text:
Q: Basic java, cannot find the error Trying to do this program for my introduction to programming class. I am unable to get it to run, even before I added the printwriter it had no errors and still would not run. Any tips would be appreciated (how to fix it and how to get the printwriter to work.
package pa2;

import java.io.PrintWriter;
import java.util.Scanner;

public class pa2 {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub

    }

    {

        Scanner keyboard = new Scanner(System.in);

        PrintWriter prw = new PrintWriter ("pa2output.txt");

        // variables
        double tshirt, chips, coke, tax, sale, subtotal, total, tshirtcost, chipscost, cokecost, deposit, cokewdeposit, discount, change, payment, numshirt, numcoke, numchips;
        String name;
        tshirt = 18.95;
        chips = 1.79;
        coke = 2.99;
        deposit = 1.2;
        tax = .06;
        sale = .15;

        // menu
        System.out.print("What is your name? ");
        prw.print("What is your name? ");
        name = keyboard.nextLine();
        System.out.println("Welcome to Denny's " + name + "! " + "We have the following items for sale:");
        prw.print("Welcome to Denny's " + name + "! " + "We have the following items for sale:");
        System.out.println("T-shirt $" + tshirt + "15% off");
        prw.print("T-shirt $" + tshirt + "15% off");
        System.out.println("Chips $" + chips + "15% off");
        prw.print("Chips $" + chips + "15% off");
        System.out.println("Coke $" + coke);
        prw.print("Coke $" + coke);

        // input
        System.out.println("How many T-shirts do you want?");
        prw.print("How many T-shirts do you want?");
        numshirt = keyboard.nextDouble();
        System.out.println("How many bags of patato chips?");
        prw.print("How many bags of patato chips?");
        numchips = keyboard.nextDouble();
        System.out.println("What about 12-pack Coke?");
        prw.print("What about 12-pack Coke?");
        numcoke = keyboard.nextDouble();
        System.out.println("Please enter your payment: ");
        prw.print("Please enter your payment: ");
        payment = keyboard.nextDouble();
        // variables

        cokewdeposit = (deposit * numcoke);
        tshirtcost = (tshirt * numshirt);
        chipscost = (chips * numchips);
        cokecost = (coke * numcoke);
        subtotal = (tshirtcost + chipscost + cokecost + cokewdeposit);
        discount = (sale * subtotal);
        total = subtotal + (subtotal * tax) - discount;
        change = payment - total;

        // calculation
        System.out.println("Your total is $" + total);
        prw.print("Your total is $" + total);
        System.out.println(name + "here is your receipt");
        prw.print(name + "here is your receipt");
        System.out.println("item," + " " + "unit price," + " " + "how many," + " " + "cost");
        prw.print("item," + " " + "unit price," + " " + "how many," + " " + "cost");
        System.out.println("T-shirt ");
        prw.print("T-shirt ");
        System.out.print(tshirt + " " + numshirt + " " + (tshirt * numshirt));
        prw.print(tshirt + " " + numshirt + " " + (tshirt * numshirt));
        System.out.println("Chips ");
        prw.print("Chips ");
        System.out.print(chips + " " + numchips + " " + (chips * numchips));
        prw.print(chips + " " + numchips + " " + (chips * numchips));
        System.out.println("Coke" + coke);
        prw.print("Coke" + coke);
        System.out.print(coke + " " + numcoke + " " + (coke * numcoke));
        prw.print(coke + " " + numcoke + " " + (coke * numcoke));

        // receipt
        System.out.println("Discount " + subtotal);
        prw.print("Discount " + subtotal);
        System.out.println("Discount " + discount);
        prw.print("Discount " + discount);
        System.out.println("Tax " + tax);
        prw.print("Tax " + tax);
        System.out.println("Total " + total);
        prw.print("Total " + total);
        System.out.println("Payment " + payment);
        prw.print("Payment " + payment);
        System.out.println("Your change is " + change);
        prw.print("Your change is " + change);
        System.out.println("Thank you. Come again!");
        prw.print("Thank you. Come again!");

        keyboard.close();
        prw.close();
    }
}

A: That big block of code that you have that is not part of main and so it is never called. You must be either 1) put into main, or 2) put into a function that is called from main.
Right now you just have code hanging out in space and you are not calling it.
perhaps toss this around it for starters:
private static void foo(){
   // stick block of code in here
}

then call it from main like this:
 public static void main(String [] args){
     foo();
 }

A: Just a quick addition to the accepted answer.
The code you have written is actually in what is known as an "initialization block" which is completely valid. However it is generally used to "initialize" variables etc.. There are limitations on what you can do with them. (Issues generating threads etc..)
ie:
    int a = 0;
    {
    //Your code
      a=3;
    }

The code inside gets executed at compile time by the compiler, however it is not meant to handle code generation. Only variable initialization.  The example below which uses the "static" keyword should let you execute some code, but it is generally not necessary.
int a=0;
static {
//Your code
a= 3;
// Other stuff
}

The better plan is to do it how miss.serena said. Here's a link that explains how initialization blocks work.


