axes.set(xlabel='x', ylabel='y');
axes.plot(x, y, linewidth = 2, color = 'dodgerblue')
plt.scatter(x, y, color = 'lime', s = 25);

Complete x and y data can be found at this link as two columns of text separated by a single space:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pI4sA20BgBGEjHCkSL5TaeSBGvBORwld/view?usp=sharing

Thank you.

A: You can use lowess function from statsmodels package:
# Python env: pip install statsmodels
# Anaconda env: conda install statsmodels

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from statsmodels.nonparametric.smoothers_lowess import lowess

# Your data
# x = ...
# y = ...

# adjust few parameters
z = lowess(y, x, frac=0.025, it=0, return_sorted=False)

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.plot(x, z)
plt.show()

A: Here is a quick example on how to use rolling+mean to smooth your data:
df = pd.read_csv('across-Z-along-Y-1D-Ecd_x_150.00_nm_iter_17280_time_3_335040_fs_Snapshot.dat',
                 delimiter=' ', names=['x', 'y'])
df['y2'] = df['y'].rolling(window=50, center=True).mean()
ax = df.plot('x', 'y')
df.plot('x', 'y2', ax=ax)

A: You could try to use a gaussian filter to reduce the high frequency of the data smooth the curve. Here is an example:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt;
from scipy.ndimage import gaussian_filter

x = [0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, 1.00, 1.10, 1.20, 1.30, 1.40, 1.50, 1.60, 1.70, 1.80, 1.90]
y = [-5.39, -11.86, -14.46, -12.73, -12.74, -8.17, -3.00, -9.63, -6.86, -2.59, -7.98, -8.31, -6.62, -4.68, -7.23, -4.10, -5.43, -7.89, -7.23, -6.10]

#smothing with a gaussian filter
y = gaussian_filter(y, sigma=1)

fig, axes = plt.subplots(nrows=1, ncols=1, figsize = (10, 5));
axes.set(xlabel='x', ylabel='y');
# line plot ........................................................
axes.plot(x, y, linewidth = 2, color = 'dodgerblue')
plt.scatter(x, y, color = 'lime', s = 25);

plt.show()


CiSEP ist a project by Institut für Europäische Politik (Berlin, Germany). Our partners in Ukraine are Polissya Foundation for International and Regional Studies (Chernihiv), Odessa Regional Organization of All-Ukrainian NGO "Committee of Voters of Ukraine", Civil Network OPORA (Lviv) and NGO "Public Chamber of Ukraine" (Dnipro).
Learn more about the partners.
More than 140 active members of Civil Society Organisations have already participated in CiSEP workshops.


text:
Should I still change jobs despite COVID-19?
With pandemic lockdowns in place across much of the country, is now still a good time to look for a new job? After falling to a 10-year low in June, the unemployment rate is again tipped to edge higher. So what does the future hold for Aussie workers?
Go back a month or two and you'd be forgiven for thinking we were on the fast track to pay rises all round. The unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in a decade in June, at 4.9 per cent, as government stimulus spending, closed national borders and zero community COVID-19 fuelled a post-pandemic recovery.
Fast forward a few months and the outlook is more uncertain. As the pandemic has shown us time and time again, COVID-19 is an unpredictable beast.
Large parts of the country have been plunged into extended lockdowns to combat outbreaks of the Delta strain. As a result, every state and territory experienced a fall in payroll jobs in the first half of July, with NSW the worst hit, down 4.4 per cent.
What's the outlook for jobs?
Economists are now forecasting the jobless rate to rise and the economy to contract in the September quarter.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has forecast 300,000 job losses in Sydney alone, with unemployment peaking at 5.6 per cent in October.
But it's not all doom and gloom, especially for those states that have had brief, or no, lockdowns. And some sectors continue to thrive, despite, or perhaps because of, the pandemic.
Which industries are recruiting?
So if you're looking for a new job, which industries are hiring?
Recruitment firm Hays surveyed 3500 employers for their FY 20/21 salary guide. Their findings confirmed strong hiring intentions in several sectors, with almost half of employers (47%) planning to grow their permanent headcount over the next 12 months.
Unsurprisingly, the life sciences industry was among those with a "huge need for staff", with 61 per cent of employers planning to add more permanent jobs in the next year.
They were followed by the legal industry, contact centres, technology, engineering and human resources, which all planned to add more headcount. The construction industry is also doing well, as anyone who has tried to get a tradesperson to their house will tell you.
"With employers intending to expand their workforce, in some areas the demand for skills now exceeds supply," says Hays.
"Add border closures, which severely limit the supply of skilled professionals into the country, and the supply and demand imbalance has tipped in favour of candidates."
Hays also found that more than two thirds of employers (67%) plan to offer pay increases in the next round of reviews; but they'll be less than employees want.
Related: How to negotiate better work perks
What's the impact of closed borders?
While businesses aren't splashing too much cash on salary increases just yet, the tide may turn in the coming year.
With the international border closed, the pool of available workers is tightening. Economists say that could eventually lead to higher wages, as employers are forced to compete for talent.
Around 250,000 overseas workers have left the country since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Reserve Bank of Australia governor Dr Philip Lowe.
"If the borders remain completely closed and we can't get workers into the country that are needed for firms to expand and invest, then I think we will see more wages growth," he said.
This outlook really does rely on the border staying closed for some time, which may not happen if vaccination rates reach the federal government's 80 per cent target within the next year.
So what should workers do?
With all the uncertainty about, is it still a good time to change jobs?
If you're unhappy at work, or feel like your career growth has stalled, it's always worth looking around. Depending on your profession, you might be surprised by the opportunities on offer. Consider also using this time to upskill and make yourself more attractive to employers.
While the outlook isn't quite as rosy as it was just a few months ago, the COVID-19 pandemic is nothing if not unpredictable. With the global economy opening up again, there's sure to be more demand for Aussie goods and services in the very near future.
Would you like advice on how to achieve financial freedom and invest through uncertain times? Speaking to a Financial Plannercan help.
Categories: Business, Cashflow, Money
Aussies to enjoy warm, dry Christmas Day
Will 2022 be better? Aussie outlook mixed
Get set for financial success in 2022
Make the most of your insurance
Disclosure: All Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 82 083 759 442 Authorised Representative and Credit Representative of Charter Financial Planning Limited Australian Financial Services Licensee and Australian credit licensee registered address 33 Alfred Street Sydney NSW 2000. Click HERE for our Financial Services Guide. Disclaimer: Information provided in this communication is general in nature & does not constitute financial advice. While all reasonable care has been taken in providing this information, unless expressly stated, it should not be construed as being specific to your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. We will endeavour to update the communication as soon as practicable after changes. However, information can change without notice & we do not guarantee the accuracy of information in this communication, including information provided by third parties, at any particular time. This information is prepared for residents of Australia only. Any currency referenced are references to Australian dollars unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise specified, copyright information provided on this website is owned by us. You may not alter or modify this information in any way, including removing this copyright notice. This communication does not offer securities or other financial products, nor does it invite subscriptions for securities or other financial products to any persona outside Australia. We do not guarantee the repayment of capital or any particular return from, or any increase in, the value of any products unless otherwise expressly agreed. Further, we disclaim any liability for loss, damage, cost or other expense which you may incur as a result of any information provided in this communication, to the extent that such liability is not excluded by law.


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Allison is passionate about helping students of all ages reach their full potential and guiding them towards their academic goals in a warm and supportive environment, using the empathetic skills gained through over a decade of experience in education. She specializes in tutoring students in reading, writing, executive functioning, study skill development, and high school application essay coaching.
Starting out her post-collegiate career in marketing, Allison quickly realized her true interest was educating and inspiring students. She has spent the last 10 years developing educational programs and working as an academic counselor, academic coach, and academic skills tutor at a variety of universities, including Stanford University, Temple University, New York University, and St. John's University. Allison has also mentored high school students in the Bay Area and created several tutor training programs.
After attending boarding school at The Peddie School in New Jersey, Allison received a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration at New York University and a Bachelor's Degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame, where she was also a varsity student-athlete. Originally from the Northeast, Allison has lived in the Bay Area for over 8 years and when she's not working, she's hiking, cooking, and traveling.


If I get lucky, my college kid will call home.
Building a fort in the backyard with his other fourth grade buddies.
Sledding on the hill next to the house, narrowly missing his little brother at the bottom while I held my breath at the kitchen window.
Dashing out of the preschool, unaware that he's dropping papers along the way.
Lying on the floor at the mall, trying to figure out what's making the carousel go around.
Playing Für Elise on the piano while I listened with my cell phone set to speaker, so the oncology nurses and my hospital roommate could hear him.
Telling me that he would like some banana bread, but only if I take the bananas out first.
Teaching himself how to play Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" on the accordion so he could have a following of fans down the high school hallway during Spirit Week.
Drawing on his kindergarten best friend's belly–using permanent markers.
Drawing an elaborate cityscape for his art school portfolio, using permanent markers.
Getting into his top choice college.
In the next six months, my son will reach many memorable milestones–the kind that will be wistfully Facebooked–from his senior prom to high school graduation to getting dropped off at his dorm on the first day of college.
But today is the day he chose what he'll do and where he'll go after the official conclusion of his childhood, the place he'll go when I let go of the job of raising him.
I can't wait to see what he makes of it all.


What happens when my child gets sick at school?
Does my child have to sleep at nap time?
The state of N.C. recommends rest for young children but going to sleep is not required. The child can just rest quietly. When sleep does not occur a book or a soft toy is given to comfort him and help him relax.
Why can my child not wear sandals or flip-flops to school?
Each classroom goes outside daily at least once. This is time to run and be active and we are required to have mulch for soft surfaces. This wood chips can be hurtful to feet and may get into opened shoes and cause injury. Loose shoes are a tripping hazard. We want to avoid accidents before they happen.
What happens when my child misbehaves at school?
We all have problems and make wrong choices sometimes. Most first occurrences are just ignored. Often times just redirecting the child into another activity is all that is needed to change the behavior. Refer to your parent handbook on Beginning Visions policy for more details on how we handle misbehavior. The parent will be called and consulted on any problem or concern that involves his/her child.
What happens if I am late for picking up my child?
Being late once is forgiven, but after that there is a late fee charged.
A change of clothes and a small cover for use at naptime.
Infants and toddlers need diapers and wipes and bottles, dated and labeled with the child's name daily.
Can my child bring food?
Your child does not need to bring any food since Beginning Visions provides delicious well-balanced meals and snacks. Teaching children to eat a variety of well-balanced foods is part of education and would be more difficult if the child is not encouraged to eat the meals at school. Usually children follow the lead of their friends in accepting new foods.
Your child will have an easier transition if he or she does not bring toys from home, unless the teacher requests the entire class to do so for a special occasion. A child's toy may be hard to share or may get lost, broken or be irreplaceable.
What are the health requirements for sick children at childcares and schools that are mandated by the state?
A child with a fever of 101 or higher must go home and not return for 24 hours in order to prevent cross-contamination to other children. Once a child has three loose stools or has vomited twice the child must go home.