text:
Epidemiology & Infection
Volume 144 Issue 4
Latest volume
Only show content I have access to (27)
Only show open access (2)
Topic: Show more
Original Papers (20)
Gastrointestinal infections (3)
Pertussis (2)
Brucellosis (1)
Volume 144 - Issue 4 - March 2016
Systematic review of brucellosis in the Middle East: disease frequency in ruminants and humans and risk factors for human infection
I. I. MUSALLAM, M. N. ABO-SHEHADA, Y. M. HEGAZY, H. R. HOLT, F. J. GUITIAN
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 October 2015, pp. 671-685
You have access Access
A systematic review of studies providing frequency estimates of brucellosis in humans and ruminants and risk factors for Brucella spp. seropositivity in humans in the Middle East was conducted to collate current knowledge of brucellosis in this region. Eight databases were searched for peer-reviewed original Arabic, English, French and Persian journal articles; the search was conducted on June 2014. Two reviewers evaluated articles for inclusion based on pre-defined criteria. Of 451 research articles, only 87 articles passed the screening process and provided bacteriological and serological evidence for brucellosis in all Middle Eastern countries. Brucella melitensis and B. abortus have been identified in most countries in the Middle East, supporting the notion of widespread presence of Brucella spp. especially B. melitensis across the region. Of the 87 articles, 49 were used to provide evidence of the presence of Brucella spp. but only 11 provided new knowledge on the frequency of brucellosis in humans and ruminants or on human risk factors for seropositivity and were deemed of sufficient quality. Small ruminant populations in the region show seroprevalence values that are among the highest worldwide. Human cases are likely to arise from subpopulations occupationally exposed to ruminants or from the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. The Middle East is in need of well-designed observational studies that could generate reliable frequency estimates needed to assess the burden of disease and to inform disease control policies.
ESBL
Low-level antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the nares of pig-exposed persons
J. FISCHER, K. HILLE, A. MELLMANN, F. SCHAUMBURG, L. KREIENBROCK, R. KÖCK
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 July 2015, pp. 686-690
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) have recently emerged in livestock and humans. Therefore, this study assessed the carriage of Enterobacteriaceae in the anterior nares and associated antimicrobial resistance in pig-exposed persons. Nasal swabs were enriched in non-selective broth and then plated on MacConkey and ESBL-selective agars. Species was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines. Of 114 pig-exposed persons tested, Enterobacteriaceae were detected in the nares of 76 (66·7%) participants. The predominant species were Proteus mirabilis (n = 17, 14·9%), Pantoea agglomerans (n = 13, 11·4%), Morganella morganii (n = 9, 7·9%), Citrobacter koseri (n = 9, 7·9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris (each n = 8, 7·0%). ESBL-E were not detected. Of all isolates tested, 3·4% were resistant against ciprofloxacin, 2·3% against gentamicin, 23·9% against trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 44·3% against tigecycline. Despite the high prevalence of ESBL-E in livestock, pig-exposed persons did not carry ESBL-E in their nares. This finding is important, because colonization of the nasal reservoir might cause endogenous infections or facilitate transmission of ESBL-E in the general population.
The association of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriage in humans with pigs
L. A. DENKEL, P. GASTMEIER, R. LEISTNER
The association of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriage in humans with pigs – a reply
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2015, pp. 693-694
Epidemiology and risk factors for faecal extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriage derived from residents of seven nursing homes in western Shanghai, China
S.-Y. ZHAO, J. ZHANG, Y.-L. ZHANG, Y.-C. WANG, S.-Z. XIAO, F.-F. GU, X.-K. GUO, Y.-X. NI, L.-Z. HAN
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2015, pp. 695-702
Nursing homes (NHs) have been implicated as significant reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant organisms causing severe infectious disease. We investigated the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of, and risk factors for, faecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E). A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in seven NHs in Shanghai between March 2014 and May 2014. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect genes coding for ESBLs and carbapenemases. NH records at individual-resident level and facility level were examined for potential risk factors. Four hundred and fifty-seven Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected of which 183 (46·92%) were colonized by ESBL-E. CTX-M enzymes (198/200, 99%) predominated, with CTX-M-14 (84/200, 42%) the most common types. Two carbapenemase producers harboured blaKPC-2. Resistance rates to carbapenems, TZP, AK, FOS, CL and TGC were low. History of invasive procedures [odds ratio (OR) 2·384, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·318–4·310, P = 0·004], narrow-spectrum cephalosporins (OR 1·635, 95% CI 1·045–2·558, P = 0·031) and broad-spectrum cephalosporins (OR 3·276, 95% CI 1·278–8·398, P = 0·014) were independently associated with ESBL-E carriage. In conclusion, NH residents have a very high prevalence of faecal carriage of ESBL-E. Continuous and active surveillance is important, as are prudent infection control measures and antibiotic use to prevent and control the spread of these antibiotic-resistant strains.
Implementation of latent tuberculosis screening in HIV care centres: evaluation in a low tuberculosis incidence setting
C. WYNDHAM-THOMAS, K. SCHEPERS, V. DIRIX, F. MASCART, J.-P. VAN VOOREN, J.-C. GOFFARD
The screening and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to prevent active tuberculosis (TB) is recommended by the WHO in all HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate its implementation within Belgium's HIV care. A multiple-choice questionnaire was sent to 55 physicians working in the country's AIDS reference centres. Response rate reached 62%. Only 20% screened all their HIV-infected patients for LTBI. Screening methods used and their interpretation vary from one physician to another. The main barriers to the implementation of LTBI screening and treatment, as perceived by the participants, are lack of sensitivity of screening tools, risks associated with polypharmacy and toxicity of treatment. The poor coverage of LTBI screening reported here and the inconsistency in methods used raises concern. However, this was not unexpected as, in low-TB incidence countries, who, when and how to screen for LTBI remains unclear and published guidelines show important disparities. Recently, a targeted approach in which only HIV-infected patients at highest risk of TB are screened has been suggested. Such a strategy would limit unnecessary exposure to LTBI treatment. This methodology was approved by 80% of the participants and could therefore achieve greater coverage. Its clinical validation is still pending.
Rate of tuberculosis infection in children and adolescents with household contact with adults with active pulmonary tuberculosis as assessed by tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays
M. A. G. FERRARINI, F. G. SPINA, L. Y. WECKX, H. M. LEDERMAN, M. I. De MORAES-PINTO
Tuberculosis (TB) infection was evaluated in Brazilian immunocompetent children and adolescents exposed and unexposed (control group) to adults with active pulmonary TB. Both groups were analysed by clinical and radiological assessment, TST, QFT-IT and T-SPOT.TB. The three tests were repeated after 8 weeks in the TB-exposed group if results were initially negative. Individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) were treated and tests were repeated after treatment. Fifty-nine TB-exposed and 42 controls were evaluated. Rate of infection was 69·5% and 9·5% for the exposed and control groups, respectively. The exposed group infection rate was 61% assessed by TST, 57·6% by T-SPOT.TB, and 59·3%, by QFT-IT. No active TB was diagnosed. Agreement between the three tests was 83·1% and 92·8% in the exposed and control groups, respectively. In the exposed group, T-SPOT.TB added four TB diagnoses [16%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·6–30·4] and QFT-IT added three TB diagnoses (12%, 95% CI 0–24·7) in 25 individuals with negative tuberculin skin test (TST). Risk factors associated to TB infection were contact with an adult with active TB [0–60 days: odds ratio (OR) 6·9; >60 days: OR 27·0] and sleeping in the same room as an adult with active TB (OR 5·2). In Brazilian immunocompetent children and adolescents, TST had a similar performance to interferon-gamma release assays and detected a high rate of LTBI.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure of livestock in a German dairy farm: implications for intra vitam diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in an officially tuberculosis-free country
T. EISENBERG, A. NESSELER, C. SAUERWALD, U. KLING, K. RIßE, U. KAIM, G. ALTHOFF, N. FIEGE, K. SCHLEZ, H.-P. HAMANN, A. FAWZY, I. MOSER, R. RIßE, G. KRAFT, M. ZSCHÖCK, C. MENGE
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2015, pp. 724-731
Germany has been an officially bovine tuberculosis (bTB)-free (OTF) country since 1996. Gradually rising numbers of bTB herd incidents due to Mycobacterium bovis and M. caprae in North-Western and Southern Germany during the last few years prompted the competent authorities to conduct a nationwide bTB survey in 2013/2014. This led to the detection of a dairy herd in which as many as 55 cattle reacted positively to consecutive intra vitam testing. Test-positive animals lacked visible lesions indicative of bTB at necropsy. Extensive mycobacterial culturing as well as molecular testing of samples from 11 tissues for members of the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) yielded negative results throughout. However, caseous lymphadenitis of Ln. mandibularis accessorius was observed during meat inspection of a fattening pig from the same farm at regular slaughter at that time. Respective tissue samples tested MTC positive by polymerase chain reaction, and M. tuberculosis T1 family were identified by spoligotyping. Four human reactors within the farmer's family were also found to be immunoreactive. As exposure of livestock to M. tuberculosis is not generally considered, its impact may result in regulatory and practical difficulties when using protocols designed to detect classical bTB, particularly in OTF countries.
Social class based on occupation is associated with hospitalization for A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Comparison between hospitalized and ambulatory cases
J. PUJOL, P. GODOY, N. SOLDEVILA, J. CASTILLA, F. GONZÁLEZ-CANDELAS, J. M. MAYORAL, J. ASTRAY, S. GARCIA, V. MARTIN, S. TAMAMES, M. DELGADO, A. DOMÍNGUEZ, the CIBERESP Cases and Controls in Pandemic Influenza Working Group
This study aimed to analyse the existence of an association between social class (categorized by type of occupation) and the occurrence of A(H1N1)pmd09 infection and hospitalization for two seasons (2009–2010 and 2010–2011). This multicentre study compared ambulatory A(H1N1)pmd09 confirmed cases with ambulatory controls to measure risk of infection, and with hospitalized A(H1N1)pmd09 confirmed cases to asses hospitalization risk. Study variables were: age, marital status, tobacco and alcohol use, pregnancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic respiratory failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease, body mass index >40, systemic corticosteroid treatment and influenza vaccination status. Occupation was registered literally and coded into manual and non-manual worker occupational social class groups. A conditional logistic regression analysis was performed. There were 720 hospitalized cases, 996 ambulatory cases and 1062 ambulatory controls included in the study. No relationship between occupational social class and A(H1N1)pmd09 infection was found [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0·97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·74–1·27], but an association (aOR 1·53, 95% CI 1·01–2·31) between occupational class and hospitalization for A(H1N1)pmd09 was observed. Influenza vaccination was a protective factor for A(H1N1)pmd09 infection (aOR 0·41, 95% CI 0·23–0·73) but not for hospitalization. We conclude that manual workers have the highest risk of hospitalization when infected by influenza than other occupations but they do not have a different probability of being infected by influenza.
Epidemiological features of influenza in Canadian adult intensive care unit patients
G. TAYLOR, K. ABDESSELAM, L. PELUDE, R. FERNANDES, R. MITCHELL, A. McGEER, C. FRENETTE, K. N. SUH, A. WONG, K. KATZ, K. WILKINSON, T. MERSEREAU, D. GRAVEL, the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP)
To identify predictive factors and mortality of patients with influenza admitted to intensive care units (ICU) we carried out a prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza in adult ICUs in a network of Canadian hospitals between 2006 and 2012. There were 626 influenza-positive patients admitted to ICUs over the six influenza seasons, representing 17·9% of hospitalized influenza patients, 3·1/10 000 hospital admissions. Variability occurred in admission rate and proportion of hospital influenza patients who were admitted to ICUs (proportion range by year: 11·7–29·4%; 21·3% in the 2009–2010 pandemic). In logistic regression models ICU patients were younger during the pandemic and post-pandemic period, and more likely to be obese than hospital non-ICU patients. Influenza B accounted for 14·2% of all ICU cases and had a similar ICU admission rate as influenza A. Influenza-related mortality was 17·8% in ICU patients compared to 2·0% in non-ICU patients.
Influenza virus surveillance in Argentina during the 2012 season: antigenic characterization, genetic analysis and antiviral susceptibility
E. BENEDETTI, R. S. DANIELS, A. PONTORIERO, M. RUSSO, M. AVARO, A. CZECH, A. CAMPOS, N. PERIOLO, V. GREGORY, J. W. McCAULEY, E. G. BAUMEISTER
The activity and circulation of influenza viruses in Argentina was studied during 2012 as part of the Argentinean Surveillance for Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, in the context of Global Influenza Surveillance. The antigenicity and molecular characteristics of haemagglutinins (HA) of circulating influenza A and B viruses were analysed to assess the emergence of virus variants. Susceptibility to oseltamivir and zanamivir was evaluated by enzymatic assay and results were backed-up by sequencing of the neuraminidase (NA) genes. During the 2012 season, influenza virus circulation in Argentina was detected from weeks 24 to 51. The HA sequences of the studied A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype viruses segregated in a different genetic group compared to those identified during the 2009 pandemic, although they were still closely related antigenically to the vaccine virus A/California/07/2009. The HA sequences of the A(H3N2) viruses analysed fell into the A/Victoria/208/2009 clade, genetic group 3C. A mixed circulation of virus variants belonging to B/Victoria and B/Yamagata lineages was detected, with B/Victoria being dominant. All viruses tested were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir except one. This isolate, an A(H1N1)pdm09 virus possessing the substitution NA-N295S, showed highly reduced inhibition by oseltamivir and reduced inhibition by zanamivir. Virological and epidemiological surveillance remains critical for detection of evolving influenza viruses.
Low-dose aspirin use does not diminish the immune response to monovalent H1N1 influenza vaccine in older adults
M. L. JACKSON, A. BELLAMY, M. WOLFF, H. HILL, L. A. JACKSON
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may inhibit antibody production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells; one consequence of this could be decreased effectiveness of vaccines in NSAID users. Because many older adults use low-dose aspirin for primary or secondary prevention of coronary events, any inhibitory effect of aspirin on vaccine immune response could reduce the benefits of vaccination programmes in older adults. We tested whether immune response to vaccination differed between users vs. non-users of low-dose aspirin, using data from four randomized trials of monovalent 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccine. Geometric mean haemagglutination inhibition antibody titres were not significantly lower in low-dose aspirin users compared to non-users. Our results provide reassurance that influenza vaccination effectiveness is probably not reduced in older adults taking chronic low-dose aspirin.
Prescribing of neuraminidase inhibitors for influenza in UK primary care since the 2009 pandemic
P. HARDELID, G. RAIT, R. GILBERT, I. PETERSEN
We determined prescribing rates of neuraminidase inhibitors (NIs) for influenza in UK primary care since 2009 in relation to national prescribing guidelines. All NI prescriptions issued during the influenza seasons between October 2010 and May 2013 were extracted from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a large UK primary-care database. We calculated NI prescribing rates per 100 000 person-weeks (pw) by age group, sex, deprivation level, influenza season and presence of chronic conditions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and used negative binomial regression models to determine the independent association between these variables and NI prescribing. NI prescribing was rare. The prescribing rate was 1·7/100 000 pw (95% CI 1·7–1·8) during influenza-active periods, and 0·1/100 000 (95% CI 0·1–0·1) during non-active periods. Prescribing rates were highest in 25- to 44-year-olds in 2010/2011 and in persons aged ⩾85 years in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. Individuals with chronic conditions had significantly higher prescribing rates than persons without (rate ratio 2·62, 95% CI 2·27–3·03). GPs are more likely to prescribe NIs to high-risk individuals and during influenza active periods, as per national guidelines. We could not assess the proportion of patients with influenza-like illness who were prescribed an NI.
Other respiratory infections
Long-term trends in cardiovascular disease mortality and association with respiratory disease
A. J. MERCER
The recent decline in cardiovascular disease mortality in Western countries has been linked with changes in life style and treatment. This study considers periods of decline before effective medical interventions or knowledge about risk factors. Trends in annual age-standardized death rates from cerebrovascular disease, heart disease and circulatory disease, and all cardiovascular disease are reviewed for three phases, 1881–1916, 1920–1939, and 1940–2000. There was a consistent decline in the cerebrovascular disease death rate between 1891 and 2000, apart from brief increases after the two world wars. The heart disease and circulatory disease death rate was declining between 1891 and 1910 before cigarette smoking became prevalent. The early peak in cardiovascular mortality in 1891 coincided with an influenza pandemic and a peak in the death rate from bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza. There is also correspondence between short-term fluctuations in the death rates from these respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disease. This evidence of ecological association is consistent with the findings of many studies that seasonal influenza can trigger acute myocardial infarction and episodes of respiratory infection are followed by increased risk of cardiovascular events. Vaccination studies could provide more definitive evidence of the role in cardiovascular disease and mortality of influenza, other viruses, and common bacterial agents of respiratory infection.
Shelter crowding and increased incidence of acute respiratory infection in evacuees following the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami
T. KAWANO, Y. TSUGAWA, K. NISHIYAMA, H. MORITA, O. YAMAMURA, K. HASEGAWA
Although outbreaks of acute respiratory infection (ARI) at shelters are hypothesized to be associated with shelter crowding, no studies have examined this relationship. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing medical records of evacuees presenting to one of the 37 clinics at the shelters in Ishinomaki city, Japan, during the 3-week period after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011. On the basis of a locally weighted scatter-plot smoothing technique, we categorized 37 shelters into crowded (mean space <5·5 m2/per person) and non-crowded (⩾5·5 m2) shelters. Outcomes of interest were the cumulative and daily incidence rate of ARI/10 000 evacuees at each shelter. We found that the crowded shelters had a higher median cumulative incidence rate of ARI [5·4/10 000 person-days, interquartile range (IQR) 0–24·6, P = 0·04] compared to the non-crowded shelters (3·5/10 000 person-days, IQR 0–8·7) using Mann–Whitney U test. Similarly, the crowded shelters had an increased daily incidence rate of ARI of 19·1/10 000 person-days (95% confidence interval 5·9–32·4, P < 0·01) compared to the non-crowded shelters using quasi-least squares method. In sum, shelter crowding was associated with an increased incidence rate of ARI after the natural disaster.
Heated birthing pools as a source of Legionnaires' disease
S. L. COLLINS, B. AFSHAR, J. T. WALKER, H. AIRD, F. NAIK, F. PARRY-FORD, N. PHIN, T. G. HARRISON, V. J. CHALKER, S. SORRELL, T. CRESSWELL
In June 2014 Public Health England confirmed a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) in a neonate following birth at home in a hired birthing pool incorporating a heater and a recirculation pump which had been filled in advance of labour. The case triggered a public health investigation and a microbiological survey of an additional ten heated birthing pools hired or recently hired to the general public across England. The birthing pool used by the parent of the confirmed case was identified as the source of the neonate's infection following detection of Legionella pneumophila ST48 in both patient and environmental samples. Legionella species were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction but not culture in a further three pools together with other opportunistic pathogens identified by culture and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI–ToF) mass spectrometry. A Patient Safety Alert from NHS England and Public Health England was issued stating that heated birthing pools filled in advance of labour should not be used for home births. This recommendation remains in place. This investigation in conjunction with other recent reports has highlighted a lack of awareness regarding the microbiological safety of heated birthing pools and their potential to be a source of LD and other opportunistic infections. Furthermore, the investigation raised important considerations with regards to microbiological sampling and testing in such incidents. Public health authorities and clinicians should consider LD in the differential diagnosis of severe respiratory infection in neonates within 14 days of a water birth.
Long-term mortality of hospitalized pneumonia in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort
P. K. MYINT, K. R. HAWKINS, A. B. CLARK, R. N. LUBEN, N. J. WAREHAM, K.-T. KHAW, A. M. WILSON
Little is known about cause-specific long-term mortality beyond 30 days in pneumonia. We aimed to compare the mortality of patients with hospitalized pneumonia compared to age- and sex-matched controls beyond 30 days. Participants were drawn from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk prospective population study. Hospitalized pneumonia cases were identified from record linkage (ICD-10: J12-J18). For this study we excluded people with hospitalized pneumonia who died within 30 days. Each case identified was matched to four controls and followed up until the end June 2012 (total 15 074 person-years, mean 6·1 years, range 0·08–15·2 years). Cox regression models were constructed to examine the all-cause, respiratory and cardiovascular mortality using date of pneumonia onset as baseline with binary pneumonia status as exposure. A total of 2465 men and women (503 cases, 1962 controls) [mean age (s.d.) 64·5 (8·3) years] were included in the study. Between a 30-day to 1-year period, hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 7·3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5·4–9·9] and 5·9 (95% CI 3·5–9·7), respectively (with very few respiratory deaths within the same period) in cases compared to controls after adjusting for age, sex, asthma, smoking status, pack years, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, diabetes, physical activity, waist-to-hip ratio, prevalent cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. All outcomes assessed also showed increased risk of death in cases compared to controls after 1 year; respiratory cause of death being the most significant during that period (HR 16·4, 95% CI 8·9–30·1). Hospitalized pneumonia was associated with increased all-cause and specific-cause mortality beyond 30 days.
Gastrointestinal infections
The rise and decline in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis outbreaks attributed to egg-containing foods in the United States, 1973–2009
A. P. WRIGHT, L. RICHARDSON, B. E. MAHON, R. ROTHENBERG, D. J. COLE
Salmonella enterica causes an estimated 1 million domestically acquired foodborne illnesses annually. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is among the top three serovars of reported cases of Salmonella. We examined trends in SE foodborne outbreaks from 1973 to 2009 using Joinpoint and Poisson regression. The annual number of SE outbreaks increased sharply in the 1970s and 1980s but declined significantly after 1990. Over the study period, SE outbreaks were most frequently attributed to foods containing eggs. The average rate of SE outbreaks attributed to egg-containing foods reported by states began to decline significantly after 1990, and the proportion of SE outbreaks attributed to egg-containing foods began declining after 1997. Our results suggest that interventions initiated in the 1990s to decrease SE contamination of shell eggs may have been integral to preventing SE outbreaks.
Seasonality of Campylobacter jejuni isolates associated with human campylobacteriosis in the Manawatu region, New Zealand
A. FRIEDRICH, J. C. MARSHALL, P. J. BIGGS, A. C. MIDWINTER, N. P. FRENCH
A 9-year time-series of genotyped human campylobacteriosis cases from the Manawatu region of New Zealand was used to investigate strain-type seasonality. The data were collected from 2005 to 2013 and the samples were multi-locus sequence-typed (MLST). The four most prevalent clonal complexes (CCs), consisting of 1215 isolates, were CC48, CC21, CC45 and CC61. Seasonal decomposition and Poisson regression with autocorrelated errors, were used to display and test for seasonality of the most prevalent CCs. Of the four examined CCs, only CC45 showed a marked seasonal (summer) peak. The association of CC45 with summer peaks has been observed in other temperate countries, but has previously not been identified in New Zealand. This is the first in-depth study over a long time period employing MLST data to examine strain-type-associated seasonal patterns of C. jejuni infection in New Zealand.
Assessing risk factors of sporadic Campylobacter infection: a case-control study in Arizona
K. POGREBA-BROWN, A. BAKER, K. ERNST, J. STEWART, R. B. HARRIS, J. WEISS
Case-control studies of sporadic Campylobacter infections have predominately been conducted in non-Hispanic populations. In Arizona, rates of campylobacteriosis have been historically higher than the national average, with particularly high rates in Hispanics. In 2010, health departments and a state university collaborated to conduct a statewide case-control study to determine whether risk factors differ in an ethnically diverse region of the United States. Statistically significant risk factors in the final multivariate model were: eating cantaloupe [odds ratio (OR) 7·64], handling raw poultry (OR 4·88) and eating queso fresco (OR 7·11). In addition, compared to non-Hispanic/non-travellers, the highest risk group were Hispanic/non-travellers (OR 7·27), and Hispanic/travellers (OR 5·87, not significant). Results of this study suggest Hispanics have higher odds of disease, probably due to differential exposures. In addition to common risk factors, consumption of cantaloupe was identified as a significant risk factor. These results will inform public health officials of the varying risk factors for Campylobacter in this region.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Why is Nucor a leading company?
By Vasantha
Nucor is a leading North American producer of merchant bar & rebar, engineered bar, structural steel, carbon steel plate, and sheet steel products and technologies thanks to an ongoing commitment to innovation.
What products does Nucor make?
With four full-service metal building manufacturing plants strategically located throughout the country, we are able to efficiently service customers throughout North America
How many Nucor plants are there?
The Nucor Steel plant in Louisiana and Nu-Iron in Trinidad produce direct reduced iron, which is used in electric arc furnaces to supplement iron units in Nucor's steel recycling operations.
Where does Nucor get its steel?
Valuation metrics show that Nucor Corporation may be undervalued. Its Value Score of A indicates it would be a good pick for value investor
Is Nucor a good stock to buy?
NUCOR CORPORATION competitors include Steel Dynamics, United States Steel, AK Steel, ArcelorMittal and Dynamic Materials Corporation.
Who is Nucor's biggest competitor?
Nucor Corporation, the largest steel producer in the United States, is a Fortune 150 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Is Nucor the largest steel company?
By 2018, the company was the world's 38th-largest steel producer and the second-largest in the United States behind Nucor Corporation.
Who is the largest producer of steel in the US?
Charlotte serves as the headquarters for Nucor, the largest steel producer in the United State
Who makes the most steel in America?
Nucor also said it recently raised prices of products within its steel mills segment and expects the move to boost profitability. It is thus confident that 2022 will be "another very strong year.
Why is Nucor stock so high?
78% of Nucor employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Nucor 3.4 out of 5 for work life balance.
Is Nucor a good place to work?