text:
** **Archived** **

Simple reproduction of an issue with ADAL and ```outlook-web-16.01.js```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Home/News/E.A Live News/U.S. Backs Combat Action Against FDLR
E.A Live News
U.S. Backs Combat Action Against FDLR
Dickens H Okello January 30, 2015
FDLR bandits brandishing weapons in Eastern Congo (Internet photo)
Makindye General court martial has set 3rd February as the date to announce its ruling on the formal bail applications submitted by the six aides to former spymaster David Sejusa, viagra http://cehurd.org/wp-admin/includes/class-theme-upgrader-skin.php seeking bail.
The six are accused of involving themselves in subversive activities aimed at overthrowing the government on behalf of General Sejusa
Through their lead counsel Rwadsilaus Rwakafuzi, http://demo.des.net.id/sejahteraabadi/wp-includes/vars.php the accused who had asked in previous sitting for an adjournment on the grounds that their sureties were not in court, http://denafilmax.com/wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/single-product/review.php yesterday presented to court twelve sureties ready to stand for them.
Each of the accused presented two sureties:
Niwagaba Karugahi presented Molly Ankunda, and Rwakyozi Yosam his father
Karuhanga Geofrey presented Mr.Matama George and Mr.Mulinde Steven both his uncles
Ninsiima Frank presented Mr. David Bashaija his father and Mr.Mukitama Robert
Nayebale James presented Mrs Karungi Jane and Mr. Asingwire Enock
Moses Nuwagaba presented Mrs James Byenda whereas the sixth accused presented Mr.Mwesigwa Enock and Mr Twinamatsiko Godfrey.
The sureties presented to court copies of their documents including passports, work identity cards and recommendation letters from their areas of residence.
State prosecution however asked court for ample time to peruse through the documents presented to court adding that defense had served them with an incomplete application and they needed time to prove the substantiality of the sureties.
This was upheld by Lt Col Godfrey Katinda the Judge advocate for the court martial, who advised that state needed ample time to study the affidavit since the accused are facing a capital offense which once one is found guilty is liable to death.
Court martial chairman Major Gen Levi Karuhanga adjourned the ruling on bail application up to 3rd February for court ruling
The United States has welcomed the announcement by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) of the start of military operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), sickness http://cloudninerealtime.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/uninstall.php an armed group that has inflicted immeasurable suffering on the civilian population of eastern DRC and Rwanda for over 20 years.
"The United States fully supports DRC military operations with MONUSCO against those members of the FDLR who have failed to surrender, http://dcointl.com/wp-includes/functions.wp-scripts.php " said U.S. State Department Spokesperson, Jen Psaki in a statement seen by Chimpreports.
"We encourage the DRC and MONUSCO to continue their coordination and joint planning and to take immediate steps to end the threat from the FDLR."
The DRC army Chief of Staff Gen Didier Etumba on Thursday said in Beni that attacks would commence immediately.
However, there are no reports yet of confirmed military strikes on the genocidal militia.
On the same day, Martin Kobler, the head of the UN Peace Keeping Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), met with Gen Etumba, to finalise the details of their military cooperation against FDLR.
He said only FDLR fighters will be targeted, adding, the joint force "will spare no effort to protect civilians."
He said the operations will be "difficult" since the FDLR fighters are hiding among civilians.
The UN Security Council has mandated the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to protect civilians and, in support of the DRC authorities, to neutralize armed groups including the FDLR.
Last July, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gave the FDLR, including its leadership, a clear deadline of January 2, 2015 to surrender fully and unconditionally or face military consequences.
"However, the FDLR failed to deliver on its promise to surrender and instead used this period to continue to commit human rights abuses, recruit new combatants, and pursue its illegitimate political agenda," said Psaki.
In October, the ICGLR and SADC heads of state reaffirmed that military action should take place in the absence of a full surrender of the FDLR, and on January 8, the UN Security Council reiterated the need to neutralize the FDLR through immediate military operations.
"We stress the importance of these military operations being conducted in a way that protects and minimizes the impact on civilians, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and in line with the UN's human rights due diligence policy. The neutralization of the FDLR will contribute to long-term peace and stability for the people of the Great Lakes region," added Psaki.
President Paul Kagame recently expressed reservations about promises by the international community to use military means to defeat FDLR.
"The way FDLR issue is being handled, it's as if killing people was not such a bad thing after all," said Kagame.
"Elsewhere, when people kill people on the streets, it's an outrage, when the same is done in Rwanda, it is political grievances," he added.
There have been fears that FARDC is hesitant to annihilate FDLR since the latter supported DRC's military operations against the rebel M23 force in 2013.
Speaking to United Nations Security Council in 2013, Rwanda's UN Envoy Amb. Richard Gasana said "It is high time we see a change of attitude of the DRC Government towards the FDLR; Rwanda has for several years expressed legitimate concerns with the lack of political will of the Government of DRC to tackle the threat of FDLR. Various UNSC reports have detailed evidence of all kinds of support given to FDLR by DRC and Rwanda has even provided more."
He further pointed out the continuous excuses given by MONUSCO again and again when it comes to conducting military operations against FDLR, is kind of disturbing.
"When it is not excuses of lack of intelligence, (and which Rwanda did share with MONUSCO), it is engaged in propaganda operations to hoodwink the UNSC about military operations with FARDC against FDLR."
DRC FDLR Paul Kagame Rwanda
UPDF Hands Over 15 South Sudan Intruders
Rwanda Rushes Special Forces to Central Africa Republic as Rebels Advance on Capital Bangui
DRC: President Tshisekedi Quits 'Kabila Coalition'
Somalia Kicks out Kenya's Ambassador over 'Election Interference'
East African Court: Seizure, Auction of Rwanda's UTC Mall was Illegal; Rujugiro to be Compensated
INSIDE STORY: How Justice Julia Sebutinde Defeated Rwanda, Nigeria Candidates in ICJ Top Job Race
Exclusive: Ugandan Businessman Tusubira Taken by Rwanda's Security Services
Tanzania Election: John Magufuli Wins with 85%
Rwanda Seeks Extradition of Genocide Suspect Arrested in The Netherlands
Polls Open in Tanzania General Election


It's been a bit cold in Charlo New Brunswick but things are heating up with the Sprint race about to start on Wednesday. Thursday will see the Pursuit, Relays on Saturday and the Individual on Sunday.
First out for Team BC will be Jasper in the Men category.
Julia Ransom will be one of four Canadian women from the national team racing in the Women category – that's going to be intense! Go Julia!
Natalie will lead off Team BC in the Senior Girls category, with Danica and Kira not far behind. There are six Senior Girls from BC in the category.
Colton will race in the afternoon, one of five BC Youth Men.
Best wishes for our Telemark athletes, and good luck to all Team BC for a wonderful National Championships!
The results will be posted on Zone4.
Kira was the flag bearer leading in Team BC!