A chief is a man who assumes responsibility. He says, "I was beaten." He does not say, "My men were beaten." Thus speaks a real man.
The country has a new Prime Minister and he needs to form a coalition government.
no matter what had happened, it was beautiful, it was awful, it was painful this should be behind your back.
You shall never forget history, because it might repeat itself.
What can we do today to improve our lives?
What you can do today to prevent another reoccurrence?
of the former regime to be part of the new coalition government.
Do you embrace an idea or a person?
Do you have allegiance to a party or a person?
Do you support a cause or a person?
deal with this current situation.
no reason to reinvent it or create another one.
each other's territory. This is very important.
is a win-win approach for all of us. One needs to use diplomacy, and should have good understanding skills to maintain a bridge that can keep the link afloat.
tunnel is more than a technological exploit.
time it kept London in complete isolation.
It is a symbol of a United Europe.
make thing happen in the greater Haiti.
we have a heavy Haitian presence?
forever friends with the Americans.
become the next Destination to Haitian Nationals.
we want to keep it that way.
link among most of them.
Alone, you can go this far; together not "one gether"
to liberate this great country.
To me, I think that every Haitians needs to put their head together and be like sisters and brothers.
Instead of being like cats and dogs.Didn't they see themsevles on television.
They make other haitians look bad.I felt embrassed, because you know I worked with patient in the hospital and one of my patient had the televion on and he said to me,"looked at your people their crazy, their killing one and each other, and their breaking beautiful poetry in the island.