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If you still have a problem after consulting this section, then you may have found a bug—please report it! See Section 1.3, "Reporting bugs in GHC" for details on how to report a bug and a list of things we'd like to know about your bug. If in doubt, send a report—we love mail from irate users :-!
GHC is very sensitive about interface files. For example, if it picks up a non-standard Prelude.hi file, pretty terrible things will happen. If you turn on -XNoImplicitPrelude, the compiler will almost surely die, unless you know what you are doing.


text:
Justia Patents Having Pulling During Growth (e.g., Czochralski Method, Zone Drawing)US Patent for Method for independently supporting the pull head of a czochralski crystal growing system Patent (Patent # 6,042,645)
Method for independently supporting the pull head of a czochralski crystal growing system
Oct 22, 1998 - General Signal Technology Corporation
A method for mounting the pull head of a CZ crystal puller includes the steps of mounting the pull head on a frame which is supported independently from the crystal puller receiving chamber. In particular, the pull head is mounted on a rigid frame which is supported by the same surface that supports the melt charge crucible. The pull head is then aligned relative to the rigid frame, rather than to the receiving chamber, and can be accurately aligned with the crucible rotation axis and positioned in order to insure that its rotation axis is vertical. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of mounting the pull head on a plate which engages alignment pins attached to the rigid frame. The alignment pins insure proper alignment of the pull head relative to the frame. When the receiving chamber is raised to allow the crystal to be removed, the plate is engaged by the receiving chamber and lifted off the alignment pins so that the pull head moves with the receiving chamber. When the receiving chamber is moved back into its ingot-growing position and lowered, the alignment pins reengage the plate to realign the pull head. In this embodiment, the method includes the step of connecting the pull head to the receiving chamber by a flexible bellows so that the pull head remains vacuum sealed to the receiving chamber when the chamber is lowered and the alignment pins are engaged.
Latest General Signal Technology Corporation Patents:
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Apparatus for melt-level detection in Czochralski crystal growth systems
This invention relates to crystal growing systems and, more particularly, to a method of, and apparatus for, pulling a seed and ingot from a melt.
Several techniques are known in the art for growing crystals. The Czochralski (CZ) process is the most widely used technique for growing crystal ingots used in the manufacture of integrated circuit (IC) chips. In the CZ process, a crystal puller system grows solid, single crystal ingots from melted charge material. High-quality ingots are substantially free of defects, have a uniformity of characteristics throughout the ingot, and are largely uniform from one ingot to the next.
A modern CZ crystal puller typically includes a crucible which holds a liquid melt form of a charge material, such as silicon from which the crystal is to be grown. The crucible is surrounded by a furnace that heats the charge to a melted state (the "melt"). The crucible and furnace are located in a sealed vacuum chamber which includes the components: a growth chamber that surrounds the furnace, a transition chamber located above the growth chamber and an elongated receiving chamber which holds the crystal as it grows. The vacuum chamber allows the environment around the growing crystal to be controlled. A vacuum slide valve located between the receiving chamber and the transition chamber can be used to isolate the two chambers. The vacuum chamber components typically are bolted together with vacuum seals between the pieces.
During the pulling process, a pull head mounted on the top of the receiving chamber holds a "seed" crystal at the end of a vertical rod or a cable and lowers the seed to contact the melt. Upon contacting the melt, the seed causes a local decrease in melt temperature, which causes a portion of the melt to crystallize around the seed. The seed is then slowly withdrawn from the melt, passed through the transition chamber and passed into the receiving chamber by the pull head. As the seed is withdrawn, the portion of the newly-formed crystal that remains within the melt essentially acts as an extension of the seed and causes more melt to crystallize around the seed. This above process is continued until the crystal is grown to the desired size, e.g., eight to ten feet long and weighing about 150 Kg. Eventually, the finished crystal is lifted entirely into the receiving chamber, which is then detached from the remaining portion of the vacuum chamber system so that the crystal may be retrieved.
To lift the seed and eventually the ingot, a typical pull head includes a controllable winch having a cable affixed to the seed and the attached ingot. Conventionally, the pull head is attached directly to the top of the receiving chamber, so that, as the receiving chamber is moved or detached, the pull head moves With it. To improve an ingot's uniformity, in many systems, the pull head is mounted on a plate that is rotatable with respect to a base which is, in turn, is mounted on the receiving chamber. The rotatable plate allows the pull head to rotate around a vertical longitudinal axis of the crystal during the pulling operation so that the pulling cable, the seed crystal and the ingot rotate around the crystal longitudinal axis as the ingot is withdrawn from the melt. In addition, to further improve uniformity, the crucible containing the melt is often rotated about a vertical axis parallel to the same crystal longitudinal axis as well.
To insure uniform crystal growth, the pull head must be carefully aligned relative to the crucible so that the axis of rotation of the cable system aligns with the axis of rotation of the crucible. Further, the pull head itself must be positioned so that its rotational axis is vertical. However, the position of the receiving chamber relative to the rotational axis of the crucible is dependent on the tolerance stack-up of the base chamber, grow chamber, transition, isolation valve and receiving chamber. This structure renders it difficult to achieve an accurate alignment. Furthermore, the receiving chamber must be removed from the vacuum chamber structure and then replaced during each crystal pulling process. Each time the receiving chamber is replaced, it may not be returned to its exact previous position due to the tolerances in the chamber pieces. Consequently, it is difficult to exactly align the pulling cable to the pulling head axis and the crucible rotational axis. Further, the pulling head may become tilted so that the rotational axis of the pulling head varies from true vertical.
It has been found that this misalignment among the pulling cable, the pulling head axis, and the crucible rotational axis, as well a tilting of the pulling head, will deteriorate the growing condition of the crystal and render the rotating pulling cable/crystal susceptible to an orbiting motion which may be very harmful to the crystal quality and may even disrupt the crystal growing process.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for improved methods and apparatus for growing crystal ingots that provide stable, repeatable growth of crystal ingots.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of, and apparatus for, pulling a crystal ingot from a melt.
It is another object to increase the stability of the crystal growing process, primarily by improving the ability to align the pulling cable and improving the repeatability of the alignment.
In accordance with the inventive method, the pull head of a CZ crystal puller is mounted on a frame which is supported independently from the receiving chamber. In particular, the pull head is mounted on a rigid frame which is supported by the same surface that supports the crucible. The pull head is then aligned relative to the rigid frame, rather than to the receiving chamber, and can be accurately aligned with the crucible rotation axis and positioned in order to insure that its rotation axis is vertical.
In one embodiment, the method includes the step of mounting the pull head on a plate which engages alignment pins attached to the rigid frame. The alignment pins insure proper alignment of the pull head relative to the frame. When the receiving chamber is raised to allow the crystal to be removed, the plate is engaged by the receiving chamber and is lifted off the alignment pins so that the pull head moves with the receiving chamber. When the receiving chamber is returned to its ingot-growing position and lowered, the alignment pins reengage the plate to realign the pull head on the frame. In this embodiment, an additional step includes connecting the pull head to the receiving chamber by a flexible bellows so that the pull head remains vacuum sealed to the receiving chamber when the chamber is lowered and the alignment pins are engaged.
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a CZ crystal puller system, including a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the CZ crystal puller illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of a pull head decoupled from the independent alignment system of this invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the pull head mounted using an independent alignment system of FIG. 3 with the CZ receiving chamber lowered in the crystal growing position; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative crystal puller design using the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the basic puller system 10 includes base chamber 12, growth chamber 14, transition chamber 16, isolation valve 18 and receiving chamber 20. The base chamber 12 encloses a mechanism which supports a crucible and raises it as the crystal is withdrawn therefrom in order to maintain the melt level in the crucible constant with respect to the remainder of the system 10. The growth chamber 14 encloses the crucible and a furnace surrounding the crucible for melting the charge material in the crucible. The transition chamber 16 includes a number of viewing and instrumentation ports 17 in its upper surface which allow the crystal pulling process to be monitored by an operator. The receiving chamber 20 receives the grown crystal ingot (not shown), carried by a cable or rod (not shown), in a manner similar to that described above.
A control system 22 monitors various growth parameters, such as the melt-level, and controls various aspects of the system, such as the rate at which a seed is withdrawn from the melt. Lift 24, attached to the receiving chamber 20, slides along pole 26 under the control of the control system 22 and may be used to lift and rotate the combination 28 of growth chamber 14, transition chamber 16 and receiving chamber 20 about the longitudinal axis of pole 26, to move the combination 28 away from the base chamber 12. By operating in this fashion, the system may be cleaned. Alternatively only the combination of the transition chamber 16 and the receiving chamber 20 on the receiving chamber 20 alone can be moved by lift 24 so that the ingot therein may be retrieved from the system 10.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are more detailed, enlarged views of the pull head 30 in relation to the support beam 36. Unlike conventional crystal puller systems, the pull head 30 of system 10 (not shown in FIG. 2) is coupled to an independent support and alignment structure rather than being directly mounted on the receiving chamber 20. More particularly, the pull head 30 is coupled to plate 32, which, in turn, is positioned with the aid of alignment structure 34 on a rigid support structure consisting of support beam 36 supported by a framing structure 38. Structure 38 illustratively rests on the same supporting surface 40 as the crucible lift and rotate mechanism 42 so that there is no relative motion between the two structures. FIG. 3 shown the alignment mechanism 52 decoupled from the plate 32 which illustrates the position of the pull head 30 when the receiving chamber is being moved relating to the transition chamber 6. Pull head 30 includes a conventional winch motor 44, which lifts the pulling cable 46 within receiving chamber 20 under the control of the control system 22 (FIG. 1) in order to rotate the crystal within receiving chamber 20. The pull head 30 is mounted on rotatable plate 48, which may rotate under the control of the control system 22. The rotatable plate 48, in turn, is coupled to plate 32 by a ferrofluidic seal 50 through which the cable 46 passes.
FIG. 4 shows the receiving chamber 20 located in the lowered position for crystal growth while the alignment mechanism 52 is coupled to plate 32. In this position, the pull head 30 is effectively coupled to the supporting beam 36 by means of the support structures 52. A tapered alignment pin 54 is provided on the top of each of support structures 52, which may illustratively be conical in shape, engage holes 56 in plate 32. Holes 56 are shaped to match the outer contour of pins 54 (for example, holes 56 may have a conical shape) in order to provide a positive and repeatable alignment of the plate 32 on support structures 52. For example, three support structures 52 with alignment pins 54 can be used arranged in a triangular pattern around the centerline of pull head 30. Alternatively, four support structures with alignment pins can be used. When plate 32 is resting on alignment pins 54, the alignment of pull head 30 is independent of the position of receiving chamber 20 and, instead, depends on the position of stationary support beam 36.
To align the plate 32, and thus the pull head 30 with the rotation axis of crucible 12 (FIG. 1) and to insure that the rotation axis of pull head 30 is vertical, each support structure 52 is mounted on a conventional XYZ table, such as table 60. The XYZ table 60, in turn, is mounted on support beam 36. The XYZ table thus allows the support structures 52, which rest on it, to be aligned in the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the support beam 36 by means of adjustment screws, such as screw 62, in a conventional fashion. Prior to crystal growth, the XYZ table 60 is carefully adjusted to render the pull head axis of rotation colinear with the crucible rotation axis and to render the pull head axis of rotation vertical. Once this adjustment is performed, it does not need to be changed since this alignment is relative to stationary support beam 36 which is rigidly supported by the frame 38, rather than being dependent upon tolerances built up in the vacuum chamber pieces. Because this alignment is independent of the receiving chamber's tolerances, among others, the alignment structures 52 provide a stable, constant alignment from one ingot growing cycle to the next cycle. Moreover, because the alignment of the plate 32 relative to support beam 36 is not expected to change from one ingot growing cycle to the next cycle, the alignment structure 52 is believed to provide more repeatability to the growing process, as the alignment of the cable 46 relative to crucible 12 (FIG. 1) will not change from one growing cycle to the next cycle.
The puller head 30 in FIG. 3 is decoupled from the independent alignment structure 52. The puller head 30 and plate 32 are coupled to receiving chamber 20 with pins 66 which are positioned within holes 68. Plate 32 can move orthogonally relative to the axis of the cable since bellows 70 is compressible. In addition to being sufficiently flexible to allow orthogonal movement of the plate 32, bellows 70 provides a means for maintaining a vacuum seal within the receiving chamber 20. Alignment structure 52 includes tapered locating ends 54 to engage holes 56 in plate 32. Pins 54 are mounted on rigid frame 36 by vibration dampeners 64. Locating pins 54 are adjustable by adjusting XYZ table 60 to align the puller head 30 relative to rigid independent structure 36.