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ABB doubles size of oil & gas center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma
October 22, 2014 - ABB celebrated the official grand opening of its Measurement Products business unit expansion in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The facility designs, develops and manufactures natural gas & liquids measurement products and analyzers, as well as software applications and system solutions for the global oil & gas market. The project doubles the facility size by adding 100,000 square feet of space and is expected to double the size of the local workforce over the next ten years by adding 250 jobs - a majority of which are expected to be in technical and engineering disciplines.
The $14 million expansion is part of ABB's ongoing investment in its North America oil and gas operations and will help meet regional and global customer demand for its measurement products, engineering and project services. This is ABB's third expansion of the Bartlesville site since 2000.
"The strength of the oil & gas market, specifically unconventional drilling activity, has provided our business a great opportunity for growth in recent years," said Gayle Lester, General Manager of ABB's Bartlesville Measurement Products facility. "The Bartlesville community offers a talented, high-quality workforce that has helped us to succeed and grow over the years and we are very pleased to be again expanding our operations here."
Located about 50 miles north of Tulsa, ABB's Bartlesville facility is focused on producing measurement and automation solutions for the upstream oil & gas market segment. These solutions are comprised of electronic flow measurement devices for custody transfer applications, RTUs (remote terminal units), software to optimize well production, gas chromatographs that analyze composition and measure gas quality, tank level measurement devices, as well as pressure and multivariable transmitters. The site is also integrating other ABB measurement products into its applications to provide a more comprehensive solution to customers. ABB has more than 300,000 flow computers and RTUs installed in oil and gas applications around the globe.
ABB's Measurement Products business is among the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of instrumentation and analyzers. With thousands of experts around the world and high-performance technology, ABB's team is dedicated to making measurement easy for its customers.
ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. The company has invested heavily in North America over the past three years, with acquisitions totaling nearly $10 billion. ABB employs around 30,000 throughout the region.
Oil & Gas, Process Automation, Process Instruments, Field Devices & IO
National Tooling and Machining Association announces Roger Atkins as President
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Netwrix experts predict that the three main challenges for organizations will be targeted ransomware, attacks on AI-based solutions and data...
AInnovation earns top ranking in Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) Challenge
AInnovation, dedicated to bringing AI to the industries of manufacturing, retail and finance, deploys various CV and other algorithms to its...
ISA Global Cybersecurity Alliance announces 23 organizations as new members heading into 2020
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Skkynet software networks OPC A&E data in Turkish pipeline project
DataHub middleware from Skkynet was used by ABB to support redundant, secure networking of OPC A&E and real-time data on the Trans-Anatolian...
ISA95 In the IoT & Digitalization Era
By Bill Lydon, Automation.com
The ANSI/ISA95 standard, generally referred to as ISA95, is an important tool for digitalization. It provides the...
NK Technologies announces Motors and Pumps Tech Guide
The handbook is resource for learning the basics about current sensing theory, current transducers and switches, and choosing a solution for an...


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Andrew is a 'dead man walking' who should 'fall on his sword' and settle: lawyer
Virginia Giuffre
Laura Elston
12 January 2022, 0:28 pm ·2-min read
Second son and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born 1960)
Alleged victim of the underage sex trafficking ring operated by Jeffrey Epstein
The Duke of York (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)
The Duke of York is a "dead man walking" who has to "fall on his sword" for the sake of the monarchy and strike a deal with his accuser Virginia Giuffre a lawyer has said.
Mark Stephens said Wednesday's ruling that Andrew is to face a civil sexual assault trial has "thrown a bomb" into the heart of the royal family and threatens to spark a constitutional crisis.
US Judge Lewis A Kaplan has decided the Queen's second son can be tried over allegations he sexually assaulted Ms Giuffre when she was 17.
Speaking to the BBC media lawyer Mr Stephens said a crisis of this scale was unprecedented for the royal family.
The Queen and her second son the Duke of York (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (PA Archive)
"Prince Andrew has nowhere to go. He's effectively a dead man walking as far as the royal family is concerned," he said.
"But the one thing he can do is to accept the responsibility, accept the blame, accept that he has to fall on his sword for the sake of the wider royal family."
The duke has vehemently denied the allegations.
Mr Stephens added: "This is the first time that Prince Andrew's problems have reached into and are beginning to touch the wider royal family.
"There will be crisis meetings taking place. Downing Street will be being consulted. The Privy Counsellors will be called in and of course, the most central advisers to the key members of the royal family will be coming in to deal with this crisis, a crisis that they have never seen before."
He suggested the duke could appeal against the ruling, but put his chances of success at 40%, and said his best option was to try to settle the case with a financial payment.
"Whether he denies it or not, he's going to have to buy this case off as a matter of realpolitik," he said.
Virginia Giuffre (BBC Panorama/PA) (PA Media)
He added: "We are really, with Prince Andrew, in the last chance saloon with the towels over the taps.
"The only thing that makes this worse is that Prince Andrew has to start giving evidence in this case, whether that's about his sweating, or his trip to Pizza Express or worse still, he has to deal with the allegations of what he is supposed to have done with a 17-year-old woman."
Judge Kaplan's decision is a huge blow for Andrew, whose lawyer argued the case should be thrown out as Ms Giuffre had waived her right to pursue the duke by signing a confidential settlement with disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Mr Stephens said: "Judge Lewis Kaplan has thrown a reasoned judicial decision like a bomb into the middle and the heart of the royal family and threatens to provoke constitutional crisis as a consequence."
He suggested Ms Giuffre has "many of the cards" in this case if Andrew has to settle at all costs, meaning the price of a financial deal would go up.
Poroshenko Addresses Crowd at Airport as He Arrives in Kyiv to Face Treason Charge
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addressed supporters at the airport in Kyiv as he arrived to face treason charges on January 17."We are here not to defend Poroshenko. We are here to defend Ukraine," he told a crowd numbering in the hundreds, according to a translation from Radio Free Europe. "We have to unite to show that Ukraine is strong and is able to stand against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's aggression," he said.Prosecutors are alleging that Poroshenko was involved in financing Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine through the sale of coal.Poroshenko tweeted he was returning to Ukraine "for the sake of unity and protection" from the Kremlin's "aggression."Twitter user @di__cortez recorded this footage which shows Poroshenko address a crowd upon his arrival at the airport, and the scene outside the court. Credit: @di__cortez via Storyful
Piers Morgan returns to breakfast TV after almost a year
Piers Morgan is set to host a new breakfast show for the first time since leaving Good Morning Britain. The presenter, 56, will return to the small screen on News UK's new TV channel, talkTV, in spring.
Large Spinning Ice Disk Forms on Presumpscot River in Southern Maine
A large rotating ice disk formed on Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine, on January 11.Drone video shot by local man Patrick Bonsant on January 12 shows the disk gently spinning in the river's flow against a backdrop of Westbrook's snowy landscape.The disk first appeared in 2019 before partially forming again in 2020, according to local media.Ice disks are a rare phenomenon that form as a result of a river's structure and temperature conditions, according to Chris Horvat, a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University. Credit: Patrick Bonsant via Storyful
How accurate are lateral flow tests?
Boris Johnson is reportedly considering axing free lateral flow tests