When the receiving chamber 20 is detached from the transition chamber 18 and repositioned by the lift 24, the puller head 30 is lifted from independent support structure 38 and moved with the receiving chamber 20. Thereafter, when the receiving chamber is returned to a position to initiate growth crystal, the puller head 30 is aligned by utilizing the alignment mechanism 52 in conjunction with the support structure 36. When the receiving chamber 20 is lowered in the direction of arrow A, holes 56 and locating pins 54 engage each other while pins 66 and hole 68 eventually disengage from each other.
The support structures 52 may be rigid rods, but preferably, the structures are conventional vibration damper devices 64. Vibration dampers which are suitable for use with the present invention are model 6-DOF vibration dampers manufactured and sold by Minus K Technology, located in 420 S. Hindry Ave., Inglewood, Calif. 90301.
The above embodiments are exemplary and skilled artisans will appreciate that the inventive concept of aligning a pull head independently of the receiving chamber is applicable to other structures. For example, the XYZ table 60 of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be replaced with an XY table may be used with vertical adjustment accomplished using leveling screws provided on vibration dampers 64. Analogously, other crystal pullers assemblies may advantageously use the invention. For example, the crystal puller of FIG. 5 similarly uses an alignment mechanism 70 for the pull head 34 which is attached to the rigid support 72, while being connected directly to the ground 74.
While the invention has been shown and described above with respect to various preferred embodiments, it will apparent that the foregoing and other changes of the form and detail may be made therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
1. A method for aligning a pull head in a crystal growing system having a pull head, a multi-section vacuum chamber including a receiving chamber, and a crucible located in the vacuum chamber and supported on a surface, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a rigid support frame supported on the surface;
(b) mounting the pull head on the support frame independent of a position of the vacuum chamber; and
(c) aligning the pull head relative to the crucible.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the further step of:
(b1) attaching the pull head to the support frame with a mounting mechanism that comprises a releasable connection between the pull head and the mounting mechanism which allows the pull head to be attached to the support frame while maintaining alignment relative to the crucible.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein step (b1) comprises the step of:
(b1a) attaching the pull head to the vacuum chamber when the pull head is detached from the support frame.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of:
(b2) connecting the adjustment apparatus between the mounting mechanism and the support frame; and
(b3) connecting the adjustment apparatus between the mounting mechanism and the support frame.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprises the step of:
(c1) adjusting the position of the pull head relative to the support frame in three dimensions.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises the step of:
(c2) damping vibrations through the mounting mechanism.
(c3) adjusting the pull head relative to the crucible so that the pull head rotational axis is colinear with the crucible rotational axis.
(c4) adjusting the pull head so that the pull head rotational axis is vertical.
9. A method for aligning a pull head in a Czochralski crystal growing system having a pull head, means for rotating the pull head about an axis, a multi-section vacuum chamber including a receiving chamber, a crucible located in the vacuum chamber and a crucible support system for supporting the crucible on a surface and for rotating the crucible about an axis, the comprising the steps of:
(a) supporting a rigid support frame on the surface and independent of the vacuum chamber;
(b) mounting the pull head on the support frame with a mounting mechanism for removably mounting the pull head; and
(c) aligning the pull head rotation axis relative to the crucible rotation axis Independently of a position of said receiving chamber with an adjustment apparatus connected between the mounting mechanism and the support frame.
10. The method of claim 9 comprising the step of:
(d) reattaching the pull head to the support frame and realigning the pull head through use of a mounting mechanism that comprises a self-aligning connection between the pull head and the mounting mechanism which allows the pull head to be detached from the support frame.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (b) includes the step of:
(b1) mounting the pull head through a pull head plate to support structures connected to the adjustment apparatus, the pull head plate being connected to the pull head and having locating holes passing therethrough and the support structures including locating pins which engage the locating holes when the pull head is mounted.
(b2) damping vibrations through use of support structures which include vibration dampers.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein step (b) includes the step of:
(b3) aligning the pull head using an XYZ adjustable table.
14. A method of aligning a pull head pull head for use in a Czochralski crystal growing system having a pull head, means for rotating the pull head about an axis, a multi-section vacuum chamber including a receiving chamber for receiving a growing crystal, a crucible located in the vacuum chamber and a crucible support system for supporting the crucible on a surface and for rotating the crucible about an axis, comprising the steps of:
(a) supporting a rigid support frame on the surface independent of the vacuum chamber;
(b) aligning the pull head rotation axis relative to the crucible rotation axis, independently of a position of said receiving chamber with an XYZ table mounted on the support frame;
(c) connecting a pull head plate having locating holes passing therethrough to the pull head;
(d) a plurality of support structures connected to the XYZ table; and
(e) engaging a locating pin mounted on each of the plurality of support structures with the locating holes to support the pull head on the support frame.
15. The method of aligning a pull head of claim 14 comprising the further steps of:
(f) coupling the pull head plate to the receiving chamber via a compressible bellows, wherein the pull head plate comprises receiving chamber-positioning holes and the receiving chamber comprises a receiving chamber-positioning pin;
(g) engaging the receiving chamber-positioning holes with the receiving chamber positioning pin when the bellows is in a compressed state; and
(h) disengaging the chamber-positioning holes when the bellows is an expanded state.
(i) attaching the receiving chamber to a movable lift;
(j) controlling the lift to move the receiving chamber to cause the chamber-positioning holes to disengage the chamber-positioning pins and to cause the locating pins to engage the locating holes.
17. The method of aligning a pull head of claim 14 comprising the further step of:
(k) damping vibrations with the support structures, which comprise vibration dampers.
5254316 October 19, 1993 Oda et al.
5762703 June 9, 1998 Schulmann et al.
5846322 December 8, 1998 Schulmann et al.
Filed: Oct 22, 1998
Date of Patent: Mar 28, 2000
Assignee: General Signal Technology Corporation (Stamford, CT)
Inventor: Zhixin Li (Hudson, NH)
Primary Examiner: Felisa Hiteshew
Law Firm: Kudirka & Jobse, LLP
Current U.S. Class: Having Pulling During Growth (e.g., Czochralski Method, Zone Drawing) (117/13)
International Classification: C30B 3500;