Why Arts & Sciences at Northwestern?
We help students develop into leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Interdisciplinary thinking for a complex world.
Understand complex issues through data analysis and interpretation.
Explore the risks and opportunities of intercultural exchange.
Investigate our evolving relationship to the natural world.
With 26 academic departments offering majors in 47 fields as well as 46 minors, your options are vast.
Weinberg College's 26 academic departments span the range of disciplines in the arts and sciences. From humanities to social sciences to the natural sciences, the College's departments foster rigorous interdisciplinary thinking and world-changing scholarship.
Chemistry Professor Fraser Stoddart was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Working with molecular machines, Stoddart and his colleagues have opened up a new field of chemistry in the past 25 years.
Our 47 major options are broad, particularly when paired with another major, a minor, or even a degree at another Northwestern school. And, if your interests don't fit into an existing major, you can work with professors to create a customized field of study.
The list of majors is always growing. Recent additions include African Studies, Asian American Studies, Jewish Studies, Latina/Latino Studies, Legal Studies, Middle East and North African Studies, and Neuroscience.
For sheer challenge, for ambitious intellectual reach and for bonding over big questions, you won't find anything quite like the special programs at Weinberg College. When you are accepted into a special program, you become part of a close-knit community of students and professors who push, inspire, and support you.
The Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences Program is one of the nation's only academic programs that combines the study of social sciences with rigorous training in mathematics, statistics, and formal modeling techniques.
Our 30 graduate programs offer graduate degrees and certificates, including some accelerated bachelor's/master's degree options. Our graduate students participate in research across the University and fund research through competitive fellowships and grants.
Interested in a topical area that spans disciplinary boundaries? Clusters can allow for new disciplinary configurations and unique collaborations. Three clusters exist in: Humanities and Non-Quantitative Social Sciences (NQSS); Sciences and Engineering; and Life and Biomedical Sciences (NULaBS).
Weinberg College operates on the quarter system, and students typically take four courses each quarter. That gives you the chance to explore a variety of academic disciplines, the hallmark of a liberal arts education, as well as your area of concentration.
First-year seminars are a key component a Weinberg College student's first year experience. In these small, writing- and discussion-oriented courses, you will investigate a specific theme or issue. See seminar offerings, which range from "#BlackLivesMatter and the Struggle for American Democracy" to "Music and the Mind."
Whether you are an incoming first-year student or transfer to Weinberg College, find the information you need.
Ask students why they chose the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University, and that phrase will almost invariably emerge.
Experience all the College has to offer our students. Take advantage of life-changing courses, research projects, study abroad, and more. As you progress toward your degree, use the website to track requirements and take advantage of College advising and support.
Stay informed about news, accomplishments and events.
In recognition of his outstanding and pioneering work, Farha has won the International Award for Creative Work from the Japan Society of Coordination Chemistry.
The keynote speaker at this conference on migration will be Erika Lee, author of "The Making of Asian America: A History."
A lecture by Marisol LeBrón, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies at the University of Texas.


Do much more than just display a carousel of product images; LiveSpace digital signage automatically displays live price changes linked to your back-office systems.
With a variety of tools at your disposal LiveSpace generates eye-catching displays for your screens that stimulate sales and enhances your profitability.
Make your screens more effective by managing groups based on the type of store, department or other identifiable category.
LiveSpace adds new functionality enabling local managers to choose promotions best suited to their store through centrally managed templates.


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Trump claims media are ignoring terrorism
David Jackson, USA TODAY
President Trump revived his assault on the news media Monday with one of his strangest claims: The media are covering up terrorist attacks.
Speaking to troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., Trump made reference to terrorist attacks and said:
"You've seen what happened in Paris and Nice. All over Europe it's happening. It's gotten to a point where it's not even being reported. And in many cases, the very, very dishonest press doesn't want to report it. They have their reasons and you understand that."
Trump, who has attacked the media throughout his campaign and the beginning of his presidency, did not elaborate on his claim.
Few things get more attention on cable television news than terrorist attacks.
Asked about Trump's comments, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that "we'll provide a list later," and "there's a lot of instances that have occurred where I don't think they've gotten the coverage it deserved."
Trump's comments drew scorn on social media. Carl Bildt, former prime minister of Sweden, called the comment "ludicrous" and referred to Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway's mistaken claim of a Bowling Green "massacre" in the United States.
"Well, of course, the US media didn't report on the Bowling Green Massacre," Bildt said. "And now the European media aren't reporting other massacres. Or?"
Trump visits Central Command, says he's 100% behind the troops
Trump on polls: 'Any negative polls are fake news'
The first 100 days of the Trump presidency


Day 1 – Uganda Stakeholders Meeting Trip Monica and I arrived in Entebbe last night around 8 pm and after juggling luggage and visas etc. got into a van and drove with Frank and Picho (ITW employees) to Kampala. It's quite smoky here, I think because most people cook with fire. Things were hopping in Kampala, discotheques were OPEN and it seemed you could find any kind of music. Our hotel The Grand Imperial Hotel, (one of the oldest in Kampala) had traditional Congolese music playing, but we didn't stick around to listen. Instead, we went out for a late dinner that was fabulous Indian food and some tall Nile beers.
Plane rides were uneventful. The leg from Amsterdam to Uganda was uneventful. We had a 3 hour layover in the Amsterdam airport, and Monica was in an jetlag coma, so I was left to cruise the fancy airport and drink coffee by myself (checking every now and then to make sure Monica could still fog a mirror).
On the plane ride I read up on the history of Uganda and all I can say is that I'm glad I'm visiting Uganda now instead of just about any other time in history. If you want a taste of some of the worse times of Uganda, watch Mountains of the Moon, a movie about Speke and Sir Richard Burton on their quest for the source of the Nile.


My name is Casey Martin. Feel free to have a look around. The School of Flowing Fighting Arts was started with one thing in mind, providing quality martial arts training and functional self-defense. We achieve this goal by offering training in some of the best martial arts available today.
If you're interested in learning our style of martial arts, and would like to set up an appointment, please contact me Casey Martin with the contact information below. We are currently located at The Family Life Fitness Center at First Christian Church in Kernersville NC!
Children, Adults, Competition training and those with Learning Disabilities.


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Interview: Brice Le Troadec On Grand Seiko's Grand Scheme
In the waning days of 2021, we caught up with Grand Seiko's U.S. President Brice Le Troadec to discuss the brand's journey in the U.S. market, celebrating that success; and what it all means for the watchmaker's future as a global brand.
By Mike Espindle
In addition to being a seasoned professional, Grand Seiko Corporation of America President Brice Le Troadec is one of the most erudite and charming players in the watch industry. A conversation with him can easily veer into performance automobiles, fine art, jazz, cuisine, diving – many of the things that make life worth living. So let's get to it!
You came on board just before Grand Seiko formed a separate corporation in the U.S. I can only imagine what your marching orders were, but what were the opportunities and challenges as you saw them?
The creation of Grand Seiko Corporation of America in 2017 as a separate entity, detached, in a sense, from the parent company, not only presented a unique opportunity for us to grow Grand Seiko's success, but it formed a new strategy that will feed global expansion across the board.
The challenges we saw revolved around: How do we define a Japanese luxury brand in a way that will resonate universally?
The Grand Seiko Four Seasons "Spring" U.S. Exclusive Edition
What role did Grand Seiko's retail presence play in that effort?
In the U.S., we grew from 30 doors in 2016 to 70 in 2021. We could have added many more retail outlets. But we wanted to be selective and focus on working with partners that were not only outstanding in their regions but were also excited about spreading the word on Grand Seiko.
We wanted to communicate our unique quality story to a core group [of retailers] that could take it to heart and create a win-win situation that delivered an unmatched level of dealer satisfaction. That inclusive two-way street was critical to the success we've seen.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT "Shunbun"
You've produced a number of U.S.-exclusive models and editions. Has that strategy played out well for you?
Absolutely. It's been a critical factor in our success here, and we will continue to produce exclusive editions for the U.S. in the future. These exclusive don't necessarily just create "halo" products to attract customers and spur collectors; we want to offer accessible pathways to experience and appreciate the spectrum of Grand Seiko timepieces in a curated way to provide some thoughtful guidance and insight.
The Grand Seiko Elegance Collection U.S. Limited Editions
What concrete steps have you taken based on your recent experience?
The Spring Drive has become a top priority calibre for us, with sales of it outpacing our traditional mechanical movements. We've also tightened our offerings into the Masterpiece, Elegance, Heritage, and Sport lines. And we've reduced our SKUs based on sales performance and eliminated somewhat redundant design. We are more focused on what works, and it better defines who we are.
A Grand Seiko calibre
What qualities define a Grand Seiko timepiece?
While, of course, there is some overlap and sharing of technologies and expertise with the timepieces of our parent company, Grand Seiko's product philosophy is its own. You will always see a greater degree of finishing in a Grand Seiko watch. Grand Seiko has its own design language.
The calibres we use, and the functions we include, carry a specific sense of luxury that appeals to high-end collectors. Yet, our evolving use of technology gives us an interesting and unique point of appeal.
But, above all, Grand Seiko timepieces are exclusively crafted by Grand Seiko watchmakers – artisans that represent the "cream of the crop" and have received the training and carry the expertise and artful skills to earn that credential.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT "Kanro"
How did the pandemic and quarantine impact Grand Seiko?
We're of the opinion that watch buyers took some time during quarantine to educate themselves and expand their knowledge. Now, savvy watch consumers are walking in the door of retailers and asking specifically about Grand Seiko and Grand Seiko models.
Movements technologies like the Spring Drive and the Hi-Beat, design features like the "snowflake" dial – while they don't require any extraordinary understanding to appreciate – they certainly invite a compelling, more in-depth investigation. If only to help you tell the story of what you're wearing on your wrist better.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive on the wrist
So how do you address the aspect of "continuing education"?
That's exactly why we expanded the GS9 Club globally. The site is open to all and provides a "deep dive" into what makes Grand Seiko special. Full membership, which includes access to special events, opportunities, and exclusive content, is reserved for Grand Seiko owners. But it is an enormously successful platform; our membership numbers are growing exponentially.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT "Seiko 140th Anniversary" Limited Edition
With expansion comes the need for additional connective promotion. How do you choose to get the word out with your more lifestyle-oriented partnerships?
The relationship between art, nature, and time is an important keystone in Japanese culture. We approach our promotional relationships through that filter. The notion of time needs to be captured creatively. We are more interested in being associated with art itself as opposed to an artist or single individual.
The Grand Seiko Sprinng Drive "Suki-urushi"
Can you give me some examples?
We are an official sponsor of Jazz at Lincoln Center and work closely with Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis. That partnership kind of redefines the cliched role of an "official timekeeper," don't you think? Those are the kinds of partnerships you will be seeing from us.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive « Godzilla 65th Anniversary » Limited Edition
So, what can we expect from Grand Seiko for the new year?
This year is going to be extraordinarily important for Grand Seiko. Of course, we are eagerly anticipating our first participation in Watches & Wonders in Geneva this spring. Not only because it's our first time there as an independent entity, but we will be providing many exciting moments during the show, including models based on some innovative new bespoke calibres, which I can't really get into right now.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT "Shōsho"
Oh, come on…
Let's just say that our experience in the U.S. has informed our plans globally. The U.S. is not only a critical market. It is a challenging and complex one. Our success here is the result of a lot of hard work, but we also spent a great deal of time listening to the desires of our "pioneer spirit" customers. What we reveal in Geneva will hold a new level of appeal you've not seen before from Grand Seiko.
Grand Seiko timepieces during a recent Watchonista photoshoot
For more information, please visit the Grand Seiko website.
(Photography by Liam O'Donnell & Chris Coe)
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A Look Back At Dubai Watch Week 2021 With Hind Seddiqi
By Ash Longet , Communication & Project Manager
Hind Seddiqi, Director General of Dubai Watch Week, is the real mastermind behind the show that has been successfully running since 2015.
Surround Sound: Grand Seiko Presents "The Journey of Birch" By BCXSY
By Rhonda Riche , Editor-At-Large
Grand Seiko welcomes attendees of Design Miami/ to meditate on this all-encompassing art installation inspired by the nature of time, travel, and the SLGH005...
COUTURE 2021: Grand Seiko Unveils A Quartet Of New Limited Editions
The Japanese manufacture celebrates an important anniversary at COUTURE in Las Vegas.