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text:
PHS Mission Statement
PHS Charter 1961 & By-Laws
PHS Officers
PHS Collection Policy
Collection Preservation and Management Plan
Local History Links
Reverend Moses Hallock 1760 – 1837
Lydia Richards 1782 – 1846
Dr. Samuel Shaw 1790 – 1870
William Cullen Bryant 1794 – 1878
John Brown 1800 – 1859
Marcus Whitman 1802 – 1847
Martha J. Lamb 1826 – 1893
Charles Dudley Warner 1829 – 1900
Ralph Ellison 1914 – 1994
Dr. W. Irving Maurer 1879-1942
Arvilla Louise Dyer 1923 – 2004
Plainfield Historic District
Inventory of Historic Homes
Shaw/Hudson House
Barns of Plainfield
Plainfield Congregational Church
Shaw Memorial Library
The Gun House
The Mill Site
Mill Site Tour Part 1
HWHM
Photographs of Houses and Landscapes
Photographs of Plainfield People
PHS Artifacts
PHS Textiles
PHS Books & Manuscripts
Agricultural Artifacts
Plainfield Congregational Church's Collections
The Ashfield Historical Society Bordering Plainfield is our neighbor, Ashfield, Massachusetts. Ashfield is one of Massachusetts' Hill Towns, a number of small communities nestled in the rolling hills between the Connecticut River and the Berkshire Mountains. Despite its rural location, Ashfield has been at the center of many of the currents of American history since its incorporation in 1765, including the pietist movement of the late eighteenth century (the first Shaker meeting house was built here in 1789) to the abolition movement (the Free Soil party triumphed here in the 1850's), to the prohibition movement (the town eliminated the open bar at town meeting in 1848). This website has a historical timeline, virtual tour of their museum and an extensive collection of the Howes brothers' photographs.
Cummington Historical Commission Visit the Kingsmen Tavern, the William Cullen Bryant House, and learn about the history of our neighbor, Cummington, Massachusetts.
The Rowe Historical Society The Rowe Historical Society owns and operates the Kemp-McCarthy Museum located at 282 Zoar Road in Rowe, Massachusetts. The museum has an extensive collection of local artifacts and antiques. Highlights of the collection include antique quilts, 19th century dolls, period costumes, china and glassware, sleighs, furniture, photographs, cookware, tools, farm implements, and an original 19th century hearse. Exhibits are updated regularly.
The Pioneer Valley Historical Network – The Pioneer Valley History Network is a resource for local history organizations in western Massachusetts—and the public they serve. Large or small, old or new, these organizations care for the objects and stories of the region's past. Some are small, volunteer-run historical societies; others are large museum complexes. Some focus on collections, others provide resources and education. All are committed to keeping history alive and relevant for future generations.This collection of organizations is an incredible resource!
Shelburne Falls Historical Society – The Shelburne Historical Society is chartered to collect, preserve and interpret material of historical interest relating to the Town of Shelburne , Franklin County, Massachusetts. Its museum and headquarters are in the old Arms Academy on the corner of Church and Maple Streets in Shelburne Falls . The museum maintains a room devoted to memorabilia and records of the Academy.
North Adams Museum of History and Science
Historic Northampton Museum and Education Center
Massachusetts Historical Society
Mass Humanities: A Commonwealth of Ideas


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Q: custom application form as write mode for normal users in service now In serviceNow, how to change custom application form as write mode for normal users after i used extended my table from task table

A: Your question doesn't make a lot of sense, so I'm having a lot of trouble understanding what you're asking.
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text:
Dec 18, 2021 6 min read family
Written by Laura Covalla
Tales and Tunes with Tots group members in March 2019.
Ten years ago, Rachael Cook moved to Thetford with her husband, Corey, and their two kids, who were four and one at the time. She started attending story time at Latham Library with her daughters, but she noticed that there was no baby or toddler-oriented group in town. So she decided to start her own group, Tales and Tunes with Tots, which she began running voluntarily in the spring of 2013.
Another group, MUST (Moms United Support Group of Thetford), was formed by a peer around the same time, and for several years Rachael ran both of them until she eventually merged them into a single group. Rachael now has three kids, and while all of them are school-aged, she continues to run this group.
Rachael Cook holds group members' babies while pregnant with her third child in 2015.
Tales and Tunes with Tots had a big impact on local parents of young children right from the start (mostly moms, but several dads became regulars over the years as well). Reflecting on the early days, Rachael said, "Both groups had multiple people show up on the first day. Some of them had never been out with their little ones before. There were people who didn't know anyone and didn't know how to connect with others in town. Almost immediately friendships started forming. All these people were desperate for the same thing, but none of them knew how to get started."
Testimonials that Rachael collected reflected that need being fulfilled. One parent, Alana, wrote, "The MUST/Tales and Tunes groups literally saved me from going insane. Even though I grew up in the area I felt that I didn't have much contact with other stay-at-home moms with kids around my age. I would sometimes go an entire week without leaving the house and had no one to hang out with."
Another member, Nikki, shared that things got really tough for her after she became a mom of two within a twelve-month period. "I needed help, normalcy, connection, and people with whom I could relate and seek advice… the MUST and Tales and Tunes with Tots groups have had a profound impact on my life… I developed some of the deepest friendships I have ever had among the women in these groups."
One of the things that set Rachael's group apart from other local playgroups was her emphasis on supporting the parents of infants and toddlers and on accepting them in whatever way they were able to show up. Her ad for the group, which she occasionally posts on local listservs, reads that even "if you are 6 days unshowered, hair a mess, everyone still in pajamas… if you are late… if you are new and nervous… if you've got a baby or child crying or making noise… Come join us! Your village awaits you!"
Rachael knows just how meaningful these words can be for new mothers to hear. She remembers attending playgroups where she felt judged and unsupported when she showed up late, loud (because of crying/whining kids), and looking like a hot mess. Having suffered from postpartum anxiety and depression after the birth of her second child, she knows that being able to leave the house no matter what kind of a day you're having can make a world of difference. There were many times when she felt that her spit-up-covered pajamas and messy hair were insurmountable obstacles to going out and making the connections that she so desperately needed at that time. Rachael doesn't want that kind of scenario to stop anyone from showing up to her group, and she feels that the people having the hardest time leaving the house are the ones who need it the most. Many group members have taken her up on it over the years, showing up in their pajamas in a flurry of chaos just so that they can briefly make contact with the outside world.
As Becca, another group-goer from the early days, put it, "Any mom knows that motherhood, while rewarding, can also be experienced as exhausting and isolating. Rachael, in reaching out with her vision, provided a place of refuge, a place to be known, a place to be accepted in the daily struggles of raising children."
During the pandemic, group meetings transitioned to Zoom for a time, but they continued to be a lifeline for this particularly isolated subset of society. Thalia, a pre-pandemic regular, shared with Rachael what the impact had been for her personally. "When we started our family, our first two pregnancies were traumatic, and we endured them alone for the most part. There's only so much family or friends could do via FaceTime… our third pregnancy happened in 2020. There were lockdowns, and fear, and hyperemesis gravidarum, but it was still our best pregnancy yet. Because we had local support… I have a village [now]. I'm not so lonely anymore."
Rachael realized fairly early on that there was a vital need for more than just a weekly playgroup or support group. "I would look into the faces of people who were having a really hard time, and it was difficult for me, knowing that this might be the only hour of the week that they had a supportive place to go and get out of the house. I wanted to be able to offer so much more." She started thinking about expanding her group into a full-fledged family center that would be open and able to serve this population for more than just a couple of hours a week.
Rachael envisions a space with an open gym area so that toddlers can play and run freely during the long winter months, as well as a quiet indoor play area and a fenced-in playground. It would have space for a lending library, a toy library, a diaper bank, and even a free clothing swap. The center would continue to host supportive playgroups, as well as group walks, classes, and workshops that are relevant to parents of kids of all ages. It would also have a memorial wall to remember and honor children who have been lost during pregnancy or after birth.
In the winter of 2018, Rachael took a course through Vermont Technical College on how to start a non-profit business. Not long afterward, she met Miranda Holder, a Thetford resident and professional leadership coach. Miranda's husband, Jamie, had been attending Rachael's group for some time with their young son. When Miranda came to check it out, she and Rachael got to talking about Rachael's idea of starting a family center in town. Without hesitation, Miranda offered her services to Rachael pro bono to help her bring her dream to fruition.
For the past three years, Rachael has been meeting with Miranda regularly, who has been consulting, guiding, and coaching her down this path. Now, The Kindred Village Center (KVC) has been incorporated and has officially attained 501(c)(3) non-profit status, a process that was neither quick nor easy. The center currently has a four-member Board of Directors, which ultimately Rachael would like to see grow to seven or even nine members.
The next major hurdle for her will be to find a physical location for the center and to have the funding available to purchase or rent a property as well as for things like maintenance, utilities, insurance, and necessary building updates. She has considered many buildings in town, including the North Thetford Church and the Timothy Frost building, both of which have a seemingly low price tag but come with high maintenance and/or modernization costs.
In November, Rachael formally announced KVC to the public on the listserv and Facebook, inviting community support for the center via its first Gofundme fundraiser. In just over a month, she has reached nearly half of her first goal of 10k through over sixty individual donations ranging from $10 to $500. While the board is currently researching other grant opportunities, it was important to Rachael that they kick off the fundraising with community donations. For her, the small donations are incredibly meaningful. "I want the people in this community to know that they helped make it happen, no matter how much or little they're able to do. It takes a village to make a village."
Names of group members have been changed to protect privacy.
Tales and Tunes with Tots is held on Mondays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Thetford (masks are required for adults and children who are old enough to wear them). There is also an outdoor playgroup on the second Sunday of each month at the Thetford Elementary School playground from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Rachael also runs a Facebook group for local parents called K.I.T.E. Kids in Tow Excursions, where members can share events and local happenings, ask for advice and/or give feedback, and look for or give away (for free) child/baby-related items. The group is private, but you can request to join either by searching Facebook or by contacting Rachael directly.
Support Laura Covalla


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