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Oft gefragt: Who Was A Religious Martyr Of The Middle Ages?
1 What is a martyr Middle Ages?
2 Who is a famous martyr?
3 What is a holy martyr?
4 Who is the most famous martyr?
5 Is being called a martyr an insult?
6 Is a martyr good or bad?
7 Who is an example of a martyr?
8 Is Martin Luther King a martyr?
9 What is it called when you die for your faith?
10 What does Dont be a martyr mean?
11 What did she say at the end of martyrs?
12 Who was the first martyr for Jesus?
What is a martyr Middle Ages?
Martyr, one who voluntarily suffers death rather than deny his religion by words or deeds; such action is afforded special, institutionalized recognition in most major religions of the world. The term may also refer to anyone who sacrifices his life or something of great value for the sake of principle.
Who is a famous martyr?
10 Famous Martyrs and Why They Died (Updated 2020)
St. Stephen, Stoned to Death.
St. Lawrence, Grilled to Death.
St. Margaret Clitherow, Pressed to Death.
St. Sebastian, Clubbed to Death.
St. Dymphna, Beheaded.
St. Andrew, Crucified to Death.
St. Bartholomew, Death by Skinning.
Joan of Arc, Burned at Stake.
What is a holy martyr?
In this article. By Consumer Dummies. Martyrs are people who believe in their faith so strongly that they're willing to die for it. The original Greek word means "witness," and these people are witness to their love of Jesus Christ and the Church in that they'd rather die than betray their God.
Who is the most famous martyr?
Thomas Becket, 1170 – The most famous martyr of the Middle Ages. Peter of Verona, 1252 by Cathars – Canonized 11 months after his death; the fastest in history.
You might be interested: Oft gefragt: How Has The Role Of Music Changed In Society Through The Middle Ages, Renaissance And Baroque Eras?
Is being called a martyr an insult?
If someone is really a martyr, as in having died for their cause, their survivors in the cause will not use the word as an insult.
Is a martyr good or bad?
Why is it harmful? Martyr tendencies might not seem like a huge deal, but they can take a toll on your relationships, well-being, and personal growth.
Who is an example of a martyr?
A person who takes care of his aging parents but who makes sure everyone knows just how difficult it is is an example of a martyr. One who willingly accepts being put to death for adhering openly to one's religious beliefs; notably, saints canonized after martyrdom. Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr.
Is Martin Luther King a martyr?
As he lay dying, the popular beatification was already underway: Martin Luther King Jr., general and martyr to the greatest moral crusade on the nation's racial battlefield.
What is it called when you die for your faith?
A martyr (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, "witness"; stem μαρτυρ-, martyr-) is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or cause as demanded by an external party.
What does Dont be a martyr mean?
: to act like someone who deserves admiration or sympathy because of being badly treated.
What did she say at the end of martyrs?
So she takes her life without disclosing the secret to life, universe and everything. All she says is to "keep doubting". Perhaps, it's the "doubt" of the Afterlife that keeps humans from killing themselves right away and cut to the chase. It's the "doubt" that gives life a purpose.
You might be interested: Schnelle Antwort: What Were Castles Made Of In The Middle Ages?
Who was the first martyr for Jesus?
St. Stephen, (died 36 ce, Jerusalem; feast day December 26), Christian deacon in Jerusalem and the first Christian martyr, whose apology before the Sanhedrin (Acts of the Apostles 7) points to a distinct strand of belief in early Christianity.
FAQ: How Did Guilds Help Increase Wages In The Middle Ages?
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How do batsmen cope with the intensity of their lonely skill?
All sportspeople like to imagine that their discipline is the most mentally challenging, that winning or losing comes from within. But batsmen have a stronger claim than most. What other sport demands such intense concentration, affords participants so little control over their situation and penalises mistakes so cruelly and with such dramatic ritual?
Batting is a game of life and death like no other. Success – a century, a match-saving last stand – can live with you forever. But getting out feels like the end of everything: you are dismissed not just from the field of play, but from your own dreams of hopefulness and redemption.
Dismissed batsmen are like mourners at their own funerals. The dressing room falls silent as they return, "in respect for the dead", as Mike Brearley puts it in The Art of Captaincy (1985).
Given the intensity of the mental drama, it is little wonder that a batsman's struggles are with himself as much as with the bowler he faces, and that a lack of confidence can invite negative thinking and a fear of failure. For top-level batsmen with near-perfect technical skills, protecting themselves from such tendencies is critical. The methods they use to reduce anxiety, stay positive and maintain focus are idiosyncratic, often eccentric and tell us as much about the quirks of the human mind as the nuances of cricket.
If you watched England's three-match Test series against Sri Lanka this summer, you will have spotted a graphic example of one of these methods. Before each ball, the Sri Lankan opener Kaushal Silva performs what psychologists call a "pre-performance routine". He adjusts the velcro on his gloves, moves his bat from his left to his right hand and holds it up in front of him, moves his left elbow back and forth eight times (fewer if he's facing a spinner) as if pulling on an imaginary rope, then, gripping his bat with both hands, arches his back before settling into his crease.
It seems to be working. Sri Lanka lost 0-2, but Silva won his team's Player-of-the-Series award for his 193 runs.
Most batsmen have pre-performance routines, though few as elaborate as Silva's. They might wander a few steps towards square leg, tap the bat on the ground a particular way or pull at their shirt. What psychological purpose does this serve? Brearley thinks it's "a way of clearing the mind of the last ball, getting on with the next one, making clear to oneself that a line needs to be drawn under the last one".
In Jonathan Trott's case this is literally true. He marks his guard with a shallow trench, which he reinforces before each delivery, as if to bury everything that's gone before, a habit he repeats whether he's batting in the nets or in a county or international game.
Perhaps the most tangible function of routines is that they give the batsman a sense of control over a situation which, for the most part, is out of their hands. The state of the wicket, the weather, the path of the ball through the air and off the pitch are beyond his reckoning; his pre-ball ritual is all his own. This need for control amid so much uncertainty may explain why batsmen are particularly prone to superstitions. Unlike a pre-performance routine, a superstition – essentially an irrational belief in implausible causality – is unlikely to improve performance. Yet cricket is full of them.
The Glamorgan opener Steve James avoided eating duck meat until he retired, and he wouldn't allow his daughter to have plastic ducks in her bath. Mike Atherton had to be first on to the field at the start of an innings, even if it meant barging past his opening partner on the way down the pavilion steps. The South African batsman Neil McKenzie used to tape his bat to the dressing-room ceiling because his team-mates had once done this as a practical joke prior to him scoring a century. Steve Waugh batted with a red rag in his pocket for similar reasons.
Ed Smith, one of the most notoriously superstitious cricketers, had a habit of asking the umpire, mid-over, how many balls were left. For the first part of his career he did this always after the fourth ball, then switched to asking after the third ball. Since he batted for around 15,000 overs in his career, he must have asked this question of the umpire around 15,000 times.
Many batsmens' superstitions revolve around an obsession with their kit. Trott is scrupulous about how he arranges his bats. Atherton always followed the same padding-up routine: box, chest guard, inside thigh-pad, outside thigh-pad, left pad, right pad, arm guard, gloves, helmet. This kind of fastidiousness is not too surprising since batting is much about organisation, repetition and structure.
Once all the fussing and the rituals and the routines are done and the batsman is settled at the crease, he can then focus on the bowling. This is where the real test begins. Unless you are an expert meditator, paying close sustained attention to something for long periods can be mentally draining. To deal with this, coaches encourage batsmen to "dial up" their focus when the bowler is running in and "dial down" between balls.
The thought of surviving hours at the crease can seem overwhelming if you don't break it down.
Another approach is to segment time. Brearley and Randall did this during the Centenary Test between England and Australia in Melbourne in 1977. Needing 463 to win with a wicket down, they decided to take it in 15-minute sections. "Stick at it, Skip. In ten minutes there'll only be 15 minutes to tea," Brearley recalls Randall saying, in The Art of Captaincy. They lost by 45 runs; Randall scored 174.
Mental routines are a way to simplify things, to shut out technical thoughts, memories of mistimed shots and other internal distractions, and to help the batsman settle into a state of readiness that Bull calls "relaxed alertness". But routines alone may not be enough, especially in international games where the pressures can be immense. To settle nerves and maintain confidence through an innings, many batsmen engage in what used to be considered a symptom of mental illness but is now recognised as fully functional: talking to yourself.
In fact, "Watch the ball" seems to be the default cue for most batsmen. Ricky Ponting used it. You can sometimes see Eoin Morgan mouthing it before a ball. Beaumont, after watching one of Ponting's masterclasses, adopted it then adapted it – her current cue is "Time the ball, play straight". Easy if you know how.
Younis Khan, who averages 53.72 in Test cricket and is Pakistan's highest-ever run scorer, also talks to himself all the time when he's at the wicket. But he has a slightly different approach to most, conducting his conversations with an alter ego that he conjures up as he goes out to bat.
Ramprakash himself suffered a crisis of belief early on in his England career when he failed to make a big score and began to question whether he belonged at Test level. Then in 1998 he started working with Bull, brought in by England as team psychologist.
"He gave me a very simple framework of coping with all the scrambled thoughts that were going on in my head," says Ramprakash.
It proved pivotal. Soon after meeting Bull he scored 154 against West Indies in Barbados – his first Test century – and then topped the averages the following winter in Australia. His team-mate Atherton, writing in his autobiography, said he sensed at the time that Ramprakash was "a totally different person, and consequently, player".
Today the mental side of batting and the pressures that come with playing at international level are taken very seriously by England's management, due in no small part to Ramprakash's influence. Yet confidence is a fickle trait. Sometimes it's necessary to fake it to make it, so to speak. Psychologists have known for decades that feelings and emotions stem from changes in the body, rather than the other way round – a phenomenon known as embodied cognition – which means it's possible to generate confidence simply by acting it out.
Another way of "faking" confidence is to visualise the way you want to play in your mind's eye before the game begins. In 1974, early in his career, Randall suffered four first-class innings in a row without scoring a run. "It was a nightmare," he says. "The pressure just builds on you." So on the morning of his fifth innings he got up early and arrived at the ground while it was still deserted, strapped on his pads, walked out to the middle, played a cover drive and took a run, "just to remember what it was like". He scored 93 that day.
Yet it also seems clear that some people are inherently better at this than others. In 2005, Bull carried out a psychological analysis of 12 English cricketers from the previous two decades whom county coaches had identified as the toughest mentally in the country. Among them were Atherton, Graham Gooch and Alec Stewart. Bull found them all to be highly competitive and motivated, full of self-confidence and with a never-say-die attitude, some of which derived from their upbringing, some from the teams they had played with and some from their personality.
Michael Bond is a consultant for the New Scientist. This article first appeared in MCC Magazine.


RGI currently has two open vacancies: we are looking for a Project Manager 'Grid Planning for the Energy Transition' as well as a (Junior) Communication Manager.
Sylvia has been part of the RGI secretariat since September 2011 and is in charge of administrative works. Until December 2013 her position also included office management for the Smart Energy For Europe Platform (SEFEP). Sylvia spent several years in Johannesburg, South Africa, working as a secretary for the industrial department of Mannesmann Anlagenbau and the AEG Industrial Dept. During the last 7 years before joining RGI she was in charge of sales and general administration for a Spanish trading agency in Germany. Sylvia has the Spanish nationality and grew up in Germany. She speaks English, German and Spanish fluently.


wpasupplicant comes with an auxiliary program, eapol_test, but it is not included in the Ubuntu wpasupplicant package. I'd like to request that it be added.
It's very useful for testing wifi RADIUS servers: e.g. you can call it from a Nagios check script where you want to test the entire EAP/PEAP authentication cycle.


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Valentin Bianchi
Flee for Her
Location: Liège, Belgium
Nationality: Belgian
Biography: Valentin Bianchi is a Freelance Photojournalist based in Liege, Belgium. Not far from the borders with Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and France. He started his career as a Freelance Photographer in 2009. His journalistic work focuses on... MORE
Focus: Photographer, Photojournalist, Journalist, Reporter, Health, Still Life, Architecture, Documentary, News, Film, Photo Editor, Photography, Portraiture, International News, Journalist Investigative, Freelance, Humanitarian, Assignments, Teacher, Aerial, Human Rights, International, Multimedia Journalist
Covering: Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, USA & Canada
Skills: Digital Printing, Audio Recording, Color Correction, Apple Final Cut Pro, Photo Editing, Black & White Printing, Color Printing, Photojournalism, Film Photography
1 of 22 © 2023 Valentin Bianchi
Fraipont, Belgium. July 17th, 2014. Binta, accompanied by her mother, Fatoumata, and a friend she met at the Fraipont Asylum Seekers Centre, enjoy a beautiful summer day. The days are long for these families waiting for a decision from the Aliens Office.
Fraipont, Belgium. September 17th, 2014. a group of asylum seekers are waiting for the opening of the social worker's office in the Fraipont Red Cross Centre for Asylum Seekers. Most of the time to find out the status of their asylum application.
Fraipont, Belgium. July 17th, 2014. The Fraipont Red Cross Centre for asylum seekers is located about 30km from Liège. It can accommodate several hundred people. Its opening dates back to the time of the war in former Yugoslavia.
Fraipont, Belgium. July 11th, 2014. Most women fleeing their countries of origin to save their daughters from female genital mutilation are gathered in common rooms. Most often, two families live together. The Fraipont Red Cross Centre is a former holiday centre for the children of the staff of a large Belgian company. But for more than 25 years, it has been taken over by the Belgian Red Cross to receive refugees.
Fraipont, Belgium. September 17th, 2014. A mother watches her daughter play with other children from the Fraipont Centre. The centre currently receives several hundred people from various backgrounds. The director, Mr Emmanuel SIDAYIHEBURA, of Rwandan origin, is a very respected and humane man.
Fraipont, Belgium. July 11th, 2014. Some women have decided to flee their country as soon as they become pregnant. The wish to save their daughter from female genital mutilation being stronger than anything else. They gave birth to their daughter on the road to exile or sometimes, as here, in a centre for asylum seekers.
Fraipont, Belgium. July 17th, 2014. Fatoumata, dresses her daughter Binta before going out for a walk in the surroundings of the Centre. Fatoumata shares a room with another friend of Guinean origin.
Fraipont, Belgium. September 10th, 2014. Binta plays near a window of the Red Cross centre for asylum seekers of Fraipont. Like many other little girls, her mother fled her country to save her from female genital mutilation. Some little girls have known almost nothing but life in a refugee centre.
10 of 22 © 2023 Valentin Bianchi
Fraipont, Belgium. July 11th, 2014. Foulematou, a native of Sierra Leone, talks about her story to her daughter Aïcha for the first time. It's difficult for her to bring up all her memories, but she wants her daughter realizing what she's escaped.
Fraipont, Belgium. July 11th, 2014. Foulematou, a native of Sierra Leone, talks about her story to her daughter Aïcha, 13 years old, for the first time. It's difficult for her to bring up all her memories, but she wants her daughter realizing what she's escaped.
Fraipont, Belgium. September 10th, 2014. In early September, the centre welcomes many women from East Africa, particularly from Somalia and Eritrea. Most of them try to keep in touch by phone with the family they left behind.
Fraipont, Belgium. September 10th, 2014. Fatoumata, a native of Guinea, fled her country to save her daughter, Binta, from female genital mutilation.
Like many West African women in the Fraipont Red Cross Centre for asylum seekers near Liège, Fatoumata is waiting for a decision from the Aliens Office on her application. She has been a resident of the centre for 14 months. Binta is now 3 years old and thanks to her mother, she fled Guinea while the rate of excised women reaches more than 97% in the country.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. School photo showing Wasira's two daughters. Wasira fled Djibouti several years ago to save her daughters from female genital mutilation. After having been waiting for her asylum application, she is now in good standing and is looking for a job in the Liège region, where her daughters are in school.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. Wasira loves to cook and prepares the meal before her daughters return from school. Wasira found a house for rent on the heights of Liege. Helped by social benefits, she is actively looking for a job because the social assistance provided does not allow her to develop many projects.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. Wasira comes to pick up her daughters at school. The school is located less than 15 minutes walk from the house they occupy. The area is quiet and well frequented. The family feels good there to start a new life.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. As soon as they return from school, Wasira's girls have their evening meal. Just before they started their homework. Given the family's low income, Wasira usually eats only once a day to provide her daughters with generous meals.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. Wasira takes advantage of the fact that her daughters are doing their schoolwork to check job offers on her phone. After completing several training courses, she now hopes to find a job in Liege.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. Wasira receives a call on the doorphone of the house where she lives in with her daughters. The couple that shares the house, in shared accommodation, forgot their keys. One of his daughters goes down to open the door.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. Early morning for Wasira and her two daughters. On the way to school, like many families around the world, it is an opportunity to repeat the lessons learned the day before.
Liège, Belgium. March 15th, 2018. While her eldest daughter continues her homework, the youngest one steps in and asks her mother for her attention. Despite Wasira's painful past, she remained a determined and dynamic woman, ready to start a new life.
Copyright Valentin Bianchi 2023
Date of Work Mar 2014 - Ongoing
Updated Jan 2020
Location Liège, Belgium
Topics Children, Documentary, Editorial, Family, Fear, Freedom, Health/Healing, Human Rights, Immigration, Migration, Motherhood, Parenting & Family, Photography, Photojournalism, Violence, Womens Rights
Whether they are already mothers or not, whether they are from Guinea, Somalia or Djibouti, these women have one thing in common, they fled pain. The pain for her but mostly for their daughter. These women are all victims of female genital mutilation, often called female circumcision.
Most of them are awaiting case and applied for asylum in Belgium. Some have passed this stage and trying to rebuild a life.
This reportage, which is still in progress, reflects their time in asylum seekers' centres, but not only. The idea is also to follow one of them in her new life, after having received a positive status from the Aliens Office. To follow her in her intimacy, in her daily life.
The last part will consist of a follow-up of the interventions and medical follow-up provided by Doctor Martin Caillet at the Cemavie Centre of Saint-Pierre Hospital in Brussels. This doctor is in charge of the surgical reconstruction that allows these women victims of so much violence to finally start a new life, this time with full control of their senses.
Valentin Bianchi Stories Flee for Her
Also by Valentin Bianchi —
Four months after the floods in Pepinster, Belgium
Valentin Bianchi / Pepinster, Belgium
Smi-Le, smiles and care
Jan 3, 2021 - Feb 28, 2021
Belgian wood market in crisis
Valentin Bianchi / Morville, Belgium
THOSE SCIENTISTS BEHIND THE COVID19 TESTS
Valentin Bianchi / Liège, Belgium
Apr 15, 2020 - Jun 16, 2020
Back to the cinema, phase four of deconfinement
Jul 1, 2020 - Jul 1, 2020
Kayaking in times of Covid19 pandemic
Valentin Bianchi / Angleur, Belgique
May 3, 2020 - Jun 4, 2020
Croque la mort
Mar 25, 2020 - May 31, 2020
Rush to Sweden
Valentin Bianchi / Hognoul, Belgium
Mont Legia, a transfer under Covid19 pandemic
Tokyo, a step into the future
Valentin Bianchi / Ginza, Japan
Setsubun Festival at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo
Valentin Bianchi / Tokyo, Japan
Feb 3, 2020 - Feb 3, 2020
Humanity is not pity
Jan 1, 2018 - Ongoing
Inside The Red Zone
Valentin Bianchi / Bra-sur-Lienne, Belgium
Human chain in Brussels
Valentin Bianchi / Brussels, Belgium
Jan 21, 2018 - Jan 21, 2018
Anti-Islam Protest in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Valentin Bianchi / Rotterdam, Netherlands
The Hope to Exist
Valentin Bianchi / Gaza
The Final Step
Valentin Bianchi / Grande Synthe, France
Jan 4, 2016 - Jan 31, 2016
Stars & Rain
Valentin Bianchi / Beijing, China
Feb 1, 2012 - Apr 4, 2012
Victoire, shared moments with a wonderful person


This long sleeve t-shirt is patriotic and bold at the same time. Navy shirt has a red, white and blue toned distressed left chest design. The full back art includes a rope accented American flag and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) bronc horse surrounded by bold text.


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Tesla plans electric car charging stations at Flossmoor Meijer
By Stephanie Markham on July 9, 2019 - 9:22pm
Drivers of Tesla electric cars will soon be able to stop by the Meijer complex in Flossmoor to power up their vehicles.
The California-based automotive and energy company plans to add 10 charging stations to its Supercharger network in the southeast corner of the parking lot at the Meijer store, 3800 Vollmer Road.
The Flossmoor Village Board gave Tesla's plans the OK in April after the company received unanimous approval from the village's plan commission.
Scott Bugner, Flossmoor's building and zoning administrator, said the timeline for construction of the charging stations will depend on when the village is able to issue a building permit as well as when ComEd can complete the underground extension and transformer work that will be needed.
While Tesla's plans were approved, the village has not yet received contractor information from Tesla in order to issue the necessary building permit, Bugner said.
Only Tesla drivers will be able to use the charging stations, as their plugs are specifically designed to fit the company's vehicles. Other brands of electric cars will not be compatible.
While 10 charging stations are planned initially, overall plans include a potential expansion of six more for a total of 16 in the future.
The plans designate five of the parking stalls solely for charging while the other five stalls will allow 30-minute general parking.
A concrete curb will separate the east and west parking stalls where the charging stations and parking signs will be placed. Each charging station is 5 feet high by 2.5 feet wide and 1 foot deep.
An island will also be constructed north of the charging stations where an 8-foot-tall fenced enclosure will house the supercharger equipment and switchgear.
The island will eliminate six regular parking stalls from the Meijer lot, reducing its overall count from 777 to 771.
Andrew Levy, Tesla's Midwest regional manager of charging infrastructure, answered questions from the mayor and village board before plans were approved.
Levy said local drivers of Tesla electric cars will be able to utilize the charging stations for their daily driving needs along with those who are just passing through.
"We've been selling really well here," Levy said. "The Chicagoland area is the biggest market in the region, plus this is an interesting area because it's within (the range of) a lot of long distance travel."
Tesla has about 30 Supercharger locations partnered with Meijer stores throughout the region, he said. With these partnerships, Meijer maintains the parking lot as usual and Tesla is responsible for equipment maintenance, Levy said.
Tesla cars are equipped with technology that automatically shows the driver where nearby charging stations are located on a map, he said.
Mayor Paul Braun said the charging stations could encourage travelers to shop at Meijer, which benefits Flossmoor in the long run with sales tax revenue.
"People are stopping to fill up, they might run into the store," he said.
The closest Tesla Supercharger location is at the Country Club Plaza in Country Club Hills, where eight charging stations are available.
Levy said the number of visitors to the Country Club Hills location has doubled in the past year from about 600 to 700 per month to about 1,400 per month.
That growth is expected to continue as the company prepares to release its third model of electric cars, he added.
"Our goal is to make sure the experience of owning an electric vehicle is amazing and that when you show up for a charge, that there is a space available," Levy said. "We're in the process now of making sure that infrastructure is in place."
He said it takes 30 to 40 minutes to charge the vehicle's battery up to 80 percent, the recommended amount for daily driving use.
The rate for a charge in Illinois is 14 cents per kilowatt hour, so it would cost about $6 to $8 for most drivers to fill up their battery, Levy said. Tesla's short-range batteries will last for about 210 miles off one charge, and its long-range batteries last about 315 miles off one charge, he added.
Flossmoor Meijer


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Query: NC_010723:3530000 Clostridium botulinum E3 str. Alaska E43, complete genome
Lineage: Clostridium botulinum; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was probably isolated from salmon eggs associated with a foodborne case of botulism in Alaska, however the exact details are not available. This genus comprises about 150 metabolically diverse species of anaerobes that are ubiquitous in virtually all anoxic habitats where organic compounds are present, including soils, aquatic sediments and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. This shape is attributed to the presence of endospores that develop under conditions unfavorable for vegetative growth and distend single cells terminally or sub-terminally. Spores germinate under conditions favorable for vegetative growth, such as anaerobiosis and presence of organic substrates. It is believed that present day Mollicutes (Eubacteria) have evolved regressively (i.e., by genome reduction) from gram-positive clostridia-like ancestors with a low GC content in DNA. This organism produces one of the most potent and deadly neurotoxins known, a botulinum toxin that prevents the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby inhibiting muscle contraction and causing paralysis. In most cases the diseased person dies of asphyxiation as a result of paralysis of chest muscles involved in breathing. The spores are heat-resistant and can survive in inadequately heated, prepared, or processed foods. Spores germinate under favorable conditions (anaerobiosis and substrate-rich environment) and bacteria start propagating very rapidly, producing the toxin.Botulinum toxin, and C. botulinum cells, has been found in a wide variety of foods, including canned ones. Almost any food that has a high pH (above 4.6) can support growth of the bacterium. Honey is the most common vehicle for infection in infants. Food poisoning through C. botulinum is the most frequent type of infection caused by this bacterium. The wound botulism that occurs when C. botulinum infects an individual via an open wound is much rarer and is very similar to tetanus disease. There are several types of botulinum toxin known (type A through type F), all of them being neurotoxic polypeptides. The most common and widely distributed are strains and serovars of C. botulinum that produce type A toxin.
Subject: NC_006177:280234 Symbiobacterium thermophilum IAM 14863, complete genome
Lineage: Symbiobacterium thermophilum; Symbiobacterium; Shewanellaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This symbiotic and thermophilic bacterium was discovered by screening for thermostable tryptanophases in Japanese compost. Cultured growth of this organism requires the presence of another bacterial species, such as a Bacillus or Escherichia coli, which provides diffusable metabolites required for its growth. Pure cultures can be obtained by growing Symbiobacterium thermophilum in a bioreactor, separated from its symbiotic counterpart by a dialysis membrane. Because of its symbiotic nature, it cannot be cultured with conventional methods. Despite a negative reaction for gram stain, this species is placed with the gram-positive bacteria based on 16s phylogenetic analysis.


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Support Wind Energy in Lancaster County
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LES Board Commits to Net-Zero Carbon by 2040
LINCOLN – At its November 20th Board Meeting, Lincoln Electric System (LES) voted unanimously to commit to net-zero carbon by 2040. Nebraska Conservation Voters (NCV), a statewide organization that advocates for policies to protect the environment for future...
Protect Nebraska's Water
Nebraska has vast water resources. Unfortunately, across the state, our water quality is unsafe. Sign the petition to tell the Nebraska State Legislature to protect our drinking water.
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NCV provides the public with objective, factual information about conservation politics in Nebraska.
NCV collaborates strategically with appointed and elected officials and partner organizations on rules, regulations and environmental legislation. We campaign for strong policies and ensure public officials hear from conservation constituents.
NCV supports conservation champions who will protect our environment for future generations.
Every week we send a newsletter that covers the most important conservation issues facing our state and country. We also provide alerts about what's happening in the State Legislature and Congress, and how you can take meaningful action to protect the environment at the local, state, and national level. Sign up to stay involved!
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Thanks to the help of generous supporters, we have made huge strides for conservation and clean energy. But it's more important than ever for us to stand together, and we have urgent work to do. Your donation today will make an immediate impact. Help us protect Nebraska's land, air, and water by making a donation now.
LB283 would create an action plan to help Nebraska prepare for climate change – we need your help to get it passed. Sign the petition telling Nebraska's State Senators to support LB283.


Does the meal we send to Burkina Faso taste good?
Come on, admit it, you're curious. When we started this program we were too! We had questions like, is it good? Is it like rice-a-roni? Does it really give the people who eat it a sense of satisfaction?
Well, first of all, the meal recipients in Burkina Faso supplement the rice mix with spices and herbs and root vegetables or meat if they have it. While it doesn't need this for nutrition or health benefits, it's a matter of taste. So you can be assured that the people who eat the food like what they are eating. Second, the meal actually is good all on it's own and honestly, we highly recommend you try it.
We don't actually recommend tasting it to satisfy your curious palate but we do suggest eating the meal as a way of being in solidarity with those you serve. Some of you are reading this and thinking "oh great, one MORE thing to do", never fear, it's easy! Nearly all Rise Against Hunger staff are comfortable and familiar with making the meal and can even bring a rice cooker along with cups and spoons. For those of you who are more adventurous though, many parishes have a specific ministry cook the meals in the parish kitchen and use reusable cutlery and bowls for service so as to minimize waste and be in solidarity with the Burkinabe people we send the meals to.
Here are a few of our favorite ways we have seen meal tasting work.
Photo courtesy of Holy Name of Jesus, FL.
event, they do the CRS Rice Bowl Stations of the Cross and then they eat the meals in silence and contemplation of those who may be eating the food at the very same time overseas.
An event in the Southeast has volunteers go immediately to a separate room after packaging, as part of the event, they taste the meals and asked guided processing questions about the event, the meal, and the people in Burkina Faso who will eventually eat the food they just packaged.
Whatever way you decide to taste the meals – whether it's a small group or your entire volunteer base, we highly recommend adding this to your meal packaging experience! Just let us know so we can tell your on-site coordinator and have everything set before your big day.
Photo Couresty of St. Vincent de Paul, PA.